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Wednesday, May 7, 2025
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Speaker warns against late coming, threatens to close parliament

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speaker

Speaker of the National Assembly, Amusaa Mwanamwambwa, has threatened a one-day closure of the parliamentary
Chambers if the Members of Parliament (MPs) continue coming in late for deliberations.

Mr Mwanamwamba said it is unfair for the parliamentarians not to observe time but instead opt to come late to the chamber at the expense of national development and tax-payers’ money.

He noted that in the last sitting, five and half hours were lost, hours that were supposed to be utilized for deliberations.

The Speaker sounded the warning in the Parliament Chambers today when the law-makers entered late by three minutes after a 15-minutes break.

Parliament breaks off from 14:30hrs to 16:15 from Tuesday to Thursday, and on Fridays it resumes sittings in the mornings from 09:00hours to 13:00 hours.

The Speaker observed that it is unacceptable for the MPs to be coming late in the Chambers instead of being punctual for deliberations.
Mr Mwanamwamba reminded the House that in its previous sitting, the MPs were late by two minutes which translated in five hours and 30 minutes.

“It’s very unfair for MPs to continue with the same habit of late coming at the expense of tax-payers’ money. Last time I counted and two minutes by 158 MPs was lost and in total it translates into five hours and half. And today you have even added by another minute to make it three minutes. One day I will shut down this Chamber if you continue behaving like this,” the Speaker told parliamentarians.

The Speaker told the MPs that this was the last warning he would give them and his next action would be to simply shut the chambers down.

ZANIS

Govt gives Chinese firm go-ahead to import cement for new stadium in Ndola

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Government has given the Chinese firm constructing an ultra modern stadium in Ndola a go ahead to import 1600 tonnes of cement for the foundation stage.

Statehouse Special assistant to the President on Policy Implementation and Monitoring (PIM), Ben Kapita gave the go ahead yesterday when he toured the construction site in Ndola.

Mr Kapita who is in the Province to inspect projects being carried out however stressed that there is need for the Chinese firm to buy locally produced cement after the initial foundation stage was completed.

The President’s special assistant said he was pleased with the progress of the works at the site.

He further said he was impressed with the equipment and machinery that was on site for construction works.

Mr Kapita also revealed that he was going to call Lafarge to a meeting to find out if it was true that their cement was not of the standard required by the Chinese constructors.

He added that Zambia bureau of standards must also explain why Lafarge is allegedly producing low quality cement.

And speaking earlier Ndola stadium project Manager Yao Huaifa told the delegation that the construction firm had decided to import about 1,600 tonnes out of the total 30,000 tonnes for the foundation stage because the Zambian produced cement could not meet the requirements for the project.

He explained that the stability and strength of the Lafarge cement was bad and that his company had already informed Lafarge about the development and advised them to improve the quality of their cement.

He hinted that his company was willing to buy the balance of the 30, 000 tonnes of cement from Lafarge if it improved its quality.

He explained that the decision to resort to importing 1, 600 tonnes was because the firm wanted to finish the foundation stage before the onset of the rains.

Mr Huaifa said his company would wait for Lafarge to improve its quality to buy the remaining required cement.

ZANIS

Former PF member Mumbi accuses Sata

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Former PF party general secretary Edward Mumbi
Former PF party general secretary Edward Mumbi

Former Patriotic Front Secretary General Edward Mumbi says he was forced to resign from the opposition because of the dishonest manner in which the PF leader Michael Sata was managing the affairs of the party.

Speaking at a campaign rally at Musenga Township in Kasama to drum up support for the MMD candidate yesterday, Mr Mumbi said when they formed the PF they had agreed that the party would stand for the truth and fairness.

He however said he was disappointed to note that the party started drifting from its tenets because of the bad leadership of Mr Sata.

Mr Mumbi said he was ready to face Mr Sata on Radio Mano so that the two could explain to the public the reasons that led to his resignation from the PF.

He said PF received a lot of financial support for mobilization during the last Presidential By elections which has not been accounted for by Mr Sata.

Mr Mumbi revealed that the PF in Northern Province was supposed to receive over K700m during the 2008 elections but these funds never reached the province resulting in some of the party’s polling agents not being paid.

He charged that Mr Sata’s style of leadership has led to a lot of people to resign from the party.

Mr Mumbi has since appealed to PF members to examine their conscious and see why they should continue being in a party whose leader is dishonest and practiced politics of insults.

ZANIS

Minister warns civil society over FTJ acquittal demos

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Northern Province Minister, John Chinyanta, has warned civil society organisations trying to incite the people in the province to join in “acts of lawlessness” over the acquittal of former President, Frederick Chiluba, that they will be dealt with harshly.

Mr Chinyanta has since ordered the police in the province to be on high alert and arrest anyone found abrogating the law.
He said government would not allow a situation where a few individuals hold the country to ransom by agitating for illegal demonstrations.

Mr Chinyanta accused the civil society organisations protesting against the acquittal of Dr Chiluba of having double standards as they initially complained against the prosecution of the former president.

The minister has advised people of Northern Province to denounce people who wanted to endanger the country’s peace through unjustified protests.

Mr Chinyanta urged Zambians to accept the verdict of the magistrates’ court over the acquittal of Dr Chiluba on corruption charges in order for the country to move forward with other pressing issues.

Mr Chinyanta further called on members of the public to respect the independence of the judiciary and stop issuing statements that infringe on its integrity.

Recently, 18 civil society organisations resolved to hold countrywide demonstrations over the acquittal of Dr Chiluba.

But last Friday, nine people, including two Patriotic Front (PF) Members of Parliament, were arrested and charged with conduct likely to cause breach of peace and unnecessary honking.

The two MPs, Jean Kapata and Mumbi Phiri, who were admitted to Lusaka’s University Teaching Hospital (UTH) after they suffered hypertension while in police custody, have been slapped with three charges, including that of disorderly conduct at the police station.

The seven others, who were charged together with the MPs, have since been released after they paid admission of guilt fines.

ZANIS

Mpombo plotting against State-Shikapwasha

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GOVERNMENT has accused former Minister of Defence George Mpombo of being one of those allegedly holding secret meetings with some diplomats with a view to bringing down Government.

Government spokesperson Ronnie Shikapwasha said in an interview yesterday that the State is aware that Mr Mpombo is being used to destabilise Government.

“As Government, we are fully equipped with information regarding Mr Mpombo as being one of our former senior Government officials holding dark corner meetings so that people can rise against the MMD government,” Lieutenant-General Shikapwasha said.

Gen Shikapwasha, who is Minister of Information and Broadcasting, said Mr Mpombo has no interest of the nation at heart, but is out to promote his own agenda.[quote]

He advised Mr Mpombo to stop issuing comments on issues of diplomacy because he understands little or nothing about the subject.

“Mr Mpombo has never worked in a foreign mission for him to issue statements that Government must be careful with donors,” Gen Shikapwasha said.

He said Government is only safeguarding the interest of all citizens, and not to be in conflict with donors.

Gen Shikapwasha said Government is going to abide by the Geneva Convention by resolving contentious issues with diplomats accredited to Zambia amicably.

He said Government appreciates the role donors play in the economic development of the country.

“For many years now, Zambia has continued to enjoy a cordial relationship with the donor community, and it is our intention to continue with such relationships.

“It is dangerous for anyone to comment on issues which one has no knowledge of like Mr Mpombo is doing,” Gen Shikapwasha said.

Last Friday, Minister of Home Affairs Lameck Mangani said Government had uncovered a scam in which some diplomats have been holding secret meetings with some former Government officials with a view to bringing down Government.

Gen Shikapwasha said on Sunday that Government is making consultations through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ascertain if the actions of some diplomats accredited to Zambia have the blessings of their respective countries.

He said the diplomats may be recalled after consultations are concluded.

Gen Shikapwasha was reacting to a Copperbelt-based organisation’s call on Government to report some diplomats to their countries for possible disciplinary action if they continue holding alleged dark corner meetings with some former senior Government officials aimed at discrediting President Banda’s administration.

“Government wants to know if what the diplomats are doing has the blessings of their respective countries. As soon as the consultations are concluded, Zambians will see some of the diplomats going back to their countries. The consultations are a continuous process,” Lt-Gen Shikapwasha said.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

Katele has no right to suspend a provincial committee-Namakando

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MMD national secretary Katele Kalumba
MMD national secretary Katele Kalumba

WESTERN Province MMD chairperson, Simasiku Namakando has said he does not recognise the decision by MMD national secretary Katele Kalumba to dissolve the provincial committee.

But Dr Kalumba said yesterday that his decision was final and he would not respond to Mr Namakando.

Mr Namakando said in an interview yesterday that he was still Western Province chairperson and that his entire committee was intact.

He alleged that Dr Kalumba as national secretary had no powers to dissolve a committee except recommending to the National Executive Committee (NEC) if the provincial committee breached the party constitution.

The MMD had laws that should be followed when dissolving a committee and Dr Kalumba did not follow the party constitution because he had no powers to dissolve a provincial committee.

He wondered why his committee was dissolved because it only demanded for a convention while other provincial committees had said it should be postponed and had not been dissolved.

On Monday, Dr Kalumba said he had dissolved the Western Province executive committee and the Serenje Central Constituency committee in order to streamline discipline, organisation and mobilisation interests of the party.

Meanwhile, MMD youths in Livingstone have reaffirmed their support if the NEC’s decision to have the party national convention postponed to allow President Banda contest the 2011 general elections.

The youths have, therefore, dismissed assertions by district youth publicity secretary, Paul Sensele which were in support of the national convention as reported in The Post yesterday.

Livingstone MMD youth chairperson, Fennix Liandisha said in a statement yesterday that Mr Sensele’s remarks were personal and did not reflect the views of the youth leadership of the party in the district.

“The statement made by Mr Sensele is his own and has no blessings from the youth wing,” Mr Liandisha said.

The youth wing was in full support of the NEC’s decision to postpone the national convention and rallied behind Southern province party leadership under chairperson Solomon Muzyamba.

“We are in full support of the endorsement of our Republican president as our sole candidate for 2011 tripartite elections,” he said.

Mr Sensele was yesterday quoted in The Post as saying the MMD youths in Livingstone did not support the endorsement of Mr Banda as the sole candidate for 2011 and insisted that a convention should be held where a presidential candidate should be picked for the MMD ahead of the 2011 polls.

[Times of Zambia]

Mine foreman accused of corruption

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Over 200 job seekers at CMNC-Luanshya mine have accused a site foreman in the exploration department of taking bribes in exchange for employment .

Spokesperson of the group, Mulenga Musonda, alleged that the foreman, Lucky Kunda, was getting between K50,000 to K100,000 from individuals with the view of offering them jobs but to no avail.

Mr Musonda said that two months had elapsed since he promised them and was even switching off his phone whenever they called him to find out about the jobs.

Mr Musonda alleged that the foreman has instead engaged 80 people from Chambishi who are currently undergoing induction courses.

He complained that it was unfair for CMNC-Luanshya mine to start engaging people from outside Luanshya district in the face of high unemployment levels.

But when contacted for a comment Mr Kunda denied ever getting money from the job seekers.

Mr Kunda, however, said he would inform the job seekers about their fate in the next five days as they were still stamping out trees where exploration works will begin from.

ZANIS

Ex Jubilee Zambia facilitator nabbed for pulling down MMD campaign posters

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Police in Kasama have arrested a former Jubilee Zambia-Kasama Chapter Facilitator, Joseph Kachiliko, for allegedly pulling down MMD campaign posters ahead of Kasama Central by-election set for October 15, 2009.

And three people, suspected to be Patriotic Front cadres, have also been apprehended for masquerading as teachers when they featured on a live programme on Radio Mano yesterday to discuss the World Teachers’ Day.

Police sources revealed the developments to Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) in Kasama this morning.

The police said Mr Kachilliko was picked up on Sunday after he was found removing MMD campaign posters from an unfinished building belonging to the Catholic Church in the town centre.

They explained that Mr Kachiliko used a ladder from his home to remove campaign posters while leaving those for PF intact.

The police sources said the suspect was detained at Kasama Central police station before being released on police bond yesterday.

Mr Kachiliko, who has been charged with pulling down campaign posters contrary to the Electoral code of conduct, is expected to appear in court soon.

And the three suspected PF cadres have been detained at Kasama Central police station for impersonation.

The trio, who claimed to be teachers, denounced the government during a live sponsored programme on Radio Mano where they talked about the commemoration of the World Teachers’ Day which fell yesterday.

However, some alert teachers reported the matter to the police and the suspects were later apprehended at the community radio station.

Meanwhile, police in Kasama have launched investigations in the mater to establish the people who sponsored the suspects to impersonate as teachers.

In a related development, the Kasama District Conflict Management Committee has asked the Patriotic Front (PF) to release the foodstuffs that they had confiscated from the MMD on suspicion that food was being distributed to would-be voters in Kasama Central Constituency.

This was after the PF officials failed to produce the exhibits during a District Conflict Management Committee meeting held yesterday to discuss a complaint by MMD that the PF cadres had stolen foodstuffs from the ruling party’s campaign sites.

The Conflict Management Committee has since given the PF up to Wednesday this week to produce the confiscated items or risked the matter being taken up by the police for further action.

ZANIS

Siavonga boy mauled by crocodile

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A fourteen year old boy of Mundulundulu village in Siavonga district has gone missing on Lake Kariba after he was grabbed by a crocodile.

Clifford Denge a grade five pupil at Mubuyu Christian Academy was attacked by the reptile while fishing on the Lake on Monday morning.

The boy’s father Charles Denge told ZANIS in an interview on the banks of Lake Kariba where the search for the body was being conducted by ZAWA officers with the help of other people that the incidence happened around 08:00hours.

Mr. Denge narrated that his son decided to go fishing with his seven year old brother after being sent back home from school because of the commemoration of teachers day which fell on Monday.

He narrated that upon reaching home his son picked a dug out canoe and headed for the lake accompanied by his brother to fish using locally made hooks.

Mr. Denge explained that while conducting their fishing on the lake on a distance of about 100 meters from the water banks, a crocodile pounced on the boy from behind pulling him from the canoe into the water and disappeared leaving his younger brother behind.

He said efforts by other fishermen on the lake to rescue the mauled boy from the jaws of the crocodile failed because the reptile swum quickly under water to the deepest parts of the lake.

However a search for the missing body has continued with two armed ZAWA officers deployed to the area to immediately shoot the reptile once spotted.

District Commissioner Emily Striedl who visited the scene of the incidence regretted the loss of the fourteen year old boy and urged ZAWA officers to ensure that the reptile is shot.

And village Headman Katowa Hadelema complained to Ms Striedl that the population of crocodiles on the lake has increased so much and wondered why government was not moving in to crop the crocodiles.

Mr Hadelema charged that the increase in the number of crocodiles on Lake Kariba is posing a threat to villagers whose livelihood depends on fish.

ZANIS

Govt. committed to health of citizens – Simbao

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MINISTER of Health, Kapembwa Simbao
MINISTER of Health, Kapembwa Simbao

Health Minister Kapembwa Simbao says government is committed to improving the health of the people in the country.

Mr. Simbao says this can be achieved through partnerships not only with the private sector but community organizations as well.

This was in a speech read by Dr. Victor Mukonka Director of Technical Services at MOH on behalf of the Minister when the European Union (EU) donated 100 bicycle ambulances and 300 community health information cards worth K430 million to Ministry of Health in Lusaka today.

The minister is always appreciative of the support the EU continues to render to his ministry is through various programmes such as sensitizing individuals and communities to create demand for information on malaria prevention and treatment.

Mr. Simbao said government has put in place a number of activities in order to address the disease burden faced by the communities.

He also expressed happiness that the 2008 health management information system shows a 30 percent national decline in malarial incidence.

The donation is aimed at assisting the vulnerable in accessing quality health services

And speaking at the same function the European Union says it will continue funding the ministry of health and has appealed to donors who have pulled out to rescind their decision.

However, Head of E.U delegation, Derek Fee, says Zambia needs to improve its fraud departments to ensure donor funds are not abused.

He has also appealed to donors who are withholding funds to instead institute measures to safeguard their financial support.

Dr. Fee says the EU anti-fraud Office and the Global fund have offered technical assistance to the investigative organs of the government to prevent abuse of public funds.

He however says he respects the decision by some countries to withhold aid because the action is aimed at protecting funds provided by their tax payers.

ZANIS

Disabled man in court on defilement charge

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A disabled man of Chienge district in Luapula Province has pleaded not guilty of attempting to defile a 13-year-old girl of the same area.

Appearing before Nchelenge magistrate, Fred Musaka, was Zachariah Mwape, of Ndayi Village in Chief Mununga’s area, who stood charged with attempted defilement contrary to Section 138 subsection 2 of the Penal Code, Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia as amended by Act number 15 of 2005.

Court records indicated that the accused was 75 years old but when asked to give his particulars to the court he failed to state his age forcing magistrate Musaka to record his age as “an adult male”.

Particulars of the offence are that on September 23, 2009, Mr Mwape willfully and unlawfully attempted to have carnal knowledge of a named girl under the age of 16 years.

The case of Mr Mwape, who walks with his hands because of undeveloped legs, has been adjourned to  October 10, 2009 for commencement of trial.

ZANIS

WHO donates to Lusaka DC’s office

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Lusaka district Commissioner Krista Kalulu talking to parliamentarians from Europe outside her office
Lusaka district Commissioner Christah Kalulu (R)

The

World  Health Organization (WHO) Country Representative Dr. Olusegun Babaniyi has commended the Lusaka District Administration for their efforts in preventing outbreaks of disease in the Capital City.

Dr. Babaniyi says his organization has recognized the tireless efforts by the District Commissioner and her team in fighting outbreaks of diseases such as cholera and the H1N1 also known as swine flu.

Dr. Babaniyi was speaking in Lusaka today when he made a donation of a computer and printer valued at K15 million to the office of the Lusaka District Commissioner.

He expressed hope that the donation will help improve decision making and actions related to handling epidemics in Lusaka District.

Dr. Babaniyi assured the DC that the WHO would remain committed to supporting the government in its provision of best health care to the people.

And receiving the donation Lusaka District Commissioner Christah Kalulu thanked the World Health Organization for the gesture.

Ms. Kalulu said the donation had come at the right time when the district was seriously engaged in risk disaster programmes.

She said the computer and printer would help improve efficiency in communication and data storage.

ZANIS

FPP petitions British High Commission

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Five small opposition political parties yesterday presented a petition to the British High Commission in Zambia complaining about alleged interference in the country’s internal affairs.

The five parties, none of whom have representation in the Zambian Parliament petitioned the British High Commissioner to Zambia, Tom Carter for his sentiments that he is shocked and disappointed with the acquittal of former Republican President Frederick Chiluba.

The group calling themselves Forum for Political Parties(FPP) were not allowed inside the premises of the High Commission and ended up leaving the petition document with security manager Tim Parkinson.

“We have noted with sadness that the former colonial masters seem to be bent on promoting anarchy and acrimony through the wrong channels of diplomatic communication which include so called non-governmental organisations (NGOs),” read the petition.

FPP chairperson Edwin Sakala said after presenting the petition that the British government should respond within one week.

“They have to give us a feedback in a week’s time. We are giving them a week and if they do not respond we shall come and camp here,” Mr Sakala said.

Zambians have only one country and if there was anarchy in the country, diplomats would just pack their bags, close their missions and go,” he said.

Mr Sakala also demanded a break-down of how the British tax-payers’ money has been disbursed to the Task Force on Corruption.

Members that presented the petition were from the National Democratic Party (NDP), Party for Unity, Democracy and Development (PUDD), New Generation Party (NGP) and the Zambia Development Conference (ZADECO).

Roofs blown off in Luanshya

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Over thirty-six houses and two bars in Roan Township in Luanshya had their roofs blown off following a heavy storm on Sunday.

A check by ZANIS in section 9 and 10 of Roan Township revealed that the affected houses had rotten planks and nails and were being supported with stones.

One victim, Lucy Mwima of house no. 1008 section 9 said the planks were old and were failing to hold the nails and roof together.
Ms Mwima said her roof was blown off around 1700 hours because of the strong wind during the down pour adding that the living room was affected and all the property soaked.

And Luanshya District Commissioner George Kapu appealed to the residents to ensure that the houses were habitable to avoid a calamity.

Mr Kapu said ZCCM-IH should give the houses in section 9 and 10 to the tenants free of charge because the structures were too old and falling apart.

ZANIS

Seven year old electrocuted

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A seven year old girl has been electrocuted in Sinazongwe district of Southern Province.

The father to the deceased girl, Allington Mwembani confirmed to ZANIS that his daughter was electrocuted while she was playing with friends. He was speaking at Maamba police station where the body was taken.

Mr. Mwembani, who is a teacher at Mwalede Community School, explained that his daughter died after she touched an insulated power cable belonging to a commercial Kapenta farmer in Zimuntu near Buleya Malima area.
He disclosed that before his daughter was electrocuted another child was also most killed at the same place.

In another development a 52 year old Man John Kabulo has been killed by unknown people in Malima area.

Maamba Hospital nurse on duty who sought anonymity said the man was axed in the chest and some of his lungs were scattered in pieces.
The man was already dead when he was taken to the hospital.

ZANIS