PRESIDENT LUNGU TRANSFERS PERMANENT SECRETARIES

PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has made changes at Permanent Secretary level with immediate effect.

The President has since transferred the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs Dr. Peter Mwaba to the Ministry of Health in the same capacity, taking over from Dr. Davy Chikamata who moves to the Ministry of Community Development, Mother and Child Health in the same capacity.
Other changes the Head of State has made include the transfer of Professor Elwyn Chomba from the Ministry of Community Development, Mother and Child Health to the Ministry of Home Affairs in the same capacity as Permanent Secretary.

The President takes this opportunity to urge all Permanent Secretaries to be more diligent, prudent and resource management and work expeditiously to deliver public services to the people.

Esther Phiri to fight a South African

ESTHER Phiri will face Julie Tshabalala of South Africa in a welterweight unification title fight following the withdrawal of compatriot Sandra Almeida. 
And Tshabalala, 35, has vowed to ‘teach’ Esther a boxing lesson.
Esther was supposed to fight Almeida on September 18 but the South African has a busy schedule.
The budget for the fight is K700,000.
Exodus Boxing Stables director Anthony Mwamba said at a press briefing yesterday that the fight has been set for October 23 at Government Complex in Lusaka.
“All the boxing stakeholders including the Women International Boxing Association (WIBA) and the World Boxing Federation (WBF), have sanctioned this fight. It is on and preparations are under-way,” he said.
Mwamba said Tshabalala is a credible fighter.
“Tshabalala is a seasoned fighter. She has nine fights, won five, lost two and drawn two. It is going to be a tough fight,” he said.
And Esther is upbeat of overcoming the South African.
“I promise to train hard. I believe in my manager [Mwamba]. I will beat her,” she said.
And Tshabalala is ready for the fight.

‘Armed’ Rainbow Party members arrested

POLICE in Luwingu have arrested two suspected Rainbow Party members for alleged unlawful possession of a pistol.
John Siame, 37, and Peter Kashala, 30, both of Lusaka, were apprehended on Sunday around 11:00 hours at Big Brother bar in Lubansenshi.
Northern Province acting commissioner of police Lackson Sakala said in an interview yesterday that police have recovered a 4.5 millimetre calibre firearm with 12 rounds of ammunition.

DRC Tries Mega-Farms to Feed Population

Workers examine new machinery in use at the pioneering mega-farm at Boukanga Lonzo park in Democratic Republic of Congo, Aug 8, 2015. (N. Long / VOA)

The Democratic Republic of Congo is trying out a large-scale agricultural plan that is, to say the least, ambitious. The government plans to develop one mega-farm of 50,000 to 150,000 hectares per province — producing food for local consumption and also export crops. The government says the aim is to promote food security.

The park at Boukanga Lonzo currently has 5,000 hectares under cultivation. The site is on a plateau, and crops already stretch as far as the eye can see.

Isaac Saleh, who works as an economist at the prime minister’s office, says they are harvesting about 3,300 hectares of that land.

Most of the production at these mega-farms will be mechanized, but there will be some 7,000 jobs created on the farm in the near future, according to the government.  

On 1,000 hectares, the employees will be working full-time to cultivate and harvest vegetables irrigated by sprinklers rotating on 20 huge pivots.

"Each pivot is the length of a football pitch [field]," said Saleh, "and it’s big enough that vegetables under the pivot can be planted and harvested every day."

Spain finds Guinea migrant hidden behind car engine

A West African migrant entered the Spanish territory of Ceuta from Morocco curled up next to a car engine and another was hidden behind the back seat of the Mercedes-300 car.

Spanish police found the pair late on Sunday during a customs check at El Tarajal, near the Moroccan border.

The two men from Guinea got first aid, having suffered from a lack of oxygen, Spain's Guardia Civil police said.

Sub-Saharan Africans often try to enter Ceuta, as a gateway to the EU.

The Mercedes 300 was found to have false number plates. Police detained two Moroccan men who were in the car when it was stopped.

It is not clear how long the man in the engine compartment had been inhaling noxious fumes for.

The two illegal migrants did not have any papers, and were identified in the statement only as "TD and AB from Guinea Conakry". They are also under official investigation now.

Ceuta and Melilla are tiny Spanish enclaves on the North African coast, which have erected formidable border fences to keep out illegal migrants.

The fences have led some migrants to resort to extreme methods to get into Spain, such as swimming into the ports or even hiding in suitcases.

Last month, a Moroccan man suffocated to death in a suitcase after his brother tried to smuggle him to mainland Spain aboard a ferry from Melilla.

Loadshedding to increase as people over use power when restored

Kariba Dam

THE current load shedding will increase following a reduction in daily electricity production capacity at Kariba North Bank Power station from 500 megawatts (MW) to 305 MW due to reduced water allocation by Zambezi River Authority (ZRA).
Meanwhile, Zesco senior manager-marketing and public relations Bessie Banda says customers should use electricity responsibly when power is restored to avoid having the power station shut down prematurely due to lack of water for power generation.
ZRA allocates water for power generation to Zesco and the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) annually, but subject to quarterly reviews based on water levels at Kariba Dam.
Ms Banda told a media briefing in Lusaka on Monday that in the first quarter of 2015, ZRA revised water allocation to Zesco and ZESA from 45 billion cubic metres to 40.2 billion cubic metres citing low water inflows into Kariba Dam during the 2014/15 rainy season.
“This reduction in water allocation translates to reduction in average electricity production capacity on the Zambian side to 500MW from an average of around 800MW at the previous allocation,” she said.
Ms Banda said as at June 1, 2015, Zesco had 4,996 Giga Watt Hours [GWh] available for generation up to December 2015.
“But the current status is that we only have 1,158GWh available for generation from August to December 2015. This means that on average we should now only be generating up to 305MW from Kariba North Bank,” she said.
Ms Banda explained that power rationing that Zesco is implementing is meant to conserve water resources so that generation of electricity can continue through to the next rainy season.
“Regrettably, it has been noted that when power is restored to our customers after load shedding, the demand for power is very high as customers are trying to maximise the usage of electricity when it is available.
“This pattern of consumption is not helping the situation as the energy that Zesco needs to save is not being saved hence defeating the purpose of power rationing exercise,” Ms Banda said.
She warned that this consumption pattern will result in dire consequences if left unchecked.
“Water levels may fall much faster to the low threshold level and thus result in the premature shutting down of the Kariba North Bank station,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Zambia Daily Mail reports that Zesco has started engaging ordinary citizens to view the current status of  low water levels at the Kariba Dam and Kafue Gorge.
Zesco spokesperson Henry Kapata in an interview shortly after a familiarisation tour of  Kariba Dam and Kafue Gorge said that this is in an effort to sensitise people and to give them  first-hand information on the operations of the power utility company.
Mr Kapata said the invitation is all-inclusive irrespective of people’s political affiliations.
Zesco Kariba North Bank acting station manager Mahaku Maloza said the current load-shedding is the only option to effectively supply power within the generation levels to reach the next rainy season.
“The water level is much lower than expected this time of the year.  The rainfall was not as expected and hence we are controlling the way we are generating power by reducing the supply levels so that all customers are catered for,” he said.
Margaret Nyirenda, a resident of Kaunda Square, commended the power utility for its efforts to supply electricity to the nation under the current challenges.
“If I was not part of this tour, I would not have known what is really happening on the ground. Please let us not condemn or criticise the government but appreciate the efforts it is making for the benefit of the people,” she said.
ZAMBIA DAILY MAIL

PRESIDENT LUNGU APPOINTS NEW DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS

President Edgar Chagwa Lungu President of the Republic of Zambia has appointed new District Commissioners and transferred others in Luapula, Eastern, Muchinga and Northern provinces.
President Lungu has directed the appointees to apply themselves fully to public service by ensuring that they spearhead and coordinate developmental projects in their respective districts.
The President stressed that those who underperform will be removed from the public service forthwith.
The Head of State has directed the Secretary to the Cabinet to ensure that all District Commissioners are put on performance
based contracts with strict annual assessments.
“The immediate task for the new appointees and other serving District Commissioners is to coordinate the on-going crop marketing season and agro input distribution for the 2015/2016
farming season. All District Commissioners must get on the ground to monitor and supervise the massive infrastructure projects following the recent release of funds for roads, bridges, schools
and health facilities countrywide.”
The Head of State has taken this opportunity to warn all Civil Servants mis-conducting themselves by engaging in active politics that they will be removed from Government.
The President expects fast and efficient public service delivery hence all civil servants are required to abide by the stipulated Terms and Conditions of the Civil Service and carry out their duties
to support Government programmes as guided by the ruling party manifesto.

Zambia to Halt Issue of Mine Rights During Review of Rules

Zambia suspended the award, renewal and transfer of mining rights while the government scrutinizes the regulatory framework for new legislation, the latest in a series of abrupt changes for the industry.
Lawmakers in July approved the Mines and Minerals Development Act, which revised royalties to 6 percent for underground mines and 9 percent for open-cast operations. The law was enacted Aug. 14, according to the Chamber of Mines.
The royalty cuts were deeper than initially proposed for underground operators and replaced a tax system introduced in January, after miners warned they would have to cut costs by shutting plants and shedding jobs.
The “initial policy shock and U-turn have had an overall negative impact on business and investor confidence,” Fitch Ratings Ltd. said on Aug. 21.

Zesco explains loadshedding

Zambia is facing a power deficit of 560 Megawatts which has resulted in heightened load shedding.
ZESCO Limited says it has been compelled to reduce power generation at its major power stations, which has resulted in a national capacity deficit of 560 Megawatts.
In a statement, ZESCO says the reduction in generation has been necessitated by the low water levels in its reservoirs as a result of the poor rainfall experienced during the 2014/2015 rainy season.
It says this therefore means that load shedding will be carried out on a rotational basis throughout the day, every day, in different areas.
The power utility adds that this exercise will affect all its customers.
ZESCO says it is making every effort to try and secure some imports from the region to mitigate this deficit.
The company however states that due to the limited availability of power in the whole region, there may be times when it will not be able to secure imports to cushion the impact of load shedding.
ZESCO has since appealed to its customers to join the campaign to save power by using electricity as efficiently as possible and help reduce the impact of load shedding by turning off all non-essential appliances

It's not the first time Tasila Lungu is making a public appearance

Yesterday social media was abuzz with the stunning looks of President Edgar Lungu's daughter Tasila. Zambia Inquirer has discovered that the beautiful Ms Lungu has actually been frequenting public events as she is also part of the PF Women League. Picture by Eddie Mwanaleza

United States and Zambia Make Gains in Fight Against Tuberculosis

LUSAKA - The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the
Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Community Development, Mother and Child Health, and the
Ministry of Home Affairs gathered to mark the culmination of the TB CARE I project. Jointly
funded by USAID and the United States President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief
(PEPFAR), TB CARE I was a collaborative activity between the United States and Zambian
governments to reduce the burden of tuberculosis (TB) by providing the latest
diagnostic technologies and training for increased TB detection and treatment.
"Over the past five years our partnership has directly reached close to three million people,
even in the most rural areas of the country, with information and services for TB control," said
USAID Senior Health Advisor Dr. George Sinyangwe.
In the 2010 World Health Organization Global Tuberculosis Report, Zambia was listed as having
one of the world's highest rates of new cases of TB, with more than 300 infected per 100,000
people that year. In response, the United States and Zambian governments partnered to launch
TB CARE I, which provided training for more than 3,000 health care workers, including more than
600 laboratory staff at 144 TB diagnostic facilities. The training in TB

POLICE TRAFFIC OFFICER GETS 36 MONTHS FOR CORRUPT PRACTICES

The Lusaka Magistrate Court has sentenced a Traffic Officer at the Lusaka Central Police to 36 months imprisonment with hard labor for corrupt practices involving K 1, 000.
Lusaka Magistrate Lameck Mwale yesterday 13th May 2015 found Titus Chisanga, 36, of House No. 3 Block 10 Kafue Police Camp, a Traffic Officer at the Lusaka Central Police, guilty of one count
of corrupt practices by public officer contrary to section 29 (1) and 41 of the Anti-Corruption
Act No. 41 of 1996 to the laws of Zambia.
Details of the offence are that Chisanga, between 25th August and 3rd December 2009, corruptly solicited for K1, 000 and actually received K500 from Mable Chisanga as an inducement or
reward for him to release her impounded motor vehicle registration number ABT 1022 from police custody.
Chisanga was arrested by the Anti-Corruption Commission on 22nd December 2012 and charged with one count corrupt practices by public officer contrary to the laws of Zambia.

Fuel prices go up

FUEL prices have gone up following an upward adjustment by the Energy Regulation Board (ERB).

A litre will now go for K .74 for petrol, K 7.59 diesel, K 5.40 kerosene and K 10.88 for low sulphur diesel effective midnight of 12 May 2015.

The adjustment means that the prices of petroleum products have increased by K 1.14 for petrol, K 1.00 for diesel, K 0.71 for kerosene and K 0.99 for low sulphur diesel.

ERB board chairperson Pastor Geoff Mwape said the two factors that affect wholesale and pump fuel prices are the international oil prices and the domestic exchange rates.  

“This adjustment is mainly due to the volatility of the kwacha which resulted in the significant adjustment of the kwacha against the United States Dollars. Since the last adjustment in January 2015, the kwacha has ranged between an average of K 6.5 per dollar and K 7.42 per dollar in April 2015. During this period, the kwacha reached an all time high of K 7.8 per dollar,” Pastor Geoff Mwape said.

Pastor Mwape said periodic price adjustment are essential to ensure that there is full cost recovery in the supply chain, and thereby ensure that there is enough to procure future petroleum feedstock cargoes and finished petroleum products. He added that future price adjustments will be dictated by changes in the key fundamentals. The ERB will endeavour to automatically adjust so that cost reflectivity is attained for each and every petroleum feedstock cargo and imported finished petroleum products.

The last increase in petroleum products was in April 2014. Between this period to date, a number of fuel reductions were affected, mainly as a result of falling international oil prices and a fairly stable kwacha.

Chinese company treats 6,400 employees to French vacation

(CNN) - More than 6,000 employees of Tiens Group, a Chinese conglomerate, were given the VIP treatment on an all expenses paid trip to France to celebrate the company's 20th birthday.

The tour group, the largest to visit the country, was given a private tour of the Louvre museum and a private shopping session at luxury department store Galeries Lafayette during their four-day trip, reported French news agency Agence France-Presse.

RARE MOMENT: A prisoner and prison warder take to the dancefloor at Lusaka Central Prison

A RARE MOMENT: A prisoner from the Lusaka Central Prison choir take to the dancefloor with a female prison warder during the Ambassadors Accredited to Zambia Club's donation to inmates at the prison.

Lusaka among Africa’s cities with lowest infrastructure development

LUSAKA ranks among the lowest cities in Africa in terms of infrastructure development and advancement, according to a Pricewaterhouse Coopers 2015 report. Of the 20 African cities surveyed, Lusaka ranks number 14, scoring 74, ahead of Accra, Kampala, Maputo, Dar es Salaam, Kinshasa and Luanda. According to PWC’s March 2015 “Into Africa: 

The Continent’s Cities of Opportunity” index, Cairo tops the rankings and scored the highest in terms of infrastructure development at 137, followed closely behind by Tunis on 134. Addis Ababa and Johannesburg completed the top four at 112 and 107 respectively. The data is compiled through various factors including ratings on cost of housing, airport connectivity, communications, road safety, water risk and power, among others.

Roberto explains inspiration behind ‘Amarulah’

ROBERTO, who has been riding the crest of the wave with the song Amarulah, is in Rwanda where he was gracing former Big Brother Africa hotshot Arthur Nkusi’s show on Friday in Kigali.
In one of the interviews he conducted there, he revealed the inspiration behind Amarulah; and the answer is not exactly what you thought.
“Well I first worked on the beat and had another idea for the song altogether. I recall making the beat in the evening and by morning, I had another idea pop up and it was just the name Amarulah at that point,” he told The New Times.
“I didn’t know what direction I would take but as soon as I opened my mouth to sing it was all smooth sailing. I don’t write down lyrics but just let what’s on my mind flow. An hour later, I had a new song called Amarulah!”

The media is mishandling information - President Lungu

PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu says he is thinking twice about enacting the Freedom of Information Bill because of the way information is being mishandled by the media.

Mr Lungu was speaking upon arrival at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka this morning from Livingstone where he hosted the African Union (AU) Committee of Ten Heads of State Summit on the United Nations (UN) Reforms.
The President said the allegation that government is hiding a US$192 million loan from China for security purposes is false.
Mr Lungu said the leaking of information is a security issue which has already been handled further stating that those found wanting would be dealt with accordingly one by one.
He said secrecy should prevail because it will be irresponsible of him to be sharing top class information to the public.
'it is sad that information is circulating. we are not hiding any money. That is why am even thinking twice about enacting the freedom of information bill," he said.

Speaking to journalists, President Lungu said media practitioners are professionals who should be able to analyse and evaluate the information that they receive from their informers.

President Lungu was received at the KKIA by Vice President Inonge Wina.

Others who received the President were senior government and Patriotic Front (PF) Party officials who included Home Affairs Minister Davis Mwila, State House deputy Minister Mulenga Sata and Defence Chiefs  among others.

President Lungu praises the SDA

PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has commended the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) church for the effort the institution is making in uplifting the standards of the citizenry.

President Lungu said government appreciates the noble deeds the church is rendering to the Zambia people and appealed to other Christian denominations to emulate the works of the SDA church.

Mr Lungu said this yesterday when he graced the one million membership celebrations of the SDA Church in Zambia at the heroes’ stadium.

President Lungu said he was fully aware that the SDA church has partnered with government in various sectors in a bid to enhance national development.

He cited education and health as some of the areas that the church is working with the state closely in providing services to the community.

The Head of State stressed that the establishment of schools and health institutions is a step in the right direction adding that government is proud of the contribution the church is making in supplementing government efforts.

Mr Lungu said education is key in helping people escape the strong grip of poverty and in eradicating ignorance.

On health, President Lungu said the Ministry of Health stands ready to work with the church in delivering quality health care services to the community.

Mr Lungu pointed out that there is need to harmonise the efforts of the private sector and government so as to achieve the goals of bettering the living standards of the people.

He said the running of schools and health institution by the SDA church has greatly helped in aiding government in providing improved services to the citizenry.

KK in hospital for check up

FIRST republican president Kenneth Kaunda has been admitted at Lusaka Trust Hospital for a routine medical check-up.

Senior Executive Officer in the Office of the First President Cheswa Silwizya confirmed in a statement released to ZANIS in Lusaka today.

Ms. Cheswa said Dr. Kaunda’s was admitted yesterday.

She assured the nation that Dr. Kaunda’s hospitalization is purely precautionary because of his age and that the family wants him to remain in good health.

“Dr. Kaunda will be turning 91 years old on Tuesday April 28, 2015 and the doctors and family want to ensure that he remains in good health. The Office of the First President and the family wish to assure the nation that Dr. Kaunda’s hospitalisation is purely precautionary given his age,” Ms. Cheswa said.

Penis size doesn't matter unless it's really small or really big

By Dr Derek Mubanga Kalilamunkweto
I have seen so many threads about penis size and it made me want to chime in with my opinion. I know this isn't exactly a question, but feel free to agree or disagree.
Most of these threads start with the guy being insecure. This is followed up with the response "penis size doesn't matter unless it's really small or really big with average being the best unless the girl is a size queen." Then the guy says "but according to porn/pop-culture all girls love a big dick" Then everyone says "Don't compare yourself to porn and anyway, most girls aren't into huge cocks."
However, this never ends the conversation. And here is my opinion on why. Guys aren't dumb. They know that a slightly larger penis feels different than a slightly smaller penis. So when people say it doesn't matter it makes the guys doubt them. I'm just one girl, but I'm willing to bet that a lot of other girls agree with me when I say that it matters, just not very much.
Guys, when you're having sex how important is the tightness of your partner? Of course you can feel the difference, and generally tighter feels better, but how does that compare to other things. Like how into it your partner is, how attracted you are to her body, how you feel about her emotionally. Same with me. Yeah, size makes a difference but as long as it's long enough so we can do the positions I like, wide enough to feel, but not so big that it hurts I don't really if it's a little bigger or smaller.
Now I've been with lots of guys. I am a sexy-positive, kinky, poly girl. I've had sex with over 60 guys. I also have lots of toys so I know what an 8in dick really looks like. To be 100% honest I do have a hard time getting off if the guy is really short (less than 4 inches) or really thin (less than 3 in around). And guys who are bigger than 7 in long or really wide can be fun if I'm in the right mood, but the pain is definitely something that I can't put up with every time I have sex.
Once a guy is in the average range of 4.5 to 6.5 and reasonable width size becomes far less important. But I'd be lying if I said that size doesn't matter. Of course a 4.5in dick feels different than a 6.5 dick.Of course a 4 inches of circumference feels different than 5. My hypothesis is in this range it really comes down to individual preference and you can't generalize and say which size feels best. This is what people mean when they say size doesn't matter as long as it isn't too big or too small.
For me, I like to feel a little stretched but not so much that it hurts or sex requires tons of foreplay. For me that's right about 5 inches circumference. I also like feeling full and being feeling him deep inside me but cervix smashing is no good either. For me that ideal length is about 5.5 to 6 inches. A little shorter means my legs will be up over is shoulders for deeper penetration and a little longer means missionary or me on top.
However, the important thing to remember is that in that normal range, the feeling of a little more stretching or a little less stretching is pretty minor. Think about a girl who is a little bit tighter than another girl. The tightness isn't what makes a difference for the quality of the sex.
Also, I have a bunch of toys. Sometimes I want a huge dildo inside of me. When I'm in control it's easier to take something big. That doesn't mean I wish my partner had a dick that big. And it doesn't make him feel smaller. If I use a big toy I do feel stretched out for about an hour. But then I've noticed that my muscles tighten up making me feel tighter than I would otherwise.
Also, I don't go around comparing one guy to another. Unless I'm going back and forth between guys (which I do sometimes) in one session I might not even notice who is bigger...assuming the average range.
Anyway, I hope my honest comments have helped some people feel a little more relaxed about all of this. Feel free to reply back with questions and I'd love to hear if other ladies feel the same.
Update: This post really took off. I'm a little surprised how much people care about one girl's opinion. That said, due to the massive amounts of misogyny I'm done replying or reading comments. So many guys think that because I have a preference for larger guys it makes me a bad person. Even though that preference is small. Guess what, people can like what ever they want. I have a friend who gets off on huge dicks. Her partner is over 8 inches and smaller doesn't do it for her. But she is allowed to be attracted to whomever she wants. Doesn't make her a bad person.
And you know what, I also like my guys tall, and fit. A visible 6-pack is fun. I prefer blond hair on a guy. A little bit tanned but not someone who spends all day in the sun. A like some body hair but not crazy amounts. I think it's creepy when guys shave their pubes. I'm a human with preferences. I bet you all have preferences too.
There is too much of an attitude of bitterness and blaming women. A woman that knows what she wants is a slut while it's expected that guys will want to see some young naked model with a perfect body.
Girls and guys are similar. I think that hot bodies are hot. Penis size is just one factor of many. And in the end it's how all the factors come together that matters. Just because I have some set of preferences doesn't mean I will be happy with someone who doesn't meet all of them. However, I know I'd never be happy with a bitter misogynist who feels he is owed a woman.
UPDATE 2 Alright, so yesterday I was feeling pretty down about a lot of these responses. I was a little taken back by how accusatory some people were. Even though there were so many honest replies and so much good conversation the bad ones were still bad. However, I decided that walking away just wasn't the right thing to do. I'm going to ignore the intolerant posts but try to reply to the others. Also, I created a new thread with the goal of removing this attitude that women can't have preferences. I want to hear preferences. Honest ones. No more letting the insecure, intolerant people win

Cabinet announces changes to 2015 mining tax regime

LUSAKA (Monday, April 20, 2015) — At its 7th Special Meeting held this morning, Cabinet deliberated on the proposals to revise the 2015 taxation regime for the mining sector. Cabinet approved the following measures:

i.                     Mineral royalty tax rate for open cast mining and underground mining operations will be pegged at 9 percent;

ii.                   Corporate income tax on income earned from mining operations will be 30 percent;

iii.                  Corporate income tax on income earned from mineral processing will be 35 percent;

iv.                 Variable profit tax on income earned from mining operations will be 15 percent when taxable income exceeds 8 percent of the gross sales; and

v.                   Deduction of tax losses carried forward to be limited to 50 percent of taxable profits;

vi.                 Stiffening of penalties for tax offenders; and vii. Zambia Revenue Authority will introduce stringent enforcement mechanisms to effectively monitor mining activities and ensure greater transparency among mining companies when reporting revenue and expenditure.

In order to implement today’s Cabinet decision, Government will undertake all the necessary administrative and legislative measures rapidly. Once the Bill has been approved by Parliament, the effective implementation date will be 1st July 2015 so that there is a logical sequencing in the merging of two tax regimes in one fiscal year. Cabinet has stressed that the approved mining taxation regime will bring about the desired stability, predictability, consistency and transparency in the mining sector. Government is planning to link mining taxation to the Medium Term Expenditure Framework to ensure greater stability and predictability in the sector.

BORROWING TO FINANCE GOVERNMENT SPENDING IS NOT SUSTAINABLE

                                                     

By HAKAINDE HICHILEMA

While on the campaign trail in Mpulungu recently, President Edgar Lungu said that he had no problem with borrowing money to bring development to the people both in rural and urban areas of Zambia. What President Lungu has failed to understand is that if Government manages the economy properly then Zambia does not need to borrow vast sums of money and make large interest payments yearly in order to fund such projects. Furthermore, the current administration has failed to appreciate that if they continue borrowing at the current rate they risk sending the country into a state of economic turmoil.

Unlike sensible governments that prioritise domestic resource mobilisation, the PF has been on a borrowing spree since coming to power in 2011. In 3 years the PF has accumulated the same level of debt that was collected in the previous 27 years. On a recent visit to Zambia the IMF indicated their concern that the Government is unable to generate enough revenue to meet its regular development expenditure. Yet the President has clearly signaled that they will continue their trend. The recent revelations that Government wishes to issue another bond to finance the current debt is grossly worrying, particularly given the limited transparency with which such funds are then spent.

Any government that meets its expenditure by excessively relying on borrowing is guilty of economic mismanagement, and the PF is no exception.

What the PF Government has been telling us:

·      Increased borrowing will raise financing for development;

·      At 32 percent of GDP (US$ 7.9 billion), Zambia’s public debt remains sustainable.

What they are NOT telling us:

·      Government has resorted to excessive borrowing due to fiscal indiscipline. The high level of corruption and lack of transparency in the procurement of road projects and other unplanned infrastructure projects has bloated Government’s expenditure. The failure to broaden the tax base, the under-collection of corporate income taxes, especially from the mines, and the underperformance of domestic VAT have all resulted in lower revenues. Therefore, Government continues to spend more money than it can generate, leading to a high fiscal deficit. The fiscal deficit which was just 1.8 percent of GDP in 2011 peaked at  6.7 percent of GDP by 2013, and 5.2 percent in 2014. To finance the deficit, Government has resorted to heavy borrowing.

No Zambian attacked in xenophobia wave - Embassy

THE Zambian High Commission to South Africa has maintained that no Zambian has been brutally murdered in the on-going xenophobic attacks that erupted a fortnight ago in that country.

And Zambians living in South Africa have praised government for being proactive and showing concern for its citizens during the xenophobic attacks against foreign nationals.

In a statement released to ZANIS in Lusaka by First Secretary for Press Nicky Shabolyo, the Zambian High Commission has established that no Zambian has been caught up in the attacks and killings.

Mr Shabolyo said the High Commission was made aware during meetings in Durban between Zambians resident in the city and embassy officials that no Zambian in Durban or other parts of South Africa that had been either injured or burnt to death in the xenophobic attacks.

The Mission officials told Zambians in Durban that President Edgar Lungu was concerned with their safety and has taken a personal interest in the matter and is constantly in touch with the High Commission.

And Vice President of Tiyende Pamodzi Zambia Association Mulenga Chilufya said the members were impressed with government’s timely intervention to send its officials to Durban to assess the situation.

“It is indeed gratifying that officials from the High Commission have been brave enough to come to Durban to check on us even with these reports of violence. We are indeed grateful to our government,” said Chilufya.

Tiyende Pamodzi Zambia Association is an organisation of Zambians living in Durban and looks after the interests of Zambians living in that city and other parts of South Africa.

Mr Shabolyo further said that the Zambian mission established that no Zambian is in a situation that would warrant evacuation by government following the attacks on foreign nationals.

He said a check at temporary camps where foreigners who have fled the violence are being kept by South African authorities revealed that there were no Zambians who have gone there to seek refuge.

The delegation from the mission comprised Zambia’s Deputy High Commissioner to South Africa, Joe Kaunda, First Secretary for Political Affairs, Josephat Sakala, First Secretary for Immigration, Joyce Chimalilo and First Secretary for Press & Public Relations, Mr. Nicky Shabolyo.   

Brazilian company plans to set up military gear plant in Zambia

 DISCUSSIONS are underway between the Zambian government and Shacman, a renowned Brazilian firm to set up a military equipment assembling plant in the country.

 Deputy Minister of Defence Christopher Mulenga disclosed that the Brazilian firm has requested to come to Zambia in June this year to further explore possibilities of putting up a plant.

 Mr. Mulenga said this after a meeting with Shacman Chief Executive Officer Reinaldo Reis Vieira and his delegation in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil yesterday.

 The meeting was facilitated by Zambia’s Ambassador to the Federative Republic of Brazil, Cynthia Jangulo.

 Mr. Mulenga is in Brazil where he is attending the tenth Latin American Agribusiness Development Corporation (LAAD) exhibition on defence and security.

 This is according to a statement issued to ZANIS in Lusaka today by First Secretary for Press at the Zambian Embassy in Brazil, Patson Chilemba.

 He explained that the plant will be assembling the troop carrier and other vehicles related to transportation in the defence and security wings.

 Mr. Mulenga said the development has come at the right time when Zambia is facing a challenge of troop carrier vehicles.

 And Mr. Mulenga said Shacman considered it appropriate to invest in Zambia because of her political stability and security.

 He said Zambia will also act as a supplier of the military equipment to the rest of the region.

 He said the company was quite advanced as it supplied most of its goods to several countries across the globe, including the United States of America (USA), Britain, Saudi Arabia, with African interests in Ghana, Namibia and many other countries.

 Mr. Mulenga also held various bilateral meetings with other companies that expressed hope to invest in Zambia, including Embraer, which manufactures commercial, military and cargo planes.

National soccer teams disappoint government

GOVERNMENT is disappointed with the performance of various national soccer teams.
Minister of Youth and Sport Vincent Mwale said in an interview with journalists at his office in Lusaka yesterday that the nosedive is worrying.
Mwale said Government has put logistics in place to ensure that soccer standards thrive.
“I do not know what the problem is but I think the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) would know better because we have created a conducive environment for sports,” he said.
Mwale said it is unfortunate that the country ,which is a footballing nation, is not performing to expectation at the international level.
On Sunday, the under-23 lost 1-2 to Nigeria in the 2015 Congo Brazzaville All-Africa Games qualifier in Lusaka while the national women’s team failed to qualify for the Brazzaville finals after going down 6-5 on aggregate to Tanzania.
The Chipolopolo, under-20 and under-17 teams were eliminated in the group stages at the 2015 Equatorial Guinea Africa Cup of Nations, Senegal Africa Youth and Niger Africa Junior Championships, respectively.
And Mwale said his ministry has received a budget from FAZ over the engagement of the national team coach.
“The amount is substantial and as a ministry we do not run the treasury.  So we have to make wide consultations before any decision can be made,” he said.
Mwale said Government does not want the Dario Bonetti saga to repeat itself.
Last month, Government released US$421, 670 as compensation for former national team coach Bonetti.
Bonetti was dismissed on October 10, 2011, two days after guiding the Chipolopolo to the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations finals, where Zambia triumphed.
He took the matter to FIFA, who ruled that he must be paid his dues. Zambia Daily Mail

ZP traffic section remains intact

                                                                                                                                                                  HOME Affairs deputy minister Colonel   Panji Kaunda has said government has no plans of disbanding the Zambia Police Service traffic section.

Colonel Kaunda said the Zambia  Police traffic section is an important department and that it will continue operating its national duties as prescribed by the law.

The Deputy Minister revealed the development to the Zambia News and Information Services(ZANIS) in an interview in Lusaka today.

Col. Kaunda said the Zambia Police Service traffic section will continue working tirelessly  and closely with the Road Transport and Safety Agency(RTSA) in regulating the road sector in the nation.

He said what was needed is for the traffic section to re-organise itself to ensure that it serves the road users to their satisfaction.

Col. Kaunda said the issue of the Zambia Police traffic section is a management issue which will be dealt with in the shortest possible time.

He explained that government was doing everything possible to root out corruption in the Zambia Police traffic section in order to bring sanity.

Col. Kaunda said the few corrupt individuals at the ZP Traffic Section will be flashed out of the service because they are there to serve the people of Zambia professionally.

Some concerned stakeholders have been advocating for the disbandment of the ZP Traffic section so that the mandate remained with RTSA which is viewed to be discharging its duties professionally to regulate the road sector.