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The Patriotic Front (PF) Party in Lusaka has accused the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) of manipulating the voters register ahead of the tripartite elections this year.
Some PF members from Mandevu last evening stormed Muvi TV with claims that they have documents of untallied figures of the number of registered voters in the area.
PF Constituency Secretary, Lusale Kanyanta also claimed the documents show that some polling stations registered no voters during the registration period, which he says can never be the case for Mandevu.
They further appealed to ECZ to clarify the issue.
But ECZ Public Relations Manager, Chris Akufuna says the claims by the PF members are not justified.
Mr. Akufuna says the documents in question are old and are not a true representation of the current register as at now.
He has,therefore, urged the general public to seek consultation from the commission for any query.
Mr Akufuna further said the ECZ has also announced a voter verification period to allow people to verify their registration and details.
Meanwhile, Mr. Akufuna says the ECZ has managed to cover all the nine provinces in the delimitation exercise.
Mr. Akufuna says the commission is overwhelmed with the response from the various submissions.
He says most of the demands from public are that the number constituencies should be increased.
Mr. Akufuna says the ECZ will have to compile the data then submit to the relevant authorities.
[ MUVI ]
A 23-year-old man of Shachele Village in Chief Shakumbila area in Mumbwa district is battling for his life after he was accidently shot in the stomach by his uncle.
Police spokesperson, Ndandula Siamana says Hilux Muleza was shot by Alison Hanyama, when he was demonstrating how to operate a pistol.
She says the uncle did not realize that there was one bullet in the pistol when he was demonstrating to his nephew how it works.
Ms. Ndandula says Mr Hanyama has since been apprehended while Mr Muleza is battling for his life in Nangoma Hospital.
And the police in Kabwe have recovered an AK-47 riffle after a tip from the general public.
She says the gun was retrieved after criminals attempted to rob residents of Kafulamase compound in Kabwe east.
{ MUVI ]
File: MMD vice national secretary Micheal Mabenga with MMD's Jim Gondwe .
Government has urged the people of Western province to guard against opposition political parties that want to use mere politicking to destroy the peace that is prevailing in the province.
Lands Deputy Minister Michael Mabenga said Zambia is a Christian nation which should continue to enjoy the peace it has enjoyed since independence.
Mr. Mabenga said this when he addressed a mammoth rally in Winela area in Mongu District yesterday.
He also urged women and youth to use their votes wisely by voting for credible leaders who can foster development in the whole country.
Mr. Mabenga appealed to women and the youth to give President Banda another five year term in this year’s tripartite elections.
He said by voting President Banda into office, government will continue to build more schools, hospitals and roads.
Mr. Mabenga further challenged men who attended the rally to join women and the youth in the good decisions to support good leadership in the country.
Meanwhile, MMD Youth District Chairman Mbangu Mbangu said the votes for Western Province are for the MMD.Mr. Mbangu said the youth in the Mongu district will rally behind President Rupiah Banda during this year’s polls adding that the party is still strong in the district and all its structures are intact.
FLASHBACK: Information Minister Ronnie Shikapwasha
Information Minister Lieutenant General Ronnie Shikapwasha has disclosed that about US$ 37 million worth of pirated video and audio materials were last year destroyed by government through numerous seizures of pirated and counterfeit products.
Lt. Gen. Shikapwasha says the exercise showed how much artists and government are losing through piracy and counterfeits although most of the works that were destroyed were of foreign origin.
ZANIS reports that Lt. Gen. Shikapwasha said this in a speech read on his behalf by Information Permanent Secretary Dr. Sam Phiri during the official opening of a three-day World Intellectual Property Organisation-Africa regional meeting on copyright and related rights in Lusaka today.
The meeting which has drawn participants from Zambia and other countries in Africa among them Gambia, Kenya and Ghana has jointly been organized by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), the African Regional Intellectual Property Organisation (ARIPO) and government.
Lt. Gen. Shikapwasha stressed that government attaches great importance to the promotion and protection of intellectual property rights as demonstrated by the numerous seizures of pirated and counterfeit products from the markets across the country.
He said intellectual property provides employment to artists and creators hence the need of protecting the Intellectual Property Rights.
The Minister further noted that artists pay taxes such as Value Added Tax among others to government and that it was therefore important that intellectual property in general, copyright and other related rights in particular are respected to safeguard the rights holders.
Lt. Gen. Shikapwasha also announced that government has taken deliberate measures aimed at protecting intellectual property rights which includes the Amendment to the Performance Rights Act.
He added that all statutes governing industrial property are being reviewed to make laws compliant to the international treaties and conventions that Zambia is part of.
Meanwhile, the Minister has indicated that the country still faces a lot of challenges with regards to copyright administration among them lack of capacity to effectively run collective management organizations despite the efforts that government has been making.
He appealed to the two organisations to continue training officers from his ministry and other agencies involved in the administration of copyright and related rights as that would ensure that the country has an effective mechanism for administering intellectual property.
And WIPO Assistant Director General Trevor Clerk said counterfeit products are a serious concern on people’s health and that copyright undermines the rights of creators hence the need to have everyone’s involvement in addressing such issues.
He observed that the 21st century was entered with tremendous copyright challenges and his organization is mandated to protect intellectual property globally.
Speaking on his behalf by ARIPO Director Christopher Kiige, Director General Jeff Sibanda thanked government and the rest of the country for the support it has given to his organisation since its inception.
Mr. Sibanda hoped that the meeting would be used as a platform for crafting appropriate recommendations for full implantation of the mandate on copyright and related rights within the framework of his orgainisation.
Hooliganism reared its ugly head in familiar locales on Sunday when Garden Park in Kitwe erupted into a riot.
This is after home side “Chingalika” Kitwe United supporters rioted in the closing stages of their Faz Division 1 North Week 8 game against Chambishi.
The game was goalless until the 85th minute when Erick Chibuye scored what looked like the winning goal before all hell broke loose.
“Chingalika’s” hardcore supporters stoned the Chambishi bus and match officials forcing both players and officials to seek refuge in the centre circle as the home fans stepped up from their customary weekly match-day verbal assault to physical attacks.
United’s fans complained that referee Abel Mumbe of Chililabombwe had disallowed two chances on goal for their side, one that was ruled for offside and the other a penalty.
No injuries were reported from both clubs in the ensuing riot.
Ndola United 1-Mining Rangers 1
Kabwe United 1-Indeni 1
Prisons Leopards 2-Luanshya United 0
Mufulira Blackpool 1-Chindwin Sentries 0
Konkola Mine Police 1-Mufulira Wanderers 1
Mufulira Police 0-Bresmer United 1
Kalulushi Modern Stars 2-Zesco Luapula 0
Nkwiza 1-Lusaka Dynamos 0
Kitwe United 0-Chambishi 1*
*Match abandonded
South
National Assembly 2-Big Roma 0
Luena Buffaloes 0-Profund Warriors 0
Riflemen 4-Senanga Leopards 1
Lusaka City Council 1-Lusaka Tigers 1
Kalomo Jetters 1-City of Lusaka 0
Kafue United 1-Livingstone Pirates 1
Mazabuka United 1-Paramilitary 0
Freedom Rangers 2-Petauke United 0
Nampundwe 2- Young Green Eagles 0
Livestock and Fisheries Minister Bradford Machila has cautioned young people in the country not to be swayed into voting for leaders that have no agenda for them as the country heads towards the general elections.
Mr. Machila says it is important for young people to scrutinize leaders and take into consideration their track record of good governance before giving them a vote.
ZANIS reports that speaking when he addressed youths in Mongu during the Western Province youth indaba, the Minister stated that the MMD government is the ideal choice for the youth in this year’s election because of strides government has made in uplifting their living standards.
Mr. Machila urged the youth to be careful with leaders especially from the opposition whose main objective is to use and exploit them in order to get to power.
He said it is imperative for the youth to exercise caution and ensure they vote wisely, saying the decision they make today will not only affect them but the future generation as well.
And Mr. Machila has urged the youth to be wary of the scourge of HIV/AIDS for them to continue contributing effectively to national development.
He said government is depending on the young people to push the development agenda of the nation hence the need for the youth to guard their health jealously.
Kapoche Member of Parliament Fashion Phiri says he expects improved School attendance at Kamjoma Basic School after successful construction of a multi-million kwacha 120 meters foot bridge in Kamjoma area.
Mr. Phiri said the development has come at the right time as it will help improve class attendance at the school and motivate the pupils to learn more.
The Parliamentarian , who is also Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister, said School attendance was in the recent past poor as a result of floods during every rainy season.
The situation forced some pupils to eventually discontinue their education.
Professor Phiri said it was governments desire to ensure that children from rural areas have an equal opportunity of accessing quality education.
He said this during a handover of a multi-miilion kwacha 120 kilometers foot bridge constructed by the Rotary Club of Nkwazi.
And the club’s Director for Bridges for Prosperity, Zoe Kaone says her club has spent over US $ 30,000 Cable Foot-bridge project in Kamjoma area in Kapoche constituency in Petauke district.
She said the project has been completed successfully in partnership with the New Port News Rotary club of Virginia in the United States.
” We are particularly grateful to the government of the Republic of Zambia and also the rotary club of New Port for the construction of the first ever cable suspension foot bridge in Eastern province,” she said.
The 120 meters modern facility Foot Bridge at Kamjoma has changed the face of the area adding that Kamjoma would now become popular because of the foot bridge.
Zesco United defender Billy Mwanza is out of danger after he was hit with a fire flare stick and injured on Sunday evening in the teams’ 1-0 loss to Al Ahly of Egypt in Cairo.
Mwanza needed four stitches on his arm after a flare hit his arm causing a 4 centimeter wound early in the second half of the Caf Champions League second round, return leg match.
Zesco club secretary said from Cairo that Mwanza who collapsed after he was hit by the flare was rushed to hospital where he was treated for his wound and later discharged.
Mumba said Zesco were lodging a complaint to Caf through their delegation leader George Kasengele over the incident.
Al Ahly supporters pelted the pitch with flares that left a thick plume of smoke over the stadium before the hosts scored the decisive goal in the 67th minute through midfielder Mohamed Barakat.
President Rupiah Banda puts a wreath on the grave of his late wife Hope Banda at Old leopards Hill cemetery in Lusaka .
2.
President Rupiah Banda and First Lady Thandiwe lay a wreath on the grave of late South African freedom fighter Tsepo Modise at Old leopards Hill cemetery in Lusaka
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Commerce Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Lwipa Puma gets a feel of a rally car driven by Zambian driver Mohammed Issa (right) at the opening of the motor show in Lusaka
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Young Matthew McRobb admires a speed boat displayed by Auto World at the opening of the motor show in Lusaka .
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Young Matthew McRobb gets a feel of a speed boat displayed by Auto World at the opening of the motor show in Lusaka .
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The Law Association of Zambia recently held its annul general meeting in Livingstone at which Lawyer Mwenya Musa (right) ascended to the presidency to succeed Stephen Lungu (left). Above, Mr Lungu congratulates Mr Musa at the meeting.
7.
President Banda's Aid D'camp Mr Mayoko helps the President put on a jacket before left for Turkey at Lusaka International airport.
8.
President Banda talks to journalists before he left for Turkey at Lusaka international airport
9.
Nkana's Warren Kunda block Zanaco's Ignatius Lwipa during the MTN FAZ super league game at Sunset stadium. The teams drew 1-1.
10.
Nkana goalkeeper Kelvin Mulenga and Zanaco's Eugine Shamakamba fight for the ball during the MTN FAZ super league division week seven game at Sunset stadium. The game ended 1-1. (1)
11.
Zanaco's Ignatius Lwipa and Nkana's Douglas Chimanya fight for the ball during the MTN FAZ super league week seven game played at Sunset stadium. The teams drew 1-1.
12.
New Generation Party leader Humphrey Siulapwa with a bodyguard speaking during a press briefing in Lusaka.
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Zambia Red Cross society members cleaning Kabwata market during the commemoration of the World Red Cross Day in Lusaka
A CHURCH elder in the Seventh-Day Adventist Church (SDA) in Nakonde district in Northern Province says exposure to internet and pornography has contributed greatly to the moral decay among the youths in the border town.
Isaac Musukwa said this yesterday at SDA Nakonde main church in his special Family Life sermon.
Elder Musukwa said the continued exposure of the youths to the internet and pornography has contributed to the unbecoming behaviour of the youths who always want to experiment what they see on internet and pornographic materials.
Elder Musukwa said there is need to regulate what information or material is exposed to the youths so as to have decent youths who would grow up into responsible citizens of the country.
He also charged that some parents have also contributed to the diminishing moral fiber in society because of their failure to promote decent dressing among their children.
Elder Musukwa said a good parent ensures that a child is well dressed before leaving home adding that poor dressing that exposes essential parts of the body has resulted into a number of rape and defilement cases.
And Elder Musukwa also said broken homes are a source of social problems affecting the community.
He said there is need to promote strong marriages that will be responsible for the good upbringing of the children.
Elder Musukwa said there is need for couples to be faithful to each other saying there should be no sex outside marriage as it is a recipe for social ills in the community.
The church elder called on the Christian community to be prayerful in order for them not to be tempted into sinning saying Zambia is a Christian nation and therefore, there is need to promote good morals among its citizens.
A commissioner in the Ministry of Home Affairs has urged newly-wed couples to respect vows of marriage and fear God if they are to succeed in marriage.
Mr. Ananias Miti, who is member of the Police and Prisons Service Commission, also warned new couples to avoid infidelity in order to avoid the HIV and AIDS scourge.
Mr. Miti reminded young couples that marriage vows were meant to cement the unity of husband and wife just like God created Adam and Eve to be one body.
He said this last evening during the wedding ceremony of son of Lusaka Deputy Permanent Secretary, Richard Chinjili, Dockson, who married Mirriam Hara in Lusaka.
Mr. Miti, who is also former Eastern Province Police Officer Commanding, advised the young couple to stick to each other until death, saying nobody else forced them into the marriage bondage but themselves.
He added that it was for this reason that they should remain honest with each other so that they avoid the HIV and HIDS scourge.
Mr. Miti warned HIV and AIDS has no cure and has brought more misery than happiness in young marriages through infidelity between couples.
“I want to remind you that you are one body. If one of you travels out, he/she should always remember that another half has remained back home so you should not look for sexual substitutes out there,” he said.
He also warned the couple that if they chose to be unfaithful, they risk breaking their marriage, an act which he said would be defying Gods wish and was tantamount to eternal punishment.
UPND vice president Richard Kapita and spokesperson during a press briefing in Lusaka
United Party for National Development (UPND) has described the recent revelations made by former defence minister on the $ US 100 million arms deals as shameful.
UPND vice president for administration Richard Kapita says government should therefore come out in the open and set the record straight in the allegations made by Mr. Mpombo that president Banda wanted his Son James to benefit fRoM the deal.
Mr. Kapita tells QFM news that it is time that African leaders and those in particular learnt to be honest when serving the people that put them into office.
He adds that the truth will one day surface no matter how long it may take because the people of Zambia are following all the developments closely.
And Mr. Kapita says the people of Zambia should not expect much from parliament when it resumes sitting this month-end.
He says the MMD had an opportunity to give the people of Zambia a new constitution but that it instead chose to manipulate the all process.
Mr. Kapita has since called for the dissolution of parliament so that the country can go to the polls.
[pullquote]Mr. Mpombo said that he had no documentation on the matter claiming that all the documents were left at the ministry of defense.[/pullquote]
However, former defense Minister George Mpombo failed to substantiate his claims over what he termed the failed arms deal when asked to produce documentation to support the allegations.
Mr. Mpombo said that he had no documentation on the matter claiming that all the documents were left at the ministry of defense.
When asked further as to whether he has any evidence about the claims he has been making in the recent past Mr. Mpombo who is also Kafulafuta MP said it was difficult to prove.
Zesco United were on Sunday evening ejected from the Caf Champions League by Al Ahly of Egypt in Cairo.
The Ndola club lost 1-0 to the record six time African club champions to bow out on the same aggregate score line.
First half substitute and Egyptian international midfielder Mohamed Barakat, who missed the first leg that ended 0-0 in Ndola on April 23 due to injury, scored the games’ lone goal.
Barakat scored the winner in the 67th minute to relegate Zesco to the Caf Confederation Cup third round to be played at the end of May.
Al Ahly advance to the Champions League group stage in July.
Meanwhile, Zesco defender Billy Mwanza was substituted after fainting just after the start of the second half in the midst of Al Ahly fans torching a section of the stands as play was stopped for five minutes.
New Generation Party President Humphrey Siulapwa has warned Zambians to be wary of politicians calling for change to avoid plunging the country into chaos.
Speaking during a press briefing at the party headquarters in Lusaka today, Mr. Siulapwa said Zambians are clever enough to see what type of change they want and not the change being advocated by frustrated politicians.
Mr. Siulapwa said majority of some former MMD members who have been expelled from the ruling party have now re-grouped under the Patriotic Front thinking that Zambians are not watching them.
He warned the Patriotic Front members to be careful with people such as Former Ministers, Mike Mulongoti, Ludwig Sondashi, Edith Nawakwi, George Mpombo and Mbita Chitala whom he described as disgruntled politicians who have lost direction and have since joined the Patriotic Front.
He accused Mr. Mulongoti of lacking principles and that he was a shameless opportunist who overrates himself.
Mr. Siulapwa said it was strange that Mr. Mulongoti had allegedly continued cheating the nation that he put President Banda in State House in 2008 yet he only has one vote.
He said contrary to what he termed Mr. Mulongoti’s selfish motives; Mr. Siulapwa said it was the people of Zambia that voted to have President Banda in State House.
Mr. Siulapwa wondered why it had to take a dismissal for Mr. Mulongoti to see all the evil things he was now talking about with regards to President Rupiah Banda.
He said Mr. Mulongoti’s behaviour exposed how shallow minded and selfish he is.
He warned Mr. Mulongoti and Dr. Chitala to stop making un necessary attacks on President Banda because his supporters wont sit idle but retaliate when ever the Head of State is insulted.
He said Dr. Chitala was unstable, unreliable and a traitor who has betrayed both former President Frederick Chiluba and late President Mwanawasa when he was given responsibility in the party and in Government to serve the Zambian people.
And the New Generation Party President has rubbished the opinion poll conducted by the Center for Policy Dialogue Executive Director Dr. Neo Simutanyi that Patriotic Front President Michael Sata is poised to win this year’s elections by 31 percent.
Mr. Siulapwa said it was wishful thinking that the Patriotic Front President Michael Chilufya Sata will win this year’s election.
He said the people of Zambia know very well what President Banda has done for this country and that he deserves a second term of office.
The opposition leader said those thinking that President Rupiah Banda will lose this year’s election will wake up to a rude shock after the announcement of the results.
Sports minister Kenneth Chipungu and his deputy Christopher Kalila
Sport, Youth and Child Development Minister Kenneth Chipungu has called on all youths to reject violence and only use dialogue and mutual understanding to resolve differences as the country heads towards the 2011 tripartite elections.
Mr. Chipungu advised the youths to reject politicians who are proponents of violence at all cost as they are capable of wrecking chaos and disharmony in the country.
ZANIS reports that the Minister said this in a speech read for him by his deputy Brian Sikazwe during the Western Province Youth indaba held under the theme ‘Let the Youth be Heard, Dialogue and Mutual Understanding.
He said the country needs to guard jealously the peace it has enjoyed since its independence in 1964.
Mr. Chipungu stated that the Western Province Indaba underscores the need to create room for cooperation and to strengthen mutual understanding and respect among all stakeholders in order to promote peace and tranquility in the country.
The Minister stated that dialogue and mutual understanding is important as it diffuses tension and prevents unpleasant situations from escalating besides promoting reconciliation in the aftermath of conflict.
“Dialogue and Mutual understanding is surely a force for conflict prevention, management and resolution which can contribute to peace building. It can move us to towards peaceful co-existence, which is the fundamental human principle”, he said.
Mr. Chipungu said it was imperative therefore that the nation continued to promote cultural, political and religious diversity as this was a basic human right enshrined in many legally binding instruments.
And Mr. Chipungu assured the country that government will continue to promote foreign direct investment in order to develop the nation and to create employment for the youth.
He said government has performed extremely well in the past two years through hard work and a lot of sacrifice.
The Minister also said government will not relent in its efforts to reduce poverty levels among its citizenry especially the youth despite having made tremendous strides in this respect.
He urged the youths to play their role and help government implement the development agenda for the country.
Speaking at the same occasion, Western Province Minister Richard Mwapela said the importance of youth indabas cannot be overemphasized as they help strengthen youth participation in national development through a constructive process of guided dialogue.
Mr. Mwapela said the indabas provide Zambian youths an opportunity to express their views on issues that affect them and propose workable solutions for possible implementation by government and other relevant stakeholders.
He said the Western Province Indaba attests to government’s commitment to make youth development and empowerment a part of the country’s development agenda by prioritizing youth programmes in an effort to mitigate the challenges young people face.
And Western Province Youth Dialogue Forum Coordinator Muhari Muhari appealed to government to quickly look into the lack of tertiary education facilities in Western Province.
Mr. Muhari said there are only two tertiary education facilities in the entire Western Province for Youths to acquire skills needed for them to secure employment.
The Western Province Youth Indaba drew participation of over 270 youths from six of the seven districts of the province that included Kaoma, Lukulu, Shangombo, Mongu, Senanga and Kalabo.
