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Maize being Smuggled to Malawi
POLICE in Chipata have intercepted a Zambia Railways Limited (ZRL) train carrying 900 metric tonnes of maize which a Zambia Co-operative Federation (ZCF) official of Kabwe allegedly attempted to smuggle into Malawi.
Eastern Province assistant commissioner of police Christopher Kanema said in an interview yesterday that police have seized 955.75 metric tonnes of maize. The maize is believed to have been procured at subsidized prices from the Food Reserve Agency(FRA).
The trucks loaded with the bags of maize were intercepted in Chipata’s railway station where there were offloading the commodity onto the Zambia Railways wagons.
The Food Reserve Agency on March 12 botched another scam where 8 people attempted to steal 10,000 kg of maize worth 30,000 Kwacha.
Meanwhile Government has instructed mealie meal traders in Choma against selling the commodity to bulk buyers.
Choma District Commissioner Sheena Muleya said the shortage that was experienced recently was as a result of the bulk buyers who re-sell the commodity at the inflated price.
A check in most retail outlets the commodity was in stock with a 25 kg bag of breakfast going for K 76 and the roller meal was K70 while in other outlets the 25 kg bag was K80, and K82.
Ms Muleya advised the retailers not to sell more than five bags of the commodity to individual buyers because some were re-selling the commodity at an inflated price.
“ We have advised mealie meal retail traders against selling the commodity in bulk because that would deprive the majority of the citizens,” she said.
She said the bulk buyers should instead buy the commodity to Choma Milling plant where the commodity was at K70 per 25 kg bag.
The DC also had a meeting with the Company management where they said the low production of the commodity was as a result of the load shedding that the district had experienced in the last few days.
She said the Milling company had continued to produce the commodity despite the electricity challenges and advised them to come up with a working plan so that it continues with the production of the commodity.
“At the moment the demand for mealie meal is high and some may try to politicise this situation I would advise Zesco and Choma Milling to find a work plan so that they should continue with the mealie meal production,” she said.
She said the Company assured government that it would continue selling the commodity to its usual wholesale traders.
The Milling Company gets the more of it maize from Kalomo.
President Edgar Lungu is welcomed by Former Southern Province Permanent Secretary Gladys Kristafor at Harry Mwaanga Airport in Livingstone.
FORMER Southern Province Permanent Secretary Gladys Kristafor, whose husband Stan Kristafor endorsed HH in 2015 elections, has urged women in Zambia to rally behind President Edgar Lungu because of his genuine desire to promote and uplift women.
Ms Kristafor, who is one of the aspiring candidates for the Livingstone Parliamentary seat under the ruling Patriotic Front (PF), said there was need for females to support President Lungu he had a lot of respect for them.
She said it was historic in Zambia for the Head of State to reserve 40 per cent of all leadership positions to women.
Ms Kristafor was speaking at Linda Community School Hall in Livingstone on Wednesday during a PF mobilisation meeting attended by scores of ruling party officials from the Constituency and Wards.
“Only a person with wise heart and a genuine desire to lead the nation effectively can come out in the open to reserve 40 per cent of all leadership positions to women.
“There is nothing above a mother’s love and a woman’s commitment to see that her household is in order. I am therefore challenging women from every walk of life to take up this opportunity to rally behind Mr Lungu. As women, we should be proud of this position by the Head of State,” she said.
She said her party had started massive mobilisation of women and other voters in Livingstone to ensure that the parliamentary seat, which is currently being held by PF’s Lawrence Evans, was retained in this year’s elections.
“We want to mobilise many people and introduce a new generation of respect and unity in politics.
“There is an ongoing massive mobilisation going on in all the 17 wards of Livingstone. PF is a force to reckon that is why we are still seeing investments coming to Zambia regardless of the economic hardships,” Ms Kristafor said.
She said many people were currently being attracted to the attractive policies of the ruling PF.
“Many people have kept coming in numbers because they have seen substance in PF policies and programmes.
“They are encouraged to come to PF because of its good governance record and continued developmental projects agenda in the whole country. The agenda is making sense and we have seen the implementation of policies in line with the PF manifesto and Government programmes for development,” she said.
Ms Kristafor urged Zambians to be very patriotic and honest because they had seen what was happening in terms of development.
She said President Lungu, who was the first President in Zambia to appoint a female Vice President Inonge Wina, was committed to ensure Zambia moved forward in terms of development.
“Our President has begun a massive exercise where we are seeing massive infrastructure development such as roads, hospitals, clinics, schools and airports among others across the country.
“A nation cannot develop without roads and other infrastructure. Infrastructure is key in opening up rural areas for development,” she said.
She also urged Zambians to respect the Head of State saying she was tired of insults targeted at the President in the media.
“It is so painful and I have never seen the whole world where people are insulting the Republican President.
“Let’s have respect for the President whether we like it or not because he was duly elected. It is against Christian values or norms to insult a Republican President,” she said.
Lafarge Zambia in partnership with the Zambia Green Jobs Programme has successfully launched their affordable demo houses in Musamba, Chilanga showcasing unique technologies that will provide increased employment opportunities.
The demonstration houses have been constructed by Lafarge Zambia in partnership with Zambia Green Jobs Programme with financial support from the Government of Finland and technical support from the United Nations.
The launch held yesterday 30 march 2016 at Lafarge head office at Chilanga, was officiated by the Minister of Local Government and Housing Hon. Stephen Kampyongo, Ambassador of France to Zambia, His Excellency Mr. Emmanuel Cohet, Ambassador of Finland to Zambia, His Excellency Mr. Timo Olkkonen, Country Director of the International Labour Organization, Mr. Alexio Musindo, Chilanga District Commissioner, Mrs. Edith Muwana and Lafarge Zambia Chief Executive Officer Mr. Emmanuel Rigaux.
The Lafarge Zambia CEO commended both the Lafarge and Green Jobs Programme teams for coming up with improved technologies used to build the demo houses. He further stressed the need to resolving the financing element was crucial in meeting the affordable housing objective.
Speaking at the same event the French Ambassador congratulated Lafarge Zambia and Zambia Green Jobs Programme for responding to the challenges Zambia was facing with regards to urbanization, development and climate change by coming up with sustainable housing construction technologies. Ambassador Cohet also commended the Zambian Government for its commitment to the COP21 Paris Agreement signed in 2015.
The Finnish Ambassador to Zambia said his government had introduced new policy guidelines aimed at strengthening the private sector focusing on creating more and better jobs. He said the Finnish Government recently approved an additional financial contribution to ensure the successful continuation of the Zambia Green Jobs Programme.
And the International Labour Organization (ILO) which spear heads the Green Jobs Programme was grateful for the support they had received from both the Government of Finland and from Lafarge Zambia, in helping the people of Zambia get ahead in achieving their sustainable development goals.
The Minister of Local Government and Housing was pleased with the innovative technologies used in the demo houses being launched and commended Lafarge Zambia and UN Zambia Green Jobs Programme for coming up with a sustainable housing partnership.
“The collaboration of this project impacts many major sectors including construction, finance and manufacturing. It is also linking Medium and Small Scale Enterprises along the local value chain and facilitating their access to business development services hence creating more and better jobs, an objective that Government greatly welcomes”
The Minster said this in a speech read on his behalf by the Local Government and Housing Deputy Minister, of Hon. Nicholas Banda.
Two demonstration houses have been built one using Compressed Stabilized Earth Blocks (CSEB), while the other using Habiterra Blocks. Compressed Stabilized Earth Blocks consist of earth (soil from site) and cement that are then compressed manually or mechanically prior to curing of the blocks. Habiterra Block technology is a mortarless inter-locking concrete block system that can be used for residential,
House built using Inter-locking brinks by HabiterraL_R, Chilanga DC Mrs Muwana, ILO Director Mr Musindo,French Amb Cohet,Finish Amb Olkkonen, Lafarge CEO, Rigaux
Mrs Nawakwi
SCOTTISH National Party (SNP) Glasgow North Member of Parliament (MP) Patrick Grady has praised Zambia for peaceful atmosphere since independence some five decades ago.
Mr Grady said at Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) and SNP leadership interaction workshop on party mobilisation and poll management held at VNT lodge in Chipata yesterday that he was happy that since independence, Zambia has proven to be peaceful country.
“The good thing is that Zambia is peaceful since its independence on that part I am really happy,” he said.
Mr Grady who is also a member of House of Commons at SNP Westminster said politics of name calling and hate speech cannot win someone a vote in an election.
He said his party in Scotland managed to win 54 seats from six MPs because of engaging into constructive politics as well as following the party manifesto.
“Do not engage into personal attacks, name calling and criticism which such politicians cannot win votes but it is better to tell the people what we are going to do for them using party manifesto,” Mr Grady who is also SNP national secretary said.
Speaking earlier FDD president Edith Nawakwi said SNP was the governing party in Scotland and the third largest party in the United Kingdom.
Ms Nawakwi said SNP and FDD partnered in 2007 with the aim of exchanging visits that wo0uld enhanced the relationship between the two political parties.
“Originally the cooperation was anchored on capacity building of the FDD provincial leadership in various mobilisation and fundraising techniques,” she said.
She said FDD was a peaceful and matured opposition political party in the country so far.
Ms Nawakwi said her cadres would not be allowed to engage into political violence stating that her party was growing because of its peacefulness.
She said her party would continue promoting decentralisation so that when it forms government it could not labour in channelling developments to local people.
“FDD is become of peace and we shall not engage into political violence like other political parties are doing. I am a mother and I don’t want to see people fighting in my party or any other political party because it pains me,”Ms Nawakwi said.
She told the party structures that her party would continue advocating about peace ahead of the general elections.
She said the reports going round that she would be a running mate to someone were untrue because she was also looking for a running mate.
And FDD National Chairperson Women and Gender Angelica Rumsey and FDD spokesperson Antonio Mwanza said it was sad that some political parties were receiving rejects including engaging into political violence.
Ms Rumsey said Zambians should rise up and vote for Ms Nawakwi in the general elections.
The Scottish MP is accompanied by Head of Programme smaller parties office of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy Adele Poskitt and Moraig Henderson also from the Westminster Foundation for Democracy while Ms Nawakwi is accompanied by FDD National Chairperson Portiphar Chungu.
Dr Guy Scott at his residence
Former Republican Vice President Dr Guy Scott says remarks issued by UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema in 2013 that he was the most stupid white man did not upset him.
And Dr Scott says he does not have a grudge against President Edgar Lungu but insisted that the PF leader ascended to the helm of the party in an irregular manner.
Dr Scott who is also PF Lusaka Central Member of Parliament said he did not consider Mr Hichilema’s remarks that he was the most stupid white man as an insult because it was part of political talk.
The former Vice President was speaking at his New Kasama residence during a wide ranging live interview with Lusaka’s 5 FM Radio.
He said he found it normal to agree to work with the UPND in a partnership with the Democratic Front because there was no blood between himself and Mr Hichilema.
“That is just the language of politics. HH never insulted me, there was nothing to that statement that I am the most stupid white man because that is how we talk in politics. If i have a thin stick, I would be bothered because people will throw tomatoes at you all the time as a politician,” he said.
He added, “Elbowing each other is part of the game. I am sorry if I called them a small tribal party because they were also insulting. It is here today, gone tomorrow, it is not like a birth mark.”
And Dr Scott said he does not hold any grudges against President Edgar Lungu saying he enjoyed a cordial working relationship when the latter served under him as Deputy Minister in his office.
He also dispelled sentiments that he ordered then Acting Chief Justice Lombe Chibesakunda not to allow Mr Lungu to file in his nomination papers for the republican presidency.
Dr Scott said what he issued to Justice Chibesakunda was not an order but that he was merely reminding the Acting Chief Justice of the leadership situation in the PF at that time.
“The letter I wrote to the Chief Justice was not ordering her, it was merely warming her that there was a dispute over who was the dully elected PF President because I didn’t want a situation where two candidates arrive at the nomination centre claiming that they have been adopted and I needed to tell her that we had a problem within the PF,” Dr Scott said.
He added, “Some people in the PF were being hysterical that I would run away to the airport and go to Scotland because that is where they thought I came from. That was not true. What I wanted was for the constitution to be respected.”
“The only body that could select the candidate for the presidency is the National Convention and not the Central Committee or Members of Parliament or both, they were attempts to block this and I maintained that we needed to respect the constitution of the PF. That constitution was produced by Mr Sata with express instruction that it should not allow what happened to him during the MMD at Mulungushi Convention and FTJ drilled Sata and got a small number of NEC members into endorsement of Mwanawasa and Michael was determined not to repeat that in the PF and we had to ensure that the only body to elect a presidential candidate was the National Convention.”
Dr Scott maintained that the only election he recognises was the one which was won by Matero MP Miles Sampa.
“It is not that I have a soft spot for Sampa. He won the election fair and square and I recognise him as the person who won the elections. Edgar’s election was just a show of hands like it was U.T.T.A meeting with Nsanda and his Panga boys,” he said.
He said he blames the party Chairperson Inonge Wina for failing to provide leadership during the succession wrangles in the PF.
“I blame Inonge Wina and I think she went over her powers to allow the election to go on. As a party, we said we cannot destroy ourselves and I spoke to Miles and Bishop Banda and we managed to have them reconcile with Edgar Lungu,” he said.
The former Vice President also reiterated that he is not re-contesting his Lusaka Central seat.
“I will not run for Lusaka Central again because I will be going round the country to ensure that the DF and UPND alliance wins. I will devote my time to talking to the people across Zambia,” he said.
Asked on speculation that his wife Dr Charlotte Scott will instead contest the Lusaka Central seat, Dr Scott said the question should be posed directly to his wife.
“Ask her, phone her and ask her. She just stepped out. You cannot ask the husband, she is not my Chola girl.
He also revealed that he is in the final stages of writing his Memoirs.
“Yes I have been writing my Memoirs. I have been on a holiday for over a year remember and i have written the whole story up, from the time I met Michael through the Chiluba era and up to the time we started the PF. Time will come when I will retire because I am getting a bit old but at the moment there is no one to give advice to at the moment. I would like to sit back like Simon Zukas and KK and take a relaxed view but for now I have got work to finish. We have to remove PF out of power,” he said.
On the ongoing Maize shortage, Dr Scott said there is no way that the country could be having a maize shortage.
“There shouldn’t be a shortage, it is a pity that the Government is now commanding people to pay a certain price for mealie meal. It is only in Zambia where you have one price of maize for exports and another for local consumers. You can’t do that. Let’s learn to run proper free market otherwise the consumer suffers,” he said.
FILE: Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet Peter Kasanda (Kneeling) with Provincial PS Augustine Seyuba (left) pay a courtesy call on snr chief Kanongesha of the Lunda people at his palace in Mwinilunga.
Senior chief Kanongesha of the Lunda people in Mwinilunga district of North-western province has commended government for embarking on rural national electricity grid project to benefit his palace.
The Ministry of Energy and Water Development has engaged Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) to connect Mwinilunga district to Kamapanda area.
Senior Chief Kanongesha’s palace is situated in Lwawu area 50 kilometres away from Mwinilunga Boma.
He told Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) in an interview today that the efforts of government were now bearing fruit.
“My palace will soon be connected to the national grid and I commend government for this development,” he said.
The traditional ruler noted that the people of Mwinilunga district felt neglected in the past.
Energy Minister Dora Siliya recently told parliament that government has spent US$163 million on the electrification project that will connect North-western province to the national electricity grid.
This connection will replace the diesel powered thermal stations in North-western and Lukulu district in Western province.
Areas that will be connected to the national electricity grid are Mwinilunga, Mufumbwe, Kabompo, Zambezi, Mumbezhi, Chavuma and Lukulu.
When these areas are connected to the national grid, ZESCO will save US$8 million which it currently spends on diesel generators powering the province.
Meanwhile, senior chief Kanongesha has appealed to government to consider putting up more communication towers in his chiefdom in order to strengthen mobile phone signals.
He said that there were few towers in his area hence the need for the Zambia Information and Communication Technology Authority (ZICTA) to erect more communication masts.
He said people in his chiefdom are forced to climb trees in order to make a call.
But Minister of Works and Supply Yamfwa Mukanga said government will engage ZICTA to construct over 300 communication 2G and 3G towers in order to improve telecommunication services in the country.
The Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) has urged broadcasting stations in the country to be impartial in their coverage of political activities leading to the August 11, 2016 general elections.
IBA Board Chairman Justine Mutale said media houses should not be biased in covering political parties but should provide fair coverage to all the party leaders.
Brigadier General Mutale said the media play a crucial role of informing, educating and entertaining the public on issues such as the electoral process.
Brig. Gen. Mutale was speaking at a press briefing held at Mass Media complex in Lusaka today.
He said all media houses in Zambia should be professional at all times and avoid biasness.
And Brig. Gen. Mutale has said the authority was deeply concerned about threats and intimidations on media personnel and their guests.
He has since appealed to the police and other law enforcement agencies to protect journalists and other media staff as they execute their duties.
He further urged media practitioners to report any threats and perpetrators of violence to the police in order to protect the public.
Brig. Gen. Mutale also advised politicians and their party sympathisers to engage the authority when aggrieved instead of resorting to violent acts.
He additionally implored members of the public to report any mischievous behaviour or deed to IBA and other relevant law enforcement agencies within 14 days of the occurring of the act.
Meanwhile, the IBA board chairperson said some of the recent incidents of violent attacks on some radio stations were as a result of security lapses by the stations themselves.
Those that recently suffered violent attacks are ISO FM in Isoka district, Breeze FM in Chipata, Chikaya FM in Lundazi and Radio Mano in Kasama district.
“Any disturbance to a licensed radio or television station for whatever period, be it an hour, a day or weeks, is an infringement to the public’s right to be informed,” he stated.
There are over 70 community radio and over 10 television broadcasting stations in Zambia.
Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. Mutale has commended the political parties that participated in the peace talks organised by the three church mother bodies on Tuesday this week.
President Edgar Lungu was among the 18 political party representatives who attended the peace talks that unanimously denounced violence before, during and after the general elections set for 11 August, 2016.
Court bailiffs in Kalulushi have auctioned 36 herds of cattle belonging to a lawyer after he defaulted to pay K500 million.
This was when Lakeni Moono of Nkana Chambers failed to account for K500 Million due to be given to a Mr. Edson Mwanza as compensation to him from the National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA).
This is in a case in which NAPSA was accused of encroaching on three hectares of land belonging to Mr. Mwanza’s at Kitwe Kalulushi Roads Housing units.
Mr. Moono who was representing Mr Mwanza in the case as the lawyer and proprietor of Nkana Chambers of Kitwe, but failed to pay his client in full and only paid him K200 Million.
It was at his point that Mr. Mwanza dragged him to court.
Mr. Mwanza went for months without being paid and hence he decided to sue his lawyer.
On Tuesday, bailiffs pounced on Mr. Moonos farm and collected 36 herds of cattle and took them to Mr. Mwanza’s business premises at Umulu Pleasure Resort where the auction process took place.
FILE: President Edgar Chagwa Lungu greets First Republican President Dr Kenneth Kaunda during Zambia’s 51st Independence anniversary Celebration at Heroes Stadium in Lusaka on Saturday, October 25,2015 -Pictures by THOMAS NSAMA
President Edgar Lungu is this Saturday expected in Muchinga province on a two day working visit. President Lungu will grace the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Kenneth Kaunda Secondary School on Saturday.
The President will be accompanied by First Republican President Dr. Kenneth Kaunda. Muchinga Province Minister Mwimba Malama and Provincial Permanent Secretary Bright Nundwe have confirmed this to ZNBC News.
Kenneth Kaunda Secondary School has attained 50- years from the time the school was named at Dr. Kaunda. President Lungu will also check on some developmental projects in the district in the province.
Mr. Nundwe said people in the province are appreciative of the various developmental projects the PF administration is undertaking in the province. Meanwhile, Mr. Malama has urged all former pupils to contribute towards the refurbishment of the school.
The President is expected back in Lusaka on Sunday after concluding inspection of projects in the area.
Meanwhile, the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) in Muchinga Province has praised government for constructing and rehabilitating roads in the Province.
Muchinga Province ZCTU Regional Coordinator Nondo Kasanda told ZANIS in an interview in Nakonde that the union is happy that road construction such as the Nakonde-Mbala road has been successfully completed.
Mr. Kasanda said the road will help improve the lives of people working in rural areas especially teachers.
Mr. Kasanda said before the road was constructed, many teachers shunned working in schools along the Nakonde Mbala due to its poor state.
He said many teachers and members of the public faced challenges to travel using the road as public service buses were not available.
Mr. Kasanda said bus fares have since reduced from K150 to K50 from Nakonde to Mbala adding that traveling on open vans has also reduced due to increased number of buses commuting between Mbala and Nakonde Districts.
Mr. Kasanda has since appealed to government to quickly complete the construction of the Isoka/ Muyombe Road saying the project has taken long.
Meanwhile, Nakonde District Commissioner Field Simwinga has warned people vandalising the road signs on the Nakonde-Mbala Road of stern punishment.
Mr Simwinga said anyone found vandalising the road signs will be arrested and prosecuted.
The 180 million United States dollars Nakonde Mbala road was recently commissioned by the President Edgar Lungu.
Former Chipolopolo captain and defender Elijah Tana is confident that Zambia will qualify to the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon.
Zambia lie third in Group E with 6 points, tied with second placed Congo Brazzaville who have a superior goal difference, while leaders Guinea Bissau sits on 7 points after four matches played.
George Lwandamina’s side visit Guinea Bissau on June 3 in a penultimate Group E match before hosting Kenya in their final fixture on September 2.
“It is too early to rule Zambia out of the Africa Cup qualifiers,” Tana said from Chingola.
“We still have a chance. We just need to win the remaining two matches,” the Nchanga Rangers assistant coach said.
Zambia recently picked up just two out of a possible six points in their Group E qualifying doubleheader against Congo-Brazzaville.
The Rainford Kalaba captained side were held 1-1 by Congo at home in Ndola on March 23 before they fought back on March 27 in Brazzaville to finish by the same scoreline.
“We need to support the national team,” Tana added.
Zambia last failed to qualify for the Africa Cup in 2004 under coach Patrick Phiri.
As the Zambia National Students Union (ZANASU), the students unions’ mother-body in zambia, we wish to comment strongly on the voice byte circulating on social media where Hon. Chishimba Kambwili’ and Kitwe District Commissioner Chanda Kabwe’s conversation was illegally tapped into by unknown persons. We feel this has not received the necessary attention it deserved from investigative wings of government and must be condemned strongly.
Phone tapping is illegal because it infringes on the rights of privacy of private citizens and even more so a cabinet minister’s phone being tapped. We understand that cabinet ministers are under oath and whatever is discussed in cabinet is secret and privileged information and disclosing such is treasonable, hence tapping into their phones must be equally treasonable. This is very dangerous and criminal to the say the least, and it has left the majority Zambians wondering what sort of security and safety there is in our society. From which ever angle the tapping was done whether by security wings or just by people it must be stopped and those involved charged.
This is wrong and what type of country are we living in, where ones private conversation is not safe. There is no safety, even for business, because even banking transactions are now going mobile. The world is becoming mobile phone friendly for all sorts of transactions and yet we have no protection to counter such criminal offences. We allow such nonsense and wonder why people are being attacked and robbed, this will scare off even would-be-bank customers from using these mobile banking platforms.
We are even surprised that ZICTA through it’s PRO Ngabo Ndabo says that ZICTA doesn’t have the capacity to counter phone tapping. Surely, we demand that ZICTA must issue a comprehensive statement on whether phone tapping is a reality and whether they are pursuing this matter to find the culprits involved.
ZICTA must come out in the open and protect us the citizens from this criminal act, and must warn explicitly the mobile communication providers involved against these weaknesses in their system otherwise people will begin demand from govt for a fourth cellular network provider that is safer and addresses this criminality. We also demand that the telecommunications companies involved between the two in the conversation must come out in the open and tell the nation what transpired.
Zambia is a peaceful and safe investment destination and these criminal acts of phone tapping will scare investors from investing in a country were business conversations can be tapped into and shared on social media or one may be attacked on their way to bank or withdraw money. If this nonsense is not stopped soon we shall hear the President’s phone calls circulating on social media and what does that say about national safety and security of a nation. If this is allowed tapping will be extended to our security officers and that will be a mess on national security and stability.
It is indeed horrifying and regrettable that our investigative wings are not seen to be doing anything, it’s as though they are waiting for someone to go to the police and report. With this targetive and unprofessional online media platforms we must take a serious stance or else it will be you that is next. This call is not for politicians only but for all of us especially civil society dealing with human rights and freedoms because we are all not safe at all, we must call for enhanced digital security systems on these cellular mobile networks.
Lastly, we warn in the strongest terms possible all those involved whether it’s the intelligence with whoever authorised or private citizens, that they must desist from this criminality. Civil society must not allow our freedoms of privacy to be tramped upon by whoever wants to target people for whatever reason. We must not allow our country to degenerate into a policed state.
Football Association of Zambia Vice President Richard Kazala
Newly elected Football Association of Zambia Vice President Richard Kazala says football administrator Simataa Simataa is not in line to take over as FAZ General Secretary.
A report in the Times of Zambia today said Simataa was due to be appointed FAZ General Secretary today.
But in a statement issued by Kazala, the football governing body says it cannot appoint Simataa because he is still facing FAZ and FIFA disciplinary sanctions.
Kazala said reports that Simataa has been appointed FAZ CEO are false and do not sit well with the new executive which he said has well-meaning members of society who have respect for the FAZ constitution, collective responsibility, inclusiveness and good ethical conduct in the discharge of their duties.
“No acts that go against the spirit of consultation and team work and most importantly the FAZ constitution will be entertained,” he said.
Kazala revealed that new FAZ President Andrew Kamanga has not proposed any name to the Executive Committee as required by the constitution for consideration to fill the vacancy left by George Kasengele.
He said the Executive Committee firmly believes in the rule of law and will stand against any arbitrary acts which would be against good constitutional mannerisms and a betrayal of good will of the football fraternity.
“We would therefore like to the football family ignore and set aside rumours about any individuals being lined up for the position of General Secretary. Again, we would like to stress that Mr Simataa Simataa (named in the media) cannot be considered for this position because he faces FAZ/FIFA disciplinary sanctions and has no support of the Executive Committee,” he said.
Kazala said Simataa could not be disciplined by the previous executive because he withdrew his FAZ membership but upon his division to register with FAZ, sanctions will be imposed on him as per correspondence from FIFA.
South African hip hop heavyweight Ma-E, of Cash Time (formerly of Teargas ) has released his debut album titled ‘Township Counsellor’ on iTunes. Billed as one of the biggest albums of the year, the project features contributions from AKA, PRO, Maggs, Moozlie, KidX and Emtee.
South African blogs and hip hop fans are abuzz and eager to hear the album due the caliber of producers behind the album, most notably Zimbabwean Grammy winning producer Brian Soko who co-produced three of the records partnering with Tatenda Kamera(Mr Kamera), Choolwe Munyati (Wichi1080) and Emir Shakes.
Soko shared, “This is great history for South African hip hop, Ma-E is a legend out here and he always strives for perfection. I want to thank Kamera, Wichi and Emir who worked on three records we did, they brought their A game, these songs have been in making for quite some time so it’s fantastic to hear the final product. Ma E was very hands on and involved in every aspect of this album and we at Anashe are honored to have been able to assist him with his vision.”
Ma-E took to Instagram to thank the Anashe Media Group affiliated producers; Kamera produced track #7 titled ‘Lie 2 Me’ that features award winning artist AKA, Zambian producer Wichi1080 produced track #12 ‘Ok’Salayo’ that features award winning newcomer Emtee and finally track #14 ‘Uyangizwa’ was produced by Emir Shakes based in Malaysia a protegee of Soko. All three records were co-produced by Soko as he aims to continue building his music production platform under Anashe Media Group.
Follow the team on twitter: @wichi1080 @mrkamera @emiroshakes @beatsbysoko @anashemg @teamkamikazi
Zambian Voice Executive Director Chilufya Tayali
Zambian Voice Executive Director Chilufya Tayali has revealed that he was paid K10,000 by State House official Kaizer Zulu at the height of Mr Zulu’s corruption scandal.
Mr Tayali said the money was meant to assist the Zambian Voice carry out some advocacy activities for Mr Zulu when he faced investigations by the ACC bordering on corruption.
He also revealed that he has received money from politicians such as UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema and figures such as newspaper owner Fred M’membe and suspended DPP Mutembo Nchito.
Mr Tayali was speaking on Wednesday when he featured on a radio programme on Power FM called Power and Politics.
He explained that as a non-profit making organisation, the Zambian Voice receives donations from well-wishers to keep it going.
Mr Tayali however stressed that he cannot get comprised after receiving donations from individuals or organisations.
“Basically what we do is source money from everywhere. We are a civil society organisation and our role is to speak out. We have spoken out for many individuals in this country whom we feel have been down trodden and this is our work,” Mr Tayali said.
He said most Zambians do not have the right to question his conduct as Executive Director because they have never donated anything to the running of the Zambian Voice.
“People can talk all they like but when it comes to keep the organisation a float, Zambians don’t step up. I have to struggle to look for funds so that we can talk the way we talk,” he said.
He added, “I have no shame to say that yes Kaizer Zulu has given me some money, yes he gave me a ka 10 pin at that time he was facing those corruption issues and we spoke for him. We have done the same for HH and Ba GBM. HH gave me a ka 2 pin.”
Mr Tayali also revealed that he has now fallen out with Mr M’membe for undisclosed reasons.
“I used to be very close to Fred but yes we have not been in good terms because I am a person who speaks my mind and I told him off over something that he was pushing and this is why I do not get any coverage from the Post these days.”
PF Deputy GS Mumbi Phiri,
SOME Patriotic Front members of Parliament who will not be readopted in their constituencies on account of member rejection or under-performance plan to defect to opposition political parties so that they can try their luck on new party tickets, PF deputy secretary general Mumbi Phiri has revealed.
She has however said the PF would not adopt serving MPs who have lost popularity on account of having failed to perform in their constituencies because such candidates could only jeopardise the chances of the ruling party to retain power.
Mrs Phiri said the ruling party was also aware that a number of its MPs would in May after the dissolution of Parliament resign from the ruling party but has challenged them to leave now rather than later.
She said in an interview that the PF was not going to adopt unpopular candidates at both parliamentary and local government levels on ‘‘humanitarian grounds’’ and in the process ruin the chances of President Edgar Lungu’s re-election..
Mrs Phiri said the adoption process would ensure that only the best candidates were picked and that those who had made the PF unpopular in their constituencies should know that their time was up and they would not be considered.
‘‘I want to tell them to just go now rather than later. If you are not popular, you will not be adopted because we do not want to take chances and ruin our chance of retaining power. We are on top of things and we know that some of the unpopular MPs will be defecting to the opposition,” Mrs Phiri said.
And Mrs Phiri has charged that the PF would soon be taking action against former vice-president Guy Scott for having endorsed UPND president Hakainde Hichilema when he (Scott) was senior member of the party and central committee member. Dr Scott has however said he did not endorse Mr Hichilema but that his party, the deregistered Democratic Front (DF), supported Mr Hichilema.
Mrs Phiri said the PF was unmoved with the decision by Dr Scott to endorse Mr Hichilema because the former vice-president had always been against President Lungu.
She said there were many other people in the PF who had lost value to the ruling party and were only acting as excess baggage and should therefore leave the party and continue flocking to the UPND which she said had become a political dumpsite for rejected politicians.
Mrs Phiri said President Michael Sata (late) knew Dr Scott very well and never trusted him and that was why during the life of the late president, the Lusaka Central MP was never allowed to act as president.
She said Dr Scott was a bitter man because President Lungu started as his deputy minister in the vice-president’s office but that the Head of State kept on rising as Home Affairs minister, Defence and Justice Minister as well as the PF secretary general before being elected President in January 2015.2016 elections given greenlight
