Reports indicate that Zambia has been awarded the three (3) points on the intentional oversight by Sudan national football team for using an ineligible player Sail Ali, who was suspended.
This means that the Zambian team has automatically shot to the top of the summit of group D of the Brazil 2014 world cup qualifiers with 6 points seconded by Ghana with 3 points

A 47-year-old Kabwe business executive and his two sons accused of brutally killing a 40-year-old man yesterday appeared in court, with a witness narrating that a metal bar was used to hit the victim several times.

The fight was over a slasher which was borrowed from the accused person’s house.

Jackson Mtonga 20, testified before Kabwe High Court Judge Florence Mwikisa how on the fateful night of December 29, 2011 his cousin was repeatedly hit using a metal bar over a slasher, as he watched helplessly.

This is in a case in which Geoffrey Ndawa 47, Bernard Chikoti 22, and Russell Bwalya 20, all of Kabwe’s Highridge area are charged with murdering Masautso Mtonga 40, contrary to the Laws of Zambia.

In his testimony, Jackson narrated that on the material day Ndawa went to their house which was not far from his house to inquire about a slasher which Mtonga had borrowed.

He told the court that when Mtonga arrived at Ndawa’s home, he was questioned about the slasher and that Ndawa picked up a metal bar which he hit Mtonga with several times.

Jackson testified that Ndawa continued beating the victim while he was tied saying he that Mtonga was pretending to be unable to walk and told his other son Bernard to bring bars so that they could carry him to the police station, the witness to offer using a wheelbarrow.

The witness rushed home and brought a wheelbarrow but could not follow them for fear of the annoyed Ndawa.

The following morning he learnt that the his cousin had died. The wheelbarrow was admitted as part of evidence after he identified it.

And police officer on duty at Chowa police station, Constable Jerome Kazembe testified on the night of December 29, 2011 when the three accused persons claimed they had brought a criminal who had trespassed into their house.

Mr Kazembe said he could not detain the victim because he looked unwell and seemed to be in pain but could not rush him to the hospital as he was the only officer manning the station.

He said Mtonga remained at the inquiry until in the morning when he was taken to the hospital where he later died.

Defence is scheduled for this Friday while the suspects remained remanded in custody.

That republican President Michael Sata is Chimbwi no plan has angered some women in the ruling Patriotic Front-PF.

Mr. Hichilema during the press briefing in Lusaka yesterday, Mr. Hichilema called the republican President as Chimbwi no plan alleging that Mr. Sata does not have any plans for Zambia.

Lusaka Province Chairperson Margret Mumba appealed to the UPND leader to refrain from insulting the republican President.

THE youth leadership in Western Province has resolved to back former Kaoma Central Member of Parliament (MP) Austin Liato as the MMD’s vice-president.

Those in support of Mr Liato are youth chairpersons from Kaoma, Mongu, Sesheke, Kalabo, Lukulu, Senanga, Shang’ombo and Mulobezi districts.

The resolution was made at a meeting held at Ishaa Mbingo’s Kraal Lodge in Kaoma at the weekend.

Those that signed the resolution were Kaoma District youth chairperson David Chiyuka, Vincent Mapunga from Mongu, Sesheke’s George Simulilo and Mulambwa Munalula representing Kalabo.

Others were Mutete Mutete from Lukulu, Senganga’s Muyambwa Wamundila, Lifasi Mutonga of Shang’ombo and Sililo Kusika representing Mulobezi.

When contacted for comment, MMD deputy national secretary Chembe Nyangu said Mr Liato was a “free man as his suspension was lifted long before his conviction.”

He said Mr Liato was an active and loyal member of the former ruling party.

Mr Nyangu said the position of vice-president had not been advertised yet, but that it would be announced soon.

He said members who were in good standing with the party would be urged to contest.

“By 30th June, 2012 we should have the two vice-presidents in place,” he said.

Western Province youth Chairperson Musangu Njamba said the resolution to rally behind Mr Liato was based on his exemplary track record in various portfolios he served and that it was arrived at after wider consultations in the province.

“We have resolved that we are going to sell Liato for the position of the vice-president of our party because we have seen how he has worked. Mr Liato has worked well in all the portfolios he was given in the Government of this country,” he said.

Mr Njamba cited Mr Liato’s portfolios he had served as Labour minister, Energy deputy minister, Lusaka Province Minister, Kaoma Central MP for ten years, Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) vice- president.

He also served as Zambia Electricity and Allied Workers Union president.

The Lusaka Magistrate’s Court last month sentenced Mr Liato to two years imprisonment with hard labour for possessing property suspected to be proceeds of crime. This was in connection with the K2.1 billion, which was dug out from his Mwembeshi farm.

He was released on K50 million bail pending his appeal to the High Court.

At the MMD provincial conferences, which ushered into office Nevers Mumba as the party’s president, it was resolved that the vice- presidency position be reintroduced after being frozen for several years.

The party would now have two vice-presidents, one in charge of political affairs while the other one for administration.

[caption id="attachment_335" align="aligncenter" width="287" caption="Picture does not in anyway represent Ruth Mulusi"][/caption]

Former Shipolopolo Striker Ruth Mulusi is battling for her life at Lusaka’s UTH after nurses at the labour ward left wool in her uterus after delivering a baby boy.
After being discharged the soccer bullet couldn’t walk upright or eat big meals.

After spending 3 days at home her state got worse and she was taken Back to UTH and a doctor quickly examined her, just a push again on the tummy and there was puss coming out.
Dr got shocked when cotton wool that was at the delivery got out smelling.

Former Energy Minister Kenneth Konga this morning collapsed as he was being interrogated by the joint investigative wings in Lusaka.

MMD President Nevers Mumba has confirmed this to ZNBC News. Dr. Mumba said that Mr. Konga was rushed to Saint Johns hospital but has since been moved to the University Teaching Hospital.

Last year, Mr Konga was summoned by the Zambia police at the former Task Force offices and the police seized his vehicle following a nine hours search conducted at his Kabulonga residence.

A combined team of investigators from the Zambia Police, Anti Corruption Commission and Drug Enforcement Commission also seized two motorcycles from the former minister’s residence. Later on in parliament, Mr Konga, said that the Hummer police seized from his Kabulonga residence was acquired using the money Members of Parliament get from Parliament for car loans.

Mr Konga revealed this when he asked vice president Guy Scott to tell the house whether the money the National Assembly gives MPs for car loans is stolen money for Police to seize his vehicle.

Police spokesperson Elizabeth Kanjela later announced that Mr Konga had been cautioned in relation to abuse of authority contrary to Section 99 Sub-Section 1 of the laws of Zambia.

Early this month, Mr Konga opened a Hotel in Lusaka built at a cost of K4.5 billion. The 40-room Diamondacres Hotel on Dedan Kemathi Road overlooking the Kafue Road Fly-over Bridge, has created 25 direct jobs, according to Mr Konga.

Mr Konga, who is Chavuma Member of Parliament, said that the hotel was going to help the country provide hospitality services to tourists and accommodate business persons from other countries. He said the aim of building the hotel was to contribute to the creation of jobs for Zambians and to offer good services to the public.

“We spent about K4.5 billion to put up this hotel and so far it has created 25 direct jobs for Zambians and we are hoping we can create 10 more jobs to make it 35.

“People who will be coming to Zambia from different parts of the world are welcome and can lodge with us because this is a top-class hotel with quality services for all,” he said.

He said out of the 40 rooms, 36 were executive, two single and two double rooms while the hotel included other facilities like a conference room, a bar and a restaurant. Mr Konga called for more investment in the hospitality industry if Zambia was to attract more tourists and business travellers.

ZNBC/Lusakatimes

A Thirty year old woman of Lusaka’s Bauleni compound has been arrested by police allegedly beaten her husband to death after following a marital dispute.

This comes barely two days after a businessman of Lusaka’s Kanyama compound was allegedly stabbed to death by his wife following a domestic dispute.

Cousin of the deceased Aliness Banda said  that the man died after his wife allegedly hit him with an iron bar on the forehead.

Ms Banda named the deceased as William Daka while his wife is Pauline Daka.

LONDON: While many people may think it's an activity which should be best learned behind closed doors, an enterprising Swedish schoolmistress thinks otherwise.

Ylva-Maria Thompson has opened the world's first international sex school for teaching the art of being better lovers, the Daily Mail reported.

The Austrian International Sex School in Vienna offers 'hands on' lessons in seduction for 1,400 pounds a term. The 'headmistress' says anyone over the age of 16 can enrol at 'the world's first college of applied sexuality'.

Students of the course are expected to stay in a co-ed dormitory block where they're expected to practice their 'homework'. By the end of their course, they are awarded a qualification.

The school head said: "Our core education is not theoretical, but very practical. The emphasis is on how to be a better lover.

"Sexual positions, caressing techniques, anatomical features. And we teach people hands on."

School's spokesperson Melodi Kirsch exuded confidence that the school would be a great success.

The school, however, has already turned controversial in Austria with it raunchy advertisments showing a couple making love having already invited ban by Austrian TV.

MMD has endorsed former MMD vice president's son and former Muchinga constituency MP Gorge Kunda's son to stand on his late father's constituency seat, party Spokesperson Dora siliya has said.
MMD will not contest Livingstone seat but will support the opposition, she said there was no such a thing as true blues. Sources have said she wants Dr Mumba to win.

And ECZ has denied calls that they will conduct elections for MMD, stating that they are not involved.
Meanwhile Sources have said  Mutati will not stay in MMD if he loses the presidency, the 25th May party convention will determine the way forward in the MMD's existence, the party that it led Zambia into democracy.

A couple from Kalikiliki compound of Lusaka on Friday appeared at the Lusaka Boma in a matter where Ms Maureen Phiri summoned her husband Raphael Daka for reconciliation after she claimed loving her husband despite being unfaithful.
But Daka told a fully packed court room that he did not want to be with Maureen because of her continued cheating.
“Your Honour and people listening in here please bear with me, could it make sense for me to bring this woman back who had been caught three times having sex in the nearby bush with my neighbour” asked Daka.
He said two weeks ago Maureen was caught having sex in the bush again with the same neighbor and was brought home by a crowd of people and the police adding that this shameful behaviour made him to chase her from his house because he would not manage risking his life for a woman who was not ready to change.
He further said it would be better if his wife Maureen moved on and married the man she had been cheating on him with.
He said his wife had on several occasions cheated on him but at times he forgave her a situation which strained him to finally leave Maureen so that she could continue wife the life she had chosen.
However Maureen told court that she still loved Daka and could not marry any other man adding that she regrets what she had been doing to her Faithful husband.
After listening to both sides Magistrate Robert Zulu was left with no choice but to allow the couple to divorce as such a marriage could not work looking at the number of times Maureen cheated and the pain a man went through.

United party for National Development (UPND) President Hakainde Hichilema (HH) says Sata is a cadre that is hungry for power and he should tame Kabimba for hiring over 200 Patriotic Front (PF) cadres to fight me at the funeral of the late princesses Nakatindi Wina.
The process in the PF over the constitution is worse because it has no legal basis if they will produce a report that is not accepted by the president then Sata will through it out.
“We are not safe. Committees are full of Sata’s friends and relatives and this is what is destroying us, why did they leave out political parties in the Constitution making process” he observed.
Speaking on Hot Fm he accused the Pf government of being the worst, they are dictators who are fighting corruption when they are also corrupt for issuing tenders to their relatives.
“Sata has given a contract to his relative Minister of Finance Chikwanda to renovate state house and the contract has seen him been paid over K600 million “
HH said this country is not decent enough it has no priorities it has failed to address social need of the people and the more money in the pocket is a failure.
He has accused the government of being worse than the UNIP administration in that they are abusing the people in authority.
He wondered how Sata can blast at his Justice Minister over a report and allow Kabimba to act as a third in command over government when he is not government official.
HH is appealing to the media and the church to fight for the opposition so that the country does not go to a one party state like in UNIP times.
Mr Hichilema wondered how the cadres could pounce on him at the funeral of late princesses Nakatindi Wina when the police were just a stone throw from him.
He quoted the Nyanja proverb “chiwamila galu nkuluma mbunzi not mbuzi kuluma galu, meaning it is better for a dog to bite a goat than for a goat to bite a dog.
“Sata should remember that like another party Pf is in the transit they will leave office one day, they will not be in government forever” he said.
HH said it was unfair for Kabimba to keep issuing statements on parastatal companies, saying he is third in command for the Pf and not the government.
He has called on the journalist and the church to discipline Kabimba so that he stops being a dictator.

President Sata nicknamed 'Ukwa' among critics has led off 20 kitchen staff at statehouse and given them April 30th as deadline to vacate the house.

One of the affected, who has been at state house compound for over 25 years said on the fateful day there was a directive to cook food for Robiana who was admitted at UTH after a 20 kg tumor was operated on him. There was a directive from from state house be taken to UTH for Robiana.

The failure to do so has left more man 20 staff affected. They have accused Sata of making their work difficult, saying he goes in the kitchen to check, monitor and supervise them.

The staff have accused Sata of interfering in their work adding that unlike the past leaders, Sata works in to the kitchen with his hands on his back inspecting what is being prepared. “ Sata controls even the stock been bought."
Some of the staff have opted to retire and get their pension especially those that  have worked for more than 30 years.
It is alleged that these jobs are been created for pf cadres.

ONE top Bank of Zambia (BoZ) official has been axed from the final kwacha rebasing evaluation team and faces disciplinary action for trying to influence the awarding of the final tender to mint and print Zambian currency to one named foreign company. And sources at the central bank have said the Kwacha rebasing exercise will cost K430 billion and ten tenders have already been evaluated and sent to the Zambia Public Procurement Agency (ZPPA) for final selection.
The final evaluating team was reconstituted after the named official was removed after investigations revealed that he had been wining and dining with representatives of a named company which offered to print security features for the Zambian currency.

Sources at the bank said three companies have tendered in their bids to mint the Zambian coins while seven companies have bidded to print the Kwacha notes.
The source said the foreign companies are from England, France, Germany, Swtzerland and Russia and named some of the companies as Thomas De La Rue International, Giesecke and Devrient.
Others are Goznak of Russia, Orell Fussli Security Printing Limited of Switzerland and the South Africa’s Bank Note Company (Pty) Limited. Government in January approved the Bank of Zambia (BoZ) recommendations to re-base the local currency by removing three zeros from all denominations of the kwacha.
“The scrutiny process has been finalised and the tenders sent to the ZPPA for final selection. However, a low mood has gripped the evaluating team which is demanding for disciplinary action to be taken against an official who almost awarded the tender to a named foreign company on his own” he said. He said the complaints about the misconduct of the official who has been accused of bringing the name of the bank into disrepute have been relayed to the top management and other members of the evaluating team are waiting for action.
He said the ZPPA has been asked to take extra caution when scrutinising the tenders to avoid corrupt practices prevailing during the shortlisting of the companies to carry out the exercise. “The K430 billion will cover costs for the publicity campaigns and other logistics but the figure is likely to increase with other over head costs being taken into consideration” he said. And Anglican Priest Father Richard Luonde has said the PF government should consider contracting a renowned company to print the new currencies regardless of the costs.
He urged ZPPA to be transparent in its selecting process if the Zambian currency was to be protected from any illegal activities such as counterfeit production.
Central Bank deputy governor Dr. Bwalya Ng’andu said the printing of the new re-based Kwacha notes was expected to commence next month after the Bank of Zambia (BoZ) signs a contract with the preferred printer.

Lawyers representing former Zambian president Rupiah Banda and his son Henry have said they are preparing urgent appeals to international bodies including the United Nations in a bid to stop the continued unlawful conduct of the Zambian government which wants Henry to answer questions on unspecified charges.
Robert Amsterdam of Amsterdam and Peroff LLP have said the politically driven allegations against Henry which seem to change on an almost daily basis have continued to deteriorate though Henry has never been questioned by the police about anything.
“Henry has been subjected to trial by the state controlled media and the fact that the Zambian authorities still refuse to announce what Henry is accused of demonstrates that they have no real case against him” the lawyers said.
The lawyers are planning to write to international bodies because of the silence of the Zambian authorities on the matter despite repeated requests for details adding that this is now being seen by the public as part of a political witch hunt conducted with the aim of destroying the MMD and prominent figures associated with it.
Henry, who is wanted for alleged corrupt deals, has since said he would not set foot in Zambia because of the refusal of the government to identify the specific charges against him. He has cast doubts on whether he would receive fair treatment from the Zambian government adding that despite his legal representatives contacting the Zambian authorities, nothing has been said about the charges which he faces.Henry has confirmed that he was living in South Africa as he held apermanent residence status by virtue of being married to a South
African citizen.“Henry has never been questioned by the police nor has he been officially summoned. If the situation continues to deteriorate, we are prepared to urgently appeal to international bodies including the UN
to halt the unlawful conduct of the Zambian government” the lawyers said.

[Zambianstar.com]

UPND President Hakainde Hichilema says Commissions of Inquiries set up by President Michael Sata to investigate the perceived wrong doings by former leaders in the MMD are predetermined and aimed at punishing and embarrassing the former ruling party.
Mr. Hichilema said this can be seen in the manner he reacted to Justice Minister Sebastian Zulu’s report on the procurement of the airport Radars as the most useless report before reading and tabling it to cabinet for scrutiny.
The UPND leader said President Sata is inconsistent and someone the people of Zambia should no-longer trust on any issue of national importance.
Mr. Hichilema said President Sata’s outburst against the report before reading was a clear indication that the fight against corruption is ill timed and aimed at few individuals who seemed to be critics to his leadership.
He said it is not right for President Sata to act in a manner that undermines cases which are currently in court by suggesting that Justice Minister Zulu is trying to protect former Transport and Communications Minister Dora Siliya.
Mr. Hichilema said President Sata was told not to proceed with commissions of inquiries because they are just a waste of resources but decided to go ahead and shameless today is the first one to complain.
“I am on record having told President Sata that commissions of inquiries are just a sheer waste of resources but he decided to go ahead because he had a predetermined out of the reports. His business into those commissions was to find leaders in the former government guilty of corruption but alas that it seems to be something else and today he is now accusing his minister of justice of protecting Ms. Siliya which is not the case,” said Hichilema.
Mr. Hichilema observed that President Sata’s conduct exhibited high levels of vengefulness coupled with hate for innocent citizen wondering whether Ms. Siliya would receive a fair trial especially that President Sata on various occasions had issued contemptuous statements.
He said President Sata’s behavior was strange for a head of state adding that ridiculing his ministers in public was an indication that he had no confidence in his cabinet.
Mr. Hichilema who is a serious critique of President Sata’s leadership style urged the head of state to take time and analyse his governance system whether it would offer solutions to the current economic challenges the nation was facing.
“This nation doesn’t need someone vengeful to lead it, it needs an economic manager. No-wonder our colleagues in the PF are offering a raw deal to the people of Zambia. Even the fight against corruption is not genuine, it is like they have already planned who should be investigated, arrested, taken to court and jailed but such actions against the people is very dangerous,” he warned.
He said President Sata should stop his hate speeches against people with divergent views, adding that resorting to insulting ministers was a serious matter which should not be supported.
“What is worrying the nation is that he keeps insulting people in his cabinet. We are not happy with the way he talked down Sebastian Zulu. And if anything Mr. Zulu who is a State Council should resign to uphold his dignity because the President doesn’t not believe in him,” he said.

Source: Zambianstar.com

THREE companies with highest political connections have corruptly been awarded the tender to procure oil for Zambia without following normal tender procedures, making the current evaluation process expected to be held this month as mare formality.

One of the companies was introduced by the son of a leader; another was brought and introduced by a well known businessman in the Banking sector.

According to Investigations, the tender of oil supply attracted 15 companies and 14 qualified after one supplier was disqualified on the basis of late delivery of bid submission, but three companies represented by powerful political interests including one notorious banker who funded the PF elections campaign have reportedly been awarded the contract.

Three big companies Dunvor of Switzerland, Dalbit of Kenya and Glencore of United Kingdom are among the bidders for the contract of the supply of oil. One company is alleged to have promised government a saving of US$40 million which offer has been accepted and is being worked into the persuasion process. Competitors have questioned the morality behind the offer to government, saying the oil company was not being genuine in the manner it was conducting its business using patronage formulas.

Competitors say the trading company had no control of oil prices on the international market and could not determine and fix oil which was controlled by OPEC. The source also revealed that another company which did not bid for comingled feedstock oil which was a bid requirement also known as Murban Crude as per requirement had successfully been shortlisted to be among the three possible suppliers for the period 2012-2014. T

he sources who attended the tender opening on 23 March, said some of the prominent bidders which included a company that had previously been single sourced tendered for diesel as a finished product at US$1, 191.20 per metric tonnes and petrol at US$1,372.46, with other companies not offered the same condition. Other companies that have tendered, Agipol Africa quoted diesel at US$1, 261.01 and petrol at US$1, 367.45, Addax Oryxl tendered for diesel at US$1, 252.49 and petrol at US$1, 468.56.

Trafigula tendered for diesel at US$1,304.70 and petrol at US$1, 418.56, IPG tendered for diesel at US $1, 420.66 and petrol at US $1, 554.71 and Kenol Kobil tendered for diesel at US$1, 294.53 and petrol at US $1, 416.87. A technical analysis of the bids is to be conducted before considering the financial proposals, and that according to the evaluation criteria, the bidder with the lowest price at the financial evaluation stage would be considered the most responsive.

The sources said all companies were required to bid in all the options or categories as required by the law but three foreign companies selectively chose not to and offered the PF government US$40 million. “This company claims that the Zambian government will be able to save money if the tender was offered to them, just because they are being aided by senior PF officials who traveled to Switzerland early this year. That cannot happen because they don’t control the prevailing market prices,” said the source.

The source explained that, for a price evaluation based on using option two of the feedstock combination – 65 per cent Murban Crude and 26 per cent Gasoil and nine per cent Naphtha, the three other companies would have been disqualified. “Having seen the list of successful bidders, to our disappointment, we have also noticed that a United Kingdom oil company has joined in the bid by some businessman from the Banking and Financial Sector. This is the company which was awarded a controversial energy bid under the Mwanawasa regime through a named businessman,” said the source.

The source said some companies set to be evaluated had created tension in Bolivia and Iran as a result of their conduct in the supply of oil. But government through its Minister of Energy Christopher Yaluma have expressed ignorance interfering in bids and tender procedures saying the whole process was still under scrutiny by the Zambia Public Procurement Authority (ZPPA) before being handed to his ministry. This has forced stakeholders in the oil procurement industry to make a passionate appeal to the Zambia Public Procurement Authority (ZPPA) to seriously scrutinize companies bidding for the same tender to avoid corruption practices which have already emerged. Mercuria, Gunvor, Glencore, Crown Well, Dalbit and Kenol Kobil oil companies have been shortlisted for the evaluation to supply 1 440 000 metric tonnes of oil for the period of 2 years. The rest of the list of companies consists of Trafigura, Addax Energy, VITOL, IPG and Agipol Africa Ltd.

sZambianstar.com

Sources withing the MMD have come  to unite till Dora Siliya's downfall, stating that her  indiscipline and lack morals made them loose general elections. The 'anti-Dora group in an exclusive interview with zambianstar.com said she is supporting Dr Nevers Mumba for MMD presidency because he will be easy to manipulate and make him her lover. The source   further  said  that Dora misled former  Republican president Rupiah Banda, that Mumba should take over from him. A situation the old blues are not happy with.

[caption id="attachment_78" align="alignleft" width="350" caption="Nkoya Royal Council chairperson Edwin Nkomesha (c) flanked by Kazanga Royal Council national trustee Webby Mulubisha (right) and Lytone Kaushiku during the press briefing at Court Yard Hotel"][/caption]

Nkoya Royal council have accused  the MMD of hijacking BRE and the Litunga who they say was put on a K100 million Kwacha Salary per month. NRC Chairman Edwin Nkomesha also challenged MMD loosing candidate For  Mongu central, Austin  Liato to stop Macarending and be a proud Mbunda. He said the MMD supporting BRE were acting like headless chickens.

Nkomesha has since asked the lozis to dare his chiefdom and they will fight back. And speaking at Nkonya Indaba  chiefs, kagombe of Kabompo, senior chief mwene mutondo, mwene kahare have vowed to work with president Sata's government. Their members say they want Sata to act.

Senior directors from Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company whose contracts are coming to an end are living in fear that they may not be re-engaged following an indication from management  that president sata's core mandate of paying back to  his supporters in last elections is favors and job  offers.

One of the directors that spoke on condition of anonymity said Zambia has gone from bad to worst is who you know and not what qualification you hold. he has advised cabinet to limit employment his sympathizers.

FOREIGN Affairs and Tourism Minister Given Lubinda yesterday attacked South Africa for imposing yellow fever certificate requirements on Zambians despite an all-clear by the World Health organisation (WHO).
Mr Lubinda says travel restrictions relating to yellow fever have negatively affected the growth of tourism in southern Africa and Zambia with numbers gradually dropping as tourist’s eye ‘less stressful’ routes.
The minister was speaking yesterday in an interview with ZANIS in Grand Baie, Mauritius.
He said he will use the 48th Regional Tourism Organisation in Southern Africa Conference (RETOSA), which opens tomorrow in Mauritius, to engage other tourism ministers over the issue.
Mr Lubinda said Zambia’s tourism had suffered because of South Africa’s demand that all people who transit through South Africa to Zambia and vice-versa must have yellow fever certificates.
He expressed disappointment that even when the area affected by yellow fever was a very small location in the north-western part of the country and the rest of Zambia has been declared a yellow fever-free zone by the World Health Organisation, the South African authorities have continued to demand a yellow fever certificate.
Mr Lubinda called for the engagement of the RETOSA board meeting to package the region’s tourism in such a way that tourists who come to Mauritius must also come to Zambia.
He added that what Mauritius, South Africa or Mozambique sell was not necessarily what Zambia sells, adding that the region cannot increase tourist arrivals with cumbersome cross-border complications.
The minister is also scheduled to meet with the Mauritius Foreign Affairs minister tomorrow to discuss matters between Mauritius and Zambia.
The meeting of the SADC Ministers Responsible for Tourism and the 48th RETOSA Board Meeting officially opens tomorrow at the Grand Baie International Conference Centre in Mauritius and is represented by all the member states of SADC with exception of Madagascar who are still on suspension. – ZAMBIA NEWS & INFORMATION SERVICE.