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CSOs raise concerns over the new standard operating procedures for Monitoring the August 12 Elections

Chief Editor
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CSOs raise concerns over the new standard operating procedures for Monitoring the August 12 Elections

The Civil Society Organisations represented by ActionAid Zambia, Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) and GEARS Initiative Zambia have raised concerns on the new measures introduced by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) outlining the way the monitoring of the August 12 Elections.

In a statement released to the media by ActionAid Zambia’s Country Director, Nalucha Ziba Nganga, on behalf of others, the CSOs said that the process of accrediting local monitors is cumbersome and costly as each monitor is required to submit a certified copy of national registration card (NRC) and three copies of the declaration of compliance as it inhibitive and must be discarded.

The CSOs called up ECZ to revise the accreditation process, reduce the red tapes and guidelines in order to help in upholding the integrity of the electoral process, promote transparency and ensure that all key stakeholders contribute effectively to the electoral process.

Below is the full statement

STATEMENT ON NEW ACCREDITATION GUIDELINES FROM THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF ZAMBIA

The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) recently issued an election monitor and observer accreditation notice and standard operating procedures limiting the number of observers and monitors to be accredited per organization in all constituencies due to the Covid-19 situation in the country. For instance, the ECZ has limited the number of local monitors to be allowed at any time per organization to access some facilities to one only.

Political parties and CSOs are expected to each have 2 accredited polling station-based monitors/agents of which the only one is expected to go in at any given time. The ECZ is also demanding that local observers and monitors need to provide proof of registration (certificate of registration/incorporation from Registrar of Societies) indicating that the organization has been in existence for the past three years and evidence of having worked in the Governance sector for the past three years.

We the undersigned Civil Society organizations are of the view that measures put in place have the potential to negatively influence the electoral process and the outcome of the election and ultimately compromise the credibility of an election. Even amidst Covid-19, the Electoral Commission of Zambia must seek to balance the potential health risk and the risk and impact of having an election with compromised credibility. Election observation is not the only key in improving the quality of elections but also in building public confidence in the honesty and credibility of electoral processes.

We observe that in the accreditation notice issued, ECZ is limiting the number of people to be accredited per organization in all constituencies. ECZ may wish to note that constituencies are not homogeneous as some are very vast. It will therefore be time-consuming and costly for political parties, CSOs/FBOs, Independent Candidates to deploy a limited number of monitors and observers to cover an entire constituency. As a result, it will affect the effectiveness of carrying out this important responsibility.

We, therefore, recommend that the ECZ leave it to organizations (Political parties/Independent Candidates, CSOs/FBOs and Media) to decide on the number of persons to be accredited in the Constituencies to be part of specific election activities based on their resources and election monitoring strategy. This is so, especially that only a specific number will be allowed to access the facility at a particular time in adherence to the Covid-19 SOPs. ECZ should also consider increasing the number of monitors expected to be at a particular polling station/tallying center from one to two per organization, especially that they are only expected to be at a particular facility (polling station/tallying/Counting center) for a limited period. Two people will improve the ability to observe any anomaly or issues as opposed to one.

We also note that the process of accrediting local monitors is cumbersome and costly as each monitor is required to submit a certified copy of national registration card (NRC) and three copies of declaration of compliance. The demand for certified copies of registration certificates for organization is inhibitive and must be discarded. ECZ can do vetting using its own system. In any case most of the NGOs monitoring elections are in their system or data base and this may have been directed to new entrants in the monitoring process This is a departure from the previous requirement where monitors were only required to submit uncertified copies of NRCs and one copy of declaration of compliance. We are of the view that the ECZ reverts to the previous requirements for accrediting local monitors and demand a fair engagement of the local stakeholders.

Furthermore, the three years existence of an organizations and working in the governance sector requirement may be a hindrance to the participation of most organizations especially CBOs, social movements and ind

STATEMENT ON NEW ACCREDITATION GUIDELINES FROM THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF ZAMBIA

The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) recently issued an election monitor and observer accreditation notice and standard operating procedures limiting the number of observers and monitors to be accredited per organization in all constituencies due to the Covid-19 situation in the country. For instance, the ECZ has limited the number of local monitors to be allowed at any time per organization to access some facilities to one only.

Political parties and CSOs are expected to each have 2 accredited polling station-based monitors/agents of which the only one is expected to go in at any given time. The ECZ is also demanding that local observers and monitors need to provide proof of registration (certificate of registration/incorporation from Registrar of Societies) indicating that the organization has been in existence for the past three years and evidence of having worked in the Governance sector for the past three years.

We the undersigned Civil Society organizations are of the view that measures put in place have the potential to negatively influence the electoral process and the outcome of the election and ultimately compromise the credibility of an election. Even amidst Covid-19, the Electoral Commission of Zambia must seek to balance the potential health risk and the risk and impact of having an election with compromised credibility. Election observation is not the only key in improving the quality of elections but also in building public confidence in the honesty and credibility of electoral processes.

We observe that in the accreditation notice issued, ECZ is limiting the number of people to be accredited per organization in all constituencies. ECZ may wish to note that constituencies are not homogeneous as some are very vast. It will therefore be time-consuming and costly for political parties, CSOs/FBOs, Independent Candidates to deploy a limited number of monitors and observers to cover an entire constituency. As a result, it will affect the effectiveness of carrying out this important responsibility.

We, therefore, recommend that the ECZ leave it to organizations (Political parties/Independent Candidates, CSOs/FBOs and Media) to decide on the number of persons to be accredited in the Constituencies to be part of specific election activities based on their resources and election monitoring strategy. This is so, especially that only a specific number will be allowed to access the facility at a particular time in adherence to the Covid-19 SOPs. ECZ should also consider increasing the number of monitors expected to be at a particular polling station/tallying center from one to two per organization, especially that they are only expected to be at a particular facility (polling station/tallying/Counting center) for a limited period. Two people will improve the ability to observe any anomaly or issues as opposed to one.

We also note that the process of accrediting local monitors is cumbersome and costly as each monitor is required to submit a certified copy of national registration card (NRC) and three copies of declaration of compliance. The demand for certified copies of registration certificates for organization is inhibitive and must be discarded. ECZ can do vetting using its own system. In any case most of the NGOs monitoring elections are in their system or data base and this may have been directed to new entrants in the monitoring process This is a departure from the previous requirement where monitors were only required to submit uncertified copies of NRCs and one copy of declaration of compliance. We are of the view that the ECZ reverts to the previous requirements for accrediting local monitors and demand a fair engagement of the local stakeholders.

Furthermore, the three years existence of an organizations and working in the governance sector requirement may be a hindrance to the participation of most organizations especially CBOs, social movements and individual activists in the electoral accountability process. ECZ should reduce this to at least 12 months as well as providingfor social movements and individual activists, who are key stakeholders in the electoral process, to participate in the process.

It is our expectation that ECZ will revise the accreditation process, reduce the red tapes and guidelines and/or consult the relevant stakeholders, in view of the recommendations from the undersigned CSOs. We are of the view that the recommendations will help in upholding the integrity of the electoral process, promote transparency and ensure that all key stakeholders contribute effectively to the electoral process. This is in full cognizance of the Standard Operating Procedures put in place to undertake elections in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Issued by
Nalucha Ziba Nganga
Country Director – ActionAid Zambia
For and on Behalf of the undersigned CSOs.
ActionAid Zambia
Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP)
GEARS Initiative Zambia

ividual activists in the electoral accountability process. ECZ should reduce this to at least 12 months as well as providingfor social movements and individual activists, who are key stakeholders in the electoral process, to participate in the process.

It is our expectation that ECZ will revise the accreditation process, reduce the red tapes and guidelines and/or consult the relevant stakeholders, in view of the recommendations from the undersigned CSOs. We are of the view that the recommendations will help in upholding the integrity of the electoral process, promote transparency and ensure that all key stakeholders contribute effectively to the electoral process. This is in full cognizance of the Standard Operating Procedures put in place to undertake elections in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Issued by
Nalucha Ziba Nganga
Country Director – ActionAid Zambia
For and on Behalf of the undersigned CSOs.
ActionAid Zambia
Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP)
GEARS Initiative Zambia

Levy Mwanawasa University launches a five year strategic plan

Chief Editor
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Levy Mwanawasa University launches a five year strategic plan

Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary for Technical Services, Kennedy Malama says Levy Mwanawasa Medical University(LMMU) should be a center of excellence in health care delivery, training and research following the launch of its five-year strategic plan.

Dr. Malama said the strategic plan is an important document which determines where the institution will be in the next five years as it is a means of attaining milestones.
Dr. Malama was speaking during the launch of a five year strategic plan for Levy Mwanawasa Medical University (LMMU) in Lusaka today.

He stated that the strategic plan can only be meaningful if management consistently monitors and evaluates performances and deals with components that are not leading to satisfactory results.

Dr. Malama noted that the university is expected to be different from other universities based on the principles on which it was founded.

“The university council and management should therefore be accountable to government, students, sponsors and citizens to ensure a robust adherence to the monitoring and evaluation framework, which this document has articulated,” he said.

Dr Malama said the ministry will continue to support the university as government is committed to sustain the gains made in the past few years through expanding coverage and improving the quality of health care services by building a robust and resilient health system.

“The health system can be fully achieved with availability of skilled professionals who are appropriately distributed country wide,” he added.

Meanwhile, Levy Mwanawasa Medical University Council Chairperson, Alwyn Mwinga expressed confidence that the new strategic thinking and direction the university has taken, will deliver government’s vision of having sufficient numbers of highly trained and skilled workforce in the health sector.

Dr. Mwinga assured government that the council is competent to ensure close alignment of the strategic plan with the Seventh National Development plan’s focus of leaving no one behind.

She added that the strategic plan was designed with the aim of training highly skilled health professionals through the delivery of purpose, hands-on and competence based training.

“The theme of the strategic plan is driving excellence in health care education, service provision and research. This theme shows the vision of the University of being a globally recognized center of excellence, research and high education training for health professionals and delivery of health care services,” she said.

Dr. Mwinga also stated that the strategic plan also seeks to position the university as a world class player in the field of health training within the next five years.

Pompi and Mag44 release music video for ‘Luyando’

Entertainment Editor
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Pompi and Mag44 release music video for ‘Luyando’

Pompi and Mag44 released the music video for their collaboration  ‘Luyando‘ .

‘Luyando Talujisi mwaka’ is a tonga phrase which means ‘Love has no seasons’. May we choose to love in all seasons!

Micho Ready to Face the Music at FAZ

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Coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic has admitted that his fate as Zambia coach is in the hands of FAZ after his team’s early embarrassing exit from the 2021 COSAFA Cup in South Africa.

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.

On the way home, Chipolopolo suffered successive Group A defeats to Lesotho 2-1 on July 8 and Eswatini 1-0 on July 10 before beating Botswana 2-1 and forcing a goalless draw against South Africa in their last pool match.

After the draw against South Africa, Micho said he has done his best as Zambia coach in the 18 months he has been in charge.

“I am very proud of each moment I have spent as Zambia coach. I am present, whether I will be a coach it will be purely on the people that are in charge,” Micho said.

“Supporters very often look at the game in a very emotional way. However, administrators are the one to decide whether it is enough or it is not enough.”

“I am pushing myself to the limits and telling myself that my conscience is clean. I have given my best,” the Serb said.

Chipolopolo exited 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.

Jumulo and Quattro Kalumbila Win FAZ National Division 1 Promotion

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Copperbelt side Jumulo and Quattro Kalumbila have won promotion to FAZ National Division 1 championship ahead of the 2021/22 season.

Coach Linos Makwaza’s Jumulo secured promotion on Thursday with a game to spare after edging Sinazongwe United 2-1 in their penultimate Group A match of the Division 1 playoffs being staged in Lusaka.

Jumulo have an assailable lead in Group A on seven points after posting two wins and a draw in the first three matches.

On Friday, Jumulo have a formality last group match against Real Nakonde at Margaret Mwanakatwe Stadium on the same day Young Raiders will tackle Sinazongwe United in another formality encounter.

Meanwhile, Kalumbila, who have already completed their four matches, clinched promotion despite suffering a 1-0 loss to Raiders on Thursday afternoon.

Kalumbila of the North Western Province finished second in Group A on seven points.

In Group B, promotion will be decided on the final day of the play-offs with Luena Buffaloes, Young Buffaloes and ZNS Luamfumu as favourites.

Luena are leading Group B on six points, followed by Luamfumu and Young Buffaloes on five points each.

Malalo Police and Sinda United sit on one and zero points respectively after playing two rounds of matches.

Do not be used by HH, he does not stand for National Development, Nawakwi tells Southerners

Chief Editor
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Do not be used by HH, he does not stand for National Development, Nawakwi tells Southerners

 

Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) Leader Edith Nawakwi has appealed to the people of Southern Province not to be used by the opposition UPND to get into government.
Mrs Nawakwi said the Opposition UPND is not interested in developing the province but uses it to get votes.

She has since called on the people to say no to divisions and tribalism brought by the UPND to the province.
“No one owns Southern Province and Hakainde Hichilema should be taught a lesson for saying ‘ Ichi Chesu’ and not delivering development to the area,” she said.
“The people of Southern Province should say no to tribalism and divisions brought by UPND.”

Mrs Nawakwi said the people of Southern Province are just used by the UPND to get into parliament but are left behind in development.

She has called on them to teach the opposition a lesson by voting for President Edgar Chagwa Lungu who is committed to bringing development to all parts of the country.

Mrs Nawakwi said that only President Lungu can bring development to the province and should therefore be voted back into office for continued development.

She stated that President Lungu is rebuilding the nation and leaving no one behind therefore the province should rally behind him.

Meanwhile, North Western Province Patriotic Front Chairperson JACKSON KUNGO has thanked the people of that province for the overwhelming support they gave to President EDGAR LUNGU during his two days working visit to the province.

Mr KUNGO says people came out in numbers to welcome the President in all the districts he visited, an indication that they are resolved to vote for President LUNGU during the August 12 general election.

He added that people of North Western Province are tired of voting for the opposition and that they are now determined to work with the rulling party in order to partake of the national cake .

Meanwhile Mr. Kungo has assured the People of Mfumbwe that the President would visit the district on his next visit to the Province.

Mr KUNGO said the President was going to reach Mfumbwe district as well on his visit to the Province but could not do so owing to a tight schedule.

Kungo has since urged the people of Mfumbwe and NORTH WESTERN PROVINCE as a whole to turn up in large numbers and vote for President Lungu and the Patriotic Front for more development in the area, come august 12.

Most Mwinilunga schools meet Covid-19 requirements, ready for re-opening

Chief Editor
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Most Mwinilunga schools meet Covid-19 requirements, ready for re-opening

The Mwinilunga district Covid-19 emergency response team has conducted an inspection of schools in the area to ascertain their adherence to Covid-19 guidelines and preparedness should schools open soon.

The team, which was led by Mwinilunga acting District Commissioner Kelvin Ndandanda, has since inspected over 20 schools in the ongoing exercise.

Speaking after the inspection of the schools yesterday, Mr. Ndandanda expressed satisfaction with measures which most schools have put in place.

He said the schools in the area are generally ready to resume lessons should the government decide to open schools anytime soon.

He said most of the schools that have been inspected had enough hand washing points, water points, disinfectants, hand sanitizers and temperature measuring tools.

“As district education board and management, we can safely say we are ready for the reopening of schools,” he said.

Mr. Ndandanda said school authorities should however heighten enforcement of Covid-19 preventive guidelines.

“Due to human behaviour, enforcement of the guidelines is still required even when all requirements are met,” he stressed.

He observed that the prolonged closure of the schools has negatively impacted on children in the community and the nation at large.

Mr. Ndandanda said the government would do well to open schools in the area since there were no Covid-19 deaths recorded among pupils and teachers in Mwinilunga.

He has since urged managers of various schools that were inspected to ensure that any loose end is tightened.

Mr. Ndandanda has meanwhile warned that schools which will not have all the requirements in place will remain closed once others re-open.

UPND Warns Foreigners who will be found with a Voter’s card; we shall send you straight to your maker

Chief Editor
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UPND Warns Foreigners who will be found with a Voter’s card; we shall send you straight to your maker

United Party for National Development (UPND) deputy national youth chairperson Cindy Kauka has called on youths’ structure across boarders areas to be alert and deal sternly with any foreigner who will be found with a voter’s card.

“We have intelligence information and we know where these people will be lodged during elections. Zambia is a sovereign state and any foreigner that will try to meddle in our home affairs will be dealt with mercilessly. We warn all foreigners that have been registered as voters that if found we shall send them straight to their maker” said Cindy Kauka

Speaking in Kabwe where she is doing vote protection campaigns, the youth leader urged young people not to allow anyone to steal their future.

“This is your election as young people so don’t allow anyone to steal your future. Guard this election with the last drop of your blood. Protect our democracy from a very useless government that is putting our national security and your lives at risk for the sake of winning an election.” said an emotionally charged youth leader.

According to UPND, an investigation by News diggers newspaper has revealed that over 20,000 foreigners were registered as Zambian voters. And another investigation by the UPND national youth security has revealed that in Nsama district Congolese nationals have been issued with NRCs and voter’s cards.

The investigation has revealed that secret issuance of voter’s cards continued even after the close of the exercise. UPND President Hakainde Hichilema said rigging plans by the PF will not succeed.

President Lungu’s Absence at the Political Parties Peace Conference shows lack of seriousness in tackling political violence-UPND

Chief Editor
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President Lungu’s Absence at the Political Parties Peace Conference shows lack of seriousness in tackling political violence-UPND

The United Party for National Development (UPND) has charged that the failure by President Edgar Lungu to attend the Peace Conference that was organized by the three church mother bodies and the Civil Society shows the President’s lack of respect to the organisers of the Conference and confirms the lack of seriousness the President takes on matters of peace and national security.

In a statement released to the media by the party’s Information and Publicity Secretary Otis Bwalya, the party said that unlike President Lungu and the PF, Mr Hakainde Hichilema and the UPND believe in politics of peace and unity.

Below is the full statement

PRESIDENT LUNGU SNUBBED THE PEACE CONFERENCE BECAUSE HE IS THE No.1 SUPPORTER AND SPONSOR OF VIOLENCE.

The failure by President Edgar Lungu to attend the Peace Conference that was organized by the three church mother bodies and the Civil Society does not only show the President’s lack of respect to the organisers of the Conference but also confirms the lack of seriousness the President takes on matters of peace and national security.It is clear to us, President Lungu is the number sponsor and supporter of political violence in the country.

Unlike President Lungu and the PF, our President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema and the UPND believe in politics of peace and unity. Once we from government on 12 August, we shall end all forms of political violence once and for all.

It is a pity that today citizens live in fear of being terrorised by political carders who have full blessings from higher authorities. In the PF government, party carders are untouchable. They can maim citizens at will or worse still attack a Police Station and go unpunished. There shall be no sacred cows in the UPND led government. All perpetrators of violence shall be brought to book regardless of their standing in society.

If President Lungu had the political will to end violence, he could have easily done so. But unfortunately, he and the Pf believe in politics of intimidation and blood shed. We have reported to the police on a number of times how our members have been attacked by PF carders, nothing has been done. Ordinary citizens too have reported how they have fallen victim to well orchestrated violence from the PF security, the complaints have not been attended to.

We cannot talk about the many of our members and ordinary citizens that have been killed by the PF carders because the mentioning of those incidences bring back gruesome memories that invoke traumatic recollections especially to families members, while the killers of their beloved ones roam the streets freely. The PF have always been abating violence from day one because it directly benefits them.

The UPND led government under the leadership of President Hichilema shall give the police full autonomy and independence to operate professionally in the service of the Zambian people because we believe in their capacity. A professional and independent police service is key to ending political violence. We shall depoliticise the police service.

In conclusion, we would like to thank President HH for showing commitment and leadership not only at Mulungushi Conference Center yesterday during signing of the Peace Pledge but in as far as the fight against political violence is concerned. As a party we have always emphasised on our commitment to peaceful campaign and indeed peaceful elections, at least from our end, no matter the provocation.

ISSUED BY;
OTIS BWALYA,
INFORMATION AND PUBLICITY SECRETARY (IPS).
LUSAKA PROVINCE, UPND

Government called up to share a comprehensive and clear implementation status of the Maize Export MOU signed with DRC

Chief Editor
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Government called up to share a comprehensive and clear implementation status of the Maize Export MOU signed with DRC

By Mr Emmanuel Muma

The Centre for Trade Policy and Development (CTPD) calls for Government to share a comprehensive and clear implementation status for the Maize/Mealie Meal Export & import MOU made on 2nd October 2019 between Zambia and Democratic Republic of Congo(DRC).

Sharing common border provinces (Copperbelt, North-Western and Northern Provinces on the Zambian side , and Haut-Katanga, Lualaba and Tanganyika on DRC side ) the two countries have been working to strengthen the common relationship with a view to foster bilateral and mutual beneficial trade and economic ties . Noting with concern the negative effect of climate change on food security, resulting in substantial reduction in food production and supply in the Southern African Region, the two countries signed an MOU in 2019 to ensure food security and promote livelihoods to the benefits of their people.

CTPD notes that under the MOU Zambia undertake to export or supply 200,000 Metric tons of Maize, and 400,000 Metric tons of mealie meal to Congo on an annual basis beginning with the 2019/2020 harvesting season. Further, Zambia designated Zambia Commodity Exchange (ZAMACE), Zambia National Farmers Union ( ZNFU) , Grain Traders Association (GTAZ) and Millers Association of Zambia (MAZ) as channels through which export of Maize/ Mealie Meal from Zambia into Congo will be facilitated under the MOU. The Ministry of Agriculture will serve as a focal point for ensuring coordination and monitoring the MOU’s implementation.

Cognisant of the MOU , CTPD notes that its over one and half years from the time the MOU was signed (2nd October ,2019) and we wonder if Government of Zambia has revealed or published a comprehensive and clear draw down export schedule indicating updates of the total quantities of Maize/Mealie Meal that have been exported to Congo against the annual targets ( 200,000 metric tons of maize , and 400,000 metric tons of mealie meal) and the names of entities involved.

CTPD is also concerned to know if the export market opportunity under this MOU is in the public knowledge and whether local small-scale farmers (SSF) have been sensitized countrywide and the extent to which they have been taken on board to participate in the export market under MoU. CTPD has also observed and confirmed through research that one of the biggest challenge faced by small scale farmers in Zambia apart from access to finance, is access to organised market and information. It is thus very critical to always bring to public knowledge important development agendas such as this.

CTPD considers the MOU as one strategic and potential tool for providing alternative export market for small scale farmers for this year’s marketing season (2022/2023) and beyond . The MoU is also key to promoting private sector participation in commodity marketing and input supply, but initiatives like this can only be achieved by promoting transparency in the implementation process.

In the same spirit ,CTPD would like to further urge the Government through FRA to stick to its mandated procurement of strategic reserves as provided in the act on the purchasing of 500,000 MT for reserves . This will allow private sector and other business players to participate effectively in commodity marketing and input supply.

Lastly it is our position that the Ministry of Agriculture shares the MOU road map if it has already developed one, this will help various interested stakeholders to know how best they can participate in the process. There is need to firm up the monitoring and evaluation system for the implementation of the MOU moving forward. We are of the view that failure to deliver would result in losing the potential export market with DRC switching camps to competitive potential neighbouring market in the Southern African Region such as South Africa, Botswana, and Namibia.

Political parties advised to lessen pressure on ECZ

Chief Editor
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Political parties advised to lessen pressure on ECZ

The Shiwang`andu district conflict management committee has advised political parties in the area to help reduce tension and pressure on the electoral process by embracing peaceful campaigns.

Committee chairperson, Grandwell Chipampe, said political parties and their aspiring candidates are expected to maintain peace, unity and mutual understanding as they carry out campaigns in the district.

“We want to ensure that there is peace before, during and after the election,” Mr. Chipampe said during a conflict management meeting which was held to re-arrange the campaign timetable for political parties in Shiwang`andu district.

Speaking at the same meeting, Shiwang`andu District Electoral Officer Alex Zulu, implored the political parties to strictly adhere to Covid-19 guidelines as they carry out their campaigns.

Mr. Zulu has since called on aspiring candidates of various political parties to take time to sensitise electorates on Covid-19 pandemic during campaigns.

“We should continue to fight Covid-19 so that we do not lose the lives of many people or put the forthcoming August election at stake,” he said.

He said the fight against Covid-19 is not just for the Ministry of Health alone but calls for combined efforts among all stakeholders.

The four aspiring candidates for the parliamentary seat in Shiwang`andu constituency have agreed to carry out their campaigns in a peaceful manner.

Meanwhile, Patriotic Front aspiring candidate for Serenje central constituency Maxwell Kabanda has called on his fellow politician to be peaceful before, during and after the August 12, 2021 elections.

Mr. Kabanda observed that peace is important if the country is to have free and fair elections.

The immediate past Serenje central Member of Parliament said this in an interview with ZANIS in Serenje.

He has also called on youths to avoid being used by politicians as tools of violence.

Mr. Kabanda said the ruling PF is a mature party that wants to lead by example hence it would not want to see youths entangled in any forms of violence.

“Youths are targets of electoral violence, we want to see that our youths stay away from all forms of violence,” he said.

He further called on other politicians to inculcate in people the need to observe the Covid-19 health guidelines to help stop the spread of the pandemic.

And a Chipata based athlete Katalala Banda has appealed to political parties in the country to promote peace and unity during their door to door campaigns ahead of the August 12, general elections.

Mr. Banda said the political parties contesting this year’s elections must effectively use the ‘One Zambia One Nation’ motto on which the unity of the country has been built.

Speaking in an interview with ZANIS after his arrival in Chipata aboard a Proflight plane, Mr. Banda also urged the youths not to be used as tools of perpetuating political violence.

Mr Banda decided to uniquely mourn the late first republican president Kenneth Kaunda through a marathon run from Chipata to Zambia’s capital city Lusaka for ten days.

He thanked everyone that supported him during the marathon up to the time he reached Lusaka.

Chipata District Commissioner (DC) Kalunga Zulu has commended Mr. Banda for being a patriotic Zambian that decided to honour the late Dr. Kaunda by running a marathon.

Mr. Zulu said the late Dr. Kaunda was a lover of peace and always encouraged everyone to love their neighbour as they loved themselves.

He said the late former president always preached peace and unity.

Mr Zulu also urged Mr Banda to be an ambassador of peace in Chipata district and also help in the fight against the Coronavirus.

THE FEEL GOOD FACTOR: An important determinant of how people vote.

Chief Editor
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THE FEEL GOOD FACTOR: An important determinant of how people vote.

By Dr C Ngoma

Why do people turn to drugs, whether alcohol or cocaine, marijuana or nicotine? The answer is simple, they want to feel good. One who is high on drugs can feel good even if they are homeless, even if their life is in a mess and their marriage is in a shambles. One can feel good if high on drugs even if they have no food on the table. Once one is high on drugs, the neurotransmitters in their brain changes their perception of reality and they will not believe you, no matter what facts you present to them. Brain scientists tell us that the feel good factor does not just come from drugs. It comes from many other things in life and it appears as though our brains are naturally endowed with this capability, even before old Noah discovered alcohol from grape juice.

There is no doubt at all that on paper Zambia is in dire straits. The times are out of joint and we have come to a pretty pass as a nation. However, it is not the first time and we have been here before. We have a history of suffering from political trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) in Zambia. This is very much like being on sedative hypnotics. For 27 years we sang the praises of one man while the economy tanked and there were human rights abuses under The Preservation of Public security Act. That we did love KK when he was President and even after, it is true, but eventually Zambians woke up albeit very late. We felt good about KK. Change only came when people loved Zambia more than they loved KK and waking up from that malaise they told the dear man to move to multi-party democracy.

There has been much study into how people vote and what their motivations are. In general, people who are avowed members of a party are most likely to vote for that party unless something really dramatic happens such that they feel that they are alienated from the party they once acknowledged. This happened in 2020 in the USA Republican Party. In the United Kingdom, the Jeremy Corbin Labour Party had more members on its roll than any other party, but they performed miserably at the last election. It becomes clear then that election results are determined by those who do not belong to a political party but vote.

When the UPND and PF were in alliance against the MMD, Hakainde Hichilema and Michael Sata spoke at one press meeting. HH gave a sanitised and surgical assessment of the state of the economy and why the MMD must go. It was full of facts but elicited no response from the audience. Sata opened his address with, ‘You have heard economics, now let me tell you politics.’ With these words, the audience went agog! Whatever Sata said after that was nectar to the audience. When the alliance failed, Sata emerged winner. There was something about Sata that made one feel a warmth inside, even when he was dishing out expletives!

The Zambian economy was in a much better shape than it had ever been for 20 years when Rupiah Banda was President, in spite of the 2008 global financial crash! Nonetheless, RB’s government failed to win in 2011. Economics on paper is not the same as household-nomics. There is a thing called ‘the feel-good factor.’ I fear that this is a most neglected component to why people vote the way they do. It is very difficult to measure but in a small way it starts with how people feel about a person. How much giggling goes on in the audience as one is speaking?

How did people feel when they listened to HH? How do people feel when they see President Edgar Lungu? Do they feel like they should shout, ‘Lungu mastigo?’ Do the grassroots feel angry? When one feels good, they ignore reality. They will not even bother to turn up to vote. We may have the worst economy in the history of the country for a long time, but do people feel bad? Will Zambians love country more and do good by the country in less than a month’s time?

Judge for yourselves because that is what may determine the result if there is a free and fair election.

Kapiri DC unhappy with rampant child pregnancy cases

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Kapiri DC unhappy with rampant child pregnancy cases

At least nine grade seven pupils at Liombe primary school in Kapiri Mposhi district last year dropped out of school due pregnancies and early marriages.

And government has challenged traditional leaders in Kapiri Mposhi district to exercise their authority and intervene in the rampant incidents of early marriages and child pregnancies being experienced in their respective areas.

The pupils include a 16-year-old boy who dropped out of school after marrying a 15-year-old girl from the same school.

This came to light when Kapiri Mposhi District Commissioner, Smart Mwila visited the school where he addressed nine village headmen.

School deputy head teacher Elias Chikoti revealed that seven girls quit school after falling pregnant while two other pupils discontinued their education due to early marriages.

Mr. Chikoti however said the school administration made a follow-up on the pregnant girls to allow them to continue school through the government re-entry policy.

He disclosed that only six girls managed to continue with school after giving birth.

“We persuaded them to come back and continue with school at the same time they were pregnant and we gave them leave from school so that they can resume after delivery of their babies … some came back and are even doing grade eight now,” Mr. Chikoti said.

But Kapiri Mposhi District Commissioner Smart Mwila implored traditional leaders in the district to intervene in the rampant incidents of early marriages and child pregnancies being experienced in their areas.

Mr . Mwila challenged the traditional leaders to help the government by exercising their powers to dissolve early marriages.

He further urged traditional leaders to exercise their authority to discourage other social vices such as brewing and consumption of illicit local beer commonly known as Kachasu, which he said was hampering productivity and development in rural areas.

“You have a lot of problems such as early marriages and pregnancies and brewing and consumption of Kachasu but you are there just watching. Kachasu brewing and drinking is destroying people and affecting productivity in your areas …so help the government to govern at village level,” Mr. Mwila said.

Meanwhile, the traditional leaders have appealed to the government to reopen Liombe police post which was closed over 15 years ago.

They said reopening the police post will help curb increased crime rates being experienced in the area.

Speaking on behalf of others, senior headman Robby Pondala, explained that the area is experiencing criminal activities, among them murder, gender based violence (GBV) and stock theft.

“We need police presence in our area because people are using mob justice and mob psychology and even witchcraft to settle problems,” headman Pondala said.

He stated that criminals were taking advantage of the absence of police officers in the area to commit crime.

Currently, people in Liombe area report criminal cases to Kasanda police station in Kabwe, which is about 70 kilometres away.

Fashion Sakala finally unveiled at Ibrox

Chief Editor
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Fashion Sakala finally unveiled at Ibrox

Scottish champions Rangers FC have finally unveiled Zambian striker Fashion Sakala after completing his switch from Belgian Jupiler Pro League outfit, KV Oostende.

Sakala signed a pre-contract agreement with the Glasgow-based club in May and has now put pen-to-paper to finalize his four-year deal.

Steven Gerrard’s men are currently doing their preseason training and will welcome Arsenal on Saturday in a friendly match at Ibrox.

The Light Blues will also welcome 2000 fans through the turnstiles this weekend.

They will then face Blackpool, Brighton, and Hove Albion before completing their friendly matches with a clash against Real Madrid.

They will start their Scottish Premiership title defense on 31st July at home against Livingston FC.

And Sakala has been blown away by a visit to the club’s famous trophy room.

The 24-year-old has been looking around Ibrox and paid a visit to the club’s famous trophy room, packed with silverware that prolific winners Rangers have collected since they were formed.

Rangers posted a short video on social media of Sakala entering the trophy room and the forward was heard saying “wow”.

The Chipolopolo Boys striker scored 24 goals in 80 appearances during his time with Oostende.

Sakala started his career in Chipata before making a switch to Nchanga Rangers and later Sensational Zanaco.

He then moved to Russia in 2017 to play for Spartak Moscow where he mostly featured for their junior side, Spartak Moscow II before making a switch to KV Oostende in 2018.

Fashion Sakala
Fashion Sakala
Fashion Sakala
Fashion Sakala

Zambia to soon receive 4.4 million Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 doses

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Zambia to soon receive 4.4 million Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 doses

Over 4.5 million Covid-19 doses are expected in Zambia soon to address the overwhelming demand for vaccination from the general public, Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary Kennedy Malama has revealed.

ZANIS reports that Dr. Malama has since appealed to the general public not to panic as the government has sourced the vaccines from cooperating partners with 4.4 million doses of Johnson and Johnson vaccine having been secured under the Africa Vaccine Acquisition Trust (AVAT).

Dr. Malama said an additional 165,600 doses of Johnson and Johnson vaccine has been mobilized from the United States of America as part of dose sharing allocated to Zambia under the COVAX mechanism.

He said 100,000 doses of Sinopharm will come from China to help meet the rising demand for vaccines in the country.

Dr. Malama has disclosed that the country’s cumulative vaccinations stand at 189, 408 for dose one and 54, 410 for dose two.

He explained that vaccinations for AstraZeneca dose one stand at 182,509 and dose one for Sinopharm at 6,899, while dose two for AstraZeneca is at 48,074 and that of Sinopharm is at 6,336.

Meanwhile, Dr. Malama said in the last 24 hours, 21,610 first doses and 6,424 second doses of AstraZeneca were administered across the country.

The Permanent Secretary has since thanked the cooperating partners, the United Nations family, private sector and other stakeholders for their continued unwavering support towards Zambia’s Covid-19 response programme.

Dr. Malama announced that the Africa CDC, has pledged to support Zambia with genomic sequencing equipment and start up reagents that will strengthen capacity to conduct routine genomic sequencing of up to 500 per day.

He said despite escalating numbers of the Covid-19 pandemic in neighbouring countries, the government remains cautious of the risk posed, particularly the importation of variants.

He further noted that globally 554,510 new cases and 8,715 deaths were recorded in the past 24 hours, with Asia continuing to account for the highest proportion of new cases at 39 percent, followed by Europe at 24 percent, South America 19 percent, North America 11 percent and Africa at 8 percent.

He said the government is delighted with the sustained reduction in admissions to hospitals and urged the general public to do more in adhering to the public health guidelines and measures.

Dr. Malama announced that 1,580 new cases had been detected in the last 24 hours out of 7,935 tests conducted, bringing the cumulative total of confirmed Covid-19 cases to 182,129 since the pandemic broke out in Zambian in March 2020.

He disclosed that 42 people died in the last 24 hours with Copperbelt recording 10, Lusaka and Eastern provinces 6 each, Southern and Central 4 each, Western, North-western , Luapula and Muchinga all recording 3 each, while Northern Provinces had no deaths.

Dr. Malama said the cumulative death toll from the pandemic now stands at 2,991 with 2,212 classified as Covid deaths and 779 as Covid-19 associated deaths.

He said 1,464 patients were discharged from the Covid-19 isolation facilities and 1,330 from home management, bringing the cumulative number of recoveries to 166,388.

Dr. Malama said there are currently 12,740 active cases, of which 11,869 are under community management and 881 are admitted to Covid-19 isolation facilities.

He revealed that there were 141 new admissions in the last 24 hours compared to 162 the previous day, with 669 on oxygen therapy and 113 in critical condition.

The Permanent Secretary has meanwhile warned against self-diagnosis, prescription and medication of Covid-19 and that the panacea for combating the pandemic lies in strong adherence to the public health, social measures and vaccination.

Dr. Malama has reiterated his call for Zambians to avoid super spreader events.

He disclosed that the government has continued with the country-wide monitoring and enforcement of public places such as markets, shopping malls, bars, saloons, lodges, and night clubs among others to curtail further transmission of Covid-19 in communities.

He said in the last 24 hours, the government closed 74 premises and served 216 premises with notices while 1,371 were found to be compliant from 1,673 premises that were inspected.

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