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RB files nominations for October 30 presidential polls

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Acting President Rupiah Banda has Friday successfully filled in his nomination papers ahead of the forth-coming October 30 Presidential by-elections.

Mr. Banda, who arrived at Supreme Court at about 10:23 hours took oath before High Court Registrar Mwamba Chanda and later filled in his nominations before Chief Justice Ernest Sakala.

The Acting President , who was accompanied by senior government officials paid K20 million nomination fees before and was in jovial mood and declared his assets before Chief Justice Ernest Sakala.

His 200 MMD supporters were also screened by ECZ officers.

In his declaration of assets, Mr. Banda declared a farm and two other properties in Chipata, a House in Lusaka,an Isuzu Pick-up vehicle and a VX Toyota vehicle all valued at K2.935 billion.

He also declared his shares in the Chilanga Cement, Zambia Breweries, Investrust Bank, Standards Chartered Bank and Intermarket Bank all valued at K1.150 billion.

After finishing filling in his nomination papers at about 11:10 hours, he received thunderous support and ululations from thousands of supporters when he came out of the Supreme Court.

He assured his Presidential triumph in the forth-coming October 30 Presidential by-elections and further urged his supporters to campaign hard in an effort to scoop the elections with a landslide victory.

Mr. Banda said that there is need for the MMD party to campaign vigorously in order for the party to carry on the late President Levy Mwanawasa’s vision.

Among the cabinet Ministers who accompanied were Home Affairs Minister Ronnie Shikapwasha, Mines Minister and Minerals Development Dr Kalombo Mwansa, Justice Minister George Kunda, Presidential Affairs Minister Cecil Holmes.

Others were Community Development Minister Catherine Namugala, Gender and Women in Development Minister Patricia Mulasikwanda, Southern Province Minister Daniel Munkombwe, Works and Supply Minister Kapembwa Simbao and Former Vice President Enoch Kavindele.

ZANIS/TK/ENDS/MM

Chinese milk scandal could boost Breastfeeding

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Milk and milk products from China were banned Thursday in several parts of the world,including India, following reports of thousands of kids and baby animals taking ill after their consumption.

The ban against the cheap Chinese milk and its products came after contents of melamine, used for making plastics and fertiliser, as also used as whitener, was found in infant milk and other dairy products of several Chinese companies.

India, the world’s largest milk producer, Thursday banned import of dairy products from China to ward off threat of the contaminated whitener which has killed four infants and made several thousands ill in the neighbouring country.
The United Nations children’s agency U.N.I.C.E.F. minced no words in condemning the Chinese dairies saying it was unacceptable to deceive the public on health issues.  U.N.I.C.E.F. in a statement issued on Wednesday said it had “observed with great sadness and concern the unfolding story of tainted infant formula produced by Chinese companies.However, this scandal that has caused 53,000 babies to fall ill after drinking contaminated milk could boost the popularity of breastfeeding,” an AP report from Beijing said quoting Dale Rutstein, a Beijing-based spokesman for U.N.I.C.E.F.

The other countries which banned the Chinese milk and their products include Indonesia, France, the EU nations, Nepal, Bhutan, South Africa and Australia.

Govt bans live phone-in broadcast?

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Zambia government, has called upon all broadcasters, both commercial and community, to desist from live phone-in broadcast programmes that involve members of public.

According a press release issued today by Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA), Windhoek, Zambian permanent secretary in ministry of information and broadcasting wrote in a letter dated 12 September 2008 that, “It has been observed that some radio stations have political programmes which provide unbalanced and, in some cases, unfair coverage to political parties during election campaigns.”

Emmanuel N Nyirenda’s letter goes on to say, “These programmes can be used by some parties to employ insults and accusations which cannot be rebutted. Ideally phone-in programmes need to be handled with use of special technology to facilitate screening of calls, which I believe most of you don’t have.”

It notes that in order to avoid unnecessary complaints, conflict and misunderstandings, Mr Nyirenda wished to advise all broadcasters to desist from such programmes and only carry political programmes in accordance with Zambian electoral commission’s by-laws.

Letter further requested broadcasters to stick to their programming schedules as submitted to licensing authority.

This move has been dismissed by MISA-Zambia and other media freedom organisations as a violation of media and freedom of expression rights.

In a 22 September 2008 statement, MISA-Zambia chairperson Henry Kabwe said, “this move is a desperate attempt by government to muzzle media in run up to 30 October presidential by-election.”

In his statement, Mr Kabwe added, “during times of elections, media have a duty to provide equal access to all contending political parties so that they sell their manifestos to potential electorate. Radio stations also have duty to facilitate interaction between aspiring political parties and citizenry and live phone-in programmes are their lifeblood as long as this is done in line with electoral code of conduct.”

Mr Kabwe and MISA-Zambia have urged Nyirenda to rescind his decision to ban radio programmes.

In most rural areas out of reach of Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) signals, community radio stations are said to serve as important sources of information on electoral issues generally and aspiring candidates in particular.

Directive by Mr Nyirenda is undemocratic and violates media freedom and freedom of expression, stressed MISA-Zambia.

Media watchdog body has expressed concern over a trend by ministry of information to curtail media’s freedom to provide information to electorate through live phone-in political programmes.

This, according to MISA-Zambia is not first time this has happened. Group states that during run-up to 28 September 2006 general elections, police visited Q-FM in an attempt to stop them from providing live coverage of election events.

It further shows that in 2007, Radio Explorer in Petauke was threatened with licence revocation for featuring an opposition leader.

MISA-Zambia believes that regulation of broadcasting should not be aimed at “policing” but being responsive to needs and growth of sector.

Organisation reminded community and commercial radio stations to adhere to electoral code of conduct, which require that they shall provide fair and balanced reporting of campaigns, policies, meetings, rallies and press conferences of all registered political parties during period of campaigning.

“Ministry of information should not averse with, but rather embrace latest technologies in broadcasting. Radio and television stations throughout world are now able to cover and report on events live as listeners and viewers hear or see them,” organisation has said.

[Afro News]

MMD gave K15 million to the New Revolution party, Mulongoti

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Information Minister, Mike Mulongoti, says there is nothing wrong in offering financial assistance to small political parties.

Mr. Mulongoti who is also MMD Elections Chairman says small political parties have in the past approached government for financial help in running their affairs.

He told a media briefing that the MMD gave the New Revolution Party K15 million after it’s leader, Cosmo Mumba, requested for financial assistance.

According to Mr. Mulongoti Dr. Mumba had sought financial help to enable his party participate in the forthcoming Presidential election.

Mr. Mulongoti said it is sad that certain sections of the media want to politicise the assistance given to the NRP to help it file in nominations for the presidential elections.

He also said Dr. Mumba presented him with an K80 million budget to help him hold rallies around the country.

The Minister further said Dr. Mumba had been phoning him for a long time to help him secure an appointment with Acting President, Rupiah Banda, so that he could endorse his candidature.

An official of the New Revolution Party was quoted by the Post Newspapers recently as saying his party was paid K15 million to endorse Mr. Banda’s candidature.

But Mr. Mulongoti said this is not true as small parties have been assisted before.

[ZNBC]

362 street kids have graduated from Chiwoko Youth Training Centre

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Out of these graduates, 70 will be employed by the Zambia National Services (ZNS).

Sports Youth and Child Development Deputy Minister, Angela Cifire said government intends to transform and changed the graduands into responsible citizens.

Ms. Cifire said government realizes that training of street kids is cardinal as they are the future of any nation.

She said this at the second intake graduation ceremony under the youth skills program at Chiwoko ZNS Camp in Katete.

Ms. Chifire noted that government realizes that the street kids face a number of challenges such as unemployment, HIV/AIDS and poverty.

She noted that the skills programs intends address the many challenges which youths face country.

Meanwhile the Deputy Minister said government intends to expand the program to other parts of the country to benefit other disadvantaged street children.

She reaffirmed governments’ commitment to ensure that necessary training resources are made available to make the skills training easier.

Ms. Chifire noted that the Science and Technology ministry will consider sponsoring graduands to further training to acquire professional skills.

“All provincial youths and Chief co-ordinators have been directed to ensure that the youths are assisted to engage in productive ventures, when they are re-integrated into society” Ms Cifire said.

Speaking earlier Brigadier General Joseph Miti said 70 graduates will be employed under ZNS.

He emphasized that the recruitment is included to avoid the youths to revert back to streets due to the high levels or unemployed.
ZANIS/AH/CMM/ENDS.

Thunderous welcome awaits Rupiah in Kabompo

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A thunderous welcome awaits Acting President Rupiah Banda’s arrival in Kabompo on Sunday.

Kabompo District Commissioner Rabbeca Mukuka confirmed to ZANIS in kabompo that Mr.Banda would Sunday address a rally at Manyinga grounds near Senior Chief Sikufele’s palace at 09:00 hours.

A check by ZANIS Thursday morning scores of villagers at Maninga chanting slogans in solidarity of Mr Banda whom they said he was following in the footstep of the late president Dr. Levy Mwanawasa in developing North western province.

And All is set for this year’s Likumbi Lya Mize traditional ceremony of the Luvale people of Senior Chief Ndungu in Zambezi District, which will be graced by the Acting President Rupiah Banda.

Likumbi Lya Mize National Chairman James Njolomba, confirmed to ZANIS that all the preparations at the main arena have been completed and that every one was geared for the ceremony, where traditional dances such as Kachacha, Mwakolo and Chiyandawhich will be performed.

Mr. Njolomba further stated that, during the same occasion, the Likumbi Lya Mize cultural association would launch the Makishi masquerade, a UNESCO funded project in Makishi and Mukanda.

Mr. Njolombo pointed out that the Likumbi Lya Mize annual traditional ceremony is an occasion during which revelers are accorded a chance to see Senior Ndungu in the open.

Yesterday, business at the trading center came to a virtual stand still as the Makishi procession matched through the township, attracting many on-lookers.

The famous Lenganavo Likishi dancer stole the show when he performed a pole dance (acrobatic) on top of two poles placed in the middle of the Zambezi River, to the amazement of the onlookers.

The Makishi dance will go on from today up to Saturday.

ZANIS/MK/CMM/ENDS/MM.

Let there be more participation in the economy-Magande

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Government has said there was need for more business people and individuals to participate in the country’s economy by investing in various sectors of development.

Finance and Economic Planning Minister, Ng’andu Magande, said there should be an increased participation in the country’s economy to enable it to expand more.

Mr. Magande said this at a meeting organized by the Zambia Association of Manufacturers (ZMA) in Lusaka today.

He said diversification of various sectors in the economy could also enhance investment as the country continues to enjoy economic growth.

And Mr. Magande has called on manufacturers to ensure that the reduction in fuel prices, which was recently announced, trickled down to the consumers.

Mr. Magande also urged consumers to ensure that they demanded for better prices from traders in order for them to benefit from the reduction of prices.

He noted that lack of active participation in ensuring that prices were reduced by stakeholders such as manufacturers and consumers were some of the challenges government was facing in managing the economy of the country.

Mr. Magande said government has also continued to face other challenges such as the unsteady fuel prices on the global market.

And speaking earlier, Zambia Association of Manufacturers (ZMA) president, Dave Baba, said members of the association have also been challenged with rising production costs as a result of rising fuel prices and load shedding by Zesco.

Mr. Baba said the association was however ready to partner with government and other investors in other sectors to enhance production of goods in order to prevent loss of revenue.

He said partnering with other stakeholders could also result in cushioning the challenges faced by the members of association, adding that it could also increase the country’s revenue.

ZANIS/CM/KSH/ENDS

Miyanda makes ‘surprise’ entry in October 30 Presidential Polls

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Opposition Heritage Party President Brigadier General Godfrey Miyanda has made a surprise entry
in the October 30 Presidential By- elections.

Disclosing the development to ZANIS Thursday evening, HP spokesperson Chris Akufuna said General Miyanda, who was second republican President Frederick Chiluba’s first Vice President, would put  in his nomination Friday with the Supreme Court Judge Justice Enerst Sakala at 14: 00 hours.

Mr Akufuna said the HP president would be expected to go through all the nomination procedure before the Supreme court.

The H.P president becomes the fourth presidential by-elections candidate who will file in his nominations with the first being Patriotic Front leader Micheal Sata and United Party for National Development Hakainde Hichilema.

The duo launched their nominations Monday and Wednesday, respectively.The ruling MMD candidate and Acting President Rupiah Banda is scheduled to launch in his nominations Friday.

The By-Elections follows incumbent President Levy Mwanawasa’s untimely death due to a stroke at Percy Millitary Hospital, Paris France on August 19, 2008.
ZANIS/MM/ENDS

Minimum Wage Act under review

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The labour law reform Committee has started to review the current minimum wage act.

Committee member, Harrison Chibanda says efforts are being made to revise the current 268,000 kwacha minimum wage act of 2006.

Mr. Chibanda told journalists during a media breakfast that the constitution provides that the labour act can be revised after two years.

He said several other laws are also under review by the committee.

Mr. Chibanda said the country needs to have labour laws which will be conducive for both the employees and employers.
[ZNBC]

Court to decide on Bulaya’s fate

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Judgement in the appeal case involving former Health Permanent Secretraty, Kashiwa Bulaya, has been set for September 30.

Dr. Bulaya had appealed to the High Court against his conviction by a Lusaka Magistrate court.

Bulaya 54, was last year sentenced to five years imprisonment with hard labour on three counts of abuse of office and corrupt practices.

The sentence was metted out by then Principal Resident Magistrate, Edward Musona.

In his grounds of appeal, Dr Bulaya submitted that the trial Magistrate erred in law when he held that the prosecution had proved the case beyond doubt.

He said the findings did not satisfy the requirement of the law in view of the appellant’s insistence on his constitutional rights to a fair hearing.

He said the magistrate erred when he held that there were some buildings and motor vehicles that could have been purchased using public funds without laying foundation or producing any supporting direct link.

Dr. Bulaya also argued that the Magistrate erred when he held that he and his business partners where directors in the companies, BUTICO A1 and ANBUL Investment when they supplied drugs to the ministry of Health.

He further submitted that the Magistrate erred in his finding when he held that at the time of supply of Elixir 9, a herbal product on HIV/ AIDS, the drugs were not tested.

[ZNBC]

Thursday Zambian Football Briefs

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Tunisian based striker Fwayo Tembo from Etoile de Sahel has joined the Zambia Under-20 in Alexandria, Egypt.

The coaching staff are now expecting striker Emmanuel Mayuka who is currently on trial at Israel club Maccabi Haifa and including midfielder Justin Zulu from Israeli division 2 side  Hapoel Beersheba.

The duo are reportedly expected to join the team on Friday

————-

Afrisports and former Zambia Under-23 striker Christopher Musonda is in Israel on a 2-week trial spell with current league leaders Maccabi Netanya.

Musonda who is currently on loan from the Faz division 1 north club to Power Dynamos until the end of the season left for Israel this past Saturday.

Afrisports chief executive officer Gabriel Kaunda said his player would be at Netanya until October 6 and added that the striker had already played one training game with the club on Wednesday in which he played for 45 minutes.

Musonda was a regular with the Under-23 team under former coach Peter Kaumba starting from 2005 during the 2008 Olympic Games qualifiers and 2007 All-Africa Games campaign scoring 4 goals in over a dozen matches.

He is the second Zambian player to recently attend trials in Israel after Kabwe Warriors and Zambia striker Emmanuel Mayuka who this week completed a 1-week tryout with Maccabi Haifa this past Tuesday.

Warriors however have yet to disclose the outcome of Mayuka’s brief trials in Israel.

—————–
Fifa has appointed referee Wellington Kaoma together with three other officials to handle the Nigeria versus Serria Leone last 2010 World/Africa Cup group 4 qualifying match to be played in Abuja on October 11.

The Lusaka-based referee will be assisted  Lovemore Jere and Andrew Chungu while Cornelius Mwanza will be the 4th official.

Nigeria, who have already qualified to the final 2010 World Cup group qualifying round, lead Group 4 on runaway 15 points from 5 games while Serria Leone are 2nd on 7 points after playing the same number of pool matches as their hosts the Super Eagles.

————————
Midweek Scorecard

Faz Division 1

24/09/2008

South

Week 28

Choma Eagles 3- Young Buffaloes 1

Nampundwe 0- Nakambala Leopards 3

Young Green Eagles 3- Lusaka City Council 0

Lusaka Tigers 1- Chilanga Heroes 1

Zamcoal Diggers 0 Profund Warriors 0

National Assembly 3- Kambuku 0

Petauke United 2- Riflemen 1

Livingstone Pirates  0- Kalomo Jetters 1

Mazabuka United- Lusaka Celtic (Pending)

North

Week 16

Afrisports 0- Lime Hotspurs 1

Be on alert over contaminated Chinese milk

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The Zambia Consumer Association has reminded health inspectors in the Ministry of Health to be on high alert over the contaminated liquid Milk from China tainted with melamine.

Executive Secretary Muyumnda Illilonga said if  all the Milk products have already entered the Country and were on the market, it must be removed immediately to avoid loss of lives especially among infants.

In an interview with ZANIS in kitwe today, Mr  Ililonga advised that since this was a scandal, the government should institute strict measures to ensure that all imported milk products from Asia were tested.

Mr Illilonga  added that many Zambians were extremely worried over the scandal as many Chinese products have flooded Zambian markets.

In another development, Mr Illilonga said Zambians should not celebrate over the reduction of fuels by the energy regulation board (ERB).

He said although the Association has welcomed the decision to reduce the pump prices of fuel, the margin that has been effected was very narrow to warrant any meaningful relief on the consumer.

Mr Illilonga said even with this reduction, the price of fuel in Zambia was the highest in the sub-region.

He wondered why the pump price of petrol per 1 litre could cost more than K6,000 per litre as compared to Botswana or Zimbabwe.

He explained that the price of fuel affects the prices of other goods and services and with this development, even the prices of mealie meal has reached alarming rates which was not affordable to poor Zambians.

ENDS/PK/PK/ZANIS.

Rupiah Banda Refutes K15 million claims

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Acting President Rupiah Banda today refuted claims by opposition National Revolution Party (NRP) former Secretary General James Lukuku that the party received K15 million from him to endorse his candidature.

Speaking to Journalists shortly after his visit to the ACC, Mr. Banda said it is not possible for anybody to buy leadership in Zambia.

Mr Banda paid a surprise visit at the offices of the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) in Lusaka.

Mr. Banda who is the MMD candidate for the 30th October Presidential by-election, praised the ACC for its tenacity in fighting corruption and assured the officers serving under the organization that their jobs would be safe under his leadership.

Speaking when he addressed management and staff of the Commission, Mr. Banda said Zambia should completely get rid of corruption in order to attract more investors.

He said investors would want to invest in a country where they know their investment is safe.

Earlier, ACC Chairperson, Justice Valentine Chileshe assured the Acting President that the commission will work harder to reduce corrupt practices in the country.

Justice Chileshe said so far Zambia had improved its ranking from 9th to 17th position on the radder of corruption in the world, adding that the Commission was determined to reduce the levels of corruption further.

ENDS/CBM/PK/ZANIS/LUSAKA

Another Chief tells his subjects to vote for Banda

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CHIEF Mungaila of the Ila people in Maala area has promised to support Acting President Rupiah Banda in the forth-coming by-election.

Speaking when Tourism Minster Michael Kaingu paid a courtesy call on him yesterday, Chief Mungaila said he would personally campaign for Mr. Banda to ensure that he wins the presidential by-election set for 30th October this year.

His Royal Highness paid tribute to the ruling party for rehabilitating the Maala – Namusonde Road, the construction of a number of schools and clinics in his area. He urged his subjects to rally behind the MMD.

Chief Mungaila said the MMD Government has done a lot for this country and that the only way of showing appreciation to the party was through rallying behind the Acting President Rupiah Banda.

“This will be a no go area for any party but for MMD and I want to urge my subjects to vote for MMD as the party has done great wonders for our country than any other political party,” said Chief Mungaila.

Chief Mungaila said it would make economic sense FOR Acting President Rupiah Banda to rule until the MMD’S mandate ends in 2011.

At the same meeting, Chief Mungaila invited Mr Kaingu to be the guest of honour during this year’s Shimunenga ceremony scheduled for 18 to 19 th October this year.

On his part Tourism Minster thanked the Chief for supporting the ruling party and promised to attend the annual event.The Minister who was on a tour of the District also pledged two buffaloes toward feeding of people who would attend the event.

ENDS/FM/PK/ZANIS.

Maize prices rise in Mungwi

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The price of maize has shot-up by 30 percent in Mungwi District of the Northern Province.

This is according to a survey conducted by the National Agricultural Information Services (NAIS) at Mungwi open market this morning.

The survey indicates that a 5 Kilogram bag of maize is now fetching K5,000 from the previous K3,500.

Random interviews with traders at Mungwi market indicate that the price increase has been attributed to increases from the source.

A trader, Miss Bernadette Mutale says a 5 kilogramme tin of maize popularly called ‘meda’ is selling at K5,000 while millet is pegged at K4 500 and cassava chips are going at K2 500 per meda.

Miss Mutale says middlemen are selling a 5 kilogramme tin of maize at K4 000

She says the price of maize is dictated by the availability of the commodity at the market and depending on supply and demand, the price may once again go up.

And a senior Government official has challenged the Citizens’ Economic Empowerment Committee in Mungwi District of Northern Province to map-out strategies on how best citizens in the area can be helped to access the empowerment funds.

Mungwi District Commissioner Fanwell Bwembya made the challenge when he met members of the citizens’ economic empowerment committee in his office today.

Mr. Bwembya was quick to point out that the district has not received any application from the target beneficiaries since the funds were set-up in the province this year.

He said however that there was a public outcry that the conditions set for the empowerment are too rigid and most people feel that they would be left out.

Mr. Bwembya says there is need for the citizens’ empowerment committee in the district to work-out strategies which should aim at helping the marginalized members of the society to benefit from the fund.

DC Bewmbya says the citizen’s economic empowerment committee is charged with the responsibility of creating synergies with the citizens’ economic empowerment commission (CEEC) by ensuring that funds were disbursed to beneficiaries.

He said other roles include creating awareness to the general public on the funds and making sure that linkages between existing government structures and CEEC programme were re-enforced.

ENDS/S/PK/ZANIS.

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