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The late Mpulungu Member of Parliament Lameck Chibombamilimo
The Anti Voter Apathy project (AVAP) Executive Director, Bonnie Tembo has warned that the words that were uttered in the speech that republican president, Rupiah Banda used when he fired former mpulungu member of parliament, Lameck Chibombamilimo from the position of deputy energy minister, will haunt the MMD.
Mr. Tembo has observed that the MMD has a slim chances of scooping the Mpulungu by-election because the fact that Mr. Chibombamilimo was unceremoniously fired from president Banda’s cabinet, is still fresh on the minds of the people.
Mr. Tembo said the PF’s decision to use a recorded speech of what president Banda when he fired Mr. Chibombamilimo as a campaign strategy against them, would have a negative impact on the MMD’s performance.
He ,however, registered a general complaint of participating political parties’ failure to uphold the electoral code of conduct.
The AVAP Director accused the ruling party of using a lot of government vehicles in their party campaigns and failing to draw a line on party and governments business lines.
Mr. Tembo oted that Mpulungu people seem geared and ready for the poll day.
[ QFM ]
Youths in Mongu this morning protested against Police officers who were stopping them from an unlawful assembly.
The youths explained to the police officers that their meeting was to discuss the omission of the Barotse agreement of 1964 in the draft constitution.
In the process of stopping them from assembling unlawfully, the youths started throwing stones at police officers and wounded one of them.
The youths allegedly burnt a motor vehicle registration number AAP 3277 belonging to Misheck Kolobeka which was hired by MTN Zambia for their sensitization shows.
The youths also vandalized Kalemoni and town market police posts and freed all detainees from the police cells.
They have also removed flags from schools and at the stadium where the inter trades sports competition are taking place.
The youths have further threatened to beat up anyone who will be holding independence activities tomorrow.
Efforts to find out the condition of the police officer who was wounded proved futile by press time as he was out in the field for duties.
United Party for National Development (UPND) leader Hakainde Hichilema has hailed the Zambian people and successive governments for their efforts and hard work in maintaining peace in the last 45 years.
He has also called on Zambians to take this time to reflect on the priceless sacrifices that the country’s founding fathers made for independence.
He said the people of Zambia especially the young people owe a huge debt to founding fathers which will never be paid back until they join a national crusade to participate in the country’s affairs.
Mr. Hakainde said this in a statement released to ZANIS today on Zambia’s 46 Independence celebrations which falls tomorrow.
Zambia tomorrow celebrates its 46th whose theme; is Consolidating Our Independence through Food Security’.
President Rupiah Banda embraces his Malawian counterpart Bingu Wa Mutarika
President Rupiah Banda has arrived back in the country from Malawi where he went to witness the official launch of the Nsanje World Inland Port on Shire River.
The President arrived this evening at Lusaka international Airport at 18:25 hrs aboard the Presidential Challenger.
He was welcomed by Home Affairs Minister Mkhondo Lungu, Science and Technology Minister Peter Daka, Finance Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane, Service Chiefs and other senior government officials.
The Nsanje World Inland Water Port is part of the US$ 6 billion Shire/Zambezi waterway project and opens the Shire waterway from Malawi’s inland port of Nsanje to the Indian Ocean port of Mozambique, a distance of 238km.
[pullquote] He charged that there were a lot of political critics in many African countries, including Zambia, who were bent on only opposing whatever good policies presidents were fostering with a view of derailing economic development and winning cheap politics.[/pullquote]
The new port is expected to reduce costs of goods and services for landlocked countries like Zambia and Zimbabwe by at least 60 percent, according to Nsanje District Commissioner, Rodney Simwaka.
Earlier, President Rupiah Banda said African leaders must be stubborn if they are to develop their countries and improve living standards of their people.
President Banda said time was gone when African leaders were wasting time listening to critics and doing what they wish at the expense of economic development and welfare of the citizenry.
Mr Banda said this in Nsanje district of Malawi before witnessing the official launch of the Nsanje World Inland Port by Malawian President, Ngwazi Professor Bingu wa Mutharika this afternoon.
He charged that there were a lot of political critics in many African countries, including Zambia, who were bent on only opposing whatever good policies presidents were fostering with a view of derailing economic development and winning cheap politics.
He said the best way to foster development was to pay a deaf ear to such people and focus boldly on policies that would benefit the country and its people.
The President thanked Prof Wa Mutharika for taking a bold decision to construct a multi-billion dollar port which he said was going to benefit Zambia in particular and the central and southern African region at large.
And Malawian President, Prof Bingu Wa Mutharika thanked SADC leaders and other cooperating partners for what he called the dream-come-true about on the Nsanje World Inland Port.
Prof Wa Mutharika said the opening of the port was phase one of the project, saying the next stage was to create a dry port, rehabilitate the railway line which connects Zambia through the Chipata/Mchinji railway line, open an international airport and create investment opportunities for banks, hotels and other facilities.
The Malawian President revealed that his other dream was to see a fast train running from Blantyre to Bulawayo via Zambia to enhance speedy movement of goods and passengers among the central African countries.
He noted that time had come for African countries to be economically independent rather than sticking to post colonial mentality of begging for help from donors even when they could stand on their own.
Speaking at the same function, Zimbabwean President, Robert Mugabe advised African countries to be wary of foreign investors who come with ill-intentions in the name of donors.
Mr Mugabe observed that most so-called investors infiltrate Africa to destroy local economies and oppress indigenous people rather than helping them.
He urged African leaders to seriously scrutinize every investor entering their countries, saying others are not needed.
Esther Phiri returns to Miami next month for a training camp ahead of her WIBA title fight defence against Lely Luz Florez of Colombia in January.
The boxers’ chief sponsors National Milling Company (NMC) announced on Thursday that Esther and her manager/trainer Anthony Mwamba travel to Miami in mid-November.
NMC managing director Peter Cottan said Ether and Mwamba will be in Miami for two months and will only return home after Christmas.
This will be Esther second training stint in Miami in April to prepare for her WIBA title fight against Duda Yankovich.
Esther will face Flores on January 29 at Mulungushi International Conference Centre.
Flores has a 19-professional fight career with 15 wins, four defeats and has no draws.
Home Affairs Minister Mkhondo Lungu addressing the Chinese Coal Mine employees in Sinazogwe
Government has constituted a committee to look into the plight of miners at the Chinese Collum Coal Mine in Sinazongwe district.
Home Affairs Minister Mukondo Lungu announced the formation of the committee at a meeting held at Collum Coal Mine.
This was after Mr. Lungu and his labour and Mines counterparts visited the mine Thursday.
He disclosed that the committee which would comprise Labour officers, the Ministry of Mines, the Chinese management,the Gemstone Allied Workers Union,and the workers’ representative will address the problems on 27 October at the Ministry of Labour and Social services in Lusaka.
Mr Lungu appealed to both the management and employees to work in harmony as the discussions are going on and urged the Chinese investors not to use firearms on innocent people.
He said government was alarmed over the shooting of 12 miners at the Chinese Collum Coal Mine and President Rupiah Banda has conveyed his sympathy to all the affected employees.
Mr Lungu who was sent by President Banda to find out the root cause of the shooting incident at Collum Coal mine was also accompanied by Labour Minister Austin Liato, Mines and Minerals Development Minister Maxwell Mwale.
He said government would engage the Chinese investors to abide by the Zambian laws than resorting to the use of a gun.
[pullquote]“ We are interested in the investors and employees so that they live in harmony, President Banda is also interested in the welfare of employees at place work that is why he sent us here to find the root cause of the shooting incident,” Mr Liato said. [/pullquote]
Mr. Liato said that government is interested in the mutual relationship between employees and the employers for social dialogue to be achieved all the times.
“ We are interested in the investors and employees so that they live in harmony, President Banda is also interested in the welfare of employees at place work that is why he sent us here to find the root cause of the shooting incident,” Mr Liato said.
Mines and Minerals Development Minister Mr. Mwale also said government want to encourage investment though the investors should respect the employees and follow the country’s laws.
He said there should be a fresh start to address the problems at the mine because in the past his Ministry had failed to address them.
The Chinese Collum Coal Mine employees’ representative Ebby Siamuvwele told the ministers that they operate without having leave days, sick leave, and there were no written condition of service.
Mr Siamuvwele said they get their money through a window rather than from a bank and the Chinese manager beat them while they were on duty with impunity.
Chinese Collum Coal MIne employees listing to the three Cabinet Ministers that President Rupiah Banda sent to address their concerns
The Mine Workers Union of Zambia (MUZ) has expressed disappointment at government’s reaction to the shooting of miners at the Chinese run Collum Coal Mine by two Chinese supervisors.
President Rupiah Banda yesterday warned against promoting xenophobic feelings against the Chinese following the Collum Coal Mine shooting incident, stating that people are shot by Zambians, by white people, and Americans.
But MUZ president Rayford Mbulu described as unsatisfactory government’s position on the shooting incident.
Mr. Mbulu said it is government’s responsibility to protect its people and to ensure that the law is applied accordingly on anyone who has gone against it.
He noted with dismay that the stance government has taken over the shooting incident,stressing that government should have done better by sending out a strong message to all investors who are not following the country’s labour laws.
Mr Mbulu has urged government to ensure that the laid down laws in the country are followed through to the latter and enforced fully on everyone.
Southern Province Permanent Secretary Gladys Kristafor Addressing Chinese Collum Coal Mine employees in Sinazongwe
3.
Pupils at Sinakumbi Basic School in Southern Province ferrying bricks as punishment for reporting late to School
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Mines and Minerals Development Minister Maxwell Mwale greeting the Chinese Collum Coal mine Director for shaft three Xu Ziang on arrival to address the miners
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A rural Zambian woman feeding her chickens
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Home Affairs Minister Mkhondo Lungu with the Chinese Coal Mine Managers
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Home Affairs Minister Mkhondo Lungu addressing the Chinese Coal Mine employees
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Fetching fire wood still remains a way of living in many rural areas of Zambia and here a girl from Simabula area in Southern province doing the usual task
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Chinese Collum Coal MIne employees listening to the three Cabinet Ministers that President Rupiah Banda sent to address their concerns
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Collum coal mine employee in action at shaft one
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Young girls who dropping out of School to become mothers in Nkanddabwe area in Sinazongwe district
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The Chinese Collum Coal Mine employee reading out oppressive labour laws to three Cabinet Minister that President Rupiah Banda sent to address their problems
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The boys and girls enjoying swimming in Nangombe stream
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Local Government Minister Brain Chituwo toasts with United Nations coordinator Kanni Wignaraja during commemoration of the 65th anniversary of UN in Lusaka
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Local Government Minister Brain Chituwo, United Nations coordinator Kanni Wignaraja (l) and Millennium Development Goals envoy Marshal Moyo at the 65th anniversary observation of UN in Lusaka
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US ambassador Mark Storella (r) presents a certificate of grant empowerment to Sustainable Agricultural Programme director Mpenza Mwanza in Lusaka
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President Banda on a campaign trail in Chilanga constituency.
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MMD cadres brandish the party symbol in Chilanga constituency
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A fallen street light along the Great East road
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President Banda confers with former president of Botswana Festus Mogae at State House
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President Banda poses for a picture with former president and other VIPs who are champions against AIDS in Africa.
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Workers from the Food Reserve Agency packing maize at a shed in Choma
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President Banda with former president Kenneth Kaunda and former Botswana president Festus Mogae at State House
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Pupils learn how to use the computers at elementary level at Macha Christian School in Choma
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Collum Coal Mine workers picking coal without protective clothes at Shaft One
Bank of Zambia of Zambia governor Caleb fundanga (right )
GOVERNMENT has appointed two global rating agencies, Fitch Ratings Limited and Standard and Poors (S&P) to provide an independent and prospective credit opinion on Zambia.
The Fitch Ratings and S&P are widely recognised by investors, issuers, and bankers for their credible, transparent and timely coverage.
Fitch Ratings is headquartered in New York and London and is part of the Fitch Group while S&P is a United States of America based institution.
Bank of Zambia (BoZ) Governor Caleb Fundanga in an interview said J P Morgan is still on board as the transaction advisers.
“We are waiting for the rating agencies to do their jobs. The process is being driven by the Ministry of Finance and National Planning,” he said.
Dr Fundanga said the economic fundamentals are now in place with reduced inflation and high gross domestic product growth.
He said Zambia is one of the countries that were adversely affected by the global financial crisis and has managed to recover quickly while other nations have not.
[pullquote]“The time is now for Zambia to be rated. The economy generally is diversifying; tourism is growing and construction is also growing. The only sector where more needs to be done is manufacturing,” he said.[/pullquote]
He said Zambia’s recovery from the global crisis was fast, adding that the price of copper is now at its highest with the country also having the highest food harvest.
“The time is now for Zambia to be rated. The economy generally is diversifying; tourism is growing and construction is also growing. The only sector where more needs to be done is manufacturing,” he said.
Dr Fundanga also pointed out that there is a lot of interest from portfolio investors in Government securities.
He said the global investors who were shunning the country during the global financial crisis are now coming back.
Meanwhile, the central bank is working towards the introduction of inflation targeting framework.
Dr Fundanga said there are a lot of things that need to be done such as improving research capacity, adding that when the monetary policy committee meets, it will need to have well researched data on which to base decisions.
He said BoZ already has a research division, which is looking at what is needed for Zambia to migrate towards inflation targeting framework.
“It requires a lot of work. Even appointing people to be in the committee, we need to choose people that are well informed that can understand the complicated formulas and other things the researchers will be providing,” he said.
BoZ has been working on the matter for a long time in co-operation with the Bank of England officials who have been visiting Zambia from time to time to hold workshops.
PResident Rupiah Banda has said MMD would emerge victorious in both the Mpulungu and Chilanga parliamentary by-elections.
Speaking at the airport in Lusaka when he left for Mpulungu yesterday, President Banda said the MMD was ready to retain both seats even though the opposition wanted to portray that the ruling party was losing support.
And when he arrived in Mpulungu to address a series of rallies to drum up support for the MMD candidate Given Mung’omba, Mr Banda said the MMD was ready physically and mentally to campaign and retain the Mpulungu Constituency.
“This election is critical because the opposition want to make it look as though our party is dwindling and would therefore try by all means to win the by-election,” Mr Banda said.
He said Mpulungu constituency belonged to the MMD and it should continue that way after the October 25 Mpulungu by-election.
The MMD members should work hard to win the upcoming election and must not allow the opposition to emerge winners.
He said MMD was the only party that had nationwide support unlike the opposition parties that attracted sections of particular people only.
Mr Banda said MMD members should also work hard to win the 2011 general elections that were equally critical for the party.
He said he was happy to see so many residents of Mbala and Mpulungu dressed in MMD party attire saying he was hopeful that in 2011 the Northern Province would also be in ‘blue’.
Mr Banda said the MMD had remained solid despite attacks because of members like those in Northern Province that were the ‘true blue’.
Northern Province acting MMD chairperson Gaston Sichilima said the people of Mbala and Mpulungu had formed a joint force to chase PF leader Michael Sata out of Northern Province.
Mr Sichilima said the people of Northern Province had come to realise that Mr Sata was not a good leader to run the affairs of the country.
He said even Zambia’s Vice-President George Kunda had foreseen the cracks of the PF-UPND Pact which had now been buried.
Mpulungu Constituency seat fell vacant after the MMD MPLameck Chibombamilimo died.
Meanwhile, President Banda has said Government retained the Mpulungu Port in Mpulungu from private ownership to empower the residents of Mpulungu.
Government wanted to make Mpulungu District a modern town and that could only be done if the people of Mpulungu were empowered by running the port.
Governments say it is important for Zambia to trade with China as it is among the major growing economies in the world.
Commerce, trade and industry Permanent Secretary bulleti Nsemukila says China is a very powerful growing economy which creates a very conducive environment for Zambia to trade.
Mr Nsemukila said this today in China after he toured the Zambian stand at the on going 2010 Shanghai Expo in China, under the theme “Better City -Better Life.”
He said the Shanghai Expo has presented a brilliant environment for promoting investment in Zambia.
“Zambia is participating in the expo to showcase some of the things we need to showcase to create that niche within their kind of expectations, what kind of products they would get from Zambia and create a market for that” he explained.
He noted that the theme for the Expo ‘Better City -Better life’, creates an environment were Zambia is trying to integrate culture, tourism and natural resources in terms of were we want to live.
[pullquote]”Zambia is participating in the expo to showcase some of the things we need to showcase to create that niche within their kind of expectations, what kind of products they would get from Zambia and create a market for that” he explained.[/pullquote]
“The theme Better city-Better Life” gives us a view of how we would like to see Zambia, the Zambian Government has put in a lot of effort to improve the infrastructure, so that we create an environment were we make it a better city” Mr. Nsemukila said.
And Zambia Development Agency Director Investment Promotion Muhabi Lungu said Zambian companies that have participated in the expo have had a good trade in curios and other products from Zambia.
Mr Lungu explained that an investment forum will be held on Saturday October 23 to show case the investment incentives available in Zambia.
He said the forum which will officially be opened by the Vice President has attracted 80 Chinese companies and 20 Zambian companies and is aimed at linking companies together so that they can explore business opportunities.
Mr Lungu also explained that the Shanghai expo has also managed to link up a Chinese company interested in cobalt in Zambia and several other missions.
The Shanghai 2010 Expo which opened in May is being held on the banks of the Huanpu River in the city of Shanghai, China.
The theme “Better City-Better life” signifies Shanghai’s new status in the 21st century as the “next great world city.”
The 2010 Shanghai expo has attracted over 242 countries and international organizations. The scale of this event has been the largest in the history of expos.
The main theme for the expo is Better city- Better life”, the five sub themes are, blending of diverse cultures in the city, economic prosperity in the city, innovation of science and technology in the city and rural urban interaction.
The expo’s main mission is to offer a platform for global dialogue and to show concrete ways to achieve a happier future urban life. In addition the expo will offer an opportunity for cross-culture dialogues.
Before the conclusion of the exposition on the 31st of October, a “Shanghai Declaration ‘ will be issued, this declaration hopefully a milestone in the future of the world expositions, will epitomise the insights to be offered by the participants and embody people’s ideas for future cooperation and development and extensive common aspirations.
Transparency International of Zambia (TIZ) says the removal of abuse of office clause from the Anti Corruption Commission Act will have serious consequences on the fight against corruption in the country.
TIZ Executive Director Goodwell Lungu said Zambia has diverted from the United Nations convention against corruption and the southern African developing community SADC protocol against corruption which it signed.
Mr. Lungu said the removal of the clause which acted as a deterrent to would be offenders, will be an opportunity for individuals to misappropriate public funds.
He appealed to President Rupiah Banda to ensure that the bill is not passed into law as it will be a tragedy for the country.
And the TIZ executive director has advised employers in the country not to take advantage of Zambian employees who do not know their rights.
Mr. Lungu said casualization of labour is a sign of bad governance amongst employers.
He noted that there is need for the Ministry of Labour to intervene in the workers plight for better conditions.
Mr. Lungu was commenting on the recent shooting of eleven miners at the collum coal mine in Sinazongwe and the rioting by Zcon construction workers at the levy business park.
Both working groups were fighting for better conditions of services at their work places.
[ QFM ]
Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary Peter Mwaba has taken Shangombo District Commissioner (DC) to task for allowing Food Reserve Agency (FRA) to use the unfinished infrastructure meant for a health centre as a storage shade.
Dr. Mwaba said much as he appreciate the role of FRA, they should not disturb construction works at the site.
The Permanent Secretary is in Shangombo to see progress on the district hospital which is being constructed.
The PS and his team also inspected ten staff houses and nurse’s hostels and an abandoned administration block.
Commenting on the administration block, the PS directed the DC to terminate the contract of the contractor for the block and find possible means to make him pay back the K30 million down payment.
The contractor is said to have disappeared with the money after doing a slab.
However Shangombo DC Masheke Kabayo commended FRA for purchasing all the maize in his district.
Mr. Kabayo said farmers in the area who supplied maize to FRA have since been paid.
He said that FRA had released about K1.3 billion to pay farmers.
He said farmers are happy and encouraged to work even harder to produce another bumper harvest in the starting season.
Mr. Kabayo however urged FRA to quickly transport the commodity before the onset of rains to avoid the maize going to waste.
The maize is currently stored in one of the unfinished buildings at the newly constructed Shangombo District Hospital.
Sports minister Kenneth Chipungu has launched a commission of inquiry into the poor performance by Zambia’s feasting athletes at the Commonwealth Games in India.
Chipungu said today that it seems like the team focused more on banqueting in New Delhi than competing at the Commonwealth Games.
“I have constituted a committee to investigate why Zambia performed poorly and come up with recommendations,” Chipungu said.
“We cannot continue with this performance year in year out. We need to pull our socks and learn from other countries.
“I warned these guys. You know that if you concentrate too much on food you won’t perform and it is like that happened.”
Zambia finished medal-less in what was a mediocre performance by most of the 22-member team especially in the squash, athletics, boxing and swimming where the competitors all made early exists.
Lusaka High Court Judge Gregory Phiri has ordered Inspector General of Police Francis Kabonde to avail himself in court this afternoon and the police officer who was in charge when police disrupted a meeting of state advocates at Simenza Sangwa and associates law firm
Judge Phiri has ordered that the police officer should be in court by 14:30 hours this afternoon to give a full account of what transpired.
The judge described last evenings disruption of the meeting as unbelievable.
He said this is because police and state advocates meet each other and should always work together in prosecuting matters.
Judge Phiri was prompted to make the order after Law Association of Zambia President Stephen Lungu placed on record that the association is deeply concerned about what transpired last evening.
Mr Lungu told the court that every legal practitioner should be allowed to operate independently and without fear.
This is in a matter in which Inktech Managing Director Matthew Mohan and two others are facing murder charges of Lusaka businessman Sajid Itowala.
Police last evening stormed Simeza Sangwa law firm and disrupted an official meeting called by state advocates from the Director of Public Prosecutions chambers, Sajid Itowala’s family and a member of the Law Association of Zambia.
