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Former Indian politician killed on live TV along with his brother

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Former Indian politician killed on live TV along with his brother

Live on television, a former Indian politician who had been convicted of kidnapping was shot to death alongside his brother.

In Prayagraj, better known as Allahabad, Atiq Ahmed, who was being escorted by police, was speaking to reporters when a gun was drawn dangerously close to his head.

Three individuals who had been pretending to be journalists soon surrendered and were brought into custody after the bullets were fired on Saturday night.

Ahmed’s teenage son was shot dead by police days earlier.

Dozens of cases, including kidnapping, murder and extortion, were registered against Atiq Ahmed over the past two decades. A local court sentenced him and two others to life in jail in March this year in a kidnapping case.

Ahmed had previously claimed there was a threat to his own life from the police.

Video showed Ahmed and his brother, Ashraf, both in handcuffs, speaking to journalists on the way to a medical check-up at a hospital seconds before they were both shot.

Why do Indians vote for ‘criminal’ politicians?
In the footage, shared widely on social media and TV channels, Ahmed is asked whether he attended his son’s funeral.

His last words to camera are: “They did not take us, so we did not go.”

The three suspected assailants had arrived at the site on motorcycles, the police said. A policeman and a journalist were also injured at the scene.

Following Saturday night’s incident, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ordered a judicial probe into the killings and banned large gatherings in the districts of Uttar Pradesh state to ensure peace.

Experts have raised questions on how a man could be killed in front of the media and the police. BBC Hindi correspondent Anant Zanane reported from Prayagraj that the city was in a lockdown-like situation.

Who was Atiq Ahmed?
He had a long stint both in politics and with the criminal world. He was first accused in a murder case in 1979. In the next 10 years, he emerged as a person who had strong influence in the western part of Allahabad city.

He won his first election as an independent candidate and became a state lawmaker in 1989. He went on to win the seat for two consecutive terms and his fourth win came as a lawmaker from the regional Samajwadi party (SP).

In 2004, he won a seat in the federal election as an SP candidate and became an MP. Meanwhile, cases continued to be filed against him in Allahabad and other parts of the state.

Ahmed contested a few more elections in the next decade but lost all of them. In 2019, India’s top court ordered that he should be moved to a jail in Gujarat state after it emerged that he planned attacks on a businessman from a prison in Uttar Pradesh where he was being held awaiting trial in another case.

He was brought back to Prayagraj in March from Gujarat to appear in a local court as it announced his sentencing in a kidnapping case.

Ahmed was also brought to the city to be questioned in other cases. His brother Ashraf, who was in a jail in Bareilly district, was also brought to the city to be questioned.

Why India’s ‘fake encounters’ are shockingly common
They were both being questioned in the February murder of Umesh Pal, a key witness in the 2005 murder of Raju Pal, a lawmaker belonging to the regional Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).

Raju Pal had defeated Ashraf in the 2004 assembly elections in Atiq Ahmed’s political stronghold.

Umesh Pal was killed in February this year when several people fired at him.

Atiq Ahmed’s teenage son Asad and few others were named as the main suspects in the Umesh Pal murder case. Asad and another man were killed by police earlier this week in what was described as a shootout.

‘Crime has reached its peak in UP’
Last month India’s Supreme Court declined to hear Ahmed’s petition in which he alleged there was a threat to his life from the police.

Uttar Pradesh is governed by the Hindu-nationalist BJP, and opposition parties criticised the killings as a security lapse.

“Crime has reached its peak in UP and the morale of the criminals is high,” Akhilesh Yadav, chief the opposition Samajwadi Party, tweeted in Hindi.

“When someone can be killed in firing openly amidst the security cordon of the police, then what about the safety of the general public. Due to this, an atmosphere of fear is being created among the public, it seems that some people are deliberately creating such an atmosphere,” he added.

More than 180 people facing various charges have been killed by police in the state in the past six years.

Rights activists accuse the police of carrying out extra-judicial killings, which the state’s government denies.

The police usually calls them “encounters” – many say these are really staged confrontations which almost invariably end with dead criminals and unscathed police.

Why can’t we transact business with our own currency? – Brazil president wants dollar ‘out’

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Why can’t we transact business with our own currency? – Brazil president wants dollar ‘out’

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, president of Brazil, has backed Beijing’s efforts to reduce the dominance of the US dollar in international trade by urging developing nations to move toward the use of their own currencies as an alternative to the US currency.

Kicking off his first state visit to China since taking office in January, Lula called for the countries of the so-called Brics group of nations — which in addition to Brazil and China includes Russia, India and South Africa — to come up with their own alternative currency for use in trade.

“Every night I ask myself why all countries have to base their trade on the dollar,” Lula said in an impassioned speech at the New Development Bank in Shanghai, known as the “Brics bank”.

“Why can’t we do trade based on our own currencies?” he added, drawing loud applause from the audience of Brazilian and Chinese dignitaries. “Who was it that decided that the dollar was the currency after the disappearance of the gold standard?”

Lula’s call to shed dollar dependence dovetailed with Beijing’s increasing efforts to promote use of the renminbi in settlement of cross-border commodities trades, as Chinese policymakers seek to strengthen the role of the world’s second-largest economy in the global financial system.

The warm reception in Shanghai also came as Brazil’s leftist leader has sought to redirect the country’s foreign policy to a more multilateralist stance, with an emphasis not only on good relations with the US — he visited President Joe Biden in February — but also with China and the developing world.

Lula’s far-right predecessor Jair Bolsonaro had prioritised bilateral ties with the US under former president Donald Trump and other nations led by populist leaders such as Hungary and Israel.

China’s leader Xi Jinping will be keen to persuade the Brazilian president when they meet on Friday to demonstrate that appetite for rebalancing by backing a number of Beijing’s foreign policy initiatives.

These range from the Belt and Road trade and infrastructure programme to other schemes that seek to create alternative international governance systems to those dominated by the US.

Bilateral trade has ballooned over the past decade to $150.4bn last year, with China buying Brazil’s agricultural commodities and minerals and investing in the Latin American country’s large consumer market and infrastructure sector. On Thursday, Lula also visited Huawei, the Chinese telecom equipment company that is subject to US sanctions.

The growing economic relationship has encouraged both countries to promote greater use of their respective currencies in bilateral trade. This week, the Brazilian branch of the state-owned Industrial and Commercial Bank of China settled its first transaction directly in renminbi in the country, Chinese state media reported.

Lula, who was also in Shanghai for the inauguration of his protégé, former Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff, as head of the New Development Bank, used the occasion to make impassioned speech about the need for the Brics countries to trade in their own currencies. Aside from the Brics, the bank’s membership includes Egypt, Bangladesh, Uruguay and the United Arab Emirates.

“Who decided that our currencies were weak, that they didn’t have value in other countries?” he said.

“Why can’t a bank like that of the Brics have a currency to finance trade relations between Brazil and China, between Brazil and other countries? It’s difficult because we are unaccustomed [to the idea]. Everyone depends on just one currency.”

Data from global payments platform Swift shows the Chinese currency’s share of trade finance has more than doubled to 4.5 per cent since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine last year, largely on the back of a boom in shipments between Russia and China.

Maggie Wei, an economist at Goldman Sachs, said there were structural reasons to expect a growing Chinese share of global trade finance.

“In light of the renminbi’s comparatively small role in trade finance relative to China’s market share of around 15 per cent in global goods trade . . . it makes sense for the currency’s share of trade finance to continue rising,” Wei said.

But any effort by Brazil to spurn the US currency in the near term will face a substantial challenge. The dollar is vital to global commodities markets and benchmarks, which encourages top Brazilian miners such as Vale to keep most transactions dollar-denominated.

Sudan unrest: Museveni urges ‘unconditional cessation of hostilities’

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Sudan unrest: Museveni urges ‘unconditional cessation of hostilities’

The secretary of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Dr Workneh Gebeyehu, on Sunday convened an emergency virtual closed meeting of member states and governments.

The meeting was to discuss how best to de-escalate the volatile situation in Sudan and restore calm there.

This followed fierce fighting between the he Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group.

President Yoweri Museveni attended the meeting.

He expressed deep concerns on the current situation and immediately called for a cessation of hostilities between the two sides.

President Museveni addresses the 40th Extra Ordinary Assembly of IGAD Heads of State and Government Emergency virtual closed session on the situation in Sudan. This was at Nakasero on Sunday. PPU Photos

President Museveni addresses the 40th Extra Ordinary Assembly of IGAD Heads of State and Government Emergency virtual closed session on the situation in Sudan. This was at Nakasero on Sunday. PPU Photos

In a statement to IGAD members, Museveni condemned the misuse of force in a situation that undermines all progress made through dialogue over the last several months.

“We cannot keep papering over mistakes of unprincipled politics year after year,” he said.

“An unconditional and immediate cessation of hostilities to stop the tragedy and mockery of Africa is of utmost importance.”

In attendance were presidents William Ruto (Kenya), Salva Kiir (South Sudan), Hassan Sheikh Mohamud (Somalia) and Ismail Omar Guelleh(Djibouti).

It was chaired by IGAD secretary Gebeyehu.

Sudanese greet army soldiers, loyal to army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, in the Red Sea city of Port Sudan on April 16, 2023.

Sudanese greet army soldiers, loyal to army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, in the Red Sea city of Port Sudan on April 16, 2023.

Museveni further said that barring any other illegitimate aim in causing instability, the apparent sticky issue of the time required to implement the merging of warring factions into the ntional army is one that can be determined scientifically, considering known and, or, agreed upon parameters such as health, education, training or age of personnel.

On the concern of the fighting taking place within the populated areas, the Ugandan leader said it is irresponsible and should stop immediately as it places a heavy burden on the people and the future of Sudan.

Museveni told the delegates that Sudan does not belong to either of the fighting groups, but to the people of Sudan, adding that the ultimate arbitration on political issues and determination of governance should be brought back to the people in an election.

It is understood a joint communique on the outcomes of the meeting will be issued on Monday (April 17).

SUDAN INTERNAL WAR

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SUDAN INTERNAL WAR

By CIC Africa.

SUDAN INTERNAL WAR

Clashes between powerful paramilitary and regular army leave at least 25 people dead and 183 wounded, doctors’ group says, sparking global calls for calm in the African country which has seen decades of unrest.

Armed clashes continue between the army and the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan’s capital Khartoum and its various cities. (AA)
Sudan’s military and a powerful paramilitary force have engaged in fierce fighting in the capital Khartoum and elsewhere in the country, dealing a new blow to hopes for a transition to democracy and raising fears of a wider conflict. A doctors’ group claimed at least 25 people were killed and 183 wounded.

Sudanese Doctors’ Union told the reporters on Saturday that it was unable to determine if all the causalities were civilians.
Two people were killed at Khartoum airport, four in neighborhing Omdurman, eight in the city of Nyala, six in the city of El Obeid and five in El Fasher, report indicates citing a source.

After a day of heavy fighting, the military ruled out negotiations with the Rapid Support Forces [RSF], instead calling for the dismantling of what it called a “rebellious militia.” The tough language signalled that the conflict between the former allies, who jointly orchestrated the 2021 coup, was likely to continue.

Sudanese air force called on citizens to stay indoors as they conduct a full aerial survey of areas of RSF activity, a statement on the armed forces Facebook page said.


One eyewitness told reporters late on Saturday they could hear sounds of explosions in the vicinity of the airport in central Khartoum.
The army rejected on Saturday assertions by RSF that they had seized the presidential palace, the army chief’s residence and airports in Khartoum and the northern city of Merowe.


Army chief General Abdel Fattah Al Burhan told Al Jazeera TV, “We think if they are wise they will turn back their troops that came into Khartoum. But if it continues we will have to deploy troops into Khartoum from other areas.”

The RSF leader, General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, better known as Hemedti, called Burhan a “criminal” and a “liar”.
“We know where you are hiding and we will get to you and hand you over to justice, or you die just like any other dog,” he said in an interview with the station.


With conflicting versions of events given by the two sides, the situation on the ground remains unclear.

The RSF said the army had attacked it first, while the army said it was fighting the RSF at sites the paramilitaries said they had taken.
The clashes follow rising tensions between the army and the RSF over the RSF’s integration into the military. The disagreement has delayed the signing of an internationally backed agreement with political parties on a transition to democracy.
Egyptian troops ‘surrender’ to RSF


The army said the Sudanese air force was conducting operations against the RSF. Footage from broadcasters showed a military aircraft in the sky above Khartoum, but this press could not independently confirm the material.

Gunfire could be heard in several parts of Khartoum and eyewitnesses reported shooting in adjoining cities.
Journalists saw cannons and armoured vehicles deployed in the streets of the capital and heard heavy weapons fire near the headquarters of both the army and RSF.


RSF shared a video that they claimed showed Egyptian troops who had “surrendered” to them in Merowe, northern Sudan.
Egypt’s military, in its first comment, said Egyptian forces are present in Sudan to conduct exercises with their Sudanese counterparts and that the military is currently coordinating with relevant Sudanese authorities to guarantee the safety of Egyptian forces.
The video showed a number of men dressed in army fatigues crouched on the ground and speaking to members of the RSF in an Egyptian Arabic dialect.

TV footage showed smoke rising over several areas of Khartoum.
Clashes were also taking place at the headquarters of Sudan’s state TV, said an anchor who appeared on screen.
The Sudanese armed forces spokesperson told the Mubasher television station that the army would respond to any “irresponsible” actions.
Brigadier-General Nabil Abdallah said there was a heavy presence of RSF troops at the TV headquarters in Khartoum.

Eyewitnesses reported gunfire in many other parts of the country outside the capital. Those included heavy exchanges of gunfire in Merowe, eyewitnesses told Reporters.


Clashes had also erupted between the RSF and army in the Darfur cities of El Fasher and Nyala, eyewitnesses said.
The RSF said it had taken control of airports in El Fasher as well as in West Darfur state.


Civilian forces that signed a draft version of that agreement in December called for an immediate halt to hostilities by both the army and the RSF, to stop Sudan from sliding towards “the precipice of total collapse”.


“This is a pivotal moment in the history of our country,” they said in a statement. “This is a war that no one will win, and that will destroy our country forever.”


International powers — Türkiye, US, Russia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Nations, the European Union and the African Union — all called for an end to the hostilities.

Sudan’s army chief Burhan says the army is in control of presidential palace, military headquarters and airport.

A Saudi Arabian Airlines plane at Khartoum airport came under fire during clashes, the state-owned carrier said.
It said it had suspended flights to and from Sudan until further notice. Egypt’s national airline, Egyptair, suspended flights to Khartoum for 72 hours.
The army said the RSF had tried to attack its troops in several positions.
The RSF, which analysts say is 100,000 strong, said its forces were attacked first by the army, which had surrounded one of its bases and opened fire with heavy weapons.


Hemedti’s RSF evolved from so-called janjaweed militias that fought in a conflict in the 2000s in the Darfur region, where an estimated 2.5 million people were displaced and 300,000 killed.


International Criminal Court prosecutors accused government officials and janjaweed commanders of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur.


Hemedti had put himself at the forefront of a planned transition towards democracy, unsettling fellow military rulers and triggering a mobilisation of troops in the capital Khartoum.


The rift between the forces came to the surface on Thursday when the army said recent movements by the RSF, particularly in Merowe, were illegal.

Why HH might not manage to win the 2026 polls

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Why HH might not manage to win the 2026 polls

Why HH might not manage to win the 2026 polls
By Chrispa Mulenga

As of today, there are approximately 1200 days before the general elections of August 2026. To the politically uninitiated, the 2026 elections appear to be a very easy transition for the incumbent President Hakainde Hichilema. Apparently, the opposition is just too weak and disorganized to put up a reasonable fight against the ruling party— so it is claimed!

Although, there is a naïve side of me that really wants to agree with the purveyors of such sentiments, there is that realistic side of thyself that refuses to believe such simplistic political theories.

Yes, we might have Hichilema as our president beyond 2026 but I am convinced beyond reasonable doubt that he won’t get it in the very first round.

There are a number of reasons why I think so.

1. The Lusaka/ Copperbelt factor
As you maybe aware, for one to become President of Zambia, they need to amass 50% plus 1 votes of the total votes. Lusaka and the Copperbelt are the major voting blocks of Zambia. Since time in memorial, these two provinces have always determined who becomes President of Zambia. With an exception of the 2006 and 2008 elections, whoever won out rightly in these two provinces always got the presidency.

As things stand, Lusaka and the Copperbelt are the most economically hit. In these two regions, the ruling party has become extremely unpopular. Problem is the ruling UPND doesn’t appear to have proper strategies that can reverse the trend. If this trend continues, UPND is very likely to get around 40% or less of the Lusaka and Copperbelt vote and that will spell doom for them!

2. UPND has never been naturally liked by Zambians

If you have been following Zambian politics for a while, you will agree with me that out of Zambia’s 7 Presidents, it’s only Presidents Fredrick Chiluba, Micheal Sata and probably Edgar Lungu who enjoyed that natural ‘love’ or ‘affection’ from Zambians. These were voted into power not because they appeared intelligent, rich, handsome or whatever, they were just loved by the electorates.

Look at President Sata! Was that old man really good enough for the presidency? Your guess is as good as mine!

That narrative of ‘naturally-free flowing love’ from the electorates cannot be said about President Hichilema. From the word go, despite his alleged intelligence, wealth and good looks, President Hichilema has never been the people’s man. He won the previous elections solely on sympathy grounds and the fact that the electorate didn’t have another better choice.

The fact that President Hichilema doesn’t enjoy natural affection from majority of Zambians makes him a bit vulnerable in the next elections.

This is the same factor that got President Rupiah Banda booted out during the 2011 polls. RB was a far much better President and the country was doing extremely well. But all that didn’t count because the natural affection which Zambians had for President Sata was just too much.

Conclusion
Forget about tribalism. It’s not so much of a factor these days. There are probably several other reasons why Hichilema might not out rightly win the 2026 elections. But we can only discuss a few reasons at a given time. Social media wasn’t meant for very long write ups.

Remember, 50% plus 1 will again be at play in the 2026 elections. Therefore, it’s not gonna be that easy for the ruling UPND. Let’s also remember that for the first time in the history of Zambian politics, we have a very formidable immediate past ruling party. The PF is capable of wreaking havoc. If they manage to get out of their convention in good shape, they will do wonders.

PF LEAKED CABINET FOR 2026 TO 2031

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PF LEAKED CABINET FOR 2026 TO 2031

PF LEAKED CABINET FOR 2026 TO 2031.

Some PF Senior Members have deliberately leaked Edgar Lungu – Mundubile Cabinet to several PF WhatsApp Groups. The motive of this high class leakage is not known. This document was prepared in March before Mumbi Phiri was released from prison and one wonders how PF thieves knew that Mumbi Phiri will be released. This shows that PF is still very much connected to all government departments including courts. No wonder yesterday you saw Chilufya Tayali with alot of government papers he got from PF members working in government and claimed it’s the Egyptian Government that gave him. So because they have seen that President HH is a clueless leader, the thieves have now regrouped and prepared a cabinet as they are sure that they are bouncing back in 2026 to come and continue stealing from Zambians.

WELL HERE IS THE CABINET WHICH IS CURRENTLY TRENDING IN MOST PF WHATSAPP GROUPS.

Date: 6th March 2023 – Monday
FROM 2026 TO 2031

Highly Confidential
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SHADOW CABINET FOR AUGUST 2026 (PREPARED BY HON MUNDUBILE IN CONSULTATION WITH OUR FATHER HIS EXCELLENCY PRESIDENT EDGAR CHAGWA LUNGU)
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1. REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT: HIS EXCELLENCY BRIAN MUNDUBILE
2. VICE PRESIDENT (RUNNING MATE) HER HONOUR MADAM JOSEPHINE MUMBI PHIRI
3. MINISTER OF DEFENCE: HON. STEPHEN KAMPYONGO MP
4. MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS: HON. GIVEN LUBINDA MP (Nominated)


5. MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION: HON. NICKSON CHILANGWA, MP
6. MINSTER OF GENERAL EDUCATION: HON. DR. JOBBICKS KALUMBA (Nominated)
7. MINISTER OF HEALTH: DR CHITALU CHILUFYA MP

8. MINISTER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT: HON. BOWMAN LUSAMBO MP
9. MINISTER OF JUSTICE: HON. TASILA LUNGU MP
10. MINISTER OF MINES: HON. JOE MALANJI MP
11. MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND LIVESTOCK DEVELOPMENT: HON. Prof. NKANDU LUO MP (Nominated)
12. MINISTER OF INFORMATION (Chief Government Spokesperson): HON. CHILUFYA TAYALI MP (Nominated)
13. MINISTER OF A COMMERCE AND TRADE: HON. EDITH NAWAKWI (Nominated)

14. MINISTER OF FINANCE: HON. SEAN TEMBO MP (Nominated)
15. MINISTER OF WORKS AND SUPPLY: HON. JEAN CHISENGA, MP
16. MINISTER OF GENDER AND RELIGIOUS: REV. MABLE P. NAKAMBA MP (Nominated)
17. MINISTER OF LABOUR: HON. RONALD CHITOTELA, MP

18. MINISTER OF TOURISM, WILDLIFE AND HERITAG: HON. IRIS KAINGU MP
19. MINISTER OF YOUTH AND SPORTS: HON MUNIR ZULU MP
20. MINISTER OF COMMUNITY AND DEVELOPMENT: HON. KAMPAMBA MULENGA, MP


21. MINISTER OF TECHNOLOGY: HON. FRANCIS KAPYANGA, MP
22. MINISTER OF WATER AND NATURAL RESOURCES: HON. BRIAN HAPUNDA MP
23. MINISTER OF TRANSPORT: HON. ACKLEO BANDA , MP

24. MINISTER OF NATURAL DISASTERS: HON. PAUL CHALA, MP
25. MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, FORESTRY AND SOCIAL PROTECTION: HON. RAPHEAL NAKACHINDA. MP (Nominated)
26. MINISTER OF LANDS, HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT: HON. SABOI IMBOELA. MP (Nominated)
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PROVINCIAL MINISTERS:
1. LUSAKA PROVINCE: HON. MILES SAMPA , MP
2. COPPERBELT PROVINCE: HON. PHILIMON TWASA, MP
3. SOUTHERN : PROVINCE HON. CHRISTOPHER SHAKAFUSWA, MP


4. CENTRAL PROVINCE: HON. CHRISTOPHER CHIBUYE, MP
5. EASTERN : PROVINCE HON. MAUREEN MABONGA, MP

6. NOTHERN PROVINCE: HON. SIBONGILE MWAMBA, MP
7. MUCHINGA PROVINCE: HON. LUKA SIMUMBA. MP
8. LUAPULA PROVINCE: HON. PAUL CHANDA, MP (Nominated)


9. NORTH WESTERN PROVINCE: HON. LEEVAN CHIBOMBWE, MP
10. WESTERN PROVINCE: HON. CHRISTOPHER KANG’OMBE, MP

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TOP 4 PARTY STRUCTURES
1. PARTY SECRETARY GENERAL: DR CHISHIMBA KAMBWILI
2. DEPUTY PARTY SECRETARY GENERAL: ANTONIO MWANZA

3. PARTY MEDIA DIRECTOR: DR. PETHIAS CHILUFYA
4. DEPUTY PARTY MEDIA DIRECTOR: ETHEL PHIR

Why were you quiet? Where were all these Ideas when you occupied office?- Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba

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Why were you quiet? Where were all these Ideas when you occupied office?- Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba

Why were you quiet? Where were all these Ideas when you occupied office?

By Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba

Twalasupawila fye!

When President Michael Chilufya Sata promoted and deployed me as Permanent Secretary to Northern Province in November 2011, I immediately got to work.

Until then, I had been serving for ten years as Deputy Permanent Secretary (Administrative Assistant) and Official Spokesperson in the Office of the Second President.

The challenges for the Province were many and extensive.

WORK IN NORTHERN PROVINCE

  1. Muchinga Province is Born

The biggest and urgent task was the presidential proclamation and directive to birth Muchinga Province out of Northern Province.

We had to consult with local government technocrats, negotiate with traditional Chiefs and authorities that were highly suspcious of the move and determine many delicate political, civic and administrative issues.
We also had to determine key issues such as provincial boundaries, provincial headquarters for the Province including new budgets based on district needs and the urgent construction of the new provincial headquarters.

Our pragamatic and hands-on approach made us quickly achieve these monumental assigments within a record periof of six months.

Before long the Province had a Minister, Permanent Secretary and Provincial structures.

  1. Kasama Coffee

The Coffee company had been closed since 2008.

A fradulent investor had bolted after borrowing from banks in excess of $11million against the assets of the coffee company.

The company was in receivership.

In March 2011, Northern Coffee Corporation (NCCL) was formed to take over the assets of Kasama Coffee Company, which had been in receivership since 2008.

The new special purpose vehicle comprised a shareholding structure of the Zambia Development Agency(ZDA) and the indebted banks to turn seek a new equity partner.

The assets consist of five estates on 5,866 hectares of land. Approximately 1,580 hectares on three of these estates were previously cultivated for coffee production with dams, canals and reservoirs for irrigation.

The assets also included dry and wet processing facilities, warehouses, drip irrigation, employee housing and recreational centre, as well as a research centre.

I began to make frequent trips to Lusaka to resolve this crisis.

The Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry and ZDA were proved helpful.

A detailed negotiations with banks revealed that the loans were almost written off as it had been years after default and their commercial interest in the coffee company would be to pay-off the Receiver Manager.

This made the load lighter.

We prepared to seek a credible investor.

We advertised in Zambia, South Africa and London.

It wasn’t long before ZDA had bidders.

After a thorough financial and technical evaluation, and fighting hard against entrenched corrupt interests, a credible company from Singapore won the bid.

Olam International Limited (“Olam”), a leading global, integrated supply chain manager and processor of agricultural products and food ingredients, acquired 100% equity interest in Northern Coffee Corporation Ltd (“NCCL”), the largest coffee estate in Zambia.

The deal was for approximately US$6.15 million.

The company pledged an immediate US$40 million investment as capital expenditure and pre-operative expenditure to fully develop 2,000 hectares of Arabica coffee plantation over the next five years.

The estate planned to yield approximately 4,500 metric tonnes of Arabica coffee beans by financial year 2021 at steady-state.

Now, Northern Coffee Corporation Ltd is the single-largest employer in the province with 2,000 workers and running an out-grower scheme of 3,500 small holder farmers.

MPULUNGU HARBOUR

I was fascinated by the huge potential that Mpulungu Harbour holds.

The recorded exports to the big market of the Great Lakes of commodities such as cement, steel, and foods was impressive.

To-date, in both Burundi and Rwanda, cement is called “Chilanga” because of the decades old supply of the Chilanga cement commodity brand to the region!

But the Harbour is old, inadequate and has no railway link fir bulk products.

The old plans I dusted up showed that integrated approved plans existed to develop a link through TAZARA from Nseluka to Mpulungu and the construction of an ultra-modern Harbour and coupled with new cargo and passenger ship.

Imagine, Lake Tanganyika, the second deepest lake in the world depends on an old passenger 1913 warship, the SSLiemba made by the Germans for the First World War I.

I interested African Development Bank Country Director for Zambia, Dr. Freddie Kwesiga( MHSRIEP) on the harbour project.

He had taken interest in my earlier forceful presentations many times, on rural development agenda, water and sanitation projects and the need to eliminate extreme poverty.

He guided me on what could be done to get funds for feasibility studies and an the construction ultramodern harbour.

We began this process with the team at the Ministry of Finance.

An initial $150million was targeted and later secured to begin feasibility study and works on the rail link and ultramodern Harbour.

I later worked closely with Dr. Kwesiga on a similar grand project to secure funding to revitalize the cashew industry in Western Province.

CHILUBI DISTRICT

An adamant area Member of Parliament had forcefully stalled the construction of a District Hospital in Chilubi for three years!

He had determined that the hospital would be at the Island, the BOMA with a population of 20,000 people.

At the BOMA we have a catholic-run mission hospital, Santa Maria built in 1909.

We had recently invested in the hospital with a new mortuary and operating thearter.

But technocrats had proposed for the new district hospital to be located on the mainland where a population of 100,000 people lived and had no hospital.

The arguments were not tenable by the MP and gis supporters! That the mainland had no power and a District Hospital had to be at the BOMA.

Our people in Chaba area on the mainland accessed medical services hundred of kilometers away either at Santa Maria Mission Hospital on the island or had to go to Lubwa Mission Hospital in Luwingu.

I travelled to Chilubi Island and held consultative meetings.

I immediately overturned the decision to locate two hospitals in a 5km radius and took the hospital to Chaba wgere it was most needed.

I met resistance, threats of witchcraft and faced dismissal.

The provincial Permanent Secretary has limitation and peripheral indluence as projects are run by sector ministries and we were mere supervisors.

I have previously written about this matter of Chilubi District Hospital extensively in the article; “Making Hard Decisions in the Face of Threats”.

But with hindsight, it was worth the risk and the right decision to serve and save a population of 100,000 people in Chaba area on the mainland.

But a bonus was on the way.

Because of relentless troubles of professional staff deserting education and health facilities in rural areas, at our repeated submissions as provincial Permanent Secretaries, Government decided to pioneer setting up of nursing and midwifery schools, and more teacher training colleges in rural areas with a bias to recruit persons from those areas.

Chilubi District benefited from this final investment decision and now has Chilubi Island College of Nursing and Midwifery built and working.

INFRASTRUCTURE

At the time, the Permanent Secretary for Northern Province was Vice-Chairperson to the Permanent Secretary of Local Goverent to the Water and Sanitation Committee that pioneers water and sanitation projects across the country and heavily funded by cooperating partners.

Driven by data that showed areas of high maternal and infant mortality rates in the province usually driven by water and sanitation diseases, we lobbied for some of the biggest water projects in the province. We obtained projects for Nakonde, Isoka, Mpulungu, Kaputa and Chinsali districts after it was identified as the new provincial capital for Muchinga Province.
We also followed up on roads whose funding under project financing with China had stalled after MMD lost power.

We unlocked the Mbala-Nakonde Road, Luwingu-Mansa Road and the upgrade of Lunzua Hydro Power Station which was upgraded from 0.75 MW to 14.8 MW.

We also pushed for the Kasama-Mporokoso Road which had nearly stalled because of political issues.

CONCLUSION

So was I quiet and had no development agenda?

I will tell you on my conceptual and pioneering role on Link Zambia 8000km, reforms for procurement processes and others.

Look for the next articles on initiatives achievements and development agenda for Eastern and Western provinces.

Further look for the innovative work done at Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services and our development tour as Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa and Ethiopia and our remarkable work as Permanent Representative to the African Union ( AU) and to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA).

11th memorial anniversary for George Kunda, Zambia’s 11th Vice-President

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11th memorial anniversary for George Kunda, Zambia’s 11th Vice-President

11th memorial anniversary for George Kunda, Zambia’s 11th Vice-President

ON this day in 2012, lawyer-cum-politiciam George Kunda, State Counsel, died, aged 56.

Kunda was an exceptional lawyer who served, simultaneously, as Minister of Justice and Attorney General under the reign of Zambia’s third president, Levy Patrick Mwanawasa.

When Mwanawasa died in August 2008, he was replaced by his Vice-President, Rupiah Banda.

On November 2, 2008, Banda named Kunda as the Vice-President of Zambia.

Kunda would serve in that office, doubling as the Minister of Justice, until September 23, 2011, when the MMD lost power to Michael Sata’s PF.

Kunda remained in Parliament as Serenje district’s Muchinga Constituency MMD member of parliament, until his death on April 16, 2012.

Kunda was replaced as a member of parliament by his son, Howard Kunda in July 2012, still on the MMD ticket.

Howard was re-elected on the MMD ticket in August 2016 and served until Parliament dissolved in May, 2021, to pave way for the August 2021 general elections.

To remember his father, Howard today wrote an abridged legacy of George Kunda.

Howard’s write-up is here below:

My dear fellow Zambians, today we commemorate the 11th anniversary of the passing of one of our nation’s greatest sons, the late former Republican Vice-President, George Kunda, SC, who was popularly known as GK.

He was a man of integrity and a true disciple of morality.

Born in 1956 to a hard-working miner who migrated from Serenje district in search of better opportunities, GK excelled academically and emerged as the top graduate with distinction in law from the University of Zambia.

He started his service to the people as an employee at the Luanshya Municipal Council. But his passion for law led him to establish his law firm, George Kunda and Company, in 1990.

His legal expertise and exceptional work ethic earned him the position of president of the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) in 1996, a tenure that has been described as the golden age of the Association due to the fearless leadership of his executive, which called out the government when it erred.

For this reason, GK was appointed as one of the first eight nominated members of parliament by then Republican president Levy Mwanawasa (MHSRIP).

President Mwanawasa then appointed him as Minister of Justice and Attorney General, where he openly differed with the president on principle.

Despite their differences, president Mwanawasa never removed him from office, and GK was even re-appointed as justice minister in 2006.

As Vice-President to president Rupiah Banda, GK continued to display exceptional leadership by refusing to practice petty politics as leader of government business in Parliament.

GK’s service to his country was one of great magnitude, and his legacy lives on.

As his son, I strive to carry on my father’s legacy of morality and integrity.

As we commemorate GK’s life and service, let us all strive to serve our country with the same values and principles.

May his soul continue to rest in eternal peace.

Thank you and God bless Zambia.

Pictures credit: Howard Kunda

Kalemba April 16, 2023

Kitwe Mayor Demands For A Reciprocal Share Of Development For Kitwe Residents

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Kitwe Mayor Demands For A Reciprocal Share Of Development For Kitwe Residents

KITWE MAYOR DEMANDS FOR A RECIPROCAL SHARE OF DEVELOPMENT FOR KITWE RESIDENTS

…as she implores the government to urgently rehabilitate Chibuluma Road.

Kitwe, Sunday, April 16, 2023

Kitwe Mayor Mpasa Mwaya has appealed to Government to urgently rehabilitate Kitwe’s CHIBULUMA Road which is in a deplorable state.

Commenting on Dynamic Analysis Zambia, Mwaya counselled that it would be prudent for the Government to immediately reconstruct the Road as it is an international economical Road which allows the passage of heavy duty transport in Kitwe from different places.

Mwaya who bemoans the poor road network in the transit town has since indicted the Ministry of Infrastructure and Urban Development of having poor plans hence failing to even embark on economical Chibuluma Road construction.

The dismayed Kitwe Mayor says it is appalling for the entire Minister of infrastructure and Urban Development Charles Milupi to fail to calculate the contributions in terms of various taxes that the population of Kitwe contributes on a monthly basis to the national treasury.

“As Mayor of Kitwe, my cries and that of Honourable Binwell Mpundu’s on behalf of our residents, have not been looked at objectively because by now, government could have done something about it. Not working on CHIBULUMA Road is indirectly telling truckers to make their own plan and navigate and this leads to them using light duty roads such as President avenue and joining another dilapidated independence road then onto Chingola road,” Mwaya laments.

The KITWE Mayor has since demanded for a reciprocated share of development in form of road infrastructure based on the contributions done by the people in Kitwe.

She says the one million people of Kitwe need development and their contributions in taxes such as ROAD TAX, VAT ON GOODS AND SERVICES , TOLL FEES AT GARNETON TOLL PLAZA, etc should be enough to the treasury and the Minister to trigger for development in the mining Town.

“It needs not take a Judicial mind to tell us what needs to be done and the Infrastructure Minister being an engineer can measure the amount of economic damage being done by have two main bad roads in a transit Town Kitwe,” Mwaya said.

Over 40,000 Bags Of Smuggled Mealie-meal Impounded On The Copperbelt So Far – Hon Matambo

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Over 40,000 Bags Of Smuggled Mealie-meal Impounded On The Copperbelt So Far – Hon Matambo

By Veronica Mwale

Ndola -16th April ,2023

OVER 40,000 BAGS OF SMUGGLED MEALIE-MEAL IMPOUNDED ON THE COPPERBELT SO FAR – HON MATAMBO

Copperbelt Province Minister Elisha Matambo has told journalists in Ndola this morning that over 40,000 bags of smuggled mealie-meal have been impounded including vessels,trucks and small cars on the Copperbelt Province so far.

He said the impounded smuggled mealie-meal will be soon sold back to the members of the public after the legal processes have been concluded at an affordable prices.

The Copperbelt Province Minister was speaking this morning in Ndola when he addressed the media on various issues.

He further said Zambia Correctional Service has also jumped on the band- wagon to offload mealie-meal through the intervention of President Hakainde Hichilema over mealie-meal empasse on the Copperbelt Province.

He said with the coming of Zambia Correctional Service, Zambia National Service (ZNS) and the offloading of more than 90,000 metric tonnes of maize to millers by the Zambian government through Food Reserve Agency (FRA) mealie-meal prices is expected to drop on the Copperbelt Province and all milling companies are expected to start producing mealie-meal at full capacity on the Copperbelt Province.

He further appealed to all members of community to be alert and report any suspicious smuggling of mealie-meal.

And speaking as United Party for National Development Copperbelt (UPND) Province Chairman Hon Matambo said compaigns in Chitimukulu Ward by election in Chililabombwe are going on very well with no single incident of violence recorded so far .

He said each party is going about its business and compaigning freely without any disruption or whatsoever in the ward .
The Copperbelt Province UPND strong man declared the party ready adding …that the ruling party will scoop the ward by election which is being contested by Chitimukulu UPND’s aspiring Councellor Mr Solomon Banda.

Earlier in the morning the Copperbelt Province Minister joined Bishop Joe Imakando for the Big Sunday Service at Bread of Life Church International in Ndola on the Copperbelt Province.

Here he reminded the congregants that in the entire planet there is only spiritual and physical battles.
” We can only win physical battles when we first fight in the spirit .” Hon Matambo said.

And delivering a sermon, Bishop Joe Imakando encouraged christians to always look to God for all their problems .
Hon Elisha Matambo was accompanied by his wife Samantha, government and party officials.

CIC PRESS TEAM

ENVIRONMENT EXPERTS REJECT GMO IMPORTATION MOVE

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ENVIRONMENT EXPERTS REJECT GMO IMPORTATION MOVE

ENVIRONMENT EXPERTS REJECT GMO IMPORTATION MOVE
Lusaka, Sunday (April 16, 2023)
Environment Experts in Zambia have warned that importation of Geneticaly Modified Organisms – GMOs will eliminate indigenous crops that are more nutritious.


Centre for Environment Justice – CEJ Board Member Emmanuel Mutamba also says GMOs breed mechanization which transforms small scale farmers from producers to mere laborers working in commercial farms.


Mr. Mutamba, who is also Green Living Movement Executive Director, cautioned that Zambia would have all the productive means captured by multinational companies.


“The issue, around Genetically Modified Organisms – GMOs, has been a long debate in Zambia. I recall that Green Living Movement and other Civil Society Organizations regrouped around 2010 to push for a ‘No GMO Zambia’ for a good reason,” he said.
Mr. Mutamba said stakeholders realized a long time ago that having non GMO products for Zambia was a huge niche for a market that was looking for non GMO products and was necessary for a healthy nation.


“Research has been done that when you allow GMOs into your environment there are many uncertainties you expect,” he said.
Mr. Mutamba stated that in the agriculture sector, GMOs came with the use of different chemicals such as herbicide glyphosate which was banned in some parts of Europe and elsewhere but would be used as weed killers in Zambia.


He warned that the use of chemicals such as herbicide glyphosate had, according to research, been associated with cancerous diseases.
“We also want a healthy nation because we cannot develop if we have a sick population. Unfortunately, we have another section of society from the scientific world who believe that GMOs are going to enhance productivity in agriculture and increase on food security which is not true because Zambia has been able to feed itself for many years by small scale farmers,” he said.


Mr. Mutamba said 97% of the food in Zambia came from small scale farmers that were practicing traditional farming systems.
“But the potential for Zambia to be an important ‘sort after market’ for non GMO crops is huge. We should take advantage of that market,” he said.


Mr. Mutamba warned that Zambia would go into mono cropping if it ventured into GMOs, thereby taking away the nation’s indigenous seed.
“Zambia shall lose it’s indigenous food which is very nutritious,” he said.


Mr. Mutamba said Zambia’s indigenous crops were resistant to the effects of climate change, an area the country would do badly if it allowed GMOs importation.


“We shall have mono crops and huge mechanized farms of which our people will become laborers instead of being producers. There are so many challenges associated with GMOs as compared with the benefits,” he said.
CEJ COMMUNICATIONS UNIT

The $70million Scandal at ZMMSA and Ministry of Health- Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba

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The $70million Scandal at ZMMSA and Ministry of Health- Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba

The $70million Scandal at ZMMSA and Ministry of Health

By Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba

Ministry of Health and Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency(ZMMSA) are seeking to irregularly pay an Egyptian agency $70million.

The matter of trying to ibrain medicines from Egypt is old and started in 2017.

The matter has been given fresh lease by Minister of Health, Silvia Masebo.

Earlier, they attempted to pay this money but Secretary to Treasury refused as he demanded a Government Account from Egypt since the project was being fronted as a Government to Government agreement.

Following the challenges, a trip was arranged and undertaken.

Ministry of Health dispatched a multi-discipline team to Cairo, Egypt to conduct due diligence of the bulky purchase of medicines.

The team was led by Presidential Advisor on Health, Roma Chilengi.

Upon their return,they forced a single-sourcing procurement where ZMMSA and Ministry of Health would pay the Egyptian Authority for Unified Procurement Medical Agency(UPA) $70million for the medicines.

The UPA was established recently in 2019 to coordinate healthcare initiatives.

The procurement is faulty as the agency is not manufacturer of medicines but is expected to contract other Egyptian companies to source medicines to supply to Zambia.

Further, the procurement has abandoned Zambia’s local suppliers and intend to repatriate over $70m-$120million for these untested medicines.

The medicines have not been subjected to local verification and efficacy test by the Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority(ZMMRA).

Like the purchase of wooden poles where ZESCO obtained a bank loan of $107million and paid Zimbabweans firms for the supply, this procurement ignores local contractors.

I see the Father of the Nation bringing together his family united as one- Hon. Patrick Samwibila

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I see the Father of the Nation bringing together his family united as one- Hon. Patrick Samwibila

Hon. Patrick Samwibila wrote

TO THE PF FAMILY, AS YOU SLEEP AND WAKE UP HERE IS SOMETHING TO REJOICE ABOUT. IT IS MY PRAYER! Happy Sunday 🌹

I see the Father of the Nation bringing together his family united as one. My word to all those aspiring to lead the Mighty PF and all of us the supporters please I say chill and allow ECL to put us together as one strong team. If he, ECL our father is welcoming and interacting with each and everyone, why should anyone have a problem embracing others? Unity in diversity is needed now than ever before.

I DECLARE, NO ONE IS LEAVING! Let’s remain intact and look up to President Lungu, he will surely guide us. And we are praying to God to continue giving him wisdom to unite the PF and indeed the nation for the sake of our most cherished Democracy. The spirit of division we bind in Jesus name. Amen

#LongLiveECL

Welcome to Kanyama, where customers ‘chew’ hookers on credit

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Welcome to Kanyama, where customers ‘chew’ hookers on credit

Welcome to Kanyama, where customers ‘chew’ hookers on credit

By Chrispa Mulenga

IF the craving for ‘nkani yaku bed’ hits you and you are broke, just visit Kanyama township— just less than 3 Kilo meters from the Main Lusaka Post Office.
Good customers here can get sex on credit, I have learnt.
But you will have to pay up on the agreed date without fail, unless of course, you are immune to embarrassment unleashed by the township’s prostitutes.
And if you are a client from outside Lusaka, say Livingstone or Ndola but you frequent Kanyama, an ID or Driver’s Licence is a vital document that must be produced before you negotiate for services.
The two documents will determine how much you will be charged. Just so you know, Driving Licence holders pay more, because you are rich, stupid!
Those who get sex on credit but fail to pay up in time have every reason to worry. One, the sex workers are feared for using witchcraft to make difficult clients pay up. So, the next time you find yourself itching to clear that debt, well, it is because your image is sitting in some smoky pot at ‘Doctor’ Kalonga Kanono’s hospital on Kalusha Bwalya road in Kanyama. Yes, that witchdoctor building an upstairs in Kanyama is the one all prostitutes there run to when dealing with ‘difficult’ clients.

Some truck driver from Chililabombwe ‘chewed’ a prostitute in Kanyama on credit promising to pay when he returns from Kasumbalesa. But for some reason, this man failed to pay within the agreed period. When he went back home ready to be useful to his sexually starved wife, he just discovered his manhood missing. He knew exactly where his manhood was.


SO, the following day he jumped on the next Juldan bus to Lusaka. Once here, he went straight to Kanyama to the prostitute’s house. When he handed her the money, she told him that “isula fridge iyo, elo usalepo iyobe! [ Open that fridge and pick your penis].” In that fridge, he found dozens of penises which had been magically ‘impounded’ from difficult clients.
It’s that bad in Kanyama!

And one more thing. You shouldn’t even make the mistake of warming your way out with counterfeit cash, because most of these ‘service providers’ only accept mobile money. The few who take cash prefer coins! Those with new paper notes have their monies subjected to serious scrutiny, as they do in banks.


Located next to Kanyama, the sprawling Chibolya slum is ever bright with lights from gas lamps and few drug dealers who have managed to ZESCO their houses. Wheelbarrow pushers (ZAMCAB) , general workers and bus drivers and conductors are the main clients.

Clients pay between K30 and K100. However, those who seek ‘goods’ on credit have to pay the regular fee which attracts a 50 per cent interest.

But why give sex on credit.
“The Zambian economy is biting right now. These men are broke most of the time. That is why we had to come up with a business model that is favourable to them. It is sustainable,” one of the sex workers who also plys her trade at the popular Mukupa Guest in the Lusaka CBD told me.

But who are the clients?
“Our clients are mostly Wheel barrow pushers and bus drivers and conductors. This was a virgin and an untapped market especially Wheelbarrow pushers. Everyone one looked down on wheel barrow pushers but these days, they make upto K150 per day. They toil and moil to make a living, which is why they need us to help them relax,” a sex worker told me

Why you should attend Koffi’s show, not Yo Maps

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Why you should attend Koffi’s show, not Yo Maps

Why you should attend Koffi’s show, not Yo Maps

By Chrispa Mulenga

SO, there is this talk concerning the May 27 shows—one which features Congolese Rhumba Maestro Koffi Olomide and another involving our brother Yo maps. In all fairness, both are very good artistes in their own right. In a city with around 3 million residents, each of the two should be able to get themselves a fair share.
But for those music lovers stuck on whose show to attend, I would advise they head to the Koffi Olomide show. And before you accuse me of being unpatriotic, I have some reasons and I hope you will find them convincing.

1. Live Music

I have attended about 6 of Yo Maps’ shows around the country. I have also had a chance to attend 4 of Koffi Olomide’s shows.

Actually, I have attended nearly all of his shows in Zambia since 2008. If you are a true lover of music who really appreciates live music, you will definitely agree with me that the Congolese doesn’t disappoint when it comes to live music. He knows how to do his thing. If real entertainment is what you are looking for, Koffi is the man.

On the other hand, our ‘Olio Olio’ international artiste is a flash disc guy. The few times I have watched him do live music— it was really disappointing. Very pathetic actually. He is an expert in the area of miming. His kind of music can hardly impress those who appreciate good music. It’s mostly kids who get impressed by his impressively unimpressive kind of live music.

2.Venue

I have watched a few shows at Heroes Stadium and when it comes to the quality of the sound output of that stadium, kuwaya waya fye. Any attempt to do live music in that stadium comes out very pathetic. In most cases, it’s only those ku Grand Stand who enjoy a bit. Everyone else gets very bad sound.

3. Choreography

When one goes for shows like the ones Koffi or Yo Maps will be having next month, one of those things they look out for is the dance routines of the artiste and their dancing kings or queens. Bane, when it comes to dance choreography, ba Kasai tabangala. They mean business. Koffi’s dancing queens can dance. You can’t compare their kind of thing to what Yo Maps and his minions do on stage. With Koffi and his dancing queens, you will get proper entertainment and value for your money not masobela.

4. Security

The quality of fans Koffi attracts and those our brother Yo Maps attracts differs a bit. If you decide to attend Yo Maps’ show, you will find plenty of kids from the compounds and also pick pockets. Chances of you being robbed at Yo Maps’ show are very high compared to the show for the Congolese.

Most importantly, you are likely to rub shoulders with one or two important Zambians at Koffi’s show and might even get some business or job opportunities there. But at Yo Maps’ show, there won’t anything like that. You will definitely lose your phone if you go there!

From Blood Diamonds to Gold Mafia: Grace Mugabe’s Role in Diamond & Ivory Smuggling Revealed

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From Blood Diamonds to Gold Mafia: Grace Mugabe’s Role in Diamond & Ivory Smuggling Revealed

From Blood Diamonds to Gold Mafia: Grace Mugabe’s Role in Diamond & Ivory Smuggling Revealed

Shocking revelations from the latest episode of Al Jazeera’s Gold Mafia documentary have sent shockwaves through Zimbabwe as former First Lady Grace Mugabe is implicated in a scandal involving the smuggling of gold and diamonds out of the country.

Cleopas Chidodo, CAAZ security manager, revealed that Grace Mugabe used her position of power to amass a fortune through illegal activities, taking advantage of her exemption from airport searches.

According to Chidodo, planes would be sent to diamond mines where the finest diamonds would be handpicked and flown to Dubai via Harare International Airport, without being subjected to any searches due to the First Family’s special privileges.

Chidodo also exposed how Grace Mugabe was involved in ivory trafficking, with poachers being sent to kill elephants and the ivory being flown out of the country as cargo, all without her husband, former President Mugabe’s knowledge.

Fury on Social Media as Grace Mugabe’s Involvement in Smuggling and Ivory Trafficking Comes to Light!
Social media has been abuzz with outrage, with many Zimbabweans expressing their anger and frustration over the looting of the country’s precious minerals and wildlife by the former and current First Family and by those who have been implicated in the Gold Mafia scandal.

Here are some of the reactions;

@Alice_flower99;

Smuggling IVORY and encouraging poaching. Smuggling diamonds. Grace Mugabe was the worst guys. Been saying it for the longest.

@CCC4lye;

Hanzi na Chidodo we are used to this he spoke about smuggling of ivory by Grace Mugabe these mafias needs to go so Auxillia and ED are rolling forward from where the looting car left

@BrianRupiya;

Then enter Grace Mugabe…we seriously need to take our country back from these criminals Killing elephants and looting our minerals and smuggling them at large scale

@samkebusiness;

No mani Dubai must give us all the proceeds from our minerals. It’s not right honestly. Grace Mugabe smuggled our diamonds and took them to Dubai. This is triggering Zimbabwe deserves better leaders.

Women Unite Against Baby-Making Machine, File Lawsuit To Stop Him From Fathering More Children

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Women Band Together to Stop Baby-Making Machine From Fathering More Children

A Dutch man who fathered over 550 children is facing a lawsuit for allegedly disregarding guidelines set forth by Dutch authorities and putting the mental and physical well-being of his children at risk. The man, identified as Jonathan M., is a serial sperm donor who has been accused of fathering children all over the world, sparking concern about the increased risk of accidental incest among his offspring.

Going Against Guidelines
Dutch guidelines state that a man can only donate his sperm for up to 25 offspring or for 12 families, in order to prevent incest and protect the mental health of the children. However, the mother of one of his many children and the Donorkind Foundation claim that Jonathan M. fathered hundreds of children over the past decade and blatantly disregarded the rules. They have filed a lawsuit to prevent him from fathering any more children.

Protecting Children’s Well-being
The mother who filed a complaint against the donor expressed her concerns, saying

“If I had known he had already fathered more than a hundred children, I would never have chosen this donor. When I think about the consequences this can have for my child, I become insecure about his future: how many more children are added? Going to court is the only way to protect my child.”

The Donorkind Foundation’s lawyer, Mark de Hek, echoed the sentiment, saying,

“The donor prioritized his urge to reproduce and his conduct poses a threat to the mental and physical well-being of donor children.”

Reckless Behavior
Despite the attention he received in 2017 after fathering over 100 children, Jonathan M. apparently continued to offer his sperm to prospective mothers through social media and lied about the number of children he had fathered. Recipients relied on his commitment to only conceive up to 25 children, but he allegedly betrayed their trust and fathered more than 550 children all over the world.

Jonathan M. has reportedly refused to comment on the allegations, and Dutch media outlets have reported that he is currently living in Kenya.

This reckless behaviour has sparked outrage among women who used Jonathan M.’s sperm and the Donorkind Foundation, who are fighting to prevent him from fathering any more children.

“Don’t Trust Any Black Person” : Gold Smuggler Ewan MacMillan’s Ugly Racism Uncovered

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“Don’t Trust Any Black Person” : Gold Smuggler Ewan MacMillan’s Ugly Racism Uncovered

A shocking racist slur
Ewan MacMillan, a gold smuggler who has claimed to be a business associate of Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa, has been caught on camera making racist remarks about black people, specifically United Kingdom-based Zimbabwean preacher Uebert Angel.

In a documentary called “Gold Mafia,” which aired recently, MacMillan is seen making the comment to undercover journalists who were posing as gangsters.

MacMillan warned the journalists not to invest with a “black guy” like Angel, whom he described as sly and untrustworthy.

Said MacMillan,

“Do me a favour; whatever you do, listen to what I say.

“Don’t invest with a black guy. You will die. They will tell you just lies.

“You’ll invest, you’ll lose all your money. Do not trust any black person,”

Al Jazeera’s investigation
The “Gold Mafia” documentary, which is the fourth and final instalment in the series, was produced by Al Jazeera. It was created to expose corruption in Zimbabwe’s gold industry.

MacMillan was one of the subjects of the documentary, and he was filmed by undercover journalists who were pretending to be involved in a billion-dollar money laundering scheme.

MacMillan also appeared in the documentary as a competitor to Angel, who was featured in the first episode of the series. In that episode, Angel offered to use his diplomatic bag to launder $1.2 billion.

Are We That Stupid? – Zimbabweans React To Prof Madhuku’s Defence Of Uebert Angel’s Gold Mafia Role
From Blood Diamonds to Gold Mafia: Grace Mugabe’s Role in Diamond & Ivory Smuggling Revealed


Other players in the scandal


Angel, who is the Zimbabwe ambassador-at-large, was also heavily featured in the documentary. He has been accused of being the face of Zimbabwe’s dirty gold smuggling scandal.

During one of the meetings with the undercover journalists, Angel tried to persuade them to engage with Zanu PF politician and gold dealer Pedzisai ‘Scott’ Sakupwanya in the deal.

Sakupwanya, who is also thought to be a front for some corrupt political elites, confirmed that he had sold “six tones” of gold in 10 months. He offered to pay investors 10 percent per month.

Ewan MacMillan’s racist comment is both shocking and disappointing. Racism has no place in our society, and we should all do our part to combat it. We hope that this incident serves as a wake-up call for all of us to be more vigilant against racist attitudes and behaviors.

Full list of allegations against Jack Teixeira

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Full list of allegations against Jack Teixeira

New information about Jack Teixeira’s access to classified documents, his military career, and the sequence of events leading up to his arrest on April 13 has been revealed by the criminal charges brought against him. Teixeira is suspected of leaking vital US defense documents.

A 21-year-old Massachusetts Air National Guard member named Mr. Teixeira is currently charged with one count each of “unauthorized retention and transmission of national defense information” and “unauthorized removal and retention of classified documents or material.”

Together, the charges carry a maximum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment.

The documents, which were reportedly shared to an online gaming chatroom, included detailed information about the war in Ukraine, as well as US intelligence regarding other allies and adversaries across the globe.

While US officials have so far not provided details about the investigation and the scope of the leak, court documents filed on Friday offer a glimpse into Mr Teixeira’s life and how the leak is alleged to have taken place.

This is what the charging document says.

Documents first posted in December

The criminal complaint against Mr Teixeira includes an affidavit written by an FBI special agent who specialises in counter-intelligence and espionage matters.

In the affidavit, FBI Special Agent Patrick Lueckenhoff says an individual using a username later linked to Mr Teixeira through payment records began posting what appeared to be classified information in December 2022.

The posts were made on a Discord chat server devoted to the discussion of geopolitical affairs, the affidavit says.

In January, the affidavit says photographs of documents which “contained what appeared to be classification markings on official US government documents” were posted.

An unnamed social media user, identified only as User 1, told the FBI that one of the documents posted in the initial tranche “described the status of the Russia-Ukraine” conflict, including troop movements on a particular day.

The affidavit describes the document as “based on sensitive US intelligence, gathered through classified sources and methods”.

Its “top secret” classification meant that its disclosure could cause “exceptionally grave damage” to national security, the affidavit notes.

User 1 also told the FBI that Mr Teixeira said he had “become concerned that he may be discovered making the transcriptions of text in the workplace, so he began taking the documents to his residence and photographing them”.

Photographs of some of the leaked documents reviewed by BBC News appear to have been taken at a residential address. In several, a kitchen countertop and floor tiles are clearly visible, while in others various personal items can be seen on a desk.

Mr Teixeira had ‘top secret’ clearance

The court documents show that Mr Teixeira enlisted in the Air National Guard in September 2019. He is currently an E-3/airman first class – a relatively low rank – and as of February was listed as a “Cyber Defense Operations Journeyman”.

In 2021, he was granted a “top secret” security clearance. The same year, he was also given “sensitive compartmented access” to other classified US government programmes.

To get this clearance, he would have been required to sign a lifetime, binding non-disclosure agreement “in which he would have had to acknowledge that unauthorised disclosure of protected information could result in criminal charges”.

Mark Zaid, a national security lawyer who frequently works on cases involving classified information, told BBC News it would not be unusual for someone as young as Mr Teixeira to have access to classified documents such as the ones that were leaked online.

“There are a lot of people that age who have access to classified information, particularly in the National Guard,” Mr Zaid said. “The issue is more of why did he have access to documents that he likely had no need to know.”

As an airman assigned to cyber transport systems, Mr Teixeira’s work meant that he was responsible for helping operate the Air Force’s global communications network.

Mr Zaid said that this role would have given Mr Teixeira access to the Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communications System, or JWICS, which he described as a “library of information” regarding US intelligence.

A search for the word ‘leak’

The criminal complaint also alleges Mr Teixeira used his government computer to search for intelligence reporting for the word “leak” on 6 April – the same day as the first public reporting about the leak.

“Accordingly, there is reason to believe that Teixeira was searching for classified reporting regarding the US intelligence community’s assessment of the identity of the individual who transmitted classified national defense information,” the document adds.

Charged under the Espionage Act

The charges also show that Mr Teixeira’s criminal charge stems, in part, from the Espionage Act.

Specifically, his first charge is under a statute that calls for a prison term of up to 10 years – as well as fines – for anyone who “copies, takes, makes or obtains or attempts to copy, take, make or obtain” a variety of government documents.

This information, the statute notes, “could be used to the injury of the United States of to the advantage of any foreign nation”.

Man ‘eaten alive’ by bed bugs in jail

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A man who died in an Atlanta jail cell was “eaten alive by insects and bed bugs”, the family’s lawyer has alleged.

Lashawn Thompson was jailed on a misdemeanour and placed in the Fulton County Jail psychiatric wing after officials judged him mentally ill.

Family attorney Michael D Harper released photos showing Mr Thompson’s body riddled with bugs.

He is calling for a criminal investigation and told reporters a lawsuit is pending.

“Mr Thompson was found dead in a filthy jail cell after being eaten alive by insects and bed bugs,” Mr Harper said in a statement. “The jail cell Mr Thompson was housed in was not fit for a diseased animal. He did not deserve this.”

According to a Fulton County Medical Examiner’s report, Mr Thompson was found unresponsive in his jail cell on 19 September – three months after his arrest – and pronounced dead following attempts by local police and medical personnel to resuscitate him, according to USA Today.

Mr Harper says jail records show detention officers and medical staff noticed Mr Thompson was deteriorating but did nothing to administer aid or otherwise help him, BBC’s US media partner CBS News reported.

The medical examiner’s report said there was a “severe bed bug infestation” in his cell in the psychiatric ward but said there were no clear signs of trauma on Mr Thompson’s body.

The report listed the cause of death as undetermined.

How can bed bugs be deadly?
Photos released by the lawyer paint a morbid picture of Mr Thompson, whose face and torso can be seen covered in bugs.

Conditions of the jail cell as seen in the images are “horrific”, said Michael Potter, an entomologist at the University of Kentucky, who specializes in bed bugs.

“I’ve dealt with bed bugs for 20-plus years,” Mr Potter told the BBC. “I’ve never seen anything quite to this level.”

Bed bug bites are not usually deadly, but in some rare cases, Mr Potter said, prolonged exposure to a massive bed bug infestation can cause severe anaemia, which can be lethal if left untreated.

“Bed bugs feed on blood and very large numbers of bed bugs feed on very large amounts of blood,” Mr Potter said. In other extreme cases, Mr Potter said, victims may experience an allergic reaction and go into anaphylactic shock, which can also be deadly.

County launches investigation
“It’s no secret that the dilapidated and rapidly eroding conditions of the current facility make it incredibly difficult to meet the goal of providing a clean, well-maintained and healthy environment for all inmates and staff,” the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.

The Office, which runs the jail, has announced a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding Mr Thompson’s death. In addition, the statement said, it had made an immediate expenditure of $500,000 “to address the infestation of bed bugs, lice, and other vermin within the Fulton County Jail”.

The jail has also updated “protocols for security rounds to include addressing sanitary conditions,” according to the statement.

“The ongoing investigation is examining details regarding the medical care provided and ultimately will determine whether any criminal charges are warranted in this case,” the statement said.

The Sheriff’s Office also reiterated a call for building a new, larger jail to “provide an elite level of care, mental health services, security and cleanliness.” County commissioners are studying feasibility plans for a new Fulton County Jail, which has a long reputation of being overpopulated, underfunded, and unsanitary.

Last year, the Southern Center for Human Rights published a press release titled Uncontained Outbreaks of Lice, Scabies Leave People at Fulton Jail Dangerously Malnourished, in which it outlined the many troubles plaguing the facility and offered recommendations to “contain future outbreaks” and improve “hygiene practices”.

BBC

 Jack Teixeira: US airman, 21, charged over pentagon document leak

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 Jack Teixeira: US airman, 21, charged over pentagon document leak

In a court hearing in Boston, the US airman accused of disclosing secret intelligence and defense documents was formally charged.

Jack Teixeira, 21, wore shackles and a prison uniform as he stood before a federal judge on Friday.

After a shout of “love you, Jack” from a person in the courtroom, the defendant replied “you too, dad”.

Mr Teixeira faces up to 15 years in prison over charges of unauthorised transmission of defence information.

He is also charged with the unauthorised removal and retention of classified documents.

The airman faces up to 10 years in prison for the first charge, and up to five years in prison for the second.

The dozens of leaked documents had revealed US assessments of the war in Ukraine as well as sensitive secrets about American allies.

The leaks embarrassed Washington and raised fresh questions over the security of classified information.

Mr Teixeira was arrested by armed FBI agents at his family home in Massachusetts on Thursday.

The judge ruled that the suspect qualifies for a public defender – a lawyer employed at public expense in a criminal trial for people who cannot afford legal fees.

Mr Teixeira remains in custody.

US President Joe Biden thanked law enforcement in a statement for their “rapid action” to investigate the source of the leaks. He said he has directed US military and intelligence to secure and limit distribution of any more sensitive information.

‘Top secret clearance’
The leaked intelligence material first appeared in a Discord chat room on which Mr Teixeira is said to have been an administrator. Its members would often discuss geopolitical affairs and wars.

The affidavit provided by FBI Special Agent Patrick Lueckenhoff to the court stated that the suspect began posting the leaked documents some time in December.

The initial leaks were in the form of paragraphs of text, according to the affidavit, but Mr Teixeira then moved on to posting photographs of documents in January.

It was not until intelligence material was posted outside the chat room group that Pentagon officials became aware of the leak, prompting a search for the culprit.

Mr Teixeira worked as an IT specialist in the intelligence wing of the Massachusetts National Guard, based at Otis Air National Guard Base in western Cape Cod.

The National Guard is a reservist wing of the US Air Force. They are not employed full-time in the military, but can be deployed when necessary.

Mr Teixeira’s official title was cyber defence operations journeyman, according to the criminal complaint filed in the Boston court. He held the rank of Airman 1st Class – a relatively junior position.

The affidavit stated that Mr Teixeira held a “top secret” security clearance since 2021, and that he would have “signed a lifetime binding non-disclosure agreement” to take on his role.

Mr Luekenoff added the suspect “would have had to acknowledge that the unauthorized disclosure of protected information could result in criminal charges”.

The affidavit also alleged that Mr Teixeira used his government computer to search classified intelligence reporting for the word “leak” on 6 April – the day when public reporting about the documents first emerged.

Prosecutors alleged that Mr Teixeira searched the term to learn whether US intelligence had information on the identity of the person behind the leaks.

President Macron signs new pension age into law

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President Macron signs new pension age into law

The extremely unpopular pension reforms which raise the state pension age from 62 to 64, have been signed into law by French President Emmanuel Macron.

It took place hours after France’s highest constitutional council approved the modification.

The Constitutional Council rejected calls for a referendum from the opposition, but it also ruled that key portions of the amendments were invalid due to legal issues.

After the council made its decision, demonstrators set fire to Paris, and 112 people were detained.

Since January, there have been twelve days of protests opposing the reforms.

The measures will continue to be opposed, and on May 1st, unions are urging workers all over France to go to the streets once more.

President Macron argues the reforms are essential to prevent the pension system collapsing. In March, the government used a special constitutional power to force through the changes without a vote.

He signed the reforms into law in the early hours of Saturday morning.

The Labour Minister Olivier Dussopt has said he expects the reforms to come into effect by the start of September.

After the Friday ruling of the Constitutional Court, trade unions made an unsuccessful last-ditch appeal to the president not to sign the pension-age increase into law.

The unions pointed out that six concessions that had been added to the reforms were rejected by the court, so what was already unfair was now “even more unbalanced”.

Among the reforms struck down by the nine members of the Constitutional Council was a so-called “senior index” aimed at urging companies with more than 1,000 workers to take on employees over 55.

Mr Dussopt has vowed to improve the employment rates of those aged over 50 in an effort to ease concerns about the financial impacts of the raised retirement age.

The authorities had banned demonstrations in front of the Constitutional Council building in Paris until Saturday morning, but crowds of protesters had gathered nearby on Friday and the ruling was met with jeers.

Some demonstrators chanted they would continue protesting until the changes were withdrawn.

Later, several fires were set across the city as riot police tried to contain the situation, sometimes using tear gas. A Paris police official said 112 people have been arrested.

Fires were also lit during demonstrations in Rennes and Nantes, while there were tense standoffs at times between protesters and police in Lyon.

SOLDIERS TO RETIRE AT AGE 65

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SOLDIERS TO RETIRE AT AGE 65

SOLDIERS TO RETIRE AT AGE 65

Government has included members of the defence forces to enjoy retirement age upto the age of 65years!

This is according to a new draft instrument signed by President Hakainde Hichilema submitted by Minister of Defence to Cabinet Office.

Below is the letter;

The Secretary to the Cabinet Cabinet Office LUSAKA

RE: SUBMISSION OF SIGNED STATUTORY INSTRUMENT ON RETIREMENT AGE TO INCLUDE DEFENCE FORCE PERSONNEL

Reference is made to the above stated subject matter.

2. A draft Statutory Instrument (SI) has been signed by the Republican President and Commander-In-Chief of the Defence Forces, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, on the Amendment of Statutory Instrument on Retirement Age to include Defence Force Personnel.

3. The signed draft Statutory Instrument (SI) is submitted for Publication.

Please find enclosed herewith one (01) copy of the original signed Statutory Instrument (SI) for your immediate action.

Ambrose Lwiji Lufuma, MP MINISTER OF DEFENCE

cC: Permanent Secretary (Administration)

STATUTORY INSTRUMENT NO.OF 2023

The Public Service Pensions Act (Laws, Volume 15, Cap. 260)

The Public Service (Retirement Age)

Regulations, 2023

IN EXERCISE of the powers contained in section 33 of the Public Service Pensions Act, and in consultation with the Board, the following Regulations are made:

Title

1, These Regulations may be cited as the Public Service (Retirement Age) Regulations, 2023.

Interpretation

2. In these Regulations, unless the context otherwise requires “officer” has the meaning assigned to the word in the Act.

Application

3 These Regulations do not apply to an officer of or below the rank of Chief –

(a) Inspector in the Police Force; or
(b) Officer II in the Prison Service.

Age of retirement of officer
4.
(1)
(a
(b)
An officer shall retire at the age of sixty-five years, and may, on giving twelve months’ notice and subject to the approval of the President, retire on or after attaining the age of sixty or after completing.

Emmanuel Eboue: How I Lost All My Millions To My Ex-Wife

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Emmanuel Eboue: How I Lost All My Millions To My Ex-Wife

Eboue: How I Lost All My Millions To My Ex-Wife
Former Arsenal star Emmanuel Eboue has revealed how he lost millions of pounds of his earnings and gone from a rich football star to a poor man on the brink of suicide.

He is seeking divine intervention to prevent him from taking his own life.

“I want God to help me,” Eboue told the Mirror. “Only he can help take these thoughts from my mind.”

Ivorian defender Eboue 34, narrated to the Mirror his heartbreaking story of financial, mostly pointing the finger at his estranged wife Aurelie and his own naivety.Eboue told the British tabloid that he lost all his money to Aurelie, who he claimed also handled his finances, in their divorce settlement and has been ordered to also give up his house in London to the ex-wife.
It is now three weeks since a deadline passed for Eboue to surrender ownership of the North London home he used to share with Aurelie and the fallen star could be forcibly ejected.
Eboue and his wife lived there before Eboue bought a mansion – which Aurelie has now put on the market.

So Eboue now awaits the knock that will see him ordered to leave at any time.
I can’t afford the money to continue to have any lawyer or barrister,” Eboue told the Mirror.

“I am in the house but I am scared. Because I don’t know what time the police will come.

“Sometimes I shut off the lights because I don’t want people to know that I am inside. I put everything behind the door.

“My own house. I suffered to buy my house but I am now scared.


Eboue made millions of pounds at Arsenal and then more than £1.5million a year at Turkish side Galatasaray but admits he was never given ­guidance to manage his finances.

“I look back and say ­‘Emmanuel, you have been naive… why didn’t you think about that before?’ It is hard,” he added.

“Very, very hard. The money I earned, I sent it to my wife for our children.

“In Turkey I earned eight million euros. I sent seven million back home. Whatever she tells me to sign, I sign.

“She is my wife. The problems with FIFA (when he was banned for a pay dispute with an agent) were because of people advising me. People who are supposed to care. But it was because of them FIFA banned me.”

Eboue surrendered his expensive cars among assets to his wife, and now relies on London public transport.

The Mirror repprts that Eboue splits his time between the Enfield house and the home of a ­confidante he calls his “sister” – Yasmin Razak.

He often sleeps on a mattress on her living room floor.

But even watching TV – and seeing the likes of former team-mate Thierry Henry as a football pundit – triggers negative thoughts.

He adds: “When I see Thierry I feel happy for him but ashamed of my own situation.

“When I see friends on TV that I played with or against I say to myself ‘I should still be there’. It’s hard to watch them.” See less

Simon Mwewa Lane A Boy In A Huge Body – Munir Zulu

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Simon Mwewa Lane A Boy In A Huge Body – Munir Zulu

CHITAMBALA A BOY IN A HUGE BODY – MUNIR ZULU

I have been made aware of a silly comment by Chitambala Mwewa about me. This is a man who is old enough to be a father to someone of my age. Yet, when you look at his behavior every day, he behaves half his age. At his advanced age, he should be one of this country’s pillars of wisdom whom, we young ones should go to for counsel on how to navigate in life, generally. Given his childish behavior, the man is young in behavior but old in body.

This young man in the body of an old man is not divine authority for him to foretell my destiny. He is not messiah. Why does this young man in a body of an old man always predict misfortunes of others? He once gave Chilufya Tayali’s marriage one year. Perhaps, he was wrong.

I hear all he does is surf the internet, stalking for who to pick a quarrel with and that, he does so, in the comfort of his inherited building, which apparently, is one of Zambia’s oldest and horrible dilapidated building that needs thrashing urgently.

You see, inheritance is okay because after all, we all have to leave something worthwhile for our children. What is awkward, and should not be okay for any functional person is to leave your inherited property left for you by your father, to your own children as their only inheritance coupled with your American accent. Inherit what your father left for you but also, leave something of your own work for your children.

What will Chitambala leave behind for his children? His English? The American accent or may be his selfie sticks, gloves and that huge oversized reflector and his big clothes?


At my age, I have more to leave for my children than Chitambala has to leave for his children. Yet, the man got all the exposure to the world class education which his late well respected father, took him to. You go to America and come back with Accent and English lessons? Not even a diploma in something meaningful? Grow up Chitambala. Look into a correct mirror and see just how big you are. Behave your size. You have no monopoly of wisdom and intelligence. Take your silliness, your madness elsewhere.

High Court Of Kenya Court Stops Kenya – Zambia Maize Deal

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High Court Of Kenya Court Stops Kenya – Zambia Maize Deal

HIGH COURT STOPS KENYA – ZAMBIA MAIZE DEAL
By Correspondent Reporter
THE High Court of Kenya has temporarily suspended the decision by the Kenyan government to contract Zambian farmers to grow maize for exclusive export to Kenya.


High Court Judge Mugure Thande issued the order stopping Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi from moving on with the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Kenya and Zambia, to produce maize in Zambia for export to Kenya.
The suit filed by the Farmers’ Party argued that the decision was a dereliction of duty by the government.
Linturi has declined to comment on the ruling and maintained that the country has sufficient food reserves to cushion Kenyans in the coming months.


Early last month while on a working visit to Zambia, Linturi announced to the nation that he had penned an MoU with his Zambian counterpart, an understanding that would see Kenyan farmers allocated 20,000 hectares of land for large-scale farming.
Linturi said the maize would be grown exclusively for export to Kenya to help the country fight the worsening food situation in the country.
“The Zambian got is willing to collaborate with us to give us support to make sure the cost of food comes down, the minister has confirmed he is willing to join us with large-scale farmers in Zambia to grow maize for export to Kenya,” he said on March 7, 2023.
However, cracks began to emerge in that deal early this week when the Zambian Ministry for Agriculture appeared to u-turn after pressure from citizens who condemned the move.


Zambia is also facing food shortage after it exported most of its maize to the Kenya, Burundi and the DRC.
On Friday, the high court in Nairobi added salt to injury, applying brakes on the implementation of the memorandum, following a suit by the Farmers’ Party of Kenya.


Filed under a certificate of urgency, the party avers that the decision by the government of Kenya to contract Zambian farmers was irrational, illegal and in gross violation of the Constitution of Kenya.


High Court judge Mugure Thande issued the order saying in part, “After considering the principles for grant of conservatory orders at the ex-parte stage, I find that the orders sought in the application are merited.”


“The situation has been stabilised by the imports that we allowed and I expect it to get better. In another few weeks when the maize we had ordered comes into the country the price will get to below the 180,” CS Linturi said.


The Farmers Party, which is led by former Principal Secretary Irungu Nyakera, argues in the lawsuit that the government should support local Kenyan farmers to produce food because agriculture is the backbone of the Kenyan economy.


“After considering the principles for grant of conservatory orders at the ex-parte stage, I find that the orders sought in the application are merited,” the judge ruled.
The case will be mentioned on May 16.

REMOVAL OF LEMMY KAJOBA SHOULD BE SUPPORTED

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REMOVAL OF LEMMY KAJOBA SHOULD BE SUPPORTED

REMOVAL OF LEMMY KAJOBA SHOULD BE SUPPORTED

By Isaac Mwanza

The removal of Lemmy Kajoba as Inspector General of Police should be supported by all Zambians. Well done President Hakainde Hichilema!

The actions by Zambia Police under the Kajoba regime diluted most of the good pronouncements President Hichilema made immediately he took over power. Those pronouncements won him great commendation among the international community.

But following those good presidential pronouncements, the Zambia Police under Kajoba made it difficult for Zambians to enjoy the rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution. I interact with some members of the international community and you can sense discontent among them that what is happening in Zambia on contrary to what the President had wanted for Zambia or they thought would be happening.

But replacing that Kajoba with that old man just also signals that President Hichilema wants the old tactics to continue being used in policing. That man learnt policing from an old school when the police was still a force.

President Hichilema’s 2021 victory shoukd hage heralded a new beginning for Zambia but it is not. He appears to be stuck in using the old folks and expecting them to do achieve something new. No, it won’t happen at the rate President Hichilema is appointing old folks (including maintaining people such as Mtolo Phiri at agriculture).

The Zambia Police has many youthful officers who can do better with policing, if given a little more space and modern training that focuses on respect for human rights.

Question is why is President Hichilema in love with the old folks when there is a pool of young minds in the mid 40s who can do better and contribute to his vision? Has President Hichilema resigned from his vision by always looking at the old and retired folks to lead these institutions?

I still have faith those that the President will realise that his appointments, targeting at those who should be in retirement, is not helping the country and not helping institutions themselves to adapt to new ways of doing things. It is actually demoralising to many young ones who aspire to lead and male a contribution to these institutions.

Anyway, next time you fire this IG, give me a chance, even for 6 months, to be IG and show you how the image of the service can change.

ZP does not deserve a leader who is tired to even move his legs or properly wear his trousers. It needs a leader who will motivate the service, who won’t be sleeping in his office. It needs a leader who will be everywhere checking compliance to human rights as the police do their work.

Kajoba was not the right man and the new old man is not the right man

GOVT UNHAPPY WITH ECL MORNING EXERCISES WITH PF OFFICIALS

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GOVT UNHAPPY WITH ECL MORNING EXERCISES WITH PF OFFICIALS

GOVERNMENT UNHAPPY WITH ECL MORNING EXERCISES

Lusaka, Saturday (April 15, 2023)

Government says former President Edgar Lungu’s routine morning exercises are not helping the former Head of State in assuming his proper role as elder Statesman or the title of Father of the Nation PF are crying for.

In a post on Dynamic Analysis Zambia, Ministry of Information and Media Director Spokesperson Thabo Kawana says excercise is important for all especially in curbing NCDs as people grow older and President Lungu can even be a champion of this advocacy.

“But he needs to now work with organizations like the National Sports Council or sport clubs and not a bunch of PF Central Committee members, this makes him PF leader and not National leader as in Former President. Imagine the late RB doing things with only MMD or KK with only UNIP? Would they have gained National, Regional and Global recognition as they did?” he asked.

Mr. Kawana said PF should let go of President Lungu and he too should detach himself from being a partisan leader to assume the status of elder Statesman.

“It is from such congregations that ideas of alebwelelapo are encouraged by zealots looking to have a second bite at the cherry. President Lungu must stop being partisan,” he said.

But former Diplomat and now Katapa Trader Bangwe Naviley Chisenga Welala said everyone at National Sports Council would be fired if they worked with ECL on allegations that they are PF.

But Mr. Kawana’s only response was “Masholi.”

Former President Edgar Lungu has since time immemorial consistently undertaken morning exercises to complement Government efforts in promoting a healthy nation.

Another former Diplomat Brian Hapunda wondered why a simple morning exercise would be an issue.

“You want him to stop exercising and stop mingling with people? 🤔 Comrade President Lungu on record remains PF President till he hands over the Party Presidency at the upcoming PF Convention to the newly elected PF President then. President Lungu is a ‘sleeping Party President’ and Hon. Lubinda is the ‘active vice President’ taking care of the party till the elective Conference,” he said.

Why is HH avoiding to fire or reshuffle non performing ministers? The Police IG and these PSs are just vulnerable sacrificial lambs for ‘big sinners’- Chris ZUMANI

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Why is HH avoiding to fire or reshuffle non performing ministers? The Police IG and these PSs are just vulnerable sacrificial lambs for ‘big sinners’- Chris ZUMANI

Why is HH avoiding to fire or reshuffle non performing ministers? The Police IG and these PSs are just vulnerable sacrificial lambs for ‘big sinners’

By Dr. Chris ZUMANI Zimba

1. When a President fires Police IG with too many PSs at once in this manner, just know that the levels of governance malpractices & ills are too high;

2. Why our president is failing to reshuffle or terminate non performing cabinet ministers is a mystery question for ghosts to answer and not us;

3. From the time he appointed them to date, the ministers of health, agriculture, mines and energy under the New Dawn have done more harm to HH and Zambians than good;

4.How President HH has kept them in his Political Premier League as his trusted policy makers is another illogical miracle and puzzle; maybe they are bathing strong herbs from Madagascar;

5. Generally, there are very few ministers who have helped HH this far; minister of community development, green environment, defence, home affairs, general education, and local government among very few exceptions;

6. Today, more PSs have been sacrificed once more while their non performing ministers are busy enjoying and drinking milky tea at Community House with P1;

7. Although these changes seem good for HH since Zambia is currently so sick in many sectors, it’s difficult to either celebrate or mourn as long as the president does not reorganize his cabinet trustees. A fish starts to rot from the head, and not from the tail;

8. While a PS is the technical head of a ministry, the overall boss of each sector is a cabinet minister. The president is punishing this first born child in the house for the sins of his mother or father;

9. The president is fully aware that it is the big minister who makes the final say on sector matters than these small PSs is targeting and kicking out;

10. So far, our leader is mainly punishing and sacrificing policy implementors (PSs) instead of policy makers (cabinet ministers).

NB: Dr Chris ZUMANI Zimba is a Political Scientist, Researcher, Lecturer & Consultant specialized in Comparative Global Governance and Democratic Theories. He holds a PhD, MA, BA and Cert in Political Science.

ABOUT THE FORMER INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE- Sean Tembo

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ABOUT THE FORMER INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE- Sean Tembo

ABOUT THE FORMER INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE

By Sean Tembo – PeP President

1. There is this tendency by some people to start praising a person when they are fired, despite the fact that when they still hard the position, they were condemning them on a daily basis. It happened with the former Special Assistant to the President for Press & Public Relations; Anthony Bwalya, and it’s happening again regarding the former Inspector General of Police; Lemmy Kajoba. Well, l am not one of those people.

2. Let’s face it; Lemmy Kajoba was one of the worst IGs that Zambia has ever had. Why do l say so? Well, he literally failed to run the Police. Before l explain any further, l just want to make it clear that my evaluation of the performance of an IG does not include their dealings with opposition politicians, because l know fully well that an IG has got no say in terms of which opposition politician to arrest, which one to give police bond etcetera. Those decisions are made directly at State House, usually without the knowledge or input of the Inspector General of Police.

3. Therefore, my assessment of Lemmy Kajoba’s tenure of office as IG is premised entirely on his ability or lack thereof to fight crime and give the Zambian people a feeling of safety and security. Most of the time, the incompetence of the Police is hidden from the general public, but under Kajoba, the case of the 14 kidnapped girls really exposed him and his institution. First of all, the Police were reluctant to properly investigate those individual kidnappings whenever relatives reported them. Spring 24 Television ran a series of documentaries outlining Police inertia to investigate kidnapping cases, long before the Pamela kidnapping.

4. After Pamela was kidnapped, Police failed to locate her kidnappers despite the fact that they were demanding a ransom by phone for more than a week. After the 14 girls were rescued by the community, Lemmy Kajoba and his men shamelessly tried to take credit, and even harassed the family of the young boy who was instrumental in rescuing the kidnapped girls.

5. Additionally, the performance of the public relations department of the Police has been shambolic under Kajoba. Whenever there is a shooting or major incident, the Police have been issuing statements that don’t make sense and are self-contradicting. Ati “Police fired warning shots in the air and one of the thieves was unfortunately hit and he died on the way to hospital”. As a result of this very poor performance by the Public Relations Unit, public confidence in the police under Lemmy Kajoba was at an all-time-low.

6. And then there was Lemmy Kajoba’s excitement with holding the position of IG where he even went and printed 3 stars for himself and issued statements that l considered to be political in nature on issues such as the mealie meal shortage. Defense and Security Chiefs attract more respect from the people when they keep away from political issues. In fact, they need to avoid being in front of the camera as much as possible, because the more you are on television, the greater the chance that you will say something that is politically lame.

7. Now that Kajoba is gone, l hope that the ZAF Commander and ZNS Commandant will learn a lesson as well and avoid issuing politically inclined statements. They also need to reduce their appetite for being on television as if they are politicians who need to be seen to be working by the people, so that they can get re-elected. Ati “no we are on the ground apprehending smugglers of mealie meal at the border who are undermining the Government”. That is cheapening your respective offices. Send your junior officers to perform such menial tasks. When a defence chief speaks in public, it should be something substantial. Something meaningful to the nation. Not chasing smugglers at the border.

8. Anyway, let me end here for today. Suffice to mention that Kajoba’s firing was good riddance. I don’t know Graphel Musamba much but my advice to him is avoid too much media attention as if you are a politician who needs to get re-elected. Work through your junior officers. Also revamp the entire Police Public Relations Unit, replace everyone if necessary. It is the face and voice of the Police, and it’s poor performance will reflect directly on you. Otherwise l wish you all the best in your new job.

///END

SET 15.04.2023

IMPORTING GMO PRODUCTS WILL ABROGATE THE LAW- Mundubile

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IMPORTING GMO PRODUCTS WILL ABROGATE THE LAW- Mundubile

IMPORTING GMO PRODUCTS WILL ABROGATE THE LAW ========

Lusaka, Saturday (April 15, 2023)

Good morning Fellow citizens, the UPND Administration has room to act responsibly to avoid breaking the law through importation of Geneticaly Modified Organisms – GMO products from South Africa.

The Zambia Biosafety Act of 2007 prohibits importation of Geneticaly Modified Organisms(GMOs) products into Zambia. Section 14 of the Act also demands that Zambians be consulted publicly if it became necessary to import GMO products at all costs.

What the upnd government should know is that citizens are worried about the contradictory statements from Ministers, Permanent Secretaries and Government Spokespersons regarding the importation of mealie meal into Zambia.

What should be clear to the Zambian people is that the UPND Administration is about to commit an illegality of importing Genetically Modified Organisms – GMOs into Zambia, against the law.

Fellow citizens, the starting point should have been the UPND Administration referring to the law. We have a law, the Bio Safety Act 2007, which provides for the approval process of importing GMO products into the country.

This law provides for procedures on how GMO products are to be transmitted through Zambia. There is no need for top Government officials to be all over regarding this particular subject. Let them refer to what the law says. The same Act provides for a public hearing.

Zambians must be given an opportunity to speak to the matter as to whether Zambia should import GMO products or transited through Zambia.

The UPND Administration must come out clear. They have put us into this problem which will affect our agriculture sector in the long run.

Framers of the law had a reason why they enacted it, chiefly, to protect the environment, human and animal health.

It was for the same reason that the Scientific Advisory Committee was inserted in the Act to provide for procedures on allowing or disallowing the importation of GMO products.

We are totally against the importation of GMO products because they are harmful to the environment, animal and human health.

The procedures that the UPND Administration is talking about should be in total conformity with the law.

// Brian Muntayalwa Mundubile
Leader of the Opposition in Parliament
Patriotic Front Mporokoso MP

WATCH: Uebert Angel’s lawyer dismisses ‘Gold Mafia’ documentary

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WATCH: Uebert Angel’s lawyer dismisses ‘Gold Mafia’ documentary

Ambassador at Large Uebert Angel’s lawyer Professor Lovemore Madhuku has dismissed Al Jazeera’s “Gold Mafia” documentary claiming that everything aired by the four episode expose was done under a classified operation by Zimbabwe’s intelligence system.

This follows the release of four episodes of Al Jazeera’s documentary which implicated high ranking Zanu-PF officials as part of a clique notoriously known as “Gold Mafia” facilitating smuggling gold worth millions of dollars.

The film featured Angel openly requesting a “facilitation fee’ to use his position and proximity to President Emmerson Mnangagwa to facilitate several deals.

He is also heard phoning Mnangagwa’s wife Auxillia negotiating how over US$1 billion could be moved from overseas to Zimbabwe as part of what Al Jazeera claimed was for money laundering.

Through his lawyer Professor Madhuku, Angel, however, dismissed the documentary saying everything that was revealed was done under the instruction of Zimbabwe’s Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO).

He denied speaking to the First Lady.

“There was never a time when the First Lady was called to be able to say that they will fly a jet and so forth to carry gold.

“As part of the nefarious agenda to undermine the economic interests of Zimbabwe, particularly putting the President in the light that is portrayed in the documentary, these persons sought to use Ambassador Uebert Angel as a basis to then carry out that agenda.

“…. and the national intelligence framework decided that they will play along to see how far it will go. They have already done that and sufficient information has been obtained as a result of that exercise and this belongs to the wealth of information that the national intelligence framework has,” Madhuku said.

On Tuesday last week, the government through Information Minister Monica Mutsvangwa described Angel’s behaviour in the documentary as “boastful” and “name-dropping”. Mutsvangwa added that relevant institutions were investigating the matter.

“Government takes note of a documentary titled ‘Gold Mafia’, currently being serialised by an international broadcasting channel which purports to expose a network of alleged money laundering and gold smuggling in Zimbabwe,” read the statement.

“Government takes the allegations raised in the documentary seriously, and has directed relevant organs to institute investigations into the issues raised therein. Any person found to have engaged in acts of corruption, fraud or any form of crime, will face the full wrath of the law.

“Government takes this opportunity to re-affirm its commitment to upholding local and international laws, including laws relating to financial transactions, the trade of gold and other precious minerals,” Mutsvangwa added.

KATANGA REGION WANTS TO SECEDE FROM DRC AND BECOME “THE REPUBLIC OF KATANGA “

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KATANGA REGION WANTS TO SECEDE FROM DRC AND BECOME “THE REPUBLIC OF KATANGA “

By CIC Africa

KATANGA REGION WANTS TO SECEDE FROM DRC AND BECOME “THE REPUBLIC OF KATANGA “

Delegation Heads To UN & Kinshasa To Announce Breakaway, Thanks To Tshiani Law

A delegation calling itself people of Katangese nation is heading to the United Nations to announce plans to secede following attempts by Kinshasa to enact a discriminatory law ahead of the December 20, 2023 elections.

Another delegations will present a petition to the National Assembly in Kinshasa to declare independence to allow the south-east region revert to its status of 1960 to 1963 when the Belgian-colony became independent.

The Katangese delegation are hinging their self-rule on the constitution first promulgated by the leadership of Moise Tshombe.

A spokesperson for the group has disclosed that Katangese have resolved to become independent to allow citizens govern themselves in a non-discriminatory system.

He argues that the admission of the Tshiani Law, which seeks to eliminate candidates without two Congolese parents from contesting the election, was racist, undemocratic and discriminatory.

They state that such a law goes against the ideals and values on which Katanga and the Democratic Republic of Congo became one state.

The bill brought by American citizen, Noel Tshiani, will eliminate popular opposition leader Moise Katumbi whose father, Nissim Soriano, is a Greek-Jew who settled in the southern part of the former Belgian colony after fleeing the Holocaust and a mother a Zambian from Luapula region.

The late Mr. Soriano established his family with a Zambian woman, mama Virgine, and their family emerged as a business powerhouse in the region.

In 2018, Katumbi was blocked from returning to Congo to contest the polls but backed Martin Fayulu who was widely seen to have won the election based on the Parallel Voter Tabulation (PVT).

President Felix Tshisekedi was, however, named winner in a negotiated power deal that would keep former president Joseph Kabila as life president of the senate and free from any form of prosecution.

Reshuffles Welcome but…

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Reshuffles Welcome but…


By Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba
Reshuffles Welcome but…

…..Dismissals of some ministers who have been cited in corruption or their Ministries have failed to deliver public service would have been welcome….

Listening to President Hakainde Hichilema one learns that he is frustrated at why public service is not being delivered, why programmes have stalled and procurements of goods and services including medicines are taking far longer than necessary.

He wants issues resolved in an efficient manner like the culture is with the private sector.

Unfortunately the civil service and public officials will not engage in irregular procurements, implementation of illegal decisions and delivery of services using lawlessness..

This is what has affected Constituency Development Fund(CDF) and public procurements of medicines or infrastructure as the political guidance is in conflict with financial and procurement regulations amd procedures.

He may fire as many Permanent Secretaries, however the financial and public procurement regulations have to be followed and the officers will not be enablers of corruption as demanded by Ministers…or they will be in trouble in the future.

■ Reshuffles are welcome but….

■ Dismissal of Inspector General, who unfortunately has been highly partisan and incompetent, was engaged in a public tiff with Special Assitant for Legal Affairs at State House, Christopher Mundia. Mundia was interfereing with a critical investigations where millions meant for former Ghanaian teachers have been stolen. So it appears that Kajoba may have been sacrificed using his weaknesses.

■ The President seems to have supported the corrupt procurement of $120million medicines from Egypt by Ministry of Health. It appears Silvia Masebo does no wrong except her Permanent Secretaries!
The medicines have not undergone efficacy tests and the procurement is using an agency that will contract other manufacturers! He has fired the previous Health PS and appointed a new one to expedite payments and dispatch of the medicines. He has expressed general frustrations on government slow wheels and services are not moving!

Sadly it is the law, procedures, procurement and financial regulations have to be followed.
Circumventing these processes is perpetuating or promoting lawlessness.

These measures are designed to curb corruption and encourage procurements that promote value for public processes.

■ President Hichilema wants speedy procurement of Infrastructure using Public Private Partnership model. That process has also been marred with corrupt tendencies and the structure not appraling as one private contractor has taken centre stage in the Chingola-Chililabombwe-Kasumbalesa and Lusaka-Ndola Dual Carriage-Way roads.

■ The President’s comments against political violence and rise of cadreism especially in markets, bus stops and by-elections are encouraging. However his new directives to the new Inspector General of Police sounds rhetorical and the stern warning serves no purpose as Kajoba flatly ignored these instructions in favour of the UPND cadres and no action was taken against him.

“Mubita Nawa is KuWire. He buys Units for K20”

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“Mubita Nawa is KuWire. He buys Units for K20”

By Mubita Nawa

NEVER JUDGE PEOPLE

Today I bought Zesco units for K20. I know right.

As I bought the units I could see the look in the eyes of the lady who was attending to me. I could feel the gasps of those behind me. I could see the headline in the gossiping pages and papers “Mubita Nawa is KuWire. He buys Units for K20”

Many years ago two men found me driving a school bus at 6:45am in Chilenje. It was a Marcopolo bus. One of the men said, “Ok Mubita you are finished. You are just a bus driver.” I said to him, “Yes I am finished.” And I drove off.

The children kept singing. “Go driver go, we need some pressure pressure.”

The kids were happy to see me drive. I have a policy to drive every vehicle before handing it over to a driver. My driver Richard was next to me watching how I drove the big bus with care. The next day I handed over the bus to him.

Four years ago I met two beautiful girls on a bus. I sat at the back. They whispered to themselves and laughed almost teasingly. “Imagine Mubita Nawa on a bus as they disembarked.

Again I was monitoring this new driver and conductor. I am a hands on leader. I show you how it’s done first.

I will never forget the time SOS booked four of our buses to take their children to Siavonga. Same thing happened.

Never judge people. Mind your business.

So why was I buying K20 units. Because they are my units. Second of all I just wanted the address so I can show proof of residency somewhere.

I then looked at her and said do you have Airtel money? She said yes. I said can I withdraw K10,000?

She almost collapsed.

May God bless you with grace and dignity to always walk with your head high.

MCNLIVE
#leadershipdevelopment

Focus on Development,Abandon the Petty Narrative-Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba

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Focus on Development,Abandon the Petty Narrative-Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba

Focus on Development,Abandon the Petty Narrative

By Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba

I saw this headline in the News Diggers; “I Will Never Fly on the Gulfstream-HH, How Can I go begging for Grants in a latest scandoulous jet”. I decided to comment.

He charters planes at exorbitant prices for international trips while he has two presidential planes parked.

He has bought a new presidential helicopter, Bell Agusta 9J-Ten, at a price of $15million ( although his Minister of Defence claims it’s a loaned helicopter) while the country has 3 presidential helicopters including the famous copper Bell Agusta AWB 9J-Zam.

The issue of the presidential plane and the $400million loan obtained from Isreal for construction of Maina Soko Medical Centre and military purchases that included the jet and other military equipment, is a subject matter of the courts of law and the President is encouraged to refrain from commenting on and about matters in court as this is prejudicial.

And the story of corruption by the previous government is now a tired narrative and no longer attracts traction especially that President Hichilema has failed to attend to the current rise of corruption especially at ZESCO, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture and other public entities.

He who comes to equity must come with clean hands.

And Mr. President, you don’t have to go anywhere begging for loans and grants. You may have to focus and pay attention to raising local resources.

Your Minister of Finance is a thorough specialist at giving tax-free operations, concessions and tax holidays to the mining sector.

In 2009, as soon as he was appointed, he abolished Windfall Tax to the mining sector enacted by his predecessor, a tax which was earning the country $500million a year.

He has done the same since he came to the office.

Revise the mining policy in the manner that it is citizen and Zambia-centric unlike the current focus to foreign investment.

Use ZCCM-IH to profitably mine gold, sugelite and other gemstones.

Resolve the outstanding issues of KCM and Mopani and allow ZCCM-IH to begin mining and operating the entities.

Revise exploitative power purchase agreements signed between ZESCO and Independent Power Producers and ensure the new ones being signed are not predatory.

Focus on Agriculture as the returns are immediate. Begin to plan to grow for 400million people around us instead of planning to grow food for 20.6million Zambian people.

Resolve the high cost of living and high prices of goods and services especially fuel, essential foodstuffs such as mealie-meal, sugar, salt and cooking oil.

Failure to do so is spawning ugly conditions for possible serious social unrest and political instability as warned by many economic, political analysts and authorites.

And go to China, it will help you with resolving the current debt restructuring stand-off. And in the event that you want cheap money for infrastructure and development needs, China will help you.

The West can only give you $16million, pocket money you can raise from a single truckload of Sugelite! The West, the Middle-East and others are looking to the East for money. Why are they making you look West?

Awe bombeni, abandon the petty narrative, let us develop our country.

VUTO YA NJALA MA ZAMBIANS KOSENI, ubu buteko bwafilwa- MONDE

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VUTO YA NJALA MA ZAMBIANS KOSENI, ubu buteko bwafilwa- MONDE

VUTO YA NJALA MA ZAMBIANS KOSENI- MONDE

…says the biggest Smuggler is the Government itself

Lusaka, Friday, April 14, 2023 ( Smart Eagles)

Patriotic Front Presidential Candidate Greyford Monde has blasted the New Dawn Administration over the mealie meal crisis.

Hon Monde said it is sad that it has now become ‘illegal’ for people to buy over two bags of mealie meal as they can be suspected of trying to smuggle the commodity.

He has described the prevailing situation as a pure act of incompetence and arrogance by Government for refusing to take advise from Technocrats and those charged with the responsibility to tackle food security.

He said the decision of exporting over one million metric tonnes is where this problem is coming from.

Hon Monde said the Problem being faced is beyond the Minister of Agriculture because the entire Government system is involved.

“Iyi Vuto yanjala, ma Zambians koseni, ubu buteko bwafilwa. Apa Nikulimba, ma solutions the President is giving us is not yielding solutions,” he said.

Hon Monde said even if President Hakainde Hichilema was to fire Agriculture Minister Reuben Mtolo Phiri, the problem would still be there.

“We are now at a point where if the President fires anyone, still things will not work. Let this Government fire itself, the Zambians are now tired. Even now animals are dying,” he said.

And Hon Monde is anticipating a poor harvest this year as he cited the lethargic FISP distribution behind his prediction.

“Because of the bad input distribution, the harvest might be the worst ever. The lowest ever. Where are they going to find the strategic 500,000 metric tonnes in the FRA reserves, which they sold,” he stated.

And Hon Monde has questioned the rationale behind the intention by Government to import tax free mealie meal for the Congolese market.

He said it would make sense if Government import Maize to give to the millers and not mealie meal.

Hon Monde said when mealie meal is imported, jobs are being taken away from the local people who work for different millers.

He has therefore maintained that the biggest Smuggler is the Government itself.

Hon Monde wondered why the blame should now be casted on individuals carrying 4 bags of mealie meal on a bicycle.

HIGHLIGHTS OF CHONGWE CDF IMPLEMENTATION

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HIGHLIGHTS OF CHONGWE CDF IMPLEMENTATION

Chongwe-Friday 15th April,2023.

HIGHLIGHTS OF CHONGWE CDF IMPLEMENTATION.

In the wake of the increased Constituency Development Fund by the United Party For National Development,Chongwe District has seen unprecedented development in a relatively short period of time.

Since the year 2020, Chongwe District has seen an increased number of people benefiting from the CDF empowerment programmes which includes Youth and Women financial support, Secondary Boarding and Skills development sponsorship and improved service delivery through implementation of community projects .

Over 625 desks were procured in the 2022 CDF allocation and distributed across all the schools in the district in response to the presidential directive that no child should sit on the floor while in class by the end of 2023.

A cumulative number of 969 students have benefited under the Secondary Boarding School and skills development Bursaries since 2022.

A total of 99 youth and women clubs/cooperatives have so far been funded under CDF Grants with a total amount of K470,085.00.

Meanwhile Chongwe Municipal council has received over 100 community project submissions across the district for consideration in the 2023 CDF.

Further The local authority is inviting applications under CDF youth, women and community empowerment grants and loans for 2023.

A number of projects from 2016 to 2017 that were not completed have also been completed with funding from the 2020 to 2022 CDF.

Below is a detailed breakdown of the development achieved in all the 21 Wards of Chongwe Constituency in the past few months .

Projects that started with the Funding from 2016 to 2020 CDF Include:

1. Completion of a Girl’s Dormitory at Mikango Secondary School In Nakatindi ward.

2. Construction of an Ablution Block at Palabana Market in Palabana Ward.

3. Construction of an Ablution Block at Mpemba Primary School in Mulenje Ward.

4. Completion of Teachers staff house at Eden’s Primary School in Kanakantapa Ward.

5. Completion of Kanakantapa police post.

6.Completion of Mwalubemba Clinic

2020 CDF Projects that received some 2022 Funding include:

7.Construction of a Police Post at Meanwood Vorna Valley

8. Construction of Market Shelter at State lodge

9. Completion of Computer Lab at Silverest Secondary School

10. Construction of Lwimba Police Post in Lwimba Ward.

11. Construction of Lukoshi Clinic in Nchute Ward

12. Construction of a 1 x3 Classroom Block at Chongwe Primary School in Chongwe Central Ward

2022 CDF First Quarter Projects

13.Drilling of 49 Boreholes across the District

2022 CDF Second Quarter Projects
14. Construction of a Health Post in Kwamwena of Madido Ward.

15. Construction of a Clinic in Njolwe Ward

16. Construction of Maternity Wing in Kapete Ward.

17.Construction of a 1 x3 Classroom Block at Chilyabale school jinn Manyika Ward.

18. Construction of a 1×3 Classroom block at Lubansa Primary School in Kasisi Ward.

2022 Third Quater Projects

17. Construction of staff house at Lwimba police post .

19.Construction of 1×3 Classroom Block at Muyembe Community School.

20..Construction of Maternity Wing at Chikumbi in Kapwayambale Ward.

21. Construction of a 1×3 Classroom Block at Mulenje Primary School in Mulenje Ward

22. Construction of a 1x 3 Classroom Block at HillCrest Community School in Kasenga Ward.

23. Construction of Maternity Wing in Mwalumina Ward.

24. Construction of Substructure for 1×3 Classroom Block at Chalimbana Primary School in Chalimbana.

25.Installation of 3 Line Culverts of three Crossing Points in Nakatindi Ward.

26. Renovation of Blown off roof at Katoba Secondary School.

WE ARE PROUD OF THE ROSA – Keith Mweemba

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WE ARE PROUD OF THE ROSA – Keith Mweemba

WE ARE PROUD OF THE ROSA – Keith Mweemba

We have a lot of pride in the Rosa, and now is the time to realize that it is doing the very best that it can for the team and that when the right moment arrives, something will happen. Keith, whose team has not won anything yet but is pleased to be in the final of the ABSA Cup, stated that for the time being, it is a very reliable bus for the squad and the team is comfortable.

Asked about the feeling reach the final, Keith Mweemba doesn’t want to blow the trumpet and he is clear with his thoughts:

“It’s a game we really wanted to win and to qualify for the final is a significant success not just for MUZA but for the people of Mazabuka, but we are aware that we have not won anything yet and hence we shall wait and concentrate on what is at hand,”

Mr. Keith Mweemba is not getting carried away with qualifying for the final and is aware that nothing is in their control; yet, he refuses to get into too much detail about the final game versus Forest Rangers.

” I don’t think it’s time to talk about the ABSA Cup final now and we shall have to wait until May 2023 when we can again sit here and discuss my thoughts about what I think about the game,”

This is an example of how focused this man is with this team and how he ensures that he plans adequately for whatever comes next. He makes it very obvious that the team’s concentration and attention are directed at the match against Kabwe Warriors this weekend in Mazabuka.

“In light of the fact that an epidemic of the virus (FLU) in camp destabilized our team’s performance versus Trident, we are working toward resuming our typical FC MUZA play. The virus had taken a major toll on one-half of the team, and the medical staff did everything they could to maintain the players in good enough health to compete in the game, but it wasn’t easy,” he said answering why the team looked so lethargic.

The manner in which FC MUZA played against Trident in the semi-final of the ABSA Cup at Arthur Davies Stadium appeared to be extremely different from what the team has been showing in the super league. This now explains the sort of play that the majority of people noticed throughout the matchup.

This weekend marks week twenty-nine of the FAZ MTN Super League, and Kabwe Warriors will travel to FC MUZA in an effort to steer clear of the relegation zone. At the same time, FC MUZA will be pushing to get as high as possible and maintain that top-four position, which has made them one of the most challenging teams to face. In the first matchup, FC MUZA prevailed against Kabwe Warriors by a score of 2-1.

Source: Bwezani With Zambian Football

Kenyan male chess player competes in international competition as woman

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Kenyan male chess player competes in international competition as woman

Kenyan male chess player competes in international competition as woman

Stanley Omondi, the male chess player who was camouflaged in a hijab in order to compete in the women’s section of the 2023 Kenya Open Chess Championship, is staring at a lengthy ban from the sport.

Victor Ng’ani, a member of the Chess Kenya Disciplinary Committee, said they will start dealing with the matter once they receive a formal complaint from the Executive Committee of the Bernard Wanjala-led federation.

While Ng’ani ruled out a life ban for Omondi should the committee find him guilty of the offence, he said he will be banned from the sport for a long time.

“It (the offence) is serious enough to warrant an extensive penalty,” said the 2018 Kenya National Chess Championship winner, and founding chairman of the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists’ Union (KMPDU).

“Previously we have punished some small offences, including age cheating with a six-month ban. This being a fraud incident, the player will get a lengthy ban if found guilty.”

In the incident that shocked both the local and international chess community, Omondi camouflaged in a hijab to compete in the ladies section of the tournament that attracted 444 participants from 22 countries. The championship was held at Sarit Expo Centre in Nairobi from April 5 to 10.

He covered his head, and face completely, and wore spectacles on the small opening that revealed his eyes.

Unlike the rest of the players he hardly spoke to anyone.

Omondi registered for the championship as Millicent Awuor, and only raised suspicion after he easily defeated former Kenya National Chess Championship Women’s section winner Gloria Jumba (rated 1487), and Ugandan top player Ampaira Shakira (1702).

Many of the local chess players competing in the tournament started questioning where “she” has been during other important national chess tournaments.

It was after he was interrogated in a private room by the tournament’s arbiters that he admitted to being male, saying the financial problems that he is grappling with at the university pushed him to cheat in the tournament.

He had hoped to pocket the Sh500,000 cash prize for the women’s section winner.

He said he avoided playing in the Open Section, where Sh1 million was at stake, and which was reserved for all men and willing ladies, because of stiff competition.

With seven Grandmasters, seven International Masters, seven Fide Masters and five Candidate Masters competing in the Open Section, he definitely stood no chance of winning.

When contacted by Nation Sport, Omondi declined to delve much on the incident, only stating that he is waiting to defend himself before the Chess Kenya Disciplinary Committee.

But he admitted to being a good chess player, having started playing at a young age.

Nation Sport has established that he plays for a top university in the Kenya National Chess Premier League, and has a rating of around 1200.

Jumba said she did not notice anything fishy about him throughout the time that they played.

“I was quite surprised (by the news that he was a man) because I did not notice anything odd about him. He is a good player because his pieces were very active (well placed on the board) and he always capitalised on the mistakes that I was making,” she told Nation Sport.

Credit: Nation Media

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