Advertisement Banner
Friday, August 8, 2025
Subscribe
Advertisement Banner
Home Blog Page 5419

Burning of Radio Phoenix is a blow – Mulongoti

editor
-
111

Information and Broadcasting Services Minister, Michael Mulongoti, has described the burning of Radio Phoenix studios as a sad development to the country’s media fraternity.

And government has assured Radio Phoenix management that it would do everything possible to help the station get back to its normal operations after a comprehensive investigation on the cause of the fire was completed.

Mr. Mulongoti, who is also Chief Government Spokesperson, said the burning of radio phoenix studios was a serious hindrance to the development of the station.

He was speaking in Lusaka today shortly after touring Radio Phoenix studios which were gutted yesterday after a suspected electrical fault.

He said the station was an equal partner to the development of the country’s media fraternity through the dissemination of information to the people in the country.

Mr. Mulongoti has since urged radio phoenix management not to panic as government was doing everything possible to facilitate the coming back of the station on air.

And Radio Phoenix Proprietor, Errol Hickey, said the fire burnt antennas, recording studios and the accounts and marketing departments to ashes.

Mr. Hickey further disclosed that over US$300, 000 is needed to procure the destroyed equipment.

He assured the country that the radio station would get back on air after threes days time.

The fire, which started at 14:30 hours, is suspected to have been caused by an electrical fault.

The inferno burnt the entire top floor of ZIMCO house on Lusaka’s Cairo road and destroyed all radio phoenix antennas, recording studios and the accounts and marketing departments.


ZANIS/TK/KSH/ENDS

Partisan inclined army officers to face dismissal

editor
-
68

Zambia Army Commander General Isaac Chisuzi has threatened to dismiss army officers who will be seen involving themselves in partisan politics.

General Chisuzi says army officers who will be seen indulging themselves in partisan politics will be instantly dismissed.

He explained that the command does not allow defence forces to engage themselves in partisan politics.

The Army Commander was speaking last night in a speech read on his behalf by Army Deputy Commander Iliad Mutwale at the 25th Anniversary of Intake 12 Silver Jubilee Celebrations at the Officers Mess.

General Chisuzi observed that in a democratic country, all defence forces are required to remain loyal to duty and support the government of the day in order to maintain peace and security in the country.

He however, commended defence forces in the country for exhibiting exemplary conduct and commitment to duty during the sickness, death and burial of late President Levy Mwanawasa.

General Chisuzi further urged all defence forces in the country not to indulge themselves in activities that might lead them into contracting the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

He said the ravages of the HIV/AIDS pandemic had brought about great challenges to the defence and security wings as it has claimed several of its most skilled human resource.

And speaking earlier, Zambia Army Intake 12 Senior Officers Representative Colonel James Phiri assured the nation that the intake will remain loyal and dedicated to duty with a view to fostering peace and security in the country.

Presidential Ballot Papers Printing kicks off

editor
-
59

The printing of Zambia’s presidential ballot papers has begun in South Africa’s port city, Durban ahead of the election slated for this month (October 30 , 2008).

The Printing kicked off this afternoon after verification of the ballot paper dummies and appending of signatures earlier in the day by the Zambian delegation which is here to witness the printing process expected to be completed on Friday next week.

This afternoon (Friday) the 21 man Zambian delegation led by Electoral Commission of Zambia Chairperson Florence Mumba had an opportunity to tour South Africa’s Universal Printing factory where printing of the presidential ballot papers is being undertaken.

During the conducted tour of the factory, Company Special Projects Consultant Vik Vaid went through the whole process of printing in an effort to establish the firm’s credibility in the printing industry to the section where the Zambian presidential ballot papers are being printed.

While in the section where the presidential ballot papers are being printed, the Zambian delegation was given a chance to scrutinise sample ballot papers that have already been done.

The firm’s Special Projects Consultant told the delegation that printing will go on throughout the weekend while the other process of sticking and packaging would be done on Monday next week.

At the end of the tour, Universal Printing Company Managing Director, Bharat Mehta, assured the Zambian delegation that there would be no external influence over the printing of the presidential ballot papers.

Mr Mehta underscored that security and integrity was paramount to his firm hence it would ensure that no external forces interfered in the printing process.

“If anything happened our credibility will be affected hence integrity and ethics are important for us. We are conscious of the fact that we are responsible for what happens in Zambia and other African countries,” he said.

His remarks came in the wake of concerns from the opposition parties among them the PF on how secure the printing was at the printing firm.

The Zambian delegation comprises political parties and Civil Society representatives include ECZ Commissioner Jalasi, MMD’s Assistant Secretary for Research Felix Mwansa, Heritage Party Trustee Lorraine Miyanda, UPND’s Chairperson for Defence and Security and Patriotic Front General Secretary Edward Mumbi.

Others are Zambia National Women’s Lobby Vice Chairperson Helen Kauta Kalikeka, Forum for Democratic Process (FODEP) President Stanely M’hango and Kwezekani Banda from the Zambia Police.

Those who arrived later in the day include Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC)’s Ronnet Chanda, Daniel Maimbo of Transparency International Zambia and Anti Corruption Commission’s Royd Katongo.

Zambia goes to the presidential election on October 30 this year following the death of Dr Levy Patrick Mwanawasa who passed on in France’s Percy Military Hospital in August.

ZANIS/ENDS/CLM/SJK

Fire guts Radio Phoenix Studio

editor
-
151

Property worth billions of kwacha has been destroyed in a fire that gutted Radio Phoenix recording Studio on the 13th floor of ZIMCO House today.

The cause of the inferno, which swept through studio this afternoon, had not been established by press time.

Fire fighters had a tough time to put off the inferno in a bid to prevent it from spreading to other parts of the building.

Senior Maintenance Officer, George Chisanga, who was present at the scene, said the three fire tenders were rushed to the scene, but fire fighters struggled in reaching the affected floor due to lack of a long path for connecting the water pipes.

Lusaka city council LCC spokesperson, Henry Kapata, regretted that the Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company had not put up hydrants in strategic places but that only One hydrant fire engine was available around the building.

He further noted that it was difficult for the council to assist as they only depend on grants to sustain themselves as a council.

Efforts to get a comment from Radio Phoenix management failed.

ZANIS/ENDS/AH/SJK

ACC questions Cozmo Mumba

editor
-
51

National Revolutionary Party President, Cozmo Mumba, has appeared before the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) for interrogation on corruption allegations.

Dr. Mumba arrived at the ACC office around 10 hours on Friday.

He later told Journalist that he is not guilty of the corruption allegation.

He however said he will corporate with the investigation until his name is cleared.

And ACC Public Relations Manager, Timothy Moono confirmed that Dr Mumba has been questioned by the ACC.

Mr. Mono could not however reveal the details of the interrogation as this would jeopardise investigations.

Dr. Mumba has been accused of receiving a bribe of 15 million kwacha in order to support Acting Presidential, Rupiah Banda.

[ZNBC]

UPND intensifies campaigns in Sinazongwe

editor
-
129

The United Party for National Development (UPND) in Sinazongwe is carrying out ground work campaigns to beat their contestants in the Presidential by election.

Sinazongwe District Vice Chairperson Bernad Kalata said the party was ready for elections and thanked the Acting President Rupiah Banda for announcing the elections early.

Mr. Kalata boaster that the presidential by election contest in the district was between Acting President Rupiah Banda and Hakainde Hichilema because the Patriotic Front (PF) party and Heritage party were non-existent in the district.

He said Hichilema was the only person with the calibre to rule Zambia and appealed for electorates to vote for him.

UPND District Secretary Peter Siavuulwe said the party would start with the intensification of the door-to-door campaigns.

“Here we are not worried. Even when elections were conducted today we will carry the day at the district level,” Mr Siavuulwe said.

And the Acting President Rupiah Banda will visit Sinazongwe District in Southern Province on Monday.

Sinazongwe District Commissioner Mungoni Simulilika confirmed the development to ZANIS that the Acting President would touch down at the Maamba Tonwnship’s golf Club at 07:30.

Mr. Simulilika said Mr Banda is expected to meet the chiefs in Sinazongwe District and hold a meeting with the Sinazongwe business community.

He said the president was also expected to hold a rally at Maamba’s Kanzize stadium before his departure to Choma at 12:30.

Meanwhile the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) in Sinazongwe has welcomed the Acting president’s visit to the district.

Sinazongwe District Constituency Chairperson, Simoni Chali, said Mr. Banda’s visit was a blessing to the Sinazongwe people.

“He will definitely get a 90 per cent vote here,” Mr. Chali said.

ZANIS/ENDS/TN/EB

Anti-Rigging Zambia Limited loses case against RB

editor
-
32

THE Lusaka High Court has ruled that acting president RUPIAH BANDA should continue to enjoy presidential privileges and benefits.

ZNBC reports that this is in a case in which the Anti-Rigging Zambia Limited sued Mr BANDA saying he ceased to be vice president from the time he filed in his nomination papers for the presidential elections.

It said Mr BANDA was not entitled to perform presidential functions or the benefits of that office and that he should not enjoy or use public resources to fund his campaign.

But Lusaka High Court judge PHILIP MUSONDA ruled that article 43 (1) gave the acting president absolute immunity from having proceedings instituted against him in any court of law in respect of anything done or omitted to be done in his private capacity.

The judge ordered that Mr BANDA will continue to act as president and enjoy the privileges and benefits attached to that office until the democratic process resolves the issue of the presidency.

Judge MUSONDA noted that the case was a constitutional matter that had raised a novel issue and that there would be no order for costs.

He said during hearing attorney general MUMBA MALILA said that article 43 (1) of the constitution, a person holding the office of the president was not amenable to criminal or civil proceedings in respect of anything done during his tenure of office.

Mr MALILA said that the article was categorical and operated to prevent the institution of any court process against the acting president or as a person performing the functions of the president.

But lawyer for Anti-Rigging Zambia Limited KELVIN BWALYA argued that the article referred to when such a person was taking administrative action or an executive decision in consultation with cabinet.

Mr BWALYA argued that the filing of nomination papers as presidential candidate was not an executive function or that of a president because even any other person could have filed in the papers.

ZANIS/ZNBC/ENDS

Nothing wrong with move to reconcile with FTJ , MMD

editor
-
94

The MMD says there is nothing wrong with the ruling party reconciling with second Republican President, Frederick Chiluba.

Party Spokesperson, Ben Tetamashimba, says the MMD should not be demonised over its renewed relationship with Dr. Chiluba.

Mr. Tetamashimba said although Dr. Chiluba is facing corruption charges, the former President remains innocent until proven guilty by the courts of Law.

He told ZNBC news that Acting president, Rupiah Banda, will base his governance style on reconciliation.

Mr Tetamashimba however, could not state how Dr. Chiluba has reconciled with the ruling party.

Dr. Chiluba renounced his MMD membership in the run-up to the 2006 elections and threw his support behind the opposition Patriotic Front.

[ZNBC]

Court throws out Fred M’membe’s application

editor
-
242

The LUSAKA High Court has thrown out an application by Post Newspapers Editor, Fred M’membe, to dismiss contempt proceedings against him.

The Court has ruled that it will proceed to hear contempt proceedings against M’membe.

High Court Judge, Charles Kajimanga, says he is satisfied that the affidavit for contempt proceedings was duly deposed and sworn by Acting President, Rupiah Banda.

Judge Kajimanga also says he is not satisfied that there is no legal basis for vacating the exparte order.

On Tuesday, the Court granted the MMD presidential candidate permission to start contempt proceedings against Mmembe.

Mr. Banda had complained that the Post newspapers had disobeyed a court order restraining it from publishing defamatory articles about him.

The Injunction granted over the weekend stopped Mr. M’membe or his agents from publishing articles deemed as defamatory to Mr. Banda as MMD presidential candidate until the matter is heard.

However, before the injunction could be heard Mr. Banda said Mr. M’membe defied the Court order by publishing articles which he deemed defamatory.

This was one titled “RUPIAH A SHAMELESS LIAR” prompting the application for contempt proceedings.

[ZNBC]

Zambia shows malaria control can be effective

editor
-
17

The Malaria Control and Evaluation Partnership in Africa (MACEPA) says there is evidence that rapid, large-scale malaria control in Zambia is achieving promising results. A survey suggests there has been 50% reduction in the prevalence of malaria in children under five in a period of just two years.

MACEPA is a project of the US-based non-profit organization PATH, which argues that, Zambia now provides ‘a model for malaria control’ and that – with commitment coordination and leadership – similar results can be achieved elsewhere.

Preliminary results from Zambia’s 2008 malaria indicator survey (MIS) were announced in September. The survey, of nearly 4,500 households across the country, demonstrated the effectiveness of the scaled-up approach to malaria control adopted in Zambia. Particularly successful has been the improvement in the distribution of insecticide-treated bednets (ITNs), expanding the reach of Zambia’s indoor residual spraying programme (IRS), and providing preventive medicine and treatment for the most vulnerable. Bednet use in children under age five years has risen 31.5% since 2002, and malaria parasitic prevalence in this same group was reduced by 50% in only two years.

Other significant findings include a 60% decrease in the number of cases of moderate to severe anaemia. Two-thirds of Zambian households are now covered with at least one treated net or a recent indoor spraying. Eighty per cent of pregnant women now receive at least one dose of preventive medicine.
According to PATH: ‘Through committed leadership; a strong, united partnership; and innovative approaches; Zambia has become a global leader in malaria control and is making excellent progress toward its vision of a malaria-free Zambia.’

TDR

UPND AND PF will be taught a Lesson, RB

editor
-
306

Acting President, Rupiah Banda, yesterday advised Lukulu residents not to worry much about the Patriotic Front (PF) and Unity Party for National Development because the two were small parties whose leaders will be taught a lesson on October 30, the polling day.

Mr. Banda says the dominant parties in the district were the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) and the United Liberal Party (ULP) as it was proved in the 2006 general elections.

The Acting President was speaking at Lukulu Airstrip when he arrived from Kaoma where he held a campaign rally.

He pointed out that now that ULP has resolved to support the MMD, results will be more resounding than during the 2006 general elections.

“The presence of the two parties is a guarantee that will have a 100 percent votes here in Lukulu district,” he said.

Mr. Banda said he was confident that after the forthcoming elections, PF and UPND will be relegated into history books and will be remembered no more.

He said PF leader Michael Sata will only be remembered as a man who went round the country telling people to vote for him for the top job but failed.

As for UPND’s Hakainde Hichilema, Mr. Banda said he was a young man who will be taught a lesson of the need to start from bottom and not from the top.

“We want to teach HH humility and respect for people who are more experienced than him. We want him to come and kneel down before ULP leader Sakwiba Sikota and apologize for what he did to him,” he said.

Scores of people thronged Lukulu Airstrip to welcome Mr. Banda and his entourage.

Mr. Banda is scheduled to hold private talks with senior chief Imwiko and hold a campaign rally at Fernado grounds.

ZANIS/PSM/KH/CMM/SJK

Zambia agrees $170 million funding for housing projects

editor
-
34

Zambia has agreed financing deals totalling $170 million with European and African lenders and selected Chinese firms to build houses in key mining towns and a famed tourist city, a senior industry official said on Thursday.

Zik Zekko, the chief executive officer of the National Housing Bond Trust (NHBT), said 1,211 houses would be constructed in the new copper mining town of Solwezi in northwestern Zambia, the ancient copperbelt city of Kitwe and tourist resort city of Livingstone.

A surge in copper production has created critical housing shortages in the mining areas.

Zekko said Pan-African bank, the PTA Bank, Shelter Afrique, the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) and International Housing Solutions, an associate of the World Bank’s International Finance Corporation (IFC) would be the principle financiers for the projects.

He also told journalists that Standard Chartered Bank would place a bond with Zambian pension funds and insurance firms on the Lusaka Stock Exchange to raise $34 million of the $170 million for the housing projects.

“In all the three pilot projects, a total of $170 million is required to build houses (and) hence we have had to consider going outside our market to source funding,” Zekko said.

Zekko said contracts had been awarded to Chinese firms, Yangtsi Jiang, China Jiangxi and Sichuan International Technical Corp., to construct the houses.

The houses would be sold to Zambians, enabling the NHBT to repay loans from foreign lenders, while foreigners would only be considered if there was not enough demand from locals.

The NHBT had also applied for tax exemptions on imported building materials to enable it to price the houses cheaply.

The NHBT was also in talks with the German-based Africa Development Corporation to fund more houses.

He said financiers were also watching closely the political climate ahead of the presidential elections due on October 30.

“As long as we don’t throw stones (during presidential elections) in October, everything should be fine,” Zekko said.

Reuters

Excuse me, is this reception?

editor
-
79

It’s not every day you see a wild elephant standing next to you at the reception of a hotel.

But in the Mfuwe Lodge in the 9,500 sq km South Luangwa National Park in Zambia, the sight of elephants strolling around the lobby is a regular occurrence.
It was unwittingly built on the route to the herd’s favourite mango trees and the pachyderms have seen no reason to change the path trodden by generations before them.

Andy Hogg, 44, director at Mfuwe Lodge, said the herd appears every November as the mangoes ripen: ‘This is a totally natural phenomenon, the elephants come here of their own accord and it is certainly a rare but magnificent sight.’

The herd is led to the lodge each day by the matriarch, Wonky Tusk.

‘There is ten in that herd and it is only that herd that comes through. It is a strange thing,’ said Andy.

Guests are not allowed to get too close to the beasts and there have been no incidents yet.

Associated Newspaper limited

Richard Sakala in the dock

editor
-
49

Former State House Press Aide Richard Sakala Thursday appeared for mention in the Lusaka Magistrates Court.

This is in a matter where Mr. Sakala has been put on his defence after he was found with a case to answer for abuse of authority of office.

Mr. Sakala who is jointly charged with a Lusaka resident, Nellie Mwila will defend himself in two other offences of forgery and executing a valuable security.

He told the court that he intends to call 12 witnesses in the case.

Magistrate Sharon Newa has set october 20, 28 and 29 as dates for Mr. Sakala defence hearing.

Mr. Sakala and Ms. Mwila were put on their defence after the state proved beyond reasonable doubt that they had engaged in the alleged offences.

And Magistrate Newa refused to grant Mr. Sakala’s lawyer an order to allow the court provide statements recorded from witnesses by investigating officers before the matter was taken to court.

Magistrate Newa said there is no authority which can allow the court to do so.
[ZNBC]

NIPA student, Nigerian nabbed for drug trafficking

editor
-
66

The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) in Kitwe has arrested a Nigerian national and a 19 year-old Zambian for trafficking in cocaine powder and crack cocaine.

The Commission has also arrested two American nationals, among several Zambians that include a Zambia National Service (ZNS) staff sergeant for illicit drug trafficking.

DEC Public Relations and Press Liaison Officer Rosten Chulu confirmed the development to ZANIS in Kitwe today.

Mr. Chulu said Raphael Devine Obumnema 36, a mechanical engineer of Matero in Lusaka was arrested in Kitwe together with Brenda Mwila Chanda 19, a student at National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA) in Lusaka for trafficking in nine sachets of cocaine and ten sachets of crack cocaine.

He said Brenda Chanda is pursuing a Diploma in Law at the Institute. Mr. Chulu said both suspects are currently remanded in custody awaiting court appearance.

Meanwhile, the Commission in Chipata, Eastern Province, has arrested Lambert Koeller Jafar 25, an American national for trafficking in loose cannabis weighing 32 grams and hashish weighing 10 grams.

DEC Public Relations and Press Liaison Officer Rosten Chulu confirmed to ZANIS that in the same province the Commission also arrested three people in Lundazi for trafficking in 6 by 100 kilogrammes and 50 kilogrammes of cannabis weighing 16 kilogrammes.

He named the suspects as Lingster Mwale, Christopher Mwale and Issac Mwale.

In Livingstone, another American national was arrested for trafficking in diphenhydramine.

DEC Public Relations and Press Liaison Officer Rosten Chulu disclosed that Loller Sherry Garrison 67, was arrested at Livingstone International Airport for trafficking in 20 capsules and 20 tablets of diphenhydramine weighing 100 grams without authority.

Others arrested in Southern Province include James Muzime Halale 40, Gift Kamamba 30, Bibien Banda 43, Josphine Mbewe 30, Lazarous Hamisikili 40 for trafficking in cannabis.

In Lusaka, the Commission arrested eight suspects for allegedly trafficking in drugs.

DEC Public Relations and Press Liaison Officer Rosten Chulu named the suspects as Moses Muzonga, Andrew Nyangu, Malita Nyirenda, Isaac Zulu, Pearson Kavani, Jane Nkhuwa, Rabson Tembo, Ken Chilufya all of Garden, John Laing, Msisi, Villa Elizabetha and Jack compounds.

And in Luapula, the DEC arrested eight people for trafficking in various quantities of cannabis while in Solwezi three suspects have been nabbed for allegedly trafficking in drugs.

ENDS/CM/AM/ZANIS

1...5,4185,4195,420...5,651Page 5,419 of 5,651

Company

Trending

Categories

© Lusaka Times