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Government gives green light to export of maize surplus of 1.1 million tonnes

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The Zambia Government has allowed farmers and traders to export the maize surplus of 1.1 million tonnes mainly in southern African after a good harvest, but farmers have urged more exports.

Zambia National Farmers’ Union (ZNUF) president Jervis Zimba told Reuters today that farmers also wanted the government to provide tax waivers on maize exports and other incentives to make exports cheaper.

He said they are looking at exporting somewhere around 1.3 million tonnes in order not to have serious carry-overs for the next crop. Zimba said proposals to subsidise exports would also allow excess maize to be removed from the local market and guarantee higher prices in the 2010/11 season, after the government kept this year’s prices flat at K65,000 per 50kg bag.

Zimba said maize output would drop if the government did not facilitate the export of the surplus through an export subsidy.
South Africa said in April that it had secured foreign markets to sell its surplus maize of about 4 million tonnes in the 2009/10 season to safeguard maize prices for local farmers.

[pullquote] Zimba said proposals to subsidise exports would also allow excess maize to be removed from the local market and guarantee higher prices in the 2010/11 season, after the government kept this year’s prices flat at K65,000 per 50kg bag.[/pullquote]

Zambia produced 2.7 million tonnes of white maize in 2009/2010, beating last season’s harvest of 1.9 million tonnes, to leave a surplus of 1.1 million, according to a government crop survey.

Zimba said Zambia’s food balance sheet showed that total maize required for human consumption was 1.3 million tonnes, 230,000 tonnes for industrial use and 200,000 for strategic reserves.

Zambia, Africa’s top copper producer, also relies on copper exports for about 63 percent of foreign exchange earnings.

It has in the previous seasons exported maize to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana and Angola.

Exporters said they will target exports to Zimbabwe, after it declared 11 percent of its maize a write-off due to a dry spell, and also to other neighboring countries.

Meanwile, Kenya and Sudan have expressed interest in importing maize from Zambia.

Agriculture Minister Peter Daka says ZAMBIA has the capacity to export Maize and other crops to neighbouring countries and the sub region.

Zambia this year has over three million tonnes of maize following a bumper harvest recorded this year and carry over stock from last year.

Mr Daka said this during a consultative workshop on the development of the Zambia National Rice Strategy in Lusaka on today.

The minister said Zambia could treble its rice production if it develops a strategic plan for the sector.

Zambia currently produces 42 thousand metric tones of rice annually.

Reuters/ZNBC

UNZASU calls for resignation of Dr. Solomon Musonda

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Chief government spokesperson Ronnie Shikapwasha visits a PF cadre who was shot by health deputy minister Solomon Musonda

Following the shooting of Mr Musaka by the Deputy Minister of Health Dr Solomon Musonda, the University of Zambia Student Union (UNZASU) demands that Dr Musonda RESIGNS on moral grounds to allow the law to take its course without government interference. UNZASU strongly condemns this growing trend of shooting unarmed citizens by police that is now spilling over to political and government leaders.

Justice delayed is justice denied, therefore, Dr Musonda must resign to allow quick, free and fair investigations given his grave offence.We further call upon political party leaders to stop perpetuating violence by inciting violence through their followers as such would not obtain if the leaders did not tolerate it.

UNZASU also calls upon His Excellency the Republican President Rupiah Bwezani Banda to take stiff disciplinary action on government officials as such acts are discrediting his leadership.We believe that the root cause of this growing political violence is because the leaders of these political parties involved allow it.

This act of violence if left unchecked will incite future violence among opposing political parties and their followers. It is therefore imperative that the Inspector General of Police Francis Kabonde look into this matter impartially and independently by opening an investigation into the shooting, as the Honorable Deputy Minister should not have gotten off with a mere warning. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.

Yours in students service,

Matongo, Otis (Mr) Secretary General UNZASU
Lunda, Mutinta (Mr) Publicity & Info Secretary UNZASU

Editor’s Note

Title Corrected

ZUFIAW warns of anarchy

The Zambia Union of Financial Institutions and Allied Workers (ZUFIAW) has warned that if the country goes to the next polls under the current prevailing political environment, there will be anarchy in the nation.

ZUFIAW president Cephus Mukuka observed that there is too much bitterness on the country’s political scene which if it continues there would be serious consequences in next year’s 2011 elections.

Mr Mukuka noted that the level of political violence which the country has witnessed in the recently is a source of concern especially as the country prepares for the 2011 general elections.

He said political leaders in both the ruling and opposition political parties are bitter with each other and that this is beginning to trickle down to their supporters, thereby heightening the political tension in the country ahead of the 2011elections.

Mr Mukuka has challenged stakeholders such as the civil society and the Church to help reconcile political party leaders in the country.

He said there is need for the church to work towards reconciling political leaders and to bring about spiritual healing in the country ahead of next year’s polls.

Mr Mukuka emphasized that it is the responsibility of stakeholders to calm the situation and try by all means to maintain a peaceful political atmosphere in the country for Zambia’s young democracy to grow.
[ QFM ]

Msiska Hopes To Evoke Spirit of ’88

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New Zambia Under-23 coach Lucky Msiska says he hopes to inspire his team to the 2012 Olympics in London with the spirit of 1988.

Msiska was part of the famous team that set alight the 1988 Olympic Games football tournament in Seoul, South Korea where the team reached the quarterfinals.

The Belgium-based former Zambia and Power Dynamos winger said he is aware that they were a lot of expectations for him to qualify the team to the Olympic for the first time in 22 years.

“People expect a lot from me from my 20 years in Belgium,” Msiska said. “I hope it will happen, that’s why I am here.”

Msiska said qualifying the team to the London Olympic football tournament will be the crowing moment for him.

“That (qualifying) will be the best moment in my coaching career to take Under-23 to Olympics that will be dream come true for me,” Msiska said.

The qualifying process will be unveiled next month by CAF with three teams from the Africa zone qualifying to the London Olympics.

The best runner-up from the three-group qualifiers will enter a two-leg playoff against an Asian team for a golden ticket to the London finals.

Be accountable,ZCTU tells civil servants

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Leonard Hikaumba (R)

The Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) has urged civil servants in the country to develop efficient ways of accounting for money entrusted in their care.

ZCTU president Leonard Hikaumba says systems of financial management, transparency and accountability in the public sector can only work effectively if the civil servants adhere to the regulations and dictates of the systems put in place by government.

Mr Hikaumba said the negligence pertaining to financial management and transparency policies by workers such as the failure to retire imprest has led to unaccounted for colossal sums of money which has been perceived as stolen by the public.

He added that it is through such weaknesses exhibited by workers that some unscrupulous people tend to find loopholes to swindle government of huge sums of money.

Mr Hikaumba further said controlling officers should also ensure that officers entrusted with public funds during official duties avoid over commitment and unnecessary spending of monies.
He said this in an interview with QFM.
[ Q FM]

AG’s report findings stink-FFTUZ

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The Federation for Free Trade Unions of Zambia (FFTUZ) has described the findings in the Auditor General’s reports as stinking.
FFTUZ vice president,Charles Phiri says though the Auditor General’s reports are perfectly done, the fact that government has adamantly shown no willingness to act on them makes them rotten and stinking.
Mr. Phiri says it is not right for government to ignore what the report has highlighted and still claim to be committed to fighting corruption.
He says ordinary Zambians are bearing the brunt of corruption because of lack of political will on the part of government.

He accused the MMD government of abetting corruption and allowing the misappropriation of public funds to continue by failing to take action against erring public officers.

Mr Phiri said culprits named in the Auditor General’s reports have been left to continue roaming the streets and walk around as free men at the expense of the many poor Zambians who are struggling to meet the little basic needs for their families.
He has since challenged government to take keen interest in addressing the issues that were exposed in the Auditor General’s report.
[Q FM]

FJT visits Chifubu

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BUSINESS came to a standstill yesterday when second Republican president Frederick Chiluba visited Chifubu Market in Chifubu Township in Ndola.

Dr Chiluba, who was accompanied by his bodyguards was spotted at Chifubu Market at about 16:45 hours.

Initially, people were not too sure about his presence but later realised who he was after word went round.

While in the market stands, Dr Chiluba talked to an elderly citizen of Chifubu called Lise Bwalya.

Ms Bwalya walked with Dr Chiluba to her house at 38CHD787 just across the main road near the market and at this point the crowd kept on growing bigger.

Dr Chiluba visited the house and Ms Bwalya said she was a widow that was struggling to survive.

“My husband died some time ago and I just work to get some money. So please help me,” she said.

Dr Chiluba left the house in the midst of excited youths up until the market where he was received with mixed emotions.

Some people shouted that he was the cause of their suffering and that they were behind the Patriotic Front while others shouted ‘the hour’ in support of the MMD.

He left the market about 17:30 hours as the mob followed him shouting different slogans.

[Times of Zambia]

No foul play in Silwamba’s death

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A POLICE investigator yesterday told a Lusaka Magistrate’s Court inquest that former Ministry of Health permanent secretary Gavin Silwamba died as a result of drowning.

Assistant superintendent Gift Mweendo said when the matter came up for continued hearing before magistrate Bartholomew Kaongo there was no foul play in Dr Silwamba’s death but the former permanent secretary drowned.

Mr Mweendo, 52 said according to his investigations, Dr Silwamba’s death was caused by an accident which happened when the dugout canoe he was in capsized.

This is in a matter in which Dr Silwamba’s family had requested the State to hold an inquest to ascertain the cause of the former Ministry of Heath permanent secretary.

Dr Silwamba died last year in Lusaka’s Blue Lagoon game management area during hunting expedition with his friend Yuyi Lishomwa.

He said the postmortem report prepared by late Zambia police forensic pathologist Joseph Banda indicated that Dr Silwamba died from drowning.

Mr Mweendo said he had been a detective for more than 23 years and Dr Silwamba’s death was not his first inquest assignment.

Another witness, Max Hamukale said Dr Silwamba was not forced to go on a hunting trip with Mr Lishomwa.

Mr Hamukale, 40, a Spectra Oil financial controller said he was in Mr Lishomwa’s office when Dr Silwamba entered and persuaded Mr Lishomwa to go hunting.
[Times of Zambia]

Zamtel sold at fair price – Finance minister

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File picture for Finance minister Situmbeko Musokotwane

FINANCE and National Planning Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane has said Zamtel was sold at an excellent and fair price.

Dr Musokotwane said in an interview yesterday that the US$257million that the company was sold at was the best price and the company was not undervalued.

He said the Government decided to sell the company because it had become a drain on the treasury as it was making huge losses, citing the $2 million loss last year.

Government at the weekend concluded a $257 million sale of 75 per cent shares of Zamtel to Libya’s LAP Green Network.

And Dr Musokotwane has cautioned Patriotic Front (PF) president Michael Sata against making wild statements challenging him to report the corruption in the sale of Zamtel to the Anti-Corruption Commission.

The Finance minister said in an interview yesterday that Zamtel had gotten to a point were it was failing to pay salaries for employees.

The sale of Zamtel would make it more competitive, which he said was good for the Zambian consumers.

Dr Musokotwane maintained that those who would lose their jobs would be paid their redundancy packages immediately.

The sale of Zamtel was in the best interest of the company and Zambia and was done in accordance with the privatisation regulations in the Zambia Development Agency Act.

The minister’s statement comes in the wake of Mr Sata’s statement that the Zamtel sale amounts to plunder.

Meanwhile, the Finance minister has said Government has not failed to pay civil servants as suggested by some opposition parties.

“The money is there, the problem has been with the Public Service Management Division (PSMD) who have been computerising the system,” he said.

[Times of Zambia]

HH benefitted from privatisation — Siliya

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FLASHBACK: Dora Siliya during the Media Breakfast

MMD spokesperson Dora Siliya yesterday said UPND president Hakainde Hichilema benefited from the privatisation of parastatal companies although he is now condemning the policy.

Ms Siliya said records at the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) and the Ministry of Finance show the UPND leader participated and benefited from the privatisation programme.

She urged Mr Hichilema to reconcile his sentiments on Radio Phoenix’s ‘Let the People Talk’ programme with the history of privatisation in the country and confirm that records available indicate that he was an active participant in the sale of companies.

In an interview from Johannesburg, Ms Siliya said Mr Hichilema sat and led some teams that were tasked with the privatisation of companies, including sitting on committees that spearheaded the process.

Ms Siliya, who is minister of education, said the UPND leader must show maturity in his politics rather than pour scorn on a process he knows too well and collected commissions and other fees amounting to US$12 million.

She said the Government had details about the privatisation process at the ZDA and the Ministry of Finance which were available and warned Mr Hichilema to avoid cheap politics.

[pullquote]Ms Siliya, who is minister of education, said the UPND leader must show maturity in his politics rather than pour scorn on a process he knows too well and collected commissions and other fees amounting to US$12 million.[/pullquote]

She described Mr Hichilema as immature and driven by political vindictiveness owing to his crude language against other political actors.

She advised Mr Hichilema to respect court verdicts that cleared her of allegations of impropriety while she was minister of Communications and Transport.

Featuring on Radio Phoenix’s ‘Let the People Talk’ programme, Mr Hichilema said 51 per cent shares in Zamtel should have been sold to Zambians and that Libya’s Lap GreenN should have bought a 49 per cent stake in Zamtel.

Mr Hichilema also denied having participated in the sale of Roan Antelope Mining Corporation as the company was only sold to Binani Group of Companies between 1997 and 1998 and he was never part of the process that led to its sale.

He denied having received the $12 million and challenged Government to check his books of accounts at Barclays Bank where his money has been deposited for 27 years.

Mr Hichilema also called for a system that would allow Zambians access investment licences, which they should use as contributions towards the formation of joint ventures with foreign nationals wishing to invest in Zambia.

[pullquote]He denied having received the $12 million and challenged Government to check his books of accounts at Barclays Bank where his money has been deposited for 27 years.[/pullquote]

But Ms Siliya said Mr Hichilema lacked the political acumen to allow him to lead Zambia and his ideas showed he was merely a comedian who was about to enter a pact without a future.

She dismissed Mr Hichilema’s sentiments that the ruling party was jittery following the launch of the pact and assured Zambians that the MMD would roll to victory in next year’s elections.

Meanwhile, Mr Hichilema has said candidacy for the pact remains an open contest between him and Patriotic Front president Michael Sata because the two leaders hold equal power and chances in the alliance.

Magande’s alleged agent nabbed over rice

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One of the Agents involved in a scam in which former finance Minister Ng’andu Magande allegedly duped a Tanzanian National of over 200 bags of rice worth K200 million has been arrested.

Dickson Silondwa who was in the company of Chris Gona another agent suspected to be Magande’s cousin was arrested yesterday evening and detained for questioning at COMESA police post.

The charges against Silondwa are that while acting together with Gona allegedly hired transporters to transport 40 tonnes of rice from Mbala to Lusaka without later paying the transporters their dues.

The arrest is in connection with an incident where a Tanzanian national has accused Chilanga Member of Parliament Ng’andu Magande of allegedly swindling him of 200 million Kwacha.

Soul Hilal Rashid a Tanzanian resident of Sibuwanga told journalists recently that Magande had neglected to pay for a total of supply of 5,000 by 100kg bags of rice despite the consignment having been delivered to him as per agreement of 7th April 2010.

According to the agreement the parliamentarian who is also former finance Minister was suppose to pay half the amount to Rashid a week after the collection of the consignment at Mbala which was the agreed destination .

MR Magande who is alleged to have been liaising with Rashid through his cousin Chris Gona and Dickson Silondwe was also suppose to pay his accommodation and meals whilst in Zambia.

And Rashid who runs an export business says that he is stranded because Mr Magande has refused to call him.

QFM

Govt given 48 hours ultimatum

The Zambia Water and Sanitation Engineering and Allied workers’ union has given government a 48 hour ultimatum to withdraw the circular directing salary increments of up to 5% for all workers in the water and sanitation sector.

Union president, Joseph Musapa said government’s decision to sanction a 5% salary increment for workers in the water sector when other civil servants where given a 15% increment is unjustified and an infringement on the worker’ rights.

Mr Musapa revealed that managements in water utilities have become skeptical in implementing the agreement entered into for a higher percent owing to the fact that the local government permanent secretary had issued a preceding circular of 5% increments.

He said his union has, therefore, decided to give government a 48 hour ultimatum to withdraw the circular, failure to which workers would resolved to go on a sitting in protest throughout the country.

Mr Musapa added that government should stop using the excuse that water utilities have been reluctant in remitting to NAPSA as a scape-goat and pay the over K50 billion it owes them.
[ QFM ]

Imagine Lusaka was a brother

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By Rodger Chali
Imagine Lusaka was a brother and the eight other provinces were his siblings. Brother Lusaka is blessed to have his own children called government ministries, 22 of them.

The peculiar phenomena in this relationship is either brother Lusaka is a very kind person or the eight brothers and sisters are very lazy. Brother Lusaka may also be very greedy, being the managing Director of company called Zambia, he has directed his siblings who runs his subsidiaries to send all the profits to him and he alone and his children decides who gets what. It does not matter if sister Copperbelt has been making loses or not.

Brother Lusaka has gone to an extent of telling his siblings he will make education decisions for his brothers and sisters through his son ministry of Education. If you obtain land from Western you may need to travel to Lusaka to obtain the title deeds from nephew Lands and natural resources.

Lusaka understands the pain brother and sister NorthWestern and Copperbelt respectively are going through to produce the copper in terms of road destruction by the heavy trucks which uses those roads. While he has his own road problems were he lives, he has assured all of us nephew works and supply has everything under control.

Nephew Ministry Finance has failed to come up with a system of collecting taxes from the informal sector and has opted the easier way of finding money for the Uncles, borrow from the donors.

His intentions and of his children are good but he is clearly overwhelmed and in some cases his children have become abusive to Uncles and Aunties, getting a passport is a nightmare, the Uncles have to pay double the official price.

Lusaka’s siblings have full potential to develop their own areas, but he has assured everyone he is capable of taking care of us. The end result after 45 years only brother Lusaka and his children are fat and all other eight brothers and sisters except Copperbelt province live without intensive care units in their provincial hospitals. By the way if he gets a flu or his children sneeze, they have an option to go to South Africa.

SESTUZ condemns government over delayed May salaries

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The Secondary School Teachers Union of Zambia (SESTUZ) has expressed disappointment over government’s failure to
pay its teacher members their May 2010 salaries on time.

SESTUZ General Secretary Emmanuel Zulu said government assured the union that their salaries will be in teacher’s bank accounts by mid-week last week but expressed sadness that government has not honored its promise.

Mr. Zulu disclosed this in a statement availed to ZANIS in Lusaka today that it is even more disappointing to note that only a few teachers from Luapula and Western provinces have been reported to have gotten their salaries by last week.

He said following government’s failure to pay them their salaries teachers can hardly afford a meal a day adding that they are constantly being threatened with evictions by their landlords who are demanding payments rentals.

Mr. Zulu has since called on government to immediately find a lasting solution and provide them with an explanation to why they have not been paid their dues up to now.

But Secretary to the Cabinet Dr Joshua Kannganja has announced that Government employees who do not receive their salaries through the Direct and Cedit Clearing (DDACC) system will receive the same within this week.

Government employees already on the district Debit and Credit Clearing system started receiving their salaries last week.

The Secretary to the Cabinet has apologised to affected government employees for the inconvenience and hardship caused by the late payment of salaries.

He has however assured the affected workers that the administrative /Technical challenges that led to the recent late payment of salaries have been identified and appropriate remedial measures have been put to avoid delayed payment of salaries in future.

ZANIS

Police probe of Musonda,going well-Kapeso

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Zambia Police says investigations into the shooting incident involving Health Deputy Minister Solomon Musonda are progressing well.

Zambia Police Spokesperson Bonny Kapeso told QFM in an interview this morning that investigations are still on course.
He appeals to Zambians to remain calm and patient as police do their job professionally on the matter.

Health Deputy Minister Dr. Solomon Musonda on Tuesday last week shot and wounded an opposition Patriotic Front cadre, Jackson Musaka on his forehead in Serenje district.

The incident happened around 17:50 hours in an area called Lubembe within Serenje district.

Police have since recorded a warn and caution statement from Dr. Musonda for attempted murder.