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Government sets aside more than K2 billion to acquire riot gear for police

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HOME Affairs Minister Lameck Mangani has said Government has set aside more than K2 billion to acquire riot gear for the police to enable it quell riots effectively.

The minister said Government was also trying to secure bulletproof vests for police officers.

Mr Mangani said when he addressed police officers in Kitwe yesterday the inadequate riot gear had put pressure on police in handling riotous situations leading to the use of live ammunition resulting in unfortunate situations of shootings.

Mr Mangani said use of live ammunition had created an impression that the police did not care about human life and that this picture needed to be changed to build public confidence.

Despite working in difficult conditions, he advised officers to work hard and ensure peace in the nation so that people did not live in fear.

He was aware that police officers worked in difficult conditions and were subjected to all sorts of names by the public but urged them to continue working hard.

“There have been unfortunate incidences where police have tried to use live ammunition to scare away crowds but ended up shooting people. This has been due to inadequate riot gear,” the minister said.

And Mr Mangani said Government was trying to improve working conditions for police officers and that he was not happy with the disconnections of water and electricity in police camps.

The disconnections have created a lot of problems and that is why Government wants to introduce electricity allowances to allow officers pay bills for themselves.

He said Government was looking at infrastructure development in camps, which involved rehabilitating existing infrastructure as well as new ones.

Meanwhile, Kasumbalesa border immigration officer in charge Miriam Chiyali said her department lacked sufficient staff to handle the high number of illegal entries because of a porous border.

Speaking when the minister visited the border post, she said there were only eight officers instead of 25 needed to effectively carry out operations.

She complained that while Congolese nationals flouted Zambian immigration laws, Zambians were not allowed into that country without the minimum requirements demanded by that country’s laws.

[Times of Zambia]

Zamtel equity partner to be chosen through open tender

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THE Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) has said the selection of an equity partner for Zamtel will be through an open tender process and both local and foreign companies are free to participate.

ZDA director of investments promotion and privatisation, Florence Mumba said selection of equity would not be restrictive and all interested parties would be free to participate as long they met set conditions.

Ms Mumba, said in an interview yesterday that ZDA would first undertake a study on how to best implement the tender process.

“We were just given instructions to undertake the selecting of the equity partner of Zamtel because we are capable of doing the job within our mandate as ZDA.

“ What I can only say is that we are going to do an open tender and there will be a bidding process,” Ms Mumba said.

Ms Mumba said the ZDA management would soon issue a comprehensive statement on when and how the process of selecting an equity partner for Zamtel would be undertaken.

The Government last month announced it had approved the sale of 75 per cent of its stake in Zamtel to an equity partner in order to save the company from collapse.

The Government intends to maintain 25 per cent shares in the company to provide an opportunity to control the company for Zambians.

The equity partner which is supposed to be brought on board by January next year would be expected to inject US$200 million needed to recapitalise the company

[Times of Zambia]

Caster Semenya- an assault on Womanity

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By Lwanga Mwilu
Caster SemenyaThe infamous sex test that has turned the global spotlight on South African athlete Caster Semenya is a negative milestone in our collective history as women world over. It is not just about an 18 year old woman being violated by having her sex questioned in front of the whole world, it is also about a generations- old attempt by patriarchy to define womanhood and ridicule or punish those who do not conform; those who are brave enough to resist the generic categories and write their own life scripts.

I am trying to understand what it is about Caster that makes her a candidate for such suspicion; what makes so many people question whether she indeed is a woman and not a man. Is it, perhaps, because she does not fit the appearance of what ‘common sense’ tells us a woman should look like? Is it because she has a deep voice that does not fit our idea of a woman’s voice? Is it because, her build, strength and sheer speed, do not fit what we know about women and their abilities?

It is unsettling because I see a pattern here: Caster is not the first sportswoman to have such a test, which for some reason is being wrongly referred to as a gender test; gender is a social category, it is sex which is biological and that is what is being tested. I think the discomfort that leads to these tests lies in the fact that these women – both white and black – do not in one way or the other, fit society’s idea of what a woman should look like and be capable of. The women they are, flies in the face of some people’s eternally held beliefs about femininity and masculinity.

I think the main discomfort in the Caster case is that she challenges the patriarchal aesthetic that to be a woman is to be dolled up, coy, weak, fragile, passive, and all manner of traits people consider feminine. There is actually nothing natural about these attributes. They are mere constructs, which in many ways actually constrain us women. Yet society has naturalised them to the point where to not fit in is to deserve to be called deviant. Consider how many names society has for a woman who questions the status quo: frustrated, emotional female, bitter and so on.

Such realities reveal how intolerant society is; how it uses its own preferences as the default position such that anything different is seen as wrong; not up to standard. How un-evolved! Closed mindedness, and its best friend intolerance, is responsible for the suffocation of many progressive perspectives whose only crime is departure from the ‘norm’.

I think what the world cannot forgive also is that Caster is not your typical international star who swears by Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Prada; or is a mobile advert for L’Oreal, Revlon, Mac you name it. She has not seen the need to manipulate her features: straighten her hair, wax off the facial hair, spot a R3000 manicure and so on. Clearly, she does not fit the TV definition of “hot” and “sexy”, the same portrayals that are being used as a blue print by some people. Consider the scary lengths to which some of my fellow women are going to lose weight, not for health reasons but for purposes of ‘beauty’. Overtime these TV and magazine portrayals of slender, usually light skinned bodies as “hot” and “sexy”
assault those that fall outside these categories. Such that healthy and good looking ‘full’ women suddenly feel the need to ‘shape up’ and trim that excess weight! Excess by whose standard?

For Semenya, the humiliating saga continues with preliminary results suggesting that her testosterone level is three times higher than the average woman contains. So what exactly does this result achieve? I believe that does not make her a man as much as an ‘overdose’ of oestrogen in a man (such occurrences have been proved by Biology) does not make him a woman! And again what does this saga mean for the many intersex people that may be talented enough to enter these competitions, will they be turned away for not being woman or man enough?

Well we will wait and see where all this leads, as for now I will just sit here and try to make sense of the contradictions that attend our reality: the infrastructure and technology around us screams 21 st century yet the mindsets say something totally different.

Zambian Patriotism

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flagBy Wesley Ngwenya
Patriotism can simply be defined as one’s unquestionable loyalty to his or her country. I have met many people who speak of patriotism and yet their actions seem to say something else. It is easy for one to sing of patriotism and wear a Zambian scarf in the comforts of Atlanta or Cape Town. On the other hand, will the Zambian in Lusaka or Kitwe equally stand up tall and unequivocally declare his or her patriotism to the country?

I am one of the most patriotic Zambian you will ever find. I love my country and willing to die for it. I carried the Zambian flag whenever I was in a foreign country. It was very easy for me to be identified as a Zambian because I sang about my country, praised our history, and shared about the amazing natural resources as well as the diverse culture. I prided in the peaceful and democratic elections we have in this country. I always wanted to make a difference and take part in rebuilding the nation. That is the reason I came back home over two years ago.

Two years down the road, I keep asking myself if am still as patriotic as I was in Virginia or Kansas. I did notice that when you are out of the country your level of patriotism is often deeper. Maybe it’s because you find yourself not belonging in your host country and identify yourself with your country of origin. Or maybe it’s simply because you miss your home country. I would be wealthy if I was given ten dollars every time I met a Zambian abroad who wanted to be president of our country some day. Whether or not this ambition stems out of patriotism or personal interest is another question.

Patriotism, to me, means putting the interests of your country at heart. It is the ability to sacrifice a bit for the sake of the country. It could mean denying yourself certain things today so that you can have those things tomorrow, or so that your children can enjoy those things. Patriotism focuses on the long-term benefits not the short-term benefits. Therefore, patriotic people are visionary, selfless and goal-getters.

But when you live in Zambia it is difficult to gauge your own level of patriotism. Whether it is because of cynicism towards the leadership or of your own hardship I do not know. However, it seems like people living in Zambia have a different view of what it means to be patriotic compared to those living abroad. People here will remain patriotic provided the government can meet their basic needs such as clean water, primary health care, basic education and employment. These are real issues that affect people daily in Zambia.

Although many Zambians love their country, I wonder how many would leave Zambia given an opportunity to go elsewhere where their basic needs would be met. I would like to believe that many would actually leave. This is evident by many Zambians who view South African, Europe, North America and Australia as some of the favored countries to go to. Many want to leave but few make it. If the government provided the basic human needs, respected the rule of law, and have an effective legislature and judiciary then, most likely, many would want to stay in Zambia. But then how can you be patriotic when your children are dying of hunger? How can you be patriotic when you have no job? How can you be patriotic when the justice system is rotten? How can you be patriotic when you are not respected as a person in your own country?

These are fundamental questions where many Zambians draw the line. Instead, Zambian citizens decide to go on and worry about their personal needs and not that of the nation. They get unconcerned about the national affairs. They ignore their leaders and don’t hold them accountable. They feel that their opinions don’t count. After all, if they were in the same shoes, they would do exactly what those leaders are doing. Patriotism is thrown out of the window.

How do you rate your patriotism whether you are in Mongu or Manchester? Can you say that you love your country and that you are willing to leave your comfort zone and step out to help your country with your skills and experience? We can learn a lot from many people who have been patriotic and have selflessly served their country. In the United States the late Edward Kennedy who passed away last night is one example—a man who stood for what he believed in and worked with opposing views fairly well. Here in Zambia, today we bury John Mwanakatwe who has worked for mother Zambia in various capacities almost all his life—a real patriot. Can you say that you are a real patriot?

Stop Inciting CBU students, Mangani appeals to politicians

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Home Affairs Minister Lameck Mangani has appealed to Politicians to desist from inciting Copperbelt University (CBU) students to engage in acts of violence every time they had a problem.

Mr. Mangani said Politicians should instead try hard to restrain students from destroying property and assaulting members of the public when aggrieved.

Speaking when he paid a courtesy call on the Kitwe Distict Commissioner Macdonald Mtine in Kitwe today, Mr. Mangani said the situation at CBU which has since been closed indefinitely was of great concern to government hence the need to take immediate action.

The Minister also disclosed that Government would take disciplinary action against Copperbelt University (CBU) students who assaulted members of the Public and damaged property during a demonstration early this month.

He said it was un Zambian for the students at CBU to have attacked innocent citizens and damaged public and damaged public property during a demonstration to protest the re appointment of Dora Siliya as Education Minister and the shooting of their fellow students by Police during a fracas.

“Government will punish the students who participated in the demos a situation he described as unfortunate as it would deny the students who would be found wanting the opportunity to get educated and participate in the economic development of the Country.” said Mr. Mangani.

He added that Zambians were loosing the traditional norm of living in peace and resolving problems in a sober manner.

He observed that Society currently believes that the use of abusive language and fighting was the smart way of handling problems a situation he described as unfortunate.

And speaking earlier at the same function Kitwe Commissioner Macdonald Mtine said the problems that the students were fighting for were economical which can not be fought with violence but brains.

Mr. Mtine said students at CBU who were intellectuals must use brains to fight their Economic wars instead of destroying infrastructure which was built from Tax payer’s money at a great cost. He also regretted the assault of innocent members of the Community.

The Minister is on the tour of Copperbelt home affairs facilities.
ZANIS

Large quantity of fish being caught illegally on Lakes Bangweulu and Mweru

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The large quantity of fish is being caught illegally on Lake Bangweulu and Lake Mweru fisheries in the Luapula province.

This is according to a presentation made by a technical group on fisheries during the Programme for Luapula Agriculture and Rural Development (PLARD) midterm review meeting yesterday.

The group was among other things tasked to come up with means and ways of improve fishing resource management on the Bangweulu and Mweru fisheries.

According to the group’s presentation 218,000 of illegal nets are in use on the Mweru fishery, while 44,800 are being employed by fishermen on the Bangweulu fishery.

The group said the large quantity of fish harvested in the Mweru and Bangweulu fisheries were being caught illegally.

And to address the problem the technical group the introduction of community based fisheries management.

The group said engaging the community would increase interaction between the Department of Fisheries and local fishing communities to find common ground on best fishing practices that can ensure sustainable use of the fish resource.

It also proposed that the ministry of finance financial management Act must be revised so that communities can be involved in the collection of revenue, a move that would maximise licensing of fishers operating in the two fishing areas.

The technical group on fisheries observed that currently only K50 million is realised by government from licensing 20,000 fishers operating in the Bangweulu fishery and 100,000 engaged in fishing around Lake Mweru.

“What government is getting now is only K50 million from licensing of fishers, which is half of the actual revenue and a huge loss of revenue to government,” the group observed.

The group said the rationale of using people within fishing communities is that they know the people involved in fishing, thereby it will reduce fishermen evading paying licence fees.

Further it proposed that under the community based fisheries management part of the revenue part of the revenue will have to be ploughed back into communities to enable them develop their areas and conduct fish conservation activities.

One of the group members Killian Kalonga told the meeting that apart from increasing revenue, involving communities to collect revenue is one of the best ways of sustaining a community based fisheries management system.
ZANIS/

Widows Association bemoans lack of documentation of customary practices

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The Zambia Widows Network Association (ZAWNA) says lack of proper documentation and planning, customary practices and widow inheritance coupled with harsh effects of economic causes the remaining spouse to became vulnerable and turn to risky sexual behaviours.

ZAWNA President Florence Mwewa says the widows and children are negatively affected at the hands of the deceased.

Mrs Mwewa says the death of a spouse is so catastrophic, psycho-emotional trauma to the remaining spouse.

She says widows and often their children are forced to fend for themselves and engage in illicit sexual behaviours such as prostitution.

Mrs Mwewa was speaking in Lusaka today when she addressed widows drawn from different compounds.

Meanwhile, the ZAWNA will soon launch a soap opera entitled “Tears of a surviving spouse” .

Ms. Mwewa disclosed that a musical concert has been set for September 12 at Lusaka’s Winnie Hotel in Makeni area.

Over K100 million is targeted to be raised at the concert and funds will go towards the production of the movie.

She further appealed to the corporate bodies to assist ZAWNA with funds and material support for the casting of the soap opera.

ZANIS

Veteran politician Mwanakatwe put to rest

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Lawyers and other members of the judiciary surround the coffin for the late John mwanakatwe
Lawyers and other members of the judiciary surround the coffin for the late John Mwanakatwe

Veteran Freedom Fighter, Politician and Academician John Mwanakatwe has been put to rest.

Mr. Mwanakatwe, who died on Sunday at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) after an illness, was put to rest at the Old Leopards Cemetery following a valedictory session at the Lusaka High Court and a funeral service at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross.

Hundreds of mourners gathered at the cathedral of the Holy Cross to pay their last respect to the veteran politician and academician.

Vice President George Kunda and his wife,Ireen, First Republican President Kenneth Kaunda, Second Republican President Fredrick Chiluba and his wife,Regina, Cabinet Ministers, opposition party leaders, Members of the Diplomatic corps, the clergy and members of the general public paid their last respects to the late.

The late veteran educationist and lawyer was one of Zambia’s founding fathers and freedom fighter who rose to be the first minister of Education, Finance and secretary General of the republic of Zambia.

Speaking after Burial at the Old Leopards Cemetery, Defence Minister Kalombo Mwansa said Zambia has yet again been robbed of a true son of the soil.

Dr Mwansa said the late Mr. Mwanakatwe belonged to a small but rare breed of Zambians with special commitment and responsibility to shape the country’s future.

He said Mr. Mwanakatwe was dedicated to emancipate humanity from the various problems they faced.The minister described the late politician as a man of great courage and vision who fought for the country and the world at large a better place.

Dr Mwansa further said that Mr. Mwanakatwe had the ability to look beyond the narrow and present state to the future.

He said through his many achievements and writing, many people will be able to reflect on the monumental achievements of the late Mwanakatwe.

And first Republican President Kenneth Kaunda said freedom fighters fought for independence because of the love for the people.

Dr Kaunda said the late Musokotwane fully participated in the independence struggle because of the love he had for his brothers and sisters in the country.

And in a vote of thanks, family representative Jacob Sikazwe thanked Government for the support rendered during the illness and subsequent burial of Mr Mwanakatwe.

Mr. Sikazwe further thanked Government for recognizing Mr. Mwanakatwe’s contribution to the country and for according him a state funeral

ZANIS

Algeria name Team to face Zambia

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Algeria have named their 20-member team to face Zambia in a 2010 World/African Cup Group C qualifier in Blida on September 6.

Coach Rabah Saadane has kept faith in the starting line-up that started against Zambia in the first leg that Algeria won 2-0 to go top of group C at Konkola stadium in June.

Playmaker Karim Ziani who recently moved to Bundesliga champions Wolfsburg from Olympique Marseille in the summer transfer window will lead the charge against Zambia.

Madjid Bougherra and Rafik Saïfi who both scored in the first leg on June 20 are in the team.

Algeria lead Group C on 7 points while Zambia are 3rd on 4 points from three games.
 

Goalkeepers:Lounès Gaouaoui (ASO Chlef), Faouzi Chaouchi (ES Sétif), Mohamed Nassim Ousserir (CR Belouizdad)
 
Defenders: Madjid Bougherra (Rangers FC), Anthar Yahia (VFL Bochum), Rafik Halliche (Nacional da Madeira), Nadir Belhadj (Portsmouth FC), Slimane Raho (ES Sétif), Abdelkader Laïfaoui (ES Sétif), Samir Zaoui (ASO Chlef), Mohamed Rabie Meftah (JS Kabylie), Réda Babouche (MC Alger)
 
Midfielders: Yazid Mansouri (FC Lorient), Khaled Lemouchia (ES Sétif), Mourad Meghni (SSS Lazio), Chérif Abdeslam (USM Annaba), Karim Ziani (VFL Wolfsburg), Hocine Achiou (USM Alger), Yacine Bezzaz (RC Strasbourg), Karim Matmour (Burussia Moenchengladbach), Hameur Bouazza (Sivasspor)
 
Strikers:Rafik Zoheïr Djebbour (AEK Athènes), Mohamed Abdelkader Ghezzal (Siena), Rafik Saïfi (Nadi Al Khor), Kamel Fethi Ghilas (Hull City)

Luanshya records three Typhoid cases

Guest Editor
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Three typhoid cases have been recorded in Luanshya with the victims reportedly from Mpatamatu township.

Roan General Hospital executive director Dr Tasila Peters confirmed the development in an interview with ZANIS. She said her institution had attended to three cases of typhoid and discharged the last patient yesterday.

Dr. Peters said the two of the three patients aged 4 and 11 from the same house were admitted two weeks ago while the other one was admitted last week.

She said the patients were put in an isolation ward which has since been fumigated adding that all the patients tested negative at the time they were discharged.

She observed that the trio have been advised to go to the hospital for review after two weeks to ensure that they were safe.

Dr Peters said the area where the typhoid cases came from has been fumigated and residents sensitized to report to the nearest health facility should they suspect any symptoms of the disease.
ZANIS

Defiler gets 15 years with hard labour

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A 25 year old man of Mongu in the Western Province has been sentenced to 15 years imprisonment with hard labour by the Mongu High Court for defiling an eight year old girl.

High Court Judge Florence Lengalenga sentenced Joseph Kapelwa for defilement contrary to section 137(1) of the penal code amendment act 15 of 2005 cap 87 of the laws of Zambia.

Particulars of the offence are that on December 17 2008 Joseph Kapelwa of Mulambwa Compound in Mongu had unlawful carnal knowledge of minor.

According to the prosecution’s evidence, on the material day, the victim was home alone when the accused got hold of her and dragged her behind the house where he forced himself on her.

The girl was only rescued by a Wakung’uma Mulemwa who rushed to the scene after hearing the girl crying.
Upon arrival at the scene, Kapelwa was found on top of the minor and was only pulled off by Mulemwa.

It was at this point that the girl’s mother was called from the market where she was selling her merchandise and took the girl to the police where they were given a medical form to take to Lewanika General Hospital for examination and treatment.

And passing Judgment, Justice Lengalenga said the evidence from the girl corroborated with that of the medical report and that of Mulemwa who actually found the accused on top of the girl.

She further said the medical report showed that the child had bruises on her private parts and her hymen torn on the left side and an indication that the complainant was defiled by the accused who was also her relative.

Justice Lengalenga sentenced Joseph Kapelwa to 15 years imprisonment with hard labour with effect from the date of arrest.

ZANIS

ZESCO estimate billing raise eyebrows in Kafue

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Some residents in Kafue have expressed concern at the manner in which the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation(ZESCO) is arriving at monthly electricity bills..

Scores of residents, who stormed ZANIS offices in Kafue today, complained that they were receiving inflated bills from ZESCO in the name of estimates.

The residents have threatened to hold demonstrations against the company and stop paying the bills if the company does not explain to them why their charges have become abnormally high.

A resident who spoke of behalf of others, Mr Albert Bowa said resident in Kafue Estates were shocked when they received bills based on estimates instead of actual readings when all along they had been receiving bills on fixed accounts.[quote]

He noted that last month residents received bills ranging from K50.000.00 to K70.000 and were now astonished to learn that ZESCO had changed the system without their knowledge and have now received bills ranging from K500.000.00 to K800.000.00 based on estimates.

Mr. Bowa explained that when residents went to ZESCO offices in Kafue Estates to seek an explanation on the situation, all they were told by the accountant was that the directive was from ZESCO Head office and that there was nothing the local office could do.

Mr. Bowa has appealed to ZESCO Head office in Lusaka to meet the residents and explain the situation to them before the residents stop paying the bills.

He described the move as unfair to residents especially that ZESCO has just hiked the electricity tariffs.

Mr. Bowa appealed to government to consider bailing out ZESCO so that the company can be efficient and start operating according to the expectation of its clients..

Mr. Bowa also appealed to the Minister of Energy and Water Development to intervene in the matter before the situation goes out of hands.

He said residents feel this is daylight robbery being exhibited by ZESCO management especially that such issues were done in a Christian nation.

ZANIS

Max Nkole accepts government’s decision not to renew his contract.

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Former Executive Chairman of the Task Force on Corruption Max Nkole
Former Executive Chairman of the Task Force on Corruption Max Nkole

Former Executive Chairman of the Task Force on Corruption, Max Nkole, has accepted government’s decision not to renew his contract.

Mr. Nkole told ZNBC news that he will now take time to rest after a taxing job at the Task Force.

He said he was preparing handover notes which will be given to Anti Corruption Commission Director General,Godfrey Kayukwa, who has replaced him.

Mr. Kayukwa will act as Task Force Executive Chairman until a permanent replacement is found.

Secretary to the Cabinet, Joshua Kanganja, announced on Tuesday that Mr. Nkole’s contract of employment had expired.

And Caritas Zambia Director, Samuel Mulafulafu has said the sudden termination of former Task Force on Corruption Chairman, Maxwell Nkole is in bad faith.

Mr Mulafulafu said the removal of the Task Force Chairman is not for the country adding that it is retrogressive to the fight against corruption.[quote]

He told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today that it is not clear as to why Mr Nkole had to be dropped at a time like this.

Mr Mulafulafu said that with this development, it would not be surprising if government dissolved the Task force altogether. He said the dropping of Mr Nkole is likely to slow the corruption fight in the country.

Mr Nkole recently instructed Messrs MNB Legal Practitioners to file a notice of appeal against former president Frederick Chiluba’s acquittal.

His contract has however not been renewed and he has been replaced by Geoffrey Kayukwa, Director General of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) with immediate effect for administrative convenience until further notice.

ZANIS

Govt releases K200 billion for crop marketing

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GOVERNMENT has released K200 billion for the crop marketing exercise through out the country.

And government has said the price of fertiliser for the 2009/2010 farming season has been pegged at K50,000 per 50 kg bag.

Agriculture and cooperatives Minister Brian Chituwo disclosed this in Isoka district in Northern Province yesterday.

Dr. Chituwo who is touring Northern Province to check on the maize marketing exercise said the government has released K200 billion through the Food Reserve Agency [FRA] to enable the agency buy maize and other crop from the farmers.

“Government has instructed FRA to buy beyond what was budgeted for the 2009 maize marketing exercise. As a government, we have sourced an extra K200 billion to purchase maize and other crops from small scale farmers across the country,” said Dr. Chituwo.

He said the funds would be available in various districts before the end of this week adding that, affected farmers should not despair.

Dr. Chituwo said Republican President Rupiah Banda has heard the cries of the small scale farmers most of whom have been unable to sale their produce to FRA due to lack of funds hence the sourcing of more funds to buy the commodity.

The agriculture Minister said the extra K200 Billion which the government has sourced would enable the agency buy an extra 110,000 metric tonnes of maize from the small scale farmers before the end of the marketing exercise.

He said that the extra maize to be bought by FRA would be sold to other regions with food deficits.

And Dr. Chituwo has disclosed that plans to amend the 1998 Cooperatives Act have reached an advanced stage.

Speaking in Isoka yesterday, Dr. Chituwo said the government was in the process of amending the 1998 Cooperatives Act so as to make it more responsive and effective in the running of the cooperative movement.

Dr. Chituwo also said the cooperative Development Policy will give a legal frame work of the cooperative movement.

The Minister has also called on the cooperative movement to engage themselves in other viable business ventures other than participating in crop marketing exercise adding that the cooperative movement should also take over the distribution of inputs as the case was in the past.

And Government has said the cost of a 50 kg bag of fertiliser for 2009/2010 under the Fertiliser Support Programme [FSP] will be K50, 000 for both D-compound and Urea.

Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Brian Chituwo said over 77,000 small scale farmers will benefit from over 15,000 metric tonnes of the commodity allocated to the district.

Meanwhile, small scale farmers in Nakonde and Isoka districts have commended the government for releasing more funds for the crop marketing exercise as well as for increasing the allocation of fertiliser for the 2009/2010 farming season.

ZANIS

ZAPD expresses concern at abandoned disabled children

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The Zambia Agency for Persons with disabilities (ZAPD)ZAPD Director General Charles Mwape says his organisation is saddened with parents who abandon their children with disabilities.

Dr Mwape says its criminal for parents to abandon their disabled children, instead of accepting their physical being.

He told ZANIS in an interview , today, that parents must realize that children born with disabilities are not different from normal children in society.

He said children with disabilities must be treated equally with other children and should be given their full rights which they are supposed to enjoy.

He said children with disabilities have the right to Education, Health and Shelter hence the need for parents to ensure that all those rights are given to them.

Mr Mwape said ZAPD has a mandate to protect children with disabilities from all forms of discrimination and violence.

He said parents must care for their children with or without disabilities as they are a gift from God.

Mr Mwape said his organization will not sit idle, seeing the many disabled children who are being abandoned by their parents in the country.

He has however called on authorities to make sure, that the culprits are brought to book and face the wrath of the law.

Mr Mwape was reacting to parents in Southern Province who are believed to be abandoning their disabled children.

ZANIS

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