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Moroka Swallows have decided not to charge Collins Mbesuma for returning to the South African club late at the end of the Africa Cup in Angola.
Swallows assistant coach Zeca Marques told Kickoff that they had given Mbesuma the benefit of the doubt after returning a week late to South Africa.
However, Marquers said the onus was now on Mbesuma to prove himself at swallows in the remaining games.
“Reputations don’t count in modern football; what counts most is your performance in the field of play. We have lot of young players currently doing well in the club and it is up to Mbesuma to prove that deserves to be in starting line-up,” Marques told Kickoff.
President Rupiah Banda has declared that he will not sink so low to insult back at people in the opposition who are fond of insulting him through the media.
President Banda said when he arrived in Mansa yesterday to start a three day visit of Luapula province that despite being insulted in the media by some quarters of the opposition, as a leader he was not going to insult back.
He said instead as President and leader his work would be towards developing the country and ensuring that people are united and work together.
The President appealed to people in the country not to worry when he is insulted in the media, saying people choose to insult him and not others because he is a leader.
“I am a leader that is why they insult me and not others. I cannot stoop so low to insult people I am leading,” President Banda said.
He said though it is a duty of the opposition to criticise or insult him, people were intelligent to see whether those insults have a basis.
Mr Banda said as chosen President he is filled with humility for the trust given to him by the people of Zambia to look after the affairs of the country.
He told Mansa people that he was voted as President alongside a large majority of MPs in parliament to deliver development to all parts of the country, adding that people are able to see hospitals, schools,and roads being constructed.
“We were voted into office so that we deliver development projects like ambulances, hospitals, schools and roads that Mr Musosha (Mansa central MP) has been talking about. That is what we need to do as leaders” President Banda said.
President Banda said he was also grateful for the role the clergy were playing to unite the country and ensure peace continues to prevail.
President Banda touched down at Mansa airport at exactly 10.54 hours to start his three day tour of Luapula province.
On hand to receive him were Transport and Communication Minister Professor Geoffrey Lungwangwa, health minister Kapembwa Simbao, Luapula province minister Dr Boniface Kawimbe and technology deputy minister Chrispin Musosha.
Also at the airport to receive the President were Luapula province permanent secretary Jazzman Chikwakwa, Transport and communication permanent Secretary Dominic Sichinga and Luapula province MPs.
And explaining his visit to the Province, the President said he was in the area to start a year long programme to see if the developmental projects financed under the new budget cycle have started to be implemented.
He said government shifted the budget cycle and was preparing the budget a year before so that the implementation of projects could start in January in the New Year.
Mr Banda said in the year ahead, starting with Luapula province, he is going to be monitoring projects at every stage to ensure these are properly implemented.
He said he was determined to go as deep as he could into areas where he has not been so that people could be able to see him and a team of his hardworking ministers that are ensuring developments takes place in every corner of the country.
After addressing the people at the airport the President boarded the presidential chopper and flew to Chienge were he is expected to pay a courtesy call on Senior Chief Puta and later meet the Bwile chiefs.
And today the President is expected in Samfya where he will hold meetings with traditional rulers and also launch the ZAMPOST Boat on lake Bangweulu.
ZANIS
The Supreme Court has dismissed an application by second republican president Fredrick Chiluba on preliminary issues raised against an application to register a London judgment, which found the former president liable in a civil case three years ago.
Dr Chiluba and his co-defendants former Access Financial Services Directors Faustin Kabwe and Aaron Chungu were held liable by UK High Court Judge Peter Smith for causing the Zambian Government the loss US$46 Million in public funds.
Delivering judgment in the matter Deputy Chief Justice Irene Mambilima sitting with other Supreme Court Judges ruled that there was no merit in the application by Dr Chiluba.
Justice Mambilima ruled that the lower court exercised its discretion to refuse to look at the preliminary matter as that would have wasted time because the issues that the defence raised could have been heard in the main matter. She further ruled that the case goes back to the High Court for determination.
On June 13, 2007 the Zambian Government obtained an ex parte order for leave to register and enforce the London Court judgment based on provisions of the Foreign Judgment Act Chapter 76 of the laws of Zambia.
But Dr Chiluba and his co-defendants former Access Financial Services (AFS) directors Faustin Kabwe and Aaron Chungu applied to set aside the registration based on seven grounds.
Some of the grounds upon which Dr Chiluba and his co-defendants based their arguments were that the London High Court has no jurisdiction over them, that the London judgment was obtained by fraud and that they were denied fair trial by the London High Court hence judgment was obtained without giving them an opportunity to be heard.
Councils in Lusaka province have been urged to speed up the allocation of land for government to built housing units for civil servants.
Government will build 100 houses in each of the 72 districts in the country to alleviate the shortage of accommodation faced by civil servants in districts.
Lusaka Province minister Charles Shawa said councils in the province should quickly provide land in their respective areas so that construction of houses can begin as soon as possible.
Mr. Shawa was speaking in Kafue yesterday when he addressed heads of government department and parastatal organizations.
He said government is aware of the accommodation problems many civil servants are facing hence the decision to embark on the construction of houses in each district.
Mr. Shawa also advised civil servants to acquire plots and build houses where they can settle after retiring from employment.
And Mr. Shawa said in Kafue was at the centre of its development agenda.
He said the town is recovering from the economic decline it suffered in the last few years because of the investments taking place in the district.
He cited the establishment of the Steel Plant which has so far employed about 500 local people.
Other investments include Alliance Ginnery, lodges and hotels which the minister said have brightened the economic future of the district.
Earlier at the same function, Lusaka Province Permanent Secretary Stephen Bwalya advised civil servants to remain non partisan and serve the government of the day diligently.
The Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) has recommended that government adopts, ratifies and domesticates the international convention governing democratic elections in Africa.
FODEP made the submission to the parliamentary committee on legal affairs, governance human rights and gender matters in Lusaka yesterday.
FODEP Executive Director Dr. Charity Musamba said her organization is concerned with the alleged high prevalence of electoral malpractices and abuse of public resources during election time. She said non enforcement of the electoral code of conduct and biased media coverage has been a source of worry for the organisation because this retards development.
Dr. Musamba said that there should be a new electoral law that encompasses all electoral issues that were left out at the time of the enactment of the 2006 electoral act. She said it was important that this is in place before the 2011 elections.
She further said FODEP fully endorses the Electoral Reform Technical Committees (ERTC) and the Mung’omba draft constitution on the electoral process saying there is need for government to work on the recommendations.
Dr. Musamba said FODEP hopes that with genuine political will, the process will bring about necessary positive enhancement that the country’s electoral prospects have always longed for.
She said her institution will persistently continue to press for electoral reforms that guarantee genuine, democratic, free and fair elections.
Law and Development Association (LADA) in collaboration with Chirundu police at the weekend retrieved a fifteen year old girl of Sikoongo Chiefdom in Siavonga District from a marriage.
Confirming the development to ZANIS in Siavonga yesterday, LADA Executive Director Charles Dinda said his association in partnership with Chirundu police Victim Support Unit (V.S.U.) stormed the house where the girl had been forced into an early marriage by her parents and retrieved her.
Mr Dinda said the named girl, a grade nine pupil was married off to a man aged 20 from the same village.
He said apart from retrieving the girl from the matrimonial home, police also managed to pick up the named man and detained him in police custody at Chirundu police station where he was charged him with defilement.
And the named girl confirmed to ZANIS in an interview that she had been retrieved from her marriage of three days. She disclosed that she was taken out of the house by police and LADA officials who later took her to Mtendere Mission Hospital were she was made to undergo thorough medical examinations.
She thanked LADA and police for coming to her rescue and promised not to get married until she completes her education.
Meanwhile, Mr Dinda has observed that there is need to empower children with basic knowledge on human rights and child abuse for them to protect themselves against evils of society.
He said it is against this background that his association has embarked on a project to train paralegal children in Southern province.
Mr Dinda stated that the five day training will help children to interpret basics on human rights as well as formation of paralegal kids clubs in their schools.
He said the paralegals will be referring cases from both the community and schools to the police so that the law can be applied.
Mr Dinda however cited resources as their major challenge and appealed to partners such as UNICEF and Save the Children Norway to come on board.
The African Development Bank (ADB) and Zambia National Commercial Bank (ZANACO) have signed a US$10 million credit line agreement meant to improve the financial status of the Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) sector in Zambia.
Speaking during the signing ceremony in Lusaka yesterday, ADB Resident Representative Freddie Kwesiga called for enhanced private public partnership in the SME sector for the betterment of the country.
Mr. Kwesiga said this is because the SMEs sector plays an important role in stimulating economic growth of the country.
He however, noted that this can only be achieved through deepening financial and technical assistance for those that are already in or wishing to join the industry.
He said the improved financial support can enhance the capacity of local SMEs therefore making them ready to compete favourably even on the international market.
Mr. Kwesiga added that the loan, which will cover infrastructure development, good governance, agriculture and manufacturing sectors, is likely to benefit SMEs from both rural and urban areas.
He pointed out that there is also need for stakeholders in the country to address both the financial and non-financial requirements of the SMEs throughout the country.
Mr. Kwesiga further urged ZANACO bank to make the loan accessible to all the people wishing to invest in the SME sector and even those that already have established business.
And ZANACO Managing Director Mark Wiessing has disclosed that his bank currently has over 20,000 SME customers.
Mr. Wiessing said last year ZANACO’s loan book performed well hence benefiting clients despite the global economic crisis that hit many countries in the world.
He stressed that the bank’s decision to focus on SMEs and agriculture sectors when sourcing for loans with other cooperating partners was aimed at making these sectors contribute significantly to the revenue collection of the country.
He pointed out that it was the duty of the private sector to add value to the economy of the country in which they are operating.
Mr. Wiessing added that in an effort to promote foreign currency funding sources, the loan will be considered as part of the ZANACO’s strategy to encourage diversification in foreign currency funding.
He has since pledged his bank’s continued initiatives of encouraging more investment in the SME sector through developing programmes that will cater for SMEs in different businesses.
The loan between ADB and ZANACO will be repaid over a period of ten years.
Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Economic Community for West African States (ECOWAS) to enhance private sector development in the two regions.
The MoU was signed by COMESA General Secretary Sindiso Ngwenya and ECOWAS President Dr. Mohamed Chambas on January 29, 2010 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
According to a statement made available to ZANIS in Lusaka yesterday by COMESA Secretariat, the MoU was also signed to advance regional economic integration towards attaining the African Economic Community (AEC).
The key areas of cooperation in the MoU range from private sector development including women in business and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to implementing food and nutrition security with a focus on implementing Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP).
It is also expected that the visibility and participation of women in business will be advanced as this is crucial to creating employment and increasing household incomes while effectively contributing to economic growth and poverty reduction.
The MoU will also give an opportunity to member states to share experiences and to collaborate in the establishment of common positions on matters of international trade and investments negotiations.
Both COMESA and ECOWAS are recognized Regional Economic Communities (REC) working towards realizing AEC as envisaged by Lagos Plan of Action, through utilization of resources for the benefit of member states.
President Rupiah Banda has said he will continue to respect former presidents and other leaders in the country.
The President said this yesterday when he touched down at Mansa Airport, before departing for Chienge where he is starting a three-day tour of Luapula Province.
President Banda has said that there is no way Patriotic Front leader Michael Sata will force him to hate former president Frederick Chiluba. President Banda said that everyone in the country knows that Mr Sata used to be a close friend to Dr Chiluba, but now Mr Sata sees nothing good in the former president. He said Mr Sata hates Dr Chiluba and wants him ( President Banda) to also dislike Dr Chiluba.
However, the President said he will not hate Dr Chiluba and will continue to invite him to state functions at State House like he has been doing to Dr Kenneth Kaunda. “President Chiluba was a very close friend of Mr Sata. Everybody knows that but today Mr Sata doesn’t see any good in President Chiluba. So he wants me also to be like him, to hate President Chiluba. I shall not do that,” President Banda said.
He said as President of the country he has a duty of bringing everybody together, and will not be like those who are everyday looking for bad things they can use to attack former leaders. “Those who want to separate these leaders it is their own business. I will not be like them who everyday are looking for bad things they will use to attack these leaders,” he said.
And on PF-UPND Pact, President Rupiah Banda said the two political parties went into the arrangement because they are scared of him. He said the Pact was formed with only one thing in mind that of removing him from state house. He said as President of the MMD he does not need a political pact with another political party to defeat the PF-UPND pact because he has a pact with the Zambian people. He said the MMD was still intact and its MPs have remained united since they were elected to parliament.
President Banda observed that the situation is different in the opposition camp, with MPs in the PF deeply divided due to the leadership that does not want to listen to their intelligent advice on how the country must move forward. He said 50 percent of the PF MPs are also finding it difficult to remain and work together due to bad leadership.
“These are very intelligent people, people with integrity. But because of bad leaders that do not want to listen to their advice on how they should move forward they are now divided,” he said. On the UPND case, President Banda said the MPs solidarity in the opposition party was quickly diminishing due to unwise leadership.
Speaking earlier, Luapula province MMD chairman Chrispin Musosha said that the PF-UPND pact was going to crumble soon because it was an arrangement entered into by presidents of the two political parties without the blessing of their general membership. Mr Musosha said pact was headed for a serious split because of the confusing arising from failure by PF and UPND to consult its general membership before going into marriage.
Mr Musosha also said that the MMD was ready to take on the PF-UPND pact.
He informed President Banda that the MMD is regaining ground in the Luapula province after losing 10 parliamentary seats in the last elections. Mr Musosha, who is also deputy minister of science and technology, said this paradigm shift in the political support from the opposition to the ruling party is as a result of a number of developmental projects that the government is implementing.
The United National Independence Party National Revival Forum (UNIP-NRF) has pledged to work with the United Party National Development-Patriotic Front (UPND-PF) pact in a bid to strengthen the opposition alliance.
UNIP-NRF Chairperson Malimba Masheke said the revival forum consulted the UPND-PF pact on the matter before deciding to work with it.
General Masheke, who disclosed the development at a press bring in Lusaka today, however pointed out that the UNIP-NRF will remain independent even as it works with the UPND-PF Pact.
He said the decision to work with the UPND-PF pact was a way of exploring means through which the forum would contribute to efforts of providing a serious alternative to good governance.
General Masheke, who is also former Prime Minister, said the UNIP-NRF decided to work with the UPND-PF because of its (pact) vision for leadership.
He emphasized that the UPND-PF pact must be guarded jealously and urged the UNIP-NRF members to remain resolute, steadfast and united in working with the pact. UNIP president Tilyenji Kaunda with his deputy Njekwa Anamela (r)
And speaking at the same press briefing, UPND president Hakainde Hichilema expressed happiness at the decision by the UNIP-NRF to support and work with the pact.
Mr. Hichilema said the UNIP-NRF’s decision to work with the UPND-PF pact was the right step in the right direction.
He said there was need to work together regardless of where one is from adding that this would strengthen the relationship between the UPND-PF pact and the UNIP-NRF.
And Zambia’s former Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo Adrian Bauleni and a Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) member David Kasanga have joined the UPND.
Kalulushi Member of Parliament Atton Simama has denied allegations that he abused the Constituency Development Funds (CDF) allocated to his constituency last year.
Mr. Simama says Kalulushi constituency was allocated about K400 million, most of which was used to build community health centres and construct bridges in the area.
He told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today that those accusing him of misusing the CDF were being malicious.
He explained that when the CDF for 2009 was released, a CDF Committee was constituted and approved a number of projects in the area and a budget was drawn.
Mr. Simama said after the meeting with the CDF Committee, the proposal was taken to the District Development Committee and a full council meeting was called to approve the budget.
“These councilors are malicious, I have information that some of these councilors want to stand as Members of Parliament for Kalulushi Constituency and they want to malign me in the eyes of members of the public that I have failed as area member of parliament,” revealed Mr. Simama.
He added that the allegation is a total fabrication, stating that all the people who attended the full Council meeting were happy about the resolutions which he said had blessings from the residents in the area.
However, a Kalulushi businessman, Mr. Kenny Siachisumo, who was franked by all councilors in Kalulushi constituency last week accused the area MP of not taking any development in the constituency and called for his resignation.
He said from the time Mr. Simama decided to attend the NCC in deviance of his party, he has never visited the constituency for fear of being beaten by the community who have since resolved to petition him to visit the area instead of staying in Lusaka.
Mr. Siachisumo stated that come 2011, people of Kalulushi are geared to vote out the alleged non-performing Member of Parliament so as to usher in one who will show seriousness in developing the constituency.
Part of the Flooded Great North Road in LusakaVice President George Kunda has directed the Ministers of Finance, Local Government, Home Affairs and Community Development to conduct an aerial view of the floods in Lusaka district in order for them to appreciate the extent of problem in the province.
Mr. Kunda told ZANIS in an interview that doing so will make the ministers understand the complexity of the situation and move them to work out measures to promptly address the problem.
He said government was committed to address the floods head on hence it has developed new measures to counter the situation not only in Lusaka but countrywide.
He explained that when President Rupiah Banda was Vice President, he developed several structures in a bid to mitigate the flood situation in the country.
One of the houses surrounded by water in Lusaka's Kanyama twonship. This was after heavy rains that besieged Lusaka recentlyMr. Kunda, who had an aerial vie of floods in Lusaka yesterday, said the country has structures that would help government to effectively address the floods.
He said government will remain focused in addressing the floods so as to prevent loss of life and outbreaks of water borne diseases.
Since the onset of the current rain season, floods are said to have claimed six lives in Lusaka while some schools and houses have been submerged in water.
Three of the deaths were recorded in Ng’ombe compound while the other three occurred in Mandevu compound.
Government, through the Lusaka District Disaster Management Team has since mobilized equipment to pump out the water in affected areas.
National soccer team head coach Herve Renard arrives at Football House for a press briefing where he said he has not yet decided to renew his contract when it expires in May this year
Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) Communications Officer Erick Mwanza says it is wrong for people to assert that National Team Coach Herve Renard applied for a job in Tanzania.
Mwanza said it was unfortunate that despite the coach stating categorically that he has not held any kind of negotiations with any team, people are still speculating about his future.
He said it was important that people learn to tell the truth and not just make assumptions.
Mwanza said Renard was a forthright and honest man who he said had good communication with the country’s soccer governing body and could not do anything without consulting FAZ officials.
The FAZ Communications Officer told a press briefing in Lusaka today that there was nothing wrong with Renard been ambitious and wanting to scale up his coaching profile, saying it was within his rights to do.
He said it was normal that after putting up a splendid performance at the just ended 2010 Orange Africa cup of nations that many teams could be courting him for his services, adding that Renard had no control over that aspect.
Renard and his Assistant coach Patrice Baumelle are currently in France for a two weeks leave and are expected back into the country soon.
Mwanza disclosed that Chipolopolo assistant coach Patrice Baumelle who is also the teams physical trainer, left the country on Saturday while Head Coach Herve Renard left the country on Monday, this week.
And Mwanza has said FAZ would seek quality friendlies for the Chipolopolo boys during the international friendly games scheduled to commence on March 3.
He explained that good friendlies will help keep the team and players in good shape and give the technical bench an opportunity to access and try different players so that the team continues to improve its FIFA rankings.
Mwanza also said FAZ will do everything possible to assist Chipolopolo Midfielder Rainford Kalaba in whatever way it can for the player to join his new club, Zamalek.
He said it was important for the player’s future as well as the nation that the player is at his club and is playing.
Meanwhile, Mwanza has disclosed that the inspection of stadiums and other playing grounds on the Copperbelt have successfully been concluded and that the inspection team is now in Lusaka and would conduct the same exercise from today (Wednesday) up to Friday.
FAZ has also expressed optimism that Zambia’s envoys in this year’s Orange CAF Champions League Zanaco Football Club would put up a splendid performance against Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) of Uganda.
“As FAZ we are optimistic that Zanaco FC will do well. The team left the country in high spirit and we are sure they will post a good result against their rivals”, he said.
He called on soccer fans all over the country to rally behind the team so that the players can be motivated to focus and work hard on the pitch.
The National Sports Council of Zambia (NSCZ) has given Faz 14 days to publish a public apology in the national press following last year’s London fiasco.
NCSZ spokesperson Smart Mwitwa said at a press briefing in Lusaka Wednesday afternoon that should Faz fail to comply, the sports watchdog will swiftly act on Football House.
“We wrote to Faz on 13 November, 2009 advising them that the case bed published in the print media with a suitable apology, Mwita said.
“That is to hold a press conference to apologize to the Zambian people over the friendly football match played between the Zambia and Ghanaian national team.
“Also to draw a list of lessons learnt in the London trip so that we could share this with other sports associations to avoid recurrence of such unfortunate saga.
“We regret to inform the nation and other stakeholders that our directive has not been compiled with.
“As you may be aware we wrote this letter of instruction to Faz to apologize at the height of preparation and eventually the participation of the national team in the Africa Cup in Angola.”
Mwita said NSCZ thought it only fair to wait until the team and officials returned from Angola to follow-up on the directive handed to Faz.
He said an official letter was sent by the NSCZ to Faz on February 5 to find out how far Football House had gone with the directive from last November.
“Now that the team and officials have come back and settled, we expected them to respond to the directive,” Mwitwa said.
“However, on 5 February 2010 we did send a letter reminding them (Faz) on their responsibility to act on the NSCZ letter and we have given them an ultimatum of 14 days effective the date of the letter in which to act.
“If they choose not to cooperate, the NSCZ will not hesitate to exercise the powers vested in it by the provisions of the NSCZ Act.
“This is a timely warning to FA and we only hope the Sports Council will not be stretched to that end.”
On August 12 last year, Zambia played Ghana in a friendly at Brisbane Road but struggled to raise a team after Faz failed to secure visa’s for 10 players.
This forced Faz to scale England at the last minute and drafted three UK-based part-timers to play in the match.
Government has challenged the Banking sector to take advantage of the large number of teachers by offering them long-term mortgages for house construction.
Education minister said banks and other financial institutions should expand their businesses by introducing mortgages targeting teachers.
During a consultation meeting with teachers drawn from all the schools in Mansa district yesterday, Ms. Siliya said Banks should initiate long term low interest loans for teachers and other government workers to help them construct accommodation and venture into economic activities.
“There is a wide clientele of teachers and other government workers out there for banks and other financial institution to exploit by initiating mortgages or low interest loans. This will help our teachers build houses and you will have your businesses grow,” the ministerr said.
She said many teachers in the country were lacking accommodation because of shortage of staff houses for them.
The Minister noted that initiating mortgages and low interest loans will help a large number of teachers without accommodation construct houses and in turn benefit the banks through the interests and proceeds on the loans.
She said she will soon engage with the banking sector in the country to look at possibilities for them to partners with the ministry of education to construct houses for teachers.
However, Ms Siliya said government will continue providing funding to the education sector for construction of teachers houses countrywide.
“This Ministry has 3.4 trillion in this year’s budget of which a chunk will go towards infrastructure construction among them staff houses and schools so government is committed to providing decent accommodation for teachers”, Ms. Siliya said.
She said last year the Ministry of Education (MoE) constructed over 280 housing units for teachers countrywide.
The minister disclosed that the country only has about 31,000 housing units for teachers which are not enough to accommodate the total establishment of 80,000 teachers in the country.
And Ms. Siliya has said there is need for continuous and sustainable investment in the education sector by training of more teachers and construction of infrastructure.
She said government will phase out the certificate teacher qualification as a minimum qualification and replace it with a diploma by 2013 to improve the teaching standards in the country.
Ms. Siliya called on all teachers currently holding certificates to upgrade their education to diploma level which will be the minimum qualification required for the teaching service.
In 2014 government will only engage teachers holding diploma or degree qualifications.
She also said starting this year government will upgrade 6000 diploma holders to degrees of which 3000 will be for Science and Mathematics.
The minister said government has realized that science and mathematics are crucial for development and economic growth. Noted we have built so many schools but not teacher’s houses.
