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You can’t beat Banda, farmers tell HH, Sata

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PF Leader (L) and UPND Leader (R)
PF leader Michael sata and UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema
SMALL-SCALE farmers yesterday said Patriotic Front (PF) president Michael Sata and United Party for National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema cannot perform better than President Rupiah Banda.

The farmers have also said opposition leaders should stop criticising President Banda’s trips abroad because they were beneficial to the country.

Zambia Small-Scale Farmers Network (ZSSFN) board chairperson Boyd Liambai said in Lusaka yesterday that Mr Sata and Mr Hichilema did not have the capacity to do anything better than what President Banda had done.

Mr Liambai cited achievements such as the decision by the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) to buy farm produce worth K1.5 trillion from farmers while distribution of farming inputs had already started.

The Government had increased the Constituency Development Fund from K200 million to K600 million and the number of people accessing in-puts under the farmer input support programme had also been tripled.

Mr Liambai said the schools and rural health centers had also been improved in the country, which must be appreciated.

“We would like to request Mr Sata and Mr Hichilema to be truthful in their dealings more especially when they are talking about issues affecting the people of Zambia,” Mr Liambai said.

He condemned the recent wave of attacks on President Banda by some clergy, businesspersons and politicians in the name of democracy.

Mr Liambai said the president had ensured that there was improved infrastructure development such as the completion of the Choma-Namwala Road, the Chipata-Mchinji railway line which projects had all been completed within the two years that President Banda had been in power.

He reminded Mr Sata and Mr Hichilema that the Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia (NCZ) had been revamped and could produce 20,000 tonnes of fertiliser.

“What more do people want better than this? We are therefore appealing to the people of Zambia more especially those in Chilanga and Mpulungu where there are by-elections not to listen to Mr Sata and Mr Hichilema but treat their word with contempt,” he said.

Mr Liambai said the agricultural and other policies were among the best in the SADC region and urged Zambians to embrace the Government for continued prosperity.

He said the trips being undertaken by the president were necessary and accused the two leaders of taking advantage of poor people to tell lies on the President’s trips abroad.

PF loses Thandiwe case

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First Lady Thandiwe Banda giving a hammermill to women in Luapula

THE Lusaka High Court has thrown out an injunction in which the Patriotic Front sued First Lady Thandiwe Banda for assisting the vulnerable, alleging that she is abusing Government funds.

In his ruling, Judge Phillip Musonda said the application should not have been brought before court by a person of average comprehension.

He said the application for an injunction was against a wrong party as she has no role to play in receiving or spending Government funds.

Judge Musonda also said no evidence of abuse of public funds was presented. The court said the assumption that she was abusing funds is speculative and that the injunction to stop her, as a first lady, from using Government resources, does not meet the test of irreparability of damage when this practice has gone on for 44 years.

“This injunction on disbursement of funds illustrates a serious misunderstanding by the plaintiffs,” Judge Musonda said.

He said to grant the injunction against Mrs Banda will be violating the Constitution and the Financial Control Management Act.
Judge Musonda said the two statues have appointed officers to receive, pay and audit Government revenue.

He said granting the injunction can also amount to an intrusion in the Auditor General’s constitutional function, the Minister of Finance, Secretary to the Treasury, controlling officers who are personally liable for unauthorised expenditure and internal auditors’ statutory functions.

Evelyn Kangwa and Majorie Nakaponda filed an application for an injunction against Mrs Banda seeking the court to restrain her from acting in any capacity not supported by any law of the land. They wanted the court to restrain Mrs Banda from disbursing moneys and distributing goods which are not provided for in the estimates of expenditure by Parliament.

The plaintiffs, through their lawyer Wynter Kabimba, were also seeking the court to restrain Mrs Banda from using the facilities in the absence of disclosing the source of the monies and goods and also to restrain her from using official Government facilities and services for alleged party political activities until after trial.

Judge Musonda said Mrs Banda has no role directing, disbursing or controlling expenditure. He said Zambia has been independent since 1964 and that all first ladies in the country have enjoyed these facilities which are a practice world over.
Judge Musonda said the United States, United Kingdom andthe entire Commonwealth Africa exercise the same practice which attained the status of a constitution convention.

He said Vera Chiluba set up the Hope Foundation, a non-governmental organisation, which was identified with her while Mrs Maureen Mwanawasa set up the Maureen Mwanawasa Community Initiative.

He said the current first lady states that she wants to join hands with all charitable and non-governmental organisations to help various organisations depending on their needs.

The court said Mrs Banda’s sentiments demonstrate that her approach is non-partisan and wondered how distributing goods to the needy or towards poverty alleviation can cause irreparable harm when more personalised charitable work by previous first ladies did not cause irreparable harm.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

Simeza initiated plans to bribe judge, magistrate — Mohan

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INK Tech managing director Mohan Mathews yesterday told the Lusaka High Court that Lusaka lawyer Robert Simeza allegedly initiated the plans to bribe a magistrate and judge to secure the bail of his convicted client, Rathi Kumar using the late Sajid Itowala.

Testifying in his defence before Supreme Court Judge Gregory Phiri sitting as High Court judge, Matthews said Mr Simeza was the one who introduced the deceased to him so that they could work together and help Kumar flee the country.

Matthews testified that the magistrate was allegedly first paid K150 million by the deceased after getting it from him and in turn the magistrate advised Rathi to behave like a mental patient in court.

This move was meant for him to recommend Rathi to go for a mental check up at Chainama Hospital, which was done and later be assisted to flee the country from the mental hospital.

This is in a case where Mohan, is jointly charged with Crown Paints brothers Idris and Shabir Patel with one count of murder.

It is alleged that the trio in July last year, whilst acting together with other persons unknown, murdered Itowala.

He told the court that earlier Mr Simeza had allegedly asked him to inform Rathi that they come up with plans to assist him flee the country and signed a cheque to purchase two air tickets, for Rathi not in his real names and the one for his mother in law, a Mrs Pitti.

Mr Simeza then organised to meet a National Airports official Fred Malama who was also allegedly bribed to ensure that he helped him with a check-in plan prior to the duo’s arrival at the international airport and he gave them two boarding passes.

He said on April 29 last year, Mr Simeza allegedly organised everyone involved alongside Rathi’s mother-in-law and they all went to Chainama to assist Rathi escape from hospital enroute to the airport.

“Shaun and Chileshe broke the main gates to Chainama mental prisons, switched off the lights but were disturbed by the alarm system and immediately ran away before they could rescue Rathi. The security men rushed to the prisons section and got Rathi back to Kamwala Remand Prisons.

Matthews said Mr Simeza allegedly advised him that there were so many ways of killing a rat and that Rathi’s father would be in the country to sort out the mess, and when he arrived he called for a meeting with Sajid.

It was at this point that Sajid allegedly told Rathi’s father, Mr Simeza and Matthews that he needed more money to assist Rathi with bail since by then he had already been convicted to four years.

He said his father organised altogether US$750,000, $450,000 for the judge who was going to handle the bail at the High Court and the $300,000 for the magistrate who allowed the bail application.
The defence continues today.

[Times of Zambia]

Kunda to leave for China tomorrow

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Vice President George Kunda is tomorrow Tuesday October 19, expected to travel to China to grace the Zambia National Pavilion Day of Expo.

The Expo which would be held in Shanghai in China will take place on October 24, 2010.

Mr Kunda is expected to lead a delegation of Ministers and government officials.

This is contained in Press Statement issued to ZANIS in Lusaka today by Senior Private Secretary to the Vice President Kenneth Ngosa.

Mr Ngosa explained that the Expo 2010 is a grand international event and a happy reunion of people from all over the world.

More than 200 Nations and International Organizations are expected to take part in the exhibition.

[ ZANIS ]

Qualified personnel shun Kabompo council

Entertainment Editor
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Qualified and skilled workers are shunning Kabompo district council in Northwestern Province because it is
the only council in the region which is offering lowest salaries and wages to workers.

Kabompo District Council Director of Works, Chisenga Changwe made the observation when he made a submission on the council, on behalf of Council Secretary Lizzy Makayi to the Salaries Review Commission which sat in Kabompo last Friday and was Chaired by Professor Muyunda Mwanalushi.

Mr Changwe said that the Kabompo district council was not only unable to retain qualified and skilled personnel but also unable to pay salaries and wages to its workers because of poor financial muscles.

He said that the council owed institutions and individuals over K 685.6 million in salaries and wage arrears and for other services rendered to the council.

Mr Changwe further said that unless salaries and wages for workers in the district councils were standardized according to the categories of councils in Zambia, some councils with poor resources like Kabompo would continue paying lowest salaries and wages which will cause workers to desert the council for greener pasture.

He lamented that for several years the posts of Deputy Council Secretary and Deputy Treasurer have remained vacant.

ZANIS

Salaries body starts work

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The Salaries Review Commission has started receiving submissions from workers and organisations on the Coppberbelt.

President Rupuiah Banda appointed the commission to review the conditions of service for public service workers.

The commission headed by Professor Muyunda Mwanalushi conducted its first sittings in Ndola Monday morning, at which workers, unions and government institutions representatives made their submissions.

Among the institutions which made submissions, are the Clinical officers Association of Zambia, the Mpongwe District Administration, Copperbelt Province administration and representatives form the Meteorological department.

Professor Mwanalushi said government would no longer promote and increase salaries for civil servants automatically.

He said government has instead introduced the annual performance appraisal system to effect salary increments and promotions in the public service.

And Clinical Officer Association of Zambia Secretary General Milner Kasempa urged the commission to recommend the reinstatement of the Clinical Officer structure which was abolished under the health reforms.

And Mpongwe District commissioner Rasford Bulaya called for the harmonisation of salary scales among professionals holding similar qualifications.
[ ZNBC ]

5 chiefs for RB

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Five traditional leaders in Itezhi-Itezhi district want Zambians to give President Rupiah Banda another five year mandate as republican president.

The traditional leaders want Zambians to vote for Mr Banda in next years elections so that he can continue as Republican President.

The Chiefs are happy that President Banda has performed well and managed to deliver on many projects in the short period he has been in office.

The traditional leaders are Chiefs Kaingu, Chilyabufu, Sezhono Shimbizhi and Musungwa.

The Chiefs said this when Southern Province Permanent Secretary GladysKristafor called on them at their places over the weekend.

The chiefs are happy with the performance of the livestock industry; health and education sectors which they say are receiving a major improvement.

And Mrs. Kristafor said government would continue working with Chiefs in bringing development closer to the people.
[ ZNBC ]

VEEP accuses opposition of vulgar campaign messages

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Vice president George Kunda cheering an MMD dance group
Vice president George Kunda cheering an MMD dance group

Republican Vice-president George Kunda has said he has video evidence of opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) leader Hakainde Hichilema insulting government leaders and police officers.

Speaking when he addressed Chilanga residents during a campaign rally to drum up support for the ruling MMD party candidate, Keith Mukata, Kunda, a lawyer charged that Hichilema was a violent character who preached hatred in his campaign messages.

“Hichilema is a very violent character, he likes violence, that is why everywhere where there is a by-election, HH goes there to destabilize peace. He insults, we have video evidence of Mr. HH insulting even the police, we have it,” he said.
Kunda said the only thing that Hichilema had learned from his Patriotic Front (PF) counterpart Michael Sata, with whom he has formed a Pact ahead of the 211 general elections, was insulting.

“HH has learnt how to insult from Mr. Sata, these are the lessons he has received from Mr. Sata, So my advice to HH is, leave this violent man Sata,” Kunda said.

Earlier, Kunda urged Chilanga residents to vote for the MMD candidate in the October 25th parliamentary by-election, saying the UPND candidate Captain Cosmas Moono was a reject.

“I want to warn you against voting for Captain Cosmas Moono, he is a reject, Captain Moono served you before and he failed, and Mr. (Ng’andu Magande) took over… So we have brought you a new broom, this is the broom you need here in Chilanga,” said Kunda.

Zambians in Mpulungu, North of the capital Lusaka and Chilanga just in the outskirts, South of the City will be going to the polls to vote for two parliamentary candidates.
This was necessitated by the death of lameck Chibombamilimo in Mpulungu and the resignation of former finance minister Ng’andu Magande as Chilanga MP.

Earlier story
Vice President George Kunda says the UPND’s popularity in the country, is diminishing.

Mr Kunda said most UPND supporters are joining the MMD because they have seen that the opposition party has got no future in the politics of Zambia.

The Vice President also said that UPND Leader Hakainde hichilema would soon be suspended from his party because the party has lost confidence in him.

Mr Kunda was speaking at Munyewu Basic School in Lusaka West during campaigns to drum up support for the MMD Chilanga Constituency candidate Keith Mukata

He said Mr Mukata is a hard working Lawyer who has served his community diligently.

Four candidates are vying for the Chilanga parliamentary seat which was left vacant following the expulsion of Ng’andu Magande from the MMD.

The candidates include, Valeri Bqwalya of NAREP, MMD’s Keith Mukata, UNIP’s Henry Silumesi and the UPND- PF pact Candidate Captain Cosmas Moono.

Chilanga residents go to the polls on October 25.
[ ZNBC ]

How I got used to the Zambian way

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Every country has traits and characteristics peculiar to it, whether it be a way of doing something or a way of talking. Before I came to Zambia, I didn’t use the 24-hour clock. It was taken for granted that if you arranged to meet someone at 2:30, in all likelihood you didn’t mean in the morning. Here in Zambia, tell someone you’ll see them at four o’clock, and you’ll get a look of horrified surprise. You have to be specific. It’s not even a question of adding am or pm onto the time, you have to say 16 hours or 18:30. The suffix “hours” is even used when talking of time pre-noon. You might, for instance, arrange a meeting at 10 hours or an appointment at zero-eight-fifteen.

Chances are though, that you won’t be making an appointment: that’s another Zambian characteristic. Want to see the doctor? Just turn up and wait. Sometimes you can be lucky and no one else is there, or else you can join a queue which, more often than not, does not follow usual queue etiquette.

The idea of privacy is also something of an unknown where a visit to the doctor’s is concerned. While explaining your ailment, you may be interrupted by a knock at the door because someone has come to pick up their tablets (these are dispensed from a cupboard in the doctor’s surgery, not a chemist). Or perhaps a salesman has arrived and wants to show the doctor what type of antibiotics he has this month, or maybe it’s the lab technician from the hospital with blood test results and he wants to be paid before he leaves. Though frustrating, it’s not as bad as when you are visiting the gynaecologist for an internal examination and her teenage son comes in to collect his pocket money.

Lack of privacy is not confined to the doctor’s surgery. Beauty salons are usually places of great discretion. Therapists practise behind drawn curtains and most operate a “do not disturb” policy while they are seeing a client. Most ladies don’t want their partners and husbands to know that they have their chins plucked and their moustaches regularly removed, never mind half the population of the town. Not in Zambia.

The most interesting experience I had in this regard was when another client turned up while I was having my legs waxed. I was told that she had made an appointment before I had (appointment? What appointment?) and therefore would I mind waiting outside for a moment. So, covered with little sticky bits of wax, I removed myself to the waiting area. The client, who was a young girl of 13 or 14, went inside to have her armpits waxed, while her mother apologized profusely to me. I eventually had my turn again, and when leaving the salon was surprised to see the mother and daughter still there. They had been in no hurry at all and were waiting to have tea with the beautician!

The idea of keeping quiet during play performances, musical concerts and church services is also a foreign one, as people talk on their phones and greet each other with apparently no sense of where they are or who they may be disturbing. The chewing of gum is a national pastime, at all times and in all places. My partner, who is a teacher, had to ask a parent to remove a piece of gum from her mouth as he couldn’t understand what she was talking about.

Zambia is indeed a country of contradictions. The driving is horrendous, and yet drivers hoot at each other for the smallest misdemeanors. Everybody has a mobile phone, yet no one rings you back, even though they say they will. And despite all the emphasis on getting the time exactly right, everybody is constantly late. Whether it’s a 12- or 24- hour clock, we’re on African time here.

Do you have an expat experience you’d like to share? Email no more than 1,000 words to [email protected]

[http://www.telegraph.co.uk]

The Weekend in Pictures

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1.

Inspector General of Police Francis Kabonde addresses a press briefing in Lusaka

2.

Inspector General of Police Francis Kabonde, talks to spokesperson Ndandula Siamana before addressing a press briefing in Lusaka

3.

Justice Kafusha is a Zambian who has been in Denmark for 20 years now and works as an IT Technician for an Energy Company named Vattenfall, in the Town of Odense(Justice requested to share his picture with bloggers)

4.

Some Enumerators for the 2010 census being deployed in readiness for the programme from the Ministry of Finance and National Planning Offices in Mongu.

5.

Some Enumerators for the 2010 census

6.

One of the dormitories that was burnt at Kabunda Girls Secondary school in Mansa

7.

KABUNDA Girls Secondary School in Mansa District has been gutted. The inferno swept through the school Dormitories leaving three pupils hospitalised. The fire started around 22hrs on Saturday and destroyed students' Books, Clothes Groceries and other school materials. Here, grade 12 pupils Angela and Frida, mourning because they lost all their belongings

8.

Some of the dormitories at Kabunda Girls Secondary school that was gutted at the weekend.

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Some of the dormitories at Kabunda Girls Secondary school that was gutted at the weekend.

10.

Chief Government spokesperson Ronnie Shikapwasha, First republican president Kenneth Kaunda, second president Fredrick Chiluba and his wife Regina and Lusaka District Commissioner Christah Kalulu singing a hymn during this year’s independence interdenominational church service at The Cathedral of the Holy Cross

11.

First republican president Kenneth Kaunda addresses the audience at this year’s independence interdenominational church service at Cathedral of the Holy Cross

12.

A choir band singing during the independence interdenominational church service at The Cathedral of the Holy Cross

13.

Chief Government spokesperson Ronnie Shikapwasha, First republican president Kenneth Kaunda, second president Fredrick Chiluba and his wife Regina and Lusaka District Commissioner Christah Kalulu follow proceeds during this year’s independence interdenominational church service at Cathedral of the Holy Cross.

14.

Several church leaders join the congregation in singing a hymn during this year’s independence interdenominational church service at Cathedral of the Holy Cross

15.

First Republican President Kenneth Kaunda shares a light moment with former President Frederick Chiluba while Chief Government spokesperson Ronnie Shikapwasha looks on

16.

Chief Government spokesperson Ronnie Shikapwasha greets first Republican President Kenneth Kaunda

17.

First Republican President Kenneth Kaunda , former president Fredrick Chiluba and Chief Government spokesperson Ronnie Shikapwasha walking out of the Cathedral of the Holy Cross

18.

Different members from various denominations after attending this year’s independence interdenominational church service at Cathedral of the Holly Cross

Govt signs IPPA for Itezhi tezhi power plant

Entertainment Editor
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Commerce minister Felix Mutati
Commerce minister Felix Mutati

The Zambian government has finally signed the long awaited Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (IPPA) with Itezhi tezhi Power Corporation for the development of the 120 Mega watts Itezhi tezhi power station.

The signing of the agreement will see the development of the power station at a total cost of 270 million United States dollars.

The Itezhi tezhi power project is an initiative of Tata holdings and ZESCO limited.

Speaking at the signing ceremony Commerce Minister Felix Mutati said Zambia would never achieve its set target with low supply of power.

He said the country needs constant and reliable power supply for it to achieve targets such as the vision 2030.

Mr Mutati noted that government is working round the clock to ensure that it addresses the power constraints that the country is going through.

Mr Mutati added that government has targeted to connect about 50 percent of homes in Zambia to the national grid in five years time.

And Zambia Development Agency ZDA chairman Luke Mbewe has called on various investors to come and invest in Zambia.

He said it is such investments that are indications that Zambia’s economy is a business friendly environment.

[ QFM ]

RB flags off K1.2trn Mongu -Kalabo Road works

Entertainment Editor
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President Ruphiah Banda

President Rupiah Banda yesterday flagged off the outstanding construction works on the K1.25 trillion Mongu-Tapo-Kalabo Road and underscored Government’s commitment to reducing poverty in the country through infrastructure development.

Speaking in Kalabo yesterday, President Banda said his aim was to work hard to ensure that poverty was reduced in all parts of the country as soon as possible.

“My aim is to reduce poverty in the rest of the country and I will do so in every part of the country without discrimination.Western and the entire country,” he said.

President Banda told the crowd of people that attended the groundbreaking ceremony at Tapo, 34 kilometres from Mongu, that the financing of the road would be done through a concessional loan from China.

“Government is determined to ensure that the project is completed in good time. Above all, the Government will ensure the road is of high quality to stand the test of time,” he said.

He said the Mongu-Kalabo Road project was of great importance to the country as it would connect Zambia to Angola, thereby facilitating easier movement of goods to that country.

“You will recall that in 1966 the Government of the Zambia decided to construct a road that would connect the country to the neighbouring countries of Congo DR and Angola.

“It was only in 2002 that a contract between Government and Consolidated Contractors Company of Kuwait was signed to construct the 74 kilometre bituminous road between Mongu and Kalabo at a contact sum of US$39.7 million,

“Unfortunately during the 2003/2004 rainy season, high floods were experienced which caused some sections of the embankment and a number of culverts on the 34 kilometre stretch of the flood plains to be washed away,” he said.

The president said he was however, happy to be in Kalabo yesterday to witness the resumption of the construction works on the road which would cost K1.25 trillion.

“On average the cost of building a tarred road in the rest of the country is K5 billion per kilometre, here because of the complicated terrain it will cost K60 billion per kilometre,” he said.

Mr Banda thanked the Chinese government for accepting to finance the road project to be undertaken by Chinese company, AVIC International.

He said Government is determined to ensure the Mongu – Kalabo Road is completed within the stipulated timeframe.

Mr Banda said donor countries supported the country because the Zambian people were peaceful and deserved the help.

He said he was aware there were some grievances but that these should be resolved amicably.

Finance and National Planning Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane said the groundbreaking ceremony was a demonstration of the Government’s commitment to develop infrastructure.

He said once completed the road would open up the country to Angola and the rest of the world.

“We have seen roads being constructed, schools, hospitals and clinics. The country will remember you (President Banda) as a leader that provided infrastructure,” he said.

Works and Supply Minister Mike Mulongoti said he was happy that President Banda was fulfilling his campaign promises to the people of Western Province by working on the Mongu-Tapo Road.

Road Development Agency (RDA) board chairperson Luambe Mondoloka said the agency had so far secured 40 bailey bridges for incorporation in the Mongu- Kalabo Road.

He said because of the scarcity of resources from the treasury, a loan had to be obtained from Exim Bank of China to finance the road construction.

Western Province Minister Sikwebele Mwapela said the people in the province were happy with the many projects the Government was undertaking.

“It is the desire of the people of the province to give you another five years so that you can move the country forward,” Mr Mwapela said.
[ Times of Zambia ]

Kabunda girls school burnt

Entertainment Editor
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One of the dormitaries that was burnt at Kabunda Girls Secondary school in Mansa

Fire has swept through Kabunda Girls High School on the outskirts of Mansa in Luapula Province, leaving four dormitories burnt, three pupils admitted to hospital and millions of Kwacha worth of girls’ property lost.

The inferno started on Saturday night around 22:00 hours as the girls were sleeping before it spread rapidly to the four closely-knit hostels, prompting the girls to scamper for their safety and leaving behind everything they owned.

“I have completely nothing as you see me. This chitenge (wrapper) I am wearing together with the top (blouse), I just picked from what my friends were throwing away.

‘‘I lost everything,” mourned Hellen Bwalya, a grade 12 pupil, as she struggled to stand properly in some over-size patapata slippers.

Mansa District education board secretary Valerie Mulwanda, who confirmed the incident, said the cause of the fire was yet to be established although initial investigations indicated it could have resulted from a suspected electrical fault.
[pullquote]“I have completely nothing as you see me. This chitenge (wrapper) I am wearing together with the top (blouse), I just picked from what my friends were throwing away.

‘‘I lost everything,” mourned Hellen Bwalya, a grade 12 pupil, as she struggled to stand properly in some over-size patapata slippers.[/pullquote]
Ms Mulwanda described the damage to the school as “extensive” saying only 96 of the 468 pupils at the all-girls boarding school had not lost any property as their dormitory did not catch fire.

“We have three girls still in hospital.

‘‘Their condition is stable. They are Theresa Makungu, Lillian Chungu and Constance Mbewe,” Ms Mulwanda told the Times in an interview at the school, some 15 kilometres west of the Mansa District administrative centre.

The affected girls lost clothes, books, beddings and other personal belongings, giving rise to calls for the school to be closed immediately.

But Ms Mulwanda declined to comment on the prospects of closing the institution and called for pupils to remain calm.

“We are aware that most of them (pupils) have lost their books. They have lost personal properties like mattresses and bedding, but we are advising them to continue studying in groups, to continue revising.

“They should be calm and stick within the institution. Grade 12s have already started writing and they need to continue,” she said.

By mid-day yesterday, some hostels whose roofs crumbled during the inferno were smouldering while most pupils could be spotted walking about the school premises in groups of fours and fives, recounting the happenings of the previous night with vivid desolation.

The outer premises were littered with girls’ burnt garments such as bracelets, wrist watches and neck chains.

A heavy presence of armed police officers was on site to provide security as Government officials from the provincial administration kept coming in turns to check on the extent of the damage.

“We shall soon be informed of what step to take. Otherwise, it (the fire) has really devastated us.

“We are not sure of the cause as yet, but the pupils are saying they just saw a spark from one of the hostels, and that’s how the fire started,” said school headteacher, Stella Mambwe.
[ Times of Zambia ]

ZAF plane mishap saddens Banda

Entertainment Editor
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President Rupiah Banda has said he was saddened by the accident involving a Zambia Air Force plane that carried his advance party to the Nsakwa Yaba Kaonde traditional ceremony in Kasempa at the weekend.

He said at Solwezi Airport yesterday that he felt depressed by the accident in which Finance and National Planning Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane, Works and Supply Minister, Mike Mulongoti and their counterpart at Community Development and Social Services, Michael Kaingu escaped unhurt.

The crew and passengers including State House chief of protocol, Bob Samakai and senior State House private secretary, Differ Mulimba were not injured, but the plane was damaged after careering off the runway upon landing.

The accident happened at Mukinge Mission Airstrip on Saturday around 11:00 hours.
“I was very sad and felt depressed, it could have been worse; I am sure they were traumatised though they showed bravery,” Mr Banda said, before he left for Mongu in Western Province.

And President Banda, who on Saturday graced the Nsakwa Yaba Kaonde traditional ceremony, said although massive investment was pouring into North-Western Province, much more needed to be done.

He said there was a lot of infrastructure development in the province, but the Government was still not satisfied with the progress made so far.

The president warned against misapplication of resources, saying it was a crime for anybody to do so.

Meanwhile, Mr Banda said during the traditional ceremony that his Government was working hard to construct and improve infrastructure in education and other sectors in the entire province.

He said the major works included Kanyama Boarding High School in Mwinilunga, which is under construction at a cost of K44 billion, Kayombo Boarding High School in Kabompo, under construction at a cost of K33 billion, and Chavuma Boarding High School, costing K27 billion.

He said a number of construction projects were underway around the province and included the D 181 Kamatete and Mulonga-Kalobwe roads connecting farm blocs in Kasempa and Solwezi, respectively.

Meanwhile, Information and Broadcasting Services Minister Ronnie Shikapwasha said a board of enquiry would be set up to investigate the cause of the accident, according to ZNBC News monitored in Ndola last evening.
[ Times of Zambia ]

Government pledges K 5.5 million to Kaonde Traditioanal Ceremony

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Community Development Minister, Michael Kaingu,

The Ministry of Community Development and Social Services has pledged K5.5 million for the construction of permanent structures and Nsakwa yaba Kaonde traditional ceremony venue at Kaimbwe in Kasempa district.

Community Development and Social Services Minister, Michael Kaingu made the pledge at Kaimbwe in Kasempa district yesterday during the official launch of the Nsakwa yaba Kaonde annual ceremony by President Rupiah Banda.

Mr. Kaingu has also given the Nsakwa yaba Kaonde organizing committee K1.5 million as an appreciation for organizing such a successful ceremony that had gathered Kaonde chiefs from Central and North-Western provinces.

Meanwhile, Mr. Kaingu has implored the Nsakwa yaba Kaonde committee to remain non-partisan but urged them to support the government of the day so as to enhance development in various sectors.

He particularly urged women to support President Banda’s administration and form clubs so that they are empowered from funds allocated to them through his ministry.

Speaking at the same occasion, Nsakwa yaba Kaonde national patron, Kabinga Pande who is also Foreign Affairs Minister and Kasempa Member of Parliament urged the Kaonde chiefs to continue the spirit of unity and avoid dragging Nsakwa yaba Kaonde into politics.

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