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Twenty-two people have been arrested for violently trying to overthrow Chieftainess Shimukunami of the Lamba people in Lufwanyama district on the Copperbelt.
Copperbelt Province Police Commanding Officer Martin Malama has confirmed the arrests to ZNBC News in Kitwe and says the twenty-two, who were picked up last night, will appear in court soon.
Dr. Malama says more people may be arrested in connection with the succession wrangle in Lufwanyama.
And Dr Malama says calm has returned to the area following yesterdays riots.
He said the Chieftainess and her subjects are safe.
Villagers in the area gathered yesterday with a view to dethrone Chieftainess Shimukunami and replace her with the one who recently lost a court case in a succession dispute.
Dr. Malama said the man who is contending to be Chief Shimukunami, is on the run, along with his witch-doctor.
He also said the three police officers who were injured in yesterdays confusion are nursing serious wounds in the Kitwe Central Hospital.
The villagers also damaged two police vehicles.
[ ZNBC ]
A former MAHTANI Group of Companies lawyer has accused the Post Newspaper of having pecuniary interest to have Former Finance Bank Chairperson RAJAN MAHTANI restored to control Finance bank.
ZAHEEDA ESSA has alleged that the Post Newspaper is trying to avoid being exposed, as it owes Finance Bank billions of KWACHA.
Meanwhile, Ms ESSA has sued Dr MAHTANI for defamation.
Ms ESSA has filed a libel suit, following a Post Newspaper publication dated JANUARY 28, where it was reported that she had with-drawn her court testimony against Dr MAHTANI.
Ms ESSA has also sued the Post Newspaper and its two reporters CHIBAULA SILWAMBA and MWALA KALALUKA in connection with the same matter.
She says the article demonstrates that she has committed perjury by swearing a false affidavit.
Ms ESSA claims that she has been subjected to public ridicule.
She has said that Dr MAHTANI is a source of the story that allegedly fabricated that she had recused her court testimony.
Ms ESSA also accused Dr MAHTANI of being bent on destroying her political, professional and personal reputation.
She is claiming damages for the injuries the alleged libelous article has caused her.
Ms ESSA has also sought an injuction to restrain the Post Newspaper from publishing similar articles.
This contained in a statement of claim filed in the LUSAKA High Court.
Armed bandits have wounded a 30 year old business man and got away with his K13 million in Sinazongwe district in Southern province.
Hitran Siampeyo of Sinamalima area said from his Hospital bed in Maamba that six armed men stormed into his house at 24 hours yesterday and demanded to be given K46 million or be killed.
Mr. Siampeyo said he only managed to give them a K13 million and they also got away with his light truck vehicle registration number ABR 2733 which they later abandoned in Sinazeze area.
The Victim says while he was struggling to grab a gun from one of the robber the others hit him in the head and legs with an iron bar.
He sustained injuries on his head, a deep cut on his left leg, and failed to identify any of the robbers as they were putting on masks.
Maamba Hospital Superintendent Dr Chimika Phiri confirmed the incident adding that he would have to examine the victim before issuing a statement on the extent of the injury.
Sinazongwe police officers says they have launched a man hunt for six bandits who are believed to be from Sinazongwe or Batoka area.
The Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) in Sinazongwe has appealed to police in the district to intensify patrols and urged people in the community to report any suspicious people to the law enforcement officers.
Sinazongwe district MMD secretary Jeff Kayamba appealed to the business men to be taking their money to the bank rather than keeping it at home where bandits could take advantage of them.
On 25 January this year A 25 year-old woman survived gun shot wounds after three bandits stormed her home and store K13.5 million
Linar Mapeyo said the three gunmen who wore the mask beat up her husband Winter Mapeyo aged 33 and shot in the air.
She said in the process the bullet hit her in the left hand but she could not realize it until the bandits had left the scene of robbery.
Bharti Airtel Ltd. is allowed to buy out the minority shareholders who refused to sell their stakes in its Zambian unit, said Michael Liwelela, director of the country’s Securities and Exchange Commission.
“They have the right to buy off the remaining three percent shares under the companies law,” Liwelela said by phone from Lusaka, the capital. “If the minority shareholders are not happy they can challenge the decision in court.”
Under Zambia’s capital market regulations, any company that has over 50 shareholders must be quoted on the local exchange . Celtel has some 2000 minority shareholders who own roughly 3%. Last December, this minority shareholder bloc rejected Bharti’s offer of 710 kwacha ($0.15) per share.
According to reports, companies in Zambia are usually delisted if a single shareholder controls more than 95% stake. Bharti Airtel holds 96.36% in the Celtel Zambia.
Bharti announced on Dec. 24 it planned to delist from the exchange after increasing its stake to 97 percent from 78.9 percent. Trading in the shares was suspended on Aug. 18 after Bharti bought Zain’s African assets.
Accordingly, it remains to be seen whether Bharti will make a fresh offer to buy out the minority shareholders in Celtel having hit a roadblock with the Lusaka Stock Exchange rejecting its application to delist reportedly for procedural flaws.
Chief Executive officer of the exchange,Mrs.Beatrice Nkanza declined to comment on the commission’s decision when contacted by Bloomberg News by phone today.
[Bloomberg/Indiainfoline]
Protesters in Tahrir Square anticipate President Mubarak's address on February 10, 2011. Photo: courtesy AJE / EPA
By Dr Charles Ngoma
‘Until you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will.’ (Daniel 4:32 ESV Bible)
Just over 2,500 years ago, a powerful King of the then world’s most powerful kingdom heard these words reverberate through the corridors of his magnificent palace one afternoon as he proudly looked over the great city that he had built. The city’s ‘hanging gardens’ were one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. It was not long after this, his empire fell, over run by the neighboring smaller kingdom.
What has happened in North Africa in the last month is not new in the history of our earth. Kingdoms, empires, states have come and go. Some like the great Roman Empire have crumbled from without, worn down gradually by bruising attacks from the despised Barbarians. Others have been overthrown over night. Whichever way they go, it is clear that there is not one kingdom or State or system of government in human hands that will last forever.
However, what is strange about the ‘revolution’ that is taking place in the north of Africa and Middle (middle from where?) East, is that it was unexpected. Who would have guessed that in such a short time, the strong man of Egypt, Mohammed Hosni Mubarak would be gone! Here was a man who ruled with an iron hand and with the help of his secret police intimidated, killed and incarcerated many without trial. Many Dictators have very little to fear from their own people but have to keep their eyes skinned watching the events outside their borders and countering the rhetoric of Western democracies and media. Mubarak, yes, he may have heard a few uncomfortable words from Western leaders, but by and large, he cooperated fully with them, maintained a peace treaty with Israel and kept the dreaded Islamic brotherhood under control. It is possible that the Egyptians were useful to the Americans in their infamous ‘extraordinary rendition.’ The western intelligence machines had no clue that something like this was about to happen. It seems to me that when it comes to Arab geo-politics, the US and its friends tend to get the intelligence very wrong! Remember the ‘weapons of mass destruction’ that evaporated from the deserts of Iraq?
Nobody seems to know exactly where these revolutions in the Middle East are going. Israel has been quiet over the period and that is expected because Mubarak’s Egypt was an ally. If democracy does prevail in Egypt there is a strong possibility that a pro-Islamist government may be elected. This is what happened in Gaza when Hamas won the popular vote. Then there is Al Qaeda. People must not forget that Al Qaeda’s second-in-command is an Egyptian and Al Qaeda can adapt and change tactics very easily in order to achieve their desired end! What would that mean for Israel and its security? Perhaps Israel must revisit its sacred texts in which one Seer warned Israel 2,500 years ago not to rely on Egypt. This Prophet called Egypt ‘a broken reed’ and that is exactly what Egypt will be to Israel as it tries to lean on it. The time for Israel to ‘look upon Him whom they have pierced’ may be just around the corner!
In digression, let me just say that those in Zambia who are calling for such a revolution are not only misguided but irresponsible. Zambia is a democracy and the Zambian people have the power of the ballot to change government. There is no oppression in Zambia and there is not a single person in detention without trial. Indeed, the courts, notwithstanding what a few shout out, have acted freely without pressure from the Executive. No government is 100% supported by its people. If you interview selected members of the US citizens, you could go away with the belief that the Obama administration is the worst in the history of the country! Similarly you can select those who believe that this is the best ‘since sliced bread.’ The point however, is that all are free to cast their vote and abide by the decision of the majority. Those who are in opposition must sell their manifestos to the electorate and convince all of a better government and a better life. That is democratic politics.
Revolutions as they go are always unpredictable in the final outcome. In the last century we begun with the Russian revolution that ushered Communism into the world and within 50 years, the Communists were threatening to dominate the whole world. The dream came crushing down with the fall of the Berlin war! Capitalism is back on the menu and greed and materialism go unfettered. This is not time to rejoice, but time to seriously consider what exactly has happened in Egypt and Tunisia. There are several forces that can easily hijack a cause and use it in such a way that the later state is worse than the first! The world may rue the day that dictatorships fell in the Middle East!
Whatever has happened in Tunisia and Egypt, it is for those who wield power to understand that they have no monopoly to power. Sooner or later the power will be taken away from them and what remains should be a legacy to be proud of and not a bitter taste in the mouth at the mention of the name! King Nebuchadnezzar acknowledged that ‘the Most High rules’ and the Kingdom was given back to him and the overthrow was postponed until his son’s reign. Political Leaders must learn that the scepter is a borrowed one, and while they are at it, they must do all they can to better the lives of those they lead, because some day, the post will pass to another. Similarly, the most powerful nations must also realize that they will also not last forever. By the end of this century, there will be another super power on earth. It may be human, it may be super human, but it will definitely be different from what we know now! At the last, King Nebuchadnezzar acknowledged that there is a ‘dominion that is an everlasting dominion and a kingdom that is an everlasting kingdom.’ Blessed are those who belong to it!
File: Lusaka business man and former Finance Chairman with lawyer Mumba Kapumpa at Magistrate Court.
Former Finance bank chairman, Rajani Mahtani has been sued by his former legal counsel, Zahedah Essah.
Ms. Essah, who is also former legal counsel for Mahtani group of companies and finance bank, has also sued the Post Newspapers and two of its journalists.
Ms. Essah is suing for defamation of character over an article published in the post newspaper, January 28 2011 edition, titled DEC arrests, charges Mahtani with forgery.
In her statement of claim filed in the high court, Ms. Essah claims that the four jointly caused to be published the said article, which contained defamatory words, which have caused immense damage to her reputation and considerable distress to her and her family.
Ms. Essah claims that the article, alleging that she was offered immunity from prosecution, was false and was published with malice.
She says she was not pressurized or threatened or under duress when she signed an affidavit against Dr. Mahtani.
Ms. Essah, however, says she voluntarily went to the authorities to tell them the truth of the happenings in the Mahtani group of companies, finance bank and the wrong doings of Dr. Mahtani before November and December 2010.
She also claimed that all the anonymous sources quoted in the story attributed to Dr. Mahtani, are in fact Dr Mahtani himelf as it is he who drafted the initial story and he caused the two post Newspapers journalists, Chibabula Silwamba and Mwala Kalaluka, to use their bylines on the said article.
Ms. Essah has also explained that the post newspapers and the two journalists never bothered to verify the story or get her side of the story.
She is since claiming damages and an unqualified withdrawal of the allegations leveled against her.
[ MUVI ]
THE Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) has opposed the re-introduction of windfall taxes in the mines, as doing so will stifle the growth of the industry in Zambia in the medium and long term.
ZRA commissioner general Wisdom Nhekairo said this in Lusaka yesterday when he appeared before the Parliamentary Committee on Estimates chaired by Bweengwa Member of Parliament (MP) Highvie Hamududu.
“Objectively it is not good to impose taxes which risk suffocating the mining industry. Thus the re-introduction of the windfall tax on sales has the potential to stifle the growth of Zambia’s mining sector,” Mr Nhekairo said.
He said increasing taxes when other countries were not changing their tax systems would make Zambia uncompetitive in the area.
Mr Nhekairo said removal of windfall tax on sales would not necessarily lead to loss of Government revenue as the variable tax still captured any windfall gain that could arise in the mining sector.
“A fundamental economic argument is that low taxation is one of the key determinants for attracting foreign investment and, as such, relatively higher taxes especially in the form of windfall taxes on sales may be a major disincentive to long-term investment,” Mr Nhekairo said.
To inspire investment, Zambia needed a policy that was certain and stable with reduced risks to long-term investment decisions.
“Shifting policies within a short period of time may not inspire continued investments.
“The momentum with the current investment inflows into the mining sector need to be maintained as it has desirable forward and backward linkages such as employment creation and a guaranteed revenue stream,” he said.
He said windfall taxation of sales posed a threat on the profit realisation of some mines and could lead them to spending less on workers in terms of salaries through lessened Pay as You Earn (PAYE) to the Government.
“Moreover, variable profit taxation, by it being based on profit taxation, is administratively consistent with the current practices within ZRA.
“This notion of taxing super profits is currently applied in the financial sector and will be applied to the telecommunications sector as announced in the 2011 Budget,” he submitted.
Mr Nhekairo also said administratively, mining taxation was an immense challenge to even the most developed tax authorities.
The commission had since established a dedicated mining tax unit to ensure efficient and effective taxation of the mining sector.
Mr Nhekairo said there was need for continued support, both financially and materially, to enable the tax authority to keep pace with the complexities associated with mining taxation such as tax avoidance by mining firms.
Political Activist Dante Saunders has observed that the problems that have rocked the UPND/PF pact are being caused by the party members at lower organs.
Mr. Saunders says from the meetings that he held with both UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema and PF’s Michael Sata, it is clear that the two opposition leaders are still interested in the Pact and that all the wrangles in the pact were being caused by the leadership at lower organs.
The veteran politician says it is evident that some members of the two parties in the Pact are scared of losing their positions in their respective parties once the Pact leader is announced hence the misunderstandings.
Mr. Saunders noted that there is need for all the leaders in the two opposition political parties to reach a compromise and ensure that whatever decision they make is for the benefit of the nation.
Mr. Saunders added that there is need for the political leaders to prioritize the interests of the entire nation before their personal interests.
Meanwhile, Mr. Saunders has urged all the political parties to consider empowering the youths in their parties instead of using them to ignite violence during elections.
Mr. Saunders suggested that each political party should reserve at least 30 percent of their parliamentary adoptions for the younger generation.
He says this will help in grooming the youths for future political responsibilities.
[ QFM ]
The United Party for National Development (UPND) has intensified campaigns for party leader Hakainde Hichilema as presidential candidate in this year’s elections in a campaign strategy dubbed ‘HH 2011 Formula’.
Meanwhile, sources in UPND and pact partners, the Patriotic Front (PF) have hinted to the Times of Zambia that the two parties have spent millions of Kwacha to print campaign T-shirts and chitenge materials bearing portraits and symbols of the individual party leaders.
[pullquote]“Even if we are in the pact we still remain as individual parties until such a time that the pact candidate is chosen. There is nothing wrong with any of us campaigning,” he said.
[/pullquote]
UPND deputy spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa said in Lusaka yesterday that the opposition party had intensified its campaigns.
“In fact we are calling on all our supporters to go flat out and spread the good news of HH 2011. This is the year we have been waiting for, so we are intensifying our campaigns for Mr Hichilema,” he said.
Mr Mweetwa said there was nothing wrong with the UPND campaigning for Mr Hichilema because there was no pact candidate in place.
“Even if we are in the pact we still remain as individual parties until such a time that the pact candidate is chosen. There is nothing wrong with any of us campaigning,” he said.
Yesterday, the HH campaign team for 2011 was seen on Lusaka’s Cairo Road in a convoy of motor vehicles led by a Mitsubishi Pajero which had speakers mounted on it playing campaign jingles for the UPND leader.
Sources in UPND and PF confirmed that the two leaders had printed campaign materials.
The UPND source revealed that Mr Hichilema had since paid for the chitenge and T-shirts that were being printed in South Africa while the PF had some of their materials already printed and were being stocked at a house in Kabulonga in Lusaka.
The two parties that entered into a pact in June 2009 have failed to agree on, among other issues, a common economic and governance agenda for the country.
Last month, the UPND gave the PF a one-month ultimatum for the two parties to harmonise their manifestos with a view to come up with a common economic agenda but the PF has to date not responded.
The UPND has gone on to accuse the pact partners of being elusive and insincere.
Meanwhile, UPND youths on the Copperbelt have warned Zambians against voting for PF president Michael Sata and his members of Parliament (MPs) because they are allegedly violent.
UPND national youth spokesperson Ronald Manenga advised the electorate against voting for leaders such as Mr Sata and Roan Constituency MP Chishimba Kambwili because they had no respect for anyone.
Mr Manenga said in an interview in Kitwe that the PF leadership exhibited unacceptable behaviour and wondered how they could govern the country with such kind of behaviour.
He said he did not expect Mr Kambwili as an MP to use vulgar language against UPND members.
“We wonder what kind of government PF would be because all of them, starting from their leader to the MPs have vulgar language and beat up women.
“We will make sure Mr Sata does not go to State House because the PF behaviour is unacceptable,” he said.
Mr Manenga said the UPND on the Copperbelt would never support Mr Sata and his members, and accused them of resorting to insulting UPND members.
Efforts to get a comment from PF proved futile.
Last week, PF spokesperson Given Lubinda said he would not respond to queries from Times reporters.
Police in Kitwe have arrested two suspects in connection with the murder of a small-scale tomato farmer last week.
Shadrek Mukosha 29 and Robert Ngonga are suspected to have beaten the farmer to death, after a quarrel over his tomatoes.
Copperbelt Police Chief Martin Malama has named the farmer as Pascal Malaika 27 of Kakolo Farm Block in Kitwe.
Dr. Malama told ZNBC in Kitwe that the farmer sustained internal injuries from fists by the two suspects.
He said the cause of the fight between the farmer and the suspect has not yet been established.
But Dr. Malama said that it appears the two suspects wanted some tomatoes from the farmer, and when the deceased refused to give them some, they beat him up.
The body of the farmer is in the Kitwe Central Hospital mortuary while the two suspects are in custody at the Kitwe Central Police Station.
[ ZNBC ]
Government will soon commission five newly built district hospitals in Kaoma, Lumwana, Kapiri Mposhi, Mumbwa,and Kaputa.
President Banda said this in Lusaka Monday, when he commissioned the Fairview Hospital.
The President said government is determined to improve the health sector in the country as has been seen through the recent upgrading of five clinics in Lusaka, to first level district hospitals.
And President Banda says government has managed to address limitations in accessing diagnostic services in the health sector.
He says it is gratifying that owing to his government’s health policies, limitations in diagnostic services have become a thing of the past.
He said in the recent past, he has commissioned vital diagnostic equipment at various health centers, including the University Teaching Hospital -UTH- and other district hospitals countrywide.
And Fairview Managing Director Eric Ranbeloson said 40 Milion United States dollars has been invested in the hospital that has employed 180 local people so far.
Mr. Ranbeloson said the hospital will offer modern advanced medical services which will help the country reduce on evacuating people seeking medical services abroad.
Green Buffaloes this afternoon drew with visiting Mozambique club HCB Songo in an international club friendly played at Independence Stadium in Lusaka.
The draw saw Songo recover from Sunday’s 3-0 defeat against Zanaco played at Woodlands Stadium.
Today, Songo played out to a scoreless draw against Buffaloes.
There was very little in terms of major highlights with Morgan Hanjeema shooting wide of target from a Kennedy Chola cross in the 17th minute.
Fabrice for Songo almost gave the Mozambique club the lead eleven minutes from full time but his shot came off the post.
Songo are now scheduled to face Zesco United at the end of this week.
Meanwhile on Wednesday, Konkola Blades new coaching duo of Keagan Mumba and Manfred Chabinga will take their new club to Kitwe for a friendly match.
The Chililabombwe side will face Division 1 North side Mining Rangers at Buchi Stadium as Mumba and Chabinga get down to the business of preparing for their first season in charge at Blades.
Elsewhere, Nchanga Rangers and Power Dynamos final in the Nchanga Rangers invitational on Wednesday will be played at Nchanga Stadium and not Watson Stadium club sources revealed today in Chingola.
Fairview Hospital was officially opened by President Rupiah Banda yesterday
2.
President Rupiah Banda cutting a ribbon during the official opening of Fairview Hospital.
3.
President Rupiah Banda speaking during the official opening of Fairview Hospital next to Cell Z house.
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President Rupiah Banda during a tour of the Fairview Hospital after he officially opened it.
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Fairview Hospital's Neonatal Nurse Misozi Zulu welcomes President Rupiah Banda when the toured the institution before he officially commissioned it.
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President Rupiah Banda offering a plate of cake to Fairview Board Chairman Mr Andronikos Antonopoulos at the official opening the Hospital yesterday in Lusaka.
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President Rupiah Banda unveils plaque during the official opening of Fairview Hospital in Lusaka .
Three Zambian coaches will be up for some big first round tests in the next stage of this year’s Orange Caf Champions League this March.
Fighton Simukonda, Patrick Phiri and George Chikokola guided Zesco United, Simba of Tanzania and Young Buffaloes from Swaziland respectively to the first round of the Champions League.
Interestingly, Simukonda and Chikokola will come head-to-head in the first round with Zesco hosting Champions League debutants Young Buffaloes on March 19 on the Copperbelt.
And coincidentally, both Zesco and Young Buffaloes advanced 4-2 on aggregate after suffering similar 2-1 defeats in their away preliminary round, return leg matches over the weekend after earlier winning their respective first legs 3-0.
Meanwhile, Phiri will face the biggest test of them all when Simba take on CAF Champions League holders TP Mazembe of DR Congo.
This is after Simba eliminated Elan Club de Mistoudje from the Comoros who pushed Phiri’s side to the wire when they took a shock lead against their hosts before losing 4-2 away on Sunday in Dar-es-Salaam after drawing 0-0 in the first leg a fortnight ago.
Simba will surely be feeling the heat again after scrambling to qualify to the first round as they will be traveling to Lubumbashi in the first leg next month to face the 2009 and 2010 African club champions.
WEEK SCORECARD
2011 ORANGE CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PRELIMINARY ROUND RTN LEG
12/02/2011
Maputo, Mozambique
Liga Muculmana (Moz) 2(Manuel Mbarango 24″, Dario Monteiro 58″)- Zesco United 1(Portipher Zulu 37″)*
