DAILY NATION Friday October 2, 2020

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PURSUING JUSTICE AND EQUITY WITH INTEGRITY

MINERS CHEER INQUIRY Vol. 6. Issue 2724

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Friday October 2, 2020

By SILUMESI MALUMO

T

HERE was wild jubilation on the Copperbelt following President Edgar Lungu’s announcement of a commission of inquiry into privati-

LAZ AWAITS NCHITO COMPLAINT PAGE 5

President Lungu

sation irregularities.

The President has been asked to broaden the inquiry to include an investigation into transactions that have enriched a few at the cost of many miners who have wallowed in poverty. To Page 3

Parley condemns ethnic debate

PAGE 3

THEY WANT PROBE TO INCLUDE: a.

b.

c.

How Konkola Mine valued at US$1.2 billion was sold at US$25 million and if in fact any money was paid.

Companies owned by Mr Hakainde Hichilema and Mr Valentine Chitalu are running Zambia’s largest pension fund-Saturnia which owns properties belonging to KCM. How proceeds from the fund have

d.

e. f.

been used over the years.

How Mr Fred M’membe, Mr Mutembo Nchito and Mr Nchima Nchito came to own former Mine Air Service/ Roan Air which was bought by a management buyout.

What happened to RAMCOZ money?

What happened to Ndola Copper Refinery plant and equipment?

HIRE EXPERTS, ZCCM-IH TOLD EIU tips PF to rule till 2024 THE Economist Intelligence Unit report has predicted that the Patriotic Front (PF), led by the President, Edgar Lungu will remain in power in the 2020 to 2024 forecast period.

THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: PURSUING JUSTICE AND EQUITY WITH INTEGRITY

2

Friday 2, October 2020

Home News

DAILY

NATION COURT DISMISSES CHINESE

Tel: 0211 - 243527, P.O. Box 34553 Plot No. 5152 B Mukwa Road, Heavy Industrial Area Lusaka.

E-mail: editor@dailynation.news www.zambiadailynation.news

STOP BLAME GAME!

POLITICAL parties should have by now gone all out to sensitise and encourage their members to undertake the online voters’ re-registration exercise, which is a prelude to the physical voters’ registration.

While public sensitisation falls under the ambit of the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ), it does not proscribe anyone from educating stakeholders on the imperative need to do a pre-registration.

Political parties, the media, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and the Church should equally play a part in sensitising citizens on voter registration and other issues.

It is no time for any one organisation or individual to start casting negative aspersions on the national assignment, but rather time to ensure that all eligible voters go through the necessary voter registration processes.

The ECZ register needs to be updated because some people have died, others have relocated to other areas in the country while some citizens have gone to foreign jurisdictions.

Additionally, there are some youths who have now attained the age of 18 and are now eligible to vote.

The ECZ needs to capture such details through the online system.

In any case, citizens who may not manage to pre-submit their particulars on account of not having access to online system, will still have an opportunity to register physically in designated centres.

Therefore, political parties must not be naïve about a straightforward matter just to appear relevant in the eyes of their supporters and sympathisers.

In fact, genuine political parties are better placed to sensitive the people effectively because they have structures at the grassroots spread across the country.

They are at liberty to disseminate information through ward councillors, branch, constituency, district and provincial officials.

What is mind-boggling, however, is that big political parties with established structures are in fact in the forefront speaking against updating the voters’ roll, insisting that the ECZ should use the 2016 register.

There is absolutely no need to start quarrelling over the voters’ registration now; political parties must use their grassroot structures to encourage members to start the voters’ registration process.

They must utilise the available window instead of concentrating on fault-finding.

Some opposition political parties have, in fact, been performing dismally in elections and should by now been mobilising more people to register so that they could vote for them.

Nevers Mumba’s New Hope MMD did not give any hope at all in the Lukashya constituency by-election, coming out among tail-enders – 114 votes for his candidate in a vast constituency!

The cleric-turned-politicians should have been interrogating his internal operations rather than playing a blame-game.

Similarly, UPND’s Hakainde Hichilema and his surrogates should be working on the winning formula at the same time encouraging his supporters to start the voters’ registration process instead of blindly attempting to elicit sympathy from his Facebook followers.

It appears though that some opposition political parties have realised the huge mountain ahead of them and are preparing the minds of people by alleging that there is a rigging mechanism somewhere in the country.

They must stop being cry-babies and get back to the drawing board to establish why they have been losing elections.

It will be prudent for them to adjust their campaign messages and speak the language of the people and not forcing economic parlance such as macroeconomic fundamentals on ordinary citizens.

For now, they must reactivate their “dead” grassroot structures which should immediately hit the ground running, sensitising members on their democratic rights.

The rigging messages will just work against them because they are discouraging people from voting; they must wake up.

PURSUING JUSTICE AND EQUITY WITH INTERGRITY

APPLICATION AGAINST MOSHO

By GRACE CHAILE-LESOETSA

THE Lusaka High Court has dismissed an application by nine Chinese to seek an injunction restraining lawyer Lewis Mosho, from exercising his powers to terminate their contracts as employees of Kingphar Company Zambia Limited.

This is in a case in which the nine sued Kingphar Company Zambia Limited (Under Supervision and commencement of business rescue proceedings) for the illegal termination of their contract of employment.

Kingphar director and shareholder Wang Shunxue on behalf of the other eight filed an application for an interim injunction restraining Mr Mosho, being a business rescue administrator, from exercising powers unlawfully.

But Judge Pixie Yangailo in her ruling said at the time the Chinese nationals lodged an application, they were no longer employees of Kingphar Company Zambia Limited and therefore cannot restrain someone who is no longer their employer.

Mr Mosho “I do not find that this is a case where it would be proper for this court to exercise its discretion by granting an interim injunction as claimed by the plaintiffs. Accordingly, the application is dismissed,” said Justice

Yangailo.

Mr Wang Shunxue had stated that in a letter dated May 11, 2020 their contracts of employment with Kingphar were summarily terminated by Mr Mosho without giving reasons.

He lamented that the said termination would result in him and others suffering tremendous financial loss, distress and possible deportation and unless restrained by the court, Mr Mosho being the business rescue administrator of their company will continue to act unlawfully.

But Mr Mosho said in an affidavit in opposition that the High Court under cause number 2020/HPC/0336 discharged the injunction it granted earlier after the applicants asked it to discharge the injunction on a number of grounds including points of law.

Mr Mosho stated that the case was not fit and proper to grant the remedies of injunction as the nine Chinese could adequately be remedied by an award of damages.

Voter registration case adjourned indefinitely Bail bid flops in K6m

By GRACE CHAILELESOETSA HIGH Court Judge Mwila Chitabo yesterday indefinitely adjourned the case in which the UPND has challenged the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) over its online voter registration exercise, seeking judicial review.

This was after all sides represented by their lawyers agreed to have the matter adjourned sine die with liberty to restore it.

In this matter, UPND deputy secretary general Gertrude Imenda on behalf of the party sued ECZ and the Attorney General as first and second respondent respectively in the Lusaka High Court.

Appearing for the State, Solicitor General Abraham Mwansa said the parties were equally aware of a matter before the Constitutional court cause number 2020/

ccz/0010 between Chapter One Foundation Limited, the ECZ and the Attorney General.

SG Mwansa said the parties are also aware and have appreciated the reliefs before that court.

He however said the parties have been made aware that there is an application for the amendment of the petition before a single judge of that court and that the ruling is yet to be delivered.

“The parties before you are of the view that unless and until there is certainty in terms of the reliefs, the petitioner (Chapter One Foundation) seeks before the Constitutional Court, there may be the judication of the same reliefs before this honourable Court,” Mr Mwansa said.

“The parties have therefore by consent agreed to have this matter before you adjourned sine die with liberty to restore,”

he said.

UPND lawyer Marshal Muchende said it was a unanimous decision from their end and the idea is to obviate a possibility of two courts rendering conflicting judgements with regards to the same issues as that would bring about grave embarrassment to the judicial department to which they all belong.

“This is a demonstration of distilled disposition of professional etiquette and any ethic at the bar. I stand adjourned sine die with liberty to restore as we await pronouncement of the superior court of the Constitutional Court,” Judge Chitabo ruled.

This comes barely two days after Judge Gertrude Chawatama discontinued proceedings in a case in which civil activist Michael Zulu and four others sued the ECZ over voter registration because of a similar case (UPND case) before the High Court.

Smear campaign against ECZ slammed

By PETER SICHALI and NOEL IYOMBWA

THE opposition’s smear campaign against the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) is a recipe for chaos as the country heads for general elections next year, Inter Africa Governance Network Executive Director Maurice Malambo has said.

Mr Malambo said smear campaigns against governance institutions are an assault on democracy.

He said a smear campaign against ECZ was a clear indication that the opposition has no regard for the constitution.

The smear campaign against ECZ, he said, is as a result of failed attempts by opposition and their imperial master to capture it like they have captured other public institutions such as the ACC and DEC. “Having failed to capture the Electoral Commission of Zambia, there is now an attempt to smear the commission with incompetence and accusation

of failure to execute its mandate,” Mr Malambo said.He said the ECZ has not been making unilateral decisions without consultation with stakeholders such as political parties. Mr Malambo said decisions such as nullification of old voter’s register are supported by law and basic reasoning.

“The Electoral Process Act clearly mandates ECZ to carry out continuous voter registration and validation of the voters’ register,” said Mr Malambo.

Meanwhile, Government has implored the ECZ not to take some sentiments made by reckless politicians seriously.

Home Affairs minister Steven Kampyongo said this in parliament on Wednesday. He stated that ECZ should not allow any politician to issue reckless statements that are baseless.

And Munali Member of Parliament Professor Nkandu Luo advised political players to avoid preaching hate speech because it has the potential to destroy the country.

bank fraud

By CHARLES MUSONDA

THE Lusaka Magistrates’ Court has refused to grant bail to a man accused of conspiring with three others to defraud Atlas Mara out of K6 million because of his dual citizenship.

Before Lusaka Chief Resident Magistrate Lameck Mwale yesterday was Patrick Kafula whose green national registration card indicates that he is a Zambian but has a Cross Border Traders Association identity card bearing his name as Patrick Kalunji, a Ugandan national.

Ruling on Kafula’s application for bail, Mr. Mwale said the current regime recognises dual citizenship and that being the case; and looking at the seriousness of the fraud allegations, it would be imprudent for one to conclude that the accused person would avail himself before court.

“I therefore hold the view that the applicant may not avail himself for trial as he is a flight risk because of his double identities. I therefore deny to give him bail,” Mr. Mwale said. Earlier, public prosecutor Lewis Kandele submitted that if granted bail, the court may have challenges in having Kafula appear to answer to the charges against him and his three co-accused.

Mr. Kandele said the severity of the punishment awaiting Kafula, if convicted, is not less than 15 years and not more than 20 years imprisonment.

“As such if he is granted bail we strongly feel he is a flight risk, which entails that he won’t be able to appear hence defeating the course of justice,” Mr. Kandele said.

Kafula is charged with Vincent Ssempijji, Silvester Apuli, and Makosan Ndolo, all Ugandans, for allegedly defrauding Atlas Mara of K6 million by installing a software on the bank’s database without lawful authority.

They have been charged with unauthorised access to a critical database, unlawful possession of devices, and conspiracy to defraud. Particulars of the offence are that between January 1, and July 4, 2020 the accused persons accessed Atlas Mara’s banking system.

They have also been charged with unlawful possession of devices primarily designed to overcome security measures for protection of data. It is alleged that between the said dates they had two USB loggers, one USB flash disk and a laptop containing software primarily designed to overcome security measures for protection of data on the Atlas Mara banking system. Trial starts on October 14, 2020.

DAILY

Friday October 2, 2020

MINERS CHEER INQUIRY From Page 1 Mr Kenneth Witola, an official for ex-miners said Government should examine: • How Konkola Mine valued at US$1.2 billion was sold at US$25 million and if in fact any money was paid.

• Companies owned by Mr Hakainde Hichilema and Mr Valentine Chitalu are running Zambia’s largest pension fund-Saturnia which owns properties belonging to KCM. • How proceeds from the fund have been used over the years.

• How Mr Fred M’membe, Mr Mutembo Nchito and Mr Nchima Nchito came to own former Mine Air Service/ Roan Air which was bought by a management buyout.

• What happened to RAMCOZ money?

• What happened to Ndola Copper Refinery plant and equipment?

Yesterday, President Lungu said a commission of inquiry to look into the privatisation of State-Owned Enterprises will soon be instituted so that those who mismanaged national assets can provide answers to the nation.

The Head of State said the laws of Zambia allowed him to set up a commission of inquiry and was not obliged to consult anybody.

But Mr Lungu said he would consult various stakeholders with vested

interest in the privatisation process and those vested with law would advise him what would be the terms of reference for the commission.

President Lungu indicated that the will of the people was supreme and he would ensure that the inquiry was instituted.

He said this yesterday at State House when a consortium of civil society organisations and student unions presented a petition with 40, 000 signatories on the need to set up a commission of inquiry into the privatisation process.

“The will of the people is very supreme, the law allows me to set up an inquiry and I am not obliged to consult anybody but with the voices which have been heard across the country, I will take time to reflect on this matter and make a few consultations.

So I will go and sit with those who are vested with the matter of privatisation and those vested with the law to tell me what will be the terms of reference for the commission. And I think it’s just a matter of time for the commission to be instituted and those found wanting need to provide answers.

Meanwhile, consortium of civil society chairperson, Andrew Ntewewe, appealed to the Head of State to take keen interest in the matter because a number of people were affected.

Mr Ntewewe, who is also Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) president said what happened during privatisation was disgraceful.

He said the national assets were sold for a song and others undervalued for those who were entrusted to manage the process to fraudulently benefit.

The YALI chief said the behaviour was unacceptable, illegal and criminal and those who were involved must be probed.

Mr Ntewewe said the cry of the citizens was that the matter at hand needed to be dealt with without fail.

HOME NEWS

PARLEY CONDEMNS ETHNIC DEBATE

By SILUMESI MALUMO

MEMBERS of Parlaiment were yesterday riled by the ethnic tone of some opposition parliamentarians over the appointment of Christopher Mvunga as Bank of Zambia Governor.

All the opposition members who spoke opposed Mr Mvunga’s appointment on the pretext that it was ethnic, that he was a PF cadre and had never studied macroeconomics.

Monze Central MP, Jack Mwiimbu, refused to support the ratification of Mr Mvunga, stating that he was appointed because he was a PF cadre.

Liawa MP, Situmbeko Musokotwane claimed that macroeconomics was a requirement for someone to hold the position of Bank of Zambia Governor.

By NATION REPORTER

THE Economist Intelligence Unit report has predicted that the Patriotic Front (PF), led by the President, Edgar Lungu will remain in power in the 2020 to 2024 forecast period.

The report however states that the time in power will be turbulent as a steep recession hits in 2020, stoking widespread unrest.

“The Economist Intelligence Unit expects the ruling Patriotic Front (PF), led by the president, Edgar Lungu, to remain in power in the 2020-24 forecast period. The party’s time in power will be turbulent as a steep recession hits in 2020, stoking widespread unrest,” the report for the month end-

Grain traders want maize export ban lifted

By PETER SICHALI

GRAIN Traders Association is in the process of engaging Government to lift the ban on maize export, its spokesperson, Mr Chambuleni Simwinga has said.

Mr Simwinga said there was need for the government to allow regulated export of maize to bring foreign exchange.

He said the association was meeting with the Ministry of Agriculture so that they could allow for export of maize and other grains.

Mr Simwinga said the country had this year recorded a bumper maize harvest and that allowing export of part of it through the quota system will not have any effect on the country's food security.

"The Ministry of Agricul-

ture should allow export of maize through the quota exports system easily monitor how much is exported and reduce from the crop forecast," Mr Simwinga said.

He said it was important that Government looked at administrative management of export as opposed to completely banning of exports.

"Through the quota system Government should be allowing a certain quantities of maize and the exporter should be made to account," he said.

Meanwhile, former MMD national secretary Richard Kachingwe said calls for Government to lift the ban on export of maize and mealie meal are premature.

Maj Kachingwe said in as much as the country re-

3

corded a bumper harvest there is need to critically analyse the food situation in the country before exporting the grain.

Maj Kachingwe said some parts of the country were hit hard by drought and floods and these are depending on the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit for survival.

He said millers should instead buy enough maize from farmers to satisfy the local market before rushing to export to neighbouring countries.

The Ministry of Agriculture should allow export of maize through the quota exports system easily monitor how much is exported and reduce from the crop forecast.

Shiwang’andu MP, Stephen Kampyongo however said Mr Mvunga should not be looked down upon based on ethnicity.

Mr Kampyongo said President Edgar Lungu who appointed Mr Mvunga was also the one who appointed his predecessor, Denny Kalyalya who hails from Southern Province.

Minister of Justice, Given Lubinda also said there was no law in Zambia that stipulated macroeconomics as a requirement for someone to head the central bank.

Mr Lubinda wondered why individuals who shunned the on-going constitution refinement process now want to sneak in new laws into the Constitution. He also said Mr Mvunga had never held any position in PF for him to be labelled a cadre.

“Mr Mvunga was a nominated MP,” he said.

And Munali MP, Professor Nkandu Luo observed that Zambians like looking down on one another, saying that Mr Mvunga was a fellow of the Association of Chartered Certfied Accountants of United Kingdom and was Africa Region Head for the Standard Chartered Bank.

Prof Luo said Mr Mvunga had extensive experience in the financial sector and had served in different portfolios in the region.

Parliament yesterday ratified the appointment of Mr Mvunga as Bank of Zambia Governor.

In August 2020, President Edgar Lungu appointed Mr Mvunga as central bank Governor replacing Dr Kalyalya.

Debating the ratification of Mr Mvunga, Indepen-

EIU tips PF to rule till 2024 ing September 13, 2020 reads.

The report also indicates that there no sovereign default being foreseen for Zambia’s debt, but this remains a severe risk.

The report states that Zambia is likely to get a restructuring on its bilateral Chinese debt to meet its balance-of-payments needs.

It however indicates that Zambia would find it hard to secure a loan from the IMF due to unsustainable debt load.

“The country is, however, likely to get a restructuring on its bilateral Chinese debt to meet its balance-of-payments

needs. We are not forecasting a sovereign default, but this remains a severe risk,” the report reads in part.

The EIU report states that fiscal policy will be lax in 2020 as the government undertakes fiscal stimulus while pursuing a debt-financed infrastructure programme.

It indicates that from 2021 the fiscal deficit will narrow gradually, with deep spending cuts to begin after the 2021 elections.The economic impact of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, the report states will necessitate an accommodative monetary policy by the Bank of

Mr Mvunga dent Kantanshi MP, Anthony Mumba, who seconded the motion to ratify Mr Mvunga said under the economic hardship which the country was facing there was need for a fresh mind to revamp the economy.

Minister of Finance, Dr Bwalya Ng’andu said Mr Mvunga was the right person to serve as Governor because of his vast experience.

Dr Ng’andu said Mr Mvunga had served 30 years in the banking sector and the experience he had warranted him to be a Governor.

Zambia (BoZ) in 2020-24 and that inflationary pressures will diminish from 2022 as the fiscal deficit narrows.

“In 2020 the global recession caused by the pandemic will drive Zambia’s real GDP down by 3.5 percent. In 2021 GDP will grow by 3.2 percent from a low base. Growth will then strengthen, reaching 5.5 percent in 2024,” the report states.

The report indicates that the current account surplus will erode in 2020 as exports fall owing to pandemic-driven disruption.

It also states that it will rise from 2021, in line with rising copper prices, apart from a temporary dip in 2022 as higher interest payments elevate primary income debits.

Over 900, 000 farmers deposit FISP contributions

By SILUMESI MALUMO

ABOUT 945, 666 farmers have deposited the K400 contribution to start accessing farming inputs for the 2020/2021 agriculture season, Minister of Agriculture, Michael Katambo, has said.

And Mr Katambo has assured agro dealers that Government has put in place modalities to ensure that they are paid promptly during the agriculture season.

The minister said progress had been made by the farmers in ensuring that they deposited their contributions.

He said the 945, 666 farmers who had made their contributions were out of the one million targeted farmers under the Farmer’s Input Support Programme during the 2020/2021 agriculture season.

Mr Katambo said this in a

ministerial statement in Parliament yesterday, and appealed to farmers who had not made their contributions to do so that they can collect farming inputs.

“I am appealing to farmers who have not deposited the K400 to ensure that they do so, they shouldn’t wait until rains start for them to make contri-

butions.

“And I want to inform the house and the nation that during the 2020-2021 agriculture season, the Farmer’s Input Support Programme will be undertaken in two models, electronic voucher system and direct input supply.

“Under this programme about one million farmers will be targeted across the country,” he said.

And Mr Katambo said his ministry and the Ministry of Finance had put in place modalities to ensure that agro dealers were paid promptly.

He said that during the 2020/2021 agriculture season there would be no anomalies in paying the agro dealers.

Mr Katambo said that the K400 contribution made farmers were sufficient to pay all agro dealers who would be engaged this coming season.

Friday October 2, 2020

HOME NEWS

HIRE EXPERTS, ZCCM-IH TOLD

…Minister says ‘Doubting Thomases’ will be shamed

By SILUMESI MALUMO

ZCCM-IH should consider hiring experts to run Mopani Copper Mines (MCM), Minister of Mines and Mineral Development, Richard Musukwa, has said.

And Mr Musukwa said President Edgar Lungu has directed that the Mopani issue must be handled in the

By BUUMBA CHIMBULU

THE Zambia Forestry and Forest Industries Corporation Plc (ZAFFICO) has recorded a reduction in revenue of K90.053 million for the first six months ending in June this year.

Revenue for the current period were lower at K99.05 billion compared with K128.73 million the same period last year, largely due to delay in commencement of the harvesting season.

This is according to the interim results for the year ended June 30, this year posted on Lusaka Securities Exchange (LuSE) yesterday.

best interest of the Zambians.

The minister said if the ZCCM-IH need experts to run Mopani, it was prudent that it hired them for enhanced operations.

Mr Musukwa told the Daily Nation that ZCCM-IH should ensure that the mining firm continue operating efficiently.

He said if the ZCCM-IH did not have capacity, it should

ensure that it engages the human resource for the mine to continue operating even when Glencore leave.

“There have been a lot of voices especially political commentators doubting the capability of ZCCM-IH running the mine.

Just to brief the doubting peoples and political commentators, ZCCM-IH will find partners. They will find any

ZAFFICO income drops In an order to the board, Corporation Secretary, Chanza Sikazwe, said the delay arose mainly from the lengthy negotiations between ZAFFICO and the associations representing principal customers for pine and eucalyptus round wood.

Additionally, this year’s allowable cut for pine round wood had been reduced compared to last year in line with the company’s stock levels.

Mr Sikazwe said the gross profit and net income were also lower for the first half of this year compared to the

same period last year driven primarily by the lower revenues.

He said ZAFFICO’s balance sheet remained strong with a healthy liquidity position.

“Despite a challenging business environment in the first half of the year, the company continued on a profitable path with positive cash flows generated from operating activities,” Mr Sikazwe said.

He indicated that plantation and other silvicultural activities progressed well during the period under review.

Mr Sikazwe said the effects

partner and structure a model in terms of shareholding,” he said.

And Mr Musukwa said the commander in-chief had directed and the ministry and other affected stakeholders would ensure that the directive was adhered to.

He said the interest of Zambians should be at the centre stage as directed by President Lungu.

of Covid-19 would likely continue to challenge many businesses, including ZAFFICO. However, the company was confident that the backlog of sales experienced in the first quarter of this year would be recovered in the second half of the year.

Mr Sikazwe said ZAFFICO was actively pursuing opportunities to increase its sales of treated poles so as to mitigate the effects of reductions in the annual allowable cut for pine round wood.

“These efforts are on top of the company’s new focus on improving its productivity levels across its business processes so as to remain competitive,” he said.

Fish-farmers cry for funds …CEEC not approving loans

By OLIVER SAMBOKO

FARMERS have protested the alleged failure by the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) to provide funds for Aquaculture Seed Fund Empowerment Initiative despite receiving several applications.

Earlier, the CEEC announced that funds for aquaculture empowerment were sitting idle and not being taken advantage of by targeted beneficiaries.

Small-Scale Fish Farmers Association (SSFA) interim chairperson, Victor Chatilika, said efforts to boost fish farming would remain a pipedream if intended beneficiaries did not access the funds.

Mr Chatilika said several farmers had applied for aquaculture loans form CEEC but were still not able to access the funds.

He said there was need for more funding to the

DAILY

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aquaculture subsector to increase support to fish farmers.

This, he said, would enable the country close the fish deficit gap standing at over 80, 000 tonnes.

Mr Chatilika said from records, only 736 aquaculture business loan applications from across the country valued at 118.3 million were approved, leaving thousands more without funding.

"If CEEC is saying funds are laying idle because of low uptake by fish farmers, then we don't know what they mean because as far as we are concerned, many of our members who applied didn't make the final list," he said.

Mr Chatilika said the aquaculture project under the framework of the $50.89 million ZAEDP meant to promote the aquaculture had not yielded the desired results.

Mr Chatilika said without a new strategy, the country would not achieve the goal of reducing the fish deficit, estimated at 87, 000 tonnes annually.

"The development of the aquaculture value chain aimed at significantly contributing to poverty reduction, food and nutritional security in the country will not be realised without supporting the small-scale fish farmers," he said.

DAILY

Friday October 2, 2020

HOME NEWS

WHY NCHITOS HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO LAZ

By NATION REPORTER

M

UTEMBO Nchito and Nchima Nchito have been referred to the disciplinary committee of Law Association of Zambia for professional misconduct.

This is in the way they handled the Ultimate Insurance case in which they were representing three directors facing 15 counts of forgery, uttering false documents, obtaining goods by false pretense, and theft of US$41, 980.45 from Ultimate Insurance.

Magistrate Alice Walusiku in her judgement said the defense team which included the Nchito brothers had a duo duty that they have to their client and to the court.

Magistrate Walusiku referred to Lord Denning in a case of Rondel versus Worsley were he said that the lawyers have the duty to the court which is paramount.

According Lord Denning lawyers must see that their clients, if ordered the relevant documents, even those that are fatal to his case.

“He must disregard the most specific instructions of his client, if they conflict with his duty to the court. The code which requires a barrister to do all this is not a code of. It is a code of honor. If he breaks it, he is offending against the rules of the profession and is subject to his discipline. “Read Denning statement in part.

Magistrate Walusuku said that the defence team was however forum shopping even when they knew that it is an abuse of court process.

“The defence team is well aware that forum shopping is an abuse of court process but they went ahead and practiced the same and have also shown the propensity that they will still do more forum shopping even if the accused were to be in custody.

“The defence have not shown wiliness to have this case expedited this is a proper case to be referred to the disciplinary committee for further investigations into the conduct of the defence team for possible professional misconduct, “she said.

On July 23, 2020 Ndola High Court Judge Yvonne Chembe quashed the application an application for Judicial Review to stay proceedings in a matter on grounds that the applicants did not fulfill procedures.

Lusaka Resident Magistrate Alice Walusiku referred Mr. Nchima Nchito SC, Mr. Mutembo Nchito SC and Mr. Chisuwo Hamwela defence lawyers for a criminal matter before her court, to the Disciplinary Committee of the Law Association of Zambia to investigate their acts of professional misconduct.

Magistrate Walusiku in her ruling delivered on 25th September 2020 stated that the defence was accused of gross abuse of the court process and Forum Shopping.

The lawyers are accused of engaging in activities that abused the court process to wilfully and deliberately delay a criminal trial legitimately before the Lusaka Magistrate Court.

She said by the conduct of the defence,the matter has been delayed since 25th July 2019 when it commenced.

She said the defence made frivolous applications to the High Court twice, and the cases were both dismissed with rulings that the claims that their clients would not receive

Mutembo Nchito a fair trial were unfounded and that the criminal matter, was legitimately before the Court and therefore could not be stopped.

Despite the two dismissals by the High Court,the Nchitos frantically attempted to make another similar application in the Livingstone High Court on matters that were ruled and settled by the Lusaka High Courts.

The defence also attempted to obtain a stay of proceedings in the same Livingstone High Court.

She stated that the criminal case under her Court was properly before her and that the Court was the sole forum to adjudicate all issues involved and all interested parties had an obligation to bring them and that forum shopping was a clear and unacceptable abuse of the judicial process.

Meanwhile, the defence lawyers are also accused of tendering forged documents to court.

This is in the matter in which Tobias Milambo, Richard Lubemba and Nachi Musonda are appearing before the Lusaka Magistrate Court for fraud.

The trio are accused of amending shareholding records of Ultimate Insurance Company at the Patents and

GRAVE INJUSTICE

Companies Registration Agency (PACRA).

Previous owners: Klein Syampingo, Justin Phiri and Maybin Silavwe sold the company to Lusaka businessman and his spouse, Mr. Chanda Katotobwe.

The trio allegedly changed the records while the new owners were put abroad.

Regarding the forged documents delivered in Lusaka Magistrate Court

by Mr. Nchima Nchito SC, Magistrate Walusiku established that the accused persons lied that they had or were exposed to Covid-19.

The court established that the documents to support the claim that the accused persons, Nachima Musonda, had contracted Covid-19 and tendered in Court by Mr. Nchima Nchito were dismissed as forgeries by authorities from Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ) and Levy Mwanawasa Hospital.

...as

LAZ awaits Nchito complaint THE Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) claims it has not received any complaint from the Lusaka Magistrate Court regarding Nchima Nchito’s alleged professional misconduct despite the complaint being recorded in a court ruling.

Last week Resident Magistrate Alice Walusiku reported Mr Nchito to LAZ through her ruling for presenting forged documents of his clients that they missed court sessions because they were exposed to Covid 19.

Mr Nchito is representing three Marshlands directors who are facing 15 counts of forgery, obtaining money by false pretences and uttering false documents.

The Magistrate Court found that the medical documents presented in relation to claims that they had been exposed to Covid 19 were forged.

5

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TAZARA nods US$555m investment ‘HH, Kambwili are shallow’

By OLIVER SAMBOKO

By KETRA KALUNGA

THE Zambia-Tanzania Railway Authority (TAZARA) Board of Directors has approved the US$ 555 million investment request to the shareholders under the Revitalisation Bankable Business Plan (RBBP).

And the board also approved the budget proposal for the transportation of 400, 000 metric tonnes of freight traffic and 3, 400, 000 passengers for the financial year ending June 30,2 021 from which US$48.27m operational and non-operating income is projected to be generated to cover operations for the year.

This is contained in a statement issued by TAZARA Head of Public Relations Conrad Simuchile during the 115th Board of Directors Virtual Meet-

ing in Dar-es-Salaam on Wednesday.

During the virtual meeting, various matters pertaining to the operations of the railway firm were deliberated on among them reviewing its performance for the financial year ending June 2020.

The board is confident that the RBBP would provide a strong short-to-medium blueprint for the required transformational actions that are anticipated to turnaround the operations of TAZARA and firmly put the firm on a positive business trajectory.

The investment is also expected to bring out the desired outcome of achieving full operational profitability and self-sustenance by the end of the Financial year 2021-2022 once it is submitted to the shareholders for approval and funding through the

TAZARA Council of Ministers.

TAZARA noted a four percent improvement in freight traffic compared to the previous financial year ending June 30, 2019, during the performance review.

The board observed, however, that the performance was suppressed by limitations arising from insufficient and unreliable rolling stock (locomotives and wagons) and two natural disasters (landslide/ wash-aways) that occurred during the financial year forcing the closure of the line for considerable periods.

Freight traffic volumes transported by TAZARA for the year 2019 increased from 175, 597 metric tonnes in the previous financial year 2018-2019 to 182, 302 metric tonnes in the financial year 20192020.

HAKAINDE Hichilema and his Alliance partner Chishimba Kambwili are shallow minded individuals who cannot be entrusted to propel an honest argument on the intention by ECZ to come up with a new voters’ register, PeP leader Sean Tembo has said.

Mr Tembo said the two should be ignored because their arguments lacked substance.

Speaking during a special programme on Diamond TV via Zoom, Mr Tembo said the two opposition leaders were deliberately misleading Zambians on the good intentions of ECZ to clean up the dead voters from the register in preparation for the 2021 general election.

Mr Tembo said the ECZ should ignore the “noise” that embattled politicians like Mr Hichilema and the NDC president, Mr Kambwili were making and focus on doing their job as mandated by the law.

He said the two opposition leaders were shallow minded, that they were bent on criticis-

ing Government regardless of whether something was positive or negative.

“These two individuals are simply making advance excuses for their potential loss in next year’s general election,” he said.

Mr Tembo said the reasons Mr Hichilema and Mr Kambwili were advancing did not hold any water and that the two were only bent on causing confusions in the electoral process so that they can blame rigging when they lose elections next year.

“The two know that what they are saying does not hold any water and only relying on the constitution provision that say that there shall be continuous voter registration but what they are failing to understand is that there are dead people on the current register which the ECZ is trying to resolve,” he said.

The UPND and NDC are opposed to the deletion of the old voter register and have accused the ECZ of planning to rig next year’s election in favour of President Edgar Lungu and the ruling party.

‘CHANNEL CAVMONT BANK IN COVID-19 FINANCIAL BOOST FUNDS 6

Friday October 2, 2020

By BUUMBA CHIMBULU

6

Friday 24 July, 2020

BoZ WORKS TO ELIMINATE BOZ APPROVES RISKS INK4BN FINANCIAL SECTOR PACKAGE

By BUUMBA CHIMBULU

T

HE Bank of Zambia (BoZ) is strictly monitoring players in the financial space to prevent fraud and ensure only products with manageable risks are rolled out to consumers, as seven million people are currently actively using mobile money wallet.

Players need to convince the central bank that they have a robust management framework good enough to protect people’s money.

BoZ Director Banking, Currency and Payment Systems, Lazarous Kamanga, said a robust management framework was cardinal before products were rolled

out to consumers in ensuring the people’s money was secured. was speaking during a ByHe BUUMBA CHIMBULU Radio show to discuss “Enhancing HE FinTech Bank ofAdoption Zambia in Zambia.”

(BoZ) has so far ap“Most of the proved K4players billion techfrom nologically are good but the the stimulus package which challenge they is to underhas been put inface place prostanding that in thethe technology vide liquidity financial they are during trying the to introduce markets Covid-19 is going into the financial period. sector.

In April this year, the cen“In thestaked financial tral bank a K10 sector, billion the key issues we look are stimulus package to at assist risks.

For example, before with liquidity in businesses mobile money became popduring the Covid-19 period. ular, nurture playOutwe had of to the approved ers to ensure amount, K1bnthat has their been sysdistems are to reduce isbursed torobust Atlas Mara Zambia, sues fraud Bank through Indo of Zambia andthose four systems,” Kamanga said. non-bank Mr Institutions.

T

BoZ Deputy Governor for Operations, Francis Chipimo, indicated that K4bn was approved but only K1bn had been drawn.

He said applications worth K4.8 billion from both Mr Kamanga banks and non-bank instituThe central bank, he said, tions had would ensure that the delivbeen ery ofrefinancial services was ceivedefficiently by done and in a safe the manner.

Meanwhile, Mr Kamanga said close to seven million people were actively using mobile wallet to transact fi-

nancially.

He said this meant that seven million people on avCentral Bank. erage undertook a financial Dr Chipimosuch was speaking transactions as transyesterday during afrom BoZ radio ferring money their show Programme. wallet or visited agent to "For those have transfer moneywe in the lastap90 proved K4bn but now about days.

K1bn has been drawn down.

Mobile penetration in We are isworking FSPs Zambia currentlywith above 90 to make sure a faster draw percent. down,have the remaining K3 bil“We had initiatives lionthe of the K4bn approved. since outbreak of COVWe want this support to get ID-19 where providers of to the clients," he said. these services were told that Dr Chipimo said 16 comtransfer from zero-150 can mercial banks had apbe free. the “With thatplied policyforinitiaout tive, we have package seen a huge sevgrowth in termsofofwhich usage of hadcounbeen mobile money inenthis try,” Mr Kamangaapproved. said.

AN additional K100 million injection into Cavmont Bank Limited will restore capital level which was impacted by the write off of deferred tax asset Cavmont Bank remained He said thecapitalised central bank adequately durhadingapproved applications the 2020 financial year forwith seven non-bank institucapital adequacy ratio tions. of above 11 percent.

Dr This Chipimo said thea canwas against mintralimum bank requirement was encouraging of 10 thepercent banks to take the facilwithupadditional ity capital and help their clients. injected of K50 million during year.

"We madetheadjustments Company where Secretary, Rita to conditions banks Ndhlovu, said the so group by showed concerns that September year had they can draw30, thethis funding as received additional funds quickly as possible. boost capital levels. "toThey key issues we have Ndhlovu explained madeMs to FSPs is that Covid-19 the write off of on the is athat significant challenge asset amountthedeferred health tax of an economic ing, iftoweK57.6 had front do notmillion think mean to adverse impact onnot the dium long term we will post-tax performance of come out of it as strong as we the Group. can,"“A hedecision said. was taken to Dr Chipimo the write off the stressed asset in light need to potential support businesses of the transaction during Covid-19 to withthe Access Bankperiod in which ensure that not theybe were able to it would possible to recover strongly going carry more forward the deferred forward. tax asset,” she said in an "So how we manage the abridged financial results crisis will say a for and the support period ended June lot 30, about strongly the 2020how posted on Lusaeconomy will recover afterka Securities Exchange (LuSE).. wards and in that sense, evOn July a sale erybody has31, a this roleyear, to play,"

he said.

H

AVE you ever wondered or asked yourself about the cost of corruption to the Zambian economy – not just in terms of monetary value but in terms of reputational cost of doing business with partners beyond our borders?

Major corruption scandals are currently headline news across all media houses across the country and to a varying degree these headlines are afflicting our economy at all levels of national development.

But what constitutes corruption?

The general perception is that businesses cannot function if they don’t oil the palms or fail to hand illicit payments in return for facilitating a transaction.

While these are blatant cases of corruption, with large sums being siphoned off and contracts being awarded in instances of obvious conflict of interest, corruption is less likely to be traced when the perpetrators do not see themselves as doing anything overtly corrupt.

The Trends Report published by the Financial Intelligence Centre annually, provides damning illustrations of how some public servants and politically exposed persons have continued to benefit through illegal dealings with business persons especially foreign nations.

The Auditor General’s reports also highlight the prev-

By FRANCIS ZIBA

T MANAGING THE RISK OF CORRUPTION HE Coronavirus pandemic has created unprecedented uncertainty around human health, the availability of resources, the alence systemic ongoingand demand fornature prodof suspected corruption casucts and services and the lies that specifically border on quidity of businesses. fraud bribery.

But and what/or effect has this had too tend to be onThese the broader risk profile, perpetrated by public the financial tolerance to risk servants who areor benefiand the likelihood impact ciaries million and milof key ofrisks materializing. lions of Zambian This article examines kwacha one key in of unquestionfavours for riskexchange which has granting deals asand conably accelerated a result of tracts to Cyber business Covid-19: Riskpersons.

– remote Of course,spike the Auditor Genworking, in cyber ateral tacksand andthe theTrends greater reports depenreference situations have in the dency on technology all public sector, but the of changed the cyber riskcost profile corruption is also one the for most businesses inof Zammajor the private bia andrisks worldthat over. sector is grappling with, curCovid-19 has created new rently. and complex commercial loHowever, despite the gistical challenges of managheightened outcry, ing cyber risk public for businessese. these shameful have and failed unMany businesses to accelerate the pace dighealthy practices haveof perital transformation sisted to the extent thatacross when their value chains and supply quantified and aggregated management systems and to the amounts are staggering. coordinateitincan a dispersed and Although be difficult digital workforce to the at times to quantify the scale cost andcorruption, capacity that the of themeet overall need of greater economic and digital social districosts bution in ecommerce. are likely to be even larger To bribes understand the pace since only constitute

celeration the Institute of Risk Management Zambia (IRMZA) has been monitoring several metrics that include companies shifting approxione aspect the possible mately 40-60ofpercent of their forms of corruption. workforce to remote and virCorruption breeds tual workplace.

Whilepublic some distrust in in government and especially the financial weakens state’soperating capacity services the industry to itsof core functions. at perform high levels 60-80 percent The more corruption intervirtual workforce. feres with these functions, According to sources at the more it distorts policies and their implementation.

RISKY on the pervaDepending siveness, corruption affects some the key drivers A lot of of risky employofee potential andsuch inclusive behaviors growth, such as social macro-fias accessing nancial public and mediastability, platforms private human while investment, using company network computers or a capital accumulation and unnecessary issuing total factor of productivity. of sensitive personal Organisations which tolor company erate fraud or data ignore the tendtenets to leadofto corporate most basic of these vulnerabilgovernance are as culpable ities which hackers asexploit. individuals that actually perpetrate them. Companies and organisations need ZICTA, internet utilization to declare that they have is a up totolerance around 50-60 percent zero on fraud or while mobile phone usage is practices amounting corup by 30-40 percent including ruption. greater usage of video calls.

Concise and deliberate And on aconcerning global scale,frauduvirtual policies collaboration aclent practices and and remote the penal-

an increase with over 6 billion meeting minutes on WebEx hosting in excess of 4 million meeting a day globally while record numbers of downties incurred willbeen have noted to be loads have also communicated to staff from for Enterprise mobile apps such as Zoom Cloud Meeting and Google Hangouts which are up 90 percent from preCovid-19 levels according to GSMA statistics.

All these increases in velocity have led to major increases in Cyber security risks as hackers or criminals have intensified their level of thrash as they try to exploit and take advantage of the current Covid-19 situation. With most organizations displacing their workforce from offices, this has led to an abundance of more avenues and opportunities for hackers and attackers to exploit and gain access to networks and sensitive information. Hackers have their firstincredibly day on opportuthe job become and regularly. nisticemphasized and unfortunately, they In managing the risk of corhave seized on the coronaviruption, businesses should rus outbreak to fundamenmake such policies a keylink eltally exploit the weakest ement of business corin cyber security -and Human element. porate integrity, and ensure When the pandemic that it is enforced at all broke, times many businesses especially and at all levels of the organthose that had dragged their isation.

selves scrambling to strengthen their online presence.

Unfortunately, the only thing their IT departments needed at the time to enable remote Anti-graft and access, was policies infrastructure. codes of corporate conduct However, this in most cases should be communicated has not been comprehensive to vendors and suppliersthe as enough to accommodate well, soaccess that any level of nowattempt needed to to influence bids for become procure-a what has effectively ment preferential remoteorworkforce.

And treatwhile ment nipped in the in the can rush,be many overlooked bud. go to such one But vital why factor: ramping lengths businesses, up their when cyber security.

Not out of time prudent enough and manageexpertise ment, inevitably make prowas given to validate whether vision for losses, and have the security architecture was probably already established sufficiently resilient.

Most abusinesses risk appetite taken did that whathas they had into unsavouryand as to, toaccount, remain connected it be,so, the cost ofaccess corrupinmay doing opened to tion? unprecedented exposure of Thein an recent Trend Rerisks unsecure manner. ports continue confirm If the virtual to world was that never not acorruption scary placecan to be pre be just a one isolatedis inciCovid-19, it certainly now dent.

Much as the incidents because cyber-attacks are on presented in and the report for the increase are origi2019 may have reduced, but nating from anywhere and at corruption is proliferating any time. Faced with such a daunting situation, can exponentially and what getting businesses do to with lesseneach the more damaging damage of potential penetraincident. tion?

How can businesses balGovernment and organance the both need in forthe scaling up izations public remote working against this and private sectors would new want cyberto risk landscape? not reach a point

THROUGH DBZ‘

and purchase agreement was entered into between Cavmont Capital Holdings Zambia Plc (CCHZ) and Access Bank Zambia Limited for the sale of 100 percent of the shares of Cavmont Bank Zambia Limited.

By BUUMBA CHIMBULU Ms Ndhlovu explained that the transaction GOVERNMENT was should subject to regulatory apchannel the remaining provalmoney and wasraised expected to the from be completed this quarter. fund K8 billion Covid-19 On completion, the strictly to the private sec transaction will see tor through the Devel Cavmont Bank Limited as opment Bank of Zambia part of a larger operating entity(DBZ). in the Zambian fiThe Bank of Zambia nancial services industry. so the far raised K6.8 Shehas said growth in bil lion, leaving a K1.2 billion advances and investment balanceenabled to raise the securities the ful GroupK8 tobillion record stimulus. an increase in interest of 21.5 Thisincome move will help to percent. revive the private sec Ms torNdhlovu however which has also been said this was by asays hit by theoffset Covid-19, largerZambia rise in interest ex- o Association penseManufacturers of 55 per cent, lead(ZAM ing toChief an overall reduction Executive Officer in theFlorence net interest income Muleya. of 9.2 percent.

Ms Muleya regretted “The cost of funding that the by Ministry of Fi was impacted the fundnance not set aside ing mix and had a strategy was under the being funds implemented to K8 in- bil specifically for the creaselioncurrent account private sector. balances, while reducing Stateexpensive intends to relianceThe on more arrears to 1,500 fixed dismantle term deposits which to overall the tune wouldretirees lead to an re- o duction in the cost ofwhile fundsalso K500 million, and improve releasingprofitability,” K170 million to she said. banks for the paymen

where corruption has permeated the structure to the extent that it has become the norm. Corruption might eventually kill the organization that condone it, not just financially but reputation wise too.

We have seen through the evidence availed that a number of organisations lose their investors’ trust and stakeholders’ support and eventually become unsustainable because they are seen to condone corruption.

These enterprises are Covid-19 has created new and c irredeemably damaged challenges of managing cyber r and their destruction affects both to honest and paigns exist manage these dishonest risks? And what employees. is the state As a concrete measure of of our control environment combatting corruption, across new technologies and public institutions vendors?

These are and somepriof vate organizations needwill to the questions, businesses cultivate risk management have to address in order to practices and remote-conthe ability create a secure of exercising independtrol environment for its ement judgement among staff ployees. while thinkA lotcurbing of riskycorrupt employee being from such the outset through haviors as accessing the training social appropriate media platforms while and defined network code of usingclearly company conduct. correct tone computersThe or unnecessary isshould set at the top and suing ofbe sensitive personal or cascaded company downwards. data tend to lead to Management need to most of these vulnerabilities be aware of weaknesses in which hackers exploit. Busithe systems processes nesses need and to continually monitor their internal need netand whistleblowing work systemswithout and arto besecurity encouraged chitecture, including network fear of retaliation.

A coraccess controls and hinges weakruption free society nesses by putting in place on integrity, transparenremote mechcy and access good review governance. anisms for risk-based access and For authentication. comments and feedback Businesses should ensure contact: fziba@irmza.org

7 / Daily Nation, Friday 2 October, 2020 LONDON - The world’s poorest countries could soon be facing a tough decision - double up on debt relief from the G20 with the caveat they must default on private creditors, or quit the programme to try to keep financial markets on side.

Rich countries on Friday backed an extension of the G20's Debt Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI), approved in April to help developing nations survive the coronavirus pandemic and which has seen 43 of a potential 73 eligible countries here defer $5 billion in 'official sector' debt payments.

The European Network on Debt and Development (Eurodad), comprising 50 nongovernmental organisations, estimates that extending that temporary freeze by six months would provide a further $6.4 billion of relief, rising to $11.4 billion if the extension runs to the end of 2021.

That would be just over a quarter of next year’s combined debt payments for countries already signed up to the DSSI, and worth up to 4.3% of GDP for

TOUGH CHOICE …Poorest countries face tough choice over G20 debt relief plan

nations like Angola, according to Fitch Ratings.

But a significant string may be attached.

Amid warnings the pandemic could push 100 million people into extreme poverty, World Bank President David Malpass is calling for banks and investment funds that have lent to DSSI countries to be involved too.

“The relief so far is too shallow to provide light at the end of the debt tunnel,” Malpass told the United Nations on Tuesday.

“Commercial creditors are not participating in the moratorium, draining the financing provided by multilateral institutions.”

Kevin Daly of Aberdeen Standard Investments, who

is part of a joint-private sector response to the DSSI proposals, thinks views like Malpass’s mean private sector involvement (PSI) - writedowns for bondholders - could become “mandatory” under the expected extension.

Such a change could be flagged at this month’s IMF meetings.

Eurodad calculates DSSI countries are due to pay private sector bondholders $6.4 billion and other private lenders $7.1 billion next year a combined $13.5 billion that exceeds what the signedup countries owe to G20 governments.

“We have already heard there is a strong possibility that this (PSI) can be the case,” said

Angola’s Secretary of State for Budget and Investment, AiaEza Silva, while adding that Angola’s main focus remains bilateral creditors like China.

Charity groups estimate that 121 low- and middle-income governments spent more last year servicing external debt than on public health systems that are now at breaking point, making a powerful moral case for relief. There are other complicating factors, however.

Credit rating agencies S&P Global, Moody’s and Fitch have warned that if countries do suspend or defer debt payments to the private sector it would almost certainly be classed as restructuring and default under their criteria. – REUTERS.

Zim oil, gas test drilling in low cost threshold

HARARE - The cost of drilling test wells to investigate the existence of oil and gas in Muzarabani, falls within the global range and what is generally considered to be in the relatively low cost threshold, the company doing the exploration, Invictus Energy, has revealed.

Drilling of oil/gas test wells and evaluation of the results thereof, will likely mark the end of the exploration programme before moving to actual production of oil and gas, assuming that a commercial discovery is achieved.

Test well drilling is scheduled for October next year and it is estimated that the programme will cost up to US$20 million per well.

The bulk of work done over the last three years has centred mostly on reprocessing secondary data relating the Muzarabani prospect, which forms part of the extensive exploration works to be completed next

year, and it is expected that commercial discovery of oil and gas will be a huge game changer for Zimbabwe.

The Austria Stock Exchange (ASX) listed junior exploration firm has done extensive reinterpretation of secondary data set compiled by Mobil in 1992 using modern technology, which has produced strong evidence backing the existence of oil and gas.

In today’s money the investment by Mobil would have exceeded US$30 million and thus the data has provided Invictus Energy with a unique, broad and powerful dataset to carry out its forward exploration campaign.

In the past year Invictus has been progressing the development of the Cabora Bassa Project in Zimbabwe that encompasses the Mzarabani Prospect, a multi-trillion cubic feet (Tcf) conventional gas-condensate target, which is potentially

the largest, undrilled seismically defined structure onshore Africa.

Invictus said the portfolio in Cabora Bassa, with a predominant gas and liquids mix, appeals to a wider range of energy industry partners and investors and the company is thus well positioned to monetise the resource if proven to nearer term cash flow.

“Two MOU’s were signed with Sable and Tatanga Energy to secure both a market and lock in a premium value to near-term cash flow for some 15 percent of the likely gas resource should the exploration campaign be successful.

“The demonstration that there is a lower risk gas market, in addition to our strong ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) credentials provides investors and stakeholders confidence on routes to monetisation, both domestically and in the wider region,” Invictus Energy said. – THE HERALD, Zimbabwe.

China’s coal industry unflinching over 2060 zero-carbon goal

President Xi Jinping’

BEIJING - China’s massive coal industry isn’t worried about the nation’s plan to drastically cut carbon emissions by 2060.

It will likely be business as usual for years to come for coal companies even after President Xi Jinping’s surprise announcement that China wants to be carbon neutral by 2060, according to industry officials who declined to be named.

With China adding new mines and power plants through 2025, the fuel will continue to dominate the country’s power sector, so consumption won’t see a significant hit, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing the new target.

Xi’s newfound climate ambition will eventually have to reckon with the dirtiest fossil fuel, which

currently provides more than half of China’s energy and supports 3.5 million jobs. But that could be years away, as the country is still investing in new mining capacity and power plants.

It’s hard to overstate the importance of coal to China, and to the fight against climate change.

The country mines and burns half the world’s supply, and it’s the reason the power sector there is the single biggest contributor to new greenhouse gases in the atmosphere every year.

A carbon-neutral future is incompatible with that level of coal burning, which reached 3.9 billion tons last year alone.

– BLOOMBERG NEWS.

President Cyril Ramaphosa

Ramaphosa says structural reform critical in responding to jobs crisis JOHANNESBURG - President Cyril Ramaphosa says Tuesday's unemployment data, which showed that 2.2 million jobs were lost in the second quarter of the year, calls for additional measures to support SA's ailing economy which has been battered by the Covid-19 lockdown.

Employment figures released by Statistics South Africa on Tuesday reflected the largest decline in jobs between the second and first quarters since 2008.

The president said cabinet was in the process of finalising a programme for a return to growth and a rebound in employment, following agreements with social partners at the National Economic Development and Labour Council.

"Our success in responding to this unprecedented crisis will be measured by the speed of our labour market recovery," said Ramaphosa in a statement.

"In addition to the relief measures we have already implemented, we must ensure that every job lost during the crisis is replaced and that more jobs are created so that we can meaningfully reduce unemployment."

The latest unemployment figures are set to pile more pressure on Ramaphosa's "new dawn" philosophy he has been preaching since he took office in February 2018.

In April, as SA's strict lockdown was underway, Ramaphosa unveiled a R500 billion stimulus plan in a bid cushion the economy from the shocks of the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as to provide temporary relief measures for the unemployed.

"Implementation of the Presidential Employment Stimulus will soon commence to rapidly scale up public and social employment and support job protection in vulnerable sectors," he said.

Structural reforms, investment in infrastructure and other measures to grow the economy would be critical in supporting the recovery of the labour market in the medium term, he said.

According to Stats SA, the country's official unemployment during the second quarter paradoxically fell substantially, decreasing by 2.8 million to 4.3 million, which it attributed to a large number of people not actively looking for jobs because of the lockdown. – FIN24.

Stock markets weaker after chaotic TrumpBiden debate LONDON - Global stock markets were mostly weaker on Wednesday following a chaotic US presidential debate in which Donald Trump again suggested the election could be fraudulent while hopes for a second coronavirus stimulus package out of Washington helped lift the dollar.

In Europe, London also sank as investors digested official data confirming that Britain's virus-hit economy collapsed by almost a fifth in the second quarter.

Sentiment was additionally hit after Anglo-Dutch energy giant Shell announced plans to axe up to 9, 000 staff over the next two years to combat this year's coronavirus-driven slump in oil prices.

Yet it was Republican Trump's chaotic jousting with Democrat opponent Joe Biden

that grabbed the spotlight.

"The US presidential debate has done little to boost market sentiment, as Trump fails to take his opportunity to regain ground," said Joshua Mahony, senior market analyst at online trading group IG. "Pollsters point towards a potential Biden gain in the polls... with the president's erratic style likely helping Biden to shift the focus away from his often lacklustre memory and debating abilities." Trump and Biden traded personal barbs in the first of three debates ahead of the November 3 vote, with observers saying the president had needed a strong showing as he trailed in most national and battleground polls.

The much-anticipated matchup, however, descended almost immediately into a shouting match, with little of substance emerging from either man.

When asked if they pledged to urge calm and refrain from declaring victory if the election result is not immediately known, Biden said "yes", while Trump would not commit, saying that if he saw "tens of thousands of ballots being manipulated, I can't go along with that."- AFP.

Friday 2, October, 2020

8

Time has come for us to run our mines...

We can’t have a mining industry that depends on VAT refund as if VAT is their final product.

(Dr Lubinda Haabazoka)

Send an email to dailynation@ymail.com

You can also send contributions on any topic. Anonymity when requested will be granted. Send your text message to: 0967 697056 / 0954 328223 / 0972 067699

Comments

We need more role models in politics

Mark Manyando : That’s the way it should be, good ideas.

Chizongwe E. Chikweni : No we are not ready to manage them yet.

SirPamfred William Hasweeka : I couldn’t agree more Dr Lubinda Haabazooka. However, you know that we still suffer from “BlackMans’ Syndrome”- Soon business and investments will be about favours, it will turn political, relatives or cadres will be employed, e.t.c. In short corruption will take over. The problem is us and not really the investors.

Ironically, when we start running the mines, we will do more harm than what these investors are doing.

Kasebamashila Kaseba : Let us address the contradictions of privatising small scale gold mining to nationalising large scale copper mining that we’re privatised after failure time.

Let us review how we got here, doc.

SirPamfred William Hasweeka : Good point, but look, mining in Africa is like democracy in Africa-whatever is good we are poor at implementing.

What am i saying? We cannot run mines ourselves because we are not disciplined enough to do so. This is why parastatals failed.

Musonda Musonda : Like ZESCO? ZAMTEL? Deliberate loss making?

Mwana Wa Leza : You’re the experts guys. Propose how you can restructure the tax system that will favor both the investor and grz.

Beaton S. Kaluba : True we need to do just that Andrew Chifire : No we cant allow this situation to continue Webby Ch : I think it’s time...but first what went wrong during ZCCM ??

Gem Quest : Now you are talking Doc! Vincent Kasanga : There’s something we dont see ourselves its beyond our reasoning this phenomenon above our shoulders and the greatest enemy live within ourselves we have to fight this enemy after we have won maybe its when we can talk about running our affairs failure to that we are wasting our time.

Juma Phiri : Broad daylight ........... & well noted Mulenga Chileshe : It’s high time we realised that we can...!

Christopher Chikoti : That’s very true, it’s high time we addressed this issue Hlupo Ziba ; We brought in foreign investors to run our gold mine at a consideration of $2.5 million Thulani Mwiya : Lets start with the gold mines and demonstrate coz it will have a direct impact on our reserves Naleli Ashley Mwenda ; I don’t think we have the capital needed to run the mines. Already we are highly indebted at the moment

Adopt constructive ways to deal with electoral disputes Dear Editor, WE have noted the chaotic intention by the opposition under a disguise of a protest to demand the resignation of the people at the helm of the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ).

While it is the democratic right of citizens to protest on matters that they are aggrieved about, we feel the intended inappropriate action by the opposition amounts to political interference.

We are fortified that there are proper grievance procedures under the necessary laws. For example, the ECZ has the District Conflict Management Committees whose mandate is to attend to grievances by stakeholders.

Moreover, they have further recourse to prosecute their rights through judicial route. It is even logical that since they have challenged the conduct of the registration of voters in court, they should allow the due process to take its course without unnecessary pressure.

We do not think the perceived misunderstandings have reached an exponential levels to justify the recourse to activities which are an affront to public order.

The intended action is meant to undermine the independence and integrity of the ECZ. They are playing to the gallery with the preoccupied intention to discredit their pending loss.

The unwarranted harassment against the ECZ must be condemned and should not be accepted as a new normal. Therefore, the intimidation of the ECZ by the politically inclined people is meant to undermine the ongoing legitimate electoral processes especially if results did not go in their favour.

We have also read in some sections of the media houses were some politicians are urging Zambians to defend their rights. We remind them that they too have the duty to ensure that their members are properly informed on the conduct of the voting

We are fortified that there are proper grievance procedures under the necessary laws. For example, the ECZ has the District Conflict Management Committees whose mandate is to attend to grievances by stakeholders. process and ensure they are not disenfranchised.

Despite their constant accusations of the imaginary rigging, their reluctance to educate their followers who apparently have access to ICT facilities, they have been entrapped in the web of negligent conduct to facilitate for the registration of their supporters.

Moreover, we have pre-registered already using the ECZ portal and we continue to help our families and friends with ICT knowledge deficiency to register. We can therefore use our registration experience to attest that the system is safe and secured and there is no single voter who can use the same National Registration Card to register more money once.

As a political party that is claiming to wear the veil of the rule of law in the unlikely event it assumed state power, the UPND must desist from consistently disrespecting the institutions of governance.

It is unfair for the opposition to raise unfounded rigging allegations. In an event they were declared winners of the polls they are discrediting, will they allow to be associated with the shame they are smearing at ECZ? MARVIN CHANDA MBERI, Youth Rights Activist, Lusaka.

Dear Editor, IN Zambia, it is very difficult to find a role model in politics. If we call ourselves modern politicians, there are better options for us and we would do well to put these into practice so that we leave a better Zambia for those aspiring to be politicians.

We affirm, as we have done before, that political leaders are cardinal in changing the mindset of the followers to see that violence does not pay.

Instead the political leaders should push for co – existence, which should pervade every level in democratic society. We believe that though members of the political parties have opposite views on issues that should only be for the stage.

Zambia has been known as a peaceful country. Therefore, as peaceloving citizens it is our duty to protect our image by ensuring that we refrain from violent activities and maintain the peace that we have continued to enjoy.

It is worth noting that political violence will not help our nation to develop. We must as a people, come together in harmony and find meaningful solutions to the problems we are facing.

I wish to mention that the brutal killing of each other is very unfortunate and deserves to be condemned by all Zambians.

The ruling party members and the opposition should sit down to have a cup of tea. In this way, political leaders will set a good example to their followers, we need to clean politics in Zambia especially in the 21st century.

Good leaders inspire and motivate people. Leaders stand for something far greater than themselves, they promote people, equality, positive change and good values.

That’s why the government needs to help the people build resilience to cope with the responsibilities of leadership in later life by ensuring that many young people are trained for key government positions.

I urge the young Zambians to start participating in the governance of our country as leadership is about influence and helping others to achieve their dreams.

It’s high time the young people start providing information that influence government decisions on the challenges that young people are facing.

I can give the example of the politicians who started politics at a young age. These are Dr. Kenneth Kaunda, Dora Siliya, George Chilumanda, Judith Kapijimpanga, Vernon Mwanga, Richard Kazala, Christopher Kango’mbe, Bowman Lusambo, Kampamba Chewe, and Stephen Masumba.

Lastly, we still need more young people to join the political arena so that they contribute to national development.

KENNEDY MUNYEMESHA.

DAILY

Friday 2, October 2020

North-West News

| 9

TEACHERS APPEAL FOR SALARY RISE

By JACKSON MAPAPAYI A teachers’ union has urged Government to consider salary increments for teachers as well as other civil servants.

Professional Teachers Union of Zambia (PROTUZ) Northwestern province coordinator, Gilly Kakunta, appealed to Government to increase salaries for teachers in the 2021 budget as the cost of living was high.

He was speaking in an interview in Solwezi yesterday.

Mr Kakunta noted that if salaries and other working conditions were revised, the teaching fraternity would be a happy workforce.

“And we pray that there will be no wage freeze, otherwise, as teachers we are surviving by the grace of God,” he said.

He stated that in the 2020 calendar year, the public service service had been negatively affected economically due to the high cost of living.

Meanwhile, Mr Kakunta said that PROTUZ has welcomed the education allocation for the 2021 national budget.

Mr Kakunta said the over K13 billion allocated to the education sector which translated into 11.5 percent had cheered his union as well as other stakeholders in the sector. He said this was because the allocation has a component of early childhood education, loans for tertiary as well as infrastructure development among other components.

“We have seen also in the same allocation the component of feeding program, which is a plus for us as teachers,” he said.

Mr Kakunta said the feeding programme if well managed would motivate pupils, who would be attending classes without challenges.

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KOPALA NEWS

MOPANI ACCUSED OF IGNORING INJUNCTION

By SANFROSSA MANYINDA

A

BOUT six families in Kitwe whose houses were demolished by Mopani Copper Mine, have complained that the mining firm destroyed their houses, even after they had obtained a court injunction to stop the exercise.

The families have been left homeless after their houses were on Tuesday demolished

by Zambia police and Mopani Copper Mines police in Kitwe.

The houses were alleged to have been built on a piece of land belonging to the mine in Mindolo West.

One of the affected developers, Patrick Chanda, said that they got a court injunction to restrain Mopani from demolishing their structures but that the mining firm disregarded the court order, claiming it was not a real one.

He disclosed that the affected families would engage a lawyer to seek advice on what they should do next.

"My structure was valued at K2.3 million while one of my friends had his house valued

at over K3 million by Government property evaluators," Dr Chanda said.

He said that the decision by Mopani was disastrous to the affected people as they had spent huge sums of money constructing the structures.

He expressed shock that Mopani was claiming ownership of the land which was offered to them by the Kitwe City Council through a proper procedure.

Dr Chanda said the affected developers were given the parcels of land by the council and followed the due process and obtained title deeds from the Ministry of Lands in Ndola.

But Mopani Copper Mines Public Relations Manager Nebert Mulenga said that the company undertook the demolition exercise to secure a small piece land that had been encroached.

"The company undertook the demolition exercise after a comprehensive community stakeholder engagement through notices, community road shows and radio announcements," Mr Mulenga

said.

And Kitwe City Council Town Clerk Mbulo Seke said the council had not yet seen the affected people’s offer letters to establish how they got the pieces of land.

Mr. Seke explained that for one to begin building, they ought to have a building plan approved by the council and the offer letter must be accompanied by minutes of a council meeting that approved the offer.

Kitwe has of late witnessed frequent massive demolitions of properties alleged to have been built in illegally obtained pieces of land.

Recently, about 150 households from Luyando Community Association had their houses demolished by Mopani Copper mines in Mindolo North after the mine claimed that the community had encroached on its land.

Government has since secured a piece of land in New Kitwe across Kafue River where the victims who are currently lodged at Hellen Kaunda secondary School grounds would be relocated to.

ANNOUNCEMENT TO THE PUBLIC ActionAid Zambia would like to announce that four organizations have been selected to receive funding.

Selected Organizations Include: 1. Christian Churches Monitoring Group 2. Women and Law in Southern Africa 3. Zambia Community Based natural Resource Management Forum 4. Governance, Elections, Advocacy Research Services (GEARS) If anyone has any objections against the above listed organizations, please contact ActionAid Zambia through info.zambia@actionaid.org. Or visit the ActionAid Zambia country office at 38G Kabulonga Road, Ibex Hill. Deadline for contact is 2nd of October 2020.

ActionAid Zambia Management

DAILY

12

‘FRAUDSTERS ARE DE-CAMPAIGNING MPS’

By ROGERS KALERO

ZAMBIANS must be wary of individuals who are dishing out money and promising to provide a more caring leadership if voted into public office, a member of the PF mobilization committee has warned.

Brian Mushimba, who is also Kankoyo Member of Parliament and Higher Education Minister, said Zambians

must not fall prey to fraudsters, but must look at their track record and their relationship with ordinary people in communities where they have lived.

In an interview with the Daily Nation, Dr Mushimba said fraudsters were out dishing out money in constituencies and other areas, but were only interested in using people to gain personal and political interests.

He said Zambians, PF of-

ficials and the public should not look elsewhere, but continue to support President Edgar Lungu and his Government despite the challenges the country was going through.

Dr Mushimba said there were some people who were going round constituencies de-campaigning sitting MPs, but that he was not shaken about those seeking to challenge him in Kankoyo constituency in Mufulira.

‘ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION NEEDS MORE FUNDING’

By SANFROSSA MANYINDA

THE 0.8 percent budgetary allocation towards environmental protection in Zambia is inadequate from an economic development perspective, says Care for Nature Zambia has expressed concern.

Care for Nature Executive Director, Nsama Kearns, said in Kitwe that there was need to increase funding towards environmental protection.

She said it was also prudent to domesticate the international conventions and implement national policies on environment and climate change.

Ms Kearns said that the country would easily combat change, create jobs at grassroot level as well as protect the wealth of the country if the environment was protected and allocated enough resources.

"When we talk about environmental protection, we are basically talking about coming up with the best ways in which we can use our natural resources without creating environmental problems such as climate change which in turn negatively affect livelihoods and slow down the process of achieving sustainable development," she said.

Ms Kearns said the envi-

ronmental protection also looked at repairing and reversing degradation and loss of biodiversity where possible, hence the need for more resources to the sector.

She stated that economic development was a long term process that focused on producing goods and services for a country to gain enough revenue for all its citizens to attain an adequate standard of living.

She stressed the need to pay extra attention to this particular area as both the Government and people depended on natural resources to generate income and produce goods and services.

DAILY

Friday October 2, 2020

HOME NEWS

13

CONVENE MINING ‘INDABA’ QUICKLY

By SILUMESI MALUMO

G

OVERNMENT should quickly convene the mining ‘indaba’ in order to iron out taxation in mining sector which has been a source of concern, former Vice President, Enock Kavindele, has said.

Mr Kavindele said “There

are many tax issues that the mining houses have been complaining about which needed to be addressed.”

He said in an interview yesterday that the mining houses were eager to invest more in the expansion projects if the tax regime was addressed.

The former Vice President indicated that the current tax

regime had negatively affected the operations of the mining houses which needed serious attention from the Government.

“I can hope that this matter can be looked to by the Government. We seek more investment in the mining sector. But this can only be done if the tax regime issues are addressed.

“Let all these matter be taken serious by our government so that we see some level of improvement in the mining sector,” he said.

Mining houses, he said, needed to operate in a conducive environment which would enable them to expand operations.

Mr Kavindele feels that if

the mining houses expanded operations this would be good for the country because more revenue would come in.

Mr Kavindele

STATE SUSPENDS KALUMBILA COUNCIL ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF ZAMBIA

PUBLIC TENDER NOTICE - 2ND OCTOBER, 2020 Pursuant to Section 56 of the Public Procurement Act No.12 of 2008 and Section 121 of the Public Procurement Regulations, SI No. 63 of 2011, and following the conclusion of the tendering process, the results of the tender for supply of Covid-19 prevention materials that closed on 11th September, 2020 have been published. The Commission now intends to enter into contracts as per schedule below and any objections to the proposed award must be raised within ten (10) days from the date of this notice, 2nd October, 2020.

The detailed schedule of unsuccessful bidders and the reasons thereof is available in the Procurement Department for debriefs to affected bidders.

ECZ/ORD/013/20: TENDER FOR THE SUPPLY AND DELIVERY OF COVID - 19 PREVENTION MATERIALS TO ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF ZAMBIA. LOT NO.

ITEM DESCRIPTION

BIDDER

1.

Liquid Hand wash soap

Rumphi Enterprises Ltd

2.

Liquid Hand Sanitizer

Clentech Zambia Ltd

3.

Hand Sanitizer Spray

Rumphi Enterprises Ltd

4.

Disposable Face Masks

Fongda Corporation Ltd

5.

Examination Gloves

Table Pride Agencies Ltd

6

Touch free hand wash station

Heavy Duty Solution Zambia Limited

7.

Face Shield

Fongda Corporation Ltd

Objections will not be accepted after 15th October, 2020.

ISSUED BY CHIEF ELECTORAL OFFICER ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF ZAMBIA

AMOUNT K400,000.00 VAT Inclusive K540,000.00 VAT Inclusive K600,000.00 VAT Inclusive K501,120.00 VAT Inclusive K280,000.00 VAT Inclusive K4,079,400.00 VAT inclusive K113,568.00 VAT Inclusive

GOVERNMENT has suspended Kalumbila Town Council for 90 days.

Local Government Minister Charles Banda effected the suspension by evoking provisions of Section 56 (B) of the Local Government Act No 2 of 2019.

The suspension follows the invitation of the UPND national chairperson Mutale Nalumango by councillors to inspect Government projects.

Dr Banda said he had received reports that the councillors at the local authority invited the high ranking official who inspected Government projects.

The minister said this was ion a pretext that it was the councillors efforts that such developmental projects were taking place snd not Government.

He stated that the law requires that Government services and projects to the Zambian people were implemented and monitored

in sub structures with the blessings of the local authorities and Government which he said was not thr case in the matter.

He said it was the sole mandate of the local authorities to administer the district and oversee programs and projects in the district as provided for in Article 152 (A) (B) of the Zambian constitution.

He maintained that the action taken by the councilors to invite their political leaders for inspection of government projects tends to politicise the process of service delivery and needs to be censured.

Kalumbila Town Council is a UPND dominated council with all councilors including the council chairperson being UPND. But efforts to get a comment from Kalumbila Council chairperson Olix Kakwata proved futile by press time as his mobile lines were off.

Standard Chartered’s new customers triple

By BUUMBA CHIMBULU

STANDARD Chartered Bank Zambia has tripled the number of new retail customers acquired in the last year, as over 88 percent of transactions are going through digital platforms.

The financial institution has attributed the increase in the number of new retail customers acquired in the last year to easy account opening process on the SC Mobile app.

According to Standard Chartered Bank, more clients opt for digital channels as it now boasts a 78 percent digital adoption rate.

Head of Retail Banking, DeepPal Singh, said the institution had enhanced other channels for customers to have quick and easy banking, such as the new contactless visa debit and credit cards.

Mr Singh explained in a statement that this not only saved time for customers transacting at point of sale

machines, but was also a safer way to transact in the new normal.

“We continue to innovate our client value proposition to meet the changing needs of our clients. Our clients do not need to physically visit the branch to pay their taxes - they can now use the E-tax feature on our digital platforms.

Mr Singh said the institution remained committed to Zambia and would continue providing world class banking solutions for its customers.

He stated that even more enhancements would be made to the Bank’s digital platforms within the next few months. Launched in 2019, the SC Mobile is an App in Zambia that allows clients to open a bank account, end-toend, via smartphone in just 15 minutes.

The institution has added the Zambia Revenue Authority E-Tax feature on its digital banking platforms.

affinity decreases as you move down the group, hence the reactivity of halogen decreases as you go down the group.

PUPILS

Daily Nation, Educating Zambia!

Reaction with metals

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Friday October 2, 2020

DAILY

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Group VII and VIII Elements Group VII elements are commonly known as halogens. These elements are placed in this group because they have seven electrons in the outermost shell. The table below shows the members of this group.

Name Flourine Chlorine Bromine Iodine Astatine

Chemical formula F Cl Br I At

§

The melting and boiling points of group VII elements increases as you move down the group.

This means that as the atomic number increases, melting and boiling points also increases. of

halogens

are

They are non-metals They are non- conductors of electricity They have low melting and boiling points They all have seven electrons in the outermost shell They exist as simple diatomic molecules They colour intesity increases as you go down the group and this is summarised below.

Element Colour Physical state(r.t.p) Flourine Pale yellow Gas Chlorine Pale green Gas Bromine Orange-red Liquid Iodine Black Solid

§ § § § § §

Chemical properties

Reaction with metals

§

§

1.Below is the portion ofTask. the Periodic Table showing some elements.

1.Below is the portion of the Periodic Table showing some elements.

§

§

§

Chlorine is added into water during water purification to kill germs and bacteria Flourine is added in water to prevent tooth decay and it is also a component of toothpaste

Halogens react with alkali metals to alkali metal halides Example 1 (a) K + F2 2 KF 2NBr (b) Na + Br2 Halogens react with transition metals to form metal halides of higher oxidation state.

Example 2 (a) 2Fe + 3I2 2FeI3 Displacement reaction. A halogen that is more reactive displaces the less reactive halogen from the aqueous solution that has

(a) State one similarity between element Z and Neon(Ne) (a) State one similarity between element Z and (b) What is the common name given to Neon(Ne) element X and Y? (b) What is the common name given to (c) element Explain why element X and Y are placed in X and Y? the samewhy group (c) Explain element X and Y are placed in (d) the Identify sameelement group Y and state one of its (d) uses.

Identify element Y and state one of its (e) Write uses. a balanced chemical equation betweenathebalanced reaction ofchemical Mg and element X. (e) Write equation (f) between Explain the terms reactivity the difference reaction ofinMg and of element X. element X andinY.terms of reactivity (f) between Explain the difference

Iodine is used in medicine, it is added to table salt to prevent goitre and it is used in testing Page 2 of 4 for starch.

Bromine is used in making dyes,medicines, pesticides and silver bromide is used in photography.

Group VII Elements Group VII elements are also known as noble gases or group zero elements. Group VIII elements are inert implying that they do not react. These elements do not react because their outer most shells are filled up. Note that not all members of this group have eight electrons in the outermost shell. Helium has two electrons in the outermost shell.

between element X and Y.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE PUZZLE 38

Name

Helium Neon Argon Krypton Xenon

Chemical symbol

Atomic number

Electronic configuration

He Ne Ar Kr Xe

2 10 18 36 54

2 2,8 2,8,8 2,8,18,8 2,8,18,18,8

It is used as a protective gas for semiconductors Page 3 of 4

(b) Neon § It is used to make high-voltage indicators § It is used to make coloured advertising signs § It is used as a refrigerant (c) Argon § It is used in electric filament bulbs

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Physical properties They are gases at room temperature and pressure § They are colourless § They have low melting and boling points § They exist as monoatomic molecules § They do not conduct electricity Uses of noble gases (a) Helium § It is used to fill hot air balloons and airships § It is used as a cooling medium for nuclear reactors

PUZZLENO. 38 337 PUZZLE

1

Group VIII elements are all gases and they exist as monoatomic molecules. The table below shows memmbers of this group.

Page 1 of 4

Group VII elements form ions by gaining one electron in the outmost shell. This means that they react by gaining one electron in order to be stable. The energy release during the gain of an electron is known as electron affinity. The electron affinity decreases as you move down the group, hence the reactivity of halogen decreases as you go down the group.

§

It is used as a protective gas for semiconductors § It is used as a protective gas for semi(b) Neon conductors § It is used to make high-voltage (b) Neon § indicators It is used to make high-voltage § It is used to make coloured indicators advertising signsto make coloured § It is used § advertising It is used assigns a refrigerant (c) Argon § It is used as a refrigerant § It is used in electric filament bulbs (c) Argon and tube filament bulbs § It is flourescent used in electric § and It is flourescent used as a shield tube inert gas for arc welding § It is usedand as cutting a shield inert gas for arc Task. welding and cutting §

Uses of Halogens[ group VII elements]

Halogens are diatomic elements. This entails that the molecule of each member of this group has two atoms.

The physical properties summerised below.

§

Halogens react with alkali metals to alkali metal halides Example 1 (a) K + F2 2 KF (b) Na + Br2 2NBr Halogens react with transition metals to form metal halides of higher oxidation state.

Example 2 (a) 2Fe + 3I2 2FeI3 Displacement reaction. A halogen that is more reactive displaces the less reactive halogen from the aqueous solution that has its ions.

Example 3 (a) Cl2(g) + 2NaBr(aq) 2NaCl(aq) + Br2(aq) 2KF(aq) (b) F2(g) + 2KI(aq) + I2(aq) Reaction with water. Halogens react with water to form acidic solution.

Example 4 (a) Cl2(g) + 2H2O(l) HCl(aq) + HOCl(aq)

PUZZLE 37

20

ACROSS 1 Begining of digestive tract ACROSS 3 Found in Church tower 1 Begining of digestive tract 6 Breakfast drink 3 Found in Church tower 7 Impair usefulness 6 Breakfast drink 8 Gardening implement 7 Impair usefulness 9 Hold tightly 8 Gardening implement 11 Night bird 9 Hold tightly 12 Direction of ascension 11 Night bird 13 Learning Management 12 Direction of ascension System (abv) 13 Learning Management 15 Percieve System (abv) 18 Italian nationa 15 Percieve Broadcasting Company 18 Italian nationa 19 Enrol in army Broadcasting Company 20 Edible root 19 Enrol in army ANSWERS 20 Edible root

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DAILY

Friday October 2, 2020

MOSI-OA-TUNYA

15

NAMWALA COUNCIL TO UPGRADE SETTLEMENTS

By ANDREW MUKOMA

N

AMWALA Town Council in Southern Province has resolved to improve unplanned settlements in the district.

Council Public Relations Officer, Bupe Kabuswe, told the Daily Nation that the process would be undertaken in collaboration with Medeem Zambia, a company specialised in professional land tenure documentation and mapping services.

This is pursuant to the provisions of the Urban and Regional Planning Act No.3 of 201 Part IV Section 30.

Ms Kabuswe said that the settlements targeted under the upgrade program were Mafutu, Chikwata, Cooperative, Showgrounds, Belina and Maseele.

She said that the council signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Medeem Zambia in February this year to undertake the exercise.

"The main objective of this MOU is to map unplanned settlements and provide services for land tenure in the district.

"The plan to upgrade informal settlements in some of the identified areas is aimed at ensuring orderliness in the built-up environment which translates into empowerments of the less privileged in Zambia to access land," Ms Kabuswe said.

She added that process would also see to it that all conflicts pertaining to land conflicts as well as boundary disputes were resolved.

Ms Kabuswe stated that the process would also help the local authority to adequately provide proper services to the people in an orderly manner.

"Services include creation of roads and garbage collection while seeing to it that there is improvement of sanitation in these areas.

“The local authority would like to emphasise that this process is not to grab land or misplace people but to empower them to access land," she said

C A RCAREER E E R OOPPORTUNITIES PPORTUNITIES School of Medicine and Health Sciences

The University of Lusaka is seeking to recruit qualified candidates who with a research/thesis component.

The University of Lusaka is a modern university that aims the training medical of students bymethodology way of conducting Laboratory are highly motivated and passionate about making a mark in the educa• Must be inofpossession a teaching qualification. to provide qualityineducation the in general public through a sessions as well as three assist(3)inorthe management of thein laboratories. tion sector to lecture the followingtofields the School of Business; • Must have at least more years’ experience lecturing diverse range of unique Undergraduate and Postgraduate Responsibilities: • PhD is a must programs with rich and relevant curricula designed to meet the · and To participate 1. Business Administration Courses 4.Accounting Finance in the training of Medical students. ever changing needs · should To assist in the management of sthe medical science • Communication Skillsof business, government and society.

• Applicants be holders of a first Bachelor’ Degree in Accounting • Business Environment and Financelaboratories. or any related field mentioned above.

The university is inviting applications from suitably qualified · To ensure that lab based student training • Principles to of Management • Master’s Degree in Accounting and Finance, or any related program candidates fill the positions of Laboratory Scientist and is conducted in a safe, secure and suitable 2.Laboratory Actuarial Science; obtained with a research/thesis component.

Technician in the School of Medicine and Health environment.

• Risk Theory for Actuarial Science • Must be in possession of a teaching methodology qualification.

Sciences. · To report regularly to the Head of Basic Sciences on • Computational Methods and Data Analysis • Must have at least three (3) or more years’ experience in lecturing the Medical science laboratories activities including • Life Contingencies 1 (1) • PhD is a must Laboratory Scientist research and training.

3.Description Economics Key Qualities and Qualifications skills: • Intermediate Microeconomics • Self-motivated resourceful with strong intellectual ability The main responsibility of the incumbent will be to participate · BScand in Biomedical Sciences or Laboratory International and Finance • Ability to research and create new knowledge in •the training ofTrade medical and public health students as well as Sciences 4.managing Accounting Finance • Ability·to teach more thaninone course in a Safety given program theand Medical and Public Health Laboratories.

Certification Laboratory • Corporate Finance and Investment • Should be a goal getter and a team player Responsibilities: · Registration with the Health Professionals Council · To manage all the medical science laboratories of • Must be ableoftoZambia work with minimum supervision as a Laboratory Technician theResponsibilities School.

Summary of Job • Must be and haveexperience strong interpersonal · articulate 1-2 years’ workingskillsin a Medical · To ensure that lab basedand student training • Conducting Lectures for Full-time, Part-time Distance classes • High level ofLaboratory planning and organizing skills conducted a safe, securematerials and suitable • Develop andisimprove course in outlines and teaching for • Good computer skills in first aids, Health and Safety · Training programs environment.

• Passionate about training Salary Package: · research To report to the Head of Basic Sciences Salary Package: • Carry out andregularly publish materials An attractive and competitive package will be offered on the Medical science laboratories activities • Prepare lesson plans at the start of each semester for the course • An attractive and package will offered commensurate commensurate withcompetitive one’s qualification andbeexperience. including research and training.

• Be involved in other administrative duties as and when assigned with one’s qualification and experience. · To report regularly to the Head of Public Health on by management The university will only consider candidates that will show that the Public Health laboratories activities including The University will only consider candidates who will show that they have Minimum Qualifications: they have a strong industrial background, which will help them research and training.

1.Business Courses aimpart strong background thepractical business industry, whichstudents. will help them impart theoretical inand skills to their Qualifications • Applicants should be holders of a first Bachelor’s Degree in theoretical and practical skills to their students and make them appreciate Interested candidates must have the following Business Administration or any related field mentioned above. the global businessGUIDELINES environment.

APPLICATION qualifications • Master’s Degree in Business Administration, or any related Interested candidates should send their application letters · Masters in Laboratory Science, Public Health or program obtained with a research/thesis component.

APPLICATION accompaniedGUIDELINES by copies of their educational & professional equivalent. certificates, and Curriculum with at least three traceableby Interested candidates should sendVitae their application letters occumpanied • Must be in possession of a teaching methodology qualification. · BSc in Biomedical Sciences, Public Health, th 2020. Vitae referees to the undersigned, on or before 9 October copies of their educational & professional certificates, and Curriculum • Must have at least three (3) or more years experience in lecturing Laboratory Sciences or equivalent. with at least three traceable referees to the undersigned, on or before 21st • PhD is a must · Certification in Laboratory Safety.

The Registrar February 2020. Administration 2.Actuarial Science Courses · Registration with the Health Professions Council University of Lusaka • First Bachelor’s Degree in Actuarial Science of Zambia as a Laboratory Technician Plot 37413 • A Masters Statistics and Mathematics any related · inFive (5) years’ experienceorworking in aprogram Medical or The Human Resource Officer Off AlickofNkhata University Lusaka Road, Mass Media obtained with a research/ component.

Public Healththesis Laboratory P O37413 Box 36711, Lusaka Zambia Plot • Must be a teaching methodology qualification. · in possession Training inoffirst aids, Health and Safety.

Email: jobs@unilus.ac.zm Off Alick Nkhata Road, Mass Media 3.Economics P O Box 36711, Lusaka Zambia • Applicants Technician should be holders Laboratory (1) of a first Bachelor’s Degree in or any relatedoffield mentioned above.

TheEconomics main responsibility the incumbent will be to participate in Email: jobs@unilus.ac.zm • Master’s Degree in Economics, or any related program obtained “Passion for Quality Education, Our Driving Force”

COVID-19 Realities

Friday 2 October 2020

16

By DR MBUYI MASUWA Frontline doctor working at Levy Covid Centre

Send your comments and questions to masuwambuyi1118@gmail.com

KNOW THINE ENEMY PART THREE: THE WAR AT LIFE’S CORE

SECTION B: SARSCOV2 CARRIES OUT A GENETIC COUP BY IMPERSONATING THE PRINCE

P

EACE and love to all. Hope all of you are doing well.

On a sad note this week (28/09/20) Zambia lost one of its very talented young Musician, David Phiri (Daev) only aged 25

in a tragic road traffic accident.

He died along with other young people including a 20 year old female who was pursing Medical related studies (Mental Health).

My condolences to the Fami-

THIS is just a reminder that we are Mortal beings and that one day all of us shall pass and every day we draw closer to that time. But I believe every day we can also help postponed that time with the decisions we make. Let us always do our best and strive to reach our full potential in whatever we are gifted at.

Life is short, we should plan to go to the cemetery empty handed having offloaded all our potentials whilst still alive on this side of heaven.

On the other side of reality, Covid-19 continues claiming lives and the death toll will soon reach a Million (1,000,000) Globally . As cases skyrocket, most European countries may go on a partial lockdown again. Honestly the choices we make today will determine when Covid-19’s tentacles of death will ultimately be cut off. Clearly we have the choice whether to mask up or not ,whether to wash hands with soap or an alcohol based hand sanitiser, whether to socially distance or not. Though peoples’ choices greatly affect others, I hope will choose to choose right.

Thank you for reading this article because it’s part of choosing right.

Today we continue with Section B of part Three of know thine enemy, in which we are going to see how SASCOV2 impersonates the Prince and eventually highjacks the body’s protein manufacturing factory. Please if you are reading this for the first time I beg of you to find section A for you to understand what we are going to talk about today. Last week I gave analogy of the King who wanted to build a structure based on the plan from his ancestors but can’t go out to meet his subject and doesn’t even speak the language so he assigns his son, The Prince to go out of the palace and deliver the plan to the engineer of construction in the language the latter will understand. Once the top engineer reads the message he just stars building, no questions asked.

I really oversimplified very complex process that happens at molecular levels in our cells. I compressed everything in that short analogy but the actual process may take you years just to begin to

scratch on some details. For students of Health sciences you have no choice but to go into details.

When it comes to transcription, you should know, Replication fork, DNA Helicase, Polymerase, Primase, RNA polymerase, complimentary base Pairing the 5 and 3 primers, the leading and lagging strands, the Okazaki fragments ,Topoisomerase, then mrna maturations, introns, exons, slicing ,capping ,etc and when comes to translation the ribosomal subunits, the initiations, elongations and termination stages for both processes and all the amino acids with which anticodons they are coded for on trna. PLEASE KNOW ALL THIS. Literally all viruses target the cells genetic and protein manufacturing industry. They only differ how they do it ,some attack the palace itself The Nucleus and distort the King’s message from there while some do it from outside the palace, The Cell Cytoplasm, these don’t even need to go inside the cell nucleus, like SARSCOV2, this is like conducting a coup by not capturing The President but by only controlling the Civil servants. David Baltimore understanding these differences and unique attacking strategies classified viruses in seven classes called The Baltimore Classification System (Baltimore Class I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII).SARSCOV2 is on class number 4.

Class 4: Single-stranded RNA viruses - positive-sense The positive-sense RNA viruses and indeed all genes defined as positive-sense can be directly accessed by host ribosomes to immediately form proteins. These can be divided into two groups, both of which replicate in the cytoplasm.

THE COUP Viruses multiply only in living cells. The host cell is tricked to provide the energy and synthetic machinery and the low molecular-weight precursors for the synthesis of viral proteins and nucleic acids. Wonder why the programs that destroy computer software are called viruses. Here are some rea-

lies and Fans and the Nation for such very painful losses. Death is something we shall never get used to especially if claims young health lives for it really robs us the opportunity to enjoy their sons. Computer viruses are called viruses because they share some of the traits of Biological viruses. A computer virus passes from computer to computer like a Biological virus passes from person to person.

They both start by entering the host human cell or computer software through a mechanism pretending to be something else( a benign protein or a font).then they brake the machinery (cell organelles or virtual execution engine) and use it

full potential. Sadly Daev went with songs unsung, shows unperformed, deals unsigned, many projects unfinished including the house he was building for his mother. attaches to ACE2 receptors Entry (The disguise, Commando style). Here like a highly skilled commando sarscov2 tricks the body by merging his envelope layer(please refer to Part 1) with that of the cell membrane of the host cell this protects SARSCOV 2 from attack by host body’s soldiers as they think he is one of them. After they merge the cell membrane of the host cell invaginates the virus particle deep inside the cell.

REST IN PEACE YOUNG KING YOUR BEAUTIFUL VOICE WILL FOREVER BE CHERISHED IN ZAMBIA AND BEYOND. YOU HAVE LEFT AN ETERNAL GAP,NEVER TO BE FILLED.INDEED” IT SHALL NEVER BE EASY…. D.A.E.V ZAMBIA”(in your voice).

Fake Prince. The mRNA SARSACOV2 makes is used to instruct the host cell to make virus components.

The virus takes advantage of the existing cell structures to replicate itself. Here SARSCOV 2 becomes the Prince and consequently all the subjects(cell organelles) can do is obey his orders.

Synthesis of virus components • Here Prince SARSCOV2 instructs Mr Ribosome to start manufacturing proteins using the host materials ,except this time ,the proteins are viral proteins • Structural: the proteins which make up the virus particle are manufactured and assembled.

• Non – structural: not found in particle, mainly enzymes for virus genome replication.

• Viral nucleic acid synthesis (genome replication) new virus genome is synthesized; templates are either the parental genome or with single stranded nucleic acid genomes, newly formed complementary strands.

• At this point the body is now just making up more of the enemy to go destroy more of the body that is manufacturing them.

for something that wasn’t intended.

And finally escape the host(human or virtual sandbox ). SARSCOV2 plays tricks on decoding of an RNA strand so does the font exploit play tricks on the font coordinate calculation system.

SARSCOV2 like any other virus undergoes replication in seven stages, namely; 1. Adsorption 2. Entry, 3. Uncoating, 4. Transcription/mRNA production, Synthesis of virus components, Virion assembly and Release (Liberation Stage).

ADSORPTION The virus attaches to the cell membrane of the Host cell., we covered this in Part 2, SARSCOV2

UNCOATING Here Cell enzymes we call lysosomes strip off the virus protein coat (the envelope). This releases the virus nucleic acid or genome.

Remember the genetic material is made up of the same elements as our own, in his case SARSCOV2 being an RNA virus has the following alphabet ACGU. Actually SARSCOV2 is believed to have a total of 29751 of these letters capable of multiple recombination.

Transcription / mRNA production (When SARSCOV2 becomes the Fake Prince) Remember the Prince from Section A ,One carrying the Kings message? Yes that one,SARSCOV2 impersonates him and becomes The

• Imagine what happens now specially that one at this point is not producing what the body really needs, instead of haemoglobin ,there is a viral protein etcetera, • Arginine (coded by letters CGU,CGC,CGA,CGG,AGA and AGG),seems to be a key player in SARSCOV2 replication process.

VIRION ASSEMBLY A virion is simply an active or intact virus particle. In this stage, newly synthesized genome (nucleic acid), and proteins are assembled to form new virus particles. The proteins are organised into new virions by electrostatic and Van der Waals forces(these are weak forces) for SARSCOV2 actually quite weak ,hence huge sensitivity to detergents and 70% alcohol(basically soap turns the virus into an emulsion, completely destroying it.

Release (liberation stage) The viruses, now mature are released by either sudden rupture of the cell, or gradual extrusion (force out) of enveloped viruses through the cell membrane.

The new viruses may invade or attack other cells, or remain dormant in the cell or they may shed into the environment via the opening of the mouth, breathing,( when the carrier is not wearing a mask and the victim also not wearing one)or similar occurrences that may infect healthy persons via reported modes of transmission. We have discussed before.

QUESTION. You may wonder and even ask why does our very own Mr. Ribosome translate foreign RNA, why doesn’t the body recognize the difference between viral RNA and the body’s RNA? ANSWER. Because the house has been hijacked Mr. Ribosome just reads RNA codes ,it does not know its foreign ,it’s not like he checks the product first .It’s the job of the Immune System to detect foreign proteins .In some cases the cell recognizes it’s been hijacked and will undergo what we call apoptosis – cell suicide ,like turning on a “kill switch” that sets a cascade of lysis enzymes from lysosomes that start to destroy the cell. The problem with this system it causes collateral damage. All the junk from lysis of cells accumulate in organs like lungs and is quiet toxic .We basically start killing ourselves.

When correctly done the Immune System detects foreign proteins and destroys the infected cell with its soldiers. However, the same system that saves us can also kill us in the “Cytokine Storm”, a hay wire chain reaction of the Immune System attacking everything also causing “friendly fire” on board.

This leads us to part 4 of the series.

The war rages on…..# MASK UP. #OBSERVE HAND HYGIENE. #SOCIALISE WISELY.

WORLD KENYA FOREX RESERVES DROP

Page 17

News of the

NAIROBI - Kenya’s foreign exchange reserves dropped by Sh22.6 billion ($211 million) last week on the back of external payments by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) on behalf of the government.

CBK data shows the foreign reserves dropped to $8.627 billion (Sh935.25 billion), enough to cover 5.23 months’ worth of imports, from $8.838 billion (Sh957.86 billion) the previous week.

In a media briefing on Wednesday, CBK governor Patrick Njoroge said that the regulator has continued to make periodic external payments on behalf of the State.

“The government has to make some external payments, on those loans that they have. We are making those payments for them,” said Dr Njoroge without giving FREETOWN - Sierra Leone’s anti-corruption body has summoned former president Ernest Bai Koroma for questioning under oath over allegations of graft while in office, it said on Wednesday.

The summons by the anti-graft commission is the latest move in a campaign by Koroma’s successor, President Julius Maada Bio, to call to account the previous administration that Maada Bio says took the country to the brink of economic collapse.

It concerns alleged wrongdoing in connection with mining, construction and procurement contracts, and follows an order on Tuesday to bar Koroma and 111 officials from leaving the country after a judge-led inquiry alleged that they illicitly enriched themselves during his 2007-2018 tenure.

“The former president’s chief security officer received the notice on his behalf this morning at his residence in Makeni,” anti-corruption commissioner Francis Ben Kaifala told Reuters.

Koroma had been ordered

specifics.

The reserves serve as a buffer against exchange rate volatility, indicating to the market that the CBK has enough muscle to intervene.

This year, the reserves have been boosted significantly by foreign loans from international development financiers like the World Bank, AfDB and the IMF, who lent Kenya more than $2 billion in Covid-19 support financing.

Analysts said that the payments were likely to be on a syndicated loan, given that none of the Eurobonds have their interest payment dates falling in September.

“The higher probability is an external debt repayment, most likely a syndicated loan which has lower visibility,” said Genghis

Capital head of research Churchill Ogutu.

The government is due to spend Sh179.6 billion in foreign debt principal repayments and Sh154.7 billion in interest payments in the current fiscal year, according to the draft 2020 budget review and outlook paper released early last month.

In the 2019/2020 fiscal year, the Treasury spent Sh101.6 billion in external principal payments and Sh121.8 billion in interest payments.

Ogutu said the weaker shilling—it has depreciated by seven percent against the dollar this year—will increase the shilling’s equivalent of Kenya’s debt servicing obligations. Currently, the shilling is exchanging at 108.49 against the dollar. – DAILY NATION, Kenya.

Sierra Leone anti-graft body summons ex-president Koroma for questioning

Mr Ernest Bai Koroma to answer questions from the commission - which has prosecuting powers - in person on October 5, anti-corruption commissioner Francis Ben Kaifala said.

Koroma was not available for

comment, but has denied any wrongdoing in the past and said corruption allegations are part of a long-running smear campaign.

The former ruling All People’s Congress party, which Koroma

still leads, has rejected the inquiry’s findings as “politically motivated, legally flawed and procedurally defective.” It plans to challenge it at the Court of Appeal.

Koroma’s Makeni property is among assets worth $200 million the government has ordered Koroma and the officials forfeit or repay after the inquiry released its report last Friday.

An earlier report commissioned by Maada Bio accused the previous administration of exploiting an Ebola outbreak for personal gain.

Sierra Leone, recovering from a decade of civil war that ended in 2002, saw its economy contract more than 20% in 2015 due to a slump in global commodity prices and the Ebola epidemic that had peaked a year earlier. – REUTERS.

Friday 2, October 2020

UN bodies including probe DR Congo sex abuse reports KINSHASA - UNICEF on Wednesday became the third UN agency to launch an internal inquiry into sexual abuse of women in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), promising “serious consequences” for any culprits.

The children’s fund said in a statement it was “appalled that people who identify as UNICEF workers have reportedly committed abuse against vulnerable women in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.”

It was not immediately clear how many UNICEF employees had been accused. “There will be serious consequences for any staff who have been found to have sexually abused people,” it added.

Earlier on Wednesday the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) said it too was investigating allegations of sexual abuse and exploitation by one of its staff during the DRC’s Ebola crisis, while the World Health Organisation made a similar announcement on Tuesday.

Placing three of the UN’s weightiest agencies in the spotlight, the statements come

after a year-long investigative report published on Tuesday by the Thomson Reuters Foundation and The New Humanitarian.

It found that more than 50 women had accused Ebola aid workers from the WHO and leading nongovernmental organisations of sexual exploitation, including propositioning them, forcing them to have sex in exchange for a job, or terminating contracts when they refused.

The alleged abuses took place during the 2018-2020 Ebola crisis. The similarities between the accounts given by women in the eastern city of Beni suggested the practices were widespread, the report said.

UNICEF said that it “encourage(s) all victims to come forward,” adding that it has “strengthened our efforts to prevent, and respond to, sexual exploitation and abuse” in the past two years and has now sent extra staff to DRC to investigate the latest allegations.

“Such abuses by UN personnel and other humanitarian workers are an outrageous breach of trust with those we are mandated to support, often in very trying humanitarian circumstances,” the IOM said earlier on Wednesday.

The DR Congo is currently battling a fresh Ebola outbreak in Equateur province, which has seen some 120 cases and 50 deaths since June. – AFP.

Zim lauds Malawi for ‘peaceful’ observers-free vote HARARE - Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has praised Malawi for successfully holding its latest elections without foreign observers, and questioned whether external monitors were still necessary for polls in southern Africa.

“Here is a country which has held... elections without the United Nations, without SADC and almost all of these civil society organisations observing the elections, but they were successful, peaceful elections conducted by Malawi on its own,” Mnangagwa said on Tuesday night at a banquet in honour of President Chakwera, who made his first official visit to Malawi’s neighbour. – AFP.

Genocide suspect lawyer wants client to go to The Hague PARIS - The lawyer for Rwandan genocide suspect Félicien Kabuga wants him to be tried in The Hague rather than a UN tribunal in Arusha, Tanzania. His comments come a day after a top French court backed a decision to send him to East Africa.

Lawyer Emmanuel Altit told the BBC it could be a “violation of his rights” to transfer him to Arusha “considering the global pandemic, his health and age.” France’s extradition law says that Mr Kabuga now needs to be transferred within a month.

– BBC.

Facebook removes dozens of Trump ads

WASHINGTON - Facebook removed Trump campaign ads that claimed refugees were responsible for spreading Covid-19, Jo Ling Kent and David Ingram at NBC News reported.

One of the ads, found by Business Insider in Facebook’s ad library, said “Joe Biden wants to INCREASE refugees from Syria and Somalia by 700 percent. Biden said as President he would make sure to IMMEDIATELY SURGE the border with all those who are seeking asylum.” – BUSINESS INSIDER, US.

EU to start legal action against UK on internal market

BRUSSELS - The European Union is starting legal proceedings against the UK over Boris Johnson’s plan to breach terms of its Brexit divorce deal and break international law.

“The commission has decided to send a letter of formal notice to the U.K. government,” European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen announced in Brussels. “This draft bill is by its very nature a breach of the obligation of good faith laid down in the Withdrawal Agreement.” – BLOOMBERG NEWS.

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Features

| 19

BILL 10: MAKING SENSE OF A BELEAGUERED LEGISLATION

MY THOUGHTS

By Dr Euston K Chiputa

CONSTITUTINAL Amendment Bill Number 10 has been upheld and condemned by supporters and opponents of the Bill respectively. So far, both sides of the political divide have had their own side of the field day on this matter.

This is as it should be in a democracy such as ours. Yet, it is important to delve into the Bill and make sense of it.

Let us face the Bill squarely, those who oppose it do so, I presume, on the pedestal of particularly clause 52 which, if amended, would no longer allow those questioning a particular candidate’s credentials to ask the Constitutional Court to bar

B-Flow

such a person until the court determined whether or not such candidate was eligible to stand or not. This is as blunt as the matter stands!

Some have argued that those opposing the Bill are against an individual, President Edgar Lungu to be specific, standing in the 2021 elections. This reminds me of the manner in which President Kenneth Kaunda was targeted and prevented from standing in the 1996 Zambian elections, by introducing a parentage clause through the Mung’omba Constitutional Review Commission of 1995.

It required every presidential candidate standing for elections in Zambia to have both parents born in Zambia. That is how President Kaunda’s fate was sealed and he did not stand in the 1996 elections; because both his parents had been born in Nyasaland (Malawi).

Had it not been for the

Drimz

Pompi

In 2015, after the death of President Michael Sata in 2014 (MHSRIP), and the PF was embroiled in a succession dispute, some candidates thought the 2015 presidential by-election was theirs for the picking. President Lungu won that election; he won again in 2016, by what some have called a slender majority over and above the 50 percent plus one threshold.

introduction of the parentage clause in the 1996 Zambian Constitution, President Kaunda would have stood in the 1996

Wezi

Top artistes to grace Back to School COVID-19 awareness

By TERENCE MISELO TOP Zambian artistes have been lined up to grace the back-to-school COVID-19 Awareness event set for tomorrow.

The show is an initiative of the US Embassy, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of General Education, and is presented with the support of the American people through the United States agency for International Development, USAID, and the USAID DISCOVER-Health Project The event is intended to address some of questions and anxieties parents and learners may have about COVID-19 and the reopening of schools. Through music performances and art, correct and consistent information and practical guides on what to do to ensure that children return to school safely, will be shared throughout the event.

The US. Charge D'Affaires will attend the event and answer questions about COVID-19.

Representatives from the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of General Education will also attend the event and interact with the audience. The

audience can ask questions through the Zambia Ending AIDS Facebook page.

Live performances by B-Flow, Drimz, Pompi, and Wezi have been lined up for this show.

Others are DJs Vjezzy and Switcher as well as acts from Barefeet Theatre. Children and others participating in poetry, games and music will play a role in teaching all of us about COVID-19 and safety at school and at home.

The event, which runs from 11:00hrs to 12:15 hrs will be streamed live on several social media platforms, with bonus content being streamed till 15:00hrs.

"Please join us and watch and learn about the five golden rules applicable in the new normal to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our schools and communities," organisers say.

Members of the public can watch the event live on the following Facebook pages: Zambia Ending AIDS; U.S Embassy; ZNPHI; Ministry of Health Zambia; ZBNC Today; and Diamond TV Zambia.

MCs on the day are seasoned comedian Bob Nkosha and radio personality Roxy Jones Kangwa.

elections, whose outcome would perhaps have been different from what happened.

But this is only conjecture because Kaunda did not participate in that election. That piece of legislation has since been amended. With hindsight that electoral change has been deemed to have been bad and unfair because the Constitution was amended merely to bar an individual from standing in an election!

Today, we are back on a similar pedestal, refusing to amend the Republican constitution to bar an individual from standing in the 2021 Zambian elections.

One wonders why they did not allow Kaunda to stand in the 1996 elections and just defeat him a second time! Some have argued that this time around the circumstances are different.

The view being that President Edgar Lungu has already served two terms of office, a third one would be illegal! His supporters, both in and outside the PF, argue that it is because he has a formidable campaign message of development and a formidable campaign team, all buttressed by a comparatively better infrastructure development record.

In 2015, after the death of

President Michael Sata in 2014 (MHSRIP), and the PF was embroiled in a succession dispute, some candidates thought the 2015 presidential by-election was theirs for the picking. President Lungu won that election; he won again in 2016, by what some have called a slender majority over and above the 50 percent plus one threshold.

The presidential election results were petitioned in the Con-Court, hence the nervewracking 14 days of waiting for the Con-Court to deliver its judgement, and it finally did; President Lungu was sworn in as Head of State. So, the fear of President Lungu standing in the 2021 elections is real.

Some have said it is not fear but the need to uphold the Constitution, and Clause 52 in the current Republican Constitution is the trump card. The question is, is it not too politically suicidal for the opposition to put all their eggs in one basket; to bank only on a legal technicality to “defeat” an opponent?

Let us imagine for a moment that President Lungu opts not to stand in the 2021 elections and the Patriotic Front fields another candidate and that candidate wins the 2021 elections,

what recourse to the law will petitioners have; the same raucous 14-day period (already condemned as inadequate) in which to resolve a presidential petition?

People need to rethink their strategies, devise plans that work and avoid putting their eggs in one basket. Franklin D Roosevelt, in his presidential nomination acceptance speech in 1932 said “I pledge you, I pledge myself, to a new deal for the American people.”

Zambian politicians should pledge to the Zambian people a new deal, a new dispensation; they should devise new formulas that solve the equations of socio-economic challenges. For 2021, the same old methods may not win a seat.

Politics have evolved, citizens have moved on and tactics ought to change. The 2021 elections will be won, not by having preferred candidates as your opponents, but by facing anyone and anything because you devised a winning formula, a formula with popular support across the length and breadth of Zambia’s 752, 618 square kilometres, of which 9, 220 km² is abundant fresh water, and not because you successfully pushed out some candidates from the race.

President Kaunda would have stood in the 1996 elections, whose outcome would perhaps have been different from what happened. But this is only conjecture because Kaunda did not participate in that election. That piece of legislation has since been amended.

DAILY

Friday October 2, 2020

THINKING BIG

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…Daka eyes Spanish giants in Champions League

By MICHAEL MIYOBA

Daka

CHIPOLOPOLO striker Patson Daka says it would be a good experience for his Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg to meet Spanish giants Barcelona or Real Madrid in the Group stages of the Champions League.

Daka netted twice as Red Bull Salzburg sailed through to the group stage of the UEFA Champions League for a second consecutive time after beating Israeli outfit Maccabi Tel Aviv in a second leg playoff encounter played on

‘Big 6’ tourney promises thrills

By MICHAEL MIYOBA

THE big six preseason preparatory tourney kicks off this afternoon with intriguing fixtures involving Super Division clubs at the National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka.

The tournament, organised by CAF Confederations Cup envoys Napsa Stars will see teams such as Aggrey Chiyangi's drilled Green Eagles, Green Buffaloes, Indeni FC, Forest Rangers and Zanaco gauging their readiness for the new soccer season set to kick off on October 17.

After announcing the signing of left back Lawrence Chungu on a free transfer, Napsa Stars begin the tournament with a tie against National Division one league champions Indeni who are preparing for Super Division battles.

"Yes we will use this tournament to prepare

Wednesday evening at Red Bull Arena. In an interview after he scored a crucial brace to help Salzburg to match on to the group stage of the lucrative UEFA Champions League, Daka described the win as a dream come true.

Daka said Salzburg showed good mentality and played as a team to triumph 5-2 on aggregate after winning the first leg played in Tel Aviv last week by 2-1.

"It's a great feeling. I'm happy that the dream has come true, we have been waiting for this moment and I'm happy that we have shown good

for continental games but our main objective in this tournament is to improve the fitness of the players, the fitness of the team.

We will use the tournament to try out the new players," said NAPSA Stars coach Mohammed Fathi.

Indeni Coach Dabid Chilufya is hoping his charges will do well in the tournament.

Bilton Musonda's tutored Green Buffaloes will host Ndola outfit Forest Rangers who are preparing for their maiden appearance in the CAF Champions League.

It is a good test for Tenant Chilumba's boys who will be making a historical appearance in the CAF Champions League after Forest Rangers finished the 2019/2020 Super Division as runners up.

Tomorrow's action will see Forest Rangers playing Green Eagles as Napsa Stars engage Chris Kaunda's Zanaco in a Lusaka derby.

Meanwhile, City of Lusaka has qualified to the National Division One League with a game to spare after coming from behind to beat Petauke United 2-1 in a group A fixture played at Lilayi Police College.

City will today play Southern Province outfit Livingstone Pirates who are looking for nothing but a win to advance to the Eden League.

character today we have shown good mentality, we played as a team like always and we showed that we really wanted it and it is a very memorable night for us," said Daka.

"We have played Liverpool, Napoli, I think it will be a good experience to meet the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona. It will be a good experience for us and we are keeping our fingers crossed."

Daka has now scored an impressive nine goals in six matches this season.

Compatriot Enock Mwepu also put in an impressive 90 minutes shift for

the Austrian champions.

Mwepu had the first shot on goal for Salzburg in the second minute but it was Daka who broke the deadlock 16 minutes after kick off when he promptly dispatched the ball into the bottom left.

Kar-Zev scored the equaliser for the visitors before Szoboszlai scored from a penalty to restore Salzburg's lead in the dying minutes of the first half. Daka completed his brace with a headed goal in the 68th minute to guarantee Salzburg's second consecutive feature in the league of champions.

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