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“And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine bursts the wineskins, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But new wine must be put into new wineskins”
(Mark 2:22, NKJ)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
Are you ready for increase? Are you ready to go to the next level spiritually, physically and emotionally? In today’s verse, Jesus is basically saying that you can’t go to a new level with an old way of thinking.
I’ve found that many people hear the truth that God has more in store for them, and something resonates on the inside. Their spirit comes into agreement with God. But often times, their natural minds will try to talk them out it. Thoughts come like, “It’s not going to happen for you. You’re not going to have a great year. You know what the economy is like.” Or, “You’re never going to get well. You saw what the medical report said.” “You’re never going to get married. You’ve been single so long.”
Friend, those are the old wineskins that you have to get rid of. This is a new season. What’s happened in the past is over and done. You may have been through some disappointments, you may have tried and failed or things didn’t work out. That’s okay. We serve a God of restoration. It’s time to get a new vision for your life. It’s time to open yourself to a new way of thinking so that you can move forward and receive all the blessings God has in store for you!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father in heaven, today I choose to get rid of old wineskins. I choose to release old thinking, old habits, and anything that would keep me from Your best. Strengthen me by Your Spirit so that I can live my life in a way that pleases You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
South Africa dashed Zambia’s dreams of a second successive qualification spot to the CHAN after drawing 1-1 in Lusaka today.
The visitors were the better side in this second round, return leg match that Zambia needed to win by 2-0 but instead were bundled out 2-1 on aggregate by colorful South Africa who dominated their hosts at Nkoloma stadium.
It was a difficult call for fans in Lusaka today who had to choose between going to the PF/UPND Pact rally at the Freedom Statue or taking the risk of watching Zambia.
For those that opted to stand in the snaking and endless queues to get into a packed Nkoloma to watch Zambia take on archrivals South Africa, were left kicking themselves and very disappointed and surely wished instead that they should have picked politics on their weekend social menu.
George Lwandamina and the state of Zambian football were the main topics the fans grumbled about as they trooped out of Nkoloma.
“That is why he (Lwandamina) failed at Warriors,” said one fan referring to Lwandamina’s recent brief and forgettable coaching spell at Kabwe Warriors.
“Lwandamina is not material to coach Zambia,” said another.
“This is why I don’t watch Zambian football, watching rubbish like that,” another fan said.
“Fi Zambian football, awe mwe…” said another fan.
We were told by those in the know who travelled to watch the first leg at Hunters Field outside Johannesburg that South Africa were poor second in a match the hosts won 1-0.
After watching today’s match, I beg to disagree as South Africa, led by their inspirational captain and playmaker Lefa Tsutsulupa, out-thought Lwandamina’s basic and predictable side who barely managed to frighten their guests or string three passes together.
Meanwhile, South Africa were rewarded for their commanding display with a 37th minute goal from midfielder Sifiso Myeni who unleashed an unstopped shot from outside the box that was too hot to handle for Zambian goalkeeper Jacob Banda to see the visitors take a very deserved 1-0 lead into halftime.
Zambia were rewarded with a late goal after another erratic display of huff and puff football in the 81st minute when Kennedy Mudenda finished off a one-two move with Jimmy Chisenga in front of goal.
Finance minister Situmbeko Musokotwane
A Libyan telecommunication firm has bought seventy five percent shares in Zamtel. Lap Green has agreed to pay a total consideration of two hundred and fifty seven million United States dollars for seventy five percent of the equity in Zamtel, which values hundred percent of the equity in the company.
Speaking after the singing of the transaction documents of the sale and purchase agreement, the shareholders agreement and other documents in Lusaka, Finance and National Planning Minister Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane expressed satisfaction with the price at which the country’s telecommunication firm has been sold.
Dr. Musokotwane further explained that Lap Green has agreed to provide sixty two million US Dollars in additional funding.
He said the sixty two million US dollars will be part of Zamtel’s network expansion programme.
The Finance Minister also said that Lap Green will provide a further seventy five million US Dollars in taking over government guarantees relating to network expansion projects.
He noted that this would bring the total amount to three hundred and forty three million US dollars.
Dr. Musokotwane also disclosed that LAP Green has assured the Zambian government that a substantial part would be allocated to the settlement of full redundancy package for the two thousand three hundred and forty one Zamtel employees as agreed by the unions.
He,however, said some workers would be rehired.
Lap Green was one of the four telecom firms that qualified in the last part of the bidders of the country’s telecommunication firm.
The Zambian government has,however, remained with twenty five percent of shares in the telecommunication firm.
And Communication Minister Professor Geoffrey Lungwangwa said the coming in of Lap Green would enhance the development of Information Communication and Technology (ICT) in Zambia.
LAP Green group Chief Executive Officer Abdulbassat Elzzabi said his firm that has a total investment of five billion US dollars will ensure that Zamtel becomes a force to reckon with.
[ MUV TV ]
Some Lusaka residents during the launch of the UPND-PF pact
The long awaited United Party for National Development and Patriotic Front UPND/PF pact has finally been launched with the two pact leaders calling on the Zambians to take up a personal responsibility in cementing and securing the pact.
And Patriotic Front leader, Michael Sata has alleged that the ruling movement for multi party democracy MMD led government yesterday sold off the Zambia telecommunications company ZAMTEL and leaving the workers unattended to as they moneys have not yet been paid.
Mr. Sata said that the current government is still being led under the first republic regime and that is why the MMD has continued to sell off the national resource without the consent of the people of this nation.
He said that the ruling MMD is fully aware of the high level of poverty in this country but has decided to put a blind eye to the needs of the people and focus on enriching themselves at the expense of the people.
Meanwhile Mr. Sata has observed that the decision by government to jail post editor, Fred Mmembe who was yesterday sentenced to four months in prison with hard labour will cost the MMD.
Mr. Sata said that the MMD could have thought of something better than jailing and detaining a journalist because he will expose them for who they really are and how they have failed to take care of the prisoners in this country.
And speaking earlier, UPND president, Hikainde Hichilema charged that the MMD failure to put an end to corruption within the governing system has exacerbated the levels of poverty in the country.
Mr. Hichilema said that the government has been unable to provide quality social services to the people of this nation and is largely responsible for the people’s suffering.
Mr. hichilema has also challenged the government to bring back the windfall tax in the mining sector.
President Banda yesterday refused to comment on the conviction of The Post editor-in-chief Fred M’membe by a Lusaka magistrate court and on Deputy Minister of Health Solomon Musonda’s alleged shooting and wounding of a suspected Patriotic Front cadre, Jackson Musata, in Serenje on Tuesday.
Answering questions from journalists at Lusaka International Airport shortly after arriving from France at about 18:00 hours, the president said he would not comment om Mr M’membe ‘s case because it was a legal matter which he was yet to study.
“I don’t want to get involved until I have a chance to talk to my Minister of Justice to get a brief about it,” he said.
On Dr Solomon Musonda’s alleged shooting and wounding of a suspected Patriotic Front cadre, Mr Banda said he is unable to immediately comment on the matter, especially that it took place in his absence.
Meanwhile, President Banda has announced that French investors will start arriving in the country as early as next week to explore avenues of investment in various sectors of the economy.
This follows successful meetings he held with them on the sidelines of the just ended France-Africa summit held in Nice.
He said the summit was of great benefit to Zambia and Africa as a whole as it tackled critical areas of development, climate change, peace and security in Africa, including other development issues between Africa and France.
“The summit was very useful. In addition to that, I spent one-and-half days talking to various investors and other people who want to come to Zambia to invest in various fields. I look forward to greater achievements in that sense,” he said.
Mr Banda said it was wonderful to see English, French and Portuguese-speaking Africans getting together to discuss development programmes.
He said France is going to be chair of the G20 and there is an agreement among African countries that Paris will try and actualise some of the recommendations of the summit, particularly those on international governance, membership to the United Nations and other institutions.
“We have agreed with France that they will carry our message. But they will have to wait until we meet as African Union(AU) to finalise our position and pass it on to France,” he said.
Calls to have Deputy Minister of Health Dr Solomon Musonda arrested have continued gain momentum. The Non Governmental Organization Coordinating Council (NGOCC) has challenged Republican President, Rupiah Banda to immediately take action against trigger happy Health Deputy Minister Solomon Musonda for shooting and wounding a Patriotic Front PF cadre in Serenje.
And Home affairs minister, Mkondo Lungu has been urged to consider the shooting incident as a crisis and arrest the Deputy Minister without any hesitation because he is a serious danger to the Zambian society.
NGOCC, Executive Director, Engwase Mwale told that Qfm it was very unfortunate that the Deputy Minister is still enjoying his freedom when MMD government would not have hesitated had the culprit been from the opposition.
Ms. Mwale added that the conduct exhibited by the Deputy Minister against his own people is an indication that the MMD leadership is not committed to eradicating political violence.
She has also cautioned against such kind of intolerance by politicians taking root in the country, which she said might soon become unstoppable.
George Lwandamina’s biggest day at the helm of the senior Zambia national team has arrived when his faces South Africa in a crucial CHAN qualifier at Nkoloma stadium on Saturday.
Trailing 1-0 from the first leg played on May 23 at Hunters Field outside Johannesburg, Zambia need to beat South Africa 2-0 to qualify to the CHAN finals in Sudan next year.
Lwandamina, in his second match is charge,is playing his cards close to his chest and by going to press his final 18 remains a mystery.
He will be banking on Zambia’s good home record of not having lost a CHAN match in three games since last year in the race qualifying to the inaugural CHAN event staged in Cote d’Ivoire.
Lwandamina will be banking on the same spirit this weekend with his attack certain to be led by Makundika Sakala who scored the winner for Zambia on Wednesday in a friendly mach against Angola in Lusaka.
Luka Lungu should start in midfield while Dennis Banda, plus the Zanaco trio of Charles Siyingwa, Thomas Nyirenda and Eugene Shamakamba expected to man the defence.
Meanwhile, South Africa coach Simon Ngomane has said playing Zambia at home or away is never easy.
Ngomane will be banking on attacking midfielder Lefa Tsutsulupa to continue with his lucky streak against Zambia against whom he has scored two goals in as many matches played against them.
Post editor Fred M'membe being escorted to Lusaka Central remand prison under heavy guard. This was shortly after being sentenced to serve four months with hard labour by Lusaka magistrate David Simusamba. Picture courtesy of Post Newspaper
Post Newspapers Editor-in-Chief Fred M’membe who was this morning sentenced to four months imprisonment with hard labour has been taken to Lusaka Central Prison to begin serving his prison sentence.
His lawyers George Chisanga and Remmy Mainza struggled to get him out on bail pending appeal to the High Court. According to information received, Magistrate David Simusamba who is supposed to sign the bail has disappeared, leaving prison officers without an option but to send Mr. M’membe to Prison.
Mr. M’membe has been sentenced to four months imprisonment with hard labour after being found guilty of contempt of court together with the Post Newspapers by Magistrate Simusamba.
Mr M’membe has also been sentenced to four months simple imprisonment on behalf of the Post Newspapers, after Magistrate David Simusamba set free Post Human Resources Director Rueben Phiri who was standing in for the Newspaper.
Passing sentence this morning, Magistrate Simusamba said Phiri could not be the right person to suffer for the Post. He said the sentences will run concurrently meaning Mr M’membe will only serve a four months jail term.
Magistrate Simusamba said the sentence is meant to reform Mr M’membe as well as to deter would be offenders.
Post Editor-in-Chief Fred Mmembe has been sentenced to four months imprisonment with hard labour after being found guilty of contempt of court together with the Post Newspapers by a Lusaka magistrate court.
Mr M’membe has also been sentenced to four months simple imprisonment on behalf of the Post Newspapers, after Magistrate David Simusamba set free Post Human Resources Director Rueben Phiri was standing in for the Newspaper.
Passing sentence this morning, Magistrate Simusamba said Phiri could not be the right person to suffer for the Post. He said the sentences will run concurrently meaning Mr M’membe will only serve a four months jail term.[pullquote]Mr M’membe’s defence attorney Mr George Chisanga commented: “It’s really a dark day for press freedom in Zambia.”[/pullquote]
The contempt case arose from an article authored by US-based Zambian law Professor Muna Ndulo titled: ‘The Chansa Kabwela case: A Comedy of Errors’, and published in the paper on August 27, 2009.
Magistrate Simusamba said he jailed Mr M’membe to “reform” and deter would-be offenders. He declined to give Mr M’membe an option of a fine.
Although Mr M’membe had contended in his defence that he was on study leave at the time the article was published, Mr Simusamba said the editor had the capacity to issue instructions or grant authority from anywhere using technology.
Mr M’membe’s defence attorney Mr George Chisanga commented: “It’s really a dark day for press freedom in Zambia.”
“I just want to say that we understand what is going on. We fully know what is going on and we are ready for it,” said Mr M’membe.
Mr M’membe lawyers Remmy Mainza and George Chisanga have applied for bail pending appeal after filing a notice of appeal yesterday in the High Court.
M’membe, clad in a checked blue shirt and jeans, was led to prison by warders immediately after the sentencing. Mr M’membe is detained in police custody pending the outcome of his bail application.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) Africa Program Coordinator Mr Tom Rhodes said: “Fred M’membe’s conviction appears to be part of the ongoing harassment against The Post since President Rupiah Banda came into office in 2008.”
“This undermines Zambia’s democratic credentials and we call on the administration to drop all legal proceedings against The Post,” stated Mr Rhodes.
POLICE in Mpulungu are looking for a man who attempted to sell his four months old boy for K15 million. Both police in the area and Acting District Social Welfare Officer Chilly Simpasa have confirmed the incident.
In an interview, Simpasa said Chansa Katongo of Isoko village in Mpulungu has been attempting to sell his child to Solomon Sichangwa, a local
businessman.He had approached Sichangwa six times to carry out the transaction.On the sixth occassion, Sichangwa who had always refused, decided to report him to the chief retainers at Senior Chief Tafuna’s palace.
Mr. Chansa was then apprehended by the chief retainers who later released him under suspicious circumstances. Mr. Simpasa said the two chief retainers, Gershom Chisha and Timoth Sikate have since been picked up by police to help with investigations.
The four months old baby boy has been handed over to its mother Grace Mazimba for custody. Cases of child trafficking are very prevalent in Mpulungu. In recent years, there had been several cases of parents wishing to sell their biological children for several millions of kwacha.
Asked to comment on the matter, District Commissioner Willie Simfukwe expressed shock at parents who intended to sell their own children as if they were goods. Mr. Simfukwe called for massive public sensitization on the dangers of child trafficking in communities in Mpulungu.He said culprits who are in the habit of selling their children must also be made to face the wrath of the law.
‘These cases are becoming serious so there is need for government officers to go flat out in the villages and inform people on the dangers of
this scourge that has become common in our district,’ Simfukwe said.
Archbishop of Lusaka Telesphore Mpundu addressing a press briefing
FORMER Patriotic Front (PF) secretary general Edward Mumbi has advised Lusaka Diocese Archbishop Telesphore Mpundu to detach the Roman Catholic Church from his political comments.
He said it was shameful for Archbishop to drag the Catholic Church into politics when he was supposed to be preaching peace and unity.
Mr Mumbi was reacting to Archbishop Mpundu’s comments that the Roman Catholic Church would not be intimidated and that Mr Mumbi and others were ‘sponsored’ people.
He said as a leader of a big church, the clergyman should watch his language because he was supposed to be offering hope to the people, instead of criticising the Government everyday.
Mr Mumbi said Archbishop Mpundu harboured hatred for the Government because he was supposed to be appointed as Home Affairs minister if PF leader Michael Sata won the 2008 elections.
Through his statements, Archbishop Mpundu had shown that he was a PF supporter, especially when he said the former PF secretary general had betrayed Mr Sata.
Mr Mumbi denied ever being a member of the Catholic Church as alleged by Archbishop Mpundu but that he congregates at the United Church of Zambia.
Another former PF secretary general Charles Chimumbwa said the clergyman should come out in the open so that he could be challenged on some issues.
Mr Chimumbwa said Archbishop Mpundu should separate the Church from his personal decisions.
The Patriotic Front United Party for National Development pact has demanded that Health Deputy Minister Dr. Solomon Musonda should be arrested and detained in police custody.
Patriotic Front spokesperson Given Lubinda has urged the police to act swiftly and arrest the minister as what he did was a a criminal act.
He said that failure to arrest Dr. Musonda will result in the government influencing the outcome of the investigation.
Mr. Lubinda has further castigated Chief Government spokesperson Ronnie Shikapwasha who said that the shooting of the youth should not be politicized.
He said that the incident itself was politically motivated and that the pact will use politics to ensure that justice prevails in the case.
Mr. Lubinda has since defended the youth who was shot by the police as saying that he was not armed as alleged by the MMD Chitambo Member of Parliament.
Speaking on last evening, Mr. Lubinda explained that the alleged PF cadre was one of the youths who were repairing the dilapidated roads and merely asking for money from road users.
And speaking on the same programme, spokesperson of the UPND said that the pact is not in a hurry to choose a presidential candidate.
Charles Kakoma said that they pacts main objectives are to address challenges that the country is address.
And Zambia Daily Mail reports that Government has advised the Patriotic Front (PF) to stop politicising the shooting and wounding of Jackson Musaka of Lubembe village in Serenje by Deputy Minister of Health Solomon Musonda.
[pullquote]“This matter regarding the shooting of Jackson Musaka of Lubembe area in Serenje is currently being handled and investigated by the police because it is a police case. So there is no need whatsoever for the opposition Patriotic Front to politicise the matter,” Lt.Gen Shikapwasha said.[/pullquote]
Chief Government spokesperson Ronnie Shikapwasha said there is no need for the opposition to start politicising the shooting and wounding of Mr Musaka, 25, as the case is currently being handled and investigated by police.
Lieutenant-General Shikapwasha said this when he visited Mr Musaka at University Teaching Hospital (UTH) where he is admitted.
He said the PF should exercise political maturity when handling the case and that the police should be allowed to deal with matter professionally.
“This matter regarding the shooting of Jackson Musaka of Lubembe area in Serenje is currently being handled and investigated by the police because it is a police case. So there is no need whatsoever for the opposition Patriotic Front to politicise the matter,” Lt.Gen Shikapwasha said.
He said it is unfortunate and saddening to note that some people have decided to politicise the shooting and wounding of the PF cadre, instead of praying to God for Mr Musaka’s quick recovery.
“It is unfortunate that this happened but I have to thank God that doctors have managed to remove the bullet from Mr Musaka from his head.
“I am, therefore, asking my colleagues from the political arena to stop politicising the incident to win political capital, but they should put our brother in prayers so that he receives the quickest recovery,” Lt.Gen Shikapwasha said.
Lt.Gen Shikapwasha appealed to the opposition PF to allow the police to carry out its investigations without any political interference.
Meanwhile, UTH public relations officer Pauline Mbangweta said Mr Musaka’s condition is stable compared to last night (Wednesday) and that he is responding to treatment.
[pullquote]“It is unfortunate that this happened but I have to thank God that doctors have managed to remove the bullet from Mr Musaka from his head.[/pullquote]
“Yesterday, the condition of Jackson Musaka was critical. I can confirm now that his condition is stabilising. This is because of the operation which was conducted by doctors who managed to remove the bullet from his head,” Ms Mbangweta said.
And Central Province PF security wing party official George Lemba also confirmed that Mr Musaka’s condition is stable compared to Wednesday night.
“I can confirm that the condition of Musaka has improved as compared to last night (Wednesday) when he was failing to talk. But at night doctors managed to remove the bullet from his head,” he said.
On Wednesday, police recorded a warn-and-caution statement from Dr Musonda
ZAMTEL and the National Union of Communication Workers (NUCW) have mutually resolved to de-register the pension scheme for employees.
But some Ndola-based ZAMTEL employees, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said they feared they would lose out on payments equivalent to the contributions which they were supposed to get after retiring at the age of 55.
ZAMTEL public relations manager Rosemary Mwanza confirmed the development in a statement released in Ndola yesterday and said the board of the Pensions and Insurance Authority (PIA) resolved to de-register the Zamtel Pension Scheme.
“The decision was made so as to protect members’ interests that have been exposed to risks due to the fact that the scheme was under-funded,” she said.
The pension scheme was until recently administered by the Zambia State Insurance Corporation.
[pullquote]“The decision was made so as to protect members’ interests that have been exposed to risks due to the fact that the scheme was under-funded,” she said.[/pullquote]
It had over the years accumulated a colossal actuarial deficit and as a result, it had no capacity to honour its obligations to the scheme members as it became due.
Ms Mwanza said in order to avoid the escalation of the weakening financial position of the scheme, the registration had to be cancelled, especially that the scheme’s sponsor, ZAMTEL had no capacity to liquidate the deficit.
NUCW general secretary Clement Kasonde said most of the ZAMTEL workers countrywide were in favour of the decision to de-register the pension scheme.
Mr Kasonde said it was only a few Ndola-based employees who were against the move, which would see workers paid according to the years served unlike the earlier arrangement where they were expected to receive their pension benefits after the age of 55.
[ Times of Zambia ]
Mwense Central Constituency Patriotic Front (PF) Member of Parliament Jacob Chongo and his Kankoyo counterpart Percy Chanda are living in fear after receiving death threats from some Mufulira-based suspected members of their party.
The duo said some suspected PF members had been threatening to beat them up if they did not stop what they termed as destabilising the opposition party.
Mr Chongo said in an interview that some people tipped the parliamentarians last weekend that some PF cadres were plotting to cause harm to the two MPs and their property.
The two parliamentarians, who live in Mufulira’s mine area, said although they had received threats in the past, they were concerned with the recent ones which came after some PF members met at the weekend at a club belonging to a named party member.
It is alleged that some party officials had directed some cadres to “deal” with the two parliamentarians for allegedly destabilising the party.
Mr Chongo, who said he had reported the matter to Mufulira Central Police station, warned that the PF leadership in the district would be held responsible if the MPs or their property were harmed.
Efforts to get Copperbelt police chief Antoneill Mutentwa proved futile as his mobile phone went unanswered.
“I have been informed by some people who attended the meeting that some party members have been instructed to target us for destabilising the party.
“The truth of the matter is that we are being sidelined and it’s not possible for us to destabilise the party,” he said.
Mr Chongo said he was aware that some top officials in the PF were not happy that the targeted MPs had disobeyed the party’s directives to withdraw from the National Constitutional Conference.
Meanwhile, the family of the late Chifubu Constituency MP Benson Bwalya has appealed to PF vice-president Guy Scott and the opposition party cadres to learn to show respect to the dead.
The late PF MP’s widow, Maggie, said in an interview in Ndola yesterday the family was saddened by Dr Scott and some PF cadres’ conduct which led to the disruption of the burial ceremony.
Mr Bwalya, 50, a ‘rebel’ PF MP, who defied the party order not to attend the NCC was buried on Wednesday at Kansenshi Cemetery in Ndola.
Mrs Bwalya said her late husband, who served the country as MP and a Zambia army soldier deserved a befitting send off rather than being victimised by people like Dr Scott even in death.
“The behaviour of Dr Scott, who did not even take time to visit the funeral house before and after the burial does not portray the good picture of the PF leadership. The PF leaders did not make any attempt to restrain their party cadres from causing confusion at the grave yard,” she said.
Provincial youth chairperson Menyani Zulu threatened to beat PF ‘rebel’ MP spokesperson Peter Machungwa after he was given a chance to address mourners and disrupted the burial ceremony.
Speaking during the burial ceremony earlier, Dr Scott made remarks suggesting that the late MP was a ‘naughty, prodigal son’, who was ungrateful after being given a chance to contest elections on the PF ticket.
[ Time of Zambia ]
