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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

MMD on “fact finding mission”

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MMD acting president Michael Mabenga addressing journalists during a press briefing in Lusaka
MMD acting president Michael Mabenga addressing journalists during a press briefing in Lusaka

The MMD has suspended elections in the lower organs of the party with effect from today until the completion of a scheduled countrywide fact-finding mission by the party’s national leadership on some current challenges.
MMD acting president, Michael Mabenga said in a statement in Lusaka yesterday that there would be no elections at various levels of the party until the fact-finding mission was completed.
Mr Mabenga said the party was facing a different set of challenges which needed to be addressed and that following consultation with some senior members of the party, it was proposed that the national executive committee should send members on a fact-finding mission to all the districts and provinces in the country.
“In the meantime and while the above exercise will be going on, all planned elections at the lower levels of the party are being suspended as from December 15, 2008, until the fact-finding exercise is completed,” he said.
He said that following the death of party president Levy Mwanawasa, it had become clear that the party was now facing organisational and political challenges which needed to be identified by the party at all administration levels.
“In view of the above, I have had to make consultations with some senior members of our party and a decision was reached that a motion be brought before the national executive committee to be called soon, so as to send teams to receive submissions from party members and interested groups regarding the concern above,” he said.
He called on all leaders and party members to remain united and support various programmes going on for the betterment of the MMD.
“I wish to announce to all our party organs in the country that all leaders and party members must continue supporting the on-going party leadership renewal exercise launched in January 2008 by the late president Mwanawasa,” he said.
Mr Mabenga said that party unity should prevail at all levels and called for shared responsibility in victory and in challenges, saying no single member should be left to bear any burden on behalf of the party.
“As the exercise is going on, I would like to call for total unity in the party in a spirit of mutual support for the work of various organs of the MMD to succeed.
“I want to emphasise that no single person or office should be left to bear the total burden of the party whether in moments of success or negative challenges. We need to move together and not undermine each other,” he said.
Times of Zambia

Govt will be held responsible – Kashikishi residents(updated)

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Acting Nchelenge District Commissioner Wilson Kasoloko has warned of a disaster in Kashikishi area if the huge gully that has formed on the Queens road was not buried immediately.

Mr. Kasoloko said his office has started receiving threats from Kashikishi residents that government will be held responsible for any catastrophe that might occur as a result
of the gully.

He has  appealed to the Road Development Agency (RDA) to quickly repair the road to reverse a precarious situation laying on the road.

Mr. Kasoloko told ZANIS that his office has since 2006 received several promises from RDA that the gully would be worked but nothing had been done to date.

He said the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) should consider intervening in the matter before lives were lost.

“ Its seems the RDA has failed to work on the road but  what is painful is that if this road was worked on in 2006,  government  would have just spent a few millions of  Kwacha but because of delays, it will now cost government billions of Kwacha,” Mr. Kasoloko said.

Mr. Kasoloko said several houses and shops near the gully are faced with the risk of either collapsing or being washed away if the road was not worked on urgently.

He said the gully has become a threat to human life especially children living around the area.

The visibly disturbed Mr. Kasoloko said over the years, a number of houses, some of them belonging to government have collapsed as a direct result of the gully.

ZANIS/ESM/CM/KSH/ENDS

Demonstrations not biblical – Shikapwasha

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Information and broadcasting minister Ronnie Shikapwasha stresses a point during the BIGOCA graduation ceremony in Lusaka
Information and broadcasting minister Ronnie Shikapwasha stresses a point during the BIGOCA graduation ceremony in Lusaka

The Chief Government spokesperson has taken a swipe at clergy men supporting the planned country wide demonstrations over mealie meal prices.

Ronnie Shikapwasha says it is not biblical for the church to support demonstrations because the bible has no record where these protests are supported.

He was speaking in Lusaka when he officiated at the graduation and ordination ceremony of pastors at the Bible Gospel Church in Africa,BIGOCA.

The minister also called on opposition leaders who are concerned over the rising mealie meal prices to dialogue with Government instead of resorting to demonstrations.

Lieutenant General Shikapwasha who is also Information Minister said demonstrations might turn out to be violent and plunge the nation into chaos.

And BIGOCA overseer Bishop, Peter Ndhlovu, said the church should not be part of any form of demonstrations but provide guidance in solving problems affecting the country.
ZNBC

Protect natural enviroment – Namugala

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Tourism minister Catherine Namugala inspects stacks of confiscated ivory at Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) ofices in Chilanga
Tourism minister Catherine Namugala inspects stacks of confiscated ivory at Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) ofices in Chilanga

Government says it will intensify sensitization campaigns to the public on the importance of preserving forests in the country in order to foster national development.

Tourism, Environmental and Natural Resources Minister, Catherine Namugala, observed that there could be no sustainable development in the country if the natural environment was not protected.

Ms. Namugala said this when she launched the 2008 national tree planting month on the Zambia National Broadcasting Cooperation (ZNBC) in Lusaka today.

The theme for the tree planting period is, “Community participation in tree planting; a key factor in mitigating the effects of climate change for sustainable development”.

She said planting of trees would help reduce global warming, which has been identified as a factor behind climate change, adding that global warming was now a reality that could no longer be denied.

Ms. Namugala warned that if the current use of fossil fuel continued, it might result in further environmental degradation which will have serious environmental consequences.

She said environmental degradation would decrease economic activities especially for the rural population.

She said government has so far put in place intervention measures through the forest reforms, adding that citizens should complement such efforts by planting more trees in their areas.

Ms. Namugala has since called upon the media to help intensify sensitization campaign and ensure citizens were educated on the importance of forests to the environment.

ZANIS/CM/KSH/ENDS

Zimbabwean authorities arrest 2 Zambian officers

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Two Zambian immigration officers from Kariba border post in Siavonga have been arrested by Zimbabwean security authorities at Chirundu border post after they allegedly tried to smuggle fish from that country into Zambia.

The duo is alleged to have tried to escape from that country while transporting several tonnes of fish bought from Zimbabwe.

The two named officers, a Mr. Banda and a Mr. Lunga from Kariba immigration office, were nabbed by Zimbabwe security officers who were manning Chirundu border post in the early hours of Friday.

The officers were allegedly found of possession of 3.6 tonnes of fresh fish, which they dubiously bought from that country and attempted to cross with it into Zambia.

The Zimbabwean government recently imposed a fish ban on the movement of fish from that country to its neighboring countries.

Immigration sources from both Kariba and Chirundu border posts confirmed the arrest of the two named officers to ZANIS in Siavonga today

They said the officers are currently remanded in custody in Zimbabwe’s Karoyi town and are expected to appear in court tomorrow.

The sources disclosed that the two immigration officers were arrested along with three other Zimbabwean security officers, whom they alleged connived with to assist them transport the fish from that country into Zambia.

They further said apart from arresting the two Zambian immigration and three Zimbabwean officers, the security authorities in that country also impounded the truck that was carrying the fish.

When he was contacted for a comment, Kariba border immigration Officer In Charge, Isaac Zimba, could neither confirm nor deny the arrest of his officers saying all he knew was that his officers were absent from the station.
ZANIS/LL/KSH/ENDS

Suspected foreign sex workers ‘invade’ Mazabuka

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Mazabuka district in Southern province has been invaded by commercial sex workers suspected to be from a neighboring country.

The commercial sex workers are reportedly harassing some guests booked at a named guest house in the district.

One of the affected clients Coster Chilala, who did not disclose the name of the guest house at which he is lodging, urged the Immigration Department to quickly move in and protect the Zambians from sexual harassment at the hand of the women.

And another woman, Mary Mbewe, urged the government to seriously protect Zambian women from being ‘robbed of their spouses’.

Mrs. Mbewe said husbands had disappeared from their families and were allegedly being taken care of by the suspected Zimbabwean women.

Investigations by ZANIS have revealed that several Zimbabwean women have allegedly invaded a guest house within the central business district where they are conducting their business.

The investigations have also revealed that most nightclubs were being patronized by the same women.

The Immigration Department has also confirmed receiving the reports about the presence of foreign many women in the district.

The department has since assured residents that everything is being done to protect them.

ZANIS/HC/KSH/ENDS

We can’t increase FSP inputs until next year -RB

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Sylvia Masebo greets President Rupiah Banda after addressing farmers in Chongwe on Fertiliser subsidies
Sylvia Masebo greets President Rupiah Banda after addressing farmers in Chongwe on Fertiliser subsidies

President Rupiah Banda says it will be difficult for government to increase the allocated farming inputs under the Fertilizer Support Program (FSP) in this farming season.

Mr Banda said it was difficult for government to access supplementary fertilizer because the commodity was not locally produced, adding that it was too late to restart procurement procedures.

The President said this in an interview with journalists after he arrived at Chipata airport this morning.

President Banda explained that it would not be easy to access the farming inputs and distribute to farmers on time because the planting season had already begun.

He however expressed confidence that government would increase the allocation of the farming inputs for the 2009/10 farming season.

Chongwe MP Sylvia Masebo addressing farmers in Chongwe

The President also stated that the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) was currently addressing the hunger situation in some parts of Eastern province.

He reiterated that government was committed to addressing the hunger situation in the country and would continue to distribute relief food to needy areas.

Meanwhile Chongwe Member of Parliament Sylvia Masebo  accused companies contracted by government to supply fertilizer under the Fertilizer Support Programme (FSP) of sabotage when they were ordering their depots to close.

Mrs. Masebo said suspending fertilizer distribution when the country was experiencing soaring food prices was sabotaging government.

She said the companies already knew that government would always pay the debts owed to them and therefore, there was no need to suspend the distribution of farming inputs under the FSP.

Mrs. Masebo was speaking in Chongwe district  at the official launch of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) programme in the agriculture sector.

Renard Relieved After CHAN Qualification

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goal!

Herve Renard says it wasn’t easy to win and qualify to next years CHAN
finals in Cote d’Ivoire but is glad the job is done.

Renard said in a post-match interview at Konkola Stadium yesterday
after beating Angola 2-1 to qualify 3-1 on aggregate for the finals to
be held from February 22 to march 8 in Cote d’Ivoire.

“It is always difficult to win 1-0 away against a team like Angola who
were also at the World Cup,” Renard said.

“It was difficult to win today but we are happy we beat Angola but we
have to work very hard now.”

Zambia, who dominated Angola and looked lively led by man-of-the-match
Kennedy Mudenda, took until the final minute of the match to firmly
secure their passage with a late winner even though a draw would have
sufficed.

Lusaka Dynamos midfielder headed in the winner from the near post
after nodding in a long cross from the far left wing from Zesco
United’s Jonas Sakuwaha.

The two teams were level at 1-1 just before the break after Given
Singuluma put Zambia ahead with the opening goal of the match in the
35th minute after he benefited from a fine build-up from Mudenda.

Veteran Angolan striker Love equalized in the 41st minute from the
penalty spot after debutant Emmanuel Mbola from Mining Rangers tackle
from behind inside the box on Job.

Zambia join Libya and Tanzania who also qualified after wins over
Morocco and Sudan respectively on Saturday.

The other four final places are expected too be filled today to join
hosts Cote d’Ivoire at the draws to be conducted on December 26 in
Abidjan.

You did not waste your vote – RB

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President Rupiah Banda receives flowers from seven-year old Abigail Mwale at Chipata airport.
President Rupiah Banda receives flowers from seven-year old Abigail Mwale at Chipata airport.

President Rupiah Banda has told the people of Eastern province that they did not waste their vote in the last presidential by-election.

He said he was humbled by the people of Chipata who looked after him very well when he retired from public service and politics in the early 1990s.

He said this when he arrived for a two day private visit to Chipata today. President Rupiah Banda has also advised Zambians to preoccupy themselves with activities that would promote poverty alleviation and food security in the country.

Speaking earlier, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kabinga Pande said the people of Eastern province voted for Mr. Banda on merit.

Mr. Pande, who is also ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) vice national chairman, said President Banda was a national leader because he was accepted by all Zambians.

He has since challenged the people of Eastern province to assist President Banda govern the country constructively criticizing him and offering developmental solutions.

He lashed out at the opposition PF for calling for protests over high mealie meal prices saying demonstrations were not a solution to the problems the country was experiencing.

Mr. Pande urged Zambians to concentrate on working towards producing more food and a bumper harvest next harvest season.

And Eastern province minister, Isaac Banda said, whilst others were planning to demonstrate, people in his province were busy cultivating so that they could produce a lot of food next year.

Mr. Banda, who congratulated President Banda for his victory in the last presidential by-elections, promised that his province will offer full support to the current administration.

Meanwhile, ruling MMD Eastern province chairman, Kennedy Zulu said the province was happy with government’s Fertiliser Support Programme in the area.

Mr. Zulu however requested President Banda to consider asking for more relief food from the Office of the Vice President in order for all district in the province to benefit.

He also assured President Banda that the party was intact in the province, adding that the Provincial executive committee (PEC) would ensure that the area became a pillar for MMD.

President Banda is accompanied to Eastern province by Mr. Pande and two of his personal friends, Jacob Mwanza, who is former University of Zambia vice chancellor and Mr. Ephraim Mwenda.

The President was met on arrival at Chipata airport this morning by provincial minister, Isaac Banda and other senior government and MMD officials.

President Banda is expected back in Lusaka on Tuesday morning.

ZANIS/CBM/KSH/ENDS.

There is need to revamp Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia, Bishop Mambo

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Chikondi Foundation President, Bishop John Mambo has called on government to device an effective mechanism of revamping the Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia (NCZ) by pumping in more money into the production of fertilizer and other commodities.

He said there was need to revamp the NCZ in order to address the various challenges of the high prices of fertilizer.

Bishop Mambo further urged government to increase beneficiaries of the Fertilizer Support Programme (FSP) from the current 200, 000 to 500,000 with a view to enhancing food security in the country.

He implored government to further subsidise the farming inputs, saying the move will help the country to address many challenges of the global financial crisis.

Bishop Mambo has since challenged government to position Zambia as the world’s leading sustainable agriculture producer which could only be achieved through government and the public private sector cooperation.

Bishop Mambo has also called on government to implement the irrigation fund facility which was launched last year by the late President Levy Mwanawasa.

Bishop Mambo said that if the irrigation fund facility was implemented, it would play an important role of promoting food security and alleviating hunger and poverty in the country.

He observed that the move to implement the irrigation fund facility would also enable farmers to avoid depending on seasonal rains to grow their food but it would also encourage them to grow winter foods.

ZANIS/TK/KSH/ENDS

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