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The foundation for democratic process FODEP has challenged the electoral commission of Zambia ECZ to quickly address the financial impediments that are negatively impacting the continuous Voter Registration Process (VRP).
Recently it was reported that the process which has less than 75 days to go, was in Monze brought to a halt owing to inadequate resources.
FODEP information officer, McDonald Chipenzi warned that if the commission does not give this matter the deserved attention, there is a great possibility that the registration process will not attain its intended goal.
He said that the ECZ should be ready to deal with all the issues that come up in the process in order to ensure that the country reaches its intended goal.
Mr. Chipenzi also indicates that it is important for the commission to be alert and realize that this year’s registration process started on a very low note and the only way to successfully sustain it is by ensuring that it stays adequately funded.
He pointed out that if the ECZ missed this opportunity to get Zambians registered, the after effects of such a decision will only be felt in 2011.
But the effects will be too drastic for the commission to reverse and therefore action should be taken now.
ECZ has also failed to fund the Zambia News Agency (ZANIS) which has the mobile public address system in all the districts through out the country.
Currently most rural places are not aware about the voter registration exercise and in some district ECZ has opted to higher private companies to conduct the publicity instead of using free equipment from ZANIS.
[ QFM ]
Vice President George Kunda talks to American Ambassador to Zambia Donald Booth
Vice-President George Kunda has assured donors of governments commitment to prudently and to effectively use of financial resources.
The Vice- President said the recent reaction against the donor community was a result of the failure by some diplomats to follow the channels of communicating their concerns to Government.
Mr Kunda said Government is committed to good governance, in particular the fight against corruption, adding that it is the reason co-operating partners have continued to render support to Zambia.
The Vice-President said this in Parliament yesterday in response to a question from Mandevu member of Parliament (MP) Jean Kapata (PF).
Ms Kapata wanted to know the current relationship between Government and donors.
Mr Kunda said the relationship between Government and its co-operating partners is warm.
He said co-operating partners have pledged to continue providing financial, material and technical help to Zambia, adding that the relationship will continue to flourish.
“You might have heard in today’s (yesterday) newspapers that the co-operating partners have pledged to continue supporting this country’s developmental programmes. So, you can see that our relationship with donors is still sound,” he said.
Mr Kunda said President Banda’s recent statement about the donor community related to diplomatic etiquette.
[pullquote]
“You might have heard in today’s (yesterday) newspapers that the co-operating partners have pledged to continue supporting this country’s developmental programmes. So, you can see that our relationship with donors is still sound,” he said.[/pullquote]
He accused some diplomats of issuing threats to Government through the media.
Mr Kunda said there are established diplomatic channels through which diplomats can engage Government.
“Let us at all times observe the diplomatic etiquette according to the Geneva Convention. This is what President Banda was talking about recently,” Mr Kunda said.
And Mr Kunda said Government is revising the law on corruption to take into account past experiences.
He said Government is reviewing the law so that corruption cases can be effectively tackled.
Mr Kunda said this in response to a question from Katuba MP Jonas Shakafuswa (MMD), who wanted to know why section 37 of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Act relating to abuse of office has been left out in the revised version.
Mr Kunda said he was not aware of Mr Shakafuswa’s claims.
He wondered where Mr Shakafuswa acquired that information when the bill has not yet been tabled before Parliament.
Mr Kunda said it is a criminal offence for any individual to access information which is classified.
He said when the bill is presented to Parliament, MPs will be accorded a chance to submit their comments, adding that it is prejudicial for any MP to make judgement based on a document which has not yet been tabled before the House.
And Mr Kunda said Government is looking for resources to fund the National Constitutional Conference (NCC) to enable it to complete its work.
The Vice-President said this in response to a question by Kalomo UPND MP Request Mutanga, who wanted to know what Government is doing to source funds for the completion of the Constitution-making process.
The NCC on Thursday announced that it requires funding to enable it to publish copies of the draft Constitution to enable members of the public to submit comments.
Mr Kunda said the Constitution-making process is on course, and that Government is doing everything possible to ensure the NCC is adequately funded.
And Mr Kunda said Government regrets the anomalies experienced in the printing of some pay slips for civil servants, resulting in delayed payment of salaries for June.
He said the authorities responsible are doing everything possible to correct the anomalies so that affected workers are paid.
Mr Kunda said this in response to a question from Katombora UPND MP Regina Musokotwane, who wanted to know what Government is doing to ensure workers are paid their salaries.
And Mr Kunda said it is the intention of Government to buy as much maize as possible from farmers in this year’s marketing season.
He said the Food Reserve Agency has been unable to buy maize from some parts of the country mainly because the moisture content of maize is still high.
Mr Kunda said this in response to a question from Pemba UPND MP David Matongo, who wanted to know why FRA has not started buying maize in some districts.
But Mr Kunda said the high moisture content of maize in some parts of the country has slowed down the buying exercise by FRA.
He said as soon as the moisture content meets the required standard, FRA will buy the maize.
And Mr Kunda said the continuous mobile voters’ registration by the Electoral Commission of Zambia will be conducted in all the polling stations across the country.
He said all the polling stations will be captured as the exercise is mobile and continuous.
Mr Kunda said this in response to Chipili PF MP Davies Mwila, who questioned why ECZ has selected a few polling stations to conduct the exercise.
Meanwhile, Mr Kunda said the 7.8 percent inflation rate which the country has recorded will have a positive impact on the economy.
He said the drop in inflation is likely to result in more lending facilities and reduced interest rate.
Mr Kunda was responding to a question by Bahati PF MP Besa Chimbaka, who asked what effect the drop in inflation will have on the economy.
[ Zambia Daily Mail ]
President Rupiah Banda
State House has described as malicious and false allegations that President Banda last month met the President of Chad, Idris Derby Itno, in Mfuwe to discuss oil supplies.
And State House says a number of statements in the media castigating President Banda’s travels and making assumptions about his itinerary must be dismissed as false and inaccurate.
Chief of staff Austin Sichinga said in a statement yesterday that the President of Chad has not been to Zambia recently, and has not discussed oil supplies with anyone.
Mr Sichinga said before Mr Banda went to Mfuwe, his special assistant for press and public relations Dickson Jere issued a statement that the President was going on a working visit, during which he was to meet investors.
“Ignoring this press release, one of our politicians went to a known radio station and claimed that he knew that President Banda was actually meeting His Excellency Mr Idris Derby Itno, President of Chad, in Mfuwe, and that they were discussing oil supplies.
“Nothing could have been farther from the truth. As the press release stated, the President went to Mfuwe for a working visit, and while there, the President met two visitors, both potential investors who coincidentally happened to be in Zambia and in Mfuwe during that particular visit,” Mr Sichinga said.
He said a number of statements in the media castigating President Banda’s travels and making assumptions about his itinerary must be dismissed as false and inaccurate.
Mr Sichinga said Mr Banda, like other state presidents, is a public figure, and the nation and its citizens have the right to know where he is and what he does.
He said in the recent past, a number of statements have been made in the media, especially on some radio stations, regarding the President’s trips as well as who he has been meeting, but most of them have been incorrect.
Dr Sichinga said that is why the office of the special assistant to the President for press and public relations issues statements whenever the President leaves State House for engagements outside the country.
“At no time have these statements been made or designed to mislead the citizens. Those claiming that the statements from State House are false, and that they know better or are better informed, have been peddling lies. There are no special ‘informers’ among the staff at State House who provide certain politicians with so called accurate information,” he said.
Mr Sichinga said the information the ‘informers’ have put out is not accurate, indicating that they are a figment of some politicians’ imaginations.
He said even when the President left for South Africa and Namibia, a press release was issued detailing the visit to the two countries.
Mr Sichinga said the same politician rushed to a radio station as before, claiming that the President had gone to Cape Town for a review on his knee, which was attended to there the previous year.
It was further claimed that Mr Banda kept his Namibian counterpart Hifikepunye Pohamba waiting for a whole day on the day he was scheduled to arrive.
“Again the statement on the radio was full of inaccurate information regarding the President’s visit. It was clearly designed or meant to mislead the Zambians. The President never travelled to Cape Town on this trip,” he said.
Dr Sichinga said it would have been helpful if claims made by politicians regarding the President’s travels could be substantiated by indicating which doctor attended to him and at which hospital.
He said Mr Banda left Lusaka on Sunday, June 20, 2010 for Johannesburg, where he met South African President Jacob Zuma, and together, they watched the Ivory Coast/Brazil game.
He said the President had private meetings and appointments on June 21 and 22, 2010 in Johannesburg and travelled to Namibia the following day when he was expected, arriving at 09.00 hours, one hour before he was due.
He said it is important for Zambians to remember that the President is elected by citizens of this country and pouring ridicule on the President is ridiculing the many Zambians who elected him into office.
[ Zambia Daily Mail ]
The United Party for National Development (UPND) has accused the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) of inciting tribal politics in Zambia.
Reacting to MMD National Chairman Micheal Mabenga’s statement that people of Southern Province cannot vote for PF leader Michael Sata and that the People of Northern Province can no vote for UPND Hakainde Hichilema if either of the two was to be the pact’s presidential candidate, UPND General Secretary Winstone Chibwe said such sentiments are tantamount to tribalism.
Mr Chibwe said that Zambians should condemn such sentiments from the MMD National Chairman because they have the potential to divide Zambians and create anarchy.
He said it is shameful for a leader of Mr Mabenga’s caliber to utter such remarks when his party President Rupiah Banda received votes from other Provinces other than from the Province he hails from during the 2008n presidential elections.
Mr Chibwe noted that it is erroneous for Mr Mabenga to suggest that a person cannot be voted for on grounds of the region where comes from.
Meanwhile Mr Chibwe said no amount of negative statements by the ruling MMD will distract the UPND/PF pact.
[ QFM ]
President Rupiah Banda has said only the politically blind Zambians were not seeing the developmental projects Government was implementing in all parts of the country. The President said this upon arrival at Ndola International Airport Friday ahead of tomorrow’s official opening of the Zambia International Trade Fair to be graced by Botswana President, Lieutenant General Seretse Ian Khama.
Speaking to a huge gathering that received him at the airport, President Banda said the ruling MMD party was national in character, represented by every tribe, province and district.The President Banda said only the MMD Government and former ruling party UNIP had worked on most of the roads of the nation which had never been rehabilitated for over 20 years.
The President said the ruling MMD government had brought development in many areas of Zambia’s economy such as the construction of schools and health institutions and many others.President Banda urged the MMD leaders in Ndola to remain focused and amicable and choose a candidate to float during the forthcoming Chifubu by elections who he said he would support fully.
[pullquote]The President Banda said only the MMD Government and former ruling party UNIP had worked on most of the roads of the nation which had never been rehabilitated for over 20 years.[/pullquote]
He said the MMD should embark on a door to door campaign to ensure that the party scoops the vacant seat. In a related development, President Banda urged the MMD to campaign hard and win all the nine local government elections around the country as well. Speaking about his health status, he said he was fit and sure that he and the MMD will win the 2011 general elections after telling the people the truth about how the ruling party had delivered over the many years it had been in power.
He said he would campaign vigorously and reach every village in Zambia. Speaking about the welfare of traditional leaders, President Banda said it was only the MMD that started refurbishing and electrifying the chiefs’ palaces. The President commended all Zambians for being peaceful people resulting in other African Heads of State expressing their desire to visit Zambia.
[pullquote]In reference to the UPND President Hakainde Hichilema, the President said the opposition should stop using abusive language and showing desperation to rule Zambia, adding that there were many more Zambians who were young better qualified than him.[/pullquote]
In reference to the UPND President Hakainde Hichilema, the President said the opposition should stop using abusive language and showing desperation to rule Zambia, adding that there were many more Zambians who were young better qualified than him. Upon arrival at Ndola International Airport,
President Banda was received by Copperbelt Provincial Minister Mwansa Mbulakulima, Provincial MMD ChairPERSON Joseph Chilambwe, Service Chiefs and other Senior MMD and Government officials.
He was accompanied by Foreign Affairs Minister Kabinga Pande, other Senior Government and MMD officials.
Government says Zambia’s debt with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) stands at US$ 333 million dollars. Finance and National Planning Minister, Deputy Minister David Phiri said Government has however paid US$ 1.9 million of the IMF debt from 2006 to date. He said Government will ensure that there is prudent management of the funds so that the country has no debt trap.
Mr.Phiri has also assured parliament that the country will not fall into a debt trap. The Deputy Minister said this in Parliament on Friday in response to a question raised by Chilubi Member of Parliament Obby Chisala who wanted to know Zambia’s current debt with the International Monetary Fund.
This was during the question and answer session. Mr. Chisala also wanted to know how much government has paid towards servicing the debt to the IMF from 2006 to-date Mr. Phiri said Government will continue to borrow funds from the IMF to finance major projects.
He said there are many areas which need funding and government will continue getting the money to finance them.
A 25 year old Woman of Namwala District has given birth to a bird in bizarre circumstances which has shocked medical staff at Namwala District Hospital.
Both District Commissioner Wilson Siadunka and Acting District Medical Officer Dr Davy Kaile confirmed this incident to ZANIS today.
The woman identified as Phaneti Ndabengwa of Kasenga area was admitted at the Hospital on Monday this week after she told medical staff that she was four months pregnant and had abdominal pains.
Dr Kaile narrated that the same night the woman went to the toilet after which she felt something coming out of her womanhood.
He said the woman called for help and nurses rushed to help her and were shocked to find a bird which came out of her womanhood.
Dr Kaile said the incident has left medical staff perplexed adding that a thorough Medical investigation conducted revealed the woman’s uterus was normal and further showed no signs of pregnancy.
He also said the Medical staff has kept the bird in the laboratory for further investigations.
In an interview with ZANIS, Ms Ndabengwa who looked shaken failed to narrate what happened.
The woman is alleged to have had an affair with a married man and given the high belief in witchcraft among people in Namwala, there is speculation that the woman could have been bewitched for going out with someone’s husband.
[ QFM ]
Vice President George Kunda says Government and the Cooperating Partners have reached a common understanding to observe diplomatic etiquette when dealing with each other. Mr Kunda told Parliament during the vice president’s question time that the recent pronouncements on donors relate to matters of diplomatic etiquette.
He said Zambia will continue to enjoy donor support because of Government’s commitment to prudent management of public resources. Mr Kunda further said that it is for this reason that the donor community continues to give government a lot of support in terms of aid.
He adds that government is fighting corruption, dedicated to tenets of democracy and pledged to continue upholding good governance. The Vice President described the relations between government and cooperating partners as very warm.
And Mr Kunda has revealed that government is revising the law on the fight against corruption. He says government is taking into account passed experiences such how certain cases have been prosecuted.
Mr Kunda was responding to a question by Katuba Member of Parliament Jonas Shakafuswa who wanted to know why section 87 of the Anti Corruption Commission Act which deals with abuse of office has been scrapped from the in the revised ACC Act which will be taken to Parliament.
Government says it collected over K600 billion in taxes from copper exports in 2009, Parliament heard today. Mines Deputy Minister Boniface Nkhata told parliament that government realized over K234 billion from mineral royalties and over K394 billion in company tax.
He told the House that no revenue was collected from copper ore exports in 2008 as no copper ore was exported during this year due to the effects of the global financial crisis.
Mr Nkhata however, disclosed that a total revenue of over K169 million was collected from the export of copper ores and concentrates in 2009. He further said that in 2008 revenue of over K268 million was collected from exports of copper concentrates.
Mr Nkhata was responding to a question by Kanchibiya Member Parliament Davis Mwango who wanted to know how much money was raised from the export of copper and how much the Government collected in taxes from the exports in 2008 and 2009.
The Zambia Police Service has in the last four days recovered five firearms and four motor vehicles from suspected dangerous criminals around Lusaka .
The recoveries were done in Chibolya, Ngwerere and Kaunda Square among other places. Briefing the media in Lusaka on Thursday, Police Spokesperson Bonny Kapeso disclosed that of the five firearms, three were loaded with more than 72 rounds of ammunition while one pistol had four rounds. Mr. Kapeso noted that of the recovered vehicles three were Toyota Corollas and one was a Toyota Hilux.
He explained that the Toyota Hilux registration Number ABK9539 which was snatched from a Lusaka resident in OlympiaPark area was recovered in the early hours of yesterday by the Zambia Police after a tip-off from the owner. Mr. Kapeso said the Police recovered the vehicle along Great North Road
after opening fire at a group of suspects who run away but one was arrested.
He said the Police have since arrested three suspects in connection with various criminal activities that have taken place in the city in past four days.
Mr. Kapeso explained that out of the three arrests made, two are wives of the suspected dangerous criminals who are helping police with investigations.
The police spokesperson has further cautioned members of public against engaging themselves in criminal activities saying police has intensified security and will not relent in dealing with any person found wanting.
The resumption of the league after a three-week break looks like starting on a low note with referees threatening to boycott games.
This is after protracted dispute with Faz over an unresolved issue on the revised match official allowances.
The situation has not been helped with the prospect of a large number of fans staying away on Saturday to watch the big quarterfinal match between Germany and Argentina that kicks off an hour into the super
Division match.
FAZ SUPER DIVISION WEEK 14
03/06/2010
Red Arrows-Konkola Blades
Zanaco-Choma Eagles
Nchanga Rangers-Lusaka Dynamos
Nkwazi-Power Dynamos
Nkana-Green Buffaloes
City of Lusaka-Zesco United
Forest Rangers-National Assembly
Roan United-Kabwe Warriors
Commerce deputy minister Lwipa Puma with a group of investors from Korea at the Lusaka international airport
By Chilekwa M. Mumba
Time and time again, Zambia’s political scene displays a lack of direction in both our party in government, as well as our major opposition parties who are currently clamoring to ensure the MMD’s exit. This past week unfolded some more political drama that sparked off everything from exchanges of unpalatable words in our local politics to international diplomatic rows. Zambians and the international community observed this fuming spectacle, now thankfully in its simmering stage. The hot air surrounding it is slowly evaporating as is to be expected with steam- and I choose the term “hot air” very intentionally, albeit sarcastically as the conclusion of this polemic will demonstrate.
At a time when our country is heading for major elections, we are supposed to see a difference between the ruling MMD and the country’s opposition. Instead, as we observe the substance (or lack thereof) of political debate, due to the haplessness of the politicians marketing themselves to the Zambian electorate, I cannot help but draw a comical comparative between our political leaders [as salesmen] who all claim to have the “best fix” to our country’s woes, and an old Chinese fable. The tale I refer to tells of a slick talking entrepreneur-cum-salesman who arrives in a village claiming to sell a spear which will penetrate everything and a shield which will block anything. Buyers anyone? No I doubt you will find any takers! If anything, the salesman/politician ends up looking like the oaf. [pullquote]At the end of the day, what was supposed to be a debate on accountability turned into as productive a debate as you would expect between two blocks of wood-nothing.[/pullquote]
In the same vein, our ruling MMD and current opposition will sell nothing to our electorate by their empty and nonconstructive rumblings on donor money. Our ever opportunistic MMD took this serious issue to look large and in charge by claiming sacred sovereignty over our country and thus these monies; and our ever inopportune opposition took this serious issue to express their angelic humility by gaudily stressing our dependency on donors. At the end of the day, what was supposed to be a debate on accountability turned into as productive a debate as you would expect between two blocks of wood-nothing. Donor money will continue to flow in the same path, seeing that the people responsible preferred a shouting match over debating on how to best utilize and account for it.
What is most irking about this particular situation is the fact that we find the donors playing the sensible role of demanding accountability for our country’s financial resources- a role which Zambians have entrusted to the opposition and party in government. It is quite troubling to note that the opposition decided to play the “choir-boy” role, going out of their way to sing praises for donors instead of directing this energy to not only demand accountability, but start discussing ideas of alternative policy arrangements that will ensure that donor money goes to its intended recipients. Donor money is no trivial issue-this is money that mostly supports critical life and death efforts such as our country’s health sector as well as Zambia’s infrastructure development. These displays of tactlessness from the opposition will not separate them from the very party they wish to replace. I wish to remind the opposition that whilst their “dependency song” will certainly attract shady “donors” who want to control our country’s fate, it will not auger well with the genuine and well-meaning donor countries who wish to see Zambia stand on its own two. This approach by our opposition does about as much harm as the equally tactless pronouncements by the ruling MMD government.
In summary, I will echo the observation that our country’s problems persist, because of the fruitless and misdirected political debate our politicians are all guilty of engaging themselves in. This donor debacle has testified that little to no difference exists between the MMD and major opposition. A contrasting difference between our political parties in government and in opposition is key to our nation’s progress on the political-economy front. It is a proven fact that an environment thriving with different and solid ideas breeds the progress we seek. As Zambians we must encourage not just politicians, but ourselves as responsible citizens to engage in productive debate. The best solutions come out of sensible debate, and indeed the very differences are quantified to a total sum; alternately where difference of ideas lacks, the progress summation equals zero.
Labour Deputy Minister Simon Kachimba says Government will soon announce the new minimum wage which an employee is supposed to earn per month. Mr. Kachimba said Government wanted to see a situation where employers begin to appreciate their employees by giving them good wages and long term contracts.
Labour and Social Security Deputy Minister Simon Kachimba
Speaking when he conducted an inspection of Fun City company and Zambia Engineering and Construction Company Limited (ZECCO) in Lusaka on Thursday, the Deputy Minister warned that Government will not allow casualisation of labour in the country.
He said that Government wanted to encourage Zambianisation, a system where qualified Zambians take up management positions in companies. He noted that the country has qualified human resource to run companies adding that expatriates can only be used in areas where the country was lacking. He has also advised employers to consult his ministry on matters related to labour laws to avoid violating the law.
Meanwhile, Fun City Regional Director Aston Kaunda told the minister and his entourage that his company is now run by Zambians. Mr. Kaunda said disclosed that out of the 120 employees, 85 were unionised and that the lowest paid employee at his company was earning K1.5 million.
He said his company has responsibility to prove to the public that Zambianisation could work and commended the minister for making an inspection.
And an inspection at ZECCO reviewed that most employees were on short term contracts and were found working without protective clothing. Some employees found at the construction site complained to the minister that their wages were as low as K300, 000 per month.
Human Resources Officer Eslom Kamumema told the Minister that they will ensure that errors are corrected.
First Lady Thandiwe Banda has called on corporate organisations in Zambia to rise to the challenge and contribute generously to efforts aimed at improving education standards in the country. Mrs. Banda noted that Government alone could not provide adequate resources within a short period of time hence the need for concerted efforts from all stakeholders.
She said quality education could be achieved, if stakeholders and parents give their children an opportunity to obtain education in a good learning environment.
Mrs. Banda said the burden of improving infrastructure in the education sector could be easy, if all parents and the corporate bodies contribute generously towards the rehabilitation of the dilapidated infrastructure at learning institutions.
The First Lady said this at the fundraising dinner dance for Lwitikila Girls’ High School held at Savoy Hotel in Ndola Thursday night. She donated K2 million cash and another K2 million from the ministers’ spouses towards improving run down infrastructure at the school.
Others who contributed are the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) northern region, which donated K1.5 million, Z-Mart and Mbala District Council K1 million each, Mopani Copper Mines gave K2 million, Copperbelt Provincial administration K1 million while Zambezi Portland Cement donated 600 bags of cement worth K32 million.
The rest are Northern Province administration which gave 50 bags of cement. Over K300 million was raised during the dinner dance out of the targeted K500 million for rehabilitating Lwitikila Girls’ School, which is 48 years old. Mrs. Banda paid tribute to Lwitikila Girls’ School Management for recording a 100 per cent pass rate at grade twelve level in the 2009 examinations.
She said the school has continued to provide high quality education to Zambian girls. She further thanked those that donated cash and pledged to support the school. And speaking at the same function, School head teacher, Sylvia Kagurula said it was not the desire of the school to allow the infrastructure at the institution to run down to the level where it was now.
Sr. Kagurula commended stakeholders that donated towards rehabilitating her school saying the gesture was good for improving the learning environment for the girl child.
She assured the First Lady and other stakeholders that the donated funds would be used to improve education standards at the institution. And Northern Province Minister John Chinyata said the province was proud of Lwitikila Girls’ school because of its good record of educating girl children in the region and the whole country.
Mr. Chinyata acknowledged the challenges the school was facing and reiterated the provincial administration’s resolve to assist the school with education materials. He said the administration had demonstrated this by donating 80 computers to the school and provided furniture and rehabilitated electrical pots for the school.
He said the provincial administration would continue to work closely with the school’s PTA in improving the learning standards at the institution.
Lwitikila Girls’ High School is run by the Catholic Church through the Mpika Diocese in partnership with Government.
President Rupiah Banda is tomorrow scheduled to leave for Ndola in the Copperbelt province in readiness to receive his Botswana counterpart, Ian Khama on Saturday. Lieutenant General Khama is coming to Zambia for an official visit, which will coincide with the official opening of the 46th Zambia International Trade Fair (ZITF) in Ndola.
Lt. General Khama is expected to be the guest of Honour at this year’s Zambia International Trade Fair. President Banda will be accompanied to the Copperbelt by Minister of Commerce, Felix Mutati and other senior government officials.
The President and his delegation are expected to return to Lusaka on Sunday. This is contained in a press statement made available to ZANIS by President Banda Special Assistant for Press and Public Relations, Dickson Jere.
