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Shepolopolo U17’s 2022 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup hopes are hanging on a thread after Friday’s third round qualifying loss at home to Cameroon.
Cameroon beat Shepolopolo 2-0 in a third round, first leg fixture at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka.
Mana Lamine and Camilla Daha struck in the 48th and 67th minute respectively.
The final leg is set for April 30 in Yaoundé.
Zambia’s only women’s FIFA tournament appearance was at the 2014 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica by members of the current senior Shepolopolo team.
RED ARROWS VISIT CELTIC
Red Arrows have an opportunity to restore their eight- point lead today when they visit third from bottom Kafue Celtic at Edwin Emboela Stadium in Lusaka.
Arrows are five points ahead of defending champions Zesco United who only play on Sunday away in Kitwe against fifth placed Power Dynamos.
Three games will remain to be played after this weekend’s Week 31 fixtures as 2004 champions Arrows chase their second league title.
The DIrector of Public Prosecution (DPP) Lillian Fulata Shawa Siyuni SC is in an unprecedented dilemma with only two options where either she resigns or she enters nolles in all cases before her brought by either the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) or the Anti-Corruption Commission, where arrests were made without receiving instructions to arrest from her.
This is so because the letter that is in the public domain to the DEC Commissioner-General Mary Chirwa, which Ms Siyuni has not disclaimed, rebukes Ms Chirwa for carrying out an arrest of former KCM Provisional Liquidator Milingo Lungu without instructions to arrest from her. The Constitutional implication of this directive from the DPP is that no person should be arrested and docket brought before her for the prosecution of corruption and money laundering matters, if she has not given arrest instructions on those matters.
If she prosecutes other matters where no arrest instructions were issued by her, then she will not only be biased but also discriminatory, and thereby unconstitutional and illegal, pursuant to Article 23(2) of the Constitution of Zambia Amendment 1996 and Article 1(2) of the Constitution of Zambia Amendment 2016.
Although Article 180(7) of the Constitution of Zambia Amendment 2016 provides that the DPP shall not be subject to the direction or control of a person or an authority in the performance of the functions of that office, however, this privilege is not absolute. There are four limitations enshrined in this Article. First, the DPP should not exercise powers in a manner that is inimical to the public interest. Second, the DPP should not undermine the administration of justice. Third, the DPP should not undermine the integrity of the judicial system. And fourth, the DPP should prevent and avoid abuse of the legal process.
Article 180(4) of the Constitution of Zambia Amendment 2016, which provides for powers of the DPP, does not give powers to DPP to issue arrest instructions to any law enforcement officer. Therefore, the letter by the DPP to the DEC Director-General is not only inimical to the public interest but also undermines the administration of justice, and integrity of the judicial system, and is an abuse of the legal process.
Essentially, natural justice requires that a person receives a fair and unbiased hearing before a decision is made that will negatively affect them. The three main requirements of natural justice, that must be met in every case are adequate notice, fair hearing and no bias.
Therefore, based on the three main requirements of natural justice, there is a second dilemma that the DPP is confronted with concerning the Milingo case and all other cases from DEC. Now that the DEC has re-arrested Milingo, and meanwhile, there is a direct confrontation between the DPP and the DEC Director-General, considering the confrontation in the hindsight, will the DPP prosecute the Milingo case without bias? Or indeed, will the DPP prosecute all other cases from the DEC without bias?
Articles 180(2) and 182(3) of the Constitution of Zambia Amendment 2016, provided that the conditions that apply to a judge apply also to the DPP. Implicitly, by Article 266 of the Constitution of Zambia 2016, the DPP is a judicial authority, and thereby amenable to the Judicial Code of Act of Zambia.
Thus, the third dilemma confronting the DPP concerns law requirement for judges to recuse themselves if their impartiality might reasonably be questioned.
Section 4 (1) of the Judicial Code of Conduct requires that a judge or other judicial officer shall not discriminate in the performance of their duties of that office. They are required to perform their duties without bias or prejudice and should not, in the performance of adjudicative duties, by word or conduct, manifest bias, discrimination or prejudice. They should also not permit any member of staff or any other person subject to that officer’s direction and control to discriminate or manifest bias or prejudice.
Section 6(2) of the said Act disqualifies a judge of judicial to adjudicate or take part in any consideration or discussion of any proceedings in which the officer’s impartiality might reasonably be questioned on the grounds that the officer has a personal bias or prejudice concerning a party. Thus, where such impartiality may rise, the judge or judicial officer must recuse himself or herself, and the matter ought to be allocated to another judge or other person for adjudication.
The dilemma here is that there is only one DPP. If the DPP is conflicted, that is it! There no other alternative person authorized by the Constitution to perform functions of the DPP. So, what happens to the Milingo case and all other cases brought to her by DEC where she has not issued any arrest instructions, and in view of the direct confrontation between the DPP and DEC DG? Thus, will the DPP proceed to prosecute the cases even if she is conflicted in the manner described?
If she forces matters and proceeds to prosecute the Milingo case and all other DEC cases, two things are likely to happen: first, pursuant to Section4 (2) of the Judicial Code of Conduct, the magistrate who will handle the case may be dragged to the Judicial Complaints Commission for allowing the DPP to take part in proceedings before that magistrate, where the DPP has manifested, by word or conduct, bias, discrimination or prejudice contrary to the Constitution and the Judicial Code of Conduct.
Secondly, if the President is serious enough to defend the Constitution, he may invoke Article 181 to appoint another person to perform functions of the DPP in the Milingo case and all cases brought by the DEC because under the current circumstances, the DPP is unable to perform the functions of office with integrity and without bias or prejudice.
In my view, instead of complicating her life and future as explained above, I think it more honourable for her to voluntarily resign.
The name Vlahakis is widespread in Zambia, thanks to a brave Greek man from the island of Crete called Nikolaos Vlahakis who arrived in southern Africa at the end of the 19th century.
His descendants, who are members of the “Vlahakis tribe” and proudly bear the surname, total about 3,500 people, scattered not only across Africa but around the world.
*The story of Vlahakis in Zambia could be made into a Hollywood movie*
Vlahakis was born in the town of Malia on the island of Crete. As he grew up in the 1890s, he became known for his revolutionary action against the Ottomans.
He fled to Asia Minor from where he managed to travel over 11,500 kilometers until he reached Mozambique in south-east Africa.
After walking in the jungle for more than 2,000 kilometers, Vlahakis finally settled in the town of Chirundu in what was then called Northern Rhodesia on the border of Zimbabwe.
Upon settling in his new homeland in the jungle, Vlahakis started hunting wild animals, worked in mines, and engaged in livestock raising to survive. Such was his physical prowess that he is said to have killed crocodiles with a bat and saved many natives from animal attacks.
Rumors of his exploits swept the jungle, making him famous among local tribes which then informally appointed him as their “leader.” Vlahakis, however, felt lonely without his own people by his side and so returned to Crete in the early 1900s to fetch his younger brother, Dimitris.
Vlahakis brothers founded an “independent Greek state”
Metropolitan Ioannis of Zambia told Greek Reporter that upon their return, the Vlahakis brothers settled on a small island called Kanima in the vast Zambezi River, where they founded an “independent Greek state,” and raised a Greek flag.
Metropolitan Ioannis said that the two brothers had a great reputation and that the founder of the territory of Rhodesia, Cecil John Rhodes, gave them a large enough area of land to cultivate.
The two brothers started their farm, named Demetra, and engaged in the cultivation of tobacco. They simultaneously continued to hunt with great success, which thus contributed to their local fame.
The two brothers started their own families, marrying local women and living happily and in harmony with local tribes until April 13, 1913, when Nikolaos passed away after an encounter with a lion in the forest.
Local tribes mourned his death and buried him at the top of a hill, overlooking the “independent Greek state” he had founded years earlier, with honors reserved for a leader, Metropolitan Ioannis said.
His brother continued living on the farm, adhering to the Orthodox faith and traditions and ensuring that his children led an Orthodox way of life and attained a proper education and upbringing.
First descendants all bore Greek names
Metropolitan Ioannis with the descendants of the Vlahakis tribe at the missionary center in Chirundu. Credit: Facebook-Metropolis of Zambia
Nikolaos’ 32 descendants—one of whom was a daughter—all bore Greek names, such as Nikolaos, Stefanos, Athena, Xenophon, Thekla, Cleopatra, Kalliopi, Konstantinos, and Anna among others. Likewise, this applied to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, most of whom bore the names of the first two brothers.
With Dimitris’ death on September 17, 1939, the era of the two pioneer Cretans ended, but their legacy remains.
Kenneth Kaunda, the first president of Zambia, who is considered the father of all independence movements on the African continent, awarded the Vlahakis family the honorary title of the 64th tribe of Zambia during a public speech.
Descendant writes book on the story
A descendant of the Vlahakis tribe wrote a book on the astonishing story of the two Vlahakis brothers.
Jane Vlahakis Nash’s “Born and Bred in the Zambezi Valley” is a gold mine for members of the extensive Vlahakis family, but it’s also a valuable resource for lovers of Africa, students of sociology, and anyone who is aware of what it means to be ‘colored’ in a predominantly Bantu society ruled in those days by white settlers.
At the heart of this flowering family tree is Demetra Farm and the happy times spent there learning bush lore, swimming in the Zambezi, playing games by moonlight, and going off to school at Fatima, the ‘home away from home’ for many Vlahakis children.
A few unfortunate circumstances overshadow the lives of the Vlahakis family, including untimely deaths, warfare, and the specter of AIDS, but these are counterbalanced by contacts made abroad, rediscovery of Greek ‘roots,’ and an idyllic life under a hot sun in the warm embrace of a big-hearted family.
Missionary center to honor Vlahakis tribe
Children of Chirundu at the missionary center. Credit: Facebook-Metropolis of Zambia
Metropolitan Ioannis is currently establishing a missionary center in Chirundu where the two Vlahakis brothers first settled which will include a church, spiritual center, clinic, school and trade school.
In 2020, Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria laid the foundation for the project; Metropolitan Ioannis has now embarked on a mission to find funding.
“It will be a contribution of historical importance for the place and its people, not only for the descendants of the Vlahakis brothers, but also for every person who wants to get to know Christ,” the metropolitan said while appealing to all those who are financially able to help in the completion of the mission.
The continued high prices of crude oil on the international market will potentially result in another fuel price hike at the end of April beyond the current prices with such trends anticipated to sustain over the next few months.
The Oil Marketing Companies Association of Zambia is anticipating around a 1 to 2 percent fuel hike at the end of April when the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) reviews fuel pump prices while the conflict in Ukraine sustains negative effects on international pricing mechanisms.
Association President Kafula Mubanga tells Phoenix News that the sustained war in Ukraine will continue to negatively affect the pricing of fuel in zambia especially that the country has no control over international pricing mechanisms.
The current price of crude oil on the international market is over $108 per barrel while the local price for petrol was last increased to K26.50 from K21.96 previously and diesel up to K26.22 up from K21.54 with both signaling an increase of over K4.50.
And on recent revelations by Energy Minister Peter Kapala that government will remove all remaining subsidies and waivers on fuel by the end of June 2022, Dr. Mubanga is confident that government has conducted a thorough analysis to determine that the benefit of doing so would outweigh the losses especially with the anticipated impact on ordinary citizens.
Meanwhile, Agro-economist Frank Kayula has anticipated an increase in the price of fertilizer to over k1000 per bag as a result of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war which will affect Zambia’s food security.
Dr Kayula in an interview with phoenix news says this will also likely see increased prices of seeds on the market which will disadvantage farmers.
Dr Kayula says once price of seeds go up, it has the potential to affect beneficiaries of the farmer input support program which and result in government reducing the number of beneficiaries on the program.
He has however advised government to consider enhancing the use of sustainable agriculture and organic fertilizer in order to ensure nutrients are given to the soil to maintain productivity as one way to cushion the impact the war in Russia and Ukraine has on the agriculture sector.
The New Heritage Party has challenged government to reveal its alternative plan if the outcome of the Debt Sustainability Assessment (DSA) and Creditors Committee discussions do not succeed in light of the complexity of creditor coordination.
Party President Chishala Kateka says there seems to be an impasse or obstacle in the discussions with Zambia’s creditors.
Ms.Kateka says it has now emerged that the IMF have been waiting for the Debt Sustainability Assessment and the outcome of the Creditor’s debt relief discussions.
She says Commercial creditors are not part of the creditors committee yet they hold 46% of Zambia’s external debt while China accounts for 22%.
And the Heritage Party Leader has asked government to share its plans for the way forward should the $1.4 billion IMF bailout package not actualize and what plans it has for the repayment of the $750 Million Eurobond that is due this year in September.
She said Government has not openly shared information with Zambians regarding the IMF programme but has only pieced together through snippets only after the UK Minister of Africa’s visit to Zambia.
Government says gender inequality continues to have a negative impact on the country’s developmental trajectory despite making progress in fostering gender equality through strategic policies.
Gender Department Permanent Secretary, Mainga Kabika, said empowering girls with Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) related fields is one way to become economically independent and break the barriers of effective economic participation for women.
In a speech read on her behalf by Gender Division Director, Henry Nkhoma, during the Girls in STEM against GBV summit in Lusaka, Ms. Kabika commended the Swedish and Irish governments, the United Nations Development Programme and the Zambia National STEM Foundation for organising the conference that targets the minds of girls to STEM subjects.
“With empowerment in STEM related fields, young girls have the potential to become economically independent as these subjects attract very rewarding jobs which in turn reduces the likelihood of such young women to become solely dependent on the would-be spouses thus reducing the chances of one to be a victim of GBV,” she said.
And United Nations Development Programme Deputy Resident Representative, Roland Seri, said the girls in STEM summit provides an opportunity that showcases the relevance of technology to achieve social and economic empowerment for women and girls.
Mr. Seri said STEM is also a means to achieve Sustainable Development Goal number five.
He has since commended the government for its commitment to empowering women and girls so as to enable them have economic and social empowerment through the Ministries of Education, Technology and Science and the Department of Gender.
“This summit is an important opportunity that showcases the importance of using technology for the social and economic empowerment of women and girls,” he stated.
A BlackRock Spokesperson has disputed estimates of potential gains by campaigners championing the cancellation of Zambia’s debt.
Activists have claimed BlackRock could make $180 million profit out of its investment in Zambian bonds if the debts are paid in full.
The New York Headquartered firm said in a statement that there had not been any significant increases in its holdings of Zambian debt since September 2020 “other than as required to ensure the funds remain near or at the benchmark”.
They added: “The money invested in bonds by asset managers is predominantly the money of ordinary people saving for retirement. None of the money is the asset manager’s.”
The company said any decision on restructuring these bonds must therefore be balanced against the duty of the asset manager to protect the savings of the millions of people whose money was lent to these countries, while at the same time recognising the difficult circumstances they are facing from the challenges posed by Covid-19.
The spokesperson said the firm had “no discretion” to sell bonds held in index funds, “so it is in our clients’ interests for these countries to thrive and succeed”.
And on Wednesday, protestors staged demonstrations outside of Blackrock’s Edinburgh office to demand that the company cancels Zambia’s debt.
On the day BlackRock announced its annual earnings, campaigners from Global Justice Now and Jubilee Scotland were demonstrating for Blackrock, one of Zambia’s largest known bondholders, to write off the country’s debts as it struggles to recover from the pandemic.
Activists arrived outside of BlackRock’s office in the capital with a large piñata in the shape of a black rock with one campaigner in a suit and a Larry Fink mask – CEO of BlackRock – holding it up for other protestors to hit.
The contents of the piñata were said to symbolise many of the things Zambia will continue to have restricted access to until its debt is cancelled such as money, medical equipment and renewable energy.
Zambia’s debt payments to asset managers such as BlackRock will also render Scotland’s aid funding to the country “virtually insignificant”, campaigners warn.
Zambia is one of the Scottish Government’s international development partner countries but its debt repayments for 2021 were 75 times more than the aid money Zambia received from the Scottish Government in the previous five years combined, according to campaigners.
Liz Murray, head of Scottish campaigns at Global Justice Now, added: “Zambia’s ability to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic and the climate emergency is being massively undermined by the debt repayments that it is having to make to banks right here in Scotland, such as BlackRock.
“While BlackRock is making huge profits, people in Zambia are going without vital medical supplies and access to education. That’s a global scandal that must end.
“We echo the call of our friends in Zambia for BlackRock to cancel Zambia’s debt.”
Line Christensen, campaign director at Jubilee Scotland said: “The aid money given by Scotland to Zambia is being dwarfed by the huge repayments that Zambia is being forced to make to private creditors like BlackRock.
“Big banks often pile crippling interest on low-income countries’ debts, locking them in a never-ending cycle of payments that prevent investment in crucial infrastructure, education, and health services -and they haven’t let up during the pandemic.”
Protesters outside of Blackrock’s Edinburgh office to demanding that the company cancels Zambia’s debt.
By Dr. Ali El Husseini, CEO, Medici Land Governance
What will Zambia look like when every business decision, government service or a simple transaction is backed by data that are secure, trustworthy, and efficient? This is a goal that was highlighted several years ago by the global community of blockchain developers, to enable a world where every citizen is empowered to own, see, hold, and control their data.
Zambia is on the right path to realizing that goal, thanks to the Electronic Government Act, which was recently signed by President Hichilema. The act is intended to digitize and automate services, which, in turn, will create opportunities for business as well as citizens.
Citing how this new technology push will spark growth in Zambia’s economic output of products and services, Clement Sinyangwe, president of the Information & Communications Technology Association of Zambia (ICTAZ), clearly summarized what the impact of data technology will mean.
“Technology is widely acknowledged as the primary driver of economic growth in countries, regions, and cities,” he said. “Technological advancement enables more efficient production of more and better goods and services, which is essential for prosperity.”
Take, for example, the use of electronic signatures, which is now allowed in Zambia’s systematic land titling project implemented by Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources in collaboration with Medici Land Governance. Electronic signatures speed up the process for individual land and property owners, enabling them to receive their own land title faster and at an affordable cost. With a secure, legal title, owners are empowered to use their property for whatever productive economic purpose they deem appropriate.
The impact of the Electronic Government Act and the approved use of tools such as electronic signature will be broad in the most positive way.
This strengthens Zambia’s growing industry of companies in information and communications technology, by generating new jobs and providing training and career opportunities, particularly to young people.
The technology also gives opportunities for all citizens to be land owners with legal, secure titles.
In Chasu Longwe’s paper, “Securing Women’s Land Rights Through Systematic Land Titling”, Longwe interviewed a woman who obtained titles for her houses in Kamwala South and in the Kuku compound. “I am happy that I was able to be part of this program. Having a title gives me assurance that the place is mine and that my children can inherit,” she said. “It is something that I am proud of as it gives me and my children security. No one can come and claim the house or even encroach in my boundaries. This gives me motivation to even develop my land.”
As Longwe explains, those who once thought that they could never afford the fees to apply for and process a certificate of title to their land and property can now do so. For instance, in some areas, the total cost of a certificate title is 3,122 kwacha. And, owners have the option of paying the balance in flexible installments. Land owners can pay 1,000 kwacha to secure their title and then pay the remaining balance in installments spread over three years.
Technology will make access to land, property, and housing that much easier, especially for women, youth, and vulnerable people who might have thought that such opportunities were out of their reach. Today, technology can be used to gather all the critical details about land and property in one convenient, affordable, efficient source. This includes utilities, underground and aerial mapping and imagery, minerals and natural resources, owner information, regulations for building and planning, etc.
As evidenced by the recent adoption of the Electronic Government Act, Zambia is realizing the promise of technology for business, government services, and citizens. In the plainest terms, the technology of land governance is designed to keep the whole spectrum of the transactions and business firmly in the hands of the people who matter the most — the citizens of Zambia.
By Prince Bill M. Kaping’a Political/Social Analyst
Chiengi Member of Parliament Hon. Given Katuta has deposited something interesting on her Facebook page regarding the question of political prostitution. She observes that in the interest of our feeble and nursling democracy; politicians should stop frolicking around political parties like excitable little monkeys hopping from one tree to another after losing elections, but must rather be encouraged to stick to their political parties if our democracy is to flourish.
“Let’s learn from USA, UK, India, RSA and lastly UPND which spent 23 years in opposition and still remained steadfast until winning in 2021,” she writes.
What do we make of this?
No matter how tough the situation may be, we must be seen to maintain a modicum of decency in our politics……this is what differentiates us from the rest of animals! We can’t have a situation whereby we simply have no qualms evolving from MMD to PF, and PF to UPND overnight! Isn’t it possible to uphold a political ideology of some kind? Or are we simply all students of Daniel Munkombwe’s school of politics par excellence?
This country seems to have ‘kissed goodbye’ to political ideology once UNIP got ejected from power early 1990s. Immediately the flame was extinguished to be replaced by the clock, we woke up to smartly dressed individuals in business suits, their chests adorned with an array of degrees, who wasted no time pontificating about the manner liberal economic policies would extricate us from the quagmire in their impressive fake American accents! Did they even believe in their own mantra in the first place?
Anyway……before long, the clumsy boat would come cruising along and drown the watch as the hour progressed! Facing the imminent threat of being deprived of bread and butter, some of these crafty MMD leaders would swiftly metamorphosize into the green colour. In no time, you would see them storming the villages and shanty compounds kneeling down before humble country folk to portray a humble façade as they espoused so-called pro-poor policies of PF.
And finally when the hand flexed its muscles and capsized the boat, we would see a number of individuals that were pretending to be firm believers of PF policies until now, begin ‘ranting’ they’re eager to assist one Bally unite, and economically liberate our country. Of course, they can only afford to make such declarations by sneaking into the villages to hide from the scrutiny of the well-informed citizenry who can easily call out their insincerity.
Enough is enough! We must start addressing such individuals by their correct titles – unpatriotic and selfish citizens hell-bent on plundering our resources. These are lazy chaps who can’t survive outside the framework of politics. They are used to being associated with a party in power so they can continue enjoying the spoils through government jobs or contracts.
It’s encouraging the UPND leadership seemed to have read through their evil schemes, somehow. Speaking in an interview with Diggers, UPND national chairman Steven Katuka cautioned those joining the ruling party against doing so with a view of getting government jobs or party positions.
You don’t have to necessarily belong to a ruling political party to serve this nation better! Stop fooling us! You are doing so, for selfish reasons…..shameless harlots! Who isn’t aware you are in a hurry to join the ruling party so you may be forgiven of your past crimes or simply because you are looking for survival since you are lazy suckers who can’t survive on your own unless through government resources.
Former Chief Government Whip Steve Chungu says the New Dawn Government is contradicting itself by attempting to borrow money from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) when it is under taxing mining companies.
Mr. Chungu, the immediate past Luanshya Member of Parliament, said Zambia has the potential to get more money from mining taxes compared to the amount it wants to borrow from the IMF.
The Luanshya based politician and business executive said the Government should reconsider the waiver on Mineral Royalty Tax in order to earn more from mineral resources.
Mr. Chungu said the statement by Finance Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane that mining royalties are being deductible from income taxes to reflect a measure of both incremental and aggregate norm values were unrealistic.
“Zambia is the only country in the whole world that has opted to borrow money while giving away its sovereignty. Zambia is giving away its God given rights over mineral resources. The money that should have been collected in the form of Mineral Royalty Tax is more than what the country wants to borrow in the name and term “Best practices”. Yes it is not wrong to borrow or copy the so called best practices but we should understand that the countries we are copying from have different social needs. Countries like Chile that we want to copy from have different economic needs, different cultures, different traditions, different races from ours, different tax collection avenues and many other different things from ours,” Mr. Chungu said.
“Mining has been going on in this country for a long time now and we have never seen the so-called investors declare profits before. How sure are we that this time around investors are going to declare profits in which the Government can get taxes? We know that these investors will always sell their copper and other un-declared minerals using their offshore companies below the London Metal Exchange price. The Government should reconsider the waiver on Mineral Royalty Tax in order to leave a breathing space for the common Zambian. Can you imagine a retiree, who owns a simple house being followed by the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) for the rental withholding tax. This has become a common feature now with the presence of ZRA officers in our compounds,” Mr. Chungu stated.
He added:”I believe we can do better if we can go back to the drawing board on Mineral Royalty Tax and give back that which rightfully belongs to the people of Zambia who are being over taxed. Zambia can earn more money from mining taxes compared to the amounts the Government wants to borrow from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).We are inviting the IMF to be administrators of this country by borrowing from them.”
Mr. Chungu warned the New Dawn Government against dealing with the IMF.
He said there has never been a country in the World that has improved after dealing with the IMF.
“We don’t seem to have learnt from our previous relationship with the IMF. There has never been a country in the World that has come out to be a better country after getting into a relationship with the IMF. We are going back into another era of colonisation by the western world and other rich countries. Some of these international organisations and rich countries don’t mean well and they have never meant well. I cry for my Zambia, your Zambia, my country, your country and together with our country,” Mr. Chungu concluded.
Minister of Finance and National Planning Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane last week told Parliament that Zambia needs the IMF assistance.
Dr. Musokotwane said the IMF alongside other international bodies can help to broker a deal between the Zambian government and the creditors or those that the government owes.
In a ministerial statement, Dr. Musokotwane said the intervention from the IMF will enable the Government to get onto an IMF program that will make it possible for Zambia to access long term concessional funding in future.
The Government is set to deploy 28 Chinese medical experts in selected public health facilities in the country.
The 28, who includes surgeons and anesthetists, have already been inducted and will be licensed by the Health Professional Council of Zambia (HPCZ).
They are expected to be sent to health facilities in Livingstone, Ndola, Kitwe and Lusaka as soon as they conclude the formalities.
HPCZ inducted 28 Chinese medical members on various regulatory requirements as outlined in the Health Professional Act No 24 of 2009 this week.
Making a presentation at Levy Mwanawasa Teaching Hospital in Lusaka to the Chinese medical team, HPCZ Senior Public Relations Officer Terry Musonda told the experts to be ethical and professional.
Mr. Musonda urged the professionals to prioritise patient care and skills transfer.
The Senior Public Relations Officer pointed out that the practicing with a valid license from HPCZ in Zambia had no substitute.
He further urged the medical team to uphold ethics which were universally accepted in the medical field.
“All practitioners are required to renew their practicing certificates annually. It is the duty of all health practitioners to ensure that their annual practicing certificates for the following year are renewed before 31st December of the current year. Treat every patient politely and respect patients. Give patients information in a way they can understand,” Mr. Musonda emphasised.
“Respect the right of patients to be fully involved in decisions about their care; Commits an offence under any other law. Entering into a sexual or indecent relationship with a patient; forgery, theft, assault or battery. Displaying indecent or violent behavior. Importing, distributing, dispensing or prescribing medicines that are not registered,” he stated.
“If found guilty, the Disciplinary committee can impose the following: Cancellation of Practicing Certificate. Censure the practitioner. Caution and postpone any further action against the practitioner. Impose a fine not exceeding 300,000 penalty units. Order a practitioner to pay the amount of loss caused by the negligence. An appeal against the decision of the committee can be made to the High Court within 30 days of the date on which the notice was given,” Mr. Musonda added.
Zambia and Angola have signed an addendum to operationalise the Bilateral Trade Agreement that was signed in 2016.
The Agreement will see an enhancement of trade and economic relations between the two countries and ensure some products are traded duty free.
Speaking during a bilateral ministerial meeting held at the Ministry of Industry and Commerce in Luanda today, Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Chipoka Mulenga said the agreement is a game changer.
“Economic and trade relations should be anchored on coexistence among private sector players as vehicles through which poverty eradication and economic growth can be attained,” Mr Mulenga stated.
Mr. Mulenga said there is a need to utilize the natural resources and geographical proximity as vehicles through deeper bilateral economic and trade relations.
He called for redefining policy and legal framework for bilateral trade and economic relations.
Mr Mulenga called for economic transformation which will translate into better lives for the people of the two countries.
And Angolan Minister of Industry and Commerce, Victor Fernandez stated that trade and bilateral cooperation are essential for the sustainable growth of countries.
He said his government recognizes the role that the private sector plays in national and economic development.
Mr. Fernandez added that his government stands ready to improve the trade deficit that exists between Zambia and Angola.
The Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) has condemned in the strongest terms possible, calls by some senior officials and cadres of the ruling UPND for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Lillian Siyuni to resign with a Purported 48-hours ultimatum being given to her to do so or face protests.
LAZ has since written to the UPND Secretary-General expressing its concern over the matter, and calling on him to immediately redress the situation within his ranks in order to prevent the breakdown of the Rule of Law.
LAZ through its Honorary Secretary Sokwani Chilembo said that the Rule of Law demands observance of the law in the conduct of public affairs by everyone with the ruling party being no exception and must take the lead in assuring the country that the Rule of Law will be respected.
In a statement, Mr Chilembo said that the fact that the calls threatening the DPP are also echoed by persons holding leadership positions in the UPND greatly concerns LAZ.
He states that the DPP is a Constitutional officeholder whose tenure is guaranteed up to the retirement age of sixty (60) years by the provisions of Article 182 of the Constitution (Amendment) Act, 2016 unless she resigns out of her own volition or is removed in line with the provisions of Article 144 of the Constitution on the grounds stipulated in Article 143, which include mental or physical disability making her incapable of performing judicial functions, incompetence or gross misconduct.
He has stressed the need for the UPND officials, cadres or any citizen to follow the Constitutional provisions, and not resort to intimidating a Constitutional Officeholder.
Mr Chilembo notes that Democratic principles can only be entrenched in the country if Constitutional Officeholders, such as the DPP, are allowed to perform their functions without fear or favour, devoid of any intimidation.
Meanwhile, the Zambia National Women’s Lobby (ZNWL) has defended the women’s movement’s silence on recent attacks on Director of Public Prosecutions Lillian Siyuni by some stakeholders, especially political players.
Speaking in an interview with Q-news, Zambia National Women’s Lobby board chairperson, Daisy Ng’ambi says her organization is quiet on the matter because the DPP is being attacked in his official capacity and not on a personal level.
Mrs Ngambi says her organization would only come to the defence of the DPP if people attack her on a personal level as a woman.
She, however, notes the need for aggrieved people to use proper channels to air grievances unlike trying to intimidate her to step down and using abusive language.
But Chapter One Foundation Executive Director Linda Kasonde has condemned the continued intimidation of Mrs Siyuni by political cadres.
Yesterday, Patriotic Front member of the central committee and chairman for publicity and Information Raphael Nakacinda called on women organisations to defend the DPP from attacks by politicians.
Voting in the Lukutu local government by-election in the Luwingu district has closed with polling stations recording a high turnout.
A check by ZANIS found all polling stations recorded above 70 per cent voter turnout.
By the close of polls, Palangoto which has 439 voters had recorded a total of 367 votes while Mwine Ng’andu had 141 votes cast out of 170 voters.
At Malekani over 500 people had cast their votes by 17:00 hours out of 659 total registered voters.
A peaceful atmosphere characterized the voting in the Lukutu local government by-election.
Luwingu District Electoral Officer , Dunken Chipulu said the situation in Lukutu has been calm.
Mr Chipulu urged electoral stakeholders and voters to patiently wait for the outcome of the polls.
And Zambia Police Service Northern Province Commanding Officer, Edwin Chisi has commended political parties taking part in the Lukutu local government by-election for conducting peaceful campaigns.
Mr Chisi said the campaign has been generally peaceful adding that police have deployed enough officers to man the polls.
Four candidates are contesting the by-election and these are Peter Chanda of the United Party for National Development (UPND), Patriotic Front’s(PF) Kennedy Katongo, Sydney Bwalya of the Socialist Party and the Democratic Party’s Thelma Chiti.
Lukutu ward has four polling stations with about 1, 700 voters.
The 2022 COSAFA Cup will be staged from July 5-17 in Durban, South Africa.
The competition returns to Durban for the first time since 2019, having been staged in Nelson Mandela Bay last year.
Chipolopolo won their fifth COSAFA Cup title in Durban that year but failed to defend it when they made a group stage exit in Nelson Mandela Bay.
South Africa are the defending champions.
“This is another bumper year of tournaments, which includes not only our flagship men’s and women’s senior championships, but also four competitions that serve as qualifiers for continental events,” COSAFA General Secretary Sue Destombes has announced.
“While COVID-19 is still very much a part of our daily lives, we have learnt a lot about how to manage tournaments within the pandemic and hope to welcome fans back in the stadiums for most of our events this year,” Destombes said.
The CAF Women’s Champions League | COSAFA Qualifiers will also be held in the KwaZulu-Natal coastal city from August 4-14.
The COSAFA Women’s Championship will be staged from August 31-September 11.
The COSAFA Men’s Under-20 Championship will be hosted in Eswatini from October 6-16.
Meanwhile, COSAFA has announced the introduction of the inaugural COSAFA Schools Cup scheduled from October 28-November 6.
The competition is to be the regional qualifiers for the CAF Schools Champions Cup that will see teams from all over Africa compete.
The COSAFA Under-17 Boys’ and Girls’ Championships will close out the year and are scheduled to run concurrently from November 30-December 10.
