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South African Olympic medalist Bayanda Walaza turns down scholarship offers from American universities

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Bayanda Walaza, South Africa’s double under-20 world champion, has confirmed his commitment to both his coach and his distinctive running style as he prepares for his next chapter at the University of Pretoria.

Walaza, fresh off his success in Lima, Peru, where he secured gold in the 100m and 200m events, returned to South Africa on Tuesday, September 3, with an eye on his academic future and the upcoming matric prelim exams.

Despite his meteoric rise, which also included a 4x100m silver medal at the Paris Olympic Games, the 18-year-old athlete has chosen to stick with his coach, Thabo “Coach T” Matebedi. Walaza acknowledged that offers from US universities have poured in, but he is determined to continue his training under Matebedi’s guidance. “I’m not going to change any coaches because that can cause a lot of difficulties and all of that,” said Walaza.

The sprinter, who ran the first leg of the 4x100m relay in Paris, has developed a lightning start that proved a factor in Peru, but his habit of flailing his arms and rocking his head in the final stages of the race has raised concern among some purists.

Currently a pupil at Curro Hazeldean in Pretoria, Walaza is balancing his athletics career with his academics, starting his matric prelim exams with geography on Thursday, September 4. He also revealed plans to study logistics at the University of Pretoria, a decision that keeps him grounded in his home country as he continues to build on his track career.

He said;

“So it’s better to deal with the coach that is working for me because he made me get two gold medals. He made me get silver at the Olympics so why must I must leave him? I’ve got a lot of offers [from US colleges] like I think three or four varsities, but I told them: ‘Ja, I’ll stay here’.

“I’ve heard a lot of comments. So my coach told me, as long as it’s working for me, I might as well just stay doing it because if I change it, who might know? I might look nice running, but I might not be the winner that I am right now with this running style I have, so it’s better to work with what you have. Me and my coach are working on what we have. If my running style is like this, it’s better to make it effective than changing it.

“We had to work for the whole year to perfect that start, and it went perfect at the right time because I would say [until then] it was not going the way we wanted it. At Paris, that’s when it started working … I think that was also the reason I won because I was leaving them at the start.”

Bobi Wine stable after violent clash with Uganda police

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Ugandan opposition leader and National Unity Platform (NUP) president, Robert Kyagulanyi, aka Bobi Wine, is recovering at the St Francis Nsambya Hospital following a violent altercation with security officers on Tuesday in Wakiso District, a party lawyer said early Wednesday.

Bobi Wine sustained injuries when a teargas canister was fired at him, hitting his left lower leg. The incident has drawn widespread condemnation.

“He is stable and out of danger,” said George Musisi, one of the NUP lawyers.

NUP spokesperson Joel Ssenyonyi revealed that X-ray reports indicated “fragments of the teargas canister were lodged in Bobi Wine’s leg”. A surgical operation to remove these fragments was scheduled for September 4 at the Kampala health facility.

In the meantime, Mr Musisi noted that NUP lawyers and officials would visit Kira police on Wednesday to secure the release of at least four detainees and three motorbikes seized during the melee as Bobi Wine returned from a private function.

Veteran opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye condemned the police aggression, terming it “totally uncalled for” and part of a continued pattern of persecution against the political opposition.

“From Ssenyonyi’s brief, the injuries Kyagulanyi suffered are from the tear ball grenades (usually blue coloured), that police liberally employ as part of persecution- not policing!” he wrote on X (former Twitter).

He further condemned the Uganda Police Force (UPF) for its continued abuse of human rights.

Former leader of the opposition in Parliament, Mathias Mpuuga, also criticised the police, demanding an explanation for the “brutal and high-handed attack.”

Ingrid Turinawe, another opposition figure, emphasised the right of all Ugandans, including Bobi Wine, to move freely without fear of attack. “This nonsense of tormenting peaceful unarmed civilians must stop!” she declared.

Mr Musisi further accused the police of acting as an “armed wing of the ruling party” against those they view as government dissidents. “It is not an isolated incident. Ugandans should also demand that police respect the law,” he told NTV Uganda on Wednesday.

Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke responded by stating that an investigation would be conducted to establish the facts. He said that police officers at the scene claimed Bobi Wine stumbled while getting into his vehicle, causing the injury, while Bobi Wine’s team maintains that he was shot.

“An investigation will be conducted to clarify the facts,” Mr Rusoke noted in a brief statement.

This incident echoes past events, such as in 2018 when Bobi Wine’s bodyguard-driver, Yasin Kawuma, was shot dead during a violent arrest of Bobi Wine in Northern Uganda amidst parliamentary by-election activities.

The Ugandan authorities had accused Bobi Wine and his supporters of stoning President Museveni’s convoy, a claim they deny.

WHY DECLARE AN ELECTRICITY EMERGENCY?- CHISHALA KATEKA

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WHY DECLARE AN ELECTRICITY EMERGENCY?

September 2024

Fellow citizens, yesterday the New Heritage Party (NHP), issued a statement advising the the UPND Government to evoke emergency measures as one of the several immediate interventions that are urgently required to help the country avoid falling into a quicksand situation with our economy generally and the livelihoods of the poor majority of Zambians especially.

NHP does not issue statements for popularity’s sake. We are well researched and patriotic. We have received numerous cases of the severe disruptions and mayhem that this current power deficit is causing in individual households, in industry and in hospitals of all places, where now even potable clean safe drinking water is not available.

People are suffering! This situation is intolerable! This shows incompetence and poor leadership! Guess who agrees with us in this assessment – yes, you guessed right, it is no other than President Hakainde Hichilema himself who just a little while ago when we were faced with a similar but less severe power deficit when he was an opposition leader stated that the power deficit we faced as a nation, was as a result of leadership incompetence and failure.

Our advise, therefore, to President HH and the UPND for the evocation of emergency measures is not an academic exercise, it is advice founded on the understanding that unless drastic steps are taken domestically to mobilise the financial, material, logistical and human resources required for a serious focussed and well coordinated international effort to get us out of this fast deteriorating morass, as a result of the energy crisis, negative unintended consequences including social unrest is a real risk for the nation. This is not a partisan matter for point scoring by anyone. We are all affected negatively by this lack of electricity even though we know that others are less so, at their individual level, than the majority of our people.

In simple terms, what we are asking Government to do, is to operationalize a ” Marshall Plan” which will enable the country to access expertise, resources and international solidarity to help us out of this terrible situation before it is too late. Zambia is member of a number of multilateral institutions including the World Bank, IMF, ADB, COMESA Bank, and others. We need these institutions to step up and play their rightful role, especially the World Bank, which although was initially set up to rebuild Europe after the Second World War, has a new mandate to foster the development of emerging countries such ours. All these institutions have been collecting money from Zambia and continue to do so, it is time the Zambians had a return on these investments.

This is the surest way out of our quagmire in the short term, not this ” Mickey Mouse” approach that is being taken by the UPND government so far.

This country belongs to us all.

CHISHALA KATEKA
President – New Heritage Party

EFCC refuses to discharge Dr Malama, others on the premise of lapse of time

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EFCC refuses to discharge Dr Malama, others on the premise of lapse of time

LUSAKA chief resident magistrate Davies Chibwili said he is not out of season like fresh groundnuts in the month of September, in prosecuting former minister of health permanent secretary (technical) Dr Kennedy Malama and others over their alleged failure to follow guidelines in the procurement of 50 ambulances.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/Jez47ABDZrHL2sAK/?mibextid=oFDknk

Magistrate Chibwili ordered that he will hear the case to its conclusion, as the five month period of prosecuting the eight comes to an end on September 13, and increased the life span of the  Court proceedings by 45 days.

Dr Malama and seven others are being before the Economic and Financial Crimes Court for wilful failure to comply with applicable procedure in procurement relating to the purchase of 50 ambulances for the ministry of health at an exorbitant price.

Dr Malama is jointly charged with, Dr Jabbin Mulwanda, Dr Muzaza Nthele a former diplomat in Beijing China, Rebecca Njobvu retired, of zambia air force area, Dr Maxmillian Bweupe a former diplomat in Washington DC, Dr Gardner Syakantu, former ministry of health permanent secretary administration, Mulalelo Akakulubelwa and Wilson Lungu a Chief procurement officer at the ministry of mines, for willful failure to comply with applicable procedure contrary to Section 34 of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act no.3 of 2012.

At the last sitting lawyers representing the accused, Lubinda Linyama, Willis Muhanga and  Jonas Zimba asked the Court to dismiss the case for want of prosecution on reasons that the five months period in which to try the accused had elapsed.

The trio made the application pursuant to Statutory Instrument no. 10 of 2024 arguing that the State did not request for the extension of time before the expiration of the five months.

Linyama, Muhanga and Zimba said Rules of the Economic and Financial Crimes Court ought to be strictly adhered to, as the Court itself did not issue an order extending time before it elapsed.

ACC prosecutor Daniel Ngwira asked the Court to dismiss the application as the law clothes it with the powers to move its own motion extending time.

He urged the Court to invoke Rule 3(2) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Rules as read together with section 37 of CAP 2.

In his ruling magistrate Chibwili clarified that the five months period is expiring on September 13.

He said the case had suffered 20 adjournments as a result of the defense raising numerous preliminary issues and applications, and made it impossible for  him to conclude the case within the specified time frame.

“The rules do not provide for the consequences of the elapsing of time but, it states that the parties can apply for the extension of time,” Magistrate Chibwili said.

He said just like winter maize is never out of season, there was no loss of jurisdiction on his  part.

“Trial will continue as I will extend the time to 45 days. The application for the matter to be referred to the High Court does not stand. I hereby order that trial will continue. I hereby extend the time of hearing for 45 days,” magistrate Chibwili ordered.

Muhanga sought clarity on when the 45 days would be effective and magistrate Chibwili indicated that it would be in effect from September 3, 2024.

He warned that he will not entertain unnecessary adjournments in the case.

The matter comes up on October 4, 2024.

By Mwaka Ndawa

Kalemba September 4, 2024.

WE NEED TO OWN STRATEGIC ASSETS…so that we have control and grow our economy, says DR MUSUMALI

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WE NEED TO OWN STRATEGIC ASSETS

….so that we have control and grow our economy, says DR MUSUMALI

Lusaka… Wednesday, September 4, 2024

Socialist Party (SP) General Secretary Dr Cosmas Musumali says there is need to own strategic assets in order to have control of the economy.

Dr. Musumali argues that it is practically impossible to control what you do not own.

He believes that a nation can grow and strengthen its economy when it has control of strategic assets.

He said the country should own the mines in order to develop and forget that notion that Zambia has no capacity to manage it’s mining assets.

“Ownership of our mines has been a dream for a certain period of time. The UNIP goverment fought so hard they said mines were critical to the future of this country. They said they were going to be the majority shareholders and they worked out a scheme where 51 percent of the shares of ZCCM-IH were acquired. Unfortunately, the payment schedules and the deals that were struck, at the end of the day those that were said were getting the shares benefited more than Zambia itself,” said Dr. Musumali.

“It was a noble attempt until somewhere in the 90’s when we handed over the mines free to them. We got a situation where someone would come in the country and says I went to Zambia I had nothing. I got a mine and I made use of it and earned over US$700 million and I am rich without investing anything. That’s how bad it was!”

He said the nation was duped as stated by those who bought shares.

“But again we gave away our birthright because the wealth is a birthright. First we gave it away through col0nialism because they occupied our mines and after independence we tried to get back those mines but we didn’t do it well. So we were duped and then today we have surrendered and even the little that is remaining we are surrendering it to trans-national corporations that elsewhere are said to be cr!minals. And these corporations are in court everywhere,” he stated.

“We should learn from other countries on ownership. Ownership comes first and you can’t control what you don’t own. So, why is control so important? Control is about decision making, priority setting and being able to steer development where no one is left behind. You need to ensure that your environment is not destroyed but protected and there is peace and harmony in your country.”

The SP General Secretary further observed the need to have a regulatory framework that says business activities are in the interest of the common good.

“Of course the individuals and actors involved are beneficiaries but at the same time you can’t benefit if you are destroying that same country. But if you are dealing with trans-national corporations that have no affiliation and do not respect your leaders you are in deep problems. One American President Donald Trump once characterized our third world economies as ‘sh!t hall’. In Zambia and Africa, ownership is a big issue and you can’t control what you don’t own,” he added.

Kenyan Woman Who Got Married to Indian Husband Painfully regrets

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Kenyan Woman Who Got Married to Indian Husband Painfully regrets

A Murang’a woman has opened up on the challenges she faced after getting married to an Indian man whose culture clashed with hers consistently during their 28-year union. Alice narrated how her marriage with her Indian lover flopped after 28 years.

Alice narrated that she met her now ex-husband while she was still a high school student, and he was her teacher. She recalled being head over heels in love with him and could not wait to get married to him.

In an interview with TUKO.co.ke, Alice said that their relationship blossomed, and she would later take him to her parents for an introduction when she was ready to settle down with him. During this meeting with her parents, the lovers’ different cultures started colliding, but this did not alarm Alice, who, back then, could not envision her life without him.

“During the introduction, the issue of dowry came up, and my dad wanted to know when he would bring the bride price as is the Kikuyu custom, but to our utter surprise, the Indian man told my parents that they were the ones supposed to give him goodies as the groom-to-be as that is what happens in the Indian culture,” she narrated. Alice’s dad declined the Indian man’s request, so the lovers proceeded with their nuptials without either of the families offering a bride price due to the contrasting cultures.

However, 28 years later, Alice’s marriage is irretrievably broken as the cultural difference made it difficult to thrive “My parents vehemently warned me against marrying the man, but I ignored them. Looking back, I wish I did. Because as much as my then-husband and I had agreed that I would continue being a Christian and him a Hindu, the birth of our children made me change a lot. I had even changed to Hinduism,” she added.

The Kenyan woman also narrated witnessing her son’s cremation after he died in an accident. “When my son died, we followed the Hindu customs, and it was so painful for me. I was present at the crematorium. I saw the firewood on his body and watched as his body turning to ashes. This was a very difficult moment for me because I have only ever known burying a dead loved one,” she said.

The woman advised couples considering inter-cultural marriage to do due diligence and not to be blinded by love. “It is important for couples to interrogate their partners’ culture well before marriage so as not to face some of the things I faced in my marriage,” she said.

Source: TUKO.co.ke

Zambia Police has refused to give bond to Hon. Raphael Nakacinda

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POLICE KEEPS NAKACHINDA IN CELLS, REFUSE TO GIVE HIM BOND

….as his lawyers rush to court to file some documents to secure his release

Police have allegedly refused to give detained Patriotic Front Secretary General Hon Raphael Nakachinda bond.

Nakacinda was arrested yesterday and is currently detained at Chilenje Police Station.

Sources close to the matter have disclosed that officers from Lusaka Service HQ abandoned their offices claiming that they were at Danny Mwale’s funeral.

The PF says even when the funeral procession and burial ended the officers kept claiming that they are at the funeral.

The source has alleged that an officer from the Force Headquarters a Mr Mukale is determined to keep him in police cells.

“He (Nakacinda) was arrested for condemning the government for feeding the people with poison. When they were arresting him, he told them that there was no need for them to interview him because they already made up their minds to arrest him. All he asked for is that in the same way they made up their minds to arrest him is the same way the President said if it is a bondable offense release people on bond. They have refused to give him bond,” said the source.

Meanwhile senior PF officials have condemned the continuous keeping of their Secretary General despite him meeting the bond conditions.

Speaking to the press outside Chilenje police station this afternoon, Prof Nkandu Luo who almost broke down said what was happening in Zambia was sad. She said being a politician is about being persecuted once you leave office.

Sylvia Chalikosa a former Minister said the country’s creditentials had gone to its lowest due to infringements of human rights of citizens.

While Brian Mundubile leader of the opposition in Parliament said he had made 50 visits to politice stations during the UPND rule. He said the UN report had vindicated the PF about abuse of human rights and oppression of political opponents.

Mundubile said Zambians were watching on the actions of UPND and yhat they will speak on the ballot in 2026.

It appears UN has realised Zambia has,A LIAR FOR PRESIDENT…stop the arbitrary arrests on oppositionleaders, just deal with your fears – Kalaba

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It appears UN has realised Zambia has,
A LIAR FOR PRESIDENT
…stop the arbitrary arrests on opposition
leaders, just deal with your fears – Kalaba


By Larry Moonze(The Mast)


CITIZENS First leader Harry Kalaba says it appears the UN has realised that Zambia has a liar for a president.

“Stop the arbitrary arrests on opposition leaders, just deal with your fears,” he urged.

Kalaba, in a statement, said while the nation needs healing “instead of providing that this President has fractured everything we have worked to hard to preserve”.

“The United Nations Special Human Rights report could not have come at a better time.

The report has helped to highlight some of the issues that have been raised by CSOs, members of the clergy and even ourselves as politicians. The arrogance of the Hakainde led government is that the President has the habit of wanting to talk things out thinking they will go away. He needs to take responsibility and start addressing issues,” he said. “As a head of state you can not continue burying your head in sand and think things will fix themselves. He needs to start taking responsibility. We have raised these issues in the past and in typical Hakainde style they have elected to rubbish everything we say.

What is the outcome of that? The nation is now faced with a bad image.”

Kalaba said Zambia is now literally a police state and “the freedoms and privileges of citizens have been eroded in the three years of the UPND’s governance”.

“I was concerned that the chief government spokesperson [Cornelius Mweetwa] decided to make light of the report and has opted to be in total denial. This country is fast degenerating into a police state. The UPND using the police to settle personal scores. Institutions of governance and oversight have been weaponised and being unleashed against the opposition,” he observed. “A seating parliamentarian [Emmanuel Jay Banda] was abducted and when he named his abductors someone instructed the police to ensure that he was detained in a military facility where not even his family members would have access to him. Rather than constituting an inquiry to investigate how true the allegations of his abduction was they made sure that he was kept away from fair representation using the police. If that is not weaponisation of the police what is it? How many times have you heard politicians being locked up on flimsy grounds under the UPND government? While all these things are happening the President is busy saying what he thinks the international community will be listening to. Little did he know that the they are people who are watching him and observing the instructions he is giving when the camera is not rolling. It appears like some international organisations like the UN have realised that Zambia has a liar for a president and we should all start interrogating every word that comes from his mouth.”

He reminded the UPND that “we are still waiting for the clock to hit 14:00 hours for the kwacha to gain strength against the US dollar”.

“People are still waiting for mealie meat to go to K50 because that is what he promised.

Let’s not even say his people are letting him down. No they are simply following his instructions otherwise he would have fired them. My advice to this government is that you came in 2021 and you will be voted out in 2026 and so remember that you will be remembered for having polarised the country to a point that the citizens overwhelmingly voted them out. Stop the arbitrary arrests on opposition leaders, just deal with your fears.

Allow for interparty dialogue that has died under the UPND,” urged Kalaba. “Let the institutions of governance operate with the deserved independence. Allow for freedom of movement and the assembly by all political players not just the ruling party. Ensure freedom of expression rather than arresting every citizen that disagrees with the President. This nation needs healing and instead of providing that this President has fractured everything we have worked to hard to preserve.”

Is Muzala Samukonga being ungrateful to Zambia?

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IS Muzala Samukonga being ungrateful to Zambia?


MEDIA STATEMENT BY THE NSCZ CEO MR SOMBWA MUSUNSA ON THE PAYMENT OF ALLOWANCES TO ATHLETES WHO PARTICIPATED IN MULTI-SPORTS EVENTS

03 SEPTEMBER, 2024

GOOD AFTERNOON

I welcome you all to this press briefing which has been necessitated by recent statements issued mainly through social media by particular individuals regarding the payment of allowances and other forms of payments to athletes. We are grateful to you the media that you have to come to attend the briefing at short notice.

In the last few weeks especially after the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the media has been flooded with statements from some named athletes and the public on assertions that the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts has not paid allowances and other related payments to Zambian athletes who have participated in several competitions such as the 2022 Commonwealth Games, 2023 African Games and the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

As a result of such statements, the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts through Hon Elvis C Nkandu and the Permanent Secretary of Youth and Arts, Mr Kangwa Chileshe were compelled to issue sperate statements on several occasions to provide answers to increased queries regarding the status of payments to athletes.

I wish to begin by saying that the Government of the Republic of Zambia through the President HE Hakainde Hichilema value sport, athletes and all those who are involved in the sector. On a number of occasions, the President has been categorical on the value that sport has towards social and economic development.

This has been echoed on several occasions by the Minister of Youth, Sport and Arts and the Permanent Secretary in charge of Youth and Arts who have made it clear that sport and those who participate in it are held in high regard.

In the last three years, Zambia has experienced progressive budgetary allocation to sports, a clear sign of the government’s full commitment to stimulate growth in the sector. One notable addition to the Sport Development budget is Community Sport which has been allocated 30 million kwacha. Community Sport has been devolved to local authorities or councils which will undoubtedly increase opportunities for people across the country to participate in sport. This is the bedrock of sport development of any nation which aims at enhancing the culture of sport at grassroots level.

Remarkably, the budget for participation in Regional and International Games has been increased from 85 million in 2023 to 90 million in the 2024 budget. This is meant to increase the number of athletes participating in regional and international competitions, thereby increasing Zambia’s chances of winning medals.

The recent positive strides undertaken by the government in the sector is a manifestation of unequalled commitment and optimism that will further drive sport development to reach new summits. This will lead to the growth of sport and augment its contribution to national development.

The increased allocation of resources to sport has without a shadow of doubt increased the development of the sector and ultimately placing Zambia as a powerhouse of sport in the Region. In this regard, the government must be commended by all stakeholders and Zambians for the positive direction taken with the proposed 2024 Sport Development budget.
Notwithstanding the achievements scored in the last three years, we are cognizant of the fact that we have more work to do in the sector.

The recent economic downturns brought about by elements such as the drought have resulted in government instituting austerity measures across all social and economic sectors in the country including sport. This has also affected timely payment of allowances and related payments to athletes, sport administrators and support staff.

Athletes Welfare

Safeguarding the welfare of athletes is paramount. This is a shared responsibility that the Government, Ministry and National Sports Council of Zambia have to ensure athletes are provided with adequate support services. This has been achieved on several occasions despite the need for improvements to attain excellence and efficiency on the work we do. We endevour to protect the athletes against harassment and abuse and do not take lightly some the exploitation of our beloved athletes by individuals with selfish motives hiding behind the social media curtain.

We have noted the cowardly behaviour of some people hiding behind some innocent athletes to advance their personal agendas. The least that a brave individual can do is openly address important matters in sport without using the face and voice of athletes.

Sports Administration

The Zambian government endevours to employ qualified employees to manage the sports sector. In addition, we have several men and women who are qualified as sport administrators and are providing exceptional service to this country to better the sport development sector. The selfless work exhibited by most of the sport administrators has resulted in enhanced performance of athletes who have gone on to win medals at major events including the Olympic Games. Therefore, it is saddening to note social media statements that Zambia lacks qualified sport administrators capable of running the fraternity effectively. It is the same administrators who are insulted day and night to create a conducive environment for athletes to thrive. The same sport administrators in the National Sport Associations affiliated to the National Sports Council of Zambia that are being insulted continue to create opportunities for athletes to be discovered and expose athletes to international events. It is therefore unfair for athletes and some sections of the public to issue a blanket statement that sport administrators including those in the National Sports Associations in the country are not qualified. Without the sport administrators, coaches, support staff and others who are selflessly working to develop sport, some of the athletes we are seeing on social media would not be where they are. It is, therefore, expected of athletes to accord due respect and regard for such individuals that work tirelessly and many times without receiving anything in return.

Payment of allowances

Government through the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts and National Sports Council of Zambia continues to work towards provision of adequate remuneration to athletes. In the last three years, we have noted the exponential increase in the number of athletes participating in regional and international events. As such, the allowances and other payments to athletes have increased. In most cases, the government has fulfilled its obligations of paying the athletes, coaches and administrators. While we empathise with our beloved athletes on delayed funding, we are committed to ensure that every beneficiary is paid what is due to them before the end of the year. This has been stated by the Ministry on several occasions.

We acknowledge that the payments have taken longer than expected but we remain optimistic to fulfill the end of our bargain and bring this matter to its conclusion. We must be quick to mention that assertions being made on social media by named athletes are therefore, not true. For instance, we note with concern some unfortunate statements made in recent times by Muzala Samukonga, a 400m specialist who claims that certain payments have not been made by the Ministry. To the contrary, Muzala’s daily allowances have been paid for major international events including the just ended Paris Olympic Games.

To show you the breakdown, Muzala was paid the following:
• K15,120 for his participation in the 2022 African Championships in Mauritius,
• K12, 180 paid as per diem as part of his travel to the USA in 2022,
• K23,040 paid as daily allowance for the Commonwealth Games,
• K80,000 as winning bonus or for the bronze medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games,
• K30, 802 as daily allowance for the 2023 African Games held in Ghana, and
• K53, 480 as daily allowance for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
In addition, when Muzala was injured in 2023, the Government through the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts paid K173, 850 towards his medical bills.

It should be stated that what has not been paid for some competitions are payments for medals. The Minister has been categorical that payments for medals will be made.


Furthermore, the Government of Zambia employed Muzala in the Zambia National Service where he continues to draw a monthly salary and enjoying other benefits.

The Ministry also facilitated the donation of the house that Muzala occupies. After the Paris 2024 Olympics, the government engaged some well-wishers such as Chinese Association in Zambia and Kinglong who have pledged to contribute a sum of $25000 to the athlete.
Similar payments have also been made to other athletes such as the Commonwealth Games medalist and African Boxing Champion, Patrick Chinyemba. We appeal to the media and anyone who would be interested to request for payment details from the athletes.

We are aware that there are outstanding payments, and we are committed to ensure these are fully paid before the end of the year. To this end, the Ministry has engaged the Ministry of Finance to facilitate payments.


As we conclude, wish to make it clear to the public that the New Dawn Government attached huge importance to sport, and is creating a conducive environment for the sector to thrive. We are, through the National Sports Council of Zambia putting in place measures for sustainable funding to sport and the 55 National Sports Associations.

We are embarking on resource mobilization strategies and the Ministry continues to lobby for increased allocation of funds towards sport development. Despite the unprecedented drought and other economic challenges, the government has continued to fund some sport programmes.

We would like to make an earnest appeal to our beloved athletes not to be used by people with selfish agendas hiding behind keyboards. Such persons have no interest for the athletes except to fulfil their personal motives. The National Sports Council of Zambia stands ready to protect all athletes who are being exploited by individuals or a group of people who have no interest in the welfare of athletes or the sports sector.

The National Sports Council of Zambia has an open-door policy, and we request all aggrieved athletes to engage us. We further appeal to National Sport Associations to inculcate African values of respect and regard for authority. This is who we are as Africans and Zambians. We should all show utmost levels of identity, patriotism and love for our dear Country even through sport. This is even more paramount for those in the service like some athletes who have been privileged to serve in the Military. Participation in international competitions is a privilege many do not have.
Thank you most graciously for your kind attention.

SOCIALIST PARTY ON THE COPPERBELT WARN FORMER MEMBERS…to stop speaking ill of the party after leaving

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SOCIALIST PARTY ON THE COPPERBELT WARN FORMER MEMBERS…t

Copperbelt… Tuesday, September 3, 2024

The opposition Socialist Party (SP) on the Copperbelt has cautioned former members who have left the party to stop speaking ill of the party and its members.

SP Copperbelt Provincial Chairperson Dr Brian Chirambo has accused the former members of trying to find relevance in the political space with the aim of being accepted by the ruling UPND party.

Dr. Chirambo says the party in the province and beyond have remained intact and not shaken by the few who have left to join other political parties.

“They are trying to find relevance wherever they have gone, because they have been given the job of rabid dógs, going about, insulting and disparaging where they are coming from. So they have gone out there and they are trying to find relevance wherever they have gone. So they have gone out there now to try and find space, because they have not been given any single space. But that is not going to take them anywhere. As SP, Socialist Party, we are intact on the Copperbelt, and we are intact in Zambia, we are intact,” he said.

“And we have got the firm foundation behind our president, Comrade Fred M’membe. You will not shake us. We are taking over and we will win 2026 and we will form government. So if you people think that you are going to bring us down by disparaging us, by saying all those ill statements, by speaking against the Socialist Party, you are mistaken because SP is an organization that is founded on very strong principles. You cannot move us, you cannot shake us.”

He has further accused those that have left of joining other parties because they want to eat and not serve the people.

“So please, if you have gone, just go quietly and make yourself relevant, because you are no longer relevant. I mean, Zambians are very clever, they have seen through you. They know now the kind of people or persons that you are. But the Zambian people want real change. And the Socialist Party under Comrade Fred M’membe is giving the Zambian people that real change. So come 2026, we are coming and we are winning. Many people are joining the Socialist Party those with with good intentions, because they want to see real change,” he added.

“If you think you are going to bring us down by saying all those ill statements, by speaking against the Socialist Party, you are mistaken. Can you just find the real issues? People are hungry in this country. There is no electricity in this country under the leadership of Hakainde Hichilema. He has failed lamentably.”

Dr. Chirambo stated that people in the country are going through a lot such as shortage of water and electricity which is becoming worse everyday.

COLLECTION AND TRANSPORTATION OF MAIZE BOUGHT BY THE UPND GOVERNMENT FROM TANZANIA IS A DISGUSTING SCANDAL – Peter Sinkamba

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By Peter Sinkamba

COLLECTION AND TRANSPORTATION OF MAIZE BOUGHT BY THE UPND GOVERNMENT FROM TANZANIA IS A DISGUSTING SCANDAL

In June this year, Zambia bought 650,000 tonnes of maize at the cost US$250 million from Tanzania to help reduce food shortages caused by drought. The maize is expected to feed about 7 million people in Zambia that were assessed to be at great risk of starvation. The agreement must be implemented within a period of eight months.

Government paid for 190,000 tonnes equivalent to US$73 million. The amount that Government not yet paid is about US$177 million.

What is shocking is that in the last two month only 2,000 of the 190,000 tonnes have been collected by Government and transported to Zambia. This implies that 188,000 tonnes of the already paid for maize remains marooned in Tanzania.

Going by this level of collection, it means it will take at least 16 months (almost two years) to collect the already paid for maize. And it will take 54 months (almost 4 years) to collect 650,000 tonnes.

Clearly, this demonstrates lack of seriousness on the part of the UPND government. They do not care what happens to the people of Zambia even if they starve to death.

It is extremely worrying that due to the snail’s pace of collecting and transporting the maize to Zambia, our neighbour Tanzania has been placed in very frustrating jeopardy situation because there is no proper storage where to store the new crop being bought from the farmers. This is their marketing season for buying maize. It is now feared that their new crop will go to waste. Let us not export our mediocrity to our neighbours.

Sadly, all this mess has come about because of the hopeless deal that the Disaster Management Unit struck with First Quantum Mineral to use the company’s trucks coming from Dar-es-Salaam to carry the maize. Who does such on food security matters? How can a government surrender lives of its citizens to subsist on the whims of a private company? It is so disgusting that we have sunk so low as a nation on serious matters on national survival.

We demand that the UPND Government get serious on this matter and quickly engage either Zambian or Tanzanian trucking companies to promptly collect and transport the maize to Zambia. The whole 650,000 tonnes of maize can be collected and transported to Zambia within two months if only government is serious.

LUNGU SUPPORTED A THUG JJ BANDA AGAINST ME – DORA SILIYA

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LUNGU SUPPORTED A THUG AGAINST ME – DORA SILIYA

Dora Siliya has claimed that then President Edgar Lungu supported Emmanuel Jay Banda who stood as independent against her in Petauke in 2021.

In her book, Siliya also wonders how PF would win elections when they had thug in Jay Banda as provincial Chairman in Eastern province.

This is contained in an article by Dickson Jere quoting some of the excepts in Siliya’s book.

Dora Speaks Out on JJ
By Dickson Jere

Dora Siliya, the flamboyant former Minister, has opened up on events that led to her loss to her rival Emmanuel “JJ” Banda in the Petauke parliamentary elections of 2021 and the eventual defeat of the Patriotic Front (PF).

She named names in her blockbuster book, which was released last week. Chief among those fingered is former President Edgar Lungu and his statehouse aides as well as businessman Valdan Findlay.

“These were strange days,” she writes in her book titled “Minding My Fathers Country”.

“How could we expect to win an election in the province (Eastern) with an alleged ‘thug’ using the Edgar Lungu Foundation name as his brand?” She asked, referring to JJ who had just been elected as PF Provincial Youth Chairman.

She disclosed that she once approached President Lungu and asked him about it but he gave her what she termed as “unsatisfactory” response.

“Once during Cabinet tea break, he announced to everyone that I was accusing him of sponsoring JJ when he had nothing to do with it,” Siliya says on page 433 of her thriller.

“If he could not discipline someone whom everybody called a ‘thug’ and even allowed him to use his foundation name –  and he could not see anything wrong with that – then dearly I had missed my opportunity to leave”, she expressed her regrets.

She disclosed having confronted the President on the central police violence that was linked to JJ and the President expressed concerns too.

“And I rubbed it in.  I said an attack on the police was an attack on his symbol of authority, and sent a message that he was weak…” she writes in a candid manner, adding that the Minister of Home Affairs then was also close to JJ.

“The president immediately called Inspector General of Police Kakoma Kanganja, asking why the ‘thug’ had not been arrested,” the former MP minister further disclosed.

Dora says PF Secretary General Davies Mwila was her ally and also concerned with the activities of JJ but was shocked that President Lungu preferred JJ as Petauke MP instead of her.

“The shock according to him was that JJ was a criminal being protected by statehouse,” she further writes, quoting Mwila.

She also disclosed that her own chairman in Petauke was working against her with statehouse to make sure that she lost the election and he was even gifted a brand new vehicle by statehouse.

“By the time the election in August 2021, my chairman and I were not even talking and he was the Chief campaigner for the independent candidate. Such is the way of politics,” she says.

At one time, she briefed the President about the views of chiefs in Eastern province on his performance but he turned against her saying the same chiefs told him that they did not want her too.

“You cannot trust chiefs, as the ones in Petauke also said they did not want you,” she writes, quoting President Lungu as having told her.

She also disclosed that at a meeting in Petauke, President Lungu openly said unpopular candidates should withdraw from the race instead of wasting their little money from their businesses.

“It was only recently that I realized  that he had been talking about me,” she disclosed.

LUSAKA LAWYER SLAMS UPND GOVT….for dismissing the recent report by the UN over human rights abusés in Zambia

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LUSAKA LAWYER SLAMS UPND GOVT

….for dismissing the recent report by the UN over human rights abusés in Zambia

Lusaka…. Tuesday September 3, 2024 (SMART EAGLES)

Lusaka lawyer and PF member Celestine Mambula Mukandila has condemned the UPND government for dismissing the recent report by the United Nations which has cited Zambia for human rights  viólati0ns.

In its report, the United Nation’s rapporteurs have observed that at least 26 cases of arrests, intimidation, and haràssment have been brought to the attention of the experts.

But Chief Goverment Spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa has said the report citing Zambia for human rights vi0lations is not an actual report by the United Nations Human Rights Council but just a compilation of allegations, as received by the Special Rapporteurs.

Mr Mweetwa said government will, therefore, lodge a formal complaint to the UNHRC about this matter.

Speaking when he featured on Red Hot Breakfast programme, Mr Mukandila said it is not a secret that the UPND government has been àrresting, intimídating and haràssing opposition party leaders and those with opposing views with the aim of silencing them.

“The Zambian government currently, appears to be living in its own imagination, because the Zambian people have seen the many àbuses on the part of human rights, on the part of the freedoms of assembly, freedoms of speech, and the freedom of association. It must be noted that Zambia is a constitutional democracy, we have a constitution that has provided for the protection of human rights, as provided for in the Constitution of Zambia,” he said.

“But what we have seen and witnessed as shown in the letter by the UN, is that there has been many abrogations, freedoms of assembly is being curtailed by this government, the freedom of speech has been curtailed, there is a lot of hàrassment of opposition leaders, and any voice of reason appearing to be opposing government. The freedom that individuals may have to freely protest has been taken away.”

He stated that most of the opposition leaders arrested have been charged with offénses such as h@te sp€éch, esp!onage and other offenses.

“Apparently, it appears government does not want to pay much attention to responding to these issues. The constitutional guaranteed human rights are not to be taken away by anyone, not even the Inspector General of Police, without justifiable reason. And as a matter of fact, these rights are inalienable. Part 3 of the Constitution is extremely clear. And therefore, when you look at provisions, for example, in the Public Order Act, the courts have guided to say most of them appear to be unconstitutional. So, there is no law that requires an individual to seek for permission to have a public procession. The law, with regards to public procession, indicates that all you need to do is to notify the police,” he continued.

“No government should ever come in and take away these rights from us. So, it’s very unfortunate that we have reached these levels of speaking to these issues almost every day. The international community has identified and recognized the àbuse by this government of these rights. And yet, Zambia remains a party to international conventions and treaties dealing with human rights. Zambia is a member of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Zambia has equally ratified the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights. Zambia has ratified the Charter of Fundamental Social Rights in SADC also. So we need to ensure that the governance system protects the human rights that are guaranteed to us. And these rights that are in these international instruments have been re-echoed in our own local constitution. Let’s respect the rule of law. The rule of law has provided for procedures on how to treat humans. We cannot subject humans to inhumàn and degrading punishment. Wherein, before an arrest is effected, a suspect will be t0rtured. That is not right.”

Mr Mukandila said the UPND goverment should be responding to the issues cited in the report and not focus on the ‘procedure’.

“Government had an opportunity to respond to these issues, unlike indicating that they will respond to an issue of a procedure or impropriety that may have occurred, with regards to a publication of what is in fact obtaining in the country. So it’s very shameful that we have to reach to these levels,” he concluded.

#SmartEagles2024

Lusaka man sues girlfriend for forcing him to marry her

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Lusaka man sues girlfriend for forcing him to marry her

AFTER successfully extracting all the levels of sweetness from each other before legally tying the knot, a cohabiting Lusaka couple’s once-rosy romance has turned into a bitter legal battle.

Ackim Tukuluho, a man who once saw his future in Rabecca Khondowe, found himself trapped in a loveless relationship he never consented to and wanted the next and efficient route to be Yangoed away from the union and he identified the Matero Local Court as the vehicle.

The couple’s story began like a fairy tale, with two souls finding solace in each other’s company. But as time passed, the sweetness of their love turned into a sour taste leaving Tukuluho, feeling suffocated by Khondowe’s demands as he realised his heart had wandered elsewhere.

Therefore Tukuluho sued his girlfriend, Khondowe for the court to reconcile the two, over what he termed as a forced marriage on grounds that she and her family were forcing him to marry her.

He said despite living with her in one house, his position in her life ended on mere ‘babe’ and would never graduate to ‘hubby’.

“I am the one paying rentals in the house and I am no longer interested in marrying her but her family is forcing me to pay dowry, I don’t want, so I come here so the court can help me because I cant marry her, I no longer love her,” Tukuluho complained to the court.

But Khondowe, said she was already convinced that Tukuluho was already her husband as he had paid Nsalamu to her family to engage her.

But the court reminded her that, ‘Nkobekela te chupo’ (engagement is not marriage).

Khondowe said she could not leave their venue of cohabitation, the house the two were renting as despite not being the one paying rent, she is the one who went through the trouble of agents to find it.

“I want him to move out of the house instead because I am the one who found it. He paid nsalamu already and we live together so I do not understand him,” said Khondowe.

But Magistrate Harriet Mulenga dismissed the case for reconciliation over forced marriage, indicating that the case lacked merit.

“He can pay nsalamu to many women but that is not marriage, what constitutes the marriage is dowry. So you must understand that he never married you,” said Magistrate Mulenga.

By Buumba Mwitumwa

Kalemba September 4, 2024

There comes a time when we say I have spoken enough, it’s time to act – Nzovu

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There comes a time when we say I have spoken enough, it’s time to act – Nzovu


By Rhoda Nthara


PLEASE come out of that cocoon, come out of the past where things were not done properly, urges water and sanitation minister Collins Nzovu.

He warned that no district would be exempt from scrutiny and the government will pursue accountability relentlessly.

“Please come out of that cocoon. Come out of the past where things were not done properly. Where things were not done methodically. If we’ve given you a contract, go back to site, do those works – quality, time, cost and do them quickly before we come for you and you will not run away,” he warned contractors in Zambia as he toured the Kabitaka ponds in Solwezi district, North Western Province.

Nzovu stressed the necessity of improving project execution.

“Contractors must address issues related to quality, time, and cost without delay,” he said.

Nzovu urged them to return to sites and complete the work as stipulated in their contracts, stressing that failure to do so will lead to consequences.

“I can only encourage all contractors in the republic of Zambia, now I am speaking for the Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation, if we’ve given you a contract go back to site. Do those works, quality, time, cost. Do them quickly before we come for you because definitely you will not run away especially if government has spent money on it. You will not run away, we will find you and it doesn’t matter where. And sure you’ve seen that we are going throughout the country and we will go to every district. No district will be spared,” he said. “I am hearing that in Ikelenge as well has issues there. I want to put the contractors on the spot. Go back to site before we come for you. I want to still repeat myself, there will be consequences for non-performance. There will be consequences if government loses money. Some of the contractors whom actually have been given ultimatum in the last two months, some have gone back to site and they are trying to redeem themselves. Me I can only encourage all that there will be consequences if these contracts don’t finish. At the end of the day it’s the people you are working for, the people right now are crying for water, they are crying for sewer, you our civil servants must deliver. Please come out of that cocoon, come out of the past where things were not done properly. Where things were not done methodically. I have been preaching about this song for the past three months.”

He said President Hakainde Hichilema has been singing “this song for the past few years”.

“There comes a time when we say I have spoken enough and it’s time to act. When you look at the reports which you give, the reports are very shallow. So when you go to site and just ask two or three questions a lot of things are happening. For example, where we are coming from the report I received it doesn’t have any critical information at all. It doesn’t have how much money you have paid. I was discovering these things through the questions. It doesn’t have how much money you’ve paid the contractor. It doesn’t have whether the securities for example are valid or not. It doesn’t have information whether that tank had failed before or not. It didn’t even have information that it has an addendum and that there are extra works and these works have not been done,” Nzovu said. “So now you talk to the contractor and you query him then he starts crying and starts bringing out things. You now talk to the engineers and they start confirming the things. So why are you hiding information? Because when you hide information then it’s not good. I can tell you that whether you hide the information or not it will come out because when you go to site and see the contract itself, you see the works on site, so it’s useless to hide this information. Just bring it out so that we resolve these issues. The first thing is to resolve and I can see that I can’t explain it properly. Are you part of the contractors or you are the clients? Even when you are speaking, you are speaking like you are a contractor. So you need to speak like a client and you have power to make sure that the contractor works according to the contract.”

He stressed that hiding information only complicates matters and urged transparency to resolve issues effectively.

“I think let’s be serious about this. It’s not looking good if you were doing those things that time. Please change, if you are part of the contractor come out and be part of the client because you are the owners of these things. There’s no way we can be this careless and you know the bad thing is that these issues are everywhere. Everywhere you look now am sure you’ve seen that we’ve gone round Zambia, if you go round Zambia the water schemes are a mess. We’ve paid you’ve not finished [drilling] boreholes whilst MPs are crying for boreholes and they have promised their people, the boreholes are not there,” said Nzovu. “We give the same contractors as though it’s a reward for non-performance. He doesn’t perform on 50 boreholes you give them another 20. He doesn’t perform on the added amounts, added quantities, you give him some more. Same on sanitation facilities, they are not even … a good inspection for some sanitation facilities but what’s coming out now is that even some sanitation facilities can even be worse by now. So how are we going to prevent cholera? But make no mistake about this, we will resolve these issues. But in the end you will be punished. Just get the reports and try to resolve these issues but the last one is that just ensure government doesn’t lose any money at all. Money must not be lost.”

Irish teacher has been jailed for refusing to “call a boy a girl”

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Irish teacher Enoch Burke has been jailed for a third time after he was arrested outside the school that sacked him for refusing to “call a boy a girl.”

Mr Burke became caught up in a gender row at Wilson’s Hospital School in May 2022.

He told his headteacher that he “opposed transgenderism” due to his religious beliefs and stated he would not address a student, who was transitioning, by their new name and using “they” pronouns.

Burke publicly criticised the school’s demand that he uses the student’s chosen pronouns.

It came following an email to staff from headteacher Niamh McShane, in which they were asked to address the pupil in question by their new pronouns.

He was first jailed in September 2022 and spent 100 days in prison before his release.

He was jailed for a second time in September 2023 in which he spent Christmas behind bars before he was released in June this year.

Now, Mr Burke, who is appealing his dismissal from the school, has been put in jail again for going to the school.

The Evangelical Christian teacher was yesterday, September 2, placed inside a Garda (police) vehicle outside Wilson’s Hospital School in Ireland’s Co Westmeath and driven to the Four Courts in Dublin, reported the Irish Independent.

He was put behind bars at Mountjoy Prison last night for repeatedly defying a High Court injunction banning him from the school’s grounds.

Justice Michael Quinn jailed him for contempt of court after the history and German teacher refused to give a “yes” or “no” answer when asked if he intended to return to the Westmeath school again.

As the order was passed, Mr Burke told Justice Quinn: “You will answer to God for imprisoning me for my religious beliefs.”

Mr Burke was sacked from the school for gross misconduct in January 2023 after he refused to use a transitioning pupil’s new name and chosen pronoun, saying it was against his religious beliefs.

Despite his dismissal, a court heard in February he was still being paid his salary pending his appeal against the school’s decision to sack him. At that time, he had been paid around €72,000 while still on administrative leave.

Justice Quinn said there was an “urgent requirement” for him to deal with the difficulties Wilson’s Hospital School has been experiencing, due to Mr Burke’s continued presence there.

He said Mr Burke was disrupting day-to-day activities and duties performed by teachers and staff in the school.

During the hearing, he and his family protested that the many judges who have dealt with the case had failed to deal with a report made by the then school principal Niamh McShane.

Mr Burke said Ms McShane had claimed he was guilty of gross misconduct due to his refusal to call a transitioning student by a new name and the pronoun “they”. He said the legality of that demand was never considered by the court.

However, last year, Judge Owens found the school was right to suspend Mr Burke over fears of “harmful and disruptive conduct”.

He cited Mr Burke’s challenge to the principal during a staff meeting, a chapel service and at a dinner.

Mr Burke yesterday insisted: “This court is simply denying me my religious beliefs, and my right to my religious beliefs. I am a Christian. I have Christian beliefs. My belief is male and female, God made them male and female.”

He quoted passages from the Bible, including Genesis and the Gospel of Matthew, and claimed teachers in Ireland were being “commanded to force transgenderism on students”.

He said this was a “hellish ideology” which resulted in children taking puberty blockers and being “scarred for life”.

He said his religious beliefs would not lead children “down the road of suicide, mutilations, regret” and a breakdown of relationships with their parents.

“I did not force my beliefs on anyone,” he said. “That belief was forced on me. I was commanded to feed that poison to young people in my care.”

The court heard Mr Burke has not paid €88,000 in fines he incurred for attending the school in defiance of the court order last year.

Rosemary Mallon BL, for the school, confirmed there were “difficulties” in collecting it.

She said the law allowed for a debt collection agency to recoup fines handed out in the District Court, but sequestration of assets was more generally used against a company rather than an individual, and there was no simple way to do it.

She confirmed Mr Burke is still being paid his salary by the Department of Education, while his appeal against his January 2023 dismissal remains on hold.

The court was told that appeal cannot be heard until the Court of Appeal rules on Mr Burke’s challenge concerning members of the appeal board.

China woos African leaders to Beijing at FOCAC

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China woos African leaders to Beijing at FOCAC
…Zambia included

Amb. Anthony Mukwita

3rd Sept. 2024

It’s probably the biggest story on the globe today and it is unfolding in Beijing, the capital of China where President Xi Jinping is meeting with 54 heads of states from the continent of Africa.

The meeting is dubbed FOCAC, simply put a uni-multilateral grand annual event hosted by China to strengthen trade and diplomatic relations with African counter-parts.

It also, sort of provides a multipolar geopolitical spectrum that shifts away power from the traditional West to the East as power struggles continue globally for either friends, ideologies or resources.

In my latest 2023 geopolitical book ´China in Africa the Zambia story´ I discuss the relationship between China and Africa through the lens of Zambia at length providing the necessary insights one may need to understand the importance of the meeting that starts in Beijing on 4th September for three days.

The leaders can then return home or proceed to the UNGA or United Nations General Assembly in New York, hopefully with a feel-good story for their citizens that are dying for some good news, especially in countries like Zambia besieged by countless hours of load shedding or power blackouts.

Our own President Hichilema is among African leaders attending the meeting, seeking to see if they can snatch one or two corporation agreements in the areas of energy, agriculture and or
Ahead of FOCAC, President Xi has already held side line meetings with the Presidents or Eretria, Zimbabwe, Guinea, Seychelles, Kenya, Chads and Malawi including the Chair of the African Union (AU) but no meeting has been announced of Zambia yet.

FOCAC is different and is according to pundits more attractive to African leaders compared to similar so called “Africa plus one” summits because China rolls out the red carpet and full honours to every leader. President Xi also meets individually with all African leaders on a one on one.

This is a different kind of treatment compared to the ´distance´ group experience they get from America, Japan and France, Russia and other “Africa plus one” meetings.    

Unlike its predecessors, such as TICAD, FOCAC according to analysts, FOCAC was not framed through a traditional lens of aid.

Instead, “it quickly evolved to operate at a higher level, with successive funding commitments and an expanding scope to respond to African demands.”

Analysts add that, “combined with eye-catching Chinese infrastructure projects and the other deals that marked the first decades of the early 21st century, established FOCAC as the most important of African summits.”

The dilemma, however, is that albeit it is Sino-Africa summits are hosted either in Beijing, Washington DC, Paris and Tokyo, not Pretoria, Cairo to Lusaka, how then can they be African summits? Who benefits from the media glow?

Another observer wrote that, “until Africa takes control and reshapes the Africa Plus One summit to its own ends, FOCAC is likely the best it’ll get. The question is: how long will that be good enough, and which African ambitions will survive the wait?”

My personal bite is, why does not Africa take up these initiatives personally, nurture them and host such important summits on a rotational basis in African capitals—just spit balling.

African summit in Livingstone co hosted by Zambia and Zimbabwe, aint that a kick in the head?

Africa and African leaders must resist the temptation of being held by the hand as if they are children or horses being taken to the stream for a gulp of water. Africa is not a country.

Ofcourse no country is an island or must pretend to be one, but we don’t need other nations to help fix our electricity problems, broken agriculture chain or dilapidated infrastructure.

We must also be wary of the fact that some of the monies pledged at these “Africa plus one” summits is old money dressed as new money as it gets increasingly hard to keep track of the pledges.

China wins on this score though as it reaffirms its position of endearment to Africa by calling itself a ´developing nation’ like Africa and not the world factory it is.

It will be interesting to see what corporation agreements President Hichilema will bring back to us after delaying his trip to Beijing following his election in 2021 against his own better judgement.

In October next month, Zambia celebrates 60 years of warm relations with China on the back of a myriad infrastructure developments.

—
Amb. Anthony Mukwita is a published author whose books are available locally in Bookworld, Grey Matter and online on  Amazon.

At least 129 people killed during mass prison break attempt in DR Congo

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A breakout attempt by inmates from a heavily guarded prison in the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kinshasa, has resulted in the tragic loss of 129 lives, according to authorities.

Interior Minister Jacquemain Shabani reported that 24 prisoners succumbed to gunshot injuries following a warning shot exchange in the early morning hours of Monday.

The majority of the fatalities were due to asphyxiation following a crowd crush during the escape attempt at Makala Prison.

Despite initial reports of widespread casualties, the government initially disclosed that only two individuals had died.

Seven years prior, a similar incident saw at least 4,000 prisoners escape from the same facility, which is recognized as the largest prison in the country.

On Monday, residents near the prison reported hearing gunshots, but journalists attempting to cover the scene were blocked by police officers who prevented access to the area.

“There were reports of gunshots from around 1:00 to 2:00 in the morning, and the situation continued until around 5:00,” Daddi Soso, who resides near the prison, shared with the AFP news agency.

“There were fatalities and individuals who managed to escape,” he added, noting that the security forces were in the process of removing bodies.

Unverified videos circulating from within the prison on Monday depicted scenes of dead bodies on the floor and individuals pleading for assistance amidst a crush.

Mr. Shabani uploaded a video on social media platform X, approximately 24 hours after the incident, acknowledging the severity of the event and the number of lives lost.

He also mentioned that nearly 60 individuals sustained severe injuries and were hospitalized.

“This incident also serves as a moment to recognize the swift response and containment efforts of the security forces, the national police, and the army, which successfully prevented the escape,” Mr. Shabani stated.

“It’s important to acknowledge the damages caused, including loss of life, injuries, and significant material damage at the central prison. Additionally, the administration and registry offices suffered damage, which are currently being addressed.”

Human rights organizations have called for an international inquiry into the incident.

Footage from the aftermath of the breakout reveals a significant breach in a brick wall, buildings engulfed in flames, firefighters on duty, and an office with scattered documents.

Makala Prison, established in the 1950s, has a capacity of 1,500 inmates but was housing over 14,000 prisoners at the time, according to AFP reports.

In 2020, the BBC interviewed a prison official who highlighted the dire conditions leading to deaths, including food shortages and inadequate hygiene.

At the time, it was estimated that only 6% of the prisoners were serving their sentences, with the rest languishing in the legal system of DR Congo, where cases can stretch on for years.

The justice minister has pledged to intensify efforts to alleviate overcrowding in prisons across the nation.

US Govt seizes Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro’s airplane 

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The United States government has seized Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro’s airplane saying that its acquisition was in violation of US sanctions, among other criminal issues.

The US flew the aircraft from the Dominican Republic to Florida on Monday, according to US officials.

The seizure of the aircraft in the Dominican Republic marks an escalation of the frosty relationship between Venezuela and the US as the Biden administration continues to investigate allegedly corrupt practices by Venezuela’s government.

The plane was described by US officials as Venezuela’s equivalent to Air Force One and it has been pictured in previous state visits by Maduro around the world.

US seizes Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro?s airplane in the Dominican Republic

The plane, a Dassault Falcon 900, according to flight records, is estimated to cost around $13 million and has been in the Dominican Republic in recent months. US officials didn’t disclose why, but it presented an opportunity for US officials to seize the aircraft.

“This sends a message all the way up to the top,” one of the US officials told CNN.

“Seizing the foreign head of state’s plane is unheard-of for criminal matters. We’re sending a clear message here that no one is above the law, no one is above the reach of US sanctions.”

For years, US officials tried to disrupt the flow of billions of dollars to the Maduro regime. Homeland Security Investigations has seized dozens of luxury vehicles, among other assets, heading to Venezuela.

Multiple federal agencies were involved in the seizure, including Homeland Security Investigations; Commerce agents, the Bureau of Industry and Security; and the Justice Department.

US officials worked closely with the Dominican Republic, which notified Venezuela of the seizure, according to one of the US officials.

One of the next steps, upon arriving in the US, will be pursuing forfeiture, meaning the Venezuelan government has a chance to petition for it and collect evidence from the aircraft.

The US recently placed pressure on the Venezuelan government to “immediately” release specific data regarding its presidential election, citing concerns about the credibility of strongman leader Maduro’s victory.

Earlier this year, the US reimposed sanctions on Venezuela’s oil and gas sector in response to the Maduro government’s failure to allow “an inclusive and competitive election” to take place.

After the controversial reelection of Maduro on July 28, Venezuela suspended commercial flights to and from the Dominican Republic.

In March 2020, the US Department of Justice charged Maduro, together with 14 current and former Venezuelan officials, with narco-terrorism, drug trafficking and corruption.

“For more than 20 years, Maduro and a number of high-ranking colleagues allegedly conspired with [Colombian left-wing guerrillaa] the FARC, causing tons of cocaine to enter and devastate American communities.,” then-Attorney General William Barr said at the time.

The State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs has offered a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to Maduro’s arrest or conviction.

Beauty queen Chidimma Adetshina to seek therapy over xenophobic abuse in South Africa

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A beauty queen who received xenophobic abuse in South Africa and became the subject of a government investigation has told the BBC the saga has left her seeking therapy.

Chidimma Adetshina, who was a finalist in the Miss South Africa beauty contest, sparked criticism as despite being a South African citizen, her father is Nigerian and her mother has Mozambican roots.

She quit the contest last month – the day after the home affairs department announced that her mother may have committed “identity theft” to become a South African national.

Ms Adetshina was then invited to enter Miss Universe Nigeria – which she won – but said she had been “suppressing her emotions” throughout.

“It’s just not a nice feeling, I think I’ve been avoiding it a lot and only now it’s started to cloud me,” the 23-year-old told BBC Pidgin in her first round of interviews since winning Saturday’s contest.

“It’s something I will work on and see a therapist,” she added with tears running down her face, “because I feel like I have been suppressing my emotions… because what has happened… it wasn’t a minor thing, it was actually really major.”

Ms Adetshina, who previously said she was born in the South African township of Soweto, told BBC Pidgin she could not comment on the South African government’s ongoing investigation into her nationality, as it was a “legal matter”.

Despite having a difficult few weeks, the law student said becoming Miss Universe Nigeria was a “very powerful moment”.

“Even though it was a rough path for you, you really stepped up,” Ms Adetshina said, describing a message she had been telling herself.

“I think I really give myself that title of a strong black African woman.”
Although many Nigerians were pleased to see her triumph, some felt the way she had entered the competition was unfair on the other contestants.

Ms Adetshina only competed in the final stages of the competition, whereas the other contestants had waged a longer campaign.

“I do get where people are coming from, but at the end of the day I also had my own journey, I had my fair share of going through the process,” Ms Adetshina said.

“There might have been a slight difference, but I feel like I also went through the journey that they went through.”

“I still see myself proudly South African… I still see myself proudly Nigerian,” she told the BBC.

Nigeria’s newest beauty queen said she had extended her stay in the country of her father’s birth.

Having only visited as a young child 20 years ago, she plans to “get to know” more of Nigeria – then in November, she will be off to Mexico for the international Miss Universe competition.

As Nigeria’s representative, she will compete against beauty queens from across the world, including Mia le Roux, who won this year’s Miss South Africa contest.
Meanwhile, South Africa’s investigation into Ms Adetshina’s nationality continues.

In its initial report, the home affairs department said that although her mother may have committed identity theft, Ms Adetshina “could not have participated in the alleged unlawful actions of her mother as she was an infant at the time”.

Asked what message she would send the world following her turbulent experience, Ms Adetshina said: “Set those goals for yourself.

“It might seem too scary but set them and always do everything in your power to make sure you achieve them.”

Kamala Harris slammed for using fake accent while speaking to supporters in Detroit

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USA Vice President Kamala Harris has been criticized for using a “fake accent” in her remarks to teachers union members in Michigan on Monday night, September 2.

Harris, speaking at a Detroit high school, appeared to alter her tone of voice in moments where she became particularly animated and when interacting with supporters in the crowd.

“You may not be a union member but you better thank a union member for the five-day work week. You better thank a union member for sick leave. You better thank a union member for paid leave. You better thank a union member for vacation time” Harris said at one point in her remarks that several social media users shared on X.

To put it into perspective, Kamala Harris, 59, was born in Oakland, California and raised in the Bay Area before attending Howard University in Washington, DC., and the University of California’s Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco.

Harris does not have any apparent Southern roots, as her father is from Jamaica and her mother was born in India so she can’t have a Southern accent.

The Trump campaign took the opportunity of the moment and noted that Harris delivered a very similar line hours later, during a speech to union workers in Pittsburgh, in which the apparent accent wasn’t present.

“Let’s see if you can spot the difference…” read a post on the Trump campaign’s X account, which included video clips from both speeches.

“This is SO CRINGE!” comedian and podcast host Chad Prather wrote on X, sharing a clip of Harris’ Detroit speech.

“Kamala Harris has again brought out her FAKE accent…this time in Detroit, Michigan!” he observed. “NO ONE IS BUYING IT!”

Matt Whitlock, a Republican communications strategist, argued that “all of politics is a performance to Kamala Harris,” likening her apparent accent switch to her policy flip-flops.

“She changes fake accents like she changes policy positions and political personas,” Whitlock wrote on X. “Today she’s talking in a fake southern accent, pretending to be a moderate. Next week she’ll be back to San Francisco liberal.”

Comedian Terrence K. Williams charged that Harris was “pretending to be a black southern woman” by “using a fake accent.”

“She is mocking southern folks and pandering for votes,” he argued

50 Cent Claims He’s “Best Friends” With Fat Joe Despite Years Of Feuding

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50 Cent and Fat Joe have a lot in common. Both are New York legends. Both got their start in the 90s, before reaching their commercial peak in the 2000s. Despite, or perhaps because of these similarities, though, 50 and Joe hated each other. They spent years taking shots at each other on record and on the radio. It was impossible to fathom these two getting along at one point, and yet, they buried the hatchet. 50 Cent talked about his relationship with Fat Joe in 2024, and claimed that they had actually become best friends.

50’s revelation came about during a recent episode of Million Dollaz Worth of Game. The rapper stated that his beef with Fat Joe stemmed from his proximity to Murder, Inc. Basically, 50 Cent declared anyone who was cool with Murder, Inc. to be an op, and Joe fit the bill. “I didn’t f*ck with people because they had already dealt with them,” 50 explained.

“The entire beginning of my career I was up against the leverage of Murder Inc. So, my whole beef with Fat Joe was really his loyalty.” 50 Cent never had a legitimate problem with Joe, and once the dust settled, the two men actually respected each other.

“Later we become the best friends, like I really f*ck with him,” 50 Cent admitted. “He’s loyal to a default, because he worked with him.” This isn’t the first time that the G-Unit founder has expressed regret over the Joe situation. During a 2023 interview with Rolling Stone, 50 unpacked his relationship with Joe and realized that he’d misread the situation. “I would see him a little uncomfortable with the success I was having, and I interpreted as, ‘He doesn’t like me,'” the rapper admitted. “When he’s really the kind of guy you want to be friends with because he’s loyal to a default.”

Fat Joe has heard 50 Cent’s kind words, and responded similarly. The Terror Squad boss went on Cam Capone News to hash out what happened, and saluted 50 for going toe to toe with him. He also said that the beef with 50 inadvertently boosted his reputation as a New York legend. “I had the persona of New York Suge Knight,” he noted. “So for [50 Cent] talking about Fat Joe in the same city. The funeral homes was making bids.” We’re glad both artists have moved on, and have seemingly done so together.

I Was Scared Returning To Nigeria After 20 Years — Chidimma Adetshina

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Ms Chidimma Vannesa Adetshina, the newly crowned Miss Universe Nigeria, has promised to make Nigeria proud in the course of her reign.

Adetshina made the pledge when hosted by Dr Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) in Lagos, on Tuesday.

Adetshina, with dual citizenship of Nigeria and South Africa, received xenophobic abuse in South Africa after she was invited to contest for Miss Universe Nigeria and she emerged the winner.

The Miss Universe Nigeria appreciated Nigerians for their support throughout the process of the contest as she enjoyed warm hospitality and friendship.

“I want to say thank you for the beautiful reception. Am so honoured to be sitting in front of you.

“I wear this crown with so much pride and I would make Nigeria proud as well,” she said.
The 23-year-old Adetshina, who was visiting Nigeria for the first time, described Nigerians as hospitable individuals and friendly.

“I have actually been looking forward to coming to Nigeria; I have been telling my Dad and I told myself, this year, I don’t know what or how, I really need to be in Nigeria and am really glad for this opportunity.

“And I remember before I arrived at the airport, I was so nervous, I came alone because my uncle was unable to come with me.

“It’s been 20 years since I left Nigeria, I was anxious, scared, I had lots of mixed feelings. But before I met my family at the airport, there were lots of people around me, I felt welcomed and accepted, it was like a very good atmosphere to be in.

“And that was when I knew I was going to enjoy myself in Nigeria. I have been here for 10 days and it has been an amazing experience,” she said.

Earlier, the NiDCOM chairman said she admired Adetshina’s resilience, considering the situation surrounding her emergence as Miss Universe Nigeria.

She advised Nigerians abroad with dual citizenship not to take their second citizenship for granted.

“Welcome home and hopefully, I’m sure this will be the beginning of more achievements in your life.

“I want to use this opportunity to talk to all Nigerians abroad, if you have a dual citizenship, don’t take the second one for granted.

“Nigeria has been there for you in those trying moments, as a Nigerian and South African, your second citizenship came through for you and that is who we are as Nigerians; warm, friendly, humane and kind.

“Adetshina is a dual citizen, she has not been home in the last 20 years and she is 23, if you are a dual citizen, take it seriously.

“So, I’m glad you are home finally. We will work with you in your next step and whatever you decide to do, we will see how we can support your family and yourself as you start this new life.

“And I want to thank Nigerians in South Africa whom we’ve been having conversations about you. I’m sure there is much more for you in the horizon, so welcome home. Silverbird thank you very much for this opportunity,” she said.

Also speaking, Guy Murray-Bruce, President of Silverbird Group and organiser of the Miss Universe Nigeria, appreciated the reception accorded the Miss Universe Nigeria team and the actual winner of the contest.

He spoke on the hurdles of xenophobic attack Adetshina went through before clinching the enviable position.

He said: “Thank you for receiving us here today. You are in charge of all Nigerians in the diaspora and they are all wonderful children.

“I present to you, Chidimma Vannesa Adetshina, who won the Miss Universe Nigeria title on Saturday, Aug. 31.

“She was one of the five delegates; she was competitive but her story is different in the sense of having dual citizenship.”

Spain captain Alvaro Morata will reportedly hand half of his earnings during his marriage to his ex-wife after their divorce

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Spain captain, Alvaro Morata will reportedly hand half of his earnings during his marriage to his ex-wife after their divorce.

The former Chelsea striker, 31, and Alice Campello, 29, separated in mid-August after seven years of marriage and four children together.

Spain captain, Alvaro Morata to hand half of his earnings to his ex-wife after their�divorce

An argument on the pitch following Spain’s Euro 2024 final win over England reportedly caused the split between Morata and his model wife.

They have insisted they still love each other and have sought to dismiss any rumours or ‘bulls***’ after Morata was accused of being in explicit photographs with another woman.

According to Marca, the duo had a ‘fight’ on the pitch after Spain had beaten England in the Euro 2024 final in Germany, and things escalated.

It is reported that Alice was keen for only herself, her children and her friends to be on the pitch to celebrate with Morata, and didn’t want the Spain captain’s parents or family present, leading to the slide of their relationship.

Lawyers are said to be working on the divorce papers, with the separation mutually agreed.

Lawyers are said to be working on the divorce papers, with the separation mutually agreed.

Morata recently signed for AC Milan in Italy after two years at Atletico Madrid, and recently revealed that he felt compelled to ‘flee’ his homeland.

‘I am tired of people saying that I was unfaithful to Alice because I didn’t even go to the national team party so that this type of rumour wouldn’t arise,’ Morata told D Corazon on La 1 via AS of reports of potential reasons for their separation.

‘Since then I haven’t spoken to anyone out of respect for her and so that this type of news doesn’t arise.

‘I am devastated. I have fled Spain because I cannot bear the pressure and criticism any longer.’

Morata insisted that he and Campello have a ‘very good relationship because of our four children’ but that their break-up is irreversible.

According to Alexis Rivas on Vamos a Ver, the couple married under a community property agreement, meaning earnings during the marriage must be divided evenly between the two.

That’s seemingly not an issue for Morata, however, who is reportedly not wanting to fight for anything extra and is willing to give up half of his earnings to Alice.

It is reported that Morata has been struggling with the separation and doesn’t want any issues in the divorce, not demanding any profits from Alice’s business.

Both parties are said to be keen to avoid court.

TYRESE QUITS SOCIAL MEDIA WITH RANT ABOUT MASCULINITY: ‘[MEN] HAVE FEELINGS TOO!’

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Tyrese has launched into another bizarre rant about his emotions and announced that he is quitting social media.

The outspoken actor and singer posted a lengthy caption on Instagram over the weekend following the release of his film 1992 and his latest album Beautiful Pain.

“I’m officially retired from social media,” he began. “I’m gonna go dark. I’m gonna pray I’m gonna turn my comments off because I don’t want to be reminded of this very nasty and unbearable narrative that REAL MEN don’t cry.

“And if and when a man has a child on the way with that beautiful woman or fiancé or wife, and she ultimately has a miscarriage [ I thank God I’ve never experienced this ] the only person who is depressed sad or even suicidal over that loss is NOT JUST the woman.”

Tyrese then shared his thoughts on masculinity: “REAL MEN these days are constantly being emasculated and someone has said lately even have the nerve to put the word TOXIC in front of MASCULINITY.. yes, the epic failure of trying to make me feel bad about literally being A MAN, an APLHA MALE, protective or OUTspoken FATHER or HEAD of my HOUSEHOLD.”

He then referenced his contentious divorce with ex-wife Samantha Lee and current relationship with girlfriend Zelie Timothy: “I am not about to put up another post about my ex Samantha or any of the feelings that I’m still harboring over her waking up on a Wednesday, August 2020 and filing for divorce.. Why BECAUSE THIS ALBUM THAT HAS BURNED DOWN THE INTERNET called BEAUTIFUL PAIN wouldn’t exist if I was still married!

“I’m also not gonna put up another post to try and get a childish and mature, petty social media trolls to understand that the love of my life in Zelie Timothy NEVER asked to be here? And the smiles that have been on my face, the intimacy, the flirting, the laughter, wild, sex, and love making would not be here had this woman NOT showed up to help me to discover the BEAUTY IN my PAIN! Sadly, we still live in the world. It feels like man versus woman, and we are reminded that men are from Mars lol.”

Tyrese also said he wanted phone calls from three famous people: “All I want right now is a call from 3 people DENZEL WASHINGTON, STEVIE WONDER, and KING ALPHA and our fearless leader the honorable MINISTER LOUIS FARRAKHAN.”

Though his team briefly took over his social media accounts, the Baby Boy star has since resumed posting on Instagram.

It comes after an emotional few weeks for Tyrese who cried during his appearance on The Breakfast Club while reflecting on the deaths of his mother, his two sisters, film director John Singleton and his Fast & Furious co-star Paul Walker.

“I’m doing the best I can with every 24 hours I get,” he admitted while tearing up, before proudly declaring: “Black men cry.”

The 45-year-old also let his emotions show at the premiere of 1992 in Los Angeles after being surprised by former Fast & Furious co-stars Vin Diesel and Michelle Rodriguez on the red carpet.

Kenyan Boyfriend Set Ugandan athlete ‘Rebecca Cheptegei’ Ablaze

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Ugandan Olympic marathon runner Rebecca Cheptegei has been hospitalized with 75 percent burns after allegedly being set on fire by her boyfriend.

Cheptegei, who represented Uganda at the Paris 2024 Olympics, had recently returned to Kenya.

Police have confirmed Cheptegei was attacked by her former boyfriend Dickson Ndiema in her house in western Trans Nzoia County, where she had been training.

Trans Nzoia County Police Commander Jeremiah ole Kosiom said her former partner had bought a can of petrol, poured it on her, and set her ablaze during a disagreement on Sunday.

‘The boyfriend is believed to have sneaked into the compound at around 2pm on Sunday while the wife and the children were in Church,’ Kosiom said, as per the Kenyan newspaper The Standard.

‘Upon returning, Dickson, who had procured petrol, began pouring it on Rebecca before he set her ablaze.

‘The couple were heard quarrelling outside their house. During the altercation, the boyfriend was seen pouring a liquid on the woman before burning her.

‘The suspect was also caught by the fire and sustained serious burns.’

Cheptegei is currently being treated at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret city.

Ndiema, who also sustained burns, is being treated at the same hospital.

The Ugandan Athletics Federation confirmed the attack on social media.

‘We regret to announce that our athlete Rebecca Cheptegei, who competed at the Olympics has suffered severe injuries and is hospitalised at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret.

‘This follows an incident involving her Kenyan boyfriend pouring petrol and setting fire on her.’

Neighbours helped to extinguish the flames, according to local reports, with both being admitted to hospital with extensive burns.

Police discovered a five-litre jerry can, a bag, and a burned phone at the scene of the incident, according to Kenyan newspaper The Nation.

The local police chief stated that the couple had been heard fighting over the land where the house was built before the fire was started.

Cheptegei was reported to have bought the land in Trans Nzoia county, located close to the Uganadan border, and built a house.

The house is close to several training centres in Kenya.

Cheptegei finished 44th in the women’s marathon at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games last month.

In 2022, the 33-year-old had also won gold at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

British man baffled by Nigeria declaring him a top fugitive

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A British national has said he is at a loss as to why the Nigerian police have accused him of planning to overthrow Nigeria’s government and placed a bounty on his head.

It was alleged by Nigeria’s police spokesperson on Monday that Andrew Wynne – and a co-conspirator – had built up a network of sleeper cells to destabilise Nigeria and had fled the country in the wake of last month’s cost-of-living protests.

Speaking from the UK, Mr Wynne told Nigeria’s Channels Television he was not aware of accusations and would be happy to talk to officials.
He said he ran a bookshop in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, and had been visiting the West African nation for 25 years without any problems.

A reward of 10m naira ($6,000, £5,000) has been offered by Nigeria’s police to anyone who has information that could lead to the arrest of Mr Wynne – and the same amount for his alleged Nigerian accomplice Lucky Obiyan.

“I am more than happy to talk with the police; I am more than happy to have a discussion on WhatsApp or Zoom; I am more than happy to go to London and meet with officials from the Nigerian High Commission,” said Mr Wynne, who is also known by the name Andrew Povich.

He was declared a fugitive on the day that 10 Nigerians were charged with treason for taking part in the protests that were dubbed “10 days of rage”.
These demonstrations were mainly organised via social media but also had the backing of the country’s trade unions.

All of those who were accused on Monday in the federal high court of treason, destruction of public property and injuring police officers pleaded not guilty. Their charge sheet also alleged that they had been working with Mr Wynne.

Later, police spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi gave more details about Mr Wynne, saying he had rented a space at Abuja’s Labour House, the headquarters of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) – the country’s main trade union body.

He also said the British national had established a school to cover up his activities – working towards the overthrow of President Bola Tinubu’s government.

“I am not aware that I am a fugitive; I am not aware that I am running away from the law,” Mr Wynne told Channels TV.

“I have had a bookshop at the NLC offices right at the centre of Abuja for seven years and all that time, of course the security forces have paid no interest in me,” he said.

The August demonstrations turned violent in some places as protesters clashed with security forces leaving at least seven dead, according to police, though rights groups have put the death toll at 23.

Zanu-PF criticised for third-term obsession

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The ruling Zanu-PF party is facing growing calls to concentrate on delivering its 2023 election promises rather than engaging in discussions about extending President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s tenure.

This comes after Mnangagwa, during a recent address to Zimbabwean expatriates in Beijing, China, stated that he plans to step down when his term ends in 2028.

President Mnangagwa was re-elected to a second and final term in August 2023.

Despite this, some provincial party officials have advocated for extending his rule until 2030.

However, the Zimbabwean Constitution, which came into effect in 2013, clearly limits the presidency to two five-year terms, with no provisions for extending this limit.

Section 91(2) of the Constitution disqualifies any individual from serving as President if they have already held the office for two terms, whether continuous or not. The section further clarifies that a service exceeding three years is considered a full term.

During a discussion on the show This Morning on Asakhe, a participant named Kay Kay criticised Zanu-PF for focusing on the third-term debate instead of fulfilling their election promises.

“The ruling party often accuses others of being perpetually in campaign mode, but here they are doing exactly what they accuse others of,” said Kay Kay.

“Instead of addressing the issues they promised to tackle, they have dragged the entire country into a debate about a third term. It’s the ruling party that brought this topic to the forefront, with statements and chants about extending the presidency. From the interview, it seems the President himself is becoming frustrated with these questions.”

Kay Kay further argued that President Mnangagwa should have taken a stronger stance against the idea of a third term, which appears to have little support outside of factional battles within Zanu-PF.

He suggested that some party members are pushing this agenda to protect their interests, fearing they might lose their positions or advantages if Mnangagwa steps down.

“Some individuals believe that if Mnangagwa leaves, they will lose their positions or the benefits they’ve gained,” Kay added. “This internal struggle is now being taken to the national stage, distracting the country from pressing development issues and necessary government interventions. We have many citizens facing food insecurity and other critical challenges, but instead, our attention has been diverted to this third-term debate.”

Another participant, Walter, dismissed the third-term discussion as a political manoeuvre designed to keep the opposition occupied.

“This is merely an internal Zanu-PF contestation, exacerbated by factionalism within the party,” Walter said. “However, the most important aspect is where this discussion took place – China, one of Zimbabwe’s major economic partners.”

2023 Presidential candidate Elisabeth Valerio also weighed in on the issue via social media platform X, accusing Zanu-PF of ignoring the needs of the electorate.

“Mnangagwa seems to be employing a strategy of reverse psychology, pretending to step down only to be ‘persuaded’ to stay on,” Valerio wrote. “This charade is nothing more than a ploy to cling to power at all costs. We’ve seen senior Zanu-PF members endorsing a third term for Mnangagwa. Zimbabwe should not be held hostage by a ruling party that lacks a coherent and democratic succession plan. The citizens of Zimbabwe are not asking for a third term; they are demanding effective governance and quality public service delivery.”

However, not all opinions were critical. Another participant found it refreshing to hear President Mnangagwa’s intention to step down, noting that such admissions are rare in Zimbabwe.

“This is a significant moment for Zimbabwe. We’ve never had a leader openly declare their intention to retire,” the participant said.

“Even the late Robert Mugabe couldn’t do that until the very end. It’s encouraging to hear the Head of State affirm his commitment to the Constitution. It’s not easy for anyone in a position of power to announce their retirement, so this is a positive development for the country.”

Source – cite

“THERE CAN BE NO ECONOMIC GROWTH WITHOUT SUSTAINABLE ELECTRICITY SUPPLY”- KBF

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“THERE CAN BE NO ECONOMIC GROWTH WITHOUT SUSTAINABLE ELECTRICITY SUPPLY”…KBF

As we continue to endure the ongoing load shedding crisis , it is evident that the UPND government has no clear plans or solutions for the Zambians. This government has lamentably  failed to protect the interests of it’s citizens especially those in the informal sector, agricultural sector, small businesses and the huge businesses. While we are alive to the drought situation obtaining which has exacerbated our power shortage, it is completely unacceptable and disheartening to see the lack of any proactive measures from those in power to alleviate the suffering of our people.  This government simply does not care. This government has no clue as to solve problems.

While it is clear that small and big businesses are struggling to keep up with their production targets , the UPND government wants to pretend that all is well. That businesses must continue to be taxed and ZRA must meet its tax collection targets.This kind of thinking is not only unrealistic, but is also unkind, irresponsible and  uncaring.


At household level the situation is even worse. Imagine a house of a husband, wife and four children living in a home with only one toilet and one bathroom. No electricity means the water supply is erratic and unsustainable. What levels of hygiene is this government subjecting our people to? This is a danger to our people’s health not to mention the  inconvenience and embarrassment in case of visitors . The threat to our livelihoods can not be over emphasised.

If the children need to go to school and the parents need to go to work, how does such a family get by ? The UPND government is totally out of touch with reality and the suffering of our people.

As for the general economy  it is not possible for our economy to grow as small and big businesses are now at the mercy of Zesco while the UPND government watches hopelessly without a plan or solution in mind.

Fellow Zambians, in times of a crisis, a responsible government should be at the forefront if finding solutions. A responsible and caring government should be addressing it’s people and keeping them informed of what it is doing. 

Unfortunately, this has not been the case. The UPND government is totally oblivious and clueless. Yet, we have a President who is an economist.

Zambia Must Prosper(ZMP) calls on the government to  talk to our people. This President was very quick to talk about anything and everything he saw as wrong when he was in the opposition. What has happened now? Our people need to be comforted and given a clear road map on government’s plans to end this LOADSHEDDING crisis.

Our people must be given hope and not neglected. Access to electricity is not a luxury; it is a basic right that our people need at household level and at business level for our nation to be productive and ensure economic growth.

ZMP believes in a Zambia where every citizen has an opportunity to thrive and ensure that one prospers. Like we keep saying: WHEN ZAMBIANS PROSPER, ZAMBIA PROSPERS.

#KBF/ ZMP PRESIDENT

DORA SILIYA SPEAKS OUT ON JJ BANDA

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DORA SPEAKS OUT ON JJ

By Dickson Jere

Dora Siliya, the flamboyant former Minister, has opened up on events that led to her loss to her rival Emmanuel “JJ” Banda in the Petauke parliamentary elections of 2021 and the eventual defeat of the Patriotic Front (PF).

She named names in her blockbuster book, which was released last week. Chief among those fingered is former President Edgar Lungu and his statehouse aides as well as businessman Valdan Findlay.

“These were strange days, she writes in her book titled “Minding My Fathers Country”.

“How could we expect to win an election in the province (Eastern) with an alleged ‘thug’ using the Edgar Lungu Foundation name as his brand?” She asked, referring to JJ who had just been elected as PF Provincial Youth Chairman.

She disclosed that she once approached President Lungu and asked him about it but he gave her what she termed as “unsatisfactory” response.

“Once during Cabinet tea break, he announced to everyone that I was accusing him of sponsoring JJ when he had nothing to do with it,” Siliya says on page 433 of her thriller.

“If he could not discipline someone whom everybody called a ‘thug’ and even allowed him to use his foundation name –  and he could not see anything wrong with that – then dearly I had missed my opportunity to leave”, she expressed her regrets.

She disclosed having confronted the President on the central police violence that was linked to JJ and the President expressed concerns too.

“And I rubbed it in.  I said an attack on the police was an attack on his symbol of authority, and sent a message that he was weak…” she writes in a candid manner, adding that the Minister of Home Affairs then was also close to JJ.

“The president immediately called Inspector General of Police Kakoma Kanganja, asking why the ‘thug’ had not been arrested,” the former MP minister further disclosed.

Dora says PF Secretary General Davies Mwila was her ally and also concerned with the activities of JJ but was shocked that President Lungu preferred JJ as Petauke MP instead of her.

“The shock according to him was that JJ was a criminal being protected by statehouse,” she further writes, quoting Mwila.

She also disclosed that her own chairman in Petauke was working against her with statehouse to make sure that she lost the election and he was even gifted a brand new vehicle by statehouse.

“By the time the election in August 2021, my chairman and I were not even talking and he was the Chief campaigner for the independent candidate. Such is the way of politics,” she says.

At one time, she briefed the President about the views of chiefs in Eastern province on his performance but he turned against her saying the same chiefs told him that they did not want her too.

“You cannot trust chiefs, as the ones in Petauke also said they did not want you,” she writes, quoting President Lungu as having told her.

She also disclosed that at a meeting in Petauke, President Lungu openly said unpopular candidates should withdraw from the race instead of wasting their little money from their businesses.

“It was only recently that I realized  that he had been talking about me,” she disclosed.

We used to raise the same question during 2011-2021 now raised by PF/PF praise singers: where is the critical voice of Zambia’s legal academy while the Constitution is on fire?

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We used to raise the same question during 2011-2021 now raised by PF/PF praise singers: where is the critical voice of Zambia’s legal academy while the Constitution is on fire?

By Prof  Munyonzwe Hamalengwa



This is a reprint of an article published in 2019 concerning the silence of the legal academy.

The PF praise singers remained silent as well but now pretend as if they occupy the moral high ground. They pretend as if they are the new light in town.  Some of them take themselves so seriously without them questioning their hypocrisy and impotence because they benefitted during the 2011-2021 period. Let the PF/UKA praise singers now answer the question why they were silent during the 2011-2021 period. Here is the referenced article of 2019.

Where is the critical voice of Zambia’s legal academy while the Constitution is on fire? If one just came from outer space, they may think that Zambia has no law schools compared to the vibrance of the earlier years at UNZA, the current state of law schools in Kenya, Uganda, South Africa, Pakistan, Canada, US, Britain, Israel, and elsewhere. The visitors would find Zambia’s legal academy dead, when in fact it should be at its most liveliest because this government wants to kill Zambia’s democracy. This government has also killed Zambia’s judiciary. This government has killed Zambia’s law enforcement agencies. Zambia is cascading towards a constitutional dictatorship, constitutional only because of the manner in which dictatorship would be foisted on Zambia, not through a military coup but through constitutional amendments.

The evisceration of Zambia’s independent legal thought and voice when it concerns grave constitutional issues affecting the country is evidenced by the volumes of silence by legal scholars based in Zambian law schools and law institutions. Nary a voice is heard from the legal academy, for example about Bill 10. Each law school teaches several mandatory first year courses, critical of which is constitutional law. There have been so many constitutional law issues, developments and case law that should have engaged spirited commentaries of the independent legal academy. These commentaries need not take any political overtones. They could be nuanced neutrally but informative or they could be rabidly political. Zambia is a democracy and democracy is based on the contestation of ideas? Democracy is anathema to burying one’s head in the sand like an ostrich when it sees danger.

The myriad voices of the legal academy ought to be heard whether or not these disparate voices are supportive or opposite any grave constitutional issues of the day in order to provide sober legal analysis or perspectives, and therefore necessary leadership to the country’s debates. Legal scholars are supposed to be experts in their areas. Scholars have an opportunity and obligation to read, analyse and follow closely the areas in which they teach and therefore are supposed to comment with a measure of competence to provide leadership on these issues. What explains their silence? Your guess is as good as mine.

Legal commentary by the legal academy need not be in any format or forum or medium. It can be in any format. Whatever the format or the forum, it must be heard. The legal academy has seen or heard all types of commentaries from many voices, including the Economic Association of Zambia(EAZ), the Law Association of Zambia(LAZ), many civil society organisations, political parties, individual politicians, media pundits and so forth. The province and jurisdiction of the legal academy is the law. The Constitution is the supreme law of the land and therefore the platform on which the legal academy must play. Where is the voice of the legal academy in general and in Zambia in particular?

The voice of the legal academy enhances the quality and quotient of democracy and justice. It improves the quality of the debate. After all the legal academy supplies the canon and fodder for the present judiciary and future judiciary. The legal academy teaches the students who will become lawyers and judges of today and tomorrow. You are what you have produced. In order to have better lawyers and judges today and tomorrow, the legal academy needs to engage in critically debating the critical issues of today. This is not happening now. It shouldn’t be that way. The legal academy need not necessarily speak as individual voices though that is necessary in a democracy, but can speak as a civic or civil society organisation.

On May 21, 2016, shortly after my arrival from many years abroad, I sent the following letter to all law deans. I proposed the formation of the Zambian Association of Law Schools and Law Teachers (ZALS) so that law teachers can speak with one voice on law and legal matters of national importance. Such a voice must not only be left to LAZ. It is quite horrifying to see the extent of the silence of the Zambian legal academy in critical constitutional matters of the day compared to the respective positions on similar matters of their counterparts in Pakistan, Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Canada, the US, Britain, Israel, Australia and so on.

If this association was formed, it could have critically guided the debate on Bill 10, a bill that wants to demobilise our democracy with our eyes wide open. No law teacher worthy his salt would want democracy that we fought so hard for, eviscerated by this government through bills like Bill 10. The academy should be very angry about this. They could have spoken with one voice through ZALS. Imagine if that Bill was presented in Kenya, Pakistan, Israel, South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Canada, the US, Britain etc! The legal academy would have been up in arms. In Zambia, everybody else has spoken, including LAZ, except the legal academy that produces law students, lawyers and judges.

Here is the proposal that I had sent on May 21, 2016:

Introduction

Whereas Zambia has a number of law schools and most of which are very new,

And realising that all law schools are afflicted with more or less the same problems of shortage of human resources in terms of professors, senior lecturers and lecturers, face the same challenges of lack of financial resources and paucity of legal resources in the libraries where these exist, and noting that coordination through joint efforts to deal with these challenges is a sine qua non to individual and collective success, now therefore, Zambian Law Schools have decided to form an association named, the Zambian Association of Law Schools and Law Teachers (ZALS).

Aims

The objectives of ZALS are:

To act as a common front in coordination to deal with the challenges facing Zambian law schools and law teachers.

To share legal information about the best practices in the running of Zambian law schools and the teaching of law,.

To gather and disseminate legal information about the best and latest teaching methods in the field of law.

To jointly and in a reciprocal fashion supervise each other’s LLM and doctoral students or be on the dissertation and theses committees.

To promote legal education in law schools that benefit the socio-economic development of Zambia.

To lend support to each law school in terms of filling in gaps in the shortage of law teachers, teaching materials, library resources and sundry other matters.

To coordinate with both the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) and the Zambia Institute of Advanced Legal Education (ZIALE) in efforts to produce the best law students, ZIALE students and lawyers through legal education efforts and joint provision of best legal materials in continuing legal education.

To interface with the judiciary on a continuing basis in order to provide each other with the best and latest legal information and best judicial practices from within and without Zambia for the benefit of law students, lecturers, lawyers, judges and society as a whole.

To share joint platforms on a continuing basis with government legal departments and law enf orcement agencies for mutual legal education benefits in the promotion of good governance and best legal practices from around the world.

To support legal developments that enhance good governance in Zambian law schools and in Zambia as a whole.

To be part of regional and international associations of law schools and law teachers for the advancement of the local objectives of ZALS and Zambian positive legal developments.

To raise funds in order to jointly send a law teacher or law teachers on a rotating basis to attend the annual Commonwealth Law Association, International Bar Association, American Bar Association, Canadian Bar Association, SADC Law Association or other legal conferences in order to acquire and share latest international legal knowledge and best legal practices in comparative and international law.

To jointly assist and comment on the possible correct legal courses to adopt  if consulted by any interested party in Zambia in furtherance of the rule of law, good governance and constitutionalism.

To act as amicus curiae or intervenor in any appropriate legal cases of national importance.

To protect and defend the independence of Zambian Law Schools and Law Teachers in terms of the functions of law schools and the philosophy of autonomy and independence of universities.

To jointly participate in the provision of access to justice by way of legal aid clinics to the disenfranchised.

To engage in mooting competitions against other law schools in Zambia and sending better teams abroad to represent Zambia in mooting competitions.

To advocate for country and regional recognition of practicing certificates so that lawyers within SADC can practice in any country in the region subject to approved requirements.

To exchange law teaching staff for a term or year within Zambia and within SADC to teach in other law schools.

To allow students to experience a term or year in another law school within SADC or elsewhere.

Organisation

To accomplish the above objectives, ZALS shall be governed by a council consisting of a Secretary-General, a financial officer and an IT specialist and such other personnel as deemed necessary by ZALS who shall hold office for two years after an election.

The Council of ZALS shall meet bi-monthly or as necessary.

The Council shall meet on urgent adhoc basis to formulate a legal position representing ZALS’ perspective on any issue of urgent national importance.

The Council shall publish bi-monthly a newsletter or blog in which it shall share latest information on legal developments of interest to the membership and Zambia as a whole.

And such further actions and programmes as deemed necessary by the Council or members in the interest of the law students, law schools, law teachers and Zambia as a whole.

End of the proposal.

Update: As of September 30, 2019, I have not heard from law deans about this proposal. Any time I have broached the subject since, there has been utter silence. In a democracy, you cannot force anyone to do anything even that which is in their best interest, for example when evidence points in one direction that Bill 10 will destroy Zambian democracy as we know it.

Another update. Thankfully Bill 10 was defeated in parliament. The PF lost power in August 2021. The deans of law schools have not responded to my proposal and the legal academy continues to remain silent compared to the glorious days when UNZA was the only university in the country and had consequently the only law school in the country. The idea of ZALS continues to resonate and continues to be on the table.

In 2019 I concluded thus:

Martin Luther King Jr once said that “the voices you eventually remember are not those of your enemies, but the silence of your friends”. The legal academy should be a friend of democracy. It’s their silence (2011-2021- new insertion) that will be remembered during this stretch of Zambia’s journey through this thicket of legal landmines.



The author is a law teacher. His recent book is entitled, “Commentaries on the Laws of Zambia”. Email: munyonzwe.hamalengwa@zaou.ac.zm

SNAPSHOT IN HISTORY: THE ASSASSINATION OF HERBERT CHITEPO IN LUSAKA

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SNAPSHOT IN HISTORY: THE ASSASSINATION OF HERBERT CHITEPO IN LUSAKA.

ON the morning of March 18,1975, a blue Volkswagen Bettle, registration EY 7077 with a driver and two passengers attempted to leave House No. 150, Muramba Road, in Lusaka’s Chilenje South by reversing.

Shortly after that there was an explosion that threw part of the car onto the roof of the house, uprooted a tree and fatally injured a boy who lived next door.

In the car was Herbert Chitepo who was a key leader of the Rhodesian liberation movement ZANU, was blown to pieces after a car bomb, placed in his Volkswagen Beetle the night before, exploded. He and Silas Shamiso, one of his bodyguards, were killed instantly. Sadat Kufamadzuba, his other bodyguard, was injured. The explosion sent part of the car onto the roof of his house and uprooted a tree next door. Hours later one of his neighbours died of injuries he sustained in the explosion.

The murder of Chitepo happened during one of the darkest period of Zimbabwe liberation politics.

President Kenneth Kaunda set up a ‘Special International Commission on the Assassination of Herbert Chitepo’ chaired by Reuben Kamanga. And only 10 days after the tragedy, a number of ZANU members had been detained. The Zambia Army took over nationalist movements bases in Zambia. A total of 1 300 freedom fighters, including refugees, were detained.

Fearing for their lives Robert Mugabe and Emmerson Mnangagwa (current President of Zimbabwe) run away from Zambia. After the Zambian Security Forces raided the Mnangagwa family farm in Mumbwa, where it was alleged that Robert Mugabe and Mnangagwa where hiding. Both would only reappear later in Mozambique, where they set up a new base with support from China.

Peter Stiff’s book See You In November details the Rhodesian Central Intelligence Organisation’s (CIO) plan to kill Chitepo and how Alan Brice and his team of Hugh ‘Chuck’ Hind and Ian Sutherland carried out the assassination. The assassin, born Hugh Hind, later earned the nickname ‘Chuck’ and was recruited by the Rhodesian CIO.

However, after the independence of Zimbabwe in 1980, Major Chuck Hind who was a member of the secretive British elite forces, the SAS, but was working for the Rhodesian regime wrote a book in which he claimed to have laid the landmine that killed Chitepo in Chilenje.

The irony is that Hind (now late) trained the initial intake of the Zambia paramilitary police force that formed the spine of the security at KK’s residence at State House. Possibly unknown to KK then, Hind was a paid-up member of the Rhodesia Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) while he was training the presidential guards.

When KK learnt about this later, he kindly asked Hind’s wife to pick a letter from him at State House and deliver it to the Zambian High Commission in London. She was quietly deported in that humanely manner.

It is clear that at the time of Chitepo’s death in Zambia, the political environment was riddled by high diplomacy, intrigue, mistrust ethnic rivalry within the ZANU, and racial tension in Southern Africa.

The Chitepo Commission report released in March 1976 claimed that inter-ethnic rivalry within ZANU resulted in Chitepo’s death. The report was rejected by ZANU. After Zimbabwe’s independence, the Mugabe govt charged that KK was complicit in Chitepo’s death. This was rejected by Kaunda’s Zambia.

(Adapted from a write up by Dr Sam Phiri)

LAURA MITI MUST RESIGN FROM THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION

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LAURA MITI MUST RESIGN FROM THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION..so that can freely praise and defend President Hichilema- Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba

..so that can freely praise and defend President Hichilema without hiding her views in the jacket of a member of the board of the Human Rights Commission…

Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba

It is extremely shocking that a member of the  Human Rights Commission Board in Zambia could rise and condemn a Report of the United Nations on the state of human rights in Zambia.

Clearly, it is time that Laura Miti resigned as a Commissioner of the Human Rights Commission so that she can continue to serve, praise, and defend President Hakainde Hichilema without shame or hindrance.

Time and time again, she is engaged in bitter social-media fights with those keen to expose President Hichilema’s abuses, corruption, failures and shortcomings. Lelo ca mutwala kuli ba UN!

It is now clear that persons like her, sitting in critical oversight and democratic institutions, are so partisan and blind to the abuse and suffering of Zambians, that they unashamedly stymie even the expression of such abuses although it is their constitutional duty and mandate to do so.

I noticed a misguided tone in their defense against this Report by both Cornelius Mweetwa and Laura Miti, whereby they think the UN Report is ill-informed, distant, and therefore misdirected

But do we not know? That the UN and all its agencies are here in Zambia?

Further, the UN collaborates closely with institutions such as the International Monetary Fund ( IMF) and the World Bank Group,who also have country offices and resident representatives in the country.

The United Nations is a 193-member organisation. Why would a Report single-out Zambia?

It is because it is warranted as the sad development in Zambia, if left unchecked coukd send the country off its rails.

The situation in Zambia, the abuse of human rights and entrenchment of a dictatorship is NOT and is no longer in dispute.

Laura Miti might need to familiarise herself with recent and various media statements of concern issued by; the Law Association of Zambia, 12 NGOs led by Chapter One Foundation, Pastoral Statements from the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops ( ZCCB), Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ) and the Christian Council of Zambia (CCZ).

These statements decried the shrinking democratic and media space, the constitutional breaches by the President and his government, the wanton human rights abuses especially committed by the Zambia Police, the stiffle of democracy abd divergent views in Parliament, the systematic harrasment of the Opposition and the severe attack on the multiparty nature of our country, the sudden rise in large-scale acts of corruption and the looting of the Treasury.

Laura Miti has, instead,chosen to remain silent amidst the human rights crisis in Zambia and praises President Hichilema at every time but is obsessed with viciously attacking the former President, Edgar Lungu and the former ruling party.

Even when we listed the number of clergy that have been arrested, Laura doesn’t see it.

Even when we list disruptions to church services that took place, she ignores it.

It’s time we demanded that persons like Laura Miti resign from oversight institutions so that a modicum of genuine work could be done under this heightened dictatorship.

UN SPECIAL RAPPORTEURS

There  are in the UN, mechanisms  to take care of either  a country’s specific issue or of thematic issues in every part of the world.

Among those mechanisms,
are the special rapporteurs.

Special rapporteurs  are  in  charge of holding  inquiries  into violations and  to
intervene  on  specific  issues  or  urgent  situations. 

They, therefore, play  an
important  role  in  the  protection  of  human  rights. 

They  are independent. Their mission  is  to
study and draft a report on a country’s situation about a human right issue.

For  that purpose, special rapporteurs visit  countries. They can decide  to  visit a
State  for  themselves  or  further  to  specific  allegations  about  human  rights  violations related to their mandates.

Special  rapporteurs  use  a  wide variety  of  information’s  sources. 

They  conduct part  of  their  research  in  concerned  countries,  discuss  with  authorities  and victims, and  collect  proofs  on  the ground.

After  their  visit,  the  holder  of  special
procedures’  mandates  presents  a  mission  report  with  his conclusions  and recommendations.

Special  rapporteurs receive information  from different sources including:  governments,  intergovernmental  organisations,  non-governmental
organisations, victims of human rights violations, and witnesses.

When  they  receive  reliable information  on a  human  rights’  violation  related  to
their mandate, they can discuss directly with the governments concerned.

Last week, the UN Special Rapporteurs of the Human Rights Council published a condemnation of the rapid decline of democracy and infringements on Human Rights in Zambia.

CHINA MODEL OF DEVELOPMENT MUST BE REPLICATED IN ZAMBIA

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CHINA MODEL OF DEVELOPMENT MUST BE REPLICATED IN ZAMBIA

President Hakainde Hichilema says Zambia is keen to learn from China’s remarkable development to implement economic development measures that will translate development initiatives for Zambians.

President Hichilema has observed that China has made tremendous social economic development in all economic sectors worth learning from if the living standards of Zambians are to be improved.

ZANIS reports that President Hichilema said this when he held bilateral talks with Zhao Gang, the Governor of Shaanxi Province in Xian City.

“Zambia is very keen to learn the process, the stages that have taken China to undergo such rapid development,” said President Hichilema.

The Head of State said Zambia is keen on building the 60 years of bilateral ties between China and Africa forged by Kenneth Kaunda and Mao Zedong

President Hichilema said the relations have been deepened to a comprehensive strategic development cooperation under President Xi Jinping and himself that should now show and provide tangible benefits to Zambians.

Mr Hichilema pointed out that China has been strong in Economic management, social and cultural development and sound promotion of trade and investment initiative.

“A lot of progress China is making is what is benefiting China, the people of China, and the global community, and we want to benefit from that,” said President Hichilema.

President Hichilema told Mr Zhao that China, especially Shaanxi Province, is different and advanced from the Shaanxi he visited 16 years ago on private business.

He said he wants Shaanxi investments in manufacturing, Agriculture, technology and scientific development, and tourism cemented in the Zambian economy, to change the development trajectory.

President Hichilema praised Shaanxi Province’s energy sufficiency and wants Zambia to be assisted in the area in light of the climate induced energy crisis.

“We are dependent on hydropower, and with climate change, we have been exposed. We want to see how Longi Energy can help us. We need to undertake partnerships, and your partnership to benefit Zambians,” he said.

President Hichilema said he wants to tap into the agro potential of Shaanxi and galvanise much needed support for irrigation and technical skills to help Zambia grow more food for domestic and regional markets.

Mr Hichilema praised China for developing its tourism sector anchored on a rich history of cultural heritage that can be replicated to Livingstone.

And Governor Zhao said Shaanxi Province stands ready to assist Zambia’s development agenda.

Mr Zhao, who is also Communist Party of China Provincial Deputy Secretary General pointed out that the region is strong in hi- tech development, energy, agriculture, food processing among others.

He pointed out that Xian City through the Longi Green Energy Technology Company has 100 million kilowatts of installed solar energy to support its rapid development in the manufacturing sector among others.

“Shaanxi Province is expanding its focus on development cooperation in various sectors. Shaanxi would like to collaborate in multiple areas, and deepen relations with Zambia, ” Mr Zhao said.

The Shaanxi Provincial administration later hosted a Banquet in honour of President Hichilema and his delegation, that included Minister of Energy  Makozo Chikote, Zambia’s Ambassador to China Ivan Zyulu and senior government officials and Embassy staff.

On September 3, 2024, President Hichilema is expected to tour the Longi Green Energy Technology Company to appreciate the company’s edge in providing solar energy solutions.

President Hichilema is keen to have Longi Green Energy Technology Company invest in Zambia to help address the ravaging power deficit the country faces due to a hydro power drought induced shortage.

The President will also visit the Mausoleum of Emperor Qinshihuang, which also houses the Terracotta Warriors of the Chinese Qin dynasty viewed by over 65, 000 people daily.

President Hichilema wants Zambia to tap into Shaanxi’s tourism success story and replicate it to Livingstone.

The Head of State invited Chinese citizens to visit Zambia in masses following the scrapping of visa fees for China.

A French woman who was dr*gged by her husband so 50 men could r@pe her, has appeared in court

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A French woman who was dr*gged by her husband so 50 men could r@pe her, has appeared in court for the first time after waiving her right to anonymity.

The woman, Gisele P., 72, arrived in courtroom with her three children to witness the opening day of the trial of Dominique P., 71, which began on Monday morning, September 2, in Avignon.

He is accused of orchestrating a sick rape ring, using an online forum to invite a horde of men to his home in Mazan near Avignon before filming them assaulting his wife over nine years between 2011 and 2020.

Woman dr^gged by her husband so 50 men could r@pe her appears in court after waiving right to anonymity

Police counted a total of 92 rapes committed by 72 men, 51 of whom were identified and are being tried alongside the main suspect, a former employee at France’s power utility company EDF.

Presiding judge Roger Arata announced that all the hearings would be public, granting Gisele her wish for ‘complete publicity until the end’ of the court case, according to her lawyer, Stephane Babonneau.

Gisele could have opted for a trial behind closed doors given the nature of her husband’s alleged crimes, but ‘that’s what her attackers would have wanted’, another lawyer named Antoine Camus said.

‘For the first time, she will have to live through the r@pes that she endured over 10 years,’ Camus said, adding that his client had ‘no recollection’ of the abuse which she only discovered in 2020.

The couple met in 1971 and married two years later before having three kids together.

Gisele previously said her husband had asked her to try swinging – a request she refused. But she also described him as a ‘great guy’ with a ‘normal s3xuality’.

The heinous campaign of sexual abuse masterminded by Dominique P. is said to have begun in 2011 when the couple was living near Paris, and continued after they moved to Mazan two years later.

Woman dr^gged by her husband so 50 men could r@pe her appears in court after waiving right to anonymity

Police began to investigate the defendant Dominique P. in September 2020 when he was caught by a security guard secretly filming under the skirts of three women in a shopping centre.

Police said they found hundreds of pictures and videos of his wife on his computer, visibly unconscious and mostly in the foetal position.

The images are alleged to show dozens of r@pes in the couple’s home in Mazan, a village of 6,000 people roughly 20 miles from Avignon in Provence.

Investigators also found chats on a site called coco.fr, since shut down by police, in which he recruited strangers to come to their home and have intercourse with his wife.

Dominique P. later admitted to investigators that he gave his wife powerful tranquilisers, especially Temesta, an anxiety-reducing drug.

The husband took part in the rapes, filmed them and encouraged the other men using degrading language, according to prosecutors.

In previous hearings, he explained how he took a range of precautions to avoid his wife or family from discovering the dark deeds.

French outlet Le Point reported how Dominique P. imposed strict rules on each of the men who he invited to rape his wife: no perfume or tobacco, cut, and clean nails, and hands first run under hot water so as not to risk waking the victim.

The attackers would park a few minutes from the couple’s home and undress in the kitchen. No money changed hands.

The accused rapists included a forklift driver, a fire brigade officer, a company boss and a journalist.

Dominique P., who said he was raped by a male nurse when he was nine, is ready to face ‘his family and his wife’, his lawyer Beatrice Zavarro said.

‘He is ashamed of what he did, it is unforgivable,’ Zavarro told reporters on Monday morning, adding that the case was ‘in a form of addiction’.

‘My client’s line of conduct is that he recognises what he did and there has not been an ounce of protest since the beginning,’ she said in comments carried by French press.

The defendant has also been charged with a 1991 murder and rape, which he denies, and an attempted rape in 1999, to which he admitted after DNA testing.

The trial is due to last until December 20.

From Divorce To Miss Universe Nigeria – Chidimma Adetshina’s Story

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The newly crowned Miss Universe Nigeria, Chidimma Adetshina, has been in the eye of the storm since she participated in the Miss South Africa beauty pageant.

The 23-year-old Nigerian-South African model was born at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital to a Nigerian father and mother of Mozambique descent and was raised in Soweto, a suburb of Johannesburg.

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Adetshina, a finalist at the Miss South Africa pageant, was forced to drop out following a controversy about her citizenship.

The Department of Home Affairs for South Africa had announced that preliminary evidence suggests Ms Adetshina’s mother may have committed identity theft.

She subsequently accepted an invitation to participate in the Miss Universe Nigeria.

Marriage & Divorce
While she might not look like it, Adetshina is a divorcee.

The model confirmed to Sowetan Live Magazine that she was once married but finalised her divorce in early 2024.

“I got divorced in February. We were not compatible because he had this ideology of what an African married woman is. I didn’t want to be in a position where I can’t go out, but had to clean, cook… that was just not for me because as a society, we are way past that phase,” she had said.

She however maintained that her life in the past year has been nothing but a reflection of who she is as a person.

Mother of One
Adetshina also confirmed that she is a mother of one.

According to her, she gave birth to her one-year-old son out of wedlock.

“My parents have been very supportive and although my marriage robbed me from enjoying the beauty of pregnancy and being a wife – overall it brings me joy that I get to take new steps with my son.

“I didn’t think I’d be a mom at my age as he was conceived out of wedlock but I’m glad to have him. At the beginning of the year, I was so depressed and worried about how life was going to turn out for me but getting this far in the competition made me believe there was more in store for me.”

Nigerian father, Mozambican mother

Adetshina’s nationality was the melting point of her participation in the Miss South Africa pageant.

Her Nigerian father and Mozambican mother met in Johannesburg in the late ’90s and chose to settle in Pimville (her grandmother’s home on her maternal side) before moving to Cape Town where she currently resides.

“My dad is a proud Nigerian and my mother was born and raised in SA but has roots from Mozambique. My mom’s family still lives in Soweto and I visit them from time to time,” Adetshina says.

‘May’ not return to South Africa
After the series of xenophobic attacks that Adetshina endured, she has hinted that she might not return to South Africa.

In a recent interview with Cool FM, the model said: “I think it’s safe to say I’m not going back.

“It’s been amazing. I’m not even looking forward to going back to South Africa. I just want to explore more. I want to stay longer and see what happens next.”

“It’s been a long journey. It’s been so hard, I won’t lie,” Adetshina said. “Sometimes, I would cry myself to sleep and wonder, ‘Why me?’ and wish it would end.

Big Brother Naija Ambition
Adetshina also expressed interest in participating in the Big Brother Naija reality TV show.

The 23-year-old law student compared her prolonged stay in the Miss SA pageant to that of BBN, which runs for ten weeks.

“I want to enter Big Brother Naija next year. If I can stay away for seven weeks at Miss SA, trust me, I am sure I can do it,” she stated.

BBNaija, Nigeria’s premier reality TV show, is currently in its ninth season.

On the show, contestants live in an isolated house and compete for a cash prize and other material prizes at the end of the show by avoiding being evicted from the house by viewers who vote for their favourite housemates to remain in the show.

Prince Harry has enlisted the help of several former royal aides to “rehabilitate” his reputation and help plot his return

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Exiled UK royal, Prince Harry has enlisted the help of several former royal aides to “rehabilitate” his reputation and help plot his return to the Royal family, according to a new report.

The Duke of Sussex, 39, is reportedly becoming increasingly frustrated with Hollywood and reportedly wants the UK to help him out.

According to palace insiders, Harry, who plans to celebrate his 40th birthday next week has reached out to some ‘familiar faces’ in the UK.

Prince Harry has asked former royal aides to help plot his return from exile, New report claims

“Harry is turning away from all sorts of Hollywood publicists and is seeking counsel from his old friends and associates,” a source told the Daily Mail said to the media agency.

“He is clearly reaching out thinking, ‘I need to do something different because what I’m doing is clearly not working’. In short, he is rethinking the way he operates.”

At least one of the royal aides that Harry allegedly approached is described as an “old school” adviser known for discretion to help with the plan, unofficially dubbed “Operation Bring Harry In From The Cold.”

Harry has also reportedly reached out to former private secretary Edward Lane Fox.

“If anyone can do it, Edward can. Last time I saw him I wanted to take him by the shoulders and say, ‘Ed, please bring our boy home’. It’s the right time now,” a source told the outlet.

However, when approached for comment by the outlet, Lane Fox said “it’s not something I’ve got a view on I’m afraid.”

The report adds that Harry could also be taking on “very low-key royal duties” in the near future believing that “if Harry comes back to the UK with zero fuss, and does zero publicity and attends very mundane events, he could prove himself and win over the British public again.”

Harry noticeably kept his distance from his estranged brother Prince William as the pair attended their uncle’s funeral separately in the UK last week.

After reports suggesting Harry was set to skip the event over safety concerns, the duke ultimately flew to the UK for the memorial service.

The funeral marked the first time the feuding brothers were under the same roof since King Charles’ coronation in May 2023.

“It’s my last year in the club” – Salah on stay at Liverpool

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Mohamed Salah is one of three key Liverpool players nearing the end of their current contracts.

Alongside club captain Virgil van Dijk and homegrown talent Trent Alexander-Arnold, Salah is set to depart Anfield at the close of the season unless new agreements are reached to keep them at the club.

Since joining Liverpool in 2017 from Roma, after earlier stints at Basel, Chelsea, and Fiorentina, Salah has made a remarkable impact.

He has netted 214 goals and contributed 92 assists in 352 appearances for the Reds.

“I had a good summer; I had a long time to stay with myself and think positive, as you know it’s my last year in the club,” Salah told Sky Sports.

“I just want to enjoy it. I don’t want to think about it. I feel I’m free to play football, and we’ll see what happens next year.

“Nobody in the club has talked to me yet about contracts, so OK, I’ll play my last season, and we’ll see at the end of the season. It’s not up to me.”

In September 2023, Liverpool turned down a massive £150 million ($197 million) bid from Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad for Mohamed Salah.

Despite rumours of another potential approach by Saudi clubs this summer, no concrete offer was made for the Egyptian star.

As Salah enters the final year of his contract, Liverpool manager Arne Slot has opted not to comment on the player’s situation, keeping any potential developments under wraps.

“At this moment [Salah] is one of ours, and I am really happy with him being one of ours,” Slot said. “He played really well, but I don’t talk about contracts.”

Salah is one of three Liverpool stars who are inside the final year of their respective contracts.

Club captain Virgil van Dijk and academy product Trent Alexander-Arnold are also due to leave the club at the end of the season unless they agree on new contracts to extend their stays at Anfield.

Salah has scored 214 goals and provided 92 assists in 352 appearances for Liverpool. He joined the club in 2017 from Roma after spells with Basel, Chelsea and Fiorentina.

‘I’m not a magician’ – Ten Hag on club’s form after loss to Liverpool

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Erik ten Hag acknowledged the challenges of integrating new signings into the squad so early in the season, following Manchester United’s 3-0 loss to Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday.

In a tense press conference, the Dutch manager defended his record, reminding fans that he’s not a magician, saying, “I’m not Harry Potter.”

Despite the defeat, Ten Hag expressed confidence in his team, assuring supporters that they “will be fine” and still have a “big chance” of winning a trophy by the season’s end.

“It’s just the third game in the season; we have to build a new team,” Ten Hag said.

“I explained this so many times. We will build it. We have young players and players to build in. Today we had three players who started for the first time this season.

https://youtu.be/DeqdpRiFHLU

We will be fine. It is clear we have to improve, but at the end of the season, I am confident we will have a big chance to lift another trophy.”

Erik ten Hag had no choice but to substitute Casemiro at halftime after the Brazilian’s mistakes led to two goals for Luis Díaz.

Meanwhile, new signing Manuel Ugarte, who joined for £50 million ($65.6 million), observed from the stands after being introduced to the fans before the match.

Ten Hag acknowledged that the Uruguayan midfielder will need time to acclimatise and reach full match fitness.

“So this is another one; we have to build him into the team,” he said.
“It will take time, so it’s not like I’m Harry Potter. That is what you have to acknowledge.

And if you see Manuel Ugarte, he didn’t play so far in the season. Not one match minute. He needs to build his fitness, and then we have to build him in the team.”

A defiant Ten Hag also went on to reject a suggestion that his team continue to be punished for familiar mistakes.

“Maybe you can explain to me which mistakes,” he replied.

“You are sure? I don’t think so, otherwise you wouldn’t win trophies as we have. I am sorry for you. I think we won after [Manchester] City the most trophies in English football in the last two years, so I am sorry for you.

“There are [positives], but I don’t want to talk about this. It hurts, especially for our fans; we have to be humble and move on.”

Wendy Williams Gets Applauded Online Following First Public Appearance After Year-Long Absence

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Wendy Williams’s first public appearance was met with several online applause as this sighting is Wendy Williams’s first in over a year.

Page Six was the first to report on the sighting and a social media post from the holistic store Bolingo Balance corroborated it.

Bowman also shared a photo of himself and Williams on his Facebook page with the caption, “Wendy Williams came to my store, much love, Queen”.

Photos were also posted on the store’s Instagram account. “Much love to Wendy Williams and her son,” read the caption.

Bolingo Balance is a holistic business in Newark, New Jersey, and it’s owned by Victor Bowman, the son of herbalist Alfredo “Dr. Sebi” Bowman.

According to Page Six’s original story on the outing, Williams and her son, Kevin Hunt Jr., visited the store on Monday, August 19.

Williams appeared “sharp, upbeat, and aware” during her visit, according to a store employee who said to have spoken with Page Six.

The employee also mentioned that Williams conversed with the store owner, Victor Bowman, about holistic health products.

It seems the son of herbalist Alfredo “Dr. Sebi Bowman provides Williams with herbal supplements, allegedly including iron-rich herbs such as sarsaparilla and capsules intended to enhance hormonal balance and mental well-being.

Bowman noted that Williams “talked about circulation improvement but didn’t want to get into too much detail on their first meeting and plans to come back in the near future.”

The appearance coincides with continuous rumors about Williams’ well-being, especially in light of her reported problems with a dementia diagnosis.

Read also: Producers Explain Why They Decided To Continue Filming “Where Is Wendy Williams?” Amid Dementia Diagnosis

Both fans and media sources are very interested in and talking about her reappearance.

This represents the first public sighting of the TV star since March 2023.

Williams was last seen and photographed in public in March 2023 after arriving back at her New York City apartment.

Her final appearance on The Wendy Williams Show was in July 2021, but up until its June 2022 finale, the show included several well-known guest hosts, all while Wendy dealt with his persistent health problems, which included alcohol addiction, lymphedema, and Graves’ illness.

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