President Hichilema challenges the media to be independent and regulate itself
President Hakainde Hichilema has challenged the media to be independent and regulate itself.
Speaking during a live Radio program on Phoenix FM this morning as part of his interaction with the public, the president however cautioned media practitioners to be fair, and report using facts and not falsehoods.
The President said Zambia has enough laws to deal with those who want to use media platforms to abuse other people, as was the case in the previous regime, and reiterated that his priority is to re-organize the Zambian economy because doing this would allow every citizen to enjoy the right to do business.
He has explained that when the economy recovers, the government will have excess resources for investment in social sectors, such as education and health.
The President said that lessons have been drawn from past prosecutions of fraud and elsewhere on assets recovery, and the government will ensure that this time around, the process will be a success. He also promised new programs in the 2022 national budget, which will soon be presented to Parliament.
The president warned that those who aspire for public office and want to work in his government must ensure they are clean and free from corruption.
President Hichilema has also hinted that his government has not come to haunt anyone, but it will put in place systems, which prevent corruption.
President Hichilema has maintained that he is being methodical in his appointments for administration positions to ensure those that take up such roles in different sectors are knowledgeable said that this is also one way to make sure those appointed are qualified to avoid mismanagement and abuse of authority by those appointed as was the case with the previous government.
President Hichilema said that Zambians should exercise patience when it comes to making changes as the government is trying to correct the mess which was left by the previous government.
The head of state has assured that within a short time, more people will be appointed to fill up the gaps of those that have either been recalled or fired.
Further, the head of state indicated that he has not forgotten about women in leadership positions and has assured Zambians to expect more women in the next appointments.
Meanwhile, President Hichilema has disclosed that beginning next year, the government will for the first time ever embark on providing scholarships funds at the constituency level.
Immigration Officers at Chirundu Border Control have apprehended 36 suspected illegal immigrants
This was during spontaneous road checks carried out in the late hours of Monday, October 11, 2021 at Kabanana Checkpoint in Chirundu. Those apprehended were twenty-three (23) Congolese and thirteen (13) Zimbabweans. They are currently detained pending screening and further formalities.
This is contained in a statement made available to the media in Lusaka today, by Department of Immigration Public Relations Officer, Namati Nshinka.
He said similarly, Immigration Officers at Kasumbalesa Border Control in the late hours of Sunday, October 10th, 2021, apprehended twenty-seven (27) suspected illegal immigrants.
Mr Nshinka said this was during a routine operation conducted within the border area.
“Those apprehended were fourteen (14) Tanzanians, ten (10) Congolese, two (02) Somalis and one (01) Zimbabwean,” Mr Nshinka stated.
He said they are all detained at Kasumbalesa Police Post where they are undergoing screening.
Meanwhile, Mr Nshinka disclosed that the Chadiza Immigration Office has secured the conviction of three (03) Malawians, Amon Samuel Banda (31), Nelson Zulu (42) and Watson Agostino (37) for the offence of unlawful entry in Zambia, contrary to section 11(1) (2) (3) as read with section 56 (1) of the Immigration and Deportation Act No. 18 of 2010 of the Laws of Zambia.
“This was after they failed to produce documentation to prove their legal immigration status in Zambia. They appeared before Magistrate Court in Chadiza on 8th October, 2021 where they were each sentenced to pay a fine of K 2,000 or in default 15 months simple imprisonment”, said Mr Nshinka.
“They are currently serving their sentence at Namuseche Correctional Facility having failed to pay the court fines. This brings the number of convictions secured by the Department between 5th and 11th October, 2021 to sixty-one (61),” He added.
Meanwhile, Mr Nshinka narrates that Immigration Officers at Katima-Mulilo Border Control on October 7th, 2021 received twenty-three (23) Zambians who were removed from Namibia for illegally entering and staying in that country.
He added that this brings the number of Zambians removed from other countries for breaching foreign laws to thirty-one (31) with eight (08) other Zambians having been received by Immigration Officers at Kariba Border Control after being removed from Zimbabwe for illegal entry and illegal fishing.
We want value addition in Zambia, it is critical to the economy says Minister of Mines
Minister of Mines and Minerals Development, Paul Kabuswe has called for value addition in the mining sector. Mr Kabuswe said value addition is critical as it does not only provide more money but also creates more jobs.
The Minister was speaking when he addressed the media at Barrick Lumwana Mine Company LMC) in Kalumbila district, today.
“We want value addition in Zambia, that one is critical to this economy. Value addition gives you more money and gives you more jobs. There is a lot of benefit when you add value, it also means that you are not exporting jobs, so value addition is critical,” he said.
Mr Kabuswe also seized the opportunity to assure LMC management of predictability in the economy.
He said having a stable economy will help the mining company to plan well and thus have a stable tax regime.
“One thing I can promise you is that, the new dawn government has prioritised predictability in the economy not only for you the mining investors but for all investors. So there will be predictability, stability and there will be a win-win situation,” he said.
Mr Kabuswe explained that government does not want the mining sector to have challenges when planning but intends to help mining companies to have a stable tax regime.
“We do not want you to have challenges when you are planning because we are alive to the fact that mining is a long term investment. We want you to be in an environment where you know that tomorrow we are going to have a stable tax regime, you will plan nicely, so that you focus on the way that you are going to structure your production,” he said.
He further stated that Zambia wants to ramp up production figures on all the mining companies in order to increase on production that will contribute to the economic benefit.
He added that government will provide a policy environment that is stable, supports investment and also supports the worker.
And LMC General Manager, Paul Gillot pledged to work in collaboration with government to improve the future of the country.
“In order for us to move forward as a company we need to work in collaboration with the government of Zambia, together with your office, as you said if we do work together we will see a win-win situation not only for the company but for all Zambians going forward working with Lumwana,” he said.
Mr Gillot assured government that the mining company shares the aspirations of making Zambia a better place.
He said the mine is considering to diversify from the gold sector and is focusing on having a copper portfolio.
“Zambia has got a very bright future with Lumwana, we are taking copper very seriously and we are trying to diversify not just looking at the gold sector of the market but we are very much focused on making sure that we have a copper portfolio,” he said.
Accountants urged to fight corruption
Acting Kasempa District Commissioner, Nebooth Lubelenga said the fight against corruption should be taken serious by everyone if the country is to combat the vice.
And Mr Lubelenge has implored accountants in the district to act in public interest so that they can combat corruption.
Speaking during the official opening of the corruption sensitization meeting, Mr Lubelenge said transparency and trust starts with accountants.
“Our offices especially accounts and procurement that is where we deal with a lot of money, this might lead some people to act in personal interest,” Mr Lubelenga said.
Mr Lubelenga reminded the accountants of the fight against corruption that President Hakainde Hichilema has embarked on.
“The President is emphasizing on this, he does not want corruption of any form in the new dawn government,” he said.
And Anti-corruption Commission (ACC) Community Education Officer, Jackson Mweemba called for a multi-sectorial approach in fighting corruption.
“We should be colleagues and we should help each other in the fight against corruption,” Mr Mweemba said.
Mr Mweemba further assured the whistle blowers that they are protected by the constitution hence they should not be scared of reporting corruption cases.
ZCID urges political parties to comprehend policy making processes
The Zambia Centre for Interparty Dialogue (ZCID) has urged political parties to have a broader understanding of policy development for them to effectively engage citizens to participate in politics.
ZCID Board Chairperson, Jackson Silavwe, said having an understanding of policy development would also provide a proper basis for political parties to engage the electorates.
Mr. Silavwe said it was important to have strategies for setting up research units in political parties for them to find it easy to solicit and articulate public policy priorities and civic needs.
Mr Silavwe was speaking in Lusaka today, at a training workshop for political parties on policy development and strategies for setting up policy research units.
“We are confident that after this training, political parties that are participating will have a common, collective understanding and tools for policy formulation and strategic communications of these policies to the general public,” he said.
Mr. Silavwe further pointed out that the training workshop was in line with ZCID’s mandate of strengthening institutional and human capacity of political parties as pillars of a vibrant multiparty democracy.
Meanwhile, Mr. Silavwe has said plans are underway to put in place necessary reforms that will allow ZCID to start involving independent Members of Parliament (MPs) in such training workshops and other programmes.
The training workshop was being undertaken with support from the International Republican Institute (IRI) under the regional strengthening political parties programme, whose overall purpose is to strengthen their ability to engage the electorate on policy issues and develop communication strategies for the same policies.
And IRI Programme Manager, Kimberly Smiddy, observed that political parties, which can represent their constituents and formulate policy solutions, are a cornerstone of a well-functioning democracy.
“And these kinds of political parties win elections,” Ms. Smiddy noted.
She said both ruling and opposition political parties should therefore play a crucial role in this sphere of policy formulation.
“In order to cultivate Zambia’s democracy, all political parties must play an active role in advancing solutions and giving voice to citizens,” she said.
Ms. Smiddy hoped that the training workshop will enable participating political parties to gain critical insights that will enhance their ability to provide solutions to key issues impacting Zambia today.
The workshop was attended by the three political parties that have representation in parliament namely United Party for National Development (UPND), Patriotic Front (PF) and the Party of National Unity and Prosperity (PNUP).
The IRI is a non-profit, non-partisan organisation which is dedicated to advancing freedom and democracy worldwide.
In September 2020, the IRI programme of strengthening political parties through regional exchange and policy development began a needs assessment in Zambia by engaging all political parties represented in parliament then.
This was followed up by capacity building training on policy driven campaigns and public engagement strategies amidst Covid-19.
HH has failed to fix things in the country and has resorted to fixing people-Lubinda
Patriotic Front party vice president Hon. Given Lubinda has said that Republican President Hakainde Hichilema has failed to fix things in the country and has resorted to fixing people.
Speaking in the Zimba district, when he drummed up support for Mulafu ward PF candidate Xray Siaswika, Hon. Lubinda said when in opposition, President Hichilema thought running a country was an easy task.
Hon. Lubinda said President Hichilema has proved that he is blank about running the affairs of the country.
He said the Head of State despite firing some permanent secretaries he has failed to replace them, a sign that he doesn’t know what he is doing.
Hon. Lubinda has since called on the people of Mulafu ward to shame the UPND by not voting for their councilor in the by-election slated for October 21.
And Hon. Lubinda disclosed that some members of the Patriotic Front are still in hiding for fear of being attacked by the UPND cadres.
He said that it is unfortunate that despite a peaceful transition of power, the UPND has continued attacking PF members in most parts of the country.
Simon Bwalya Hopes To Inspire Kitwe United To Promotion
Veteran forward Simon Bwalya is itching to help Kitwe United return to the FAZ Super Division.
Bwalya, the ex-Nkana and Power Dynamos star, joined Kitwe United recently after leaving Nchanga Rangers.
Eighth placed United have nine points from five matches played in the National Division 1 Championship.
Bwalya has already scored one goal for Chingalika in the new season.
He is pleased with the Buchi Boys’ start to the 2021/22 season.
“My coming is to make sure the team bounces back in Premier League,” Bwalya said.
“No matter the matter we are going to do it because we have started well and we will continue working hard to make sure we win the championship,” he said.
Kitwe suffered demotion from the top league last season.
Ndola Squash Club Hosts First Event After One Year Lockdown
Ndola Squash Club is this Saturday scheduled to host its first competition this year after the recent relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions by the Government.
The club is organising the invitation tournament branded Squash Challenge.
Club Chairman Able Tamba said the event has attracted seven clubs.
“We are expecting squash players from Zambia National Service, Green Buffaloes, Zambia Air Force, Zambia Correctional Services, Nchanga and Nkana,” Tamba said.
“This is the first tournament we are hosting as Ndola. As you know we were hit by Covid-19 and everything came to a standstill,” he said.
Tamba revealed that Sunshine Millers Limited is the sponsor for the Ndola Squash Challenge tournament.
Foreign Affairs Minister reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to further strengthening bilateral ties with China
Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hon. Stanley Kakubo of the Republic of Zambia held a meeting with the Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Mr Li Jie, at Charter House in Lusaka.
The meeting held on Monday centered on key issues of mutual interest between the Republic of Zambia and the People’s Republic of China.
The Chinese Ambassador informed the Minister that the People’s Republic of China donated 3,000 metric tonnes of Maize to the Republic of Zambia aimed at assisting the vulnerable communities affected by climate change through floods and drought, stating that the donated food was already in Zambia and would be officially handed over to the Government.
The Ambassador further noted the need for Zambia to increase its exports of products such as honey, strawberries and copper, which have a ready market in China., stating that he would continue to engage the Government of the Republic of Zambia to explore further areas of cooperation.
In response, the Minister thanked the People’s Republic of China for the donation of food aimed at helping vulnerable people, noting that the strong relations that exist between Zambia and China.
The Minister emphasized the importance of enhancing trade through diversification and value addition to local products meant for export to China and thanked the People’s Republic of China for the assistance in the construction of the International conference centre in Lusaka, which is expected to be ready by the first quarter of 2022.
The Minister reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to further strengthening bilateral ties with the People’s Republic of China and that the Republic of Zambia and the People’s Republic of China continue to share excellent bilateral relations.
Sangwa challenges Government to take to parliament a bill that will allow the advertising of the position of Chief Justice
Constitutional lawyer John Sangwa has challenged the UPND government to take to parliament a bill that will allow the advertising of the position of Chief Justice if such a law does not exist.
Recently, Justice Minister Mulambo Haimbe said Mr. Sangwa’s suggestion to have the position of the chief justice publicly advertised cannot be effected as it does not exist in the Zambian constitution.
But speaking when he featured on Tuesday’s edition of Phoenix FM’s “let the people talk programme”, Mr. Sangwa argues that advertising of the position of chief justice and judges should have begun in 2016 when the new constitution was accented to.
Mr. Sangwa said since President Hakainde Hichilema has promised to raise the standards of people in appointed positions, he should willingly do things differently from his predecessor by ensuring qualified people are picked as chief justice and judges through an interview.
Meanwhile, Mr. Sangwa has confirmed receiving a reply from president Hichilema to a letter he sent the head of state on the need to subject the appointment of the chief justice and judges to a transparent process.
He has however said he will not open the letter as it was replied to by the Justice Minister and is marked secret when the debate at hand is not secret.
Over 30 Italian companies interested in investing and partnering with Zambian Small and Medium Enterprises
Over 30 companies are interested in investing and partnering with Zambian Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), Italian Ambassador to Zambia Antonino Maggiore has said.
Speaking during the Art and Land Forum organized by the Italian Embassy in Lusaka today, Mr. Maggiore says Zambia has incredible potential to develop SMEs.
The Ambassador said the creation of the Ministries of Green Economy and Small and Medium Enterprises is important to pursue economic growth as was the case for Italy.
Meanwhile, Small and Medium Enterprises Minister Elias Mubanga reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting the development of SMEs in order to grow the economy.
Mr. Mubanga also disclosed that government will create an enabling environment for the private sector to thrive.
“As a close let me emphasize government’s commitment to sustainable use of natural resources, let us all curb indiscriminate use of Zambia’s natural resources,” he said.
“God has blessed us with these resources for our own good, it is out of these resources that the youths will get the much-desired employment, poverty will be eradicated and the overall economy will be revamped to benefit the nation in totality.”
And Green Economy and Environment Minister Collins Nzovu said the government wants to develop green industries, particularly in rural areas to develop SMEs.
The Minister said private partnerships are key to national development and job creation adding that he will restrict charcoal burning licenses and increase the penalties for illegal charcoal burning.
HH determined to fight corruption, money laundering, terrorism, Muhabi Lungu tells the UN
President Hakainde Hichilema’s New Dawn Government has embarked on a transformative process that has resulted into coordinated efforts and strategies in the fight against corruption, money laundering and international terrorism, the United Nations has been informed.
Zambia’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) Muhabi Lungu has said President Hichilema is deeply troubled with financial crimes and international terrorist activities hence his desire to have oversight governance institutions such as the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) to be adequately funded and staffed to counter terrorism and illicit financial transactions.
Mr Lungu who is Charge’d Affaires said Zambia is concerned over the impact international terrorism has on economies because the world was still a long way from declaring victory on terrorism with most countries still grappling with the scourge.
Delivering Zambia’s statement during the ongoing 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA76) on measures to eliminate international terrorism, Mr Lungu said there was need for increased international coordination and enforcement of national and regional laws to combat terrorism and mitigate its effects on economies.
Mr Lungu stated that Zambia had established the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC), an autonomous statutory body whose core function was the prevention and detection of money laundering, terrorism and proliferation of financial crimes.
He stated that the new FIC law was aimed at allowing the institution to better monitor suspicious activities in personal bank accounts that could be used to conceal business transactions with criminal elements.
“The newly elected Government of President Hakainde Hichilema is currently pursuing a five-year transformative process in its national development programme, which aims at ensuring that the strategy on the fight against corruption, money laundering and international terrorism is well-coordinated.
“We are grateful for the technical support we have continued to receive from cooperating partners, and urge that further assistance be given to ensure Zambia and other developing countries enhance and strengthen the capacity of all relevant institutions established to eliminate international terrorism” Mr Lungu said.
He said although Zambia had been spared from direct terrorist attacks, the country was still vulnerable to because it is not immune to the clandestine operations of terrorist organisations.
He said the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism mechanism, as well as the Financial Action Task Force process were fully activated and functional.
He told Member States to the United Nations that Zambia, through its National Assembly had passed the National Anti-Terrorism Proliferation Act No. 6 of 2018 to enhance her capacity to prevent crimes of terrorism.
“Zambia is not immune to the clandestine operations of terrorist organisations. Although Zambia has been spared of direct terrorist attacks, the country is still vulnerable to attacks, and certain preventive measures have been put in place. The Zambian National Assembly passed the National Anti-Terrorism Proliferation Act No. 6 of 2018,” Mr Lungu said.
The Charge’ d Affaires urged Member States to the United Nations to be extremely cautious because it was during times of conflict that reactive governments and terrorised populations became more malleable and willing to forego economic and political rights as well as civil liberties in exchange for peace and security.
President Hichilema confers with UK envoys
The United Kingdom has expressed interest to partner with the Zambian government in areas of trade and investment.
And President Hakainde Hichilema has expressed happiness with this development saying that trade and industry is the foundation on which the new dawn government was elected into office by the Zambian people.
The Head of State was speaking when UK special envoys who included British High Commissioner to Zambia Nicholas Woolley, UK Prime Minister-Trade Envoy Lawrence Robertson and UK Director of Trade-Mining, Sally Bevington paid a courtesy call on him at State House yesterday.
President Hichilema explained that Zambians expect a turn of events in the way government will drive the economy, create job opportunities, better health services, and improve the education system and livelihoods, which is only possible through trade and investment.
“We are grateful to have you here for many reasons, some are obvious but one which is important for us is trade and investment because it is the basis upon which we were elected into office by the people of Zambia,” President Hichilema stated.
Meanwhile, the UK Prime Minister- Trade Envoy Lawrence Robertson said the UK’s interest to partner with Zambia in trade and investment, was inspired by President Hichilema’s agenda for developing Zambia.
Mr Robertson explained the new administration’s agenda has shown a desire to not only create prosperity for the Zambian people through trade and business, but also to fund vital public services.
He noted that the UK is therefore delighted to be considered a partner of choice for Zambia in the areas of trade and investment.
He reminded that the two countries have very strong historic links, which should be taken forward, while stressing the importance that the UK government places on trade.
“The United Kingdom is recognized as being a worldwide trading nation but also to mention that the UK is looking across the world to strengthen trade links in every country,” Mr. Robertson told the President.
He disclosed that UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has appointed a number of trade envoys, because of the importance that the country places on trade.
He acknowledged the restrictions that were recently lifted on Zambia from the red listing due to COVID-19, but assured that a lot of companies have shown interest in partnering with Zambia.
And British High Commissioner to Zambia Nicholas Woolley said the UK-Zambia relationship was special hence the interest by UK Prime Minister-Trade Envoy to work with the current government.
Mr Woolley revealed that the UK intends to work with Zambia on a whole range of global priorities such as climate change, protection of human rights and global security, among others.
He noted that the visit by Mr Robertson was to highlight the cooperation between UK and Zambia as well as deepen it.
“We look forward to working together to achieve this because what the UK can bring in terms of its responsibility in terms of business models, and investment in communities is something that will work in tandem with your government’s priorities,” Mr Woolley noted.
Mr Woolley acknowledged that the new administration was elected on a clear path for equitable economic growth that benefits all Zambians, and which strives to improve livelihoods and incomes, hence stressed the need for the UK to be considered a partner of choice to fulfil the ambition.
UK Director of Trade under Mining, Sally Bevington said looking at the history of mining in the UK, it would be better for Zambia to partner with UK companies in all forms of the industry from extraction, and processing to selling.
She identified mining as a crucial part of the world going forward, in terms of renewable resources, especially with minerals such as copper.
We need to Prioritise Education and Employment to Improve the Conditions of our Young People
By Fred M’membe
Today, there are 3,491404 (male 1,744,843/female 1,746,561) aged between 15-24, accounting for 20.03 per cent of Zambia’s population.
The active engagement of youth in sustainable development efforts is central to achieving a sustainable, inclusive and stable nation, and to averting the worst threats and challenges to sustainable development, including the impacts of climate change, unemployment, poverty, gender inequality, conflict, and migration.
While all other areas of human endeavour are important, if we don’t prioritise education and employment very little will be achieved in improving the conditions of our young people. Education and employment are fundamental to overall youth development.
Unacceptably high numbers of young Zambians are experiencing poor education and employment outcomes. In education, many youth of upper secondary age are out of school, and upper secondary enrolment rates are low. Moreover, many of the poorest 12- to 14-year olds have never attended school, and many of the youth of the future are still unable to obtain an acceptable primary education.
In most of our rural areas, young women face particular challenges in terms of securing and completing an education. Youth employment has worsened in recent years. Unemployment among youth ages 15-24 stands at 24 per cent (male: 23.6 per cent/female: 24.4 per cent). Many of our young people are in precarious or informal work. And most of them are living in poverty even though they are employed.
The challenges of securing and retaining decent work are even more serious and complex for vulnerable and marginalised youth including young women, youth with disabilities. While entrepreneurship offers opportunities for some youth, a diverse and robust employment strategy must include options and opportunities for all our young people.
We need to start building successful programmes that address the individual and socio-economic contexts in which our young people actually live, rather than simply repeating the skills-for-employability rhetoric which supposes that there are formal sector jobs available if only young people were not so unprepared.
Equally, such programmes view entrepreneurship practically, as a part of livelihood strategy, rather than through an ideological lens. They believe young people can succeed in business but need support and face risks.
It is important to recognise that the human rights and flourishing of youth are about more than successful transitions to employment. Young people have aspirations that are far broader and that need to be valued and supported. Approaches that focus on prioritising youth participation, respecting youth rights, and addressing youth aspirations are key.
Rather than focusing on narrow measures of educational or employment attainment, it is crucial that suffient attention is paid to young people’s own accounts of what they value for their human development and for the sustainable development of their communities.