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Noteworthy progress has been made between Namibia and Zambia with regard to the establishment of the One Stop Border Post (OSBP) at Katima Mulilo, according to the High Commissioner of Zambia to Namibia, Stella Libongani.
Libongani shared this at her farewell courtesy call with President Hage Geingob on Wednesday.
She stated that a draft agreement on the establishment of the OSBP is being considered by the legal departments of the two countries and she commended the Namibian government for enacting the legislation to support the establishment of the border post.
The High Commissioner also stated that Zambia intends to continue cooperation with Namibia in the enhancement of trade along the Walvis Bay-Ndola-Lubumbashi Development Corridor (WBNLDC) that allows access to the port of Walvis Bay, which is one of the routes that countries in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) can utilise.
The High Commissioner further stated that she is pleased with the two country’s collective efforts to facilitate bilateral political, social and economic cooperation by putting policy measures and frameworks in place.
In this regard, she referenced the Zambia-Namibia Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation (JPCC) and the Zambia-Namibia Joint Permanent Commission on Defence and Security (JPCDS), stating that these JPCs have enhanced cooperation between the two countries in terms of peace and security, agriculture, transport, trade, communication and energy and immigration.
According to Libongani, Namibia remains one of Zambia’s significant strategic partners, which is why the Zambian Government remains committed to enhancing relations for the benefit of both countries.
She added that Intra-African trade is a key focus of the development roadmap that was established by the President of the Republic of Zambia, Hakainde Hichilema.
She further noted that the two countries share the aspiration of economic development and in this context, she believes that she has achieved a lot during her term as High Commissioner, which started in 2017.
Nonetheless, she remarked that there is still a lot that needs to be done by both countries to achieve economic and social emancipation.
“We cannot develop in isolation and as such, all collective efforts should be supported for desired outcomes to be achieved,” Libongani said.
Gemfields recorded a record $42.3-million in revenue from the sale of emeralds sourced from its Kagem mine in Lufwanyama.
This was at auctions of its predominantly commercial-quality rough emeralds held in Jaipur, India, from March 15 to April 1.
Of the 32 lots offered – 4.52-million carats in total – all were 100% sold out. Fifty-six companies placed bids and an average price of $9.37/ct was achieved – another record for Kagem’s commercial-quality auctions.
Forty such auctions of Kagem-sourced gemstones (emeralds and beryl) hosted by Gemfields since July 2009 have generated $792-million in revenue.
Gemfields notes that the proceeds of this latest auction will be fully repatriated to Kagem in Zambia, with all royalties due to the Zambian government to be paid on the full sales prices achieved at the auction.
“The emeralds were extracted by Kagem Mining Ltd in Zambia, which is 75 percent owned by Gemfields and 25 percent by the Industrial Development Corporation of Zambia,” the group said.
According to the group, the proceeds of the auction will be fully repatriated to Kagem in Zambia, with all royalties due to the government of Zambia being paid on the full sales prices achieved at the auction.
The company said the auction saw 56 companies placing bids.
The auction also saw 100 percent of the offered carats and several lots being sold.
Gemfields said it had held 40 auctions of emeralds and beryl mined at Kagem since July 2009, which have generated $792m in total revenues.
Gemfields managing director of product and sales, Adrian Banks, said: “Our most recent auction represents one of the most momentous outcomes I’ve experienced in my 23-year career. We’ve witnessed another breakthrough for Kagem emeralds, with an auction of predominantly commercial quality emeralds setting a new all-time revenue record for Kagem and surpassing even our higher-quality auctions.
“When we announced Kagem’s August 2021 auction results, we pointed to a step-change in market demand and in the prices bid by our customers, paving the way for an exhilarating cycle in the coloured gemstone sector. Today’s result underscores just how big that step-change is and we’re delighted to see the coloured gemstone industry firing on all cylinders.”
Last month, the company announced that 2021 was a good year as it was able to allocate $20m, or $0.017 apiece, to be distributed as a special dividend for the year ended December 31, 2021.
After declaring the dividend, the miner said the demand in the coloured gemstone market was buoyant.
The group said 2020 was a challenging year for it as it had to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic which had auctions disrupted and shuttered mines for almost a year.
Project management firm GED Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Ministry of Infrastructure and the Agence Congolaise des Grands Travaux (ACGT) have finalised the 25-year concession agreement outlining the infrastructure development requirements of the DRC segment of the GED Africa Route.
The GED Africa Route project is a regional corridor development initiative that includes the upgrade and greenfield road construction from Kasomeno, in the DRC, to Mwenda, in Zambia, and a modern 345 m cable stay bridge across the Luapula river, as well as one-stop border posts in each country.
The project was conceptualised by GED Africa and structured as a 25-year build-operate-transfer project between the subsidiaries GED Congo and GED Zambia, and the governments of the DRC and Zambia under separate concession agreements.
“The signing of this concession agreement marks a critical project milestone, and opens the way for construction of a new road between Kasomeno, in the DRC, and Mwenda, in Zambia,” GED Africa says in a statement.
“The GED Africa Route will have a lasting, positive impact on the local economy via long-term employment opportunities. Benefits for people living along the GED Africa Route will include improved access to healthcare and education, as well as the facilitation of local trade,” the company adds.
The concession agreement includes a commitment to 30% of the contracting work to be awarded to local companies.
The complex information technology systems required to enable the one-stop border posts approach offers additional capacity-building and employment opportunities.
This contract meets the principal needs of the large-scale economic operators, such as miners, the subcontractors and the local communities, which will be positively impacted on through the jobs that will be generated,” says DRC Minister of Infrastructure Gizaro Muvuni Alexis.
The creation of trading links to Zambia and the international Port of Dar es Salaam will support sectoral development in mining and agriculture, and position Kasenga as the DRC’s next major commercial centre.
“[In May], we will sign a parallel agreement with the Republic of Zambia. Together, these two concessions will form a transport corridor providing multiple economic benefits for people across the region, and beyond,” adds GED Africa CEO Klaus Findt.
“The collaboration between all parties in this public-private partnership is a case study that speaks to the opportunities that can be created when a sustainable business model is applied to the needs of the local communities and their economies.
“Significant progress has already been made with early works on the GED Africa Route, and the signing of these concession agreements means that the road ahead is now clear,” says Findt.
Copperbelt based governance activist Gershom Nombuyo Phiri has questioned why senior government officials in Ndola left their offices on Tuesday morning to officiate at the ceremony of unveiling a team bus for Zesco United Football Club.
Copperbelt Province Minister Elisha Matambo led a delegation that included Copperbelt Permanent Secretary Augustine Kasongo, Ndola Mayor Jones Kalyati, Ndola District Commissioner Joseph Phiri, FAZ vice President Justin Mumba, Zesco Limited Board Chairman Vickson Nc’ube, Zesco Managing Director Victor Mapani and Zesco United Chairman Maxwell Saya during the unveiling of the 65-seater bus at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.
Mr. Phiri said the presence of several government officials at a football team event has exposed their lack of priorities.
The former Copperbelt University Students Council Chairman said officiating at the unveiling of a team bus should have been left to just one government official.
“First and foremost as a good governance and human rights activist, I appreciate soccer in general and I appreciate leaders supporting the team (Zesco United). But then looking at the delegation that came, it is clear that they cannot tell me that while they left their offices they had no individual tasks as officer bearers. Therefore they did so at the expense of those respective tasks they left which they were expected to carry out and which they were mandated to do. Today the Copperbelt, for example, is engulfed with a lot of problems which require every minute of the office bearer to add value to the response of those problems,” Mr. Phiri said.
“I think it demonstrates number one, lack of priorities. Number two, attaching politics to soccer because they went there as politicians, people who occupy political offices or public servants. If it was a public holiday, I would have said they went there as soccer fans and as a people giving solidarity to the team. So I wish to appeal to office bearers that currently Zambia is in dire need of solutions to problems it is facing and the problems it is facing are requiring urgent, short term and long term solutions. Therefore to see leaders moving aimlessly shows that they don’t know why they are occupying public offices. That cannot sit well with citizens. I am meant to believe that their absence in their respective offices were at the expense of members of the public who were going to their offices to be assisted and who were taking solutions on top of that,” Mr. Phiri said.
“Even just a permanent secretary is ok, not the Copperbelt Provincial Minister. I don’t see jurisdiction to his office with regards to that. The permanent secretary is a closer technical person or is the closest technocrat. Again if you look at the city mayor I also don’t see jurisdiction of his office. District Commissioner that is a civil servant who should have focused on other issues. Where the permanent secretary is not present maybe the District Commissioner is ok,” he said.
Mr. Phiri charged that there are several serious issues affecting the people of the Copperbelt that government officials should be tackling that include mining and agriculture.
“The issue of the mining sector, today Copperbelt being dependent on the mining sector. The mines are not doing as they are supposed to be performing and people are left in speculations. The issue of the uncertainty surrounding Konkola Copper Mines and Mopani are the issues the Minister of the Copperbelt should prioritise. Today citizens are wondering why the Government gave a tax holiday to an investor and Zambia is set to lose more than K1.5 Billion per annum when copper is trading very well on the international market. Those are the issues the Provincial Minister is supposed to explain to the people because the President (Hakainde Hichilema) made it clear that he is going to enhance and facilitate total mining taxation and maximisation of exploration of other minerals because Zambia is rich in minerals,” Mr. Phiri said.
Copperbelt Province Minister Elisha Matambo led a delegation that included Copperbelt Permanent Secretary Augustine Kasongo, Ndola Mayor Jones Kalyati, Ndola District Commissioner Joseph Phiri,
Meanwhile, Copperbelt Province Minister Elisha Matambo has said President Hakainde Hichilema and the New Dawn Government is striving to unite the country which was left divided by the 2021 general elections.
Mr. Matambo said Zambia was left in pieces by the elections that ushered into office the United Party for National Development (UPND) government.
He said Zambia was divided on political, religious, tribal and regional lines.
Mr. Matambo, the nominated Member of Parliament, said no sphere of society was left by divisions that engulfed Zambia before and during the August polls.
Mr. Matambo was speaking when leading a high profile delegation in unveiling a team bus for Zesco United Football Club at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola on Tuesday morning.
The delegation included Copperbelt Provincial Permanent Secretary Augustine Kasongo, Ndola Mayor Jones Kalyati, Ndola District Commissioner Joseph Phiri, FAZ vice President Justin Mumba, Zesco Limited Board Chairman Vickson Nc’ube, Zesco Managing Director Victor Mapani and Zesco United Chairman Maxwell Saya among others.
Mr. Matambo said sports like football can help to unite Zambia because it cuts across political, tribal or religious lines.
“Let me just emphasise that before and during the just ended general elections our country was in pieces. I have never seen divisions which we witnessed during and before the elections of 2021. We were divided on tribal lines; we were divided on political lines. Every sector you can talk about, many in uniforms (defence forces), education, and health everything,” Mr. Matambo said.
“The unfortunate party is that even the church which is supposed to be the referee was also divided. So if a team like Zesco United, the managing director said it was the brand of the company (Zesco Limited), I want to mention to you managing director that Zesco United is one of the clubs and the symbol of our province in whom we are well pleased as Copperbelt Province,” he said.
“Therefore, every time Zesco United takes to the pitch, Zambians are not looking at each other in terms of their tribe or political affiliation, colour or religion. We all cheer the team in unison, signifying the unity that has existed in our country since independence. I pray that the grace of our Lord will see us through even as his excellence (President Hakainde Hichilema) is trying to unite the country once more,” Mr. Matambo said.
The unveiling a team bus for Zesco United Football Club.
Zesco Limited Board Chairman Vickson Nc’ube said the power firm’s investment in Zesco United is in line with the New Dawn Government’s policies on youth empowerment.
“As Zesco Limited board chairman I stand between the politicians and the corporates. As such I am fully appraised on the manifesto and development agenda of the UPND Alliance Government. Not because I am partisan because if you are going to be chairing the board of a parastatal – state enterprise you have to be aware of where the government of the day is taking the country. And that is why I speak as I speak,” Mr. Nc’ube said.
“That said, therefore, we are aware of the priority that this government has given to the youths. Football is an opportunity that is created for the youths. Zesco stands on that belief that we must be among those organisations that create a dream and an opportunity for these youths. When you see a young man walking wearing a jersey whether it is written as Messi or Ronaldo, that is a dream and Zesco seeks to facilitate the achievement of that dream in the shortest possible time,” he said.
Mr. Nc’ube further challenged Zesco United to aim higher.
“Guys the ball is in your court, you can enrich yourself by not just conquering Zambia but conquering the whole Africa. Then you go on to conquer the whole World. FIFA club championship, when you beat the whole of Africa and you go to that tournament the participating fee at one time, it could be more than $10,000,000 just for stepping there. If Africa is represented by Zesco, we are aware that there is money that will head our way and all these dreams of sponsoring these will become a thing of the past,” he said.
The revelation that KCM liquidator Milingo Lungu cut a deal with President Hichilema exposed by Court Papers confirms my long standing claim that President HH is corrupt. Why should the President be cutting deals with “criminals”? Is HH now the police, courts and the ACC? Aside from exposing the stinking corruption of the New Dark Regime, this case shows how President HH is undermining democracy. We cannot have democracy without an independent judiciary. Frankly, if the President becomes the court to cut deals with “criminals,” we have a rotten, stinking government that defines what constitutes right and wrong. If this happens, we no-longer have a democracy but tyranny or the rule of the jungle. President HH is sadly pushing us into that direction as his worshipers shout, “Bally will fix it”!
We have reason to worry. President HH’s takeover of the Anti-Corruption Commission and other investigative arms of the government is finally exposed. We were promised that these agencies would operate without presidential interference, but the papers suggest otherwise. The entire administration is directly involved in the investigations–something that explains the ongoing politically motivated arrests. But why should the President and his Vice be negotiating deals with “criminals”? If Milingo committed any crimes, is it not in public interests that Zambians know the truth? One wonders the motive behind the deal–what is it that the President is hiding from Zambians? Why not allow the law to do the right thing? If Milingo’s appointment by the court couldn’t be overturned by the President aside from the same courts, is the cutting of the deal not undermining the Judiciary? In the normal world, the President has committed an impeachable crime against Zambia. But in the Bally Nation, it doesn’t matter unless you are President Lungu.
The issue of KCM should serve as an eye opener to how HH views courts and the law–his own tuntemba. It is one thing for the courts and the ACC to cut deals, but another for the President to be involved in such activities–it stinks! What was the motive for his involvement and why? This is an important question that deserves independent investigation. Why did the President desperately need this deal to an extent of giving Milingo Lungu immunity from any investigations? What did he offer to HH in exchange for his immunity? What material interests did he provide to the State? Did this include dirty on his political opponents or hiding dirty on President HH’s own or his friends interests? These are important questions that deserve answers. Unfortunately, corruption is only corruption if committed by PF officials. As long as HH remains president, Milingo may cry aloud but the poor man is headed to jail. His claims are nothing, but lies until another regime takes over. I pray for a miracle, but knowing how rotten our courts are, the poor man will be roasted for the UPND barbecue as HH and his cronies drink wine and dance to the sound of solemn cries of help as if a baby robbed of its Mama’s breast milk.
But wait. As Milingo burns, the young Zambians finally have a case to understand how Bally became a billionaire. Between 21st May 2019 and 17th March 2022, Milingo Lungu legitimately made $1.2 billion as commission from KCM as a receiver. What? Yes. 1.2 billion United States dollars in commission! That is exactly how HH became the richest man in Zambia. Hard work, I guess, during the 1990s under the corrupt Chiluba regime. Workers died while like Milingo Lungu, HH proudly made billions of dollars as a receiver. Well we didn’t have a new president within 3 years of his tenure, so there was no need to cut deals. It is now water under the bridge. But next time when someone boasts of being a smart businessman, think of Milingo Lungu.
You don’t need to be smart to be a billionaire; you only need to be appointed a receiver of a big and profitable Zambian company. Within a year, you will be one.
Chipolopolo Zambia face a tricky job of qualify to the 2023 AFCON after being draw in Group H with tournament hosts Cote d’Ivoire.
The draw maybe laced with an emotional reunion with the team they beat for the 2012 title Cote d’Ivoire but the implications of being drawn with the 2023 AFCON hosts make qualification an even more onerous task.
Comoros and Lesotho are the other Group H teams of the qualifiers that kick off with Match-Day 1 and 2 during the week of May 30-June 14.
Only one team will qualify from Group H in which Cote d’Ivoire are playing classified as friendlies.
And so one must finish above Cote d’Ivoire or runners-up to The Elephants to clinch the lone Group H ticket to Abidjan.
The rest of the other groups will see the top two teams qualify to the AFCON.
Zambia are battling to end three successive AFCON qualification failures.
The Ministry of Health has recorded 63 new Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours, out of 1,696 tests conducted in the country.
According to the ministry’s Covid-19 daily status update obtained by ZANIS in Lusaka today, the new infections bring the cumulative number of confirmed cases in the country to 318, 640 since the disease broke out in Zambia in March 2020.
The ministry said there are currently 831 active Covid-19 cases in the country, with 11 patients admitted to Covid-19 facilities while 820 are under community management.
Of the 831 active cases, only one admission was recorded in the last 24 hours.
The ministry indicated that there are four patients on oxygen.
The update shows that a total of 53 patients have recovered from Covid-19 in the last 24 hours, bringing the cumulative number of patients that recovered from the pandemic to 313, 836 since March 2020.
The Ministry of Health said no new deaths were recorded in the last 24 hours hence the cumulative death toll still stands at 3, 973, of which 2, 854 deaths are Covid deaths and 1,119 are Covid related deaths.
On vaccinations, the ministry announced that a total of 2,340,662 Zambians have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19.
A total of 88, 405 have received the booster vaccines while 1, 317,740 received only dose one of the various vaccines being administered by government.
The Ministry of Health further said that in the last 24 hours, 7,640 people received full vaccination while 4, 331 people received the first dose of vaccines and 2,353 received booster vaccines.
The Zambia Army has pledged to continue assisting government in the construction of roads as well as other infrastructure development whenever they are called upon.
Copperbelt Regional Commander Munalula Waluka assured Provincial Minister Elisha Matambo that the Army is ready to help with any infrastructure development.
Brigadier General Waluka pledged to work with government to improve infrastructure citing the Mufulira-Mokambo road as one of the roads that the Army will work on.
He said the Zambia Army is mandated to ensure that security prevails in the province besides playing a tangible role in infrastructure development.
“The primary role is in which we protect the people of Zambia by defending the territorial integrity from external and internal aggression,
The second one is where we are called in to assist on infrastructure development,” he said.
And Mr. Matambo commended the army in the province for the support rendered in the management of disasters as well as the swiftness to act on disasters.
“I want to appreciate the quick response to some issues that were affecting the province, for instance, the Mufulira-Mukambo road and the floods in Kaloko and other parts of the province. Your response should be appreciated,” he said.
Mr. Matambo has since implored on the new Brigadier Commander to support President Hakainde Hichilema and his vision by securing the province.
The Zambia National Women’s Lobby (ZNWL) has condemned the harassment of the Director of Public Prosecution, Lilian Siyuni by a close section of society and some members of the United Party for National Development (UPND) calling on her to resign as DPP.
ZAWL National Chairperson, Daisy Ng’ambi says Ms Lilian Siyuni has in the recent past days been harassed by some members of the United Party for National Development (UPND) and has been the subject of verbal attacks on social media and television who are calling for her resignation.
Ms Ng’ambi stated that Ms. Siyuni should be protected from attacks by party functionaries to preserve the integrity of the office of the Director of Public Prosecution.
She has since advised the members of the ruling party to desist from using threats and cyberbullying Ms. Siyuni as they air their grievances.
Ms Ng’ambi further advised the party not to divert from the promise to govern the nation based on the rule of law.
“Ms. Siyuni should be protected from attacks by party functionaries to preserve the integrity of the office of the Director of Public Prosecution. We therefore implore the aggrieved parties, to utilise constitutional provisions to register their concerns,” She stated.
Ms Ng’ ambi noted that harassment of women in leadership positions compromises their ability to discharge their duties and discourages other women from aspiring for leadership positions.
She stated that harassment of women in leadership positions if left unchecked by political may degenerate into other vices which include political violence and the party may face difficulties to control such conduct.
Ms Ng’ambi has advised UPND to guide its members from harassing constitutional office holders.
This is according to a statement made available to ZANIS in Lusaka today.
Government says there is a need to have a cadre of well-trained diplomats to push the country’s economic diplomacy agenda and improve operations of the country’s Missions abroad.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Stanley Kakubo said training designated diplomats is imperative to government’s quest to enhance operations in its missions abroad.
“Our Missions abroad are critical to the development of our country, Zambia. In order for the Government to cement its bilateral and multilateral relations, it depends on the diligent performance of its Diplomats,” said Mr Kakubo.
Mr Kakubo said this during the official opening of an eleven days training programme for diplomats at the Zambia Institute of Diplomacy and International Studies (ZIDIS) in Lusaka that will run from April 19 to 29, 2022.
The Foreign Affairs Minister, who was represented by his Permanent Secretary for Administration Chembo Mbula, said his ministry is determined to provide necessary training that will give adequate skills to diplomats to effectively represent the country abroad.
Mr Kakubo said in a press statement issued to ZANIS in Lusaka today that the ZIDIS is well positioned to help government adequately provide the appropriate skills to ensure that Zambian diplomats are well versed and ready to serve the country to improve people’s lives.
“Zambia’s Missions play a critical role in the country’s development process through, among other functions, the promotion of investment to Zambia which in turn creates employment and other economic opportunities aimed at improving the wellbeing of the people”, said Mr Kakubo.
The Foreign Affairs minister stressed that Zambia will remain committed to economic diplomacy in order to safeguard the interests of its people and consolidate global efforts aimed at promoting collective sustainable growth and development.
Mr Kakubo challenged the diplomats to champion and drive government’s pursuit of a foreign policy based on mutual interest and respect in order to deliver for the betterment of Zambians.
“To our diplomats, you will realise that the challenges that lie ahead are huge but not entirely insurmountable. Therefore, the public and leadership have high expectations that you will represent Zambia diligently, “said Mr Kakubo.
Inspector-General of Police, Lemmy Kajoba says the Zambia Police Service (ZP) has launched investigations into the disappearance of 22 year old Airtel Booth operator, Pamela Chisupa.
Mr Kajoba said the police are probing the whereabouts and circumstances surrounding Pamela Chisupa’s disappearance on April 13, 2022 in Lusaka.
“The Zambia Police Service wishes to inform the general public that we are investigating a matter involving a mobile money agent by the name of Pamela Chisupa, aged 22” said Mr Kajoba, in a video message obtained by ZANIS in Lusaka.
The Inspector General of Police said Pamela was reported missing on April 16, 2022, by her sister.
Mr Kajoba said Pamela’ sister reported that her sibling went missing on April 13 after two men pretending to be customers wanting to transact , approached her at her booth located around Shoprite trading area along Cairo road in Lusaka.
The Police Chief said the two men were later seen leaving the booth together with Pamela, and walking along Cairo road and disappeared without a trace.
Pamela is allegedly believed to have been abducted by the two men after a video went viral of her being tortured and beaten with a metal bar as her captors demanded money from her relatives.
In a sensational turn of events, former Konkola Copper Mines provisional liquidator Milingo Lungu has revealed that he met President Hakainde Hichilema and Vice-President Mutale Nalumango and held negotiations for his exit from the mining giant.
Others who attended the meeting included Minister of Finance Dr Situmbeko Musokotwane and State House Principal Private Secretary Bradford Machila and State House Special Assistant for Legal Affairs, Christopher Mundia.
In subsequent meetings, Attorney General, Mulilo Kabesha, Solicitor General, Marshal Muchende, Director of Public Prosecutions Lillian Fulata Siyuni and Natasha Kalimukwa-Administrator General were present.
The meeting was meant to discuss how Mr Lungu can vacate his office in exchange for immunity from criminal prosecution and the return of his seized assets as they were legitimately earned.
This is according to a petition he has filed before Constitutional Court against the State and the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC).
Mr. Milingo has since requested the Lusaka High Court to compel the DEC to uphold the immunity from prosecution granted by the DPP on matters related to his role as Provisional Liquidator of Konkola Copper Mines.
He has also requested the Court to compel the DEC not to further investigate, arrest and prosecute him on matters that form part of the indemnity.
Mr. Milingo has also sworn in the affidavit that he will demonstrate to the Court that the commissions he earned from running Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) which earned $1.2billion during the period, were legitimate and in accordance with the signed Remuneration Agreement.
He said the commissions he earned were for the period between 21st May 2019 and 17th March 2021.
He said following his refusal to vacate office after an announcement about his illegal removal as the court-appointed Provisional Liquidator, State agents approached him to engage in formal negotiations for his smooth exit.
He said a crisis arose at KCM as the newly appointed liquidator had no legal mandate to access bank accounts, assets and operations of KCM.
He revealed that the parties agreed to a forensic audit that would lead to the dropping of the criminal charges against Mr. Milingo and an indemnity or immunity to prosecution.
Milingo also stated that it was unreasonable and an abuse of the criminal process to arbitrary arrest and seize assets on charges that have not been complained against or formed as criminal by KCM.
A high powered delegation on Tuesday witnessed the unveiling of the new 65-seater Zesco United FC team bus at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
Copperbelt Minister Elisha Matambo led the delegation that included Provincial Permanent Secretary Augustine Kasongo, Ndola Mayor Jones Kalyati, Ndola District Commissioner Joseph Phiri, FAZ vice President Justin Mumba, Zesco Limited Board Chairman Vickson Nc’ube and Zesco Managing Director Victor Mapani.
In his remarks, Nc’ube challenged Zesco United to win the CAF Champions League and qualify for the FIFA Club World Cup.
Nc’ube said qualifying for the FIFA World Cup will enable Zesco to make money and become self-sustainable.
“Guys the ball is in your court, you can enrich yourself by not just conquering Zambia but conquering the whole Africa. Then you go on to conquer the whole World,” Nc’ube said.
“FIFA club championship, when you beat the whole of Africa and you go to that tournament the participating fee at one time, it could be more than $10,000,000 just for stepping there. If Africa is represented by Zesco, we are aware that there is money that will head our way and all these dreams of sponsoring these will become a thing of the past,” he said.
In the keynote speech, Matambo urged the business community to emulate Zesco Limited, by supporting sport.
Zesco United vice Captain Winston Kalengo hailed Zesco Limited for supporting his team for over 50 years.
Red Arrows are 90 minutes away from clinching the 2021/2022 FAZ Super League title when they visit Kabwe Warriors this Wednesday in Kabwe.
The Lusaka side has a great opportunity to wrap-up the campaign with two games to spare in this Week 32 fixture at Godfrey ‘Ucar’ Chitalu Stadium.
Arrows enjoy a seven point lead over the defending champions Zesco on 63 and 56 points respectively.
All they need to do on Wednesday to reach the magic number of 66 points to put the contest to rest to collect their second FAZ Super League championship crown.
Interestingly the last time Arrows won the league title in 2004 was also the year Zesco were promoted went on to win all their nine league championships since then.
Furthermore, that year, Arrows inspirational striker James Chamanga who has been with the club for the last three seasons was at National Assembly and just about to embark on his professional career that took him first to South Africa then China before making his way back home to join the 2004 champions.
Coach Chisi Mbewe is also chasing his first league title after missing it as a player with runners-up finishes at Power Dynamos in 2002 and in 2011 as Arrows assistant coach.
Victory will also be a rewarding three years for Chisi since he was elevated in July, 2018 to replace Honour Janza and things have just been on the rise and rise for him.
Chisi is currently the second longest serving coach in the FAZ Super League behind Green Eagles’ Aggrey Chiyangi who beats him by exactly a year.
Meanwhile, Zesco host relegation battling Lusaka Dynamos at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola with the clear now objective of finishing second well aware that Green Eagles are just a point behind them in third.
FAZ SUPER LEAGUE
WEEK 32
20/04/2022
Green Eagles-Kafue Celtic
Kabwe Warriors-Red Arrows
Chambishi-Zanaco
Konkola Blades-Prison Leopards
Green Buffaloes-Forest Rangers
Indeni-Nkwazi
Nkana-Buildcon
Zesco United-Lusaka Dynamos
Kansashi Dynamos-Power Dynamos
Government has renewed its commitment to sustainable use of natural resources in its developmental agenda.
Tourism Permanent Secretary Evans Muhanga says Tourism is one of the fastest growing sectors in the world as it contributes to job creation, environmental protection and poverty alleviation.
Speaking when he officiated at the four days sustainable Tourism meeting in Lusaka today, Mr Muhanga said if the Tourism sector is well structured, it can empower host communities to generate trade opportunities.
He said sustainable Tourism remains a topical issue globally and that Zambia cannot afford to ignore consequences of unsustainable tourism practices if the country is to achieve real growth presently and in the future.
Mr. Muhanga noted that the United Nations General Assembly adopted 2017 as the international year of Tourism which was a watershed moment to energize institutions and countries across the world to prioritize tourism as a catalyst for positive change in the economic sector.
He said government needs to scale up efforts to build upon the impetus created when Zambia hosted the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) on Sustainable Tourism in Livingstone.
He stated that it was during that time that South Luangwa National Park was declared an international sustainable wildlife park for tourism development.
“Government’s desire is to ride on this feat as an encouragement for the tourism sector to achieve inclusive growth by promoting partnership and collaboration with other stakeholders in tourism,” he said.
Mr. Muhanga added that government believes that Zambia’s comparative advantage lies in the opportunity to advance home grown tourism initiatives.
He said the country will see revenue growth from the tourism sector as the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions have started easing as more Tourists will start visiting the country.
He expressed hope that the four -day training will enhance partnership and collaboration required to promote tourism sustainability in the country.
“I have no doubt the participants will gain the necessary technical knowledge on sustainable Tourism which will in turn improve the economy,” he said.
He implored participants to apply the acquired knowledge in their day to day sustainable Tourism in the country.
And CBI Zambia local Consultant Rachel Ward explained that CBI, an NGO based in the Netherlands has come to Zambia to offer technical support on sustainable Tourism.
Ms. Ward said sustainable Tourism is the talk of everyone globally and must be harnessed in a quest to foster development in the country.
She commended CBI for being an all-weather friend to Zambia in the Tourism sector especially that the country has conducive weather patterns and friendly people.
She said sustainable Tourism is going to help Zambia and called on the hospitality industry to improve the standards in their hotels and lodges in order to attract tourists to Zambia.
