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Enforce ban on smoking in public- ZACA

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THE Zambia Consumers Association (ZACA) has reiterated its call on  government to enact and regulate a comprehensive, effective and enforceable law on smoking in public places .

The organisation further said government should ban tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship in order to protect people from the devastating effects of tobacco consumption.
ZACA program manager Micheal Musenga said this would be the best way of protecting the current and future generations from devastating health, social, environmental and economic consequences of tobacco consumption and exposure to the usage of tobacco.
Mr.Musenga said that government must strengthen the national coordination by putting in place a national plan of action on tobacco control with a fully function secretariat if the present and future generations is to be protected.
Government  passed the statutory instrument number 39, local government regulations of the year 2008 on prohibiting smoking of tobacco in public places and statutory instrument number 63 under ministry of health regulations of 1992 on tobacco control.
Mr. Musenga said that such measures were providing protection from exposure to second hand tobacco smoke in indoor work places, public transport, indoor public places and any other appropriate public places.
Mr.Musenga  told ZANIS in a press statement in Monze  that  the enforcement of the law  would send a very clear message to the public that the Zambian government was committed to tobacco control.
“The enforcement of the law to ban smoking in public places would trigger an enforcement arena which would inevitably extend the enforcement of the comprehensive tobacco law once enacted,” he said..
He said that tobacco smoking had been a well established cause of a very significant number of deaths and disabilities the world over.
Mr.Musenga said that hundreds of thousands of people who had never smoked had been dying every year from diseases caused by breathing second hand tobacco smoke.
He explained that the effects of exposure to second hand tobacco smoke is irreversible and in most cases impacts appear  later in life such as cancer, chest diseases, heart diseases and other serious health conditions.
Mr.Musenga said that there was a strong link between advertisement and smoking in young people as tobacco companies were marketing their products wherever young consumers could easily be accessed  such as  movies, the internet, in fashion magazines, ceremonies and other functions.
He said that due to the strong link between advertisement and smoking,government must consider enacting a ban and regulating measures on advertising of tobacco, promotion and sponsorship.

Presidential candidates not Zambian- Kasuba

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A Lusaka based social development consultant David Kasuba has supported  the call not to hold  the presidential by-elections

In a statement released to ZANIS, Mr. Kasuba  based his arguments  on the  1996  constitution which he said  currently bars most of the presidential candidates.

He stated that  the supreme courts correct and authoritative interpretation of the parentage qualification clause introduced in 1996 to bar Dr. Kenneth Kaunda from the 1996 elections, has in fact disqualified all Zambian citizens born prior to 24th October 1964.

Mr. Kasuba said the current presidential candidates were not born in Zambia, legally speaking, because they were born before Zambia came into being.

Meanwhile an opposition political leader in Kafue has urged the MMD government not to forgo the presidential by-elections but allow the constitution of the country to give direction on the way forward following the demise of President Levy Mwanawasa.

FDD Provincial Information and Publicity Secretary James Musemuna told ZANIS in Kafue today that the government has the duty to protect and safeguard the constitution .

Mr. Musemuna said suggestions to forgo the presidential elections will set a bad precedence for the countryHe said it is important that elections are held so that the constitutional requirements are fulfilled.
Mr Musemuna stated that the issue of money should not arise as government always sets aside a supplementary budget and donors have already shown willingness to assist the country in holding the elections.

ZANIS/YS/MK/ENDS.

Don’t be tribal when voting, ZEC

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Chipata Diocese Bishop, George Lungu, has advised Zambians not to vote along regional and tribal lines in the forthcoming presidential bye-elections slated for November.

Bishop Lungu, who is also Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC) Chairman, told ZANIS in an interview over the weekend that voters must be level-headed and not emotional when selecting the next president.

He said voting on tribal or regional lines will deny the country an opportunity to have a president who has a heart to serve the country.

Bishop Lungu said Zambians must vote for a patriotic leader who will show love and concern for the masses.

“We must not vote for a leader just because he is from our region or tribe. I urge all Christians and other people to be careful when voting because if we are not, then we will be in for it,” he said.

Bishop Lungu further said the clergy would not tolerate politicians who would want to use the church as a channel of gaining political mileage.

He said the church would not allow any politician to advance his political agenda through the church, which he said was not a campaigning ground.

He said the Catholic church would not take sides with any political party or candidate during the campaigns but would instead play its role of ensuring that the presidential bye-elections are free and fair through church arms such as CARITAS Zambia.

Bishop Lungu said Christians must pray to God so that the Holy Spirit could enlighten Zambians to vote for a selfless leader.

He called on politicians not to take advantage of the weak emotional state of Zambians in their campaigns but highlight real issues affecting ordinary citizens.

Bishop Lungu was in Chadiza over the weekend to commission 12 CARITAS members and 104 new Women’s Catholic league members.

ZANIS/HH/EML/KSH/ENDS

Mulongoti appointed as national campaign manager

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The ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) has appointed Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services Mike Mulongoti as national campaign manager for Acting President, Rupiah Banda for the forthcoming presidential by-elections.

Mr. Mulongoti is also MMD chairman for elections.

The party has also appointed party chairman for information and publicity, Ben Tetamashimba as Mr. Banda’s election agent while party treasurer, Suresh Desai would be in charge of the finance committee of the national campaign committee.

MMD National Secretary Katele Kalumba said in a statement to ZANIS that Mr. Mbita Chitala would be in charge of administrative and logistical issues of the campaign.

Dr. Kalumba said this structure would be well coordinated between the campaign structures and organs in the party.

“I appeal to all our members and supporters to rise up to the occasion to give his honour, Mr. Rupiah Banda, MP, Acting President a landslide victory,” he said.

ZANIS/NS/KSH/END.

Govt. sends officers to Luangwa to kill stray dogs

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Government has sent a team of veterinary officers to Luangwa district where rabies has broken out.

Lusaka Province Permanent Secretary, Elijah Chisanga disclosed that the provincial administration has since spent K13 million in procuring vaccines and bullets to kill stray dogs.
Mr. Chisanga has since appealed to villagers in the district to have their dogs vaccinated against rabies and warned that those who will shun the vaccination exercise risk having their dogs killed by state police.

He reiterated that government would endeavour to save human lives hence the decision by the provincial administration to dispatch a team of veterinary officers led by provincial veterinary officer, Alisheke Mutemwa to conduct the vaccination exercise that would to be done at the council offices.

Mr. Chisanga added that government was saddened by reports from Luangwa district which indicating that so far three people have died after being bitten by rabied  dogs.

Luangwa District Commissioner, Stanislaus Kalunga and outgoing Lusaka Province Veterinary Officer, Dr. Mutemwa confirmed the development in separate interviews with ZANIS in Lusaka today.

Captain Kalunga further said Katondwe Mission area has recorded five cases of rabies and appealed to the residents in the area to remain calm as the government was doing everything possible to arrest the situation.

He commended government for coming to the aid of the district through the procurement of vaccines and provision of logistical support aimed at swiftly arresting the situation.

For sometime now, people in Luangwa district have been living in fear to go about their daily business for fear of stray dogs.
ZANIS/JT/CMM/KSH/ENDS.

High disease burden among children retards growth

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The Ministry of Health has observed that high disease burden among children in the sub-Saharan Africa was a barrier to economic growth of many countries in the region.

Minister of Health, Brian Chituwo said these barriers needed a serious development strategy which should help reduce the disease burden in the region.

Dr. Chituwo said many of the diseases which children face could be prevented by readily available and affordable vaccines.

He was speaking at the Peadiatric Bacteria Meningitis, rotavirus joint meeting and workshop on polio, measles and yellow fever laboratories in Lusaka today.

He said the Zambian government has considered the eradication and elimination of vaccine preventable diseases as an important factor in the healthy of children.

Dr. Chituwo emphasized the need to provide critical interventions to protect children from diseases through effective immunization services, coupled with effective case-based disease surveillance that is supported by quality laboratory pragrammes.

He said the latest demographic and health survey findings show that Zambia has recorded a significant reduction in the mortality rates though many challenges still remained.

Dr Chituwo noted that achieving the health related Millennium Development Goal (MDGs) was one of the greatest challenges in the international development which was still far from being achieved.

He pointed out that to achieve success in the MDGs, there was need for seriousness of purpose and political resolve by all countries.

Dr Chituwo has since called for an appreciable measure of support from high income to low income countries on a sustainable and well-targeted basis.

And WHO country representative, Olusegun Babaniyi said the global immunization partners have a vision that the world will benefit from integrated laboratory and programme monitoring network which was dedicated to optimizing the surveillance of vaccine preventable diseases.

Dr Babaniyi said the network would provide high quality information needed to measure the impact of vaccines and maximize their safer, effective and equitable use at country, regional and global levels.

He pointed out that this would enable countries in the region to eliminate the burden of vaccine –preventable diseases.

ZANIS/AH/KSH/END

Zambia to get US$3.4 m for climate change

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Zambia’s various cooperating partners would soon provide over US$3.4 million for the implementation of her programmes aimed at addressing the various effects of climate change she was facing.

And government has received US$100, 000 from the United Nations Climate Adaptation Fund to carry out special modalities aimed at implementing the country’s National Adaptation Action Plan (NAPA) which was launched last year by the Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources.

Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources Minister Michael Kaingu confirmed the development to ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today.

Mr. Kaingu said his ministry was happy with the way cooperating partners were assisting least developed countries to address the effects of climate change.

He said climate adaptation fund would enhance Zambia’s efforts in implementing climate change adaptation programmes and fulfill the vision of poverty reduction as indicated in the Firth National Development programme (FNDP).

Mr. Kaingu noted that access to the funds would also add value to the effective implementation of the National Adaptation Action Programme (NAPA) which was meant to address the various effects of climate change.

He further observed that the releasing of the funds to countries that were vulnerable to climate effects to urgently implement measures aimed at addressing the problems.

Mr. Kaingu noted that the adaptation programmes would cover sectors such as agriculture, water, forestry, wildlife and health among other areas that were vulnerable to climate change.

The Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources Minister further said his ministry has embarked on a sensitization drive to educate Zambians on the need to preserve the environment in a bid to mitigate the effects of climate change.

Mr. Kaingu has since appealed for more funding from the United Nations through the Climate Adaptation Fund to enable the country respond effectively to the effects of climate change.

ZANIS/TK/KSH/ENDS

Kanchibiya parliamentary by-elections set for October 18

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The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has set Tuesday, 14th October, 2008 as the date for the Kanchibiya constituency parliamentary by-elections.

The seat fell vacant following the death of area Member of Parliament (MP), Albert Kanyanyamina in July this year.

ECZ Public Relations Manager, Chris Akufuna said aspiring candidates in the by-elections should lodge completed and attested statutory declarations and nomination papers on 18th September, 2008 between 09:00hours and 15:00 hours.

Mr. Akufuna said the aspiring candidates would further be required to pay a K500, 000 non refundable nomination fee.

He said the candidates should take along with them nine (9) supporters who must be registered voters in the affected constituency as they.

Mr. Akufuna disclosed this in a statement released to ZANIS in Lusaka today.

He said the campaign period for the Kanchibiya by-elections commences on 17th September 2008 and will end at 18:00 hours on the 13th of October, 2008.

“The polls will take place on Tuesday 14th October, 2008, from 06:00hours to 18:00 hours. Aspiring candidates in the by-election should lodge completed and attested statutory declaration and nomination papers subscribed before a magistrate, local court justice, head of primary and secondary school, principal of college, commissioner of oaths,, election officer or returning officer on Thursday, 18th September between 09:00hours and 15:00 hours,” he said.

He further disclosed that registered non-governmental organisations wishing to monitor the elections should apply for accreditation from the ECZ on the 9th of September, 2008.

Mr. Akufuna added that the commission would only allow a maximum of 20 members per political party to accredit to monitor elections in the constituency.

“Please note that only a maximum of 10 accredited members per political party and two accredited representatives of NGOs shall be authorized to represent their respective political parties or NGOs at the collation centre,” Mr. Akufuna said.

He said not more than two members per participating political party will be allowed to witness counting of votes at the polling stations.

ZANIS/YK/KSH/ENDS.

Lusaka residents want presidential by-elections

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A cross section of Lusaka residents have disapproved calls to forgo the presidential by-election.

The residents say it is a constitutional requirement for the nation to hold elections within 90 days after the death of the incumbent president.

In a survey conducted by ZNBC news, Monday, the residents said calls to forgo the Presidential election amount to abrogating the constitution.

The residents said the next president will not have people’s mandate if the elections are ignored.

The MMD has been trying to engage opposition political parties into discussions to forgo the presidential by-election.

The ruling party says it will be costly for the nation to hold the presidential by-election.

The proposal has been supported by some quarters but rejected by major opposition political parties.

And Southern Province Minister, Daniel Munkombwe, says the MMD should not be scared of subjecting acting president, Rupiah Banda, to an election.

Mr. Munkombwe says Mr. Banda’s chances of winning the forthcoming presidential by-election are very high.

He says the acting president has good credentials, which will enable him emerge victorious.

The minister says some opposition leaders who are suggesting that there should be no by-election may later start demanding for jobs from the MMD.

He told Journalists in Livingstone, Monday that although some of those opposing the holding of the election are genuine, most of them are job seekers.

Mr. Munkombwe appealed to Zambians to support Mr. Banda for him to effectively implement programmes initiated by President Mwanawasa.

[ZNBC]

Monday Zambia Football Update

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Mufulira Wanderers will play all their competitive home games in Kitwe at Nkana Stadium after their Shinde Stadium homeground was shut last month due to crowd trouble.

Faz banned Wanderers from playing their home games at Shinde following a pitch invasion in their 1-1 draw against Kitwe United that led to the abandonment of the game in the 87th minute after the visitors equalized at that juncture.

Wanderers fans later went on rampage damaging United officials cars and team bus before police quelled the violence.

“We are very grateful to the executive committee for Nkana FC for allowing us to use Nkana Stadium in a brotherly way,” Wanderers club secretary Rainford Kalaba senior said in a statement.

“It would have been difficult and at a higher cost finding ourselves playing somewhere else if the Nkana FC executive committee were not accommodative to us.”

9-time league champions and fallen cup specialists Wanderers resume after the end of the 21-day period of national mourning in their quest for promotion this Sunday when they host local rivals Mufulira Blackpool in Kitwe.

The two sides drew 0-0 in the first leg played on April 27 at John Kachofa Stadium in a Faz division 1 north week 7 fixture.

Wanderers are currently occupy the second promotion slot on the Faz division 1 north table on 30 points after 18 matches played with two games in hand.

Forest Rangers lead on 42 points from 20 games played.

Wanderers last played in the top-flight in 2005 and have not been back since then after they bounced back three years following their first ever demotion in 2002.

And in other news, injured Zambia Under-17 defender Jimmy  Chilufya has traveled with the squad to Windhoek for the Algeria 2009 Caf Africa Under-17 Cup 1st round, return leg qualifier against Namibia Under-17 this Saturday.

Chilufya suffered a knock on Sunday in the 1st leg that ended 0-0 at Woodlands Stadium and was replaced in the 66th minute by Emmanuel Masuwa.

The team left for Windhoek by road with coach Aggrey Chiyangi keeping faith in the same 18-member side that faced Namibia on Sunday.

Not unconstitutional to forgo presidential by-elections – LAZ

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The Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) has explained that it would not be unconstitutional for the ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) and opposition political parties to agree to support one candidate for presidency without holding presidential elections.

LAZ president, Elijah Banda however said it was currently necessary for the country to hold the presidential by- elections because some opposition political parties have already indicated willingness to contest.

The parties that have shown interest to contest the elections are Patriotic Front (PF) and the United Party for National Development (UPND).

Mr. Banda told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today that it would not be unlawful if on the day of filing in presidential nominations, the ruling MMD and other opposition parties nominate one candidate.

“It would not be unconstitutional or illegal if all the political parties choose one person because it means on the day of nominations and elections, the chosen candidate will go unopposed,” he said.

He however said it was necessary under article 39 of the Constitution of Zambia for the country to hold the presidential by-elections within 90 days as some opposition political parties have indicated that they will participate in the elections.

Some leaders from the ruling MMD have proposed that opposition political parties should forego presidential by-election and instead rally behind acting President Rupiah Banda in November this year.

But major opposition political parties yesterday opposed the suggestion by the MMD saying it would be suicidal for political parties to forego the by-election and choose to support Mr. Banda.

The opposition political parties noted that it would not be good for Zambia to abrogate its own constitution and do something else through a transitional government without conducting a presidential by-election.

And various stakeholders have also insisted that the presidential by-elections should be held in line with the constitutional provision regardless of the costs involved.

The United Party of National Development (UPND) and the Patriotic Front (PF) have indicated that they will contest the by-elections while the New Generation Party, All People’s Congress (APC) and the Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) have backed out of the race.

The presidential seat fell vacant after the death of President Levy Mwanawasa on Tuesday, 19th August 2008, at Percy Military Hospital in Paris, France.

Dr Mwanawasa’s second and final five year term of office was due to end in 2011.

The victor in the presidential by election will serve the remainder of the late Dr Mwanawasa’s term before being subjected to another national election if readopted by the sponsoring party in 2011.

ZANIS/YK/KSH/ENDS.

Parenting blues

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Dear Munzanga,

It’s been over a year since I became a parent over here Kumangalande. I can only tell you that it hasn’t been what it’s made out to be. I have no help whatsoever. I have so many  sleepless nights without rest, and not no single relation to run to.

Munzanga, parenthood is like a secret society, nobody tells you what goes on inside until you get in and when you do, you just want to say please release me. Your so called life is no longer your own but belongs to that child, and worse Munzanga is that a babysitter kuno is so costly so I bite my tongue and and act like everything is okey. Am I losing my mind Munzanga?
Your friend,
Nalema

No politics at Kulamba ceremony, says Chief Gawa Undi

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The Chewa Royal Establishment in Katete district of Eastern province has banned wearing of political attires at this year’s Kulamba ceremony which takes place on Saturday this week.

Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Katete today, Paramount Chief Kalonga Gawa Undi’s senior Induna, Joseph Chikuta, said the Chewa Royal Establishment has banned the wearing of political attires at the ceremony to avoid adulterating the purpose of the ceremony.

Mr. Chikuta said the establishment has learnt in the past that mixing culture with politics especially during campaign periods could trigger differences among political rivals.
He said once political differences occur at ceremonies, the purpose of the cultural event is defeated.

He said the establishment wanted to strongly uphold the purpose of the ceremony and not to create a campaign stage for politicians.

Kulamba ceremony of the Chewa people in Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique, which is cerebrated annually, takes place this Saturday in Katete district at paramount chief Kalonga Gawa Undi’s Mkaika palace.

Acting President Rupiah Banda, in the company of several senior government officials, is expected to grace the ceremony.

Senior government officials from Mozambique and Malawi are also expected to be in attendance.

Last year, the ceremony was graced by late Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa, Malawian President Mbingu Wa Mtarika and Mozambique’s Armando Guebuza.

Meanwhile, preparations for the ceremony at the arena are almost complete and preliminary activities will start on Wednesday.

ZANIS/LNN/KSH/ENDS

FDD wont contest presidential by-election

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The Forum for Democracy and Development-FDD has resolved not to participate in the forth-coming presidential election.

During a meeting in Lusaka, Sunday, the party said it will instead take part in the other presidential election scheduled for 2011.

FDD President, Edith Nawakwi, said her party will contest the polls in 2011 under a new constitution, which will require that a presidential candidate wins by 50 plus one vote.

Zambia goes to the polls in November in a presidential by-election, following the death of president Mwanawasa on August 19.

A debate on whether or not Zambia should hold a presidential by election is gaining momentum.

The ruling MMD and other political players have suggested that the country foregoes the election because it is expensive.

However, the main opposition parties, the Patriotic Front and the United Party for National Development have strongly opposed the suggestion.

The say there is need for Zambia to respect the constitution as doing the contrary will be setting a bad precedent.

[ZNBC]

Misfiring Zambia Leave Young Brave Warriors Smiling

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The lack of quality and potent goal scorers at local and international level for Zambia showed its ugly head on Sunday this time with the Under-17 team after they drew 0-0 at Woodlands Stadium against their  Namibian counterparts.

Aggrey Chiyangi’s boys clearly have a mountain to climb if they have any serious ambitions of keeping their dreams of qualifying for the 2009 Algeria Africa U17 Cup finals alive.

Zambia were a little overawed and it showed against Namibia.

An international junior build-up friendly would have done this Zambia Under-17 some justice to help fine-tune the team but they found themselves flung straight into sniper fire that they coupled with a raw display.

Zambia’s best chances in both halves of this 1st round, 1st leg qualifying tie against Namibia came from midfielders Saulani Phiri and Jimmy Ndholvu who were Zambia’s outstanding players in attack.

This was after a poor performance by key striker and experienced hand Patson Kaimana who failed to inspire and spark Zambia to a commanding performance.

“We have to work hard and yes we lacked the scoring touch and we have to work very hard on that,” Ndhlovu said during the post-match briefing.

Chiyangi on the other hand was upbeat after an improved second half performance that went a long way to erase Zambia’s forgettable first half display.

“We created a lot of chances in the game and now we have a battle on our hands and we have to work very hard in the next game to win,” Chiyangi said.

His Namibia opposite Kornelius Dominicus said the result suited his side quiet well going into this Saturdays final-leg decider to be played in Windhoek.

“Since it is a draw, it is a bonus for us,” Dominicus said.

Namibia traveled back to Windhoek by road on Sunday evening while Zambia will also make their way overland to Namibia 24 hours later on Monday.

Meanwhile, their was something to smile about in the senior teams camp on Sunday after striker Collins Mbesuma scored a goal in Zambia’s 2-1 win over Roan United in training game played at Konkola Stadium in Chililabombwe.

The Mamelodi Sundowns striker scored Zambia’s second goal in the second half of the game after Jacob Mulenga had given Zambia the early lead in the opening period.

Roan’s ex-Zambia international striker Ben Mwanza scored the Luanshya sides lone goal.

And Togo are due to arrive in the country on Tuesday and are expected to land in Ndola at 10:30.

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