Shikapwasha defends Vice-President George Kunda

Headlines

editor

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April 24, 2009

Information and broadcasting minister Ronnie Shikapwasha

CHIEF Government spokesperson Ronnie Shikapwasha has described as malicious calls by some people for the resignation of Vice-President George Kunda.

Lieutenant-General Shikapwasha said in an interview yesterday that the tribunal that was set up to probe former Communications and Transport minister, Dora Siliya, had concluded its work and there was no such recommendation for Mr Kunda to step down.

Gen Shikapwasha said now that the tribunal had made the verdict and that Ms Siliya had resigned, people should not divert Government attention and must allow it to work for the betterment of the country.

“The tribunal has finished its work and there is no such recommendation for the vice-president to resign. This is just a malicious attempt by people who want to take advantage of the situation,” he said.

Gen Shikapwasha, who is Minister of Information, said the Government would not be swayed by people who wanted to make its work difficult.

There have been calls by some individuals and organisations for Mr Kunda to resign for defending Ms Siliya.

Ms Siliya was found by the Dennis Chirwa Tribunal to have awarded RP Capital Partners a contract to value Zamtel assets disregarding legal advice from the attorney general.

MMD youths in Bwana Mkubwa constituency in Ndola have hailed Ms Siliya for resigning her ministerial position.

Constituency chairman, Enoch Chungu said in a statement, also signed by two others, that youths in Bwana Mkubwa were happy that she had exhibited maturity in the manner she reacted to the findings of the tribunal.

Others who signed the statement are constituency youth secretary and vice-chairman, James Mwamba and Richard Kaputula, respectively.

[Times of Zambia]

ZABF Soft Punches in Battle for Hastings

Sports

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April 23, 2009

6

African amateur welterweight champion Hastings Bwalya’s wish to turn professional has now received some strong support from within the fold.

An All-Africa Games Gold medal in 2007 including his crowning as African amateur champion that same year has left Bwalya with a great desire to turn pro despite a disappointing first round exit at the Beijing Olympics.

Bwalya has said he will not be defending his African title this June in Lome, Togo that he won 2007 at the last African Championships held in Antananarivo, Madagascar.

As in all other sports, the mare economics of pro sport have always lured the best and brightest from the amateur ranks at an early age.

And Southern Province Amateur Boxing Associations (Spaba) general secretary Blackie Mantele has come out in support of Bwalya, 23, who has dream of turning pro with a contract that will see him move to America in the offing.

“Spaba welcome the move taken by Africa welterweight defending champion Hastings Bwalya to quit amateur ranks due to poor management and also taking into account that in amateur boxing has no benefits,” Mantele said.

“Let the boy move and they should allow him to turn to the professional ranks so that his family benefit and also that will determine his future.

“Boxers are suffering a lot in this country despite most of them bringing a lot of medals but nothing there are achieving.”

Two months ago, one of Spaba’s best prospects flyweight Cassius Chiyanika of Maamba also decided to turn pro.

Chiyanika was also ejected from the Olympics in the first round after a battling display against Olympic and World Amateur Championship bronze medalist Vincenzo Picardi of Italy who beat him 10-3.

“When you take part in the Olympic Games that is all because those are last tournaments in amateur ranks and one should start thinking of taking up professional boxing because that is where you can market your self,” he said.

“Also one should look at his (Bwalya) age and not to turn pro when you are the age of 30 years.”

Mantele said the trend will continue and he didn’t have to go far for an answer after the ZABF struggled to camp the team ahead of last weeks Zone 6 games and questioned the boxing governing body’s capacity to look into amateur boxers livelihood.

“Zambia Amateur Boxing Federation (ZABF) has lost a lot of dependable boxers who had made impact to the national team, this year another dependable boxer Cassius Chiyanika turned professional citing poor management,” he said.

“Just recently boxers traveled to Lesotho without camping , ZABF told the Associations to camp their respective boxers picked in their provinces waiting for government to release the money was released one week before the just ended tournament in Lesotho.

“However, as long as things continue to be bad with amateur boxing we shall lose out with a lot of good boxers because time is money.

“Consequently if any boxer decides to quite amateur boxing meaning he has seen something better for his future so one should be allowed.”

Zambian Airways docket handed to DPP for action

General News

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April 23, 2009

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The first phase of investigations into the Zambian Airways saga have been completed and the docket has been forwarded to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for consideration.

Inspector General of Police, Francis Kabonde, says the probe looked into the alleged failure by Zambian Airways to remit passenger service charges to government as agents of the National Airports Corporation.

The police chief also disclosed that a warn and caution statement has been taken from all the four directors of Zambian Airways.

These include the two Nchito brothers and Post Newspapers Editor, Fred Mmembe.

He said investigations into other areas of operations by the airline are continuing.

The investigations are being carried out by the police, the Anti Corruption Commission and the Drug Enforcement Commission.

And Mr. Kabonde has reiterated that the investigations are not targeting any individual and appealed to the public to be patient.

He also said the investigations are have nothing to do with politics.

Meanwhile, the MMD Youth in Bwanamukubwa Constituency have appealed to Trasnparency International Zambia (TIZ) to put pressure on Mutembo Nchito to resign and pave way for investigations into his alleged dealings in Zambian Airways.

Youth Chairman Enock Chungu in a statement said, since Communications Minister Dora Siliya graciously resigned her Cabinet Ministerial position following the findings of the Tribunal, it is only healthy for TIZ to help in facilitating the speedy resignation of Mr. Mutembo Nchito in view of the allegations leveled against him and that investigations must be done for the truth to come out.

He described the allegations leveled against Mr. Nchito as critical which he said needed to be investigated once he stepped down for the process to be free and fair.

Mr. Chungu commended Ms. Siliya for what he termed as her smart resignation which exhibited maturity to the people of Zambia both in Government and the Private sector.

He added that the MMD Youths also want the Law Association of Zambia to help in the facilitation of Mr. Nchito’s case without unnecessary reservations.

Mr. Chungu added that the Zambain Airways issue is thorny and needs similar openness involving all stakeholders as was the case in the Dora Siliya situation.

He said Zambians want their money back which was drained in the Zambian Airways saga which could be used for other pressing issues of the country.

ZANIS/CN/CMM/PK/ENDS.

RB praised for allocating funds towards research in herbal remedies

Health

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April 23, 2009

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A Ndola researcher in herbal medicinal efficacies has commended president Rupiah Banda for considering a budgetary allocation towards research in herbal remedies.

Mr. Howard Maila said in Ndola that the provision of the funds elicited in the yellow book was a step in the right direction because it would help local researchers to have a chance to try their findings to scientific litmus test for the use in public domain.

He said the provision of the funds would help to conclude the study of the local remedies by using a larger sample size on a scientific perspective in the quest to find a cure to Aids.

He said the initiative was part of the national security which required support from all stakeholders.

He said the conclusive findings of the study would put Zambia on the world map as the country was making gigantic steps in combating the pandemic.

He said the ministry of finance should not delay with the disbursement of the allocated funds for researchers to start work soon.

He added that it was important for research to be commenced quickly when the plant materials were still fresh.

He said the 18 months time frame for the study should be enough to accommodate all the necessary research works to yield the conclusive results.

ENDS/CN/CMM/PK/ZANIS

Mutati to act as Transport Minister

Headlines

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April 23, 2009

28

President Rupiah Banda has with immediate effect appointed Commerce and Industry Felix Mutati to act as Minister of Communications and Transport.

In a press statement issued by special assistant to the President Dickson Jere which was availed in Lusaka today President Banda announced that Mr. Mutati will be Minister of Communications on an acting position until such a time when the substantive minister is appointed.

“In exercise of the powers vested in me pursuant to the provisions of Article 46(3) of the Constitution, Chapter 1 of the Laws of Zambia and Section 4 of the statutory functions act, Chapter 4 of the Laws of Zambia, I have with immediate effect assigned you as Minister of Communications and Transport until such a time that I revoke the appointment,” President Banda said in a letter to Mr. Mutati.

The appointment of Mr. Mutati follows the recent resignation of former Transport and Communications Minister Dora Siliya.

ZANIS/MK/MKM/ENDS/

Given Lubinda implores RDA to commence construction works in Lusaka

Headlines

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April 23, 2009

8

Kabwata Member of Parliament (MP) Given Lubinda has called on Road Development Agency (RDA) to commence the construction of roads in Lusaka city.

Mr. Lubinda disclosed that RDA signed a contract with Raven Worx Construction Limited in July last year at a cost of K34billion for the construction of a total of 25 kilometers in Lusaka City.

Speaking at a press briefing in Lusaka today, Mr. Lubinda said the project was now more than eight months behind schedule hence the need for RDA speed up road construction works once construction commences.

The roads covered in the contract include Kasama via Lilayi Police Camp to T2 South, Great North Road, approximately 15.4KM and Lilayi/ Kamwala South road extending Nationalist road approximately 2.2KM with another 1KM into Kamwala South.

Other roads are Kamwala South road at Saint Patrick’s School up to Kamwala South Basic School approximately 1.8KM, Libala Water Works road at Libala High School, also approximately 1.8KM and Yotam Muleya road from Libala High School approximately 500Metres.

The Kabwata MP said it was unfortunate that ever since the contract was signed last year nothing has been happening on the ground.

Mr. Lubinda said a lot of follow ups have been made to find out if any rehabilitation and construction works have started but to no avail.

The Mp’s who attributed delays to the dropping of a consultant who was offered the job because of incompetence said a new consultant was only secured a few weeks ago and had to re-evaluate the works and redesign before granting the contractor to start the project.

He said the delay should not affect the selection of additional road projects in the fiscal year 2009.

He said people in Kabwata Constituency would like to see all roads within Kamwala trading area particularly Bombay, Karachi, Chongwe , Sinda , Luapula, Mkushi in Kamwala and Ghandi in Madras area worked on..
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He urged the people in Kabwata Constituency to provide moral support when rehabilitation and construction works start .

ZANIS/AJN/MKM/ENDS

FRA rehabilitate Silos and Grain storage facilities

General News

editor

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April 23, 2009

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The Food Reserve Agency (FRA) says the agency has embarked on the rehabilitation of silos and grain storage sheds around the country ahead of the crop marketing season that commences in June.

FRA Public Relation Manager, Mwamba Siame, said the rehabilitation of the silos and grain storage shades across the country is aimed at increasing the grain storage capacity.

Mrs. Mwamba disclosed this in an interview in Lusaka today said the rehabilitation works are on those sheds which are in deplorable state.

She said once completed the silos will have the capacity to store over 100,000 metric tones of grain.

Mrs. Mwamba said the agency in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives signed a contract with Camco of China worth US11.6 million dollars to construct and upgrade storage shades around the country.

She explained that the projects started last year and is expected to run until next year (2010).

She also said that the agency has apart from rehabilitating and upgrading the storage shades also started building new shades across the country.

Mrs. Mwamba said particular focus will be in areas in Central , Copperbelt, Northern and part of Eastern and Southern provinces.

ZANIS/GP/MKM/ENDS

KK nominated to represent Zambia at the 60th Commonwealth anniversary

Headlines

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April 23, 2009

105

President Rupiah Banda has nominated First Republican President Kenneth Kaunda to represent Zambia at a dinner to be hosted by Queen Elizabeth to commemorate the 60th Commonwealth anniversary.

Mr. Banda has also nominated Lusaka Lawyer Maria Dras-Neves and Zambian High Commissioner to London Anderson Chibwa to accompany Zambia’s First Republican President a to the function.

President Banda said Dr. Kaunda has been nominated to represent Zambia because of the vast knowledge and interaction which the former president has with the Commonwealth.

He said it was his wish to use the services and experience of former heads of state in various local and international engagements.

This is contained in a statement released by Special Assistant to the President for press and Public Relations Dickson Jere in Lusaka today.

And in a letter to President Banda, Dr. Kaunda has thanked President Banda for nominating him to represent Zambia at the Commonwealth function.

Queen Elizabeth of United Kingdom who is also Commonwealth head on April 28th 2009 expected to host dinner to be attended by three representatives of the Commonwealth Member countries to commemorate the 60th Commonwealth anniversary .

ZANIS/CM/ENDS

Livingstone businessman appears for defilement

General News

Guest Editor

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April 23, 2009

52

A 28 year old businessman of Livingstone this morning appeared in the magistrate court for mention in a case involving the defilement of his six-week old baby.

Before Magistrate, Andrew Kasongo, was Mubu Susiku, of house number A71 Dambwa Kashitu extension, charged with defilement contrary to Section 138, Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.

Susiku, who is the biological father to the infant, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Facts before the court were that on March 1 2009, around 21:00 hours, Susiku allegedly defiled his six-week old baby.

Magistrate Kasongo has set May 12, 2009 as date for commencement of trial.

ZANIS/ENDS/AMM/SJK

Partners, financiers interested in fisheries, livestock

Economy

editor

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April 23, 2009

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THE government has disclosed that collaborating partners and some financial institutions have shown interest to develop the livestock and fisheries sectors in the country.

Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, in-charge of livestock and
fisheries, Bradford Machila said support in infrastructure development, camp house rehabilitation and laboratory construction in the two sectors will improve Zambia’s economy.

Mr Machila named the financial institutions that have pledged to
support the livestock and the fisheries sectors as the African
Development Development and the World Bank.

He said the other collaborating partnership, such as the European
Union, Common Market for Eastern Southern African Countries (COMESA),
USAID and the Southern African Development Committee (SADC) have also
shown willingness to support Zambia in the fisheries and livestock
sectors.

The minister said was speaking when he addressed district heads and provincial heads of government departments in Namwala district of southern province.

Mr Machila stated that the new ministry of livestock and fisheries expected to be established is committed to deliver better services to the country that will enhance economic development.

He noted that government’s commitment to ensure development in the two
sectors has been evidenced by increased funding allocated to the
two sectors.

‘’Government is in a hurry to develop the livestock and fisheries
sectors and we should all apply ourselves diligently to meet the
objectives and targets in the newly established ministry of
agriculture and cooperatives in livestock and fisheries,’’ he noted.

Mr Machila clarified that government has prioritized the disease
control programme in the livestock sector before lifting the livestock
movement ban.

He noted that the ministry will focus on prevention of diseases than
control.

Mr Machila also noted that control measures of diseases will still be
undertaken but emphasized that it was better to prevent the diseases.

He, however, regretted the inconvenience that might have been caused to
farmers by instituting a livestock ban but maintained that government
was taking disease prevention and control by putting in place a
movement ban of animals as a matter of urgency and high priority.

The minister said that vaccination programmes against diseases will be
continued by the veterinary department to curb animal diseases.

ZANIS-NAIS/ENDS/LK/EB

Minister inspects house construction project

General News

Guest Editor

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April 23, 2009

2

Home Affairs Minister, Kalombo Mwansa, yesterday made an on-the-spot check on the on going construction of houses for police officers in Livingstone’s old Tandabale market situated in Maramba.

Speaking shortly after inspecting the housing project, which has reached an advanced stage, Mr. Mwansa said he was impressed with the works done so far.
He commended the contractor of the project for constructing good houses which he said were of high standard and good quality.

The minister, however, said there was need to finish up the project on time so that the 68 houses under construction can be handed over to government in order for police officers to move in immediately.

Earlier, site supervisor, Samuel Willima, assured the minister that the houses would soon be completed, but was not in a position to give a specific time frame.

The minister, who is in the Southern Province on official duty, also toured the Livingstone Central Prisons before he proceeded to Katombora Reformatory School in Kazungula district.

ZANIS/ENDS/NM/EB

Bring parley office here, orders Mpezeni

Rural News

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April 23, 2009

4

Paramount Chief Mpezeni of the Ngoni people in Eastern Province has criticized Luangeni Parliamentary Constituency professional Assistant, Donald Phiri ,for not communicating with people from the area.

Chief Mpezeni accused Mr Phiri of not delivering the service he was employed for as expected of his office of noting their concerns in the constituency.

He was speaking when area Member of Parliament, Angela Cifire, paid a courtesy call on him at his Ephendukeni Palace in Chipata and also to offer condolences to the chief after the demise of his wife, the Inkosikazi, Rozinyanga Jere, who died on April 7, and buried on April 10, 2009.

The traditional ruler said the parliamentary office for Luangeni Constituency was supposed to be situated at Feni, not in Chipata where people had to use vehicles to access it.

“You are serving people of Luangeni and for your office accommodation to be in Chipata does not serve that purpose. You are just wasting government resources paying you. Money should be paid to people that are working for the people, like me,” he noted.

The chief advised that the office should move to Feni area where its presence will be felt and serve the people that it was intended for.

But when asked, Mr Phiri said his role was to facilitate activities in the constituency, adding that the intentions were already there to move the office to Feni in Luangeni constituency.

Mr Phiri said the National Assembly would soon release funds to rehabilitate a council building which was earlier offered at K500,000 as monthly rentals but after reasoning with the local authority the figure was reduced to K200,000.

He said the council building would be occupied when the parliament releases funds for rehabilitation as the building was in bad state.

He said people were accessing his office and had a register in place for people to record whatever concerns they had from the constituency.

And in a separate interview Ms Cifire said once funds for rehabilitation were made available the constituency office would be worked on, adding that Mr Phiri would move to Feni where a council block was situated.

“National Assembly is aware of the building in Nsingo ward, and will facilitate the rehabilitation of the building though it was not centrally located, but Mr Phiri will move to the building,” she added.

Earlier Ms Cifire disclosed that she was in the area to monitor progress on the appeal she made last year in August for people to form committees to look at the plight of Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVCs).

Speaking during a courtesy call she paid on Eastern Province Permanent Secretary, Eularia Syamujaye, Ms Cifire said people from her constituency were requested to form committees to coordinate the issues concerning OVCs.

And Mrs Syamujaye said key projects of Chipata/Chadiza and Chadiza/Vubwi roads would be completed this year using Rural Roads Unit ( RRU) and Road Development Agency (RDA) funds released towards the projects.

“We had intentions for the two roads to be tarred but funds were not enough though the works expected to be done by the two agencies would ensure the roads last long,” she added.

ZANIS/ENDS/DM/EB

Please! Return to your country, Mutiti pleads with DRC refugees

General News

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April 23, 2009

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Ministry of Home Affairs Permanent Secretary Ndiyoi Mutiti has reiterated government’s commitment to facilitate the repatriation of Democratic Republic Congolese (DRC) refugees who are in Zambian refugee camps.

And Ms. Mutiti has appealed to Congolese refugees to take advantage of the facilities that have been put in place by the Zambian government to repatriate them.

She said according to the survey which was carried out in January this year, at least 18,549 refugees are expected to return to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Ms. Mutiti added that refuges should freely return to their country because peace and stability has now returned to DRC.

She was speaking at the official closing of the fifth session of the tripartite commission on voluntary repatriation of Congolese Refugees living in Zambia.

And speaking at the same meeting, DRC Secretary of the Ministry of Interior and Security of Congo, Sanda Byanza said the two day meeting, which was among the Zambian Government, Democratic Republic of Congo and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) was a success.

Mr. Byanza said the meeting was a milestone in the lives of refugees living in Zambia.

He has since called on the refugees to corporate with the Zambian government by returning to their country, adding that their citizenship was needed for the development of that country.

The tripartite commission agreed to resume the organized voluntary repatriation programmes on May 19th, 2009 and this programme is scheduled to end this year.

ZANIS/AC/KSH/ENDS

BIZZARRE: Kasama man beds a hen?

Rural News

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April 23, 2009

119

A named man of Chambeshi location in Kasama is reported to have had elicited sex with a chicken which later died the same day over the weekend.

Both police and hospital sources confirmed the incident to ZANIS and described the act as a criminal offence.

The incident happened on Sunday morning.

An eye witness explained that she saw a chicken convulsing outside the house and called the owner of the house to come and see the strange behaviour in the chicken.

She said when the owner came she took the chicken and held it in her hands.

She said whilst holding the chicken, she saw some strange fluid coming out of the chickens’ mouth in the presence of the neighbours who advised her to take the chicken for medical examinations.

The medical examinations which were conducted on the chicken revealed that the fluid was human semen and advised them not to eat it.

The chicken was later referred to a veterinary doctor who was not in office to carryout further investigations as it was on a Sunday.

The chicken later died on the way.

And in an exclusive interview with ZANIS, the owner of the chicken declined to disclose the suspect but confirmed that the incident, saying this was the second time it has happened.

She said the suspect was within the house.

Meanwhile police sources said they will launch investigations until the culprit is brought to book and warned that those who will be found wanting WILL be punished by the law.

Last year, an similar incident happened in Mbala where a man, with two wives, had sex with a cow and was sentenced to 18 years imprisonment by the high court.

ZANIS/ENDS/MC/EB.