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Am ready to go to court, not responding to letters-Kanyama MP

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PATROTIC Front Kanyama Member of Parliament Gerry Chanda
PATROTIC Front Kanyama Member of Parliament Gerry Chanda

Kanyama Member of Parliament (MP) Gerry Chanda says he is ready to be dragged to court by the former UNZASU Secretary General Stanford Kabwata, who quarried him on why he refused to represent his constituency on the National Constitutional Commission (NCC).

Colonel Chanda said he would not hesitate to respond should the former University of Zambia Students Union official proceeds with his plan to petition him through the National Assembly for not representing him at the NCC.

He told ZANIS in Lusaka today that he could not participate in the NCC because he did not want to go against his party rules and campaign promises.

He stressed that he belong to a political party that has rules and regulations to follow saying attending the NCC will be a violation of the party rules.

Colonel Chanda said he will as at now not respond to the letter from Mr. Kabwata, which is asking him to explain why he has chosen not to represent him at the NCC.

He said he was too busy with addressing problems in his constituency and he would therefore not respond to Mr. Kabwata’s query.

The MP noted that people in his area elected him because he promised to concentrate on developmental issues saying aligning himself with the NCC would be a betrayal to his electorates.

He has since advised Mr. Kabwata to proceed with his plans to petition him through the National Assembly or take him to court.

On Wednesday, two former UNZASU officials gave Colonel Chanda and his Munali counterpart Mumbi Phiri a three day ultimatum in which to explain to them why the duo chose not to represent them at the NCC.

Antonio Mwanza, a former UNZASU President and his former Secretary General Stanford Kabwata wrote to the two MPs demanding for a legal explanation saying the move by the MPs is an infringement of their rights and contrary to article 133 (b) of the Zambian constitution.

Efforts to get Munali MP Mrs. Phiri proved futile by press time.

ZANIS

Government to revise the minimum wage

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Labour and Social Security Deputy Minister Simon, Kachimba
Labour and Social Security Deputy Minister Simon, Kachimba

Government has held a tripartite meeting with the Zambia Federation of Employers and other stakeholders to discuss the revision of the current K268, 000 (USD $53) minimum wage per month for employees in the country.

Labour and Social Security Deputy Minister Simon, Kachimba said his ministry the tripartite meeting was successful.

Mr. Kachimba said all stakeholders in the issue of minimum wage will soon hold a technical meeting to address other issues related to minimum wage.

He told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today it was important that the minimum wage is revised soon.
Meanwhile, Mr. Kachimba has assured the labour force in the country that government would do what it can to better the lives of workers in the country.

He said government was concerned with the human resource, noting that workers were a means to boosting the economy of the country.[quote]

He said the role of government in the labour force was to level the playing field between the employers and the employees in the country.

Mr. Kachimba said government will continue to harmonize the employers and the human resource of any institution to ensure all players in the economy were treated well and respected.

He has also urged employers to adhere to the labour laws in the country, which he said were clear on how workers are supposed to be treated.

Mr. Kachimba said when workers are laid down they are back on the streets and later become the burden of the government.

He said government recognizes the fact that the human resources played an important role in the development of the economy.

Many employees in the country have bemoaned the low minimum wage which currently stands at K268, 000 (USD $53) per month.

ZANIS

Banda, Zuma directs Pande, Mashabane to convene an inaugural session of JPCC

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President Rupiah Banda and South African President Dr. Jacob Zuma have directed Foreign Affairs Minister Kabinga Pande and South Africa’s Minister for International Relations and Co-operations Maite Nkoana-Mashabane to convene an inaugural session of the Joint Permanent Commission for Cooperation (JPCC) early next year.

The two Heads of State noted that the JPCC which was signed in 2005 has not been inaugurated.

President Banda and Zuma acknowledged that the long standing support for liberation in South Africa has led to the establishment of deep mutual bonds for the benefit of the peoples in the two countries.

This is according to a joint communiqué issued by President Banda and his South African counterpart Jacob Zuma and read by Foreign Affairs Minister Kabinga Pande and South Africa’s Minister for International Relations and Co-operations Maite Nkoana-Mashabane.

The communiqué stated that the two presidents held official talks during which they reviewed a wide range of bilateral regional and international issues reiterating the need to collaborate in the fight against poverty, under-development and HIV/AIDS.

On regional issues, the two leaders expressed views on the prevailing political, economic and security situations in the region.

President Zuma commended President Banda for the role Zambia plays as Deputy Chair of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defense and Security Co-operation in the Southern Africa Development Community, SADC.

The communiqué said President Banda, similarly commended President Zuma for the role South Africa was playing in her facilitating peace in Zimbabwe.

Mr. Banda further commended South Africa for being the first African country to host the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup. Both leaders wished the participating team’s success in the tournament slated for January next year.

The two leaders committed themselves to working together in pipit of the SADC Agenda, African Union and integration within the framework of the consultative act of the AU.

Mr. Pande said the two leaders welcomed the international efforts that seek to address the global financial crisis which has negatively affected especially the developing countries.

He said President Banda has accepted the invitation by President Zuma to visit South Africa for a State visit to be announced later through diplomatic channels.

Mr. Pande said President Zuma , at the end of his state visit expressed his profound gratitude and appreciation to President Banda, the government of Zambia and its people for the warm hospitality and fraternal reception accorded to him and his delegation.

The state visit afforded the Zambian and South African governments an opportunity to sign two agreements and four memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) aimed at enhancing bilateral co-operation in sectors of energy, mining, diplomatic consultations, trade and cooperation, health and agriculture.

Meanwhile, President Zuma has since returned to his home country.

Dr. Zuma was accompanied by the First Lady Nompumelelo Ntuli, eight minister and more than 60 South African businessmen and women.

He was seen off at the Lusaka International airport by President Banda, First lady Thandiwe, South Africa’s High Commissioner to Zambia Moses Chikane, Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa Leslie Mbula, Secretary to the Cabinet Dr. Joshua Kanganja, cabinet ministers, defense chiefs, MMD party and senior government officials from Zambia and South Africa.

Chinese to pump $150m into Luanshya Copper Mine rehab

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Finance minister Situmbeko Musokotwane (r) and Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Li Quiangmin during the signing of the deal on Luanshya mine
Finance minister Situmbeko Musokotwane (r) and Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Li Quiangmin during the signing of the deal on Luanshya mine

THE China Non-Ferrous Metal Company/Luanshya Copper Mine (CLM) is set to inject an additional fresh investment of more than US$150 million in the rehabilitation of Luanshya Mine, which commences production on December 14.

And Mines and Minerals Development Minister Maxwell Mwale said the Government was impressed with the manner in which CLM had introduced the new mining technology replacing the 1930’s technology.
Mr Mwale said replacing the 1930 technology would lead to a situation where the mine would now start rocovering 93 per cent of copper which was being lost under the old copper ore processing method.
Meanwhile, Labour and Social Security Minister, Austin Liato said he was impressed that the CLM management and the unions had signed the recognition agreement and were now chatting the way forward in signing the collective agreement.

CLM chief executive officer, Luo Xingeng said in Luanshya yesterday that so far, his company had spent over $30 million in the rehabilitation of the mine and replacement of equipment and by the end of the year, $42 million would have been used on the development of the mine prior to the commencement of production.
Mr Luo said although the mine had not started actual production of copper, it had recruited over 2,250 employees despite the company having earlier projected that it would recruit 1,700 employees. The lowest paid worker at CLM gets a monthly salary of K1, 224,000.[quote]

Speaking when Mr Mwale, Mr Liato and Copperbelt Minister Mwansa Mbulakulima toured the mine’s concentrator and the Muliashi Mine project sites yesterday, Mr Luo said the CLM management and Mineworkers Union of Zambia (MUZ) and National Union for Miners and Allied Workers (NUMAW) were coordinating well.
Mr Luo said although the mine had engaged more than 37 local and foreign contractors, most of the qualified personnel working for most of the former contractors had been re-engaged by the mine.

He said the CLM had over the past six months been undertaking the rebuilding and rehabilitation works of Baluba Mine.

“Already we have done the necessary preparations of viability of the conditions needed for production. We are scheduled to do the first blasting of the copper pre-underground on December 14,” he said.
Mr Luo said the mine’s concentrator was undergoing a complete overhaul with all the five crushers being replaced by modern ones and so far, three out of five had been replaced while two new crushers were still in transit.

He said the hard work being exhibited by the Zambian workers was helping in enhancing production at CLM.
CLM deputy chief executive officer in charge of technical services, Robert Kamanga said all was set to ensure that the Muliashi Open Pit Mine project and seven oxide camps were made operational next year.
Mr Mwale said the Government was impressed with the manner in which a lot of work had been done at the mine within a short period of time.

He said the rate at which the mine was being developed had left those doubting about the viability of Chinese investment with no option but to join those who wanted to allow the Chinese to work with the Zambian people as partners in development.

The minister said there was need for all those working on the mines to ensure that the Zambian and Chinese cultures converged to all the people from the two countries.

Mr Mbulakulima said construction of a 7.6-kilometre-long tarred road from the mine’s offices to the Muliashi mining site at a cost of K8.2 billion, which was being incurred by the mine even before the commencement of production, was a clear testimony of how serious CLM was as an investor in the mining sector.

Illegal fuel dealing causes fire in Mpulungu

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HUNDREDS of people have escaped unhurt at Ngwenya market in Mpulungu District when a makeshift stand containing drums of petrol caught fire.
A check at the market a few minutes after the fire engulfed the makeshift stand found marketers and traders making frantic efforts to salvage their merchandise and wares from their stalls.
Other people were seen scampering in different directions for safety while others simply run away from the market, fearing for their lives.
The fire was ignited by a cigarette in one of the stores where petrol was being poured.
In an interview later, Ngwenya market committee chairman Maybin Mwansa expressed shock and regret at the incident, saying that it was the third fire incident at the market involving fuel in a short period of time.
Mwansa who was flanked by his vice secretary chewe chilufya accused some government officials of favouring the fuel dealers situated within the market.
He said several appeals have been made to remove the illegal fuel dealers on the black market but the appeals have fallen on ‘deaf ears’.
Mwansa warned that a life would one day be lost if the if fuels are allowed to continue being sold in the market.
He said even the fire fighters from council were not at hand to help put out the fire despite emergency calls being made to them a few seconds after the disaster happened.
Mr. Mwansa complained that this attitude had angered many marketers as they now deem the fire licenses they have been made to pay for, were useless.
He said marketers and traders are now wondering why council charges them fire fees if no help comes from there.
Mr. Mwansa appealed to police to intensify their inspection of stalls and makeshift stands to ensure no fuels are sold in the market because they could one day lead to a serious fire disaster.
[ZANIS]

British govt. commits 5.7 million pounds towards Zambia’ s corruption fight

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british_flagThe British High Commission Department for International Development has announced a commitment of 5.7 million pounds for a new anti-corruption programme.

According to a statement made available to ZANIS in Lusaka today the programme Against Corruption Together (ACT) will support the implementation of the government of Zambia’s national Anti Corruption policy and its goal to achieve a nation and its people that are zero tolerant to corruption.

The statement says the DFID support will help Zambian institutions including the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) to investigate and prosecute corruption more effectively.

Support will be given to parliamentarians so they can act more effectively in the fight against corruption.

The statement further says the programme will also help civil society organisations to have more Zambians involved in anti corruption initiatives.

The United Kingdom has been a supporter of the government of Zambia’s fight against corruption and since the 2000, DFID has provided 8.4 million pounds to the Anti Corruption Commission and the Task Force through the Anti Corruption Commission Enhancement Support (ACCES) project which ended early this year.

ZANIS

Nakamabala expansion project positive move – RB

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President Rupiah Banda
President Rupiah Banda

PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda says the expansion project of Zambia Sugar’s Nakambala Estate will impact positively on the development of the country’s economy.

And South African President Jacob Zuma has described Zambia as a model for investment.

Speaking in Mazabuka at the commissioning of the Nakambala Estate expansion project yesterday, President Banda said the sugar expansion project will not only ensure Zambia’s self sufficiency in Sugar but also improve the country’s economy through export of the commodity.

The president said sugar production has proved to be a rewarding economic activity for the country.

He said Zambia Sugar which provides permanent employment to more than 3,000 people, has positively contributed to the fight against poverty and unemployment in the district and the country as a whole.

President Banda said agriculture has become the driving force of Zambia’s economic growth adding that his government will continue to support all initiatives aimed at boosting sugar production in the country.

He said South African investment in the sector was welcome.

And President Jacob Zuma said Zambia is now the number one trading partner with South Africa because of the good business environment.

He said Zambia has been able to attract investment because of sound investment policies.

“Zambia is a model country for investment. It is attractive to south African companies,” said Mr Zuma.

He said the investment by the South African company ILLOVO Group in the Zambia Sugar company was testimony of the good investment environment in Zambia.

President Zuma said Zambia is not only a copper producing country but also one that produces sugar.

He said the expansion project at Nakambala would no doubt impact positively on Zambia’s economic development.

He said the South African government is encouraging companies that invest in other countries to improve the social living conditions of the local people apart from providing employment.

President Zuma invited President Banda to his country for a state visit.

President Zuma reiterated that the two countries have a duty to ensure economic relations remain vibrant.

Meanwhile, Chairman of Zambia sugar Don MacLeod said a total of R1.7 million were spent on the sugar expansion project.

He said the company will continue investing so that it remains economically viable.

President Zuma has since left the country.

ZANIS

AVAP concerned with NRC issuance in rural areas – Mulwani

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The Anti Voters Apathy Project (AVAP) says it is concerned with the rate at which the issuance of the mobile registration cards (NRC) is going in the rural areas.

AVAP Programme Officer Richwell Mulwani says most rural communities have opted to farming and are not concerned with acquiring the NRCs.

Mr. Mulwani told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that most rural communities who are mainly reliant on farming have paid particular attention to farming and some are not even aware of the exercise.

“Many people are now farming and its difficult for them to go to places where the NRCs are being issued which in most cases are also far. In Mapatizya for example, people have completely shifted to their farms, they will only come back after the farming season. This is a concern to us” he said.

He said AVAP has since engaged its civic educators in the various communities where the issuance of the NRC is taking place to sensitize people and make them acquire the NRCs.

Mr. Mulwani has however commended government for the exercise saying it is the best step towards the continuous voter registration.[quote]

He has since called on the Ministry of Home Affairs to do an evaluation of the national registration cards issuance exercise to determine whether they would reach the target or not.

He said the farming communities’ need to be given another chance especially after the farming season so that all those who will not acquire the cards can do so.

He said there is need to ensure that people are not disfranchised for the future elections because they do not have NRC.

Government has allocated K22 billion for the second phase of the ongoing mobile national registration cards issuance and is covering Northern, Southern and Central provinces.

This was after successfully carrying out the first phase in North-Western, Western and Eastern provinces.

ZANIS

Be ambitious in fighting graft – TIZ urges Zambians

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Transparency International Zambia (TIZ) says there is need for the country to have high ambitions in fighting corruption because it is the major cause of poverty among the people in the country.

TIZ president Reuben Lifuka says it is regrettable that the nation does not seem to be so ambitious in fighting the scourge.

He said the country seems to be content with a few convictions in the courts of law, the 0.2 percent improvement on the TI Corruption Perception Index and relax in praises for minor achievements from the international community.

He said the country’s fight against corruption needs a new lease of life.
Mr . Lifuka was speaking in Lusaka today during the commemoration of the International Anti-Corruption Day.
He said Zambia has high ambitions in its socio-economic development but not so much in fighting corruption which he said needed more attention.

He urged government, civil society, and cooperating partners to be more ambitious in fighting corruption, adding that the country cannot afford to fail in the fight against corruption.
Meanwhile Mr. Lifuka has said the successes scored in the fight against corruption should not make the nation complacent as the fight was far from over.

Mr. Lifuka observed that the fight against corruption in Zambia was still in its early days and that the country’s fight against graft was yet to take a form and shape that would ensure long term success.

He said the theme for this year’s observance of the International Anti-Corruption Day which is “Don’t Let Corruption Kill Development” and the motto for the 2009 anti-corruption campaign “Your No Counts” are both appropriate for Zambia and should serve as a call to action for all stakeholders.

He said it was encouraging to note that the country has registered some positive strides in the fight against corruption but insisted that these were small steps in a very long journey.

“These developments represent some motion but with limited movement. Yes, we have seen some changes-but some of these remain cosmetic and more can be done not just by Government, but the private sector, NGOs, Trade Unions, the Church, Young Zambians and cooperating partners”, he said.

And speaking earlier, Chairperson of the African Parliamentarians Network Against Corruption (APNAC) Zambia Chapter Given Lubinda said APNAC was determined to continue to motivate African governments to forge the fight against corruption from rhetoric to action.

Mr. Lubinda said there was no doubt that Zambia, like any other nation, needs enhanced collaboration with other governments, intergovernmental agencies, and Non-governmental organizations in the fight against graft because the vice knew no boundaries.

He said time has come for the country to hate corruption as it was clear that corruption and disregard for the rule of law have overtime constituted the greatest impediments to Zambia’s development.

ZANIS

Executive has not taken over DPP’s powers – Shikapwasha

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Chief Government Spokesperson Ronnie Shikapwasha
Chief Government Spokesperson Ronnie Shikapwasha

Government has denied allegations that the powers of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) have been taken over by the Executive.

Chief Government Spokesperson Lt. Gen. Ronnie Shikapwasha says the media statement attributed to Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) president Steven Lungu, in yesterday’s Post Newspaper, must be dismissed as it adds no value to enhancing the integrity of the judiciary and other arms governance.

Lt. Gen Shikapwasha says as far as government is concerned, the office of the DPP is a constitutional office that is independent from the executive and shall continue operating as such.

Lt. Gen. Shikapwasha, who is also Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services, said this in a statement released to ZANIS in Lusaka last evening.

He said the impression created by Mr. Lungu’s statement is that the DPP can only show his independence from the Executive by making decisions that are against the government.

“We as government are saddened that LAZ, which is a key institution in legal matters, is issuing misleading statements” he said.

Lt. Gen Shikapwasha said there was no logic in LAZ making outrageous allegations, before getting feedback from the Attorney General.

He noted that the move was only aimed at intimidating the DPP into passing anti-government opinions, even when government is right.

Lt. Gen Shikapwasha added that it was regrettable that LAZ, which initially seemed to be giving a good example in approaching national issues, is being discredited by people issuing careless statements in its name.

He said Government believes that the right approach to the matter was for LAZ to write to the Attorney General high lighting their observations concerning the office of the DPP, which he said they had done, as opposed to rushing to the media.

ZANIS

Luena MP Charles Milupi elected ACP president

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Charles Milupi
Charles Milupi

Luena independent Member of Parliament Charles Milupi has been elected President of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Parliamentary Assembly.

Mr. Milupi was elected at the just ended 18th session of the African, Caribbean and Pacific-European Union Joint Parliamentary Assembly, which took place from November 25th to December 3rd, 2009 in Luanda, Angola.

He was also elected as Co-President of the African, Caribbean and Pacific European Union Joint Parliamentary Assembly.

According to a statement released to ZANIS in Lusaka today by National assembly Media Liaison Officer Chikomeni Banda, Mr. Milupi is expected to carry out duties of presiding officer of the ACP Parliamentary Assembly and Co- Presiding Officer of the ACP-EU JPA.

The ACP-EU JPA is one of the organs of joint institutions provided for under Article 8 of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement.

It was created out of a common desire to bring together elected representatives of European Community, Members of European Parliament and elected representatives of ACP groups of states.

ZANIS

African countries express worry over the outcome of the UN Convention on Climate Change Conference

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African countries attending the fifteenth United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC) have expressed worry over the outcome of the conference following a document that was leaked by the host country giving out its predictions of the outcome of the conference.

Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Climate Change advisor George Wamukoya said in an interview here that COMESA and Africa as a whole were saddened by the development in which Denmark is alleged to have been holding informal meetings with selected countries.

Denmark on Monday held an informal meeting with selected number of countries including two African countries – South Africa and Lesotho at which a document was circulated and later retrieved from the meeting.

Sudan which currently chairs the G77 was not invited, forced it’s way in the meeting.

The document has however created a shiver among the African and developing countries as a whole being the most vulnerable to the effects of climate change.

Initially, negotiations for the continuation of the Kyoto protocol are underway here in which groups like the Least Developed Countries, G77 and China and the African Working Group have been closed up negotiation for a legal binding deal.

Mr. Wamukoya said if parties to the Kyoto protocol were for a deal that benefits both the developing and developed countries, it is wrong for Denmark to stab the least developed countries to a political deal.

The negotiations to the post-Kyoto protocol started at a meeting in Bali at which members agreed that Copenhagen would be the final destination where a second commitment to the continuation of the treaty was due.

However the actions from the hosts give impressions that developing countries will not be favoured by the outcome.

He said in Bali two years ago, Denmark was a landmark for the developed countries to make their commitment towards their emission of gas.

He said Denmark was being partisan as it was not the member of the party coming up with the document in question but the host nation with a few countries of whom it had bilateral talks with.

“The content of the document does not even reflect all the issues currently under negotiation at the conference, it is in favour of the developed countries meaning that Africa still has to bear the effects of climate change in a more sever way than before.

The document also does not favour the two tracks that have been tabled by the Bali Action Plan as well as the Kyoto protocol; this is done to bring America into track as United States of America is not Part to the Kyoto Protocol”.

“The document is political while the Kyoto protocol is a legally binding instrument that parties to this legal binding follow, the document is open ended and kills the Kyoto protocol”

Meanwhile the G77 and China chairman Lumumba Stanislaus gave a strong warning against the move by the host nation to predict the outcome of the conference.

Mr Stanislaus said countries from developing nations are looking for a deal that is binding and favours all.

He said the G77 and China will not take anything less than having the Kyoto protocol continue into its second commitment.

ZANIS

MMD in Luapula asks RB to fire Namulambe

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Science and technology minister Gabriel Namulambe
Science and technology minister Gabriel Namulambe

The Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) in Luapula Province has asked President Rupiah Banda to dismiss Science and Technology Minister Gabriel Namulambe over his alleged tribal remarks.
MMD Luapula provincial secretary Davis Chitwaka said in a statement to ZANIS that Mr Namulambe’s tribal remarks have brought embarrassment to the cabinet and therefore President Banda must relieve him of his duties.
Mr. Chitakwa said MMD does not condone any form of tribalism as it believes in One Zambia One Nation, adding that Mr Namulambe no longer deserves to be a cabinet minister for peddling tribalism.

Meanwhile MMD Luapula provincial secretary Davis Chitwaka has said the party leadership in the province has welcomed the announcement by MMD deputy national secretary Jeff Kande that the National Executive Committee (NEC) will soon meet to announce the date of the convention.

Mr. Chitakwa said Luapula province will give overwhelming support to President Rupiah as its candidate for the party presidency at the party convention, whose date is yet to be announced.

The MMD provincial secretary warned people forming pressure groups to campaign against the top leadership of the party in the province to refrain from the practice before they are exposed.
He said anyone with genuine intentions to help organise the MMD in Luapula province must use the normal channel of presenting issues to the party rather than use underhand methods.

He advised party members who have other preferred presidential candidates for MMD to come out in the open and market their candidates instead of holding dark corner meetings.
He said this was important because the ruling party wants to prove that it is transparent and upholds democratic principles.
Mr Chitwaka said the party officials in the province will work hard to ensure President Banda gets a landslide victory over other contenders for party presidency because he has performed well for the short time he has been in office.
He said President Banda has a lot of support in Luapula and there was no reason to worry about the people who are attacking him in the Press alleging that such people were just sponsored.

ZANIS

49 year old wizard fined K200,000

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THE Mpulungu magistrate court today ordered a 49 year old witch doctor to pay K200 000 cash or go to prison for six months in default after he was convicted of practicing witch craft.

Before Mpulungu magistrate Miyato Muyambango was Gerald Sikazwe who pleaded guilty to one count of professing knowledge of witch craft contrary to section 5(b) of chapter 90 of the laws of Zambia.

Facts before the court were that on 29th November, 2009, Moses Sikazwe and his twin brother, Aaron, heard that a witch doctor capable of making people rich by giving charms was in Posa village and they decided to consult him before he accepted so.

He told them to see him on the morning of 1st December at a prearranged venue with some ‘requirements’ and while there, they were given medicine to drink and pledge the name of a family members whom they dearly love and the twins pledged to sacrifice their father.

However, before they could finish taking the medicine, Aaron fell down and became unconscious before he was taken home to his mother were he was resuscitated.

The matter was later reported to police who apprehended the witch doctor.

And passing the sentence, magistrate Muyambango noted that though Sikazwe was a first offender who was entitled to lenience, witch doctors must stop cheating people that they could make them rich when themselves were very poor.

He observed that the tendency of searching for juju to become rich was sadly very common in Mpulungu and must come to an end.

He said foolishness drove the complainants to search for money ‘the medicine way’ adding it was folly for one to think they could become rich through witch craft.

In mitigation, Sikazwe who admitted practicing witch craft caused laughter in court when he said he had seven wives and 35 children who were going to suffer if he was sent to prison.

Sikazwe who went on to mention villages where his wives and children are dotted said he was wrong to practice witch craft adding that though he is not there for his children all the time he was not a careless father because he knew that God looks after them.

He told the packed court room that he had been practicing witch craft since 1972.
ZANIS

LCC to go for residential houses turned into business premises

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The Lusaka City Council (LCC) has urged members of the public to cooperation with it in order for it to carry out its duties effectively.

LCC Public Relations manager Chanda Makanta said the local authority has been facing a lot of challenges in discharging its duties effectively because some members of the public were not cooperative.

Mrs. Makanta said people that have been using residential plots for commercial purposes and those who build more than one house on one plot without verifying with the council have posed serious challenges to the local authority.

She told ZANIS that building more than one house on a single plot without the council’s permission is illegal.
She said people who are involved in such practices must be ready to face consequences.

Mrs. Makanta disclosed that LCC has embarked on a re-evaluation exercise to ensure that culprits pay rates for the additional houses or lose their houses through demolition.

She added that those who would be found trading in residential places must be found with a valid trading licence failure to which the council would demolish their property.

She noted that although there is lack of employment, people should find legal means of earning an income other than violating council laws.

Mrs. Makanta observed that LCC may not have the capacity to take note of every activity and has therefore appealed to members of the public to report anything sinister to the council.

ZANIS

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