Zambia played to a 1-all draw with Swaziland in the first round, first-leg match of the qualifiers for the African Nations Championship (CHAN) on Sunday. WIlliam Njobvu scored for Zambia.
The new competition organised by CAF is meant exclusively for players who ply their trade in the domestic leagues of their countries.
President Levy Mwanawasa says he is displeased with the continued wrangles among Movement for Multi-Party (MMD) party leadership in Eastern province.
The President said it is sad that the leaders in the ruling party in the province are entangled in unnecessary conflicts and exchange of bad words at the expense of developing the party.
Dr. Mwanawasa who is also MMD President, said the party is a national party entrusted with the responsibility to look at national issues and to provide good leadership.
He observed that the wrangles are not healthy for national and party development.
Dr. Mwanawasa was speaking upon arrival at Petauke High School, to launch the MMD Eastern Province Special conference.
The conference is expected to usher in a new provincial executive committee for Eastern Province after the previous committee was disbanded by the national executive committee early this month.
Dr. Mwanawasa told the conference that he considers Eastern province vital in the MMD and that he would do everything he can to stop any attempts to confuse party members.
He said resources spent on the special conference should have been directed to other sustainable party programmes if the party in the province was intact.
The President is accompanied by MMD National Chairman Micheal Mabenga and was welcomed by among others, Information Minister, Mike Mulongoti.
First Republican President, Kenneth Kaunda has been discharged from the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) where he was admitted.
Dr. Kaunda was discharged -Saturday.
UTH Public Relations Officer, Kennedy Makukula confirmed the development to ZNBC news.
The former President was admitted to the hospital – Thursday.
[ZNBC]
Former Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) Vice President Kalusha Bwalya is the new president for the organisation.
And Kalusha has pledged to fulfill aspirations and desires of soccer loving Zambians by ensuring that his new executive, made up of mainly former footballers and administrators, works hard and deliver the wishes and asiparations of the nation of making Zambia a great footballing nation.
Returning officer Elijah Mendie declared Kalusha as the duly elected new FAZ president after polling 120 votes. 197 votes were valid out of the 199 votes cast. Two votes were spoilt.
” I, Elijah Mendie with the powers vested upon me in accordance to the FAZ constitution and the FIFA regulations do here by declare that the said Kalusha Bwalya is the duly elected President of FAZ executive committee,” said the returning officer.
Former FAZ president Teddy Mulonga polled 66 votes while Lusaka Dynamoes Proprietor Anif Adams polled a partry 11 votes.
Immeadiatly the results were announced , shouts and ululations thronged the entire hall at the Mulungushi International Conference Center’s old wing.
Kalusha was carried shoulder high by his supporters who had powdered him with mealie meal, which is a traditional way of cheering and congratulating.
Independent Malole Copntituency Member of Parliament Emmanuel Munaile beat his foes to become the new Vice President while the position of Treasurer was won by Ndola based Boniface Mwamelo.
The executive committee comprises of out spoken soccer commentator and analyst Macha Chilemena, Pivot Simwanza, Lemmy Nkuwa, Keegan Chipango, Angel Chitembeya and Violet Bwalya.
The elections of the new FAZ executive committee was held under a serene environment amidst tight security by the alert Zambia police officers who combed the venue.
And speaking in his address to the councillors from all corners of Zambia, Kalusha urged his executive members not to ‘honeymoon’over their victory but to work hard to fulfill Zambia’s aspirations of becoming a great footballing nation she was known some time back.
He was quick to advise the victors and the losers in the elections to bury their differences and unite to fulfill the Zambian dream of becoming a great footballing nation once again.
He thanked the councillors for the great confidence they have shown in him by electing him to the FAZ high post. he said his executive would follow its ‘ eyes on the ball’ motto to deliver.
Mulonga who earlier exhibited great confidence of returning the seat was conspiciously absent after it became apparent to him that he had lost the seat to ‘Kalu.’
However Adams lamented in an interview that he did not expect that the FAZ elections could be held in what he called ‘a political manner’ as candidates with money had campaigned using their monies thereby disadvantaging others.
He however urged the new executive to work hard and develope Zambian football.
The new Vice FAZ President on his part said the results were good as he expected to win adding that they ( the results) were good rewards for hardwork.
Asked if his new position wopuld not clash with his political calling, Munaile who has background of being a footballer and administrator, said there would be no problem in combining the duties.
He said football elections results were determined by councillors saying it was good for the Kalusha led executive to pay back to by developing soccer.
However, his losing mate Joseph Nkole expressed shock at the results saying he was confident of winning after he had campaigned vigorously for the position.
On the other hand, Nkole encouraged the new executive to work hard and ensure that football standards improve and continue were the Mulonga led executive left.
The Lusaka City Council (LCC) has described accusations by Matero Member of Parliament (MP) Faustina Sinayangwe that the council is carelessly allocating land in her constituency as unfortunate.
In an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today, LCC Public Relations Officer Henry Kapata said it was wrong for the lawmaker to make unsubstantiated allegations as the council has not been carelessly allocating land in the area.
Mr. Kapata said Mrs. Sinyangwe should not accuse LCC because she knows that the council has been having the problem of some unscrupulous people who have been purporting to be council officials and have been going around in some areas carelessly allocating land.
“She knows that we have been having this problem for a long time now, it is not fair for her to accuse the council,” Mr. Kapata complained.
He added that Mrs. Sinyangwe has been sitting on the LCC meetings and knows that this was a problem adding that the council was addressing it.
He however, emphasized that LCC not has not at any time allocated land carelessly.
On the issue of illegal squatters having invaded the area, Kapata called on the MP to submit a report to the council so that it moves and demolishes.
He said the council is doing its best to offer quality services to the public so that they benefit from its operations.
“We are doing our level best to be a better council and we get a lot of support from the Ministry of Local Government and Housing,” Mr. Kapata added.
He also said the Mp should understand that the council has limited resources but that it has made sure that three quarters of the its budget benefits the general public.
Faz tomorrow goes to the polls to possibly elect a new executive committee to lead the association for another four years when the association meets at Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka tomorrow, Saturday March 29.
It will be one of the most highly contested race that has been characterized by a month-long political-style campaign that has seen the three presidential candidates cris-cross the land to try and woo Faz’s over 170 affiliates to vote for them.
38 candidates jostle for the nine Faz executive positions up for grabs.
Prime focus is the FAZ presidency post that is being contested for by incumbent Teddy Mulonga who is facing a strong challenge from two other high-profile candidates.
Soccer icon Kalusha Bwalya, who for the last four years has been Mulonga’s vice president, is challenging the incumbent in his bid for a third term at Football House.
However it is not a two-horse race following Lusaka Dynamos supreme Hanif Adams finally throwing his name in the hat after years of reluctantly standing on the wings.
While Mulonga is offering continuity, while young guards Bwalya and Adams have promised change and revolutionary changes the way the game is played and run into the 2010 World Cup in a race that has no clear favorite come Saturday.
Meanwhile, if the race for FAZ president is uncertain, try the vice presidency where five candidates.
The five are vying to be deputy head at Football House with Bwalya now out of the running there and seeking to elevate his status to president.
The five include outgoing FAZ spokesman Joseph Nkole, former president Simataa Simataa and National Assembly FC chairman Giles Yambayamba.
Also in the race is former Zambia international Emmanuel Munaile who served as committee member in Everisto Kasunga’s FAZ regime from 2000 to 2004.
Another eyeing the FAZ number two job is current FAZ committee member Andre Mtine.
Meanwhile, Current FAZ treasurer Rix Mweemba is looking strong to retain his post and he will be challenged by Frank Munthali and Boniface Mwamelo.
And four out of the six committee members are seeking re-election and those not re-contesting are George Kasengele and Mwansa Mbulakulima who is now Copperbelt Minister.
PRESIDENT
Hanif Adams
Kalusha Bwalya (Vice President)
Teddy Mulonga (Incumbent)
VICE PRESIDENT
Andre Jaulani Mtine (Current Committee Member)
Emmanuel Munaile
Giles Chomba Yambayamba
Jospeh Nkole (Current Committee Member)
Simataa Simataa
TREASURER
Boniface Mwamelo
Frank Munthali
Rix Mweemba
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Amos Mbulo
Brian Kalunga
Chama Kapambwe
Col. Oliver Moonde
David Zimba
Edgar Mvula
Enoch Greenwell Chiwati
Eustrasia Chambeshi
Gibson Petro Lukoshi
Henry Sichembe (Current Committee Member)
Henschel Chitembeya (Current Committee Member)
James Mazumba
Jeffrey Chilipilingu
Keegan K Chipango
Kelvin Mutafu
Lenny Kamwambi Nkhuwa
Marcha Chilemena
Dorothy Sampa
Martha Musonda Shonga
Martin Simwaka
Pivoty Simwanza
Richie Nawa
Stafford Chewe Kayame
Violet Bwalya
Watson Mwale
Welly Chikuka
Zachariah Machaliwa
First Republican President Dr. Kenneth Kaunda has been admitted at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH).
UTH Public Relations Officer Kennedy Makukula confirmed the development to ZANIS in Lusaka today.
Mr. Makukula said the former President was admitted yesterday around 18: 00 hours.
He said Dr. Kaunda is still admitted at the hospital adding that he is responding well to treatment and is in a stable condition.
Mr. Makukula could however not disclose the illness that has afflicted Dr. Kaunda.
THE Taskforce on corruption yesterday recorded a warn and caution statement from second Republican president, Frederick Chiluba, over his alleged involvement in the Carlington Maize deal in which the country lost US$7.8 million.
Dr Chiluba, who arrived at the Taskforce offices in Woodlands at 10:40 hours, was accompanied by his wife Regina, lawyer Robert Simeza, former Foreign Affairs deputy minister, Valentine Kayope, and spokesperson, Emmanuel Mwamba.
The interrogations took over two hours.
The Taskforce has been investigating the case of a Canadian commodity supplier by the name of Carlington Sales Company.
The supplier was being investigated following an agreement with the Republic of Zambia in 1997/98 for the supply of maize to Zambia at a cost of US$24 million.
Speaking to journalists shortly after the interrogations, Taskforce chairperson, Maxwell Nkole, said Dr Chiluba had been called to explain the deal and a questionnaire was given to him.
“A warn and caution statement has been recorded. He is deemed to be a suspect as he was at the centre of brokering together with other people,” he said.
Mr Nkole, however, said Dr Chiluba was evasive and declined to answer questions.
He said the Taskforce would investigate the matter further and if possible recover the money involved.
“This was abuse in the sense that a fraction of that money was diverted. A lobby contract was entered into after a formal contract was sealed. This is another angle we are trying to consider.”
When asked whether former Finance minister Edith Nawakwi and Finance Bank chairman Rajan Mathani, who had also been mentioned in the deal, would be implicated, Mr Nkole said the Taskforce had already carried out preliminary interviews with the duo.
The focus of the Taskforce was to recover the money and the matter would later be referred to the Director of Public Prosecution for possible prosecution.
‘We will be making recommendations after completion of the investigations,” he said.
Mr Mwamba said in an interview that Dr Chiluba was asked more than 20 questions which he refused to answer as he was exercising his constitutional right.
He said there were two contracts involving US$7.8 million.
The Carlington Sales Company was contracted to supply white and yellow maize and the contract was signed on October 10, 1997.
Mr Mwamba said the then Food Reserve Agency executive director, Chance Kabaghe, signed the contract together with Mr Ali Ben Menashe on behalf of Carlington Sales Company.
He said when the contracts failed, two sub-contractors were engaged. One was for consultancy and the other for lobbying.
He said Mr Bonaventure Mutale, who was the Attorney-General then, signed the consultancy contract while Ms Nawakwi signed the lobbying contract.
Mr Mwamba said the lobbying contract was meant to help Zambia find a buyer for Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines assets in Canada while the consultancy contract was to help the country build its image.
Mr Mwamba said Dr Chiluba denied involvement in any of the alleged offences.
[Times of Zambia]
The body of the Sinazongwe Council employee who died on Tuesday after inhaling chemicals has gone missing at the Maamba Hospital Mortuary in Southern province.
Maamba Hospital acting Superintendent Dr Elisha Chipandwe confirmed the development and said the hospital was trying to establish the facts over the matter.
Dr. Chipandwe said two bodies were brought to the Hospital mortuary on Tuesday and they suspect that one family that buried their deceased early could have picked a wrong body.
He said the hospital would call the family that buried their body early to identify the remaining body in the mortuary to identify their owners.
“The family that came in the morning to claim for the body of their deceased caught us unaware and we suspect the first family buried a wrong body we are trying to establish the fact and find the body,” Dr. Chipandwe said.
Sinazongwe Council Director of Works Mathews Mashapi identified the deceased as Mailos Siakambila who was a council employee based at Sinazeze barrier.
Mr. Mashapi said the deceased died on Tuesday at home after accidentally inhaling the chemicals he was using to spray his cotton field.
He said the people at his home decided to give him milk and when he slept he died.
The Director of works explained that his body was taken to Maamba Hospital Mortuary but when mourner went to retrieve it they failed to find it.
The mourners reported the matter to Maamba police while carrying their empty coffin.
[ZANIS]
-Forgotten Zambian striker Collins Mbesuma could make the Bursaspor first team ahead of Sundays away league match to Ankaraguku in the Turkish Capital.
Bursaspor’s official site reports that Mbesuma is set to make the final 18 man-team that will travel to Ankara for their mid-table clash this weekend.
Bursaspor and Ankaragucu are 11th and 8th on the table respectively on the 18-team Turkish Super Lig table.
Mbesuma has been struggling with fitness since joining Bursaspor from English club Portsmouth last August.
-A Rainford Kalaba-less Zambia have delayed their departure for Swaziland today, Thursday due to a flight congestion problem from Lusaka.
The team was expected to leave for Manzini via Johannesburg today but have had to put back their departure to Friday to avoid traveling in two groups over the next 24 hours.
Zambia will travel as one group on Friday instead ahead of Sunday’s first leg match in the inaugural Caf Africa Nations Championship preliminary round qualifier.
Faz will send it’s Under-23 team to face Swaziland instead of the senior team whose programme has been put on hold due to Saturdays annual general meeting and executive committee elections.
Moreover, Patrick Phiri’s contract as Zambia head coach comes to an end this Saturday March 29.
-Promoted Nkwazi have ended all speculation today about whether ex-Lusaka Dynamos coach Oswald Mutapa would return to the team played for and later coached after he was unveiled today as the clubs new head trainer.
The development will see Shex Chipoya who helped guide Nkwazi back to the top-flight after just one season relegated to Mupata’s assistant.
Nkwazi’s gain is Dynamos loss after the latter failed in their bid to retain his services for this season after guiding them to an impressive run last term.
Dynamos under Mutapa mounted a strong challenge for second place before running out of steam to finish sixth on the Premier League table.
The Queensmead side is currently searching for Mutapa’s replacement after two unsatisfactory results under the caretaker duo of Lucas Phiri and Joel Kabemba.
Dynamos have one point from two games while Nkwazi have four after the first two round of the league matches.
A medical practitioner in Kabompo district in North-Western Province has called for intensified sensitisation in communities in order to stop social stigmatisation against Tuberculosis (TB) patients in the district.
Loloma Mission Hospital Sister-In-Charge, Marion Ronald, made the call during the commemoration of the World TB Day held at Manyinga in Kabompo.
Sister Ronald said high levels of social stigmatisation against TB patients in Kabompo district were contributing to poor adherence to drugs instructions by TB patients.
She called on local chiefs and village headmen to partner with government and its cooperating partners in sensitising communities against social stigma against TB patients.
She thanked the government for seconding a government medical doctor to Loloma mission hospital.
Sister Ronald further appealed to government to consistently supply TB drugs to rural health centres in the district.
She said in the last quarter of last year, the Loloma mission hospital had 40 TB patients.
Education Deputy Minister Clement Sinyinda has implored teachers in Zambia not to migrate to other countries in search for better conditions of service.
Mr. Sinyinda urged teachers to remain committed to serving the nation because government was working on improving the education sector.
He was speaking when he held a meeting with teachers in Senanga district today.
He said it was no longer beneficial for Zambian teachers to leave the country for ‘greener pastures’ when their colleagues that had gone abroad were pondering on returning home.
Mr. Sinyinda, who is also Senanga Central MMD Member of Parliament, said conditions of service for teachers had become very competitive in Zambia than in other countries, hence the need for them to stay.
Mr. Sinyinda said the teachers should now commit themselves to duty, discourage examination leakages and focus on service delivery other than concentrating on migrating to other countries.
He said government was devoted to improving the education sector in the
country through the provision of good conditions of service and a good
teaching environment.
He said the ministry had started providing car loans, house loans and many other incentives to staff in the teaching fraternity.
The Deputy Minister was in the district to inspect infrastructure in education facilities.
A clergyman has proposed that Members of Parliament coming from out of Lusaka be allowed to be accompanied by their wives whenever parliament is in session.
Reverend Peter Nguni of the Church Planters Network (CPN) says this would help curb the alleged promiscuity at the National Assembly Motel.
Rev. Nguni said the presence of spouses would act as a deterrent for any improper sexual conduct.
Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today, Reverend Nguni said the National Assembly Motel should not be misused for any illicit activities.
Reverend Nguni called on all leaders put in public office to maintain high levels of integrity and morality as they are supposed to be role models to the people they represent.
He said leadership is service with sacrifice, therefore all those who are put in high office must be the custodians of good morals.
Reverend Nguni pointed out that if leaders sacrifice and maintain good morals, Zambia will have a society that is free from HIV/AIDS.
Reverend Nguni further said people elect leaders hoping that they will represent the views of the people and maintain integrity and also protect the rights of the underprivileged in society.
The Task Force on Corruption has warned and cautioned Second Republican President, Frederick Chiluba over the 1997-98 $7.8 million Carlington Maize deal.
Dr. Chiluba accompanied by his wife Regina and lawyer, Robert Simeza appeared before the Task force at 10:00hours – Wednesday he was interrogated for two hours over the controversial maize deal.
Speaking shortly after the interview Task Force Chairperson, Max Nkole said Dr. Chiluba was evasive and declined to answer some questions related to the maize deal.
Dr. Chiluba was summoned, to shed more light over the deal after he had indicated that he wanted to explain his role in the contract awarded to the Canadian Carlington firm to supply maize that was never delivered.
Mr. Nkole told Journalists in Lusaka that the Taskforce also questioned Dr. Chiluba over $1 million diverted to a contract dubbed “a lobbying contract” from the $7. 8 million.
He said the Task Force will at the moment endeavor to recover the funds and is also contemplating recommending the prosecution of Dr. Chiluba and two others.
Mr. Nkole disclosed that the Task Force had conducted preliminary interviews with then Finance Minister, Edith Nawakwi and Finance Bank Board Chairperson, Rajan Mathani.
He however said the task force will conduct father interviews with Ms. Nawakwi and Mr. Mathani.
[ZNBC]
Police in Lusaka have prevented women from staging a demonstration against Finance Deputy Minister, Jonas Shakafuswa, over a statement which has injured women.
The women who were organised by the Non Governmental Coordinating Council were dispersed because they had not obtained a police permit.
Lusaka Division Police Commanding officer, Greenwell Ng’uni led a team of officers that stopped the planned protest outside cabinet office.
Mr. Nguni ordered the protestors to leave cabinet office premises because they didnt have a permit.
The Police, however allowed NGOCC Executive Director, Engwase Mwale and Young Womens’ Christian Association Executive Director, Katembu Kaumba to present a petition to Vice President, Rupiah Banda.
The women are demanding the dismissal of Mr. Shakafuswa from his ministerial position.
Mrs. Mwale later told ZNBC in an interview that her organisation was disturbed with the utterances attributed to Mr. Shakafuswa.
She said Mr. Shakafuswa’s remarks during a drinking spree at Parliament motel were demeaning to women.
According to one newspaper article, Mr. Shakafuswa did not like a statement attributed to Chikankata Member of Parliament, Muji Habeenzu for stating that parliament motel had been turned into a brothel by some MPs.
[ZNBC]
© Lusaka Times
