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ZAM appeals to EU to support local manufacturers

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ZAM appeals to EU to support local manufacturers

The Zambia Association of Manufacturers(ZAM) has appealed to the European Union to support Zambian manufacturers to access the European Market by removing all non-tariff barriers that are blocking access to the European Market.

The Association President, Ashu Sagar said the conflict in Ukraine has provided an opportunity for businesses to look for alternative sources in the supply chain, including the local market and has called on the EU delegation to assist the Zambian manufacturers to leverage on this opportunity.

“While we know that the recent changes in Europe regarding the crisis with war has woken us up to look for alternative supply chains from our region as well,” he said

Mr. Sagar said the European Banking Authority EBA provides an opportunity for free trade in the European market and has called on the EU to ensure that the provisions of the EBA are emphasized in all platforms and help the manufacturers add value to their products and resources as they go back to Europe.

He has further appealed to the EU to help build knowledge and skills capacity by Zambian businesses to help them produce quality that meets the standards of the European market.

“Let us look towards building capacity in knowledge of developing the products and the quality that is required in the European Union. If we look to trade with that kind of incentive when we build our economies, when we build from this forum we definitely must look at the low hanging fruit,” he added

Mr. Sagar said this during the Zambia Association of Manufacturers presentation at the on-going Zambia-EU economic forum in Lusaka yesterday.

Meanwhile, Bankers Association of Zambia President, Mizinga Melu said the financial sector is ready to provide financial support to the business community in the various sectors to enable them succeed and contribute to economic growth.

Mrs. Melu has thanked the president for facilitating the forum as it sets to build strong relationships between Zambia and the European Union, which she said is important for the growth of the economy.

“As you rightly said Mr. President, Zambia is open for business and indeed may I say the Zambia financial sector which I represent this morning is open for business to facilitate economic growth.

She says Zambia’s investor confidence has grown over time as evidenced by the positive engagements with International Monetary Fund IMF and other positive economic changes such as the stabilized foreign exchange rates and the reduced inflation rates.

Mrs. Melu pointed out five key areas of access including; access to affordable finance, long term financing, access to local and international market, access to skills and business development and access to Business to Business and Business to the Government as the critical access areas necessary to facilitate growth of the private sector and pledged support to the government on their economic transformation plan.

She was speaking when she gave a vote of thanks during the on-going Zambia-EU Economic forum in Lusaka yesterday.

Public urged to take advantage of Public Protector office

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Public urged to take advantage of Public Protector office

The Office of the Public Protector (OPP), has expressed happiness with the political will exhibited by government to address maladministration in the public sector.

OPP Public Relations Officer, Smart Kalaluka said this is a positive move considering the alleged rampant maladministration in the previous regime, which was not being addressed.

Speaking during a sensitization meeting for Heads of Government Departments in Mazabuka, Mr. Kalaluka said most people who were allegedly subjected to maladministration during the previous regime, were coming forward to register their complaints.

“People who claim to have been abused while seeking public services especially during the reign of the previous Government are now coming forward to register their complaints with us,” he said.

Mr. Kalaluka further said the Office of the Public Protector handled a total of 622 maladministration cases during the first quarter of 2022.

He explained that the OPP had intensified sensitization meetings and activities for people in both the formal and informal sector for them to know where to report potential cases, and which procedures to follow.

“A lot of resources are being channeled to address maladministration in public institutions. We are now going into communities to sensitise members of the public that they cannot just die in silence due to practices that subject them to injustice,” he said.

And Mr. Kalaluka called on officers in public institutions to operate within the confines of the law.

In accordance with the Public Protector Act Number 15 of 2016, the Public Protector’s Mandate is to investigate and redress grievances of maladministration in the public sector in order to improve administrative practices, good governance and enhance service delivery.

Unreliable energy supplies to affect COMESA region development

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Unreliable energy supplies to affect COMESA region development

COMESA Assistant General, Kipyego Cheluget says without adequate, reliable and affordable energy supplies, it is unlikely that desired social-economic transformation will be attained in the COMESA region.

Dr Cheluget has charged that in order to avert that, member States must therefore capitalize on regional integration which is one of the strong options that will facilitate countries to generate adequate economic growth, which in turn contribute to poverty reduction and wealth creation.

Speaking during the official opening of the session of the 8th meeting of the Programme Technical Steering Committee (PTSC) of the Project on enhancement of a sustainable energy market in Eastern Africa, Southern Africa and Indian Ocean Region in Livingstone, Dr Cheluget said that energy was an enabler for economic development.

He said that trade in energy is just as critical and beneficial as trade in goods and other services.

The COMESA assistant secretary general said that energy trade allows all nations to benefit from comparative and competitive advantages and from the advantages of the economies of scale and scope.

“It is, therefore, critical for is to promote the development of our regional infrastructure projects such as energy. In this regard the power sector should be open for the private sector investment and ownership,” he said.

He said that the region is beginning to see significant improvements in the generation capacity in line with the expected coming on stream of major power generation projects in many countries of Eastern Africa-Southern Africa Indian Ocean region.

Dr Cheluget said that the main challenge for many Eastern Africa-Southern Africa-Indian Ocean countries is that generation capacity is not enough to cover bthe nations own needs and allow bfor cross border trade.

“Even though there are plans underway to improve bthe transmission capacity across borders, there is not yet enough capacity to secure an unimpeded trade across the countries and regions.

And Regional Association of Energy Regulators for Eastern and Southern Africa Chief Executive Officer Mohamedian Serif Elnasr said that the Eastern Africa- Southern Africa and Indian Ocean energy situation still shows how much work needs to be done to improve the situation.

Dr Elnasr said the improving the energy situation will ensure energy becomes a key enabler and game changer to doing business and increase the productivity of the industries.

Refusal by parents to allow children get Covid-19 vaccine worrying – Mulusa

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Refusal by parents to allow children get Covid-19 vaccine worrying – Mulusa

Solwezi Central Member of Parliament, Stafford Mulusa is worried with the low number of parents consenting to have their children vaccinated against Covid-19.

Mr Mulusa said it is sad that parents are refusing to have their children vaccinated despite having information on the benefits of the vaccine.

He said there is need to redouble efforts especially with the fifth wave eminent as the cold season approaches.

“I went around some schools just to check the situation, I must say it is worrying that some parents are refusing to have their children vaccinated despite having all the information,” Mr Mulusa said.

Mr Mulusa who is also government Chief Whip was speaking in Solwezi yesterday when he opened a Covid-19 vaccination campaign stakeholders meeting.

He said there is need for traditional and civic leaders as influencers and mobilisers to play their role in the campaign by creating demand for the vaccine.

“We need to create demand for the vaccination in our areas as traditional leaders and councillors and ensure that all eligible people get vaccinated, ”Mr Mulusa said.

He said since the re-launch of the vaccination campaign four days ago, over 4,900 people have been vaccinated bringing the total number of vaccinated people to 42,657 in the district.

Meanwhile, Solwezi District Maternal and Child Health Coordinator, Florence Mukoma said there is little ownership of the programme by traditional leaders.

Ms Mukoma said this is making it difficult to penetrate some areas and ensure people get vaccinated.

“One of the challenges we are facing is that there is little or no ownership of the programme by our traditional leaders,” she said.

Ms Mukoma said the fight against Covid-19 should not only be left to the ministry of health alone but that all stakeholders need to come on board.

And traditional leaders have pledged to use their influence to mobilize their subjects and ensure they are vaccinated.

According to Ministry of Health presentation during the meeting, since the roll out of the vaccination campaign in April 2021, 42,657 have so far been vaccinated in Solwezi district which translates into 40 percent of the eligible population.

Meanwhile, Kabompo District Health Promotions Officer, Florence Tembo says myths and misconception over Covid-19 vaccines have remained a challenge among community members during the vaccination campaign period.

Ms. Tembo said most community members believe that one would eventually die once vaccinated after a period of time.

She said the 10 days vaccination campaign has however given stakeholders an opportunity to correct the narrative.

Ms Tembo said this in an interview with ZANIS in Kabompo yesterday during a Covid-19 road show sensitization and mobilisation at Musamba market organised by the health office and its partners.

“The vaccination campaign which has reached day six is going on well as we pursue to reach the 70 percent target of vaccinated people aged 12 years and above.

“However the biggest challenge we have discovered is the myths and misconception that exist around the communities surrounding the Covid-19 vaccines,” she said.

Ms Tembo urged all eligible individuals to get vaccinated as the vaccines are readily available and safe saying vaccination is the only way to protect themselves and families.

She further appealed for all parents and guardians to work with community health assistants who have been sent out in the various wards of the district and quickly give consent for the vaccination of their children.

Meanwhile, speaking in a separate interview, Kabompo District Stakeholders Association Chairperson, Rodgers Chinyemba said that he and other community leaders have equally embarked on sensitization meetings which have so far proved to work.

Mr. Chinyemba said that stakeholders committee members have teamed up with different area ward councillors to deliver the Covid-19 vaccination campaign messages.

“We have equally teamed up with our civic leaders and been moving around their wards to deliver the Covid-19 vaccination campaign messages for children aged 12 years and above,” he said.

Copperbelt Province tops GBV Case

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Copperbelt Province tops GBV Case

Copperbelt Province recorded the highest number of Gender Based violence GBV cases last year, Copperbelt Province Police Commanding Officer, Sharon Zulu has said.

Mrs Zulu said the province recorded 3,715 cases representing 21.1 percent, followed by Lusaka province which recorded 3,623 cases representing 20.6 percent.

This came to light in a speech read on her behalf by Division Intelligence Officer, Geoffrey Nyundu during the launched of the Zambia Police Service Operation BASADI “translated women in TSwana “in Luanshya yesterday.

Operation BASADI, a three day GBV sensitization campaign commemorated from 18th, May to 20th May annually, is aimed at creating awareness against GBV through the Police Women Network.

Police officers in Luanshya led by Mr Nyundu visited the GBV one stop center, Twashuka compound and Luanshya main market where they conducted public sensitization to kick start the campaign.

And Luanshya One stop center Coordinator, Pamela Mutambo said the district had recorded 289 GBV criminal cases during the last quarter.

Mrs Mutambo further said the district recorded 40 cases of GBV in April, 2022.

Non registration of mine workers worry NAPSA

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Non registration of mine workers worry NAPSA

The National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA) has bemoaned the non-registration of workers by some contractors engaged by mining companies.

NAPSA Manager North, Mushoke Namiluko said mine contractors have a tendency of evading contributions through non- registration of their workers with NAPSA

Speaking to journalists in Kitwe yesterday on the sidelines of a stakeholders meeting between NAPSA and Mining Companies from Copperbelt and North-Western Province, Mr. Namiluko said his organization decided to hold an interactive meeting with Mining companies so that they can help it capture unregistered workers that are employed by mine contractors.

“We have target mining companies for this meeting because we have a challenge with contractors engaged by mining companies, some of them do not make contributions while others register some of their workers leaving out some, so we want the mining companies to help us sensitise their contractors on the need to register all the workers with NAPSA,” He said.

Mr. Namiluko also noted that most mining companies were compliant with NAPSA contributions standing at 80 per cent compliance level.

And Mr. Namiluko has commended government for consistently paying its NAPSA contributions on time.

He stated that government is the leading contributor followed by mining companies which he said is making the operations of NAPSA effective.

Earlier NAPSA Head Benefits Nobby Simutenda warned mining companies against employing people that have been discharged by other organizations on medical grounds.

Mr. Simutenda said it was not right to employ such people regardless of their expertise because it is a health risky for the employees.

He explained that NAPSA has since signed a memorandum of Understanding with 12 government hospitals that will be examining employees discharged on medical grounds before they can be deemed eligible for NAPSA benefits.

He said Kitwe Teaching Hospital has been picked on the Copperbelt to be examining medically discharged employees on behalf of NAPSA.

And Mr. Simutenda cited challenges such as non-payment of contributions, underpayment of contributions, incomplete member registration and posthumous registration among others.

He appealed to mining companies and contractors to ensure that they improve on their contributions to enable NAPSA meet its obligations to workers.

What a Wasted Presidency Indeed : A Case of the New Dawn

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What a Wasted Presidency Indeed : A Case of the New Dawn

By Sean Tembo – PeP President

1. Over the past couple of decades, management gurus have tried to distinguish between a leader and a manager. But l see the distinction as pure semantics. I mean, how can you manage the people if you can’t lead them? Similarly, how can you lead the people if you can’t manage them? Others try to argue that leading is strategic whereas managing is operational, but l see it as splitting hairs.

2. Anyway, it has been almost 9 months now since the new dawn ascended to power arising from the 12th August 2021 general elections, amidst much pomp and fare. To say that President Hakainde Hichilema’s momentum for reforms has stalled like the Russian invasion of Ukraine, would be an underestimation. The education grant is released on television and yet on the ground, there is no money. CDF is released on TV and yet on the ground, there is nothing. Political cadres are said to be eradicated on television and yet in the markets and bus stations across the country, they are thriving collecting illegal taxes. The much talked about IMF loan is said to be on the way, and yet it is nowhere to be seen. The rule of law is said to have been restored and yet the President calls press conferences to discuss cases which are activated before the courts and convicts the accused even before the trial begins. His legal advisers cut deals with the allegedly corrupt and then make a u-turn thereby losing credibility in the eyes of the Zambian people. Key production inputs such as fuel and electricity are increased at unprecedented rates thereby driving the cost of living through the roof, and yet the Zambian people voted them into office on the ticket or a lower cost of living.

3. The natural question which arises is why Hakainde Hichilema’s presidency is unravelling at such a fast pace? Everything seems to crumble. Even the general mood of the people out there in the streets is extremely negative, especially given the fact that HH won the last election with such a huge landslide. There is no debate that every presidency eventually unravels and runs afoul to the expectations of the people, but it is supposed to take time before people get fatigued. But in the case of President Hichilema however, it has barely been a year. So again the question is why?

4. Different people will attribute President Hichilema’s fast-dwindling political fortunes to different factors. Others say it is because he over-promised during his campaigns and is now failing to keep his promises. Others say it is because he decided to lean toward the western powers at the expense of China, which has been a major driver of Zambia’s economy in the past few decades. Others say it is because he was not ready to govern and was instead prepared for an election petition. Others say he accumulated a huge amount of liabilities from the people that funded his prolonged stay in opposition and that now he needs to prioritize paying them back before he can think of delivering anything to the Zambian people. Yet still, others say he is not as brilliant a leader as he falsely portrayed himself during his days in opposition.

5. I think all the above factors have contributed to President Hichilema’s dismal performance in the past 9 months, but still cannot explain why he is missing the goal by so wide a margin. On the contrary, l think the President’s biggest undoing is the team that he chose to surround himself with. The travesty of life is that those who have the brawl usually don’t have the brains, and those who have the brains usually don’t have the brawl. Loosely translated in the context of opposition politics, this means that those who have the courage to stand with you throughout your trials and tribulations as an opposition leader will rarely have the brains necessary to constitute your mission-critical team that is needed if you are going to deliver to the expectations of the people, once you ascend to power.

6. But of course morality demands that you repay the debt to those who stood by you when no one else could. And l believe that it is this moral burden that compelled President Hichilema to surround himself with nincompoops, all in the name of repaying their debt of loyalty. These nincompoops shape the President’s policy and approach to the economy, governance, politics, etcetera, despite the fact that the majority lack any ounce of competence in them, let alone statecraft. For instance, the President ended up with a political advisor who speaks about squeezing a political opponent on an unsecured line and even refers to and implicates the President and his Vice by name. Surely, what kind of sound political advice can such a novice offer the President?

7. The President’s legal team is another total disaster, starting from the Minister of Justice all the way to the Attorney General, Solicitor General and legal advisor. The majority of these people were personal lawyers to the President and ate off his palm. What sound objective advice can such a team give to the President apart from tilted opinions and shallow schemes that will make the President happy. Lately they decided to soak the President in the Milingo sewer, leaving him very smelly. And the President cannot see all this because he is blinded by past glory of a dream team of lawyers that managed to keep him out of prison. But is that the team that he really needs if he is going to successfully deliver on his presidency?

8. The President’s economic team is another disaster. But on this front, unlike the legal front, it is a well documented fact that the current shambolic economic policies are the President’s idea and not that of his economic team. Therefore, his economic team is only guilty of failing to advise the President against his grandiose ideas of how to turn around the Zambian economy. For instance, the President has been fixated on an IMF bailout loan as the key to turning around the Zambian economy for almost half a decade now, since the days of the Opposition Alliance when l used to interact with him. Firstly he used to argue that the almost zero-interest IMF loan money will be used to replace the expensive commercial debt that the country has, such as the Eurobond. Then when we told him that such refinancing is not possible due to IMF guidelines, he changed his argument and started saying that getting an IMF bailout loan will give confidence to our creditors that we are fiscally disciplined and therefore make the creditors develop an appetite to restructure our loans.

But of late, however, the President has changed his argument and is now saying that the creditors need to agree to restructure our debt before the IMF can give us a bailout loan. Clearly, President Hichilema is fixated on an IMF bailout loan, despite the hardship that IMF conditionalities will bring on the masses such as the removal of subsidies on fuel and electricity, despite the fact that our major export earner; copper is selling at record high prices on the world market, despite all the available evidence that we do not need an IMF bailout loan. And of course, his economic team is unable to advise their all-knowing boss. Much to the detriment of the Zambian people. What a wasted presidency indeed.

Asanovic Hopeful About Mwepu’s Availability For AFCON Qualifiers

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Asanovic Hopeful About Mwepu’s Availability For AFCON Qualifiers

Chipolopolo coach Aljosa Asanovic is upbeat about Zambia captain Enock Mwepu’s availability for the June’s 2023 AFCON Group H qualifying matches against Cote d’Ivoire and Comoros.

The Brighton midfielder has just returned to training following a fortnight out with a groin injury he sustained on April 30 in a 3-0 away win over Wolves that saw his EPL season come to can end with two games left to play.

“Enock has started normal training with his team and I am sure everything will be OK with him,” Asanovic said.

Mwepu has another fortnight to be recover for Zambia’s opening Group H match on June 3 away in Abidjan and the home date against Comoros on June 7 in Lusaka.

Meanwhile, Asanovic said he is also optimistic the Zambian passports for defenders Aime Mabika of USA MSL side Inter Miami and Frankie Musonda of Scottish second tier club Raith Rovers would be issued in time by Home Affairs.

The duo made their Chipolopolo debuts in March friendlies against Congo Brazzaville and Benin but can only feature in qualifiers and tournaments with Zambian passports.

Meanwhile, 22 home-based Chipolopolo players entered camp in Lusaka on Tuesday evening and held their first training session on Wednesday morning at Edwin Emboela Stadium.

The team will leave for Ghana on May 25 where Chipolopolo will hold a training camp n e route to Cote d’Ivoire.

All the foreign-based call-ups that Asanovic has yet to unveil are expected to join the team in Ghana.

Changala opposed to calls for the abolishment of the Constitutional Court

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Changala opposed to calls for the abolishment of the Constitutional Court

Human rights defender Brebner Changala has opposed calls for the abolishment of the Constitutional Court as suggested by UPND youths in North-Western province.

UPND youths in North-Western province are calling for the abolishment of the constitutional court questioning the capacity of its judges whom they are accusing of being patriotic front sympathizers.

But in an interview, Mr Changala noted that what Zambia needs are judicial reforms that will also address concerns that people may have regarding the concourt.

Mr Changala has since advised the UPND supporters not to be emotional as their reasons do not justify calls to abolish the concourt, an organ of government which is important for the interpretation of the constitution.

He is further appealing to the ruling leadership not to allow its supporters to attack individual judges of the concourt, saying the party in power now has the mandate to correct the situation using legal means.

We’ll tackle challenges inhibiting growth-Hichilema

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We’ll tackle challenges inhibiting growth-Hichilema

President Hakainde Hichilema has reiterated his administration’s commitment to addressing challenges that are inhibiting economic growth in the country.

President Hichilema said the country’s debt continues to stand in the way of economic recovery but revealed that the government is doing all it can to restructure the debt and plough resources into productive sectors of the economy.

“We want to cut extravagance in government expenditure ourselves to release resources for development,” said President Hichilema.

Speaking on a panel discussion during the EU-Zambia Economic Forum in Lusaka today, President Hichilema said addressing rigidness is cardinal to cultivating and promoting an environment conducive for business.

The President said his administration is working towards changing the way government functions and operates in order to unlock the country’s economic potential.

“To rebuild the economy, we need an attractive business environment,” stressed President Hichilema.

The Head of State further said there was need to send a clear and strong message that Zambia is ready for business partnerships.

“We are here looking for partners, to work with, to grow what is there, businesses that Are there,” he said.


And President Hichilema has said it is time that Zambia’s economy transitioned to a green economy model in line with her pledge at the 2021 UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) Glasgow summit of reducing green gas emissions.

The President said there is need to change the narrative about Zambia’s economic outlook to ensure that benefits trickle down to ordinary Zambians.

President Hichilema said he is surprised that people feel threatened about Zambia and DRC’s electric battery initiative.

He has since called for support to ensure that Zambia and the DRC realise their potential from the vast natural resource endowments the two countries have.

Meanwhile, President Hichilema has called for removal of Visa fees which he said Inhibit tourism growth in the country.

The President observed that tourists must be allowed to come into the country free of charge so as to increase tourism arrivals.

He said the country can benefit a lot from monies spent on accommodation and other tourism related services than a Visa fee.

And speaking at the same panel discussion, EU Commissioner for Agriculture Janusz Wojciechowski said there is need to mechanise small scale farmers.

Mr Wojciechowski said stakeholders must initiate and facilitate the production of agricultural equipment specifically tailored to the needs of small scale farmers.

He said small scale farmers from Zambia and the world at large produce a larger portion of the world’s food hence need extended and specialised support to ensure global food security.

The EU Agriculture Commissioner said the EU recognises Zambia’s natural resource endowments and will work towards creating partnerships to benefit from the initiative.

JCTR calls for accountability

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JCTR calls for accountability

The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) has stressed the need for social accountability in communities.

JCTR Programs Officer Brother Maximus Chongo says social accountability is an important element as it provides checks and balances to duty bearers when implementing government programs.

Br. Chongo states that citizens need to hold their duty bearers accountable in the various areas to avoid misuse and misappropriation of resources entrusted to them by Government.

Br. Chongo said this during a one day training workshop for Stakeholders on Social Accountability held at Fifungo Primary School in Masaiti District.

“ Failure to provide checks and balances meant for government projects has led some of the duty bearers to abuse public resources for personal gain, “ he said.

Mr. Chongo further stated that JCTR under the umbrella of sustainable change for children’s rights will continue to advocate for the need to involve children in the planning and implentation of developmental projects at the community level.

And Kashitu Ward Area Coordinating Committee Chairperson Peter Mumba commended JCTR for training the community in Masaiti in social accountability.

Mr. Mumba said with the current tendencies of abuse of office and authority by the duty bearer, it imperative that citizens begin to demand accountability in the governance process.

President Hichilema wants more EU investment in Zambia

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President Hichilema wants more EU investment in Zambia

President Hakainde Hichilema says the current 1.6 billion Euros investment which Zambia has attracted from companies in the European Union (EU) is not sufficient compared to the vast potential in that region.

President Hichilema has since set a new target of 5 billion Euros investment for the country.

He stated that Zambia has a lot to tap from the huge investment opportunities in the European Union market.

He urged the European Union to open up its markets saying it has been a challenge for Zambian businesses to access them.

“Zambia has attracted several EU companies with an estimated investment of 1.6 billion Euros in energy, environmental services, construction engineering services and agriculture among others. Honestly speaking 1.6 billion Euros? Europe is a giant in economic terms and I am not convinced that 1.6 billion Euros is something to be proud of. We should work at a target to triple this figure to a minimum 5 billion Euros over a period of time,” he said.

The President was speaking in Lusaka today when he officially opened the first ever EU-Zambia economic forum.

President Hichilema emphasised that increased trade is critical for the economic growth of any country hence his government’s commitment to ensure that the business environment is favourable for trade and investment in the country.

He further stressed the importance of having good and stable policies in the business environment for both local and international trade to thrive.


And the President said the business community should avoid aggression towards each other as they play a major role in helping the government address major social problems like job creation.

The President said Zambia has an added advantage of having a stable political environment, which should be protected to attract more local and foreign investments.

He said this peaceful environment should translate into job creation and improved trade.


The Head of State further expressed optimism that the meeting will yield positive results for the country in the form of business transactions, new projects and increased investments in the country.

The inaugural Zambia-EU economic forum is a two day forum themed: Economic Transformation through Green Growth” and has attracted delegates from both the local and foreign business communities.

The President has described the theme of the forum as a perfect fit to the country as it is in tandem with government’s commitment to encourage green growth as evidenced by the creation of the first ever Ministry of Green Economy.

“The theme for this forum is so fitting. Hand in glove with our own thought process that we must grow our economy but without damaging the environment for the future generations,” he stated

Court rules ACC can’t charge Ronald Chitotela over the same case

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Court rules ACC can’t charge Ronald Chitotela over the same case

The Economic and Financial Crimes Court has cleared former Tourism Minister Ronald Chitotela in the matter where he was charged with two counts of possessing property suspected to be proceeds of crime.

Lusaka Principal Resident Magistrate Jennifer Bwalya said that the immunity granted to Mr Chitotela by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to stop him from prosecution is still in force and proceeding with the matter will be subjecting him to double punishment.

Magistrate Bwalya said proceeding with the matter while the said settlement undertaking remained in force would be subjecting the accused to the evils of some form of double jeopardy which the laws of Zambia frown upon.

She then ordered that Mr Chitotela be discharged with the charges herein and forthwith.

“I therefore agree and find that proceeding with the matter while the said settlement undertaking remained in force would be subjecting the accused to the evils of some form of double jeopardy which the laws of Zambia frown upon,” she said.

“I, therefore, order that Ronald Kaoma Chitotela be and hereby discharged with the charges herein and forthwith,” she added.

Meanwhile, Chitotela has described the matter as mare persecution adding that investigative wings should learn to fight the LAW and not individuals.

“They have been fighting me for a long time and I want to appeal to them to fight the law and not Chitotela,” he said with his lawyers saying that he has been vindicated because the case was unfounded.

BOZ maintains monetary policy rate at 9 %

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BOZ maintains monetary policy rate at 9 %

The Bank of Zambia (BOZ) has maintained the monetary policy rate at  nine percent for the second time this year.

BOZ Governor Denny Kalyalya says the decision has been arrived at following a sharp decline in inflation over the past quarters and positive fiscal consolidation measures by Government.

Dr. Kalyalya  notes that  the drop in the country’s inflation rate is likely to continue to the projected single digit of between 6 to 8 percent target ranges by the end of 2023.

The BoZ Chief said this during the Monetary Policy Committee Announcement in Lusaka today.

Dr. Kalyalya also explained that  the global economy has continued to be affected by the Russia-Ukraine Conflict and that this has dimmed prospects for robust economic growth.

He disclosed that  the country’s domestic economic activities slowed down in the first quarter of the year and noted a slight recovery in April, 2022 but that it was minimal.

The Central Bank Governor said the enhanced fiscal consolidation by Government is expected to yield positive economic gains for the country but that this is dependent on the country resolving its debt crisis, with the support of the International Monetary Fund Extended Credit Facility.

Dr. Kalyalya said interest rates in the first quarter of 2022 remained broadly unchanged and that the commercial banks’ average nominal lending rate stood at 26 percent.

He said there was improved fiscal performance in the first quarter of 2022 on account of high revenue collections particularly from the mining sector.

Dr. Kalyalya also points out that  the months of import cover reduced to 3.6 from 4.4 months at the end of March, 2022 and that this was as a result  to an upward revision of projected imports for the year.

He said the Kwacha depreciated by 3.7 percent against the dollar on account of excess demand for foreign exchange, mainly for importation of petroleum products.

UNIP in confusion as Mwamba suspends his vice president Kaira

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UNIP in confusion as Mwamba suspends his vice president Kaira

United National Independence Party , UNIP- President  Trevor Mwamba has suspended Party Vice President Mike Kaira.

Bishop Mwamba  says gross indiscipline will not be condoned as the party constitution clearly outlines the steps to be followed in dealing with erring members.

He says the suspension of Mr. Kaira is in accordance with the powers vested in him in the party constitution.

Bishop Mwamba told Journalists at a Media Briefing in Lusaka that he called for a Central Committee meeting on Saturday May 14, which unanimously endorsed the suspension of the Secretary General Mulenga Mwiche.

He said it was shocking that on Sunday the Vice President announced that he had suspended him as Party president and took over as Acting President of the party.

Bishop Mwamba said he has found immense opposition because of his decision to have the Zambia National Holding run by professionals and experts away from political interference.

He however said he is open to talks if the erring members decide or wish to in the spirit of reconciliation.

But when Contacted for a comment, Mr. Kaira referred all queries to Mr. Mwiche, the Secretary General whom Mr. Mwamba suspended.

Mr. Kaira said when he announced the suspension of Bishop Mwamba, he was merely communicating the decision of the Central Committee held on Saturday which decided to suspend Bishop Mwamba.

He said Bishop Mwamba had walked out of a meeting before it was concluded and members of the Central Committee reconvened and decided to suspend him.

And Speaking earlier during the Press briefing, Acting Secretary General  Kenneth Kaira said the party is strong and urged the members not to allow confusion.

Meanwhile, UNIP National Women Chairperson Beauty Kabwe said the women folk in the party do not want confusion and are against looting of Party properties.

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