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Vice President George Kunda talks to American Ambassador to Zambia Donald Booth when he received a donation of various items at Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit in Lusaka on Dec 17th.
By Henry Kyambalesa
I wish to comment on the donation of various relief items worth US$100,000 to the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). USAID should be commended for making the donation, which includes blankets, tents, shovels, wheelbarrows, water containers, sanitary towels, and other essential items.
However, there is a need for donor countries and humanitarian organizations to be politically sensitive when making donations designed to assist needy members of Zambian society. They need to be aware of the potential for selective distribution of relief supplies to affected communities by the ruling political party with the intention of gaining political leverage in elections.
In this regard, donor countries and humanitarian organizations need to advocate for the creation, by the Zambian government, of a statutory and autonomous government agency that would perform its duties without any political meddling or manipulation by government officials designed to achieve partisan objectives.
The agency should also be responsible for providing assistance to the needy and, therefore, should incorporate the functions of the Public Welfare Assistance Scheme currently administered through the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, and which includes the Social Cash Transfer Scheme.
Suggestively, the agency could be referred to as the “Welfare and Emergency Management Bureau,” and should be accountable to the Parliamentary Committee on Health, Community Development and Social Welfare. DMMU, which is currently vested in the Office of the Vice-President, is very likely to be abused by the MMD or future ruling political parties for partisan purposes.
“…Prepare the way for the Lord.”
(Isaiah 40:3, NIV)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
Everyone goes through seasons of waiting. A lot of times, people just sit back and wait for God to do everything. But you have to remember to do your part and make preparations. You have to talk like it’s going to happen and act like it’s going to happen. Some people might say, “Well, Joel, what if I do this and it doesn’t happen?” But I say what if you do and it does happen? And even if things don’t turn out the way you had hoped, you’d still be better off living your life positive and hopeful than you would to go around down and discouraged.
I love what David said in the Bible, “God, my times are in your hands.” He was saying, “God, I don’t know when it’s going to happen, but I know You know what’s best for me.” So I’m going to go out today expecting good things. And even if it doesn’t happen, I’m not going to go to bed all disappointed. I’m going to go to bed knowing that I’m one day closer to seeing my dreams and desires come to pass!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
“Father in heaven, I dedicate this day to You. Show me how to prepare for You to move in my life. Help me guard my words and thoughts as I put my trust in You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”
George Lwandamina has been appointed as the new Kabwe Warriors coach.
Lwandamina takes over at railway grounds from Levy Chabala who was fired at the end of the season.
The Zambia and former Green Buffaloes coach has been handed a one-year deal to coach Warriors starting on January 1, 2010.
Lwandamina has been without a club since August this year when Buffaloes fired him after eight years at the helm of the army side.
He previously coach Mufulira Wanderers and later had a brief stint at Nchanga Rangers before heading to Buffaloes.
Meanwhile, Nkana are looking set to settle on Forest Rangers trainer Linos Makwaza as their coach for the 2010 season.
Makwaza is favorite to replace Fewdays Musonda who will not be renewing his contract with promoted Nkana after helping them bounce back to the Faz Super Division.
Should the two parties agree terms, Makwaza should expect a frosty reception when Nkana visit his former club Power Dynamos next season where the ex-midfielder was a cult hero at Arthur Davies.
Makwaza made his head coaching debut last year with Zamtel whose highlight was beating Power 2-0 in April in a Week 7 match in Ndola before moving to Forest whom he led to finishing in 8th place.
Embattled former Catholic Archbishop, Emmanuel Milingo, says he does not accept the decision by the Vatican to strip him of all his titles.
Mr. Milingo says the letter addressed to him is not valid because it did not have the emblem and seal from the Pope.
He says he will always be an Archbishop because he is a Christian.
Mr. Milingo also says the catholic nuns, the daughters of redeemer will not be affected by the decision of the Vatican as they were founded under the Catholic Church.
The former Catholic Archbishop is the founder of the daughters of redeemer.
Vatican spokesperson, Ciro Benedettini, announced on Thursday that the charismatic African Archbishop had been stripped of his priestly duties.
He said the action has been taken because the archibishop defiantly continues to ordain bishops despite already being excommunicated.
Central province minister Ackimson Banda yesterday morning narrowly escaped death when an unknown person in Mkushi district stoned his official car.
Both Mkushi district police officer commanding Daniel Mseteka and Mr Banda confirmed the incident to ZANIS in Kabwe.
Mr. Banda who is also Serenje central Member of Parliament (MP) was on an official trip to Serenje when the incident happened at about 08:30hrs.
Mr Banda explained that as they approached Chalata area in Mkushi, a man sprang up from a bush and threw a stone onto the moving vehicle, a Mitsubishi registration number GRZ 773 BX smashing the windscreen on the side of the driver.
The minister said his driver, Enoch Phiri managed to control the vehicle avoiding what could possibly have been a fatal accident.
He said despite the incident he proceeded to Serenje because he was rushing to attend a special developmental meeting in his constituency.
And Mr Mseteka confirmed the incident and said the matter was reported to Serenje police and that police were
investigating the matter.
Meanwhile, a Kabwe businessman was last night shot in the leg at his home in Highridge by armed men.
Central Province Police Chief Simon Mpande said the armed men were trailing the man, Jean-Marie Mukopa in his 40s, when he was going back to his home at about 23hrs.
Mr. Mpande explained that as his vehicle entered the gate at his home, the armed men also drove in before the guard could close the gates.
He said they quickly got out and held the guard who screamed for help forcing Mukopa who had already entered the house, to come to see what was happening.
Mr. Mpande said it was at this moment that they opened fire and shot Mukopa, in the leg before they drove out and sped off.
Mr. Mpande who said Mukopa was rushed to Kabwe Mine Hospital for medical attention added that police have launched investigations into the matter.
And a check by ZANIS staff at the Mine hospital found that Mukopa had been evacuated to a hospital in Lusaka.
ZESCO in Kafue says residents in the district owe the utility company a staggering K13 billion in unsettled electricity bills.
ZESCO Area Manager Jacob Mukonka disclosed this today during a District Development Coordinating Committee (DDCC) meeting held at Kafue District Council chaired by Kafue District Commissioner Winford Ngoma.
Mr. Mukonka said the huge bill was mostly by domestic consumers who have accrued bills over time. He however said the company has no problems with the local industries as most of them were up to date.
Mr. Mukonka explained that this was why households in the district have from time to time experienced disconnections without prior notices. He said the company was in dire need of funds if it has to support and sustain its operations.
Mr. Mukonka appealed to the district commissioner and other stakeholders in the district to sensitize their workers and communities on the importance of paying for electricity. He said whilst the company realizes the problems the district was going through economically, it is important that they also know that ZESCO has to survive.
Mr. Mukonka also explained to the DDCC that the continued load shedding in the district was not only affecting Kafue district. He said the programme of load shedding was a national one.
Zambia Air Force ( ZAF) Brig General Montah Chileshe has warned officers against involvement in political activities as the country builds up to the 2011 Presidential and general elections.
Brig General Chileshe said there is need for the military personnel to avoid politicking or getting involved in partisan politics at all costs.
Brig Gen Chileshe noted that the role of military personnel is to serve the government of the day hence the need to maintain a non partisan stance as demanded by the national constitution and oath of allegiance.
He was speaking at the ZAF Headquarters Officers’ annual Ball held at Chamber valley officers Mess last night.
Brig Gen Chileshe also called for discipline and integrity among military personnel in the prevailing global economic crisis.
Meanwhile Twin Palm ZAF Brig Gen Daniel Banda has urged officers to be alert and guard against vices of sabotage, pilferage, theft and damage of property.
Brig Gen Daniel Banda was speaking in Lusaka last night at the ZAF Twin Palm 2009 officer’s annual ball at Twine Palm Officers’ Mess.
Brig gen Banda further urged the officers to continue being disciplined noting that their commitment and hard work shown throughout the year should continue.
He said discipline and integrity among military personnel was cardinal and further urged them to desist from extravagance lives with the prevailing global economic crisis.
He also thanked the ZAF Ladies Club for their continued support in uplifting the welfare of ZAF personnel and communities through building of hospitals and schools in their bases.
President Rupiah Banda has asked the Zambia-China Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone (ZCCZ) team to quickly start working on phase one of the economic zone in Lusaka.
Speaking at State House today when he met the ZCCZ team, President Banda said he would like to see tangible progress on the project by next year.
“We are happy to receive you here. To us this is an important occasion. I want to see progress on the ground by next year,” he said.
He expressed happiness that the ZCCZ team has not taken long to design the outlook of the economic zone.
And Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Situmbeko Musokotwane, assured the ZCCZ team of government’s support for the Regulator Plan of the ZCCZ Lusaka Subzone.
Meanwhile, Chinese Ambassador to Zambia, Li Qiangmin, said Zambia would be one of the first countries where China would establish an economic zone following the China-Africa economic summit that was held a few years ago.
And ZCCZ President, Tao Xinghu, expressed gratitude that the Zambian government has fully supported the Lusaka-subzone development project.
Mr. Xinghu said his team has carefully studied the project, whose phase one of construction will commence next year.
The Lusaka subzone will have industries, residential areas, hospitals, schools, hotels and other social amenities.
The development of this zone is expected to step up efforts for Zambia to become a middle income country by 2030.
The Immigration Department says it has issued 6, 605 employment permits to foreign immigrants this year.
Chief Immigration Officer, Anderson Phiri disclosed in Lusaka today that the department has also issued 652 entry permits and 746 self employment permits as of October this year.
He said the figure is high compared to 3,052 employment permits, 874 entry permit and 512 self employment permit issued last year.
Mr. Phiri said the department has also collected K628.5 billion for government revenue from immigration and other related activities.
He said the department has continued to play a crucial role in the development of the country by promoting trade and tourism in the country.
He said the department is therefore prepared for effective operations owing to this development which will also help in easy the movement of people in the region and across international frontiers.
Mr. Phiri has since called for logistics that will allow them to effectively carry out their mandate adding that inadequate land and water transport has made it difficult for the department to conducts patrols along the borders which are poorly manned.
Mr. Phiri said the country has 42 land border posts along the 4,915.4 Kilometer border line with eight neighboring countries but has Skeleton staffs manning this stretch.
He said effective management of migration services is key in contributing to an ideal and enabling business environment which is conducive for foreign direct investment.
Vice President George Kunda has disclosed that Zambia is liable to compensate Lusaka Lawyer Dr. Rodger Chongwe.
And Mr. Kunda has said that there are no provisions to register Dr. Chongwe’s case in the Zambian courts contrary to claims by the Law Association of Zambia.
Mr. Kunda says Dr. Chongwe’s case is being ably handled by the office of the Attorney-General in accordance with the constitutional provisions and the United Nations Convention on Human Rights under which Dr. Chongwe ‘s claim was lodged.
He says Solicitor-General and Acting Attorney-General Abyudi Shonga made the necessary negotiations as a Constitutional Office Holder representing government to arrive at the compensation.
The Vice President was speaking during a press briefing at his office in Lusaka today.
Mr. Kunda stated that Zambia being a member of the United Nations Human Rights Committee (UNHRC) was found Zambia liable to pay Dr. Chongwe the sum of US$6.7 million as compensation.
He stressed that as Vice President and Minister of Justice and on the instruction of President Banda, he met Dr. Chongwe and referred him to the Attorney-General where the matter was dealt with in full.
“I can confirm that in 1997 Dr Chongwe was short by police and medical evidence is there. Zambia was found liable to the party of UNHRC which Zambia is a member of. As government we are merely executing the legal issue or court ruling.
There are many serious cases before the Office of the Attorney General to pay and not just that of Dr. Chongwe which is even less. This matter was dealt with in accordance with the law and there was no impropriety in the way it was dealt with. The whole process was left to the AG to negotiate a reasonable sum of compensation,” Mr. Kunda said.
And has Mr. Kunda described as malicious and politically motivated, allegations by the Law Association of Zambia that the Director of Public Prosecutions, Chalwe Muchenga was being controlled by the Executive.
He said the allegation was merely aimed at casting aspersions on the integrity of the person holding the office of the DPP.
The Vice President said there was no way the executive could meddle into the constitutional mandate of the DPP.
Mr. Kunda said he is proud to be a member of LAZ but was not happy with manner some of its members inclined to the opposition are influencing LAZ President to do wrong things.
“I’m proud to belong to LAZ. I love my president Mr. Lungu except I am not happy in the manner LAZ is operating because there are people using it as a legal Body influencing Mr. Lungu to do wrong things and abusing the Body,” he lamented.
He said LAZ should be a professional, independent and reputable legal body but regretted that its President Steven Lungu is surrounded by a few Patriotic Front (PF) individuals who are tarnishing the name of the association.
Mr. Kunda further accused Patriotic Front leader Michael Sata of working with LAZ to undermine government.
The Vice President challenged LAZ to come to his Office and help find best ways of amending some of the archaic laws than concentrating on politically motivated legal matters.
He dismissed calls by both LAZ and some sectors of the society for the resignation of Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Chalwe Mchenga.
The Vice President maintained that the DPP has not done anything wrong adding that many legal practitioners were not consulted on the issue of having Mr. Mchenga dismissed.
He said Mr. Mchenga is a well qualified lawyer who enjoys security of tenure.
The Vice President said government shall only accept constructive criticisms and that any departure from that amounts to under-mining government of the day.
Zambia are heading to Angola and straight into two storms brewing on separate fronts but slowly converging.
The disturbing speculation that Herve Renard’s job including that of his assistants and support staff could be on the line and that the Frenchman might be sent on forced leave for the in entire duration of the Africa Cup is frightening.
Four coaches have been said to have been identified to take up the task.
If that is true, then one will only have to question the logic of such planned action allegedly hatched by the Faz technical committee.
I can only see Babel ensuring from that quartet working together at such short notice and is a recipe that will only brew unnecessary tension.
Furthermore, putting four egos together for such a high pressure assignment can only breed more rifts.
So should the four fail at the Africa Cup will they blame Renard’s legacy for their failure?
Any changes should be made after returning from Angola to limit the potential of a potentially messy its-not-me-but-him blame factor.
Meanwhile, there has been silence over the recent report of alleged match fixing regarding Zambia’s 1-0 home loss to Egypt on October 10 in Chililabombwe.
The eerie swirl of silence after the story broke allegedly given to an Algeria publication by captain Christopher Katongo ( that the player denied ever giving) only serves to put the team under more scrutiny.
If no one in higher authority refuses to call for an inquiry into the allegation then where are we going with our football?
Zambia's representative in Big Brother Revolution Paloma (second from right0 with other housemates at Chrismar Hotel in Lusaka last week
2.
Big Brother Revolution housemates Quinn (South Africa) and Jennifer (Mozambique) at the Chrismar Hotel in Lusaka last week. The two were on tour of Zambia at the invitation of Paloma, the Zambian housemate
3.
2-First Lady Thandiwe Banda receiving a gift from Huawei Zambia managing director Dajiang xin when she visited the company in Lusaka
4.
HOME Affairs Minister Lameck Mangani being welcomed by Lusaka City Council Mayor Robert Chikwelete and National Archives of Zambia (NAZ) acting director Chileshe Musukuma during opening of NAZ new exhibition building in Lusaka
5.
Zambia Under-20 National soccer team on arrival from the COSAFA championship, which they scooped in South Africa.
6.
Zambia Under-20 National soccer team on arrival from the COSAFA championship, which they scooped in South Africa.
7.
Vice President George Kunda receives a donation of various items from American Ambassador to Zambia Donald Booth at Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit in Lusaka Dec 17th.
8.
Vice President George Kunda, American Ambassador to Zambia Donald Booth and Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Brian Chituwo inspect a truckload of various items donated by USAID at the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit in Lusaka Dec 17th.
9.
The Inter-Religious and International Federation for World Peace recently conducted a one-day conference which was graced by former Lusaka Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo. Above, Milingo shakes hands with former Secretary to the Cabinet Skecthley Sacika at Church of God Cathedral of Praise in Lusaka.
10.
Traders without stands conduct business from parking lots at the new Soweto market in Lusaka.
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President Rupiah Banda pictured on arrival at South Downs Airport in Kalulushi weekend of December 13
12.
Uncollected garbage piling in Lusaka but cholera may just break out with the onset of the rainy season.
13.
road safety -Lusaka residents carrying placards during the road safety week
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Some traders with offer letters to conduct business in the new Soweto market in Lusaka
15.
New Soweto market committee member Eddie Shanambe explains some disputes that have marred allocation of shops at the new market in Lusaka, December 13, 2009
16.
Eastern Province Minister, Isaac Banda (left) with Chipata District Commissioner, Moses Nyirenda(Right) trying to appreciate the dancer during the International Human Rights at Pine View Guest House in Chipata, Zambia on Dec 17th
17.
First Lady Thandiwe Banda talking to wife of Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Zeng hongyan after touring Huazhan Company in Makeni. Looking on is Mrs Ireen Kunda.
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Foreign Affairs Minister Kabinga Pande receives credentials from new Africa Development Bank Country Representative Freddie Kwesiga at Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Lusaka recently
19.
road safety Week- Lusaka residents carrying placards during the road safety week.
The Chipata Municipal Council in Eastern Province yesterday closed Zain Centre offices for about five hours for contravening the Environment Protection and Pollution Control Act.
Speaking in an interview with ZANIS, acting Chipata Town Clerk, Andrew Zulu, said that the Zain centre had breached the law by disposing of refuse within their premises, and practiced open air burning of refuse, which was against the Local Government Act Cap 281.
Mr Zulu said that the office had also breached the law by obstructing an authorized public health officer by not being co-operative to him during his duty.
He said that his office would ensure that the centre puts up necessary disposal facility and clean the refuse and ash from the burning point.
“As the council, we moved in this morning to close the offices because the mobile phone service provider has breached the law which is under the Environmental Protection and Pollution Control Act and the Local Government Act Cap 281,” Mr Zulu said.
The acting Town Clerk stated that the office has also paid a penalty fee of K450,000 for doing what may be dangerous and offensive to human life.
Mr Zulu has since urged officers at Zain offices to always co-operate with public health officers to allow them be educated on health matters as it was the primary area of their service delivery.
The mobile phone service privider has been given 14 days to put things in order, failure to which it would attract legal proceedings.
And Mr Zulu has since urged residents in the district to ensure that they put up disposal facilities and clean the refuse to keep chipata clean.
Efforts to get a comment from Zain management proved futile.
MMD Chairperson for Finance and Economics Ng’andu Magande has said the MMD is still a strong party and the recent losses in the by-elections should not make people lose faith in the party.
Mr Magande said in an interview yesterday the MMD was still strong on the ground and that problems the party was experiencing could be resolved internally.
He said although MMD members were saying the party was currently facing serious problems, he personally felt the issues could easily be sorted out from within the party.
Mr Magande, who is Chilanga member of Parliament, said the MMD was a movement, which should not lose steam just because one or two people were not interested in it.
The former minister of Finance said he was a strong member of the MMD who was extremely comfortable in the ruling party where he had been for a long time and would not join any other party.
“I personally feel the problems our party is facing now are minor and should not derail the MMD. It is something we can sort out as a party.
“The MMD is still strong because even the recent loss in Solwezi Central was just a minor setback which should not portray that the party is finished.
“I have been talking to the people of Solwezi and they have told me that despite losing the Solwezi Central seat, the MMD still remains a strong party on the ground and they still want it,” he said.
Mr Magande said it was wrong for people to think he was a rebel whenever he said something perceived to be contrary to the party.
Mr Magande said the formation of new political parties in the country was not a solution to the problems being faced by the people of Zambia.
He said there were already more than 30 political parties in Zambia and did not think the formation of any more political parties would solve the problems the people of Zambia were facing.
The solution to the country’s problems was not about how many political parties should be there but how focused to national development the leaders were.
DEPUTY Minister in the office of the Vice-President Gastone Sichilima has called for the immediate resignation of Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) president Stephen Lungu.
Mr Sichilima said yesterday at a Press briefing that Mr Lungu should immediately resign because he was allegedly running the association like a political party.
He said Mr Lungu had allegedly failed to run the affairs of LAZ and was playing to the gallery of some media houses and had turned the association into a political party.
Mr Sichilima said LAZ was supposed to be a professional body that provided means for lawyers to effectively participate in legal matters.
He said as a professional body, the public and the Government relied on LAZ for legal advice. He urged other lawyers to come out in the open and condemn Mr Lungu for his careless statements.
He said by demanding the resignation of Director of Public Prosecution Chalwe Mchenga, LAZ was not protecting one of its members even when it was consulted when the DPP was appointed.
“He should immediately resign as LAZ president because he has no agenda to run the association,” he said.
Mr Lungu said he could not comment because he did not know in what context Mr Sichilima was calling for his resignation.
“I will not comment because I do not know in what context he is saying that and if he is a LAZ member,” he said.
