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Fight gender-based violence – Booth

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US ambassador to Zambia David Booth with Zambia Institute of Legal Education director Ngosa Simbyakula in Lusaka
US ambassador to Zambia Donald Booth with Zambia Institute of Legal Education director Ngosa Simbyakula in Lusaka

United States (US) Ambassador to Zambia Donald Booth has praised the Zambian government for taking necessary steps to fight gender-based violence.

Ambassador Booth said there is need for any country to address the gender-based violence adding that it has a negative impact on the development of the nation.

Speaking when he officiated the opening of a three-day workshop for prosecutors in Lusaka today, Ambassador Booth said prosecutors should take it upon themselves to ensure that gender-based violence victims are protected by prosecuting offenders of the vice.

The workshop which is organized the Women’s Justice and Empowerment Initiative in conjunction with US government is focusing at current laws addressing gender based violence, sensitizing victims of gender-based violence and also the importance of prosecuting gender-based violence.

He disclosed that his government will work closely with all law enforcers by providing capacity building for prosecuting offenders of gender-based violence.

He noted that the training which is aimed at impacting prosecution knowledge in participants will be an on going process, adding that it is the only way the issue can be effectively addressed.

And speaking at the some function, Director of Public Prosecutor (DPP) Chalwe Nchenga said the weaknesses in the current laws have led to the increase in the number of gender-based violence incidences.

Mr. Nchenga said many prosecutors in the country lack the capacity to investigate and prosecute gender- based violence cases.

He however, expressed happiness saying the training will go a long way in improving the skills of prosecutors in the country.

He has since appealed to the Ambassador Booth to spread the training other parts of the country, adding that it is the only way better results will be achieved.

The workshop which has attracted legal practitioners from Lusaka is been is being organized by the Women’s Justice and Empowerment Initiative in conjunction with the US government and is focusing at current laws addressing gender based violence, sensitizing victims of gender-based violence and also the importance of prosecuting gender-based violence.

ENDS/MM/AM/ZANIS

The late Emmanuel Kasonde put to rest

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Hundreds of people from all works of life today turned up in large numbers to pay their last respect to the late former Finance Minister Emmanuel Kasonde who was put to rest at his Trent Farm at Malole in Mungwi district.

Defense Minister George Mpombo represented Government during the burial procession which started with a church service at St. John Cathedral in Kasama. Addressing mourners at the burial site in Malole, Mr. Mpombo thanked the people of Northern Province for exhibiting high standards of maturity by not politicizing the funeral of the late Kasonde. Mr. Mpombo said Government was impressed with the dignified manner in which the people of Northern Province had conducted themselves during the funeral adding that this is how it should be.

The Minister said President Rupiah Banda could not hesitate to grant Mr. Kasonde a state funeral in recognition of his distinguished service to the nation during his life time.He appealed to the young generation of serving Public Service workers to emulate Mr. Kasonde’s commitment and dedication to the service of the country.

Speaking earlier, Northern Province Minister Charles Shawa thanked Government for according the late former Finance Minister a state funeral. Mr. Shawa said what government had done was a great honor to the people of Northern Province. He said the Provincial Administration was grateful that Government had honored the request of the Kasonde family to have him put to rest at Mukosa, and not anywhere else.

The family of the late Kasonde equally thanked Government for granting him a state funeral.
And during the church service, Fr. Ignatius Mwebe described the late Kasonde as one who had used his gift in financial matters to help others become self reliant especially the church.
He observed that the late Kasonde was not only an ardent Catholic but also greatly helped the church in financial matter.

The late Kasonde who was the first African Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of labour in the colonial days also served as Finance Minister under Dr. Fredrick Chiluba and the late Dr. Levy Mwanawasa.
He has left behind a widow, three children and eight (8) grandchildren.

Xavier Chungu arrested

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Chungu, surrounded by armed police officers leaving the Lusaka magistrate court
Chungu, surrounded by armed police officers leaving the Lusaka magistrate court

The Task Force on Corruption has said it has sufficient information indicating that the travel document which former Intelligence Director General Xavier Chungu used on his return to Zambia on 3rd December, 2008 is false.

In a press release signed by the Task Force on Corruption  Executive Chairman Maxwell Nkole and availed to the media, it has been stated that the investigations carried out so far has prompted the Task Force to prefer charges of forgery and uttering and possession of false documents in accordance with the provisions of the Penal Code.

The statement further says Mr. Chungu was today formerly arrested at Woodlands Police Station in Lusaka on two counts of forgery and uttering false information, contrary to Sections 342 and 352 of the Penal Code Cap 87 of the laws of Zambia and will appear in court soon.

The Press release further states that it likely that the Prosecutors will prefer more charges on the indictment.

Government hasn’t spent that much on NCC – Kunda

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Vice president George Kunda talking to journalist during a briefing in Lusaka
Mr Kunda with the government yellow book during a briefing in Lusaka

Government has disclosed that it has only spent K44 billion out of the K309 billion which was budgeted for in the yellow book for this year’s constitution review process.

Vice President George Kunda said at a press briefing in Lusaka today that government has spent K44 billion on the various activities of the constitution review process contrary to remarks made by the opposition Patriotic Front Leader Michael Sata that it had spent K400 billion on this year’s constitution review process.

He said government would further need an additional amount of K5 billion to carter for other constitution review activities up to the run-up of this year.

Mr. Kunda said that it was sad that some sections of the society were accusing government of over spending resources on the constitution review process when it had only utilized K 44 billion on the constitutional activities.

He said government had devised a mechanism aimed at rationalizing government expenditure with a view to responding to the challenges of the global economic and financial crisis and soaring mealie-meal prices and other essential commodities.

The Vice President further said that government had decided to withdraw from the race of hosting the All African Games in order to ensure that resources which were meant for the programme were channeled to other development programmes such as the Fertilizer Support Programme (FSP).

Mr Kunda listening to questions from journalists during a briefing in Lusaka
Mr Kunda listening to questions from journalists during a briefing in Lusaka

He explained that if Zambia had hosted the All African Games its was going to spend over K800 billion in hosting the event, a situation he said was going to frustrate government efforts of implementing other development programmes.

Mr. Kunda has since advised the Opposition Patriotic Front (PF) leader Michael Sata to desist from issuing statements that would help him win cheap political mileage.

Government has also developed a contingency Plan aimed at mitigating the effects floods in flood prone districts.

Vice President George Kunda, who announced the development in Lusaka today, said that government had decided to develop a Contingency Plan in order to respond to the various effects of flush floods in the event of an occurrence.

Mr. Kunda, could not state how much the plan was worth. He however said that government was working with other stakeholders in order to ensure that flood victims were taken care of in an event of an occurrence.

He further said that government under the Zambia Vulnerability Assessment Committee (ZAMVAC) has dispatched 14 teams to 34 districts in the country to assess food needs in the targeted areas.

The Vice President also disclosed that a team of Zambia Vulnerability Assessment Committee officials have been dispatched to Monze district to ascertain the gravity of food insecurity in the district.

It has been reported that people in Monze district are living on wild roots.

The Vice President has since assured the nation that government is actively and is continuously assessing the hunger situation and that it is defining other appropriate responses aimed at mitigating the effects of hunger in some parts of the country.

ZANIS/TK/AM/ENDS

Ex DC challenges Sata

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Mr Sata talking to his cadres outside the Supreme Court
Mr Sata talking to his cadres

Former Mazabuka District Commissioner, Misheck Chiinda, has urged Patriotic Front, PF, leader, Michael Sata, to state his position on calls by government to have an indaba over the rising price of meal meal.

Mr Chiinda has also urged the Police service not to take kindly, people agitating violence over the rising price of mealie meal if they are not ready to dialogue with government.

He told ZANIS in Mazabuka today, the rising price of mealie meal has nothing to do with President, Rupiah Banda, and government but the financial crisis dogging the world economies.

Mr Chiinda said the opposition and other members of civil society should instead offer solutions to the government on how to reduce mealie meal prices rather than inciting people to engage in violent activities and rise against government.

Mr Chiinda said while demonstrations are allowed in a democratic state such as Zambia, it would be disastrous for the Police to issue permits to the opposition parties especially the PF which is well known for fanning violence.

He, however, expressed happiness that Mazabuka residents including the PF cadres are against the demonstrations.

Multi billion kwacha dry port project underway in Nakonde

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Construction of a multi billion kwacha dry port at Wulongo in Nakonde district in Northern Province has commenced.

MOFED Tanzania, which is a Zambian company owned by the ministry of Finance and Economic Development is billed to construct a dry port at Wulongo township area at a cost of US$ 10 million.

Nakonde District Commissioner, Edwin Sinyinza, has confirmed the development in an interview with ZANIS in Nakonde today.

Mr Sinyinza said MOFED engineers and technicians are already on site.

Mr Sinyinza added that civil works encompassing administration offices and dry port land clearing is already in progress.

He added that several local contractors have been sub contracted to provide equipment such as bulldozers, graders and other vehicles to supply gravel, river and building sand, and timber as well as to under take civil works.

The project, once completed, would help speed up the handling of both inputs and export cargo at the Nakonde border post.

This project would also expected to impact positively on government revenue base and create employment for local people.

ZANIS/ENDS/JM/SJK

Millers to buy maize from FRA

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Government has agreed to supply maize to copperbelt millers to enable them sell mealie meal at a reduced price.

Agriculture minister, Brian Chituwo, says government received a request from millers to buy maize from the Food Reserve Agency-FRA.

Dr. Chituwo told ZNBC news on Monday that government agreed to sell maize to millers after a meeting last Friday.

He assured the millers on the copperbelt that they will receive the maize as soon as possible.

And Dr. Chituwo revealed that he has received information indicating that some millers were hoarding maize stocks.

The minister appealed to all partners dealing in maize to ensure that they cooperate with government to ensure sufficient supply of maize on the market.
ZNBC

Government assures the nation

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VICE president George Kunda arrives at the disaster management and mitigation unit to receive relief donations from the Nigerian government
VICE president George Kunda

Vice President George Kunda has assured the nation that government will not spare any efforts to mitigate the hunger being experienced in the country.

Mr. Kunda says government through his office has devised an effective mechanism aimed at mitigating hunger in the country.

The Vice President told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that his office has since dispatched a team of inspectors to ascertain the extent of hunger cited in some parts of the country.

Mr. Kunda further disclosed that he will today issue a comprehensive statement regarding to the extent of hunger in the country.

The Vice President has since called on Zambians to concentrate on growing more food rather than resorting to holding demonstrations saying that the escalating of mealie-meal prices and other essential commodities were a global challenge.

Mr. Kunda said growing more food was a measure aimed at addressing the various challenges of soaring mealie-meal prices and other essential commodities that the country was facing.

Muteteka faces an insubordination charge – Teta

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MMD Chisamba member of Parliament (MP) Moses Muteteka faces an insubordination charge over his ill remarks  alleging that President Rupiah Banda’s admission that Zambia is facing problems is a sign of leadership failure as published in one of the daily tabloids.

Briefing journalists in Lusaka yesterday, MMD Spokesperson Benny Tetamanshimba said MMD National Chairman Michael Mabenga has with immediate effect directed MMD National Secretary Dr. Katele Kalumba to charge the Chisamba MP and ordinary member of the party, Moses Muteteka for under-mining the party communication channels.

According to Mr. Tetamanshimba, MMD National Chairman and Acting Party President Michael Mabenga has further directed MMD Deputy National Chairman Kabinga Pande to call a Committee to look at the charge letter and report to the National Executive Committee (NEC), the highest organ of the MMD party.

Mr. Tetamanshimba stated that Mr. Mabenga not taken kindly the sentiments of Mr. Muteteka because the MP is fully aware of a forum through which he can express his feelings on the governance of the MMD party.

He said Mr. Muteteka should have expressed his feeling through the MMD caucus meeting where political issues are discussed as well as the parliamentary Liaison Committee with the Head of State emphasizing that President Rupiah Banda was duly elected and voted for by the Zambian people to lead this country, Zambia.

Mr. Muteteka is quoted as having said that leaders are there to create hope, confidence and trust to the citizens because the Zambians  are waiting for solutions from the government of the day to solve the country’s problems.

President Banda courts special envoy

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President Rupiah Banda with South African special envoy Reverend Frank Chikani after private talks at Mushroom Lodge in Mfuwe
President Rupiah Banda with South African special envoy Reverend Frank Chikani after private talks at Mushroom Lodge in Mfuwe

President Rupiah Banda yesterday held talks with a special envoy of South African President Kgalema Motlanthe, regarding the humanitarian problems prevailing in Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

President Banda met South Africa’s Cabinet Secretary, Reverend Frank Chikane at Mushroom Lodge in Mfuwe where Rev. Chikane delivered a special message from President Motlanthe on the situation in Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Those in attendance of the closed door meeting were Zambia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Kabinga Pande and Minister of Health Kapembwa Simbao, while the South African delegation included Dr. Ayanda Ntsaluba, Director General of Foreign Affairs and Mr. Joy Ratheba, a Presidential Chief Analyst for International Relations and Trade.

The South African envoy was in Zambia to consult President Banda in his capacity as a member of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Troika which has been involved in trying to find a lasting solution to the problems prevailing in Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

In a press statement issued by State House Chief Analyst for Press and Public Relations Dickson Jere, President Banda said Zambia will support the humanitarian initiative by SADC on Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The South African delegation later left Zambia for the Democratic Repulic of Congo for similar talks.

FTJ returns from medical review in South Africa

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Second republican president Frederick Chiluba and his brother Lukwesa Mulobeka listen to his wife Regina when he arrived from medical review in South Africa
Second republican president Frederick Chiluba and his brother Lukwesa Mulobeka listen to his wife Regina when he arrived from medical review in South Africa

Second President, Fredrick Chiluba, has returned from South Africa where he went for a medical review over his heart problem two weeks ago.

Dr. Chiluba, who arrived aboard a  South African commercial flight at about 14:00 hours in the accompany of his wife Regina and his spokesperson Emmanuel Mwamba, was met at  Lusaka International airport by family members and his supporters.

And speaking to journalists shortly after arrival, Dr. Chiluba said his heart condition had tremendously improved after receiving specialist treatment at Morningside Clinic.

Dr. Chiluba said he was grateful to God for sustaining his life adding that, it was encouraging that he was getting better and stronger each day.

He explained that doctors attending to him have expressed satisfaction with his recovery process.

The former president also thanked the Zambian people for praying for him.

Second republican president Frederick Chiluba engaged in prayer at Lusaka international airport when he arrived from South Africa
Second republican president Frederick Chiluba engaged in prayer at Lusaka international airport when he arrived from South Africa

Meanwhile Dr.Chiluba said the current economic challenges Zambia was facing were inevitable because the global economic meltdown was affecting all the countries.

He said it was unfortunate that the beginning of the economic crunch in Wall Street in America later spread to other countries and has eventually become a global crisis leading into profit losses and job cuts in some companies.

Dr. Chiluba however hoped that President Rupiah Banda’s government was working towards finding measures to mitigate the impact of the crisis.

He has since called on Zambians to understand that the situation was global.

He explained that there was little that the government could do to avoid the current economic hardships apart from finding solutions to it.

Meanwhile, the second republican President has said he is willing to advise President Banda on the global financial crisis challenges Zambia was currently facing.

He said it would be disrespectful for him as a former head of state to advise the incumbent on challenges facing the country through the media, adding that President Banda was free to approach him on any issues in privacy.

And Dr. Chiluba has said he would continue to dialogue with government over the land allocation for the construction of his retirement house.

This follows his refusal to suggestions by the government to allocate him alternative land other than his preferred Baobab area in Lusaka’s Makeni area.

Dr. Chiluba explained that government passed a law when he was still President that allows a former head of state to have their retirement house built in an area of their choice.

And Dr. Chiluba has extended a message of condolences to the family of the late former Finance Minister, Emmanuel Kasonde who died on Friday last week.

Dr. Chiluba described the late leader as an intellectual and hard working man who saved the country as public worker for a long time.

ZANIS/CM/MM/KSH/ENDS

Hundreds mourn Kasonde

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Lusaka Archbishop Telesphore Mpundu leading proceedings during the requiem mass for the late former finance minister Emmanuel kasonde in Lusaka
Lusaka Archbishop Telesphore Mpundu leading proceedings during the requiem mass for the late former finance minister Emmanuel kasonde in Lusaka

Hundreds of mourners gathered at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Lusaka on Monday to pay their last respects to former Finance Minister, Emmanuel Kasonde, who died last Friday.

The requiem mass was also attended by dignitaries who included first Republican President, Kenneth Kaunda.

President Rupiah Banda was represented by defense minister, George Mpombo.

Also present were Patriotic Front leader, Michael Sata, and UPND president, Hakainde Hichilema.

Mr. Kasonde will be buried in Kasama on Tuesday.

Speaking during the church service Former Lusaka Archbishop, Merdado Mazombwe described Mr. Kasonde as a strong Catholic, and a humble and dedicated leader.

And Dr. Kaunda described Mr. Kasonde as a giant in financial matters.

ZNBC

Former Finance Minister, Ngandu Magande, said Mr Kasonde had set good financial policies which he adopted when he became finance minister.

Cholera is under control

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Government says the Cholera epidemic in the country has been contained.

Health deputy minister, Mwendoi Akakandwelwa, says the situation is under control with only a few cases in Lusaka.

Mr. Akakandelwa says all the cholera patients in Luapula, Southern and Northern provinces have been discharged from centers after receiving treatment.

He says some of the cholera treatment centres that had been set up in Luapula and Northern Provinces have now been closed.

The deputy minister told ZNBC news that Lusaka has 19 cholera cases with the majority being admitted to Kanyama health centre.

Mr. Akakandelwa said more than one hundred cholera patients have been treated in the past two months.

Nine people have died from cholera in Zambia, since it broke out in September this year.
ZNBC

Govt works on strategy

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Government is in the process of developing a bio fuel strategy which will outline blending points for the commodity.

Energy permanent secretary, Peter Mumba, says government is also in the process of prioritizing the energy bio fuel sector

Mr. Mumba says his ministry is also considering offering incentives to investors in the sector.

He was speaking at the second bio fuel conference in Lusaka.

The three day conference is aimed at addressing policy and regulatory frame work of bio fuels in the country.

Issues of food security and the environment are key on the agenda at the conference.

And Energy deputy minister, Lameck Chibombamilimo, said Zambia has the potential of becoming the leading producer of bio fuels.

And United Nations Development Programme country director, Viola Morgan, said Zambia’s efforts towards meeting targets of the Millennium Development Goals will depend on developments in the energy sector.
ZNBC

Councilors threaten violence over food

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Some ward councilors in Gwembe have threatened violence if the government does not immediately address the critical hunger situation in the district.

And some unscrupulous traders have taken advantage of the hunger situation in the district by demanding for a cow, in exchange for five bags of maize.

Speaking when a team of officials from the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) under the Office of the Vice President paid a courtesy call on  him, Acting District Commissioner Mathias Fundi said some civic leaders have threatened to burn down government infrastructure in the area.

Mr. Fundi said  the people think by doing so, they would press government to provide food.

He told the DMMU officials that the hunger situation was very a serious.

Mr. Fundi said  according to the hunger assessment carried out by a team of DMMU officials, the situation in Gwembe was serious, adding that hunger has since affected all wards in the district..

“The situation is critical, I even received a team of ward councilors who came to my office and threatened to burn houses of government officers if government does not heed to their calls to have the hunger situation addressed,” he said.

Mr. Fundi implored the visiting team of DMMU officials to ensure that they carry out an extensive survey and compile conclusive results that would show the real situation on the ground.

And district co-operatives officer, Emmanuel Mulenga, said the food that was currently available in the district was inadequate.

He added that the 600 bags of maize sourced from the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) in August this year have all been sold out.

“Only 10 per cent of those affected benefited from the sale of maize by FRA and the maize was all sold out within a space of two weeks”, Mr. Mulenga said.

He also observed that the ban on livestock movement has compounded the hunger situation in the district especially that most households were depending on the sale of small ruminants such as goats, pigs, and poultry to buy food.

“The stock movement ban has given rise to illegal movement of animals, from Gwembe district to Turnpike in Kafue through Mazabuka for slaughter, people have resorted to illegal movement of animals as a means of survival,” he noted.

Mr. Mulenga also disclosed that the escalating maize prices has seen the reduction in the  number of meals per day for most rural households to only one meal per day, adding that some people have even resorted to eating porridge.

He also pointed out that some unscrupulous traders, mostly from neighbouring Mazabuka, have taken advantage of the escalating maize prices and hunger situation in Gwembe.

He said the traders were exchanging one cow for five 50 kilometers bags of maize.

“Some unscrupulous traders from Mazabuka are giving the local people five bags of maize in exchange for a cow,” he said.

Mr. Mulenga disclosed that a bucket of maize was selling at K35, 000 as compared to the same time last year when the commodity was selling at K20, 000.

And the team leader from the DMMU, Nyambe Namakando, assured the Acting District Commissioner that the team would carry out a rapid food security assessment on the effects of the floods in the last rain season and compile a conclusive report in order to source for help for those affected.

Meanwhile, a check by ZANIS in Chamwe ward revealed that most people were depending on wild fruits such as Masuku and Matondo, while some families have resorted to eating porridge as a way of rationing on the limited maize stocks available.

And a similar check in Syampande ward revealed that most people were surviving on wild seeds locally known as sozwe, which is cooked for three days before it could be eaten because it is said to be highly poisonous.
ZANIS/MZ/KSH/ENDS

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