UPND in Mababala constituency condemn Batoka councillor's resignation to join PF

       By Mastone Moonze

    Opposition United party for national development in Mbabala constituency has condemned the resignation of former Batoka ward UPND councilor Maxon Simwami describing it as a selfish move.

   UPND Mbabala publicity secretary Lawrence Kasimba said the party is not shaken with Mr Simwami's exit due to the fact that the civil leader exposed his feelings for the party and love for money .He said PF should not be deceived with the resignation of Mr Simwami as it is not part of their victory in Batoka ward of Choma constituency.
   He said it is sad that PF officials have declared sleepless approach to the looming by election when there are a lot of problems affecting Zambians that should cause sleepless nights to them.He described PF provincial chairperson Daniel Munkombwe as a well known traitor to the people of Southern province and Choma in particular."Munkombwe was born in Macha area but there is nothing tangible he has done to appreciate his ancestors in that area,"Says Mr. Kasimba.
    He warned Party members who are on their way out to declare it now rather than clinging to the party they are planning to betray.He has since wished the former Batoka ward councilor well as he tries to retain the seat .

   Meanwhile Mbabala constituency  PF chairperson Jacob kangumbe has said the Party in the district is overwhelmed with the coming of Mr Simwami from UPND ,He said the party has now grown in the district causing instability in UPND.
"some parties thaught they always cheat people of southern province everything is now is changing we are slowly commanding the province,"says Mr Kangumbe. He further thanked  govt for quick disbursement of farm inputs to small scall farmers in the country
   -Macha Radio News

Leonard Banda subpoenaed to testify in Kabimba tribunal

Losing Petauke Central Patriotic Front (PF) candidate in the 2011 elections, Leonard Banda has been subpoenaed to testify as a witness in matter the Judge Evans Hamaundu led tribunal is investigating Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba of alleged abuse of abuse and breach of Oath of Secrecy.

This follows the tribunal's consideration of the facts that both the complainant and respondent had earlier brought before it.

Speaking this morning during the tribunal's sitting, Judge Hamaundu who is also a Supreme Court Judge has said before the decision to subpoena Mr. Banda to testify as a witness, the members of the tribunal had also critically looked at part 2 of the Parliamentary and Ministerial code of conduct ACT.

Judge Hamaundu says with these two considerations, intends to which the complainant had raised as regards what pecuniary advantage that Mr. Kabimba and any other person got from the disclosed government legal opinion rendered by the solicitor general Musa Mwenye.

Judge Hamaundu says this is the aspect of the issue that has emerged and which has been found to be relevant the reason why Mr. Banda has been subpoenaed.

He also notes that Mr. Banda has already been communicated to and that he is said to be in Lusaka on Wednesday but that his testimony will be heard on Thursday the 30th of January at 09:00hrs in the morning.

And Judge Hamaundu has also disclosed that other matters that have been brought out by the complainant such as the alleged breach of the constitution in relation to alleged interference of independence of the Judiciary by Mr. Kabimba through his August 1 2013 carbon copied letter to Acting Chief Justice Lombe Chibesakunda will be included in the report of the tribunal.

The Complaint's counsel Makebi Zulu had earlier sought guidance from the members of the tribunal on whether the aspect of interference of independence of the Judiciary was also going to be considered as well when the tribunal looks at the aspect of who else got pecuniary advantage from the government legal opinion.

Meanwhile the respondent's counsel Bonaventure Mutale had earlier informed the tribunal that Mr. Kabimba had not shown up on today's sittings of the tribunal because he is attending a funeral of his late sister whose burial is said to be due today.

Mr. Mutale has also however told the tribunal that Mr. Kabimba will be available in the further sittings of the tribunal.

The matter has since been adjourned to Thursday the 30th of January.

Police in Choma are investigating a case in which an Uncle married the niece.

POLICE in Choma have instituted investigations into an incest case involving a 13-year-old girl of Chief Singani’s area, who was been impregnated by her 17-year-old uncle. The named girl was rescued on Wednesday last week from a two-day marriage to her uncle by Choma District Commissioner (DC) Bernadette Hamweemba and District Education Board Secretary (DEBS) Mutinta Mubanga after a tip-off from Chief Singani.
The juvenile was now in the custody of the DEBS’ office where she joined eight other girls also rescued from early marriages in Choma and would be taken back to school.
Meanwhile choma district commisioner Bernadette Hamweemba said she is touched with such situation in the district as they are a major hindrance to girl child education ,she stressed that the ministry of eduation has set up a resident within where girls rescued from early marrieges shall be kept till they complete their education.
Southern Province police chief, Charity Katanga, said yesterday that although, she had not yet received the report, investigations had been instituted on the matter.

UPND President Hakainde Hichilema says he will amend the Zambian Public Procurement Authority (ZPPA) and Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) Acts to suit the needs of Zambian companies, especially those owned by youths, women and people with disabilities if elected into government in 2016. Mr Hichilema says the legal provision will make it mandatory for government bodies and other private sector players to buy Zambian goods first as well as create procurement quotas for youths, women and people with disabilities. The UPND leader says he will push for a legislation that will make it mandatory for allocation of one-third of government contracts to young people, women, and disabled groups as well as investment in entertainment, sports and tourism industries. Addressing youth entrepreneurs over the weekend, in Lusaka,Mr Hichilema also said he will ensure his government starts by embarking on a five-year plan that will place emphasis on empowering Zambian youths, women and people with disabilities.

Ireland hails Zambia's economic progress

IRELAND has pledged additional programme support to Zambia to help the country consolidate its position as a middle-income country.

Irish President Michael Higgins made this announcement when he received credentials from Zambia's Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Ireland Paul Lumbi on 16th January,2014.

President Higgins noted that Zambia has made impressive economic progress and improved governance overtime and Ireland was therefore committed to helping the country consolidate its economic gains.

He said with Zambia becoming a middle-income country, Ireland is still committed to continued cooperation through programme support.

And Ambassador Lumbi thanked President Higgins for the assistance Ireland has given Zambia since the two sister nations established diplomatic relations in 1965.

Ambassador Lumbi said Zambia is exceedingly grateful for the great contributions Ireland has made to the development of the country, particularly in the areas of education, health, water and sanitation and governance, among others.

He pointed out that Ireland is one of Zambia's most significant bilateral partners, contributing immensely in various sectors including the training of Zambian pilots, military personnel, teachers, and doctors among other professionals.

He also requested the Irish government to expedite Zambia's proposal to re-negotiate bilateral Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement (ADTA) between Zambia and Ireland.

This is contained in a statement issued to QFM by First Secretary for Press at the Zambian high commission to London, Amos Chanda.

( Tuesday 21st January 2014 )

2015 AFCON draws set for April

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has moved the draw for the
2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers from this month-end to April.
The draw for the 2015 AFCON were set to take place in Cape Town this
month-end but will now be held in host nation Morocco in April.
The 2015 Morocco Africa Cup will be played between January 15 and February 15.
Meanwhile, all 53 CAF members have entered the 2015 Africa Cup.
The qualifiers are being sandwich into a three-month period after the
2014 World Cup and are divided into two stages.
There will be five preliminary round ties, likely over two legs in
July and August, which will deliver five winners to join with 43 other
countries in 12 groups of four.
Teams participating in the first phase will be the lowest ranked sides.
The group qualifiers will be crammed with each country to play six
group games – twice a month in September, October and November.
CAF said the winner of each of the 12 groups will qualify for the
finals along with the three best runners-up and the hosts.

Some PF members in Chirundu want their DC out

Patriotic Front (PF) members in Chirundu district have appealed to President Michael Sata to remove district Commissioner Maxwell Shamalimba who they have accused of engaging in activities which are making the ruling party unpopular in the area.

The PF members who sought anonymity for fear of singled out say efforts by the Lusaka province leadership led by Geoffrey Chumbwe to resolve the problems surrounding the district commissioner have proved futile.

They have also accused the provincial leadership of intimidating party members in the district who opposed to the district commissioner.

They have warned that some of the activities the Chirundu district commissioner is involved will work to the disadvantage of the ruling party in 2016.

The PF members have accused the district commissioner of being involved in the illegal allocation of land in Chirundu among other numerous accusations.

Justice Minister WYNTER KABIMBA says no breach of secrecy or abuse of office was committed in his transmitting of the legal opinion,

Justice Minister WYNTER KABIMBA says no breach of secrecy or abuse of office was committed in his transmitting of the legal opinion, rendered to him by solicitor general MUSA MWENYE, to a legal firm representing the Patriotic Front. MR. KABIMBA has described the allegations that he breached the secrecy of office as misinterpretation of circumstances on his ministerial position. MR. KABIMBA further stated that the legal opinion forwarded to him as Justice Minister and PF Secretary General by the Solicitor General which is being contested in the tribunal was not a PF matter but was in public interest. He explained that his move was to save the public interest and there was nothing classified in the legal opinion rendered to him by MR. MWENYE. Testifying in the three man tribunal set to probe him, MR. KABIMBA further told the EVANS HAMAUNDU led tribunal that his letter to which MR. MWENYE was talking about the 2011 parliamentary elections in general and did NOT particularize a single election petition. The Justice Minister in examination in chief further stated that he was expressing a concern in his letter to the Solicitor General and there was a raging public debate going on over the electoral malpractices. MR. KABIMBA told the tribunal that his action to sought legal opinion from the Solicitor General was in public interest. He explained that the letter on which MR. MWENYE responded on was not on the headed paper and was formal.

President Sata reveals number of Jobs created by PF as of December last year.

President MICHAEL SATA has revealed that 2- thousand 7- hundred and 69 jobs have been created as of December 2013, in the on-going 9-hundred and 91 kilometers road construction works in and around LUSAKA. The President says the roads which are being constructed at a cost of 1 point 3 Million Kwacha are aimed at creating an enabling investment climate, attract Foreign Direct Investment -FDI-, stimulate local investments and create jobs. According to his message posted on his Facebook page today the President says he is determined to see people's living standards improve through Government's implementation of sound and practical economic policies such as the delivery of road infrastructure. President SATA says during the course of this month he will update the nation on the PROGRESS of various road projects being undertaken in each province. He said as servants of the people it is Government's duty to report back on how people's resources are being utilized by his action oriented government. The Head of State has cited the roads being worked on as the upgrading to Bituminous Standard of 43 kilometers of the Leopards Hill Road from State Lodge to Katoba Basic School of which 95.6 percent has been done. He said 90 percent construction of the 50 kilometers various Internal Roads of the Lusaka South Multi Facility Economic Zone (MFEZ) has been done and 95 percent of rehabilitation of the Lusaka - Chirundu Road has been complete. President SATA further says 80 percent construction of a Bridge at Chiawa across the Kafue River has been done while 38 percent of upgrading to Bituminous Standard of approximately 91 kilometers of the road from the Great East Road at Luangwa Bridge to Feira has also been done.

FAZ appoints coaches for various national teams 06 January 2014

    The Executive Committee of the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) at its meeting held at Football House on Friday 27th December 2013 made the following appointments to the various national sides:
Under-23 Men’s National Football Team
Fighton Simukonda was appointed as coach of the U-23 men’s national football team. Simukonda has been given the mandate to qualify to the Caf U23 championship DRC 2015 and Rio Olympics 2016. He will be assisted by Chintu Kampamba and Tenant Chilumba.
Under-20 Men’s National Football Team
George Lwandamina was appointed as coach of the U-20 men’s national football team. Lwandamina’s mandate is to qualify to the Fifa U20 World Cup finals to be held in New Zealand in 2015. He will be assisted by Bilton Musonda and Hector Chilombo.
Under -17 Men’s National Football Team
Chris Kaunda was appointed as coach of the U-17 men’s national football team. Kaunda’s mandate is to qualify to the Caf U17 finals in Niger in 2015. He will be assisted by Joe Bwalya and Reuben Njavera.
Senior Women’s National Football Team
Following his success with the U-17 women’s national football team the Executive Committee of the Football Association of Zambia elevated Albert Kachinga to the position of head coach for the senior women’s national football team. Kachinga will be assisted by Kaluba Kangwa and Enala Simbeye-Phiri.
Under-20 and Under-17 Women’s National Teams
The Executive Committee did not make changes to the two technical benches of theUnder-20 and Under-17 women’s national teams, the exception being Albert Kachinga moving to the senior women team. Under-20 coach Charles Bwale will head the senior women team bench for the qualifier in February 2014 when Kachinga is away with the U17 for the World Cup finals in Costa Rica.
Senior Men’s National Football Team
Patrice Beaumelle continues to be in charge of the senior men’s national football team and has the mandate to oversee activities at all national teams whenever called upon to do so. He will be assisted by Chintu Kampamba.

PF will not find it easy to penetrate southern province,says UPND

   
             By Mastone Moonze

     Opposition united party for national development UPND has said the ruling patriotic Front PF will not find it easy to penetrate and displace the opposition in southern province.
    
         Southern province UPND coordinator Philip Maambo said the defection of some UPND members to PF does not mean that PF has a large share in the province.He said people of southern province do not support UPND because the president hails from the region but they believe in the good policies that are contained in the party  manifesto.

  "UPND has a great manifesto that can drive this country out of poverty ,just look at the leaders we have every one is an expert in everything thats why people of southern province will always be with us unless another party  comes with better ideas than ours,"Charged the veteran politician.

He said the recent defection of Batoka ward councillor  Maxon Simwami to the ruling party should not be a passover to PF as there will be time to test the party's popularity during by elections.

     He further warned UPND members to first look at grass root response to their works before resigning, as it will ruin their political careers.He said UPND is still strong like always .
   "leaders should learn to read the atmosphere on the ground before crossing over to another party because our party is still strong in all areas of Southern province," says Philip Maambo.
 
    He wished Mr Simwami well ahead of the by elections battle in his ward which he held since 2001.

K66.7 Million set aside for the modernisation of UTH

University Teaching Hospital (UTH) Public Relations Officer, Mwenya Mulenga has revealed that  K66.7 million has been put aside for the modernization of the UTH.
Mr. Mulenga, says thirty three million kwacha has been put aside for the demolition of the Filter clinic, twenty two million kwacha for the rehabilitation of the road network within the institution while eleven point seven million is for the construction of a four hundred capacity car park.
Mr. Mulenga has told journalists  in an interview that the rehabilitation of the road infrastructure will commence on the 20th January.
Mr. Mulenga says all is set for the works and that the filter clinic will be demolished and moved next to casualty department.
He explains that the parking space for vehicles at UTH has been a nightmare and that it is for this reason that management saw it fit to construct a two storey car park where people can conveniently park their vehicles.

It's wishful thinking - Kapeya

    Chief Government Spokesperson Mwansa Kapeya says it is wishful thinking for enemies of the ruling Patriotic Front Government to suggest that Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda,has resigned following perceived differences President Michael Sata.

Mr Kapeya in a statement issued to QFM News says such information, which has been circulating online, should be treated as false, baseless and malicious.

Mr Kapeya says Mr Chikwanda is still Minister of Finance and will continue to offer his valuable services to the nation as long as President Sata wishes him to do so.

He adds that as a matter of fact, Mr Chikwanda attended a Cabinet meeting at State House this morning.

He further states that contrary to the ill-motives of the perpetrators of such falsehoods, no Bemba Minister has resigned from Government.

Mr Kapeya who is also Information and Broadcasting Services Minister says the PF Government has a mandate to deliver the much needed development to the people of Zambia and will not allow anyone to detract it from achieving this important task by spreading falsehoods about Government officials.

He states that Cabinet remains resolute and determined to offer the country the necessary leadership that will drive the country's national development agenda to higher levels.

( Monday 06th January 2014 )

Mobile phone companies hike call tariffs

     The three mobile phone service providers in the country have effected the 15% Excise Duty on airtime in compliance with the Customs and Excise amendment Act of 2013.

This means that tariffs on calls and other mobile phone services have been increased.

GSM Operators Association of Zambia Chairman Abdul Ishmail says as service providers in the country, they are required to collect Excise Duty as required and on behalf of the Zambian government.

Mr Ismail in a statement issued to QFM says the adjustment came into effect on 1st January 2014.

Mr. Ismail who is also MTN Zambia Chief Executive Officer, adds that all the three mobile phone service providers will maintain their recharge voucher prices.

Police in Serenje district have arrested a couple who have been married while they are biologically related.

Police have arrested the 38-year-old Mukuwa Bulya and her 35-year-old sister Bertha Chipapuka.
Bulya and his sister have been married for 14 years and have five children.
The siblings got married in 1999 after the demise of their parents.

Central Province commissioner of police Standwell Lungu said  in Kabwe yesterday that Mr Bulya and Ms Chipapuka are both residents of Bulya village in Chief Kabamba’s area.

Without disclosing the identities of the children born out of this incestuous union, Mr Lungu said their first child is aged 13, second 10, third  8, fourth 6 and the last is 11 months old.
Mr Lungu also said the first born is in grade seven, second  in grade three and the third born in grade two.
He said concerned people in Chief Kabamba’s area informed the police about the illicit marriage and they arrested the ‘couple’.
The Daily Mail is yet to establish the status of the five children following the arrest of their parents.
Preliminary police investigations have revealed that when the people in their village noticed that the ‘brother-sister bond’ had turned into a marriage, they consulted further and then advised them to end their marriage.

The two will appear in the Serenje Magistrate’s Court today.
And a 47-year-old man of Kangalati in Mkushi has died after he was allegedly assaulted by people he knew.
Mr Lungu identified the deceased as Basin Kunda and police have launched investigations into the matter.
He said the deceased was assaulted last week on Thursday around 02:00 hours and he died on Tuesday at Mkushi District Hospital.
Mr Lungu said the body of the deceased is lying in Mkushi District Hospital mortuary.

ABZ concerned with nullification of parliamentary seats

 Opposition Alliance for Better Zambia (ABZ) president Father Frank Bwalya has expressed concern over the much nullification of parliamentary seats stating that it will cost a lot of tax payer's money.

Father Bwalya has told Qfm news that the gimmicks of the patriotic front government is no good for a democratic country.

Father Bwalya notes that there is need for government to think of how much monies are being spent on the by elections when the country has other sectors that need sufficient funds.

The ABZ leader adds that Zambians are tired of by elections and want to see a government that is ready to pay attention to serious issues affecting the nation

Mbabala MP bemoans of bad roads in his area.

                                        By Mastone Moonze

    United party for national development UPND Mbabala member of parliament Ephraim Belemu has ordered the road development agency RDA in choma to quickly work on government gazetted roads in his area.
 
     He said there is agent need of attention to main roads in the constituency as most of them are impassable.
  
   The lawmaker pointed out Muyobe-Macha and pemba-mapanza main roads as  major roads that are dilapidated in the constituency hence the need for attention from Govt.

    He stressed that its sad to see people fail to cross some streams while carrying serious patients to the main hospital in Macha ward.
  
    He  promised to drill and upgrade hand pumps at Macha girls secondary school in Macha ward,also complete some pending projects in some wards as some of the resolutions for this year.He said this when he visited Macha Hospital premises this morning

   Mr Belemu also said his hope this year is to see serious attention towards development by the PF govt especially disbursement of CDf.
.
 The member of parliament is in his constituency monitoring some projects.

Cop in choma shoots a 32 year old Man on new years eve

POLICE in Choma have shot dead a 32 year old
man of Kamunza compound while wounding the
other during the Police Patrol exercise
conducted around the early hours of  yesterday.
The dual met their fate during their year- end
celebrations at a local bottle store as they
hoped to welcome the New Year with joy and
splendour.
Southern province Commissioner of Police
Charity Katanga who confirmed the incidence to
ZANIS in Choma on wednesday identified the deceased
as Claris Muleya 32 of Kamunza compound and
the wounded as Lwendo Mutukula also 32 of the
same area.
Ms Katanga said the incident which occurred at
Vinthu Mufumbenge bottle store this Morning
involved a Police officer identified as Paul
Nabuzoka 21, a constable by rank who was been
driven by a fellow Police officer in a blue Toyota
land Cruiser registration number ZP225B.
“I wish to confirm the shooting incident
involving the police which occurred in the early
hours of today first January 2014 in Kamunza
Compound in Choma district. Details of the
matter are that Claris Muleya 32 of Kamunza
compound was shot on the leg around 01:00
hours near a named bottle store and later died.
The Police received the report from members of
the public this morning and rushed to the scene
where the body of the deceased was picked and
is currently lying in Choma general Hospital
Mortuary”, she said.
Ms Katanga noted that Lwendo Mutukula who
was shot on the left arm was currently admitted
to Choma general hospital and his condition was
stable.
She said Constable Paul Nabuzoka who had
been involved in the shooting had since been
detained at Choma Police station and charged
with murder to help Police with further
investigations.
Ms Katanga described the occurrence as
unfortunate stating that the Police were
expected to work professionally at all times.
Ms Katanga charged that no one was above the
law and that the law would take its course on
the matter to ensure that the culprit was
brought to book whose action resulted into loss
of life.
“As Police we are mandated to protect the
members of the public, people should find safety
around the Police, it is indeed unfortunate that
this has happened especially now that people
are celebrating the New Year,” she said.
She said Police had recorded various statements
from the members of the public and should the
Police officer be found wanting the Police would
ensure that he faces the wrath of the law.
Meanwhile Southern Province Minister Daniel
Munkombwe who visited the wounded victim
Lwendo Mutukula at his hospital bed this
morning said government was not happy with
the action taken by the Police officer.
Mr Mukombwe said the shooting incidence was
unfortunate and called on the Police to quickly
establish the cause of the incident.
“I deeply regret the shooting of the two people
that have happened on New Year’s Day when
people are celebrating. It is gives the district
and the province in particular a sad way of
starting the new year. This shooting regardless
of who has done it is uncalled for and especially
that it has been committed by the Police it is
highly regrettable,” he said.
And Mr Mutukula, a surviving shooting victim
who struggled to speak on his hospital bed told
the Mr Munkombwe that he was shot on the
door step of his house when he tried to respond
to a knock by the Police officer whom he
thought was his wife.
“I went home from a drinking spree after
midnight and found my wife away from home,
after some time I heard a Knock from the door
and I woke up to open thinking it was my wife
only to receive a gun shot on my left arm and I
fell on the floor”, he narrated.
The Minister however sent his message of
condolences to the affected families as he called
for peace and unity during this difficult time.
Speaking earlier Patriotic Front Kamunza ward
Chairperson Allan Chembe said the people of
Kamunza Compound want justice to prevail.
Mr Chembe said Kamunza compound was a
peaceful community that does not warrant hush
treatment from the Police.
“How does the Police follow people in their
drinking places, in their homes and claim their
lives. The victims did not commit any offence to
merit death or wounds, as PF ward Chairperson
I will work hard to ensure that the victims who
are my subjects get justice on the matter. The
Police who are mandated to protect us the
citizens, how do they begin to kill us for
nothing. The people of Kamunza compound
want nothing less than that the law should take
its course for justice to be done,” he said
Mr Chembe said it would have been better for
the Police to arrest the victims had they been
found wanting than to target at their lives.
He said the deceased was a family head who has
left behind many dependants who were looking
up to him for their survival.
The deceased who died after heavy bleeding
from a gunshot sustained injury on his left leg
was survived by a wife and four children.
However, Commissioner of Police Charity
Katanga said despite the shooting incidence the
general situation in the province during the eve
celebrations was relatively quiet except for
Livingstone where Police officers apprehended
69 people between the ages of 16 to 45 years
with cases ranging from idle and disorder likely
to cause a breach of peace and assault