Former Chipolopolo midfielder Fwayo Tembo has officially joined Power Dynamos on a two year
deal.
He will be wearing jersey 7.
Fwayo who is a free agent has signed a permanent two year contract and reported for training at Arthur Davies Stadium today.
Fwayo who parted company with Astra FC of may feature for Power Dynamos on Saturday against Red Arrows.
Dr Scott was quoted at the weekend as saying Mr Mugabe was still President of Zimbabwe despite losing an election eight years ago.
Zimbabwean high commissioner to Zambia Gertrude Takawira said her office was not bothered by Dr Scott’s remarks because he was not part of the Zambian government.
“We are not bothered about the comments attributed to Zambia’s former vice president on Zimbabwe because he is not part of the Zambian government but our standpoint is that with the Government,” Ms Takawira said.
She said in an interview yesterday said that the Zimbabwean mission in Zambia learnt of Dr Scott’s disparaging remarks against President Mugabe from news reports and when Minister of Foreign Affairs Harry Kalaba dissociated Government from the former vice president’s remarks.
Ms Takawira said Zimbabwe would not comment on every individual Zambian’s comment as they have a democratic right to express themselves.
She however said Zimbabwe was pleased that the Zambian government quickly dissociated itself from the statement attributed to Dr Scott.
“As Zimbabwe, we learnt about the issue through the media but we go by what Minister Kalaba who dissociated Zambia from Dr Scott’s statements. We cannot comment on every individual Zambian’s opinion but what we standby is what the Government issued through the minister,” Ms Takawira said.
Dr Scott was last week quoted disparaging Zimbabwe.
“We don’t want this country to be like Zimbabwe. Why should we voluntarily become like Zimbabwe, where the President can lose an election and eight years later, he is still there,” he said.
But Mr Kalaba castigated Dr Scott and dissociated the Government from the sentiments he described as being in bad taste.
He advised Dr Scott to respect Zimbabwe as a sovereign state, which has managed its affairs since independence.
Mr Kalaba said he did not want Zambia to be misunderstood by its eight neighbouring countries with whom the country still enjoyed warm and cordial relations.
The Media Institute of Southern Africa has applauded the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) who coordinated the efforts of hundreds of journalists and news agencies from around in an investigation that has culminated in the release of the ‘Panama Papers – Politicians, Criminals and the Rogue Industry that Hides Their Cash’.
Attan Shansonga who served to as ambassador to the United States between 2000 and 2002 has been named in the Germany News Sudeutsche Zeitung which published hundreds of thousands of people including world leaders, celebrity athletes, FIFA officials and criminals hiding money anonymous shell corporation across the world.
The Panamanian law firm is regarded as one of the world’s most secretive companies, helped clients launders money, dodges sanctions and evade tax.
The Nerve Africa Online newspaper has published 18 african names that were found in Panama papers including Attan Shansonga.
Mr. Shansonga was arrested in 2002 amid an investigation into the diversion of millions of dollars out of Zambia when President Frederik Chiluba’s was in office.
Mr. Shansonga fled the country in 2004 and, two years later, was accused of receiving “misappropriated monies” and using offshore accounts to launder the loot.
In 1998, Shansonga became a director of Starflight Ventures Limited, Stacey Investment Holdings Ltd and Debden Investments Limited.
The activities of these companies were not revealed.
In 2005, Mossack Fonseca received court documents because it was the agent for Hearnville Estates Ltd., a British Virgin Islands-based company named as one of 20 defendants, including Mr. Shansonga himself, in a corruption case that the Levy Mwanawasa administration pursued in an English court.
The Panama Papers lifts the lid on how offshore companies are used by the global elite to conceal the ownership and control of assets and property worth billions.
“This is a most excellent illustration of journalism at its best, doing what it is intended to do by holding those in power to account. It is thanks to investigative reporters, whistleblowers and unprecedented international media collaboration that the matter is now in the public domain”, says MISA Chairperson Luckson Chipare.
The year-long investigation into a leak of more than 11.5 million financial and legal records, was undertaken by a reported 400 journalists from over 100 news agencies in more than 80 countries.
According to the ICIJ the investigation “allows a never-before-seen view inside the offshore world – providing a day-to-day, decade-by-decade look at how dark money flows through the global financial system, breeding crime and stripping national treasuries of tax revenues”.
This exposé continues to reverberate around the globe in its exposure of corruption and wrongdoing on a grand scale.
As reports unfold, as they are expected to over the next few months, we encourage the ICIJ project managers and journalists to continue their work in the public interest.
Police Spokesperson Charity Munganga has responded to a media query regarding reports that some popular local musicians have been picked up in connection with the George Compound Killings.
Mrs Munganga expressed shock at a story in a mainstream media alleging that five musicians were arrested and detained over human body parts.
“The story about musicians being apprehended in connection with the George killings is totally fake. It is very unfortunate journalists can go out of their way to publish a fake story without verification.”
The story alleges that Police arrested five musicians and detained them over allegations that they were found with body parts from the George Compound killings.
“As Zambia Police, we have not summoned, detained or apprehended anyone in connection with the George Killings”, She said.
There has been heightened media speculation and blogs have been frantic speculating who the alleged artist could be.
But the story has turned out to be false but was however, given credence because “a reputable” media organisation carried it.
“This however, does not mean that the case is closed but actively being investigated.” Said Mrs Munganga.
“We realise that this is a case of interest and should anything come up, the nation will be informed accordingly.” She said.
She dismissed allegations that Police had detained and released some artists as totally false and without foundation.
“If there are artists being mentioned, it’s totally unfortunate because at no time did we even summon anyone in connection with any murder case”.
She appealed to the media to exercise caution, responsibility and objectivity as such stories can cause tremendous reputation damage and physical harm to the mentioned.
“Please be factual in your reporting and don’t hide in anonymous sources to cover for your lack of professionalism.” Mrs Munganga urged.
SACCORD Executive Director Boniface Cheembe said it was saddening that despite the peace indaba the country continues to see violent communication among political leaders when they are supposed to be in the fore front of promoting peace.
“We are saddened that even after the indaba we continue to see violent communication taking place in our country. It is expected that all political leaders who attended the peace indaba would at least be in the fore front in ensuring that peace prevails in our country.
“We take note of the fact that if you want to lay blame there are at least two political parties that have been spear heading political violence namely the ruling PF and the opposition UPND but by and large the ruling party. Our expectation is that instead of engaging in a blame game let us all work together and ensure that what was agreed upon at the indaba is actually implemented,” he said.
He said it defeats the purpose for leaders to call on youths to be peaceful while they continue fighting.
“If we are going to call on the youths to be peaceful but at the same time going to call on our leaders to engage in fist fights then we are defeating the all purpose of peace.It is our hope that going forward we will see more non violent communication as opposed to violent communication. We believe that this will go a long way in ensuring that peace prevails in our country.
“Let us bury the hatchet, move on and ensure that we work together as one people working in the interest of the Republic of Zambia because we have a profound and biding faith in the country that we all love,” he said.
Mr Cheembe’s comments comes in the wake of continued hate speech and derrigotory language that has continued to be used by politicians despite their pledge to promote peaceful campaigns by ensuring that the remain civil towards one another.
THE Annel Silungwe Tribunal yesterday resumed sitting with suspended Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Mutembo Nchito, who is under investigations, indicating that he will call 30 witnesses to defend him.
The tribunal resumed after a two-week adjournment following an application by Mr Nchito to allow him time to prepare.
The State concluded its submissions about two weeks ago after which Mr Nchito requested for an adjournment to allow him prepare his witnesses as part of his submissions.
This is expected to be the last stage of the hearing before the Annel Silugwe-led tribunal makes recommendations over the allegations that Mr Nchito, SC, abused his authority as DPP in his operations.
Mr Nchito has been without legal representation at the tribunal after his brother, Nchima Nchito, withdrew together with the entire Nchito and Nchito advocates from the proceedings.
Sources have revealed to the Daily Nation that Mr Nchito has named 30 witnesses to appear before the tribunal in his defence.
The State closed its case at the tribunal on March 9, 2016 and only resumed yesterday on its final duration before it makes recommendations of its findings to the President who is the appointing authority.
Last year, President Edgar Lungu appointed the tribunal to probe allegations of abuse of authority of office into the conduct of the DPP, and was subsequently placed on suspension.
But Mr Nchito commenced court proceedings with the intention to nullify the tribunal and its operatives, claiming persecution.
But the Supreme Court in February 2016 ruled in favour of the proceedings going ahead and probe Mr Nchito. Again Mr Nchito applied through the High Court for judicial review to act as a stay following an application at the Constitutional Court against the proceedings of the same tribunal, but High Court Justice Petronella Ngulube dismissed it.
Ms Justice Ngulube threw out the application citing the defendant for “forum shopping” following several applications being made over the same matter in different courts, all against the Supreme Court Ruling that gave mandate to the tribunal’s existence.
Female rapper Bomb$hell released the highly anticipated video for her assisted single “The Burg”.
The video was directed by Qbick and Lawdak of N.X.T solutions
BY KAPA187
A WOMAN of Kitwe has told the Buchi local court that she was willing to tolerate her clergy husband’s promiscuous behaviour to save her marriage.
William Lengwe, 33, a pastor at Blessings Church in Mindolo sued for divorce after his wife, Hellen Lengwe, 26, caught him with a young church member at a guest house.
Hellen told the Buchi local court that the couple got married in 2011 and have two children.
She told magistrate Nsama Mutono that problems in their marriage started in 2013 when her husband became a youth pastor.
She said she used to find intimate messages on his mobile phone from younger women he congregates with at the same church.
“I used to find messages on his phone from different women from church telling him how they enjoy sex with him. One day, I was informed that my husband was at a guess house with a member of the church. I rushed there and caught him having sex with a church member,” Helen said.
Despite the heartache she had gone through, Helen, pleaded with the court not to grant the couple divorce because she had already suffered at the hands of William, adding that he was free to continue with his promiscuity.
William said problems in their marriage started when Hellen’s grandmother told him that he was a womaniser.
He said there is no peace in their marriage and that Hellen is very jealous and insults him whenever she sees him with a woman.
Magistrate Mutono granted divorce and ordered William to maintain Helen with K300 each month for two years and K200 for child maintenance.
(Dailymail)
UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema has challenged the PF government to tell the nation what actions it is implementing to lessen the burden on the people which has came about as a result of the county’s broken economy.
In a statement, Mr Hichilema said more and more analysts including international organizations are confirming what has already been established as major challenges afflicting the county’s economy but that the PF government seems to be clueless as to what mitigating measures to put in place.
He said there is reason for the PF government to continue waiting in putting up remedial measures to avert the continued detoriation of the county’s economy saying if your business is running a loss but you want to survive then you do not wait a month.
Below is the statement issued by the UPND President.
OFFICIAL STATEMENT
As the weeks go by and our President remains silent on what action he intends to take to fix our broken economy, more and more analysis and confirmation of our challenges comes from all quarters. The most recent projections include figures from the UK’s Economist Intelligence Unit that estimate real GDP growth will stand at just 2.8% in 2016 – the lowest level since 1998. Yet to date no one seems to be clear on the programme of action proposed by our government to tackle the slow down and reduce its negative impacts on the people, or if indeed there is any such plan.
We have all been rehearsing and dissecting the economic problems we are facing as a nation for some time now – they are no great mystery, and the important ones have been established, including power shortages, high inflation rates of over 20%, policy uncertainty and lack of confidence, prohibitive interest rates, lack of diversification and an education sector not well matched to the labour market demand. What we in the UPND are trying to say in reaction to this is that we can drive our own solutions. Together we can fix our economy and get Zambia back on track.
If your business is running a loss but you want to survive then you do not wait a month, a year or even longer to take action, but you identify the reasons for that loss and weigh up what you can do to address the situation. For example, if you are not selling enough fritters to make any profit you may decide that you need to reposition your stall to attract more passers-by, or perhaps you need to check the competition and vary your recipe to stand out with customers. What we have failed to see from the PF and President Lungu when it comes to managing the economy is anything beyond an occasional acknowledgement that business is not good today, this has been going on for too long now and talk needs to re-focus on solutions.
What we continue to call for is an urgent weighing up of the options open to us, and the launch of a decisive plan of action, timeline for delivery and expected results, as well as the names of those to be held accountable for implementation.
When resources are limited, as they are in our case, then planning becomes particularly important because prioritisation is the key to making sure a little investment will go a long way. These investments must go into areas that will have positive multiplier effects, and the plan must be made with an understanding of which areas we should tackle first that will then put us in a better position to tackle other problems thereafter.
Looking at the various economic challenges we face it is clear to us in the UPND that a big focus on supporting Zambian businesses to become competitive and grow is of primary importance. By supporting our Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) we can oversee accelerated job creation and by bringing inflation down then we reduce pressure on interest rates and can subsequently look to reduce these to the further benefit of business. Support must start with a clear and simple regulatory environment that is easy to understand and that keeps start-up and permit costs low. It must be followed with education and training initiatives and complemented with improved access to finance.
More broadly, policy certainty and confidence is an area that requires very little monetary investment by government, only vision, consultation and ultimately decisiveness.
Reforming our education system to better prepare and train students for jobs and business can also be achieved largely through consultation and collaboration with teaching professionals and industry. In the 21st Century we can also take advantage of the great advances in technology that enable us to deliver new tools and resources quickly to wide and remote areas, such as electronic textbooks and e-Readers. This is an area we want to invest in by cutting back on wasteful expenditures, such as frequent international trips with large delegations and endless by-elections.
Another area for investment, alongside local industry, has to be power. Investors have been pulling back from Zambia because of uncertainty and the continual changing of the goal posts by government. If we can confidently and decisively engage industry to tell them what projects we want to see, what incentives they can expect and reassure them of the stability of the terms of contract and rules of operation then investment will follow.
If the PF expects another five years in office then we must ask what is their plan and why have we never heard of it to date? We cannot continue to set ourselves up for failure by allowing uncertainty and external factors to overrun us without taking any action in response. What will be done today, tomorrow and the day after? If we want economic growth and prosperity then together we must take control of the reins of the economy and get Zambia moving forward.
Hakainde Hichilema
UPND President
The Nominees for the 2016 Zambia Music Awards have been announced . In the category of Best Female , 3 women have been nominated ; Cleo Ice Queen , Kan2 and Chileshe Bwalya.
Have a look at some of their work to help you decide who to vote for;
Cleo Ice Queen
OXYGEN
NINAKA
KAN2
LONELY
MUNGELI
Chileshe Bwalya
NALUBA
TEFYO NALI
To vote for your favorite goto: www.zambiamusicawards.com/vote.php
Voting ends on 22nd April.
BY KAPA187
Zambian Voice Executive Director Chilufya Tayali has called on President Edgar Lungu to call for a press briefing where he would offer policy directions on a number of issues facing the nation.
Mr Tayali said Zambia has now reached a stage where the President needs to intervene on a number of issues to give policy direction.
“We have seen in the past that, whenever the President speaks out on something, people jump, the markets including exchange rates are prompted,” he said in a statement.
He said while the inflation rate seems to have performed well in the last month recording 22.20 percent in March of 2016 from 22.90 percent in February of 2016, there seem to be a shrouded policy direction on other economic factors.
“There is a lot of speculations on fuel, mealie meal, fiscal policy, Govt borrowing and its repayment plans, loadshedding, national security as we go towards the elections, among other issues,” he said.
He added, “People seem to be anxious on what the future holds. The opposition, on the other hand, are taking advantage of the situation to feed people unverified or imaginative information.”
Mr Tayali observed that due to obscure information, the debates in the country are rather emotional because people are merely speculating.
“It is, therefore, imperative that the President steps in and put the country on the right course on policy for all citizens to follow.”
The XYZ Entertainment management have withdrawn Slap Dee’s unreleased ‘Black na White 2’ album from the 2016 Zambian Music Awards Nominations in the ‘Best Hip Hop/Rap Album’ category, The album is a double CD project and the first CD which was submitted to the ZMA Committee has not yet being unveiled to the public , that is according to the withdrawal letter drafted by the label manager ‘Harry Mwanza’.
Read the letter below:
STATEMENT BY ZAAP ON THE ZMA 2016
Zambia Arts Adjudicators Panel wishes to make a statement on the discussion surrounding the nomination of Slap Dee’s Black na White 2 in the Best Hip Hop and Best Album ZMA Categories.
The Panel of Adjudicators received the nominations of the album in question from the members of the public, and as is the procedure, the adjudicators looked for the album and verified with the artist and his manager concerning the release of the album.
The adjudicators were reliably informed that the album was released and a copy which I have with me here was availed to the Panel (judges).
The Panel therefore, wishes to thank the music fans and the media for the keen interest demonstrated in the ZMA. Please continue supporting the Awards. Allow me at this point to read the statement from Slap Dee’s Manager. (In the picture shown).
With this statement, the Panel wishes to announce that Black na White 2 has with immediate effect been removed from the 2016 ZMA nominations. Having done this, we wish to strongly caution artists and their managers against giving misleading information pertaining to their music works to the panel of adjudicators and the public. I thank you.
CHIEF Justice Ireen Mambilima has thanked President Edgar Lungu and the Patriotic Front (PF) Government for supporting and protecting the judiciary.
Ms Justice Mambilima said the judiciary was grateful to President Lungu and the PF Government for the steady and tireless support as well as protection.
She said her office had been concerned with delays in disposing of cases but she was glad to state that a number of interventions had been put in place such as the appointment of more judges and the establishment of more courts especially the specialised Divisions of the High Court and fast track courts.
Ms Justice Mabilima said this in Livingstone yesterday in a speech read for her by Judge Flugence Chisanga during the inaugural opening of the 2016 Sessions of the Industrial Relations Division of the High Court for Southern Province.
The Industrial Relations Court, which is now a Division of the High Court under the Amended Constitution of Zambia, has been launched in Livingstone to handle industrial and other labour related cases in Southern Province.
This means that the people in Southern Province will no longer be required to go to Lusaka for industrial and labour related matter.
The first circuit commenced in Livingstone yesterday on April 4, 2016 and the last one would commence on November 7, 2016 while each circuit session will be for a period of at least two weeks.
Ms Justice Mambilima said the first session in Livingstone symbolised the continued resolve in the implementation of the reforms in the judiciary.
She urged the judges for the Industrial Relations Court to rise to the occasion and ensure to dispose of the cases expeditiously despite of many challenges affecting the smooth operations of the judiciary.
“I have no doubt that the Industrial relations Division of the High Court will have a lot of cases to hear and determine in Southern Province.
“I say so in light of the fact that in the last three years, that is, from 2013 to 2015; out of the total number of 1, 806 labour disputes that were handled by the office of the senior labour officer, a total number of 740 cases were referred to the courts of law,” Ms Justice Mambilima said.
She said access to justice was one of the fundamental human rights which the judiciary was determined to uphold.
“We are all aware that Livingstone where the launch for the Industrial Relations Division is being done today is the hub of tourism in Zambia.
“As such, it has attracted considerable investment in the tourism and hospitality industry. Unfortunately, most of these disputes are not resolved by the parties ex-curia but are brought before the courts of law,” Ms Justice Mambilima said.
Ms Justice Mambilima also announced that plans were underway to construct a court building complex in Choma which would accommodate the High Court, Subordinate Courts and the Small Claims Court.
Speaking at the same meeting, Industrial Relations Court judge in charge Martin Musaluke said the achievement of bringing justice closer to the people in Southern Province would only be met if all stakeholders come together.
Mr Justice Musaluke said there was need for employers, employees, trade unions and the media in Southern province to come together and inform the public about the milestone of the opening of the Industrial Relations Division of the High Court in Livingstone.
“All labour and industrial relations cases in the province can now be filed and heard in Livingstone.
“With improved infrastructure and adequate funding, resident judge could be stationed here in Livingstone to exclusively deal with labour and industrial relations cases,” Mr Justice Musaluke said.
Southern Province Minister Nathaniel Mubukwanu said the presence of the Industrial Relations Court in the province would result in quick disposal of cases, reduction in the cost of litigation and access to justice by more people.
Mr Mubukwanu also said the Government had bought a light track for the judiciary to mitigate transport challenges.
Former Commerce Minister Felix Mutati has observed that the solar milling plants which have been littered around the country by government are more of decorations along roadsides as opposed to their intended purpose of playing a role in the reduction of mealie meal prices in the country.
And Mr Mutati says the PF government should stop playing with the lives of the people and deal with the challenge of escalating mealie meal prices and unavailability of the commodity.
Speaking in an interview Mr Mutati said it would have been prudent for the PF government to first deal with production of maize instead of setting up milling plants which are becoming white elephants especially in Northern Province.
He explained that there is no investment which begins with the end process before looking at the production side of the products.
“We have the issue of solar plants that have been littered all over the place. These things we were told are beginning to make a difference but the reality on the ground particularly on the Northern Province is that these things are not producing mealie meal so they are becoming more like decorations by the road sides.
“In any investment that you do you don’t start with the end process you start with the production so the concentration should have been on the productive capacity. How do we enhance the productive capacity of maize in order to have sufficient output to be consumed by our people.
“Now what we are seeing is a blame game that people are smuggling, that they are exporting that is purely an indication that at the level of management of the product we have a lot of gaps and my advise to government is let them get there act together because this is a serious problem which affects the ordinary person on a daily basis and we can’t play any more with issues of 1:lack of stoke and 2: hiking prices,”he said
He challenged government to explain to the nation why the country is facing mealie meal shortages when it has said that the stokes are enough and millers have also indicated that they have the capacity to produce more.
“Even during the last seating of Parliament we were assured by the Minister of agriculture that the country has enough maize stokes and that there was no cause for alarm, there was no cause for panic and that he had the whole act of both maize to be distributed to the millers and of stokes being available until the next crop.
So there are two key issues that remains unanswered whether the information that he was feeding into Parliament that is sufficient stoke is indeed accurate. If that information is accurate, where is the bottle neck in the distribution chain of maize to the various millers because the millers have indicated that it is not lack of capacity but lack of stoke,” he wondered.
© Lusaka Times
