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Ballot paper verification underway in Durban

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The Zambian delegation led by Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) Chairperson Judge Florence Mumba currently in South Africa’s Port City, Durban is tomorrow (Tuesday) morning expected to sign off  the ballot paper dummies (proofs) for Ndola Central and Mwansabombwe constituencies.

The Zambian delegation comprising ECZ officials, four political parties (MMD, Heritage Party, Patriotic Front and UPND) are expected to verify the dummies after which they will append their signatures at South Africa’s Universal Printing Company (Uniprint) in Durban.  Civil Society representatives will also witness the exercise. The company has been contracted by ECZ to print over four million presidential ballot papers and electoral materials for the two constituencies including Kanchibiya which has since been completed at an estimated cost of over US$4 million.

ECZ Senior Public Relations Officer Sylvia Bwalya in an interview with Journalists here today said political parties and ECZ officials will append their signatures on the electoral materials at an event which will also be witnessed by Civil Society representatives. Ms Bwalya said once the constituency ballot paper proofs have been approved by stakeholders, this would enable printing of the electoral materials to be done simultaneously with the presidential ballot papers.Printing of the presidential ballot papers started on Friday last week.
‘The signing off will ensure that all the electoral materials are printed simultaneously’, She said.

All the electoral materials to be used in the presidential election and the three by elections slated for October 30 are expected to be dispatched to Zambia this week on Saturday (October 12).  Meanwhile, the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has reiterated that results for the presidential poll and three by elections (Ndola Central, Mwansabombwe and Kanchibiya) would be pasted at all polling stations to accord  everyone access.The ECZ Senior Public Relations Officer disclosed this in an interview with journalists here today (Monday). Ms Bwalya explained that ECZ adopted this concept from Zimbabwe and the Commission was also responding to calls by various stakeholders requesting the same to be done to consolidate transparency.

‘In the past people did not have access to these results at the polling stations.  Polling agents, other electoral agents and observers would carry the results with them after the polling and nothing was left at the stations’’. She said.  Besides, Mulungushi Conference Centre as a station for result announcements, Ms Bwalya further disclosed that another result centre will be opened at the ECZ headquarters.

‘’There will be two result centres at the Electoral Commission of Zambia Headquarters and Mulungushi Conference Centre’’. She added. In view of this, she advised that stakeholders wishing to have access to the two centres should get separate accreditation for the two, failure to which they will be denied entry.  Meanwhile, Ms Bwalya has advised various political parties participating in the forthcoming presidential election to ensure that they employ polling agents conversant with the electoral process. The ECZ  observed that the polling agents were the eyes of political parties hence the need for them to be well versed with the electoral process. She said that ECZ will conduct training for the polling agents and the meeting slated for Friday between the Commission and political parties in Lusaka was expected to address such issues.

‘’The polling agents are supposed to be spread in 6 456 polling agents and it is important for them to be conversant with the electoral process’’. Ms Bwalya said.

Sata hits back

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Patriotic Front leader, Michael Sata, has accused first Republican President Dr. Kenneth Kaunda of failing to develop the Northern Province during his 27 year tenure in office.

Mr. Sata asserts that Chinsali District where Dr. Kaunda hails from has lagged behind in terms of development.

Mr. Sata also wonder’s why Dr. Kaunda chose to have his pension house built in Lusaka instead of Chinsali District.

ZANIS reports that the PF leader said this at a campaign rally in Kasama.

Mr. Sata also said it was unfortunate that Dr. Kaunda has chosen to attack his capability to manage the affairs of the country if elected as republican president.

The PF leader said he has waited for several decades to lead Zambia and that time has now come for him to become president.

On Saturday, Dr. Kaunda was quoted by the media as saying Mr. Sata has no capacity to lead Zambia.

He said the PF leader was only suitable to head a government Ministry, as the position of president required a number of qualities.

ZNBC

Esther Phiri’s sparkle is losing its touch.

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After 8 successive triumphs, the time has come for Esther to head west.

Saturday nights GBU lightweight title fight 5th round TKO win over her raw American opponent Hondi Hernandez in a one-sided encounter has left Esther a bit stale in the entertainment department.

Hernandez gave little to show for the thousand mile journey from Arizona to Lusaka and it is  good Esther herself openly admitted her opponent was poor.

Esther learnt nothing from this fight apart from getting another customary big day payout.

Furthermore, it was  farcical to have even let Hernandez square-up against Esther as a GBU lightweight title contender in what ranked as Esther’s most uninspiring duel to date.

The fight at Woodlands Stadium in Lusaka made a routine sparring session in the gym look more competitive.

The pounding Hernandez received from Esther also showed the America is still out of her depth in four straight defeats against some experienced hands following her initial four wins over fellow upstarts who barely had 2 competitive fights under their belts.

Anthony Mwamba and Esther’s principle paymasters must let their boxer move on to Europe or the Americas not only for the fame and fortune but to grow and regain some respect back home before a serious dose of false invincibility creeps in.
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While Esther is expected to leave next week on a half-year training camp in Germany courtesy of the GBU, the move should be long-term if she is to become a finer boxer.

Sadly, the obvious fear of losing on foreign soil and Esther’s commercial obligations at home will make it hard for her to make a professional decision to permanently relocate abroad and find her way into the great unknown.

The late Lottie Mwale outgrew Woodlands and Zambia after a series of well documented victories at iconic venues in Europe that culminated when he took the plunged in America against Saad Mohamed in 1980 against whom he suffered a 4th round lights-out-knockout.

To fight in America is every boxers biggest dream and equivalent to making a religious pilgrimage to a revered holy shrine.

If Esther doesn’t crave for a piece of America in the coming year then we will be forced to seriously question how ambitious she really is to stay in the square circle.

Mysterious disease originating from Zambia kills 3 in SA

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Hospitals in the Gauteng province in South Africa have been placed on high alert following the death of three people from a highly infectious disease that originated in Zambia.

On Sunday the Gauteng health department said three people had died in Johannesburg.

“We are on high alert following the confirmation of three cases of an unknown, highly infectious disease which has since led to three deaths,” the department said in a statement.

Medical advisor for public health Dr Chika Asomugha said the first patient was a South African expatriate living in Lusaka,  who worked as a tourist guide for a safari company. She was evacuated by air ambulance to Morningside Clinic in Johannesburg on 12 September.

She had severe flu-like symptoms, diarrhoea and a rash. The unnamed woman was critically ill when she arrived and died shortly afterwards at the Morningside Medi-Clinic.

“Blood samples were taken and the results were not conclusive of any particular disease, including the viral hemorrhagic fevers,” the department said.

The second patient was a Zambian male paramedic who had accompanied the woman to South Africa. He was admitted on September 27 at the same facility with flu-like symptoms and treated for a variety of infections.

“His condition initially improved but later deteriorated on Wednesday, October 1 and he died the following day,” the statement said.

Investigations for viral hemorrhagic fever and other formidable infectious diseases were conducted and the results were negative.

A nurse at Morningside Medi-clinic who came into contact with the first patient became ill with flu-like symptoms and was subsequently admitted to the Sir Albert Robinson hospital on the West Rand on Wednesday.

“Her condition deteriorated on Saturday and she passed away yesterday (Sunday). Viral hemorrhagic fever and other formidable infectious diseases were negative,” said the statement.

“We have not yet got a complete diagnosis, but experts are running as many tests as possible,” he said.

KK endorses RB

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Zambia’s liberation hero, Kenneth Kaunda, has endorsed acting president Rupiah Banda ahead of an election later this month, state media reported on Sunday.

Former head of state Kaunda said Banda, and not populist chief opposition leader Michael Sata of the Patriotic Front (PF), who has been drawing huge crowds at his campaign rallies, would make a good president.

“I am happy with the leadership skills shown by the acting president,” state radio quoted Kaunda as saying, adding he hoped Banda would continue holding the office of president.

“He (Sata) is good as governor and minister but I don’t think he can work as a president. I don’t hate him, but if voters elect him, it is their own fault,” Kaunda was quoted as saying by the state-owned Sunday Times newspaper.

Banda became acting president after the death in August of Levy Mwanawasa, praised by investors for stabilising the mineral-rich southern African nation and fighting corruption.

Analysts say Kaunda’s comments may swing a few more votes to Banda. No clear favourite has emerged ahead of the October 30 presidential poll.

State media also reported that the Electoral Commission of Zambia’s (ECZ) director of elections, Dan Kalale, said the budget for the poll would be 231 billion kwacha and that Zambia had asked donors to help finance it.

Finance Minister Ngandu Magande told Reuters last month he expected the cost of the election to widen the budget deficit beyond the projected 1.2 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), but it would be kept below 2 percent.

Reuters

Equinox secures $103bn debt

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EQUINOX Minerals has bucked recent trends amid the credit freeze and secured $US80 billion ($103 billion) in debt for its Lumwana copper project in Zambia, underpinning confidence in the project and sparking speculation the company could fall prey to the likes of Rio Tinto.

The Lumwana project is due to come on line at the end of the year and is expected to produce 172,000 tonnes of copper a year from 2009 and run for 37 years.

Credit Suisse analyst Julian McCormack said that the debt facility was a vote of confidence in the project and recent slumping share markets made the company a target for bigger players looking to boost copper production.

“We view this as a significant validation of the project and the people managing it,” Mr McCormack said in a note to clients at the weekend.

“You cannot build a Lumwana-sized project for what it will cost to buy Equinox today,” he said.

Mr McCormack pointed to recent reports quoting Rio Tinto management as saying the miner wanted to buy copper producers of around 200,000 tonnes a year with long mine lives.

“Lumwana, which will be in production this decade, is the only asset anywhere on the globe that matches this description,” he said.

Perth-based Equinox, which is listed on the Australian and Toronto stock exchanges, has a market value of $1.63 billion.

Its shares have slumped more than 50 per cent this year.

The $US80 million loan facility is underwritten by Standard Bank and Standard Chartered Bank and will be provided by members of Equinox’s existing Lumwana banking syndicate.

The facility will let the company meet extra working capital requirements that resulted from start-up delays after an electrical fire in July.

Equinox also renegotiated the repayment schedule for some elements of the existing $US583.8 million project finance debt facilities.

“The new loan facility is evidence of the strong confidence our banking syndicate has in the project,” Equinox chief executive Craig Williams said.

“Equinox and its shareholders can now be afforded, during this unprecedented period of market volatility, the necessary levels of stability and liquidity required to expeditiously move the project into copper-concentrate production and deliver further shareholder value.”

Rio Tinto copper chief executive Bret Clayton said last week that his company was “scouring opportunities” as the credit crisis made it harder for juniors to raise money.

The Australian

Soldier on with Levy’s programmes- Maureen

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Hundreds of Lusaka residents today thronged the Cathedral of the Holy Cross for the memorial service in honour the late President Levy Mwanawasa which marks a month since Dr. Mwanawasa met his demise.

Those in attendance included Acting President Rupiah Banda, First Republican President Dr. Kenneth Kaunda, Speaker of the National Assembly Amussa Mwanamwambwa, and Chief Justice Ernest Sakala.

Members of clergy, Cabinet ministers, Deputy Ministers, other senior government officials and members of the general public were also in attendance.

Former First Lady Maureen Mwanawasa said the death of Dr. Mwanawasa should not bring an end to projects and programmes initiated by the late president Mwanawasa.

Mrs. Mwanawasa said soldiering on with the projects and programmes would be the best way to honour the late President Mwanawasa.

She pointed out that it would not be prudent for the new leader to embark on a new path and change direction as this would spell doom to gains and progress made in national development.

Mrs. Mwanawasa said Zambia has already been put on the path to prosperity.

And earlier, Pastor William Chanda of the Baptist Church paid tribute to former First Lady Maureen Mwanawasa for endeavoring to assist the less privileged in society.

He has since urged Mrs. Mwanawasa to continue helping the underprivileged in society and continue putting God first during this trying time.

Also speaking during the memorial service, Acting President Rupiah Banda said Zambians will always remember and appreciate the late President Levy Mwanawasa for his exemplarily leadership and selfless service to the nation. Mr. Banda said the late Dr. Mwanawasa spared no effort to propel the nation forward for the benefit of the citizenry.
After the memorial service congregants proceeded to lay wreaths on the late President Levy Mwanawasa’s tomb at Embassy Park.

The late Dr. Mwanawasa died in Paris, France on 19th August, 2008 and was buried on 3rd September, 2008.

The late Dr. Mwanawasa was an active member of the Twin Palm Baptist Church.

Zambian companies are unreliable – Tembo

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A senior government official is concerned at the poor performance of some Zambian companies contracted to undertake various government development projects.

Lusaka Province Deputy Permanent Secretary Conrad Tembo says this is delaying the implementation of development projects such as schools, health centres, roads and other infrastructure aimed at improving the living standards of the people.

Mr Tembo says government has come up with a deliberate policy to empower local contractors but their poor workmanship and lack of reliability is undermining this well intended objective.

Mr Tembo said this when he toured a mortuary under construction at Luangwa Boma clinic in Lungwa district which a named Zambian contractor has failed to complete for the past three years.

This is despite government paying the contractor about K220 million so far out of a total of K280 million to complete the whole the project.

Mr Tembo warned that such contractors would have themselves to blame if government does not consider them for contracts in future.

“Government is doing all it can to accelerate infrastructure development in Lusaka province but in some instances, it is being let down by some local contractors who can’t perform to expectation,” said Mr Tembo.

Mr Tembo urged the Lusaka Provincial Buildings Engineer to work closely with the offices of the District Commissioners and other stakeholders in ensuring contractors worked according to the deadlines and specifications outlined in the contracts.

“Government wants to get the right value for its money. Underperforming and unreliable contractors will therefore not be tolerated,” he said.

Mr Tembo was leading a team of senior officials from Lusaka provincial administration  to monitor and evaluate the implementation of various government projects in the province.

The team also visited projects in Chongwe, Kafue and Lusaka districts.

ECZ Ready For Presidential Election

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The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has said it is ready to hold this month’s presidential election slated for October 30.

ECZ Chairperson Florence Mumba who is in Durban leading the Zambian delegation comprising political parties and civil society representatives, to monitor the printing of presidential ballot papers, said since the announcement of the polling date, the Commission’s officers have been on the ground conducting voter education.

Ms Mumba said the Commission had since drawn up a programme to help monitor progress and that ECZ was on course.

‘’We have done quite a lot of voter education and we started since the polling date was announced. As far as ECZ is concerned we are on course’’. Ms Mumba said.

On the involvement of stakeholders in monitoring the printing of ballot papers, Ms Mumba said this was necessary to ensure transparency and was happy that political parties and civil society had risen to the occasion.

However, she advised that political parties should ensure that their agents were at the polling stations much earlier to monitor every stage of the elections as this would avert possible suspicions.

Underscoring the importance of polling agents, Ms Mumba said it was entirely up to the various political parties to ensure that their polling agents were vigilant adding that ECZ was open and had nothing to hide.

‘’I would appreciate a polling agent who would be at the polling station a day before the polling as this would enable them count the number of voters who would pass through the station. However, it is up to political parties to make such a decision’’. She said.

In this vein, she has called a meeting to be held on Friday with various political parties where such issues would be ironed out.

On the 2011 tripartite elections, the ECZ Chairperson said ECZ would ensure that voting is made easier by removing unnecessary hurdles.

She noted that rural areas where people trek for long hours to go and vote would be addressed adding that once Government makes a decision on delimitation exercise, the Commission would be ready to implement the exercise.

‘’We would like to ensure that the Government of the day is elected by more than 2 thirds of eligible voters hence there are a few things that ECZ has to put in place to ensure that this is attained’’. She said.

Zambia goes to the presidential poll on October 30 and this has been necessitated following the death of Dr Levy Mwanawasa who died in August in France’s Percy Military Hospital.

ZANIS/ENDS/CLM

Florence Mumba confident of free, fair election

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Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) Chairperson Florence Mumba has expressed confidence that this month’s presidential election slated for October 30 will be free and fair.

Ms Mumba has also allayed fears against rigging saying it is not possible for this to occur because ECZ has been transparent from the beginning by allowing various stakeholders to monitor the printing of presidential ballot papers which started in South Africa ’s port city, Durban yesterday (Friday).

Speaking to journalists last night at City lodge in Durban , the ECZ Chairperson who is leading the Zambian delegation here dismissed assertions that ballot papers could be premarked during the printing process hence triggering a breeding ground for rigging.

‘’There is no possibility that ballot papers would be pre marked. When people talk about rigging we would like to know what they really mean and at what process this would occur’’, She said.

In addition the ECZ Chairperson said that Zambia as a member of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) had to adhere to the electoral code of conduct and noted that it is in this vein that the Commission would like to uphold its credibility.

She observed that the laws were such that they would not promote flouting and they were plain for anybody to see.

On the company printing the presidential ballot papers, Universal Printing Company rebranding to Uniprint, Ms Mumba said she was impressed with the level of technology invested into the firm.

The ECZ Chairperson described the printing firm as professional saying she was amazed at its equipment and this gave the Commission confidence that a good job would be done.

Printing of over 4 million presidential ballot papers started yesterday (Friday) in Durban . Universal Printing Company, an accomplished firm in the printing industry with vast experience in handling printing jobs on electoral materials for various African countries including South Africa has been contracted by ECZ to undertake the work at the cost over US$400 000.

The cost also covers the printing of ballot papers for Kanchibiya constituency which has since been dispatched, Ndola Central and Mwansabombwe. By elections for the three constituencies also takes place at the same time with the presidential election.

And a 21 man Zambian delegation comprising political party and civil society representatives are in Durban to witness the printing of ballot papers up to the packaging stage. The work is expected to be completed on Friday next week with the ballot papers being dispatched the following day (Saturday).

ZANIS/ENDS/CLM

Zesco Survive Late Scare to Advance in Barclays Cup

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Defending Barclays Cup champions Zesco United rallied to reach the quarterfinals of this years tournament after a late scare to advance on post-match penalties.

Zesco beat Forest Rangers 4-2 on post-match penalties at Nchanga Stadium in Chingola after coming behind with 10-men to eject their Ndola  rivals following a 2-2 draw at fulltime.

Midfielder Maybin Mwaba opened scores in the 12th minute for Zesco before Alex Mwiche equalized for Forest to see the two teams go 1-1 into the break.

Zesco were reduced to 10 men just after the hour-mark when defender Leonard Silungwe was sent off before Mala Besa gave Forest the lead in the 66th minute.

Midfielder Kondwani Chirambo  scrambled in the equalizer 2 minutes from full time to force the match into post-match penalties and see Zesco get out of jail in their march to defend their Barclays Cup title.

Joining Zesco in the last 8 where fellow top flight clubs Green Buffaloes, Lusaka Dynamos, Red Arrows, Power Dynamos, Zanaco and Kabwe Warriors while Nakambala Leopards are the only lower league team still standing the competition.

Still at Nchanga, Power beat Kalulushi Modern Stars 3-0 thanks to a penalty converted by defender Francis Kasonde in the 20th minute before midfielder Simon Bwalya made it 2-0 in the 51st minute and Dan Kasongo scored the third 9 minutes from time.

In Kabwe at Railway Grounds, Dynamos beat Rangers 2-1 with goals from Josphat Nkoma and Philemon Chipeta while Zanaco defeated Zamtel 2-1 on post-match penalties after a scoreless 90 minutes.

Dabwitso Nkhoma and Kennedy Nkethani converted Zanaco’s winning spot-kicks in that game.

Arrows recorded the biggest round of 16 win after crushing  division 2 club Paramilitary 7-2 at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka.

Nemaz Macha scored 2 goals, Stanley Banda got a hat trick while Joseph Zimba and Dan Sibanda  got one goal each.

Paramilitary consolation two goals were scored by Benjamin Ngulube with a 39th minute penalty before Mwepya Kasongo got the other in the 76th minute.

And Warriors advanced to the last 8 after a 1-0 win over Riflemen at the same venue thanks to a 19th minute goal scored by Musonda Mweuke.

In Mazabuka, 2007 Barclays Cup semifinalist Buffaloes beat Kascol 2-1 via a Brian Chilando brace while the division 2 side found the4 target from the penalty spot Alick Mweene in the 83rd minute.

And finally, promotion chasing Leopards ejected Young Arrows 5-4 on post-match penalties.

Discover your purpose in Life

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Part 1

Todays scripture

PSALM 139 : 13-14

Todays Word from Pastor Tupelo

Our God is a God of purpose.

Everything he has created, He created it to serve a particular function here on earth.

Every person on the face of the earth has a purpose that nobody else can fulfill.

You ought to ask yourself what is the reason for my existence?

You are not just taking up space, neither are you just a biological consequence, you are here for a reason.

God has a plan for your life and you have to discover that plan so that you can align yourself towards it. Jeremiah 29:11

Have you ever thought about the fact that you did not influence your existence on this earth? You didn’t plan to be born into this world, therefore your stay here is totally dependant on the one who brought you here.

He alone knows why he put you here and only He can communicate that purpose to you through His Word.

You are not here by chance God brought you here. Isaiah 43:1, Jeremiah 1:5

He was not taken by surprise when you where born. He planned for you for eternity, He made provision for you in his plan for man kind. He knows you by name, He even knows how many strands of hair they are on your head.

This means you are special in the sight of God because everything God created, He said it was very good according to Genesis 1:31

K 10 billion fertilizer loan facility set up

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Over 22,000 peasant farmers across the country will benefit from the K 10 billion fertilizer loan facility to be administered by the Zambia National Commercial Bank (ZANACO).

National Association for Peasant and Small Scale Farmers President, Rodger Phiri disclosed this to ZANIS soon after launching the new Munda Livestock Restocking Programme in Mazabuka’s Dumba area today.

Mr Phiri said last farming season, his organisation gave out fertilizer loans to only 3,300 farmers.

He said the loan facility has received overwhelming response from farmers because of the attractive and flexible conditions being offered by the association.

Mr Phiri said the input loan facility will supplement government efforts by providing fertilizer loan to farmers who may not be able to access fertilizer under the government sponsored fertilizer support programme.

He said among the conditions, beneficiary farmers are required to pay half the amount for the inputs required through ZANACO.

He also revealed that the European Union has shown interest to support the organisation for initiating programmes that are tailored at reducing poverty by providing good income and food among small-scale farmers.

He said the cattle restocking programme whose objective is to revive the cattle industry which has been decimated by the notorious corridor disease has now been extended to 35 districts

And Mazabuka District Commissioner, Tyson Hamaamba has commended the association for supplementing government efforts in reviving the livestock industry which has been affected due to livestock diseases.

Mr Hamaamba said the restocking programme will help improve farming as farmers will now use cattle for draft power instead of using hands to cultivate their fields.

He however urged the association to relax the conditions attached for beneficiary farmers to obtain cattle.

Five farmers benefited from the cattle restocking programme yesterday.
ENDS/HC/AM/ZANIS

Electoral officers warned against being partisan

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An Electoral Officer in Siavonga District in Southern Province has cautioned people in the area that have been engaged by Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to help conduct elections on its behalf to carry out their duties diligently and in a non-partisan manner.

Siavonga District Elections Officer Ackson Habanji warned that he will not take kindly to anyone that will be found siding with any political party before, during and after the  30th October 2008 elections.

Mr. Habanji issued the warning when he addressed hundreds of people that had applied to ECZ for employment as presiding officers and polling assistants during the forthcoming presidential elections.

The briefing that was held at Lake Safari Lodge saw many government workers, the majority being teachers from around the district, coming to register in order to be taken on as election officers.

Mr. Habanji stated that he expects all those that would be taken on as polling assistants and presiding officers upon passing the examinations to be exemplary in their behaviour.

‘’ I want to request all those with partisan interests to leave this room because once we discover that you are have partisan interest with either the opposition or ruling MMD we shall not hesitate to firstly embarrass you before taking you to task. Your job as election officers is to act as referees so you must be neutral, ‘’ he said.

Mr. Habanji emphasised that he would not want the district to be dented by disgruntled party cadres that would fail to carry out their duties diligently because of being aligned with certain political parties.

Meanwhile, government workers, the majority being teachers that travelled long distances from around the district in order to attend the election briefing in Siavonga Township, complained against the decision taken by ECZ not to pay them money for their accommodation.

The disappointed workers said they did not know where they would sleep because the K75, 000 paid to them as lunch allowance was not enough to enable them find any accommodation.

“Some of us have come from as far as Chirundu and the only money that has been paid to us is this K75, 000 which we cannot even use to get ourselves the cheapest rooms. We have been reduced to destitutes,” they lamented.

Some of the workers have been accommodated by their friends and relatives while has less fortunate workers have ended up spending sleepless nights at Siavonga main market.

ENDS/LL/AM/ZANIS

Burning of Radio Phoenix is a blow – Mulongoti

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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

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