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Government has strongly condemned a Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) senior officer for assaulting his workmate last week.
Labour and Social Security Minister Austin Liato has since called on law enforcement officers to ensure that the culprit is brought to book and dealt with accordingly.
Mr. Liato was reacting to ZRA’s senior commissioner who allegedly assaulted a female human resource manager at his work place in unexplained circumstance.
He told ZANIS in Lusaka today that the commissioner’s decision to beat up a female human resources manager was an indication that there was no safety for the weaker sex in most institutions.
He said the matter was likely to impact negatively on the operations of the authority.
He further implored employers in the country to ensure that work places were safe for all employees.
The minister said government would punish anyone violating human rights.
And the Zambia Institute of Human Resource Management (ZIHRM) has expressed disappointment at the development and has since called on the police to intensify their investigations.
ZIHRM president Namucana Musiwa said there is need for the police to act quickly, saying this was the only way to discourage workers from committing similar offences.
Last week, a ZRA senior commissioner was arrested and suspended from work for allegedly assaulting his workmate in unexplained circumstances.
A traditional leader in Mungwi district has commended government for the timely delivery of inputs to Rosa agriculture camp.
Sub-chief Chilangwa of the Bemba people noted that agricultural development in Rosa camp has been enhanced in the area.
The traditional leader said this in an interview with the National Agricultural Information services (NAIS) in Mungwi at the weekend.
The sub-chief said he is so far satisfied that the inputs farmers received have been put to good use adding that he expects a good harvest.
Sub-chief Chilangwa, also noted that considerable progress has been recorded at farming camps such as Shimpa, Chilangwa and Mange where crop standing is quite impressive.
He has further thanked government for its continued efforts in promoting aqua-culture development in Rosa camp through Peace Corps volunteers who are assisting farmers in fish farming.
The Sub-chief Chilangwa urged his subjects to harness fish farming and become self-reliant through income generation.
And a small scale farmer at Rosa agriculture camp has thanked government for assisting them through the subsidized inputs.
Peter Mvula says farmers should appreciate the efforts by government in trying to reduce poverty through provision of affordable input under the government Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP).
He said farmers should increase production by engaging in meaningful agricultural practices.
Meanwhile the department of agriculture in Mungwi district has challenged farmers of Rosa mission to increase productivity since Rosa has been selected as a pilot camp in the district.
Acting senior agriculture office, Harrison Sinyangwe says farmers of Rosa should feel honoured that the camp should set as a shining example of agricultural development.
Mr. Sinyangwe says under the maize variety demo pilots to be established in Rosa and Chimbola will seek to compare productivity of hybrid or improved maize seed against local maize variety.
A number of maize seed varieties such as ZMS 602, ZMS 720 and GV 704 with their respective productivity in tones per hectare.
Mr. Sinyangwe says the objective of the demos is to equip farmers with knowledge and compare productivity between hybrid and local maize variety.
The Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) has dismissed allegation that it has failed to pay people that worked as election monitors in the October 15, 2009 Kasama Central by-election.
FODEP Information and Communications Officer, McDonald Chipenzi told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today that his organisation did not hire election monitors for the by-election.
Mr. Chipenzi said it was shocking to learn that some people, who volunteered to monitor elections, were claiming that they were hired by FODEP and were demanding to be paid allowances.
He explained that during the Kasama Central by-election, FODEP assigned its members to monitor the polls and asked them to engage volunteered without promising them any payment.
“The members of FODEP that were assigned were told to only hire people that are our members,” he said.
Mr. Chipenzi said non-members of FODEP voluntarily joined assigned election monitors hence there as no need to pay them.
He further explained that FODEP has not even received any official complaint from the complainants.
He was reacting to allegations leveled against FODEP that it has failed to pay its election monitors that worked during the Kasama Central by-elections over a month ago.
Last week, irate people claiming to be election monitors stormed ZANIS offices in Kasama to register their displeasure over alleged FODEP’s failure to pay them their allowances.
ZAMBIA was ordered to pay Lusaka lawyer Rodger Chongwe $2.5m as compensation by an Australian court for the 1997 shooting incident in Kabwe by police where he and first Republican president Kenneth Kaunda were injured.
Home Affairs Minister Lameck Mangani said in Lusaka yesterday that Dr Chongwe has since the judgement almost 10 years ago been pushing to be paid that amount but the Government was still negotiating.
“Dr Chongwe took the matter of the Kabwe shooting incident to a court in Australia where Zambia lost the case because no official from Government attended any of the court sessions there.
“The court ordered that Dr Chongwe be paid US$2.5 million and he has been pushing for that amount since then,” Mr Mangani said.
Mr Mangani who refuted claims that President Rupiah Banda had authorised payment of US$5.9 million to Dr Chongwe as compensation said his ministry would investigate thoroughly and establish the people leaking such information to the media which he described as inaccurate.
Referring to a Post Newspaper story that at the weekend quoted sources from the Ministry of Finance who alleged that President Banda had authorised and directed that Dr Chongwe be paid $5.9m as compensation, Mr Mangani said the report was not true.
He said Government would not take kindly to people leaking inaccurate information bordering on national security with the aim of blackmailing Government and President Banda.
Mr Mangani said Dr Chongwe’s issue required legal opinion hence, the move by Mr Banda to write the Attorney General Mumba Malila seeking his opinion and guidance.
“And even that does not mean the President authorised the payment.
But even the US$2.5 million needs to be negotiated and at no time did the President authorise that the money be paid to Dr Chongwe,” Mr Mangani said.
He said those alleging that President Banda authorised the payment should provide evidence to that effect.
Mr Mangani said his ministry would investigate the matter and ensure that those leaking false and inaccurate information were brought to book.
He said it was worrying that information of this matter could be leaked with impunity disregarding national security and warned that Government would not take kindly with people trying to raise false alarm in the nation.
“There is need to bring sanity and as Government, we will ensure that those trying to raise false alarm are brought to book by investigating thoroughly,” Mr Mangani said.
Dr Chongwe could not be reached for a comment as he is out of the country.
Traders at Soweto market in Lusaka trading under heaps of garbage, oblivious of the outbreak of cholera with the on-set of the rainy season
Lusaka District Management Unit (LDMU) Chairperson Christah Kalulu says it is working with defense forces and prisoners to control the garbage situation in the city.
Ms. Kalulu told ZANIS in an interview, today, noted that this is because there are so many areas that have been affected by garbage in Lusaka.
She said the trend poses a threat to the members of public as they can suffer from diseases such as Cholera in rainy season.
Ms Kalulu added that the defence forces together with the prisoners have so far done a commendable job in trying to control the garbage situation in the city.
She was speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today.
Ms Kalulu who is also Lusaka District Commissioner stressed that LDMU targets high disease risk areas like Mutendere, Mandevu and Kanyama respectively.
She also stressed that this is because the mentioned areas are prone to diseases like Cholera which claims people’s lives in Lusaka.
She assured the members of public that they will be able to see a difference in the city in five years to come in terms of garbage situation as the people on the ground are doing a great job.
Meanwhile, Ms Kalulu said Kabwata is not a Cholera prone area adding that the Member of Parliament or the area Councilor are the ones who are supposed to work on the garbage situation in the area.
In the midst of Kalusha’s slaps of fury, the senior and junior national teams are in action tomorrow and hoping to be on the best of behavior and an incident-free Monday away from home while flying the flag for peaceful loving Zambia.
Zambia tomorrow battle for a semifinal place when they face Zanzibar in the last eight of this year’s Cecafa Cup in Nairobi hoping to maintain their 100% record in the competition so far with three out of three wins and no goals conceded.
Zambia, who finished top of Group A, face Zanzibar who booked their quarterfinal place after finishing as the second of the two best third placed sides from the preliminary group stage of the Cecafa Cup.
Winner in that match will face either defending champions Uganda or Kenya who clash in the other Monday quarterfinal match-up in Nairobi for a spot in Wednesday semifinals.
It will be a big test for Zambia will try not to suffer a banana skin against Zanzibar especially after the departure of key striker James Chamanga who headed back to his base in China last Friday for pre-season training.
Meanwhile, the Under-20 team are in South Africa to take part in the Cosafa Youth Championships that kicked off today in Johannesburg.
The under-20 are in Group D will Angola whom they will play twice for a place in the semifinals.
This is after the third country Mauritius withdrew from the tournament forcing the organizers to fix a two-leg play-off for the semifinals.
Chief Justice Ernest Sakala inspect motor bikes donated to the judiciary by UNICEF
CHIEF Justice Ernest Sakala has challenged those with evidence of corruption in the Judiciary to report to law enforcement agencies and “stop singing the song” if they don’t.
Mr Justice Sakala said some critics thrive on accusations that the Judiciary is corrupt and that such a negative perception is more damaging for the Judiciary than the allegations.
“I have said before that we do not tolerate corruption. But if anyone has evidence of corruption in the Judiciary, please report to the relevant authorities for the law to take its course. But if you have no evidence, stop singing the song,” Mr Justice Sakala said.
He said this on Friday when he opened the Magistrates’ and Judges Association of Zambia (MAJAZ) triennial conference at Baluba Hotel in Luanshya.
“The Judiciary continues to be faced with several challenges, the major one of which is the perception by certain sections of society about our ability to serve the people of Zambia in the delivery of justice,” Mr Justice Sakala said.
He said delays in the delivery of judgements, poor time-keeping, negative attitude towards members of the public and corrupt conduct by some members and staff of the Judiciary at whatever level contribute to the creation of a negative and damaging perception of the institution.
Mr Justice Sakala said while a good amount of criticism that the Judiciary gets is not factually supported, the conduct of some of its members does not help this arm of Government.
He said this creates doubt in the minds of the public over the Judiciary’s ability to dispense justice in a fair manner.
“As I have always said, it is the perception that is more damaging than the actual allegations, whether true or not. But I am pleased to inform this gathering that we have since employed a public relations officer, a qualified journalist with immense journalism experience, whose job description centres on demystifying the image of the Judiciary,” Mr Justice Sakala said.
He congratulated MAJAZ’s outgoing executive committee for completing its term of office free of industrial unrest by its members.
“This is unlike in the past when their worships unprofessionally resorted to illegal strikes as a means of demanding for better salaries and improved conditions of service,” Mr Justice Sakala said.
He said the objective of MAJAZ is to safeguard the independence of the Judiciary as an essential requirement of the judicial function and a guarantee of human rights and freedom under the rule of law.
Mr Justice Sakala said MAJAZ is required to promote the dignity of the judicial office.
He said he is happy that Lusaka resident magistrate Aridah Chulu had been elected to the regional committee of the council representing East, Central and southern Africa at the 15th triennial conference of the Commonwealth Magistrates and Judges Association in Turks and Caicos Islands.
Mr Justice Sakala said he is confident that Mrs Chulu will adequately represent both the region and the Zambian Judiciary in the council for the next three years.
He urged the conference to come up with recommendations on how best to protect the independence of magistrates and the conditions of service for the lower bench.
“Where there is no vision…the people perish…”
(Proverbs 29:18, AMP)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
What is the vision you have for your life? Do you see yourself rising higher? Do you see yourself increasing and growing in the blessing of God?
Friend, if we are going to live the abundant, overflowing life that God has promised us, we have to have a vision for it. We have to see ourselves so blessed and so filled that we overflow on to the people around us. We should have so much joy that others are joyful just being in our presence. We should have so much peace that people just feel calm when they come around us. We should be overflowing in our resources so that we can turn around and be a blessing to others. But it all starts with having a vision for overflow.
I want to challenge you today, start seeing yourself living the abundant life God has promised. Start seeing yourself increasing in influence. As you begin to see yourself in His overflow, you’ll begin to receive His overflow, and you will be able to experience the abundant life He has prepared for you!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
“Heavenly Father, thank You for desiring to bless me so that I can be a blessing to others. Help me have a vision for overflow. Help me see my life the way You intend for it to be so that I can embrace the abundant life You have promised. In Jesus’ Name. Amen..”
1988 Africa Footballer of the Year Kalusha Bwalya on Saturday assaulted Post Newspapers senior sports journalist Augustine Mukoka at an official Fifa function in Cape Town.
According to today’s edition of South African daily newspaper City Press, Faz president Kalusha confronted Mukoka at the security checkpoint in the auditorium of the Cape Town International Convention Centre for allegedly writing lies about him on the Post back page.
“He (Kalusha) accused me of writing lies about him, referring to a story I wrote about (Zambia national team) players saying he ordered them not to talk to journalists and demanded to know who told me the story,” Mukoka told City Press.
“I then told him this was not a lie and before I knew it he slapped me hard across the face.”
And according to other reliable sources, Kalusha is said to have later said “don’t **** with…” after assaulting Mukoka.
Mukoka said he then went to the Police to report the matter but was asked by Fifa officials to sort out the issue in private with Kalusha after which the latter unreservedly apologized for the embarrassing incident he had just caused.
Two fully grown African bush Elephants in Itezhi-tezhi District have died after being electrocuted.
The incident happened when the two adult male Elephants got in contact with a live 33Kilovolts (KV) ZESCO main power line.
The power line which was hanging low following a heavy down pour caused the electrocution of the mammals.The live wire is the main power supply line from Choma power station to Itzhi-tezhi district.
Zambia Wild (ZAWA) Public Relations Officer Wilfred Moonga said this in a statement to ZANIS in Lusaka, yesterday.
Mr. Moonga added that the accident happened last week just below the Itzhi-tezhi dam in Nkala Game Management Area, bordering the Kafue National Park.
He added that the electrocuted elephants were only discovered dead within six meters from the over hanging live wire.
Mr. Moonga further disclosed that ZESCO has however, replaced the falling pole with a new one to avoid more accidents.[quote]
ZAWA has since removed and secured the elephants tusks and disposed off the carcasses by distributing the meat to the local communities and various government and non governmental organizations operating within Itzhi-tezhi district.
Efforts to get ZESCO spokesperson Lucy Zimba to comment on the matter proved futile by press time as her phone line was constantly engaged.
Labour and Social Security Minister Austin Liato says a good working environment is vital in achieving sustainable economic development for any country.
Mr.Liato says this why government will always remain committed in ensuring that it address all matters pertaining to the development of an effective human resource.
Speaking last night when he officiated at the first Zambia Institute of Human Resources Management (ZIHRM) annual ball in Lusaka, Mr. Liato said there is need for all organizations in both private and public sectors to devise good ways of handling about their staff.
Mr. Liato also urged employers to strive and ensure that they protect the fundamental rights of every employee.
He added that government stands ready to help any employee within and outside the country is given full support in all problems concerning labour.
He further called on all human resources practitioners in the country to be conversant with all the requirements of the law and have necessary tools for their effective implementation of matters about labour for the betterment of the industry.
Earlier, ZIHRM vice President Winner Kanyembo said an efficient and effective labour force is imperative for the country to develop economic and socially.
Mr. Kanyembo also stated that a good human capital management is key to any organizations and industries productivity hence the need to be respected by all.
Vice President George Kunda listens to Labour and Social Security Minister Austin Liato
Vice President George Kunda has returned from Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago in South America were he had gone to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government summit on climate change.
Mr.Kunda , who was accompanied by cabinet ministers and senior government officials, arrived this afternoon at Lusaka’s International Airport.
Speaking to Journalist shortly after arrival Mr. Kunda expressed government’s satisfaction on the Commonwealth Summit on Clinmate Change saying said the issue has become one of the topical issues that should be discussed by all governments.
The Vice President said that there is need for countries to put in place effective mechanisms aimed at tackling its devastation.
Mr, Kunda disclosed that the summit discussed a lot of issues to be included in the forth coming climate change conference in Copenhagen later this month.
Zambia is sheduled to sen a 40 man entourage led by Tourism , Environment and Natural Resources Minister Catherine Namugala to attend the crucial Copenhagan Climate Change conference.
And the Vice President has expressed happiness with number of British companies who expressed interest to invest in the Zambian economy.
Mr. Kunda said despite the negative publicity about the government by sections of the media, many British investors have responded positively to invest in the country’s economic sectors.
He noted that following the Unite Kingdom (UK) – Zambia one day investment forum that was held many investors have shown interest to invest massively in the Tourism, Infrastructure development and Agriculture sectors.
Mr. Kunda further disclosed that many Zambians based in the UK are not happy with negative reports about the Zambian investment climate which do not reflect the correct picture about what is happening in the country.
He said Zambia is a decent country that is making progress in all its areas of development hence the need for the media to report positively.
On the energy sector the Vice President said government is still making consultations on finding a strategic partner to help in the running of Indeni Oil Refinery.
Mr. Kunda said government is still committed to have an effective management of the fuel supply in the country.
He however, noted that government will inform the country once the partner is found.
The UK- Zambia investment forum, whose theme was “Economic Growth through Competitiveness, Diversification and Infrastructure Development”, was attended by Commerce Minster Felix Mutati, Works and Supply Minister Mike Mulongoti and Bank of Zambia governor Caleb Fundanga among others.
ZANIS
Midfielder Stopilla Sunzu will play no further part in this year’s Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup currently taking place in Kenya.
Sunzu, who limped off in Zambia’s opening Group A game against Kenya last Saturday, is now able to walk without the aid of crutches and was expected to be fit for Monday’s quarterfinal match.
However, Sunzu has been advised to take a 10-day rest as a precautionary measure but his injury is said not to be long-term as to rule him out of the Africa Cup final in Angola.
Meanwhile, Zambia were by press time awaiting to know their quarterfinal opponent who was to come from the best third placed team at the end of Saturdays final preliminary round group games.
President Rupiah Banda and his Zimbabwean counterpart going to launch the Chirundu one stop border post in Chirundu.
Business was brought to a standstill at Chirundu Border post as the much awaited commissioning of the Chirundu one stop Border post, which is reportedly one of the busiest border post in the sub region.
Movement of traffic, human and goods alike, was at stand still as early as 08:00 hours in readiness for the opening of the border post separating Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The one stop border post will definitely ease the movement of the goods and human traffic between the two countries, a development that has been hailed by the two governments.
President Rupiah Banda opened the border on the Zimbabwean side while Zimbabwean counterpart Robert Mugabe did the same on the Zambian side.
Afterwards the duo re – affirmed their countries’ regional intergation with Mr. Banda saying the development has come at a critical phase in his country’s economic relationship with other countries for the benefit of the regional trade.
Mr Banda said the opening of a one stop boarder post OSBP, is a milestone in facilitating effective trade in the COMESA region and beyond.
The president further said the region cannot continue to do business without the complete overhaul of infrastructure and harmonization of the trade polices adding that the North – South corridor would be able to meet the challenges of inter regional trade.
He noted that the one stop Boarder facility was born out of the COMESA council of ministers in 2005 in Kigali , Rwanda were it was recognized that the flow of trade in the north-south corridor could be enhanced by establishing a one stop Border post in the Eastern and Southern African region.
The president stressed that making Chirundu a one stop boarder post will ease congestion and will reduce transit times for traders and transporters adding that this will promote efficient flow of goods resulting in increased trade.
Mr Banda noted that Chirundu’s strategic location of trade between Southern and Eastern Africa and its gate way between two busy regions is ideal as a pilot site for the One Stop Boarder Post OSBP control programme.
He however noted that the boarder will is expected to serve as a model for other one stop boarder posts in the region.
And President Mugabe says the one stop boarder post will lead to the accelerated harmonization of COMESA, SADC and EAC integration programmes.
Mr Mugabe noted that the establishment of a one stop boarder post will stimulate economic activity with improvement of infrastructure and smoothen traffic on both sides .
He appealed for development and cooperation partners to join Zambia and Zimbabwe in the development of Beitbridge into a one stop boarder post to compliment efficiencies at chirundu and trunk North-South routes.
He also appealed to member state in the North – South Corridor to also priorities the establishment of the one stop boarder post to smoothen trade in the region.
And speaking earlier Japanese Ambassador to Zambia Hideto Mitamura said a one stop boarder post is important as it will promote economic development in Africa.
The ambassador noted that this will generate growth and reduce poverty in the region adding that this will accelerate economic development and promote the growth of African countries.
He said the Japanese government is grateful to see the completion of Chirundu one stop boarder adding that it is important for economic development in the region.
The ambassador noted that once a one stop boarder post becomes operational, delays will fall adding that this will reduce costs for businesses and increases their competitiveness by ensuring that products reach faster.
Meanwhile COMESA, Director of infrastructure Development Amos Marawe said the creation of a one border post will limit the duplication of border agency interventions in the region.
Mr Marawe added that the one border post at chirundu is leading forward for creating other single border stops , not only for this regions but for the Africa as a whole .
He noted that the one stop boarder post is making a positive and important contribution to the realization of Africa’s integration ambitions.
Mr Marawe noted the need for the central corridor and the eastern community to to take the lead as the COMESA region has taken the lead to ease aid to trade between countries in the region.
Lusaka City Council (LCC) has said that it is doing everything possible to lessen the problem of floods in the city.
Council Assistant Public Relations Manager Mulunda Habeenzu said the Council is working to ensure that Lusaka has a proper drainage system.
Mr. Habeenzu told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today that the local authority understands and knows that a blocked drainage system is the root cause of floods in some areas of Lusaka.
The Council Assistant Public Relations Manager said the Council is doing everything possible to maintain and unblock drainages but that members of the public have continued to throw garbage in the drainage systems hence blocking the drainages.
Mr. Habeenzu said the indiscriminate throwing of garbage has made it difficult for the Council to maintain drainages.
He said members of the public should learn to dispose off garbage in designated areas and not in the drainages if the situation is to be arrested.
Mr. Habeenzu further called on members of the public to supplement the local authority’s efforts of unblocking drainages in the city by supporting the program in their respective areas.
Mr. Habeenzu however pointed out that the Council will not hesitate to deal with people found throwing rubbish in drainages.
He also thanked some communities in the city who have taken the initiative to mobilize themselves in supplementing the local authority’s efforts of unblocking drainages in their areas.
With the onset of the rains some areas in Lusaka have already started experiencing floods with some members of the public accusing the Lusaka City Council of allegedly failing to maintain and unblock drainages in the capital city.
Editor’s Note
Below is amateur video footage taken using a cellphone on 1/12/09 at 17:32 on Freedom way showing the poor drainage system in Lusaka.
Kulima Tower Enterprising boys took advantage of the situation and cashed in on the floods by transporting men on their backs across the pool of water while most women just braved through water.
