Join our community of SUBSCRIBERS and be part of the conversation.
To subscribe, simply enter your email address on our website or click the subscribe button below. Don't worry, we respect your privacy and won't spam your inbox. Your information is safe with us.
The Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia says it does not support the extension of the presidential petition hearing period from 14 to within 30 days.
EFZ Spokesperson, Joshua Banda says extending the days can weaken the security of the nation.Bishop Banda said EFZ considers as a priority the security of the nation.
He said this when he submitted before the Parliamentary Select Committee that is scrutinizing the Constitution Amendment Bill Number 10 of 2019.
Bishop Banda however said the Fellowship supports the seven days to file the petition.
And Bishop Banda said the fellowship supports the declaration of Zambia as a Christian Nation and must be retained as it is in the current constitution.
Second Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Mwimba Malama says Members of Parliament are key in policy formulation and need enough knowledge on business regulations that promote investment.
Mr Malama said it is through strong regulations and implementation of laws that support and protect investment that the country can develop.
Mr Malama was speaking during the official opening of the sensitization workshop on the regulatory impact assessment for Parliamentarians in Lusaka today.
Meanwhile, American National Standards Institute Programme Manager David Jankowski said Zambia is the preferred destination for investment by many investors because of the policies by government that protect investments.
Mr. Jankowski said the political landscape is also conducive for foreign investors because of the will from the government of Zambia and its members.
(AFP) Former French president Jacques Chirac, a centre-right career politician who served as head of state from 1995 to 2007, has died, his family told AFP on Thursday. He was 86.
“President Jacques Chirac died this morning surrounded by his family, peacefully,” his son-in-law Frederic Salat-Baroux told AFP.
Twice elected head of state in 1995 and 2002, his 12 years in the Elysee Palace made him France’s second longest-serving post-war president after his Socialist predecessor Francois Mitterrand.
On the international stage, Chirac will be best remembered for angering the United States with his public opposition to the 2003 war in Iraq.
An instinctive conservative but with an appeal that extended beyond the right, Chirac also served two stints as prime minister in 1974-76 and 1986-88 and was mayor of his native Paris from 1977-1995.
It was his time at the helm of the French capital that resulted, once he had lost his presidential immunity, in a conviction for embezzlement and misuse of public funds.
Chirac had rarely been seen in public in recent years and was long known to have been suffering from ill health.
Five private universities have been de-registered. This follows Higher Education Authority inspections conducted between January and July 2019 which revealed that the private institutions failed to comply to set standards.
Higher Education Authority Director General Stephen Simukanga confirmed this during a media briefing in Lusaka.
Professor Simukanga has named the institutions as Damelin University, John David University, Southern Acacia University, Sylvia University and Eastern University.
He said that the Universities are no longer operating as higher learning institutions.
Professor Simukanga said the deregistration of institutions shows that government is committed to ensuring that Higher Education Institutions meet the set standards.
Last week, the Higher Education Authority published a list of 12 institutions that were operating illegally.
President Edgar Chagwa Lungu speaks during the official opening of National Assembly at Parliament Building in Lusaka on Friday,September 13,2019.
President Edgar Lungu has encouraged citizens to reject alien practices that not only threaten Zambian values but undermine the country’s foundation as a Christian Nation.
President Lungu says his administration’s promise in July this year to the Zambian people that he would NOT introduce gay rights in exchange for donor aid is unequivocal.
The President says certain rights enjoyed in other parts of the world cannot be replicated in Zambia because they are taboo to many if not all Zambian cultures.
“Marriage is specifically a union between a man and a woman in our jurisdiction,” the President says.
President Lungu says if homosexuality is frowned upon in Zambia what about same sex marriages.
He adds that just like Christianity, Zambian laws proscribe sexual relationships between people of the same sex and if found guilty such people could serve time in jail.
The President has since cautioned politicians being courted by foreign powers to embrace gay rights to think about the future of Zambia even under the lure of huge finances being dangled by foreign powers.
This is contained in a statement issued by Special Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations Isaac Chipampe.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has clarified that government only released K65,000 to facilitate today’s police operations to block the UPND President Hakainde Hichilema from entering Kafue and not K80,000 as indicated in some sections of the media.
Minister of Home Affairs Minister Stephen Kampyongo clarified the false reports in an interview with the media today.
Mr. Kampyongo further said only 2000 police officers were deployed in Kafue from around 07 Hours to 17hrs to monitor the security situation in the area where the UPND leader was scheduled to donate mealie meal and tour some places.
He appealed to individuals, Non Governmental Organisations and political institutions to follow procedures whenever they are intending to make donations to avoid unnecessary tension in the country.
Mr Kampyongo said the Ministry of Home Affairs shall remain firm and ensure that law and order is maintained and no illegality would be tolerated.
This is according to a statement released by Home Affairs Public Relations Officer Nephas, Chifuta.
Hakainde Hichilema’s open support of the LGBTQ community, though viewed by many and himself as progressive and in keeping with the times, is one of the worst political mistakes he has now made.
Reports indicate that he said this when he attended a retreat held on Lake Como Resort, in Italy for Africa’s liberal parties such as the UPND, MDC of Zimbabwe and DA of South Africa sponsored by Brenthurst Foundation.
Symbolically, his making statements in support of this community in Italy, only few thousands of kilometres from the actual location of Sodom and Gomorrah, constitutes a grand political miscalculation he is now unlikely to recover from.
Yes, the UPND is a liberal party but many Zambians were NOT aware of what this really meant.
That a man so close to State power should now stigmatise himself this way only reflects just how phenomenal his failure to read Africans is. The very people he wants to give him power by voting for him abhor buggery.
What he is now going to gain in millions of US dollars he will lose in millions of votes.
As if being labelled tribal was NOT enough now he has to deal with the burden of homosexuality.
And when you seek to lead a Christian nation, this posses a humongous challenge. Such a position is actually viewed as sacrilegious.
With the right media strategy from the PF and its supporting cast of opposition parties, just this one additional act of folly by Hakainde HICHILEMA will now rip his political career to shreds.
You see, the time or open season for the LGBTQ community in Africa let alone Zambia has NOT yet come.
Zambia, and nearly all Africa, still views these people as an abomination, as aberrant and whomsoever supports them is also viewed the same, as askance and abhorrent as the ‘pervert.’
Hakainde HICHILEMA’s open embrace of sodomites might now just herald the twilight of his pursuit of national leadership.
It surely looks like it’s curtains down now.
It seems over now.
Waika attention posaika, musankwa.
If I were him I would have sent a junior member of the party to attend this conference and address this sensitive and controversial matter. Just what kind of naivètè is this?
Kwamana, mulombwana!
How sad!
To those given the gift of discernment, prophesy is now coming to pass!
Former Communications and transport Minister William Harrington
Former Environmental Minister William Harrington says the Lusaka City Council did not approve any building plans in the controversial Forest 27.
This came to light when Mr Harrington and fellow Activist Robert Chimambo met the Directorate of Planning at Lusaka City Council as part of their ongoing research on the de-gazetting of Forest 27.
He described the revelations from LCC as shocking.
Mr Harrington stated that no developer has obtained Council approval prior to construction as required by law.
He said the Directorate however confirmed that plans were underway to undertake a site inspection and verification exercise on what is going on in Forest Reserve No. 27 as it was only brought to the attention of the LCC through recent press coverage.
Mr Harrington said the Directorate also assured that all structures which had not obtained Council approval are illegal and therefore the relevant law would be applied without fear or favor.
“Accordingly, all illegal structures should not be spared from demolition,” he said.
Minister of Home Affairs, Stephen Kampyongo has warned all parties to stop the practice of giving their youths military fatigue attire as this was against the law.
Mr Kampyongo said that Zambia promotes democratic and civil processes and militias or the resemblance of it had no place in the conduct of politics in the country.
The Home Affairs Minister warned that the law will catch those in this illegal practice.
On Monday, All People’s Congress Leader Nason Msoni challenged the Patriotic Front to seriously reflect on their erroneous behaviour and decision to arm criminals. Mr Msoni said that the proliferation of small arms is endangering and putting public safety into serious jeopardy. He insisted that the party in government must act and behave more responsibly.
Mr Msoni said the conduct is illegal and is setting a very dangerous precedent that can easily be emulated by other stakeholders. He added that the conduct seriously breaches the societies’ act and indeed the electoral act pertaining to the operation and conduct of a political party.
PF Cadre openly displaying a Gun
Meanwhile, PF National Youth League Chairman Kelvin Mutale Sampa has said that President Edgar Chagwa Lungu and himself will not allow youths in the ruling Party and the nation to be indisciplined when the President had been clear that no one apart from those who are trained to be Security Law Enforcement Officers are allowed to wear combat uniforms.
Mr. Sampa has condemned the would-be PF sympathizer who has been captured on Social Media wearing Military attire and exposing a firearm which is criminal.
Mr. Sampa said, “We have a Party and Government that can not accept such types of behavior as it is only allowed by law enforcers. The portrayal on Social Media is questionable and the Party will not associate itself with lawlessness and demands that, the law enforcement officers ensure that action is taken.”
Mr Sampa further said: “We as a Party We Condemn this Portrayal blatantly and Our President, is clear in promoting National values and emphasizes that each Zambian must take this issue serious. A word of caution to the Nation is that we need to see responsible Citizens affiliated to the mighty Patriotic Front Party and not to have irresponsible and Criminally minded people to hide under the PF.”
Mr Sampa urged the Police to take action against any lawless citizen who wants to hide under the PF over clandestine activities, adding that PF was a responsible and peaceful Party with an agenda of bringing development to the Nation and urged all Youths across the country to unite and protect our great Nation with great ideas.
Nkana coach Beston Chambeshi admits last Sunday’s 3-2 home loss to ailing Mighty Mufulira Wanderers is of great concern.
The result not only handed Mighty their first points of the season, after losing their opening two games, but also dispatched Nkana to their first league defeat .
Furthermore, Nkana concede their first goals of the league season in the match against Mighty.
“I think I am not happy with the way the defence has played. We have been consistent in our last two games in which we have not conceded a goal but after being scored three goals it is worrying,”Chambeshi said.
“It kills the momentum of the team otherwise, overall play, I am happy we are scoring but it is a petty we have conceded three goals in the third game of the season which is not healthy for us.”
Meanwhile, Nkana have an opportunity to redeem themselves this Sunday when they visit Forest Rangers who are unbeaten in their also two games but hunting for their first league win of the season.
Shepolopolo U17 coach Kaluba Kangwa is relishing his sides’ 2019 COSAFA U17 Women’s Cup semifinal clash against South Africa.
South Africa and Zambia are both unbeaten at the ongoing inaugural tournament in Mauritius where they have scored 36 and 24 goals letting in two and one respectively.
The two sides meet in the last four on September 27 in the race to face Uganda or Botswana in this Sunday’s final.
“I am happy that we are going to meet South Africa because if you want to be the best, you must play the best as well,” Kangwa said.
“It is important because we learn from one another. They will learn from us, and we will learn from them, and that will help African football develop.”
South Africa will be Shepolopolo’s biggest test since drawing 1-1 with Group A winners Uganda in their opening pool match on September 20 before the deluge began with a 15-0 win over Comoros and a 8-0 victory over host Mauritius.
The Judiciary has proposed that the number of days for hearing a Presidential petition before the constitutional court be increased from 30 days to 45 days.
High Court Registrar Paul Chisha says the increase in the number of days will help determine the matter in a more realistic manner.
Mr Chisha says 30 days is not enough to handle a Presidential petition hence the proposal to increase it to 45 days.
Mr Chisha was speaking when the Judiciary made submissions to the Parliamentary Select Committee scrutinising the constitutional amendment bill number 10 of 2019.
And Mr Chisha said the Judiciary is also proposing that disciplinary cases for judges must be handled by the judicial Service Commission instead of Judicial Complaint Commission.
He said the judiciary has proposed the tenure of office of the Chief Justice should not be limited to ten years as it is the current constitution.
Mr Chisha has also submitted that the term adequately funding in the current constitution must be replaced by the word fully funded during a financial year.
He said once the Judiciary is fully funded it will be easy to carry out its mandate.
Mr Chisha said this in response to Kanchibiya Member of Parliament, Martin Malama, who wanted to know why adequately funding in the current constitution must be replaced with fully funding.
Meanwhile, the Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ) has supported their earlier submission that the number of days for hearing a Presidential petition be increased from 14 to 30 days.
EFZ Chairperson Joshua Banda said the 30 days is adequate for the Constitutional court to determine the matter.
Bishop Banda also said the declaration of Zambia as a Christian nation must be retained as it is in the current constitution.
He also said the fellowship does not support the ‘re-introduction of deputy ministers as it is costly.
[ZNBC]
Zanaco bounced back to winning ways on Wednesday following a 2-0 home victory over promoted Kabwe Youth Soccer Academy at Sunset Stadium in Lusaka.
The Bankers victory came four days after their 3-2 Lusaka derby loss away at Nkwazi that saw them suffer their second league defeat of the 2019/20 season after three rounds of games played.
Wednesday’s result is also a huge lift for Zanaco who needed a confidence boost ahead of this Saturday’s CAF Confederation Cup second round, final leg tie against Bolton City of YC of Mauritius in Lusaka after beating the latter 2-1 away a fortnight ago.
Winger Charles Zulu struck in the 12th and 57th minutes to hand Zanaco their second league win of the season in this Week Four match.
The victory lifts Zanaco five places from tenth to fifth on 6 points from four games, displacing Nkwazi on goal difference who only play this weekend away at struggling Nakambala Leopards.
Meanwhile, six Week Four games will be played this weekend except for the Power Dynamos versus Zesco United and Lumwana Radiants versus Green Eagles fixtures.
This is due to Zesco and Eagles CAF Champions League home and away commitments this weekend.
The Teaching Service Commission (TSC) says it is in the process of revising the conditions of service for teachers employed in the private sector.
TSC Chairperson, Stanley Mhango said although government is the biggest employer of teachers, many are assimilated by the private sector, who are sometimes subjected to poor working conditions.
Mr Mhango was speaking in Mufulira District where he met final year students at Mufulira College of Education.
Mr Mhango stated that currently, over 40,000 graduate teachers in the country are unemployed, a situation which has left them desperate and easy prey for scammers.
He stated that government cannot recruit all the unemployed teachers at once due to limited resources, hence many are assimilated into the private sector.
Mr Mhango stated that there is need to have clear minimum working conditions for teachers working in the private sector, in order to protect them from exploitation.
He disclosed that the commission is currently in negotiations with the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Trade Unions, and the Ministry of General Education, in order to come up with minimum conditions of service for teachers in the private sector.
Mr Mhango said due to high levels of unemployment among teachers, many graduates end up falling prey to conmen who promise to secure them jobs in the civil service at a fee.
“We have received numerous reports of graduates who have been swindled by conmen who pose as District Education Board Secretaries (DEBS), Permanent Secretaries, and employees of the Teaching Service Commission. The desperate graduates send money to these conmen hoping to get a job but they disappear once they get the money, “Mr Mhango said.
Mr Mhango said it was for this reason that the commission was touring colleges of education in the country to caution final year students, and also lecture them on the laid down procedure for recruitment.
He cautioned graduate teachers to be weary of scammers saying the commission does not charge any amount of money for anyone seeking employment.
Mr Mhango cautioned the students that government would not tolerate any one who secures recruitment through corrupt means
“Even if you do manage to secure that job and you are recruited, once we find out you got your job by corrupt means we will blacklist you and write to the Teaching Council of Zambia so that relevant action is taken on you,” he warned.
Mr Mhango said the high levels of unemployment among teachers has potential to breed high levels of corruption in the recruitment process.
