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The non-compliance of labour laws by some companies will come to an end when UPND forms government

THE UPND Chilanga candidate for Chilanga District Council (CDC) chairpersonship, Champion Tembo has assured the people of Mondengwa ward in Chilanga constituency that the non-compliance of labour laws by some companies in the area will come to an end when UPND forms government.

The residents in Mondengwa ward told the UPND council chairperson aspirant that there are some companies that have reintroduced slavery in the area by paying them slave wages and denying them leave days and off days which has even resulted in many not having registered as voters.

Speaking yesterday when he addressed the people of Chimamu, Mondengwa, Supelo and Malcolm areas in a door to door campaign, Champion Tembo assured the residents that a Hakainde Hichilema led government is not going to condone the corruption that goes on between labour laws enforcers and some companies which result in company’s administrations not to respect its workers.

He said as a faithful disciple of Hakainde Hichilema, he is not going to tolerate people who just get appointed to work to frustrate the works of the people who are chosen by the people.

“This slavery error is going to end with Hakainde’s rise to power. The man detests corruption and I am very confident that these companies which corrupt labour officers so that they get away with the abuses they’re dispensing on its workers will be made to do the correct thing,” said Tembo. “Even me as a faithful disciple of Hakainde Hichilema, I am not going to tolerate a scenario in my district where a government appointee, just an appointee, spoils the works of a government, a councillor, council chairperson and an MP who are directly chosen by the people.”

And Champion Tembo, who’s also the UPND Chilanga district deputy party Chairperson, has told the people that the UPND government is going to end their suffering because Hakainde Hichilema is a visionary leader who is going to broaden the revenue base by turning the potential in the minerals, land and agriculture into wealthy.

He said the money which is going to be saved from a halt in corrupt activities and the money which is going to be realized from the broadened revenue base is going to be used to empower women and the youths, to set up healthy facilities, to set up resource centres and put up solar powered water points.

He also assured the residents that the social cash transfer is going to be maintained and improved because the corruption which has currently rocked the scheme which even saw a former minister get arrested will be cut off.

Champion Tembo was in the area to drum up support the UPND president, Hakainde Hichilema, Chilanga constituency aspiring MP (Sipho Hlazo), Mondengwa ward aspirant (Jabulani Mutema) and his candidature.

He was accompanied by Chilanga district party chairperson, Chisambwe Chinyama and district chairlady, Lizzie Chanda.

Others were district deputy IPS – Media, Chrispine Chambwa, district deputy chairlady, Esther Mutema and some Mondengwa ward officials.

Zambia goes to the polls on August 12, 2021, in an election where the opposition is widely considered to emerge victorious owing to the current economic challenges caused by rampant corruption, and the deteriorating human rights abuses by police and political party carders.

PF Condemns UPND Choma Central Constituency candidate Cornelius Mweetwa for Hate Speech

Choma Central Constituency Patriotic Front Campaign Manager Jackson Makwamba has condemned UPND Choma Central Constituency candidate Cornelius Mweetwa for referring to the PF as human waste.

Addressing electorates at Simpwezye village of Nakeempa ward, Makwamba says the UPND candidate has realized that people of Choma can no longer be cheated hence using hate speech against the ruling party.

Mr Makwamba stressed that hate speech by the UPND will not stop the people from voting for the PF candidate Kenneth Moola who is development-oriented.

He said people of Choma Central Constituency have realized that UPND has taken them for granted by retaining people who are known for sarcasm devoid of development.

Mr Makwamba has urged the people of Simpweze village to reject UPND candidates because they have failed to bring development in the last 22 years.

The former Choma Mayor however said that the PF government has a serious program to put up a Mini hospital in Nakeempa village.

Yesterday, UPND CHOMA Central Constituency candidate told the people of Masuku ward that Mr Moola is a good person but the party he contested is as good as fecal matter.

Meanwhile Late Daniel Munkombwe’s wife, Ann Munkombwe has advised women in Southern Province to stand up and reject leaders who have been in power but have failed to sacrifice their own resources.

Late Daniel Munkombwe's wife campaigning for PF
Late Daniel Munkombwe’s wife campaigning for PF

Meanwhile, Late Daniel Munkombwe’s wife, Ann has advised people of Choma Central Constituency not to vote for leaders that have failed to roll out development.

Mrs Mukombwe says immediate past UPND Choma Central Constituency Cornelius Mweetwa has failed to put up communal projects such as dip tanks and clinics.

Addressing electorates at Simpwezye village in Nakeempa ward , Mrs Munkombwe challenged women in rural areas to stand up and vote for people who will address their challenges.
She said women are the ones who face challenges when a leader is incompetent.

Mrs Munkombwe said its high time for voters to start rejecting with some leaders who do not stand with them in difficult times.

And senior citizen Gift Choongo has challenged the people of Choma to question leaders that have been representing them for ten years without development.
He said its embarrassing to have leaders who do not show love to their people.

He said people of Nakeempa will teach UPND Choma Central Constituency candidate Cornelius Mweetwa and UPND a lesson during this year’s elections.

Mr Choongo said the people have been cheated for a long time by the UPND candidate Mr Mweetwa.

Zambia’s high rate of poverty is the failure of the current economy to provide sufficient employment-M’membe

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Socialist Party President Fred M’membe has charged that the main reason for Zambia’s high rate of poverty is the failure of the current economy to provide sufficient employment.

In a statement to the media, Dr. M’membe said that it is not the socialists who are worried about this problem, but capitalists only because of the social turmoil caused by this inequality and unemployment, which increasingly threatens the capitalists own privileged position, adding that the long-term inability of this same system to provide growth, jobs, and a decent standard of living.

Dr. M’membe further promised that his party, the Socialist Party, will therefore prioritize job creation with a macro-economic approach as well as massive investments in education, health, housing construction, and agro-processing.

Below is the full statement

We must not tire of talking about “jobs, jobs, jobs” until the solution is found. How can our people survive without jobs?

For last 27 years, Zambia has been on an unbridled neoliberal capitalist path, which has been privatizing and commercializing everything, including land. But the net result is what we see: unceasing and growing inequality and unemployment.This worry and fear exist among capitalists as well. The worry and fear is that rapid technological progress will lead to mass unemployment, with machines replacing workers in a vast range of jobs, both manual and white-collar, particularly with the advent of advanced computing techniques, such as machine learning and voice recognition.

It is real and a fact that, in Zambia today, machines have taken over our people’s jobs in the mines, on commercial farms, construction sites, in the banks, and so on. But our people need jobs to survive. Where are the jobs going to come from for young people leaving school, college, and university, and indeed, those who are being retrenched? We have to answer this question and solve the issue of jobs.

One of the main reasons for our high rate of poverty is the failure of the economy to provide sufficient employment.

It is not only we socialists who are worried about this problem. Even capitalists are worried, not only because of the social turmoil caused by this inequality and unemployment, which increasingly threatens their own privileged position, but also because of the long-term inability of this same system to provide growth, jobs, and a decent standard of living – that is, to develop productive forces.

Every winter they go to Davos in Switzerland for the World Economic Forum to discuss, mainly, ceaseless and growing global inequality and unemployment. The main cause of this growing inequality and unemployment is not because the world is today less capitalist or producing less goods and services. How much more capitalist do they want the United States, Europe, and indeed, the whole world, to be?

The SP will therefore prioritize job creation with a macro-economic approach as well as massive investments in education, health, housing construction and agro processing.

Fred M’membe

Fred M'membe and His Vice President on Campaign Trail
Fred M’membe and His Vice President on Campaign Trail

Zambian nationals advised to exercise caution as they visit South Africa in light of the ongoing unrest

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The Zambian High Commission in South Africa has advised Zambian nationals to exercise caution as they visit that country in light of the ongoing unrest.

Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa Major General Jackson Miti says Zambians who are considering traveling to Kwa-Zulu Natal and Gauteng provinces should avoid doing so until the unrest in some towns of these provinces comes to an end.

He advised truck drivers intending to travel to the coastal city of Durban in Kwa-Natal to reschedule their plans as most parts of the N3 road, the main road to the city, still remain closed following the continued unrest that has flared up in the past few days.

General Miti further advised cross-border traders who are planning to travel to the commercial city of Johannesburg to equally reschedule their plans as most shops have been closed due to the continued protests.

He added that the High Commission would continue monitoring the situation and advise Zambian travelers for their safety.

General Miti indicated that the Mission has not received any adverse reports concerning Zambian nationals.

Gen Miti has urged Zambians in South Africa to reach out to the Mission should they be caught up in the ongoing unrest.

About twenty five thousand (25,000) members of the South African Defense Force together with the Police have been deployed across the country to contain the current unrest.

Zambian Hip-Hop History Episode 7 : Krytic

Chanda Mbao presents Zambian Hip-Hop history episode 7 featuring Krytic.

The COVID-19 Pandemic Speech HH Should Have Delivered: Alas! Bally Fixed Himself Again.

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By Kapya Kaoma.

On July 12, 2021, HH delivered his speech on President Lungu’s failure to address the COVID-19 Pandemic. He sought to play Joe Biden against Donald Trump, but came out as Trump–only the audience was Zambian. Like Trump, Bally ducked from topic to topic while exposing his ignorance on COVID-19, the government workings, and the health care system. It was his own making. He recently belittled the Pandemic by rushing to ECZ and to the Courts to litigate against the legality of the suspension of political rallies during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

HH should have begun by acknowledging that the COVID-19 Pandemic is not a partisan issue–it affects all Zambians regardless of party affiliation. Then call on all political parties and stakeholders to meet with President Lungu to see how best to mitigate the spread of the virus, now and especially during the upcoming elections. There is a need to plan on how people would get to the polls and vote safely, as well as protect poll workers from the virus.

He should have called on the government to provide free masks to the public and that the spread of the virus must be contained by all means necessary–masks save lives. All Zambians must compliment government efforts by donating masks to those who cannot afford–we are in this together. He could have pledged a number of masks he would have donated–thereby claiming moral leadership from President Lungu.

HH

Thereafter petition the president to issue the mask mandate. Every person must wear a mask in public. Sadly, Bally blew it up–he spoke about the pandemic without masking up. His team must comprehend that how he presents himself to the public is political. Worse still, he didn’t tell us his position on masks, aside from that people entering markets will be required to wear masks. Is this expected in busses, in shops, schools and in other places of common interest?

In addition, he should have encouraged people to get vaccinated. Like Joe Biden, he spoke about following science but made no effort to tell us who his COVID-19 team would be. He said people are afraid of vaccinations because of conspiracy (the word he failed to pronounce) theories out there, but then blamed PF cadres for getting all the vaccines in Zambia–which is an oxymoron. Besides, he told us the vaccines won’t be compulsory, but it will take 12 months to vaccinate the whole Zambia. This is a very slow and threatening rate. And how will the country reopen when people are not compelled to be vaccinated?

He should have avoided going into the workings of the programs he didn’t understand. HH, for example, promised to move COVID-19 vaccination from the Department of Infectious Diseases at UTH to the Department of Child Health at the Ministry of Health. The rationale? Experience. Not so fast. COVID-19 is an Infectious disease and belongs to the very department. The vaccination process includes scientific research about the virus–thus asking another department to do the work is mere ignorance. In addition, the COVID-19 vaccination is at a grand scale compared to child immunization. Since the Department of Child Health has children and mothers to serve, adding COVID-19 vaccination to its workload will only overwhelm it. We are talking about an additional 8 to 12 million more people to vaccinate. Ideological programs like the one he is proposing are only a waste of resources and time.

Similarly, he didn’t need to make grand budgetary promises–doctors and nurses are not the only ones on the frontlines. Yes. We need more doctors, nurses and nurse aids. Bring back all retired doctors and nurses and pay the military officers allowances. Add volunteer packages too. Suspend PAYE for doctors and nurses for up to a year. Before you know it, other civil servants will join in demanding allowances. So where would Bally get the money for his promises?

In his Trumpian zeitgeist, HH believes Zambia has the capacity to make all the equipment needed to treat patients of COVID-19. Thus he shamelessly stole Joe Biden’s condemnation of Trump’s failure to activate the Defense Production Act; the law that would have allowed companies to produce extra “ventilators” needed to keep COVID-19 patients alive. HH used it on Lungu–he blamed him for lack of Oxygen in hospitals and promised to produce enough Oxygen for all health care centers across the nation once in office. Unfortunately Oxygen is not all there is to the treatment of COVID-19 patients. There are other things involved.

HH also promised to build temporary hospitals using tents, stadiums, and schools–if the United States did it, “why can’t we did it also?” What he does not know is that those beds would need to be wired, powered up, and fitted with hospital equipment. Hospital beds are not just mattresses–we will only be creating death chambers and risking health workers’ lives. The U.S did so because it had funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Just in 2020, for example, New York alone sought $60 billion for COVID-19. Zambia’s capacity and resources to produce equipment and beds required to fully treat COVID-19 patients are highly limited–we should maximize prevention over treatment.

HH is a smart businessman but a yucky politician. He always blows up chances to be presidential when opportunities avail themselves.

Bally fixed himself again.

Ministry of Transport and Communication committed to provide quality communication to Zambians

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The Ministry of Transport and Communication has reiterated its commitment to government’s developmental agenda of improving access to quality communication through the ongoing 24 tower project under the universal access fund.

Government had in 2020-2021, under the universal access fund, embarked on a 24 tower project to add to the already existing set of towers aimed at addressing network challenges in some parts of the country which already had installed towers.

Speaking in Lusaka when he inspected ongoing works at Njolwe site for a tower installation, Ministry of Transport and Communications Permanent Secretary Misheck Lungu said government is determined to meeting the needs of the Zambian people and committed to not leaving anyone behind in terms of access to communication.

Mr. Lungu said the erection of the tower at Njolwe will cost US$3.9 million.

He said the installation of the tower in Njolwe is part of the current ongoing 24 tower project in various sites around the country that were identified to have network challenges.

“We are determined to add more towers, for example we have received reports that in Kasoma Lunga, there are a lot of people but there is no network, so we have committed ourselves as Ministry of Transport and Communication to ensure that we fulfil the commitment of President Lungu by providing a tower at Kasoma Lunga,” he said.

Mr. Lungu said he is happy with the progress of works so far as most of the sub-structure works had been completed in almost all the 24 sites around the country and hence the physical towers would soon be erected.

He further disclosed that all the necessary materials had been received from China, which he said would ease the works.

The Permanent Secretary said he is confident that the project would be completed by the projected month end of September 2021 timeframe.

He added that the 24 towers were an addition to the 1009 which were already being done intended to fill in the gaps to address communication coverage.

Mr. Lungu said his ministry will work with ZICTA to ensure that all Zambians are brought on board and connected to quality communication.

He further disclosed that works on the ongoing 1009 towers project under the communication towers phase two, which are at a cost of US$280 million, were nearing completion with 96 percent achieved.

He said only a few towers are yet to be completed before the project is delivered to the Zambian people.

Mr. Lungu emphasized that the communication sector has delivered good results meant to benefit everyone owing to the huge number of people currently on communication networks around the country.

He added that in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, youths are able to do business and venture into other money making ventures through online platforms as a result of good network coverage from the comfort of their homes.

“For us we are saying financial inclusion has been achieved through connectivity which we have done as a ministry. If we did not have this investment today which was done way before the Covid-19, we were going to have a total lockdown but today we have a partial lockdown because people are able to work at home,” he said.

Mr. Lungu further disclosed that government has allocated about US$10 million towards the improvement of quality monitoring of players on the market to address poor service provision by network providers.

He said a technical team under ZICTA is working to ensure procurement of state of the art equipment that will help in monitoring the quality of the network.

He warned that operators found wanting would be penalized.

Mr. Lungu has meanwhile advised users to take advantage of the ICT sector to make value of the opportunity and engage into income generating activities through mobile platforms.

Civil Aviation Authority refutes blocking UPND airspace clearance

The Civil Aviation Authority has refuted allegations that it refused to grant the UPND Air Flight Rights for its campaign Choppers.

The Authority has learned with sadness about the story circulating on Social and Electronic Media alleging that it denied granting of airspace clearances for five campaign helicopters for the UPND.

In a statement, the Authority’s Public Relations Manager Sepiso Zimba says she is not privy to any such purported application for airspace clearances or any other application for the five helicopters as alleged.

Ms. Zimba has explained that the Zambia Civil Aviation Authority which is normally copied in any such applications has not recommended, to the Zambia Air Force, the non-granting of the alleged airspace clearances in the absence of the subject applications.

She said there are no official records at the Zambia Civil Aviation Authority to substantiate such allegations and therefore regrets the anxiety or distress these unfounded allegations may have caused the general public and other stakeholders.

“Firstly, the Zambia Civil Aviation Authority is not privy to any such purported application for airspace clearances or any other application for the five helicopters as alleged. Secondly, the Zambia Civil Aviation Authority which is normally copied in any such applications has not recommended, to the Zambia Air Force, the non-granting of the alleged airspace clearances in the absence of the subject applications,” Ms. Zimba said.

“There are no official records at the Zambia Civil Aviation Authority to substantiate such allegations; and Lastly, the Zambia Civil Aviation Authority regrets the anxiety or distress these unfounded allegations may have caused the general public and other stakeholders,” she said.

“The CAA wishes to reiterate its commitment to the fair promotion and maintenance of aviation safety and security in the discharge of its mandate.”

Chilanga residents flock in large numbers to get vaccinated against Covid-19

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Chilanga residents in Lusaka province have turned up in large numbers to receive the first dose of AstraZeneca vaccine.

A spot check by ZANIS at Chilanga clinic yesterday revealed long queues of people waiting to receive the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Chilanga District Commissioner Richard Ndazye expressed happiness with the turn out and encouraged more people to consider receiving the vaccine for Covid-19 which has affected many people and claimed a lot of lives this year.

Mr. Ndazye explained that Chilanga district has received a total of 5,800 doses of Astra-Zeneca vaccine, of which 2,900 doses have been sent to Chilanga district health office, while 1,700 doses have been distributed to Chilanga health clinic while 600 have been given to Nakachenje mini hospital.

Another 600 doses have been given to Kazimva health clinic.

He said on July 13, 2021, 2080 people had received the first dose of the Astra-Zeneca vaccine while 2,726 people had received the second dose.

He said Chilanga recorded 16 positive Covid-19 cases by Friday, out of 56 tests conducted.

Mr. Ndazye disclosed that two people were admitted and are on oxygen therapy at Tubalange mini-hospital

Meanwhile , Mr. Ndazye has disclosed that the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) has given the district 70,000 disposable face masks and 65 containers of hand sanitizer to distribute to the people in a bid to fight against Covid-19.

He said half of the face masks and some hand sanitizers have already been distributed to the beneficiaries.

”This is not the time to drop the guard by the people, this disease is still with us and each day people are dying from it. So it is imperative that we continue to observe the five golden rules set by the health regulators which include masking up, washing hands with soap and social distancing among others and now people can also receive the vaccine,” he said

The Zambian government received 228,000 additional doses of AstraZeneca vaccine donated by the French Government through the COVAX facility on 5th July 2021.

CB targets to vaccinate 80% population against Covid-19

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Copperbelt Province Health Director Robert Zulu has disclosed that the region is targeting 80 percent of the eligible population to be vaccinated against the coronavirus (Covid-19).

Dr. Zulu said all the people that are eligible should not panic as the vaccination programme is ongoing in the province, noting that it is being done in phases.

He explained that among the eligible population to be vaccinated are the elderly, frontline workers and those who are most vulnerable to contracting Covid-19.

“There is overwhelming response from the people to get the vaccine which is very good. And there has been issues of the vaccine expiring in some countries but that is not the case with us because of the high demand for the vaccine,” he said.

Dr. Zulu added that the province is still receiving more vaccines from Lusaka to ensure that the most vulnerable groups of people are vaccinated.

He noted that there are people who take time to make decisions but pointed out that no one will be turned away from getting vaccinated.

The Copperbelt province, like other provinces, is administering the first dose of Covid vaccine to unvaccinated people and the second to those who got the first vaccine a few weeks ago.

Meanwhile, the administering of the first dose of the Astra Zeneca vaccine in Mufulira district in the Copperbelt province has been characterized by overwhelming response from members of the public.

Mufulira District Commissioner, Mike Manda disclosed that the district received its consignment of the Astra Zeneca vaccine on July 10, 2021, adding that the vaccination exercise commenced yesterday on July 10, 2021.

Mr. Manda said the vaccination exercise has been well received by residents hence they turned up in large numbers to receive the vaccine from various designated sites.

“I was very impressed to find long queues of people waiting to be vaccinated, which means that people are seeing the importance of being vaccinated,” he said.

He said the district is also currently administering the second dose of the Astra Zeneca vaccine.

“We received the second dose of the vaccine on 1st July, 2021 and the exercise is ongoing because individuals have different days they qualify to get their second dose,” Mr. Manda explained.

He has since urged members of the public to continue turning up in big numbers to receive the vaccine.

Mr. Manda said there have been no reports of negative reaction from those who have received the vaccine in the country.

“Government means well by bringing this vaccine. A lot of tests have been conducted and it has proven to be safe,” he said.

Meanwhile, many citizens have expressed happiness that government has availed them the chance to be vaccinated amidst the deadly third wave of Covid-19.

One of the residents, Thandiwe Tembo said she was grateful to receive her first dose and believes that it will save her life from Covid-19.

Government transforming health sector-VEEP

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Government has continued with its efforts of transforming the health sector through constructing and equipping health facilities, particularly in areas that are underserved.

Vice President Inonge Wina said from the time the Patriotic Front (PF) came into power, Western Province has had four district hospital, seven mini hospitals and 100 health centres and posts constructed.

Mrs. Wina said this yesterday when she commissioned Munkuye mini hospital in Nkeyema district of Western Province.

She said government will ensure that projects that are still under construction are complete and opened.

She cited Limulunga district hospital and four health posts as some of those that will be prioritised.

Mrs. Wina said the Munkuye mini hospital will be the main hub for the provision of primary health care services and first level referral services for Munkuye area and surrounding 18 health centres in the catchment areas of Nkeyema district.

The Vice President further said Munkuye mini hospital is well positioned to contribute significantly to reducing delays in emergency care of patients as the need for referral to Kaoma district for complicated conditions will be lessened.

She explained that the achievements scored in the health sector in Western province and the rest of the country clearly demonstrate the commitment by the PF government to deliver on the health targets outlined in the Seventh National Development Plan.

The Vice President added that government has continued to demonstrate the emphasis that has been placed on the health of the people of Zambia.

Mrs. Wina said the overall national aspiration for the health sector was ensuring ‘health for all’ in line with the global health agenda outlined in the sustainable development goals as well as in the PF manifesto that aspires for health lives and well-being for all without leaving anyone behind.

And the Vice President has thanked health workers alongside other frontline staff in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.

She said government will continue ensuring that necessary support is given to the frontline workers for them to continue with the safe execution of their duties.

Speaking earlier, Acting Western Province Permanent Secretary Mukwambuyu Katungu said the importance of Munkuye mini hospital cannot be over emphasized as it will be serving an estimated population of about 50, 000 people who used to depend on Kaoma before and after Nkeyema was declared as a district.

Mr. Katungu said he was grateful to President Edgar Lungu for the kind gesture as the mini hospital would service maternity referrals and anyone that would be served at the facility.

And Dr. Jacob Sakala, who represented Western Province Health Director, said it was heartening that Munkuye mini hospital will help reduce referrals to Kaoma.

President Lungu expected on the Copperbelt province today

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President Edgar Lungu is today, July 15, 2021, expected on the Copperbelt province to inspect developmental projects. This is according to Copperbelt Province Permanent Secretary, Bright Nundwe who said that government has initiated and implemented a number of projects in the region.

Mr. Nundwe said President Lungu wants to know the progress of each of the developmental projects hence his planned visit to Copperbelt province. He said while in the province, the President will also check on people’s compliance levels to Covid-19 stipulated guidelines.

Mr. Nundwe said the Head of State is concerned that Copperbelt Province, which is Zambia’s major contributor to gross domestic product (GDP), continues to record higher numbers of daily Covid-9 cases. He said President Lungu’s desire is to see the pandemic being fought until it is contained. Mr. Nundwe said President Lungu further wants people to adhere to the prescribed Covid-19 guidelines.

Meanwhile, Patriotic Front (PF) Copperbelt province presidential campaign manager, Frank Ng’ambi has said that the PF has continued to be attractive to the people in the region following various economic improvement strategies being initiated by President Edgar Lungu.

Mr. Ng’ambi said the PF government has initiated plans to consider introducing a 24-hour economy in a bid to improve employment levels in the country.

Speaking during a media briefing held in Kitwe, Mr. Ng’ambi explained that a 24 hour economy is an initiative aimed at allowing certain business companies like chain stores to operate on a 24 hour basis.

He said such measures will enable business companies to employ more workers especially youths who are in dire need of jobs. Mr. Ng’ambi said all PF candidates in the province were receiving massive support from the people.

He added that all traditional leaders in the area have endorsed the candidature of President Edgar Lungu. Mr. Ng’ambi has since urged party members to continue promoting messages of peace during and after the campaign peri

Micho Presides Over Milestone COSAFA Cup Exit

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For the first time in COSAFA Cup history, Zambia will not be playing in the knockout round of the regional competition they have won five times after failing to qualify to the semifinals at the tournament South Africa is hosting at Nelson Mandela Bay.

The outgoing champions have played in the last eight or last four stage of each COSAFA Cup tournament since the inaugural event in 1997.

COSAFA’s second most successful nation, who are one win behind Zimbabwe, made a milestone exit on Wednesday when they drew 0-0 with 2021 tournament hosts Bafana Bafana South Africa at the famed Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

Chipolopolo came into the match in stuttering form after suffering successive Group A defeats to Lesotho 2-1 on July 8 and Eswatini 1-0 on July 10.

They redeemed themselves with a 2-1 victory over Botswana on July 13 at Wolfson Stadium where coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic blamed the allegedly bad pitch and barmy weather for his sides’ poor showing and promised a commanding display at the iconic 2010 FIFA World Cup venue against the hosts.

But Chipolopolo huffed and puffed on hallowed ground against a Bafana team that was blessed with second division players and led by second assistant coach Morena Ramoreboli .

Ramoreboli is standing in for first assistant coach Helman Mkhalele who missed the tournament after testing positive for Covid-19.

Meanwhile, Chipolopolo only had two tangible chances to score, starting with Salulani Phiri’s 44th minute effort that went wide.

Then second half substitute Gampani Lungu saw his cheeky side-footed volley in stoppage time blocked by Njabulo Ngcobo.

Chipolopolo exit the COSAFA Cup second from bottom in Group A on 4 points, three points less than second placed Eswatini and six points adrift of unbeaten Bafana.

Eswatini and South Africa are through to the semifinals.

Coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic on the other hand now returns to Lusaka to face the music.

Ignore illogical claims about debt swap from HH and his colleagues who wrecked the economy by selling national assets-Kamba

Patriotic Front Lusaka Province Chairperson Kennedy Kamba has urged Zambians to ignore what he described as illogical claims about the dent swap from the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) President Hakainde Hichilema.

In a statement released to the media, Mr Kamba said that Mr Hichilema does not make sense and only speaks volumes of a visionless politician who wants to get government power by whatever means possible.

“It is actually Hakainde Hichilema and his selfish colleagues that caused the suffering of civil servants and the nation in general when they wreaked havoc in the economy by selling national assets in the late 90s and early 2000 for personal benefit,” he noted.

Mr. Kamba said Mr Hichilema cannot even tell Zambians how he became rich. Whenever he is asked about his wealth, he gets agitated and visibly annoyed.

“It is a fact that Hakainde Hichilema participated in a very destructive privatization of national assets including the mines in the Second Republic,” he noted.

“They sold the country’s assets and shared resources among themselves instead of improving the economy. And today he is condemning the government strives to improve the living standards of the people. What a shame,”!

Mr. Kamba stated that the very debt burden civil servants are grappling with, is the very debt burden President Lungu and the PF are trying to sort out to lessen financial pressures on the citizenry was caused by Hakainde Hichilema and his selfish friends when they underpriced national assets and heavily benefited from the very transactions.

“These are the people who want to look smart today and claim the PF caused the suffering of the people when they pocketed monies that belonged to the very poor they want to lead,” he said.

Mr Kamba further said Hakainde Hichilema has no moral right to even talk about the struggles of Zambians because he and his friends caused the problems that President Lungu is trying to sort out day in day out.

“We are comforted by the fact that President Lungu is winning in terms of addressing the pertinent issues that affect Zambians daily, among them, household poverty that is being alleviated,” he said.

“Our message to Zambians is that ignore Hakainde Hichilema and his hollow promises. Someone who participated in creating a very miserably economy in the late 90s and early 2000 when they sold national assets, cannot today claim to be a saviour of this country,”.

He said President Lungu is winning this years elections because he has sorted out the very mess that HH and his colleagues created and the pain they inflicted on Zambians when they dubiously privatized national assets for their own benefit.

Mr Kamba further said that one thing the PF in Lusaka Province is proud of is that Zambians have seen through the destructive messages of the UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema, adding that this is the more reason they have rejected him five times and he is heading into political retirement after August 12 when he loses for the sixth time.

“Listening to Hakainde Hichilema’s message to Zambians, you can easily sense that the levels of bitterness are beyond measure and it could be highly suicidal for the future of this country if given space,” he said.

Mr Kamba added that a normal politician with stable reasoning and good leadership qualities cannot rubbish the good deeds of the PF in protecting the interests of Zambians regarding the Debt Swap Strategy that has been put in place to lessen the burden of debt on civil servants.

He said the civil servants in Zambia, including the Trade Unions and related Labour Movements, know very well where they are coming from in terms of improving the living conditions and general well-being of civil servants.

“Today as we speak, many teachers, nurses, medical doctors, and others, can afford to create wealth for their families which was not the case before the PF came into power,” said Mr Kamba.

“A little survey will tell you that teachers today are able to import vehicles, do a side business and also build houses for their families. This is not magic, this is because the government has put up an enabling environment for personal wealth creation for citizens including those in civil service,”.

He explained that a good government creates wealth for its people and provides opportunities equitably.

“The debt swap strategy is one of those incentives the government has put in place to relieve financial pressures on civil servants. The people working in government are happy about this but Hakainde Hichilema is fuming with bitterness and putting up weird claims that government caused the debt burden on civil servants,” he stated.

If you want empowerment through agriculture to vote for a fellow farmer, not President Lungu-Mwaliteta

THE United Party for National Development (UPND) Lusaka province chairperson, Obvious Mwaliteta, has challenged farmers who want empowerment through agriculture to vote for a fellow farmer.

Zambia goes to the polls on 12th August, 2021 – an election widely viewed as an opportunity for the opposition UPND to form government owing to the current economic challenges and deteriorating human rights and freedoms.

Speaking when he addressed villagers in Shampule village in Chinyanja ward of Chilanga constituency, the Lusaka province UPND chief cautioned farmers against voting for leaders who don’t have a farming background.

He said the challenges facing the agricultural sector are due to the fact that the current Republican president has no farming background.

“The kind of empowerment that you need here lies in agriculture. You need deep tanks here, you need cattle for ploughing and enough fertilizer and the only person who can empower you is president Hakainde Hichilema because he’s a farmer. Mwanawasa [the late Republican president] managed to empower you because he ran a farm called Teka Farm,” said Mwaliteta. “So baakuza ba PF, mukaabambile ati kuno ku Shampule tulibalimi, Kamutwaambila munda wa president [Lungu], ulikuli?”

And Mwaliteta has instructed the UPND Chilanga district aspiring council chairperson, Champion Tembo and Chinyanja ward aspiring councillor, Chipo Mulubisha to ensure that they drill solar powered boreholes in the area when elected in office.

He said the solar-powered boreholes will make it easy for women to draw water and improve the farming activities in the area.

Meanwhile, a PF chairlady in charge of women clubs for Chinyanja ward, Grace Munkasu has defected to UPND citing corruption in his former party.

She said the PF in the area has been stealing from the poor through clubs and land grabbing.

The UPND Lusaka provincial chief, who began by attending the burial of a former Shampule Primary School headteacher was in the area to drum up support for the UPND presidential candidate, Hakainde Hichilema, Chilanga aspiring MP (Sipho Hlazo), council chairperson candidate (Champion Tembo) and Chinyanja ward aspiring councillor, Chipo Mulubisha.

He was accompanied by Lusaka province chairlady, Rosa Zulu, UPND Chilanga district chairperson (Chisambwe Chinyama) and district deputy chairperson for strategy and mobilisation (Juda Sikamikami).

Others were district chairlady (Lizzie Chanda), district IPS – in charge of media (Chrispine Chambwa) and deputy district chairlady in charge of mobilisation (Ebony Chuuka) among others.