Infrastructure key, says Nkana mall developer
By Misheck Wangwe in Kitwe
Tue 04 Sep. 2012, 19:16 CAT
THE developers of the US $20 million (K100 billion) ultra-modern Nkana Shopping Mall in Kitwe say there is need to pay particular attention to infrastructure development which is the key to the attainment of sustainable development in the country.
Speaking during the official launch of the construction of Nkana Mall at the Civic Centre in Kitwe yesterday, Akrasi properties managing director Steven Voyiatzis said there was need to strengthen the commercial life in the City of Kitwe and Zambia as a whole for the country to see tangible development.
"Our company, Akrasi properties limited, strongly believes that the economic sector plays an outstanding role and no social or political progress is successful and sustainable without economic development," Voyiatzis.
He said the company was confident that the government would facilitate the introduction of good construction works, introduce good laws for the investors, issue necessary instructions and regulations for the enhancement of infrastructure development.
Voyiatzis said investors should bravely come forward and work hand-in-hand with the government and the Kitwe City Council in rebuilding the city and the country.
"There is no doubt that this significant project will be a turning point for the concepts of renewal and modernisation and for working and marketing methods. The project will make retail and commercial working standards, systems and methods better and easier. Commercial dealings will be handled in a modern way," he said.
Voyiatzis said for the design and construction of the mall, Akrasi had appointed one of the leading contractors, Mohamed Salama and Mohammed Mousa, chief executive officer and directors of Flame, respectively.
Kitwe mayor Chileshe Bweupe said the commencement of the construction of the mall had brought a sigh of relief in the residents of Kitwe because the site which was regarded as a white elephant would become a source of pride for them.
"I have said at so many fora that the great city of Kitwe has been a sleeping giant which previously has lacked proper infrastructure development in the past," Bweupe said.
Labels: INFRASTRUCTURE, KITWE
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Ex-Kitwe mayor hails Sata's observation on councils
By Mwila Chansa-Ntambi in Kitwe
Sun 27 May 2012, 13:27 CAT
PRESIDENT Michael Sata's observation that some local authorities are incompetent and corrupt in allocation of land is a timely warning, says former Kitwe mayor Cosmas Bwalya. Bwalya in a press release urged all civic leaders and other people involved in the illegalities in councils throughout the country to stop.
He observed that over the years, there had been several reports of irregular and illegal land allocations by councillors, party cadres and other individuals without any action being taken against the perpetrators of the illegalities in question by councils and other relevant authorities.
"There is a standard legal procedure for allocating land by local authorities throughout the country and when land is illegally allocated to an individual or an organisation without council detecting such an anomaly, then such a council is incompetent in its operations," Bwalya stated.
He urged the government to immediately conduct a comprehensive land audit throughout the country and where necessary repossess land allocated illegally and prosecute the culprits.
Meanwhile, Bwalya appealed to local government minister Professor Nkandu Luo to investigate and tell Kitwe residents the real reason why the land where Astra Cinema was located had remained undeveloped for so long.
Bwalya observed that the land in question needed a serious developer to construct a good building that would change the face of Kitwe and add beauty to the city.
Labels: CORRUPTION, KITWE, LOCAL GOVERNMENT, MICHAEL SATA
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Kitwe farmers still await inputs
By Darious Kapembwa in Kitwe and Christopher Miti in Chipata
Mon 19 Dec. 2011, 13:58 CAT
FARMERS from 127 co-operatives in Kitwe have not yet received fertiliser for the 2011-2012 farming season under the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) despite having made bank deposits for the same.
Hundreds of farmers who thronged the Kitwe district agricultural office on Friday complained that they had only received hybrid maize seed which they said could not be planted without fertiliser in place.
Iver Nyoni, who spoke on behalf of the affected farmers, told The Post in an interview that they (farmers) received the seed three weeks ago and were told to collect fertiliser last week on Friday but were shocked to learn that the commodity was not there.
"Maybe the government should just subsdise fertiliser so that all of us can get it cheaply on the market," said Nyoni. Because we have been coming here and we are always told to come next week, next week, but we have paid for the fertiliser and the amounts that we are talking about can be produced by Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia," Nyoni added.
Nyoni said farmers feared that the planting period might elapse and they would experience hunger next year.
Farmers complained that there was no one at the DACO offices to explain to them the way forward which left them guessing.
A check at the District Agricultural Office found no official was available to talk to which also upset many farmers.
In Chipata, PF provincial chairperson Lucas Phiri has urged President Michael Sata to find a way of ensuring that Omnia fertiliser clears farmers who are taking long to get their subsidised inputs.
Addressing some Omnia staff when he checked on the fertiliser distribution at the Chipata depot on Friday, Phiri said President Sata being a man of action should find a way of addressing problems surrounding the fertiliser distribution by Omnia "Being the (Eastern Province) chairman of the ruling party, I will push my President to pay more money to the farmers that have not been cleared by (FRA). We have not come here to politicise the situation but we are here to find a remedy for our farmers so that they could go back fast," Phiri said.
He said it was very expensive for farmers to overstay at the sheds.
Phiri advised the staff not to politicise the input distribution by only serving PF members.
"For us it's ‘One Zambia, One Nation', we don't eat politics. Politics ended on the 20th September and now we won so we look after everyone. We as PF we want to be good to accommodate everybody," Phiri said.
He also promised to meet the provincial permanent secretary Eularia Mwale and provincial Omnia manager to see how the fertiliser problem could be addressed.
Omnia storesman Ganizani Phiri said the depot could only manage to release 5,000 bags of fertiliser per day.
He said the district agricultural office sent a lot of letters for fertiliser collection and that this had led to the congestion at the depot.
"We discussed this issue (with the district agriculture office) so the first two weeks of input distribution were okay but third week, it was worse, the DC (district commissioner) can bear me witness because he was here. After a month, they started following the normal procedure but they changed again. The number of farmers in Chipata is going up every year because in the past we never had this problem. So it is not possible to handle them at once. The only way we can handle this situation is by putting up a programme," Phiri said.
He refuted claims that some people were engaging in corrupt activities at the depot.
The farmers said Omnia had a shortage of manpower at the depot.
They also said transporters were inadequate.
The depot is overcrowded as some farmers wait for a number of days before getting inputs.
Labels: COOPERATIVES, FISP, KITWE, TREVOR NYONI
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Kitwe MMD cadres protest over adoptions
By Misheck Wangwe, Mwila Chansa and Darious Kapembwa
Thu 21 July 2011, 14:00 CAT
MMD cadres in Kitwe’s Nkana and Chimwemwe constituencies yesterday vowed never to campaign for President Rupiah Banda if the party does not rescind its decision to adopt Divo Katete and Ronald Manenga as parliamentary candidates.
And former Lufwanyama district commissioner Miniver Mtesa who was dropped as district commissioner after being promised to be adopted as a parliamentary candidate has resigned to join the PF.
The cadres who staged a protest at Kitwe’s Buchi Hall yesterday said the adoption process was not fair as MMD members on the ground, they wanted former sports minister George Chulumanda to contest the Nkana Constituency seat and not Katete.
The cadres said it was ridiculous for the national executive committee (NEC) members to snub Elizabeth Mataka for Chimwemwe Constituency in preference to Manenga who recently defected from the UPND.
MMD Buchi-Kamitondo ward vice-chairman Alfred Simutenda said the party would suffer another massive defeat in Nkana Constituency if Chulumanda was not adopted. He said the insensitive selection of candidates by the NEC had started dividing the MMD.
“George Chulumanda is one of the credible and loyal members and he was ready to stand with the party until the bitter end. He has been helping the women and vulnerable children in Nkana Constituency. Now this Divo Katete joined the party some few weeks ago and suddenly he has become the darling of the party. This is not fair, we will not campaign if this decision is not rescinded,” Simutenda said.
And Kitwe’s new Kamitondo branch chairman Nedson Kampamba said it was wishful thinking for the MMD to assume that it would win elections in Kitwe after adopting newcomers. He said MMD needed popular and credible candidates because the Copperbelt was the opposition stronghold.
Meanwhile, Joyce Kasunga, who represented the women said they were disappointed with the decision taken by NEC to leave out Chulumanda.
When contacted for comment, Katete declined to comment saying he was overwhelmed by the adoption.
Manenga said he went through the selection process and NEC members unanimously picked him because of his popularity.
“I’ am not a newcomer in the party. I’ am a Zambian and nobody can claim to be an indigenous MMD member. It’s unfortunate that there are those who feel more MMD than others,” Manenga said.
In Lufwanyama, Miniver Mtesa has joined the PF after the MMD declined to adopt her preferred applicant, Anne Chungu.
Mtesa said there was no way she would start campaigning for Chungu in Lufwanyama when the people rejected her.
“I’ve with immediate effect resigned and joined the PF. I will campaign for the PF in Lambaland be it Masaiti, Mpongwe, Lufwanyama, I will go. At least the PF is not surrounded by liars and opportunists,” said Mtesa.
Labels: CADRES, KITWE, MMD
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Kitwe residents boo Dora Siliya
By Misheck Wangwe in Kitwe
Tue 12 July 2011, 11:58 CAT
KITWE’S Wusakile residents on Sunday booed MMD spokes-person Dora Siliya after she spoke ill of PF leader Michael Sata at a rally. The residents expressed annoyance with Siliya’s unwarranted attacks on the PF and its leadership at the rally which was held at Wusakile High School grounds.
They demanded that Siliya (right) address real issues affecting the nation and not Sata and his massive support on the Copperbelt.
Siliya, who arrived in Wusakile around 15:30 hours, told the gathering that Sata would introduce homosexuality and take youths to war-torn Afghanistan if elected into office as some residents jeered in disagreement and raised the PF symbol, the clenched fist.
“Awe kabiyefye ku Lusaka. Ba MMD namufilwa uletubepafye ubufi pali Sata. Ifwe kuno ni pamaka…Naku Afganistan kuti twaya kabili tamwatufwaila incito. Uno mwaka ni pamaka Just go back to Lusaka.
The MMD has failed and you are just lying about Sata. We will vote for Sata… even if it means going to Afghanistan we will go because we are jobless. We will vote for the PF this year,” the residents shouted as Siliya continued to speak on top of her voice.
She said the PF was undemocratic and had never changed leadership since inception while MMD had changed presidents thrice.
She said the MMD policies on development were clear and the party had demonstrated to the nation its capability to deliver but it was surprising that the people voted for the opposition.
Siliya said the MMD was not like other political parties that thrived on insults.
She said Wusakile residents would only see meaningful development if they voted for the MMD.
She said it was sad that the people of the Copperbelt had continued to vote for the PF when Sata failed the province and the people during the time he was in government.
Siliya was accompanied by science and technology minister Peter Daka, MMD Copperbelt chairman Joseph Chilambwe and Kitwe district chairman George Lungu among others.
Labels: DORA SILIYA, KITWE, MICHAEL SATA, MMD
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Kitwe council not telling the truth, says Lubinda
By Misheck Wangwe and Darious Kapembwa in Kitwe
Thu 30 June 2011, 04:00 CAT
GIVEN Lubinda has accused Kitwe City Council management of not telling the truth on the reported dubious allocation of land and misapplication of funds in the city. And Copperbelt minister Mwansa Mbulakulima said he was shocked to read in the paper that he was a beneficiary of the land, which was initially allocated for the phase four of the FIFA Goal Project.
Reacting to Kitwe City Council public relations manager Francis Wasamunu who dispelled reports that management had never defied full council resolutions in the management of land, Lubinda said council management should tell the nation and the Kitwe residents how Mbulakulima, MMD officials and other developers were allegedly allocated land near the FIFA Goal Project.
He said if the council management did not advertise for the two controversial pieces of land at Buchi and SOS village respectively, then laid down procedures were not followed.
“I have again instructed the PF councilors to get to the bottom of these issues and identify the culprits. We appreciate that Mubulakulima, George Lungu and other MMD officials have a right to own land anywhere but the question is was this land advertised and how many people were interviewed over this land?,” Lubinda said. “The law must be followed.”
He said politics should not be entertained in the administration of land by council officials.
Lubinda said he had further directed the councillors to ensure that the land for the FIFA Goal Project and Inter Bus Terminus in Kitwe was not tampered with by anyone.
And Mbulakulima said he applied for land in Kitwe in 2007 and got no response.
However, he said he reapplied in 2008 and was given a letter of offer although it did not state the exact location of the plot.
Speaking after he toured the site where Kitwe City Council had allocated 25 acres of land to FIFA to construct three stadia and an academy for youths under the phase four of the Goal Project, Mbulakulima said he was not aware that he was allocated land near the FIFA project.
“No one has ever shown me where my plot is to date, so I was shocked to hear that my land is here. I feel disturbed because my constituency is football,” said Mbulakulima.
"If this land is for FIFA project then hands off. Don't be intimidated by anyone whether minister or MP or any official to give away this land because this FIFA project has global benefits, Zambia has plenty of land that you can give the people as long as you are transparent.”
Labels: GIVEN LUBINDA, KITWE, MWANSA MBULAKULIMA
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KCM pollutes Kafue River again
By Kabanda Chulu in Kitwe
Fri 14 Jan. 2011, 04:00 CAT
KONKOLA Copper Mine has polluted the Kafue River again. And Environmental Council of Zambia (ECZ) northern region manager Patson Zulu has called for the imposition of serious punitive measures against KCM for its continued pollution of the Kafue River.
But KCM head of corporate affairs Jacqueline Kabeta requested for a written press query before commenting on the matter. In an interview yesterday, Zulu said KCM informed ECZ about the incident on Tuesday.
“KCM reported that they had a problem with a Zesco power line to one of the pumps and they shut down the concentrator and the tailings leach plant but we suspect that by the time they took this action, impurities had already over flown into the river since preliminary results indicate the presence of heavy metals in the Kafue River ,” Zulu said.
“We are waiting for latest results to ascertain the level of contamination but as at last night (Wednesday) the situation was the same and we are not thinking of taking KCM to court but we shall impose serious punitive measures which I can’t disclose now.”
Nkana Water and Sewerage Company on Wednesday, temporarily shutdown water supply in Kitwe as a precautionary measure following reports of suspected pollution of the Kafue River by KCM.
Mulonga Water managing director Manuel Mutale said operations were normal since the company was able to treat the levels of impurities in the river.
“But we are still carrying out tests and also waiting for ECZ to complete their investigations and advise what to do. We only shutdown when our tests reveal higher levels of impurity content which we can’t treat,” said Mutale.
And Earth Organisation Zambia executive director Lovemore Muma said it was unfortunate that KCM had failed to keep its assurances that pollution of the Kafue River would not happen again.
Labels: KAFUE, KCM, KITWE, MANUEL MUTALE, NKANA WATER AND SEWAGE COMPANY, POLLUTION
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Kitwe MMD members bemoan endorsement of Chilambwe
By Kabanda Chulu in Kitwe
Mon 13 Dec. 2010, 04:01 CAT
SOME MMD Kitwe district executive committee members are unhappy with the endorsement of Joseph Chilambwe as the candidate at the forthcoming provincial convention. But district chairman George Lungu said the matter was discussed and the majority showed continued support for Chilambwe.
The members, who preferred anonymity, said interim provincial party chairperson Chilambwe and his entire executive had failed and the party was not performing well in the province.
“At the province the party is sleeping and why should we endorse people who have failed to organise the party? If anything, the provincial committee only becomes active when the President is in the region and this approach is wrong especially that we are entering an election year,” one of the members said.
“Even some ordinary members like task force chairperson Joe Malanji are able to organise the party through holding campaign rallies but we don’t see this coming from the provincial committee.”
But Lungu, who was flanked by his deputy Simon Kunda, said the decision to endorse Chilambwe was democratic.
“We are 24 in the executive and this matter was put to a vote and the majority won so it is not true that we bulldozed this decision and we understand people have diverse views but in this case it is a collective decision whether one likes it or not and we shall support Chilambwe,” said Lungu.
Information and publicity secretary William Nyirenda described Chilambwe as a hardworking member who was loyal to the party and President Rupiah Banda.
Labels: GEORGE LUNGU, KITWE, MMD YOUTH LEAGUE
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Chiluba boasts about ‘spying’ in Kitwe
By Mwila Chansa in Kitwe
Mon 28 June 2010, 14:50 CAT
FORMER president Frederick Chiluba yesterday revealed that he went to Wusakile mine township a few weeks ago as a spy.
And Living Waters Global Ministries bishop Bernard Nwaka has said Chiluba has a heart for Zambia and that is why he ensured that most people were empowered with houses when he was president.
During a church service at Living Water Global Ministries in Kitwe yesterday, Chiluba said he did not go to Kitwe in his own power.
“On June 5, I came to Wusakile to check on the devastation in the sanitary facility. I also went to Natwange. I did not come in my own power but as a spy and I spied very well because when I came, people told me that there was no electricity at the time but I have learnt that somehow, somehow, electricity has been restored,” Chiluba said.
Several Wusakile residents gave Chiluba a hostile reception while others insulted him recently when he inspected Wusakile communal toilets and Kitwe’s Mindolo-Miseshe area.
And Chiluba said he was not afraid of the devil or his cohorts hence he was able to go to places where others feared he might be harmed.
Chiluba said he could not let foxes get into the work of the Lord.
“How can I be afraid of the devil or his cohorts? We are crowned as kings and queens and that is why even when people say ‘awe ba Chiluba mwiyako uko kuti bamicita ifyo’ Mr Chiluba do not go to such a place because you may be harmed I go because I can’t allow the devil to interrupt the work of the Lord,” he said.
Chiluba told the congregants that the devil was under their feet and they needed to know that they possessed all the authority and power to defeat him.
He said people should know that those aspiring to be leaders but talked from sunrise to sunset were not fit for the position.
“If someone wants to be a leader and he talks from morning to evening ninshi ciwelewele he is visionless.
Imfumu tailanda landa ngamwamona yalalandalanda, ninshi kuli mabvuto Kings/leaders do not talk anyhow. If they do, then you know that there is a problem,” he said.
Chiluba said God installed and removed kings.
He urged the congregants not to look at God as a distant figure but to personalise and be intimate with Him.
Chiluba said those that truly knew the Lord were not ashamed of mentioning His name at any place.
And Bishop Nwaka said many people owned houses because of Chiluba’s love for the nation.
He said people easily forgot good things and focused on the bad.
Bishop Nwaka said he felt honoured and privileged to have Chiluba at his church.
Chiluba is believed to be in Kitwe for a birthday party for a bishop.
Labels: BERNARD NWAKA, CHILUBA, KITWE
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Kitwe’s Cha Cha Cha locals resolve not to pay land rates
By a Correspondent
Sun 21 Feb. 2010, 04:00 CAT
RESIDENTS of Kitwe’s Cha Cha Cha township have resolved not to pay land rates to Kitwe City Council
following the development of an open-pit mine close to their houses by
Mopani Copper Mines (MCM) without addressing their concerns.
But Kitwe council public relations officer Dorothy Sampa said the residents’ resolution was unfortunate considering that so many consultative meetings had been held between ECZ and the residents to resolve the issue relating to the open-pit mine.
According to a letter signed by 120 Cha Cha Cha residents and addressed to Kitwe Town Clerk Ali Simwinga dated January 26, 2010 and copied to among others, minister environment, Minister of Mines, Copperbelt minister, Environmental Council of Zambia (ECZ) and Kitwe district commissioner MacDonald Mtine, there was no transparency involving the development of the mine.
The residents said their cries and concerns had completely been ignored since MCM had been allowed to start an open pit mine behind their houses without giving due consideration to the environmental consequences and hazards which would affect the residents and the environment.
The residents said following a meeting between, ECZ, MCM, Cha Cha Cha residents and the council, ECZ was mandated to meet their demands, which included production of the public hearing report concerning the open-pit mine, re-measuring the distance between residential houses and the open-pit mine to the acceptable standards and production of the ECZ manager’s press report as part of the Environment Impact Assessment Compliance.
“Amid all these uncertainties and failures to address our concerns with the seriousness they deserve, we Cha Cha Cha residents, have resolved to demand that MCM Plc shift us from Cha Cha Cha Township to a safe place where our safety can be guaranteed. Failure to comply with our first demand, we have vowed not to pay land rates to the KCC,” read the letter.
The residents vowed to see President Rupiah Banda over the matter.
But Sampa said the pertinent issues which the residents raised had been addressed by the ECZ before it granted authority to MCM to proceed with the development of the open pit mine.
“If, however, the residents feel that these issues still remain unresolved, there are channels of appealing to the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, but certainly the stopping payments of rates is not one of the channels of appeal because rates are taxes on properties in order to meet services of public nature like cemeteries, street lighting and others,” said Sampa.
“My appeal to the residents of Cha Cha Cha is that while they may have a good cause, they should not take the law into their own hands. I do wish to state that failure to pay rates by any rate payer may result into a serious matter and may compel the council to send bailiffs which would be regrettable, but unavoidable.”
Labels: ENVIRONMENT, KITWE, LAND RATES, MACDONALD MTINE, MCM, MINING, POLLUTION
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Zesco’s load-shedding irks Chimwemwe residents
By Mwila Chansa in Kitwe
Thu 31 Dec. 2009, 04:01 CAT
Residents of Kitwe’s Chimwemwe township have advised Zesco Limited not to take advantage of their customers as no monopoly lasts forever.
According to a petition letter by the residents copied to Zesco’s Kitwe divisional manager and the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) regional office, the residents warned that Zesco risked suffering in the same way that ZAMTEL was today if the electricity sub-sector was opened up.
The residents complained that Zesco was subjecting them to frequent load shedding and wondered if the trend was because the area was considered to be low cost.
"By and large, we wish to remind you that no monopoly of business lasts forever. One day, you may suffer the pain that ZAMTEL is going through, of being subjected to stiff competition," the residents stated.
"How you treat your customers now will definitely have a bearing on the profitability of your organisation at that time."
The residents stated that they always incurred extra costs as a result of the alleged unconcerned and uncaring attitude by Zesco's technical staff, adding that many residents were forced to pay monthly bills for less or no power supplied at all.
"We have to buy candles, paraffin and charcoal in addition to the monthly bills we pay," they stated. "We have to buy food that was not budgeted for because most of the budgeted food has to go bad in fridges because of frequent power outages and prolonged periods of load shedding that is done almost on a daily basis."
They further stated that most of them usually paid free money to MultiChoice for their monthly satellite dish subscriptions because they viewed less or no entertainment at all as a result of the unreliable power supply.
The residents urged Zesco to urgently find a lasting solution to frequent power outages in the area, adding that their lives and property were at risk as darkness was a haven for criminals.
Labels: KITWE, LOAD SHEDDING, ZESCO
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Kitwe police release 9 MMD cadres arrested over illegal land allocation
Written by Mutuna Chanda in Kitwe
Friday, August 07, 2009 2:49:24 PM
POLICE have released the nine MMD cadres that were apprehended by Kitwe City Council police last Saturday for illegally allocating over 1,000 plots in Kawama area.
And MMD Kitwe district vice chairman George Lungu has denied that the nine were MMD cadres, saying those who belonged to the ruling party were only three and were mistakenly picked up.
The cadres had been handed over to state police and were detained at Mindolo police station.
However, Kitwe City Council public relations officer Dorothy Sampa said that the MMD cadres were released on Monday after police could not find charges to slap on them.
“The information that I got from our chief security officer was that they were released on Monday,” Sampa said. “Police released them because they couldn’t find charges to slap on them…the law states that you can’t keep someone for more than 48 hours without charge.”
She also maintained that the nine people arrested last Saturday were MMD cadres going by their confessions to council police officers.
“It is not the first time that we are apprehending cadres from the ruling party. We have on record a Mr Mwewa, MMD chairman for Kawama who has been arrested twice and there’s a docket at the police to show that this had happened,” said Sampa.
When contacted for comment, Copperbelt police chief Antoneil Mutentwa said he was not aware of the matter and that he had asked Kitwe commanding officer Nelson Phiri to follow it up.
And Lungu said the three MMD cadres who were mistakenly picked up in the Kawama operation were released Saturday night, hours after being apprehended.
He charged that of those that were detained, five were PF officials.
Lungu however said he could neither blame PF nor MMD cadres and that the Kitwe City Council was at fault in the illegal allocation of land in Kawama.
And PF Copperbelt chairman Mwenya Musenge refuted Lungu’s assertions that five of the people who were picked up were PF officials.
Musenge also blamed acts of illegal land allocation on Kitwe City Council.
He said the council had tracts of land which it did not want to allocate to members of the public who were looking for plots.
Musenge said this created an artificial shortage of land leading to members of the public being duped by illegal land vendors.
Labels: CADRES, ILLEGAL LAND ALLOCATION, KITWE, MMD
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Kitwe residents reject Zesco’s proposed tariff hike
Written by Correspondent
Thursday, June 18, 2009 10:52:31 PM
KITWE residents have rejected the proposed 66 per cent electricity tariff hike, describing it untimely and unreasonable. But Zesco Limited director for Customer Services Teddie Mwale has said the intentions to increase tariffs was not to exploit the consumers, but was aimed at making the power sector grow and effectively support economic development.
During an Energy Regulation Board (ERB) organised public hearing on the intentions by Zesco to increase tariffs in Kitwe, Riverside ward councilor Christopher Kang'ombe said Zambians should not be overcharged through electricity tariffs to finance Zesco’s projects.
“It does not mean that if Zesco wants money for maintenance and increased generation capacity, it must overcharge the poor Zambians to finance such huge capital projects. The residents are proposing that instead of Zesco charging high tariffs for purposes of financing their projects, government or Zesco must consider applying for a loan to assist in meeting the various challenges it is facing,” Kang’ombe said. “Furthermore, we feel the amount of money going towards emoluments, allowances and salaries to Zesco employees is enormous and management should review the figures to allow the company save more resources. The submissions we are making here are serious and so Zambians should not be subjected to making these submissions and then ERB proceed to allow Zesco to increase tariffs to 66 per cent.”
And Kang'ombe who spoke on behalf of the Kitwe consumers said Copperbelt had witnessed a lot of job losses in the excess of 10,000 to date and therefore, the suggested 66 per cent was not only untimely, but also unreasonable given the prevailing hardships.
In his submissions to the ERB sitting, Kang’ombe wondered why Zesco should demand more than 16 per cent that it promised to adjust its tariffs when under the multi-year tariff framework adopted by ERB, the electricity utility company was granted increases of 27 per cent (2008), 16 per cent (2009) and 11 per cent (2010).
Meanwhile, Mwale said his company was not interested in exploiting the customers, but wanted to improve service delivery and create a strong customer base.
He said his company played a vital role in the privatization of the mines because of its low tariffs and that it was imperative that it increased its tariffs to effectively cater for the investment and development that the investors had brought in the country.
Labels: ERB, KITWE, TARIFFS, ZESCO
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Zim drinks firm to set up plant in Kitwe
Written by Zumani Katasefa in Kitwe
Tuesday, June 16, 2009 2:58:06 PM
A Zimbabwean firm has planned to set up a beverage manufacturing plant in Kitwe at a total cost of US $150 million. Footprint Holdings director Godfrey Lubinga said in an interview that his firm would further create 1,000 jobs in Kitwe following the establishment of the plant in the area.
“We also intend to open branches in all the nine provinces of Zambia and create 1,000 jobs in each of the provinces. On the Copperbelt, the plant will be opened in Kitwe. We expect to spend a total of US $150 million for the Kitwe plant, this money would go mainly for machinery,” he said.
Lubinga said everything had been put in place for the opening of the Kitwe plant, with an expected production of around 10,000 litres of soft drinks of different flavours.
He disclosed that in Eastern Province, the plant would be set up in Chipata and would target the Malawian market.
“With the global financial crisis, we thought it is important to help finding a solution in fighting the credit crunch by way of starting up such ventures. The most important thing is to assist the present government to create employment in these economic difficulties,” he said.
Lubinga said apart from trying to create jobs, his firm was determined to ensure that youths, especially those just graduating from schools, were equipped with skills that would help them survive the credit crunch.
“We want to train the youths to go into manufacturing firms than just giving them jobs,” he said.
And Lubinga warned that Zambia’s economy was slowly sliding into the Zimbabwe situation.
“The problem Zambia is going through is a dawn of a new era called ‘understanding’ the boundary between knowledge and ignorance, which Jesus so often referred to as ‘you shall know the truth that will set you free’ and that those with eyes shall see. Unquestionably the moral problems the nation confronts are of great significance. Any people without a solid moral footing are soon emasculated, confused and lack appropriate purpose and direction. A responsible moral code is essential to the Zambian society well-being. Yet there is something that may in fact underlie moral ideals, something that provides an even stronger, permanent foundation for society and for human progress,” said Lubinga.
Labels: BEER, GODFREY LUBINGA, KITWE
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Kitwe mayor refuses to apologise over Garnerton land allocation
Written by Correspondent
Tuesday, December 16, 2008 8:35:38 PM
KITWE mayor Divo Katete has said the local authority has no apologies to make over its decision to offer 30 hectares of land in Garnerton area for the construction of 300 houses for Chinese nationals.
And Katete has advised Nkana Patriotic Front member of parliament Mwenya Musenge to desist from being "controversial for nothing" and start providing leadership that would earn him respect from the local authority and the electorate.
Reacting to a story that quoted Musenge as having walked out of a full council meeting in protest against the offer of the 30 hectares of land in Garnerton area, Katete said his council did not regret its decision.
In an interview on Sunday, Katete said the Chinese had come to Kitwe to put up an economic zone, which would create employment for the people.
He said it was therefore in order that they were given land to construct their houses.
Katete, who is a Patriotic Front councillor, said other councils like Lusaka and Luanshya were also giving out land for economic zones because they wanted development in their areas.
He said it was sad that some parliamentarians in Kitwe had nothing to do and instead were trying to gain political mileage from anything that was happening in the city.
"I had gone out of the country to South Africa on council business trip, but I was shocked to read in the media that Musenge went and gave an interview to the reporters that he walked out of the full council meeting in protest against the offer of 30 hectares of land to the Chinese who are putting up an economic zone in Chambishi. He wanted to gain political mileage by going to the media to say that he walked out of the full council meeting," he said. "The resolution was done collectively, whether he supported it or not, he is still part of the resolution. In fact, the KCC does not regret and has no apologies to make to anybody over its decision to offer 30 hectares of land in Garnerton for the construction of houses for the 300 Chinese houses because, apart from the economic zone benefiting the Zambians, even the construction works would provide jobs for local contractors and suppliers."
And Katete advised Musenge to desist from waging unnecessary battles with the local authority, but should instead embrace dialogue to earn his respect.
But Musenge said Katete was being arrogant for nothing.
Musenge said he and other councillors had agreed that the 30 hectares given to the Chinese would be revisited after mayoral elections.
"The young man has become so arrogant that he thinks that the land in Kitwe belongs to him. We shall revisit that decision after mayoral elections and he will see that he doesn't own land in Kitwe although he is mayor of the city," said Musenge.
Labels: CHINESE, DIVO KATETE, FDI, KITWE, LAND RIGHTS, NEOLIBERALISM
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Riots rock Kitwe
Written by Speedwell Mupuchi, Mutuna Chanda, Zumani Katasefa and Abigail Chaponda
Friday, November 14, 2008 8:10:04 AM
SCORES of Kitwe residents yesterday demonstrated against the arrest of Radio Icengelo station manager Fr Frank Bwalya, bringing business in the city centre to a virtual standstill. And Fr Bwalya has said repression in the country will not work.
Meanwhile, Ndola Catholic Diocese Bishop Noel O'Regan has said Fr Bwalya's arrest was an infringement of his right to freedom of speech. The demonstrations, which started off on a peaceful note, turned violent as police officers fired teargas to disperse the demonstrating residents.
The demonstrations started around 09:00 hours when taxi drivers started honking around town.
They were joined by youths in Kitwe who started running from one street corner to another while chanting, "we want change, we want change."
The youths, who were in a jovial mood, and other people mainly street children plotted to take advantage of the situation to steal.
There was commotion, especially around Chisokone area as the chanting youths run around.
Later, some of the youths started burning tyres on the roads and also blocked the streets with logs, stones, chairs, benches and whatever object they lay their hands on.
Other youths, especially street children emptied refuse bins on the streets.
Later, police received a report that some people had broken into Bata Shoe Company and Zambeef shops and immediately officers were deployed in town to control the situation.
The police officers fired teargas to disperse the people from town.
The central business district was by 14:00 hours virtually deserted as many people run for safety to their homes.
Shop owners, marketeers and street vendors alike left town for safety.
At Chisokone market, people damaged Olympic Milling outlet where, according to the director John Samaras, they looted bags of mealie-meal.
More than 20 youths were arrested in the operation to restore order in the city and residential areas.
And police sources said angry residents apprehended and beat up four police officers at Chisokone Market.
Police officers continued patrolling in town to maintain order.
Police also pursued some buses into residential areas.
An eye-witness, who did not want to be named said a minibus, a Toyota Hiace registration number ACK 9733, which was being chased by paramilitary officers overturned on Kuomboka Drive, injuring an elderly man.
"I was on Kuomboka Drive [Parklands] and I saw a minibus cruising from the direction of town. Immediately the bus bypassed me, it overturned once and about nine people scampered. The paramilitary officers who were chasing the bus started chasing the people but since they did not catch anyone, they returned to the bus and found me rescuing the old man," narrated the eyewitness.
The eyewitness said police got the old man who appeared to have sustained an injury in the bus.
In Chimwemwe township, police officers fought running battles with people who had blocked roads and streets using various objects.
People lit tyres on most of the roads.
The irate residents also attacked Chimwemwe police station and damaged window panes at National Savings and Credit Bank (NATSAVE) branch in Chimwemwe. The people also damaged a Toyota Corona registration number ACH 3394 belonging to NATSAVE.
The residents stoned the police officers who were trying to control the situation.
The tense situation in Kitwe started building up on Wednesday night after Fr Bwalya's arrest and detention at Kalulushi Police Station.
In Ndola, a group of people conducted a peaceful demonstration to show their support for Fr Bwalya.
The people, mostly PF supporters, chanted solidarity slogans and vowed that people would not be cowed into submission.
The residents said they demonstrated peacefully to show people that they were not happy with Fr Bwalya's arrest.
In Kalulushi, scores of people went to the police station to see Fr Bwalya in cells before he was released at 11:33 hours in the company of his lawyer, Mwila Chitabo of Chitabo Chiinga Associates, Catholic Church and Patriotic Front officials.
Among those who went to see Fr Bwalya included Kalulushi district commissioner Joshua Mutisa and his Lufwanyama counterpart Evans Pwele.
Mutisa told Fr Bwalya that he went to see him upon being informed that he had spent the night in the cells.
Fr Bwalya responded that he had slept well and joked that he did not cause any confusion in the morning because he did not enter the police cells while drunk.
And when he was taken out of Kalulushi Police Station, scores of people, mainly PF supporters, held their fists up and lifted Fr Bwalya shoulder high.
Police officers had a tough time controlling the people and had to trail behind the crowd as they carried him into a van.
However, police officers later managed to control the situation and took Fr Bwalya to his lawyer's vehicle, which they also boarded to Kitwe district police head office.
From Kalulushi police station, the people who were mainly a mix of PF supporters and Catholic Church members led the vehicle, which Fr Bwalya boarded to Kitwe.
The public minibuses and some private ones as well as vehicles belonging to the Catholic Church that carried people from Kalulushi, dictated the pace at which the convoy escorting Fr Bwalya moved.
People sat on the edges of the windows of their vehicles and held out their fists shouting "we want change."
All traffic to Kalulushi had to give way to the convoy in which Fr Bwalya was.
As the convoy approached KMB and Chisokone Market, scores of youths on the side of the road waved their fists and demanding change.
When Chitabo managed to break out of the convoy, his vehicle sped off to Kitwe district police station.
At the police station, police, some in riot gear and carrying teargas canisters, formed a cordon on Kantanta Street some five metres away from the police station on both sides to prevent the crowd that was approaching from entering the police premises.
Fr Bwalya was at the police district headquarters for over an hour.
When he was finally released on bond, Fr Bwalya said repression would not work.
Fr Bwalya vowed he would not be silenced and that he would continue talking about the truth.
He was charged with publishing articles intended to bring divisions between communities between November 1 and 12, 2008 through special post-election radio programmes that he hosted on Radio Icengelo.
Fr Bwalya, visibly in high spirits, further appealed to Zambians not to be violent because his cause was for the truth and not violence. This was in the midst of police firing teargas canisters and trying to force people out of the city centre to quell a potentially violent situation.
Fr Bwalya said he had been charged for issuing statements alleging that the elections were fraudulent and that the current President was not legitimately elected.
He said he had been formally arrested and that he was released on bond.
Fr Bwalya said he had pleaded not guilty to the charges and that he would state his case in court.
He said as a priest, he would not want to incite violence among the people and that if he did so he would have resigned.
Asked about the people that were looting some shops in the city, Fr Bwalya said there was need for people to be peaceful and safeguard the country.
"Whoever is doing that is doing a wrong thing. This is our country we need to safeguard it. There are a lot of things in this country, which are not right but they cannot be corrected by throwing a stone. They have to be corrected by smooth change because we need change in this country especially where laws are concerned, we need to work on the bad laws; the Constitution included," he said.
And addressing sympathisers who were awaiting his release outside the Kitwe district police head office, Fr Bwalya said he was aware that people were worried about his life.
However, Fr Bwalya said he was well and there was strength in his spirit despite having slept in police cells.
Fr Bwalya noted that laws that were corrupt only had a place in a dust bin and that those that could be worked on should be reviewed.
"I have been saying that the change we are asking for can come at a much cheaper price if people cooperate. Some people think they don't want to cooperate and they think that the best way to silence us people who are speaking out is repression," Fr Bwalya said. "Repression cannot work. This is a free country. We are independent, we are supposed to determine our own destiny and let people speak out. Freedom of expression is a constitutional right."
Fr Bwalya further said his programmes on Radio Icengelo would continue running.
He also thanked the people that supported his cause and urged everyone to remain calm and not engage in violence.
After Fr Bwalya's release, his lawyer, Mwila Chitabo said Fr Bwalya had been charged under section 13 of the Public Order Act for publishing articles intending to bring divisions between communities between November 1 and 11, 2008.
Chitabo said the type of offence required the consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for the case to take off.
And addressing reporters at his office earlier yesterday, Bishop O'Regan requested the police to bring charges against him or to release him from custody.
"The arrest of Fr Bwalya is seen as an infringement of his right to freedom of speech. Truth itself is the real prisoner. I call upon Zambia Police to release him without delay," he said.
Bishop O'Regan commended Fr Bwalya for the non-partisan way in which Radio Icengelo covered the recent Presidential elections despite the short notice and lack of resources.
"I am glad to report that Fr Bwalya is well and has been professionally treated by the police. Please remain calm, there is no need to travel to Kalulushi. Let us continue in prayer," Bishop O'Regan said.
Fr Bwalya was on Wednesday afternoon arrested by the police and held overnight for questioning at Kalulushi Police Station after conducting a special live post-elections programme.
Labels: FRANK BWALYA, FREEDOM OF SPEECH, KITWE, RADIO ICHELO
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Police revoke PF’s C/belt protest permit
Written by Speedwell Mupuchi
Friday, November 14, 2008 8:08:05 AM
POLICE on the Copperbelt have revoked the permit granted to opposition Patriotic Front (PF) to conduct peaceful demonstrations against the election of President Rupiah Banda.
The Kitwe demonstration was also meant to press for the removal of Dan Kalale as Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) director for allegedly presiding over fraudulent elections. Meanwhile, PF vice-president Guy Scott yesterday said Zambia was back to a police state.
PF sources in Kitwe and Scott confirmed that police had cancelled the demonstration, which was supposed to be held tomorrow on grounds that there was high tension, especially following the arrest of Radio Icengelo station manager Fr Frank Bwalya.
"Yes, they have cancelled the demonstration but get to the party on the Copperbelt to get more details," said Scott.
PF Copperbelt youth secretary Elias Kamanga when contacted said he was not aware of the cancellation as police had not communicated to him.
However, other party sources said police had told them to defer the demonstration to another date.
"They [police] are also proposing that instead of the demonstration, why not hold a public rally in Kitwe to be addressed by Mr Sata," said the source.
Police in Kitwe had granted a permit to the PF to demonstrate peacefully to press for a recount of the just-ended presidential poll.
But Scott yesterday accused home affairs minister Lieutenant General Ronnie Shikapwasha of putting pressure on the police to cancel the planned demonstration in Kitwe and the PF's Mandevu meeting in Lusaka on Sunday.
"How can a politician say he is surprised by the permit granted to us by the police? Politicians are now driving the police and we are back to the police state," said Scott.
Scott also said he had spoken to Inspector General of Police Ephraim Mateyo over his attempt to defer the PF's Mandevu meeting scheduled for Sunday.
"All this is building up tension in the country, I don't see how it is diffusing tension," he said.
Scott said the police should grant the PF the permits because the peaceful demonstrations would reduce tension.
"The police should side with the law, with the people and not [Lt Gen] Shikapwasha who has not even been appointed by Rupiah Banda," said Scott.
Labels: DAN KALALE, ECZ, KITWE, PF, RIOTS
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Kitwe youths, Taxi and Mini Bus drivers run riot
November 13, 2008
A Zambia Police officer fires tear gas into the crowd
Scores of unruly rioting youths, Taxi and Mini Bus drivers today went on rampage in Kitwe Town centre and Chimwemwe Township damaging buildings and destroying property worth millions of Kwacha.
And Zambia Police Commissioner Francis Kabonde has announced that all the political and social functions have been canceled in Kitwe until the situation returns back to normal.
The Youths and drivers who were chanting Anti Government political slogans, smashed windows at the Olympic Milling shopping centre which houses various shops and in the process looted some mealie meal and beef belonging to Zambeef Zambia.
Police had a tough time as they fired tear gas canisters to repel the stone throwing youths and drivers who were protesting against the detention of Radio Ichengelo Station Manager Father Frank Bwalya.
A check around the City centre by ZANIS in the Company of Zambia Police Commissioner Francis Kabonde, Copperbelt Police Chief Antoneil Mutentwa and the the Local Command, found scores of people throwing stones in Chimwemwe Township, Town centre and Chisokone Market.
The entire road network in the City was blocked with burning tyres and logs placed in various places, while at the Zambia Institute of Business Studies (ZIPSIP) teargas canisters were fired to disperse political slogan chanting students who wanted to join the riot.
Police sealed off the entire City which is deserted where business halted as people were scampering from the area in fear of the violent scenes.
Taxi and Mini drivers who accompanied Father Bwalya from Kalulushi where he was detained, drove in a convoy of cars flashing lights and honking in the city centre where they created confusion.
Mr. Kabonde said Police arrested 38 people in connection with the riot which started around 10:30 hours, when father Bwalya was being taken to Kitwe Police headquarters where he was formally charged and released on a K10 Million bond in his own recognisance.
Mr. Kabonde said Father Bwalya who was arrested yesterday around 17:00 hours for engaging in acts intended to promote hostility between sections of the community has been slapped with three charges and would appear in Court on November 27 this year.
He said the Roman Catholic Priest has been charged with issuing statements likely to cause hostility between groups in society through the election programmes he had been broadcasting live on Radio Icengelo in the just ended presidential by-election.
He has also been charged for alleging that the October 30, 2008 Presidential by-election was fraudulent and that the current President Rupiah Banda was illegitimately elected.
Appeal to the media
Mr. Kabonde appealed to both the electronic and print media in the country to be sensitive when disseminating information to members of the Public.
“If you the media are not careful with the way you are disseminating information to members of the Public you may bring despondence and a breach of peace in the country”. Said Mr Kabonde.
He said Peace once lost was very difficulty to retain especially that the Copperbelt was near the region where some neighbouring countries were at War.
He added that the media had a duty to ensure that there was peace in the country and advised all those that were aggrieved by anything to do so through the courts of law.
Mr. Kabonde said that Father Bwalya was earlier warned by the police to stop disseminating his programmes because they were capable of brining discontent on the Copperbelt but he continued.
Mr. Kabonde appealed to the people of the Coppertbelt to remain calm and ensure that undesirable characters who could bring confusion in the Country did not do so.
And father Frank Bwalya appealed to Taxi and Bus Drivers in the City to desist from throwing stones and engaging in other acts of violence.
ENDS/LK/PK/ZANIS.
Labels: FRANK BWALYA, FREEDOM OF SPEECH, KITWE, RIOTS, YOUTHS
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Kitwe’s Father Frank Bwalya to be formally charged
November 13, 2008
Police in Kitwe are expected to formally charge Radio Ichengelo Station Manager Father, Frank Bwalya, who was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly inciting the public.
Kitwe District Police Commanding Officer, Daniel Siame, confirmed that Father Bwalya who spent a night in custody in Kalulushi will be charged after police record a warn and caution statement from him.
Mr. Siame alleged that Father Bwalya has in the last few days been broadcasting messages that are likely to incite people.
He alleged that Father Bwalya has broadcast messages suggesting that the October 30 election was fraudulent.
Mr. Siame said Father Bwalya has also been heard through his broadcasts saying that the government is in office illegally.
[ZNBC]
Labels: FRANK BWALYA, FREEDOM OF SPEECH, KITWE
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Woman detained for illegal allocation of Kitwe plots
By Times Reporter
A WOMAN of Bulangililo Township in Kitwe was yesterday arrested for allegedly collecting money from people purporting she would allocate them land in the area.
Veronica Lwele, 57, detained at Kitwe Central Police station, has since been charged with obtaining money by false pretences and would appear in court soon.
Almost a month ago, Bulangililo Ward councillor Vincent Pelibati clashed with Kitwe Town Clerk Ali Simwinga after the councillor allegedly defended Ms Lwele when she was found illegally allocating plots in the area.
Mr Pelibati supported Ms Lwele when Mr Simwinga said that she should be reported to the police for getting involved in the illegal allocation of plots.
Copperbelt police chief, Antoneil Mutentwa confirmed the arrest of Ms Lwele in an interview.
“Yes I can confirm that the woman has been arrested for allegedly obtaining money by false pretences after she collected K2 million after purporting that she would allocate plots in the area,” Mr Mutentwa said.
And Mr Simwinga has advised the people in the city to report all those involved in illegal land dealings to the police or to the local authority so that they were dealt.
She said it was sad that some people were allowing themselves to be swindled out of millions of Kwacha by unscrupulous people purporting to be land dealers.
“It is indeed sad that every time we are talking about illegal allocation of plots in the city. As a city, we should be talking about how best to develop our city, instead of wasting time sorting out issues of illegal allocation of plots. Members of the public should be alert and report cases of illegal allocation of plots in the city,” Mr Simwinga said.
Labels: ILLEGAL LAND ALLOCATION, KITWE, LAND
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