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Fathers Frank Bwalya selling his red cards at the PF rally.
COPPERBELT Minister Mwansa Mbulakulima has called on the Catholic Church leadership to rethink the re-admission of Get Involved Zambia executive director Frank Bwalya in conducting pastoral duties after ending his sabbatical leave.
Mr Mbulakulima challenged the Catholic Church leadership to dissociate itself from Father Bwalya’s activities by not allowing him to use the pulpit for his campaigns for the opposition Patriotic Front (PF).
“I am a member of the Catholic myself, the former priest Father Bwalya, who is now Mr Bwalya has caused a lot of embarrassment to the Catholic Church and many Christians from other churches have also raised concern over his activities,” he said.
Mr Mbulakulima was reacting to Father Bwalya’s public announcement yesterday that his sabbatical leave which started in 2008 was over and that he would resume work as a priest while continuing his political activities.
“He has just accumulated a lot of embarrassment and the people will now start questioning the motive of the Catholic Church for allowing such a man, who is a full time politician to start using the church building for his fight against the Government which is based on hate for the MMD,” Mr Mbulakulima said.
Father Bwalya said during a Change Life Zambia public rally in Ndola, which was also broadcast live on Radio Cengelo, that it was now time for regime change and vowed to continue speaking out against the Government of President Rupiah Banda until the Patriotic Front (PF) leader Michael Sata takes over Government after the elections.
At the same function, Kabwata MP Given Lubinda announced that the PF would go ahead with the Parallel Vote Tabulation during this year’s elections.
But, Mr Mbulakulima advised Mr Lubinda, not to provoke the Government because he was not a factor and no serious Government official would be wasting time responding to all the rhetoric coming from him.
THE Government has constituted a team of experts to probe allegations of stripping machinery at Kafue Textiles of Zambia (KTZ) by Indian Investors that are entrusted to revamp it.
Commerce Trade and Industry Minister Felix Mutati said yesterday said his ministry had received the report alleging that the investors had started stripping the company’s equipment.
“I can confirm that my ministry has received a report and immediately a team of experts was constituted to probe the extent of these allegations to establish the truth,” he said.
And the National Union of Commercial and Industrial has welcomed the Government’s decision to send a team of experts to KTZ saying the action by the Indian investors was aimed at killing the locals.
Union president Robert Munsanje said the stripping of the company’s equipment had been on going claiming that the said new investors trading under African Textiles had allegedly opened a textile company in Tanzania using equipment stripped from KTZ.
“We have received information that instead of these investors investing in Zambia they are busy taking equipment to another country where they want to start a new textile using our machinery,” he said.
Mr Munsanje said the textiles was meant for the community to benefit in terms of employment and warned that if the investors did not bring back the equipment the residents would not hesitate to stage a demonstration.
He said the Government was informed way back and residents were now running out of patience and putting pressure on the union which had tried to engage it to seek early intervention.
Red Arrows demolished promoted Lime Hotspurs to race to the top of the Super Division table in an Easter Monday goal-fest.
Arrows beat Lime 6-1 at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka to top the log on 11 points in the highest score game of Week 5.
Dube Phiri scored a hat-trick to raising his tally for the season to five goals in as many games played.
Jeff Kapelwa added a brace and midfielder Mwape Mwelwa scored one goal.
Arrows are level on points with Green Buffaloes who are second on the table after they beat Forest Rangers 2-1 away at Dola Hill in Ndola.
However, Buffaloes rallied from 1-0 down at half time to win after Zebron Njovu had given Forest an 11th minute lead.
Dears Kakunta leveled scores in the 49th minute before Chipili Mungule made sure that Buffaloes returned home with the three points in the 83rd minute.
Nakambala Leopards slipped to fourth from second after drawing 1-1 with Konkola Blades in Mazabuka.
Nchanga Rangers also inflicted some pain on a promoted side when they beat visiting Kalewa 4-0 in Chingola.
At Sunset Stadium in Lusaka, Zanaco thumped Nkwazi 5-0 in a game that flattered to deceive despite the score line.
Martin Siyingwa opened scored from the penalty spot in the 29th minute before Aubrey Funga and Henry Banda scored in the 38th and 45 minutes respectively to see Zanaco sail to a 3-0 halftime lead.
Funga completed his brace on 76 minutes and two minutes later Ignatius Lwipa finished the rout on his first return after a year out due to injury.
In Kabwe, Ronald Chinku’s was handed a stay of execution as Kabwe Warriors coach after the Railwaymen beat visiting Green Eagles 2-0 courtesy of an Elson Mkandawire brace.
This was Warriors first win of the season after three successive defeats from five games played.
The Local Government Service Commission (LGSC) has with immediate effect reinstated Livingstone Town clerk Ms Dras Neves and recalled her to duty
with full benefits.
This is contained in the statement obtained and signed by Local Government Service Commission secretary MacLoud Nyirenda and dated April 22nd 2011.
The decision was reached at after the April 15th 2011 sitting by the LGSC where it passed a null and void resolution on the suspension and termination of employment of Ms. Neves.
“The Commission at its sitting in Livingstone on 15th April 2011 resolved that the suspension and termination of Ms. Drastress Maria Sanana Neves’ contract of service as Town Clerk was null and void.
Consequently, the Commission has with immediate effect recalled her to duty with full benefits,” said Mr. Nyirenda.
And when contacted, Ms. Neves confirmed receiving the letter of reinstatement and said she will be reporting for work on Tuesday,April 26th after the long Easter holiday.
Last month, Local Government and Housing Minister Brian Chituwo directed the City council to follow laid down procedures in the suspension and termination of the contract of Ms. Neves.
Livingstone Mayor Aggrey Njekwa confirmed that the council had received the letter from Dr. Chituwo on the procedure the council should follow on addressing concerns against Ms Neves.
He said according to Dr Chituwo’s letter, the contract of Ms Neves can only be terminated by the Local Government Service Commission (LGSC).
Mr Njekwa said the letter further advices the council to channel their grievances on Ms. Neves through the commission.
“We received the Minister’s letter today at 10:35 hours from the provincial local government officer and so we are sitting this afternoon to take the right procedure in terminating Ms Neves.contract,” Mr. Njekwa said.
Mr Njekwa said Ms Neves will not work peacefully if she decides to return for work now as the situation at the council is volatile and further alleged that she had a pile of charges against her but he however, did not state the cases.
“Even if the town clerk comes here she won’t be able to work in a peaceful manner because the situation is volatile, moreover, I have a pile of charges against her so there is no way she can survive the on-slot of the mayor,” he said.
Earlier, Dr. Chituwo had ordered the council to immediately reinstate Ms. Neves because they did not have the powers to terminate her contract and ordered the council to immediately give back her office, official vehicle and all the emoluments that go with her position.
But Mr. Njekwa defied Dr. Chituwo’s directive saying he did not respond to press statements, arguing that there was a procedure to be followed between his council and the ministry.
President Banda with new Home Affairs minister Mkhondo Lungu at State House
MINISTER of Home Affairs Mkhondo Lungu says Government is open to dialogue over the controversy surrounding the Barotseland Agreement of 1964.
And Gallant Youths says the ploy by the Patriotic Front (PF) to use the Mongu fracas as a tool to incite Zambians to be violent is unfair for the people of Western province.
Mr Lungu said those championing the agreement must pursue the matter through dialogue and not anarchy.
He said Government will not tolerate anyone trying to cause chaos over the agreement, which some politicians are trying to use in an attempt to gain popularity in Western province.
“If anyone wants to fight for that (Barotseland Agreement) through dialogue, there is always room for dialogue. But if they want to, they will be arrested,” Mr Lungu said.
He was reacting to a story published in The Post on Saturday in which a former police officer, Maybin Sikwa, vowed to continue fighting for the Barotseland Agreement and urged people not to be intimidated by Government.
Mr Lungu said Government has a responsibility to maintain law and order and will not allow any illegality to threaten national peace and security.
“All those bent on causing trouble will be arrested because we want peace and not confusion,” he said.
Mr Sikwa’s pro-violence innuendos are contrary to the Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE)’s position on the BA.
After the January 14, 2011 Mongu fracas, the Barotse Royal Establishment said Western province will remain part of Zambia and saluted President Banda for initiating dialogue on the Barotseland Agreement.
In February, Senior Chief Inyambo Yeta presented a report to Mr Banda on the meeting of the Barotse Royal National Council held to discuss issues and events relating to the BA.
Speaking for the Litunga, Senior Chief Inyambo, who was accompanied by about 15 indunas, said the agreement does not provide for separation or secession of Western Province from the rest of Zambia.
“Barotseland is part of Zambia and that is consonant with the spirit of the Barotseland Agreement. That document does not provide for separation or indeed secession, as has been sensationalised over a period of time,” he said.
The senior chief said the BA is about national integration and unity and that advocating its restoration is not synonymous with secession.
President Banda has since assured the BRE that the government will address the report with the seriousness it deserves.
And Western police division commanding officer Fabian Katiba has dismissed The Post’s story that police in Mongu pushed the family of former treason detainee Mwiya Sihope to refute the newspaper’s earlier report in which the deceased’s son condemned Government for not providing help during the funeral.
Mr Katiba said in a telephone interview from Mongu yesterday that no officer was given such an assignment and that the entire police service is not aware of any attempt to coerce the Sihopes to refute the story.
“I have already spoken to the IG (Inspector General of Police Francis Kabonde) and we are not aware of that. Which family was pushed, and which officer did that? I don’t know about that,” Mr Katiba said.
He said Mr Sihope’s burial went well. He also said Maybin Sikwa is not a Mongu police officer as reported in The Post. Mr Sikwa was based in Lusaka before he was arrested over his involvement in the Mongu chaos.
Yesterday, Mr Kabonde said Mr Sikwa is no longer a police officer. He was dismissed from the service as soon as he engaged himself in the fracas over the Barotseland Agreement.
Mr Kabonde said Mr Sikwa was dismissed for breaching the republican Constitution, which every police officer is obliged to protect and uphold.
On inciting westerners, Gallant Youths of Zambia executive secretary Henry Mulenga said the PF was using The Post newspaper to incite violence by repeatedly bringing the Mongu fracas into the media spotlight so that the people of Western Province can react negatively to the authorities and the rest of the country.
Mr Mulenga said in the wake of the Mongu violence, it was incumbent upon all media houses to champion peace and unity.
“The noble profession of journalism should be used wisely to enhance the peace and unity that exists in the country,” he said.
And Mr Mulenga said it was clear that The Post was the official campaign newspaper for the PF.
“President Banda has repeatedly said the Zambian government is at peace with the Western Province and working tirelessly to bring development to the area, but The Post newspaper is the only media which is not seeing that,” he said.
He said in the interest of Zambia’s peace, it was not fair for the PF and The Post newspaper to champion the Mongu fracas to achieve their objective of turning the people of Western Province against Government and ultimately against the Zambian people.
“We as the Gallant Youths feel that The Post newspaper has an insatiable appetite to transform itself into the chief campaign manager for the PF,” he said.
Mr Mulenga said since 2008, The Post had worked tirelessly to create an impression that President Banda did not care for the Zambian people when in fact the President had been initiating development projects across all provinces.
He said the tabloid had used the Mongu fracas to discredit the government so that in the unlikely event that the PF wins this year’s elections, some editors would be given positions.
“We should not publish stories meant to incite violence in a specific section of the country,” he said.
He said the best thing to do in the interest of all peace-loving Zambians is to preach reconciliation and forgiveness so that the country continues to enjoy peace.
“Our humble appeal to the people of Zambia is that we must continue to advance the peace and tranquillity that has made Zambia one of the most admired states in the region.
Development comes about when the mindset changes and people begin to believe that they should work hard and live within the laws of the country.
Information plays a vital role in shaping the values of citizens, so all media organisations and the church should echo President Banda’s message that we should maintain peace and at the same time work hard to develop the country,” he said.
Former United Party for National Development official Colonel Panji Kaunda has denied allegations that he is going round the country campaigning for Patriotic Front Leader Micheal Sata.
Col Kaunda,who was expelled from the UPND for openly declaring his support for Mr.Sata has since formed the People’s PACT,a movement that is going round the country collecting people’s endorsement over their Presidential preference among the two opposition leaders,Sata and Hakainde Hichilema.
Col Kaunda says the people’s PACT was formed with a sole purpose of democratically removing the MMD from power using a collective decision, adding that
the movement is a replacement of the UPND-PF PACT which has since collapsed.
“After the collapse of the PACT,we thought we should go to the people themselves to find out which candidate people themselves want based on the popularity since their leaders have failed to agree ..so that was how we formed this coalition”, Col Kaunda said after the launch of the movement in Livingstone on Saturday.
Col.Kaunda,who is now the interim Chairperson of the Peopls’s PACT says people should not misunderstand the motive of the movement to be a campaign vehicle for SATA despite him having endorsed the PF Leader ahead of the forthcoming election polls.
After making the declaration in favour of Sata,the UPND immediately announced Col.Kaunda’s expulsion from the Party.
“That was my opinion,I was asked as a politician ‘who do you think can win these elections between Sata and HH’ my answer was Sata because he is more popular and I was expelled from the Party but this movement has nothing to do with that, it is purely a pressure group to remove the ruling Party from power,”he said.
Col.Kaunda,who however has maintained that even though he has been expelled from the UPND,he is ready to work with any members of the opposition whose goal is to remove the ruling Party from Government.
Meanwhile a co-opted member of the People’s PACT,Francis Muchiba,who is also former United National Independence Party(UNIP)District Chairman for Livingstone says the MMD Government should be removed from power because it has failed to deliver.
Mr.Muchiba pointed out a number of parastatal companies in Livingstone that have collapsed as a justification of the failures.
“Look, since we need to remove this Government in power, what we are saying is let us put someone not necessarily a perfect leader but someone who we will give conditions that opens the doors for us,it might be Sata,it might be Hakainde but the idea is they open the door for us ,”
The Launch that was held at Villa Grounds in the vicinity of Livingstone’s largest township Dambwa was fairly attended with notably only one member of the UPND seated at the high table.
UNITED Party for National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema has reiterated that he will run in the presidential race this year again and has refused to withdraw from this year’s presidential elections.
Reacting to a call made by the New Generation Party (NGP) President Humphrey Siulapwa for him to not take party in the presidential race, Mr Hichilema said that Mr Siulappwa was entitled to make his comments as Zambia is a democracy where people are free to express their views.
Mr. Siulapwa, speaking today at a public rally in Nampundwe, urged Mr. Hichilema to consider working with the ruling MMD. NGP President said that Mr. Hichilema should not waste his resources campaigning as a presidential candidate.
Mr. Siulapwa also said that Mr. Hichilema should also consider contesting as a Member of Parliament so that he could learn matters of national governance in parliament.
Mr. Siulapwa observed that the UPND President has also lost his standing in Southern Province after 41 chiefs pledged their support for President Rupiah Banda during this year’s elections.
Zambia's Foreign Affairs Minister Kabinga Pande (l)
Kasempa Member of Parliament Kabinga Pande has urged people in his constituency to reject Patriotic Front leader Michael Sata in this year’s polls and vote for President Rupiah Banda.
Mr Pande who described Mr Sata as a disrespectful and divisive politician told residents of Muselepete compound in Kasempa that the PF leader is a tribalist.
Mr Pande who is also Foreign Affairs minister says if Mr Sata is elected as president Zambia’s peace will not be guaranteed.
He was speaking at a rally in Kasempa.
And senior chief Kasempa commended President Banda for his style of leadership stating that he is a leader who embraces every Zambian.
And in Mkushi South Constituency people have thanked President Rupiah Banda for sending a team of officers to the area to conduct the mobile National Registration Card-NRC exercise.
Residents of Luano Valley have not had nor NRC and Voter Registration exercise since 1996.
Mkushi South MP Sydney Chisanga says the electorates in the area are grateful to President Banda’s administration for his concern about the welfare of the people in Luano Valley.
Mr. Chisanga told ZNBC News that people in the area have been looking forward to being registered as potential voters.
He says people in the area were left out on the first mobile voter registration exercise and had been pleading with authorities to send officers to the area to register them.
Roy Mwaba (left)-It will be a close contest between MMD and PF
UNIVERSITY of Zambia (UNZA) lecturer has said the analysis by the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) that this year’s elections will be tightly contested by the Patriotic Front (PF) and the MMD is flawed because indicators on the ground are that the ruling party is headed for victory.
Mr Phineas Bbaala, a lecturer in the School of Political and Administrative Studies, said in Lusaka yesterday that the demise of the pact between the PF and the UPND had weakened the opposition parties.
“The PF was much stronger when they were in a pact. The PF is weaker now that they are alone. It is political naivety for anyone to think that the three-day riots in Mongu can sway the voting pattern of the Western Province. These riots were not in the entire province.
Most of the individuals that we are reading speaking from Western Province that PF has made inroads are individuals who cannot be trusted politically. These are people that have been jumping from one political party to another,” he said.
Mr Bbaala said the ZCTU analysis was also flawed because it only focused on by-elections won by the PF without taking into consideration those won by the MMD and the UPND.
He said going by the results of the recent by- elections, both parliamentary and local government, the MMD is set to win this year’s elections with ease.
Mr Bbaala said in the by-elections like in Mporokoso and Chifubu where the MMD had lost, indications were such that the ruling party was making serious inroads into the PF stronghold.
“The UPND and PF are likely to share votes in the opposition strongholds and MMD looks set to continue fishing from their ponds as indicated in the local government by-elections and even in the parliamentary by-elections.
When one takes a broader picture of the outlook of the by-elections, it is clear that the MMD is set to win this year’s elections,” he said.
Mr Bbaala also said the recent empowerment decision by the MMD on the Copperbelt was likely to advantage the ruling party during the polls.
“Definitely the decision by the Government to empower the people on the Copperbelt will benefit the MMD. This is testimony by what we see on television and what we are reading,” he said.
Over the weekend, Zambia Congress of Trade Unions secretary general Roy Mwaba said the analysis from ZCTU’s research committee revealed that it would be a close contest between the PF and MMD.
Roan United have taken the lead of the Faz Super Division table for at least 24 hours after beating Power Dynamos 2-1 away at Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe on Sunday in a Week 5 match.
The win also meant that Paul Mulenga’s side maintained a three-year league unbeaten run against Power who last defeated the Luanshya side in the first half of 2008.
Ndola drifter Graven Chitalu scored his fourth goal of the season with his new club Roan when he opened scores in the 25th minute.
Power new signing Lottie Phiri, who in 2004 captained the Zambia Under-20 team in a 2-1 loss to Amajita South Africa at the same venue, equalized 11 minutes later.
Former Forest Rangers and Zambia schools international forward Lyson Sikaonga made sure of the three points with his second goal of the season with eight minutes remaining on the clock.
Roan have now beaten Power in three straight league games at home and away since last season.
The 2009 season saw Roan and Power draw home and away and also shared the points in their previous meeting in a Week 27 meeting in Luanshya in 2008.
However, Power can trace back their last win against Roan to May 31, 2008 in a Week 11 game when they won 1-0 in Kitwe thanks to a goal from controversial striker Francis Kombe.
Meanwhile, Power fans staged a mini stake-out for new coach Beston Chambeshi on the back of two successive defeats after losing by a similar margin to Konkola Blades away on Friday.
HOME Affairs Minister Mkhondo Lungu has urged people not to politicise the death of a police detainee, Kabayo Kabayo, 16, because he died from natural causes.
Mr Lungu said prison authorities acted promptly when Kabayo fell sick, while medical personnel at Mumbwa Hospital tried their best to save the boy’s life, but he unfortunately died.
Speaking in an interview yesterday, Mr Lungu condemned politicians and The Post for casting aspersions at the State that they killed Kabayo who was in police custody at the time that he fell sick.
Mr Lungu said Kabayo, who was diagnosed with a bacteria infection, was initially treated at Mumbwa hospital and discharged after a successful treatment.
He said the boy was re-admitted a few days later but unfortunately died.
“No one takes pleasure when a life is lost, because it’s our duty to preserve human life. Doctors at Mumbwa Hospital did their best to treat the young man.
It’s not true that the boy was killed. People die whether in prison or outside prison,” Mr Lungu said.
He urged politicians to desist from seeking political mileage over the loss of life because death is a sad and painful thing.
He said the death of Kabayo was purely a natural calamity and the people of Zambia should not condon deceit from people who want to seize any opportunity to tarnish the image of Government.
“We need to be calm and cautious of what we say. Politics aside, individuals can fall ill anytime, anywhere,” Mr Lungu said.
He said Kabayo was arrested alongside other rioters in Mongu last February to maintain law and order.
The Minister said the arrests were meant to protect lives and property, and that had police not acted they would have been accused of neglecting their responsibility.
Police in Mansa , Luapula Province , today, conducted a clean up execise in the area in a bid to recover looted goods following recent riots in the area.
ZANIS reports armed Police conducted a door to door search of looted goods especially Namwandwe village where it is alleged most of the looted goods had been taken.
The police recovered verious goods including matresses, cement, cooking oil, bicycles, iron sheets, cushions and Meali meal, among others.
A team of invistigators from the Zambia police led by Deputy Commissioner Doctor Ausionsio Mbewe was this afternoon on the ground to verify the true owners of the recovered goods.
Riots recently broke out in Mansa after residents of Senama and Kapesha areas in the provincial capital staged a riots following a rumours that local businessmen have engaged killers who are abducting children for body parts to use in boosting their businesses.
Business properties that were looted and burnt belong to four business people AMICO investment belonging to Ibrahim Sanaullar, Nana belonging to John Kambafwile, ICM investment owned by Ireen Chilongo and Country Grocery run by Papi Muzungu.
The rioters also burnt down houses and vehicles belonging to the businessmen.
Another businessman a money lender named Wilbroad Chishimba was burnt to death yesterday, his was also house destroyed and four vehicles set on fire.
Luapula Province Minister has called for beefing up of police personnel in Mansa so that people’s life and property can be secured at all costs.
Police spokesperson Ndandula Siamana said 220 rioters have since been arrested.
She has meanwhile advised the travelling publicto carry with the official identity documents on the way to Mansa as police have mounted three check points into Mansa.
Meanwhile, Mr Lungu urged the people of Mansa to restrain themselves from riotous behaviour which has disrupted business and resulted in loss of property.
He said that the Mansa fracas which was instigated by rumours that entrepreneurs were involved in ritual killing to enhance their business fortunes, could affect economic activities in the district if perpetuated.
Mr Lungu said it is in the local people’s interest for shops and other business houses to resume normal operations.
“If business people fear to operate in Mansa, it is the people of Mansa who stand to lose,” Mr Lungu said.
He urged the Zambians to always seek dialogue on any issues of concern as opposed to taking the law into their own hands.
Mr Lungu also called on Zambians to observe a peaceful and incident-free Easter.
“Police can’t maintain peace and order by themselves. We need to cooperate with them. Let us not look at police as enemies, let’s treat them as friendly forces because they are there to protect us,” Mr Lungu said.
Chikondi Foundation President Bishop John Mambo says it is disappointing with sections of the church body for its indifference to the rising cases of violence in the country.
Speaking to ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today, Bishop Mambo said he is saddened by the Church’s failure to play an active role in addressing the rising levels of violence.
He said he is saddened for the church has been relatively silent on the riotous situation that rocked Mansa district of Luapula Province.
The clergyman charged that the church has become compromised because its leaders have become more self centered above society’s interests.
Bishop Mambo said church leaders in Mansa should have gone out of their way to pray and preach the word for God to the citizenry in Mansa and ensure that they do not take the law in their own hands over suspension of ritual killings and murders.
“What has happened in Mansa is very sad especially that the country has been declared a Christian nation. But one tends to ask where the church was when all of this was happening.
“ We have compromised ourselves as a church. We are busy blaming government at every stage but we are to blame, what is our role in the governance of the country. We are definitely not doing much,” he observed.
Bishop Mambo noted that church leaders are busy preaching prosperity gospel for themselves at the expense of the ordinary citizens.
He said the church should have played a central role in preaching the word of God and assuring the people there that God was more powerful than witchcraft.
“Why fear witchcraft when the bible tells us that in his name we can touch the most deadly snake or drink the most poisonous drink but still stand”, he wondered.
The Clergyman said the church has shifted from true biblical teaching of loving one’s neigbour to concentrate more on competing amongst themselves.
President Rupiah Banda says he will not rest until every Zambian has easy access to low-cost healthcare.
Speaking on World Malaria Day, President Banda says he would use the day of commemoration to highlight the work still to be done to reach Zambia’s own healthcare targets.
Mr. Banda said the global community is working towards a target of zero malaria deaths by 2015.
“My vision is for a Zambia where all people have equal and universal access to healthcare. We have made great in-roads to achieving this – most recently, by opening nine new mobile hospitals to help us reach outlying areas , ” President Banda said.
He added that his government is working hard to secure more investment to extend the reach of our anti-malaria programme.
Mr Banda noted that it is also important that we educate everybody on the measures they can take to reduce risk. On World Malaria Day.
“I appealed to every Zambian to be vigilant in protecting themselves, and to support one another, so that we can look forward to tomorrow’s Zambia free of this disease.” said Mr Banda.
This is contained in statement released to Zanis by special assistant to the President for Press and public Relations in lusaka today.
World Malaria Day brings together governments, businesses, donors and patients to raise awareness of the progress made in reaching this target and to call on all countries to work together to eradicate the deadly disease.
The 2010 World Malaria Report showed a 50 per cent reduction in cases of malaria in 11 African countries.
Zambia has been a pioneer in identifying new measures to prevent and treat the disease.
Under President Banda, the Southern African country has undergone mass distribution of free insecticide treated mosquito nets, indoor residual spraying of houses and investment in diagnosis and treatment has seen malaria deaths decline by more than two thirds since 2000.
Last week, Director of Public Health and Research Dr. Victor Mukonka spoke publicly about the strong political will, leadership and increased funding to malaria programmes which has resulted in the 66 per cent decline in malaria incidence.
Zambia is now well ahead of the Abuja Declaration and the World Health Organisation’s global ‘Roll Back Malaria’ target.
TWO illegal miners died yesterday after being buried alive at Nchanga Open Pit Mine in Chingola while digging for Copper ore at the dumpsites.
And police on the Copperbelt have launched a manhunt for two gunmen who allegedly shot dead a man and got away with more than K1 million on the Kitwe- Kalulushi road.
Copperbelt Police commanding officer Martin Malama confirmed the incidents in an interview in Kitwe yesterday.
Dr Malama said the two illegal miners who were in a group of friends met their fate between 01:00 hours and 02:50 hours at 60 metres bench level.
He said their colleagues managed to retrieve the bodies and left them on the surface where the mine police found them.
“I can confirm that two miners were buried alive at Nchanga Open Pit mine in Chingola while digging for copper ore. They were in the company of their friends who retrieved their bodies and left them on the surface,” Dr Malama said.
He named the deceased as Justine Silwamba of house number 3 Robert Chipekwe Road in Chiwempala and William Katongo of Makulu Road of the same residence in Chingola.
Dr Malama said their colleagues have informed their relatives and that the bodies are at Nchanga North Hospital Mortuary.
And Dr Malama said two gunmen wearing masks on Friday shot dead a driver delivering bulk beer for Kankoyo Breweries in Kalulushi.
He said the incident happened around 18:00 hours between Kalulushi and Kitwe road and named the deceased as John Mutambo 55, of Kantashi Township in Mufulira.
Dr Malama said the gunmen shot Mr Mutambo in the neck while driving his vehicle, a Fuso Fighter Canter, and got away with more than K1 million.
Mr Mutambo was with a lorry boy who jumped out of the vehicle and ran to safety.
Meanwhile, WALLEN SIMWAKA reports that a cash-in-transit attempted heist on Thursday evening left motorists and pedestrians frozen with terror when three armed robbers masked in black Ninja tunics failed to accomplish their mission of stealing from a businessman of Asian origin on Independence Avenue in Kamwala.
The robbers had closely and inconspicuously trailed their target along Independence Avenue and as they approached the traffic lights at the Burma Road junction, they swiftly jumped out of a Corolla car they were in and briskly walked to the car the businessman was in just ahead of them.
The robbers tried to open the doors of the businessman’s car but they were locked. The businessman sensed danger and he sped off, ignoring the traffic red light. The bandits armed with a pistol and AK47 assault rifles then started shooting in the air prompting motorists and their passengers to cower in their vehicles while pedestrians scampered
The bandits jumped back into their car and sped after the businessman.
A witness at the scene said the incident happened around 17:45 hours.
“I was on a bus going home. As we approached the traffic lights three men all dressed in black and masked jumped out of the Corolla and ran to the car which was being driven by an Asian man. He immediately took off meandering through many other stationary cars and bandits sped after him as they shot in the air,” she said.
Police have confirmed the attempted cash heist and have launched a manhunt for the criminals.
Lusaka Police commanding officer Mhlakeni Zulu said the businessman owns a shop in Kamwala trading area and that the robbers must have suspected that he had the daily takings with him.
Meanwhile, CHRISTINE CHISHA reports that a three year old girl and a woman believed to be in her 30s died on the spot while four other passengers sustained injuries when the motor vehicle they were travelling in careered off the road on the Zimba-Livingstone road.
Police service spokesperson Ndandula Siamana said the incident happened around 12:00 hours.
She said the accident happened when Ajay Kurma, 38, lost control of the vehicle he was driving.
Ms Ndandula said those seriously injured and admitted to Shasik Private Hospital in Livingstone are Dipak Grove, 26, Garima Kurma, 37, and Divyani Kurma, 7.
The dead have been identified as Raj Kurma and Ruhn Kurma.
Meanwhile, police have appealed to members of the public travelling to Mansa to carry National Registration Cards (NRCs) with them as police have mounted check points at three entry points into Mansa.
