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Home Affairs to recruit more Police Officers countrywide

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Home Affairs to recruit more Police Officers countrywide

Minister of Home Affairs And Internal Security, Jack Mwiimbu has said that the ministry will recruit more police officers to meet human resource needs countrywide.

The minister says the ministry will work tirelessly to ensure public safety is NOT compromised, which will be achieved through the construction of more police stations to match the increasing number of people in residential areas.

He was speaking when he commissioned Kalundu Police Post in Lusaka’s Kalundu Township.

Mr. Mwiimbu has since directed the Lusaka Police Command to deploy enough officers at Kalundu Police Post.

Speaking at the same event, Mandevu Member of Parliament Christopher Shakafuswa said his office will ensure it constructs houses for officers that have been deployed at the police station.

About K667 000 Kwacha has been spent on the construction of the Police Station, whose works started in December 2020.

Given Lubinda accuse UPND Government of planning to Arrest their Candidate for Kabwata By-Election

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Given Lubinda accuse UPND Government of planning to Arrest their Candidate for Kabwata By-Election

Patriotic Front (PF) acting President Given Lubinda has alleged that the United Party for National Development (UPND) has directed law enforcement agencies to arrest party Kabwata candidate Clement Tembo.

Mr. Lubinda said the UPND wants Mr. Tembo to be arrested for unknown offenses, adding that it is shocking that all this while the UPND have been quiet now that Mr. Tembo is contesting Kabwata by-elections they want him arrested.

The acting President said the former ruling party will not be intimidated by UPND maneuvers and urged the candidate not to be scared of whatever the UPND are planning to do.

“Let me advise you our candidate, do not be afraid with this moves by UPND. It will not go anywhere. They know that you are a threat in this by-election, this is why they want to intimidate you,” he said.

Mr. Lubinda, however, said even when Mr. Tembo will be arrested the party will continue campaigning until the end of campaigns on January 19, 2022.

“This happened in Lusangazi where our candidate Patrick Banda was arrested but despite that, we continued campaigning,” he said.

Mr. Lubinda went on to say that the UPND is a bunch of thieves. and that the concession they have signed with a South Africa nonprofitable NGO is total theft.

Mr. Lubinda said it is shocking that the UPND wants to do a road project of about 2200 km at a cost of US$3.7 billion, adding that this means 1 km will cost about US$1.8 million which has never happened in the history of Zambia.

“They called us names that we are thieves and Zambians believed. 1 km under PF was costing US$1 million but it will cost US$ 1.8 million. Who thieves, it’s them,” he said.

It’s important to see Street Vendors as a part of the Small Business Community

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It’s important to see Street Vendors as a part of the Small Business Community

By Fred M’membe

Vendors along Lusaka’s Cha Cha Cha and Cairo roads have appealed to government to reconsider its decision to remove them. One of the vendors talked to by Diamond News, Alick Mafuleka, says he has no other source of income apart from trading along the streets. Another vendor, Timothy Mugaza, says business is difficult in the markets as compared to trading in the along the streets.

Meanwhile, Lusaka mayor says government has not backtracked on its decision to remove the vendors and there’s need to have a clean and healthy city hence the need to move the vendors. But is it not possible to have a clean and healthy environment with vendors on the streets? Are the two really mutually exclusive?

Our politicians love to say how they love small businesses but there’s not so much respect for street vendors. It’s important to see vendors as a part of the small business community. And historically, they have been. Some of our successful retailers started out as street vendors. Vending should be considered a valid starting point for businesses, and more should be done to encourage it.

On removing vendors from our city streets, our politicians are usually only looking at things cross-sectionally, not longitudinally. They’re not considering that over the long run small investments that people make in themselves and their families can sometimes turn into large paybacks in entrepreneurial activities. Not always; small businesses fail all the time. But sometimes they pay great dividends.

These are people who add life to our cities. And our cities can find ways to comprehend them and their purposes and integrate them more completely into the city’s larger purposes. There’s a variety of ways that commerce can occur on the street, and I think that cities should clearly be interested in encouraging across that spectrum. That means getting the city more involved in working with vendors.

Cities like Lusaka need to use their business development arms to do more to help vendors understand the rules and to develop their vending operations into sustainable and even expandable businesses. A city that has the money and has the resources to do it should be doing it. Instead of driving vendors from the street it is better to help them understand how to work within the city’s regulations and to improve their business standards.

There’s need to help vendors in our cities secure their rights and function as legitimate businesses.That’s going to be good for the city. It’s going to get vendors to comply with the rules, and it’s hopefully going to let vendors grow their businesses. And that grows the tax base

President Hichilema is a double-tongued, he does not understand the rule of law-Given Lubinda

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President Hichilema is a double-tongued, he does not understand the rule of law-Given Lubinda

Patriotic Front (PF) Acting President Given Lubinda has said that President Hakainde Hichilema is a double-tongued man whose words and actions do not collaborate and is putting himself in an awkward position by doing things differently from what he preaches.

Mr Lubinda said that Mr Hichilema’s preaching of respecting the rule of law has remained public rhetoric as evidenced by the detention of people for more than 48 hours without being taken to court.

“President Hichilema does not seem to understand the rule of law because there is no application of the rule of law in what is happening today and I would advise him to seek legal advice on the rule of law,” Mr Lubinda said.

Mr Lubinda said the first 100 days of the United Party for National Development(UPND) in government have shown that its members do not respect what President Hichilema says.

Speaking on Millennium TV’s The Platform programme, Mr Lubinda said in the first 100 days, there was euphoria and a lot of support for presidents which has not been the case for President Hichilema, adding that Mr Hichilema preaches about the rule of law in front of cameras but says “naba gong’a just arrest them,” behind cameras.

Mr Lubinda also explained that the rule of law is not measured by the number of convictions but by how one handles the justice system.

“Mr Davies Chama, the national chairman for the Patriotic Front was detained in Lusaka for two nights, driven at 02 hours where he was detained another two nights and sneaked into Sesheke like a criminal, detained for more than a week before he was taken to court, is that the rule of law?” Mr Lubinda wondered.

He said while giving solidarity to PF central committee member, Raphael Nakacinda, PF members including Mr Lubinda himself were chased from the police station by police officers.

“When we were attacked by UPND cadres, I was one of those that ran to take refuge in a police station paid for by taxpayer’s money to provide security to citizens but the police officers shut the door and pushed us out to where these people were throwing stones,” he lamented.

Mr Lubinda added that if this was the rule of law that President Hichilema keeps talking about, then he should seek advice from lawyers so that they explain to him what the rule of law is.

Meanwhile,

Proposed 10 percent rise in road tax will not trigger bus fares hike, assures Bust and Tax Operators

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Proposed 10 percent rise in road tax will not trigger bus fares hike, assures Bust and Tax Operators

The Bus and Taxi Drivers Association of Zambia has assured commuters that there will be no further upward adjustment in bus fares following the proposal by the government to increase road tax by 10 percent.

The Road Transport and Safety Agency have announced the proposed 10 percent increment in road tax.

But Association National Secretary Sidney Mbewe said despite the proposed increment, bus fares are mainly increased when fuel pump prices are adjusted upwards.

Mr. Mbewe has however noted that the proposed increment in road tax will increase operational costs for the transport business.

He has since appealed to the government to consider incentivizing the public transport sector to cushion it against increased operational costs.

Last week, the Zambia Consumers Association (ZACA) had expressed disappointment on the decision taken by the Government through the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) to effect Bus fares hike without inclusive consultation.

ZACA Executive secretary Zuba Sakala said despite his Association writing to Ministry of Transport and logistics permanent secretary and RTSA expressing concerns on how the issue has been handled, the two offices ignored the letter and went ahead to increase bus fares.

Mr Sakala said while the Association is not against the increment per say, the adjustment should have been done in a transparent manner without leaving out stakeholders such as the Commuters Right Association of Zambia and the Zambia Consumer Association.

“We wrote to the two offices to express our concerns on how the meeting was held and proposed another meeting but all was ignored and they have gone ahead effecting new fares which is unfortunate,” he said.

Mr Sakala said the new government should be transparent in the manner they handle issues in the public transport subsector to avoid suspicions.

He said the situation where other stakeholders are used as a rubber stamp or ignored should come to an end if the country is to move in unison for national development.

NGO awarded to do 11 roads in Western Province was deregistered in 2020

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NGO awarded to do 11 roads in Western Province was deregistered in 2020

A Non-governmental Organisation (NGO) awarded to do 11 roads in Western Province was deregistered in 2020.

The South African Business Development Forum was deregistered by the South African Companies and Intellectual Property Commission.

Records show that the SABDF was subjected to the AR Deregistration Process.

The legal effect of the AR Deregistration Process is that the juristic personality is withdrawn and the company or close corporation ceases to exist.
The SABDF was registered as Not-for-Profit company.

Minister of Infrastructure Development Hon. Charles Lubasi Milupi announced that Government had awarded Southern African Business Development Forum a 25-year Concession to do 11 roads under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Programme.

He said the award was done on 10th August 2021 by the previous government but the newly appointed Council of Ministers on PPP had approved the $3.7billion project.

The road package dubbed Western Trade Facilitation Routes, was scheduled to cover 2,000kms in Western, North-western and Copperbelt Provinces.

But records at the South African Companies and Intellectual Property Commission online search site showed that the SABDF was deregistered.

K837 million Released for social protection programmes

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K837 million Released for social protection programmes

Secretary to the Treasury Felix Nkulukusa has disclosed that treasury has released K837 million for social protection programmes, of which K255 million is targeted at pensioners under the Public Service Pensions Fund (PSPF), and K50 million for those under the Local Authorities Superannuation Fund (LASF).

Mr. Nkulukusa said the release of the funds for social protection programmes will ensure sustained and continued protection of the poor, the vulnerable, and pensioners.

In a statement from the Ministry of Finance and National Planning, Mr. Nkulukusa urged all implementing agencies of the released funds to ensure that effective payment systems are deployed to serve retirees.

“The Treasury has released K837 million for social protection programmes, of which K255 million is targeted at pensioners under the Public Service Pensions Fund (PSPF), and K50 million for those under the Local Authorities Superannuation Fund (LASF). Of the total released for social protection, K402 million is for the Social Cash Transfer Programme and K130 million for the Food Security Pack Programme,” he stated.

“The action has been done to ensure sustained and continued protection of the poor, the vulnerable, and pensioners. I take this opportunity to urge all implementing agencies of the released funds to ensure that effective payment systems are deployed so that we do not prolong the hardships experienced by our fellow citizens, especially retirees, the poor and the vulnerable,” Mr. Nkulukusa said.

Mr. Nkulukusa’s statement comes hours after President Hakainde Hichilema had revealed in a facebook post that the Government had started paying retirees.

“We have started paying off our retirees who spent many years waiting for their pension,” President Hichilema posted on his official facebook page.

“In our 2022 budget, we have allocated K2.1 billion to dismantle these outstanding arrears. Our preoccupation is not the 2026 election, but serving the people of Zambia,” he wrote.

According to the Ministry of Finance, in 2022, the Social Cash Transfer Programme will be scaled up by increasing the number of beneficiaries to over one million from the 880,539 as at end August 2021.

Next year, the transfer value per household will also be increased from K150 to K200 per month and from K300 to K400 per month for households with severely disabled members.

The statement added:”With regard to the Food Security Pack Programme, the number of beneficiaries will be increased to 290,000 households in 2022 from 263,700 as at end-August 2021. The Programme is targeted at the vulnerable but viable farmer households. Other social protection interventions that will be scaled up include the Girls Education and Women’s Empowerment and Livelihood Programme, the Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, Public Welfare Assistance Scheme, and Child Welfare Programmes.”

“As at end September 2021, pension benefit arrears for retired public service workers stood at K1.2 billion. This has negatively impacted their livelihoods. To safeguard the livelihoods of retirees, in 2022, the Government will dismantle all outstanding pension arrears for public service workers and curtail the accumulation of arrears going forward.”

“To make the pension system financially sustainable and provide social security to retirees, Government will also review and amend relevant legislation including Public Service Pensions Act Cap 260 of the Laws of Zambia, Local Authorities Superannuation Fund Act Cap 284 of the Laws of Zambia and the Pension Scheme Regulation Act No. 27 of 2005. The new pension system will enable retirees to access accrued benefits before retirement,” the statement concluded.

All water utilities in Zambia directed to improve the treatment of water to required standards

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All water utilities in Zambia directed to improve the treatment of water to required standards

Minister of Water Development and Sanitation Mike Mposha has challenged all water utilities in the country to scale up service delivery by improving the treatment of water to required standards.

Mr. Mposha is currently in the Copperbelt Province touring water utilities and its facilities.

Speaking in Kitwe on Tuesday when paying a courtesy-call on Kitwe District Commissioner Lawrence Mwanza at his office, Mr. Mposha said Zambians are demanding clean and safe drinking water.

He said scaling up the supply and treatment of water was imperative especially in the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He stated that President Hakainde Hichilema has placed high premium on the provision of improved water and sanitation services to citizens.

Mr. Mposha later in Kitwe toured projects under Nkana Water Supply and Sanitation Company Limited that services Kitwe City and Kalulushi.

When touring Nkana Water Supply and Sanitation Company facilities, Mr. Mposha asked the firm to increase water supply hours and improve communication to clients.

Mr. Mposha questioned why water utilities continuously send bills to customers who do not receive water.

“Please let us also ensure that we improve our communication with our clients. There has been this issue of accumulative bills in areas where people are not receiving water. To that effect there was a motion on the floor of the house (Parliament) to compel us to cancel the bills on account that from way back in 2006 there are households who have been receiving bills without receiving water,” he said.

“I honestly find it very difficult to understand the reasoning behind this, how you can be receiving bills from 2006 and this is 2021 and you claim that you don’t receive water and you have not gone to NWASCO to raise issues or to go to the utilities. Surely every month you are receiving bills from 2006, I would like to hear from you if truly there are such issues here in Kitwe.”

“We must balance our focus between issues of water supply and also placing emphasis on sanitation. You know that where there is no good sanitation there is a threat to the health of the next person. If people do not have access to good sanitation, they are using pit latrines, which consequently will contaminate ground water. The boreholes will be contaminated and the health sector will be affected,” Mr. Mposha said.

After sounding the warning, Mr. Mposha assured Nkana Water that the government will continue rendering support through grants and chemicals for treating water following an increase in the budgetary allocation to the water sector.

Kitwe District Commissioner Lawrence Mwanza has told Mr. Mposha that vandalism of water infrastructure is rampant in the district saying his office is also working with stakeholders to curb acts of vandalism on water installations.

He said the situation is also coupled with water supply challenges in various parts of Kitwe City.

Meanwhile, in her presentation to the Minister, Nkana Water Managing Director Diana Makwaba highlighted challenges the firm was facing ranging from old dilapidated infrastructure to high customer arrears.

Ms. Makwaba said despite the many challenges that include encroachment of water infrastructure and illegal connections the company is seeking to increase water supply hours per day from 17 to 22 hours.

She appealed to the New Dawn government to consider giving Nkana Water a special electricity tariff and help clear the outstanding Government Bills to ease the operations.

Mr. Mposha started his tour on Monday when visiting Kafubu Water facilities in Ndola and Masaiti in the company of Minister of Transport and Logistics Frank Tayali, Copperbelt Province Minister Elisha Matambo, Roan MP Joel Chibuye, Chifubu MP Lloyd Lubosha, Kafulafuta’s Jeff Mulebwa and Bwana Mkubwa MP Warren Mwambazi.

The group toured the multi million Kafulafuta Water Supply System Project in Masaiti that is expected to facilitate water supply in Ndola, Luanshya, Mpongwe and Masaiti.

“The $449 million water supply system project is 80% complete and once completed it will connect and supply Ndola, Luanshya, Mpongwe and Masaiti districts with clean and safe water and will benefit over 1 million households. Once completed the project will benefit a number of residents in Bwana Mkubwa Constituency with clean and safe water that in many years have experienced water problems,” Mwambazi remarked after touring the dam.

UPND Candidate and others successfully file in Nominations for Kabwata By-Elections

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UPND Candidate and others successfully file in Nominations for Kabwata By-Elections

Ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) adopted candidate Andrew Tayengwa has filed in his nominations for the Kabwata Constituency Parliamentary by-election amid allegations that he is a foreigner from Zimbabwe.

Some people claiming to be UPND members petitioned against Mr. Tayengwa’s adoption after questioning his grade 12 credentials as well.

Mr. Tayengwa, however, on Tuesday afternoon filed in his papers in the company of UPND Chairperson for Elections Garry Nkombo and National Women’s Affairs Chairperson Doreen Mwamba.

Meanwhile, Mrs Mwamba stopped Mr. Tayengwa from commenting on allegations that he was Zimbabwean when queried by reporters immediately after he filed in his nominations.

When Mr. Tayengwa was asked to comment on the allegations, Mrs Mwamba hastily interjected and responded on behalf of the UPND candidate in Kabwata.

“I will answer that one. I will answer for him. I am going to answer as National Chairperson for Women Affairs in UPND. The problem that we are facing currently is that most of these men in the opposition are beginning to think and behave like children and the better they grow up, the better it is for the country. They themselves know they are ones who are foreigners and this segregation and discrimination must come to an end,” Mrs Mwamba said.


Earlier, Mr. Tayengwa asked the people of Kabwata Constituency to vote for him.

“Now that I am done with the nomination, I am going to hit the ground running. The people of Kabwata know me; I am born here, raised in Kabwata, I have lived whole my life in Kabwata,” he said.

“I am a product of Kabwata so I urge the people of Kabwata to consider seriously giving a vote so that we can continue with the good policies of the UPND Government,” Mr. Tayengwa said.

Mr. Nkombo also dismissed the alleged petition against Mr. Tayengwa’s adoption on the UPND ticket.

“I want to confirm to you that there is no petition that was submitted to my office as chairman of elections and therefore whatever you read on social media was probably from some people who were a little bit bored. We have checked, we don’t know the names of those people who listed themselves down as petitioners. Therefore we dismiss that petition with the contempt it deserves,” Mr. Nkombo said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Tayengwa landed the UPND adoption after beating 11 aspirants that include Obvious Mwaliteta, Bob Sakahilu, Mutinta Mazoka, Royd Chibonta, Chilekwa Munkonge, Msaiwale Mlewa, Leslie Chikuse, Henry Chibuta, Isaac Sulwe, Job Phiri and Felix Kanyanje among others.

The by election in Kabwata Constituency has been necessitated by the death of the United Party for National Development (UPND) Member of Parliament, Mr Levy Mkandawire on Thursday 18th November 2021.

ECZ earlier this month prescribed 20th January 2022 as the date on which to hold the Kabwata Constituency Parliamentary by-election in the Lusaka District of Lusaka Province.

On the same date, the Commission will also conduct two (2) Local Government Ward by-elections in Liangati Ward of Senanga Town Council in Western Province and Sokontwe Ward of Milenge District of Luapula Province.

The commission also set the campaign period for these elections to commence on Tuesday 28th December 2021 after 15:00 hours and will end at 18:00 hours on Wednesday, 19th January 2022.

North African Date Await Zanaco in CAF Confed Cup Group A

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Zanaco have been paired against Tunisian side CS Sfaxien in 2021-22 CAF Confederation Cup Group Stage.

Zanaco were on Tuesday drawn in Group A together with Pyramids of Egypt and Libyan side Ahly Tripoli as well.

The draw for the group stage was conducted at CAF Headquarters in Cairo, Egypt.

Pitso Mosimane, coach of Egyptian giants Al Ahly SC, assisted Khaled Nassar, CAF Head of Competitions in the draw that produced some exciting pairings.

Meanwhile, Zanaco reached the group stage when eliminating Malian side Binga in the two-legged play-off last month.

GROUP DRAWS

Group A: Pyramids (Egypt) – CS Sfaxien (Tunisia) – Zanaco (Zambia) – Ahly Tripoli (Libya)

Group B: JS Kabylie (Algeria) or Royal Leopards (Eswatini) – Orlando Pirates (South Africa) – JS Saoura (Algeria) – Al Ittihad (Libya)

Group C:TP Mazembe (DR Congo) – Coton Sport (Cameroon) – Al Masry (Egypt) – AS Otoho (Congo)

Group D: RS Berkane (Morocco) – ASEC Mimosas (Cote d’Ivoire) – Simba (Tanzania) – USGN (Niger)

Future of KCM is uncertain because the government seems to be entertaining moves by Vedanta to come back

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Future of KCM is uncertain because the government seems to be entertaining moves by Vedanta to come back

THE future of KCM is uncertain because the government seems to be entertaining moves by Vedanta to come back, mining expert Edward Simukonda has advised.

Mr Simukonda said it was high time the Government turned its back on Vedanta so that a clear message was sent that this country did not need them anymore.

He said that worries by KCM workers on the future of the mining company were justified because the government had not been clear what plans they had for the mining firm.

Mr Simukonda said that his views regarding Vedanta would never change because the company showed the nation who they really were during the time they were in charge of the mine.

He said that if the government allowed Vedanta to come back that would be the biggest mistake this country could ever make.

“We know who these people are and why should we be entertaining them,” he said.

Mr Simukonda said that if the government wants investors to take over the running of the mine, then they should consider others and not the company that they already knew what they were capable of doing.

“There are a lot of investors out there who are interested in taking over KCM,” he said.

He said that there was no point in sticking to a company that had already stabbed this country in the back when there were hundreds of companies that were willing to invest in Zambia.

Mr. Simukonda said the manoeuvres that Vedanta was making like the statement that it was encouraged by the steps already taken by the government, including the appointment of the Green Economy and Environment Minister were all just ploys to get into good books with the government.

He said the pledges that Vedanta was making to support the Zambian government in its green energy transition goals was a scheme to try to entice the leaders to consider bringing them back.

Meanwhile, PF presidential aspiring candidate Chishimba Kambwili has said that allowing Vedanta back to run the Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) will be an insult to Zambians and the people of Chingola.

Mr Kambwili was reacting to Vedanta’s distribution of face masks in the mining town last week. Mr Kambwili wondered what the motive was for the company which no longer had ties with the mines to be distributing face masks. He said he was suspicious because as things stood, Vedanta was no longer the owners of KCM so what were they doing in Chingola?

Mr Kambwili warned the government not to go back to Vedanta because they were doing a disservice to Zambians. He said he suspected that some people had benefitted from Vedanta because he did not see any benefits when they almost starved the people of Chingola.

“People of Chingola deserve better and I believe beyond reasonable doubt that we can run our own mines with the attractive Copper prices that are being recorded,” he said.

He said that the president needed to investigate this because it seemed people had interests in the UK-based firm coming back.

Mr Kambwili said that he had observed that whenever Finance Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane was at the helm he brought in tax regimes that did not favour Zambians.

“During the Mwanawasa days, then Finance Minister Mr Musokotwane did the same and again he is at it. My plea is if the President is not involved then he needs to investigate the matter because there was something fishy about the whole thing,” he said.

He said if Vedanta had gone, why did they distribute face masks in the Copperbelt town if they did not have any interest coming back.

Mr Kambwili said there was no smoke without fire and that it was just a matter of time before Vedanta came back.

Mines Minister Paul Kabuswe said he could not comment on the matter and referred all queries to ZCCM-IH as they were the best people to give guidance over the matter.
“At the moment ZCCM-IH is the one handling this matter and I cannot give any statement over Vedanta,” Mr Kabuswe said.

Kamanga Hoping for Better 2022 For Chipolopolo

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FAZ President Andrew Kamanga is itching to see Chipolopolo improve in 2022.

Zambia failed to qualify for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations and could not advance from the group phase of the 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign.

In his weekly column, Kamanga said Zambia has players locally and abroad who can help Zambia excel in 2022.

He revealed that qualification to the 2023 Africa Cup will be one of the targets for the incoming Chipolopolo coach.

“Given our rounded approach to football management that has the grassroots at the core of our strategic plan we have no doubt that we will get back our groove with the senior national team,” Kamanga wrote.

“We have no doubt that the next coach will be able to meet our expectations that will have the Ivory Coast 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification as a key benchmark. Our country is replete with so much talent as demonstrated by the success of the junior teams,” he stated.

“Ultimately, we hope that the new Chipolopolo coach will make the best out of these players in building a strong squad. This will include scouring for players of Zambian heritage in foreign leagues,” Kamanga said.

He said not all foreign based players with Zambian heritage are willing to represent Zambia at international level.

“We have been quietly pursuing a few players that we hope to finalize soon. It is not a straightforward process as it does not only involve identifying but also taking care of the league requirements that go with switching allegiance.”

“Regrettably, some of the players that have attracted public attention have not been willing to switch allegiance and we have had to back off. Ultimately, we only desire players who are competitive whether from the domestic or foreign leagues,” Kamanga said.

Zambia records 3,907 new COVID-19 cases out of 11,925 tests conducted

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Zambia records 3,907 new COVID-19 cases out of 11,925 tests conducted

Zambia has in 24 hours recorded 3,907 new confirmed Covid-19 cases out of the 11,925 tests conducted, reflecting a positivity rate of 33 percent.

The cases are spread out in all the 10 provinces of the country, with Copperbelt Province posting the highest number at 909 cases while Lusaka Province has 711 cases.

According to latest Covid-19 information made available by the Zambia National Public Health, seven deaths were also recorded in the last 24 hours bringing the cumulative death toll to 3,716.

The country also recorded a total of 868 recoveries from both the Covid facilities and home management, bringing the cumulative number of recoveries to 213, 580 representing a 90 percent recovery rate.

One hundred new admissions were recorded in the last 24 hours bringing the total number of admissions to 282 of which 109 are on oxygen with 15 in critical condition.

There are currently 20,805 Covid-19 cases under community management.

Seven deaths have been recorded in the last 24 hours, bringing the cumulative number of deaths to 3,716.

Something is not right. Hon Milupi’s $3.7 billion PPP concession for roads simply doesn’t make sense

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Something is not right. Hon Milupi’s $3.7 billion PPP concession for roads simply doesn’t make sense

By Norbert Mumba

  1. Firstly the so-called Southern African Business Development Forum is just a NGO. Browsing its website, one doesn’t get the impression that it is within their remit to undertake infrastructure projects as the reference to infrastructure, energy, etc seems to be in a discussion or facilitation context. I have failed to establish the persona behind it and when one clicks a specific segment on “what we are”, such as infrastructure, all one gets is a picture of a road intersection.
  2. It doesn’t end there I also note the average cost per kilometer of the proposed roads flies right in the face of what UPND as a party promised us. Dividing $3.7bn by 2000km gives me a whopping $1.8m/km against the $500,000 UPND referred us when it challenged the Lusaka to Ndola road. In fact, given that the proposed concession roads are unlikely to be dual carriage, they will be by far more expensive than the road they condemned.
  3. It is inconceivable that this project, whose returns are supposed to be from the roads (presumably toll) as the main infrastructure and not from import duties per se, would be able to recoup in 25yrs for the following reasons; i) you require to raise at least $148m per year or $405,478/day from tolls and duties just to make the $3.7bn. But who will deploy such a colossal amount without profit? If you mark it up at 10% return, the interest expected will be way more than what will be invested. ii) obviously the roads will require very good maintenance otherwise at end of the concession (25yrs) there will be no roads to talk about. So the collections would have to be very high to the extent that there is nothing in it for the government.
  4. The government promised transparency, not cosmetic transparency so please publish the full agreement for us to see what is in it for the people. Otherwise, this is already a matter for the Anti Corruption Commission. Why would such a mammoth project not be a publicly tendered project? What experience does this Forum, formed a few years ago, have to get a concession that represents over 5000acres of Zambian territory. (to pre-emptive how I arrived at 5000; 2000km x 10m(representing the width of roads including shoulders) then converted to acres. This does not include the land area for physical border infrastructure.

Hon Milupi owes us an explanation to include who is guaranteeing this massive undertaking? The so-called Forum doesn’t have assets. Is this in essence another foreign debt by guarantee? If we talk about debt transparency, we can already count that we are already close to an additional $7bn in less than 120 days

The Author is Norbert Mumba has more than 25 years of senior management experience in Zambia, including 19 years at the Bank of Zambia (BOZ)—a member institution of AFI—where he held numerous positions such as Assistant Director of Regulatory Policy, Licensing, and Liquidations, and Director of Bank Supervision. Mr. Mumba has been a member of several technical committees aimed at reforms of the banking sector at national, regional, and international levels.

UPND government starts paying off arrears owed to retirees

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UPND government starts paying off arrears owed to retirees

President Hakainde Hichilema has announced that the UPND government has started paying off the retirees who spent many years waiting for their pension.
In a facebook post the President said the 2022 budget, has allocated K2.1 billion to dismantle the outstanding arrears.

“Our preoccupation is not the 2026 election, but serving the people of Zambia,” President Hichilema said.

Earlier this month Information and Media Development Minister Chushi Kasanda said that funds that will be saved from the removal of subsidies on fuel and electricity would go towards paying retirees and other needy areas.

Ms. Kasanda said that subsidizing on fuel alone, costs the government about US$67 Million per month which can be channeled to other needy areas. She said that it is not fair that Government should continue to subsidize fuel when other people who have worked for the country continue to live in abject poverty.

After the UPND won the General Elections this year Senior Citizens in Mkushi district implored President Hakainde Hichilema to expedite the disbursement of retirees’ benefits across the country.

One Senior citizen, Weston Beso stated that government should ensure the plight of retirees is improved by paying their retirement benefits on time.

He said that he felt compelled to appeal to government on behalf of several retirees who still have not been paid their retirement benefits including leave days from as far back as 2008.

Mr Beso explained that failure to pay the retirees on time negatively affects their economic well-being.

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