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DEC rounds up illegal drug trafficers

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The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has arrested two Somali nationals, a Congolese and several Zambians for trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.

In a press release made available to ZANIS in Lusaka today, DEC Public Relations and Press Liaison officer Rosten Chulu said the Commission arrested Audi Maxamad 36 and Saynab Gelle Hasha 42 both Somali nationals residing in Ndola’s Ndeke Township for trafficking in 10 bundles of Mira weighing 4.2kg.

Also arrested is a Congolese national Kasongo Mulembwe 36 of 6 Choma avenue, Parklands, in Kitwe for trafficking in three bottles of Lignocaine weighing 0.36g.

Mr. Chulu said that the Commission has arrested MacLean Mwanza Sibeso a businessman of 960 Kanyama Site and Service for unlawfully trafficking in 1010 tablets of Diazepam weighing 170g.

He added that the Commission in Kasama conducted a joint operation with the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) in Fiseya village where Leinondi Chasaya 45 a headman of the village was arrested for trafficking in 59.52kg fresh cannabis plants and being in possession of one shot gun with three rounds of ammunition including five empty cartridges.

Others arrested in the same operation include Anthony Chinguse 38, a peasant farmer of Fiseya village for trafficking in 65.90kg of cannabis and Kabwe Chakolokotwa 32 of the same village for trafficking in 41.35kg of cannabis and being in possession of three shot guns.

Mr. Chulu added that officers also managed to seize 165kg of cannabis in the same area and 30kg of cannabis in Kalungu area in Nakonde District saying the two suspects believed to be the owners of the contraband are on the run and that a manhunt has since been launched.

He said in North Western Province the Commission has arrested Felina Samutondu 61 of Kapenda Kabulamema Village for trafficking in 13.024 of cannabis seeds and loose cannabis.

Also arrested is Chinyemba Maybin 23 of Zambia compound in Solwezi for trafficking in 1.5kg of cannabis and Charles Kalyata 33 of Kawanda in Kabompo for trafficking in 409kg of cannabis.

Mr. Chulu also said in Southern Province DEC has arrested Kelvin Silombwana 28 of Kazungula Victim camp site for trafficking in 326kg of cannabis while in Luapula the Commission has arrested Joseph Kabwe 41, a traditional doctor for trafficking in 650kg of cannabis.

All suspects will appear in court soon.

New Chinese mining company coming

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A major Chinese mining company, Zhonghui Mining Industry, Zambia Limited is to be established on the Copperbelt province.

This came to light today when a Chinese delegation comprising officials from the Export-import Bank of China (Exim) and Zhonghui mining group, paid a courtesy call on the Vice President, Rupiah Banda at his office.

Mr. Banda said government is happy with the coming of Zhonghui Guohua Industrial Group Company Limited.

He said Zambia and China has for a long time shared warm relations, adding that government would ensure that these relations grew even stronger.

Mr. Banda said the coming of the new mining company emanates from the visit of President Levy Mwanawasa to the China-Africa Summit and the reciprocal visit of Chinese President Hu Jintao last year.

And Exim bank Executive Vice President, Liu Liange said China’s cooperation with Zambia and the African continent was based on mutual friendship.

Mr. Liange, who is the Chinese delegation leader, said Exim bank was interested in advancing China’s economic policy in Africa.

The meeting was attended by Minister of Mines and Mineral Development, Kalombo Mwansa, Minister of Energy and Water Development, Kenneth Konga, Minister for Presidential Affairs, Cecil Holmes and Bank of Zambia Deputy Governor, Denny Kalyalya among others.

Konkola Blades Replace Mwila

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They were losers and winners in the search for coaches in the top-flight so early in the new season.

Lusaka Dynamos for starters have lost in their protracted bid to hold on the coach Oswald Mutapa who oversaw a good run last season that saw them finish 6th after mounting a strong challenge to finish in 2nd place.

Mutapa’s employers Zambia Police decided to deploy him back to his old club and Dynamos’ promoted city rivals Nkwazi who are sponsored by the service.

The development will leave Dynamos under the care of Lucas Phiri and Joel Kabemba for the foreseeable future.

It is still unclear whether Mutapa will travel to Kitwe away with the Police outfit to face Power Dynamos on Good Friday in a week 2 fixture.

Elsewhere, Konkola Blades have confirmed they have appointed a new coach in the form of little known Chewe Mulenga.

The 41-year-old former Blades player takes over from Charles Mwila who was sacked last Sunday after six months on the job.

This will be Mwila’s first coaching experience in Zambia after managing teams in Zimbabwe and Botswana since retiring as a player in 2004.

Mulenga, who also played for Green Buffaloes and Kabwe Warriors, has coached Masvingo United of Zimbabwe and TAFIC of Botswana.

He has also played for Zimbabwean clubs Highlanders, Amazulu and Railstars.

Mulenga’s first day on the job will be on Good Friday when Blades travel to Railway Ground to face Kabwe Warriors.

Blades are 13th from one game played after losing 2-1 in their league opener to Buffaloes last Saturday in Chililabombwe.

Elsewhere, Power will confirm on Thursday whether they will play their home game against Nkwazi at their Arthur Davies Stadium home ground, club officials have stated.

Arthur Davies is undergoing renovations that will start with its open wing spectators
area before works shift to the grandstand.

Once works are complete, Arthur Davies will be the first football venue with all-bucket seating in Zambia and will maintain its current 15 000 spectator capacity.

38 clubs in Southern Province back Kalusha

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Thirty eight (38) football teams in southern province have thrown their weight behind Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) vice president Kalusha Bwalya’s aspiration to take over the organisation’s top seat.

ZANIS sports reports the clubs’ spokesperson Opper Hamiyanze saying in a statement released in Choma , Wednesday, that the teams still stand by their earlier declaration made in Livingstone to back Kalusha.

Hamiyanze said the clubs in the province maintained that they are resolved to support Kalusha adding that nothing will change their resolution.

He said the teams believe that ‘ Great Kalu ‘ has vast experience appreciated world over and that his connections with the outside world can take Zambian football to another level.

He said once elected as FAZ president, Kalusha Bwalya has the potential of introducing football colleges to produce quality Zambian football professionals fit for big clubs such as Chelsea and Arsenal.

Outgoing FAZ president Teddy Mulonga and Lusaka Dynamoes proprietor Anif Adams have also announced their intentions of challenging for the FAZ hot seat during the FAZ AGM on March 29

State Seeks Help From WHO

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THE Government has appealed to the World Health Organisation (WHO) to help Zambia mitigate the impact of floods following the high risk of malaria and cholera outbreaks.

Foreign Affairs Minister, Kabinga Pande, said the floods that Zambia was experiencing could trigger outbreaks of diseases, hence the need to provide adequate medical kits.

Mr Pande said this in Lusaka when he received letters of credence from newly appointed WHO country representative to Zambia, Olusegun Babaniyi.

“Although I am aware that WHO is involved in the partnership of special initiatives and programmes in Zambia in collaboration with the ministry of Health, my appeal is for WHO to help Zambia mitigate the impact of floods by providing various medical kits to help reduce outbreaks of malaria,” Mr Pande said.

The minister said the Government enjoyed cordial relationship with WHO since 1964 when the two ratified the basic agreement for provision of technical advisory and human resource development.

“The Government also appreciates the support you render in formulation of reproductive Health policy strategies and guidelines for Zambia,” he said

Speaking earlier, Dr Babaniyi assured the Government that WHO would always work hand in hand with the Health ministry to improve the delivery of health services in Zambia.

Dr Babaniyi, a Nigerian national, holds a Msc in Epidemiology from the Harvard school of Public Health in Boston which he obtained in 1984.

“It’s my privilege to be appointed here in Zambia. I promise that WHO will always work with the Zambian Government to ensure that the health sector is working to the expectations and provides the basic services to the citizens,” Dr Babaniyi said

And the Australian government has allocated US$2 million in humanitarian assistance to Zambia and two other countries, which have been ravaged by floods.

This is according to a statement by parliamentary secretary for international development assistance, Bob McMullan, that was made available to Times in Lusaka yesterday.

Apart from Zambia others are Malawi and Mozambique.

The humanitarian assistance to the three countries would be provided through the AusAID, the Australian aid agency.

The support will include the provision of access to safe water, sanitation facilities, emergency shelter, seeds and agro equipment as well as family kits containing blankets, mosquito nets, cutlery and cookery.

“The Australian government, through AusAID, will provide $2 million in humanitarian assistance to flood victims in Southern Africa.

I’m Innocent, Cries Francis Kaunda

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FORMER Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines (ZCCM) chairman, Francis Kaunda, has denied allegations that he abused his office and conspired to defraud ZCCM by offering Ndola Primary School to Ndola Trust School maintaining that he is a man of high integrity.

In the first count, Kaunda, is charged with abuse of authority after he allegedly offered Ndola Primary School to Ndola Trust School.

In the second count, Kaunda and Access Financial Services (AFS) director, Faustin Kabwe, are charged with conspiracy to defraud after they allegedly conspired to defraud ZCCM by offering Ndola Primary School to Ndola Trust School, an act that was prejudicial to the interest of the Government.

High Court deputy registrar, Edward Musona, found the two with a case to answer and subsequently put them on their defence.

Testifying in the matter, Kaunda, 70, a business consultant, maintained that he was denying the charges against him.

He explained, during evidence led by his lawyer, Fred Mudenda, that in 1974, then Republican President, Dr Kenneth Kaunda, appointed him managing director of Metal Marketing Corporation of Zambia (MEMACO) and later Nchanga Consolidated Copper Mines (NCCM).

Kaunda testified that in 1981, NCCM and Roan Copper Mines (RCM) were merged and that Dr Kaunda appointed him chairman and chief executive of ZCCM, which he headed for 10 years.

He told the court that he was removed as chairman of ZCCM without reason or explanation when there was change of Government in 1991 and that during his career, he handled huge sums of money and that his integrity was never questioned.

Kaunda said in March 1997, he received a surprise call from then Republican President, Frederick Chiluba, that he was having sleepless nights concerning the privatisation of ZCCM and asked him if he could assist.

He stated that he suspected that Dr Chiluba asked him to help because of the manner he left office and that it took the Government almost two years to pay him his terminal benefits.

Kaunda said as a patriot, he accepted to assist and did not know that he was going to be appointed chairman of the privatisation team.

He said that his contract was signed on May 14, 1997 by then secretary to the Treasury, Professor Boniface Mweene, and that the contract stated that he was a public officer and a consultant.

Kaunda said it was not true that he was contracted to sell core assets.

Hearing continues.

Ministry of works and Supply reverts to centralized issuance of fuel

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The Ministry of Works and Supply says it has reverted to the centralized issuance of fuel to its departments in order to enhance accountability.

Works and Supply Permanent Secretary Col. Bizyayo Nkunika says the decentralized issuance of fuel by various departments has brought a lot of accountability problems.

The Ps made the remarks when he appeared before the Parliamentary Watch committee, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Chaired by Luena Mp Charles Milupi, to answer queries contained in the Auditor Generals’ Report for the year ended 2006..

The Report indicates that fuel costing about K972 million involving 46 transactions purchased from various stations was not reconciled with invoices and statements from suppliers.

Col. Nkunika told the committee that the ministry would now control the issuance of fuel for all its departments.

He also told the committee that the ministry has started deducting money from officers that failed to retire imprest so as to recover the money.

He said in order to encourage officers to retire imprest, the ministry has stopped giving imprest to officers that are owing the ministry unretired imprest.

Committee members of parliament raised concern over the continued reports of unretired imprest in almost all government ministries.

Mbabala Mp Emmanuel Hachipuka stated that the measure taken by the ministry if implemented by all government ministries would bring government to a halt as officers would fail to execute their duties.

Committee Chairman Mr. Milupi observed that lack of enforcement of the law has contributed to the issues being raised in the Auditor General’s report.

He wondered why the ministry was failing to enforce the provisions contained in the financial regulations , which he said would have helped in reducing cases of unretired imprest by officers.

Earlier ,The Permanent Secretary disclosed that lack of qualified accountants at provincial levels has contributed to the failure by the officers submitting returns to the ministry.

He said the ministry has started a process of recruting qualified officers that will be sent to the provinces .

He also stated that the ministry has assigned an assistant accountant to government as a corrective measure of delayed banking reported in the report.

Col Nkunika also said the ministry has instituted investigation to ascertain how the 19 general receipt books were destroyed by water.

The AG’s report indicate that 19 receipt books were destroyed by water when the offices were flooded ,thereby making it difficult to establish the total collections from the receipt books.

But Ministry Chief Accountant, Dick Chela said the ministry would ascertain the total revenue using the cash books although he stated the process would take a long time to complete.

Mr. Milupi however advised the Chief Accountant to ensure the ministry adheres to the financial regulations so as to reduce on some of the queries raised in the report.

He further advised the ministry’s Controlling officer to use the window period for responding to queries from the AG ‘s office to clear issues that need clarifications.

Kalusha Bwalya leads opinion polls

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Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) Vice president Kalusha Bwalya is leading among the three candidates contesting in the forth coming FAZ elections slated for 29 march 2008.

ZANIS Sports reports this is according to Zambia Voluntary Soccer Fans Association (ZAVOSOFA) opinion polls results , Tuesday, for the March 8 to 15 period, released Tuesday.

The ZAVOSOFA polls reveal that Kalusha is leading polls with 65 percent, while Lusaka Dynamoes proprietor Annif Adams polled 25 percent.

Mulonga, on the other hand polled a dismal 5 percent.

Although Anif seems to be a less force to get the hot seat, the battle line seems to lie heavly on Kalu and Mulonga who are claiming to enjoy massive support in the country.

Kalu, according to press reports has a lions share of support in Luapula, Copperbelt, Eastern and Northern Provinces of Zambia while his ‘ FAZ boss ‘ claims to have Western and Northwesten Provinces backing him.

What remains is to only wait for the March 29 FAZ elections to see who leads and further develops Zambian soccer, more than ever before.

Tuesday Zambia Football Briefs

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Highlanders of Zimbabwe will travel to Zambia by road on Thursday ahead of Saturdays Caf Confederation Cup 1st round, 1st leg match against Green Buffaloes.

Faz general secretary Fidelis Banda said today that Highlanders had indicated they would travel by road from their base in Bulawayo to Lusaka 72 hours before their match against Buffaloes.

Highlanders are expected late Thursday afternoon in Lusaka.

Buffaloes will host Highlanders in the first leg match at Nkoloma Stadium.

Meanwhile, Zesco United had their first morning training session in Khartoum this morning since arriving in Africa’s largest nation on Monday.

Zesco are in Sudan ahead of Saturdays Caf Africa Champions League 1st round, 1st leg match against hosts Al Hilal.

The team was later on Tuesday evening expected to shift training to Ormdurman the venue of their weekend clash against Al Hilal.

Meanwhile, Al Hilal have cancelled their international club friendly against Hearts of Lions of Ghana scheduled for tonight.

No reason was given for the cancellation of the match Al Hilal was hoping to use as a warm-up match before facing Zesco this weekend.

MMD in Solwezi backs Mwanawasa’s position

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The Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) in Solwezi, North western Province has backed President Levy Mwanawasa’s warning to party members to consult the top leadership before divulging any information to the media.

Solwezi District vice Secretary John Kinuna said in a statement to ZANIS in Lusaka today that party members should always consult the top leadership before making any statement on policy issues of the MMD.

Mr. Kinuna said allowing party members to make statements without consultation with the National Executive Committee (NEC) would breed confusion in the party hence the need to stop the practice immediately.

“This is a noble piece of advice and guidance by the father of our party to avoid breeding confusion in the party and it is also to prevent those who would want to promote their individual interests at the expense of the party,” he said.

He has since requested Dr. Mwanawasa to check NEC officials that were fond of issuing derogatory statement about presidential aspirants.

“As lower organs of the party, we feel it is unfair for anyone to attack other party members whenever they declare interest to be presidential candidates in our party,” he stressed.

Mr. Kinuna further appealed to President Mwanawasa to keep uniting the party and deal firmly with members who were bent on dividing the party.

Yesterday, President Mwanawasa warned party members not to issue statements to the media before consulting the top leadership of the MMD.

Meanwhile, five expelled Patriotic Front (PF) Members of Parliament have applied for leave to start contempt proceedings against party President – Michael Sata and members of the Central Committee.

The application filed before Lusaka High Court Judge, Gregory Phiri, by expelled Kasama Central MP, Saviour Chishimba on behalf of the others is urging the court to cite Mr. Sata for contempt.

This is for expelling them from the PF when the court is still determining another case relating to the National Constitutional Conference.

Just for Today

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1. Just for today I will be happy. People are about as happy as they make up their minds to be. Happiness is from within; it is not a matter of externals.

2. Just for today I will try to strengthen my mind. I will learn something useful. I will not be a mental loafer. I will read something that requires effort, thought and concentration.

3. Just for today I will try to adjust myself to what is and not try to adjust everything to my own desires. I will take my family, my business and my luck as they come and fit myself to them.

4. Just for today I will take care of my body. I will exercise it, care for it, nourish it, not abuse it nor neglect it, so that it will be a perfect machine for my bidding.

5. Just for today I will have a programme. I will write down what I expect to do every hour. I may not follow it exactly, but I will have it. It will eliminate two pests, hurrying and indecision.

6. Just for today I will exercise my soul in three ways; I will do somebody a good turn and not get found out. I will do at least two things I don’t want to do – just for exercise.

7.Just for today I will be agreeable. I will look as well as I can, dress as becomingly as possible, talk low, act courteously, be liberal with praise, criticize no-one, nor find fault with everything and try not to regulate nor improve anyone.

8. Just for today I will try to live through this day only, not to tackle my whole life problem at once. I can do things for twelve hours that would appall me if I had to keep it up for a lifetime.

9. Just for today I will have a quiet half-hour all by myself and relax. In this half-hour sometimes I will think of God, so as to get a little more perspective into my life.

10. Just for today I will be unafraid, especially I will not be afraid to be happy, to enjoy what is beautiful, to love and to believe that those I love, love me.

by Sibyl Partridge

Public advised to desist from buying drugs on streets

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The Pharmaceutical Regulatory Authority has called on the public to desist from buying drugs on the streets.

Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today, Pharmaceuticals Regulatory Authority Director Esnart Mwape said there are a lot of illegal drug traders who are on the market posing a challenge on the health sector.

Mrs. Mwape said there are only about 60 percent registered importers and wholesalers dealing in drugs while the rest are unregistered.

She observed that some compounds such as Chawama and Bauleni are recorded to have very high numbers of illegal retail drug dealers.

She said the authorities have however confisticated a number of drugs being sold at market places and drug stores which have been operating without licenses.

Mrs. Mwape said the drug inspectors are on the ground to confisticate drugs from unregistered sellers shut down drug stores operating without trading licenses.

She noted that most compounds have retailers selling expired drugs because there are no adequate pharmaceutical dealers in those places.

Mrs.Mwape has warned all illegal drug dealers to desist from the illegal trade as the drug surveillances will soon be on the ground to deal with law breakers.

She added that her office is open to all those who want to registered their businesses and have their trading licenses before the authorities catch up with them.

Phasing out of Diploma Holding Teachers welcomed by ZNUT

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The Zambia National Union of Teachers (ZNUT) has welcomed the move by Government to stop diploma holding teachers from teaching in high schools.

ZNUT General Secretary, Roy Mwaba told ZANIS in an interview that this will help enhance education standards in the country.

Mr. Mwaba said even though the statement came from a politician, there was need to support government on the matter.

He said Government should also be aware that there are more diploma holding teachers than degree holders in the country.

The ZNUT General Secretary however added that since there were more diploma holders than degree holders teachers with Diplomas will continue teaching.

He said instead of completely phasing them out, Government should also look at upgrading their diplomas into degrees.

He has since called on Government to increase the number of Universities in the country by putting in more money so that the country can have more degree and master’s degree holding teachers.

Recently Education Minister, Geoffrey Lungwangwa announced that Government was in the process of phasing out diploma holding teachers from teaching in high schools adding that this was aimed at promoting quality education in schools.

UK committed to promote quality legal services in Zambia

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The United Kingdom (UK) says it will continue supporting the efforts of the Law Association of Zambia and the South London Law Society in promoting access to quality legal services for the vulnerable people in Zambia.

In a press Release made available to ZANIS in Lusaka today, British High Commissioner to Zambia, Alistair Harrison said the British Commission is happy to work with LAZ in their effort to promote access to justice for the vulnerable people in society.

“We are happy to work alongside LAZ in their quest to promote justice for the under-privileged.” He said

Mr. Harrison said the commission has demonstrated the UK Governments commitment to promoting access to justice in the Country.

He said the British High Commission through its Bilateral Fund has provided Euros 10, 000 equivalent to K79,990,160 ZMK) towards hosting of the discussion, coupled with the participation of the UK legal experts.

He added that the move will improve the working relationship between LAZ and NGO paralegal and also provide a mechanism for private lawyers to commit to pro bono legal services.

“The pro bono services system will immensely contribute to increased accessibility to high quality professional legal advice for individuals that can not afford private legal services.” He added

The British High Commissioner hoped that the discussion will facilitate the design of training programmes aimed to enhance the knowledge and skills of personnel in NGOs thereby leading to improved legal service provision.

And LAZ Chairperson, Elijah Chanda thanked the South London and the British High Commission for the gesture and also for Funding the event.

LAZ twined with the South London Law Society in 2004 to conduct a project to improve access to justice, especially for the vulnerable people in society.

The Bilateral Fund is a grant facility provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Offices and Managed by the British High Commission, in Lusaka.

The fund is meant to assist development projects and improve bilateral links between Zambia and the UK.

Starving people in Sinazongwe resort to eating grass

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By Tovin Ngombe
Namazambwe ward councilor in Sinazongwe district has disclosed that severe hunger situation has forced people in kafwambila and Siameja to sart eating grass.

Mr. Bernad Nzeka told ZANIS that the hunger situation has worsened and most people were failing to find money to buy mealie meal which was also scarce.

He said a 25 kg bag of roller meal was being sold at K65, 000 and K60, 000 in kafwambila and Siampondo.

The councilor said most people who were failing to buy mealie meal have resorted to eating grass which is known as ‘Mpunga’ in the Tonga language.

He said a bucket of maize was being sold at K30, 000 while previously before floods it was fetching at K15, 000.

Mr. Nzeka who is also the only councilor under the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) in the district has appealed to government to quicken the process of sending relief food to save the starving people.

Last week Chief Sinazongwe also appealed to government to send relief food to the district whose crops were washed away.

The Chief pointed out that despite several appeals to government to send relief food, the district has only received 500 bags of mealie meal from the private sector.

The district Disaster Management Unit has estimated that about 1091 people would be in need of relief food because their fields were washed away and their houses collapsed while 85 percent of them were living in makeshift structures.
[ZANIS]

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