Chief Simamba of Siavonga district in Southern province has pleaded not guilty to one count of assault and for allegedly cuasing actual bodily harm.

Chief Simamba, whose names are Emmy Moonga, a resident of Bagande palace in Simamba village, appeared before Siavonga Magistrate Veronica Sikwangala on Friday facing one count of assault.

The traditional leader, who was arrested on November 9, 2009 and later released on police bond, pleaded not guilty to the offence of assault.

The offence of assault is contrary to Section 248 of the penal code chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.

Particulars of the offence are that chief Simamba on the 15th October last year in Siavonga did assault Sabeta Hamaimbo of Kanyelele compound in Siavonga Township thereby occasioning her actual bodily harm

The traditional leader is alleged to have ordered his retainers to arrest Mrs. Hamaimbo who was allegedly found buying charcoal from some villagers within the chiefdom.

The chief’s retainers carried out the orders and arrested the woman and took her to the palace where she had her hands tied to a tree before the chief started weeping her on the buttocks.

Magistrate Sikwangala has since set March 8th, 2010 as the day for commencement of trial.

She ,however, warned the traditional leader that the court would revoke his police bond if he fails to appear in court for trial.

Magistrate Sikwangala’s caution to the chief follows his absence from attending court sessions on two occasions.

However, chief Simamba told the court that his absence from court was as a result of national duties assigned to him by the house of chiefs where he is serving as a member.

ZANIS

The Lusaka City Council (LCC) has blamed the slow pace of constructing effective drainage systems on the rocky ground in some townships in the city.

LCC Assistant Public Relations Manager Mulunda Habeenzu said rocks that cover much of the ground surface in Lusaka have posed a great challenge to the local authority.

Mr. Habeenzu told ZANIS in Lusaka that it was costly for the council to provide reliable drainage systems areas where there were a lot of rocks.

“Most parts of Lusaka are rocky and this is our biggest challenge to addressing drainages and as a council, it is costly on our part to put up drainages in the Compounds,” he said.

He said this was why the local authority was only attending to emergency drainage works in Misisi, Kamwala South, Chawama, Kalikiliki, Kabwata Site and Service, Chipata and Mandevu compounds respectively.

He said the council was however working with other partners to blast rocks in compounds.

Mr. Habeenzu has further explained that the local authority was however considering putting up permanent solutions so that the issue of flooding could be dealt with once and for all.

He disclosed that the council was given K10 billion for working on the drainage system in Lusaka but these funds were not enough.[quote]

He said that the LCC has engaged a contractor to work on the drainage system in Kanyama compound.

Mr. Habeenzu pointed out that the council was currently rebuilding bridges whose culverts had collapsed in Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe, Mwembeshi, and Olympia area.

Meanwhile, Mr. Habeenzu said the council has also embarked on a vigorous emptying of pit latrines, provision of portable toilets and sensitizing the public on the need to maintain a hygienic environment.

ZANIS

Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources Minster, Catherine Namugala has been shortlisted for the Africa Investor Tourism Minister of the year award.

According to a statement released to ZANIS in Lusaka today by Ministry of Tourism acting Public Relation Officer, In’utu Mushambatwa, Ms. Namugala is among six other African Tourism Ministers who have been nominated for the award.

Ms. Mushambatwa said the award will be presented at a gala ceremony on 16th February 2010 to be held at Rainbow Towers Hotel and Conventional Centre in Harare, Zimbabwe.

She said other ministers of Tourism that have been shortlisted for the award from Ghana, Sierra Leon, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Tanzania and Uganda.

The award ceremony will coincide with the African Investor Tourism Summit which will be held from 15th to 17th February 2010 at the same venue.

And Ms. Mushambatwa said the Special Advisor to the United Nation (UN) Secretary General of the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), has noted that the awards are Africa’s only initiative designed to award outstanding individual and organization.

She said the awards are designed to recognize the achievements business, individuals, organizations and governments, have made to contribute to the growth of sustainable tourism investments in Africa.

Meanwhile, Ms. Namugala has commended Finance and National Minister, Situmbeko Musokotwane for extending the zero rating of VAT on accommodation in Livingstone until the end of the this year.

Dr. Musokotwane signed the statutory instrument No 5 of 2010 last month which will allow for zero rating of accommodation in hotels, lodges and similar establishments within Livingston.

ZANIS

President Rupiah Banda has said Catholic Bishops have a divine obligation to comment on issues of national importance because they were shepherds of the people.

President Banda said Catholic Bishops, through the Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC), were free to encourage government to perform better.

ZANIS Ndola reports that President Banda made the observation this morning during the installation of the new Bishop of Ndola Diocese, Alick Banda at the Cathedral of Christ the King Church in Ndola.

Mr. Banda explained that government was ready to listen to the church especially on constructive issues which were healthy to the development of the nation.

He however noted that what was improper was the tendency by some members of the clergy who personalized their disagreements with government on certain issues and began to attack individuals, him inclusive, using the media.

He said the attacks tended to create an impression that a rift exists between government and the church.

Mr. Banda further called on the church to remain committed in promoting peace in the country, adding that the church must take up its role of being neutral at all times.

President Banda also commended the Catholic Church for partnering with government in the health and education sectors.

He said he was grateful that the Catholic Church was currently operating 10 hospitals, 38 health centres and a number of schools in the country.

Meanwhile, President Banda has directed the Minister of Finance and National Planning to meet with the clergy and determine acceptable levels of resources which should go to the church’s education and health institutions in next year’s budget.

President Banda has since encouraged the newly installed Bishop to listen to the people.

And speaking earlier, ZEC president George Lungu said the Catholic Church in Zambia will continue to partner with government on issues that promote human dignity.

Bishop Lungu said the church will further continue to dialogue with government on developmental issues affecting the nation.

Meanwhile, newly installed Bishop Alick Banda called on church members to work with him especially in the area of evangelism.

Bishop Banda said Christ had inspired people to be committed to the plight of the poor in society and called upon everyone to realize that they had a duty to accompany people to find their way to God.

He pledged not to pursue a personal in his duties but to do the will of God.

And outgoing Bishop Noel Oregan thanked the Zambian community for having worked with him and accepting him whole heartedly.

Bishop Banda is the first Zambian to be appointed Bishop of the Ndola Diocese.

ZANIS

President Rupiah Banda has reaffirmed government’s commitment to enhancing the welfare of police officers and other men and women in uniform countrywide.

ZANIS Ndola reports that the President reaffirmed government’s commitment this afternoon during the inauguration and handover of 283 houses to the Zambia Police at Masala Police Camp.

President Banda explained that police officers were working under very difficult and challenging conditions.

He said it was for this reason that government had embarked on a programme to increase the housing units for police offers and to further rehabilitate the existing infrastructure.

He said the housing units that he handed over today were a clear testimony of government’s commitment to help the police deliver quality services to the country.

President Banda said the 283 housing units in Ndola were part of the initial 500 units constructed under phase one of the 1,500 units constructed in Kasama, Chipata and Livingstone at a cost of K156 billion.

Mr. Banda revealed that the construction programme was an on-going exercise and was aimed at accommodating a large number of police officers who were struggling to provide shelter to their families.

He has since advised the occupants of the newly built houses not to let the houses get into a state of disrepair before they are rehabilitated.

And speaking earlier, Inspector General of Police Francis Kabonde urged the police officers not to disfigure the houses by putting up makeshift shops, chicken runs and backyard gardens.

Mr. Kabonde said police officers were expected to work extra hard now because they accommodated properly.

He further pledged total loyalty to government because of what it was doing to the police service.

And Kabushi Member of Parliament Lombani Mschili appealed to President Banda’s government to renovate the old housing units so that other police officers could occupy them.

Mr. Mschili further called on government to address the issue of water, sewerage and lack of electricity in the area.

Meanwhile, Home Affairs Minister Lameck Mangani thanked government for building a number of housing units for the police service and commended government for the mealie meal allowance that has been introduced for police officers.

President Banda, who was seen off by Copperbelt Province Minister Mwansa Mbulakulima and several government officials has since returned to Lusaka.

ZANIS

Government has set aside K200 million for the construction of a culture village which is aimed at promoting artists and culture activities in Kafue district.

Ministry of Community Development Director of Cultural Services Wesley Kaonga said since artists have formed an association that would promote art and culture in the district, the ministry would release more than K200 million to the district.

He said this today when he addressed scores of Kafue based artists and cultural practitioners during a meeting held at the District Commissioners office.

Mr. Kaonga said government would not fund individuals because it was difficult to account for funds and resources from individuals.

He noted with gladness that for the first time, artists and cultural practitioners in Kafue have come together to form an association which would act as an umbrella body to all the artists and dancers in Kafue.

Mr. Kaonga wondered why the district has been lagging behind in terms of arts and culture when it has a lot of good infrastructure and talented artists who could contribute to the development of the economy.

He expressed happiness that some artists in Kafue have ventured into the film and carving industry.

He said Zambia has been offered an exhibition stand in South Africa where various Zambian products would be displayed and promoted during the 2010 world cup period in June and July this year.

Mr. Kaonga said he would be happy if some products from Kafue could be exhibited at the Zambian stand in South Africa during the world cup soccer tournament.

He added that government is committed to improving the welfare of artists in the country, adding that for this reason, government has constructed a modern 700 sitter theatre in Livingstone.

And speaking at the same function District Culture Welfare Officer Edward Kampeshi urged the artists to work together for them to grow in their industry.

Mr. Kampeshi has since appealed to the local authority to offer its community hall where artists could be meeting to perform various shows in order to generate funds.

ZANIS