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Former Zampost boss turns himself in to start prison stay

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Former Zampost boss turns himself in to start prison stay

KANCHIBIYA member of parliament Sunday Chanda and his family members had sadness written all over their faces on Monday as they said their goodbyes to former Zampost master general McPherson Chanda before he was taken to prison to start serving his two year jail term.

McPherson was jailed by the Ndola Magistrates Court in 2022, together with Best Mwaiche former director finance and Isaac Kawimba former director operations at Zampost to two years simple imprisonment in a matter where they were facing 13 counts of theft by servant for diverting Social Cash Transfer Funds amounting to K335,108, 834.

On Friday March 15, the Economic and Financial Crimes Court (High Court division) in its judgement on appeal, endorsed the sentence imposed by the lower Court.

The Court had declared that Chanda, Mwaiche and Kawimba had intentions of diverting the funds without authority from the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services.

“By diverting the funds to a fixed deposit account the accused persons converted it to their own use based on the manner Zampost managed or used the funds,” judge Ann Ononuju said.

The judge said Chanda and his accomplices should have sought approval from the secretary to the treasury before opening a fixed deposit account were the Social Cash Transfer Funds would be held.

Judge Ononuju pointed the three did not act in good faith as laid down procedure was not followed to withhold funds for seven days whenever it was due for payment, in order to amass interest, without consent from the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services.

“The convicts did not act in good faith and cannot claim immunity under Section 90 of the Zampost Act. A prudent business decision does not include acting on illegal decisions by moving of government funds without approval from the secretary to the treasury,” she said.

“There is no evidence to prove that the public benefited.”

The Court said magistrate Kaunda Sakwanda was wrong when she entered a statutory judgement in favor of the State to recover the K335 million as the Anti- Corruption Commission did not prove the loss which government incurred.

Judge Ononuju referred the matter to the registrar to assess the interest earned on the money which will be reimbursed by Zampost since the convicts did not benefit from it.

She ordered that the three begin to serve their sentence as there was no reason to tamper with the sentence imposed by the lower Court as it was not wrong at law or principle.

On Monday afternoon McPherson, Mwaiche and Kawimba who were absent when the Court delivered judgement, turned themselves in to the police at the Lusaka High Court and were taken into custody by Chief inspector in charge of Court operations George Konde.

The family members who were downcast conjested the holding cells to keep McPherson and his accomplices company while his brother Sunday and his sons remained outside loading his beddings, toiletries and foodstuffs in a vehicle, before they were taken to their jail house.

Immediately the convicts were fully prepared for jail, Konde led the dejected trio to a Toyota Mark X which was parked at the holding cells awaiting to transport them to prison.

He later booked the convicts at Lusaka Central Correctional Facility popularly known as Chimbokaila where they will stay for 24 months…

By Mwaka Ndawa

Kalemba

Legislators in Hong Kong unanimously approve security law

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Lawmakers in Hong Kong all agreed to a new law on Tuesday that gives the government more control to stop disagreement. Many people see this as part of a big crackdown on politics after protests for democracy in 2019.

Lawmakers approved a new law to protect national security during a special meeting. The new law will give the government more power to punish people for working with outside forces to do illegal things. It will also allow them to charge people with serious crimes like treason, rebellion, spying, and sharing government secrets.

This new law is on top of another law Beijing made last year. That law ended up silencing a lot of opposition in the financial hub. Critics are concerned that the new law will continue to take away the freedoms that Beijing said it would protect for 50 years after Hong Kong returned to China from British control in 1997.

Hong Kong’s lawmakers, who support China, quickly passed the law after changing the electoral rules. The law was introduced on March 8. A committee met every day for a week after Hong Kong leader John Lee asked them to speed up the process. After the vote, Lee said the law would start on Saturday.

“He said today is a very important day for Hong Kong. ”

The new law says that if someone does things the government thinks are dangerous to the country, they will get in big trouble. The worst things, like treason and trying to start a rebellion, can even mean being in jail for the rest of your life. Smaller crimes, like having forbidden books, could also result in spending a few years in prison. Some rules let people be punished for breaking the law no matter where they did it.

Andrew Leung, the head of the Legislative Council, said that he thinks all the lawmakers feel proud to be a part of this important task. Usually, council presidents don’t join in these votes. But this time, Leung voted to celebrate the event.

John Burns, a professor at the University of Hong Kong, said that the way things are done in the city show that the system for making sure people do their job is not working well because it was made to be not strong.

He said the politicians looked closely at the bill and the government made some changes that the lawmakers suggested. However, during the debate, Burns mentioned that many lawmakers were talking about making the state have more control over national security problems and making the punishments for related crimes harsher. He said that the leaders were happy to help them.

“Those who want the government to be responsible are disappointed by the changes made since 2020, but they are not surprised,” Burns explained.

Simon Young, a teacher at the University of Hong Kong’s law school, said that the government didn’t just approve the law quickly. He pointed out that officials had long meetings to discuss and change the bill. But Young said that in the past, lawmakers may have asked for advice from experts.

“I wish this had been done this time,” he said.

The Beijing office in Hong Kong said on Tuesday that the new law will help Hong Kong stay stable and successful. This will allow the city to concentrate on making the economy better and improving the lives of its people. Lee also mentioned that other countries have made rules to deal with dangers when necessary.

Hong Kong’s politics have changed a lot since the big protests in 2019. The protests were against China’s control over the territory and the new security law from Beijing.

A lot of important activists have been taken to court, and some have gone to live in other countries to be safe. Important media that supported democracy like Apple Daily and Stand News were closed down. The crackdown caused many unhappy young professionals and middle-class families to leave and move to the US, Britain, Canada, and Taiwan.

Hong Kong must make its own law to protect the country’s security, as stated in its Basic Law. In 2003, a law called Article 23 caused a big protest with 500,000 people, so the government had to stop the law. “Many people didn’t protest the bill because they were scared of the security law already in place. ”

The Chinese and Hong Kong governments say that the law imposed by Beijing helped to bring back peace and order after the protests in 2019.

Government leaders say the new law makes sure to protect both security and people’s rights and freedoms. The city government said it wants to stop more protests from happening, and that it will only affect a very small number of people.

The new law has strict punishments for people who are found guilty of putting their country’s safety in danger. This applies to situations where they are found to be collaborating with foreign governments or organizations, rather than acting alone. For instance, it goes after people who harm things like roads and buildings on purpose to put the country in danger. They could go to jail for 20 years, or even for their whole life, if they worked with outside forces. In 2019, people protested in Hong Kong’s airport and damaged train stations.

Business people and reporters are worried that this new law will make it harder for them to do their jobs every day.

Onlookers are paying attention to see if authorities will start enforcing rules on other job areas and how it will impact the freedom of Hong Kong people.

Many people didn’t like the bill right away.

The UN Human Rights leader, Volker Türk, criticized the fast approval of the bill as a step back for human rights in Hong Kong.

The UK Foreign Secretary, David Cameron, said that the wide-ranging definitions of national security and external interference will make it more difficult for people who live, work, and do business in Hong Kong. This will continue to take away their freedoms.

The US State Department said in a daily briefing that the law could speed up the closing of Hong Kong’s once open society and they are worried about how unclear the law is. Vedant Patel, a spokesperson, said that the department will study how the law could harm Americans.

ZESCO’s Electricity Export A Shocking Disregard for Citizen Welfare

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*ZESCO’s Electricity Export A Shocking Disregard for Citizen Welfare*

*By Daimone Siulapwa*

As we ponder on how to manage the disaster that ZESCO has thrown our country and businesses into, it becomes clear to realize that ZESCO is prioritizing profit over people.

The export of electricity, flaunted as a means to bolster foreign exchange reserves, has become a double-edged sword, plunging citizens into the abyss of load shedding while lining the pockets of a select few.

The rationale behind ZESCO’s export frenzy seems logical on the surface – earning foreign exchange to alleviate the government’s financial woes.

However, beneath this facade lies a grim truth: the relentless export of electricity comes at the dire expense of the very citizens ZESCO is supposed to serve.

Amidst the backdrop of copper production being very low, with revenues evaporating into the coffers of foreign entities, Zambia finds itself bleeding foreign exchange reserves.

This drain is exacerbated by the myopic strategy of prioritizing electricity export over domestic consumption.

It’s a scenario where the nation’s lifeblood is being siphoned off to appease international markets, leaving citizens in the shadows of deprivation.

The conspicuous absence of regular discourse on the state of foreign exchange reserves from the government raises alarming questions about the nation’s fiscal health.

Has prudence been forsaken for short-term gains? Is the government oblivious to the perilous trajectory of our economic stability? These are questions that demand urgent answers.

The correlation between load shedding and electricity export cannot be dismissed as mere coincidence.

While Zambians endure excruciating hours of power outages, ZESCO ensures a steady flow of electricity to foreign shores, where it fetches lucrative returns.

It’s a tale of two Zambias – one bathed in darkness for small businesses, the other basking in the glow of profitable businesses for those privileged with alternative source of energy.

The profiteering from power export underscores a fundamental injustice – the commodification of a basic necessity at the expense of the populace.

While a privileged few reap the rewards of this lucrative venture, the majority are left grappling with the harsh realities of daily life without electricity.

It’s a stark reminder of the gaping chasm between the haves and the have-nots, perpetuated by the insatiable appetite for profit.

As the UPND government charts its course for the next two years, it stands at a critical juncture.

The decisions made today will reverberate through the annals of history, shaping the electorate’s verdict in the forthcoming elections in 2026, will it a one term government or NOT?

The onus is on the government to prioritize the welfare of its citizens over profit margins, to reclaim ZESCO from the clutches of crony capitalism, and to restore faith in the promise of a brighter future.

We have been fed hogwash by every consecutive government when it comes to load shedding.

On the expense of our lives, health and businesses, we have been made to believe ZESCO has no capacity to meet our needs, while year in and year out and for over 20 years, millions of dollars have been pumped into ZESCO to improve and as well as create new electricity generation infrastructure. What happened to those millions?

A recalibration of ZESCO’s bloated staff composition is long overdue.

The institution’s inefficiencies and mismanagement have become synonymous with its modus operandi, draining resources and exacerbating the plight of ordinary Zambians.

It’s time to trim the fat, to streamline operations, and to ensure that every kwacha spent serves the interests of the nation, not the pockets of a privileged few.

Furthermore, the Finance Minister’s assertion that the some of the $100 million injection from the World Bank will find its way into ZESCO’s coffers raises troubling apprehensions.

Will history repeat itself, with funds intended for public utility being diverted for ulterior motives?

The echoes of past misappropriation reverberate through the corridors of power, casting a shadow of doubt on the government’s intentions. It’s imperative that every dollar earmarked for ZESCO serves its intended purpose – to illuminate the lives of Zambian citizens, not to line the pockets of corrupt officials.

*We need to do a twenty-year audit on how ZESCO has used all resources that has been allocated to it, give that it keeps making loses, year in, year out. If need be, we will need to recall all past ZESCO CEOs for the last twenty years and make them account for those national resources.

ZESCO can no longer be used as conduit to support political parties through abuse of office and luck of accountability.

The export of electricity at the expense of citizens is not just a policy failure; it’s a moral outrage. It’s time for ZESCO and the government to heed the cries of the people, to prioritize their welfare over profit margins, and to illuminate the path to a brighter, more equitable future for all Zambians.

*Reduce loading shedding time to four hours for now*


*Writting as Chairman for SMEs Association of Zambia (SMEAZ)*

_*Advocating for the Empowerment of Citizens owned SMEs and the Reservation of some Business for Zambian citizens only*_

*For more Info. Smeszambia@gmail.com*

Former Vice President Enoch Kavindele Defends Government Amid 2024 Drought Crisis

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Former Vice President Enoch Kavindele has issued a clarion call for unified support towards the UPND government’s efforts in addressing the prolonged dry spell threatening food security across the country.

In a recent statement, Mr. Kavindele emphasized that blame should not be directed at the government, asserting that the current situation is a consequence of natural forces rather than the actions of the present leadership.

“Government should not be blamed because what has happened is a result of forces of nature and not the doing of the current leadership,” Mr. Kavindele stated.

However, he underscored the crucial role of government in responding effectively to the disaster to prevent any loss of life due to hunger. Expressing confidence in the government’s capabilities, Mr. Kavindele assured the public that necessary measures are being taken to address the crisis.

Having witnessed similar drought situations during his tenure, notably in 1992 under President Frederick Chiluba and in 2002 as Vice President under President Levy Mwanawasa, Mr. Kavindele offered strategic recommendations for disaster management.

He advocated for the establishment of specialized committees led by Ministers to oversee aid mobilization, logistics, and distribution. Mr. Kavindele proposed the formation of a committee on aid mobilization to coordinate assistance from various countries and partners.

Furthermore, he suggested the creation of two additional committees to manage logistics and distribution effectively, ensuring that aid reaches the most vulnerable populations, particularly in rural areas.

In a bid to safeguard against potential mismanagement and corruption, Mr. Kavindele emphasized the inclusion of security wings in the distribution process. He cautioned against the exploitation of free aid by unscrupulous individuals, including high-ranking government officials.

Reflecting on past experiences, Mr. Kavindele recalled President Chiluba’s decisive action in 1992, where two ministers were dismissed for exploiting the food crisis for personal gain. He urged the current government to remain vigilant and proactive in preventing corruption during relief efforts.

As Zambia grapples with the challenges posed by the dry spell, Mr. Kavindele’s insights serve as a timely reminder of the importance of effective governance, collaboration, and accountability in mitigating the impacts of natural disasters and safeguarding the well-being of all citizens.

NO LOADSHEDDING IN MY CHIEFDOM BECAUSE WE PROTECT ENVIRONMENT, OWN POWER STATION – CHIEF NTAMBU

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NO LOADSHEDDING IN MY CHIEFDOM BECAUSE WE PROTECT ENVIRONMENT, OWN POWER STATION – CHIEF NTAMBU

Solwezi, Wednesday (March 20, 2024)

Chief Ntambu of the Lunda speaking people of Mwinilunga District, North Western Province, says his Chiefdom is not experiencing loadshedding because of a hydropower generation plant in the area.

The Traditional Leader has since paid tribute to First Quantum Minerals (FQM) for complementing his efforts in protecting and restocking natural resources the once depleted ecological region.

This came to light at a Traditional Leaders Caucus on Ending Forest Fires, organised by Centre for Environment Justice -CEJ- in Solwezi District, North Western Province.

The Traditional Leader said his Chiefdom is now venturing into Carbon Trading through a company in Kenya working with West Lunga Conservation Project which is supported by FQM.

Chief Ntambu said in addition to the West Lunga Conservation project, FQM is supporting the community with modern equipment for honey production, modern abattoir, butchery and a bakery which is in the undertaking.

“It is a matter of leadership. Before I became a chief, I lived on the Copperbelt. I stayed there for a long time after school without going back home. My home, Ntambu, was a heaven on earth because we had practically everything. We had plenty of rivers, a lot of fish, wild animals and we never lacked anything. But over the years, things started declining,” he said.

Chief Ntambu said the onset of civil wars in Angola and Congo DR saw refugees from the two countries converge on his Chiefdom, depleting animals and fish resulting in local people suffering.

“When I was on the Copperbelt, I would visit home and I could see the difference that Ntambu was no longer the way it used to be. How do we take it back to the days of Ntambu being heaven on earth. It needed leadership. When time came in 1997, the people of Ntambu installed me as their chief. I left everything that I had on the Copperbelt including businesses just to go back and serve. My life as a person has been anchored on servitude. The first thing upon my installation as chief was to restore the natural resources that were in Ntambu. After experiencing the poaching and mismanagement of natural resources, you would the type of reception that I got,” he said.

The Lunda Chief said he resolved to protect natural resources when he was installed as a Chief on Saturday, August 16, 1997.

“On Monday, I called for a meeting with all the Headpersons. I told them that there was no more destruction of natural resources that is why I decided to come to Ntambu. There was huge resentment from the people who did not want to hear that. I insisted that I was not going to back down because I promised the subjects that I want to restore natural resources which would make them happy in the long run after suffering temporarily,” he said.

Chief Ntambu said Adamson Mushala’s resistance against the One Party State of President Kenneth Kaunda also negated environmental protection efforts as Government Game Guards ran away, leaving the Game Management area vulnerable.

“How do we restore natural resources without Government interventions and there is opposition from subjects including foreigners from Angola and Congo DR? I started with the youth sensitising them on the importance of conserving natural resources. The youths observed that they were suffering as compared to the way their parents lived in childhood. They said how do we do it? That time there were rifles G3 for poaching purposes. I said since you have access to the rifles, go and protect the natural resources using the fire arms which went on for some years as I was lobbying Government to intervene. I lobbied Government to go back to protect natural resources in Ntambu but they refused. I told Government that should anything happen to my youths who are going to protect the natural resources unarmed, I will blame Government for not protecting natural resources and it’s people by blowing it to the world. I proposed that if Government is not willing to go to Ntambu, they needed to give arms to the youths to protect themselves as they go to the forests but they refused saying the subjects were civilians. I asked Government to teach them how to handle arms which they agreed after some time. They trained the subjects and I requested that they be given arms because they were trained. They refused to give arms to the subjects insisting that they were civilians but I asked why they trained them. I asked Government to second few Officers to go to Ntambu to work with the youths and they sent them because I was too insistent. Officers and youths worked together in patrolling,” he said.

Chief Ntambu said FQM helped his subjects with allowances 15 years later, after working as volunteers, and restocked Ntambu Community Game Reserve which now has elephants, buffaloes and other species that were completely depleted.

“After 15 years, FQM through Kalumbila employed a Wildlife Manager who learnt that subjects in Ntambu worked voluntarily to protect natural resources of which a month later, he announced that Kalumbila had agreed to sponsor the youths working as volunteers. FQM bought the youths clothing and allowances. After some time, the Government recognised our efforts by bringing in more Wildlife Officers to complement our efforts. Ntambu Chiefdom has recorded success because it had no animals but now has plenty of elephants, buffaloes and other species that have come back. We now wanted to empower our people for them to believe that the natural resources belong to them. Ntambu Community Game Reserve was formed because FQM was happy with our efforts knowing that we would keep the animals once given based on history. The mine helped Ntambu Community Game Reserve with animals,” he said.

Chief Ntambu said the world responded with more projects like the Remnipass Project and the current G7 Project.

“Everyone who opposed the idea years ago is now behind us. To protect forests, we discourage shifting cultivation but gave subjects permanent places for agricultural purposes. A company called Petauke Land Use has been engaged to give certificates of land use to every body for permanent use to free land and empower women. Certificates are given to the immediate family members that include a man, wife and children. In case man dies, the wife inherits the land so that no one from the man’s family will claim ownership following the demise of the man. We have a policy in Ntambu that all assets in the Chiefdom belong to the people be it minerals, rivers or trees. We have a power station in Ntambu. Here in Zambia you are getting hours of loadshedding but in Ntambu we have 24 hours of power brought about by Rural Electrification Authority (REA). We told REA that every asset in Ntambu belongs to the people of Ntambu, therefore, let us partner in order to have a say in our assets,” he said.

Among the Chiefs in attendance was Dr. Chief Mumena of Kalumbila District, Senior Chief Sailunga, Chief Kakoma (Representative) as well as Chief Ntambu all from Mwinilunga District.

Others are Chief Lumpuma of Lufwanyama District, Chief Musaka, Chief Mulonga (Representative), Senior Chief Kalilele (Representative) and Chieftainess Chikola of Mushindamo District and Chief Kapijimpanga (Representative) of Solwezi.

CEJ COMMUNICATIONS UNIT

BEMBA PROVERBS AND THEIR ROLE IN SOCIETY

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BEMBA PROVERBS AND THEIR ROLE IN SOCIETY

“ChiBemba” is a Bantu language spoken by the Bemba people of Zambia. It is through their language “ChiBemba” that the Bemba people teach proverbs to the younger generation. These proverbs are an important part of Bemba culture because it is through these proverbs that elders of the society pass down their norms, beliefs and way of life to the younger ones. The proverbs teach the younger ones important lessons that are vital for living in a cohesive society.

The following are some examples of Bemba proverbs:

1. “IFYAKULYA UBUSHIKU FITULIKILA KUMALUSHI”
The meaning of this proverb is “Whatever you eat in the darkness of night will be seen in your vomit”. The aim of this proverb is to teach people that whatever things you do in secret, you should always remember that they will be exposed unexpectedly at some point. It emphasizes the fact that secret deeds cannot remain hidden forever.

2. “UKUTEKE MBWA MANO”
The meaning of this proverb is “To take good care of a dog requires wisdom”. The lesson behind this proverb is that if you want to rule people well, you need to do it with wisdom and intelligence and not with force.

3. “KABUSHA TAKOLELWE UBOWA”
The meaning of this proverb is “The one who asks is the one who does not get poisoned by toxic mushroom”. It is derived from the fact it is important to ask which mushroom is edible and which one is not so that those who know can tell you. This proverb is aimed at teaching the importance of asking for advice from others so that you don’t make mistakes which could have been avoided.

4. “AKACILA KAMBUSHI KASENGULA APO KEKELE”
The meaning of this proverb is “The tail of a goat cleans where it is seated.” The teaching behind this proverb is that one has to first take care of where he/she stays, before going outside. It emphasizes that it is meaningless for one to boast that they are doing great things outside their home and yet they don’t do anything in their home.

5. “AKABOKO KAKONKA AKABOKO KABIYE”
The meaning of this proverb is “One small arm follows the other”. The aim of this proverb is to teach people to do good to others as you want them to do good to you. It teaches that people will treat you the way you treat them.

6. “AMENSHI YAKUTALI TAYASHIMYA MULILO”
The meaning of this proverb is “Water that comes from far way does not extinguish the fire”. The message behind this proverb is that the best people to find a solution for a problem are those who live nearby. It teaches people to look to people who are around them for solutions instead of looking to people who are far away.

7. “ TWENDE BABILI TEMWENSO, KUSOSHANYA.”
The meaning of this proverb is “Moving together does not bring fear, but rather creates a good relationship.” The lesson expressed in this proverb is that team work is very important. It teaches that it is through cooperation and unity that people are able to achieve great things.

8. “ICALO LIFUPA BAKOLOKOTA KOFYE WASHA”
The meaning of this proverb is “The world is a bone which you just bite around and leave it” The teaching behind this proverb is that when you have something don’t be overexcited when using it because eventually you will have to leave it for others because nothing lasts forever. The proverb teaches people to always remember to utilize things wisely.

9. “UKUPESHA LUNSHI KU NYA PATATU”
The meaning of this proverb is “If you want to challenge a fly you must defecate at three different places.” The lesson behind this proverb is that one must not put all their hopes in one place. This proverbs encourages people to make investments in more than one place so that in case something goes wrong in one place you don’t lose out completely.

10. “KOLWE UWAKOTA ASABILWA NA BANA”
The meaning of this proverb is “When a monkey is old she is fed by her children”. This proverb emphasizes the point that it is the duty of the children to take care of their parents in their old age.

11. “AKANWA KA MWEFU TAKABEPA”
The meaning of this proverb is “The bearded mouth does not lie”. The message behind this proverb is that the words of the elders in the community should be taken seriously because elders don’t tell lies. This proverb teaches young ones to respect elders.

12. “UMUKULU TAPUSA KEBO APUSA KABWE”
The meaning of this proverb is “An elder may miss his target when throwing a stone but he does not miss when it comes to wisdom.”. The lesson behind this proverb is that a young person may exceed an elder in terms of physical activities, but an elder cannot be surpassed when it comes to wisdom.”

13. “UMUNWE UMO TAUSALA NDA”
The meaning of this proverb is “One finger does not pick lice”. This proverb encourages cooperation among people. It emphasizes that the importance of working together in order to achieve a task.

14. “WINSHINSHA NSHILANYA”
The meaning of this proverb is “Do not apply the toilet tissue before i excrete”. The aim of this proverb is to put the point across that don’t condemn or judge a person before you know what they are doing.

15. “UKUBOKO BAPOTA UKUMINE”
The meaning of this proverb is “It is the stubborn arm that is twisted”. The message of this proverb is to advise that somebody cannot expect to be forgiven if he remains stubborn and unrepentant about something they did wrong.

16. “UMULILO WA MFUMU TAUCEPA”
The meaning of this proverb is “the fire of the chief is never too small”. The meaning of this proverb is that the words of a chief must always be respected. The purpose of this proverb is to encourage people to hold their chief in high esteem.

17. “AKATONDO KA BWALWA NI NSOKOLOLA TWEBO”
The meaning of this proverb is “A calabash of beer reveals a lot of hidden things”. The message in this proverb is that when one is drunk they say a lot of things which wouldn’t be said when sober. It serves as a reminder to people to regulate how much beer they drink.

18. “ABALI BABILI NA MANO YABILI”
The meaning of this proverb is “Where there are two people there is double wisdom.” This proverb teaches that when there are two or more people you can solve a problem better than when you are alone. It emphasizes the importance of cooperation.

19. “UMUCELE UKUFINA KUMFWA KUBASENDA”
The meaning of this proverb is “The weight of a bag of salt is only felt by those who carry it”. The symbolism behind this proverb is that something can only be properly understood by those who have experienced it. It highlights that the one with a problem is the one who understands the gravity of the problem.

20. “WANYA WANYA TATEKE CALO”
The meaning of this proverb is “Threats and insults never rule a country”. The lesson here is that a leader who behaves like a tyrant cannot make a good ruler.

21. “ICIKUPEMPULA, ECIKULYA”
The meaning of this proverb is “What visits you is what eats you”. The message behind this proverb is that the one who is closest to you may be your worst enemy. The lesson of this proverb is that it teaches people to be careful with some of their friends whose intentions may not be pure.

22. “AKASHI USHILALA BAKAKUMBWA UMUTENGE”
The meaning of this proverb is “The place where you don’t sleep is admired for its roofing”. The message behind this proverb is that do not admire things for their outside appearance. There is more that goes on inside that the outside appearance doesn’t show.

23. “IMITI IIKULA, EMPANGA”
The meaning of this proverb is “The young growing trees make a forest”. The message in this proverb is that the youths of today are the future of the nation.

24. “UWAKWENSHA UBUSHIKU, BAMUTASHA ILYO BWACHA”
The meaning of this proverb is “He who escorts you at night is thanked at dawn”. The lesson that this proverb gives is that help that is resisted when things are still tough is normally valued and appreciated when the task is accomplished.

25. “UBUNANG’ANI, TABULISHA KASUMA”
The meaning of this proverb is “Laziness does not enable one to eat something good”. The teaching which is at the core of this proverb is that people should work hard in order to lead good lives.

26. “UMWANA USHENDA, ATASHA NYINA UKUNAYA”
The meaning of this proverb is “A child that does not travel praises its mother as being the best cook”. The message is that a person who has not travelled thinks their home or country is the best in the world. The aim of this proverb is to encourage people to travel in order for them to gain new experiences, try new things and mingle with different people. This type of exposure helps to create a well rounded member of society.

27. “MAYO MPAPA, NAINE NKAKUPAPA”
The meaning of this proverb is “Mother, carry me on your back and i too will carry you.” The message in this proverb is that the young have an obligation to look after their parents in the same manner as their parents took care of them when they were young. This reminds young people to never abandon their parents.

28. “ICAISA ULUBILO, BACIKONKA ULUBILO”
The meaning of this proverb is “A thing that comes fast must be pursued just as fast”. The message is that an urgent thing or task must be given prompt attention and it must be done.

29. “MUMBWE UKULILA, NINSHI PALI EKO ASHINTILILE AMATAKO”
The meaning of this proverb is “For a jackal to bark, there must be something on which it has placed its buttocks.” The message in this proverb is that when some people start to act arrogantly or stubbornly, it is because they have a powerful backing nearby.

30. “AKAFUPA UTEMENWE, EKAKUSHA IMICENE”
The meaning of this proverb is “A small bone you like could leave you toothless”. The message is that excessive indulgence in a certain habit is dangerous and could land you in problems. The proverb teaches people to control certain addictive habits like beer drinking, smoking etc.

31. “UBUCENJESHI BWA NKOKO PUNGWA TASAKAMANA”
The meaning of this proverb is “The clever tricks of a chicken do not bother the eagle”. The lesson behind this proverb is that one must never try to be too clever and try to outwit people who have the upper hand on them. It teaches people to respect and accept the authority of leaders who preside over them.

32. “IMBILA YAMUSHI TABAYA SUKILA”
The meaning of this proverb is “Do not answer a general announcement in the village”. The message behind this proverb is that public statements are not to be taken personal. One must avoid responding to statements that are not directly targeted at them.

33. “ ICIKALIPA CUNFWA UMWINE”
The meaning of this proverb is “The impact of pain is felt by the victim.” The message behind this proverb is that the only person who can truly grasp the impact of a problem or crisis is the one who is going through it.

34. “UMWANA KASEMBE, NGA KAKUKOMA WABULA WAKOBEKA”
The meaning of this proverb is “A child is an axe, when it cuts you, you still pick it up and put it on your shoulder.” This proverb emphasizes the point that a parent does not forsake his child even if the child offends him greatly. Your child will always remain your child.

35. “UKUTANGILA TEKUFIKA”
The meaning of this proverb is “Being the first one to start a journey does not mean you will reach first”. The lesson that this proverb expresses is that one must always remember that when they are ahead in life it doesn’t mean they will always be ahead. This proverb teaches the importance of humility.

The above mentioned proverbs are just a small selection of the proverbs that the Bemba people use to impart life lessons to the next generation. If you know any other Bemba proverbs, feel free to write them in the comments section and give an explanation of what they mean and how they are used. It’s important to keep sharing knowledge and learning from one another.

By Zambian Footprints

DR. GEORGE NG’UNI: A MAN WHO HAS TRANSFORMED THE ZAMBIA FLYING DOCTOR SERVICE

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DR. GEORGE NG’UNI: A MAN WHO HAS TRANSFORMED THE ZAMBIA FLYING DOCTOR SERVICE

Employees of the Zambia Flying Doctor Service (ZFDS) have taken a moment to appreciate their Chief Executive Officer, Dr. George Ng’uni, for the positive impact he has had and continues to have on ZFDS as a whole and also on each and every employee.

Having joined the Service in May 2022, a huge transformation has been done with the Service under Dr. Nguni’s leadership. In their appreciation post which they wrote, the employees pointed out some positive changes that have happened at ZFDS, some of the notable aspects include:

1. Positive work culture in all employees as they work together as a team, and with that they are able to achieve through prayer and hard work.

2. Having an Engine that was grounded since 2017 be back online in 2023 and now ZFDS can be proud of 2 aircrafts. This has further enhanced the pursuance of the mandate of ZFDS to serve the rural and hard to reach areas.

3. Face lift and change of the Medical facilities from the previous working hours of 8-17 hours to a fully fledged 24hours NHima accredited facility, which provides efficient and effective medical services in a clean environment.

4. A facelift of the ZFDS offices as they can now boast of a clean working environment which is a plus for employee wellness.

5. An increase in the number of Outreaches from one or two which were previously done monthly to a minimum of 8 which are now done monthly to reach out to all parts of Zambia, with that a total of over 105,000 patients have been attended to for the year 2023.

6. Opening of an Aero-Med diagnostic hub and also another medical facility called Keneth Kaunda AeroMED in Itawa which carters to a variety of medical services and the income generated will be used for more outreaches to help our brothers and sisters in the hard to reach areas.

In expressing their gratitude, ZFDS employees extended heartfelt appreciation to Dr. George Ng’uni for his dedication and sacrifices. They invoked blessings upon him and his family, echoing the sentiments of a biblical prayer from the book of Numbers 6:24-26, which reads “May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord smile down on you and show you his kindness. May the Lord answer your prayers and give you peace.”

The employees pledged to continue serving with excellence and compassion under his guidance, in delivering healthcare services to all.

AMANDA SEALES CLAIMS BLACK HOLLYWOOD DOESN’T ‘RECOGNIZE’ HER, THE INTERNET BLAMES HER ‘ENERGY’

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Amanda Seales is getting called out online after posting a video to complain about her lack of invites to Black award shows.

The Insecure actress took to Instagram on Sunday, March 17 to voice her frustration with not getting a seat at the table at recent award shows like the 55th NAACP Image Awards and ESSENCE Women in Hollywood. She even called out the BET Awards, despite hosting the virtual award show in 2020.

“If it wasn’t for y’all, I would really think that I ain’t doing sh*t. Because the industry I’m in does not recognize me,” she explained in a clip captured by Noir Online.

“To be clear I’m speaking about the Black spaces in the industry I’m in…which is largely in part why I realized I need to shift out of this industry…I don’t get invited to Essence Women in Hollywood. I’ve NEVER been invited to the NAACP Image Awards. I’ve been nominated for an Image award, never been invited.”

Cousins! Amanda Seales has taken to social media to speak on not feeling recognized within Black spaces in the entertainment industry! Amanda says she hasn’t been invited to Essence’s Black Women In Hollywood annual awards, the Naacp Image Awards and more. pic.twitter.com/galdaqoGlL

— NOIR ONLINE (@noironlineorg_) March 17, 2024
Seales continued, “Never been honored at Black Girls Rock…I literally hosted the BET Awards in 2020 in my house and I was not invited to the BET Awards since.”

The outspoken comedian concluded her rant by thanking her followers for being the ones to remind her of how “valuable” she truly is since she doesn’t feel it from her peers in Hollywood.

“So I just want to thank y’all for always reminding me that I really am valuable because the game and the industry that I’ve been in has never let me know,” Seales said.

However, once the video tirade made its rounds on social media, many sounded off with their thoughts on why Seales might not be receiving any invites to the major award shows in Black Hollywood.

“Amanda Seales has a history of people not wanting her around. I used to hate that for her.. especially in the “Insecure” days. I always wanted to see more of her, but she has to work on her ENERGY,” one X user wrote. “It becomes telling when people don’t want to be around you.”

“Not being welcomed and being unbearable to be around so much that the black community thinks it’s best to keep you away from them are 2 different things,” added someone else.

One viewer even shared why they decided to unfollow Seales on Instagram after noticing how “every single day she was ranting or complaining about something. It’s exhausting.”

According to social media, Seales might want to do some soul-searching before she decides to criticize the industry for not rocking with her.

NATO military officer advises leaders and partners to prepare for unexpected in Ukraine

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Ukraine is in a big fight to stay alive in their war with Russia. NATO says that Western armies and leaders need to change how they help Ukraine defend against invading forces.

During a meeting of the 31 countries in NATO, the leader of the NATO Military Committee, Admiral Rob Bauer, said that President Vladimir Putin is afraid of democracy and that’s why he started a war.

According to report, in a two-day upcoming meeting in Brussels, NATO’s top leaders will discuss plans for the largest military exercises in Europe since the Cold War. These exercises are scheduled to take place later this year. NATO’s wargames show how strong they are and that they will protect their allies from any attack.

As the war gets stuck and funding for Ukraine’s economy is delayed because of political fighting, Bauer asked for everyone to work together to solve the problem, not just the military.

“We need everyone to change how they think from planning and controlling everything to being ready for anything at any time. ” “Get ready for anything,” he said as he started the meeting.

Bauer said that NATO needs to change how it fights wars in order to be better in the future.

On Monday, the UK Defense Secretary Grant Shapps said that the government will send 20,000 soldiers to join NATO military exercises called “Steadfast Defender. ” Many of them will go to eastern Europe from February to June.

The UK will send fast fighter jets and planes that can watch and spy on things, along with big boats that fight in wars and submarines.

Allies are sending military supplies to Ukraine, which is causing a shortage of ammunition. The Norwegian government is giving 2 billion kroner to make more ammunition because there is a high demand for it.

Norway’s Defense Minister Bjorn Arild Gram said that it’s important to make the defense industry stronger to help Ukraine and protect our own safety.

Half of the money will be given to a company called Nammo, which is in Norway and makes stuff for the military like bullets and rockets. The Prime Minister wants them to make more bullets.

In Brussels, Bauer said NATO will keep helping Ukraine for a long time.

“Today marks the 693rd day of a war that Russia thought would only last three days. ” “We will continue to support Ukraine every day because the result of this war will affect the whole world,” he said.

Bauer added that the war is not about Russia being threatened by Ukraine or NATO. This war is about Russia being afraid of something much stronger than any weapon — democracy. If people in Ukraine can have freedom to choose their leaders, then people in Russia will want the same.

Team to select Haiti’s future leader as gang violence envelops Caribbean nation

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Caribbean leaders have announced on Tuesday that almost all groups and political parties have put forward people to be part of a temporary council to choose a new prime minister for Haiti. The country is still dealing with a lot of gang violence.

The first nine-member council now has only eight members because the Pitit Desalin party, led by Jean-Charles Moïse, who used to be a senator and ran for president, chose not to take a seat last week. Moise is working with Guy Philippe, a former police officer and rebel leader who went to prison in the US for admitting to moving illegally obtained money.

The December21 group, who supports Prime Minister Ariel Henry, was one of the last to send a name to the Caricom group on Monday. The nomination was delayed because the group leaders argued about who should be chosen.

Henry cannot go back to Haiti because there is too much fighting. He said he will quit when a new council is made. He went to Kenya for work. He wanted the UN to send Kenyan police to help fight gangs in Haiti. But then, armed men attacked in February. In the city capital, Port-au-Prince, there are still problems that are happening. The sending out of something has been postponed.

UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said on Tuesday that Kenya is worried about how the government is organized in the region.

“We really hope they can start working as soon as they can,” he said. “But they are worried. ” We want to make sure that the new government plans can be put into action.

Criminal groups burned police buildings, shot at the main airport and broke into Haiti’s two largest prisons, letting more than 4,000 prisoners escape. On Monday, they broke into and stole things from houses in two wealthy neighborhoods that had been calm before, and they killed at least twelve people during the attack.

The UN says things in Port-au-Prince are still not good. Schools, hospitals, and government buildings are being attacked. Many of them are not working like they should.

He said that the health sector is still having a hard time because there are not enough medical supplies, healthcare workers, and blood.

Many people died in the attacks, and about 17,000 people have no home. Most of them went to the calmer southern part of Haiti. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported this.

“We are very worried about the fighting,” said President Irfaan Ali of Guyana, who is also the leader of Caricom.

He said to the news reporters on Monday night that time was important because of the situation. He also said that officials are still hopeful for progress.

“We’ve been having lots of meetings every night because the Haitians need to set up the presidential council,” he said. We have made progress.

The council will choose a temporary prime minister and also pick ministers, a temporary electoral council, and a national security council. All members of the council need to support the use of a foreign armed force.

The EDE/RED party, led by former prime minister Claude Joseph, the Montana Accord, which includes civil society leaders and political parties, Fanmi Lavalas, the party of former president Jean-Bertrand Aristide, and the Jan party have all been given spots on the council. The 30 Collective represents groups that include former President Michel Martelly’s party and businesses.

One person from Haiti’s civil society and another person from its religious sector will get the remaining two nonvoting positions.

Caribbean officials have not shared all the names nominated for the council.

Ukraine President rejects ceasefire with Russia

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Ukrainian President Zelenskyy stated that the fighting would continue without a cease-fire, as this could allow Russian forces to regroup and launch further attacks.

“A break in fighting in Ukraine doesn’t mean the war is over,” Zelenskyy said while visiting Estonia. “Stopping for a moment would help Russia. ” It could destroy us later.

There have been a few times when people suggested temporary peace during Russia’s war in February 2022, but it never really happened.

Both groups are trying to get more weapons after fighting for 22 months. They might have to fight for a long time. During the winter, the front line is mostly still and about 1,500 kilometers long. They both need weapons like artillery shells, missiles, and drones that can reach far away targets.

Zelenskyy said that Russia is getting bombs and missiles from North Korea and flying machines from Iran. On January 1st. The White House said that the US intelligence officials believe Russia got ballistic missiles from North Korea and is trying to get them from Iran.

Zelenskyy visited Tallinn in Estonia as part of a two-day trip to Baltic countries, which have been strong supporters of Ukraine.

He met with the Prime Minister of Estonia, Kaja Kallas, who gave him a shirt with the Estonian words “Kaitsetahe” meaning “The will to defend” printed on it. Zelenskyy wore the shirt while speaking to the parliament.

We need to stop tyranny. “Zelenskyy said that tyranny should not win. ” “Always” means all the time. All the time.

Zelenskyy and Kallas talked about Ukrainians who left for Estonia during the war. He said at a news conference that those of draft age should go back to Ukraine to help.

He said this as lawmakers in Kyiv sent a proposed law back to the government for changes. They were worried it might have rights violations and other problems.

The new law wants to make it harder for people who avoided joining the military when they were supposed to. Ukraine doesn’t have enough soldiers and needs more people to join.

Zelenskyy said last month that Ukraine’s military wants to get 500,000 more troops ready, but he said he had asked the leaders to explain the details on what is “a very sensitive matter” before deciding whether to agree.

He is asking for more help for Ukraine from its friends, in addition to the billions of dollars in military aid it has already received from the West.

“Ukraine requires more and better weapons,” said President Alar Karis during a news conference with Zelenskyy at the Presidential Palace.

“We need to make more military equipment so that Ukraine can have what it needs,” he said. “And if it’s not tomorrow, they should receive it today. ”

Zelenskyy visited Riga, the capital of Latvia. President Edgars Rinkevics said Latvia would give more military help to Ukraine. This was reported by Latvian public broadcaster LSM.

Latvia will give different weapons and bullets to Ukraine, like missiles, howitzers, 155 mm shells, and drones, as requested by Zelenskyy, according to LSM.

On Wednesday, Zelenskyy got promise of more help from Lithuania.

The European Union countries have given Ukraine 85 billion euros ($93 billion) in help. This was said by Karis. However, the help has decreased, worrying Ukrainians who would struggle to defend themselves against their larger neighbor on their own.

The US government wants to give $60 billion to Kyiv, but Congress hasn’t approved it yet. Europe promised to give 1 million artillery shells within a year, but they have only given about 300,000 so far.

Zelenskyy says Ukraine really needs defense systems to protect against Russian airstrikes that have hit civilian areas, even though Moscow officials say they are only targeting military sites.

In recent weeks, there have been a lot of Russian attacks with over 500 drones and missiles fired in December. On January 29th. According to officials in Kyiv, there are two significant challenges. They are using up Ukraine’s air defence resources and making it weak unless it can get more weapons.

The little countries in Eastern Europe are some of the biggest supporters of Ukraine when it comes to politics, money, and the military. Some people in the Baltic countries are worried that Moscow might attack them next.

Joseph Stalin took control of the three countries during World War II and they became part of the Soviet Union. They got their independence back when the Soviet Union broke up in 1991. They became a part of NATO in 2004, which means they asked for help in case of war from the US and its friends.

Wednesday night, a Russian missile hit a hotel in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-biggest city, and hurt 13 people, including a journalist from Turkey and the local governor. Oleh Syniehubov spoke. The city has been under attack for the past four nights, he said.

Zimbabwe War Veterans Oppose ZANU PF’s Bid to Remove Presidential Term Limits

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In a bold expression of internal dissent, a faction within the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) has come out against efforts by certain members of ZANU PF to amend the nation’s Constitution to remove presidential term limits. This development was highlighted following an incident where police halted a ZNLWVA meeting in Bulawayo on Friday, March 15, under suspicions that the organisers opposed the ruling party’s agenda.

The meeting, organised under the leadership of Andrease Mathibela, aimed to address issues pertinent to the welfare of war veterans, who have historically been closely aligned with ZANU PF. However, within the party, Mathibela’s group is perceived as opposing the political objectives of President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his faction.

After the disruption of their meeting, Mathibela addressed the media in Bulawayo, vehemently opposing what he termed the push for “dynastic rule” in Zimbabwe. He invoked the memory of the 2013 referendum, in which an overwhelming majority of Zimbabweans voted for a new Constitution that, among other things, established a two-term limit for the presidency, a measure aimed at fostering democratic governance following years of autocratic rule.

Mathibela criticised the government’s drift from the foundational principles of the indigenisation laws, designed to protect Zimbabweans from neo-colonial exploitation and to safeguard national sovereignty. He accused some within ZANU PF of attempting to erode the constitutional term limit to pave the way for unlimited presidential terms, warning against the dangers of such a move.

The controversy stems from increasing support within ZANU PF for President Mnangagwa’s potential third term, a proposition faced with constitutional constraints. The Constitution explicitly disqualifies anyone who has already served two terms from running for president again, a stipulation that also precludes the possibility of amending the Constitution to benefit the current president during his tenure.

The landmark case of Mupungu v Minister of Justice and others further cements this interpretation, ruling that extending term limits for sitting incumbents is unconstitutional.

Mnangagwa, who secured his first term in the controversial 2018 elections, is in the midst of his second term, set to end in 2028. Despite the legal and constitutional hurdles, the push for a third term reveals the deep divisions within ZANU PF and raises significant concerns about the future of democracy in Zimbabwe.

This report by Standard Zimbabwe sheds light on the growing tensions within the ruling party, underscoring the resistance against attempts to undermine the constitutional order and democratic principles in the country.

Kobe Bryant’s Parents Face Backlash After Putting Championship Ring On The Auction Block

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Kobe Bryant gave his father, Joe, his very first championship ring as a gift in 2000. He won it when the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Indiana Pacers, making it his first of five NBA championships throughout his storied career. He gave his mother, Pamela, a replica, but now the original ring—that is made of 14 karat gold and has a total of 40 diamonds—is being auctioned off.

This is the second time Kobe’s parents have attempted to sell some of his prized possessions — and fans are pissed.

One called them “disgraceful” while another noted, “Kobe would of never sold it. Wow sad.” Others felt the ring should “stay in the family” or that the late athlete’s wife, Vanessa Bryant, should buy it and “keep it safe.”

Prior to his death, Kobe and his parents reportedly attempted to make amends after several fallouts that began when he started dating Vanessa. Joe and Pamela didn’t attend the couple’s wedding in April 2001. Over the years, their brief reconciliations were documented, but that came to a halt in 2013.

“When u give Give GIVE and they take Take TAKE at wat point do u draw a line in the sand?” Kobe tweeted, according to the Los Angeles Times, with the hashtags “hurt beyond measure,” “gave me no warning,” and finally, “love?”

The tweet was in response to his parents attempting to sell several beloved pieces of memorabilia from Kobe’s career, including the aforementioned championship ring and his high school jerseys. This prompted a lawsuit, the New York Post reported, because Kobe reportedly wasn’t notified about the auction and didn’t give his permission to sell any of the items in question.

“We regret our actions and statements related to the Kobe Bryant auction memorabilia,” said Joe and Pamela in a statement at the time, per ESPN. “We apologize for any misunderstanding and unintended pain we have caused our son and appreciate the financial support he has provided over the years.”

This did put a further strain on Kobe’s relationship with his parents, as they did not attend his final NBA game back in April 2016.

“Our relationship is sht,” he explained to ESPN. “I say, ‘I’m going to buy you a very nice home,’ and the response is, ‘That’s not good enough?’ Then you’re selling my s*t?”

Neither Vanessa nor Joe or Pamela have publicly spoken about this current auction, which will be live until March 30, via Goldin.-VIBE

HICHILEMA: BEGGING FOR FOOD AFTER EMPTYING THE RESERVES FOR PROFIT- Fred M’membe

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HICHILEMA: BEGGING FOR FOOD AFTER EMPTYING THE RESERVES FOR PROFIT

We truly have a leadership crisis in Zambia. How can one explain the logic of a leadership that completely empties its food reserves for profit when they had prior knowledge about a severe pending drought?

They thought they were wise at that time. They claimed to be astute businessmen and farmers of top notch Agro enterprises. But here we are with a President appearing on an international news network a huge begging bowl appealing for food – the very food he sold – to the global community when this crisis could have been avoided with proper leadership, and a caring heart for the people.

Surely, what kind of leadership is this? What kind of embarrassment is this? Don’t they have shame at all?

And we should know that the world is already dealing with so many crises that we won’t stand as a priority. What is this leadership really doing? What are they in the offices for? Why are they sleeping on the job?

Mr Hichilema and his government had the information about the drought, but they turned a blind eye to this serious issue to fulfill their business interests. He has now turned us into beggars and we have no doubt that Zambia will be flooded with GMO food from Mr Hichilema’s so called friends. But at what cost? Why are they sleeping on the job?

And as we indicated before, bad weather won’t save Mr Hichilema. There’s nothing that was not expected about this dry weather – El Niño.

When he was in opposition, Mr Hichilema had rejected any use of the climate changes as a mitigation for the government’s failures. And today, Mr Hichilema wants to use the same mitigation he had rejected! What type of person is this? What kind of shameless behavior is this?

In a timely article, Dean Simuchimba (Bsc. Agric, Msc. Agric Risk Mgt) wrote:

“There is a saying that no one can escape the uncertainty of agricultural risks, but everyone can prepare for them. The stark reality facing Zambian farmers going into the 2023/24 farming season is that they are likely to experience unfavourable weather conditions that would impact their crop yields due to a phenomenon called El-Nino.

The Zambia Meteorological Agency (ZMA) has issued an advisory that the 2023/24 farming season is expected to be hit by the El-Nino which will be characterised by reduced rainfall activities.

So, what is this El-Nino and how does it come about? In brief, El-Nino is a phenomenon that happens when sea temperatures rise significantly in the Pacific Ocean off South America resulting in dry air which affects the rain formation process globally. The phenomenon is associated with extreme weather conditions of droughts and floods. It is usually associated with abnormal rainfall in the Horn of Africa, parts of Southern Africa, Central Asia as well as several other regions. On the other hand, it is associated with droughts in parts of Southern Africa, Central Asia as well as several other regions.

The impact of El-Nino is not a new phenomenon to Zambia. In the 2015/16 farming season the impact of El-Nino resulted in reduced water levels at Kariba that resulted in a national wide load shedding schedule of up to 12 hours per day. Our farmers were hard hit, resulting in a 39 per cent drop in agriculture output and a 28 per cent decline in the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The drought cost the Zambian government around US$300 million to stabilise the social-economic fundamentals of the economy.

About eight years later, we are faced with the grim reality of being hit by El-Nino again. In fact, recent data points to an increase in the frequency and severity of climate risks to the extent that even relying on historical data for price predictions has started becoming a challenge.

In the wake of these challenges that stand to threaten our national food security, it has become imperative that interventions are put in place to ensure that farmers are protected by safeguarding their crops. This is where agriculture risks mitigating tools like agriculture insurance comes in to ensure farmer’ incomes remain stable even in the wake of losses.

Farmers have several options available to mitigate the impact of adverse weather condition, and these include planting early maturing varieties, mixed cropping, and use of irrigation facilities, just to mention a few. However, these measures can only effectively protect farmers from losses if they are layered or are implemented simultaneously. This is because the use of one intervention alone will still expose the farmers to other perils. For example the use of early maturing varieties would not protect the crops from hailstorms, floods, and fires, thereby potentially exposing the farmers to losses.

This is where crop insurance becomes an essential tool in providing a holistic mechanism of protecting the farmers against a range of perils such as drought, floods, pests, diseases, hail and windstorms, fires, frost, damage by stray animals and even damage due to riot and strike under one policy.

The insurance policy pays the farmer for any losses in yield as a result of the impact of any of the insured perils. This ultimately results in the stabilisation of the farmers’ income, thereby giving them an opportunity to reinvest in inputs and other social securities for the following season. This way, the agriculture sector becomes robust to climate risk shocks and the whole agriculture value chain from input suppliers, farmers, aggregators, transporters, and millers/crushers is not heavily impacted thereby positively benefiting the entire national economy.”

These are the plans that farsighted leadership ought to be spelling out and implementing with immediacy, and not those hubristic and disjointed speech that we heard yesterday. These challenges require practical and futuristic solutions.

Mr Hichilema has totally failed in everything and he must go.

Bad weather won’t save him!

Fred M’membe
President of the Socialist Party

Video credit: CNN

You can tell the greatness or the opposite of the former president by what they do after leaving office

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You can tell the greatness or the opposite of the former president by what they do after leaving office

By Prof Munyonzwe Hamalengwa

This article is not intended to suggest that all African presidents or presidents the world over are made of the same fibre and brawny.

It is simply to suggest that in general a measure of the greatness or lack thereof of the former president resonates from what they do after leaving office. The character of the organic intellectuals, if any, that organised these presidents’ intellectual firepower, if any, can be ferreted from the legacy of what these presidents do after leaving office.


There are so many examples to choose from of great former presidents and so many of their opposites. I shall only choose a few of what I consider to be great former presidents. The reader will supply examples of the opposite of great presidents.


I will choose firstly a non African former president, Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore. After leaving office he decided to write several books as a legacy for posterity to document the history of Singapore, what he intended to achieve before he came into power in 1965, what he did when he was in power in Singapore, the obstacles and opportunities he encountered while in power and what he hoped would be the future of Singapore.


The books in hand included, “The Story of Singapore: Memoirs of Lee Kuan Yew”; “From Third World to First: The Singapore Story, 1965 to 2000” and “One Man’s View of the World”. These and other books are in Lee Kuan Yew’s own words. He transformed Singapore from a third world country so-called, to the first world. He left a legacy of good clean governance that is the envy of the world. One may not agree with the excesses of this or that under his rule but one has to agree that he transformed Singapore economically and politically and one of the strongest legacies he has left are the books for all to read and learn and compare. You can’t doubt what he did and it is documented. His organic intellectuals have also not been sitting idle. They have written.


Let’s now move to Africa. Mandela has been rated as a great president by many. One of his greatest traits is what he did after leaving the presidency by way of a legacy that will keep on shining and giving. After leaving the presidency, Mandela decided to document in book form what he did in various areas as president. The book is entitled, “Dare Not Linger: The Presidential Years”. Chapter one is entitled, The challenge of Freedom; chapter two, Negotiating Democracy; chapter three, A free and fair election; chapter four, Getting into the union buildings; chapter five, National unity; chapter six, The presidency and the constitution; chapter seven, Parliament; chapter eight, Traditional leadership and democracy; chapter nine, Transformation of the state; chapter ten, Reconciliation; chapter eleven, Social and economic transformation; chapter twelve, Negotiating the media; and chapter thirteen, On the African and World stages.

Just look at what Mandela looked at in his book, isn’t that what any Zambian leader has been grappling with? Would one not say that our leaders owe us a duty to write and explain what they did in these areas when they came into power, the obstacles and opportunities they encountered and the end-game? Over the years I have published in various forums a recurring theme, “KK Where is the Book?”. When I met KK in person on June 26, 2018, I asked him that question directly but of course diplomatically. I told him that it would be great if he put his historic experiences in book form for posterity and to answer his critics and to leave a legacy. I could see that he understood what I was saying.


Olusegun Obasanjo is a great former president. His book in hand is appropriately entitled, “The Presidential Legacy1997-2007”. It is preceeded by Volume one. Chapter eleven of volume two is entitled, Finance-domestic and international; chapter twelve is Privatisation; chapter thirteen is Infrastructure; chapter fourteen is The power sector; chapter fifteen is Oil and gas; chapter sixteen is Local government system; chapter seventeen is Separation of powers; chapter eighteen is Civil society; chapter nineteen is Women affairs; and chapter twenty is The media.

Apart from the chapter on Oil and Gas, haven’t all Zambian presidents been talking about the same exact issues? Compare the chapters in Mandela’s book and those in Obasanjo’s: they are exactly the same. These two leaders have documented these common African and world issues and detailed how they went about to deal with these issues from which future leaders could benefit. This is a living legacy. These are great leaders who think more about solving their countries’ problems than about themselves.
How many leaders after leaving power, pose to document what they tried to do for their countries? How many leaders try to come back to power without posing to document what they did while in power? Therein lies the difference between great former presidents and their opposite ilk.

The author teaches Criminal Law and Law of Evidence, and writes imaginary movie scripts. Reach him via:

munyonzwe.hamalengwa@zaou.ac.zm

Dr. Field Ruwe Addresses Accusations of Malicious Intent by the University of Zambia

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To: The Chancellor of The University of Zambia and all Readers 

I am writing to respond to the University of Zambia’s press statement issued by the Acting Head of Communication and Marketing Damaseke Chibale as a rejoinder to my article titled “University of Zambia Degrees are Inferior Says UK Home Office” that appeared in the Lusaka Times of March 6, 2024. Applying the kill the messenger fallacy, Chibale accuses me of spreading malicious information aimed at undermining the credibility of the University of Zambia.  

What I sincerely perceived as a contribution to sharing knowledge critical in making institutional changes required for the enhancement of the University of Zambia to meet the needs of global competition and the knowledge economy has been misconstrued as a malicious motive aimed at tarnishing the image of the University of Zambia. Contrarily, the impression portrayed of me by Chibale does not conform to my character and qualifications as a scholar and multicultural researcher. 

As a media and scholar practitioner, I have authored a plethora of articles for newspapers in both the United States and Zambia [refer to my Wikipedia page]. Prior to composing the article in question, I diligently conducted extensive research, just as I have done for all the articles you may have come across. I have consistently prioritized truth, accuracy, and objectivity, recognizing them as the fundamental principles of journalistic ethics. The verification of sources has been an integral part of my work, as it is a crucial discipline within the realm of research and journalism. Not once have I been accused of malicious intent. 

The motivation for my article stemmed from a scholarly publication titled “Crisis? What Crisis? Malawian Degrees and International Comparability” authored by Dr. Yonah Matemba of the University of Scotland. Dr. Matemba, who holds a PhD, FHEAA, and FRSA, is a distinguished educator, researcher, and authority in the field of Social Sciences. Additionally, he serves as a Board Member of the Scotland Malawi Partnership.  

On page 3 of his article, Dr. Mutemba writes: “UK NARIC carries out regular, planned and periodic reviews of all of its databases, within which information is available for 208 countries. Based on NARIC’s evaluation, in broad terms, Malawian degrees are downgraded to a grade 3 lower in comparison with similar British qualifications (Zambian degrees are also downgraded and evaluated in a similar predicament while those from Zimbabwe or Tanzania, for example, meet NARIC’s standards).”   

Dr. Matemba further notes that based on UK NARIC’s evaluation, Malawian and Zambian degrees are assessed as follows: Bachelor’s degrees are comparable to British two-year Higher National Diploma (HND); Bachelor’s degrees in professional subjects such as engineering, law, medicine and veterinary science are comparable to three-year British Bachelor Ordinary Degree standard; Masters degrees are comparable to British four-year Bachelor Degree Honors. In England, a Bachelor (Honours) Degree is generally a prerequisite for admission to a master’s program. An applicant from the University of Zambia is deemed ineligible due to the perceived UK NARIC evaluation, whereas individuals from Zimbabwe or Tanzania are enrolled.   

According to the “Guide to Qualifications-Prospects ac.uk of May 2020, UK Higher National Diploma (HND) is a mostly vocational academic higher education qualification whose attainment level is roughly equivalent to the second year of a 3-year English degree or Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE). In other words, it is a degree inferior to the UK Bachelor’s Degree.   

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak refers to degrees like HND and DipHE as “low value degrees” that do not produce a graduate that supports the economy (see https://www.theguardian.com/education/2023/jul/14/rishi-sunak-force-english-universities-cap-low-value-degrees). Synonyms of “low value” include “inferior” and “worthless.”

It is evident from the credible sources mentioned above that the assertion regarding the inferiority of the University of Zambia degrees is not made by me, but rather by the British Government which oversees the UK Home Office.  

In his press release, Chibale avoids altogether to address the UK NARIC on Zambia and help answer questions students may be asking—is it true what Field Ruwe is alleging regarding NARIC? Is the university aware of the UK NARIC evaluation? If so, for how long has the university known and what steps has the Chancellor taken to address the issue? Why are some African countries rated better than Zambia? Why is the British High Commissioner to Zambia quiet over this matter? What measures should UNZA management implement to meet the standards set by UK NARIC?  

Instead, Chibale employs the term “malicious” as a diversionary maneuver to unjustly shift the burden of proof in a style resembling the “poisoning the well fallacy.” This occurs when negative information about a target is preemptively presented to an audience, with the intention of discrediting or ridiculing what the target person has said, without addressing the actual bone of contention. The contention at the heart of my article is the UK NARIC evaluation of the University of Zambia. It raises questions the British government should address.  

It is important for Chibale and individuals referencing the top 50 universities to justify the exclusion of the HPI visa to understand that, even if the Home Office were to remove restrictions and open the program to all countries worldwide, the University of Zambia would remain ineligible due to its current UK NARIC and world ranking status. That is why I specifically singled out the University of Zambia from the rest of the African countries.  

In his press statement, Chibale takes pride in show-casing the University of Zambia rankings of No. 1201-1500 in the world out of 2,671 and No. 14 out of 25 universities in Sub-Saharan Africa. Such ranking numbers are subpar and are the reason the UK NARIC is at diploma level. To improve the numbers, UNZA students need a truly world class curriculum rooted in its locality and context that meets their needs. 

It is true that UNZA graduates have been admitted to pursue Masters Degrees in both South Africa and the UK, as Chibale claims. However, this represents only a small fraction of the total number of graduates produced by the university annually. Attaining a Rhodes or Commonwealth scholarship is often perceived as a challenging endeavor for many individuals, while self-sponsorship is typically viewed as a luxury reserved for the affluent. Those who cannot afford are compelled to take entrance exams that many are hesitant to attempt or ultimately do not pass, resulting in them resorting to lower-status alternative employment opportunities. 

Certainly, students from the University of Zambia (UNZA) demonstrate high levels of excellence and potential as their academic counterparts in any part of the world. I deeply respect and admire every student who is presently enrolled at UNZA, as well as those who have successfully graduated from the institution since its establishment. Believe me, I am cognizant of the amount of effort required to eventually ascend the podium and gladly descend with degree in hand. They all deserve better treatment when they apply for jobs at home and abroad.   

Let me conclude by saying that the past days have been the most excruciating of my entire life. I have spent my life building and nurturing my reputation. I am respected in any community in which I have settled. In the academic community I have become a source of reference. I am a member of the Alpha Delta Pi Society, and the Phi Alpha Theta, an American honor society for undergraduate and graduates students and professors of history.

At California State University, Fresno, I was conferred membership in Kappa Tau Alpha‘s National Honor Society in Journalism and Mass Communication. In 2006, I became a member of the Golden Key International Honour Society, an organization that recognizes college students solely on the basis of their academic achievements. Well known honorary members include US President Bill Clinton, General Colin Powell, Astronaut John Glenn and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. In all the universities I have attended I have emerged as a notable alumni –  Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts – https://www.ranker.com/list/famous-northeastern-university-alumni-and-students/reference 

Suffolk University, Boston Massachusetts https://www.google.com/search?q=suffolk+university+famous+alumni&sca 

Fresno Pacific University – Fresno California https://www.google.com/search?q=Fresno+Pacific+University+university+famous+alumni&sca 

It has taken Damaseke Chibale and the University of Zambia management to undo this and present me in a false light.  

I contend that the University of Zambia is liable for libel and defamation. I am therefore hereby notifying the University of Zambia that I have been left with no choice but to pursue all available legal remedies. I am further notifying Damaseke Chibale, acting on behalf of the University of Zambia and all recognizable influencers in social media to cease and desist from any further libel and defamation.  

Sincerely, 

Field Ruwe EdD 

Zimbabwe Observers Declare Russian Election “Free, Fair, and Credible”

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In a comprehensive statement issued today, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has declared the Russian presidential election as “free, fair, and credible,” despite the international community’s mixed reactions. The endorsement follows a meticulously executed observation mission to Russia, led by the revered ZEC Chairperson Justice Priscilla Makanyara Chigumba, during a critical period of geopolitical tensions.

The Russian election, conducted over a span of three days, was marked by the participation of four candidates, including the long-standing incumbent, Vladimir Putin. Putin’s overwhelming victory, with more than 88% of the vote, and the reported turnout of 74%, was noted by the ZEC as a testament to a mature democracy. However, this comes amid a landscape where Russia’s democratic processes have often been under intense scrutiny by Western observers.

ZEC’s report praises the Russian Central Election Commission’s (CEC) effort to extend the voting period, ostensibly offering citizens the convenience of participating at their leisure. This move, according to Chairperson Chigumba, not only increased turnout but also displayed a relaxed and cheerful mood among voters — a sign she attributes to the nation’s democratic maturity. The ZEC report further commended the Russian media’s role in balanced reporting, contrasting sharply with some international media portrayals of the election process.

However, ZEC’s approval is not without contention. Back home in Zimbabwe, the commission has faced its own allegations of electoral misconduct. Critics argue that ZEC’s validation of the Russian elections casts a shadow over the objectivity required of an election observer mission. This has intensified global dialogue on the veracity of international electoral endorsements, especially from bodies accused of partisanship in their domestic jurisdictions.

The ZEC’s decision to dispatch a delegation to Russia and its subsequent certification of the polls have ignited debates over the influence of electoral observer missions on the credibility of international elections. With Zimbabwe’s own history of disputed electoral processes, this development raises critical questions about the impartiality and integrity of observer institutions.

As the dust settles on Russia’s presidential elections, and with Vladimir Putin securing another term, the eyes of the world not only reflect on the outcomes but also on the observers who vouch for the legitimacy of such processes. The story remains a focal point of interest for analysts who dissect the multifaceted nature of global electoral politics.

LCC withdraws plan to build filling station at Lusaka Playhouse

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LCC withdraws plan to build filling station at Lusaka Playhouse

By Kholiwe Miti

THE Lusaka City Council (LCC) has abandoned plans to demolish the Lusaka Play House and build a filling station there.

In May 2022, LCC posted a notice which indicated that the place was earmarked for demolition and later to be replaced by a filling station.

According to a notice mounted on the premises, Hass Petroleum Zambia Limited intended to ‘’apply for planning permission for a major development comprising a filling station on Stand No LUS/2637 at the corner of Church Road and Nasser Road in Rhodes Park, Lusaka City’’.

“The application is likely to have significant impact on the amenity of adjoining properties. The application may be viewed at the office of the Town Clerk of Lusaka City Council,” read the notice.
But artists and other stakeholders objected the move, with artist Sampa Kabwela describing the property as a national treasure which must be protected at all costs ‘’including from unscrupulous businesses’’.

She said any attempts to put up a filling station at the Lusaka Playhouse should be resisted because it violated the historical and cultural value of the place.

“While nobody can refute the decay of the Playhouse, and the need for investment to expand it, defacing it with a filling station is not the kind of investment we need. The playhouse sits on one of the most priced pieces of estate in the country as can be seen with the gentrification around it,” said Kabwela. “Every investor would want that piece of estate, therefore, the custodians of the playhouse, together with the artists, must find befitting investment. This is a national treasure that must be protected. Cultural landmarks, such as the playhouse, have historical significance.”

And in a letter to Lusaka Theatre Cooperative Society Limited chairman Henry Phiri, acting town clerk Liftery Ndaba said the idea was dropped during a full council meeting.

‘’RE: PROPOSED FILLING STATION DEVELOPMENT PROJECT AT LUSAKA PLAYHOUSE
Reference is made to the above captioned matter and your letter dated 6th February, 2024 in which you requested for an update regarding the application for a permit to construct a Filling Station at the Lusaka Playhouse. Kindly be informed that the item in question went through the Council Meeting were it was withdrawn under minute number C/86/11/2023,’’ read the letter dated March 6, 2024.

‘Prophet’ sentenced to 40 years for defiling, infecting girl, 16, with HIV

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The High Court in Kampala has sentenced a self-proclaimed “prophet” to 40 years in prison for defiling, impregnating, and infecting a 16-year-old girl with HIV/Aids.
During the sentencing, Justice Margaret Mutonyi said Elijah James Kimera of All Faith Centre Church of All Nations in Lusanja, Wakiso District, “pretended to be a man of God and yet he was a wolf in a sheep’s skin.”

“The convict exhibited himself as a false prophet the Bible talks about in Matthew 7:15 ‘Watch out for false prophets. They will come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly, they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit, you will recognise them,” Justice Mutonyi said.

The judge added that Kimera assaulted the victim in a car on the church premises, thereby defiling the Holy ground.

“His sexual immorality right within the church premises was the true manifestation of his ferociousness as a false prophet turning the mother and daughter into a relationship akin to co-wives,” Justice Mutonyi held.
“But again like it is written in the Holy Book, which the convict was playing around with, in Luke 12: 2-3 to wit: ‘There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known, what you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs,” she added.

According to information presented in court, Kimera met the mother of the victims during a prayer session at his church. He ended up sleeping with her on multiple occasions and fathered a child with her.

The woman entrusted Kimera with two of her daughters, who later joined the church choir.

He then had a sexual relationship with the two, one of whom was 18 years old, while the other was 16, and infected both girls with HIV/Aids.

Justice Mutonyi said Kimera ought to have known that it is an abomination to see the nakedness of the mother and daughter as it is written in the book of Leviticus 20:14.

“He had sexual intercourse with the victim’s mother, the complainant in this case, and the victim who was her young child whom she sent to the convict for spiritual guidance and service as a choir member at the church,” she said.

Justice Mutonyi said it was only after these facts were exposed that the prophet admitted guilt and asked for forgiveness from both the court and Christ.
The judge said remorse after being exposed aims to manipulate the court into granting a lenient sentence.

The judge also noted that sexual violence against children is not only rampant in the Kampala High Court Circuit but in all circuits in Uganda.

“The family of the victim will live with the trauma of having children birthed by mother and daughter from the same man, the convict, which is an abomination not only as per the word of God but by our rich African culture,” Justice Mutonyi held.

She added: “In the result, he (prophet Kimera) is sentenced to 40 years of imprisonment less the period he has spent on remand which is the time before he was released on bail and the time after his bail was cancelled.”

The jurist also emphasized that defilement at church is akin to defilement at home because pastors are seen as spiritual parents.

Kenya housing levy: President Ruto signs controversial law paving way for monthly

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Kenya’s President William Ruto has signed into law a controversial bill, paving the way for the government to continue collecting a housing levy of 1.5% of a worker’s monthly pay.

The levy is intended to pay for the construction of affordable housing for poorer Kenyans.

But it sparked an outcry from the opposition and a large section of the population who feel burdened by a raft of new taxes.

The law had been held up in the courts.

A judge had stopped the deductions citing lack of a legal framework. However, MPs amended and approved the bill last week despite objections from opposition legislators.

The levy, which had been mentioned in Mr Ruto’s manifesto for the 2022 election, was part of a finance law adopted last June that also doubled the sales tax on fuel. A new higher health insurance levy is also due to come into effect soon.

The government has argued that it needs to increase its revenue from taxation in order to reduce the budget deficit and pay for public services.

The authorities had begun deducting the 1.5% housing levy from peoples’ pay from last July. But, amid public anger, one activist took the government to court arguing successfully that it unfairly singled out Kenyans in the formal sector who get a regular monthly salary.

In order to address the issues raised by the court, the new law now extends the levy to other workers and now requires non-salaried Kenyans in the informal sector to pay the levy.

It is not clear how the government will collect the money from those in the informal sector.

The new law also establishes the Affordable Housing Fund, which is intended to manage the money the government will get from the levy.

The authorities say the deduction will not be backdated to include the money that would have been paid had the scheme not been suspended.

President Ruto is aiming to construct 200,000 affordable housing units every year and hopes to create more than 600,000 jobs.

The opposition has threatened to take this new law to court, alleging the government ignored concerns of Kenyans over the increasing tax burden.

Bank of Japan discontinues its policy of low interest rate

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Japan’s central bank increased the interest rate on Tuesday for the first time in 17 years. This ends the old policy of having low interest rates to help the economy.

The Bank of Japan increased the interest rate for banks to borrow money overnight from 0 to 0. 1%. This was expected as a move away from very loose monetary policy.

It was the first time the interest rate went up since February 2007. The low interest rates and other ways of putting money into the economy have helped, according to the head of the Bank of Japan. Kazuo Ueda spoke to the journalists.

The bank wants to keep inflation at 2%. This is important to see if Japan is no longer in a period of falling prices. However, it had been careful about making monetary policy “normal” or ending negative borrowing rates, even though inflation has been about that rate in recent months.

Ueda said that wages and prices are gradually increasing, and that the government will keep monetary policy relaxed for a while.

Private banks and other financial companies will decide on their interest rates, but he does not expect any big increases. The central bank will keep an eye on any major changes in interest rates that could cause confusion, he said.

“We decided because we predicted that inflation would stay at 2% and not change,” he said.

Another reason for the change: Japanese companies have said they will increase wages this year during negotiations with trade unions.

The Bank of Japan said that companies were making more money from their work and sales. They looked at stories from workers and also the information they collected.

Japan’s economy has somewhat improved, said the report.

The market didn’t react much because people already expected the decision. This was because Japanese news had already talked about it earlier this week. Tokyo’s main stock index went up by almost 0. 7% on Tuesday, and the value of the dollar stayed at around 150 yen.

Experts believe that the bank will not quickly make changes to its easy lending system and will keep a close watch on prices.

Harumi Taguchi, a top economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence, thinks that inflation might drop below 2% and higher wages might not make people spend more if they decide to save their money instead.

“According to S&P Global Market Intelligence, the bank’s decisions will help financial markets work better, but they probably won’t have much effect on the overall economy. ”

Ueda said that the central bank would reconsider its low interest rate and other ways of making it easier to borrow money if prices went up by 2 percent and salaries also went up.

The Japanese central bank’s rules are not the same as the US Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank. Both have been lowering interest rates after previously raising them quickly to control inflation.

For a long time, the Bank of Japan has kept the cost of borrowing money very low. They want to encourage people and businesses in Japan to spend and invest more to make the economy grow stronger.

Japan is now the fourth largest economy in the world. It has fallen behind Germany in terms of how much money it makes. The economy of the United States is the biggest, and China is next after that. China became bigger than Japan more than ten years ago.

BOJ officials want to make sure higher wages are caused by things in Japan, not in other countries. Experts think that the Bank of Japan will continue to be cautious in raising interest rates.

The very relaxed monetary policy involved putting a lot of money into the economy by buying Japanese government bonds and other things. The bank said that the BOJ will keep buying government bonds at a rate of about 6 trillion yen, which is about $40.

No Connection Between Muhabi Lungu’s Personal Decision To Form A Political Party And Umodzi Kum’mawa- UMODZI KUM’AWA

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 19, 2024

RESPONSE TO HON. STAFFORD MULUSA’S FALSE CLAIMS AS KDC SHALL REMAIN A PRESSURE GROUP

We would like as KUM’MAWA DEVELOPMENT COALITION aka UMODZI KUM’AWA, to address the recent claims made by the Government Chief whip, Hon. Stafford Mulusa, regarding Mr. Muhabi Lungu’s announcement to form a political party. Unfortunately, we regret to announce that this top government has concluded that Mr. Muhabi Lungu’s announcement to form a new party implies KDC being transformed into a political party.

To put records straight, we would like to firmly announce that there is no connection between Mr. Muhabi’s personal decision to form a political party and the KUM’AWA Development Coalition, also known as UMODZI KUM’MAWA.

Instead of baseless accusations, we urge Hon. Mulusa to focus on his role as the Government Chief whip and work towards democratizing Parliament. It is crucial for him, the Speaker, and her two Deputies to prioritize the concerns of the people, including the soaring cost of living, exchange rates, fuel prices, mealie meal prices, and the state of democracy than accuse

We appeal to Hon. Mulusa to prioritize more pressing national matters than drag KDC into partisan politics, an arena we have no interest and do not have plans to take that path either today or tomorrow. Both the Chief whip and members of the public must note that KDC is a pressure group and has zero agenda to form a political party or be transformed into one anytime.

We would like disassociate KDC from the political decisions, alignment and positions of all its individual members including Mr Muhabi Lungu. Moreover, as UMODZI KUM’AWA, we shall remain a pressure group that aims to promote and advance the rights of Easterners and beyond by advocating for equal distribution of national resources in all sectors.

As KDC, our goal and focus is on promoting unity among Easterners by integrating our people into national developmental agendas for fairness, equality and inclusion.

Umodzi Kum’mawa Development Coalition (KDC) aims to strategically advance development programs for the people of Eastern Province in the broader context for the modernization and development of Zambia by advocating and defending for their interests and rights in all sectors. The coalition recognizes that the region has abundant natural resources and the local people must always be engaged and prioritized to discover and actualize their full developmental potential just like other Zambians elsewhere.

Issued for and on behalf of KUM’MAWA DEVELOPMENT COALITION aka UMODZI KUM’AWA

Chanoda Ngwira F
SPOKESPERSON

THE PF GOVERNMENT WAS LIVING FOR TODAY,IN THEIR WORLD, TOMORROW NEVER EXISTED

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THE PF GOVERNMENT WAS LIVING FOR TODAY,IN THEIR WORLD, TOMORROW NEVER EXISTED

Authored By Mupishi Jones

When that crop of leadership unexpectedly inherited government machinery from the late Michael Sata,they took it as a lifetime opportunity to improve their personal lives and that of their relatives and that of their close friends.The general citizenry was just a statistical figure in their equations to improve their personal lives to be sorted out through “tantameni”.
They were living for today, tomorrow’s generation was to find it’s own tools to mount their own emancipation fight,in short,in their eyes, tomorrow never comes, therefore never existed,why plan for it.

That was how the New PF started making decisions based on the next general elections and not based on the next generation, for them the world was ending today,there was no tomorrow.

Just take time to do a quick search at the Ministry of Lands and see how much land in terms of plots each of these new PF leaders amassed just within their 7 yrs in power? You’ll be further shocked when you extent your search in councils along the line of rail. They’ve parcels of land all over from Livingstone,Chirundu, Siavonga,Kafue,Chilanga, Lusaka up to the copperbelt,same PF characters.They were scrambling for land, each getting more than one can develop as if it was the last generation in this country.These guys were living for today, after all,who should they preserve forest 27 and other forest reserves for, if in their eyes tomorrow never comes?

These are the same New PF Leaders, living for today,who devised and negotiated ZESCO electricity power exports for today and not for tomorrow, posterity will deal with the contractual consequences as long as today is catered for.Power export contracts that have turned out to be almost impossible to walk away without collapsing the entire ZESCO! According to that crop of New PF leadership, tomorrow never comes, let the dead bury themselves. The current government that have taken over from that New crop of PF leadership is stuck with the PF's myopic negotiated power export contracts.It can't terminate these power export contracts without heavy financial consequences arising from the breach of those contractual terms..... that's UKA for you.
These are the New crop of PF who were buying electricity powered from Maamba Collieries through ZESCO on credit for “today” and accumulated huge unsettled debts to Maamba Collieries which they failed to pay and left behind huge uncleared debts.Thank God, the current government has cleared poor Maamba Collieries.To them,what mattered most was as long as today was done….”mailo fikaisova”.

Get the Ndola Energy contract also, it’s the same story of poorly devising the contract just for today.It has equally put the current governments in a hopeless and precarious situation.

Sometimes it’s so annoying to hear fellow citizens like Emmanuel Mwamba who had access to the details of these contracts to deliberately start accusing the government that the current domestic electricity deficit is as a result of the government’s move of exporting power at the expense of its local consumption.
Trying to force the government to terminate power export contracts and yet they are fully aware of the legal and economic challenges that will arise as a result of breach of those contracts,in my view, this is hypocrisy of the highest level.

Pick the MoUs of external debts, including the eurobonds, it’s the same story of living for today, contracting unsustainable debts, fully aware that they’ll never manage to repay those loans, but with the mentality of living for today and that of tomorrow never comes,they guys proceed.

The New crop of PF just didn’t care about the future of this country together with its people.They had nothing to do with the sustainable economic development of this country.Their preoccupation was maintaining power for their personal aggrandisement.

This is the New crop of PF leadership that was registering under age children with NRCs and voters cards in readiness for the next general election instead of taking these children back to school .In their eyes, these children were valuable political assets today, after all there was no tomorrow.

Almost all the fundamental decisions which the PF made during their tenure in office were made for “today” and no regard for the future.
This is the reason why most of those rushed laws they were enacting in parliament to fix their political opponents,are catching up with them today.They were not thinking of tomorrow when they were passing those laws.
I submit

Mupishi Jones
0977480386

UK Targets Foreign Students After Down-Grading Some University Of Zambia Degrees

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The UK government has announced its intention to revise the international students’ visa because what it said is meant to close the loopholes of the potential abuse of the visa by foreign students.

This move came a few days after the same government downgraded the University of Zambia graduates’ degrees for the High Potential Individuals (HPI) visa due to the perceived inferiority of their degrees.

The HPI visa is designed to attract “highly skilled graduates” from international universities outside of the UK to contribute to a range of sectors, such as science and technology.

The Guardian Wednesday reported that UK Home Secretary James Cleverly said international students may be “undermining the integrity and quality of the UK higher education system” by using university courses as a cheap way of getting work visas.

In a letter to the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), Cleverly asked the body to investigate whether the graduate visa entitlement – allowing international students to work for two or three years after graduating – was failing to attract “the brightest and the best” to the UK.

However, university leaders fear that cutting or restricting the graduate visa route will lead to a drastic fall in international recruitment and provoke a financial crisis for universities that rely on income from international tuition fees.

Cleverly told the MAC that while the government was committed to attracting “talented students from around the world to study in the UK”, it also wanted “to ensure the graduate route is not being abused. In particular, that some of the demand for study visas is not being driven more by a desire for immigration”.

Cleverly said: “An international student can spend relatively little on fees for a one-year course and gain access to two years with no job requirement on the graduate route, followed by four years’ access to a discounted salary threshold on the skilled worker route.

“This means international graduates are able to access the UK labour market with salaries significantly below the requirement imposed on the majority of migrant skilled workers.”

The home secretary instructed the committee, which gives independent advice to the government, to investigate “any evidence of abuse” of the graduate route, “including the route not being fit for purpose”, and to look at which universities were producing graduates who used the route.

He also asked the MAC to analyse “whether the graduate route is undermining the integrity and quality of the UK higher education system, including understanding how the graduate route is or is not, effectively controlling for the quality of international students, such that it is genuinely supporting the UK to attract and retain the brightest and the best, contributing to economic growth and benefiting British higher education”.

Rachel Hewitt, the chief executive of the MillionPlus group of universities, said the government’s review appeared to be deliberately aimed at undermining the success of British higher education.

“It is impossible to imagine the government going out of its way to make Britain less inviting to investment in almost any other sector – and yet every negative headline and policy reform makes Britain less attractive to international students,” Hewitt said.

“The graduate route is a key component of the offer that UK universities can make to international applicants, and its value should be recognised and not eroded.”

Jamie Arrowsmith, the director of Universities UK International, said universities were “deeply concerned” by the short notice given by Cleverly.

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“Post-study work matters for many international students, allowing those who have invested in our country the opportunity to find work and contribute to the UK economy​,” said Arrowsmith.

“Having publicly recommitted to the graduate route on its current terms in May 2023, any further changes would be extremely damaging to our reputation as a welcoming destination for international students, and risks undermining a UK success story that generates more than £20bn a year in export earnings for the economy​.​”

Cleverly said “early data” showed that just 23% of international students using the skilled workers route moved into graduate-level jobs, and that last year only a third moved into jobs paying more than £26,000 a year.

The committee is expected to report back in May, and its findings could come at a difficult time for the higher education sector. So far this year, enrolments from overseas have fallen by 40% compared with 2023.

Vanessa Wilson, chief executive of the University Alliance group, said: “It is important that international students have the opportunity to study at the full range of UK universities so they can select the option that is right for them, and so that all UK students and regions can benefit from their contributions.”

-The Guardian

The re-election of President Vladmir Putin, a tale of the global power balance- Amb. Anthony Mukwita

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The re-election of President Vladmir Putin, a tale of the global power balance

Amb. Anthony Mukwita-18.03.24

If you are an interested in the beating heart of the geopolitical world beyond Zambia, the story of President Vladmir Putin´s re-election for a fifth sixth term in office may interest you.

If you are not, however, do not bother going beyond this paragraph because this short essay won´t make sense to you.

This is a story of the ´global balance of power´ that has seen the world divided into half—those that stand with the United Sates and European Union (EU) allies and those that stand with Russia, China, India, South Africa, or the BRICS+.

Lines are blurred here as the Putin prepares to become the longest serving leader of Russia after Joseph Stalin in 200 years, pausing a challenge to many things western along the way.

ENTER A ´NEW ERA´ OF PUTIN

Putin´s re-election means the Russian strongman who won by a landslide of more than 80 percent of votes cast is on a path of ruling the country for a record 30 years, aged 71.

His ´politically fantastic´ victory that has greatly annoyed the west means the invasion of Ukraine may continue beyond the current two years at a great cost to both Russia and Ukraine.

It also means an even greater cost to the United States and NATO allies that have been ´oiling´ the Ukrainian war machinery that seems to have failed to slow down the humongous army of Russia whose military personnel out number that of Ukraine, a smaller country than the largest country in eastern Europe.

WHY DID RUSSIA INVADE UKRAINE?

Ofcourse for those that have not followed the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, it began when Ukraine decided to join NATO, a move Russia felt threatened its national security because of a 2000km borderline it shares with Ukrainian cousins.

Putin warned of an invasion, but the West took no heed and allowed Ukraine to apply for a NATO membership, a red flag for him.

Now hundreds of Russians and perhaps more Ukrainians have died since the invasion while the economies of both have suffered but mostly that of Ukraine.

DID US SANCTIONS SHAKE RUSSIA?

Russia under Putin has experienced buoyancy in the economy that has withstood massive sanctions by the US led allies and doubled the prices of heating in Europe.

China, India, and North Korea has ramped up buying off Russia´s gas which is three times more than US gas reserves at about 1668 trillion cubic feet.

Russia also has about 60 years of oil in its deposits capable of outlasting any conflict according to statistics.

Consequently, western sanctions against Russia under Putin have fallen flat on their face.

Sadly, the invasion of Ukraine continues, lives are lost, and infrastructure is damaged but this could come to an end as a Presidential election looms in the United States where 81 year old Biden is likely to face off with arch nemesis 77 year Donald Trump in November.

Trump likes Putin, sees him as an ally and feels little empathy for Ukraine.

He has promised to end the Russia Ukraine war on ´day one´ among many crazy things that could also mean deporting thousands of ´aliens´ in America if re-elected.

The sad truth is like, Israel v Gaza, Ukraine has no third leg to stand on in armed conflict against Russia and Putin.

WILL UKRAINE AND GAZA CONFLICTS AFFECT BIDEN?

President Biden must make a choice between winning an election by abandoning Ukraine and Israel or losing the poll by supporting both according to analysts. It’s tough call.

In Africa, countries like Zambia and South Africa have found themselves at crossroads on whom to support between the west and Russia, even Israel as the global power balance turns slowly.

South Africa for instance has taken Israel to the UN international court of justice (ICJ) for apparent genocide acts against Palestinians in Gaza where about 31,800 Palestinians have died in six months and supported Russia in international relations at the UN while the jury remains out on Zambia.

ENTER THE DRAGON IN THE FRAY

As Washington, London, and Paris grapple with Putin´s landslide victory, Beijing was the first to congratulate the Russian leader on his slam dunk as victory drums reverberated across Moscow.

President Xi Jinping said, “your re-election is full demonstration of the support Russian people have of you. I believe that under your leadership Russia will record greater achievements in national development and construction.”

Russia and China declared a “no limits” relationship recently to the chagrin of the western foes as a silent ´cold war ‘emerges especially over Gaza and Ukraine.

Hard to say whom to stand for in this geopolitical war but one clear thing is that the US is no longer calling the shots the way they did in the past without being check-mated by Russia and China´s growing might.

There´s no one single power point now, nations can make a choice of whom to support or summon for help between the west and east.

The proverb then cometh to life that ´when elephants fight the grass suffers´ as countries like Zambia are caught between the west and the east.

Will Zambia congratulate Putin without annoying Washington?

Ambassador Anthony Mukwita’ s latest book ´China in Africa the Zambia story’ provides further insights on geopolitics. It is available on Amazon, Takealot, Grey Matter and Bookworld locally.

Why I have sued UNZA ‘s John Mweshi and Mubanga G Mulenga over Natasha Ngoma scandal- Austin Mbozi

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Why I have sued UNZA ‘s John Mweshi and Mubanga G Mulenga over Natasha Ngoma scandal

By Austin Mbozi

I have sued University of Zambia (UNZA)’s Dr John Mweshi (lecturer) and Ms Mubanga G. Mulenga (deputy registrar, administration).

First, I want to prove that PF-era UNZA bosses plotted that lie that I sexually assaulted ‘student’ Natasha Ngoma. Second, I want them to publicly give us the PF-era UNZA chief security officer Bwalya Kalebaila’s letter which accused me, and which they are HIDDING.Third, I want them to publicly give us the entire report written by the UNZA Disciplinary Committee led by Dr Friday Mulenga which declared me innocent of these allegations, but which they are also HIDDING. And fourth, I need compensation because they caused me to lose my PhD place in its final year at the University of Johannesburg.

Let them just reveal in court the ‘big fish’ who was sending them. Imagine that even when the high court rightly acquitted me, PF thief-thug cadres continue abusing/defaming me over it on social media. Now even columnist Clinton Nzala has joined them. When he was annoyed that I defended UPND’s agro policy against his attack on President Hichilema over mealie meal subsidies, he wrote ‘Austin Mbozi, an academician who is more famous for his ALLEGED non-academic activities than for his academic prowess’ (The Mast 11 March 2024).

Here is what happened. On 5 October 2018, Bwalya Kalebaila invited police to stop an anti-PF student riot. When police killed female student Vespers Shimuzhila, I condemned PF in an article; ‘Mr. President Edgar Lungu and your tribal voters; stop killing our hungry children’.

PF thugs led by Lusaka Province chairman Stanford Kayame gave 48 hours to Vice Chancellor Luke Mumba to fire me and called for my arrest. Then UNZA Registrar Rodgers Phiri wrote/ordered me to hand myself over to police. After I spent two nights in cells, police abandoned the case when they found that it was actually PF cadres who added insults and tribal hate speech to my article. Unhappy that I was set free, Philosophy Department’s Head John Mweshi accused me of ‘dis-reputing’ UNZA, but the Disciplinary Committee led by Dr Mulenga Bwalya rejected his accusation. On 1 April 2019, Dean of Humanities Felix Masiye wrote to John Mweshi ordering him to reject the Dr Mulenga Bwalya Committee, and Mweshi obeyed on 2 April, warning me of dismissal if I ever wrote/oppose PF.

Then the PF-era UNZA bosses began cooking up a case against me. On 28 October 2020, I interviewed in my office a ‘job-seeker’ of my private soccer academy and selling my book, Natasha Ngoma, who introduced herself as a non-student. On 9 October 2020, the same Bwalya Kalebaila came to arrest me for ‘sexually harassing’ her and handed me to officer Stephen Mumba. Since there was no complaint from Natasha, officer Mumba locked me into Chudleigh Police cells without entering any details. The OIC transferred me to Chelston Police Station, my holding charge entered as ‘Obtaining Money by False Pretenses’. Kalebaila then secretly wrote some ‘big fish’. That ‘big fish’ gave that letter to the same John Mweshi, so that he can try his second luck at firing me. On 14 October 2020 Mweshi wrote me as follows: ‘I am in receipt of a report from the Chief Security Officer’ about a ‘sexual harassment’ from ‘whose names I have withheld for now’.

A Disciplinary Committee led by Dr Friday Mulenga interviewed me alone without Natasha and refused to show me Kalebaila’s letter or any witness, which were illegal. But to its credit it ruled me innocent, since Natasha whom it interviewed in my absence told it that I never sexually assaulted her. Yet, like in 2018, John Mweshi on 31 December 2020 rejected this Committee also, changed his accusation from ‘sexual assault’ (forceful touching) to ‘sexual coercion’ (consensual touching in exchange for a job) and warned me of dismissal.

Determined, my tormentors carried my cross of crucifixion to the ‘mountain of Golgotha’, the criminal court. Before magistrate Mwaka Mikalile they failed. Fake witness Kafunda Mwenya said he found Natasha awake but fainted and fell on the ground upon seeing him, booked a tax for her and rolled her on a stretcher into UNZA clinic. Natasha said she could not remember anything. But UNZA clinical officer Charles Mwanza contradicted their lies, saying Natasha was in perfect health, not even a dent sign of being touched. Who sent UNZA vehicle and UNZA clinic director Clementina Lwatula to escort them?

Soon, magistrate Mikalile abandoned the case. Why? And magistrate Felix Kaoma came in, and decided to re-hear the testimonies all over again. For close to a year, Natasha/witnesses refused to attend court. But upon UPND’s winning elections, they suddenly reappeared, now with Notula Simuntanyi. Here, Natasha and Mwenya totally changed the statements submitted to magistrate Mikalile.

I wrote/asked UNZA for Kalebala’s letter to use for my defence. But on 8 April 2022, Ms Mubanga Mulenga refused, saying, ‘there are documents that are confidential in nature. The document you are requesting for falls under this category. We can only release it by a court order’.

Now madam, I bring Kalebaila’s letter to court as you promised. When I sued Natasha Ngoma for defamation she changed her story again, saying she never complained against sexual assault. Her case is now moving towards the High Court. Meanwhile, John Mweshi self-confessed. He wrote me:

‘Do you understand this is harassment?… .In my view, you should have sued unza management and not the innocent girl. Those who reported you to police were acting on behalf of management… sue the people who plotted and not the student if she is just a victim of the plot’. Sent on 18th and 19th October 2023).

Well John Mweshi, I hereby sue you as you requested.

This author advises readers to look out on WhatsApp groups for the full over 100-paged report against his arresting officer to the PPCC. Email: austin.mbozi2027@gmail.com, Phone: +260-978-741920. S

I WAS R@PED REPEATEDLY AS A VULNERABLE CHILD- Steffan Phiri

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I WAS R@PED REPEATEDLY AS A VULNERABLE CHILD

Steffan Phiri

Parents and guardians create a safe and open environment for your children it’s easy for kids to open up even after being threatened by a sexual predator.

My father died when I was 2 and my mother remarried after a few years, I stayed with my mother and her husband for a few years but things didn’t work out I had to move in with my grandmother at a family house, story for another day.

Well at the family house we were a lot, my aunties and uncles, my older brother and my cousins we were like 12+ then on holidays we would be like over 15+ people at the family house. My grandmother couldn’t manage to have close relationships with all of us because we were many then unfortunately she died in 2006, then my unties and uncles took over leadership but they all had responsibilities to their biological children and the rest of us who didn’t stay with our parents had boundaries definitely you can’t say or do certain things even conversations were limited.
All I had was my older brother but we didn’t share a close relationship story for another day.

I was sexually abused not once not twice but so many times by older people and these were 4 people; 3 men and 1 woman. (I can’t mention names some were family members). And I believe I wasn’t the only one who was defiled during that period they were many of us but we didn’t have someone to tell others did speak out but they were not believed and called liars for opening up letting a sexual predator getting away with sexual abuse. (Typical African setups🚮)

My body wasn’t physically, mentally or emotionally ready sex at that time I was only 8 for crying out loud. At 8 I heard of sex I knew it existed but I didn’t know how it was done etc. I was a child and I wish my childhood was as innocent as any other childhood just a normal childhood was what I wanted, let me just be a child at least. But the odds were not on my side.
The first time was with a neighbor, he really showed me love and manipulated me in a way that I believed he would never hurt me and what he would do wouldn’t be wrong in anyway, well I was wrong! He sodomized me one evening I can never forget the pain I felt after that he would give me money, gifts, clothes and all to shut me up mind you this man was a family friend. I never wanted to see him but he made sure I go to his place in the name of wanting to send me to buy charcoal, cooking oil etc but once those errands were done he would sexually abuse me and give me gifts through my family members as blackmail, and one thing about sexual predators they know what to say and do to blackmail you in other cases they make you feel like it’s your fault or it’s a form of payment with what they have done or given you. Suddenly he moved out and died a few months later that gave me closure and I was happy he died because should I be weeping like am the widow? No.

Time passed the marathon continued there was another guy, then another then the last one I was 14. So initially I started being sexually abused from as early as 8yrs old – 14yrs old.
The experience with the woman was another disgusting experience she put her things in my mouth and made me suck hairy slimy stuff hence I don’t appreciate oral sex I feel like drowning from that experience I vowed never to suck people’s genitals regardless of the personal hygiene or shapes and sizes.

I drowned inside I even felt heat inside the ditch .

And the funny thing is even if you don’t want any sexual activity to happen once someone touches you sexually the mind wouldn’t want but the body responds I don’t know if that makes sense.

I wish one day I could get past this and heal from all that experience and share my story without feeling how am feeling right now.

What I wanted to say was create an open space for your girl or boy child in your home, if that can be done we will reduce the number of sexual abuse especially for children and young men and women, listen to your children, pay attention to their behaviors especially when they’re extrovert and suddenly turn introvert.

Allow them to speak out, talk to them whenever you can and educate them enough to not let anyone touch their genitalia intentionally if one does so let them be able to inform you so that you know what measures to take be it warn the person who did so or take other measures.

#Nalesa💁‍♂️

Former Zimbabwean Soldiers Spotted In Ukrainian Army

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At least five former Zimbabwean Soldiers have reportedly been identified in the Ukrainian army, a report by the Russian Defence Ministry has revealed.

Tragically, one of them has already lost their life on the battlefield.

The report seen by NewsDay says the actual number of Zimbabwean mercenaries involved could be higher, possibly reaching up to ten.

Three of these mercenaries are believed to be former soldiers from Zimbabwe.

The Russian military operation in Ukraine, which commenced on February 24, 2022, has led to a significant influx of foreign mercenaries.

The total count of these combatants arriving in Ukraine has now reached 13,387. The Russian army claims to have eliminated 5,962 of these mercenaries. It said:

The Russian Ministry of Defence continues to track and personally record all foreign mercenaries who have arrived in Ukraine to participate in combat action.

Russia claims 2,960 mercenaries arrived from Poland, 1,113 “soldiers of fortune are from the United States of America, and 1,042 fighters are from Georgia.

Other contributing countries include Canada, the United Kingdom, Romania, France, and Germany.

Among the foreign mercenaries, 249 hail from 14 African countries, and they have been present in Ukraine since the war began two years ago.

Tragically, 103 of these African fighters have lost their lives in the conflict. The countries with the highest representation are Nigeria (97), Algeria (60), and South Africa (35).

Remarkably, Zimbabwe and South Africa are the sole southern African countries with mercenaries actively operating in Ukraine.

Political analyst Pardon Taodzera said the participation of Zimbabwean mercenaries in Ukraine is worrisome since Zimbabwe is known to be pro-Russian. He said:

The involvement of Zimbabwean mercenaries in the Ukrainian conflict is a concerning development that underscores the complex and multi-faceted nature of modern warfare.

It highlights the ability of conflicts in one region to attract participants from across the globe, illustrating the interconnectedness of global security dynamics.

The emergence of Zimbabwean mercenaries in Ukraine raises questions about the motivations and interests driving their participation.

It suggests that non-State actors, motivated by a variety of factors including financial gain and ideological beliefs, are playing an increasingly significant role in shaping the course of conflicts around the world.

Russia’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Yevgeny Uspensky, called for action regarding the issue of international mercenaries operating in Ukraine.

He highlighted that the UN Secretariat has been made aware of statistics revealing the involvement of foreign mercenaries in combat on the side of the Kyiv regime.

-NewsDay

African leaders must respect term limits – Akufo-Addo

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African Union (AU) member states should strive to uphold their respective national constitutions, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has advised.

The leaders, he said, were also expected to adhere to the presidential term limits in line with the rule of law to engender political stability and democratic governance.

The manipulation of democratic processes, including tampering with electoral laws, constitutional provisions and term limits with the goal of benefitting at the expense of democratic norms and principles, ought not to be entertained, he cautioned.

President Nana Akufo-Addo, addressing the Second AU Reflection Forum on Unconstitutional Changes of Government (UCGs), in Accra, said it was worrying that some member states were bent on undermining the Accra Declaration.

The Declaration acknowledges that the resurgence of unconstitutional changes of government, expanding threat of terrorism and violent extremism across the continent, as well as transnational organised crime, are negatively impacting the peace, security, stability, sovereignty and territorial integrity of some member states.

Africa continues to face structural challenges in adequately addressing the root causes of terrorism, violent extremism and unconstitutional changes of government – a development that has exacerbated the continent’s growing political turmoil.

The Second AU Reflection Forum is on the theme, “Robust Response, Deepening Democracy, Sustainable Security”.

The two-day Forum is expected to build on the first edition held in March 2022, and on the Declaration on Terrorism and Unconstitutional Changes of Government in Africa, also known as the Malabo Declaration.

The stakeholders will exchange views on consolidating democratic governance, advancing national ownership of governance processes, and strengthening constitutionalism and the rule of law in Africa.

They will align on coordination and coherence to effectively implement the Malabo and Accra Declarations.

President Akufo-Addo expressed unequivocal condemnation of any ascent to power that was outside constitutional provisions and inimical to democratic norms.

The Accra Declaration, he noted, affirmed the continent’s collective commitment on the principles of zero tolerance for coup d’etats.

“When we gathered here two years ago, four members of our Union had been suspended due to their unconstitutional changes of governments in their territories.

“Today, two years later, the situation has worsened. As we gather here, six member states of the Union have been suspended for the same reasons.

“This is an extraordinary occurrence in our efforts to safeguard democracy in Africa,” he noted.

On the relevance of the Forum, the President urged the participants to take the discussions seriously since democratic governance and the rule of law were cardinal factors to enhance prosperity and development.

man has cried out after a DNA test showed he isn’t the biological father of a child

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A Nigerian man has cried out after a DNA test showed he isn’t the biological father of a child with SS genotype, which his wife claimed was his.

The man, Steven Opeyemi Moses, and his wife appeared on a Nigerian-based TV courtroom show last year to table the matter.

While on the show, Moses told the court that before he and his wife got married, they carried out a genotype test and the result showed he is AA while his wife is AS. He said when their son was two years old, he was diagnosed to be SS. He said he repeated the test twice and the results came back that he is SS. Moses said that he and his wife also repeated their test results to rule out the possibility of a mistake when they had it done before marriage and the results still came back AA for him and AS for his wife.

Moses told the court that he was confused but continued living with his wife.

‘’I kept on living like that until sometime in March or April (last year) when I decided this is going out of hand and that I was going for a DNA test.”

The wife while speaking to the judge said all that her husband said was true. She then mentioned to the court that her husband did not express his concerns to her but went on his own to carry out the DNA test.

The judge had ordered for a DNA test to be carried out and the results which were read in the court room indicated that the probability of paternity was 0% and that the DNA analysis was negative.

When the judge asked if she knew the father of the child in question, the wife insisted that nobody touched her. The judge then ruled that another DNA test be carried out between the wife and the child.

In a series of posts shared on his handle on Monday, March 18, Moses stated that his wife has refused to turn up for the maternity test.

Read his post below…

Biden administration asks for more time to hand over details of Prince Harry’s immigration papers

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The US Department of Homeland Security has said it needs an extra two weeks to search for Prince Harry’s immigration records as a federal judge weighs whether or not they should be made public.

The department made its request in a court filing Sunday, saying it needed more time to respond to Judge Carl Nichols’ order to provide more information about why his immigration details should be kept secret.

The conservative Heritage Foundation is seeking the release of the documents amid questions about whether Harry lied about his drug use in his visa application.

‘Defendant has begun the search but searching for and reviewing the records has taken longer than anticipated,’ wrote D.H.S. lawyers in the filing.

They also said other government agencies may need to review the documents before they can be handed over to the judge.

‘Thus, having established good cause, the defendant respectfully requests an additional fourteen days, up to and including April 4, 2024, to comply with the court’s order,’ they wrote.

The filing is the latest twist in the legal battle over the Duke of Sussex and his immigration status.

He entered the U.S. in March 2020 and lives with his American wife Meghan and their two children in Montecito, California.

However, in his memoir ‘Spare,’ he admitted using cocaine, cannabis and psychedelic mushrooms.

U.S. immigration authorities routinely ask about drug use on visa applications. British celebrities including singer Amy Winehouse and model Kate Moss have run into difficulties.

However, acknowledging past drug use does not necessarily result in automatic rejection.

Against that background, the Heritage Foundation filed a Freedom of Information request last year to get to the bottom of what happened.

Nile Gardiner, who is spearheading the request, said it was a matter of ensuring that no one got special treatment.

‘Again, Harry has publicly admitted to extensive illegal drug use,’ he wrote recently.

‘What do we submit this means? That Harry seems to have received special treatment: the DHS looked the other way if the Prince answered truthfully, or it looked the other way if the Prince lied on his visa application.

‘Either action would be wrong.’

D.H.S. refused to release any information, in order to ‘protect the Duke’s privacy,’ and the matter is now in federal court as Judge Nichols decides on the best course of action.

After a hearing last month, he told D.H.S. its arguments were ‘insufficiently detailed’ for him to make a ruling.

‘Having reviewed the parties’ written submissions and heard oral argument on the motions, the court concludes that in camera review is necessary to determine whether the records in dispute come within the scope of the claimed exemptions,’ he wrote in an order.

He gave the Biden administration until March 21 to submit ‘declarations that detail, with particularity, the records it is withholding and the particular harm that would arise from public disclosure of them.’

In the February hearing, government lawyers argued that Harry’s memoir proved nothing.

John Bardo, for the Department of Homeland Security, told the court: ‘Just saying something in a book doesn’t make it true.’

People put things in books sometimes just to sell more copies, he argued.

Lawyers for Heritage also introduced a transcript of the GMA interview on February 16, 2024 ‘in which the Duke of Sussex discusses potentially seeking United States citizenship.’

They said it added to their case seeking the release of his immigration files.

In a court filing Heritage said: ‘Widespread and continuous media coverage has surfaced the question of whether DHS properly admitted the Duke of Sussex in light of the fact that he has publicly admitted to the essential elements of a number of drug offences.’

American rapper Dr Dre suffered 3 strokes amid hospitalisation for aneurysms

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Dr. Dre is making sure that every day counts after his brain aneurysm in 2021.


The 59-year-old rapper and producer recalled his health scare and revealed that he suffered three strokes while he was hospitalized during a recent interview on SiriusXM’s This Life of Mine With James Corden.


“It’s just something that you can’t control that just happens, and during those two weeks I had three strokes,” Dre said, per The Hollywood Reporter.

On the day he was hospitalized, the Grammy winner recalled waking up with a strange sensation behind his right ear that soon developed into “the worst pain.”

“I got up and I went on about my day, and I thought that I could just lay down and take a nap. My son had a female friend that was there and was like, ‘No, we need to take you to the hospital,'” Dre said. “So they took me to urgent care.”

He learned there that he was in “serious” condition. “Next thing you know, I’m blacking out. I’m in and out of consciousness, and I ended up in the ICU,” Dre said. “I was there for two weeks. I’m hearing the doctors coming in and saying, “You don’t know how lucky you are.'”

When he asked if he could have done anything to prevent the aneurysm from happening, the Death Row Records co-founder recalled, “Nobody could give me an answer.”

“I had no idea that I had high blood pressure or anything like that because I’m on my health s—. I’m lifting weights, I’m running, I’m doing everything I can to keep myself healthy,” he said. “High blood pressure in Black men, that’s just what it is. They call it the silent killer. You just have no idea, so you know, you have to keep your s— checked.”

While Dre wasn’t certain if the scare provoked a “significant change” in his life, he did say “it definitely makes you appreciate being alive, that’s for sure.”

“It’s crazy… knowing that I had no control over that,” he said. “It’s just something that could happen out of the blue. You wake up and you go, ‘S—. Okay, I’m here.'”

At the time of his hospitalization, Dre confirmed on Instagram that he was “doing great” and planned to be discharged soon. A day after he was released from the hospital, the musician appeared in a photo that producer Focus posted showing him already back in the recording studio.

“My big Bro is Super Good!!!” Focus captioned the post. “We Working…”

Envoy Lazarous Kapambwe good for Zambia´s international relations says Anthony Mukwita

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Envoy Lazarous Kapambwe good for Zambia´s international relations says Anthony Mukwita

18.03.24

President Hakainde Hichilema made a good choice in tapping Ambassador Lazarous Kapambwe as ´Special Envoy to the President´ in the newly created position at State House said Ambassador Anthony Mukwita on the current affairs programme The Analysis on Sunday.

Mr. Mukwita said if the President had an earlier stroke of inspiration, he might as well have nominated the long serving diplomat as a legislator and filled up with the vacant ministry of foreign affairs with Mr Kapambwe given his massive experience.

“Often we get criticism that we do not commend the President much as he executes his duties on The Analysis but on this appointment of Ambassador Kapambwe as Special Envoy,” Ambassador Mukwita said, “President Hichilema needs to be commended for choosing the right man for the job given his immense rich experience in international relations.”

The newly appointed special envoy (Kapambwe) has international relations experience spanning from the first post-independence government of Zambia under President Kenneth Kaunda running now up to the seventh President of Zambia Mr Hichilema, with long stints at the Africa Union and the United Nations.

Mr. Mr Kapambwe has also served as Ambassador of Zambia to the United States of America before his subsequent recall last year.

On the same programme, KBNTV panellist and CEO pastor Kennedy Mambwe said the best credential envoy Kapambwe perhaps has is that of being “non-partisan” as demonstrated through his work in all administrations of Zambia from Dr Kenneth Kaunda, Dr. Frederick Chiluba, Levy Mwanawasa, HE Edgar Lungu and now President Hichilema.

Pastor Mambwe appealed to some UPND cadres to desist from calling for Ambassador Kapambwe´s position to be withdrawn on account that he could be partisan because clearly ´he is not´ according to his work history.

Envoy Kapambwe´s new role at State House that has not been fully defined publicly could help fill the void that was created at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs after the resignation of Mr Stanely Kakubo.

Ambassador Mukwita said the ministry is crucial for Zambia´s international relations and must not be lefty ´yawning ‘or vacant for more than necessary since last October.

Meanwhile former foreign affairs minister Harry Kalaba who is also Citizens First president has hailed Mr Kapambwe´s appointment calling him a “very accomplished and illustrious son of Zambia.”

Source: The Analysis, KBNTV

Deaf Google employee celebrated as a diversity hire sues tech giant for discrimination

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ABlack, deaf Google employee, Jalon Hall, has filed a lawsuit accusing the tech giant of discrimination based on her disability and race. Hall, celebrated previously as a success story for Google’s inclusive workplace, alleged that the company limited her access to sign-language interpreters and created a hostile and racially charged management environment.

The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. Northern District of California and has drawn attention to Google’s practices regarding diversity and inclusion, according to the New York Post.

The lawsuit filed by Hall against Google alleged instances of discrimination, including a manager referring to her as an “aggressive black deaf woman” and advising her to “keep her mouth shut and take a sales role.”

Furthermore, Hall claimed she was excluded from roundtable discussions and denied promotion due to “inaccurate evaluation” after three years with the company.

“Google is using me to make them look inclusive for the Deaf community and the overall Disability community,” Hall said to Wired. “In reality, they need to do better.”

On LinkedIn, Google had lauded Hall for “helping expand opportunities for Black Deaf professionals,” while on Instagram, the corporation had featured the research analyst “for making #LifeAtGoogle more inclusive.”

According to Wired, Google recruiters assured Hall, who joined as a content moderator in 2020, that sign language interpreters would be provided and fully accommodated. However, when Hall was later tasked with enforcing YouTube’s child safety regulations, managers allegedly refused to provide interpreters to assist her in reviewing content.

Reportedly, Google expressed concerns about contractors being exposed to graphic imagery and confidentiality issues, despite U.S. interpreters following a confidentiality code of conduct.

Without her interpreter, Hall struggled to meet the quota of reviewing 75 videos per day, often spending excessive time on a single video before realizing she couldn’t adequately assess its content.

“I felt a sense of humiliation, recognizing that my career wasn’t progressing,” she said.

Hall remains a level-two employee at Google after three years, unlike the typical advancement to level three within this period for most employees, as reported by Wired. Google recently filed to dismiss the lawsuit, contending that the claims were untimely, although the company did not dispute the allegations.

Despite filing three HR complaints that resulted in minimal change, Hall chose to stay at Google to advocate for improved working conditions for her colleagues.

“It would be selfish to quit Google,” she told Wired. “I’m standing in the gap for those often pushed aside.”

Black and disabled employees are a minority within Google, which employs nearly 183,000 individuals. Company data from last year reveals that Black women, constituting around 2.4 percent of Google’s U.S. workforce, exhibit a disproportionately higher departure rate compared to women of other races.

Google’s deaf and hard-of-hearing employee group also comprises only 40 members, as per Wired. Hall not only sought personal compensation but also demanded that Google implement reinforcement policies to ensure future hires receive reasonable accommodation and have equal opportunities, similar to non-Black deaf employees with disabilities.

12 points Why UKA will anoint the next President in 2026 with ECL’s signature since HH has nicely failed Zambians- Chris Zumani

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12 points Why UKA will anoint the next President in 2026 with ECL’s signature since HH has nicely failed Zambians

By Dr. Chris Zumani Zimba

A. Introduction

Who will succeed Hakainde Hichilema (HH) as the next president of the Republic of Zambia? Surely, nobody knows who he or she is apart from God. Nobody knows the name, village, tribe, chiefdom, district or province of HH’s successor apart from Heaven. Generally, certain dynamics are too complex for human beings to comprehend, foretell and predict.

It is only God who can confidently say what he told young Jeremiah in Jeremiah 1:4-5, 8 that:

The word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew[a] you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations”…Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.

At human level, we can only discuss and try to predict political realities of today and tomorrow using different scientific qualitative and quantitative mythologies. And this scientific prediction comes with margins of errors. In this case, l will use the SWOT analysis model as a tool to critically discuss and examine United Kwacha Alliance (UKA) with reference to 2026 against the overt failures of HH’s government.

Since W (weaknesses) and T (threats) have become daily songs of HH’s government and other critics of UKA, I will focus only on S (strength) and O (opportunities) of UKA and thereafter quickly draw my conclusions.

B. The S stands for “STRENGTH” of UKA. Here, l have identified and will briefly explain only 12 key merits and advantages of UKA going into 2026 as follows:

1. UKA is simple for everyone to pronounce and understand . UKA is “wake up”. UKA is UKA in many local languages, so appropriate and relevant to the current political situation in Zambia.

2. UKA is the first forceful and alternative political alliance challenging to unseat the ruling UPND alliance. It is the new pressure group and most sensible people driven movement of post 2021 national elections in Zambia.

3. UKA is a cross generational movement bringing together younger and older politicians. Elderly leaders like President Edgar Lungu, Edith Nawakwi, Sakwiba Sikota, Danny Pule and Chishala Kateta partnering with youthful politicians like Harry Kalaba, Saboi Imboela, Jackson Silavwe and Thomas Sipalo among others presents an attractive hybrid political coalition of this era.

4. UKA is a multsectoral forum protesting and opposing undemocratic practices of the UPND government. The coalition has been widely welcomed and celebrated by all key stakeholders in urban and rural areas who openly commit to liberate Zambia again.

5. UKA is a political alliance backed by the largest and strongest opposition party-the PF. In realistic terms, UKA is PF and PF is UKA. PF brings the weightiest experience of being in opposition for 10 years and being in government for 10 years too. Thus, other parties add sundry value too.

6. PF brings to UKA national wide passionate members, green structures, councilors, council chairpersons, and MPs. In 2021, the UPND alliance never had such political strength with representation in council chambers countrywide and the National Assembly of Zambia.

7. UKA has Lungu, the second most popular and powerful politician in Zambia today: a Former President who generally delivered as compared to HH who has lamentably failed almost in all sectors. Lungu alone makes UKA more powerful than the profiles of Winter Kabimba, KBF, Sean Tembo, Fred M’membe, Kasonde Mweenda, Charles Banda, John Sangwa and Nason Msoni all combined together.

8. UKA is appealing for political funding only second to UPND as long as Lungu sits there. Lungu assures political support for UKA in Zambia and overseas. ECL is a powerful brand anywhere: he is big, strong, reliable. I know him, l have worked with him and l remain very close to him.

9. UKA has a former Republican President’s full support: a big political advantage for a coalition. In 2021, the UPND alliance lacked this merit which UKA has today. Lungu skillfully knows the does and don’ts of opposition politics and running government.

10. In UKA, Lungu despite being duped in 2021 has more than 1 million decided voters whose faith in him has doubled and tripled. In and with Lungu, UKA has guaranteed over 1million ECL voters and believers before campaign activities start. This number is now double or triple given the overt failures and lies of HH.

11. UKA has guaranteed media coverage at national, regional and international levels because of Edgar Lungu’s signature. Whenever Lungu speaks, the media shakes, whatever Lungu says, the media captures for news. Lungu makes publicity for UKA easier, bigger and better.

12. UKA is the most feared political force for HH in Zambia today due to ECL’s signature. Without ECL and PF, HH and UPND have little worries for UKA. Lungu makes UKA the most powerful, fearful, vibrant and visible opposition group in Zambia today.

C. The O stands for “OPPORTUNITIES”. Here, l have identified and will briefly list only 12 key external factors and remote dynamics that benefit UKA with Lungu’s signature to easily defeat HH in 2026. These are as follows:

1. Many people are unhappy that UPND is an unapologetic ethnic outfit, regional and tribal party. This ruling party makes key appointments at cabinet, state house, state parastatals and diplomatic levels tribally and ethically so normal and obvious.

2. Zambians now know that UPND won Power in 2021 using unlawful tactics of sponsoring ethnic divisions, tribal hostilities and violent regionalism against a legitimate government-the PF.

3. Most voters are aware that HH and UPND top officials are unlawfully working to totally kill multiparty democracy and impose a one party dictatorship system in Zambia today.

4. Citizens are now aware and are bitter that HH and UPND won power in 2021 based on pure lies, false promises, historic cheating and corrupt manipulation of citizens.

5. In 2026, Zambians will be interested in holding HH and team accountable for the 2024 hunger crisis after selling maize reserves and wickedly imposing starvation and death threats on citizens.

6. Most voters are angry that HH unilaterally auctioned our mineral resources to foreigners by giving tax breaks them while milking every coin from poor Zambians in multiple taxes.

7. Many Zambians now know that HH’s Presidency is marked with bloodshed and death of Jackson Nkungo, PF North Western Chairman who was openly killed by UPND thugs at a named polling station in Solwezi on 12th August, 2021.

8. Voters are now knowledgeable that HH and UPND government runs a kleptocracy-rule by theft with corruption, looting and plundering of public resources is rampant and made ‘normal’.

9. People are so unhappy that UPND is urinating on the RULE OF LAW by paralyzing and weaponizing the judiciary, police, ECZ and enforcement agencies.

10. HH has been exposed and is hated for using tax payers money to hire and pay renowned homosexual promoters like Tony Blair as his State House Presidential foreign advisers.

11. Most voters are disappointed that HH and UPND have made Zambia so regionally divided and ethnically hostile against each other by its tribal policies and inconsistent politics than any previous regime.

12. Many informed Zambians feel betrayed that HH and his UPND officials are using public resources to run tribal, defamatory and divisive rogue media platforms-Koswe and Zambian Watchdog.

D. Conclusion

Many times, heavy rains are introduced by either thick dark clouds or sharp pompous lightning: it is easy to tell that it will rain depending on the detects of the sky. In like manner, political dynamics of today can give us clear indications of what may happen soon or later.

In 2026, it is clear that HH will terribly lose and the next president is highly likely to be Lungu again or an ECL backed candidate. This is where UKA becomes a crucial political alliance. Take it or leave it, the name Lungu is the only name with the most powerful and popular signature to kiss the next president of Zambia regardless of the party or coalition he supports.

Dr Chris ZUMANI Zimba is a Political Scientist, Researcher, Author & Consultant specialized in Comparative Global Governance and Democratic Theories. He holds a PhD, MA, BA and Cert in Political Science. Zimba was President Lungu’s Political Advisor from December 2019 to August 2021. By philosophical approach, Dr. Zimba is a Pan Africanist as well as Afro-Christian by religion.
Email:chriszumaniZimba.cz@gmail.com

LIFE HAS BECOME UNBEARABLE FOR ZAMBIANS – KALABA

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LIFE HAS BECOME UNBEARABLE FOR ZAMBIANS – KALABA

… says citizens should make the right decision and kick out UPND in 2026

NDOLA, MONDAY, MARCH, 18,2024 [SMART EAGLES]

CITIZENS First President Harry Kalaba says life has become unbearable for ordinary Zambians owing to the high cost of living.

Speaking when he featured on Radio Ichengelo this morning, Mr. Kalaba said the UPND Government has failed and Zambians have a chance to make the right decision in 2026.

Mr. Kalaba said the only hope that Zambians have is the United Kwacha Alliance which has the capacity to turn around the economic fortunes of the country.

” Zambians have 20 months to make the right decision and they should not give the UPND chance in 2026 because they have failed. People should rally behind the United Kwacha Alliance so that we defeat the UPND in 2026,” Mr. Kalaba said.

” As UKA we shall support whoever will be chosen to lead and this alliance will succeed because it has proven to be effective in countries such as Kenya and Malawi. Once we take over we shall reduce the cost of living. The money which could have been realised from the tax holidays given to foreign companies by the UPND Government could have been used to subsidize fuel and mealie meal,” he said.

And Mr. Kalaba, the former Foreign Affairs Minister said there is need to revitalize the manufacturing industry in order to enhance economic development and help the vulnerable.

He adds that rampant corruption is affecting the smooth running of the mines adding that Vendata should not have been allowed to takeover Konkola Copper Mines.

” Vendata is a wrong investor to run KCM and they should not have been allowed to takeover the mining company. We need an investor that will work well with the Zambian people and improve their living standards,” He said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Kalaba said the directive by President Hichilema to the police not to arrest suspects without investigations is mere rhetoric because what is happening on the ground is different.

” Rule of law should be seen from a practical point of view. The justice system should not be about punishing citizens and the Chief Justice must step in and help the judicial system,” Mr. Kalaba said.

WHEN ARE THEY ARRESTING MR CORNELIUS MWEETWA?- Fred M’membe

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WHEN ARE THEY ARRESTING MR CORNELIUS MWEETWA?

Over a month ago, we reported Mr. Mweetwa on his confession about promoting, encouraging and abetting tribalism, ethnic divisions and hatred.

And on Tuesday the 13th of February 2024 Mr. Mweetwa is reported to have phoned Mr. Innocent Phiri, a journalist with KBN television to help him kill the story of his confession and promised him to be paid for that. This is also in itself a crime of bribery.

Why has the police not arrested Mr Mweetwa? Why are they quick to arrest citizens or political opponents on trumped up charges and turn a blind eye on the UPND officials? How many citizens are behind bars on allegations of spreading hate speech or tribalism? When are they going to arrest Mr Mweetwa who self confessed on a live broadcast?

Fred M’membe
President of Socialist Party

—–‐–‐——
Our report

REPORTING MR CORNELIUS MWEETWA
AT LUSAKA CENTRAL POLICE, 13 FEBRUARY 2024 AT 16:55 HRS

On Monday between 10 and 14 hours I watched Mr. Cornelius Mweetwa hold a press conference. that press conference at government complex which was streamed live on various platforms. He confessed that he worked well with Mr. Chishimba Kambwili to issue tribal remarks so that the then president Mr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu could be hated by the people and be brought down.

This is a self confession by Mr. Mweetwa of being party to Mr. Kambwili’s hate speeches for which he was charged, arrested, prosecuted and convicted by the courts of law. Confessing to be a party to this crime necessitates that Mr. Mweetwa be similarly charged, arrested and prosecuted for the same crime Mr. Kambwili was convicted for.

Mr. Mweetwa as Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services, chief government spokesperson and ruling UPND chief spokesperson he is not above the law and does not enjoy immunity from criminal prosecution which is only enjoyed by a sitting president.

Mr. Mweetwa has confessed to promoting, encouraging and abetting tribalism, ethnic divisions and hatred. And on Tuesday the 13th of February 2024 Mr. Mweetwa is reported to have phoned Mr. Innocent Phiri, a journalist with KBN television to help him kill the story of his confession and promised him to be paid for that. This is also in itself a crime of bribery.

I therefore, as a responsible citizen and in line with my professional and citizen duties report Mr. Mweetwa to the police so that he can be prosecuted for the crimes stated above.

I hope and pray that the police will favourable respond to my complaint.

My brother is innocent – Sunday Chanda

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My brother is innocent – Sunday Chanda

KANCHIBIYA member of parliament Sunday Chanda says he is convinces that his older brother McPherson Chanda who is former Zampost master general, is blameless of corrupt practices.

On Friday, the Economic and Financial Crimes Court endorsed the two year-jail term imposed on Chanda and his co-convicts Best Mwaiche and Isaac Kawimba for theft by servant, by the Ndola Magistrates Court, over the diverted Social Cash Transfer Funds amounting to K335,108, 834.

However, Sunday says he believes his brother who was in absent when the Court delivered judgement, is lily-white.

“As family we believe in the innocence of our brother. We believe justice will prevail,” said the lawmaker as he politely asked journalists to further inquire from McPherson’s lawyer about the next action.

On July 7,2022 Ndola magistrate Kaunda Sakwanda sentenced Chanda and his accomplices Best Mwaiche director finance and Isaac Kawimba director operations at Zampost to two years simple imprisonment in a matter where they were facing 13 counts of theft by servant.

Magistrate Sakwanda entered a statutory judgement in favor of the Attorney General to reclaim the K335 million.

The three challenged their conviction in the Economic and Financial Crimes Court (High Court Division) on seven grounds of appeal.

They argued that magistrate Sakwanda erred in law and fact when she found that the prosecution had established a case against them beyond reasonable doubt.

Chanda and his accomplices said magistrate Sakwanda erred in law and fact when she entered statutory judgement in favor of the State to recoup the K355 million, having found as a matter of fact that Zampost had only received K98 million as Social Cash Transfer Funds from the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services.

During hearing of their appeal, Chanda and his accomplices admitted having diverted the funds which were deposited into a fixed bank account in order to accrue interest.

The convicts claimed that the interest that was amassed was used for operations to service the public in rural areas.

Their lawyer Jonas Zimba argued that no witness proved fraudulent conduct by the trio, and the failure to prove the key element of an offence should not have resulted into a conviction.

He said the charges were in relation to theft by public servant and not theft by conversion.

ACC prosecutor Monica Mwansa said the particulars on record gave sufficient and reasonable information relating to the nature of the charge and the appellants took plea with legal representation and were ultimately convicted.

She said it was too late for the trio to challenge the indictment and urged the Court to increase the sentence.

Daniel Ngwira submitted that Chanda and his accomplices did not act in good faith, as Zampost was mandated to disburse the social cash transfer funds within 72 hours and not to hold on to it.

In delivering judgement judge Ann Ononuju on behalf of Pixie Yangailo and Vincent Siloka said theft is converting anything that is capable of being stolen and the use of the word stole in preference to conversion in the indictment still amounts to theft.

She said Chanda, Mwaiche and Kawimba had intentions of diverting the funds without authority from the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services.

“By diverting the funds to a fixed deposit account the accused persons converted it to their own use based on the manner Zampost managed or used the funds,” judge Ononuju said.

“The lower court determined the type of theft.
The particulars of the charge were correctly presented and the accused did not protest when taking plea or when they were placed on their defense.”

She said Chanda and his accomplices should have sought approval from the secretary to the treasury before opening a fixed deposit account were the Social Cash Transfer Funds would be held.

Judge Ononuju said the three did not act in good faith as laid down procedure was not followed to withhold funds for seven days whenever it was due for payment in order to amass interest, without consent from the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services.

She said the claims by the convicts that their lawyer had guided that the moving of the funds was legal is unattainable, as ignorance of the law is no defense.

“The convicts did not act in good faith and cannot claim immunity under Section 90 of the Zampost Act. A prudent business decision does not include acting on illegal decisions by moving of government funds without approval from the secretary to the treasury,” she said.

“There is no evidence to prove that the public benefited.”

The Court said magistrate Sakwanda was wrong when she entered a statutory judgement in favor of the State

Judge Ononuju said the statutory judgement created an absurdity because, the Ministry did not suffer any loss and even if the jury tries to consider the loss to award damages to government, no evidence was produced to prove the loss suffered.

“We cannot speculate on the figure whose genesis is unknown. The lower court erred in entering the statutory judgement. The failure by the State to show prejudice suffered meant there was no evidence to assist us to determine the loss and increase the sentence,” judge Ononuju said.

“We do not consider the 24 months sentence wrong at law or principle as the offense attracts a maximum sentence of 15 years.”

She said there are no circumstances warranting the EFCC to interfere with the sentence imposed by the lower Court and proceeded to validate it.

Judge Ononuju further referred the matter to the Register of the High Court to asses the amount of interest earned on the Social Cash Transfer Funds and when determined, Zampost should pay back the accrued interest to the treasury, since the three never benefited from it.

She also guided that warrants of arrest would be issued to law enforcement officers so that Chanda, Mwaiche and Kawimba can be taken to custody to start serving their sentence.

By Mwaka Ndawa

Kalemba

Police explain how the BRE Induna was shot dead

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Police explain how the Induna was shot dead

March 18,2024 -Limulunga Police Station this morning the 18th day of March 2024 at 08:00 hours, received a report of murder from Mr. Tawila Akapelwa aged 47 of Salambango Village in Mongu who reported that his father Mr. Mwangelwa Akapelwa aged 72 , the Barotse Royal Establishment Induna Inete of Salambango Village in Nalubutu Chiefdom was shot dead by unknown persons using a unknown firearm at his residence whilst he was trying to lock up his Toyota Hilux vehicle white registration Number ALE 3788. This happened while he was sitting on the driver’s seat with his right leg almost stepping on the ground. He was shot from the back. On physical inspection of the deceased’s body it had a deep gunshot wound on the back.


Brief facts were that on March 17, 2024 at around 08:00 hours deceased, had gone with his son the reporter, his grandson Mr. Chikombo Tawila aged 19 of the same address and his Son in law Mr. Likomba Imbuwa aged 42 of Mayutolwa Village in Nawasilundu Chiefdom of Mongu to go and check on his field in the plains at Lyangei area where it was reported that there was a snake in his field. This necessitated him to carry his shot gun so that he could go and use it to kill the snake in his field. He only came back from the fields around 15:00 hours on the same day. At around 21:00 hours he left his place taking a bag of mealie meal to unknown place but within Limulunga and came back home around 22:00 hours and upon safely reaching home he called his niece Miss Wakunuma Ngenda aged 20 of Ikatulamo Village in Imbwea Chiefdom of Kalabo to open the door for him.


He first took some few items he was carrying with him into the kitchen and later went back to the vehicle where he was shot at by unknown assailant who is suspected to have been waiting for him within the yard. The sound of the gun was heard by people within the village but they took it that it was the victim who had fired in the air to scare thieves who had been stealing his maize from the storeroom which is within the court yard. His shotgun was found at the trailer of his van and was retrieved to be subjected for ballistic examinations. Investigations to bring the criminals to book have been launched.

Mr. Chileshe Mukuka
Commissioner of Police
Western Province

Barotseland prime minister confirms the shooting dead of senior induna Akapelwa Silumbu

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Barotseland prime minister confirms the shooting dead of senior induna Akapelwa Silumbu

Barotse land prime minister Ngambela Mukela Manyando has confirmed reports that senior Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE) induna Inete Akapelwa Silumbu has been shot and killed at his house in his vehicle by unknown people.

In an exclusive interview with the Zambian Business Times -ZBT, the Barotseland prime minister Ngambela Mukela Manyando revealed that induna Inete Akapelwa Silumbu was shot dead last night at his house in the village.

Manyando said that details of the shooting are still bring gathered. He further added that some induna’s have been sent to the deceased place to gather more information relating to circumstances relating to the death of Inete Akapelwa Silumbu.

” Yes he has been shot dead by unknown people. He was shot dead last night at his house and we are still gathering information now. We have sent some induna’s to his place and when they come back they will tell us how the whole thing happened. But it is true he has been shot dead,” said Manyando.

Barosteland has recently been embroiled in a public dispute with government after some youths and royalists resurrected calls for the independence and succession of Barotseland from Zambia.-ZBT

WHO IS INDUNA INETE?

Induna Inete is the one heading SAA KUTA. This is the Mongu District traditional Kuta where appeals from all Chiefdoms (Lilalo) in Mongu and Limulunga districts are determined.

There is two Court system both at Lealui and Limulunga Palaces. Induna Inete presides over SAA KUTA (Court) while the Ngambela presides over SIKALO KUTA where appeals from all District traditional Courts (Mileneñi) are determined. SIKALO KUTA is the appellate and final traditional Court in Western Province

When both SIKALO and SAA KUTA meet to discuss traditional matters of Barotseland, this is what is referred to as KUTA ya MBOO.

The Powers or status of Induna Inete is equivalent to that of the Ngambelas of our District traditional Courts such as Lyashimba of Mwandi Palace in Mwandi, Imangambwa of Naliele Palace in Kaoma, Yutanga of Namayula Palace in Lukulu, Muleta of Libonda in Kalabo and Mutundwalo of Kaunga-mashi Palace in Shangombo. However, the status of Induna Inete is unique since Mongu district has no Mulena wa Sikiliti and he is presumed to be acting as Mulena wa Mungu but he is just an Induna from the commoners. Furthermore, he is closer to the Ngambela and the Litunga. Ki mwana wa mwa lapa.

May the soul our beloved Akapelwa Mwangelwa Silumbu who was Induna Inete rest in peace

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