TAZARA workers strike

Over 3,000 unionised workers at the Tanzania Zambia Railway authority have gone on an indefinite strike due to non payment salaries for five months.
The workers have also blocked the movement of the newly introduced Zambia Railways Chambeshi passenger train from moving between new Kapiri Mposhi and Nakonde on the TAZARA railway line. Yesterday, ZR decided to refund the passengers who had bought tickets after it became apparent that the striking workers would not allow the train to move.
TAZARA workers union Afrika Mkandawire told ZANIS that the workers would not resume work until they are paid the salary arrears or be retrenched and be paid their dues instead of being kept without salaries for this lengthy time. Mkandawrire also challenged TAZARA MD Ronald Phiri to explain why TAZARA was no longer moving cargo between Kapiri Mposhi and Dar-es-Salaam
And as usual the Zambian government has failed to honor the promise made by transport and communications minister Yamfwa Mukanga that the workers would be paid the salaries by June month end.
Meanwhile sources have told the Watchdog that the government of the republic of Tanzania and the Zambian counterparts are considering concessioning the jointly owned railway company due to the unending financial problems.////////

Militias in Sudan demand for $1 million for a Zambian hostage

The Zambian Government says the terrorists holding a Zambian citizen hostage in Sudan’s Darfur region are demanding US$ 1 million.
Felix Ngoma a humanitarian worker for the International Organisation for Migration was abducted by the Janjaweed militia group in Darfur region on July 6, 2014 and his true condition remains unknown.
The Zambian government has been hiding this information until the Watchdog revealed it two days ago. Janjaweed is a pro-government militia, armed, funded and controlled by Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir to kill black, non-Muslim people in Darfur.
Foreign Affairs minister r Harry Kalaba however claimed that a hostage management team has been set up to negotiate with the gunmen who are demanding a ransom of 1 million dollars.
He told a media briefing that government is constantly in contact with the IOM Office in Lusaka adding that Mr. Ngoma who was abducted on 6th July 2014 is kept well and his release is likely.
“Mr Ngoma is said to have been on his way from IOM offices to his residence located 5 KM from IOM offices when he was intercepted. The gunmen contacted IOM office to inform them that they had abducted Mr Ngoma and demanded a ransom to be paid./////////////////////