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UN Security Council should be more effective – Kapambwe

Guest Editor
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Zambia’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN), Lazarous Kapambwe, says there is need to make the UN Security Council more effective and more transparent.

Mr Kapambwe said when world leaders called for the reform of the Security Council, it was not meant to create a body that would only address one or two of the inadequacies that they identified.
He said this in a statement released to ZANIS in Lusaka today by First Secretary for press to the UN Moses Walubita.

Mr. Kapambwe added that a more representative Security Council which is also more efficient was good but not enough as long as that body is not at the same time more transparent, more efficient, more legitimate and better able to implement its decisions.

He said a modest increase not beyond a total membership of 19 would not compromise the Security Council’s efficiency.

Mr. Kapambwe said the presence of African and other smaller states in the permanent category would add and bring a vital perspective that can also add to the capacities of the Council. He said making the Security Council more effective is one of the issues that world leaders need to address.

He said the presence of African and other smaller countries in the permanent category of the Council may not bring much power as they do not have the military might of the big countries.

ZANIS/ENDS/AJN/EB

Boy, Six, burnt to death

Guest Editor
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A six year old boy of Serenje has been burnt to death in an inferno that swept through the house he was sleeping in.

Police in Serenje confirmed the incident to ZANIS and said the remains of the boy have since been taken to Ika hill cemetery for burial after certification at Serenje District Hospital.

The police sources said the mother of the boy, Lillian Changwe 20, is being held to help with investigations on the causes of the inferno.
It is alleged that Changwe left the boy alone in the house and went on a drinking spree.

In an interview with ZANIS, Changwe denied allegations that she left a burning candle in the house. She said Leonard was the only child she had.
Changwe expressed surprise at how the house caught fire as she did not leave any fire there.

A neighbour, Gloria Lungu, said she was awoken by some noise from people who noticed the house burning around 01:00 hours yesterday.

Ms. Lungu told ZANIS that when she came out of her house, she found people trying to put the fire out but unfortunately the roof collapsed.
She explained that some people heard the boy, Leonard, calling for help when the house just started burning.

ZANIS/KC/CMM/SJK.

ACC discontinues the case against FRA Executive Director without giving reasons

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The Anti Corruption Commission-ACC- has discontinued criminal proceedings against Food Reserve Agency(FRA) Executive Director, Anthony Mwanaumo.

ACC Acting Director General, Rosewin Wandi, told Journalists in Lusaka that the proceedings where halted last month following instructions by the Director of Public Prosecution-DPP.

However, Ms. Wandi could not say why the DPP decided to discontinue the case.

The FRA director was in February this year arrested by the ACC for abuse of authority of office.

ACC discontinues the case against FRA Executive Director without giving reasons

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) also said that it has handled a total of 428 corruption and non-corruption cases in the first quarter of 2009.

Ms Rosewin Wandi announced that out of the cases 155 were corruption complaints, while the other 273 cases were non-corruption related cases.

She added that corruption complaints were investigated while 74 cases were not.

Mrs. Wandi said the ACC also recorded seven arrests during the first quarter saying a total of 56 cases were undergoing prosecution cases at various stages before the courts of Law.

She said seven convictions were secured which included high profile cases involving former Zambia Air Force(ZAF) Commander Brigadier General Emmanuel Singogo and former Lands Minister Reverend Gladys Nyirongo.

Meanwhile Mrs. Wandi said the commission had continued to face challenges such as staff retention which still remained a challenge due to unattractive conditions of service.

She further said also need for the Commission and the governance secretariat to quickly conduct the corruption diagnostic survey.

Mrs. Wandi said this would provide new data and information on issues of corruption and governance as this would enable the commission to come up with timely and focused corruption interventions.

And Mrs. Wandi has said the ACC Act would be reviewed to improve operations of the Commission.

She said protection of whistle blower would be guaranteed in the revised Act.

Veep warns opposition against derailing investor confidence

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Vice President, George Kunda, has denounced some opposition party leaders who are trying to frustrate government’s development agenda.

Mr. Kunda said some opposition parties were giving a negative impression about the country’s investment climate, hence derailing foreign investor confidence.

He, however, reminded opposition leaders against making derogatory statements about the investment climate because foreign investors were fully aware that Zambia was a safe investment destination.

The Vice President, who is on tour of North-Western Province, said this when he addressed a public meeting in Mwinilunga today.

He disclosed that despite negative statements from some opposition leaders, some Chinese investors have offered to commit US$2 billion in the mining sector in Mwinilunga district.

Mr. Kunda challenged the opposition offer constructive criticism as a way of contributing to national economic development efforts.

He said the move by the opposition to decline the invitations to attend the recently held national indaba is a clear indication that the opposition have nothing to offer to efforts of developing the nation.

He said government will remain focused at implementing development programmes for the economic benefits of the people.

And Mr. Kunda has disclosed government intentions to construct a boarding high school in Mwinilunga district, in line with the policy of enhancing the provision of quality education in the country.

He said Kanyama boarding high school would be constructed at a cost of K44.2 billion.

He also re-iterated government’s commitment to ensure that oil explorations commence in some parts of North-Western and Western Provinces.

He said President, Rupiah Banda, will in the next few days expected to appoint a petroleum committee that would be allocating blocks, where exploration works would take place.

Mr. Kunda added that Mwinilunga would soon receive 100 metric tones of relief food because it was also not spared by the floods, especially in Chief Ntanbu’s area.

ZANIS/NW/CMM/ENDS/SJK

Zambia’s current food security in country is pathetic, ZACA Director

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shortage-of-mealie-mealZambia Consumer Association (ZACA) Executive Director Muyunda Illilonga says the current food situation in the country is pathetic.

Mr Illonga explains that this is because the availability of Mealie meal in the country especially on the Copperbelt and other urban areas is erratic.

He said the soaring Mealie meal prices is a matter of concern which requires urgent attention as it was threatening national security.

He explained that since most Zambian people are not yet accustomed to eating other alternative food items like cassava and rice hence the need for government to regard the commodity as an important for national food security.

Mr. Illilonga however said the current food situation may change with the off loading of more maize meal on the market by Government.

The ZACA Chief told ZANIS in an interview that it was gratifying to note that the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) had signed a memorandum with the Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) to purchase maize directly from the farmers.

He said this was a positive step by Government towards enhancing food security as it will cushion the Mealie meal deficit the country is presently experiencing.

And Mr. Illilonga has said that the current flood situation in the country will undoubtedly have an effect on the country’s yields this season.

He however said the situation would not go to an extent of the country having a food deficit. He said the surplus yields from other parts of the country will supplement the deficits in flood inflicted areas.

Mr. Illilonga has since urged Government to ensure that FRA enters the market at the right time to buy more maize from farmers before the commercial farmers.

He said this way Government will be able to outwit the commercial farmers who are in the habit of holding Government at ransom and therefore enhance food security in the country.

He has also called on Government to support peasant farmers by providing them with modern farming equipment such as tractors in order to increase their production levels, and hence contribute effectively to the countrys’ agricultural yields.

Mr. Illilonga said there is need for Government to encourage mechanization in farming as opposed to farming using hoes in planting their foods.

ZANIS/PM/ENDS/MM

Red Cross delivers K250m worth of relief materials to flood victims

Guest Editor
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The Zambia Red Cross Society (ZRCS) says it has delivered relief materials to flood victims in Shangombo district worth K250 million to alleviate the impact of the floods.

In a press statement to ZANIS today, Zambia Red Cross Society Public Relations Manager James Zulu says the organization decided to procure the relief food and material after it carried out a rapid assessment to ascertain the immediate needs of the affected people.

Mr. Zulu said ZRCS immediately launched a Disaster Relief Emergency Fund ( DREF) to respond to the Shangombo relief needs.
He said in performing its auxiliary role to government, the ZRCS will continue to alleviate human suffering in the district by distributing 400 blankets, 200 kitchen sets, and 200 water containers.

The other items to be distributed include 200 shelter sets (composed of the building tools), 200 tents and 25,000 water treatment sachets.

Mr. Zulu said the organization was also putting up eight VIP latrines at Mbeta Middle Basic School which had its sanitation facilities destroyed.The school prematurely closed three weeks ago due to this problem.

He urged other corporate organizations to assist flood victims in Western and North Western Provinces by donating financial, medical or material resources through the Red Cross.

ZANIS/MK/ENDS/MM

MMD Councillor worries over underage bar patrons

Guest Editor
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MMD Chiba Ward Councilor, Pilate Chilambe, is concerned about the increasing number of under-age people patronising drinking places.

Mr. Chilambe appealed to Kasama district council to monitor the situation and ensure that young people below the recommended age do not engage in beer drinking and other vices.
He advised bar, tavern and bottle store owners to desist from allowing young people from entering their premises as this could promote beer drinking among youth.

He suggested that the Council puts measures to ensure that drinking spots adhere to the stipulated time of opening and closing.

And Mr Chilambe has appealed to parents not to marry off young girls because the practice retards national development.
He noted that marrying off girls at the expense of education contributes to high maternal deaths.

ZANIS/ENDS/AP/SJK

ECZ rejects KCM project

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kcmThe Environmental Council of Zambia has rejected an application by Konkola Copper mines to establish a granulating slag dump at Nchanga Mine in Chingola.

The ECZ has rejected the project because the proposed site poses a risk to human life and mine facilities.

A statement issued by the ECZ says the project site is in a caving area and has asked Konkola Copper Mines to consider providing an alternative site.

The area proposed for setting up the project is within the Nchanga Mine licence Area and within the Kafue river drainage basin.
[ZNBC]

Mopani mine equipment impounded

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Mopani Smelter in Mufulira
Mopani Smelter in Mufulira
Copperbelt Minister Mwansa Mbulakulima has warned

Mopani Copper Mines (MCM) management to stop moving Company property until it states its position on the future of its Mines by the end of this month.

Police in Kitwe have impounded three trucks carrying Drilling Bore Raising Machines (DBRMs) from MCM’s Mindola Mine enroute to South Africa.

Mr Mbulakulima said MCM must stop moving Company property unless with express permission from the Ministry of Mines and Mineral development.

He observed that it was government policy that no Company assets at Mopani must leave the Mining premises until the future of the Mine was known.

Speaking at Mindola Mine in Kitwe yesterday Mr Mbulakulima said he had received information from the Mine Workers Union of Zambia (MUZ) and Police that Mopani was demobilising Company Property at Mindola Mine and transferring the equipment to South Africa.

He said trucks carrying DBRMs at Mindola Mine were nabbed by Police in route to South on the pretext that they were faulty and needed repairs.

He said government was alive to the peoples demands that no Mine property should be moved outside the Country following an international price fall in Copper Prices.

The Minister said it was ill timing for MCM to start moving Company machinery at a time when the Company had indicated that it was going to close the Mine.

He said Police had detained the cargo because government wanted know how the equipment came into the Country and if proper taxes were paid for.

Mr Mbulakulima ordered the police to conclude all the investigations and dispose off the matter within 24 hours.

But MCM Nkana Mine manager Jacob Mwanza said his Company had terminated the Contract it had with Master Drill of South Africa who were the owners of the equipment currently being detained by Police.

Mr Mwanza said MCM will not be doing any drilling in the next eight to nine months at Mindola mine hence the need to take all the equipment which was not theirs outside.

He said he was not sure if MCM had to inform Government about their decision to demobilise but that Drill Masters the owners of the equipment were at liberty to take their equipment elsewhere since they were not needed any more at Mopani.

ZANIS/LK/ENDS/MM

UNZA academician calls for prioritisation of investiment in public infrastructure

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A University of Zambia (UNZA) academician says the country should prioritize investment in public marketing infrastructure.

Dr Gelson Tembo, a lecturer in the Department of Agriculture Economic, said investment in the sector was important as it has the potential to sustain broad based agricultural growth.

Dr.Tembo said there is need for the country to shift from fertilizer subsides and price support to infrastructure and institution development to enhance growth in the sector.

He said investment in public infrastructure such as roads, rail, and agricultural extension systems will help improve agriculture marketing in the country.

He said developing infrastructure especially in rural areas would help improve citizen’s capacity to absorb surplus production and deal with unscrupulous traders.

Dr. Tembo said this when he made a presentation at the National Agriculture Symposium on the ‘market development and food security in Zambia’ at UNZA main campus today.

Agriculture and Cooperative minister Brian Chituwo official opened the two day symposium whose main objective is to harness the Agriculture potential to meet the growung demands of a growing population.

The lecturer said Zambia has invested little in agricultural sector, and in the provision of public infrastructure investment to drive down the cost of marketing the trend which has resulted in market failures.

He further said that the low investment in the agriculture sector has resulted in stunted economic growth and high levels of poverty especially in the rural areas.

Dr. Tembo has however commended government for increasing the budgetary allocation to the agriculture sector in the last three years adding that they should continue with the trend.

He said a survey conducted has shown that increasing a national budgetary allocation to more than 16 % to agriculture will help achieve the growth of 6%.

Meanwhile Dr. Tembo said the country has not fully exploited agriculture export potential as the country has one of the most expensive production costs and marketing systems in the region.

ZANIS/GP/ENDS/MM

Crocodile attacks woman

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A 31 year old woman of Nkumbi area in Mkushi district has been attacked by a crocodile as she washing clothes along on the banks of the Lunsemfwa River.

a week ago, an elephant killed a 21 year old man of Likumbi village in Mkushi district.

Mkushi District Hospital Doctor Cain Simachenya confirmed the incidence to ZANIS during an interview this morning.

Dr. Simachenya said the incidence which left the woman’s right hand crushed happened on Saturday around 18:00 hours.

He said according to the report, Seliyana Nyansulu was washing her clothes on the banks of Lunsemfwa River when a vicious reptile emerged from the river and took hold of her hand.

He said after a lot of screaming, a 14 year old boy rescued the woman by hitting the crocodile with a hoe.

Dr. Simachenya said the women’s hand was amputated after an operation.

He said Ms. Nyansulu ‘s condition was stable.

And Mkushi District Commissioner, DC, Mwila Kunda has appealed to the people in the area to be careful in their movements and avoid moving in dangerous places during late hours.

Mr. Kunda explained that during late hours that animals were too vicious

He said his office has continued to receive reports of elephants causing havoc in the area .

He said it was important for people to move in the company of others so that they can assist one another in the face of calamity.

He has appealed to Zambia Wildlife Authority, ZAWA, to do everything possible to get rid of the animals.

He expressed fear that more lives would be lost if the issue is ignored

Mr. Kunda also warned the people in the area to avoid deforestation and poaching saying such activities leads to animal displacement

ZANIS/CK/CMM/ENDS.

Veep directs MMD MPs to explain Govt programmes to villagers

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Vice President, George Kunda, has directed MMD Members of Parliament (MPs) to explain government programmes to the people in rural areas.

Mr Kunda says people in rural areas are in dire need of assistance and want to see development come to their door steps.

He says government has now changed the new approach of sending ministers and deputy ministers more often to rural areas to explain the fiscal government policies set by the MMD administration.

The Vice President said this at a mammoth public gathering held at Chavuma Boma yesterday.

He disclosed that government has released K10 billion to the Citizen Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) in all the nine provinces so that rural populace benefits as a way of alleviating poverty among the people in rural areas.

He said now that the 2009 national budget was out, MPs should often visit their constituencies to sensitize the rural people on what government intends to do for them especially in areas of education, health, tourism and mining among other key sectors of the economy.

He said government is revising the conditions of accessing the CEEC funds because government is in a hurry to developing the nation so that it becomes a middle-income nation by the year 2030.

Mr Kunda said each district will be apportioned a share from the K10 billion, adding that 40 per cent is for women vulnerability development while the rest (60 per cent) will go towards men, women and the youths.

Mr Kunda announced that government intends to link Chavuma with an all-weather road by rehabilitating the Chavuma /Zambezi road to remove the barriers that impede development in that district.

He challenged civil servants not to frustrate government’s efforts, but to ensure that funds released by the central government are used prudently and reach the intended people.

Meanwhile, Mr Kunda has condemned politics of insults and appealed to the Zambian people to concentrate on national building of the economy.

The Vice President said government has realized that politics of insults is a sheer waste of time because it diverts attention to developing the country.

He disclosed that the just-ended indaba is one way of consultative approach that government has embarked on so that all the people are on board towards attaining national development.

He noted that Zambezi is affected by floods and he disclosed that government has sent 200 metric tonnes of food relief to the flood victims.

Mr Kunda is on a tour of North-Western Province on a fact-finding mission of floods.

He is accompanied by Gender Minister, Sarah Sayifwanda, Local Government and Housing Minister, Benny Tetamashimba, MMD Deputy National Secretary Jeff Kaande and senior government officials.

And Mr Kunda has described the flood situation in Zambezi and Chavuma districts as serious.

He, however, said government is tackling the disaster situation with a matter of urgency.

The Vice President is using the ZAF helicopter having Ariel views of floods in flood inflicted areas.

Mr Kunda said his office has deployed Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) Teams to flood inflicted areas to access the damage and provide resources and other needed materials such as tents and food.

The Vice President, who has just returned from Western Province on a similar mission, has disclosed that a vulnerability report will be compiled and the nation will be told.

Mr Kunda and his entourage aboard a ZAF AF-219 plane departed at 07-30 hours for Kabompo on a similar mission.

Mr Kunda is expected back to Lusaka on Thursday this week (tomorrow).

ZANIS/ENDS/KC/EB

ACC nab Lands officer in Solwezi for obtaining K3 million

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The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) in Solwezi has arrested a Lands Officers and other two people for abuse of office of authority and obtaining money by false pretense amounting to K3 million as land demarcation fees.

In a statement to ZANIS in Lusaka today, ACC public Relations Manager Timothy Moono explained that Lubasi Yuyi a Lands Officer with the Ministry of Lands was arrested for two counts.

In the first count Yuyi charged with abuse of office contrary to 37(2) (a) of the ACC act chapter 91 of the laws of Zambia.

He is on unknown dates but between 4th day of March, 2007 and 24th day of December 2007 in Solwezi being a person employed in the public service the Ministry of Lands abuse the authority of his office.

Yuyi did obtain profit directly or indirectly through engaging Kasongo Nswana to demarcate and dispose of plots in the Kayabela area of Solwezi in breach of town planning regulations.

In the second count, Yuyi was jointly arrested with Cephas Chimwasu and Katongo Nswana for fourteen counts of obtaining money by false pretense contrary to section 309 of the penal code chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia.

The details of the count are that Cephas Chimwasu, Nswana Katongo and Lubasi Yuyi between 22nd March, 2007 and 30th May 2007 in Solwezi jointly and whilst acting together with intent to defraud did obtain a total of K3 million cash.

Mr. Moono said the trio collected the money from fifteen named persons in the same area by falsely pretending that they had authority to collect plot demarcation fees when they did not.

The trio have been released on bond and will appear in court on 15th April 2009.

ZANIS/MM/MKM/ENDS

Nkhosikazi’s body flown to Chipata

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Zambia Air Force pallbearers carry the casket for the late Paramount Chief Mpezeni's wife Rozinyanga Jere at Lusaka city airport
Zambia Air Force pallbearers carry the casket for the late Paramount Chief Mpezeni's wife Rozinyanga Jere at Lusaka city airport

Hundreds of mourners gathered at Chipata airport to receive

the body of Paramount Chief Mpezeni’s wife Rozinyanga Mazyopa Jere, who died at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) in Lusaka Tuesday.

The late Nkhosikazi, as she is traditionally called, is survived by a daughter and a husband, the Paramount chief Mpezeni.

She is said to have fallen ill early last week when she complained of stiffness in the neck and suffered a stroke shortly afterwards on Thursday.

“Her condition worsened and she was evacuated to UTH on Saturday 4th April 2009.

“Her conditioned improved slightly on Sunday and arrangements were being made to evacuate her to South Africa before she died,” he said.She had turned 43 on April 5.

The body, which was accompanied by the widower, Paramount chief Mpezeni, chief Madzimawe, Sports Deputy Minister, Angela Cifire and some family members, arrived in Chipata around 13:30 hours yesterday.

Senior chief Nzamane, chief Chinyaku, chief Kapatamoyo, Eastern Province Minster, Isaac Banda, Chipata Central Member of Parliament, Lameck Mangani, Provincial Permanent Secretary, Eularia Siyamujaye and several other government officials and family members were among the mourners who received the body.

The body of the deceased was taken to Feni village which is the original village of Paramount chief Mpezeni where the funeral is being held.

The burial program of the deceased has not yet been announced.

ZANIS/ENDS/SM/EB

Chinese company wins three stadia contracts

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GOVERNMENT has awarded a Chinese construction company, Anhui Foreign Economic Construction Company (AFECC), a contract to rehabilitate Independence and Maramba Stadiums in Lusaka and Livingstone respectively.

AFECC will construct the ultra modern stadium in Ndola.

Minister of Sport, Youth and Child Development Kenneth Chipungu, announced the development during the official welcome of the eight AFECC engineers at Taj Pamodzi Hotel in Lusaka yesterday.

Chipungu said his ministry had embarked on a vigorous campaign to construct and rehabilitate sports infrastructure in the country, hence the awarding of the contracts to the Chinese company.

He said government awarded AFECC the contract to rehabilitate the two stadiums because it is competent, efficient and its costings are also reasonable.

“We have made progress in this regard and the National Procurement Authority has given us authority to single source Anhui International Construction company for the rehabilitation of both the Lusaka Independence Stadium and the Maramba Stadium in Livingstone,” Chipungu said.

The minister said the Ministry of Works and Supply would supervise the rehabilitation of the two stadiums.

On the Ndola Stadium, Chipungu said the dream to have an ultra modern stadium in Zambia was unfolding well.
He said AFECC was a reputable company with a track record of excellence in construction of ultra modern stadiums and sports complexes in Africa and world over.

“As such I have no doubt that the Ndola stadium will be a masterpiece of modern architecture that will enhance Ndola City’s beauty and host various local and international sports events,” Chipungu said.

He said once completed, the three stadiums would attract foreign teams that would qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa to come and set their training bases in Zambia.

Chipungu said government would ensure it meets its obligations as indicated in the contract.

He said there was need to have sports stadiums that conform to international standards especially in Livingstone, the tourist capital and Lusaka, the capital city adding that the three projects should finish before 2010.

And AFECC vice president Hua Cheng Long said his company was credited for doing quality works world over.

Hua said the construction of the Ndola stadium would offer his company an opportunity to work in Zambia for the first time.

He said he satisfied with the cooperation his company was getting from the Zambian government.

“We will try our level best to ensure the projects finish in time. We have been to Independence Stadium several times and we will be making a trip to Livingstone to assess Maramba Stadium,” Hua said.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

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