Sunday, January 3, 2010

Zambia aim for second round


Zambia's coach Herve Renard is targeting a second round finish at the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Angola.

The Chipolopolo, once a powerhouse in African football, have not gone the beyond group stage of the competition since 1996.

This year they are drawn in Group D against Cameroon, Tunisia and Gabon

And their French coach believes the task ahead will be difficult.

"The target is to reach the second round, but it won't be easy," Renard said.

"Playing three good teams is not easy but the target is simple and we don't want to hide anything," he added.

The Chipolopolo are currently training in South Africa where they beat Mozambique 1-0 in a friendly match last week.

The team had hoped to play Malawi and Benin in other warm-up matches but the games were cancelled.

The are now scheduled to meet South Korea on January 9 in another friendly.

On Friday Renard announced his final 23-man squad for Angola.

Germany-based midfielder Andrew Sinkala does not make the squad after allegedly complaining about poor remuneration for players.

Nigeria-based striker Signs Chibambo and winger Danny Hangunyu have also been left out.

Zambia's full team list:

Goalkeepers: Kennedy Mweene (Free State Stars, South Africa), Kalililo Kakonje (Amazulu, South Africa), Jacob Banda (Zesco United).

Defenders: Dennis Banda (Green Buffaloes), Kampamba Chintu (Amazulu, South Africa), Hichani Himoonde (Zesco United), Emmanuel Mbola (Pyunik Yerevan, Armenia), Joseph Musonda (Lamontville Golden Arrows, South Africa), Thomas Nyirenda (Zanaco).

Midfielders: Isaac Chansa (Helsingborg, Sweden), Noah Chivuta (Maritzburg United, South Africa), Rainford Kalaba (UniĆ£o de Leiria, Portugal),Francis Kasonde (Al Suwaiq, Oman), Felix Katongo (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa), Clifford Mulenga (Mpumalanga Black Aces, South Africa), Stophira Sunzu (Zanaco), William Njobvu ((Hapoel Kiryat Shmone, Israel).

Strikers: Christopher Katongo (Arminia Bielefeld, Germany), Jacob Mulenga (FC Utrecht, Netherlands), Emmanuel Mayuka (Maccabi Tel Aviv, Israel), James Chamanga (Dalian Shide, China), Given Singuluma (TP Mazembe, DR Congo), Collins Mbesuma (Moroka Swallows, South Africa).

Source:bbc.co.uk

Zambian media is under siege – Sata


PF leader Michael Sata yesterday said the Zambian media is under siege and urged media practitioners to be ready for unlawful detentions because President Rupiah Banda is indirectly reintroducing Dr Kenneth Kaunda’s notorious preservation of public security Act (PPSA) under the guise of media regulation.

And Sata warned President Banda and Vice-President George Kunda that they would be the first victims of their draconian pieces of legislation.

In an interview, Sata said Dr Kaunda has united with President Banda to enforce the oppression of Zambians. He said the media in the country were under siege.
“Rupiah is indirectly reintroducing the Preservation of Public Security Act that’s why Kaunda is supporting him. No wonder they are introducing this media regulation law because media regulation is the king-pin of the PPSA in many oppressive states. Very soon they will link media regulation with espionage and once they link it with espionage you will have no bail. Whenever you write and they are unhappy they will lock you up and throw away the keys,” Sata said.

“That’s why George Kunda is threatening people with treason whenever the government is criticised. Have you noticed that these days Kunda is busy shouting treason, treason, almost on everything? Very soon there will be rampant unlawful arrests and detentions in this country. Kaunda made the PPSA, all those laws just to enforce oppression. So even journalists when you write a story they will arrest you.”
Sata said people in the MMD, especially Vice-President Kunda should wake up and read the past.

“During Kaunda’s era, the late Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe was the strongest ally to Kaunda and he was in support of the PPSA. But as soon as the Act was there, Kaunda knew that he was equipped so he could fix his perceived allies. We appreciate Rupiah employing Kapwepwe’s daughter but that’s not enough. We are very grateful with the gesture from Rupiah to employ Kapwepwe’s daughter but we will never forget the way they treated the old man Kapwepwe,” Sata said.

“George Kunda as a lawyer should know how Kapwepwe was treated by Kaunda. The same law they are trying to support will turn against them. Kapwepwe was a very strong and brave politician but that law reduced him to nothing, even people like Justin Chimba, Belly Lombe. So Kunda should be careful.”
Sata said Vice-President Kunda would be the first victim of the very media laws he is trying to enact.

“God doesn’t like abnormal laws. If you set a nail that you want somebody to step on it, you will be the first one to step on it. Rupiah must be careful, can’t you see what happened to Chiluba? Have you seen now Rupiah has dumped Chiluba for Kaunda who is much more stronger politically,” Sata said.

And Sata said President Banda was quick in launching projects that personally benefit him and that’s why he hurriedly commissioned the K290 billion Chipata-Mfuwe road project because his farm is on the same road. He said President Banda was more concerned about himself and not the suffering majority in the country.

“Zambians must wake up and see that this man - Rupiah - is only commissioning projects where he has benefits just like on the dubious privatization of Zamtel,” Sata said. “Even on the commissioning of that 104 kilometre Chipata-Mfuwe road at the cost of K290 billion, he hurriedly commissioned the road because his farm in Chipata is on that road.

“That road is not a priority but it’s a priority for Rupiah Banda because there is commission for him or he has done that because he wants that tar road to go to his house. And the amount they are saying they are going to spend on that road is too much.”

Sata wondered why President Banda had not bothered to work on several roads countrywide that have been in a state of despair since independence.
“For 45 years people have been waiting for the Samfya-Luwingu road, Kawambwa-Luwingu road, Nchelenge-Chienge road, Chienge-Kaputa-Mporokoso-Kasama road, Kasama-Luwingu road,” Sata said.

“Even in Eastern Province itself, people have been crying for the Katete-Chadiza-Vubwi-Chipata road. People have been crying for 45 years for the Lundazi-Chama road and the Chama-Matumbo road. In North-Western Province it’s the same problem… the cry for better road infrastructure has been the same as other provinces. The Mutanda-Chavuma road has been a topic of discussion for some time now.”

Sata said when President Banda was campaigning during the Chitambo by-election, he promised to construct a number of roads.

“So what is this commissioning a road that passes by his farm, is it tribalism or regionalism? As much as we appreciate Rupiah’s road Chipata-Mfuwe, he should extend that road to Mpika through Nabwalya up to Mpika because we are also human beings here in Mpika,” Sata said. “You just look at the landless corner - Mumbwa road, the Monze-Namwala road, Lukulu-Zambezi road and the Serenje-Kasama road.

In fact, that K290 billion they are saying they will spend on that road can do the Serenje-Kasama road.”
Sata said the MMD was also trying to raise campaign funds through the Chipata-Mfuwe road project.

“This is just a conduit for campaign funds. That contractor was given the Petauke-Chipata road and they haven’t done anything. They have spent almost ten years on the Luwingu road and the project hasn’t finished up to todate. Besides, I doubt if that K290 billion is even in the yellow book,” Sata said.
Sata also said President Banda had back-peddled on his own words.

“Some time back when the Zambia Wildlife Authority bill was taken to Parliament, Rupiah was the one who led a walk-out involving some members of parliament,” Sata said. “His argument was that ‘we can’t respect animals more than human beings’. But he is now favouring a road that leads to a game park where animals live. He has swallowed his own words.”

Source:postzambia.com/

Zambia: Richard Sakala attacks LAZ and disbanded Task Force


Former State House Press Aide, Richard Sakala has castigated the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) for demanding the resignation of Director of Public Relations (DPP) Chalwe Muchenga.

Mr. Sakala said the demand by LAZ for the DPP to resign is not only illegal but and irregular but also shows the worst hypocrisy on the part of LAZ.

He has since accused the association of being politically inclined.

Mr. Sakala said this at press briefing in Lusaka today where he also launched his book “Mockery of Justice” experience with the criminal justice system (2001-2008)

The former State House Press Aide said he was disturbed that LAZ was becoming political instead of instead of defending the constitutions of Zambia .

He said he was jailed by the now disbanded Tasks Force on corruption which was an illegal entity but the LAZ failed to act on it despite him requesting its intervention.

He said LAZ appears to be very selective in the cause they champion accusing them of been silent and turning a blind eye to gross abuses.

Mr. Sakala has since called on LAZ to be fair in the dealing arguing them to uphold the constitution of Zambia.

“I was personally prosecuted and sent to prison by the task force on corruption which was totally an illegal and unconstitutional body.

” I wrote to LAZ for their intervention but my complaint has been left pending on their file. This is neither just, fair nor proper “he said.

Mr. Sakala has also called for the opening of investigations in the establishment of the task force on corruption where more than US$ 25 million was spend.

He charged that LAZ are now attempting to demonize and eliminate the Vice President as a way to divert attention from the gross financial and legal abuses by the Task force.

Mr. Sakala has also observed that unfair and unbalanced stance by LAZ and some section of the media have the potential to disrupt the peace and order the country has enjoyed since independence.

ZANIS

Source:lusakatimes.com/

Zambia: Zambia performed well in fighting piracy last year- Nkonde


Intellectual Property Specialist Kingsley Nkonde says Zambia performed very well in the fight against piracy last year.

Mr Nkonde told ZANIS in an interview, yesterday that, the success for Zambia making a mark against piracy is mainly due to the introduction of the Intellectual property unit by the Zambia Police.

He said the establishment of the unit had greatly assisted the country to effectively fight Piracy and other counterfeit products through intensified patrols.

He further said the fight against piracy and counterfeits, last year, also enjoyed political will by government.

Mr Nkonde noted it was with for this structural reason that Zambia was the only country in the region that had exposed a lot of counterfeit products not only in the music industry but in the manufacturing sector as well.

He has also paid tribute to the alert members of the general public who he said helped counter pricacy and counterfeit products in the country.

The Intellectual Property Specialist said Zambia curbed a lot of industrial counterfeits products such as fake Kiwi Polish , batteries and Vaseline among others.

He paid tribute to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services (MIBS) and the police have done a lot of sensitization fight against piracy and counterfeit products to the public and added that a lot of people nterrogate their products before buying.

Mr Nkonde however said that the Music Industry performed badly last year as a number of local and international music products were pirated.

He noted that the problem has been that the people who pirate have also advanced in the equipments.

He noted the need for government to put in place security measures which will distinguish original products from counterfeit products.

ZANIS

Source:lusakatimes.com/

Banda sacks minister over tribal comments


LUSAKA, Sunday

President Rupiah Banda has sacked a controversial minister close to the late president Levy Mwanawasa for continually questioning his leadership style.

The relationship between President Banda and his minister of science, technology and vocational training, Mr Gabriel Namulambe became frosty last November when the latter openly denounced the Banda administration saying the Lamba people were frustrated, hurt and injured by constant attacks on Mr Mwanawasa’s legacy.

President Banda’s spokesperson Mr Dickson Jere announced on Sunday that pursuit to powers vested in him by the Zambian Constitution the head of state revoked the appointment of Mr Namulambe as minister. He did not give reasons for the sacking.

Mr Jere said President Banda would soon replace Mr Namulambe. In November last year, Mr Namulambe told a local newspaper that Mr Mwanawasa’s tribe mates were unhappy with senior government officials’ attacks on the late president.

“I want to warn that we who were of the same tribe with the late president, we feel greatly injured because that person was a nationalist who did not know tribal politics or anything.

‘‘He appointed people on merit, some of us for instance. We must be respected as Lambas”, Mr Namulambe had told The Post newspaper last year sparking condemnation, and support, from various interest groups with others calling for his resignation or be sacked

Source:nation.co.ke/

Zambia: Munali Member of Parliament describes 2009 a challenging year


Munali Member of Parliament Mumbi Phiri has described the year 2009 as a challenging year for her constituency’s development.

Speaking in an interview with ZANIS, yesterday, Mrs. Phiri attributed this to the delayed release of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) which she said contributed to the slow development of her constituency.

Mrs. Phiri said the delayed released of the CDF by government was a matter of concern which was highly debated on during the meeting for Committee ward members on Thursday 31 December 2009.

She said that the meeting also identified wards and roads that were not developed as at December 31ST, 2009 ,but were yet to be developed further.

These are the Chainda ward, the rehabilitation of the Kaunda Square stage one and Chamba valley road in Kaunda Square ward, and improving road net works in Mutendere Constituency.

She explained that with the coming on board of the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA )on the committee, various development projects will in 2010 take place in four wards which include Lima, Chelston and Chakukula.

She said SIDA has released K 150 million for Chakukula ward to sink a borehole and a further K 650 million was given for developmental projects in the areas that have been identified.

Mrs. Phiri said Chainda is in urgent need for a maternity ward as pregnant women are experiencing a hard time as they have to go to far away clinics in order to give birth in a maternity ward.

She said a total of 790 million Kwacha is needed for the maternity ward project in Chainda to start and has reached a tender level.

She added that people in Chainda area will be very happy on the completion of the maternity ward as it has been long over due.

ZANIS

Source:lusakatimes.com/

Zambia: Mwanachingwala bars Microbicide Development Programme officials

Chief Mwanachingwala of Mazabuka says he is not ready to meet Microbicide Development Programme (MDP) officials without an explanation on how the 46 women contracted HIV/AIDs during the failed clinical trials.

The Chief told MDP Community Liason Officer, Kennedy Mundia that he and his workmates should not expect to go unpunished after administering a Gel on selected women that has resulted in some contracting HIV.

He said he can only meet the officials after the organisation has met his conditions that include compensation of the affected victims.

The irate Chief Mwanachingwala who could not give time to Mundia to explain what transpired however said it was pointless for him to engage in dialogue with the organisation now because the organisation could not reverse their current status.

Chief Mwanchingwala charged that MDP allegedly recruited uneducated women who did not understand the nature of the clinical trials and its consequences.

But Mr Mundia pleaded with the chief to allow MDP officials visit him at the palace so that they could explain what transpired despite the chief maintains his stance.

No official date was fixed during the heated debate in which the chief among other things called for the prosecution of the initiators of the programme.

Chief Mwanachingwala has since called on the government to be careful in recommending organisations carrying out research on HIV to protect vulnerable women from contracting HIV and AIDs.

The Gel was administered on women an hour before any sexual encounter. This was done so as to determine the efficacy of the drug called PRO 2000.

Source:lusakatimes.com/