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Zambia’s junior golfers failed to make any impact at the just ended African Junior Golf Challenge in Namibia and none of them even managed to make the eight-player all-star team.
Zambia finished 6th after stumbling in the final round of the 4-day event on Wednesday from 5th where they have been hovering since the tournament began on Sunday in Windhoek.
Team South Africa retained their title inspired by Hayden Porteus thanks to his dominance in the individual event from start to finish.
South Africa won by 16 strokes with a total of 847 while Namibia finished second.
Zimbabwe were 3rd on 897, 4th was Kenya on 954 while Mauritius exchanged places with Zambia to finish on 983 and 993 respectively.
And the composition of the Africa Junior all-star team saw Namibia with three players while Zimbabwe and Kenya have two players each in the team.
Mauritius has one golfer in the side that will play in a four-team junior tournament to be hosted by South Africa that will also see England and Canada taking part.
STATS
Africa Junior Golf Challenge
Final Individual Scores
1 Hayden Porteus (SA) 270,
2 Christiaan Bezuidenhout (SA) 281,
3 Glen de Waal (Namibia) 284,
4 Roux Jeffery (Namibia) 285,
5 Martin Rohwer (SA) 296.
Final Team Scores
1 South Africa 847
2 Namibia 863
3 Zimbabwe 897
The Zambia Congress of Trade Unions-ZCTU- has requested Shoprite management to immediately withdrawal letters written to Union officials and some workers for taking part in a country-wide strike last week.
ZCTU President Leonard Hikaumba has warned that the labour movement will not allow intimidation of workers by employers.
Mr. Hikaumba says he has received reports that Shoprite management has written letters to workers directing them to show cause why disciplinary action cannot be taken against them.
He says it is unfortunate that management has failed to adhere to the memorandum of understanding which stated that no worker must be intimidated.
Mr. Hikaumba was speaking on Thursday when he opened the ZCTU Consultative meeting on the failed constitution process in Lusaka.
Zambia Congress of Trade Unions is currently holding a consultative meeting on the failed constitution Amendment Bill and the parallel voter tabulation-PVT.
Meanwhile, ZCTU General Secretary Roy Mwaba says the union will remain objective on national issues.
And in a vote of thanks, Zambia National Union of Teachers-ZNUT General Secretary, Newton Bubala warned that the union will not condone employers violating the rights of workers.
Kansanshi Mining plc has over the last four years spent about K860 million towards supporting Solwezi Technical High School.
The support the mining company has rendered to the school ranges from donation of laboratory equipment, replacement of broken window panes, rehabilitation of dormitories and classrooms and the latest being the donation of six industrial cooking pots and two conventional cookers with ovens all worth K345 million.
Kansanshi Mine Public Relations Manager Godfrey Msiska disclosed this when he handed over the six industrial cooking pots and two conventional cookers to the school yesterday.
Mr. Msiska said rendering assistance to learning institutions such as Solwezi Technical High School, was in line with the Kansanshi Mine’s social responsibility aimed at empowering the local community within which the company operates.
He said the mining company saw the need to improve infrastructure in learning institutions to ensure that the environment is conducive for studies which would in turn translate into better
results from students.
Mr. Msiska expressed hope that the other players in the corporate world would render similar assistance to improve the conditions in institutions of learning as this was an absolute necessity if the nation was to make unprecedented economic development.
He said Kansanshi Mine realized that the school had been spending substantial amounts of money on rehabilitating the old cookers whenever they broke down, which forced the school to turn to firewood
as fuel energy for cooking food, which he said was not sustainable.
Receiving the donation on behalf of the school, Provincial Education Officer Jennipher Malama said, the gesture made by Kansanshi Mine was a step in the right direction and that it was in line with the government’s policy of Public Private Partnership (PPP).
Ms. Malama said, the donation would go a long way in alleviating the problems the school had been facing, as the equipment would be quickening the preparation of meals in a clean environment.
She urged the school management and the students to guard the equipment jealously.
Government says the agricultural sector acts as an engine block for most low-income countries in Africa and contributes about 50 percent of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Peter Daka (R)
Science Technology and Vocation Training Minister said this is the more reason why the Common Market for East and Southern Africa (COMESA) region member states should take a holistic technological approach towards improving the agricultural sector.
Mr. Daka explained that however, many countries in Africa were facing challenges in improving the agricultural industry due to the absence of farming subsides, modern hybrids and the appropriate modern farming equipment.
Mr. Daka said this in a speech ready for him by his Deputy Given Mun’gomba during the official opening of the National Consultative Workshop on Draft Bio safety Policies and Guidelines for (COMESA) region held at Inter Continental Hotel in Lusaka today.
He explained that the use of modern bio safety was the surest way of providing the CMESA region countries with the safe transfer and handling of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) that may have adverse effects on the environment and human health.
He noted that the guidelines were also helpful in providing the means of assessing the food safety of GM foods.
Mr. Daka added that most COMESA member countries were parties to the Cartagena Protocol on bio safety, and that they were obliged to domesticate the policy into national law.
He also disclosed that Zambia had made strides in developing the National framework for bio safety, resulting in the establishment of the National Bio safety Authority (NBA) charged with the responsibility of shaping the bio safety regulations, guidelines and application procedures.
The Minister further called for concerted efforts from all stakeholders if the region was to benefit from bio technology in a sustainable way and in reducing the impact it might have on the farmers or trade.
And Alliance for Commodity Trade in Eastern and Southern Africa (ACTESA) Chief Executive Officer Cris Muyunda said, his organization was cognizant of the controversies surrounding the GMOs in Africa and beyond.
In a speech ready for him by the Director in chare of Trade and Markets Bridget Chilala, Dr. Muyunda stated that it was for that reason that ACTESA would to dialogue and discuss with the various stakeholders in providing information to the public about the issue.
He also emphasized the need to include a diverse crops on bio tech such as cotton and sunflower, which are mainly used for fibre.
He urged the delegates at the workshop to provide effective and constructive solutions to the issue of harmonizing regional interventions relating to all bio safety laws.
The MMD has ushered into office a new National Executive Committee (NEC) for the next five years.
This follows elections conducted at the MMD second Extra-Ordinary Convention at Mulungushi University in Kabwe.
Returning Officer Christopher Mundia announced the results of the new NEC leaders Thursday morning.
President Rupiah Banda who went through an opposed will lead the party.
Lands Deputy Minister Michael Mabenga has retained his position as National Chairman while Major Richard Kachingwe is the new National Secretary, taking over the realms from Dr. Katele Kalumba who did not contest the elections.
Major Kachingwe beat Benard Mpundu to scoop the position of Chief Executive Officer of the party.
Information and Broadcasting Services Minister Lieutenant General Ronnie Shikapwasha is Chairperson for National Security while Education Minister and also MMD Spokesperson Dora Siliya is Chairperson for Informational and Publicity.
Lieutenant Shikapwasha was being challenged by Southern Province Minister Elijah Muchima while Ms. Siliya beat Webby Chipili and Mwata Chikumbi to scoop the position.
Others are Bwalya Chiti Chairman-Legal, Defence Minister Kalombo Mwansa for International Relations, and Local Government Deputy Minister Moses Muteteka as National Youth Chairman.
Chongwe Member of Parliament Sylvia Masebo is the new Chairperson for Women and Development, while Works and Supply Minister Gabriel Namulambe is the Chairman for Elections.
Others are Energy Minister Kenneth Konga, chairman for Energy, Tourism Minister Catherine Namugala as Chairperson Tourism, labour Minister Austin Liato Chairman for Labour and Dr Brian Chituwo Chairman for Local Government and Housing, a ministry he heads.
Goodward Mulubwa is the party’s National Treasurer, Science Technology Minister Peter Daka Chairman for Transport and Communications, and Agriculture Minister Dr Eustarckio Kazonga Chairman for Agriculture and Cooperatives.
The new National Trustees are Evelyn Mwanawasa, Grace Njapau and Clever Silavwe.
Lumba Kalumba beat Dr Patrick Chikusu to scoop the position of chairperson for health.
And President Rupiah Banda has nominated six members of the MMD to the National Executive Committee-NEC-
They include Vice President George Kunda, Parliamentary Chief Whip Vernon Mwaanga, Sports Minister Kenneth Chipungu, Suresh Desai, Margaret Musonda and Anne Chungu.
The President convened the first NEC meeting in Kabwe shortly after the close of the MMD convention where the nominations were passed.
According to the MMD Constitution, the party president is mandated to nominate up to 12 members to the Party’s top organ.
President Banda was speaking to journalists shortly after the first MMD NEC meeting in Kabwe.
And President Banda says the just ended MMD convention has proved that the party is democratic and transparent.
President Banda says the convention is testimony that the MMD embraces the tenets of democracy.
Mr Banda was speaking when he officially closed the second MMD extra ordinary convention in Kabwe on Thursday.
And the President has warned MMD members who are in the habit of double dealings that they will not be tolerated in the party.
President Banda says disciplinary action will be taken against any party member playing double standards.
The President has also warned that any National Executive Committee member found leaking information to the press or the public will be expelled.
President Banda says NEC matters are confidential and should not be leaked to the Press or the general public.
Mr. Banda has called for continued unity and love among party members to ensure victory in this year’s tripartite elections.
The President also urged the new NEC members to be humble and serve the party with humility.
Kalusha BwalyaFootball Association of Zambia President Kalusha Bwalya has been appointed to serve on the FIFA Task Force football 2014.
The Task Force’s objective is to look at proposals to improve both the attractiveness of football and match control in the elite competitions.
The Task Force will also deal with the laws of the game, refereeing, competition regulations, women football, medicine and fair play.
FAZ Communications Officer Erick Mwanza told a media briefing that Bwalya, who is also a CAF Executive Member, received the appointment letter from FIFA General Secretary Jerome Valcke on Tuesday.
Mwanza says the Zambian legend is delighted to be appointed to serve on the Task Force.
Mwanza says Kalusha Bwalya will travel to Zurich to attend the first meeting which will be held on 10th April 2011.
Meanwhile, FAZ says preparations for the Annual General Meeting (AGM) set for this month end are progressing well.
Mwanza says FAZ is doing everything possible to ensure that the AGM, which will be held in Kabwe, is successful.
He says Football House will also remain open for dialogue and consultations on the AGM.
He says Football House is ready to accommodate all the affiliates, including others he says were misled into attending what he called an illegal gathering at Mulungushi International Conference Center.
He disclosed that some people who attended the Mulungushi International Conference Center meeting have realized the mix-up and are now visiting Football House to renounce and re-affirm their commitment to attending the Kalusha Bwalya led FAZ AGM.
Mwanza also disclosed that the 2012 Nations Cup Qualifiers group C home encounter between Zambia and Mozambique in June will be played at Nchanga Stadium in Chingola.
He says the decision to take the home game to Chingola was arrived at due to lack of a better and bigger stadium in Lusaka and other towns.
He says the choice of Nchanga Stadium will allow for more people to watch the game as it is bigger.
Youths and Lusaka residents watch sports events at the Olympic Youth Development Centre in LusakaThe Olympic Youth Development Centre (OYDC) in Lusaka will this weekend host its first major international event.
The $10 million multi purposed sports facility opened last year will host the Africa Zone 6 Junior Basketball Championships that will run from April 8-15.
Centre director Clement Chileshe says the Zone 6 Junior Basketball Championship will be a great test-run ahead of Zambia staging the 2012 SADC Youth Games.
“We need more event hosting exposure in readiness of hosting the Under-20 Zone 6 Games in 2012,” Chileshe said.
“It will also leave Zambian basketball with better human resource through the experience of hosting and organizing the event.
“It is also an opportunity to inspire our young Zambian basketball players to aim higher and learn more from their peers in the region.”
Chileshe added that he hopes the Zone 6 junior basketball tournament will also help raise the profile of the OYDC.
“It is a great opportunity for OYDC to host this youth championship for the region as this is part of the vision of the International Olympic Committee in investing such a facility in Zambia which is position centrally in the region,” Chileshe said.
The OYDC previously hosted the Angola national team for a training camp mid last year who were preparing for their 2011 Caf African Nations Championship qualifier against Malawi.
Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) president Edith Nawakwi has echoed calls for the early dissolution of Parliament.
Ms. Nawakwi says it is unacceptable that the process on which colossal amounts of money were spent has failed to yield desired results.
The FDD leader says the failure of the Constitution amendment Bill to pass through the second reading stage is unfortunate adding that President Rupiah Banda should consider dissolving parliament as soon as possible in readiness for general elections.
Ms. Nawakwi has also accused UPND Members of Parliament of being selfish stating that they benefited from the NCC allowances while pretending to represent the wishes of Zambians which could not be retained in the NCC report.
And Ms Nawakwi says the Rupiah Banda led government has duped Zambians of a document that will stand a test of time as they have shown lack of interest in the country’s future.
She says the failure by the MMD government to enact a new Constitution of Zambia will put the country at the cross roads of becoming a failed state.
[ Times of Zambia ]
Former works and supply minister and MMD chairperson for elections Mike Mulongoti
Former works and supply minister and MMD chairperson for elections Mike Mulongoti says he will continue to actively participate in politics despite his formal expulsion from the Ruling MMD at the party’s ongoing convention in Kabwe.
Mr. Mulongoti says he will continue to push his democratic agenda now that he is free from the shackles of the MMD.
Mr. Mulongoti has told QFM news that people who are suppressing democracy within the MMD will be exposed one day.
He adds that the MMD decision to scrap off the position of vice president is a sham because some people in the MMD are trying to steal positions stressing that there can never be honor among thieves.
Meanwhile MMD’s Nason Msoni says the freezing of the position of Party vice presidency was expected because the behavior exhibited by some party officials prior to the convention was an indicate that president Banda did not want to be challenged.
Mr. Msoni has told QFM news that the whole process has been undemocratic and that the party members have been deprived of an opportunity to freely elect leaders.
He adds that the MMD is headed for its demise because of bad leadership.
Mr. Msoni says the scrapping off of the position of vice president demonstrates lack of character and confidence in the people heading the party.
Mr. Msoni was one of the people that hard shown interest in challenging president Banda for the Position of party president but later withdrew after allegedly receiving threats from some MMD top officials.
Two police officers accused of receiving a bribe amounting to K32 million yesterday appeared for mention in the Lusaka’s magistrates’ court.
Before magistrate Lameck Ng’ambi was Mabvuto Ng’uni and Evaristo Chisanza, both 35 and chief inspectors who are accused of receiving a bribe from a Zambian of Asian origin, Ahmed Bharuchi, amounting to K32 million.
The duo is alleged to have engaged in corrupt practices by public officers contrary to sections 15 (1) and 40 of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Act.
It is alleged that on April 2 this year, Ng’uni and Chisanza, by virtue of being public officers, received K32 million from Bharuchi as an inducement for them to discontinue investigations against the latter for an alleged offence of fraudulently dealing in a motor vehicle, a matter that was under the Zambia Police Service.
The officers are scheduled to appear in court on April 31, 2011 for mention and possible plea.
The two officers are being represented by Milner Katolo and Frank Tembo.
In another case, the Lusaka magistrates” court has sentenced three Kabulonga Boys Secondary School pupils to 12 months imprisonment to be served at a reformatory school for the juveniles after convicting them of engaging in an indecent act.
Five Kabulonga Boys Secondary School pupils between November 2009 and June 2010 were accused of having committed one count of indecent practice between persons of the same sex.
The boys allegedly coerced a fellow 15-year-old pupil to suck their private parts before subjecting him to anal sex. Two were acquitted.
The trio is aged between 16 and 18 years.
Lusaka magistrate Mwaka Mikalile said the offence committed by the three was serious, shameful and unnatural and should be condemned.
She said all the three juveniles and the victim needed counseling.
Ms Mikalile said the juveniles should undergo 12 months intensive counseling at a reformatory and further counseling at the Young Men’s Christian Association.
She said there was need for the juveniles to be taught what was right and what was wrong for them to grow up as law-abiding citizens.
A social welfare officer, Sandra Ndhlovu Muhango had submitted to the court that the juveniles were remorseful of their conduct and asked for lenience from the court.
FORMER Health deputy minister Solomon Musonda said yesterday that he feared for his life when a group of suspected Patriotic Front (PF) members blocked a road with branches and threatened to kill him.
And Kabwe High Court Judge Mugeni Mulenga has set May 31 as judgment date in the case in which Musonda, aged 34, was found with a case to answer for causing bodily harm with intent to maim, disfigure or disable a PF cadre, Jackson Musaka on June 1 last year in Serenje District.
Musonda, who is Chitambo member of Parliament (MP), told the court in his defence that he panicked at the time of the shooting because the atmosphere was tense.
“My lady, I feared for my life when a group of suspected PF cadres blocked the road with branches. I was in panic because of the atmosphere which was tense and some things which were happening. I was driven by extreme fear at the time of the shooting incident,” he said.
He, however, said he was not sure which bullet shot and injured Musaka that day and he had nothing against the victim.
“Up to now I don’t know how Musaka was shot and injured because I did not shoot him. Everyone has attributed that it might be my gun but what if someone had a gun because at the time it was dark,’’ he said.
He said while he agreed to having fired two gun shots, he wondered why the court was told that only one cartridge was picked from the scene and wondered what happened to the other one.
Musonda during cross-examination by State prosecutor Benson Mpalo told the court that on the fateful day he had travelled to Serenje to hold meetings over various development programmes.
He said he got a licence for the firearm for the purpose of protection and he did not notify the police over his meetings that were to be held in a classroom as they were not political.
He disputed the evidence given to the court by the ballistic expert that the empty cartridge found at the scene of incident was discharged from his firearm.
The court further set April 13, 2011 as day for the defence lawyers led by State Counsel Sunday Nkonde to submit their defence to the court.
Meanwhile, the Ndola High Court yesterday ruled that the case in which Finance Bank Zambia Limited shareholders had sued the Bank of Zambia be stayed pending an appeal to the Supreme Court by the shareholders over preliminary issues raised before the court.
Judge Munalula Lisimba made the ruling after lawyers for the shareholders, Stephen Malama of Jacques and Partners and John Sangwa told the court that they wanted to appeal the court’s decision.
The shareholders who have sued the Bank of Zambia as first respondent and First Rand Limited as second respondent are Finsbury Investment Limited, Clarkwell Limited, Job Albert Samuel, Chewe Puta, an administrator of the estates of Pat Puta, and Patrick Chamunda.
The attorney general is appearing as an intervener in the case.
The shareholders have sued the Bank of Zambia and First Rand Limited to prevent them from interfering with or dealing in any manner with their shares in Finance Bank Zambia Limited and to stop the respondents from selling the bank, whether as a going concern or its assets.
Attorney General Abyudi Shonga made an observation as a matter of providing for a smooth trial of the case that First Rand Limited had been conspicuously absent from the proceedings in court.
But the shareholders’ lawyers replied that First Rand Limited was free to make its own representation before the court.
The court ruled that the petitioners either serve First Rand Limited with the proceedings or have it removed on grounds of being wrongly joined to the proceedings.
But the lawyers for the shareholders applied for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court to determine whether the lower court had the jurisdiction to give the shareholders such options.
Hearing of the matter was stayed pending the appeal to the Supreme Court.
[ Times of Zambia ]
The MMD second extra-ordinary national convention yesterday expelled former Works and Supply minister Mike Mulongoti, former Defence minister George Mpombo, former Finance minister Ng’andu Magande and Katuba Member of Parliament Jonas Shakafuswa.
In the national secretary’s report, then deputy national secretary Chembe Nyangu proposed that Mr Mpombo, Mr Shakafuswa, Mr Magande, Mr Mulongoti, and a ward councillor in Kafulafuta David Kalutwa alongside Peter Kapamba, a ward councillor in Solwezi, be expelled.
The new constitution gave powers to the NEC to expel any indisciplined member without waiting for the national convention to seek endorsement.
Former national treasurer Suresh Desai also told the convention that the MMD was slowly moving away from the heavy indebtedness following strict rules that it had applied to stop abuse of resources by a few people as the case was previously.
Mr Desai said the party hoped to liquidate the remaining K3.5 billion debt within the next one year.
The financial report was adopted by the convention after it was proposed by Lusaka provincial vice-chairperson Charles Mumena and seconded by Sinoya Mwale, who is MMD Chipata District chairperson.
Rufunsa MP Kenneth Chipungu, who is Sports Minister, proposed the expulsions and the convention seconded by acclamation.
[ Times of Zambia ]
Shang’ombo District Commissioner (DC) Masheke Kabayo has hailed government’s decision to distribute marine Ambulances to provinces and districts that are water borne.
Mr. Kabayo said in an interview with ZANIS today that the move by President Banda’s administration indicates its commitment to deliver quality health care to all Zambians regardless of their locality.
Mr. Kabayo is optimistic that the Marine Ambulance will serve many lives in his disctrict which is across the Zambezi River and becomes unreachable during the rainy seasons.
The DC explained that people in the district were subjected to walking long distances,
” Sometimes people , here, fail to cross the Zambezi river but now has a District hospital plus the Marine Ambulances which he said will easy the provision of health services, ” he said.
He stressed that the Shang’ombo community were expectant of the facility and thankful to the President for embarking on the distribution of the ambulances.
Northwestern Province Acting Permanent Secretary Fabian Mumba has called for the reinforced of road safety lessons in basic schools’ curriculum to equip children with knowledge of road safety at a tender age.
Mr. Mumba says it was government’s desire to see to it that road safety is reinforced in basic schools so that all pupils are introduced to road safety issues at a tender age.
He said this in a speech read for him by the Provincial Assistant Secretary Joshua Kamanya at a one week school road safety patrons training workshop held at Changa changa hotel in Solwezi today.
Mr. Mumba said government is concerned with the impact of vehicles exerting on ordinary citizens resulting from high levels of mining activities in the province which has enhanced increased disposable
incomes to an extent were people are buying more vehicles.
[pullquote]Mr. Mumba said government is concerned with the impact of vehicles exerting on ordinary citizens resulting from high levels of mining activities in the province which has enhanced increased disposableincomes to an extent were people are buying more vehicles.[/pullquote]
He expressed happiness that Kansanshi Mine Plc through its corporate social responsibility has not neglected the local people but instead embraced the safeguarding of human lives by sponsoring road safety related activities.
Mr. Mumba has since urged the participants to utilize the knowledge they will acquire to supplement the efforts of the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) and Zambia Police to sensitize members of the general public on the correct usage of the road.
Speaking at the same function Kansanshi Mine Plc Public Relations Manager Godfrey Msiska said the Mining Company will spend K30 million on the work to train 37 teachers from basic schools around Solwezi district in road safety issues.
Mr. Msiska said the ultimate goal of this training is to establish the best conduit of passing on road safety knowledge and skills to children.
And RTSA Principal Education Officer Scholastica Ibaluwa said statistics indicate that 85 percent of schools going children face daunting challenges to and from school on foot and unaccompanied.
Mrs Ibaluwa noted that children constitute a greater percentage of vulnerable road users involved in injuries and death resulting from road traffic accidents and commended the Mining Company for partnering with her institution in fighting road carnage.
