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Vice President George Kunda is tomorrow expected to travel to Mongu to grace this year’s
FLASHBACK: Royal Highness the Litunga of the Lozi people Lubosi Imwiko II with Vice President George Kunda at Lealui Palace during the kufuluhela traditional ceremony in Mongu
Kuomboka traditional ceremony of the Lozi people in Western province.
Senior Private Secretary to the Vice President, Kenneth Ngosa, confirmed the development in a press statement to ZANIS in Lusaka today.
The ceremony will be held on Saturday, 16th April, 2011.
While in Western province, Mr. Kunda will address public rallies in Kaoma district on Monday before travelling to Copperbelt for other duties.
In the Copperbelt province, Mr. Kunda is scheduled to handover Nkulumashiba High School and to inspect other developmental projects.
The development projects Mr. Kunda will inspect are based in Kabushi and Mushili where he will hold a public rally thereafter.
The Vice President is also expected to officiate at the Sathya Sai School’s 21st anniversary before returning to Lusaka.
Mr. Kunda will be accompanied by his wife, Irene Kunda, Minister of Works and Supply, Gabriel Namulambe, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Allan Mbewe and some senior government officials.
Some refugees living in Zambia showcasing their dances during the World Refugee Day in Lusaka
United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) Assistant High Commissioner, Erica Feller, has described Zambia as a hub of peace in the Southern African region.
Ms. Feller said Zambia’s peaceful environment is vital for the protection of people seeking asylum in the Southern region.
She was speaking at Lusaka International Airport in Lusaka today upon arrival from Geneva, Switzerland.
She said Zambia has for a long time now been hosting thousands of refugees from countries that faced political conflicts in the region and beyond.
Ms. Feller has thanked the Zambian government for being generous to host refugees from other countries.
She said it is therefore appropriate that Zambia will host the dialogue meeting during the UNHCR’s commemoration of the 60th Global Anniversary.
While in the country, Ms. Feller will call on Vice President George Kunda and meet with some stakeholders.
A team of former senior United Party for National Development [UPND] officials in Kalabo, on Tuesday addressed a rally at Kashitu main market to explain why they opted to remain in the Patriotic Front following the collapse of the UPND-PF Pact.
The team of former Western Province UPND Provincial Executive Committee that addressed the rally comprised former Provincial Vice Chairperson David Muzinda, Provincial Youth Chairman Mundia Samwene and former Provincial Publicity Secretary Teddy Chimbinde.
Others who accompanied the team at the rally facilitated by Western Province PF Publicity Secretary Litula Litula were former Sikongo Member of Parliament Colonel Kapanga Makumba and Lieutenant colonel Kaneta Simuyawa.
[pullquote]Mr. Samwene also said Mr. Sata has more Members of Parliament next to the ruling MMD than Mr. Hichilema adding that even Lusaka was dominated by PF Members of Parliament from an assortment of tribes unlike the UPND.[/pullquote]
Former Western Province UPND Youth Chairman Mundia Samwene said the team opted to go by British based Professor Clive Chirwa’s findings following an out-cry from the public who wanted to know the UPND-PF Pact Presidential candidate.
Mr. Samwene said that the findings of Professor Chirwa were that Michael Sata could be the best Presidential candidate to challenge President Rupiah Banda in this year’s general elections.
Mr. Samwene said that this was on grounds that Mr. Sata had the more followers as opposed to UPND President Hakainde Hichilema going by the Presidential election results of 2008.
Mr. Samwene also said Mr. Sata has more Members of Parliament next to the ruling MMD than Mr. Hichilema adding that even Lusaka was dominated by PF Members of Parliament from an assortment of tribes unlike the UPND.
Mr. Samwene said that these were some of the reasons that made some senior Western Province UPND officials to opt to remain in the PF after the collapse of the Pact.
A 27 year old woman of Kasapa area in Solwezi district yesterday gave birth to triplets at Solwezi General Hospital.
Solwezi General Hospital Chief Executive Officer Dr Simon Kunda confirmed the development to ZANIS in a telephone interview yesterday.
Dr. Kunda said Astrida Kale yesterday gave birth to three babies among them one girl and two boys who were born around 10:44 hours through an operation.
Dr. Kunda described the triplets as nice and bouncy babies adding that the condition of the mother is well.
“The babies are very nice and bouncy, even the condition of the mother is just okay,” he said.
Dr. Kunda disclosed that the girl’s weight at the time of birth was 2.5 kilograms while the two boys weighed 2.3 and 1.9 kilograms respectively.
And speaking to ZANIS from her hospital bed yesterday, Astrida Kale said apart from the new triplets, she has other three children who are all boys whom she takes care of.
She said her husband Watson Chivuta left her at the time when she was still pregnant to an unknown area leaving her with a challenge of looking after the children and also buy enough clothes for the baby that she was expecting.
Ms. Kale added that she had no idea that she would ever have triplets born from her a situation she says has posed a great challenge on how she would bring up the children.
She has since appealed to government and well wishers to help her bring up the triplets by assisting her with financial and material support especially clothes, blankets and nappies as she was not in any form of employment.
Checks by ZANIS this morning found the babies lying on the bed alongside their mother without nappies, socks and blankets but were covered with bed sheets provided for by hospital authorities.
MISA-Zambia Chairperson, Daniel Sikazwe has urged the media in Zambia to rise and address the challenges posed by the rapid pace of political, social and economical change that is taking place in the country.
And MISA Zambia has disclosed that it will launch the Zambia Media Council (ZAMEC) during the World Press Freedom Day next month.
Mr. Sikazwe said the media should always endeavour to work towards meeting public expectations.
He said Government had always clearly shown its support for a free and independent media through its pronouncements of not regulating the media hence the need for journalists to work hard and professionally.
Mr. Sikazwe said this at a press briefing in Lusaka today when he announced that this year’s theme of World Press Freedom Day, “Ethical Reporting for a Free and Peaceful Electoral Process”.
He added that this year’s World Press Freedom Day will be graced by the Minister of Information and Broadcasting to show Government’s true solidarity for a free media and ultimate support for credible information that it delivers to diverse audiences.
Mr. Sikazwe said this theme has come timely as Zambia heads to the polls this year.
He called on the media to take up the challenge of meeting expectations of diverse audiences amid the rapid change the country was going through in different sectors.
Mr. Sikazwe also asked journalists to ensure that they gave correct information to the public in order to promote peace and unity in the country.
He said to spice up this year’s celebrations, the Zambia Media Council (ZAMEC) will be launched and will bind the media to promote ethical practices of information gathering and dissemination without a negative impact on the citizenry.
He noted that ZAMEC is aimed at creating a free media that was responsible and would promote quality journalism that facilitates citizenry demands and sensitivities.
Mr. Sikazwe urged the media to uphold ethics that promoted development and integrity hence helping in nurturing Zambia’s young democracy.
He further invited all media houses to render full support to the World Press Freedom Day, which falls on May 3rd, every year.
A twenty year old woman from Liuwa constituency in Kalabo has given birth to a bouncy baby girl behind some stalls and restaurants at Kalabo Boma harbour.
Namushi Mutoiwa of Salunda Village in Chief Kaongolo’s area in Kalabo district gave birth to a female baby at around 10 50 hours yesterday.
Namushi gave birth immediately after crossing the Luanginga River at Kalabo Boma harbour while in a team of three other women as they were on their way to Kalabo Boma’s Kashitu main market to sell some vegetables.
A source in the team told ZANIS that Namushi started complaining of labour pain as they were approaching the Luanginga River and gave birth at the harbour immediately after crossing the river.
Namushi was rushed to Kalabo district hospital for medical attention soon after she delivered.
Expelled former MMD chairman for elections Mike Mulongoti
Expelled former MMD chairman for elections Mike Mulongoti has charged that the ruling party made a mistake in welcoming members from other political parties without scrutinizing them.
Mr. Mulongoti’s statement will be seen as a direct reference to Republican president Rupiah Banda, who is a former member of the former ruling party UNIP.
He said that some members of the MMD who joined from other political parties have brought dictatorial tendencies in the ruling MMD.
The former works and supply Minister said that members from other parties in the ruling MMD still carry dictatorial arrangement, instead of democracy.
He said that it is a pity that such members are not questioned on their loyalty to the ideals of the MMD.
He says as can be seen in the MMD, democracy has sunk, were leaders are chosen to appoint other than being subjected to democratic elections.
Mr. Mulongoti adds that he feels deeply hurt on the happenings in the MMD, stressing that the vision of the party has been made blur.
And Mr. Mulongoti has stated that he will soon announce the political party he will support ahead of the elections.
Mr. Mulongoti says has been engaged in discussions with certain political parties, who he has described as having excellent manifestos.
He adds that he will not judge individuals but what they can do for the Zambia, in furthering development in the country.
Mr. Mulongoti was speaking on a live programme on UNZA radio this morning monitored by QFM.
The Patriotic Front (PF) is reported to be ferrying cadres from the Copperbelt and Lusaka to Western Province ahead of this Saturday’s Kuomboka traditional ceremony to create an impression that the opposition party has made inroads in the area.A source from within the PF central committee told the Times in Lusaka yesterday that Mr Sata and the party’s national chairperson Inonge Wina wanted to show at all costs that the PF was popular in Western Province when in fact not.The source said Ms Wina was behind the ploy to show that the MMD was losing ground in the province.“Ms Wina has been camping in Mongu for the past one week trying to convince people that they should ditch the MMD and support the PF.
“But because of the resistance from the people, she has now opted to ferry our members from the Copperbelt and Lusaka.“The idea is to position people during the Kuomboka who will be flashing PF symbols against the guest of honor and send an impression that the party is strong in the province,” the source said.
According to the source, Ms Wina had been in Mongu for the past one week with a reporter from a daily tabloid who had been writing stories against the MMD Government and President Rupiah Banda.The PF, through its propaganda publication, was desperately trying to incite the people of Western Province using the events in the province on January 14 this year over the Barotseland Agreement.The source said Mr Sata and Ms Wina had been insisting that cadres should be ferried from the Copperbelt and Lusaka despite opposition from other party members.Mr Sata is also said to have told a meeting for senior party officials that PF members in public transport business should volunteer their buses for the operation.
But MMD Western Province chairperson, Simasiku Namakando said no amount of propaganda or tactics would sway the people of the province to support Mr Sata because they know that the opposition leader hates the people from the area.He said yesterday that Western Province remained a stronghold for the MMD because of the various development projects that the Government was undertaking in the area.
“The MMD is very popular here in Western Province. The insinuations that PF is making inroads are misplaced because the PF is non-existent here. No Westerner in their right frame of mind can support Mr Sata.“Memories of the people here are still very fresh, we still remember how Mr Sata told the people of Malole in Northern Province that they should not vote for the late Emmanuel Kasonde because he was selling the Bembas to the Lozis just because the National Party was then led by a Westerner,” Mr Namakando said.Mr Namakando said the people of the province were also aware of how the PF members of Parliament opposed the allocation of resources for the construction of the Mongu-Kalobo Road.When contacted for comment, Mr Sata cut the call immediately after the reporter introduced the subject to him.
First Republican President Kenneth Kaunda says Tourism has the greatest potential to address poverty.
Dr Kaunda says unlike mining, the tourism industry impacts directly on poverty reduction in rural communities by providing job opportunities.
The former President said this at the re-opening of the Chichele Presidential lodge in Mfuwe on Wednesday.
He urged government, tourism board and traditional leaders to support sustainable conservation of wildlife by involving local people in tourism activities.
Dr Kaunda said Sanctuary Retreats, the new owner of Chichele have the capacity to promote Zambian tourism through its global tourism network.
And Tourism Deputy Minister Vera Tembo said government is determined to promote Zambia as a major tourist destination.
Meanwhile, Eastern Province Minister, Isaac Banda said government has invested millions of dollars in tourism by constructing roads and airports.
Tourism Board Chairman Timothy Mushibwe challenged the media to help promote Zambia as a tourist destination both locally and abroad.
Sanctuary Retreats managing director Anthony Post said over K2 billion has been invested in rehabilitating Chichele Lodge.
He said the sanctuary will invest more at the lodge and other tourist spots in the country.
THE Zambia Police Service has refuted a story in The Post of April 13 linking the amputation of 70-year-old Mwiya Sihope’s right leg to his detention in connection with the January 14 riots related to the Barotseland Agreement.
Inspector-General of Police Francis Kabonde said in a statement released in Lusaka on April 13 when Mr Sihope of Mongu was released on a nolleprosequi, he had both legs.
He said MrSihope was admitted to Lewanika General Hospital for asthma related complications, which later forced medical staff to amputate his right leg.
“The Zambia Police Service would like to refute the impression created in today’s (April 13’s) Post newspaper, which showed on the front page Mr Mwiya Sihope, aged 70, as having had his right leg amputated following his arrest and detention on 14th January, 2011, when he was suspected to be among those involved in the riots,” Mr Kabonde said.
He said the information obtained from Lewanika General Hospital indicated that Mr Sihope has been an outpatient there, and has been undergoing treatment for chronic asthma. He had developed wet gangrene on both legs, and subsequently admitted to the hospital.
Mr Kabonde said that is what necessitated the amputation of MrSihope’s right leg on Friday last week.
He appealed to the media to refrain from publishing inflammatory and unsubstantiated stories that could make people react negatively, leading to a breakdown of law and order.
And the Zambia Police Service says it will deploy 600 officers to provide security during this year’s Kuomboka ceremony of the Lozi people in Western Province.
Mr Kabonde said in a statement released in Lusaka on April 13 the ceremony is important because it has social, economic and cultural values to the people of Western Province and Zambia at large.
“As Zambia Police Service, we are ready for the occasion. Six hundred police officers will be deployed both on water and land to ensure total security,” he said.
The Kuomboka ceremony takes place in Mongu this weekend.
Copperbelt police commanding officer Martin Malama
Police in Kitwe have arrested a man believed to belong to a gang known as the Jerabos that attacked people attending a bridal shower on Sunday.
Copperbelt Police Chief Malama has named the man as John Kalabo.
Dr. Malama has vowed that police will arrest the rest of the gang members.
He told ZNBC News in Kitwe on Monday that police will not allow the Jerabos to break law and order at will.
On Sunday, the Jerabos stormed Kitwe Basic School where people were celebrating a kitchen party and caused chaos.
The gang also beat up those in attendance, broke presents and window-panes before fleeing the scene.
The gang fled away with some of the presents, including hand-bags and cell phones meant for the bride.
It is believed that one of the gang members was angered because the future bride refused to get married to him.
Dr. Malama described the action taken by the Jerabos as primitive and warned that they will not escape the wrath of the law.
And Mninister of Home Affairs Mkhondo Lungu has called for the immediate arrest of members of a gang calling themselves Jerabos who have allegedly unleashed a wave of terror on Kitwe residents.
Mr Lungu said in an interview from Lundazi on yesterday that the activities of the Jerabos must be stopped immediately.
“The Jerabos or whatever they call themselves must be arrested. We have a very efficient Copperbelt police commanding officer in the name of Dr Martin Malama, who is doing a good job. The activities of these men who disturbed a kitchen party in Kitwe must be stopped with immediate effect,” he said.
Mr Lungu condemned the gang for its bad behaviour, saying all law breakers must be arrested. He called on youths to desist from engaging in vices that can ruin their lives.
“Any person who engages in violence must be arrested. Violence is not good. This is why we are saying the Jerabos must be arrested and dealt with,” Mr Lungu said.
THE United Party for National Development (UPND) has expelled Colonel Panji Kaunda from the party for breaching the party constitution.
UPND spokesperson Charles Kakoma said at a press briefing in Lusaka yesterday that Col Kaunda’s expulsion follows his failure to exculpate himself as stipulated in the suspension letter of March 29.
“Following the suspension of Col Kaunda and his subsequent failure to exculpate himself from the charges we put to him, UPND has today (April 13) expelled Col Kaunda from the party pursuant to article 70 of our party constitution,” Mr Kakoma said.
He said Col Kaunda breached article 8 of the party constitution, which compels members to respect and follow the constitution.
“We have found Col Kaunda wanting and therefore liable to expulsion. We therefore wish to advise our supporters and the public that Col Kaunda is no longer a member of UPND,” he said.
Mr Kakoma said the article states that members should uphold and defend the philosophy, vision and objectives of the party and its democratically adopted position on internal and international issues.
He said article 8 further states that party members should safeguard party policies and programmes from ‘undue corruption of thought’.
[pullquote]“This is a free country and the UPND has a right to expel whoever they want to expel. I am currently busy campaigning for my candidate,” Panji said.[/pullquote]
The article also states that members should adhere to collective responsibility and defend their ideas and positions through the established party structures.
Mr Kakoma said any meeting called by Col Kaunda from today onwards should be deemed illegal because he has ceased to be a member of the UPND.
The UPND has also formally welcomed former MMD Katuba member of Parliament Jonas Shakafuswa to the party.
Mr Kakoma said Mr Shakafuswa has indicated to the UPND that he will officially join the party after the dissolution of Parliament but the opposition party says it is ready for a by-election if the Katuba seat is declared vacant before the dissolution of the National Assembly.
Commenting on his expulsion, Col Kaunda said he will not fight the UPND’s decision because his pact is with the people and not any political party.
“This is a free country and the UPND has a right to expel whoever they want to expel. I am currently busy campaigning for my candidate,” he said.
Col Kaunda said he does not have time to discuss the affairs of the UPND because he is busy in the field.
File :President Banda speaking to his press aid Dickson Jere
State House has dismissed a media report that President Rupiah Banda will not attend this year’s Kuomboka Ceremony because he does not want to spend his money.
Special Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations Dickson Jere says the report is misleading.
Mr Jere says the story in question that was carried out in Wednesday’s Post Newspaper was poorly sourced.
He has accused the paper of being bent on creating despondency in Western Province by alleging that the President has neglected them.
Mr Jere says Vice President George Kunda requested to grace at the ceremony on grounds that he has never attended the event.
He said President Banda has officiated the Kuomboka Ceremony many times including his previous tenure as the Republican Vice President.
Mr Jere says there is nothing sinister for Vice President George Kunda to grace the ceremony.
He said this is on account that there are several traditional ceremonies in the country that have either been graced by the Vice President or ministers.
Mr Jere has appealed to the media to be careful and factual in their reporting as the country anticipates the general elections.
Meanwhile Mr Jere says President Banda has initiated key projects in Western Province.
Mr Jere says the projects include the Mongu-Kalabo road which has never been worked on since independence.
Here are all the results from Wednesday’s action at the on going Africa Zone 6 Under-16 Championship currently taking place at the Olympic Youth Development Centre in Lusaka. Thursday and Friday fixtures included.
Africa Zone Six Junior Basketball Championship
Olympic Youth Development Centre
13/04/2011
Boys
Angola 44 South Africa 35
Zambia 52 Zimbabwe 55
Botswana 25 Mozambique 110
Women
Botswana 6 Zimbabwe 126
South Africa 96 Zambia 37
14/04/2011
Women
15:00
Zimbabwe-South Africa
Men
17:00
Zambia-Angola
19:00
Mozambique-South Africa
15/04/2011
Men
Zimbabwe-Botswana (17:00 hours)
Women
Zambia-Mozambique (19:00 hours)
20:30 hours
Closing Ceremony and Presentation
Nchanga Rangers won their first game of the season in contentious circumstances after rallying to beat Zanaco at Nchanga Stadium in Chingola today.
And at Trade Fair Grounds, Zesco United extended their unbeaten run to six matches after beating Kabwe Warriors 2-0 in Ndola.
Rangers defeated Zanaco 2-1 in the two sides delayed Faz Super Division Week 1 match.
However, it was Zanaco who took the lead thanks to a 41st minute goal scored by Makundika Sakala.
Rangers defender Gift Sakuwaha equalized five minutes after the break.
Rangers winner meanwhile came under controversial circumstances after Zanaco seemingly won a penalty in the 88th minute when Sakuwaha tackled midfielder Henry Banda in the box.
However, referee Bernard Chabala ruled for no-foul before Zanaco players accosted him.
And no sooner had the fracas ensued than Chabala allowed play to resume and Rangers striker Kabwe Chileshe scored the winner in time added on.
Rangers two goals were the teams first this season after three successive defeats.
And in Ndola, Zesco sent Warriors reeling with goals from ex-Zanaco striker Winston Kalengo and Alfred Luputa in the 54th and 78th minutes respectively.
