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Hundreds of youths in Zambezi district, have gathered at the district administration office in protest against the recruitment of enumerators for the 2022 Census.
The youths who are drawn from both Zambezi East and West constituencies are demanding answers from the district commissioner as to why the list of successful applicants contains party cadres who did not sit for the aptitude tests.
Speaking in an interview with ZANIS, one of the protesters, Eddie Kasweka, said it is unfortunate that people who did not sit for the aptitude tests are on the list of successful applicants while those who obtained high marks were left out.
And Zambezi District Commissioner (DC) Simeon Machayi has refuted the claims saying the sentiments by the youths are not true.
Mr. Machayi said the number of applicants were many compared to the required number by Zambia Statistics Agency.
He said all youths who turned up were given an opportunity to take part in the aptitude tests to prove themselves including those who did not apply.
“We understand this is a government programme hence the priority was given to youths who are unemployed hence we allowed everyone who came to write so that no one is disadvantaged.
He said no relative for the district census committee or party cadres are on the list, adding that the selection was done on merit.
“More than 1,000 youths sat for the aptitude test against 289 positions which were given to the district. You don’t expect everyone to be picked as a result, they have speculated rumours that we picked cadres and family members,” he said.
And District Census Coordinator, Kalombo Somili said the candidates were picked based on the scores one got in the aptitude tests.
Mr. Somili said the training of enumerators in the district has since commenced.
Minister of Green Economy and Environment Collins Nzovu has commended the Catholic Relief Services (CRS) for taking a lead in promoting the use of low carbon emissions electric vehicles.
Mr Nzovu says the use of electric vehicles will greatly contribute to curbing green gas emissions.
ZANIS reports that Mr Nzovu was speaking during the unveiling of the CRS electric car in Lusaka today, and that the promotion of electric cars is the right step in combating effects of climate change.
Mr Nzovu explained that the increased purchase of electric vehicles will lead to reduction of the import bill on oils and contribute to the stabilisation of the country’s foreign exchange rate.
He added that the funds saved from the reduced import bill can be channeled to other needy areas.
Mr. Nzovu reiterated that the use of electric cars fits well with the aspirations of the government of transiting Zambia into a climate resilient economy.
He expressed optimism that more jobs will be created along the value chain once the demand for electric vehicles increases.
And speaking earlier, Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises Development Elias Mubanga said the launch of the electric car has come at an opportune time when the government is set to open a car battery factory in collaboration with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on the Copperbelt.
Mr. Mubanga urged small and medium business operators to be ready to seize the opportunities that will come with the opening of a car battery manufacturing plant.
He said the government is more than willing to support initiatives that promote the green economy.
And CRS Zambia Country Representative John Shumlansky said the launch of the electric car is a testimony of the importance the organization attaches in the fight against climate change.
Mr Shumlansky stated that CRS remains committed to supplementing government’s efforts in saving the planet from climate change.
Government has refuted social media reports suggesting that Zambia’s athletes at the Commonwealth games in Birmingham have not been paid their allowances.
Minister of Youth, Sports and Arts, Elvis Nkandu has described as false suggestions that Zambia’s representatives in Birmingham have not received what is due to them.
Nkandu has told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka that there have been some issues with bank details for some athletes who are yet to receive the allowances although he stated that it will soon be rectified.
“As I’m talking to you, almost everyone has been paid but there was a hiccup somewhere. About 29 athletes were paid out of the 43. The remainder, we had problems with the bank details, some of them were submitting their fathers NRCs and you know the system cannot permit that so we had to tell them to resubmit the bank details and those who are minors, we had channeled the money to their federations, that’s the procedure,” he said.
The Minister also clarified that the athletes are getting paid 80 United States dollars per day and not 50 dollars as some social media reports have suggested.
He said there is a need for Zambians to appreciate because the kind of allowances are unprecedented.
“This is the first time we have given out such an amount of money to any athlete that has gone out of the country.it is the first time we have also prepared our athletes adequately. When you prepare the athletes adequately it means you are sending them to go and compete and we did just that,” Nkandu said.
And Nkandu added that 5,000 United States Dollars has been prepared for the gold winner, $4,000 each for those who minted silver while 3,500 dollars is the reward for the bronze winner.
Boxers Steven Zimba and Patrick Chinyemba both won silver medals while athlete Muzala Samukonga minted gold.
Zambia were ranked 12th overall in the entire gaming showpiece which has since come to an end.
Zambia Swimmer Tilka Pajk took to social media accusing the Government of not paying the athletes.
Green Party President Peter Sinkamba has insisted that Director of Public Prosecution Lillian Siyuni should resign her position instead of complicating her life any further.
Commenting on a letter being shared on social media dated 4th August 2022, by the Attorney General in response to Ms. Siyuni’s request for the President to lift her oath of office in respect of matters before the Judicial Complaints Commission, Mr. Sinkamba has reiterated that there is no provision in the Zambian laws which provides for the President to act as such.
He said that the request the DPP made to the President was equivalent to requesting the Head of State to carry out an illegal act because he has no powers to waive any Oath of Office.
Mr. Sinkamba said that as a senior lawyer, the DPP should know that every witness that appears before JCC is subjected to take an oath to tell the truth and is protected against any punishment for testimonies they make to the tribunal provided those statements are truthful.
He added that the Judicial Code of Conduct Act also provides for holding of sessions in camera hence the DPP did not need any other protection but that which is provided for by the Judicial Code of Conduct Act hence she will be more dignified if she resigned now than get fired.
In the said letter copied to the Chairperson of the Judicial Complaints Commission, Attorney General Mulilo Kabesha advised Ms. Siyuni that the waiver of the official oath of office being sought by her in respect of the allegations leveled against the DPP and lodged with the JCC was denied.
Ms. Siyuni is further advised that the Judicial Complaints Commission may proceed to hear the matter in accordance with the Commission’s rules of procedure.
The Zambia Consumer Association is shocked that the Zambia National Farmers Union is offended with the availability of cheaper fresh commodities such as cabbages and tomatoes on the market.
Association Executive Secretary Juba Sakala says the desire of consumers is to have cheaper food on the market and it is unfair for the Union to push for higher food prices on the market.
Mr. Sakala has since commended the farmers who are supplying the fresh commodities on the market to continue as it is helping people to have access to nutritious food.
yesterday the Zambia National Farmers’ Union (ZNFU) expressed concern about over supplying and dumping of several fresh commodities, such as cabbages and tomatoes on the market.
ZNFU Public Relations Manager Kakoma Kaleyi said the dumping which is done by a few known farmers who are supplying the market with fresh commodities on a daily basis is causing a significant drop in commodity prices, resulting in many farmers producing at a loss.
Mr Kaleyi said that the over-supply of these fresh vegetables is part of the losses that is hurting the farmers, especially the small scale and emergent farmers, some of whom are contemplating to stop production altogether, adding that the Union is working with the Lusaka City Council and the Ministry of Local Government to formalize and operationalize structured fruits and vegetable markets, including a structured “Agents systems” at markets, which would see Agents get formal recognition as commodity handlers for farmers.
Mr Kaleyi urged farmers to continue producing and spreading their produce across all markets.
Mr Keleyi called on the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Local Government and the Council to take keen interest in the new development which is happening for the first time in the country.
“We urge these known farmers who are growing massive hectares of tomatoes to get into value addition as opposed to dumping their products at Soweto, Copperbelt and Kasumbalesa markets, We are calling on the farmers involved in this dumping to refrain from this vice as this is distorting the market and creating unfair competition,”Mr Kaleyi stated.
He explained that the dangers of what is going on is that the small-scale and emergent farmers will stop producing tomatoes which may result in the country importing tomatoes in an event that such commercial farmers encounter challenges such as diseases or calamity.
“We should take a leaf from the poultry industry where those with big volumes are in processing and those with smaller numbers are selling live birds. And hence our advice to these known farmers is to get into value addition as what they are doing will not be accepted anymore,” Mr Kaleyi noted.
President Hakainde Hichilema had denied a request from embattled Director of Public Prosecutions Lillian Siyunyi to lift her Oath of Secrecy to enable her testify before the Judicial Complaints Commission.
In July, Ms Siyunyi through her Lawyers AMC Legal Practitioners had requested through Attorney General Mulilo Kabesha that she be granted a waiver of the official Oath of Office in the matters she is alleged to have breached the Constitution.
But Mr. Kabesha in a letter addressed to Ms. Siyunyi’s always that he request has been denied.
He has since advised Ms. Siyuni that the Judicial Complaints Commission may proceed to hear the matter in accordance with the Commission’s rules of procedure.
And Green Party President Peter Sinkamba has insisted that Director of Public Prosecution Lillian Siyuni should resign her position instead of complicating her life any further.
Mr. Sinkamba has reiterated that there is no provision in the Zambian laws which provides for the President to act as such.
He said that the request the DPP made to the President was equivalent to requesting the Head of State to carry out an illegal act because he has no powers to waive any Oath of Office.
Mr. Sinkamba said that as a senior lawyer, the DPP should know that every witness that appears before JCC is subjected to take an oath to tell the truth and is protected against any punishment for testimonies they make to the tribunal provided those statements are truthful.
He added that the Judicial Code of Conduct Act also provides for holding of sessions in camera hence the DPP did not need any other protection but that which is provided for by the Judicial Code of Conduct Act hence she will be more dignified if she resigned now than get fired.
12 Ethiopian nationals have been convicted in Isoka District for failing to appear before an Immigration Officer.
The 12 Ethiopians allegedly attempted to elude immigration officers in Isoka District upon entry into the country by failing to present themselves for immigration formalities contrary to sections 12(2) and 56(1) of the Immigration and Deportation Act No. 18 of 2010 of the Laws of Zambia.
Immigration Department Public Relations Officer Namati Nshinka confirmed the development in a press statement issued to ZANIS in Lusaka.
Mr Nshinka said the Immigration Office in Isoka, secured the conviction of the 12 Ethiopians on August 4, 2022 for failing to appear before an Immigration Officer.
He explained that Immigration Officers intercepted the East Africans aged between 24 and 30 years on July 25, 2022 following a tip-off from a member of the public.
The alert member of the public reported seeing the 12 Ethiopians migrants near Isoka Training Trade School at Mwaiseni aboard a black Mitsubishi Pajero Registration number BAG 2914 ZM.
Mr Nshinka said following receipt of the report, the Immigration Officers rushed to the nearest Police Checkpoint to intercept the vehicle but the driver of the Pajero used a different route to avoid detection by the Officers.
He said the immigration officers immediately changed course in pursuit of the vehicle and sighted the over-speeding Pajero as it joined the Great–North Road heading towards Chinsali.
Mr Nshinka said the immigration officers eventually captured the 12 Ethiopians at around 02:00 at Kafwimbi area in Isoka District after the Mitsubishi Pajero suddenly halted after developing a mechanical fault.
He said the Driver of the Mitsubishi Pajero, whose identity remains unknown, fled the scene and remains at large.
Mr Nshinka said the Isoka Magistrate Court sentenced the 12 Ethiopians to pay a fine of K 10,000 each or, in default, nine months simple imprisonment.
He said the Court ruled that the Mitsubishi Pajero Registration Number BAG 2914 be forfeited to the State if the owner fails to make a compelling claim within 90 days.
Meanwhile, Mr Nshinka said the Department of Immigration apprehended 51 persons for various immigration offences between August 4th and 7th 2022.
He said the Department removed 31 illegal immigrants from the country and denied entry to 15 foreign nationals for failing to meet various entry requirements.
Mr Nshinka has since warned transporters against ferrying migrants of questionable immigration status.
He commended and encouraged members of the public to continue reporting suspected cases of illegal migration to the nearest Immigration Office.
The Zambia National Farmers’ Union (ZNFU) has expressed concern with over supplying and dumping of several fresh commodities, such as cabbages and tomatoes on the market.
ZNFU Public Relations Manager Kakoma Kaleyi said the dumping which is done by a few known farmers who are supplying the market with fresh commodities on a daily basis is causing a significant drop in commodity prices, resulting in many farmers producing at a loss.
Mr Kaleyi said that the over-supply of these fresh vegetables is part of the losses that is hurting the farmers, especially the small scale and emergent farmers, some of whom are contemplating to stop production altogether.
He told ZANIS in a statement that the Union is working with the Lusaka City Council and the Ministry of Local Government to formalize and operationalize structured fruits and vegetable markets, including a structured “Agents systems” at markets, which would see Agents get formal recognition as commodity handlers for farmers.
Mr Kaleyi urged farmers to continue producing and spreading their produce across all markets.
Mr Keleyi called on the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Local Government and the Council to take keen interest in the new development which is happening for the first time in the country.
“We urge these known farmers who are growing massive hectares of tomatoes to get into value addition as opposed to dumping their products at Soweto, Copperbelt and Kasumbalesa markets, We are calling on the farmers involved in this dumping to refrain from this vice as this is distorting the market and creating unfair competition,”Mr Kaleyi stated.
He explained that the dangers of what is going on is that the small-scale and emergent farmers will stop producing tomatoes which may result in the country importing tomatoes in an event that such commercial farmers encounter challenges such as diseases or calamity.
“We should take a leaf from the poultry industry where those with big volumes are in processing and those with smaller numbers are selling live birds. And hence our advice to these known farmers is to get into value addition as what they are doing will not be accepted anymore,” Mr Kaleyi noted.
Such is his endurance and fortitude that it is tempting to write an encyclopedia about his political prowess. Born into privilege and as son of one of Kenya’s far-most influential political dynasties, Raila Odinga had two choices – to either fade into oblivion and enjoy the wealth bequeathed to him by his father or reject the confines of his comfort and heed the call to transform the economic and political fortunes of his beloved Kenya.
He chose the latter. That Kenya is now a multi-party state and is cementing its position as one of the continent’s beacons of democracy is largely due to Raila 77 and his late indefatigable father, Mze Jaramogi Oginga Odinga’s persistence. It was Raila and his father – Kenya’s first post – independence Vice President, Jaramogi that in the early 90’s helped to establish the Forum For The Restoration of Democracy (FORD), a civic organisation that successfully championed Kenya’s return to multi-party rule.
Detained, beaten and consistently humiliated for their vociferous resolve in championing Kenya’s return to democratic rule, the father and son – combo working in concert with other notable civic and opposition figures prompted then Kenyan strongman Daniel Arap Moi to capitulate. At the stroke of Moi’s pen, Kenya returned to a multi-party state in December 1991. That it now ranks among the pantheons of democracy on the continent is indisputable.
It is for this reason that Kenya’s Presidential elections currently underway have drawn significant interest from political to electoral pundits spread across the globe. In fact, there are a few parallels to draw from Kenya’s Presidential elections to Zambia’s polls held last year. Just like it was in Zambia’s case, voter turnout in Kenya’s elections will likely shoot through the roof and will largely be driven by unemployed and disgruntled youths. In all likelihood, it is the youth vote that will influence the outcome of this election.
Youth vote will be critical to outcome of race
Off significance, figures obtained from Kenya’s Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission point to a 12.7% increase in number of eligible voters to 22 120 458 compared to 19 611 423 voters that registered in the 2017 polls, while the number of polling booths has shot up by 13% to 46 232 compared to 40 883 in 2017 indicating a massive spike in citizen interest in this election. It will certainly be a tight one with some predicting a potential second round of voting as a consequence of the winner failing to secure a full-proof 51% majority in first round of voting.
For Raila, the die is cast, it is either he wins or burst. As Kenya’s political Albert Einstein, Raila just like the incumbent Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema (HH) will be attempting to cross this hurdle for the fifth time having failed in all previous four attempts. He has obviously taken heart and encouragement from HH – who himself only cleared this hurdle on his sixth attempt.
Like HH who stood against Edgar Lungu who had been at the helm of government for close to seven years, Raila is up against William Ruto, who has ably served as the Vice to the outgoing President, Uhuru Kenyatta – the only irony and difference being that Kenyatta has endorsed Raila from the opposition Azimio La Umoja Party instead of his deputy Ruto who is standing on the Kenya Kwanza Alliance – a coalition of loosely stitched parties opposed to Kenyatta’s brazen anointing of Raila as his preferred heir to Kenya’s presidential seat.
As we have come to learn, politics is unforgiving to losers. To those that have closely followed this septuagenarian’s political life, nothing will hurt more than their hero – who ranks as one of Africa’s voices of reason and is a colossus of African democracy – failing to score a penalty awarded in the twilight of a cup final. Although he often shoots from the hip, few would disagree that Raila has a warm personality, a forgiving heart and embodies both the temperament and character traits befitting the status of Kenya’s president in waiting.
Yet all this counts for nothing if the electorate have other ideas. Put it this way, you don’t want to be remembered as the prince that never became a king. To be more forthright, only Kenyans have the power to decide their political destiny.
The author is a reader of political history and philosophy. He is exploring options of launching a patented bi-monthly column aimed at further enhancing our political, economic, and social discourse. He only supports Liverpool despite their recent lacklustre showing. For feedback on possible names for the mooted column contact him on [email protected] *iwe kandile, there is no need of dragging Wynter Kabimba SC and his family or becoming personal on this platform. We appreciate that you run a youth affiliated entity in need of government funding but trading balderdash pamulabasa to impress the pay master, ayikona man. Just elevate your arguments noti insele.
Veteran politician Vernon Johnson Mwaanga has declared that President Hakainde Hichilema has set a very high standard of anti-corruption that must be followed by people he is working with.
Dr. Mwaanga said people working under President Hichilema must follow his high standard of anti-corruption or be relieved of their government duties.
The former Chief Government Whip in the MMD regime also said it will not be easy for the New Dawn Government to clean-up the mess left by PF.
Dr. Mwaanga further highlighted the importance of adhering to democratic tenets.
“Our country has gone through a number of governance phases since independence in 1964. We had multi-party from 1964 to 1973, when we then had a socialist one party system, which lasted the next 18 years, when we reverted to multi-party system. Each of these systems was called a democracy. The one party socialist system subsequently became unpopular with a great majority of our people, because it failed to put food on the tables of a great majority of our people. We even experienced ugly food riots which started on the Copperbelt. The country went through a dark period. Our mothers spent hours on end, queuing for a mealie meal, cooking oil, bath soap, sugar, washing powder etc. Fanta, Coca-Cola, Sprite had disappeared and poor alternatives had hit the market in the name of Tip Top, Tarino and Quench,” Dr. Mwaanga stated.
“When in 1991 the people of Zambia, overwhelmingly voted for change, the MMD took over a country which was riddled with domestic and external debt. Nearly 80% of the national economy was under State control, including the mines. The people of Zambia developed a culture of fearing their leaders, instead the leaders fearing their masters- the people who elected them. The people were afraid to tell their leaders what was going wrong in the country, for fear of retribution. Citizens should not fear their leaders. They should fully respect their leaders and leaders must earn this respect, through their words and deeds,” he said.
Dr. Mwaanga charged that the PF regime has left a debt burden and the general government mess.
“When UPND was voted into power in August, 2021, they did not expect to find the debt burden obtaining and the general government mess. It will not be easy to clean-up the mess they found. Key areas of milking government, was largely through faulty tender procedures for fertiliser and fuel procurement. Care must be taken to avoid mistakes of the past. Fertiliser under the Fertiliser Input Supply Programme (FISP) , enables small scale farmers to produce the bulk of the food consumed by our citizens. Fertiliser supply in good time and distribution to the rural most parts of Zambia is critical. Local companies with the capacity to supply and distribute, must not be ignored at the expense of local companies, even if it invokes the old adage which says that “the devil you know, is better than the angel you don’t know”. Politics is a commitment to serve the country and people. Politics is not for people who want to make money. President Hakainde Hichilema has set very high standards of anti-corruption and those under him must follow or be relieved of their government duties,” he said.
Dr. Mwaanga added that the UPND led Government will always face criticism even after implementing some election campaign promises like provision of free education, ending cadrelism, paying retirees, recruiting over 40,000 civil servants.
“UPND was nationally elected to make a difference from PF and President Hakainde Hichilema defeated the incumbent President by a whooping margin of one million votes, something never done before. There will always be critics, even after implementation of a number of key election promises like free education, ending cadrelism, paying retirees, recruiting over 30,000 teachers and 11,000 health personnel among others. People are now free to criticise the government and the President. Those who are misguided seem to think that the democracy reintroduced by the New Dawn Government, has no limits. Even in the oldest democracies, there are limits in the form of laws which must be observed without exception by all citizens,” he said.
Dr. Mwaanga concluded:”Democracy is not price neutral and carries citizen’s rights as well as responsibilities. Both must be given equal emphasis. Most importantly, we should remember that our belief in democracy must always be consistent. We should avoid believing in democracy only when we are in opposition, but forget its importance when we are or were a ruling party. This important warning applies to all political parties, and they are well advised to heed this call. Whether we are in government or in opposition – the meaning and importance of democracy should remain the same.”
485 Patriotic Front (PF) members in Kabushi constituency in Ndola have defected to the United Party for National Development (UPND).
Among those that have defected include renowned comedian, Webster Chiluba popularly known as Kasaka.
Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Mr. Chiluba says President Hakainde Hichilema has exhibited quality and selfless leadership style which every well-meaning Zambian should support.
Mr. Chiluba said President Hichilema is a visionary leader who is leading the country in the right direction.
And another party member, Martin Kasaro, aged 64, said the payment of retirees has dignified many people’s lives as many of them were languishing in poverty without being paid their money.
Meanwhile, Copperbelt UPND Chairperson, Elisha Matambo said the defectors have made the right choice to join the UPND whose leadership is admired by many not only in Zambia but other countries.
Mr. Matambo said he will engage the Ministry of Local Government to quickly approve dispensation of the Constituency Development Funds (CDF) in the Kabushi Constituency to commence project implementation.
He noted that people of Kabushi have for many years been grappling with water and sewer challenges which should be addressed now.
Mr. Matambo has also disclosed that the possibility of having the electric car battery plant established in Ndola’s industrial area is high, stating that this would greatly benefit people in Kabushi once it is opened.
In April this year, the former ruling party lost over 300 members in the constituency who ditched the party to join UPND citing exemplary leadership by President Hichilema and his administration.
The opposition Patriotic Front (PF) is confident of winning the upcoming Parliamentary by-elections in Ndola’s Kabushi Constituency and Kwacha Constituency in Kitwe.
The PF is seeking to retain the recently nullified Parliamentary Seats in Kabushi and Kwacha held by former Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo and former Foreign Affairs Minister Joseph Malanji respectively.
PF lost the seats after the Constitutional Court upheld the High Court’s decision to nullify the election of Mr. Lusambo and Mr. Malanji last year.
Featuring on a Radio Icengelo Programme in Kitwe on Monday, leader of opposition in Parliament and PF National Chairperson for Legal Brian Mundubile said the former ruling party will retain Kwacha and Kabushi without much struggle.
Dr. Mundubile said the people of Zambia are not happy with the New Dawn government over its failed campaign promises.
He added that the UPND Government wants to deliberately weaken the opposition knowing that it won’t last in Government.
Dr. Mundubile added that PF has no good reason not to re-adopt Mr. Malanji and Mr. Lusambo.
“We had adopted one Bowman Lusambo in Kabushi and he won elections. We had adopted one Joe Malanji for Kwacha and he won elections. We will have no good reason to depart from that position when it comes to re-adoption. There are our very good candidates and we know that the process that has seen them out of Parliament was not a process that we agree with. So I don’t think we are going to speculate on that. We have no good reason not to readopt them,” Dr. Mundubile said.
He declared the party ready for the two pending Parliamentary by-elections.
The party (PF) is ready for these elections, of course it is an inconvenience, like I said it is unnecessary cost to the party but most importantly we feel for the people of Kabushi we feel for the people of Kwacha. Basically, these two constituencies and many others have lost one year. They were supposed to be sitting. Ba Malanji inonshita nga na bekala na bantu babo to plan for CDF utilisation. As MPs we are working with the people to ensure that CDF is utilised so that it starts benefiting women and youths but our colleagues Mr. Malanji and Mr. Lusambo has been disturbed. It is now one year since the disturbances in Kwacha and Kabushi started and people are not ok. So, as a party we are ready for the by-election but most importantly, I am asking people in Kwacha and Kabushi to say please don’t get upset. Stay calm and we wait for the date of elections to be announced,” Dr. Mundubile said.
He praised Mr. Malanji and Mr. Lusambo as examples of good Members of Parliament.
“You re-elected Joe Malanji because of his good works. As leader of the opposition, I can tell you that we use MPs like Malanji as models. We show new MPs to look to the likes of Joe Malanji in as far as taking care of the people is concerned. Go beyond what the Government can provide in serving the people. Use money from your pocket to help the people. So one Mr. Malanji is one of our best MPs, we use him as an example especially when we are orienting new MPs. Bowman Chilosha Lusambo is equally a hard worker. He is an example of selfless people that ensure that women, youths and other vulnerable people are helped. So, people of Kabushi, I am asking you not to get upset because this process is legal but time will come for you to go back and vote even those who did not vote in 2021 to show this nation that you love these leaders because they support us,” he said.
Sports Minister Kangwa Chileshe has been accused of blasting some Zambian athletes whom he believed leaked the information about the lack of allowances.
Over the weekend, Lusaka Times exclusively revealed that their was turmoil and morale was low in the Zambian camp at the Commonwealth Games after government failed to pay allowances to the athletes their allowances for over three weeks.
It was also revealed that Zambian officials who have accompanied the team to Birmingham for the Games were entitled to US$350 per dollar while athletes were supposed to receive $50 dollars a day.
So far, Team Zambia, a contingent of 41 athletes has only managed to mint three medals with Muzala Samukonga (Gold), Steven Zimba (Silver) and Patrick Chinyemba (Bronze).
The dismal performance of Team Zambia has been attributed to the low morale that has been caused by the failure by the Ministry of Sports to pay the athletes
Swimmer Tilka Paljk released details of Mr. Chileshe’s meeting with Team Zambia after information was leaked about the situation in the camp.
Ministry of Youth and Sports PS , Kangwa Chileshe with Zambia Athletes
Below is Tilka’s statement
My fellow Zambians. As many of you are aware, over the past few weeks I have been representing the nation at the Commonwealth Games in the United Kingdom. During the course of the Games I have been honoured to have competed alongside the best and brightest althetes from Zambia.
On Saturday the 6th we were joined at the Commonwealth games by Mr Kangwa Chileshe, the permanent secretary to the ministry of sport. He called the athletes to meet with him outside the village for a talk.
The purpose of this talk was for Mr Chileshe to voice his displeasure with the recent behaviour of certain athletes who had been posting on social media about not having been paid their allowances, despite many of the team already having been at the Games for several weeks.
He then stated that the altheltes should feel honoured to be chosen to be at the games because there are thousands of other people in Zambia that are just as good as they are and that we must realise that we are not special and we can be replaced.
He went on to say that the only reason why we want the money is to go shopping and we must concentrate on our sport rather than worrying about money, we should be grateful that we have a place to sleep, water to drink and food to eat.
The comments made by Mr Chileshe deeply upset many of the altheltes present and represented a stark level of ignorance and disrespect.
They forget that many of the athletes on the team have taken unpaid leave from their jobs to represent their country. Some athletes have families that rely on them to provide money for food and pay bills. Even worse there were some athletes in the village that couldn’t even afford to buy bathing soap and other athletes had to help out.
I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, the ministry and the people within it need to realise that we are the reason they have a job and we are the reason why they are at the Games with us. We are the ones that have dedicated our lives to our sport and worked tirelessly to qualify in order to represent Zambia on the global stage.
To summon us and tell us off like children and disrespect us like that was beyond anything I have ever experienced.
He looked at some of our leading sprinters and said that there are thousands of people that can run as fast as them in Zambia, so they must not feel special. He said there are thousands of people in Zambia that can swim as fast as me.
The Government’s role is to provide their athletes with everything we need, in and out of competition. To motivate their athletes and encourage them, instead of shoving “bring back medals” down our throats. The government’s position is to support the athletes and make sure that the media does not demoralise and unfairly criticise the athletes in headlines such as “Rhoda fails to qualify for finals” instead of “Rhoda finishes 4ths in her semi final with a personal best”
It’s things like this that the government needs to do to take care of their athletes if they really do want us to win medals. Many of us on the team lost moral after that talk.
I honestly can’t believe that we have someone like Mr Chileshe as our ministry representative, mistreating and talking down to athletes. We as athletes are tired. I’m tired. I’ve been representing Zambia since I was 11 years old, I’ve dedicated my life to swimming and representing my country, to be told that I am replaceable. I am hurt and I’m beat down.
Following the meeting on Saturday the 6th, I have contacted the national Olympic Committee to inform them of Mr Chileshe’s comments. Unfortunately, I have not received any feedback or indication of an apology.
I’ve dedicated most of my life to my sport and am proud to represent Zambia on the global stage. I hope that the people of Zambia are also proud of the World Class athletes who put in the thousands of hours of training in order to wear the Zambian colours.
I feel ashamed that our elected officials are treating this passion and dedication with such distain and ignorance. It is the people of Zambia who decide our Governent officials and we hold the power. Us athletes do not believe this is the message that the people of Zambian want to be telling their athletes. It is for this reason, I have decided to share the facts with the people and allow Zambia to voice its own opinion.
We are the best in the country. We are the best on the continent. We are not greedy. We are not complacent. We are not replaceable. We are proud to represent Zambia.
We take our regular briefs of selected stars including those campaigns that got under way in England and South Africa.
=SOUTH AFRICA
-Mamelodi Sundowns: Goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene did not make the lineup of Fridays 2-0 away win over Cape Town City in a match Ronwen Williams made his club debut, relegating the long-serving and Uganda number one Denis Onyango to the bench. -Sekhukhune United/Maritzburg United: Goalkeeper Toaster Nasabata and midfielder Roderick Kabwe started for Sekhukhune in Saturdays 1-1 draw KZN derby against Friday Samu’s Maritzburg United.
All three played the full 90 minutes but no Chipolopolo player was on target in derby.
=SWITZERLAND
Midfielder Miguel Chaiwa was an unused substitute in Young Boys’0-0 away draw at Basel on Sunday.
It was Chaiwa’s second team appearance since making his debut as a substitute on July 24 in a 3-0 away win over Sion.
=DENMARK
-Horsens: Midfielder Lubambo Musonda played the full 90 minutes on Friday in promoted Horsens first loss of the season from four games played when they went down 1-0 to fellow mid-table side Randers. -Midtjylland: On the same evening, midfielder Edward Chilufya came on in the 63rd minute of the 8th placed sides 3-3 away draw at10th positioned Lyngby.
=SERBIA
Red Star Belgrade’s away date against Vojvodina on Saturday was postponed due to their continental commitments this week.
The Serbian kings are on the road on Tuesday in Armenia for a UEFA Champions League final leg playoff tie against Pyunik whom they lead 5-0 from the first leg on August 3.
=SCOTLAND
-Rangers: Striker Fashion Sakala did not make the line-up in Saturday’s 2-0 home win over Kilmarnock. -Ayr United: Defender Frankie Musonda played the full 90 minutes for the second placed side during Fridays 3-2 away win over Queens Park.
=USA
Defender Aime Mabika made a rare MLS start for Inter Miami on Sunday in their 2-2 away draw against Montreal FC.
Mabika was later substituted in the 78th minute.
=ENGLAND
-Leicester City: Striker Patson Daka came on in the 73rd minute but was not on target in Leicester’s 2-2 home draw against Brentford.
-Brighton: On the same afternoon at Old Trafford, midfielder Enock Mwepu also came on as a substitute in the 76th minute of their 2-1 away win over Manchester United.
Newly promoted FAZ Copperbelt Division 1 club Chifubu Bullets have won the inaugural Chifubu Constituency pre-season tournament sponsored by community leader Victor Imakumbili.
Champions Bullets came from behind to beat RM Academy 2-1 in the final played at Chifubu Grounds in Ndola on Sunday.
Bullets received K3, 500 as top prize and runners up RM got K3, 000.
Eight (8) teams participated in the competition where Pamozi Boys finished 3rd and Chifubu Hotspurs were 4th.
In his remarks, Imakumbili pledged to continue supporting sport in Chifubu.
“I love you people of Chifubu that is why I came so that we can watch football together. We want to work together and bring development. Count on me for the progress of our constituency,” Imakumbili said.
Chifubu Bullets coach Charles Phiri hailed Imakumbili for bankrolling the pre-season tournament.
“I just want to thank the sponsor Mr. Imakumbili for bringing up this pre-season tournament. May he continue supporting the people of Chifubu,” Phiri said.
