Join our community of SUBSCRIBERS and be part of the conversation.
To subscribe, simply enter your email address on our website or click the subscribe button below. Don't worry, we respect your privacy and won't spam your inbox. Your information is safe with us.
Comoros coach Jean Paul Rossignol is concerned the holy Islamic month of Ramadan will affected his players performance in this Saturdays afternoon kick-off against Zambia in the two teams opening match in the 2012 African Cup of Nations Group C qualifier.
Rossignol said his team is predominately made up of Muslims who are currently fasting during the day while observing the holy period of Ramadan that ends on September 9.
“All my players are affected by Ramadan we have problems,” Rossignol said in Lusaka on Thursday evening just after arriving in Zambia for Saturdays game.
“It will be difficult for the player’s, all the players will lay without eating. We will only eat one time in the day and that is in the night after that nothing. Sure it will be difficult.”
The game will kick-off at 15:00 Hours Central African Time (GMT+ 2) and will be played at Nkoloma stadium in Lusaka.
Asked about his sides’ chances of beating Zambia, Rossignol said the likelihood of his side winning were slim but that Comoros will give it their best shot.
“A draw will be a very good result for us,” the Frenchman said. “Your team has the advantage of playing a lot of professionals playing abroad in the national team our team has none.”
Deputy Minister in the Vice President's office Gunston Sichilima standing on a flooded Muchindushi river bridge in Lukanga North resettlement scheme in Mpongwe district during his tour of government developmental projects in Mpongwe
Government has said it will not compensate illegal settlers whose houses will be demolished. Deputy Minister in the Office of the Vice President Gaston Sichilima said the demolition process will start soon and those that bought plots from individuals without title deeds will lose their houses without compensation.
Mr. Sichilima told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today that Government will instead arrest illegal settlers and prosecute them for trespassing on other people’s land without compensating them.
He said Government will go ahead with the demolition exercise throughout the country to restore sanity in the issuance of land.
The Minister pointed out people who have encroached garden area along Mumbwa Road, Chinika and Chalala area risks losing their houses if they have no valid title deeds.
He said people should follow right procedure whenever they want to acquire land and not buy from cadres or people who have fake title deeds or no titles at all.
Mr Sichilima however, said Government will not take appropriate action against cadres involved in illegal land selling regardless of their political affiliation.
He added that Government through the Ministry of lands is the only rightful authority to give land adding that people should either verify with the Council or Ministry of land before building a house to avoid inconveniences.
He said that the demolition process is not the issue of Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) but that Government wants to bring legality to land acquisition in the country.
Hichani Himoonde and Fwayo Tembo have been given the greenlight to make the final 18 for Zambia in the teams African Cup of Nations Group C qualifier against Comoros on Saturday at Nkoloma stadium.
Both players came through without any problems in a training game early on Wednesday evening at Woodlands stadium in Lusaka.
Fwayo arrived in camp from his Swiss club FC Basel complaining on a knock but gradually made his way back into the team by Tuesday with light training.
Himoonde who has had a calf strain sustain in action with his DR Congo team TP Mazembe 2 weeks ago but came through without any hitch in a practice match involving all the players at Woodlands.
However, Israeli based Roger Kola has been ruled out after suffering a hamstring injury in the training game that ended 1-1 in which he scored the equalizer after midfielder Stopria Sunzu had put the opposing side ahead.
It was a sad end to his prospective second game for Zambia under Dario Bonetti in his first workout with the team since joining them in camp earlier in the day on Wednesday.
And Comoros are expected to arrive in the country late on Thursday evening at 23:00 Hrs.
Former finance and National Planning Minister Ng’andu Magande has disclosed that late President Levy Mwanawasa once told his cabinet ministers during a meeting where he anointed him as his successor that he doubted if he would reach 2011.
He recalls that before the late president left for Egypt for African Union summit, he had a meeting with cabinet ministers on his choice for the presidential candidate.
Mr Magande said some cabinet ministers in the current government are aware that late president Mwanawasa wanted him to be the presidential candidate for the ruling MMD.
He added that one of the cabinet ministers during the same meeting asked the president why he had chose him to be the presidential candidate, to which he responded that he was not feeling well and doubted if he will reach 2011.
The Former Finance Minister said the late president wanted a smooth transition, hence he decided to choose a person who he thought had achieved a lot.
Mr Magande noted that it is a pity that the cabinet ministers who he did not mention have remained mute on the matter.
He explained that during the meeting the late president told the ministers present to help him understand how to run the country.
Mr Magande has since expressed confidence that the truth will come out sooner or later.
He also has expressed shock at some MMD members from Lusaka province who are de-campaigning him.
Mr Magande said it is quite surprising that the people from his own party are busy telling people that he is a failed Member of Parliament.
He pointed out that he has done so much for Chilanga constituency and that it would not be possible for people to de-campaigning him to succeed.
Mr Magande said this last evening on Frank Talk hosted by Frank Mutubila on national television.
[ QFM ]
A BRITISH High Comission official has been arrested for allegedly assaulting her husband. Police have also arrested two other Britons in connection with the same incident.
The husband, who is Zambian, is believed to have been hit with beer bottles and other objects and left unconscious at Lusaka South Country Club on Saturday around 02:00 hours.
Both Lusaka police commanding officer Greenwell Ng’uni and the victim who is a chief executive and proprietor of a manufacturing firm in Lusaka confirmed the incident in separate interviews yesterday.
The victim, who has since been discharged from CBF Medical Centre where he was admitted, said he has a fracture on the back of his skull, severe injuries all over the face and stitches on his forehead although his condition is improving steadily.
“I was attacked by a white Zimbabwean and my wife when I approached them. They hit me with two bottles of beer on my forehead and left me in a pool of blood. It is just good Samaritans who helped me,” he said.
He said since the matter is now in the hands of the police, he wants action to be taken against his wife including those who took part in the attack.
The victim said he also wants the Zimbabwean man to be tried in the Zambian courts of law because the issue has now seriously affected his marriage.
And Mr Ng’uni said the incident took place last Saturday at Lusaka South Country Club during a beer-drinking binge.
Mr Ng’uni said the woman together with two other British male nationals, one of them a farmer in Mazabuka, were arrested yesterday and charged with assault at Chawama police station.
“On August 28, 2010, while drinking beer at Lusaka South Country Club, the three British nationals, one woman and two men, picked up a quarrel with a Zambian man and a fight erupted. It was then that the three descended on the Zambian coloured,” he said.
Mr Ng’uni said the trio was released on police bond yesterday after a warn-and-caution statement was recorded by the officers handling the case.
He said the man who was attacked is currently admitted to CBF Medical Centre in Lusaka along Addis Ababa Drive.
The British High Commission employee was allegedly found with the other man by her husband before the fight ensued.
When the husband asked what the other man was doing with his wife, he was allegedly punched on the face after which his spouse and the other male British national allegedly descended on him, hitting him with beer bottles, shoes and any objects their hands fell on until he got unconscious.
Vanguard Investigations managing director James Kasamanda said his company was involved in investigating the diplomat.
Captain Kasamanda said his company is still looking for more people who may have participated in the attack of the husband of the High Commission official, adding that investigations are almost complete.
He said the victim is a senior employee of Asbestos Roofing Solutions.
And according to a medical report, the victim sustained three broken teeth, bruises all over the body and a deep cut on his forehead.
THE Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) says it cannot reprimand a South Africa-based law professor Michelo Hansungule for his attacks on the judiciary because he is not their member.
LAZ president Stephen Lungu said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that the association has written and reprimanded a number of lawyers who have launched attacks on the Judiciary with one of them being Rodger Chongwe.
Mr Lungu was reacting to former Patriotic Front secretary general Edward Mumbi who yesterday challenged LAZ to tell the nation whether Professor Hansungule is their member or not for him to make disparaging remarks against the Zambian Judiciary.
“He (Professor Hansungule) is not our member, not to my knowledge. Any lawyer who has attacked the Judiciary has been written to and reprimanded. But we cannot do so with Professor Hansungule because he is not our member,” he said.
Mr Lungu said LAZ has rules that govern lawyers and punishes erring ones including those in Government.
He said LAZ does not want any lawyer to attack the Judiciary because this demeans the law profession.
And Mr Mumbi said it is surprising that Professor Hansugule who claims to be a qualified lawyer, does not know how the Zambian Judiciary operates.
He wondered how a law professor can call for a travel ban on President Banda over Government’s refusal to appeal against Judge Evans Hamaundu’s decision to register the London High Court judgement which found former President Frederick Chiluba and seven others liable for the loss of US$46 million Zambian public funds.
Mr Mumbi also accused Prof Hansungule of launching attacks on the Judiciary and the Zambian political establishment.
He was reacting to an article which appeared in the Sunday Post of August 29, 2010 in which it quoted Prof Hansungule as having urged Britain and other countries to impose a travel ban on President Banda over alleged corruption.
“It is said that he harbours presidential ambitions of which he is entitled as a Zambian, but lacks a constituency. Professor per se is not a constituency,” he said.
Mr Mumbi wondered how a law professor should criticise what goes on in the court when the Judiciary operates independently.
He said it is shocking for a professor of Human Rights in Pretoria to fail to understand the doctrine of separation of powers in Zambia’s constitutional system.
Mr Mumbi said he understands constitutional provisions that nobody including the President can interfere in judicial determinations and administration.
He wondered how someone can bring the name of the President in decisions made by the courts.
“If the President had control of the courts, could the government be losing cases and major opposition leaders like Mr Michael Sata be winning cases?” he asked.
Mr Mumbi said Prof Hansungule’s call for a travel ban on President Banda, who was democratically elected in a free and fair election, is a serious misunderstanding constitutional democracy, international diplomacy and how courts operate.
Pact co-spokesperson PF's Given Lubinda and UPND's Charles Kakoma (r) during a press briefing in Lusaka
AS THE United Party for National Development (UPND) and the Patriotic Front (PF) pact foray deepens, UPND spokesperson Charles Kakoma has dared vice-president Guy Scott to start campaigning for his party president Michael Sata.
Dr Scott declared yesterday that Mr Sata is the most suitable and widely accepted leader who should assume the presidential candidature of the PF-UPND pact.
Mr Kakoma, who is also Zambezi West member of Parliament, said Dr Scott must proceed and start campaigning just as other members of the pact who have their own candidates in mind will begin to campaign.
Mr Kakoma said this in an interview in Lusaka yesterday in response to yet another statement by Dr Scott that Mr Sata should be the pact presidential candidate.
Dr Scott was also quoted as saying the results of the recent opnion poll were consistent with the 2008 presidential results in which Mr Sata polled more votes than UPND president Hakainde Hichilema.
But Mr Kakoma said it is unfortunate Dr Scott has continued to issue statements that can cause instability in the pact.
He, however, said Dr Scott is entitled to his wish and opinion, adding that he can start campaigning for Mr Sata to be adopted as the pact’s presidential candidate as other members of the alliance will also campaign for a candidate of their choice.
Mr Kakoma said all members of the pact are free to start campaigning for the candidate of their choice. “But what I know is that both leaders of the pact are supposed to come together and negotiate who will stand as a candidate of the pact.
“So Dr Scott can start campaigning if he wants but what I know is what I have just mentioned,” Mr Kakoma said. Dr Scott said Mr Sata was clearly the most popular leader between the two pact leaders. He said such results will always reflect in any future election.
And Mr Kakoma said he will consult other UPND members on whether its national youth chairperson Joe Kalusa should be disciplined for issuing statements against the pact and exchanging bitter words with PF national youth chairperson Eric Chanda.
He said he has not been briefed or read the papers on the clash between the two youth leaders of the pact hence was unable to comment effectively on the matter.
Mr Chanda challenged Mr Kalusa to resign from his position following his prediction that the MMD is poised to win the 2011 general elections.
But Mr Kalusa has maintained his prediction that the MMD will scoop the 2011 Presidential poll. He charged that he will not be intimidated by any PF machinations to silence him because he is simply stating the truth.
And the Southern African Centre for the Constructive Resolutions of Disputes (SACCORD) says the problems in the pact will continue to broaden if the internal management committee of the pact does not resolve the differences.
SACCORD executive director, Lee Habasonda said if the two parties in the pact have failed to resolve their challenges, they should involve a third party to assist them.
Mr Habasonda said it is important for members of the pact to follow the laid down channels in communicating their grievances as opposed to throwing tantrums in the media.
He said as long as members in the pact continue issuing statements against each other, the problems in the pact will not cease.
United Party for National Development, UPND, leader, Hakainde Hichilema, has said that there is nothing new in the way government handled the Chiluba case despite the London Judgment finding the former President liable of stealing $46 million from the Zambian people.
In an interview with QFM, Mr. Hichilema said it was clear from the time President Rupiah Banda assumed office that his government was not going to fight corruption in the country.
He said there was therefore no need for Zambians to be shocked or to cry foul because it was foreseen before that the Rupiah Banda led administration was coming with the intent of not being serious in the fight against corruption.
Mr Hichilema said it is sad that President Rupiah Banda’s government has taken the Chiluba regime system where corruption became so rampart to an extent of retarding the country’s development.
He said while it is a good thing for the government to defend Dr. Chiluba, it is painful to the majority Zambians to see criminals left scotfree despite the crimes they have committed.
FORMER Patriotic Front (PF) secretary general Edward Mumbi has urged the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) to extend its whip to other lawyers who are passing disparaging comments on the judiciary.
Mr Mumbi said in reaction to LAZ’s decision to write to Lusaka lawyer Rodger Chongwe reprimanding him over his recent public attacks on the judiciary.
He said that it was good for LAZ to rise above petty politics that was allegedly developing in the law fraternity because lawyers were held in high esteem.
Mr Mumbi said LAZ should also discipline Patriotic Front (PF) secretary general Wynter Kabimba who had been issuing statements against the judiciary without stating whether he was commenting as a politician or as a lawyer.
“Such lawyers should come out in the open and state whether they are issuing statements as lawyers or as politicians so that people can know,” he said.
He said Mr Kabimba had been hiding in a lawyer’s jacket when issuing statements from a political point of view that lowered the standing of lawyers in the country.
[pullquote]“Such lawyers should come out in the open and state whether they are issuing statements as lawyers or as politicians so that people can know,” he said.[/pullquote]
Mr Mumbi said LAZ should have also talked about South Africa based law professor Michelo Hansungule who had been seen as an opinion leader for lawyers in the country.
He said that Prof Hansungule had been commenting and ridiculing the judiciary on many judgments when he was not even practicing law in the country.
And the Independent Churches of Zambia (ICOZ) has advised other Church mother bodies to accept the court’s decision against former president Frederick Chiluba’s registration of the London High Court judgment.
ICOZ president Reverend David Masupa said yesterday in Lusaka it was wrong for the Catholic Church and the Anglicans to accuse President Rupiah Banda of having secured the courts decision on the former head of State. .
He said from the constitutional provisions it is clear President Banda is not responsible for the decision of High Court Judge Evans Hamaundu.
Rev Masupa said even the decision not to appeal against the High Court judgment has nothing to do with President Banda because that is a responsibility of Attorney General.
[ Times of Zambia ]
LUAPULA Province Royal Foundation chairperson Chief Chisunka has said Patriotic Front (PF) leader Michael Sata cannot be entrusted with power because of his alleged inconsistencies on matters of national interest.
Chief Chisunka said yesterday his subjects were worried about Mr Sata’s constant shifting of positions and cited his changed stance on former president Fredrick Chiluba.
He said his subjects could not continue to listen to Mr Sata whom he described as a chameleon and wondered why he now called Dr Chiluba a thief.
Chief Chisunka said he was surprised why Mr Sata changed his stance after he promised to drop charges against Dr Chiluba when he supported him in 2006 elections.
“What has changed now that Dr Chiluba is called names, is it because he is supporting his political opponents. Mr Sata should be fair,” Chief Chisunka said.
The traditional leader also wondered why Dr Chiluba’s case was linked to President Banda who was neither judge nor lawyer in the case.
[pullquote]“What has changed now that Dr Chiluba is called names, is it because he is supporting his political opponents. Mr Sata should be fair,” Chief Chisunka said.[/pullquote]
Meanwhile, Bweengwa Member of Parliament (MP) Highvie Hamududu has said PF vice-president Guy Scott and the secretary general Winter Kabimba should be disciplined for issuing statements against Mr Hakainde Hichilema.
Reacting to calls that the UPND should discipline the national youth chairperson Joe Kalusa for saying the pact has no action plan and that the MMD would win the 2011 elections, Mr Hamududu said PF officials were in the forefront of undermining the pact.
“What Kalusa is saying is that the pact needs a joint action plan. We need a proper joint manifesto. So if they want him (Mr Kalusa) punished Dr Guy Scott and Mr Kabimba must also be punished,” he said.
He said the pact needed a workable plan of action before a presidential candidate can be selected.
“That is the problem in Africa, we want to concentrate on the presidency. For now we must focus on developing a joint plan of action and strategy. Zambians want change and this can only be achieved through a united opposition.
“The issue of the presidency can be discussed later because either Mr Sata, Mr Hichilema or somebody else can be the pact president,” he said.
The Bweengwa MP maintained there was need for the PF to treat the UPND as an equal partner in the pact.
When contacted for comment Mr Kabimba refused to comment.
Mr Kalusa has been under fire for saying the MMD will win the 2011 election because it has a good working manifesto compared to that of the PF-UPND Pact, which has no clear set programmes.
PF national youth secretary Eric Chanda has called for the resignation of Mr Kalusa from the pact.
And UPND Copperbelt chairperson Elisha Matambo has said Mr Hichilema was promised votes for presidency by the people of Zambia for the 2011 general elections.
Mr Matambo said yesterday that Mr Hichilema was a better candidate to contest the 2011 presidential elections on the PF-UPND Pact because he was promised votes by the Zambians.
He said most people of North-Western, Western and the Copperbelt provinces promised Mr Hichilema of their votes in the 2011 elections and the promises had started bearing fruit.
Mr Matambo said this could be seen from the two constituencies in the North-Western Province that the UPND took from the MMD.
The UPND had scooped 20 of the 24 ward by-elections it contested in the three provinces.
[ Times Zambia ]
All National Teams Supporters (ANTS) has urged the Chipolopolo Boys to treat little known Comoros Island as Africa’s best footballing nation, if they are to record a victory when the two teams clash this weekend.
ANTS Secretary General Bob Kayukwa said in an interview with ZANIS Sports in Lusaka yesterday that underrating their opponents will be suicidal to the team’s quest for a place at the 2012 Equatorial Guinea /Gabon co-hosted tournament.
“The team should not underrate Comoros because anything is possible in football all they need is focus and determination to beat them.”
“They also need positive minds and dedication both as a team and individuals, if they are to make Zambia proud this coming weekend” Kayukwa said.
He said all players that have been called for duty should justify their inclusion in the team by delivering results on and outside the field of play.
Kayukwa said the players should also embrace unity among themselves adding that it is only through unity that they will be guided to glory and victory.
Meanwhile, Kayukwa has praised team Coach Dario Bonetti in the manner he has selected national team players for this weekend’s battle against Comoro.
He stated that Bonetti’s selection is a clear demonstration that he is hungry for results and has since called on all football stakeholders to give him all necessary support if meaningful development is to be seen under his rein as Chipolopolo Coach.
“All what the coach needs is our support as soccer fans, government, the church and other stakeholders if Zambian football is to develop.”
“ Talk and only talk will not help us but action ‘will’ so let’s join our hands together in defeat or victory if we are to be recognized as a football power house in Africa once again” Kayukwa lamented.
Zambia kick starts its 2012 Equatorial Guinea/ Gabon Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Comoros this Saturday in Lusaka at Nkoloma Stadium.
[ ZANIS ]
A 58- year -old man of Kanyama in Lusaka has been burned to death when his house caught fire.
Police Deputy Spokesperson, Ndandula Siamana disclosed to ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that the man died in his sleep after the infernal.
She said the incident happened around 23:00 hours yesterday when the deceased left the candle burning while he went to sleep and in the process the house was set ablaze.
She said Fire Brigade managed to put off the fire and retrieved the body but the man had already died and his body has since been taken to the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) mortuary.
“The man died in his sleep, it was suspected that he left the candle on when he went to sleep and this in the process caused the fire which set the house ablaze. The fire Brigade managed to put off the fire though but it was too late, the man had died was already dead when his body was retrieved” she said.
In other development, Ms Siamana said two people were murdered in separate incident after quarrels.
She said in one development a 17- year- old boy, identified as Henry Dize of Nchanga North in Chingola was stabbed to death with a knife by his sister after the two picked up a quarrel.
Ms. Siamana said the two picked a quarrel over which movie to watch and in the process, the woman; Maria Dize, 18 stabbed the brother.
She said the incident happened yesterday around 07:00 hours and the body of the man is lying in Nchanga hospital mortuary.
She further disclosed that in another incident, a 25- year -man of Chawama was allegedly assaulted by his wife and later died on his way to UTH.
Ms Siamana said on August 29, the man picked up a quarrel with his wife, Regina Malamba of Kanyama compound which ensured in a fight leaving him serious bruises, and a cut on his head.
She said the man was then rushed to the University Teaching Hospital where he died on his way.
Ms Siamana said the suspect (wife) has since been arrested and will appear in court soon.
The only surviving oldest drag line for extracting coal at Maamba Collieries (MCL).
Government has appealed to the new Maamba Collieries management to concentrate on sustained investment and recapitalisation of the mine for meaningful development to be attained.
Mines and Minerals Development Minister Maxwell Mwale said Zambia has a long history of coal production at Maamba mine but production had continued to deteriorate over the past five years owing to lack of recapitalisation and sustained investment.
ZANIS reports that Mr Mwale said this in Lusaka yesterday during the signing ceremony and awarding of contract for the new coal processing plant at Maamba mine.
Mr Mwale said Government would continue supporting investments in all sectors of the economy aimed at uplifting the living standards of the Zambians.
And speaking earlier, Maamba Collieries Chairman Ashok Devineli said his management had put in place long term investment plans which would result in employment creation for the local people.
Mr. Devineli said management at the mine would invest in modern mining equipment to increase its production capacity to meet both local and international demand.
And Mine Chief Executive officer (CEO) Mumba Kalunga appealed for dedication and hard work from the workers.
He said it was only through hard work that the mine would attain its full production capacity.
[ ZANIS ]
FORMER Finance Bank chairperson Rajan Mahtani yesterday appeared before Lusaka chief resident magistrate Charles Kafunda and pleaded not guilty to two counts of money laundering and acquiring beneficial interest by importing shares of a bank without approval.
In count one Mahtani, 62, a resident of Finance House Cairo Road, Lusaka is charged with acquiring beneficial interest by importing shares of a bank without prior approval in writing of the Bank of Zambia (BoZ) contrary to section 23 (1), (2) (a), (6) of the banking and financial services Act number 21 of 1994 of the Laws of Zambia.
Particulars of count one allege that Mahtani between January 1, 2003 and December 31, 2009 without the prior approval in writing of BoZ did acquire beneficial interest in the voting shares of Finance Bank Zambia Limited to enable him to control more than 25 pe rcent of the total votes that could be cast on general resolutions at general or special meetings of the bank.
In count two Mahtani was charged with Money Laundering contrary to section 7 of the Prohibition and Prevention of Money Laundering Act number 14 of 2007 of the Laws of Zambia.
Particulars were that Mahtani between January 1, 2003 and December 31, 2009, jointly and while acting with unknown people, directly or indirectly engaged in a business transaction that involved the acquisition or retention of more than 25 per cent shares in Finance bank Zambia limited where by K81,700,253,230 was realised as dividends for the said illegal activities.
And the state prosecutors from the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) Moffat Chilonda and Maxwell Mukumana said they would call 15 witnesses.
Mahtani is being represented by Steven Malama, John Sangwa of Simeza Sangwa and Associates and Ronald Katongo.
The matter has been adjourned to September 30 for mention.
Lusaka City Council in the early hours of this (Wednesday) morning swung into action razing down some bill boards along Burma, Lumumba and Leopard Hill roads in an effort to recover about K4.5 billion outstanding debts owed to it by agents.
LCC Assistant Public Relations Manager Mulunda Habbenzu disclosed this to ZANIS in Lusaka today and named some of the defaulting companies as, Modern Link Limited with an outstanding debt of K151 million, G. Rutherford owing K575 million while Andheri investment owes the local authority about K61 million among others.
Mr. Habbenzu said the non compliance of these agents compelled the local authority to with immediate effect take action by razing down all their billboards and warned that the operation would soon be extended to other defaulting agents.
Mr. Mulunda said only two companies namely Andheri investment and Morden Link Limited were affected in today’s operation while G. Rutherford has been given a 48- hour- ultimatum due to their willingness to settle the outstanding debts.
In another development, Mr. Habbenzu has warned people that were turning residential plots into commercial properties.
He said the Council was concerned about people turning their residential plots into commercial plots where lodges, schools among other income generating ventures have been opened without obtaining permission from the Council.
Mr. Mulunda warned property owners of stern action once found practicing such prohibited activities.
He said any change of activities on any residential plot without the Council’s permission was a crime which attracted a fine or prosecution as it contradicted the Town and Country Planning Act Cap 283 of the laws of Zambia which prohibits such vices.
And Mr. Habbenzu has said that there was currently no law in place that compelled the local authority to reduce ground rates.
He said such reductions could only be effected once a by-law was put in place after Councillors agreed to do so.
Mr. Habbenzu said LCC had not thought of that as they did not have any backing for them to consider reducing ground rates.
This follows concerns on whether the Council had plans to reduce ground rates as was the case with Kabwe Municipal Council which cut rates up to 40 per cent.
