The Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) has dissolved all Community Resource Boards (CRB) to pave way for new elections.

ZAWA Communication and Public Relations Officer Mwila Readith Muliyunda said in a statement released to ZANIS in Lusaka today that the dissolution was contained in a government gazette which was meant to improve operations of CRB’s.

She said the dissolution is aimed at ensuring that CRB’s become more responsible in their participation and management of Wildlife resources in line with the Wildlife Act.

Ms Muliyunda said elections to reconstitute the CRB’s will be conducted by ZAWA in collaboration with district councils, Non- Governmental Organizations and local civil societies forming part of the electoral committee.

She further stated that the elections will be held between September 15 and November 15, 2014.

In accordance with the ZAWA Act, ZAWA works with 74 CRB’s in the Game Management Areas and open areas country wide, based on the Community Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) model.

The CBNRM model provides policy direction on how communities in wildlife areas should be engaged in the management of wildlife.

Ms Muliyunda said ZAWA committed to the effective implementation of the CBNRM model.

ZANIS /PM/CSB/ENDS……………….DRY

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The Rural Electrification Authority (R.E.A) has been found with a case to answer and subsequently put on its defence by the Lusaka Magistrates%u2019 Court for terminating the employment of three employees who reported suspected corrupt activities at the institution to the Anti-Corruption Commission.

In March this year, the Anti- Corruption Commission instituted legal proceedings against the Authority for terminating the employment of the three whistleblowers.

The Rural Electrification Authority is charged with Unlawful Reprisal contrary to section 46 as read with section 18 (c) (iii) of the Public Interest Disclosure (Protection of Whistle-blowers’) Act No. 4 of 2010 of the Laws of Zambia.

Details of the offence are that the Rural Electrification Authority, on dates unknown but between 1st November 2012 and 30th November 2012 in Lusaka, engaged in unlawful reprisals against three employees by terminating their contracts of employment for having blown the whistle against the then Chief Executive Officer Wilfred Serenje.

The matter, which is before Lusaka Magistrate Borniface Mwiinga, comes up on 22nd October, 2014 for opening of defence.

Meanwhile, Serenje was arrested by the Anti-Corruption Commission and charged with Abuse of Authority of Office contrary to section 99(1) of the Penal Code Cap 87 of the Laws of Zambia.

This is contained in a statement issued to QFM News by ACC Public Relations Manager Timothy Moono.
( Wednesday 10th September 2014 )

QFM NEWS

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–Zambia is earmarked to  become a mushroom production hub for Africa when a Chinese firm growing the crop locally starts exporting at least 15,000 metric tones daily to Malawi, Tanzania, South and Russia.

The production of mushrooms would be grown under the auspice of Jihai Agriculture Investment and Development Group at the Lusaka East Multi-Facility Economic Zone sitting on a 570,000 hectare piece of land.

Infrastructure worth over US$5 million has so far been put up in the first stage of the Zone.

This came to light in Lusaka today when Information and Broadcasting Services (MIBS) Minister Joseph Katema and his entourage that comprised MIBS Permanent Secretary Bert Mushala  other senior government officials toured and inspected the Lusaka East Multi-Facility Economic Zone.

Jihai Agriculture Investment and Development Group Chairman and General Manager Yao Yunwu said Zambia would soon start exporting mushrooms to neigbouring Malawi, Tanzania, South Africa and Russia.

Mushrooms are grown on large scale in China’s Jilin province where Zambia is replicating the project from.

Dr. Yao disclosed that Zambia would produce 15,000 metric tonnes of mushroom on a daily basis to those countries that have been explored.

Dr. Yao said his organisation is contemplating exporting other agro-produce abroad alongside  re-cycled agriculture products because there is a direct flight from Lusaka to Dubai.

He further disclosed that his organisation remains committed to supporting small scale mushroom farmers in Zambia so that they became viable and help alleviate poverty in their communities.

He said Zambia is endowed with abundant raw materials including water resources but regrettably not fully utilized to maximum capacity noting that 10 percent of her land is arable.

In response,   Information and Broadcasting Services Minister Joseph Katema said Zambia is learning a lot from the super-power China in terms of technological transfer.

Dr. Katema, who is also Chief Government Spokesperson was impressed with what he saw at the economic zone and said that this was the reason why the PF government is diversifying the economy from the ‘traditional practice’ of mining to agriculture.

He said Zambia and China are all weather friends hence share mutual understanding and corporation therefore developing the nation cannot be a big problem.

The Minister however challenged the media to highlight more stories on the  Multi- Facility Economic Zones (MFEZ) dotted around the country so that investors could have the required knowledge about Zambia.

The MFEZ is a joint Government programme being spearheaded by Zambia-China Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone that seeks to create a platform for Zambia to achieve economic development by attracting significant domestic and foreign direct investment (FDI) to attain accelerated economic development.

The implementation of MFEZs which are special industrial zones in the country for both export  and domestic-oriented industries is designed to make Zambia competitive.

Government through the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry has to date declared six areas as MFEZs and Industrial Parks.

The economic zones include Chambishi, Lusaka East, Lusaka South, Lumwana and Ndola (Sub Saharan gemstones exchange) and Roma in Lusaka as an Industrial Park.

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The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) says the electronic system of transmitting election results in Kasenengwa and Vubwi constituencies is a pilot exercise and will not in any way affect the current manual system of collating and declaring election results.

ECZ public relations officer Raphael Phiri said in a statement released to ZANIS News this evening that the  Commission will not use the results obtained through the electronic system for the declaration of the final election results.

Mr Phiri stated that the hard copies of the results as announced by Presiding officers at  each polling station are those that will be used at the totaling centres by the Returning Officers to  collate and declare the final election results.

He said using an android (smart) cell phone, after the official announcement of the polling station election  results, each Presiding officer will capture the image of the signed election results form at each polling  station and transmit the image using the smart phone simultaneously to the constituency totaling  center and the Commission Headquarters in Lusaka.

Mr Phiri said this pilot exercise is simply intended to determine how quickly the election results can be obtained from polling stations considering the complaints by stakeholders over delayed election results  announcement in the past.

He said that It should also be noted that this system was used in Katuba during the by-elections in that constituency in February this year and that by 21:30 hours on poll day results from 30 out of the 32 polling stations had been received.

Mr Phiri said the Commission would therefore like to allay any fears or concerns raised by stakeholders regarding  the system of transmitting election results as it is merely a test to ascertain the efficiency and reliability  of the system and has not replaced the current system of collating and declaring election results.

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Opposition political parties participating in the solwezi central parliamentary by election have pledged to transform the district once voted into power.

The four are United Party for National Development who are fielding DAWSON KAFWAYA, the Movement for Multiparty Democracy which is being represented by LUCK MULUSA.

Others are the United National Independence Party UNIP fielding MARY KATIKA and Forum for Democracy and Development which represented by NATHAN MULONGA.

FDD president EDITH NAWAKWI who was in solwezi to drum up support for her candidate assured the people of solwezi that her party will change the way of doing business in the mining sector through the decentralization policy.

Ms NAWAKWI said the first priority of her candidate will be to ensuring that the people of solwezi start benefiting from the mineral resources which the district is endowed with.

And UNIP president TILYENJI KAUNDA said that the people of solwezi central need more schools and clinics which the PF government has failed to provide.

Mr. KAUNDA said that his party will make sure that the dignity returns to the people of solwezi through the creation of better platforms which will enable residents lead a better life.

And MMD candidate LUCKY MULUSA said that his opponents are the weakest who lacked credibility.

Mr MULUSA said it’s the issue of credibility which has put him at an advantage over others and can only lose the seat through manipulation.

And UPND UPND candidate DAWSON KAFWAYA said that the people of solwezi are aware that the party of the Moment is UPND.

Mr. KAFWAYA said the people of solwezi central are tired of being cheated out of their minerals which have failed to develop the district adding that hope lies in the UPND leadership.

ZNBC

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Government has been urged to criminalise child negligence cases in order to curb the scourge.

The Centre for Disability, Development, Research, Law and Policy (CDDRLP) said government needs to review the Penal Code Act 87 to ensure that child negligence cases are punishable by law.

SADC Disability Policy Analyst Charles Mwape disclosed in a press statement issued to ZANIS in Lusaka today that child negligence should be made a criminal cases for the sake of the many Zambian children who have been neglected and rejected by irresponsible parents.

He said the increased cases of men refusing to take responsibility for children they have fathered needs urgent and drastic measures by government to address the scourge.

Mr Mwape called for reviewing of the penal code and other pieces of legislation to ensure that children’s rights are secured, protected and guaranteed.

He suggested that government should consider punishing offenders by sentencing them to 18 years in prison or enforcing a compulsory child maintenance order.

Mr Mwape said reviewing the law is the only remedy to instil a sense of responsibility in Zambian men that are in the habit of fathering without giving them due care and support.

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Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) Deputy National Secretary Chembe Nyangu has refuted claims by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) that political parties agreed to introduce the electronic results transmission system in tomorrow’s by-elections .
Mr Nyangu said the inconvenient truth was that the introduction of the system was merely a proposal tabled by ECZ on 29th August 2014 and that attendance of the meeting by an MMD representative did not constitute agreement with the proposal.

“We are also equally shocked that Mr Chris Akufuna can go on air and claim that we agreed to the proposal. The MMD is a very big party which does not make such big decisions through one or two people. We had not sat to formulate our position by the time that meeting was held so there is no way that our representative in that meeting Mr Isaac Muntanga could have decided on behalf of the whole MMD,” Mr Nyangu said.
He also noted that all the parties participating in the by-elections have rejected the system except the Patriotic Front (PF).
Mr Nyangu further said that it was disappointing that the National Restoration Party which stands on issue-based campaigns had joined the ECZ in misleading Zambians when it was not even participating in the by-elections and therefore had no moral right to even comment on the matter.
Meanwhile, Mr Nyangu has clarified that MMD president Dr Nevers Mumba did not instruct MMD cadres to destroy and throw away ECZ electronic results transmission equipment at polling stations.
He said that what the MMD leader simply said was that MMD rejects the use of this transmission equipment and it cannot be imposed on them.

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A WITNESS from Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) has told the court that freelance journalist, Chanda Chimba and his Phibajo Production, a company that produced the ‘Stand Up for Zambia’ programme in the run-up to the 2011 general elections, evaded paying tax.
ZRA assistant inspector, medium tax office, Dennis Banda, also told the court that there was no activity on Phibajo from the time it was opened in 2005 to date.
But Chimba, through his defence lawyer Charles Lisita, objected to the line of evidence by the State witness, saying the offences he was facing had nothing to do with paying tax.
The visibly annoyed Chimba later, after the court adjourned to the chambers, lashed out at some investigation officers who were in court, accusing them of investigating him even when he was already undergoing trial.

This is in a matter in which Chimba is jointly charged together with former Information and Broadcasting Services minister Ronnie Shikapwasha and his former permanent secretary Sam Phiri with abuse of authority and being in possession of property suspected to be proceeds of crime.
Chimba is charged with three counts of unlawful printing, publication and possession of property suspected to be proceeds of crime.
Mr Banda, 33, told principal magistrate Obister Musukwa yesterday that a search he conducted on Chimba and Phibajo’s accounts established that they did not meet their tax obligations.
Mr Banda said that this meant that Chimba and Phibajo, who are the tax payers in this case, had not been remitting their tax obligations from February 17, 2005 to date.
But Chimba objected to the testimony adduced by Mr Banda, saying he was not in court for the charge of evading tax and could not see how that was becoming an issue.
At this point, Mr Musukwa invited the defence and the State to his chambers for a private discussion.

Chimba later instructed his lawyers to seek an adjournment as he wanted to consult over confidential issues.
But the State objected to the application saying there was no specific reason given to the court for want of an adjournment and that the same was aimed at delaying the case further.
Mr Musukwa in his ruling said it was Chimba’s constitutional right to consult with his lawyer at any stage of the case and granted the application.
Earlier, the matter delayed to take off because Shikapwasha was not before court. He finally arrived around 10:40 hours and apologised to the court that he had mixed up the dates.
Trial continues on September 30, 2014.

Times of Zambia

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The Anti-Corruption Commission has arrested three senior Kabwe Municipal Council officials for two counts of Abuse of Authority of Office involving K260, 000.00.

ACC Spokesperson Timothy Moono has told QFM News that details of the matter are that,Victoria Mwanaumo , 56, a former Director Administration of House number 9, High Ridge Township, Daniel Mapulanga , 46, a former Director Planning of House number 2, Zambezi Avenue, and Edina Mwenya Sakala ,47, a former Chief Accounting Officer of House number 2088 Stanley Avenue, all employees at Kabwe Municipal Council are jointly charged with two counts of Abuse of Authority of Office contrary to section 99(1) of the Penal Code Cap 88 of the Laws of Zambia.

Mr Moono says in the first count, Ms. Mwanaumo , Mr. Mapulanga , and Ms. Mwenya Sakala on unknown dates but between 1st January, 2011 and 1st January, 2012 jointly abused their respective offices by failing to follow laid down procedure by irregularly approving payments amounting to K80, 000.00 to Kechas General Dealers for the roofing of Kasanda Market.

He says in the second count, the trio on unknown dates but between 1st January, 2011 and 1st January, 2012 while acting together approved payments amounting to K180, 000.00 for the purchase of a motor vehicle KB2 for the Office of the Town Clerk without following laid down procedure.

Mr Moono says the trio has since been released on Bond and will appear before the Kabwe Subordinate Court on September 16, 2014 for plea.
( Thursday 11th September 2014 )

QFM NEWS

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The United Party for National Development (UPND) youths this afternoon handed over to Police a suspected PF cadre they accused of distributing money to voters in Kapinjimpanga Ward in Solwezi central.
UPND Youth Spokesperson Gilbert Liswaniso has told QFM News in a telephone interview that the suspect was among fifteen suspected PF cadres spotted distributing Chitenge materials and money to voters at Kibale polling station in Kapinjimpanga Ward.

Mr. Liswaniso says it is unfortunate that such acts were happening on the voting day when all political parties had about 24 days to do their campaigns.

He says there is need to allow the people to vote freely without influencing them with the dishing out of material things which is against the electoral code of conduct.

Mr. Liswaniso has since appealed to the relevant authorities to take up the matter and investigate it thoroughly.
( Thursday 11th September 2014 )

QFM NEWS

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Opposition Alliance for Better Zambia President, Frank Bwalya says there will be nothing wrong or unconstitutional if former republican President Rupiah Banda decides to run for President again.
Father Bwalya says Mr. Banda who has retired from active politics will have to however, forgo his benefits if he decides to return to active politics.

Father has told Qfm News that though he is neither encouraging nor discouraging Mr. Banda to make a political comeback, his party will respect Mr. Banda’s decision if he decides to return to active politics.

He says the former President still has the constitutional right to participate in the politics of the country, but that it will be up to the Zambian people to decide whether to vote him back into office if he decided vie for the presidency again or not.

And Father Bwalya says the participation of young people in the country politics does not hinge on the older generation to giving way.

He says young people should not think that they can only participate in politics when the older generation steps aside.

Fr Bwalya gives an example of himself as one of the young politicians who is participating in the country’s politics despite the presence of the older generation on the political scene.
( Thursday 11th September 2014 )

QFM NEWS

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Ahead of the annual United Nations General Assembly in New York that features a gathering of world leaders, renowned peace activist, Mr. Man Hee Lee has been speaking on strategies to achieve global peace and understanding among diverse religious and political persuasions.

Mr. Lee was in New York to preview the World Peace Summit scheduled to take place in Seoul, South Korea under the auspices of Heavenly Culture World Peace Restoration of Light (HWPL).

In an exclusive interview with CMPImedia, Mr. Lee reiterated his call for world leaders to enact a treaty that would outlaw wars in the world. In his view, peace building should be the primary goal of the United Nations.

Asked how he intended to push for such an international law banning wars without the support of the United States, Mr. Lee expressed frustration at his inability to meet with President Obama after repeated attempts. He was however optimistic that United States and other major powers in the west would see the wisdom in eradicating wars and embracing peaceful coexistence of humanity.

Mr. Lee who brokered a truce between Christians and Muslims in Mindanao region of the Philippines argued that the best strategy to stop wars in the world was through the engagement of youths and women. Youths, he said, remained the active population often deployed by leaders to engage in wars and yet no youth is ever compensated for their involvement. “Youths lose their lives in wars; women allow their children to become child soldiers and yet the older generation who are in leadership positions protect their families and themselves against the ravages of war”.

The 84-year old peace activist and veteran of the Korean War flanked by leaders of different religious faiths including Sikh, Hindu, Islam, and Christianity noted that inter-religious dialogue was necessary to begin to heal the wounds of mistrust and bigotry.

Mr. Man Hee Lee
Chair, Heavenly Culture World Peace Restoration of Light

As the Chairman of HWPL (one of the largest international NGO’s working to advance peace initiatives through culture, arts, religion and policy) he has traveled to over 72 countries in the last two years at the invitation of world presidents, high religious officials, and youth organizations to share his message of peace.

The World Alliance of Religions’ Peace Summit which will be held from 17 to 18 September 2014, in Seoul, the Republic of Korea is being attended by delegates from around the world including Center for Media & Peace Initiatives, a New York based organization focused on conflict-resolving media practice around the world.

At a one-day symposium in New York attended by peace activists including Arvind Vora, a practicing Sikh, Sheikh Musa Drammeh of Muslim Community Reports, and Rashad Alkhader, a researcher in peace and human rights, Dr. Uchenna Ekwo of Center for Media & Peace Initiatives, and Mr. Man Hee Lee, Chairman of HWPL, participants emphasized the importance of peace and nonviolence in world torn apart by sectarian and racial differences.

In his remarks at the event, Dr. Ekwo spoke of the role of journalists in peace building emphasizing that the choice of journalists in how they report issues and events could make a difference between violence and peace.

Source : Center for Media & Peace Initiatives

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( Thursday 11th September 2014 )

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Results coming-in .. from around mid-night

Kasenengwa Constituency

results just coming-in from 52 of 54 polling stations
MMD-10,998 
PF-3,382 
Two more polling stations to go

Vubwi Constituency 

Latest results from Vubwi Constituency in Eastern Province so far, figures are as follows
PF-3, 508
MMD-761
UPND-737
FDD -341
UNIP -260

Solwezi Central,

And in Solwezi Central, results from 13 of 30 polling stations are as follows
UPND-1, 801
PF – 924
MMD -691

Radio Mano

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Two juveniles on Tuesday testified how a Kaputa clergyman indecently assaulted them when they went to seek prayers from his church.

This is in a matter in which ‘Prophet’ Samson Chipili Kalumba of St. Moses God of the Spirit also known as (Ba Mutumwa) is accused of indecently assaulting the two juveniles, who are also twins.

Kalumba is facing two counts of indecent assault.

Narrating the ordeal before Kaputa Magistrate Victor Mukupa, the girls said they approached Kalumba in the hope that he would pray for the stomach problems which they were facing at that time.

However, they were ordered to report back with four meters of white cloth, a dish, perfume, two candles, two cups and water from the river before they could receive healing.

They said when they took the items; Kalumba performed a ritual with the water and told them to wait until an ‘angel’ told him what to do.

After a few moments, Kalumba took the ‘Holy water’ to a nearby bush where he ordered them to undress and bathed them one after the other.


But while performing this ritual, Kalumba started touching their private parts.

One girl narrated that in the process, she was meant to bend while the accused inserted something in her private parts.

They said Prophet Kalumba repeated this on each one of them in the middle of the night and told them not to reveal what had happened to anybody including each other.

They said this strange behavior, however, made them tell their parents who later apprehended Kalumba and took him to police.

Kaputa Magistrate Victor Mukupa has set September 12, 2014 for determination of whether the accused has a case to answer.

Radio Mano

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 The 16 year-old boy of Kasama’s Mulenga Hills Township suspected to have murdered his 22 year old aunt has appeared in the Kasama magistrates’ court for mention.

Facts before court are that between Saturday, 6th September and Sunday, 7th September, 2014, the juvenile suspect allegedly murdered his aunt, Grace Muzumala.

The suspect is remanded at Milima State Prison awaiting his case to be committed to the High Court.

Ms Muzumala is said to have been slayed by the 16-year old boy who is a nephew to her husband in the early hours of Sunday, after she rebuked him for returning home late and drunk.

She was buried at Kasama’s Chiba Cemetery on Tuesday this week and her funeral was attended by hundreds of people.


• Meanwhile, Scores of women have petitioned police to thoroughly investigate the age of the boy who allegedly raped and murdered a 22 year old lady of Kasama’s Mulenga-Hills area 

Women, who stormed mano news last night, charged that it is not possible for a 16 year old boy to rape and murder a 22 year old lady.

They urged police to verifying the age of the suspect by looking at his birth certificate and authenticate it with his school record.

On Sunday, the named 16 year old boy raped and stabbed his uncle’s wife to death after she rebuked him for returning home late and drunk.

The late Grace Muzumala was put to rest on Tuesday this week.

Radio Mano

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A MIX of low and high voter turnout characterised the voting in yesterday’s five parliamentary by-elections in Eastern, Central and North-Western provinces.
Low voter turnout was characteristic of the Solwezi Central, Zambezi West, Vubwi and Kasenengwa parliamentary by elections but a fairly higher turnout was recorded on the Mkushi South poll.
Voting in the Solwezi Central parliamentary by-election started on a low note with most polling stations having only a trickle of voters.
Solwezi Central has 22,900 registered voters with 30 polling stations in five wards.
A snap survey by the Zambia Daily Mail at some polling stations revealed low voter turnout at most polling stations which opened at 06:00 hours.
Kikombe polling station presiding officer Ngombo Solochi declared the station opened at 06:00 hours but only 73 had cast their votes by 07:20 hours out of 2,825 registered voters while 91 voters had voted at Tuvwang’anayi polling station by 06:56 hours.
At Mushitala polling station which opened at 06:15 hours, 78 had voted by 08:04 hours out of 2,007 registered voters.
Solwezi urban polling station presiding officer Collins Kasoma said 38 people had voted by 07:40 hours while 21 had cast their votes at Kimasala polling station by 06:41 hours.
In contention for the seat were the MMD’s Lucky Mulusa, the United Party for National Development (UPND)’s Dawson Kafwaya, UNIP’s Mary Katiki, the Patriotic Front (PF)’s Newton Malwa and Forum of Democracy and Development (FDD)’s Nathan Mulonga.
The voting pattern was similar in Vubwi but there was a slight increase in the number of people voting towards midday in the by-election that drew five candidates.
At Vubwi Primary School, which is at the centre of the district, presiding officer Anderson Mbewe opened the polling station at 06:00 hours and few residents had gathered to vote.
Voter turnout was impressive in the morning but later declined gradually leaving polling staff with no people to attend to.
The situation was the same at Mbozi and Mbande Primary Schools.
At Chimpanje Primary School less than 10 people were seen going into the polling station to vote.
And the Foundation for Democracy Process (FODEP) president Shepherd Chilombe described the low voter turnout as worrying.
Mr Chilombe told journalists here yesterday that only 10 percent of registered voters in Vubwi had cast their ballots by midday.
“Voting started on a low note and out of the 13 polling stations we have visited about 10 percent registered voters had voted. This indicates a low turnout,” Mr Chilombe said.
He, however, commended political parties for conducting orderly and peaceful campaigns.
Mr Chilombe further called for calm among political parties regarding the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ)’s decision to use the electronic system of transmitting election results.
The candidates for the seat were the PF’s Margaret Miti, the MMD’s Eustarckio Kazonga, the UPND’s Afonso Phiri and UNIP’s Lucas Phiri. Voting in sparsely populated Zambezi-West parliamentary by-election started on schedule at 06:00 hours and at Mapashi polling station 45 people had cast their votes by 06:39 hours.
Zambezi district electoral officer Godfrey Mulambya said: “There is good turnout, and after 10:00 hours we expect the numbers to increase.”
Mr Mulambya said Zambezi West is vast and results are expected to be announced today around midday. Zambezi West has 30 polling stations and 10,260 registered voters.
ECZ deputy director for voter education Jocelyn Mubita said the Zambezi West by-election was calm and peaceful.
Voters in Mkushi South constituency flocked to polling stations to decide who would be their MP among MMD’s Sydney Chisanga, PF’s Davies Chisopa and the UPND’s Agness Mambwe.
At Chikupili polling station, which has 1,200 registered voters, presiding officer Sunford Simufwi opened at 06:00hours and 27 people had voted within minutes of opening.
Mkushi South has six wards and 12,793 registered voters.
Mkushi South returning officer Kelly Mwebe said in an interview that people were voting peacefully.
Mr Mwebe, who visited several polling stations, was also optimistic that the number of voters would increase.
“A lot of people are voting at polling stations and there are queues,” Mr Mwebe said.
He also said final results will be announced today after the airlifting of ballot boxes from Chipaba, Ching’ombe and Mwalala wards which are located in Luano valley.
Voting in the Kasenengwa  by-election started on a low note despite all the 54 polling stations opening at 06:00 hours as scheduled.
Kasenengwa has seven wards and 41,795 registered voters.
At Chankhanga polling station 20 people had voted by 06:30 hours.
At Katintha Primary School polling station, 10 voters had cast their ballots out of 781 registered voters by 06:20hours Katintha Primary School polling station presiding officer Lanken Phiri said voting was done in a peaceful manner.
By 12:50 hours, 208 people had voted at Chisambala Primary School polling station which has 624 registered voters.

Zambia Daily Mail

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THE Lusaka magistrates’ court has threatened to exclude the media from covering proceedings in a matter in which Game-Zambia Stores manager, Maduramuthoo Mare Palan is charged with indecent assault and sexual harassment.
This was after Palan, through his defence lawyers from Eric Silwamba, Jalasi and Lubinda Legal Practitioners, sought his protection on grounds that the media was trying their client through prejudicial statements.

The 46-year-old South African of house number 8, Mass Media in Lusaka, is being prosecuted for allegedly indecently and sexually harassing Mukamuluti Mwila, a former Game-Zambia Stores employee between June 1, 2013 and July 31, 2014.
When the matter came up for continued trial before principal magistrate Aridah Chuulu yesterday, one of Palan’s lawyers, Lubinda Linyama sought the protection of his client from what he called prejudicial statements by the Press.

Mr Linyama said any person who was aggrieved was at liberty to report Palan to the police but not to subject him to prejudicial statements in the Press, adding that the media should base their reports on facts.
In her ruling, Ms Chuulu urged the media to desist from writing prejudicial statements failure to which she would have no option but to exclude them from covering the proceedings.
Meanwhile, Ms Mwila told the court that she was reluctant to report her sexual harassment by Palan to the Game Stores workers’ union because she thought the members were his puppets.

Ms Mwila, who insisted that Palan sexually abused her by squeezing her buttocks, however, admitted to the court that she reduced her years by one when she got her national registration card because she got it late.
This was after she was taken to task by Mr Silwamba on how old she was, to which she answered she would turn 24 this year but her NRC shows she would be 23 in November this year.
Ms Mwila said although the first incident of sexual harassment from Palan happened in mid-2013, she was unable to remember the date and month it happened.
She said when she started working for Game-Zambia Stores after her contract was terminated by RCA Marketing Company of which Game was a client, she did not apply or plead for the job but was just invited to go and work for Game.
Ms Mwila, who initially told the court that she had only told four people about her experience with Palan, later agreed with the defence that she had told her father, Chris Mwila, about it and had promised to sort the issue out.
Trial continues on September 18, 2014.

Times of Zambia

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