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Illegal settlers on Isangano National Park to face eviction

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 Government has stepped up efforts to remove people who have illegally settled in Isangano National Game Park on the boundaries between Chilubi and Luwingu districts in the Northern Province.

The long awaited move is aimed at paving way for the re-establishment and restocking
of the depleted National Park with Wild animals by the Zambia Wild Life Authority as
part of enhancing tourism in the province.

Provincial Planner Mukuka Chibwe confirmed to ZANIS in Kasama that Government has
lined up a number of activities aimed at implementing the Provincial Development
Coordinating Committee (PDCC) resolution which called for the removal of all illegal
settlers from Isangano national Park.

Mr. Chibwe said some of the activities involved are demarcation of the district
boundaries, identification and resettlement of illegal settlers from the National
Park.

He said a stakeholders meeting will soon be held involving Government officers from
Chilubi and Luwingu, ZAWA and the affected communities led by their traditional
leaders.

Recently, the Provincial Development Coordinating Committee chaired by Permanent
Secretary Joel Ngo directed the two districts to meet and resolve the Isangano
issues before the next PDCC meeting in August.

Mr. Ngo observed that the Isangano issues had been pending for sometime despite a
number of resolutions to resolve the issue.

The PS expressed concern at the reluctance of concerned parties to implement the
resolutions saying this should come to an immediate end.

And Chilubi Patriotic Front Member of Parliament Obby Chisala told ZANIS recently in
an interview that Government should have first resolved the boundary dispute between
the two districts before rushing to evict the illegal settlers.

Mr. Chisala who was District Commissioner when the Isangano issue arose said the
major obstacle to resolving the matter was the boundary dispute.

He said the People of Chilubi had no problem to move the people if they are told
that Isangano National Game Park was in their district.

Zambia to benefit from USS 21.6m animal disease fund

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Zambia is among the five countries that will benefit from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) programme for strengthening of institutions on management of trans-boundary animal diseases fund, amounting to US$21.6 million.

Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Ben Kapita said other countries that would
benefit from the fund, which have already been approved, are Angola, Malawi,
Mozambique and Tanzania.

Zambia was left out in the earlier project which benefited Zimbabwe, Malawi and
Mozambique for the foot and mouth project.

The current project would commence soon.

He told ZANIS that the countries would use the money to create a programme on how to
combat livestock diseases in the region.

“It is easy to combat the diseases when the affected countries work together,” he said.

He said Zambia was buying medicines for foot and mouth disease from Botswana while
the medicine for the Contagious Bovine Pleural Pneumonia (CBPP) was acquired from
France.

He pointed out that it was cheaper to purchase drugs from Botswana than France.

On the issue of the cordon line being constructed along Zambia’s western borderline,
Mr. Kapita said the project would continue with an extension of 700 kilometres.

The cordon line aims at controlling the movement of stray animals from Angola and
Botswana into the country.

Govt to recruit 5 000 nurses

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Government will this year recruit over five thousand nurses following the treasury authority which has been given to the Ministry of Health for the exercise.

And Government has officially handed over nurses uniforms worth K2 billion to
University Teaching Hospital (UTH).

Health Minister Brian Chituwo bemoaned the low numbers of nurses in the country
adding that at present the country has 9,300 nurses of the required 23,000.

To address this shortfall, Dr. Chituwo said Government was currently doing it
through  training, recruitment and retention strategies and that Government will
soon reopen nursing schools across the country.   

Dr Chituwo said the schools to be reopened include Roan Antelope in Luanshya,
Nchanga North in Chingola, Chitambo in Northern Province and Kaleni in North Western
Province.

He further said Chipata school of Midwifery will soon be made operational to quicken
the production of midwives.

The Health Minister said midwives are cardinal in ensuring safe motherhood and the
delivery of babies.

And officially handing over the uniforms to UTH, Mr Chituwo said one of
Government’s priorities was to motivate health workers in the country.

The Minister observed that the uniforms will improve the nurses’ welfare because
nursing is a noble profession expected to deliver clinical competence and care to
the patients.

In addition, Mr Chituwo disclosed that Government through this year’s budget will
purchase buses for nurses’ transport at UTH, Ndola and Kitwe central hospitals at a
cost of K1.4 billion.

Mr Chituwo said Government is commttted to delivering quality health care services
closer to the people.

And receiving the uniforms, Zambia Nurses Association (ZNA) representative,
Josephine Chimpinde, commended Government for the gesture.

Mrs. Chimpinde said the uniforms will help motivate the nurses and help enhance
their work.

Mbesuma’s court case fails to take off

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A court case in which football sensational Collins Mbesuma has been sued failed to take off in a Mufulira local court today due to his absence.

This is in a matter in which Mbesuma has been sued by John Chombwe, the father to
the woman he had a relationship with and has a three year-old daughter.  Chombwe,
father to Evelyn sued Mbesuma over the accused’s ”unclear’ position to marry his
daughter.

According to a court cause list made available to ZANIS today in the court chamber
by the local court Justices John Chama Michael Mutale and Elias Mugole, Mbesuma was
to appear in the local court today.

The Justices confirmed to ZANIS that the case failed to take place due to the
absence of Mbesuma and a Court clerk.

Mbesuma was represented by his uncle from Ndola who told the ZANIS Reporter that his
nephew was in Botswana on national duties.

Justice Chama set August 17 as the date for hearing.

Chiluba may stand trial by video link

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1_221004_1_2.jpgFormer president Frederick Chiluba may stand trial for corruption by video link due to ill health, a spokesman for the ex-leader said on Friday.

Chiluba, who is due to travel to South Africa for medical treatment, has been told by a Zambian court to return home by August 13 to resume his protracted trial the next day, spokesman Emmanuel Mwamba said.

Mwamba said Chiluba was due to inform the court whether he would stand trial by video link after Zambian doctors advised that he was too ill to be present in person.

“Dr Chiluba will inform his lawyers what they should tell the court after the court gave him an option to stand trial by video link or to be present in court whatever the circumstances,” Mwamba told Reuters.

Chiluba’s graft trial involving allegations of theft of $488,000 in Treasury funds during his decade-long rule which ended in 2001 has created major controversy between state prosecutors and his lawyers.

Prosecutors want the former president to stand trial despite having a cardiac problem, while Chiluba and his lawyers had earlier argued that he cannot be forced to appear via video link as it would impinge on his right to be physically present in court.

Last week, doctors advised him to seek immediate medical treatment in South Africa after he became weaker, but the court only allowed him to travel on Friday following earlier objections from state prosecutors.

Chiluba is simultaneously fighting a London court judgement which ordered him to pay back $58 million it said he stole from the national Treasury in a civil case Zambian authorities lodged in Britain.

Chiluba has argued that the British case was essentially fraudulent and promoted by former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa in an attempt to make a point about graft in Africa.

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Botswana-Zambia Friendly Preview

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The Zambia national team plays its third international friendly tomorrow afternoon when they take on Botswana in Orapa.

Saturdays friendly is the first of two confirmed warm-up games is ahead of the teams Group 11 Africa Cup qualifier on September 15 against South Africa in Cape Town with the next game to follow on August 22 away in Kigali where they will play Rwanda.

Zambia face Botswana seeking a second successive win after beating the latter 1-0 in the 2006 Cosafa Castle Cup Semifinals on August 19 in Lusaka ending a four-game winless streak.

For this game, Coach Patrick Phiri is taking with him a 17-member team to Orapa that includes four debutants.

Two of the first-timers include goalkeepers namely Green Buffaloes Mike Poto and Makasa Mufwaya of Roan United.

Phiri’s is stretched on resources from his pool of regular home-based players due to Under-23 duty and absentees for other reasons leaving him with a threadbare team.

Konkola Blades striker Felix Nsunzu, defenders Francis Kasonde of Power Dynamos and Hichani Himoonde from Lusaka Dynamos are all away at the All-Africa Games in Algeria.

The team has also suffered absentees with defender Joseph Musonda, midfielder Rainford Kalaba and goalkeeper George Kolala all unavailable due to trial commitments in South Africa, France and Egypt respectively.

But for once in a friendly against perennial friendly opponents Botswana, Phiri has two key foreign-based players in his team to face The Zebras with Portsmouth striker Collins Mbseuma and club-less defender Clive Hachilensa formerly of Free State Stars of South Africa both available.

Phiri could also give unknown Allan Mukuka of Mufulira Wanderers a start to alongside Nkana utility player Mark Sinyangwe and the Zanaco duo of Jack Chileshe and Lameck Njovu in a depleted midfield as the coach searches for options and tries to improvise in that department.

Goalkeepers: Mike Poto (Green Buffaloes), Makasa Mufwaya (Roan United).

Defenders: Willy Chinyama (Zesco United), Evans Chisulo, Kennedy Nkethani (Both Zanaco), Clive Hachilensa (Free State Stars, South Africa), Patrick Masosa (Green Buffaloes), Gilbert Kalusa (Lusaka Dynamos).

Midfielders: Jack Chileshe, Lameck Njovu (Both Zanaco), Allan Mukuka (Mufulira Wanderers), Mark Sinyangwe (Nkana FC).

Strikers: Enoch Sakala, Jonah Sakuwaha (Both Zesco United), Elson Mukandawire (Power Dynamos), Ben Mwanza (Roan United), Collins Mbesuma (Portsmouth, England).

Zambia fall to Cameroon and face Tunisia for Bronze

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3.JPGZambia Under 23 on Thursday night failed to break their eight-year jinx against Cameroon Under 23 at the All-Africa Games when they lost 2-1 in the two side’s semifinal clash at this year’s football tournament in Algeria.

The two sides were locked at 0-0 going into the break before Cameroon struck with two quick goals in a space of ten minutes just after the restart.4.JPG

Franck Njembe headed Cameroon ahead on 50 minutes before Christian Bekamenga slotted in the ball from the penalty spot six minutes later.

Simon Bwalya scored Zambia’s consolation two minutes deep into injury time.

2.JPGZambia will now face Tunisia in the battle for Bronze on Sunday, July 22 while Cameroon while take on Guinea in a West Africa derby final for Gold or Silver on Monday.

Guinea beat Tunisia 1-0 in their semifinal clash also played on Thursday1.JPG

Cameroon are the All-Africa Games football tournament defending champions while this will be Guinea’s first final appearance in the tournament since 1973 when they lost 2-0 to Nigeria.

Government tasks ERB to review the fuel pricing system

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 Government  has  asked the Energy Regulation Board  (ERB) to review the fuel pricing framework  in the country.

Energy and Water Development Minister Kenneth Konga  said the nation would be
informed on the outcome of the review  next month.

ZANIS  reports that the Minister disclosed  in a ministrial statement  presented in
the house today,  on the fuel supply situation in the country.

He said it is essential that the energy sector plays its strategic roles in
streering the economy to prosperity as the country strives to reduce poverty and
promote economic growth.

He said  government recently  dissolved the ERB and Zambia Electricity Supply
Corporation (ZESCO) boards   in order to improve their operations.

He said it is important that these key institutions are able to meet the challenges
of the energy sector by being proactive and innovative.

The Minister stated that critical issues need to be considered in reconstituting
the ERB boards.

The minister pointed out that the board members should have a comprehensive
understanding of the national energy policy and should be able to effectively
implement it.

Mr Konga added that board members should ensure compliance to the rules and
regulation that govern the energy sector.

And government has revealed that it had of January this year owed three pensions
fund a total of K210 .5 billion.

Those owed include the Public Service Pension Fund K159 billion, Local Authorities
Supernnuation Fund k29.8 billion and National Pension Scheme Authority K21.5
billion.

Finance and National Planning deputy Minister Jonas Shakafuswa  said government
intends to reduce the debt hence the allocation of K154 billion in this year’s
budget.

He wsa responding to Lukulu East United Libral Party (ULP) Batuke Imenda who wanted
to know how much government was owing the three pension funds as of 31st January
this year.

Mr. Shakafuswa said  government had no plans to privatise the pension schemes but
will instead promote the comprehensive social systems for both the formal and
informal sectors.

Meanwhile,  Works and Supply Deputy Minister Benny Tetamashimba says a total of
K674.8 million was realised from the sale of  machinery at Esco Limited .

Mr. Tetamashimba said  the machinery and other propertes were disposed off through
tender and auction sale.

He said the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) advertised for the sale of the premises
whose  bids closed on June 30 last month.

He said government decided to sell the premises to a corsortium after realising
that it was not registered with the registrar of companies.

Mr Tetamashimba said government has not removed the tenants from the premises that
were paying rentals after they lost the case in court.

He however stated that government  has made it clear that the company that would win
the tender to purchase the premise should take  into consideration the tenants.

He was responding to UPND MP Brian Ntundu who wanted to know  how the machinery at ESCO Limited in Lusaka was disposed off.

Chief Naluama commends Ministry of Health for extending the measles campaign

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Chief Naluama of Mazabuka has commended the ministry of health for extending the measles vaccination campaign.

The traditional ruler told ZANIS in Mazabuka today, the extension will enable
hundreds of children who were left out in the first phase of the exercise to receive
the vaccine.

Chief Naluama said his village headmen are going round to sensitise parents on the
extension of the vaccination programme  so that they can take their children for
vaccination.

Meanwhile, Chief Naluama has also commended the church for supporting themeasles
campaign.

He told ZANIS, his chiefdom has not received reports of some churches shunning
discouraging their measles vaccination campaign as was the case last year.

Former Prisons Service chief arrested for money laundering

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The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has arrested and jointly charged former prisons commissioner, Jethro Mumbuwa and two others for money laundering offences involving over K500 million.

Mr Mumbuwa, 60, a retiree of house number17 Jasmine street in Luangwa township in
Kabwe, Margaret Mwale, 45, an accountant at the Ministry of Local Government
residing at plot number 2666, Chilenje South in Lusaka and Bernadette Kaimbi, 41, a
businesswoman of plot number 9 Makeni, Lusaka, have been arrested for forgery,
uttering of false documents, obtaining money by false pretences and money
laundering.

DEC Public Relations and Press Liaison officer, Rosten Chulu disclosed this in a
statement made available to ZANIS in Lusaka today.

Mr. Chulu said  the trio while  acting together with some other unknown persons on
dates unknown, but between 1st January, 2001 and 31st December 2006, forged local
purchase order numbers worth K321,670,000 and K260,000,000 respectively by
purporting to have supplied various foodstuffs to the Zambia Army.

He said an ordnance directorate amounting to K581, 670, 000 was awarded in favour of
Mumjeka enterprises which is owned by Mr. Mumbuwa.

Mr Chulu said the trio were arrested and formerly charged on  6th July, 2007 and
have since been released on police bond waiting court appearance.

Meanwhile, the DEC has in various parts of the country arrested 23 Zambians for
trafficking in psychotropic substances weighing more than 30 kgs.

Mr Chulu said the Commission arrested Rowes Chililamuzi of Sibumbe village in
Mazabuka for trafficking in 15.2 kg of cannabis.

Others arrested in the same village include Keroni Sana, 28, for trafficking in 2 kg
of cannabis and seeds, Bruce Sana, 43, for trafficking in 1.1 kg of cannabis and
Oscar Hachibola, 22, for trafficking in 1.22 kg of cannabis and seeds.

In Lusaka, Arthur Kayumba, 23, of Miller’s farm in Lilayi was arrested for
trafficking in 37grams of cannabis and Dickson Tembo Phiri of Mwavi, Luangwa, for
trafficking in 142grams of cannabis.

Mr Chulu added that in Eastern Province, the DEC has arrested Henry Mwanza,30, of
Enock village for trafficking in 9.2 kg of cannabis and for being in possession of a
muzzle loader gun.

Mr Chulu sid Elias Phiri, 38, a peasant farmer of Masengu has also been arrested for
unlawful cultivation and trafficking in cannabis weiging 3.010 kg, Ignatius Maseko,
23, of Sandwe village for trafficking in cannabis weighing 98grams and Davie News
Banda for trafficking in 0. 9 grams of cannabis.

In Northern province, the DEC has arrested and jointly charged Danny Sikazwe,18, a
charcoal burner of Mushika village, Nickson Mazimba, 36, a peasant farmer of
Malwanga area and Jeff Chisela,18, a charcoal burner of Mushika village for
trafficking in 300 g of cannabis.

And in North-Western province, the Commission has arrested Benson Nalumino,32, a
peasant farmer of Mpindi area for trafficking in 6.5kg of cannabis and Oscar
Kasweka, 25, of Kayenge area for trafficking in 600g of cannabis.

In Luapula province, the DEC arrested Kelvin Mwansa, 21, Mathews Musele, 25, Ernest
Mukondo, 24, Jackson Chulu, 33, Daniel Mwenya, 22, John Zulu, 32, Pephius Musesha,
22, and Idah Mutale, 20, all of Kasote village in Chiende district for trafficking
in a total of 2.128 kg of cannabis.

All the suspects will appear in court soon.

Mr Chulu has since cautioned Zambians to desist from engaging in illicit drug
trafficking, cultivation and money laundering.

OASIS Forum/CGC petitions parliament over constitution making process

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The OASIS forum and the Collaborative Group on the Constitution (CGC)  today led hundreds of demonstrators to parliament to present a petition on the constitution making process.

Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC) Executive Director Father Joe Komakoma whose
organisation is in the OASIS forum said the demonstration was part of the various
activities lined up after the red ribbon campaign was launched.

He said this is also in order to bring the issue before parliamentarians as they
want the constitution making process addressed in the House.

Fr. Samasumo added that the OASIS forum is of the view that the new constitution
proceeds on the basis of recommendations made to the Mungomba led Constitution
Review Commission (CRC).

He said politicians should not hijack the constitution making process but should
leave the process to the people of Zambia.

Fr. Samasumo however called on parliamentarians to ensure that they start the
process for a people driven constitution through a constituency assembly.

And Southern Africa Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD)
president Lee Habasonda said the OASIS Forum wants parliament to push for a
constituent assembly as a mode of adopting the constitution.

Mr. Habasonda noted that once the final document of the constitution is ready
through the constituent assembly, it will have to get the peoples approval unlike
the recently suggested constitutional  conference which will have to get parliaments
approval.

He expressed fear that if parliament is left to endorse the constitution, the
document may be manipulated by politicians.

Mr. Habasonda however said the OASIS forum has no quarrel with the name by which the mode of adoption is called but its endorsement by parliament if it is adopted
through the constitution conference. 
Meanwhile, Women for Change executive director Emily Sikazwe has accused the
government of wanting to give Zambians what she described as a bad constitution.

And Transparency International Zambia (TIZ) president Reuben Lifuka asked government to listen to the wishes of the masses in the country.

Mr. Lifuka charged that politicians have for a long time taken the people of Zambia
for granted adding that  people are now focused on having a new constitution that
will help improve their lives.

He said Zambians will not accept piecemeal constitutional amendments.

And receiving the petition on behalf of parliamentarians, Kabwata Member of
parliament Given Lubinda promised the demonstrators that parliament will handle the
matter expeditiously.

He said members of parliament are committed to representing the peoples wishes and
views in parliament.

Mr. Lubinda said parliamentarians will unite to ensure that Zambians give themselves
a constitution that will stand the taste of time.

Government releases K120m for construction of teachers houses

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 Government has  given K120 million  to Nkobo  Basic in chief Kaingu’s chiefdom in  Itezhi-tezhi  district.

The money is   for the construction of two modern teacher’s houses.

District Education Board Secretary (DEBS) Mahuba Hazeemba handed over the K120
million cheque to the parents teachers assoction, PTA in Iezhi-Tezhi.

Mr Hazeemba said the number of teachers in Itezhi-Tezhi has swelled from 200 to 500
teachers in the whole district.

He said ministry of education in the area will continue to provide better accommodation for teachers in the district.

Mr Hazeemba said he was happy that government responded positively to the request
for the construction of modern teachers houses at Nkobo Basic school.

He warned against misappropriation of the money which is meant for the construction
of teachers houses.

And Nkobo Basic School PTA chairman Bruno Hakaanga thanked the government for the gesture.

He assured the district education authorities that the money will be put to good use.

We will not participate in Constitutional demos during SADC meeting

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The Newly launched  Constitution Referendum Alliance says it will not support calls by some  Non Governmental Organisations to hold protests over the Government constitutional roadmap during the forthcoming SADC Heads of state and Government summit in Lusaka next month.

Constitution Referendum Alliance member Muyunda Ililonga said it would be premature
to hold protests over the mode of adopting the Constitution when Government and
other Stakeholders were still exploring ways of of how to resolve the issue.

Mr Ililonga who is also Zambia Consumer Association of Zambia (ZACA)  President said
the issue of adopting a new Constitution was a National matter which NGO’s should
not expose to foreign states.

Mr Ililonga who was speaking during the launch of the Alliance at Kitwe’s Edinburgh
Hotel today, said the voice of reason must prevail among the members of the non
governmental organisations opposed to the government mode of adopting the new
constitution.

And Speaking earlier at the same function, Constitution Alliance Coordinator Peter
Sinkamba   appealed to Government to abandon its roadmap of adopting the
constitution through the Constituenal Conference as it was an undemocratic way of
enacting the  Constitution.

Mr Sinkamba who is also Citizens for a Better Environment  (CBE) Executive Director
said the route of adopting the Constitution that Government had taken was
undemocratic as it would not allow the Zambian people to have an input in the
adoption of the new constitution.

He said his organisation believed that the only way of adopting the constitution was
to go through the Referendum as all Zambians would have an opportunity to
participate in the exercise.

Mr Sinkamba disclosed that the Alliance would visit schools and Institutions of
higher learning so that they could petition Government on its decision to enact the
Constitution through the Constitutional Conference.

Zambia opens first cancer hospital

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Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa on Thursday opened a $10-million (about R68-million) specialist cancer hospital which will enable patients to receive treatment at home for the first time.

Mwanawasa said the National Cancer Diseases Hospital (NCDH) was built following a growth in the number of cancer patients in Zambia who have previously had to be treated abroad at a cost to the state of an average $10 000 per person.

“Treatment at the hospital will be on a cost-sharing basis between patient and the government,” Mwanawasa said at the opening in the capital Lusaka.

The ultra-modern hospital was built with the financial from several international donors while the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Oil Producing and Exporting Countries will offer radiotherapy for cancer treatment.

Health Minister Brian Chituwo said the hospital would also cater for patients from other African countries

Over 3,000 new cancer cases are being detected in every one million Zambians, annually.

And government used to spend about K50 million to send one cancer patient to South Africa and Zimbabwe for treatement.

Mr. Mwanawasa who refelected on statistics between 1995 and 2004 said of the 5,000 cancer cases that required radiotherapy abroad, only 350 received treatment and the rest died because they could not be treated.

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Decentralization dragging

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The Local Government Association of Zambia is concerned at delays to implement the Decentralization Policy, adopted four years ago.

The association has called on the central government to speed up the implementation of the decentralization process, to strengthen councils.

In resolutions read by Mpongwe District Council Secretary Moses Kamocha at the 51st LGAZ Annual Conference in Livingstone, the association also called on the Ministry of Local Government to mount sensitization programmes.

And the delegates resolved that the National Housing Bonds Trust model of financing should be accepted in principle as long as local authorities access the profits of the programme and own the houses to be constructed.

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