Monday, October 14, 2024
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Mbombo Brace sends Nkana Top

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A second half brace by striker Idris Mbombo propelled Nkana to a 2-0 win over Green Buffaloes in the two team’s 2019/20 FAZ Super Division opener on Sunday at Nkana Stadium in Wusakile.

Mbombo, who recently re-joined Nkana from Al Hilal of Sudan, registered his goals in the 57th and 75th minutes.

The first half appeared evenly balanced as the goalless half time score-line suggests.

Nkana’s Bwalya Kasonde who replaced Jacob Ngulube at the restart helped to stabilise the Kalampa midfield before the opening goal.

It was a dream start for Nkana who are seeking better fortunes after flopping in the transitional season.

The record league champions are searching for their 13th title.

Elsewhere on Sunday, Lusaka Dynamos beat Lumwana Radiants 1-0 in the capital city.

Striker Chris Mugalu converted a late penalty.

UCZ Synod Bishop urges Politicians not to divide the country on Tribal Lines

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President Edgar Lungu, Kabundi Kapisha UCZ Congregation Bishop Sichilima (c) and PF Deputy Secretary General Mumbi Phiri during the Church Services in Chingola
President Edgar Lungu, Kabundi Kapisha UCZ Congregation Bishop Sichilima (c) and PF Deputy Secretary General Mumbi Phiri during the Church Services in Chingola

United Church of Zambia (UCZ) Synod Bishop Sydney Sichilima has urged politicians against dividing the country on tribal lines.

Bishop Sichilima said tribalism must not be allowed to take centre stage in the nation as it is detrimental and divisive.

He urged political leaders to avoid dwelling on matters that derail development but instead engage in issue-based discussions that are beneficial to every Zambian citizen.

Bishop Sichilima further called on Zambians to uphold the spirit of oneness and peace.

He said this in an interview with journalists during the UCZ Northern Province Conference held in Senga District.

And Bishop Sichilima has urged all well-meaning Zambians and leaders at various levels to champion Christian values.

He said those in leadership positions must endeavour to uphold integrity as they discharge their respective responsibilities.

Meanwhile, UCZ Northern Presbytery Bishop Maybin Mulenga has implored Christians to be agents of peace and resist political violence.

Earlier, Kasama District Commissioner Kelly Kashiwa urged the church to provide counsel and pray for government leaders.

The provincial conference has attracted UCZ members from all districts in Northern Province.

Government refutes social media reports that it will not fund the national Football team in 2020 budget

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Minister of Youth Sport and Child Development Emmanuel Mulenga
Minister of Youth Sport and Child Development Emmanuel Mulenga with Home Affairs Minister Stephen Kampyongo

The government has dispelled reports circulating on social media that the government will not fund the 2020 budget for the national football team.

Minister of Youth Sport and Child Development Emmanuel Mulenga said that the government was mandated to ensure that all sports disciplines are well-financed.

Speaking in an interview with ZNBC in Lusaka last night, Mulenga said that the government will ensure that modalities are put in place for the national football team to participate in future football leagues to avoid what transpired to the women under 20 national team that did not participate to the All African games.

Of late there has been a rift between the FAZ and the new Government, with Government rejecting the choice of the National Coach alleging that interviews were never held and that the new coach was single-sourced, with the Minister telling FAZ to issue their own work permit to the new coach.

The minister was not allegedly happy with the procedure (headhunting) used to appoint the Serbian trainer as the new Chipolopolo coach. In a press session, Mulenga told FAZ to advertise the job, Follow the correct channel and only then will the ministry approve the appointment of a new coach.

“Coming to the coach, I didn’t want to talk about the coach because the Director who is the acting PS has issued a statement. Whatever money which the Government spends that taxpayers money and Taxpayers money should be used prudently according to the financial regulations and the financial regulations or employment act states that for any position to be given to an individual it has to be advertised those are Government rules but that position was not advertised. So if it was not advertised Government can not buy into it. In everything that FAZ or our ministry is doing should be transparent and accountable to the Zambian people,” he said.

“So as a ministry we are not going for that coach. One that’s single sourcing, We won’t go for a single source let them advertise we have advised them, It’s your responsibility and role to employ but follow the collect procedure, Advertise, Call for interviews, Let it be transparent then we shall consent to the coach which they will pick.”

Mulenga believes Jelušic does not have the necessary track record to be named as the head coach of the 2012 AFCON Champions. He went on to stress the importance of transparency and accountability as the money Government will be contributing is taxpayers money

” And coming to the experience of the same coach, We did a research. He was coaching Botswana and he never coached for so long and he was taken from coaching the national team to coaching academies is that what we need? That’s not our level how do we bring someone who was coaching youths and school-going boys to coach our national team? That’s not what we need,” Mulenga said.

FAZ President blames Match Fixing, Lack of Support for Zambia’s failure to Qualify for AFCON tournament

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FAZ President Andrew Kamanga with Sports Minister Moses Mawere (prior to AGM and during the singing of National anthem).
FAZ President Andrew Kamanga with Former Sports Minister Moses Mawere (prior to AGM and during the singing of National anthem).

Documents have emerged in which the Football Association of Zambia President Andrew Kamanga has blamed match-fixing, lack of support from Government and negative perception against his administration.

In documents, which include his letter to the new Minister and agenda items for meeting held with Government, the FAZ president said that the Zambia National team lost some matches in the AFCON 2019 qualifiers under suspicious circumstances. With the previous Vice President having been handed a life ban for match-fixing, there is a possibility that he was not acting alone.

The FAZ president further added that it was not difficult for some players to collude with FAZ’s previous officials just to embarrass the current executive and the nation.

The FAZ President also rejected calls by the current Minister for him to reconcile with the Former President Kalusha Bwalya saying that there was no rift between him and Kalusha. Mr. Kamanga however flatly rejected the Minister’s move to get Kalusha Bwalya’s help to identify a new National team Coach or be involved in Coaching himself.

Mr Kamanga concluded the letter by advising the Minister that if it was his considered view that the Zambia National Soccer team will qualify for AFCON 2021 by getting rid of him, he could proceed by following due process and inform FIFA

Below are the full documents

 

Religious Minister urges Zambians to attend the day of Prayers

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Minister of Guidance and Religious Affairs Hon. Godfridah Sumaili during the 70th Anniversary of the World Council of Churches (WCC).
Minister of Guidance and Religious Affairs Hon. Godfridah Sumaili during the 70th Anniversary of the World Council of Churches (WCC).

National Guidance and Religious Affairs Minister Godfridah Sumaili has urged the clergy to take a leading role in ensuring church members participate in the National Day of Prayer, Fasting and Reconciliation set for October 18.

Reverend Sumaili says it is important that the church supports the government as it continues to promote the national values and principles.

She was speaking during a meeting with the clergy in Chinsali District of Muchinga Province.

And Reverend Sumaili said the church is the mirror of morality in society hence the need for its leaders to be involved in issues of National guidance.

Speaking at the same meeting Living Water Global Church Reverend Elizabeth Chimweli said the clergy in Chinsali will continue working with government in promoting peace, love and unity.

Meanwhile,the House of Prayer for All Nations Church has praised the government for respecting and allowing people in Zambia to worship freely.

Senior Pastor and Founder of the church Chibwe Katebe says while citizens can worship freely in Zambia, there are many countries where people are not free to practice their religious beliefs.

Pastor Katebe says the church is committed to fulfilling Zambia’s declaration as a Christian nation by spreading the gospel to all people.

He was speaking at the House of Prayer for All Nations Church International Women Conference in Livingstone last night.

Speaking at the same function, acting Livingstone District Commissioner Harriet Kawina urged the church to continue praying for Livingstone.

Today’s Message:Love Much

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Today’s Scripture

“Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.”
(Luke 7:47, AMP)

Love Much

Did you know that forgiveness opens the door for love to operate in your life? In this Scripture passage, Jesus was at a Pharisee’s house when “a certain immoral woman” came in and poured a jar of expensive perfume on Jesus’ feet and began to wash them with her tears and her hair. The religious leaders were shocked that Jesus would allow this “sinner” to touch Him. But she knew she was forgiven. When she received Christ’s forgiveness, love was the automatic response. She was forgiven of much, and she loved and longed to please Him.

Do you want more love in your life? Do you want to feel more of God’s love and have stronger relationships with the people around you? Open your heart to forgiveness. Receive Christ’s forgiveness and extend it to others. When you are forgiven much, you will love much. As Christ’s love flows through you, your faith will be strengthened, your hope will be renewed, and you will be empowered to live the abundant life He has in store for you!

A Prayer for Today

“Father, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for Your forgiveness which opens the door for Your love to flow through me. Show me Your love and help me to be a light and example of love everywhere I go in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Government extends travel ban to senior public service officers in line with the austerity measures

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Dr Simon Miti
Dr Simon Miti

The government has announced the indefinite extension of the travel ban for senior public service officers in line with the austerity measures that have been put in place to attain fiscal stability and restore the economy.

Secretary to the Cabinet, Simon Miti announced in Lusaka that the 90-day travel ban, which was meant to expire mid-night today will continue until further notice.

Dr Miti said the extension of the travel ban is meant to enable the country remain on course in reducing government expenditure on travel and ensure that the scarce resources are directed to areas that benefit the citizens.

Dr Miti stated that senior government officers should utilize missions abroad for representation in international engagements but however, there will be exceptions in rare and convincing situations.

He called on all Permanent Secretaries and senior public service officers to support the austerity measure, which was introduced in June, this year, to attain fiscal stability and restore the growth of the country’s economy.

The Secretary to the Cabinet was speaking during the official opening of the Fourth Senior Public Service Management Meeting at Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka, which was attended by Permanent Secretaries and other Senior Public Service Officers.

Dr Miti further revealed that Cabinet Office has through the Remuneration Division started the review of mandates and streamlining of salaries and conditions of service for all statutory bodies and grant aided institutions.

He said the exercise is meant to bring normalcy to the sub-sector and secure the much needed but scarce resources to develop the country and provide quality services to the people.

Dr Miti noted that the Head of State and his administration expects all decisions of the cabinet are strictly adhered to by all without exceptions.

He said in view of the current economic situation, his office expects all government ministries and departments to focus on ‘managing for results, doing more with less.’

Dr Miti also implored Permanent Secretaries to leverage on every opportunity to create jobs for youths, 80 per cent of whom he said are unemployed.

And in a vote of thanks, Permanent Secretary in-charge of the Remuneration Division at Cabinet Office, Kashell Mwenya assured the Secretary to the Cabinet of total support from all the Permanent Secretaries in implementing cabinet decisions and the austerity measures.

Mr Mwenya said the Permanent Secretaries will ensure that they work closely with the new Secretary to the Cabinet to ensure that they run the civil service to the expectation of the appointing authority.

He said all the directives, the Secretary to the Cabinet has made in his inaugural speech to Permanent Secretaries, will be strictly followed and adhered to.

Mpika Diocese Priest found dead in his hostel in a kneeling position in Austria

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Father Chibesa

Mpika Diocese Priest Father Sefelino Chibesa, aged 38, has died in the Austrian capital of Vienna. Father Chibesa was found dead in his hostel in a kneeling position. Zambia’s Ambassador to Germany and Austria, His Excellency Anthony Mukwita says the family has been informed and arrangements for the repatriation of the body will be communicated soon.

Ambassador Mukwita described the death of Father Chibesa as a loss to the small Zambian community in Austria, to the whole Zambian community in Germany and six other countries of extra accreditation, his family and the whole Zambian Catholic community.

Mr. Mukwita said Father Chibesa dies at a tender age when his contribution to the spiritual development of the Zambian people and those that came under his influence were most needed.

“We know that even the Bible recognizes the importance of being a youth and how this stage in one’s life must be dedicated to the service of God and humanity”, the senior envoy reflected. Ambassador Mukwita has called on the community in Austria and Mpika where the deceased served to take something away from his life and make it their own.

“Father Chibesa turned his life over to God when he was young – the best years of his life contrary to those that would want to waste their youthful days and only seek God’s face in the closing moments of their lives”, Ambassador Mukwita admonished.

The death of the Catholic Priest was disclosed to the Zambian embassy by former Zambian police officer and now UN security official William Mubanga, who is also the Chairman of the association of Zambians in Austria.

Father Chibesa arrived in Vienna in April this year to further his studies in his priestly vocation. He joined a few other Zambian priests that are currently undertaking similar studies in Austria.

The Zambia – India Partnership: A Mutually Beneficial Bilateral Relationship Pre-Independence Zambia – India Ties

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Patriotic Front Secretary General Davies Mwila welcoming UPND Member Bizwell Mutale.
Patriotic Front Secretary General Davies Mwila welcoming UPND Member Bizwell Mutale.

By Hon Davies Mwila

Zambia and India have enjoyed enduring mutually beneficial economic and political ties predate Zambia’s own independence on 24th October, 1964.

Having attained its independence from British rule on 15th August, 1947, India became an inspiration for political independence to peoples in the Global South under colonial rule. India was not only an to inspiration to then Northern Rhodesia and others in the Global South; but actively supported Northern Rhodesia’s fight for independence from British rule through moral and material support.

In addition to this support by the newly independent Indian state, many people of Indian origin who were already resident in Northern Rhodesia at the time, supported the liberation movement in Zambia, and at the stroke of midnight on 24th October, 1964, chose become Zambian citizens too.

POST-INDEPENDENCE ZAMBIA – INDIA TIES*

Almost exactly 55 years since attaining political independence on 24th October, 1964, India has remained as Zambia’s unwavering partner in its quest to achieve its own national strategic goals.

1. Economic Diversification and Job Creation is the first strategic goal of the 7NDP. Indeed, Zambia stands to gain significant economic and job creation benefits from its close ties with India. For example, during the India-Zambia Business Forum in India held on 21st August, 2019, His Excellency President Lungu revealed that,

“These (Zambia-India) relations have now culminated into a strong economic engagement as evidenced by the significant amount of Foreign Direct Investment from India into Zambia, which now stands at 5 Billion United States Dollars. Notable Indian companies present in Zambia include, Taj Pamodzi Hotel; Bharti Airtel; Nava Bharat; and Indo Zambia Bank, among others. These companies have created jobs and skills, and brought socio-economic value for the local communities in zambia. zambia has taken keen interest in your programmes such as make in india, skill india, start-up india, and digital india.

Furthermore, zambia has followed with interest how your small and medium enterprises thrive alongside large companies, creating jobs, and ensuring wealth distribution.

From our side, we have embarked on programmes such as proudly zambia campaign, business linkage programmes and value chain development programme, among others, which we hope will help us in attaining our goal of enhancing value addition and entrepreneurship development.

We are committed your excellency, to learn from you on how well we can strengthen and enhance our small and medium enterprise participation in the economy.

The Government of The Republic of Zambia, has continued to pursue the implementation of the private sector development initiatives.

We are committed to developing policies that respond to the needs of industry so that we facilitate for a robust private sector-led industrialisation growth.”

In addition, Zambia stands to continue reaping significant economic benefits through its strong ties with India considering the steady increase in bilateral trade, which stood at United States Dollars 833 Million in 2018-19 and dominated mainly by exports from Zambia. To benefit further, the PF Government under President Lungu, through the Ministry of Agriculture, has continued to push for the expansion of the basket of traded items.

In order to accelerate economic diversification and job creation further, the 7NDP Development Outcome Number 6 aims at “Improving Transport Systems and Infrastructure.” Speaking along this line, President Lungu noted during the above-mentioned India-Zambia Business Forum, that:
“In addition to creating the favourable business environment and investment climate, my government has prioritised infrastructure development, as a key strategy for attracting foreign direct investment and stimulating local investments.

The main thrust under infrastructure development has been road construction and rehabilitation; expansion and construction of hydro-power stations; rehabilitation of railway line; construction and modernisation of airports and information and communication technology.

We are doing everything possible to ensure that we facilitate investment, and for business to thrive. we believe, infrastructure development is the foundation for any meaningful economic development.”

In addition to the above, Zambia is benefiting from its strong collaboration with India in attaining the 7NDP goal of improving transport systems and infrastructure through, among others; the ongoing implementation of the Lusaka City Roads Decongestion Project, funded with support from Indian Government under Buyers Credit scheme of Exim Bank of India.

Concerning Economic Diversification and Job Creation through “A Diversified and Export-Oriented Agriculture Sector” and other means prescribed in the 7NDP; Zambia stands to gain from its close bilateral ties with India through, for example; India’s agreement to set up an a SME Incubation Centre, with a view to promote development of Small and Medium enterprises in Zambia; and India’s grants for 100 Solar Irrigation pumps for boosting agriculture in Zambia including India’s grant of 1000 MT of rice and 100 MT of milk powder as humanitarian assistance to Zambia following poor rains in the 2018/2019 season.

2. Creating A Conducive Governance Environment For A Diversified and Inclusive Economy is the 5th strategic area of the 7NDP. In order to achieve this, the 7NDP Development Outcome 3 aims at ensuring “An Inclusive Democratic System of Governance.” In line with this, and speaking during the aforementioned 2019 India-Zambia Business Forum in India, His Excellency President Lungu said that:

“We know that the key drivers to attracting investment include political stability, abundance of attractive investment opportunities, appropriate legal and regulatory framework, good corporate governance, and availability of transport and communication infrastructure.”

Against this background and guided by the above-mentioned 7NDP goal, the PF Government, through the Electoral Commission of Zambia, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Elections. As the world’s largest democracy, Zambia will learn from India’s old and vast experience in creating a conducive governance environment – including strengthening institutions and ensuring political stability with a population of 1.3 billion people – for a diversified and inclusive economy.

However, collaboration in this area is not new because, soon after independence, Africa was at the centre of the Cold War between USA and USSR. As a result, the Non-Aligned Movement was formed by those states that did not seek to formally align themselves with either the USA or USSR, but sought to remain independent or neutral. In the Non-Aligned Movement, India was one of Zambia’s key allies in the collective stance against Cold War maneuvers.

3. Enhancing Human Development is the fourth strategic goal of the 7NDP. According to the 7NDP, human development will be enhanced through:

a. Development Outcome Number 1: Improved Health and Health-Related Services
In the context of this 7NDP goal, the Zambia-India relationship is already yielding tremendous benefits for Zambia as evidenced by the “Zambia-India cooperation in the Health Sector, such as the ongoing construction of 650 Health Posts across Zambia with the support of the Indian government”.

Furthermore, India’s donation of medicines and medical equipment worth United States Dollars 3 Million delivered to Zambia, is yet another benefit for Zambia arising from this bilateral relationship. In addition, an MoU for Zambia’s participation in tele-education, telemedicine that is; e VBAB Network Project has been signed and will greatly benefit Zambia.

b. Development Outcome Number 2: Improved Education and Skills Development
Concerning the above 7NDP goal, Zambia is benefiting from its ties with India in this area by collaborating to address the human resource and skills gaps, through the scholarships offered by the Indian Government to Zambian citizens annually and several other knowledge exchanges between the two Governments. This also includes gestures such as “India’s donation of $100,000 to the Mahatma Gandhi Primary School, that was announced during the visit of Honourable President of India in 2018.”

4. A Strategic Partner At the Global Stage and In Global Issues: For Zambia, India remains a reliable ally on the global stage to address issues affecting the developing world and the whole world at large such as; advocating for the ongoing reforms of the United Nations and its principal organs with a view to making the institution more democratic, representative, transparent and efficient so that it can deal more effectively with the myriad challenges of the contemporary world. This also includes an early reform of the United Nations Security Council, in permanent and non-permanent membership categories, so that it reflects the current realities and functions in an accountable, representative and effective manner; as well as, the push for reformed multilateralism on the global stage.

In conclusion, the Zambia–India bilateral ties predate Zambia’s birth on 24th October, 1964, and have deepened over time to culminate into strong mutually beneficial socio-economic ties.
May these bilateral ties between Zambia and India continue to flourish.

Long live the Zambia – India bilateral ties!

Long live the friendship between the peoples of these two great nations!

Ends…//…

The Author is Patriotic Front Secretary General

President Lungu back from Japan

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President Lungu being Welcomed at the Airport
President Lungu being Welcomed at the Airport

The President of the Republic of Zambia, Edgar Chagwa Lungu has arrived back in the country after successfully attending the TICAD Conference in Yokohama Japan.

The Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) is an international conference led by the Japanese government and co-sponsored by the United Nations, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the African Union Commission (AUC) and the World Bank.

TICAD saw Japan shift its strategic focus from government aid to promotion of investment as international competition for Africa grows. TICAD 2019, which opened last Wednesday, was held under the theme ‘Advancing development in Africa through people, technology and innovation’.

Before leaving for Japan, President Lungu said Zambia was expected to benefit from the US$3 million grant from Japan in the health sector, adding that the grant will be facilitated through one of the memorandums of co-operation signed during the just-ended TICAD summit.

The memorandum of co-operation was signed under the Africa health and well-being. The other memorandum of co-operation signed on the sidelines of TICAD was under peace and stability in Africa. The President joined other African leaders during the plenary session of the (TICAD) in stating the case for investment in Africa and, in particular, why individual countries should attract investors.

The theme for the session was ‘Accelerating economic transformation and improving business environment through innovation and private sector development’.
In President Lungu’s words, “the Zambian government recognises that we cannot accelerate economic transformation, and improve the economy as fast as we would like to if we do not have the pre-requisite economic infrastructure.”

President Lungu told investors that time for talking was over because Zambia needs investment now. On the sidelines of the TICAD7, President met Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) president Shinichi Kataoka, who paid a courtesy call on him.

JICA will build a dry port in Chipata, apart from working on the Luangwa Bridge, the gateway to eastern Zambia. President Lungu asked the investors what they were waiting for because Zambia was ready.

The President later met the International Monetary Fund Department of Africa director Abebe Aemro Selassie. He also met Ashok Leyland chairman Prajash Hinduja, who has pledged to open an Ashok Leyland plant in Zambia.

The President also discussed investment in railways with Mitsui deputy general manager Shusaku Okamura, who paid a courtesy call on him. The President met Techno Brain representative Antonio Poncioni Merian, who said his company was already working with governments in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) through providing it with solutions to their ministries of Finance.

TICAD has grown into one of the largest Africa-focused international events and provided a platform for billions worth partnerships and transactions to be sealed.

Wednesday saw the signing of two memorandums of understanding for Solar PV power stations between Toyota Tsusho and the Ministry of Energy. The power stations will be built in Western Province.

UPND snubs Constitution-making as reforms do not help Hichilema – YALI

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Media Briefing held by YALI in Kasama
Media Briefing held by YALI in Kasama

The United Party for National Development (UPND) does not support the Constitution-making process because it does not help Mr. Hichilema, the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) has charged.

Speaking at Alitasha Lodge during a media briefing in Kasama, YALI President Andrew Ntewewe said YALI is not surprised by the UPND to frustrate the reform process because there has never been a time the UPND have supported such a process as long as it does not give Mr. Hakainde Hichilema an easy leeway to step into power.

Mr. Ntewewe has said the Constitution of Zambia does not belong to the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) nor the UPND but belongs to residents who live in different parts of Luapula, Northern, Copperbelt and the entire country who have said they want to see this Bill thoroughly debated by their representatives in Parliament.

“MPs are the only legitimate representatives of the people and not these forum of NGOs or Council of NGO who speak for their sponsors. Article 62 clause 2 of the Constitution which states that ‘the legislative authority of the Republic is vested in and exercised by Parliament,’” said Ntewewe

Mr. Ntewewe said the only form of dialogue is Parliament as a place where divergent views and ideas will converge for purposes of consensus building. He said the people’s legitimate representatives will ultimately decide and those who do not want to support this process are enemies of democracy and anarchists.

And in responding to the rejection by LAZ to participate in the parliamentary process, Mr. Ntewewe reminded the lawyers that Zambian have given the National Assembly unfettered powers and exclusive rights to alter the Constitution of Zambia which include the power to amend, modify any provision of our constitution and re-enact the Constitution with or without amendment or modification.

“Our MPs can also suspend or repeal provision of the Constitution by making different provision in place of such provisions. The power of Parliament over our Constitution is extensive to include adding new provisions to the Zambian Constitution. Parliament does not need LAZ or a few loudmouths who have continued to boycott from being consulted to perform its function to alter the Constitution,” said Ntewewe.

He said while LAZ and its new allies seem to be arguing about the process to amend the constitution based on the history of other processes in countries like India, Canada and South Africa, the Zambian courts have categorically that ‘the history of the Constitutions of Zambia from 1964 to date is different from that of the Indian formula which specifically provides for a Constituent Assembly and that the powers, jurisdiction and competence of Parliament to alter the Constitution of Zambia are extensive provided that it adheres to the provisions of Article 79.

“The democracy we have chosen as a country demands that all voices have must be heard on the constitution reform process and there is no any single voice which is superior to the other. We remind Mr. Hichilema that the Constitution of Zambia is bigger than Mr. Hichilema, his egoistic interests and his insatiable lust for power,” he said.

Zesco disconnect Zanaco, Napsa Stars Lead Week One

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Zesco United on Saturday made an efficient start to their FAZ Super Division title defence today following a 1-0 home win over Zanaco at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.

The result saw the eight-time champions reclaim some honor just a fortnight after Zanaco defeated them by the same margin in the 2019 Samuel “Zoom” Ndhlovu Charity Shield final in Lusaka by the same margin.

There was almost a case of Deja Vu in the 15th minute when Zanaco defender and captain Ziyo Tembo, who scored in that final, almost put the visitors ahead.

But his header on the far left post from Tafadzwa Rusike fee kick was cleared by Marcel Kalonda.

Kalonda refused to be outdone but saw his 40th minute free kick from halfway inside Zanaco’s area marched in quality by Toaster Nsabata’s parry to see the two sides go into the break scoreless.

The deadlock was broken in the 54th minutes by Burundi midfield Enock Sabumukama to score in his first match back since recovering from an injury he sustained on 2019 AFCON duty in Egypt.

However, top spot in Week One goes to Napsa Stars who humbled nine-time champions Mighty Mufulira Wanderers 2-0 away at Shinde Stadium.

The ex-Nkana duo of Danny Silavwe and Bonwell Mwape scored in the 89th minutes respectively to see Napsa take to spot.

In second place are Buildcon who left Presidents Stadium in Kabwe with a 2-1 win over promoted Kabwe Youth Soccer Academy.

Kayembe Alidor put Buildcon ahead in the 45th minute, Biramahire Abeddy made it 2-0 in the 56th minute, before Ian Sililo scored KYSA’s consolation in the 66th minute.

At Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka, Bruce Musakanya scored Red Arrows lone goal in their 1-0 victory over Nakambala Leopards.

In Solwezi, Power Dynamos were shamed 1-0 by new boys Kansanshi Dynamos courtesy of a 55th minute goal by Isaac Ngoma.

And in Choma, 2019 runners-up Green Eagles squandered a one-nil lead to finish 1-1 at home against last seasons nearly-there-men Kabwe Warriors.

Kennedy Musonda put Eagles ahead in the 27th minute but the lead lasted just five minutes when Sydney Phiri equalized for Warriors.

2019/2020 FAZ SUPER DIVISION RESULTS
WEEK 1
31/08/2019
KYSA 1-Buildcon 2
Mufulira Wanderers 0-Napsa Stars 2
Nkwazi 1-Forest Rangers 0
Kansanshi Dynamos 1-Power Dynamos 0
Green Eagles 1-Kabwe Warriors 1
Zesco United 1-Zanaco 0
Red Arrows 1-Nakambala Leopards 0
01/09/2019
Lusaka Dynamos-Lumwana Radiants
Nkana-Green Buffaloes

Nkana attempt to end GBFC’s lucky record in Wusakile

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Nkana open their 2019/20 FAZ Super Division campaign this Sunday with a tricky Week One home date against Green Buffaloes at Nkana Stadium in Kitwe.

It will be Buffaloes and Nkana’s first meeting since the 2018 season after campaigning in Pool A and B respectively during the 2019 transitional season where they both fared very miserably to finish outside the top five.

Interestingly, Buffaloes have won on all their last three visits to Nkana.
Nkana can only look back to the 2015 season when they beat the Army men in Wusakile.

And in their last home meeting in the 2018 season, Nkana lost 2-1 there.

Striker Idris Mbombo , who has returned to the Nkana after a season in Sudan, scored in that match that coincidentally also saw new signing Diamond Chikwekwe score one to help Buffaloes to victory.

Mbombo later redeemed Nkana’s fortunes in the return leg with a goal in their 1-0 away victory in Lusaka.

The spotlight will again fall on the DR Congo-born striker to see if he can halt Buffaloes’ three-match winning run at Nkana.

However, Nkana will be without Chikwekwe who is ineligible to face Buffaloes due to the terms of his loan agreement between the two clubs.

UPND MPs Are More of Absconders than Representatives

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UPND MP's seats unoccupied in Parliament this morning
File:UPND MP’s seats unoccupied in Parliament this morning

Analysis by Sunday Chilufya Chanda

One of the main duties, if not the most important, of a Member of Parliament, is to effectively represent their constituents. Save for the occasional by-election, every five years Zambians elect one of their own to be their voice in the house of laws.

While this doesn’t necessarily mean these constituents expect their parliamentary envoy will agree or disagree with everything that comes to the floor, they do expect that these representatives will stand vigilant and firm, serve as their voice and champion their interests within the chambers.

However what we see is a group of absconders rather than representatives, a collection of politicians that, since President Edgar Lungu assumed office, wantonly abandons their legislative business in the name of protesting. This collection, of course, is comprised of the opposition UPND Members of Parliament.

Most recently, these opposition lawmakers have declared they will not support the Constitution Amendment Bill Number 10 that’s currently under review at committee stage. And yes, while they may choose not to support the bill, the manner in which they are going about this is troubling. In effect, they are running away from their duties, opting to stage a walk-out rather than engage in the institutional processes of legislative negotiation and debate available to them. Have they even read it? And if so, what is their major contention?

But we’ve seen this behavior before. While numerous MPs, civil society members and other stakeholders attended the National Dialogue Forum (NDF) that produced this Bill Number 10, the UPND, as a party, was notably absent.

So how can these MPs rubbish a piece of legislation whose resolutions they are not privy to? They have openly declared war against the process when it comes for enactment before the President signs it into law.

Reading a quote by UPND Sesheke MP Romeo Kang’ombe reveals that his party has agreed to frustrate the process potentially at directives of party president Hakainde Hichilema.

Kang’ombe is quoted as saying;

“We did not attend (the National Dialogue Forum) on the pretext that the parliamentary committee that sat and received recommendations from the general public informed the House that we shouldn’t go ahead, but the arrogance of numbers won. So, why should I go if the committee says otherwise. Should I go because the PF members of parliament have pushed their agenda? Even now, as they bring it on the floor of the House, all of us are going to walk out because we are listening to the bigger voice! And we start with the bigger voice and not the minority.”

Although Kang’ombe is new to this session, these tricks are not alien to Zambians. Their misconduct in the house is well documented. The speaker has even cautioned if not outright sanctioned these representatives. They caused a scene when President Edgar Lungu was elected and came to address the house.

In the name of toeing their party line, which is essentially an unyielding refusal to recognize a legitimately elected president, they once walked away on the Head of State but still wanted to get their sitting allowances. Understandably, they were punished. And they ended up apologizing. But it seems they never learn, or worse still, they are on a deliberate course to obstruct and frustrate democratic processes.

Indeed their leader Mr. Hichilema is an avowed obstructionist, and the legislators aligned with UPND are his loyal followers. Accordingly, they’ve undertaken the mission of derailing the progress of the Constitution Amendment Bill at his direction. But what else can their opposition to this legislation be if not gaslighting, distracting or political gaming?

If UPND legislators and party leaders feel that the Constitution Amendment Bill 10 features unwanted stipulations, then they should bring those grievances to the house and engage with fellow parliamentarians from both the opposition and ruling party. Otherwise, what grounds do they have to oppose the outcome?

After all, they stayed away from the NDF where they would have been part of the process and would have possessed considerable understanding of the issues at play. But no, they are lost and don’t seem to know what they are doing.

Look at their leader Hichilema. In one breath he is reporting to the Anti-Corruption Commission allegations of corruption while in another he tells his MPs to walk out on a disagreeable bill in parliament. Do these people have any sense of logic?

It’s clear that the UPND MPs are not representatives but absconders, politically-minded legislators whose supporters should seriously question a their role in parliament. You don’t run away from challenges, but face them by finding solutions and overcoming. This is the most basic social contract between citizens and their elected officials.

Walking out smacks of cowardice and an attempt to earn sitting allowances by false pretense. MPs are to be representatives, not recklessly self-interested absconders. The UPND must overcome their political inclinations and put their case on record. Absconding will yield nothing more than further insult and injury to the people they claim to represent.

The Author is Patriotic Front Media Director

HH’s full letter to the Anti-Corruption Commission on the 48 Houses Investigations

62
ACC Headquarters
ACC Headquarters

 

The Director,
Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC),
Lusaka, Zambia.

Dear Sir/Madam

INVESTIGATIONS ON THE 48 HOUSES

We wish to draw your attention to the above.

  1. Several citizens of our country including ourselves, indicated to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) that you needed to furnish the public with information relating to the identity of true owner(s) of the 48 houses in Lusaka’s Chalala area but to date, as an institution mandated to do so, you have not informed the nation on who owns these properties.
  2. On our part, we now have reason to suspect that while being in possession of all the requisite information relating to identity of the individual (s) who substantively own the said 48 properties, the ACC appear to have willfully withheld this information from the public for fear of political reprisals at the hands of powerful political power brokers.
  3. Thus, we wish to yet again challenge the ACC to salvage their institutional and professional credibility to function, independent of all political tinkering, meddling, influence or intimidation, to disclose the identity of the beneficial owners or person(s) in respect of the 48 properties, based on the information below.

4 BACKGROUND

  • We understand that the plot was initially owned by an individual of Asian origin and you know him.
  • We understand that this individual sold the plot to a group of people who subdivided the same and sold a number of plots.
  • We believe the 48 houses were built between 2012 and 2014 by this mysterious owner.
  • We understand that this owner has 30 complete houses and 18 incomplete houses. Out of the 30 complete houses, 29 maybe occupied.
  • We also understand that this same owner has 30 additional empty plots in the same locality.
    vi We understand that the lease agreement for the 29 houses are in the name of a Ndola based lawyer, who you should know.
  • We understand you interacted with the person who has been collecting rentals from tenants.
  • We are aware that these 48 mysterious houses are different from the 49 houses owned by a Politically Exposed Person (PEP) reported in the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) report of 2018 on page 18.

5 FORFEITURE AND CRIMINAL ACTION

  • We are aware that since 2018 you have issued two government gazette notices on the forfeiture of the said 48 houses.
  • We understand an individual from a named Ministry, through himself or a lawyer, has twice claimed ownership of the said properties.
  • We appreciate that the forfeiture was done as a civil action.
  • It is understood that right from the beginning, the owner of these properties intended to conceal both ownership of the properties and the source of the income used to build these properties. This was and remains a criminal act.

 

6 CALL TO ACTION AND CONCLUSION

  • From information above, we believe you know the owner(s) of these properties and we expect you to tell the Zambian people who this person(s) is and what action you will take.
  • Your failure to take immediate action raises a lot of suspicion on your ability to independently carry out your mandate. If you can fail to conclusively handle this simple matter, how about the 49 houses that have been cited in the FIC report as belonging to a PEP?
  • While this case of the 48 houses is still fresh, we now have the allegedly corrupt and illegal sharing of massive pieces of land by PF aligned individuals and government officials in the Forests 27 and 42. Can Zambians have confidence in your institution to investigate and prosecute those involved, especially that this land was allegedly shared among PF officials, PF aligned government officials and PF aligned senior judicial officers? This is reminiscent of the mafia-style of involving everyone in crime to ensure protection at every level.
  • We expect you to give the Zambian people confidence in the execution of your mandate without the obvious political interference. We, however, sympathise that the Acting Director-General of the ACC is new in the institution and may not be experienced in matters of such nature, but we believe that there are senior officers in the ranks of ACC who are capable of doing a thorough job. We do not expect the ACC to fall into the same category of those who are protecting criminals, as yours is to preserve resources that belong to the people of Zambia.
  • Further, we do not appreciate the statement of 7th August 2019 from the ACC Board Chairperson Judge Anderson Zikonda (rtd) as he was clearly meddling into operational matters rather than policy. This was a clear case of interference in operations as he is a political appointee.
  • The ACC should diligently serve the people of Zambia and not a clique of thieves and the corrupt. The ACC must live up to its expectations and mandate and that you should conclude this matter of the 48 houses without any further delay.

7  To emphasize, from the above, it is clear that you know the owner of these properties and the nation expects immediate action on your part to make public the relevant identity. The ACC should be reminded that Zambians are still waiting for the conclusion of your investigations on the FIC cited 49 (separate) houses owned by a PEP.

Yours in the service of our country.

Hakainde Hichilema
UPND President.