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Tana Set To Miss CHAN

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Veteran defender Elijah Tana will for the successive time in 13 months be missing from a major continental tournament involving Zambia.

And Herve Renard’s 21-member Caf African National Championship (CHAN) team were by press time Friday afternoon expected to land in Abidjan ahead of Sundays opening Group A match against hosts Cote d’Ivoire.

Tana is now confirmed a no-show for the CHAN that kicks off in Cote d’Ivoire this Sunday after he failed to travel to Abidjan and opted instead to sign a deal with promoted Angolan club Clube Recreativo da Caála.

The call was surely an easy one than the aging defender would want to admit and who is in the twilight of his footballing career.

Tana’s decision is clearly based on economics reigning supreme over patriotism.

With Caala who are believed to have offered him a one year deal, Tana will have a salary waiting at the end of this month that makes more sense than the uncertain wait for a CHAN allowance from Faz.

With Tana ruled out and Hichani Himoonde also absent due to injury, it leaves Francis Kasonde of Power Dynamos and Zesco United Nyambe Mulenga as Renard’s most internationally experienced hands in defence at CHAN.

Meanwhile, this is the second time Tana’s loyalty to the cause has been questioned.

Early last year, a half-fit Tana missed action at the 2008 Africa cup of Nations in the midst of a national outcry for his inclusion in the final team in a must-he-mustn’t-he situation.

Ex-Zambia coach Patrick Phiri and former Faz president Teddy Mulonga were attacked for dropping a wobbling Tana and whose valuable experience by the duos critics was said to be necessary for Chipolopolo’s seemingly uncertain cause in Ghana.

Am sure Phiri and Mulonga should be feeling a little sense of vindication this time around.

Meanwhile, construction of the multi billion Kwacha 40,000 seater Ndola Stadium is expected to begin in 3 weeks and will take 26 months to complete.

The project will be handled by Anhui Foreign Economic Construction company of China at a cost of US$70 million.

FRA reaps over K2 billion profit from maize exports

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Government has disclosed that the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) made more than K2 billion as profit from maize exports during the 2006/2007 and 2007/2008 crop marketing season.

Agriculture and Cooperative Deputy Minster Albert Mulonga told parliament today that the Agency exported about 246 Metric Tonnes of maize to seven countries in the southern African region.

He named the countries as Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Malawi, Namibia, South Africa and Tanzania.

Mr. Mulonga explained that during the 2006/2007 marketing season, the country exported a total of 60,730 MT of maize valued at K58, 103 billion were as in 2007/2008 season the FRA exported 241,000,64MT at a value of K185, 906 billion.

He also disclosed that during this some period the profits were broken down as K6, 852 billion for 2006/2007 and K2, 696 billion for 2007/2008.

Mr. Mulonga was responding to a question asked by United Party National Development (UPND)’s Luampa Member of Parliament (MP) Mwiya Limata who wanted to know how much profit was made by FRA from maize exports in the following years 2006 ,2007 and 2008 and to which countries .

And Agriculture and Cooperative Minister Brian Chituwo clarified that these exports have nothing to do with current maize shortages in the country.

Dr. Chituwo explained that FRA only exports maize to neighboring countries when the country has enough grains to satisfy the local market.

Dr. Chituwo was answering to a question raised by UNPD Monze central MP Jack Muiimbu who wanted to know why FRA was exporting the staple food when the country does not have enough for the local market.

He said FRA is an Agency mandated by government to safe guard the food reservoirs of the country, adding that it only exports when it has more than enough.

He explained that the reason why FRA exports its surplus it is because it is the only way it raises funds to pay back the small scale farmers that supply maize to the Agency.

The Minster further said that FRA is expected to use some of the profits to improve it storage capacity by rehabilitating and constructing more maize storage facilities across the country.

ZANIS/MM/AM/ENDS

RB welcomes tribunal to probe Siliya

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President Rupiah Banda has welcomed the setting up of a tribunal by Acting Chief Justice Ireen Mambilima to probe allegations leveled against Transport and Communications Minister Dora Siliya.

State House Chief Analyst for Press and Public Relations Dickson Jere confirmed this in a statement released to ZANIS in Lusaka today.

Mr. Banda hoped that all those involved in the ongoing debate would allow the tribunal established under the Ministerial and Parliamentary code of conduct to conduct its work in a professional manner.

He said he has since written to the Acting Chief Justice informing her that he had instructed the Secretary to the Treasury to make financial provisions for the tribunal’s operations.

“I wish to say that I am happy that the tribunal has been constituted and I am confident that justice will prevail,” President Banda said.

The President has also since appealed to all Zambians to refrain from making comments, which could be prejudicial on the matter as it is now before a competent tribunal.

He said the nation should wait for the final verdict of the tribunal after conducting its proceedings.

ZANIS/AJN/AM/ENDS

Rabid dog victims in Itezhi tezhi rises

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The number of people bitten by a suspected rabid dog in Masemu compound in Itezhi-tezhi district of Southern Province has risen to 22. According to Itezhi-tezhi police and the District hospital, the number of people that have been bitten by the dog has increased from 7 to 22 sending panic in the local people who are now living in fear of the rabid dog.

Bernard Kawenga, one of the victims, said that he was bitten by the dog on Wednesday as he was coming from visiting a friend in Masemu compound.Mr Kawenga said his waist has been severely hurt by dog bites.He said that he could not be given medicine at the Itezhi-tezhi district hospital because the drug is unavailable at the hospital.

However, he disclosed that he has since started the treatment doses bought from Mumbwa following a K300, 000 donation made by fellow marketeers.

When contacted by ZANIS for comment, Itezhi-tezhi district hospital authorities said that the hospital has no medicine for dog bites adding that all those affected have been referred to buy the medicine from Mumbwa at K300, 000.

Itezhi-tezhi District MMD chairperson who had his relatives bitten by the dog has appealed to the District Veterinary office and the police to hunt and kill the dog before many people are bitten by it.
He said that 22 people who have been bitten cannot afford to buy medicine at K300, 000 from Mumbwa.

He said that presence of the dog in Masemu Compound has created fear and panic among parents as they feared to send children to school because of fear of being bitten by the dog.

“We appeal to the veterinary department to hunt the dog that is terrorizing people in Masemu compound ,the dog started biting people on Monday and yet the police and the veterinary department have not yet killed the dog and it is equally biting other dogs” he said.

On Tuesday this week, seven people were severely bitten by a suspected rabid dog in Chibloya and Masemu compound.

ZANIS/ENDS/FM/CLM.

Late Bob Litana granted a State Funeral

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President Rupiah Banda has declared a State Funeral for the late Bob Litana, a former Cabinet Minister and Member of the Central Committee in the United National Independence Party, UNIP.

Secretary to the Cabinet, Joshua Kanganja, in a statement released to ZANIS in Lusaka today, explained that the move is in recognition of the distinguished service of late Litana rendered to the nation.

Dr. Kanganja said the late Mr. Litana, who died yesterday, the 19th of February, would be buried on Sunday 22nd February in Ndola at his farm near Fiwale Mission.

Dr. Kanganja directed that all flags should fly at half mast and public functions of an entertainment nature should be postponed or cancelled.

ENDS/AC/AM/ZANIS

Citizen calls for land audit

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A senior citizen has called on Government to budget for the total Zambian land audit in the next budget so that Zambia could plan effectively on its land utilization for productivity.

Mr. Humphrey Ngulube told ZANIS in Ndola today that it was important for Government to institute a land audit with the help of donors for effective planning.

He said the nation needed to know the amount of land that was idle, partially being used and effectively being used.

He said it was important also to know the soil types and how they could best be utilised in fighting poverty through food production.

Mr. Ngulube added that there was need to ascertain the total useful land hectarage as a country, province by province which should further be broken into districts.

He said there was a lot of land between towns and provinces which was either idle or under utilised and the amounts of this land was not yet on Government books.

Mr. Ngulube advised that it should be public information on how much land was in reserve forests, game areas and traditional hands so that the national planning process for development should capture the whole picture.

He said if Government had on its books the total land which was not being utilised, it could be easy to direct and redirect investments coming from outside to needy areas.

He proposed that land audit should also become a periodic Government exercise like the taking of population census so that after every ten years, the nation needed to have current data on the actual land use.

ZANIS/CN/EML/ENDS

Pictures of the week

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AN unidentified job seeker displaying a placard along Church road in Lusaka
AN unidentified job seeker displaying a placard along Church road in Lusaka
BABY Faith Mwape recuperating at the University Teaching Hospital after surgery last month
BABY Faith Mwape recuperating at the University Teaching Hospital after surgery last month
MUFULIRA MP Majory Masiye spotted at Parliament speaking on the phone
MUFULIRA MP Majory Masiye spotted at Parliament speaking on the phone

KABWATA MP Given Lubinda and his counpertpart from Munali at the Supreme Court after filing in a petition against Dora Siliya's alleged ministerial misconduct
KABWATA MP Given Lubinda and his counpertpart from Munali at the Supreme Court after filing in a petition against Dora Siliya's alleged ministerial misconduct

MUNALI MP Mumbi Phiri spotted at the Supreme Court
MUNALI MP Mumbi Phiri spotted at the Supreme Court

VICE president George Kunda with Dora Siliya addressing a press briefing in Lusaka on the sale of ZAMTEL
VICE president George Kunda with Dora Siliya addressing a press briefing in Lusaka on the sale of ZAMTEL
PF youths matching along Independence avenue
PF youths matching along Independence avenue
PF cadres
PF cadres
PF cadres singing party songs
PF cadres singing party songs
FINANCE minister Situmbeko Musokotwane making a presentation when he appeared before the parliamentary committee on estimates
FINANCE minister Situmbeko Musokotwane making a presentation when he appeared before the parliamentary committee on estimates
THE shortage of mealie-meal has continued to bite in Lusaka and other areas. Here Lusaka residents mob a National Milling Corporation outlet for the commodity
THE shortage of mealie-meal has continued to bite in Lusaka and other areas. Here Lusaka residents mob a National Milling Corporation outlet for the commodity

LT Update

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This is to let all our visitors know that the lusakatimes.com website will not be available from midnight Zambia time to facilitate a major upgrade of the website.

We hope to bring up the site by Saturday afternoon or earlier if all goes well. We anticipate teething problems after the upgrade as this is a major upgrade we shall be doing. That explains why we have chosen Friday night to give us enough time in case things wrong. We hope the ample weekend time will enable us to have the site back to 70% operational capacity by Monday morning.

Sincere apologies for any inconvenience this upgrade may cause.

Team LT

KCM retrenches 700 at Nkana

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KONKOLA Copper Mines (KCM) has laid off 700 workers from Nkana Integrated Business Unit smelter in Kitwe, company spokesperson Raul Kharkar confirmed yesterday.

He said the decision to shut down the smelter was purely technical.
Mr Kharkar said the reason behind the shutting down of the Nkana smelter was that the company had started using its newly constructed smelter, which was put up at a cost of US $370 million.

“Yes I can confirm that the Nkana smelter has been shut down but right now I am in Lusaka so I don’t have the exact figure of the affected employees although I know that it’s between 600 and 700,” Mr Kharkar said.

The KCM spokesperson said the company had, however, absorbed some of the miners that had lost their jobs at the Nkana smelter into the newly constructed one.

And National Union of Miners and Allied Workers (Numaw) national secretary, Goodwell Kaluba said in a separate interview that a number of people at the smelter was given retrenchment letters.
[Times of Zambia]

I was not coerced to support govt , Traditional Ruler

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CHIEF Siachitema of Kalomo has refuted recent media reports that he was coerced by southern province minister

Daniel Munkombwe to issue statements in support of government’s move of evicting over 8,500 settlers of Sichifulo game management area (GMA) of Kazungula district.

Chief Siachitema denied of having informed United Party for National Development (UPND) Parliamentarian that he was coerced into issuing a statement in support of government over the removal of settlers in the GMA.

He added that the Province Minister did not send a vehicle to pick from together with other chiefs as alleged by the Parliamentarian.

He said utterances by a named parliamentarian from Southern Province may deteriorate working relations between civic leaders and chiefs

“That is another statement from him not for me, I didn’t say anything to him and I challenge him to come and substantiate his statement,” Siachitema said

The Chief maintained that people should not be allowed back in Sichifulo game management area.

over 8,500 squatters which consisted 72 villages commonly known as the ‘Nduzya community’ were evicted last October after defying several Zambia Wildlife Authority
(ZAWA) director general, Lewis Siawana’s orders to relocate.

67 villages were in chief Nyawa’s area of Kazungula while three fell under the chiefdom of Siachitema of Kalomo district.

The Sichifulo game management area was established in 1941 by the evicted squatters who encroached in it claiming they were given the pieces of land by the two chiefs
in 1985.

Three UPND parliamentarians last week walked out from the chambers at parliament following Tourism minister Catherine Namugala’s sentiments that the Sichifulo GMA settlers had been evacuated to pave way for game safari hunting and photographic tourism.

ZANIS/MM/MKM/ENDS

MMCI donates goods worth K50 million

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The Maureen Mwanawasa Community Initiative (MMCI) today donated assorted items to three Non – Governmental Organisation (NGO) amounting to K50 Million.

The three groups are Livingstone Women Make Difference (LIWOMADI), People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and Kafushi High School.

MMCI Executive Director Miriam Nkunika said the organization would continue supporting the needy in society as long as it has sufficient resources..

And receiving the donation on behalf of the three groups, Kafubu High School Head Teacher, Kennedy Mweene called upon the MMCI to continue the good work of helping the needy in the country

Meanwhile, LIWOMADI representative, Charity Mulenga also commended the MMCI for the wonderful work it was doing for the community.

And a participant in the HIV/AIDS herbal remedies Ester Lingele called upon other NGO’s to emulate what the MMCI has done adding that it has always been there for the needy in society.

ZANIS/AJN/MKM/ENDS

Power Lose Kombe Case

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Fifa has ruled that South African club Lamontville Golden Arrows have a legitimate claim over Zambia international striker Francis Kombe that was disputed by his former side Power Dynamos.

Fifa director of legal affairs Marco Villiger said in an official letter to Faz dated February 10, 2009 that Kombe was a bona fide player of Golden Arrows.

Kombe moved to Golden Arrows last October after his contract with Power expired four months earlier in June.

However, the player continued to feature for Power thereafter while out of contract and enjoyed all club benefits prior to his controversial departure to South Africa as a free agent.

“From the correspondence submitted to us, we have duly taken note of your disappointment with respect to the alleged non-respect of the applicable provisions for the registration of players with the affiliated clubs by the South African Football Association (Safa), and in particular from your request to declare illegal the transfer of Francis Kombe,” Villiger said.

“In this respect, it appears from the documentation submitted to our services that the said player is not contractually bound to your affiliated club, Power Dynamos, anymore and that his career in South Africa after the expiry of the employment contract signed with the aforementioned club.

“Thus, it appears that we are not in a position to support your request due to the lack of legitimate interest of legal protection.”

However, Villiger warned Safa for issuing Kombe clearance to play for Golden Arrows and that it was the duty of Faz, and not Safa in this instance, to have released the players International Transfer Certificate (ITC) before featuring for the South African club should have come from Faz.

“Yet and by copy of this fax, we would like to remind Safa that according to article 1 paragraph 1 of annexe 3 of the regulation on the status and transfer of players (hereafter regulations), players shall not be eligible to play for a club affiliated to a different association unless an ITC has been issued by the former association and received by the new association in accordance with the provisions of this annexe,” Villiger said.

“Equally, we would like to underline that the adherence to the applicable provisions is of paramount importance.”

2009 Samuel Zoom Ndholvu Charity Shield Semifinals Fixtures
28/02/2009

Nkoloma Stadium, Lusaka

Zesco United- Red Arrows

Trade Fair Grounds, Ndola

Lusaka Dynamos – Power Dynamos

Final

07/03/2009

Venue: TBA

Parley hears need for 50%+1 vote in 2011 polls

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Opposition Patriotic Front, Bangweulu Member of Parliament, Joseph Kasongo, today argued in Parliament that Zambia should adopt the 50 per cent + one vote requirement in the 2011 Presidential elections.

Mr Kasongo is of the view that the country should adopt the absolute majority vote requirement for the winning Presidential candidate as a measure of securing his endorsement as republican President from the people.

Mr. Kasongo said since 2001, the country has been subjected to a minority leadership, because of the present ‘First Pass the post’ system.

Contributing to debate on estimates of revenue and expenditure for the Office of the President, Mr. Kasongo said 50 per cent + one system should be embraced in order for the country to enhance its democracy.

He contended that a President, who wins an election through majority vote, would have less critics hence could concentrate more on development issues than mere politicking.

He advised that Zambia should learn from other African countries like Ghana, that have succeeded in using the 50 per cent + one vote system for winning Presidents.

He, further, cautioned that there should be a distinction between a political party president and a Head of State because a head of state embraces people from different sections of society irrespective of political differences.

And Mr. Kasongo said the First lady should not enjoy any executive powers because doing so undermines the full operation of cabinet.

He maintained that the First Lady should strictly focus at her role as spouse of the republican President.

Mbabala UPND MP, Emmanuel Hichipuka, bemoaned the continued depreciation of the Kwacha against the United States Dollar.

Mr. Hachipuka charged that the continued depreciation of the kwacha could derail investor confidence and worsen the effects of the global economic recession on the country.

Sinda FDD MP, Joseph Ngoma, regretted that the State House is under threat due to the move by second republican Fredrick Chiluba to temper with security measures designed for the interest of the President and the nation as a whole.

In his debate, Mr. Ngoma submitted that government should consider construct another State House, to prove for the establishment of new security measures that would not easily be compromised.

Earlier, Vice President, George Kunda, said President Rupiah Banda has exhibited leadership qualities of deliver the required development in all sectors of the economy.

Mr. Kunda said the Office of President has exhibited good governance through the executive powers vested on the past and current Presidents.

He has appealed to all Zambians to embrace and respect President Banda adding that Zambia has seen economic development amid the global melt-down.

ZANIS/KC/ENDS/SJK

Acting Chief Justice to set up a tribunal to probe Siliya

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Silaya
Silaya
Acting Chief Justice, Ireen Mambilima, is to set up a tribunal to probe the awarding of contracts to two foreign firms by Transport and Communications Minister, Dora Siliya.

One firm is supposed to evaluate assets of ZAMTEL, while the other is expected to install a Zambia Air Traffic Management Surveillance Radar System at Lusaka and Livingstone international airports.

Justice Mambilima has written to President, Rupiah Banda, notifying him of her intention to appoint a tribunal to probe Ms Siliya.

Justice Mambilima has also written to speaker of the national assembly, Amusaa Mwanamwambwa, on the same matter.

She says the tribunal will be set up as soon as logistics are put in place.

This is contained in a letter to former Transport and Communications minister, William Harrington, dated February 18th 2009, and made available to ZNBC News.

Mr. Harrington petitioned Justice Mambilima to constitute a tribunal to probe recent reports indicating that Ms Siliya had awarded contracts to two firms, without following laid down rules.

And Mr. Harrington says the public should now avoid making comments on the matter and allow an independent and competent body to do its work.

In his petition, Mr. Harrington alleged that Ms. Siliya breached the Parliamentary and Ministerial Code of Conduct Act when awarding the contracts in question

/ZNBC/NEWS

Civil society groups mount pressure on Siliya probe

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NINE civil society organisations (CSOs) have petitioned the chief justice to consider setting up a tribunal to probe Communications and Transport Minister, Dora Siliya for alleged abuse of authority and failure to follow prescribed tender procedures.

The CSOs allege in a letter addressed to the chief justice filed in the Supreme Court registry yesterday that Ms Siliya abused her official position on three allegations of corruption, abuse of authority and failure to follow prescribed tender procedures.

The organisations said in the first instance, the minister on December 22, 2008 signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with RP Capital Partners on behalf of the Government, disregarding legal advice from the Attorney Generals’ chambers.

They said in the second count, Ms Siliya is alleged to have overruled the Zambia National Tender Board (ZNTB) and cancelled a duly awarded contract for the supply, delivery, installation and commissioning of a Zambia Air Traffic Management Surveillance Radar system (ZATM-RADAR) at Lusaka and Livingstone airports.

In the third instance, the CSOs allege that Ms Siliya claimed a K12.5 million refund from Petauke District Council for two hand pumps for a borehole in Nyika ward when the pumps were procured at K5 million.

“We bring this allegation to your attention for action under the law by your good office to constitute a tribunal as provided under section 14 of the aforementioned Act to probe the allegations,” reads part of the petition.

The nine CSOs include Transparency International Zambia (TIZ), the Southern African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (Saccord), the Citizens’ Forum and the Foundation for Democratic Process (Fodep).

The rest are Women for Change (WfC), Civil Society for Trade Network, Civil Society for Poverty Reduction (CSPR), Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) and the Zambian Youths Association Against Corruption.

The petition by the CSOs follows a similar one by former Communication and Transport minister, William Harrington.
[Times of Zambia]

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