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Caterpillar harvest season hampers voter registration in Muchinga Province

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Caterpillar harvest season hampers voter registration in Muchinga Province

Caterpillar collection has affected voter registration turn out in some parts of Mphande ward in Nakonde District, Muchinga Province.

A check by ZANIS at Chitamawe and Chinsambwe registration centres revealed that most people are not registering as they are camping in the bush to collect caterpillars.

The two registration centres yesterday recorded few people who had registered, with Chitamawe centre having 19 who managed to register by 15: 00hrs.

The registration officers at the centre were found seated and waiting for people to go for registration.

A worse situation was found at Chinsambwe registration centre were only 10 people had registered by 16:45 hours.

And Voter Education Facilitator, Kelvin Simukonda attributed to the low turnout to residents being preoccupied with caterpillar collection as well as a named church which is prominent in the area that does not take part in voting.

“Most women were out in the bush for caterpillar collection while the men are home looking after the children,” Simukonda said.

He added that some residents complained not having national registration cards despite the mobile NRC issuance exercise having taken place before the commencement of voter registration.

Meanwhile, Turn up in numbers to register – Sichone

Chinsali, November 13, ZANIS — Muchinga Province Minister Malozo Sichone has appealed to the people of Muchinga Province to turn up in large numbers to register as voters.

Mr. Sichone said he is not happy with the current number of people who have so far registered as voters in the province.

Mr. Sichone says reports reaching his office indicate that some people have gone to catch caterpillars instead of going to register as voters.

The Provincial Minister was speaking in Chinsali this morning during a live special radio programme on Delight Kwitonta FM anchored by Harrison Phiri.

The Provincial Minister appealed to all the eligible people to register as voters in large numbers so as to exercise their right of taking part in choosing their leaders during the 2021 general elections.

He said registration officers will be at a particular station for one week only and it is important that in all the areas, people should take note when registration officers will be in their respective areas.

Mr. Sichone also appealed to the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to intensify on publicity so that people know where and when to register as a voter.

He regretted that publicity has been poor so far stressing that there is need to intensity publicity and educate the public on the need to participate in choosing their leaders.

The Provincial Minister further appealed to the civil servants, the clergy and other opinion leaders in communities, to take the lead and encourage people to register as voters.

Permanent Secretary Joyce Nsamba appealed to the people of Muchinga to follow the health protocols and guide lines aimed at halting the further spread of corona virus disease.

Ms.Nsamba said the Ministry of health has warned that there are indications that the country might record an increase in the new cases of COVID-19 beginning next month December hence the need not to drop the guard so as to prevent the further spread of corona virus especially as people register as voters.

And Chinsali District Commissioner Mary Chifuna said her office has stepped up sensitization campaign and encouraging people to register as voters.

And callers who called in during the live radio programme complained that publicity is not adequate and appealed to relevant authorities to intensify publicity in order to increase on the number of people registering as voters.

The ECZ is currently undertaking a countrywide registration of voters to prepare for the 2021 voters register.

ECZ plans to register at least 9 million people ahead of the 2021 General elections.

And Muchinga Province Minister Malozo Sichone says progress has been made on various projects in Chinsali district following the release of K16 million by the Government last month.

Speaking on special live radio programme on Delight Kwitonta FM anchored by Harrison Phiri, Mr. Sichone said progress has been made on the civic center, six and four story provincial administration blocks as well the construction of 30 medium civil servants houses.

Mr. Sichone said the civic center is complete and appealed to the council staff to start preparing to shift to the new civic center building.

“The civic center building which is one of the projects earmarked to be completed using the K16 million released by the Government is now ready for occupation and am now appealing to the council workers to start preparing to go and occupy the new building, ” said Mr. Sichone.

He said that government plans are to finish at least 10 medium civil servants staff houses out of the 30 in the next few weeks.

“Am happy that progress has also been made in completing the construction of the medium cost civil servants houses in Chinsali whose construction started over 6 years ago,” said Mr. Sichone.

Zambian, Zimbabwean nationals nabbed for money laundering

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Zambian, Zimbabwean nationals nabbed for money laundering

The Drug Enforcement Commission’s Anti Money Laundering Investigations Unit in Lusaka has arrested three Zambians and three Ugandan nationals for money laundering activities involving over K14.3 million.

Drug Enforcement Commission, Public Relations Officer, Theresa Katongo has named the suspects as Patrick Kafula aged 38, Makhosana Ndolo 44, Austin Daka 30 all of Zambian nationality.

Ms Katongo said the others are Vincent Ssempijja aged 29, Rashid kyangulanyi aged 28, and Sylvester Apuli 43 of Ugandan nationality.

Ms Katongo said particulars of the offence are that between January 1, 2020 and July 4, 2020, the accused persons unlawfully possessed 2 key USB loggers, 1 USB flash disk and 1 laptop containing software primarily designed to overcome security measures for the protection of data found on the core banking system.

She stated that the devices enabled the accused persons to access the core banking system of a named bank permitting them to transfer K14, 378,000 from eight corporate accounts of the same bank and credited 79 beneficiary accounts also held at the same bank.

Ms Katongo further stated that the six who are pending court appearance have since been charged for unlawful possession of devices primarily designed to overcome security measures for protection of critical data, unauthorized access to data, theft and money laundering.

Meanwhile, Ms Katongo said the Commission conducted a special operation in Sesheke, Western Province on November 10, 2020 and arrested seven 7 people for unlawful cultivation of fresh cannabis weighing 1.88 tonnes and trafficking in 46.5 kilograms of loose cannabis contrary to Cap 96 of the Laws of Zambia.

She has since identified the suspects as kulili Sikundu a male aged 52, Mayamba Lingela male 47, Alice Masiye female aged 57, Namakau Muyangwa female aged 47, Mukongane Katabi male aged 57, Complex Sitali Sitali male aged 34, and Esther Manza Katabi, female aged 67 all of Mutanda village in Western Province.

She said all the suspects are in Police custody and will appear in court soon.

This is contained in a statement availed to ZANIS in Lusaka today by Drug Enforcement Commission Public Relations Officer, Theresa Katongo.

CBU launches strategic plan

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CBU launches strategic plan

The Copperbelt University (CBU) has launched its 2020-2024 strategic plan.

The four year strategic plan will help enhance the university’s funding through income generating ventures which include agriculture, hospitality, mining, and innovation among others.

CBU Vice Chancellor, Naison Ngoma said the university seeks to increase on the scholarships, research, innovations, infrastructure such as laboratories as well as getting involved in game ranching which will provide practical learning opportunities for students.

“The university also seeks to improve its funding through enhanced interest in solar plants, computer assembly, innovations, incubation hubs, and turning its alumni into a business opportunity,” he said.

Mr Ngoma noted that the immediate past strategic plan for 2014 to 2018 revealed that the university’s fees were not cost reflective as the university was over dependent on government grants for its operations.

And speaking at the same event, Ministry of Higher Education Permanent Secretary, Kayula Siame challenged the education system to do more research, evolve continuously and remain relevant to the industry and the country’s vision 2030.

The strategic plan was launched under the theme ‘Excellence through Research, Innovation and Industrialisation.

Comprehensive Sexuality Education beneficial to pupils

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Comprehensive Sexuality Education beneficial to pupils

Mufumbwe District Resource Centre Coordinator, Lydia Makalashi has called on government and cooperating partners to continue supporting the integration of comprehensive sexuality education in schools as it has helped to reduce early pregnancies and school drop outs.

Ms Makalashi said the integration of sexuality education has seen a lot of benefits such as reduction of early pregnancies, early marriages and has increased access to health facilities by pupils.

“Having seen these benefits we really need the people to continue supporting us especially with materials… and the country needs to be sensitized about the benefits of CSE,” she said.

Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Mufumbwe, Ms Makalashi revealed that some schools that have integrated CSE in subjects have recorded zero early pregnancy cases this year.

“I can testify that most of the schools this year have recorded zero cases of pregnancies… from 2018 we have seen the numbers of early pregnancies and child marriages reduce,” she said.

Ms Makalashi said with the coming of CSE and the close relationship between schools and health facilities, learners have acquired knowledge on how to keep themselves safe from harmful vices as they are able to make informed decisions.

She also explained that CSE is not a subject but just some topics that are integrated in appropriate subjects in the syllabus.

“This CSE is not a subject, it is there to be integrated in the subjects that are already there in the syllabus,” she said.

Ms Makalashi also appealed to schools to revamp clubs in schools so that issues that affect adolescents are talked about frequently.

However, traditional leaders in North-western province have expressed discomfort with integration of CSE in schools curriculum.

Chief Mumena said the traditional leaders in the province cannot bless the introduction of the CSE to the young one in schools because of moral, cultural and spiritual challenges associated with it.

“The matter of Comprehensive Sexuality Education, that matter, DPS, that is very very challenging morally, spiritually, culturally…..but we are concerned at the material that is going out to our children in terms of curriculum”, he said.

He said this in Mufumbwe district in a vote of thanks on behalf of other traditional leaders during the close of a just ended two day chiefs indaba that was organized by the Ministry of Health in partnership with cooperating organisations to discuss health related matters.

89 year old woman murdered by her grandchildren

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89 year old woman murdered by her grandchildren

Police in Muchinga Province have launched a manhunt for three suspects in connection with the murder of an 89-year-old woman of Kapashi village in Shiwang’andu District.

Muchinga Province Police Commissioner, Joel Njase said the incident occurred on November 9, 2020, at about 19:00 hours in Kapashi village.

Mr. Njase said Police visited the crime scene and findings were that the deceased was beaten by her grandchildren on suspicion that she was practicing witchcraft.

”Joseph Malonda aged 39 reported that his grandmother Mary Nsofu aged 89 was murdered by her grandchildren namely Mumbi Mulenga and Kangwa Mantala both of Kapashi village and Teddy Mulenga of Chabola village all of Shiwang’’andu District whose ages are not yet known,” said Mr Njase.

”They allegedly accused the now deceased to have been the one behind the sickness of her daughter Doris Mulenga, who resides in Chabola village and has been ill since August this year,” he explained.

Mr Njase further said it is alleged the deceased was only recused from the beatings by her granddaughters who dragged her to a nearby field to protect her from the beatings but unfortunately later died.

”The victim sustained bruises on the left eye lid and swollen back as kicks were allegedly used in the act,” he said.

He added that the body of the deceased was later deposited at Chinsali District Hospital Mortuary awaiting postmortem adding that no arrests have been made as the suspects are on the run.

And Mr Njase has warned that issues of individuals taking the law in their own hands on mere suspicion of witchcraft will attract the full arm of the law.

Mbala Municipal Council adjusts land rates lower from after residents object

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Mbala Municipal Council adjusts land rates lower from after residents object

The Mbala Municipal Council has suspended the newly proposed land rates to allow for adjustments. The suspension of the rates follows a ‘protest’ by the Mbala Business Association and some property owners who complained that the rates were too high.

In a special council meeting yesterday, Lwandi Ward Councilor, Alfred Ntuntu proposed that the council adjusts the land rates from 0.026 to 0.001 for residential customers and from 0.030 to 0.003 for commercial customers. Mr. Ntuntu said the adjustments can be reviewed in the next council sitting.

“I am proposing new land rates of 0.001 for residential and 0.003 for commercial plots but these should be subjected to debate in the next sitting of the council” he said.

He explained that the motion to adjust the rates can be affected after six months according to council standing orders.

And Mbala Mayor Bright Simbeya said the council has the responsibility to sensitize the community on the land rates.

“It is our duty as the council to sensitize the community on these rates because very few people know about the land rates.” he said.

Mr Simbeya has since enraged property owners to continue visiting the council to verify their property evaluation.

Last week, the local authority imposed the land rates of 0.026 for residential property and 0.030 for commercial property.

The public however opposed the rates stating that it was too high.

Zambia’s Sovereign Debt Situation: Will The Country Default Or Not?

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Zambia’s Sovereign Debt Situation: Will The Country Default Or Not?

By Father Alex Muyebe, S.J JCTR Executive Director

The Zambia External Bondholders Committee meeting is scheduled for today Friday, 13th November 2020 to decide on the fate of Zambia’s proposal for debt repayment holiday on the $3 billion of outstanding dollar bonds. In October 2020, Zambia missed paying its coupon of $42.5 million on its $1 billion bonds due in 2024 and was given a 30-day grace period. Coincidentally the date of committee’s decision and the date of the end of the grace period for coupon payment fall on Friday 13th November.

The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) hopes for a positive outcome. However, the question is: What if Zambia defaults on its sovereign debt? It is worth pointing out that Zambia has an obligation to repay its debt, irrespective of whether the proposal for debt repayment holiday is granted or not. The Minister of Finance, Hon Dr. Bwalya Ng’andu has assured the nation of Zambia’s commitment to not default on its sovereign debt.

If the committee rejects Zambian government’s proposal to defer the payment, it entails the coupon is due for payment on 13th November, 2020. With the already strained fiscal space, government must pay the $42.5 million and if not, Zambia would have defaulted.

A default on Zambia’s sovereign debt entails that the country is blacklisted and this bears implications on political, economic and social development. Additionally, there will be increased interest repayments as penalties, disrepute on Zambia’s credit-worthiness, and reduction in credit ratings. To finance local activities, the government may need to pull resources from various funds which would further weaken the fiscal space. This may lead to non-availability of funding for local development projects and wage freeze for the civil servants.

Therefore, JCTR encourages the government to seriously dialogue with the bondholders or find a lasting solution to debt restructuring. Primarily, JCTR’s concern is with the effects of debt burden and debt default on the ordinary citizens, especially the poor, the marginalized and the vulnerable.

Bill 10 cannot be taken back to Parliament, President Lungu tells Pastors in Kapiri

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Bill 10 cannot be taken back to Parliament, President Lungu tells Pastors in Kapiri

President Edgar Lungu has urged Zambians to use next year’s elections to elect Members of Parliament that will represent their interests. The Head of state said this in response to the members of the Kapiri Mposhi Pastors Fellowship who want the government to look at possibilities of taking the Constitutional Amendment Bill number ten of 2019 to parliament.

President Lungu said the bill cannot be taken back to parliament during the life of this parliamentary session. The President advised those aggrieved to register as voters and elect people that will represent their interests.

Speaking when he addressed Pastors in Kapiri Mposhi, the President said his government wanted big constituencies to be divided into two as well as allow more women to take part in national development, but the opposition refused.

And President Lungu said Churches and pastors should benefit from the allocation of land just like other citizens and that it is sad that the clergy end up becoming destitute when they retire.

And speaking on behalf of the Pastors fellowship Reverend JAPHAT MSONI asked government to divide Kapiri Constituency into two. Reverend Msoni said government should consider taking the Bill back to parliament so that more constituencies can be created.

Meanwhile, Chief Nkole of Central Province has complained to the President that the Member of Parliament for Kapiri Constituency does not visit the people. He said in the future political parties should field candidates who will listen to people’s demands.

And in response President LUNGU said the members of Parliament for Kapiri does not belong to PF but the UPND. This was during a meeting between chiefs in Kapiri and the President.

On-going voter registration exercise is in a mess, it would defranchise alot of people-Katuka

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On-going voter registration exercise is in a mess, it would defranchise alot of people-Katuka

United Party for National Development (UPND) Secretary General, Stephen Katuka has described the on-going voter registration exercise as a mess that would defranchise alot of people.

Mr Katuka also notes that the issuance of voters cards that commenced on Monday has been marred with a lot of prohibitive factors ranging from malfunctioning machines, limited number of ECZ officials deployed to issue the voters cards as well as the rampant load shedding that has gripped the country.

He stated that it was a fallacy for the ECZ to keep insisting that it was on course towards capturing the targeted 9 million voters in the 2021 voters register when it was embroiled in numerous challenges.

“I don’t see how the ECZ expects to capture the 9 million voters because it is taking 30 minutes to capture one member. In certain instances, they have no genset to provide power . There is this load shedding of 12 hours and they have no capacity to use the genset because either there is no fuel or the machine has malfunctioned or that the computer is not working,” said Katuka.

Mr Katuka challenged the ECZ to up their game and stop making endless excuses over the issuance of voter’s cards, adding that the current voters card’s quality was not of a desired standard.

“With that in mind, I appeal to the ECZ to pull up their socks and see to it that they do this exercise professionally and capture the necessary numbers that they are looking for. Also the quality of this document is very poor if compared to the one that we had during the previous election and am afraid this card can’t last for too long in the wallet,” he said.

He has since appealed to UPND members who were left out in the just-ended National Registration Card registration exercise to visit district National Registration Centres spread across the country to acquire NRCs, saying that was the only way they’d be able to register as voters.

Non adherence to COVID-19 rules worry Mangimela

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Non adherence to COVID-19 rules worry Mangimela

North -Western Province Permanent Secretary Willies Mangimela has bemoaned the low levels of COVID- 19 compliance in the region.

Mr. Mangimela said although the Province has made tremendous progress on the control and prevention of the disease, compliance levels from the general public have gone low.

He said this when he officiated at the Provincial Epidemic Preparedness meeting held at Royal Hotel in Solwezi yesterday.

He urged the public to continue adhering to COVID-19 guidelines as cases of the pandemic is being recorded.

“I should also mention that we have made tremendous progress as a province on control and prevention of pandemic. However, compliance levels from the general public are worrying,” he said.

Mr. Mangimela said the province has tested 12, 743 COVID-19 cases with 646 positive and 8 deaths.

Speaking at the same meeting Provincial Health Director Charles Msiska said the province is not doing well with COVID-19 community facility surveillance.

Dr Msiska called for continuous testing of COVID-19 within the community.

About car Washes, Tenders and Corruption

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About car Washes, Tenders and Corruption

By Sean Tembo – PeP President

1. For one reason or the other, these days l find myself increasingly disagreeable with the public narrative on a number of issues. And of course, am never shy to be the odd one out. One such issue is the trending alleged corruption in the award of a tender by the Judiciary, to a company called Sarago General Dealers Limited of Kabwata, to supply 46 double cab 4×4 motor vehicles at a price of US$1,012,000 which translates to US$22,000 per unit. Social media has been awash with allegations that there is corruption in this tender award, and l have been scratching my head trying to figure out where exactly the specific wrongdoing is?

2. For starters, the unit cost per vehicle translates to about K462,000 at the current exchange rate. Going by current market prices for double cabs, l cannot really say that this amount is exaggerated. If the unit price quoted by the selected bidder was say US$50,000 then l would also join the bandwagon and say that there is possible corruption in this tender award. But US$22,000 is a perfectly reasonable unit cost for a 4×4 double cab.

3. The other possible basis for an allegation of fraud or corruption is quality. For example, myself together with my party members held a number of protests against the US$42 million fire engine tender because of two reasons; firstly the price of US$1,000,000 per unit was by all means too exaggerated and secondly, the quality of the fire engines was very poor and clearly second hand. Those were the basis of our allegation for corruption and therefore the basis of our fire tender protests. But in this instance, the unit price of $22,000 is perfectly reasonable and the issue of quality does not yet arise because the motor vehicles in question have not yet been supplied. We cannot, at this point, speculate that when the 46 motor vehicles so ordered are supplied, they will be of poor quality. If and when the said motor vehicles are supplied are found to be of poor quality or second hand, then I Sean Tembo will surely join the bandwagon and allege corruption in this tender award. But until then, it is premature to do so.

4. The other basis for corruption allegations that has been put forward by those alleging corruption is that the said company actually runs a car wash in Kabwata, and so how did it find itself supplying motor vehicles to the Judiciary? But did anyone pay attention to the name of the company? It says “Sarago GENERAL DEALERS Limited”. What is your understanding of a GENERAL DEALER? For the uninitiated, a general dealer is an entity that deals in everything and anything. They will supply you with stationary, building materials, goat offals, aeroplanes, Corona Virus Vaccine, etcetera. That’s a general dealer. And so it is not surprising to me, and it should not be surprising to you that a general dealer like Sarago General Dealers Limited can operate a car wash in Kabwata and at the same time bid and win a tender for the supply of 46 double cab 4×4 motor vehicles to the Judiciary of Zambia.

5. The other basis that was advanced by those alleging corruption in this tender award is that how could a small company from Kabwata beat “reputable” and well established motor vehicle supply companies such as Toyota Zambia, Delta Auto, Southern Cross etcetera? Well, a tender has specifications and each bidder is scored against those specifications. It is not unusual for a little known company to beat well-known brands in a tender. Speaking for myself, when my firm was operating in South Africa and Botswana, l was occasionally winning a number of multi-million tenders and beating a number of well-established and well-known professoinal service firms in those countries, and l did all that while l was a twenty-something year old foreigner in those countries. Similarly, well known enterprises like Apple, Facebook and Microsoft started their businesses from a home garage. For them to grow into the multi-billion dollar businesses that they are today, they obviously had to win their first tender, then second and third and fourth and so on, until at some point they decided to get out of the garage that they were operating in and decided to go and rent more decent office space and then grew further from there. Now, can you imagine if someone had stereotyped them and said we cannot award a tender to a company that is operating from their home garage? Would Facebook be there today? No! Would Apple be there today? No! Would Microsoft be there today? No! So let us give small Entreprenuers a chance to prosper so that one day, they can tell their tale of how they started their business. Perhaps 100 years from now, the most popular vehicle brand in the whole world will be … Lord behold … Sarago!!! And the CEO of the company at that time will be narrating to Forbes Magazine how his or her great grandfather started the business with just a Car Wash in Kabwata and got his break when he won a tender to supply 46 double cab 4×4 vehicles to the Judiciary of Zambia, and how he grew the business thereafter and decided to start manufacturing his own vehicle brand.

6. The other narrative that is being peddled by some faceless online media like Koswe and Watchdog is that the owner of the company that was awarded this tender is linked to the Kabwata Member of Parliament who is also Justice Minister and since the Judiciary falls under the Ministry of Justice, the Minister allegedly facilitated the award of the tender. To the uninitiated, this makes perfect sense but to me, it makes no sense whatsoever, primarily because the Judiciary does NOT fall under the Ministry of Justice. Like Parliament, the Judiciary is an independent arm of Government and is not a part of the Executive to which the Ministry of Justice falls. So to me, this allegation makes no sense whatsoever and is merely intended to taint a businessman that is hustling hard trying to make a living in these harsh economic times.

7. Perhaps, this is the right time for me to make an enerst appeal to my fellow country men and women to resist the temptation to pull others down for no apparent reason. Let us build one another so that together we can be a prosperous nation. Speaking for myself, l must confess that l have a very strong sense of fairness and where l see an injustice, l do not hesitate to stand up, step forward and point it out, even if l am the odd one out of the 18 million Zambians. At least my heart is rested.

Algeria Edge Closer to AFCON Qualification

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Algeria maintained their 100 percent run and command of Group H after beating Zimbabwe 3-1 at home in Algiers.

The result saw the defending African champions open a five point gap on maximum 9 points with Zimbabwe trailing in second place on 4 points, one point ahead of Zambia after three rounds played and with as many left to play.

Baghdad Bounedjah, Sofiane Feghouli and Riyad Mahrez struck in the 31st, 43rd and 67th minutes respectively for the African champions.

Tinotenda Kadewere scored Zimbabwe’s face-saver in the 79th minute.

Victory away in Harare this Monday will see Algeria qualify with two matches to spare with only the issue of top two classification to think about.

Chipolopolo Rally To Revive AFCON Hopes

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Chipolopolo put their AFCON 2022 race back on the road after a 2-1 home win over Botswana at Heroes Stadium in Lusaka.

But Chipolopolo had to rally to ensure of their first 3 points in Group H in this match-day-three fixture after Botswana had taken the lead in the 45th minute through Tumisang Orebonye.

Orebonye’s goal came after a wasteful first half by Zambia with Justin Shonga the major culprit.

However, Enock Mwepu equalized two minutes of added time before the halftime whistle.

It was a huge contribution from Mwepu who had arrived just 24 hours before the game after his Austrian club RB Salzburg lifted their Covid-19 lockdown late into the week as match day loomed.

Zambia scored the winner in the 67th minute when in-form striker Collins Sikombe finished off a Fashion Sakala cross from the far right wing.

Sakala’s addition after he replaced Shonga ten minutes earlier brought some much needed bite to Chipolopolo’s attack and Botswana spent most of the half on the back-foot.

Zambia move from bottom to third on 3 points exchanging places with Botswana who have 1 point.

The two sides meet in the November 16 in Francistown with the pressure rising with two rounds left after this Monday’s fixture on the road to Cameroon.

Former Ghanian President Jerry Rawlings dies after Short Illness

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Former Ghanian President Jerry Rawlings dies after Short Illness

Ghana’s former president Jerry Rawlings has died, according to the state’s Radio Ghana and the president. H was was 73.

President Nana Akufo-Addo said that Rawlings died Thursday morning at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in the capital, Accra, where he had been receiving treatment after a short illness.

“A great tree has fallen, and Ghana is poorer for this loss,” he said in an official statement after sending condolences to the family and announcing that flags would fly at half-mast for 7 days as the nation prepares for a state funeral.

Rawlings was born in 1947 to a Scottish father and a Ghanaian mother who died in September at the age of 101. Rawlings, who trained as an air force officer, came to power in 1979 after leading his first coup, and then transferring power to civilian rule soon after.

In December 1981, he staged a second coup and was Ghana’s military leader until he introduced multi-party elections in 1992 that returned the country to democracy. He won the elections and was sworn in as president in 1993 and served two elected four-year terms, leaving office in 2001.

His longtime friend and later his rival, Maj. Kojo Boakye Gyan who served as spokesman for the party that took over after the first coup, told The Associated Press that Rawling’s death was a loss for Ghana.

“He was God’s gift to the country and l can only ask that God keeps his soul in peace,” said Gyan.

Soon after his death was announced, crowds started gathering at his Ridge Office in Accra.

Rawlings is survived by his wife, Nana Konadu Agyeman, whom he met while at Achimota School. They have three daughters: Zanetor Rawlings, Yaa Asantewaa Rawlings, Amina Rawlings; and one son, Kimathi Rawlings.

AP

Shepolopolo Tumble in The Semi’s At COSAFA

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Shepolopolo have been eliminated from the 2020 COSAFA Women’s Championship by Botswana at the semifinal stage.

Zambia succumbed to a 2-1 loss to Botswana in the first semi final played on Thursday afternoon at Wolfson Stadium in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

Ireen “Xavi” Lungu scored Zambia’s consolation as her side failed to come back into the game after conceding an early goal.

Botswana led after eight minutes with Refilwe Tebogo Tholekele beating Zambian keeper Hazel Nali.

Tholekele scored her and Botswana’s second goal after converting a penalty seven minutes away from the break.

It is a disappointing outing for the Zambian side that earned a maiden Olympic Games qualification earlier in the year.

Coach Bruce Mwape’s beat Lesotho 8-0 in the opening match before losing to Malawi 1-0 prior to reaching the semifinals as the best-placed runner-up.

Zambia were runners up at the same competition last year.

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