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Police in Kalulushi have arrested a fifty-year-old woman of Lusaka for obtaining money from 150 women after promising them loans from her association.
Copperbelt Police Chief Martin Malama has confirmed the arrest of Christine Mofya of Long Acres Township in Lusaka.
The swindler pretended to be running an organisation called the Association of Women in Development.
Dr. Malama told ZNBC News in Kitwe that the woman obtained one-hundred-and-five-thousand Kwacha from each of the 150 women on the pretext that she would provide them loans for small scale businesses.
He said the women paid the suspected swindler in January this year though the loans have never been provided.
Dr. Malama said the woman is in police custody to help with investigations.
Meanwhile Dr. Malama has said police in Ndola have also recovered assorted household goods including electrical appliances and cell-phones.
Dr. Malama told ZNBC News in Kitwe that four suspects have been arrested in connection with the recovered property.
[ ZNBC ]
First Lady Thandiwe Banda and Indo Zambia chairperson Orlean Moyo
Indo Zambia Bank Board Chairperson Orlean Moyo has said women should not be allowed to be marginalized by the male folk. Mrs Moyo said women have a right to stand up and be recognised in society. She has also called on women to take advantage of equal access to education policy to further their education.
She was speaking during the Indo Zambia Bank international women’s day breakfast in Lusaka on today.
Mrs Moyo has also praised First Lady Thadiwe Banda for inspiring women to stand up for their rights. On Monday, the First Lady called on Zambian women to work extra hard so that they could be recognized on merit. Mrs Banda said women should not seek sympathy when aspiring for jobs, but compete on merit.
Mrs Banda also advised women to encourage each other to work harder in whatever they do. She said although women had achieved a lot in various sectors, much more could be done to achieve the required levels of self actualization in society.
Earlier in the day, thousands of women from all walks of life gathered at Lusaka’s Show grounds to celebrate the one 100th anniversary of the International women’s day.
The anniversary is being commemorated under the theme “Equal Access to education, Training and Science and Technology: A pathway to different work for women”.
Women Religious groupings, including the three mother church bodies, the labour movement and freedom fighters were among thousands of women converged in the Show Grounds main arena to celebrate their day.
Members of the diplomatic corps, Ambassadors and High commissioners accredited to Zambia were also witnessing the celebrations of the anniversary.
Vice President George Kunda was on hand to deliver government’s key note speech to the womenfolk. Women from major political parties including the ruling MMD, United Party for National Development -UPND, UNIP, Forum for Democracy Development and Patriotic Front PF were in attendance.
And the show ground’s main arena was fully packed and a hive of activity as excited and joyous women commemorated the anniversary in style.
The marchers who gathered as early as 07:00 hours on Tuesday started their procession from the ZESCO headquarters through the Great East road to Show Grounds where the celebrations climaxed into performances and speeches.
Gender and Women in Development Minister Sara Saifwanda flagged of the marching procession at around 08:00 hours.
Earlier, Vice President in the company of dignitaries and several other ministers found time to look at various exhibitions at the American Dome.
Four opposition political parties have expressed reservations about working with Patriotic Front leader Michael Sata who has called for a united opposition after the collapse of the Pact with the United Party for National Development (UPND).
National Democratic Focus (NDF) president Ben Mwila has said it is impossible for any reasonable political party to enter into any form of arrangement with Mr Michael Sata’s Patriotic Front (PF) because the opposition leader is inconsistent and unpredictable.
And the Alliance for Democracy and Development (ADD) has said it is only willing to work with other opposition parties in some coalition based on a common economic agenda and not a “pact arrangement” based on individuals and personalities.
Commenting on Mr Sata’s statement that his party was open to dialogue for a united opposition, Mr Mwila said it would be an effort in futility for any opposition pact to think of working with the PF.
“There is no way Mr Sata can want to get in Government in the first place because he has no agenda for the country. We tried ourselves, we wrote an agreement to work together as a united opposition then with the late Anderson Mazoka, the late Dean Mung’omba, Dr Nevers Mumba and myself which Mr Sata abrogated himself.
“We even chose members and allocated constituencies as to which political party would stand but on the last minute Mr Sata walked away,” he said.
Mr Mwila said Mr Sata always finds a way to get out of a working arrangement with other parties.
“If you remember our party was called Zambia Republican Party (ZRP). The name National Democratic Front (NDF) came about because Mr Sata wanted the word “Front” to be reflected because PF was part of the pact. We were forced to drop the Front to Focus because Mr Sata contested that we remove it when he came out of the arrangement,” he said.
He said it would be unreasonable for any opposition party to even contemplate a working arrangement with the PF.
ADD president Charles Milupi said his party was the first to call for a grand opposition but that his party would only work with political parties with a similar vision.
“ADD was the first to call for a united and grand opposition. We have been advocating for this for a long time but we can only come together if we have common policies,” he said.
Mr Milupi said opposition parties can only work together in an arrangement based on issues and common policy not individuals and personalities.
“As a party, we are focused on dealing with issues of unemployment, poverty and disease, we can only work with people who have similar visions,” he said.
New Revolution Party (NRP) president Cosmo Mumba said it would be difficult for any party to work with the PF as long as it maintains Mr Wynter Kabimba as the secretary general.
“Just look at how Mr Kabimba has fought the UPND,” he said.
UPND national youth chairperson Joe Kalusa has advised other opposition parties to be wary of Mr Sata’s invitation.
He said before Mr Sata can invite other parties to join a united opposition, he should tell the Zambian people what was wrong with the UPND.
“It is like a married man who divorces a wife and goes on the street and asks another wife to marry him without addressing his own problems and weaknesses. That kind of marriage can’t last.
“First let him tell the nation what is wrong with UPND. He has tried so many pacts with the NDF, ULP (United Liberal Party) all of which he ditched at the last minute. This is a man you can’t trust,” he said.
Officiating at the Northern Province party conference Mr Sata said his party was ready a united opposition.
The announcement comes at a time the pact with the UPND is failing.
[Times of Zambia]
The sun setting over the Lusaka International airport
by Gerald Nkisu Katayi
Lusaka International Airport is the gateway to many destinations around the world from Zambia. Even though it is an “International Airport” there is nothing international about it. The main building called Lusaka International Airport which is supposed to be a symbolic building is nothing but a historical monument. Upon arrival as Zambians coming home, our embarrassment is that, one is met by the desolate, lifeless, ancient-looking main airport building.
Why is the government not doing something about revamping this old building? Let them give it a befitting overhaul as this building has served us well over the years. Whilst it may be structurally sound and fit for basic purposes; it has indeed been neglected somewhat and is crying out for a full face-lift. Is the government comfortable with the perceived level of ‘third world infrastructure?’ Our counterparts have been elevated to ‘developing world’ status with stunning airport buildings to present to the world, but Zambia is still “the real Africa.”
The ugliness of the airport is not limited to the dilapidated building; work ethics and services rendered at this airport are of great concern. Cohesion, intimidation, and begging by workers are so rampant. Each time I go on vacation, something sinister shows up at the airport. I had 23x3kg luggage allowance round trip; when leaving Lusaka, I only had 1×30 kg. I was told my bag was “overweight,” that I should pay and buy another bag for the extra 7kg. I showed the benefits of my ticket, the officer just glanced at it. I had to trash the 7 kg.
On another trip an airline had changed my transit dates. Initially I was supposed to transit in London for two days before connecting to Zambia. On my way back the lady at the airport demanded a $100 for the “change of dates.” I tried to explain, but she was adamant. I had to contact the airline who came to my rescue.
This other time, I had bought dry fish. I was told to “throw” it away because it was not “allowed” at my destination. I asked this officer to take the fish from my bag and throw it away as I was not going to do so. I went through with my fish.
Whilst at the airport, I gave some money to a friend for my project before he left. After my bags were checked in; an officer asked me for money. I don’t have, was my response. “I just saw you giving money to the man who was with you,” he insisted. Well, what has that got to do with you? And how can I just be giving money to strangers? I walked away.
My bags went missing each time I come through South Africa. I was advised to check with the airport the following day. By them holding my bag(s) and I picking the bags the following day; I become a sacrificial lamb; money exchanged hands as though my bags were being delivered to my residence. Last December my bag went “missing,” I was given a form to fill in and check with them the following day. I looked at this lady in the face and told her to give me my bag or else I will make a lot of noise because I knew what was going on…A few minutes later my bag was “found.”
Words like, “you are leaving us hungry,” “you are the people enjoying out there,” “leave me something for lunch” etc. are repeated by workers as one leaves the airport. There’s too much greed at this airport; this attitude will tarnished the image of Zambia if it continues.
Finance and National Planning Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane
Government has maintained its stance that it will not re-introduce the windfall taxes on mining companies. Finance and National Planning Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane said the windfall tax was an illusion and a mistake on the part of government.
Dr. Musokotwane said the scrapping off of such taxes on mining companies has been done in the best interest of the mining sector in the country.
The minister said the move will in the next five years trigger about one third of government’s revenue collection from the mining sector.
He has assured Zambians of a fair share of wealth in the mining sector through other taxes that exist adding that it will not be fair to impose exorbitant taxes that no other country in world charges.
Dr. Musokotwane said government will be creating a problem by overcharging mining companies as this will discourage investment in new undertakings.
The minister was speaking last evening when he featured on a QFM’s Monday Nite Live program.
PATRIOTIC Front cadres at the weekend stormed two privately-owned television stations, Muvi and Mobi, to register their grievances about a programme produced by freelance journalist ChandaChimba III dubbed Stand Up for Zambia.
But the MMD has condemned the PF cadres for trying to intimidate the media.
MMD committee for party modernisation national chairman Chiwele Maimisa said the action by PF cadres was not only an attempt to silence the media, but also an indicator of what would happen if the PF formed Government.
Mr Maimisa told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka on March 6 the PF does not respect press freedom and will do anything to try and intimidate the media.
He said if PF cadres are not happy with Mr Chimba’s programme, they should ask their president, Michael Sata, to refute the contents of the programme.
Mr Maimisa said Zambia enjoys the freedom of the press and, therefore, Zambians should not allow the PF to silence the media.
Mobi news editor Chenda Sendeme confirmed that PF cadres on March 6 went to the station to present a statement concerning their displeasure over Mr Chimba’sStand up for Zambia programme.
“The cadres came to present their statement, airing their complaint on the programme presented by Chanda Chimba III,” she said.
Muvi TV managing editor Costa Mwansa confirmed that PF cadres went to the station to issue a statement complaining against the content of Mr Chimba’s programme.
“Yes, they came in to the station like any other group comes in, and they expressed their views on Chanda Chimba’s programme and we aired them,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Youth Student Movement has condemned the acts by PF youths, saying the act is barbaric and uncivilised.
Movement secretary general Tobias Kafumukache said in an interview in Lusaka on March 7 that PF youths should dialogue with Mr Chimba and not storm the TV stations to present their grievances.
Mr Kafumukache said PF youths should not use barbaric means to solve their problems because Zambia is a civilised country.
“We strongly condemn PF youths for storming Muvi and Mobi in the manner they did because this goes to show that they do not have ideas on how to dialogue,” he said.
Mr Kafumukache said it is surprising PF youths want to physically sort out Mr Chimba when PF president Michael Sata is on record as having said that he is happy the freelance journalist is campaigning for him.
Zambia Union of Journalists (ZUJ) general secretary Angela Chishimba said political parties must educate their members on the role of the media.
Ms Chishimba said journalists are not politicians and their profession must be respected like other professions.
The United Party for National Development (UPND) has said its leader Hakainde Hichilema Hichilema has enough experience in leadership to make a very good President.
UPND Secretary General Winston Chibwe said time has come for the country to have a new crop of leaders because old politicians have failed to deliver development to the people despite claiming to have political experience.
But when asked to clarify on the alleged pull out of the UPND from the pact, the UPND secretary general declined to comment.
The UPND has reportedly pulled out of the PF/UPND pact which has been rocked by wrangling between the two parties.
Meanwhile the UPND has said the proposals made by the party chairperson for International Relations Professor Clive Chirwa on the UPND-PF pact have not been discussed at the party’s national management level.
UPND secretary general Winston Chibwe said Professor Chirwa’s proposals were just one of the many proposals that were made but that the PF was quick to publicize them.
Mr. Chibwe was reacting to a statement made by UPND Luapula province coordinator Jones Mutimushi that that the proposals made by the Professor Chirwa on the pact are realistic and that the UPND president should accept them.
President Banda talks closely to vice president George Kunda
President Rupiah Banda is in South Africa at the invitation of Thomson Reuters Foundation to speak at its first ever Africa Investment Summit.
The President who left aboard the Presidential Challenger Monday afternoon is accompanied by First Lady Thandiwe Banda.
He was seen off by Vice President George Kunda, Defence Chiefs and some Cabinet Ministers.
President Banda has been invited by the foundation, which is a leading global news and information company, to speak at its first ever Africa Investment Summit to be held in South Africa.
The President is expected to join top politicians, Executives and investors to explore the opportunities and challenges facing investors in Africa.
The inaugural Africa Investment summit will be held from the 7th to 10th of March 2011.
Reuters Bureau Chief for Southern Africa, Marius Bosch said foreign investors and many Reuters clients are increasingly interested in Zambia and its investments prospects.
Special Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations Dickson Jere said in a statement released to ZNBC ahead of the President’s departure that delivering economic prosperity to all Zambians has been at the heart of President Banda ‘s policies.
Mr. Jere said the President and his government have worked successfully to build strong foundations for tomorrows’ Zambia.
Great achievements have been made in improving economic stability.
Flashback: Former president Frederick Chiluba talks to Chief State of Protocol Bob Samakai after the funeral of late former Minister Gabriel Maka in Lusaka
The Ministry of Works and Supply has an allocation of 1-billion Kwacha in this year’s budget, to start constructing Second Republican President FREDERICK CHILUBA’s house.
Works and Supply Permanent Secretary WATSON NG’AMBI said this in an interview in Lusaka on Monday.
Mr NG’AMBI however said the Ministry is waiting for the Office of the Second Republican President and the Ministry of Lands to identify land where the house for the former Head of State will be built.
He says once Dr. CHILUBA and the Ministry of Lands agree on the land, his Ministry is ready to start construction works.
Mr. NG’AMBI said works on Dr CHILUBA’s house had stalled because the former Head of State preferred his house to be constructed on BAOBAB land on Kafue road.
However the BAOBAB land belongs to Legacy holdings a situation which has necessitated the Ministry of Lands to take up the matter of negotiating with Legacy Holdings or identifying another piece of land.
National Sports Council of Zambia chairman Chifumu Banda
The National Sports Council of Zambia will soon engage the Football Association of Zambia on the inclusion of a vote of No Confidence notice on the agenda of the FAZ AGM.
This follows FAZ’s refusal to include the motion on the agenda as agreed during a meeting held with FIFA last year.
National Sports Council of Zambia Chairperson CHIFUMU BANDA says the role of the National Council of Zambia and the ministry of Sports who attended a meeting in Zurich was to ensure the motion was included on the agenda.
BANDA said the Sports Council will issue a comprehensive statement on the matter.
He said in an interview that it is the wish of the Sports Council that the problems that have rocked FAZ come to an end for the development of football in the country.
On Saturday, FAZ Interim General Secretary SIMATAA SIMATAA said the Kalusha Bwalya led FAZ executive had rejected the vote of no confidence motion by Mazabuka United to be included on AGM agenda.
SIMATAA who is also Amakumbi Stars proprietor however said only Mazabuka United had written to FAZ to include the vote of no confidence motion at the March 26 FAZ Annual General Meeting and not the two thirds majority.
SIMAATA said the petitioners had therefore called for an Emergency Council Meeting in Ndola on March 25, 2011 for members to make their final decision.
And FAZ Vice President Boniface Mwamelo also confirmed that that only MAZABUKA united had written to the association and NOT the two thirds majority to have the vote of no confidence included as an agenda item at the March 26 AGM in Kitwe.
Mwamelo said FAZ was however still open to receive submissions and requests from clubs for inclusion on the agenda of the AGM.
Gender Minister Sarah Sayifwanda talks to United Nations Development Programme Country Director Viola Morgan
Gender and Women in Development Minister Sarah Sayifwanda has warned Zambian women involved in drug trafficking curtails cartels to desist from the practice.
Mrs Sayifwanda says women should instead engage in other development activities such as agriculture.
Mrs. Sayifwanda says Government is saddened by the increasing number of Zambian women involved in drug trafficking and illegal activities saying that this trend is denting the name of the women folk in the country.
The Minister was speaking in Lusaka on Monday during the International Women’s Day motivational talk hosted by Standard Chartered Bank Zambia.
She said there are a lot of things that women can engage themselves in to raise funds other than drug trafficking.
“As the country joins the rest of the world in commemorating the International Women’s Day which falls tomorrow (Tuesday) Zambian women should learn from other countries who have strived to succeed by engaging in meaningful
Activities”, she said.
Mrs Sayifwanda encouraged women staff at the bank to compete for higher posts as their male colleagues.
She said women staff and the rest in the country should shy away from contesting various positions in their work places and respective political parties.
She observed that all the Ministries and Constituencies headed by women have performed better which only indicates that women are better leaders.
Mrs Sayifwanda said government has shown its commitment to championing issues affecting women by creating a gender desk and a Ministry of Gender to represent women in Cabinet.
And Standard Chartered Bank Managing Director Mizinga Melu observed that women have contributed greatly to the world’s Growth Domestic Product (GDP).
Ms. Melu however says despite their valuable contribution, women globally do not enjoy the full benefits in the workforce as the wage gap remains sizeable with women earning 15 percent less than men for the same job.
The bank’s Managing Director noted than the unemployment levels of women is also higher than that of men.
She has called on companies to adopt measures to support stronger female talent pipelines.
The African Institute of Democracy and Good Governance AIDGG has challenged Colonel Panji Kaunda to name the people the late President Levy Mwanawasa sent inviting him to join the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD).
AIDGG Head of Public Relation Thabo Kawana has challenged Colonel Kaunda to name the emissaries which the late president sent promising him the post of vice presidency if he joined the MMD in order for the people of Zambia to believe his story.
Mr Kawana has also called on Colonel Kaunda to tone down on his statements in the media. He told ZNBC News in Kitwe today that Colonel PanjiI’s continued use of the term “bloodshed” in his media interviews is not good for the peace of the nation.
He said that Colonel Kaunda has continued to issue inflammatory statements to the media which have the potential to incite violence in the country especially among the youths.
Mr Kawana was reacting to a story in today’s edition of the Post Newspaper story in which Colonel Kaunda was quoted as saying that the MMD would kill to stay in power.
He said that Colonel Kaunda is free to participate in the political debate of country without referring to killing every time he issues a statement to the media.
FLASHBACK: President Banda with DRC Katanga Governor Moses Katumbi at the Umutomboko ceremony in Mwansabombwe.
The Anti Voter Apathy Project (AVAP) has advised foreigners to keep away from Zambia’s political scenario.
AVAP Executive Director Bonnie Tembo has said that the Democratic Republic of Congo Katanga province Governor Moses Katumbi should be reminded that Zambia is both a Christian and Democratic nation and that no one has the right to suppress those with divergent views.
Mr. Tembo said in a democracy a strong opposition and vibrant civil society are necessary to provide checks and balances.
He said Katumbi’s remarks describing opposition leaders as making noise like empty tins is an insult to Zambia’s hard won democracy.
He added that Zambia is in an election year ad does not need foreign interference in the country’s politics.
Mr. Tembo has since advised opposition political party leaders and Zambians to dismiss the statement attributed to Mr Katumbi with the contempt it deserves.
He has further appealed to Zambians to observe law and order to ensure elections are held based on real issues and promotion of clean and peaceful campaigns.
