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Kabwe DC worried with increase in ‘Sugar Mummies’

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KABWE District Commissioner (DC), Jane Chileshe has bemoaned the increase in the number of of older women having affairs with young in the district.

Mrs Chileshe told ZANIS in an interview today that it was disheartening to see a woman going out with a male of more than 12 years her junior without feeling embarrassed.

“For a young person to approach an elderly woman then it means he has seen a weakness in the woman. In most instances these women give these boys a lot of money to lure them into having sex with them,” she said.

Mrs Chileshe urged the young men not to be enticed with money to fall in love with ‘suger mummies’ but rather follow the proper African set up were relationships are concerned.

Meanwhile, the DC has noted that there has been no cases of Cholera recorded in the district so far.

She commended the Ministry of Health (MOH) for putting up measures like giving out Chlorine and lime to the residents in order to avoid any cases of the water borne disease.

“The district is faced with problems of water and sanitation but I am happy to say that we have not had any Cholera reports as yet, which is a good sign,” Mrs Chileshe said.

Himoonde Reflects on His Learning Curve

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Zambia and Under-23 defender Hichani Himoonde said he is not taking his two starts at the Africa Cup for granted and working towards the 2010 qualifiers.

“I was shocked when Coach Patrick Phiri told me to warm-up in the match against Cameroon,” Hichani said reflecting on that forgettable 5-1 defeat to Cameroon that he didn’t want to remember so soon after with memories still fresh in the nation’s minds.

The Dynamos defender replaced stuttering Kennedy Nkethani midway through the first half of what was turning out to be a torrid evening against Cameroon for the Zanaco defender who’s place Himoonde made his own thereafter.

“I thought I was going to be part of the “B” or “C” team at the Africa Cup and wasn’t expecting to play any matches,” Himoonde said.

The Lusaka Dynamos defender, who was handed his first three caps by Phiri at the 2006 Cecafa Cup in Ethiopia, said the level of play at the Africa Cup was a quantum leap from what he had previously experienced.

“The Africa Cup is a deferent level of football altogether where you have to think very fast or you are finished,” Hichani said.

He said it was different from spontaneous, physical and cavalier football at Under-23 and Under-20 added that he but got into the groove of things by the game three in Zambia’s 1-1 draw with Egypt in their final Group C match.

“I can’t look back now, you know,” the Dynamos defender said looking very relaxed and happy to be back in Kabwata where he was born, raised and played his street football were the famous Breakpoint Bar now stands when it was previously a public park.

It was quite an experience for the Dynamos players to be part of the grueling three-week pre-Africa Cup tour of Europe and North Africa with the national team.

“It was constant travel and we were almost living on aeroplanes and buses traveling from game to game and training and from one country to another on our way to Ghana,” the 21-year-old giant defender said.

“But I thank Coach Patrick Phiri for giving me an opportunity to play in the team.

“And when someone gives you a chance like that especially at the Africa Cup you take it with two hands.

“But that doesn’t mean you have to relax and am going to work very hard to keep my place in the team now for the 2010 qualifiers.”

Himoonde added that he had no problem with the criticism that he was too raw and inexperienced to have been thrust into the big lights of the Africa Cup.

“One has to leave with criticism and get the good from the bad and work very hard on your weakness because life is like that,” Himoonde said.

“I have been learning a lot since I started playing top-level with Dynamos in 2006 and when I went top Kaizer Chiefs last year for my first trials I also came away with something new,” he said.

“That’s football.”

Himoonde had an unsuccessful two-week trial spell at Chiefs but is optimistic another one would come soon-but with hard work.

However, he refuses to discuss his future at Dynamos and beyond at this time.

Abuse of Public Funds by Govt has Continued, Auditor General’s Report

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THE Office of the Auditor General has released the Audit report for the financial year ended December 31, 2006.

Public Relations Officer in the Office of the Auditor General Ellen Chikale confirmed in a statement made available to ZANIS today that the report, which was tabled before parliament on February 5, 2008, was submitted to the President on December 31, last year as per the constitutional requirement.

Ms Chikale said this years report has revealed that irregularities in the management of public funds has continued, with the worst being that of the misapplication of funds to the tune of K42, 885,707,241, which was followed by unaccounted for funds amounting to K22,053,976,602.

She also said other irregularities included unretired imprest-K18,585,086,881, unaccounted for stores-K14,992,700,535, unsupported payments-K12,647,491,376, delayed banking-K3,976,260,363, over payments-K1,756,258,571 and misappropriation revenue amounting to K85,714,710.

Ms Chikale further said the report also revealed unconstitutional expenditure amounting to K8,642,049,204 in respect of 23 heads of expenditure, which will require approval by parliament as provided for under article 1179(5) of the Republican Constitution.

She said the revenue component of the financial year under review revealed that there was a net deficit of K1,210,536,386,541 in the actual revenue collected at K6,990,018,969,806 against the estimated amount of K8,200,555,356,347.

Ms Chikale said the revenue collection comprised tax revenue and non tax revenue of which tax revenue is revenue from taxes such as income tax, mineral royalty tax, customs and exercise, Value Added Tax, among others, and non tax revenue is revenue from fees and fines such as traffic collections and ground rent.

She further said some irregularities in the collection and accounting of revenue in the audit report included tax arrears of K2,909 billion, tax refer-to drawer cheques K2.5 billion and unaccounted for non tax revenue of K4.5 billion.

Ms Chikale also said out of the tax arrears of K2, 909 billion, a sample of K1, 702 billion was picked for circularistion and 97 percent of this amount was disputed by institutions that owed the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA).

Govt looking into the plight of NCZ workers

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Government has appealed to the Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia (NCZ) workers who are demanding payment of their four months salary arrears to remain calm as it addresses their plight.

Ministry of Agriculture Permanent Secretary Dr Sam Mundia says government through his ministry is working out modalities aimed at paying the NCZ workers their dues.
Dr Mundia told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today that government is committed settle the matter in order for the workers return to work.
He said the problems affecting the NCZ workers were been given the utmost attention by his ministry.

Scores of the Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia (NCZ) workers in Kafue yesterday continued their demonstration at the office of the District Commissioner for the second day, demanding that government pays them their four months salary arrears.

The workers, who started assembling as early as 08:00 hours in the morning yesterday vowed to continue besieging the district commissioner’s office until government, through the respective ministries, releases funds for their salaries.

They workers expressed disappointment at government’s failure to allocate some funds in this year’s national budget for the recapitalization of the Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia.
They wondered how the company will operate in the absence of funds.

Speaking on behalf of workers, Robert Musanje said workers simply want to be paid their four months salary arrears.

Mr. Musanje further said that government should pay for the 4000 metric tones of D-Compound fertilizer that the company had supplied to farmers under the Fertilizer Support Programme (FSP) amounting to K11 billion.

He said this would allow the company to also pay the workers.

Mr. Musanje charged that workers were dying from depression because of government’s negligence in addressing their problems at the plant.

He observed that if government could have paid K171 billion to RAMCOZ workers last year why can it not do the same to NCZ workers.

Mr. Musanje said workers will continue assembling at the District Commissioners office until government releases money owed to them.

MMD in Mufulira yet to discuss Mwanawasa’s successor

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The ruling MMD in Mufulira district has revealed that the party leadership in the border town has not yet met to discuss issues pertaining to the successor of party president, Levy Mwanawasa.

The party says it would however make a comment on the matter at an appropriate time when and after it was given a go-ahead by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC).

MMD Mufulira District Chairman, Harrington Mambwe, disclosed this in a walk in interview with ZANIS in the mining town today.

And the MMD in Mufulira says it was closely watching and monitoring the situation in the opposition Patriotic Front (PF) folowing the decision to suspend two PF incumbent Members of Parliament (MPs) by the party’s district executive.

Mr. Mambwe added that the party was mobilizing and reorganizing its ranks and files in case by elections were imminent in the event that the two PF MPs were expelled from the opposition grouping.

ZFE attributes increase in Child labour to poverty

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THE Zambia Federation of Employers (ZFE) says the increase in child labour is due to high poverty levels in the country.
Federation president Dan Musenge said the trend could be reduced if employers took immediate effective action in a bid to prohibit and eliminate the worst forms of child labour.
Mr Musenge said this when he officially opened a two-day employers sensitisation workshop on child labour at Cholwa guest house in Luanshya today.
He said employers had the responsibility to contribute to the fight of the worst forms of child labour by ensuring that children are not employed in harmful work.
He bemoaned the high levels of child labour, which have increased from 600,000 in 1999 to 895,000 in 2005 by 48 percent.
Mr Musenge appealed to employers to have specific interventions to cover vulnerable groups such as orphans and street kids through patronage, financial backing or organisational help.

Demo by NCZ workers enters day two

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Scores of the Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia (NCZ) workers in Kafue this morning continued their demonstration at the office of the District Commissioner for the second day demanding that government pays them their four months arrears.

The workers who started assembling as early as 08:00 hours this morning have since vowed to besiege the district commissioner’s office until government through the respective ministries releases funds for their salaries.

Addressing the workers, Kafue District Commissioner Michael Bwalya assured the workers that government was actively looking into their plight and that his office has since contacted the respective ministries responsible for NCZ with a view to addressing the problem.

Mr. Bwalya said the problem of salaries will soon be resolved and that workers should not panic but go back to work.

He, however, pointed out that government has no intentions of selling NCZ and that workers should not fear for their lives.

Mr. Bwalya said it was important that workers should remain calm and give time to government as it addresses their plight.

But the angry workers expressed disappointment at government’s failure to allocate some funds in this year’s national budget for the recapitalization of the Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia.

They wondered how the company will operate in the absence of funds.

Speaking on behalf of workers, Robert Musanje said workers simply want to be paid their four months salary arrears.

Mr. Musanje further said that government should pay for the 4000 metric tones of D-Compound fertilizer that the company had supplied to farmers under the Fertilizer Support Programme (FSP) amounting to K11 billion.

He said this would allow the company to also pay the workers.

Mr. Musanje lamented that workers were dying from depression because of government’s negligence in addressing their problems at the plant.

He observed that if government could have paid K171 billion to RAMCOZ workers last year why can it not do the same to NCZ workers.

Mr. Musanje said workers will continue assembling at the District Commissioners office until government releases money owed to them.

PF will scoop the Kanyama parley seat – Lubinda

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Opposition Patriotic Front (PF) says the continued flooding of Kanyama Constituency will not affect the performance of the party in the forthcoming parliamentary by-election.

Party spokesperson Given Lubinda has said although the floods have affected mobility in the area, the party remains confident of scooping the seat.

He further said it would not matter if the polls were pushed forward as the PF has the backing of the Kanyama residents.

Mr. Lubinda told Journalists in an interview that his party is merely awaiting the Election Day.

Meanwhile, Mr. Lubinda has said that the PF does not subscribe to the Zambia National Service (ZNS) Pulling out of the constituency because of the forthcoming elections in the area.

Mr. Lubinda, who is Kabwata MP, said ZNS should be beefed up with more resources so that the suffering of the people in the area can be alleviated.

He said people deserve to live in a conducive environment which is in line with the fundamental principle of human rights.

The Kanyama Seat fall vacant last year following the death of the area MP Henry Mtonga

And The Lusaka High Court today adjourned to February 13th, 2008, a ruling on preliminary issues raised by opposition Patriotic Front (PF) president Michael Sata and his Secretary General Edward Mumbi.

This is in the matter in which 33 PF Members of Parliament participating in the National Constitutional Conference (NCC) obtained an injunction against their expulsion from the party.

Lawyer representing Mr. Sata, Mumba Kapumpa informed PF members who were waiting for the ruling in the courtroom that the matter had been adjourned to February 13th, because the ruling was not ready.

He said the notice for Judge Gregory Phiri to prepare the ruling was not ready today.

Earlier, PF cadres and some MPs had a hostile exchange of words with those participating in the NCC whom they labelled as betrayers.

Those who turned up at the High Court included Peter Machungwa for Luapula constituency Faustina Sinyangwe for Matero, Marjory Masiye for Mufulira, Lubansenshi’s Lazarus Chota and Barnabas Chela for Wusakile constituency.

Last year, over 25 PF Members of Parliament, led by Kasama Central MP, Saviour Chishimba, applied for an injunction in the High Court against any impending expulsion from the party because of their decision to participate in the NCC.

The preliminary issues which Mr. Sata’s lawyers raised during the last hearing in court were that the endorsement of the writ of summons and statement of claim by the plaintiffs did not disclose any cause of action against defendants.

They submitted that the claims should therefore be dismissed as the actions did not disclose the violation and breach caused by the defendants to warrant this action.

But plaintiffs’ lawyers said their clients’ claims were based on the prouncements that the defendants made in the print and electronic media in which they threatened to and warned to expel those participating in the NCC from the party.

Away from home

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Dear Jelita,

Mwana how are you? Its been along time. I hope you and bashi mpundu are okey.Are you still in Mwinilunga?

Mark and I now live in Chicago.Its the town where Oprah lives though I haven’t seen her yet.I miss our nursing days at Mukinge mission hospital.

I know you all thought I was the luckiet girl alive when Dr.Mark Roberts came to Mukinge mission hospital and fell in love with me, a simple nurse born and bred in Solwezi! Well I also thought I was lucky especially when he asked me to marry him.

Now in retrospect maybe my parents were right when they were concerned about what I’ld have in common with a muzungu.

When we first came to the US it was all a whorl wind romance.We stayed in New York at first and he would take me to central park,hire a horse drawn carriage and we would have the most romantic evenings.
Then reality kicked in when we started meeting his friends and family.Firstly I couldn’t understand a word they where saying.We went to his parents house for a braii once and all his brothers and sisters were there. After lunch they all dived into the heated pool.As I was thinking how lucky I was for not carrying my costume, Marks sister Ashleigh handed me a bikini! Meanwhile I had spent the entire night before retouching my hair and setting it.I said no I don’t want to get my hair wet and the whole family laughed liked I had said something hilarious.
I felt silly and almost broke down in tears. Now there is talk of going to Colarado to go skii-ing.What do I know about skii-ing? I’m just going to embarrass myself like I did on the last camping trip.
Mark thinks I’m making a big deal out of nothing.Anyway, life is not as easy as I thought it would be.I miss Zambia.Anyway,we are going to a Chinese restaurant I have to get ready.Wish me luck with the chop sticks! I’m so miserable mwana. It doesn’t make sense to be in America and be so damm miserable does it?
Reply soon.

your friend,

Womba

Mayuka Matches on with Warriors and Beyond

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The 2007 Faz Young Footballer of The Year says he has no hard feelings about only playing bit-part in Zambia’s proceedings in Ghana over the last fortnight of Group C action.

“It (My first Africa Cup outing) was OK and I can’t complain much,” Mayuka said.

Mayuka played just 20 minutes at the Africa Cup in the dying minutes of Zambia’s opening Group C match against Sudan that Patrick Phiri’s team won 3-0.

And he almost created Zambia’s fourth goal in that game with a sublime flick in the 88th minute for Jacob Mulenga to power a header that brought out a one-hand parry from Sudan goalkeeper Mahjoub El Moez.

“I am a little bit disappointed I didn’t play as much and I wish I could have played as much as I would have wanted,” Mayuka said.

Mayuka however added that he found the level of the game at the Africa Cup at a higher plane but also an interesting experience.

Mayuka also said the pre-tournament training camp on the road that took the team to Spain and North Africa was another challenging experience where Zambia played friendly matches against Andalusia-select in Spain, Tunisia and Morocco.

“I enjoyed it but the game against Morocco (that we lost 2-0) was very tough,” sad the 18-year-old and Warriors’ 2007 season top scorer who scored 15 goals in all competition during his first full season with the Railwaymen.

And getting back to the business of a prospective move abroad, Mayuka said for now his focus was on Warriors but was ready for any move to Europe.

Local newspaper on Tuesday reported that Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon and their northern rivals Porto are said to have expressed interest in the promising Zambia junior international forward.

“I am concentrating on Warriors but if an offer comes I will move to Europe,” Mayuka said but refusing to be drawn into the latest news coming from Portugal.

Japan, Zambia seal K2.3 grant aid

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The governments of Japan and Zambia have today signed a K2.34 billion (70 million Japanese yen) grant aid agreement to finance a detailed design study of the ground water development project in Luapula province.

The project is aimed at drilling 200 boreholes which would service at least 50,000 people in the province. The boreholes would be drilled in seven districts of the province.

Speaking at the signing ceremony in Lusaka today, Minister of Finance and National Planning, Ng’andu Magande said the 200 boreholes would increase the coverage of water supply in Luapula province from 17 per cent to 20 per cent.

“Regrettably, this will still be below the national average rural water supply coverage estimated at 37 per cent,” he said.

Mr. Magande said government was working hard to improve access to adequate, safe and reliable water supply and sanitation services in the country through the National Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Programme (NRWSSP) which is already in place.

He said government would further endeavour to implement activities which would build the capacity of local communities to operate and maintain their own water supply facilities.

The minister pointed out that government was still far from covering the majority of the rural communities partly because of lack of a systematic way of providing water.

He paid tribute to Japan for its unwavering efforts to assist Zambia in reducing poverty levels in the country.

“I would like to express our gratitude to your government for its active support in the preparation of the joint assistance strategy for Zambia (JASZ) and other initiatives intended to promote donor coordination and aid effectiveness in Zambia,” he said.

And Japanese Ambassador to Zambia, Hideto Mitamura said at the same function that communities in Luapula province have over the years been subjected to drinking unsanitary water, thereby exposing themselves to contracting water borne diseases.

Mr. Mitamura said the drilling of 200 boreholes would reduce the risk of people of Luapula province from contracting water diseases.

He said the developments in water supply would enable people in the province to concentrate on economic activities while enjoying good health.

“This will facilitate the enhancement of the welfare of the people of Zambia through improved productivity arising from good health thereby contributing positively to the long-term economic and social development of the country,” he said.

He added that this would contribute to the implementation of the fifth National Development Plan running from 2006 to 2010, which considers water and sanitation as a major priority area.

Mr. Mitamura has assured that his government would continue to cooperate with the Zambian one in implementing the plan.

Zambian enviroment condusive for enterpreneurs?

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Celtel Zambia Managing Direct David Venn challenged Small and Medium Scale Entrepreneurs to invest in the local market to boost the Zambian economy.

Mr. Venn said it is imperative that the Zambian people, corporate bodies and government have one clear vision and focus on one common goal to expanding the growth of the economy.

Mr. Venn noted that strong economies in the world have grown bigger because of the conducive business environment created and supported by good fiscal government and public private partnerships.

He revealed that Celtel only had 70,000 customers when he took over as MD four years ago in 2004 but now the mobile service provider boasts of over two million clientèle in Zambia.

Meanwhile Government has projected to create over 100,000 jobs this year and attract over US$3 billion through local and foreign investment into Zambia.

Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister Felix Mutati says government’s intention is to create more job opportunities for Zambians and strengthen the partnership that exists between government and the private sector.

Mr. Mutati was speaking in Lusaka today during the dialogue luncheon of transformation for jobs.

He said job transformation from amongst entrepreneurs or employment managers is key to economic growth.

Mr. Mutati challenged small and medium scale entrepreneurs in the country to increase capacity on how best to improve the economy of the country.

He said government through the Zambia Development Agency and the Citizens’ Economic Commission has set a good precedent for entrepreneurs to conducting business.

Speaking at the same function, Lusaka Business Consultant and Owner of Lyolds Financial Services Lyold Ching’angu said there is need to unlock the employment graph to achieve wealth creation in the country.

Professor Ching’angu said government should provide a conducive environment for the private sector to easily access capital.

Professor Ching’angu also urged government to create a conducive environment for people in the informal sector to set up their own business.

Increased Levels of Pornographic Flows Worrying, Govt

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Government has expressed concern at the increasing levels of pornographic materials being smuggled into the country.

Information and Broadcasting Services minister Mike Mulongoti observed that such illicit materials do not only contribute to the erosion of the moral fiber of society but also to the rise in the number of sexual offences such as child defilement and rape.

The minister said it was for this reason that his Ministry which is responsible which is responsible for theatre and cinematography, is working hard to put in place legislation that will limit the accessibility and exposure of young people to pornographic materials.

Mr Mulongoti said this in Nakonde yesterday during the destruction of pirated and counterfeit video and audio materials worth over K6bn.

The minister who is also chief government spokesperson, said the destruction of the pirated materials which were confiscated by the Nakonde Anti-Piracy crack squad, was a demonstration of government’s commitment to eradicating piracy in the country.

“It is my since hope that this event will send a signal to those involved in peddling of pirated materials that no matter the magnitude of the vice, government was determined to fight it,” the Minister emphasized.

Mr Mulongoti who was flanked by his Permanent Secretary Emmanuel Nyirenda, added that the occasion was important to his Ministry as a custodian of the Copyright and Performance Rights Act.

The Minister said it was evident from the high monetary value of the confiscated items that a lot of traders were engaged in selling pirated products.

He called for seriousness in the fight against the vice saying government was continuously losing huge sums of revenue from the illegal trade while the copy right owners were also being robbed of the fruits of their sweat.

Mr Mulongo also disclosed that government has started strengthening the Copyright Unit in his Ministry by doubling its budgetary allocation this year in order to step up its anti piracy activities.

The Minister who paid growing tribute to the Nakonde Anti Piracy Crack Squad, however warned the squad members not to fall prey to bribes from the traders.

Information Permanent Secretary, Emmanuel Nyirenda and several other senior government officials’ witnessed the destruction of the pirated materials in Nakonde yesterday.

Cotton farmers promised better reward for their sweat

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Dunavant Zambia limited in Choma has assured farmers of better reward for their sweat in the production of cotton.

The company agriculture manager, Mwendabai Sinyinda says the company was doing a lot to support farmers involved in the production of cotton.

Mr Sinyinda was speaking in Choma today when Dunavant Zambia limited donated a second hand Sarcom truck valued at K50 million to a prominent local cotton farmer and distributor.

The recipient Rollen Lwiindi of Womba area in chief Chikanta, has not only been a cotton farmer but has been distributing seed, chemicals, sprayers, recovering loans and buying seed cotton on behalf of Dunavant.

Mr Sinyinda said Dunavant has given Mr Lwiindi the truck in recognition of his contribution to the improvement of cotton production in the area.

The Dunavant official urged other cotton farmers to take production of the crop as a serious business venture.

He said Dunavant Zambia was committed to empowering farmers that continued to be loyal and dedicated to the ideals of partnership in cotton growing.

Speaking at the same function, ministry of agriculture crop officer for Choma, Ben Makayi commended Dunavant for coming with up the initiative of rewarding had working farmers.

Government will no longer issue contracts under FIDIC – Simbao

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Government says it will no longer issue contracts under the International Federation of Consultants (FIDIC) because the country does not benefit from the institution.

Officiating at a consultative workshop on the status of the Zambian construction industry, in Lusaka today, Works and Supply Minister Kapembwa Simbao said Zambia does not subscribe to the institution and therefore no more contacts will be issued under FIDIC conditions.

Mr. Simbao said FIDIC conditions cannot work for Zambia because the European environment and resources are different from those obtaining in the country.

He said there is need to embrace contracts that the government and people of Zambia understand and suit them.

Mr Simbao noted that government has never failed to pay for any project saying the contractors themselves have failed to present convincing certificates for payments.

He also cautioned contractors to provide quality service to the nation and not to be driven by the lust for money.

Mr. Simbao warned that any contractor who is found guilty of perpetuating corruption will not only face the wrath of the law but will also be blacklisted from undertaking any government works in future.

He added that advance payments have since been stopped because some contractors disappear after being paid leaving the work unfinished.

Mr Simbao further said discussions will be held to clarify how many contracts a single company should handle at once.

Speaking earlier, National Council for Construction, NCC, chairperson Francis Ndilila

urged contractors to strictly adhere to the provisions in the contracts they are awarded in order to deliver according to government’s expectations.

And Special Assistant to the President for Policy Implementation and Monitoring Jack Kalala expressed concern at the low levels of patriotism among contractors.

Mr Kalala called on contractors to have the interest of the nation at heart each time they are awarded a contract to build a road, bridge or any other infrastructure.

He said use of sub-standard materials and shoddy work are tantamount to theft of public resources.

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