Opposition Alliance for Better Zambia (ABZ) president Frank Bwalya has extended his indefinite leave from priestly ministry.

Father Bwalya announced the development in a statement to Mano News saying he would only consider priesthood after 2016.

He stated that he would therefore continue his involvement in partisan politics including seeking public office.

Father Bwalya, who is an ordained Roman Catholic Priest, took leave of absence and later indefinite leave of absence from priestly ministry five years ago.

Before his leave, Father Bwalya served as parish priest at St. Peters Parish in Kitwe.

ZIMBABWEAN women are among hardest drinkers on the continent making it into the top six of African women binge boozers, according to data complied by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

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The data, which tracks drinking patterns across the globe, indicates that 20,3% of local women love their tipple.

At the top of the list, however, are South Africa and Zambia, with 41,2% of their female populations said to engage in binge drinking.

These are followed by Burkina Faso (36,8%), Mozambique (32,8%) and Nigeria (32,9%).

The findings showed that bingeing was a worldwide phenomenon with the love for alcohol spanning class, culture and profession with the exception of Muslim countries.

WHO defines binge drinking as drinking at least 60 grams of pure alcohol at least once a week.

Although traditionally associated with men, a lot of women have in recent years started taking alcohol primarily as a social engagement.

For a long time, alcohol consumption by women has been traditionally associated with women of loose morals, something that has courted the ire of gender activists.

Police have routinely rounded up women from nightspots in the city in anti-prostitution operations.

Gender Trust director Naomi Chebundo is on record castigating the police and blaming the government for signing gender discriminative laws.

“What police are doing is unfair as most innocent women find themselves behind bars or paying fines because of a selective justice system,” she said.
The data demonstrates that Pakistan, despite the fact that it is a Muslim country, has a sizeable drinking problem.

The “riskiest” drinkers, however, are found in Russia and Ukraine.

Zimbabwean men were pegged at 39%, which places them at number seven in Africa.

The country’s largest brewer, Delta Beverages, said in its 2012 financial results Zimbabwe consumed 198,1 million hectolitres of lager and 335,4 million hectolitres of opaque (millet) beer.

WOMEN are said to be weaker vessels, yet their strength lies in the ability to ‘mother’ every human being and nurture what surrounds them.
In order for them to continue expanding their role, women need the support and recognition from those that have ‘power’, without discriminating them on account of gender.
Sadly, Gender and Child Development Minister, Inonge Wina has observed that gender inequalities in Zambia have continued to hamper women and girls from fully participating in national development.
For a long time now, calls and campaigns have been made aimed at recognising and appreciating women and girls, yet such pronouncements only go as far as set commemoration days.
The more days set to honour women and children come and go, a number of women remain in very awkward situations not because of anything else but because the playing field has never been level from time immemorial.
We hear good pronouncements and promotions to support women and girls on days like ‘Women’s day, Child rights’ day and Mothers’ day, yet very little is fulfilled beyond that.
Women in Zambia remain in the bracket of the most vulnerable and poorest even in the face of annual commemoration days.
What we see after such pronouncements are persistent gender inequalities which had led to women and children being denied their rights.
It is, therefore, a good move that the Government is in the process of formulating the Gender Equality Bill and the Children’s Code Bill, which would guide the State in promoting equality between men, women and children’s rights once passed into law.
With this law, inequalities that manifested in areas such as poverty where female-headed households continued to be poorer than their male counterparts would be addressed.
Statistics show that there were more young men than young women in secondary schools, colleges and universities, a move that condemned women getting into low-paying jobs.
We agree that in view of the said law, women would contribute meaningfully to the development of Zambia withstanding hurdles that hampered them.
By mooting such a law, Zambia being a member of the United Nations (UN) and party to several UN instruments would be fulfilling human rights that support women.
It is also in the same vein that First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba recently appealed for women to own land in Zambia without restrictions.
Dr Kaseba’s thought is an affirmation of President Michael Sata’s recognition that women could develop in their endeavours if they owned land.
In this pursuit, President Sata had directed the Ministry of Lands, Environment and Natural Resources to liaise with the Ministry of Gender and Child Development in a bid to help women own land.
With the Government in the process of formulating the Gender Equality Bill and the Children’s Code Bill, women would be secured and less vulnerable to gender-based violence.
There is no doubt that empowering girls and women is the only way through which the women folk could be afforded an opportunity to determine their own future.
With such a law, women and girls would be empowered to participate in national development.

A TAXI driver in Kitwe has been attacked and his vehicle snatched by bandits dressed in Zambia Police attire.
The attackers armed with unknown firearms also got away with K4,000 from the taxi driver who only sustained an injury on the left side of the eye after being beaten.
Copperbelt deputy police chief Sam Chewe confirmed the robbery which took place in the early hours of Monday in Chimwemwe Township and named the victim as David Kanyanga.
Mr Chewe said Mr Kanyanga was attacked around 01:00 hours by four armed men who snatched his vehicle, a Toyota Spacio registration number ACR 2848 and the K4,000 which was in the car.
He said the vehicle was, however, recovered later after it was abandoned within Chimwemwe Township.
“The robbers are still at large but we have launched a manhunt for them,” Mr Chewe said.
Meanwhile, an 18-year-old grade eight pupil that has been missing from home for close to a fortnight has been found dead, with the body hanging from a tree branch in Kasama.
The boy is believed to have committed suicide after being scolded by his mother for beating his younger siblings.
Fidelis Bwalya of Shimumbi Basic School in Chief Munkonge’s area in Kasama is suspected to have hanged himself from a mango tree with a rope.
Northern Province Police criminal investigations officer Kenneth Nkuwa confirmed the incident which happened on April 18, this year.
According to facts gathered by police, Bwalya was chided by his mother for developing the habit of administering corporal punishment on his siblings.
Bwalya, who was not happy with being admonished, told his mother that he was leaving home and would not be back.
His body was found in a decomposed state in a near-by bush last Friday.
The Police criminal investigations officer has since ruled out foul play and that Bwalya’s body had been buried.

GENDER and Child Development Minister, Inonge Wina has observed that gender inequalities in Zambia have continued to hamper women and girls from fully participating in national development.
Ms Wina said the Government was, therefore, through her ministry, in the process of formulating the Gender Equality Bill and the Children’s Code Bill, which would guide the State in promoting equality between men, women and children’s rights once passed into law.
Officiating at a consultative meeting on the Gender Equality Bill and Children’s Code Bill with traditional leaders in Lusaka yesterday, Ms Wina said Government was concerned with the persistent gender inequalities in Zambia, which had led to women and children being denied their rights.
Ms Wina said the inequalities had manifested in areas such as poverty where female headed households continued to be poorer than their male counterparts.
She said statistics showed that women were in greater danger of getting HIV/AIDS.
Ms Wina observed that there were more young men than women in secondary schools, colleges and universities, thereby resulting in women getting into low-paying jobs.
“In view of this situation, it can be concluded that gender inequalities have continued to prevent the women and girls in Zambia from contributing fully to the development of the country and to share in the benefits thereof.
“I wish to note that this situation has its source in our culture in which girls are taught at a tender age to be good wives, take care of the family and obey their husbands,” she said.
Ms Wina said in as much as the aforementioned demands were good, they stratified gender to the disadvantage of the females.
She said Zambia as a member of the United Nations (UN) was party to several UN instruments on human rights and that of concern at the consultative meeting was the Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).
“As the first step towards achieving this aspiration on the two instruments, Government through the Ministry of Gender and Child Development is in the process of formulating the Gender Equality Bill and the Children’s Code Bill.
“The process of formulating the Gender Equality Bill and Children’s Code Bill once passed into law will provide guidance to Government in promoting equality between women and men and the rights of the children in Zambia,” Ms Wina said.

Government has assured Zambians that the rampant spate of land and property grabbing that had rocked the country in the recent past is now under control.

Minister of Defence Edgar Lungu said government has put in place mechanisms to ensure that people enjoy their right to life and property without any infringement.

He expressed displeasure at the rising impunity by citizens encroaching land in urban areas and taking the law into their own hands.

He said this today when he commissioned and handed over the newly built Embassy Police post to the Zambia Police Service in Chawama constituency in Lusaka today.

Mr. Lungu, who is also Chawama Member of Parliament, said government has intensified efforts to build police posts in order to combat crime and provide security in the communities.

He said government was tirelessly working hard towards reducing crime in the country by 50 percent as espoused in the 2013 -2016 police service strategic plan.

He commended Clicks-Zambia Limited and a consortium of companies for constructing the Police Post at a cost of over K500, 000 with Higer Zambia donating a pick-up-vehicle for police patrols.

Mr. Lungu has meanwhile urged police officers to be professional in their work and provide a good service to the public.

He also warned the public to desist from harbouring criminals terrorising communities saying this was punishable by law.

The Chawama law maker assured the public that more police posts will be built in the constituency in order to secure the area.

And speaking earlier, Inspector General of Police Stella Libongani said the new police post will guarantee police presence and reduce crime in Chawama and the surrounding areas.

Ms. Libongani said the new infrastructure, which has detention facilities, will help the Police Service to observe human rights of the detainees.

And speaking at the same function, Clicks- Zambia Director Akhi Arki said the donation was part of his company’s corporate social responsibility of improving security in Chawama constituency.

Police in Kasama district have arrested a 37 year old man for allegedly being in possession of illegal firearms.

Northern Province Police Division Criminal Investigations Officer Kenneth Nkuwa has confirmed the development to ZANIS today and named the suspect as Felix Kangwa of Chipolokoso in Ngoli area of Mungwi district.

Mr. Nkuwa said Kangwa, who is an ex-convict, was found with six home made firearms.

He said Kangwa was previously jailed for aggravated robbery for 16 years but was released on parole in 2010.

The suspect will appear in court soon facing a charge of unlawful possession of firearms.

Meanwhile, an eight year old girl has died after being hit by a speeding vehicle in Kasama’s Mulenga Hills area.

Mr. Nkuwa said the accident happened April 28th  at around 17:20 hour near Machi Complex.

He said the driver of the vehicle, a Toyota Allex registration number ACC 4356, swerved on the wrong side of the road where he hit the girl.

He said the girl was rushed to Kasama General Hospital where she later died around 20:30hours.

Mr. Nkuwa said the driver has since been apprehended and will appear in court soon for causing death by dangerous driving.

Forestry authorities have intercepted five trucks carrying illegally harvested timber in Nakonde District in Muchinga Province.

The five trucks were intercepted at Wulongo police check point yesterday.

Nakonde District Commissioner James Singoyi says the five trucks were carrying illegal timber of the famous Mukula tree harvested from Eastern Province of Zambia.

Mr. Singoyi has told ZANIS that the truck drivers had fake documents for other goods which they purportedly were to export through the port of Dar-se-salaam in Tanzania.

He says the five drivers have since been detained to help with investigations.

Mr. Singoyi has warned people dealing in illegal timber and other
illegal merchandise that they will not go scot free.

He has further directed Law Enforcement Agencies at Nakonde border to be on high alert and ensure that no illegal goods are allowed to leave or enter the country.

Several trucks have in the recent passed been intercepted in joint
operations that have been conducted by the Ministry of Lands and Zambia Police in the Eastern and Lusaka Provinces.

On Tuesday, Lands Minister Mwansa Kapeya says government may be forced to ban timber exports if illegal cutting down of tress and exportation continues.

Mr. Kapeya says government will not sit idle and watch a few individuals rob the nation of the much needed revenue that can be realized from the legal exportation of timber.

A Chinese national was last week arrested in Lusaka in connection with illegal trade in timber.

And Mr. Kpaeya says the PF government is committed to ensuring that funds received from donors are utilized for the intended purpose.

He has assured the donors that the Zambian government recognizes that proper utilization of funds is key in the development agenda of the government.

He was speaking during a high level Ministers and Donors meeting in Burundi on Wednesday.

Inutu Mwanza reports from Burundi that four African countries bordering Lake Tanganyika are meeting to mobilize funds for the proper utilization and Sustainable management of natural resources in the share region.

Mr Kapeta says the Zambian government is concerned about the threats to the Lake Tanganyika that include sedimentation ,pollution ,climate change and overfishing.

He says is why government attaches great importance to programmes and projects that give prominence on issues of sustaining biodiversity while uplifting the lives of communities around the lake.

Earlier, Tanzanian Minister of state Samia Hassan has called for concerted efforts in preserving Lake Tanganyika fish species as well as animals around the lake basin.

Congolese Minister of Agriculture Jean Vahamwitti expressed concern at the unregulated human activities around the lake.

The donors that have been invited for the meeting include the European Union, African Development Bank and UNDP among others.

Young Women’s Christian Association of Zambia (YWCA) has urged stakeholders in Chibombo district to work together in the fight against gender based violence (GBV).

YWCA Central Province Regional Coordinator Juliet Kawanda said there has been little collaboration among stakeholders in the district thereby making the fight against GBV difficult.

Ms. Kawanda said this was the reason why Chibombo has recorded little impact on the fight against GBV as compared to other districts in Central Province.

She said this during a stakeholders’ meeting held at Chibombo April 28th.

Ms. Kawanda noted that there has been a negative attitude among members of the communities in the district towards the issues of GBV.

She said this was evident in a number of people who turn up for public sensitization campaigns on GBV in the communities.

She said this has also contributed to the district’s poor performance in the fight against the vice.

“At one time we called up a meeting at Chikobo but community members did not come because they knew there was no nshima,” she said.

Ms. Kawanda however encouraged the stakeholders not to relent in their efforts but instead team up and strengthen their networks if their fight against GBV was to make an impact in the district.

Meanwhile, Women in Law and Development in Africa (WILDAF) Paralegal Francis Phiri said lack of courts of law nearby was another reason why the district has not made a significant progress in the fight against GBV.

Mr. Phiri said some victims opt to withdraw cases from courts while others do not even bother to start the process because of long distances they have to cover to seek justice.

Justice Minister, Wynter Kabimba says President Michael Sata has shamed his critics by taking development to all parts of the country.

Mr. Kabimba who is also PF Secretary General says Zambia has continued witnessing unprecedented development under President Sata.

He was speaking when called on Northern Province Permanent Secretary, Hlobotha Nkunika in Kasama on Thursday.

Mr Kabimba has urged workers in the country to work with the PF government for sustained social and economic growth.

And Mr. Nkunika has thanked government for its effort to develop the province.

He says although the province is faced with various challenges, government has shown commitment to improving peoples lives.

Meanwhile, Mr. Kaimba has called for more patience from Zambians as the party works to fulfil its campaign promises.

And Mr Kabimba says the party will fail to achieve anything if it is Not united.

Mr Kabimba who is also Justice Minister says unity is key to ensuring that the PF delivers on its promises to all Zambians.

He also called for discipline among the party’s rank and file so that the PF attracts more support.

Mr Kabimba was speaking in Nchelenge when he featured on Radio Luapula.

Vice President Guy Scott says government is committed to reforming the labour law in a bid to meet the workers aspirations.

Dr. Scott says government has finalized consultation on the areas of labour laws that require amendment and will soon implement it in line with the input of stakeholders.

The Vice President was speaking when he officiated at the Labour Day commemorations in Kitwe on Thursday.

Dr. Scott says government has launched the second Zambian decent work country programme which will strength fundamental principles and protect the rights of workers.

And Zambia Congress of Trade Unions- ZCTU-Representative Betty Mutambo bemoaned the high cost of living.

Meanwhile, Zambia Federation of Employers ZFE representative Stephen Sikombe says his organization will not negotiate withy union demanding unrealistic salary increment and conditions of service.

And the Zambia Congress of Trade Union -ZCTU- has condemned political parties that have shunned the Labour Day Celebrations.

And government says it remains committed to uplifting the welfare of workers in the country.

Justice Minister, Wynter Kabimba says this is why government is working hard to improve workers’ conditions of service while creating more jobs.

Mr Kabimba was speaking when he officiated at the Labour Day Celebrations in Kasama District on Thursday.

He also says government will only review the wage freeze when the economy improves.

Mr. Kabimba says the introduction of the Wage Freeze should not be misunderstood as it was done in good faith.

Meanwhile ZCTU Secretary General, Roy Mwaba says those shunning labour day celebrations do not appreciate workers’ efforts in the country.

Mr Mwaba however, appealed to government to lift the wage freeze saying it is against labour laws and international practice.

And Agriculture Deputy Minister Greyford Monde says thousands of women and youths have been liberated from poverty through government’s deliberate policy of encouraging people to venture into agriculture.

Mr Monde says through the Fertilizer Input Support Programme -FISP and the Citizen’s Economic Empowerment Commission -CEEC Funds, government has deliberately helped women and youths to be empowered and move out of poverty.

He adds that women and youths are an integral part of government’s development agenda.

Paul Shalala reports from the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa that Mr Monde said this when he appeared on a panel discussion at the on-going Joint Conference of Ministers of Agriculture which is taking place at the African Union Headquarters.

Mr Monde says the Zambian government has also come up with a deliberate policy that encourages college graduates to venture into agriculture at a tender age.

The two day Joint Conference of Ministers of Agriculture, Rural Development, Fisheries and Aquaculture which opened this morning, has attracted ministers from all African countries.

Mr Monde is representing the Zambia government together with Local Government Deputy Minister Nicholas Banda.

And Zambia Congress of Trade Union ZCTU says workers are highly expecting the outcome as Government start negotiations for better Conditions of Service.

ZCTU representative Ronald Habeenzu said this during his speech at the commemoration of this year’s Labour Day celebration in Lukulu District of Western Province.

Mr. Habeenzu says workers should be remembered for their sacrifice they have endured saying May Day is celebrated not only for its historical significance but also a time to organize around issues of vital importance to all working class.

He adds that as the Government of Zambia review Labour laws, it is also important that pronouncements from Government on reforming the pension scheme and revising the retirement age be dealt with.

Mr. Habeenzu has also called on Government to fulfill its promise to deliver a new constitution to the people of Zambia saying the document is a framework for Government.

Meanwhile Lukulu District Commissioner Precious Muyenga says Government requires more time to prepare the document in a well scrutinized dimension to come up with a good constitution that will stand the taste of time for the people of Zambia.

Ms. Muyenga says the National Constitution is not the same as a Manifesto of a Political Party saying the document will be released when it will be ready.

And Ms. Muyenga says after a careful assessment on the retirement age, Government suggested that retirement age be shifted to 65 instead of 55.

She said it was a good move because at 55 people were still energetic and able to contribute efficiently and effectively to the national development of the country.

The DC has since urged workers to work side by side with their employers for the purpose of industrial harmony in the work environment.

More than 100 workers both from Lukulu and Mitete Districts of Western Province commemorated this year’s Labour Day under the theme Zambia at 50 creating descent work and promoting Socio- Economic Justice for National Development.

President Michael Sata has instructed that this year’s Labour Day in Lusaka be observed without speeches to allow time for employers to reflect on their employees’ condition of service.

This year’s theme is Zambia at 50; creating decent work and promoting socio-economic justice for national development.

And President Sata has observed that workers do not need to go on strike to ask for an increment of their salaries.

He has particularly instructed Labor Minister Fackson Shamenda to ensure that workers to do not go on strike to demand for an increment of their salaries.

The Head of State also notes that the fact that government has imposed a wage freeze in the civil service it does not mean that other employers should not increase their employees’ salaries.

And first republic President Kenneth Kaunda who attended the Labour Day celebration at the freedom Statute has thanked President Sata for gracing the event.

The Labor celebrations however continued with prizing giving after President Sata left the freedom statute

By MICHELO HIMAAMBO -

WHAT seems like a sad anecdote befalls one of Zambia’s grate songster, as he gets 18 years in prison with hard labour for ruination of a girl under the age of 16.
General Kanene has been an artist, whose music has entertained, educated, opened people’s minds, wretched other musicians in a way that made other people or rather listeners laugh and continue looking forward to his new Single.
Zambian Music industry has lost a member of its team in a horror approach.
Agony among the Zambian artiste and his family transpires!!!
In short amplification, General Kanene has in his early days of singing released a very illustrious song Ma hips yako yamapeleka Bantu Kuchingwela the song was enjoyed by both young people and adults and its significance lasted for a time.
One wonders what shock his funs must be having since the day his misfortune was publicly announced.
Who would have ever known, that from the type of songs he sung, he would find himself in such a situation?
Questions arise from both his fans and the rest is his music dying just like that? If not, Will he continue behind bars? It is premeditated that the 18 years of General Kanene’s villain due in 2032, but will the 27 year Old be able to sing once he steps out of prison?
The success of the artiste has been shortened not by the hands of another person but his own actions.
His action has raised awareness to the public that he did not sing for what he could have portrayed.
Meanwhile, People have uttered grief on his verdict.
Disappointed as his pleasurable people are, their support has not slumbered; there have been several postings of alleged unfairness in his judgment on social media since. General Kanene’s interesting Music will be greatly missed by all
Zambian music funs.