Activist Laura Miti’s Alliance for Community Action has been granted their permit to picket parliament on Friday as Finance Minister Margaret Mwanakatwe presents the 2019 National Budget.

The permit was initially denied by the police but upon appeal the demonstration has been Okayed.

Miti has announced that the permit has been granted.

“The police have given their permission for the peaceful demonstration at Parliament on Budget day tomorrow. This is on direction of Minister of Home Affairs, Stephen Kampyongo. Come and be heard about public money, corruption, debt. #ItsOurMoney #DemandAccountability,” stated Miti.

The police have appealed to the architects of the demonstration to exercise civility during their action.

Miti hopes to raise her voice on some of the matters that keep her civil rights work visible.

The post Police Okay Laura Miti’s Demo appeared first on Zambia Reports.

The Kitwe City Council will relocate about 2,120 residents that have settled on land belonging to Phoenix Materials which has since been surrendered to the council to allow for the development of Industrial clusters.

According to a consultative meeting Chaired by Copperbelt Minister Japhen Mwakalombe in Kitwe, the community have been asked to move to the back of the piece of land and leave the frontage.

Mwakalombe said the Kitwe City Council will prepare letters of offer for the 2,120 whose houses are complete while others are at window level to legalise their stay in Mindolo North along the Kitwe-Chingola dual carriage way.

“Over the years that piece of land had not been serviced because it was considered illegal. But I can now assure the community that their new place will be serviced with all basic services. We want to quickly develop the industrial cluster because this will create jobs for our people,” he said.

“So before demolishing the structures at the frontage we did a survey where we came up with the number of people that will need to allocated pieces of land formally at the back.”

Meanwhile, Kitwe Mayor Christopher Kang’ombe said the Council has secured more than enough land for all those captured.

He expressed hope that the landmark solution on the issue that has remained thorny, will allow meaningful development to take place.

“We agreed on an action plan to issue letters of offer to those moving behind and consequently demolish the houses on frontage. This will facilitate the construction of an Industrial Yard by Ministry of Commerce and Industry to be funded by the Africa Development Bank,” Kang’ombe said

The post Kitwe Council to Relocate 2, 120 Squatters appeared first on Zambia Reports.

A 42 year old man of Kandole Area in Lufwanyama District on the Copperbelt has murdered his 92 year uncle for reasons yet to be known.

Copperbelt Police Chief Charity Katanga said Malubeni Muyoba, 92, of Chombola Village was murdered at his home by his nephew identified as Enten Madeline, 42, of the same village.

Katanga said the incident happened when the suspect went to the deceased’s house and found him sleeping then damaged the door and  entered into the house.

“He hit the deceased on the head with a log and sustained a head injury that deformed the head and died instantly.  After that the suspect threatened to kill whoever comes out to rescue the deceased, but when morning came, he had run away,” she stated.

Katanga said the motive for the killing is not yet established and that the body of the deceased was picked and is lying in Kalulushi Distrct hospital mortuary awaiting postmortem.

Police have since opened a docket and a manhunt has been launched.

The post 92-Year-Old Lufwanyama Man Murdered by Nephew appeared first on Zambia Reports.

At a time doomsayers are professing a deteriorated relationship between Zambia and the United Kingdom, Acting President Inonge Wina has held a fruitful meeting with United Kingdom Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Zambia and Angola Baroness Lindsay Northover at State House.

The two leaders touched base on wide ranging issues involving the two countries.

Recently cynics made a feast of the United Kingdom having frozen funding over the Social Cash Transfer scandal but President Edgar Lungu moved swiftly to clean up with Community Development Minister Emerine Kabanshi fired in the process.

The two countries have been mending fences in the aftermath of the scandal.

The post Acting President Confers with Top UK Envoy appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Media Statement

For Immediate Release

PRESIDENT LUNGU HONOURED FOR CHAMPIONING AFRICA’S INDUSTRALISATION

NEW YORK, USA, Thursday 27 September 2018

The United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) has conferred a medal of recognition on His Excellency Mr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, President of the Republic of Zambia, as a champion of the Third Industrial Development Decade for Africa (IDDA3).

Minister of National Development Planning Honourable Alexander Chiteme received the medal on behalf of President Lungu at the High-level Event on enhancing global partnerships for IDDA3 under the theme: ‘key for successful implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)’ on Wednesday in New York, USA.

The ceremony took place on the sidelines of the on-going High-Level Segment of the 73rd Session of the UN General Assembly.

Honourable Chiteme thanked UNIDO and its partners for recognising President Lungu’s unwavering commitment to the industralisation and development of Africa, without leaving anyone behind.

Speaking during the ‘Interactive Dialogue with Ministers’, Mr. Chiteme called for level playing field if the African Continental Free Trade Area were to achieve its set targets.

“We need to go back and learn from past efforts of implementing free trade. We have to learn from the Regional Economic blocs. For example, we have COMESA where we are promoting trade. What are the successes and failures from there? We need to carry out case studies and see the benefits and advantages which we can carry forward to the continental free trade area.

“We need to play on a level field; our ICTs, infrastructure and all other socio-economic parameters should be put in place to make sure that we implement the AfCFTA as equals,” Minister Chiteme said.

UNIDO states that the vision for the implementation of IDDA3 is to firmly anchor Africa on a path towards inclusive and sustainable industrial development.

The necessary enabling framework conditions for this industrial transformation include the strengthening of key elements of industrial productive capacity, such as infrastructure, innovation and technology transfer, industrial financing, industrial knowledge and skills, and the support from public and private sector institutions that regulate and advocate industrial development.

The four guiding principles deemed critical to ensuring the successful implementation of IDDA3 include:

(a) Government ownership and leadership of the initiative;

(b) A strengthened enabling business environment;

(c) Sectors with high potential for growth, and which can therefore meaningfully contribute to the reduction of poverty, must be prioritized.

(d) Strong partnerships for financial and non-financial resource mobilization at the multilateral, regional and bilateral levels need to be built.

Issued by

Chibaula D. Silwamba (Mr.)

Spokesperson

MINISTRY OF NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLANNING

Tel: +260211252409

Email:  chibaula.silwamba@mndp.gov.zm  Website: www.mndp.gov.zm

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Ministerial statement on the progress that has been achieved in the construction of the Kenneth Kaunda and Copperbelt international airports

Delivered by

Honourable Ronald k. Chitotela, MP, minister of housing and infrastructure development

Mr. Speaker

Firstly, I wish to express my gratitude to you for granting me this opportunity to inform the house and the nation, on the progress that has been achieved in the upgrading and modernisation of the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, and the construction of the Greenfield and Modern International Airport in Ndola.

Mr. Speaker

As government, we have in place a well known and articulated aspiration to transform Zambia into a country with the state of the art aviation infrastructure. This aspiration and all the others that form part of our development agenda, have a firm foundation in the patriotic front’s 2016 to 2021 vision to make Zambia more industrious, prosperous, peaceful, stable, united, democratic, and inclusive society, under the motto of one Zambia, one nation.

I am pleased to note that during the recent official opening of this session on 14th September, his Excellency, Mr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, president of the republic of Zambia informed the house and indeed the nation on the achievements that our government has made towards the realisation of the patriotic front vision.

May our dear god continue giving his excellency, our republican and party president great strength and wisdom to enable us continue to steer Zambia in the direction that will result in more positive economic gains in the lives of the Zambian people.

Mr. Speaker

I therefore stand before the house to provide more details to one of the many issues that his Excellency the president of the republic of Zambia addressed. This issue relates to government’s aim of making Zambia an industrious country.

In the infrastructure sector, we are supporting the government policy of industrialising the Zambian economy through provision of high quality standard aviation infrastructure. This is because aviation infrastructure such as airports play a vital role in improving transportation services to businesses and individuals.

As you may be aware of this fact, government embarked on a number of flagship aviation infrastructure projects. Among these are the new terminal and auxiliary facilities at Kenneth Kaunda international airport and the new Copperbelt international airport.

Mr. Speaker

I now wish to speak to the accumulative progress that has been achieved under each of the two international airports.

1. The Kenneth Kaunda international airport

After the signing of the contract for the design and construction of the airport infrastructure, construction works commenced on 21st April 2015, and is expected to be completed on 20th October 2019 at a total cost of 360 million united states dollars.

Since implementation started, notable deliverables have been registered with the overall progress currently standing at 74%. The progress under each of the specific facilities is as follows:

(I)      the passenger terminal building at 80%;

(ii)     the presidential pavilion at 81%;

(iii)    the control tower (atc building) at 86%;

(iv)    the fire and rescue station is 100% completed;

(v)     the viaduct is 100% completed;

(vi)    the taxiway extension is at 88%;

(vii)   the warehousing facilities are at 80%;

(viii)  the warehousing facilities apron is at 84%

(ix)    the hotel is at 73%;

(x)     the airport shopping mall is at 70%;

(xiii)  the air traffic control tower is at 85%;

(xiv) the airport office park     is at 65%;

(xvi) the apron for presidential pavilion is 100% complete;

(xvii) construction of the water tank and pump house is 100% complete; and

(xviii) the terminal apron is at 72%.

Further, the rehabilitation and conversion of the existing terminal to domestic terminal is yet to commence.

Mr. Speaker, I now turn to the Copperbelt international airport

I wish to inform the house that the contractor for the Copperbelt international airport is Avic international holding corporation. The contract sum is us$ 379, 201, 694 with contract period of 36 months. However, a few local contractors have been sub-contracted.

Regarding the scope of works, it ncludes the design and construction of the following facilities:

(I)      a passenger terminal building;

(ii)     a hotel;

(iii)    a business complex;

(iv)    a police station;

(v)     a special garage;

(vi)    an aircraft hangar;

(vii)   a rescue and fire station;

(viii)  a central power station;

(ix)    a garbage incineration station;

(x)     a sewerage station;

(xi)    a refrigeration station;

(xii)   a fuel filling station;

(xiii)  a cargo terminal;

(xiv)  water and sanitation facilities;

(xv)   an air traffic control building;

(xvi)  an isolation cargo;

(xvii) a security check room; and

(xviii) runway and associated taxi ways and apron.

Mr. Speaker

With regard to the design, detailed design and working drawings for the terminal building, air traffic control building, business complex, via duct, and the runway with its associated taxi ways and apron have been fully completed and approved.

The contractor is expected to complete the detailed design for the rest of the facilities by the end of October 2018.

Mr. Speaker

The project commenced on 16th, 2017 and is expected to be completed in October, 2020. Regarding payments, the total amount certified to date is                 us$ 130, 835,436.10 and amount paid to date amounts to        us$ 119, 160,448.10, leaving an outstanding balance of         us$ 11,674,988.10.

In terms of construction, the progress achieved under the facilities is as follows:

(I)      the runway construction has reached 70% completion. The major works remaining is the asphalt concrete and the cement concrete on the 2 turning pads;

(ii)     the works on the apron are at 15%;

(iii)    the foundation and ground floor concrete and first floor slab for the air traffic control building has been completed. In addition, the column works on the first floor have commenced;

(iv)    the foundation excavations for the terminal building have been completed and the pad foundation casted construction has commenced. In addition, 30% of column works for the terminal build have been completed;

(v)     the piling for the via duct columns has progressed with 30 out of 44 being casted; and

(vi)    the foundation excavations and concrete footing for the airfield ground lighting substation have been completed.

Mr. Speaker

The progress on works has generally been satisfactory and on schedule with the overall progress for all the facilities standing at 20%. We shall continue to constantly monitor and supervise the works to ensure that construction of the two airports is on track.

Mr. Speaker

The labour turnover at the construction site is 924 workers segregated as follows: 248 Chinese nationals and 676 Zambian nationals. Therefore, in addition to the direct and indirect jobs to be created across the supply chain, the following are the anticipated benefits that will accrue to our economy once construction is completed:

(I)                increased revenue and commercial viability of the Zambia airports corporation ltd with brighter prospects for growth;

(ii)     contribution to human resource capacity development through learning by participation of the many of our young Zambians involved in the construction process;

(iii)    raising the profile of our aviation sector and airport standards;

(iv)    promoting Zambia as a tourist destination and the growth of local tourism enterprises through increased international and domestic tourist arrivals; and

(v)     contribution to the viability and prospects of the soon to be introduced national airline.

I also wish to note that government efforts are not only focussed on the two international airports which are a subject of my statement. In this regard, government has plans to develop and upgrade some of the existing provincial airports and aerodromes so as to improve the facilities and service delivery.

This is because most of the facilities require upgrading and modernisation in order to improve their contribution to the aviation, industrial and tourism sectors among others.

Mr. Speaker

I, therefore, wish to re-affirm that the government under the leadership of his Excellency, Mr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, president of the republic of Zambia continues to be committed to improve the aviation infrastructure.

This is part of the efforts to improve the transport system in line with the seventh national development plan and the vision 2030.

We have the desire and will to improve the transport system and consequentially the cost of doing business, industrialisation and the welfare of our people.

Mr. Speaker

As I conclude, I want to indicate that government will continue with it’s proactive stance on the development of aviation infrastructure in the country.  Further, government through my ministry will ensure that all current works on construction of our airports are completed and developed to match international standards.

Mr. Speaker, I thank you.

The post Chitotela Reveals Progress on New KK International Airport appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Fourth Republican President Rupiah Banda is this Saturday expected to attend the national launch of the card renewal for the MMD in Chipata District.

MMD national secretary Raphael Nakacinda stated that the national card renewal would be graced by party leader Felix Mutati and a number of founder members were expected to be in attendance.

Nakacinda appealed to MMD members to troop to Chipata for the card renewal exercise where they would re-commit themselves to the former ruling party.

He also said the card renewal would be followed by the honouring of

1st and 2nd party presidents namely Frederick Chiluba and Patrick Mwanawasa next month in Lusaka.

Nakacinda said the party would also be celebrating the legacy of the two fallen leaders.

“These events are going to run one after the other and it will also be an opportunity for us to showcase what our party stands for in-terms of ideals and principles upon which the party was founded,” he stated.

The launch of the card renewal will be staged at Mpezeni Park square and Chipata based MMD members have already started preparing the venue.

The post RB to Grace East MMD Card Renewal Exercise appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Chililabombwe Member of Parliament Richard Musukwa has empowered the informal sector in his constituency with over K 50,000 revolving fund.

Among beneficiaries include, car wash dealers, taxi drivers and traders to help improve their business activities.

During his visit to the Constituency, Musukwa handed over K 5,000 to car wash dealers, K 35,000 to taxi drivers while traders at Kamenza Market received K 15,000.

Musukwa said the funds are meant to boost business activities for those in the informal sector and allow them make a contribution to the country’s economic growth.

He said government values the contribution informal sector has continued to add to the growth of the economy in the country.

“This government takes cognisance of the great contribution coming from the informal sector in growing the economy. President Edgar Lungu has placed emphasis on ensuring that the informal sector grows to great heights, I wish to urge you our people to invest this little money in meaningful business activities that will allow you realise more,” Musukwa said.

Musukwa who is also Mines Minister urged traders to stop trading along the roads as that was compromising their safety.

He said it was dangerous for traders to conduct business along the road especially that Chingola is a mining town with heavy machines that use the roads.

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Government has continued making amends toward the social cash transfer scandal with a request to pay back the Two Million and Seven Hundred pounds which was meant for beneficiaries.

The money reportedly remained unutilised in a ZANACO bank account.

Special Assistant to the President for Press and Relations Amos Chanda says Ministry of Community Development Permanent Secretary Liya Mutale has been in touch with the Department for International Development -DFID- over the matter.

Chanda says the DFID had demanded for the money they offered to Zambia for social protection and government is obliged to give it back.

The Presidential spokesperson said the Zambian government and their British counterparts have been in talks over their future joint financing agreement for the social cash transfer.

The Special Assistant to the President for Press and Relations has further stressed that seven major donors are still financing the social cash transfer.

And Foreign Affairs Minister Joe Malanji has held bilateral talks with the British government officials to discuss a wide range of activities in New York.

The post Govt Offers to Refund Britain Cash Transfer Stash appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Finance Minister Margaret Mwanakatwe is this afternoon expected to present the 2019 National Budget at a time the country is grappling with unique economic challenges.

Mwanakatwe will have the responsibility to inspire not only the confidence of the investment community but also the citizenry that has been grumbling about the deteriorating economic circumstances.

Citizens have been grumbling about the tax situation but the ever colourful Mwanakatwe will have to put everything into context for the citizens to tag along.

There could also be expectations on some measure of relief for the citizenry from traditional budgetary pronouncements.

The more economically exposed will have their eyes fixated on how much of the budget will be dedicated to raising domestic revenue while also the external budget support will also come into focus.

It will also be her first time presenting the budget with the added flavour of being the second ever lady Finance Minister since Edith Nawakwi under the reign of Frederick Chiluba.

Last year then Finance Minister Felix Mutati unveiled a K71.6 billion or 25.9% of GDP.

In his Budget speech to Parliament Mutati has set out a K49 billion or 68.5 percent of the total budget being financed by domestic revenues and K2.4 billion or 3.4 percent by grants from various co-operating partners.

The post Mwanakatwe to Present 2019 Budget Today appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Lusaka High Court Lady Justice Elita Mwikisa has ordered an interim injunction restraining Prime Television Limited from publishing any material from the interview in which the TV station allegedly defamed or anything related to the alleged defamatory publication on Raphael Nakacinda who is also the MMD National Secretary.

This is according to a ruling dated 26 September 2018 held in Lusaka High Court Chambers.

This is in an application for an order of interim injunction dated 30 May 2018.

Nakachinda deposed therein that on 20 April 2018,the respondents (Akakulubelwa Akakulubelwa, 1st defendant,  Gerald Shawa, 2nd defendant and Kalani Muchima, 3rd defendant) herein caused to be broadcast an interview wherein he was called a thief and a convict.

“… the said defamatory interview had continued to be streamlined online, causing him to suffer further damage. That as a result of the said defamatory interview, his name has been put in disrepute and has lowered his image in the eyes of the members of the public. That even after requesting the respondents to retract their statements, they have refused and or neglected to do so. This publication has continued to injure (Nakachinda) in the political arena as well as in the business world as he is a politican and a businessman,” read part of the application supported by an affidavit sworn by Raphael Nakachinda.

In its ruling dated 26 September 2018, the Lusaka High Court Judge stated that it was not in dispute that the interview where it was alleged that the applicant (Nakachinda) was called a thief took place.

“I have carefully considered the evidence on record and I am of the view that there is a serious dispute to be tried at the main trial. It It’s official s not in dispute that the interview where it is alleged the applicant was called a thief took place. I have exmanied bothcopies of the alleged interview from the Applicant and Respondents and I find that there is some basis on which the Applicant feels entitled to an order of interim injunction as the words allegedly complained of, namely of being a thief can damage his reputation as a politican.”

“I am of the considered view that damages will not be adequate if the injunction were not granted to the Applicant in that he would suffer irreparable injury. I find that the balance of convenience lies with the Applicant rather than thr Respondents as his reputation would suffer more if the Respondents were left at liberty to continue publishing articles that have the propensity of further damaging the Applicant’s reputation. It is for these reasons that I hereby confirm the order is f interim injunction earlier granted to the Applicant on 8 June 2018,” Judge Mwikisa ordered.

The post Nakachinda Granted Injunction against Prime TV appeared first on Zambia Reports.

President Joseph Kabila from the Democratic Republic of Congo gave world leaders the undertaking that all is on track for December’s much-postponed elections, but opposition-leader-in-exile, Moïse Katumbi, says Kabila is out of touch. It might fall on South Africa to help pick up the pieces.

Moïse Katumbi has not been in his home country, the Democratic Republic of Congo, for two years, but in an interview this week he said he could still be president.

At the very least, the 53-year-old businessman and former governor of the Katanga region wants to see a credible election in December, meaning he wants President Joseph Kabila and his preferred successor, interior minister Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary, out of government. He’s lobbying sympathetic foreign leaders to help make this happen.

“Kabila knows if I stand, I will win the election. People know my achievement as governor,” he said.

“I fought corruption, I did lots of roads, schools, electricity, everything. He knows if I go there as president, what I will do in one year will close his record.”

Katumbi was close to Kabila until he resigned after eight years as governor in 2015.

Katumbi, who is now based in Belgium, tried to go home in August for the nominations window but was dramatically barred at the border. He left the DRC in May 2016 after being accused of plotting against Kabila, and he was sentenced, in absentia, to three years in prison the following month for real estate fraud – a charge he said was politically motivated, just like the claims that he hired mercenaries and that he was an Italian citizen. Katumbi said his lawyers were still fighting his battles in court.

“When I was a governor I was Congolese, but when I resigned I became Italian. I was born in Congo and have the Zairean green paper. People know me where I grew up,” he said.

The people in Italy, where he’s supposedly registered as a citizen, don’t. When he travels, he’s forced to use an old passport, he said.

“All my family members were given the biometric passports, but luckily the countries where I travel know my situation.”

This week Katumbi jetted into New York City where world leaders are gathered for the United Nations General Assembly. Katumbi is not specific about who he’s meeting there, but in the Mandarin Oriental’s plush 35th-floor lounge, with its full-length views of Central Park and Manhattan highrises, he’s flanked by another opposition leader, Martin Fayulu.

They’re talking about the possibility of the seven largest opposition parties uniting behind one candidate, to be announced a month before the December 23 elections.

Fayulu also said a rally is also in the offing, this weekend or next.

A recent poll by the Congo Research Group at New York University and Congolese polling firm BERCI showed a united opposition could defeat Kabila.

Katumbi, Félix Tshisekedi, and Jean-Pierre Bemba each have from 17% to 19% of the electorate’s support. Tshisekedi is the only formal candidate, because Bemba was barred for his conviction by the International Criminal Court for witness tampering. His war crimes convictions were quashed in May.

Last week Katumbi was in South Africa where he was one of a small group of opposition leaders or their representatives meeting with the ANC’s Secretary-General Ace Magashule and head of the international relations subcommittee, Lindiwe Zulu, among others.

“The ANC expressed concern about the current prevailing situation in the DRC, which if not urgently arrested may lead to chaos, instability and violence,” Magashule said in a diplomatically worded 18 September statement.

The ANC would request “our own government to engage with the government of the DRC and SADC to ensure that its elections protocols are adhered to.”

This engagement was, as far as could be established, already in process.

Katumbi said he was happy the ANC heard them.

“We went to see the ANC to tell them the real situation in the Congo. Kabila is lying in SADC when he says the situation is under control when there’s killing and plunder of resources in the Congo.”

Further, Kabila was violating their agreement in December 2016 about the postponement of the elections, he said. They agreed Kabila could remain in power after his term expired on condition that he freed political prisoners and launched an independent investigation into Katumbi’s charges to allow him to run.

“We went to the ANC to say ‘we need your help, we don’t want instability in the region’. South Africa is a model of democracy,” he said.

South Africa had invested a lot in the DRC. The Sun City negotiations ended the civil war in 2002 and led to democratic elections, he said. Also, the party itself had a good record of holding presidents to account as it had replaced two in its recent past.

Katumbi’s connection to South Africa started in 1984 when he transported frozen fish from Cape Town to sell in the DRC. In 1993 he snapped up a few plots in Bryanston when property prices dropped, and sold them at a profit later.

He’s also close to politically connected businessman Patrice Motsepe.

“I’ve known Patrice since the time of President (Nelson) Mandela. We don’t talk politics, we just talk football,” he said, as they both owned football clubs.

In March Katumbi chose Johannesburg to launch his party, Ensemble, in the hope that he would return home soon.

Opposition parties had two main gripes. One is the reliability of electronic voting machines in a country with low computer literacy and limited electricity networks, and the second is the validity of 10 million out of the 46 million names registered as voters.

Fayulu said: “The fight is, will we let Kabila organise elections with voting machines and fake names? No.”

The opposition would not boycott the elections, but he hinted that elections could not take place without the machines. He didn’t give more details. South African officials have expressed fears that Bemba’s supporters could get violent, but Katumbi and Fayulu said the only violence around the elections would come from the police.

They also expressed concern for renewed calls from Kabila at the UN General Assembly on Tuesday to withdraw the UN peacekeeping mission, even as a recent rebel attack in Beni in the North Kivu region killed 21 people.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has publicly expressed confidence that the elections would happen, but behind the scenes South African officials were getting ready to assist should the DRC require it. Kabila has so far refused foreign interference, and his officials reacted fiercely to news that former president Thabo Mbeki would be special envoy to the Great Lakes region. Those close to Mbeki claimed they were on good terms.

Observers say there’s been a positive shift and “renewed engagement” from South Africa, as well as from the broader SADC region, on credible and transparent elections in the DRC. It will be evident in the next three months whether regional pressure would be enough to make for an election that the DRC could believe in, and that would take Katumbi home to have a chance to contest. DM

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POLICE in Lundazi have arrested senior Magodi’s 14 year old son for causing death by dangerous driving.

Eastern Province police commissioner Luckson Sakala confirmed the incident adding that the juvenile was released on police bond after he was formally charged for causing death by dangerous driving.

The victim Lackson Theo 57 of Chanda village in senior chief Magodi’s area of Chasefu district died after being hit by the vehicle which was being driven by the juvenile early this week.

The juvenile would appear in court soon.

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Finance Minister Margaret Mwanakatwe unveiled a K86.8 billion budget that translates into 28.9 percent of the Gross Domestic Product for 2019.

The budget marked a significant increase from the 2018 budget that was pegged at K71.6 billion.

Mwanakatwe said   out of the projected budget, domestic revenues will account for 64.6 percent, while 2.2 percent is support from cooperating partners.

The balance of 33.2 percent will be financing from domestic and foreign sources.

“Mr. Speaker, Government proposes to spend K86.8 billion or 28.9 per cent of GDP in 2019,” she said.

Mwanakatwe also announced scaled up efforts on poverty reduction with the social cash transfer receiving a notable injection.

“Sir, Government remains committed to reducing poverty and vulnerability among the economically disadvantaged in society. In this regard, I have allocated K2.2 billion towards social protection,” she said.

“As a demonstration of Government’s commitment towards clearing pension arrears, K1.1 billion of this amount will go towards payment of retirement benefits to former public service workers under the Public Service Pensions Fund.”

On the Social Cash Transfer, she said, “Further, I have increased the Government’s contribution to the Social Cash Transfer from K550 million in 2018 to K699.5 million in 2019. I have also allocated K110.9 million as grants for other social welfare programmes, such as the Food Security Pack and the Public Welfare Assistance Scheme.”

She also announced a 30 excise duty on non-alcoholic beverages.

“Sir, I propose to introduce an excise duty of 30 ngwee per litre on non-alcoholic beverages. The Government will take appropriate fiscal measures to protect local manufacturing of non-alcoholic beverages from unfair competition while discouraging import dependence,” she said.

The Finance Minister also sought to increase benefits from the mineral wealth.

“Increase mineral royalty rates by 1.5 percentage points at all levels of the sliding scale. Introduce a fourth tier rate at 10 percent on the sliding scale mineral royalty regime which would apply when copper prices rise beyond US$7,500 per metric tonne,” she said.

“Make mineral royalty tax non-deductible for income tax purposes. Introduce an import duty at the rate of 5 percent on copper and cobalt concentrates. Introduce an export duty on precious metals including gold, precious stones and gemstones at the rate of 15 percent.”

The 2019 budget also increased support to the agricultural sector.

“Mr. Speaker, to support our small scale farmers, I have allocated K1.4 billion to the Farmer Input Support Programme. I have also allocated K672 million to the Food Reserve Agency for the maintenance of the national food reserve,” she said.

“Sir, a further K2.1 billion has been allocated towards other agriculture, fisheries and livestock development programmes across the country. This includes K483.2 million earmarked for the Zambia Small Ruminants Value Chain Support Project, K585.7 million for irrigation development, which will include the upscaling of small scale irrigation projects.”

Mwanakatwe added:  “Other allocations are K277.9 million for the Cashew Nut Infrastructure Development Project and K169.2 million for the Zambia Aquaculture Entrepreneurship Project.”

The education sector got K13.3 billion in 2019 or 15.3 percent of the budget on the skills development aspect.

“Within this amount, I have allocated K601.6 million for university and college infrastructure, while K258.8 million is for the completion and rehabilitation of school infrastructure across the country,” she said.

“Mr. Speaker, under skills development, I have allocated K164.0 million to support Government’s action, in collaboration with the private sector, in building a cadre of qualified personnel in artisan skills that are relevant to the needs of the industry.”

On health, “Sir, I have allocated a total of K8.1 billion or 9.3 percent of the budget to support health service delivery systems across the country. In order to ensure good supplies of medicines in health centres and hospitals, I have allocated K900.1 million.”

“I have also allocated K32.8 million for community health services in order to redress the imbalances between curative and preventive health care. Further,

K620.2 million has been allocated towards the various infrastructure development projects that are currently underway in the sector.”

She further said, “Mr. Speaker, I have allocated K10.7 million towards operationalization of the newly introduced National Health.”

The post 2019 Budget Tackles Wide Ranging Issues appeared first on Zambia Reports.

The spectre of unlawful drilling is back in the news with eight Zambians and one Chinese national arrested for unlawful drilling and using suspected military regalia.

The nine were round up near the Livingstone Weighbridge and two kilometres off Great North Road.

Southern Province Police Commissioner, Bonnie Kapeso said the suspects were found with one pistol, seven shotguns and one big air gun with a box containing shotgun ammunition.

The military hardware allegedly belongs to a security company whose proprietor is Lusaka based.

Kapeso said the group has been conducting trainings without clearance from the police further adding that the uniform used looks similar to the one used by Zambia wildlife Authority.

Kapeso said Police are waiting for the owner of the security company to establish ownership of the guns since he is based in Lusaka while the suspects are in custody helping with investigations.

The post Police Nab 8 Zambians a Chinese for Unlawful Drilling appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Fabled Kenyan law professor Patrick Lumumba has been denied entry into Zambia by immigration officials.
Lumumba had been due to speak at Golden Peacock Hotel with tickets for the event already sold but the pan Africanist was turned away by the immigration officials at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport.
Professor Lumumba was invited by Eden University for a public discussion.

Chief Government Spokesperson Dora Siliya gave the biggest hint at the reasons Lumumba may have been turned away with her tweet, “Government through immigration officials has denied entry into Zambia of Prof. Lumumba, a Kenyan national due to security considerations. Immigration is a security wing working with agencies within and beyond Zambia.”

The move is an anti-climax to government having allowed an anti-government protest during the budget presentation on Friday.

The post Prof. Lumumba Denied Entry into Zambia appeared first on Zambia Reports.

MMD president Felix Mutati has declared a national amnesty to all party members who were on suspension, expelled or left the former ruling party to go back to the party.

Speaking at the launch of the national card renewal exercise at Mpezeni Park Square in ChipataToday (Saturday) Mutati said he had declared a national amnesty to broaden the MMD.

He said the card renewal exercise was meant at keeping the MMD alive.

Mutati emphasized that MMD was an independent political party and would continue being so.

“I was told that MMD ended in Eastern Province but I am shocked with what I have seen, does a finished party look like the way MMD is looking? I know you have come in numbers; those of you who have come are from structures we did not open to the general public. MMD still remains the strongest party in-terms of structures, in-terms of mobilization and in-terms of anchoring democracy. Ndamona kutila chweechwee is not dead and chweechwee will never die,” he said.

Mutati said the excitement he saw on the social media over the past two days gave him the confidence that MMD will never die.

He said MMD’s engine is running and was still relevant.

Mutati pledged to use 50 percent of his salary for party mobilization.

He urged youths in the party to maintain high standards.

Party secretary general Raphael Nakacinda said MMD was a national party which was strong everywhere in the country.

The launch of the card renewal was also attended by the two party vice-presidents Reuben Mtolo Phiri and Annie Chungu, Michael Mabenga,

Howard Kunda, Peter Kafunkha Phiri Guston Sichilima, Rose Banda among many others.

Former president Rupiah Banda had his card renewed in his absentia and pledged K10 000 to the party and Nakacinda also pledged K10 000.

Mutati said RB was supposed to attend but did not do so because he had a commitment in Lusaka.

The post MMD Revival Drive Hits Eastern Province appeared first on Zambia Reports.

FILE PHOTO – Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari speaks during German President Joachim Gauck’s visit to the State House in Abuja, Nigeria February 11, 2016. REUTERS/Afolabi Sotunde/File Photo – S1AEUJJKBUAB

Nigeria’s government is concerned about fake news and hate speech being spread via social media in the run-up to elections next year, Tolu Ogunlesi, who is in charge of President Muhammadu Buhari’s social media and digital strategy, has told the BBC.

The information ministry had embarked on a campaign to “sensitise” people to ensure that social media was not used to incite violence in a country where “there are just so many possible nodes of conflict”, he added.

Militant Islamists have waged an insurgency since 2009 in NigeriaImage caption: Militant Islamists have waged an insurgency since 2009 in Nigeria

On whether social media would be censored during the election period, Mr Ogunlesi said: “I can safely say that there will be no censorship as far as I know but that doesn’t mean that there are no temptations.”

Mr Ogunlesi made the comments during a BBC panel discussion hosted by Kenyan journalist Waihiga Mwaura, the winner of this year’s BBC World News Komla Dumor Award.

President Buhari and his All Progressives Congress (APC) party will seek a second term in what are expected to be fiercely contested elections next year.

The government is battling a brutal insurgency by militant Islamists in the north, and clashes between farmers and cattle herders in the centre.

(Source: BBC)

The post Nigeria Government Worried About Fake News appeared first on Zambia Reports.

SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD – Mrs. Inonge Mutukwa Wina

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD – Jordan Katembula – JK

BEST ARTIST – CENTRAL PROVINCE – (CEP)

D2

Drimz (WINNER)

Jemax

Martha

Yo Maps

BEST SOUND PRODUCTION – (BSP)

Ben Blazer

KB K Army

Kekero

Mr. Stash (WINNER)

Shinko Beats

T-Sean

BEST ARTIST – COPPERBELT PROVINCE – (COP)

Afunika (WINNER)

Mwila Mawila Mulenga

Nathan Samona

Shenky

T-low

Vally Vally

HUMANITARIAN – (HUM)

Able Chungu (WINNER)

B’Flow

John Chiti

Petersen

Wezi

BEST ARTIST – EASTERN PROVINCE – (EAP)

Amarue

Chimzy Kelly (WINNER)

Faluja

KD – Kadansa

INTERNATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT – (INA)

B’Flow (WINNER)

Pompi

Roberto

Salma Sky

Slap D

BEST ARTIST – LUAPULA PROVINCE – (LPP)

Bic 24

Born Bugar (WINNER)

IC

Jay Nazo

BEST NEW COMER (FEMALE) – (NCF)

Fabiola

Kabezya Nakazwe

Krazilian

Musama

Mwiza Zulu (WINNER)

BEST ARTIST – LUSAKA PROVINCE (LSP)

Bobby East (WINNER)

Chester

Ephraim

Jae Cash

Roberto

Tbwoy

NEW COMER (MALE) – (NCM)

Bow Chase

Clique Viral

Ezra Musonda

Gunduzani

King Illest

Nez Long (WINNER)

Young DizMo (Baby D)

BEST ARTIST – MUCHINGA PROVINCE (MUP)

Happy Kay (WINNER)

Kabila Malama

Sky P

Wiza

BEST INDIGENOUS SONG – (BIS)

Chester – Banjo (WINNER)

Moses Sakala – Chisomo

Zamar – Lengwe Lengwe

James Sakala – Nilandileni

Voice of Luapula – Walakotela Pang’anda

BEST ARTIST – NORTH WESTERN PROVINCE (NWP)

Hash Tag

Kasonde (WINNER)

Newlex

Slov

BEST ARTIST – NORTHERN PROVINCE (NTP)

King G2

Kiss B

Muzo AKA Alphonso (WINNER)

Royd Mwinsa (Roygeezy)

BEST DANCEHALL SONG -(DHS)

Badman Love – Dj Cosmo Ft Buffalo Soldier

Balepapafye – Damiano

Champion – General Ozzy

Don’t Lead Me On – T-Sean/T-Bwoy (WINNER)

Fuss – Mic Burner

Sunkana – Davaos

BEST ARTIST – SOUTHERN PROVINCE (STP)

Allan Mapiki

Edma

King Illest (WINNER)

Mpande

Shyman

BEST HIP HOP SONG – (HHS)

Angels and Demons – Jay Rox

For a Long Time – Bobby East/ Slapdee (WINNER)

Psycho – Bobby East

Van Damme – Nez Long

Single for the Night – Chef 187

BEST ARTIST – WESTERN PROVINCE – (WTP)

Allanizo (WINNER)

Arube

Doc Mule

Y Coasty

BEST GOSPEL SONG (FEMALE) – (GSF)

Amazing Love – Lombe Chiti

Lengwe Lengwe – Zamar

Natotela – Martha

Ngoma Zilile – Mutale Ft. Pompi (WINNER)

Shing’anga – Racheal

BEST R&B SONG – (RBS)

Atishani – B’Flow

Because of You – T-low Ft Mumba Yachi (WINNER)

Tenga – Kaladoshas

Vitamin You – Roberto Ft Vanessa

Xoxo – Cleo Ice Queen

BEST GOSPEL SONG (MALE) -(GSM)

Ikila Uilange – Steve G

Lesa Emwali – Kings

Mulechita Ifipya – Ephraim

Neighbour – Mag 44

Pamakufi – Abel Chungu

Silence – Pompi (WINNER)

BEST MAINSTREAM – (MSS)

Kwasa – Roberto

My Past – Afunika

Nyula Yako – Mampi

Sekesha Umupashi – Vally Vally

Umutima Wandi – Macky 2 (WINNER)

Wikaleka Nkebe – Kaladoshas

BEST BAND – (BBD)

Air Power Band

Amayenge (WINNER)

Barotse Band

Crazy Fish

Elect Band

Uncle Rex and the Band

MOST CONSCIOUS SONG – (MCS)

4 pin – Petersen

Amai Kumunzi – Gunduzani

Insala Nefiko – General Ozzy

Nthawi – Wezi (WINNER)

What a Shame – Mwiza Zulu

BEST COLLABORATION – (BCO)

Bobby East Ft Slap Dee – For a Long Time

Ma Africa Ft Drimz – Chimwemwe Dance

Macky 2 Ft Ephraim & Njamba – Umutima Wandi

Nez Long Ft Bobby East & Chef 187 – Van Damme (WINNER)

Shenky Ft Dalitso – Dance Yama Bosele

T’Sean &T’Bwoy – Don’t Lead Me On

BEST DUO/ GROUP – (BDG)

408 Empire

Clique Viral

Davaos

Ma Africa

Peace Preachers (WINNER)

Urban Hype

BEST FEMALE ARTIST – (BFM)

Bombshell

Chileshe Bwalya (WINNER)

Cleo Ice Queen

Mampi

Salma Sky

Wezi

Kantu

BEST CHOIR – (BCH)

Busokololo UCZ Chawama

Defense and Security Choir

Mount Sinai (WINNER)

Northmead Mega Choir

St. Ignatious Choir

BEST MALE ARTIST – (BMA)

Chef 187

Kaladoshas

Macky 2

Shenky

Slapdee (WINNER)

T-Sean

GOSPEL ALBUM OF THE YEAR – (GAY)

Become – Pompi (WINNER)

Christ Revealed – Racheal Nanyangwe

Ikila Wilange – Steve G

Lesa Emwali – Kings

Love Revolution – Abel Chungu Musuka

Mulechita Ifipya – Ephraim

ALBUM OF THE YEAR – (AOY)

Become – Pompi

Ghetto President – Macky2 (WINNER)

One Day – TSean & TBwoy

Spartacus – Petersen

Superstar – Roberto

SONG OF THE YEAR – (SOY)

Banjo – Chester

Dance Yama Bosele – Shenky

Don’t Lead Me On – T-Sean/T-Bwoy

For A long Time – Bobby East/ Slap D (WINNER)

Ungaende Kumunzi – Rich Bizzy

Van Damme – Nez Long

The post Kwacha Music Awards 2018 Winners appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Another Chinese National and a Zambian Director of Alert Safety Security firm in Livingstone have been arrested in the unlawful drilling case that has embroiled a Chinese national.

Police on Saturday arrested eight Zambians and a Chinese national who were undergoing military drills and military attire with eight shotguns and a pistol recovered.

Southern Province Police Commissioner Bonnie Kapeso said the number of suspects arrested has reached 11.

“We have constituted a combined team of District Joint Operations Committee (DJOC) to probe the matter,” he said.

This relates to the first arrest of eight Zambians plus one Chinese national for unlawful drilling and using suspected military attire in Livingstone on Friday last week.

The post Two More Arrested in L/stone Illegal Drilling Case appeared first on Zambia Reports.