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Qatar Airways is continuing its expansion in Africa with a new route launching to Lusaka, Zambia and Harare, Zimbabwe on August 6th.
The flag carrier of Qatar is excited to connect passengers to the two cities while meeting increasing cargo demand with the move.
The airline’s wide bodies will be flying on what will become the firm’s fifth and sixth new African destinations launched since the beginning of the global health crisis.
Amid this launch, Qatar Airways is set to transport plenty of goods with a total of 30 tonnes of cargo capacity per service. This operation will form part of a wider shipping network between worldwide center points in the likes of the United Kingdom, Germany, China, and the United States.
Qatar Airways Group CEO Al Baker took a moment to share how valuable routes in Africa are to his company.
Overall, the airline has been expanding well across the continent, now conducting over 100 weekly flights to 27 destinations here.
“Africa continues to be an area of strong growth for Qatar Airways and launching this service will support the development of the economy and tourism sector in both countries,” Al Baker shared in a statement.
“Not only do we continue to rebuild our network after the pandemic, but we are actively expanding it with the addition of these two key destinations. These are the fifth and sixth new destinations in Africa added to our network since the start of the pandemic, taking our total new destinations added across the globe to 10.”
The family of late Founding President Dr Kenneth Kaunda is today expected to send a Protest Letter to government over its decision to move Dr Kaunda’s body across the country.
Sources close to the family have revealed that the Kaunda’s are not happy that government did not consult the family before announcing the entire programme.
The sources said the family is opposed to the idea of the countrywide tour of the body and will tell government to respect its wishes.
The family is also upset that government wants to bury Dr Kaunda at Embassy Park contrary to his wish that he be buried next to his wife, Betty at State Lodge.
“The country tour is not the idea of the family and government did not also consult them on burying at Embassy Park. So the family will today send Secretary to the Cabinet Simon Miti a Protest Letter demanding that they honor KK’S wish to be buried next to his wife,” the source said.
Democratic Party leader and Former Foreign Affairs Minister Harry Kalaba
And Democratic Party leader Harry Kalaba has written an Open Letter to President Edgar Lungu advising him to reconsider the decision to fly the body all over the country.
“We have been informed by the Vice President of your governments intention to take the remains of our dear departed First Republican President Dr. Kenneth David Kaunda to the 10 Provinces as a means of providing an opportunity to everyone to pay their last respect. This funeral has hit the country at the very core by robbing us of a gallant soldier and son of the continent that deserves the highest honor in as much as mourning him is concerned,” the letter read.
“It is for this reason that my party, the Democratic Party (DP) has suspended its campaigns and joined the rest of the country in observance of the 21 Day National Mourning that you declared. Notwithstanding the gravitas of the demise of Dr. Kaunda, I am writing to express our concern as the DP to allow the remains of Dr. Kaunda to be taken to all the 10 Provinces.”
“The processions will be turned into Covid-19 super spreader events as people will want to view the body or at least want to get as close as possible to the hearse. The country as you may know is battling with limited resources in the Health Sector and taking the cottage across the 10 Provinces will increase the resource burden for the country which will lead to a further strain on our already ailing medical facilities. If as advised by the Vice President that body viewing will be done on television across the 10 Provinces, we do not see the relevance of sending men and women in uniform across the 10 Provinces just so people can follow deliberations on Television,” it read.
“We have in the last few weeks seen a lot of our loved ones succumb to the ravaging effect of Covid-19 and the guidance from Health Authorities is that we reduce movements, practice social distance and by all means mask up when in public. The current economic hardships we are going through as citizens makes it hard for people to follow through with these protocols as some people can hardly afford a mask let alone to keep away from someone who they feel can give them even as little as K10.”
“With an incubation period of 5 days, it is more than likely that some people who may be affected during the countrywide tours your government is planning to have may end up dying on or by the 7th of July thereby missing the opportunity of watching their beloved KK being interred.”
“In view of the above, I am requesting that you reconsider your decision of taking our late Presidents remains countrywide in the interest of saving lives as well as to preserve the little resources left in our coffers. I humbly request that you spend the funds you intend to move the cottage around the country to procure more Oxygen which our hospitals badly need. I know that President Kaunda would not have wanted the people of Zambia to be sacrificed at the table of political and electoral expedience. It is my prayer that you will do the right thing as Republican President and Commander in Chief by changing the program with the removal of the provincial visits so as to save lives. As ever, I remain at the service of the people of Zambia.”
kenneth Kaunda and Martin Luther King Jr in the United States
BY Chanda Mbao
when I heard the news about the passing of Kenneth Kaunda, I didn’t want to believe it.
While it is true, he lived a blessed and long life and we should indeed be grateful for who he was and celebrate him, I’m still sad. I’m sad because aside from losing him as a human being in this physical world, I can’t shake the feeling that we’ve also lost an important symbol of who we are as Zambians and what we used to stand for. My hope is that we can use this time to indeed celebrate his life and legacy but also to remember some important things he taught us.
Here are some things I will be reflecting on as inspired by Kenneth Kaunda:
1.VISION and PRINCIPLES
In a modern world where we seem to prioritize individual gain by any means necessary, I believe Kaunda was a man who had a vision of a BIGGER PICTURE. Not only did he have a VISION but her had the COURAGE to stand up and take ACTION on his vision at great personal cost. Today, it seems we arrange our decision-making around our comfort and making sure we do not suffer. KK opted to STAND for something despite what the outcome would be for him as an individual. (Remember: independence was not necessarily assured for Zambia in 1964–all of our neighbours except 2 were still under colonial rule.)
An important part of his vision, I believe, was of a POWERFUL Zambia which lived up to its POTENTIAL. I believe his actions point to a burning PASSION and BELIEF in the ABILITIES of the Zambian people. His approach to creating a Zambia where we as Zambians would have OWNERSHIP was evident in how he approached the development of the industries we had then (from Mulungushi Textiles to Dunlop and beyond). His passion and vision was also evident in how he carried the Zambian flag across the entire WORLD and we could continually TRUST him to do so with the highest level of poise and stature. His vision of Zambia as a LEADER is clear in the sacrifices he was willing to make to stand behind other nations facing their own independence and other political struggles. The countless resources we shared and the countless of our African sisters and brothers whom we hosted in times of turmoil is something I pray the continent never forgets.
As a monument to his VISION, think how FINDECO house, constructed in 1979, was Zambia’s tallest building for almost 40 years! It was only recently usurped by the upgraded Society Business House. Imagine–it took us almost 40 years to catch up to his vision!
Malcom X and Kenneth Kaunda
2.UNITY
KK was the father of ‘One Zambia, One Nation.’ This is perhaps related to the prior point as it could be said that the most important part of KK’s VISION was the one he had of a UNITED Zambia. The father of ‘One Zambia, One Nation’ saw us coming together to create the BEST Zambia possible for ALL ZAMBIANS regardless of tribe/ethnicity. He surrounded himself with people from all parts of the country in his cabinet and was known for travelling and visiting all parts of the country where school children would scurry excitedly to catch a glimpse of him, his smile and his signature white handkerchief.
We will never forget the spirit of ‘One Zambia, One Nation’ and I pray we don’t just RECITE it but PRACTICE it forever and ever!
Sam Nujoma, Kenneth Kaunda, Samora Machel, Julius Nyerere, Robert Mugabe and Jose Eduardo dos Santos
3.MERITOCRACY A meritocracy is “a society governed by people selected according to merit” and I truly believe this is something that KK stood for. One of the greatest testaments to this is the legacy he left in EDUCATION. As some know but maybe the youngest of us may not realize, our parents (and grandparents in some cases) were educated by a KK government that believed in INVESTING in Zambian HUMAN CAPITAL and by and large they received essentially FREE education. Particularly impressive and important in my eyes is how the system was designed to identify talent at an early age which would see children placed in schools according to their PERFORMANCE with many of our strongest students ending up at high schools such as DK, Hillcrest, Munali and others. From there the best could receive bursaries to attend our nation’s PRIDE and JOY, UNZA! Many were even supported to study abroad at the world’s premier institutions with the understanding that they would come back home to run our nation’s institutions and industries. Kaunda educated administrators, mining engineers, healthcare professionals and many others of all walks of life from ALL parts of the country.
The prevailing idea was to put in the right position the BEST and most SUITABLE woman or man for the TASK, regardless of background. Kaunda’s was a system where you could be sure that your performance would MEANSOMETHING in society, would be RECOGNIZED and would REWARDED!
I believe this was also evident in his governmental appointments which saw many of our best minds elevated to positions of power as ministers, diplomats, central bankers etc. Many of these stars were products of the same well oiled educational system that he and his government had set up.
It saddens me to think we may have lost some of this spirit of meritocracy. I pray that we remember what KK taught us and we uphold this spirit of investing in the best women and men all across the nation.
Commenting on KK’s legacy is no easy feat and I am no trained diplomat. However, I am a proud Zambian and I am keenly aware of the virtues and lessons that KK taught us. While the father of our nation was a great father, he was indeed a man with his own imperfections and flaws as well. These imperfections, however, do not obscure the great knowledge, legacy and spirit he left behind for all for us to tap into.
Let us celebrate and honour the father of our nation, Kenneth Kaunda! Let us not stop there, however. Let us do the important work he would want us to continue doing: to honour the VISION of a POWERFUL Zambia deserving of an HONOURABLE place in the WORLD!
The use of formal financial services offered by the banks has decreased from 24.8 percent to 20.7 percent.
German Sparskassentiftung Project Manager and Representative for Zambia, Reinhold Hoernle said this during the official opening of an eighth branch for African Banking -AB in Ndola today.
Mr Hoernle said 58 percent of the adults are instead using mobile money according to the introduction of the new FinScope study for the year 2020 for Zambia.
Mr Hoenle observed that COVID-19 has shown the need for expanding the digital and mobile services which has seen AB bank having 600,000 clients already online and using the platform.
Mr Hoernle said that formal financial inclusion increased to 61.3 percent from 38.2 percent, but that the financial services by adults offered by the banks had decreased.
“According to Fin Scope- study 2020 for Zambia a study about financial literacy stated that the growth in the Zambian economy has been subdued since 2015 with real gross domestic production projected at negative 4.2 percent in 2020,” he said.
He added that the situation has had a direct impact on households as it spoke to fewer opportunities for income generating activities for households.
He said the need to open a new branch in Ndola was part of increasing the number of inclusion of more people accessing bank services.
“The doors of the new banks are not only widely opened to offer services and attract customers. This is not about sales figures, but about inclusion. Besides granting loans, AB bank has become a role model when it comes to capacity building and financial literacy,” he said.
Mr Hoernle added that financial services were essential for the development of a region or a country by offering to the small and medium sized entrepreneurs, who are the core clientele for AB bank.
And AB Bank Chief Executive Officer Cosmin Olteanu said that opening of the Ndola branch was in line with the institutions vision 2023 which offered every citizen simple and affordable financial services.
Copperbelt Province Patriotic Front (PF) Presidential Campaign Manager Frank Ngambi has called for unity among party members to ensure all the 22 constituencies emerge victorious in the August 12 polls.
Mr. Ngambi said this when he addressed party structure leaders in Ndola yesterday that the goal for the party is to achieve victory for President Edgar Lungu.
“We need to unite and work together because we have no choice but to deliver the presidential vote. As party members you have to bury all the issues and ensure that we all campaign for our party,” he said.
Mr. Ngambi also cautioned PF adopted candidates against thinking that they are popular saying it is the party that is popular and not individuals.
He urged the adopted candidates to remain loyal to the party for continuity of the party’s developmental agenda.
And Chifubu constituency Acting Chairperson George Kalala said some named independent aspiring councillors the aspiring are campaigning using the PF slogans and regalia a situation he described as propaganda and disheartening.
He said the named independent aspiring councillors left the party and decided to contest on their own personal grounds hence the need to refrain from using the of party’s regalia adding that they should use their own structures as they no longer belong to the party.
And Provincial Women’s Chairperson Rose Mukupo has directed that those supporting independent candidates should be removed from the party.
Ms. Mukupo however said the PF party is bigger than individuals hence the need for the structures to recruit more members.
The Ministry of Health says it is giving equal importance to other health matters despite being faced with challenges arising from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Eastern province Health Director Gideon Zulu says this is why government has kick started the 2021 child health week activities to ensure there is no disease outbreak from preventable ailments.
He was speaking in Chipata yesterday during the launch of the child health week activities.
“This exercise we are launching in the province today has the blessings of government. This is why we are here today, to share the news with everyone in the province”, he said.
Dr. Zulu said government is ensuring that the covid-19 responsiveness does not overshadow other equally important exercises like child immunization.
He said paying less attention to exercises like child immunization could lead to other pandemics like measles and pneumonia in children.
“The activities to be undertaken during this period are for the benefit of everyone, including the health sector as it will reduce the disease burden,” he noted.
And officiating at the launch, Acting Eastern province Permanent Secretary, Royd Tembo called on the Ministry of Health to ensure that it reaches the targets set as it embarks on the immunization exercise.
Mr Tembo said the successful hosting of the exercise is another way of sustaining the gains achieved in key child health and nutrition indicators.
“Government is committed to ensuring all children under five years get vaccinated against preventable diseases despite being hit by covid-19 challenges that are impacting on the smooth delivery of health services,” he explained.
He added that government has made tremendous strides in reducing child mortality in the province and country as a whole, with Eastern province being above the national target of 90 percent.
The Acting Permanent Secretary also announced that two other major activities including the administering of the second dose of Covid 19 and mass drug administration against bilharzia will also be taking place during the same week of child health.
He reminded the public and the Ministry of Health to ensure covid-19 guidelines are strictly adhered to during this period.
“Let me mention that, as you bring your children to access these services that include deworming, vitamins supplementation, catch up on immunizations, among others, ensure you adhere to the five golden rules against covid-19 guidelines”, he said.
The 2021 child health week that is running from yesterday up to 26th June is being held under the theme “Thriving for a universal health coverage even amidst covid-19 pandemic”
Former Service Chiefs from the Zambia Army, Zambia National Service, Zambia Airforce and the Zambia Police Service have mourned late president Dr Kenneth David Kaunda.
Speaking on behalf of the former service chiefs, General Kingsley Chinkuli described the late former president as a very strong and charismatic person who contributed immensely to the liberation of Zambia and many other countries in the Southern African region.
General Chinkuli speaking after signing the book of condolences at the home of the late former president Kaunda at State Lodge in Lusaka yesterday said the late statesman was motivated by his love and support to people regardless of color or religion.
“He had a heart for many people and supported the downtrodden as well as many freedom fighters across the Southern region,” he said.
General Chinkuli recalled that after gaining independence Dr. Kaunda needed indigenous officers to serve in the Army and that is how he was appointed to serve as Army Commander in 1970.
“This was a very big decision for me and I received the appointment with humility. I took over from Tony Reed and I had to command the Army at a very young age. Dr. Kaunda believed in me and wanted more indigenous people to support the cause of the freedom fighters in the region,” he stated.
He narrated that his appointment brought various positive changes to the defense force such as the expansion of the Zambia Army, creation of the Zambia National Service, the introduction of home guards and cadets in schools.
General Chinkuli noted that Zambia was protected and the citizens begun enjoying a better and peaceful life.
He added that Dr. Kaunda put in place a very effective foreign policy across the World.
“He ensure that only the experiences diplomats were deployed to the missions abroad who served the country and implemented the beliefs and values S well as sharing the struggles the country was still facing,” he said.
He further stated that Dr. Kaunda became the number one diplomat to protect Zambia from unwanted attacks.
General Chinkuli said the late played a huge role in freeing Southern Africa from colonialism.
He has since called in Zambians to emulate his life and show love and peace to one another.
Among the former Service Chiefs present included General Nobby Simbeye, General Isaac Chisuzi, Lt col Samuel Malala, Raphael Chisheta, General Solomon Mumbi, General Zunga Siakalima among others.
Dr. Kenneth Kaunda passed away on the 17th of June at Maina Soko Hospital in Lusaka.
The United Party for National Development (UPND) Alliance has with immediate effect resumed its campaign activities.
Last week, the alliance had announced the suspension of campaigns following the death of First Republican President Dr. Kenneth Kaunda.
Speaking at a briefing held in Chilanga, UPND Secretary General Batuka Imenda said that it is in order for the Alliance to resume campaign activities because an election is a constitutional matter.
Mr. Imenda however said that the alliance will not hold the campaigns on Dr. Kaunda’s burial day on July 7, 2021 and urged UPND alliance members country-wide are forthwith instructed not to conduct mobilization activity on 7th July, 2021 set aside as Dr. Kaunda’s Official Burial Day, adding that as a befitting tribute to former First Republican President, the late Dr. Kenneth David Buchizya Kaunda, the UPND will celebrate his life now and beyond the 52 days of the general elections.
Mr. Imenda implored UPND Alliance members across the country to adhere to all Ministry of Health (MoF) coronavirus (covid-19) protocols and remain peaceful, in line with Dr. Kaunda’s One Zambia, One People, One Nation Motto.
And speaking at the same event, Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Secretary General Lucky Mulusa said alliance partners will use the mobilisation platform to accord young generation to experience Dr. Kaunda’s leadership by sharing his legacy of love, unity and selfless characteristic to serve humanity beyond Zambia.
Mr. Mulusa regretted that the enviable ‘One Zambia, One People, One Nation is being defaced by Patriotic Front (PF) leaders, who continue spreading divisive tribal remarks, which continue being countered by UPND Alliance and will be restored once Zambians elect Hakainde Hichilema as the Seventh Republican President on Thursday 12th August 2021.
“Apart from our own message of zero tolerance to corruption, better life to all citizens, and servant leadership during party mobilisations, UPND Alliance campaign mobilisation foot soldiers and mobile teams will celebrate KK’s legacy now and beyond 2021 Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Government Election,” vowed Mulusa.
Meanwhile, Mulusa, formerly National Planning and Development Minister, insists that all Zambians must without compromise be accorded an equal opportunity as Government leaders and the presidency to pay their individual and collective last respects to Dr. Kaunda.
Mulusa says last respects to Dr. Kaunda must not be a preserved privileged to Government leaders and Patriotic Front party regalia clad members.
“For us as UPND Alliance partners, we do not have a problem with taking the body around the country, as the late Dr. Kenneth David Buchizya Kaunda is the founding father of the Zambian Nation. If that is the request of all the citizens it is a well come move but, remain opposed if this privilege is being for political reasons as you know that PF has never been genuine in whatever they do. If they build you a road or a bridge, just know that it is at four times the cost of doing so, thus we hope and pray that taking the remains of KK, our heroic father of nation, is not profiting some government official, or business person with close ties to the powers that be,” cautioned Mulusa.
And Mulusa says UPND Alliance partners are yet to see if government will adhere to all covid 19 protocols and ethical moral conduct surrounding the 21 day period of mourning and actual rites for Dr Kaunda.
“If we are going to see only the PF cadres gathered at the airport to receive the body and preventing any other citizen from witnessing or respecting the body then PF is going to be politicking and we shall not hesitate to remind them to do a correct thing,” admonished Mulusa.
The Movement for Democratic Change(MDC) Secretary General emphasised that a day of burial is a sacred occasion
And Mulusa prayed for all political parties to coexist and respect the burial of the late Dr Kaunda by desisting from using the requiem mass platform to mobilise the electorates.
IN CASE you did not know, Inspector General of police has been admonished and given ultimatums by his appointing authority, President Edgar Lungu, over the violence within the Patriotic Front, the latest of which was the fracas involving PF cadre Innocent Kalimanshi of Chawama ‘barracks’ during the function to welcome Chishimba Kambwili back to the PF on 1st May.
Earlier on December 29, 2020 Lungu gave Kanganja a six months contract, instead the usual long ones, and an ultimatum. The decision followed the shooting of Magistrate Nsama Nsama and UPND cadre Joseph Kaunda on December 23, 2020 during the unjustifiable questioning of opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema over the ridiculous claim of theft of land.
In a letter to Kanganja, Lungu said, “This is to enable you to conclude the investigations into the killing of two innocent Zambians and allow you to reorganize the Police Service with a view to restoring the eroding public confidence in the services. This will form the basis for your performance appraisal for further consideration.”
On the same occasion Lungu announced changes to police command, which included dismissal of Deputy Inspector General of Police (Operations) Bonnie Kapeso and appointment of former Copperbelt Province Commissioner of Police Charity Katanga as his replacement. Reasons for Kapeso’s dismissal were never laid bare. It is fair to agree with the perception that he paid the price for ‘disciplining’ ruling Patriotic Front (PF) cadres who had been disruptive of court proceedings and daring the police on numerous occasions, to the extent of waging of an armed ‘insurrection’ at police headquarters on 6th July 2020.
In a video that went viral prior to his dismissal, Kapeso had vowed to ‘break the legs’ of PF cadres who would turn up to disrupt court proceedings during the former health minister Chitalu Chilufya’s trial. He delivered on his promise and observers believe that he paid the price for that.
The PF intraparty violence started years ago, but it has escalated under Kanganja’s watch. In this article I advance the argument that intraparty violence has become a hot potato and embarrassing to the ruling party. Lungu, the President of the PF, and some other top leaders are now looking for a sacrificial lamb or scapegoat, someone to ‘sambila’. The Collins dictionary defines sacrificial lamb as someone who has “been blamed unfairly for something they did not do, usually in order to protect another more powerful person or group.” It is akin to scapegoat which is defined as “a person who is blamed for the wrongdoings, mistakes, or faults of others, especially for reasons of expediency.”
Kanganja, as head of the police, comes in handy as the sacrificial lamb for PF’s violence. And, I argue, he deserves it. Why? Because he allowed the panga politics of the PF to grow even when had the instruments of power to stop it. In Bemba we say, ciku pempula ecikulya. In legal terminology, he has been an accomplice to the PF violence while on the other hand being used to exercise maximum force on, and intolerance to, constitutionally granted individual rights and freedoms, such as freedom of assembly. As I argued in another article two weeks ago, the last five years will go down in the annals of Zambia’s political history as the worst for our democracy since the re-introduction of multiparty politics in 1991.
The PF violence is traceable back to its formative years and has grown exponentially in sophistication over the years. One news publication once wrote: “President Sata is known to be commander of violence throughout his political career. He commandeered the infamous Chawama violence in 2001. This time around, he is watch his own cadres hacking each other. More than five PF cadres have died as a result of political violence since President Sata assumed office.”
Alliance for Better Zambia (ABZ) President Father Frank Bwalya was one of the first victims of PF violence. On 16th April 2014 Bwalya was molested at a local radio station by known PF cadres from Ndola’s Kawama compound in Ndola. The assailants poured several packets of Shake-Shake on Bwalya and beat up his younger brother. Within the same week UPND leader Hakainde Hicilema’s entourage was attacked by suspected PF cadres while he was appearing on a radio programme on Sun FM.
These PF attacks prompted MMD President Mumba to say: “We are making a demand on the police to be professional, investigate what is going on and let us know whether this government wants to govern by violence, so that we can make up our minds on how to deal with such type of a government.”
Within this period (2012) one research report concluded that “The advent of political violence as a form of mobilisation is certainly not unique, but in Zambia, the phenomenon has become particularly acute in recent years, resulting in deaths and scores of injuries during each election as hordes of young, unemployed men are paid to carouse and intimidate voters by major political parties. With a president and ruling party which appears at times to openly condone violence, many observers are worried that Zambia might not stay so peaceful for very long.”
Civil society, opposition parties, churches and other groups have repeatedly warned about the PF violence. Far back in 2012 Anti-Voters Apathy Project (AVAP) Executive Director, Richwell Mulwani, condemned the PF violence ahead of the Mansa bye-election and blamed it squarely on the PF top leadership. Within the same year, Hichilema accused the PF government of “training youth in Sudan to terrorize opponents in Zambia.” Kennedy Sakeni (remember him?), the then information minister, denied the allegation and instead Hichiema was charged with “publishing false information with the intent of causing fear and public alarm.” He was later acquitted of the charge.
Hichiema’s ‘prophecy’ has come to pass. We are now at the stage where PF ‘commanders’ in military attire (see photo) roam the streets and openly harass citizens using their self-granted “authority’. The UPND leader has since claimed vindication for his allegations and “stresses that the many occasions that the Patriotic Front has shown their militia behavior is enough for anyone to see that they are capable of shedding more blood.”
It seems that PF’s violence has become too embarrassing for some within the party’s leadership. Two days ago, Lungu’s running mate, Nkandu Luo, “advised PF members throughout the country to explain the contents of ruling party’s five year manifesto instead of engaging in political violence.” Luo counseled that “rather than focusing on Political violence PF members throughout the country need to concentrate on explaining contents of the new manifesto”, which she said “is the developmental agenda by the PF for the people.”
What started off as interparty violence was soon to be brought to the party’s own structures as infighting. The first casualty was a Crispin Menyani Zulu, a 25-year-old resident of Lusaka who was mysteriously murdered on 8th November 2012. Media reported that “Zulu had been ferried to Rufunsa for the bye-election along with approximately 65 other PF cadres. He died as a result of heavy blows to the body and head, and possibly a stab wound.”
The PF accused cadres from the opposition Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) and the United Party for National Development (UPND). President Michael Sata said: “It’s tragic that the political violence by the opposition UPND and MMD, which we have been preaching against, has resulted in a loss of an innocent life. What has happened today could have been avoided if the two opposition political parties mentioned in this heinous crime had listened and at least cared for the lives of innocent citizens.”
UPND cadres
The opposition denied the accusation and pinned the blame on the PF itself. MMD President Nevers Mumba told the media that infighting broke out amongst PF cadres over a financial disagreement when they were being paid money to share. The Post Newspaper, which was usually very pro-PF government, also reported that the PF was responsible for Zulu’s death.
The crescendo of PF’s internal violence was the forming of rival factions, akin to gangs, spearheaded by then Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba and his defence counterpart Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba (GBM). On a number of occasions the Kabimba and GBM factions engaged in a fierce battles, the cause of which was the struggle to succeed President Michael Sata. On 10th September 2013, for instance, the two factions waged running battles that resulted in the death of more than one person and several injuries. The week earlier, the two factions had “bloodied each other in an intraparty fracas that saw property at Northmead Basic School damaged while some individuals were severely wounded.”
Political activist Nason Msoni called for the arrest of Kabimba and Mwamba “for the recent intra party bloodbath that has engulfed the country.” The call fell on deaf ears. This phase of fierce factionalism seems to have ended only after Kabimba was elbowed out of the PF.
On 2nd December 2013 New Africa Magazine went to editoriase that: “Zambia’s ruling party, the Patriotic Front (PF), is at war with itself over who should succeed President Michael Sata in 2016. While it was an open secret that the fight for succession would arise, what took many by surprise was how soon it came and how ugly it has turned out to be.”
As the saying goes, “Violence begets violence”. The PF violence, which Kakoma kept massaging was soon to spill over his own institution. On 6th July 2020, for instance, Emmanuel Banda, popularly known as Jay Jay, and four others besieged Lusaka Central Police Station and assaulted a police officer, amid other disruptions. This was not an isolated case but one in a series of open disrespect for, and ‘capture’ of, state institutions. Jay Jay and his colleagues were ordered to pay K150 each or serve three months imprisonment if they default. Only in Zambia indeed.
In a statement, Patrick Mucheleka, the UPND Deputy Secretary General, summed it, “We are also reminded of an incident during the Sesheke bye election when PF thugs invaded a police station and attacked police officers. But instead of promoting the police officers who repelled the PF thugs, the officers were themselves hounded out of the police service.”
That marks Kanganja’s legacy. The rise and rise of PF violence will always be tied to it.
The author is a Research Fellow with the Institute of Economic and Social Research, University of Zambia. He is reachable on [email protected].
Mufulira referee Joseph Nyirenda is nursing injuries after being assaulted during Sunday’s abandoned FAZ National Division 1 match between Kashikishi Warriors and Trident at Mwaimwena Grounds in Kashikishi.
Nyirenda was beaten by fans after Trident equalised in the second half of this Week 33 match.
According to one of the assistant referees, who could not speak on record, fans descended on the centre referee after disputing the equalising goal scored from a free kick.
“The game was abandoned in the 60th minute when Trident equalised to make it 1-1. Fans rushed into the field of play claiming the goal was scored from an offside position,” he said.
“The centre referee was badly beaten and is lying unconscious in the hospital.”
Mansa based match commissioner only identified as Chishimba declined to comment on what transpired at Mwaimwena Grounds.
Meanwhile, FAZ has promised to issue a statement on the matter on Tuesday.
Debutants Kashikishi have already been relegated to the Luapula Provincial League.
FAZ President Andrew Kamanga has paid tribute to late association boss Everaisto Kasunga for his role in the 2012 AFCON legacy.
Kasunga, who served as FAZ President from 2000 to 2004, died on Thursday in Lusaka.
“He remains one of the unsung heroes of our game given some of the strides that Zambian football attained under his stewardship. It was during his leadership when he sourced for funding for the construction of Football House, which remains our football shelter to date. This is one of the defining moments of his football legacy,” Kamanga said at his burial today in Lusaka.
“We also remember Mr Kasunga as a leader in the development of football from grassroots level.
“His determination to invest in youth development saw our country succeeding at tournaments such as the All-Africa Games and nurturing talent that would go on to win the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon.
“The 2001 Under-17 team under Simataa Simataa had in its ranks Rainford Kalaba, Clifford Muenga and Davies Nkausu.
Jacob Mulenga, Kalaba, Isaac Chansa and Felix Katongo then regularly crossed over from George Lwandamina’s U20 team to Peter Kaumba’s U23 team that had in its ranks Kennedy Mweene and Christopher Katongo.
FAZ SUPER DIVISION
17/06/2021
WEEK 28
Zesco United 0-Green Eagles 0
The Ministry of Health says it has noted reduced capacity in mortuaries to hold the bodies for those dying in hospitals and in the communities.
In a statement availed to ZANIS today, Ministry Permanent Secretary for Technical Services Dr Kennedy Malama said the number of daily COVID-19 deaths is unprecedented as the Ministry has reported 407 deaths in just three weeks of the third wave.
“On a very sad note, our COVID-19 death remains high, as 47 new deaths have been reported in the last 24 hours,” he said.
“The cumulative number of COVID-19 related deaths recorded to date now stands at 1,691 of which 1,045 have been classified as COVID deaths and 646 are COVID-19 associated deaths,” he stated.
Dr Malama added that a total of 2,148 discharges were made of which 113 are from the COVID-19 isolation facilities and 2,035 from home management.
“There are currently 18,490 active cases, of whom 17,467 are under community management and 1,023 are admitted to our COVID-19 isolation facilities,” he said.
The Permanent Secretary stated that of the admissions, 172 are newly admitted patients within the last 24 hours.
He further noted that among those currently under admission, 701 are on Oxygen therapy and 131 are in critical condition.
Dr Malama has since described the third wave of Covid-19 as devastating looking at the evolution of the pandemic in the past month.
He said the county has continued to see an unprecedented increase in COVID 19 cases, hospitalizations and even deaths.
The Permanent Secretary said by this time last month, there were only 50 patients in the health facilities, adding that today there are over a thousand COVID-19 cases.
“The number of critical patients has gone up in the past month, from just four (4) critical patients recorded on 21st May to having 131 in critical condition,” he said.
“The saddest part of it all is we are still on an upward trend with the peak of this wave not yet in sight. Our oxygen demand, the critical drug in case management, has also gone up significantly, from having just 32 patients on oxygen countrywide a month ago to now having 701 patients on oxygen with the majority requiring high flow oxygen,” Dr Malama explained.
He said as the number of COVID-19 cases increases in the country, the hospitals both public and private offering COVID-19 isolation and treatment facilities are heavily burdened with patients, many of whom require intensive and critical care.
Dr Malama further reaffirmed government’s commitment to increasing the vaccine supply as this has proven to be an effective strategy in reducing the COVID-19 burden.
He also disclosed that in the last 24 hours, the country has recorded 1,598 new confirmed COVID-19 cases out of 6,369 tests conducted indicating 25% positivity.
“As Government we have continued mobilizing extra bed space and oxygen supply. Once again we reiterate that this fight should be fought and won in our communities,” he said.
The Ministry of Health has said that it has noted reduced capacity in mortuaries to hold the bodies for those dying in hospitals and in the communities.
In a statement released to the media, Ministry Permanent Secretary for Technical Services Dr. Kennedy Malama said the number of daily COVID-19 deaths is unprecedented as the Ministery has reported 407 deaths in just three weeks of the third wave.
“On a very sad note, our COVID-19 death remains high, as 47 new deaths have been reported in the last 24 hours,” he said.
“The cumulative number of COVID-19 related deaths recorded to date now stands at 1,691 of which 1,045 have been classified as COVID deaths and 646 are COVID-19 associated deaths,”.
Dr Malama added that a total of 2,148 discharges were made of which 113 are from the COVID-19 isolation facilities and 2,035 from home management.
“There are currently 18,490 active cases, of whom 17,467 are under community management and 1,023 are admitted to our COVID-19 isolation facilities,” he said.
He stated that of the admissions, 172 are newly admitted patients within the last 24 hours.
He further noted that among those currently under admission, 701 are on Oxygen therapy and 131 are in critical condition.
Dr Malama has since described the third wave of Covid-19 as devastating looking at the evolution of the pandemic in the past month.
He said the county has continued to see an unprecedented increase in COVID 19 cases, hospitalizations, and even deaths.
The Permanent Secretary said by this time last month, there were only 50 patients in the health facilities, adding that today there are over a thousand COVID-19 cases.
“The number of critical patients has gone up in the past month, from just four (4) critical patients recorded on 21st May to having 131 in critical condition,” he said.
“The saddest part of it all is we are still on an upward trend with the peak of this wave not yet in sight. Our oxygen demand, the critical drug in case management, has also gone up significantly, from having just 32 patients on oxygen countrywide a month ago to now having 701 patients on oxygen with the majority requiring high flow oxgygen,” Dr Malama explained.
He said as the number of COVID-19 cases increases in the country, the hospitals both public and private offering COVID-19 isolation and treatment facilities are heavily burdened with patients, many of whom require intensive and critical care.
Dr Malama further reaffirmed the government’s commitment to increasing the vaccine supply as this has proven to be an effective strategy in reducing the COVID-19 burden.
He also disclosed that in the last 24 hours, the country has recorded 1,598 new confirmed COVID-19 cases out of 6,369 tests conducted indicating 25% positivity.
“As Government, we have continued mobilizing extra bed space and oxygen supply. Once again we reiterate that this fight should be fought and won in our communities,” he said.
The Zambia Conference for Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) have expressed sadness over the death of the First Republican President Kenneth Kaunda.
ZCCB Archbishop of Kasama Ignatius Chama says the country has lost a freedom fighter, and a true statesman, who united the nation and rendered a selfless service to the country.
He stated that Dr Kaunda has left a legacy of unity of knitting the various tribes into a united country, as well as inspiring Zambians to celebrate their unity in diversity by following the One Zambia One Nation motto.
Reverend Chama added that Dr Kaunda was a Pan African leader who greatly cared for Africa and played a pivotal role in the liberation struggle of countries in Southern Africa and beyond.
‘’He led by example in terms of servant leadership and hard work, and he was never tired of preaching the primacy and significance of God’s and of one’s neighbor,’’ he said.
We therefore convey our deepest condolences and sympathies to the bereaved family, President Edgar Lungu and his government as well as the people of Zambia who are mourning his demise,’’ stressed Rev. Chama.
He further encouraged the people of Zambia to mourn the fallen hero, by embracing the national values of love, peace and unity which he labored to inculcate into the fabric of the nation.
‘’Our prayer is that the good Lord may reward and receive him into his heavenly kingdom for the valuable services rendered to his beloved country, the African continent and the world at large. We also commend him to God’s mercy for all the failings he might have committed,’’
‘’Comforted by the words in the scriptures that “God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him” (I Thess. 4:14b), we call upon the Kaunda family and the entire nation to remain united in prayer and strengthen one another in faith.
Late President Kenneth Kaunda died on June 17, 2021 at Maina Soko Military Hospital in Lusaka where he was being treated for pneumonia.
This is contained in a statement made available to ZANIS today by ZCCB Archbishop of Kasama Rev. Ignatius Chama.
Meanwhile, Catholic Diocese of Solwezi Bishop Charles Kasonde has described late first Republican President, Kenneth Kaunda as a patriot, who worked tirelessly for Zambia and its people.
Bishop Kasonde said that Dr Kaunda will be fondly remembered and honoured for leading the emancipation of Zambia from independence in 1964, and ensuring that freedom and peace defined the existence of the entire nation.
“Whenever he moved you would see him waving with a white piece of cloth. The handkerchief signaling purity and peace, the peace that he stood for.
We mourn his passing on to the heavenly spheres, because he was the nation’s founding father and a great leader at that.” Bishop Kasonde said.
Bishop Kasonde noted that Dr Kaunda continued being a father to the nation, even after he retired from politics, and also constantly offered himself to consultation, from both political players from within the country and beyond.
The Bishop explained that, although Dr Kaunda is gone, the country will remain with his good attributes, which include standing for the promotion of peace and tranquility across the African continent.
He said the late Dr Kaunda was a Pan-African, who inspired millions on the African continent and fought for the freedom of many of Zambia’s neighbouring countries.
Bishop Kasonde added that a number of countries have shared the fruits of his labour as a result of his generosity and availability, stating that Zambians are proud to be aligned with the success of the first Republican President.
Chief Chikwanda of the Bemba people of Mpika district in Muchinga Province has died.
Bemba Royal Establishment (BRE) Spokesperson James Mulenga has confirmed the development to ZANIS in an interview today.
Mr Mulenga said the traditional leader died yesterday at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) where he was admitted.
Mr Mulenga revealed that Chief Chikwanda tested positive to COVID-19, which has led to his death.
“The traditional leader passed away yesterday around 23:00 hours, at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) where he was being treated for COVID-19” he said.
He added that the establishment is deeply saddened by the demise of the traditional leader.
“Chief Chikwanda was a hard working leader who positively contributed to the growth of his chiefdom and the country at large” noted the Washanga.
The BRE spokesperson, stated that more updates will be availed to the public, with regards to the funeral arrangements, in due course.
He has since called on Zambians to strictly adhere to the COVID-19 laid down health guidelines, stating that the disease has claimed many lives, hence the need to prevent any further spread.
