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GOVERNMENT has set up a commission of inquiry to investigate the death of 12 soccer fans.

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Government has set up a commission of inquiry to investigate the death of 12 soccer fans in a stampede at the Konkola Stadium in Chililabombwe on Saturday.And President Mwanawasa has called for a thorough investigation into events that lead to the death of 12 soccer fans.

The stampede followed an international match in which Zambia beat Congo-Brazzaville 3-0.

Minister of Sports, Youth and Child Development, Gabriel Namulambe, said at a press briefing at Protea Hotel in Chingola yesterday that the ministry permanent secretary, Bob Samakai, would head the commission.

The commission would submit its finding to Government on Friday, this week.

Mr Namulambe said this after he and Copperbelt Province minister, Mwansa Mbulakulima, visited Konkola Mine Hospital for an on-the-spot check of the survivors.

“We are appealing for public calm as we wait for the outcome of the commission of inquiry…I expect to be furnished with information by Friday,” he said.

The deceased are a girl, four boys, a woman and six
men. A total of 50 people were injured during the incident and 36 were treated at the Konkola Mine Hospital.

Eleven survivors were discharged the same day while one is still in hospital.

And President Mwanawasa has conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families.

Mr Mwanawasa said this in a statement in Lusaka issued by his special assistant for press and public relations, John Musukuma.

“As we mourn with families, it is important that events leading to this tragic accident are thoroughly investigated and that measures are put in place to avoid a re-occurrence of similar tragedies,” he said.

President Mwanawasa also said the death of the 12 people had shattered his spirit of victory, as the lives were greater than the Zambia national team’s achievement.

“I have learnt with deep sense of sadness the tragic loss of 12 nationals who died and several injured in a stampede following our national team’s victory in the Africa Cup qualifying match against Congo-Brazzaville,” he said

And seven bodies of the 12 soccer fans who died after the stampede have been identified.

Chililabombwe district commissioner, Timothy Musonda, confirmed this in an interview yesterday.

Mr Musonda said six of the deceased were residents of Chililabombwe while the other one was from Lusaka.
He said the bodies were still lying in Konkola hospital mortuary.

However, Mr Musonda said the government was making arrangements to transport the body of the deceased Lusaka soccer fan to the capital city.

Mr Musonda also revealed that the Office of the Vice-President was assisting the families of the deceased with funeral expenses.

Meanwhile, several soccer fans who sustained injuries during the stampede were treated and discharged from the hospital in Chililabombwe.

Zambia U23 beat Cote d’Ivoire U23 in the midst of tragedy

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Zambia U23 side made two steps forward on the road to Beijing in their
opening 2008 Olympic Games football tournament Group B qualifier after
beating Cote D’Ivoire U23 2-0 at Nchanga stadium in Chingola.

Two goals in a space of two minutes midway through the first half gave
Zambia victory to emulate their senior counterparts who just 24 hours
early when defeated Congo-Brazzaville 3-0 in the 2008 Africa Cup
Group 11 qualifier up the road at Konkola stadium in Chililabombwe.

However, the Under 23’s victory has been overshadowed by the tragedy
at Konkola on early on Saturday night when 12 fans died in a stampede
as they attempted to exit via a locked access-way at the stadium at
the end of the senior squads victory.

A minute of silence was observed just before Sunday’s kickoff.

Kaumba’s side got down to the business of winning to try and put
a hard smile during a dark weekend for Zambian football.

And in the game, new boy and Red Arrows midfielder Timothy Mbewe got
Zambia off to a flying start with the opener in the 28th minute.

Striker Given Singuluma of South African division 2 club Bay United
stretched Zambia’s lead with the hosts final goal in the 31st minute.

Zambia’s next match will be away to Mali in Bamako during the second
weekend of August.

Mali meanwhile were in action today away to Senegal in the other Group B match.

Mulenga inspires Zambia to sweet victory over Congo

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Zambia today shifted from 3rd top 2nd in Group 11 in their 2008 Africa
Cup qualifiier against Congo-Brazzaville that they won 3-0 at Konkola
stadium in Chililabombwe.

Coach Patrick Phiri discribed the victory as sweet as Zambia lie 3
points on 7 behind South Africa who swept aside bottom placed Chad 4-0
in Durban.

“The victory was sweet for Zambia and this victory has put us back on
track on the road to the Ghana finals,” Phiri said.

“This is not the time to worry about South Africa but let’s celebrate
this victory and later concentrate on Chad (at Konkola in a fortnights
time),” Phiri said after Zambia ended a 180 minute goal draught.

Meanwhile the match suffered one-hour late after Sudanese referee
Abdel Raham missed his flight to Zambia on Thursday and only arrived in Ndola just three
hours before kickoff.

When the match finally got under way, Zambia took the lead in the 14th
minutes through striker and man-of-the-match Jacob Mulenga of French
Ligue 2 club Chateauroux after he connected with a Mbesuma cross.

The hosts could have gone 2-0 seven minutes later through striker Christopher
Katongo of Brondy in Denamrk whose shot was saved by Barbel Mouko.

Zambia’s second goal came a minute before the hour mark after a fast start
to the final 45 minutes when defender Christel Kimbembe headed into his own
net under pressure from Mulenga.

60th minute substitute Songwe Chalwe made it 3-0 11 minutes after
coming on when he poked-in another fine assist from the on-form Mulenga.

Zambia could have been 4-0 on 75 minutes when a subdued Mbesuma saw
his second best chance of the day from a header after seeing his 1st
minute shot saved ruled offiside by late-show Raham.

Two minutes later goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene made a fine stop tipping over a
header from Vivien Bantimba to deny Congo a consolation goal as the away
side tried but failed to dominate their hosts in the final minutes.

Kulamba traditional ceremony preps advance

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Eastern Province Minister, Lameck Mangani, says Preparations for the Kulamba Ceremony of the Chewa people in Katete district have reached an advanced stage.

Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Katete today after inspecting the arena for
the ceremony, Mr. Mangani said major logistics for the ceremony, such as renovation
of the site  and mobilization of funds among others, were underway.

He said government will soon grade the road leading to the palace from the Great
East road and has also already contracted Sable Construction Company to work on the
main arena.

He said other sponsors, such as Celtel Zambia Limited, have already come on board to
contribute to the refurbishment of the arena.

He said the ceremony will be used to generate funds for the district and the province as a whole through the visitors who will be spending resources during their stay for the ceremony.

Mr. Mangani however bemoaned the poor standard of lodges in the district, especially
the district council owned Mphangwe Motel.

He said there was need to improve the standards of the lodges in order to attract
visitors during the ceremony because the hospitality industry was competitive.

The Provincial Minister urged the council to direct business people in the district
to paint their structures in order to facelift the town before the ceremony.

And Ministry of information and broadcasting deputy minister David Phiri who is also
Member of Parliament for Mukaika Constituency where the ceremony is held, said
government will ensure that this year’s ceremony be the most successful one.

Mr. Phiri who also inspected the ceremony site, said government will provide the
needed funds to ensure that the ceremony is successful as more people are expect to
attend this year’s annual event.

The Kulamba ceremony is held every year in August and cerebrated by the Chewa people of Chief Kalonga Gawa Undi from Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique and presidents from the three countries are expected to attend this year’s ceremony.

Govt still committed to MDGs

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Government says it still attachés great importance to the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Deputy Health Minister Dr. Lwipa Puma said Government will continue to support
initiatives aimed at attaining MDGs.

He said this in a speech read on his behalf by Director of Clinical Services in the Ministry of Health, Dr James Simpungwe when he officiated at the MDGs Cultural Night at Kabwata cultural village in Lusaka yesterday.

Dr Puma said the fifth National Development Plan is Zambia’s roadmap to the attainment of the MDGs in 2015.

He also urged all the key players in the attainment of the MDGs to work with  Government in order to improve people’s lives.

And speaking earlier at the same function through his representative Emefa Attigah,
United Nations Country Representative (UNDP) Aneas Chuma said the MDGs represent a coherent frame work for action.

He added that the MDGs are people centered because people are the essence of development.

Mwanawasa calls mines ministry to reminate mining rights

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President Levy Mwanawasa has instructed the Minister of Mines and Mineral Development Dr Kalombo Mwansa to terminate mining rights of investors who were not using their Licences..

President Mwanawasa said nearly the whole country was under large scale prospecting
licences that have either been idle for many years or covering very large tracks of
land.

The President said Government was currently  deliberately  promoting ownership of
large scale mines by Zambians on their own or in partnership with foreign investors
to boost wealth creation and citizen’s empowerment.

He said the action to terminate idle prospecting licences would free areas for
allocation to new investors .

The President said government was in a hurry to develop the country, hence he would
not accept a situation where some people hold on to mineral areas without
undertaking the expected economic actitivities.

He said this in a speech read on his behalf by Vice President, Rupiah Banda, during
the official opening of the 50th Copperbelt Mining and Agriculture Show.

He added that he was instructing the Minister of Mines and Mineral Development to
ensure that holders of prospecting Licincences utilise them within the time space
provided by Law to avoid situations whereby licences were withdrawn through
inactivity.

”I m therefore instructing the minister of Mines and Mineral Development to
strictly implement the policy of “use it or lose it” said Mr Mwanawasa.

And speaking earlier at the same function Show Society Chairman Bill Orsborne called
on the government to come up with a programme that would promote a gradual increase
in Mineral Royalties over a period of five years  to allow the mining companies get
a return from their investment in infrastructure.

Mr Osborne said the increase in Mineral Royalty from 0.06 per ccent  to O.3 per cent
would have serious unwanted effects on the mining sector.

He said this would also make the investors in the mining sector to lose confidence
in the government hence the need to trend carefully.

He said there was need for the government to dialogue with affected stakeholders in
the mining sector instead of making premature pronouncements which had a potential
to sway away investors.

And Mr Osborne has called on the Government to address the looming power shortage in the energy sector.

He said the pending energy  shortage in Southern Africa had come at a time when the
country was in need of more electricity following development in the agriculture and
mining sectors.

He added that if the situation was not tackled properly it could have negative
effectives on the growth of the economy.

Mr Osborne observed  that if there was no enough energy in the country, the
strengthening Zambian economy would be weak hence lose out of exports.

The show was also graced by First Republican President Dr Kenneth Kaunda.

ZANIS

London judgement historic, says Blair

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British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, has described the Zamtrop and BK conspiracy judgement by the London High Court as a historic victory for the people of Zambia.

Mr Blair said the judgement against former president, Frederick Chiluba, and others, was a great victory for Zambians and showed Government’s commitment to making those who stole from the State account for their actions.

Special assistant to the President for press and public relations, John Musukuma, announced Mr Blair’s congratulatory message to President Mwanawasa and Zambians in a statement issued in Lusaka yesterday.

“This is an historic victory for the people of Zambia and it shows both their, and your commitment to bringing those who steal from the state to account, whatever their nationality no matter how powerful they are,” Mr Blair said.

He added: “I am glad that the money that was plundered can now be returned to the Zambian people.”

Mr Blair’s congratulatory message to President Mwanawasa and the people of Zambia came barely two weeks after six European governments and the United States of America welcomed the London High Court judgement against Dr Chiluba and others as a historic victory for Zambians.

The Western countries said it was courageous for the Zambian government to have pursued the case, especially that a former head of state had been held accountable for corrupt practices.

This is in a civil case in which Judge Peter Smith found Dr Chiluba and others liable for fraud and abuse of office in which US$46 million was stolen from State coffers.

Judge Smith ordered the defendants to pay back the Zambian government 85 per cent of the stolen money within 14 days.

Two of the six Zambian defendants, Faustin Kabwe and Aaron Chungu, have since appealed against the judgment while Dr Chiluba refuses to recognise the judgement, calling it a political conspiracy against him.

Phiri names his starting 11

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Patrick Phiri has named his starting 11 to face Congo-Brazzaville in a Ghana 2008 Africa Cup Group 11 qualifier at Konkola stadium in Chililabombwe on Saturday.

Phiri will start eight foreign-based players led by the attacking trio of Collins Mbesuma, Jacob Mulenga and Christopher Katongo.

The Zambia coach has also handed a debut cap to Zesco United left-back Willie Chinyama who replaces Zanaco defender Joseph Musonda who has been ruled out due to illness.

Kennedy Mweene of South Africa division 1 club Free State Stars has been picked to start in goals ahead of Zanaco goalkeeper George Kolala.

Nothing but a win for 3rd placed Zambia on 4 points from three games over visitors and second placed Congo who are on 5 points will help keep Zambia in the hunt for the top spot currently occupied by South Africa who lead on 7 points.

Both Zambia and Congo will be especially keeping a very close ear to happenings in Durban where South Africa host bottom of the table Chad with a win their for the home side putting them firmly as favorites to qualify for next years Ghana finals.

ZAMBIA:

Kennedy Mweene, Clive Hachilensa, Willie Chinyama, Billy Mwanza, Elijah Tana, Mark Sinyangwe, Christopher Katongo, Rainford Kalaba, Collins Mbesuma, Jacob Mulenga, Felix Katongo.

Subs: George Kolala, Ignatius Lwipa, Songwe Chalwe, James Chamanga, Kennedy Nkethani, Dube Phiri.

Referee: Abdel Kalid Raham (Sudan).

ZAMBIA U23 TEAM FOR OLYMPIC QUALIFIER AGAINST COTE D’IVOIRE

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Zambia Under 23 team for Olympic Games qualifier against Cote d’Ivoire
on June 3 at Nchanga stadium in Chingola.

Goalkeepers: Kalililo Kakonje, Rabson Muchelenganga.

Defenders: Bronson Chama, Clive Sichondwe (Both Kabwe Warriors),
Charles Siyingwa (Konkola Blades), Eugene Shamakamba (Zamtel FC),
Davies Nkausu (Pretoria University, South Africa), Hichani Himoonde
(Lusaka Dynamos).

Midfielders:, Simon Bwalya, Francis Kasonde, Norman Munthali (All
Power Dynamos), Timothy Mbewe (Red Arrows), Clifford Mulenga (Pretoria
University, South Africa), Chabusha Malumani (Lusaka Dynamos).

Strikers: Christopher Musonda (Forest Rangers), Given Singuluma (Bay
United, South Africa), Signs Chibambo (Nakambala Leopards), Felix
Nsunzu Jr (Konkola Blades).

Monze Council drags businessman to court for violating health laws

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A 30-year-old businessman of Site and Service township in Monze district has been taken to court by the Monze District Council Environmental Health Sector for violating public health laws.

Kelvin Mazila Moyo, who owns a pup called Top Pub, has been charged with three counts by the court in Monze with the first one being Failure to Abate a nuisance, contrary to section 69 (1) (3) with section 64 of the public health act cap 295 of the laws of Zambia.

In the second count Moyo is said to have sold food under unsanitary conditions, contrary to Section 7 of the Food and Drugs Act Cap 303 of the Laws of Zambia while in the third count he charged with selling liquor without a licence, contrary to section 40 (1) (a) of the Liquor Licensing Act Cap 17 of the Laws of Zambia.

Facts before resident magistrate Kahonyi Mushabati are that under count one, between
July 2005 and March 2007, Moyo constructed a toilet building without submitting
building plans for approval of Monze District Council.

It is stated  that the toilet had resulted into a nuisance, affecting the community
in the near vicinity of Nchete compound and the council demolished it after the
accused failed to comply with an order that was issued to him to demolish it.

The second count is stated that the accused sold food in terms of opaque beer under
unsanitary conditions and council warned him to ensure that a health permit was
acquired.

In  the third count the businessman was warned to close the pub in question for
operating without a liquor licence and  patrons of the bar were urinating in
premises belonging to other people in the near by vicinity due to lack of adequate
sanitary facilities, causing a great health risk to residents of Nchete compound.

And  Moyo, who refused to make an oath before the court, denied all the three counts
said  before opening his pub in August 2005 he approached the council for procedures
of which the public prosecutor, who is also the council Environmental Public Health
Specialist, advised accordingly.

Mr Moyo however disclosed that Mr. Musenga approached him for money to use for
transport to Livingstone and told him that he was going to pay the money directly to
the council for the health permit and not giving it back to him.

Mr. Moyo further disclosed that the Mr Musenga again got money amounting to K150,000
which he said was going to be paid to council for the liquor licence.

He added that all this was not fulfilled and his bar operated for a period of time
without the health permit and liquor licence but was only using a protection order.

He said the council had approached him again trying to close his bar but he refused
because he had given some money to Mr. Musenga.

When asked whether he had  witnesses or not, Moyo refused that he had any, and the
case was adjourned to June 29 for mention and July 6 for judgement.

ZANIS

Finland contributes K52 bn towards PLARD

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The Finish government has contributed about 10 million Euros (K52 billion) towards the Program for  Luapula Agricultural and Rural Development (PLARD), a bilateral initiative by Zambia and Finland for the improved agricultural sector in Luapula Province.

At the launch of the program in Mansa last night, Finish Charge D’Affaires, Jorma
Suvanto said the PLARD program which would cover four years was aimed at supporting farmers in both Agro and Fishing sectors in Luapula.

Mr. Suvanto said Finland was committed to the development of an efficient, competitive and sustainable agricultural sector for increased income and food security in rural areas in line with Zambia’s and that country’s National Development Plans.

He said his government was dedicated to realizing the objectives of PLARD as evidenced from its past support spanning over 25 years to agricultural programs to alleviate the escalated levels of poverty in the province.

He called for collaborative management efforts of the program amongst all stakeholders.

And outgoing Luapula Province  Minister, John Chinyanta, said the Zambian government had also contributed over K1 billion to the implementation of the program.

He warned all officers who would be involved in the implementation of the program
against misapplication of resources and equipment and to follow the program document
on implementation.

Mr. Chinyanta has also called on the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MACO)
which will be the implementing ministry to provide strategic support and strong
monitoring backing for PLARD to succeed.

And Mr. Chinyanta has said there was need for development of a robust agriculture
system in Luapula province that is not only based on rain but on irrigation as well.

He noted that the province had numerous water bodies which can provide for
sustainable irrigation for ensured food security in the area.

And PLARD program director Mighty Mpiya said the initiative was aimed at ensuring
development in four components, namely sustainable fisheries, agriculture
sub-sector, agribusiness and policy regulation and institutional environment
development.

He said in the implementation approach there will be stressed focus on sustainable
commercialization of the agriculture and fisheries sub sectors based on market
driven interventions and private partnership in line with the agricultural
commercialization paper and the national agricultural policy and the Fifth National
Development Plan (FNDP).

Demand for condoms increases at Copper Frontier Mine

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Condoms are on high demand at the newly opened Copper Frontier Mine along the Ndola Mufulira road.

This came to light during a Mufulira District Aids Task Force (DATF) planning
meeting held today at the district health board room.

District Administrative Officer, Mwape Kasanda, informed the members that the area
at 21 miles along the Ndola-Mufulira road has now become one of the risky areas in
the district for HIV transmission.

Mr. Kasanda attributed the demand for condoms to the high economic activities in the
area following the opening of the Congolese’s Frontier Copper Mine.

He said the number of people camping around the mine site has increased, posing an
HIV and AIDS challenge to the district.

In view of this development Mufulira DATF has resolved to set up a satellite VCT
centre at the new mine during this year’s National VCT day which will be
commemorated on June 30.

DATF chairperson Dr. George Mukupa urged the members to double the efforts in the
fight against the pandemic and ensure that more VCT satellite centres are set up
during this year’s commemoration of the VCT day.

Last year Mufulira  district reached out to 200 people on the VCT day that went for
voluntary counseling and testing and got their results.

ZCTU calls for ‘cease fire’ on Chiluba’s corruption case

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The Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) has declared that second Republican President, Frederick Chiluba, has been judged enough and cautioned politicians and members of the civil society to desist from commenting further on Dr. Chiluba’s health at the expense of development.

ZCTU Vice President Sam Phiri warned that the issue of the fomer president should be
left to the court and the medical doctors handling the matter.

Mr. Phiri, who is Acting ZCTU President, said there should be a ‘cease fire’ on the health of Dr. Chiuluba, advising technocrats, politicians and patriotic Zambians to channel their energies on developing the nation.

Mr. Phiri was speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today.

He also accused the media of exarbating to the problem and appealed to the media
houses to highlight real issues of development to allow Dr. Chiluba have enough
rest.

”There should be some cease fire on the health of Dr. Chiluba. Let the nation put their energies on developmental issues than dwell so much on one thing. Dr. Chiluba has been judged enough and let the Court and Doctors charged with the responsibility of handle the matter adequately. He should have peaceful rest ahead of his corruption case,” Mr. Phiri said.

Dr. Chiluba and 19 others were found liable by the London High Court and were
ordered to pay back 85 per cent to the Zambian government of what he stole.

ZANIS

ACC arrests suspended Sichone

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The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has arrested suspended Commissioner of Lands, Frighton Sichone.

According to a Press Statement released to Zambia News and Information Services –
ZANIS – by the ACC Public Relations Manager, Timothy Moono, the Joint Investigations
Team on the Ministry of Lands Inquiry has arrested Mr Sichone for Abuse of Authority
of Office.

Mr Sichone was arrested today, May 31, 2007 and charged with four counts of Abuse of
Authority of Office, contrary to section 37 (2) of the Anti-Corruption Commission
Act Number 42 of 1996.

Details of the first count are that on April 6 this year at Lusaka, Sichone did abuse the authority of his office by allocating property number LUS/35210, Mass Media on title number 49502 to Mizumbi farms limited, a company in which he is a co-director and majority shareholder without following procedure, thereby obtaining advantage.

On the second count, Sichone did abuse the authority of his office on April 21, 2006
at Lusaka by allocating property number LUS/35211, Mass Media on title number 50036 to Mizumbi Farms limited, a company in which he is co-director and majority
shareholder without following procedure, thereby obtaing advantage.

Particulars of the third count are that on January 20, 2006 at Lusaka, Sichone did
abuse authority of his office by allocating himself property number LUS/35178 Mass
Media on title number 57822 without following procedure.

Sichone has been released on police bond and will appear in court on June 1, this year.

Meanwhile, investigations into other cases involving Sichne and other officials at the Ministry of Lands have reached an advanced stage and some more arrests may be
effected soon.

The commission has so far restricted one hundred and fourteen (114) properties and
the process of ascertaining their value and how they were acquired is still continuing.

The Commission has also urged members of the public with information on the
malpractices at the Ministry of Lands to report to the ACC to help the team conclude
the investigations promptly.

ZANIS

ZAMBIA THURSDAY FOOTBALL UPDATE

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Striker Collins Mbseuma arrived this afternoon for Saturdays 2008 Africa Cup Group 11 qualifier against Congo Brazzaville.

Congo on the other hand has pushed back their arrival by another day after they were scheduled to land in Ndola to on a chartered flight.

No reason was given by the Congo for the delay.

Mbesuma landed at Ndola Airport at 14:45 this afternoon and was immediately driven to Chililabombwe by Faz officials.

The striker, from Portuguese club Maritimo, completes Zambia’s squad for Saturdays game against Congo as coach Patrick Phiri revealed he was pleased Mbesuma has made it for the qualifier.

“We are very happy that he (Mbseuma) has come,” Phiri said from Chililabombwe. “The squad is now complete now and Mbesuma’s arrival has added value to the squad.

Zambia this afternoon played a training game against their Under 23 compatriots at Konkola stadium.

Meanwhile, Cote d’Ivoire Under 23 team arrived this afternoon in Ndola for this Sundays Olympic Games Group B qualifier against Their Zambia Under 23 opponents.