'Govt aware of L/stone retirees' planned protest'
By Cynthia Phiri in Choma
Fri 12 July 2013, 14:01 CAT
LABOUR Minister Fackson Shamenda says the government is aware of a ploy in which some unpaid retirees in Livingstone have planned to stage a protest during next month's United Nations World Tourism Organisation general assembly.
Shamenda, who disclosed this in Choma yesterday when he called on Southern Province permanent secretary Bernard Namachila, said the planned protests were discovered after a fact-finding mission undertaken to the tourist capital by himself and senior officials in the ministry, who included permanent secretary Trevor Kaunda and labour commissioner Cecilia Mulindeti Kamanga.
He said over 200 aggrieved retirees who have not been paid their dues since 1998 were planning to protest against the government, adding that if not forestalled, this would undermine the successful hosting of the UNWTO activities.
He said during his visit to Livingstone, he discovered that if labour issues were not handled properly, the country would suffer an embarrassing situation of protests by workers during the UNWTO General Assembly.
Shamenda called for urgent action to resolve matters that could trigger industrial unrest during the event, which will be attended by international delegates.
"It is also disturbing to learn that there is no single labour officer in Livingstone following the relocation of the provincial capital to Choma. Livingstone is a busy town with a lot of economic activities and it is unacceptable for it to be left unmanned," he said.
Shamenda directed Kaunda and Kamanga to immediately deploy a labour officer in Livingstone. He said there was no way Choma could have two labour officers when Livingstone had none.
And Namachila assured Shamenda that measures would be taken to forestall the planned disturbances during the upcoming UNWTO general assembly.
Labels: FACKSON SHAMENDA, LIVINGSTONE, PENSIONERS
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L/stone cures 87% of TB patients - Dr Hara
By Brina Siwale in Livingstone
Tue 26 Mar. 2013, 14:00 CAT
LIVINGSTONE cures at least 87 per cent of tuberculosis patients once they are put on treatment, says district medical officer Dr Cliff Hara.
Speaking during the commemoration of World TB Day which fell yesterday, Dr Hara said the achievement was a great success for the Livingstone management team.
"The 87 per cent cure rate for Tuberculosis (TB) means that out of every 100 sputum positive patients put on treatment, 87 are successfully cured. This has been achieved not only by the medical team but also the patients themselves and their relatives," he said.
Dr Hara, however, expressed sadness that some TB patients were not helping in the fight against the disease by refusing to take their medication and not adhering to instructions given by the doctors.
"Others continue drinking alcohol even when they are still on treatment. Some community members encourage TB patients to stop their treatment and instead seek help from traditional healers," said Dr Hara.
And Livingstone district commissioner Omar Munsanje commended the district management team for achieving the 87 per cent TB cure rate.
He said there was need for a continuous dissemination of information on the disease to the community.
"As a district we are not spared. This calls for community involvement in the control of the disease. And as a patient, if you are placed on TB treatment please remain committed to finishing the treatment and go for voluntary counseling and testing," said Munsanje.
Labels: CLIFF HARA, LIVINGSTONE, TUBERCULOSIS
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Mwaliteta's houseboy hacked to death
By Edwin Mbulo and Brina Siwale in Livingstone
Sun 03 Feb. 2013, 15:10 CAT
OBVIOUS Mwaliteta's 19-year-old houseboy has been murdered in Livingstone in unclear circumstances. And Mwaliteta, who is Western Province minister and PF campaign manager for this month's Livingstone by-election, has pleaded with all political players not to resort to murder in a quest to gain political power.
Joana Liakoka was hacked on the head with a suspected machete in Livingstone where Mwaliteta has set up base ahead of the February 28 by-election.
Southern Province police commissioner Charity Katanga said police would wait for postmortem results before making a conclusion on Liakoka's murder. Katanga, who visited the Batoka mortuary and the murder scene, said there was no indication of an accident.
"We shall, however, wait for proper results (post-mortem) before we can say much," said Katanga.
And during a press briefing at Armadillo Oriento Restaurant after visiting Batoka mortuary where he went to identify Liakoka's body with police officers and the scene of the murder on the Lusaka-Livingstone road, Mwaliteta said it was not necessary for political players in the Livingstone by-election to instil fear in others.
"In the last by-elections we lost three youths. Why are we killing each other? We have the number plates for the vehicle our friends have been using to ferry youths from Matero in Lusaka, but it is not necessary to instil fear in each other. If this is the so-called Mapatizya formula, it is very unfortunate. The only problem the boy did was to be at the command centre, he is not even a cadre. You want to instil fear in the PF so that we don't campaign in the night. I beg you please, if this is the famous Mapatizya formula, please leave us alone," Mwaliteta pleaded.
Mwaliteta said information on the ground was that the people of Livingstone wanted the PF candidate Lawrence Evans to advance developmental projects for the tourist capital.
Mwaliteta, who constantly broke down, said Liakoka was found dead 100 metres from the lodge being used as a command centre for the PF and was placed on the road so that the cause of his death could be attributed to a road accident.
He said Liakoka had a deep cut on the back of his head and some burns.
"I'm told that he had gone to answer a phone call when he vanished although his shoes were found at the lodge," said Mwaliteta.
Labels: LIVINGSTONE, OBVIOUS MALETITA, PF, POLITCAL VIOLENCE
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Andeleki applies for Livingstone seat on PF
By Kombe Chimpinde in Lusaka, Edwin Mbulo and Brina Siwale in L
Tue 15 Jan. 2013, 14:00 CAT
FORMER Registrar of Societies Clement Andeleki has applied for the vacant Livingstone seat on PF saying the area is now ready to deliver the ruling party's first win in Southern Province. By press time, Andeleki was joined by former permanent secretary Gladys Kristafor and seven others.
Confirming his application to be considered for adoption as PF parliamentary candidate for Livingstone, Andeleki said in an interview that he thought it prudent to serve the people of Livingstone where he had spent most part of his life.
"I consider that I should first render services to the people of Livingstone. That is where I was born, that is where I grew up. This is where I started my first life. I do consider that home is home whether you are being fed on milk or not and I think this is the best thing to do," he said.
"As you may know Livingstone has never had effective representation for many years and because of that, Livingstone has had a number of challenges and one of the challenges that our people here are facing is that we do not have a university, we still have a problem with the sewer system in the police camp… simple things…the bridge between Libuyu and Maramba remains a danger spot and you find that the people who have been handling Constituency Development Fund have not effectively put priority in the areas of development in Livingstone.
Land has also been a big issue because these opposition people have been giving land to people who are not eligible just because they have money. I thought it is important to go back home. That is why I had to relinquish my lucrative job and see what I can contribute here."
Asked if his decision to relinquish his position as chief Registrar of Societies would not vindicate speculation that he had been compromised by the PF and was being used to frustrate the MMD, Andeleki said he pursued the MMD just as he did with the PF and UPND.
"The issue that I was compromised by the PF and that I harassed the MMD is not true because as you are aware that arose from the time I served MMD the notice of default. I served the PF a notice requesting them to register their branches in pursuant to Statutory Instrument number 64 of 2004, I served a similar notice to UPND and you can verify this from Mr. Winstone Chibwe the secretary general of UPND but MMD opted to say 'we are going to damage your character because we don't owe the Registrar of Societies any money. They said 'we know you are being used' but if I was being used I would not have written to the PF. UPND and PF registered their branches upon receiving these notices but MMD decided not to pay and it brought that showdown so I don't think I persecuted the opposition in order to favour the PF, the ruling party," Andeleki said.
"MMD, being a big party has a duty to set an example by paying tax. The greatest challenges we have in the Republic of Zambia is corruption and tax evasion. People don't want to pay tax to the government but how can government operate. MMD is one of them. If I became a lawmaker, I would push for government to criminalise tax evasion. I know that under the PF, 20 years down the line we shall cease to be a donor dependent country."
Andeleki said he was confident the PF would scoop the Livingstone seat.
"Mark my words today, PF is going to win the by-election in Livingstone this time around and I am saying this because of the good profile that PF has set for itself. One of them is control of expenditure on the part of government. You are aware that government officers who serve in highest offices are only entitled to one vehicle as opposed to the MMD era where one person could have 10 vehicles. There is control of fuel usage…you know there has been misapplication of resources," he said.
Andeleki said he would rally behind the PF even if he were not adopted.
"One thing is that I grew up a very poor boy, I even had no shoes. I started from Zero," said Andeleki. "I don't like to be eating or getting satisfied while the rest of the people, the general population are suffering. If it means going to the street I will go to the street together with the people. I will rally behind my people. I am not going back to be chief Registrar of Societies. If they are going to adopt a person other than me I am going to campaign for that person as long as he is a candidate for PF that is what we are going to see. What we want to see here in Livingstone is development. I trust my party's adoption system and what I am saying is let the best candidate be adopted."?
Confirming receipt of applications from the nine hopefuls in an interview, PF district secretary Geoffrey Kampamba named them as Colonel Collins Mwanamwale, Captain John?Mwamulima, Liven Apuleni, Lawrence Evans, Alvin Sindowe, Gladys?Zaloumis Kristafor, Clement Andeleki, Zhondwayo Soko and Wilfred ?Mweene.
Kampamba said he was expecting two more applications.?
The Livingstone seat fell vacant following the resignation of Reverend Howard Sikwela who ditched the UPND citing that opposition party's hostility towards the PF government and threats on his life. The Livingstone by-election is scheduled for February 28th together with the Mpongwe polls.
Another aspiring candidate Evan Lawrence, a prominent Livingstone businessman, said the tourist capital needed a candidate who could foster development.
Lawrence, the proprietor of Ng'ombe Breweries, said the city had lost its glory of being one of the leading manufacturing towns in the ?country.? "We need to bring Livingstone back to the way it was 20 or 30 years ago. This city used to have a lot of manufacturing companies that we do not have anymore. Currently Livingstone only has two manufacturing companies and these are Ngo'mbe Breweries and Msanza Milling which is not enough," Lawrence said.
He said opening up more industries would reduce high levels of unemployment among the youths.?"We have so many youths who are jobless and putting up more? manufacturing companies will be able to create jobs. That is one area?that I would want to work on if I am elected as member of parliament,"?Lawrence said.?He said another area that would be vital would be making education a priority because it was the only key to national development.
Lawrence said people of Livingstone needed an MP who understood their challenges and was able to work with them. I have lived in Livingstone for a long time and I know the challenges that people face here. People should choose a local because we have seen people from Lusaka coming here and wanting to stand. We need a local MP who understands and is able to work with the people," said Lawrence. "With the UNWTO (World Tourism Organisation congress to be co-hosted by Zambia and Zimbabwe) coming we need someone who will work tirelessly and follow up the development that is going on in the city."
Labels: BY-ELECTIONS, CLEMENT ANDELEKI, LIVINGSTONE, PF
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COMMENT - It is flood season again. I would like to suggest that the President and Vice President, rather than encourage people to move to higher ground, get the army involved and start digging irrigation works and start forrestation, that can prevent these floods as well as store water for agricultural use. This is not brain surgery, and will not only prevent loss of life and property to flooding, but also create jobs.
It's floods again
By Edwin Mbulo in Livingstone and Fridah Nkonde in Lusaka
Wed 28 Nov. 2012, 14:10 CAT
MOST areas in Lusaka and Livingstone have been flooded after a downpour which started on Monday night through yesterday.
In Livingstone, Southern Province minister Josephine Limata's official residence has been flooded and her family evacuated to Protea Hotel. And in Lusaka, most areas were flooded after the heavy rains.
The rains which started in the late afternoons in Livingstone got heavy in the evening and also destroyed the footbridge near the central police station.
Southern Province police commissioner, Charity Katanga, who rushed to the minister's residence on Monday around 20:30 hours, said the minister's residence was flooded to almost a meter high by the kitchen side.
"The waters were high above the floor and children tried to use buckets to scoop the waters out. We later called in fire brigade to pump the water out. You need to realise that this house was recently rehabilitated and the family had to seek refuge somewhere," said Katanga.
However, Southern Province deputy permanent secretary, Alfred Chiingi, said Limata's family of about five and an elderly woman had to be relocated to Protea Hotel between 20 and 21:00 hours.
Limata was reported to be in Lusaka for official duties.
A spot-check at the residence yesterday morning revealed the abandoned house still flooded with most household goods such as refrigerators still under water while police officers kept vigil.
And the heavy rains left a lot of Livingstone residents stranded on Monday evening as some taxi drivers opted to park their vehicles.
The rains also left a trail of destruction to some roads and flooded houses in several residential places especially Maramba's Malota compound.
The footbridge over the railline built in 1977 and recently rehabilitated after a train accident was partially washed away too.
And most people in flood prone areas like Kuku compound in Lusaka are still hesitating to relocate, saying that they will wait for their homes to be submerged.
A spot-check by The Post found most of the roads in Garden compound flooded and both pedestrians and motorists struggling to find their way around.
School-going children were seen taking off their shoes in order to cross the roads while others were wearing gumboots.
Garden compound market was so flooded that most of the shops were closed and those that were brave enough to open their shops stood outside their shops watching the flood waters helplessly.
Meanwhile in the industrial area, Chandwe Musonda Road overflowed with rain water.
"All this water that you are seeing on this road is from this drainage here … I am sure you can't even see that there is a drainage here because it has been flooded," one of the guards at Chandwe Musonda shopping complex, Joel Mulenga, said.
Mulenga said it was unfortunate that most of the drainages around the industrial area were not efficient.
And a 37-year-old woman of Lusaka's Kuku compound, Fatima Moyo, said she was convinced that her family would not be affected by the floods despite government's advice to the residents living in quarry areas to voluntarily relocate in view of the impending floods.
Meanwhile, another Kuku compound resident Friday Mukuka said it was impossible for people to leave the homes that they had spent money building and go somewhere, where they would start paying rentals.
Labels: ALFRED CHIINGI, FLOODS, JOSEPHINE LIMATA, LIVINGSTONE, LUSAKA
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Sata's ministers kneel before L/Stone voters
By Edwin Mbulo in Livingstone
Tue 03 July 2012, 13:25 CAT
PRESIDENT Michael Sata yesterday made all the ministers who accompanied to him to Livingstone kneel before the people who attended the PF rally at Villa Grounds.Addressing the rally to drum up support for the PF parliamentary candidate Joseph Akafumba and two councillors Fred Sikazwe of Akapelwa ward and Musi-O-Tunya ward's Janki Chrispine Sepiso, President Sata also never sat down on his designated Presidential chair but opted to stand by the dais during the entire period of the rally which started after 14:00 hours and ending after 16:30 hours.
During the rally, President Sata made Akafumba kneel before asking Given Lubinda (foreign affairs), Luxon Kazabu (deputy minister livestock), Wilbur Simuusa (environment), Stephen Masumba (MMD and deputy minister local government) and Obvious Mwaliteta (Southern Province minister) to do the same.
"If I had not come, my young brother (in apparent reference to UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema) was going to say that I don't like Lozis. I don't know what tribe this man (Akafumba) is. Livingstone people, you have been rejecting your own people. I came here to encourage you that you don't have an MP. We have lent you Mwaliteta," said President Sata before calling the ministers to join Akafumba in kneeling.
He said the MMD left a lot of 'political potholes' which if left uncorrected would lead the youths of Zambia into causing a problem for the government.
President Sata said the youths who protested after not having been recruited into the police, army and Zambia National Service should not blame the government but the MMD which did not expand the training facilities of the security wings.
"The MMD left a lot of political potholes. It is not only in the army, Zambia National Service or the police, it's everywhere and we have to organise funds to expand these and improve the services. If we don't provide for improvement, these people youths who were protesting will be very dangerous," President Sata said.
He said the army, police and national service recruitments would be an ongoing process and the youths should give the government time to address the training school infrastructure.
President Sata said it was unAfrican to attack people who were in mourning and urged opposition political parties to fight poverty and potholes instead of innocent people.
President Sata said the liberators of Livingstone people were the residents themselves and hence should vote for Akafumba if they wanted development.
"I have come here to encourage you that you don't have an MP member of parliament and we have lent you Obvious Mwaliteta, are you not ashamed? The UPND has 16 Southern Province members of parliament and when they speak, I don't listen. Zambia has 10 provinces and only Southern Province has no member of parliament who is PF. Even when we don't have an MP, we have lent you some people who are Tonga and have put them as ministers," President Sata said.
He said Livingstone could make a change by voting for the PF candidate.
President Sata advised the UPND candidate Reverend Howard Sikwela that politics was a difficult game, unlike the pulpit which Sikwela opted to abandon.
He said he initially hated Lubinda because he thought he was destabilising the MMD in which he was national secretary at the time Anderson Mazoka resigned to form the UPND.
And Lubinda sang solemn Tonga songs in remembrance of Mazoka whom he said was a great leader who made the opposition have relevance and was not violent.
Mwaliteta said the PF campaigns had been made easy with the defections of some key members of the UPND and the MMD and urged the voters not to be cheated by what he termed 'hungry hyena' (HH).
Labels: LIVINGSTONE, MICHAEL SATA, PF
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L/stone cops to probe attack on mourners
By Edwin Mbulo in Livingstone and Kombe Chimpinde in Lusaka
Fri 29 June 2012, 13:23 CAT
SOUTHERN Province deputy commissioner Fred Mutondo says the police are investigating the attack on a funeral procession allegedly committed by the UPND in which three women were injured.
And the PF in Lusaka has accused former MMD provincial chairman William Banda of organising and ferrying Lusaka-based cadres to Chama North and Livingstone to cause commotion ahead of the July 5 by-elections.
In an interview, Mutondo said the police had received a report on the matter although he could not confirm whether or not it was UPND cadres behind the attack.
But police sources have revealed that the people behind the attack were UPND cadres.
"We have the matter as it was reported to the central police station and it is being followed up thoroughly. I can confirm that people were attacked and three people were injured in the scuffle. We hear that there were a lot of vehicles so we can't tell who really attacked them," Mutondo said.
A police source confirmed that the reported assault was committed by UPND cadres at the junction of Kaunda Road and Maramba Road at a place known as A 1.
And in an interview at her residence in Maramba's Malota area, Susan Zulu, 41, one of the victims, said the UPND cadres who were in a convoy led by their leader Hakainde Hichilema's vehicle blocked and surrounded their vehicle and started beating the mourners.
"We pleaded with them that we were from a funeral and that we were not on a political campaign, but they would not listen. They started by beating my friend, Angela Nyambe of MA 229 with a hosepipe on her back and came for me and others. They had weapons in their pockets and pieces of hosepipe," Zulu said.
Also injured in Tuesday's attack were Samson Nguni of MC 176 and Charity Nguni of MA 227.
And PF provincial chairman Kennedy Kamba said he was dismayed that Banda who had since defected to the UPND has not abandoned his violent way of politics exhibited when he was in the MMD.
But Banda has threatened those making the accusations with litigation.
"I am aware that through the tactics of William Banda, the UPND have hired cadres who are behaving like thugs and ferried them to Chama and Livingstone. This is why these cadres are harassing innocent people who they are mistaking for PF cadres," he said.
Kamba said PF youths would not retaliate by ferrying cadres from Lusaka or Copperbelt but that they would allow the law to take its course.
But Banda said he was shocked that people still associated him with violence.
"People want to bring stupid dirty things to me. Ask MMD. They are the ones that are ferrying cadres. See, I don't like these stupid allegations and those that are making them are very foolish," Banda said. "One of these days I will take someone to court for such accusations."
Banda said that he was busy and did not want to pre-occupy himself with responding to the PF and their allegations.
He said although the UPND and MMD were working together in the Livingstone and Chama North by-elections, the two parties were not campaigning together and held separate activities.
Labels: CADRES, LIVINGSTONE, MMD, POLITICAL VIOLENCE, UPND, WILLIAM BANDA
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L/stone call boys urinate against poor sanitation
By Edwin Mbulo in Livingstone
Tue 05 June 2012, 13:23 CAT
CALL boys at Livingstone's main local commuter station yesterday urinated publicly in protest against poor sanitation during a visit by the parliamentary committee on local government led by Eustarkio Kazonga.
The incident happened when the committee members visited the bus station to familiarise themselves with the challenges being faced by the Livingstone City Council in terms of sanitation.
The call boys approached ZNBC cameraman Elias Hakatombwe and led him to a caravan situated next to a makeshift restaurant commonly known as Savage Restaurant and openly urinated.
"We want to show you how we go about our daily lives. This is our only toilet and behind this caravan is a restaurant," said one call boy as he and others urinated.
Later the committee bypassed the caravan and the call boys shouted while pointing at the heaps of garbage and their makeshift 'toilets'.
The area around the caravan had a strong stench of urine.
Three other boys simulated urinating as Kazonga, who is former local government minister, hurriedly walked on.
One of the members of parliament was overhead joking to a female National Assembly member of staff that they would have lunch at the Savage Restaurant.
Earlier, a minibus driver Lloyd Nyambe pushed his way through the councillors who accompanied Kazonga to brief him on the bad state of the station.
"We need this ground to be worked on as it is very bad during the time of rains as we don't have shelters," Nyambe said.
In response, Kazonga said he was happy for his decision to speak out as opposed to being quiet.
"The council management is here with the town clerk and the mayor and they are listening. We want this place to be a decent one with toilets and running water," said Kazonga.
And when he visited the council's public toilet at the taxi rank near Shalom bus station, Kazonga was briefed by a taxi driver Victor Mwengwe who operates the Kazungula-Livingstone route, that the public toilet closed at 17:00 hours and requested that it be a 24 hour facility.
Labels: EUSTARKIO KAZONGA, LIVINGSTONE
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Poverty in Zambia is a mockery, says Mwaliteta
By Edwin Mbulo in Livingstone
Sun 01 Apr. 2012, 12:59 CAT
WE have not come to loot but to serve Zambians who voted for change because they want transformation of their lives, says Obvious Mwaliteta. Addressing Livingstone councillors on Friday, Mwaliteta, who is Southern Province minister, said poverty in Zambia was artificial as many people have been made richer on other people's misery.
"People voted for change because they wanted a change in their lives…We PF have not come to benefit but serve the people who voted for us because they want a change in their lives," Mwaliteta said.
He said the PF wants to pay back to the people of Zambia by alleviating poverty.
Mwaliteta told the mainly opposition council that with the coming by-elections, councillors needed to vote for the PF as the party leaders were servants of the people who need a service.
"This poverty is artificial, poverty has made others rich. When Sichifulo people demand for relief food, others get rich over the food. That is how bad Zambia has become as others benefit over others' suffering," he said.
Mwaliteta who also addressed council workers said there was need for change of altitude by the local authority so that people gain confidence in the civic leaders.
"The PF government is pro-poor government which needs transparency, dedication and hard work. If you want to be a thief in future start stealing now, if you want to be a drunkard start drinking now, let us change and not be greedy. The fight against corruption should not be with the government alone," Mwaliteta said.
He said Livingstone needed an intercity bus terminus and a modern market and the finance minister was waiting for the bill of quantities from the council.
"The issue of vendors is quite a sensitive issue as it is our people who are trading on the streets. President Sata did not say they should stay on the streets forever, we need to find solutions by building a modern market," said Mwaliteta.
And Livingstone mayor Aggrey Njekwa appealed to the government to constitute a Local Government Commission to resolve most of the council staffing problems.
And Shungu ward councillor Simasinti Simasinti complained that chief Mukuni was demarcating and allocating council land without council approval.
Labels: LIVINGSTONE, POVERTY, SOUTHERN PROVINCE
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High Court nullifies Solwezi, L/stone seats
By Edwin Mbulo in Livingstone and Misheck Wangwe in Kitwe
Wed 14 Mar. 2012, 12:00 CAT
THE MMD yesterday lost the Livingstone and Solwezi East seats after the elections of their members of parliament were nullified by the High Court.
The Livingstone High Court nullified the election of Lukolo Katombola as Livingstone member of parliament while the Kitwe High Court nullified the election of Richard Taima as Solwezi East member of parliament.
And Joseph Akafumba who is Southern Province PF chairperson said the nullification of the Livingstone seat won corruptly by the MMD shows that anything stolen was short lived.
Passing judgment in the petition case in which UPND's Frederick Chuunga and PF's Akafumba had jointly petitioned the election of Katombola as area member of parliament, Livingstone High Court judge Ernest Mukulwamutiyo said the was election marred with corruption.
"Katombola did not contest against giving out cash but said he was unwell. The allegations made are very serious as they violate the provisions of the electoral act and shows that the first respondent actually engaged in illegal practices during the elections," he said.
During the over one hour judgment in which Katombola was absent, Judge Mukulwamutiyo however said there was no evidence by the petitioners that the funds allegedly distributed by the MMD through the district commissioner were public funds.
And Akafumba said the findings of Judge Mukulwamutiyo show that the MMD clearly went into full throttle during the last elections to bribe the electorate so that they could win the elections at national and constituency levels.
"Corruption does not pay. Anything stolen is short lived, and so since it was stolen victory, it has been given back to the people who are the owners of the victory. The PF is now ready for the by-elections," he said.
Akafumba said the lessons learnt from the Livingstone case were that it did not pay as a party or an individual to engage in vote buying.
He said the elections was robbed from the MMD as the 168 votes wrongly given to Katombola by the returning officer George left the PF victorious with a difference of 27 votes.
And Livingstone PF district chairman Fred Chibuye said justice had prevailed for the people.
"Work for us has just started, the seat belonged to us but due to the malpractices it was robbed from us," said Chibuye.
And in Kitwe, losing PF Solwezi East parliamentary candidate Peter Ilunga petitioned Taima and the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) as first and second respondents, respectively.
Delivering the judgment yesterday, High Court Judge Catherine Makungu said applying the case of Michael Mabenga Vs Sikota Wina and three others, she was satisfied that Ilunga had discharged his burden of proof.
Judge Makungu said by reason of Taima's illegal activities committed in connection with the election, the majority of voters in Solwezi East constituency were prevented from electing a parliamentary candidate whom they preferred.
"The elections for the MP in that constituency were not free and fair. I therefore declare the election of the first respondent void. I order that the petitioner's costs shall be borne by the first respondent. The second respondent will bear its own costs," she said.
Judge Makungu said Taima acted contrary to section 83 (2) of the Electoral Code of Conduct at the meeting which took place at Mushingwa market on August 27, 2011.
Justice Makungu said Taima did not stick to the seven-points drafted by MMD to be followed by the candidates of the party during the campaigns prior to the September 20, 2011 tripartite elections.
"The respondent also breached section 10 (2) and 20 (1) of the code in that the disparaging remarks he made against the petitioner and the PF party were capable of inciting members of the community to hate the petitioner and the PF," she said.
Judge Makungu also said Taima advised the voters to vote for him by giving them money, alcohol and a hammer mill, contrary to section 20 (1) (iii) of the Electoral Code of Conduct.
"I further find that on August 27, 2011, the respondent and his agent who introduced him at the rally informed members of the public who were present that PF president Michael Sata, the petitioners and members of that party in general were not good enough to be voted for because if voted into power, they would allow homosexuality, lesbianism, abolish the government fertilizer distribution programme and cause civil war," said Judge Makungu.
She said by saying these things, Taima caused apprehension in the electorate because she took judicial notice that the majority of Zambians were peace-loving Christians.
"Homosexuality is not a Christian way of life and nobody in his right mind would like to live in poverty or war," Judge Makungu said.
And Taima, a former deputy minister of Home Affairs, looked disappointed said he would appeal against the nullification of his seat.
"I am appealing, it is shocking," Taima said.
In his petition, Ilunga who was being represented by lawyer Noel Simwanza of Kitwe Chambers argued that Taima was not duly elected.
He contended that between August 20, 2011 and September 20, 2011 after
the dissolution of parliament, Taima induced the electorate by giving them beer, commonly known as ‘Tujilijili', money and a hammermill.
He also said Taima spread false information that he and President Sata would instruct the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) to stop paying the farmers their dues and recognize gay rights.
After the judgment, Ilunga who jubilated outside the High Court with party officials said he was happy justice had been made by the courts over the matter.
Labels: LIVINGSTONE, MMD
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L/stone council closes Shoprite for public health violation
By Edwin Mbulo in Livingstone
Thu 08 Mar. 2012, 11:57 CAT
SHOPRITE Checkers Livingstone town centre outlet has been closed by the council for breaching the public health Act Cap 295 section 64 of the Laws of Zambia and the food drug Act Cap 303 section 7 of the Laws of Zambia.
And the Livingstone City Council has also seized mealie-meal, tinned beans and other foodstuffs that had expired and some of the foodstuffs had no labels from the outlet.
Confirming the closure of the outlet by the local authority and the Ministry of Health, council public relations officer Emmanuel Sikanyika said the outlet was conducting business while undergoing massive rehabilitation works.
"Shoprite outlet had been closed for breaching the public health Act Cap 295 section 64 of the Laws of Zambia and the food drug Act Cap 303 section 7 of the Laws of Zambia. The town centre outlet was closed on Tuesday as the council and the Ministry of Health had received complaints from customers on the conduct of the outlet," he said.
Sikanyika said a combined team of health inspectors for the council and from the district medical office during their routine inspection swung into action and closed Shoprite outlet.
"The officers found the drilling, painting and the breaking of the apartment wall…the place was very dusty, the foodstuffs had deposits of cements," he said.
He said the goods that had been seized had also been exposed to dusty emissions of cement and would be destroyed.
Sikanyika said the outlet would remain closed until it adhered to the law of the country and that the council would continue to enforce the public and food drugs act and other by laws that exist.
"We are not going to sit down and see traders or people breaking the law, we want to bring sanity and order in the city in terms of trading," he said.
Sikanyika said the council would double its efforts especially as it steps up its efforts in preparing for the 20th Session of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) general assembly in 2013, to be co-hosted by Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Labels: LIVINGSTONE, SHOPRITE
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L/stone widow flees home as MMD cadres attack again
By Edwin Mbulo
Mon 05 Sep. 2011, 14:00 CAT
A 64-year-old widow who was on August 22, 2011 attacked by MMD cadres has fled her house after suspected cadres surrounded her house in Livingstone's Zambezi Sawmills on Thursday night and started throwing stones.
In an interview Rebecca Chifumbano, a relative of veteran politician Sikota Wina, said although the police arrived at the scene immediately and arrested one youth, she would, for now, not stay in the house because she fears for her life.
"I don't know what they want, they beat me up for being a PF member and now all because I reported the story to the press, they are intimidating me," Chifumbano said.
She said she had had problems since last month's attack as a check at the hospital where an ultrasound scan was done revealed that one of her kidneys was inflamed.
And a police source confirmed the arrest of one youth to help with
investigations while a named suspected ring leader was being sought.
On Monday August 22, Chifumbano was on her way home from a PF meeting
around 17:00 hours was attacked by four MMD youths clad in their
party regalia.
"They chanted an MMD slogan and I responded with a PF slogan when four
youths, amongst them Seba Sebastian, who I personally know started
to beat me," Chifumbano said.
She said Seba and the other youths, whom she could identify, kicked
her in the abdomen and hips until her neighbours came to her rescue.
Labels: CADRES, LIVINGSTONE, MMD, POLITICAL VIOLENCE
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L/stone widow flees home as MMD cadres attack again
By Edwin Mbulo
Mon 05 Sep. 2011, 14:00 CAT
A 64-year-old widow who was on August 22, 2011 attacked by MMD cadres has fled her house after suspected cadres surrounded her house in Livingstone's Zambezi Sawmills on Thursday night and started throwing stones.
In an interview Rebecca Chifumbano, a relative of veteran politician Sikota Wina, said although the police arrived at the scene immediately and arrested one youth, she would, for now, not stay in the house because she fears for her life.
"I don't know what they want, they beat me up for being a PF member and now all because I reported the story to the press, they are intimidating me," Chifumbano said.
She said she had had problems since last month's attack as a check at the hospital where an ultrasound scan was done revealed that one of her kidneys was inflamed.
And a police source confirmed the arrest of one youth to help with
investigations while a named suspected ring leader was being sought.
On Monday August 22, Chifumbano was on her way home from a PF meeting
around 17:00 hours was attacked by four MMD youths clad in their
party regalia.
"They chanted an MMD slogan and I responded with a PF slogan when four
youths, amongst them Seba Sebastian, who I personally know started
to beat me," Chifumbano said.
She said Seba and the other youths, whom she could identify, kicked
her in the abdomen and hips until her neighbours came to her rescue.
Labels: CADRES, LIVINGSTONE, MMD, POLITICAL VIOLENCE
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L/stone police brutalise NGO boss
By Edwin Mbulo
Wed 13 July 2011, 12:00 CAT
A Livingstone man is nursing fractured legs sustained following alleged police brutality on suspicion that he had obtained K22 million by false pretences. Joseph Moyo, who is the director of the Lifestyle Health Foundation, a non-governmental organisation, said in an interview that some Livingstone police officers brutally beat him up after arresting him last month.
Moyo said police officers went to his house on Mosi-oa-Tunya Road on June 17 and requested that he accompanies them to the Central Police Station to answer a few questions.
“Two officers came to my home and I recognised officer Mazyopa. They requested that I accompany them to the station to answer some few questions, but since I had flu I requested that they postpone engagement to Monday but they insisted, so I complied and walked to the vehicle,” Moyo said.
He said upon arrival at the police station, the officers said they were going to detain him for obtaining money by false pretences.
“They said I had obtained K22 million from Mr Vagera by false pretences and I told them to call Mr Vagera as I agreed that we had dealings which were cancelled but they did not comply and detained me,” he said.
Moyo narrated that the following night, three officers in the company of Mazyopa took him to another room which was being used for feeding suspects.
“They made me sit on a table and started to beat me saying I had caused them sleepless nights as they were being told by senior officers they were not being effective. They dragged me up some stairs and when I fell, they started to beat me using a pipe until I lost consciousness,” Moyo narrated.
He said when he woke up, he found himself near the road outside the police station and failed to get up as he experienced pain in his legs.
“I started to drag myself towards the enquiries desk but when I got by the stairs, I could not proceed until some officer came to my aid and took me to the hospital,” he said.
Moyo said he was later told that his legs were fractured and after reporting to police and obtaining a medical report, nothing has been done to date.
“…The police say a police officer who I have not even seen is handling the case,” said Moyo.
Southern Province police commanding officer Lemmy Kajoba could not comment on the matter as his mobile phone went unanswered while police spokesperson Ndandula Siamana said she needed to get details from Kajoba.
Labels: LIVINGSTONE, NGOs, POLICE BRUTALITY, SOUTHERN PROVINCE
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Govt hasn’t neglected L/stone – Chituwo
By Sandra Lombe in Livingstone
Thu 11 Nov. 2010, 09:30 CAT
Dr Brian Chituwo says the government has not neglected the people of Livingstone and the Livingstone City Council.
And Livingstone council deputy mayor Aggrey Njekwa has said that the continued suspension of the council decampaigns the MMD in the 2011 general elections.
Commenting on the continued suspension of the council, Dr Chituwo, who is local government minister, in an interview admitted that the three-month suspension period had elapsed.
“The council has been suspended since February; it’s true the three months suspension has passed. We have not neglected Livingstone residents and the council. We are concerned and the bottom line is that we are doing something,” he said.
However, he promised to give more details later.
And Njekwa last Friday expressed disappointment over the council’s suspension, which he said was long overdue.
Njekwa, who is also Lizuma ward councillor, appealed to Dr Chituwo to take note that the suspension period of three months had elapsed.
“I want to register our concern over the continued suspension of Livingstone City Council (LCC). The period of suspension has taken long. I am appealing to the local government minister to take note that the period of suspension of three months has elapsed and any further extension of the suspension deems it illegal. The best way forward is to harmonise the situation in Livingstone for the betterment of the residents,” he said.
“It is disheartening that today LCC is operating without the appointed administrator, meaning every decision is being made by the Town Clerk which shouldn’t be the case. There is no way the central government can be operating with the local authority. A collective measure should be taken within the shortest time beyond that its rendered invalid.
He said Dr Chituwo should urgently study the matter of the LCC and come up with a resolution.
“The President has said Livingstone is a special place for him. How does it become special when the elected councillors have been suspended without him as Head of State caring much for the people of Livingstone?” he asked.
“The suspension of the Livingstone City Council decampaigns the MMD and the area member of parliament who has failed to offer leadership in this matter. The MMD stands no chance of scoping the Livingstone constituency either way as MPship (parliamentarian) or councillor despite the MP promising that they will work to make sure the MMD wins.”
Labels: AGGREY NJEKWA, BRIAN CHITUWO, LIVINGSTONE
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Rupiah, Mtharika to grace Bene Mukuni ceremony in L/stone
By Sandra Lombe in Livingstone
Wed 21 July 2010, 04:00 CAT
PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda and his Malawian counterpart Bingu wa Mtharika are expected to grace the Bene Mukuni traditional ceremony to be held on 2nd August in Livingstone. And the Mukuni Royal Establishment has decided to remove the word Lwiindi from its annual traditional ceremonies beginning this year.
In an interview, chief Mukuni of the Toka people of Southern Province said the ceremony would begin on July 30, and the official ceremony takes place on August 2 at the ceremony square.
Chief Mukuni said among the invited guests were King of the Kwandebele, Mabena, Paramount chief Mpezeni of the Ngoni people, Chitimukulu of the Bemba and Gawa Undi.
“Also expected to attend is King of the Xhosa, Mazha Mandela, who is the nephew of former South African President Nelson Mandela, King from Congo, all Mukunis of Kabwe, chieftainess Nyanje and chief Sandwe of Petauke district. Three chiefs from Zimbabwe, who include senior chief Hwange and chief Shana,” he said.
Chief Mukuni said the establishment had decided to drop the word Lwiindi starting this year.
“We are the first to do Lwiindi from long ago, but now all chiefs came up using the word Lwiindi which means ceremony. Now we (Royal Establishment) are dropping it. In December, we have a ceremony for the rains; we have Lwiindi Basilombelombe, so it will just be Basilombelombe. We are trying to run away from the confusion,” said Mukuni.
Meanwhile chief Mukuni said no politics would be allowed during the ceremony.
Labels: BENE MUKUNI ROYAL ESTABLISHMENT, BINGU WA MUTHARIKA, CHIEF MUKUNI, LIVINGSTONE, RUPIAH BANDA
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Pact rattles demotivated L/stone MMD officials
By Edwin Mbulo in Livingstone
Thu 15 July 2010, 04:10 CAT
MMD Livingstone party officials have expressed worry about the PF-UPND pact, warning their party leadership not to bury their heads in the sand. And discontented party officials have complained about the lack of motivation from President Rupiah Banda and the national office.
In an interview after the constituency and district meeting addressed by acting national secretary Chembe Nyangu, a party official who sought anonymity said that party officials in the district were worried about the PF-UPND pact.
“We told the national secretary to tell the President that we are worried about the Pact, and we need to be serious because things are not that safe. We don’t need to bury our heads in the sand,” the source said.
The source added that Livingstone district commissioner Francis Chika was also summoned to attend the party meeting. The source added that party officials complained to Nyangu about non-motivation among the party officials by the President.
“We complained to Nyangu that the President seems to only favour Eastern Province and not other areas. The officials told him that we also need to be motivated and that unless this is done, we are in a big problem next year.
We told him that we need people like our chairperson Mr John Mukosho to be motivated by being made district commissioner. The man was at one time the only MMD councillor here in Livingstone when the UPND dominated that council,” the source said.
And when asked to confirm that the MMD in Livingstone had summoned Chika to the party meeting chaired by him, Nyangu said that the party wanted to find out about the developmental projects going on in the district.
“Yes, we did invite him to the meeting because we wanted to find out the progress about the developmental programmes going on in the district. The road has been tarred in Livingstone. It is very nice now to drive on the roads of Livingstone,” he said.
However, when contacted Chika said that he did not attend the meeting but that he had only offered the MMD office space for the meeting.
“I did not attend the meeting. They had asked for space to have a meeting but then they realised that the place was small. They had over 50 people and they could not fit here, so they moved to Victoria Hall at the party offices for the meeting,” he said.
And Nyangu said that Mazabuka district vice-chairman Takawira Mahere has a problem.
“I'm in the province on party duties to visit my organs. On the issue of the party, I will not discuss party issues in the press; that is a style I have adopted. On the issue of Mazabuka, I have heard on Mazabuka Radio that the party has disciplined Mahere. In my view, he has a problem. We don’t need indisciplined people in the party.
I will have a meeting as I’m heading to Mazabuka,” he said. He added that the statements by Mahere needed to be taken seriously as the party in the province was losing popularity. However, Christine Lubinda and Juliet Makokwa said that the party was intact and that Mahere was just disgruntled after being demoted as district commissioner.
“We are for President Rupiah Banda and we want to send a clear message to Mahere that we shall crush him. What has taken Mahere all this time to start commenting on Solomon Muzyamba our provincial chairman and President Rupiah Banda? Livingstone is the place where the first declaration of Rupiah as our sole candidate for 2011 was made by Muzyamba, and we have been consulted and we all agree.
Mahere is just a frustrated man who wants to be reappointed; and we will not accept that. We have a capable chairperson in Muzyamba and RB is a warm-hearted person,” Lubinda said. Makokwa added that Southern Province minister Daniel Munkombwe was not misleading the President as Mahere claimed.
Labels: CHEMBE NYANGU, CHRISTNE LUBINDA, LIVINGSTONE, MMD, PF-UPND
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‘L/stone council’s inadequacies will cost MMD in 2011’
By Edwin Mbulo in Livingstone
Sun 27 June 2010, 03:10 CAT
LIVINGSTONE Taxis and Minibus Operators chairperson Paul Sensele has said the inadequacies of the council will cost the MMD the 2011 elections.
In an interview on Friday, Sensele said that the MMD must learn from the mistakes made by Livingstone member of parliament Sakwiba Sikota who had supported the MMD.
“The Livingstone City Council will cost the MMD the 2010 elections if they go ahead with the proposed levies of taxis and minibus operators paying three months in advance. We are able to fight, we can fight and the MMD needs to make sure that they tame Dras Neves town clerk because she is making the MMD unpopular,” he said.
He added that he was the biggest transport operator in the tourist capital and challenged Neves to push for his suspension from the MMD.
“I only wonder why the council had to engage the drivers who are our workers to make decisions on our behalf, the owners, of the vehicles. I challenge the town clerk to publish a list of operators and their fleet numbers when she had discussions to effect the levies. My fleet number is LK 20,” he said.
Sensele added that Neves should not intimidate taxi operators at the expense of the MMD.
“We know that issues of markets are political. We are a market as transport operators and what we are saying is that let us meet somewhere and make a change instead of cadres. I’m not an animal that can be termed and I shall not be pushed. If she wants let her have the MMD suspend me,” he said.
And Sensele said that the government was not being fair to Livingstone city by continuing to suspend the council.
“The council is and we all know has a lot of problems but the more they keep Dras Neves alone and being dictatorial, we shall see a lot of people losing. She has already reshuffled a lot of officers all because they refuse to be her bootlickers,” he said.
But Livingstone City Council public relations officer Emmanuel Sikanyika has stated that the council was trying to streamline the operations at bus stations in the city.
“Management toured all major minibus and taxi ranks and engaged drivers on how best the council levies should be paid as most operators were in more than three months arrears,” he stated.
Sikanyika added that the council was already proceeding with the idea of opening up more ranks to decongest the current ones.
Labels: 2011 ELECTIONS, LIVINGSTONE, PAUL SENSELE
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Lack of jet fuel grounds SA plane in Livingstone
By Edwin Mbulo in Livingstone
Sun 22 Nov. 2009, 04:01 CAT
A SOUTH African aircraft is stranded in Livingstone following a shortage of jet fuel which has hit the tourist capital for a week.
And one crew member who opted anonymity said it is unheard of for an international airport to run out of jet fuel.
According to a source at the airport, the chartered South African Boeing 737-MSN 21959 aircraft landed at the Livingstone International Airport after 13 hours on Friday from the Democratic Republic of Congo enroute to South Africa with over 30 passengers and crew.
“There was confusion at the airport on Friday when the white and red aircraft registration number ZS PVU landed for re-fuelling. We understand that the pilot of the aircraft had first landed in Ndola but was told that there is no fuel so he decided to fly to Livingstone where again BP officials told the pilot that they did not have the fuel,” the source said.
The source added that in the midst of the confusion, some of the passengers managed to fly out to South Africa aboard a British Airways aircraft.
“Despite this, 17 other passengers were not so lucky as there was no space on the British Airways airline, so we understand that they had to be accommodated at the Zambezi Sun hoping that they would fly out to South Africa today Saturday. BP officials say that they may only have jet fuel next week so this plane will be here for a long time,” the source said.
The source added that the passengers who were mine workers in the DRC were going back to South Africa for festive holidays.
And in an interview, the aircraft crew members said they were hired to fly the aircraft from the DRC.
“Please no names. we are just helping out this airline we belong to Inter Air. it is however sad that the seven of us and 17 other passengers have to spend a night here and we hope we can get space on a British Airways flight today (Friday). It is sad that an airport cannot have fuel. This is unheard of,” said a visibly annoyed crew member.
Zambia has been experiencing serious fuel shortages for a couple of weeks now, fuelling fears of a critical economic breakdown if the situation is left unattended.
Labels: FUEL, LIVINGSTONE
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Fundanga urges govt to focus on food production
By Edwin Mbulo in Livingstone
Sun 15 Nov. 2009, 04:01 CAT
BANK of Zambia (BoZ) Governor Dr Caleb Fundanga says the government must grow the economy at a fast rate if poverty is to be eradicated. And Dr Fundanga says that he strongly feels that women have a lot of qualities when they venture into business than men.
Speaking at a Business Forum organised by Visit Livingstone Zambia at New Fairmount Hotel on Friday evening, Dr Fundanga said the government must focus on food production so that the nation can be able to feed itself.
"If there is anything good...is for a nation to feed itself. It is important that government focuses on food production to feed the nation, because it is very expensive to import maize from the USA. If we want to eradicate poverty, we must grow our economy at a fast rate. Government must focus on food production so that the nation can be able to feed itself," he said.
He added that so many people say that there were many qualities that women had when they ventured into business.
"I'm impressed that Livingstone women are very active in business. There are many qualities that women in business have as compared to men," he said.
Dr Fundanga said that the impact of the global economic impact on Zambia 's economy had a very big effect but was happy that Livingstone had an asset which was not depleting as copper.
"The Victoria Falls will be there even in a million years. That is the strength that Livingstone has, unlike in the Copperbelt which is dependant on the mining sector. Try not to make any other town get the status of the tourist capital away from you," he said.
Dr Fundanga said that the private sector was the engine of Zambia 's economy however the economic downturn had an effect and any attempts to introduce price controls would have been different.
"In the past, the private sector had to apply to get foreign exchange and the private sector was not on the priority list of those to get foreign exchange and now because of a free market system people are free to get anywhere in the world. However, government must build infrastructure to help the private sector grow the economy," he said.
Dr Fundanga was however saddened that the Livingstone community was not doing much to market the town.
"You probably have more lodges in Zambia and any other country that is your strength, but it is sad that there is no bank in Kazungula. I was there the other day and was saddened that you buy water imported from Botswana. You can even become billionaires out of producing furniture. We have so much and yet we do so little," said Dr Fundanga.
Labels: CALEB FUNDANGA, FOOD, LIVINGSTONE
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