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Zambia captain Christopher Katongo has said the pressure is on the team to record another 2010 Group C win when they host Algeria on June 20 in Chililabombwe.
“Algeria will be a different game, with different tactics and different players,”: Katongo said in Chililabombwe after the game at Konkola Stadium.
He also said there was a need to improve on the teams finishing after recording their four win via a 1-0 score line from 6 2010 World/Africa cup qualifying matches played.
“Our strikers missed a lot of chances and we need that instead of winning 1-0 all the time,” he said.
Katongo however, said it was good to see Zambia maintain their momentum in Group C on 4 points from two games played.
Zambia lead Group C on 4 points, three more than 2nd placed Egypt who are away to 3rd placed Algeria this evening in Blida in a 21:30 kick-off.
Meanwhile, Zambia regroup tomorrow evening in Lusaka to begin preparations for their match against Algeria.
“Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places”
(Ephesians 6:11-12, NLT)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
God has equipped us to stand and fight every battle we will face in life. The Bible tells us in Ephesians chapter 6 that we are to put on the whole armor of God—everything that He has equipped us with. The armor tells a lot about how we are to fight our battles. If you study the armor of God, you’ll find that it only mentions things that cover the front of us. It talks about wearing the breastplate of righteousness which covers our chest, our heart. It talks about having our loins girt about with truth; it tells us to put on the helmet of salvation, and to protect our steps with the shoes of peace. Then it mentions the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit.
But notice, interestingly enough, not one piece of that armor covers our back. Why is that? It’s because God never intended for us to be running from the enemy. If you’re running from adversity, then you’re leaving yourself wide open to the enemy. But if you’ll put on the whole armor of God and stand on His Word, you’ll move forward into the victory God has already prepared for you!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father in heaven, thank You for equipping me to overcome every challenge and obstacle I will ever face in life. I choose to put on the whole armor so that I can stand in victory the way You intend. I bless You always. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
MMD chairperson for Information and Publicity, Benny Tetamashimba, has challenged party national secretary Katele Kalumba to come out in the open and declare his alleged “well known” candidature for 2011 presidential election.
Mr Tetamashimba was reacting to media reports quoting Dr Kalumba as saying that the MMD needs a “winnable candidate” in the light of the United National Party for Democracy (UPND) and Patriotic Front (PF) pact.
In a statement made available yesterday, Mr Tetamashimba said Dr Kalumba was supposed to have known that President Banda was the MMD’s winnable candidate for the 2011 elections.
“I wish to agree with Dr Katele Kalumba that MMD needs a winnable candidate, but differ with him on the choice of a winnable candidate because unlike his insinuation that President Rupiah Banda is not a winnable candidate in the light of the UPND/PF pact. President Rupiah Banda is the only winnable candidate,” Mr Tetamashimba said.
He accused Dr Kalumba of having ambitions to challenge President Banda at the MMD convention.
“If President Rupiah Banda is not a winnable candidate, then let Dr Katele Kalumba tell the party members who a winnable candidate is.
For people like me, I know that Dr Katele Kalumba or any other MMD member are far from being winnable candidates,” he said.
Mr Tetamashimba said any MMD candidate can only win when NEC members from each province deliver their provinces to the MMD candidate.
He said the MMD needs strong candidates at parliamentary level and campaigners in 2011 for President Banda to win.
“Those against the candidature of Rupiah Banda are spoilers and want the MMD to be in the opposition after 2011 elections, and we shall not allow that,” he said.
He said the PF/UPND pact is nothing tangible but an exercise in futility, as the two leaders and their members do not support the pact except as a political exercise to try and sow a seed of discontent in MMD.[quote]
“I know of MPs in the two opposition parties who are not willing to be led by any of the two leaders.
The pact is supported by people who lost elections in 2006 who feel that they may have a chance this time around,” he said.
He said the MMD will win 2011 general elections as people trust President Banda and the MMD because of its performance and fight against corruption.
Mr Tetamashimba also condemned PF leaders who beat up their colleagues at a press briefing on Friday.
He appealed to the police to arrest those who beat up the two PF leaders and the leaders who authorised them.
“We challenge Mr Hichilema Hakainde to tell the nation whether his party accepts what he saw on television,” he said.
Commenting on Mr Charles Milupi’s statement over hearses bought by Government, Mr Tetamashimba said he had no problem with the purchase of the vehicles.
“Let him know I have no problems with the purchase of the items which I will deliver to every province for the poor people to be taken to the grave yard decently. At no time did I state that Honourable Sylvia Masebo was corrupt,” he said.
Mr Tetamashimba said Mr Milupi is free to learn more on the issue by going to the Ant-Corruption Commission or waiting for the Auditor General’s audit.
Security Authorities in eastern Province have arrested 78 Somali nationals who illegally entered the country through Malawi.
The Somali nations were nabbed in Nyimba yesterday around 04:00 hours.
Security sources said the immigrants were been aided in to the country by Zambia national identified as Patrick Phiri of Luangwa district.
The Somali nations who were heading to Zimbabwe were hiding in a truck which was intercepted in Nyimba district.
The Illegal immigrants have since been brought to Lusaka were they are expected to be interrogated.
Efforts to get Immigration Public Relations Officer Mulako Mbangweta failed by press time as she was reported to have been in a meeting .
Meanwhile security authorities in Eastern Province have cautioned Zambians not to abet or help foreign nationals entering the country illegally as they may be a risk to the security of the country.
Zambia edged past visitors Rwanda with a 1-0 win in Group C of the 2010 World Cup and African Cup of Nations qualifier.
Rainford Kalaba scored the only goal of the game in the 79th minute.
The victory takes Zambia to four points, after they drew 1-1 with Egypt in the opening game of the final round of qualifiers.
Rwanda remain on just a single point from their two games.
The game at Konkola Stadium in the border town of Chililabombwe saw Zambia’s Collins Mbesuma miss a penalty in the first half.
Mbesuma had just come onto the pitch as a substitute for Noah Chivuta.
Earlier team skipper Christopher Katongo had a goal disallowed for off side.
Coach Herve Renard had to make several frantic substitutions in the second half as he tried to balance and motivate his team.
Algeria play host to six-time African champions Egypt on the other Group C match on Sunday.
[standings league_id=4 template=extend logo=true]
[ZNBC]
Editor’s Note
Sincere apologies for not providing the link to a live stream for the match. We received a lot of legitimate links from the readers, but the editor on duty was sleeping at the wheel and we hope to deal with him internally. Accept our apologies and look forward to a live streaming link for the next match.
The Food Reserve Agency (FRA) has completed the importation of non GMO maize from South Africa.
FRA Board chairperson Costain Chilala says the agency has imported a total of 35 thousand metric tonnes of maize from South Africa.
Mr. Chilala said the figure represents 97 percent of the contract quantity demanded by government.
He said the successful completion of the exercise shows the capability of the FRA in detecting GMO maize.
The FRA last February detected GMO maize which was imported into the country by GIA International and was subsequently sent back to South Africa under military escort.
The FRA Board chairperson announced this in Lusaka, Friday.
The new investor for Luanshya Copper Mines has pledged to create three thousand new jobs for local people.
China Non Ferrous Metals Mining Group Limited has also pledged to invest over $400 million in re-opening the Baluba Mine and developing the Milyashi project.
This came to light during the signing of the sale and purchase agreement at the Ministry of Finance in Lusaka.
The closed Luanshya Copper Mine has been sold to China Non Ferrous Metal Mining Group Limited at a cost of $50 million.
Finance Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane signed on behalf of Zambia, while Chinese Ambassador Li Quing Min signed on behalf of his government.
Other signitories were China Non-Ferrous Metals Mining Limited Vice President Xinghu Tao, Lawyer Charles Mukokweza signed for former major Shareholder ENYA Holdings BV while Conceptor Zulu signed for the Investigator General.
Speaking during the signing ceremony Dr. Musokotwane said the new strategic Equity Partner has agreed to increase ZCCM Investment Holdings shares from 15 percent to 20 percent.
He said it has also been agreed that all third party creditors will be paid from the sale proceeds.
Meanwhile, Mr. Xinghu said his firm is committed to upholding its corporate social responsibility through support to various sectors of society.
And Luanshya Member of Parliament, Simon Kachimba commended government and the new investor for quickly responding to the plight of the people of Luanshya six months after the closure of the mine.
The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has set Thursday 13 August as date for the parliamentary and local government by- election for Chitambo Constituency in Central Province and other fifteen (15) wards in various Provinces.
The Chitambo fall vacant following the death of the area Member of Parliament Nasim-ul-Gani Hamir , while elections in the 15 wards are due to death and resignations of councilors.
ECZ Public Relations manger Cris Akufuna disclosed to ZANIS in a statement in Lusaka today that aspiring candidates in the by- elections are on Wednesday , 8th July expected to lodge complete and attested statutory declaration and nomination papers subscribed before a Magistrate, or Local court justice and Election Returning Officers among others..
He said those aspirating for the Parliamentary Chitambo seat will be required to pay K500, 000. 00 non-refundable nomination fee and accompanied nine (9) supporters who must be registered voters in the affected constituency when lodging in their nomination papers..
In the Local government by-elections , he added aspiring candidates in municipal Councils will be expected to pay K75, 000, 00 non refundable nomination fees while in district councils, they will be required to pay K50, 000, 00.
Mr. Akufuna noted that supporters should have in possession their green National Registering and voters Cards.
The campaign period for the elections will commence on 6th June, 2009 and end at 18:00 hours on 12 August 2009.
By-elections in the wards will be held in Central, Eastern, Luapula, North Western, Lusaka and Southern Provinces.
Meanwhile Mr. Akufuna has advised political party officials, registered Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) wishing to monitor or observe the elections to apply for accreditation from ECZ which will take place from 9th June to 6th August.
He said accreditation for political party officials will only be up to a maximum of 20 members per party.
THE Food Reserve Agency (FRA) has said it does not know of any links between President Rupiah Banda’s son, James, and maize supplier Mark Daniels Pty, which was engaged to import maize from South Africa.
FRA chairperson, Costain Chilala said in Lusaka yesterday that the FRA was not aware of any relationship between Mr Banda and Mark Daniels, which the Zambia National Tender Board (ZNTB) selected to import maize.
ZNTB, now the Zambia Public Procurement Authority (ZPPA), selected Mark Daniels and GIA International to supply 35,000 tonnes of maize to the FRA.
Mr Chilala said in a statement that Mark Daniels and GIA International had supplied a total quantity of 34,091 tonnes of the contract quantity of 35,000 tonnes, representing 97.4 per cent of the total contract.
“In any case, Mark Daniels Pty did not import any Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) maize as earlier stated. Therefore, we wish to reiterate that our records do not show any links between Mr James Banda and the said company,” he said.
Mr Chilala said the maize received by the FRA was non-GMO, adding that the 1,410 Mt GMO maize that GIA international attempted to bring was outrightly rejected and sent back under security escort at the supplier’s expense.
“The nation may further wish to recall that in 2006, 3,436 tonnes of GMO maize was brought into the country and FRA was able to detect it and legally dispatch it,” he said.
He said the fact that the FRA was able to detect the GMO maize clearly showed its capability in detecting GMO maize and ability to firmly deal with such issues.
A GROUP of Patriotic Front (PF) cadres yesterday severely beat up two founder members of the party who had called a Press briefing to demand for a convention and changes to the party’s constitution.
The two, Samson Zulu, who called himself an interim chairperson of a pressure group within PF, and Mubanga Chileshe, the chairperson for mobilisation, abruptly stopped their Press briefing when PF cadres pounced on them.
As soon as the two decided to stop answering questions from journalists who had gone late for the briefing, a group of about seven PF cadres stormed the conference hall at Court Yard Hotel and immediately started beating up the duo.
The cadres said Mr Zulu was arrogant and started beating him while dragging him downstairs from the conference hall in full view of journalists who had gone to cover the event.
As Mr Zulu and Mr Mubanga resisted being taken away from the hotel, the beating continued to the surprise of staff and management of the hotel who did not do or say anything about the turn of events.
However, noticing that the PF cadres were more interested in Mr Zulu, Mr Mubanga managed to flee and hid behind the hotel as his colleague was dragged outside the hotel’s premises.
Mr Zulu was dragged across Thabo Mbeki Road to a taxi rank opposite the National Assembly Motel where he was further beaten and bundled into a waiting van which sped off.
The fracas caused commotion with motorists wondering what was happening as Mr Zulu, who was severely bleeding from the mouth, pleaded with onlookers to assist him.
The van that carried Mr Zulu sped away and one police officer who was in the vicinity went to the hotel where he located Mr Mubanga and helped him escape in a private motor vehicle.
Court Yard Hotel management said they did not know what happened except that PF leader Michael Sata had telephoned the hotel to find out if there was any PF Press briefing.
A manager at the hotel, Hari Lavu said after Mr Sata was told that there was a Press briefing, he said he did not know about such an event.
Before the briefing ended, workers saw the two people being beaten and taken away.
Mr Lavu said as far as the hotel was concerned, the people who held the Press briefing had paid for the venue.
However, when reached for a comment, PF Spokesperson Given Lubinda declined to comment on the issue, saying he had received no information about the beating and manhandling of the two PF leaders and their call for a convention.
“What time did it happen? I am not able to comment because I have got no information about the clash,” Mr Lubinda said.
A PRESSURE group within the Patriotic Front ( PF) has opposed the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between their party and the United Party for National Development (UPND).
The pressure group known as Committee of Patriotic Front (PF) founders says the MoU leaves much to be desired allegedly because PF president Michael Sata’s approach to politics is different from that of UPND president, Hakainde Hichilema.
Committee representative, Samson Zulu said this at a press briefing in Lusaka yesterday.
“The pact which has been entered into between Mr Sata and UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema leaves much to be desired. For example, Mr Hichilema believes in intra party democracy while Mr Sata does not.
Mr Hichilema has allowed his MPs to attend the NCC while Mr Sata is expelling his for doing the same,” Mr Zulu said.
Mr Zulu said his members are not happy with Mr Sata’s failure to call for a party convention.
“We want to express our concern on the failure by the President of our party to call for a general conference,” he said.
Mr Zulu said PF has never held a convention since the party was formed.
“According to the PF constitution which we have not adopted, the general conference is supposed to meet once every five years. The party has not held a single general conference since it was registered almost nine years ago,” he said.
Mr Zulu accused Mr Sata of treating his party as his own property.
“Clearly, members of the press, this makes Mr Sata the absolute and unquestionable ruler of the PF. He does not need anybody to run the party. As PF stands now, it’s a personal property of Mr Sata to do with it as he pleases,” he said.[quote]
Mr Zulu said pressure group members decided to hold the press conference to denounce what they called violence by senior PF leaders against other members within the party.
“We the Committee of Founders, a pressure group within the PF, are prompted to call this urgent press conference to condemn in the strongest terms the violence that senior members of the PF are perpetuating against other members of the party,” he said.
The Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two major opposition political parties, Patriotic Front (PF) and the United Party for National Development (UPND), has cheered PF officials in Serenje district.
The officials said the pact signed by the two political parties was long over due and hoped it would remain intact and serve its intended purpose.
PF District chairperson Martin Chikate said the move by the two parties had come at the right time because the agreement would be consolidated well before the 2011 general elections.
He said MMD should now be filled with fear because the parties were giants and would give the ruling party sleepless nights.
Another official, Mr. Lutamanya hoped the agreement would be respected by the two political parties to avoid what happened before.
And MMD youth District Chairmperson Frederic Chilongo said the pact was not a threat to MMD in the District because the two opposition political parties were weak.
Mr. Chilongo said whatever the two parties would do in Serenje, would not threaten the ruling party because it was firm on the ground and had a large membership.
“Well, they can come together but this is not a threat.They are children and they can not do anything. We shall continue to beat them in all the elections,” he said.
Others wondered whether the pact would be respected stating that PF president Michael Sata was known for belittling counterparts.
PF and UPND yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) whose main aim is to remove the MMD from power in the 2011 general elections.
Henry Kapoko, the man at the centre of the K10-billion scandal at the Ministry of Health has been denied bail in a Lusaka Magistrate court.
Kapoko a former Human Resources Manager at the Ministry of Health was denied bail on Friday when his application came up before Magistrate Kenneth Mulife.
Bail was not given on grounds that he attempted to evade arrest and tried to flee the country.
Mr. Mulife ruled that the only time Kapoko begun to cooperate was when he engaged lawyers, Nicholas Chanda and Kelvin Bwalya.
He said the defence therefore can only attest to the days when Kapoko engaged them as lawyers and not before.
Mr. Mulife also granted Kapoko the right to appeal.
Kapoko has pleaded not guilty to obtaining K1.9 billion by false pretences.
He is on unknown dates but between January 22 and February 28 this year, with intent to defraud the ministry of health, obtained money by false pretences.
He is also accused of having purported to have used the funds to order and ship into the country mothers’ baby kits when in fact not.
Kapoko is linked to the misappropriation of more than K10 Billion from the ministry of health and his assets worth K3 billion have been seized by the Anti- Corruption Commission.
The assets include a lodge, two houses, and several luxurious vehicles.
[ZNBC]
A local economist has descried the rising of copper prices on the international as indication that the Zambian economy is still viable and has the potential of recording more growth.
Yusuf Dodia has since urged mine companies not to lay off their workers as the sector is expected to improve and become more profitable.
Speaking in an interview in Lusaka today, Mr. Dodia said the picking up of copper prices on the international market will play an important role towards revamping all economic activities in Zambia.
He explained that this will also make the mining industry viable and attract more investors to the country hence contributing to the economic development.
He noted that copper being an essential commodity for Zambia, many other developmental sectors were likely to be affected if copper prices continued to tumble.
Mr. Dodia, who is Private Sector Development Association Chairperson, disclosed that Zambia should benefit as China is making headways in putting up measures aimed at responding to the current global financial crisis.
He said there is need for the country to take advantage of China’s plans and become more productive in its copper production due to the rise in copper prices adding that China depends much on Zambian Copper.
Mr. Dodia further challenged mining companies in the country to open new mining plants and continue to play a role towards economic development of the country.
He also called upon other investors that have plans to open new mines not to relent as the copper prices are showing signs of improving even more.
Yesterday Bank of Zambia governor Dr. Caleb Fundanga said the country’s economy is recovering due to the recent positive movements in the global economy resulting in copper prices improving to US$ 5, 000 per tonne band from about US$ 2,900 per tonne in December last year.
ZRA Commissioner General Christicles MwansaZambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) Commissioner General Chriticles Mwansa says Zambia last year recorded a 27 per cent reduction in trade taxes.
Mr. Mwansa attributed the decrease in trade taxes to unscrupulous people evading paying taxes, especially on the boarder towns.
He said the reduction in trade taxes reduction translated into less revenue collected because of the difficulties created by the global economic meltdown that is forcing people not to pay trade taxes.
Mr. Mwansa said in Lusaka today that the authority has faced difficulties in meeting most of the set targets on trade tariffs due to the reduction in international trading.
He said ZRA is however, not sitting idle but putting up stringent measures to reverse the trend by vigorously sensitizing members of staff to sharpen their skills on customs data and collection management.
He said ZRA, collects tax on behalf of government, was however addressing the loss in revenue collection with the urgency it deserves.
Mr. Mwansa further pointed out that the second quarter of this year, international trading would increase because people were beginning to pay the required taxes following sensitization campaigns.
He could however not disclose the expected revenue to be collected in the second quarter of this year.
