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Leader of the opposition and Monze Central Member of Parliament Jack Mwiimbu has questioned the moral and legal reasoning behind the issuance of national registration cards and voters cards to prisoners on death row at the time when most eligible Zambians have been disenfranchised.
And UPND parliamentary whip Situmbeko Musokotwane has appealed to traditional leaders, especially Western province to search their conscience and state whether they are satisfied with the ended issuance of NRCs as well as the voter registration exercise.
Addressing the media this morning, Mr Mwiimbu said the UPND is extremely shocked and disappointed at the decision by the Ministry of Home Affairs as well as the ECZ to start registering prisoners some of whom are on the death roll.
He said a number of eligible Zambians especially in Western, Southern, North-Western and parts of Central provinces were left out of the NRC exercise and are likely to be left out in the voter’s card acquisition with the government opting to instead give prisoners the documents meant for Zambians with full liberties and freedoms under the laws of Zambia.
President Edgar Lungu has been conferred with a status of Honorary Freeman of the City by the Lusaka City Council.
The Decision to honor the President was arrived at by the Local Authority during a full Council Meeting because of his effort to improve the lives of the people in Lusaka District and the country .
And speaking when he received the honor President Edgar Lungu thanked the Lusaka City Council for the gesture .
President Lungu says he is determined to make Zambia a better place for all.
He said during his tenure Lusaka has experienced rapid development and that this will continue to happen across the country.
President Lungu says Zambians should work together to fight vices such as the Covid-19 Pandemic which has negatively affected the economies of the world.
Speaking earlier Lusaka Mayor Miles Sampa said President Lungu has been working for the wellbeing of the people since he was a member of Parliament of Chawama.
Mr. Sampa said the Head of state has also come up with various initiative to help the country such as the use of technology in the delivery of service to the people.
He said the timely release of Constituency Development Fund by President Lungu’s government has allowed the council in Lusaka District to implement various development projects.
Mr Sampa said President Lungu has also built many mini hospitals across Lusaka District which has allowed people in the compound to have access to health services at their door steps.
He said President Lungu has also helped a number of schools in Lusaka District to increase their enrolment capacity .
Others who have received this status from the Lusaka City Council before are former President of South Africa Nelson Mandela , former President of Mozambique Samora Machel and the Zambia National Soccer team among others .
Striker Emmanuel Mayuka scored his debut league goal for Napsa Stars today to also guide them their first victory of the 20220/2021 FAZ Super Division.
The 2012 AFCON hero struck a powerful shot that first hit the woodwork before going in, in the 18th minute off a Daniel Silavwe assist to hand Napsa a 1-0 home win over Green Buffaloes in their Lusaka derby played at Woodlands Stadium.
But this was Mayuka’s third competitive of the season after netting two a week ago over two legs in Napsa’s CAF Confederation Cup 9-2 aggregate win over Ngazi FC of Comoros.
Mayuka joined Napsa last February in the second half of 2019/2020 season as a free agent on a permanent deal after a decade in Europe.
The result sees Napsa leave the bottom of the of the table from 18th to 16th on 6 points from six games and four in hand.
Napsa have one point more than defending champions Nkana while still winless Kitwe United who have replaced them at the basement have 4 points.
Kitwe United are away to third place Buildcon on Sunday in Ndola while Nkana entertain ninth positioned Green Eagles on the same date in Kitwe.
FAZ SUPER DIVISION WEEK 10 RESULTS
12/12/2020
Nkwazi 1-Power Dynamos 3
Lumwana Radiants 2-Kabwe Warriors 3
Napsa Stars 1-Green Buffaloes 0
Lusaka Dynamos 4-Red Arrows 1
Young Green Eagles 0-Prison Leopards 2
Zesco United 3-Indeni 2
Forest Rangers 0-Zanaco 0
13/12/2020
Buildcon-Kitwe United
Nkana-Green Eagles
The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has extended the Voter Registration Exercise for a period to be announced next week on Tuesday 15th December, 2020.
ECZ Chief Electoral Officer, Patrick Nshindano said that this was done to allow for a comprehensive review of statistics and logistical arrangements.
Mr. Nshindano said that the Commission has taken note of calls by all stakeholders on the need to extend the voter registration Exercise adding that all eligible voters that have been left out will be captured in the extension period.
Mr. Nshindano said that the voter registration exercise was conducted in four phases from 11th November to 12th December 2020.
Speaking at a press briefing at the ECZ head office today, Mr. Nshindano said that the accumulative figure of registered voters will be announced on Tuesday 15, 2020 further stating that the current figure is still at 4.3 million from the last update.
Mr. Nshindano also disclosed that the Voter registration exercise for persons in lawful custody ends today, and pointed out that the Commission will need time for verification of the voter register before 12th August 2021.
Mr. Nshindano however stated that the ECZ is impressed with the response by all eligible voters to register.
ZNBC Director General Mr Malolela Lusambo, MultiChoice Zambia Managing Director Mr Kobus Bezuidenhout, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services Permanent Secretary Amos Malupenga and Juliana Mwila MultiChoice Zambia Board Chair.
As part of their 25th Anniversary celebrations, MultiChoice Zambia has launched a storybook and docudrama called Panali-Panali.
The storybook is a special issue of the MultiChoice Zambia journey, highlighting the stories of different individuals and stakeholders whose lives have been enriched by MultiChoice. A first of its kind, the commemorative book features testimonies told through the history and legacy of MultiChoice Zambia as seen from through the eyes of Zambians.
The docudrama, written by Becky Ngoma and directed by industry stalwart Lawrence Thompson and MultiChoice Talent Factory alumni, Joshua Kafumukache uses Panali Panali, which has been a means of signaling the beginning of a story in Zambia for many years, to portray the multiplier effect of the 25-year partnership between MultiChoice Zambia and ZNBC. The docudrama features Zambian actors Phillip Ngabwe, Musenge Kakubo and Jaden Masimba, and will air on Zambezi Magic on Friday, 18th December 2020.
Speaking at the launch event, the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services Mr Amos Malupenga commended MultiChoice for the contribution it has made to the country, supporting Government in achieving so many national objectives.
“I am happy to see the contributions and help that MultiChoice is giving the Government to further so many of the national objectives, from creating jobs to enlivening our film sector. Not only is this to be commended and emulated across our nation but built upon even further as we look to more of the best entertainment from MultiChoice.”
He further added that Government was pleased with the strides MultiChoice had made in Zambia’s film industry. “MultiChoice Zambia is today a household name in world-class international and local video entertainment. It is the latter – homegrown Zambian film and TV- where the broadcaster has made some of its most impressive strides that we are proud of as Government. We celebrate MultiChoice Zambia today for marking its 25th Anniversary.” – PS Malupenga
MultiChoice Zambia board chairperson, Juliana Mwila, said that MultiChoice Zambia was a stellar example of the power of Public Private Partnerships.
“At the time there were very few, if any, partnerships of this type capable of bringing such meaningful change in Zambian society. But over the last 25 years, MultiChoice Zambia has written new chapters in its story, so this union has emerged as a stellar example of the power of Public-Private Partnerships as a vehicle for economic growths.” – Mwila
She further stated that MultiChoice Zambia had changed the story of Zambia and its people and given them great opportunities.
“In writing its story, MultiChoice Zambia has changed the story of this country and its people. It has given viewers a window to the world, given content producers a platform for their voices to be heard, and brought entire communities together united withing the MultiChoice family.
For the past 25 years, Multichoice Zambia has worked with Government through the Public-Private Partnership, PPP. The collaboration has been a vehicle through which the company has enriched lives and contributed towards economic growth and social transformation in Zambia.
The Panali Panali storybook is part of MultiChoice Zambia’s Mwatipanga campaign celebrating 25 years of enriching Zambian Lives by recognizing the Multichoice family, including customers, agents, installers, employees, and everyone that is part of MultiChoice Zambia.
Government has commissioned Khuyu Health Post in Chasefu District of Eastern Province.
District Administrative Officer Diana Lupiya yesterday commissioned the health centre and two staff houses built by the Islamic Welfare Trust at a cost of K500 000.
Ms Lupiya praised the Islamic Welfare Trust of Zambia for supplementing government effort in taking health services closer to the people.
And speaking during the handover of the facility to government, Islamic Welfare Trust Board Chairperson, Jabir Bux, pledged to continue promoting health and wellbeing of the people.
Mr Bux said the trust will continue to play an essential role in promoting universal health coverage to Zambians and remain a symbol of friendship with the government.
Mr Bux, who was represented by the Out Station Inspector, Musa Elijah Kabinda, said such programmes are part of initiatives to grow the trust’s partnership with Government.
“For Zambia to continue to achieve further development in sustainable manner, the strengthening of the health sector is important among other sectors,” he said.
In receiving the facility, Acting District Health Director, Davy Kamanga commended Islamic Welfare Trust for the gesture which he said will reduce maternal mortality rate in the area.
Mr Kamanga has since assured partners and Khuyu community members that the ministry will within a month deploy health staff to the facility and open it to the public when all logistics have been put in place.
And Chasefu Area Member of Parliament Gerald Zimba who spoke through the Council Chairperson, Chimwemwe Banda, has pledged to donate five mattresses to the facility and urged residents to guard it against theft and vandals.
Earlier, Khuyu community works Chairperson Tambulani Mshlanga said the health post has come as a relief as people in the area used to walk 25km to access health services at a nearby Mnyukwa health post.
1. For almost two years now, we have watched without any reaction the hate, insults and innuendo that have been spewed against us by faceless online media such as Koswe and Zambian Watchdog. We have studied their pattern of insults and hate and tried to correlate them to specific politicians in order to try and ascertain the forces behind such spirited and yet baseless attacks against us. We have never cared about the motive because it is clear that the motive is to make us less appealing in the eyes of potential voters come 2021 general elections by lumping all manner of insults and innuendo on us. But today, we are happy to mention that we have been able to ascertain with reasonable certainty the identity of the forces behind these baseless attacks and insults against us using faceless online media.
2. We have little doubt in our minds that the UPND President Hakainde Hichilema directly or indirectly controls the faceless online media such as Koswe and Zambian Watchdog that have been spewing hate, insults and innuendo against us ever since we left the Opposition Alliance. It appears that HH and his army of social media warriors were grossly heartbroken by our departure from the Opposition Alliance that they have been hell-bent on soiling our good standing and reputation in the eyes of right-thinking members of the public. They have therefore gone on a consistent rampage insulting us, our spouses, family and everyone else that is caught up in the line of fire. But we are not going to take such an onslaught while lying down. We have always fought battles and we are not going to be shy to fight this one.
3. For starters, it is an act of gross cowardice for HH to hide behind faceless online media pages such as Koswe and Zambian Watchdog and launch incessant and unprovoked attacks against us. If the man has any bone to chew with us, he should have the spine to stand up, step forward and confront us face to face and not hide behind faceless online media tabloids such as Koswe and Zambian Watchdog and then proceed to insult us from the comfort of a keyboard.
4. Naturally, people might ask to say what is the basis of believing that HH is the one behind the faceless online media tabloids; Koswe and Zambian Watchdog that have been spewing hate and insults against us? Over the past 12 months, we have painstakingly correlated the content of these faceless online media against the online pages of all other political leaders in the country and we have come to a conclusion, with more than 90 percent certainty that the people who manage Hakainde Hichilema’s pages on Facebook and Twitter are the same ones that manage Koswe and Zambian Watchdog or replicate their online content. For us, a 90 percent probability is good enough to challenge HH and tell him to stop his incessant and unprovoked attacks against us using faceless online media.
5. For us, we don’t believe in shadow-boxing. If we are not happy with the behavior of HH, we will not waste our time by also creating a faceless online media to use to launch attacks against him, no. We don’t have time for such a facade. We will just stand up, step forward, point a finger in his face and tell him to stop the nonsense. So if HH has beef against Sean Tembo, the decent think to do is to tell us in our face so that he can get it off his chest and not engage in shadow-boxing by using faceless online media such as Koswe and Zambian Watchdog. We will always appreciate a man who has a spine and not a coward who hides behind the comfort of a keyboard.
Mazabuka Central MP, Garry Nkombo says the move by Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Patrick Matibini to decline the restoration of the Impeachment Motion on the Order Paper is a dark day for Zambia’s democracy as it has denied citizens the right to make pronouncements on constitutional breaches by President Lungu and Dr. Matibini.
Addressing the press at the UPND secretariat yesterday, Mr Nkombo alleged that the decision by Dr Matibini had denied Zambians, through “the people’s House” to present to them what they believed as constitutional breaches by a sitting President.
Mr. Nkombo also wondered why the Speaker had been insisting that the Impeachment Motion couldn’t be tabled before the House because it was before the courts when numerous issues that were before the courts of law had been tabled for debate in parliament.
And Mr Nkombo challenged Clerk of the National Assembly, Cecilia Mbewe’s assertions that the Speaker acted in a discretionary manner by not placing the matter on the Order Paper as regrettable and unfounded.
Mr Nkombo also recalled how Mr Lungu warned ConCourt Judges to not emulate the famous Kenyan ruling of 2017 that saw the elections victory of that country’s President, Uhuru Kenyatta being overturned in historic circumstances following a Petition from the opposition leader Raila Odinga by the Kenyan Supreme Court.
This was after mounting pressure on Lungu by international bodies and opposition political parties that he should have handed over the Instruments of power to the Speaker of the National Assembly when his election was petitioned by the supposed winner of the disputed 2016 general elections, Hakainde Hichilema.
In a letter dated 27 November 2020, Ms Mbewe argued that the Speaker couldn’t table the motion in Parliament as deliberating on the matter would result in two conflicting results on a matter that Mr Henry Mulenga and Robert Chabinga had taken to the courts of law.
The Bank of Zambia has signed a Gold Purchase Agreement with Kansanshi Mining PLC, a subsidiary of First Quantum Minerals.
BoZ Governor, Mr Christopher Mvunga, signed the agreement on behalf of the Central Bank while, Director of Operations at First Quantum Minerals, Mr Rudi Badenhorst, signed on behalf of Kansanshi Mining PLC.
The Agreement is a milestone in the Bank’s efforts to resume the holding of gold as part of the country’s foreign exchange reserves.
Mr Mvunga said Kansanshi Mining Plc was identified as a counterparty since it has been producing the commodity on a commercial basis since 2006.
He disclosed that apart from Kansanshi, the Bank has also engaged Zambia Gold Company, a newly established subsidiary of ZCCM–IH as the other counterparty in the purchase agreements given its mandate to oversee mining, processing, refining and marketing of gold in Zambia.
He said the data from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) shows that gold reserves have continued to increase and currently accounts for about 15 percent of the total world foreign reserves.
“Furthermore, central banks’ total gold holding has risen to 34,000 tonnes by the end of 2019 from a low of 28,000 tonnes recorded in 1997 since the end of the gold standard, according to the World Gold Council. And these dynamics demonstrate the strategic value of gold,” said Mr Mvunga. The BoZ Governor is confident that the Agreement will take the Bank’s efforts to build gold reserves a step further.
“And It is now time for us to implement the agreement, which undoubtedly will enable the country boost its foreign reserves,” he added.
A consortium of civil society organisations has charged that those demeaning the capacity of the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to conduct credible 2021 elections and calling for the resignation of ECZ Chairperson Judge Chulu are only playing to the minds of international funders and monitors.
Speaking during a press briefing this morning at Mika Hotel, representative of 7 civil society organisation Ronnie Jere who is also Vice President of Zambians for Unity, Peace and Development (ZUPED) said the Commission must be encouraged to do better in the conduct of elections that being overly criticised.
The seven organisations commended the Commission for registering 5.6 million voters this far but has called for an extension of about one to two weeks for purposes of ensuring that those are still registering complete the process.
The organisations cautioned the ECZ against giving a long extension that they may fail to come up with a final register before March 2021 which must be used to nominations in May 2021.
The institutions defended the position for a short extension saying the ECZ ought to upload the data, clean it up before registered voters can verify their details in readiness for the printing of the register next year.
The CSOs also said those calling for Judge Chulu to resigns are purely doing it as a continuous song which was started by the United Party for National Development after they failed attempts to assume power.
The organisations included the Zambian Institute of Governance and Civil Liberties Platform (ZIGCLAP), Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), Common Grounds Network and the University of Zambia students Union among others.
North-Western Province Permanent Secretary, Willies Mangimela has thanked President Edgar Lungu for connecting the entire region to the national power grid.
Mr Mangimela cited Ikelenge as the latest district to be connected in the region adding that it is a clear demonstration of President Edger Lungu’s inclusive developmental agenda of taking development to all parts of the country without leaving anyone behind.
The Permanent Secretary said this in Solwezi yesterday.
“I am so happy to learn that Ikelenge and Jimbe border area have been connected to the national power grid. This is good news to the people in the area and North-western province,” he said.
Mr Mangimela said the connecting of the entire province to the national power grid will boost social and economic activities in the area, adding that people will now be able to follow government programmes without lagging behind.
And Zesco Regional Manager, Cephus Lungu said the power utility company is doing everything possible to take electricity to the remotest part in the province through a number of projects.
Mr Lungu said a number of schools and health facilities in rural districts have been connected following the switching on of the power grid extension in the province.
“We have connected a number of schools and health facilities to the power grid in Ikelenge, Mufumbwe, Kabompo, Zambezi, Chavuma and Mumbezhi area and for us this is a plus as North-western province because we are changing things”, he said.
By Chama Mundia JCTR’s Social Economic Development Programme Manager
The cost of living for a family of five as measured by the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) for the month of November 2020 stood at K7, 126.62. This is a K66.31 increase from K7, 060.29 recorded in October. The increase in the basket is attributed to increase in the prices of food items such as beans which moved upwards by K71 from K109.86 to K180.58 for 3kg, vegetables increased by K30.39 moving from K430.19 to K460.58 per 40kg, kapenta increased by K25.53 moving from K191.40 to K216.93 per kg, bananas increased from K163.57 to K188.36 for 16 kg, Irish potatoes increased by K21.38 from K37.82 to K59.20, soya pieces increased by K15.28 moving from K89.88 to K105.16. For the non-food but essential items, the price of charcoal increased by K26 moving from K292.00 to K318.00.
These price increases were however offset by price declines in some items. Cassava moved from K88.03 to K74.76 for 6kg showing a decline of 13.43 and chicken reduced by K10.48 moving from K193.56 to K183.08. From the non-food but essential items, the price of petroleum jelly reduced by K20.06 moving from K70.49 in October to K50.43 in November.
Food expenditures are not only a key national poverty indicator but also linked to dietary intake and nutritional outcomes for households. The increase in the price of certain food items may be as a result of an increase in demand for such foods as people switch from the more expensive foods to the less expensive ones. For example, households switching to buying more of beans as the price of chicken and beef increases thereby affecting diet diversity. Additionally, the scheduled fish ban for December 2020-February 2021 likely contributed to reduced supply (in anticipation of price increases during the fish ban period) leading to price increases in items such as Kapenta.
With only a month left to the end of 2020, a critical reflection on our nation’s state of affairs is a must. The nation’s socio-economic context continues to be a challenging one. Albeit, opportunities even in this narrative abound. COVID-19 cases as a proportion of total tests remain low with only 15 confirmed cases out of 9689 tests conducted on December 7th.
Recovery rates also remain high standing at 96% of the 17,931 cumulative cases recorded as at 7 December 2020. Positive outcomes in this regard may impact positively on Zambia’s tourism and hospitality sector. To top it off, the rains have commenced and projected to be favourable for the 2020/21 farming season. JCTR commends Government for the continued commitment to ensure the timely distribution of inputs. This commitment in addition to other factors saw a bumper harvest recorded in the 2019/20 farming season with maize production standing at 3.4 million tonnes, 66 percent above the reduced outturn in 2019.
However, the nation’s key macro-economic indicators remain poor. The exchange rate of the kwacha to the US Dollar stands at K21 to US$1 with serious repercussions for an import dependent nation. Additionally, year on year inflation for November 2020 as measured by the Zambia Statistics Agency stands at 17.4 percent.
A challenging debt context characterised by rising interest payments also continues to compromise social sector outcomes. Particularly, Ministry of finance quarterly economic reports indicate lower than budgeted expenditure outturns for budget lines such as social cash transfer.
As at the close of third quarter, social cash transfer recorded an expenditure outturn of only K115,000, a meagre 18.5% of the allocated amount for the first three quarters of 2020. This is in stark contrast to interest payments on debt that stood at K15,118,195 at the close of third quarter, a 94% outturn. JCTR therefore recommends the need to prioritise a debt recovery plan for Zambia given the undeniable negative effects of a rising debt burden on the Zambian populace. Adequately responding to our socio-economic challenges is dependent on addressing a constrained fiscal space.
Zambia’s 2021 AFCON U20 dreams ended on Friday after losing on post-match penalties to 10-man Mozambique in the 2020 COSAFA U20 Cup semifinals of the ongoing tournament South Africa is hosting in Port Elizabeth.
The defending champions bowed out 5-4 on post-match penalties in Port Elizabeth on Friday.
The two sides were locked at 0-0 after fulltime but not before Jose Manhice was sent off in the first half for a foul on Martin Njobvu.
Mozambique joins Namibia at the AFCON U20 in Mauritania who beat Angola 1-0 in their semifinal match.
Chipolopolo coach Milutin “Micho” Sredojevic has appeared in the South African Magistrate’s Court on alleged sexual harassment charges.
Micho, 51, was in the New Brighton Magistrate’s Court on Friday for allegedly sexually assaulting a 39-year-old woman on Monday at Wolfson Stadium during the ongoing COSAFA Under-20 Cup in Port Elizabeth.
“It is alleged that earlier this week on Monday 07 December during the Cosafa Games in Port Elizabeth a 39-year-old woman was delivering coffee at the Wolfson Stadium when she asked Sredojevic if he would need sugar with his coffee. He allegedly said no and disclosed that he needed another type of sugar while pointing at her private parts,” said National Prosecuting Authority – Eastern Cape spokesperson Anelisa Ngcakani.
“It is alleged that the lady complained to her boss who in turned warned Sredojevic not to do it again. Later on that day the lady went to deliver coffee again at the same stadium and this time Sredojevic allegedly touched her buttocks,” stated Ngcakani.
Micho was granted R10 000 bail and his next court appearance will be on 25 February 2021.
The race for promotion in FAZ National Division 1 remains tight with City of Lusaka, Chambishi, Kafue Celtic and Kansanshi Dynamos earning the early pacesetters status.
Celtic, Chambishi and City are tied at the top of the table on 18 points apiece after nine matches played in the season.
However, Celtic are number one on better goal difference ahead of City and Chambishi.
The trio has been exchanging the top spot from the start of the 2020/21 season.
Kansanshi Dynamos in fourth place, one point behind the leading trio.
“The league is tough so we just need to continue working hard if we are to win promotion to the Super Division,” said Chambishi coach Israel Mwanza.
Four teams will be promoted to the Super Division from Division One.
Meanwhile, Nchanga Rangers are now three points away from the top following two consecutive victories in four days.
Nchanga beat Gomes 2-0 in Ndola on Thursday to move to 15 points after playing nine matches.
Brave beat Zesco Shockers 7-0 earlier on Sunday at home in Chingola.
