SACCORD acting chief accuses the police of delibarately abuisng the public order act

The Southern African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) has accused the police of deliberately abusing the public order act.

Saccord acting executive director Boniface Cheembe notes that the police are disregarding the rights of opposition politicians with impunity as though the country’s constitution had been suspended.

He cited the recent arrests of MMD president Dr. Nevers Mumba together with four elected MPs which he said had brought sad memories of the brutal days of the UNIP rule.

Mr cheembe further called for an immediate review of the Public Order Act and urged the police to administer the Act professionally saying that it should be in line with Supreme Court interpretations.

 “As a country, we cannot afford to be perceived as a place where police and authorities disregard the rights of the people living in Zambia. It is our hope that the PF government will work with all relevant stakeholders to ensure that the basic fundamental rights of the people of Zambia irrespective of political affiliations are promoted, protected and upheld. This appeal to the government is in line with the constitution of the land which all Zambians abide by” he said

The saccord acting chief has since urged the pf government to help the police do the right things when it comes to our people enjoying fundamental rights and freedoms which our constitution guarantees.

KK pays moving tribute to Mama Betty

Dr Kaunda overcome with emotion during the funeral of Mama Betty Kaunda

First republican President Dr Kenneth Kaunda paid a moving tribute to his late wife Mama Betty Kaunda who died last week in Harare, Zimbabwe.
During a requiem service at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross attended by acting President Alexander Chikwanda, vice President Guy Scott, ministers, former president Rupiah Banda, opposition leaders, diplomats and people from all walks of life ,Dr Kaunda in his tribute to his late wife read on his behalf by Pius Kasutu described his late wife as a pillar.
Dr Kaunda described her wife’s death on 19th September, 2012 in Zimbabwe were she had gone to visit her daughter Musata as very unexpected.
He also described his companionship with his wife of 66 years as a fruitful journey.
The first president recalled how his marriage to Mama Betty Kaunda was destined to be when his mother Helen Kaunda in 1928 assisted in the birth of a baby who would later turn out to be her daughter in law in 1946.
Dr Kaunda recalled how President Michael Sata’s father in 1946 in Mpika acted as the go-between in his marriage negotiations for Mama Betty.
He also described his late wife as a great activist for Zambia’s independence, leading fellow women to strengthen the struggle for freedom despite the dangers involved.
Dr Kaunda said Mama Betty Kaunda actively supported the struggle for independence and the family, remaining strong in his absence and looking after the family.
And the first President attributed what he achieved to Mama Betty Kaunda to a greater part.
Mama Betty Kaunda who was born on 17th November 1928 will be put to rest today at the Kaunda farm Estate near State Lodge in Lusaka.
The requiem service for Mama Betty Kaunda held at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross this morning was incident free.This unlike the previous service where over 100 PF slogan chanting thugs attacked UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema.
The service was attended by hundreds of people including acting President Alexander Chikwanda, vice President Guy Scott, ministers, former president Rupiah Banda, opposition leaders, diplomats and people from all walks of life.
Government had overruled police decision to bar political parties from wearing their party regalia at Mama Betty Kaunda’s burial today.
Home Affairs Permanent Secretary Maxwell Nkole said dress code would not be restricted because Mama Betty Kaunda was a unifying factor in the nation.
Mr Nkole said contrary to the police directive banning the political party regalia, political parties will be free to adorn their colours.
He however said all political parties should have Marshalls to control their cadres.
Mr Nkole urged political parties to avoid confrontations of any kind during and after the funeral.
Mr Nkole however said some party cadres who in the past have been associated with violence are not allowed to attend the funeral procession and burial.
Mr Nkole said he expects the police to be polite but effective in regulating the procession and burial of Mama Betty Kaunda.
Earlier, Lusaka Province Police Commissioner Solomon Jere announced that political party regalia had been banned at burial of Mama Betty Kaunda.

IMF projects a 7.7 % real GDP growth for Zambia

The International Monetary Fund (IMF), mission chief for Zambia, Mr. Trevor Alleyne has projected a 7.7 percent real GDP growth for Zambia, reflecting strong growth in copper production and non-maize agriculture, and an expansionary fiscal policy.

He further says for 2012, the current account surplus is projected to remain broadly unchanged, while gross international reserves are expected to continue to grow, reaching the equivalent of 3.3 months of prospective imports.

Mr Alleyne however warned that there are near-term downside risks arising from the uncertain prospects for the global economy and from domestic policies despite the crisis in Europe having little spillover to the Zambian economy to date, a further deterioration in global economic conditions could squeeze trade credit lines; reduce demand for Zambian exports; and lower copper prices.

And On the domestic front,he said the policy measures will be needed to ensure that fiscal targets are met; and careful implementation of the planned financial sector reforms will be necessary to safeguard

financial sector stability.

Mr Alleyne further stated that on the other hand, Zambia’s solid macroeconomic management, the large investments in the copper sector, and recent strong growth in non-maize agriculture all auger well for the country’s ability to withstand global shocks and sustain the growth momentum into the future.

“Maintaining a positive investment climate for current and potential investors should be an

important component of Zambia’s growth strategy. As traditional concessional financing

phases out and Zambia relies increasingly on international markets and foreign direct

investment, it will be important for the government to implement and communicate clearly a

consistent set of policies related to foreign investment. This will enhance Zambia’s

international reputation as a destination for investment flows by reducing uncertainty” he stressed.

“Despite the favorable macroeconomic results, there is an urgent need to re-orient policies to

ensure that economic growth and macroeconomic stability are accompanied by strong

employment growth and poverty reduction. Looking forward, it will be important for the

Government to implement policies to diversify the economy and ensure that growth is more

inclusive. Key areas will include: (1) tax policy, tax administration, and public financial

management to create fiscal space for increased infrastructure spending and improve

technical capacity to efficiently administer a larger capital budget; (2) maize marketing and

pricing policies and the development of a broad-based reform strategy for the agricultural

sector; (3) increasing access to financial services by small and medium enterprises without

jeopardizing financial sector stability; and (4) removing the incentives for the proliferation of

informal business and employment arrangements.”

The 2012 Article IV discussion by the IMF’s Executive Board is expected to take place in

May, 2012.

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Outotec and Zambia's Kansanshi Mining sign sulfuric acid technology deal

Outotec has signed a contract with the Zambia-based mining company Kansanshi Mining plc for the design and delivery of a gas cleaning system and a sulfuric acid plant. The Zambian company operates a large copper mine and has selected Outotec to build the world's largest metallurgical sulfuric acid plant downstream of its new copper smelter. The contract is valued at approximately over EUR 80 million.

The new gas cleaning and sulfuric acid complex will be part of the overall copper smelting facilities located in Solwezi, North-Western Province, Zambia. The acid plant will process off gas from the copper smelter and the acid produced will be used for leaching nearby at Kansanshi Mining's copper plant. 

The scope of Outotec's delivery includes basic and detail engineering, procurement and the supply of proprietary equipment for the gas cleaning system and acid plant. In addition, Outotec will also provide advisory services for construction and commissioning to the overall project scope. Kansanshi Mining is a subsidiary of First Quantum Minerals Ltd, a rapidly growing mining and metals company currently operating a number of mines and developing several projects worldwide.

Outotec's track-record as the leading provider of sulfuric acid technology - more than 600 plants have been delivered worldwide - was a major factor in the Zambian company's decision to select Outotec.

"This is a very exciting project for us not only due to the size of the acid plant, but also because the client has made it very clear they want a world-class plant design incorporating the highest environmental standards," stated Outotec's president and CEO Pertti Korhonen, adding "We take pride in our role as a global leader of sustainable solutions to the industries we serve and winning projects on this scale simply confirms our status.

 Environmental standards set by the World Bank will serve as the benchmark for the project."

Shikapwasha refuses to pay sunday nkonde

Former Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services Ronnie Shikapwasha has broken the silence over his being surcharged to pay K900 million accrued by ZNBC as legal fees for SBN lawyers engaged to represent it in defamation cases.

Lieutenant General Shikapwasha denied ever having directed the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) to air a political documentary produced by journalist, Chanda Chimba III dubbed ‘Stand up for Zambia.

He has also refused to pay the K900 million legal fees for SBN legal practitioners who were engaged to represent ZNBC in the case involving the airing of the Chanda Chimba III programmes on the national broadcaster.

SBN is owned by Sunday Nkonde and it was hired by ZNBC not Shikapwasha.

In the said programmes, Chimba eloquently predicted the doom, chaos, confusion, dictatorship and national disunity that would follow in Zambia if certain politicians won the elections last year.

Gen. Shikapwasha said at a press briefing in Lusaka today that he, together with his former Permanent Secretary Dr. Sam Phiri, never at any time directed ZNBC to air the documentary.

He said he has since written to the Secretary to the Treasure refusing to settle the K900 million legal fees surcharged against him by the Attorney General as legal fees for lawyers representing ZNBC for airing the so called libellous documentaries.

Gen. Shikapwasha has also threatened to take legal action against journalists writing stories which he said are untrue on his alleged role in the controversial Chanda Chimba III Stand Up for Zambia political documentary.

He further argued that some editorials written in some sections of the media about his alleged involvement in the Chanda Chimba III Stand Up For Zambia political documentary were libellous.

Meanwhile, Gen. Shikapwasha has complained that the Attorney General did not accord him an opportunity to defend himself saying it was against the law to prosecute him in the media rather that in the courts of law.

In a letter dated 24th February 2012, copied to the Attorney General and in accordance with Section 31 of the Public Finance Act No 15 of 2004, Secretary to the Treasury Fredson Yamba notified Gen.
Shikapwasha to pay the legal fees amounting to K900 million incurred by the government of Zambia.

UN chief urges Zambia to fight corruption

The U.N. chief has urged Zambian lawmakers to spare no one in the fight against corruption.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, speaking to Zambia's parliament at the start of a visit Friday, called corruption a cancer that threatens democracy and anti-poverty efforts.

He says, "In this fight there can be no sacred cows, there can be no parallel systems of justice -- one for the poor and the weak; another for the powerful and protected."

Zambian President Michael Sata came to power in the southern African nation last year on an anti-corruption campaign. Ban is scheduled to meet Sata Saturday.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

sata assures investors

President of Zambia, Michael Sata has assured all companies operating in Zambia whether local or foreign, that Government is committed to maintaining an environment that conduces to their functioning in an atmosphere of serenity and peace reinforced by strictest adherence to the rule of law.
The President said in a statement made available to the media that Government style and policy was to discuss with employers and workers, matters of mutual interest following the statutory channels and procedures.
Mr Sata said that based Government style and policy, some of the approaches pursued by individuals in government were adrift with established procedure.
“Labour Unions are free to bargain with employers on salary or wage settlements as by law established, ” the statement read.
The president also said that in the interest of the economy, the his’s guidance, save for the special case of workers in the medical sector, was that the salary adjustments stay as close to inflation as possible.
“This is necessary to avoid triggering inflationary spirals which would then render salary increases futile, ” the statement read.
The President has enjoined and cautioned the Ministers and government officers not to resort to arbitrary positions which can only induce loss of confidence in our country and in the process undermine progress which is so essential and crucial to achieving poverty alleviation and reduction within the shortest time possible.
Lately the newly appointed Labour Minister Chishimba Kambwili has been making impromptu visits at companies threatening to close down those that are not offering Zambians better conditions service.
Last week, Mr Kambwili threatened to shut down Scaw Limited in Kitwe if it failed to improve conditions of services for its employees.

“This is necessary to avoid triggering inflationary spirals which would then render salary increases futile, ” the statement read.

The Minister also revoked the work permit of a Chinese Doctor who he accused of being rude when he visted his practice to check on a case of low salaries. Yesterday, Mr Kambwili defended his decision to order the revocation of the work permit for Dr Xisheng saying it will send a message to foreigners not to mistreat Zambian workers.
He said certain situations call for bold decisions and that he will not allow Chinese nationals to subject Zambian workers to low salaries.
“I usually emphasise a point with the use of hands and he told me that I am being rude. We cannot have a situation where a foreigner can tell a minister that he is rude, which he cannot do in his own country. We have received a letter from workers at Sinozam who complained that he (Dr Xisheng) is rude. We must set an example,” Mr Kambwili said.
He added: “We have to take certain measures that will act as a warning that when they (investors) come here, they must respect us.”

“I can agree with you that the 12 percent salary rise is too low. I have given management at MCM up to Wednesday next week to come up with a better pay rise. This afternoon, I will hold serious discussions with management at the mine to see how best they can give you a better pay,” Mr Kambwili said.

Mr Kambwili however said he has nothing against Chinese and Indian investors but that most of the abuses reported to his office are perpetrated by them and warned that he will not allow such a situation to continue.
And at KCM last week Mr Kambwili gave the Mine Workers Union of Zambia, the National Union of Miners and Allied Workers (NUMAW) and MCM management a two-day ultimatum to conclude negotiations and sign the new collective agreement.
Speaking when he addressed the miners at the MCM general offices in Kitwe , Mr Kambwili assured the workers that Government will dialogue with management to explore ways of increasing their salaries ‘reasonably’.
Mr Kambwili said the 12 percent salary increase management is proposing is unreasonable. He directed MCM management to reconsider its offer.
“I can agree with you that the 12 percent salary rise is too low. I have given management at MCM up to Wednesday next week to come up with a better pay rise. This afternoon, I will hold serious discussions with management at the mine to see how best they can give you a better pay,” Mr Kambwili said.