Friday, May 16, 2025
Subscribe
Home Blog Page 489

Support governments planned interventions, says Business Development Services Providers Association of Zambia

Chief Editor
-
0
Support governments planned interventions, says Business Development Services Providers Association of Zambia

Business Development Services Providers Association of Zambia (BDSPAZ) has called on various stakeholders to support governments planned interventions through the recently unveiled 2023 national budget for economic transformation.

BDSPAZ president Obed Mbuzi explained that the government has a mandate to set the agenda, thus the responsibility remains on cooperating partners to complement the efforts.

Speaking in an interview with ZANIS, Mr Mbuzi said the business sector being the largest employer and player in economic activities, the association is happy with the pronouncements in the budget.

He cited the Zambia Development Agency Bill and the Investment, Trade and Business Development Bill as very cardinal because they align the activities to the growth of businesses.

He observed that the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME’s) lack business development services, so the Bills empowers an association such as BDSPAZ to help the development of M-SME’s to thrive to sustainable levels.

Meanwhile, Mr Mbuzi urged business players to take advantage of the various opportunities by approaching the relevant government agencies such as Zambia Development Agency, line ministries and also the BDSPAZ to access information.

He observed lack of information among business enterprises in terms of business and enterprise development, access to finance, services and markets.

Mr Mbuzi explained that the agencies are there to give information so that the enterprises are able to have full knowledge for the business management, planning, growth and access to market linkages.

He noted the budget was focused on three priorities which include productivity, creation of jobs and business growth, which resonates very well with what the government is doing to increase investment in various sectors.

Mr Mbuzi added that the increased investment will result in increased earnings meaning that for those doing business, it will increase their purchasing power.

“With this budget we can see that the government has increased the investment which now will trickle down to SMEs in terms of them having access to finance, and access to the market when they do their production of goods and services,” Mr Mbuzi stated.

The budget is there to improve the business environment and we are very happy that the results will trickle down to benefit the M-SME’s.

Zambia on course to attaining financial inclusion

Chief Editor
-
5
Zambia on course to attaining financial inclusion

Minister of Technology and Science, Felix Mutati says Zambia is on the right track with attaining financial inclusion. Mr Mutati has since called upon businesses to take advantage of fully digitizing payment processes to take part in the shift to cashless transactions.

He says digital payments can deliver significant uplift to business profitability and growth.

Mr Mutati was speaking in a speech read for him by Ministry of Technology and Science, Acting Permanent Secretary, Chikatizyo Musonda at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Cellulant and the Lusaka Chamber of Commerce to offer digital payment services to member businesses using the Tingg platform.

The Minister acknowledged that businesses are increasingly recognizing that the importance of adopting digital technologies to reduce the administrative burden on their business.

“Businesses have recognized that paper-based payments and manual processes increase their administrative costs, cause inconvenience to their customers and suppliers, and they risk losing essential records. By contrast, digital payments can deliver a significant uplift to businesses profitability and growth,” Mr Mutati said.

And Lusaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, President Alexander Lawrence said the collaboration will contribute towards the institution’s goal of making Lusaka a regional trade and investment hub.

Mr Lawrence said to be a hub, the digital infrastructure has to be in place. He said the partnership will be of great mutual benefit to both parties.

“These partnerships can expand your customer base, brand awareness, overall reach and service functionality. These are mutually beneficial partnerships that can help both startups and established businesses,” Mr Lawrence said.

And Cellulant Zambia, Country Manager Gilbert Lungu said the firm made the most of an opportunity to partner with the Chamber which has 3, 000 members in various sectors.

Mr Lungu emphasized the business benefits that come with digital methods of transacting.

“This is the new age of doing things. Harnessing the power of digital ties will only make doing business simple because the hassle of payments is removed,” Mr Lungu said.

Government calls for awareness on business regulatory services

Chief Editor
-
0
Government calls for awareness on business regulatory services

Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Chipoka Mulenga says there has been an increase in the demand for business regulatory services following the upward adjustment of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

Mr. Mulenga said many business owners want to formalise their enterprises in order to participate in the execution of local projects under CDF.

ZANIS reports that the minister was speaking in Solwezi today when he launched the awareness and sensitisation campaign for regulatory services at the Solwezi Regulatory Service Centre.

Mr. Mulenga said his ministry stands ready to meet the demand for regulatory services by taking services as close to the people as possible.

“With the policy direction of the new dawn government, which is aimed at promoting participation of local people in the execution of local projects under CDF, the demand for business regulatory services has increased,” he said.

Mr. Mulenga stated that government remains committed to supporting businesses by reducing transaction costs and creating an environment that would make businesses flourish.

“We have gone ahead and embarked on various reforms aimed at improving the business environment in order to reduce the cost of doing business in Zambia,” he said.

Mr. Mulenga said government will by the end of 2023 open up six more regulatory service centres to add to the existing six.

The Minister, however, said he is concerned with the inadequate sensitisation and awareness on the regulatory services at the Solwezi centre.

“Admittedly, there has not been much sensitisation and awareness for regulatory service centres, especially the Solwezi one,” he said.

Speaking at the same event, Business Regulatory Review Agency (BRRA) Executive Director, Sharon Sichilongo said the Solwezi Regulatory Centre has serviced more than 1,500 businesses since it was opened in May this year.

“I am pleased to report that from the time the Solwezi RSC was launched in May 2022, more than 1,500 businesses have accessed the services from the centre,” Ms. Sichilongo said.

She said the centre has helped address informalities which have characterized most micro and small businesses making it difficult for them to tap into business opportunities along the Lobito corridor.

The much anticipated Access to Information Billl to be soon enacted-Information Ministry PS

Chief Editor
-
3
The much anticipated Access to Information Billl to be soon enacted-Information Ministry PS

The government says it is in the process of enacting the much-anticipated Access to Information Bill ( A.I.B )

Once enacted, the bill will enable people to hold government accountable through the information government officials will be compelled to provide to the media and the general public.

Speaking in Kitwe today when he featured on a Radio Ichengelo live programme, Ministry of Information Permanent Secretary Kennedy Kalunga said government however stands ready to provide information to the public and the media even as the process to enact the bill is underway.

“The Access to Information Bill was raised in Parliament by the UPND, but the ruling party then shelved it so we are committed to enacting the bill that we raised and l can assure you that the process to enact it is underway,” he said.

The Permanent Secretary also implored the media on the Copperbelt to report verified and accurate information so that the general public is not misinformed.

He further encouraged the media to high light the 2023 national budget aimed at empowering citizens.

And radio Ichengelo Chief Executive office Lewis Mwatachela called for unity among national leaders.

Stressing that there is need for national unity , Father Mwatachela advised the nation to always speak with one voice on issues of national concern.

He further promised that the radio station will continue highlighting government programmes and all topical issues.

And at the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) Kitwe studios, Mr. Kalunga called for ethical reporting.

Earlier , on paying a courtesy quo on Kitwe District Commissioner, Mr. Kalunga assured Lawrence Mwanza that the Ministry will fully equip the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS ) Kitwe offices for efficient dissemination of news.

And Kitwe District Commissioner Mwanza said there was a lot of newsworthy events of national interest that needed to be covered in Kitwe.

He noted that the people were being misled on social media hence the need for the public media to be well equipped so that they can correct the lies on social media.

CRAZ express disappointment over Intercity bus driver’s protest

Chief Editor
-
10
CRAZ express disappointment over Intercity bus driver’s protest

The Commuters Rights Association of Zambia has expressed dismay over the protest by the long-distance bus drivers at the Intercity Bus Terminals which halted many passengers’ movements.

Commuters Rights Association of Zambia Aaron Kamuti noted with disappointment the protest by the Intercity bus drivers because of their grievance over their colleague who was jailed for dangerous driving, stating that the act is uncalled for, as passengers were held at ransom for something they don’t even know nor understand.

“We have passengers who were supposed to travel very early in the morning using the buses which go to Nakonde, Livingstone and other respective destinations, but they were delayed because of the confusion which was caused by these unruly drivers,” Mr Kamuti said

Mr Kamuti explained that Intercity Bus Terminals is a public place, and these drivers are not the owners of the buses, he noted that their Association engaged the owners of the buses who also expressed disappointment in their drivers, citing that protesting in such a manner was not good as they are better ways of doing things unlike how the drivers behaved, bringing confusion where it’s not even necessary.

“I have spoken about rotten Laws in our country where every Jim and Jack would stand up and do things which are not supposed to be done, if the Laws where clear these drivers wouldn’t have behaved in such a way,” Mr Aaron said

“We are coming from a background where at one point, we adjusted the bus fares by a certain margin, they called the Ministry of Transport and Logistics all sorts of names and wanted to park their buses, but why should they behave in such a way,” Mr Kamuti added

He noted that their Association has called on the government to purchase the government run buses like what is happening in other countries such as Tanzania, South Africa, and Zimbabwe who have their own buses and are competing with the private sector, now in this country it’s a very different situation.

“If these private operators would call for a boycott of transporting passengers at anytime, and this is the situation we are in,” he said

Mr Kamuti mentioned that the government should be more proactive in the way that they do things, as it is so disappointing that the Ministry which looks into the affairs of public transport would also be held at ransom, they would have engaged the owners of the buses and threatened them of withdrawing their operation license.

“That’s the way to go because they cannot hold the government at ransom, and also hold the innocent passengers at ransom, the general public and even the people who trade in the Intercity Bus Terminals, there businesses were affected,” Mr Kamuti stated

He cited that this kind of nuisance should not repeat itself, as people want a proactive government where the citizens are able to follow the rules and regulations especially those who are in the public passenger transport, they must be held responsible to tame their drivers and workers, who feel that they have got more powers than the owners of the buses.

“We are just coming of from the recent accident which happened at the University of Zambia (UNZA), were the person who was driving that bus was not even the driver and the actual driver is even on the run and the person who was driving didn’t even have a driver’s license, but how do you even allow a person without a license to drive,” he said

“And we see these buses parked at bars in the night, they start operating at 03 hrs or 04 hrs and this person is already intoxicated because he has spent a night in the bar and this situation has been allowed to get out of hand,” he added

Mr Kamuti said that the law enforcement department is one department that has failed the people tremendously, as other countries are seen to be more proactive especially on the enforcement on the roads, this is not happening in this country.

“We can talk and try to intervene but nothing comes out,” he said

He has since called on the Ministry of Transport and Logistics demanding them to up their game by bringing their house in order, as they need to compel the operators and drivers to follow the laid down rules and regulations.

“If a wrong has been done, it’s a wrong and if one is found wanting, he must be held responsible for his attitude and behaviour,” he noted

Mr Kamuti disclosed that in this case, there are a number of unruly bus drivers and a number of operators who have no responsibility over their vehicles and buses, as they leave it to the drivers to control everything because they are only interested in the cashing, hence this is the confusion that is being seen on the ground.

“Total anarchy, nuisance, misbehaving because they have come to realise that the Laws in this country are very weak as they can only apply to the weakest, and those who feel they are stronger than the economy of this country, and powerful than the government, they do things the way they feel like doing them, and this is what is happening in the public transport sector,” Mr Kamuti said

Zambia Top Group A After COSAFA U20 Victory

sports
-
0

Zambia Under 20 national team on Friday made a flying start to their 2022 COSAFA U20 Cup campaign in Eswatini.

Chisi Mbewe’s boys beat Mauritius 3-0 in their opening Group A match.

Zesco United winger Chipyoka Songa converted a penalty 21st minute penalty to give Zambia a one-nil halftime lead.

But it took until late in the game for Zambia to cement the 3 points through FC MUZA striker Rickson Ngambi who scored a brace in the 81st and 90th minutes.

Zambia top Group A tied on 3 points with Eswatini whom they meet in their penultimate game on October 9.

Eswatini beat Botswana 2-1 in the late kickoff on Friday.

Napsa Stars Capture Augustine Mulenga

sports
-
1
Napsa Stars Capture Augustine Mulenga

Pic Credit:Napsa Stars Media

Chipolopolo midfielder Augustine Mulenga is back in the FAZ Super League after signing a short-term deal with Napsa Stars.

Mulenga returns to Zambia after four years in South Africa where he played for Orlando Pirates and Amazulu.

The midfielder has been a free agent since leaving Amazulu in July.

Mulenga has recently been linked with a return to Zanaco where he has been training since his return to Zambia.

“NAPSA Stars Football Club is delighted to announce the signing of midfielder August Mulenga on a short-term deal that will see him at the Club until mid-season,” Napsa said in a statement.

“Mulenga, an exciting winger who is able to play multiple positions in attack has joined the Pensioners as a free agent to add to Coach Perry Mutapa’s attacking options.”

Meanwhile, Mulenga will have to wait until next weekend to make his competitive debut with Napsa when they visit Kansanshi Dynamos.

Napsa has the weekend off because guests Zesco United are away on CAF Confederation Cup duty in South Africa against Royal AM.

Catherine Phiri apologises to the fans for being suspended

Chief Editor
-
14
Catherine Phiri apologises to the fans for being suspended

Boxing champion Catherine Phiri has conversed an apology message to the nation following her two years suspension from all boxing and other sports activities after she tested positive for furosemide, a prohibited substance.

In a letter addressed to the nation and her fans, Ms Phiri stated that she has never used any performance enhancing drugs in her boxing career, as she has been subjected to numerous drug tests.

Ms Phiri explained that she took the furosemide drug to help lose weight and had no knowledge that it was prohibited.

“During my preparation for my world title fight, I took the drug to help lose weight quickly not knowing that the drug was on the prohibited list, I did this without the knowledge of my coach and manager, I deeply regret my actions,” Ms Phiri noted

And at a media briefing, the Zambia Professional Boxing and Wrestling Control Board and National Olympic Committee of Zambia mentioned that Ms Phiri voluntarily accepted to be slapped with a two-year suspension from professional boxing or any sporting competition after her samples were found with the prohibited drug.

The Zambia Professional Boxing and Wrestling Control Board Chairman Colonel Wamunyima Chingumbe disclosed on 26th February, this year, that anti-doping tests were conducted by Africa Zone VI Regional Organisation (RADO) at a time Ms Phiri and Zimbabwe’s Kudakwashe Chiwandire were about to fight.

Dr Chingumbe stated that Ms Phiri was charged with the commission of an anti-doping rule violation under article 2.1 and article 2.2 of the anti-doping rules, on the basis that Furosemide, which is prohibited, was found to be present in her sample.

And the National Olympic Committee of Zambia (NOCZ) Secretary General Boniface Kambikambi whose committee is the current de facto RADO disclosed that a long list of updated prohibited substances in sport have been updated and will come into effect next year.

Mr Kambikambi cautioned athletes in the country to be wary of what they consume adding that there is also a named painkiller which will be added to the list and will be shared with local sports associations.

And Catherine Phiri’s Manager Christopher Malunga has appealed to her fans not to lose faith in the boxer.

Brief facts of the matter are that, Boxer Catherine Phiri has been banned from all sports activities for two years after failing a doping test as Zambia’s sporting reputation continues to be brought into disrepute 24 hours after a Nkana coach and player have been suspended for attacking a referee by FAZ.

The Zambia Professional Boxing and Wrestling Control Board (ZPBWCB) confirmed Catherine’s ban at a media briefing on Thursday in Lusaka.

Catherine Phiri failed her test from a sample taken from her WBC interim Super Bantamweight title fight against Kundakwashe Chiwandire of Zimbabwe on February 26, 2022 in Lusaka, Chiwandire won the fight via a split decision.

Catherine Phiri’s sample contained Furosemide which appears on WADA’s list of banned substances.

But the Zambia Professional Boxing and Wrestling Control Board stated that Furosemide was not a performance-enhancing drug but was used to manage body swelling associated with heart failure, and liver and renal disease.

Catherine Phiri’s ban from all sports activities was effective on May 10, 2022, when the provisional ban came into effect.

The news came just 24 hours after Nkana goalkeeper coach Mike Poto and striker Diamond Chikwekwe were banned for six months and four games respectively.

This is for their role in Saturday’s post-match assault on referee Audrick Nkole at the end of Nkana’s 1-1 away draw against Nchanga Rangers at Nchanga Stadium in Chingola, Nkana has also been fined K100, 000 for the assault by officials and players on Nkole.

Umusepela Chile and Trina South release “Dear Memo” music video

Entertainment Editor
-
0
Umusepela Chile and Trina South release “Dear Memo” music video
Umusepela Chile
 

Umusepela Chile released the video for his song “Dear Memo” which features Trina South. Video directed by Jay Rox and OG Beejay.

Visa waiver to increase tourists, investor inflow

Chief Editor
-
25
Visa waiver to increase tourists, investor inflow

Minister of Tourism, Rodney Sikumba expects the number of tourists and investors to increase in 2023 following the visa waiver in some countries.

Mr Sikumba said government is creating an environment that allows visitors to come to Zambia to sample many attraction and unique cultural heritage sites.

He said the waiver, is also a step government has taken to strengthen relationships.

In a press statement issued to the media in Lusaka yesterday by the ministry’s public relations unit, Mr Sikumba said this when he gave his toast statement as the Guest of Honour, at a Reception for Commemorating the German Unity in Lusaka last night.

Mr Sikumba noted that Germany, is one of the countries that has benefited from the Visa waiver and hopes more Germans use the opportunity to visit Zambia.

“Current statistics reveal that there were 1,241 tourist arrivals from Germany in 2021 compared to 2,261 in arrivals in 2019. Our ministry wants to see these numbers growing again,” he said.

Meanwhile, Germany Ambassador to Zambia, Anne Wagner-Mitchell said Germany remains committed to assisting Zambia on its path to further democratic, economic and social development.

Dr Wagner-Mitchell disclosed that a total value of the German-funded programmes and projects being implemented in Zambia amounts to nearly half a billion Euros.

She added that her embassy, together with the Southern African-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry are stepping up their economic diplomacy, with the goal of supporting the Zambian Government’s agenda on private sector development, growth and job creation.

Zambia-Namibia sign MoU on gas, petroleum pipeline

Chief Editor
-
3
Zambia-Namibia sign MoU on gas, petroleum pipeline

The government has signed the Namibia-Zambia Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in facilitating the private sector development and implementation of the Namibia – Zambia multi-product petroleum and gas pipeline which is expected to supply 100,000 to 120,000 barrels per day of refined petroleum products in Namibia and Zambia.

Minister of Energy, Peter Kapala said the Zambian and Namibian governments have reached a mutual agreement on the contents of the MoU which has the priority focus on enhancing economic cooperation between the two countries in the petroleum sub-sector.

Engineer Kapala added that the signing of the MoU sets the intention of the two Governments to support and facilitate the implementation of the private sector-led Namibia- Zambia Multi–Product Petroleum and Natural Gas Pipelines Project (NAZOP).

“Petroleum and its derivatives drive the engines of growth and development through the crucial role that they play in the production and transportation of goods and services. The NAZOP Pipelines system, when completed, is envisioned to supply 100,000 to 120,000 barrels per day of refined petroleum products in Namibia and Zambia. The NAZOP pipelines systems is also targeting supplying other countries in the SADC Region,” he explained.

Eng. Kapala stated that there is need to take advantage of means that reduce the cost of delivering petroleum products and natural gas to beneficiaries given the volatility of international oil prices.

He also commended Basali Ba Liseli Resources Limited (BBLR), the promoters of the project, for the proactive initiative which will strengthen bilateral cooperation between Namibia and Zambia in the energy sector as well as accelerate regional economic integration as per the Southern African Development Community (SADC)

FAZ engages Police, FIFA on Sex Scandal Allegations

Chief Editor
-
17
FAZ engages Police, FIFA on Sex Scandal Allegations

FAZ president Andrew Kamanga says Football House has opened an inquiry through the Zambia Police and FIFA over the social media driven sex scandal involving the women’s national teams.

Featuring on SuperSport’s popular Soccer Africa program in South Africa, Kamanga said although FAZ had not received any official complaint from anyone over the alleged sex scandal, an inquiry had been opened encouraging anyone with information to come forward.

Kamanga said those that were not comfortable bringing evidence to FAZ could either utilize the Zambia Police route or the FIFA independent inquiry.

“What happened was that there was a lot of social media comments around the stories and obviously we had to investigate internally, and I can state here that from where we stand, we have never received any complaint other than what we have read in social media,” he said.
“But what we also did, as a responsible federation, was to open an investigation so we have now asked all those who may have evidence to bring it forward. We have also gone further because this is a very sensitive issue, we have had to write to FIFA to ask them to carry out an independent investigation. We have also, as you would expect, these are matters, which are no longer football-related matters but border on crime, we had to ask the Zambia Police to go and investigate and whoever is found wanting will obviously have to face the consequences.”

Kamanga said FAZ had learnt of the many avenues within FIFA for dealing with various challenges as was the case was with the controversial gender verification regulations prescribed by CAF during the WAFCON that excluded some of Zambia’s best players.

He said that FIFA had a wing that could independently dig into the sex allegations that were being bandied within the Zambian game.

“So, it will be independent, and this is why we feel as a federation, we do not want to be the ones running the process because tomorrow we will be accused that we are taking sides. So, we prefer that an independent body such as FIFA which has the capacity to do it will be able to handle the inquiries,” he said.

“Definitely we are going to take sanctions, we have enough rules and regulations within football which we can deal with.”

Kamanga said the police had been engaged on the premise that some of the matters being alleged bordered on criminality which was a preserve of law enforcement agencies.

“As I said some of these matters border on crime and have nothing to do with football and it will now be the state police to deal with. This is why we have openly said that those who can report to us, feel free to come in, those who can go to the police feel free to do that because we want to get the bottom of this,” he said.

He also disclosed that there were enough safety nets around some women national teams with trained security personnel and managers to detect some of the transgressions being alleged.

“Just to give you a bit of comfort in terms of what normally happens when a team is in camp all teams have matrons (manager) and police officers who are women, so we expect that even when these things are happening there will obviously be a way in which they can find their way out,” he said.
“But I can assure whatever has happened will have to be interrogated to get to a point where we are very clear with where we are going.”

On the status of the search for the long-term Chipolopolo job after Croat Aljosa Asanovic jumped ship in the aftermath of Zambia’s failure to qualify to the CHAN, Kamanga said the association will trigger the process soon.

“We will obviously start the search; we have enough time before the next round of qualifiers. It was quite strange because what happened was the coach was in the middle of the CHAN tournament and one of the key performance criteria for his contract was to qualify the team to CHAN. So, the day he did not qualify he just jumped on the plane, and he has never been back,” he said.

“Whilst he was away, he sent a demand that we had not paid him and as far as our records are showing, we owe him nothing and unfortunately you will agree with me that if you have not worked, there is no basis to be paid.”

He added: “From the time I have been president of the FA, this is the coach we have never missed to pay, of all the coaches.”

Calm is back at Kasumbalesa-Defence Minister

Chief Editor
-
11
Calm is back at Kasumbalesa-Defence Minister

Defence Minister Ambrose Lufuma has announced that the impasse at the Kasumbalesa border has now been resolved.

Mr Lufuma said the issues that saw Truckers refusing to transit into Congo DR until security is provided have now been settled.

He said the meeting to resolve the matter was held in a cordial environment with Congolese counterparts.

“Current situation was the line of trucks, bumper to bumper, stretching from Kasumbalesa down to Chililabomwe hence holding commerce and trade between the two countries and SADC. In a cordial and friendly atmosphere we resolved that security will be provided by our DRC colleagues and that Trucks must start crossing and trekking into Congo DRC first thing in the morning today starting at 6hrs to 20 hrs henceforth,” he said.

Mr Lufuma announce that an SOS line (called green line) will be given to all the truckers for contact in case of any emergencies.

“I must inform the Zambian people that as we speak today the trucks started crossing as early as 6hrs.”

The negotiations team comprised of three Ministers Jack Mwiimbu, Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security, Elisha Matambo Provincial Minister for Copperbelt Province and Mr. Lufuma.

The Ministers later addressed Truckers and assured them of security.

“We would like to thank our Congolese counterparts for their cooperation and commitment to resolving the problem. The riotous behaviour and looting which ensued yesterday has been stopped and calm has been restored in the border town of Kasumbalesa.”

Case of Pamela Chisumpa – buy chitumbuwa & get 12 mbasela

Chief Editor
-
13
Case of Pamela Chisumpa – buy chitumbuwa & get 12 mbasela

By Chimwemwe Mwanza

If ever you were in doubt about how inept our police service is, you need not read beyond Pamela Chisumpa and the sequel leading to her abduction and eventual rescue. For once, can the police admit without scapegoating that the Chisumpa debacle has not only exposed their incompetence but caught them napping too.

Say what you may, events of this week are making it harder to escape the conclusion that the police service whose function is to secure our confines has become complicity, if not a willing participant, in the lawlessness afflicting the country. It can’t be that their only record of success so far is their habitual incarceration of the likes of Chilufya Tayali and a coterie of usual political jail birds, Sean Tembo and Raphael Nakachinda among other hapless individuals.

Truth is the police has deeply intwined itself in partisan warfare to the extent that it’s been reduced to a pitbull whose job is to snap at the heels of opposition politicians. And the ramification of this status quo is telling in their priorities. Do they allocate sufficient resources in protecting vulnerable communities and law-abiding citizens or focus their attention on barking and chasing after those they perceive to be enemies of the state – while leaving criminals such as abduction kingpins James Bwalya and Matthews Sikaonga to roam our streets with gay abandon?

As Lusaka lawyer – that prolific writer Sakwiba Sikota tacitly put it in his tribute to the superheroes that rescued Chisumpa and her fellow 12 captives, the Zambian girl child is now at her most vulnerable – left on her own to protect herself from possible human traffickers, pedophiles and rapists prowling our communities for their next victims. Difficult as it is to comprehend this reality, fact is that this country has not only become a transit point but is a haven for human trafficking syndicates keen to exploit our porous borders and a politically compromised policing system.

Forget the fact that this kidnaping episode and the subsequent rescue of the 13 girls from the now infamous Chalala house has thrust Zambia onto the international limelight – albeit for the wrong reasons, question is do we have a crime intelligence network that is capable of combating or detect human trafficking and other sophisticated crimes? If we do, how did we then find ourselves in this extraordinary circumstance in which our men in uniform failed to crack an embarrassing and child-like drama unfolding right under our noses?

And the audacity of lies – ati iyayi, we were one day away from raiding that house but were beaten to our plans by the bravery and heroic acts of the community. Apa peve mwami ba Lemmy Kajoba mwayitaya. Mwenze muna gona pa nchito – not for one day but an entire six months. If anything the major lesson from this episode is that civil society has to mobilise to ensure that the police is eventually detached from the clutches of this government and its politics.

Why Chisumpa is a person of interest in her own kidnapping

While important to empathise with Chisumpa and her fellow abductees, we should not shy from asking the most difficult questions in our quest to crack this bizarre case – after all facts don’t care about feelings. Already, there is a hair-tearing oddity to this case – the familiarity of the abductors to the alleged victims.

Is it possible that Chisumpa assisted by James Bwalya could have faked her own kidnapping so she could deprive her employers off their cashing from the Airtel money transaction business she was tasked with managing? How many of the 13 victims were managing similar Airtel money transaction businesses? Other than Chisumpa, did the rest of the victims know their abductors, particularly Bwalya?

Most important, could this entire kidnapping sequel pass off as one of those poker games that went horribly wrong? For many a speculator, Bwalya’s familiarity and proximity to his victims presage the assumption that nearly all the kidnap victims were in this game for the long haul. Think of it this way, how is it possible that all these women could have been held captive in such a tiny house for half a year and against their will? Honestly, the assumption that all the women in the house were genuine kidnap victims, beggars belief.

However hard it is proving to extract the truth of this situation, law enforcement officers should not relent. Sympathy aside, police have an easy route to redemption. How so? Land a few hot claps on Chisumpa’s malnourished cheeks, and she will sing like a cannery. It can’t be that the entire citizenry had been combing the country for a missing individual only to stumble upon 12 other women – whom bizarrely were never reported anywhere as missing persons.

This hardly makes any sence. Chimo chine nokushita ichitumbuwa chimo elyo bakubikilapo imbasela 12.

About the Author: Mwanza enjoys reading Political History and Philosophy. For feedback, email [email protected]

Opposition Zambia Must Prosper condemns the recent arrest of its interim party President Kelvin Fube Bwalya

Chief Editor
-
14
Opposition Zambia Must Prosper condemns the recent arrest of its interim party President Kelvin Fube Bwalya

Opposition Zambia Must Prosper has condemned the recent arrest of its interim party President Kelvin Fube Bwalya for alleged money laundering.

Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) on Wednesday arrested Mr. Bwalya, a lawyer and politician, for failing to report a suspicious transaction involving property worth over K6 million.

Mr. Fube has since been released on Police bond on account that he will never travel out of the country without notifying DEC.

In reaction, Zambia Must Prosper Secretary General Ruth Chikasa has accused the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) of suffocating the opposition because the Hakainde Hichilema – led government is failing to meet citizens’ expectations.

Ms. Chikasa said her party has bemoaned the prevailing political space in Zambia.

Ms. Chikasa said the UPND government is intimidating opposition leaders in order to steal people’s attention from it’s failures.

“It is sad to see what is happening in the political arena in as far as the way opposition party leaders are being treated. The UPND government is intimidating opposition leaders because it has failed meet it’s promises to the people,” she said during a live programme on Diamond TV on Wednesday night.

Mrs Chikasa observed that after believing that Zambia would have a level playing field, where both the ruling and opposition parties would play their roles in the governance of the country, the opposite is happening.

“To maintain democracy in any nation, there is need to have a ruling party and the opposition to ensure checks and balances, without which, there is a risk of jeopardizing democracy,” she noted.

She said months ago while in the UPND Alliance, there were no issues as regards investigations or prosecutions of opposition leaders but it is surprising that such matters have arisen since ZMP opted to leave the Alliance.

“Some of our members in the UPND are on record as saying we have a dossier on KBF and he should not be speaking. What do they mean? That everyone must tow the line? Where is democracy in the country? This is not the democracy that we fought for. This is not the democracy we want for our country. The ruling party has a role to play just as the opposition also has a role to play”.

She called on Zambians to stand up against oppressive manoeuvres by the UPND government, warning that Zambia risks falling into a one party State.

Ms. Chikasa urged the opposition to work together in providing checks and balances and never allow the ruling party to do as they wish.

Mr. Bwalya has been a critic of the New Dawn Government after leaving the UPND Alliance to form Zambia Must Prosper.

KBF has also in the recent past dared to arrest him saying he has never committed any offence related to corruption.

The former senior PF official last month said he left the UPND Alliance because the New Dawn government of President Hakainde Hichilema has not respected the agreement that made him work with the alliance.

Mr. Bwalya alleged that President Hichilema has failed to unite the nation, to respect rule of law and to completely end cadrelism in markets and bus stations.

“We agreed to work together for a particular cause mine to protect and defend the constitution. The UPND whatever motivation they had that was their business. So that was the answer. I would not be appointed unless I had joined UPND. I am a practical man. Anybody who is going to claim he is not working under UPND today but he is in UPND government is lying through his teeth and you (Presenter) and I know that. Which policies are you going to be promulgating? Your own? No. You have to follow the policies of the party in power. Anybody who says he is a President of a political party but he is going to be in a government of another government, what are you doing? So for me our agreement was very simple. We need to protect the constitution,” he told Radio Phoenix.

“This was always the plan (forming a political party), this was always the plan. I never ever joined UPND. Let’s get that clear. I think there has been a lot said about how, why. Let me give some background to this. I stood against the PF on principle and that principle was I was not going to allow a third term to go against the constitution of this country. That I believed from the bottom of my heart that Edgar Chagwa Lungu was running for a third term. I didn’t not mind the Constitutional Court ruling, they had their views but that was my inner most gut feeling. That was a third term; we were not going to allow that. On principle that was my motivation for going against the Patriotic Front, a party which I had basically helped to grow, helped to expand and helped to live with,” Mr. Bwalya added.

1...488489490...5,629Page 489 of 5,629

Company

Trending

Categories

© Lusaka Times