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After draws by Zambia’s envoys in Saturday’s continental engagements, Nkana striker and captain Idris Mbombo has declared victory as their target this Sunday away in Lesotho.
Nkana face Bantu FC in a CAF Champions League first round, first leg date in Maseru.
“The team is very ready, we are prepared so well back in Kitwe and the guys are ready to go and fight for this game,” Mbombo said.
“We have a good squad, we can do better here and finish the job and go back finish the job.
“The team is capable of scoring goals here.”
Nkana and Bantu meet in the final leg on December 5 in Kitwe.
Winner will advance to the second round, first leg where they will host either Petro Athletico of Angola or Equatorial Guinea champions Akonangui in a mid-week date on December 22 and will be away on January 5 or 6.
Government has cautioned Zambian truck owners, bus owners and truck drivers that the current security situation and safety of foreign trucks and drivers in South Africa is volatile.
Minister of Transport and Communications Mutotwe Kafwaya warned that due to the current security situation, the Ministry regrets that on 20th November, 2020, a Zambian Truck driver working for a South Africa based company was shot along the R59 highway in Johannesburg on his way back to Zambia.
Mr. Kafwaya explained that government is observing the re-occurrence of precedent violence, burning of foreign trucks, shooting and brutalizing of foreign drivers.
The Minister urged all Zambian truck owners, bus owners and truck drivers to desist from travelling to South Africa if they are planning to travel until the security situation improves.
Mr Kafwaya added that trucks currently in South Africa park in Safe and Secure designated parking places until the security is guaranteed by the authorities in that country and that all cases of the affected drivers are handled.
The Minister assured that in line with the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Protocol on Transport and Meteorology and the Bilateral Road Transport Agreement between South Africa and Zambia on Security and Safety, the Government of the Republic of South Africa will ensure tight security measures are quickly put in place to safeguard the lives of all Foreign Truck Drivers from Zambia, SADC region and other Economic Community Regions.
Mr. Kafwaya disclosed that the Government under the leadership of the President of Zambia has instructed the Ministry of Transport and Communication, Ministry of Labour, and Ministry of Justice to expedite promulgation of the statutory instrument on minimum wage for truck drivers.
He indicated that the process has reached an advanced stage and will soon publish the proposed SI through a gazette notice after conclusion of all necessary legislative processes.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs calls upon all Church Mother Bodies and Religious Organizations in the country to encourage their members to register as voters in the ongoing voter’s registration exercise country wide.
In a statement issued to ZANIS by Minister of Guidance and Religious Affairs Godfridah Sumaili said he ministry’s mandate is charged with the responsibility of guiding the nation on various national issues.
Reverend Sumaili stated that people need to register at any registration center in order for them to participate in the forthcoming 2021 tripartite general elections at any polling station across the ten provinces of the country.
She noted that her call is in line with the National values and principles on democracy and constitutionalism.
She urged everyone to embrace the value of patriotism and take part in the voter registration the country is undertaking.
Reverend Sumaili indicated that the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has opened a number of registration centers that are mobile operating from 06:00 hours to 18:00 hours.
“The Ministry is however happy to note that ECZ has further added 116 registration centers located at Civic Centers across the country operating 24 hours to enable eligible voters to register at any time and day,” added the Minister.
Online voter Pre-registration Commenced on 21st September 2020 and it will end on 20th November 2020.
The Zambia Institute of Architects has appealed to the public to engage registered and qualified professional architectures in the construction of buildings at design and inspection stages.
Zambia Institute of Architects President, Bwalya Masabo noted that it is unfortunate that none of their members was involved in the construction of the building that collapsed last week in Libala.
ZANIS reports that Mr Masabo speaking in an interview noted that his Association with other regulatory bodies involved in the construction will collaborate to ascertain the cause of the accident and give recommendations on the way forward.
And Robin M’soni, a lawyer representing the owner of the building noted that after the accident happened last week, a lot of concerns were raised and various regulatory bodies have been on the site to ascertain the cause of the collapse of the building.
Mr. M’son disclosed that so far, the Lusaka City Council have issued an enforcement notice to direct that the entire structure be demolished.
South Africa can’t implement a pay deal with public servants because it would precipitate a fiscal crisis, Finance Minister Tito Mboweni said.
The government and labour unions will square off in the Labour Appeal Court on Dec. 2 over Mboweni’s proposal to freeze wages that have surged 51% since 2008.
Last week, Fitch Ratings and Moody’s Investors Service cut South Africa’s debt assessments deeper into junk, saying the state may struggle to stick to its plan to rein in spending.
“What government and the South African economy cannot now afford, and what is not just and equitable under the current circumstances, is for civil servants to claim yet further inflation-beating and private sector outperforming salary increases off an already high base,” Mboweni said in court documents.
South Africa’s government reneged on a three-year pay deal earlier this year and Mboweni said last month it will freeze wages for the coming three years.
The government and unions usually negotiate page for three years at a time and the current agreement will end in March 2021.
The Congress of South African Trade Unions, the nation’s largest worker federation, has warned the dispute over salaries could lead to the unravelling of its alliance with the ruling African National Congress.
Mboweni said Zambia’s financial woes provided a cautionary tale and South Africa can ill afford to go down the same path.
Zambia this month defaulted on its Eurobonds, the first African nation to do so since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.
The South African government would be compelled to borrow more than R78 billion ($5.1 billion) if the court backs the labour unions in their fight to have the wage agreement implemented, Public Service and Administration Minister Senzo Mchunu said in the court documents.
Military Police in Lusaka have apprehended the murder suspect of late medical Doctor Tasila Tembo.
ZANIS reports that Zambia Army Brigadier General Genoh Muke confirmed that the suspect whom he identified as Lieutenant Nigel Musonda Mwaba aged 33, of Plot number 3827 Balastone, Lusaka West was apprehended around 16 hours at Memorial Park in Lusaka.
Brigadier General Muke said this was after a tip off from members of the public who contacted the army of his presence at the private cemetery.
The senior army officer said it was at this point the Army commander issued a directive to the military police to find the suspect and have captured.
Brigadier General Muke pointed out that the suspect is currently detained in police custody awaiting court proceedings.
The late medical doctor went missing on October 24, 2020 around 16 hours and her body was discovered on October 27, 2020 at 13 hours by police.
Since then, a manhunt was launched to find the suspected killer.
Happier Times: Dr Tasila Tembo-Peters with Lieutenant Nigel Mwaba
Green Eagles got a critical away draw in Burundi today against Musongati following a 2-2 away draw in their CAF Confederation Cup first round, first leg match in Bujumbura.
Aggrey Chiyangi’s side now need a scoreless home draw in Lusaka on December 6 to advance to the second round.
But Eagles fought from one down after Eddy Nibibona put Musongati one – up in the 24th minute.
Lineker Mwiikisa levelled in the 32nd minute and Hosea Silwimba ensured they went into the beat in the lead in the 42nd minute.
But Emery Nimubona restored parity in the 65th minute for Musongati.
Meanwhile, at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola, Forest Rangers and AS Bouengunidi of Gabon played out to a 0-0 result in their all debutants CAF Champions League fixture.
Winner in Libreville next Saturday has a huge date against five-time champions TP Mazembe.
On Sunday in Lesotho , Nkana visit Bantu FC in Maseru in their CAF Champions League opener.
Napsa are also in action on the same date away in Comoros against Ngazi in their CAF Confederation Cup fixture.
The ruling Patriotic Front (PF) need the vote from Luapula and Northern Province to neutralize the UPND vote in Southern Province. For many years, Luapula and Northern Province have been the main determinant of presidential elections in Zambia. Will it be the same with the 2021 general election?
If the opposition UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema continues educating the voters like the way he is doing now, Southern Province may determine the next president in 2021.
Hakainde Hichilema draws very large crowds in Southern Province whenever he conducts rallies, but it has never helped him win an election.
The record shows that the province is one of the provinces with the lowest rate of voter turnout in the country.
In 2016 general elections, Hakainde Hichilema lost by about 13, 000 votes to President Edgar Lungu. Had every eligible voter vote in Southern Province in that election, that would have been cut into half.
This time around Hichilema has a different approach. He has realized that it is not the number of people who attend rallies that matters but the number of people who turnout on the election day.
He spends more time educating people on the importance of their vote. He encourages supporters to register to vote. People seem to resonate well with his message.
For example, in Monze, Southern province, it is reported that people are registering to vote in numbers and the process is going very well.
Quoted from Lusaka Times, “Speaking when he featured on a Live call-in Radio Program on Chikuni Community Radio, Mr. Samakong’a who is the District Registration Officer said the district (Monze) was doing exceptionally well with the registration process since it commenced.”
Meanwhile, it has been reported that the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) may not reach the 9 million voter registration target.
The general public is calling for the extension of the voter registration period but ECZ keeps ignoring it. If bothered with being accused of favoritism, it would be wise for ECZ to listen to people now than later when the Patriotic Front (PF) gets involved.
The PF may start calling for registration period extension soon due to the reported slow voter registration process in Luapula and Northern province. It will be very difficult for ECZ to ignore the call if it will come from the President.
PF need a lot of votes from both provinces to neutralize the UPND vote in Southern Province.
Although the UPND has lost several bye elections in both provinces previously, it has managed to improve popularity in both regions. It can now manage to win wards in these provinces. For example, Ilambo Ward in Lupososhi Constituency in Luwingu District in Northern Province is under UPND.
That is enough to eat away the remaining half of 13,000 votes UPND lost in the 2016 general election. A reason the PF must do something. It is a matter of time. They will start demanding to extend the period. They will and it will leave the ECZ in a dilemma. Listen to the PF call or ignore like the general public is being ignored.
Renowned lawyer Mulambo Haimbe has demystyfied the public perception perpetrated by PF that UPND leader, Hakainde Hichilema is a closed person who is not welcoming to people.
Speaking on the Hot Seat Program on Hot FM yesterday morning, Counsel Haimbe stated that President Hichilema was a humble and ordinary person who has a lot of passion for Zambia and its people.
He recalled an encounter with Mr Hichilema at his Kasama Residence in Lusaka when Mr Hichilema personally served him a cup of tea out of humility.
He stated that the few times that he has conversed with President Hichilema has helped him clear the wrong perception that Mr Hichilema was a selfish person who doesn’t share what he has with people, adding that Zambians risked ruining the country if they do not vote for Hichilema in August next year.
“I have had the benefit of knowing the President (HH) personally. This is an individual when you sit down with him, you strip away these political nuisances, you realise that he has a passion for this country and that he’s an ordinary person just like you and me. He is a very nice guy who actually served me with a cup of tea at his home on several occasions,” he said.
He stressed that the propaganda that he was a violent person who uses vulgar language was a deliberate ploy by PF propagandists who have always wanted to smear and paint him black.
Mr Haimbe also cautioned those who are in the habit of misrepresenting facts by taking the interpretation of one particular language into another.
“Basically, the whole propaganda; the whole narrative that he used vulgar language is a deliberate ploy to try and paint him black. But the issue is: you cannot interpret expressions from one particular language to another based on your understanding in your mother tongue. The most important thing that people must do is to take an objective view of the context in which a particular word was said,” he said.
Republican President Edgar Lungu has directed the police to investigate and arrest those involved in the beating up of Bahati Member of Parliament, Charles Chalwe.
President Lungu who described the incident as an embarrassment says the police should get to the root of the matter and ensure that the perpetrators are arrested.
“The incidence that happens here in Mansa where an MP was beaten is an embarrassment, it is shameful that that can come from the Patriotic Front, we are in power we have to lead by example if we are to win elections,” the President said.
Speaking on arrival at Mansa Airport this morning, the Republican President warned that there is a need to deal with perpetrators of violence saying that is the only way to curb the vice.
“Today is Chalwe, and tomorrow will be another, we need to deal with violence and as the people in power we need to show leadership.
The Republican President has since directed Luapula Province Minister Nickson Chilangwa who is also Luapula Patriotic Front Chairperson to take charge of discipline in the party.
Bahati Member of Parliament Charles Chalwe is alleged to have been beaten by Patriotic Front cadres in his constituency recently.
Ministry of Local Government Permanent Secretary Ed Chomba says country systems need to be strengthened such that they should equally be used by cooperating partners.
Bishop Chomba says President Edgar Lungu has since emphasized that government sectors should work in clusters where councils should be vibrant and entry points for all sectors to ride on in their quest for service delivery.
The Permanent Secretary said this when he addressed Heads of Government departments in Sukongo District in Western Province in the accompaniment of Western Province Permanent Secretary Danny Bukali and some senior government officials.
Bishop Chomba said Zambia still has a small population of about eighteen million compared to other countries that have cities with bigger populations hence cannot fail in terms of development if properly driven by the local authorities.
Bishop Chomba said this can only be done and achieved through decentralization where councils need to govern themselves properly.
He also disclosed that all local authorities in the country are current with equalization funds from January to date as well as current with Constituency Development Funds (CDF) of which each constituency has received one point six million kwacha (K1.6M).
Bishop Chomba added that local authorities should think big of food banks other than anchoring on the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) sighting FRA started from the bible.
Bishop Chomba said the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) should not be used for clonal all the time but local authority need to plan and quantify for disasters as it was embarrassing to ask for aid from cooperating partners all the time through supporting the country systems.
Earlier. Sikongo District Administrative Officer Munalula Mufaya requested for specialized mathematics teachers, up-grading of the internet and relief food saying some people were surviving on roots of trees and fruits in Sikongo District.
Later, Local Government Permanent Secretary Dr. Bishop Ed Chomba and Western Province Permanent Secretary Danny Bukali inspected the 5 out 8 kilometres done gravel feeder road by China Zong contractor from Sikongo Boma to the Cashew Infrastructure Development Project (CIDP) plant.
Trial in a case in which United Party for National Development (UPND) Sesheke Member of Parliament, Romeo Kang’ombe is charged with four counts of abduction and assault of police officers has again failed to take off.
Trial was initially scheduled to commence on November 25, 2020 but Mr. Kang’ombe could not show up in court.
And yesterday when he showed up, Deputy Chief State Advocate Patrick Mutale told Senior Resident Magistrate Julius Malata that he was making an application for the trial in the matter to commence on December 14 through to December 16, 2020.
The Chief Prosecutor said they have agreed with the defence lawyer Cornelius Mweetwa that trial in the case start on December 14th and be given three days to run through December 16, 2020.
Mr. Mutale said the defence lawyer will be available during the next court sitting.
And in his ruling, Senior Resident Magistrate Malata adjourned the matter to December 14 for the commencement of trial.
Magistrate Malata also questioned the accused why he was not in court on November 25 when trial in the matter was expected to start.
Magistrate Malata said trial in the matter will commence on December 14 and asked the state to be ready and hopefully they can continue with trial for the next three days after the 14th of December.
Mr. Kangombe is accused of abducting and assaulting police officers, charges he has denied.
The state has charged Mr. Kangombe with four counts of abduction and assault contrary to the laws of Zambia.
Mr Kang’ombe in the first charge faces two counts of abducting Sergeant Innocent Mwale and Constable Chinyama Chipango of Mununga police post on October 14th, 2020 contrary to section 256 of the penal code Cap 87 of the laws of Zambia.
The lawmaker is in the second charge faces two counts of assault of the two police officers contrary to section 250(b) of the penal code.
Mr Kang’ombe has pleaded not guilty two counts of abduction and two counts of assault on a police officer.
He is on a K200, 000 bail granted to him in his own recognizance with two sureties who are residents of Chinsali.
President Edgar Lungu has apologised to traditional leaders for not meeting them individually at their respective palaces. The Head of State disclosed that he received a complaint sent through the Minister for Religious Affairs and National Guidance Godfridah Sumaili when she visited the province.
According to the President, some traditional leaders complained to the Minister why the President was meeting them in a group and not individually.
However, President Lungu explained that time was not adequate for him to meet them individually hence meeting them as a group whenever he visits a place.
“Time is not enough for me to meet all of you individually that’s why I opt meeting you as a group. He asked forgiveness from traditional leaders for not meeting them from their respective palaces.”
President Lungu explained that meeting them as a group is not an indication that he disrespects or belittles them.
“When I meet you as a group it does not mean that I have overlooked or belittled you as chiefs. Am your son and you are the one who has given me the mandate to rule this country,” explained the President.
He urged chiefs not to be annoyed with him for not meeting them from their respective palaces. President Lungu requested the traditional leaders to bear with him for not visiting them individually.
President Edgar Chagwa Lungu meets their Royal Highnesses, Senior Chief Mwewa, Chiefs Kasoma Bangweulu, Mibenge, Chitembo and Mulakwa of Samfya District in Luapula Province
President Lungu also called on traditional leaders in Luapula to continue working with government in fostering development in the province.
President Lungu noted that Luapula is endowed with abundant natural resources required to develop the province hence the call for chiefs to work closely with government.
The Head of State expressed happiness with the role traditional leaders have continued playing in promoting harmony and peace in the country.
President Lungu said this when He met five traditional leaders in Samfya district namely Senior Chief Mwewa, Chief Mibenge, Chief Chitembo, Chief Mulakwa and Chief Kasoma Bangweulu.
“May appeal to you is that let’s continue working together here in Luapula. The province is endowed with abundant natural resources required to develop this area so let’s continue working together. If we continue working together the way we are doing as you have shown by giving us land the welfare of our people will be improved.
“Thank you for the warm reception you have accorded me with my entourage. Am also so grateful for the role you continue to play in fostering peace and ensuring that people leave in harmony,” President Lungu said.
President Edgar Chagwa Lungu meets their Royal Highnesses, Senior Chief Mwewa, Chiefs Kasoma Bangweulu, Mibenge, Chitembo and Mulakwa of Samfya District in Luapula Province
In response to the concern raised by President Lungu, Chief Mibenge said traditional leaders love him no wonder they want him to visit them individually.
Chief Mibenge said it was okay to bring chiefs together and meet them as a group as they are of one family.
The traditional leader told President Lungu not to worry as chiefs in the province are behind him.
He explained the province is receiving development because of the love President Lungu has for the people of Luapula.
“Most of the development we are seeing here we used to see it outside the province but today that development is here. Don’t worry as chiefs we love you that’s why we want to be meeting with you.”
He appealed to President Lungu not to reliant but to continue bringing development to the province.
And Traditional leaders in Luapula have pledged to work with government in developing the province.
Chief Kasoma Bangweulu told President Lungu that as Chiefs they are ready to involve themselves in spearheading national development in Luapula for the betterment of the people.
He implored the Head of State not to hesitate to engage them whenever need arises.
Chief Bangweulu emphasised that as traditional leaders they are willing to avail land for development purposes when called upon.
He praised government for the developmental projects being implemented adding that in the past Luapula lagged behind in development.
Chief Bangweulu vowed on behalf of other traditional leaders to continue supporting government’s development agenda.
“Whatever that government wants feel free to work with us, Luapula was lagging behind in terms of development but now we are seeing development taking place. As chiefs we want to involve ourselves in developing our province.”
“If there is any other place or land that you would require for development purposes please engage us.”
And Senior Chief Mwewa says it’s disappointing that some people have continued to question where government has taken the money when development is visible for all to see.
Senior Chief Mwewa stressed that people questioning how government used the money are just politicking as development is everywhere to see across the country.
He cited Lusaka as one place that has been fully developed to international stands noting that previously Lusaka was underdeveloped.
“The people who are asking where government has taken the money are even seeing the development government is putting up across the country. The Lusaka you see today is different from the old Lusaka. A lot of development has taken place in Lusaka even international visitors are appreciating the massive development taking place in the capital city.”
He pointed that those complaining are forgetting that development has also reached their respective areas.
“Roads that were in a deplorable state have been repaired and also new roads have constructed. Who knew that the Kalabo/Mongu road would be completed?
Mr President we are happy with the development that we continue to see, please continue don’t stop.”
Meanwhile Senior Chief Mwewe has appealed to President Lungu to come up with a way to regulate social media in the country.
Senior Chief Mwewe expressed concern over increased abuse of social media by disgruntled individuals.
He bemoaned that some people are using social media to insult the elderly in society.
“Before social media came, I never heard of a Chief or President being insulted as we are seeing today.”
He urged government to find a lasting solution to end the abuse of social media.
The traditional leader complained that the freedom of expression in the country is being misused and abused.
President Lungu arrived today in Luapula province for three days working visit, while in the province President Lungu is expected to visit development projects in the province.
