Two Fishermen of Namoomba fishing camp in Chief Sikoongo of Siavonga District have been arrested and detained by Zimbabwean authorities for allegedly fishing illegally on the waters of that country.

The two named fishermen were arrested and picked up by officers from the Zimbabwe National parks after they were found fishing business on the Zimbabwean side of the lower Zambezi River.

Both Siavonga District Commissioner Emily Striedl and Namoomba Village Headman Bornface Mulopa confirmed the arrest of the two fishermen in separate interviews with ZANIS in Siavonga today.

Headman Mulopa identified the two fishermen as John Chimowa and Lawrence Mwape.

The traditional leader said the two fishermen were ambushed while fishing in the river in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Headman Mulopa explained that the Zimbabwean security officers using a speed boat rammed into the fishermen’s canoe which capsized.

He said the Zimbabwean security officers then picked up the swimming Zambian fishermen, bundled them in the speed boat and took them to Zimbabwe.

Headman Mulopa stated that the families of the two fishermen are worried about the fate and whereabouts of their missing relatives. He appealed to government to quickly intervene in the matter.

Siavonga District Commissioner, disclosed that government, through its security wings in the area has already contacted its counterparts on the Zimbabwean side in an effort to try and secure the safety of the fishermen.

“Our officers from various security wings immediately rushed to Namoomba after receiving a report of the arrest of the two fishermen and efforts have already been made to try and persuade the authorities in Zimbabwe to release the two fishermen, “she revealed.

The District Commissioner called for calm among villagers in Namoomba, saying government is using the necessary diplomatic channels to ensure that the fishermen return back home safely.

She however castigated fishermen who have a tendency of crossing to the Zimbabwean side on both the lower Zambezi River and Lake Kariba to catch fish, leading to their arrest by Zimbabwean security officers.

Meanwhile, twenty two other Zambian fishermen on Wednesday appeared in the Siavonga Magistrate court charged with the offence of smuggling.

They are all residents of Siavonga and were arrested last month by a combined team of security wings for allegedly fishing illegally on the Zimbabwean side of Lake Kariba.

More than ten boats and 1000 kilograms of fresh fish were confiscated from the arrested fishermen who were caught napping during the raid that took place in the night.

The fishermen pleaded not guilty of the offence.

ZANIS

The Board of Directors of the Zambia Open University has appointed Professor Francis Yamba, a prominent Engineer and senior scholar, as the university’s chancellor.

Zambia Open University (ZOU) Board Chairperson, Dennis Wanchinga said Prof Yamba becomes the first Chancellor of the University and would soon be installed at ZOU’s first graduation ceremony.

In a press release made available to ZANIS in Lusaka today, Dr Wanchinga said Prof Yamba’s vast academic qualifications and massive work experience will add value to his work at the University.

“The Board of Directors at its 22nd meeting held on 3rd July, 2009, appointed Professor Francis Yamba, a prominent Engineer and senior scholar as Chancellor,” he said.

Prof Yamba holds a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Moscow Auto Mobile and Road Construction Institute and a PhD in Combustion in Gas Turbine Engines from Leeds University of the United Kingdom.

He has worked for the University of Zambia as a lecturer, is former Indeco Technical Executive Director and also worked as Managing Director for Engineering Services Corporation, among many other work experiences.

Dr Wanchinga also disclosed that the Board of Directors also appointed Dr Henry Kaluba as the new Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University.

Dr Kaluba was until his appointment the Acting Director in the Social Transformation Programme Division, a department that deals with Education, Gender and Health Departments at the Commonwealth Secretariat in London.

Dr Kaluba holds a Masters and a PhD from the University of London, a B.A with Education from the University of Zambia and a diploma from Nkrumah Teachers’ College.

He taught at UNZA in the School of Education and has published widely in the field of Education.
ZANIS

Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zambia National Director Hewitt Chizyuka has condemned the intimidation, beating and unnecessary arrests of media personnel in the nation.

Mr.Chizyuka further condemned threats to close down some media houses that offer a platform for critical voices.
He said the ambiguous and restrictive laws such as those dealing with pornography need to be reviewed and clearly defined.

He was speaking yesterday at a certificate presentation ceremony to members of the board and management of SKY FM Radio at the end of a four day management training workshop in radio and good governance, organized by MISA Zambia and held at Southern Comfort Motel in Monze.

Mr.Chizyuka expressed worry that the operating environment for the media was still harsh in the country with increasing cases of harassment and violence against Journalists, adding that the situation may get worse.

He called on government to openly condemn the harassment of the media and demonstrate commitment to that effect by dropping unfair charges and court cases against media personnel.

“We realize that a vibrant, free and diverse media is at the very fabric of democratic governance and we stand to continue promoting media freedom,” he said.

Mr. Chizyuka urged all political parties to keep their cadres from harassing media personnel.
He also expressed concern about the non implementation of the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) Act and Zambia National Broadcasting Amendment Act.

Mr.Chizyuka said the two laws would help improve the independence and impartiality of broadcasting in the country.

“There is no justifiable reason why these two acts cannot be operationalized, because we all know that a free and more independent public broadcaster is guaranteed under the ZNBC Amendment Act while the IBA Act would enhance the independence of the entire broadcasting sector,” he said.

Mr.Chizyuka questioned why ZNBC continued being under the control of government when the law stated otherwise and why the Ministry of Information continued controlling the broadcasting industry when the IBA Act stated that an independent body should do so.

He said these were serious questions that need urgent answers if Zambia is to claim to be among the democratic and civilized nations that respect the rule of law.

ZANIS

A renowned Pastor in Kasama yesterday appeared in the Magistrate Court for allegedly causing death by dangerous driving.

Before Magistrate, Dominic Makalicha, was Breaking-the-Curse Ministries Bishop, Steven Kabonka, 46, of house number 3913 Central Town in Kasama charged with one count of causing death by dangerous driving contrary to the law.

Particulars of the offense are that on July 18, this year, Bishop Kabonka caused the death of, Arnold Simwanza, 31 of Chisanga Village, while driving a Toyota Conquest registration number B262 AJK along Lunzuwa road in Kasama.

Magistrate Makalicha told a packed courtroom that the accused will take plea in the High Court.

He however, granted Bishop Kabonka a K500, 000 cash bail with two working sureties.

The matter has since adjourned to August 6, for mention.

The deceased died on Sunday at Kasama General Hospital due to injuries allegedly sustained in the road accident.

The accident occurred along Lunzuwa road when Bishop Kabonka’s car hit the deceased while he was trying to help a woman who had difficulties with her bicycle on the roadside.

Meanwhile, the body of Simwanza has since been buried.

ZANIS

The Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources has expressed grave concern over the continued encroachment in Forestry Reserves.

Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources Deputy Minister, in charge of Environment, Vera Tembo says if the practice is not checked, water catchment areas would be devastated.

Ms. Tembo was speaking yesterday after a tour of Forest Reserve N0.69 in Kafue where it was discovered that there is unauthorized construction of residential houses in the Forest Reserve and charcoal burning is going on unabated.

The Deputy Minister and Forestry officials confiscated charcoal from those producing it without licenses.

Ms. Tembo warned against illegal charcoal production and called upon local authorities to work with the Forestry department in ensuring that no one settled in the forest reserve.

She said the Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources will soon be devising measures to make communities play a role in policing forest reserves in the country in order to control illegal charcoal burning and encroachment.
ZANIS

The National Pensions Scheme Authority (NAPSA) has taken eight employers in Kabwe to task for failure to remit contributions as stipulated by the law.

Head of Prosecutions James Sinyangwe revealed this to ZANIS in an interview in Kabwe today and named the eight business houses as Baines Motors Limited, Kabwe Medical Consultants, That Place, Pite Bar and Restaurant, Chrisima Midi Bar, Slice Technology and Nochi’s Lodge.

Mr. Sinyangwe said the culprits would appear in court on 20th and 21st August, 2009 for trial.

He appealed to all defaulting employers throughout the country to avoid being taken to court by paying statutory contributions for their employees.

“As National Pension Scheme Authority, we consider all the employers as stakeholders in protecting employees’ benefits,” he said.

He further appealed to employers facing financial difficulties to arrange the best contribution remission method with the manager in their respective trading areas.

Mr. Sinyangwe warned that those who would continue defaulting would be taken to court, for the law to take its course.
ZANIS

Residents in Kabompo district conducted a peaceful demonstration against the continued erratic electricity power supply in the area.

The residents are disappointed that the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation, ZESCO, has failed to improve supply in the district.[quote]

The residents, who marched from Musamba market to the ZESCO plant, demanded for the immediate shutdown of the generator and later matched to the District Commissioner’s office to air their grievances.

Speaking on behalf of the residents, Kabompo District Business Committee and Electricity Consumer Chairperson, Kennedy Samba, said the erratic electricity supply being experienced in the district has resulted in loss of lives because operations of key sections at the district hospital have negatively been affected.

Mr Samba also attributed the poor grades for pupils in schools in the district to frequent power outages.

The residents have asked ZESCO to immediately replace the generator with a new one within 14 days.

They also asked government to intervene in the matter and implement permanent measures to address the problem.

District Commissioner, Rebecca Mukuka, told the residents that concerns raised will be availed to relevant authorities for possible action.

ZANIS

Eleven people are feared dead after their boats capsized on Lake Bangweulu.The incident occurred in the early hours of yesterday when two boats carrying a team of fishermen was allegedly hit by a strong wave on the lake.

Samfya Acting District Commissioner, Godfrey Zimba, confirmed to ZANIS that initial reports reaching his office indicate that the accident occurred between Mbabala and Chishi Islands.

“It appears the group consisted of fishermen trying to catch ‘Chisense’ when they were overwhelmed by the waves that led their boats to capsize and subsequently drown them,” he said.

Mr. Zimba regretted that some fishermen have continued to disregard the advice by authorities, urging them to avoid getting on the waters to fish when the weather is not conducive.

He said his office is awaiting a comprehensive brief over the incident in which more people are feared dead.

Mr Zimba said a report is being awaited on the number of bodies retrieved so far.
ZANIS