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National Pension Scheme Act No 40 of 1996 approved 

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National Pension Scheme Act No 40 of 1996 approved 

Cabinet has  approved in principle the introduction of a Bill in Parliament to amend the National Pension Scheme Act No 40 of 1996 so as to provide members of the Scheme an option to access part of the contributions before retirement.

Chief government spokesperson Chushi Kasanda  in a Cabinet statement obtained by ZANIS  this evening revealed that President Hakainde Hichilema has made a policy pronouncement on the need for partial access to pension contributions to members of the National Pension Scheme.

“The New Dawn Government has made a policy pronouncement on the need for a partial access to pension contributions to members of the National Pension Scheme through The President’s inaugural address to Parliament,   the UPND  Manifesto (2021-2026); and the 2022 Budget Speech, combined, as some of the policy documents that have pronounced the introduction of partial pension benefits, ” she adds in the same statement.

The Chief Government Spokesperson indicated in the statement that the current form of the National Pension Scheme Act No. 40 of 1996 it does not allow for the implementation of the policy pronouncement on partial access to pension contributions to members of the National Pension Scheme.

“However, the National Pension Scheme Act No. 40 of 1996 in its current form, does not allow for the implementation of the policy pronouncement on partial access to pension contributions to members of the National Pension Scheme. Therefore, to implement this policy pronouncement, it is necessary for the National Pension Scheme Act No. 40 of 1996 to be amended,” read the statement in parts.

The Minister said Cabinet is convinced that the policy initiated by  government will allow employees to start planning early for retirement.

Apart from the legislative matters attended to during the Meeting, Cabinet also approved the Mineral Resources Development Policy and its Implementation

Plan 2022 – 2026.

This is after Cabinet realised that the Mineral Resources Development Policy of 2013 is inadequate in dealing with the many new issues taking place both locally and internationally in the mining industry.

“Therefore, there is need to address these new challenges that have emerged in the industry such as low investment in mineral exploration and mining; low participation of Zambians in the mineral value chain; inadequate growth coupled with the informality of the artisanal and small-scale mining sub sector; and to operationalize the new Government ambitions to ramp up Copper production to 3 million metric tons per annum by 2031, ” reads the statement in part.

During the same meeting, Cabinet approved some recommendations from the 2022 findings of the Mining Cadastre Audit Report.

These include, re-opening the Mining Cadastre Department following the completion of the audit exercise; floating of the bids for the blocked mining rights to companies which are wholly or partly owned by Zambians; restricting the number of mining rights an entity or company or related companies should have to only five; ensuring that foreign entities wishing to acquire mining rights, partner with Zambians or companies owned by Zambians; and utilisation of ICT in the conduct of business to avoid human interaction.

“Cabinet further agreed to address the issues which have compromised the issuance and management of Mining Rights; make decisive measures to unlock investment in the mining industry; and enhance efficiency, transparency and accountability in the administration of mining rights.”

In a related development, Cabinet also approved the Integrated Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining and Marketing Development Model which will be used to develop the Artisanal and Small Scale Gold Mining sub-sector.

And identification or appointment of a government entity as the Gold Aggregator; establishment and formalisation of the gold marketing centres.

The new developed model will see State Security being provided in all gold mining areas with a view to improve security in trading areas for gold miners and traders.

“The establishment of a Gold Refinery and value addition centres through Private Public Partnerships (PPPs); establishment and operationalisation of the Minerals Regulatory Commission; and provision of State Security in all gold mining areas and improve security in trading areas for gold miners and traders.”

Cabinet has recognised that there has been a proliferation of informal artisanal gold mining activities in many parts of the country involving multitudes of youths.

“Therefore, this in itself is testimony that, if well-managed, the sub-sector has the potential to absorb many youths in the much-needed job and wealth generation activities. Considering that these youths are attached to families,  Cabinet is convinced that artisanal gold mining is one avenue through which the Government can use to fight extreme poverty, especially in the rural areas and consequently, lead to development in line with the Eighth National Development Plan, ” reads the statement.

Meanwhile,  the Cabinet has approved the Fourth Cycle National Report on the Universal Periodic Review (UPR).

The approval  is  meant  to facilitate the submitting of the report to the Human Rights Council as per the Human Rights Council resolution 16/21 adopted on 25 March, 2011, and decision 17/119 pertaining to the review of the Council.

The second and subsequent cycles, which provide that Universal Periodic Review (UPR) should focus on, among other things, the implementation of the accepted recommendations and developments of the human rights situations in the State under review.

Chief government spokesperson Chushi Kasanda explains in a statement obtained by ZANIS this evenning that every UN Member State is required to prepare and submit a Fourth Cycle National Report on the Universal Periodic Review.

Zambia, being a UN Member State, is among the group of States to be reviewed by the Universal Periodic Review Working Group during the January-February, 2023 Calendar reviews.

Ms Kasanda stated that the policies and legislative matters deliberated on during Cabinet meeting were aimed at improving service delivery to the people of Zambia based on the ruling Party Manifesto and in accordance with the transformation Agenda for government going forward.

Comprehensive Agricultural Program embarked on-Agric Minister

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Comprehensive Agricultural Program embarked on-Agric Minister

The government says it has embarked on a Comprehensive Agricultural Program to enhance production and processing in the agricultural sector.

Agriculture Minister Reuben Mutolo Phiri says government is in the process of enhancing agricultural diversity under the Farmer Input Support Program (FISP) through supply of different seed varieties to small scale farmers as opposed to Maize, only.

Speaking during a National Seed Fair at GART in Chisamba, Mr Phiri said diversification and value addition in the agricultural sector can lead to economic development.

And Central Province Minister Credo Nanjuwe has called on farmers in the Province to use improved Seed varieties for improved yields. Mr Nanjuwe says the New Dawn government will ensure support to farmers in order to enhance value addition.

Meanwhile, Government has encouraged smallholder farmers in Northern Province to practice mechanised agriculture.

Northern Province Deputy Permanent Secretary Lewis Mwape says use of machinery in farming will not only help smallholder farmers to save on time but also labour costs.

He also stated that the government is developing a national Agriculture strategy to resolve the lack of mechanisation in the country.

ZANIS reports that the Deputy Permanent Secretary this when he officiated at the exhibition show on mechanised farming event organized by the Sustainable Intensification of Small Holder Farming Systems in Zambia (SIFAZ) held at Musa Farm Institute in Kasama.

Meanwhile, the deputy permanent secretary has urged farmers to take advantage of the loan component from the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) to acquire the funds to acquire farming machinery.

“As you are all aware, Government is keen to see that the private sector is an active participant in the Agriculture Business. This is a sustainable way of handling sustainable business relationships as projects have a time frame, but the Ministry of Agriculture, the farmers and the private sector will continue co-existing, ” he said.

Sustainable Intensification of Small Holder Farming Systems in Zambia (SIFAZ) National Project Coordinator Geoffrey Siulemba reiterated his organization commitment to promoting mechanisation among smallholder farmers.

The SIFAZ project is supporting the production process which includes land preparation, crop management, harvesting and post-harvest and processing.

Mr. Siulemba explained that SIFAZ project is linking farmers under the farmer groups to reliable partners with various potentials to support cooperatives in accessing agricultural inputs, finance, markets and mechanization among others.

Northern Province Provincial Agricultural Officer Innocent Mulauzi bemoaned the low hectares under cultivation among farmers in the province.

According to a statement issued by the Serenje town council Public relations officer Oscar Malipenga, noted that although the number of farmers in the province is high, the hectare remains relatively low attributing this to the lack of mechanisation.

He has further encouraged farmers to ensure they are in registered cooperatives.

And Henry Chisanga, a farmer from Mumbi camp in Mungwi thanked SIFAZ for organizing the show.

He said practicing sustainable Intensification Agriculture will help him realize tangible benefits.

23 year Woman old in tosses her four year old into Luapula river

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23 year Woman old in tosses her four year old into Luapula river

A 23-year-old woman in Milenge District in Luapula Province has allegedly committed Filicide after she allegedly murdered her four-year-old son for an unknown reason.

Luapula Province Chief of Operations Hildah Banda confirmed the development in an interview and named the suspect as Melinda Mwale of William village in Chief Sokontwe’s chiefdom.

Ms. Banda in an interview on Sunday said the suspect allegedly threw her son, Frederick Bwalya, into the Luapula river at 20:00 hours on 15th October,2022.

She however added that Mununshi Village Headman Reeves Muyambuta on receiving the bizarre incident reported the incident to Milenge Police Post.

“The body of the deceased has been retrieved and deposited into Milenge District Hospital mortuary awaiting postmortem. The suspect has been arrested and a docket has been opened,” she explained.

Filicide is a legal term for a deliberate act of a parent killing their own child. The word can refer both to the crime and to the perpetrator of the crime.

Zambia is ready to respond to any disease outbreak-Masebo

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Zambia is ready to respond to any disease outbreak-Masebo

Health Minister, Sylvia Masebo says Zambia stands ready to respond to any disease outbreak.

Ms. Masebo says this is Zambia has a fixed standing committee on disease preparedness under the office of the Vice President.

The committee is a multi-sectoral one whose button is always pressed whenever there is an outbreak of any disease and systems begin to respond.

ZANIS reports that the minister was responding to the question on how prepared the country is to respond to any possible outbreak of Ebola following reports on the outbreak of the disease in the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo ( DRC ).

“We are always prepared whether its cholera, its Ebola, COVID, I think Zambia generally in comparison, I think we are not bad, ” Ms. Masebo.

And Ms. Masebo said despite having the competent response team in place, there is need to build capacity at district level.

Zambia has in place various programmes for emergencies among them being the National Health Strategic Plan (NHSP) in line with the National Vision 2030 which expresses the Zambian people’s aspiration “to become a prosperous middle-income nation by 2030.” This plan envisions a prosperous country where all Zambians have access to quality health services.

The plan identifies strategies and programs which will ensure that people of Zambia are healthy and able to contribute to economic development as articulated in the National Vision 2030

Meanwhile, the minister has directed the Ndola District Health office to ensure that there is water at Kabushi clinic where she learnt that there is a bore hole is not functional because of non-availability of the water pump.

New dawn govt administration in a hurry to deliver – Kambita

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New dawn govt administration in a hurry to deliver – Kambita

The government reiterated that it has a vision to grow the country’s economy in a positive way for the benefit of all Zambians.

Zambezi East member of Parliament Brian Kambita says as the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Zambia in the previous regime was moving in a negative direction, the new dawn government is in a hurry to develop it in a positive direction by the end of this year.

Mr. Kambita explains that in order for the Country’s GDP to grow, all citizens irrespective of the social-economic status and political affiliation must participate in the activities of the economy.

The law maker said this on Saturday in Zambezi district when he handed over a check to cooperatives amounting to over K 1 million.

“ One way of encouraging citizens participation in the country’s economic activities is by empowering private and enterprising sectors such as those involved in rearing of chicken, pigs, goats among others, “ he said.

Government decided to empower co-operatives said Mr. Kambita adding the entities are not just part and parcel of growing the economy but also contributes to GDP.

53 co-operatives in Zambezi East have benefited from the 2022 CDF, giving the community an opportunity to venture into different business activities that will help them improve their livelihoods.

“ The new government has demonstrated the true devolution of power to communities themselves a decision he said will guarantee their participation in National development, “ said the lawmaker.

He however expressed concerns over administrative processes that are tied to CDF among them taking long thereby drawing back the implementation of community projects.

Mr. Kambita has since appealed to the central government to try and hasten the steps by improving the administrative process and bottle necks that are causing delays are improved.

And District Commissioner Simeon Machayi has commended President Hichilema for delivering what he promised the people of Zambezi to the country at large.

Mr.Machayi said that the UPND government is the only regime in the country’s history that has delivered on the promises it made during the campaigns.

“What we are witnessing today has never happened in the history of Zambia. This is the only government that has delivered on the promises made during the campaigns.

“ The President promised the people of Zambezi empowerment and improving their lives. Today as we speak it is happening ”, Mr Machayi added.

He. Has since appealed to beneficiaries to put the money to good use adding that those that will misuse the money will risk being deregistered as a cooperative and may not benefit in future.

Meanwhile CDF committee Chairperson Benson Mhafu has thanked President Hichilema for giving communities power to decide on how the money should be used.

Reverend. Mhafu said giving power to the community to decide which project should be worked on in their various areas, will help enhance stewardship and ownership towards the projects.

And speaking on behalf of other beneficiaries, Patrick Nkakoma thanked President Hichilema for the gesture saying that the change people voted for has started bearing fruits.

”We are happy that what the President promised us has started bearing fruits. We are very grateful to the new dawn government more especially the President for empowering us through CDF because in the previous governments we never used to receive this money and all we could just hear is the name of CDF but us the community could not see it, but today we have received the money”, Mr Nkakoma said.

President Hichilema advises citizens to embrace cultural diversity

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President Hichilema advises citizens to embrace cultural diversity

President Hakainde Hichilema has called on Zambians to learn from each other through cultural diversity.

Speaking during the official celebration of the Shimunenga traditional ceremony of Chief Mungaila’s chiefdom in Namwala District, President Hichilema noted that all parts of Zambia have a lesson to teach the other parts.

The Head of State said the Shimunenga traditional ceremony teaches about values, including the art of hard work, diligence from an early age and a commitment to the things that people love in the area which of cattle rearing.

President Hichilema noted the economic contribution at national level of the activities practiced in the chiefdom.

Thanking traditional leaders who attended the Shimunenga traditional ceremony and across the country, Mr. Hichilema stressed the importance of chiefs being the custodians of customs.

He was happy that traditional leaders have continued to support each other during traditional ceremonies describing it as an act of unity.

The Head of stated noted the unity among traditional leaders creates a path for unity among people of different cultural beliefs.

” Continue walking the path of unity to bring our country together,” President Hichilema stated.

As headman of the area, the President availed himself ready to work when duty calls in any part of the country.

And Minister of Tourism Rodney Sikumba discloses that his ministry intends to build traditional ceremony arenas in order to have permanent structures that are sustainable.

Mr. Sikumba said his ministry regards highly of traditional ceremonies and will find ways of marketing them as custodians of culture.

Government wants physical structures that allows the country to sale the cultural heritage through tourism, the minister said.

And his Livestock and Fisheries counterpart Makozo Chikote said the President has shown commitment towards the sector by increasing the budgetary allocation to address among others disease control.

Mr. Chikote explained that the country has been facing a challenge for a long time which has affected production of Livestock in the country.

The country needs to feed interested available markets such as the neighboring Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo which yearn for the products, he said .

Meanwhile, Minister of Mines and Minerals Development Paul Kabuswe called on individual Zambians to learn from a variety of cultures like the Shimunenga tradition which teaches how to keep wealth.

Mr. Kabuswe observed the display of cattle at the ceremony is an encouragement to many tribes on the importance of Livestock.

He noted that areas like Northern Province that is vested with enough water can upscale the rearing of livestock.

Meanwhile, President Hakainde Hichilema has asked the traditional leaders in the country to continue being custodians of cultural heritage.

Speaking in Maala on Sunday, President emphasized the need to cultural integration among chiefs across the country so as to uphold the “ one Zambia one Nation” motto.

He says the hard work that the people of Namwala and Maala in particular must be emulated by all Zambians as it leads to economic growth of the country.

The President said this when he graced the 2022 Shimunenga traditional ceremony of the Ila people of Chief Mungaila, in Maala.

And Southern Province Minister Cornelius Mweetwa says his office has made submissions to the Ministry of livestock and Fisheries to decentralize the laboratory facilities to Districts.

Currently all laboratory samples are taken to Lusaka for testing.

Meanwhile Tourism Minister Rodney Sikumba says plans are underway for the Shimunenga traditional ceremony to listed among other ceremony on UNESCO world heritage events.

And Local Government and Rural Development Minister Gary Nkombo has reiterated President Hakainde Hichilema’s call to have exchanges visits for chiefs to learn from each other.

Where are the Intellectuals?

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Where are the Intellectuals?

By Fred M’membe President of the Socialist Party

Before 12 August 2021, there were several intellectuals who risked their careers and even lives to express outrage against the many wrongs that were happening under the previous government. There was Dr Grieve Chelwa from University of Cape Town, whose opposition to the economic reform measures sponsored by the IMF and World Bank was conveniently ignored and often frustrated. There were others like Ms Felicity Kayumba, Dr O’Brien Kaaba and Dr Pamela Sambo found in the School of Law at UNZA whose constant criticism of the judiciary and the executive were thought to be a matter of principle, not sheer opportunism. One or two such as Dr Julius Kapempwa and Dr Cleopas Sambo from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences provided illuminating insights that raised public awareness and fed a greater understanding of the government’s policy failures.
And who can forget the courageous voice of Dr Sishuwa Sishuwa who was subjected to threats on his life, faced the threat of prosecution for sedition and was disowned by his employer, the University of Zambia, over his critical writings in both print and online media? There was also Dr Munyonzwe Hamalengwa at Zambia Open university and Professor Muna Ndulo in the United States of America who never missed an opportunity to criticise the government, especially on matters that touch on human rights and the violation of the law. Even UNZALARU, the body of lecturers and researchers, at UNZA, recovered its voice and appeared to regain its lost credibility on matters of public interest such as Bill 10.

Which of these intellectuals who stuck their necks out to challenge undemocratic practices and confront human rights violations have continued with the same spirit or zeal of holding the government to power today? Except for one or two such as Dr Chelwa and Dr Sishuwa who continue to identify with the suffering of the people and have remained generally critical of the same things they condemned under PF, the intellectuals who previously spoke truth to power have become willing collaborators in the wrongs of the UPND. The record is there in the public domain for all to see. Today, most of these intellectuals have joined the incriminating silence of those who cannot speak with food in their mouth because they are enjoying the perks that come with serving on several government bodies, though they will go to great lengths to convince unsuspecting victims that it’s not about the money or that the money is actually very little.

Other intellectuals are now deathly silent and simply looking away when wrongs occur because of a certain allegiance to the party in power, one that has anointed itself with the sanctity of a religious faith. If some of the wrongs occurring in this government had happened under the previous administration, these intellectuals would have been in the forefront of speaking out against such vices. Can anyone imagine these academics keeping quiet under president Lungu if ordinary people were jailed for insulting the president, or PF cadres took turns to sue the state for malicious or wrongful prosecution under the MMD and the Attorney General rushed to reach a minimum of K500, 000 settlement with each of them and even more money paid to their PF aligned lawyers?

Those who yesterday were in the front seat of condemning wrongs and injustices whenever they occurred are the ones who are today giving legitimacy to and rationalising the wrongs and injustices of the UPND. Some within group even say, ‘things are not yet as bad as they were under PF’, as if the PF wrongs are now the threshold we must reach before raising our voice against injustices. Others shamelessly say ‘there is no county or government that is immune from wrong doers’! How can people lose their self-respect and dignity this way? Anyway, as former president of South Africa Thabo Mbeki once said, empty stomachs can be good or bad teachers. The problem with our African intellectuals is that they too have stomachs, in addition to their excellent brains.

Zambia Win 2022 COSAFA U20 Crown

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Zambia on Sunday won the 2022 Under-20 COSAFA Cup after overcoming Mozambique 1-0 in the final at Somhlolo Stadium in Eswatini.

Forward Kingstone Mutandwa’s 35th minute goal propelled Zambia to their 13th COSAFA U20 crown.

The Junior Chipolopolo Boys qualified to the 2023 Under-20 Africa Cup in Egypt on Friday after beating Angola 3-2 on penalties in the COSAFA U20 Cup semifinals in Eswatini.

This competition was used as qualifier for the Africa Cup.

The Chisi Mbewe coached Zambian team won the COSAFA Cup with a perfect record.

Meanwhile, Zambia has this year dominated the COSAFA regional championship having already won the men’s senior championship and the women category.

Numba Takes Responsibility For Zesco’s CAF Confed Flop

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Outgoing Zesco United coach Mumamba Numba says he has taken responsibility over his team’s shocking elimination from the CAF Confederation Cup by South Africa’s little known club Royal AM.

Zesco, who were on bye in the first round, bowed out on away goals after a 1-1 aggregate result following a 1-1 home draw in Ndola at Levy Mwanawasa on Saturday in a second round final leg tie.

In a post match briefing, Numba said Zesco were let down by keeper Ian Otieno’s mistake that resulted in Royal AM’s equaliser.

The Kenyan International collected a back-pass from Samson Mkandawire and referee Oman Artan of Somalia gave the visitors the free kick.

Numba told journalists that Kenya international Otieno should not be crucified for the mistake he made.

“I think we just have to accept the fact that we have not progressed in this competition back to back,” Numba said.

“Like I said, as a coach I have to take responsibility because it is my job to make sure that the team perform and when the team fail to perform I have the take the responsibility,” he said.

Royal AM coach Abram Nteo said his club was pleased to eliminate Zesco United from the CAF competition.

It is unprecedented for Zesco who hold a Zambian record six group stage appearances who have never made back to back exits on the first hurdle.

Zesco United Fire Numba

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Zesco United have fired coach Mumamba Numba and his deputy Noel Mwandila just 24 hours after the team’s shocking elimination from the CAF Confederation Cup by South Africa’s little known club Royal AM.

Zesco, who were on bye in the first round, bowed out on away goals after a 1-1 aggregate result following a 1-1 home draw in Ndola at Levy Mwanawasa on Saturday in a second round final leg tie.

It is unprecedented for Zesco who hold a Zambian record six group stage appearances who have never made back to back exits on the first hurdle.

In a written statement, Zesco say they have separated with Numba mutually.

“Zesco United Football Club management would like to thank Mumamba Numba for his services in the last two seasons which resulted into the team winning one league title and qualifying for the 2021/22 CAF Champions League and the 2022/23 CAF Confederations competitions respectively,” club Chief Executive Officer Charles Kalala said.

Zesco have appointed third assistant coach Alfred Lupiya to act as head coach as they search for a full time head trainer.

“The club will immediately begin the recruitment process for a new full-time head coach. In the interim, Zesco United 3rd assistant coach, Alfred Lupiya will act as head coach,” Kalala said.

Numba joined Zesco in 2020 after signing a three-year contract which saw him guide the club to a ninth league title in his first season.

Two Indian businessmen robbed of K335,903 at gunpoint in the Mwaiseni shopping area of Chingola

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Two Indian businessmen robbed of K335,903 at gunpoint in the Mwaiseni shopping area of Chingola

Two Indian businessmen have been robbed of K335,903 at gunpoint by armed robbers in the Mwaiseni shopping area of Chingola on the Copperbelt Province.

Copperbelt Police Commanding Officer Sharon Zulu has confirmed that Patel Harash and Jay Patel were attacked by three men armed with an AK47 riffle and a pistol as they closed their shop at Mwaiseni around 18:00 hours on Friday.

Ms. Zulu said Harash Patel was ordered to drop the bag which contained some money as one of the criminals fired a gunshot, picked the bag and later jumped into a white Toyota Mark X Reg No BAV 2041 and sped off.

She said some members of the public were later joined by police to chase the robbers but were unsuccessful.

Police have since opened a docket of Aggravated Robbery and investigations have been launched.

“Aggravated robbery,reported at Chingola Central Police Station, occurred on 14/10/22 at 1800hrs at Decent Distributors Wholesale at Mwaiseni Chingola in which male Jay Patel an Indian national aged 35 of Hse/No 13 ZSIC Flats Town Center Chingola , bussinessman reported to Chingola Central Police on 14/10/22 at 1845hrs that him and his colleague a male Harash Patel were attacked by three criminals who were armed with an Ak47 rifle and a Pistol and robbed him of his money amounting to K335,903.00,” she said.

“Brief facts of the matter are that, the reporter and his business partner MalePatel Harash knocked off at 1800hrs, as they were securing the shop they were attacked by three (03 ) men who were armed with an Ak47 riffle and a pistol. Male Harash Patel was ordered to drop the bag which contained some money. Then one of the criminals fired a gunshot and picked the bag and later jumped into a white Toyota Mark X Reg No BAV 2041 and sped off from the scene, immediately the complaint shouted for help and members of the public chased after the vehicle whilst throwing stones at the car, which resulted into damaging the windscreen. Nonetheless the criminals managed to escape,” Ms. Zulu narrated.

She said the robbers later lost control of their vehicle which hit into a pavement.

Ms. Zulu revealed that the criminals abandoned their damaged vehicle and hijacked a Toyota Rav 4 Reg No BCV 4172ZM which was coming from Kitwe.

She added that criminals fired two gun shots and dragged the driver of Rove 4 out of his vehicle and all the three (03) criminals jumped into the said vehicle and sped off heading towards Kitwe.

Police found the abandoned white Toyota Mark X and upon searching it found one Revolver Serial Number FTR/52, Make Enfield, eight revolver ammunition, itel small mobile phone, one round of live ammunition of an AK 47 riffle and a black military knife (bionatte).

“Police were informed and they too gave a chase due to excessive speed, the criminals lost control of the vehicle and went to hit into the pavement causing the front and rear tyres damaged. The criminals then abandoned the vehicle and stopped a Toyota Rav 4 Reg No BCV 4172ZM black in colour which was coming from Kitwe being driven by M/Douglas White of Riverside Chingola other details not yet known. Criminals fired two gun shots and dragged the driver of Rove 4 out of his vehicle and all the three (03) criminals jumped into the said vehicle and sped off heading towards Kitwe. Police found the abandoned white Toyota Mark X and upon searching it, and the following items were found
(1) Revolver Serial Number FTR/52, Make Enfield
(2) 08 revolver ammunition
(3) itel small mobile phone
(4) 01 round of live ammunition of an AK 47 riffle
(5) a black military knife (bionatte).

A docket of Aggravated Robbery was opened and investigations launched .The abandoned m/v is parked at Chingola Central Police Station at part of evidence to the case,” Ms. Zulu said.

Masebo orders health facilities to refer cases to higher health facilities

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Masebo orders health facilities to refer cases to higher health facilities

Health Minister Sylvia Masebo has directed provincial health directors in the country to ensure that clinics stop issuing prescriptions but refer cases to higher health facilities..

And Ms. Masebo has called for enhanced security in the management of drugs in health facilities as there are suspected cases of pilferage of medicine in some facilities.

ZANIS reports that Ms. Masebo says the instruction is with immediate effect and anyone who will defy it should stand ready for disciplinary action.

Ms. Masebo said after conducting impromptu visits to Chipokota , Mayamba, Kabushi, Lubuto, Main Masala and new Masala clinics in Ndola suspected to be linked in a scum involving clinics in the private sector.

She said some prescriptions being prescribed are not done in good faith and has warned that anybody that goes against the rules invites stiff actions.

And Ms. Masebo has bemoaned the abuse of social media by health some practitioners while on duty and that the trend should come to an end immediately.

And Provincial Health Director, Charles Mwinuna said the health facilities have an improved rate in the supply of essential drugs.

Dr. Mwinuna said on average most of the facilities are trending at between 65 and 60 percent and expressed optimism that with continued supply the facilities in the province will be somewhere at 80 percent.

Catholic Bishop in Zambia Advocates for Realization of “integral human development”

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Catholic Bishop in Zambia Advocates for Realization of “integral human development”

The Bishop of Zambia’s Solwezi Diocese has emphasized the need for the implementation of programs that contribute to the realization of “integral human development” in his Episcopal See.

Bishop Charles Kasonde who was speaking during the Caritas Solwezi Annual General Meeting (AGM) organized under the theme, “Attaining Integral Human Development” emphasized the need “to listen to God” and to foster fraternal relationships devoid of discrimination.

“The theme that guides us, Attaining Integral Human Development through quality service delivery, is a desired goal that we would want to realize.”

Bishop Kasonde has been quoted as saying in a report that the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) published Friday, October 14.

In the report, the Zambian Bishop says that attaining integral human development “is very important in the sense that it is centred on a human person. Service should be given to all people equally regardless of their background or affiliations, Bishop Kasonde has been quoted as saying, adding, “Our agenda is to listen to God, what God is telling us. From there it is interacting with our brothers and sisters no matter who they are but made in the image and likeness of God.”

“Even the scholarships we are talking about of those that we take to school, they are not only for Catholics, but should be for a person in need,” the Local Ordinary of Solwezi Diocese who doubles as the Chairman of the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) says, adding, “Therefore, our point of interaction is service to humanity.”

Addressing himself to Caritas Solwezi officials during the AGM held at St. Kizito Pastoral Centre of Solwezi Diocese, the 53-year-old Zambian Bishop said the meeting was a time to review the service to the people of God under his pastoral care.

“What brings us here together is to look at what we pledged to do for the Diocese and the people we serve,” Bishop Kasonde has been quoted as saying.

He adds, “It is a very important meeting because we have already received the feedback through the process of notes and seen how we are applying ourselves to the goals that are set before us and also reflecting the same spirit of our diocesan strategic planning.”

The Catholic Church leader who has been at the helm of the Zambian Diocese since his Episcopal Ordination in May 2010 expressed Caritas Solwezi’s commitment to partner with government, local government, Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and other actors “in the realization of advancing a human person and to ensure that the less privileged are also considered”.

Musokotwane eager to renegotiate debt, awaits China’s team

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Musokotwane eager to renegotiate debt, awaits China’s team

Zambia’s finance minister said on Saturday it is still unclear who will be leading talks for renegotiating its nearly $6 billion debt with China, the largest bilateral creditor of the first African sovereign default in 2020 after the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

China co-chairs a committee of official bilateral creditors with France as part of a debt restructuring that Zambia is seeking under the Group of 20’s Common Framework, a platform for highly indebted countries to rework their debt with bilateral creditors.

“It is up to the Chinese authorities to choose who they want to represent them,” Situmbeko Musokotwane said in an interview with Reuters on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank annual meetings in Washington.

“I don’t know at this particular moment,” he said, when asked who represents China on the official creditors committee.

Western countries this week ratcheted up their criticism of China, the world’s largest bilateral creditor, as the main obstacle to moving ahead with debt restructuring agreements for the growing number of countries unable to service their debts.

At the end of 2021, China held about a third of Zambia’s $17.27 billion international debt, according to Zambian government data.

Since then, Zambia has cancelled $2 billion in undisbursed loans, many from Chinese lenders.

Musokotwane said negotiating with bilateral creditors including China before private creditors had “worked fairly well”, but acknowledged there had been complaints from international investors who hold the country’s sovereign bonds.

“It cannot be plain sailing because people approach it from different perspectives,” he added.

Zambia secured a three-year $1.3 billion loan from the IMF in September.

It is now seeking a present value $6.3 billion debt reduction, or 49% of the external debt being restructured.

Some bondholders had previously said a 45% cut would be unacceptable.

“There is no point of pretending that there is something that is better, when doing so means that you leave Zambia still with an unsustainable debt situation,” Musokotwane said.

“Because it means we will conclude today, then a month later or three months later, we default again.”

Zambian grain exports could help to address shortages caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Musokotwane said, adding that the government was hoping to host an overseas agriculture investors forum in the middle of 2023.

“We are making preparations for investors not just in Zambia, but from outside to take advantage of the land resources that we have, to come and produce food to export,” he said.
The country is ready to open up to 100,000 hectares for this investment plan, and will start using a $300 million World Bank approved loan to improve roads, electricity and dams to attract overseas investors.
“Three or four” companies have expressed interest in acquiring Mopani copper mine, he said, including South Africa’s Sibanye Stillwater, adding the interest was “what gives me the confidence that by the end of this year probably we should have a solution”.

A proposal for the government to have “golden shares” in mining companies would enable it to veto any investors known to not be credible, he said.

The government is assuming an average copper price of $7,500 per tonne in 2023, with growing demand thanks to green technologies likely to support prices, Musokotwane said.

Shepolopolo Zambia Visit Colombia in Friendly

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Shepolopolo Zambia has secured a friendly against fellow 2023 Women’s World Cup finalist Colombia.

Zambia will travel to Colombia this November to play two international friendlies during the FIFA match window.

The two friendlies will be played in Cali on November 12 and 15 at the Pascual Guerrero Stadium.

But Zambia and Colombia will be hoping to avoid each other in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup draws that will be made on October 22 in Auckland , New Zealand where Zambia are in Pot 4 and Colombia are in Pot 3.

Australia and New Zealand will host the FIFA Women’s World Cup from July 20-August 20, 2023.

“We have had a lot of suitors for friendly matches, and we would be very methodical in the choice of opponents,” FAZ General Secretary Adrian Kashala said.

“We are conscious that the draw will also influence the choice of our opponents in the period preceding the World Cup.”

This will be Zambia second visit to South America since November, 2022 when they played a friendly against Chile whom they beat 2-1 away in Santiago.

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