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Three Mpulungu residents have dragged their district council to court seeking a court order restraining the council from tarring a township road.
This came to light when the residents complained that the council’s plan to construct a tarred road to pass through their plots, shall infringe on their rights as Zambians with a right to own property. Their fear is that their buildings will either be demolished or interfered with by the project.
They requested the magistrate court to prevail over the matter and restrain the council from proceeding with the road project saying it will put them at a disadvantage as they will suffer loss because if their houses are demolished.
The trio contended that they have all the legal documentation to prove that they own the plots through which a road is earmarked for construction by the council, adding that allowing the council to proceed with the road project will be unfair to the owners of the structures.
But the district planner Jonathan Simbeya said councils in Zambia are mandated by the Town and Country Planning Act to modify any piece of land for purposes of development.
He told the court that the complainants did not follow the necessary procedures when acquiring the plots in question, adding that this is evident by the trio’s lack of title deeds for the said plots.
United Party for National Development (UPND) in Ndola has condemned the walking out of parliament by Patriotic Front (PF) members of parliament on Tuesday as retrogressive in the enhancement of development in Zambia.
Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Ndola, district Chairman Kanyaka Musa said the move was not developmental in any way but instead shows the failure by the PF parliamentarians to deliver to the people who elected them.
Mr. Musa said election time was over and it was now time to work and address the people’s needs. He urged the PF party members to accept the loss of their president in the just ended presidential by-election and focus on the future.
Mr. Musa also deemed unnecessary the planned demonstration by the PF members on Saturday on the Copperbelt.
He observed that the PF have already petitioned the presidential by-election and wondered what benefits the demonstration would bring about, apart from creating anarchy in the country.
He urged the PF party leaders to avoid actions that would create an atmosphere conducive for violence in the country.
On Tuesday this week, some PF MPs walked out of parliament in protest against the temporal appointment of Defence Minister George Mpombo as leader of government business in the absence of a Republican Vice President who is yet to be appointed by the newly elected President Rupiah Banda.
The PF MPS also argued that the MPs that were appointed by the late President Mwanawasa were not supposed to sit in parliament unless they are re-appointed by the new president.
Kansanshi Mining PLC Public Relations Manager Godfrey Msiska says the low copper prices on the international market will not affect the company’s projected copper production of 181 000 tonnes for the year 2008.
Mr. Msiska said the mining company is mitigating the negative impact of the low copper prices by optimizing the cost of production and changing the attitude towards resource management.
He was speaking at a stakeholders meeting in Solwezi yesterday.
Mr. Msiska added that this trend will not lead the company into laying off employees which he described as the last resort.
Meanwhile Kansanshi Mining Environmental Manager Richard Zyambo expressed disappointment with the jatropha outgrower scheme in Solwezi district.
Mr. Zyambo said the small scale farmers who benefited from the project in last years farming season have not performed to the company’s expectations.
He appealed to the farmers to fully support the project as Kansanshi alone can not do it adding that for the 2008- 2009 farming season only commercial farmers and people with interest will benefit from the seed and fertilizer.
A Zambia Police officer fires tear gas into the crowd
Scores of unruly rioting youths, Taxi and Mini Bus drivers today went on rampage in Kitwe Town centre and Chimwemwe Township damaging buildings and destroying property worth millions of Kwacha.
And Zambia Police Commissioner Francis Kabonde has announced that all the political and social functions have been canceled in Kitwe until the situation returns back to normal.
The Youths and drivers who were chanting Anti Government political slogans, smashed windows at the Olympic Milling shopping centre which houses various shops and in the process looted some mealie meal and beef belonging to Zambeef Zambia.
Police had a tough time as they fired tear gas canisters to repel the stone throwing youths and drivers who were protesting against the detention of Radio Ichengelo Station Manager Father Frank Bwalya.
A check around the City centre by ZANIS in the Company of Zambia Police Commissioner Francis Kabonde, Copperbelt Police Chief Antoneil Mutentwa and the the Local Command, found scores of people throwing stones in Chimwemwe Township, Town centre and Chisokone Market.
The entire road network in the City was blocked with burning tyres and logs placed in various places, while at the Zambia Institute of Business Studies (ZIPSIP) teargas canisters were fired to disperse political slogan chanting students who wanted to join the riot.
Police sealed off the entire City which is deserted where business halted as people were scampering from the area in fear of the violent scenes.
Taxi and Mini drivers who accompanied Father Bwalya from Kalulushi where he was detained, drove in a convoy of cars flashing lights and honking in the city centre where they created confusion.
Mr. Kabonde said Police arrested 38 people in connection with the riot which started around 10:30 hours, when father Bwalya was being taken to Kitwe Police headquarters where he was formally charged and released on a K10 Million bond in his own recognisance.
Mr. Kabonde said Father Bwalya who was arrested yesterday around 17:00 hours for engaging in acts intended to promote hostility between sections of the community has been slapped with three charges and would appear in Court on November 27 this year.
He said the Roman Catholic Priest has been charged with issuing statements likely to cause hostility between groups in society through the election programmes he had been broadcasting live on Radio Icengelo in the just ended presidential by-election.
He has also been charged for alleging that the October 30, 2008 Presidential by-election was fraudulent and that the current President Rupiah Banda was illegitimately elected.
Appeal to the media
Mr. Kabonde appealed to both the electronic and print media in the country to be sensitive when disseminating information to members of the Public.
“If you the media are not careful with the way you are disseminating information to members of the Public you may bring despondence and a breach of peace in the country”. Said Mr Kabonde.
He said Peace once lost was very difficulty to retain especially that the Copperbelt was near the region where some neighbouring countries were at War.
He added that the media had a duty to ensure that there was peace in the country and advised all those that were aggrieved by anything to do so through the courts of law.
Mr. Kabonde said that Father Bwalya was earlier warned by the police to stop disseminating his programmes because they were capable of brining discontent on the Copperbelt but he continued.
Mr. Kabonde appealed to the people of the Coppertbelt to remain calm and ensure that undesirable characters who could bring confusion in the Country did not do so.
And father Frank Bwalya appealed to Taxi and Bus Drivers in the City to desist from throwing stones and engaging in other acts of violence.
They may not possess the magic of old but Nkana have lost none of their drawing power.
Wherever they have gone this season, Nkana has been the biggest attraction of any visiting team in the Faz top-flight.
In Lusaka especially, Nkana have played in front of boisterous packed crowds with visits to Zanaco, City of Lusaka, Young Arrows and Lusaka Dynamos.
News that Nkana is in town this season has usually brought some economic impact with marginally healthier gate takings for the host club on match-day.
The draw isn’t only restricted to weekends as was witnessed in Nkana’s visit to Green Buffaloes in a midweek game on Wednesday, November 12 at Woodlands Stadium.
Woodlands was half-full on Wednesday -a rarity in any top-flight midweek game for years.
However, that little extra windfall for most away clubs could be short-lived for only this season.
Nkana are currently languishing in the relegation zone in 15th place with 27 points from 25 games played.
Coach Patrick Phiri has five games to save Nkana from a quick return to division 1 and should they go down a lot of clubs out there will be very sad to loose a lucrative paying visitor.
AUTHORITIES in Nakonde district in Northern Province have unearthed a scam in which subsidised fertilisers under the Fertiliser Support Programme [FSP] meant for small scale farmers in the area was being sold on the black market.
Nakonde District Commissioner, Edwin Sinyinza, has confirmed the development in an interview with the Zambia News and Information Services [ZANIS] in Nakonde today.
Mr Sinyinza said four people have since been arrested in connection with the scam and police have also recovered 5 x 50 kilograms bags of fertilisers so far.
Mr Sinyinza explained that the four men, who include a taxi driver, were intercepted with the stolen bags of fertiliser at Wulongo police check point, about 7 km from Nakonde along the Great North Road.
“I want to confirm to you that authorities in Nakonde district in Northern Province have unearthed a scam in which fertiliser meant for small scale farmers in the district was being sold illegally at the black market,” he said.
He explained that authorities were worried with the increased number of fertilisers being sold on the black market and that it was difficult to discover the source until yesterday when one taxi, which was suspected to be carrying stolen items, was trailed and later stopped at the police check point.
The District Commissioner said authorities were currently trying to establish the number of bags that have been stolen so far from the Mwenzo Food Reserve Agency [FRA] sheds where they are stocked.
Mr Sinyinza has since directed TAZARA police at Mwenzo police post to ensure Mwenzo FRA sheds are put on a 24-hour guard in order to secure the government subsidised fertilisers until the distribution exercise, which kicks off on Monday next week, is completed.
He warned that the Government would deal firmly with whoever will be found to be involved in the fertiliser scam, adding that the Government has spent a lot of money in procuring the same fertiliser meant to benefit the small scale farmers in the border town.
Meanwhile, the Nakonde DC has disclosed that a total of 15,600 bags of fertilisers for both Urea and D-compound have been received in the district for the 2008/2009 farming season.
Mr Sinyinza said the district was also expecting some more bags of D-compound which were scheduled to arrive in the district this weekend.
The district has also received 800 x 10 kilo grams of MRI 744 maize seed and 627 x 10 kilo grams of SEEDCO maize seed for this farming season.
MMD Spokesperson, Ben Tetamashimba, says the current high mealie meal prices are unjustified.
He told ZNBC news said that government feels the exorbitant prices are being instigated by persons opposed to the current administration.
Mr. Tetamashimba said government will not sit idle and watch Zambians go hungry because of selfish individuals.
Mr. Tetamashimba who is also Local Government Deputy Minister feels the high mealie meal prices may be a recipe for anarchy.
He also disclosed that President, Rupiah Banda, had a meeting with all the millers where it was resolved that the prices of mealie meal should be reduced.
Mr. Tetamashimba suggested that the price of roller meal should not exceed 50 thousand kwacha while that of breakfast must be arround 55 thousand kwacha.
Government has been called upon to deal ruthlessly with millers that are hoarding maize for profiteering and speculative motives aimed at embarrassing government.
And Forum for Leadership Search (FLS) Executive Director Edwin Lifwekelo says the move has resulted in inflated prices of mealie meal at the expense of the citizenry.
Mr. Lifwekelo told ZANIS in Lusaka today that some millers are bent on causing an artificial shortage of the staple food for political expediency.
He said finding a lasting solution to the sky rocking mealie-meal prices calls for all stakeholders to work together to address the problem.
Mr. Lifwekelo urged critics to stop demonizing President Rupiah Banda over the escalating mealie-meal prices as the matter should not be politicized.
He said the price of mealie-meal has nothing to do with the President Banda’s campaign promises but urged stakeholders to give an opportunity to President Banda to provide leadership over the matter.
Mr. Lifwekelo urged Zambians to be wary of leaders who are bent on alarming the nation.
ZANIS/KC/AM/ENDS
Mines Deputy Minister Maxwell Mwale told parlaiment that the Government did not have any information of any resident whose health had been affected as a result of lead and could therefore not compensate any individual.
He however said that the Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines Investment Holdings (ZCCM-IH) had put in place stringent measures to ensure that pollution at Kabwe Lead Plant was minimised.
Mr Mwale said ZCCM-IH had sunk boreholes, improved domestic water supply in communities affected by lead, provided cover wastes so as to prevent evaporation and embarked on the distribution of food supplements to reduce lead levels in children.
Mr Mwale was responding to a question raised by Kantanshi MP Yamfwa Mukanga (PF) who wanted to know the measures taken to minimise pollution and whether there were plans to compensate residents whose health had been affected by pollution.
Kabwe once boasted one of the largest and richest lead mines in Africa, but it had few pollution controls. Since the closure of the mine in 1994,the town has endured not only economic hardship but also the risk of lead poisoning.
Kabwe’s vegetation, soil and waterways are heavily contaminated with the highly poisonous metal. High levels of lead poisoning effect the entire population, but are particularly high in the children of the area. Children in Kabwe have been found to have as much as 10 times the EPA’s allowable limit of lead in their blood. Lead poisoning symptoms occur in any one whose lead level is above 20, at 120 death can occur.
Children in the area who play in the mud and run off, and young adults who scavenge in the mines for left over bits of metal to sell, have been found with levels over 200.
Police in Kitwe are expected to formally charge Radio Ichengelo Station Manager Father, Frank Bwalya, who was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly inciting the public.
Kitwe District Police Commanding Officer, Daniel Siame, confirmed that Father Bwalya who spent a night in custody in Kalulushi will be charged after police record a warn and caution statement from him.
Mr. Siame alleged that Father Bwalya has in the last few days been broadcasting messages that are likely to incite people.
He alleged that Father Bwalya has broadcast messages suggesting that the October 30 election was fraudulent.
Mr. Siame said Father Bwalya has also been heard through his broadcasts saying that the government is in office illegally.
Pemba Member of Parliament David Matongo (UPND) raised a point of order yesterday in parliament by asking if it was right for the Government to remain mute in the face of the escalating prices of mealie meal.
“Is the government in order not to inform the House on the unstable mealie-meal, fuel prices and late distribution of fertiliser when the planting season is about to start. Are they in order?” Mr Matongo said.
Mr Matongo also wondered why the pump price of fuel in Zambia had remained the same when the global crude oil prices were falling.
Deputy speaker of the National Assembly Mutale Nalumango said that the point of order raised by Mr Matongo was important and therefore deserved an explanation from the Government.
Ms Nalumango has ordered the Government to explain the escalating prices of mealie meal and why prices of fuel have remained static when global oil prices are falling.
Ms Nalumango gave the directive in Parliament yesterday .
“The relevant ministries should issue statements either this week or early next week. These are issues of national importance and therefore the point is relevant,” Mrs Nalumango said.
The MMD in Kafue has described statements by opposition Patriotic Front leader, Michael Sata, that there is tension in the country after the Presidential elections as untrue and unfortunate, saying Zambia is a God-fearing nation.
Speaking in an interview in Kafue yesterday, MMD Kafue Constituency Publicity Secretary, Isaac Mulenga, said that Zambians are mature and peaceful people who cannot resort to any violence after elections because they know very well that polls were free and fair.
Mr. Mulenga stated that African politicians should learn from the American democracy where the loosing candidate can accept defeat and congratulate the winners without any strings attached for the sake of continuity and democracy.
He said Zambian people are peace-loving and-God fearing people and will always respect the will of the majority and cannot resort to anarchy.
Mr. Mulenga noted that it is wrong to claim that there is tension in the country when every thing is normal because the President Rupiah Banda is doing everything possible to unite the Nation.
He said he sees no reason for opposition parties to continue making alarming statements when the current President has extended an olive branch to their leaders to work with him to avoid running a divided nation.
He appealed to the police to investigate some of these alarming statements made by some opposition leaders because they have potential to cause unnecessary tension in the country.
Mr. Mulenga also urged the Zambian people to give the newly-elected President time to put his house in order because he was the only leader capable to take Zambia to higher heights.
He praised the Mr. Banda for reducing Visa fees by 300 per cent, saying this will boost tourism and bring foreign exchange in the nation.
He stated that Mr. Banda is the message of hope to all Zambians due to the fact that he is the only leader who is humble and capable of accomplishing late President Dr. Levy Mwanawasa’s agenda.
Mr. Mulenga thanked the opposition leaders such as Edith Nawakwi, Sakwiba Sikota, Tilenyenji Kaunda and Nevers Mumba for supporting Mr Banda for the sake of peace and continuity.
DEPUTY Speaker of the National Assembly Mutale Nalumango has ordered the Government to explain the escalating prices of mealie meal and why prices of fuel have remained static when global oil prices are falling.
Ms Nalumango gave the directive in Parliament yesterday after Pemba Member of Parliament David Matongo (UPND) raised a point of order asking if it was right for the Government to remain mute in the face of the escalating prices of mealie meal.
Mr Matongo also wondered why the pump price of fuel in Zambia had remained the same when the global crude oil prices were falling.
The deputy speaker said that the point of order raised by Mr Matongo was important and therefore deserved an explanation from the Government.
“The relevant ministries should issue statements either this week or early next week. These are issues of national importance and therefore the point is relevant,” Mrs Nalumango said.
PF cadres chanting party slogans during a rally in October
HOME Affairs Minister Ronnie Shikapwasha is surprised that the police on the Copperbelt have issued a permit to the opposition Patriotic Front (PF) members to protest over the election of President Rupiah Banda.
He said he could not understand the rationale because the permit when the political party had already petitioned Mr Banda’s election in court.
And Lieutenant General Shikapwasha has warned that Government will deal firmly with individuals trying to fuel anarchy in the country.
But PF secretary general Edward Mumbi said the party had not yet taken the matter to court and its members who wanted to protest peacefully should not be barred.
General Shikapwasha was reacting to media reports that opposition PF on the Copperbelt is this Saturday scheduled to hold a peaceful demonstration to register its displeasure over Mr Banda’s election as Republican president.
Copperbelt Police commanding officer, Antoneil Mutentwa was reported to have said the PF was given a permit to allow them to hold a peaceful demonstration because it was their constitutional right.
But General Shikapwasha said PF had already petitioned Mr Banda’s election in the courts of law where they wanted a recount in certain constituencies and should therefore wait for the court’s ruling on the matter, instead of resorting to protests.
He said he was also surprised that despite knowing that the PF had already taken the issue of elections to court, the police on the Copperbelt issued a permit to the political party to hold peaceful demonstrations.
General Shikapwasha charged it was anarchy for individuals or political parties to protest over the issue, which was in court and warned that Government would deal firmly with individuals trying to fuel anarchy in the country.
“It is not a constitutional right to resort to protesting on something you have already taken to court. This is anarchy and we shall not allow anarchy in the country. PF should just wait for the court’s ruling on the matter.
PF was beaten clean and squarely and if the court rules that a recount be done, they will end up losing more votes,” General Shikapwasha said.
Mr Mumbi said that the fact that his party was about to take court action to call for a recount should not stop people from exercising their rights.
Zesco maintained a three-point lead at the top of the table after a scoreless draw at home against 9th placed City of Lusaka.
Nkwazi 2-Zanaco 1
Nkwazi’s revival continued today with their second successive league win after beating visiting Zanaco 2-1 in their Lusaka derby played at Edwin Emboela Stadium.
Isaac Mutantabowa and Keegan Phiri scored for Nkwazi to see them hover above the drop-zone in 12th place.
Junior international midfielder Chisamba Lungu scored Zanaco’s consolation goal.
Lusaka Dynamos 2 -Nchanga Rangers 0
Lusaka Dynamos shrugged off their BP Top 8 hangover and got back to business with a 2-0 home win over Nchanga Rangers at Queensmead Stadium.
Stanley Nshimbi and Lameck Banda’s goals gave Dynamos the 3 points as they set their eyes on a top 8 finish with five league games to go.
Konkola Blades 0-Red Arrows 0
Konkola Blades remained unbeaten for a three successive game collecting 5 points out of a possible 9.
The struggling side from Chililabombwe drew 0-0 at home against 6th placed Red Arrows at Konkola Stadium this afternoon.
Young Arrows 1-Roan United 0
Chiwanki Liyianga’s lone goal helped Young Arrows keep their quest of a top 8 finish alive after a 1-0 home win over 2nd from bottom Roan United.
Power Dynamos 0- Chambishi 1
Chambishi won their second league game on the trot thanks to ex-Kitwe United striker Frank Kalunga 1st half goal in a 1-0 away win over Power Dynamos.
Coach Aggrey Chiyangi’s win over his former club lifts Chambishi out of the relegation zone to 11th place.
Kabwe Warriors 4- Green Eagles 1
Kabwe Warriors were the biggest winners today thanks to 4-1 home win over Green Eagles in Kabwe derby played at the Railway Grounds.
Victor Mwansa scored a brace with goals in the 9th and 26th while Joseph Milanzi got one in-between on 17 minutes before Jacob Mubita made it 4-0 , 30 minutes into the first half.
Aubrey Zulu scored his 10th goal of the season when he converted bottom placed Green Eagles late penalty in the 85th minute.
Green Buffaloes 0- Nkana 0
Nkana produced one of their most eye-catching performances away today led by their unselfish striker Patrick Kabamba in a scoreless away draw to second placed Green Buffaloes at Woodlands Stadium in Lusaka.
Both sides wasted gilt-edged chances in the second half.
Buffaloes were first with striker Morgan Hanjeema’s shot hitting the horizontal in the 54th minute after beating Nkana’s defence.
Nkana almost took the lead a minute after the hour-mark when William Chinse fluffed a point-blank-range shot that was saved by Davy Kaumbwa following a slick one-two move with Kabamba.
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The Millers Association of Zambia (MAZ) has threatened to black list traders who are charging exorbitant mealie meal prices.
MAZ chairperson, Caleb Mulenga, says his organisation is charging between 40 and 44 thousand kwacha for a 25 kilogramme bag of roller meal.
And a 25 kilogramme bag of breakfast meal is being sold between 50 and 52 thousand kwacha.
In a statement to znbc news Mr Mulenga said that traders are recommended to add not more than five thousand kwacha per bag within the radius of 5 kilometers from the mill.
He urged consumers to purchase mealie meal from recognised outlets and MAZ registered outlets to avoid being exploited.
Some retail outlets have been selling mealie meal at as high as 60 and 75 thousand kwacha for roller meal and breakfast mealie meal.
Meanwhile, more than 20,000 households on Chilubi Island in Nothern Province are in dire need of relief food.
Chilubi Member of Parliament, Obious Chisala, told ZNBC news in a telephone interview that most residents have run out of food.
Mr. Chisala said the affected residents had their crops washed away by floods during the last rainy season.
He appealed to the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit to quickly dispatch relief food to the area.
And Mr. Chisala said traders have taken advantage of the food shortage and hiked the prices of cassava meal and maize by over one hundred per cent.
He said a gallon of maize is now going at K7,500 from K3,000 while the same quantity of cassava meal is costing K5,500 Kwacha from K2,000.
