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Suspected UPND cadres has manhandled two Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) officers in Livingstone’s Libuyu Compound as they drove around the township to announce President Rupiah Banda’s arrival.
President Banda is expected to officially open the Zambia Air-force Pass-out Parade.
A technician, Gilbert Phiri and a driver, Daniel Mulyata escaped unharmed when a group of more than ten men, armed with stones, surrounded their slowly moving vehicle and forcefully bringing it to a halt.
The cadres who accused ZANIS officers of campaigning for MMD by announcing Rupiah Banda’s arrival through the mobile Public Address System as voting in Kasiya ward was in progress mobbed the vehicle viciously grabbing the microphone from the announcing technician and pulled it off the hook.
Irate suspected UPND cadres then forced the door open and tried to pull the technician out of the vehicle, hitting the duo in the process.
Realizing that their lives were in danger, the two ZANIS officers sped off to the nearest Libuyu Police Station.
The alleged UPND Cadres have confiscated the microphone from the mobile van and it has not been retrieved yet.
President Banda is tomorrow expected in Livingstone to officiate at the Zambia Air-force Pass-out Parade and it is mandatory that ZANIS carries out presidential announcements prior to the Republican president’s arrival.
The Lusaka City Council (LCC) says it has already started working on the drainage system in the city ahead of the rainy season.
LCC spokesperson Henry Kapata said the council is currently working on Los Angeles drainage system which passes through Kanyama.
Mr. Kapata told ZANIS in an interview that the council is working with Members of Parliament (MPs) in the cleaning of the drainage systems in the city.
He disclosed that the money that MPs are using is coming from Constituency Development Fund (CDF).
And Mr. Kapata has said that it is not possible to clean Bombay drainage system in Kamwala area as it is very deep and closed.
He said the excavator that the local authority has can only clean an open drainage system.
Mr. Kapata has since appealed to the shop keepers in Kamwala area to refrain from throwing liter in the drainage system if they are to avoid sicknesses like Cholera.
Energy and water development minister Kenneth Konga yesterday told parliament that government is committed in ensuring that fuel is made available to consumers in a most cost effective manner whilst ensuring security of supply.
Mr Konga said the current petrol shortage is as a result of the refinery catalyst and other attendant component reforming unit which require replacement adding that the technical performance of the refinery has decreased well before the estimated time for the planned shut down.
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He told parliament in a ministerial statement today that the Indeni petroleum refinery is due to shut down for the scheduled maintenance on 18th October for a period of two weeks.
Mr Konga told the house that this shut down of Indeni is a normal operational matter which is intended to enable the replacement of the components at the refinery in Ndola.
The minister said in order to reduce the inconvenience experienced by .the general public government has taken measures to reduce the problem.
He told parliament that the importation of fuel during the period of shut down, government has engaged the independent petroleum group IPO Kuwait.
Mr Konga said the current suppliers of petroleum feedstock and Dalbit petroleum limited of Kenya will import 50 milliom liters of diesel and 30 million liters of petrol which will be brought in the country through Dar-es-Salaam and Beira.
He added that the loading of the commodity for both routes commenced on 13th October and the first tracks are expected in the country by Friday 16 October 2009.
The minister told parliament that an addition of 1million liters of kerosene is also being imported in order to expedite delivery to filling stations adding that the fuel from Beira will be delivered directly to Lusaka while the products from Dar-es-Salaam will be delivered in Ndola.
Mr Konga said government has already made arrangements to facilitate logistics in the delivery of fuel
He told the house that government has made arrangements with Oil marketing companies OMCs for the importation of finished petroleum products.
President Rupiah Banda says he is not afraid of anyone standing against him as Party President.
Speaking upon arrival at Livingstone International Airport ahead of the Zambia Air force Pass out Parade today, Mr Banda said it was not true to say that the MMD was threatened.
”Iam not afraid of anyone standing against me as President. We are free in our party and will fight for democracy,” he said.
Mr Banda said all members of the party in any case who the MMD was being compared to have never held any convention.
”Have you ever heard of the United Party for National Development (UPND) or the Patriotic Front going to a convention?” he said.
”Don’t worry about what you are hearing that no one is allowed to express himself in the party. You can’t be a member of the party and start airing your views through the press,” he said.
He urged the MMD to remain united and focused adding that the party had channels of communication that party members needed to use.
And Mr Banda has condemned the UPND for going with spears and axes to attack UPND Namwala Member of Parliament Robby Chizyuka.
Mr Banda has also said there is no need to worry about the UPND/PF Pact as it was a pact of two ambitious people.
”I don’t know if we should change the Constitution to have two Presidents. Sata has tried to stand as President three times and Hakainde Hichilema has tried twice at his age, he said.
Mr Banda also said when his name was floated to stand in the 2011 elections in Livingstone, he had reminded the cadres that the MMD had priorities and the determination of the leader for the 2011 would depend what the MMD would put in terms of development.[quote]
He said if MMD wins the Kasama parliamentary seat and the Kasiya ward, then the pact would be finished.
Speaking earlier, Southern Province Minister Daniel Munkombwe said the PF/UPND Pact was nothing but an arrangement.
Mr Munkombwe said if there is an election in Kasama, Mr Hichilema doesn’t go there to support the candidate and wondered how he was busy campaigning for a ward councilor in Kasiya ward.
And MMD Provincial Chairman Solomon Muzyamba said the province was politically stable. He said the Pact was an arrangement between two leaders who were members of that Pact.
Mr Muzyamba said the people were however not in it adding that the sentiments coming from Mr Chizyuka were an indication of the feelings of the people.
The President is tomorrow expected to officially commission 18 officers at an Officers Pass out Parade.
A Consortium of NGOs, churches, trade unions and concerned citizens has denounced the planned demonstrations against the acquittal of former President, Frederick Chiluba.
The consortium, which met at Lusaka’s ZAMCOM Lodge on Thursday called on all Zambians to respect the court’s verdict in the case involving Dr.Chiluba.
It also resolved to discourage citizens from participating in activities that have potential to destabilize the nation.
Bible Gospel Church in Africa Overseer, Bishop Peter Ndhlovu called for action against people agitating anarchy.
World Baptist Churches Association Founder, Bishop Billy Bwanali said people should focus on praying for the government of the day and not pushing for agendas that may divide the nation.
And National Union of Commercial and Industrial Workers President, Seth Paradza, said President Rupiah Banda must be supported in his efforts to reconcile the nation.
Evangelical Youth Alliance President Mose Lungu said Zambia’s peace should not be disturbed by a few members of the civil society championing foreign agendas.
[ZNBC]
Herve Renard has named two players from promotion chasing Nkana to his Cosafa Castle Challenge Cup team that regroups in Lusaka this Sunday prior for departure for Zimbabwe next week.
The duo is former Kitwe United and Chambishi defender Simon Nkole and ex-Zambia Under-17 midfielder Rabson Lwambula.
Nkole and Lwambula caught the attention of Renard a fortnight night ago when leaders Nkana beat Mufulira Wanderers 2-1 in a Division 1 North Week 26 match played at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka on September 27.
Lwambula scored one of Nkana’s goals in that match.
Meanwhile, Zambia are scheduled to play Namibia in the quarterfinal match at the Cosafa Cup on October 25 in a 15:00 kickoff at Rufaro Stadium in Harare.
Team:
Goalkeepers: Joshua Titima (Zanaco), Davey Kaumbwa (Green Buffaloes), Jacob Banda (Zesco United)
Defenders: Jimmy Chisenga (Red Arrows), Mwewa Sakala, Thomas Nyirenda, Charles Siyingwa (All Zanaco), Simon Nkole (Nkana), Percy Kisonge (Zamtel), Hichani Himoonde (Zesco United), Dennis Banda (Green Buffaloes),Davies Nkausu (SuperSport United, South Africa)
Midfielders: Stopilla Sunzu (Unattached), Fwayo Tembo (Unattached), Henry Banda, Allan Mukuka (Both Zanaco), Kebby Hachipuka (Choma Eagles), Rabson Lwambula (Nkana), Stanley Nshimbi (Lusaka Dynamos), Kennedy Mudenda (Power Dynamos), Sebastian Mwansa (Green Buffaloes), Maunga Kabuku (Kabwe Warriors)
Strikers: Felix Sunzu (Avenir de La Marsa, Tunisia), Derrick Kabwe (Roan United), Ignatius Lwipa (Zanaco), Jimmy Njobvu (Red Arrows), Danny Hangunyu (Clube Desportivo 1º de Agosto, Angola), Signs Chibambo (Heartland, Nigeria)
Zesco United and Nchanga Rangers on Wednesday both made significant advances in their top-flight and promotion ambitions with respective away and home wins.
Zesco won 1-0 away to 12th placed Lusaka Dynamos to move into second place on the Faz Super Division table at Queensmead Stadium in Lusaka.
At Nchanga Stadium in Chingola, Nchanga Rangers maintained second place with a 2-0 home win over Afrisports of Kitwe.
Zesco replaced Zanaco at the top of the Faz Premier Division table thanks to a lone goal scored in the 22nd minute by Clifford Chipalo.
The game could have easily finished 1-1 had striker Joseph Milanzi not blasted a penalty straight at goalkeeper Lennon Mumba 10 minutes before Zesco found the net.
“Lusaka (Dynamos) are a stubborn side,” Zesco coach Fighton Simukonda said after the game.
“But it is good we won today and hope to do better in our remaining games.”
Zesco are now one point ahead of former leaders Zanaco on 50 and 51 points respectively.
Meanwhile, Rangers kept close to Division 1 promotion leaders Nkana thanks to goals from striker Nasha Kaya and defender Moses Mulembi.
Rangers are second on 50 points, one less than leaders Nkana after 28 games in the 18-team division 1 North league.
In other news, this years Barclays Cup kicks off next Saturday on October 24.
The semifinals will be played on November 7 while the final will be held a fornight later on the 21st.
Draws for the revised-club tournament will be made next week.
Rescheduled Matches Results
Faz Premier League
Week 21
Lusaka Dynamos 0- Zesco United 1(Clifford Chipalo 22″)
Police and a Non Governmental Organization in Namwala district of Southern province on Tuesday rescued two primary school girls from early marriages in chief Nalubamba’s area.
HODI Project Support Officer, Godfrey Mumba, who confirmed the incident to ZANIS, said the two girls were in grade seven when they were forcibly removed from school.
Mr. Mumba said the two named girls aged 14 and 15 years respectively, were forced to stop going to school by their parents so that they could be married off.
He identified the two ‘husbands’, who are in police custody, as Kebby Kayayi and Kelison Shamalinyanga, both aged 20 years old.
The duo has been charged with defilement and their trial will commence soon.
Mr. Mumba bemoaned the increase in the number of early marriages in the district and called for concerted efforts from all stakeholders to fight the practice.
He said more sensitization efforts were needed if the vice was to be stamped out in the district.
He however expressed confidence that the training of traditional leaders on sexual and gender violence and the formation of the district sexual and gender violence committee would help reduce cases of early marriages in the district.
First Lady Thandiwe Banda (l) and wife to the vice president Irene Kunda (r)
First Lady Thandiwe Banda says there was urgent need to reverse the high levels of unemployment, low health status and poor sanitation in order to achieve sustainable economic growth in Zambia.
Mrs. Banda said for the country to achieve this sustainable economic growth and development, partnerships for development should be encouraged.
She said this today when she officially launched a K3.4 billion Konkola Copper Mine (KCM) and Development Aid from People to People (DAPP), Child Aid Project in Nampundwe community in Mumbwa district of Central Province.
The project, which will run for an initial four years, seeks to empower communities for the development of children who are a key focus to development.
She expressed happiness that KCM had undertaken a comprehensive community development strategy that aims at addressing some constraints to development.
She further expressed gladness that KCM had recognized the value of children in development, adding that the importance of creating a healthy and conducive environment for the growth and development of a child cannot be over-emphasized.
Mrs. Banda said all households are key to the child development process and that the empowerment of communities is cardinal to ensuring efficient child development.
She commended KCM for its valuable work in communities such as its Roll Back Malaria Programme, HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness programmes, health, education, sport and several others that signify KCM’s commitment to the development of the country.
The First Lady further urged the Zambians to appreciate partnerships, saying much can be achieved if people worked in partnership with all sectors of the community in which they live and work.
Mrs. Banda said active community participation is essential for the success of social development programmes.
He said private sector led initiatives are a great stride towards securing the social and economic environment for children and the general populace at large.
She appealed to other companies in the country to emulate KCM by undertaking similar programmes for the common good of the nation.
And speaking earlier, KCM Human Resource Vice President Sophie Mutemba said corporate social responsibility should augment government efforts in achieving sustainable economic development through community development.
Ms. Mutemba said issues of health, sanitation, education and livelihood skills at household level have great impact on national development.
She said it was for this reason that KCM engaged DAPP as a development partner to empower communities with education, skills and material support for health, sustainable livelihood and income generation.
She said through the child aid project, KCM aims to reach out to a total of 10, 000 households in the selected pilot areas of Nampundwe and Chingola.
The Southern African Centre for Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) has urged political parties and their members to develop a culture of conceding defeat when they lose an election.
SACCORD Executive Director Lee Habasonda said political party leaders and their members should learn to accept election results in order to promote peace and harmony after elections.
Mr. Habasonda told ZANIS in a telephone interview in Lusaka today from Kasama that candidates that will lose in the today’s Kasama Central by-elections should accept defeat.
He noted that accepting election results was one way of avoiding violence in the aftermath of elections.
He observed that it would be unfortunate if political parties that would lose will engage in violence instead of accepting the results and defeat.
Mr. Habasonda has since challenged political parties contesting the Kasama Central by-elections to also know and understand the importance of peace, adding that peace is cardinal to the development of the country.
He said it would be sad if any of the political parties that would lose the elections would resort violence that might injure people.
Meanwhile, SACCORD has expressed happiness that the voting process in Kasama opened on a peaceful note.
The Kasama Central parliamentary seat fell vacant after the resignation of the area Member of Parliament, Savior Chishimba, who was a Member of the opposition Patriotic Front (PF).
The candidates contesting the by-election are Movement for Multiparty Democracy’s (MMD) Burton Mugala, Geoffrey Mwamba for the Patriotic Front (PF)-United Party for National Development (UPND) pact, United National Independence Party’s (UNIP) Alexander Chansa while the All People (APC) fielded Maggie Ng’ona.
Christey Ntalasha and Mohammed Hamir are contesting as independents.
Youths presenting poems during the world sight day in Lusaka
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One of the blocks for hostels being erected at the University of zambia great east road campus
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Finance minister Situmbeko Musokotwane sorting his budget speech
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President Banda inspects a wooden sculpture after officiating at the Zambia National Farmers Union annual congress in Lusaka
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President Banda talks to defence chiefs when he arrived from Kasama where he conducted by-election campaigns for the MMD.
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Mandevu Member of Parliament Jean Kapata and her Munali counterpart Mumbi Phiri leave the Lusaka magistrate court
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Motorists queue up for fuel in Lusaka
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Mongu District Commissioner Jethro Mumbuwa receives a donation of school books from UNICEF Country representative Lotta Sylwander in Mongu
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Lusaka Province Permanent Secretary Stephen is congratulated by provincial chief human resources development officer Agness Nkamba during the civil servants sensitization workshop in Lusaka.JPG
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Lusaka residents walking with a placard during the world disaster preparedness day
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First republican President Kenneth Kaunda listens to organic farming expert Gunnar Rundgren (left) during a meeting in Lusaka
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Fire fighters demonstrate how to put out a fire during the world disaster preparedness day in Lusaka
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A woman having her a sight check up during the world sight day commemoration in Lusaka
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Man who was attacked by a crocodile nursing wounds in the University Teaching Hospital
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Paramount chiefs Gawa Undi and Mpezeni, chiefs Madzimawe and Maguya during burial Of Michael Daka, elder brother of chief Undi at Mkaika royal grave in Katete
Government has bemoaned continued cases of sexual and gender based violence despite efforts made to sensitise the public against the vice.
Community Development Deputy Minister Friday Malwa said it was sad that gender based violence was still deeply rooted in some parts of the country.
Mr. Malwa said the vice has since left a lot of women and children devastated and vulnerable to other social vices.
He said this in Lusaka today during the launch of the national campaign to end gender based violence in the country.
Mr. Malwa said government has developed a national communication campaign to create awareness and combat gender based violence and human trafficking in the country.
He said the fight for equal opportunities for both women and men can only be achieved if the country creates an environment where men and women interact freely without any form of violence.
And speaking earlier, Gender in Development Division Permanent Secretary, Matondo Yeta said there was need for concerted efforts in fighting the scourge of gender based violence.
In a speech read on her behalf by Social, Legal and Governance Director, Christine Kalamwina, Ms. Yeta said government was working towards having zero tolerance to gender based violence.
Government will spend over K300 million on the rehabilitation of Kitwe’s Kamfinsa dam, which is on the verge of collapse.
ZANIS Kitwe reports that Copperbelt Permanent Secretary Villie Lombanya said the walls of the dam, which was constructed in 1962, were almost collapsing, posing a risk to human life hence the need to urgently secure it.
Speaking when he inspected the dam today, Mr. Lombanya said that government was worried that if the dam collapsed it would destroy the Kamfinsa water works which supply water to Kamfinsa State Prison, Police Camp and other places.
He said government has since contracted Ebenezer Mining to rebuild and secure the walls of the dam before the onset of the rain season.
Mr. Lombanya, who was in the company of the Water Affairs Officer and Kitwe District Commissioner Macdonald Mtine, expressed concern over the lack of maintenance of public infrastructure.
He said there was need to constantly maintain and secure government infrastructure to prolong its life span.
He added that emergency works that were being done on government dilapidated infrastructure were costing government colossal sums of money hence the need for periodical maintenance.
ZANIS
A Mansa magistrates court has jailed and fined two men for operating a learning institution without registration contrary to section 19(a) of the Technical Education Vocational and Entrepreneurship Act.
Before Resident Magistrate Charles Musonda were Jackson Mwenya, 34 and Stephen Mpelembe, 47 who were facing two counts of obtaining money by false pretences and operating a learning institution illegally.
Magistrate Musonda sentenced both Mwenya and Mpelembe to two years jail sentence but suspended the sentences.
Magistrate Musonda also fined the two K1 million each to be paid before 30th October 2009 or face a 9-month-jail sentence in default.
He ordered the two to remain in remand until they settle the K1million fine each.
The two men were arrested last month for operating a learning institution namely World Consortium at Mansa Farming Institute without the approval of the TEVET Director or the TEVET Act number 13 of 1998 as amended by Act number 11 of 2005.
The institution had enrolled students for studies in various academic fields.
And Magistrate Musonda has acquitted a military officer from Luapula Army division of one count of defilement.
Magistrate Musonda acquitted Scam Chama, 34 of Mansa after the prosecution failed to establish the defilement case against Chama beyond reasonable doubt.
It was alleged Chama had defiled his 11-year-old step daughter on 26th May 2009 at his home after he lured her into the bedroom.
But Magistrate Musonda dismissed the case judging that the evidence brought before court by witnesses against Chama was not collaborated.
[ZANIS]
