The kwacha has continued to post a depreciation against the United States dollar on the local market.
This is despite the currency recording an appreciation against the U.S dollar in the first week of November.
The Kwacha is now trading between K3,500 and K4,100.
A random check by ZNBC Business news in some bureau de change outlets, found a dollar buying at K4,250 and selling at K4,450.
A British pound was selling at K6,400 and buying at K6,200 respectively.
[ZNBC]
A comprehensive study to expand the city of Lusaka is underway.
The Zambian government is currently working with cooperating partners to find best ways of implementing the project
The study is dubbed ‘Urban Development Master Plan for Lusaka’.
Government with the support from cooperating partners is currently getting views from the public on how to formulate the plan.
The plan also seeks to improve water supply and urban transportation among other things.
On Monday the Ministry of Local Government, Lusaka City Council and Japan International Cooperation Agency-JICA opened an exhibition at Nakatindi Hall to get opinions from the general public.
A check by ZNBC News in Lusaka found placards of several alternative plans for the expansion of the city outlined at various points.
According to statistics conducted in 2005, the population of Lusaka was estimated at 1 point 8 million.
The study which started in 2007 is expected to be completed in March next year.
[ZNBC]
A 53-year-old Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) Official yesterday narrated in the Nchelenge Magistrate’s Court how some suspected Patriotic Front (PF) cadres showered unprintables at her together with President Rupiah Banda on 1st November this year.
Diana Mulenga, a resident of Shinjoni Village in Nchelenge, told the court presided over by Magistrate Fred Musaka that on the material day a group of youths chanting PF slogans also threatened to cut off her legs if the then MMD Presidential candidate, Rupiah Banda, won the elections.
This is in a case where nine suspected PF cadres have been charged with conduct likely to cause a breach of peace contrary to Section 178 Sub Section (F) Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.
Particulars of the offence are that, while acting together and without lawful authority, on 1st November this year, the nine accused men did act in a manner likely to cause a breach of peace at Kashikishi old market.
Ms Mulenga, who is MMD Nchelenge Constituency Chairperson said the youths, who started chanting “No Sata no peace” also stoned her restaurant and the warehouse from where she sales soft drinks.
She, however, could only identified one Albert Kopa, who she said was the leader of the group, adding that she heard him saying Kashikishi residents were timid by fearing the police instead of throwing stones.
“I even heard him say that if the MMD was to win, his group was going to start a war, torch houses and go to the street to start throwing stones,” Ms Mulenga said.
But during cross examinations by the accused, Ms Mulenga conceded that she was unable to identify the rest of the accused because she did not see them in the act.
Another witness, 46-year-old Denis Mukunta of house number L8 Nchelenge High School Teachers Compound, described how he alerted police around 21:00 hours on the same day after he witnessed the accused trying to set ablaze an electricity pole.
Mr Mukunta, who is the Deputy Head at Nchelenge High School, said he was going to Kashikishi to get some groceries when he heard excited screams and saw a mob of about 20 youth dismantling marketers tables which they heaped around a Zesco pole and started setting it ablaze.
He told the court that that he called police who came and apprehended some of the members of the mob and put off the blaze.
Magistrate Musaka granted eight of the accused with K200, 000 cash bail with two working sureties and ordered them to be appearing every day at 08:00 hours until the case is disposed of.
The matter has been adjourned to November 21, 2008 for continued trial.
ZANIS/ENDS/ESM/EB.
Beneficiary farmers under the government sponsored Fertilizer Support Programme (FSP) have been warned against re-selling farming inputs provided to them under the initiative.
Chisamba Member of Parliament Moses Muteteka says re-selling farming inputs would defeat the objectives of the programme aimed at availing farming inputs to vulnerable but viable farmers.
Mr. Muteteka told ZANIS in an interview that abuse of such a facility would perpetuate both household and national food insecurity.
The lawmaker warned that anyone found re-selling the farming inputs would face the wrath of the law.
He said the farming inputs being channeled through cooperatives to beneficiary farmers must be handled in an accountable and transparent manner for the benefit of the intended farmers and the nation at large.
Mr. Muteteka said it would not do for some unscrupulous individuals to seek to access the agricultural inputs under the FSP at the expense of the intended beneficiary farmers.
The legislature explained that beneficiaries to the programme must be small-scale farmers belonging to a registered cooperative or farmer group who must be vulnerable but viable farmers.
Mr. Muteteka pointed out that if the FSP is handled prudently, household and national food insecurity would be a thing of the past.
Previously there has been reports of some malpractices happening in the programme where some beneficiaries have allegedly sold the inputs instead of using them in their fields.
And Mansa district of Luapula Province has started receiving farming inputs in readiness for the 2008/2009 farming season.
District Agricultural Coordinator (DACO), Musako Chimuka, confirmed to ZANIS that the district has already received 10,441 and 5,553 by 50 kg bags of Urea and D-compound respectively.
Dr Musako said the district had been allocated 24,000 by 50 kg bags of both Urea and D-compound and would receive the remaining amount this week.
She said Nyiombo Investment, the contractor engaged to transport the inputs, was experiencing problems to deliver the fetilizers on time.
Dr. Musako said the district has also received the whole amount of the allocated 6000 by 10 KG bags of seed varieties.
“We have received part of the fertilizers and we expect to receive the remainder this week but we have received all the 6000 by 10kg bags of seed allocation, and we have since commenced giving the inputs to farmers,” Dr. Musako said.
She said the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MACO) has already started giving the inputs at a K50,000 subsidized price and will this year support 3000 farmers in the district.
Also small scale farmers in Solwezi District have started accessing agricultural inputs under the Fertilizer Support Programme (FSP) for 2008-2009 farming season.
District Agricultural Coordinator (DACO), Kabwe Puta , told ZANIS in Solwezi today that 2,400 farmers are to benefit from the programme, adding that the inputs will only be accessed through cooperatives or farm groups.
Dr. Puta said the district has received 49 metric tonnes of maize seed and three quarters of the expected 960 metric tonnes of fertilizer and the remaining is expected before the end of this week.
He commended government for sending the inputs in time and for increasing the number of beneficiaries from last season’s 1,500 to 2,400 this season, saying this will increase production and food security at household level.
Dr Puta urged farmers to use the inputs for the intended purpose and not to frustrate government’s efforts by re-selling it.
ENDS/AH/AM/ZANIS
Most districts in Northern Province have continued to experience intermittent breakdowns of network for Zain for over three weeks now.
The situation has forced some subscribers to switch to some other networks in order to keep communicating.
In Mungwi district, subscribers for zain have, however, demanded an explanation from company management on why the area has continued to experience network failure.
The residents stormed ZANIS offices in Mungwi today to register their displeasure at the situation.
The business sector has also suffered serious repercussions as a result of the breakdown of the network.
Some businessmen said they had incured business losses because of the network failure.
One businessman, Peter Ndemena, appealed to Zain management to immediately rectify the network problem being experienced in the area.
Efforts to get a comment from Public Relations Manager, Kennedy Sinkamba, failed by press time as he was reportedly busy in a meeting.
ZANIS/ENDS/LS/EB
Zesco has announced that it will reduce power generation from its Kariba North Bank power station in order to carry out repair works.
Zesco Senior Manager for Marketing and Public Relations Monica Chisela said the company will switch off one of the two power lines as it carries out repair works on the 330 Kilo volts Kariba north bank power station line to Loaders hill.
Addressing the media at Zesco offices in Lusaka today, Ms. Chisela said the move will also allow a safe working environment on the line.
She said the reduced power generation at the power generating station will also result in increased load shedding during certain times of the day in order to maintain the power supply balance.
Mrs. Chisela has however advised customers that the impact of load shedding can be minimized if the demand on the limited power currently available is reduced.
She added that both domestic and commercial customers should therefore ensure that all non-essential appliances are switched off during peak hours to minimize electricity consumption.
Ms. Chisela has however assured customers that Zesco will expedite the repair works in order to restore the line in time.
And Ms. Chisela has disclosed that the Zambia-Zimbabwe power inter-connector which was switched off in September after some disturbances on the line was last week switched on.
She said the power inter-connector between the two countries was switched on after a series of consultations with the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA).
ZANIS/CM/AM/ENDS
This year’s Anti-Malaria Campaign has received mixed reaction from residents in Mumbwa district’s Nangoma constituency.
Nangoma Mission Hospital Director, Dr. Crispin Moyo, told ZANIS that 5,800 free mosquito nets from 2005 to date were distributed, and 2,750 were sold during this year’s exercise from the hospital.
Dr. Moyo said that the mosquito net distribution, coupled with the anti-mosquito spraying exercise, were designed to lessen the prevalence levels of the disease, and that pregnant women and children under five years were especially targeted because they constituted the highest segment of the mortality rate.
Dr. Moyo, however, lamented about what he termed “misdirected use of treated mosquito nets amongst certain village communities”, and expressed sadness on the use of mosquito nets for fishing activities.
He said that this practice hindered the entire objective of distributing treated nets to reduce malaria prevalence levels, and also impacted negatively on the marine life preservation of wetlands because fishing had its own stipulations regarding the type of nets.
Nangoma Ward area Councillor, Richard Kakoma (UPND), however, expressed dissatisfaction with the anti-mosquito spray campaign, charging that the exercise was not done extensively enough to cover much ground.
Mr. Kakoma complained that the personnel used in the exercise appeared to be in too much of a hurry, and that many parts of the ward were left unattended to from the time the exercise was launched two months ago.
Another councillor, Robbie Mutapwe, (MMD) of Mumbwa central’s Nalusangwe ward, observed that the exercise would have gained more impetus in his area if the co-ordinators had liaised with closely with him in his capacity as a civic leader.
Mr. Mutapwe lamented that coordinators of the exercise had over-looked his services, and that the involvement of ward councillors in such exercises was cardinal in guaranteeing success.
FINANCE and National Planning Minister, Situmbeko Musokotwane has pledged to ensure that Zambia’s economic growth is not overturned by the prevailing global crisis.
Dr Musokotwane said attracting foreign capital, in the face of the shrinking foreign direct investment (FDI) in the world, was also key to the improvement of Zambia’s economy and his target was to attract at least US$3 billion in investment annually.
He said if Zambia could attract between $3 billion and $4 billion worth of FDI every year, the national economy would stay afloat even with the current troubled economy of the world.
Dr Musokotwane said this in an interview in Lusaka yesterday when asked about his immediate pre-occupation, shortly after being sworn in by President Rupiah Banda at State House.
He said the 2009 national Budget would contain measures that would insulate Zambia against the possible effects of the current global financial trends while ensuring that economic benefits trickled down to the people.
He said that his ministerial team would put in place measures, which would counter the offshoots of the current economic difficulties in the world, which had been augmented by nose-diving copper prices.
“We will have to ensure that the Zambian economy does not post a negative national growth,” Dr Musokotwane said.
Dr Musokotwane said Zambia should further sell its investment potential individually because it had several unique advantages and it should therefore not be lumped together with other countries.
He said Zambia’s economy was small and investment of at least $3 billion annually would suffice to keep the economy buoyant.
Dr Musokotwane said that the investments, both local and foreign, would offset any possible effects of the slump in the global economy and the lowering prices of copper at London Metal Exchange (LME).
“We will continue talking to investors both local and foreign on the investment potential in the country,” he said.
He said that the 2009 Budget should also continue ensuring that the economic successes scored so far were translated into something concrete and trickled down to the majority of the people in the country.
Times of Zambia
Finance Deputy Minister, Chileshe Kapwepwe almost wept when she was being sworn-in by President, Rupiah Banda, on Monday morning.
Ms. Kapwepwe later told ZNBC news that it was an emotional moment for her to be sworn in as Deputy Minister.
She said this was the same ministry where her late father, Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe served as Minister in the first Republic.
She said her father would have been very proud of her appointment because she was following in his political footsteps.
Ms. Kapwepwe also said her appointment is a political comeback for the Kapwepwe family.
Mr. Kapwepwe was a freedom fighter who helped to liberate Zambia.
He also served in various ministeries and was later appointed Vice President in 1967.
Mr. Kapwepwe in 1980 after suffering a stroke.
ZNBC
PANA Seed Company has donated 4.9 metric tones of Maize Seed, 700 Kilogrammes of Soya beans and vegetable seeds to the Maureen Mwanawasa Community Initiative (MMCI).
The Maureen Mwanawasa Community Initiative (MMCI) is also a recipient of a mini Tractor from Transport –AID Japan.
PANA Seed Managing Director William Rulher-Ford Smith said the donation is aimed at ensuring food security for the vulnerable in society.
Mr. Smith said the MMCI was the best vehicle to reach the needy in society because the organization has striven to reach all corners of the country
Speaking at the same function, Transport-Aid Japan Director Leigh Berg noted that Zambia has great potential in farming.
Mr. Berg noted that improved farming techniques can ensure both household and national food security.
Receiving the donation MMCI Executive Director Miriam Nkunika said the donation would help uplift the living standards of the vulnerable in the country, particularly women.
.
Ms Nkunika said the farming inputs would be given to vulnerable women across the country.
And giving a vote of thanks on behalf of the beneficiaries, Chisamba Member of Parliament Moses Muteteka thanked PANA Seed and Transport –AID Japan for the gesture.
ENDS/AH/AM/ZANIS
Three teachers at St Charles Lwanga Secondary School in Mansa have been arrested in connection with grade 12 examination paper leakages in Luapula province.
The named teachers who are also Catholic Priests were arrested over the weekend.
The teachers and some four pupils who were picked for being in possession of original copies of pre-written grade 12 examination papers would appear in court on 5th December after they pleaded not guilty at Mansa Magistrates court today.
They have been charged for an offence of unauthorized possession of examination papers or information contrary to Section 19 Sub-section 1 Chapter 137 of the laws of Zambia.
Over the past two weeks over 40 grade twelve pupils from different secondary schools in Luapula province have been arrested for being in possession of pre-written 2008 examination papers.
The pupils were arrested at St Charles Lwanga, St Clements, Kabunda Girls, Mansa High and Mansa Skills Secondary Schools while others were caught in Mwense and Kawambwa Districts.
The pupils were in possession of originals and photocopies of Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Religious Education, Biology, Literature in English and Geography papers.
Meanwhile, all the arrested pupils have been banished from writing the examination for two years in accordance with the Guidelines for the Administration and Management of Examinations in Zambia.
Provincial Education Officer Florence Kanchebele said if found guilty the teachers would be dismissed from the teaching service indefinitely.
And Police in Mpika have arrested three Grade 12 pupils of Chitulika High School for alleged examination malpractices.
Northern Province police commanding officer Charles Lungu confirmed the arrests of the pupils to ZANIS in Kasama today.
Mr. Lungu said the three pupils, who are all males, were picked up last Friday, after they were caught with a leaked Chemistry examination paper.
He said police were still investigating the matter in order to establish the source of the leakage.
Mr. Lungu further said the pupils would appear in court soon for being in possession of foreign materials in an examination room.
Recently, five pupils from Kasama Boys’ High School were picked by police for possessing leaked examination materials.
The pupils were found with multiple choice answers during a Geography paper two (2) examination, which does not have multiple choice questions.
Provincial Education Officer Selisho Chanda, who had confirmed the incident, also said disciplinary action was taken against the investigators of the same examination.
Meanwhile, concerned Kasama residents have appealed to Ministry of Education to dismiss teachers who are involved in examination malpractices because they were compromising the standard of education in the country.
ZANIS/CB/AM/ENDS
Southern Province Minister, Daniel Munkombwe has dismissed claims that Southern province has no representation in the new cabinet.
Mr. Munkombwe said President Banda has not marginalised the province because, Bradford Machila, who comes from Southern province is a cabinet minister.
Mr. Munkombwe was reacting to reports quoting some Chiefs in the province as saying the region has no representation in the new cabinet.
Mr. Munkombwe was speaking in an interview with ZNBC News in Livingstone.
He thanked President, Rupiah Banda, for re-appointing him as Provincial Minister and has pledged to redouble his efforts towards implementing programmes that will help to develop the area following his re-appointment.
Mr. Munkombwe wants the economic zone facility extended to the province, especially Livingstone.
He has also pledged to engage Chiefs and their headmen in the development process.
And a ward councilor in Kazungula district in southern province has bemoaned the high levels of hunger in the district.
Davidson Sikasibi, who is Moomba ward councilor, told ZANIS in Kazungula today that there is urgent need to send relief food to the area.
He attributed the hunger to the floods that left a trail of crop destruction during last year’s farming season.
He also noted that although the area has not yet received farming inputs, people have started to farm.
Meanwhile, Mr. Sikasibi has appealed to contractors working on a bridge in Kazungula to speed up the rehabilitation works to enable the train reach Moomba area.
He said currently, people were finding difficulties in going to town as the nearest place at which the train was stopping was 50 kilometres from Moomba.
END/FM/AM/ZANIS
Faz has slapped a life ban on division 2 south club Flying Eagles official Weluzani Mwale for brandishing a fire-arm during an abandoned league game against Monze United recently.
Faz disciplinary committee chairman Sunday Nkonde said during a press briefing Monday afternoon in Lusaka that Mwale brandished a gun during a Week 25 match away against Monze that was abandoned in the 80th minute.
The match was abandoned 10 minutes from fulltime after Flying Eagles disputed a goal scored by Monze claiming the ball had gone out of play before it was scored.
“Mr. Weluzani Mwale who was listed on the team list as team doctor entered the field of play brandishing a gun and ordered Flying Eagles players to leave the playing field,” Nkonde said.
“Mr. Weluzani Mwale was banned for life for entering the filed of play with a gun and the matter will be further reported to other appropriate authorities.”
Abandonment of games over disputed refereeing decisions are common in the lower leagues but incidences of fire-arms being brandished under such circumstances are very rare.
Flying Eagles for their part in the abandonment of the game have been fined K1.5 million and accrued 150 penalty points that translates to K1 million.
The club was further slapped with a further K200,000.00 fine for failing to attend appear for their hearing before the Faz disciplinary committee without justifiable reason.
And Nkonde added that one Flying Eagles player Hanny Hangooma was fined K1 million for attacking the referee in the ensuing fracas and suspended for 2 games.
Nkonde said Hangooma will remain suspended until the player had paid the fine.
Meanwhile, Monze were awarded 3 points and a 2-0 win following the ruling over the incident.
International Friendly
15/11/2008
Lubumbashi
DR Congo 0 – Zambia 0
Faz Premier League
15/11/2008
Week 28
Nkwazi 1(Obby Mumba 1″)- Zesco United 1(Enoch Sakala 6″)
Nchanga Rangers 0-City of Lusaka 2(Mazuba Mkandawire 3″ 9″)
Zanaco 1(Given Singuluma 87″)-Konkola Blades 1(Mulunda Kasongo 8″)
Roan United 1(Derrick Kabwe 67″)-Lusaka Dynamos 1(Cassius Mumba 85″)
Red Arrows 2(Agrippa Mbewe 52″, Timothy Mbewe 88″)-Green Buffaloes 1(Lawrence Phiri 60″)
Chambishi 0-Young Arrows 0
Nkana 2(William Chinse 30″, Maxwell Phiri 38″)-Kabwe Warriors 0
Green Eagles 2(Shemu Kamanga 34″, Aubrey Zulu 60″)-Power Dynamos 2(Elson Mkandawire 32″, Thom Chisha 80″)
Top Scorers After games Played 15/11/2008
LEAGUE, INTL & CUP:
Roger Kola (Zanaco): 13
Emmanuel Mayuka (Kabwe Warriors): 12
Aubrey Zulu (Green Eagles): 11
Francis Kombe (Power Dynamos): 9
Mathew Macha (Nchanga Rangers): 9
Chomba Ng’andwe (Young Arrows): 8
Simon Bwalya (Power Dynamos): 8
Kruger Mwansa (Young Arrows) : 7
Reuben Tembo (Green Buffaloes):7
Timothy Mbewe (Red Arrows): 6
Nicholas Zulu (Zesco United): 6
Jonah Sakuwaha (Zesco United): 6
Dan Sibanda (Red Arrows): 6
Brian Chilando (Green Buffaloes): 6
Kelvin Mumba (Roan United): 6
Patrick Kabamba (Nkana): 6
Chipulu Chileya (Konkola Blades): 6
Lawrence Phiri (Green Buffaloes): 5
Enoch Sakala (Zesco United): 5
Sebastian Mwansa (Green Buffaloes): 5
Morgan Hanjeema (Green Buffaloes): 5
Judge Mkandawire (Young Arrows): 5
Chisi Mbewe (Red Arrows): 5
Chileshe Kabwe (Konkola Blades): 5
William Njobvu (Lusaka Dynamos): 5
Lottie Phiri (Zesco United): 5
Division 1
16/11/2008
North
Kitwe United 0- Afrisports 1
Prison Leopards 1- Mufulira Wanderers 0
Mufulira Blackpool 1- Indeni 1
Tazara Express 2- Chindwin 2
Mining Rangers 3- Muchindu 3
Ndola United 1- Zamtel 2
Forest Rangers 1- Kalewa 1
Medical Stars 1- Lime Hotspurs 0
South
Nakambala Leopards 1- Young Green Eagles 1
Livingstone Pirates 1- Choma Eagles 2
Riflemen 1- National Assembly 0
Profund Warriors 2- Young Buffaloes 0
Lusaka City Council 2- Kambuku 1
Petauke United 3- Lusaka Tigers 2
Lusaka Celtic 2- Zamcoal Diggers 0
Chilanga Heroes 1- Mazabuka United 0
Nampundwe 1- Kalomo Jetters 1
Management at C.K Mable, the company tasked to legalize land behind Garden House Motel on the Lusaka– Mumbwa road, has appealed to all its clients to continue serving their financial obligations to the firm.
C.K Mable Chairman Elijah Kasonso said the need for money has been necessitated by a robust exercise by the firm to put in place social amenities such as roads and security.
He said his firm is working on feeder roads for easy accessibility to the area so that those with vehicles can easily go and come out of Marble Village without facing any difficulties.
The C. K Marble Chairman said the police post being built at the site is almost finished and the company is currently exerting its efforts to erect houses for police officers in a bid to ensure security for the benefit of the residents.
He explained that the company spent huge sums of money for the Site Plan and satellite photograph of the 72 hectares piece of land both of which have been done.
Mr. Kasonso said all these undertakings are costly and is therefore surprised that some sections of society are misleading people that they will offer them land free of charge.
He said more than 2000 people have already committed themselves to follow the laid down procedure of legalizing the land in the area.
Mr. Kasonso has since appealed to all concerned residents not to be swayed by such elements promising free land but to follow the laid down procedure and secure their investments.
He has called on all the people with land at Marble Village to make his office, their office so that the people themselves know the truth by frequenting his office.
Mr. Kasonso said money is urgently needed to undertake the numbering of the site plan failure to which the process of legalising the plots will take long.
He said his company is working hard to complete the project but this can only be achieved with financial support from the people themselves who are the beneficiaries.
Mr. Kasonso encouraged all those who have not yet met their financial obligations to the company to do so in earnest as it is their contributions to the noble project that will give his administration the impetus and will to complete the job at hand in record time.
Police in Monze yesterday arrested 48 pupils of Monze Boarding High School for riotous behavior and causing damage to school infrastructure and property.
Police said the pupils also caused damage to the deputy headmaster’s office, the headmistress’s home and other staff houses.
Police officers on the scene told ZANIS that the pupils mobilized themselves and rioted after a Parent Teacher’s Association (PTA) annual general meeting held at the school where it was resolved that school fees be hiked from K420,000 to K510,000.
The pupils are said to have mobilized themselves against the resolution made in the PTA meeting on increasing school fees.
It has since been discovered that most of the pupils that were involved in the riot were grade ten and eleven pupils.
Police have since instituted investigations into the matter.
And when contacted for confirmation, Monze district education board secretary Josphine Shamputa said that the matter was under police investigations and could not comment any further.
© Lusaka Times
