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President Edgar Lungu gestures to Chifunabuli residents on arrival at Mwewa Village with PF Campaign Manager for the Chifunabuli Council Chairperson elections Chipolo Mwale (r) and his Deputy Rodgers Mwewa on Tuesday, July 24, 2018 – Pictures By Godfrey Chikumbi/ZANIS
The Patriotic Front (PF) leadership in Mbala district has welcomed and supported the endorsement of President Edgar Lungu’s candidature for the 2021 general elections.
The PF officials registered their support when they conducted a solidarity march past along the President Avenue before gathering outside the ZANIS offices in Mbala today.
And speaking after the march past, Mbala district PF chairlady, Matildah Makungo predicted that President Lungu will win the 2021 general elections.
Mrs. Makungo said Dr. Lungu has exhibited good governance adding that the President’s vision is to transform Zambia into a better country.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Makungo has called for unity among PF members in all the wards, constituencies and districts.
And Mbala deputy mayor, Aaron Chungu said the PF is ready to face the opposition in the political field without fear or favour during the 2021 general election.
U.S. Ambassador to Zambia Daniel Foote says he is personally horrified with the sentencing of two men, who had a consensual relationship, to 15 years imprisonment for “crimes against the order of nature.
In a statement, Ambassador Foote says government officials can steal millions of public dollars without prosecution while political cadres can beat innocent citizens for expressing their opinions with no consequences.
He said poachers can kill numerous elephants, and sell their tusks, and face a maximum of only five years imprisonment in Zambia.
And the American Envoy says such decisions like the oppressive sentencing, do untold damage to Zambia’s international reputation by demonstrating that human rights in Zambia are not a universal guarantee.
He said such sentences perpetuate persecution against disenfranchised groups and minorities, such as people from other tribes or political affiliations, albinos, the disabled, lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgender and anyone who is deemed “different.”
Following the successful release of his debut album, “Songs of Love, Hope and Deliverance“. Ariel aims to end the year strong by collaborating with German Ragamuffin Chin Chillah.
Having shared stages since 2014 and appreciated each other’s arts, this song is the first official collaboration of the German raggamuffin and the Zambian soul singer. The outcome is an uplifting zouk and reggae flavored summer anthem dedicated to all the special people who made us who we are today and who we are yet to become.
Veteran Broadcaster Chibamba Kanyama has welcomed the appointment of Eng Malolela Lusambo as Director General of ZNBC.
My Kanyama who once served as D.G at the public broadcaster said Mr Lusambo’s appointment is a good one.
“Mr. Lusambo served as Director Engineering at the time I served as Director General at the institution. He was also my workmate at the time I first joined ZNBC as a broadcaster. During the time I was Director General, Mr. Lusambo used to occasionally act in in my place, signifying my total confidence in his acumen,” Mr Kanyama recounted.
“He was my main advisor on the Digital Migration process and remained so to my successor and Government. When I was leaving ZNBC, Mr. Lusambo was among the three names I submitted to the Board as possible successors even though the organization was going the open market for the new DG. I was very disappointed about myself when he did not get the position.”
Mr Kanyama described Me Mr Lusambo as a very quiet man who fights no one, a hard worker, disciplined and someone who has built a very solid team in the Engineering Department and undermines no one.
“I, therefore, urge all ZNBC staff to give Mr Lusambo the support he needs. I also implore Government to give Mr Lusambo space so that he can execute his functions freely with the sole guidance of the Board.”
He added, “Mr. Lusambo, I am very happy on your appointment. It will soon be an election year, meaning a lot of pressure in that office but remain professional and always seek the support of the Board. You will succeed.
Ministers- Katambo, Chiteme and Mwakalombe, PS Mushuma and Director Lishomwa, 21-02-2019. MNDP
The government’s response to issues affecting the agriculture sector should be a source of concern for every Zambian who has hope of seeing this country develop.
The people’s Alliance for Change is disappointed with the Ministerial statement issued to Parliament by Finance Minister Michael Katambo which did not give any hope to a farmer whose inputs have been withheld by agro dealers over delayed payment for inputs supplied in the previous farming season.
Like everyone else, PAC expected Mr Katambo to tell the Nation when the K374 million owed to agro dealers will be released but to our surprise, the Minister sounded clueless on when the money would be paid.
It is disheartening that a who has been mandated by the Head of State could shamelessly tell the nation that he is not aware when the money will be released to pay the agro dealers to ensure efficiency in the distribution of inputs.
We want to remind the PF in case they have forgotten that the reason why we are facing this hunger in Zambia today which has affected over 2. 3 million people, is because we had no rains leading to most farmers harvesting nothing. Why then should the PF create man made famine because of lack of Vision?
Should the PF fail to sort out these issues among them the payment to agro dealers, Zambia is heading for another food crisis created by the Patriotic Frong.
Farmers have prepared adequately and should be given the inputs on time to enable them plant.
Government should realise that agro dealers are critical in managing the e voucher system under FISP hence the need to pay them the money because failure to do so will spell doom for Zambias agriculture sector.
The ruling Patriotic condemned the attacks on Sean Tembo, Leader of the Patriots for Economic Progress.
Party Media Director Sunday Chanda says Mr. Tembo is a stakeholder in the affairs of this country and at 55 years of age, Zambia can and must tolerate divergent views including decisions taken by individuals in pursuit of their democratic participation.
“We all have a duty to guard jealously the democracy we have and commit ourselves to tolerance and the maturity to accept that we will not always agree but even under those circumstances, we must restrain ourselves from becoming personally disagreeable and violent”, he said.
Mr Chanda has called on members of the public with any information regarding Mr. Tembo’s assailants to cooperate with the Zambia Police.
He said the culprits must be brought to justice.
And All Peoples Congress Leader Nason Mson says the barbaric attack on Mr Tembo and his members is uncivilised and people behind it have no further business being in government.
Mr Msoni said no normal-right-thinking human being can do such things to another human being for merely expressing his opinion in a democratic society.
“We think that such criminal behaviour further strengthens the legitimate argument for regime change in Zambia and to bring all the perpetrators of such criminal violence to book”, he said.
Mr Msoni said his party will hold the PF leaders responsible for the criminal conduct of their members.
“Clearly, the perpetrators are sponsored and bankrolled by senior leaders of the PF who take pleasure with glee to see criminals inflicting maximum harm on a defenceless human being and drenched in his own blood. Shame”, he added.
Patriots for Economic Progress Leader Sean Tembo was yeaterday attacked by people he has termed as aggravated robbers along Cairo Road while they were undertaking their 13th peaceful protest against the $42 million fire tender which had full permission from the police.
The incident occured between National Milling and Farmers House where the attackers arrived on the scene in about three Toyota Corollas and were clad in black t-shirts and blue jeans, and a few of them had applied white powder on their faces, ostensibly as a disguise.
Mr Tembo said the attackers were about 12 in number and carried an assortment of weapons ranging from pistols to machetes and assulted PeP members who ran in all directions.
The protest followed the Party’s victory against the Zambia Police Service in the Lusaka High Court where the Court ruled that the Police had violated the Constitution and abused their powers in their previous attempts to stop the fire tender protests.
The Court also awarded the Patriots for Economic Progress a sum of K50,000 in damages plus costs of suit.
One person has died while another one has been evacuated to Livingstone central hospital after heavy rocks fell on them at Nkandabbwe Colum Coal Enterprises Mine Limited in Sinazongwe District.
Mine Manager Ketson Munthali confirmed that three miners were involved in a mine accident which left one dead, another one seriously injured while the third one survived with minor injuries.
In his briefing to Sinazongwe District Commissioner at the mine’s shaft two offices, Mr. Munthali said the accident occurred around 11:30 hours yesterday at mineshaft one when the deceased and two others were on duty underground the mine.
He identified the deceased as Stanley Bulongo aged 44, Trust Simulombela aged 39, who has since been evacuated to Livingstone Central Hospital, and the survivor Teddy Siakulya.
Mr. Munthali explained that the trio were hit by heavy falling rocks underground which resulted into the death of one miner.
He assured the bereaved family that the company will provide assistance in terms of requirements for the funeral until the deceased employee is buried.
Mr. Munthali added that it was unfortunate that life was lost in such an accident.
He said the mining company has been conducting safety talks every day with the miners before they go to work underground.
Meanwhile, Sinazongwe District Commissioner Protacial Mulenga has expressed sadness over the loss of life in an accident at the mine.
Mr. Mulenga has since called on the Nkandabbwe Colum Coal Enterprises Mine Limited to strengthen and intensify safety measures and regulations for its employees.
He said the company must ensure that miners are provided with protective safety clothing and sensitized every day before they are dispatched to go and work underground.
In another incident, police in Sinazongwe district have discovered a body of a female person.
The unidentified body was discovered yesterday around 16:00 hours in Nangombe ward around Siamfunde village.
The body was found in a decomposed state and will be buried today at the site where it was found because it could not be taken to the mortuary due to its bad state.
Police has since instituted investigations to gather details of the deceased and circumstances that led to her death.
PF Lusaka Province Chairman Paul Moonga has denied being part of the people that attacked leader of the opposition Patriots for Economic Progress Sean Tembo yesterday.
Mr Moonga has dismissed the allegations as false meant to tarnish his image.
Speaking on the Breakfast show on Hot FM, Mr Moonga said he has strong evidence to show that he was never on Cairo Road where the incident occurred.
Mr Moonga said he has numerous witnesses as he was in meetings with party officials to discuss the delimitation exercise of Lusaka by the Electoral Commission of Zambia.
In justifying his claims, Mr Moonga said he also had lunch with his wife and returned to the office without any knowledge of any attack on the opposition Leader.
He demanded that Mr. Tembo provides evidence to his allegations or that he will face charges of malicious and criminal defamation.
PEP President after he was attacked by suspected PF cadres
Yesterday a convoy of motor vehicles belonging to the Patriots for Economic Progress (PeP) was attacked by some aggravated robbers along Cairo Road while they were undertaking their 13th peaceful protest against the $42 million fire tender protest which had full permission from the police. This occurred between National Milling and Farmers House. The robbers arrived on the scene in about three Toyota Corollas and were clad in black t-shirts and blue jeans, and a few of them had applied white powder on their faces, ostensibly as a disguise.
Mr. Tembo said he was attacked by three assailants and he managed to identify two of them as Mr. Paul Monga, the Lusaka Province Acting Chairman for the ruling Patriotic Front and Mr. Reuben Banda, a well known Kanyama PF Cadre. The third assailant was not easily recognizable as he had applied white powder on his face. The assailants went away with his wallet which had K8,300 in cash, ATM Cards and his driving license . They also took away his two phones, an iPhone 8 Plus and an iPhone 7. Mr.Tembo was hacked twice in the head with a machete. In total, there were about 11 PeP Members who were assaulted.
Patriots for Economic Progress (PeP) President Sean Tembo
The Human Rights Commission has called on the Zambia Police Service to investigate and arrest the suspects in connection with the brutal assault of the Patriots for Economic Progress during a peaceful demonstration against the alleged overpricing of 42 fire engines in Lusaka yesterday.
The Commission has confirmed that the PEP President, Sean Tembo, reported the case of being attacked and robbed by some known and unknown people who were allegedly armed with dangerous weapons such as guns and machetes on Cairo Road in Lusaka.
Commission spokesperson Mwelwa Muleya said it is therefore expected that in accordance with the rule of law, the police will swiftly act on the reported crime in order to end impunity and lawlessness that has in the past resulted in grave violation of human rights such as deaths and injuries of victims.
Mr Muleya said the fact that Mr. Tembo reportedly provided the Police with names of suspected assailants should relatively make the work of the police easy in initiating investigations and bringing the suspected culprits to account through the due process of the law.
He said the Commission has engaged the police command to find out why there was no police protection or policing of the lawful public procession as required by law.
Mr Muleya said the Police have however, the police have indicated that there was a last minute advice to Mr. Tembo that the police was not going to be available to monitor the procession because they had a sudden commitment.
He said the Commission is deeply concerned at the growing and apparently justified public perception that the police deliberately and maliciously neglect or refuse to protect individuals with divergent or dissenting views in order to justify their routine violation of the right to freedom of assembly through the abuse of the Public Order Act.
Mr Muleya said the right to freedom of expression of divergent views and opinions is the foundation of a multi-party democracy and a pluralistic society such as Zambia, and the state has an obligation to respect and protect that right without any form of discrimination.
He has called for political tolerance, civility and respect for the rule of law and human rights.
Mr Muleya said those who commit crimes must be punished to avoid creating a fertile ground for impunity, civil disobedience and anarchy, which is inimical to national interest.
Nkana assistant coach Manfred Chabinga says there is never a holiday for them in the league.
Nkana are currently on a six match unbeaten run with four straight wins following two draws and quietly sit at number four after ten matches played on 20 points, four behind second placed Napsa Stars and eight adrift of Zesco United.
“Expectations are always high and even us as coach we know we have to give our supporters what they want which is what we are doing,” Chabinga said.
And this Saturday, Nkana face a big test against 2019 transitional seasons’ runners-up Green Eagles who crushed them 4-1 in Kitwe last term and 1-1 in the final leg in Choma.
Eagles are just behind Nkana at number six on 15 points from eight games with four fixtures in hand.
Agriculture Minister Michael Katambo has expressed ignorance on when the agro dealers will be paid the money owed to them for inputs supplied starting in 2017.
Mr Katambo says he is not aware when the Ministry of Finance will release the money to dismantle the K374 million owed to agro dealers.
Speaking in Parliament yesterday Mr Katambo said as of November 2019, government had paid K804 million to agro dealers leaving a balance of K374 million.
He said in a Ministerial statement that agro dealers are a critical stakeholder in the implementation of the e-voucher system under the farmer input support program hence the commitment by government to pay them quickly.
Mr Katambo has since called for patience among agro dealers saying government is working hard to clear the arrears saying engagements are ongoing between his Ministry and the Ministry of Finance on the release of money to pay the agro dealers.
Meanwhile Mr Katambo told parliament that government has engaged national suppliers to fill the gap created by agro dealers who have refused to give inputs to farmers.
And Mr Katambo said reports that some Ministers have companies that have been engaged to supply inputs are false.
He has challenged people making the allegations to provide evidence for their allegations.
Patriots for Economic Progress Leader Sean Tembo was yesterday attacked by people he has termed as aggravated robbers along Cairo Road while they were undertaking their 13th peaceful protest against the $42 million fire tender which had full permission from the police.
The incident occurred between National Milling and Farmers House where the attackers arrived on the scene in about three Toyota Corollas and were clad in black t-shirts and blue jeans, and a few of them had applied white powder on their faces, ostensibly as a disguise.
Mr Tembo said the attackers were about 12 in number and carried an assortment of weapons ranging from pistols to machetes and assulted PeP members who ran in all directions.
He said those who were driving the PEP vehicles on the convoy were pulled out assaulted and searched of all valuables including phones and wallets.
Mr Tembo said he was personally attacked by three assailants and he managed to identify two of them as Mr. Paul Monga, the Lusaka Province Acting Chairman for the ruling Patriotic Front and Mr. Reuben Banda, a well known Kanyama PF Cadre.
He said the third assailant who attacked him was not easily recognizable as he had applied white powder on his face.
He explained that after searching him, his assailants went away with the wallet which had K8,300 in cash, bank ATM Cards, Driving License among others and also took away my his phones, an iPhone 8 Plus and an iPhone 7.
Mr Tembo said he was hacked twice in the head with a machete and in total, there were about 11 PeP Members who were assaulted.
He said he together with those other injured victims were driven to UTH were they received treatment and was given several stitches for his wounds and was later sent home for security reasons.
Mr Tembo said he has reported the case of aggravated robbery to the Lusaka Central Police.
“Much as the two assailants that I was able to identify are well-known PF cadres, I would not like to rush and prematurely conclude that they carried out this aggravated robbery on us under the sanction of the political party that they belong to; the Patriotic Fron”, he said.
“However, as the days pass, we shall see how much appetite the Zambia Police will have to arrest Mr. Paul Monga and Mr. Reuben Banda. If the Police are reluctant to firmly enforce the law in this matter, then we can all conclude that this aggravated robbery on ourselves was not only sanction by the Patriotic Front but possibly by President Lungu himself because it is only President Lungu who posses the power to stall a criminal investigation”, Mr Tembo added.
He has given Mr. Paul Monga and Mr. Reuben Banda as well as their colleagues who attacked PEP a 72-hour ultimatum to return the goods, money as well as make arrangements for compensation of injured victims and damaged property.
Mr Tembo said all the citizens of Zambia reserve the right to take any and all measures necessary to get justice in this matter.
He said what Mr. Paul Monga and Mr. Reuben Banda must remember is that just like any other human being, they are made of flesh and blood.
Mr Tembo said PEP will continue with the 42 scheduled protests against the $42 million fire tender scandal.
“We shall not be pushed around by anyone whether in the Court Room or on the streets. When we decided to form this political party, we were very alive to the fact that Zambian opposition politics is largely dominated arbitrary incarcerations and physical violence. In this regard, we shall announce a new date for our 13th Fire Tender Protest, given that this one was disturbed”, he added.
Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo says no amount of insults from his political opponents will deter him from stopping illegalities in the allocation of land in Lusaka Province.
Mr Lusambo says he will soon issue a directive regarding the Munali school land which some people are contesting in the Courts of Law.
He said he will respect the court processes but will ensure that the school benefits from the land.
And Mr Lusambo says he will soon move in to demolish illegal structures built on the Lotus Primary school land.
He has noted with regret that land belonging to the school has been encroached by selfish individuals putting up structures.
Mr Lusambo said he will not allow lawlessness in the management of land in Lusaka and will ensure that all land belonging to government is secured.
He said the demolition exercise will be extended to all schools in Lusaka Province in order to protect the resource.
The UPND says the decision by the 64 former Ministers to seek the Court interpretation on the money they need to pay back for illegally staying in office after the desolution of Parliament in 2016 is abuse of the judicial system.
Party Secretary General Stephen Katuka has wondered why the former Ministers have chosen to go back to court on a matter that is clear and straight forward.
Mr Katuka said the Constitutional Court judgement was clear as it ordered them to pay back the emoluments they received while in office.
He has charged that the move is meant to buy time as the PF are determined not to pay back the money.
Justice Minister Given Lubinda announced that the executive is determined to ensure that the judgement of the Constitutional Court on Ministers who remained in office is implemented once the Deputy Registrar of the constitutional Court concludes assessment to establish how much should be paid.
Mr. Lubinda said after the assessment the debt collection department under the Justice Ministry will execute the order to recover the monies.
He told Parliament that he could however not state how long the assessment will take because that is up to the Constitutional court.
oach Perry Mutapa has set a modest target of helping Power Dynamos to survive relegation in the current campaign after being hired by the Kitwe side on Tuesday.
Mutapa, who has been handed a two-year deal, replaced fired Gaston Mutobo.
He inherits a Power side that is placed 13th in the Super Division with 11 points from 10 matches played.
‘It’s big appointment. It’s an honour; it’s a privilege to coach a team like Power Dynamos. We are just hope we will do our best,’ Mutapa said at Arthur Davies Stadium.
‘We know where we are coming to, Power Dynamos has been struggling but I think for this season the most important thing is to stabilize the team.
Just to stay in the Super Division it will be great. We are coming here because this should be a project,’ he said.
Mutapa admitted he needed time to restore Power’s past glory.
‘A project will take time for it to bare fruits. I know Power Dynamos are not doing well, I am not a coward but the most important thing is to keep this team afloat in the Super Division,’ he said.
Mutapa’s first match in charge is against Lumwana Radiants coached by his mentor Patrick Phiri.
