Monday, March 17, 2025
Home Blog Page 603

Financial institutions challenged to ease access to financing

8

Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Chipoka Mulenga has since challenged financial institutions to offer SMEs affordable financing.

Mr Mulenga says Zambia risks not achieving middle-income status by 2030 if financial institutions do not ease access to financing to Small and Medium for Enterprise Development.

Speaking in Lusaka during the week at the Lusaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry business expo and indaba, the Minister identified SMEs as being key in the attainment of Zambia becoming a middle-income country by 2030.

Mr Mulenga lamented that financial institutions do not offer affordable loans to SMEs.

He said access to affordable financing still remains a huge hindrance to growth of SMEs.

“As a Government what we are asking for is affordable financing. Our cooperating partners the commercial banks, thank you for sponsoring these activities but we are asking you to go beyond sponsoring these activities and sponsoring the actual business houses in this country, if we are to see businesses to thrive,” he said.

He expressed disappointment that despite numerous engagements, the situation has remained the same.

“From the time I’ve been appointed as Minister responsible for investment in this country, I’ve stood before many platforms engaged many people, open many sessions, we still continue with the challenge of having SMEs to having affordable financing,” he said.

Speaking earlier, Lusaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Alexander Lawrence said his organisation intends to make Lusaka a regional trade and investment hub.

Mr Lawrence said there is huge potential for this plan to be actualized.

He added that Zambia is surrounded by numerous countries stressing the need for local businesses to start taking advantage of bringing business opportunities that come with being a landlocked country.

“Close interaction between SADC and COMESA, over 800 million. It’s a huge market. We need to begin to collectively utilising the market to our advantage,” he said.

CCPC seizes expired goods worth K18, 654 in Muchinga Province

Assorted expired goods worth K18, 654 have been seized in Chinsali district in Muchinga province by a joint team of inspectors.

The joint team is composed of inspectors from the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), Chinsali Municipal Council (CMC) and Ministry of Health (MoH).

The inspections which were conducted on 10th to 12th and 19th May, 2022 respectively covered 26 business outlets at Chinsali’s Central Business District.

This is according to a press statement issued to the media by CCPC Public Relations Office, Rainford Mutabi.

Mr. Mutabi said the assorted products seized included foodstuffs and cosmetic items such as carbonated drinks, milk, butter, body lotion and hair products among others.

He noted that the goods were expired and were found not fit for human consumption.

“Selling or offering for sale products not fit for purpose or expired is against the Competition and Consumer Protection Act (CCPA) No. 24 of 2010 as well as the Food and Safety Act No. 7 of 2019,” he said.

Mr. Mutabi further warned all suppliers, retailers and distributors to cease selling unsuitable products which have exceeded their shelf life.

He noted that the traders were also advised to abide by the law and desist from engaging in unfair trading practices or any conduct that erodes consumer welfare.

He said similar collaboration from MoH, CCPC and other local authorities will continue in order to in the enforcement of respective mandates and also that traders comply with the law.

Kapiri Mposhi mine accessed of endangering residents during blasting

3

Kapiri Mposhi District Commissioner Francis Hasalama has urged the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development to review mining operations and license for Moyo Farms which is currently conducting ore blasting.

Mr Hasalama observed that the firm with an initial license to extract only building sand and gravel is using blasting mining method, allegedly for other minerals, thereby endangering lives of people from blasting flying fragment rock materials in four surrounding villages in Kakulu area of Chief Chipepo’s chiefdom.

Central Province Minister Credo Nanjuwa had recently suspended operations at the quarry mine following safety concerns from surrounding communities.

Mr Nanjuwa who visited the mining site had ordered the company to stop its blasting mining operations to protect lives from surrounding villages from blasting fragment rock materials flying up to their homes about 100 meters away from the mine.

In addition, Mr Hasalama advised Moyo Farms management to avail a valid mine license permitting them to use landmines to conduct mining activities in the area.

The District Commissioner was speaking when Moyo Farms Director Dalitso Moyo visited his office to plead for the re-opening of the mine Mr Hasalama insisted that government will not allow resumption of operations at the firm until it provides sufficient safety measures and avail government its valid mining and blasting license.

“Government may be losing out on revenue because we don’t know what you are mining and again the people in these villages are not safe from you blasting so the Ministry of Mines needs to conduct a review of your operations before we allow you to resume working,” Mr Hasalama said.

And Moyo Farms Corporate Communications consultant Wilson Pondamali assured that the company will implement safety considerations at the mine.

“We will take responsibility for safety in the next episode to address safety issues. I think we have not done so well especially after commencing blasting and we shall embark on community engagement meetings with surrounding villages,” Mr Pondamali said.

Journalists implored to listen more attentively to avoid misquoting their sources

Ahead of the 2022 World Communications Sunday, Catholic Priest Fr. Lewis Mwansa Mutachila has implored the media and journalists to listen more attentively to the people as sources of information for solid, balanced and complete reporting.

Pope Francis has chosen the single word, “Listen!” as the theme for the 56th World Communications Day, which will be celebrated on 29th May, 2022.

In a written statement, Fr. Mutachila, the Chief Executive Officer of Radio Icengelo on the Copperbelt, said without listening with the ear of the heart, journalists risk misquoting people and thereby misleading the general public.

Fr. Mutachila said reporters should not rush to go and present news stories to the editors without listening attentively to news sources.

“As we commemorate this important day of communication, as the community of believers we are called upon to daily listen to God’s Word written and preached to get true instructions on how to be good agents of evangelization and witnesses to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This day of communication invites all of us, Media houses and Journalists to listen more attentively to the people as sources of information for “solid, balanced and complete” reporting and dissemination of information. Without listening with the ear of the heart, we risk misquoting people and thereby misleading the general public. We need to listen with patience and not rush to go and present our stories to the Chief Editors of our institutions,” Fr. Mutachila stated.

The Priest further reminded Church and civic leaders to listen to aspirations, cries and needs of the people.

“Listening requires time and space as leaders both in the Church and the State, there is great need to listen to the aspirations, cries and needs of our people if we are to serve them better. To the elected Leaders, this becomes even more imperative because as we do our work we are representing the people who have elected us in the offices we occupy. By listening to them, we are allowing them to actively participate in the governance process and in this way they will hold us accountable over the “social contracts” we have verbally signed with them on how best they want to be ruled and governed,” he said.

“Today, Covid 19, has left many trails of destruction in terms of businesses going down or folding up, death of beloved ones, change in the manner of interaction and association as well education wise through interruptions of classes and graduations we have witnessed. As leaders at various levels, we need to accompany our people through active listening whereby we help them to come to terms with their sense of loss and on how to solve the problems emanating from this crisis created by the deadly pandemic,” Fr. Mutachila said.

He continued:”Parents, teachers, formators and elders as we celebrate the 56th World communication day, we are not exempted from listening to the needs of our children, pupils/ students and people in our communities. Every person has inherent “deepest desire to be heard” by the significant ones especially. This year’s celebration of the World day of communication comes at the time when there is an urgent call for young people to acquire wisdom from their parents, teachers, formators, and elders.”

“In Bemba; they say “Umweo wa muntu waba mukutwi.” The leaders in the making and future leaders need to listen for them to be good citizens of the State as well as the “City of God” who are able to contribute meaningfully to their development and the establishment. 4 Like young Solomon in the Bible (Cf. 1 Kings 3:16-28) they need to listen with proper discernment that comes from God especially to what they hear and read in both electronic and print spaces,” he said.

Fr. Mutachila concluded:”As we commemorate and celebrate the Solemnity of Ascension in our liturgical calendar, we are being instructed by the angels to “stop looking up” for Christ who has gone to take his place at the right hand of the Father after completion of his earthly mission but rather to begin where Christ has ended as the other- Christ to others and as his witnesses with the help of the Holy Spirit as the Principal Agent of Evangelization (Cf. Acts. 1:9-11). So, the theme of “Listening with ear of the heart” has come at the best time when we need to listen to each other in dialogue with great respect, patience and in the spirit of synodal Church which is all embracing without leaving anyone behind since we are partners in integral evangelization.”

48 percent vaccinated against COVID-19 on the Copperbelt so far

3

Government announces that it has vaccinated 48 percent of the adult population on the Copperbelt against COVID-19 which translates into 350, 000 since the relaunch of campaign, recently.

Acting Provincial Health Director Charles Mwinuma attributes this to the steady increase to new approaches adopted by the Ministry.

Dr. Mwinuna says one of the approaches adopted is to sensitize stakeholders who in turn are engaging communities on COVID-19 vaccination

Speaking when he called on the office of the District commissioners in Chililabombwe and Chingola respectively, Dr. Mwinuna has since encouraged health personnel to continue with their efforts and have more people vaccinated.

“I also want to appeal to people in the province to use the five days extension, meaning the campaigns close on the 30 of this month to get vaccinated and also those needing booster shots,” he emphasized.

Meanwhile, Dr. Mwinuna bemoaned that there is an absence of proper knowledge about the COVID-19 vaccine as well as a lot of misconceptions.

He has since appealed to community and church leaders to lead by example by being vaccinated.

And Chililabombwe District Commissioner Precious Njekwa said her office has joined in the efforts and intensified campaigns in schools to encourage those above 12 years to get the vaccine.

Her Chingola Town counterpart Raphael Chimupi equally used the Agriculture show to capture reasonable numbers and the district has heightened the campaign.

Govt assures cattle farmers of market

2

Fisheries and Livestock Minister Makozo Chikote has assured cattle farmers in Namwala Town of a ready market in neighbouring Congo D.R and Angola.

Mr Chikote says government has secured a market for beef and other livestock products in Congo D.R, following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the two countries.

He has added that government is also in the process of engaging Angola on the same.

The Minister was speaking in Namwala when he launched the Livestock Pass-On under the Enhanced Smallholder Livestock Investment Program ( ESLIP ).

And the Namwala community and the province at large have been challenged to take advantage of the available markets for livestock products.

To this effect , the youths and women are urged to form cooperatives and apply for empowerment under the Constituency Development Fund ( C.D.F ) to enable them export beef to Congo D.R and Angola.

Southern Province Minister Cornelius Mweetwa who made the challenge at the event added that government desires to uplift the living standards of the vulnerable hence doing its part to create an enabling environment for poverty alleviation.

Earlier, Namwala Council Chairman Abel Moonga bemoaned the high poverty levels in the district.

Namwala currently has a cattle population which is more than that of human beings, making the district one the big producers of beef.

160 prohibited immigrants apprehended in Lusaka

The Department of Immigration has apprehended 160 people of different nationalities for various immigration related offences.

Department of Immigration Public Relations Officer Namati Nshinka reveals that the arrests took place on May 27, 2022 during a clean-up operation carried out in various parts of Lusaka.

Mr. Nshinka said that the clean-up operation is aimed at getting rid of illegal immigrants in the city.

However among the apprehended, 27 persons were released upon production of proof of legal immigration status in Zambia, during a screening exercise.

One immigrant was requested to report to Immigration Headquarters for further investigations, while 132 were detained, pending other formalities.

“The operation is one of many planned enforcement interventions for Lusaka and throughout the country,” Mr. Nshinka indicated.

He commend members of the public for their continued collaboration with the Department in enforcing the immigration law by reporting suspected cases of illegal immigration.

Mr. Nshinka however cautioned those who have continued to aid, abet and harbor illegal immigrants to desist from such acts as they are illegal and punishable under the Immigration and Deportation Act No.18 of 2010 of the Laws of Zambia.

UN Human Rights Calls on HH to come up with tangible legal reforms on death penalty

6

The United Nations (UN) Human Rights Office has joined in calls for the government to come up with tangible legal reforms following President Hakainde Hichilema’s pledge to abolish the death penalty.

While welcoming President Hichilema’s pledge to abolish the death penalty, the UN office says this could only be achieved by working with Parliament.

It says the use of the death penalty is incompatible with fundamental human rights and dignity, hence the need to end the cruel, inhuman, and degrading punishment.

UN Human Rights Office spokesperson Seif Magango notes that abolishing the sanction in law would be a major step forward for human rights in the country, adding to the growing consensus worldwide for universal abolition of the death penalty.

He discloses in a statement availed to ZANIS that his organisation is advising the Zambian government to promptly work on legal hitches regarding the abolishing of the death penalty.

“We urge the Zambian Government and Parliament to promptly bolster the President’s pledge with tangible legal reforms,” Mr. Magango stated.

Further, the UN office advises Zambia to amend the Penal Code Act and the Criminal Procedure Code Act to remove capital provisions, as well as re-launch the Constitutional Reform process to expand the Bill of Rights, including with explicit prohibition of the death penalty.

Mr. Magango encouraged the government to demonstrate international leadership on the key issue by ratifying the second optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, on abolition of the death penalty.

He assured that the UN Human Rights Office is ready to provide technical assistance and cooperation to the Zambian authorities to make this promise a reality.

Yesterday Human Rights Commission Chairperson Mudford Mwandenga said his Commission expects the progressive Presidential pronouncement on abolishing the death penalty to followed with tangible action on legal reforms.

Mr Mwandenga said the Commission is aware that the death penalty is permissible under Article 12 of the Constitution, Chapter 1 of the laws of Zambia, in execution of a sentence of a court in respect of a criminal offense under the law in force in Zambia of which a person has been convicted.

The policy pronouncement by the President, he said , can be actualized through the amendment of penal laws such as the Penal Code Act and the Criminal Procedure Code Act Chapter 88 of the laws of Zambia.

On the eve of Africa Day President HICHILEMA announced that government has taken the decision to abolish the death penalty.

Evans Kangwa Ruled Out of June AFCON Qualifiers

0

Russia based Chipolopolo striker Evans Kangwa has been ruled of the June back-to-back 2023 Africa Cup qualifiers by injury.

Kangwa of Russian side Arsenal Tula has confirmed a muscle injury has sidelined him for two months.

“Gutted to miss out on the AFCON qualifiers.On Monday I will be undergoing surgery to sort out my Adductor Muscle which has caused me significant pain since November. I will be out for 2months,” Kangwa posted on his official facebook page on Saturday evening.

“I didn’t want to talk about it now because I didn’t want to destabilize the Camp but I know the lads will give it their all and we will get good results.Go Chipolopolo Go.! Let’s fight and get back to the Afcon,” he stated.

Chipolopolo coach Aljosa Asanovic last week named Kangwa in his final 25-member squad for the AFCON qualifiers against Ivory Coast and Comoros Islands.

Zambia will be away to Ivory Coast on June 3 before hosting Comoros four days later in a Group H fixture at National Heroes Stadium.

Meanwhile, the squad is currently camped in Ghana.

WOMENS FOOTBALL: Green Buffaloes Retain League Title

0

Unbeaten Green Buffaloes have retained the FAZ National Women’s League title after edging YASA Queens in the play-off final at Sunset Stadium in Lusaka on Saturday.

Buffaloes were crowned champions of the 2021/22 season after overcoming YASA 3-2 on penalties following a goalless draw in regulation time.

The match went straight to penalties after 90 minutes.

Meanwhile, Buffaloes were unbeaten in 16 matches played in Zone A of the league to reach the play off final.

Zone B side YASA finished top on 36 points to outsmart second placed Red Arrows when reaching the final.

Zambia’s Independent Judiciary that is never free

12

By Isaac Mwanza

The Constitution of Zambia has created an “independent” Judiciary which is never free as inferior laws enacted by Parliament have compromised the independence and effectiveness of the Judiciary. I hold these truths to be self-evident that independence and freedom are never the same nor are they part of our country’s separation of powers.

From my reading of the Constitution, the framers of the Constitution did not expressly cloth the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) with power to transfer magistrates or judges. There is no such power in Article 220 of the Constitution of Zambia. In fact, the administration of the Judiciary has been placed under the Chief Justice by virtue of Article 136(2)(a).

Both the Judicial Service Commission and Judicial Complaints Commission fall under the Executive arm and not the Judicial arm of government. In some cases, these Commissions are presided by persons who have never been judges themselves nor magistrates. In other cases, they are presided by lawyers who are active in the practice of law or are retired but had represented clients who lost cases before these same judges and magistrates.

So where does the Judicial Service Commission draw power to transfer magistrates when the Constitution has not allocated it such power? In addition to the functions of the Commission provided under Article 220(2) of the Constitution, Section 6 of the Service Commission Act No. 10 of 2016 provide further functions.

The power to transfer Judicial officers lies in this inferior legislation and such a function is premised on Article 220(2)(d) of the Constitution which states:

“The Judicial Service Commission shall carry out a function provided for in this Constitution, or as prescribed (by an Act of Parliament, in this case Act. No. 10 of 2016).”

I must be quick to point out that Article 1.(1) of the Constitution itself states:

“This Constitution is the supreme law of the Republic of Zambia and any other written law, customary law and customary practice that is inconsistent with its provisions is void to the extent of the inconsistency.”

Reading Article 136(2)(a) of the Constitution which has expressly clothed the Chief Justice with the responsibility to administer the Judiciary, it means that, although Parliament can enact any law under Article 220(2)(d), such a law must never be ultravires the Constitution, in particular Article 136(2)(a), which confers the Chief Justice with a constitutional responsibility to administer the Judiciary.

How come then that we can have subsidiary legislation that grants the power to a Commission to transfer Judicial officers when the Constitution as a supreme vests the administration of the Judiciary in the Chief Justice? Such an inferior law can only be said to be void as it is inconsistent with the Constitution.

The provision of the inferior law and the action by the Commission to use such a law to effect changes in the administration of justice does not only breach Article 136(2)(a) but also breaches Article 122(1)(4) of the Constitution of Zambia which, in part, as reads:

122.(1) In the exercise of the judicial authority, the Judiciary shall…not be subject to the control or direction of a person or an authority.”

(4) A person and a person holding a public office shall protect the independence,… and effectiveness of the Judiciary.”

It is my submission that judicial officers and judges have illegally been placed under the control of the Judicial Service Commission and the effectiveness of the Judiciary continues to be breached by transfers of Judicial officers dealing seized with various cases. These Judicial officers are forced or left with no option but to abruptly hand over cases, which cases usually start afresh in some instances.

The Chief Justice has also failed to protect the effectiveness of the Judiciary by continuing to allow the unnecessary transfers of Judicial officers and judges handling cases. The administration of the Judiciary constitutionally lies on him.

Tandi Mwape Joins Chipolopolo Camp

1

Defender Tandi Mwape has boosted the Chipolopolo war chest following his arrival at the teams’ Ghana camp on Saturday.

The defender from DR Congo giants TP Mazembe brings to eight the number of foreign-based players in camp out of the 16 oversea call-ups summoned for the 2013 AFCON Group H qualifiers against Cote d’Ivoire and Comoros.

Tandi joins Fashion Sakala of Glasgow Rangers in Scotland,goalkeeper Toaster Nsabata and midfielder Roderick Kabwe both of SekhukhuneUnited in South Africa.

Also in camp are midfielder Lameck Banda of Israeli clubMaccabi Petah Tikva, goalkeeper Mwenya Chibwe who is currently clubless,defender Frankie Musonda of Raith Rovers in Scotland and Kings Kangwa of Arsenal Tula in Russia.

The seven were part of the sixteen players who arrived inAccra on Friday for the week-long camp there.

Zambia coach Aljosa Asanovic is now awaiting six more players whoinclude Patson Daka of Leicester City and Enock Mwepu of Brighton.

Gamphani Lungu of SuperSport United in South Africa and Simba midfielder Rally Bwalya plus the Danish based midfield duo of EdwardChilufya of Midtjylland and Lubambo Musonda of Horsens  are  due to arrive in Accra over the coming days.

Chipolopolo are camped in Accra ahead of their Group H openeragainst Cote d’Ivoire on June 3 in Yamoussoukro.Zambia host Comoros on match-day-two on June 7 in Lusaka.

Meanwhile, Russian-based striker Evans Kangwa of Arsenal Tulahas been ruled out due to injury.

Kangwa joins Clatous Chama of Simba SC in Tanzania andAmazulu midfielder Augustine Mulenga who have also been sidelined due to injury.

Youths want Vedanta to take over KCM

23

Chililabombwe youths have staged a match past demanding the return of Vedanta Resources to take over Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) on the Copperbelt.

Handing over the petition to Mines and Minerals Development Minister Paul Kabuswe , Chishala Mwamba , who represented the youths, said since the liquidation of KCM, the levels of unemployment in both Chingola and Chililabombwe have increased.

Mr. Mwamba said Vedanta Resources should return so that youths can leave the streets and be employed by the mine.

He said Vedanta is willing to produce the three million tonnes of copper production in the next ten years which Government has targeted.

Mr. Mwamba further said the 20 percent salary increment by Vedanta which the firm intends to offer workers is also commendable.

He said this is why Government should give Vedanta resources a second chance to resume operations on the Copperbelt.

Mr. Mwamba said 90 percent of his members have agreed in the petition on return of Vedanta resources.

He said the matter should be handled with urgency.

Mines and Minerals Development Minister Paul Kabuswe said he will escalate the matter and forward the opetition to relevant authorities.

The Mines Minister said he does not hold the final decision on the Vedanta matter but that Government will decide on the issue of Vedanta resources is what will be followed.

Mr Kabuswe, who is also Chililabombwe Member of Parliament, said Government is committed to make sure that KCM and Mopani mines come back to life, and create more jobs.

He said the youths had all the trust and hope in the government to create more jobs for them.

The Minister also warned mines with a tendency of not improving the welfare of their employees.

Professor Lady Justice Munalula appointed as Deputy President of the Constitutional court

20

President Hakainde Hichilema has with immediate effect designated professor Lady Justice Margaret Munalula as Deputy President of the Constitutional Court of Zambia.

The said designation follows consultations with the judicial Service Commission pursuant to Article 139(2) of the Constitution of Zambia.

The Head of state has congratulated Professor Lady Justice Munalula on her designation.

President Hichilema has since implored her to continue serving the national interest diligently.

This is according to a statement issued to the media by Presidential Spokesperson Anthony Bwalya.

President Hichilema implores Zambians to take health walks

 

President Hakainde Hichilema has encouraged Zambians to take health walks as a way to build mental and physical health.

President Hichilema, who flagged off and participated in the 5 .8 kilometre health walk, described as a wonderful and good activity for one’s wellbeing.

He says for the nation to be productive, a healthy human resource is cardinal.

President Hichilema said this upon finalizing the 5.8 kilometer health walk which he flagged off at the 22nd Inter-Company Relay, which is been held under the theme, building a stronger and healthier Zambia.

Several companies are currently participating in this year’s 22nd Inter-Company Relay in Lusaka which returned after a 2 year absence as a result of  the COVID 19.