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PF Campaigns heighten in the Miputu ward election

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PF Campaigns heighten in the Miputu ward election

Campaigns in Miputu ward of Masaiti district have intensified with political parties going round the word to gunner support ahead of the February 4th by-election.

And Patriotic Front (PF) Masaiti District Chairman David Kalutwa has implored the electorate in Miputu ward to vote for a candidate that would foster develop to the area and not boarder on political party affiliations.

Mr Kalutwa said Miputu had lagged in development with a poor road network among other challenges due to selfish motives of preceding United Party for National Development UPND councillors.

“We are all on the ground to ensure that the people of miputu vote for the right candidate, who is no other than PF candidate Boniface Mbasela. The ward is lagging in development with a bad road network from the careless attitude of the former UPND councillors who have been serving this word for a long time” he observed.

The Masaiti PF Chairperson indicated that campaigns are going well, with all the ward, district mobilisation and constituency team, all on the ground and working as a team with the support of the PF Provincial Chairman Nathan Chanda and the area Member of Parliament Michael Katambo.

He expressed confidence that the PF aspirant would scoop the seat and that the PF through the area MP was steering development as evidenced by the road works of Kamifungu area, connecting Masaiti and Lufwanyama districts, the construction of a 1 by 3 classroom block at Malembe primary, and ablution blocks at Miputu primary among other development programs.

Copperbelt Chairman Nathan Chanda distributing PF regalia at a campain meeting
Copperbelt Chairman Nathan Chanda distributing PF regalia at a campain meeting

And the PF Miputu ward aspirant Boniface Mbasela pledged to work with the area MP and the local authority to spur development to the area once voted to office.

Mr Mbasela, aged 22, said he was born and breed in Miputu and was aware of the needs and challenges that the people were facing, as such was better placed to serve the people.

“I am grateful to the support from the entire district and province in this by-election, and I promise to work hand in hand with the people of miputu and the PF to deliver development and m make a difference in this area were the opposition UPND had dominated but have failed to develop the place, it time for change” Mbasela said.

Meanwhile, Masaiti District UPND Chairman Shevy Mukabila has urged the people of miputu to rally behind the UPND candidate Godfrey Makasa, saying g he was a seasoned, matured, and right candidate for the job.

“Campaigns are going on well despite some roads are impassable due to heavy rains, but the ground seems favourable for us and the people of Miputu ward are in agreement with our candidate who has also served them under the Movement for Multiparty Democracy” he said.

Mr Mukabila who expressed confidence in the UPND scooping the local government seat added that the campaign ground was smooth with both the UPND and PF teams strictly following their timetables and had not clashed at any point.

The by-election was necessitated by the resignation of then UPND councillor Hosin Mabechi in August 2020.

The Electoral Commission of Zambia ECZ has set February 4th, 2021 as a date for the Miputu ward by-election.

Patriotic Front youths launch “Utenensu naChagwa 2021”

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Patriotic Front youths launch “Utenensu naChagwa 2021”

The Patriotic Front (PF) in Kabwata Constituency has launched the mobilization team dubbed “Utenensu naChagwa 2021” to supplement the existing structures in ensuring that the party scoops the 2021 tripartite elections.

Kabwata Constituency Chairperson Trevor Ng’andu said at the launch of the “Utenensu naChagwa 2021” at Kabwata market yesterday that the mobilization team will hit the ground to ensure that the electorates are educated on the developments that the party has done.

Mr Ng’andu told the gathering that Kabwata constituency is one of the developed places in Lusaka citing some developmental projects such as roads and Chilenje Mini Hospital.

He said the party should not be shaken by the opposition parties and some civil society members who are opposing everything that the PF has done.

The Constituency Chairperson noted that President Edgar Lungu has embraced all Zambians in driving the developmental agenda of the country.

Mr Ng’andu said no opposition party will win any seat during the 2021 elections in Lusaka as the mobilization team will do its best to ensure that the electorates are on the side of PF.

Lusaka Province media team Sampa Mwabume said the “Utenensu naChagwa 2021”will also focus on the new voters who have never participated in an election and ensure that they support the PF in 2021 general elections.

Mr Mwabume said four constituencies in Lusaka will drive the agenda for the “Utenensu naChagwa 2021” to ensure that President Lungu is ushered into office come August 2021.

He said the “Utenensu naChagwa 2021” Initiative wants to show voters the good things that the President has done as he is the party’s chosen candidate to contest for presidency this year.

Health Minister urges Covid-19 patients to seek attention early

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Health Minister urges Covid-19 patients to seek attention early

Minister of Health Jonas Chanda has expressed concern that some Covid-19 patients are presenting themselves late to health facilities after developing poor oxygen saturation levels.

Dr. Chanda said some patients have been reporting to the health facilities with saturations around 60 percent or less.

He has pointed out that headache, shortness of breath, increased heartbeat and confusion are some of the symptoms of low saturation.

“We have observed a worrisome trend of patients reporting late to our health facilities with very poor oxygen saturation levels. Oxygen saturation simply put is the amount of oxygen that is in your bloodstream. The normal level should be around 95 to 99 percent. Any level below this is calls for concern,” he said.

Dr. Chanda has however noted that Covid-19 has also been shown to cause silent hypoxia, a condition in which an individual has low saturation but without the proportional features of respiratory distress.

He has since advised the public to attentively observe their symptoms closely once they test positive to Covid-19 and immediately report to a health facility.

“If you test positive for Covid-19, vigilantly monitor your symptoms and present to a health facility early for effective management by our dedicated teams of health workers. Our five golden rules are very clear on this point, ‘seek medical attention early if you are symptomatic,” he says.

The minister made these remarks in a statement released to ZANIS in Lusaka this afternoon.

Meanwhile, in the last 24 hours, Zambia has recorded 1,120 new positive Covid-19 cases out of a total of 9,809 tests.

The cumulative number of Covid-19 cases now stands at 43,333 with 1,145 individuals discharged in the last 24 hours, bringing the cumulative number of recoveries to 32,667.

Further, the last 24 hours, 13 new deaths countrywide were recorded bringing the cumulative number of deaths recorded to 610.

The deaths have been classified as 241 Covid deaths, 346 Covid-19 associated deaths and 23 deaths pending classification.

“We currently have a total of 10,056 active Covid-19 cases. Of these, 9,613 are under community management while 443 are admitted to our various health facilities nationwide with 291 on oxygen therapy and 29 in critical condition,” Dr. Chanda stated.

And the Minister has further raised concern on the excessive use of home remedies such as ukufutikila (steaming) by the community saying this has resulted in causing other challenges.

Dr. Chanda noted that with over 95 percent of cases being managed within the community from the reported numbers, it is important that proven remedies are used safely and in moderation.

“I wish to speak on home remedies. In as much as we have encouraged the use of traditional and proven remedies such as ukufutikila and lemon juice for its Vitamin C benefits, we note with concern a number of reports coming from the community of excessive use of these home remedies which have resulted in steam burns, hypoxia and acidosis. Let us remember to use proven remedies safely and in moderation,” he advised.

He noted that his ministry has outlined clear criteria for community management of cases indicating that only asymptomatic, low risk patients with no co-morbidities or other medical reason requiring hospitalisation should be placed under community management.

“I repeat, if a patient is symptomatic or high risk or where they were initially asymptomatic but during their community management develop Covid-19 symptoms, these individuals must be referred to a Covid-19 facility. A high risk Covid-19 case includes any person with a pre-existing medical co-morbidity or other medical reason requiring hospital admission, or where the patient’s social circumstances pose a risk to other for instance, overcrowding, shared sanitary facilities or living in a household with the elderly or other at risk individuals,” he emphasised.

He has meanwhile expressed gratitude to the country’s diligent health workers who continue to work on the frontlines of the pandemic.

“We are well aware of the great sacrifices you have made over the months including risking your own safety and placing your lives on the line. We are also aware of the challenges you face and are working around the clock to provide you with the necessary support. We have continued to bring on board the private sector to complement our response efforts,” Dr. Chanda stated.

He has also urged the local authorities to ensure that transmission during large gatherings and super spreader events is halted by enforcing adherence to the guidelines.

Zambia Rally To Salvage Draw Against Nemesis Guinea

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The status quo in Group D was maintained on Saturday after Zambia rallied to draw 1-1 with Guinea in their penultimate preliminary stage match in Limbe.

Guinea stay top, tied on 4 points with second placed Zambia but with a better goal difference, regardless of the other come of the late kickoff between Namibia and Tanzania who head into their fixture on zero points.

Both sides had decent chances in the opening half that ended 0-0 with two falling Zambia’s way firstly when Emmanuel Chabula who turned his back on the ball in front of an obliging goal.

Then in the 41st minute, Clement Mwape’s intentions of stomping the ball in were a millisecond slower than Zachariah Chilongoshi’s cross that was parried for a corner by Guinea goalkeeper Moussa Camara.

The deadlock was broken in the 58th minute when Victor Kantabadouno slipped the ball through a cluster of Zambian defenders after they have failed to properly clear the ball that ping-ponged on them before it fell at Mouri Kante’s feet who fed his compatriot to score.

Chilongoshi then shockingly elected to miss a sitter just after the hour mark as Zambia found themselves under pressure in the hunt for the equalizer.

But Chilongoshi redeemed himself in the 87th minute when his searching cross was headed-in by Spencer Sautu who had replaced Amity Shamende just after the restart.

Chipolopolo must now beat Namibia on January 27 and hope they win Group D to avoid trip to Douala for a potential quarterfinal date with defending CHAN champions Morocco on January 31 who lead Group C on 4 points one point ahead of Togo with a round of games left.

Meanwhile, the result left Zambia still without a win over Guinea in 50 years in now six meetings that have produced three wins , two defeats and a draw in favour of the West Africans.

Nkana’s Poor Form Continues

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Zambia’s continental envoys Nkana and Napsa Stars continued to struggle on the domestic front after posting a defeat and draw in their respective fixtures in Saturday’s doubleheader at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka.

Defending FAZ Super Division champions Nkana lost 2-0 away to sixth placed Lusaka Dynamos to suffer their second successive league defeat after a 2-1 home loss to Zesco United on January 17.

Nkana have collected just one competitive match in their last five matches that came three games ago in a 2-1 league win at home over Red Arrows in January 13.

Tady Etekiama and Lubamba Moyela punished Nkana for some very basic goalkeeping and defensive errors in the 15th and 60th minutes respectively.

The champions are sitting two places above the demoted zone with 14 points from twelve matches and have an away date against Nkwazi on February 3 before resuming their CAF Confederation Cup pre-group stage first leg date at home in Kitwe against Tihad Casablanca of Morocco.

But in the lunchtime kickoff, Napsa fared much better with a 1-1 home draw against 11th placed Indeni.

Jimmy Mukeya put Napsa ahead in the 13th minute but Heritier Nkonko equalized i the 32nd minute.

It was third from bottom Napsa’s third straight draw in the midst of their four match winless run since they beat former leaders Prison Leopards 2-1 on January 10.

Napsa host Kabwe Warriors on January 27 and travel to Green Eagles on January 30 before heading to Kenya for the CAF Confederation Cup first leg fixture against Gor Mahia on February 14 in Nairobi

FAZ SUPER DIVISION RESULTS AND FIXTURES
WEEK 14
22/01/2021
Zanaco 3G-reen Buffaloes 0
23/01/2021
Napsa Stars 1-Indeni 1
Lusaka Dynamos 2-Nkana 0
Kabwe Warriors 1-Kitwe United 0
Young Green Eagles 2-Nkwazi 1
Lumwana Radiants 0-Prison Leopards 0
Forest Rangers 2-Red Arrows 1
24/01/2021
Buildcon-Green Eagles
POSTPONED
Zesco United-Power Dynamos

“The bucket is leaking” – HH denounces debt-funded Mopani deal

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“The bucket is leaking” – HH denounces debt-funded Mopani deal

Zambia’s main opposition party leader Hakainde Hichilema criticised the government’s deal with Glencore on Thursday, comparing the economy to a leaky bucket broken by debt.

The state mining investment arm ZCCM-IH agreed on Tuesday to take on $1.5 billion in debt in exchange for full control of Mopani Copper Mines, previously majority-owned by Glencore.

“You are filling the economy with more debt, expensive debt, there’s no compensating growth. Where is the money going? It’s going. The bucket is leaking,” Hichilema, president of the United Party for National Development (UPND), said in a TV interview.

Zambia became Africa’s first pandemic-era sovereign default in November, and its debt burden is a key issue for the public, who will head to the polls in a general election on Aug. 12. Hichilema is the main challenger to President Edgar Lungu.

Lungu has framed the Mopani deal as a boon for workers and a success for his strategy of greater government control over mining assets. Glencore sought to shut the mine last year due to covid-19 disruptions and lower copper prices.

“What is wrong with government acquiring shares in the mines, especially when the investor was not keen to pump in resources?” he said on Thursday.

ZCCM-IH says the $1.5 billion is guaranteed by Mopani, not by the government, and is therefore not sovereign debt. It was unclear how the International Monetary Fund (IMF), to which Zambia has applied for a financing arrangement, would classify the loan.

Under the deal terms, Glencore will retain buying rights to Mopani’s copper, and ZCCM-IH will repay the loan principal by giving Glencore creditors 3% of Mopani’s gross revenue from 2021-2023 and between 10% and 17.5% of gross revenue from then on.

Glencore declined to comment.

Civil servants with audit queries to be charged

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Civil servants with audit queries to be charged

Central Province Permanent Secretary Bernard Chomba has warned of stern action against Provincial Heads of Department who will attract audit queries in this year’s Auditor General’s report.

Mr Chomba has further disclosed that he will soon start charging officers who were cited in last year’s Auditor General’s report.

The Provincial Permanent Secretary was speaking in Kabwe today when he addressed Government Heads of Department in the province through a virtual meeting.

‘’ I wish to make it clear during this meeting that Heads of Departments who would attract audit queries in this year’s Auditor General’s report will not be spared, if our colleagues in other provinces have not gone to the Parliamentary Accounts Committee (PAC), why should we? I will be charging officers that were cited in last year’s Auditor General’s report,’’ he said.

Mr Chomba also called on the Provincial Heads to desist from the temptation of over borrowing and advised the officers to learn to live within their means.

‘’The issue of borrowing will also not be entertained. Let us learn to live within our means and not above our means,’’ he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Chomba has urged the officers in the province to continue working hard and remain focused as the country goes towards the 2021 general elections.

The Provincial Permanent Secretary urged the Heads of Department to put public resources to good use for the benefit of the general citizenry.

Mr Chomba also cautioned officers against the misuse of government vehicles especially on weekends.

He said he will direct the police command in the province to impound all government vehicles during weekends that will be driven without a weekend pass.

He also urged the Provincial Heads to ensure that the COVID-19 protocols are strictly followed in their various departments.

And speaking during the same virtual meeting, Provincial Health Director Chalwe Kabuswe disclosed that 115 oxygen concentrators have been distributed across the province to help in the management of COVID-19 patients.

Dr Kabuswe however regretted the fact that members of the community were not only failing to wear face masks but were also failing to maintain social distance.

He said Central Province has recorded a total of 3,334 COVID 19 cases since the outbreak of the disease last year with 42 deaths.

Woman arrested for stealing a month old baby

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Woman arrested for stealing a month old baby

A 26 year old woman of Manyama area in Kalumbila district has been arrested for stealing a one month old baby.

Juliet Musonga is believed to have stolen the infant after being left in her custody as its mother went to buy a face mask.

North-Western Province Commissioner of Police Joel Njase has confirmed this in Solwezi today, that the incident happened yesterday around 12:00 hours at Manyama market.

“Meheba police station has received a case of child stealing, which was reported by Liness Mutengo aged 28 years of Kayonge village that her one month old baby girl had been stolen by unknown female she can identify if seen, who purported to be a good Samaritan as she left the baby with her and went to buy a face mask”, he confirmed.

“This occurred yesterday Janaury 22, 2021 at around 12:22hrs at Manyama market along hospital road in Kalumbila district.Mr Njase said the baby has since been found in Kananga area around 15:00 hours in the custody of the suspect.

“Be informed that the baby Lushomu Mahingala who was stolen earlier, has been found around 15:00 hours at Kananga from the suspect Juliet Musonga aged 26, of Manyama also of Village Musonga, Lumwana east, chief Mukumbi District Kalumbila,” Mr Njase said .

The Police Commissioner said the suspect has been arrested and is in police custody.

Zambia’s response to its debt hole is to keep digging

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Zambia’s response to its debt hole is to keep digging

Zambia mortgages the future by taking over Glencore copper debt

State-owned Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines Limited (ZCCM) this week agreed to take on $1.5bn of debt and pay a nominal $1 to take over a 73% stake in Mopani Copper Mines from Swiss commodities trader and mining company Glencore.

The agreement adds to the debt liabilities of a country that in November became the first African country to default during the COVID-19 pandemic. ZCCM will repay the loan by giving Glencore creditors 3% of Mopani’s revenue to 2023, which then rises to between 10% and 17.5%.

That’s on top of quarterly interest of LIBOR plus 3%, and a requirement for ZCCM to pay 33.3% of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), less some deductions.

Glencore will retain rights to copper produced at Mopani until the debt is repaid, which Zambia to take between 10 and 17 years, depending on copper prices.

A requirement is ZCCM will have to pay 33.3% of earnings

So Glencore keeps the upside if production and copper prices are strong. For Zambia, the deal “owes more to short-term political calculations than long-term sound economic reasoning,” says Nick Branson, director at Gondwana Risk in London. “Additional liabilities will merely add to the gross public debt, undermining Zambia’s chances of convincing the IMF that its debt can be put back on a sustainable footing.” That will delay access to concessional lending, he adds.

President Edgar Lungu “no doubt views the deal as an opportunity to secure votes on the Copperbelt, where the ruling Patriotic Front was born but has seen its support waning,” says Branson. “The government will be able to boast that Mopani’s “nationalisation” represents both a victory against supposedly exploitative foreign mining companies and guarantees jobs for Zambian workers.”

August elections

The truth is that Glencore has simply been able to offload debt to a government that has both eyes fixed on elections in August.

Glencore temporarily halted copper mining Mopani in April 2020, prompting a threat by the Zambian government to suspend Glencore’s mining license.
Zambia will now seek a new investor in Mopani, and will need about $300m to complete expansion projects started by Glencore. The official timeline for that shows how difficult it will be: ZCCM hopes to identify a new investor by the end of this year.

“Zambia not only added a sizeable chunk of debt to its already unsustainable public debt burden but took on responsibility for a larger share of the mining labour force that it can ill-afford,” Irmgard Erasmus, senior financial economist at NKC African Economics in Cape Town, writes in a research note. Mines Minister Richard Musukwa has said that 15,000 job were at risk.

“In stark contrast to the expected behaviour of a country seeking IMF support and a recipient of debt service suspension relief from Paris Club creditors, the government’s recent actions rather speak of a blatant courting of the popular vote ahead of the August national poll,” argues Erasmus.

The IMF was not consulted on the Glencore agreement.

The move sets the stage for “a more acrimonious debt restructuring process and increases the probability of a protracted economic contraction,” writes Erasmus. “A more nationalist approach to production will weigh unfavourably on efforts to improve the non-interest current account and structural primary fiscal balance, both being critical to placing Zambia on a more sustainable debt path.”

Bottom line

Zambia’s politicians will only listen once the electorate sends a message on public finance sustainability.

Source:Africa Report

ZCCM-IH has the capacity to efficiently operate Mopani Copper Mines-IDC

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ZCCM-IH has the capacity to efficiently operate Mopani Copper Mines-IDC

The Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) has said ZCCM-IH has the capacity to efficiently operate Mopani Copper Mines.

According to the statement released to the media by Ms. Namakau Mukelabai, the Head of Corporate Communication, IDC Group CEO Mr Mateyo Kaluba said the mining company’s Board of Directors and Management would be competent enough to professionally run the newly acquired mine.

“In terms of our confidence that the mine will be professionally run, we have no doubt,” Mr Kaluba said, adding that the company would further seek strategic equity and technical partner to enhance its capacity.

He reiterated that the acquisition of Mopani Copper Mine by ZCCM-IH was consistent with the direction the mining conglomerate was taking to have more control of mining interests in the country.

Mr. Kaluba said the IDC, as ZCCM-IH’s holding company, was involved through an extensive consultation process to give the necessary guidance and approvals.

Regarding the payment of the US$1.5 billion transaction debt by Mopani to Glencore, Mr Kaluba said that the debt was the burden of the mining company itself and not the State.

He added that the mine’s debt as a result of this transaction had no impact on the country’s sovereign debt.

Mr. Kaluba explained that the deal was structured in such a way that Glencore would be the off taker of Mopani’s copper and that a 10% portion of the proceeds would go towards debt repayment.

He said the debt would be fully paid over the next 10-17 years depending on the mine’s production capacity and fluctuations of the copper prices.

Mr Kaluba urged Zambians to be more confident in taking up more challenging assignments, as the government had created an enabling environment where companies such as ZCCM-IH and IDC are able to be more assertive in taking control of national assets.

Fuel Shortage: Choma DC bans use of containers to buy fuel

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Fuel Shortage: Choma DC bans use of containers to buy fuel

The district administration in Choma has banned the buying of petrol in containers so as to sustain available stocks of the commodity.

This was after some people were allegedly seen buying available stocks of the commodity in containers for resale thereby creating an artificial shortage.

Choma District Commissioner Protacial Mulenga said such behaviour should be stopped as it deprives other motorists from accessing the commodity.

This came to light when the Mr. Mulenga met filling station managers and other stakeholders at his office.

“Priority should be given to vehicles. We are not going to allow containers at filling stations,” he said

Mr. Mulenga said his office will work closely with the police in the district to ensure there is no illegal trade of petrol in containers.

He has since directed filling station managers in the district to issue notices to the public on the ban of buying of petrol in containers.

The stakeholders have also resolved to limit the sale of petrol to local motorists by a maximum of 30 litres until the supply stabilises.

Meanwhile, various filling stations in Choma district have confirmed that they will be receiving new stocks of petrol soon.

Total filling station manager Lavender Kasapo said the station has had no petrol since Monday but are expecting new stock arrival.

“We are expecting 35,000 liters of petrol before Friday,” she said.

Traders block the disinfecting of the Market Place, accuse authorities of Spreading COVID-19 with Spraying

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Traders block the disinfecting of the Market Place, accuse authorities of Spreading COVID-19 with Spraying

Marketers of Limulunga district have blocked the Limulunga Town Council from spraying the market in a bid to prevent the spread of covid-19 a situation that has disappointed the stakeholders.

Confusion erupted in the market when crowds of marketers kept chanting angrily anti-spraying remarks to the sprayers and the council team claiming that the chemicals used to spray would infect them with Covid-19.

The council team had to engage the Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE) and the police to help calm the situation and urge the marketers to understand the importance of the exercise however but the efforts proved futile.

Market vice-chairperson Martin Mwenda, who tried to advocate for the spraying team, told ZANIS that misconceptions have raised fear among marketers.

“This is a vital exercise but people are afraid because of misunderstandings. The exercise has failed because of these beliefs. As market leadership we shall sensitize them to build confidence,” he said.

And Limulunga ward councillor Malale Waluka, who was harassed by marketers, expressed disappointment that marketers behaved the manner they did.

He said the response is sad because the market is a high risk factor in spreading Covid-19 as it is a meeting and exchanging site.

“They have refused entirely even after knowing that we have sprayed other places like the Kuta and the police. The chemicals are not being imported. We are using chlorine and we mixed the chemical while they are watching but the response is still negative,” said the councillor.

He has since urged the traders to work with the local authority to stop any further spread of the virus.

Meanwhile, the BRE Ngambela, Manyando Mukela has implored residents to embrace the spraying exercise and adhere to the guidelines given by the Ministry of Health.

“We are aware that some people have questions and doubts about the motive of spraying our areas but this is a normal exercise taking place in other places.

“We appreciate the work that is taking place and the spraying conducted by the council to disinfect public places like hospitals, city centres hence when it takes place here, embrace it because Covid-19 is real,” the Ngambela appealed.

The Ngambela also disclosed that the Kuta has been observing strict guidelines to stop any infection.

DEC Officer acquitted of corruption charges after Prosecution fails to Prove the case

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DEC Officer acquitted of corruption charges after Prosecution fails to Prove the case

The Livingstone Magistrate Court has acquitted a Drug Enforcement Commission Assistant Investigations Officer who was facing two counts of corrupt practices.

The acquittal came as a result of the failure by the prosecution to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt.

Andrew Pikiti was facing two counts of corrupt practices contrary to section 19(1), as read with section 41 of the Anti-Corruption Act Number 3 of 2012.

Pikiti appeared before Senior Resident Magistrate William Banda for judgment in the matter.

In count one, particulars of the offense were that Pikiti, on dates unknown but between 1st September 2015 and 23rd October 2015, in Livingstone, did corruptly receive K500 gratification from Joseph Moyo, as inducement for himself in order to facilitate the stoppage of money laundering criminal investigations by the DEC against Moyo.

And in count two, particulars of the offence were that, Pikiti on dates unknown but between 1st September 2015 and 23rd October 2015 in Livingstone, did corruptly receive K1, 000 gratification as an inducement to facilitate the stoppage of money laundering criminal investigations by the DEC against Joseph Moyo.

Pikiti pleaded not guilty to both counts.

In his defence, he stated that the money he received from Moyo was not a bribe but for boat cruise ticket sales as he (Pikiti) was the vice treasurer in the fundraising committee of St. Theresa Catholic Church, where he was a congregant.

And in passing judgment, Senior Resident Magistrate William Banda said he had considered all the evidence presented before court.

Mr. Banda said there was no evidence to support the prosecution’s argument on the purpose of the money Pikiti had received from Moyo.

The senior magistrate said there being no other form of evidence to support claims of corruption other than the oral testimonies by witnesses in court, the he was inclined to consider as reasonable and possible Pikiti’s assertion that the money was for ticket sales.

Mr. Banda stated that uncertainty in the matter existed as the prosecution did not prove the case beyond reasonable doubt.

As such, he proceeded to acquit Pikiti on both counts.

MP urges Zambia Business Community to invest in Newly created District

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MP urges Zambia Business Community to invest in Newly created District

Chasefu Member of Parliament Gerald Zimba has urged the business community in the country to commence investing in the newly created district in Eastern province.

Mr. Zimba said investors should follow the right procedure and acquire land in newly created districts like Chasefu through the councils for their business investments.

In a statement issued in Chipata today, Mr Zimba said time has come for those who want to build lodges and venture into other businesses to acquire land in Chasefu district.

“This opportunity has presented itself for everyone who wants to invest in Chasefu district and to take this opportunity seriously and follow the right procedure to acquire land through the council,” he said.

Mr. Zimba said there were many benefits in investing in Chasefu which was formerly part of Lundazi district.

He said the local authority in Chasefu has opened bids for land acquisition in pursuant to the Ministry of Lands circular No.1 1995 on land alienation

“Plots are now on offer for residential and commercial in Chasefu and interested developers should have the capacity to develop within the statutory period,” he said.

Mr. Zimba said the closing date for receiving applications for the plots is February 19, 2021.

The Chasefu lawmaker, who is also Eastern Province Patriotic Front Vice Chairperson, said investment potential in the district is very high because most of the vital sectors have not been fully exploited by the local people.

He said this presents an opportunity for investors to become stakeholders in local economic development.

In 2017, President Edgar Lungu created five new districts in Eastern Province namely Chipangali, Kasenengwa, Lusangazi, Lumezi and Chasefu.

Catholic Media Services mourn Fr. Chilinda

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Catholic Media Services mourn Fr. Chilinda

The Catholic Media Services (CMS) and the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) Communications Commission have received the sad news of the demise of Fr. Chilinda with a sense of shock and grief.

Catholic Media Services Director, Fr. Winfield Kunda, said the late Fr. Chilinda has been part of the growth of the Catholic media in Zambia who greatly impacted both church-run media outlets and the secular ones.

Fr. Kunda stated that in his quest to feed the nation with right information, Fr. Chilinda traversed the country and beyond resulting in the production of well researched programmes that were aired on various media platforms.

In a statement issued to ZANIS in Lusaka this afternoon, Fr. Kunda indicated that through Loyola Production Studios, Fr. Chilinda also helped in recording and archiving many events of the nation and the church which will be referred to in many years to come.

“Fr. Chilinda contributed greatly to the establishment of the Catholic television stations in Zambia. He was a member of the Lumen TV Steering Committee at the time the Catholic Bishops were planning to establish a national Catholic Television, Lumen TV. It is also through his leadership that Fr. Chilinda managed to set up a Jesuit TV station called Loyola TV,” he noted.

Fr. Kunda has stated that the demise of Fr. Chilinda is a great loss to both the Church and many students in various institutions of learning whom he spoke to on Film production.

The Catholic Media Services Director added that the Catholic Church in Zambia and the region will greatly miss the advice of the late Fr. Chilinda on various media and communication matters.

“On behalf of Catholic Media Services and all our Catholic media houses dotted across the nation, we send our heartfelt condolences to the Jesuit Community, the family and friends on this great loss of a Priest that took advantage of his ministry as a shepherd to bring peace among our national political leadership,” Fr. Kunda said.

He added that, “We pray that God may look on Fr. Chilinda with mercy and grant him eternal rewards as he returns home to his Father and our Father, the God of us all,”

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