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Here is the Fifa press statement from its website on the meeting it held with Zambian football and governement officials.
A meeting on the situation of the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has taken place today, 20 December 2010, at the Home of FIFA in Zurich.
The meeting was chaired by FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter, FIFA Secretary General Jérôme Valcke, and Confederation of African Football (CAF) representative Magdi Shams el Din, and included Zambian Minister of Sport Kenneth Chipungu, chairman of National Sports Council of Zambia Chifumu Banda, FAZ president Kalusha Bwalya, FAZ general secretary George Kasengele, FAZ legal expert Antony Kasolo, and representatives of the opposition to the current FAZ Executive Committee, Andrew Kamanga and Simataa Simataa.
During the meeting, it was confirmed that Kalusha Bwalya is the legitimate FAZ president. In the event that some FAZ members want to table a motion of non-confidence against him and his Executive Committee, such a motion would have to be presented at the next general council scheduled on March 2011, following the proper procedures established in the FAZ statutes. As such, if FAZ members would like to lodge such a request for inclusion on the agenda of a council meeting, it shall notify the FAZ general secretary at least 21 days before the date of the meeting. This notification can be copied to FIFA and CAF, which in turn will make sure that it is properly addressed by the FAZ general secretariat.
FIFA and CAF will continue to monitor closely the Zambian situation and they will send representatives to the March 2011 general council meeting.
FIFA would like to thank all the participants in the meeting for their constructive attitude which has allowed them to find an agreement on the current situation of the FAZ.
Interim Faz president Andrew Kamanga has said from Zurich that his executive is legally mandated to remain in power until the March 2011 annual general meeting.
Kamanga said in a telephone interview from Zurich after the tripartite meeting at Fifa headquarters that the meeting was fruitful and denied any claims that his administration was not recognized by the games world governing body at the meeting.
The meeting in Zurich was chaired by Fifa general secretary Jerome Valcke while Caf was represented by Sudan Football Association general secretary Magdi Shams-Eldin.
Kamanga said Fifa had said Faz must on its agenda for next March’s annual general meeting hold executive committee elections under the hospices of Fifa and Caf.
“The interim executive committee will continue in office,” Kamanga said. “It is a moral victory which was decided upon by the majority (At the November 26 ECM).”
Meanwhile, sources familiar with the development at Monday’s meeting have also said Fifa has directed embattled Faz president Kalusha Bwalya to hold early elections.
However, Fifa added that the Faz constitution was silent over some cardinal matters including the co-opting of committee members in instances of mass resignation from its executive members.
“Jerome Valcke the Fifa secretary general chaired the meeting where both sides parties presented their cases,” the source said.
“Fifa acknowledged that the Kamanga team was duly elected by two thirds majority. The challenge was that the Faz constitution is silent on a lot of issues regarding Kalu’s co-opting new Exco members and as such it was assumed that Kalu did this in good faith and should stand.
“Both parties agreed to resolve this by cutting Kalu’s tenure and holding early elections which Fifa and Caf will observe.
“Fifa promised to recognize whoever emerges winner in March. National Sports council of Zambia and Government have been instructed to mediate on the local issues i.e. the conclusion of the league.
“Kalu has been cautioned on entering into agreements on behalf of the association as the remainder of his tenure is for administrative convenience only.”
First Lady Thandiwe observes the conversation between President Banda and United States Ambassador to Zambia Mark Storrela in Lusaka
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President Banda, , Finance Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane with World Bank president Robert Zoellick at State House
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Some members of the defence force wait for their turn to receive credentials during a a joint graduation ceremony in Lusaka
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A dance troupe in action at the Lusaka international airport to welcome Great Lakes Region Presidents who were in Zambia for a summit
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Zambia officials approach the Presidential jet of Angola when officials from that country arrived for the Great Lakes Region
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Journalists mob diplomats from Angola during an interview at Lusaka international airport
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Tanzania President Jakaya Kikwete when he arrived in Zambia for the Great Lakes Region Summit
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Tanzania President Jakaya Kikwete interacts with Tanzanians resident in Zambia when he arrived in Zambia for the Great Lakes Region Summit
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Tanzania President Jakaya Kikwete interacts with MMD women when he arrived in Zambia for the Great Lakes Region Summit
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President of Tanzania Jakaya Kikwete shopping for a cap at the Intercontinental hotel gift shop in Lusaka
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Burundi President Pierre Nkurunziza after giving an interview to reporters at Lusaka international airport
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One of the motorcades for the visiting dignitaries of the Great Lakes Region Summit leaves the Lusaka international airport
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Leaders of the Great Lakes Region pose for a photograph after the Lusaka summit
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Protocol officials handling the luggage of Burundi President Pierre Nkurunziza wait for transport to ferry the Presidential luggage from the Lusaka international airport
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A Congolese toddler resident in Zambia carries a placard bearing the photograph of Congolese leader Joseph Kabila.
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A Congolese toddler resident in Zambia carries a placard bearing the photograph of Congolese leader Joseph Kabila
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Congolese Nationals resident in Zambia chanting slogans before the arrival of their President Joseph Kabila at Lusaka international airport
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Zambian majorettes in action during the launch of the road safety week in Lusaka
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President Banda and his son Temwani (l) interacts with pupils of the American international school in Lusaka
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President Banda and First Lady Thandiwe during the end of year come together event at the American international school in Lusaka
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President Banda waves at pupils of the American international school in Lusaka
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President Banda and First Lady Thandiwe cut a cake during the MMD Meet the President dinner at Mulungushi international conference centre
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President Banda and First Lady Thandiwe take to the dance floor during the MMD Meet the President dinner at Mulungushi international conference centre
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President Banda and First Lady Thandiwe on the dance floor during the MMD Meet the President dinner at Mulungushi international conference centre.
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President Banda welcomes World Bank president Robert Zoellick at State House
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A police man walks past Congolese nationals resident in Zambia who had a placard as they waited for the arrival of their leader Joseph Kabila at Lusaka international airport
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Chief Mazimawe charing the House of Chiefs when the house resumed sitting in Lusaka
Zesco United were today officially crowned this year’s Faz Super Division champions after beating Nkwazi 3-1 at Edwin Emboela stadium in Lusaka in their Week 30 game.
Fighton Simukonda’s side attained an unassailable 60 points after defending champions Zanaco lost at home to Power Dynamos on the same day.
Innocent Mwaba scored a brace with goals in the 32nd and 57th minutes while Nkwazi scored their lone goal in-between through Isaac Mutangama in the 66th minute.
Zambia Under-20 striker Chakwa Lungu added Zesco’s third goal in the 88th minute to see the Ndola side capture their third league title.
Across town at Sunset Stadium, Power Dynamos beat Zanaco 1-0 via a4th minute headed in goal from Simon Bwalya who benefitted from a Joseph Sitali cross.
Zanaco could have equalized from the spot in the 42th minute through Mathews Macha but his penalty was parried and later saved by Power goalkeeper Rabson Muchelenganga.
Faz interim president Andrew Kamanga and his general secretary Simataa Simataa on Sunday set off for Zurich after a visa hitch on Friday and Saturday almost scuttled their journey for Monday’s Fifa meeting over the current Faz impasse.
And sports minister Kenneth Chipungu has replaced his director of sport Bernard Nakachinda on the two-member government panel for the Zurich meeting.
Kamanga left for Zurich together with Chipungu via Dar-es-Salaam to catch a direct flight to Switzerland from Tanzania on Sunday evening.
Simataa and National Sports Council of Zambia chairman Chifumu Banda, who is the second government representative on the trip, flew out via Johannesburg later in the day.
Kalusha Bwalya and Faz general secretary George Kasengele are already in Zurich after leaving on Friday and were joined over the weekend by Faz disciplinary committee head Anthony Kasolo who left on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Kamanga said before departure for Zurich on Sunday morning that he hoped the voice of reason will prevailed during Monday’s meeting at Fifa headquarters.
“We hope they will be reasonable enough to listen to our position,” Kamanga said.
Faz is currently being run by parallel local governing organs after a new interim executive led by Kamanga was elected at an emergency council meeting held in Lusaka on November 26.
“The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning”
(Lamentations 3:22–23, NLT)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
Isn’t it good to know that no matter what happened yesterday, no matter what you said, no matter what you did, God’s mercy is new for you today? Mercy is empowering. It frees us to make the right choices and live in a way that is pleasing to God. We have to always remember that God is not condemning us. Romans tells us that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ. God wants to love us and equip us to overcome in this life.
Do you need new mercy today? Receive it by faith. You don’t have to beg God to forgive you. He forgives you the first time you ask, but it’s up to you to receive that forgiveness. Open your heart today and receive His mercy. Let Him wash over you with His peace and joy. Then choose to extend that mercy to others. Remember, you are God’s representative in the earth. As you show His love and character to others, He’ll pour out His blessing upon you and use you in ways you never dreamed!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Heavenly Father, today I choose to receive Your mercy and forgiveness. Thank You for cleansing me of all unrighteousness. Thank You for making me new. I love You and bless Your Holy Name. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
File:Some ladies on a weekend ride in Northmead township.
By Daimone Siulapwa
The problem of drug trafficking among Zambian women is highly worrying. The numbers of those arrested and jailed, especially outside the country, are astonishing. Almost every month, we hear of this and that Zambian woman being arrested and jailed in some foreign country on charges of drug
trafficking.
Unfortunately, most of these cases are in countries which have strict laws in so far as drug trafficking is concerned. The sentence is sometimes life imprisonment and even mandatory death sentence.
Well, lets us just say the cases are embarrassing, first to the image of the country as a whole, and secondly, to the womenfolk.
What do the women have to say about this?
Women for Change executive director Emily Sikazwe said the continued arrests and increase in the number of women dealing in drug trafficking is very sad. She said the increasing number of women dealing and trafficking in drugs cannot go unaddressed as it keeps recurring.
All sectors of society including the church, political parties, civil society and the people at large therefore need to get involved to arrest the trend. She attributes the increase in the number of cases to poverty but adds that there can still be dignity even in poverty. She further accuses men with resources who do not want to tarnish their image in public of using women as couriers of the substances.
She advised such men to stop using women in their dealings as it is not only affects the women, but their families as well and the countries they are coming from.
Either way, the practice is bad. But what is the real motivation for this? Poverty is too general a reason to cite.
Admittedly, there is a class problem in our society currently. And this is more pronounced among our womenfolk. There is pressure to keep-up with the rest of the elite. So huge is the pressure that these women are willing to do anything in order to keep-up with the rest.
There is pressure to be driving the latest vehicle, like their next door neighbors, pressure to own the most expensive mobile phone, stay in plush neighborhoods and shop from the most expensive boutiques.
Certainly, our womenfolk suffer from complexes. They want to be seen to belong to a high-class society. For instance, for those who take alcohol, they do not want to go to their neighborhoods den, but instead want to go where ‘everyone is going, arcades, Cross roads and the new Manda Hill.
And while there, they do not want to be in a taxi, they want to go there driving, and when it comes to drinks, they will look down on those ladies taking castle or mosi. They would rather go for the ciders. For them, that is what makes them elite.
How sad!
Unfortunately for most of them, this kind of lifestyle is unsustainable. They simply cannot afford it, week-in week-out. With that scenario, they have to find a way of sustaining it. In the meantime, you find that they do not work, and if they do, their pay is not enough to sustain their exaggerated lifestyle. So, they will consider the options before them. Well, others may decide to sleep with their superiors, even when they know that he is married. But if it will bring them a promotion or extra income, then they are willing to do it. For others though, especially those in college and university, they would even sleep with their lecturers. Others though would go extreme, engaging in pornography by way of them sleeping with dogs in exchange for money. Still others will go for the big one, drug trafficking – they would agree to be used as couriers by some rich yet obscure businessman to carry these drugs in exchange for a commission.
Unfortunately, most of them fail to get their commission and are instead, commissioned to the prison authorities for a life under bars. These are the women who claim to go to Dubai, India, China and Brazil for business yet in reality are involved in some illegal activities, all in the name of keeping-up appearances.
So, how do you arrest this situation? Firstly, our women need to get rid of their complexes. There is no need for them to compete. They should accept their socio-economic status and only work hard to improve it. There is no need to sleep with their boss or with a dog.
This is more demeaning than drinking your mosi and castle at the local shebeen or shopping from the sprawling Soweto.
Hopefully, our women are learning something from their colleagues, some of whom may die in foreign prison cells.
A Zambian woman has been arrested in Ethiopia for drug trafficking.
First Secretary Press at the Zambian Embassy in Addis Ababa -Ethiopia Docars Chileshe has said in a statement made available to ZANIS in Lusaka today that the unnamed women aged 31 was nabbed by Ethiopian security officials at Bole International Airport.
Ms Chileshe said the woman who was on transit to Zambia from Pakistan was nabbed early this week when she was found in possession of 71 pellets of heroin believed to have been swallowed.
The woman is detained at Piassa Police Station in Addis Ababa.
The MMD has maintained that only party members with good standing will attend the national convention in 2011.
MMD National Chairman Michael Mabenga says the party will not allow some disgruntled people to bring confusion at the convention.
Mr. Mabenga stated the MMD believes in peace, unity and development as the party was founded on these principles.
He was speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today.
“Only party members with good standings will attend the national convention in 2011. People should know that in every organization there are rules and regulations to follow.” Mr. Mabenga said.
Meanwhile, Mr Mabenga has maintained the ruling party will elect its leader at the forth-coming national convention contrary to assertions that the convention won’t take place.
Mr Mabenga said the MMD is a democratic party unlike some opposition political parties that have never held a convention since coming on the political scene.
The MMD National Chairman urged party members to rally behind President Rupiah Banda and to go flat-out in communities sensitizing people on government programmes.
Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) Executive Director Glyne Michelo has disclosed that Zambia has made tremendous success in penetrating American markets under the Africa Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA).
Mr Michelo said this during the AGOA stakeholders preparatory meeting held today at Mulungushi International Conference Center in Lusaka today.
He said Zambia has done well especially in exporting agriculture products to the United States of American Markets.
Mr Michelo said Zambia’s agricultural exports which include vegetables and flowers are on high demand on the USA markets.
He added the country is also exporting agricultural products such as Swap Spinning and cotton to Madagascar and South Africa respectively.
Mr Michelo further stated AGOA was formed by former United States of America President, Bill Clinton and that since its inception there has been an increase in the export of products to America.
He named other countries that have made strides in this area as Kenya, Nigeria, Angola, Malawi and South Africa.
Mr Michelo said although Zambia has recorded many successes in this area, the country still faces problems such as supply constraints. He noted there is a huge demand on the American Market for the products.
And speaking at the same function, United States of America Embassy representative in Lusaka, Phil Nervig said trade between Zambia and the United States of America has a potential to grow to satisfactory levels.
Mr Nervig also said his country was working with the Ministry of Tourism in Zambia to see how best tourism products can be exploited for the benefit the two countries.
Zambia national team midfielder Jonas Sakuwaha is in Sudan to negotiate a deal with league champions Al Hilal.
According to sources on the ground in Khartoum, Sakuwaha has arrived today, Thursday.
“Sakuwaha arrived in Khartoum today and was received by Al Hilal officials, “the source on the ground in Khartoum said. “Tomorrow (Friday) he will train with the team.”
Sakuwaha has been clubless since French side Lorient released him just a year after joining the team from Zesco United last December.
He went on to play for French Ligue 2 side Le Harve for a brief spell before returning to home to Zambia.
Sakuwaha was recently linked with a move to African club champions TP Mazembe of DR Congo.
File:Seventh Day Adventist youths from the Pathfinders age participate in a marching competition at Munali High School in Lusaka.
Confusion is loaming at Livingstone’s Seventh Day Adventist(SDA) with a protestant group accusing the mother body of introducing idol worship in the church contrary to the church doctrines however local pastors refute the claims.
This is after a member of the Airport SDA church, who addressed himself as elder Durton Nanga called for a Press Conference to address issues he termed as abomination.
In his letter that was obtained by Lusakatimes, Mr Nanja said the current Livingstone West Mission, South Zambia Conference and Zambia
Union Conference of the SDA church leadership had introduced symbols,Idols and Image worshiping.
He further said the act of idol worship was introduced without the consent of the local churches.
“ Gods written word rebukes this abomination, we have been asking them to repent and remove the Idols from the churches of God since July 2010 to
date”, he said.
“ They have continued to install more Idols everyday, the Lord of Heaven is angered by their actions and God is about to take action against them and those who support and worship Idols” he stated.
But Livingstone District Pastor in the Western Division Pastor Kawana Kashweka,who is also Pastor-In-Charge has refuted claims that the church is worshiping Idols.
In his counter Press Statement circulated in the Media,Pastor Kashweka said Mr.Nanja has no authority in the Church.
“ First of all Mr Nanja is not an elder but just a member, secondly it is not the policy of the church to call a Press conference neither is it biblical” he said.
Pastor Kashweka said he advised Mr Nanja that those issues raised were internal matters but he continued by writing to the Provincial President and gave him a 3 week ultimatum.When the president did not respond and he further wrote to the National President who referred the matter to the district.
Pastor Kashweka also disclosed that Mr Nanja told the National President that the local leadership was doing nothing.
Pastor Kashweka said Mr Nanja was too quick and that he should hold his fire and wait for dialogue. He further advised members of the Press not to
attend the Press Conference.
He has also threatened that the church will excommunicate him if he goes ahead with the press briefing.
Sunday December 29 has been set as the day for the Press Conference organized by the protestant, Elder Nanja.
The Lusaka High Court has asked Attorney General Abyud Shonga to compensate a voter who lost an eye in the violence that marred the Mufumbwe Parliamentary by-election.
High Court-Judge-in-Charge Phillip Musonda said the potential voter is a poor man who should be compensated.
Judge Musonda said that as leader of the bar, the Attorney General should avoid unnecessary litigation for compensation because the affected person cannot even afford to engage a lawyer.
[pullquote]Judge Musonda said that as leader of the bar, the Attorney General should avoid unnecessary litigation for compensation because the affected person cannot even afford to engage a lawyer.[/pullquote]
The Judge described the injury caused to the voter as an evil act. Judge Musonda made the remarks after handing down Judgment in the petition for the Mufumbwe by election, in which he nullified the election of UPND’s Elliot Kamondo as Member of Parliament.
And in a related development, Judge Musonda has urged police not to condone any form of violence from political parties.
The Judge said anyone who perpetuates violence must be arrested regardless of political affiliation.
Government has projected an increase in mining taxes next year. Finance and National Planning Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane says negotiations are already underway.
Dr Musokotwane however said Government will not re-introduce the Windfall taxes on revenue from the mines.
He was speaking at a press briefing in Lusaka yesterday. Dr Musokotwane explained that the country is already benefiting from taxes on profits made by mining firms. He regretted that some politicians want to mislead Zambians on the issue of windfall taxes.
Meanwhile, The new investor of Maamba Coal Mine, Nava Bharat, has begun revamping the Colliery.
Chief Executive Officer Kalunga Mumba has said the demolition of the old coal processing plant is underway.
The old plant will be replaced by a modern one, at a cost of twenty-four million United States dollars.
Mr. Mumba told ZNBC news in Maamba that the new coal processing plant is being designed in South Africa.
He explained that the new plant will be installed at the mine in the next quarter of 2011.
Mr. MUMBA also said the mine has acquired new drills while the clearing of the rubble is underway.
Power Dynamos rampaging right-back Govender Simwala has been drafted into a 33-man Zambia Under-23 team named by coach Lucky Msiska for the teams’ 2011 All-Africa Games qualifier against Zimbabwe on January 8.
Simwala will be hoping to follow the footsteps of his late legendary father Moses Simwala in wearing a Zambian shirt.
The defender has been a regular at Power for the last two seasons under Fordson Kabole.
Also in the team is Under-20 starlet striker Chakwa Lungu who inspired the team to retaining the Cosafa Youth Championship with five goals in Botswana last Sunday.
Joining him from the Cosafa Youth team are Under-20 team mates Evans Kangwa and defender Steven Kabamba.
Msiska has also call-up up former junior internationals from 2007 namely midfielders Justin Zulu, Nathan Sinkala of Green Buffaloes, Rangers defender Moses Mulambi and ex-Lusaka Dynamos striker Stanley Nshimbi.
However, there is a surprise recall for Nchanga Rangers goalkeeper Fred Silwamba who was part of the Under-23 team under Peter Kaumba in 2007.
The team will go into camp this weekend in Lusaka and will break camp on Christmas Eve before regrouping after Boxing Day.
Team:
Joshua Titima, Govender Simwala, Nemon Nyirenda, Felix Nyaende, Stephen Kabamba, Misheck Saili, Moses Mulambi, Gift Sakuwaha, Fred Silwamba, Cosmos Kabaza, Derrick Mwansa, Kasongo Mwepya, Innocent Mwaba, Chileshe Kangwa, John Ching’andu, Chakwa Lungu, Potipher Zulu and Stanley Nshimbi.
Others are Allan Chibwe, Lewis Macha, Eddi Sinyangwe, Lupupa Chishala, Henry Mbulo, Evans Kangwa, Nathan Sinkala, Dickson Chipandwe, White Lukoba, Henry Kabamba, Masulani Chima, Chris Musavu, Lonely Kafula, Dennis Powanga and Justin Zulu
