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Arrest and detention procedure the most abused process in Zambia

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Arrest and detention procedure the most abused process in Zambia

It is extremely hard to dodge to sound political when commenting on arrest and detention procedure in Zambia.

Early April 2017 the United Party for National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema was arrested for blocking president Lungu motorcade. He spent 127 days in prison without trial.

Every effort by Zambians to have him released failed. It took the international community to rescue him from prison.

The Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland had to fly to Zambia to come and negotiate the release of Hakainde Hichilema.

Today, it appears the UPND is in the similar situation. Its four senior members have spent days in police custody without any sign of trial.

Like the case with Hakainde Hichilema, individuals and local groups and organizations such as the Human Rights Commission (HRC) are demanding that the arrested individuals be charged or released but in vain. The law is completely being ignored again.

Arresting the four individuals is not the issue. The issue is their prolonged detention. It is almost three weeks without a charge.

The Zambian law requires that a detainee appears before a court within 24 to 48 hours of arrest and be informed of the charges against him or her.

Unfortunately, as clear as it sounds it continues to be the most abused part of the Zambian law. All because of the nature of politics in the country.

There is no other explanation other than politics in play. The arrested UPND members are among the giants of the party. The general election is drawing near and the nominations to contest the upcoming August general election is here.

The prolonged holding of former Local Government minister Ackson Sejani, Choma Mayor Javen Simoloka, Mazabuka Mayor Vincent Lilanda, and Choma businessman Fines Malambo could be a deliberate move by the Patriotic Front (PF) to stop them from filling and being adopted to stand as member of parliaments in their areas of choice in the upcoming August election.

They should be released immediately. Their prolonged holding in police cells is not fair. It shows that the police have no enough evidence to charge them.

This kind of abuse of arrest and detention procedure started with Hakainde Hichilema arrest in 2017. It has now become a common thing. Bails are being denied for no reasons since then. Resulting in detainees, mostly government critics, spending more than 48 hours in custody.

Should the Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland fly to Zambia again to come and negotiate the release of former minister Sejani, Mayor Simoloka, Mayor Lilanda, and Choma businessman Fines Malambo?

Something need to be done to stop this. Arrest and detention procedure in the country need reform.

By Venus N Msyani
Concerned citizen

Roberto collaborates with Tanzanian artist Ibraah on “Work”

Entertainment Editor
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Roberto collaborates with Tanzanian artist Ibraah on “Work”

Zambia’s award winning singer ROBERTO releases the video for his single Work that features Tanzanian artist, Ibraah, The song is off his forthcoming EP, dubbed JOURNEY TO THE EAST.

The video was Shot in Tanzania by Kwetu Studios. Song produced by renowned Zambian producer, TK Romaside.

President Lungu’s stance on value addition is commendable-Anthony Mukwita

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President Lungu’s stance on value addition is commendable-Anthony Mukwita

Zambia’s Ambassador to Germany, Anthony Mukwita says the recognition by President Edgar Lungu of the strategic economic opportunities offered by electric vehicles must inspire the business community to invest more in value addition.

Ambassador Mukwita says President Lungu’s commitment to value addition signifies his government’s readiness to facilitate investment in businesses that will take advantage of the growing electric vehicle industry.

On the opening day of the just-ended elective conference of the ruling Patriotic Front, PF, President Lungu described value addition initiatives that have begun in the mining sector as encouraging signals that come at the right time when the world is transforming the auto industry from fossil-fuel-dependent to electric-powered models.

Ambassador Mukwita has called on the business community both in Zambia and Germany to translate government policy on value addition into profits for their companies as well as economic benefits for Zambia.

“The Zambian government has done its part and willing to do more to help business go into value addition. It is now left to business to move in and take advantage of the business opportunities offered by the electric vehicle market which now runs into billions of dollars”, Ambassador Mukwita says.

On his part, the Zambian envoy says he will continue to engage the German Chamber of Business Associations with a view to getting auto makers in Germany set up bases in Zambia.

The Ambassador says he is confident of a positive outcome as Zambia is offering ready infrastructure to set up manufacturing firms in Multi-facility economic zones that have been built and continue to be built in different parts of the country.

“MFEZ facilities help cut down costs normally associated with setting up factories as they provide structures and areas already serviced with roads, water and electricity”, Ambassador Mukwita observes.

The electric vehicle industry is currently valued at more than 140 billion dollars with estimates that in the next five years, it will jump to 700 billion.

The gradual switch from fossil-fueled vehicles to electric models is a response to the adverse impact of climate change in which transportation has been identified as one of the major culprits.

CiSCA condemns PF Cadre Munir Zulu’s Blatant, Dangerous, Discriminatory, Unconstitutional Utterances

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CiSCA condemns PF Cadre Munir Zulu’s Blatant, Dangerous, Discriminatory, Unconstitutional Utterances

By Judith Mulenga CiSCA Chairperson

The Civil Society Constitution Agenda (CiSCA) strongly condemns the extremely dangerous, discriminatory and unconstitutional utterances by Patriotic Front member Munir Zulu, when he clearly violated the constitutionally guaranteed right of every person in Zambia not to be discriminated against.

During a discussion on Muvi TV’s “The Furnace” aired on Thursday 8th April 2021, and anchored by Kelvin Tabula Chifokolo, Munir Zulu unashamedly declared that, “the minority cannot rule over the majority” in Zambia. Ironically, Munir Zulu referred to the “genocide in Rwanda”, while he himself was making utterances similar to what caused the genocide in Rwanda.

Munir Zulu’s utterances clearly violate our Constitution. In the Preamble, we the Zambian people commit to “Recognise and uphold the multi-ethnic, multi-racial, multi-religious and multi-cultural character of our Nation…” Further, the substantive provision of Article 4(3) of the same Constitution also recognizes the fact that “The Republic (of Zambia) is a unitary, indivisible, multi-ethnic, multi-racial, multi-religious, multi-cultural and multi-party democratic State…”

Munir Zulu’s utterances also violate Section 70 sub section (1) of the Penal Code Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia, which states that, “Any person who utters any words or publishes any writing expressing or showing hatred, ridicule or contempt for any person or group of persons wholly or mainly because of his or their race, tribe, place of origin or colour is guilty of an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years.” Therefore by making the utterances that Munir made on national television, Munir committed a cognizable offence and does not need to be reported by anyone for him to be arrested by the police.

CiSCA wonders where Munir Zulu gets the guts to so recklessly violate our Constitution? Looking at the unfettered diabolical confidence which Munir Zulu displayed during the interview as he spewed his prejudices against other Zambians and his ignorant interpretation of what constitutes minority and democratic elections, it seemed like he had the support of his party’s higher offices. If not, we challenge the Secretary General of the PF to publicly and strongly censure Munir. We believe that Munir, like many other cadres in the ruling party, have been emboldened by other leaders in the party who have similarly uttered reckless statements without retribution from senior leadership in the party.

Munir, has a very low random access memory (RAM) because since 2016 with the 50 + 1% votes needed for one to become President, the so called ‘majorities’ need the so called ‘minorities’ even more than before. If in 2001 during the first past the post electoral process, President Mwanawasa was elected from the so called minority ethnic extraction and became President, what about now? Did Munir miss the memo on the attempted ‘kavundula’ Bill 10 and what its aim was? Does he not know that he is shooting his party in both feet at the same time?

CiSCA calls on the police to immediately arrest Munir Zulu. If they don’t, we will be left with no option but to report his non-arrest to the Office of the Public Protector under Article 244 of our Constitution and if nothing happens with this office, we will escalate the matter to relevant regional and international bodies as we will deem the non action as having exhausted all local remedies. We want to remind this violent cadre and his ilk that non discrimination is the cornerstone of the international human rights framework that compelled the United Nation’s drafting of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted on 10th December 1948 because of the inhuman treatment of the Jewish people and others deemed ‘undesirables’ by Nazi Germany during the Second World War. Seventy-two years after the Universal Declaration of Human Rights this man can brazenly spew such vitriol against other ethnic groupings without any consequences? We cannot allow this level of lawlessness to continue unabated. This is extremely dangerous, and a real threat to our peace and stability. We also would like to take this opportunity to remind the nation that since 10th December 1948, human rights stopped being a sovereignty matter! The global community realized that dictators thrive on suppression of their people’s human rights and on divide and rule.

Zambia is not an “animal farm” where some people are more equal than others. We are a constitutional democracy, and all citizens have an equal claim to the running of the affairs of this country, regardless of their ethnicity, social, economic, political, religious or any other basis. We are all equal, and our equality is unconditional. Period!

Claims that Empowerment Funds are Bribes ahead of Election is a concern-President Lungu

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Claims that Empowerment Funds are Bribes ahead of Election is a concern-President Lungu

President Lungu has assured the Nation that the PF Government will continue working closely with the Catholic Church which has worked well with Government since 1964.

He said Government had no plans to antagonize Archdiocese of Chipata Bishop George Lungu for banning those under his justification from accessing the well-intended COVID Relief Empowerment Fund for churches.

President Lungu said Government would engage Bishop Lungu to understand his reservation on the Fund which has been extended to the churches.
“It is good that other Bishops in the Catholic Church allow their priests to accept Government empowerment programs especially that the Church remains Government’s great partner in the provisinon of services such as education and health,” the President said.

President Lungu said this when he held a meeting with Apostolic Nuncio Gianfranco Gallone at State House in Lusaka today attended by PF National Chairperson Samuel Mukupa and PF Secretary General Davies Mwila.

“We’re concerned that Bishop Lungu asked priests under his jurisdiction not to accept the empowerment fund claiming that they are bribes ahead of election but it is the church that asked Government to be considered in the empowerment programs because of the effects of Covid 19 pandemic,” he said.

And Apostolic Nuncio Nuncio Gianfranco said the PF Government and the Catholic Church enjoyed excellent and cordial relations.

“I am aware that the church and Government through the Ministry of Religious Affairs met in October last year and agreed on the Covid Relief Fund for churches of which each Bishop had their own jurisdiction on how they wanted to handle church matters within their territory,” he said.

The Nuncio said there was need for continued dialogue and collaboration between the Government and the church in order to continue providing services to the people of Zambia.

“It is good that the Government of Zambia has recognised the efforts of the church in national development and I wish to thank you President Lungu for the announcement by Government that the clergy and health workers will be among the first to receive the Covid Vaccines,” he said.
He said health workers, priests and other church leaders meet a lot of people hence the need to be among the first group to receive the vaccine.
And President Lungu later took his guest around State House Grounds for game viewing and fish ponds.

Ministry of Health to Launch the Vaccination Program today at UTH

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Ministry of Health to Launch the Vaccination Program today at UTH

Following the arrival of the initial doses of the Covid-19 vaccines in the country yesterday, Health Minister Dr. Jonas Chanda has announced that the vaccination program will be launched today at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) where vaccination will be started.

Speaking during the routine Covid-19 update today, the Health Minister said the health workers who are in the frontline in the fight against Covid-19 will be the first to receive the vaccine as guided by Cabinet in the approved vaccine program for Zambia.

He said other groups that are at high risk will then follow, reiterating that the vaccination will be voluntary and not mandatory.

“We endeavour to ensure, those on the frontlines are safe to strengthen the country’s preparedness for any possible third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic in the cold season, we will also vaccinate those who are volunteering who are in charge of core societal functions.” Dr. Chanda said.

And Permanent Secretary Technical services Dr. Kennedy Malama said the vaccines are being stored in a special storage facility where vaccines are stored at national level at the National Program on Immunisation.

“We have made allocation to all the 10 Provinces of our country, in line with the prioritised categories.”

“Tomorrow is the National launch and strategically we are going to do this launch at the University Teaching hospital, and start vaccinating, tier one (1) the health workers. And from there we will ensure that all the provinces do their provincial launched and also District launches…. where the focus is actual administration of the vaccine.” Dr. Malama said.

And responding to a question during the update, University Teaching Hospital Director of Infectious Diseases Professor. Lloyd Mulenga said pregnant and breastfeeding women would not be eligible for the Covid-19 vaccine as clinical trials that evaluated the safety and efficacy of the vaccines did not include pregnant and breastfeeding women adding that this particular population would not be routinely included for vaccination.

He however said that as the vaccination program was voluntary, those that felt that the benefit of taking the vaccine was bigger than the risk were at liberty to be vaccinated.

“So far the data that has come out for some of them under the trials (pregnant and breastfeeding women) who were vaccinated is that they gave normal live births, no major events have been recorded, however those trials were not designed to answer the question if these vaccines were safe in the pregnant population.” Professor Mulenga said.

Sangwa to challenge President Lungu’s eligibility next month

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Sangwa to challenge President Lungu’s eligibility next month
Constitutional Lawyer John Sangwa stresses a point at a recent public discussion on the Constitutional Amendment Bill
Constitutional Lawyer John Sangwa stresses a point at a recent public discussion on the Constitutional Amendment Bill

Lusaka Lawyer John Sangwa has confirmed that he will go ahead and petition President Edgar Lungu’s eligibility to contest the August 2021 general elections.

Mr. Sangwa said now that it is abundantly clear President Lungu wants to stand as President in the August polls, he will go ahead and challenge his eligibility in the Constitutional Court.

Speaking on Phoenix FM’s Let the People Talk radio programme on Tuesday, Mr Sangwa said it is now up to the Court to determine whether President Lungu qualifies to stand or not.

“I have deliberately avoided the eligibility matter on this programme because I know that this is a matter that will be resolved by the Courts and I think we would have all the indications on the ground that the matter would have to be resolved by Court soon,” Mr Sangwa said.

“I think we have debated enough, I think people have given their positions, I think the one camp is saying this issue is already resolved by the Court and I am saying that no it has not been resolved by the Courts but you know you can have a debate up to a certain point and when you are stuck in your respective positions, the only civil thing to do is to allow the matter to be decided in court.”

“And its not far, it’s only next month and of God willing, we will still be standing then we will see how the matter will be settled,” Mr Sangwa said.

“You see, we need to have faith in ten institutions that we have, we have our judicial system, although they are lowly paid but the truth is that these are the only institutions we have and when there is a dispute and we are falling to agree on, we take the matter to court for interpretation.”

He said,”There has been a lot of time expended on the issue of eligibility and we can’t seem to agree abd the next thing we have to do is leave it for the Court to decide.”

On calls by some PF offocials that Mr Sangwa be arrested for treason for questioning President Lungu’s eligibility, Mr Sangwa said he has not done anything illegal.

“I have argued that in my opinion, the only person who should be arrested is the one whom I believe is not edible to hold office. I am simply standing in defence of the constitution which is an obligation for me as a Lawyer and I have taken oath to protect the constitution and I don’t know how that can translate into treason?

Zesco United’s Sponsors Atlas Mara Backs Club to Win 2020/21 Double

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Zesco United’s Sponsors Atlas Mara Backs Club to Win 2020/21 Double

Atlas Mara Bank say they have never doubted their investment in Zesco United and are backing the Ndola giants to clinch a double this season.

Zesco and Atlas Mara have enjoyed a shirt endorsement deal for the last four years and last October unveiled a one year contract worth K2 million.

The eight-time league champions currently leads the FAZ Super Division race as it battles to reclaim the league title they surrendered to Nkana last season.

Victory at the end of the finish line in Week 34 will see Zesco join the second most successful club Mighty Mufulira Wanderers on nine league title, four less than Nkana.

“The value for us has always been there from ZESCO United. It is a professional club with good professional standards and a solid management system which are the key foundations to a successful football team,” said Atlas Mara bank head of Marketing and Corporate Communication, Eric Ngondo.

“These ingredients have had a huge bearing on the field. This is the more reason the team has been very successful over the years.

“Firstly, we want to give credit to the technical bench and players including management for what they have thus far achieved. The team is on course to win the title and are also in the semi-finals of the Absa Cup.

“For us the crucial part is winning the league, which we feel is within reach. What they have done so far is no mean achievement especially that the Zambian league is among the top leagues in Africa. Opening a seven-point gap at this stage of the season is massive. We can’t wait to celebrate the league and Absa cup title triumph with them.”

Zesco are the ABSA Cup holders and hope to stay on course for a prospective double when they face Konkola Blades in Saturday’s semifinals at Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe.

Fitch Ratings Agency Upgrades Zambia from “CC” grade to “CCC”,

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Fitch Ratings Agency Upgrades Zambia from “CC” grade to “CCC”,

Fitch Ratings has upgraded Zambia’s Long-term Local-Currency (LTLC) Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to ‘CCC’ from ‘CC’ and has affirmed Zambia’s Long-Term Foreign-Currency (LTFC) IDR at ‘RD’.

KEY RATING DRIVERS

The upgrade of the LTLC IDR reflects that the government has continued to service its local currency debt and has made no indication that it plans to include domestic debt in any potential debt restructuring. This means an eventual re-structuring of external debt could improve the overall public finance position and support local-currency debt sustainability.

However, the ‘CCC’ rating still reflects a real possibility of a local-currency default, given Zambia’s weak public finances and tight domestic financing conditions. Fitch estimates the 2020 general government deficit widened to 12% of GDP and forecasts a 2021 deficit of 10.3%. General government debt reached an estimated 114% of GDP at end-2020, versus the current ‘B’ median of 66%. The need to roll over domestic debt has increased interest rates. The government’s weighted-average cost of domestic government bond issuance reached a real rate of 11.7% in February, when inflation was 22%.

Zambia’s LTFC IDR of ‘RD’ reflects that the government has not serviced its outstanding Eurobonds pending a restructuring since its failure to pay the coupon due 14 October 2020 on its USD1 billion Eurobond that matures in 2024. The government has continued to service foreign currency-denominated debt to multilateral financial institutions and debt on a few priority projects that have immediate social and economic impact.

The Government of Zambia officially requested debt treatment under the G20 Common Framework in February 2021, and began discussions with the IMF on a possible support programme. Debt treatment under the common framework is likely to be driven by the outcome of a debt sustainability analysis (DSA) prepared by the authorities with the IMF and the World Bank.

An IMF statement on 3 March noted broad agreement on the “nature and cause of macroeconomic imbalances,” but that key challenges remain in addressing those imbalances. Given that an IMF programme will require significant policy adjustments, we believe that final approval of a programme is unlikely before the 2021 general election that is currently scheduled for August.

ESG – Governance: Zambia has an ESG Relevance Score of 5 for both Political Stability and Rights and for the Rule of Law, Institutional and Regulatory Quality and Control of Corruption, as is the case for all sovereigns. Theses scores reflect the high weight that the World Bank Governance Indicators (WBGI) have in our proprietary Sovereign Rating Model (SRM). Zambia has a medium WBGI, in the 38th percentile, reflecting a recent record of peaceful political transitions, a moderate level of rights for participation in the political process, moderate institutional capacity, established rule of law and a moderate level of corruption.

ESG – Creditor Rights: Zambia has an ESG Relevance Score (RS) of 5 for Creditor Rights as willingness to service and repay debt is highly relevant to the rating and is a key rating driver with a high weight. Zambia has not serviced its outstanding Eurobonds since its failure to pay the coupon due 14 October 2020 on its USD1 billion Eurobond that matures in 2024

Full Report: https://www.fitchratings.com/research/sovereigns/fitch-upgrades-zambia-lc-idr-to-ccc-affirms-fc-idr-at-rd-12-04-2021

https://www.fitchratings.com/research/sovereigns/fitch-upgrades-zambia-lc-idr-to-ccc-affirms-fc-idr-at-rd-12-04-2021

Mopani unveils new brand identity with redesigned logo

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Mopani unveils new brand identity with redesigned logo

Mopani Copper Mines Plc has launched its new corporate brand identity with a redesigned logo to reflect the recent changes to its shareholding structure.

“As part of our rebranding exercise following the recent acquisition of the majority stake in our company by ZCCM-IH, it has become imperative that we redesign our corporate brand identity and there is no better way to reflect this than in our resilient Mopani tree logo,” said Mr. Charles Sakanya, the Acting Chief Executive Officer of Mopani.

“While our ever-green Mopani tree and the company name remain unchanged, our new logo now carries a strapline ‘A ZCCM-IH Subsidiary’ to reflect who we are today and our dynamic future as a proudly Zambian-owned mine.”

ZCCM-IH, which has been a shareholder in Mopani since inception in April 2000, recently completed the acquisition of the majority stake in the Kitwe-and-Mufulira mining operation from previous majority shareholders, Glencore International AG, to become the sole shareholder in Mopani Copper Mines Plc.

“Designed to reflect Mopani’s new corporate philosophy of increased confidence in the ability of Zambian professionals to manage their own assets, the new Mopani logo evokes a sense of inspiration and optimism. The breaking long and short lines on either side of the ZCCM-IH strapline signify our new parent company’s corporate strategy of breaking new grounds and expanding its footprint in the mining industry.”

“Proud as we are of our rich history and deep roots, we have retained the core elements of our logo; the resilient Mopani tree with its ability to weather all weather conditions and the irrepressible name ‘MOPANI’. Over the coming weeks, we will update all our marketing and publicity literature with the new logo. For now, we invite all our business partners requiring our company logo for their business communications to contact us via email [email protected] to get the new logo guidelines,” Mr. Sakanya said.

Oil pipeline to be built from Lobito to Zambia

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Oil pipeline to be built from Lobito to Zambia

Angola and Zambia will sign on 19 of this month, in Luanda, a memorandum for construction of an oil pipeline for the country to supply fuel, the Angolan Ministry of Mineral Resources announced.

The matter was discussed between the Minister for Oil and Gas, Diamantino de Azevedo, and Zambia’s ambassador to Angola, Lawrence Chalungumana.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Mineral Resources, three years ago Zambia showed interest in building a multi-product pipeline, from the municipality of Lobito, in Angola’s Benguela province, to supply Zambia and the region with diesel, gasoline and gas.

The Zambian diplomat said at the end of the meeting that next Monday the two ministers would sign, in Luanda, the memorandum for construction of the pipeline.

“It will be an opportunity to insert Angola in the regional market and generate employment and energy,” said Lawrence Chalungumana.

Isaac Chansa Hired As City of Lusaka Coach

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Ex-Chipolopolo midfielder and 2012 AFCON winning hero Isaac Chansa has been appointed head coach of FAZ National First Division promotion chasers City of Lusaka.

City confirmed Chansa’s appointment on April 13 after the Woodlands side parted company with Serbia-born coach Veselin Jelusic who has been in charge since the start of this season.

“City of Lusaka is in a strong position to gain promotion with twelve games remaining,” City chairperson Chomba Mumba said.

“We believe that coach Chansa is the right person to build on the foundations laid in the league thus far.”

But Chomba did not give the duration of Chansa’s contract.

Chansa heads into his first head coaching appointment since he hang-up his boots over two seasons ago at Forest Rangers and subsequently the clubs’ bench as assistant trainer.

Meanwhile, City currently sit just outside the top four promotion slots in fifth place on 38 points from 22 games with a match in hand.

City are tied on points with Chambishi who are just ahead of them and are one point behind third placed Lusaka Celtic while Kansanshi Dynamos are second on 43 points and leaders Konkola Blades have 46 points.

Chansa’s debut will be this Saturdays when City play bottom of the log Zesco Shockers in their delayed Week 23 game.

UPND threatens to take PF to court for not holding a convention in line with Zambia’s Constitution

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UPND threatens to take PF to court for not holding a convention in line with Zambia’s Constitution

The United Party for National Development (UPND) has threatened to take the ruling Patriotic Front(PF) to court and stop the ruling party from taking part in the 2021 elections because the weekend’s convention was not in compliance with the provision of the law set in the republican constitution.

Speaking to the media today, UPND spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa said that the constitution requires that a party holds an elective convention and that the ruling party did not hold an elective convention because there was no ballot that took place at the just-ended convention.

Mr Mwetwa further gave PF a 48 hours ultimatum to reconvene their convention and conduct elections and not just select their members of the Central Committee.

Over the weekend, it emerged that President Edgar Lungu handpicked Central Committee members who were then approved at the National Council which will preceded weekend’s PF General Conference

Before the convention, both PF Secretary General Davies Mwila and National Chairman for Mobilisation Richard Musukwa confirmed separately that there going to be no elections to elect members of the Central Committee.

“Elections! Which elections? There will be no voting this weekend. We will only be endorsing the list of names that will come from State House,” Mr Mwila said in an interview.

He said the powers for the President to submit a list of officials he wants in the Central Committee is provided for under Article 57 of the PF Manifesto.

And Mr Musukwa said the delegates will be given a chance to deliberate on the President’s picks once the names are submitted to the General Conference. and the constitutional provision was designed to ensure that only those that are capable of working with the President at all times.

Batoka Power Station delayed

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Batoka Power Station delayed

The developers of a $4 billion hydropower plant on the Zambia-Zimbabwe border delayed the project until next year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Pre-construction work on the Batoka Gorge project has been suspended for several months because of the virus and funding is still being secured, Zambezi River Authority spokesman Fitzgerald Muchindu said in an emailed response to questions.

Work on the 2,400-megawatt facility had been scheduled to start in 2020.

“The authority and the developer are doing everything possible to expedite the outstanding pre-construction activities with a view to commence construction works at the earliest possible time,” Mr. Muchindu said in emailed responses to questions.

“Construction activities are currently projected to commence towards the end of 2022.”

Zimbabwe and Zambia in 2019 chose General Electric Co. and Power Construction Corp. of China to build the plant on the Zambezi River.

Both southern African nations struggle with electricity shortages because of poorly maintained equipment and droughts that curb output at existing hydropower facilities on the river.

In February, the two nations delayed planned upgrades to Kariba Dam, their main source of electricity.

Mr. Muchindu said talks are under way with domestic pension funds in Zambia and Zimbabwe to raise capital for the project.

“These discussions will be firmed upon once the optimization of the scheme, which will inform the actual projects, is completed,” he said, without providing further details.

He said Trade and Development Bank, a Bujumbura, Burundi-based multilateral lender, has been appointed as the lead arranger for financing on the project.

Bloomberg

Chanda Mbao presents Zambian Hip-Hop History Episode 1 featuring Holstar

Entertainment Editor
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Chanda Mbao presents Zambian Hip-Hop History Episode 1 featuring Holstar

Chanda Mbao presents the first episode of a Zambia Hip-hop history series. He had this to say about the series;
“I’m a big believer in “put your money where your mouth is” and “be the change you wish to see” so I’ve decided to embark on a journey documenting the history of Zambian Hip-Hop. Often, the disconnect between ‘young and old’ is due to not knowing our history…
As such, I’m trying to do my part to change that in my little corner (Zambian Hip-Hop). Let’s remember our achievements and let us celebrate them! Hopefully, this spirit can extend to all walks of Zambian music and Zambian life as well and can encourage other similar projects to highlight what we have accomplished as people.
This project will be a journey of learning for me and I’m excited to take fans and viewers on the journey with me! This is a project I’m embarking on with little resources because I believe in getting started and not waiting for perfect conditions…hopefully, by taking the first steps, the project can grow and maybe we’ll even find further financial support to do more than we are currently able to do.
Special thanks goes to CBT Cinematics for believing in the concept and being willing to work with me as well as Twangale Park for hosting us!
The first episode of Zambian Hip-Hop History with special guest

Holstar, Zambian Hip-Hop OG and also former manager of Zone Fam.”

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