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ZRA donates medical items worth K10 m

The Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) has donated medical items worth K10 million to Beit Cure International Hospital of Zambia.

ZRA Director-Research and Planning Samuel Bwalya said the Authority has put in place policies that help to uplift the welfare of the vulnerable in society such as children with disability.

Dr. Bwalya commended the Hospital for the wonderful job it was doing by providing free medical treatment for poor children with disability.

He assured the hospital of ZRA’s continued support and reiterated the Authority’s willingness to offer support to the community.

And the hospital’s Executive Director, Peter Kyalo thanked ZRA for the gesture and expressed confidence that the lives of many children with disability at the hospital would be transformed.

He said there was need for stakeholders and society in general to get involved in assisting the less privileged at the hospital.

Mr. Kyala said ZRA’S generosity and commitment was exactly the kind of community help the hospital needs to remain operational.

ZANIS/AJN/ENDS/MM

Zambian embassy not helping citizens?

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Dear bloggers,

My handbag was stolen in Johannesburg in January of this year.In it was my passport among other things.I applied for a new passport on 30 January 2009 at the Zambian Embassy offices in Pretoria South Africa. Up to now every time I call the embassy, I am told it is not ready and that they are expecting passports at the month end. This has been going on for the last two months.

Now I am living in fear of authorities in South Africa declaring me as an illegal immigrant and yet I had a valid work permit in my stolen passport. The embassy knows about this but they act as if they can’t be bothered.

I am not sure if this is just a problem with me or others are facing the same problem with the embassy.Please help to bring this to attention of the relevant people.

Isn’t their job to help citizens out in such situations? Is it acceptable that a passport they said would take a month is now
taking indefinitely because they are not sure when it will actually happen, if it does?

Could someone please advise me what to do.I am so frustrated and fearful at the same time.

Yours,
Zambian lady in South Africa

Corrupt driving instructor jailed

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lplateA Lusaka Magistrate yesterday jailed a diving school instructor for 18 months with hard labour for corruption.

Honorable Mrs. Walusiku yesterday convicted and sentenced Joseph Sinfukwe, 45, a Driving Instructor with Galaxy Driving School Limited to 18 months with hard with effect from 10th March 2008.

Sinfukwe was arrested on 28th January 2008 by the Anti Corruption Commission and charged for one count of corrupt practices by private person contrary to section 31(1) and 41 of the Anti Corruption Commission Act No. 42 of 1996.

Details of the offence were that, Sinfukwe, a Driving Instructor at Galaxy Driving School Limited corruptly solicited for K 300,000 from Mbomena Shabiyemba, between 1st February 2008 and 10th March 2008 in Lusaka.

The money was an inducement or reward for himself in order to facilitate the acquisition of a driving license for Shabiyemba, a matter or transaction which concerned the Road Traffic and Safety Agency (RTSA).

This is according to a release from the Anti- Corruption Commission (ACC)signed by its Public Relations Officer Timothy Moono.

ZANIS/MM/ENDS/MM

Zambia is better off without Aid- Dambisa Moyo

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Renown Zambian author Dambisa Moyo
Renown Zambian author Dambisa Moyo

By Milimo Moyo, New York

Dr. Dambisa Moyo has revealed that she is scheduled to visit Zambia next week to speak to the government about aid-related issues raised in her popular new book, Dead Aid: Why Aid is not working and how there is a better way for Africa.

Speaking to a packed audience at an event organized by the Carniege Council in New York City on April 2, 2009, Dr. Moyo stated that the Zambian government had invited her for in-depth discussions related to reducing aid-dependence and finding alternatives for long-term economic development. Her talk at the Carniege Council was part of her high profile U.S book tour that has drawn well-deserved attention from a wide spectrum of media, charity, government and academic institutions.

During the talk, Dr. Moyo discussed her motivations for writing the book, problems associated with the Aid model and the various ways that African countries can generate their own income thus reducing their dependence on foreign development Aid. She also decried celebrities’ tendency to speak for Africa in a manner that was couched in pity.

Dambisa signing a fan's book
Dambisa signing a fan's book

“Perhaps the most of awful thing is that when they speak about Africa, they do so with pity,” she said adding that America would not tolerate a foreign celebrity telling U.S President, Barack Obama and Treasury Secretary, Tim Geitner how to fix the current credit crunch.

Dr. Moyo, a Zambian-born economist formerly employed at Goldman Sachs and the World Bank, has caused a stir in the United States and around the world with her refreshing and forthright analysis of the problems stemming from development aid dependence in most African countries.

In her book, Dr. Moyo makes the case that an estimated $1 trillion worth of so-called development aid to Africa in the last five decades has dismally failed to create long-term, sustainable development on the African continent. Dead Aid examines the history of the aid-model of development and outlines specific indicators of its failure including corruption, bureaucracy, civil and political strife, a lack of entrepreneurship and inflation, among others. More importantly, Dr. Moyo’s book suggests ways in which African countries could reduce their dependence on aid and generate their own income through participation in the bond markets and trade.

While Dr. Moyo’s book has been well-received by many, some critics have adopted a contentious and somewhat misleading approach to criticizing Dead Aid. Dr. Moyo told the audience at the Carniege Council that as a result of certain misconceptions, she has found herself defending her book during her tour in America. For example, the aid advocacy group ONE, has posted what it considers a critique of Dr. Moyo’s book on its website charging that Dr. Moyo’s suggestion to stop aid in five years’ time is “reckless and seems to pay no heed to the fact that millions of Africans are on life-saving AIDS medications today paid for by aid”. However, ONE ignores the fact that Dr. Moyo categorically excludes humanitarian and charity-based aid from her pejorative view of development aid to Africa.

Despite explaining this in her book and subsequent interviews and discussions, critics have been quick to accuse Moyo of spreading an “irresponsible” message that could result in the deaths of “African babies”. One can only smile at the dramatics.

Regardless of what some critics have said, Dead Aid is set to be a bestseller both in the west and Africa. It has captivated many people’s attention so far and is fast gaining the attention of readers everywhere. In New York City, Dr. Moyo’s book promotion events have drawn enormous crowds. She has also been interviewed by an array of prominent publications and media personalities including Charlie Rose, Bill Baher and Steven Colbert.

Bubonic plague breaks out in Namwala

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Yersinia pestis
Yersinia pestis
Bubonic Plague has broken out in Kabulamwanda ward in Namwala

District with six people admitted to the District Hospital with the disease.

District Director of Health, Dr Davy Kaile, confirmed to ZANIS yesterday that blood samples taken from the three patients were taken to Lusaka for testing and the results were positive.

“We received the positive results for bubonic plague after we took blood samples of three patients currently admitted at the hospital to Lusaka for testING at tHe laboratory,” said Dr Kaile.

“ But the other three are also showing the same symptoms of the disease such as fever and swollen lymph nodes,” said Dr Kaile, adding that the conditions of all the six people admitted was stable as they were responding well to treatment.

Bubonic plague is a disease caused by fleas which feed on both human blood and rats which are reported to be in large numbers in the area.

However, Dr Kaile said there was no need for panic among the community in the affected area as the District Hospital had mobilized logistics to contain the disease and prevent it from spreading to other areas.

He said the District Hospital has mounted a massive spraying exercise in the area and surrounding areas to prevent the spread of the disease.

Dr Kaile further said an education programe has also been put in place to educate people on the disease and how to prevent it.

The deadliest bubonic plague broke out in Katengwa between 2003 and 2004 and claimed 25 lives in district.

ZANIS/ENDS/FM/EB.

Police in Choma fined for illegally reconnecting water supply

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Southern Water and Sewerage Company has slapped a K 5.5 million penalty on police in Choma for illegal reconnection of water supply after a disconnection.

And the water company has also disconnected water to the district commissioner’s office housing , several government ministries and departments to recover outstanding water bills.

Company public relations manager Liversage Mulinda who confirmed this said police also damaged the main meter in their quest to illegally reconnect water supply yesterday.

Mr. Mulinda explained that Choma police station and camp was disconnected yesterday for an outstanding bill of K 26 million but some police officers decided to reconnect the water supply .

He disclosed that the police in the province owe a total of K 125 million in unpaid water bills to the southern water and Sewerage Company.

He said it is a criminal offence under the water Supply and sanitation Act number 28 of 1997 for any person to interfere in any way with the utilities’ facilities.

Mr Mulinda said the Act prohibit any one including the police service from interfering with any water disconnection or installation.

Southern Water and Sewerage company director of operations, Charles Shindaile, said water supply to Choma police camp will only be restored upon settlement of the outstanding water bills, reconnection fees and the penalties in full.

In a letter to police officer commanding also copied to the inspector general of police,
Mr Shindaile warned that the utility company reserves the right to uproot the service lines if the outstanding amounts are not paid in full.

But police officer in charge Victor Mateyo said that police officers and their families were being punished for things that are beyond their control.

Mr Mateyo said payments for utility bills is centrally being done in Lusaka and wondered why officers in Choma who do not control the funds should be inconvenienced.

Meanwhile, the southern water and sewerage company has withdrawn water supply from the district administration in Choma in a bid to recover outstanding amounts in unpaid bills.

Company public relations manager said the district commissioner’s office had been given several reminders prior to the disconnection of water supply but that there had been no positive response.

He said withdraw of service had been the last resort.
ZANIS/CM/MKM/ENDS

ICT registers growth in the SADC region – Mubika

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GOVERNMENT says the Information Communication Technology (ICT) has continued to register growth despite the global economic crisis.

Transport and Communications Deputy Minister, Mubika Mubika, said consumers all over the world have not given up on communication, adding that they were now utilising all modes of communication to find out and debate more about the state of the world economy.

He said it was because of this that the Communication Regulators Association of Southern Africa (CRASA) needs to relook at the regulation of the ICT sector so that a ‘stimulus package’ for the ICT sector in the SADC region be developed through appropriate policy recommendations and operator-consumer initiatives that would make the ICT industry a substitute to commodity based economies.

Mr Mubika added that the service sector had continued to withstand the pressure from falling commodity prices, thus pointing to the need to develop the ICT industry as a significant contributor to the National Domestic Product of member states.

Mr Mubika was speaking in Livingstone when he officially opened the Communications Regulators Association of Southern Africa Annual General Meeting (AGM) at Zambezi Sun Hotel.

He appealed to CRASA to put up measures that would guarantee access to technologies such as the internet. He observed that the internet has strongly shown that it was the medium of choice for information exchange that was changing politics, commerce, social networking and, above all, the geography of the world.

Mr Mubika, however, noted that while penetration to mobile services could be described as satisfactory in most countries, it was clear from statistics from the region that internet penetration was very low.

He said there was need to put measures in place that would dramatically increase internet access in developing countries in order to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) on communication.

Mr Mubika also observed that CRASA had the responsibility of interpreting and implementing government policy in member states and at the same time played the key role to shape policies because of its interaction with the consumers and the public at large.

And Mr Mubika urged CRASA to actively engage service providers so that harmony and collaboration could prevail, but noted that clear boundaries must exist so that regulators are not compromised in undertaking their mandate.

The minister said he was happy that the meeting deliberated on technologies that make up internet access a reality because he was aware that the access to devices such as computers was still a myth among rural people.

Mr Mubika observed that CRASA had the responsibility to put up instruments to facilitate initiatives such as the one laptop per child initiative so that ICTs take root in the region.

He also urged CRASA to re-look at the regulation of the ICT sector so that a stimulus package for the ICT sector in the region could be developed through appropriate policy recommendations and operator consumer initiatives that would make the ICT industry a substitute to commodity based economies.

CRASA Chairperson, Domingos Pedro Antonnio, said the role that CRASA continues to play, such as providing a forum where a ”common voice” is carried to most regional and international forums, had proved to be crucial, adding that it was now evident that CRASA represents diverse viewpoints and interests since it allowed its membership to include other stakeholders in the ICT sector.

And Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Communications Authority of Zambia (CAZ), Richard Mwanza, said since inception, CRASA has been carrying activities within the SADC policy framework and had positively responded and developed several regional guidelines as part of the regional development, integration and harmonisation directives.

He said it was for this reason that the recognition of CRASA as an agency of SADC was not a mere demand but a legal formalisation of the linkages that already exists.

ZANIS/ENDS/FM/EB.

Chingola Labour Inspector nabbed for graft

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The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) in Kitwe has arrested a Labour Inspector of Chingola Labour office for Corruption involving K 1 million.

According to ACC spokesperson Timothy Moono , the named Labour inspector Benson Mwiinga, 32, of house no. 801 Riverside, Chingola has been charged with one count of Corrupt Practices by Public Officer contrary to section 29(1) and 41 of the ACC Act No. 42 of 1996.

Details are that Benson Mwiinga solicited for and actually received K1,000,000 cash gratification from a named driver of Mitchell Drilling Company, as an inducement or reward for himself.

This was on the pretext that he (Mwiinga) was going to drop charges of deportation on a South African national, Petrous Mostat.

The South African was recently employed by the Drilling Company as a Drilling Supervisor.

This was after Mr. Mostat was on Thursday 26th March 2009 summoned by Mwiinga to the Labour Office in Chingola for allegedly insulting workers at Mitchell Drilling Company.

Following the meeting, Mwiinga allegedly called the named driver aside and solicited for the said money from Mostat, so that he does not recommend to the Immigration Department for the South African’s deportation.

A surveillance operation was thereafter mounted in Chingola by the ACC at Pie City and Mwiinga was subsequently apprehended after receiving the K1,000,000 bait money, which was retrieved from him.

Mwiinga appeared in court yesterday for mention and he is expected to appear again for mention on 16th April 2009.

He has been released on a K2.5 million bail in his own recognizance.

ZANIS/MM/ENDS/MM

Consider sign language in TV current affairs – ASLIZ

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The Association of Sign Language Interpreters of Zambia (ASLIZ) says the absence of sign language on some television (TV) stations has left most of the deaf people vulnerable with current affairs.

ASLIZ Executive Director, Chipampe Ngulimba said there was need for the government to put in place a policy that would ensure that sign language was always used on every local programme on each TV station in the country.

Ms Ngulimba told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today, that it was very important that the deaf also followed current affairs, adding that the move would enable them make decisions about issues affecting them in society.

She said if the policy was not put in place and  supported it would hinder the deaf to equally contribute to the development of the country.

She added that ASLIZ has been fighting for this policy for a very long time now, adding that it was time the policy was put in place.

The ASLIZ Executive Director said in as much as the government has done much to accommodate the deaf, more still needs to be done for the deaf.

Ms Ngulimba added that it was very unfortunate that in some other countries, the deaf have been completely sidelined because some TV stations were not allowing people who understand sign language to interpret issues for them.

She also urged government to consider including sign language in every ministry and not just the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services.

The ASLIZ Executive Director also mentioned that there was need to produce more sign language materials for teachers at schools of the deaf in the country.

She added that with enough materials for the teachers they would be able to teach the deaf people properly.

Ms Ngulimba also said that most teachers who teach the deaf were depending on the deaf themselves for more knowledge on sign language.

ZANIS/ENDS/AJN/EB

Church mother bodies questioned over Sangomas

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Female traditional healers of Ngangaas perform a ritual during a spitirual session by Sangomas and healers from Zambia
Female traditional healers of Ngangaas perform a ritual during a spitirual session by Sangomas and healers from Zambia

A Ndola clergyman has expressed concern over the silence of the church mother bodies on the issue of South African based exorcists who came to Lusaka to perform ritual cleansing.

Pastor Bupe Mutale told ZANIS in Ndola that it was shocking that the church leaders in Zambians cast a blind eye on a serious spiritual trespass that was done to the country where they were in full spiritual control.

He said allowing the spiritualists to come and perform their rituals without a bother or consideration from the chief mother bodies was a serious omission which must be addressed.

He said the church leaders’ silence on the matter could be misconstrued for consent and support when it is clear that there were questions which must be answered by the church leaders regarding the matter.

Pastor Mutale said since Zambia was a Christian nation, it was important to critically examine the motives and implications for certain actions that were allowed into the country, especially that they were being performed by outsiders.

Pastor Mutale cautioned the church mother bodies to justify their relevance in the country if they were not giving spiritual guidance to the nation.

He said it was little wonder that even their boycott of the NCC was an ill concieved position because a Constitution was coming which would not only affect those who participated in its making process, but includes them despite not being part of the process.

The pastor said that Church should learn lessons from national bodies and associations in the political arena which went the boycotting route in the past and to-date have failed to recover from the repercussions of such ill conceived actions.

He called for a stronger prophetic voice from the church mother bodies on topical national issues for them to remain relevant because they had a responsibility to give spiritual guidance to the nation on matters of religion.

ZANIS/ENDS/CN/EML/EB

Govt committed to ensuring public resources benefit all Zambians

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President Rupiah Banda says government is committed to ensuring that all public resources are utilized for the benefit of all Zambians.

President Banda said by maximizing the available tax payers resources, for example, government will be able to provide the public with good services and improved infrastructure.

Mr. Banda explained that through paying taxes the country will be self reliant and able to provide a reliable and predictable source of revenue for development.

He was speaking at the Zambia Revenue Authority ( ZRA )’s first Tax Payers Appreciation Day dubbed ” Develop Zambia Pay your Taxes ” in Lusaka today.

The President said ZRA has a vital role in achieving the key objectives of raising adequate domestic resources to finance development and facilitate trade and business.

Mr. Banda noted that government recognizes the innovative relationship that exits between ZRA and the Private Sector.

” I am happy on the on going reforms in ZRA which are aimed at reducing transaction costs, improving economic competitiveness and promoted good governance in the tax administration,” Mr Banda said.

He reaffirmed that government will continue to implement development programmes despite the current financial global crisis as the country is still has a stable Micro economic environment.

Mr. Banda stressed that through the 2009 Fiscal Policy government will increase its expenditure on infrastructure and social services in line with government’s objectives of encouraging diversification which will facilitate private sector development and reduce poverty.

However, president Banda urged the ZRA staff to be Professional, Transparent and Efficient when executing their duties.

He pointed out the need to clean up the negative perception surrounding Tax collections as this will encourage all tax payers to be tax Compliant.

And Acting Finance Minster Felix Mutati said the only way the country can have strong revenue is by having a strong economy.

Mr Mutati noted that by collecting sufficient taxes government is able to implement all developmental programmes in productive sectors.

He disclosed that about 9,200 new business companies were registered in 2008 adding that this will increase the revenue tax base in the country.

Meanwhile 45 tax payers have been awarded for compliance .

And ZRA Commissioner General Chriticles Mwansa says the partnership that exits between ZRA and Tax payers contributes to the economic development of the country.

Mr. Mwansa explained that ZRA has been sensitizing the public on in the need to pay Taxes as it drives all the economic actives of the country.

He however said that ZRA will continue to ensure that all Taxes are collected, accounted for, transferred and made available to government through the treasury.

Mr Mwansa further called on the government to consider rehabilitating all the border post infrastructures through out the country to the modern standards like at Chirundu and Kazungula Border posts.

And earlier ZANIS/AH/MM/ENDS/MM

ZCTU against Electricity tarrif hikes

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ZCTU President Leonard Hikaumba
ZCTU President Leonard Hikaumba

The Zambia Congress of Trade Union (ZCTU) President Leonard Hikaumba has urged the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) not to increase the electricity tariffs.

Mr Hikaumba has instead suggested that the Electricity company should consider supplying power to unconnected areas so that it can improve its revenue.

He charged in an interview with ZANIS that the power utility firm is losing out huge sums of moneys in terms of
revenue in non-connected areas.

He said ZESCO could realise alot of revenue once it connects the areas.

Commenting on the proposed 66 percent electricity tariff hike, the ZCTU president said the increase will have a negative impact on the already impoverished public service workers especially civil servants.

Mr Hikaumba has since advised government to heavily fund ZESCO so that it can complete rehabilitate its machines that are allegedly old.

He said allowing ZESCO to increase its electricity tariffs would be a mockery to the public service employees saying it will have a trickle down effect on essential commodities such as mealie-meal, sugar and clothes.

Recently the ERB Chairperson Sikota Wina said his organisation has not yet made a decision on ZESCO’s proposed 66 percent electricity tariffs as alleged by some media reports.

Mr. Wina said ERB will follow the legal procedures before it can approve or reject the proposed tariff increment by ZESCO.

He explained that ERB is committed to adhering to the legal process as outlined in section 8 of the Electricity Act, which provides for a consultative process among the consumers.

Meanwhile, the Rural Electrification Authority (ERA), says that the K98 billion allocated for the authority will enable it to meet its goals in the year 2009.

ERA Public Relations Manager, Justine Mukosa, said this in a statement to ZANIS this today.

Mr Mukosa said that the implementation of 25 grid extension areas in all the nine provinces at an estimated cost of K70 billion will cover the selected projects in the nine regions.

He said that ERA will mop all the projects that have been outstanding for a long time, ensuring that all the provinces of Zambia receive a share  of available resources.

He said that the procurement, delivery and installation of solar energy for lightening and water pumping at identified social institutions in remote areas is on course.

Mr Mukosa said that the feasibility study on Chavuma falls mini-hydro project on the Zambezi river in Chavuma district, designing packaging of Chikata falls mini hydro projects in Kabompo district of Northwestern Province was also under way.

ZANIS/ENDS/ISS/EB

Zesco United will Fall says Africa Sports Coach

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Africa Sports caretaker coach Gba Bernardin says ex-coach Antonio Nobile’s resignation will not affect the beleaguered Cote d’Ivoire champions from beating Zesco United on Saturday in Ndola in their Caf African Champions League 1st round, return leg match.

Italian-born Nobile this past weekend quit the 2007 and 2008 Ivorian league champions after two seasons at the club due to operational reasons coupled with a poor start to this years campaign that has seen Africa Sports lose both their opening two games.

Bernardin said Africa Sports were focused and ready to maintain their unbeaten run in all African club competitions against Zambia club dating back to 1986.

“Our mission is here is to win and qualify to the next stage,” Bernardin said in Ndola today upon arrival from Cote d’Ivoire.

“We were unlucky not to have beaten Zesco  in Abidjan at our home ground.”

The two sides are locked at 0-0 from the first leg played on March 15 in Abidjan.

A 1-1 draw this weekend at the Trade Fair Grounds in Ndola will be enough for Africa Sports to reach the 2nd round of this years Caf African Champions League.

Meanwhile, Red Arrows and Ocean Boys of Nigeria will play their Caf Confederations cup 1st round, return leg match in the Niger River Delta region on Saturday following guarantees over security for the visiting team by local authorities.

This follows the death of a dozen Ocean Boys supporters due to gang-related violence in February on their way to watch their team in action in a league game.

Arrows lead 2-0 from the 1st leg played on March 14 at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka.

Mansa teachers pass vote of no confidence in their unions

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Teachers in Mansa district in Luapula province have resolved to pass a vote of no confidence in their union officials.
The teachers said the union officials from Basic Education Teachers Union of Zambia (BETUZ), Zambia National Union of Teachers (ZNUT) and Secondary Schools Teachers Union of Zambia (SESTUZ) had failed and brought shame to teachers in the district.
This was contained in a petition signed by over 280 teachers from different schools in Mansa and made available to ZANIS today.
The teachers said they had no confidence in the union officials because they did not represent teachers’ interests and demanded that they (union officials) step down within one week from the date of receipt of notice.
“We wonder whom you represent if you cannot command our confidence. You are dangerous to the jobs of teachers and irrelevant. We therefore demand by right that you step down.
You have one week from the date of receipt of this notice to inform the provincial officials to conduct fresh elections publicly,” the petition read in part.
The teachers threatened to withdraw their monthly subscriptions to the three unions if the union officials failed to comply.
ZANIS/CB/MKM/ENDS.

Copperbelt Keep Zambia Clean Committee suspended

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The Ndola District Administration has, with immediate effect, suspended activities of the Keep Zambia Clean and Healthy Campaign Copperbelt Committee (KZCHCCC) pending investigations of alleged malpractices.

In a letter addressed to KZCHCCC president and copied to the Provincial Permanent Secretary, Ndola District Commissioner Moses Mumba said his office had been notified that the NGO was in the habit of soliciting funds from business houses and government institutions to run their activities.

He said the practice was contrary to what was expected of the organisation as it was an advocacy NGO.

The DC further stated that an organ of Keep Ndola Clean was already in existence under the chairmanship of Ndola City Council, adding that it was imperative for the NGO to conduct its activities under the mandate of the local authority.

KZCHCCC is reported to have collected over K8 million from all high and basic schools in Ndola, which was used for paying allowances and food at a workshop they recently held at Lowenthal Theater.

ZANIS/ENDS/PC/EML/EB