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She should resign, she’s a teacher’ UPND

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The Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) in Kabwe has brushed aside calls by the opposition for the resignation of Kabwe Municipal council deputy mayor, Christabel Mwenda, saying they did not have any back ground.

Bwacha constituency MMD chairperson, Patrick Chishala, and party provincial treasurer, Robert Makangila, advised the opposition to keep quiet and allow councilors to work towards improvement of the service provision peacefully.

United Party for National Development (UPND) officials over the weekend, called for the resignation of Mrs Mwenda from her position as deputy mayor due to her compromising civil service profession.

Mrs Mwenda, who is Muwowo East MMD councilor, is also Mukobeko High School biology teacher.

During the mayoral elections recently, Mrs Mwenda won the elections, beating Ngungu ward PF councillor, Saidi Chibwana, prompting the opposition to call for her resignation.

But Mr Chishala said Mrs Mwenda would only be required to resign if she was a Member of Parliament, adding that she was not the first civil servant to serve as a councilor and rising to the position of deputy mayor.

He called for teamwork among councilors regardless of their affiliation for the interest of the residents who were expecting a lot in terms of services.

‘As we go towards 2011, we need to unite regardless of our political affiliations and such calls will only divide the council, a thing that will not help anyone,’ he said.

And Mr Makangila said the MMD was in a hurry to meet the 30 per cent women participation in decision-making positions as one of the Millennium Development Goals.

He said the MMD was proud that Mrs Mwenda was also the first woman to become deputy mayor for Kabwe Municipal Council, adding that government should even ensure that more women were raised to head schools in Kabwe so that the goal could be attained.

Mr Makangila said non-issues, such as calls from the opposition, should not be entertained because they would only take away the achievements the MMD had made so far.

Yesterday, Central Province Minister, Ackimson Banda, installed both mayor Chimbwi Musonda, and Mrs Mwenda as deputy mayor at the council grounds during the mayoral installation.

[ZANIS]

Find other means of revenue collection, Mulyata tells Councils

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Northwestern province Minister Joseph Mulyata has advised the local authorities in the province to find other means for revenue collection other than complaining about the abolished grain levy.

Mr Mulyata said the councils should work tirelessly and make use of various legislations in force to generate income and sustain their service delivery to their residents.

The minister said this at the installation ceremony of the mayor Peter Kikatula and his deputy Obedia Nsonge of Solwezi Municipal council held at the civic centre today.

Mr. Mulyata said the council should continue working hard and look for finances by utilizing as many areas of income generation as possible to meet the mandatory obligations as stipulated in the local government Act.

He said although government has abolished the grain levy, it is finding ways and means of compensating the local authorities through disbursement of grants to the councils regularly.

“Government attaches great importance to the operation of the local authorities as they are an important institution in the provision of services to the community.” Mr Mulyata noted

Mr Mulyata said the local government being an institution closer to the people was better placed to effectively act as a mirror of the central government for service delivery adding that it was through councils that local people are given an opportunity to fully exercise democracy as they participate in the affairs that affect them.

He assured the councils that government will committed to improving the environment to foster revenue collection initiatives and shall endeavor to provide resources so as to enable them carry their functions for the betterment and satisfaction of the communities.

Mr Mulyata, therefore, encouraged the civic leaders of Solwezi municipal council to work as a team in order for them to fully achieve their aims and objectives.

“There is need for you to work hard and in harmony with the chief officers and all the employees of the council, resolve all matters in the civic centre chamber.” He emphasised

Speaking earlier newly re-elected and installed Solwezi town Mayor Peter Kikatula pledged to work hard in ensuring that the town becomes a better place in terms of service provision.

Mr Kikatula said the people of Solwezi cannot afford to lag behind in development and appealed to all the residents to contribute if meaningful development was to be realized and thanked his fellow councilors for the confidence they have shown his leadership as well as for re-electing him

[ZANIS]

Mwinilunga needs more teachers – Samakesa

2

Mwinilunga District Commissioner (DC), Webster Samakesa, says there is need to improve staffing levels of teachers in most schools in the district.

Speaking when Zambia National Education Coalition (ZANEC) team paid a courtesy call on him, Mr Samakesa said most of the schools in the district are operating on skeleton staff.

Mr Samakesa cited Ntambu as one of the schools that are affected by low staffing levels of teachers.

He noted that the quality of education could only be improved once more teachers are employed in the education sector.

Mr Samakesa bemoaned that low staffing levels of teachers in the province has contributed in the poor performance of pupils in the region.

Meanwhile, the DC has disclosed that the district has received more than 90 teachers in the quest to beef up the staffing levels.

He further explained that some high schools in the district have ten teachers to attend to all the classes.

He wondered how the quality of education could be improved with low staffing levels in schools.

And ZANEC executive director, Miriam Chinyama, explained to the district commissioner that ZANEC is in the district to promote participation of various stakeholders in school management.

She noted that all stakeholders need to play a role in the management of schools if the quality of education is to be improved.

Ms Chinyama said running of schools should not be left to the District Education Board Secretaries’ (DEBS) alone, adding that all stakeholders should come on board and compliment the efforts of the DEBS’s office.

[ZANIS]

Angela Nyirenda sobs as she watches son being ‘abducted’

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Zambia’s songbird Angela Nyirenda, yesterday wept at the Kitwe local court after her eight-year-old son was allegedly abducted by her former lover, Masautso Banda, who is the father of the boy.

Angela and Banda appeared in the Kitwe local court yesterday over the custody of the child.

Banda, a Kitwe businessperson, took his son by force from unsuspecting Nyirenda after Kitwe local court senior presiding justice, Rodney Kasoka, dismissed the case, saying the matter be heard in Lusaka where the defendant (Angela) was residing.

Banda had taken Angela to court after she failed to release the boy, who had gone to visit her for holidays in Lusaka.

However, justice Kasoka, who was sitting with justices Ignatius Masupelo and Alice Obe, said in dismissing the case that the court could not handle the matter because it had no jurisdiction over it.

He said the court had considered the case carefully and resolved that since the mother and child in question were Lusaka residents, the matter be heard in Lusaka.

In his testimony, Banda told the court that he was in fact keeping the child in Kitwe and that the boy had merely travelled to Lusaka to see his mother who he alleged failed to release him.

Mr Kasoka advised the two to appeal within 30 days if they were not pleased with the outcome of the case or sue afresh in Lusaka.

But shortly after coming out of court, Banda got the boy amid
protestations from the child and drove off in his Honda CVR registration number ACK 7406.

The boy, who was crying, tried to jump out of the vehicle through the window.
Banda stopped the car, closed the windows while a shocked and sobbing Nyirenda rushed to the court justices to report the incident.

And Nyirenda’s uncle, Stanley Mushange, said the family had allowed Banda to keep his son on condition that he visited the mother during holidays.

Mr Mushange alleged Banda, who took the child a year ago, had never taken him to see his mother in Lusaka.

He disclosed that Nyirenda’s family had gone to the victim support unit so that they could resolve the matter amicably but Banda refused and instead took the matter to court.
[Times of Zambia]

NRC insuance phase 2 begins

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THE Government has started the second phase of the mobile National Registration Card (NRC) issuance exercise, which will cost K22 billion in three provinces, Home Affairs Minister Lameck Mangani has said.

Mr Mangani told a Press briefing in Lusaka yesterday the exercise started yesterday in Northern, Southern and Central provinces.

He said the Government was committed to ensuring that it carried out the exercise in all the nine provinces and allayed some opposition leaders’ assertions that Government was only concentrating on MMD strongholds.

The second phase follows the conclusion of the first one, which started on June 1, 2009 in North-Western, Western and Eastern provinces and cost K20 billion.

“This exercise involves officers going to the remotest areas of the country to issue NRCs to the citizens who are unable to travel to the local district registration offices due to long distances.

“It is important that all eligible citizens who have attained the age of 16 years and above, including all those who need to replace their destroyed, damaged or lost cards report to the nearest registration centres that will be established to register for their NRCs,” he said.

Mr Mangani warned foreign nationals residing in Zambia not to take advantage of the exercise and illegally obtain the green cards.

“Any Zambian who may present or stand in for a foreigner as deponent in order to illegally obtain the green NRCs will be committing an offence for which they will be prosecuted.

“Foreign nationals residing in Zambia are, however, eligible to obtain NRCs other than the green ones. Foreign residents who are from the Commonwealth countries are eligible to obtain pink NRCs and the rest qualify for a blue NRC,” he said. [quote]

Mr Mangani scoffed at some opposition leaders for insinuating that Government was conducting the exercise in areas where the MMD was popular.

He said the NRC issuance was a national programme which was supposed to cater for all areas and it would be naïve for any government to use it to advance the ruling party position saying one could not even tell who would vote for who.

The mobile exercise was aimed at ensuring people in hard-to-reach areas of the country accessed the national identity cards and given more funds and other logistics, the exercise would be implemented simultaneously throughout the country.

He said, for instance, some areas could not be reached during the first phase and now the Government had set aside an extra K300 million for officers to return to the places and issue the cards.

[Times of Zambia]

MMD picks Chifita for Solwezi Central

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MMD Solwezi central parliamentary candidate Albert Chifita followed by chairman for elections Mike Mlongoti after being adopted to contest the vacant parliamentary seat on the ruling party
MMD Solwezi central parliamentary candidate Albert Chifita followed by chairman for elections Mike Mlongoti after being adopted to contest the vacant parliamentary seat on the ruling party

THE MMD has picked former Solwezi District Commissioner (DC) Albert Chifita as the party candidate in next month’s Solwezi Central parliamentary by-elections.

MMD chairperson for elections Mike Mulongoti announced in Lusaka yesterday that Mr Chifita, who resigned as Solwezi DC upon his application to stand on the party ticket was picked from among 12 candidates.

The Solwezi Central parliamentary seat fell vacant after the death of Local Government and Housing minister, Benny Tetamashimba on September 5 and the Electoral Commission of Zambia has set November 19 for the by-election.

Mr Mulongoti said after undertaking a democratic selection process, Mr Chifita was found to have been the most suitable candidate who would be easy to sell to the electorate.

He said during the process by the lower organs of the party, Mr Chifita, who is a former deputy general manager at the closed Zambia-China Mulungushi Textiles in Kabwe, was picked as a sole candidate by the district and the provincial executive committees.

Mr Chifita, a teacher by profession once served as assistant secretary in the Ministry of Defence before he was seconded to the then Mulungushi Textiles of Zambia (MTZ).

Mr Chifita was MMD Central Province vice-chairperson until his appointment as Solwezi DC.

MMD deputy national secretary Jeff Kaande said that the party had all the confidence in Mr Chifita and could not doubt his political performance.

[Times of Zambia]

Poor sanitation in rural areas

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THE poor sanitation coverage in rural areas remains a big threat to the achievement of the Millennium Development goals sanitation target in Zambia. This is because most rural communities do not have access to any form of toilet facility.

The cost of not having toilets and practicing good hygiene on the country’s growth and economic development is significant. According to document on the state of sanitation in Zambia (2008), lack of toilets and poor hygiene leads to loss of productivity, preventable health costs, low educational achievement, high morbidity and poor social development.

The effect of poor environmental sanitation and hygiene has mainly manifested in diarrhoea and other related diseases. Western province is one region in the country with low sanitation coverage. According to Mongu district director of health, Dr Frank Liywali, the top ten problematic diseases are environmental related. He says the dismal sanitation coverage which stands at 27 percent poses a serious health challenge.

He said the ministry of health continues to record steady cases of diarrhea, dysentery eye infection (trachoma) and skill infections, all resulting from poor hygiene and lack of access to safe water.

Dr Liywali says worse still, access to safe water in the area which previous stood at 26% has drastically reduced to 21%, blaming the situation on the floods which affected most safe water points especially in the plains that are prone to flooding.

“We still have difficulties with environmental manipulated diseases like diarrhoea and dysentery. Out major challenge is changing the attitude of the people despite intensified health education campaigns,” he lamented. “Another challenge has been the cost of equipment like water testing kits. This year, it is in our action plan to buy this equipment but they have been no funds.”

Concerned at this situation, OXFAM international which operating in western province implementing various development programmes wants to reserve the situation by embracing the Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) programme.

OXFAM convened a one week workshop recently at Saint Lawrence training centre in Limulunga, Mongu, targeting government officers, chiefs, indunas and civic leaders drawn from Kaoma and Mongu districts.

OXFAM wants the success story of the CLTS campaign piloted in Choma district of southern province by UNICEF replicated in the province to heal surmount the sanitation challenges and the result poor hygiene practices.

OXFAM programmes officer for health Mutinta Chilimboyi says this is because CLTS has shown tremendous success in scaling sanitation coverage in Choma and other parts of southern province. “Our project has a component of review of best international and national practices in terms of public health, water and sanitation options and technologies which should be replaced in areas of our project implementation,” said Mrs Chilimboyi. “Our concern is whether this approach will work in a different cultural context in western province,” she explained.

Mrs Chilimboyi explains the decision to adopt the CLTS approach followed extensive consultations with local authorities and the district Water Health Sanitation Education (D-WASHE) committees on what should be done to address the low sanitation coverage in western province given its unique cultural context.

“The OXFAM project is in western province is phasing out next year but we hope the stakeholders like the councils and the ministry of health will continue with the programme since it is in line with the government road and policy on the National Rural water Supply and Sanitation Programme(NRWSSP),” she said.

Ms Chililmboyi explained that the OXFAM budget line was only able to finance trainings as there is no specific funding for the CLTS. “We are trying to get contingent funds from the donors to ensure the CLTS project become a success in western province.

The CLTS programme thrives on the principal of communities initiating action to stop open defecation through construction of latrines and promotion of good hygiene practices without any hardware subsidies from government or other development agencies.

Presenting a paper on the role of traditional leaders in the CLTS campaign to the OXFAM sponsored workshop of chiefs, Indunas and other stakeholders in Mongu, chief Macha of the Tonga people of Choma warned it would be difficult for the country to achieve some of the millennium development goals unless there were accelerated efforts in the provision of good sanitation and safe water to rural communities.

The chief said more still needed to be done though government through its National Rural Water Supply and Sanitation (NRWSS) policy had put in place a comprehensive programme to attain some of the goals on rural sanitation and water supply.

Chief Macha also paid courtesy call on the Litunga, the paramount chief of Western province, at his Limulunga palace to explain the CLTS programme said improving the low percentage coverage on sanitation and water in rural areas required a concerted effort involving government, traditional leaders and cooperating partners.

He pointed out that the implementation of the NRWSS programme should not be left to government alone because of the mammoth work and limited time remaining in meeting the MDGs.

He said the biggest challenge facing most rural communities was lack of access to latrines and safe water resulting in sanitation related diseases which could be avoided with latrine use and good hygiene practices.

The traditional leader said leadership was needed at the level of chiefs and headmen to spearhead latrines construction without necessary to government for subsidies. “If people are able to build homes on their own without any government assistance, what is so special about a toilet?” he asked.

Chief Macha said since the launch of the Community Led Total Sanitation by UNICEF in Choma district in the year 2007, all the 105 villages in his chief had become open defecation free as all households had built latrines.

“I am happy to inform you that all my villages have latrines and are observing good hygiene through hand washing. This has tremendously improved the health status of my subjects,” he told the Litunga. “This toilet revolution is because of my active and personal involvement in encouraging my subjects.”

Chief Macha said the CLTS approach was unique as there was no need for government handouts but only local resources to put up standard latrines.

He said his decision to become an ambassador of sanitation was because of his concern that rural communities would not be able to reach the MGS targets on sanitation as most of them still answered the call of nature in the bush thereby increasing the disease burden.

CLTS national coordinator Leonard Mukosha explained to the workshop that where CLTS sparks off, there was urgent collective action to stop open defecation. “CLTS focuses on igniting a change in sanitation behavior rather than constructing toilets. It does this through a process of social awakening that is stimulated by facilitators from within or outside the community.”

CLTS, he said, it encouraged the communities to take responsibility and to take its own action.

Mr Mukosha says the concept concentrates on the whole community rather than on individual behaviour. The fundamental thing is that CLTS does not provide individual household hardware subsidy and does not prescribe latrine models.

Social solidarity, help and cooperation among the households in the community are a common and vital element in CLTS.

Mukosha added: “in its fullest sense, total sanitation includes a range of behaviours such as stopping open defecation, ensuring that everyone uses a hygienic toilet, washing hands with soap before preparing and eating food and safe disposal of waste.”

After the three days training at Limulunga, it was time to do practical work, a major principle of the CLTS programme. The participants were put into groups and assigned to various areas in Mongu and Kaoma districts to go and ‘trigger’ CLTS. Triggering is based on stimulating a collective sense of disgust, embarrassment and shame among community members as they confront the crude facts about mass open defecation and its negative impacts on the entire community.

The author was part of the group led by Chief Kandala that assigned to trigger Yuka village, the traditional palace of the lead facilitator. During the trigger, it emerged that Yuka village with 40 households with a total population of 160 people only has to latrines in the entire village.

During the focused group discussion, villagers explained in the presence of the chief that most members of the community were answering the call of nature. Another key thing during the trigger was that traditionally chiefs in western province do not present themselves before their subjects any. This taboo was broken during the CLTS trigger as villagers discussed freely in front of the chief on matter over sanitation.

What then is the way forward for CLTS in western province?

The chiefs and Indunas present at the five days workshop all unanimously affirmed to launch a toilet revolution in their areas. Chief Chiengele of Mongu said CLTS would be nurtured because of the immense benefits but was quick to point out that cultural barriers in Barotseland were still a factor.

But chief Macha said chiefs in western province could take advantage of the strong culture and traditional and integrate CLTS. “Chiefs and headmen should use their structures and authority to spearhead santiation campaign. This is achievable,” he said.

Chief Macha argued that culture should be dynamic and also accommodative to modern innovations meant to improve the health status of the people. It only remains to be seen how OXFAM and other stakeholders will implement the CLTS programme given the unique cultural context of western province.

ZANIS

Zambia Offer Nothing New

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Coach Herve Renard is a relieved man following Sundays late 1-0 win over Namibia at Rufaro Stadium in a match that saw very little hope that the spectre of Zambia’s poor attacking form will go away anytime soon.

After a blistering and dramatic 1-0 win over Namibia on Sunday, Zambia take on Mozambique on Thursday , October 29 in Bulawayo for a place in Sundays final of this years Cosafa Senior Challenge Cup.

Zanaco midfielder Henry Banda’s missed penalty in the second half was the epitome of Zambia’s malaise in front of goal.

Furthermore Strikers Felix Sunzu and Enock Sakala did little to give Zambia hope of a solution to the team’s poor prolific form.

However, Renard knows he has little options and should stick to his towering duo in a gamble to keep Zambia on cause for a place in Sundays final at Rufaro.

One change that is certain to come will see Allan Mukuka start from the right side of midfield after an eye-catching display when he came on as a substitute late in the match.

Hopefully should Mukaka start, one hopes there will be some added quality in a midfield that was fraught with breakdowns going on the offensive.

Weekend in Pictures -Part II- updated

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Kasama, Zambia

Lewis Siwila doing acrobatics at Kasama sports Stadium during  Independence celebration Day.
Lewis Siwila doing acrobatics at Kasama sports Stadium during Independence celebration Day.
Northern team captain Micah Zyambo (in blue) tries to clear the ball from Col. Miti during Independence Day celebrations yesterday at Kasama  Sports stadium.
Northern team captain Micah Zyambo (in blue) tries to clear the ball from Col. Miti during Independence Day celebrations yesterday at Kasama Sports stadium.
ACTING Assistant Secretary Anthony Mutono controls the ball as he is challenged by Acting Provincial Information Officer Himweela Mooya (r)during Independence Day celebrations at Kasama Sports stadium
ACTING Assistant Secretary Anthony Mutono controls the ball as he is challenged by Acting Provincial Information Officer Himweela Mooya (r)during Independence Day celebrations at Kasama Sports stadium
DAVIES Kunda of TAZARA Blue Stars players in an aerial tussle with Young Forest players at Kasama Sports Stadium. Young Forest beat TAZARA Blue  stars 2-0 in the FAZ division three qualifier match on Independence day in Kasama.
DAVIES Kunda of TAZARA Blue Stars players in an aerial tussle with Young Forest players at Kasama Sports Stadium. Young Forest beat TAZARA Blue stars 2-0 in the FAZ division three qualifier match on Independence day in Kasama.

Baltimore, USA

A Zambian Gospel Choir belting it out at Zambia's Independence Day Celebrations in Baltimore on Saturday, 24th October, 2009IMG_0958
A Zambian Gospel Choir belting it out at Zambia's Independence Day Celebrations in Baltimore on Saturday, 24th October, 2009
Zambia's Ambassador at a Zambian Independence Day celebration in Baltimore cutting a ckae with young Jermima UdosenIMG_0956
Zambia's Ambassador at a Zambian Independence Day celebration in Baltimore cutting a ckae with young Jermima UdosenIMG_0956

Washington DC, USA

Zambian Ambassador to the USA, Dr. Inonge Mbikusita-Lewanika and Director of the Southern Africa Desk at the US State Depaermen, Sue Brown cutting a cake
Zambian Ambassador to the USA, Dr. Inonge Mbikusita-Lewanika and Director of the Southern Africa Desk at the US State Depaermen, Sue Brown cutting a cake
Dr. Inonge Mbikusita-Lewanika giving a specch at an Independence reception in Washington DC IMG_0900
Dr. Inonge Mbikusita-Lewanika giving a specch at an Independence reception in Washington DC IMG_0900

Accra, Ghana

Zambian Independence Celebration in Accra, Ghana
Zambian Independence Celebration in Accra, Ghana
Zambian Independence Celebration in Accra, Ghana
Zambian Independence Celebration in Accra, Ghana

Moscow, Russia

Not withstanding the failure by the Zambian embassy in Moscow to invite Zambian students for an independence party, students celebrated the 45th independence out side with a temperature of 0 degrees celcius
Not withstanding the failure by the Zambian embassy in Moscow to invite Zambian students for an independence party, students celebrated the 45th independence out side with a temperature of 0 degrees celcius
Moscow - Zambian students
Moscow - Zambian students

Oslo, Norway

Independence Celebrations in Oslo, Norway
Independence Celebrations in Oslo, Norway
Independence Celebrations in Oslo, Norway
Independence Celebrations in Oslo, Norway
Independence Celebrations in Oslo, Norway
Independence Celebrations in Oslo, Norway
Independence Celebrations in Oslo, Norway
Independence Celebrations in Oslo, Norway
Independence Celebrations in Oslo, Norway
Independence Celebrations in Oslo, Norway
Independence Celebrations in Oslo, Norway
Independence Celebrations in Oslo, Norway
Independence Celebrations in Oslo, Norway
Independence Celebrations in Oslo, Norway

DSC_1066

Atlanta , USA

Atlanta 45th Zambian Independence Celebration weekend pictures
Atlanta 45th Zambian Independence Celebration weekend pictures
Atlanta 45th Zambian Independence Celebration weekend pictures
Atlanta 45th Zambian Independence Celebration weekend pictures
Atlanta 45th Zambian Independence Celebration weekend pictures
Atlanta 45th Zambian Independence Celebration weekend pictures

Atlanta 45th Zambian Independence Celebration weekend pictures

Lands Deputy Minister Mabenga counsels chiefs on land

8

Lands Deputy Minister Michael Mabenga has urged Chiefs in Western Province to reserve land in their respective chiefdoms.

Mr. Mabenga said Government intends to work with Chiefs in the country so that they teach their subjects to refrain from selling their land any how.

The Minister said this when he paid a courtesy call on the Litunga Lamboela Makwibi Mwanawina and Chief Mebeelo Lukama of Senanga District yesterday.

He pointed out that land is very important hence the need to protect and maintain it properly as the population of the country is increasing rapidly.

And her Royal Highness Litunga Makwibi Mwanawina observed that issues of land are very important and if not handled properly can cause fighting among people in their respective areas.

She urged Government through the Minister to educate the nation on the importance of land and preserve it.
Her Royal Highness added that the council should be in consultation with the Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE) if it intends to sell land adding of late she has been receiving complaints that some of the traditional land has been sold by the council.

Meanwhile, Chief Mebeelo Lukama commended the Minister for embarking on sensitizing chiefs on land and the importance of working together with the Government of the day.

The Minister was accompanied by Western Province Lands Officer Anthony Shimwambwa and Ministry of Lands Headquarters Administrative Officer.

[ZANIS]

Mansa man shot on DR Congo waters

8

A 42-year-old man of Mansa is battling for his life in Mansa general hospital after being shot and wounded while fishing on the DR Congo side along the Luapula River in Mansa.

Luapula Province Police Chief, Auxensio Mbewe confirmed the incident to ZANIS and named the victim as Mwansa Chimbaya of Kalukuluku village in Chief Chinsunka’s area.

Mr Mbewe said Chimbaya was shot in the left leg around 18.00 last Friday as he fished on foreign waters on the Luapula River.

He said Chimbaya sustained a deep wound on his leg and is currently being nursed at Mansa general hospital.

Narrating the ordeal, Chimbaya said he had just cast his net on the Congo DR side along the Luapula River and while he was returning, he just heard gunshot adding that he does not know the people who shot at him.

Mr Mbewe said this is not the first time that a Zambian has been shot on the Luapula River on the Congo DR side.

He said the problem is that local people are fond of crossing over into the Congo DR waters on the Luapula River to engage in illegal fishing.

The police chief explained that Zambian fishermen are attracted by good stocks of fish on the Congo DR side because the Zambian side is said to be depleted

He said police have been doing everything possible to sensitize people to stop crossing into the neighbouring country waters to minimise the incidents.

“We have carried out sensitisations telling our people to desist from fishing in the Congolese waters on the Luapula River. They know that but sometimes they just tend to follow the fish which is plenty on the other side,” Mr Mbewe said.

[ZANIS]

Poor People’s party call for one opposition pact

13

The United Poor People of Zambia Freedom Party (UPFP) has called on all opposition political parties in Zambia to merge and form one pact.

Party president Alex Muliokela told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today that the merger will ensure that the opposition has one voice in advocating for the plight of the people.

Mr Muliokela added that all interested registered opposition political parties should come together and one presidential candidate for the 2011 general elections.

He said the move will make it easy for the pact to contest and win all parliamentary constituencies in 2011.

Mr Muliokela explained that it was important for an effective political alliance which will incorporate all registered opposition political parties.

He further explained that all political parties that might merge would have their symbols incorporated to make one symbol for the pact.

He said this will facilitate a proper programme and in turn provide a chance to the political parties to speak with one voice.

Mr Muliokela suggested that the pact could be called the Zambians’ Freedom Alliance (ZAFA).

[ZANIS]

The Weekend in Pictures-Part I

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Children and other gate crushers trying to gain entry into the Lusaka show grounds where Zambia's 45th independence celebrations were held
Children and other gate crushers trying to gain entry into the Lusaka show grounds where Zambia's 45th independence celebrations were held, probably for piece of the cake
President Banda cuts the independence cake
President Banda cuts the independence cake
President Rupiah Banda presents the Order of the Eagle of Zambia - First Division award to late south African freedom fighter Oliver Tambo's daughter Nomatemba
President Rupiah Banda presents the Order of the Eagle of Zambia - First Division award to late south African freedom fighter Oliver Tambo's daughter Nomatemba
President Banda with Archwell Mawele after awarding him the President's Medal for Gallantry
President Banda with Archwell Mawele after awarding him the President's Medal for Gallantry
President Banda meets Mama Kankasa and other freedom fighters
President Banda meets Mama Kankasa and other freedom fighters
One of the South Africa's dance  groups  entertain guests
One of the South Africa's dance groups entertain guests
New Revolution Party leader Cozmo Mumba kneels before vice president George Kunda
New Revolution Party leader Cozmo Mumba kneels before vice president George Kunda
The Freedom Statue in Lusaka
The Freedom Statue in Lusaka
Some permanent secretaries waiting in the hot summer sun to shake President Banda's hand at the freedom statue
Some permanent secretaries waiting in the hot summer sun to shake President Banda's hand at the freedom statue
Some permanent secretaries waiting inthe sun to shake President Banda's hand at the freedom statue
Some permanent secretaries waiting inthe sun to shake President Banda's hand at the freedom statue
President Banda talks to All People's Congress party president Kenneth ngondo
President Banda talks to All People's Congress party president Kenneth ngondo
President banda greets Oliver Tambo area executive Mayor Zoleka Capa after laying wreaths at the freedom Staue in Lusaka
President banda greets Oliver Tambo area executive Mayor Zoleka Capa after laying wreaths at the freedom Staue in Lusaka
Mike Mlongoti and Dora Siliya waiting for their turn to shake President Banda's hand at the freedom statue
Mike Mlongoti and Dora Siliya waiting for their turn to shake President Banda's hand at the freedom statue
President Banda greets his son Dingani after laying wreaths at the freedom staue in Lusaka
President Banda greets his son Dingani after laying wreaths at the freedom staue in Lusaka
Chaplains from the defence forces follow proceedings after laying wreaths at the freedom staue in Lusaka
Chaplains from the defence forces follow proceedings after laying wreaths at the freedom staue in Lusaka
Armed presidential guards trailing President banda's motorcade when he wa making his way to State House
Armed presidential guards trailing President banda's motorcade when he wa making his way to State House
All People's Congress party president Kenneth Ngondo composing himself before he greeted President Banda at the freedom Statue in Lusaka
All People's Congress party president Kenneth Ngondo composing himself before he greeted President Banda at the freedom Statue in Lusaka
A presidential security man blocks an LT photographer from taking President Banda's pictures
A presidential security man blocks an LT photographer from taking President Banda's pictures
A presidential guard stands beside President banda's Mercedes Benz car
A presidential guard stands beside President banda's Mercedes Benz car
Zambia Army soldiers on parade during the laying of wreaths at the freedom statue in Lusaka
Zambia Army soldiers on parade during the laying of wreaths at the freedom statue in Lusaka

Editor’s Note

We have more Pictures of Independence celebrations by Zambia around the world. We thought we get the politicians out of the way first. Please check again for more pictures  as the day progresses

Barclays Cup Loses Out on Bankable Asset

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The 2009 Barclays Cup this weekend lost a potential big draw in the quarterfinals of this year’s tournament.

Division 1 club Nkana drew another big audience for their last 8 match against Choma Eagles at Woodlands Stadium.

Nkana fans out numbered and drowned-out even the followers of the Green Buffaloes and Assembly supporters from the lunchtime kick-off of this Barclays Cup doubleheader at Woodlands.

Even Choma coach Keegan Mumba said while his side might have won the match, had football been judged as a popularity contest, Nkana would have progressed to the last four of the years Barclays Cup.

“If it was an election, Nkana would have qualified to the semi-finals,” Mumba said, whose side beat Nkana 8-7 in post-match penalties after a 1-1 fulltime result.

Three clubs come close to filling stadiums thanks to a traditionally strong following.

Nkana easily lead the pack followed by Kabwe Warriors and Power Dynamos although Mufulira Wanderers are quickly fading in the distance as evident during their Week match against the Red Devils at Nkoloma last month.

And had they beaten Choma, the Barclays Cup would have enjoyed some near sell-out crowds should Nkana’s match continued to the final on November 21.

For now2, the onus is on Power who beat defending 2007 and 20908 Barclays Cup champions Zesco United 1-0 via an 89th minute goal from Simon Bwalya to keep the crowds interested in the Barclays Cup.

Results

Power 1- Zesco United 0

Green Buffaloes 1*- National Assembly 1

*Buffaloes win 6-5 pp

Choma Eagles 1*- Nkana 1

*Choma win 8-7 pp

Postponed:

Zanaco- Roan United (TBA)

Mpombo escapes lynching

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A GROUP of people chanting Patriotic Front (PF) slogans and waving the party symbol yesterday interrupted the Newsmakers’ Forum after almost beating up former Defence minister, George Mpombo.

Mr Mpombo, who was the guest at the forum organised by the Press Freedom Committee of the Post Newspapers at Lusaka Playhouse, bolted to safety after the unruly group besieged him calling for his blood.

The members of the group, who rose from the audience chanting PF slogans, had earlier on paid for their entry into the auditorium, quietly settled and allowed Mr Mpombo to start his presentation.

Mr Mpombo started by saying that democracy was cardinal in attracting foreign direct investment and as such, it was important for Zambia to adhere to democratic principles.

He said that it was important that Zambian political parties including the MMD practised true democracy and at that point, the cadres stood up from the audience shouting ‘Pabwato, Pabwato’ and attempted to beat up moderator, Sheikh Chifuwe and Mr Mpombo.

The former Defence minister, who is Kafulafuta Member of Parliament, panicked and was only shielded by Mr Chifuwe until he found space to sneak out through the back door of the auditorium as all the people on the high table scampered for safety.

The cadres later broke the public address system and got away with recorders for journalists while members of the audience scampered in various directions.
Plain-clothed police officers apprehended one of the cadres.[quote]

After the cadres had left in three buses, some members of the audience went into the auditorium where Mr Mpombo and Mr Chifuwe resurfaced and resolved that the meeting should continue.

Seemingly shaken, Mr Mpombo later addressed the audience but in an interview insisted that despite chanting PF slogans, the cadres were in fact members of the MMD.

“Those are hired thugs from the MMD and I regret what happened but I know they have been paid to do that,” he said.

Acting MMD spokesperson, Mike Mulongoti said he could not comment on whether the cadres that disrupted the meeting were MMD members or not.

He said he was not aware of the disruption of the gathering as he was only coming out of a luncheon at State House.

In his address to the audience, Mr Mpombo said the MMD should go to the convention and elect new office holders, which would be promoting democratic principles on which it was founded.

Constitutionally, he said that the MMD allowed members to participate in a convention every five years and he would continue advocating for it.

“Our constitution says every five years we should go to a convention and what we are seeing is a bad development where people are saying we should not go to a convention.

“What we have now is an acting president who should be endorsed and if people manipulate the constitution it will mean the end of the party,” Mr Mpombo said.

He said he had no intention of leaving the MMD and in an event that he was expelled, he would take the matter to its logical conclusion and also seek the courts’ intervention.

But Mr Mulongoti maintained that he did not understand why Mr Mpombo could agitate for a convention when he failed to do so when he was in the national executive committee as well as a Cabinet minister.

He said that with the suspension, Mr Mpombo had little room and time left for him in the party.

[Times of Zambia]