Randy Teacher nabbed in Mazabuka for  illegal abortion

Mazabuka, July, 2013, ZANIS — A Clinical Officer at Johnson Medical Clinic in Mazabuka Township has been nabbed by police and remanded in custody at Mazabuka Central police station in connection with an illegal abortion.

Mr. Godfrey Sitali,  aged 51 years and proprietor of Johnson Medical Clinic situated along the Mazabuka – Livingstone road,  was arrested by police in Mazabuka yesterday.

The arrest is aimed at helping Police to carry out thorough  investigations into an abortion case involving a named 16 year old pupil that was impregnated by her school Teacher Kelvin Mphande who is also in police custody.

ZANIS reports from Mazabuka that Southern Province Police Commissioner Charity Katanga confirmed the arrest of Sitali in an interview in Mazabuka, today.

Ms.  Katanga stated that Sitali has jointly been charged with 23 year old Mphande with the offence of supplying drugs or instrument to procure an abortion Contrary to Section 153 Cap 87 of the laws of Zambia.

Before his arrest, an identification parade was conducted at Mazabuka Central police station on Thursday afternoon were a girl was asked to identify the man who administered the drug to her in order to effect an abortion.

Police sources at the station disclosed that as part of their investigations into the matter, they needed to make sure that the girl is given an opportunity to identify the person that gave her the drug to avoid any complications once the case goes to court.

“  We had to conduct an identification parade so that the girl could identify the exact person who gave her the drug and the girl did exactly that.

“  She actually identified Sitali three times as being the person that gave her the drug at the clinic, “disclosed a police source.

The suspects  are remanded in police custody and will appear in court soon to answer the charges leveled against them.

Mr.Mphande a mathematics teacher from Habuce Private School is alleged to have impregnated  his pupil whom he later assisted to have the pregnancy aborted at one of the private clinics in the township.

The pupil’s education currently lies in disarray as she has failed to report for school lessons following the incidence.

Meanwhile, some Non Governmental Organizations (NGO’S) in Mazabuka Township have called on relevant authorities to quickly move in a close down private clinics that are conducting illegal abortions in the area.

Southern Province People’s Action Forum Coordinator Janet Nyoni said in an interview in Mazabuka today that it is disheartening to note that young girls are being made to undergo illegal abortions a process she described as painful.

Nyoni said it is unfortunate that the girls are being subjected to such vices saying most of them are under age and that there cases qualify as defilement adding if talked and counseled properly they could not accept to do abortions.

The post – Randy Teacher nabbed in Mazabuka for illegal abortion appeared first on Zambia News | Lusaka Voice.

178 pupils learn in the cold in Zambezi district

Solwezi, July 5^th, 2013, ZANIS —-  One-hundred seventy-eight (178 )  pupils at Nyakulenga basic school in Zambezi district are learning in the  cold winter.

This is because their  one by three classroom block whose roof was blown off in November last year has not yet been repaired.

The  affected pupils include 52 in grade seven, 58 in grade six and 68 in grade five.

The school head teacher whose office was also affected is now squatting in one of the classrooms for his administrative work.

ZANIS reports the School head teacher Wosford Kambanji confirmed the development in an interview today in Zambezi District, today.

Mr Kambanji, who was found operating from one end of a grade three classroom, said the classroom block-accommodating grade 7, 6 and 5 classes, had its roof blown off by a heavy storm on 4^th November last year.

He said his office was affected and to protect school materials and resources he has converted half of the grade three classrooms into his official office.

The Headteacher  said the disaster at the school was reported to the district commissioner, district education board secretary and the disaster management and mitigation unit (DMMU) last year.

However, he said up to now there has been no response because no one has even travelled to assess the damage caused to the school by the storm.

He mentioned that the area MP Sara Sayifwanda is not aware of the problems at the school because she has not visited the area since being elected to parliament in 2011.

Mr Kambanji appealed to government to help the school repair the damaged classroom block so that pupils can learn in a good environment secured from the cold and direct sun light.

The post 178 pupils learn in the cold in Zambezi district appeared first on Zambia News | Lusaka Voice.

Govt. threatens to withdraw teachers at Shambala Primary School due to witchcraft in Itezhitezhi district

Itezhi Tezhi July 5, 2013,ZANIS—-  Government says  it will  no longer ignore the constant reports of witchcraft in Mbila Ward  in Itezhitezhi District.

Itezhi tezhi District Commissioner (DC), Roy Nang’alelwa says the development it is impacting negatively on government policy of providing education in rural parts of the country.

He said this after Teachers at  Shambala Primary School in  Chief Shezonngo’s area in Mbila ward  in Itezhi tezhi district in central province  say they are living in constant  fear  due to persistent  rampant witchcraft  and sexual molestation  at night.

The  witchcraft frenzy which has swept the predominantly maize farming area is reportedly impacting negatively on the learning process at the only school in the area.

The school is located in the remotest part of the district more than 100 kilometers from the district town centre.

Mr. Nang’alelwa says it was for this reason that made him to travel to the area on fact finding mission after consistent concerns by both pupils and teachers in the area.

“I’m here  due to numerous complaints of wizards who are reportedly abusing female teachers and leaving strange objects in classrooms and teachers houses” Mr.  Nang’alelwa said.

ZANIS reports from Itezhitezhi district that Mr. Nang’alelwa said.

He  said this was the third time of such reports of teachers witnessing mysterious events at their school.

He  said this actually confirms his predecessors reports as back as 2007 when the school was almost closed after all the teachers deserted the school over the same witchcraft harassment.

The district commissioner has since appealed to the community in Shambala area to stop harassing the teachers and pupils through witchcraft.

He said government has a duty to protect its employees and can close the school and take teachers elsewhere where they are need if teachers and pupils continues to live in fear because of witchcraft activities.

“We do not want to endanger the lives of our teachers and if the community does not change, we as government can close the school and take them to other schools where they are desperately needed.

“These schools have been built at a great cost to the government and government is still spending colossal sums of money to run them and pay teachers. We cannot just tolerate what is happing here” he said.

And an Acting Senior teacher interviewed in Shambala Mr. Ernest Hachungwe said the school risks closure because teachers at the learning institution were insecure due to continued reports of abuse of female teachers at night through witchcraft.

“Sometimes we wake up very tired as though you have been doing manual work and you literary fail to teach in class” Mr.  Hachungwe said.

He narrated that recently, one of the teacher found human blood sprinkled over his cooking pots and kitchen utensils at his home.

He said that this happened at night while he was asleep adding that he does not understand how it all happened because he had secured his house and locked it before retiring to bed.

He further said that the most recent incident happened a few weeks ago when they found a pool of human blood in one of the classrooms.

He said the happenings at the school are well known by the district education authorities but there has been no action to resolve them.

The DC has since promised the teachers that he will convene a meeting with all stakeholders to sort out the issue and has tasked the Parent’s Teachers Association (PTA) to educate the community about the evils of the witchcraft and the need to stop for the benefit of their children who want to learn.

Teachers at  Shambala Primary School in  Chief Shezonngo’s area in Mbila ward  in Itezhi tezhi district in central province  are living in constant  fear  due to persistent  rampant witchcraft  and sexual molestation  at night.

The  witchcraft frenzy which has swept the predominantly maize farming area is reportedly impacting negatively on the learning process at the only school in the area.

The school is located in the remotest part of the district more than 100 kilometers from the district town centre.

The post Govt. threatens to withdraw teachers at Shambala Primary School due to witchcraft in Itezhitezhi district appeared first on Zambia News | Lusaka Voice.

Govt. urged to attend to concrete slabs in Itezhi-tezhi district

Itezhi Tezhi July 5, 2013,ZANIS—–Farmers in Mbila ward in Itezhi tezhi district in central province have appealed to government to complete the unfinished concrete slabs in the area.

The farmers say government should attend to the unfinished slabs for maize storage to reduce post harvest losses  that the district had recently experienced.

One of the affected farmers in Mbila ward Joseph Milandu made the appeal when Itezhi tezhi District Commissioner Roy Nang’alelwa visited the Mbila main shed yesterday.

Mr. Milandu said that the intention by government through Food Reserve Agency to build concrete slabs was a good one as it was going to reduce maize wastage in the area.

‘Every year we are experiencing losses of maize which the FRA come to destroy by burning because lack of storage facilities.

He said that government should seriously consider recalling those contractors so that they can complete these storage slabs.

He said that most of the maize is being wasted because it is placed on the bare ground which sometimes is moist.

And Mr. Milandu has called on government to ensure that farmers are paid in time when they supply maize.

He also called on the government to sink more boreholes in Mbila as the current few water points cannot support the burgeoning population in the area.

The post – Govt. urged to attend to concrete slabs in Itezhi-tezhi district appeared first on Zambia News | Lusaka Voice.

Opposition parties hopeful of winning by-elections

Lusaka, July 5, ZANIS —Two political parties taking part in the fourth parliamentary by elections has shown confidence of scooping the seats.

United National Independence Party (UNIP) National Secretary Bishop Jevan Kamanga said his party has mounted vigorous campaigns in Mkushi North, Chipata Central, Kafulafuta, and Solwezi East.

Bishop Kamanga told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today that his party will no doubt win all the parliamentary seats.

He however, urged the parties participating in the by-elections to carry out their campaigns peacefully as opposed to vote buying and voter intimidation.

And United Party for National Development (UPND) Deputy Spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa said UPND will no doubt win the Solwezi East, Mkush -North and Kafulafuta Parliamentary seats.

Mr Mweetwa said the party is doing everything possible to defeat other parties come July 25, 2013.

He told ZANIS that it will be up to the people of the four constituencies to vote for the person they think will be able to represent them in parliament to their satisfaction.

He added that his party will not condone vote buying by any political party and that the citizenry arrest will be applied to whoever will be found wanting.

The post Opposition parties hopeful of winning by-elections appeared first on Zambia News | Lusaka Voice.

Presence of professional divers pleases Scott

Lusaka, July 5, ZANIS ——— Vice President Guy Scott is happy that Zambia is fortunate to have a cadre of professional divers who are ready to serve when calamities strikes.

Dr Scott however, noted with concern that some human bodies that submerge on water bodies Zambia is endowed with are not traceable.

Dr Scott says it is in this direction that Zambia should be prepared in emergency response systems.

The Vice President said this in Lusaka today when he handed over US $500,000 to the Ministry of Defence.

The donated items includes 15 oxygen gas cylinders, 10 military diving suits, 10 diving masks with snorkels, 1,500 kern mentie ropes, goggles, gloves, gauges, boots, under-water torches, a compressor and an under-water camera among others.

He said the equipment is in line with the Patriotic Front (PF) government to link emergency operations with first responders in order for Zambia to become disaster resilient.

Dr Scott also directed officials at the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) under his office to be pro-active by taking more response capacities to vulnerable communities including institutions.

“Making Zambia safer will require strong first responder capacity because every year incidences of water vessels capsizing and drowning people causes significant loss of life and property on water bodies country-wide. Therefore, I direct the DMMU to take more response capacities to these communities,” said Dr Scott. 

 
And Defence Minister Geoffrey Mwamba commended government for the gesture in procuring diving equipment directed at marine unit set and to be used by Zambia Army personnel.

Mr Mwamba assured the Vice President that the equipment will definitely save the Zambian people better and lessen the scenario of deaths caused by boats and other vessels capsizing on Zambian water bodies.

DMMU National Co-ordinator Patrick Kangwa disclosed that government is in the process of procuring additional diving equipment such as inflatable military boats and de-compression chambers from Israel before the end of this year.

Mr Kangwa said reducing risk responses to disasters calls for concerted efforts and should not be just left to the DMMU alone.

The hand-over ceremony of the diving equipment at the Disaster Management centre in Lusaka today was witnessed by Defence chiefs, Deputy Minister in the Office of the Vice President Davies Mwango, DMMU and senior government officials.

The post Presence of professional divers pleases Scott appeared first on Zambia News | Lusaka Voice.

Zimbabwean men buy sex in exchange for bush meat

Siavonga, July 6, ZANIS —-A village headman of Namomba in Siavonga district has called on the police to arrest Zimbabwean men who are smuggling bush meat in exchange for sex with women in the area.

Headman Boniface Mulopa said there is a rampant increase of Zimbabwean men flocking in the area at night whose businesses were to ask sex from the women in exchange for the bush meats which they smuggle from that country into Zambia’s Namomba village.

He said that the bush meat which they smuggle using canoes through Zambezi river include impala.

Headman Mulopa disclosed this in an interview with ZANIS yesterday.

The village headman said he is sad to discover that some villagers in the area were in the forefront to help Zimbabwean men to propose sex to Zambian women who are in return given the bush meat.

“The smuggling of the bush meat by these foreigners occurs at night when no one could see them of course with the help of our local people. Before crossing the Zambezi river with their canoes, they communicate with friends in the village who give them directions on how to move for fear to be arrested by the neighbourhood watch,’’ he revealed.

“It’s alleged that the same villagers help Zimbabwean men to ask sex from the women because of the language barrier’’ said headman Mulopa.

The village leader has since called on the government to put up a police post that would reduce such kind of occurrences in the area.

He added that there was need for a night patrol by the police so that the illegal immigrants who seem to have invaded the area could be arrested and dealt with.

Headman Mulopa has however thanked the neighbourhood officers who have been working tirelessly to ensure that there was an end of Congolese’s nationals who almost turned the village as an exit centre to get to Zimbabwe and South Africa illegally.

The post Zimbabwean men buy sex in exchange for bush meat appeared first on Zambia News | Lusaka Voice.

Deforestation threatens Siavonga district

Siavonga, July 6, ZANIS ——— Chief Simaamba says Siavonga district will soon become a desert if government fails to control the high levels of tree cutting in the area.

He said charcoal burning in Siavonga was a serious issue which needed government to move in quickly and find the lasting solution.

"People are cutting trees indescriminately and I don’t know what government is doing to combat this problem especially in my chiefdom. It’s sad that people are busy cutting trees without realising their importance to the nation and forgetting that there is a law," he said.

Chief Simaamba of the Tonga speaking people in Siavonga district said this in an interview with ZANIS yesterday.

The traditional leader wondered why government was not active in dealing with charcoal burning reports when it was aware of the situation on the ground and it’s consequences on deforestation.

"Government has failed to arrest charcoal burners who cut trees. Imagine the law is there and the Forestry Act is also there but government is not using it. So for me am worried that if government fails to control the high levels of tree cutting then Siavonga very soon will be a desert and we will have problems as far as rain is concerned," he noted.

Chief Simaamba has also appealed to government to send relief food to his chiefdom to avert high level of hunger situation in the area.

He observed that most of the children were suffering from malnutrition due to the hunger situation in the area.

The traditional leader also called on government to find lasting solution to eradicate the water blues in Dokota, Kariba stores, Nabutezi and Manchavwa villages.

He also advised government to use other means of providing water to the named villages as opposed to sinking bole holes in the named areas because the bole holes dries up so fast in those villages.

”These villages deserve piped water lines straight from Lake Kariba not bole holes," he said.

Meanwhile Siavonga District Commisioner Brave Mweetwa said government was doing everything possible to educate the communities on the importance of preserving the trees.

Mr Mweetwa said government will make sure that those people cutting trees comply with the law failure to that, force will be applied to deal with those who would be found wanting.

The District Commissioner said government was also trying to involve the traditional leaders to help fight against charcoal burning in the area.

"It’s sad that 70 percent of charcoal burners in the district are not indigenous Siavonga residents but come from Kafue and Chirundu districts," he said.

The post Deforestation threatens Siavonga district appeared first on Zambia News | Lusaka Voice.

Inadequate banking facilities worries Chief Simaamba

Siavonga, July 6, ZANIS —–Chief Simaamba of the Bagande people in Siavonga district has bemoaned the inadequate banking facilities in the district.

The traditional leader said it is disappointing that Siavonga being one of the tourist destinations in the country have only one commercial bank (ZANACO).

The traditional leader also stated that the bank has only two Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) of which they break down almost every day adding that sometimes ATMs breaks down when the transaction is in the process.

Chief Simaamba said this in an interview with ZANIS today saying it becomes more difficult for people to withdraw money when the machine breaks down especially during weekends when the bank is closed.

The chief said people in the district especially in rural areas were desperate to have many banking institutions in the area.

And Siavonga District Commissioner Brave Mweetwa said government is committed in improving the welfare of the people and that it is doing everything possible to ensure that the district has adequate banking institutions.

Mr Mweetwa said his office is putting consented efforts in trying to get another competitor in terms of banking institutions apart from ZANACO.  

He observed that the ATM machines have not been working well for sometime adding that in this modern world, travellers especially tourists usually carry ATMs not cash for security reasons.  

Mr Mweetwa also disclosed that his office has approached the Regional Director of ZANACO and has promised to put up another ATM somewhere within the district to make the total number of ATMs to three.

The post Inadequate banking facilities worries Chief Simaamba appeared first on Zambia News | Lusaka Voice.

Zambia not a dumping ground for substandard goods – Mukanga

Lusaka, July 6, ZANIS —- Communication, Transport, Works and Supply Minister Yamfwa Mukanga has implored all manufactures and supplies of goods and services not to use Zambia as a dumping site of bad and substandard products.

Mr Mukanga said the Zambian community is expectant of top quality and innovative products that will better the lives of all road users.

Speaking when he officiated last night at the official launch of the wonder tyre safety product Self Sealing Tyre Technology (SSTT) in Lusaka by G and H Corporation Limited, Mr Mukanga said Zambians desires to have a private sector that will enhance economic development programmes in the country.

The Minister said the Patriotic Front government wants to see a situation where the local private sector takes up the initiative to partner with other companies from more developed countries in facilitating the transfer of technology and ensure that they create availability of modern products on the market.

He urged others companies to consider investing in Zambia adding that Zambia is strategically and geographically positioned in the region with membership from SADC and COMESA.

Mr Mukanga expressed hope that the newly introduced self sealing tyres will help Zambia reduce the number of road accidents which have increased in the recent past.

He however cautioned that despite the product being introduced on the market, the public should not do away with road safety but ensure that their vehicles are well maintained to avoid loss of life and property.

He further added that despite government constructing and rehabilitating more roads it will make no difference if road users do not uphold road safety precautions.

And Road Transport and Safety Agency Chief Executive Officer, Zindaba Soko attributed many road accidents that Zambia has witnessed in the recent past to poor vehicle maintenance and non adherence to road safety.

Mr Soko said people should make use of the newly introduced tyres by G and H but should not do away with road safety precautions and maintenance.

He further asked G and H Corporation Limited to consider partnering with Public Service Transport operators and test their products with them as they have the major road users.

He said the company should also consider coming up with other programs of vehicle maintenance and road safety to help Zambia reduce drastically on the number of road accidents being recorded on the Zambian roads.

G and H Corporation Limited had thanked the PF government for the favourable business policies that have helped build both small and medium enterprises in the country.

The post Zambia not a dumping ground for substandard goods – Mukanga appeared first on Zambia News | Lusaka Voice.

Chiefs unhappy with locals’ displacement by investors

Kabwe, July 6, ZANIS —– Traditional leaders have expressed concern over a high number of citizens who are displaced from their farmlands by developers who come to invest in the chiefdoms which are in the mining areas.

The chiefs complained of the large pieces of land which is being lost to developers who are not concerned about the livelihood of the local communities who are displaced from their farmlands as a result of the mining activities without compensation.

Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Kabwe yesterday, at the just ended two days Chiefs’ Indaba organized by the Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ), Chief Sinazongwe of the Tonga speaking people in Southern province emphasized on the government protection of the local people from being displaced by investors.

The traditional leader described as sad the situation where large pieces of land was being converted from farmland to mining areas without any  benefit to the local communities who get displaced in the process.

CCZ, Chiefs and some investors from the six chiefdoms of Southern, Luapula and North-Western provinces were deliberating on the Statutory no. 55 of 2013 which aims at enhancing transparency and accountability in the natural resource management in the CCZ operation areas.

Chief Sinazongwe said most investors lack respect for traditional leaders when they come into the chiefdom, adding that the same investors are usually not monitored by government authorities to ensure adherence to the regulations of the land.

Their royal highnesses appealed to the government to work in consultation with the local traditional leaders in the issuance of licenses to the investors before they could be allowed to carry out activities in their chiefdoms.

And in a collective agreement read out by CCZ Communications officer Grace Zulu, the Indaba participants recommended a number of issues to the government among them, the enactment of the law on compensation which should be re-aligned with international lands standards and for
government to strengthen the law on environmental protection.

Other recommendations were the enactment of the law to protect people who are displaced in the process of paving way for investors and that government should ensure that there is harmonization in the laws on mining, agriculture and land.

They further recommended that government should come up with a law that will compel investors to pay up to about 25% of their profits to the royal establishment in the areas of operations, and that it should ensure that Statutory Instrument no. 55 of 2013 is strictly adhered to by all investors.

The indaba discussed among other issues the role of traditional leaders in the promotion of transparency and accountability in the management of natural resources, especially in the mining and forestry categories.

Among the six chiefs in attendance were Chiefs Musele, Mumena, Matebo, Chimese, Sinazongwe, and Simaamba all from CCZ areas of operation in Western, Luapula, and Southern provinces.

Others were the representatives from Lumwana South mine, First Quartum, Kalombeka Mines and Maamba.

The post Chiefs unhappy with locals’ displacement by investors appeared first on Zambia News | Lusaka Voice.

Government to subsidies small scale farmers through cooperatives

Kabwe,  JULY 6, ZANIS  ——— Government says it will continue to subsidize small scale farmers through the cooperatives as it believes that the movement can be used as an engine in the economic development of the country.

Kabwe District Commissioner Patrick Chishala said the previous bumper harvest which was recorded would not have been possible without the effort from the co-operative movement and other stakeholders.

Mr Chishala was speaking today at the commemoration of the 91st ICA International Co-operatives Day which is also the 19th UN International Day whose theme was “Co-operative Enterprises remains strong in time of crisis”.

Mr Chishala said government has taken up a new policy on agriculture inputs and maize subsidy where 900, 000 beneficiary farmers are targeted in the input support programme for 2013/2014 farming season.

He said each beneficially will continue to receive 4 by 50 kilogram (kg) bags of fertilizer with a 1 by 10kg bag of seed free of charge, adding that farmers would be allowed to exchange 2 by 50Kg bags of maize for 1 by 50kg bag of fertilizer.

“This means that 8 by 50kg bags of maize will be exchanged for 4 by 50kg bags of fertilizer, the option also provided at K100 per 50kg bag and this means a pack will now cost K400,” he explained.

The District Commissioner further said that government would this year implement the Electronic E- voucher system meant to remove government from physical handling of fertilizer but that beneficiary farmers will be given a voucher which they can use to redeem inputs at the participating Agro-dealer outlets.

He explained that Kabwe would be among the 10 districts in the country where the E-voucher system would be piloted, other districts being Chibombo, Mumbwa, Kapiri-Mposhi, Choma, Monze, Mazabuka and Chongwe.

Mr Chishala reminded the co-operators that government would again this year implement maize buying through Food Reserve Agency (FRA) in all the 11 satellite depots across Kabwe district.

Speaking earlier at the same occasion Board Chairman for Kabwe District Co-operative Union, Gabriel Ngosa said his Union was ready to partner with government and the private sector to build the capacity of co-operators and small scale farmers.

Mr Ngosa said the partnership will also ensure the practice of modern farming methods, reduction on the cost of productivity, income generating activities and stable household security in line with
government policy.

He appealed to government to assist the co-operators access loans through Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) and other forms of financing for the projects they have embarked on.

He further appealed to both government and other stakeholders to help co-operators access the international market for their produce to enhance the household incomes so that they contribute to the national strategic reserves as well as to export the excess produce.

He said Co-operators play an important role in ensuring that the nation is food secure.

“We would like to appreciate government for the subsidy on the farmer input support programme which has continued to assist the most vulnerable in society,” he said.

And the District Agricultural and Co-operatives Officer, Kingsley Zimba said it was saddening that most farmers in the district had already sold their maize to the local Milling companies who are offering prices between K67 and K70 per 50 kg bag.

He said farmers argue that the milling companies pays them cash and meet transport costs as opposed to FRA’s low prices and late payments for the maize.

Over 100 co-operative movements in Kabwe gathered to commemorate the day which was characterized by colourful drama performances in forms of dances, music, and sketches.

The post Government to subsidies small scale farmers through cooperatives appeared first on Zambia News | Lusaka Voice.

ZCTA’s measure commended

Lusaka, July 6, ZANIS —— A political activist Stanford Lizu has praised the Zambia Information Communication and Technology Authority (ZICTA) for instituting criminal proceedings against the three mobile phone service providers in the country.

Mr Lizu who is also a consultant, said the decision taken by ZICTA is long overdue as the three mobile providers have been offering sub standard services to their subscribers for a long time now.

He told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today that Zambians expect good services from these service providers.

Mr Lizu however, said ZICTA should have first of all investigated why the three mobile providers have been offering substandard services to their subscribers as opposed to taking a legal redress.

He also stated that it is sad that ZICTA has become a complainant in a case of these three mobile providers instead of being the regulator, adding that the subscribers themselves would have been the ones suing the mobile providers.

Mr Lizu said the action by ZICTA indicates beyond doubt that the service providers have failed lamentably to perform a better job for the Zambian people.

He hinted that it could be that the three mobile providers acquired obsolete and substandard machines in the nation, hence the reason why their services are pathetic.

The political analyst also noted that government should not condone at all cost investors offering inferior services to the Zambian people.

Mr Lizu who cited South-Africa and Nigeria as among other nations where network is good, said communication is paramount in any prosperous nation.

ZICTA has instituted criminal proceedings against the three mobile phone service providers namely Airtel, MTN Zambia and ZAMTEL for failure to meet minimum standards of quality of service.

ZICTA also has resolved to take remedial measures relating to enforcement of quality of service in order to protect public interest in pursuant of the information and Communication Technologies Act No. 15 of 2009.

Meanwhile, Mr Lizu has called on government through the Ministry of Justice to give the Technical Committee drafting the republican constitution another one month in order for them to complete its works.

Mr Lizu told ZANIS that although he does not understand the reason why the Technical Committee drafting an important document failed to wind work within the stipulated time, the team should be given another month so that they do not make an accuse of limited time for giving the Zambian people a substandard piece of document adding that no additional funds should be given to them at this particular time.

He appealed to Justice Minister Winter Kabimba to reconsider his decision as being advocated by the church and other non-governmental organizations on giving the Technical Committee another month to completely finish its job.

The post ZCTA’s measure commended appeared first on Zambia News | Lusaka Voice.

Educationist advices teachers to work hard

Kabwe, July 6, ZANIS —- Central province Provincial Education Officer, Enita Hamatumbika has advised teachers to work hard and assist in advancing the education sector in the country.

Mrs Hamatumbika said education is a pillar to eradicating poverty and therefore government attaches great importance to the education sector.

She was speaking when she addressed graduates from Immaculata College of Education during the 6^th Graduation ceremony held at the Hindu Hall in Kabwe yesterday.

Mrs Hamatumbika said the challenges Zambia is facing can only be solved through education and that teachers play a pivotal role in the development of the country through their profession.

She said the government through the Ministry of Education is ready to employ qualified teachers to fill up the existing vacancies in all schools across the country.

Mrs Hamatumbika also congratulated the graduates for exhibiting an exemplary conduct of excellence in education which she said is a plus to national development and the teaching fraternity.

And speaking earlier, Immaculata College of Education Director, Simon Chomba encouraged the graduates to maintain their confidence as they seek employment.

Mr Chomba said given their hard work and commitment, he had no doubt that the teachers once employed would perform to expected standard.

He congratulated the students for recording a 100% pass rate and wished them well as they excel in their teaching career.

The post Educationist advices teachers to work hard appeared first on Zambia News | Lusaka Voice.

Plans to construct Mpata-Kalima Nkonde road underway

Lunga, July 6, ZANIS —Luapula constituency Member of Parliament Emerine Kabanshi says plans are underway to construct a road from Mpanta in Samfya district to Kalima Nkonde in Lunga district in order to easy transport problems faced between the two districts.

Ms Kabanshi who is also Local Government and Housing Minister said there is need to open up Lunga through road transport because there is no road to Lunga district hence the government’s plan to do a road from Mpanta in Samfya up to Kalima Nkonde in Lunga district.

She noted that the people of Lunga have been marginalised for too long resulting in a situation where some children in the area have never seen a vehicle as the area was not accessible to vehicles.

The Local Government and Housing Minister said once a road is done from Mpanta to Kalima Nkonde it would afford many children of Lunga to see how a vehicle looks like and also to have an opportunity to visit the mainland by road as opposed to the water ways which is the sole means of transport to and from the area currently.

She also said the removal of fuel subsidy did not affect the people of Lunga district in any way because no one owned a vehicle in Lunga as the area is not accessible to motor transport currently, adding that even the removal of subsidies on fertilizer did not affect the people there because no fertilizer is needed as people survive on rice and cassava.

Ms Kabanshi said the desire of the Unga people of Lunga district was that the funds redeemed from the removal of subsidies on fuel should be invested in deepening and clearing the water channels in the area to make their mobility more bearable.

She further said Lunga was a unique area and declaring it a district was a way of opening up the area and the people to joining the bigger Zambian family for development.

The post Plans to construct Mpata-Kalima Nkonde road underway appeared first on Zambia News | Lusaka Voice.

Installation ceremony halted

Samfya, July 6, ZANIS—Suspense and uncertainty hangs over the long protracted Kasoma Bangweulu Chieftainship official installation of Chief elect Moses Kabila in Samfya district.

But Luapula Province Deputy Permanent Secretary Joyce Bwacha Nsamba says government has decided to halt the installation until further notice to pave way for a constitution of a commission of inquiry into the Kasoma Bangweulu succession issues.

Ms Nsamba said this follows complaints and concerns from William Kunda who was also contesting the throne but lost to Kabila in the chiefs’ elections.

The Deputy Permanent Secretary has appealed for calm and patience as government looks into the matter in a bid to harmoniously resolve the matter.

And scores of villagers have complained and expressed concern on the succession wrangles saying their chiefdom was gravely disadvantaged and inconvenienced by the impasse.

Mary Bunda and Mwansa Kamambwe of Malombola village in Chief Kasoma Bangweulu Chiefdom in Samfya district complained on the delays to install Kabila the Chief elect and over resources the villagers had put to hold the event.

“We only hope that this issue is conclusively resolved because we have been celebrating the whole night and preparing food and the like in readiness for today. Now who will foot the expenses when the actual installation is held later? The complainant we guess!” they lamented.

Dispersing the crowd that had gathered at Samfya Primary school ground earmarked for the event celebration became a challenge as some people were refusing to leave without proper explanation to the postponement of the long awaited event.

In a related event, Senior Chief Kalasa Mukoso and Luapula House of Chiefs representatives Chieftainess Mulongwe of Samfya District said the traditional leadership in Samfya and Luapula as a whole are dismayed at the turn of events where harmony has been elusive to the Kasoma Bangweulu Chieftaincy succession.

The traditional leaders said it was sad that the issue of succession wrangles which have seen various avenues of intervention efforts are of a recurrent pattern but urged the subjects to be patient even though the matter had dragged on for years.

This follows a reported last minute halt of the installation by Chiefs Affairs Minister Nkandu Luo yesterday which was due to be held today over reported reconciliation efforts with the contesting heirs to the throne.

The two family’s vying for the throne have taken-on each other since 2007 through negotiation, reconciliation and before the courts of law but all efforts are in vain as the wrangles over the legitimate heir continues.

On one side the Kunda family contends that his earlier victory which was disputed over irregularities and had to have a re-run stands as the legitimate result as opposed to the later where the elected Moses Kabila whose due installation has been halted is allegedly illegal.

This is in spite of measures by the Ndola High Court in a bid to resolve the succession wrangles legally ruled in favour of Kabila’s victory following the sanctioned re-run results.

The recent ruling in favour of Kabila on the re run results where he beat his rival by 117 against 37 votes polled by Kunda, the two parties resolved to harmoniously conclude the succession issue outside court by avoiding further appeals against the final High Court ruling.

Recently William Kunda the aggrieved party in company of his supporters, stormed ZANIS offices in Samfya stating that no installation was going to take place unless he is recognized as the heir or had some kind of power sharing deal in Kasoma- Bangweulu Chiefdom.

He further threatened that if things did not go his way he would form his own chiefdom as he claimed to have support of the people.

Tensions have hit the district with all shops closed as over a thousand villagers have converged at the arena awaiting the installation ceremony.

The post Installation ceremony halted appeared first on Zambia News | Lusaka Voice.