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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
A 34 year old woman of Kalomo, together with her 8 months old baby was on Monday found dead at a farm in the same district.
The deceased identified as Rollen Shimukona Moono of Chikanta Village and her baby Maria Moono went missing on Friday December 10, 2010 and were later discovered dead in Mr. Bruce millers’ farm by employees.
The decomposed body of the woman was found half naked.According to investigations, the woman was allegedly raped and later strangled.
She was last seen with her cousin Kelvin Simusika 25,of Nalishewe area in chief Mapanza who is currently on the run.
The two bodies have since been buried.
Southern Province police commanding officer Lemmy Kajoba confirmed this with ZANIS in Livingstone.
He appealed to the members of the public in the area to assist the police arrest the suspect Kelvin Simusika.
File:Zesco Managing Director Ernest Mupwaya (r) talks to Southern African Power Pull (SAPP) Chief Market Analyst Musara Beta at the opening of a SAPP guidelines review meeting in Lusaka
Zesco Managing Director, Ernest Mupwaya has said Zesco plans to connect 6000 new customers every month in order to increase electricity access from 22 per cent to 50 per cent by 2030 as mandated in the Rural Electrification Master Plan.
Mr.Mupwaya said Zesco has so far progressed well towards the realization of the 2030 Vision in the energy sector.
He was speaking during a presentation at a stakeholder’s meeting at Fallsway Lodge in Livingstone recently.
Mr.Mupyawa said the World Bank has invested about US$75Million(K3.6Bn) in the Increased Electricity Access Project.
The projects would result in a total number of 65,000 new customers and benefit about 550,000 inhabitants in rural areas.
“The project is expected to provide service to over 65,000 new customers including households, public facilities, and commercial establishments, benefiting a total population of 550,000 rural inhabitants,” he said.
Mr.Mupwaya said Zesco also planning to make rehabilitation works at some of the substations in order to ease overload and subsequently reduce load shedding.
In Southern Province about 25 hectares of land has been secured for installation projects around Livingstone and the surrounding areas.
Meanwhile Southern Province Minister, Elijah Muchima has disclosed that rural electrification projects in the Southern Province have reached an advanced stage.
Mr Muchima said so far about K400Million has been spent on the electrification of Sinazongwe’s Chief Mweemba’s Area, one of the parts of the country that has not been developed in a long time.
Mr.Muchima was speaking when he toured Sinazongwe last week.
And Livingstone Energy Consumer Watch Group Coordinator, Reverend Paul Banda has said Energy Regulation Boards (ERB)’s Tariff Adjustment proposal on electricity is justified.
He said consumers in Livingstone have no problems with the 22 per cent tariff increase by Zesco as it is still lowest in the Southern Region.
He however advised Zesco to match the increase with the service in order to convince the consumers.
Information Minister Ronnie ShikapwashaMINISTER of Information and Broadcasting Services Ronnie Shikapwasha has refuted the allegation that he received money from Kasama Central member of Parliament Geoffrey Mwamba.
And former Patriotic Front secretary general Edward Mumbi has advised Mr Mwamba, popularly known as GBM, to concentrate on defending himself against certain allegations made against him.
Lieutenant General Shikapwasha said Mr Mwamba should not malign him because he has nothing to do with the case the PF parliamentarian is facing.
Gen Shikapwasha said Mr Mwamba should know that when he was helping MMD members to campaign in 2006, he was doing so on the basis that he was a friend of the party.
Gen Shikapwasha, who is also Chief Government spokesperson, said it is not right for Mr Mwamba to start attacking people who have nothing to do with the allegations he is facing.
The minister said in an interview on December 13 while he has known Mr Mwamba for a long time, he has had no business dealings with him.
In his submission to the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) on the US$100,000 given to Mr Sata, Mr Mwamba was reported to have alleged that Gen Shikapwasha was among the people who received money from him for campaigns.
But Gen Shikapwasha has said it is not possible for him to have received money from Mr Mwamba, having known the man’s background for a long time.
The minister said it is morally wrong for Mr Mwamba to even have mentioned the name of late President Mwanawasa in his submissions to DEC.
He said Mr Mwamba and the Mwanawasa family have been close friends, and the late President had defended him in many cases.
“So, if he gave Mr Sata US$100,000, let him not drag other people into it. We cannot be part of the transaction that was conducted between him and his party leader,” Gen Shikapwasha said.
Mr Mwamba was also reported to have told the DEC that former PF secretary general Mr Mumbi is among other people who received money from him.
But Mr Mumbi said the attempt by Mr Mwamba to tell Zambians that he has been distributing his money to people will not help him.
“The quoted statement that I am among the people who benefited from Mr Mwamba’s generosity is not true.
The attempt by Mr Mwamba to tell Zambians that he gave Mr Sata money should be the issue he should concentrate on, and not lying against other people,” Mr Mumbi said.
Mr Mumbi said Mr Mwamba has started contradicting Mr Sata’s statement by revealing that he had personally taken the US$100,000 cash to Mr Sata’s house when the latter has given a statement that the transaction was handled by the bank.
Lucky Msiska will face his first major international test as Zambia Under-23 coach in January when his side takes on trans-Zambezi rivals Zimbabwe in a 2011 All-Africa Games football tournament preliminary stage qualifier.
Zambia will host Zimbabwe in the first leg on January 8 in Lusaka in the first leg of the Zone 6 qualifiers for the Mozambique All-Africa Games to be held from September 3-18.
Msiska’s side will come up against a Zimbabwean side expected to be led by their hot-shot Kaizer Chiefs attacker Knowledge Musona and Young Brave Warriors starlet striker Denver Mukamba of Kiglon who lit-up the Cosafa Youth Championship in Botswana with four goals to win bronze.
The two sides will later meet in the return leg to be played during the weekend of January 21-23 with the winner advancing to the first round qualifying stage to face either Swaziland or Botswana.
Winner of this first round two-way qualifying tie will advance to the second Zone 6 final round qualifying stage to face winner of the Malawi/Lesotho and Angola/Namibia first round match-up.
The second round winner will qualify as Zone 6 representative to join hosts Mozambique at the All-Africa Games football finals.
Zambia has been to four successive All-Africa Games tournaments.
They failed to advance to the semifinals at the 1995 finals in Zimbabwe but won silver under the late Ben Bamfuchile in 1999 in South Africa.
Zambia finished fourth at the 2003 in Nigeria and 2007 in Algeria tournaments under Peter Kaumba.
Meanwhile, the women’s team will also face Zimbabwe in the All-Africa Games qualifiers with their campaigning kicking off in February away in Harare.
The winner of the preliminary round match will face Angola in the first round to battle it out for a final place at the Maputo event.
Communication between Chipata and Lundazi Districts in Eastern Province has continued to gravely affected the two areas following the collapsed Chanyumbu bridge on the Lundazi /Chipata road.
Since the bridge was washed away at the weekend, transportation of people and their goods between the two towns has been affected with some concerned stakeholders saying the people’s livelihood will be affected negatively unless government intervenes.
However, Eastern Permanent Secretary Eularia Mwale who toured the affected bridge today said the damaged Bridge was as a result vandalism by the some people in the area.
Mrs. Mwale vandalizing bridges and bridges is criminal and endangers people’s lives and property.
She stated that as a result of vandalism on Chanyumbu bridge , among others, the smooth movement of people and goods especially between Chipata and Lundazi Districts have temporarily been affected.
Chanyumbu Bridge which is 92 kilometers from Chipata District collapsed in the early hours of Saturday and traffic was marooned near the bridge for over ten hours before the bridge was repaired by the local community.
The Provincial Permanent Secretary during her tour of the damaged Chanyumbu Bridge found Sable construction company workers busy doing repair works on the damaged bridge.
Mrs. Mwale who expressed satisfaction at the works done so far, said Sable Construction Company will in due course build a stronger bridge to last for a long period.
This is the second time that Chanyumbu bride has collapsed after a downpour, earlier in March this year the bridge collapsed cutting Lundazi and Chama districts from the rest of the province.
[ ZANIS ]
Southern Province Minister Elijah Muchima has reaffirmed the ruling MMD call for a pact with opposition United Party for National Development (UPND).
Speaking when he officiated at the Mwemba Area Development Association (MADA) day in Sinazongwe District in Kanchindu area, yesterday, Mr. Muchima said the ruling party’s doors was open for the opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema to enter into a pact.
Mr. Muchima advised the UPND leader to reconsider his party ‘s position in the pact with the Patriotic Front (PF) saying Mr. Hakainde’s should instead partner and work with the ruling party to bring development to all parts of the country.
The provincial minister insisted that there was no way Southern province could remain in opposition, since independence, instead of developing the nation.
He urged the gathering that Southern Province should change the way of doing politics to ensure that they join the rest of the country in embracing development instead of focusing on tribal politics.
“Hakainde should join MMD because the intention is good and develop our area. Sata chased the Anderson Mazoka from MMD and now today you want to join Sata who chased our loved man.”
“Politics should not divide us let us work as one. Let us support each other so that next time they will also support you,” Mr. Muchima said.
Mr. Muchima noted that thousands of jobs would be created once a thermal plant was set up at Maamba Collieries under the new owners the NAVA Bharate.
The provincial minister said government has spent K8 billion on rural electrification in Chief Sinazongwe area and the same would be done in senior Chief Mweemba area.
Mr Muchima noted that government would also work on Sikalamba bridge and Nangombe along the Sinazeze/Chiyabi bottom road.
Speaking at the same function, Mwemba Area Development Association (MADA) day organizer Ngande Mwanajiti said Sinazongwe people should not continue to remain in opposition.
Mr.Mwanajiti said meaningful development could not be attained if people in Southern Province remain in opposition.
“Unless we take a rightful role in issue s of development. Exclusion is a social evil. It becomes impossible and unacceptable for any person and individual to argue that you continue doing wrong,” Mwanajiti said.
And MADA Chairperson Edson Sikalongo noted that government has brought a lot development activities in the district that people should appreciate.
Mr. Sikalongo pointed out that government has built a lot of Schools, health posts, and the development of a border post in Namafulo area which was long overdue.
He said the people in the area were ready to work with government in uplifting their living standards.
1.A dancer from the Amayenge troupe dancing in Chisamba at the weekend
2.An acrobatic perfoming group in action at the junction of the Great East and Makishi roads
3.A Kenyan dance led by Emmy Kosgei in action at the Kenya National Day in Lusaka
4.A perpetual gate crusher to cocktails- fake journalist Tommu Mumba escorted out of the Kenya High Commission premises after he was discovered by alert Security Personnel
5.First Lady Thandiwe Banda with Bank of Zambia deputy Governor Mabula Kankasa at State House
6.First Lady Thandiwe Banda with National Housing Authority managing director Elias Mpondela at State House
7.Ministry of Lands Permanent Secretary Matondo Yeta speaking during the Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountants meeting in Lusaka
8.Stand up for Zambia producer Chanda Chimba (III) captured when collecting footage for his series that has launched scanthing attacks in PF leader Michael Sata
9.Stand up for Zambia producer Chanda Chimba (III) captured when collecting footage for his series that has launched scanthing attacks in PF leader Michael Sata.
10.President Banda's motorcade arrives on the Mumbwa-Landless corner road before he commissioned the road's rehabilitation works
11.President Banda talks to National Democratic Focus leader Ben Mwila when he toured the Mumbwa-Landless corner road
12.President Banda is mobbed by enthusiastic workers from Wade Adams in Mwachisompola area when he launched works on the Mumbwa-Landless corner road
13.The Zambian flag flies along the Presidential flag characterised by the Coat Arms
14.Zambian athletes captured on arrival from SADC games
15.Some of the opposition party councillors draped in MMD chitenge wrappers after they defected to the ruling party in Kasempa at the weekend
16.Members of the opposition National Restoration Party clearing garbagge in Lusaka's Chainda Township
17.Kasempa Member of Parliament Kabinga Pande's wife Bridget donates maize seed to Kasempa women's club representatives
18.Kasempa East Member of Parliament Kabinga Pande (l) welcomes UPND vice provincial chairman Davide Mufwaya to the ruling MMD during a defection in Kasempa
19.Home Affairs deputy Minister Gaston Sichilima with Kenyan High Commissioner Kipyego Chegulet during the Kenya National Day in Lusaka
20.Equipment from Wade Adams waits for the official flagging off of construction work on the Mumbwa-Landless corner road
