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British envoy flees from court session

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A British High Commission consular officer, who was arrested for assaulting her husband, is reported to have fled the country for fear of appearing before court.

But Lusaka police division commanding officer Greenwell Ng’uni said the police were only waiting for instructions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and would summon her at an appropriate time.

Karen Michelle van Boxtel, a British national resident in Zambia, was arrested together with her alleged boyfriend and her brother Kevin van Boxtel for assaulting her husband, Carl Frieslaar a month ago.

Mr Frieslaar, who is the managing director of Asbestos Roofing, said yesterday that his wife, Karen had disappeared with their three children and that he had not seen or heard from her since September 10.

He said the surety and her accomplices had also disappeared in suspicious circumstances, despite a court order giving him custody of the children.

According to Mr Frieslaar, the Hummer that was being driven by his wife, had its registration number changed from BAD 455 to ABV 4088.

He was worried about his children especially that the High Court had ruled that he should maintain them.

According to an order by Judge Patrick Matibini, Mr Frieslaar should take custody of the children with monitoring from the social welfare department.

Judge Matibini said Ms van Boxtel should not harass, assault or threaten Mr Frieslaar and should not have contact with the children unless under supervision.

He also said the children should not leave Zambia without both parties signing a consent order that could be sanctioned by the court in the interest of the children.

And Vanguard Private Investigations managing director James Kasamanda, who was engaged to investigate the alleged affair between Ms van Boxtel and a Zimbabwean white farmer, said he had alerted the police on the planned disappearance of the suspects.

Captain Kasamanda said when he alerted the police that the suspects and sureties were planning to run away, nothing was done despite Ms Boxtel being under police guard.

He said even when the suspects were leaving the country for South Africa, he informed the police but they still did not do anything.

He said he trailed the suspects and the sureties and he saw them board a Zambezi Airlines plane.

Mr Ng’uni said both Mr Frieslaar and Ms van Boxtel had reported different assault cases and that the police had handed over the dockets to the DPP and were only waiting for further instructions.

He said the police were not aware that Ms van Boxtel had fled the country but she would be summoned when instructions had been passed on to his office.

“We will summon her at the police whether she has gone out of the country or not,” he said.
[ Times of Zambia ]

Baby retrieved alive from Pit laterine

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Dumped baby in a pit latrine in Mufurila Town

Police in Mufulira have retrieved a live baby that was dumped in a pit latrine.

Copperbelt Police Chief Martin Malama says the baby is admitted at Ronald Ross Hospital in Mufulira for medical attention.

The mother of the child has also been taken to the same hospital for medical attention.

Dr Malama said despite being out of danger, mother of the child would be charged by police accordingly for dumping the baby.
Muvi TV reports from the Copperbelt that the incident occurred in Mupena area 7 miles from the main town.

Cases of suspected unsafe abortions and dumping of fetus continue to be almost a daily occurrence in some of Lusaka’s compounds.

These incidents are attributed to a number of reasons ranging from unprotected sex among young people to promiscuity and alcohol abuse.

On Sunday, 19th September, 2010 residents of Bauleni compound were treated to a bizarre site when they discovered a fetus wrapped in a plastic and dumped in a trench.

A resident, Joyce Phiri said there is need for people to be given information on contraceptive measures to prevent unwanted pregnancies.

Another resident, Naomi Chatwe called on the local authority to close down drinking places that do not operate within stipulated time charging that these places encourage promiscuity.
[ MUVI TV ]

Operators, economists happy with fuel pricing

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Tour operators and economists have welcomed Government’s decision to introduce uniform petroleum pricing which has harmonised the retail prices for petroleum products across Zambia.

Tourism Council of Zambia (TCZ) welcomed the uniform petroleum pricing announced by the Energy Regulation Board, saying it would benefit the people and businesses, especially in rural areas.

The new prices came into effect yesterday. Petrol would now cost K7,639 per litre; diesel will cost K6,999 per litre, while kerosene will cost K5,008 per litre across the country.

TCZ chairperson Mark O’Donnell said in Lusaka yesterday that his organisation was happy with the uniform pricing structure.

“We only hope that it won’t cause any shortages in the rural areas. You recall that this was an old system and suppliers used to shun supplying the rural areas because of the transport costs,” O’Donnell said.

He, however, said the pricing system would benefit the country.

Mr O’Donnell said the organisation was happy with Government’s commitment to the tourism sector.
[pullquote]“We only hope that it won’t cause any shortages in the rural areas. You recall that this was an old system and suppliers used to shun supplying the rural areas because of the transport costs,” O’Donnell said.[/pullquote]
“We are happy the Government recognises the potential of the tourism sector, the sector is a source of employment. We want to ensure more jobs are created,” he said.

Economics Association of Zambia president Noel Nkhoma welcomed the development and said the next step should be for the Government to reduce the high taxes that went with fuel prices.

Mr Nkhoma said there was need to review the fuel costing structure in Zambia, which currently had an average of 40 per cent tax.

“As much as we welcome the uniform pricing mechanism, the Government should also consider knocking off some of the taxes on fuel which are high,” he said.

United Liberal Party president, Sakwiba Sikota also welcomed the Government’s decision to introduce a uniform price of fuel.
Mr Sikota, who is Livingstone Central Member of Parliament, said the move by the Government was long overdue.

“This is something I have been fighting for in the last eight years and it will have an effect on many things.

“The cost of rehabilitating and maintaining roads will be reduced,” he said.
[ Times of Zambia ]

Mind your language, VJ advises region

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Vernon Mwaanga (Right)

Parliamentary Chief Whip Vernon Mwaanga has cautioned opposition political parties, civil society organisations and the media in the region to moderate their language and guard peace in their countries.

Mr Mwaanga said positive attitudes would help stem pre- and post-election violence in countries and advised the civil society and opposition leaders to realise that they had a cardinal duty to protect the peace.

He said this when he addressed a Commonwealth Parliamentary Association conference in Nairobi, Kenya.
[pullquote]“We should also realise that a threat to peace in this global village is a threat to peace everywhere,” Mr Mwaanga,” said [/pullquote]
He said all the stakeholders had a crucial role to play in promoting positive language and taking actions that would not undermine peace.

Mr Mwaanga said violence always left indelible marks on both the political and social landscapes of any country apart from grossly undermining democracies.

The veteran Zambian politician said political parties were essential to peace-building in countries intending to hold elections.

“I am encouraged that political leaders in Kenya with the help of former United Nations Secretary General Koffi Annan saw the imperative need to end the violence which characterised Kenyan elections in 2007,” Mr Mwaanga said.

He was happy with the positive contribution played by Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga for “walking an extra mile” to restore peace in Kenya which led to the formation of an inclusive government.

Mr Mwaanga said there were challenges Kenya was still facing and there were also useful lessons which should be learnt by parliamentarians in the Commonwelath countries as well as the future generations.

He said there was need for politicians to be disciplined and desist from making inflammatory statements before, during and after elections so that peace was protected.

“We should also realise that a threat to peace in this global village is a threat to peace everywhere,” Mr Mwaanga,” said
[ Times of Zambia ]

Siteke Mwale dies

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ZAMBIA’S special representative to the Great Lakes Region and former minister of Foreign Affairs in the UNIP government, Siteke Mwale has died.

Dr Mwale’s son, Fisho confirmed the death of his father in Lusaka yesterday.

Mr Mwale said his father died at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) where he had been admitted for three days.

He said Dr Mwale was diagnosed with cancer eight months ago.

“He passed away at 00:45 hours at UTH where he was admitted for three days. He has been unwell for the past eight months,” he said.

Mr Mwale said funeral gathering was at Dr Mwale’s house in Makeni and burial arrangements would be announced later.

Dr Mwale was Member of Parliament in the UNIP government and served as Foreign Affairs minister from 1976 to 1979.

Between 1963 and 1965, Dr Mwale was a research and teaching assistant, African Studies Centre at the University of California in the United States of America (US).

Between 1970 and 1974, he was ambassador to the United States, Brazil, Argentina and Peru, among other countries.

He was also head of administration of the Organisation of Africa Union (OAU), now African Union, from 1968 to 1970.

From 1979 to 1991, he was special assistant to the president and principal adviser to the Government on regional, economic and technical cooperation.

He was a life member of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, Economics Association of Zambia, and vice-president of African Concern (Southern Africa), a charitable organisation on prevention of conflicts and wars.

[ Times of Zambia ]

Unknown people shoot at HH’s residence

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UNITED Party for National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema

SOME unknown people last week on Wednesday shot at United Party for National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema’s house in suspicious circumstances whose motive has not yet been established.

Mr Hichilema, who confirmed the shooting incident at his house in Lusaka yesterday, however, declined to give further details as the police are investigating the matter.

“Yes, I can confirm that some people shot at my house but we can only talk after the police conclude investigations in the matter,” he said.

Asked whether he suspected that the shooting was targeted at him the opposition leader said, “ let’s talk after the investigations.”

He said a bullet cartridge was found in the yard.

And when contacted for a comment Lusaka police commanding officer Greenwell Ng’uni refused to comment on the matter referring all queries to the Inspector General of Police Francis Kabonde.

“I can’t comment on that matter, you speak to the IG to give you the details,” he said.
Sources close to the opposition leader told the Times yesterday that they suspect the shooting was aimed at Mr Hichilema.

“ The president’s driver Mr Mulongo was seated outside the house and he heard some strange sound of a gunshot and when they checked he found some gun-shoot holes in the wall,” narrated the source.

“It seems that they thought it was HH who was sitting outside. So we strongly feel that those people were up to no good. The matter was reported to woodlands police.”

[Times of Zambia]

Police arrest and torture a UPND official

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Police have arrested and tortured United Party for National Development Chawama Constituency 2011 aspiring candidate, Morgan Muunda, for allegedly defaming President Rupiah Banda.

UPND Lusaka Province Youth Coordinator, Brian Hapunda, has disclosed this to QFM in an interview this afternoon.

Mr. Hapunda says police on Saturday night arrested and ubducted Mr. Muunda to kafue where they tortured him in the Kafue river, and threatened to kill him with a gun which they pointed on his anus.

Meanwhile, Mr. Hapunda has advised the arresting officer, a Mr. Daka of Chawama, to drop the alleged illegal charges against Mr. Muunda within 24 hours failure to which the UPND/PF youths will organise mass protests against the alleged illegal and unprofessional manner the police are operating in the contemporary.

He says it is unfortunate that the Police under President Rupiah Banda have introduced a double standard kind of law, one for the opposition and common citizens, while the other for the MMD and those in the corridors of power.

And Mr. Hapunda has challenged the police to arrest Copperbelt Province MMD Youth Treasurer, Chiko Chibale, who threatened to go to Western province with his thugs to manhandle Father Duffy for issuing a statement that the people in Western province want a change of government.

Mr. Hapunda also challenged the police to arrest Lusaka Province MMD Chairman, William Banda, who he says has on many occasions been threatening innocent citizens with violence.

He says if the police do not arrest the two mentioned MMD cadres, the UPND/PF youths will protest against its unprofessional operation.

1 million tonnes maize to be purchased by October – FRA

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Farmers off-loading their maize at a Food Reserve Agency depot in Kabwe.

FOOD Reserve Agency (FRA) executive director Anthony Mwanaumo has said the organisation will buy an estimated one million metric tonnes of maize by the end of October.

And Dr Mwanaumo has announced that the agency plans to export maize in order to create space and generate revenue to pay back loans obtained to finance crop purchases.

Dr Mwanaumo said in Lusaka yesterday that so far the FRA has bought 643,000 metrics tonnes of white maize and 837 metric tonnes of paddy rice valued at K859 billion and K1.4 billion respectively.

Dr Mwanaumo said this when he officially opened a crop marketing re-strategising workshop for 2010 at Golfview Hotel in Lusaka yesterday.

He said Zambia has produced a bumper harvest of 2.7 million tonnes of white maize, which has resulted in a maize surplus of one million tonnes countrywide.

“At the current rate of purchases, we estimate that we will purchase up to 700,000 metric tonnes of white maize before the end of September.

We must also be alive to the fact that with such a big crop, the possibility of extending the programme beyond the end of September is highly likely,” Dr Mwanaumo said.

He said, however, that the bumper harvest has brought with it some challenges to the FRA in terms of managing the stock and also created a huge funding deficit to pay farmers as well as run the entire programme.

Dr Mwanaumo said the organisation has started drawing on the loan facility from a syndicate of banks and so far K82 billion has been accessed as of September 2010.

He said the agency has also received additional funding from the government to help clear some outstanding debts with service providers such as transporters, pest controllers and suppliers of marketing requisites.

Dr Mwanaumo appealed to transporters who shunned the programme due to lack of payment to get back to work and help move the maize as their payments are now guaranteed.

“We are expecting additional funding from Government to bridge the funding gap between the loan facility and the total programme budget,” he said.

He said the FRA projects that about K130 billion will be disbursed on a weekly basis for farmers’ payments and other related payments until the end of the programme.

“In other words from now onwards our various paying points will continue to pay farmers until every farmer is paid. The payments to farmers have since commenced. Most areas with smaller balances have since been cleared,” Dr Mwanaumo said.

He said so far K126 billion has been paid to farmers.
Dr Mwanaumo said the FRA has continued to receive serious requests to buy maize for exports and that market opportunities are looking bright.

“This should give hope to our service providers who we owe money as the export programme will help us meet these financial obligations,” he said.

He said plans to export the surplus have also been necessitated by lack of storage space as this year’s programme is unprecedented in the history of the agency.

Dr Mwanaumo said the FRA has 1.3 million metric tonnes storage capacity out of which 40 percent is leased to the private sector and the fertiliser support programme.

“The remainder of the space is not sufficient to store the projected 1 million metric tonnes considering that we have about 160,000 metric tonnes carry-over stocks,” he said.

Meanwhile, CHIMWEMWE MWALE reports that the FRA has started looking for storage facilities to rent across the country for storing grain.

FRA public relations officer Mwamba Siame said in an interview in Lusaka last week that the need for more storage facilities is as a result of more grain that the agency will have to buy and store.

Ms Siame said the storage capacity of infrastructure the FRA intends to rent must range from 500 metric tonnes to 5,000 metric tonnes in rural areas and 3,000 metric tonnes or more in urban areas.

She said the infrastructure must be available for lease for a minimum of one year and must conform to FRA storage facility standards.

“The rent charges are FRA guiding rates of K2,500 per metric tonne per month for sheds in urban areas and K2,000 per metric tonne per month in rural areas. The rates are inclusive of all taxes,” Ms Mwamba said.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

Rural fuel prices slashed

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THE Energy Regulation Board (ERB) has with immediate effect started implementing Uniform Petroleum Pricing (UPP) for diesel, petrol and kerosene, a policy that has seen fuel prices in rural areas being reduced.

And Energy Minister Kenneth Kaonga has said that the UPP, which will be implemented on cross-subsidisation, will contribute to stimulating economic development and raise the standards of living in rural areas.

At a press briefing held at the ERB offices in Lusaka yesterday, board vice chairperson Ida Nkhoma said the uniform pump prices are K7,639 for petrol, K6,999 for diesel and K5,008 for kerosene per litre.

Ms Nkhoma said the uniform petroleum prices will relate to petrol, diesel and kerosene only.

She said in light of this change, the cost Plus Pricing Model will continue to be used to determine the wholesale prices of refined petroleum products, while UPP will be applied on pump prices in order to cushion the rural and outlying areas against high fuel prices.

“The ERB will ensure that these changes are strictly adhered to by all retailers of petroleum products with immediate effect,” Ms Nkhoma said.

At a separate press briefing at his office in Lusaka yesterday, Mr Konga said that in order to cater for differences in the cost of delivering fuel between urban and rural areas, the UPP mechanism will spread additional costs of delivering fuel to rural areas among all fuel consumers.

“Government desires to ensure that rural areas have access to reliable and affordable petroleum products. As a result stimulation of economic development will rise in these areas and people’s standards of living will improve,” he said.

Mr Konga said consumers of petrol, diesel and kerosene closer to Indeni Oil Refinery in Ndola will pay slightly more than they did in the past so that rural consumers of petroleum products could reap from the benefits of uniform pricing.

He said this is the same principle that Zesco has been using for the pricing of electricity for consumers at different locations from power generation stations.
Mr Konga said high levels of poverty in rural areas prompted Government to implement the UPP.

He hopes that lower fuel prices in these areas will spur more economic activities among rural farmers, mining companies and cottage industries that have been negatively affected by the high fuel prices because of their being far from oil refinery.

Government expects that farmers in rural areas will cultivate more land and contribute to food security.

Mr Konga said the cost of fuel is influenced to a large extent by the distance from the refinery in Ndola to the point of consumption; hence pump prices varying across the country. This has deprived rural areas of the much-needed investment.

The minister said that to address this, the new National Energy Policy adopted by Government in 2008 to improve petroleum pricing in rural areas seeks to address the matter by setting up an incentive mechanism to mitigate high fuel prices in remote areas.

Mr Konga said the implementation of uniform petroleum pricing was a long sought national aspiration because other stakeholders have also emphasised the need for the National Energy Policy to address the issue.
He said oil marketing companies (OMCs) have been

consulted on how to implement the UPP to benefit the country, and expects all fuel consumers to support the noble programme.

Mr Konga said his ministry will address any teething problems that may occur during the early days of UPP implementation.

The current fuel prices for Kasama, which is the furthest point from the refinery, are K8,390 for petrol, K7, 639 for diesel and K5, 598 for kerosene.

In Ndola, which is closest to the refinery, the current prices are K7, 461 for petrol, K6,786 for diesel and K 4,798 for kerosene.

Consumers in Lusaka have been paying K 7,573 for petrol, K6, 898 for diesel and K4,893 for kerosene.
All consumers will now pay K7, 639 for petrol, K6, 999 for diesel and K5, 008 for kerosene per litre.

Uniform fuel prices, an economic set back says PF

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The Patriotic Front (PF) says the uniform fuel prices which government announced yesterday is an economic drawback to industries in Lusaka and the Copperbelt.

Party Youth Committee Secretary, Eric Chanda said the idea is welcome but government should have settled for a lower pump price as opposed to increasing fuel in Lusaka and the Copperbelt.

Mr Chanda said the MMD should realize that the country’s production and the economic industries are based in Lusaka and the Copperbelt.

He explained that the uniform fuel price which has been settled across the country has become like increasing the price of fuel in Lusaka and the Copperbelt.

Mr Chanda this would result in increasing the cost of production in Lusaka and the Copperbelt, making it difficult for industries in the two provinces to produce as expected.

He added that the costs in transport will also increase in Lusaka and the Copperbelt respectively.

He expressed doubt as to whether the MMD government understands the country’s economic indicators, adding that the country will not make any development strides with this kind of thinking by those in authority.
[QFM]

Take Off the Limits

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TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“I have seen that everything [human] has its limits and end [no matter how extensive, noble, and excellent]; but Your commandment is exceedingly broad and extends without limits [into eternity]”
(Psalm 119:96, AMP)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

Did you know you can limit your life by dwelling on the wrong things? So often, wrong thinking keeps people stuck right where they are. If you think you’ll never accomplish your dreams, those thoughts will hold you back. If you think you don’t have the talent, the connections or the funds, then you are limiting yourself. You are blocking what God can do in your life.

It’s time to take the limits off and trust God. He isn’t limited to this earthly realm; His ways are higher than our ways. We serve a supernatural God. Just because you don’t see a way doesn’t mean that God doesn’t have a way. God can bring one opportunity across your path that will thrust you to a whole new level. He has explosive blessings in store that can blast you out of where you are and into a place of abundance. If you’ll shift your focus from this earthly realm and start looking with your eyes of faith, you’ll see His unlimited possibilities for your future. Take the limits off by setting your thoughts on what God Almighty can do in your life!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father in heaven, today I lift my eyes to You. You alone are the source of my strength, peace and provision. I choose to delight myself in You knowing that You will give me the desires of my heart. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

– Joel & Victoria Osteen

Zain Zambia slashes cross network tariffs

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Zain Zambia limited has announced its new ground breaking flat tariff rate which will see a cross network tariff drop by more than fifty percent.

Zain Zambia Managing Director, Fayaz King says the new tariff dubbed one time will effectively replace all current tariff lines.

Mr King says the new tariff becomes the most affordable way of communication in Zambia as it will allow clients access other networks at no extra charge.

On its new tariff Zain customers will enjoy a tariff deduction of up to 8 kwacha per second on a friends and family tariff.

This is according to a statement issued to MUVI TV news today.

Lusaka women protest over delayed empowerment funds

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Some Women in Lusaka today staged a protest over the delay in accessing empowerment funds from Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) through the Bishops Council of Zambia.

Impact Women Group Chairlady, Mwelwa Chibuye says the Women are tired of paying various fees towards the acquisition of the empowerment funds which have not been forthcoming.

She alleges that the fees have only gone to empower the initiators of the project instead of the target people.

Mrs Chibuye further alleges that the procedure has not been transparent.

The CEEC funds have been a source of concern from many Zambians through out the country that few people have benefited from it as a result too many procedures to be followed.
[ MUVTV ]

Chilanga voters’ look forward to by-election

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http://www.lusakatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/ecz.jpegThe electorate in Chilanga constituency are bracing themselves for a by election following the expulsion of their Member of Parliament, Ng’andu Magande by the ruling MMD.

Some Voters talked to have vowed to vote for a parliamentary representative who is more conversant with the area.

They alleged that the area has seen little development as seen in poor state of roads, critical water shortages and insanitary conditions.

On Saturday September 4th 2010 the ruling MMD National Executive Committee (NEC) expelled Chilanga Member of Parliament, Ng’andu Magande and his seat has since been declared vacant.

Mr Magande together with his Kafulafuta counterpart George Mpombo were expelled from the MMD for allegedly brining the party in to ridicule and disrepute.

Mr Mpombo is challenging his expulsion in the courts of law.
[ MUV TV ]

Rupiah’s speech to the NA was empty – PF

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The Patriotic Front has described President Rupiah Banda’s speech to the National Assembly on Friday as empty.

Patriotic Front Youth Committee Secretary, Eric Chanda, told QFM that the president’s speech did not give any hope to the Zambian youth.

He said the President’s speech failed to outline how the MMD government is going to create jobs for the youth in the country from 2011 and beyond.

Mr Chanda said the President’s Speech means that the MMD government has no agenda for the youth in the country, adding that Zambian youths should now realize that the MMD government has run out of ideas on how to improve the well being of the youth.

He called on the youth movement countrywide not to make a mistake of voting for the ruling party because doing so would be suicidal.

Mr Chanda added that the PF has a policy to develop youth industrial zones in to create employment for Zambian youths, and to decongest the major cities in the country.

And Party Spokesperson, Given Lubinda, said there is nothing new in President Banda’s commitment to allocating 30 percent of land to women.

Mr Lubinda said the President should have talked about whether his government has achieved the 30 percent allocation of land to women as opposed to talking about how his government is committed to land allocation to women by 30 percent.

He said the 30 percent land allocation to women is outdated because even late President, Levy Mwanawasa, talked about the same thing in 2004.

Mr Lubinda noted that the 30 percent land allocation to women is no longer a new policy because Zambians now are expecting to see this policy which was initiated by Dr Mwanawasa implemented.

And Mr Lubinda said the party did not want to hear President Banda talk about how decentralization policy is in Zambia.

He sid what was expected of the President is when the dissolution of power would take place in the country.

Mr Lubinda was speaking in an interview.

Yesterday, President Rupiah Banda addressed the Fifth Session of the Tenth National Assembly where he highlighted a number of programmes which his government intends to do in the coming year.

He also said in an unexpected circumstance campaigned as his speech was about to end, sending the opposition Members of Parliament in the house to uncontrollable uproar.

[ QFM ]

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