Lusaka lawyer Charles Siamutwa and his co-accused have pleaded not guilty to a charge of giving false information to a public officer.

Mr Siamutwa’s is jointly charged with Mr Howard Situmba who is facing a charge of impersonating a legal practitioner.

Allegations are that Mr Situmba, in 2019, willfully pretended to be qualified to act as an advocate of Messrs Imasiku and Company when in fact not.

It is also alleged that Mr Situmba pretended to be a lawyer during the execution of a consent judgement on the contention over the ownership of Ultimate Insurance Company.

Mr Siamutwa and Mr Situmba appeared before principal resident magistrate Mwaka Mikalile and pleaded not guilty.

Trial is expected to commence on October 5.

Police arrested Mr Siamutwa in connection with a fraudulent procurement of a consent judgement in relation to the ownership of Ultimate Insurance Company.

Mr Siamutwa of Charles Siamutwa Legal Practitioners was arrested together with Mulemba Mudenda of the same legal firm for allegedly preparing the consent judgment which they signed jointly with Mr Situmba, a non-legal practitioner of Imasiku Law Firm that does not exist.

Further allegations are that Mr Siamutwa, occasioned the consent judgement without the knowledge of Chanda Katotobwe who claims to be the rightful owner of Ultimate Insurance Company.

The fraudulent consent judgement allegedly procured by Mr Siamutwa in the Lusaka High Court relates to the case where three Marshlands Consortium Limited directors are charged with forgery and uttering false documents over the ownership of Ultimate Insurance Company.

The three Marshalands directors are Tobias Milambo, 48, Nachi Musonda, 33, and Richard Lubemba, 31.

Mr Milambo, Musonda and Lubemba are charged with 15 counts of forgery, obtaining money by false pretenses and uttering false documents, among other charges and the case is before resident magistrate Alice Walusiku.

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Zambia National Students Union Executive member Mr. Bright Munkombwe has called on President Edgar Lungu to facilitate quick reopening of learning institutions.

“From the time schools were opened for examination classes, no COVID-19 death was recorded in schools, colleges and universities.
Additionally, the ZANASU NEC member who is also the previous Students’ Union President and Chalimbana University Senate member asserts that, ‘the longer institutions of learning are closed the more problems the education sector faces. Besides, the longer closure has led young ones to indulge in elicit behavior such as early marriages, pregnancies, high levels of prostitution and drug abuse.
Other than the learners’ effects of the long closure, it has also caused loss of employment to most employees in private entities such schools, colleges and universities and this has led to poverty, more especially in urban areas of the country,” Mr Munkombwe stated.

And ZANASU secretary for sports, social and culture has commended the Ministry of General Education through permanent secretary Dr. Jobbicks Kalumba on the stance taken to call for reopening of schools.

“The Ministry has clearly proved that if students continue staying at home in the name of COVID-19, then the country heads to poverty that will not be easy to eradicate and hence, the need for the President to act without hesitation,” he said.

Anothee ZANASU NEC member has challenged the Minister of Higher Education Dr. Brian Mushimba to join other stakeholders in calling for the reopening of institutions of Higher Learning as a matter of national attention.

The post ZANASU Seeks President Lungu’s Intervention On Reopening Of Schools appeared first on Zambia Reports.

The Ministry of Health says it is concerned that people have continued to flood illegal bars and attending kitchen parties in large numbers.

And Zambia has recorded 60 new cases from 727 tests done.

Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary Technical Services Dr. Kennedy Malama said this at the daily COVID-19 update.

“The Ministry of Health is saddened that people continue to patronize illegal bars as well as crowding at weddings, kitchen parties, Chilanga Mulilo’s among others,” Dr. Malama said.

Dr. Malama said most Coronavirus cases are from the aforementioned places “so people should stop being selfish over their safety and that of others”.

He said 47 people are admitted to isolation facilities, with 31 at Levy Mwanawasa Hospital of which 14 are on oxygen, 7 in ICU and 2 on Ventilators.

“74 people have been discharged making a total 11,748 recoveries. The death toll is at 295. The cumulative number of cases is 12,836 from the 127,073 total tests done in the country,” Dr Malama said.

The post Crowding In Illegal Bars, Kitchen Parties Worries Ministry Of Health appeared first on Zambia Reports.

The Anti-Corruption Commission in Kasama has arrested and charged a former Assistant Social Welfare Officer for Corrupt acquisition of Public Property and Revenue amounting to more than K200, 000.

Jonathan Maruzah, aged 36, of House number 201, Kombe Drive, Top Shops in Mufulira has been charged with Eleven (11) counts of fraudulent or unlawful diverting of public property for purposes other than what it was intended for contrary to section 34(1)(b) as read with section 41 of the Anti-Corruption Act no. 3 of 2012.

Particulars of the offence in the 11 Counts are that, on dates unknown but between 1st January 2016 and 30th January 2017 in Mafinga district of Muchinga Province, Maruzah, being a public officer namely Assistant Social Welfare Officer in Mafinga, fraudulently or unlawfully diverted K223,670 for his benefit, the money meant for social welfare beneficiaries and administration of Mafinga Social Welfare Department, a public body.

Maruzah has further been jointly charged with Sydney Mutale Nkole, a former Assistant Programs Officer under Social Welfare Department in Mafinga district, with one count of fraudulent or unlawful diverting of public property for purposes other than what it was intended for contrary to section 34(1)(b) of the Anti-Corruption Act.

“Particulars of the offence being that Jonathan Maruzah and Sydney Mutale Nkole on dates unknown but between 1st January 2016 and 30th January 2017 in Mafinga District of Muchinga, jointly and whilst acting together did fraudulently or unlawfully divert K17,528.00 for their benefit, the money meant for social welfare beneficiaries and administration of Mafinga Social Welfare Department, a public body. Matters or transactions that concern the Mafinga District Social Welfare office, a public body,” ACC Public Relations manager Timothy Moono has stated.

“The offences were committed when the two accused persons served at Mafinga District Social Welfare Department in Muchinga Province.
Maruzah has since been released on bond and will appear in court soon.”

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Inspector General of Police Kakoma Kanganja has expressed happiness with the ongoing peaceful campaigns in Lukashya and Mwansabombwe constituencies and has further advised competitors to avoid the use of provocative language.

In a statement after a tour of the two constituencies, Mr Kanganja hopes the peaceful campaigns would continue until voting day.

“I have concluded the tour of Luapula and Northern provinces, in particular Mwansabombwe and Lukashya constituencies where I came to check for myself the security situation, the deployment pattern and the welfare of officers as regards the forth-coming bye-elections. I wish to state that I am satisfied with what is prevailing on the ground and the strategies employed to ensure that we attain peaceful by-elections,” Mr Kanganja said.

“After touring the two constituencies, I am glad to note that political campaigns and activities are generally going on smoothly and peacefully and I hope that we will continue on the same path. We have deployed enough manpower covering all polling stations and streams to ensure compliance to the provisions of the law by all electoral stakeholders.
We have segmented all constituencies into zones and each zone has been beefed up by a stand by force. This is in our effort to ensure that we narrow down the policing area so as to swiftly respond to any unforeseen eventuality as and when need arises.”

He has urged all electoral stakeholders to strongly condemn all acts of violence by exercising maximum restraint and constantly engaging each other in dialogue whenever there are differences.

“Avoid the use of provocative language and hate speech intended to provoke fellow campaigners but instead, base campaigns on issues for you to lure the electorate. Further, I urge all political players to desist from importing cadres because they are the ones who perpetuate violence as they do not belong to the affected areas. The officers deployed in areas where there are by- elections are not there to intimidate anyone but to effectively maintain law and order. Therefore, everyone is called upon to cooperate and work closely with the officers by availing to them information on criminal elements,” Mr Kanganja said.

“Police officers have been advised to continue being diligent and professional as they execute their duties before, during and after these polls. No police officer is expected to engage into active politics or side with any political party because once discovered, the consequences are severe. As Zambia police, we remain ready and committed to ensuring that the whole electoral process is successful and peaceful, as this is critical to democratic tenets. In the wake of the corona virus pandemic, I wish to urge all those involved in campaign activities to ensure that they adhere to the COVID-19 guidelines so as to reduce the spread of the virus.”

The post IG Happy With Violence-Free Campaigns In Lukashya, Mwansabombwe appeared first on Zambia Reports.

By Sunday Chilufya Chanda

Reference is made to a recent article “Zambia’s Zimbabwe Redux” wherein the writer gave his two cents regarding South Africa’s Finance Minister Tito Mboweni’s snide remarks on the appointment of a new Bank of Zambia Governor. This was before UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema brought privatization fires on himself – maybe its by God’s providence that this matter is being interrogated by Zambians, both young and old, today.

Coming to the issue for this piece, and never mind that Mboweni has since been severely reprimanded by his own Head of State -President Cyril Ramaphosa – for meddling in the affairs of a sovereign nation. The piece attributed to Greg Mills of the BrentHurst Foundation and published in sections of international media is at best simplistic and at worst morbidly disingenuous.

Simplistic for its disregard of Zambian statutory provisions for the appointment of a Central Bank Governor; disingenuous, because it is part of a poorly concealed scheme to trigger an erosion of confidence in Zambia’s Central Bank and the country’s economy as a whole.

It is part of elaborate regime change agenda that has been hatched to prop-up the political interests of Greg Mill’s “anointed candidate” Hakainde Hichilema, who just so happens to be defacto Life president of Zambia’s main opposition party –the United Party for National Development (UPND). Mill’s political interests arising out of common interests known between his foundation and the Zambian opposition leader explains his ad hominem attacks on the Zambian political leadership of the country’s ruling party and the newly appointed Central Bank Governor even as he awaits ratification by Parliament. His remarks have nothing to do with corporate governance.

On the other hand, they have everything to do with cheap attempts to lay a basis for op-eds with anti-Zambian sentiments across the regional and western media landscape, in which the country can be used as a bad case of “erosion of independence” of Central Banks in the Region.

RUNNING A MILL FOR REGIME CHANGE AT ALL COSTS

Is it a coincidence that Africa Confidential Volume 55 no. 23 in article, entitled “Foreign boost for opposition” claimed that some dignitaries and “South African businessmen” are bent on galvanising Zambia’s fractious opposition by uniting them against Zambia’s ruling party- the Patriotic Front (PF)?

The piece by the London based investigative journal outlines an alleged conspiracy linked to Brent Hurst Foundation – an institution headed by Greg Mills – to agitate regime change and facilitate the installation of Hakainde Hichilema as President of Zambia.

It alleges that Hichilema – perhaps Africa’s longest serving opposition leader with a highly questionable “rags to riches” story is being funded and supported by some South African mining interests that are apparently motivated to install him, having mobilised themselves to oust President Edgar Chagwa Lungu and Patriotic Front, whom they view as a major impediment to their schemes.

Mills and his South African mining interests are reportedly and allegedly bent on installing a “user friendly” Zambian President that would ostensibly be used as a proxy in their bid to take over Zambia’s state assets and resources.

Going by the Africa Confidential report, the blind prejudice of Greg Mills’ should come as no surprise. It is in fact par for the course.

BACKGROUND: THE MAZOKA, HICHILEMA, UPND & GREG MILLS CONNECTION

Before he retired and joined active politics in the year 2000, UPND founding President the late Anderson Mazoka worked for Anglo American Corporation (AAC) as its Chief Executive in Zambia.

AAC managed the Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) Nchanga Open Pit Mine and the Chililabombwe mine in Zambia’s Copperbelt Province, until 2001 when Mazoka lost Presidential elections to the Late Levy Mwanawasa. Is it a coincidence that after their erstwhile employee and business partner lost the 2001 Presidential election, AAC hurriedly packed its bags and left Zambia reportedly leaving thousands of mine workers in a lurch?

Fast forward, after the death of Mazoka, in 2006 a hitherto politically unknown Hakainde Hichilema controversially took over the reins of UPND in what was widely seen as an intra-party coup d’état inspired by tribalism, regionalism and nepotism.

Considering Hichilema’s rather curious campaign promise of 2015 that he would “bring back Anglo American Corporation to KCM if elected into office” coupled with Greg Mill’s alleged interests in Anglo American Corporation, would Mills be expected to be anything other than uncomplimentary about Zambia?

…Or wouldn’t he be expected to do what he is doing now;
Milling around with an axe to grind!

End…//…

The Author is Media Director for Patriotic Front- Zambia’s Ruling Party

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Vice-President Inonge Wina has called on all political parties contesting the Lukashya parliamentary by-election to maintain peace during campaigns, the voting day and afterwards.

Mrs Wina, who is in Kasama for a two-day working visit, said on arrival at the airport that President Edgar Lungu attaches great importance to the by-election and wants all political parties to be peaceful in their campaigns and avoid provoking each other as much as possible.

And Mrs Wina has assured that the government will continue to release funds to pay farmers who supply maize to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA).

Mrs Wina told the farmers to be patriotic and sell their maize to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) for strategic reserves as hat is the maize the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) uses to help people affected by natural disasters such as floods and drought.

She said it will be difficult for government to help feed people affected by natural disasters if farmers do not sell their maize to FRA.

Mrs Wina said the early payments to farmers who supply maize to FRA will help them begin early preparations for the next farming season.

Earlier, Northern Province Minister Chungu Bwalya said government has released two hundred and five million Kwacha to pay all farmers who supplied maize to FRA in the province.

The post Veep Calls For Peace In Lukashya By-election Campaigns appeared first on Zambia Reports.

President Edgar Lungu has struck a balance on steering the wheels of the economy while abetting a public health crisis brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, health minister Dr Chitalu Chilufya has disclosed.

Dr Chilufya said on Monday when he conducted an impromptu visit on Mtendere level 2 mission hospital in Chirundu District which he declared fit to conduct COVID-19 tests that the President encouraged a delicate balance between trade and abating a public health catastrophe.

He added that soon COVID-19 testing labs will be put in place in all ports of entry.

“The multisectoral response that you are seeing here is in line with President Lungu’s guidance in the CIVID-19 response enhance surveillance, early detection, easy management of the pandemic and any health issues,” he said.

“Cross Border collaboration is a very critical component in pandemic control, in his aspiration for a good driving economy his excellency President Lungu has encouraged that balance between trade and abating a public health catastrophe, so what we are seeing at the border is enhanced surveillance to ensure that lives are protected in Zambia, to ensure that we are able to spot cases early isolate and manage them to avoid transmission or escalation of COVID-19.”

The minister added that he was impressed to see coordinated efforts in dealing with the pandemic at the port of entry.

“Am very impressed with the work that is happening here and all we are doing is to urge them all and give them further support in enhancing surveillance, people movements will always fuel an epidemic so we need to manage people movements to support that balance between enhancing trade and commerce and also abate a health crisis,” he said.

He said Mtendere hospital was the anchor of health services on Chirundu one stop border post because it accommodated locals as well as those in transit from various destinations.

“Chirundu is a busy transit point, the anchor of health services here is mtendere mission hospital, so that collaborative effort again has been seen and it will be enhanced because now Mtendere will have its own testing facilities, and now that it has been upgraded to a second level hospital it will even have enhanced human capital and the scope of service that will be provided will be enhanced,” Dr Chilufya said.

He further assured the hospital management of a beefed-up team of surgical specialists in a few weeks’ time.

The post ‘Lungu Has Struck A Balance Between Ending Health Crisis And steering Wheels Of Economy’ appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Police in Lusaka have arrested an 18-year-old aunt for assault after she allegedly dipped her niece’s right hand in a pot of boiling water on allegations that the eight year old child stole a K20.

Police acting spokesperson Danny Mwale has stated that Bridget Mumba of unmarked house number in Garden House was arrested after she burnt her eight-year-old niece’s hand.

The suspect has been charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

“The incident occurred today (yesterday) around 16 hours in Garden House area.
The juvenile sustained burns on her right hand and was rushed to Kanyama Clinic for treatment while the suspect is in Police custody,” stated Mr Mwale.

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Lusaka High Court judge Mwila Chitabo has grante the UPND leave to start judicial review proceedings to challenge the decision of the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to commence online voter registration without authority of law and further, to give a 30-day cut-off time for the said registration.

Judge Chitabo has directed that he will hear both parties on September 9, 2020 (tomorrow).

“Upon reading affidavit filed in support of the application; it is hereby ordered that leave to apply for judicial review be and is hereby granted to the applicant herein. It is further ordered and directed that inter-parte hearing of this matter shall be on September 9, this year,” read the order signed by judge Chitabo.

In this matter, UPND deputy secretary general Gertrude Imenda sued ECZ and the Attorney General and is seeking a declaration that the Commission’s decision to launch and host an online voter registration platform albeit dubbed as a ‘test run’ on its website eczovr.org and commence the online voter registration on the said platform is capricious and without authority of law.

She further wants the court to quash the decision by ECZ to give a 30 days cut off time for the voter registration exercise scheduled for October 18, 2020 and an order compelling ECZ to embark on a continuous voter registration exercise to a reasonable period before the said general elections in 2021.

Imenda also wants the court to declare that ECZ was oblivious to the effects of COVID-19 pandemic coupled with the dire need to have more citizens to register as voters in the wake of the August 12, 2021 general elections and therefore acted unreasonably, irrationally or with a hidden ulterior motive at the behest of an invisible hand in announcing a ‘30 days’ cut-off time for the voter registration scheduled to commence on October 18, 2020.

The applicant wants a declaration that the decision by ECZ to discard the existing voter register was ultra vires section 7 and section 14 of the Electoral Process Act number 35 of 2016 and an order of certiorari to remove into the High Court for purposes of quashing the online voter registration platform on the ECZ portal and the said impugned decision to commence the online voter registration exercise.

The post Judge Chitabo Grants UPND Leave To Contest ECZ’s Online Voter Registration appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Two Marshlands Consortium directors have been remanded in custody after Lusaka magistrate Alice Walusiku revoked their summons following a bench warrant issued against them.

The two directors – Tobias Milambo and Richard Lubemba – will remain in custody until September 22 this year, a date when State prosecutor Noah Mwanza said he would be ready to respond to the bail application made by defence lawyers.

In this case, three Marshlands Consortium Limited directors who also include Nachi Musonda are facing 15 counts of forgery, obtaining money by false pretenses and uttering false documents, among them Ultimate Insurance Company Limited shareholder resolutions.

It is further alleged that Milambo, Musonda and Lubemba forged documents purporting to show that they had been appointed as directors at Ultimate Insurance Company Limited.

Further allegations are that between January 1, 2018 and December 31, last year, Milambo, Musonda and Lubemba, with intent to defraud, forged a Bitrust Rear Estate Innovative Solution Valuation Report dated January 6, 2018
for stand 9192/35 Manunga Road, Ndola.

Last week, magistrate Walusiku issued a bench warrant against Milambo and Lubemba who were not before court on grounds that they had been in contact with a COVID-19 patient.
The police executed the bench warrant as Milambo and Lubemba entered the court premises.

The defence explained that Musonda tested positive for COVID-19 and was out in quarantine before presenting a medical report for their client.

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Games are an important part of the human way of life. However, technological advancements have changed the way people play games. Casinos have moved from bricks to clicks, and punters can enjoy the likes of Betway casino games from their devices. In 2020, online gaming has reached unprecedented heights exploding into one of the most lucrative industries in the world.

The growth of online games has had a negative effect on conventional forms of entertainment. For instance, with technologies such as AR and VR, the online casino experience on online casinos is more real. Users no longer have to go to casinos to enjoy their favorite games.

Online Gaming Components

Online gaming is made up of a whole ecosystem. There are several players, some working behind the scenes to make the industry a huge success. Part of the online gaming ecosystem that has fuelled its growth in 2020 is Esports.

On many occasions, people confuse Esports with online gaming. Esports is a segment of online gaming that entails professional gaming that is usually competitive. The suspension of traditional sports for some time pushed sports fans to look for alternatives.

As a result, even sports like F1, which was initially apprehensive about Esports, launched Esports versions with professional drivers participating. Also, the prize money involved in the competitions has attracted more spectators and professional players. Punters can also bet on these virtual games on online platforms like Betway, making it more interesting.

Like streaming services, hardware developers, and game developers, the other parts of the ecosystem have also been key to the rise of online gaming.

Online Gaming Platforms

You can enjoy your online games via PC gaming, Console gaming, or Mobile gaming. Studies have revealed that mobile gaming is the leading online gaming form. The rapid increase in mobile gaming has corresponded with the rise in online gaming.

Mobile gaming has been enhanced by the availability of robust networks like the 5G and more sophisticated gadgets. It is estimated that almost 2.4 billion people play mobile games, half of which are women. Some onlinegaming analysts have even predicted that the future of gaming is Mobile.

Mobile games have fuelled the growth of online gaming using their innovative loyalty plans that ensure players come back.

The Technology behind the Rise

Technological advancements have also ensured that the industry keeps rising. For instance, a technology like cloud gaming relies on faster internet connections to allow gamers to stream games instead of using a console. This means that you don’t have to own a console to access your favorite game; you stream from any device connected to the internet.

As innovations continue, you should expect to experience real-time personalization in online games.

The Future of Online Gaming

The future of online gaming lies with technology. Online platforms like Betway must embrace the latest technological innovations to remain relevant. The special circumstances of 2020 have led people to review their lifestyle options. You should expect to see the online gaming industry rise further fueled mainly by Esports and mobile gaming.

The post The Rise of Online Games in 2020 appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Inspector General of Police Kakoma Kanganja says police have information that political parties are mobilizing cadres to be sent to Lukashya and Mwansabombwe ahead of the September 17 by-election in the respective constituencies.

Mr Kanganja has, however, warned that anyone involved will face the consequences.

“It has come to our attention that some political parties are mobilizing people from various parts of the country who they intend to transport to Lukashya and Mwansabmbwe Constituencies in Northern and Luapula provinces respectively to cause confusion during the by election. I therefore wish to advise those planning to take this route to reconsider their position or face the consequences,” Kanganja stated.

He said officers deployed will firmly deal with anyone found wanting.

“I have already directed my officers deployed to the two constituencies to firmly deal with anyone who would abrogate the provisions of the law as political activities heighten,” Mr Kanganja has warned.

“Our role as Zambia Police is to ensure that Law and order prevails during the whole electoral process and officers on the ground will do just that.”

The post IG Warns Parties Planning Confusion In Lukashya And Mwansabombwe: We’ll Deal With You! appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Those who are afraid to account for their misdeeds always rush to other means of distracting the people who are calling them to question. They will come up with all sorts of ways, and strategies, to escape scrutiny and liability, but in the end, that does not help them in any way because, where there was illegality, the law demands that each and every person is brought to account as that is what the rule of law demands.
We have seen the behavior of Mr Hakainde Hichilema who rushed to sue Ms Edith Nawakwi for defamation after making a demand of a whopping $3 million for what he claims to be damages arising out of the latter’s statements that the opposition leader made personal gains from privatization by not declaring interest during negotiations for the sale of Mosi-O-Tunya Hotel in Livingstone as he was affiliated to the buyers, Sun International. Ms Nawakwi has also maintained her position that Mr Hichilema actually benefitted a house in Lusaka’s Kabulonga area from the sale of Lima Bank.
Mr Hichilema’s approach to the challenge: defamation lawsuits against Ms Nawakwi! But is he the only one who has been questioned and called to account over their role in the privatization process? Questions around privatization started in 2006. And they will not end at Mr Hichilema because all those who took part and illegally benefitted from the process must be made to account for their roles. Today, it is Mr Hichilema being brought under scrutiny, tomorrow it will be somebody else, without exception.
For, what our leader of the country’s biggest opposition political party should do is work towards providing clear answers to the privatization queries. Well, for arguments sake, if the courts tomorrow find Ms Nawakwi liable for defamation and order her to US $3 million to Mr Hichilema as demanded in the lawsuit, will this help in clearing his name from the alleged impropriety during the privatization process? Definitely not. Why can’t Mr Hichilema take himself to law enforcement agencies and demand that he be investigated to prove his innocence? That would be a cheaper and more reasonable way of proving himself clean, than rushing to the courts to sue Ms Nawakwi.
As a leader vying for the highest office of the land, we expect Mr Hichilema not to have trouble providing answers to the questions that have been asked about the privatisation process because leaders are expected to develop thick skin.
Lastly, Mr Hichilema must personally undertake to print out and avail all documents he says he has to prove his innocence in the allegations made by Nawakwi. There is no way he expects citizens to individually go to PACRA to check whether or not what is being alleged against him is true. The burden of proof to show his innocence lies in him!

The post Opinion: Will Defamation Suits Give Us Answers To Privatisation Questions? appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Opposition UPND campaign manager for the Lukashya Parliamentary by-election Elias Mubanga has said the area has not recorded any serious case of political violence during campaigns.

He has confirmed that the campaigns are going on well, despite some of his party officials claiming that the ruling party was perpetrating violence in the area.

Mr Mubanga has said the UPND is peacefully campaigning and delivering its message to the people of Lukashya.

Mwansabombwe and Lukashya will be going to the polls on the 17th of September.

And Patriotic Front (PF) Campaign Manager in the Lukashya Parliamentary by-election Brian Mundubile has said the ruling party has instructed members in its strongholds not to be involved in political violence.

Mr Mundubile, who is also Parliamentary Chief whip, said this can be seen through the peaceful campaigns that are going on i

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The Chibombo PF executive committee members who resigned from their positions last month have rescinded their decisions.

PF Chibombo acting District Chairperson Remmy Mukosa has since apologised on behalf of the group for the premature resignation.

This was after Patriotic Front National Chairperson Samuel Mukupa met the PF Chibombo District and the Kembe Constituency officials who had earlier resigned following misunderstandings with the Provincial Committee.

Mr Mukupa said the use of unwarranted personal attacks against each other is unacceptable as it amounts to washing dirty linen in public.

He said PF members are bound by established procedures of addressing grievances.

The PF officials have since rescinded their decisions
and have reconciled.

And Mukosa pledged to work closely with the Provincial Committee in strengthening the Party in the District.

And PF Central Province chairperson Chanda Mutale urged the District and Constituency officials to promptly furnish his office with progress reports.

Last month, the entire Patriotic Front Chibombo district committee members had resigned with immediate effect.

According to resignation letters in our possession, the members had, however, all stated in their individual letters that they will remain members of the party.

Others further pledged their loyalty to President Edgar Lungu.

The committee members who resigned are Hassan Kamanga (Information and publicity secretary), Remmy Mulando Mukosa (acting district chairman/vice chairman), Edah Chikusu (district chairlady), Susan Mwelwa (acting chairperson/ secretary), Dorothy Mukendwa (women’s secretary), James Chitambo (youth information and publicity secretary), Collins Malakata (youth secretary), Christopher Linenga (Youth chairperson) as well as Gertrude Mweemba (vice chairlady).

The post Chibombo PF Executive Rescinds Decision To Resign appeared first on Zambia Reports.

“The Power of teamwork creates greater ways to best opportunties,” say Mambwe Lwando and Selina Florence Daka.

The 21-year-olds are not only enterprenurs but also students of DMI St Eugene University pursuing Bachelor of Business Administration.

They are very creative and hardworking young girls.

They say: “We started our business about a year ago. Being University students, we didn’t want to entirely depend on our parents for every single thing and also to avoid getting mixed up with with sugar daddies to provide what we couldn’t afford. We discovered each other’s potential in business planning.

We were inspired to start our company because of the current situation in our country where there are a lot of youths waiting to be employed by the government. Looking at the limited available work spaces, my partner and I decided not to be dependent on the government but instead to take the lead in helping the government to create more jobs.

Our business has alot of benefits as it enables us to meet different people with different understanding about life. It enables us to meet some influential people, for example the Lusaka mayor (Miles Sampa).

Our future plans are to expand our business as much as possible, being a general trading company. We want to be able to supply our commodities in many places. We plan on at least creating employment for our fellow youths by next year. We also plan on allowing interested people to buy shares in our company.

Our biggest encouragement to other young girls and women out there is that they should try to stand up and start with the smallest thing they can start with. Stand up and work on making that dream a reality for it is the dream that provides nourishment for the soul. A woman who makes her own money has a very less chance of being disrespected by a man.”

– Girl Empowerment Alliance for Change

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When Mark Kakoma, a 10th grade student at Trident College Solwezi, first climbed into a rowing boat, he thought it would just be a bit of fun for him and his friends.

A year later, the sport has taken him to competitions around southern Africa, pitted him against world class rowers in his age group, and now brought him a scholarship that will open doors to rowing teams and universities around the world.

Mark is one of a new generation of athletes. As a member of Kansanshi Rowing Club, he is coached with a philosophy quite different from that which has dominated sport in past decades. For a start, Mark has never heard a rowing coach shout. If he’s not on his game, his coaches are more likely to ask him if he slept well, or if everything is alright at home. This more mindful approach is part of a growing trend towards compassionate coaching, and away from harsher and more aggressive methods.

This differs quite starkly from the experience most athletes had ten or twenty years ago: the experience that triggered the formation of the True Athlete scholarship in the first place.
The stated vision of the True Athlete project is to create a more compassionate world through sport. Its founder, Sam Parfitt, earned a tennis scholarship to the USA, but endured a career of serious injuries and surgeries, and suffered from a number of mental health disorders by the time he retired. His story is hardly unique.

Mark’s first significant rowing competition was in Zimbabwe, only a few months after he discovered the sport. It didn’t go as planned.

“As I rowed out to the starting line, I felt that something wasn’t right with the boat,” he said. “I noticed a dent in one of the riggers.”

A rigger is a metal bar that holds an oar in place.

“I started the race, but struggled to keep the boat balanced. The dent continued to grow, and eventually the boat was unrowable. I stopped and put my hand up.”

Mark was pulled out of his boat, and taken back to shore by a race official. He was perhaps disappointed, but the mindful guidance he had received from Kansanshi Rowing Club’s head coach, James Stephenson, had prepared him well.

“I knew this was just one of my early experiences in the sport. I was happy that I had steadied my nerves and started the race. The rest was beyond my control.”

Today, like teenagers all over the world, Mark faces a challenge that he’d never have expected. As he sits at home in Lusaka, the COVID-19 pandemic prevents him from returning to school, and to Kansanshi Rowing Club.

“I know that everyone else faces the same challenge,” he says calmly. “I don’t have access to a rowing machine, but I go to the gym to preserve my conditioning. I know that when everything opens up again I’ll have to be on top of my game right away.”

Mark’s level headed approach and understanding of the bigger picture are a product of his own good character, but also of the mindful coaching he has received. In the future, Zambia’s rowing  communities may look to him to uphold the sport.

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Zambia Airways 2014 Limited has been granted the Air Operators Certificates as it prepares to relaunch.

Transport and Communications minister Mr Mutotwe Kafwaya handed over the certificate to Zambia Airways today and described the development as a game changer.

“Let me start by informing you that the Patriotic Front Government under the able leadership of His Excellency President Dr Edgar Chagwa Lungu places huge emphasis on growing Zambia’s economy, hence investing in the transport sector as it has been identified as a key area that will contribute towards national development. The establishment of the national airline and investments being made by the government in the transport sector are in line with the focus on the Seventh National Development Plan (7NDP); and the national transport policy which aims at transforming Zambia into a transport and logistics hub in the Southern African region,” Mr Kafwaya said.

He said the aviation sector in Zambia was projected to grow at the rate of 13 percent per annum before the outbreak of COVID-19.

Mr Kafwaya said this dignified its potential to contribute towards the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and the creation of employment in the country.

And Zambia Airways Chief Executive Officer Bruk Endeshaw said the certificate is a key element for the airline to proceed with its operations as the company prepares to relaunch.

Mr Endeshaw said the airline will be talking about when to start flying after all processes are concluded.

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A woman of Chipata district has testified against her husband who stands accused of defiling his niece whom he impregnated.

She told the court that her husband, Elias Zulu, was in the habit of having sex with young girls they keep at their home.

Mrs Zulu told the court that this is not the first time Mr Zulu committed such an offence as he was earlier charged with the similar matter in 2017, for having sex with his step daughter but was discharged by the courts as witnesses could not testify in court.

This was revealed when Mr Zulu appeared before Resident Magistrate Destine Kalusopa in a matter where he is charged with defilement.

Particulars of the offence are that on dates unknown but between February 1 and June 30th 2020 in Chipata, Mr Zulu had carnal knowledge of the girl who is below the age of 16, thereby impregnating her.

It is alleged that Mr Zulu had sex with the girl, who is an orphan, several times in a maize field and in the forest where he was producing charcoal.

And Mr Zulu’s 15-year-old niece of Chinjala farms in Chief Madzimawe’s area earlier testified how she was defiled and impregnated by her uncle.

In cross examination, Mr Zulu argued that the girl had a boyfriend whom she shared a sexual relationship with, but the girl insisted that Mr Zulu was the one responsible for her pregnancy as the relationship with her boyfriend ended in 2018.

The matter has been adjourned to September 18th, 2020 for continuation of trial.

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