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Technology can transform Zambia’s economy-Mutati

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Technology can transform Zambia’s economy-Mutati

Government says a number of interventions are being implemented towards enhancing the digital transformation in the country.

ZANIS reports that Minister of Technology and Science, Felix Mutati said the introduction of the Start-up Bill of 2022 to promote Investments in innovation, research and development is one of the interventions being implemented.

Speaking at a media breakfast meeting in Lusaka, Mr. Mutati said once enacted into law, the bill will provide a legal framework to strengthen the coordination mechanisms of start-ups and financing through the venture capital financing for young innovators and entrepreneurs among others.

He stated that passing of the bill by Parliament during the next sitting will place Zambia as the fourth African country to have a Start-up Bill implemented.

“The impact of the Start-up legal framework will stimulate innovation among young people and contribute to enhancing socio-economic development and fostering industrialization in Zambia,” Mr. Mutati said.

The Minister noted the importance of technology to transform economies, hence his ministry has set up measurable objectives to become a regional hub.

He further revealed the approval by Cabinet to have the cyber security and cybercrimes Act No. 2 of 2021 amended.

Mr. Mutati said this will enhance provisions on combating cybercrime, so that nothing stands in the way of digital transformation.

And Minister of Small and Medium Enterprise Development, Elias Mubanga said it is government’s desire to ensure people have the relevant skills that contribute to the development of the country.

Mr. Mubanga said his ministry through the Citizen Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) is offering entrepreneurs and innovators support through the recently announced financial products that are targeting start-ups and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

He therefore encouraged the MSMEs across the country to take advantage of the funds and apply before the deadline on September 23, 2022.

Mr. Mubanga also disclosed the introduction of the annual MSMEs Presidential awards, which will be given as prize monies to deserving entrepreneurs and cooperative enterprises as grants to boost their businesses.

“The right skills and an entrepreneurship mindset are critical if our citizens are to significantly contribute to job and wealth creation,” Mr. Mubanga said.

And Infratel Chief Executive Officer, Evans Silavwe emphasized on the importance of enhancing digital services especially in rural areas.

Meanwhile, MTN group of companies Senior Vice president, Ebenezer Asante said it was time for the private sector to partner with government in growing the model for development.

Mr. Asante assured that MTN will play its role through tech-business in order to achieve the government’s vision, goals and agenda in delivering the aspirations of the people.

Agripredict Solutions Chief Executive Officer, Casandra Mtini is happy to provide intelligent agriculture data for farmers using digital tools.

Ms. Mtini is hopeful that the expansion of digital solutions is capable of improving the agriculture sector.

Ministry of Green Economy & Environment’s Forestry Department set to automate services

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Ministry of Green Economy & Environment’s Forestry Department set to automate services

The Forestry Department under the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment has embarked on plans to automate the services it offers to the public through the use of the Zamportal Government online payment system.

The Forestry Department under the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment is one of the institutions that collects non-tax revenue for the government. In 2022, the government has an ambitious target of raising more than 7 billion kwacha in non-tax revenue, this is going to be raised from Ministries, Provinces and spending agencies. In this regard, the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment has a target of raising one hundred and seventy-seven million kwacha to which the Forestry Department is supposed to contribute 90 million kwacha.

Therefore, in order to improve the collection of revenue, Ministry of Green Economy and Environment Permanent Secretary John Msimuko stated that the government is implementing an online payment system for all government agencies, through the use of an electronic gateway to all government services called the government service bus which provides continuous modernization to enhance collection of domestic resource mobilization by the government

Speaking during the workshop for training of trainers, the Permanent Secretary mentioned that in order to effectively implement this online payment system, the Ministry has collaborated with Smart Zambia Institute to train officers under the Ministry’s Forestry Department to equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge on the operation of the government service bus and this will also help the trainers to train revenue collectors in provinces and districts.

“I want to express my delight that Smart Zambia Institute (SZI) had started training Ministry personnel ahead of the roll – out of the automation of services provided by Forestry Department,” Mr Msimuko said

MGEE PS John Msimuko, Smart Zambia National coordinator Percy Chinyama with MGEE and SZI staff
MGEE PS John Msimuko, Smart Zambia National coordinator Percy Chinyama with MGEE and SZI staff

The Permanent Secretary explained that the use of the Zamportal for payment of fees for forestry permits and licenses provides advantages that will help the country transition to a 24/7 economy from the 8/5 economy, meaning that members of the public will be able to pay for services under the Ministry at any time and wherever they may be.

He further explained that, the system will lessen overcrowding at the offices and reduce on time taken to respond to applications for licenses, permits and all other services, as files for various services will be accessible anywhere. In addition, the Ministry will use less paper and subsequently reduce the use of carbon footprint as this will significantly contribute to the attainment of a green economy.

“We will be able to use our human resources much more efficiently because we will have less people interacting with the public to deliver these services” he stated

“Members of the public will be able to electronically access some of the services provided by our Ministry, as the services have been brought closer to them, and I therefore, urge all esteemed users of our services to embrace this development as it will help lower the cost of doing business with our Ministry as some of our clients live in far-flung areas of the country,” he added

Mr Msimuko has since called upon all the participants in the training to take it seriously by grasping all the necessary steps needed to ensure that the Department also joins other government institutions who are already on the online payment system.

“I urge all our officers in the Ministry particularly under the Forestry Department to make use of this platform by owning this process in order for us to save our clients better than before, and as trainers you will be expected collaborate with Smart Zambia institute to further train your colleagues in the department on the use of this important innovation,” Mr Msimuko said

Mr Msimuko has commended Smart Zambia institute for the continued cooperation in ensuring that the Ministry through the Forestry Department migrates to the online payment system for all the services provided.

“I wish to reiterate that the Ministry is ready to continue collaborate with Smart Zambia, as we further move forward with this initiative to provinces and districts in the country,” he noted

And Smart Zambia Institute National Coordinator Percy Chinyama expressed his institution’s continued commitment to contribute to national development through provision of services that enable Government services to be easily accessible online.

Constitutional Court Didn’t Make a Pronouncement on the Eligibility of Lusambo and Malanji to contest

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Constitutional Court Didn’t Make a Pronouncement on the Eligibility of Lusambo and Malanji to contest

Minister of Justice, Mulambo Haimbe, has stated that the Constitutional Court did not make a pronouncement as to the eligibility of Bowman Lusambo and Joseph Malanji to contest the Kabushi and Kwacha Parliamentary seats, respectively.

Mr Haimbe stated that the petitioners in Mr Lusambo and Mr Malanji’s case were seeking the Court’s relief on four matters namely, whether the decision by the Electoral Commission of Zambia to reject the dual’s nomination was illegal, null and void.

He added that the other matter pertained to whether the applicants are eligible to contest the 15th September, 2022 by elections and whether fresh nominations should be conducted, as well as what is meant by causing a vacancy in the National Assembly.

Mr Haimbe has however noted that from the issues raised, the Court dealt with the issue of causing a vacancy as the other matters were not properly before the court.

“The Court never made any pronouncement declaring the ECZ statement of 24th August, 2022 illegal or wrongful,” he said

Mr Haimbe has since called for calm while the High Court determines the issues in contention between the parties and the Electoral Commission of Zambia, citing that it is incorrect for anyone to give an impression that the court declared Mr Lusambo and Mr Malanji eligible to recontest in the By-Elections.

Meanwhile, Opposition Economic and Equity Party Leader Chilufya Tayali said that Justice Minister Mulambo Haimbe who is attempting to guide the Electoral Commission of Zambia on how to proceed with the Kabushi and Kwacha by-elections, has no authority to interpret the meaning and effect of the decision of Constitutional Court.

Mr Tayali stated that its desperation for the Justice Minister to interpreting the judgement to everyone and he should be ashamed of the injustice meted on the duo

“This is why I am saying these people (President Hichilema and his Government) what to be everything ‘Dictatorship’ and it is clear that they pushed the Electoral Commission of Zambia in this position which is why Mr Haimbe was sitting in Court during the proceedings to intimidate the judges,” Mr Tayali stated

Mr Tayali added that the matter is simple, as the judges clear stated that a nullification is not an automatic qualification, and that the Electoral Commission of Zambia overstepped its boundaries.

“We don’t need all the other issues the Minister is trying to bring in,” he said

He explained that from the statement issued, people such as Mr Haimbe should be guilty of having prejudiced Mr Lusambo and Mr Malanji as they should be looking at ways and means to rectify the injustice, not giving his own version of the duo’s judgement.

“It was wrong to have disqualified the duo and that is an injustice to be borne by the New disaster Government and the Electoral Commission of Zambia,” Mr Tayali said

Yesterday, the Constitutional Court ruled that both former Kabushi Member of Parliament Bowman Lusambo and the former Kwacha Member of Parliament Joseph Malanji are eligible to recontest their former seats.

In passing judgment on a matter in which Mr Lusambo and Mr Malanji challenged the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) decision to reject their nomination on the basis that they are not eligible to recontest their seats for having caused a vacancy in the National Assembly, Judge Palan Mulonda who presented the majority decision cited that the Constitutional Court ruled that the nullification of the duo’s elections did not amount to disqualification as Article 72 (2) distinguishes the difference between nullification and disqualification which cannot be used interchangeably.

Judge Mulonda ruled that candidates whose seats have been nullified are eligible to stand as the Constitution specifies the circumstances under which candidates are disqualified from taking part in an election.

Judge Mulonda further cited that the Court stressed the difference between nullification and disqualification, citing that a nullification does not cause a disqualification.

Syakalima calls for revival of libraries

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Syakalima calls for revival of libraries

Minister of Education, Douglas Syakalima, says there is a need to revive and establish libraries at primary, secondary and tertiary levels in order to improve the reading culture amongst learners.

Mr. Syakalima noted with sadness the disappearance of libraries in most learning institutions.

He said the existence of libraries in the recent past helped learners to acquire extra knowledge away from their classrooms.

He said this in a speech read on his behalf by Ministry of Education Permanent Secretary for Technical Services, Joe Kamoko, in Livingstone yesterday he officially opened the Library and Information Association of Zambia Annual General Conference.

And the Library and Information Association of Zambia (LIAZ) has urged the government to consider employing qualified people to manage various registries and information centres in different government departments in the country.

LIAZ President, Mutinta Nabuyanda, observed that while the country has a good number of higher institutions of learning providing records management training, there is still a high number of unqualified people managing various registries and information centres in different government departments.

Ms. Nabuyanda noted that the introduction of e-records management entails a radical change in the management of records.

She added that there would be a high reduction in loss and leaking of information if qualified people are given the mandate to manage information in various government departments.

She further asked the Ministry of Education to speed up the process of enacting into law the association’s draft bill which has since been submitted to the ministry.

Partnership of three IT Institutions to provide cybersecurity training and sensitization

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Partnership of three IT Institutions to provide cybersecurity training and sensitization

The Zambia Cybersecurity Initiative Fund has partnered with Innovage Investments Limited and Tech IQ Code-IT Academy to provide advanced training in cybersecurity services.

The partnership of the three institutions is aimed at increasing the company’s lease of knowledge, expertise, and available resources.

Yesterday, the Zambia Cybersecurity Initiative Fund, Innovage Investments Ltd and Tech IQ Code-IT Academy announced that the three Institutions have entered into a strategic partnership that will see to it that the Zambia Cybersecurity Initiative Fund and Tech IQ Code-IT Academy will make available their services and expertise that will meet their client’s requirements to the best of their expertise and ability.

The agreement brings together experts in advanced Cybersecurity training and awareness plus high-class cybersecurity services for corporates around Zambia.

Mr Kambe, a Business Manager at Innovage Investment Ltd noted that, this partnership brings together brilliant minds and experts in the cybersecurity space, who are concerned about the rising cases of cyber-attacks the country experiences every day.

“Instead of seeing Tech IQ Code-IT Academy and the Zambia Cybersecurity Initiative Fund as competitors, we see these respective companies as collaborators, who will be working with us towards a common goal, which is to curb the alarming cases of cyber-attacks,” Mr Kambe stated

And Mr John Tshinseki President of the Zambia Cybersecurity Initiative Fund explained that this kind of partnership is in the right direction for both organizations, the Tech IQ Code-IT Academy and the Zambia Cybersecurity Initiative Fund as it will help with conducting sensitization programmes and training of the masses, including organizations, on how they can protect themselves from cyber-attacks.

Mr Tshinseki added that there are currently a few Cybersecurity Experts in the whole world that need to protect the rest of the people that are actively using the internet on a daily basis.

“Most of the organizations fail to come out even after being hit with cyber-attacks,” Mr Tshinseki cited

The Zambia Cybersecurity Initiative Fund is a Civil Society Organization that aims at providing information and knowledge in areas of cyber security awareness and sensitization, cyber research, cyber security consultancy, development of social change software and mobile applications, promotion of human and digital rights, as well as digital safety training.

The Tech IQ Code-IT Academy is an IT Institution that promotes IT training and services, as it is known for its expertise, knowledge and experience in the IT Industry in the country. The institution has presence both in Zambia and Sweden respectively.

Both the Innovage Investments Ltd and Tech IQ Code-IT Academy Technology Hub companies that contribute to the IT Industry by offering solutions in the Tech Hub through the provision of software application services, UI/UX and 2D/3D design studio, advanced cybersecurity services, tech education (EdTech), IoT, smart farming, smart cities, and AI+Automations.

4 fined almost K 1 million for unlawful entry into the park

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4 fined almost K 1 million for unlawful entry into the park

The Itezhi-Tezhi magistrates court has convicted four Itezhi-Tezhi fishermen and fined them a total of K960,000 after they pleaded guilty to illegal entry into the National Park and unlawful possession of weapons in the park.

This is a case involving Shadreck Chilimo (27), Isaac Mwenda (35), Silumesi Nkamitondo (39), of Lilanda Compound in Itezhi Tezhi, and John Chalwe (31) of Chibolya compound in Itezhi- Tezhi.

In count one, the quartet is charged with illegal entry into the national park, in violation of sections 18(1) and 136(a) of the Zambia Wildlife Act No. 14 of 2015.

Particulars alleged that on August 29 2022, the four men jointly entered Kafue National Park in Itezhi Tezhi district in Southern Province, without a park entry permit.

In count two, the four are charged with unlawful possession of weapons in a national park, in violation of sections 20 (1) (b) and 136 (a) of the Zambia Wildlife Act no. 14 of 2015 of Zambian laws.

The particulars of the second offence were that on the same day, in Itezhi Tezhi district, jointly and whilst working together, the four had in their possession weapons namely fish nets and a boat in the Kafue National Park without permit.

When the case came up for plea before magistrates Mugala Chalwe, the quartet readily admitted the charge and a plea of guilty was entered.

According to the evidence presented in court, on August 29, 2022, Zambia Wildlife Police Officers were on duty conducting patrols on Island two Choongo on Lake Itezhi Tezhi, which is located in the Kafue National Park.

When the officers arrived on the island, they encountered the now-accused individuals who were asked to produce documents that allowed them to do what they did in the national park.

The quartet were however unable to produce documents.

They were apprehended and taken to Ngoma wildlife offices where they were interviewed in connection with the alleged offenses and later charged and arrested.

In mitigation, the four petitioned the court for mercy.

Chilimo said he was caring for an elderly mother who has a vision problem as well as siblings and that if he received a custodial sentence, they would suffer.

Mwenda on the other hand stated that he was the only breadwinner in the family and cared for orphans while Nkamitondo stated that he was caring for six orphans and asked the court for mercy, promising that he would never repeat the crime.

In his mitigation, Silumesi said he comes from Kalabo and that his wife was just recovering from a surgery.

“I have taken into account that you are first offenders who deserve lenience, but the offences you committed are very serious, so I need to punish you,” magistrate Chalwe said when sentencing the four.

She then ordered each person to pay K120, 000 cash for the first count and another K120, 000 for the second, in default 4 months community service, with the sentences to run concurrently.

Government to roll out nutrition in schools

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Government to roll out nutrition in schools

Government says in line with its free education policy , it will ensure that the School Health Nutrition policy ( SHNP ) is fully rolled out in all schools.

Southern Province Permanent Secretary Naamani Moonze says government remains committed that the school health and nutrition program will be rolled out in all schools to enhance academic performance for pupils.

Dr. Monze explains that that with the free education policy in place, the SHN program presents an avenue to address nutritional and health related challenges crucial in reducing pupil absenteeism and low academic performance.

He was speaking in a speech on his behalf by Deputy Permanent Secretary, Yolanta Mutyambe at the Southern Province orientation on the School Health and Nutrition Policy.

And Healthy Learners, Director of Partnerships Catherine Samiselo has called for continued partnerships in promoting school health services.

Mrs Samiselo explains that health plays a major role in the learning process, hence the need for continued collaboration in transitioning schools into providing basic health care services through health rooms.

Just Slim Releases 2nd single of the year, Ku Macha

Entertainment Editor
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Just Slim Releases 2nd single of the year, Ku Macha

Just slim

Just Slim’s second single of the year is a collaborative effort with Mr. COG and Kreative Nativez who feature both as producers and artists. Ku Macha is an uptempo fusion of Amapiano and House music. Just Slim’s vocals are typically immaculate and are matched by spectacular production.
Ku Macha is romance on an Afrofusion beat with Just Slim telling his partner of his desire to appreciate her so she should forget her troubles; wear her favourite dress and join him in dancing until the wee hours of the morning.
This song will lift your spirits and is exactly what you’re looking to add to your playlist if you’re in the mood to dance!
DIGITAL STREAMING PLATFORM LINKS: https://song.link/y/iQsNkvu0Z3g

Malanji, Bowman asks Court to suspend by-elections

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Malanji, Bowman asks Court to suspend by-elections

Former Kwacha Constituency PF member of parliament Joseph Malanji and his Kabushi counterpart Bowman Lusambo have asked the Lusaka High Court to suspend by-elections pending the determination of the matter in which they have contested the Electoral Commission of Zambia’s decision to declare their nominations invalid.

The two fear that they will suffer great injustice should the High Court decline to grant their application to bring the by-elections to a standstill as their petition will be rendered an academic exercise and nugatory.

In this matter the duo wants the court to order that the ECZ holds fresh nominations for the two constituencies.

They want a declaration that the decision by the electoral body’s agents to decline their nomination amounts to interpreting the Constitution which is a judicial function and is in excess of the powers given to the ECZ under Section 4 of the electoral commission Act no.25 of 2016.
Malanji and Lusambo want an order of certiorari to quash the decision of the ECZ’s returning officers to reject and declare the nominations of the petitioners as invalid.

According to an affidavit in support of summons for leave to suspend or stay by-elections for Kwacha and Kabushi constituencies sworn by Malanji, the petitioner’s stated that on August 25, this year they filed their nomination papers and the returning officers of the ECZ declared their nomination invalid on reasons that their election in the August 12, 2021 general election was declared void.

Malanji said the High Court scheduled a status conference for September 8 at 14:00 hours.

The elections are slated for September 15, 2022 and there is a likelihood that that the matter may not be heard and disposed of by the time elections will be conducted.

“There is a chance that the petitioners will be deprived of their right to participate in the forthcoming elections for the two constituencies,” said Malanji. “This court is clothed with the necessary jurisdiction to order ECZ to stay or suspend any acts in relation to and holding of by-elections pending determination of this matter.”

Yesterday, the opposition Patriotic Front (PF) has saluted the Constitution Court ruling that has declared Bowman Lusambo and Joseph Malanji eligible to re-contest the Kabushi and Kwacha parliamentary by elections respectively.

Mr. Lusambo and Mr. Malanji had challenged in court the Electoral Commission of Zambia’s decision to reject their nomination to re-contest the Kabushi and Kwacha seat respectively.

Speaking after the Constitutional Court judgment, petitioners lawyer and PF official Makebi Zulu said ECZ must now put Mr. Lusambo and Malanji’s names back on the ballot ahead of the by elections in Kabushi and Kwacha.

Mr. Zulu said the judgment has also vindicated the PF’s earlier suggestion that someone is wrongly controlling ECZ.

“This judgment seals the fact that days of impunity are over. ECZ could not have taken it upon themselves to interpret the law, the law that was set on very clearly in the case of the Law Association of Zambia versus the Attorney General. ECZ choose to ignore the guidance that was given by the court in that case and made their own decision. They (ECZ) have no power to do so. The best they should have done, tell the people of Zambia that we do not understand this law, we are going to ask for an interpretation at the Constitutional Court in the manner that we did. In doing this we knew very well that our clients were on firm ground even when they went to file their nomination. We knew they were on firm ground. However, following on that decision the return officers decided to mislead themselves and take a wrong position to be the right position,” Mr. Zulu told journalists in Lusaka.

“Now we have been vindicated that someone is controlling ECZ and giving them wrong opinion as to what the law is but today the constitutional court has settled that matter with finality and Bowman Chilosha Lusambo and Joseph Malanji will be back on the ballot. We will fight to the hilt until they appear on the ballot because the court has made it abundantly clear. Well, the court has said nullification is not disqualification. Therefore, those whose seats were nullified and were not expressly disqualified by the court are eligible to stand. So, Bowman Chilosha Lusambo and Joseph Malanji are eligible to stand,” he said.

Meanwhile, PF acting President Given Lubinda said his party has been vindicated for insisting on adopting Mr. Lusambo and Mr. Malanji.

Mr. Lubinda further demanded that ECZ gives enough time to their candidates to campaign in Kabushi and Kwacha.

“Firstly, thank you to our formidable team of lawyers. I don’t think we could have assembled a better team than the one we had. Yesterday after they presented their argument I informed you that I was very pleased with their arguments and that I was leaving the rest to the bench. Secondly, I want to thank the Central Committee of the Patriotic Front for the decision they made. There were others who thought like many naysayers who thought that we should not adopt Malanji and we should not adopt Bowman Lusambo. I am very vindicated today that we adopted them and this is to show that the Patriotic Front demands loyalty from its members but also gives loyalty to its members. We wanted to remain loyal to Bowman Lusambo and to Joe Malanji because right from the start we were very firm that they qualified to be on the ballot paper in Kabushi and Kwacha respectively,” Mr. Lubinda said.

“We are very happy with this outcome and this outcome is not only for now. This outcome has now clarified a matter that has been vexing a lot of people. Today a law has been clarified that the nullification of a seat does not among to disqualification of a candidate. This is history and I would like to thank the ECZ for coming to court today and listening to this judgement. What we do now is to call upon the ECZ to do what the Constitutional Court has directed, to make sure that they put Bowman Chilosha Lusambo and Malanji back on the ballot papers for Kabushi and Kwacha Constituencies respectively but we are also going to demand that these two candidates of ours are given ample time to go and campaign because they were denied the opportunity instead of them campaigning we saw the Vice President (Mutale Nalumango) going to talk to five people, to kneel down before pastors, going to expose how this government cannot attend even to sewer lines. She was doing that to campaign at the disadvantage of Malanji and the disadvantage of Lusambo. We therefore demand that the ECZ notifies the country that they have postponed holding of the elections in Kabushi in and Kwacha so that they give the two candidates’ sufficient time to go and canvas for votes,” Mr. Lubinda said.

Four candidates filed their nomination in the Kabushi election while five candidates managed to file their nomination in Kwacha Constituency last month.

ECZ has set 15th September, 2022 as the date for the two parliamentary by elections.

President Hichilema fires Ministry of Mines PS

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President Hichilema fires Ministry of Mines PS

President Hakainde Hichilema has dismissed the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development Permanent Secretary, Dr. Sakwiba Musiwa.

In a statement made available to the media by State House where no reasons were given for the dismissal, the President has since appointed Mr Mooya Lukamba to replace Dr. Musiwa.

In the same vein, president Hichilema has appointed Mr Jonas Anthony Mulongoti as Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry and Mr. Himba Cheelo as new Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Energy.

Former PS at Ministry of Commerce, Ms. Chawe P.M. Chuulu has been deployed to Cabinet Office, Special Duties.

The decisions were made in accordance with Articles 91, 92(1), 92(2)(e) with immediate effect.

Below is the full statement

Government to start sensitising Luanshya farmers on FISP changes

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Government to start sensitising Luanshya farmers on FISP changes

The Ministry of Agriculture in Luanshya district in the Copperbelt province is set to begin sensitising farmers on the minor adjustments to the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) ahead of the 2022/2023 farming season.

Luanshya District Commissioner, Once more Ng’onomo, said the farmers will be sensitised on the changes which include the movement from operating as farming cooperatives to individual farmers managing their process.

Mr. Ng’onomo disclosed that farmers will be expected to make individual deposits as opposed to previous collective deposits made by farming cooperatives.

He added that FISP will now include the use of biometrics for beneficiary farmers in the collection of farming inputs.

He said following the government’s recent clean-up of the farmers’ registers countrywide, individual farmers’ biometrics were obtained from the 2021 Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) voter register from which 6,117 farmers were captured and the ones not reflecting will have to be activated for them to benefit from the FISP exercise.

Mr. Ng’onomo indicated that Luanshya district has cleaned up the register, which has resulted in the reduction of the number of farmers from 9,021 FISP beneficiaries to 7,521.

The process allowed for the identification and elimination of ghost farmers and illegal beneficiaries such as civil servants and those in meaningful employment.

FISP beneficiary farmers will be expected to make a deposit of K400 and receive a 10 kilogramme (kg) bag of maize seed, three by 50 bags of urea and basal fertilizer, with either a 20 kg bag of groundnuts seed or a 25 Kg bag of soya bean seed.

The $1.6 million Repair of the TAZARA bridge across Chambeshi river complete

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The $1.6 million Repair of the TAZARA bridge across Chambeshi river complete

The 1.6 million dollar repair works on the damaged Tanzania Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA ) Railway line bridge across Chambeshi river in Kanchibiya district of Muchinga Province has been completed.

The Repair works, which a Chinese company was carrying out, Jiangsu Gold Civil Construction commenced in May this year and were due for completion in July, but were delayed owing to late delivery of steel members, which were being fabricated in South Africa.

TAZARA Regional Manager Kambani Ndlovu briefed Muchinga Province Permanent Secretary Henry Mukungule when he visited the project site today that the contractor is currently doing final touches on the remaining works.

Eng. Ndlovu said the final touches being done on the project include tightening of the bolts, gauging and levelling of the repaired rail line tracks.

Eng. Ndlovu said the authority will next week commence testing of the repaired bridge by allowing trains with small loads to cross over the bridge and slowly allow heavy loads before resuming normal operations.

He revealed that commissioning of the repaired bridge is likely to be done next month.

The TAZARA Regional Manager further thanked and commended government for the support and release of funds for the repairing of the damaged TAZARA bridge.

“We are grateful to government for the support it has rendered to the authority from the time the accident happened. All major works on the project have been completed and now the contractor is working on final touches before we can commence testing by allowing low loads of the train to pass through, ” said Eng. Ndlovu.

And Muchinga Province Permanent Secretary Henry Mukungule said government is elated that the repair works have been successfully completed.

Mr. Mukungule who was accompanied by Kanchibiya district Commissioner Chrispin Chilekwa and Assistant Secretary Chiwele Kondomone said completion of the repair works will enable TAZARA to resume normal movements of both passenger and goods trains.

He said government and TAZARA in particular has lost out a lot of money during the period that the train movements were on suspension.

He also observed that roads have incurred serious damage as heavy loads that could have been channeled through the railway were allowed to be transported by road.

“Our roads have been damaged because during the time TAZARA has been working on the damaged bridge, government had no option but to allow heavy loads to be transported through the road,” said Mr. Mukungule.

Meanwhile, Chief Mpepo of the Bemba people of Kanchibiya expressed happiness over the completion of the TAZARA bridge repair works.

Speaking at his palace when Muchinga Province Permanent Secretary Henry Mukungule paid a courtesy call on him, Chief Mpepo said his subjects had suffered a lot from the time TAZARA suspended train movements following the damage on the bridge across Chambeshi river.

Chief Mpepo said TAZARA has been a life line support to the lives of the local people because they depend on the railway authority for transportation of goods and other services.

” We are happy that repair works on the damaged bridge have been completed. This will now allow normal movements of goods and services. Our people who largely depend on TAZARA for transportation of goods especially farm produce had greatly suffered, ” Chief Mpepo.

In May last year a goods train hit into the steel members of the rail line bridge in across the Chambeshi river which resulted in TAZARA suspending train movements.

The IMF lifeboat – well done Mr President

Chief Editor
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The IMF lifeboat – well done Mr President

By Chimwemwe Mwanza

The tax base has been gravely eroded. Manufacturing, which for long has been Zambia’s economic locomotive – second to mining is virtually dead. That Zambia became the first nation to default on its debt repayment obligations in the Covid-19 era is emblematic of the country’s fiscal predicament.

In addition, existing economic policy framework is prohibitive to investment as exemplified by the previous dispensation’s seizure of mining conglomerate Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) from its owners, Vedanta. It is chiefly the reason global mining giants skipped Zambia to set up shop across the Luapula river. And impact of their investment is telling in the fact that the strife-torn Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is now the continent’s biggest copper producing nation by volume.

For example, in 2021, the DRC produced an estimated 1.8 million metric tonnes tons of Copper. To put this into context, this jaw-dropping figure represents a more than five-fold increase in the DRC’s copper production output since 2010. Compare this to Zambia’s paltry 880 thousand metric tonnes output for the 2021 trading period? This downward spiral to a sector contributing nearly 10% to the country’s GDP is the inevitable culmination of a long process of economic decline exacerbated by policy uncertainty.

Simply put: who would want to invest in an environment that can’t guarantee investment rights? Say what you may, it is a fact that economic fundamentals have transformed in recent months. In the eyes of the international corridors of capital, President Hakainde Hichilema is an upgrade and better suited to reign in on fiscal indiscipline than his predecessor. Barely a year into his reign, inflation has dipped below 10% for the first time in 3 years, prompting the Kwacha to rise as the world’s best performing currency. Needless to remind, these are facts.
While more needs to be done to boost momentum in economic growth, there is now a semblance of certainty in the business regulatory environment. Is it safe to bet that Zambia has indeed returned to the champions league of African economies? Good question. The absence of a correlation to a strong Kwacha weighted against the basket of rising food prices is a misnomer – it means nothing to a household in Bauleni or Kanyama that is battling to put food on the table. However, that investors are warming up to the country’s economic proposition is by far the biggest indicator of Zambia’s rising fortunes.

Economics simplified, what does the IMF deal mean for Zambia?

Let us be clear though, while not the responsibility of Journalists to tango in song and dance with governments, it is however important to acknowledge and celebrate key victories in so far as they pertain to economic and social development. Don’t be fooled, fact is the IMF’s decision to agreeing to restructure Zambia’s debt is a bigly to borrow, Donald Trump’s words – by the way, he is hardly our role model.
And the bigotry in the criticism levelled against this milestone is rooted in the fact that the PF tried but in vain to secure this same package – hence their criticism is nothing but duplicitous. Off course, the benefits of securing this package won’t trickle down to the grassroots anytime soon but this does lay a strong foundation for structural economic reforms. For example, Zambia’s huge foreign and domestic debt (combined) is estimated at K417bn.

Consider the fact that servicing this debt gobbles up to 70% of domestic revenues estimated at K99bn, this leaves the fiscus with almost nothing to inject into much needed economic and social development programs. While there is an obvious injection of liquidity into the economy, all that government has done is to request a moratorium on debt repayments – which has since been granted.

‘Tulelomba uluse nobwelelo kuli imwe ba shylock pali iyi kaloba twakongola. Pakubala, katuyi papansheko mumatumba lilya tulewayaya’ is the more literal interpretation mu chibemba of what this economic bailout entails. There isn’t any other way of spinning this development – kunyina, mudala, batamubeji. Against this background, the onus is upon this government to prove to its donors that the confidence and goodwill bestowed upon them won’t be misplaced through reckless spending.

Can our mining and manufacturing industries now begin to hum again please?

The author is an avid reader of political history and philosophy. He supports only Liverpool and Kabwe Warriors For feedback, contact [email protected]

M’membe has welcomed the Constitution Court ruling as Chipenzi says judgement is not convincing

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M’membe has welcomed the Constitution Court ruling as Chipenzi says judgement is not convincing

Socialist Party President Fred M’membe has welcomed the Constitution Court ruling that has declared Bowman Lusambo and Joseph Malanji eligible to re-contest the Kabushi and Kwacha parliamentary by elections respectively.

Mr. Lusambo and Mr. Malanji had challenged in court the Electoral Commission of Zambia’s decision to reject their nomination to re-contest the Kabushi and Kwacha seat respectively.

Dr M’membe said the Constitutional Court has redeemed itself after wrongfully nullifying the Kwacha and Kabushi parliamentary seats.

He vowed that the Socialist Party will do everything possible to ensure that Mr Malanji and Mr Lusambo win back the seats that were unjustly and unfairly taken away from them.

“We welcome the Constitutional Court’s decision to mitigate its wrong decisions on the nullification of the Kwacha and Kabushi parliamentary seats. It was injustice to have nullified those seats in the first place. It would be a gross injustice not to allow Mr Joseph Malanji and Mr Bowman Lusambo to re-contest those seats.And the Electoral Commission of Zambia has really disgraced itself. It will be very difficult for it to win back public trust. And as we had clearly and emphatically stated, it was these injustices that moved the Central Committee of the Socialist Party not to field candidates in these two constituencies but to support Mr Malanji and Mr Lusambo.”

“As Dr Ernesto Che Guevara aptly put it, “If you tremble with indignation at every injustice then you are a comrade of mine. Above all, always be capable of feeling deeply any injustice committed against anyone, anywhere in the world. The true revolutionary is guided by great feelings of love.”For us the emotions that saturate our political decisions and revolutionary actions – love for justice, hatred of injustice – relentlessly challenge and undermine the intersections between law and injustice in our country,” Dr. M’membe said.

“We will do everything possible to ensure that Mr Malanji and Mr Lusambo win back the seats that were unjustly and unfairly taken away from them. And we call upon all Zambians of good will, whatever justified displeasure or distaste they may have with or for Mr Malanji and Mr Lusambo, to support justice and ensure that justice prevails by helping them win back their seats.For us, there is no choice between being principled and unelectable; and electable and unprincipled. We should win because of what we believe in. A new and complex era such as this requires principles more than ever. Political ideas, political manoeuvres are worthless if they are not inspired by noble, selfless sentiments. Likewise, noble sentiments are worthless if they are not based on correct, just and fair ideas,” he said.

“We have chosen to defend certain principles that are of tremendous value at a time of confusion and opportunism in our country, a time when many politicians are feathering their own nests.We also want to re-emphaise that our support for Mr Malanji and Mr Lusambo doesn’t mean we are in an alliance or pact with the Patriotic Front. We don’t need alliances or pacts to fight injustice and offer solidarity to victims of injustice. We believe in being there for others even if there’s nobody there for us,” Dr. M’membe stated.

Candidates filed nominations last month ahead of the 15th September by elections in Kwacha and Kabushi Constituencies.

Meanwhile, electoral expert McDonald Chipenzi said the Constitutional Court judgement is not convincing but must be respected as it helps in the legal reform agenda of the electoral process.

Mr. Chipenzi said the idea of nullification of an election is to fight electoral corruption and punish offenders by not allowing them stand again the life of that parliament or council.

“The ruling has put the debate to rest on whether or not people whose election has been nullified can re-contest their seats.Though not convincing a judgement, it must be respected as it helps in our legal reform agenda in the electoral process.
The idea of nullification of an election is to fight electoral corruption and punish offenders by not allowing them stand again the life of that parliament or council as provided for in Art 72(4) and 157(3).I agree with Prof Margaret Munalula’s dissenting judgement in this case which is in line with the spirit and letter of the Technical Committee Drafting the New Zambian Constitution (TCDZC) report, a committee constituted by late President Michael Sata. However, the court in its judgment has shied away from nullifying the nominations and ordering or calling for fresh nominations to accommodate the duo,” he said.

“There is no win here other than more debate and debate.The win would have come if the court ordered ECZ to conduct fresh nominations or if it invalidated the nominations conducted but that has not been done.The Court has not but instead dismissed that plea for fresh nominations from the petitioners and ECZ goes ahead with nominations and the elections on 15 September 2022, which is next week.The Court should have nullified the nominations and order new nominations then the duo would have been on the ballot for the by-elections scheduled for next week. Now there is zero and the status quo remains, their nominations remain rejected. So where is the excitement comrades?We wait to read the judgement in full.Otherwise the moment I heard Prof Munalula having I dissenting judgement l knew that there will be issues and debate ahead,” Mr. Chipenzi said.

Shepolopolo Brace for Champions Tanzania in COSAFA Semi’s

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Shepolopolo Zambia will face Tanzania in the 2022 COSAFA Women’s Championship semi-final at Isaac Wolfson Stadium on Friday.

The semi-final line up was confirmed when guest nation and defending champions Tanzania beat Malawi 3-1 to finish top of C with seven points.

Hosts South Africa will take on third best-placed finishers Namibia in the other semi-final on 9 September at 15h30.

Zambia reached the semifinals with a perfect record having won all the three Group B matches.

Shepolopolo won Group B after beating Namibia 2-0, Lesotho 7-0 and Eswatini 2-0.

At last year’s COSAFA Cup, Tanzania beat Zambia 3-2 on post-match after a 1-1 draw.

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