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We are Safe Despite Going Down 3-1 to PF in Our Strongholds, UPND Political Strategist Assures Members

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We are Safe Despite Going Down 3-1 to PF in Our Strongholds, UPND Political Strategist Assures Members

A member of the United Party for National Development (UPND) has assured his fellow party members concerned about the loss suffered by the party in recent ward by-elections that the party is still headed for victory in the 12 Agust elections this year.

In a post on the party’s social media platform, Mainda Simataa, a political strategist, researcher and UPND aspiring councillor for Kamwala Ward 5 in Lusaka said that because the simmering hatred, anger and frustration which he claimed that 9 out of every 10 Zabians feel against the PF regime will literally explode in the ballot on August 12.

Below is the full post

By-election Performance Analysis
CONCERNED PEOPLE ASK, ARE WE SAFE?
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By Mainda Simataa | Political Strategist
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Yesterday one lady WhatsApped me regarding the by-election performance and simply asked, “are we (UPND) safe?”
This short and simplified article is written to answer her question, and those of others with similar questions that have bombarded my inbox for an explanation as to why, to borrow football terminology, UPND went down 3 – 1 to PF, in our strongholds, and with only 7 months to go before the greatest election in Zambia’s 56 year history.

THE ANSWER IS YES WE ARE SAFE

To answer the question simply, yes we are safe, UPND is very safe, and on sound footing to pull off the greatest upset in election history this August when PF will be trounced by a landslide protest vote.

Why? Because the simmering hatred, anger and frustration which 9 out of every 10 Zabians feel against the PF regime will literally explode in the ballot on August 12. Low turnout in 3 out of the four wards attests to this fact, Zambians are conserving their voting firepower for August 12 when they’ll come out all guns blazing to teach Lungu the lesson of his life – that silent waters run deep.

GOVT MACHINERY IN BY-ELECTIONS

By-elections are what we refer to as low-hanging fruits in political language, because the govt of the day is always favorite to win by elections using government machinery – meaning all resources at the disposal of government, legal or illegal, to rig the outcome.

In all 4 Ward elections without exception, the DMMU has been on the heels of PF campaign teams, giving Christmas relief food – beans, Kapenta, meali-meal etc. Also in tow, has been FISP pro PF government officials distributing farming inputs to voters, not forgetting social welfare PF officials disbursing ‘social cash transfer monies’ of K100 per vote with a bonus to be paid after a favorable outcome.

So dear lady, fellow citizens, it’s in such an environment that you see the brutal citizen-killers, PF winning in poverty and hunger stricken Zambia where a rural voter is literally held at bag-point – a bag of meali-meal or bag of fertilizer for a vote. Livingstone is the exception, and that explains why only a Ward nestled in an urban economy base like Livingstone could overcome this carrot tactic.

Mark my words, just like Livingstone, Lusaka and Copperbelt will turnout 90% votes for UPND on August 12 2020 despite all the money PF pours into the cities nestled in an urban economy teeming with disgruntled unemployed youths ready to teach Lungu the lesson of his lifetime. Take heart, we’re very safe.

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Mainda Simataa is a political strategist, researcher and UPND aspiring councillor for Kamwala Ward 5 in Lusaka. He’s also a political correspondent for the African Observor tabloid based in Kampala, Uganda

All of a sudden the PF have so much money to throw around to the Zambian voters

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All of a sudden the PF have so much money to throw around to the Zambian voters


By Fred M’membe

All of a sudden the Patriotic Front and its government have so much money to throw around to the Zambian voters. Where is this money coming from in a government that is embarrassingly failing to meet its debt servicing obligations? And why this sudden benevolence? All of a sudden people are being given all sorts of handouts and gifts! What has happened? It’s not what has happened that we should set our eyes and ears on but what is going to happen on August 12 that we should focus on. They are trying to buy our votes with money and ‘gifts’! But are we so gullible? Can these bribes blind us from seeing reality and make us vote for them despite the enormous damage they caused to our country? Are these really people we can trust to continue presiding over our destiny?

Our country is broke because of the reckless way they have been spending public funds. Something in the way that they have been handling public money isn’t working. Our issue isn’t just that our country doesn’t have enough money, but that when we got the money, they spent it recklessly. And they spent it on anything. Truly, 99 per cent of the troubles that we as a nation have with money isn’t that there isn’t enough of it, but in that, we spend it recklessly once we actually get it! What prompts a voter in Zambia to cast her ballot in favour of a candidate or political party? Typically, her choice would be influenced by the candidate’s identity, outlook, performance or ethnicity.

Cash bribes to voters are also widely thought to influence the voting choices of the poorest and most vulnerable voters.
Trying to buy votes with cash and other gifts in the run-up to elections by the ruling party is not unusual in Zambia. One main reason is that politics has become fiercely competitive. The margins of victory are getting smaller and smaller. Our elections have also become volatile. Our ruling parties do not control voters as well as they once might have done. Our ruling parties and candidates are more uncertain about results than ever before, and try to buy votes by splurging cash on voters. But our national experience is that bribing voters in general elections may not necessarily fetch votes. It works much more in by-elections but not in general elections.

Competitive elections prompt the ruling party to distribute handouts – primarily cash and gifts in kind – for strategic reasons. While knowing that handouts are largely inefficient, they end up facing a prisoner’s dilemma, when each prisoner’s fate relies on the other’s actions.

But as we saw in 2011 cash handouts and other gifts influenced a miniscule number of voters. Michael Sata’s ‘Don’t Kubeba’ worked! The voters have become astute, having realised that it was near-impossible for candidates and their political parties to “monitor” their voting behaviour. So they pocketed the cash and betrayed even the most generous candidate. But there seems to be an overwhelming belief in our ruling parties that they can buy votes of poor people. That’s why they bribe voters.

Bribing voters could have a cultural explanation. There’s a feeling that our poor voters appreciate wealthy or generous candidates. And that in a highly unequal society, cash bribes and gifts create a sense of reciprocity. We have a long history of patronage politics. Our voters have been made to expect feasts or handouts from candidates – tulyemo! Our electoral politics are increasingly being articulated in the traditional idiom of patronage. The donor-servant relation is increasingly becoming the basic formula through which people exchanged things, exercised power and related socially.

In specific historical contexts bribery may make elections less predictable, dissolving the existing ties by which the electorate are already bound to those seeking office, rather than reinforcing them. Bribery may be considered an evil because of secondary, knock-on affects. The need to bribe implies the need to raise money. This may take place by corrupt means, or may produce financial and/or political debts, which corrupt the behaviour of politicians when in office. It may be a way in which people outside the political process, whether legitimate businessmen or criminals, such as gangsters and drug-barons nowadays, seek to control it. If pursued on a vast scale, bribery may have unfortunate political consequences by dangerously expanding credit.

Moreover, if bribery is prevalent in elections, this will affect the perception of politics both by office-seekers and those who elect them. Office-seekers may come to despise the venality of an electorate, which may, unknown to them, be exercising a considerable degree of independent judgement; the electorate for its part may deduce from the bribes that it is offered, that those pursuing public office are merely self-seekers who are not concerned with the general interest of the public.

This is the reality we have to confront as we head towards August 12.

57 year old late former Cabinet Minister put to rest

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57 year old late former Cabinet Minister put to rest

Government has described late former Cabinet Minister in the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) regime, Sarah Sayifwanda, 57, as a patriotic citizen who served the nation diligently.

Giving a key note speech on behalf of government at the official funeral service at United Church of Zambia Mushitala congregation in Solwezi today, North-western province Minister, Nathaniel Mubukwanu said the late Ms. Sayifwanda was instrumental in spearheading development when she served in various ministerial positions.

“On behalf of His Excellent, Mr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, the people of Zambia and indeed on my own behalf, allow me to convey my sincere condolences to the children and the entire family on the sad loss of Honourable Sarah Sayifwanda,” he said.

Mr. Mubukwanu said Ms. Sayifwanda was a vibrant citizen of Zambia as she gallantly dedicated her great life to the service of the nation.

“She will be remembered for spearheading policies that culminated into the implementation of gender programmes in rural areas focused on agriculture, education, health and social protection with particular bias towards women,” he said.

He said Ms. Sayifwanda has left behind indelible footmarks in the history of the country as a public servant when she had an illustrious career in the public service.

The minister said the late Ms. Sayifwanda exhibited unique leadership qualities and served as a cabinet minister at a time when the development of most government policies was undertaken in line with the liberalization of the economy.

Giving a tribute, the minister’s son Chishinga Sayifwanda described his late mother as a pillar and source of strength who will be greatly missed.

And a former cabinet minister, Lucky Mulusa said the late Ms. Sayifwanda will be remembered for her passion and interest in women and children’s affairs and gender matters in general.

“She was a principled leader who exhibited competence and good character as well as zero tolerance to corruption,” he said.

The late Ms. Sayifwanda, who is survived by two children and five grandchildren, died on 31st December, 2020 in Solwezi general hospital after a short illness and has been put to rest today, at Kimiteto cemetery in Solwezi district.

Her career in government started in the late 1980s as a teacher in special education. She taught for 20 years under the Ministry of Education before joining active politics under the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) in 2005.

She served as a Member of Parliament for Zambezi East constituency for 10 years from 2006 to 2016.

The late Ms. Sayifwanda also served as a cabinet minister in various ministries among them Gender and Development, Agriculture and Communication and Transport.

Senior government officials led by North-western Province Minister Nathaniel Mubukwanu, former cabinet ministers, senior political party officials from both ruling and the opposition, civil servants and members of the general public attended the funeral service.

BoZ commences gold purchasing programme

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BoZ commences gold purchasing programme

The Bank of Zambia (BoZ) has commenced the accumulation of gold as part of its reserves assets.

BoZ Assistant Director for Communications Lwanga Mwilu disclosed that this was after the purchase of 47 kilogrammes of Dore Gold from the Zambia Gold Company Limited operating under ZCCM-IH.

Ms. Mwilu added that the Bank is also expecting supply of gold bullion within the first quarter of 2021 from Kansanshi Mines.

“The local purchase of gold follows the signing, on December 11, 2020, of the Gold Purchase Agreement with Zambia Gold Company Limited and Kansanshi Mine,” Ms. Mwilu stated.

She indicated that gold purchases is a strategic decision made by the Central Bank to broaden the composition and diversification of international reserves portfolio.

Ms. Mwilu pointed out that the addition of gold as a reserve asset will supplement the country’s international reserves essential for the bank to provide protection against adverse economic shocks and in achieving the monetary policy objectives of price and financial system stability.

She explained that purchasing gold locally provides the necessary liquidity for the bank’s foreign market operations.

“Purchasing gold locally using local currency provides a sustainable avenue of international reserves accumulation, provides a long-term store of value, and further enhances investor confidence,” Ms. Mwilu explained.

She added that the action is in line with the broad objectives of the government’s economic recovery programme, launched by President Edgar Lungu late last year.

This is contained in a statement issued to the media in Lusaka yesterday.

Lusambo cuts short his annual leave to lead fight against Covid-19 second wave

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Lusambo cuts short his annual leave to lead fight against Covid-19 second wave

Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo yesterday morning distributed masks and sensitizing motorists and some Lusaka residents on the importance of adhering to Covid-19 health guidelines.

Mr. Lusambo has since directed that he will tomorrow start taking stringent measures against those that will not comply with the Statutory Instruments (SIs) on Covid-19.

The Minister, who led members of the multi-sectoral Covid-19 taskforce on an inspection of compliance to health regulation among motorists and other road users at Arcades Flyover Bridge, Heroes stadium bus stop, and shop owners at Manda Hill shopping mall, observed that there is complacency among residents despite the increasing cases of the disease in the province.

He noted that Zambia is recording an increase in the number of new cases and deaths hence warned that the situation may get to unmanageable levels if people continue with the status quo.

“The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) is filled to capacity and the number of new cases is increasing, this poses a serious threat,” he said.

Mr. Lusambo told bus drivers not to carry passengers who are not masked up and warned that all travellers who do not wear masks on public buses will not be allowed in and out of Lusaka starting Wednesday this week as the taskforce starts to enforce the SI.

“Buses that carry passengers who do not wear masks will not be allowed to enter or leave bus stations. The drivers should ensure that all their passengers are masked up,” he said.

And Mr. Lusambo has warned bar owners who operate beyond prescribed operating hours that they will be dealt with.

“We will start inspecting all places especially the bars and nightclubs that are on record to be hotspots for transmission of the disease, the owners are not complying with the law with regard to the times of opening and closing, the masking of revellers and the observation of a one metre physical distance as provided by law,” he noted.

The Lusaka Province Minister however commended shops at Manda Hill shopping mall where shoppers are not allowed to enter shops if they are not complying with the health regulations.

He observed that only those with masks are allowed to enter the shops.

“People here are all masked up, they realise the seriousness of the disease and that the new variant is more deadly,” he said.

Meanwhile, Lusaka deputy mayor Christopher Shakafuswa said Lusaka City Council (LCC) observed that people in the city have adequate information about Covid-19 but do not mask up.

“Many people put the masks in their handbags and pockets and only wear them when getting into shops. We need people to realise that masking up is intended to prevent the disease and not to show those enforcing the law,” he said.

Mr. Shakafuswa said the council will enhance inspection of public places to ensure adherence to public health regulations.

Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo handing out free face masks in Lusaka on Tuesday.
Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo handing out free face masks in Lusaka on Tuesday.

Two Zambians arrested in India for drug trafficking over the festive season

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Two Zambians arrested in India for drug trafficking over the festive season

Two Zambians have been arrested in India for trafficking “fine quality” heroin.

The value of seized drug is estimated to be around ?22 crore in the international market.

In the first case, Zambian national Mulapi Joshua was nabbed by officers of the federal anti-narcotics agency from the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport in New Delhi on December 25 with 4.6 kg of heroin.

His compatriot, Mambwe William, was similarly apprehended from the IGI airport on December 31 with 700 grams of heroin.

The two had landed in New Delhi from Dubai, official sources said.

“The arrest of two Zambian nationals with fine quality heroin revealed a reverse route of heroin trafficking into India,” Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Deputy Director (operations) K P S Malhotra said, adding that the value of the seized drug is around ?22 crore in the international market.

The normal route for heroin smuggling into the country is through the Pakistan border and in some cases, through the eastern frontiers.

The reverse route refers to heroin being trafficked into India from “two different routes” after sourcing it from Afghanistan, the “main cultivator” of opium and “producer” of heroin, Mr. Malhotra said.

Over 4,000 BIDs recorded at UTH between June and November

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Over 4,000 BIDs recorded at UTH between June and November

About 4,339 people died before reaching the University Teaching Hospital between June and November last year.

That figure represents a big rise from the 3,117 recorded over the same period in 2019.

Now Zambian health officials are grappling with a wave of dead-on-arrival cases at the country’s main referral hospital.

The spike in cases may be related to residents not following Covid-19 guidelines, as well as to widespread misconceptions about the virus.

“We have recorded an increase in the number of Brought-In-Dead (BID) cases,” says Professor Lloyd Mulenga, Director of infectious diseases at Zambia’s Health Ministry.

According to Professor Mulenga, UTH recorded 4,339 BID cases from early June to early November as compared to 3,711 in the same period in 2019.

The people arriving dead at the hospital died from a variety of causes, not only Covid-19.

But Professor Mulenga said the spike may be related to the pandemic, reflecting a failure of many residents to comply with Covid-19 prevention measures.

As of mid-December 2020, Zambia had a total of more than 18,400 Coronavirus cases, of which 367 ended in death, according to www.worldometers.info, an independent statistics portal.

Covid-19 infections continue to rise, with many patients suffering from other diseases alongside Coronavirus.

The increased number of dead-on-arrival cases may be related to a growing tendency to self-medicate against Covid-19, in addition to failing to follow recommended preventive measures.

“In hopes of fighting the virus, many Zambians are using drugs that were developed to combat other diseases, or are taking “various herbal concoctions,” Professor Mulenga says.

“This undermines medical efforts to control the virus and prevent new infections.”

Dr. Nyambe Mukubesa, a resident doctor at the Ministry of Health, confirms that assessment

“Many citizens are abusing malaria drugs and other medicines to treat Covid-19, without seeking medical advice,” he says.

“So a surge in new cases is likely to remain a worry.”

Those views are confirmed by a survey of 1,035 Zambians carried out in March and April 2020 by Ipsos, the Paris-based market research and consulting firm.

The survey shows widespread misconceptions about the virus.

“Approximately half believe that Covid-19 can be prevented by drinking lemon juice and Vitamin C (54 %), or that a hot climate prevents the spread of the virus (49?%),” Ipsos says in a report titled “Responding to Covid-19: Highlights of a Survey in Zambia”.

In addition, the Ipsos report states: “One in four think Covid-19 can be cured with garlic (25?%), and sizeable minorities believe that Africans can’t get it (15%), or that drinking bleach cures it (9?%).

Some misconceptions cause needless anxiety.

“I used to think that the virus only affects the elderly or those with underlying health ailments,” says Mercy Chilongo, 33, who had Covid-19 and recovered from it. “When I got Covid-19, I believed it was the end of me.”

In some cases, people have correct information about preventing infection, but cannot comply. According to Ipsos, social distancing may prove very difficult in a country where many people do not have separate rooms to isolate infected family members.

But many prevention measures are within the control of residents, who nonetheless are not using them. “The improper wearing of face masks, with citizens dropping the masks when talking or wearing their masks on their chins, or not observing physical distancing, is a battle we continue facing,” says Health Minister Dr. Chitalu Chilufya.

Green Eagles Ejected From CAF Confederation Cup

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Zambia’s 2020/2021 continental group stage ambitious has dwindled to two after Green Eagles were eliminated from the CAF Confederation Cup today.

Eagles lost 1-0 away to Cameroonian representatives Cotonsport to exit 3-0 on aggregate.

Gueme Areina struck in the 4th minute to give Cotonsport the final leg win.

But the match was not without any controversy after the Cameroon club conducted second tests on Eagles despite the Zambian club travelling to Cameroon with valid medical certificates that were within World Health Organization guidelines.

Eagles’ exit leaves Nkana and Napsa Stars as Zambia’s last hopes for group stage continental qualification.

Nkana head into their CAF Champions League pre-group stage final leg match against Petro Atletico in Luanda, Angola on Wednesday tied at 1-1 from the first leg.

Napsa Stars drew 0-0 at home against UD Songo of Mozambique whom they visit in Beira this Wednesday in a CAF Confederation Cup second round tie.

Expedite works on township roads – Nundwe

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Expedite works on township roads – Nundwe

Copperbelt province Permanent Secretary Bright Nundwe has appealed to the Road Development Agency (RDA) to expedite the works on the 80 kilometers township roads in four districts in the province.

Mr. Nundwe lamented the delayed funding for township roads works saying the funds should be released soon as the rainy season come to an end.

Mr Nundwe said this when RDA Human Resource Committee led by Acting Chairperson for RDA board Likando Kalaluka call on him at his office in Ndola today.

Mr. Nundwe further said there is need to speed up works on the Sabina toll plaza which are at 5 percent as all the other toll plazas in the province are functional except for one.

“ The stretch on the Ndola – Kapiri road near Kafulafuta toll plaza is slippery and in a bad state which equally needs urgent attention, “ he said.

Chililabombwe, Ndola, Luanshya and Mufulira districts, are the districts to benefit from the upgrading of township roads in the province.

And RDA director George Manyele has disclosed that works on the 79.8 km Ndola – Mufulira -Mukombo road have commenced.

Government recently paid 20 million Kwacha to Swift Company in partnership with Nyatsi contractor to resume works on the road.

The works are phases and currently the contractor is working on the Mufulira Mukombo stretch where the road works are on- surfacing level.

Meanwhile, RDA acting board chairperson Likando Kalaluka explained that the committee is on the Copperbelt to check on RDA operations and the state of infrastructure in the region.

Lusaka police urged to enforce Covid-19 health regulations

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Lusaka police urged to enforce Covid-19 health regulations

Lusaka Province Permanent Secretary Elias Kamanga has called on the police to heighten surveillance activities to ensure compliance to Covid-19 health regulations in the capital city following a spike in new cases of the disease.

Mr. Kamanga said health security is critical as there is a complacency to adhere to public health regulations.

He said the police should enforce the law to prevent the spread of the disease.

He said this when new Lusaka Province Police Commissioner Lackson Sakala paid a courtesy call on him this morning.

He also advised the police to curb the smuggling of maize and maize products to neighbouring countries which he said is threatening food security in Zambia.

“I am confident that you are capable and competent enough to manage the security of Lusaka province especially health and national security,” he added.

He said that the Police Commissioner should not drop the guard in ensuring that the public is adhering to the Covid-19 health guidelines as provided by the Ministry of Health.

Mr. Kamanga said Mr. Sakala should join hands with the Provincial Administration in ensuring that there is compliance during the management of the second wave of Covid-19.

“The new Covid-19 strain is posing much more severe danger to our people and may I remind you that your office will be critical in ensuring that the Covid-19 compliance measures are taken seriously,” he said.

He reaffirmed that Lusaka Province is a critical region because it houses the capital city of the country.

“I implore you to take charge of Lusaka province in terms of policing. We may have the Inspector General of Police in our province but that does not mean our responsibilities should be absorbed.

Mr. Kamanga said 2021 is an election year coupled with the new strain of Covid-19 hence the need to be proactive.

And Lusaka Province Police Commissioner, Lackson Sakala thanked Mr. Kamanga for the guidance and pledged to execute his duties diligently.

Mr. Sakala was transferred from Eastern Province to Lusaka as Provincial Commissioner of Police taking over from Nelson Phiri whose contract was not renewed.

Kabwe Shoprite, Zambeef temporarily closed for violating Covid-19 guidelines

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Kabwe Shoprite, Zambeef temporarily closed for violating Covid-19 guidelines

The Kabwe Municipal Council (KMC) has closed some business houses, including the Shoprite chain store for violating the Covid-19 health guidelines.

KMC Assistant Public Relations Manager, Nancy Chenga, has confirmed that Shoprite, Kabwe Pharmacy, Termites Butchery, and Zambeef were temporally closed yesterday for not complying with Covid-19 health guidelines.

Ms. Chenga said the affected stores were found violating social distancing, lacked handwashing facilities at their entrances, and entertained improperly masked customers.

She said the closure was effected under the statutory instrument 21 and 22 of 2020 that provides for Covid-19 preventive measures.

“The municipality working hand-in-hand with Kabwe District Health Office (KDHO) will continue to conduct random spot checks for compliance purposes. Those who will be found abrogating the laws under Statutory Instrument (SI) 21 and 22 of 2020 on Covid-19 will be penalized accordingly,” she said.

She has warned that stern action will be taken against shop owners failing to strictly adhere to Covid-19 guidelines including the closure of their businesses.

She added that the affected business houses were re-opened after a meeting with the council officials and representatives from affected business houses.

She has since reminded shop owners and members of the general public to ensure compliance to the Covid-19 guidelines to prevent the further spread of the viral disease.

ZAMBEEF Head Office
ZAMBEEF Head Office

Meanwhile, the Zambia Private Sector Alliance (ZPSA) has advised all business traders and local authorities to effectively enforce Covid-19 pandemic prevention health care guidelines with immediate effect.

Zambia Private Sector Alliance President Chabuka Kawesha has strongly appealed to business houses, manufacturers, industries, and other factory operational plants to comply with the Covid-19 health guidelines.

Mr. Kawesha said all employers and businesses countrywide should ensure that their respective workforce mask-up, sanitize, and have the necessary cleaning products at their premises at all times.

“The new Covid-19 strain is 50 to 70 percent more transmissible and it is not something that should be open to question,” he said.

Mr. Kawesha has also called on councils to join forces with local traders in ensuring compliance with Covid-19 health care and prevention guidelines by utilizing all available materials and human capital at their disposal.

“The breeding grounds of Covid-19 are bars, markets, roadside trading, and bus stations which are always crowded with unmasked patrons,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Kawesha has commended healthcare workers and many others for the relentless effort in saving lives during this Covid-19 pandemic.

Nkana Make Late Trip to Angola

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Nkana travelled to Angola for Wednesday’s crucial CAF Champions League match against Petro Atletico after being bailed out by President Edgar Lungu.

President Lungu on Monday donated $100,000 to Nkana, who are reportedly struggling financially ahead of the Luanda trip.

Club vice President Patrick Njovu said the money would help Nkana to fulfill the CAF assignment.

“We were given $100,000 which is K2.1million. The money has really helped and we will manage to go to Angola,” Njovu said.

Kalampa left for Angola on Tuesday morning on a chartered flight.

The two teams drew 1-1 in the first leg match of the first round played in Kitwe two weeks ago.

The return leg is scheduled to kick off at 18h00.

Government distributes 7,000 litres of chemicals to fight Army Worms in Southern province

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Government distributes 7,000 litres of chemicals to fight Army Worms in Southern province

The ministry of Agriculture has dispatched seven thousand litres of Fall Army Worm chemicals to fight against the deadly pest from ravaging field crops in Southern Province.

Southern Province Agricultural Coordinator Max Choombe says the chemicals are being distributed to all the 13 districts and affected farmers in the province to combat the pest.

Dr. Choombe said quantities of chemicals being distributed per district are dependent on reports received from District Agricultural Coordinators in terms of areas affected and also the areas at risk.

He further explained that chemical distribution is also dependent on the number of farmers in a given district because the more the number of farmers the more the infestation.

The chemicals distributed from the Provincial Office to District Agricultural Coordinators in the province and subsequently to farmers should be strictly for free and not for sale.

Dr. Choombe also observed that farmers should realise that the chemicals are an emergency measure and they are also expected to buy their own chemicals to assist in controlling and containing the pest.

He disclosed that his office has received reports of Fall Army Worm attaches on field crops from most districts in Southern Province adding that infestation is at the small level.

The PACO further pointed out that so far the crop stand in the province is very good for the 2020/2021 season noting that if there will be no floods the province anticipates a bumper harvest.

Dr. Choombe said most of the maize in the field is green and not yellow as it has received fertilizer.

The recipient districts of the Fall Army Worm chemicals as Kazungula, Livingstone, Zimba, Kalomo, Choma, and Sinazongwe.

Others are Pemba, Namwala, Gwembe, Monze, Chikankata, Mazabuka, and Siavonga.

Robin Siame:GBFC Thursty To End Winless Drought

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Green Buffaloes winger Robin Siame wants to see his team bounce back to winning ways when the FAZ Super Division resume this weekend.

Buffaloes have not won in their last six matches prior to the New Year break.

The Army side is placed 14 in the league with 10 points from 11 matches played.

“As we start in January we need to improve,” Siame said.

“We need to perform well like we did at the start of the season,” he said.

Buffaloes will face Lumwana Radiants away in the North Western Province on January 9.

UPND retains Ward In Livimngstone, but loses in North Western Province

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UPND retains Ward In Livimngstone, but loses in North Western Province

The opposition United Party for National Development (UPND), in Livingstone has retained the Maramba Ward seat after its candidate emerged victorious in yesterday’s by election.

UPND candidate Evans Sakala got 578 votes, while his closest rival Florence Samasumo of the ruling Patriotic Front (PF), got 465 votes and National Restoration Party ( NRP ) representative Brian Siamuluwa got 19 votes.

Returning Officer Peter Madubeko announced the results at Maramba Community Hall on Monday, adding that a total of 1070 votes were cast, of which four (4), were rejected. During the campaign period, Mr Sakala pledged to address sanitation challenges within the ward.

The by – election was preceded by peaceful campaigns from all the political parties contesting for the seat. The Maramba Ward seat fell vacant after UPND Councillor Moses Simbaya resigned in September 2020. Mr. Simbaya said he had been offered a scholarship to further his education abroad.

And the Ruling Patriotic Front (PF) has scooped the Kaimbwe ward seat in the just ended local government by-election in Kasempa district of North-western province.

PF’s Keagan Shimikila polled 356 against his closest rival Innocent Kakona of UPND who got 228 out of 602 total vote cast with nine rejected votes.

Mr Shimikila said the people of Kaimbwe and the province at large have realised that they made a mistake in 2016 by voting for the opposition UPND.

“People have realized that in 2016 they made a mistake by voting for the opposition and now they have made the right decision by voting for the ruling party,” Mr Shimikila added.

Stating that the ward had been lagging behind in terms of development under the councilor from the opposition UPND party, Mr Shimikila urged the residents of Kamibwe ward to work with him for development to come to the ward.

Meanwhile , Patriotic Front campaign Manager Davies Kanyakula disclosed that the ruling party will rescue the people of Kaimbwe from under development. Mr Kanyakula further disclosed that winning the first election of 2021 is a sign of confidence that people still have in the ruling party.

” We have won the first election in 2021,come the general elections we are actually going to carry the day,” he added.

Mr Kanyakula assured the party that in the forthcoming general elections the party will scoop more seats at all levels.

The Kaimbwe seat fell vacant after the area councilor of UPND Thompson Changamuka resigned and was being contested for by PF candidate Keagan Shimikila and UPND candidate Innocent Kakona.

Kaimbwe has 1,550 total number of registered voters.

 

And in in Lumezi District, the  ruling Patriotic Front has scooped the Kamimba ward Local Government by-election.  PF candidate Blaston Ngoma polled 1,691 votes while his closest counterpart, Mvula Timeyo of the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) , polled 559 votes.  National Restoration Party’s (NAREP) Phiri Davies got a paltry 194 votes. Returning officer for Kamimba ward Micheal Ngulube declared Mr Ngoma as the duly elected councillor for the ward at about 23:15 hours yesterday.

“I therefore declare that I have, in accordance with the law, ascertained the results of the poll in the said ward and have been given to Ngoma Blaston of Patriotic Front 1, 691, Mvula Timeyo of the United Party for National Development 599 votes,” he said.

And speaking after the declaration, Lumezi District’s Patriotic Front Chairperson Clement Mwale said  people of Kamimba ward have elected a candidate who will continue to spearhead development in the area.

“I am happy that we put up a good fight and most importantly that people have voted for us because it is the development that is fighting for us, we are not fighting using our hands but people can see the development which PF has done over the past nine years, so it’s the development which is speaking for us,” he said.

Mr Mwale, who is also Lumezi District Council Chairperson, assured members of the public that the Local authority will cooperate with the duly elected councillor so that the area receives its fair allocation of development from constituency development funds.

A total number of 2,484 votes were cast out of the 3,524 registered voters while 40 ballots were rejected and declared invalid.

The Kamimba ward seat was declared vacant by the Electoral commission of Zambia (ECZ) on 10th December 2020 after the death councillor Nasauka Banda who died in a road traffic accident in October last year.

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