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Malimba Masheke is wrong, Defence Minister

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Defence Minister Kalombo Mwansa (c)

DEFENCE Minister Kalombo Mwansa has said former Zambia Army commander Malimba Masheke is wrong to claim there is a crisis in the security and defence wings of the country.

Speaking in an interview in Lusaka yesterday, Dr Mwansa said General Masheke should not claim there was a crisis simply because the defence chiefs were retired at the same time.

He said President Rupiah Banda, as commander-in-chief of the armed forces, was at liberty to retire the senior officers in the security and defence forces.

President Banda recently retired senior officers in the defence and security wings, saying he wanted to improve the morale among junior officers that were complaining that they were not easily promoted.

“There is no crisis in the defence and security personnel. The president has the right to retire army staff and Gen Maskeke is wrong to insist that there is a crisis or vacuum,” Dr Mwansa said.

[pullquote]“There is no crisis in the defence and security personnel. The president has the right to retire army staff and Gen Maskeke is wrong to insist that there is a crisis or vacuum,” Dr Mwansa said.[/pullquote]

He said citizens should not even panic about the security of the country, and that the safety of the populace was guaranteed.

The minister said there was a smooth handover of office between the new appointees and the officers that were retired.

“People who were appointed are working well, they have been able to carry on from where the others left and so there is no vacuum or crisis that Gen Masheke is talking about,” Dr Mwansa said.

But in reaction to a statement by chief Government spokesperson Ronnie Shikapwasha last weekend that the ministers of Defence and Home Affairs had been instructed to investigate and establish whether or not he had violated the terms of his oath of secrecy, Gen Masheke said it was not the function of politicians to carry out such a function.

“In the first instance it is surprising that such a serious allegation should be investigated by the political wing of Government.

“In our established system of Government any breach of the law is investigated and decided by the security services without political influence,” he said.

Gen Masheke said he had not committed any offence and would not allow the State or any other person to infringe on his rights.

RB orders sale of Itawa flats to sitting tenants

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President Rupiah Banda

PRESIDENT Banda has directed the Ministry of Local Government and Housing to sell the Itawa flats and houses at the Masala housing complex to the sitting tenants at fair and reasonable prices. The President has also ordered the Ministry of Lands and all councils to expedite the issuance of title deeds before the end of August this year.

Mr Banda said this was so because the Patriotic Front (PF)-run councils were charging exorbitant land rates on houses owned by Zambians. The president said the council had conspired to reverse the empowerment policy initiated by second Republican president Frederick Chiluba by frustrating house owners by asking rates which house owners could not afford.

He was speaking during a Press briefing at Broadway Lodge in Kitwe yesterday.

“My Government will not entertain this kind of dishonesty any longer. These PF councils which have turned rates into rentals and are demanding rates from people on residential properties which are unattainable must reconsider this,” Mr Banda said.

The president said the owners of the houses were Zambians without a regular income, adding that some of them were over burdened with the care of orphans, while others were widows or widowers who had lost their bread winners.

[pullquote]“My Government will not entertain this kind of dishonesty any longer. These PF councils which have turned rates into rentals and are demanding rates from people on residential properties which are unattainable must reconsider this,” Mr Banda said.[/pullquote]

He said it did not make political, economic, moral or even financial sense to over-value properties just to collect higher land rates.
Mr Banda said some house owners who failed to pay the increased rates had their household goods confiscated by councils, a situation he said was unacceptable.

He said the manner in which PF-run councils were charging rentals was a sure recipe for political revolt. The council had not undertaken any maintenance or repair works to the flats.

And Mr Banda disclosed that he had also received a petition from former United Bus Company of Zambia (UBZ) workers throughout the country who were offered houses by Government to buy at book value but had not because some officials in Government increased the property prices beyond the former workers’ ability to pay.

He said he would not entertain any further delays in the issuance of title deeds, adding that the Government would not allow the councils to frustrate its efforts to empower the people.

Earlier, when he launched the Copperbelt roads project, President Banda commended the Japanese government for the support it was rendering to the Zambian people.

He said the Japanese people opted to support the Zambians because they knew that they were accountable and would use the funds for their intended purpose.

And Japanese Ambassador to Zambia Hideto Mitamura said the project was particularly significant in that it would enhance economic development.

Mr Mitamura said the project would be implemented at an estimated cost of US$27 million, which was equivalent to about K133.4 billion, and that it was the largest grant project to be undertaken by the Japanese government.

[Times of Zambia]

RB appoints Dr Peter Mwaba as new Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health

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PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda has said the country has sufficient stocks of drugs but administrative lapses are responsible for the artificial shortage being experienced in some health centres.

Mr Banda said in Lusaka yesterday that on many occasions, Medical Stores Limited and some hospitals and clinics had failed to effectively communicate, resulting in shortages of drugs.

He challenged newly-appointed Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Peter Mwaba to sort out the administrative problems in the health sector that had led to such problems.

Speaking when he swore in Dr Mwaba at State House, President Banda said the country had sufficient stocks of drugs but because of administrative problems, some health institutions could not access the medicines.

Everyday we read in the newspapers of missing drugs and when we carry out our own investigations we find that the drugs are there. The Government has provided adequate resources for drugs.

We shall count on you to ensure that the drugs are given. Use your knife to operate on people and use that knife to work on the administration in the ministry. Operate using your knife to move people where they are suitable,” Mr Banda said.

He said the Ministry of Health was one of the key institutions in the country, hence the need to be run by competent people.

The president noted that it was a daunting task for appointing authorities to find suitable people to effectively run the ministry.

President Banda said Dr Mwaba had vast experience in running health institutions and he was optimistic that he would not fail the citizens.

Until his appointment, Dr Mwaba was University Teaching Hospital (UTH) managing director.

He said Dr Mwaba had been given the mandate to run the Ministry of Health and should run it effectively just like he managed UTH.

The selection for people to lead this ministry is a serious task. One has to be careful and I am happy that I have finally appointed you. You are a public man and this appointment is after wide consultations,” Mr Banda said.

He said Dr Mwaba was able to transform the UTH even under difficult circumstances, and that currently, UTH was one of the best and dignified health institutions in the country.

You provided leadership at the UTH and your choice will see drastic changes at the ministry. It is a huge ministry and so you have to assist the minister and everybody,” Mr Banda said.

[ Times of Zambia ]

Sinazongwe district cut-off from the rest of the country as bridge breaks

A truck that has damaged a bridge that was built last month at Mweezhya area along Maamba/Batoka road in Sinazongwe district.

Sinazongwe district in Southern province has been cut off from the rest of the country for the fourth time following collapse of the temporal bridge that was built last month along Maamba/Batoka road.

Sinazongwe District Commissioner (DC) Oliver Pelete confirmed the development that a truck carrying coal from Maamba Collieries (MCL) damaged the bridge when it passed on it.

A check at the site found a truck loaded with coal has cut off the entire bridge that was mounted last month.

The temporal bridge was built by the Zambia Army to connect the district that was cut off from the rest of country for more than a month.

In February a bridge at Sikalamba stream collapsed and three culverts collapsed at Sinakasikili, Mweezyha, and near Bampu area following heavy rains and affected business operation in the entire district.

Malima ward Councilor Fisher Zimana has also said Malima area is still cut off from the rest of the district as vehicles are failing to pass at Nangombe stream.

Mr. Zimana said people were traveling long distance to come to Sinazeze and to connect to Choma district to get essential food stuffs and to conduct their business.

Sinazongwe district received the highest rainfall this year than ever before in the life history of the people.

A film featuring Zambian hip hop star Alvin (The Lyracist) Fungo heads to Cannes Film Festival

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A 26-year-old from Halifax is the latest emerging Canadian filmmaker chosen to screen his work at the Director’s Fortnight during the coming Cannes Film Festival.

Noah Pink’s 44-minute film ZedCrew will screen during the prestigious film series running during the venerable French festival, organizers announced in the French city on Tuesday.

“It is both thrilling and humbling to have my work recognized by Cannes,” Pink said in a statement issued by Telefilm Canada.

“It is the very festival that put the first spotlight on so many of my favourite directors from around the world, those who inspired me to become a filmmaker. To say that I’m excited would be a gross understatement. I’m glowing!”

Pink’s medium-length film, a Canadian-Zambia co-production, is a portrait of three young Zambian rappers who attempt to make it big in New York. It stars Zambian hip hop star Alvin (The Lyracist) Fungo, who also provides the film’s score.

ZedCrew offers a view of “contemporary, urban Africa,” Pink said.

“It portrays the life of cool, young Zambians who, like so many others, dream of making it big in America. But unlike so many others, these guys are forced to the extreme.”

Last year, young Montreal filmmaker Xavier Dolan became an international sensation when his directorial debut, the semi-autobiographical coming-of-age film J’ai tué ma mere (I Killed My Mother), was selected to screen at the Director’s Fortnight and nabbed a trio of trophies. It went on to become a darling on the festival circuit and scored a host of prizes back in Canada as well.

Dolan is heading back to Cannes this year with his latest film, Les amours imaginaires (Heartbeats), which is competing in the Un Certain Regard category of innovative and daring works by emerging or established auteur filmmakers.

The Cannes festival runs May 12-23.

[Canadian Broadcasting Centre]
Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/arts/film/story/2010/04/20/cannes-noah-pink-zedcrew.html#ixzz0levwJsfP

The Weekend in Pictures (Part 1)

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Milanzi Parliamentary Candidates

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Battle for Bandas...Milanzi parliamentary candidates for PF Albert Banda (l), UNIP's Musa (c) and MMD's Whiteson Banda during a public debate in Milanzi

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United National Independence Milanzi by-election candidate Musa Banda talks to voters in Milanzi during a public debate

3.

Patriotic Front and MMD Milanzi parliamentary candidates Albert Banda (l) and Whiteson Banda (r) shake hands before a public debate in Milanzi

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PF Milanzi by-election candidate Albert Banda talks to voters in Milanzi during a public debate

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Ruling MMD Milanzi by-election candidate Whiteson Banda talks to voters in Milanzi during a public debate
Ruling MMD Milanzi by-election candidate Whiteson Banda talks to voters in Milanzi during a public debate

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Ruling MMD Milanzi parliamentary by-election campaign manager Eustarckio Kazonga kneels before voters in Milanzi during a public debate ahead of the April 29 poll

7.

President Banda boards the Zambia Air Force executive plane in Chipata before heading back to Lusaka.

Zambia is not getting anything from its resources, Bob Sichinga

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Lusaka Business and political consultant Bob Sichinga has castigated the government’s attitude towards foreign investment. Mr. Sichinga says that the investment in the country has failed to match to the specific objectives that the country has. Mr. Sichinga has strongly called for the review of the investments in a way that it can benefit the majority Zambians.

Mr. Sichinga said that government has failed to implement the investing programmes adequately, describing it as unfortunate. Speaking on Qfm’s Monday Night Live last evening, Mr. Sichinga said that government has been too lenient to get enough taxes to come back into the national systems.

[pullquote]But Mr. Sichinga said that if investment is not being translated into the creation of the wealth, then it is not worth celebrating.[/pullquote]

He further charged that the Zambia is not getting anything from its resources all in the name of the investment. He said that it is important that the country maintains a type of investment that generates employment and adds value to the general growth of the economy.

He said that the government should be fair in distribution of wealth for the benefit of the country.

And Mr. Sichinga has doubted governments continued support of Chinese investment saying that the value is not being visibly seen.
Last week, Finance and National Planning Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane said Chinese Investment in the country has helped the country attract other investors from bigger economies.

Dr. Musokotwane urged politicians to avoid politicizing Chinese investment because it is helping the country in bringing in more investment into the country. But Mr. Sichinga said that if investment is not being translated into the creation of the wealth, then it is not worth celebrating.

ZEGA losing US$150,000 a day due to cancelled Europe flights

The Zambia Export Growers Association (ZEGA) says it is losing US$ 150,000 a day as a result of the restrictions of flights in Europe.

ZEGA Managing director Colin Rhoda said that the Association has greatly been hit by the move to cancel its flights due to the volcanic ash from Iceland.

He further disclosed that a large portion of its fresh consignments of vegetables and flowers meant for transportation to the European Market has perished.

Air travel throughout Europe and around the world is still disrupted as thick clouds of ash from a volcano eruption in Iceland continue to drift across the continent. Some European nations have completely closed their airspace, while others have enacted partial closures.

Thousands of flights have been canceled, leaving hundreds of thousands of passengers stranded and costing airlines hundreds of millions of dollars.

Officials expect air travel to be disrupted for several days.

The ZEGA managing director has predicted that the association might lose millions of dollars if the situation remains the same.
[Q FM]

Two Lusaka Teachers testify in pupil’s defilement case

High Court

Two witnesses from Grace Academy in Lusaka’s Makeni area have testified in court in a case in which a 10 year old girl was allegedly defiled.

Karen Kapokola a teacher at the institution told the court that on 18 February 2010 she noticed that the named girl was walking with her legs apart. She said she called the girl and asked her what was wrong and the girl revealed that an elderly man had done what she termed as “bad manners” to her.

Miss Kapokola said at that point she took the girl to the head teacher who later reported the matter to police.

And Grace Academy Head teacher and Acting Principle Josephine Mwanza told the court that she checked the girl’s private parts and took her to the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) for a medical checkup where it was confirmed that the girl had been defiled.

And the 10 year old girl identified the man who she claims had carnal knowledge of her in February.

Facts before the court are that on dates unknown but between 13th and 18th February 2010, 20 year old Dickson Siampika had carnal knowledge of a 10 year old girl in Lusaka’s Misisi compound.
Trial continues on 27th April 2010.

[MUVI TV]

ZAMEC: Celebration of a stillbirth, a re-incarnation of MECOZ

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WHEN the two–day media conference held at Pamodzi Hotel ended with the adoption of a Code of Ethics and Constitution, architects of the few months’ process congratulated themselves for a milestone achievement.

But the celebrations were misplaced because the Zambia Media Council (ZAMEC) they had created was toothless, impotent, and could not in any way pass for a media regulator.

In fact, the prophecy that predicted doom came to pass. ZAMEC places no sanctions of any kind for individuals and media houses that will flout or breach ethics and its practices or be guilty of professional misconduct.

It also has no deterrent mechanism for media houses carrying out irresponsible reporting, breaking the code, or refusing to submit to its authority.

ZAMEC was intended to be a watchdog of media ethics but has sadly turned out to be a lapdog for future offenders of media ethics.

The prominent offenders of media ethics with vile editorials, stories that offend ethical practices, obscene pictures and lewd pictures, are probably the chief beneficiaries of this sterile outcome.

[pullquote]In fact, the prophecy that predicted doom came to pass. ZAMEC places no sanctions of any kind for individuals and media houses that will flout or breach ethics and its practices or be guilty of professional misconduct.[/pullquote]

In fact many contend that the media in Zambia largely does not need much regulation as it has acted relatively above board and carried out function with mature restraint.

Therefore if any regulation was required, it was for the section that has turned freedom of the press, freedom of speech and freedom of expression into hate speech and hate campaigns against its helpless victims.

Why ZAMEC?

There has been a rallying call that the media in Zambia ought to be regulated.
The flagrant abuse of these institutions for political purposes has angered both foes and friends of the media. Many were frustrated by the failure for the self regulated Media Council of Zambia (MECOZ) to exercise its authority on its members and over institutions that refused to submit to it or be members.

In exasperation, Government began in 2009, to draft a process that would lead to a statutory media regulation body. The media associations then started a parallel process to create a self-regulatory mechanism forgetting that MECOZ exists!

MECOZ was quickly shelved and the new process was hailed as historic since the Press Freedom Committee of The Post were members!

Although the Media Liaison Committee (MLC) chose to abolish MECOZ, it was marginally effective and its Council sat to hear cases. Compliance of its decisions was quite high especially by Times of Zambia and Daily Mail. There were isolated cases when media organisations failed to publish retraction

But the biggest failure was the non-participation of The Post who were subject of numerous complaints which could not be processed.

Even in cases where MECOZ issued activist statements in its capacity as a regulator condemning The Post for its derogatory and insulting language in its editorials, it issued further editorials ridiculing council.

But Times of Zambia totally complied as in the case of the Chipata Council Vs Times of Zambia, in which MECOZ cleared the newspaper of any misconduct.

The Fringilla Consensus

The road leading up to the Pamodzi Hotel meeting was carefully crafted. Although attempts were made to achieve broad consensus especially among respected media organizations such as the Times of Zambia, Zambia Daily Mail and ZNBC, the outcome was inevitably doomed.

Because The Post Freedom Committee housed the Media Liaison Committee and acted as its secretariat, It has been seen as having, not only helped source funds for most of the activities leading up to the establishment of this process, but also driving the agenda.

On one hand, stakeholders were happy that The Post were active members but secretly feared the outcome of the process would betray the consensus thus far achieved.

Signatories to the Fringilla Consensus therefore participated with bated breath and promptly sent senior staff to the Media Conference to attempt to give it legitimacy and influence the outcome.

But the meeting at Pamodzi Hotel was skewed. It was skillfully designed to achieve exactly what ZAMEC turned out to be. The gathering appeared preselected and heavily populated by a posse of Catholics who came through their radio stations and the Catholic Media Services.

This small meeting alone had over five catholic priests and three nuns led by Father Paul Samasumo (ZEC spokesperson) of Catholic Media Services. Other priests came from their radio stations that included Father Wilbroad Mwape from Radio Icengelo, Father Freebog Kibombwe of Radio Liseli and sisters led by Rose Nyondo.

Conspicuously missing were many known senior and prominent journalists, media practitioners and other media personalities. Although a few senior journalists such as Jeff Sitali and Swithen Haangala could be spotted, they came to the Conference in their capacity as media owners. The conference therefore failed to live up to its billed theme of ‘’Stakeholders Conference’’.

The work at Pamodzi was preceded by earlier work done through an exclusive process done at Fringilla (a B and B facility) in Chisamba by leaders of the media association gathered together under the umbrella of the Media Liaison Committee (MLC) and came as draft for the Conference.

The donors fearing an ‘’undemocratic’’ statutory media regulatory mechanism had quickly supported the process by media associations and hoped that the success of this process would fend off government intentions to regulate the media and help it establish a credible self-regulatory mechanism.

They too must be disappointed with the out-come as ZAMEC, other than the concerns of its ineffective tools, is likely to spur government to proceed and set-up a statutory regulatory mechanism. The investment in time and financial resources so far appear wasted.

But the so called Fringilla Consensus was a shameful piece of work. The drafts (Code of Ethics and Draft Constitution) provided for Gay Rights, reduced media regulation to voluntary participation and submission, provided ZAMEC with clipped powers to regulate or promote ethical practices rendering it toothless and useless.

The drafts also limited Jurisdiction of ZAMEC to listed members only whose participation is voluntary! Everyone has agreed that Media Regulation is a must and totally relevant to the survival and growth of a decent media landscape. The debate therefore has only been whether Zambia needed a statutory or self media regulation. It never made regulation optional.

Government abandoned its quest to enact a statutory regulatory framework and gave the media latitude to come up with its own decent and acceptable self regulatory one.

But the media chose to squander this opportunity to make amends for its intransigences. It was therefore strange that self regulation was reduced to VOLUNTARY self-regulation! An exit strategy was even and deftly provided for, for individuals and media houses to withdraw from ZAMEC or reject its authority!

The code of ethics

The Code itself as adopted was a brilliant document containing progressive provisions heavily borrowed from South Africa, Australia and United Kingdom Press Councils.

The Code promotes objective and responsible reporting. It bans obscene, indecent and pornographic material to be published or broadcast.

The Code also promotes reporting that respects culture and moral values of Zambia. It also encourages individual practitioners to abide by ethics and conduct themselves in a professional manner.

It also provided for other media related services such as advertising and artistry work to be regulated and submit to ethical practices.
The Code has potential to promote good and responsible journalism in Zambia.

The constitution

The mischief is on the Constitution that creates ZAMEC. The Constitution provides for voluntary membership. It also provides for exit clauses. It reduces ZAMEC Jurisdiction to listed members only. It provides for an 11-member Governing Council appointed and/or elected from Lawyers, Civil Society, Women’s groups and Churches. It sets up an Ethics Committee comprising Lawyers and Journalists. It also provides for an appeals panel headed by a lawyer qualified to be employed as a High Court Judge.

The Ethics Committee and its Appeals Committee have been given absolute powers to handle public complaints and banned any court process in the event that a dissatisfied or aggrieved party who participated in the proceedings emerges. The decisions of these internal courts are final!

This provisions fly in the face of the Republican Constitution that guarantees citizens fundamental rights to sue and appeal up-to the Supreme Court.

The Courts created under ZAMEC are mere tribunals and the provision of a waiver does not in any way take away the fundamental right by citizens to reserve the right to go to judicial court as so provided for in the country’s constitution.

Key provisions on voluntary membership and the clear lack of any deterring mechanisms or failure to make provisions for any minimum sanctions renders filed complaints, achieve academic outcomes.

The lack of any sanctions or any punitive measures even to repeated or serial offenders renders the whole process useless despite its robust provisions on composition. The complaints when laid would not inspire or give faith to members of the public as the outcome can only be a public reprimand in worst case scenarios.

Realising that the Conference had been manipulated and the media stood at the verge of missing a great opportunity, Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Lieutenant-General Ronnie Shikapwasha promptly wrote a letter to Henry Kabwe, chairperson of the Media Liason Committee.

Gen Shikapwasha urged the members to the Conference to adopt the Kenyan model that would guarantee compulsory compliance but regulated by the media itself.Gen Shikapwasha recognized that as adopted, ZAMEC falls short of a meaningful regulatory mechanism. He informed the Conference that ZAMEC was doomed to be toothless and media regulation would be rendered unenforceable as created so far. He urged the Conference to adopt the Kenyan Model that would strike a realistic balance between government concerns and media rights and freedoms.

Conclusion

Naturally, the debate by media organizations should be dwelling on the need to expand and enhance freedoms of expression, freedom of speech and freedom of the press and not the debate to curtail such rights. It is clear that certain sections of the media have acted so irresponsibly that there is an urgent need to promote objective and responsible reporting through regulatory mechanisms.

The failure by media stakeholders to establish a respectful media ethics council gives government and all doomsayers an opportunity, as feared, to impose a regulatory mechanism on the media.

This is the only process that had attempted to achieve broad consensus among stakeholders and the failure to establish a proper regulatory framework is genuinely regrettable.

The debate will revert to a shouting match between government and the media associations leaving government with the chance to impose statutory regulation.

[Times of Zambia]

Be patient, NCC tells critics

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NCC Delegates Deliberating

NATIONAL Constitutional Conference (NCC) secretary Newton Ng’uni has advised people opposed to its deliberations to exercise patience, as all deliberations will later be subjected to public scrutiny.

He said the NCC had noted that there were people that were bent on negative criticism all the time at the expense of progress.

Mr Ng’uni said in Lusaka yesterday in reaction to some people who were saying that the NCC had rejected a clause that called for people’s right to food and water that criticism should be constructive.

He said people criticising the NCC were just exhibiting their perceived hatred for the conference.

Mr Ng’uni said there were a lot of views expressed in the NCC and it did not make sense for some people to single out a clause and demonise the NCC instead of offering alternatives.

He said people should not show dislike for the NCC but offer solutions and praise where it was due to improve the process.

Whatever people were complaining about would still be open to public scrutiny and such suggestions would be considered by the NCC.

“There are so many articles and different views expressed. People will be given chance to look at the decisions and reasons being given by the NCC,” he said.

He said the issue was not about what had been adopted but the attitude by some people who had even refused to participate in the process.

Mr Ng’uni said the NCC had included a clause on adult education when the Mung’omba draft Constitution did not include it.

He said the NCC had enhanced the article on health which should be appreciated by all well-meaning Zambians instead of picking out certain clauses which could even be handled under delegated legislation.

He said the NCC delegates should remain focused despite various criticisms from same people who had the right to comment but had chosen to take a confrontational stance.

He said if such people were seen to be confrontational, then their advice would not be taken and they would continue to complain.

[Times of Zambia]

RDA seals road rehabilitation contract for Chingola

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Some of once the best Chingola roads in dilapidated state today

THE Road Development Agency (RDA) and Red Lion Construction Company have signed a K33.4 billion contract to rehabilitate more than 23 kilometres of urban roads in Chingola.

RDA head of public relations Loyce Saili said in a statement yesterday that a total of 15 urban roads covering 23.35 kilometres were expected to benefit from the contract.

Ms Saili said the proposed rehabilitation works include pothole patching, reconstruction, asphalt wearing course, surface dressing, drainage and road markings.

She said the contractor had already set up camp in Chingola and would commence works as soon as the supervising consultants had been appointed.

“The successful consultant is expected to supervise the project as well as carry out a comprehensive design review of the proposed technical intervention, together with an estimate of quantities,” she said.

Ms Saili said besides forming vital linkages in the urban road network in Chingola, the RDA saw the need to rehabilitate the roads, which were taking more traffic than their original design capacity.

The roads to be rehabilitated include Lumumba, Mukuba, Maina Soko, Riverside Drive, Nile, Chilubi, Kabompo, Cental Street, Kasompe and Buntungwa.

Ms Saili said the RDA was engaging Government to secure more funding to work on other urban roads in Kitwe, Luanshya and Mufulira.

She was hopeful the Government would find the money to carry out all the necessary works on other urban roads in the affected towns.

RDA had decided to start with Chingola because it was necessary that it started from somewhere before moving to other towns.

[Times of Zambia]

Imprisoned MP Kambwili was professionally treated-CB Provincial Medical Officer

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PF Roan Member of Parliament Chishimba Kambwili (L)

COPPERBELT provincial medical officer Chandwa Ng’ambi has said doctors treated incarcerated Roan Member of Parliament(MP) Chishimba Kambwili professionally in line with the complaints he presented to them.

Dr Ng’ambi, who dispelled reports in some sections of the media suggesting that Mr Kambwili was unfairly discharged from Thompson Hospital on Saturday, said to the contrary, Mr Chishimba was only discharged after his complaints were attended to professionally by medical doctors.

“As doctors, we have sworn to save life and at no time can we as professionals sacrifice a patient’s life,” he said

Dr Ng’ambi said the doctors dealing with patients would only handle issues of professional nature as regards the administration of treatment and nobody would instruct a doctor to discharge a patient.

He explained that Luanshya District medical officer Peter Mulenga, who also attended to Mr Kambwili was not an outsider at Thompson Hospital because he also attends to patients at the hospital, which falls under his office.

“Honourable Kambwili is a high-profile patient and it’s normal for the district medical officer who also attends to patients at the hospital to take interest in such a patient,” Dr Ng’ambi said.

He denied that he instructed the doctors treating Mr Kambwili, who is reported to have high blood pressure and sugar levels complications, to discharge him prematurely as part of a Government-orchestrated campaign to humiliate the incarcerated MP.

He explained that it was not true that the hospital authorities turned down Mr Kambwili’s request to be transferred from Thomson to Roan Hospital.

“It is the prison warder who said it was not possible to transfer Mr Kambwili to Roan Hospital because there were no sufficient personnel to undertake the exercise,” Dr Ng’ambi said.

The Zambia Prisons Service would issue a statement on the staffing levels at Luanshya State Prison today.

[pullquote]“Does it mean that the whole leadership of PF is suffering from BP? When Jean Kapata and Mumbi Phiri were locked up, they also said they had BP and now it’s Kambwili. This is not the first time in PF,” he said. [/pullquote]

Meanwhile, Chief Government spokesperson Ronnie Shikapwasha has said he is surprised that all the three PF MPs who have been detained lately for various offences have complained of suffering from high blood pressure after being detained.

Lieutenant-General Shikapwasha said the illness which Mr Kambwili had complained about could not surprise anybody because it was a way to seek to be freed.

“Does it mean that the whole leadership of PF is suffering from BP? When Jean Kapata and Mumbi Phiri were locked up, they also said they had BP and now it’s Kambwili. This is not the first time in PF,” he said.

[Times of Zambia]

WEEKEND SCORECARD: ZANACO HEAD TO ALGERIA

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Zanaco will be without two players when they leave for Algeria on Tuesday ahead of Saturdays Caf Champions League second round, first leg match against hosts Entente Setif.

Zanaco fly out to Algeria at 07:00 on Tuesday from Lusaka to Algiers via Johannesburg.

Staying home will be left-back Maybin Chishimba and midfielder Henry Banda.

Chishimba will miss the match due to suspension after accumulating two yellow cards while Banda has a muscle injury that coach Wedson Nyirenda says will see him out of action for the next month.

Also dropped is striker Judge Mkandawire and in his place Nyirenda has picked Ignatius Lwipa who has recently returned from a month-long layoff due to injury.

Lwipa scored the equalizer for Zanaco on Saturday in their 1-1 away draw at Red Arrows.

And Makundika Sakala, Zanaco’s top scorer in the Champions League with three goals, is fit and is in the travelling party to face Setif this weekend.

Sakala was injured on Saturday against Arrows after being tackled by Joseph Zimba.

Meanwhile, midfielder George Chilufya (not to be confused the former Nkana defender) who has yet to kick a ball competitively for Zanaco since joining from Nchanga Rangers will miss the trip after only recently recovering from injury.

Chilufya trained with the team at Sunset stadium in Lusaka on the eve of the teams departure for Algeria.

Team:

Goalkeepers: Racha Kola, Joshua Titima

Defenders: Michael Bwalya, Kennedy Nkethani, Mwelwa Sakala, Eugene Shamakamba, Ziyo Tembo, Charles Siyingwa

Midfielders: Trinity Chalanshi, Sydney Kaluwe, Vanecious Mapande, Thomas Nyirenda, Simon Silwamba, Allen Mukuka

Strikers: Winston Kalengo, Lottie Nyambili, Makundika Sakala, Ignatius Lwipa, Mathews Macha
WEEKEND SCORECARD

Faz Super Division Week 6

17/04/2010

Nchanga Rangers 3(Aubrey Funga 7″, Chlieshe Kangwa 30″, Aubrey Chamulanda 66″)- Nkwazi 1(Musukuma Chipungu 84″)

Nkana 4(William Chinse 53″ 68″, Maxwell Phiri 84″, Douglas Chiwaya 88″)-City of Lusaka 2 (Evans Musonda 46″,Vincent Mangamu 80″)

National Assembly 0-Zesco United 0

Red Arrows 1 (Dube Phiri 68″)-Zanaco 1(Ignatius Lwipa 84″)

Forest Rangers 0-Roan United 0

Kabwe warriors 2(Geoffrey Kangwa 41″, Hendrix Kapeta 75″)-Konkola Blades 0

Lusaka Dynamos 2(Cassius Mwila 4″, Sydney Nteke 22″)-Choma Eagles 0

18/04/2010

Green Buffaloes 0-Power Dynamos 0

TABLE

[standings league_id=15 template=extend logo=false]
2010 TOP SCORERS
19/04/2010

Liniker Mwikisa (Green Buffaloes): 4

Douglas Chiwaya (Nkana):3
Dube Phiri (Red Arrows): 3
Makundika Sakala (Zanaco): 3

William Chinse (Nkana): 2
Kameta Mutambo (Forest Rangers): 2
Luka Lungu (POwer Dynamos): 2
Jimmy Njovu (Red Arrows): 2
Kameta Mutambo (Forest Rangers): 2
Ignatius Mukota (Nchanga Rangers): 2
Aubrey Funga (Nchanga Rangers): 2
Aubrey Chamulanda (Nchanga Rangers): 2
Enock Sakala (Zesco United): 2
Kennedy Mudenda (Power Dynamos): 2
Brian Chilando (Green Buffaloes): 2
Reuben Tembo (Green Buffaloes): 2
Joseph Milanzi (Lusaka Dynamos): 2
Chipulu Chileya (Konkola Blades): 2
Kennedy Chola (Green Buffaloes): 2

FAZ DIVISION 1

WEEK 7

17-18/04/2010

NORTH

Konkola Mine Police 0- Mining Rangers 1

Kitwe United 0- Ndola United 0

Indeni 1- Mufulira Blackpool 0

Mufulira wanderers 0- Lime Hotspurs 0

Kalewa 0- Muchindu 0

Chambishi 0- Medical Stars 0

Kalulushi Modern Stars 4- Chingola Leopards 1

Mansa Health Stars 1- Prison Leopards 1

Chindwin 1- Zamtel 1

SOUTH

Zesco Shockers 1- Nakambala 4

Mazabuka United 0- Green Eagles 0

Kuwama 2- Livingstone Pirates 2

Communite 0- Profund Warriors 0

Riflemen 0- Young Green Eagles 0

Kafue Celtic 0- Paramilitary 2

Lusaka City Council 1- Luena 1

Nampundwe 1- Lusaka Tigers 1

TP Rangers 1- Kalomo Jetters 1

Government Committed to Improve the Health Sector, RB

16
A ward at University Teaching Hopsital (UTH)

President Rupiah Banda has said the government has never failed to provide adequate resources to the Ministry of Heath.

Speaking when he swore in new Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Heath Peter Mwaba at State House this morning, President Banda said government has always been providing enough resources despite the shortage of medicine in some health centers.

He said the shortage results from the delay by Heath centre authorities to communicate with government in time.

President Banda said the University Teaching Hospital has remained a dignified institution in the country despite the challenges it goes through.

He said the institution has been dignified because of hard work and determination by those in charge.

He urged the new Permanent Secretary to remain focused for him to manage the most difficult task he has been assigned.

He said he believes Dr. Mwaba will be able to make drastic changes in the Ministry of Health to ensure an effective leadership.

Until this appointment, Dr Peter Mwaba was UTH Managing Director who rose through the institutional’s ranks. He also held positions of head of the Department of Medicine and was a consultant doctor.

As an academic, he held the position of senior lecturer at the University of Zambia School of Medicine and was co-director of the University of Zambia-University College London Research and Training Project.