By NKOMBO KACHEMBA
With a day to go before Christmas, a 39-year-old man of Kitwe’s Mindolo township claiming to be ‘Jesus’ has resurfaced after he was ruthlessly ‘lynched’ by some members of the public last year after pulling a similar stunt that almost cost him his life.
He is telling people to accept him as the true son of God.
His real name is Bupete Chishimba of house number 0355, Mindolo East Township, and last year he was ruthlessly beaten by irate Kitwe residents, who described his message as blasphemous and an insult to the Christian faith.
But Mr Chishimba, who is now calling himself ‘Jesus of Kitwe’, insists he is the son of God and urged members of the public to embrace his teachings and prophecies.
“In 1999, I received a calling from God through a lightning; he told me that I’m his anointed son. I’m urging members of the public to accept me as a son of God. I’m ‘Jesus of Kitwe’,” he said.
Mr Chishimba said in a statement released in Kitwe that unlike Jesus of Nazareth, who had 12 disciples, he has 24 followers who have come to understand and embrace his teachings.
He said according to the prophecies, all the political governments in the world will be abolished and that the kingdom of God will rein forever.
Mr Chishimba also said all the churches in the world will be dissolved because the ‘Jesus of Kitwe’ will introduce his chosen and faithful church, where all people will be able to worship God in truth and in faithfulness.
He also urged church leaders from different denominations to embrace his teachings because they are truthful and based on God’s teaching.
Mr Chishimba wondered why some church leaders use phrases such as the ‘Bible says’ when delivering sermons, when the Holy book ‘does not have a mouth’.
He said the church leaders should focus on preaching the word of God for the salvation of mankind and that they should learn to lend a helping hand to the poor.
But Come and See Church Ministries church overseer, Joseph Banda said Mr Chishimba should seek serious spiritual intervention because his claims are unfounded and are not based on biblical principles.
“It is wrong for any man to claim to be a son of God, why should Jesus only appear in Kitwe and not in any other countries or towns.
Mr Chishimba’s teachings and claims are unfounded,” Mr Banda said.
And Copperbelt acting commissioner of police Joyce Kasosa advised Kitwe residents to ignore the man claiming to be Jesus and to refrain from beating him.
And when asked if the man can be arrested for blasphemy, Ms Kasosa explained that blasphemy does not exist in the Penal Code for the police to arrest him.
“As police, our role is to implement the law as it is written. Unfortunately, there is no blasphemy in the Penal Code so we cannot arrest the man claiming to be Jesus,” she said.
It is not clear though whether the “Kitwe Jesus” is mentally stable or not and the reality has been left to guess work.

755 total views, 755 views today

…President Sata not received official letter
By YANDE SYAMPEYO
AFTER a more than double decade business career that eventually culminated into a public service at a high level of Minister of Defence in President Sata’s government, Mr Geoffrey Mwamba has decided to hang up his political boots.
The high-profile resignation, which came as a surprise to many that saw him as a close ally of the President, was confirmed in a ZNBC news broadcast yesterday but could not be independently confirmed by the Zambia Daily Mail because the Kasama legislator could not pick up calls placed onto his mobile phone yesterday.
State House could equally not confirm the resignation because Mr Mwamba ostensibly has not yet officially communicated his land-mark decision to President Sata in writing, according to Mr George Chellah, the President’s spokesman.
ZNBC, however, reported that Mr Mwamba is, in addition to resigning his top government job, also seeking traditional leadership counsel on whether he must quit his parliamentary seat, too, or not.
ZNBC yesterday said Mr Mwamba, popularly known as GBM, decided to resign following an alleged standoff between Government and Paramount Chief Chitimukulu Henry Sosala, who he said is his grandfather.
Mr Mwamba said yesterday he visited the chief in the presence of some officers from the Office of the President for a family discussion.
He told his supporters that President Sata raised concern regarding the meeting with the chief since some out-standing issues between the chief and the government had not yet been fully resolved.
Mr Mwamba, however, said following the concern, he made a decision to stay with the family and not the politics as he considered family to be more important than politics.
The Zambia Daily Mail has learnt that several senior party colleagues including Ministers asked Mr Mwamba to reconsider and abandon his decision to quit but he remained adamant.
Mr Mwamba has since thanked President Sata for having accorded him an opportunity to serve as Minister of Defence for over two years in his first cabinet since assuming office in 2011.
But President Sata’s spokesperson George Chellah said in an interview yesterday that no official communication has been received from Mr Mwamba.
Mr Chellah said “President Sata is waiting for the letter from Mr Mwamba if at all he has resigned”.
He said it is difficult for State House to comment further on the matter in the absence of the letter.
Several attempts to talk to Mr Mwamba proved futile by press time as his mobile phone went unanswered.
In 2010, Mr Mwamba briefly resigned as Kasama MP after receiving a letter of suspension from the party for allegedly assaulting his wife.
In a letter to then PF leader Michael Sata dated September 9, 2010, which was also copied to Speaker of the National Assembly Amusa Mwanamwambwa, Mr Mwamba stated that he had decided to resign in order to concentrate on his business.
Mr Mwamba however rescinded his decision barely 24 hours after resigning following advice from senior government officials including the church.
Thus far, however, party, family and church leaders close to Mr Mwamba appear to have failed to make Mr Mwamba see things differently.
Analysts, nevertheless say only time will tell whether Mr Mwamba has hang his politics boots forever or not.

1,706 total views, 1,706 views today

THE civil society and the Church should not doubt the Patriotic Front’s commitment to its promise of delivering a people-driven Constitution that will stand the test of time.
We have noted with concern numerous statements in the mainstream media in which some civil society organisations and church mother bodies have cast aspersions on the government’s sincerity regarding the constitution-making process.
Some of these statements have been outright attacks on President Sata, the PF and the government.
The general picture that has been painted is that the PF has reneged on its assurances that it will give the people of Zambia a constitution that will reflect their collective desire.
This is not correct because the fact that the government has already spent colossal amounts of taxpayers’ money on the process points to the seriousness it attaches to this matter.
The latest attack came from the Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ), which seems to have adopted a bare-knuckled approach to the Constitution-making process.
In its strongly worded statement the CCZ stated that it has become clear that the PF will not deliver a people-driven constitution as it had earlier promised.
The organisation also issued a thinly veiled threat for some unspecified action in the same statement.
There is no need for that kind of sabre rattling because the government, under the guidance of President Sata, has demonstrated its unwavering commitment to delivering a people-driven constitution.
This is what chief Government spokesperson Mwansa Kapeya reaffirmed in his response to the CCZ’s statement.
The front page of yesterday’s edition of this newspaper carried a story under the headline ‘Don’t doubt Govt’s position on constitution-making process’, which was attributed to the minister in which he explained the government’s consistent position.
Mr Kapeya said if President Sata was not committed to the constitution-making process, he would not have constituted the Technical Committee on Drafting of the Constitution in the first place.
“This can be seen in, among other interventions, President Sata’s establishment of the Technical Committee on Drafting the Zambian Constitution, which collected views from the people throughout the country at district, provincial, sector and national levels,” he said in a statement issued in Lusaka on Sunday.
It is unfair, therefore, to accuse President Sata and the Patriotic Front of dishonesty pertaining to the constitution-making process.
The government has already spent millions of Kwacha from the treasury to fund the process.
When the technical committee asked for the extension of its mandate, the government granted the request.
What more does the CCZ and its allies want the government to do to demonstrate its seriousness?
What the leaders of the CCZ and non–governmental organisations should always bear in their minds is the fact that they are not the only stakeholders in this process, nor did they initiate it.
They should not behave as if they are a parallel government because there is only one that was elected by the people of Zambia.
There are many other stakeholders out there who have not appointed the CCZ or its allies to speak on their behalf.
The best approach to employ should be continuous engagement with the government.
When the civil society feels that things are not moving in the direction they expected them to, they should not hesitate to ask for a meeting with the President or Minister of Justice for clarifications and consensus building.
The acrimony that the country is witnessing from the Church and NGOs is therefore uncalled for.

360 total views, 349 views today

From NANCY MWAPE in Livingstone
DEPUTY Minister of Tourism and Arts Lawrence Evans has called on contractors working on public infrastructure projects in Livingstone to ensure that the work done benefits the taxpayer.
Mr Evans said Government is spending taxpayers’ money to develop the country.
Speaking at a briefing in Livingstone after concluding his tour of infrastructure projects in the province, Mr Evans emphasised Government’s commitment to developing the country.
The minister toured all the United Nations World Tourism Organisation projects.  These included the construction of a new terminal at Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula Airport, Livingstone town centre market as well as works at the Victoria Falls and the Mwandi Cultural Village in Mwandi.
“During the tour of the projects, I found a few problems but they can be sorted out. If there are problems with the contractors, they should be ironed out,” he said.
Mr Evans said it is important that the job done is of high standards as Government is spending a lot of money to develop the nation.
He has instructed the Livingstone City Council to take legal action against contractors who have abandoned the street-lighting project.
Mr Evans said the contractor working on the Zambia Wildlife Authority main gate into the Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park and several other tourism entities should be recalled to look at some linkages and some pillars that are cracking.
Commenting on works at Livingstone town centre market popularly known as Zimbabwe market, the minister said there is need to lobby for more funds to complete the project.

28 total views, 28 views today

FROM BUTTYSON KANDIMBA in Solwezi
SOLWEZI Mayor Andrew Kalangwa has called for strict adherence to laid down procedures when awarding tenders for expenditure of Constituency Development Funds.
Mr Kalangwa urged councillors and stakeholders to understand and abide by the guidelines.
The mayor was speaking during the full council meeting in Solwezi.
He also appealed to the local authority to conduct orientation workshops for the councillors to speed up development in various wards.
Mr Kalangwa said Solwezi Municipal Council has scored many successes this year and commended stakeholders for the cordial relationship with the council.
He also urged councillors to continue working hard to bring about development in Solwezi.

25 total views, 25 views today

By ROBINSON KUNDA
WHILE most of the people were busy shopping for Christmas, the story was different for newly-promoted Super Division side National Assembly players.
The players have gone three months without receiving their dues.
One of the players, who sought anonymity for fear of victimisation, told the Sports Mail in Lusaka yesterday that they have not been paid since October.
“We were promised that we will be paid in time but up to now nothing has happened. This is a festive period and most of the people are busy buying things for their families but we have no money,” he said.
Another player said Christmas without money is boring.
He said the players worked hard to ensure Assembly bounced back to the Super Division and wondered why the executive committee has let them down.
Assembly finished top of Division One (North) to bounce back to the elite league while Indeni were runners-up with Green Eagles and Nakambala Leopards from the Southern region bouncing back to the top division.
Another player said the executive committee should have considered paying players even half of whatever they are owed.
“We hope we can resolve this issue before the new season opens in March, otherwise it will affect our performance,” he said.
But Assembly chairperson Brian Mukumbwa declined to comment on the matter.
“For now I can’t comment. I will leave it at that,” Mukumbwa said.

32 total views, 32 views today

By CAROLINE KALOMBE and MONICA KAYOMBO
THREE people have died in different road traffic accidents in Western and Eastern provinces, Inspector-General of Police Stella Libongani has said.
Ms Libongani said the accidents involved pedestrians who were hit by motorists and that two of the deaths were hit-and-run incidents.
The Daily Mail has, however, learnt of another hit-and-run accident in Ndola where a man was killed in the early hours of yesterday.
“As of this morning (Wednesday), we have recorded three fatal accidents in which two were caused by a hit-and-run driver and we were unable to establish who caused these deaths in Western Province,” Ms Libongani said.
In the Ndola accident, an unidentified man was killed in a hit-and-run incident and his body is in the Ndola Central Hospital mortuary.
Ndola Central Hospital public relations manager Sheona Chalimbana said the man’s body was taken to the hospital by unknown people soon after midnight.
And a two-year-old baby of Mufulira has been defiled by unknown people.
Acting Copperbelt commissioner of police Joyce Kasosa said the child’s aunt only noticed that the infant, who was left in her uncle’s care, had been defiled, when bathing her.
The baby’s uncle reported the matter to police on Tuesday.
“The uncle is the one who reported the matter to the police. We are still investigating the matter as the culprit is not yet known,” she said.
And a man of Luanshya is nursing wounds in Luanshya’s Thompson Hospital after he was shot at by police in the early hours of yesterday.
Emmanuel Chileshe, of 3508 Mikomfwa, was shot by police during their routine patrols as he was driving an unregistered car. Chileshe allegedly failed to heed a police order to stop.
“The police challenged the driver to stop but he just proceeded, forcing the officers to fire at the tyres of his vehicle,” Ms Kasosa said.
She said in the effort to deflate the tyres, a bullet grazed Chileshe’s shoulder and stomach and he is now being treated at Thompson Hospital.
Meanwhile, Ms Libongani has said that there is a reduction in crime this year compared to previous years.
She attributed this to enhanced law enforcement.

33 total views, 33 views today

FLASHBACK: President Michael Sata greets Sioma High school pupils from Western

From CHISHALA MUSONDA in Ndola
COPPERBELT PF district vice-chairman Anthony Katongo says Government is committed to providing free education to all Zambians and will ensure that learning institutions adhere to the policy.
Mr Katongo said in Ndola yesterday that hurdles impeding implementation of this policy in some learning institutions will be cleared.
Speaking on the Sun FM Radio programme Public Forum,  Mr Katongo said the government is committed to offering free education to all Zambians and getting rid of any charges at institutions of learning.
Mr Katongo was reacting to a caller, who wanted to know if the PF government had departed from its campaign promise of offering free education to all Zambians.
“The PF is committed to free education but we are having challenges with only a few school boards that are still asking for some fees.
“Government will surely come up with something and ensure there are no charges in schools,” the former mayor of Ndola, said.
And on Government’s dismissal of striking nurses country-wide, Mr Katongo said Government had no option but to do so because of the nurses’ decision to go on strike while negotiations with the concerned parties were still on.
“It was a painful decision to make. The PF wants to create jobs and Government was just under pressure and to make such a decision, it means Government was pushed against the wall,” he said.
MMD provincial information and publicity secretary, Yotam Mtayachalo said the country’s labour laws do not provide for a legal strike but reacted sharply against the labour movement in the country for being too weak.
Mr Mtayachalo, who was also on the panel, said it was saddening to watch the labour movement take the back seat and allow Government to dismiss nurses.
A former trade unionist, Mr Mtayachalo said the labour movement has a mammoth task in labour matters and should work hard in the representation of the workers in the country.
Another panelist, United Party for National Development provincial publicity secretary Kennedy Kalunga asked the government to reinstate the health workers unconditionally to address challenges in the affacted hospitals.

42 total views, 42 views today

By KALONDE NYATI
TAJ Pamodzi Hotel has joined several stakeholders to call for a national airline as it is crucial in increasing the number of tourists coming to Zambia.
Hotel general manager Sanjay Sood said many tourists shun the country because of the long travelling time due to lack of a national airline that services direct flights to key destinations.
“We need to have a national airline as most people coming to Zambia feel the time they take to travel to Zambia is too much… Our industry still suffers with the challenge of how visitors get to Zambia,” Mr Sood said in response to a press query in Lusaka recently.
He said the hospitality industry has also been affected by the high cost of doing business that makes Zambia an expensive destination compared to other countries in the region.
Mr Sood, however, said the hospitality and tourism industries have potential to attract both domestic and international tourists although Government needs to prioritise the sector by allocating more funds to activities that will boost the sector.
“Government, through the Ministry of Tourism and Arts, is in the process of revising the tourism policy, which will clearly define the direction of our industry.
There [is need to have] more budgetary allocation for activities to market the country in order for us to pick up from the massive advertising we had during the UNWTO (United Nations World Tourism Organisation),” he said.
Mr Sood said Taj Pamodzi Hotel, which is one of the oldest hotels in the country, remains committed to contribute to the growth of tourism in the country through the provision of quality service.
He said the hotel will continue to improve its standards through refurbishment and staff training.
“The Taj Pamodzi has had a good year in terms of performance and goals set out for the year. We have this year seen the refurbishment of our banquet halls and this has brought our capacity to 500 pax for functions held at the Pamodzi,” he said.

39 total views, 39 views today

By BENEDICT TEMBO
THE Zambia National Education Coalition (ZANEC) has prodded stakeholders in Solwezi to consider utilising part of the Constituency Development Funds (CDF) on early childhood education (ECE) at community level.
During a one-day consultative meeting which attracted members from the provincial education office, local government councillors, civil society organisations and cheifs’ representatives, ZANEC also recommended that the Ministry of Finance and National Planning should exempt the education sector from the wage freeze as it needs more teachers, including pre-school teachers, next year and beyond.
ZANEC also said there is need for Government to put more resources in early childhood education programmes at community level and deploy more teachers because ECE is the foundation for children.
In a statement in Lusaka on Monday, ZANEC board chairperson Elly Mwale said the  meeting observed that while early childhood education should be appreciated as the foundation for child development, most children come from homes where they cannot afford books and other learning materials, hence the need for the provision of free ECE services.
“The consultative meeting learnt that the Ministry of Education at provincial level would like to work with different stakeholders to ensure that all children have access to ECE by committing funds towards the training of more ECE teachers in government-run colleges,” Ms Mwale said.
She said the consultative meeting also identified lack of infrastructure, furniture and learning materials, long distances to the centres, poor curriculum, illegal mushrooming of ECE structures and expensive private pre-schools with low standards and unqualified teachers as the major challenges facing the provision of ECE in the province.
The participants felt that there is need for ECE centres to be monitored by the council to ensure they provide quality education.
ZANEC is a coalition of 65 non-governmental organisations, including teachers’ unions.

34 total views, 34 views today

CHRISTMAS BABIES: Chawama member of Parliament Edgar Lungu presents a Christmas hamper to Joyce Phiri at Chawama Clinic in Lusaka yesterday. The Christmas gifts were donated by Lions Club of Mulungushi. – Picture by CHANDA MWENYA.

By MAYENGO NYIRENDA
MINISTER of Defence Edgar Lungu has urged women to take babies to the under-five clinics to ensure their good health.
He said health childcare must continue beyond the support the babies get soon after birth.
“Take good care of these children, they are our future leaders. Make sure that you don’t miss under-five clinic,’ he said.
Mr Lungu, who is also Chawama member of Parliament (MP), said this when he officiated at a Lions Club of Mulungushi’s donation of medical equipment and baby hampers worth over K10,000 at Chawama Mini-Hospital in Lusaka yesterday.
The minister said he will continue working together with the community in order to develop Chawama.
Lions Club of Mulungushi president Addie Musakanya said the club donates annually to the maternity ward of the mini-hospital to help ease the needs of the needy in communities.
She also urged the mothers to use the donated items for the benefit of the babies.
The donation included a ward screen, blood pressure machine, baby scale, a bedside stool, baby tubs, clothes, food and milk.
Sister-in-charge Evelyn Nkhata thanked the minister and Lions Club of Mulungushi for the donation to the clinic and Christmas babies.
By midday, 12 babies had been born at the health centre.
Earlier, Mr Lungu visited Cheshire Homes for the Aged where he donated household items worth more than K1,000.
Mr Lungu toured the premises and also chatted with the elderly.
In Livingstone, CHAMPO MUYEMBE reports that seven babies, including a set of twins, were born at Livingstone General Hospital.
Nursing officer Loveness Chikumbi said all the seven babies are in good health and responding well to their new environment.
Ms Chikumbi said this after Livingstone Mayor Aggrey Njekwa gave baby hampers to the mothers.

Mr Njekwa said the city is delighted to record such a number of new babies on such a special day.
He thanked the Salvation Army for having supplemented the Livingstone City Council with the baby hampers.
Mr Njekwa has also appealed to the Government to consider reinstating the fired nurses countrywide because they might have not known the proper channels to follow before going on strike.
In Ndola, MONICA KAYOMBO reports that five babies were born at Ndola Central Hospital.
The hospital’s public relations manager Sheona Chalimbana said this when Ndola mayor Davies Chiwala visited the postnatal ward to hand gifts to mothers of the newborn babies.
In Kitwe, NKOMBO KACHEMBA reports that Kitwe Central Hospital (KCH) has recorded five Christmas babies with the first one being born at 00:32 hours.
Kitwe mayor Chileshe Bweupe presented baby hampers to the Christmas babies at the hospital in Kalungwishi and Luena wards.
KCH senior medical superintendent John Mwewa said two boys and three girls were born.
The hospital also recorded 23 casualties, one rape case and two gender-based violence (GBV) cases on Christmas Eve.
In Mbala, ZANIS reports that Minister of Health Joseph Kasonde says Government is committed to improving the maternal and child health standards in the country.
Dr. Kasonde said this when he presented gifts to Christmas babies born at Mbala General Hospital yesterday.
He said Government has put in place measures such as the construction of maternity wings across the country in order to allow expectant mothers to access quality health care.
He has encouraged expectant mothers to go to health centres for delivery instead of giving birth at their homes.
In Chingola, NKWETO MFULA reports that four Christmas babies – three boys and a girl – were born at Chiwempala Clinic.
Chingola district commissioner George Sichula presented various gifts that were donated by United Church of Zambia (UCZ) Chiwempala congregation worth over K6,000.
Mr Sichula called on other churches to emulate the UCZ in donating and presenting such gifts.
Mr Sichula was accompanied by Reverend Andrew Chulu, who said the church did not want to confine Christmas to church but to celebrate with other people.

40 total views, 40 views today

THE country is in the middle of the festival season between Christmas and New Year and it is very important that nationals take a deep reflection of the country’s achievements.
This should not end there but go deeper and reflect on individual achievements because this is a reflection of the entire country.
We mean if individuals or entities are not prospering, then how can we expect the entire nation to prosper?
It is through individual initiatives and those of corporate entities that a country succeeds to attain developmental objectives.
It is therefore welcoming that President Sata is urging Zambians and the rest of the citizens to reflect on what the country has achieved in the last twelve months.
It is important because this is one sure way of stock-taking to know whether we are making progress or retrogressing so that we look at the way forward.
Mr Sata said, “We should always remember that it is divine intervention which has made us to continue enjoying peace and stability since the birth of this country in 1964.”
Today, Zambia is enjoying peace and stability because of the intervention of God and this is the more result why Christians all over the world recognise Christmas day.
Like we said yesterday, President Sata has also urged Zambians to celebrate the festive season responsibly to curb fatalities and human suffering.
As Mr Sata pointed out, “Our Christian faith reminds us that God chooses the poor people and those whose lives are not secure to serve the world, therefore, in honour of the season of jubilee, Christmas.”
“Thanksgiving and encouragement, I am urging all people to exhibit love, care and compassion for one another, especially for the vulnerable and less privileged in our society.”
It is very important for people and the country at large to reflect on the President’s message because this is what Christmas is all about.
It is about love, forgiveness, celebration of Jesus’ birth, reflection on our achievements as a nation and draw an inspiration from the life and deeds of Jesus Christ by extending goodwill and love to the needy.
We are coming to the end of the year and it is very important that we reflect on our achievements and failures in 2013.
The importance of doing this is that this gives people a chance to look at their weaknesses and strengths so that they can work better in future.
As Mr Sata talks like Father Christmas, all Zambians and residents must realise that “Christmas is a moment of jubilation and family re-union, but above all, people must find time to offer gratitude to God, reflect and act in accordance with the purpose of Christmas”.
President Sata has sent a message of love and re-union and we hope that the rest of the people take this message seriously.
We are about to start the new year and our exceptions are that we should all reflect on last year’s achievements and failures apart from planning for a better next year.

58 total views, 58 views today

PRISONERS on death row at Mukobeko Maximum Security Prison praying after Commissioner of Prisons Percy Chato delivered a message to them from President Sata. – Picture by CHAMBO NG’UNI.

…President commutes life, death sentences
By CHAMBO NG’UNI
ECSTASY characterised the usually gloomy Mukobeko Maximum Security Prison and Mukobeko Maximum Female Prison yesterday after President Sata, in a Christmas gesture, released two prisoners and commuted life sentences of 87 other inmates.
That was not all: 10 other prisoners joined the jubilation on learning that President Sata had spared them from the hangman’s noose by commuting their death sentences to life.
Those released were serving 30 years each for murder and the 87 that were jailed for life have had their sentences reduced to 30 years.
Faraha Mwansa, 41, who was jailed for life for murder and has served 10 years of the sentence, celebrated her release with tears of joy and rolled on the ground as she praised President Sata for the unexpected Christmas gesture.
Godfrey Siame, whose life sentence for murder and aggravated robbery was commuted to 30 years by President Levy Mwanawasa, was yesterday gifted with freedom after spending 16 years in prison.
Another inmate, Sharon Muleba, wept uncontrollably when she heard that her life sentence for drug trafficking had been reduced to 30 years.
Kupa Kafunda, whose life sentence was commuted to 30 years, was virtually at a loss of words to describe his joy.
Commissioner of Prisons Percy Chato was the bearer of President Sata’s unprecedented Christmas gift.
Standing before the hordes of prisoners, he read: “I wish to report to you that the President in exercise of Article 59 of the Constitution has duly signed the order to commute 10 death sentences to life, 87 life sentences to 30 years and the release of two long-term prisoners from prisons forthwith.”
The prisoners broke into wild cheers.
“This is the message I have for you and His Excellency [President Sata] has chosen Christmas as a symbol of hope because this is a day we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ,” Mr Chato said.
President Sata’s gesture follows petitions by that some prisoners for leniency in accordance with Prisons Rule 140 of Cap 87 of the Laws of Zambia regarding their cases.
President Sata’s message to the prisoners was read  by Mukobeko Maximum Security Prison officer-in-charge Hastings Chilombe who noted that prisoners whose sentences were commuted were convicted by the High Court of Zambia for various offences and their appeals were dismissed by the Supreme Court.
The President said in the message that through powers vested in him through Article 59 of the republican Constitution, he had substituted the death sentences of 10 prisoners effective the day they were each arrested.
Saved from hanging are Etombi Sitali, Cosmas Phiri, Mulonda Mwendede, Muchiwene Kubola, Charles Phiri, Richard Ngolofawani, Baton Mwaba, Jeffy Mukela, Isaac Zimba and John Phiri.
The cases of the affected prisoners were considered by the prerogative of mercy committee who in turn advised President Sata on what course of action to take.
And the prisoners, through their representatives Lucky Chisuka, Kupe Kafunda and Linda Banda, praised Mr Sata for this gesture.
“We would like to thank the President for what he has done,” Ms Banda said as other inmates applauded.
And Mr Chato encouraged other prisoners who did not benefit from this gesture to continue petitioning the President to be pardoned.

70 total views, 70 views today

EVER since the demise of Zambia Airways in 1994, Zambia has had no flag carrier and this has had a negative impact on the growth of tourism in the country, which is one of key sectors of promoting economic development and job creation.
The MMD government realised this and made efforts to restart a national airline but to no avail even after a feasibility study was done on how to proceed with the process of re-starting a national airline.
There were no clear reasons given for the failure to establish a national airline even when a feasibility study had been concluded
Zambia Airways was the state-owned Zambian flag carrier which went bankrupt in 1994 although there are still reports that actually the airline should not have been allowed to be liquidated because it had more assets than liabilities.
But that was in 1994 and the Fredrick Chiluba-led government was under pressure from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund not to sustain the airline’s operation under a donor-influenced structural adjustment programme.
Zambia Airways was founded in 1964 as a subsidiary of Central African Airways. The original fleet consisted two Douglas DC-3 and three DHC-2 Beaver and by 1967 Zambia Airways had become independent of Central African Airways.
Now that we do not have the airline anymore, the country is becoming increasingly aware about the need for a national airline and the PF government has equally realised this and wants to restart the issue of having a national carrier.
This is why we also agree with Taj Pamodzi Hotel which has joined several stakeholders to call for a national airline since it is crucial in increasing the number of tourists coming to Zambia.
Hotel general manager Sanjay Sood said many tourists shun the country because of the long travelling time due to lack of a national airline that could service direct flights to key destinations.
Now that British Airways has suspended flights into Zambia, the need for a national airline cannot be more imperative because tourists would have to make many connections if they are coming from Europe before landing into Zambia.
In June this year President Sata said Zambia urgently needs a national airline and it has invited international airlines to partner with government in setting up a national carrier.
In October Vice-President Guy Scott said the establishment of a national airline will be underway, adding that a Cabinet memo was in draft form and being circulated to various stakeholders in the transport sector although no decision had yet been made.
We need a national airline because it will help in marketing the country and ensure that Zambia has more tourist inflows.
A national airline will also go a long way in creating employment opportunities and this is in line with the PF manifesto designed to create jobs and reduce poverty.
A national airline will make it easier to export floricultural and horticultural products that have been earning millions of US$ dollars.
We, therefore, hope that a national airline will one day be created to help Zambia’s economic growth.

179 total views, 86 views today

By NDANGWA MWITTAH
AFTER successfully hosting Copperbelt rapper Macky II’s third studio album launch, the spotlight is still on Lusaka’s Polo Grill situated in the Showgrounds as it hosts two beauty pageants at once – Miss Red Carpet Moments and Miss Pageant Zambia.
The Miss Red Carpet Moments will be the first to start with 12 girls gunning for the ultimate crown.
Miss Pageant will then follow slightly after 22:00 hours where 15 girls will battle it out for the crown currently being held by 21-year-old Hannah Chiwenda.
Chief organiser of the event Lee Sokoni told the Weekend Mail in Lusaka that he is hopeful the pageant will be a success.
“It will be a double header… two pageants on the same night and same venue, it will indeed be great. Initially, there were supposed to be two separate pageants but in the end, we just decided to merge them. The winners will win fantastic prizes,” Sokoni said.
The themes for the two pageants are ‘Dragging down the abuse of drugs among Zambian Youths” and “Stepping up Cervical Cancer Sensitisation and Screening” for the Miss Red Carpet and Miss Pageant Zambia respectively.
The 15 participants for the latter are Cynthia Mwale, Kamwanga Tshilimba, Kunda Mwale, Chimika Mwanza, Sibongile Sepo, Yvette Maseka, Mulenga Kasungu, Natasha Mbewe, Aida Chilembo and Etambuyu Liyungu.
Others are Rachael Musukuma, Bless Kalomba, Astridah Muyunda, Noria Lungu as well as Nicole Hanapande.
Artistes Chef 187 and B Flow are expected to lead musicians in entertaining those who will turn up for the pageant.

138 total views, 63 views today

By VIOLET MENGO
A WHITE rhino calf was born on Christmas Day, bringing the number of white rhinos in the North Luangwa National Park to nine.
The birth brings the national tally of rhinos to 40, comprising 29 black rhinos and 11 white rhinos.
Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) communications and public relations officer Readith Muliyunda said the latest birth coincides with ZAWA’s celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Black Rhino project last week, which is aimed at re-establishing the black rhino population in the country.
Ms Muliyunda said 40 is the highest number of rhinos that the country has recorded since the rhino was officially declared extinct in Zambia.
She said ZAWA, in collaboration with Frankfurt Zoological Society Project (FSZ), started an ambitious project of building the number of rhinos in 2001 and since managed to bring black rhinos from South Africa into the North Luangwa National Park.
“From the total of 25 black rhinos received, with some loses along the way from natural causes and adaptation challenges, there have been 14 births since the project started in 2001. The newly born Christmas rhino can now boast of a population of 39 black and white rhinos put together,” Ms Muliyunda said.
She said Germany has provided 500,000 euros to support the project and also for the on-going micro finance support from the embassy for several community initiatives.
“Conservation Education Programme was launched for the schools in the Game Management Area surrounding the North Luangwa National Park. This has developed and now reaches 1,500 grade six school pupils in 22 schools,” she said.

128 total views, 88 views today

From CHOMBA MUSIKA in Livingstone
A 22-YEAR-OLD man of Sinazeze area in Southern Province was arrested on Christmas eve for  allegedly stabbing his brother to death.
Southern Province commissioner of police Charity Katanga confirmed the incident and identified the deceased as Omar Simwakali of Munyati village in Sinazeze.
Mrs Katanga said in an interview yesterday the incident happened around 22:00hours..
“A murder case was reported at Sinazeze Police Post in which Afred Siachaluza of Munyati village reported that Omar Simwakali, 24, of Munyati village has been killed by his brother only identified as Simwakali, 22, of the same village.
“This occurred on December 24, this year between 21:00 and 22:00hours at the same village,” she said.
The police chief said the deceased’s relatives apprehended the suspect.
“Sinazeze police officers booked out to pick the body and the suspect who was apprehended by the relatives and the knife that was used in the act,” Mrs Katanga said.
She said police are still investigating the matter.
In another development, an 18-year-old girl of Nampande village in Kazungula was arrested on Christmas eve after she allegedly burnt a house at around 22:00hours.
The inferno destroyed property worth over K2,000.
Southern Province commissioner of police Charity Katanga confirmed the incident yesterday.
“Emeria Nasilele, Nampande village, of Sekute Chiefdom in Kazungula district reported that her house was burnt by an 18 year-old-girl.
“The incident happened on Tuesday at 22:00 hours at Nampande village and the value of the property destroyed is K2,000,” Mrs Katanga said.

115 total views, 80 views today

NKANA skipper Sydney Kalume (left) donating a set of jerseys to Lions of Kanyama Football Club chairman Holland Silwimba at Kanyama Primary School ground in Lusaka on Thursday. – Picture by COLLINS PHIRI.

By ELIZABETH CHATUVELA
NKANA skipper Sydney Kalume on Thursday donated a set of jerseys worth K1, 000 to his former side Lions of Kanyama.
Speaking during the presentation ceremony in Lusaka, Kalume said the donation was meant to encourage young players at the club to realise their dream.
Kalume said football has become big business world over.
He is happy that a number of youths in Kanyama are keen to take up the sport.
Kalume urged the players to be disciplined if they are to reach higher heights.
“I’m in my current position today because I’m disciplined and do not take any alcohol. These young players should take a leaf from me if they are to be like me or even surpass my record,” said Kalume, who was part of the national team that finished third at the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) Senior Challenge Cup in Kenya.
He was also a member of the Chipolopolo squad that won the 2013 COSAFA Castle Senior Challenge Cup which was staged in Zambia.
And Lions of Kanyama chairman Holland Silwimba thanked Kalume for the gesture.
Silwimba said Kalume is the second player to render support to the club after midfielder Nathan Sinkala, who features for Democratic Republic of Congo side TP Mazembe.
“Our club has produced a number of good players and it gives us joy when we see our children coming back to support us,” he said.

169 total views, 89 views today

By TEDDY KUYELA
GOVERNMENT has warned of stern action against people masquerading as immigration consultants.
Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Stephen Kampyongo said Government has received reports of some people impersonating immigration consultants but he has warned that the law will soon catch up with these unscrupulous people.
Mr Kampyongo said this in Lusaka yesterday when he opened the fifth annual general assembly meeting for the Association of Professional Immigration Consultants.
“Government has noted with sadness that despite the Statutory Instrument No. 38 of 2013 being in force, we still receive reports of people masquerading as immigration consultants.
“Such illegal and immoral acts by unscrupulous people should be urgently curbed,” he said.
The Statutory Instrument No. 38 of 2013, which came into force in May this year, has paved way for the registration of 22 immigration consultants.
He said Government is working hard to help offer an efficient, corrupt-free immigration service.
Mr Kampyongo challenged the 22 immigration consultants to adhere to the codes of ethics.
He said this will help create a positive public identity not only for themselves but also for the Immigration Department.
Mr Kampyongo said the decision will also lead to increased public confidence and trust among all stakeholders in the country.
“The codes of ethics are meant to clarify the association’s mission, values and principles, coupled with standards of professional conduct,” he said.

95 total views, 55 views today

By ARTHUR MWANSA
ZAMBIA National Education Coalition board chairperson Elly Siakassasa says Constituent Development Fund (CDF) guidelines should be amended to include a provision for funds to be allocated to early childhood and education (ECE) programmes.
Ms Siakassasa said this recently in a statement made available to the Femail by ZANEC programme officer for research information and advocacy Nelson Banda.
This follows the just-ended CDF consultative meeting in Solwezi. The objective was to bring different stakeholders together to discuss the financing of early education at community level using the CDF.
Ms Siakassasa said the meeting also recommended that the Ministry of Finance and National Planning should also exempt the education sector from the wage and recruitment freeze as the sector needs more teachers including pre-school teachers in 2014 and beyond.
Recently, Government announced the freezing of salary increments and recruitment of civil servants for the next two year.
She said that there is need for the Government to put together more resources in ECE programmes at community level and deploy more teachers because ECE is the foundation for all children.
The chairperson said it is unfortunate that most children come from homes where they cannot afford books and other learning materials, hence the need for the provision of free ECE services.
Ms Siakassasa also identified the lack of infrastructure, furniture and learning materials, long distances to the centres, poor curriculum, illegal mushrooming of ECE structures and expensive private pre-schools with low standards and unqualified teachers as the major challenges facing the provision of ECE in the country.
She said participants at the meeting felt that there is need for ECE centres to be monitored by the council to ensure they provided quality education.
Ms Siakassasa said ZANEC and the Ministry of Education should also come up with an implementation framework for ECE in communities and to ensure that members are sensitised on the framework.

60 total views, 33 views today