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Government happy with mobile NRC issuance exercise

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Government has expressed happiness with the remarkable progress made in the phase one of the continuous mobile issuance of National Registration Card (NRC) in three provinces.

Home Affairs Minister Lameck Mangani says this is why government decided to increase the budgetary allocation for the exercise in next year’s budget.

Mr. Managani was speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today.

He disclosed that in Eastern Province alone, more than 120 thousand people had registered, while in North-Western and Western Provinces over 100 thousand people have registered.

Mr. Mangani said in next year’s budget government will allocate over K50 billion to ensure that phase two of the exercise in the remaining six provinces was successful.

He assured people in other parts of country not to panic because the mobile issuance of NRC’s was on-going and would be conducted in all the districts including areas that are said not to be reachable.[quote]

The Minister said despite the challenges that officers face in carrying out their duties in areas especially those that where affected by floods in the last rainy season, government will find a way to ensure that such areas are also served.

Mr. Mangani has since appealed to people in the country not to wait for the mobile registration exercise but ensure that they obtain their NRCs where the registration officers are within reach.

Meanwhile, Mr. Mangani has said that government is seriously considering the matter of a Mazabuka woman who is in prison with her 10 months year old baby.

He stated that government will look at how best it can deal with the issue to address the plight of the innocent child.

The Minister has however, noted that government would also discuss with various organizations to ensure that the child’s rights are protected.

Don’t appeal against Chiluba’s acquittal – CC

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Committee of Citizens (CC) has described calls by some sectors of the society for the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) to appeal against the acquittal of former President Fredrick Chiluba as retrogressive.

Committee Executive Director Gregory Chifire says calls should not be supported by all meaningful Citizens adding that they are aimed at bringing a burden to country’s strained financial resources.

Mr. Chifire told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka that, it would be expensive for government allow the DPP to appeal against the ruling as the exercise would require more resources for the cases to be effectively investigated.

He noted that people in the country should be happy with the acquittal as it shows how independent the Zambian judiciary was.

He said the judgment must be seen as a symbol of reconciliation and help the nation move forward.

Mr.Chifire stated that people are now supposed to urge government to consider disbanding the Task Force on Corruption for being selective in the way it was handling the corruption cases.

He pointed out that ever since it was created,the Task force had failed to investigate other serious and important cases such as the Zambian Airways and the ZCCM assets privatization which involved billions of United State Dollars but instead has concentrated so much on Dr. Chiluba.

He said the Task force’s sentiments that Dr. Chiluba’s immunity should not be restored because he has not yet been cleared on other counts are meant to bring confusion in the country.

Mr. Chifire explained that continued existence of the institution that was mandated to investigate the former President would mean more money being drained from government coffers instead of channeling such funds to other important developmental programmes.

He said of allowing the Task Force to continue, government must instead strengthen the Zambia Police, Anti Corruption Commission and the Drug Enforcement Commission.

In another development CC Executive Director has called on the church in the country not to be partisan but instead offer constructive criticism to government only when it is necessary.

Mr. Chifire said it was important for the church to strive at ensuring that it encourages peace and reconciliation among the citizens in the country.

And The New Generation Party (NGP) has asked government not to appeal against the ruling in which Former Second Republican President Dr. Frederick Chiluba was acquitted last week.[quote]

And the Party has called for the dissolution of the Task Force on Corruption following the acquittal of Dr. Chiluba.

Party President Humphrey Siulapwa says appealing against the court ruling is detrimental and will be a waste of time as it might also take long before the matter could be concluded..

Mr. Siulapwa said his party had welcomed the court ruling and has since congratulated the former president over his acquittal.

Mr. Siulapwa said this at a media briefing in Lusaka today.

He said the judgment was a plus to the Zambian judiciary especially that it has taken about seven years to conclude the matter.

He appealed to Zambians to accept the court decision saying they should not be mislead by the media and other people who have personal differences with the former President.

Mr. Siulapwa said Dr. Chiluba had the right to ask for the restoration of his immunity now that he has been cleared of all the charges.

He said his party will make an effort to ensure that the former president gets back his immunity although this was dependant on parliament.

Meanwhile Mr. Siulapwa has appealed to government not to domesticate the London judgment.

He said there was need for the country to start respecting its former Presidents by not entertaining any call to have them judged by foreign courts.

“We need to protect our Presidents. Like the US and Britain, we should not allow them to be judged by foreign courts,” he said.

On the Task Force on Corruption, Mr. Siulapwa said there was need for its dissolution especially that former Second Republican President Dr. Chiluba’s case was closed last week.

He said there was no possibility that the Task Force on Corruption would recover any more money from the cases it was pursuing.

Mr. Siulapwa has further castigated the Post Newspaper for their continued attack on the former president despite him having been cleared by the courts of law.

He said it was not good for the Post to be writing misleading stories against the former President when the courts had acquitted him.

The opposition leader said it was for this purpose that his party supports the call by government to have the media regulated.

ZANIS

ZANIS

Stop attacking Ministers-Mike Mulongoti

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ACTING MMD spokesperson Mike Mulongoti
ACTING MMD spokesperson Mike Mulongoti

ACTING MMD spokesperson Mike Mulongoti has said that church leaders should stop attacking Government ministers otherwise the ruling party might be forced to hit back at them.

Speaking to journalists on Friday, Mr Mulongoti said the MMD is saddened that some church leaders have continued to attack ministers instead of giving spiritual guidance to political leaders.

“As a party we are saddened by the conduct of some church people. Even some bishops have continued to attack ministers instead of giving spiritual guidance to political leaders,” Mr Mulongoti said.

He said such church leaders cannot continue attacking Government ministers and expect the MMD not to react.

“It cannot be fair for bishops to be attacking ministers. They cannot go on calling ministers names when we have the capacity to fight back as politicians,” Mr Mulongoti said.

He said the MMD regards church leaders with respect and that it would not want to attack them as doing so would negatively impact on their dignity.

Mr Mulongoti warned that if church leaders go on with the attacks, his party will treat them as politicians.
He said church leaders should not abuse their leadership positions but use them to guide people spiritually.

Meanwhile, the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) reports that the Authentic Advocates for Justice and Democracy says church leaders should desist from acting on impulse on matters of national interest.

In a statement signed by general secretary Laiford Mwanza and information and publicity secretary Josephat Changwe, the organisation says church leaders should invariably take time to deeply study and comprehend any Government statement before making comments.

They called on the Catholic Church to lead by example other than waste time castigating the Government on purely political issues.

They called upon the Catholic Church to unreservedly apologize to the Government for their unwarranted and unjustifiable attacks on Government leaders.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

Parents in Mazabuka adandon their disabled children

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Education authorities in Mazabuka have expressed concern at the negative attitude by some parents towards their physically challenged pupils at Nanga boarding school for the handicapped.

Mazabuka District Education Board Secretary, Darius Kaluba complained to ZANIS in Mazabuka today, that some parents have completely abandoned their children and do not want to be associated with them because of their physical disabilities.

Mr Kaluba said the parents have found the school to be a dumping ground for disabled children.

He observed that during school holidays, only a few parents visited the school to pick up their children while the majority of them remained at school.

Mr Kaluba charged that there was need for parents to accept the status of their children because it was not the children’s fault to find themselves in that status.

He said failure by the parents to pick their children when schools close was making the school operations difficult especially when it comes to feeding.

Meanwhile, Mr Kaluba says the ongoing construction of new classroom blocks at the learning institution has completely stalled because of lack of interest by parents.

Mr Kaluba said the parents are refusing to take part in the construction projects as they feel they would be identified as parents to the abandoned disabled children.

Nanga is the only school in the district offering special education to the physically challenged. Most children are from the rural parts of the district.
ZANIS

Preparing for Promotion

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TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world”
(John 16:33 NIV)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

Are you going through a season of difficulty? Does it seem like for every step you take forward, you take two steps back? The Bible tells us that hard times and difficulty will come in this life, but we can rejoice because God promises us victory!

Whatever you may be facing today, make the decision that you are going to shake off negative thinking and trust that God is working behind the scenes. The more we trust Him and exercise our faith in Him, the more we are preparing ourselves for promotion. Focus on the fact that brighter days are just ahead. Weeping may endure for a night, but when you fight the good fight of faith, God promises that joy is coming in the morning! If you’ll work with God, He’ll take that adversity, turn it around, and use it for your good. It may be uncomfortable at times, but you’ve got to know that you are growing. God is maturing you. He is building character in you, and he is preparing you for the promotion and increase He has in store for your future!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

“Heavenly Father, today I release all of my cares on You. I choose to focus on the blessings that You have given me. Search my heart today and remove anything that is displeasing to You. I bless You and honor You alone. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Joel Osteen ministries

Migration and Christian living

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By Bishop Jeston & Rev. Charity Katebe

www.royalglobalchurch.org

The Challenge

Over the last two decades there has been a lot of Zambians who have migrated to developed countries, especially the United Kingdom and the United States, mostly to seek a better life or a good return on their education. Some have indeed become sustainers for their families back in Zambia. Zambians hardly migrated because of the good economy that the country enjoyed in the 70s and early 80s when copper was the in- thing for the industrialized countries as they were developing technologically.

Our first trip overseas occurred in 1987 and 1988 respectively, we were not even married then. Since then we’ve had opportunities of living overseas, in Scotland and Texas. This article has its roots from our experiences as Christians living away from Zambia and now in a foreign culture where our value system has been greatly challenged.

We have been able to see and hear of many Zambians who used to be strong Christians before they settled in these developed countries and now have given up on their faith. We have seen new comers come with zeal and try to find Churches to which they can belong and rebuke those who came earlier and are not committed to the Lord any more but after a few months, they also give up and opt to work on Sundays or just become Sunday attendees in order to soothe their conscience but have no fervency in their faith. When one tries to find out what really happened to them, usually the answer is that this place is different or that their boss schedules them to work on Sundays.

It is hard for Africans to assimilate into the Churches of developed countries due cultural differences and other reasons, so if one has never had this experience, it is easy to judge those who give up on Church when they migrate.

It took us almost six months of visiting different Churches before we decided to belong to one, when we came to live in Texas, so we understand the challenge of trying to find a home Church away from home. This though is not an excuse for anyone to give up on his or her faith, as faith is universal, made to survive no matter the situation or where one is. The Lord gives more grace to those in difficult circumstances. In our next article, we will be sharing some principles that have helped to maintain fervency in our faith and maintaining a vibrant Christian life in a developed country.

Mazabuka District Cooperative defrauding the Govt-Magoye MP

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Magoye Member of Parliament, Bennie Mweemba has accused the cash strapped Mazabuka District Cooperative union of allegedly misappropriating funds released by government for the payment of maize supplied to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) by farmers.

Mr. Mweemba told ZANIS in Mazabuka yesterday, that some named board members had allegedly received payment for maize which they had not delivered to the agency.

He alleged that a senior board member was paid for 47 by 50 kilogramme bags of maize he did not supply.

Mr. Mweemba urged Police to arrest the culprits should investigations prove that they defrauded the government.

He also complained that several board members and their relatives had been enlisted to sell maize to FRA and receive first priority in payment while genuine farmers were made to wait for along time.

The MP also urged FRA to investigate why a named commercial bank manager was allowed to supply maize to Mwanachingwala FRA selling depot at the expense of the local farmers who are stuck with many bags of maize.

He has since called on FRA management to immediately send auditors to audit the books of accounts specifically on the funds meant for maize purchase from farmers.

And Mr. Mweemba has directed Mazabuka Municipal Council Deputy Mayor, Richard Malambo to open a docket against the culprits.

When contacted for a comment Mazabuka District Cooperative Union Board Chairperson, Clement Matente said he was not in a position to comment because management had not yet briefed him.

Mr. Matente however promised to issue a detailed report on the matter.

ZANIS

Govt approves K1.2 billion school projects in Kafue

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The Kafue district tender board has approved seven school projects worth K1.2billion whose construction works are expected to commence soon.

Kafue District Commissioner Winford Ngoma said in an interview in Kafue yesterday that successful applicants, who had tendered in bids for the works involving constriction of 7 one and two by three classroom blocks, have finally been selected and given a go ahead to start works.

Mr. Ngoma who is tender board chairperson said basic schools to benefit from the funds are Kafue ZNS, Shikswe, Chikwama, Gotagota in Chiawa, Westwood, and Mtendere schools.

He disclosed that the government through the Ministry of Education has since disbursed K600 million to the district for the seven projects to commence.

Mr. Ngoma stated that communities where the projects will take place have already raised their 25% contribution and are just waiting for the contractors to move on site so that the structures are raised.

He expressed optimism that the projects would be completed on time since they were community based.

Mr. Ngoma said the district will ensure it comes up with a monitoring mechanism which will ensure that all funded projects are supervised to the expectation of the government.

He warned that his office would not tolerate contractors who are lazy and crooked, adding those found wanting would have their contracts terminated.

And Mr. Ngoma has disclosed that government has allocated K400 million for the construction of another high school in Kafue’s Chipapa area.

He said the construction of the day high school brings the number of high schools to two after Mwembeshi Boarding High School.

Mr. Ngoma said the level of investment in the education sector by government was encouraging as it shows the commitment to achieving the millennium development goals on education.

He said the district has benefited a lot from projects supported by government in the education sector which he said would help lift the standards of education in Kafue.

Meanwhile construction works at Mwembeshi Boarding High School are progressing well.

Mr. Ngoma said the Chinese contractor engaged to build the school has since completed 13 teacher’s houses.

Mr. Ngoma said the contractor was on course and the school is expected to be completed be the end of 2010. He expressed optimism that the school may even open next year so that the pupils can start learning during the day time.

ZANIS

Govt to establish reading and recreation centers

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Government has embarked on a programme to establish reading and recreation centers through out the country.

Sports, Youths and Child Development Permanent Secretary Ms. Sikaneta says the creation of these centers is aimed at giving the young people a place where they can play but not tempting.

Ms. Sikaneta says this is important because recreation plays an important role in the development of a child.

She says that government will always endeavor to promote and facilitate the development of recreation centers.

Ms. Sikaneta said this in Lusaka today at the fourth graduation ceremony of 100 children from the Vacation Bible School of the University Of the Seventh Day Adventist Church (SDA).

Meanwhile, Ms. Sikaneta has urged the parents and various stakeholders to nurture children and help them grow in the fear of God.

Ms. Sikaneta said it was important for children to be exposed to sound biblical teaching and give them spiritual direction at an early age as this would make them be responsible children in the future.

“Lets train our children in the love and fear of God, and if we expose them to sound biblical teachings and give them spiritual direction they are bound to grow into responsible citizens and contribute greatly to our country’s development,” she said.

She has since commended the SDA church for training children at a very tender age and called on other churches to emulate the initiative.

And speaking earlier, SDA church Children’s Ministry Coordinator, Naomi Mwanza said it was good for the children to be given early training so that they are not spoiled.

Ms. Mwanza said the church was doing this training in responding to the word of God in Matthews and Proverbs.

She has however said there has been a reduction in the number of children who have graduated as compared to last year.

The children who graduated are from the ages of three and fifteen years.

They have been trained in music, bible instruction bible stories, community service and presentation on the care of environment and entrepreneurship.

ZANIS

RB launches National fertilizer distribution exercise

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President Rupiah Banda has launched the National Fertiliser Distribution exercise with a call on farmers in Northern province to produce more this year.

President Banda said government was aware of the challenges in the fertilizer distribution in recent years which he said had made it difficult for many farmers throughout the country to access the commodity.

Mr. Banda also noted that some unscrupulous business persons were tricking most peasant farmers in the country to sell the commodity cheaply.

He said to prevent this; his administration has put in place measures such as formation of Camp Fertiliser Committees (CFCs) to ensure that the commodity reaches its intended beneficiaries throughout the country.

“Government has decided that fertilizer would be distributed through the Camp Fertiliser Committees instead of the District Fertiliser Committees (DFCs),” the President said.

He said government has this time around decided to incorporate religious leaders in the CFCs to help monitor and ensure that the fertilizer reaches the intended farmers.

He said this way, the church leaders would be able to ensure that there are no mal-practices in the distribution of the commodity.

“I believe this will help improve morality and distribution of fertilizer to our farmers,” he said.

Mr. Banda said the price of the commodity has been pegged at K15, 000 only saying this should encourage farmers to easily buy the commodity on top of the four packs given to farmers under the Fertiliser Support Programme (FSP).

He challenged the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives to see to it that the commodity reached its end users who are the farmers.

And President Banda says through government’s Fertiliser Support Programme (FSP), Northern Province has recorded an increase in agriculture production saying the province became the fourth maize producer after Eastern, Central and Southern Provinces.

He said this was as a result of increased production and FSP in Northern Province. He disclosed that during the 2008/2009 farming season, government distributed 80, 000 metric tones of fertilizer to the provinces with Northern Province receiving 11,300 metric tons.

He said as a result of this, the province recorded a significant increase of maize production in the last farming season.

He ordered the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) to purchase all the maize from the province.

The President informed the provincial administration that government had increased the FSP by 2.5 percent for the 2009/2010 farming season meaning that 15,900 metric tons had been given from last year’s 1193.5 metric tons.[quote]

And Northern Province Minister John Chinyanta said his administration was happy that the province had taken the centre stage of the fertilizer distribution exercise.

Mr. Chinyanta said the province was well placed to continue receiving government support which he said had helped the area to record a bumper harvest.

He said now that the province had been receiving fertilizer through the FSP, it was assuring that the province will yet again record a bumper harvest during the 2009/2010 farming season.

And Agriculture and Cooperative minister Brian Chituwo acknowledged the hard work farmers in the province were doing.

Dr Chituwo said at the same function that the province was among leading provinces that had positively contributed to the country’s bumper harvest of 1.8 million metric tons of grain.

He disclosed that to encourage further production, his ministry would procure motorbikes for extension officers to reach farmers throughout the country.

And Mr. Banda said Zambian Coffee has generated a lot of interest internationally saying 75 percent of the commodity is grown in Northern Province.

The President has since directed the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives to engage commercial banks and ensure that money was made available for the resumption of operations of the Kasama Coffee plantation.

He also said government, through the newly formed Livestock and Fisheries ministry would soon establish livestock breeding centers beginning with the Mbesuma Ranch in Kasama.

“The Mbesuma Ranch can breed 3000 animals. Government has produced funds to ensure the purchase of the animals for the ranch,” he added.

He said Government also intends to open up other ranches at Kalungwishi and other places in the province to ensure that the country becomes well stocked with beef products for local consumption and exports

ZANIS

UPND Namwala MP tells PF to stop basking in past glory

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PF women matching during the international women's day in Lusaka
PF women matching during the international women's day in Lusaka

Namwala Member of Parliament (MP) Major Robbie Chizhuyuka has advised the Patriotic Front (PF), partner in the UPND/PF Pact, to wake up and stop basking in past glory.

Major Chizhuyuka said that the PF’s performance in the just ended national wide elections was dismal and pose  a danger to the Pact adding that failure by the PF to win the Chitambo seat where Mr. Sata’s wife hails from is a clear open rejection of the party in that area.

The Namwala MP has expressed happiness with the performance of UPND in just ended parliamentary and local government by-elections in some parts of the country.

He said the United Party for National Development (UPND) came out as the largest winner of the three contestant parties in Southern Province by winning all the seven contested wards including Maramba, and Itebe which were held by the MMD.

Major Chizhuyuka stated that the UPND took all the three wards in Mumbwa, Nangoma and Nambala constituencies which were being defended by the MMD.

He added that in North Western province the UPND won two of the three wards including in Solwezi which was also the strong hold for the MMD.

Major Chizhuyuka further said this was a clearly indication of the good performance of the UPND camp.

ZANIS

MMD standing on firm ground in Kasama – RB

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President Rupiah Banda says the ruling MMD is standing on a firm ground and is ready for the Kasama Central by-elections.

President Banda has disclosed that despite the province being the Opposition Patriotic Front’s strong hold, the ruling MMD has done enough to ensure that it gets the seat.

Speaking to journalists on arrival at City Airport from Northern Province where he had gone for two days working visit, Mr. Banda explained that he had fruitful discussions with people of Northern Province.

He said this gave the ruling party more chance to emerge victorious during the forth-coming parliamentary by elections.

President Banda noted that during the discussions issues pertaining the effective preparation for the elections were discussed at length.[quote]

The Electoral Commission of Zambia has set October 15 as the date for the Kasama Central Parliamentary by-election.

The Kasama Central parliamentary seat fell vacant after the resignation of the Member of Parliament Saviour Chishimba of the Patriotic Front.

Meanwhile, Mr. Banda said his trip to Northern Province was successful, adding that a lot of people in the area took this opportunity to meet with him and discuss different issues.

He expressed happiness that the province is endowed with abundant Natural resources that makes it a potential tourist destination.

President Banda was in Northern Province on a two days working visit where he unveiled a K500 billion development plan for the province, commissioned the Kalungu Bridge in Chief Chitimukulu’s area and also inspected other developmental projects in the area.

He was accompanied to Northern Province by MMD National chairman Michael Mabenga, Tourism Minster Catherine Namugala, Deputy MMD National Secretary Jeff Kaande and Agriculture and Co-operatives Minister Brain Chituwo.

ZANIS

Zanaco Held by Blades

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Faz Premier Division top scorer Patrick Kabamba had a dry spell today after Zanaco drew at home against Konkola Blades.

Leaders Zanaco were made to come from 1-0 down to finish 1-1 with Blades at Sunset Stadium in Lusaka today in their week 20 fixture.

Left-back Maybin Chishimba put Blades ahead before Lottie Nyimbili equalized for Zanaco.

In Ndola, second placed Zesco United warmed up for next Saturdays Caf African Champions League Group A home game against El Merreikh of Sudan with a 3-0 win over bottom placed Young Arrows.

Jonas Sakuwaha scored a brace while midfielder Kondwani Mtonga added one goal to hand Young Arrows new coach Tennant Chilumba his first defeat on day one in charge of the struggling side.

In the days other results, George Lwandamina’s sacking did not help Green Buffaloes cause and today they went down 3-0 away to Red Arrows a Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka.

Judge Mkandawire, Agrippa Mbewe and Kamuzati Kabwe were all on target for Arrows.

At Woodlands Stadium, City of Lusaka lost 2-1 to visiting Power Dynamos while Musonda Mweuke gave Kabwe Warriors a 1-0 home win over Zamtel.

Choma Eagles beat Nakambala Leopards 1-0 away in the two sides Southern Province derby played in Mazabuka courtesy of a Phenias Bubaya 44th minute goal.

The two sides finished 1-1 in the first leg played on April 11 in Maamba.

Elsewhere, Chambishi and Lusaka Dynamos played out to a goalless stalemate in Chambishi while at Kafubu Stadium in Luanshya, it ended 3-3 between Roan United and visiting Forest Rangers.

[standings league_id=1 template=extend logo=false]

Chief Mwanachingwala threaten to beat up radio station reporters

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Chief Mwanachingwala of Mazabuka has accused management at Mazabuka Community Radio Station of inciting his subjects to rise against him.

The Chief says the radio station is being used by his rivals who lost during the succession to the throne of late Chief Mwanachingwala to promote anarchy in the Chiefdom.

”I feel am being victimized by the radio station, I need protection from relevant authorities. I may be forced to react by beating reporters at the station to vent my anger,” said Chief Mwanachingwala.

He also alleged that station manager, Belon Chintombwa, who is the son to the losing candidate is behind the smear campaign.

Chief Mwanachingwala said he is bitter with the unprofessional conduct of some reporters at the station whom he accused of repeatedly forcing him to comment on issues he does not understand.[quote]

Chief Mwanachingwala said it was sad to note that a community radio station which is mandated to promote peace and reconciliation was used to settle old scores.

He complained that his chiefdom has witnessed a lot of developmental programmes aimed at reducing poverty but regretted that the same has not received media coverage.

Chief Mwanachingwala vowed never to provide financial or material support to the station.

But Station Manager, Belon Chintombwa told ZANIS, that it was unfair for the chief to accuse the radio station of de-campaigning him.

He said his father was not an issue because the radio station operates independently.

Mr Chintombwa also said his aging father does not have any more ambitions of ascending to the throne because of old age.

But Chief Mwanachingwala has maintained that apart from campaigning for his aging father, Mr Chintombwa was advocating for Prince Mutelo to take over the throne.

ZANIS

DEC arrests grade 7 pupil in Mazabuka for cannabis possession

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The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) in Mazabuka have arrested a grade Seven pupil from Chivuna basic school for being found in possession of undisclosed kilogrammes of cannabis.

Mazabuka District Commissioner, Tyson Hamaamba confirmed the arrest of the 14 year old school boy to ZANIS in Mazabuka today.

Mr Hamaamba said the boy who is currently in the custody of DEC will soon be handed over to the Social Welfare Department to commence his prosecution.

He explained that the boy was apprehended at Simpile village in Chivuna area after his father who was a prime suspect eluded a team of officers from the Drug Enforcement Commission.

” The father to the boy ran away with three by 25 kilogramme bags of cannabis few hours before DEC officers raided his village, unfortunately he had left another 25 kilogramme bag with his wife who equally ran away forcing the officers to arrest the boy who was found in possession of the illicit drug,” said Hamaamba.

According to the DC, the father to the Juvenile had earlier in the day allegedly sold three by 25 kilogramme bags of cannabis.

He said DEC has since launched a manhunt for the fugitive suspected drug dealer.

Meanwhile authorities in Mazabuka have expressed concern at the alarming proportions of cannabis cultivation in the area.

District Commissioner Tyson Hamaamba said last month alone, 21 people among them women were arrested and sent to prison for trafficking in psychotropic substances.

He said 80 percent of the convicts were women.

Mr Hamaamba has since called on traditional rulers to help government in sensitizing their subjects on the dangers of growing cannabis.

He said cannabis had the potential of undermining the economic development of the country.
ZANIS

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