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‘Some clinical officers in Mazabuka lack of diagnosis skills’

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District health information officer Bernard Uteka  says lack of diagnosis skills among clinical officers in Mazabuka is the major challenge facing most health workers in the district.

Mr. Uteka said this has led to an increase in Malaria cases.

Mr Uteka was speaking when he presented a paper to a District HIV/AIDs Taskforce two- day workshop in Mazabuka today.

He complained that some patients were given wrong medication because of lack of diagnosis skills among health workers. 

He wondered why cases of Malaria have continue to rise when the district health management team has embarked on an aggressive indoor residual spraying programme and mosquito nets distribution exercise in all rural health centres 

Mr Uteka noted that ironically, Malaria incidences before the commencement of the spraying programme where low but wondered what has gone wrong.

The meeting was attended by various NGOs and heads of government departments

Veep urges Zambians to reject individuals bent on frustrating development

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Vice President Rupiah Banda has asked the people of Zambia to be vigilant on
individuals that were bent on retarding development in the country.

Mr. Banda said every individual citizens must exercise vigilance and jealously guard the public infrastructure against vandalism and also ensure that public funds were used for the right purpose.

He said it was only vigilant people that would help accelerate developmental projects and programmes in the country, especially the rural areas.

Mr. Banda was speaking today when he addressed a political rally at Kamjoma in Chief Manjawanthu’s area in Petauke district.

He is on a campaign trail for the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) candidate, Fashion Phiri in the Kapoche by-election. The Kapoche seat became
vacant after the High Court nullified MMD Member of Parliament’s election, Nicholas Phiri.

The Vice President said for development to take place in the country, there must be collective responsibility from both rural and urban citizens in implementing poverty reduction programmes, using public resources and taking care of the public infrastructure.

Mr. Banda, who is accompanied by among many others, MMD Deputy National Secretary, Richard Kachingwe and Eastern Province MMD Chairman, Lameck Mangani, said the current government was resolved to improve the social welfare of rural people.

He said previous regimes under UNIP and MMD under former President Frederick Chiluba had ignored rural areas, noting that President Mwanawasa’s government decided to provide attractive social services to all areas of the country.

He further said already, a lot of economic sectors that have a direct bearing on the development of rural areas have been revived by the Mwanawasa administration, an indication that there was commitment.

He cited mining and agriculture as some of the sectors that have recorded huge successes in the Mwanawasa regime.

He said the government was now able to collect a lot of money as tax to treasury from such sectors, hence it has managed to start rehabilitating schools, health centres and providing boreholes in rural areas.

Mr. Banda stressed that the people of Kapoche should elect an MP from the ruling party because it would be easier for him to have access to funds meant
for development.

He said the people of Kapoche should not vote for propagandist opposition political parties, some of which have quarrelsome and sarcastic leaders.

The Vice President stated that all other candidates, apart from professor Phiri, in the June 5, Kapoche by-election were representing parties, whose records
were unsatisfactory.

He emphasized that the people of Kapoche should allow government to concretize the programmes it has started by continuing to vote for MMD candidates.

The Vice President also paid a courtesy call on Chieftainess Mwanjawanthu.

Mr. Banda is expected to wind up his campaign to drum up support for professor Phiri, tomorrow.

Other candidates in the by-election are Charles Banda of FDD, Mike Tembo for the Patriotic Front, Sarah Zulu for the All People’s Congress and Levison Mumba standing under UNIP.

FAZ PREMIER LEAGUE WEEK 14 MATCH REPORTS

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ZANACO 2 – ZESCO 3.

Leaders Zesco United opened up a 5-point lead at the summit of the Faz Premier League table this afternoon after beating defending champions Zanaco 3-2 at Sunset stadium in a thrilling five-goal fest that was incident-packed befitting a top of the table clash.

Zesco got the show on the road with the opening goal in the 17th minute when Enoch Sakala put Wedson Nyirenda’s side ahead with the games opener.

The visitors were then denied a genuine clear second goal in the 36th minute after the usually flawless referee Jan Sikazwe ruled-out Nicholas Zulu’s tapped-in from a Rainford Kalaba cross.

A minute later, Ignatius Lwipa chipped the ball over Zesco goalkeeper Charles Chisha to level scores capitalizing on a rebounding shot from his team mate and striker Winston Kalengo.

Kalaba made up for the disallowed goal just a minutes after the half hour mark with a fine low drive from just outside the 18-yard area that slipped under Zambia goalkeeper George Kolala.

The goal was the leagues top scorer Kabala’s 11th of the season.

Zanaco coach Fighton Simukonda was then sent off from the bench in the 71st minute for an unsavory comment he utter to assistant number 1 referee Kenneth Chinchenga.

Bottles and objects then flew as the 80th minute approached with Zanaco’s fans showing displeasure with Sikazwe’s running of affairs on the pitch.

Zanaco captain Numba Mumamba scored in similar fashion for the hosts to restore parity in the 83rd minute with his 10th goal of the year to calm the volatile fans.

But, just when everyone though it was over, Zambia and Zesco striker Jonas Sakuwaha powered in a header with the winner two minutes from time after benefiting from a Willy Chinyama cross.

Zesc are now unbeaten from 9 successive league games and on 32 points while Zancao stay put at number 2 on 27 after suffering a rare second competitive home defeat in one season at Sunset stretching back to over three years.

The victory was also Zesco’s first away win at Sunset where they have never won since been promoted in 2004

It was also Nyirenda’s first victory over Zanaco where he was assistant coach to Simukonda for the last two years before taking over at Zesco at the beginning of this year.

NCHANGA RANGER 0- LUSAKA DYNAMOS 0.

Lusaka Dynamos stayed in 3rd place and are now just one point behind Zanaco after drawing 0-0 away in Chingola to Nchanga Rangers.

GREEN BUFFALOES 2- KONKOLA BLADES 1.

Green Buffaloes bounced back from their 2-1 home defeat at the hands of fellow defense force side Red Arrows on Wednesday in a delayed week 8 games to beat visiting Konkola Blades by a similar margin at Independence stadium in Lusaka.

Buffaloes scored their winning goals through Noel Mwandila and Brian Chilando while Mathews Muleba got Blades’ consolation.

POWER DYNAMOS 1- KABWE WARRIORS 1.

New Kabwe Warriors coach Arnold Mtonga thought he was going to have a dream start on day 1 in charge when Henry Banda gave the visitors the lead in the 14th minute away at Power Dynamos who were also under new trainer Fodson Kabole.

However, Power replied 13 minutes later through defender Francis Kasonde who scored his 3rd goal of the season to see the two sides share the points.

Mtonga was appointed Warriors coach on Thursday after taking over from Levy Chabala who resigned last week to take charge at bottom of the table Zamtel.

Kabole on the other hand replaced Lawrence Mweemba in midweek although the latter remains as assistant for now to the former Nchanga Rangers coach.

CITY OF LUSAKA 0 – YOUNG ARROWS 2.

Young Arrows beat fellow promoted side City of Lusaka 2-0 thanks to goals from Sam Gondwe and Kennedy Kashima to usurp their hosts from 6th place and relegated them to 8th spot.

RED ARROWS 2- NATIONAL ASSEMBLY 2.

Troubled Lusaka clubs Red Arrows and National Assembly draw 2-2 at Nkoloma stadium with the hosts scoring through Dan Siyuni and Stanley Banda while the visitors had goals from Mwape Mwelwa and Friday Kabubi to thank for the 1 point.

FOREST RANGERS 1- ROAN UNITED 1.

Forest Rangers were looking set to record their first win of the season via an Arthur Siwale own-goal in the 1st minute at Dola Hill in Ndola

However, Ben Mwanza made sure that was not going to happen with a 47th minute equalizer.

ZAMTEL 2- NAKAMBALA LEOPARDS 2.

Levy Chabala, like his successor Mtonga at Warriors, was looking set for the dream start in charge.

But that was not to be for the bottom placed Ndola club.

Giant midfielder Kondwani Chirambo put Zamtel ahead in the 39th minute only for Leopards to equalize in the 59th minute.

Ben Michelo put Zamtel back in the lead ten minutes from time bur ex-Roan United playmaker Kelvin Bweupe restored parity in the 89th minute to break Chabala’s heart.

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FJT ordered to see docs

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THE Lusaka Magistrates Court has ordered former President Frederick Chiluba to appear before the ad hoc committee of doctors to determine his fitness to stand trial.

The committee of doctors from the University Teaching Hospital (UTH)
recommended Chiluba’s evacuation to South Africa for specialist treatment last year when it noted that he was unable to stand trial at that time.

Acting deputy High Court Registrar Jones Chinyama, made the order yesterday following an application by Task Force on Corruption prosecutor Mutembo Nchito who wanted trial dates fixed in the matter in which Chiluba is jointly charged with Access Financial Services director, Aaron Chungu and Lusaka businessman, Faustin Kabwe.

The trio are charged with theft by public servant of about US$500,000.

“I therefore order that the medical condition of the first accused (Chiluba) should be reviewed by the same ad hoc committee of medical experts so that we are guided,” Mr Chinyama said.

“Of course the views of the prosecution will be taken into consideration.

The matter stands adjourned to May 31 (2007) for the presentation of the medical report and possible setting of trial dates,” he said.

Mr Nchito told the court that the State was anxious to fix trial dates.

He, however, said the State did not know what the defence’s instructions were.

Standing in for Chiluba’s defence lawyers, Diana Bunting of Simeza Sangwa Associates, told Mr Chinyama that Chiluba was still unwell and was not able to stand before the court.

Ms Bunting said the defence would be ready for fixing of the dates sometime in August because the former president was yet to undergo another medical review in South Africa in July.

But Mr Nchito said he had heard the defence but that there were issues of concern he had to raise.

“Your honour, there are two issues, one is that the first accused has been active in the public domain and engaged in strenuous activities than attending court,” he said.

The State was of the view that Chiluba was able to attend court.

“Your honour, if the first accused is unable to attend court in person, equipment can be made available for him to attend at the comfort of his home,” he said.

In a ruling, Mr Chinyama noted that just like the State had submitted, it was evident that the matter had been pending for sometime because of Chiluba’s poor health.

At this point, Chiluba’s lawyer Robert Simeza was in court and wondered if the two weeks to enable his client appear before the ad hoc committee at UTH was enough for the report to be presented before the court.

Mr Simeza said the local team of doctors still needed to get a report from doctors that have been attending to Chiluba in South Africa.

But Mr Nchito assured the court that everything was under control since the State was the one to organise and enable Chiluba appear before the committee.

Government Set to Action Against Sata

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The government is set to take action against main opposition leader Michael Sata for allegedly causing political instability in neighbouring Malawi ahead of that country’s general elections, ZNBC radio said on Friday.

Defence Minister George Mpombo assured the Malawian government that Zambia would deal with opposition leader Michael Sata, who was recently deported from Malawi for allegedly trying to help organise opposition in that country.

“The Zambian government will ensure that political bandits are not allowed to transfer their mischief into Malawi,” Mpombo was quoted as having said by the state-run Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation.

The Malawian government is believed to have formally complained to Zambia about Sata during the joint permanent commission on defence and security meeting in Lusaka this week.

“We will not allow Malawi’s sovereignty to be undermined. We will deal with such characters firmly and in clear terms,” Mpombo was quoted as saying.

Sata denied the accusations and has since sued the Malawian government over his deportation

WEEKEND FOOTBALL PREVIEW

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COACHES BATTLE FOR TOP DOG STATUS AT SUNSET.

Coaches Fighton Simukonda and Wedson Nyirenda face-off on Saturday when Zanaco and Zesco United clash in a Faz Premier League week 14 match at Sunset stadium in Lusaka.

A two-point gap separates the top-two clubs with leaders Zesco on 29 points while Zanaco are just an ear-shot away in 2nd spot on 27.

The winner on Saturday is sure to bag the early bragging rights as main title contender with this weekend’s game just one game away from the half-way point of the season.

This match is also probably Zesco’s biggest game to date who have not lost in eight successive league matches.

However, Zesco has yet to win away to Zanaco since they were promoted in 2004 where they have lost in three straight top-flight visits there.

Zesco’s cynics have continuously held the notion that the Ndola Juggernaut will shortly run out of steam and so the time has come for Nyirenda to stand up and be countered.

Meanwhile two players will be key to either side’s progress this weekend.

Zesco playmaker Rainford Kalaba who is also the leagues top scorer on 10 goals and is enjoying his best league form reminiscent of his days at Afrisports will be the key to keeping the visitors at the summit of the table.

Ex-Zambia international and Zanaco captain Numba Mumamba who is not far behind Kalaba in 2nd place with 9 goals and has scored 4 goals during the hosts current four match unbeaten league run will be depended upon to roll back the years with another one of his inspired performance.

And in the rest of the days other league fixtures, 3rd placed Dynamos face Nchanga Rangers in Chingola while Konkola Blades travel to 8th positioned Green Buffaloes.

Warriors are at troubled Power Dynamos with the former under new coach Arnold Mtonga and the latter awaiting the imminent arrival of new boss Fodson Kabole.

At Woodlands stadium, 6th placed City of Lusaka await once high-flying and 7th from top Young Arrows and at Nkoloma, Red Arrows hosting National Assembly.

Improving Roan United travel to Forest Rangers while bottom of the table Zamtel FC under new coach Levy “Chabby” Chabala are home to Nakambala Leopards.

FAZ DIVISION 1 FIXTURES.

WEEK 13.

20/05/2007.

NORTH.

Prison Leopards- Konkola Mine Police.

Kalewa- Chindwin Sentries.

Kitwe United-INDENI.

Police Blue Eagles- Ndola United.

Medical Stars- Afrisports.

Mufulira Blackpool- Chambishi.

Muchindu- Mufulira Wanderers.

SOUTH.

Riflemen- Chilanga Heroes.

Zamcoal Diggers- Young Arrows.

Nkwazi- Profund Warriors.

Lusaka Tigers- Builders Brigade.

Nampundwe- Kambuku Warriors.

Livingstone Pirates- ZNS Green Eagles.

Kalomo Jetters- Communite.

Stanchart launches electronic banking channel

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STANDARD Chartered Bank has launched the one-stop proprietary electronic banking channel for its corporate and institutional clients called Straight2Bank.
The fully integrated end-to-end platform provides cash, trade, foreign exchange and securities services via a single sign-on access.
This is according to a Press release made available by Standard Charted Bank head of corporate affairs, Sonny Zulu, in Lusaka yesterday.
The enhancements provide clients with streamlined and straight through processing of transactions, resulting in significant operating efficiencies and cost savings.
Standard Chartered Bank Zambia acting managing director, Kweku Bedu-Addo, said the bank had made a significant investment in the bankís electronic platform in response to its clientsí needs for convenient and secure transactions.
Mr Bedu-Addo said Straight2Bank would also provide hedging and information services through a single interface.
Straight2Bank has been designed so that it can be scaled according to the client’s needs for product simplicity and it is adapted for a broad range of client segments from SMEs, multi-nationals and financial institutions.
“It offers leading edge working capital solutions across all client segments, products and geographies,” he said.
The new suite of electronic channels combines four key areas of the bank’s business – cash, trade, securities and foreign exchange into a single integrated electronic platform and that rather than customers having to remember several different sets of log on details, users would have just one that provides access to all four sets of transaction and information tools.
“With all their data and transaction tools consolidated in one system, customers will be able to streamline their workflow, rather than having to switch between interfaces.
“Our clients are increasingly focusing on greater integration between transaction banking and foreign exchange risk management, under the umbrella of liquidity management.

As a result, we now offer them foreign exchange functionality within the core transaction banking module on Straight2Bank,” he said.
Straight2Bank also provides a robust information structure to maintain control and compliance. This, coupled with improved comprehensive security across the channels, a more flexible authorisation matrix, stronger reporting for risk management and MIS, puts the power of control in the hands of clients.

Ndola resident expresses worry over underage patrons

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Residents in Ndola are worried over the increase of under age patrons in most nightclubs.

Speaking to ZANIS in an interview, one of the residents complained that a lot of teenagers were found in nightclubs at awkward hours and that the owners of the clubs seemed to be comfortable with the development.

Mrs Lydia Mungwe of town center said she had observed that most teenagers went to
town after the normal hours and were found in most of the nightclubs around town,
she wondered how these children leave their homes and what they tell their parents.

Mrs Mungwe called on parents to be concerned with the activities that their children
took up and added that it was wrong for parents to leave the duty of parental guidance to schoolteachers.

She advised that parents should work hand in hand with their children’s teachers so
that the children were controlled and monitored throughout.

Mrs Mungwe said that asking the owners of the various night clubs to chase under age
patrons from their clubs was just a sheer waste of time, as they were in the business to make profits.

She called on the relevant authorities to move in and revoke licenses of the nightclubs that took in under age children. She advised that at times the local authorities should carry out unexpected on-the-spot checks, so that they could see for themselves what happens.

She said such vices if not curbed could be a contributing factor to the increase of
the HIV/AIDS pandemic on the Copperbelt.

HIV/AIDS projects in Gwembe receive K350,000.

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The Community Response to HIV/AIDS (CRAIDS) has funded HIV/AIDS projects in Gwembe District in the Southern Province K350 million.

National United Nations Volunteer for Gwembe district Ricky Mapulangu made the
disclosure to the National Agricultural Information Services (NAIS) in Gwembe.

Mapulanga said the seven funded projects have been implemented to address the
HIV/AIDS scourge in the district.

He told NAIS that the projects have been implemented in chiefs Munyumbwe and
Chipepo’s chiefdoms.

Mapulanga named the projects as Gwembe youth HIV/AIDS, Musisa behavioural change for widows and Lukonde orphans and vulnerable children.

Others are Twapenga orphans and vulnerable children and Naka home based care projects.

Mapulanga noted that the activities include community sensitization on HIV/AIDS,
home based care, provision of food stuffs and support for school going children.

He further noted that Lukonde project in chief Munyumbwe’s chiefdom is supporting 30
children at secondary school and providing food stuffs to 124 households.

Zambia squad for Ghana CAN 2008 Group 11 qualifier against Congo-Brazzaville

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Patrick Phiri yesterday, Wednesday unveiled his complete list of Zambia national team for Ghana 2008 Africa Cup Group 11 qualifier against Congo-Brazzaville to be played at Konkola stadium in Chililabombwe on June 2.

Phiri however left out the Germany based duo of midfielder of 2.Bundesliga club Paderborn Andrew Sinkala and defender Moses Sichone of demoted Bundesliga club Alemannia Aachen.

GOALKEEPERS: George Kolala (Zanaco), Charles Chileshe (Nchanga Rangers), Kennedy Mweene (Free State Stars, South Africa).

DEFENDERS: Hichani Himoonde (Lusaka Dynamos), Joseph Musonda, Billy Mwanza (Lamoteville Golden Arrows, South Africa), Kennedy Nkthani (Both Zanaco), Mark Sinyangwe (Nkana FC), Elijah Tana (Al Jezzera, UAE).

MIDFIELDERS: James Chamanga (SuperSport United, South Africa), Rainford Kalaba (Zesco United), Felix Katongo (Clube Desportivo 1º de Agosto, Angola), Noel Mwandila (Green Buffaloes).

FORWARDS: Morgan Hanjema (Green Buffaloes), Christopher Katongo (Brondby, Denmark), Ignatius Lwipa (Zanaco), Collins Mbesuma (Maritimo, Portugal), Jacob Mulenga (Chateauroux, France), Dube Phiri (Red Arrows), Enoch Sakala, Jonah Sakuwaha ( Both Zesco United).

Government Stands Firm on Plans to Tax Mining Companies more

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The government has ruled out exempting foreign mining companies from paying higher taxes in return for doing more to train local workers.

Zambia gave foreign firms that bought copper mines starting from 2000 tax breaks as part of development agreements so they could keep up output at a time of low prices.

With prices now sharply higher on the back of strong global demand, especially from China, the government recently told 10 foreign copper and cobalt miners that it wanted to renegotiate these pacts.

Finance Minister Ng`andu Magande said he would explain to the mining companies that the development agreements were about more than tax breaks; they also obliged the mining firms to train local contractors if they lacked the necessary skills.

“Now, when we go into these negotiations, we want to know whether the mines have been able to do that. If they haven`t, what is the problem and how can we work together to create this capacity?” Magande told reporters on the sidelines of the annual meeting of the African Development Bank.

Asked whether there could be a trade-off, Magande said: “No. What we feel is that if we let each one of them say, `I have a social responsibility, I will do this` it will be very difficult to supervise.”

Foreign mining firms operating in Zambia include London-listed Vedanta Resources plc, Canada`s First Quantum Minerals and Swiss firm Glencore International AG.

If social development were left to the mining firms, inequality and social problems would result, Magande said.

“So what we have said is that, if they do agree, we think taxation is logical.”

Some of the firms argue that the development agreements incorporating the tax breaks are legally binding.

Magande said the government, in embarking on the negotiations, had discovered some “technicalities” were involved and said some multilateral financial institutions and bilateral donors had offered to help Zambia prepare for the talks.

The government had held preliminary meetings with the mines and hoped to have something in writing by the end of the month, the minister said.

( Reuters)

Sinazongwe MTN subscriber bemoan of limited Network

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By Tovin Ngombe:-
Sinazongwe residents have complained that the MTN Tower that was mounted in the district was failing to save any purpose because the coverage was too limited and situated in an area where there are few people.

Tundu Kaonga a resident in Sinazongwe said people thought they would have MTN through out the district when the lines where opened up and rushed into buying Sim-Packs but they have packed them.

Kaonga who is also the District Senior Agriculture officer and among the first people to buy the Sim-pack said he has reverted to celtel.

“You see its disappointing to be removing the sim card every after 35 Km, you know these phones there is also wear and tear you can’t be removing sim cards every time. This tower they have mounted will be a white elephant here,” Kaonga said.

ATfellow Siachinga a business man said MTN Scratch card sales were pathetic, dealers travel all the way from Sinazongwe to Choma to order the cards which in most cases were also in short supply.

Siachiinga said he appreciated MTN’s bringing the service to the district but for the sake of their business they should pace up.

He said Celtel who are their competitors managed to set up towers in Maamba, Siansowa, Sinazeze, and Sinazongwe Boma almost at the same time but MTN has taken time to complete their work.

MNT Public Relations Manager Linda Mafunko said in a telephone Interview that the setting up of the tower was being conducted in phases without giving any time frame to their customers on when they would reach Maamba, Sinazeze, and Siansowa.

Mafunko said MTN was having presence in most of the districts through out the country adding “we are now having 96.7 percent of coverage country wide.”

She said the Sinazongwe tower was only covering the distance of 35Km.

WEDNESDAY FOOTBALL NEWS

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RED ARROWS RISE FROM THE DROP ZONE.

Red Arrows moved from 14th to 10th and out of the relegation zone on the Faz Premier League table after a 2-1 home win over Green Buffaloes in a delayed week 8 fixture played at Nkoloma stadium this afternoon.

The win is Arrows second in a roll in theleague under caretaker coach Harrison Tembo after last weekends 1-0 away victory at Nakamkala Leopards.

However, Arrows had to rally before defeating Buffaloes who stay put in 8th place despite suffering their third league defeat of the season with 17 points from ten league games played and another three in hand.

Ex-Power Dynamos midfielder Dears Kakunta put Buffaloes ahead in the opening 31st minute of the match before Moses Hatiyoka equalized two minutes before the break.

Arrows’ winner came just seven minutes before the close of the match from the spot after Buffaloes defender Sekelani Mwale had felled hosts striker Stanley Banda.

Another former Power player was on the score sheet this time defender Lombe Kaluba who stepped up to converted the resultant penalty to give Arrows the 3 points that saw them swim out of the drop-zone.

NATIONAL TEAM’S WEDNESDAY BRIEFS.

The Zambia Under 20 at midday Wednesday departed Lusaka for Europe where they will hold their month-long training camp ahead of their participation in the 2007 Canada Fifa Under 20 World Cup.

While in Europe, George Lwandamina’s squad will play in two tournaments in The Netherlands and Germany.

The Under 20 open their World Cup outing against Jordan on July 1 in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Back at home, the Zambia national team begun its training camp in Lusaka this afternoon ahead of their 2008 Africa Cup Group 11 qualifying tie against Congo-Brazzaville at Konkola stadium in Chililabombwe to be played on June 2.

The team will on Sunday leave for a brief training camp in South Africa on their way to Namibia to play their first international friendly match this year when they face Namibia away in Windhoek on May 26.

And in Kitwe, the Zambia Under 23 too begun full days training this morning ahead of their Olympic Games football tournament Group B qualifier against Cote d’Ivoire to be played at Nchanga stadium in Chingola on June 3.

18 out of 20 home-based players were in camp with two players missing Wednesday training due to club commitments during today’s league fixture between Red Arrows and Green Buffaloes.

The missing duo is defender Maybin Chishimba and new Under 23 call-up Timothy Mbewe, a midfielder from Red Arrows, who are expected to join Peter Kaumba’s team in camp tomorrow, Thursday.

UNZA technology unit cries for funding

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THE Technology Development Advisory Unit (TDAU) at the University of Zambia (UNZA) has appealed to the Government to source for funding to help it acquire modern machinery so that it can introduce more technological solutions.
TDAU manager, Mukombo Tambatamba, said in Lusaka yesterday that the Unit had been trying to lobby the donor community for funding to replace the old equipment, which was installed way back in 1975.
Dr Tambatamba said it had been difficult to attract private sector and the donor community as the willing cooperating partners backed out because they were only supporting the private sector.
“We have sent proposals to the Government to try and help to lobby the cooperating partners to come in. If only they can replace five of the machines, then we will be able to make a lot of things,” he said.
The university management was currently debating the possibility of turning the Unit into an independent institution so that it would operate as a commercial company, as the case was in Tanzania and other countries with such centres.
Dr Tambatamba, however, said the ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MACO) had shown interest in supporting the Unit for it to produce a variety of small-scale farm implements and food processing machines.
The TDAU had worked with many organisations that were dealing with rural communities, in the areas of water and sanitation, food production and food processing and general livelihood uplifting.
He said the Unit had over the years invented small-scale equipment in agriculture, carpentry, construction, food processing, mining, renewable energy and rural transport as well as offering consultancy services.
The Unit was focused on venturing into other production technologies, and will this year be introducing on the market, among other equipment, a deep well tank and a timber drying kiln.
It had also been adapting foreign technologies to invent locally demanded products, especially in the agriculture sector where a number of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) were trying to use such in income generating projects.

Chiluba’s assets to be seized

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chiluba_wife.jpgGOVERNMENT says it will seize the frozen assets and properties belonging to former president Frederick Chiluba and 11 others immediately the London High Court judgement is registered in the Zambian courts.

Speaking on “Eyeball to eyeball” Muvi TV programme on Monday night, Chief Government spokesperson, Mike Mulongoti, said if there was no appeal from the defendants, Government would have no choice but ask the court to have the frozen assets seized.

“The determination was arrived at by the London Royal Court by Judge Peter Smith and in this case, the Zambian Government won the case.

So we shall proceed to ask for the frozen assets such as money and properties after the 14 days ultimatum in which Dr Chiluba is supposed to pay the Zambian Government has elapsed,” he said.

The London court issued a worldwide freezing order on Dr Chiluba’s and other defendants’ properties.

Mr Mulongoti has since urged Dr Chiluba to respect the court ultimatum and pay back the Zambian Government the amount requested of him.

Mr Mulongoti who is also Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services said Dr Chiluba should pay back the money or make an appeal before bailiffs were engaged.

He also wondered why Dr Chiluba was not recognising the judgement since the court offered the accused a chance to defend themselves.

“The court sat in camera and you remember that the Chikwa Court was rehabilitated in order to make it comfortable for those who could not travel abroad for the hearing, but some people shunned that, and you know it is not good to say that I would never appear before the court because it would be the same court one might make an appeal to after the judgement,” he said.

He said legal experts were studying the judgement and would soon conclude the matter.

In another development, Mr Mulongoti described threats by Southern Province Minister Joseph Mulyata to close down Sky FM Radio, a private radio station in Monze, as unfortunate.

He said at no time did Government harbour such intentions aimed at threatening media growth in the country.

“As Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services, please get it from me that Sky FM Radio will still remain operational and it was regrettable that such a statement was made against a radio station when the minister toured the institution,” he said.

The minister appealed to private radio stations to ensure that they operated within the law.

“We don’t want to have a situation where radio stations encourage anarchy in the country.

During last year’s tripartite elections, we had a radio station which was inciting anarchy when election results were being announced,” he said.

He pledged to support the growth of the media industry but called for cooperation from media houses.

“As Government, we have to be careful because not all information gotten by the media can be put to good use, and we don’t want media houses to abuse their authority,” he said.