Join our community of SUBSCRIBERS and be part of the conversation.
To subscribe, simply enter your email address on our website or click the subscribe button below. Don't worry, we respect your privacy and won't spam your inbox. Your information is safe with us.
Former Radio Ichengelo Station Manager, Frank Bwalya, has commended nurses and teachers on their decision to call off their strike action.
Father Bwalya said it was good that nurses and teachers have realized that their resolve to go on a strike was causing a lot of problems and sufferings among Zambians in the country.
He said it was sad that many lives were lost while many other people were suffering because there were no medical personnel to attend to them.
He said it was regrettable that nurses and teachers had to take that action which subjected a lot of poor people to untold misery.
Father Bwalya, however, advised government to improve the salaries and conditions of service of civil servants in the country.
He told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today that government must now show a lot of commitment in uplifting the plight of the civil servants in order to avoid similar situations in future.
Father Bwalya said there was need for the government ministers to sacrifice part of their pay and allowances before calling on lowly paid civil servants to do so.
He has since called on the Zambian people to engage government and other national leaders in dialogue in order for their voices to be heard.
Local Government and Housing Minister Benny Tetamashimba has said personal attacks will not deter him from demanding that the Anti-Corruption Commission and the Auditor General’s office investigate how 100 hearses were bought.
He expressed regret that his predecessor, Sylvia Masebo allegedly called him names for demanding that the truth be established regarding purchase of the hearses.
And the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) yesterday confirmed receiving a report over the matter from Mr Tetamashimba.
“ Yes I can confirm that we received a complaint from Mr Tetamashimba,” said public relations manager Timothy Moono who refused to discuss the matter further.
Mr Tetamashimba said in an interview yesterday that it was unfortunate that Ms Masebo launched personal attacks by stating that he was the defacto vice-president and untouchable by the president .
“The issue of hearses has passed, she said she wanted President Banda to give her a green light and the president cleared her and she has spoken.
‘‘Since the issue is under the ACC and the office of the Auditor General, the nation will know who is saying the truth and who is wrong.
“ I did not specifically say that Ms Masebo was wrong for her to say that she is clean but all I expressed was suspicion in the procurement process,” Mr Tetamashimba said.
Mr Tetamashimba said the nation would know who was telling the truth between the two and emphasised that he would from now onwards prefer to remain quiet on the matter.
He also said he would continue defending the administration of President Banda to the hilt despite the personal attacks.
Mr Tetamashimba said all he was doing was defending Mr Banda in the same way that Ms Masebo defended the late president Levy Mwanawasa.
On Monday, Ms Masebo said Mr Tetamashimba was part of the management meeting that agreed to buy the 100 hearses and should therefore desist from claiming to be ignorant on the matter.
A little more than six months ago I did write a letter of encouragement to you. In that letter, I did encourage you on stepping up the game in running the country. I encouraged you to work hard to leave a lasting legacy. Sadly, my advise fell on deaf ears and hence my writing this letter of disappointment to you.[quote]
A lot has been happening in this country in the last few months. You have had a busy traveling schedule all over the region. Looks like we share the same hobby Mr. President after all. You know, I also enjoy traveling. But your wasting of taxpayer’s money traveling while there are so many pressing financial needs in the country worries me. It is disappointing Mr. President that you choose to travel to Zimbabwe and South Africa, with an entourage of over forty officials, while our hospitals were closed. Because you were having so much fun hopping up and down planes, you have developed a leg problem. Worse still, it is us who have to pay for your hospital bills in South Africa abandoning your own hospitals here in Zambia.
Mr. President, it was disappointing that it took you that long to make a statement regarding the state of affairs in the country. And what was that rant about at that press conference? Why did you spend half the time at the press conference talking about your political opponents? The press conference looked like an MMD cadres’ meeting. Well, I understand why you are so worried about those guys. Looks like things don’t look so well for you in 2011, do they?
Here are a few things that you should be worried about instead. Mr. President, you should be worried about the many Zambian people who are dying around the country due to the strikes by nurses and doctors. Please don’t threaten our medical workers with dismissal because that doesn’t make sense at all. Regarding their pay demands, I have a few suggestions for you as far as how you raise the money.
Firstly, propose a fifteen percent pay cut from all ministers, deputy ministers, permanent secretaries and all senior government officials including yourself. Imagine how much money could be raised from those pay cuts. This could cover the salaries of the nurses and doctors in Southern, Western and Eastern Provinces. Secondly, declare all deputy ministers redundant because there is nothing they are really doing. This will save taxpayers from paying their salaries, housing, phone bills, fuel, traveling, etc. Then we can sell all those big expensive cars they have so that we raise some money to pay for the salaries of nurses and doctors in Lusaka and Central Provinces . Instead of government spending K100 million a month on a deputy minister, it can pay for about seventy-five nurses. Lastly, my suggestion to you, Mr. President is that you make an executive order for non payment of midterm gratuity for all members of parliament and get the dormant funds at CEEC and channel them to pay salaries for the striking workers in all the other provinces. What a perfect way to set an example in a time of crisis. You will gain so much admiration from all around the country and make your 2011 plans legitimate.
These are just few of the many ideas that could help you rise amidst the crisis. However, you have chosen to remain in the background. Like I have observed before, if you are not taking your afternoon naps then you are in the air flying to Neverland. When you wake up from your naps, you go on television yelling and blaming everyone but yourself for the way things are going in the country. Things are going this way because you are sleeping at the wheel. While you were sleeping Mr. President, a minister bought costly hearses to bury us. While you were sleeping Soweto Market was demolished and the people of Sichifulo displaced so that animals can live in a land they occupied for generations. While you were sleeping, millions of dollars were stolen and the Ministry of Health. While you were sleeping nurses and doctors went on strike leaving scores of Zambians to die countrywide. While you were sleeping, Zambian Airways went under and Dora signed the Deal. Is it while you were sleeping that Zambia lost to Algeria?
You see that a lot of things can happen outside State House especially if you are sleeping. I know it is cozy in there and not too easy to come out and face the challenges of reality here. But hey, who says being president is a vacation? It is a tough and challenging job. Again, stop complaining about how tough your job is. If it is so tough then why don’t you leave the job for someone who really wants to be president? Maybe they won’t sleep so much. Maybe nurses won’t be on strike and people won’t die. And maybe for once Zambians will have a president they will all be proud of.
Thanks for your time Mr. President and good luck. And hey, if you want to me start drafting those dismissal letters for your deputy ministers I would be more than delighted to do it at no cost at all. This will be my service to my country.
A fisherman in Namwala drowned over the weekend while another swam to safety after a hippo attacked the duo which was crossing the Kafue river.
Namwala District Commissioner, Eunice Nawa named the deceased as Hobby Shankompa of Kalundu area in Namwala central.
Ms. Nawa said Shankompa met his fate on Sunday around 19 hours after a hippo attacked the boat in which he and his colleague were in.
“The deceased was in the company of a named fisherman and were crossing the Kafue river at Zambwa fishing camp in Itezhi Tezhi district when a hippo attacked them and hit the canoe causing it to split into parts,” she explained.
She said the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) officers have already been dispatched to the scene of the accident to try and crop the hippos whose population is said to have increased in the area.
She however said the Namwala police have not yet retrieved the body of the deceased because they were waiting for ZAWA officers to kill the hippos before they could commence the search.
In another development, Namwala police over the weekend re-arrested one suspect who was among the five suspects that escaped from lawful custody from police cells.
Ms Nawa confirmed this but could not give further details as she had not yet received a report from police.
But sources within police named the suspect as Chiinda Moomba, who is facing a charge of stock theft.
Moomba was re-arrested after a tip off from members of the public.
Five suspects escaped from Namwala police cells a fortnight ago after overpowering a lone police officer that was on duty and locked him inside the cells before fleeing.
Minister of Education has asked the corporate Zambia to supplement government’s effort in the education sector if the country is to achieve the Millennium Development Goals(MDGs) on education.
Education Minister Dora Siliya said in as much as the government is making tremendous achievements in the area of providing universal basic education for all that there is need for the private sector to seek ways of uplifting the standards of education.
Ms Siliya said this when she officiated at the stakeholders infrastructure familiarization tour at Kabulonga Girls high School today.
The Minister said that there was need to improve infrastructure at schools so that pupils learn in a conducive environment.
Ms Siliya, who is also a former pupil of Kabulonga girl high school, said all former Kabulonga pupils should come on board to improve the conditions of the school.
“Let all pupils that passed through this school come back and offer support to the improvement of the school’s infrastructure” she said.
The Minister said government in an effort to improve infrastructure in schools has managed to construct 2,500 classrooms using the community mode of construction, a method where government works closely with communities to construct school infrastructure.
And Access Finance Managing director who spoke on behalf of the corporate partners present David Chewe said its time the corporate world ploughed back to the community by partnering with the government to improve the infrastructure at Kabulonga girls school.
He said every educated person in the country had once benefited from school infrastructure hence the need for them to help improve their former schools.
Mr. Chewe added the country cannot develop without education hence the need to improve the standards of education in the country.
The managing director also pledged to help the school improve its infrastructure in line with his bank’s community responsibility.
And Kabulonga Girls High School Acting Board Chairperson said that the school faces a number of challenges ranging from dilapidated infrastructure to lack of proper apparatus in the laboratories.
Mr. Bright Nyirenda said his board is willing to partner with anyone as long as the assistance is in harmony with the education policy.
And Janet Banda,a grade 12 pupil at the school who spoke on behalf of the pupils said that it was important to educate girl child.
She said that once a girl child is educated she will be able to make informed decisions hence developing the nation.
The government of Netherlands says it is deeply concerned with the rate of new HIV infections in Zambia.
Netherlands Ambassador to Zambia Harry Molenaar says the number of new HIV infections, exceeds the number of AIDS deaths.
Mr. Molenaar is of the view that in the absence of a cure for HIV, prevention should play a pivotal role in helping to get the AIDS epidemic under control.
He said there is need to increase HIV prevention efforts especially among girls and women.
Mr. Molenaar said this is because any response to treatment and care will not succeed unless the number of new infections is reduced significantly.
He was speaking at a three day HIV/AIDS workshop in Lusaka, Wednesday.
Mr. Molenaar explained that his government’s support will be targetted on HIV prevention.
The Netherlands government has in the last seven years been supporting various HIV/AIDS programmes in Zambia.
The Lusaka High Court has granted Katuba Member of Parliament Jonas Shakafuswa and his Mpulungu counterpart Lameck Chibombamilimo an injunction restraining the MMD from expelling them from the party.
High Court Judge Nigel Mutuna has ruled that there is no express provision in the MMD empowering the National Executive Committee to expel a member, without the approaval of the party convention.
He observed that the two MP’s correctly argued that their expulsion from the party will lead to loss of their parliamentary seats.
Judge Mutuna said this will mean that the duo will not be able to exercise their duties and functions as MPs, such as representing their respective contituencies.
Lawyer representing the two MPs, Jack Mwiimbu, had argued that if the injunction was not granted, the seats for his clients will be declared vacant, rendering their appeal to the party convention academic.
But laywers for the MMD argued that the expulsion of the two MP’s was on account of their misconduct.
Judge Mutuna has granted MMD National Secretary Dr.Katele Kalumba leave to appeal.
The MMD had expelled Mr. Sshakafuswa and Mr. Chibombamilimo for alleged gross misconduct.
Chewe Mulenga has 17 games in which to save Konkola Blades and probably keep the job for a while longer.
Mulenga takes full charge of Blades on Wednesday when his side visits Red Arrows in a delayed Week 4 fixtures at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka.
This follows the departure of Peter Kaumba by mutual consent on Tuesday just 13 games after taking over the Chililabombwe club after feeling the pressure on Saturday when his side lost 2-1 away to fellow troubled club Zamtel.
This will be Mulenga’s second time at the helm of Blades after his first stint at the start of the 2008 season when he replaced Charles Mwila before being relegated to the assistant role to the latter and later Kaumba this term.
Mulenga’s second tenure is more difficult than his previous stint as he tries to lift Blades away and up from 12th with just three wins all seasons on 14 points and lift them up into the safer confines of the top 8.
Moreover, Blades faces an Arrows side that lies just four places above them are unbeaten in their last five games as Mulenga seeks Blades first league win since June 7 after two successive defeats.
Tourism minister Catherine Namugala scrutinizes the National Environment Policy during the launch in Lusaka.President Rupiah Banda has called for concerted efforts from
all stakeholders in addressing the challenges affecting the environment such as climate change and deforestation.
The President said this in a speech ready for him by Tourism Environment and Natural Resources Minster Catherine Namugala at the launch of the National Policy on Environment in Lusaka today.
President Banda said government will use the policy to provide a framework for the management of Zambia’s environment and natural resources.
He further said the policy will also play an important role in promoting sustainable economic development and protection of the environment by ensuring that all economic activities being conducted do not undermine the balance of the ecosystem.
He called for the proper protection of the country’s environment on which 62 percent of people, especially in rural areas depend for their livelihood and the sustainable use of natural resources.
He said mounting pressure is being exerted on the environment, especially in key economic sectors such as tourism, agriculture and industry, leading to widespread deterioration of the environment.
President Banda said the environment policy will be used as a tool to assist government in addressing the challenges affecting the environment, which he said is in danger of further depletion.
He said the implementation of the policy will result in the reversal of environmental degradation.
Meanwhile, President Banda has called for the creation of awareness among the people in the country on the need to safeguard the environment and natural resources.
He urged all the people in the country to embrace and implement strategies of the national policy on the environment, if it is to translate into viable development programmes and projects.
The President further reiterated that the implementation of the policy should not be left to the government alone, in view of the crosscutting nature of the issues pertaining to the environment and natural resources.
Speaking earlier, Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources Ministry Permanent Secretary Teddy Kasonso said, the process of formulating the policy took long to ensure that it was comprehensive.
Mr. Kasonso said the policy will address a lot of cross cutting issues affecting all stakeholders such as the Non governmental Organizations (NGOs), Civil Society and the public among others.
United Party for National Development leader Hakainde Hichilema chating with party vice president Richard Kapita during the opposition party general assembly in Lusaka.
The United Party for National Development (UPND) extra ordinary
general assembly has approved the recommendation by the National Management Committee(NMC) to have four Vice Presidents.
The Four Vice Presidents will be in charge of Administration, Economics, Politics and Gender.
In a statement to ZANIS in Lusaka today, UPND Chairperson for Information and Publicity Charles Kakoma also disclosed that the NMC has expanded from 42 to 51 members, while the National Executive Committee (NEC) has increased the number from 17 to 30.
He added that the provincial Management Committee has also been expanded from 14 to 33 and similar expansions have also been made at District, Constituency, Ward and Branch levels.
He further disclosed that the Assembly resolved to recognize the pact between the Patriotic Front (PF) and UPND.
Mr. Kakoma stated that the Assembly has also approved the recommendations by the NMC which are aimed at working together with PF and liberating the Zambian people from the ruling Movement for Multi party Democracy (MMD).
He noted that the pact will also have two Deputy Secretary Generals, one in charge of Administration and the other for Politics and two Deputy Treasurer Generals for Accounts and Resource mobilisation.
Others will be two National Chairpersons for Publicity and Information one in charge of Media Relations and the other for Propaganda and Internal Communication.
The Pact will also have three Deputy National Chairpersons for Women Affairs of which each one of them will be in charge of three Provinces and there will also be three Deputy National Chairpersons for Youth Affairs, each of whom will be in charge of three provinces.
Mr. Kakoma said the committee also approved to have twelve National Trustees adding that the Party President has been empowered to nominate a Director of Research, National Coordinator, Senior Advisor to the President and nine other nominees.
He explained that these appointed by the President are meant to balance regional, gender and disability issues which are subject to ratification by the NMC.
He has however said all the new positions created will be filled soon.
Southern Province Minister Daniel Munkombwe has said the status of Livingstone as the tourist capital of the nation makes it a high-risk area for HIV transmission.
Mr. Munkombwe attributed this development to tourism and other economic activities such as cross border trade, fish mongering and subsistence farming in rural communities.
He said this during the commemoration of the National Voluntary and Counseling Day (VCT), at Mukuni Park in Livingstone today, which was celebrated under the theme “Family first: Men take your families for Counseling and Testing.”
He bemoaned the high prevalence rate of HIV in Livingstone which he said is now at 30.6 indicating a slight reduction from the initial 31 percent.
Mr. Munkombwe challenged all stakeholders to take a leading role in the response to HIV and AIDS since many people did not know their status resulting in new infections taking place on a daily basis.
He encouraged people to go for VCT services as doing so would equip them with the knowledge to either protect them from infection or to live positively with HIV and get access to treatment when necessary.
The Provincial Minister said VCT day was an important day for the country as it continued to play an important role in helping government work towards achieving universal access to HIV treatment, care and support by the year 2010.
Mr. Munkombwe said it was commendable for government through President Rupiah Banda’s leadership to exhibit positive political will in the response to HIV and AIDS.
And speaking earlier, District Director of Health Dr Kenneth Chibwe said HIV and AIDS was not a thing to be proud of as it had destroyed people’s lives and careers, adding that this had resulted in reduced productivity and high poverty levels.
Dr. Chibwe called on men to take a leading role in fighting HIV since statistics indicated that more women were accessing VCT services than men despite them heading up households.
He urged people to use weapons such as abstinence, condoms, positive behavioral change, and mutual faithfulness to one partner, in the fight against HIV.
Dr. Chibwe said the fight against the deadly pandemic could be won if all stakeholders involved in the fight could remain unified in their intentions and purpose.
Many Zambians and non-Zambians alike who are abroad wonder about what they need before they come to invest in Zambia. Many questions are asked such as what opportunities exist? How much money do I need? What is the business environment like? What is the culture like and how does that affect the way of doing business? What is the political environment like?
These and many other questions need to be asked before one plans on returning home to invest in a business. Each of these questions could be dealt in great detail. However, here are a few things that are helpful as one comes to Zambia to do business be it a Zambian or non-Zambian
What is your product or service?
An exhibitor displays salted dry fish in Lusaka
The first and perhaps most important thing, is to know exactly
what product and service you intend to offer here. You should have done a thorough research on the other players in the business of your interest. What are competitors offering and how do you hope to differentiate yourself from them? If it is a completely new product you intend to launch, what is your market and is it something people want or you intend to create a need for it? Remember, just because you are coming from outside Zambia doesn’t guarantee you instant success for your product or service. In fact, even your unique skills whether it is business, medicine, or some other field will be resented. Therefore, it leaves you the challenge to penetrate the market in a non confrontational but strategic manner.
Small market in Zambia
As you come to do business in Zambia, realize that it is a small
market compared to other markets. Depending on how one looks at it but it can be a great opportunity because the market is still fresh and immature. Which means, it leaves open so many industries untapped that one can venture into. For instance, internet usage is still less than two percent in Zambia. There are other industries such as agriculture and tourism that still need some substantial investment.
Since Zambia is a small market it is also worth to mention that one should avoid overinvesting. Your investment has to match your expected return in a reasonable time. It is unrealistic for one to put in millions of dollars and expect immediate returns. When you come to invest in Zambia be prepared to hang around for a while before you start enjoying the fruits of your investment.
Poverty
One of the challenges of investing in Zambia is that it is very poor.
The government is poor and runs on borrowed money mostly. Its citizens are equally poor with millions not working. Again despite the poverty, one can look at this as an opportunity. What aspects of investments would benefit the poor? What products and services are most essential to the poor and those living in rural areas? These are good questions to ask as you address the poor’s plight. Solar energy for example is one area that could benefit the majority of Zambians all across the country at the same time make someone some big money.
Lack of infrastructure
Engineers working on a diversion to repair the Lusaka-Chirundu road
The lack of adequate infrastructure presents a real challenge for
many potential investors. One, therefore, has to be prepared to face the worst. If, for example, your investment is going to be in transportation, then you have to buy vehicles that will stand the Zambian roads. You must realize that you will be spending more on vehicle maintenance simply because the roads are not as good.
Again, the lack of infrastructure should not only be a challenge for an investor but also an opportunity. For example, office space is becoming an issue in especially the capital Lusaka. Those who are investing in real estate will be reaping it big soon. Lusaka cannot get enough offices, shopping malls, play parks, schools, etc.
Knowing the tax laws of Zambia
If you are importing something into the country it is important to
find out what the customs and tax laws are before you come in. If you are Zambian, you actually get tax breaks for importing vehicles, machinery and household goods provided you have been out of the country for a specified period of time. This is a great opportunity to save on customs tax because it is very costly to import goods in Zambia. To avoid the runaround with the officials please make sure you keep all paperwork such as receipts, etc.
Depending on the industry you can get tax breaks for a certain period where you do not pay income tax to the Zambia Revenue Authority. Also if you do not make a certain amount of revenue you can get some tax exemption. Be sure to find out from other agencies on paying pension for your employees if you plan on employing others.
Registering your business
A frontal view of Henry Kapoko's Best Home Lodge
Registering a business in Zambia is quite easy. You pick up the forms from the Registrar of Societies, fill them in and have all the necessary people sign them. Attach copies of articles of association as well as identification for all the directors. The whole process of registering a business takes less than a week provided you have all the required material. You do not have to be Zambian to do this.
Political influence on business
Former Local Government and Housing Minister Sylvia Masebo
Many times politicians do not interfere with private businesses. It is important to not that Zambia is a democratic country which has general elections every five years. Politicians especially those in the ruling government have a lot of influence on state controlled companies. To do business with a state controlled company or a government department, you have to know someone who is senior. It is important to point out that in Zambia, the government is the biggest spender and almost everything revolves around the government. Businesses that do business with the government are the winners on the Zambian market. It is in your favor to be friends with the politicians and more benefiting if you can get key accounts with the government.
Poor work culture
Zambia has generally poor work culture especially in government run institutions. Workers are not usually in a hurry to do their work and meet deadlines. They get to work late and leave early. The customer service is very poor. You can walk in a store and the attendants will not pay attention to you. Instead, they will continue reading the newspaper or their conversations.
Therefore, as one pursues business in Zambia it is important to understand its people so that you can devise ways to overcome frustration. If you are going to employ people or have business partners, be sure they know what your work culture is and what your expectations will be in the relationship.
Be prepared to wait for a long long time
Former President Frederick Chiluba at the magistrate court
In Zambia, you have to be prepared to wait for everything. If you are from a western country
like the United States you will immediately notice the difference. In the west people are usually in a hurry to meet deadlines or get work out of their way. However, in Zambia people are not usually in a hurry to do work. Even when you have an appointment with someone, they will come 20 or 30 minutes late without being apologetic. Therefore, you need a lot of patience to do business here in Zambia.
Bribing–know when to do
The deadline for using old Zambian passports has elapsed. Here, scores of people queuing up to apply for the new traveling documents
Bribery is against the laws of Zambia. However, it is a common practice here in Zambia. It is difficult to get anything done without giving or promising an official something. This is especially applicable to big business contracts in government or private sector. Every time you have a business proposal to another institution, the official on the other side is asking, “What is there for me?” Depending how badly you want the business from that institution, sadly you will need to find ways to motivate that official.
Let me clearly state that I do not approve bribery but merely stating what the trend is here in this country. It is very difficult to play it clean in this country when most of your partners around you are playing it dirty. This is not to say, too, that there are no businesses you can work with who will not expect a bribe from you.
Zambians are formal
Zambians are generally formal people who like to be addressed
formally as Mr. John even when you use their first name. First names are rarely used in the business world. When meeting with other business partners make sure that you are dressed formally with a suit and tie. In this country, people respect someone who is “smartly” dressed as it is referred.
Know that “yes” is sometimes “no”
Finally, when a Zambian says they will be able to do it do not take
their word for granted. They will actually agree with you even when they disagree. I have personally found it helpful to tell people that it is okay for them to say no if they are not able. This will, oftentimes, open them up and be able to state clearly whether it is a real yes or real no.
These are just a few things that may be helpful as far as doing business in Zambia. Since Zambia is a young economy, investment opportunities are numerous. For Zambians living abroad, it is very important that you keep in touch with what is happening here so that you can explore the opportunities on establishing businesses as a well of helping the many Zambians here.
Some gemstone miners on the Copperbelt province have lost huge sums of money due to the alleged wrong geological survey data they got over the mining areas which government allocated to them.
Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Ndola yesterday, Emerald and Semi-precious stones Miners Association of Zambia (ESMAS) general secretary, Victor Kalesha said the miners had invested heavily in mining areas that had little quantities of gemstones.
This was contrary to the data they were given which suggested that the areas had huge deposits of gemstones lying near the ground surface.
Mr. Kalesha explained that the miners did not realize any significant profits because the availability of the stones in those areas did not tally with the geological survey data they were given concerning the areas.
He said that currently, only a few of the local gemstone miners were mining, noting that most of them have given up the business due to non availability of the precious stones in their mining areas.
He added that other miners do not have the necessary mining equipment to exhume the gemstones which lie deep in the ground.
Mr. Kalesha noted that on the Copperbelt province, there were 500 gemstone mining license holders but only two miners were actively operational. The two operational mines are owned by foreigners.
The ESMAZ general secretary named the two operating companies as Grizzly and Kagem Mining Companies.
He has since appealed to government to conduct another geological survey on these mining areas so that local gemstone miners can be productive and contribute to the economic growth of the country.
Mr. Kalesha also said the recently opened Gemstone Exchange Centre in Ndola has not helped the gemstone miners because they have no stones to supply to the centre.
He attributed the failure by the miners to supply stones to the wrong geological survey data they were given regarding their mining areas at the time they acquired them.
ZANIS
A 33 year old Kitwe Local Courts officer yesterday appeared in the magistrate court for mention in a case in which he is alleged to have committed incest with his two year old daughter.
Before Kitwe Magistrate Penjani Lamba was Boyd Chanda Kabuswe, a Local Court officer at Wusakile Local Court.
Kabuswe is accused of having committed incest with his two year old daughter in December last year.
Magistrate Lamba told Kabuswe, who was looking calm and collected, that the Director of Pubic Prosecution (DPP) has issued instructions that his case should proceed in court.
She said Kabuswe, who was arrested in December last year and currently on bail, would appear on 27th July 2009 for mention while plea and trial would commence on 14th September 2009.
Minister of Health, Kapembwa Simbao has dismissed claims that opposition Patriotic Front (PF) leader, Michael Sata’s granddaughter, Kayula, died because of government’s inertia.
Mr. Simbao was reacting to a news story in one of the daily newspapers that Mr. Sata was quoted as saying “My Granddaughter has died because of government inertia”.
The Ministry of Health has since sent a message of condolences on the untimely death of Mr. Sata’s granddaughter.
Mr. Simbao said the late Kayula was sent to South Africa for treatment and appropriate therapeutic attention was initiated over a year ago.
He also said the Ministry of Health shall always endeavour to ensure that there was equity of access to affordable, cost effective and quality services to all Zambians.
Meanwhile, Mr. Simbao expressed gratitude that most health workers in the country have called off their strike and returned.
But government has since maintained the deadline of midnight of the 29th of June as the day health workers who have not resumed work would consider themselves fired.
Mr. Simbao said health workers that did not resume work by last night should considered themselves dismissed.
Speaking at a press briefing in Lusaka yesterday, Mr. Simbao has since appealed to persons qualified for employment as health workers and were registered with an appropriate authority to submit their application letters to the nearest Provincial Medical Officer, District Medical Officer, District Director of Health or the Hospital Executive Director.
