The Zambian government has temporarily withdrawn the passport of opposition leader Michael Sata, an arch critic of Lusaka’s key ally Beijing who has been lobbying against the Chinese economic presence in Africa, a minister said Saturday.Home Affairs Minister Ronnie Shikapwashya told reporters that Sata’s passport had been withdrawn with immediate effect to allow a probe.

“We asked him to temporarily surrender his passport because it was issued without following procedures,” Shikapwashya said.

He said the opposition leader, a vocal government critic, had been interrogated and cautioned by police over the matter and could be arrested if sufficient evidence was gathered against him.

Two weeks ago, Sata lost his passport while in London en route to the United States but quickly returned to Zambia and got a new passport without following the procedures, the minister said.

Shikapwashya said Sata failed to provide necessary documents to prove his claim that he lost his passport and needed a replacement.

The controversial opposition leader has been making international trips to campaign against China’s growing influence in Africa and is accused of receiving money from Taiwan for his mission.

Sata had threatened to expel Chinese traders from Zambia if elected president in last year’s elections.

Bilateral trade between Zambia and China, the third-largest foreign investor in the country, grew by 11.8 percent last year to 316 million dollars, according to the Zambia-China Business Forum.

There are some 180 Chinese firms doing business in the southern African nation.

“If a man is lucky, there is no telling the possible extent of his good fortune. Throw him into the Zambezi river and he will swim out with a diamond in his hand”

The desire to be lucky is universal. We all hope to be favored by the whimsical goddess of Good Luck. Is there a way we can meet her and attract, not only her favorable attention, but her generous favors?

This is what Kamwandi Nyakalenda wanted to know.

There was going to be a businessman’s meeting at the Protea Hotel in Chingola. Kamwandi, just had to be there. Rumor had it a wise rich man, whom everyone called uncle Alfred was going to be there. He was one of the tycoons of Solwezi. At such forums people were free to talk to Uncle Alfred like an equal.

As the sun rose to light up the Solwezi skyline, Kamwandi boarded the minibus that would take him to Chingola. Ironically today he felt lucky, there were no big trucks on the way that would have slowed the journey. Minibus drivers these days were scared of overtaking trucks after the fatal accident on the Chililabobwe/Chingola road that killed many people including his childhood friend.

“What shall we discuss this morning?”uncle Alfred asked the 50 businessmen gathered in the conference room of the hotel. Kamwandi’s heart was beating fast; this was his only chance to voice what had been heavy on his heart.
He cleared his throat and said “I have a subject I would like to hear discussed yet hesitate to say lest it seems ridiculous to you my fellow businessmen.”

“Mwaiche landa fye,” Big Jo shouted from the back of the room.

“Well this week I have been lucky. Among other things I found an envelope with K500 000. To continue to be lucky is my greatest desire. I suggest we debate how to attract good luck that we may discover ways it can be enticed to one.”

“Gentlemen an interesting topic has been offered,” Uncle Alfred commented, “one most worthy of our discussion. To some men, good luck is a chance happening, that like an accident may come upon one without purpose or reason. Others believe that the instigator of all good fortune is the gods, who are ever anxious to reward with generous gifts those who please them. Speak up, gentlemen, what do you say, should we seek to find if there is a way by which good luck may be enticed to visit each and every one of us?

Mambilima Constituency Member of Parliament John Chinyanta has assured the electorates that challenges being experienced in the constituency will be addressed through the Fifth National Development Plan (FNDP).

Mr. Chinyanta says low staffing levels in schools and health centres, bad road infrastructure, as well as staff accommodation shortages will soon be a thing of the past.

Mr. Chinyanta, who is also Community Development and Social Services Deputy Minister says government is implementing the Plan with sense of urgency.

He told ZANIS in an interview that government will upgrade Mulundu Basic School into a High School, and that accommodation for health personnel would be built at Mambilima clinic.

He said he is aware of the major challenges affecting the people in the constituency but added that government would act swiftly to answer most of the challenges faced by residents.

The Parliamentarian pointed out that Mwense Rural Council would also benefit from the US$39 million funds China gave Zambia to buy earth moving machines to repair all the damaged roads.

He said the local council would soon receive a Grader to rehabilitate damaged roads in the area.

The Lusaka City council (LCC) has warned the MMD branch officials operating from Cha Cha Cha market to desist from collecting toilet fees on behalf of the local authority.

LCC Public Relations Officer, Henry Kapata told ZANIS in an interview that councils are the only institutions authorised to collect market levies and toilet fees in markets across the country.

He was responding to reports that the MMD branch officials in the market have taken over the running and collection of toilet fees at the Market alleging that LCC has failed to maintain sanity at the toilets despite collecting money.

Mr Kapata noted that the MMD branch officials should have first reported their grievances to the Market Manager who would have sought an audience with the LCC officials to resolve the matter.

“We appreciate the efforts by the MMD to clean the toilets but it is illegal for them to collect fees on behalf of the council because we haven’t given them consent” Mr Kapata said.

He said the branch officials should stop the exercise immediately as they are violating the law.

Mr Kapata said the council has since called for a meeting with market officials to see how best they can resolve the matter.

Meanwhile the LCC will in December this year start dragging illegal car washer dealers to court.

Mr Kapata noted that despite the council confiscating equipment from the dealers, they have continuously violated the law hence the council’s decision to start taking them to court.

He noted the mushrooming of illegal car washers have been a great source of concern to the council as they have brought about unnecessary filth to the city.

Mr Kapata said that people who are planning to set up car washes should first consult the planning department of the council so that they are advised accordingly.

“You just can’t come from no where and set up a car wash. There so many things one has to consider like the drainage system etc,” Mr Kapata said.

He said that the council has the responsibility to ensure that it maintains sanity in the city.

The opposition Patriotic Front (PF) has retained the Nchanga parliamentary constituency seat in an election marred by apathy.

PF candidate Wylbur Simuusa polled 8,201 votes while his closest rival Charles
Chimumbwa of the ruling MMD got 2,139.

All People’s Congress (APC) candidate Christopher Mwape came third with 587 votes
followed by United Party for National Development (UPND) candidate Alvin Simwinga
who polled 532 votes.

Independent candidate Ginetone Kachamba polled 110 votes with Forum for Democracy
and Development (FDD)’s Stanley Simukoko getting 103 votes.

United National Independence Party (UNIP) candidate Plyson Gondwe polled 78 votes
while another independent candidate Lillian Kaoma came out last with 47 votes.

Announcing the results at Chingola Civic Centre, Returning Officer George Lupani
said 149 ballot papers were rejected while two were disputed.

There was jubilation, characterized by honking and display of fireworks, among PF
cadres who waited for the results that were only announced after mid-night.

MMD Campaign Manager Gabriel Namulambe said it was difficult for his party to
concede defeat as some PF cadres allegedly conducted campaigns at polling centres
during voting in violation of the electoral rules.

He said a recount was necessary for the MMD to verify the actual results of the polls.

Meanwhile, PF’s winning candidate, Mr Simuusa called for cooperation from all
Chingola residents, including the losing candidates, if economic development was to
be achieved.

Mr Simuusa said developmental programmes cannot only be implemented by a candidate
from the ruling party as the constituency had access to resources such as
Constituency Development Funds (CDF).

And Anti Voter Apathy Project (AVAP) Executive Director Bonny Tembo expressed
concern at the poor turn out of voters at most polling stations.

Mr Tembo said there was need to declare election days a public holiday to ensure
more people participate in choosing their leaders.

He was however impressed with the turn-out from the youths compared to the mining
fraternity who are the majority of the voters.

According to a ZANIS survey, less than half of the registered votes cast their votes
in most polling districts such as Kabompo where 255 had voted as opposed to the 668
registered voters.

At Twashuka polling district, 112 people voted against 257 registered voters while
at Twasekelela 280 voted against the registered 742 voters.

meanwhile, the MMD has won the Lumbe ward by-election in Senanga, Western province.

MMD’s Leonard Malala polled 265 votes against his only opponent Muzinga Muyambuta of
the United Liberal Party, ULP, who got 57 votes.

Returning Officer Cecilia Wamulume confirmed the results to ZANIS in Senanga.

She said eight votes were rejected.

The Lumbe ward in Senanga Central constituency, fell vacant after the death of MMD’s
Mashekwa Mubika.