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RDA parries HH remarks

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THE Road Development Agency (RDA) has described as misleading a statement by United Party for National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema alleging that the recently constructed Choma-Namwala road is of sub-standard.

Mr Hichilema claimed during the Radio Phoenix ‘Let the people talk’ programme on Tuesday that the road is of low quality although colossal sums of money were spent on it.

But RDA head of public relations Loyce Saili said it is unfortunate that some politicians are assuming the role of road experts.

She said in an interview yesterday that the statement by Mr Hichilema and other sections of the public is misleading and lacks merit.

Mrs Saili challenged Mr Hichilema and others to disclose the standards used to arrive at their judgement.

“The problem we have is that everyone wants to become an expert. As RDA, we are democrats and so we wouldn’t want to dwell much on attacks from politicians but I wonder what measure was used by those claiming that the road is of low quality?
“Are they saying that the gravel road, which was there before, is better than the surfacing we have done? Of course the construction and surfacing of roads vary from one road to the other but what I can say is that the work we have done on the Choma-Namwala road is excellent,” Mrs Saili said.

She said the agency is satisfied with works carried out on the road and is confident that the contractor delivered a good product.

Mrs Saili said when the road was in its bad state, it used to take three to four hours to travel through it.
She said motorists will now be taking an hour after the completion of works.

“Those who have been to this particular road can attest that it is a good product which, as RDA, we are proud of. In the past, people used to face a number of difficulties to travel using the road but it is easier now,” she said.

Mrs Saili said the people of Southern Province are happy with the road and wondered why some people have decided to politicise the issue.

On Monday, President Banda commissioned the Choma-Namwala road.

Mr Banda said he was proud to witness the completion of the road whose construction had turned into a political song as people cried out to have it completed.

“The road to Namwala has been a song, a prayer of the people of Southern Province. We have fixed it just like the Lusaka-to-Livingstone road. We are happy that we have done it. We don’t just talk. We do not just promise, but fulfill them,” he said.

President Banda said his government has continued to invest in infrastructure development such as roads, schools and hospitals.

He said this development is not only being implemented in areas where he received a lot of votes but all the parts of the country.

Mr Banda said as a national leader, he is president of all Zambians regardless of their political affiliation.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

Chief dissolves child marriages

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CHIEF Kasoma Lwela of the Ushi people in Mansa has started dissolving child marriages in his chiefdom and called for strengthening of legislation on child-related affairs.

The traditional ruler said under-age marriages were counter-productive to the development of the country.

“I have decided to dissolve all marriages involving under-age girls in my chiefdom and so far I have dissolved eight this year,” Chief Kasoma told delegates at the opening of a Plan International workshop on gender-based violence and child protection held at Mansa Hotel.

He said under-age marriages were rife in his area and were affecting the education of girl-children apart from exposing them to HIV/AIDS at a tender age.

The traditional ruler said early marriages were also exposing young girls to labour complications, resulting in increased maternal and infant mortality.

Chief Kasoma said that to deter would-be offenders, he had introduced severe punishment for all parents involved in marrying off girls.

“Parents who promote or even encourage teenage marriages upon conviction can be taken to Umulima Chipuba (the chief’s communal field) for severe punishment or expel them from my chiefdom,” he said.

He said there was need for the Government to strengthen laws on child protection.
Ministry of Youth, Sport and Child Development, child development officer Cosmas Banda said the Government had stepped up sensitisation campaigns on child welfare and formed a child protection committee comprising various institutions in Mansa.

“In the Sixth National Development Plan, we have included such aspects as raising more public awareness on all issues of child protection.

“Our committee has non-governmental organisations, police, Anti-Corruption Commission and many others so that whatever case we come across, we are able to easily hand it over to the responsible wing,” Mr Banda said.

And Plan International community development co-ordinator for Mansa District, Grace Mwendapole said early marriages were affecting enrolment levels in primary schools and could undermine Zambia’s attainment of the Education for All MDG goal.

[Times of Zambia]

Siemens, local firm team up

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SIEMENS International has partnered with a Zambian firm and invested more than K12 billion in establishing a plant that would allow Zambians get hands-on training in sophisticated computer operations to meet the increased demand in Information and Communications Technology (ICT).

Siemens business development manager Africa Douglas said in Kitwe yesterday his company had joined hands with Intelligent Systems Limited (ISL), a Zambian firm, to train Zambians after realising a gap in ITC competence in Zambia.

Mr Douglas said Siemens had a lot of automated machines control centres in Zambia especially with the mines and not enough Zambian technicians were trained to operate the sophisticated machines.

The machines are the Totally Integrated Automation (TIA), a large computer that controls all machines on the mines from underground to on-surface plants like crasher, concentrator and smelter.

Large mines in Zambia like Lumwana, KCM and Mopani heavily depended on Siemens’ TIA and yet few Zambians had the required expertise to handle such machines, which had resulted in people being sent outside the country for expensive training.

“Siemens motto in Zambia is uplifting technical competence and as a result we have invested $2.5 million in setting up a plant that would see Zambians trained to the level of the most competent person in Europe,” Mr Douglas said.

[Times of Zambia]

National Milling Limited further reduces mealie meal prices

Entertainment Editor
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The Zambia Consumer Association (ZACA) has commended National Milling Corporation (NMC) for further reducing the price of mealie meal saying the move is a step in the right direction and will immensely benefit consumers in the country.

ZACA Acting Executive Director Samuel Simutunda said NMC has truly taken a leading role in passing on the benefits of the favorable economic activities currently prevailing in the nation such as the bumper harvest and the lower cost of maize to pass on the benefit to ordinary people in communities.

Mr Simutunda told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today that though the reduction of K2000 in the price of a 25 kg bag of breakfast mealie meal may seem minimal, it was of great economic value to consumers in the country.

He said his association had expected a substantial reduction in mealie meal prices but that the hike in electricity tariffs and the increases in the price of fuel earlier in the year have justified the small reduction.

The ZACA chief has however expressed disappointment at some milling companies that have remained adamant and do not want to reduce the price of the commodity despite obtaining maize grain at lower costs.

Mr. Simutunda said it was unfortunate that some millers do not want to pass on the benefit of the bumper harvest to persons on the ground saying this was not only unfair but was tantamount to duping ordinary citizens.

He said as much as the country was operating in a liberalized economy where business firms would not be dictated on the pricing of goods and services they render to the public, they should not take advantage of that privilege to disadvantage consumers.

Mr. Simutunda has since urged millers that have not tried to reduce mealie meal prices to emulate the gesture by NMC and slash the price of the commodity in order to benefit consumers.

NMC has announced a further reduction in the price of breakfast mealie meal by K2, 000 per 25 kilogramme bag with effect from yesterday. The country’s largest milling company early in the year reduced prices on the staple food by K 2000 on its breakfast and Roller meal brands, a move that made other milling company’s to follow suit.

The Milling Company has today effected the reduction in the price of breakfast mealie meal by K2, 000 in all Shoprite, Spar and Pick n Pay supermarkets.

NMC Managing Director Peter Cottan said yesterday that the price reduction has also been effected in all the 60 NMC depots around the country.

[ ZANIS ]

Sata mute on the need for HH in 2011

Entertainment Editor
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PF Leader Michael Sata

Patriotic Front (PF) leader, Michael Sata, has declined to comment on insinuations from some sections of society that he will not need UPND leader, Hakainde Hichilema, in the 2011 tripartite elections.

Mr Sata who refused to give his position on the matter said in an interview that the issue is too petty for him to comment.

He said he could not involve himself in dealing with such petty political matters which are better placed to be dealt with by his juniors in the party.

Mr Sata said he could not comment because he is too senior to deal with such a matter.

The PF leader said also said he is too senior to comment on delay by Police to deal with a case involving Gender Deputy Minister, Lucy Changwe, in which she is being investigated for bouncing a K10 million cheque.
[QFM ]

UPND dares Chizyuka to re-contest seat under MMD

Entertainment Editor
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UPND Cadres

The United Party for National Development, UPND, has dared expelled Namwala Member of Parliament (MP), Robbie Chizyuka, to join the ruling MMD and re-contest his seat on the ruling party ticket if he is popular as he claims.

UPND Secretary General, Winstone Chibwe, said Major Chizyuka would be defeated resoundingly if he choose to re-contest on the MMD ticket.

And Mr Chibwe said if Major Chizyuka decides join the MMD he would not be resigning from the UPND because he was expelled a long time ago from the party.
[pullquote]Mr Chibwe maintained that Major Chizyuka is a finished politician who destroyed his political career the moment he chose not to adhere to party regulations.[/pullquote]
He noted that the outspoken Namwala MP would merely be joining the ruling MMD, adding that his joining of the MMD means nothing to the party.

Mr Chibwe said there are many instances where an MP has resigned from the UPND to stand to join the ruling MMD and re-contested the same seat and have ended up losing.

He cautioned Major Chizyuka that he is destined for the same situation since he has shown high interest of joining the ruling MMD.

Mr Chibwe maintained that Major Chizyuka is a finished politician who destroyed his political career the moment he chose not to adhere to party regulations.

Cosmo on ‘prayer and fasting’ over London judgment

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COZMO Mumba

National Revolution Party President, Cosmo Mumba says he has gone on a two day fasting and prayer period following the dismissal of an application for the registration of the London High Court judgment by the Lusaka High Court.

Dr. Mumba told QFM in a telephone interview that he has gone on a two day period of fasting and prayer to petition God to punish second republican President, Frederick Chiluba, for all the alleged crimes he committed while he served as president.

He says his fasting and prayer programme began today at 14 hours and will end on Saturday August 28, 2010.

He adds that the Zambian government might be shielding Dr. Chiluba from being punished for all his deeds but that he will not be spared by God after he is done with his fasting and prayers.

Dr. Mumba has also backed Change Life Zambia executive director, Father Frank Bwalya’s calls for demonstrations against the Lusaka High Court’s decision to refuse to register the London Judgment.

And Alliance for Development and Democracy ADD president, Charles Milupi says government’s adamancy not to appeal against the High Court’s decision throw out an application seeking to register London High Court judgment is a mockery of the judicial process.

Mr. Milupi notes that the costs incurred in pursuing the case against former President Fredrick Chiluba and others in the London High Court leading to the Court’s judgment are too huge for the State not to appeal against the High Court ruling.

He says it is surprising that the MMD government can allow the loss of such amounts of public funds without even attempting to appeal.

Mr. Milupi says the decision by government not to appeal to the Supreme Court sends a signal that it is okay to loot the country’s wealth under the MMD government and get away with it.

He says this is also an indication that there is no real desire on the part of the current government to curb corruption.

Mr Milupi says embezzlement of public resources should not be permitted and government should be seen to take action against culprits.

[QFM]

Verbal attacks on judiciary wont yield anything – SACCORD

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The Southern African Centre for Constructive Resolution of Dispute (SACCORD) says attacks against the judiciary over the dismissals of the London High Court Judgment by the Lusaka high court will amount to nothing.

SACCORD Information Officer Obby Chibuluma said the court has already passed judgment and comments against the judgment can not reverse the decision.

Mr. Chibuluma told ZANIS in an interview today that what Zambians can do is to pressure government to appeal against the judgment in the Supreme Court.

He said it is only through pressure on the attorney that the case can be appealed in the Supreme Court and thereby getting another opportunity for the case.

Mr. Chibuluma has meanwhile advised Zambians to be cautions with the approach they are taking on this case.

He said while it is the democratic right for anyone to demonstrate over anything that they feel aggrieved of, it will only be important for people to base the matter on the failure to appeal than over the judgment itself.

He however said it will be up the Zambian people themselves to decided whether to go for demonstration or not in the case involving former President Dr. Frederick Chiluba and others.

Mr. Chibuluma has meanwhile called on government to listen to people’s view on the need to appeal against the judgment.

He said by appealing against the judgment, government will allow the law to decide on the case.

Change Life Zambia Executive Director Father Frank Bwalya was yesterday quoted in the dailies as calling on Zambian to demonstrate over the decision by Lusaka High Court judge Evans Hamaundu to throw out the London High Court judgment against Frederick Chiluba.

This was a case in which the London High court judge Peter Smith found second Republican president Frederick Chiluba and seven others liable for theft of US$46million.

ZANIS

ZANIS

Government taken to task over the non implementation of the National Child Policy

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Patrotic Front Matero Member of Parliament Faustina Sinyangwe

Patriotic Front (PF) Matero Member of Parliament (MP) Faustina Sinyangwe has bemoaned the non-implementation of the National Child Policy (NCP) by government.

Mrs. Sinyangwe says the Policy is just on paper because the Ministry of sport, Youth and Child Development has abandoned it.

The parliamentarian says if the policy was embodied in the republican constitution it would compel government to adhere to it unlike the current situation where children lack necessary values in society.

She said there are still high levels of child related challenges in the country such as child poverty, child health and nutrition, education, child labour and sexual exploitation, child alcohol and drug abuse among others which government needs to address.

Mrs. Sinyangwe, who is also an educationists, was speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today.

The MP said parents were doing enough to raise their children at the early childhood stage but they are frustrated by government which is not adequately addressing  the challenges faced by children.

Mrs. Sinyangwe  said there is need to invest more in children by implementing what is stipulated in the NCP in order to improve the welfare facing the children.

In 1994, Government formulated and approved the NCP that focuses on improving the living conditions of Zambian children in ensuring that programmes of economic development and social mobilization directly addresses the needs of children.

The various social economic challenges the country has under gone in recent years has seen the average Zambian child  continue to exist under extreme hardships with most of them not accessing health, education and recreation services, which are all dictated by the United Nations Assembly.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Sinyangwe is happy that government has started rehabilitating the Zingalume road . She hoped that Chingwere and Matero-Salima road would also be attended too after the completing the Zingalume M-8 roads.

She disclosed that the road rehabilitation is expected to cost K12 billion.  She commended President Rupiah Banda for hearing her plea to repair the three major roads in Matero Constituency.

And Mrs. Sinyangwe has further hailed the Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company for improving the water reticulation system following a K75 million injection pumped by government.

She said people in Madimba area never had proper toilets and piped water but government has since arrested the situation to the delight of Mrs. Sinyangwe.

ZANIS

EAZ praises government for attracting more FDIs to Zambia

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The Economic Association of Zambia (EAZ) has praised government for its continued efforts in attracting more Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the country.

Association President Mwilola Imakando says government should be commended for the role that it has played in ensuring that it instills investor confidence in the economic development of the nation.

Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka , Dr. Imakando said increased investment is important in any country’s developmental agenda as it helps in uplifting the living standards of the people.

He explained that when they are increased investment opportunities in the country, new technologies are also invented that can create employment chances consequently reducing poverty levels among the citizens.

He noted that this is because improved FDI also acts as a source towards addressing effects of poverty and unemployment.

Dr. Imakando has also urged people in the country to supplement government’s efforts in attracting more investors in the country.

He said that citizens have a duty of ensuring that investors continue investing in the country through avoiding bad language and criminal activities that can scare away potential investors.

He added that negative attitude towards investors in the country has the possibility to also scare potential investors that can boost the country’s economic growth.

Dr. Imakando challenged Zambians to also be productive and be part of the country’s economic transformation.

He has also reiterated government’s predication that Zambia can become the second largest investment destination in the Southern African Developing Community (SADC).

Government has announced that the country’s FDI for this year is likely to exceed US$ 3 billion due to increased investment existing in the Tourism, Manufacturing and Mining sectors among others.

ZANIS

Faz Postpones League Games

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Faz has postponed all league games scheduled for this weekend.

This is due to the weekends international football programme in both the Caf confederation Cup and Africa U17 cup qualifiers.

Zanaco on Saturday will host Haras el Hodoud of Egypt in a Confederation Cup group B match at Sunset stadium in Lusaka.

And on Sunday, the under-17 side will host their Ghanaian counterparts in a Rwanda 2011 CAF U17 Cup first round qualifier at Woodlands stadium also in Lusaka.

However, there will be three league games on Wednesday September 1 with two Super Division week 20 games and one week 14 match.

The two Week 20 games will see Kabwe warriors host Zesco United at railways
Grounds in Kabwe and Power Dynamos traveling to Lusaka to play national Assembly at woodlands.

On the same day, Zanaco will host Choma Eagles at Sunset.

[standings league_id=15 template=extend logo=false]

Koffi Olomide jets in today

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Rhumba maestro Kofi Olomide

CONGOLESE Rhumba giant Koffi Olomide and his Orchester Quartier Latin 001 back-up band jets in the Zambian capital Lusaka today, at 14:00 hours for what could be best described as a memorable launch of his Mandra Manda Skol album that follows heels of the Bora Zenga.

The Paris-based music mogul and four-time Kora award winner including continental awards is expected to enter into his serious business scheduled for Lusaka’s Taj Pamodzi Hotel on Friday, August, 27.

According to the programme made available to the Times Entertainment, the self-acclaimed King of Universal Tcha -Tcho, who is coming with an entourage of eight dancing queens and a backline of 19 members, will upon arrival address members of the Press from the Zain headquarters.

Not wanting to detach himself from the things of He who created and gave him the talent that arguably makes him Africa’s top singer, dancer, composer and producer and best artiste of the decade, Koffi will on the eve of his performance make a donation to Jesus Souls Winning Ministry – a Church in Lusaka’s Matero Township.

For those that might not afford to raise K250,000 for the Pamodzi show, they would have less to worry about because the man will put up yet another family show at Barclays Bank sports complex at K70,000 on August 28.

The show has been sponsored by Kayembe Kaloji’s international dancing club – Chez ntemba – in conjunction with Kaya Gold Bureau De Change, Mad Max Auto Spares and Zain Zambia while the Matero gym musclemen will ensure the visiting star is well-protected while keeping at bay any gate-crashers.

[Times of Zambia]

Zambia in 12,000 nurses, midwives shortfall — ICN

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THE Government has disclosed that latest figures by the International Council of Nurses (ICN) estimate a shortfall of about 12,000 nurses and midwives in Zambia in order for the country to attain health-related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Acting Health Minister, Brian Chituwo said ICN also estimated a shortfall of more than 600,000 nurses and midwives in sub-Saharan countries for them to attain the MDGs.

Dr Chituwo said this in Lusaka when he officially opened the 9th East, Central and Southern African College Nursing (ECSACON) scientific conference and 3rd quadrennial meeting at Mulungushi International Conference Centre.

Dr Chituwo challenged ECSACON and country chapters to take the lead and work with the governments of the day to determine and implement effective and sustainable strategies to increase the numbers of nurses and midwives and to pay them appropriately.

He said some countries including Zambia had started implementing innovations to address the challenges.

Dr Chituwo said it was important for ECSACON to work with the World Health Organisation (WHO) at regional and country offices to ensure that the innovations were adopted by many countries for the benefit of their people.

He said it was common knowledge that nurses and midwives were a catalyst in the health systems to improve the health of especially women and children.

“We all know that health is a key determinant of economic growth, a driver of overall development and a strategy for poverty reduction,” he said.

And in a keynote address, Africa’s Heath in 2010 director, Doyin Oluwole said the private sector and civil society organisations had also participated in adopting the MDGs as their framework for international development cooperation.

Professor Oluwole also said besides being advocates for the MDGs, private foundations in developed countries had become an important source of funding for a wide range of activities intended to achieve them.

[Times of Zambia]

RDA awards K706bn Sesheke-Senanga Rd contracts

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THE Road Development Agency (RDA) has awarded three contracts for construction of 221 km of the Sesheke-Senanga Road in Western Province at a cost of K706 billion.

And the people of Sesheke are impressed with the Government for disbursing huge resources to upgrade major roads, which have been in poor state for several years.

RDA senior manager for construction and maintenance Stephen Malubila said RDA had awarded China New Era International Engineering the first contract to upgrade 85km from Senanga to Maziba on the Sesheke-Senanga Road at K274 billion.

The second of 70 km stretch from Sesheke at Katimamulilo to Senanga was awarded to China Jangxi Cooperation for International Economic and Technical Cooperation at a cost of K223 billion.

The remaining stretch of 66kms had been awarded to China Geo Engineering Co-operation at a cost of K209 billion.

Mr Malubila said this yesterday when he addressed stakeholders during a sensitisation meeting for the construction of the Sesheke-Senanga Road at the council chambers in Sesheke.

The K706 billion which would be spent on the construction of the Sesheke-Senanga Road was part of the US$300 million, which Government sourced from Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA).

Mr Malubila said RDA would soon award a contracts for construction of two bridges on the Zambezi River.

Once complete, the roads would open up the Western corridor and link the country to neighbouring countries in the Southern African region such as Namibia, Botswana and Angola.

He said the Government had recognised the need to upgrade road infrastructure because of the effective role the sector played in the socio and economic emancipation of the country.

Sesheke District Commissioner Wanyambe Mwiya said the people of Western Province were happy with the Government’s concerted efforts of uplifting the welfare of people through the implementation of development programmes.

[Times of Zambia]

Judge Hamaundu’s critics are off side- Ronnie

Entertainment Editor
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Information Minister Ronnie Shikapwasha

Chief Government Spokesperson Ronnie Shikapwasha says those opposing the decision by High Court Judge Evans Hamaundu to dismiss the London Court judgment case involving second republican president Frederick Chiluba (FTJ) to be registered in Zambia are off-side.

Lieutenant General Shikapwasha challenged those who are not happy by the court verdict on Dr. Chiluba to seek legal re-dress than fight in the media.

Lt-Gen. Shikapwasha implored the Zambians to respect the decision of the courts.

The government Chief spokesperson wondered why people do not discredit the Zambian courts acquitted opposition Patriotic Front (PF) leader Michael Sata on motor theft charge, Post Newspaper Editor Chansa Kabwela on has been acquitted of the charges of circulating obscene materials but the people are too naïve on Dr. Chiluba’s case.

Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today, Lt-Gen. Shikapwasha, who is also Information and Broadcasting Services Minister , urged the Zambian people to study the Chiluba judgment instead of criticizing from a layman point of view.

He said it is unfair to always lambaste that the judicial system is Zambia is ‘not working’ when instead it is working very hard to handle serious cases brought before the courts.

Judge Hamaundu last week refused to register the London High Court judgment in Zambia. He instead dismissed the applications for the registration of the London High Court which found Dr. Chiluba and his co-accused liable for the theft of US$46 million.

Meanwhile, Lt-Gen. Shikapwasha has lashed out at the PF leader Michael Sata’s claims that it has taken over 20 years to construct the Choma-Namwala road.

He challenged Mr. Sata that he is the one who failed to deliver because his was directly in charge as Local government and Housing Minister and Minister Without Portfolio.

He said President Rupiah Banda is on track to taking development not only in Southern Province but the country as a whole.

He said President Banda has managed to open up a lot of developmental projects among them health centers, schools and road infrastructures among others.

On the PF/UPND Pact, Lt-Gen. Shikapwasha said UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema is blindly following Mr. Sata in the Pact.

The Chief Government Spokesperson described the PF/UPND as a dead alliance which is bound to crack anytime because the two opposition leaders were selfish and cannot be entrusted with power.

“The Pact is non-existence because Mr. Sata and Hichilema are very selfish to govern the nation,” he said

[ ZANIS ]

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