The annual inflation rate has recorded a double digit from 9.8 percent in March 2008 to 10.1 percent in April, 2008.

The annual rate of inflation, as measured by the all items Consumer Price Index (CPI), has been recorded at 10.1 percent as at April 2008 representing a 0.3 percentage point higher than last month.

Director of Census and Statistics Efreda Chulu, who announced the development at a press briefing in Lusaka today, attributed the growth in the inflation rate to increased prices of food, beverages, tobacco, rent and household energy, furniture and other social amenities.

Ms Chulu said the increase of 0.3 percentage points in the annual inflation rate from 9.8 percent in March 2008 to 10.1 percent in April 2008 is largely attributed to the increase in the cost of food products.

She said this is because of the total 10.1 percent annual inflation rate in April 2008, food products accounted for 4.8 percentage points while non-food products in the Consumer Price Index accounted for a total of 5.3 percentage points.

The annual food inflation rate was recorded at 9.8 percent in April 2008, compared to 9.1 percent in March 2008 and contributing to food inflation were increases in the cost of maize meal, cereals, cooking oil and milk products.

And Zambia has recorded a Trade Surplus in the International Merchandise Trade valued at K346 billion.

The growth in the International Merchandise Trade has revealed that the country exported more products in March than it imported in value terms.

Director of Census and Statistics Efreda Chulu said during a monthly CSO bulletin presentation that the total value of exports in March 2008 was K1, 615.5 billion compared to K1, 487.9 billion in February 2008.

Ms Chulu stated that the most prominent exports were manufactured goods classified chiefly by material which accounted for 82.7 percent in March and 83.1 percent in February 2008, of which refined copper was the most significant export item.

She further cited Switzerland, Egypt, South Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo and China as some of Zambia’s major export destinations by products in March 2008.

Opposition United Party for National Development, UPND, is happy that President Mwanawasa ordered the timely evacuation of opposition Patriotic Front leader Micheal Sata for specialist treatment to South Africa.

The UPND thanked Dr. Mwanawasa and government for facilitating the evacuation of Mr. Sata to South Africa to enable him undergo specilist treatment for the severe heart attack suffered over the weekend.

UPND Acting President, Richard Kapita,told ZANIS in Lusaka that Mr. Sata’s evacuation is commendable as every citizen requires specialist treatment whenever need arise.

“The UPND would alsdo like to thank President Mwanawasa and government for facilitating the timely evacuation of Mr. Sata,” read Mr. Kapita’s statement.

He added that government’s action would help promote the country’s young democracy.

And the UPND has regretted the death of Mr. Sata’s son Chilufya.

The party wished Mr. Sata’s family heartfelt condolences on the loss of Chilufya Sata and prayed that the family remains streingthened during the trying moment.

And Patriotic Front (PF) in Mazabuka has come out in full support of President Mwanawasa’s decision to facilitate the evacuation of PF President Micheal Sata to South Africa for specialized treatment.

PF District Chairman, Donald Zulu told ZANIS in Mazabuka today that PF cadres
are happy with President Mwanawasa for demonstrating the true statesmanship.

Mr Zulu said the gesture by Dr Mwanawasa shows that no matter how leaders
differ politically, they still have love for each other.

He has since asked President Mwanawasa to ignore the negative statement
attributed to Dr Guy Scout and continue providing the necessary leadership
to Zambians despite the different political inclinations.

Mr Zulu said party officials in the district are not in support of Dr. Guy
Scout’s statement saying it was done in his individual capacity.

And Chief Mwanachingwala has cautioned PF General Secretary, Guy Scout to
stop issuing statement that would divide Zambians.

Chief Mwanachingwala said Sata as a leader of a political party was
entitled to specialized treatment such as the one government facilitated.

The Chief said there is nothing wrong for the government to have facilitated
the evacuation of Mr Sata adding that what President Mwanawasa has done is a
true reflection of a leader.

Chief Mwanachingwala observed that it was difficult for anyone to believe in
the statement attributed to Dr Scout in which he said Sata would refund
government the medical expenses spent so far.

He said Sata was in an intensive care unit and therefore it was difficult to
believe that a person who is in the intensive care unit can talk.

The Chief said Zambians have today known who is misleading Sata on various
national issues.

Chief Mwanachingwala has since called on Dr Scout to apologize to Zambians
and President Mwanawasa for the embarrassment he has caused.

Zambia Competition Commission (ZCC) acting Executive Director Thula Kaira said the restriction of the operation of the international gateway to ZAMTEL has not benefited Zambians and was illegal.

Zambian telecommunication regulations do not prohibit interested mobile service providers from operating international gateways that compete with the ZAMTEL. “As the situation stands today, there is no law or regulation prohibiting interested private operators from operating a competing international gateway. The fee appears to be the contention,” Kaira said in an interview. The US$12 million licensing fees and protection of ZAMTEL from competition appear to be the remaining issues, Kaira said.

The international gateways for Zambia have remained closed since liberalization policies were introduced by the Zambian government almost 20 years ago. But mobile phone service providers including Celtel and Mobile Telecommunication are pushing the government to open up the gateways so they can buy licenses to operate their own international gateways and bring competition to the telecom sector.

President Levy Mwanawasa insists that giving international gateways to private operators would compromise the country’s security. The incumbent operator, ZAMTEL, would lose out if private operators are given their own international gateways, Mwanawasa contends.
Kaira said, however, that although state security is of paramount importance and should not be compromised in any way, it is possible to find balance between national security and private investment needs in the telecom sector.

There is no need for the government to overly protect ZAMTEL, an unprofitable monopoly not at all inspired to innovate, adapt and work in tandem with global high-technology developments in the telecom sector.

ZAMTEL provides fixed and mobile-phone services, has exclusive rights to the Mwembeshi Earth Station and collects revenue from private operators using the satellite’s facilities, including international gateways.
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The Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) has denied allegations by suspended Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) Commissioner, Ryan Chitoba that ACC officers who searched his Kafue property on March 11, stole K10 million cash from the premsies.

The ACC has also denied assertions by Mr. Chitoba that the search was related to the on-going theft case against him before Principle Resident Magistrate, Charles Kafunda.

ACC Director of Investigations, Edwin Sakala, 49, told the court that the search is not related to the on-going case.

At the last sitting Mr. Chitoba had complained that while he attended Court, ACC officers searched his home in circumstances related to an on-going theft case and K10 million was stolen from his home.

The complaint prompted Magistrate Kafunda to summon Mr. Sakala and ACC Senior Investigations Officer, Foster Hamuyube who led the search party to explain their investigations.

Mr. Chitoba’s lawyer Mwangala Zaloumis was not present in Court and Magistrate Kafunda ordered that the hearing continues without her.

This was despite a plea by Mr. Chitoba that the court adjourns the matter, to enable his lawyer attend the hearing.

Mr. Chitoba is facing a charge of theft by public servant and abuse of authority of office when he served at DEC commissioner.