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US Envoy Says that he is confident that Zambia will continue upholding democratic values

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US Envoy Says that he is confident that Zambia will continue upholding democratic values

United States of America Embassy Charge d’affairs David Young has expressed confidence that Zambia will continue with its good democratic tenets.

Mr Young said this when he called on Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services Dora Siliya at her office in Lusaka today.

Mr Young urged all Zambians to turn up in numbers to register as voters on the 28th October in readiness to participate in the 2021 general elections next year.

He said it is important that everybody registers to vote in elections as it is democratic in a country like Zambia.

The US Envoy said his country is ready and willing to partner with the Zambian government in all areas including sharing information on elections with the media.

“We have public service announcements that we can share with your Zambian government in the preparation of the elections and also with the stakeholders including with the media throughout the country,” he said .

Mr Young said the US government is committed to supporting the electoral process and ensuring that democratic values are upheld between the two countries.

And Information and Broadcasting Minister Dora Siliya said the government appreciates the collaboration that the two countries have been engaged in over the past years.

She said Zambia shares the same democratic values with the US government in the electoral process.

“The message from the Government is always very clear that electrons cost money so the citizens must value their rights to vote because it’s their taxpayers money that is used in the elections and so nobody should deny themselves that liberty to right to vote,” she noted .

Ms Siliya said that with new technology, people should take advantage of the online registration exercise.

PF’s Jay Jay gets Acquitted Again

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PF’s Jay Jay gets Acquitted Again

The Suspended Patriotic Front PF Provincial Youth Chairman Emmanuel jay Banda has been acquitted on the offence of unlawful assembly.

Chipata Senior Resident Magistrate Boniface Mwala dismissed the offence on account that the prosecution team failed to prove a case beyond reasonable doubt that Banda committed the offence.

Magistrate Mwala said that the ingredient to the offence for the prosecution mandated to the charge was that Banda neglected to at least give the police seven days’ notice of the intention to convene a procession.

Magistrate Mwala said Banda through cross-examination consistently labored to establish that there was a Programme for the youths convened by the Minister of Sports and Child Development which he was in attendance.

He said this was exhibited through a video clip in court and through an unmarked official ministerial government programme for the Youth Empowerment and was unrebutted by all the prosecutions witnesses.

Magistrate Mwala therefore dismissed the charge and acquitted Banda accordingly.
Particulars in the matter were that Banda on August 20th 2020 in Chipata, jointly and whilst acting together with others unknown held a procession from Protea Hotel to Luangwa House.

Don’t panic, Zambia has enough fuel stock – Energy Minister

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Don’t panic, Zambia has enough fuel stock – Energy Minister

Energy Minister Matthew Nkhuwa has assured the nation that there is enough fuel stock in the country and consumers should not panic.

Mr. Nkhuwa said that more stocks have been imported by various oil marketing companies saying there is no need for panic among consumers.

He was speaking during a press briefing held in Lusaka today.

Mr. Nkhuwa noted that he held talks with various oil marketing companies and they assured the government that there is enough stock in the depots adding that more fuel is expected to arrive in the country.

The Minister noted that the erratic supply of fuel that has been experienced in some parts of the country is being normalized.

“During the meeting with oil marketing companies it became clear that the shortage was mainly due to the strike by the truck drivers which disrupted the delivery cycle of fuel to the depots and filling stations around the country. This triggered panic buying by members of the public,” he said

He stated that fuel tankers have been allowed to transport fuel to their destinations even after 18:00 hours to ensure a steady and stable supply of fuel across the country.

Mr. Nkhuwa said that he has advised the oil marketing companies to work with Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) pre-clearance facility to ensure that there is speedy delivery of fuel in the country.

He reiterated government commitment in ensuring that there is security of supply of fuel to enable the wheels of the country’s economy to continue running.

The Minister further noted that the striking truck drivers had disputes with their employers adding that it had nothing to do with the government.

“The truck drivers have three unions and none of them has declared a dispute with the government, all what the truck drivers want from their employers are better conditions service,” he said.

Faulty Columns at Society Business Park being addressed

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Faulty Columns at Society Business Park being addressed

BICON Zambia, the firm responsible for the Design and Supervision of the Structural Engineering Works at the Society Business Park in Lusaka says 80% of the columns have been strengthened.

BICON Zambia says a Contractor has been engaged and is currently executing the column strengthening works under its supervision.

In a statement, BICON Chief Executive Officer Renatus Mushinge says the contractor is working diligently in order to complete the column strengthening works on site as soon as possible.

Mr. Mushinge says the Independent Engineer contracted by NAPSA is also providing regular oversight and closely monitoring the ongoing works on site.

He is confident that, the column strengthening works will be completed in December 2020.

And Mr. Mushinge says the Engineering Institution of Zambia as the Regulator of the engineering industry has unfettered access to the site to inspect the ongoing works and to request for any information.

But the Engineering Institution of Zambia yesterday maintained that 160 columns have fallen at the Society Business Park and the building is a danger to the public because the construction materials used do not conform to the Zambian weather.

Below is the full press release

PRESS RELEASE BY BICON ZAMBIA LIMITED ON THE STATUS OF THE COLUMN STRENGHENING WORKS TO THE OFFICE BLOCK ON SOCIETY BUSINESS PARK – 21ST OCTOBER 2020

This Press Release has been prepared by the Management of BICON Zambia Limited in order to provide the General Public and all the Stakeholders with the relevant background and information with respect to the ongoing Column Strengthening Works at the Office Block at the Society Business Park following the various statements and reports that have appeared in both the print and electronic Media with respect to this subject.

BACKGROUND

The contract for the Re-Development of Society House and Central Arcades was executed in 2011 between the National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA) and Yangts Jiang Enterprises Limited (YJL) who in turn engaged a Team of Consultants in order to deliver the project as a “Design and Build” Turnkey Project. YJL was responsible for the construction of the works whilst the Consultants were responsible for the Design and Supervision of the Works. BICON Zambia Limited was responsible for the Design and Supervision of the Structural Engineering Works.

The scope of the project involved the conversion of the then existing 18-storey office block which was formerly occupied by the Zambia National Building Society into a 148-room hotel as well as the demolition of Central Arcades and the construction of a Retail Mall, Parkade and an Office Block on top of the parkade.

QUALITY CONTROL MEASURES DURING CONSTRUCTION

As part of the various quality control measures adopted during the implementation of the project, YJL engaged the University of Zambia (UNZA) and Wade Adams as an independent laboratory responsible for the testing of the concrete works on the project. All the results made available by YJL from Wade Adams to the Structural Engineers during the implementation of the project were found to be satisfactory.

FAILURE OF COLUMN T5 ON THE 1ST FLOOR OF THE OFFICE BLOCK AND SUBSEQUENT INTERVENTIONS

The entire Society Business Park Project was completed on a sectional basis starting with the Retail Mall and Parkade in 2016, followed by the Office Block in 2017 and then the Hilton Garden Inn in 2018. It must be noted that the 18-storey hotel block structure is totally independent from the rest of the development which was constructed in the 1978.

On the 13th of October 2019, one column on the 1st floor failed by way of crushing at the intersection of the column and slab which also and as a result of the failure stressed the three neighbouring columns on the 1st floor level. As a precautionary measure, the Owners of the Building NAPSA ordered an evacuation of the Tenants of the office block in order to facilitate a detailed examination of the office block structure.

In-Situ tests on the failed columns found that the actual concrete strength of the columns were lower than the specified concrete strength on the Structural Engineering Drawings. A detailed examination of the rest of the columns at Society Business Park Office Block found that the other columns were not showing any signs of stress following the failure of the column at the 1st floor. The columns affected at 1st floor were thereafter strengthened by casing them in steel columns in order to significantly enhance their load bearing capacity.

The repairs to the failed and stressed columns on the 1st floor were inspected by all the stakeholders including the Independent Engineer, the Engineering Institution of Zambia (EIZ), the Association of Consulting Engineers (ACEZ), the National Council for Construction (NCC), NAPSA as well as all the relevant stakeholders including the print and electronic Media.

NAPSA subsequently engaged the services of an Independent Consultant to undertake a detailed investigation in order to determine the structural integrity of the entire office block and the supporting parkade structure below.

The summary of the Independent Engineers findings are as follows:-
1. The slabs for the parkade and the office block were found to have adequate capacity to carry the design load,
2. Although not showing any signs of stress, 153 columns in the parkade and office block out of a total of 258 columns which carry the parkade and office block had column capacities lower than the design capacity due to lower concrete strengths than the specified concrete strength. This entailed that all these columns have been earmarked to be strengthened in order to increase the load bearing capacity and factor of safety of the columns.

In view of the foregoing, BICON Zambia as the Design Structural Engineers were required to submit a proposal for the strengthening of the columns identified by the Independent Engineer.

BICON Zambia thereafter engaged the services of a Specialist Concrete Company from South Africa called Mapei in order to design a concrete strengthening solution based on the required column loads. Mapei South Africa design a column strengthening solution using the Mapei Product which is manufactured in Italy to strengthen existing concrete structures and is used extensively in Africa and all over the World.

The Independent Engineer requested that Mapei submit calculations for the column strengthening works for their review. In addition to the foregoing, the Independent Engineer also requested that a sample column be strengthened on site using the Mapei Product and that the Mapei Materials be tested by an Independent Laboratory in Zambia in order to confirm that the strength of the materials which were assumed in the Mapei calculations can actually be achieved.

Subsequently a sample column was constructed on site and inspected by all the Stakeholders including the Independent Engineer, EIZ, ACEZ, NCC, including the print and electronic Media. EIZ, ACEZ and NCC were encouraged to conduct their own regular inspections of the column strengthening works in order to kept up todate with progress.

The Independent and certified Laboratory at Rankin Engineering Consulting Engineers has todate been used to test all the Mapei Materials. The Independent Engineer granted approval for all the columns strengthening works to be used on the columns which were identified for strengthening using the Mapei Product.

Following the approval of the methodology for the column strengthening works, 80% of the columns to be strengthened have since been completed. Site Progress Meetings which are attended by the Independent Engineer, BICON Zambia, NAPSA and the Contractor to review the progress of the column strengthening works as well as the Test Results of the Mapei Materials are held monthly.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, EIZ has on three occasions with other stakeholders visited the site and have been kept informed of the column strengthening works. In addition to the foregoing, BICON Zambia has on several occasions shared with EIZ and NCC copies of the reports in connection with the column strengthening works. BICON Zambia has also attended a hearing called for by EIZ in connection with this project.

The Contractor who has taken over from YJL who is currently executing the column strengthening works under the full-time supervision of BICON Zambia is working diligently in order to complete the column strengthening works on site as soon as possible. The Independent Engineer contracted by NAPSA is also providing regular oversight and closely monitoring the ongoing works on site. Based on the current programme, the column strengthening works are expected to be completed in December 2020.

EIZ as the Regulator of the engineering industry has unfettered access to the site to inspect the ongoing works and to request from us any information, they may wish to obtain with respect to the ongoing works to enable them issue informed statements to the public with respect to this project.

Eastern Province records 1,700 teen pregnancies between January, September 2020

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Eastern Province records 1,700 teen pregnancies between January, September 2020

More than 1,700 pregnancies in Eastern Province were recorded among school girls from January, 2020 to September, 2020.

Provincial Education Officer (PEO) Allan Lingambe says Petauke district recorded the highest number of pregnancies in the province at 391 followed by Katete which had recorded 214.

Speaking in an interview , Dr. Lingambe said from the 1,784 pregnancies captured, Chipata district had recorded 188 teen pregnancies while Sinda and Lumezi districts had 171 and 131 cases recorded respectively.

He said Chasefu had 103 teenage pregnancies, Kasenengwa recorded 92 cases, Lusangazi had 87, and Chipangali had recorded 85 while in Lundazi district 81 school girls were impregnated.

Dr. Lingambe said in Vubwi district 78 cases of teen pregnancies were captured while in Nyimba and Mambwe 78 and 71 school girls became pregnant under the same period.

He said Chadiza district recorded 44 teenage pregnancies not the 106 that was earlier published in media.

Dr. Lingambe said the 106 teenage pregnancies that were alleged to come from Chadiza district was total misinformation because his office had the correct statistics from the district.

He said his office is working in partnership with various stakeholders to ensure that teenage pregnancies are reduced in Eastern Province.

Dr. Lingambe said teachers are working hard to effectively implement the Sexuality Comprehensive Education (SCE) so that young girls are equipped with knowledge of noticing abusive advances on them.

He appealed to parents in the province to also collaborate with the teachers to ensure that young girls are protected from sexual abuse.

Dr. Lingambe said parents must closely monitor and interact with their daughters at all costs so that the young girls are adequately protected from any form of abuse at home.

He said the recorded 1,784 teenage pregnancies were recorded before the COVID-19 period.

ZANIS/ENDS/SC/BS…..dry

President Lungu disturbed by children learning under trees in Nchelenge

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President Lungu disturbed by children learning under trees in Nchelenge

President Edgar Lungu has reaffirmed government’s commitment to improving the education sector in all parts of the country.

President Lungu said he is disturbed to learn that some children in Kilwa island in Nchelenge district in Luapula province are learning under trees due to inadequate school infrastructure.

He said it is not fair 56 years after independence to have children learning in structures which are in a poor condition due to lack of modern infrastructure.

President Lungu said to this effect the Ministry of General Education will ensure that schools with modern equipment are built in everywhere including rural areas in order give  equal access to improved education among children in the country.

President was speaking when he met chiefs from Nchelenge district in Luapula Province.

“I want to assure you our royal Highnesses that the issue of education will be addressed to help children in rural areas have the same access to improved education just like the other children in urban areas, 56 years after independence, we can’t have children learning under trees or dilapidated structures. I will engage the Minister of General Education and see how this problem can effectively be addressed,” he said.

He stated that the Ministry of General Education should also ensure that all the schools have basic equipment such as laboratories among the many other needs.

And President Lungu has emphasized government’s continued support to improving the living standards of traditional leaders through provision of decent housing and transport.

He said government is still committed to ensuring that all the 288 Chiefs in the country are provided with accommodation through the construction of palaces which have already started being done in phases.

The Head of State appealed to other politicians not forget where they came from and supplement government efforts in improving the lives of traditional leaders in places where they come from.

“We are still committed to making sure that the lives of traditional leaders are improved, the construction of palaces is still on course in other places, and am hopeful that in other areas they will also be done. As politicians let us respect our heritage and support our traditional leaders,let us not forget where we come from and only show up when it’s time for elections soliciting for their support,” he said.

Earlier, Chief Nshimba of Kilwa island in Nchelenge district informed President Lungu that there is critical shortage of classrooms in his chiefdom forcing children to learn under trees.Chief Nshimba explained that the area lacks modern infrastructure as most of the schools were built in the 1950s and are in a poor state.

” Your excellency, we have a problem in our island, children are learning under trees because we don’t have enough classes, all the schools were constructed in 1958 and 1959 with no modern infrastructure thereby compromising the education standards,” he stated.

Chief Kabawili’ s representative Mwila Kabaso appealed to the President to intervene in the construction of a mini hospital in his chiefdom, adding that land was already identified and secured.

President Lungu is in Luapula province for a two-days working visit where he is expected to inspect developmental projects, meet traditional leaders, Patriotic Front officials and the clergy.

Zambians don’t Deserve Unanswered Questions: Who is behind the violence in Muchinga Province?

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Zambians don’t Deserve Unanswered Questions: Who is behind the violence in Muchinga Province?

We must always remember to make effort to search for answers as we continue to ask questions concerning our country, Zambia.

The continued back and forth argument between the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) and the Patriotic Front (PF) over a recent incident in Muchinga province should not leave Zambians with unanswered questions.

PF: United Party for National Development (UPND) cadres attacked people and the police in Muchinga. UPND: The Patriotic Front (PF) cadres attacked us.

Who should the people believe?

A few months ago, Muchinga Province Patriotic Front Chairman, Alex Simuwelu declared the province a no-go area for UPND President Hakainde Hichilema.

I wish people asked Mr. Simuwelu then, what would happen to Hakainde Hichilema if he stepped his feet into Muchinga Province?

The answer is clearly what people are witnessing today.  Each time Hakainde Hichilema steps his feet in Muchinga, there is a problem; his visit is greeted with violence.

The police should look deeper into the matter. They should summon both the UPND and the PF for questioning.

Mr. Simuwelu should be considered suspect number one on this matter.

He didn’t repent after declaring Muchinga Province a no-go area for UPND president Hakainde Hichilema but did what I can call a reaffirmation.

I invite people to visit a column article, “Disrespecting the President in UPND Strongholds: PF warns of the same treatment to UPND Leaders” published on July 5th, 2020 on Lusaka Times by Alex Simuwelu himself.

“We will photocopy the Monze formula and energetically use it against their retrogressive Opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema” wrote Mr. Simuwelu in response to President Edgar Lungu unfriendly welcome by Monze residents in Southern Province.

With that, does one need a 100-level psychology class to conclude that Mr. Simuwelu and the PF is behind the violence that greets the United Party for National Development (UPND) President whenever he is in Muchinga?

Don’t tell me you are still confused about who to believe.

By Venus N Msyani,

Concerned citizen

Anglo American Sued on Behalf of Children and Women Poisoned by the World’s Biggest Toxic Lead Mine

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Anglo American Sued on Behalf of Children and Women Poisoned by the World’s Biggest Toxic Lead Mine

Lawyers from Mbuyisa Moleele and Leigh Day today announced that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Anglo American South Africa Limited (“AASA”), a subsidiary of London-headquartered multinational mining company Anglo American Plc (LSE: AAL, JSE: AGL), in the Gauteng Division of the High Court of South Africa. The action has been filed on behalf of a class estimated to comprise more than 100,000 individuals in the Kabwe District of Zambia who are believed to have been poisoned by lead. The application is brought by 13 representative plaintiffs on behalf of children under 18, and girls and women who have been or may become pregnant in the future.

The claimants – principally young children – are suffering from alarming levels of lead poisoning which, depending on various factors including the blood lead level (“BLL”), causes a range of significant conditions, from psychological, intellectual and behavioural damage to serious and permanent physical damage to their bodily organs, neurological systems and fertility. In extreme cases, serious brain damage and deaths occur. In pregnant women, lead they ingested as children is absorbed into their bones and released during pregnancy. Women are also exposed to lead during pregnancy from the surrounding environment. Lead is known to cross the placenta, resulting in the unborn child being subjected to the same concentration of lead as the mother. Not only can the baby’s health be damaged, lead causes pregnant women to have a higher risk of pre-eclampsia; gestational hypertension and miscarriage.

Generations of children have been poisoned by the operations of the Kabwe mine, originally known as Broken Hill, which caused widespread contamination of the soil, dust, water, and vegetation. The main sources of this poisonous lead were from the smelter, ore processing and tailings dumps. The BLLs of the vast majority of children in Kabwe exceed the BLL limit of 5 micrograms per decilitre set by the U.S. Center for Disease Control. A substantial proportion of the children have BLLs in excess of 45 ug/dl, the limit at which medical treatment is required. There are numerous cases of young children (including among the representative plaintiffs) with BLLs in excess of 100 ug/dl, at which serious brain damage and death may occur.

The Kabwe mine was part of AASA group from 1925 until 1974 and was one of the world’s most productive lead mines during this time. It is alleged in the class action that AASA is liable, including for the following, because of AASA’s role in controlling, managing, supervising and advising on the technical, medical and safety aspects of the mine’s operations:

  1. a) Substantial emissions of lead into the local environment were due to deficiencies in the design and systems of operation and control of lead, which AASA failed to ensure were rectified;
  2. b)          AASA failed to ensure the clean-up of the communities’ contaminated land; and
  3. c)According to experts[1], around two thirds of the lead currently in the local environment is likely to have been deposited there between 1925 and 1974 when the mining operation was transferred to ZCCM, a Zambian state-owned company, in 1974.

The class action seeks to pursue remedies in the form of compensation for these children, as well as girls and women with lead poisoning who have or may become pregnant in the future. Also sought is (a) blood lead screening for children and pregnant women in Kabwe, and (b) clean up and remediation of the area to ensure the health of future generations of children and pregnant women is not jeopardised. 

Richard Meeran, Partner & Head of the International Department at Leigh Day, said: “From the 1950s, Anglo American publicly committed to making a lasting contribution to communities in which it operated.  Its current human rights policy is to contribute to remediation when its business has contributed to adverse human rights impacts. This ongoing public health disaster is the result of a flagrant disregard for the health of the local community, which is totally at odds with those grand public pronouncements.”

Zanele Mbuyisa, Partner at Mbuyisa Moleele, added: “AASA is considered a mining giant that has been instrumental in building the economies of various countries, but it also has to be acknowledged that their operations have caused the decimation of communities and long-lasting damage to the health of those communities.”

Mbuyisa Moleele is a Johannesburg-based law firm led by Zanele Mbuyisa, and Leigh Day is a leading international law firm specialising in human rights and mass environmental tort claims. Both firms have a proven track record of litigating complex international class actions on behalf of victims from disadvantaged backgrounds. The case is being funded by Augusta Ventures, the UK’s largest litigation fund by volume of claims.

More information about this matter can be found at www.childrenofkabwe.com

The Police Treated Chishimba Kambwili’s Wife in A Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Manner-Human Rights Commission

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The Police Treated Chishimba Kambwili’s Wife in A Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Manner-Human Rights Commission


By Mweelwa Muleya

The Human Rights Commission wishes to put it on record that the Zambia Police Service treated the National Democratic Congress (NDC) President, Dr. Chishimba Kambwili’s wife in a cruel, inhuman and degrading manner when they were apprehending her at the Lusaka Magistrate Court premises in Lusaka on 20th October 2020.

Acts of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment of individuals or suspects are absolutely prohibited under Article 15 of the Constitution of Zambia, Chapter 1 of the Laws of Zambia and under International Human Rights Law.

Therefore, the State violated Mrs. Kambwili’s right to protection from inhuman or any form of ill-treatment regardless of the alleged offence she may have committed. Further, the Commission considers the Police action against Mrs. Kambwili to have been excessive and disproportionate to her alleged action. Police action was not only unlawful and a violation of human rights but unnecessary, unreasonable and unjustifiable in a democratic state such as Zambia in which human rights are supposed to be respected and protected.

There are no circumstances under which acts of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment of suspects are justifiable. Such acts are universally absolutely prohibited and Zambia should not be seen to be among Pariah States where respect for human rights is concerned.

The Commission wishes to make it abundantly clear that it is not in any way against the maintenance of law and order as that is a constitutional mandate of the Zambia Police Service, which is also central to the promotion and protection of human rights and freedoms. The Commission’s point of departure is when the police engages in acts of human rights violations.

The Police can still be firm and effective in executing their mandate without being brutal against suspects, particularly unarmed, defenseless and vulnerable individuals such as women and children.

It is regrettable that acts of police brutality against individuals continue unabated and are somewhat increasingly becoming the new normal of police operations during crowd management. Such impunity has resulted in numerous cases of gross violation of human rights, including the right to life through extra-judicial killings of citizens at the hands of police officers.

The Commission calls upon the Government, which has the trio primary obligation of respecting, protecting and fulfilling human rights, to demonstrate leadership towards ending acts of police brutality which are giving a wrong impression that Zambia is steadily becoming a police state.

The Commission wishes to take this opportunity to remind both the State and Non-State Actors that under no circumstances are acts of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment permissible under both national and international human rights laws. Therefore, such acts reflect the extent to which the rule of law, constitutionalism and human rights are being violated.

Zambia is a party to the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. The Government, therefore has an obligation to prevent such acts and/or punish perpetrators of such acts to end impunity, and also take remedial measures in protection of victims.

The author is the Spokesperson for the HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION

Gender Based Violence still high in Zambia

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Gender Based Violence still high in Zambia

Muchinga Province Minister Malozo Sichone says the Ministry of Chief and Traditional Affairs has partnered with Government and the United Nations (UN) in a joint GBV programme whose main objective is to contribute to strengthening GBV prevention and response system in Zambia in line with provisions of the Anti-Gender Based Violence Act.

The Provincial Minister said the programme whose currently in its second phase of implementation includes various sectors such as the Health, Education and home affairs.

He said the three (3) years programme which is expected to end in 2022 has two outcomes.

Mr Sichone said the first outcome focuses on increased access to and use of quality prevention and response services by persons at risk of GBV and survivors while the second one aims at empowering GBV survivors at risk and communities to break the cycle of abuse.

The Minister said this in a speech ready on his behalf by the Provincial Deputy Permanent Secretary Jonathan Ng’onga during the sensitization workshop for traditional leaders on phase 2 of the Gender Based Violence GRZ/UN programme taking place at Jesims lodge in Chinsali District of Muchinga Province.

”It should be noted that acceptance of GBV in Zambia remains incredibly high in some parts of the country, ” Mr Sichone added.

He charged that according to the Zambia Demographic Health Survey, forty-three percent (43%) of women of childbearing age reported having experience physical violence while 17 percent had the experience.

Mr Sichone added that traditional leaders in the country and in Muchinga Province have been recognized as key partners in the prevention and response at sub-national and national level whose components includes four elements.

The Provincial Minister further said he is aware that traditional leaders can play a vital role in issues of GBV hence involving them will help in many ways.

”Fast track courts, one stop centres, shelters and village led one stop centres are as avenues for strengthening professional practices through capacity

Meanwhile, Ministry of Chief and Traditional Affairs Committee Clerk Kafishi Kaonga said the Ministry helps to resolve conflicts that may arise in various chiefdoms.

Ms Kaonga stated that the Ministry is aware of GBV issues in various chiefdoms hence the involvement of traditional leaders if the scourge is to be reduced.

The two day workshop organised by the Ministry of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs is expected to come to an end to day after the traditional leaders develop a communique to be used.

Esther Lungu Foundation in K1.5 million worth of donation from Higer Bus Zambia

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Esther Lungu Foundation in K1.5 million worth of donation from Higer Bus Zambia

Higer Bus Zambia Limited has donated K1.5 million worth of assorted hygiene martials to the Esther Lungu Foundation Trust.

And First Lady Esther Lungu hailed the private sector for the support it has continued to render to government in response to the fight against Coronavirus.

The First Lady says over the years, the private sector has been a key partner in the delivery of quality health services to the general citizenry.

ZANIS Reports that Mrs Lungu explained that the private sector has generated huge support to the health sector not because they are endowed with money but due to the hash effects of the Covid-19 on their families and business.

She said this at State House today when she received a donation of assorted hygiene materials from the Higher Buses Zambia Limited.

“It is not surprising therefore, to witness this donation today from Higer Bus Zambia Limited, who have joined hands with the Esther Lungu Foundation Trust to donate 100,000 pieces of Children’s face masks, 50 pieces forehead thermometers and 100 pieces school bags, all equivalent to a total value of K1.5 million which will definitely go a long way in the education enhancement of our learners in schools,” she gladly stressed.

Speaking as the Chairperson of the Foundation Trust, First Lady Esther Lungu implored the local private to hasten their integrated approach to the healthcare services of the country.

Meanwhile, Higer Bus Zambia Limited General Manager Wu Ming expressed satisfaction with the role of Esther Lungu Foundation Trust in reaching out to the needy in society.

Mr Ming who punctuated his speech with commendations to the Esther Lungu Foundation Trust, underscored that government has vigorously fought and controlled the spread of Covid-19 through different strategies.

He recollected that through government’s resound fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, the lives of the general citizenry and foreign investment are guaranteed.

“The Zambian government has vigorously prevented and controlled the coronavirus and introduced many effective prevention and control measures, which have strongly guaranteed the lives of Zambian people and foreign investors, “charged Mr Ming.

The Higer Bus Zambia Limited General Manager emphasized that as the enterprise investing in Zambia and a member of Association of Chinese Corporation in Zambia, his frim will not relent in giving back to the society through the integration into the local society.

Since the year 2008, at least 500 Higer buses have been exported to Zambia from China were the company is headquartered with up to, 1,000 Higer bus unites have been imported to the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC).

Polygamous marriages making mothers abstain from child health services

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Polygamous marriages making mothers abstain from child health services

Priority to conjugal duties is making some mothers in polygamous marriages to abstain from attending to outreach child health care services for growth monitoring in Katete District.

This is according to a Plan International Zambia report presented to the District Nutrition Coordinating Committee (DNCC) yesterday.

The report, which highlights the organisation’s third quarter nutrition activities in Katete, states that some mothers preferred attending to their marital needs than the health of their children.

“Some of the reasons advanced by some caregivers in polygamous marriages were that it was their turn to enjoy conjugal rights and that while attending a growth monitoring programme, another wife would attend to the husband,” the report reads in part.

The report has cited communities like Undi to have exhibited high levels of resistance to nutrition programmes such as growth monitoring outreach programmes.

The report says a child suffering from Edema, a severe malnutrition condition, recently died because the mother refused advise to take the baby to the health centre.

Further, the District Public Health Officer Chaonza Banda added that there was a village under Undi Community that had stopped attending any health activities.

Mr Banda added that another Village under Mzime had also stopped attending health activities that had been taken to the area.

According to Mr Banda some women have received threats that they will be banished from the village if the dare attend mother and child care health outreach activities.

He said this was especially observed during the last child health week, when the country recorded a lot of Covid-19 cases.

He added that one of the contributing factors to this was the rumor that there was a vaccine that was created and would be first tested on the African continent.

In reaction, the headmen instructed their people to refuse health services for fear of being injected with the Corona virus.

“And because of this, it affected the turn out and most parents, because of such a rumor, they would rather have their child die from home than being taken for injection which they were told was a Corona Virus injection,” he said.

The Committee hence agreed to engage the traditional leadership on these matters in order to come to array their fears and make them understand that health and nutrition programmes were meant for their own good.

The Committee also agreed to involve the District Child Protection Committee to enforce some laws, as denying children access to health services and nutrition services was infringing on the children rights to health, which is a form of child abuse.

Government will not create new chiefdom boundaries

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Government will not create new chiefdom boundaries

Vice President Inonge Wina says Government will not create new boundaries for chiefdoms in the country.

The Vice President said this yesterday at Emusa Day Secondary School during a meeting with headmen and indunas of Senior Chief Magodi and Chief Phikamalaza in Chasefu District in Eastern Province.

Speaking on behalf over 100 indunas and headmen, Induna Enyegweni, Jacob Ndhlovu, told the Vice President that Government must help clear the boundary problems in the area.

“Now that you are here, there are problems from the two chiefs here. We want Government to be cleared over the chiefdom boundaries,” the Induna said.

The Induna also appealed to the Vice President to look into the water problem that people of Chasefu are facing.

“Because farming is a business, we depend on farming, we keep animals and we need dams and deep tanks,” he said

Induna Enyegweni lamented that people were using untreated water for drinking and other household needs.

In response, the Vice President clarified that the creation of new districts does not affect the boundaries of chiefdoms established in 1958.

“In the creation of new districts, Government cannot change the chiefs’ boundaries. Currently Government is still using the 1958 chiefs’ boundaries map. All these things that we are touching constituencies, wards and polling stations, there is nothing to do with chiefs boundaries,” Mrs Wina said.

However, Mrs Wina says Government is alive to the fact that the 1958 colonial maps do not take care of the increase in population and Government would consult chiefs to revisit the maps.

“We need to engage the chiefs once again because the population has increased and the boundary map we are using is from the colonial days,” she said.

The Vice President, who retained to Lusaka yesterday, says the new Minister for Water and Sanitation will soon visit Chasefu to appreciate the water problems in the distric

Sweden, UNCDF launch partnership to improve financing for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises

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Sweden, UNCDF launch partnership to improve financing for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises

The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and the UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) have launched a new partnership to solve financing gaps Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) face in Zambia with innovative financial services.

According to a press statement issued by UNCDF Communications Consultant Mali Nkhoma, the new partnership is expected to improve financing for many entrepreneurs by addressing the challenges MSMEs are facing by using digital technologies when they need credit or capital to run and grow their business.

UN Resident Coordinator Coumba Mar Gadio, launched the partnership along with Susanna Hughes, Head of Development Cooperation at the Swedish Embassy and Francois Coupienne, UNCDF Global Digital Lead at a function attended by government ministries, commercial banks, and innovation hubs that work closely with MSMEs.

Dr Coumba said she was delighted with the new partnership between Sweden and UNCDF which will transform Zambia’s MSME sector through offering workable loans and guarantee facilities.

“The United Nations is hopeful that this partnership ensures that digitally-enabled MSMEs will be supported and strengthened, so that they will be able to extend their services to reach all Zambians, while improving livelihoods”, said Dr Coumba.

Head of Development Cooperation at the Embassy of Sweden in Lusaka Susanna Hughes noted that MSMEs in Zambia are the backbone of the economy but face challenges in accessing finance and business management, thereby affecting productivity.

“We believe that digital financial services can reduce this gap and contribute to poverty reduction, improved livelihoods and economic growth. We also believe that digitally enabled MSMEs are really important in providing services – and job opportunities that benefit women and young people,” said Ms Hughes.

And the UNCDF commended the Swedish government for the continued support to the MSME sector in Zambia.

“We are pleased that Sweden has extended its long-standing partnership with UNCDF into Zambia. This partnership stems from our common vision of building inclusive digital economies that leave no one behind in the digital era. Our partnership aims to support the MSME sector in Zambia with innovative financing instruments. Digitalizing financial services for MSMEs will impact under-served segments such as women and youth and contribute to Zambia’s development” said Henri Dommel, UNCDF Director Inclusive Finance.

The UNCDF and Sida are hoping to increase access to and usage of credit facilities such as Pay-as-you-go solutions for digitally-enabled MSMEs in sectors such as finance, energy, agriculture and trade in order to improve their services.

Ms Nkhoma said the UNCDF expects the financing arrangement to strengthen the MSMEs’ delivery of products and services to rural people, especially women and youths in order to help sustain their economic activity.

She said the UNCDF will work with MSMEs and enable them to leverage the digital financial services ecosystem that has been strengthened over the last six years.

The numbers are telling with active digital finance users increasing from 2 percent of the population to 44 percent of the population between 2014 and 2019.

Ms Nkhoma said the technical assistance offered to MSMEs will also capture how the businesses adapt to the post-Covid business environment and proactively work with gender equality and inclusion of youth in their businesses.

PF government has delivered development in all parts of the country-President Lungu

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PF government has delivered development in all parts of the country-President Lungu

President Edgar Lungu has urged people of Chilubi swamps to vote for the Patriotic Front (PF) candidate, Rosemary Chimbini in this week’s Council Chairperson by-election slated for Thursday, October 22, 2020.

President Lungu noted that voting for Ms Chimbini is voting for continued development that is currently taking place in the district.

He explained that the late council Chairperson was PF and has left a number of developmental projects that are targeted at changing the face of the area.

The President said this can only be achieved if people will replace him with another PF member who understands the party’ stance on development.

Speaking when he addressed a public meeting at Mayuka Primary School in Chilubi Island, President Lungu said the PF government has delivered development in all parts of the country.

“Right now PF is in power and will be in power even after next year’s elections because we have delivered, our works speaks for itself, where ever you go you will see development. So be part of the winning team by voting for Rosemary Chimbini on Thursday,” he stated.

He explained that Ms Chimbini is the best candidate for the position of council Chairperson having served in government before as Lunga District Commissioner.

President Lungu also advised elected leaders against neglecting the electorates, stating that 2021 is near and leaders will be judged according to the way they performed and treated people who voted for them.

” Don’t forget the people that are employing you by voting you in to these offices, like next year time will come when they will judge you, decide whether to vote for you or not, so please let’s do our best when given these opportunities to serve the people,” he advised.

PF Secretary General, Davis Mwila encouraged the residents to turn up in numbers to register as voters when the mobile issuance of voters’ cards starts on October 28, 2020.

And PF candidate, Rosemary Chimbini has pledged to work hard and foster equal distribution of development in both the island and the mainland of Chilubi district.

President Lungu is in Chilubi district to drum up support for PF candidate in the Thursday’s Council Chairperson by-election.

Four political parties are vying for the seat and these include the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) who have filled in Rosemary Chimbini, People’s Alliance for Change(PAC) have Mark Mpundu, Risto Mushembe is standing on the United Party for National Development (UPND) ticket while United Peaceful and Prosperous Zambia has Standford Chikuma.

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