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Teachers defect to new union

Guest Editor
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11

Over 100 teachers from the Zambia Union of Teachers (ZNUT), Secondary School Teachers Union (SESTUZ), and the Basic Teachers Union (BETUZ) have resigned from their teacher unions to join the newly formed Professional Teachers’ Union of Zambia (PTUZ).

Representative of the over 100 teachers, Paul Kamwendo, says teachers have decided to join PTUZ due to poor management and representation from their former unions.

Mr. Kamwendo accused the three unions of not being competent enough to represent teachers’ views and interests after signing for a 15 percent salary increment without the approval of the teachers.

He added that BETUZ is also operating illegally as it changed its constitution without the consent of the labour commissioner.

Mr. Kamwendo further alleged that the three unions have deviated their attention from attending to matters affecting teachers and are rather fighting the PTUZ and have also concentrated on court issues using teachers’ contributions.

He further wondered why the Lusaka District Education Board Secretary is stopping them from withdrawing from the three teacher unions.

He noted that the move was undermining their right to belong or not to belong to a union of their choice as stated by the industrial and labour relations Act.

ZANIS

Woman throws baby in gorge

Guest Editor
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16

Police in Livingstone are holding an unmarried woman of Zesco Compound in Livingstone for throwing her baby in the gorge near the Victoria Falls.

Southern Province Commanding Officer, Lemmy Kajoba confirmed this development to ZANIS in Livingstone yesterday.

Mr. Kajoba said Ruth Museke 32 who gave birth to a baby boy between 19:00 and 21:00 hours on Sunday, went and threw it in one of the Zesco power gorges near the Victoria Falls.
He said a combined team of rescue workers were still struggling to retrieve the body of the baby.

“Police are still struggling to retrieve the body of the baby,” he said. He dded that the woman is in police custody and will appear in court for infanticide.

And three people died in a road traffic accident that happened on Maamba – Choma Road on Sunday night.

Mr. Kajoba said the accident involving a Mitsubishi Canter truck Registration Number ABM 9151 was due to over speeding.

He said the driver, Most Banda 25, lost control of the vehicle which careered off the road and rammed into a tree stump before over-turning, killing three people on the spot.

He named the deceased children as Tabisa Moonga a two- month- old baby, Frank Mwila 6 months and one male adult, Sleeve Mwiinde 34.

Mr. Kajoba said seven other people were seriously injured and are currently admitted to Maamba Mine Hospital while eight others sustained minor injuries and were treated and discharged.

Meanwhile, a cyclist in his 40s was on Sunday found dead along Choma-Namwala Road around 20:00hours after being hit by an unknown vehicle.

“There was a hit-and- run in Choma which happened along Choma-Namwala Road and involved was a cyclist whose age is not known but in his 40s,” Mr. Kajoba said.

He said the body of Ben Chongo of Moomba Farms was found on the road with a mangled bicycle on the side.
The body of the deceased is lying in Choma District hospital and police are searching for the hit and run vehicle.

And Mr. Kajoba has expressed worry at the increasing number of road traffic accidents in the province.

He disclosed that the province had recorded 13 road traffic accidents between Thursday and Sunday last week.
He attributed the increase in road traffic related accidents to over speeding and appealed to motorists to observe speed limits.

Mr. Kajoba warned motorists against taking advantage of the absence of highway patrols and urged them to regulate themselves.
ZANIS

Xavier Chungu convicted for forgery, but walks to freedom

editor
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A LUSAKA magistrates’ court has sentenced former intelligence chief, Xavier Chungu to nine months imprisonment on two counts of forgery and uttering a false document.

Delivering judgment in a case in which Chungu, who was arrested for forging and uttering a passport, magistrate Joshua Banda said the two offences were very serious and punishable by a maximum of seven years imprisonment.

Mr Banda said in passing his judgment he would follow the Supreme Court rules on exercising leniency for first offenders and also take into consideration Chungu’s mitigation.

Mr Banda sentenced Chungu to nine months simple imprisonment for forgery and nine months imprisonment with hard labour for uttering a false document.

The sentences run concurrently from the day of arrest and Chungu immediately walked to freedom.

Facts are that Chungu, on dates unknown but between October 1, 2003 and November 30, 2003 in Lusaka, with intent to deceive, did forge passport number ZH 88471 purporting to show that it was issued properly when in fact not.

In the second count, he is charged with falsifying a document contrary to section 352 of the Penal Code Cap 87 of the laws of Zambia.[quote]

Particulars of the offence are that Chungu on December 3, 2008 in Lusaka knowingly and fraudulently did utter the passport in question to Mary Bwalya, an immigration officer.

Earlier, Mr Banda said it was his considered view that the passport in question was fraudulently obtained in the manner it was processed because records showed that it was issued in Ndola when it was obtained in Lusaka.

He said the passport officer who was alleged to have signed on the passport did not do so and the national registration number was for a different person.

He said it was clear that Chungu, while acting with others unknown did manufacture a false passport and that he uttered it before an immigration officer on December 3, 2008 at the Lusaka International Airport.

“In the sum total, the passport was forged and intended to be what it was not and Chungu participated in its generation. The prosecution proved its case and I convict him accordingly,” he said.

After the judgment, Chungu told reporters that he was humbled with the judgment and would concentrate on his recovery since he had already served the sentence because he had been in detention since December 3, 2008 when he was arrested.

[Times of Zambia]

Nkole welcomes end of FJT case and RB comments

editor
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Regina Chiluba embraces Dr Chiluba during a press briefing at their residence
Regina Chiluba embraces Dr Chiluba during a press briefing at their residence

THE Task Force on Corruption has welcomed the conclusion of the case involving former president Frederick Chiluba, saying it demonstrates political determination to fight corruption and accord those suspected due process of the law.

Task Force executive chairperson, Maxwell Nkole said in a statement in Lusaka yesterday now that the case had ended, it was time to reflect on why late president Levy Mwanawasa created the Task Force.

“Obviously, with the successful conclusion of the Chiluba case, this may appear to many people as being the destiny of the work of the Task Force on Corruption.

“But the truth is that the clearance of the Chiluba case is just one step in the long journey of the fight against corruption by the Zambian people,” Mr Nkole said in reaction to the judgment.

He called on all the Zambians to accept the decision of the court, saying some might find it hard and painful that a former head of State had been prosecuted.

He said the Task Force was delighted that the case marked the landmark pillar in the rule of law and abuses of public resources.

“So far, Task Force on Corruption wishes to praise itself for the continued good job and to thank all stakeholders and lovers of our country who have given support and encouragement to its work.

“The Government must be supported by all Zambians as it embarks on its future programmes and strategies to fight corruption,” he said. [quote]

Mr Nkole said the Task Force welcomed the convictions of former Intelligence chief Xavier Chungu, Access Financial Services directors Faustin Kabwe and Aaron Chungu.

He said the prosecutors and investigators at the Task Force who had worked tirelessly over the years should be commended for the job well-done and for braving the risks involved.

He said the nation was now expected to document lessons learnt from the work of the Task Force to curb abuses and safeguard public resources in the future.

Mr Nkole said amid challenges and resistance faced by the Task Force from certain quarters when it started its work, it forged ahead and investigated 170 cases of suspected grand corruption.

He said the stolen assets in extent of K1 trillion had been traced and recovered and was in the process of being restored to the Zambian people.

And PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda has said he deliberately did not want to comment on second Republican president Frederick Chiluba’s corruption cases because he did not want to influence the outcome.

Officiating at the Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ) general conference at Mulungushi University in Kabwe yesterday, President Banda said it was sad that certain quarters criticised him so much for not commenting on Dr Chiluba’s court cases.

“When we take the law into our own hands to condemn people before they are convicted, it will not promote social justice. Today (yesterday) is a big day in Zambia as Dr Chiluba is in court and his verdict is coming ‘‘I have been quiet all times because I wanted the judiciary to adjudicate on these matters and this is not to say I was in support of what Dr Chiluba is alleged to have done,” President Banda said.

He added, “I know that every suspect is innocent till proven guilty but grown-ups have been saying Chiluba is guilty.

‘‘I am speaking today about this issue because I know that it’s taking place and will not influence anything,” President Banda said.

He said Dr Chiluba was a human being like anybody else that deserved justice, which was the major thrust in the theme of the CCZ general conference.

“I hope that as we move forward as a nation, we shall learn through this principle. Nobody can deny that Dr Chiluba tried his best to rule this nation.

“It was under his reign, that we saw the proliferation of media houses and you cannot say he did nothing good. It’s not humane to expect another human being not to make mistakes,” President Banda said.

He said the CCZ theme, ‘Seeking justice for all’, was timely and cardinal to promoting peace and respect for every citizen.

President Banda said there was no need to promote hatred in the nation and that even the convicted deserved three meals a day and respect.

He said as president, he would try and serve the Zambian people diligently, but stressed that it was impossible for him to attend to all their needs.

“If leaders don’t fulfill their promises, remove them from office. Even me, get rid of me if I fail to deliver but of course I cannot deliver everything.

‘‘My Government has made promises to the people and they should see to it that we are trying to fulfill them and in 2011 if I fail to do so, vote me out,” he said.

[Times of Zambia]

Luapula Province Hospitals still on reduced meals

editor
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Government has not yet started disbursing normal funding to health facilities in Luapula province despite cooperating partners resuming funding to the ministry of health resulting in the continued reduced patient meals in hospitals.

Luapula Provincial Health Officer, Dr Elicho Bwalya told ZANIS in an interview today that disbursement of funds to health facilities in the province has not yet normalised despite government’s pronouncement that cooperating partners had resumed funding to the ministry of health.

He said as a result, patients in hospitals are still on reduced meals adding that even the suspension of outreach health programmes was still in force.

Dr Bwalya said all health facilities in the province are still operating under strict budgets in the face of reduced funding effected after donors withdrew financial assistance to the ministry of health.

He said movement of vehicles is still restricted to only important activities as another measure to cope with reduced funding.

Dr Bwalya however, said that normal funding is expected to start getting to the health facilities after things are put in order at the ministry.

ZANIS

NAPSA appeals to firms to register workers

editor
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The National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA) has implored firms and other business organizations to register their employees with the institution so that they benefit from the pensions scheme at the end of their working lives.

Speaking during a seminar for employers held at Great Lake Product (GLP) lodge in Mpulungu on Friday, Lusaka NAPSA area manager, Water Phiri said employers have an obligation to register workers under them and make contributions.

Mr Phiri said that NAPSA exists to serve both the employers and employees while on the hand serving the interests of government.

He noted that misconceptions that social security schemes are meant to make people rich after retirement must be avoided by all progressive Zambians because social security schemes exist to enable people maintain an acceptable standard of living after retirement.

He further said that even those with maids, garden boys and other domestic workers at their homes must come forward and register the workers under the scheme.

And speaking during the same meeting, Benefits Manager, Nobby Simutanda said NAPSA has decentralized its claims to ensure as many people as possible access their benefits within the shortest period of time.

He said payments are now made at local banks as opposed to the long queues people were subjected to in the past.

ZANIS

Govt. to continue with macroeconomic policies – Veep

editor
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Vice President George Kunda says government will continue with its macroeconomic policies aimed to preserve and consolidate the macroeconomic stability achieved in the recent years.

Mr Kunda says government will endeavour to encourage traditional economic growth with a deliberate policy of targeting new growth opportunities that can considerably reduce poverty in the country.

The Vice President said this in Mongu over the weekend when he flagged off the 2009 Western Province MMD card renewal exercise.

And Mr. Kunda has directed the MMD provincial leaders to revive and galvanize the youth wing by making it vibrant ahead of the 2011 Presidential and Parliamentary General Elections.

The Vvie President who is also MMD National Trustee has also implored the MMD members and youths in the country to be innovative by engaging in business ventures so that they can also contribute financially to the operations of the party.

The Vice President urged MMD members to take the card renewal exercise seriously with renewed vigour and ensure that the party remains formidable on the political arena.

He advised the youths to take advantage of the on-going issuance of the national registration cards exercise and register in numbers as voters for the 2011 Presidential and Parliamentary General Elections.

And when welcoming the defectors from the PF/UPND pact, Mr. Kunda said the defections are a clear signal that the pact is only made up of two individuals in the names of Mr. Sata and Mr. Hichilema.

Mr Kunda charged that the pact had just brought confusion on the political scene that even ordinary members of the PF and UPND do not know which of the two political parties is join the other.

Speaking at the function, MMD National Chairperson Michael Mabenga assured Mr. Kunda that party was united and ready to defeat the PF/UPND pact in 2011.

Mr. Mabenga who is also Lands Deputy Minister said the people of Western Province have embraced development hence their choice to endorse MMD as a party of their preference.

Earlier, Western Province Chairperson, Simasiku Namakando appealed to the government to consider resuming work on the Mongu-Kalabo road before the onset of the rainy season.

Mr. Namakando said there is urgent need to attend to the road network in the province to stimulate economic activities in the area.

Meanwhile, President Rupiah Banda has donated K10 million towards the operations of the party in the province.

Mr. Kunda made the donation on behalf of the President before contributing K5 million to the party in the province.

ZANIS

The Weekend in Pictures

editor
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1.

Sent by LT blogger-The other side of a condom. A 4 year old boy of Chienge District in Senior Chief Puta's area in Luapula Province playing with an inflated male condom
Sent by LT blogger-The other side of a condom. A 4 year old boy of Chienge District in Senior Chief Puta's area in Luapula Province playing with an inflated male condom

2.

Sent by LT blogger- Wedding in Russia. A forth year economics student marrying a Russian girl in Saint Petersburg Russia.
Sent by LT blogger- Wedding in Russia. A forth year economics student marrying a Russian girl in Saint Petersburg Russia.

3.

Sent by LT blogger.Senior Chief Puta of the Bwile people of Chienge District in Luapula,in action during this year's Bwilile Ceremony at his palace.
Sent by LT blogger.Senior Chief Puta of the Bwile people of Chienge District in Luapula,in action during this year's Bwilile Ceremony at his palace.

4.

Dr Chiluba and his wife Regina leave the Lusaka magistrate court after his theft case was adjourned
Dr Chiluba and his wife Regina leave the Lusaka magistrate court after his theft case was adjourned

5.

Sent by LT Blogger-Kachanana during the UNZA graduation ceremony-this is the girl who is behind hit songs like Gelo wapa easy,Nizachita bwanji,Dear wanga....
Sent by LT Blogger-Kachanana during the UNZA graduation ceremony-this is the girl who is behind hit songs like Gelo wapa easy,Nizachita bwanji,Dear wanga....

6.

Paramount Chief Chitimukulu and his wife on arrival from India where he had gone for medical treatment
Paramount Chief Chitimukulu and his wife on arrival from India where he had gone for medical treatment

7.

Anglican priest Evans Kabamba presiding over mass in Lusaka West
Anglican priest Evans Kabamba presiding over mass in Lusaka West

8.

Lets drink...Anglican priest John Katete pours altar wine in a glass during the eucharist
Lets drink...Anglican priest John Katete pours altar wine in a glass during the eucharist

9.

United church of Zambia L.province Anglican Diocese Mothers’ union members singing and dancing at the official opening of a five day women conference in Lusaka.
United church of Zambia L.province Anglican Diocese Mothers’ union members singing and dancing at the official opening of a five day women conference in Lusaka.

10.

A woman reading a hymn book with a baby on her laps during the Anglican church blousing ceremony in Lusaka west
A woman reading a hymn book with a baby on her laps during the Anglican church blousing ceremony in Lusaka west

11.

Lusaka economist Chibamba Kanyama talking to young people during a youth conference in Lusaka
Lusaka economist Chibamba Kanyama talking to young people during a youth conference in Lusaka

12.

Sent by LT blogger- The protest against the rampant harassment of journalists by the ruling political party cadres
Sent by LT blogger- The protest against the rampant harassment of journalists by the ruling political party cadres

13.

Sent by LT blogger- Journalists protesting against the rampant harassment of journalists by the ruling political party cadres
Sent by LT blogger- Journalists protesting against the rampant harassment of journalists by the ruling political party cadres

14.

Nasta enterprise workers protesting against poor working conditions outside the government office complex in Lusaka
Nasta enterprise workers protesting against poor working conditions outside the government office complex in Lusaka

15.

Nasta enterprise workers protesting against poor working conditions. Here, they display a torn work suit
Nasta enterprise workers protesting against poor working conditions. Here, they display a torn work suit

16.

An Indian dancer entertaining guests during a dance festival at Hindu hall in Lusaka
An Indian dancer entertaining guests during a dance festival at Hindu hall in Lusaka

17.

Coca Cola Schools Championship 2009 winners Mwinilunga High School players celebrating their triumph
Coca Cola Schools Championship 2009 winners Mwinilunga High School players celebrating their triumph

18.

Commerce minister Felix Mutati talking to youths during a youth conference in Lusaka
Commerce minister Felix Mutati talking to youths during a youth conference in Lusaka

19.

Curious people inspect a gutted house in Lusaka's Chelstone area at the weekend
Curious people inspect a gutted house in Lusaka's Chelstone area at the weekend

20.

Some members of the Seventh Day Adventist Church waiting for transport after a religious camp at the weekend in Lusaka's makeni area
Some members of the Seventh Day Adventist Church waiting for transport after a religious camp at the weekend in Lusaka's makeni area

21.

Some women from the Anglican church wait for transport after a blousing ceremony in Lusaka west.
Some women from the Anglican church wait for transport after a blousing ceremony in Lusaka west.

22.

Stanchart managing director Mizinga Melu (l) greets Village of Hope Board chairperson, Agness Daka after donating an assortment of household goods in Kitwe
Stanchart managing director Mizinga Melu (l) greets Village of Hope Board chairperson, Agness Daka after donating an assortment of household goods in Kitwe

Weekend Scorecard

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It is high season in the Faz Premier Division with the latest casualty claimed being the top-flights longest serving coach.

Just a five days after Power Dynamos fired their Egyptian-born coach Mohamed Fathy, Green Buffaloes dropped one of the biggest shocks today with the termination of assistant Zambia coach George Lwandamina’s contract.

Lwandamina’s contract was terminated on August 12, on the same day he was in London with Zambia for their ill-fated friendly against Ghana at Brisbane Road that the Black Stars won 4-1.

No further details are available on the future of his assistants Alfred Lupiya and Bilton Musonda who were in charge of the team on Sunday in Buffaloes 1-1 home draw against Roan United at Woodlands Stadium in Lusaka.

 Lwandamina has enjoyed the rare feat of staying in one coaching job for more than seven years.

He joined in 2002 from Nchanga Rangers and led Buffaloes to three league runner-up placings in 2003, ’03 and ’06.

Lwandamina also previously coached Mufulira Wanderers and was also Under-20 coach whom he guided to the 2007 Fifa World Youth Cup in Canada where the team reached the last 16 stage of the tournament.

Meanwhile at Power, Fathy has been replaced by Fodson Kabole.

Kabole returns to Arthur Davies nine months after he his contract was not renewed at the end of the 2008 campaign and was replaced by Fathy in January.

Kabole, who left Rangers last week to take up the job at Power, will be in charge at Arthur Davies until the end of this season.

 Faz Super Division

15/08/2009

Green Buffaloes 1(Linker Mwikisa 87″)-Roan united 1(Arthur Kasoloki 90″)

14/08/2009

Week 19

Zamtel 1(Chilufya Changwe 82″)-  Forest Rangers 0

Kabwe Warriors 2(Mukuka Mulenga 66″, Musonda Mweuke 72″)    -City of Lusaka 0

Konkola Blades  1(Graven Chitalu 25″)-Red Arrows 0

Young Arrows 0-Chambishi 1(Vanecious Mapande 2″)

Choma Eagles  0-Zanaco 1(Patrick Kabamba 65″)

Lusaka Dynamos  0-Nakambala Leopards 1(Nixon Chilundika 89″)

Postponed:

Power Dynamos        –  Zesco United

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

After Games Played 16/08/2009

Patrick Kabamba (Zanaco): 19

Kameta Mutambo (Forest Rangers): 8
Jack Chileshe (Zanaco): 8

Kennedy Chola (City of Lusaka):7
Jonas Sakuwaha (Zesco United): 6
Edward Museba (Green Buffaloes): 6
Timothy Mbewe (Red Arrows): 6
Makundika Sakala (Lusaka Dynamos): 6
Luka Lungu (Power Dynamos): 6

Arthur Kasoloki (Roan United): 5
Chipulu Chileya (Konkola Blades): 5
Judge Mkandawire (Red Arrows): 5
Clifford Chipalo (Zesco United): 5
Simon Lupiya (Red Arrows): 5
Enoch Sakala (Zesco United): 5

Kelvin Muzungu (Roan United): 4
Jackson Mwanza (Zesco United): 4
Derrick Kabwe (Roan United): 4
Edward Sinkala (Chambishi): 4

 
Caf African Champions League

Group A

15/08/2009

Al Merreikh  2(Endurance Idahor 10″, Karim Eddafi 77″)-Zesco United 3(Jonas Sakuwaha 5″ 29″ pen 34″) 

14/08/2009

El Hilal  2(Mohamed Al-Tahir 55″, Hamoda Ahmed El-Basheer 68″ pen) -Kano Pillars 0 

 [standings league_id=14 template=extend logo=false]

Group B

16/08/2009

Heartland FC  3(Uche Agba 31″, Joshua Abaje 44″, Okey Nwadike  77″) – Etoile du Sahel 0

15/08/2009

TP Mazembe  5(Kaluyituka Dioko 45″ 70″ 79″, Tresor Mputu Mabi 58″, Mulota Kabangu 66″) – Monomotapa 0

 [standings league_id=9 template=extend logo=false]

Faz Division 1

15-16/08/2009

Week 21

North

Chindwin 2-Kalewa 0

Ndola United 0-Nkana 0

Kitwe United 3-Luanshya United  0

Lime  Hotpsurs 1-Prison Leopards 1

Kalulushi Modern Stars 1-Muchindu  0

Chingola  Leopards 1-Zesco-Luapula  0

Mufulira Wanderers  2-Afrisports  1

Mining Rangers 0-Mufulira Blackpool 1

Nchanga Rangers 1-Indeni 2

[standings league_id=2 template=extend logo=false]
South

Green Eagles 1 -Mazabuka United 0

Zamcoal Diggers 1 -Petauke United 2

Nampundwe 1 -Livingstone Pirates 0

Paramilitary 1- Lusaka Tigers 0

Lusaka Celtic 1- Young Eagles 0

National Assembly 0 -Nkawzi 0

Profund Warriors 2-Police Bullets 0

Kascol Rangers 1-Lusaka City Council 0
 
Riflemen 0-Luena 0

[standings league_id=3 template=extend logo=false]

FTJ Chiluba cleared of corruption charges

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FTJ Chiluba with Wife at the Court on Friday
FTJ Chiluba with Wife at the Court on Friday

Former Republican president Frederick Chiluba has been acquitted by the Lusaka magistrates’ court over corruption charges he was facing involving the theft of US $500,000.

The judgment delivered by Ndola High Court Registrar Johns Chinyama, sitting as a magistrate that took about six hours to deliver however found his co-accused Access Financial Services Limited former directors Aaron Chungu and Faustin Kabwe guilty.

According to the judgment, the acquittal was based on the fact that the prosecution team failed to prove their case beyond reasonable doubt on all counts against the former president.[quote]

“We are satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the prosecution failed to prove that the accused stole funds,” judge Jones Chinyama said as he read out the verdict in a six-hour hearing.

“I find that the accused is not guilty on all counts,” Chinyama said.

There was wild jubilation as sympathizers chanted pro-Chiluba songs as he left the court buildings. He immediately announced that he would be holding a press conference at his Kabulonga residence.


Chief Mwansakombe dies in Lusaka

Guest Editor
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Chief Mwansakombe of Samfya district of Luapula Province has passed away in Lusaka, after a short illness.

Confirming this to ZANIS today, family spokesperson Chief Msamba said Chief Mwansakombe passed away on Saturday afternoon at about 16:00 hours at the University Teaching Hospital’s intensive care unit.

” I wish to inform the people of Samfya, the whole of Luapula province and the entire nation of the untimely death of Chief Mwansakombe on Saturday, ” he said.

Chief Msamba advised all relatives and friends to travel to Chief Mwansakombe’s palace in Samfya to express their condolences and sympathy before his burial on Saturday, August 22 2009.
ZANIS

Workers complain against abusive Chinese Contractor

Guest Editor
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Itezhi-tezhi High School construction workers yesterday staged a protest at the District Commissioner’s office over alleged beatings and other bad conditions which a Chinese company has subjected them to.

More than twenty construction workers marched ,amid grumbling ,to the District Commissioner’s home. They were advised to go to the office where the Acting DC Hampende Hichilema would address them after ten minutes.

Ndonji Crispin who spoke on behalf of the construction workers complained about the ill-treatment by supervisors at Hua Tiang, a Chinese company which has been awarded the contract to finish phase two of Itezhi-tezhi High school.

“The Chinese supervising us at the construction site are beating us with sticks and making us work through out the week without resting, we report at 07:00 and knock off around 18:00 hours” he said.

He said that when workers complain of being overworked, they are insulted and told to leave their jobs because they claim that they can bring people from China to do the same job.

“We are working like slaves or foreigners in our own country, we do not have protective shoes, and they bought us canvass shoes instead of boots which were recommended by the inspectors”, he said.

Mr. Ndonji said that when the company gives them protective clothing such as overalls, their NRCs are grabbed from them, a situation which makes it difficult for them to access services such as getting money from banks or the post office.

He said that the Chinese contractors do not recognize sick leave and do not care whether someone falls sick during the course of their duty.

“When a worker falls sick, they just say go to the hospital, they do not help with anything and more over they deduct pay from the days you will be sick” he said.

He further said that the workers have been subjected to extremely low wages of K7, 000 per day adding that they are subjected to inhumane and demeaning treatment.
He complained that the workers are made to heap 100 wheelbarrows of crushed stone every day.

Meanwhile Acting Itezhi-tezhi District Commissioner Hampende Hichilema has assured the construction workers that his office would engage the Chinese company on the matters they had raised.

He said that his office would call the management on Tuesday to discuss the alleged beatings and inhumane conditions under which the workers are reported to be working at the High School.

ZANIS

ZESCO threatens evictions of govt tenants to recover K500m

editor
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ZESCO Limited in Itezhi-tezhi has threatened to evict its tenants in the bid to recovered about K500 million owed in rentals.

The tenants most civil servants and Government Ministries owe the utility company in unpaid arrears.

According to a notice circulated to all house tenants and Government ministries renting in ZESCO houses and offices, the mass evictions will be effected on Wednesday this week.

And Itezhi-tezhi police officers have expressed anger at the announcement by ZESCO to evict tenants saying that eviction is targeted at Police officers alone.

During the disaster management meeting held at Itezhi-tezhi district Council chamber, police officers accused ZESCO of trying to completely make the police in Itezhi-tezhi live miserable lives.

“It is common knowledge that ZESCO employees have been telling some police officers in the streets that after disconnecting power, they were now going to disconnect water and evict those occupying ZESCO houses due to non payment of huge bills that have accumulated over a long time,” said one police officer.

Among the many prominent clients to be evicted by ZESCO is the District Commissioner both at his office and at his home.

And some residents interviewed by ZANIS have complained that there are disputed bills that have been served on customers.

“In some houses , you find that there are more than one bill and they expect the current occupant to clear everything including the bills left by deceased or transferred clients, this is not fair at all,” said a Mr. Chanda Besa .

Last year similar mass evictions took place and left many clients thrown out due to disputed bills.

ZANIS

Kenya Airways go slow delays Zesco United’s return

editor
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The reported go-slow by Kenya Airways workers has delayed the safe home return of victorious Zesco United
football club.

Highly placed sources in the Zesco United camp from Nairobi confirmed to ZANIS sports that the team was held up at the Nairobi due to the strike action by the Kenya Airways staff.

The source who spoke on condition of anonymity said that the 2008 FAZ/KCM premier league champions where shocked to find that operations at Jomo Kenyanta International Airport paralsysed due to the go slow.

This was on arrival from Omdurman, Sudan, where Zesco United emerged victorious after a convincing 3-2 win against that country’s El Merriekh football club in the 2009 Orange African Champions league match, on Saturday.

The Zambian champions were shocked to learn that their connect flight to Lusaka on Kenya Airways was delayed due to the go slow.

Zesco United, who after Saturday’s win have opened up hope of going into the semi finals of the championship, where expected to touch down at Lusaka International Airport this morning at 11: 00 hours but had by press time not arrived.

The local champions shocked the Sudanese champions El Merriek 3-2 in front of their home fans, thanks to Winger Jonas Sakuwaha’s hat-rick that reignited the team’s hopes of qualifying for the 2009 Champions league semi-final.

The Zambian champoins’ victory unsettled not only the opponents but their home fans as well who resorted to riotous behaviour as their team’s defeat signals the end of participating in the tournament as qualification now lies in jeopardy.

ZANIS

PF/UPND charge that MMD won Chitambo seat fraudulently

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Given Lubinda
Given Lubinda

The Patriotic Front (PF) and United Party for National Development (UPND) has charged that the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) won the Chitambo by- elections corruptly and fraudulently.

PF spokesperson, Given Lubinda says the Chitambo parliamentary by-election in Serenje was characterized by malpractice by the ruling MMD.

Mr Lubinda said this today at a joint PF/UPND pact media briefing that the MMD therefore won the Chitambo by- elections corruptly and fraudulently.

He said the malpractices that the ruling MMD perpetrated amounted to an atmosphere that was not conducive for free and fair elections.

Mr Lubinda alleged that MMD was using unregistered vehicles with no number plates ferrying voters to polling stations in total disregard of elections regulations.

He added that the ruling party was also freely dishing out food stuffs and money to people adding that they were also beating up opposition supporters.

And speaking at the same occasion, UPND Publicity and Information Chairman, Charles Kakoma said MMD should be more worried about their countrywide losses in the local government elections than parliamentary elections.

Mr Kakoma said that MMD lost in sixteen out of twenty one local government by-elections throughout the country.

He said the UPND/PF obtained 73 percent of the seats while the MMD got 27 percent only.

Mr Kakoma stated that an examination of the results shows that MMD lost the local government by- elections in Lusaka, Central, Copperbelt, North-western and Southern provinces respectively.

He said the examination of the results of the Chitambo by elections is a clear indication that Zambians have welcomed the formation of the UPND/PF pact.

Mr Kakoma said the significance of the local government by-election results is that they represent a wider picture of the people throughout the country who are not happy with the current government’s performance.

ZANIS

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