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Tuesday, May 20, 2025
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Veep to officiate at Mutomboko

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Vice President George Kunda is tomorrow scheduled to will be travel to Luapula where he is scheduled to officiate at this year’s Mutomboko traditional ceremony of the Lunda people at Mwansabombwe.

The Vice President who will be away from Lusaka until 3rd August is also expected to travel to Copperbelt and Central Provinces.

This is contained in a Press statement made available to ZANIS by Senior Private Secretary to the Vice President Kenneth Ngosa.

Mr. Kunda will be accompanied by Local Government and Housing Minister Eustarckio Kazonga and his counterpart Moses Muteteka, Deputy Minister in the Office of the Vice President Gaston Sichilima, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives Allan Mbewe.

Others are Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Services Simon Kachimba and the MMD Deputy National Secretary Chembe Nyangu.

While on the Copperbelt, Mr. Kunda who is also Minister of Justice will campaign for the MMD candidate Frank Ng’ambi from August 1st to 2nd in Ndola ahead of the Chifubu Parliamentary by election slated for August 5.

Mr. Kunda is also expected in Serenje District to campaign for Mr. Douglas Kalunga in Mailo Ward by election in Muchinga Constituency on 3rd August this year.

ZANIS

ZESCO’s tariff hike is justifiable-BOZ Chief

Bank of Zambia of Zambia governor Caleb Fundanga and his Deputy Denny Kalyalya

Bank of Zambia Governor Caleb Fundanga has said ZESCO’s decision to increase electricity tariffs to 25.6 percent was justifiable for a growing economy like Zambia.

Dr. Fundanga said the increase in ZESCO tariffs was vital for increased production of power by the utility company.

The Governor also noted that the increase would help reduce the continued load shedding of electricity as the utility company would boost its production base.

He said increased power supply would result in increased consumer products which would help the country maintain single digit inflation.

Dr. Fundanga said this in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today shortly after the conducted tour of the BOZ stand at the 84th Agriculture and Commercial Show whose theme is ‘’Sustainable Development’’.

He also noted that the increase would also help ZESCO invest more in generation facilities such as the Itezi-Itezi power plant which is expected to be constructed this year.

Meanwhile, BOZ Deputy Governor for operations Denny Kalyalya said the central bank was working hand in hand with commercial banks in the country to ensure strict measures were put in place to protect customers’ accounts.

Dr. Kalyaya said restrictions had so far been put in place by various commercial banks especially on how much one withdraws from his account.

He stated that this would help both customers and the bank to monitor the operations of one’s account. He has since called on customers to report to relevant authorities once they noticed any abnormalities on their accounts.

Recently a scam was unearthed where some conmen had invaded the Visa system and in the process stealing money online leading to loss of income by members of the public.

ZANIS

Vodafone Ghana going through turbulent times, dealers accuse Amon Jere, 34 of deception

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Vodafone Ghana is presently going through turbulent times as some major distributors and dealers in its products are withdrawing from working with the company, investigations by The Enquirer have revealed.

The Enquirer can confirm that six out of the 10 distribution companies do not have anything to do with Vodafone Ghana presently, because of unfriendly business policies being implemented by Mr. Amon Jere, a Zambian, who is the head of Sales and Distribution.
In April 2009, Vodafone re-engaged 10 old Ghana Telecom national dealers to operate as exclusive regional dealers in all parts of the country.

When The Enquirer contacted some of the directors of the accredited dealers, they confirmed that they are no longer operational due to the policies of Amon Jere, the Zambian, and have taken Vodafone to court.

The dealers claimed they were made to provide GH¢1 million guarantee, provide a working capital of GH¢500,000, each of them was forced to buy two vans for road shows, employ a minimum of 150 freelancers, and open not less than seven shops with staff in their respective regions.

The accredited dealers accused Amon Jere of deceiving them and being the cause of their indebtedness. The directors of these distribution houses complained bitterly that after incurring so much cost to set up their structures, Vodafone itself is also selling directly to retailers at a lower price (10% discount) and thereby preventing the retailers to deal with them (the dealers).

The dealers purchase the recharge products at 8 per cent, while the retailers get at lower rate with 10 per cent discount. Amon Jere, 34, is the very person, who sometime last year, was alleged to have insulted Ghanaians, saying their lazy and questioned the standard of Ghanaian education during a training session of the Vodafone sales team at La Palm Hotel in Accra.

Vodafone is alleged to be paying Amon Jere US$30,000 plus 1% of the total sales of Vodafone recharge cards every month!

[Source: The Enquirer/Ghana]

Dr. Chiluba to go for Medical review today

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Dr Chiluba and his wife Regina

Government has approved a medical trip for the second President of the Republic of Zambia, Dr. Frederick Chiluba.

This is to enable him attend to his scheduled medical review.

He was last in South Africa in April 2010. He is expected to be in South Africa for a period of two weeks.

The review will be conducted at Garden City Clinic in Johannesburg where a team of doctors have been treating him for a heart condition since March 2006.

Dr. Chiluba will leave for South Africa today on 30th July 2010, aboard South African Airways lunch time flight.

Dr. Chiluba will be accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Regina Chiluba, his physician Dr. Justin Kangwa, his administrator, Emmanuel Mwamba and his security staff.

Recently many international institutions and church groupings have requested Dr. Chiluba to attend their Meetings and Conferences.

SADC has invited him to Namibia for its up-coming Summit in Windhoek, Namibia to take place on 15th -17th August 2010.

He has also been invited to speak as a Guest of Honour at Highway of Holiness Ministries International Conference to be held in Nairobi, Kenya with delegates drawn from 15 countries among them Canada, Thailand, Hong-Kong, Australia, South Korea, Botswana, Uganda, Rwanda and Indonesia.

Dr. Chiluba has also been invited to Israel for a month long conference in September 2010.

This is according to a statement issued by the Dr. Chiluba’s spokesperson, Emmanuel Mwamba.

‘The media should be regulated’ – Veep

Vice president George Kunda and his wife Irene
Vice president George Kunda has maintained that the media in Zambia need statutory media regulation.

Mr. Kunda has noted that the standards of journalism in the country have continued to deteriorate.

He said the position of the government is that the media should be regulated through a statutory regulation.

During the vice presidents question time in parliament this morning, Mr. Kunda observed that some outlets of the media in the country have continued to be unethical.

He added that if the government comes up with the statutory regulation, a larger percentage will be borrowed from the Fringila consensus.

The vice president further said that wide extensive consultation will be made from the media in coming up with the statutory regulation of the media.

And Mr. Kunda has said there is still a lot of time to capture the 2.5 million additional voters on the ongoing voter registration exercise.

He has expressed confidence that the targeted number of the voters will be captured, and has since called for extensive sensitization by all Zambians.
[ QFM ]

Anderlecht hand Charles Musonda’s sons 2 year deals

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Charles Musonda’s sons Laminsa and Tika have both signed two-year professional deals with their fathers former Belgium club Anderlecht.

Anderlecht’s official website rsca.be on Thursday confirmed the deal to sign the two teenagers with one of them Lamisha been tracked by the Zambia Under-20 bench for inclusion in the team for 2011 Libya CAF African Youth Championship qualifiers.

Musonda told the rsca.be that he was excited that Anderlecht had recognized the potential in Lamisha 18 and Tika 16 who will follow his footsteps at the club as a professional player’s at the Brussels club where they have come through the teams’ junior development program.

“The fact that Anderlecht have offered my two eldest sons a contract, shows their appreciation,” the former Zambia and Mufulira Wanderers midfielder told rsca.be .

“They have been guided well at Anderlecht for years now, both with respect to football training and otherwise. Moreover, my sons feel like part of the family here at Sporting Anderlecht, where youth training has become a priority.”

President Wa Mutharika to officiate the 84th Zambia Agriculture and Commercial Show

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Malawian President Bingu Wa Mutharika arrived in the country yesterday for a three-day official visit.He was received on arrival at the airport by Republican President Rupiah Banda, several ministers, senior government and defence officials and Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) party cadres.
The Malawian President was treated to a 21- gun salute by the Zambia Army and a guard of honour.

President Wa Mutharika is in the country to officially open the 84th Agriculture and Commercial show today.[pullquote]Meanwhile President Rupiah Banda has said Zambia’s bumper maize harvest will guarantee food security for the citizens and more income for small scale farmers.
[/pullquote]

Meanwhile President Rupiah Banda has said Zambia’s bumper maize harvest will guarantee food security for the citizens and more income for small scale farmers.

Mr Banda said in Lusaka yesterday the country was focusing on investing in agriculture and the abundant maize produced this year would help strengthen the country’s food security.

He said the subject of food security had captured the attention of the international community in the past few years because more than one million people were going hungry every year, according to Food and Agriculture Organisation statistics.

The president said this at Hotel Inter-Continental in Lusaka during a State Banquet held in honour of the visiting leader of Malawi, Bingu wa Mutharika.

Former Zambian presidents Kenneth Kaunda and Frederick Chiluba, Chief Justice Ernest Sakala, Cabinet and deputy ministers from Malawi and Zambia, diplomats accredited to Zambia, and Government officials were among those who attended the banquet.

Mr Banda said year’s Zambia Agriculture and Commercial Show was happening in special circumstances as the country and the peasant farming community were reaping another bumper harvest of the staple crop.

He said Zambians should feel that their efforts in increasing food production would in the long run begin to have a major impact on fighting poverty and hunger, and that small-holder farmers would be food-secure, apart from increasing their incomes.

Mr Banda said Zambia was taking a leaf from the Malawi’s success in agricultural development.

He hailed the cordial relations between Zambia and Malawi and the growing fruitful cooperation between the two countries.

Mr Banda said historically, the friendship and mutual understanding between the two countries had been solid because their relationship was founded on a common cultural and ethnic heritage which brought the citizens of the two countries together.

Zambia valued Professor Wa Mutharika’s acceptance to officiate at the 84th Zambia Agriculture and Commercial Show in Lusaka, whose theme is ‘Sustainable Development’.

He described the show as an important annual event that provided a platform to showcase Zambia’s products and afforded an equal opportunity to foreign participating firms to promote their products on the Zambian market.

Mr Banda said he was pleased to note that a good number of Malawian companies were participating in this year’s show.

He said the attendance of some Malawian enterprises would foster trade relations between the two countries, which had been low despite the existing warm political ties.

He also commended Prof Wa Mutharika for showing commitment and exemplary leadership in steering the African Union (AU)’s vision as the current chairperson.

President Banda is today scheduled to hold official talks with his counterpart at State House.

The two leaders are expected to tour selected stands tomorrow morning before Prof Wa Mutharika officially opens the show in the afternoon.

Duo nabbed in Chifubu MMD, UPND punch-up

Police in Ndola yesterday arrested two cadres who took part in a free-for-all punch up between MMD and Patriotic Front (PF) members at Kawama Market during campaigns for the August 5 Chifubu parliamentary by-election.

Ndola District police chief, Stella Libongani confirmed the arrest of the cadres who she said were in police custody to assist with investigations.

Some onlookers said some cadres sustained minor injuries in the first case of physical violence six days before the day of voting in the polls being contested by the ruling party, United Party for National Development/PF pact, UNIP, and Alliance for Democracy and Development.

But Ms Libongani refused to give any details on the violent conduct of the cadres who exchanged punches and hurled insults at one another.
[pullquote]“All I can say as at now is that police have arrested and detained two party cadres who are helping with investigations after receiving a report of violence,” she said.
[/pullquote]
She also did not state the police station where the cadres were being held and to which party they belonged.

“All I can say as at now is that police have arrested and detained two party cadres who are helping with investigations after receiving a report of violence,” she said.

She said the most important thing was that police had launched investigations into threats of violence and the clash between MMD and PF cadres in Kawama Township, which falls under Chifubu Constituency.

MMD Chifubu Constituency campaign committee chairperson for youth affairs, Enock Kapalu alleged that the fight started after some suspected PF members destroyed campaign posters and banners at an MMD campaign site.

But PF Ndola District chairperson, Rebby Chanda said it was the MMD cadres who were in the habit of provoking his party members during the campaigns.

Mr Chanda said PF was a peaceful party and that he was not aware about the police investigations.

[ Times of Zambia ]

UPND candidate woos voters

UPND Cadres

The United Party for National Development (UPND) Luena Constituency parliamentary by-election candidate Muyunda Ililonga has urged people to vote for him and his party in the forth-coming election.

Mr Ililonga said in Luena yesterday that he stood the biggest chance of winning the August 5 by-election because people were determined to end poverty in the area.

He said the UPND was the only party giving hope to people at the moment because of the progressive ideas the party had.

Currently, the campaigns were going on well and peaceful and people had assured him of their vote.

Mr Ililonga said he was popular in Luena and had a lot of investments that made him close to the people than anyone else.

“UPND is the party of the moment, I am confident that we shall carry the day come polling day,” he said.

Mr Ililonga said although four other candidates were vying for the seat, he only considered a strong challenge from the MMD candidate Mwangala Maopu and former Luena MP Charles Milupi from the Alliance for Democracy and Development (ADD).
[ Times of Zambia ]

Mobile hospitals: Mpombo grilled

Kafulafuta Member of parliament George Mpombo

Kafulafuta Member of Parliament (MP) George Mpombo has come under fire for criticising the Government’s move to buy mobile hospitals which he supported when he was a Cabinet minister last year.

Global Commodity Market Institute country director, Mwango Chisha said it was immoral for Mr Mpombo to criticise the project when he supported the decision just about a year ago.

Mr Chisha asked Mr Mpombo to tell the nation what had gone wrong with the procurement of the mobile hospitals within a short space of time.

Mr Mpombo, who was the minister of Defence, in May last year took a swipe at United Party for National Development (UPND) leader, Hakainde Hichilema for criticising President Rupiah Banda over the mobile hospital programme.

He said neither President Banda nor anyone else in Government wanted a commission from the US$53 million mobile hospital deal as was being claimed by Mr Hichilema.
[pullquote]“Whatever Government does, there is always that element of national interest, so it should not be misunderstood at all.”[/pullquote]
The Post newspaper of May 11, 2009 quoted Mr Mpombo as saying: “I can assure you that no one is trying to make a killing out of this project.

“Whatever Government does, there is always that element of national interest, so it should not be misunderstood at all.”

Mr Mpombo also said the project was workable in other countries.
[ Times of Zambia ]

There is no condom shortage in North Western Province-MOH Spokesperson

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The Ministry of Health has dismissed allegations that there is a shortage of Condoms in North Western Province saying there were plenty of them.

Ministry of Health Spokesperson Dr. Kamoto Mbewe disclosed that there were currently 15, 000 condoms at the District Health Management Office in Solwezi.

Dr. Mbewe told ZANIS in Lusaka today that sometimes the retailers felt lazy to go the District Health Management Office to make an order for the product hence reports that there was a shortage.

Dr. Mbewe said sometimes retailers run out of condoms but that they were always in stock at DHMO.

He explained that if there was a shortage of condoms in North Western Province the problem would have been countrywide.

He advised retailers to be going to DHMO every time they run out of condoms instead of giving a wrong impression to the people.

Movement for Multi Party Democracy (MMD) Patron Sikota Wina is quoted as having said that there was a shortage of condoms in North Western Province.

ZANIS

Congolese musician sees potential in Zambia’s music industry

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Visiting Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Rhumba musician Felix Wazekwa has observed that the Zambian music industry has the potential to grow and penetrate the international market.

Wazekwa said this was because a lot of Zambian musicians are highly talented and creative in the way they write their music.Speaking at a press briefing through an interpreter at Lusaka’s Pamodzi Hotel today, Wazekwa said the only thing that the Zambian musicians lack was exposure to other countries.

The 48- year- old musician added that exposure was very important for Zambian musicians, if they were to compete favorably on the international scene.Wazekwa said proper exposure was what made DRC musicians to be known and compete on the international with other musicians from different countries.

Wazekwa is in the country for five days to perform various shows across Lusaka.

Public Service Salaries Review Commission sworn in

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Chief Justice Ernest Sakala

Chief Justice Ernest Sakala has prodded the newly appointed commissioners of the Salaries Review Commission to harmonise discrepancies in salaries, benefits and conditions of service for Civil Servants in the country.

Justice Sakala said the commissioners must ensure that Civil Service workers who were the country’s backbone were appreciated by awarding them with better salaries and condition of services.Justice Sakala said this at the Supreme Court today when he swore in 15 commissioners to be sitting on the Salaries Review Commission.

He said there had been great amount of discrepancies in salaries and other conditions within the Public Service especially that while some were getting low salaries others in the same service others were getting much better salaries.He said this had raised questions among staff in the civil service.

“There has been great amount of discrepancies in salaries, conditions and benefits within the public service. At times when asked by our staff, why their salaries are so low while others in the same public where getting much better salaries we fail to answer other than agree with them. It is not uncommon that certain civil servants are receiving salaries in US dollars while others with same qualifications are receiving salaries in Kwacha” he said

He said awarding civil servants with good salaries and conditions of services would help fight corruption as they would be deterred from temptations of graft and misappropriation of public funds.Justice Sakala said the civil servants would be very expectant of what the Commission would ultimately recommend to them.

Among the notable persons on the Commission are; Copperbelt University (CBU) Chancellor Professor Muyunda Mwanalushi, Former Chief Justice Matthew Ngulube, Public Service Management Division (PSMD)’s George Kawatu, and Zambia Congress of Trade Union (ZCTU) Secretary General Roy Mwaba.

Others are Danny Longwe, Nana Mudenda, Edgar Imasiku, Danny Musenge, Yuyi Libakeni, Japheth Msimuko, Mabvuto Sakala, Meamui Kongwa, Redson Lusale, Lloyd Sichilongo, and Professor Mutale Chanda from the University of Zambia (UNZA).

The last salary review commission was done in 1993.

Government is focused on mitigating poverty-RB

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President Rupiah Banda answering questions from Kanyanya Basic School Reporting Team known as 'Young Journalists' who are participating in a training project being funded by British Broadcasting Corperation in Mongu. This was before the President left for Lusaka after a series of campaign meetings for MMD Luena parliamentary candidate Mwangala Maopu

President Rupiah Banda says Government is focused on alleviating poverty and bringing prosperity for the benefit of all Zambians.The President said this when he addressed a large gathering during a rally held at Ushaa Basic School to drum up support for the MMD’s candidate in the Luena parliamentary by elections, Mwangala Maopu scheduled for 5th August, 2010.

President Banda told the people of Ushaa that by voting for Mr. Maopu, the people of the area and Luena as a whole would reap a lot of benefits as they would have a representative working with the majority members of Parliament who have influence in allocating natural resources.The President urged the people of Ushaa not to give Alliance for Democracy and Development (ADD) candidate Charles Milupi a second chance as Member of Parliament because he failed to implement any major developmental projects for the benefit of the citizens in Luena.

Mr. Maopu is a former teacher who is said to have worked so well with the local people.Other contestants running for the Luena seat have been floated by the United Liberal Party, United National Independence Party (UNIP), United Party for National Development (UPND) and ADD.

July inflation quickens to 8.4 percent

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Zambia’s inflation rate has increased from 7.4 percent in June to 8.4 percent in July, the central statistics office has announced.

The increase of the country’s inflation rate has been attributed to the increases in food and non food prices.

Justin Katumbi, acting CSO Director says that between June 2010 and July 2010, the annual; inflation rates increased for food, beverages and tobacco, clothing and footwear, household, fuel and lighting, furniture and household goods, TRANSPORT and COMMUNICATION, and other goods and services.

Mr. Kalumbi has further revealed that the annual inflation rates reduced for medical care, recreation and education.

He says of the total 8.4 percent annual inflation in July 2010, food products in the consumer price index, accounted for 2.0 percentage points, while non- food products accounted for 6.4 percentage points.

He adds that a comparison of retail prices between June 2010 and July 2010 shows that the national average price of 25 kg bag of white roller meal reduced by 5.9 percent, from 40, 161 kwacha to 37, 809 kwacha.

Mr. Kalumbi says that the average price of a 20 liter tin of maize grain also reduced by 5.1 percent, from 19, 570 to 18, 567 Kwacha.

It has also been revealed that the national price of 1kg tomatoes increased by 3.3 percent, from 3, 493 to 3,607 Kwacha.

He also says that the national average price of 1kg dried kapenta increased by 6.0 percent, from 50,710 Kwacha to 53, 748 Kwacha.

QFM