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Mpika District expects to have a good harvest this year in view of timely distribution of inputs and favourable rainfall pattern.
This is according to agriculture coordinator Andrew Banda.
Mr. Banda said that so far 800 millimeters of rainfall has been recorded which is normal.
He says the rainfall has generally been good to support crop production.
Mr. Banda says farmers responded positively to the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) though there are always complaints of inputs being inadequate.
He also urged small-scale farmers in Mpika to adhere to good agronomical practices such as timely planting, and taking advantage of the first rains in an effort to reduce the risks of pests and diseases in case of uncertainty.
[ ZNBC ]
File: Secretary to the treasury Likolo Ndalamei and IMF cief of mission for Zambia George Tsibouris during a press briefing in Lusaka
THE International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission says Zambia has continued to record growth in the economy on the back of prevailing high copper prices on the global market.
And the IMF has commended Zambia on the B+ rating by Fitch Rating Agency saying it will bring the country at par with rated countries that have sound economies.
The IMF team, headed by IMF division chief for African department George Tsibouris, has been in the country on its routine mission to review Zambia’s macro-economic performance.
Mr Tsibouris said Zambia has performed well with continued high prices of copper along with some improvement in other sectors such as construction and tourism.
He said this in an interview in Lusaka on March 15.
“Zambia’s economy has done quite well, both in terms of economic growth and fiscal programmes. Copper output and prices continue to be high with broad-based growth in construction and tourism,” he said.
Mr Tsibouris said the trend is expected to continue in 2011 with the outlook generally positive on account of good economic fundamentals such as low inflation rate, interest rates and stability in foreign exchange rates.
He said international reserves remain relatively strong with reserves standing at about US$2 million.
He, however, said that external factors such as increased food and fuel prices will impact on the standard of living.
Mr Tsibouris arrived in the country on March 3 and has held a series of meetings with Government, Bank of Zambia, civil society and business organisations. He is expected to issue a detailed statement on March 16.
The IMF conducted discussions for the sixth review under the Extended Credit Facility from March 3-16, 2011.
On the rating, he said the assigning of a B+ status by an independent agency is a good thing as it will enable Zambia to compare favourably with other countries that have been rated and give the country an opportunity for borrowing.
Mr Tsibouris cited countries such as Kenya, Angola and Ghana as some of the economies with sound economic standing that have a similarity with Zambia’s rating status.
He also commended Government for the intention to issue a 500 million euros bond but was quick to say that it is important to manage the money that will be raised to projects that will generate economic growth, create jobs and additional taxes.
He said there is one more independent rating agency to give its objective assessment.
“It is a good thing…I don’t think the other rating agency will be influenced by the recent rating because it is independent and as such will carry out an objective assessment,” he said.
Early this month, Zambia was rated B+ for long-term foreign and local currency Issuer Default Ratings by Fitch Ratings.
Government appointed Fitch Ratings and Standard and Poor’s rating agencies to provide an independent and prospective credit opinion on Zambia.
Lap Green Group Chief Commercial Officer Hans Paulsen and President BandaZAMTEL has launched a 60-day “Talk-&-Talk” promotion on the Cell-Z mobile phone network that would see subscribers call for free between midnight and 06:00 hours. Customers will also enjoy seven free minutes in every 10-minute call during peak hour.
Announcing the double free talking deal, Zamtel managing director Hans Paulsen said the promotion which is effective today is in line with the company’s vision to be the most popular and affordable network in Zambia.
The new promotion will enable all Cell-Z pre-paid customers to enjoy free seven minutes after every initial three minutes call they make during peak hours on the network between 08:00 hours and 20:00 hours every day during the duration of the promotion.
In a statement in Lusaka yesterday, Mr Paulsen said his company would ensure that Zamtel products and services remained affordable and accessible countrywide.
“We are focusing on understanding each of our customers at an individual level because as a Zambian brand. We know that conversion is part of the Zambian culture and lifestyle.
“We have deliberately taken care of the need to talk longer by giving our customers the ability to talk for free during the duration of this promotion,” Mr Paulsen said.
He said the Talk &Talk promotion had been deliberately designed to give Zamtel customers the ability to remain in touch at affordable rates and to a certain extent for free.
In another off-peak deal, which forms part of the Talk&Talk campaign, Zamtel customers who use K3, 000 worth of talk time during the day, will have to call any Cell-Z or landline numbers for free from midnight to 06:00 hours the following morning.
Mr Paulsen said Zamtel was steadily progressing with its investment programme.
And in a bid to improve its retail customer touch points, Zamtel has just completed installation of state of the art fittings at the new Manda Hill flagship customer centre and plans were in advanced stages to revamp other centres country wide.
He said expansion works to the new Zamtel headquarters on Church road was near completion and staff would soon be moving.
STUDENTS at the Copperbelt University in Kitwe have said they will stand up against politicians like Patriotic Front (PF) leader Michael Sata if he continues to champion gay rights in Zambia.
Copperbelt University Students Union president David Chikwanda said in an interview yesterday that students had rejected the championing of homosexuality in the country and have vowed to condemn any politician that supports the ‘alien’ practice.
Mr Chikwanda said Zambia had not changed its Christian nation status and was, therefore, morally governed by the dictates of the religion.
He said there should not be double standards or compromise on the moral conduct of leaders in dealing with important national issues such the prevailing debate on allowing homosexual practice in Zambia.
“This issue of homosexuality should not even be linked to human rights because we as a Christian nation are guided by the moral standards set out in the Bible, which does not condone same-sex unions,” he said.
Mr Chikwanda said politicians like Mr Sata should not be used by Western countries or organisations to promote gay activities because they went against African culture.
He said Mr Sata should not be swayed by the expected favours from the Western countries or organisations if he succeeded in his campaigns.
“These countries that want to bring homosexuality into Africa, and Zambia in particular, should understand that we are Africans and with different cultures from theirs,” he said.
And when contacted for comment over the release of compact disks on which he was recorded as having advocated for the implementation of laws on homosexuality, Mr Sata said he had nothing to say.
“In this same country they say a person is not guilty until proven guilty but when they just see someone hugging his colleague, they conclude that he is homosexual and judge a person just like that.
“I am not going to comment on that, after all I have a provincial conference on Saturday in Lusaka,” Mr Sata said.
Mr Sata told some journalists from Denmark recently, who included Lene Winther and Thomas Duus, that the Zambian laws had not been implemented and expressed displeasure that his stand on gays and lesbians had been used for propaganda.
“Some people are saying I am talking to you people because I want to bring back gays and I tell them that listen, the laws of Zambia recognise the gays. The laws of Zambia recognise the lesbians,” Mr Sata said.
The Christian Coalition said Zambians should not trust Mr Sata, who should clearly state his party’s position on homosexuality.
Christian Coalition spokesperson John Mwendapole said it had been noted that whenever Mr Sata purportedly made a decision on national issues, personal interests took an upper hand.
Mr Mwendapole said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that this was not the first time Mr Sata was being insincere in the manner he conducted his politics.
“Zambians should learn not to trust Mr Sata. Whenever he does something, there is some form of kick-back for himself,” he said.
He said Zambians should not forget that not long ago, the PF leader was vehemently against Chinese investments in Zambia just because he had allegedly received some money from a certain party in that country.
He said the PF leader was condemning the Chinese investors, saying they were treating Zambians like slaves, all in the name of safeguarding his interests with Taiwan.
Meanwhile, United Party for National Development (UPND) Copperbelt provincial chairperson Elisha Matambo has said it is good that Mr Sata’s stance on homosexuality has been revealed after the end of the PF-UPND pact.
Mr Matambo said the revelation had come at the right time because UPND would not like to be associated with ill motives aimed at personal gains.
He said Mr Sata’s stance on homosexuality might have been one of the reasons why the PF shunned discussions on how to govern the country had the pact worked.
And PF Luapula Member of Parliament Peter Machungwa urged Zambians to condemn Mr Sata’s stance on homosexuality to avoid turning the country into a “lesbian and homosexuals’ paradise.”
THE Supreme Court has set aside an order to stay the execution of the High Court judgement which nullified the election of Elliot Kamondo as Mufumbwemember of Parliament.
This means Mr Kamondo’s parliamentary seat remains nullified and the Electoral Commission of Zambia can still set a date for a by-election.
But one of Mr Kamondo’s lawyers, Jack Mwiimbu, said the appellant will file a notice of appeal before the full Supreme Court bench to challenge Supreme Court judgeMunyindaWanki’s ruling.
This is in a case, which MMD’s MulondweMuzungu petitioned the election of Mr Kamondo as United Party for National Development MP for Mufumbwe.
Mr Kamondo on December 31 last year applied for an ex-parte and was granted an order staying execution of High Court Judge Phillip Musonda’s decision to nullify his election.
But Mr Muzungu on January 12 this year filed an ex-parte summons to discharge and set aside the order to stay the execution of the judgement.
Delivering ruling in chambers on March 15, Mr Justice Wanki said Mr Kamondo has not proved that his appeal has merit and has prospects of success.
“The appellant has, therefore, not proved that his appeal is meritorious and has prospects of success.
In the circumstances, I have found that the application has merits. It is accordingly granted as prayed. The order that I granted on December 31, 2010 staying execution of the High Court judgement is set aside,” he said.
Mr Justice Wanki said Mr Kamondo’s grounds to stay the judgement pending appeal, which he said might be in his favour, fall short of the standards set by the law.
He said this is why Mr Kamondo’s lawyers did not refer to the grounds of appeal they had cited.
Mr Justice Wanki said Mr Kamondo’s submissions do not contain material to demonstrate that his appeal has merit. He said Mr Kamondo’s grounds fall short of the requirements.
Mr Justice Wanki said it was an oversight not to appoint an inter-parte hearing date.
He said it is common knowledge to both parties that Mr Kamondo had to show that his appeal is meritorious and had prospects of success to be granted a stay of execution of judgement.
Mr Justice Wanki said Mr Kamondo will bear the costs incidental to the application.
President Rupiah Banda has said it was criminal for persons and organisations that are not confirmed by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to compute and tabulate election results.
President Banda said the Electoral Commission of Zambia was the only institution that was legally mandated to compute and tabulate election results.
He has, therefore, warned people and organisations intending to tabulate results of this year’s Presidential and Parliamentary elections without permission from the ECZ that they would be committing an offence.
“Any person who therefore computes and tabulates results other than those confirmed by the ECZ is not only usurping the power of the ECZ but committing a criminal offence,” he said.
ZANIS reports that President Banda said this at State House today when he swore-in Justice Ireen Mambilima as new ECZ Chairperson, Justice Timothy Kabalata, who is new Anti-Corruption Commission Chairperson and Edward Musona, who has been appointed Deputy Chairperson of the Industrial Relations Court.
The President explained that according to the Constitution of Zambia, the ECZ was an autonomous constitutional body allowed to supervise and conduct general elections.
Article 76 (1) of the Zambian constitution states that there will be established an autonomous Electoral Commission to supervise the conduct of Presidential and Parliamentary elections.
Mr. Banda further advised those who wished to support Zambia in conducting and observing the elections that ECZ was an autonomous body and the only constitutionally recognised institution to conduct elections.
“No other institution, whether public or private, is permitted to perform any function relating to the conduct of elections in the country, including computation of results,” he stressed.
President Banda added that organisations that would help in monitoring elections this year should exercise secrecy during voting and counting of results until the ECZ declared the results.
He was referring to Regulation 15 (6) (f) of the Electoral (Conduct) regulations which states that monitors shall maintain secrecy with reference to any matter affecting voting and counting of votes and shall not by themselves or through their organisations declare the results of any election before declaration by the ECZ.
“Further, Regulation 14 (1) of the Electoral (Conduct) Regulations specifically directs all media broadcasting election results to avoid unfounded speculation which may cause instability and prohibits the media from publishing unconfirmed elections results,” he said.
President Banda has meanwhile, restated his position on the Parallel Vote tabulation (PVT) and said no one should be allowed to conduct this kind of exercise in this year’s elections.
The President expressed confidence that the newly appointed ECZ chairperson would not allow anybody to carry out the PVT which he said was a recipe for chaos in the country.
“As you take up your position Justice Madam Mambilima, I have no doubt that you will conduct these polls to the latter of the law,” he said.
And President Banda assured the nation that he would, in accordance with the law, render maximum support to the ECZ to conduct the upcoming presidential and general elections in the highest degree of transparency.
He said Government has invited the international community to come and observe and monitor this year’s elections because his regime had nothing to hide.
He told Justice Mambilima that her reappointment to head the ECZ was testimony of how successfully she conducted the 2006 elections.
President Banda said the approval of Justice Mambilima’s reappointment by all stakeholders showed how highly regarded she was in terms of heading the ECZ and conducting elections.
“The proximity of Presidential and General Elections also left me with no choice but to look for somebody who was very familiar with the operations of the ECZ,” he said.
He pointed out that the ECZ was an important institution in Zambia’s democracy hence it required to be manned by people of high integrity.
The President said it was important that the ECZ should be headed by people of integrity in order for the public to accept the efficacy of the election results.
“I therefore have no doubt that in my mind that you have the nation’s support and that you will lead the ECZ to yet again successfully hold free and fair elections,” he said.
President Banda thanked Justice Mambilima for consenting to serve at ECZ for the second time in the space of four years.
Justice Mambilima takes over from Justice Florence Mumba who recently resigned after workers at ECZ revolted demanding that she leaves the Commission.
On Justice Timothy Kabalata, President Banda said he had no doubt the experienced retired judge would serve the Anti-Corruption Commission with dignity.
He said it was important that corruption was fought in order to foster the country’s development.
And President Banda described Mr Musona as a hardworking Zambian who provided his service to promote justice in the country.
He said Mr. Musona would continue to work hard even at the Industrial Relations Court.
And Justice Mambilima said she was ready to take up the challenge of leading the ECZ even in the midst of workers who caused the resignation of her predecessor.
In their oaths, all the three that were sworn in pledged to faithfully and truly serve in their positions without fear or favour, affection and ill-will.
The trio further swore to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of Zambia as established by law.
passport of accused killer Abraham Mpaka. Ndapuka Shilongo was born in Southern Africa some 43 years, where he did his elementary, secondary, high school and university studies. He obtained a Bachelors of Arts in Economics in Africa before moving to Europe where he studied in France’s prestigious University of Paris I and obtained a B.A in the French Language as a Major and the Portuguese as an option. He left France and went to England to do his Masters degree. He moved to the US in this decade where he is pursuing his doctorate. He is trilingual.
Ndapuka worked in his native Africa in several capacities serving his people diligently before joining politics. He is energetically fighting for the dignity of the black man no matter where he is found.
The reason of him writing this book is to share his experience when he was scammed of a very large sum of money by the Nigerian 419 crooks. He has given out facts no law enforcement agency has ever heard of. This book is the bible of 419 criminals. It has given not only the names of the materials the criminals use but how they use them. A detailed account of how the Saudi Ministry of Religion was scammed by Nigerians of $432 million, how the Brazilian bank, Banco Noroeste do Sao Paulo, Brazil was scammed of $242million and how Mouar-al Ghaddafi of Libya was scammed of $120 million. President Omar Bongo also lost about $200million to these thieves.
It explores the origin of 419, in Nigeria, and gives the factors that have given rise to this monster in Nigeria. The corruption in Africa and the active role of the Western Democracies with their diabolical, deceptive, intentionally- ill-conceived policies of the International Monetary Funds and the World Bank for Africa are responsible for the high crime rates in Africa and Nigeria in particular.
In his book, the Nigerian 419 Scams, A disgrace to Western Civilization, Ndapuka traces the origin of scams and other criminal activities, which were started by the Roman Catholic Church. The world in the 1990s saw how criminals were decapitating the hands of children and women in Sierra Leone and was horrified. The sad truth is, the Catholic Church started this practice during the Inquisition in Mexico and Peru in order to get gold and Silver from the Incas and Aztecs. Also, the tricks, lies and crimes committed by Nigerians 419 scammers, today like, human and drug trafficking, prostitution, scams, money laundry were started and are still carried on by the Catholic Church. Nigerians learned all these despicable crimes from the Church.
Courtesy www2.xlibris.com
Books:
THE NIGERIAN 419 SCAMS, A DISGRACE TO WESTERN CIVILIZATION (BEYOND SCAMS AND GREED ) By: Abraham Mpaka
Pages : 172
Book Format :Trade Book 6×9
Subject :
TRUE CRIME / General
Details from official detective investigations and other sources
Visa that apparently belongs to accused killer Abraham Mpaka
Mpaka has made claims that he is a doctor, an FBI agent, and has attended the prestigious Université de Paris.
Current Age: 46
Height: 5’7″
Weight: 150 lbs
Hair (Color, Description, Facial Hair) : Black
Eyes: Brown
Other Phys. Characteristics: Mpaka has dark, defined lines across his forehead.
Traits and Habits: Mpaka claims he is from Lusaka, Zambia. He allegedly speaks three languages.Last Seen: North Miami Beach , FL
Other Possible Locations:Miami , FL
Mpaka may be applying for a new job in South Florida. Police believe he may try to leave the country, possibly bound for Haiti. Mpaka is known to ask churches for money, food and support.
Abraham MpakaOn the run for a little more than two years, a man accused in the murder of a North Miami Beach woman was taken into custody over the weekend in Minnesota thanks to a tip to a popular TV crime show.
North Miami Beach police plan to release more details Monday concerning the arrest of 46-year old Abraham Mpaka. The 16-year-old daughter of the woman who was killed said she was shocked when she heard the news.
“At first I didn’t believe it,” Tatiana Paul said. “I didn’t believe it but then I was elated. I just … I started crying.”
Mpaka, a native of Zambia, is accused of stabbing his ex-girlfriend Coty Paul, 43, to death on December 26th, 2008. She was found stabbed to death at a friend’s apartment.
Mpaka was featured on the television show “America’s Most Wanted” three times before his arrest. According to police, a woman who read a story about him on the show’s website thought he looked like a friend’s boyfriend. She called the show’s tip line who in turn contacted police.
“Through her we were able to make contact with the FBI in Minnesota,” Detective Tray Lystad said. “He was arrested at a library in Hastings a suburb of Saint Paul without incident.”
Mpaka remains in a Minnesota jail.
Authorities said they have surveillance video of Mpaka purchasing the knife he used to murder her from a Walmart.
“Without a doubt this gentleman is diabolic,” Chief Rafael Hernandez Jr. of the North Miami Beach Police Department said. “A nefarious predator. He’s a predator and we are very, very happy that we got him out of the streets.”
Lystad said Mpaka confessed.
Authorities are trying to have extradited to North Miami Beach.
Anti Voter Apathy (AVAP) executive director Bonnie Tembo(L)
The Anti-Voter Apathy (AVAP) has called on Government to consider printing this year’s ballot papers locally to serve national resources.
AVAP Executive Director Bonny Tembo said in an interview with ZANIS that printing ballot papers locally using Government Printers is cost effective and secure as opposed to printing from abroad.
Mr. Tembo observed that it is cheaper and more convenient for observers from Civil Society organisations and political parties to monitor the printing process to ensure transparency than from South Africa where ballot papers have been printed in the past.
He said Government Printers has the capacity to print ballots adding that Government and the Electoral Commission of Zambia should start preparing in consultation with electoral stakeholders.
He stated that if the ballot papers are printed in Zambia this year, ECZ should also begin to source for its own printing machine to be printing ballot papers without the involvement of Government.
And commenting on the collapse of the opposition Patriotic Front (PF)/United Party for National Development (UPND) pact, Mr. Tembo said the demise of the pact is an opportunity for the ruling MMD to win with a landslide.
He, however, noted that the death of the pact which he said had a lot of following should not result in voter apathy adding that pacts and coalitions in Zambia have never brought about any meaningful change.
The ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) has set March 25, this year as the date for filing-in of nominations for members wishing to contest various positions in the party structure at the forthcoming party convention slated for April 5.
Party Spokesperson Dora Siliya announced at a press briefing in Lusaka today that the filing of nominations would be done at Mulungushi International Conference Centre (MICC).
Ms. Siliya said the filing-in of nominations would only be one day and advised party members from across the nation to travel to Lusaka if they were eligible to contest at the upcoming MMD extra-ordinary party convention slated for 5th to 7th April, 2011 in Kabwe, Central Province.
ZANIS reports that Ms. Siliya, who was flanked by MMD Acting Chairman for Elections Gabriel Namulambe further advised party members to apply to the Acting National Secretary Chembe Nyangu before March 25th failure to which they would not be eligible to contest positions in the party.
“The date for filing in of nominations is March 25th, at the MICC. Party members standing for positions in the party should travel to Lusaka because the filing in of nominations will be conducted for only a day and members vying for positions in the party must apply to the Acting National Secretary, Mr. Nyangu before the extra-ordinary party convention set for 5 – 7th April, 2011, “ Ms. Siliya said.
Ms. Siliya, who is also Minister of Education, maintained that only sound members of good standing with the party would be considered for positions.
And Ms. Siliya disclosed that the party has invited stakeholders from the private sector including political parties outside the country to come and witness the MMD extra-ordinary party convention.
She said 1,500 delegates were expected to attend the convention including other stakeholders from neigbouring countries, whom she did not mention.
Ms Siliya stated that the ruling party was a democratic party, transparent and accountable to the Zambian people unlike other opposition political parties that she described as a ‘one-man-run’.
She further disclosed that K4 billion would be spent at the convention and added that preparations have reached an advanced stage.
She said sub-Committees have been established such as Catering, Accreditation as well as the Security and Mobilisation Commissions to ensure that there was smooth running of the convention.
And MMD Acting Chairman for Elections Gabriel Namulambe said only fully paid-up members should file their nominations.
Mr. Namulambe, who is also Works and Supply Minister, however, urged party members to support their party as it prepared for the tripartite polls later this year.
Meanwhile, MMD has doubled nomination fees for presidential and national Executive Committee (NEC) members.
Party Spokesperson Dora Siliya announced that the fees for the position of president have been adjusted from K5 million to K10 million, vice-president from K2.5 million to K5 million while those of NEC members would be K2.5 million.
MMD National Trustee and Republican Vice-President George Kunda has shown willingness to contest the vice presidency of the party.
Ms. Siliya explained that her position of Information and Publicity Secretary in the ruling party comes by appointment and she was not contesting.
“You may be aware that my position remains the same and lam not standing,” she said.
Zesco United’s opponents Young Buffaloes of Swaziland have decided to take a trans-continental bus ride to Ndola ahead of this weekends Orange Caf Champions League clash.
Young Buffaloes are due to start off today from Manzini today.
The team is expected to arrive in Ndola by Thursday morning after a stopover in Lusaka on Wednesday.
Zesco will host Young Buffaloes at the Trade Fair Grounds in Ndola on Saturday in a first round, first leg match.
Club secretary Justin Mumba confirmed the match will be played at Trade Fair and not Arthur Davies in Kitwe where they played their preliminary round first leg match against Liga Muculmana on January 29 whom they eliminated 3-2 on aggregate.
Zesco played their match at Arthur Davies while rehabilitation works were being carried out at Trade Fair.
Meanwhile, Nchanga Rangers have returned from their two-week training camp in Pretoria, South Africa.
Rangers will spend the night at Edinburgh Hotel in Kitwe today before traveling to Lubumbashi on Wednesday by road.
The Chingola side will on Friday afternoon in Lubumbashi face Lupopo in an Orange Caf Confederation Cup first round, first leg match.
File: A ZNBC outside broadcast van capturing the ncwala live
Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation -ZNBC Director General Eddie Mupeso says it is unfortunate that the national Broadcaster has continued to be accused of favouring the ruling MMD in its coverage of news.
Mr Mupeso says ZNBC has no reason NOT to cover the opposition if their statements border on development and selling of their manifestos.
Mr Mupeso says it must be appreciated that there is a lot of development news from Government ministers than the opposition and therefore it is impossible to ignore such news from the ruling party.[pullquote]Ambassador Egawa says he is happy that the National Broadcaster has put the equipment to good use despite most of it being obsolete.[/pullquote]
Mr Mupeso says the national broadcaster will however continue to abide by the electoral code of conduct as it covers this year’s election.
He has assured political players that ZNBC will provide equal coverage in this year’s elections.
He was responding to Japanese Ambassador to Zambia Akio Egawa who wanted to know ZNBC’s Editorial policy.
Ambassador Egawa called on Mr Mupeso on Tuesday in Lusaka to tour ZNBC studios.
And Ambassador Egawa pledged his country’s support in the digital migration of ZNBC.
The Ambassador said his country assisted in the construction of the Mass Media complex at inception.
Ambassador Egawa says he is happy that the National Broadcaster has put the equipment to good use despite most of it being obsolete.
Save the Children-Zambia has launched the Baseline Study Report on the National Child Protection System in Zambia.
The Report which was released in Lusaka today under the theme: ‘Protecting Children in Zambia from violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation,’ revealed that many Zambian children have continued to face multiple protection problems.
Speaking during the launch, Sport, Youth and Child Development Minister, Kenneth Chipungu said Zambian children have continued to face challenges of alcohol and drug abuse, inadequate access to quality health, education and impact of disease.
Mr. Chipungu said these challenges have posed a great concern to the country and was limiting young people from realising their potential.
He called for more investment in child survival, protection and development for the attainment of national development.
Mr. Chipungu said this in a speech read on his behalf by his Deputy, Mundia Ndalamei.
He however, stated that Government had remained fully committed to the improvement of children’s welfare in the country.
He said Government had included a chapter on children and youths in the Sixth National Development Plan (SNDP) and was also reviewing legislation pertaining to children to ensure maximum sentence for perpetrators of child violence.
Mr. Chipungu added that Cabinet had also approved the establishment of Zambia Council for the Child which he said would strengthen coordination and regulatory framework.
And speaking earlier, Save the Children Deputy Country Director, Petronella Mayeya bemoaned lack of specific child protection policies in the country.
Ms. Mayeya said although the country had ratified many key international instruments on child protection and human rights, there were still gaps as these instruments have not been domesticated or turned into law.
“Although Zambia has ratified many of the key internationals instruments related to child protection and human rights, there are gaps in the domestication of this into national law. There are a number of pieces of legislation that cover matters related to children, yet currently no single legislation exists that harmonizes approaches and clearly outlines roles and responsibility,” she said.
She cited other problems as the conflict in laws between customary and the statutory law on issues like early marriages.
He said more needed to be done to address this especially that children made about 54 percent of the country’s population.
The study was also conducted in two other countries in the region; South Africa and Swaziland.
File: Vernon Mwaanga poses for a picture with ministry of foreign Affirs permanent secretary Tens Kapoma in Lusaka
Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zambia Chapter has submitted that a different procedure from that of removing judges from office be provided for when removing members serving on the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ).
MISA Zambia Chapter Chairperson, Daniel Sikazwe said the procedure must be different as ECZ was not part of the judiciary and its members did not carry judicial functions.
Mr. Sikazwe said this in his submissions to Parliament on the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill 2010 to a Parliamentary Select Committee Chaired by Parliamentary Chief Whip, Vernon Mwaanga in Lusaka today.
The MISA Chief further submitted that Article 193 (2) did not make any provision of what happens in the event that names submitted by the Select Committee were not ratified by the National Assembly.
Mr. Sikazwe said to avoid a lacuna, there was need to provide for such as provision in the constitution.
And on registration of voters, Mr. Sikazwe observed that there was general apathy of voters’ registration saying the exercise was only done in anticipation of elections.
He said this was contrary to what was provided under the current laws that provided for continuous voter registration.
On funding of political parties, MISA Zambia submitted that the funds should only be used to financially assist political parties and urged recipients not to view it as a business venture.
He said the money must be used by political parties and the money be made available at all times.
And Parliamentary Select Committee members, Katombola Member of Parliament Regina Musokotwane and her Sinda counterpart, Levy Ngoma also contributed on the submission.
And receiving the submissions, Parliamentary Select Committee chairperson, Vernon Mwaanga, assured MISA Zambia Chapter that the committee would incorporate all issues raised in its final report to Parliament.
Mr. Mwaanga thanked MISA Zambia Chapter for appearing before the Committee to submit towards the constitutional making process.
A senior Government official has proposed that the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) be increased from the current K720 million to K1 billion if its impact was to be felt by all constituents in the country.
Presidential Affairs Minister Ronald Mukuma who is also Kabompo East Member of Parliament said the increment would help Government fund many developmental projects in various constituencies using the CDF.
Mr Mukuma said this over the weekend after touring a one by three classroom block being constructed at Mayawu Middle Basic at an estimated cost of K27 million and another one by three classroom block under construction at Kapidi Basic schools which received K14.8 million respectively from Constituency Development Funds (CDF).
ZANIS reports that the Minister said Government must consider increasing the CDF because of the fund’s contribution in supplementing Government efforts to take
development to all parts of the country.
Mr Mukuma expressed happiness that the money was being put to good use and for its intended purpose in his area.
Speaking earlier, Kabompo East CDF Chairperson Zakewu Kositimu disclosed that his committee had set aside K110 million to help fill in any financial gap on any developmental project taking place in the constituency.
Mr Kositimu said the CDF committee in the area was willing to help
finance any project that would benefit the local people.
