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Govt building a Resilient, Sustainable Zambia – Chiteme

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Govt building a Resilient, Sustainable Zambia – Chiteme

The Minister of National Development Planning Hon. Alexander Chiteme, MP, says the Government is committed to exploring new frontiers to build a more resilient and sustainable Zambia.

Mr. Chiteme said this in a speech read on his behalf by the Permanent Secretary in charge of Development Cooperation, Monitoring and Evaluation, Mr. Trevor Kaunda during the launch of the 2020 Human Development Report in Lusaka today.
The Minister said the Human Development Report provides useful insights for the formulation of public policy and other development agenda for countries, including Zambia.

“The 2020 Human Development report is of even more significance in that it is has brought to the fore a need to redefine human development. In 2020 we saw one novel virus threatening to reverse decades of development milestones achieved everywhere, including in Zambia,” Mr. Chiteme said. “The report highlights the need to move beyond seeking to solve discreet problems with singular solutions. Instead, we must connect the dots and equip ourselves to navigate complex, interconnected social and ecological systems. The need for this is illustrated by the covid-19 pandemic, which was both created and has been maintained by planetary and social imbalance.”

Highlighting some of the key message in the report, the Minister said while human activities could harm nature, they could also regenerate it.

“Our challenge is to create and sustain positive cycles while preventing and ending negative spirals by focusing on three mechanisms for collective change: social norms and values – we need to establish new norms that give greater weight to planetary balance and sustainability; incentives and regulation – these are to be used to promote or deter action, helping bridge the gap between behaviors and values.”

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Zambia Resident Representative Lionel Laurens said the UN in Zambia and globally, would continue to champion a human rights-based approach to sustainable development which recognizes that transforming our economies and societies must have equity, justice and human rights at its centre.

“Given the deep interconnection of planetary and social imbalances noted in the report, I want to emphasize today the importance of ensuring justice, equality, and human rights as part of this process,” said Mr. Laurens.
Meanwhile, UN Resident Coordinator Dr. Coumba Mar-Gadio said the Human Development Report provides timely theoretical and empirical reference materials for the development of country analysis and new cooperation framework that will form the basis of the UN’s support within the next programmatic cycle.

“This report’s findings and recommendations provide ‘food for thought’, data and background information to inform the design of policies towards sustainable development. The United Nations remains committed to work with the various partners, the government and beyond, on advancing sustainable development in the Republic of Zambia,” said Dr. Gadio.
Zambia’s Human Development Index value for 2019 is 0.584, which put the country in the medium human development category, positioning it at 146 out of 189 countries and territories.

The HDI is a summary measure for assessing long-term progress in three basic dimensions of human development: a long and healthy life, access to knowledge and a decent standard of living.

ZIFLP commences distribution of 1400 improved cooking stoves in Eastern province

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ZIFLP commences distribution of 1400 improved cooking stoves in Eastern province

The Zambia Forest and Landscape Project (ZIFLP) has commenced the distribution of 1400 improved cooking stoves to selected communities and boarding schools in Eastern Province.

Under the energy component of the ZIFLP project, the exercise is in a bid to encourage communities to cut down on deforestation by using wood fuel-efficient stoves which have lesser pollutants than the traditional braziers.

Speaking in an interview, Ministry of Energy Principal Energy Officer (PEO) Anna Banda, said the 1400 cookstoves are being distributed to Chipangali, Vubwi, Chipata, and Mambwe Districts under the first phase of the energy intervention.

“We are donating the improved cookstoves with the view of improving efficiency on how we are using wood fuel for cooking.

“ You will agree with me that the rate at which we are harvesting the trees and depleting our forest is so much that if we do not do anything now, so many years down the line we will not see the trees as we see them currently.

“ We need to put up interventions and this is one such intervention under the ZIFLP project, “she said.

Ms Banda, who is spearheading the ZIFLP component on energy, said all the 14 district in Eastern Province will receive 100 improved cook stoves, each.

The improved household cook stoves will use less wood fuel thereby giving the trees space to naturally regenerate because forests will not be harvested as at the current rate.

The donated utensils are of two types namely the Pulumusa and Rasmas modules which uses less wood fuel during cooking as compared to the inefficient ordinary braziers normally in use.

Through this project , the ZIFLP is hoping to reduce high levels of deforestation in the region.

ZIFLP targets to distribute 86,000 improved cook something in Eastern Province under the energy component.

Meanwhile, she said that ZIFLP under the guidance of the Ministry of Education in Eastern Province has started the distribution of 28 institutional stoves that use less wood fuel.

ZIFLP has already donated the stoves to Magwero School for the Blind, Chizongwe Boys Boarding School, Monica’s Girls Secondary School and Magwero School for the Deaf, all in Chipata District, respectively.

The organisation also donated institutional stoves to Eastern Girls Secondary School and St Margaret Girls Boarding School in Chipangali district.

DEC arrests 3 people for money laundering, drug trafficking involving over $180,000.

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DEC arrests 3 people for money laundering, drug trafficking involving over $180,000.

The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC), through its Anti-Money Laundering Investigations Unit, has arrested and jointly charged two people for money laundering activities involving over US$180,000.

The suspects have been identified as Bernard Angetile aged 54, of 24 Mukuba village, Riverside in Kitwe and Linda Ngwira aged 53 of HCH-2-14 NAPSA Complex in Kalulushi.

DEC Public Relations Officer Theresa Katongo said the duo, who are business owners of Linber Enterprise Limited, were contracted by the Ministry of National Development Planning (MNDP) to supply laboratory equipment for a research center in Lusaka province.

“It is alleged that the company forged documents purporting that they had delivered part of the equipment in order to get the payment when in fact not,” Ms. Katongo said in a statement made available to the media in Lusaka yesterday.

She said the details of the offense are that the duo, on dates unknown but between February 01, 2019 and October 31, 2019, submitted a tax invoice valued at US$247, 83 and a packing list purporting that they delivered items indicated on the packing list which included two equipment namely bench-top (XRD), valued at US$145, 000 and Mid Infrared Fourier Transform Spectrometer valued at US$43,000 as per agreed terms when in fact not.

Ms. Katongo said Linber Enterprises Limited was then fully paid 65 percent (US$247, 839.80) of the contract sum claimed on tax invoice and submitted a delivery note to an unauthorized worker at Zambia Agriculture Research Institute (ZARI) at Mount Makulu in Chilanga purporting to show that the company had delivered some items which included one Bench-top (XRD) valued at US$145,000.00 when in fact not.

She further explained that Linber Enterprises Limited subsequently transferred US$ 55,385 into its Kwacha account domiciled at a named bank and used the said funds to settle its accounts payables which included debts and staff salaries.

Meanwhile, the DEC in Lusaka has arrested Vanessa Koonjul, a 28-year-old Mauritian national residing in Zambia for trafficking in 147.7grams of Heroin.

Ms. Katongo said the suspect was intercepted at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport on March 02, 2021, as she was receiving a parcel that contained the Heroin.

She said all the suspects are in police custody and necessary arrangements are being made for them to appear before the courts of laws.

About the IMF: Misconceptions Versus reality

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About the IMF: Misconceptions Versus reality

By Sean Tembo – PeP President

1. There are a lot of misconceptions and sometimes just plain lies that have been peddled about the breadth and width on an International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme and what it would mean if Zambia was to be placed on such a programme. But today l wish to address the specific untruth that has been peddled by the UPND President Mr Hakainde Hichilema that if he became President of Zambia, his economic turnaround model would hinge on putting the country on an IMF programme thereby accessing a cheap IMF loan which he would then use to pay off our existing expensive commercial loans such as Eurobond thereby reducing our repayment obligations and freeing up financial resources which would be used for other social causes such health and education.

Such a simplistic view is impractical and untenable for reasons that l will give below. But before someone jumps to the usual punchline that l am attacking a fellow opposition, l want to make it categorically clear that there is nothing wrong about having a debate on how best to develop our country, no matter how heated such a debate might get. It is in the interests of the citizens of this nation that we have a viable economic turnaround plan, one that is tenable and sustainable.

2. Before l go into the details of why HH’s IMF route is not only impractical but shallow and simplistic, allow me to use just a paragraph explaining the economic turnaround plan for my political party; the Patriots for Economic Progress (PeP). As PeP, our diagnosis of Zambia’s economic quagmire is not that we lack resources, no. But rather that half of our resources are wasted through incompetent management of national affairs by Government while another 40% is outrightly stolen thereby leaving only about 10% for use by the citizens of this country. In other words, the bucket is leaking. And when the bucket is leaking, the solution cannot be to put more water in it.

To the contrary, the solution lies in mending the bucket. UPND’s and HH’s idea of getting an IMF loan amounts to putting more water in a leaking bucket. And that is the reason why l am fundamentally opposed to it. Our proposed idea for turning around this country’s economy is to mend the bucket by taking two actions; firstly to immediately stop the theft of public funds which can be achieved immediately within a year, and secondly to stop wastage of public funds through incompetence which is a gradual endeavor that we can achieve within 3 to 5 years. These two approaches have been very clearly outlined in the PeP manifesto ever since we formed the party in 2016. When we talk about theft of public funds, there are two aspects to it; there is theft of already declared income through exaggerated prices of tenders which is a small part of the theft, and then there is theft of undeclared tax and non-tax revenue which is the larger part of the theft that is usually never talked about.

A very small proportion of the money that GRZ generates actually reaches the treasury and most of it is diverted into individuals’ pockets. Our estimates are that these revenue leakages amount to between 60% to 80% of the total actual revenue generated by GRZ. That is why you will find most senior Government officials coming from very big unexplained mansions in New Kasama to go and work in usually unsanitary government offices. The Government is poor while the people who work for it are rich. If this is genuinely fixed, something that we hope to do within a year, it would free up huge financial resources that can then be used to not only meet and payoff our loan obligations but also address other social needs of the nation such as health and education. In the medium to long term, once we also address the issue of incompetence by ensuring that all decision-makers are employed on merit and not patronage, we will have sound economic policies coming from Government which will set the platform for private sector-driven economic development. That my solution. That is the PeP solution. To mend the leaking bucket and not to just pour in more juice that would come from an IMF loan.

3. We can now talk about the lie on which HH’s economic turnaround plan for Zambia is premised. That he will borrow cheap IMF money and use it to clear our existing external debt such as the Eurobond. Before we get into the details of that, allow me to first explain what the IMF is and what it is not. The International Monetary Fund is an initiative of the United Nations (UN) and it is governed by what is referred to as Articles of Agreement which were adopted by its initial 29 members on 22nd July 1944 in a small city called Breton Woods in the state of New Hempshire in the United States of America. Over the years, these articles of the agreement have been ratified by several other countries including Zambia. However, the articles of the agreement only provide the general guide of how the IMF operates, the actual so-called nitty gritties are outlined in the IMF By-Laws, Rules, and Regulations.

Now, it is these IMF By Laws which, in layman’s language, preclude the Fund from giving financial support to a member for purposes of refinancing that member’s existing loan facility and/or other financial obligation or for purposes of guaranteeing a future loan facility or the Fund’s financial support being used as collateral for an existing or future loan facility. Now, what am not sure about is whether HH knows this or he doesn’t. If he did, then he has been deliberately misleading Zambians by insinuating that his potential Government will get a cheap IMF loan and use the proceeds to liquidate existing expensive loans such as the Eurobond. If he did not know that the proceeds of an IMF loan cannot be used to re-finance another loan, then he is grossly incompetent.

4. Apart from the IMF By Laws, Rules and Regulations prohibiting the use of IMF loan proceeds to refinance a commercial or sovereign loan, once the Fund puts you on a programme, they will only give you money to help you with recurrent expenditure support and the amount is assessed based on your needs after you implement some of the Fund’s Programmes and achieve certain specific milestones such as trimming down the size of the civil service, getting rid of unprofitable parastatals etc. But that amount is unlikely to be much and it does not come as a lump-sum but is disbursed in small installments that are dependent on the attainment of specific milestones that the IMF would have set for you in their programme. In Zambia’s case, it is extremely unlikely that we would access more than US$3 billion in total. Now, as at 31st December 2020, Zambia’s total external debt was about US$12 billion. The US$3 billion IMF loan would by far not be enough to refinance our country’s external debt.

5. The other point to note is that between our country’s external debt (US$ 12 billion) and domestic debt (K80 billion), it is actually the domestic debt that causes serious damage to our economy because it crowds out the private sector and drives up lending rates. Ever wondered why our bank lending rates have averaged 45% even when inflation was single digit? Well, it is because the Government through the Bank of Zambia is willing to borrow from the market at around 29% through Treasury Bills and Government Bonds. So if the risk-free rate is 29%, then how much do you think the bank would be willing to lend to your business? 45 percent or above is the answer. And for as long as enterprises in the private sector cannot access affordable loan, then forget about economic growth.

In the few occasions that you see economic activities on the ground, it is by foreigners who come to Zambia with their own money while many brilliant Zambians go to the grave with their brilliant ideas that could not be funded due to the high cost of borrowing from financial institutions. On the other hand, external debt is money that you get from other countries and bring to Zambia and does not undermine the local economy in any way. If anything, it benefits the local economy. Therefore, HH’s preoccupation with external debt is misplaced and speaks volumes about his ability to understand the way the economy functions, let alone manage it.

There are a lot of textbook economists out there and l have always argued that HH is one of them, based on the soundness or lack thereof of his economic policy proposals. But the quagmire that we face as Zambians is that our economy is so terminally ill due to the rampant and perpetual theft of public funds as well as inherent incompetence that there will only be one shot available to save it and turn it around. The person that takes that one shot better know exactly what they are doing. HH is evidently not that person.

Forgotten Man Lazarous Kambole Advised To Make Loan Move

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Kaiser Chiefs striker Lazarous Kambole has been advised to consider making a loan move away from Soweto giants in search of game time.

Kambole, 27, has played less than ten league matches since joining Chiefs from Zesco United in July 2019.

South African football agent Nico Mbonani said making a loan move will help Kambole revive his declining form.

Speaking by phone from South Africa, Mbonani said being played from an unusual position and failure to adapt quickly at Chiefs has negatively affected Kambole.

“My take on Lazarus Kambole’s dismal spell at Chiefs is mainly struggling with adaptability. Chiefs’s system of play has also contributed to being played out of position, as you know Kambole is a box player,” he said.

“I think Chiefs coaches should have stuck to his strength that made him to score a lot of goals for Zesco United in Zambia.”

Mbonani added:”Going forward I think a loan move would make him a World of good to his confidence. Maybe a year or two on loan and come back to Chiefs firing in all cylinders.”

Kambole launched his career at Konkola Mine Police in 2011 before switching to Konkola Blades in 2013.

The striker joined Zesco a year later where he made his name by scoring 39 goals in over 50 appearances for the Ndola club.

2021 ABSA Cup: Zesco United Wary of Kansanshi Dynamos

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Zesco United coach Mumamba Numba has predicted a tricky ABSA Cup quarterfinal clash against debutants Kansanshi Dynamos next week.

Defending champions Zesco will face Kansanshi in the second quarter-final tie on March 13 at Woodlands Stadium in Lusaka.

In an interview in Ndola, Numba described the pairing of six time ABSA Cup champions against Kansanshi as fair.

“I think it is a fair draw although a tricky encounter,” Numba said.

“These are teams that I respect. I think it will be a very difficult game playing Kansanshi Dynamos.”

Zesco last met Kansanshi in a 2019/20 FAZ Super Division match that finished 1-1 in Ndola.

“We just have to make sure that we prepare adequately so that we progress to the next round,” he said.

Numba was the coach of Zanaco when Zesco overcame the Bankers 4-1 in the final to win the last ABSA Cup staged in 2019.

Meanwhile, FAZ has released the quarterfinal schedule for the matches to be played at Woodlands Stadium.

13/03/2021

Forest Rangers Vs Konkola Blades ((12h30)

Zesco United Vs Kansanshi Dynamos (15h00)

14/03/2021

Lusaka Dynamos Vs Kabwe Warriors (12h30)

Zanaco Vs Kabwe Warriors (15h00)

HH has not demoted Stephen Katuka, he has promoted him to National Chair

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HH has not demoted Stephen Katuka, he has promoted him to National Chair

Contrary to information circulating in some sectors of the media suggesting that UPND President Hakainde Hichilema yesterday demoted Mr Stephen Katuka, the UPND media team has said that the correct position is that Mr. Katuka has been promoted to the position of National Chairman which is the third-highest rank in the UPND leadership hierarchy.

According to the statement put out to the media, Mr. Hichilema was categorical in the appointment of Mr. Katuka whom he said understands the Party’s heritage, having joined and remained in the party at the time it was not fashionable to do so.

Mr.Katuka and Hon Kakoma were the only MPs in North-western Province during the UPND political infancy.

Mr. Katuka’s current position in the NMC is National Chairman and not Chairperson for Heritage as reported in some sections of the media. Take note that the UPND does not have such a portfolio in its Management Committee.

The Oxford English dictionary defines a “demotion” as, “demotion (from something) (to something) a move to a lower position or rank, often as a punishment.”

The report on demotion is clear misleading news. We urge the media to correct this misdirection.

The most print newspaper carried the story that Mr. Katuka had been demoted

Cattle rustling cases on the increase in Luanshya

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Cattle rustling cases on the increase in Luanshya

Cases of cattle rustling are on the increase in Luanshya district the latest of which have resulted in 500 heads of cattle ravaged at Fisenge Dairy farming block in the small mining town.

One of the affected farmers, Easter Kampala, explained that her six animals were stolen on Sunday night adding that she consequently followed trail of the her animals’ footsteps that led her to a place where her animals were slaughtered.

She has since appealed to the government to help affected farmers with restocking their livestock adding that it was their source of income.

And Peggy Mwape also disclosed that thieves broke into her farm on 26th, February and made away euthanasia bull and two cows.

Another farmer Rebecca Mumba explained how her only dairy animal was slaughtered a few meters away from her place.

Luanshya District Commissioner Patrick Maipambe has challenged the police in the district to partner with farmers to curb the increasing livestock thefts in the district.

“ The scourge was becoming rampant in the district with over five cases of cattle theft recorded last week, and another 423 cattle reported stolen last month, “ he disclosed.

He noted that the development was retrogressive as it was targeted at upcoming dairy farmers whose majority were women whose livelihood was dependent on dairy farming.

Mr. Maipambe has called on the police, farmers, and the veterinary department to combine efforts in coming up with a strategy to curb the vice.

He further implored police to sensitize the farmers on security measures and urged the farming community to form community policing groups to offer patrols in the area.

Recently, farmers have complained of stock theft which included dairy cattle, pigs, and goats which they said were slaughtered in bushes and later sold to unsuspecting people.

The district has recorded a rise in cattle population stemming from the emerging dairy farming business that several cooperatives have embarked on.

Police and DEC investigates display sums of cash on social media.

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Police and DEC investigates display sums of cash on social media.

Vice President, Inonge Wina says that the PF is distancing itself from the reported cadres displaying large sums of cash on social media.

Stating that development is with the intentions of painting a bad image on the hard working PF, Mrs Wina said that it may not be a shock if the investigations revealed that the people who are in the videos are not real PF cadres but messy people masquerading as PF cadres with the intentions of tarnishing the image of the ruling party.

The Vice President disclosed that the Police Service and the Drug Enforcement Commission (I DEC) for this reason are jointly investigating suspected cadres who are displaying huge volumes of money in videos on social media.

She said the police have taken keen interest in the matter and have instituted investigations to find out who is showing enormous amounts of money in public.

Mrs Wina however, added that the Police will inform the nation on the matter as soon as they are done with investigations at the appropriate time.

She was speaking today in Parliament, when she responded to a question from honorable Member of Parliament for Mapatizwa Constituency Clive Miyanda.

Who asked a question to find out where the PF cadres are getting the huge sums of money which they are displaying in public when the country is experiencing an economic crisis.

He asked if the PF had taken the trouble to investigate where the money was coming from.

Zambian government should leave social media alone: It is not cybercrime to use social media to criticize the government

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Zambian government should leave social media alone: It is not cybercrime to use social media to criticize the government

The government with a clear agenda to silence critics shouldn’t be given a chance to assemble any cyberspace law. Specifically laws that must serve the interest of all citizens.

Cyber fraud, cyberbullying, computer hacking, piracy, identity theft, and invasion of privacy are some of examples of cybercrime. In general, Zambians don’t commit these crimes.

What Zambians do is use social media to put the government on checks and balances. How that amounts to cybercrime is a mystery to some of us.

Is using internet to criticize the government a cybercrime? In other words, is it a cybercrime to say the Patriotic Front (PF) government has failed?

No, it is not a cybercrime to say stop bullying and intimidating the opposition. Neither is one using his computer to demand the right to freedom of expression and assembly committing cybercrime.

Just like the failed bill 10, the introduced cyber security and cybercrime bill should be rejected by Zambians.

Though it is important for Zambia to have a strong cyberspace law, the current government can’t be trusted to process such a law.

Being anti-critics as it is known to be, the PF government would want to use the proposed law to fix critics.

Especially that most of Patriotic Front (PF) criticism are done on social media platforms. Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp and the like.

The PF government has unachieved open agenda, which is to weaken the opposition. Social media is making it difficult for the agenda to be achieved.

It is a reason why there is no doubt the push for the proposed cybercrime bill is an effort to do the same; weaken the opposition. Is it too late?

The PF seem desperate and angry. The August 2021 general election is getting closer and the opposition is not getting weaker but stronger because of social media.

As a result, social media is the biggest threat to PF government. Though not in details, President Edgar Lungu confirmed it in his speech to parliament on Friday, 12, February 2021.

On the declining morals and ethics in the country, President Lungu listed social media abuse on top of the list.

On patriotism and national unity, the President went on criticizing people who denigrate the image of Zambia.

“Whether you live in Zambia or not, you only have one God-given country. Therefore, don’t flaunt adopted countries as yours. God gave each individual only one country and when the right time arrives you will run to that country.”

These were the exact words from the president and no doubt he was speaking to Zambians in the diaspora. Is he accusing them of not protecting the image of Zambia?

No, his government is the one denting the image of the country. For example, Zambians are not criminals but his government is trying to mark Zambians criminals in the name of fight against cybercrime.

Cybercrime is being exaggerated in the county. By the very Lungu’s government. What message is being sent to the outside world?

Is the PF government trying to place Zambia on top of the list of countries leading in cybercrimes in the world?

By Venus N Msyani
Concerned citizen

Be impartial, Chief Justice tells Police Public Complaints Commission members

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Be impartial, Chief Justice tells Police Public Complaints Commission members

Chief Justice Ireen Mambilima has urged the new members of the Police Public Complaints Commission (PPCC) to be impartial and fair as they execute their duties.

Justice Mambilima said the commission should investigate complaints from the members of the general public about the police action in a thorough and fair manner.

She explained that the main function of the PPCC is to oversee police actions, investigate and make recommendations to relevant authorities.

ZANIS reports the Chief Justice said this in Lusaka today after swearing-in five members of the Police Public Complaints Commission.

“I urge you to fully implement your mandate of receiving and investigating the complaints from the general public about the conduct of the police as they carry out their duties. Complaints have even reached my office about abuse of authority by the police as they execute their duties, therefore make sure that you perform according to the guidelines under Article 237(2) of the laws of Zambia,” she stressed.

She pointed out that investigating matters exhaustively before making recommendations will bring about public satisfaction in the way the commission handles the complaints.

Justice Mambilima further stressed that individual members must not hesitate to declare interest whenever conflicted in any matter before them to ensure unbiased recommendations.

Members of the commission that have been sworn-in today are Getrude Musyani as vice chairperson, Maeke Njunju, Chibesa Chibesakunda Mumba, Evans Hamaila and Isaac Chilanga and members.

On Wednesday this week, (3rd March 2021), President Edgar Lungu swore in Patrick Mutale as Chairperson of the Police Public Complaints Commission.

The Head of State emphasized that the performance and conduct of the Zambia Police Service before, during and after the August 12 general elections was a subject of public debate.

Chief Justice Ireen Mambilima (fourth from left) poses for the picture with newly appointed Police Public Commission board members after swearing in at the high Court. Picture by SUNDAY BWALYA/ZANIS
Chief Justice Ireen Mambilima (fourth from left) poses for the picture with newly appointed Police Public Commission board members after swearing in at the high Court. Picture by SUNDAY BWALYA/ZANIS

Nkana and Napsa Saturday League Games Postponed

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Nkana and Napsa Stars have been excused from this weekend’s FAZ Super Division Week 21 engagements.

Nkana and Napsa both fly-out this Sunday to North Africa for their respective CAF Confederation Cup group stage openers to be played on March 10.

Ironically, both were set to grace the live Week 21 doubleheader at Sunset Stadium in Lusaka where Nkana were due to face Zanaco in a 15h00 kickoff and Napsa were set to host Buildcon in the lunchtime fixture.

Instead, the Green Buffaloes versus Nkwazi game will now be Saturdays live game on TV.

Nkana head to Egypt to play last seasons’ CAF Confederation Cup runners-up Pyramids in Cairo in their Group D match.

Napsa will be in Morocco to play a Group B opener against defending CAF Confederation Cup champions RS Berkane in Berkane.

However, both sides head-out after a forgettable Week 20 that saw Nkana lose 2-0 on Wednesday in Kitwe to Kabwe Warriors, while on Thursday, Napsa were beaten 3-1 away in Kafue by promoted Young Green Eagles.

Defending league champions Nkana are third from bottom at number 16 on 20 points from seventeen games with now four matches in hand.

Napsa are two places above them on 21 points with three games in hand.

FAZ SUPER DIVISION
WEEK 21
06/03/2021
Kitwe United-Green Eagles
Green Buffaloes-Nkwazi
07/03/2021
Forest Rangers-Young Green Eagles
Power Dynamos-Red Arrows
Lumwana Radiants-Lusaka Dynamos
13h00: Prison Leopards-Indeni
15h00: Kabwe Warriors-Zesco United
POSTPONED:
Napsa Stars-Buildcon
Zanaco-Nkana
WEEK 19
10/03/2021
Power Dynamos-Prison Leopards
POSTPONED:
Lumwana Radiants-Nkana

Nathan Sinkala, Kabaso Chongo, Brian Mwila Return For AFCON Judgement Day

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Defender Kabaso Chongo, midfielder Nathan Sinkala and striker Brian Mwila return from Chipolopolo exile for Zambia’s final push in the 2021 AFCON Group H qualifiers.

Zambia will hosts AFCON champions Algeria in a must-win penultimate Group H match on March 25 in Lusaka before visiting Zimbabwe in Harare on March 29.

Kabaso, of DR Congo giants TP Mazembe, returns after his controversial banishment from the team in the wake of Zambia’s 2-1 friendly loss away to Kenya in Nairobi on October 9.

And his ex-Mazembe club mate Sinkala returns to the fold for the first time after a two-year exile.

The midfielder from South African club Stellenbosch FC last featured for Zambia in a 2-1 home loss to Zimbabwe in their second Group H match on November 19, 2019.

There is also a recall for the forgotten Mwila who rose to fame as Algeria’s tormentor with a brace in Chipolopolo’s historic home and away 3-1 and 1-0 victories in September 2017 during the 2018 World Cup Group B qualifiers.

Mwila bounces back after three years away following his convincing displays recently after scoring five goals since rejoining Buildcon last December following three uneventful years abroad that took him to South Africa, then briefly back to Zambia, and later Europe.

Winger Roderick Kabwe of Black Leopards in South Africa also earns a recall after a three year hiatus.

Meanwhile, Simba SC midfielder Cletus Chama is also back, and the Tanzania-based player returns for the first time since November 2019.

Chipolopolo must beat Algeria and Zimbabwe to stand a chance of finishing second in Group H for the Cameroon finals.

But Zambia sit bottom of Group H on 3 points from four games, one point behind Botswana while Zimbabwe are second on 5 points.

Algeria, who has qualified with two games to spare, lead on 10 points with just final classification their only priority.

TEAM:

GOALKEEPERS:Allan Chibwe (Green Eagles), Cyril Chibwe (Polokwane City-RSA), Lameck Siame (Kabwe Warriors)

DEFENDERS:Kabaso Chongo, Tandi Mwape (both TP Mazembe- DRC), Luka Banda (Napsa Stars), Adrian Chama, Clement Mulashi (both Zesco United), Golden Mafwenta (Buildcon), Dominic Chanda (Kabwe Warriors), Benedict Chepeshi (Red Arrows), Zachariah Chilongoshi (Power Dynamos)

MIDFIELDERS: Enock Mwepu (RB Salzburg-Austria), Nathan Sinkala (Stellenbosch-RSA), Salulani Phiri (Polokwane City-RSA), Kings Kangwa (Arsenal Tula-Russia), Clatous Chama, Rally Bwalya (both Simba SC-Tanzania), Paul Katema (Red Arrows), Benson Sakala, Spencer Sautu (both Power Dynamos),

STRIKERS:Patson Daka (RB Salzburg-Austria), Fashion Sakala (KV Oostende-Belgium), Gamphani Lungu (SuperSport United-RSA), Lubambo Musonda (Slask Wroclaw-Poland), Roderick Kabwe (Black Leopards-RSA), Augustine Mulenga (Amazulu-RSA), Justin Shonga (Cape Town City FC-RSA), Brian Mwila (Buildcon), Moses Phiri (Zanaco), Collins Sikombe (Lusaka Dynamos), Amity Shamende (Green Eagles)

US $ 6 million dollars sourced towards the malaria fight countrywide

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US $ 6 million dollars sourced towards the malaria fight countrywide

The Mansa Rotary Club has sourced 6 Million US dollars to be channeled towards the Malaria Fight in the country. Mansa Rotary Club President Charles Sichinga reveals that part of the funds is coming from Bill gate foundation and the World vision.

Mr. Sichinga points out that all the paperwork has been completed and the project will be launched soon.

Speaking when Rotary Club of Mansa donated 10 bicycles to the Ministry of Health which will be used by Community Health Workers, Mr. Sichinga indicated that the end Malaria project which Rotary Club is implementing will in the first phase focus on Central and Muchinga Provinces.

A total of 10 Districts have been identified from these two provinces to benefit from the project.

“We shall train 2500 Community Health Workers whom we shall later equip and sustain under this project, ” says Mr. Sichinga.

Mr. Sichinga explained that Mansa District in Luapula Province is also set to benefit from this program as it was being implemented by the Rotary Club of Mansa.

He notes that all the Districts which are under this project seem to have high incidences of Malaria in the country.

” Our aim is to help eliminate malaria in the country by 90 percent so that the country can be Malaria free,” says Mansa Rotary Club President.

Mr. Sichinga explains that with the efforts of different stakeholders it will be possible for Zambia to deal with the issue of Malaria once and for all.

And Mansa District Administration Officer Judith Nyirenda said Government has put in place a number of interventions aimed at ending malaria in the country.

Mrs. Nyirenda points out that Indoor Residue spraying and the distribution of insecticides treated mosquitoes nets are some of the interventions which are in place.

The District Administration Officer observes that the intervention by Rotary Club in the fight against malaria is timely as the country targets to end Malaria by the end of this year.

Insurance companies, brokers warned against illegal operations

Chief Editor
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Insurance companies, brokers warned against illegal operations

The Pension Insurance Authority (PIA) Acting Registrar and Chief Executive Officer Tresford Chiyavula has said the authority will continue to monitor and scrutinize the operations of all licensed insurance entities.

Mr. Chiyavula said PIA will focus on prudential supervision and market conduct in order to protect the interests of insurance policyholders and pension scheme members.

He told ZANIS in Lusaka today that the PIA will act decisively on misconduct in the pension insurance industry.

“The authority is cautioning unlicensed entities including, insurance companies, brokers and agents to desist from selling insurance policies as it is illegal to engage in or transact in insurance business without a valid licenses issued by the Registrar of Pensions and Insurance as doing so contravenes sections 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 of the Insurance Act No. 27 of 1997 as amended by Act No. 26 of 2005,” he said.

And Mr. Chiyavula disclosed that in 2018, the authority liquidated two insurance companies.

“The two companies in liquidations affected in excess of 1,800 policyholders under Focus Life Assurance and 780 under A Plus Life Assurance, respectively. The total value of policyholder liabilities is estimated at K7.51 million in respect of Focus Life Assurance and K1.92 million for A Plus Life Assurance,” he explained.

He said the payments to affected policyholders commenced in June 2020 and the liquidator and has so far paid out approximately K680, 000.

Mr. Chiyavula has since called on all affected policyholders that have not yet submitted their details to the liquidator to do so in order to facilitate payments.

“During early 2020, the authority also placed Windsor General Insurance Limited formerly Focus General Insurance Limited under compulsory liquidation. The liquidation manager is currently seeking to dispose the secured assets,’’ he said.

He said the claimants will be advised on the next steps in due course.

As at 28th February, 2021, the PIA has granted licenses to six pension fund administrators and nine pension fund managers.

Mr. Chiyavula noted that the authority has also issued out licenses to 355 insurance entities.

Out of the 355 entities, 30 are insurance companies, 20 general insurance and 10 long-term insurance companies.

The authority has also licensed three reinsurance companies, five reinsurance brokers, 56 brokers, 238 agents and 23 other intermediaries.

Meanwhile, PIA has also disclosed that the financial performance of the pensions and insurance industries has recorded a marginal growth in 2020 largely due to the negative impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the economy.

Mr. Chiyavula said the pension industry net assets stood at K8.86 billion as at December 2020 compared to K7.96 billion in 2019, translating into an increase of 11.3 percent.

He added that the investment stood at K1.18 billion compared to K805.30 million in 2019, translating into an increase of 47.4 percent.

He attributed the increase mainly to the positive performances of government bonds, collective investment schemes and offshore investments.

Mr. Chiyavula explained that the total pension scheme membership reduced to 111,494 as at 31st December 2020 from 111,959 as at 31st December, 2019, representing a reduction of 0.42 percent.

“The number of active members also stood at 92,454, representing 82 percent of the total membership, while deferred members stood at 5,628, representing five percent of the total membership during the period under review,” he explained.

He said in terms of industry players, there were 244 pension schemes, six fund administrators, and eight fund managers as at the end of the fourth quarter of 2020.

Mr. Chiyavula noted that in the insurance industry, the combined gross written premiums (GWP) for both the long-term and general insurance business contracted by 13 percent to K1.15 billion as at 30th September 2020 from K1.36 billion in the corresponding quarter of 2019.

The GWP for the general Insurance was K720 million while long-term insurance contributed K430 million during the same period.

He said the significant decrease was attributed to the long-term insurance business, and largely arose due to defaults in servicing insurance policies, which can mainly be attributed to the effects of Covid-19 on the economy.

“Net assets in the insurance industry increased by 56.88 percent from K762.38 million in the third quarter of 2019 to K1.19 billion at the end of the third quarter of 2020.

The increase was largely attributed to assets introduced by insurance entities to meet solvency requirements.

He said the pensions and insurance industries were not spared from the negative effects arising from the Covid-19 pandemic.

The pension contributions arrears increased and some insurance classes such as life and travel insurance did not perform to expectations.

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