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Zesco Head OfficeThe Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) has announced that it will on Monday August 17 shut down generator number one (1) at the Kafue Gorge power station.
ZESCO Senior Manager for Marketing and Public Relations Lucy Zimba says the shutdown s expected to last for a period of about 17 days from 06:00 hours to 18 hours during this period.
Ms Zimba said the shutdown is meant to facilitate generator efficiency tests to be conducted by the contractor.
Ms Zimba disclosed this in a press statement made available to ZANIS in Lusaka today.
She said the shutdown was part of the contractor’s obligation under the power Rehabilitation Project, recently completed at Kafue Gorge.
She said the shutdown of the 165 megawatts (MW) generator will result in a national power supply deficit of up to 100MW during peak hours daily and may necessitate increased load shedding.
“We Therefore wish to advice our customers to conserve electricity by switching off some electrical appliances particularly during the morning peak hours 06:00-09:00 hours and evening peak hours 18:00-21:00 hours daily during the stated period”, she said.
And the ZESCO Marketing and PR Manager has thanked ZESCO customers for their cooperation during the shutdown of one of the transformers at the Kafue Gorge last week.
She said as a result of the customer’s compliance to the “Switch and Serve” at peak hours during the shutdown period, load shedding was significantly reduced.
Ms Zimba said this demonstrates that power deficits can be managed and load shedding avoided.
It is every young footballer’s dream to represent their country. For 19-year old Lyson Zulu that dream has come true in a way that he could not have predicted.
A week ago, student Lyson Zulu was hoping to secure a debut appearance – on trial for UK amateurs Loughborough. And on Tuesday morning he got the call he was expecting. He was to start for their first team that night. Then, half an hour later, he got a call he had not imagined possible. He was in the Zambia National Squad to play the mighty Black Stars of Ghana in London the next day.
The call had been made because FAZ had run into trouble, failing to secure visas for over half their pros. At the last minute, three UK-based Zambians playing student-level football were called up to supplement the squad. “It was an opportunity I could not refuse”, said Lyson as he took time out from work at Multisport, a training camp for teenage kids, to tell Lusaka Times the story.
“I got the call around midday on Tuesday, after learning I was playing for Loughborough that night. I played 90 minutes on Tuesday evening for Loughborough then travelled down to meet the Zambia squad in London at midday on Wednesday. I was told I would play about 20 minutes, but because Mayuka and Njobvu were not there at kick-off I started and played the whole game”, explained the student. “I was tired but for your national team it’s something you are happy to do.”
Kalingalinga-born Lyson is in the UK on a sports scholarship, part-funded by the Zambian youth academy he started out with, EduSport. He is working towards a degree in Sports Performance at the University of Bath, which he will complete next year. He has represented Team Bath, a football club made up of University students that had reached one of the highest tiers of semi-professional football in the UK before it folded earlier this year. Bath is considered one of the top places for studying sport in the UK.
So was Lyson intimidated when he joined up with his famed compatiots before the game? “I had played with my friend Fwayo Tembo, Hichani Himoonde and Given Singulumu at EduSport, so it was not a problem. Hervé Renard also welcomed me to the squad and encouraged me to do my best. He was so professional, I was impressed with his style!” And what of the Black Stars? “They were very professional, confident and they played well.”
Lyson led the line for the Zambians on Wednesday. He was up against Francis Dickoh, the strong centre-back from Jacob Mulenga’s FC Utrecht, and Eric Addo who also plays in Holland for Roda JC. Against such an experienced, tough defence, Lyson struggled to make an impression. He explained “I was not playing in my usual position. I am a winger and can play No.10 just off the main striker. Because we had so few players I was asked to play No.9. So I didn’t play my best. I can play a lot better!” Given Singuluma, Zambia’s regular No.9 and CHAN top-scorer, deputised in midfield.
The team struggled after an early injury to Nyambe Mulenga, a red-card for Dennis Banda and the late arrival of the Israeli-based duo, who arrived just in time for Ghana’s fourth and final goal just before half-time. “I thought we defended well in the second half”, argued Zulu. “Hervé was calm and got us together at half-time. We came out more compact and having Njobvu in midfield for the second half helped us too.” 10-man Zambia held Ghana off in the second period, preventing a seriously embarrassing scoreline, which had seemed possible. He was kinder on his team-mates than some fans have been, saying that overall they did well. He was not surprised to learn that Fwayo’s performance had earned plaudits; “To be fair to him, he did put in a very good game.”
So what’s in the future for this young Chipolopolo boy? Does he see himself playing for his country again? “I hope so. I thought I could make it in about two years time and I still think that is possible. For now I am working towards my education to get a good degree and then a good job. I still hope to play football. I may have a sports scholarship in the USA soon so I will continue to learn and play.”
Whether Lyson Zulu gets to pull on the Zambian jersey again remains to be seen. However, it seems that whatever happen, his ambition and hard-work will lead to a successful career in sport. From captaining the EduSport team in Kalingalinga through to leading sports education projects in the UK, Lyson seems to have found a working answer to the question of whether to focus on his football or his education. He does both.
Which reminds us both that this newly annointed international footballer has to get back to teaching the kids at Multisport. “They have been asking me so many questions!”, he boasts. I doubt that I have grilled him half as hard as his protégés.
As Lyson prepares to groom a new generation of sports men and women, he insists on sending a message to the Chipolopolo fans who were at London’s Brisbane Road stadium on Wednesday. “Thank you so much to them, their support kept us going. We could hear them singing, ‘Zambia, Zambia’ which inspired us to make it through the second half without conceeding a goal.”
THE Government is disappointed with the chaos that surrounded the national soccer team’s trip to London last Wednesday where the Chipolopolo Boys played Ghana and has since given the Sports Council of Zambia 10 days in which to submit a detailed report.
Sport, Youth and Child Development Minister, Kenneth Chipungu who was flanked by Permanent Secretary, Susan Sikaneta, said at a Press briefing in Lusaka yesterday, the team’s outing to London had a lot of irregularities that had promoted a lot of speculation in the nation.
Chipungu said he was particularly disappointed with the management style of FAZ as the national team’s happenings, especially the London trip, was of national interest.
The minister was dismayed that the Government spent close to K300 million on air tickets for the London trip for 10 players and officials instead of the 20 players that FAZ had initially indicated would travel and wondered why the technical bench had to mobilise three players from the Zambian community in London to feature for the Chipolopolo to meet the required number.
Chipungu said it was disappointing that after the fundraising committee for the national team formed by President Rupiah Banda and spearheaded by Sikaneta, Zanaco (Rabbo Bank) after Zambia’s 2-0 loss to Algeria in Chililabombwe last June, had pledged to finance the team’s camping in Holland prior to the joint 2010 World/Africa Cup qualifier against Algeria scheduled for September 6.
“We are very disappointed with FAZ. They are making programmes without consulting the ministry. The problem is that they want to operate like an independent body forgetting that they fall under a ministry,” he said.
“To the SCZ, I wish to stress that the report must be handed over to me within 10 days prior to the pending camping for the senior national team in order to avoid a recurrence of this unfortunate development,” Chipungu said.
“As this matter has a lot of grey areas prompting a number of speculation among sportsmen and women, I hereby direct the Spots Council of Zambia to submit a detailed report on the London outing by the senior national team. You are all aware that as a ministry we are not supposed to interfer in the running of football in the country, otherwise FIFA will blame us.
“However, it must be appreciated that the Government spent close to K300 million on this trip, hence the concern. As a ministry we are equally disappointed like the other soccer fans.
“Three weeks before the scheduled Holland camping, we learnt that FAZ had secured a friendly match against Ghana in London. This came to our knowledge simply because FAZ had to send a request to the ministry to finance the trip,” he said.
He said he did not blame Zanaco for withdrawing their financial support because of the short notice given by FAZ, considering that there were other partners that the bank had wanted to bring on board.
And natonal soccer team coach, Herve Renard said the 4-1 defeat the Chipolopolo Boys suffered at the hands of Ghana on Wednesday night in London was not a game worth talking about because Zambia did not feature its best players.
Renard said in a brief interview in Lusaka yesterday afternoon shortly after arriving from London that he was not in a position talk about the match and could only do so after meeting the FAZ executive and other relevant authorities.
He said protocol demands that one first briefs his employers on what transpired in London before he could do the same to the rest of the Zambian soccer fraternity through the media.
Paramount Chief Chitimukulu and his wife on arrival from India where he had gone for medical treatment
Paramount Chief Chitimukulu of the Bemba people in Northern Province has thanked President Rupiah Banda and his government for facilitating his evacuation to India for specialist treatment.
Paramount Chief Chitimukulu said on arrival in Kasama aboard a Zambia Air Force Plane at about13:00hours that he was feeling much better following the medical treatment he received while in India.
The paramount chief also thanked the people of Northern Province for praying for his quick recovery.
And Northern Province Permanent Secretary Mwalimu Simfukwe, who led government officials in receiving his Royal Highness at Kasama Airport, said government will continue to address the welfare of traditional rulers in the country.
Mr Simfukwe noted that government regards Chiefs as important stakeholders in the development of the nation.
He said the evacuation of Paramount Chief Chitimukulu abroad for specialist treatment was a clear testimony of government’s commitment to providing quality health care to traditional rulers in the country.
Meanwhile the Ukusefya Pa Ngw’ena Traditional ceremony of the Bemba in the province, which was scheduled for this month, will take place on September 19, this year and is expected to be graced by President Banda.
The ceremony which was set for August 22, was postponed to allow the paramount chief recuperate from an illness.
Paramount Chief Chitimukulu said preparations for the ceremony were going on as planed adding that so far works at the main arena were almost complete.
The Paramount Chief has since appealed for financial and material support from well-wishers to enable the ceremony to be successful.
MMD national secretary Katele KalumbaThe Movement for Multi Party Democracy (MMD) says it its now focusing on winning the Kasama Parliamentary seat after returning the Chitambo seat.
MMD National Secretary, Katele Kalumba says the party has great chances of wining the Kasama seat
Dr. Kalumba told ZANIS in interview in Lusaka today that the party has sent a team to Kasama to map out strategy ahead of the by elections whose date is yet be announced.
He said MMD is ready for the PF/UPND challenge in Kasama and predicted a tough contest there.
“We are now focusing on the Kasama seat and currently our men are on the ground there and once they give us a report then we will plan carefully for it,” he said.
Dr. Kalumba said the team is trying to find out what the people in Kasama want for them to select a suitable candidate to represent them.
Dr. Kalumba has meanwhile said the MMD victory in Chitambo had proved to many people that the UPND/PF pact is beatable at any level.
He said the win shows that the ruling party is still strong and popular and was capable of winning an elections any time.
He has further said the MMD won the by election because it fielded a strong candidate who articulated issues the electorates in Chitambo needed.
Dr. Kalumba has further commended the people of Chitambo for voting for the MMD and also thanked its leadership for choosing the best candidate.
The Committee of Citizens has advised people planning to demonstrate over the sale of 75 percent ZAMTEL shares to devise better methods of airing their grievances.
Committee Executive Director Gregory Chifire says it is premature for people to demonstrate over the matter as they have not exhausted all channels through which they can air their views.
Mr. Chifire was speaking in an interview with ZANIS this evening.
He said despite being a constitutional right for any citizen to demonstrate, there is need for people to embrace dialogue when dealing with such matters.
He explained that people planning to demonstrate should first consider engaging themselves in constructive dialogue with the government.
He noted that Zambia being a democratic country, citizens should be encouraged not to engage in activities that are likely to bring confusion and tension in the country.
Mr. Chifire said there is need for citizens to address such subjects not in a politically motivated manner but rather in way that will be beneficial to everyone.
He noted that demonstrations always send wrong signals and disturb investor confidence in the country.
The Copperbelt University (CBU) and University of Zambia (UNZA) students and some opposition political parties are planning a nation- wide demonstration over the decision by government to sell 75 per cent shares of the state owned ZAMTEL.
ZANIS
Government has lined up a number of activities in readiness for memorial of the late Republican President Dr. Levy Mwanawasa.
Chief Government spokesperson Ronnie Shikapwasha says on 19th August the day on which President Mwanawasa died, an interdenominational memorial service will be conducted at Lusaka’s Cathedral of the Holy Cross starting at 009:00hrs.
In a statement released in Lusaka this evening, Lieutenant General Shikapwasha explained that the memorial service will also be extended to all the provincial centers to minimize on the number of people flocking to Lusaka to attend the service.
He said after the service, members of the public in Lusaka will lay their wreaths at the Embassy Park at which President Mwanawasa was buried.
General Shikapwasha who is also Minister of Information said the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) will carry live both the church service and the wreath laying ceremony.
The Minster further said Dr. Mwanawasa’s contribution to national development will be remember for among others, his unflinching support to the promotion of good governance both at home and abroad.
General Shikapwasha added that the fiscal discipline and investor confidence that brought in to the country’s economy are among the many other things the late President would be remembered for.
Late republican president died on 19th August last year at Percy military hospital in France and was buried on 3rd September 2008 at Embassy Park in Lusaka.
The Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) has scoped the Kikonge Ward by-election in Mufumbwe District in North western Province.
And the MMD has also scoped the Kavwena Ward in Solwezi District but has lost a seat in Kabompo.
MMD candidate Moses Maginsha poured in 382 votes beating his rival from the UPND/PF pact who only managed to get 144 votes.
MMD Deputy National Chairman, Kabinga Pande and Kikonge Ward polling assistant Munalula Ngula confirmed the development to ZANIS in Mufumbwe today.
And Mr. Pande said the victory by the MMD was an indication of the confidence the people of Kikonge have in the MMD and in the government of President Rupiah Banda.
Kikonge Ward fell vacant after Moses Maginsha resigned from the Untied Democratic Alliance (UDA) UPND to join the ruling MMD.
Mr. Pande has since advised him not to look back but support the ruling party in its endeavor to deliver to the people.
Meanwhile, Mr. Pande, who is also Foreign Affairs Minister, has condemned the harassment of Commerce Deputy Minister Richard Taimaand by suspected UPND/PF cadres.
The cadres who are said to have come from Chingola and Solwezi drove into buses and harassed Mr. Taima.
He said the Deputy Minster was only rescued by Police officers from Chingola and Solwezi who escorted him to Chingola.
Mr. Pande said police have since launched investigations into the matter but appealed to people not allow and engage in politics of violence.
He said people should be allowed to choose leaders of their choice without being harassed or intimidated.
And in Eastern province, The ruling MMD has retained the Makaika ward by-election held yesterday in Katete district.
MMD’s Judith Tembo took the day with 543 votes out of the 901 votes cast beating her nearest rival Michael Mwanza from the PF-UPND pact who got 233 votes. Samson Zulu of UNIP was third with 106 votes.
Returning officer, Mukiti Lukonga who announced the election results at Mphangwe Motel last night said 19 votes were rejected.
The election was held following the death of MMD councilor, Edwin Mwanza.
And in Mumbwa, the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) has won three seats in Local Government by-elections.
Mumbwa District Chief Electoral Officer, Dominic Simasiku confirmed the results to ZANIS, that UPND won the Nalubanda, Chisalu and Nambala Local Government by-elections.
Mr Simasiku disclosed that in Nalubanda Ward, UPND’s Maybin Kalambwe narrowly beat MMD’s Frank Malumbe with a vote tally of 279 against 264, whilst 6 ballots were rejected.
For Chisalu ward, Mr Simasiku said that UPND’s Beauty Katubulushi got 324 votes against 267 for MMD’s Chizuma Himoonga, with UNIP’s John Chumbwe getting 47 votes.
In Nambala Ward, UPND’s Kenneth Similindi got votes against MMD’s Hardon Moono who got 225, with UNIP’s Christopher Lutanda getting 42 votes.
The Nalubanda and Chisalu seats fell vacant early this year, following the death of UPND Councilors Boniface Muyangwe and Paul Chikoko respectively.
The Nambala seat fell vacant following the sacking of MMD’s Christopher Nole by the Council early this year.
Copperbelt University students listening to speeches by union leaders
The Copperbelt University (CBU) has been closed with immediate effect to restore calm at the institution following a spate of violent demonstrations in the last two weeks.
CBU Acting Registrar, Mwala Sheba in a statement to ZANIS in Kitwe today said a special senate meeting which sat this morning resolved to close the institution for two weeks with immediate effect.
Mr Sheba said the action was aimed at allowing the university management enough time to restore calm to ensure public safety.
On Wednesday evening the students battered a Guinean businessman, Mamadi Conde, 76 and stole K200 million from him.
They also set ablaze his Totota Hilux Surf and made off with Cell Phones, Money and other business documents.
The students have been demonstrating over the shooting of their colleague by Police and the appointment of Dora Siliya as Education Minister.
1. Tetamashimba going to South Africa for treatment
2. Copperbelt Permanent secretary Villie Lombanya visiting one of the victims of a mysterious disease
3. Enoch Kavindele in his office
4. Hawkers selling foodstauffs at Chigwere cemetry
5. Lusaka province minister Charles Shawa welcome former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo
6. Pastor joe Imakanda alighting from the Kenya airways plane
7. President Banda and Kenya's Mwai Kibaki watching traditional dances
8. Shoprite workers at manda Hill protesting
9. University of Zambia vice chancelor professor Stephen Simukanga greets one of the graduands at the great east road campus during a graduation ceremony
10. Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni arrives for the Great lakes region summit
11. Vendors at Chingwere cemetry
12. Security personnel trying to re-open the main gate at the University which was shut by protesting students
13. zambia Sugar managing director Steve Langton presents an award to Eto Kabbuddula after the Mazabuka golf tournament
14. Copperbelt University students listening to speeches by union leaders before staging a protest against the recent shooting of their colleague recently
15. A coach taking his players through their paces during the schools cocacola tournament
16. Young Eto Kabbuddula hoists his hat after emerging second in the Mazabuka golf tournament
17. Shoprite workers protesting with a mock coffin behind the Manda Hill branch in Lusaka
18. [/caption]A police officer keeping vigil at the Lusaka international airport
The Zambia national team made a low profile return back home at midday today following their London debacle on Wednesday.
Apart from the noticeable figures of the technicial team trooping to the Lusaka International Airport terminal building, all the six players who returned home today caught the waiting press off guard.
They all discarded of their standard issue Zambia kit and were instead in personal gear for the home-bound trip and “embedded” themselves amongst the passengers as they disembarked off the plane from Johannesburg.
And very calm coach Herve Renard politely declined to give any press statements for the time being until he had met with Faz officials.
Renard stated that he could only speak at an appropriate time sometime next week.
Meanwhile, the six players that returned home included two foreign-based players namely Given Singuluma and Fwayo Tembo of TP Mazembe and Etoile du Sahel of DR Congo and Tunisia respectively.
Emmanuel Mayuka and William Njobvu have flown back to their clubs in Israel while Jonas Sakuwaha and Hichani Himoonde both flew to Sudan to linkup with Zesco United ahead of the Saturday evenings Caf African Champions League Group A away fixture against El Merreikh.
Weekend Fixtures
Caf African Champions League
14/08/2009
El Merreikh -Zesco United
Faz Super Division
14/08/2009
Week 19
Zamtel – Forest Rangers
Kabwe Warriors – City of Lusaka
Green Buffaloes – Roan united
Konkola Blades – Red Arrows
Young Arrows – Chambishi
Choma Eagles – Zanaco
Lusaka Dynamos – Nakambala Leopards
Postponed
Power Dynamos – Zesco United
Former President Frederick Chiluba at the magistrate court
The long awaited judgement in the case where former president Frederick Chiluba is charged with corruption has again been adjourned to Monday. The Judgment was initially set for July 20th before being moved to today Friday the 14th.
State Prosecutor Mutembo Nchito said the reason of the delay was not clear. He told the media that he did not know why the judge is not ready for the case and he is going to learn about the details.
And Chiluba’s spokesman Emmanuel Mwamba echoed the same sentiments. Mr Mwanba told the media that the judgement was deferred because Ndola High Court deputy registrar Johns Chinyama, who is sitting as magistrate in the Chiluba case, had indicated that he was not ready to pass the judgment yet.
“He called all the lawyers to his chambers and announced that he was not yet ready. So we don’t know what that means, if it’s him who is not ready or the judgment. He just said I am not yet ready,” Mwamba said.
Scores of people and Chiluba’s family members this morning came to the magistrate’s court to witness the landmark judgment involving the former Republican president.
Chiluba is charged with Access Financial Services Limited director Faustine Kabwe and Aaron Chungu with the theft of public resources totalling several millions of dollars.
Police in Mansa have arrested a 38-year-old man in connection with the killing of his nine months pregnant wife.
Luapula Division Deputy Police Commanding Officer, Muweswa Wakwinji confirmed the incident yesterday and named the suspect as Benjamin Mwela of Maambo Village in chief Matanda’s area.
Mr Wakwinji said Mwela is alleged to have murdered his wife Mwewa Mofya, 33, at their home after she allegedly shared some fish he had bought with her mother.
He said Mwela had on the fateful day bought some fish which he instructed his wife to cook but she reserved some for her mother who lives in the same area.
When Mwela returned home later in the evening, he demanded to be served all the fish including the one that had been reserved for his mother in law and when his wife refused to give him the reserved fish, Mwela got infuriated.
Mr Wakwinji said the two allegedly quarreled and Mwewa pushed his wife to the ground who started bleeding and died within a short time.
“According to his report, he pushed his nine month pregnant wife, after the two picked a quarrel over fish, and the wife fell and started bleeding from her vagina and later died in the house after a few minutes,” Mr Wakwinji said.
The body of the deceased is in Mansa General Hospital mortuary awaiting postmortem to establish the cause of death and Mwela will appear in court soon.
And police are investigating two cases of arson that happened in Dasto and Sumbu villages respectively.
Mr Wakwinji said the arson cases occurred around midnight yesterday.
He said in the Dasto case, a house belonging to Edna Mpundu was set ablaze by unknown people but she managed to salvage a few things from the burning house.
Mr Wakwinji said the owner of the house, Edna, suspected her boyfriend’s wife torched her house after discovering that she (Edna) was having an affair with her husband.
He said property worth millions of kwacha was lost in the fire.
Vice President George Kunda has castigated the Patriotic Front/United Party for National Development (PF/UPND) pact, describing it as a useless undertaking that is doomed to fail.
And Southern Province Minister Daniel Munkombwe has said the opposition political parties could not obliterate the achievements that the MMD government has scored so far in the country.
Speaking on arrival at the Livingstone International Airport this morning, Mr. Kunda said the pact was not on the ground but only between PF president, Michael Sata and UPND president, Hakainde Hichilema.
He alleged that the two presidents had been campaigning independently wherever they had gone to for the 2011 elections.
“Sata was campaigning for himself in Chitambo and HH was also campaigning for himself in Southern and Western provinces.
The vice president said the two leaders are simply cheating each other adding that MMD is the party of the future.
Mr Kunda called on the nation to support Rupiah Banda’s leadership for continuity and development.
“President Rubiah Banda cares for the country. Support him because he is not selfish. Support his candidature in the 2011 election,” he said.
And Southern Province Minister, Daniel Munkombwe has said the opposition political parties could not obliterate the achievements that the MMD government has scored in the country so far.
Mr Munkombwe who commended Chitambo MMD members for retaining the seat said the MMD party had scored much achievement at national level.
Referring to Southern Province which is a UPND party strong hold, Mr Munkombwe said the MMD has continued to gain support despite losing yesterday’s election in Maramba ward to a PF/UPND candidate.
“The gap is narrowing in Southern Province as MMD is gaining support with an impressive margin,” he said.
He however urged MMD members to organize themselves in order to dislodge the opposition political parties prior to the 2011 election.
The MMD is poised for victory in yesterday’s Chitambo parliamentary by-election. The MMD candidate Dr Solomon Musonda is leading with over 1, 000 votes against his main competitor, opposition PF’s candidate. There are only 3 polling stations left for counting and it is unlikely there are enough numbers to offset the margin by the opposition.
Vice President George Kunda has launched a victory celebration for the MMD. Mr Kunda commended the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) for emerging victorious in the just ended Chitambo parliamentary by-elections.
Mr. Kunda says the victory in the Chitambo by-elections was clear indication of how strong the MMD is in the country.
The Vice President was speaking on his arrival at Livingstone airport this morning.
Mr. Kunda said the victory had also shown that MMD was a force to reckon in the country’s political arena adding that the ruling party was ready for the 2011 general elections.
Meanwhile, Mr. Kunda has described the Patriotic Front (PF)-United Party for National Development (UPND) pact as weak.
He said the PF-UPND pact does not save the interest of all its members but that of PF President Michael Sata and UPND Leader Hakainde Hichilema.
Meanwhile The opposition Patriotic Front (PF) has retained the Chilyapa and Muchinka ward seats in Mansa.[quote]
PF candidates, Fabian Chibela for the Chilyapa ward and Stephen Chenda for the Muchinka ward emerged victorious in yesterday’s polls.
Chibela and Chenda were declared winners in their respective wards by returning officer Christopher Mumba at the Civic Center last night.
Chibela polled 746 votes followed by ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) candidate Sydney Chama who got 355 votes while United Independence Party (UNIP) candidate only managed to scoup 57 votes.
And the Muchinka ward seat was retained after PF candidate Chenda polled 594 votes beating MMD’s Babra Chilufya with 204 votes while Sylvester Mubanga for UNIP scouped 49 votes.
The Muchinka ward fell vacant after the then PF councillor, Cornelius Musenge was convicted of theft by public servant by the courts of law.
Mr Musenge was convicted last year for stealing cement and funds meant for construction of a bridge and purchasing of a bus for Mansa Secondary School in his ward.
While the Chilyapa ward became vacant after the death of its councillor Loyd Kanjelesa early this year.
And in Choma the opposition, United Party for National Development (UPND) has retained the State-land ward seat in Choma.
Announcing the results last night at 21.50 hours, Returning officer, George Samihamba declared UPND candidate, Dorcas Mushala, winner after she polled 355 votes against Choma MMD’s district secretary Andrew Siamayuwa who managed 255 votes.
Mr Samihamba described the by-election as incident free.
The seat fell vacant after the death of UPND councilor, Fair Hachilili who died early this year.
Meanwhile, there was jubilation among UPND cadres at the Civic Centre in Choma last night after Ms Mushala was declared winner.
UPND Deputy national vice chairperson for elections, Phillip Mambo told supporters that this was the beginning of greater things to come resulting from the PF/UPND pact.
And in Kalomo the United Party for National Development (UPND) has scooped the Mayoba ward by- elections in yesterday’s polls.
Announcing the results last night at about 23:30 hours at Kalomo High School, returning officer, Richard Mbwainga declared Phinias Silokomela of the UPND/PF supported pact victorious with 457 votes.
The MMD candidate, Ozars Siakasasa got 367 while Denias Gumbo of UNIP trailed with 14 votes out of a total of 848 votes cast.10 votes were rejected in the five polling stations from the total votes cast.
The seat fell vacant after the death of UPND councilor, Bernard Mazuba some time this year.
And the voter turn out in the polls in both wards was characterized by apathy in comparison to figures of last year’s presidential by elections.
