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Patriotic Front (PF) secretary general Wytner Kabimba has apologised to the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) and the judiciary for his remarks that the bench has been compromised.
According to a statement issued yesterday by judiciary public relations officer Terry Musonda, Mr Kabimba unreservedly apologised in a letter addressed to the LAZ honorary secretary.
Mr Kabimba, who is a lawyer was quoted as having said that every institution in the country had been compromised by the MMD including the judiciary.
[pullquote]“I would like to state that I have during the period of my legal practice enjoyed an amiable relationship with the bench at both personal and official levels. I still cherish this relationship not only as an individual but as a professional as well,” reads Mr Kabimba’s letter in part.[/pullquote]
Mr Musonda said that Mr Kabimba had tendered an unreserved apology letter to both the Zambian bench and the Law Association of Zambia concerning the remarks.
“I would like to state that I have during the period of my legal practice enjoyed an amiable relationship with the bench at both personal and official levels. I still cherish this relationship not only as an individual but as a professional as well,” reads Mr Kabimba’s letter in part.
The apology letter further stated that the article in question seemed to have promoted the view that he (Mr Kabimba) was disrespectful to the judiciary as a legal practitioner.
Mr Musonda said the Judiciary of Zambia remained committed to its mission of providing effective and efficient administration of justice accessible to all people in Zambia.
[ Times of Zambia ]
A Nurse immunising a child
Chief Kathumba of Katete district in Eastern province has warned people in his area against shunning immunization of measles being conducted by the ministry of health.
Chief Kathumba expressed sadness over some apostolic church members who are refusing to have their children immunized against measles saying the situation had led to 14 deaths in his area.
He was speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Katete.
He noted that such people retard development adding that they should voluntarily leave his area because they were also deterring efforts by government to protect children from communicable diseases to avoid premature deaths.
Meanwhile, the traditional leader has commended government for constructing classroom blocks at three Basic schools in his area.
He named the three Basic schools as Gunda, Chimwalala and Chingaza.
Chief Kathumba expressed happiness that government had fulfilled its promise to construct classroom blocks at the named schools and that works were progressing well.
He stated that development of rural areas was dependent on an educated nation adding that the construction of the classroom blocks would enable children learn in an enabling environment.
The traditional leader has since warned parents who marry off their children of stern action against them.
He said the rural area development was dependent on children accessing quality education as it was key in social and economic progression.
File:His Royal Highness the Litunga of the Lozi people Lubosi Imwiko II with Vice President George Kunda
THE Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE) has disowned and distanced itself from the two groups calling for the restoration of the 1964 Barotse Agreement (BA).
Induna Mubonda speaking on behalf of the royal establishment said the BRE recognises the Government of President Rupiah Banda.
Induna Mubonda in a telephone interview with the Times from Mongu yesterday said though they had heard of the movements of people calling for the restoration of the Barotse Agreement, the establishment was not in any way involved.
“The BRE doesn’t operate like that, we have heard about those movements just like you have heard but we are not in any way involved because we operate according to the law,” he said.
Movement for the Restoration of the Barotse Agreement (MOREBA) chairperson Mutugulu Wanga said in Lusaka yesterday that the movement has been formed to ensure that the 1964 Agreement is restored.
“There is no way an agreement can be brought to an end without consulting the other party and that is what the Zambian Government has done,” he said.
When told that the BRE had disowned his organisation, Mr Wanga said he would only comment extensively after consulting with the Kuta (the BRE Council).
Another group calling itself the Barotse Freedom Movement (BFM) in a statement claimed that they would not be deterred from fighting for the restoration of the Barotse Agreement.
“The BFM shall not halt or be deterred in its campaign to sensitise the Barotse masses to resist and reject the illegal hold and occupation of the Barotseland by Zambia; following the abrogation of the Barotseland Agreement of 1964. BFM will not be intimidated,” reads an unsigned statement in part.
On Saturday police dispersed an illegal rally organised by the same groups that are agitating for the restoration of the Barotse Agreement.
Western Province police chief Peacewell Mweemba however said peace had since been restored in Mongu.
Friendship in humans is complex and multi-dimension, making friendship hard to define but a number of qualities are often used to distinguish friendship. These include loyalty, companionship, commitment, affection, acceptance, intimacy, sympathy and concern for the others welfare (see Silk 2002). The definition of human friendship is also likely to vary by culture.
Very generally across mammals and birds friendship can be broadly defined as an affiliative bond between non-kin. These friendships are found both within and between sexes. The definition of friendship in baboons is much more specific. Baboon friendship is defined as an affiliative bond between an adult male and a non-cycling, pregnant or lactating adult female. These friendships are characterized by high rates of grooming and time spent in proximity to one another. Baboon friendship is seen in all well-known baboon taxa.
Male Groom Female Kasanka
Friendship in baboons has been studied for several decades. Different baboon species differ in the quality of their friendships and the reason for their formation however; these friendships have a common similarity. Baboon females primarily initiate and maintain friendships and they are the primary groomer. Male friends on the other hand groom their female friends much less often. Unexpected and fascinating is that my recent research on Kinda baboons shows that this rule does not hold true for Kindas.
Last May and June I conducted a study on Kinda baboons in Kafue National Park, Zambia. I collected data on male-female grooming pairs and quantified how much time each sex groomed the other. The results were drastically different from other baboons. In these grooming pairs males groomed 70% of the time while females groomed the remaining 30%.
Data displayed by species
The graph displayed here shows the stark contrast between grooming time in Kinda baboons versus other baboons.
Male Rests With Female and White Infant
Why is this so? I am not sure yet, but have several hypotheses for why Kinda males seem to be so nice. My job now is to tease this apart. Keep checking back for updates.
Anna Weyher
Kasanka Baboon Project
References: Silk JB. 2002. Using the’F’-word in primatology. Behaviour 139(2-3):421-446.
PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda is tomorrow expected in Eastern Province on a two days working visit.
During his visit, President Banda will lay wreaths on the grave of the late Dingiswayo Banda in Lundazi’s chief Kapichila’s area tomorrow.
According to the programme released by Eastern Province Permanent Secretary, Eularia Mwale, Mr. Banda will arrive in Lundazi at 11 hours and will proceed to Zinthonga village where he will lay wreaths.
Immediately after laying wreaths, he will fly to where he will commission a multi billion Kwacha police housing project at 14 hours at Chipata Central Police.
Government contracted Fair Face Construction Company to put up 92 housing units for police officers in Chipata.
On Wednesday, the President will inspect works on the K 279 billion Chipata/Mfuwe road project.
Last year in December, President Banda flagged off the three year contract of tarring the Chipata/Mfuwe road which is being done by Sable Transport and Construction Company.
Mr. Banda will fly back to Lusaka on Wednesday after the programme.
Meanwhile, President Rupiah Banda says even though the country has experienced some political violence recently, there is no need for opposition political parties to extend the violence to state functions especially independence day celebrations.
President Banda expressed disappointment with some political parties that did not attend this year’s independence event.
Mr. Banda noted that people should learn to be proud of their country’s independence and not to politicize state functions.
“As a country we agreed that we should be a democratic country and not to be enemies, it’s a shame to have political differences in a democratic country like Zambia.” He stressed.
The President was speaking during a luncheon hosted in honour of freedom fighters at State House this afternoon.
Other notable persons who attended the Luncheon included, former Vice President Enoch Kavindele, opposition Zambia Republican Party (ZRP) leader Ben Mwila, New Revolution Party (NRP) leader Cosmo Mumba among others.
Members of the diplomatic corps, cabinet ministers, defence chiefs and personnel, also attended the celebration.
The Luncheon was also characterized by dances from different dance groups with a guest group coming from Botswana.
Others were defence and security choir as well as Zambezi source cultural group from Mwinilunga.
Zambezi East Member of Parliament (MP) Sarah Sayifwanda says K1 billion has been set aside for the grading of major feeder roads in her constituency.
Ms. Sayifwanda said the funds are from the 2009 and 2010 Constituency Development Funds (CDF).
She said K500 million from 2009 CDF was already reserved while another K500 will be set-aside from this year’s CDF for the works.
Ms. Sayifwanda said a constructor to work on the roads has already been contracted and is only waiting for final authority from North Western Permanent secretary Dr. Eustern Mambwe for the works to commence.
She said she wants to work on all the major roads in her constituency as this has been the major cry for the people.
Ms. Sayifwanda said this in an interview with ZANIS in Zambezi after inspecting developmental projects in her constituency.
The MP who held several meeting with the electorate in her constituency was happy that a number of developmental works in infrastructure where taking place in her constituency.
She cited the construction of schools, teacher’s houses, and the improvement of communication towers among other developments in the area.
She said the grading of the roads will help connects Zambezi to other areas within the province and also neighboring countries.
The MP who is also Gender and Women in Development Minister has also commended President Rupiah Banda for finally ensuring that the Zambezi Kabompo road is completed.
She said this is the biggest development ever in the district and people are thankful to President Banda and his government for the gesture.
Northwestern Province PermanentSecretary Dr Eustern Mambwe has called on members of the public to be
vigilant and report any enumerator found abrogating the oath of secrecy during the ongoing national census.
Dr Mambwe said enumerators are under oath not to divulge any information collected during the exercise to unauthorized parties adding that anyone found wanting will be visited by the law.
He said this in Solwezi during a special live interview on Solwezi radio station.
Dr Mambwe said the information that enumerators would collect will be concealed and called on people not to be skeptical in giving out the necessary information.
He called on members of the public to cooperate with enumerators and not conceal any information as it is meant to benefit them.
The United Party for National Development (UPND) has charged that the MMD has developed a phobia towards the opposition political parties.
The UPND spokesperson Charles Kakoma who was alleged attacked by MMD cadres at one of the polling stations in Lusaka West, in the Chilanga constituency.
Mr. Kakoma was attacked as he went around the polling stations to check on the voting process that ended this evening Chilanga.
Mr. Kakoma confirmed that he has manhandled by alleged MMD cadre with no apparent reason.
He expressed worry at the conduct of the MMD and has urged law enforcement agencies to be extra alert on the conduct of the political party cadres to avoid break out of violence.
And Mr. Kakoma has called for the arrest of the MMD’s Chilanga candidate Keith Mukata over the bouncing of the check.
A concerned Chilanga resident on Friday faxed a copy to Qfm of a K15 million cheque no.801388 on a ZANACO cheque leaf lodged on 30th September 2010 drawn on AKM Legal practitioners which was returned unpaid.
But Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD0) candidate in the Chilanga parliamentary by-elections Keith Mukata has denied bouncing a K15 million cheque.
Mr. Mukata has challenged those that are spreading information that he bounced the cheque to report to relevant authorities.
However Mr. Kakoma said that Mr. Mukata should be arrested and not given special treatment.
[ QFM ]
File:Vice president George Kunda and his wife Irene
Vice president George Kunda says the relations between Zambia and China are characterized by a warm friendship, shared interests and a strong desire for cooperation at the bilateral and multilateral levels.The Vice President said this when he officiated at Zambia’s 46th Independence Day celebrations Gala night in Shanghai Last night.
Mr Kunda said bilateral relations between Zambia and China date back to the pre-independence period when China gave financial and material assistance to Zambia to enable Zambia fight colonialism.
He said the year 2010 marks the 46th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
He noted that Zambia would continue to take advantage of the programmes offered under the forum on China- Africa cooperation and bilateral development programmes in order to enhance the levels of bilateral relations.
And speaking at the same function Commerce,Trade and Industry Minister Felix Mutati said the Shanghai expo were Zambia has been a participant is a convergence of humanity to share and compare notes.
He said Zambia must grasp the scientific dimensions of development and adapt to the dynamics of the environment and move forward in a decent and sensible manner and preserve the environment.
Mr Mutati said Zambia might be at a different stage of development compared to China, but it was in the right direction in terms of development.
The dinner was attended by Western Province Minister Richard Mwapela, Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries Albert Mulonga, Commerce, Trade and Industry permanent Secretary Buleti Nsemukila, Zambia’s Ambassador to China Joyce Musenge, Zambians resident in China and other officials from the Zambian government.
Earlier in the day the Vice President Visited the Zambian Pavilion at the 2010 Shanghai expo.
President Banda about to cut the Independence day cake
2.
First republican President Kenneth Kaunda dancing during Independence Day celebrations
3.
A former freedom fighter in prayer during Independence Day celebrations - Copy
4.
Some former freedom fighters following proceedings during Independence Day celebrations in Lusaka
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Former Prime Minister Grey Zulu during Independence Day celebrations in Lusaka
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First Lady Thandiwe Banda in a special dress for the Independence celebrations
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First Lady Thandiwe Banda during independence Day celebrations
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The Zambezi cultural dance troupe in action
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An unidentified baby girl captured when she was trying to get to the VIP desk to get a clear view of dances during Independence Day celebrations
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The Botswana National dance troupe entertain guests
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The Kualmba dance troupe entertain guests
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MMD cadres showing their dancing skills
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National Democratic focus president Ben Mwila captured during the Independence Day celebrations
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Former Agriculture Minister Mundia Sikatana brandishes the ruling MMD party symbol during Independence Day celebrations
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President Rupiah Banda and National Restoration Party leader Cozmo Mumba
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President Banda dancing to gospel music with the United Church of Zambia choir
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A member of the Zambezi Source Cultural dance troupe performing a Luvale dance
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Former vice president Enock Kavindele dancing to Luvale music
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Former Inspector General of Police Ehpraim Mateyo joins drummers in entertaining guests
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Presidents Banda, Mutharika, Mugabe, First Lady Calista Mutharika and Minister of Transport and Works Mr. Sidik Mia during the official launch of the Nsanje world inland port
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Presidents Banda, Mutharika & Mugabe cut the ribbon to officially launch the Nsanje world inland port
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Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary Dr. Peter Mwaba presents the trophy and K500, 000 prize money to Best nursing student Petronella Sokauta .This was during the 20th Graduation Ceremony of Lewanika School of Nursing in Mongu
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Western Province Permanent Secretary Seth Muleya and Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary Dr. Peter Mwaba pose for a photo with nurses in Mongu
Mrs Thandiwe Banda and Grace Mugabe (second from l) with other African First Ladies
Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe’s wife, Grace has reportedly been having a secret affair with central bank governor, Gideon Gono.
South African Sunday Times newspaper reports that Grace Mugabe- who is 41 years younger than Zimbabwe’s 86-year-old president,
has allegedly spent the last five years cuckolding him with Gideon Gono, her husband’s financial adviser and key politically ally.
The report says that Mugabe’s sister Sabina warned her brother before she died that he was being betrayed by two of the most important people in his personal and political life: his wife and his personal banker, a pivotal member of his regime.
The couple would meet as often as three times a month either at Grace’s dairy farm or in expensive hotels in South Africa as well as on foreign trips to Asia.
Mugabe is said to have learnt the shocking news as he sat by his dying sister’s bed in July. He is said to have left the meeting “devastated” although initially refusing to believe the allegations.
The president later consulted his most trusted bodyguard, Cain Chademana, who had sat in on the meeting with Sabina.
The bodyguard reportedly said, like other members of the secret service, he had also heard the rumours.
Particularly infuriating for Mugabe however, was the fact that he had encouraged the friendship thinking the pair was discussing mutual business interests.
Chademana – who is said to be the source of the story by intelligence officers quoted by the newspaper – has since lost his life amid suspicions that he was poisoned.
His body, according to The South African Sunday Times, was handed to his family for burial at the end of August. The Sunday Times alleges no autopsy was carried out.
The newspaper claims officials had hoped the secret affair would be buried with Chademana but renegade officers in the intelligence services, unhappy with conditions of service, have started talking.
Still, it is not the first time Grace has been linked to affairs behind her ageing husband’s back.
One former lover, Peter Pamire, died in a mysterious car accident. Another, James Makamba, fled the country.
But never before has Grace been romantically involved with a politician in Mugabe’s inner circle. And never before has a man so close to the president risked allowing it to happen, the South African Sunday Times says.
Gono has known Mrs Mugabe, who married the president in 1996, for at least 15 years and they are partners in a number of business enterprises.
He is a pillar of the Zanu PF party that has held on to power in Zimbabwe since its 1980 independence from Britain.
As one of Mugabe’s most trusted friends, he has served since 2003 as head of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe – a period that saw the country’s currency suffer hyperinflation of more than a billion per cent a year.
While many of Zimbabwe’s desperately poor people struggle to find enough food to eat, Gono lives in a 47-bedroom mansion with swimming pool, gym and its own mini theatre.
Yesterday a source close to the banker confirmed that he and the first lady were lovers and claimed they had planned a life together after Mugabe’s death.
The senior official in Gono’s office told South Africa’s Sunday Times newspaper: ‘Mugabe trusted Gono. He even thought our boss was taking care of the first lady, keeping a protective eye on her so that she could not again be adulterous.’
Mugabe’s relationship with Grace, his former secretary, is itself founded on infidelity.
Two of their three children were born when Mugabe was still married to his popular first wife, Sally, who was battling a kidney disease from which she died in 1992.
As the Mpulungu and Chilanga parliamentary by-elections kicked off this morning, various stakeholders are taking part in ensuring that the electoral process runs smoothly.
Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) Executive Director Charity Musamba has said her organization sent a team of election monitors to both constituencies.
Dr. Musamba said election results are not only determined by voters but also by the voting environment.
And Dr. Musamba has advised electorates in both Mpulungu and Chilanga to turn up in numbers as their vote would be make of change to improve democracy.
Pupils at Nyilamba Basic School in Zambezi district have started shunning school in preference for catching caterpillars also known as ‘vinkubala’.
Headmaster of the school, Chrispin Kaundula said the pupils mostly in lower grades have stopped attending school for almost a month as they have gone with their parents to collect caterpillars in the bush.
He said classes for lower grades have been closed because of this development.
This came to light when Gender and Women in Development Minister, Sarah Sayifwanda who is also Zambezi East Member of Parliament (MP) visited the school on her continued tour of developmental projects in her constituency.
Mr. Kaundula noted that the school is usually affected around this time of the year as parents migrate with their children to far way areas in the forest of Zambezi in search of caterpillars.
He said caterpillar selling is the many business for people in the area as they exchange with second hand clothes and other goods while some sell in cash to traders who come from as far as Congo DR and Lusaka.
Meanwhile census enumerators in the area have also complained that they are finding it difficulty to count people in the villages because most of them are out collecting caterpillars.
Nyilamba area Census Supervisor Milimo Moombe said the enumerators were finding it difficulty as they could hardly found anyone in some of the villages.
“We have been facing challenges in counting the people because there are no people to count in most villages, am told they go into the bush to catch caterpillars.” he said.
First Republican President Dr Kenneth Kaunda has appealed to Zambians regardless of their political affiliation to continue maintaining peace and stability which the country has enjoyed for the past 46years.
Dr Kaunda said there is need for Zambians to continue maintaining peace and stability in the nation for development to take place.
He said this during the 46th independence Celebrations held at the Lusaka show grounds today.
The 46th Independence was celebrated under the theme “Consolidating our independence through food security.”
The First Republican President noted that it is important for Zambians to embrace each other and following God’s commandment of loving one’s neighbor as oneself.
Dr Kaunda stressed that if the commandment is followed, the country will continuously enjoy genuine peace, adding that where commandments are not followed there will be destruction and death.
And Opposition United Liberal Party (ULP) has condemned opposition Patriotic Front (PF) and the United Party for National Development (UPND) who have kept on shunning national functions such as independence celebrations.
[pullquote]
He said the absence of PF and UPND leaders, Michael Sata and Hakainde Hichilema from the independence celebrations at the show grounds today was manifest of personal differences and acrimony with the ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD).[/pullquote]
ULP Secretary General, Langton Sichone, said independence celebrations should transcend all political differences because it was about liberation from colonialism.
Mr. Sichone said in an interview with ZANIS during independence celebrations in the Show Grounds today that such functions should be used as a platform to reconcile from all differences.
“Basically all freedoms, be it social, economic, cultural and political are anchored on independence because it reminds us about our struggle,” he said.
He said the absence of PF and UPND leaders, Michael Sata and Hakainde Hichilema from the independence celebrations at the show grounds today was manifest of personal differences and acrimony with the ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD).
He expressed surprise that even Mr. Sata, who was once in the MMD, has chosen not to attend the national functions such as independence.
Mr. Sichone said all political parties contesting the October 25 Chilanga and Mpulungu by-elections should have attended the independence celebration functions to show their support for unity among political parties.
He said lack of coming together on state functions were contributing to the violence that takes place in some constituencies during by-elections because the public see nothing but enmity among political parties.
Mr. Sichone has since cautioned youths against emulating such leaders because they were not exhibiting the spirit of co-existence amid differences in political affiliations.
“Young men and women must not be led into believing that this celebration is about enmity but rather look at it positively and help the country to inculcate the spirit of responsibility,” he said.
He said Zambian youths should also be given an opportunity to be in leadership of Zambia without political biasness,” he said.
This year’s independence was being celebrated under the theme “Consolidating our independence through food security”.
