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The November 25 Mayhem at DEC offices in Pictures
RB invites EU for 2011 polls
President Rupiah Banda has invited the European Union to send a delegation to observe next years general elections in Zambia.
President Banda has asked out-going European Union Head of Delegation Derek Fee to ensure a team of officers is sent to monitor the polls.
The President also described the year 2011 as a great challenge because of the general elections.
President Banda was speaking during the commissioning of the New Soweto Market in Lusaka.
President Banda has pledged that he would ensure next year’s elections are free, fair, and transparent.
He said that he wants all potential voters to freely vote for the candidate of their choice.
President Banda also asked Zambians not to allow anyone to engage in violence as the country nears the elections.
He urged Zambians to remain peaceful in order for the elections to be free and fair.
Meanwhile, President Banda has appealed to Zambians not to engage in excessive drinking during the festive season.
[ ZNBC ]
DEC seizes vehicles from SATA’s wife
The Drug Enforcement Commission- DEC – has seized two motor vehicles belonging to Patriotic Front leader Michael Sata ‘s wife Christine Kaseba.
This is in connection with the on-going investigations involving the 100 thousand United States Dollars transactions at Finance Bank.
The Commission has seized a Chevrolet and an Isuzu double Cab, both valued at 100 thousand United States Dollars.
DEC Spokesperson John Nyawali confirmed this to ZNBC News in Lusaka today.
Mr. Nyawali said the vehicles were taken to the D.E.C headquarters this morning by Mr. Sata’s drivers and lawyers.
He said that Mr. Sata, through his lawyers was asked to surrender the two motor vehicles which are a subject of investigations to the Commission after recording a second statement from him.
[ ZNBC ]
RB opens new Soweto market
President Rupiah Banda has officially opened the New Soweto Market in lusaka.
The President braved the rains to unveil the multi-billion kwacha European Union sponsored market.
Despite the rains in most parts of Lusaka today, the President officiated at the event, which was characterized by music and dance.
President Banda said that the commissioning of the market is a land mark achievement for all people because it is one way of providing development and growth to the informal sector.
President Banda also warned against discrimination based on political affiliation, at the market.
President Banda said the market should provide harmony and a peaceful atmosphere for all people regardless of tribe or political affiliation.
The President said 36 billion kwacha has been spent on constructing the market, adding that more such trading places will be built not only in Lusaka but other parts of the country as well.
Meanwhile, President Banda has directed the Lusaka City Council to remove street vendors following the construction of the new Soweto Market.
President Banda said the council should ensure that street vendors are allocated stalls in designated markets were space is available.
The President said this in Lusaka today when he commissioned the New Soweto Market constructed at the cost of 40 billion Kwacha, by the European Union.
President Banda urged those trading on the streets to co-operate with the city council and move to markets so that the streets can become safe.
He warned that those found trading on the streets will be pursued by the law.
And President Banda challenged the Media to educate Zambians on the need to trade in designated areas.
He said that it is unfortunate that traders have failed to occupy NAKADOLI market on the Copperbelt.
President Banda says although the traders face a lot of challenges, there is need for them to take up space in the newly constructed markets.
And Out-going EU Head of Delegation DEREK FEE said forty- billion kwacha was pumped into the market.
He said the New Soweto Market is one of the most modern markets in the region.
Dr FEE said construction of the market is testimony of the long standing relations between the EU and Zambia.
He hoped that the new market will contribute to the development of the informal sector in the city and the country as a whole.
And Lusaka Mayor Daniel Chisenga pointed out that the Lusaka City Council is working tirelessly to ensure that all markets in the city maintain high standards of hygiene.
[ ZNBC ]
First Lady Thandiwe Banda to Captain Golf team
First lady Thandiwe Banda is expected to captain the team of Ministers’ spouses that will play a fundraising Golf Tournament in Livingstone aimed at addressing the plight of vulnerable women and children in society.
The tournament is slated for December 19 at Livingstone Golf Club.Livingstone Golf club trustee, Frederick Mwendapole, who is part of the organizing committee said this morning that the high profile delegated tournament will be one way of promoting local tourism as families of team members will be encouraged to sample some of the tourism activities dotted around Livingstone.
Mwendapole said each team is expected to field in four players at K5million as participation fee.
He said letters of invitation have already been sent to the clubs vice-captain, Ireen Kunda, who is a spouse to the Republican Vice-President, George Kunda.
Mwendapole said the tournament would be characterized by dances,speeches, and other activities.
He said the income that will be raised from the tournament would gotowards the uplifting of living standards among the poor and marginalized women.
Participating teams would be mandated contribute towards the sponsorship of an advertisement slot of the tournament in the media.
Meanwhile Widows Association of Zambia member, Catherine Alinani said the golf tournament would help many underprivileged women in Livingstone.
Alinani said in every society in poor economies women and children are the most affected.
In spite of Livingstone being famous for its cultural heritage with an integrated composition of traits from the Tonga and Lozi traditions perpetration of Gender-Based-Violence (GBVs) and stereotyping against women is on rampage but most such cases have gone unreported.
Mansa DC orders Radio Yangeni to stop attacking Government through its news coverage
Mansa District Commissioner Chibwe Nsakasha has ordered Radio Yangeni in Mansa in Luapula Province to stop attacking Government through its news coverage.
Major Nsakasha alleged that in most cases, the news that was broadcast on Radio Yangeni was bent on destroying the Government system.
He argued that Radio Yangeni’s news reports concentrated much on negatives and less on the positive side of matters involving the Government of the day.
ZANIS reports that Major Nsakasha added that the media was there to inform the people on various developmental activities that were taking place in society and not to mislead the general public.
He further advised management at Radio Yangeni to be careful on the type of news reported on.
He advised the radio’s management to be mindful of the information which the reporters gathered and how reliable their sources were to avoid trouble.
Maj. Nsakashya was reacting to a news article which the Radio station aired on 30th November 2010 alleging that toilets at the District Commissioner’s office were in a bad state and not fit for use by human beings.
The District Commissioner wondered why such allegations were broadcast without getting a comment from him.
But when contacted for comment, Radio Yangeni Programme Manager Mumbi Mumbi argued that news articles did not contain any malicious statements that would injure the reputation of the District Commissioner’s office.
Meanwhile, Major Nsakasha has appealed Government through the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services to ensure that the contents of news of each radio station, is in accordance with their licenses and regulations.
ZANIS
Clinic construction starts in Kafue
Government has started the construction of a health post in Chisakila area of Chieftainess Chiawa’s chiefdom in Kafue district at a cost of K175 million.
Kafue District Commissioner Winford Ngoma disclosed the development to ZANIS in an interview in Kafue today. He said the construction of the health post is a great development for the area and people of Chisakila as they have to cover 40 kilometers to go to the nearest medical facilities in Chirundu and Kambale.
Mr Ngoma said government has since procured building materials and other requirements and, these are already being delivered to Chisakila area in Chiawa.
He said this is the first phase where the health post is being constructed and will be followed by constructing staff houses next year once the structure is completed.
Mr Ngoma noted that building of the clinic is an indication that government is keen on opening up remote areas of the district to development instead of leaving them remote forever.
He added that Government will not relent in its commitment to bring health services closer to communities thereby reducing distances of acquiring medical attention especially for expectant mothers and children.
And the District Commissioner has disclosed that preparations to commission three newly constructed health posts in Chikoka, Nakachenje and Kabweza areas of the district were underway.
He said the three health posts constructed with government resources worth K1 billion are now ready for operation and the ministry of health is finalizing the process.
Mr Ngoma further disclosed that nine health workers have since been recruited by the ministry of Health and these include eight nurses and one clinical officer to be deployed in the three health posts.
He expressed happiness that Kafue has benefited highly in terms of infrastructure development under the health sector.
Mr Ngoma said once the health posts are commissioned, residents in the beneficiary areas will now have medical services closer to their door steps.
ZANIS
Japan, reliable development partner-Kristafor
Southern Province Permanent Secretary Gladys Kristafor has described Japan as a reliable partner in the improvement of the Zambian economy.
Mrs. Kristafor said for this reason, the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) had become a household name in the country due to its involvement in various projects that uplift the lives of people, especially the underprivileged.
She said this during the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOVC) 40th Anniversary exhibition at the Livingstone Museum yesterday.
Mrs. Kristafor said through JOVC, Japanese citizens have helped in improving lives of the less privileged people in Zambia and many other parts of the world.
She added that Japan had also helped in meeting various human resource needs in the country.
The Permanent Secretary has since commended the Japanese government for its outstanding work ethics, which she said could help significantly, if adopted by Zambians.
And speaking earlier, Livingstone Museum Director, Vincent Katanekwa said Japan had risen from being on the periphery to the centre of the economic power in the world economic arena due to its hardworking citizens.
Mr. Katanekwa said the JOVC was aimed at promoting cultural appreciation and awareness between Japan and other parts of the world in a bid to build understanding and acceptance among different peoples around the world.
He said the promotion of cultural appreciation was a key ingredient in fostering world peace.
Mr. Katanekwa said the four Japanese volunteers that have been posted to his institution were working on the development of a computer based cataloguing system for the museum’s collections.
He said the system was being tested for computerization of the museum’s collections to facilitate the sharing of information among museums and research institutions.
He added that the system would also make the museum collections more accessible to the public.
Meanwhile, JOVC Representative Mitsuhiro Kimura said Zambia had a long and deep relationship with Japan which spanned over a period of 40 years.
ZANIS
RB to commission New Soweto Market
PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda will today officially commission the K36-billion New Soweto Market, undoubtedly the capital city’s nerve centre for all marketeers.
Local Government and Housing Deputy Minister Moses Muteteka said in a pre-launch interview in Lusaka yesterday that the Government was excited that the market would finally be launched as it was one of the ways to empower Zambians.
“This is a definite way to put money in the people’s pockets and we are so glad that as a ministry we have achieved such a milestone to give our people infrastructure they can use to better their lives,” he said.
After months of waiting and sometimes acrimony over the allocation of stands in the market, President Banda will today cut the ribbon to officially allow for trading in the 2,100 capacity modern market.
Despite the construction of the new market being over, the trading place could not start operating because of the controversies over stall allocations given the number of applicants.
The interest in the market is high given that as at March 2009, Lusaka City Council had received more than 10,000 applications from traders in the new market, constructed with the help of the European Union.
That should have sent panic into the traders who owned stalls in the old market and partly explains the high number of litigations over the allocations.
LCC public relations officer, Mulunda Habeenzu said in Lusaka yesterday that most of the court cases had been resolved outside court and that the stall allocation had been concluded.
“We are happy that most of the cases have been resolved outside court and now the stall allocation has been concluded,” he said.
Some marketeers spoken to yesterday expressed happiness with the opening of the market.
Regina Mwaka, a fish trader, said she was happy that the market was finally being commissioned.
[Times of Zambia]
Kitwe mayor under probe
KITWE Mayor Elias Kamanga is being investigated for abuse of office after he allegedly obtained K1.7 million from the council to buy suits for himself and another K3 million to dine and wine with some of his fellow councillors at a guest house in Kitwe.
Copperbelt provincial local government officer Solomon Sakala and Ministry of Local Government and Housing Permanent Secretary, Timothy Hakuyu confirmed receiving reports of Mr Kamanga’s alleged abuse of office.
Mr Sakala said he received a report from the council about the alleged abuse of office by the mayor. Mr Hakuyu was handling the matter.
“Yes, I can confirm that my office received a report that when Mr Kamanga was elected mayor, he got K1.7 million to buy himself suits and later took some of his colleagues to wine and dine at Shebourne Guest House in Kitwe where they spent K3 million, but I can’t say much because Mr Hakuyu is handling it,” Mr Sakala said.
Mr Hakuyu said he had received a copy of the report and was cross-checking it with the town clerk to establish under which circumstances the mayor received the money.
“I can confirm receiving a copy of that report but what I usually do, when I receive such kind of reports, I normally cross-check. I want to know under which circumstances he got the money,” Mr Hakuyu said.
When contacted, Mr Kamanga, who is opposition Patriotic Front Bupe Ward councillor, said he could not comment on the matter.
Some documents availed to the Times in Kitwe and signed by Brighton Mbaimbai, who was then acting town clerk, and Mr Kamanga confirmed the latter’s request for the said money.
[Times of Zambia]
Zambia remains poor amid economic progress – Prof Seshamani
A University of Zambia (UNZA) professor says there is need for the government to realize that despite Zambia making economic strides in the past decade, the country remains one of the poorest nations in the world.
Professor Vankentesh Seshamani who is a lecturer in the school of Economics says it is important not to lose sight of the country’s poor status when analyzing public policies especially at a time when the country wants to attain the middle income status.
Professor Seshamani says according to the United Nations, Zambia is classified among the least developed nations whose economies are vulnerable in the world.
He says it is not easy for the country to shrug off characteristics of vulnerability adding that this needs concerted efforts and political will from the leadership in graduating Zambia into more than a middle income status nation.
The professor has further said that in the past 15 years, Botswana and Kenya have graduated from least developed countries status adding that Zambia has to aim at achieving genuine development rather than the middle income status.
QFM
Litunga ready to discuss Barotse Agreement
THE Litunga of the Lozi people of Western Province is ready to engage the Government on issues surrounding the Barotse Agreement, provincial Minister Richard Mwapela has said.
Mr Mwapela said in a telephone interview from Mongu yesterday he had met the Litunga who advised the Government and the Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE) should discuss the matter.
He said the Government should constitute a commission of inquiry that should go round the province to collect views from the people and engage the BRE on the 1964 Barotse Agreement.
“I met the Litunga as provincial minister and he advised we should engage the BRE as Government. “The issue of cessation is out, but Government must constitute a commission of inquiry so that it can go round the province to collect views from the people,” he said.
And Chisamba Member of Parliament (MP) Moses Muteteka has advised his colleagues from Western Province to consult with the Litunga and the BRE in order to resolve the impasse over the Barotse Agreement.
Mr Muteteka said as representatives of the people of Western Province, the MPs should immediately seek audience with the Litunga so that the matter could be resolved.
“Just as a citizen I feel that the MPs from Western Province should immediately seek audience with the Litunga because they are elected representatives of the people of the province,” he said.
Mr Muteteka, who is Local Government and Housing Deputy Minister, said it was unfortunate that Patriotic Front leader Michael Sata was trying to use the agreement to gain political mileage.
He wondered why emotions around the Barotse Agreement were being stirred now, when the matter had long been closed.
[Times of Zambia]
King Julian of Wikidascar: Why Wikileak’s Cablegate is just ridiculous
By Elias Munshya wa Munshya
One of the most comedic characters of the movie Madagascar is the self-proclaimed Sovereign of the Madagascan wildlife, King Julian. In real life, however, we have another King Julian. This time it is Julian Assange, an Australian who styles himself as the king of “holding governments accountable.” In fact the motto of his wikileaks organisation is “open government.” He says that he is fighting for open governments all over the world. Wikileaks has indeed, as a whistleblowing website, been instrument in exposing American government corruption. It had been instrumental in pointing out specific matters of government cover-ups in its operations. It was quite instrumental in exposing the fact that the Apache helicopters deliberately killed Iraq civilians in the long running Iraq war. Those efforts at exposing specific government corruption and cover-ups are commendable and should be encouraged. But the latest episode, which wikileaks has dubbed “Cablegate” is ridiculous and should be condemned by all. This is for several reasons.
First, the so called Cablegate betrays the function and role of legitimate whistleblowing. Whistleblowing is an activity that should be directed towards specific illegal matters that a government or any government body engaged in. However, with the latest 251,000 cables are not explicitly revealing any specific corruption. In fact, the major driving force behind the cables is simply to leak them because King Julian can. In the context of Zambia, we need whistleblowers to expose corruption at State House and in ministries. But such exposition must be specific. It would be ridiculous for someone to leak thousands of files of government communication, simply because they can.
Second, King Julian is wrong because his Cablegate has exposed more human gossip than anything else. It is definitely sexy and interesting to expose how ambassadors gossip about Gaddaffi’s blonde nurse. But that it just what these cables are, gossip. I must here mention that gossip is necessary to the healthy function of human society. The least as well as the greatest among us need a little gossip. We all need a little filling in the blanks, and a little bit of conspiracy theories to thrive. And in so doing we want the assurance that our gossip will be private. However, exposing what these world leaders where saying behind each other’s back is ridiculous because it exposes the most common and bane element of humanity. We all want our gossip to be secret. But when someone comes up with the power to expose all that gossip, he becomes an enemy of humanity. And that it is what King Julian is potentially becoming.
Third, King Julian is pontificating himself as a good man. For him, he feels that governments and the people behind them are trying to do evil to the world. And as such the world needs a saviour like him to save it. But there is a saying that says that he who comes to equity must come with clean hands. When King Julian comes out to expose the skeletons of governments and the people who serve in those governments, he forgets that he too is just human who equally has even worse skeletons. Of course, the most ridiculous of the whole Cablegate affair is that while King Julian was busy championing for more open governments, he had some serious opening to do with two Swedish women. One accuses him of having sex with her, while she was sleeping and another accuses him of not using a condom when told to do so. This is so much more for the man trying to hold governments accountable.
And now King Julian is threatening to release even more embarrassing cables as long as the Swedish and the British police continue to victimise him with these allegations. For him then, the 251,000 cables are a way to blackmail the governments into dropping the rape charges he faces. May be he needs advice that the next time he needs a leak, he had better wake her up and use a condom if she so asks. At least the American government did not get the chance to demand that he wears one when he illegally accessed the 251,000 cables. Or maybe it is okay because the American government is in fact not a Swedish woman.
Next year’s elections will be free, fair- kabonde
Inspector General of Police Francis Kabonde has assured Zambians that next years tripartite elections will be free and fair.
Mr. Kabonde says even though past by-elections have been marred by violence, Police and other Defence forces are working out modalities to ensure that peace prevails during the elections.
Mr. Kabonde said this in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, when he addressed Zambians living in Ethiopia.
He addressed the Zambians at the residence of Zambia’s Ambassador to Ethiopia Albert Muchanga.
This is according to a statement made available to ZANIS in Lusaka by First Secretary for Press at the Zambian mission in Addis Ababa, Dorcas Chileshe.
Mr. KABONDE said Zambians living in Ethiopia and other parts of the world should continue to pray for continued peace in Zambia.
And Zambia Army Commander Lieutenant General, Wisdom Lopa commended Zambians living in Ethiopia for exhibiting the spirit of unity.
General Lopa said the team spirit among Zambians in Ethiopia has made them a shining example amongst other foreign nationals based in Ethiopia.
And Ambassador Muchanga urged Zambians living in Ethiopia to continue exhibiting traits of peace and unity, as Zambia is a beacon of peace in Africa.
General Lopa, Mr. Kabonde and Zambia Air-force Commander Andrew Sakala are in Ethiopia to attend the 7th Meeting of African Chiefs of Defense Staff and Heads of Security.
The Meeting is focusing on reviewing mechanisms that will make the African Standby Force operate effectively
[ ZANIS ]
Thandiwe,Mazombwe meet
First Lady Thandiwe Banda this morning held a closed door meeting with Cardinal Medardo Mazombwe at State House.
Cardinal Mazombwe, who was accompanied by Vatican Ambassador to Zambia Nicola Girasoli held a meeting with the First Lady which lasted for about 30 minutes.
After meeting the First Lady, Cardinal Mazombwe also met President Rupiah Banda for a few minutes, shortly before leaving State House.
The former Lusaka ArchBishop was recently appointed by Cardinal by Pope Benedict the 16th, to become the first indigenous Zambian Catholic Cardinal .
And President Rupiah Banda recently praised Cardinal Mazombwe for the successfully campaigning for the cancellation of Zambia’s 6. 2 billion United States dollars foreign debt.
He said this in a speech read on his behalf by Vice President George Kunda, during the thanksgiving mass to celebrate Pope Benedict’s appointment of Cardinal MAZOMBWE over the weekend.
[ ZANIS ]