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

CHIEF Msoro of the Kunda speaking people in Mambwe District has ordered his subjects not to sell their cotton seed to any cotton company until the price has been adjusted upwards.

And former Agriculture Minister Dr Eustarckio Kazonga has urged the Government to protect the cotton farmers by assisting them with a better price.

In an interview in Chipata yesterday, Chief Msoro urged his subjects not start selling their produce to any cotton company at the moment until a better price had been offered.

The Cotton Ginneries have this year offered to buy the commodity at K1,500 per Kg, while last year’s price was at K3,250 per Kg.

Chief Msoro said cotton farmers were being exploited by the cotton companies by offering low prices.

He urged his subjects to at least sell their cotton at an average of K3,000 per kg.

“I have ordered my subjects that they should not start selling their cotton to any cotton company because of the low prices they are offering,” the Chief said.

He said he had also ordered the cotton companies who had arrived in the area to vacate failure to which he would order his subjects to chase any cotton company worker found in the area.

Chief Msoro said the idea was to protect the interest of the farmers who were suffering when it was time of selling the commodity.

“If the cotton companies or workers stay in my chiefdom the farmers can be forced to start selling the commodities to them so I have told them to vacate my chiefdom,” he said

And Dr Kazonga who is Vubwi Member of Parliament (MP) said he noted with dismay when he visited his constituency that most cotton was still stuck because of the impasse surrounding this year’s cotton price.

He said the Government should come in and assist the cotton farmers in opening up the cotton market price as failure to do so would result in huge losses.

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.

THE CHIPATA High Court on Tuesday jailed a 72-year-old peasant farmer of Vubwi District to 15 years imprisonment with hard labour for defiling a 14-year-old minor, who also fell pregnant.

Appearing before High Court Judge Flavia Chishimba was Njolomole Phiri of Kachambo village in Chief Pembamoyo’s area, who was charged with one count of defiling a girl under the age of 16 years contrary to the Laws of Zambia.

Particulars of the offence were that on unknown dates but between June and February this year in Vubwi District, Phiri unlawfully had carnal knowledge of a girl and consequently impregnated her.

On February 2 this year, Pepuzani Kwenda, the grandfather of the girl went to pay a visit to his sister who was sick.

Upon his return, he noticed that his granddaughter was pregnant and he then reported the matter to Zozwe Police Post and the accused was summoned to the police.

At the police post the girl revealed that Phiri impregnated her, before he arrested and charged with defilement.

During mitigation, the accused pleaded with the court to exercise maximum leniency as he was a first offender.

He asked the court not to mete out a stiff punishment on him as he was already old.

In the same court, Charles Phiri 27, of Mankugwa village in Chief Mwanjabathu in Petauke District, was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment with hard labour for defiling an eight-year-old girl.

Facts before the court were that on November 5, 2011, the accused, who is a business executive, went with the girl to pick caterpillars in the bush.

But after returning around 17.00hours, the girl looked depressed and complained of pains on her private parts.

The following day, her parents noticed that her private parts had some discharge.

The court heard that the accused gave the girl a lift on the bicycle after he had defiled her.

In another case, Ms Justice Chishimba sentenced White Banda 37, a peasant farmer of Chimucheka Village under Chief Mlolo in Chadiza District to 18 years imprisonment with hard labour for defiling a 14-year-old girl.

Particulars of the offence were that on April 15 this year, Banda had unlawful carnal knowledge of the girl, who was at his house.

The accused forced himself on her after she refused his love proposals while her mother was in Mozambique.

The same court also sentenced Samson Zulu aged 24 of Katemo Village of Senior Chief Kalindawalo in Petauke District to 15 years imprisonment with hard labour for indecent assault.

Particulars of the matter were that the accused on February 24 last year, indecently assaulted a 17-year-old girl at around 01.00 hours as the girl was asleep.

The girl told the court that she did not give consent for the culprit to start fondling her private parts on the material day.

In another case, Ms Justice Chishimba jailed Joseph Phiri (37), a peasant farmer of Mumbi village in Chief Mumbi in Petauke District to 15 years imprisonment with hard labour for raping a 54-year-old woman.

Former President, Rupiah Banda has been admitted to the Club de Madrid, the prestigious organization of democratic former Heads of State and Government.

President Banda, who left office last September, joins other eminent leaders, including former US President Bill Clinton, former UN Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar, former Soviet Union President Mikhail Gorbachev, and former Canadian Prime Minister Kim Campbell.

Club de Madrid has become the world’s largest forum of former Presidents and Prime Ministers committed to sharing their experience in government and to overcome the challengers of leading and decision-making in contemporary politics worldwide.

The Club de Madrid has in the past addressed issues of global concern such as climate change and sustainable development, social cohesion, terrorism, the role of women in peace and security.

Under the motto “Democracy that delivers”, Club de Madrid has also provided peer to peer counsel, strategic support and technical advice to leaders and institutions working towards democratic transition and consolidation.

Wim Kok, President of the Club de Madrid, says in his invitation to President Banda that on behalf of the other 87 democratic former Heads of State and Government, he had the pleasure of formally inviting President Banda to become a full Member of the Club.

And President Banda says it is a huge honour and one that makes him happy as it is recognition from amongst his political colleagues around the world.

The Lusaka City Council (LCC) has continued cracking down on illegal traders of strong alcoholic beverages known as tujilijili.

In the latest incident twenty cases of beer sachets were destroyed.

Council Public Relations Officer Henry Kapata is happy that some people have started surrendering the sachets to the local authority.

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.

A Thirteen-year-old girl has insisted before the Kabwe magistrate court that she has never had sex before her 30-year-uncle defiled her despite a medical report indicating otherwise.

Kabwe Magistrate Smart Mweene has since summoned a doctor based at Kabwe General Hospital to clarify the matter.

This is in case in which Emmanuel Chilufya of Makululu township is facing charge of defilement of a child.

Particulars before the court indicate that Chilufya on February 14 this year did defile the girl.

The girl narrated that on the fateful night as she was sleeping, her uncle sneaked into her room and before she realised what was going on she felt a man penetrating her.

She realised that her uncle, who is her step-father’s younger brother, was defiling her and switched on the torch which was below her pillow.

As she screamed for help, the torch dropped and the accused person ran away.

She said during the examination in chief by State Prosecutor Lackson Ngoma that at the time of the incident her mother was away attending a funeral.

She later reported the matter to a neighbour.

Her younger sister narrated that she was awakened by her sister who was screaming for help and saw Chilufya bolting before the torch dropped.

The prosecutor applied that the court summons the doctor who issued the medical report to explain circumstances after the girl insisted that she never had sex before her uncle defiled her.

testing for headlines

The Small Scale Miners Association says plans of legalizing operations of illegal mining in Zambia have reached an advanced stage. And the Association has expressed concern at the increasing number of people dying as a result of illegal mining.

In an interview, Association Spokesperson Patrick Jeffery said the Association is engaged in negotiations with government over the legalization process.

Jeffrey meanwhile says the Association together with the youths who are involved in illegal mining will soon conduct a march past in honor of the developmental works that have been done by President Rupiah Banda s government.

Jeffery says his Association will also rally behind the MMD Wusakile adopted Member of Parliament Pavuma Kalobo in this years general elections.

The Patriotic Front says it does not have a policy of banning the public media from covering its activities. PF Secretary General, Wynter Kabimba, told the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zambia on Wednesday, 20th July 2011, that the PF Central Committee has never sat to pass a resolution banning the public media from covering it.
Mr. Kabimba told MISA Zambia Chairperson Daniel Sikazwe and National Director Sipo Kapumba, who requested for a meeting with the PF Secretary General to clarify the recent banning of the public media from covering the PF General Congress in Kabwe.
Mr. Kabimba told MISA Zambia that his party was frustrated that the public media tended to cover his party in negative manner which tended to harm its public image.
He complained that despite repeated efforts to reach out to the public media to create dialogue and mutual understanding, his efforts had yielded nothing.
Mr. Kabimba said his party expected the public media to exhibit the highest professional standards and adhere to professional ethics because they were owned by the Zambian public and, therefore, should show fairness in their coverage of different stakeholders, including opposition political parties, and to report fairly about them.
He assured MISA Zambia that the PF does not hate the public media, referring to the PF manifesto, which had elaborated his party's stand on the media and its support for a free press.
He said his party was ready to open dialogue with the heads of the public media, if government will permit them, so that the public media and the PF can appreciate each other and their role in strengthening Zambia's democracy.
In response, Mr. Sikazwe told Mr. Kabimba that MISA Zambia had gained a lot of insights from the meeting about the challenges the PF was facing in being fairly covered by the public media.
He assured Mr. Kabimba that MISA Zambia would engage all the stakeholders, including government and the public media, to see how the situation could be improved.
He further told Mr. Kabimba that MISA Zambia believed in dialogue with stakeholders, as evidenced by the recent meeting between MISA Zambia and Vice-President George Kunda, where a number of issues, including media operations were discussed.

United Party for National Development (UPND) has charged that the MMD adopted candidates for this general election do not inspire Zambians in any way.And the party says it will announce the adopted candidates for various constituencies at an optimum time.
In an interview,  UPND Vice spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa says there is nothing new about the adopted candidates because most of  them have been in office before.
Mr. Mweetwa says most of the adopted candidates have helped in frustrating Zambians in parliament and cabinet, adding that no meaningful change will be made by the adopted candidates.
He says his party is aware that Zambians need a change of government hence the party is doing its best in ensuring that it delivers to the people.
Meanwhile, Former United Party for National Development Youth Spokesperson Ronald Manenga says he is overwhelmed and humbled by the news that he has been adopted as aspiring candidate for Chimwemwe constituency seat under the Movement for Multiparty Democracy.
Mr. Manenga said that the adoption process was a tough one especially that he was coming from a different political party.
He however says he is happy to be adopted and was considered for the race.
And Mr. Manenga has pledged to work on the road network in Chimwemwe constituency once voted into office as Member of Parliament.
He says it is saddening that the roads have not been worked on by the incumbent PF Member of Parliament Willie Nsanda.

Mike Mulongoti has attributed the delay in announcing the date of elections to the pressure the MMD is facing.

Mr. Mulongoti says the delay by the MMD government to announce the date of elections can best be described as indecency.

He says decency demands that the date of elections is announced and not kept a secret.

In an interview with QFM, the former works and supply minister further adds that the date of elections can never be kept a secret forever.

He has further observed that delay in the announcement of the elections date might be proving to be a disadvantage on the part of the MMD.

Mr Mulongoti has further noted that whether elections are delayed, Zambians are already decided on which political party they want to form the next government.
[Qfm]

The Patriotic Front Executive at Kitwes Chisokone market have unearthed a scam in which some Zambia National Marketeers Association have allegedly hired a group of thugs to beat up Patriotic Front members into the market.

PF Chisokone Branch Chairman Mulunda Mwanza has disclosed the development to Tumfweko.
Mwanza has since appealed to the police to ensure that order and sanity is instituted in the market.
In an interview with Tumfweko.com , Mwanza charges that ZANAMA has connived with a group of thugs to beat marketeers perceived to be PF members or any group found supporting the party.
He however says the PF members will not sit idle and watch ZANAMA take advantage of marketeers.
And Mr. Mwanza has urged marketeers to be united and defend themselves in any way possible.
He has since warned ZANAMA president Elvis Nkandu to put an end to the scam and respect the party affiliations of marketeers.
But ZANAMA Vice president Sydney Kayombo has dispelled the allegations.
Mr. Kayombo says it is unfortunate that Mr. Mwanza has continued to make false allegations against ZANAMA, adding that the association respects all marketeers and does not in any way intimidate them.

Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) president Musa Mwenye says he will not allow calls for his resignation to derail the operations of the association.

Mr. Mwenye says the LAZ executive has resolved not to respond to such calls, as doing so would only detract the association from dealing with real issues.

He explained in a telephone interview that LAZ will remain objective and not allow any interference in its operations.

The LAZ president has in the past weeks come under attack from some sections of the civil society for his statement on the operations of the Zambia National broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC).

Mr. Mwenye says the association will not comment on an agenda which he said is being pushed by individuals who are known to be commentators.

Munali adopted MMD parliamentary candidate Marjory Mwape has vowed to defeat incumbent Mumbi Phiri of the Patriotic Front. Ms Mwape a former 'rebel' PF Mufulira Member of Parliament recently defected to the ruling party.

And Ms. Mwape has stated that she will continue to work for the people of Mufulira where she served as Member of Parliament from 2006 to date.

Speaking in a telephone interview, Ms. Mwape says her key objective in politics is to ensure that she contributes to the development of the country.

She says being adopted in the ruling party is more achievable to work, than working with what she described as a disorganized Patriotic Front.

The Patriotic Front Executive at Kitwes Chisokone market have unearthed a scam in which some Zambia National Marketeers Association have allegedly hired a group of thugs to beat up Patriotic Front members into the market.

PF Chisokone Branch Chairman Mulunda Mwanza has disclosed the development to Tumfweko.com.
Mwanza has since appealed to the police to ensure that order and sanity is instituted in the market.
In an interview with Mwanza charges that ZANAMA has connived with a group of thugs to beat marketeers perceived to be PF members or any group found supporting the party.
He however says the PF members will not sit idle and watch ZANAMA take advantage of marketeers.
And Mr. Mwanza has urged marketeers to be united and defend themselves in any way possible.
He has since warned ZANAMA president Elvis Nkandu to put an end to the scam and respect the party affiliations of marketeers.
But ZANAMA Vice president Sydney Kayombo has dispelled the allegations.
Mr. Kayombo says it is unfortunate that Mr. Mwanza has continued to make false allegations against ZANAMA, adding that the association respects all marketeers and does not in any way intimidate them.

FORMER republican President Levy Mwanawasa’s eldest son Patrick’s brother, Paul, says his sibling should have consulted the family before joining the Patriotic Front (PF) because its president, Michael Sata, was hostile towards their father when he was alive.
And MMD women have urged Patrick Mwanawasa to respect President Banda, First Lady Thandiwe and elders.
Paul Mwanawasa said in an interview in Ndola on Wednesday he hopes Patrick will use respectful language following the meeting the family held on Sunday.
“Patrick should have consulted the family before joining the PF because the PF leader (Mr Sata) never liked the late President Mwanawasa. As the family we respect his political rights, but he should have at
least consulted the family,” Paul said.
He said after the meeting the Mwanawasa family expects Patrick to change his political language and show respect for elders in the political arena.
He said Patrick’s lack of respect for elders had gotten out of hand, and the family had to bring him back to his senses.
“As the Mwanawasa family, we had to call for a meeting with Patrick before things got worse because his political language was also indirectly affecting the family, and we hope after the meeting Patrick will speak with respect,” Paul said.
He said Patrick should have consulted his family before joining the opposition Patriotic Front (PF) because the party’s president was not on good terms with the late President Mwanawasa even at the time of his demise.
[Zambia Daily Mail]

The Economics Association of Zambia (EAZ) has announced that starting next week; it will host a series of debates among political parties at aimed at helping them present their economic and social policies.

EAZ president Isaac Ngoma announced at a media briefing held at the Golden bridge hotel in Lusaka.

Mr. Ngoma says the debates will be centred on issues and topics corresponding to the present ministerial portfolios and that each party will be asked to nominate a different representative for each debate.

He said the objective of the debates will be to help the general public understand the issues and choices that confront them.

Mr. Ngoma hopes that voters will use the debates to challenge and engage those who will seek office to represent them in parliament and councils, as well as those who compete for presidency.

He also hopes that Zambians and non-Zambians who have the welfare of the country at heart and who will participate in economic affairs as investors, traders, financial institutions and cooperating partners will also gain insights into the respective parties policies.

And Mr. Ngoma has deplored recent violence against members of the press.

He however hopes that all media outlets in Zambia will make a much stronger effort to report comprehensively and impartially on the forth coming elections.

There was tension at the border post as the irate drivers ran amok bringing business at both Tunduma and Nakonde border to a stand still.

They also attempted to set on fire a fuel tanker belonging to one of the companies in Tanzania carrying fuel destined for Zambia.

However, quick action by the Zambia Police and their Tanzanian counterparts saved the fuel tanker from being set on fire.

The tanker has since been escorted by armed Zambia police officers and it is parked at Nakonde police station.

The strike action by the Tanzanian truck drivers which has entered day-4 today failed to be resolved yesterday during a meeting addressed by the Mbeya Region minister John Mwakipesile at Tunduma border in Tanzania.

Paramilitary police officers in both Zambia and Tanzania are keeping vigil to thwart any violence by the drivers.

The chanting drivers said their strike action can only be called off after their grievances have been met in full.

The truck drivers are demanding for increased salaries and improved conditions of service.

They have vowed to continue with their strike action saying time has come for them to speak and demand for what is right and good for them.

The international drivers are now demanding to be addressed by the Tanzanian Republican President Jakaya Kikwete or his vice president saying their issue is very serious and should be addressed by senior Government officials and not regional officials.

The strike action has affected revenue collection by the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) and the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RATSA) offices at Nakonde.