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Sudan national team waiting for their transport at Lusaka International Airport when they arrived in the country for one week training camp ahead of hosting 2011 CHAN finals next month
2011Orange Caf African Nations Championship (CHAN) tournament hosts Sudan this afternoon beat Nchanga Rangers 2-0 in a warm-up match at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka.
Sudan are in Zambia for a one week pre-CHAN tournament training camp that began last Friday.
Sudan run out deserved winners after dominating the match against Zambia’s 2011 Orange Caf Confederations Cup representatives.
Rangers had better first half than second period inspired in the opening 45 minutes by veteran former Power Dynamos midfielder Ken Muma.
Sudan took the lead in the 22 minute through Badradin Abdella with an unstoppable shot from outside the box that left Rangers goalkeeper Rabson Muchele’nganga stranded as he tried to reach for the ball.
Abdella gave Rangers defence a torrid time throughout the game and was denied by either the woodwork or some brave saving from Muchele’nganga who is on loan from Power Dynamos.
Bakri Babeker wrapped up Sudan’s win with the second goal after outpacing Rangers defender’s George Chilufya and Gift Sakuwaha before rounding Muchele’nganga to make it 2-0.
Sudan complete their match schedule on Wednesday when they face Zambia Under-23 team at Nkoloma before heading back to Khartoum on Thursday for their final phase of preparations as CHAN host.
“The friendly was a good practice as we prepare to host CHAN. They gave us a good experience,” Sudan coach Mohamed Ahmed said in a post-match interview.
Electoral Commission of Zambia-ECZ- Chairperson Justice Florence Mumba has challenged former ECZ Director Dan Kalale to report her to relevant investigation wings on alleged corrupt activities.
Justice Mumba has been accused, together with other commissioners of single sourcing KPMG to undertake consultancy services on the confidential audit system review for the ECZ for the year 2008 to 2009, at a cost of one billion kwacha.
Justice Mumba says she will be happy if the investigations are constituted for the truth to come out.
She says Mr Kalale’s allegations can be investigated because actions that were taken are documented.
Justice Mumba was speaking to Journalists today-Monday in Lusaka.
Mr Kalale on Sunday said he was not consulted over the decision to single source KPMG.
Mr Kalale said he then reported the matter to the Auditor Generals office who directed the contract be cancelled.
He also called on the ACC and DEC to carry out an investigation into the matter.
Mr Kalale who has worked for the ECZ for 20 years received his letter of summary dismissal on Friday.
Meanwhile Workers at the Electoral Commission of Zambia today-Monday staged a work stoppage demanding the resignation of ECZ Chairperson Justice Florence Mumba.
The workers are demanding the re-instatement of former ECZ Director Dan Kalale.
The irate workers who stood outside the ECZ Headquarters in Lusaka, vowed not to go back to work until Justice Mumba resigns.
The workers also accused Justice Mumba of failing to improve the workers conditions of service.
They have told ZNBC News that Justice Mumba and all the Commissioners should resign because they are not capable of handling the forth coming general elections.
The workers have also vowed not to handle the Mporokoso By-election scheduled for March 3rd, until Justice Mumba quits and Mr Kalale is re-instated.
And Justice Mumba says the workers had the right to express their grievances and maintained that all their concerns will be handled internally.
Justice Mumba who was reluctant to comment on the work stoppage maintains that the operations at the Commission are going on normally.
Mr Kalale received his summary dismissal letter on Friday, January 21st.
Dismissed electoral commission of Zambia director Dan Kalale captured after addressing a press briefing in Lusaka
Father Frank Bwalya has suspected an MMD government under hand on the revelations by the former electoral commission of Zambia director’s revelations against the chairperson Florence Mumba.
Father Frank Bwalya suspects that the move ECZ former director Dan Kalale to reveal corrupt activities against Justice Mumba is meant to tarnish her name by the MMD.
He noted that the MMD government just wants a new person to head the commission so that they could manipulate this year’s election.
The change life Zambia executive director has, however, called on the stakeholders to move in at ECZ and arrest the situation.
He said that if the revelations by the former ECZ director are true, government should ensure that culprits are brought to book.
Father Bwalya said that the developments at the Zambia’s electoral body are of a great concern especially that Zambia will be under-going general elections.
He said that Zambia could not afford to have an elections regulator that is having questionable characters at this particular moment.
The Executive Director stated that Zambia needs to have an election commission of Zambia that is above board.
And Couthern African Centre for Constructive Resolution and Disputes (SACCORD) has called on government wings to ensure that the revelations made by Dan Kalale were investigated.
The organization’s information officer Obby Chibuluma said that the authorities should move in and help restore order at the commission to restore confidence in electorates.
Mr. Chibuluma noted that the failure to restore confidence at the commission would result in having questionable elections this year.
On Monday, former ECZ Director Danny Kalale made revelations that he was dismissed after he refused to allow KPMG auditing firm that was single sourced to carry out a one-week confidential audit at ECZ at a cost of one billion kwacha.
Mr. Kalale announced that he was going to report to the anti-corruption commission.
Meanwhile, the Zambia Youths Association in the Fight against Corruption (ZYAFAC) says Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) Chairperson Florence Mumba should be relieved of her duties.
ZYAFAC Executive Director Rickson Kanema said reports of corrupt activities believed to have perpetuated by Ms. Mumba are disappointing and that they are putting the credibility and integrity of the commission at stake.
Mr. Kanema said such reports could be just an ice tip of the many corrupt activities that may be happening at ECZ adding that the Law Enforcement Agencies need to investigate the matter urgently.
Mr. Kanema added the ECZ needs to have its sanity restored if the country is to have free, fair,and credible elections this year.
Mr. Kanema was speaking in an interview with QFM News this morning.
[ QFM ]
The opposition Patriotic Front (PF) in Eastern Province has acknowledged that the ruling Movement for
Multiparty Democracy has scored success in the education and health sectors.
PF Provincial Chairperson Lukas Phiri said a number of schools and health facilities have been constructed in various parts of Eastern Province.
He was speaking on a live radio programme dubbed Face the Media on Radio Maria Zambia this morning.
ZANIS reports that Mr Phiri observed that people no longer walked long distances to access health facilities which he said were only five kilometers apart in nearly all the districts of the province.
He also applauded Government for adopting community schools some of which have been upgraded to Basic Schools.
Meanwhile, Mr Zulu said once voted into power, the PF would adopt some of the developmental programmes that were initiated in the United
National Independence Party (UNIP) and those that were being initiated by the ruling MMD regimes.
He stated that the PF would reduce corruption to ensure that Government resources were utilised for developmental programmes.
Mr. Zulu also dismissed perceptions that the PF was a violent party saying the party did not encourage acts of violence among its members.
The incidence of Cattle Diseases in Namwala District in Southern Province have reduced owing to vaccination programmes government is implementing, senior Headman Shababwa has said.
And senior Headman Shababwa says the Farmers Input Support Programme (FISP) has reduced poverty among rural farmers and ensured food security.
In an Interview with ZANIS over the weekend, Senior Headman Shababwa of Muchila’s chiefdom said occurrences of animal diseases such as corridor has drastically reduced since the Department of Veterinary in the District embarked on a vigorous vaccination exercise last year.
“Normally at this time of the year we would have animal fatalities due to the problematic corridor disease here and thanks to the Government’s preventive measures we have not recorded any animal deaths to corridor,” said Headman Shababwa.
However, he called on Government to consider subsidising cattle drugs and construct more dip tanks to combat cattle diseases in Namwala District.
He also appealed to Government to rehabilitate Shababwa Dam to provide safe drinking water to animals in the area.
[pullquote]“Normally at this time of the year we would have animal fatalities due to the problematic corridor disease here and thanks to the Government’s preventive measures we have not recorded any animal deaths to corridor,” said Headman Shababwa.[/pullquote]
The traditional leader said the dam is the only source of water for livestock in area but dries up during the dry season.
And Senior Headman Shababwa has hailed Government for the FISP programme which he said has uplifted many people out of poverty in the
District.
He predicted that farmers in the area would produce more maize than the 2009/2010 farming season if the weather continue to be
favourable.
Meanwhile, Senior Headman Shababwa said President Rupiah Banda deserves another term in office because of the many developmental
projects he has initiated in rural areas.
He cited the rehabilitation of Mapanza-Moobola Road, the FISP programme, boreholes, schools among other developmental projects that have been implemented in Muchila chiefdom.
“ I just want to say that as villagers here we are seeing physically what this Government is doing to uplift us from poverty and I must say that nothing will sway some of us from supporting RB because what he has done in our area is there for all to see,” said Senior Headman
Shababwa.
File: 75-year old Besinati Zulu casts her vote a by-election
By Chanda K. Chishimba
Later this year, Zambians go to the polls to usher in a government, hopefully, of the people, for the people, and by the people. Political parties are going out in full throttle to solicit for votes from the electorates. Many promises are being made about which party will deliver the much elusive development to the poor Zambians. Some promises are tangible, but most are lip service. The choice that lies before the Zambians is whether to elect a party that prioritizes social-economic development or one which espouses security and tranquility. For most Zambians, poverty has been the main source of mistrust of politicians. Zambians yearn for a leadership that will represent their interests and not one that forgets about them after an election. Is this the year that Zambians elect, wisely, a leadership that aspires to bring development in all corners of the country, and not just in the capital city?
MMD
The current party in government boasts of having brought successful economic policies and democracy. The party has laid claim that it deserves more time in government to complete its projects. However, is this enough to win them votes in 2011? Electorates have placed huge expectations on the MMD for the simple fact that, they are the party in power and have all the instruments of power to bring about meaningful and tangible change in our country. Have they delivered according to the people’s expectations? Have they significantly reduced poverty levels, improved educational standards, uplifted the economic wellbeing of our people, and secured a peaceful and co-existent environment? Have the MMD provided a fair platform for all political players to air their views? How much of their manifesto has circulated to the electorate for them to make informed decisions? Have they lived to the meaning of their manifesto?
Numerous questions have been asked about the MMD government and its developmental achievements or lack thereof. Zambians have seen foreign investors flock into the country through the mining and banking sectors. Has all this foreign investment trickled down to the poorest Zambian? A reduction in inflation has been registered as well as a swell in foreign reserves, but these indicators have not brought increased savings for our people, they have not improved the livelihoods of the majority, and they remain figures on paper. Hospitals are dilapidated, roads are an eyesore, schools are run down, and we still have the problem of street kids to grapple with. Zambians strongly believe that their government has no excuse for failing to uplift the living standards of our people. We yearn for a true leadership that will deliver on their promises. As the party in government, we want to hear our leaders talk more about development, enlighten the majority of our people about their programs, involve as many ordinary citizens as possible in development, and not talk about impertinent issues every day. We do not need to know who is more handsome between Rupiah Banda and Sata. We cannot feed from such issues. Our current leaders in government need to focus on issues such as reducing the size of government, addressing the high Pay As You Earn (PAYE), corruption, political violence, tribalism, improving education, hospitals, roads, and creating a platform for all Zambians to secure a better livelihood.
PF/UPND PACT
As the biggest opposition political pact in the country, the PF/UPND Pact is expected to provide enviable opposition to the MMD. The Pact needs to show Zambians what kind of leadership they would provide if they managed to form government this year. The squabbles they engage in on a daily basis do not inspire the least of electorates. They need to explain to the Zambians what their manifestos will do for us. It is easier for them to pour scorn on policies of the current government, but this does not establish what they are really about. If the reason for the Pact is to oust the MMD from government, then their energies are misdirected. The Pact needs to go beyond petty squabbles and learn to provide leadership. How difficult can it be for mature individuals to fail to achieve these simple goals? The Pact needs to explain what economic policies they will employ to bring the country out of its economic malaise. The Pact needs to explain how they would address the never-ending constitutional amendments, which seem to gobble up billions of Kwacha. How would they approach the excessive powers enjoyed by the executive? Would the Pact rekindle the confidence that Zambians had in their government at Independence? Would they address why we have to send ailing leaders out of the country for specialist treatment when we have local hospitals in the country?
Every Zambian understands that development cannot be achieved in one day. However, our country is not one day old. We have been a sovereign nation for 46 years, yet we still wallow in poverty. The agitation for Independence has been rendered futile because of the actions or inactions on our part. We have destroyed the very fiber that could have enhanced our livelihoods. Surely, a country of 12 million people cannot seem to find a path to successful implementation of sound and progressive policies. It is so disheartening that leaders waste their time bickering over irrelevant issues. It is time that our leaders rearranged their priorities and focused more on tangible development. We are certainly tired of looking to a brighter future when we feel NOW IS THE TIME.
The United Party for National Development (UPND) on the Copperbelt has picked parliamentary candidates for the 22 constituencies in the province and has since stepped up campaigns for the 2011 tripartite elections.
Party provincial chairperson Elisha Matambo said the party had picked “serious and high-calibre” parliamentary candidates and was now conducting door-to-door campaigns to convince the electorate to vote for UPND in the elections.
Mr Matambo said in an interview in Kitwe yesterday that the party believed in reaching out to the people and explaining its manifesto to them.
When asked why UPND on the Copperbelt had decided to pick parliamentary candidates without involving pact partners, the Patriotic Front (PF), Mr Matambo said PF had equally picked its parliamentary candidates for the constituencies country-wide disregarding the UPND.
“Yes, we are in a pact but we can’t just sit idle and watch our colleagues making decisions like picking candidates for the 150 constituencies.
“We have to move and so we have picked the parliamentary candidates for the 22 constituencies on the Copperbelt. We have picked high-calibre candidates, not some of these MPs you see,” he said.
Mr Matambo said the party had also picked candidates for local government elections in all the wards in the province and was working hard to ensure that UPND emerged victorious.
UPND national youth spokesperson Joe Kalusa said the party was aware of PF’s manouvres and it had already adopted candidates for all the constituencies.
Mr Kalusa said PF finalised the processing of adopting candidates for the Copperbelt
Province last week.
“The meeting where the PF adopted the candidates for the 150 constituencies was held at the house of Kasama Central PF Member of Parliament Geoffrey Mwamba’s sister in-law in Lusaka. We know the manouvres of PF.
“The meeting ended at 02:00 hours and this is where they planned for a series of rallies. The Zingalume rally was the first one,” he said.
But PF spokesperson Given Lubinda denied that PF had picked parliamentary candidates for all the constituencies.
American based boxer Hastings Bwalya arrives in the country on Monday.
His trainer Ibn Cason confirmed early on Sunday from the boxers Las Vegas based that they will land in Lusaka on Monday morning.
Bwalya will be making his professional debut on home soil this Saturday since turning professional in October 2009.
The unbeaten USA-based welterweight boxer will fight Silas Mandeya of Zimbabwe in an eight-round non-title fight.
Unbeaten in six bouts, Bwalya will fight Mandeya on the under card of Esther Phiri’s world title fight against Lely Luz Florez of Colombia at Mulungushi International Conference Centre.
Men’s football today became the second sports discipline that will not fly the Zambian flag at the Maputo All-Africa Games this September.
Lucky Msiska’s team this afternoon joined Basketball in failing to qualify for the All-Africa Games tournament to be held in Maputo from September 3-18.
The Basketball team two weeks failed to qualify for the All-Africa Games after finishing fourth on two points from their four round robin matches at the Zone 6 qualifying tournament held in Pretoria, South Africa.
Meanwhile in the football qualifiers on Sunday, Zambia drew 1-1 with Zimbabwe in the preliminary round, return leg match at Rufaro Stadium in Harare to bow out 4-3 on aggregate.
Zimbabwe scored first through hot-shot attacker Denver Mukamba in the 26th minute to give his side a 1-0 lead into the break.
Zambia equalized in the 68th minute through Lewis Macha.
This will be the first time Zambia will have failed to qualify to the All-Africa Games football tournament after four successive appearances since 1995.
The team won silver in 1999 with late coach Ben Bamfuchile, finishing fourth in 2003 and 2007 under Peter Kaumba but failed to make it out of the group stages in 1995 in Zimbabwe.
Former ECZ director Danny Kalale speaking during a press briefing in Lusaka
Former Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) director Dan Kalale has doubted the authenticity of 2011 elections under the leadership of Justice Florence Mumba.
And Kalale has threatened to report Justice Mumba to the anti-corruption commission (ACC)for engaging an audit firm KPMG a contract to audit the ECZ at a cost of 1 billion kwacha.
Mr. Kalale told a media briefing this morning that the justice Mumba initially suspended him for refusing to allow KPMG a tender to audit the commission without following government tender procedure.
Mr. Kalale, who was fired last Friday has since called on the Anti Corruption Commission to take up the matter and investigate.
He said that the matter was brought to the attention of the auditor general who was upset with the ECZ chairperson.
Mr. Kalale said that the auditor general advised him to throw out the contract as it was irregular on account of contravesion of the laws of Zambia.
And Mr. Kalale has doubted the authenticity of the 2011 general elections under the chairmanship of Justice Mumba.
Mr. Kalale said Justice Mumba thinks that she knows how to run elections, when in fact she has little knowledge about it.
He said that justice Mumba has gone to an extent of frustrating ECZ workers at the commission thereby de-motivating them.
He wonders how the commission will prepare the elections with the kind of the working culture the chairperson has with ECZ staff.
He added that the decision to fire him is just a way of getting back at him.
United Party for National Development spokesperson Charles Kakoma (L)
THE United Party for national Development (UPND), among various stakeholders, have welcomed Government’s decision to suspend the Patriotic Front (PF)-dominated Lusaka City Council (LCC) for alleged irregularities in allocation of plots.
The MMD, the National Restoration Party (NAREP), Committee of Citizens (CC), Transparency International Zambia (TIZ), Leadership in Development (LID) and Southern African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) are among organisations that have agreed with Government’s action which will also include investigations on how over 100 plots were allocated.
They say that the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) should ensure that the law takes its course.
Out of 102 plots, the councillors got 45, with 10 of them to the mayor while the deputy mayor got five plots. Members of the public were allocated 11 plots.
UPND spokesperson Charles Kakoma appealed to the ACC to ensure that individual culprits are investigated on the alleged corruption.
Mr Kakoma said the law is very clear on how a person involved in corruption should be dealt with.
[pullquote]“It’s the PF and UPND councillors and members of Parliament who include Mr Lubinda himself that are running the Lusaka City Council, so what has he got to say about this,” Mr Nyangu said.[/pullquote]
He said, however, that it would have been better to suspend individuals implicated in the scam.
The MMD has said the ACC must investigate the matter and has demanded that the implicated political parties and individuals provide serious answers.
MMD acting national secretary Chembe Nyangu said: “The MMD would specifically address its demands to the PF spokesperson Mr Given Lubinda who is also the Zambia chapter chairperson for the African Parliamentarians Network Against Corruption (APNAC). We have mentioned Mr Lubinda because not only is he PF spokesperson, he has also been using his portfolio at APNAC to issue unnecessary criticisms and insults on the MMD and His Excellency President Rupiah Bwezani Banda in particular,” Mr Nyangu said.
He said the MMD is challenging Mr Lubinda to shed more light on his alleged corruption over land allocations and that of his party.
“It’s the PF and UPND councillors and members of Parliament who include Mr Lubinda himself that are running the Lusaka City Council, so what has he got to say about this,” Mr Nyangu said.
Mr Nyangu said Mr Lubinda should shed more light on the plots he has acquired since he became MP on a PF ticket in 2006.
“Can Mr Lubinda tell the public about the position he took during the council meeting which resolved to discipline two erring officials allegedly involved in fraudulent land allocations. Mr Lubinda should convincingly distance himself from the land scam,” the statement reads in part.
CC executive director, Gregory Chifire said it is disappointing that councillors in the PF-dominated council have allegedly allocated plots to themselves.
He said the CC is particularly disappointed that PF Kabwata MP Given Lubinda who sits on the APNAC did not discourage his fellow party members in the council from allegedly allocating plots to themselves.
“This just shows that the PF has no capacity to run the country. If they have failed to run the council how can they be trusted to run the national resources,” he asked.
Mr Chifire challenged the PF to tell the nation what action the party will take against its councillors implicated in the scam.
LID executive director Moses Kalonde said that in 2006 the PF-led LCC promised to change the face of city but it has failed to do so.
“They promised that within 90 days, they would improve the running of the council but today they are the ones involved in the alleged illegal land allocations,” he said.
[pullquote]“They promised that within 90 days, they would improve the running of the council but today they are the ones involved in the alleged illegal land allocations,” he said.[/pullquote]
He said the council has not contributed anything to the development of Lusaka.
NAREP president Elias Chipimo said the law should take its course and he appealed to the government to extend investigations of corruption to all areas of governance.
TIZ president Rueben Lifuka said the scam is of grave concern.
Mr Lifuka said it is also of concern that there was alleged false use of council resolutions by some councillors and chief council officers in the creation of plots.
He recommended for a broader probe into the land allocation by councils as TIZ believes such a scam could be a nation-wide problem.
SACCORD information officer Obby Chibuluma said that the suspension of LCC should serve as a warning to other municipalities not to engage in illegal activities.
Mr Chibuluma said in an interview on January 22 that the suspension of the council signifies bad leadership by the councillors.
He said members of the public expect leaders to be transparent and accountable in their operations.
Mr Chibuluma said councillors are supposed to exhibit good leadership by serving the people and not treating the council as a personal-to-holder institution.
“It is unfortunate such a thing has happened because we expect councillors to be accountable and transparent and not behave as if the council is a personal-to-holder institution.
“It is a good move taken by Government to suspend the council and let it serve as a warning to other councils not to engage in illegal land allocation,” Mr Chibuluma said. He said the said plots in Lilayi were supposed to be advertised to allow members of the public an equal chance to acquire them.
[pullquote]“It is unfair and unfortunate that ordinary members of the public who are the voters that put these leaders in office find it almost impossible to acquire even the small pieces of land, when those that are supposed to be leaders and service providers are busy sharing plots,” he said.[/pullquote]
Operation Young Vote (OYV) executive director Guess Nyirenda said the government should repossess the plots and advertise them for the public to apply for them.
Mr Nyirenda said the law-breakers should be severely punished to deter other councillors from possibly doing the same thing.
“It is unfair and unfortunate that ordinary members of the public who are the voters that put these leaders in office find it almost impossible to acquire even the small pieces of land, when those that are supposed to be leaders and service providers are busy sharing plots,” he said.
On January 21, Government suspended the LCC for 90 days with immediate effect for allegedly illegally allocating land to itself without following the law governing the allocation of land.
Minister of Local Government and Housing, Brian Chituwo who announced the suspension, has appointed Mr Solomon Finandi Sakala, the Copperbelt Provincial Local Government officer as the administrator.
“He who pursues righteousness and loyalty finds life…”
(Proverbs 21:21, NASB)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
Have you ever noticed that righteousness and loyalty go together? In other words, if we’re not being loyal — to our family, friends, country, job — then we aren’t going to experience God’s best. Loyal people are honorable people. When you’re loyal, you stick with someone through thick and thin. When you’re loyal, you keep your word — even if you get a “better” offer. Loyal people are respectful of their leaders. They honor their parents and defend their family. When you’re loyal, you are a person of integrity. You build trust and security in others.
Is this an area where you can rise higher? Can you be more loyal? Are you faithful in the things you’re committed to? Don’t let the distractions of everyday life keep you from pursuing loyalty. Look for ways to be faithful to those around you. Is there something you need to set aside for the sake of a loved one? Show your love by staying loyal. As you pursue loyalty and righteousness, good things will come back to you. Just as this verse promises — you will find that abundant life the Lord has planned for you!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Heavenly Father, thank You for the promise of life in Your Word. Show me any area where I can rise up higher in pursuing loyalty. Help me, by Your Spirit, to be more faithful and supportive to those around me. Let Your light shine through me as I pursue righteousness and loyalty today. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Newly elected Southern Province MMD Chairman Edcar Keemba has said he is determined to work tirelessly and turn Southern Province into a stronghold of the ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy.
Speaking to ZANIS at Garden Motel in an interview in Lusaka today after the official opening of the Lusaka Province MMD Conference, Mr. Keemba vowed that even if Southern Province was the strong hold of the United Party for National Development (UPND), he and his team were fully geared to go full throttle to convince the people in the region to support the MMD.
Mr. Keemba said it was detrimental for the people of Southern Province to always belong to the opposition for a long time, saying it was now high time the people of the province thought of joining the ruling party.
He further said, he would persuade the people of Southern Province to support President Banda’s leadership, for the province to benefit fully from the programs unfolding in the province.
“Southern Province cant remain permanently a spectator. I will work hard to convince the people there to support President Banda in the fourth coming tripartite elections”,said Mr Keemba.
Mr. Keemba said he was going to talk to all the traditional leaders in the province to find the way forward with regard to supporting President Banda.
Home Affairs deputy Minister Mkhondo Lungu (R) with Mr Richard Taima
Government says it has spent billions of Kwacha towards the construction and rehabilitation of various prison infrastructure across the nation, in line with the policies of government aimed at improving the conditions in prisons.
Home Affairs Minister, Mkhondo Lungu said this in Kabwe last evening during the senior prison officers’ annual ball held at Zambezi Source Lodge.
He said the Zambia prison services plays a pivotal role in contributing to the well being of the general public by reforming the wrong-doers.
Mr. Lungu called for an appropriate internal security system to be put in place for correctional and custodial services in an effort to ensure the improvement of the living conditions in prisons, in conformity with the United Nations standard minimum rules on the welfare of prisoners.
The Minister said, Livingstone, Kalabo, Luwingu, Monze, Mwinilunga and Mpima remand prisons were under-going rehabilitation, while the Mwembeshi maximum prison which was in the last phase was nearing completion, in an effort to decongest the prisons.
Mr. Lungu disclosed that K815 million was spent on the construction of a storage shed for the Zambia Prison Service at Chitumba Open –Air prison in Mumbwa District.
He commended the Service for maintaining the record of producing more food in the agricultural sector, resulting in considerable reduction of food shortages in prisons, adding that Government would render support to enable the Prison Service construct a milling plant, for proving reliance in food production.
He however, admitted that Government was aware of the challenges of under-staffing, under-funding and in-adequate transport faced by the Service, but assured that his Ministry was addressing the situation with the seriousness it deserved.
Speaking during the same occasion, Commissioner of Prisons, Percy Chato urged the men and women serving in the Zambia Prison Service to remain patriotic and loyal to the Government of the day as the nation goes to the polls this year.
Commissioner Chato warned that he would deal with any Prison officers found to be indulging in partisan politics.
“I am aware this is an election year and some Officers may be swayed into partisan politics, l would like to categorically state that, partisan politics will not be condoned in all prisons across the country.
l therefore urge all the officers to work professionally, remain diligent in the discharge of your duties, take a none-partisan stance and don’t fall prey to partisan manipulation,” he said.
