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Be professional-Census enumerators urged

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Be professional-Census enumerators urged

Chitambo District Commissioner, Evans Chola has advised enumerators engaged to conduct the Census of Population and Housing to be professional as they carry out their duties.

Mr. Chola who is also the District Census Committee Chairperson, says the country is depending on them to produce important information that will help in planning for future government programmes.

ZANIS reports that the DC was speaking when he addressed enumerators and supervisors during the launch of the activity in the district.

He has further urged the enumerators to be patient as their payments will be paid in the shortest possible time.

“Don’t worry about your money, it will surely come. Also, I advise you that stop threatening your friends that you are connected to me. You are all my children so when you have any grievance, kindly follow the correct channel and protocol,” he said.

Mr. Chola has also called on members of the public to freely give out information to the Census enumerators as it will help government in the planning process and decision-making of how resources are supposed to be allocated.

Meanwhile, some people in the district have expressed ignorance about Census activities taking place in the area.

One of the residents, Jonathan Mpundu said many people may refuse to give them information as they are not aware of the Census exercise.

“I am not aware that Census has started and I know I’m not the only one. Government should start publicity so that people are aware,” he said.

And one of the supervisors, Oscar Kunda thanked government for giving many youths the opportunity to have short-term employment whose returns will improve their livelihoods.

Debate on the need for HH to publicly declare his assets as he fights corruption rages on

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Debate on the need for HH to publicly declare his assets as he fights corruption rages on

The debate on the need for President Hakainde Hichilema to publicly declare his assets as he fights corruption has continued with the State House declaring that the head of state has fulfilled the legal requirement of declaring assets and liabilities.

Last Friday, during a live interaction with the public on Hot FM radio at State House, President Hichilema disclosed that he still maintains interests in his businesses.

Some stakeholders in the promotion of good governance have been asking President Hichilema to declare his assets to prove his integrity in the fight against corruption.

In a recent article, good governance commentator Venus N Msyani pointed out that it is wrong that Zambians don’t know which companies, businesses, or assets belonged to President Hichilema.

But Presidential Spokesperson Anthony Bwalya on Tuesday issued a statement defending President Hichilema and emphasised that he has fulfilled the legal requirement of declaring assets and liabilities.

Mr. Bwalya said individuals or organisations are free to request relevant record-keeping institutions for them to go through the President’s assets and liabilities declarations made under the law.

He said the President will keep championing enhanced transparency and accountability as key pillars of bringing back integrity to public service.

“It is unfair political criticism for anyone to accuse President Hakainde Hichilema of falling back on this promise of transparency when the President had fulfilled every asset and liabilities declarations required of him at law. The Electoral Process Act, 2016, Part IV, section 30 (1) (c) is very clear and instructive, in that it obligates any individual wanting to contest the office of President, to declare their assets and liabilities in full, and that President Hichilema has fully complied with this legal requirement,” Mr. Bwalya stated.

“May I add, that, there is nothing precluding any individual or organization, from requesting to peruse through the President’s asset and liabilities declarations made under the law, from the relevant records-keeping institution. The President will keep championing enhanced transparency and accountability as key pillars of bringing back integrity to public service and enhancing how public servants and institutions serve the wider masses,” he said.

In March, 2022, the Constitutional Court dismissed a matter in which Patriots for Economic Progress leader Sean Tembo petitioned it over ECZ’s failure to publish assets declared by President Hakainde Hichilema when he filed nominations prior to the August 12 polls.

The court said it does not condone the targeting of one candidate, adding that Tembo should have targeted or cited all the 16 presidential candidates who took part in the 2021 presidential elections, including himself and not just President Hichilema.

In this matter, Tembo who cited ECZ and the Attorney General as respondents was seeking a declaration that the commission’s failure to publish the statutory declaration of assets and liabilities for the Head of State in the August elections contravened the constitution and was illegal.

He was further seeking a declaration that ECZ discloses the assets declared by President Hichilema when filing in his nomination papers.

But in a majority judgement read by Master of the Court, Mable Njekwa Mwaba, on behalf of Constitutional Court judges; Mungeni Mulenga, Palan Mulonda, Martin Musaluke and Mathews Chisunka, the court said the declaration which Tembo was seeking concerning President Hichilema could not be granted because the conduct did not contravene Article 52 (3) of the Constitution.

The court noted that the PEP leader just targeted one person instead of all the 16 presidential candidates, including himself.

Meanwhile, Constitutional Court judge Professor Margaret Munalula delivered a dissenting judgement, saying although she agreed with the majority judgement that ECZ did not breach the constitution, the commission and the Attorney General, who were aware of the different provisions of the law in relation to the Constitution and Electoral Process Act should have caused for the amendment of the law before the holding of the 2016 and 2021 general elections.

Meanwhile, the debate on the need for Mr. Hichilema to publicly declare his assets is not new.

In June 2016, former Katuba UPND Member of Parliament Jonas Shakafuswa observed that there was a possibility that the assets and liabilities declared by Mr. Hichilema to the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) in that year could have been undervalued.

Mr Hichilema declared a total of K73 million as value of his assets and liabilities prior to the 2016 Election, while during the 2015 presidential by-election he declared a total of K63.9 million.

Mr Shakafuswa said the UPND leader then was “a very rich man”.

It is a mockery for the Government to offer support to victims after demolition their houses-Catholic Priest

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It is a mockery for the Government to offer support to victims after demolition their houses-Catholic Priest

Copperbelt-based Catholic Priest Fr. Francis Mwansa Mufwaya says it is a mockery for the Government to offer support to victims of the Chingola housing demolition through Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU).

Chingola Municipal Council on Saturday morning demolished over 300 structures illegally built on the Kasompe Airstrip, a land on title and belonging to Zambia Civil Aviation Authority.

Chingola Council says it didn’t allocate the land and that structures were erected without planning permission from the Local Authority hence prompting the demolition.

Victims of the demolition protested by burning Chingola Mayor Johnson Kang’ombe’s house and lodge in Chingola saying he allocated the land on Kasompe Airstrip.

Commenting on the demolition, Fr. Mufwaya, who has previously served at Kasompe Catholic Church in Chingola, said it an anomaly that the same government that has demolished houses in Kasompe is consoling people by dangling DMMU support.

The Parish Priest of St. Lawrence in Kantashi, Mufulira said the illegal allocation of plots in Kasompe should have been arrested years earlier before people built housing structures.

Fr. Mufwaya questioned why Chingola Municipal Council took long to address the issue of illegal land allocation in Kasompe which said has existed for about ten years.

Fr. Mufwaya said even though he doesn’t support the illegal building of houses on the airstrip land, council shouldn’t have rushed to demolish houses without finding alternative land for the victims.

“I would like to express my disappointment and bemoan the demolition of houses in Kasompe. This issue of giving out plots in that area was started immediately when PF came into power. So the government should look into the plight of the people of Kasompe whose houses were demolished. We are so disappointed to see the same government which decides to demolish poor and innocent people’s houses come in later to say the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) is ready to help the people. Why didn’t they invite DMMU as a stakeholder so that they prepare a place for the people to relocate? You come and sympathize after,” Fr. Mufwaya said.

He demanded that justice should prevail in the matter in which Chingola Council demolished houses built near Kasompe Airstrip.

Fr. Mufwaya emphasised that council workers and former ward councilors alleged to be behind the illegal land allocation in Kasompe should face the law.

“Let not government repeat this kind of action. Enter into dialogue with all the stakeholders including the people. We cannot say we allow this lawlessness but let all the stakeholders participate in whatever decision that has been made and prepare for the people to relocate. And then those council officers that were involved and former councilors, these are the people we are pleading that they should bring to book. To teach a lesson to those who would be offenders so that they can learn a lesson and not repeat this kind of lawlessness,” Fr. Mufwaya said.

He concluded:”As Priest and as a person who served the people of Kasompe I am very disappointed with this kind of action to the people. Yes they can be relocated. Let us find a place for relocation first and then demolish the houses. So please the government look into the plight of the people. Don’t demolish and then you come and side with the people politically and think you are consoling them.”

Chief Mukutuma tells Minister to terminate the Lumpuma-Mukutuma road Road contract due to delays

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Chief Mukutuma tells Minister to terminate the Lumpuma-Mukutuma road Road contract due to delays

Chief Lumpuma of Lufwanyama district has called on the Copperbelt Provincial Administration to terminate the contract for the local contractor, ‘PLC’ awarded to work on Lumpuma-Mukutuma road.

The traditional leader said the contract should be terminated because of delays in the completion of the project.

Chief Mukutuma who spoke through one of his Headmen, Michael Nyambe, told Copperbelt Province Minister, Elisha Matambo who was in district, to witness the distribution of empowerment funds to cooperatives that the contractor is not serious and the contract be terminated.

He said no significant progress has been made on the road apart from the soils heaped on different stretches of the road since 2020 when the contract was awarded.

Meanwhile, the traditional leader has praised President Hakainde Hichilema and his administration for bringing development in the various economic sectors in their first year in office.

And Mr. Matambo has assured the traditional leader that he will summon the contractor to his office and understand why he has delayed to complete the works on the road.

He said the delay in the completion of the road project has not just affected the movement of agriculture produce but people in the chiefdom as well.

After inspecting the site, the minister said he is not impressed with workmanship exhibited by the contractor and government will be left with no choice but terminate the contract and give it to someone who will diligently do the works.

Residents’s source of drinking water in Kasama District contaminated with sewer

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Residents’s source of drinking water in Kasama District contaminated with sewer

Mulilansolo Stream in Kasama District, has reportedly been contaminated. The stream which is used as a source of water for some residents is said to have been polluted after a blocked sewer pipe burst into it.

Water Resources Management Authority (WARMA) has since collected samples from the stream for further tests.

WARMA Environmental and Water Quality Officer for Northern Region, Mathews Mulenga advised residents to stop using the water from the Mulilansolo stream.

Mr. Mulenga appealed to Chambeshi Water, Supply and Sanitation Company to quickly work on the sewer line.

He noted that the utility firm should also find ways of providing water to the residents of Location compound who rely on the stream.

And Chambeshi Water Supply and Sanitation Company Managing Director, Luckson Simumba, who described the situation as unfortunate, said the company has already moved on site to repair the sewer line.

Mr. Simumba also assured residents that the water utility company will continue to strive to provide better services to its clients.

And Agness Mutale, a resident of Location Township commended the utility company for quickly working on the sewer line.

Mrs Mutale also commended the company for disinfecting drainages affected by the sewer.

Meanwhile, Government has said that the of clearing water canals in Lunga Town under Transforming Landscapes for Resilience and development (TRALARD) will help in reducing the costs incurred in assisting flood victims.

Since 2019 the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) has been supporting over 10, 000 households in Lunga with relief foods as a result of floods which is usually experienced in the area, the undertaking he said is expensive.

Luapula Province Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit Regional Coordinator Abel Mwape says the TRALARD project has classified Lunga Town as a in phase 4 in terms of vulnerability due to perennial annual floods.

Mr. Mwape an interview indicated that the resources which his Unit is spending in addressing disasters in Lunga are too huge and can only be addressed by finding a longer lasting solution to the problem one of them being the deepening of the channels.

“As DMMU we are so excited by the TRALARD project in Lunga which will focus on clearing 4 main water channels because once this is done then the issue of floods will be a thing of the past,” Mr. Mwape said.

One of the main challenges which people of Lunga have faced for a long time is blocked water channels which makes it difficult for water to smoothly flow thereby causing floods which damages crops and collapsing of houses.

The Regional Coordinator discloses that DMMU has been trying to work on water channels but mainly it was just clearing and not deepening.

He mentioned that the TRALRD project which focuses on deepening and widening of the channels is ideal as it will deal with floods situation for a longer time.

“Once these water canals are worked on then we expect economic activities to increase in Lunga as people will be able to engage into serious farming without fearing that their crops will be washed away,” he noted.

The DMMU in the area will continue mitigating various disasters which might still occur in Lunga district even after the TRALRD project.

The Unit will be working on tributaries so as to ensure that there are no blockages of water which might cause disasters.

Lunga District is one of the five Towns in Luapula where the TRALARD project is being implemented and so far 8 Million dollars has been released to Sun Share the company contracted to work on 90 Kilometers of water Canals in a one year contract.

Council’s Fire and Rescue Services abates Inferno in Chirundu Town

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Council’s Fire and Rescue Services abates Inferno in Chirundu Town

Quick action by a combined team of Chirundu Town Council’s Fire and Rescue Services and the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) last night abated would have been disaster in the small border town after an inferno swept through semi-detached houses.

The inferno allegedly started around 23:00 hours while the occupant, Priscilla Hampande of Gabon Compound was out visiting a friend within the neighbourhood.

The inferno gutted her household goods to ashes while neighbours joined in helping the combined team of Chirundu Town Council’s Fire and Rescue Services and the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) officers to avert the further spread of the fire to other houses.

Ms. Hampande explained that while she was away for the evening she was phoned by some neighbours who informed her that her rented house was on fire.

ZANIS reports that by broadcast time, Chirundu Town Council’s Fire and Rescue Services Officers were frantically trying to put off the inferno.

According to some eyewitnesses, Fire swept through these two separate apartments destroying property worth thousands of kwachas whose cause is not yet known.

Learning from Morocco which’s leading Africa minus South Africa in global exports of manufactured goods

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Learning from Morocco which’s leading Africa minus South Africa in global exports of manufactured goods

By Edward Chisanga

Introduction

In a Lusaka Times article of August this year, I provided statistics to guide the Zambian government to emulate African countries that are breaking through in world exports of manufactured goods or value addition. The new dawn Zambian government is on mission to pursue value addition. I argued that if I were government, I would simply make trips to countries like Morocco whose proportion of exports of manufactured goods in total exceeds that of primary commodities. This is one trade indicator that is accepted internationally.

Morocco exports more manufactured good than primary commodities

I stated that when a country whose proportion of exports of manufactured goods exceeds 60 per cent in total, it implies that it is breaking through in export value addition. Morocco exhibits that behavior. As Figure 1 below shows, at 70%, the trajectory of Morocco’s proportion of global exports of manufactured goods in total has been firmly leading that of primary commodities. This is clearly the antipodal of most African countries, including Zambia whose exports are dominated by primary commodities and are in search of value addition. In most countries, public statements and national plans are full of value addition since independence but little or none is seen in action. For example, the proportion of world exports of manufactured goods in total for Zambia stood at 11% in 2021 while primary commodities register 89%.


Morocco’s accomplishment is unsung in Africa

Morocco’s accomplishment is unsung in most African countries because South Africa’ dominance dwarfs it. Yet, according to Unctadstat data, excluding South Africa, the Arab nation leads Africa in world exports of manufactured goods as shown in Table 1 below. In fact, this leadership spans two decades. At $25.4 billion relative to Zambia’s exports in absolute values in 2021, Morocco is running, flourishing and slowly but surely integrating in global value chains and networks while we continue to make speeches.

Table 1: Top African countries’ exporters of world manufactured goods in US$ Billions

2021
Morocco

25.4
Egypt

17.0
Tunisia

12.9
DRC

3.7
Kenya

2.1
Algeria

1.9
Nigeria

1.8
Djibouti

1.6
Eswatini

1.5
Côte d’Ivoire

1.3
Senegal

1.2
Zambia

1.2

Source: Unctadstat

Although its intra-Africa exports of manufactured goods as a proportion of its total manufactured goods to the world represents only about 7%, meaning it is quite low, because 93% goes to the rest of the world, Morocco dominates Africa excluding South Africa. It is also likely to be one of the top four African countries to dominate trade in manufactured goods in Africa under the free continental market. Morocco’s total intra-Africa exports of manufactured goods in absolute values reached $1.7 billion followed only by Kenya’s 1.5 billion while Zambia’s stood at less than $1 billion. At only 7% referred to earlier, statistics also show that Morocco’s degree of regional integration in Africa in the context of exports of manufactured goods is quite low.

In 2020, Morocco’s manufacturing value added as a proportion of the its GDP was 17.2% compared to Zambia’s 8.0%. 21.9% in 1985. In that same year, Zambia’s proportion was 27.5% and ranked number two after Ghana when South Africa is excluded.

Concluding

I’m recommending Morocco as a place to visit if Zambian leadership wants to learn something about value addition, I would rush to Morocco to learn how the country is breaking through. $25.4 billion exports of manufactured goods by Morocco means the figure is almost threefold that of Zambia’s total exports of all products to the world. There’s simply nothing better than seeing how successful countries are organizing themselves.

Central PS calls for interventions to reduce maternal mortality

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Central PS calls for interventions to reduce maternal mortality

Central Province Permanent Secretary (PS), Milner Mwanakampwe has called on health workers in the area to identify and implement effective interventions that would reduce maternal mortalities.

Mr. Mwanakampwe said the proportion of women attending antenatal care in the first trimester of pregnancy in the province has remained between 20 percent and 25 percent.

He said the maternal mortality ratio was estimated at 126 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2021.

The PS was speaking when he officially opened the planning meeting for the 2023-2025 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and 2023 budget for the Department of Health in the province.

Mr. Mwanakampwe expressed concern that a significant number recorded on maternal deaths were that of adolescents.

He stated that government has placed adolescent health high on the agenda to ensure that adolescents are healthy and productive.

Mr. Mwanakampwe said the new administration has been implementing the expanded programme on immunization, integrated management of childhood illnesses, and elimination of mother to child transmission as well as scaling up interventions to put pediatric patients on treatment as a way of addressing infant and child mortality.

He has however, commended the health workers in the province for recording a steady decline in malaria cases and deaths.

Mr. Mwanakapmwe said the clinical and confirmed cases reduced from 498 per 1,000 populations in 2020 to 280 per 1,000 populations in 2021.

He attributed the reduction in the cases to the deployment of key preventive interventions such as indoor residual spraying and distribution of long lasting insecticide treated nets.

And Central Province Health Director, Abel Kabalo said the location of the province puts the region to be the key anchor to health service provision in the country.

Dr. Kabalo said because of its location, the province has a challenge of road traffic accidents and that the Ministry of Health needs to be responsive to that effect.

President Hakainde Hichilema assures unemployed youths of more jobs to come

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President Hakainde Hichilema assures unemployed youths of more jobs to come

President Hakainde Hichilema has advised unselected applicants in the recently conducted recruitment of teachers and health workers to be a little more patient as they wait for their turn.

President Hichilema says his administration is working towards boosting the private sector to create more jobs for more people in the private sector as well.

He has assured Zambians that his administration remains committed to ensure that the transparency that was displayed in the recruitment process will be normal, going forward.

Speaking during a luncheon he hosted for some beneficiaries of government policies and initiatives, the Head of State thanked the people of Zambia for voting him into power.

He urged all Zambians to fight corruption so that funds are used for the right purposes such as free education and job creation.

“My encouragement to those that didn’t get teaching jobs, because we had such a huge backlog, who didn’t get nothing, the paramedics or docs.

“ Our intention is to expand the economy. To create not just public sector jobs but to facilitate private sector jobs. Those should be the majority of jobs. So don’t lose hope and continue, tomorrow it will be you,

“This is why we must fight corruption, so that money that is being taken by a small number can be left in the public kitting and support more of our children like her children and many others. That is the connection to preserving public resources” he said.

Meanwhile, Catherine Chilufya, a parent who is a beneficiary of free education has thanked Government for introducing free education, stating that it has enabled her to take all her children to school and give them an opportunity to get an education.

And Diana Zulu, a newly recruited nurse in Western Province says she is grateful that after she applied for the job she got selected without solicitation.

Ms Zulu thanked the President for ensuring that people from different walks of life and regions are given equal opportunities to employment.

And marketeers, bus drivers and taxi drivers have also thanked the President for ensuring that carders are removed from markets, stating that they are now able to trade peacefully without threats.

Others that were present were Mary Kaunda a newly recruited teacher, innovators in different sectors and artists.

Zambia Police Service geared for Kabushi and Kwacha constituencies’ By-Elections

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Zambia Police Service geared for Kabushi and Kwacha constituencies’ By-Elections

Inspector General of Police Lemmy Kajoba says his personnel is ready ahead of the forthcoming by-elections slated for September 15, 2022 in Kabushi and Kwacha constituencies, respectively on the Copperbelt province.

And the Inspector General of police has assured the nation that the issue concerning the gassing of people across the nation will not be left alone until a logical conclusion is attained.

The Kabushi and Kwacha Constituency seats held by Bowman Lusambo and Joseph Malanji , respectively, fell vacant after the Constitutional Court nullified the results after a petition.

Mr. Kajoba said the police has constituted a team to ensure that certain individuals who were involved in gassing of people on the Copperbelt are held accountable for what happened to most Zambians.

Inspector General said when he paid a courtesy call on Copperbelt province Minister Elisha Matambo that the police will ensure that peace prevails while law and order is maintained , during campaigns and after elections.

“As you are aware, Copperbelt province will be going to the polls in the two by-elections in Kabushi and Kwacha constituencies respectively.

“ My coming here is also to prepare the ground and plan on how best we are going to police the two by-elections,” he said.

The Inspector General of Police added that elections attract a hive of activities which sometimes culminates into electoral violence and other electoral related crimes.

Zambia police as an institution tasked with the responsibility to preserve peace, maintain law and order, they are more than ready to stop such bad vices.

Policing an election is not an easy undertaking and it takes critical planning and preparations if a violent free election is to be delivered which is a key prerequisite to free and fair elections in line with the democratic tenets.

“We will mobilize and deploy adequate numbers of officers to ensure police presence as a proactive measure of preserving peace.

“ In doing so, we are going to divide constituencies into smaller and manageable zones to easily conduct foot and motorized patrols in an effort to enhance police presence,” he said.

He said the police preparedness will be able to facilitate free and fair by-elections in terms of security for the people in the two constituencies to freely exercise their democratic rights.

And addressing police officers at Levy Mwanawasa , Inspector General Kajoba reminded them of their professional ethics and conduct saying they were the fiber of the Zambia police service.

Former Director of the Forestry Department Arrested Over Exportation of Mukula logs

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Former Director of the Forestry Department Arrested Over Exportation of Mukula logs

The Anti-Corruption Commission has arrested the former Director of the Forestry Department for corrupt practices involving exportation of Mukula logs worth over 10 Million Kwacha.

Ignatius Makumba 56 years, of plot number F/397A/116 Makeni area in Lusaka has been arrested and charged with two (2) counts of Abuse of Authority of Office, contrary to Section 21 (1) (a) as read with Section 41 of the Anti-Corruption Act number 3 of 2012, of the Laws of Zambia.

In a press statement issued, the Anti-Corruption Commission Public Relations Manager Timothy Moono explained that the details in the two counts are that in September 2021, Ignatius Makumba, who was Director of Forestry Department, did Abuse the Authority of Office by arbitrarily resolving to regularize an attempted illegal export of 23 containers of Mukula logs through Chirundu Border, and 16 containers of the same Mukula logs through Katima Mulilo Border, which were being transported by Ackson Tembo of ACK General Suppliers Limited for export to China, an act prejudicial to the interest of the Government of the Republic of Zambia.

Mr Moono added that in the same matter, the Commission has also arrested three other persons namely Ackson Tembo, 40 years, proprietor of ACK General Dealers, of plot number 7057/M off Mumbwa Road Area in Lusaka, Bruce Aongola, 46 years, of 45 Godfrey Chitalu Road, Nyumba Yanga Area, in Lusaka, and Colonel Maliwa Muwanei, a Zambia National Service Director of Operations.

“The four have been charged with 39 counts each of attempted export of Mukula logs contrary to Section 91 as read with Section 99 of the Forestry Act No. 4 of 2015 of the Laws of Zambia,” Mr Moono said

He cited that investigations have established that between 1st July, 2021 and 20th August, 2021, Tembo, Aongola, and Muwanei did attempt to unlawfully export 23 containers laden with Mukula logs through Chirundu Border and 16 containers laden with Mukula logs through Katima Mulilo borders without the necessary permits and licenses.

“Makumba, Tembo, Muwanei and Aongola have all been released on bond and will appear in court soon,” he said

Mr Moono mentioned that early this year, the Commission arrested Ackson Tembo and charged him with two (2) counts of Conveyancing of Forestry Produce without a License and one (1) count of Unlawful Export of Mukula timber contrary to the Laws of Zambia.

Mr Moono further mentioned that also arrested earlier this year for corrupt practices involving exportation of Mukula logs are former Chief Executive Officer at the Industrial Development Corporation Mateyo Kaluba, Retired Brig. General Gilbert Wails Mulenga of the Zambia Army and Chairperson of the Central Joint Operations Sub Committee Colonel Maliwa Muwanei, Zambia National Service Director of Operations Never Njobvu, former Executive Director at the Office of the President, Special Division and Bruce Aongola, Executive Officer at the Office of the President, Special Division.

“All these were members of the Central Joint Operations Sub Committee, they were arrested and individually charged with one count of Abuse of Authority of Office, contrary to Section 21 sub section 1 of the Anti-Corruption Act number 3 of 2012,” Mr Moono mentioned

Initiation ceremonies for girls should be discouraged-Sikawala

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Initiation ceremonies for girls should be discouraged-Sikawala

The Lwiindi Gonde traditional Ceremony Organizing Committee Chairperson, Patrick Sikawala says some initiation ceremonies for girls should be discouraged as they contribute to early marriages and teenage pregnancies.

Mr. Sikawala says some initiation ceremonies such as ‘Nkolola’ of the Tonga people expose girls to issues of sexuality which in turn, put them at risk of getting pregnant.

Speaking in an interview, Mr. Sikawala said most initiation ceremonies compelled parents and guardians to shift the responsibility of counselling their children to traditional counsellors, when it was their duty to counsel them.

Mr. Sikawala said initiation ceremonies were not necessary, as parents and guardians could still guide their children in a home set-up, without subjecting them to rites practiced during the ceremonies.

“Parents should counsel children from their homes and should not rely so much on counsellors who specialize in initiation ceremonies, if they expect positive behavioral change,” he said.

Mr. Sikawala further said other than initiation ceremonies, large church meetings which involved young people also resulted in some of them getting pregnant.

“It is not just the initiation ceremonies. Even our church going youths are vulnerable when they go for meetings such as camp meetings, because they end up getting pregnant,” he said.

Mr. Sikawala noted that children’s upbringing in modern society has changed as young people enjoy more rights than the youths in previous generations.

He claimed that young people have the courage to challenge elders, parents and guardians since they are protected by human rights.

“Young people nowadays do not listen to their elders. They are able to challenge us because they are protected by human rights. These human rights have spoiled our children,” he said.

Miles Sampa accuse Competition Commission of being a toothless bulldog

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Miles Sampa accuse Competition Commission of being a toothless bulldog

Matero Member of Parliament Miles Sampa cites the 0.5% fine instituted on the Levy Mwanawasa Medical University by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) as a joke when institutions such as DSTV’s Multichoice, and Mobile Service Providers are the big fat elephants in the room.

Mr Sampa noted that the news that CCPC has fined the Levy Mwanawasa Medical university 0.5% of its gross annual sales is Africa’s biggest joke because the Zambian owned university built from taxpayers’ money was found guilty of not awarding its students degrees when they should have, but regardless of why that happened, CCPC is out of order.

Mr Sampa added that the affected students should have indeed graduated at the scheduled date from the public institution but herein lies a huge problem with the CCPC, as they seem scared of biting the real corporate business offenders such as DSTV’s Multichoice but are happy to nail the non-arm-twisting Quasi Government Institutions such as the Medical University.

He noted that essentially it is the Ministry of Commerce sending a penalty fee to the Ministry of Higher Education and Ministry of Health of which in the end it’s the taxpayers being punished to indirectly fund the University twice.

“To raise or recover that 0.5% charge that is in millions of Kwachas, the University is likely to increase their fees, the incremental cost will then land inside parents or guardians personal bank accounts that are already far stretched with other economic challenges,” he noted

He cited that the CCPC penalty may see an increased number of University dropouts who are potential medical Doctors that are urgently needed in the Constituency Hospitals and Clinics.

“The Medical University is relatively new and should be supported more by any means necessary on its teething problems rather than canning it,” he said

Furthermore, Mr Sampa highlighted that DSTV’s Multichoice, mobile phone companies such as Airtel, MTN and ZAMTEL, Banks mobile money fees or transactions, shop rentals at Malls and high-end landlords are the main culprits that CCPC should be reprimanding with huge penalties as they are well known for repeatedly stamping on Zambians thus causing perpetual public outcries.

Mr Sampa explained that these institutions are all abusing and stealing from their clients (Consumers) by continuing to charge the same prices that they did when the USD/ZMK exchange rate was in the range of K20, and now the Dollar is about K15 which means that they are stealing K5 per transaction from each Zambian that is their customer.

He added that the argument that FOREX is not their main cost factor in pricing actually so confirms the opposite which means that even when the Kwacha depreciates, they should not increase their prices as not all their costs are FOREX based and if they can’t pass their huge FOREX revaluation gains to their customers, at least they should pass them to their Zambian workers.

“I can bet they have not increased their workers’ salaries or bonuses since the Kwacha started to gain many months ago,” he said

“The Zambian Customers have cried enough especially on the ever over charging fees from DSTV and cell phone companies, as they are making huge per head profits out of Zambians which is far more than what they are making in their country of origin like South Africa or any other SADC country,” he added

Mr Sampa alluded that the current CCPC Board Members are cowards who should resign or be fired for betraying the Zambian Consumers.

He mentioned that the first thing the new board should do is as per usual is go on a lavish workshop in Livingstone or Bonanza but except this time there should just have one item on their agenda namely what the acronym CCPC stand for and they will discover that indeed the nomenclature legally stands for ‘Competition and Consumer Protection Commission’.

“In reality however CCPC means ‘Customers People Customer’,” he said

Mr Sampa noted that CCPC should never abandon or ignore constant cries from the Zambian customers who are being abused or robbed through exorbitant pricing and bad services especially from DSTV, Airtel, MTN, ZAMTEL, Commercial Banks, Malls and Landlords.

Former Republican President Lungu wants to concentrate on the charity works of the Edgar Lungu Foundation

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Former Republican President Lungu wants to concentrate on the charity works of the Edgar Lungu Foundation

Former Republican President Edgar Lungu has announced retirement from active politics as he wants to concentrate on the charity works of the Edgar Lungu Foundation.

The former Head of State noted that Zambians should understand that he is no longer interested in politics and will not participate in any political activities in the country as he will now concentrate in playing a critical role in improving the welfare of the people.

Mr Lungu said that after being a politician, he has unfortunately leant that every time one does something, that activity is always associated with politics hence his deliberate decision to be low key.

“So, people have to accept that I have moved on and I have done away with politics,” Mr Lungu said

The former Head of State cited that he wants to be a servant of the people in this lowly but highly pleasant position of being a messenger of hope to the people that are vulnerable.

“I am willing to learn and partner with people who have similar attitude and thoughts like me, so that we support what is common as what is common is good for all of us and what is good for all of us is common,” Mr Lungu noted

Mr Lungu added that he wants people to see the purity and nature of this concept so that those he has asked to come on board and work with him are clear on how he wants to proceed henceforth.

“We are confident that we are not politicking at all, and I think that there’s a common place where politics, religion, goodwill of the civil society and others meet, and that’s where I want to meet my colleagues so that we all agree that the Edgar Lungu Foundation means well,” he stated

Mr Lungu mentioned that Politicians, the church and other organizations should not fear as no one is going to lose their influence or a space at all, as there is enough space for everyone to thrive.

“Yes, count on us and we will listen to your guidance as we do not want to fail like others have failed in the past because of being misunderstood,” Mr Lungu cited

The former Head of State highlighted that the establishment of the Foundation is in place, as they will be dynamic enough whilst focusing on their main objective.

The Edgar Lungu Foundation is a non-profit charitable organization established to help uplift and transform the lives of the vulnerable children and the needy in society.

The Foundation will prioritize support programmes aimed at empowering girls and women in Chibombo, Kasenengwa and Samfya to acquire skills in tailoring, aquaculture and other key fields as many rural parents are struggling to provide sufficient food in their homes, and young girls in villages are being married off at an early age.

And to ensure the success of these projects, the Edgar Lungu Foundation has partnered with the people of Chieftainess Mungule’s Chiefdom through the Ubuntu Royal Home for Orphans and Disadvantaged in transforming lives through the provision of quality education, sustainable climate resilient Agriculture empowerment, enlightenment and Educate Social Behavioural Change Communication among people.

The Foundation has committed itself to restocking the Ubuntu Poultry project with village chickens and feed aimed at enhancing the sustainability programme in schools and the restocking of fish ponds.

The Edgar Lungu Foundation with its cooperating partners the Ubuntu Royal Homes for Orphans and Disadvantaged have programmes which are primarily focusing on their work in Chibombo District of Central Province with a planned expansion to Kasenengwa District of Eastern Province and Samfya District of Luapula Province respectively.

DIV 1 WRAP: Mighty Beat Kitwe United in Season Opener

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Mighty Mufulira Wanderers kicked off the new FAZ National Division One campaign with a big win over Kitwe United at home in Mufulira.

Owen Mwamba and Bernard Mapili scored the goals as Mighty thumped Kitwe 2-0 at Shinde Stadium on Sunday.

Mwamba pushed Wanderers to a 1-0 lead into the break with an 18th minute strike before Mapili doubled the score-line after 70 minutes.

On the opening weekend of the National Division One campaign, there were also wins for Konkola Blades, Indeni, Mutondo Stars, Trident and Young Green Eagles.

Newly promoted Mutondo made a promising start when picking a 1-0 win away at Mpulungu Harbour.

Nyendwa Nyendwa’s 32nd minute goal propelled coach Zeddy Saileti’s side to victory.

FAZ National Division 1 – Week 1 Results

Mufulira Wanderers 2-0 Kitwe United

Barts FC 1-1 City of Lusaka

Mpulungu Harbour 0-1 Mutondo Stars

Zesco Malaiti Rangers 0-0 Atletico FC

Aguila FC 1-2 Indeni FC

Kafue Celtics 0-1 Young Green Buffaloes

Trident FC 2-1 Lusaka Dynamos

Kafue Eagles 0-1 Konkola Blades

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