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The responsibility of ECZ is massive ahead of polls – RB

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Vice President Rupiah Banda says the office of the Electoral Commission of Zambia-ECZ has a massive responsibility to conduct free and fair elections as per demand by the people of Zambia.

Mr. Banda, who is Acting President, said the people of Zambia cherish their freedom and would want to have free and fair elections.

He said this in Lusaka today when he swore in ECZ Chairperson Florence Mumba and Supreme Court Judge Marvin Sitwala Mwanamwambwa at government house.

Mr. Banda said as the country goes to the polls to choose a republican President in 30 days time, the responsibility of ECZ is huge.

“Soon we shall be going to elections and we are looking forward to your leadership. Our Late President knew what he was doing when he chose you,” said Mr. Banda.

The Vice President said Justice Mumba is well known in the judicial system where she has served for a long time at home and abroad.

And Mr. Banda said Justice Mwanamwambwa is a valuable addition to the judicial bench.

The Vice President who congratulated Justice Mwanamwambwa for his appointment said he attached great importance to the appointment of Justice Mwanamwambwa and encouraged him to work hard as he has done before.

“You too are well known in the judicial system. Your elevation is a clear demonstration of confidence that the Judiciary and the Late President has in you,” said Mr. Banda.

And speaking in an interview with Journalists, Justice Mumba said the task of ECZ Chairperson is a mammoth one.

She however said she was confident that the people of Zambia will be with her and give her the support to discharge her duties.

She thanked God for the appointment.

Justice Mumba takes over from Justice Ireen Mambilima.

ENDS/CBM/AM/ZANIS

Levy’s body arrives on Saturday, not Sunday – Kanganja

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Secretary to the Cabinet, Joshua Kanganja has announced that the body of the late President Levy Mwanawasa will arrive in Zambia from France on Saturday and not Sunday as earlier announced.

Dr. Kanganja disclosed this in a statement to ZANIS this evening.

He said the Zambian mission in France changed the programme saying the aircraft bringing the body of the late Dr. Mwanawasa would leave France tomorrow, August 22nd 2008 and arrive in Zambia on Saturday.

On the funeral arrangements, Dr. Kanganja said books of condolences would be opened in Lusaka tomorrow while the rest of the country, the books would be opened on Monday, August 25th, 2008.

He said the books that would open on Monday would be in provincial headquarters and districts.

“In Lusaka, the books of condolences will be opened at State House and Mulungushi International Conference Centre respectively starting from 10:00 hours to 17:00 hours every day,” he said.

He said the mourners that would sign the book at State House are foreign Heads of State and Government or their representatives, former Zambian heads of state, former foreign heads of state and governments or their representatives.

Dr. Kanganja said others that would sign the books of condolences at State House are the chief justice, speaker of the National Assembly, Zambian cabinet ministers, deputy ministers, leaders of political parties, Secretary to the Cabinet, senior government officials and service chiefs.

The rest will be Members of Parliament, heads of diplomatic, consular and international organizations accredited to Zambia, the judiciary, the Mayor of Lusaka, church leaders, chiefs, former senior government officials, national executive committee members of political parties, chairpersons of commissions and senior citizens.

“Other mourners not specifies above who wish to sign the books of condolences will do so at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre,” he said.

ZANIS/KSH/ENDS.

Togo lose to DR Congo in warm-up

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Zambia’s World Cup Group 11 opponents Togo on Wednesday lost 2-1 to DR Congo in a friendly international played in Dreux, France.

The two sides were scoreless going into the break before Togo took the lead two minutes after the break through striker Emmanuel Adebayor.

DR Congo leveled two minutes later through their Bundesliga-based midfielder Cedric Makiadi.

Striker Lomana Lualua of Al-Arabi in Qatar scored DR Congo’s winner in the 68th minute to hand the two-time African champions the win in this warm-up match.

Togo are scheduled to face Zambia away at Konkola Stadium in Chililabombwe on September 6 in a Group 11 qualifier.

Zambia are currently 2nd in Group 11 on 4 points from 3 games level with leaders Swaziland from the same number of games while Togo are 3rd on 3 points after 2 games played.

Meanwhile, Swaziland lost 3-0 away on the same date to Mozambique in another international friendly match.

Levy’s body to be taken to all provincial capitals before burial.

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Cabinet has extended the period of mourning for the late President of Zambia, Levy Mwanawasa from the initial seven days to 21 days.

This is to facilitate a smooth transportation of the body from Paris to Lusaka, Zambia and the taking of the body to all provincial headquarters to nine provinces before burial takes place.

Vice President, Rupiah Banda announced the funeral arrangements this evening in a statement posted on the State House website.

Mr. Banda said the decision was arrived at after a Special Cabinet meeting held at Government House in Lusaka today.

He said the burial has been slated for September 3rd, 2008, which would have been the late Dr. Mwanawasa’s 60th birthday.

“I wish to advise the nation that upon the body’s arrival at Lusaka International Airport, there will be a Guard of Honour and a Presidential Salute. The body will thereafter be transported to Mulungushi International Conference Centre where it will lie-in-state,” he said.

Mr. Banda further announced that between Monday, August 25th and Friday, August 29th 2008, the body will be taken to provincial capitals.

He said the body would be brought back to Lusaka on August 29th from which date it will lie-in-state and MICC until 2nd September, 2008 when it would be taken to lie-in-state at State House until burial ceremony on Wednesday, September 3rd, 2008.

“Close relatives, of the first family will gather at the residence in State House. Members of the public will gather at the Lusaka Show Grounds during the period of mourning,” he said.

Mr. Banda said those wishing to pay their last respects to the late President would do so at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre and in the provinces.

Dr. Mwanawasa died at Percy Military Hospital in Paris France, 15 days before he could turn 60 years of age.

He fell ill on June 29, this year while attending an African Union (AU) heads of state and government summit in Egypt.

The late President was elected as Zambia’s third republican President in December 2001 under the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) ticket and re-elected in 2006 for the second five year term of office.

He leaves behind a wife, Maureen and six children.

ZANIS/KSH/ENDS.

Govt to Finance Funeral and Elections from 2008 Budget

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Government has disclosed that resources to cover the national funeral expenses of President Mwanawasa and financing to the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to conduct the Presidential By-elections will be provided within the 2008 national budget.

Secretary to Treasury Evans Chibiliti who announced the development at a Press briefing in Lusaka today said financing of President Mwanawasa’s funeral expenses and the Presidential By-elections will be provided by constraining non-priority expenditures in the 2008 national budget without resorting to borrowing.

Mr. Chibiliti has since appealed to the donor community to assist the Zambian government during the transition period.

Mr. Chibiliti has also assured the nation of fiscal discipline and prudent management of public resources.

He said that government has devised an effective mechanism that will ensure that there are no slippages in the economic management of the country’s during the transition time.

Mr. Chibiliti said government shall ensure that economic programmes that are currently being implemented are maintained to ensure stability in the macro-economic fundamentals and the achievement of economic targets set out at the beginning of the year.

He further said that government will ensure that the implementation of the 2008 national budget remains on track in a bid to enhance development in the country.

Mr. Chibiliti has however cautioned government controlling officers against the misuse and misapplying of public resources during the transition period.

Mr. Chibiliti said government is aware of the opportunistic behavior that may arise from public servants and members of the public that may take an opportunity to abuse authority and misappropriate public resources.

He said government will not take kindly on officers that will be found wanting adding that government will ensure that the Law take its course on any person found wanting.

Mr. Chibiliti said he has commenced meetings with Controlling officers, Heads of Key Government Institutions and Parastatals to sensitize them on the set control measures regarding the prudent management of public resources.

He said that the Treasury will remain alert and monitor and track the movement of funds in the Central bank and Commercial Banks.

ZANIS/TK/AM/ENDS

Hundreds throng the Show grounds for national prayer services

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Hundreds of Zambians this afternoon gathered at Lusaka’s Show Grounds for the launch of the national prayer services to mourn President Mwanawasa.

The mood in the main arena where the prayers are being held was generally solemn with most people wearing sad faces as solemn songs were sang by various choirs from different churches.

The prayers that have been organized by the three major church bodies in the country will go on throughout the national mourning period.

Giving President Mwanawasa’s testimony as a member of the Baptist Church, Twinpalm Baptist Church Deacon Kenneth Mwanza said Dr. Mwanawasa was a committed member of the church.

Deacon Mwanza said Dr. Mwanawasa joined the Baptist Church in 2002 after which he opened up his House to discipleship lessons before baptism.

He explained that President Mwanawasa was baptized on 27th February, 2005 and continued to be a dedicated member of the church.

Deacon Mwanza noted that Bible Study sessions were regularly held on Tuesdays at Statehouse whenever President Mwanawasa’s national duties allowed.

He said the Church will greatly miss Dr. Mwanawasa both as a church member and Republican President.

And Council of Churches in Zambia Chairperson Suzanne Matale said in an interview that President Mwanawasa will be greatly missed for fighting corruption without fear or favor.

Reverend Matale said President Mwanawasa provided good leadership for Zambia and the region and stood for democracy as evidenced by his stance on the recent election crisis in Zimbabwe.

She added that Dr. Mwanawasa was a gallant son of Africa who led Zambia well.

Notable in attendance during the prayers were Deputy Ministers for Education Clement Sinyinda, Mundia Ndalamei from the Works and Supply and Richard Taima of the Ministry of Sports, Youth and Child Development.

Others were Science and Technology Deputy Minister Lucy Changwe and Health Deputy Minister Lwipa Puma.

ZANIS/BK/AM/ENDS

LT is currently experiencing techinical difficulties

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We are experiencing technical difficulties. The site will be restored as soon as possible.We sincerely apologize for the inconveniences caused.
PS. Our geek (technical guy) is tied up, we expect him within the next 2hrs(4.30pm GMT) do bear with us.

Wednesday Zambia Football Briefs

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-Zanaco have fired head coach Wesley Mondo just after 19 games since the start of the season.

Mondo was fired on Monday and the club has appointed player-coaches Numba Mumamba and Kelvin Kaindu in a caretaker role.

This will be the second time Kaindu and Numba will be in temporal charge in exactly 12 months after Mondo’s predecessor Fighton Simukonda was fired in August 2007.

Zanaco are currently 8th on the Faz Premier League table on 27 points, five less than leaders Zesco United.

Mondo’s previously coached Zesco, City of Lusaka, Kabwe Warriors and Kalulushi Modern Stars

-Zambia on Tuesday evening beat amateur side Kirchhiem 2-0 in a training game in Germany where they are holding a 10-day training camp..

Herve Renards sides win was secured thanks to a brace from Zanaco striker Roger Kola.

The match was the first on Zambia’s 10-day training camp in Germany that begun last Friday and ends this Monday.

However, Faz said today that it is still consulting as to whether to play a second training game due to the death on Tuesday of Zambian president Levy Mwanawasa after the national day of mourning was extended from 7 to 21 days.

Meanwhile, the Zambia’s Under-17 national team is expected to go into camp this Friday in Lusaka to prepare for their 2009 Algeria Caf Africa Under-17 Cup 1st round home leg match against Namibia on August 30 in Lusaka.

Namibia, who have had a 20-man team in camp since August 8, are due to arrive in the country on August 26 by road.

Namibia reached this stage after beating Lesotho 9-0 on aggregate after winning 5-0 away in Maseru before completing their rout in the return leg in Windhoek via a 4-0 victory.

Winner between Zambia Namibia will take on either South Africa or Malawi in the final 2nd round matches to be played in November.

HIV people petition govt. for food supplements

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People living with HIV and some stakeholders and community members looking after orphans and vulnerable children have petitioned government to start supplying them with food supplements.

Field Officer for health and HIV/AIDS at CINDI, Brian Lukonde said many people in Chimwemwe and Chipata compounds have so far appended their signatures to the petition.

Mr. Lukonde said after a survey carried out in his organisation’s catchments areas, it was discovered that some people on anti-retro viral (ARV) drugs were not taking a balanced diet because to lack of food in their households.

He said this in an interview with ZANIS after a community sensitization programme in Chimwemwe township today.

He further said majority of the orphans and vulnerable children who were living with virus were not out of school because they had no food in their families.

Mr. Lukonde explained that poverty and hunger were most prevalent among the vulnerable because they had no source of income.

He said CINDI alone could not feed the high number of orphans and vulnerable children that were living with the virus hence the need to have the support from government.

ZANIS/PK/KSH/ENDS

Kailala ceremony cancelled due to severe hunger

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The Kailala traditional ceremony of the Goba speaking people in chieftainess Chiawa ’s area in Kafue district will not take place this year because of acute hunger which has hit the area.

Kailala Traditional and Culture Association (KATCA) Chairman, Isaiah Museto, disclosed the development to ZANIS today.

He said chieftainess Chiawa has already been informed of the development and has since accepted with the traditional council’s decision.

Mr. Museto said the traditional council met last week and resolved that the ceremony, which usually takes place in the first or second week of September every year, could not be held this year because people in area have no food.

He said the Goba people had a poor harvest in the last farming season as such they had nothing to present to their ancestral spirits.

Mr. Museto said the ceremony, which is meant to thank ancestral spirits for the harvest of a particular year, would instead take place next year.

He said the people in the area would have loved to hold the ceremony as usual this year but could not because they had nothing to contribute for the ceremony to succeed.

And Mr. Museto has disclosed that the wild animals have continued to cause terror among villagers in the area.

He said elephants were destroying the little crops, which villagers had cultivated along river banks, a situation which has worsened the hunger situation in the area.

He has since appealed to government to send relief food to the area in order to prevent people from starving to death.

ZANIS/BS/KSH/ENDS

FRA pays CB farmers K1.3 billion for maize sales

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The Food Reserve Agency (ZRA) has paid out at least K1.3 billion to farmers who have sold their maize to the agency out of the K4.3 billion that was disbursed to the Copperbelt province this year.

FRA Executive Director, Anthony Mwanaumo, said this when officials from the agency paid a courtesy call on the Acting Provincial Deputy Permanent Secretary, Elli Mulemwa, at the provincial administration office this morning.

Dr. Mwanaumo said the FRA was now paying farmers on a weekly basis, adding that in certain districts, it was paying farmers twice a week.

He told Mr. Mulemwa that crop marketing in the province was slow this year.

He said so far the agency has only managed to buy about a quarter of its targeted tonnes of maize from farmers in the province.

Dr. Mwanaumo, who guaranteed that any farmer who delivers maize to FRA would be paid within a week as funds were readily available, attributed the development to the high level of private sector participation in the business.

He said the private sector was buying a 50 kilogramme bag of maize at between K50, 000 and K55, 000, compared to the FRA’s K45, 000.

While acknowledging that there was nothing wrong with farmers selling their crop to the private sector, Dr Mwanaumo said there was need for strengthening of regulations to ensure that scales used by private buyers were properly sized.

He said farmers should get full value for their maize, hence the need to use correctly set scales in weighing maize.

He said in some areas, farmers were paid K55, 000 for a 50kg bag of maize at the point of delivery in town.

This entailed that farmers were incurring a loss of more than K15, 000 per bag in terms of other transaction costs and transport.

Dr. Mwanaumo has since challenge the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives to provide farmers with information concerning transaction and transport costs.

The delegation is in the province on its routine monitoring of the marketing programme, which will close on September 30th 2008.

ZANIS/PC/KSH/ENDS

President Mwanawasa’s body to arrive on sunday

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Secretary to the Cabinet Dr. Joshua Kanganja has announced in a statement released to ZANIS in Lusaka today that the body of President Mwanawasa will arrive on August 24, this Sunday at the Lusaka International Airport at 09:00 hours.

He said arrangements for the State Funeral were underway. Dr. Kanganja further said arrangements for a public funeral programme at the Showgrounds in Lusaka are also being made, as the nation awaits the arrival of the body from France.

He said the programme, which will comprise inter-denominational prayers and choirs, will be presided over by the church in conjunction with Government.

Dr. Kanganja appealed to those wishing to travel to Lusaka, not to do so, until a full programme for the State Funeral is finalized and announced.

He urged the public that, during the period of mourning, only solemn music should be played on all radio and television stations.

He said all functions of an entertainment nature are discouraged, while the national flag will fly at half mast.

Dr. Kanganja appealed to the public to continue to mourn the loss of Dr. Mwanawasa with decorum, unity and dignity.

He further advised the public and private sectors that, business should continue as usual, although the country is in a state of mourning.

ENDS/AM/PK/ZANIS

“Naked” demo shelved

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The planned August 29 demonstrations by the Unemployed Association of Zambia (EAZ) over salary and allowance hike for ministers and Constitutional Office holders has been shelved.

Association president Mpundu Mwanamwelwa told ZANIS in Lusaka today that the suspension of the demonstration, where association members had resolved to stage a naked demonstration, is due to the period of national mourning.

Mr. Mwanamwelwa described the death of President Mwanawasa as shocking and saddening.

He told ZANIS that Dr. Mwanawasa was a visionary and selfless leader who championed democracy.

President Mwanawasa died in Percy Military hospital in Paris, France yesterday.

ZANIS/KC/AM/ENDS

PF, Sata Pledges to Support Acting President Rupiah Banda

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Opposition Patriotic Front (PF) has pledged to support Acting President Rupiah Banda and government during the period of national mourning.

PF leader Michael Sata says the PF would render its support to government in a bid to ensure unity and peace in the country.

Mr. Sata said the PF leadership is alive to the fact that Zambians, the region Southern African region, the African continent and the international community need to be re-assured that Zambia remains stable and peaceful.

The PF leader was speaking on Radio Phoenix during a programme dubbed “Special tribute to the Dr. Levy Mwanawasa” monitored by the Zambia News and Information Service (ZANIS) in Lusaka today.

Mr. Sata said orderliness and unity is required to generate confidence in Zambians and the international community that Zambia remains a haven for peace.

And Zambia Congress of Trade Unions has called on all workers in the country to carry on with President Mwanawasa’s crusade against corruption in order for Zambia to attain her Vision 2030.

ZCTU President Leonard Hikaumba told ZANIS in an interview today that the best way to honour Dr. Mwanawasa would be to ensure continuity of his vision to attain economic development as stipulated in the Vision 2030.

Mr. Hikaumba said although Dr. Mwanawasa’s demise has left many citizens heart broken and devastated, the peace and unity that has prevailed in the country should continue even after the mourning period.

He said there is need to find a way of resolving divergent views through dialogue in order to sustain the peace and unity that Zambia has continued to enjoy.

He noted that the culture of hostility should not be a norm in a peaceful country like Zambia.

Mr. Hikaumba said whoever will take over as President should be a person with the interest of the country and citizens at heart as Dr. Mwanawasa was.

And China Liaoning International Economic and Technical Cooperation Group (CLIC) has sent a message of condolences and sympathy to the first family and the nation as a whole on the death of President Mwanawasa.

CLIC Board Chairperson, Wang Xiaojiang said the demise of President Mwanawasa is not only a loss to the people of Zambia but a great loss of the people who love peace worldwide including China.

Mr. Xiaojiang said this in a statement released to the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) in Lusaka today.

He noted that Dr Mwanawasa was dedicated to the promotion of peaceful movement in the African regions and spearheaded Zambia’s economic development and social stability.

Mr. Xiaojiang added that Dr Mwanawasa contributed to the development and enlarging of the friendly cooperation between China and Zambia in various fields which has lasted for centuries.

He hoped that Zambians will choose a leader who will further strengthen the relationship between the two countries.

ZANIS/YK/AM/ENDS.

Parliament suspends sittings

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Parliament has suspended sittings in order to prepare for the state funeral of President Levy Mwanawasa who died at Percy Military Hospital in France, Tuesday.

Speaker of the national Assembly, Amusaa Mwanamwambwa said all members of parliament will be told at a later stage when parliament will resume sitting.

Mr. Mwanamwambwa told the house that the death of Dr. Mwanawasa is a sorrowful and sad moment for the country.

He requested members of Parliament to remain calm, courageous and prayerful.

[ZNBC]

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