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ZESCO has bemoaned the continued mushrooming of structures built under its high voltage pylons.
Cooperation Senior Manager for Marketing and Public Relations Lucy Zimba said a team of experts has since been dispatched to Lusaka’s Chawama compound to investigate the escalating levels of the problem.
Ms Zimba said in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today that it is illegal for people to build under ZESCO pylons as doing so is a risk to life and infrastructure.
She said ZESCO is partnering with the Lusaka City Council (LCC) to find possible means on how to bring the vise to a stop.
Meanwhile Ms Zimba has disclosed that the transformer that blew up in Choma district causing power outages for one week has been replaced.
She said the transformer was replaced on Monday bringing the situation back to normal.
And speaking in a separate interview LCC Spokesperson Henry Kapata confirmed that they have had meetings with the department of engineering at ZESCO on how they can partner to end building of structures under ZESCO pylons.
Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) Matero Constituency Chairperson Daniel Mwepu has challenged former Defense Minister George Mpombo to tell the nation the real reason that led to his resignation from government.
Daniel Mwepu said instead of issuing immature statements against the MMD and the able leadership of President Rupiah Banda, Mr. Mpombo should be brave and tell the Zambian people why he resigned as Defense Minister.
Mr. Mwepu told ZANIS in a walk in interview in Lusaka today that Mr. Mpombo’s continued careless statements just shows the nation how immature he is.
Mr. Mwepu said no one in government or the ruling MMD forced Mr. Mpombo who is also Kafulafuta Member of Parliament (MP) to resign from his position as Defense Minister.
Meanwhile, Mr. Mwepu noted that Mr. Mpombo was not an asset to the MMD party hence the need for him to be sincere in his utterances.
He has since challenged Mr. Mpombo to go and form his own political party if he is not happy in the MMD.
Mr. Mpombo resigned from government and has since come under fire for using unpalatable language on the MMD and President Rupiah Banda.
The family of the alleged missing girl, whose other members of the family were brutally murdered by unknown people in Mufulira in October this year, have accused government of being aware of the whereabouts of the girl.
The family members, who stormed the office of the District commissioner, Dyford Muulwa, yesterday claimed that the girl is being kept at a government hospital where she has been receiving treatment.
Mr Muulwa said the family members are demanding release of the girl since she is still alive.
The family lead by the missing girl’s father, a Mr Chisenga, said according to the programme aired on Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) Bemba radio programme, “Ilyashi Lya pano isonde” which was broadcast on Wednesday October 21,2009 by George Mubanga, government knows where the girl is.
They said since ZNBC is a national broadcaster and the presenter said the girl is alive at a named government hospital and was receiving treatment, this was evidence enough that the whereabouts of the 14-year-old girl is known.
They claimed that Mr Mubanga also mentioned during the program that he knew where the girl is hospitalized.
The named girl has been missing after her mother, a baby and a brother, were brutally murdered by unknown people.
Police have arrested two suspects in connection with murder and have since appeared in court.
Armed robbers staged a day light robbery yesterday morning and went away with more than K30 million from a shop along Katebe street in Kabwe.
Central Province Police Commanding Officer, Simon Mpande and a shop worker, who did not want to be named, confirmed the incident today.
Mr Mpande said the incident happened at about 09:30hrs when three armed robbers armed with an AK47 rifle attacked the shop worker who was about to go and bank the previous day’s collection and snatched the bag that contained the cash.
Mr Mpande, who did not disclose more information on the matter, said police have launched investigations into the what seemed to be a well-calculated robbery.
And the shop worker who was mandated to go and bank the money expressed disappointment with the alleged negative attitude by Zambians of not alarming the police whenever such incidences took
place.
The worker said he was worried that the levels of insensitivity and called for change in the mind set if crime prevention was to be attained.
He said people should help by alarming the police instead of just watching because this could lead to loss of lives in case the robbers triggered the gun.
‘If I resisted, the robbers could have shot me dead,’ he said.
Meanwhile Mr Mpande has advised business houses to ensure they used police to escort them when taking money for banking.
Mr Mpande said the service was free of charge and wondered why business houses continued to ignore the free service of the police when they were dealing in big amounts of money.
Faz has said, without going into details that changes are coming to the Zambia bench ahead of the Africa Cup finals next month.
Faz vice president Emmanuel Munaile said the changes were necessary for team unity in Angola, in veiled reference to attempts to seal any news leaks while the team is at the Africa Cup.
“We will be making changes to the technical bench,” Munaile said without elaborating in details on the victim to be axed from the bench and forced cancel on his travel plans to Angola.
“They are certain things that you in the media might not know that happen and we need to go to Angola with one voice.”
Munaile’s comments come after a recent threat issued in the press by Faz treasurer Bonny Mwamelo that one official will be dropped from going to Angola following revelations over player’s allowances at the just ended Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup in Kenya.
Mwamelo disputed the source of the story was from the players but an unnamed Faz official.
The Football Association of Zambia (Faz) has decided to shelve initial plans to camp the national team in Spain.
Faz vice president Emmanuel Munaile announced this during the associations weekly press briefing on Wednesday at Football House.
Munaile said the team will instead now hold its pre-Africa Cup tournament training camp in South Africa.
“That (The plan to camp the team in Spain) was just an option,” Munaile said. “The Spain camp has fallen through.”
Munaile said the team will camp in Johannesburg where they will play three friendly matches including one against 2010 World Cup finalists South Korea on January 9 before heading off to Angola.
He said two other friendly matches will be played before the match against South Korea also in South Africa.
Meanwhile, 16 local and foreign-based call-ups go into camp in Lusaka this Sunday.
The team that enters camp this weekend will also include midfielder Isaac Chansa of Swedish club Helsingborg.
Chansa has been recalled to the fold after reconciling with Herve Renard following his comments after he was left on the bench in Zambia’s 1-0 loss to Egypt in Chililabombwe on October 10.
Defender Emmanuel Mbola of Pyunik Yerevan in Armenia is the other prominent European-based player expected for the Zambia leg of training camp.
The team will leave for South Africa over Christmas where they will link-up with the rest of the foreign-based players.
And Munaile said the official list of the remaining foreign-based call-ups for pre-Africa Cup training camp will be announced later.
Team:
Goalkeepers: Joshua Titima (Zanaco), Davey Kaumbwa (Green Buffaloes), Jacob Banda (Zesco United), Rabson Muchelen’ganga (Power Dynamos)
Defenders: Hichani Himoonde (TP Mazembe, DR Congo), Dennis Banda (Green Buffaloes), Emmanuel Mbola (Pyunik Yerevan), Thomas Nyirenda, Charles Siyingwa, Eugene Shamakamba (All Zanaco)
Midfielder: Isaac Chansa (Helsingborg, Sweden), Fwayo Tembo (Etoile Du Sahel, Tunisia), Stopilla Sunzu (Zanaco), Sebastian Mwansa (Green Buffaloes)
Strikers: Kennedy Chola (City of Lusaka), Given Singuluma (TP Mazembe, DR Congo)
The Executive Board of International Monetary Fund (IMF) yesterday approved US$81.2 million for Zambia’s poverty reduction programmes under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) arrangement.
The release of the funds will bring the total disbursements to US$262.5 million this year.
This is contained in a statement issued by first secretary for press at the Zambian embassy in Washington DC, Ben Kangwa.
The executive board of the IMF yesterday also concluded the 2009 Article IV consultation with Zambia.
IMF deputy managing director and acting chairman of the executive board, Murilo Portugal, commended the Zambian government for the country’s solid economic performance under the PRGF-supported programme.
“Their prudent macroeconomic management was demonstrated by the Zambian economy’s resilience to the global economic crisis,” Mr Portugal said.
He also noted that Zambia’s 2010 budget is well-balanced and that authorities are aiming at creating fiscal space for poverty reducing expenditure and infrastructure investment to sustain robust and diversified growth.
Amongst others he mentioned that the authorities will review tax policies and administration,with a view of broadening the tax base and reinforcing tax collection,adding that the upward trend in the wage bill needs to be reversed to free resources for other priority outlays and social spending.Further reforms to enhance efficiency in Government spending are also needed he said.
He said the floating exchange rate regime and reserve money-based monetary programme have served the country well and that Government’s plan to transition an inflation targeting framework should be premised on the establishment of necessary preconditions.
A LUSAKA resident has sued former President Kenneth Kaunda over parentage.
Lwimba Kaunda has taken Dr Kaunda to court for Zambia’s first head of State’s failure to recognise him as his son.
Lwimba, of Chazanga township, Lusaka, is also suing Dr Kaunda for reconciliation.
The matter, which was scheduled to be heard yesterday in the Lusaka Boma local court, was adjourned to a later date.
The adjournment follows a letter written by Dr Kaunda in which he has asked to be excused as he is out of the country.
According to the summons, Dr Kaunda, of State Lodge, Lusaka, was commanded in the name of the President to appear before the court yesterday.
And the case in which MMD national secretary Katele Kalumba and six others are charged with corrupt practices over alleged overpayment to Wilban Corporation and Systems Innovations for security installations at strategic Government institutions has been adjourned to January 25, 2010.
Others charged with Kalumba are former Ministry of Finance and National Planning permanent secretary Stella Chibanda, former director of budget Boniface Nonde, former Ministry of Finance chief economist Bede Mpande, former Secretary to the Treasury Benjamin Mweene and former directors of Access Financial Services Limited Aaron Chungu and Faustin Kabwe.
The adjournment follows failure by one of the defence lawyers, John Sangwa, to appear before court.
High Court deputy director of operations Edward Musona, sitting as a magistrate, heard that Mr Sangwa was not well.
[Zambia Daily Mail]
THE Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) has said the judgment involving Lusaka lawyer Rodger Chongwe’s claim for compensation should have first been registered in the Zambian courts before payment is considered.
LAZ president Steven Lungu said in an interview yesterday that the judgment should have first been registered in Zambia for it to have legal efficacy especially that no Zambian Government official represented the country when Dr Chongwe took the matter to United Nations Human Rights Committee (UNHRC) following the 1997 Kabwe shooting incident.
He said since Dr Chongwe did not exhaust all the local channels before taking the matter to the UNHRC, it was prudent that the matter was registered for it to have legal efficacy.
“One of the conditions for one to take the matter that far is to first exhaust all local channels but in this case, nothing like that was done,” Mr Lungu said.
He said the amount awarded to Dr Chongwe as compensation was too much as compared to what the Zambian courts award as compensation.
And Chief Government Spokesperson Ronnie Shikapwasha echoed the LAZ sentiments saying it was only correct to ensure the matter was registered in Zambia, especially that Dr Chongwe had not given reasons he took the case to UNHRC without first exhausting all the local channels.
Lieutenant General Shikapwasha said the LAZ observation was right because the Zambian Government should not be made to pay even for issues of Dr Chongwe’s alleged self imposed exile.
Gen Shikapwasha said issues of where Dr Chongwe took the matter and why he decided to take the matter to Australia were some of the legal aspects that needed to be heard before the compensation could be effected.
“For example, who forced Dr Chongwe into exile, is it not himself? And why should Government be made to pay for that?
These are some of the issues that need to be heard before even thinking of effecting payment,” he said.
He said it was sad that some opposition leaders speak the loudest on issues they did not have facts about but failed to apologise to the nation when Government presented the correct facts.
When contacted for a comment, Justice Deputy Minister Todd Chilembo referred all queries to the acting Attorney General(AG) Abyudi Shonga.
However, Mr Shonga’s mobile phone was not reachable.
On Monday, State House said President Banda in fact had on November 30, 2009 blocked the payment of US$6.7 million to Dr Chongwe because the amount was too excessive and was going to set a bad precedent.
President Banda’s Special Assistant for Press and Public Relations Dickson Jere said Dr Chongwe’s compensation which initially stood at US$2.5 million had accumulated to US$6.7 million as a result of additional amounts in legal costs and loss of earnings.
Mr Jere explained that President Banda blocked the payment of the compensation which was eventually agreed upon after Dr Chongwe’s meeting with Justice Minister George Kunda who is also Republican Vice-President and later the AG, without the knowledge of the president.
Zambia’s 2010 Africa Cup Group D opponents Cameroon will set-up camp in Kenya ahead of the tournament in Angola next month.
Cameroon Football Federation (Fecafoot) announced that the venue was selected by Indomitable Lions coach Paul Le Guen.
Fecafoot said Cameroon will camp in Nairobi that was Le Guen’s preferred choice of pitching his team’s training camp.
Cameroon are expected to be in Nairobi for a week at a date to be announced.
Zambia and Cameroon will play each other on match day 2 in Group D on January 17.
Zambia Under-20 ended a six-year wait for Cosaafa Youth Championship glory on Tuesday after winning this year’s title.
Honor Janza’s side beat defending champions South Africa 1-0 to lift their first Cosafa Youth Championship crown since 2003.
Young Arrows striker Chukwa Lungu’s goal in the 40th minute sealed Zambia’s win over nemesis South Africa.
South Africa has previously beaten Zambia three times-twice in the finals and 2-0 in their last meeting last year in during the preliminary stage of the same competition held in Kimberley.
A Sinazongwe fisherman with his children on Lake Kariba
Chief Kaindu of Mumbwa’s Kaonde people has lashed out against a named investor whom he has blamed for allegedly depriving residents of their right to catch fish from the Kafue River.
Chief Kaindu told ZANIS that he was unhappy with reports coming from his subjects in the north west part of the Chiefdom, who had complained that an investor identified as Dale Watts had been banning people from fishing in the Kafue river.
The Chief said that although he was aware that the investor bought some land for use as Game Ranch, there was no justification for stopping people from fishing in the river.
He said that he was saddened by the alleged conduct of the investor, saying that the welfare of residents from villages near Kupyamanse, depended much on fishing activities, stressing that the investor had no autonomy over the Kafue river.
Efforts to obtain comment from Mr. Watts were futile at press time.
He reaffirmed his solidarity with his subjects, explaining that he would no longer tolerate investors or other commercial ventures that did not bring any benefit to the people in his domain.
President Rupiah Banda says the ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) has a lot to learn from the Communist Party of China (CPC) in its bid to accelerate development in the country.
President Banda notes that people entrust a strong, vibrant and good political party with power if tangible development is positively yielded.
Mr. Banda says the MMD and government as a whole has greatly benefited from the CPC which he says is now the world’s strongest political party.[quote]
President Banda observes that China has managed to pull through the global economic crunch because of sound economic policies set by the CPC.
President Banda said this in Lusaka today when a China delegation from the Communist Party of China paid a courtesy call on him at State House.
Mr. Banda said the MMD was determined to strengthening the ties between with the CPC in an effort to strengthen the economic policies of the country.
The President noted that this was important because good policies by the party in government always help to alleviate the sufferings of the people in the nation.
He pointed out that Zambia has further benefited from China through the Zambia- Tanzania railway line through job creation opportunities for the benefits of the peoples in Zambia and Tanzania.
The President further disclosed that a Zambia delegation would soon be travelling to China to explore best was of transferring some of the good policies initiated by the CPC through the Chinese government, to Zambia.
Vice President George Kunda, MMD National Chairman Michael Mabenga, MMD Chairman for Legal Affairs, Bwalya Chiti, and party Treasurer Sureshi Desai were some of the MMD top leaders who attended the meeting at State House.
And speaking earlier, Head of delegation and Central Community of the CPC Gao Guangbn said Zambia has recorded impressive success in her efforts to develop economically.
Mr. Guangbn, who spoke through an interpreter, commended President Banda for his wise and good leadership.
Mr. Guangbn, who is accompanied by senior CPC members, invited Zambia to participate at the Chinese Agriculture Co-operative Forum to be held next year.
He further assured President Banda of continued Chinese investment in various sectors of the economy.
ZANIS
Children from various schools being taken through their paces during a Physical Education session in Kabwe
A Child Rights Activist has appealed to the Ministry of Local Government and Housing (MLGH) to ensure that councils facilitate the establishment of recreation centers for children across the country.
Godfrey Simukonde said facilitating land and areas for play parks would enable more stakeholders to take interest in establishing more recreation centers across the country.
Mr. Simukonde told ZANIS in a walk in interview in Lusaka today that it is very unfortunate that there are few recreation centers across the country.
Mr. Simukonde who is also African Child Initiative (ACI) Chairperson said recreation centers are cardinal because children are taught how to grow into responsible citizens.
He said there is need for the country to have as many recreation centers as possible to help children not to involve themselves in illicit activities.
Mr. Simukonde noted that with enough recreation centers children will be kept busy with different activities rather than indulging in destructive behavior.
He added that many children get involved in illicit activities because they do not have things to make them busy.
Mr. Simukonde said having more recreation centers established across the country is a matter that should be embraced by every stakeholder.
He also observed that having more recreation centers established would see a better and developed Zambia.
President Banda speaking to reporters as Vice President George Kunda listens
President Banda and former Tanzanian president Benjamin Mkapa today held closed-door talks at state house.
During the closed door talks the two presidents discussed the political and security situation in the great lakes Region.
This is according to a statement made available to ZANIS by Special Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations Dickson Jere.
Mr. Mkapa who is one of the mediators in the Great Lakes Region is in the country to brief President Banda on the Political and Security situation in the region ahead of the African Union Heads of State and Government summit to be held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia next month .
President Banda who is the current Chairman of the International Conference on Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) thanked Mr. Mkapa for the detailed brief presented to him.
President Banda said the brief was useful in handling the conflicts in the region.
Mr. Mkapa said the political and security situation in the great lakes region has normalized in some of the countries adding that there are still many challenges which need to be addressed in order to have peace and stability in the entire region.
Mr. Benjamin Mkapa and Former Nigerian President General Olusegun Obasanjo are the two mediators appointed to spearhead the peace process in the region.
ZANIS
