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The Youth Movement for Inter-party Reconciliation has proposed that only two presidential candidates should contest the 2011 elections.
Organisation Executive Director Patrick Samwimbila said this is to prevent vote-splitting and election of a minority president.
Mr. Samwimbila said the organization also desire that the 50 plus one majority votes be be implemented  in 2011 even in the absence of a clause in the republican constitution
Addressing the press in Lusaka today, Mr. Samwimbila has since urged the opposition political parties to start working towards an electoral pact.
Mr. Samwimbila further said the move would go a long way in encouraging people to vote.
Meanwhile, Mr. Samwimbila has said political differences can only be resolved through dialogue.
He said violence would only bring about chaos and instability in the country.
Police in Chipata had a tough time to control a crowd which besieged the police station this morning after word went round that a taxi which was impounded by police was later found with a coffin placed on top.
Scores of people went to the police station as early as 07 hours to have a glimpse of the coffin which was said to have been placed on top of a vehicle.
One of the residents, Charles Phiri, said the driver of the said taxi was detained after the vehicle he was driving was impounded by police but later on, the detainee disappeared from the cell.
Mr. Phiri who allegedly saw the coffin said that police were shocked to discover that the driver was not in the cells and when they checked where they had placed a driving license which was confiscated from him, it was also not there.
He noted that the continued search for him by police led to the discovery of the coffin which was allegedly placed on top of a vehicle.
But Eastern Province Police Commanding Officer, Mary Chikwanda, said it was not true that a vehicle had turned into a coffin.
Ms. Chikwanda said the coffin in question was used by police from the traffic section to carry bodies of people who died in Road Traffic Accidents ( RTAs ).
She said the coffin was always being kept at the police station but officers just forgot to take it to the place where it was always kept, when they moved it outside.
But some residents interviewed who were still moving about around the police station by mid-day, did not agree with Ms. Chikwanda, arguing that it was not true that police were keeping the coffin for the purposes of carrying bodies of road traffic accident victims.
They wondered how police would carry more that one body from an accident scene using one coffin if it was true that the coffin was being kept for that purpose.
A grade twelve pupil in Kalulushi who was found with Biology papers last week on Thursday is in police custody awaiting investigations.
Both Chairperson for Examination Security Committee and the Zambia Police in Kalulushi confirmed the examination leakage to ZANIS in Kalulushi today.
Chairperson for Examination Security Committee Mr Joshua Mutisa said the boy whose name has been withheld was found with a Biology Paper One and Two, a day before the examination.
Mr Mutisa added that the paper was confiscated from the boy tallied on Monday as the committee wanted to compare the paper which came out exactly.
Mr Mutisa who is also Kalulushi District Commissioner said that the Zambia Police and other security wings were carrying out investigations for possible prosecutions in the culprits.
”We will not rest until we get to the source of the case.” Mr Mutisa said.
He said that pupils found with examination leakages risk their examinations being nullified and should not cheat themselves.
Mr Mutisa warned that whichever government officer would be found wanting would not only be fired, but prosecuted too.
President Banda flanked by incoming local government minister Ben Tetamashimba and Defence minister George Mpombo
PARLIAMENT has scrapped the responsibility allowance for constitutional office holders and drastically reduced the special and utility allowances in the revised emolument bills that were approved yesterday.
This was when the House passed the three amended emolument bills that seek to increase salaries and allowances for the president, ministers, deputy ministers, members of Parliament and other constitutional office holders.
The amended bills, which were subjected to a vote electronically, saw a significant reduction of the utility allowance while the salary still stood at 15 per cent increment.
The three bills, which had earlier passed through the House, were sent back after President Banda wrote a letter to the Speaker on November 7, asking Parliament to reconsider the bills, as they were costly to the Government in their old form.
Presenting the amended bills, Vice-President George Kunda said the treasury had insufficient funds to implement the earlier proposed allowances, hence the need to amend the bills.
Mr Kunda said the Government had spent huge sums of money to conduct the October 30 presidential election and expenses towards the State funeral of late president Mwanawasa.
According to the amended Presidential Emolument Bill number 18 of 2008, the President’s special annual allowance of K157,210,523 had been reduced to K59,194,734 while the annual responsibility allowance of K150 million was scrapped.
The salary of the president has been increased by 15 per cent and would now annually be pegged at K164, 120, 016.
The vice-president’s annual salary would be K99,227,544 while the special allowance had been reduced to K33, 886,567 from K 94, 119, 870. The responsibility allowance of K90 million has been scrapped and the utility allowance was now K26, 680,000 from K66,400,000.
The deputy speaker, Cabinet minister, the chief whip, leaders of opposition would get an annual salary of K75, 117, 124, special allowance of K26, 382, 673 instead of K64, 412, 182. The utility allowance for the same category of officers is now K26, 680,000 from K66, 400,000.
Back benchers would get an annual salary of K70,161,239, special allowance at K19, 165,615 instead of K66 million. The utility allowance annually was pegged at K26, 680,000 instead of K66, 400,000.
Deputy ministers would get an annual salary increment of K70, 953,196, the special allowance of K24, 107,904 instead of K61, 448, 092 and utility allowance of K26, 680,000 other than earlier proposed K66, 400,000.
The constitutional office amendment Bill now states that the secretary to the Cabinet would get an annual salary increment of K159, 340, 959 and a responsibility allowance of K48, 300,000 annually instead of K80 million.
The Attorney General would get annual salary increment of K135, 485,950 and responsibility allowance of K41, 400,000 annually instead K80 million.
And the Speaker of the National Assembly told the House the three bills were passed with more than two thirds of the majority votes which was done electronically.
Morocco on Wednesday evening crushed Zambia 3-0 in a friendly match played at the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca.
The Atlas Lions roared to a 2-0 lead into the break after taking a 3rd minute lead through midfielder Houssine Kharja of Italian Serie A side Siena.
Porto striker Tarik Sekitioui scored his second goal against Zambia in as many friendly matches this year with a 25th minute penalty.
His Spanish based team mate and striker Nabil Baha of Malaga completed Morocco’s win over Zambia heading in the hosts third goal just three minutes after the hour-mark.
The results stretches Zambia’s winless streak away against Morocco to three friendly games after losing there 2-0 in Fez this past January and 1-0 in 2001 in Rabat.
Meanwhile, Zambia’s fellow 2010 World Cup Group C qualifiers opponent Egypt swept aside Benin 5-1 in their home friendly match played on the same night.
Hosny Rabou put the African champions ahead on 25 minutes before Emad Moteab struck twice in the 27th and 41st minutes.
Mohamed Aboutrika gave his side a 4-0 halftime lead on 43rd minutes and before adding his second of the day in the 74th minute.
Benin scored their consolation goal through striker Razak Omotoyossi just five minutes from fulltime.
Parliament heard today that government spent over K400 million on identifying 363 talented sportsmen and women in rural areas.
And parliament heard today that this year government has set a Talent Identification and Steering Committee that is being administered by the National Sports Council of Zambia (NSCZ).
Sport, Youth and Child Development Deputy Minister Christopher Kalila said out of the K1.4 billion allocated in this year’s national Budget, K430,754,247.20 was spent on talent identification for 2011 All Africa Games (AAG) to be hosted in Zambia.
He further said that the Committee comprises of officials from his ministry, the Ministry of Education, and the National Sports Council tasked to tap talent in all the sport disciplines in rural Zambia.
Dr. Kalila said rural talent was tapped from football (10), netball (65), volleyball (81), table tennis ( seven ), as well as Zambia Athletics Amateur Association (ZAAA) ( nine ).
Others include Badminton Association of Zambia (18), basketball (46) chess (40) and a total of 87 athletics from the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) respectively.
Dr. Kalila who is a nominated MP was responding to a question by Mfuwe MP (PF) Mwiimba Malama who wanted to find out what government is doing in tapping talent in rural areas and how much was spent from 2007 to-date.
And Sport, Youth and Child Development Minister Kenneth Chipungu said government has plans are underway to develop the infrastructure in the country to prepare participants participating to the AAG in 2011.
This was in response to the supplementary question by Mwense MP (PF) Jacob Chongo who lamented that lack of infrastructure in rural areas is detrimental to operate on.
A multi billion kwacha expansion of the Zambia Revenue Authority [ZRA] yard in Nakonde district in Northern Province will start before the end of 2008.
And construction of 28 low cost houses for junior officers operating at Nakonde border is progressing well.
District commissioner Edwin Sinyinza has confirmed the development in an interview with the Zambia News and Information Services [ZANIS].
Mr Sinyinza says the multi billion kwacha expansion of ZRA Nakonde border check point will commence before the end of December.
” All is set for the commencement of the multi-billion expansion project of the Nakonde ZRA yard and construction works are expected to start before the end of this year,” Said Sinyinza.
Mr. Sinyinza said all the clearing agents and other people operating from containers placed outside ZRA yard have been directed to ensure that all the containers are removed within the next 48-hours.
He said the containers and other make-shift shops should be erected at other designated places approved by the district council.
He however, said he was happy that the move to relocate the containers has been well received by all the stakeholders who have since started moving containers and other make-shift shops to other designated places.
The district commissioner disclosed that a bull dozer from Kasama was expected to arrive any day to start demolishing structures and prepare the land for the commencement of the expansion exercise.
Mr Sinyinza said the government was expected to hand over the site to the contractor immediately after all the unnecessary structures have been pulled down.
” The expansion of Nakonde border check point follows the upgrading of the station that has seen remarkable increase in the revenue collection,” Mr Sinyinza added.
Nakonde is currently the second largest collector of revenue after Chirundu in Zambia.
And construction of 28 low cost houses for junior officers operating at the border is progressing well.
District commissioner Sinyinza said the contractor has just finished laying the foundation and will start working on the super structures.
” Yes, I can confirm to you that the construction of low-cost houses for junior officers operating at Nakonde border check point is progressing well and moving on schedule,” Mr Sinyinza said.
He said once completed, the houses which are located along the Nakonde/ Malawi international Road in Katozi area will be allocated to officers under the Drug Enforcement Commission [DEC], ZRA, Police and the Immigration department.
This is the phase one of the project in which a total of 100 houses are to be constructed at the end of the project.
ZANIS/JM/ENDS/MM.
A Concerned Citizen from Kabwe has taken a swipe at Transparency international President Ruben Lifuka’s recent remarks on the October 30 Presidential polls.
Mr Richard Chella said in a release to ZANIS, Tuesday evening , that Mr Lifuka is being biased because the T.I president at first supported the opposition during the campaigns but has now switched to speak positively for the ruling MMD after it won.
Mr Chellah , who is and adent MMD supporter said that he can only take Mr Lifuka seriously if his organisation declares the just ended elections as free and fair in line with what other local and international organisations have done.
He asked if the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) have equally come out in the open that elections were free and fair, who is Mr Lifuka to remain adamant that the elections were not free and fair.
Mr. Chella has since urged Mr Lifuka to condemn the biasness by a named tabloid newspaper he alleged was transferring and manufacturing pictures to depict that a certain presidential candidate was more popular.
Further,the concerned citizen challenged Mr Lifuka to strongly condemn what he called the shameless lie reported by the same tabloid that traditional leaders in Southern province had shunned President Banda during the campaigns in total contrast to what was televised on ZNBC.
ZANIS/AH/ENDS/MM
Parliament heard today that 29 geological blocks in Chama and Lundazi districts in Eastern province have so far been demarcated for prospective oil explorations.
Mines and Mineral Development Minister Maxwell Mwale told parliament that his ministry has invited exploration companies to bid for the oil and gases that show positive indications of the mineral resource in the province.
Mr. Mwale, who is also Malambo Member of Parliament (MP) told the house that 153 soil samples were collected in Chama while 211 others were collected in Lundazi to determine the quantity and availability of the two minerals.
He said to this effect, government has replaced the Mineral Act of 1985 to favour more prospectors to freely conduct mining activities in the country.
The Minister said that three other provinces namely North-western, Luapula and Western have shown signs of oil and gas while Southern province has prospects for gold. He said exploration works would soon commerce in the said provinces.
Mr. Mwale was responding to a question by Nyimba MP Forrie Tembo who wanted to find out the latest oil and gas exploration in Chama and Lundazi districts by government.
Bwangweulu Patriotic Front (PF) MP Joseph Kasongo asked the government as to when it would start exploring the gold deposits in his constituency.
Mr. Mwale assured that the exploration of oil and gases is an on-going and that government has since embarked on land demarcation exercise to potential prospecting firms.
Government has approved over K46 billion for the tarring of a 26 kilometer stretch of Township roads in Chipata district of Eastern province.
Acting Town Clerk Noel Muchimba disclosed to ZANIS in an interview that Sable contractors will soon commence works before serious rains begin.
Mr. Muchimba stated that the first road to be worked on will be Kapata/Navutika road via Katopola.
He has since appealed to residents in the district cooperate with the council and the contractor by removing structures that are within vicinity of the roads.
A Ndola Clergyman has urged the NCC to consider the inclusion of funding political parties with national character to safeguard the nation from political parties forming alliances with foreign organisations threattening national security.
Rabbi Bornface Chisala told ZANIS in Ndola Tuesday morning that for a political parties to qualify for state funding there was need to ensure that they had sufficient paid up members to sponsor a member of parliament in at least five provinces.
He said  the mechanism could help in avoiding opposition political parties going on their knees to foreign organisations to solicit for financial help and making pledges of paying back the funds once elected into government.
He said such alliances could keep the nation to ransom by  sponsoring organisations and cause the government to work under pressure once elected into office.
The clergyman said once such a mechanism was put in place, it was would enable government to keep in check what the opposition political parties were doing as they would be required to disclose their monies or materials given to them by any interested organisation locally or abroad.
He added that democracy must be supported not just by word of mouth but by deeds that were in agreement with the promotion of good democratic ideals.
Rabbi Chisala said the financial support should be restricted to only those political parties that were duly registered with the Registrar of societies with the government.
He said presidential candidates should be allowed to access State security during campaigns.
Rabbi Chisala said there was also need to factor in the airtime units which should be realistically estimated to cover the communication challenge during the whole campaign period.
He proposed a K1 million per day for contigency so that there was no excuse of the political playing field being uneven.
He was categorical tha the facility should not be extended to members of parliament and ward counmcilors sponsoring politicval parties should take care of such positions.
ZANIS/CN/CMM/ENDS/MM.
Leaders Zesco United maintained 4-point lead at the summit of the Faz Premier League table after recording their third successive draw.
Lusaka Dynamos 2-Young Arrows 3
Lusaka Dynamos didn’t get the morale boosting win their need ahead of Saturday’s Barclays Cup semifinal match against Zesco.
They lost 3-2 at home today to Young Arrows who won thanks to goals from Kruger Mwansa, Chiwanki Liyainga.
Thomas Mulendema and Sydney Nteke got Dynamos consolation goals.
Nkana 1-Zanaco 3
Zanaco completed a league double over Nkana this season after beating the promoted record 11-time league champions 3-1 away in Kitwe today.
The score line was similar to the two sides first meeting in Week 9 last May and today’s result also ended Nkana’s four-match unbeaten run.
Nkana made a false start when William Chinse put them ahead in the 5th minute before Zanaco equalized in the 16th minute through their Under-20 international midfielder Bernard Bwalya.
Simon Silwamba made it 2-1 on 48 minutes and Jack Chileshe put the result beyond doubt eight minutes from time.
City of Lusaka 0- Power Dynamos 1
Power Dynamos ended a four-match winless streak after beating City of Lusaka 1-0 at Woodlands Stadium in Lusaka today.
Simon Bwalya scored the games lone goal in the 6th minute after beating two defenders after a being put through with a fine pass from striker Shabby Mwaba.
However, Power had goalkeeper Rabson Muchelenganga to thank for making four crucial saves in the second half as City put the visitors on the defensive.
Green Eagles 1- Nkwazi 0
Aubrey Zulu scored his 12 goal of the season and is now one short of leading scorer and ex-Kabwe Warriors striker Emmanuel Mayuka.
Zulu’s penalty against Nkwazi handed bottom of the table Eagles the three points but it was not enough for them to lift their spirits with three games left to play.
Nchanga Rangers 0- Kabwe Warriors 1
Maonga Kabuku scored the lone goal in this match that saw Warriors usurp Green Buffaloes from second spot.
Chambishi 1- Konkola Blades 0
Chambishi continued to rise up the table with a 1-0 home win over second from bottom Konkola Blades.
Aggrey Chiyangi’s side are now unbeaten in four league games.
Roan United 3- Green Buffaloes 1
Roan United today recorded a memorable win over inconsistent Buffaloes at Kafubu Stadium in Luanshya.
Derrick Kabwe and Kelvin Lukweto put Roan 2-0 ahead with goals in the 13th and 31st minutes respectively.
Dennis Banda pulled one back for Buffaloes in the 45th minute but Siloni Jere made sure Roan got the last laugh with the hosts third goal in the 82nd minute.
Government says recent attacks on Albinos reported in neighboring Tanzania may lead to special protection of Albinos in Zambia.
Health Minister, Kapembwa Simbao, is suggesting that the ministry of home affairs puts in place measures to protect the Albinos in Zambia.
Mr. Simbao was speaking in parliament on Tuesday.
And Health Deputy Minister, Mwendoi Akakandelwa said government doesn’t have any records on Albino babies born in Zambia between 2004 and 2006.
Mr. Akakandelwa has also acknowledged that there is no law to protect albinos in the country.
He was responding to a question from Kantanshi member of Parliament Yamfwa Mukanga who wanted to know how many Albino babies were born between 2004 and 2006.
Mr. Mukanga also wanted to know whether there is a law to protect Albino babies against discrimination and stigma.
Recent reports indicate that some Albinos in Tanzanian and Burundi had been murdered and their body parts used for making lucky charms.
ZNBC
Computer Aid International has donated 2000 computers to the Ministry of Education.
Speaking when he received the computers, Education Minister Professor Geoffrey Lungwangwa said the provision of quality education requires the application  of information communication technology (ICT), especially computers.
Professor Lungwangwa observed that ICT is developing at a very fast rate adding that the development is creating new ways of learning and conducting business in the education sector.
He said the Ministry of Education in line with the Fifth National Development Plan has adopted the use of ICTs at various levels of the education delivery.
Professor Lungwangwa said computers are at the centre of being aids to strive to achieve quality, equity and efficiency in education.
He said ICT are changing the education system and Zambia desires to fully embrace the development.
And handing over the computers, Computer Aid International Southern Africa Programme Officer Hiller Addo said the mission of Computer Aid is to bridge the digital divide.
Mr. Addo said information technology skills are critical for the survival of all individuals in the information age.
Police in Kasama have arrested a radio announcer at Radio Mano community station for alleged indecent assault.
Police sources revealed the arrest of the announcer to ZANIS in Kasama today.
The police said the named suspect had allegedly gone to visit his girlfriend at her place early this month but did not find her.
It was at that point that the suspect decided to pounce on a young girl, who works as a maid, and attempted to have sex with her.
However, the girl managed to put up a struggle resulting in her sustaining body injuries after the suspect failed to have a sex with her.
The matter was then reported to Kasama police station after the victim informed the suspect’s girl-friend about the ordeal.
Police later picked up the radio announcer, who is currently incustody waiting to appear in court.
Efforts to get a comment from Northern Province police chief, Charles Lungu, proved futile.
But, the latest arrest of an announcer at Radio Mano is the second one in three (3) months after another one was picked in connection with alleged sodomy.
However, police are said to have dropped the sodomy case due to insufficient evidence.
Earlier this year, the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) in Northern Province had advised the board at Radio Mano to deal firmly with reports of alleged sexual harassment at the institution.
