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President Rupiah Banda
The Patriotic Front (PF) has described President Rupiah Banda’s alleged refusal to take action on Healthy Deputy Minister Dr Solomon Musonda as weakness.
PF National Youth Secretary General Eric Chanda said President Banda is not only a failure but also a weak Head of State.
Mr. Chanda said as Head of State, people expected him to take an appropriate action against Dr. Musonda.
He pointed out that it was unfortunate that the President has been promoting violence and anarchy in the country.
He called on Zambians to bear with government’s harsh response to issues affecting people’s security, adding that soon a caring government would be ushered into office.
President Banda was quoted in one of the daily newspapers that he felt sorry for health deputy minister Dr. Solomon Musonda, who recently shot and wounded a PF cadre Jackson Musaka.
The President declined to discipline Dr Musonda, saying there could be a reason why he shot Musaka.
[ QFM ]
Keeping the Sabbath holy is often mistaken to be the preserve of Seventh-Day Adventists. But this changed over the past five years after members of The Lord’s Church encountered the Lord Jesus Christ. This turnabout came, more so, when the pastor of this Korean Presbyterian church published a book.
The divine revelation in Pastor Yong-Doo Kim’s book is meant to bring a fresh view about the Sabbath. Its intended effect is to jolt Christians out of their self-deception and self-righteousness.
Pastor Kim writes, “We need to adjust our concept of Sundays. There are numerous saints who think that spending money on Sunday is justified if it is for the sake of the gospel.” He adds, “They do not properly teach or proclaim Sundays holy.”
According to the revelation, Sunday is serious business. There must be no working, no shopping, no buying, no selling, no cash transactions, no entertainment, no watching TV, no eating out and no recreation whatsoever. Perhaps no sex.
Sadly, it appears most Christians in Zambia have not got wind of this. They are still working, buying, selling and doing as they please on Sundays. Apparently, they are getting more and more exhortations for prospering and less and less for being holy. Correspondingly, some have become workaholics who care less about holiness.
In Pastor Kim’s book, Jesus says, “People confuse, misuse and abuse the commandment of Sunday for the sake of the gospel…Do not spend money on Sunday!” Evidently, He requires no money spent – not even for the gospels sake, save for tithes and offerings – because if allowed to do so everyone will have a reason for spending on Sunday. He would rather a Sunday guest speaker be offered food at the church itself or at the home of a church member other than at a restaurant.
However, some Christians may disbelieve and ignore these revelations. But they do so at their own peril because multitudes of Christians are already in hell for simply keeping the Sabbath unholy.
Most people think because Jesus died for man’s sins, going to heaven is, therefore, automatic. In their reasoning they point to bible verses like Ephesians 2:8,9 which say, “For by grace you have been saved through faith … it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” They also refer to justification and all sorts of bible references to justify themselves. And for a good measure, they quote, “Therefore, if the Son shall set you free, you shall be free indeed.”
Undeniably, these bible truths suggest express passage to the third heaven. However, when we open the bible at Philippians 2:12, it is written, “… work out your own salvation with trembling and fear…” Clearly it does not say, “Everything goes.” It says, “Keep yourself pure” or else you will be in hot soup, weeping and gnashing your teeth on the frying pan.
As members of The Lord’s Church found out, there are many dead Christians who have already taken up permanent residence in hell. Some of the Christians they saw in hell are their own relatives, pastors and people known to them. They are not there alone. They are in the company of demons who continually torment them until the end of time.
When Jesus appeared to Pastor Kim, his family and a few church members, He wanted the pastor to write about the realities of heaven and hell to warn mankind. Before long, the brethren became frequent visitors of both heaven and hell – not just sightseers but partakers of heaven’s pleasures along with the pain, fear and torment of hell.
It is not easy to veer around from things we are wrong about, especially things we believe in. But Christians are meant to know the truth. And when in doubt, all they need is to pray to remove the veil about a matter. As always, when proved wrong they should come to their senses and quickly repent with tears and trembling.
It is not enough for Adventists alone to refrain from work, buying and selling on Saturday, their Sabbath day. Even then, these masters of the Sabbath may be wrong because when God chooses a day, then it is no other.
The Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) says it collects over USD 18,000 per day from its clearing of motor vehicles
exercise at Mwami boarder in Chipata district.
Mwami RTSA station manger Peter Mwanza disclosed to ZANIS that his department collects between USD 18,000 and USD 20,000 ( about K 90 million and K 100 million) daily from clearing imported motor vehicles at the border.
He said this when Transport and communication Minister Geoffrey Lungwangwa visited Mwami borader to familiarize with operations at the
border.
He noted that a good number of motorists prefer to use Mwami boarder when they import their vehicles as there is less congestion at the border
compared to the situation at Nakonde and Chirundu border posts.
Mr Mwanza said congestion at Nakonde and Chirundu border posts caused by increased business activities has forced motorists to use the alternative
route at Mwami boarder through Malawi.
And Mwami Boarder Immigration officer-In-Charge Whyte Visuwa has said that Mwami boarder has become one of the busiest ones in the country to
increased cross border economic activities in Malawi and Zambia.
Mr Visuwa noted that 200 trucks cross the border points from both countries each day.
He observed that this has seen the growth of business activities at the boarder saying it can be attributed to the brotherly relationship between
the two countries.
Meanwhile, Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA), Mwami station officer in Charge Brenda Mawere has bemoaned lack of transport to carryout operations at the boarder point.
Ms Mawere noted that ZRA has not been able to meet its revenue target because most goods are smuggled into the country through unauthorized
entry points.
She said it has been difficult to follow illegal traders due to lack of transport because their points of entry are distances away from the
established border point.
Professor Lungwangwa also inspected construction works at Chipat/Mchinji railway project this morning.
Bank of Zambia of Zambia governor Caleb fundanga and his deputy Denny Kalyalya during the centrals bank's quarterly briefing in Lusaka.
Bank of Zambia (BoZ) Governor Caleb Fundanga has challenged banks in the country to give mortgages to the people on long term basis as a way of cushioning the inadequate housing units in the country.
Dr. Fundanga says financial institutions are better placed if only they play a significant role in providing mortgages to the people.
He noted that home ownership is vital in one’s wellbeing saying this can be achieved through the provision of soft loans from the commercial banks.
The BoZ Chief said this during the official launch of re-furbished Zambia National Building Society (ZNBS) Kitwe branch.
This was in a speech read for him by Copperbelt BoZ Regional Director Moses Mulomba.
He said a lot of houses were being funded from people’s personal savings which described as not an efficient and effective way of financing housing
projects.
Dr. Fundanga said ZNBS management should take this situation as an opportunity to fully utilize housing mortgages provision thereby answering
to its liquidity problems.
He stated that ZNBS has a mandate to develop and interact with its customers through the provision of mortgages and making them available to
the people.
And ZNBS Board Chairperson Mwando Mondoloka said ZNBS was in the 1990s not spared from the post liberalization of the economy where it lost tax
incentives which resulted in serious revenue loss.
Mr. Mondoloka said the institution has since managed to scale up its operations in the last two years following a successful implementation of
the strategic plan that has seen the bank expand.
He however, pointed out that the bank has mapped out a strategic plan to improve its liquidity and reputation in a bid to attract and service its
clientele base.
A traditional leader has expressed concern over the direction of Zambian politics.
Chief Mumena of the Northwestern Province has described as unfortunate the current culture of politics being exhibited by politicians in the country.
Chief Mumena observed that the current crop of politics have shifted away from improving the lives of people to personal attacks.
He said politicians need to go back to the drawing board and realize their aim and objectives to provide and deliver services to the electorates.
He further stressed that politicians must take note of the fact that their in Job is to serve the people they lead.
He said there is need for politicians to realize that the nation does not belong to them alone but to all Zambians.
[ QFM ]
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed”
(James 5:16, NIV)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
All throughout Scripture, we see that God’s system operates on the principle of sowing and reaping. If you sow blessing and mercy into the lives of others, that’s what you’ll reap in your life in return. The same thing happens when you pray for one another. There’s a spiritual dynamic at play when you get your mind off yourself and onto others. You’re sowing a seed so that God can do something in your own life.
Is there someone in your life you can pray for? Maybe it’s a friend or a family member in need. They don’t have to be present, you can pray for them as you go about your day or even driving in your car on the way to work. Remember, when you pray for others, God will make sure someone is praying for you. It’s that connection of faith that opens the door for God to move mightily on your behalf.
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Heavenly Father, thank You for another day to be used by You. I choose to pray for the people in my life as You have commanded. Direct my thoughts and prayers today so that I can be a blessing to others and honor You in everything I do. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
A foreign woman smuggler has given birth to a dead baby at District Headquarters Hospital under police custody. A magistrate has instructed the police station concerned to make necessary arrangements for burial of the child in Christian cemetery according to wish of the mother.
Tembo Agness, of Zambia, was apprehended by Anti Narcotics Force, carrying drugs in November 2009. At that time, she was pregnant. Later she was sent to Adiala Jail by the court of law.
On Friday afternoon, she was rushed to DHQ Hospital from jail due to labouring pangs. She was shifted to Gynecology Department where she gave birth to a dead baby.
When jail administration came to know about the delivery, they submitted an application before a sessions judge, who deputed Special Duty Magistrate Syed Nazarat Ali to probe the reasons for the death of the child. Ali went to hospital on Saturday and inquired about the matter from the mother as well as doctors. He submitted his report to the sessions judge that according to gynecologist, the death of the child took place before birth.
Mother Agness wished that her baby be buried according to Christian traditions. Upon this the special magistrate ordered city police station to make necessary arrangements for burial of the child in a graveyard of Christians.
Zambia Under-20 coach Keegan Mumba has said the team will not break camp during as the team gathers in Lusaka on Sunday.
The team will be in training camp for six weeks at the Faz Technical Centre until they face Mauritius on July 24 in a Libya 2011 CAF African Youth Championship qualifier.
Mumba said the team needed to be in camp uninterrupted in order for the bench mold a formidable side to face Mauritius who they will host in their first round, first leg match next month.
Meanwhile, Mumba has also added Nchanga Rangers striker Aubrey Funga to the 35-member team.
Funga has so far scored two goals for Rangers in the league this season.
And Mumba has dropped goalkeeper Kenny Mumba of Red Arrows who is ineligible and has been promoted to the Olympic Under-23 team that will be led by Lucky Msiska.
Meanwhile, winner of the Zambia and Mauritius first round, two-leg match will face either Nigeria or Guinea in the second round, final qualifying stage for a place at next year finals in Libya.
Patriotic Front (PF) leader, Michael Sata has charged that the failure by the ruling Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) leadership to apprehend health Deputy Minister, Dr. Solomon Musonda after he shot a PF cadre in Serenje is enough testimony to prove that the party has no capacity to fight corruption.
Mr Sata who have persistently called for the police force and government to account for the shooting, tells Q fm in an interview that the police force is incapable of laying a figure on Dr. musonda despite what he did because he is in the MMD government.
The out-spoken PF leader said that republican President, Rupiah Banda and his government are incompetent to match up to the fight against corruption because they are too compromised.
He said it would have been easy for the MMD led government to apprehend the official, if he was from an opposition party but they could not touch him right now because he is still needed by the party.
Mr Sata also indicates that Zambians should know that the MMD government has no credibility in their words and are incapable of delivering according to it’s promise.
He has reiterated his call on the Zambia police service to arrest Dr. Musonda because he is not a free man.
The PF leader pointed out that it was unfair for other suspected criminals to be rotting in jail when some self confessed government official who almost murdered someone, is left to live in freedom.
[ QFM ]
FLASHBACK: Second republican President Frederick Chiluba poses for photographs to be taken by members of the pubic who turned up for the Restoration Service for World Peace prayer meeting at Matero stadium in Lusaka
MMD Kitwe District chairperson, George Lungu has said the booing of second Republican president Frederick Chiluba during his visit to Kitwe last weekend was stage-managed by the opposition.
And ex-miners in Kitwe’s Wusakile Township have said in no circumstances were they in a position to boo and insult Dr Chiluba who had offered to help address their plight.
In an interview in Kitwe yesterday, Mr Lungu said the picture portrayed by some individuals that Dr Chiluba received a hostile reception in Kitwe and that residents booed him was a total fabrication of what really transpired on the ground.
Mr Lungu charged that in fact it was the opposition that organised some callboys to boo Dr Chiluba to give an impression that the former president in was not welcome in Wusakile.
He said it was the view of the party and a cross section of people in the district that the former head of State had done so much for ex-miners, and for the opposition to organise callboys to boo him was most unfortunate.
Mr Lungu said in fact, ex-miners were eager to meet Dr Chiluba because of the many outstanding issues they wanted the former head of State who is their patron to address on their behalf.
And Wusakile-Chamboli Ex-Miners Association secretary, William Chola expressed disappointment with people insinuating that Wusakile residents who were mostly ex-miners booed Dr Chiluba when he visited the area.
Mr Chola said it was unfortunate that people were now trying to dent the name and image of ex-miners to Dr Chiluba when the two parties enjoyed a good relationship.
“In fact the residents and in particular ex-miners in Wuskile welcomed Dr Chiluba in the area and even demanded to have a meeting with him but unfortunately he had a tight schedule,” Mr Chola said.
As far as he was concerned, the people who booed Dr Chiluba were hired thugs and mostly the so called ‘Copper-Copper’ who upon seeing Dr Chiluba demanded money but when he refused to give them, decided to cause confusion.
Mr Chola said it was the same Copper-Copper thugs and not the residents or ex-miners who booed Dr Chiluba during his visit in Kitwe last weekend.
Last Sunday, former Patriotic Front (PF) secretary general, Charles Chimumbwa revealed that he had the previous day received a phone call from a person only identified as Mulenga who told him that they had managed to disrupt Dr Chiluba’s visit to Kitwe.
THE Patriotic Front (PF) women in Ndola have said that they want a woman to contest the Chifubu by-election on the PF ticket.
PF Ndola women’s chairperson Alice Kafula said yesterday during a press
briefing that the women in the party in Ndola would prefer a woman candidate if a credible woman could be found to contest the seat.
“If a credible woman can be found, we prefer a woman to stand on the PF
ticket. It is about time there was a female parliamentarian to represent the Chifubu constituency,” Ms Kafula said.
She said it was the view of the PF women in Ndola that since the city had four constituencies, the seats should be shared equally between men and women.
Ms Kafula however said that if a woman had to be selected, it should be one of high caliber and not a puppet.
She said her leadership was therefore currently sensitizing women at the
grass root level to encourage them to seek leadership roles in the party and the country.
At the same press briefing, Ms Kafula welcomed back a former PF chairperson for Ndola PF Agness Chomba to the party. Ms Chomba had left the PF in 2006 to join the MMD.
And PF Ndola chairperson Rebby Chanda said the district leadership was in support of the women’s decision to field a female candidate in the forth coming by election.
Mr Chanda said it was only fair that a woman was selected this time around as a parliamentarian.
He said women were capable leaders just like men were.
Mr Chanda however warned all women vying for the Chifubu seat in the PF to be credible and not turn into rebels after winning the election
ZAMBIA Competition Commission (ZCC) has commended mobile phone operators that have publicised their pre-paid roaming rates and internet browsing charges which consumers have complained about for a long time.
In February this year, ZCC engaged the mobile phone operators and requested them to disclose roaming charges and browsing the internet which according to investigations conducted by the commsission were not known by many users.
ZCC public relations officer, Vaida Bunda said the commission would continue to monitor the market for unfair trading practices to ensure that as firms succeed in their various businesses, the benefits are also passed on to the consumers.
Ms Bunda said in a statement in Lusaka that the commission had since last year received many complaints concerning non or full disclosure of roaming rates by mobile phone operators, which left most subscribers in the dark as to how much they were being charged for making calls while on roaming service.
“The commission also received complaints relating to mobile internet browsing whose charges have previously not been made available to users. The commission however, considers the publicising of roaming charges by mobile operators as good news for consumers because they can now decide objectively on whether to roam or simply buy a simpack from the country they are travelling to,” she said.
Ms Bunda noted that consumers would be able to decide based on comparisons in price of the roaming charges and that of the cost of calling using the local network from a purchased simpack in the country they are calling from.
She, however, said the commission considered that there should be options availed to internet users on whether they should be billed per second, minute, hour or megabyte.
“Charging per megabyte appears to be too technical for consumers to understand the billing and it may raise conflicts in future,” Ms Bunda said.
SEVEN headmen and some residents of Mbeza in Namwala say they are disgusted with UPND president Hakainde Hichilema for his alleged verbal attacks and violence directed at Namwala Member of Parliament Robbie Chizhyuka.
The headmen have charged that Mr Hichilema has allegedly been sending youths to harm Major Chizhyuka
Headman Nakamboma said Mr Hichilema is pushing Major Chizhyuka to respond to his continued attacks, saying time has come for the people of Mbeza and Namwala to defend their son.
He sounded the warning in Mbeza when a team of headmen and residents summoned Major Chizhyuka to brief the people on his relationship with the UPND President.
The visibly annoyed traditional leader warned that it is time Mr Hichilema stopped hiring youths to allegedly harm Major Chizhyuka, saying the family and people of Mbeza have been observing Mr Hichilema’s provocations.
He pointed out that the people of Namwala and Mbeza in particular do no want the pact and should not be forced to accept it through violence.
Headman Nakamboma warned that any youth sent to hurt Major Chizhyuka by Mr Hichilema should expect brutal reteliation.
“Some people are not grateful. It is Major Chizhyuka who introduced Hichilema to the people of Namwala. Major Chizhyuka talked well about Hichilema so much that we liked him,” he said.
He said if Mr Hichilema really wants to get some votes in Namwala, he should not rubbish Major Chizhyuka.
The traditional leader noted that in most cases, nothing tangible comes out of pact arrangements, especially those entered into with wrong people.
Headman Nakamboma cited the Choma declaration and the UDA as such pact arrangements which never yielded any fruits.
Meanwhile, a senior representative for headman Shalupumbu, Charles Chiboola, said it is sad that some educated people fail to understand politics and are putting their people in problems.
Mr Chiboola warned that he will deal with anyone who will visit his house to talk about the pact.
“We already have a good MP who has fought for improved lives for his people even way back before politics. What else would we want? We shall go wherever he goes, but not into this pact,” he vowed.
He said it will be difficult for Mr Hichilema to get back to the people in Namwala to ask for a vote when he has forsaken the person who introduced him to the people of Namwala.
“We have already benefitted from Major Chizhyuka’s good works. He has worked well with government to bring us the Choma-Namwala road, a girls’ high school and a basic school in Namwala boma. He worked hard to improve the Monze Nieko-Road,” he said.
Namwala District Indigenous People Rights Association chairman Dominic Shingalwe said Mr Hichilema should understand that Major Chizhyuka has relatives and friends who will not sit back and watch while other people hurt him.
“What wrong has Robbie done? Let Hichilema not start a war he will fail to stop,” he said.
Mr Shingalwe, who was the first district chairman for the African National Congress party, said Major Chizhyuka is an innocent man who is merely expressing his democratic right to oppose the pact.
Mr Shingalwe said Mr Hichilema will regret his move to partner with the PF, saying as a senior citizen who worked close with the late Mungoni Liso and Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula, he has a clear understanding of how the Tonga people have been cheated into forming pacts
PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda says the partial privatisation of Zamtel to Lap Green Networks of Libya can be viewed as being the most successful in the country’s history largely on account of the process that was used by the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) to structure the transaction anchored on professionalism and transparency.
The President said Government raised about US$433 million from the previous 262 transactions but will this time around make US$257 million in Zamtel’s proceeds and a further US$127 million in guaranteed financing, bringing the total commitment to US$384 million.
He was speaking in Lusaka yesterday when he officially opened the 13th sitting for the Third Session of the House of Chiefs at Cabinet Office.
“Note that of this (US$433 million), the gross mining sector proceeds accounted for US$339 million and the non-mining sectors accounted for the remainder. As can be noted, the Zamtel transaction alone has raised US$257 million in sale proceeds,” he said.
The President appealed to traditional rulers to explain to their subjects the benefits of the partial privatisation of Zamtel to Lap Green Networks of Libya as it is probably the single most successful transaction of the 263 deals undertaken since 1992.
Mr Banda has also advised Zambians against politicising the sale of 75 percent shares in Zamtel because the benefits from the transaction will be immense and that only posterity will judge Government’s decision on the matter.
[pullquote]The President said Government raised about US$433 million from the previous 262 transactions but will this time around make US$257 million in Zamtel’s proceeds and a further US$127 million in guaranteed financing, bringing the total commitment to US$384 million.[/pullquote]
Mr Banda said the proceeds from the Zamtel deal demonstrate the difference that his Government is making in implementing the right processes aimed at bringing about change and stimulate the country’s economy.
He said Government has ensured that a substantial part of the US$257 million proceeds is allocated to the settlement of full terminal benefits for all Zamtel employees as agreed with union representatives.
Mr Banda said this is significantly different from previous transactions like the Roan Antelope Mining Corporation (RAMCOZ) where workers’ interests were not properly represented or accommodated.
He said independent auditors have been appointed to ensure that the package for every employee is correct and paid in full.
Mr Banda said all Zamtel employees will be given a lump sum proportionate to their grade and tenure at the company.
He said about US$98 million will go into the pockets of ordinary Zambians and the country’s economy.
“I hope that our people will invest this money cleverly to enjoy a lasting benefit,” he said.
Mr Banda said before the sale of 75 percent shares in Zamtel to Lap Green Networks of Libya, a concerted and sustained effort was made by ZDA to maximise the attractiveness of the company, improve its efficiency and prepare its other elements for post-transaction change.
“The process of privatisation was transparent and competitive throughout,” he said.
The President said the implementation of the privatisation process took into consideration some of the shortcomings observed in earlier processes.
“We had many bidders-all of them serious- and Lap Green Networks emerged from this competitive and rigorous process as the clear winner,” he said.
Mr Banda said the rigorous process ensured transparency and was done in accordance with the ZDA Act.
He said from the time Lap Green Networks takes over operations of Zamtel this monthend, Zambians will start seeing real change at the company as it will begin to actively compete and innovate in a way a modern telecommunications firm ought to.
The President, however, said that the key objective of the transaction deal was to find the right partner for the company and Government as an ongoing shareholder in Zamtel.
Mr Banda appealed to Zambians not to politicise the Zamtel transaction because without the intervention to privatise it, the company would have collapsed.
He said in its current form, Zamtel is unable to compete in the telecommunications market for various reasons well known by most Zambians.
The President said Zamtel made US$17 million loss in 2008 and more than US$30 million last year and that while its competitors like Zain have over three million subscribers, Zamtel has been struggling at barely 100,000.
“Even in the fixed line business where Zamtel is a monopoly, it has only about 240,000 connectivity,” he said.
He said the situation in which Zamtel is can only continue up to a certain extent beyond which it would collapse.
Mr Banda said Government has a duty to ensure that it safeguards Zamtel’s assets on behalf of the people and as such cannot allow the company to collapse while there are options to save it.
[pullquote]
The President said Zamtel made US$17 million loss in 2008 and more than US$30 million last year and that while its competitors like Zain have over three million subscribers, Zamtel has been struggling at barely 100,000.[/pullquote]
The President questioned the motive of those politicising the privatisation of Zamtel when it is clear that the prime objective of the transaction was to find the right partner that could raise capital, invest in new technologies and improve efficiencies that could help in turning around the company while Government continues to be a shareholder.
“The proof of Zamtel’s failure will not be in my words but in the turnaround that you, the Zambian people, will see at Zamtel within the next year. My Government and I have been criticised for this privatisation.
“But I challenge all Zambians to judge this privatisation by its results, the change they will see from a new and transformed Zamtel,” Mr Banda said.
