President Rupiah Banda will on May 7 visit Luanshya mine on the Copperbelt to hold a meeting with the Mine Workers Union of Zambia (MUZ, workers and management of Luanshya Copper Mine (LCM). Luanshya mine was recently closed and put on care and maintenance.
President Banda would be accompanied by Finance and National Planning Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane, MP, Mines and Minerals Development Minister Maxwell Mwale, MP and Labour and Social Services Minister Austin Liato, MP.
The President would return to Lusaka the same day before travelling to South Africa for the inauguration of South Africa’s President-Elect Jacob Zuma.
Thursday, May 07, 2009
RB to attend Zuma's inauguration in South Africa
President Mr. Rupiah Banda will on May 8 to leave for South Africa to attend the inauguration of South Africa’s President-Elect Jacob Zuma. President Banda was invited by the South African Government to be among several African Heads of State and Government at a ceremony to be held on May 9 in Pretoria.
in his statement Special Assistant for press Dickson Jere says President Banda will be accompanied by First Lady Thandiwe Banda and Foreign Affairs Minister Kabinga Pande MP. He returns to Lusaka on May 10.
in his statement Special Assistant for press Dickson Jere says President Banda will be accompanied by First Lady Thandiwe Banda and Foreign Affairs Minister Kabinga Pande MP. He returns to Lusaka on May 10.
Tribal remark raises dust
A tribal remark by Roan Member of Parliament Chishimba Kambwili has raised some dust and Local Government and Housing Minister Benny Tetamashimba has now asked Patriotic Front (PF) president Michael Sata to discipline the MP for insulting the people of North-Western province during a public rally in Kitwe. During the rally, Kambwili allegedly blamed the people of Luanshya for voting for Labour and Social Security Deputy Minister Simon Kachimba as Member of Parliament for the area, saying he knew a lot of well meaning and successful Luvales but not Mr Kachimba.
But Mr Sata said yesterday that according to rules of natural justice, he would allow that Mr Kambwili be heard before he could issue a comprehensive comment.
And in his letter dated May 4, 2009 addressed to Mr Sata and copied to President Banda, the chairpersons for the Lunda Lubanza, Likumbi Lyamize, Ukusefya Pa Ng’wena and Nsakwa Yaba Kaonde ceremonies, Mr Tetamashimba said that as a person from North-Western Province, he expected the PF president to discipline his member for tribal remarks.
“As a person who originates from North-Western Province and to other Luvales, Lundas and Kaondes and all other tribes there, I want to know what you as president of the PF will do to punish Mr Kambwili and if you do not do that, we shall take it that your tribe where Kambwili comes from hates the people from the North-Western Province,” Mr Tetamashimba’s letter reads.
He said that the people of North-Western Province would defend themselves against tribes that insulted them. Tetamashimba, who is MMD spokesperson, said that the people of North-Western Province would also punish the leaders of parties that tolerated such ideas by ensuring that their parties were non-existent in the province.
“As North-Western Province we believe in One Zambia One Nation,” he said.
In his letter dated May 6 2009 to Mr Tetamashimba, Mr Sata said that it was important that Mr Kambwili was accorded an opportunity to be heard.
“I am unable to comment on your allegations against Mr Kambwili. Natural justice demands that the accused be heard; I am therefore referring your letter to Mr Kambwili for comment. On receipt of his comment I will be at liberty to reply to your letter,” read Mr Sata’s letter.
But speaking in an interview, Sata said that he had in fact expected Kachimba and not Tetamashimba to complain if he fel t insulted by Kambwili. He said it was wrong for people to survive on tribalism noting that if Kambwili made a mistake, then he did so as an individual and not collectively or as somebody from a particular province.
“I would have rather expected a complaint from Kachimba but the point is I do not see the reason why people should survive on tribalism,” Sata said.
And Kambwili May 6 said he did not insult the Luvale-speaking people but that he only criticised Mr Kachimba as an individual. Kamwili said he was not a tribalist as some people had branded him and indicated that the erroneous impression arose from what he termed as incorrect media report. He said while at the PF rally in Kitwe at the weekend, he said most Luvales he had met were intelligent and propagated progressive ideas unlike Mr Kachimba who was also of the same tribe.
Kambwili said that he had also said that the people in Luanshya were suffering because they voted for Mr Kachimba who was not giving correct advice on the mines.
“I said that I know a lot of Luvales who are successful and well meaning in society but that Mr Kachimba was not among them. He has continued praising the Chinese mine managers instead of questioning the slave wages they are paying Zambians,” he said.
Kambwili said Bembas and Luvales were one people who came from the Kola kingdom in the present day Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and that there was no way he could insult his own brothers and sisters.
But Mr Sata said yesterday that according to rules of natural justice, he would allow that Mr Kambwili be heard before he could issue a comprehensive comment.
And in his letter dated May 4, 2009 addressed to Mr Sata and copied to President Banda, the chairpersons for the Lunda Lubanza, Likumbi Lyamize, Ukusefya Pa Ng’wena and Nsakwa Yaba Kaonde ceremonies, Mr Tetamashimba said that as a person from North-Western Province, he expected the PF president to discipline his member for tribal remarks.
“As a person who originates from North-Western Province and to other Luvales, Lundas and Kaondes and all other tribes there, I want to know what you as president of the PF will do to punish Mr Kambwili and if you do not do that, we shall take it that your tribe where Kambwili comes from hates the people from the North-Western Province,” Mr Tetamashimba’s letter reads.
He said that the people of North-Western Province would defend themselves against tribes that insulted them. Tetamashimba, who is MMD spokesperson, said that the people of North-Western Province would also punish the leaders of parties that tolerated such ideas by ensuring that their parties were non-existent in the province.
“As North-Western Province we believe in One Zambia One Nation,” he said.
In his letter dated May 6 2009 to Mr Tetamashimba, Mr Sata said that it was important that Mr Kambwili was accorded an opportunity to be heard.
“I am unable to comment on your allegations against Mr Kambwili. Natural justice demands that the accused be heard; I am therefore referring your letter to Mr Kambwili for comment. On receipt of his comment I will be at liberty to reply to your letter,” read Mr Sata’s letter.
But speaking in an interview, Sata said that he had in fact expected Kachimba and not Tetamashimba to complain if he fel t insulted by Kambwili. He said it was wrong for people to survive on tribalism noting that if Kambwili made a mistake, then he did so as an individual and not collectively or as somebody from a particular province.
“I would have rather expected a complaint from Kachimba but the point is I do not see the reason why people should survive on tribalism,” Sata said.
And Kambwili May 6 said he did not insult the Luvale-speaking people but that he only criticised Mr Kachimba as an individual. Kamwili said he was not a tribalist as some people had branded him and indicated that the erroneous impression arose from what he termed as incorrect media report. He said while at the PF rally in Kitwe at the weekend, he said most Luvales he had met were intelligent and propagated progressive ideas unlike Mr Kachimba who was also of the same tribe.
Kambwili said that he had also said that the people in Luanshya were suffering because they voted for Mr Kachimba who was not giving correct advice on the mines.
“I said that I know a lot of Luvales who are successful and well meaning in society but that Mr Kachimba was not among them. He has continued praising the Chinese mine managers instead of questioning the slave wages they are paying Zambians,” he said.
Kambwili said Bembas and Luvales were one people who came from the Kola kingdom in the present day Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and that there was no way he could insult his own brothers and sisters.
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
Unrest in Sata's Patriotic Front
For some time now there has been an ongoing low level conflict with Michael Sata's Patriotic Front. It all started with some MPs revolting against the party position soon after the National Constitutional Conference Act was passed in 2007. The party decided it would not participate in the deliberations of the conference that was constituted under the Act instigating a revolt by 26 MPs. The fight has been in court, injunctions made to no avail.
Now the campaign has moved further by questioning Sata's continued leadership of the part. Some cadres are now suggesting that Sata should be replaced as leader of the party.
However, PF Copperbelt chairman Mwenya Musenge said in Kitwe May 4 that no PF official was currently ready to take over from Sata because they were all still learning from his vast experience in politics. He said Sata was the only leader that could lead PF to greater heights and it was important that party members continued learning from his vast experience before thinking of taking over the party leadership.
Musenge, who is Nkana MP, said no party member or official was currently ripe to take over from Sata because they were all students learning from the PF founder’s vast experience in politics.
But PF Kasama Member of Parliament (MP) Saviour Chishimba supported members calling for Sata's replacement saying they have a right to voice out their opinions on the type of leadership they want.
Dr Chishimba said in Lusaka May 4 that although Sata deserved praise for having held the party together under difficult circumstances, PF members still had the right to advocate for intra-party democracy. He understood calls from the youth on the Copperbelt for either him or Roan MP Chishimba Kambwili to take over the PF leadership and would not condemn them because he also believed in democracy.
“What I know is that the party convention was supposed to be held in March but could not take place. Of course the PF is for all the members but we need to thank Mr Sata for holding the party together because many opposition parties have gone under,” he said.
Now the campaign has moved further by questioning Sata's continued leadership of the part. Some cadres are now suggesting that Sata should be replaced as leader of the party.
However, PF Copperbelt chairman Mwenya Musenge said in Kitwe May 4 that no PF official was currently ready to take over from Sata because they were all still learning from his vast experience in politics. He said Sata was the only leader that could lead PF to greater heights and it was important that party members continued learning from his vast experience before thinking of taking over the party leadership.
Musenge, who is Nkana MP, said no party member or official was currently ripe to take over from Sata because they were all students learning from the PF founder’s vast experience in politics.
But PF Kasama Member of Parliament (MP) Saviour Chishimba supported members calling for Sata's replacement saying they have a right to voice out their opinions on the type of leadership they want.
Dr Chishimba said in Lusaka May 4 that although Sata deserved praise for having held the party together under difficult circumstances, PF members still had the right to advocate for intra-party democracy. He understood calls from the youth on the Copperbelt for either him or Roan MP Chishimba Kambwili to take over the PF leadership and would not condemn them because he also believed in democracy.
“What I know is that the party convention was supposed to be held in March but could not take place. Of course the PF is for all the members but we need to thank Mr Sata for holding the party together because many opposition parties have gone under,” he said.
Monday, May 04, 2009
Swine flu: Unza has capacity to detect disease
UNIVERSITY of Zambia (UNZA) dean of veterinary medicine, Aaron Mweene says Zambia has the capacity to detect swine influenza should it break out. Speaking on a Zambian National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC)programme, Open Line, Dr Mweene May 3 said the veterinary school has a state-of-the-art laboratory that can detect any infectious diseases. Dr Mweene said in the southern Africa region, only Zambia and South Africa have advanced laboratory equipment able to detect infectious materials.
“Government, with support from the Japanese Government in August last year, opened the laboratory. Currently, we are carrying out surveillance of bird flu in domestic birds, national parks and markets and we are able to detect any virus within a few hours,” he said.
He said the school of veterinary is also working in conjunction with other laboratories in the region in carrying out research and scaling up surveillance on the swine flu. Dr Mweene said there is need for countries in the world to be weary of swine influenza as it has the potential to become a pandemic.
“This virus is airborne and no wonder it is spreading so quickly in countries where it has been reported. So as a country, we need to be cautious and put in stringent measures because it has the potential to cause devastation,” he said.
And director of public health and research in the Ministry of Health, Victor Mukonka says Government has the capacity to manage an outbreak of swine flu. He said the ministry, with technical support from the World Health Organisation and Center for Disease Control and Prevention, is stocking up drugs in all health centres as one of the measures to manage an outbreak of the virus.
“As Government, we do not work in isolation, rather we are working with the organisations I have mentioned as well as multi-sectoral teams within the country in putting up measures to deal with the disease,” he said.
He said a team of health personnel have been deployed at airports and all border areas to carry out surveillance and sensitise members of the public on precautionary measures.
“There is no need for people to panic as the swine flu has not broken out in the country. What is most important is for members of the public to report to the nearest health centre should they develop symptoms,” he said.
Acting chief epidemiologist in the ministry of agriculture, Yona Sinkala said the ministry has intensified screening of pigs in markets before they are slaughtered.
He said this was in an effort to ensure that pigs are disease free before consumption.
“My appeal to pig farmers is for them to be alert and look out for the disease,” he said.
“Government, with support from the Japanese Government in August last year, opened the laboratory. Currently, we are carrying out surveillance of bird flu in domestic birds, national parks and markets and we are able to detect any virus within a few hours,” he said.
He said the school of veterinary is also working in conjunction with other laboratories in the region in carrying out research and scaling up surveillance on the swine flu. Dr Mweene said there is need for countries in the world to be weary of swine influenza as it has the potential to become a pandemic.
“This virus is airborne and no wonder it is spreading so quickly in countries where it has been reported. So as a country, we need to be cautious and put in stringent measures because it has the potential to cause devastation,” he said.
And director of public health and research in the Ministry of Health, Victor Mukonka says Government has the capacity to manage an outbreak of swine flu. He said the ministry, with technical support from the World Health Organisation and Center for Disease Control and Prevention, is stocking up drugs in all health centres as one of the measures to manage an outbreak of the virus.
“As Government, we do not work in isolation, rather we are working with the organisations I have mentioned as well as multi-sectoral teams within the country in putting up measures to deal with the disease,” he said.
He said a team of health personnel have been deployed at airports and all border areas to carry out surveillance and sensitise members of the public on precautionary measures.
“There is no need for people to panic as the swine flu has not broken out in the country. What is most important is for members of the public to report to the nearest health centre should they develop symptoms,” he said.
Acting chief epidemiologist in the ministry of agriculture, Yona Sinkala said the ministry has intensified screening of pigs in markets before they are slaughtered.
He said this was in an effort to ensure that pigs are disease free before consumption.
“My appeal to pig farmers is for them to be alert and look out for the disease,” he said.
Swine flu: state bans imports of pigs, pork products
Swine flu or to politically correct Flu A that started in Mexico is worrying governments as far off as Africa. In Zambia government May 2 announced a ban of importa of pigs and pork products from countries reporting severe cases of swine flu.
Agriculture minister Bradford Machila announced at a press briefing May 1 that there no restrictions of movement of pig and pork products within the country though the normal procedure for stock movement is to be strictly followed. He said there was no evidence that the virus was a threat to the food chain and that there was no evidence that the flu in Mexico and the United State was preceded by an outbreak of swine flu.
"Swine flu viruses are not spread by cooked food and you cannot be infected by eating well cooked pork or pork products. However, one can get infection during the preparation of contaminated pork and pork products," he said.
He said swine flu should not be confused with African Swine Fever which is a disease of pigs only and does not affect humans. He said his ministry through the national response plan for avian flu has started scaling up surveillance in pigs.
Agriculture minister Bradford Machila announced at a press briefing May 1 that there no restrictions of movement of pig and pork products within the country though the normal procedure for stock movement is to be strictly followed. He said there was no evidence that the virus was a threat to the food chain and that there was no evidence that the flu in Mexico and the United State was preceded by an outbreak of swine flu.
"Swine flu viruses are not spread by cooked food and you cannot be infected by eating well cooked pork or pork products. However, one can get infection during the preparation of contaminated pork and pork products," he said.
He said swine flu should not be confused with African Swine Fever which is a disease of pigs only and does not affect humans. He said his ministry through the national response plan for avian flu has started scaling up surveillance in pigs.
Malaria, Mass Production of Children and Education
Chief Chitambo of Serenje has encouraged couples in his chiefdom to have a minimum of ten children.
Speakling on World Malaria Day at Gibson Rural health Centre May 2 Chief Chitambo said mass reproduction would ensure that large tracts of arable land in his chiefdom are used for agriculture. He said the population in his chiefdom was low, hence the need for his subjects to produce more children.
"I have 26 children and I am remaining with four to make 30. So you should also work hard and produce a minimum of 10," he said amid applause
And Chief chitambo urged people in his chiefdom to pursue adult education so they learn how to read and write. Chief Chitambo said he would not appoint illiterate people as indunas (advisors). He said those wishing to be appointed as Indunas should be able to read and write.
"How do I communicate with a person who can't read or write and what happens in the event that I receive a letter from higher offices and need the Induna to act on it? If you cannot read or write and want to become an Induan, forget it," he said.
Speakling on World Malaria Day at Gibson Rural health Centre May 2 Chief Chitambo said mass reproduction would ensure that large tracts of arable land in his chiefdom are used for agriculture. He said the population in his chiefdom was low, hence the need for his subjects to produce more children.
"I have 26 children and I am remaining with four to make 30. So you should also work hard and produce a minimum of 10," he said amid applause
And Chief chitambo urged people in his chiefdom to pursue adult education so they learn how to read and write. Chief Chitambo said he would not appoint illiterate people as indunas (advisors). He said those wishing to be appointed as Indunas should be able to read and write.
"How do I communicate with a person who can't read or write and what happens in the event that I receive a letter from higher offices and need the Induna to act on it? If you cannot read or write and want to become an Induan, forget it," he said.
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