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Magande annoys Teta

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Benny Tetamashimba
Benny Tetamashimba

THE ruling MMD has asked former Minister of Finance and National Planning Ng’andu Magande to immediately stop making unwarranted statements about the resignation of former Minister of Communications and Transport, Dora Siliya.

MMD chairperson for information and publicity, Benny Tetamashimba, said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that it is unfortunate that Mr Magande can ask a fellow parliamentarian to resign when he is not a spokesperson for the party or the National Assembly.

“We are advising Magande to keep quiet because he is not the party spokesperson. He isn’t even spokesperson for Parliament. Who is he speaking for?” Mr Tetamashimba, who is also Minister of Local Government and Housing, asked.

He said it was unthinkable for Mr Magande to ask Ms Siliya to resign as a member of Parliament (MP).

Mr Tetamashimba said Mr Magande should have been the first to resign after information surfaced that he allegedly supported an attempt to bail out the defunct Zambian Airways.

“He, therefore, cannot condemn Ms Siliya. Infact, he failed to bring votes for President Banda during last year’s elections in his constituency. So, he should keep quiet,” Mr Tetamashimba said.

Mr Magande, who is Chilanga MMD Member of Parliament was yesterday quoted in The Post newspaper as having demanded the resignation of Ms Siliya as an MP.

He was reported to have said Ms Siliya cannot continue to hold her position in Parliament.

Mr Magande was also quoted as having said that President Banda should not have accepted Ms Siliya’s resignation as Minister of Communications and Transport because he is still studying the findings of the tribunal.

He said as an MP and Cabinet minister, Ms Siliya swore to uphold the constitution.

Mr Magande said if Ms Siliya committed an offence against the constitution, she could not hold a position in a place where the constitution was paramount law.
[Zambia Daily Mail]

Going to Zambia empty handed

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Dear Womba,

Big sis how are you? Hope your trip to Zambia was nice. I’m really dreading the day I go visit again. Going to Zambia has become a complicated affair!

Last time I went, I bought few chocolates and toys for our brothers kids and clothes for mum and dad. After all I’m only entitled to 20kg on the plane.

A few days after I arrived Dad took me to visit our uncle Robert. I thought they would be happy to see me( being their favourite niece and all ) but instead I got lectured about how stingy it is not to buy presents for your relatives. His wife, who had enthusiastically come to greet me quickly excused herself when she realised I hadn’t bought them clothes. I had R250 in my purse which I gave to uncle out of guilt. That was like adding fuel to a fire. It was only worth something like K160 000 which isn’t worth much!( I didn’t realise the kwacha has little buying power- my bad!)

Thankfully dad sensed the tension and we left. Then our brother Clinton came with his wife and 4 kids to see me.I proudly produced the chocolates and toys I had brought. His wife asked why I had bothered buying the same chocolates they have in Shoprite! Clinton also asked he could have my Motorola cellphone. If I was a white person they would have noticed how flushed my face was becoming. Later that evening when mum suggested we go visit our grandparents I broke down. I obviously hadn’t bought gifts for them.

I had traveled to Zambia because I missed being home and missed the family. Instead from the moment I had arrived everyone was looking at me expectantly to see what gifts I had bought.The relatives hardly asked how I was. These are people I missed dearly and couldn’t wait to talk and laugh with again. How am I supposed to clothe the entire clan just because I live abroad? Sissy I felt like I don’t belong there anymore and I also don’t belong abroad ,so where do I belong?

Forgive my emotional outburst but that was my experience. On a lighter note I told my Nigerian friend about it and she said ” Sista, you have to go with 62kg luggage when you go back home. No relative cares about you going to see them, there are enough eyes seeing them back home.They care what you bring!
bye for now

Linda

Allow your workers to express their rights through May Day celebrations – Kafue DC

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Kafue District Commissioner Winford Ngoma has called on the public and the private sectors to ensure that they allow their employees to actively participate in this year’s Labour Day celebrations on May 1st.

In an interview with ZANIS today, Mr. Ngoma said whilst the country was facing economic problems as a result of the world recession, there was still need for workers to be allowed to participate in the celebrations so that they express their views on what they are going through.

He said companies in the district should not use the world recession as an excuse for failing to allow their workers’ participation in the celebrations.
He explained that most companies in the district were operating fairly well and budgeting for their workers should not be a problem.

Mr. Ngoma said his office will do a roll call then take action against companies that will fail to participate in the celebrations.
He also called on companies fond of participating in the Lusaka celebrations to this year join their colleagues in Kafue district.

He said it was prudent that workers rights and job security are assured by them participating in the celebrations.

Mr Ngoma noted that preparations for this year’s celebrations in Kafue have reached an advanced stage and that these are being spearheaded by the labour movement in the district.
He said, so far, his office is happy with the relationship it has developed with the unions.

Meanwhile, the District Commissioner has urged the Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia management to fully utilize funds government has released for rehabilitation, transparently and accountably.
He said it was important that NCZ shows government it is responsible and can account for the money even though it is not much.

Mr. Ngoma has urged management to also ensure workers at the plant participate in the celebrations for Labour Day.

ENDS/ZANIS/BS/KAFUE

PF welcomes ANC victory in SA elections

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The Patriotic Front (PF) says the much awaited victory of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) in South Africa is a true sign of the people’s will.

In an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka yesterday, PF spokesperson Given Lubinda said the South African election had an impact on everyone living in the sub-Saharan region .

Mr. Lubinda observed that the aspect of shortage of ballot papers at most polling stations is not a good thing considering the fact that South Africa has one of the heaviest investments in terms of human and economic resources in Southern Africa.

He, however, said the incident should not be seen as a plan by the ruling party to rig elections as such things do happen.

He said the win by the ANC is a welcome thing considering the fact that the elections were free and fair and that the will of the people must be respected by all peace loving south Africans despite their different races.

Mr. Lubinda said the people of South Africa have expressed their will and decided that Jacob Zuma should govern the country. He said the region should, therefore, respect the election of Jacob Zuma as new South African President.

He expressed happiness at the manner in which the general election was conducted and that South African’s still have confidence in the ruling ANC. He added that it is a good thing that the National Prosecuting Authority has cleared Zuma of all his charges.

ENDS/ISS/PK/ZANIS

Government motor cycle stolen at gun point

Guest Editor
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Suspected armed robbers have stolen a Suzuki Motor Cycle TF 125 valued at K 19.5 million belonging to the department of Agriculture in Chongwe district.

District Agriculture Coordinator (DACO) Charles Simulunda disclosed the theft of the motor cycle to ZANIS yesterday.

Mr. Simulunda said the motor cycle was snatched at gun point last Thursday from one of his officers in Kanakantapa area. He said the matter has been reported to police in the district to hunt for the suspected robbers.

The motor cycle was bought for the department by Japan International Agency (JICA) for use under the Food Crop Diversification Support Project (FoDiS) and is the third motor cycle the department has lost in similar circumstances.

ENDS/MN/CMM/PK/ZANIS

NCZ management Team fail to explain the viability of their company

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Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia (NCZ) Managing Director, Richard Soko, and his delegation were on Friday turned away by the Parliamentary committee on Agriculture for failing to respond to queries.

Committee Chairman, Request Muntanga, directed Mr. Soko and his team to go and prepare details sought by the committee.

This was after Mr. Soko’s delegation failed to ascertain the amount of money required to fully recapitalise the fertiliser plant which is currently non-operational.

Mr. Muntanga was also displeased by the delegation’s failure to determine the anticipated production levels and profitability once the plant is fully recapitalised.

The NCZ delegation was consequently directed to re-submit its report on Wednesday next week.

The Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture and Lands is currently receiving submissions from stakeholders on the viability of the Fertiliser Support Program.

It is also looking at the status of the fish population in Zambia.
[ZNBC]

Global economic crisis won’t halt government programmes-PS

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Lusaka Province Permanent Secretary says the economic effects of the global financial meltdown should not ground to halt the developmental programmes which government is currently implementing in the country.

Mr. Stephen Bwalya says government has since committed itself to putting in place effective measures that are aimed at cushioning the effects of the global economic crisis.

Mr. Bwalya was speaking when he opened the first quarter of the Provincial Development Coordinating Committee (PDCC) meeting held at Sandy’s Creations in Lusaka today.

He said government will remain committed to ensuring that the country emerges strong against the financial crisis in line with the guiding programmes of the Fifth National Development Plan (FNDP) and the Vision 2030.

Mr. Bwalya said government will take advantage of the country’s abundant natural resources to answer to the various challenges associated with the economic crisis.

And government has released K27.5 billion in this year’s national budget for the implementation of developmental programmes in Lusaka Province.

Mr. Bwalya said the funds will give impetus to efforts aimed at implementing the other remaining development programmes that the province was undertaking.

Mr. Bwalya cited the proposed Multi-Facility Economic Zone (MEFZ), the construction of the Provincial General Hospital and the implementation of the Luangwa and Chongwe Integrated Development Plan as some of the key programmes that the province was undertaking.

He further disclosed that K2 billion has been released in this year’s budget for the construction of ring-roads in the province.

Mr. Bwalya has since urged the private sector and other stakeholders to come on board and complement government’s efforts of enhancing development in the country.

ZANIS/JT/TK/KSH/ENDS

Cattle rustlers invade Southern Province

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FARMERS in southern province have called on government to address the spate of criminal activities involving cattle rustlers who have invaded the province.

Farmers in Namwala, Choma, Kalomo, Monze and Mazabuka registered their complaint to minister of agriculture in charge of livestock and fisheries, Bradford Machila, when he toured the province.

The farmers in the five districts noted that cattle rustling has become rampant, thereby posing a threat to the livestock sector.

Both commercial and small scale farmers called to state police protection for their livestock and the crime in cattle rustling has reached unprecedented levels and become a serious concern to livestock farmers.

The farmers noted that the proliferation of illegal abattoirs have also necessitated the upswing in cattle rustlings.

And responding to the plight of farmers Mr Machila noted that his ministry will soon arrange a meeting with the Ministry of Home Affairs to curb cattle rustling in southern province.

Mr Machila assured the farmers that his ministry will ensure that the pieces of legislation on sentencing cattle rustlers are revisited during the forthcoming sitting of parliament to deter would-be offenders.

Mr Machila disclosed that his ministry will check abattoirs operating as cooperatives, verify the documents and deregister illegal ones that have proliferated the vice.

The minister was in Southern Province to get first hand information from farmers in the livestock sector at the invitation of the Zambia National Farmers Union president Jervis Zimba.

ZANIS/ENDS/LK/EB

Chungu denied bail

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Former intelligence Chief, Xavier Chungu, has been denied bail in the case where he is charged with forgery and altering false documents.

Lusaka magistrate,Joshua Banda, ruled on Friday that Mr Chungu cannot be granted bail because he breached trust by jumping the previous one.

Magistrate Banda however granted Mr. Chungu leave to appeal against the ruling.

The case has been adjourned to April 30 for continued trial.

Chungu is alleged to have altered details on his passport, the document he used to travel back home from where he was hiding abroad.

He is also facing other charges related to plunder of national resources.
[ZNBC]

Gov’t allocates K 250 million to Katete Collage of Agricultural Marketing

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Government has allocated K250 million to Katete College of Agricultural Marketing for rehabilitation of infrastructure at the institution.

Minister of Agriculture and Co-operatives, Dr Brian Chituwo said the funds must be used for the intended purpose and for compliance to ensure human resource development.

He was speaking at the 9 th graduation ceremony of Katete College of Agricultural Marketing in Katete district.

”I wish to implore the human resource development and training section to constantly monitor the progress of all agriculture training institutions and reports be made available to my Ministry,” he said.

Dr. Chituwo warned of stern measures against officers who may misappropriate the funds meant to improve the face of the training institute adding that the law would visit them.

He urged Katete College of Agriculture Marketing to not only train but also instill entrepreneurship skills in students.

Dr. Chituwo said enriching students with survival skills helps them to become self employed to sustain themselves in agriculture and contribute to the economical development of the nation.

He urged the graduates to also provide extension services to farmers on how to use new farming techniques to ensure food security both at household and national levels.

Dr. Chituwo assured the college management that government would continue to support all the agricultural training institutions for them to produce qualified workers in the agricultural sector.

He called on all agricultural training institutions to constantly review their curricula in order for them to respond to the demands of the country and the world at large.

ENDS/DM/PK/ZANIS

Decentralization of Public Service Pension Fund to reduce congestion in LSK.

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Eastern Province Permanent Secretary Eularia Siyamujaye says the decentralization of Public Service Pensions Fund (PSPF) will reduce congestion of people awaiting pension’s benefits at Pension House in Lusaka.

Mrs. Siyamujaye said the decentralization of the program would reduce the distances that pensioners had to travel to access their benefits.

She was speaking at the launch of the PSPF decentralization in Chipata this morning.

Mrs. Siyamujaye commended PSPF for demonstrating commitment in maintaining standards of service delivery and accessibility to pension services in rural districts.

She also noted that queries on how to obtain house loans would be addressed at the new district office in Chipata.

“Civil servants who are members of the fund will be able to enquire and access the facility,” she said.

She further said the formation of a partnership among the Zambia National Union of Teachers (ZNUT), the Civil Service and Allied Workers Union of Zambia (CSAWUZ), and the Zambia National Pensioners Association and the PSPF would assist the delivery of pension’s services to districts.

Meanwhile, a representative from the Public Service Pensions Fund, Muchimba Kamu said the decentralization pilot project will determine the success of the decentralization project to be conducted in the rest of the provinces.

Mr. Kamu said it was imperative for officers entrusted to run the PSPF offices in the district to be efficient in their work to win people’s confidence.

ENDS/HN/PK/ZANIS

Govt will not name a new investor for Luanshya mine soon, Kambwili

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PF Roan Member of Parliament Chishimba Kambwili (L)
PF Roan Member of Parliament Chishimba Kambwili (L)

PF Roan Member of Parliament Chishimba Kambwili has claimed that government will not announce the name of a new investor for Luanshya mine until after August.

Mr. Kambwili also accused Mines minister Maxwell Mwale of corruption for bribing the two mine workers’ unions in Luanshya during a press conference held at his residence.

He said Mr.Mwale has been bribing the Mines Union of Zambia (MUZ) and National union of miners and allied workers(NUMAW) Roan branch officials to side with the government on an investor he named for Luanshya Copper Mine (LCM).

Mr. Kambwili challenged the minister to come out in the open and challenge him on whether he did not receive an undisclosed sums of money from LCM chief executive officer Derek Webstock which he used to bribe the union officials.

Mr. Kambwili also accused the officials forsaking their fellow miners because of the bribes and compromised on pressurizing government to announce an investor to take over the min

He said a named MUZ branch official told him that the minister gave them K1 million each to help government calm the miners.

He called on the MUZ Roan branch officials to apologise to their fellow miners and to him, for neglecting the Luanshya community.

He further warned the Police command that they will be fired once PF takes over Government in 2011 for their partiality.

ENDS/MM/PK/ZANIS

Road rehabs start in Kalomo

Guest Editor
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Government, through the Southern Province administration, has released 5000 litres of fuel worth K28 million to start the rural roads rehabilitation programme in Kalomo district.

Speaking at the launch of the rural roads unit rehabilitation in Kalomo yesterday, District Commissioner Oliver Pelete said 28 feeder roads which are in deplorable shapes have been targeted.

Mr Pelete has, however, cautioned the district monitoring committee to closely inspect all works to be done on the roads to avert the precedents of shoddy works that have characterised the road rehabilitation programmes.

He said the available grader, tipper truck and a front-end loader in the district should be put to maximum use so that the targeted feeder roads remain in good condition for some time.

The exercise is expected to start with the Kalomo/Muchila road which links the high maize productive area of chief Chikanta to the main town at a distance of 127 km.

Most motorists from rural areas talked to by ZANIS appreciated government’s move over the rehabilitation exercise but called on authorities to constantly consider re-grading the same roads so that they do not get too damaged, to the extent they are now.

ZANIS/ENDS/MM/EB.

Zambia appeals for increased financial resources from IMF

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Finance and National Planning Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane has said the impact of the global economic meltdown has led to a drastic drop in Zambia’s export earning, household incomes and increased unemployment, especially in the mining sector.

Dr. Musokotwane said this yesterday when he addressed the Commonwealth Ministerial Debt Sustainability Forum in Washington DC where he is attending the 2009 Spring Meetings of the IMF/World Bank.

He said Zambia witnessed a reversal of financial flows and a slow down in Financial Direct Investment, leading to a sharp depreciation of the Kwacha.

The meeting agreed that the Commonwealth Finance Ministers should take a broad range of actions involving fiscal and monetary policy measures that would ensure that no unsustainable debts are accumulated.

In a meeting with the IMF, Dr. Musokotwane appealed for increased allocation of financial resources to support critical social expenditure and long term investment necessary for economic diversification.

He assured the World Bank that Zambia is determined to improve the implementation of its programmes and monitor them by a high level committee.

World Bank Vice President for the African region, Ms. Ezekwesili who recently attended the Indaba held in Lusaka recently, in her response called for the involvement of the Civil Society in project implementation in Zambia.

ENDS/PK/ZANIS

Police officer detained for drinking on duty

Guest Editor
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A named police officer from Magoye police post, who was found drunk on duty, has been detained at Mazabuka Police station. This follows orders by Magoye Member of Parliament, Bennie Mweemba, to have the officer punished.

Both police and Mr Mweemba confirmed the detention of the officer to ZANIS in Mazabuka today.

Mr Mweemba said he ordered the detention of the officer because he found him drunk and unable to perform his duties while complainants waited for a long time without being attended to.

He said he will not tolerate indiscipline among police officers especially those that drink beer on duty.
Mr Mweemba said the officer will only be released from custody tomorrow.

“This chap ran away from me as I attempted to bundle him in my car. So what I did was to phone the Officer in charge who complained of fuel but I had to provide them with fuel in order for them to pick him. He will only be discharged tomorrow,’’ said Mweemba.

He also urged the Inspector General of Police to ensure that police officers reporting for work while drunk are fired because they are denting the good image of the police service.

Mazabuka District Commissioner, Tyson Hamaamba, also confirmed the development and said he would only issue a detailed report after receiving a police report.

Mazabula police station is another station where some police officers report for work drunk.

ZANIS/ENDS/HC/EB

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