1747-23-07/07/24

No 1774 K15 www.diggers.news Wednesday July 10, 2024

Game on, says Lungu as ConCourt rules against him

WE NEVER SOLD
Story on Page 2

KCM,
workers
unions

MAIZE - VEEP
sign 20%
V
By Angela Muchinshi
ICE-President Mutale
Nalumango says the UPND

pay rise
government did not export
any maize, but only sold it to local
millers who later exported the

agreement
commodity to other countries.
The Vice-President has further
disclosed that the government has
so far received over $500 million in
drought support from different donors Story on Page 10
and other stakeholders.

It was private dealers who exported

Story on Page 6

ZRA sets Sept 30

as Smart Invoice
penalty deadline
T
By Philip Chisalu three-month grace period
HE Zambia Revenue before enforcing penalties
Authority (ZRA) for non-compliance with
has granted VAT- the mandatory use of Smart
registered taxpayers a Invoice.
Story on Page 5

Jay Jay recording

should be played
1744-14-31/07/24

in full - Kawana
Story on Page 2
1744-23-31/07/2
2. Local News
H Game on, says Lungu as ConCourt declines to
By Taonga Tembo
UNDREDS of police
officers were deployed
around the High Court
grounds yesterday to prevent
PF supporters and cadres from
offering solidarity to former
president Edgar Lungu.
And the Constitutional
Court has dismissed Lungu’s
preliminary issue to dismiss the
matter commenced by a youth
activist, challenging his eligibility
to contest future elections.
On the other hand, Lungu
told journalists and sympathisers
that, “we are still in court, game
on”.
In this matter, Michelo
Chizombe wants a declaration
that Lungu is not eligible to
contest any future presidential
elections.
DEC seeks forfeiture of over $16,000, K40,000 to
T
By Taonga Tembo
HE Drug Enforcement
Commission (DEC) has
applied to the Economic
and Financial Crimes Court,
High Court Division, to forfeit
US$16,993.77 and K40,304.41
in two bank accounts
domiciled at Indo Zambia
Bank to the state.
In an affidavit in support of
the originating notice of motion
for an application for a forfeiture
order, DEC Chief Investigations
Officer Hussein Khan stated
We’ve seen people who were outspoken go mute
once given positions, food – Fr Munungwe
C
By Mwenya Mofya
ATHOLIC Priest Fr
Charles Munungwe
says some people who
claimed to speak for the poor
have gone mute after being
given positions and food.
Delivering his homily,
Tuesday, Fr Munungwe said this
did not mean that those who
stopped speaking for the poor
were possessed, but rather that
they had found what they were
lacking.
“Jesus is able to heal, to
liberate and to save us. In the
time of Jesus in this history,
there was this man who was
mute, possessed. Because of the
demon, he couldn’t speak. So
when you find your neighbour
not speaking, you say they are
possessed. In today’s world, not
all of our friends are possessed
because they don’t speak. So get
me and get the scripture very
well. It is a miracle that Jesus
is performing. Today’s world
is different. Our neighbours,
friends, relatives are mute.
They don’t speak because of
so many circumstances. We
have seen people that were
talking, speaking, claiming to be
speaking for poor people, once
given positions, once given food,
they go mute. They stop talking.
Are they possessed? No. They are
just eating,” he said.
“When they are given
employment, before they
were talking. ‘No there’s
no employment, we need
employment’. They are given
employment, they go mute. Are
they possessed? No. They have
just found what was missing and
lacking. So as you go out, please,
if you find them quiet, leave
them because they have found
food. You have seen people,
those that were shouting ‘no
people are suffering’. Once you
give them positions, they stop
talking, speaking for people.
They are eating. So they are not
possessed”.
Fr Munungwe said certain
people had stopped speaking out
dismiss petition challenging his eligibility
Chizombe, who also cited
ECZ and the Attorney General
as respondents, also wants the
court to declare that Lungu’s
participation in the August
2021 general elections was
unconstitutional.
Lungu had raised preliminary
issues, arguing that the court had
already pronounced itself three
times on the same matter.
He further wanted the court
to determine whether the petition
would be deemed an abuse of the
the state
that the commission seized the
money in the two bank accounts
on May 6, 2004.
Khan stated that following
the seizure, no one claimed
the seized property, and it
remained unclaimed for three
months after placing adverts in
the national newspaper and the
government gazette.
“On May 6, 2004, the Drug
Enforcement Commission
(DEC) seized money suspected
of being proceeds of crime
and held in two separate bank
because they were hungry.
“Some of our children,
relatives, neighbours, some it’s
due to some circumstances.
They were somewhere unfairly
judged, treated and they have
realised that this world is not
fair. People are not fair and they
are mute. They can’t speak. They
are just being tormented inside
themselves and they cannot
speak. Some it’s because of
sicknesses. They have realised
that they have encountered a
dangerous sickness. They have
just realised that they have a
dangerous sickness and they are
mute. They can’t speak. Are they
possessed? No. So as you go out
there, don’t make mistakes when
you see people quiet. Some are
hungry. They haven’t eaten so
they keep quiet. You find them
M
By Mwenya Mofya
INISTRY of
Information and
Media Permanent
Secretary Thabo Kawana says
Petauke Independent member
of parliament Emmanuel Jay
Banda wanted a plea bargain in
exchange of the truth regarding
his alleged abduction.
And Kawana says Banda
has actually sent him a message
indicating that he did not leak
the “altered” recordings which
have gone viral on social media,
but he gave them to someone for
safekeeping.
On the other hand, Home
Affairs Permanent Secretary
Dickson Matembo says
those calling for his arrest or
resignation must produce facts
warranting such a decision.
Recently, a conversation
leaked in which Kawana and
Matembo were heard asking
Banda to refute ever naming
anyone involved in his abduction.
But addressing a media
briefing, Tuesday, Kawana said
Banda invited him in order to
ask for help.
“We didn’t go to Jay Jay
www.diggers. news
court process considering that
the arguments presented in the
petition could have reasonably
been raised at an earlier stage
within the legal proceedings.
Lungu also wanted the court
to determine whether it lacked
jurisdiction as it was functus
officio, having already made a
pronouncement on the matter
before.
In a ruling read by Justice
Mudford Mwandenga on behalf
of Justices Margaret Munalula,
accounts domiciled at Indo
Zambia bank. That following
the seizure and considering that
no claim for the seized property
was made by any person, DEC
caused adverts to be placed in
one national newspaper and
the government gazette on
February 9, 2024 to the effect
that the seized property would
vest in the state if it remained
unclaimed within three months
from the date of the adverts,”
stated Khan.
“That after the adverts
seated and they haven’t eaten,
you want to provoke them, you’ll
be beaten. So descend before you
accuse someone,” he said.
Fr Munungwe added that
certain people were quiet in the
name of peace.
“Even us sometimes we
keep quiet in the name of peace.
You keep quiet, you don’t speak.
You know those in authority
sometimes, Jesus is saying in the
gospel, we need labourers. Some
have become bosses, dictators,
supervisors. And where you are
when you realise that you are
under them, you keep quiet for
peace. Are you possessed? No. So
sometimes when you see people
quiet, they are not possessed. So
in this gospel, we find this man
who was possessed and Jesus
performs this miracle and heals
Jay Jay wanted a plea bargain in
exchange for the truth – Kawana
uninvited. We didn’t take
ourselves to go and see
Honourable Jay Banda uninvited.
I was called by Honourable Jay
Banda and his ‘father’ Chief
Mumbi of Petauke. The whole
gist of the story is that Jay Jay
stated that he wanted to put in
a plea bargain in exchange of
the truth over what happened of
the so-called abduction. [That]
we should sign an MoU with his
sister, who is a lawyer, her name
is Lenny and another lawyer [I
don’t know] if he’s [Kennedy]
Mambwe, stating that if he tells
the truth, all the charges against
him will be dropped. For which
we stated in no uncertain terms
that he was not in a position to
ask for such,” he said.
“He was obligated to tell the
truth as to what transpired. Was
he abducted or not? Clearly, he
Arnold Shilimi, Palan Mulonda,
Anne Sitali, Mugeni Mulenga,
Martin Musaluke, Mathew
Chisunka, Judy Mulongoti, Maria
Kawimbe and Kenneth Mulife,
the court dismissed Lungu’s
preliminary issues, stating that
the issues raised in the petition
must be allowed to be addressed
on the merits at trial.
The court, therefore, sent the
matter to a single judge in order
to schedule the case for hearing.
“We have set out the
were published, DEC did not
receive any claim for the seized
property within the stipulated
period of three months. I
have been duly advised by my
advocates on record and verily
believe the same to be true,
that this is a proper matter in
which the High Court for the
judicature of Zambia can grant
a forfeiture order with regard to
the seized property”.
them and liberates them,” said Fr
Munungwe.
“Many people appreciated
Jesus. They marveled at this
miracle, but we’re told there came
these people called the Pharisees.
And they have just accused
Jesus saying the miracle he has
performed had done it by the
power of demons. He is the devil’s
messenger. He’s being used by
the devil to perform this instead
of appreciating and thanking
God for this great miracle.
Seeing the friend being liberated,
given another opportunity to
talk, speak, they accuse Jesus of
being possessed. We have them
in our lives. Neighbours, family
members, relatives, friends who
will never say good things about
things. They will never thank
you, they are Pharisees”.
was not. So in our discussion,
we brought it to his attention
that innocent people are being
mentioned. State House staff
are being mentioned. To which
he said I am not the one who
mentioned these people, it is my
lawyer. That’s why I was saying to
him that you need to speak to the
press, you need to disown this
play that you were abducted by
State House officials. To which
he was prepared to do that and
tell the truth to what transpired
but in exchange of us dropping
the charges and in doing so, we
needed to sign an MoU. So we
refused and that was our point of
departure”.
And Kawana said Banda
had told him that he did not leak
the audio and that he gave it to
“them for safekeeping”.
“At the hospital, Jay Jay’s
first respondent’s response in
his answer to the petition in
paragraph 7.4 to demonstrate
that the issues raised in that
answer mirror the issues which
the first respondent has raised
in the notice of motion for our
determination as preliminary
issues under Order 14A of the
White Book. While the court
has power, at any stage of the
proceedings, to determine
any question of law arising in
a cause or matter, the court
may only do so if it is satisfied
that such question is suitable
for determination under the
procedure provided for in Order
14A of the White Book without a
full trial of the action. The courts
will not do so where the courts of
law to be determined are highly
contested and are more suitable
for determination at trial,” read
the ruling in part.
“In other words, the decision
whether or not the court will
determine the cause or matter
on a point of law under the
summary procedure provided
for in Order 14A of the White
Book is informed by the nature of
the question or the action taken
by the parties in this case, both
in the main matter and in the
notice of motion. Our view is that
while this court has the power to
determine the matter on a point
of law in an appropriate case
pursuant to Order 14A of the
White Book, the issues raised in
the petition are not suitable for
determination on a point of law
Former president Edgar Lungu speaking to the press shortly after the
Constitutional Court dismissed his preliminary issue to dismiss the
petition challenging his eligibility at the Supreme Court in Lusaka
yesterday-Picture By Chongo Sampa
family, himself, the brother,
sister and all the three wives were
begging that Jay Jay shouldn’t
be released from Maina Soko
Military Hospital because that’s
the only place he was safe. He
said ‘I’m not safe out there
because I’ve wronged people. I’m
safer here, there’s security’. But
you go on the floor of the House
where Honourable Binwell
Mpundu was saying that Jay Jay
Banda is being held against his
will in hospital. Our going to see
Jay Jay was in good faith because
a brother reached out. Even
when we went there to see him,
our discussion with him was
equally in good faith,” he said.
“We only urged him to tell
the truth and also maybe he
could realise that these people
are using you. Right now, they
are in bed with their families
Wednesday July 10, 2024
under the procedure set out in
that Order. The issues raised in
the petition must therefore be
allowed to be addressed on the
merits at trial. For that reason,
the notice of motion is dismissed.
The matter is sent back to a single
judge to schedule the petition
for hearing. Each party will bear
their respective costs”.
Earlier, police officers
thronged the High Court
premises to ensure tight security
during the proceedings and to
deter PF cadres from entering the
court premises.
Security personnel screened
individuals entering the High
Court grounds and even went as
far as stopping some PF officials
from proceeding into the court
premises.
Inside the Supreme Court
building, judiciary staff screened
attendees’ bags and belongings.
Due to the heavy police
presence, there were no cadres
seen outside the High Court
grounds.
When asked to comment on
the ruling, Lungu said the matter
was still in court.
“We are still in court. It’s
game on eh,” said Lungu.
Lungu was escorted to
court by his wife, Esther,
Raphael Nakacinda, Given
Lubinda, Emmanuel Mwamba,
Chilando Chitangala, Zumani
Zimba, Elizabeth Phiri, Richard
Musukwa, Joseph Malanji, Jean
Kapata, Professor Nkandu Luo,
among others.
and children but you’re away
from your young children and
three wives. How does it help?
Even now as we speak, Jay Jay
has sent a message that ‘I’m not
the one who released that audio.
Me I only gave it to them for
safe keeping’. So even if he gave
it to them for safe keeping and
it has been released, who will be
reported for recording people
without authority? It’s an offence
to do so. It’s himself again being
used. He keeps getting deeper
into problems”.
Kawana challenged those
in possession of the entire
recording to release it in its
entirety.
“These people reached out
to us to ask for help. Then we go,
have discussions and then they
do this to us?...
Continues on P6
Wednesday July 10, 2024 www.diggers.news Local News/ Advert .3

Our mealie meal is cheaper, other

countries are selling it at K2,000
L - Govt
By Mwiche Nalwimba assignment, I am competent amount of work in exchange
OCAL Government enough to talk about it because for cash in order for them to
and Rural Development the money was allocated to the buy food. Is that political? That
Minister Gary Nkombo ministry I am privileged to run, is innovation, that is ingenuity
says mealie meal is cheaper for our citizens to participate and so really maybe we haven’t the high cost of living which
in Zambia compared to instead of just giving them done well in communicating has been exacerbated now by
some neighbouring countries free food. They do a similar what our strategy is regarding the drought”. Gary Nkombo
which are selling a 25kg bag at
K2,000.
The Catholic Church
recently urged government
to find real and pragmatic
solutions to the prevailing dire
economic situation, instead of
engaging itself in blame games
and politicking.
Commenting on this in an
interview, Tuesday, Nkombo
said the cost of living in Zambia
should also be compared to
that of neighbouring countries.
“I was in Livingstone last
weekend, go to Livingstone
and find out how much a bag
of mealie meal cost across at
Victoria Falls town. We are
selling mealie meal, and I am
not justifying, we are selling
mealie meal here in between
K230 and K300 [but] just
across a bag of mealie meal is
about K2,000, the same 25kg
bag. So, the cost of living
here in Zambia must also be
compared to the cost of living
with our neighbours, all of
them. And then someone can
come to the table and say, ‘okay,
where is the problem now, why
are we not matching up to our
neighbours’? You will see that
the cost of the staple food in
Zambia is still at its lowest even
if the cost of living is agreed
that it’s high in our country,”
he said.
Nkombo, however, said
government was addressing
the cost of living by, among
other measures, readjusting the
national budget.
“We are addressing the
cost of living in case you
want me to tell you now. The
programme that we have
mated out following the
President’s declaration that
we are in a crisis, a calamity,
an act of God that is arising
from lack of rain and hence
no productivity of food, we
have readjusted the budget.
Just the idea of readjusting
the budget is a response, and
there is absolutely nothing
political about adjusting the
budget in order to suspend or
put aside certain of the agreed
expenditure. At the time when
we were creating the Zambian
budget in October to December
last year, we didn’t foresee this
whole thing, so there are a lot
of expenditure cuts on the 2025
budget whose resource are
being directed to find food. The
President has said it first of all
that it is his wish, and his wish
has been translated into action
that no Zambian person dies
out of hunger,” said Nkombo.
“Let me tell you now...
the people in rural areas,
1754-03-15/07/24

especially the 84 districts

that have been hit hard by
the drought, there is a social
cash transfer [programme]
that has been enhanced and
is that politicking? No. There
is food for work and there is
also cash for work, now is that
politicking? For the first time
we are doing cash for work
programme where people
especially those of us who live
in the city are given the privilege
to do work. And this particular
4. Local News / Advert www.diggers. news Wednesday July 10, 2024

Zesco in “self load-shedding” agreement with Mazabuka farmers

Z
By Philip Chisalu
ESCO says the self-
power rationing by
some Mazabuka farmers
which started over a month
ago is working very well.
In an interview, Zesco
Southern and Western Senior
Regional Manager Given Monde
disclosed that the power utility
had agreed with some farmers
in Nega Nega for them to be
switching off their equipment at
08:30 hours and power them up
at 20:00 hours.
“Load-shedding or power
rationing is not a new thing to
the Zambians, now they already
know so we may not dwell too
much on what causes that but
we want to focus more on the
solutions. The challenge, we
already know but then what
are [we] supposed to do as
Zambians [or] as customers to
Zesco? So, there are a lot of short
term, medium term and long-
term solutions Zesco is putting
[in place]. Those have been
communicated already to the
nation; in the short term, we are
talking about power rationing
but we want to migrate and
make customers understand
that power rationing is not
about being in the dark, it is
about controlling the energy
quantum that we use so that
we are able to manage the
that peak is about 18:00 [hours]
to 20:30 [hours], during that
period we reduce the load shed
ourselves, there can never be a
situation where someone will
switch off power completely,
we will be able to manage the
rationing ourselves which is

There’ll be no elections in
load as customers, I will give very cardinal”.

P
By Precious Daka an example, in Mazabuka we Monde encouraged citizens
F faction Secretary have a line in Nega Nega where to also load-shed themselves.
General Raphael Zesco and farmers have agreed “As we are running lower

2026 without Lungu on the

Nakacinda says there for the farmers themselves to in our primary energy, it’s very
will be no elections in 2026 be switching off their energy important that as citizens, as
without former president appliances so that they do power customers for Zesco, we do
Edgar Lungu on the ballot rationing on their own. This is power rationing on ourselves

paper.
Addressing scores of PF
supporters who gathered at
their secretariat after they were
blocked from attending Lungu’s
eligibility case hearing at the
Supreme Court, Nakacinda said
2026 polls wouldn’t proceed
without the former head of state
on the ballot.
“Firstly, I want to thank you
all, even though they brought
the police to the court premises,
because you didn’t want to make
our newly recruited children
to suffer, you decided to move
ballot – Nakacinda
peacefully to our secretariat
so that you should not cause
confusion at the court premises.
This is because Hakainde
Hichilema wants to create a
picture that the PF is violent.
But we are now telling him
this as the Secretary General
of the PF party, from today
onwards, Hakainde Hichilema
and those at the courts should
know that in 2026, without
Edgar Lungu on the ballot, there
will be no elections. No Edgar,
no elections. This is just the
beginning of the fight,” he said.
Meanwhile, Nakacinda
said every Friday of the week,
PF members countrywide shall
be wearing black attires as a
form of protest against current
economic hardships.
“Because our nation has
been destroyed, as a form of
protest, we will start wearing
Mwiimbu challenges Lungu to step down
black outfits every Friday.
Because our economy is dead,
and the price of mealie meal
has also died, all the things are
really bad, from today onwards,
we will be dressed in black an
indication that we are not happy
with the current situation,” said
Nakacinda.
almost over a month now and
that has worked very well,” he
said.
“So, 8:30 [hours], they will
switch off their own pivots, at 8
PM in the night, they will switch
on and Zesco monitors from
a central place to see that this
is really done and it is working
out very well. There is no delay
in switching off so my message
in that dimension is that as
Zambians, if we understand
and it will work very well for
everyone. There are other
initiatives like we have brought
in some partners who are
dealing in renewable energy
and also other sources of energy,
to partner with us so that we
fight this from different fronts.
For example, we encourage
customers to use gas stoves and
also to use solar to generate their
energy and use it in the absence
of Zesco supply,” said Monde.

H
By Precious Daka
OME Affairs and
Internal Security
Minister Jack
Mwiimbu has challenged
Edgar Lungu to emulate
former UK prime minister
Rishi Sunak by stepping down
and allowing others to lead the
Patriotic Front.
Recently, Rishi Sunak
resigned as prime minister and
Conservative Party leader after
losing to Keir Starmer’s Labour
Party.
And in a Facebook Post,
Saturday, Lungu congratulated
the newly elected UK’s prime
minister, adding that lessons
should be learnt from the UK
election and that people should
be allowed to exercise their
rights when they call for change
and should not be arrested or
ejected from Parliament.
But commenting on this
in an interview, Monday,
Mwiimbu challenged Lungu to
emulate Sunak if he believed in
democracy.
“I also want to state that
as he congratulates the prime
minister of the UK, he should
realise that in the UK, once you
lose elections, you step down.
You also step down as the
leader of a political party that
made you lose the elections as
another person assumes office.
And if he is democratic himself
as he claims to be, he should
no citizen would be arrested
for calling for a change of
government legally.
“I want to confirm that no
one will be arrested for calling
for change of government
legally and in accordance with
the laws of Zambia. No one
will be arrested if those who
are agitating for change of
government comply with the
laws of this country. The laws of
this country are totally different
from the laws obtained in the
UK. In Zambia, there are specific

NHIMA shouldn’t blame health workers for

step down and allow another terms for office bearers. Once
person to assume office. As you you are elected, you have the
have noted in the UK, Sunak right to serve for a term of five
has resigned from being prime years until the next elections.

their inadequate service delivery – ZMA

minister and he wants another
person to lead the Conservative
Party. He will not continue
being [the] leader. He should
emulate him because he claims
Unless the sitting President, out
of his own volition, decides to
dissolve parliament and call for
fresh elections. Other than that,
no elections can be held before

T
By Mwenya Mofya that there are such incidences, investigate so that we put an to the service demand based to believe in democracy,” he the term of office expires. The
HE Zambia Medical we urge them to investigate end to these allegations, as that on the burden in the country,” said. law is very clear on that,” said
Association says as it is part of the things that is what they are at the moment said Dr Kaoma. Meanwhile, Mwiimbu said Mwiimbu.
the National Health we’re calling for as a means because we don’t have anyone

Zambian Women 2026

Insurance Management
Authority must not blame
health workers for their
inadequate service delivery in
accredited health facilities.
On Sunday, NHIMA
Director General Micheal
Njapau said the authority was
investigating some doctors and
nurses in government hospitals
who were issuing prescriptions
and directing patients to
purchase drugs from private
facilities at a hiked amount.
But in an interview, ZMA
Secretary General Dr Oliver
Kaoma urged NHIMA to
expedite their investigations
in order to put an end to such
allegations.
Dr Kaoma said no member
of the association had been
prosecuted and found guilty for
fraud.
“Stories or allegations of
referrals being made to private
entities, these have been in the
corridors, but nobody has been
prosecuted. As an association,
we’re not in support of our
member of the association that
would be found guilty by law
enforcement authorities. We’re
pro-professionalism, we’re pro-
ethical conduct and our oath
speaks to ensuring that we
protect the patient. Everything
that we do must be in the interest
of the patient. Therefore, the
comment by the NHIMA DG
of ensuring sustainability. So,
let them investigate and leave
this blame game of saying
the scheme is not operating
correctly because of A,B,C,D,
[Or] because of health care
workers doing A,B,C,D. Let us
find those health care workers
who are doing that so that we
put an end to that,” he said.
“In addition, we urge the
authority to work extremely
hard in ensuring that private
entities that have a tendency
of increasing prices of
commodities are controlled and
ensure that price management
is effected. There’s no way
we’re going to say that a
drug in the public sector, for
instance Nifedipine will cost
K20 then somebody goes to a
private sector and you find it
at K80. What is the basis for
that variation? The authority
needs to take into account and
question those institutions that
have huge variations in prices
of drugs. What we believe is
that certain services have a
standard way of being provided
and the cost implications of
those services being provided
may not vary so much, given
that the private sector may
serve different patient brackets,
but there are certain services
that should be uniform. That is
why we as an association want
to reiterate that let the authority
who has been prosecuted and
found guilty”.
Dr Kaoma said NHIMA
needed to ensure that whatever
claims they paid for were
commensurate of the services
which people were receiving.
“NHIMA is a very
important vehicle as far as
attainment of universal health
coverage is concerned in
the country. We must make
sure that we put in place
measures that will ensure its
sustainability. This includes
ensuring that all vitals of
exploitation of the scheme; both
in the public or private sector,
or be it the public providers or
private sector providers, must
be clipped. Earlier in the month
when NHIMA was moved to
the Ministry of Health from the
Ministry of Labour, we did make
a comment as Zambia Medical
Association urging the National
Health Insurance Management
Authority to step up their
game in terms of ensuring that
all the claims that they pay
are commensurate with the
services that people receive on
the ground. Secondly, we urged
the authority to ensure that
they put in place monitoring
mechanisms that will ensure
that the service utilisation
statistics [are tracked]. We also
urge them to develop data that
will back the claims compared
To each and every peace loving and
patriotic Zambian, men, women and the
youth, but especially the Zambian Women,
all of us with whatever is our station in life.
We the Zambia Women 2026 movement
are putting the country on notice. We
shall not support any man for elected
office! We are no longer going to be cheer
leaders, dancing or singing slogans of
support. We are done with escorting men
to power. We are done with being part of
movements which in the end only serve
the greed of men for power. We are done
with deputizing for men! We are no longer
applauding the tokenism of having a female
Vice-President with no real power!
Bana mayo, take a moment and really
think things through. Ask yourself the
question, what have these male leaders
done for you? or the nation at large? Can
you honestly say you have been and are
being represented? Have your interests
been taken care of? Do you have a voice?
Are you even been heard? Have you heard
any Member of Parliament or politician talk
about the plight of women? The answer
for us Zambia Women 2026 is a resounding
NO.
We are angry and feel betrayed with the
men we have been successfully putting in
power. They are in it only for themselves,
for their egos and obsession with wealth
and power. They are not in it for service!
Witness where we are today? A nation
in crisis? We are currently amid a very
severe drought considered to be the worst
in at least two decades. The drought has
unleashed hardship untold on us as a nation.
Most of us women are in the informal
sector with survivalist economic activity.
The load shedding has robbed us of the
little income we made to feed our children
We are witnessing poverty and the
suffering of the masses as we have never
witnessed before. Children stunted from
malnutrition, dropping out of school, street
children everywhere and yes children dying
needlessly and of neglect.
What are the so-called male leaders
doing during this?........ boasting and
Scrambling for power! Fighting each other
for positions, power and wealth. GREED is
the word. The only thing they care about
is themselves!!!!! Not us or our children.
Themselves! Nothing to do with solving our
crisis as a nation. Nothing, Nada.
So, ask yourself, are they deserving of
your vote? Be honest with yourselves.
Are they serving our interests? Who is
benefiting from all this? Only themselves.
Now is the time for the Julia Chikamoneka
spirit. It is time for ACTION. Enough
already!
Shibukeni bana mayo.
Watch this space.
Zambia Women 2026.
1754-03-15/07/24
Wednesday July 10, 2024 www.diggers.news Local News .5

T ZRA gives businesses until Sept

By Philip Chisalu non-filers. So meaning that
HE Zambia Revenue over 50 percent. We also had
Authority (ZRA) has a challenge of VAT frauds
granted VAT-registered where we are seated here, we

30 to migrate to Smart invoicing

taxpayers a three-month
grace period before enforcing
penalties for non-compliance
with the mandatory use of
Smart Invoice.
ZRA Commissioner
General Dingani Banda has
disclosed that so far, a total of
12,415 taxpayers have been
onboarded onto the Smart
Invoice system.
Smart Invoice is a software-
based electronic invoicing
solution that taxpayers use to
manage their invoices. The
Authority started piloting the
project in December last year
and officially launched it on
March 19, 2024.
At a media briefing,
Monday, Banda said July 1,
2024 remained the deadline
for taxpayers’ migration to the
Smart Invoice system.
“In terms of the way forward,
we issued the deadline of 1st July
2024. I would like to inform you
that the deadline of 1st July 2024
in terms of compliance that was
issued by ZRA, that deadline
still stands. 1st July, VAT
registered taxpayers you are all
expected to have migrated to the
Smart Invoice. However, taking
into account the issues that the
project manager has indicated
and the many letters and emails,
by the way I am part of the
mailing list that you send emails
to for the Smart Invoice. I read
those things, I can see also a lot
of letters, ‘please extend’ and so
forth, we have heard you as our
stakeholders. We are saying we
are into this project together,
let’s move as a team together.
When you have a problem, you
complain to us, we also have to
listen to you and see how best
we [can] move forward. So what
we have decided to do is that
we granted the grace period
for enforcement of penalties
relating to non-compliance with
the mandatory use of Smart
Invoice. This grace period will
be in effect from July 1, 2024 to
September 30, 2024,” he said.
Banda disclosed that so
Dingani Banda
far, 12,415 taxpayers had been
onboarded onto the Smart
Invoice system.
“I would like to inform you
our taxpayers and the general
nation that a total of 12,415
taxpayers were onboarded on
Smart Invoice as at 4th July. These
taxpayers during this period
transmitted invoices which were
195,438 and the value of the
invoices transmitted, and please
attention, I am not saying the
tax collected, I am saying the
value of the invoices that were
transmitted was about K7.2
billion. In terms of the amount
of taxes that are expected it’s
about K416.8 million. That has
been the progress of the Smart
Invoice from the time we started
the pilot in December up to 4th
July 2024,” he said.
“We have said that we have a
total VAT population of 21,179.
The total estimated inactive
population, these are taxpayers
that are registered for VAT but
they are inactive, that’s 13,076.
You can see that 60 percent of
our VAT population is inactive.
That’s not a good status for the
country. The active population
there are only 8,103 out of the
21,179 VAT registered. And out
of this inactive population, we
have brought on Smart Invoice
6,947, which is 85.73 percent”.
Banda expressed optimism
that the measures the authority
was implementing would make
it difficult for people to evade
tax.
He added that the Smart
Invoice system would also
make it difficult for ZRA staff to
engage in corrupt activities.
“We are saying we are going
to be a data driven institution,
in short ZRA will be connected
in the ecosystem. Wherever
a transaction involving tax is
involved, just know ZRA will
be there, and we will have the
information in advance before
you even file your return. Can
you imagine this 7 billion plus
we already have the information,
we know who bought what and
from who and when. Do you
think anyone will say they under
declare, do you think that will
be possible? We have data on
imports and exports, now with
improve the Smart Invoice
system.
“Our tax revenue to GDP
is very low as a country. When
you compare with the developed
countries they are around an
average of 33.8 percent. When
you look at Latin America
and the Caribbean, they are at
21.9 percent, Africa average is
around 14 percent. South Africa
is an outlier on the African
continent on average of 23.8
percent, but you can see that
in some periods they can go as
high as 25 percent of revenue to
GDP. Meaning that if we put it to
the Zambian context, for every
K100 that is produced in goods
and services in the economy
for countries like South Africa,
in some instances K25 goes to
the contribution of tax while
Zambia we have been averaging
17.9 percent,” Banda said.
He disclosed that the
authority conducted various
studies that revealed low tax
compliance.
“We did another data
analysis where we asked our
principal the government to
say can you give us the data of
all those who have supplied
goods and services to the
government – how much did
you pay them? They gave us that
Court adjourns Esther’s theft case
due to unavailability of courtroom
with audio facilities
T
By Taonga Tembo
RIAL in the matter in
which former First Lady
Esther Lungu and five
others are charged with theft
could not proceed yesterday
as the courtroom that has
facilities to enable the defence
to play an audio recording
data for a limited period. When
we compared with what they
were paid by the government
compared to what they declared
to ZRA, that’s the period 2019
just to 2022, we found that about
1,251 suppliers are nil suppliers
with total receipts amounting
to 22.9 billion. Government has
paid them but to ZRA they are
what [we call] nil suppliers – I
am not doing any business. We
have also carried out a study, this
is in conjunction with ZIPAR on
rental property where we found
that there were over 600,000
rented properties but we have
only 32,719 that are registered
with ZRA. You can imagine
Lusaka has less than 10,000
landlords registered with ZRA,
is that true? So, we have 600,000
according to the study and this
study was in 2018, so we have all
these huge tax gaps,” said Banda.
“We also went further and
did just basic analysis. We went
to the major mining companies
and said give us data of all your
suppliers and we were given
for a period 2020 to 2023 just a
sample of the mining sector and
we analysed 3,054 taxpayers. We
found that 90 were nil filers, 77
non-filers, then VAT registered
nil filers 378, non-filers 256
but the key is that 1,882 were
last sitting, the defence said
they would like an audio to be
played, we are informed that
the courtroom which has such
facilities to enable the said audio
to be played by the defence is not
available. In the circumstances,
are not exchanging any goods
and services, but invoices are
exchanged, one of us comes
and claims VAT refunds – huge
amounts, millions of kwacha
or even if you put it in dollars,
it’s still millions claimed from
ZRA fraudulently. We had 257
cases that we profiled, and we
prosecuted 11 last year and
this was successfully done and
settled administratively on
about 246 of these taxpayers.
So, you can see that we have a
challenge of low compliance, we
have a challenge of a limited tax
base”.
At the same briefing, ZRA
Director for Data Analysis
Yvone Mwanza highlighted
some of the benefits of using
Smart Invoice system.
“Smart invoice allows for
cost saving due to the reduction
of manual data entry and
paperwork associated with
manual invoicing. Electronic
invoicing greatly reduces the
likelihood of errors in tax
calculations and reporting.
It allows ZRA to explore less
intrusive ways of conducting
audits. It is expected to provide
more resources to liquidate
VAT refunds quicker. Provides
an opportunity for ZRA to
interface with systems within
and outside ZRA and allow
an all-government approach
to revenue collection. It also
increases revenue collection for
the country by reducing revenue
leakages,” said Mwanza.
the matter was adjourned,
former president Edgar Lungu
informed former Pambashe
PF MP Ronald Chitotela that
he would be visiting Luapula
Province next week.
“We are going to Luapula

Chabinga apologises Smart Invoice we have data on

local sales and purchases plus
other issues that we are working
during cross examination was
unavailable.
Meanwhile, police
a date has been agreed upon
when this matter can come for
continuation of trial, August 14,
sometime next week. I don’t
know when, but I will give
you details. We might go to

to media houses over

on in the back office. I can’t tell surrounded the Magistrates’ 2024, for continuation of trial, Kawambwa, Samfya, start with
you everything, do you think Court Complex and initially particularly cross examination. that area and expand through
it will be possible for these 60 denied access to some PF All the accused persons are on the SG. Tamwakwata umwenso
bond,” the state submitted. imwe, twalimishiba (you are

liquidation threats
percent non-compliance to members, including faction
continue? It won’t be possible. secretary general Raphael
The whole issue is that I am not Nakacinda.
here to issue threats, I am just However, they were later
The defence did not object not fearful, we know you),” said
to the application. Lungu.
Magistrate Sinvula Earlier, police at the Lusaka

M
By Angela Muchinshi telling you to say this is where allowed entry into the court adjourned the matter to August Magistrates’ Complex denied
AFINGA PF MP Robert Chabinga has apologised to we are going – it will be very premises. 14, 2024, for continuation of entry to Nakacinda, other PF
the media for his remarks threatening to liquidate any difficult for someone to evade This is in a matter in which trial. members and supporters.
media house that gives coverage to Miles Sampa as PF taxes once the ecosystem is laid Esther is jointly charged with “In as much as I would like However, after some time,
president. according to the plan we have James Phiri and Lee Chisulo, for us to make progress in the they were allowed to enter the
The Media Owners Association of Zambia (MOAZ) recently set for ourselves. It will be very both police officers, along with matter, given the position, I will court premises.
condemned Chabinga’s remarks, describing the threats as troubling difficult,” he said. Kapambwe Lungu and Lungu’s allow the matter to be adjourned. Esther was escorted to court
and an affront to press freedom. “And those of us who say, niece Catherine Banda, with Matter is adjourned to August by her husband Lungu, Given
In his written apology, Tuesday, Chabinga, who referred to ‘no I know Dingani at ZRA, theft of a motor vehicle. 14, 2024, for continuation of Lubinda, Raphael Nakacinda,
himself as PF president, stated that his remarks were meant to I will give him a bribe’, I have When the matter came trial,” said Magistrate Sinvula. Jean Kapata, Joseph Malanji,
caution rogue social media platforms that have a tendency to report announced severally that I up for continued cross Speaking shortly after Thomas Sipalo, among others.
falsehoods. don’t take bribes and I expect examination of the first state
“Take notice that upon re-examination of my statement during a everyone working under me not witness, Elizabeth Phiri, before
press briefing that I hosted on Wednesday, 3rd July, 2024, I do hereby to take bribes and that’s what Magistrate Mbuywana Sinvula
unequivocally apologise to you members of the fourth estate. I have we are doing. And the systems yesterday, the state applied
observed that I digressed to deal with a matter that dragged you- the we are putting in place will for an adjournment because
hard working media houses as my opponents and caused you to feel make it even more difficult for the courtroom that would
threatened. As a leader, it is imperative that such identified errors anyone to take bribes. It will be have enabled the defence to
after scrutiny of my conscience, should be clarified or corrected. My very difficult. We are deploying cross examine the witness was
statement was meant to caution individuals behind rogue social media Artificial Intelligence and there unavailable.
platforms that report and take pleasure in falsehoods. Therefore, is a lot of things we are doing The courtroom was being
find here my apology to you that were hurt by my statement,” stated in the background. So it will used by Magistrate Ireen
Chabinga. be very difficult for anyone to Wishimanga in the case where
“I further would like to state that I support the media fraternity get away with that. So the only FDD president Edith Nawakwi
that has worked so hard to disseminate information to the general issue I am appealing to you is is charged with sedition.
public. Furthermore, my statement was intended at warning the our doors are open at ZRA, “The matter was coming
rogue cyber bullying addicts that have ravaged our society and to if you have a problem come, up for continuation of trial,
some extent caused loss of life. It is in that context that I erroneously we are human beings we will cross examination of PW1
attacked you, the hard working noble media or our journalists, understand”. (Elizabeth Phiri). The state
which was not my intention. To the media houses and staff, I remain The ZRA boss appealed to was ready to proceed with the
indebted to you all and look forward to continued interaction as stakeholders to provide feedback same. I am reliably informed
usual”. on how best the authority could that since this matter in the Esther Lungu
6. Local News www.diggers.news Wednesday July 10, 2024

V Govt didn’t export any maize,

By Angela Muchinshi will give us rain in the next
ICE-President Mutale season 2024/2025. Otherwise,
Nalumango says the up to the next season, we have
UPND government did over 10 million people affected.

private dealers did – Nalumango

not export any maize, but only
sold it to local millers who later
exported the commodity to
other countries.
The Vice-President has
further disclosed that the
government has so far received
over $500 million in drought
support from different donors
and other stakeholders.
Speaking during a News
Diggers, Prime TV and
Diamond TV-organised Public
Discussion Forum, Monday,
Vice-President Nalumango said
the maize which was exported
did not belong to government.
“This keeps coming that
we sold maize knowing there
was going to be no rain, no, I
didn’t know that there would be
no rain, I really thought there
would be rain. And that was
the general picture, we believed
the norm would happen. So
maize that was sold was not
government maize, please hear
me, the maize that was sold was
maize which had been given to
FRA for sale, but FRA did not
have the money or government
did not have the money to pay
the farmers. Now this was maize
that was given in 2021. So the
farmers also needed to be paid.
Surely, should we have kept the
maize and not pay the farmers?
It was farmers’ maize which had
not been paid for that was sold.
It was actually sold locally, it was
sold to millers,” she said.
“70 percent of that maize
people keep talking about was
sold to millers so the millers
might have milled it into mealie
meal. No, the government
don’t bring GMO because some
people will plant it. But mealie
meal is not a danger to anybody
but because as Zambians, we
have not reached where we have
accepted”.
And asked which statement
was correct between her
initial statement that they
sold maize in order to pay
farmers and Infrastructure and
Urban Development Minister
Charles Milupi’s statement that
government sold maize due to
lack of storage capacity, Vice
President said both were correct.
“Both statements are correct,
We have no storage capacity to
keep strategic maize for three
years. We don’t have warehouses
for storage, so that’s true. Even
what we were keeping, until
2022 and 2023, the strategic
maize that was being kept was
300,000 metric tonnes. And
even that was not being kept in
storage sheds for FRA, we were
renting. So he was right that
we don’t have, you start renting
from private warehouses. So
he’s right, there wasn’t, but the
issue was there wasn’t maize
for three years because we don’t
have storage to do that,” Vice-
President Nalumango said.
The Vice-President further
said government had so far
received over $500 million in
Vice-President Mutale Nalumango - Picture by Chongo Sampa
drought support.
“The purpose of declaring
a disaster was so that we
can get the support of well
wishers and therefore, we have
seen a response. After the
announcement, stakeholders
took up the responsibility of
drawing up a response plan. It
was necessary that we look at the
people, 6.6 who need support
and what kind of support?
Government did not work alone.
The approach on what is being
called drought response was the
whole of the government and the
whole society came together to
draw up a plan,” Vice-President
Nalumango said.
“The UN family all came in
to help. The private sector was
brought on board to be able to
help, the church was brought on
board so it’s the whole society
that came together. So far, in
both pledges and the actual
disbursed money, we have
received $511,282,088, this is
what what been given, not all
disbursed, some of it is still in
approval form but some of it
has already been disbursed to
us from different cooperating
partners”.
She said the drought
situation was not something to
take lightly.
“The President declared
the drought and the hunger
situation a disaster and it was
very necessary. This year, every
Zambian I believe by now
is aware that almost half the
country has been hit by drought.
Therefore, we have so many
people that must be supported
to go through this time and
believe that God having mercy
But the government must
feed 6.6 million people who
need support and that’s not
something. that you take lightly
if you’re in government and you
know people are looking to you,
that’s why the President declared
this drought a disaster because
it is a disaster,” Vice-President
Nalumango said.
Asked which account was
holding drought response
funds, the Vice-President said
expenditure was done through
different government ministries.
“This government has tried,
if you follow even through
that Auditor General’s report
which is to come now, you will
see that we stick to the plan.
But the recipient, on behalf
of the government is always
the Ministry of Finance. But
the actual disbursement of the
money, when it’s in our hands
is not out in one ministry. The
actual expenditure is done
through different government
ministries and departments. For
example, this money that has
been given for example by the
World Bank, they are very clear
that this money will go to social
cash transfer. We know that
disbursement is done through
the Ministry of Community
Development and Social
Services because they are the
ones with the structure. But it’s
not like it will be heaped there,
it comes through the Ministry
of Finance and it has to be
disbursed in that manner,” said
Vice-President Nalumango.

Jay Jay wanted a plea bargain in

never sold. Remember, if there’s From P2 abducted have a chance to call
any businessman here, they Now it is a whole song, ‘let the wife and give instructions to
can tell us that if they want to them resign, let them be fired’. take clothes to them? On 26th,

exchange for the truth – Kawana

export, they get authority and
the government, through the
Ministry of Agriculture, will give
that authority and this particular
person will buy now and export,
not the government selling
directly, I’m not aware of [that],
So that’s what happened”.
She insisted that the
government never exported any
maize to Tanzania.
“We never as government
exported any maize to Tanzania.
I’ll give you one little thing, we
would hear of people exporting
even when we said no more
export. And some people had
to appeal and appeal, that’s not
For what? For responding to a
brother’s call? Jay Jay and his
family called us for help. So
we were drawn in by himself
and the family. But you want
to create an impression that we
upped and went and the mission
was to go and detach the State
House officials from what was
going on? What are we seeing?
Championing lies. You’ve
forgotten about your fellow
journalist who has been gravely
Cadres will no longer be allowed
assaulted. Someone peeing in
your mouth. How savage can
one be? And today you want to
call such people a hero? Justice
for Jay Jay? What about justice
for the journalist?” he asked.
“There were many things
that were discussed but they
border what is already under
investigation and heading
to court. But I want to dare
whoever has that recording,
play the whole damn thing.
The whole recording, play it.
Then you will hear what Jay Jay
was saying and pleading and
begging. So, whether he decides
to tell the truth or not, it won’t
help him. All the things he’s
doing now won’t help him”.
Asked whether he would
report the matter to the police,
Kawana responded in the
affirmative.
“Of course he will be
reported to the police. He was
already reported to the police
yesterday. Upon conviction,
recording someone without
their authority, you’re liable to
5 years imprisonment. So be
careful,” said Kawana.
Jay Jay reappeared. You’ve never
bothered to ask how well that
house was selected for Jay Jay to
be dumped where he is known
by the owner of the house. The
objective is to bring people that
are not part of the whole saga
because you want to discredit
the government,” said Matembo.
“As a person who’s part of
the nation’s internal security,
we cannot sit and just watch
without updating the nation,
especially that my colleague and
I have been mentioned in that
audio. The meeting was in good
faith but somebody recorded to
twist facts. We challenge those

within all court premises – Police

government selling, we didn’t Meanwhile, Matembo said people to play the whole audio
sell maize to Tanzania, not at those calling for his arrest or since you have it. Don’t edit it
all. Even those who did, most of resignation must produce facts and add spice to give the wrong
them, the 30 percent I’m talking to warrant such decisions. impression. We’ve heard some

about, those who got authority,
sold to Congo. Some could
have sold there but that was not
government that was selling
maize, it was given to business
people who sold it. Congo
needed mealie meal or maize,
we could not sell the maize, but
its business. So there was an
agreement that they could get
mealie meal, not maize from
South Africa which is generic,
they produce a lot of GMO to be
on sale so that you make a little
profit, that’s part of business isn’t
it? And then you sell to Congo.
That’s what was agreed on, not
our maize,” Vice-President said.
“I remember people stole
some of the mealie meal and
people were worried to say ‘now
you see’. I said no, the issue of
GMO is not consumption but
because it can contaminate
our seed, otherwise most of
us eat GMO in one way or
the other but as Zambia, we
haven’t reached a point where
we can mitigate, incase there’s
contamination of the feed if you
bring maize so we are careful
when maize comes here that we
P
By Precious Daka
OLICE Deputy Public Relations Officer
Danny Mwale says the police command
has directed that political party cadres
and sympathisers will no longer be allowed
within court premises going forward.
In an interview, Sunday, Mwale said the move
was meant to allow the Judiciary to operate without
any disturbances.
“It is not just tomorrow (Monday) or the
other day but going forward. Going forward, the
police command has given the directive that no
cadres at court ground. We are not just talking
about at High Court, no. We are talking about
court grounds, court premises, inside the court
or anywhere nearby. This is in an effort to let the
judiciary operate without any disturbance. So,
this is what will be happening now, irrespective of
which political party one belongs to, the emphasis
is irrespective of each political party one belongs
to. We are not just shooting a political party to
say this political party MMD should not come
with cadres, no. Police officers will be deployed
whenever we have cases which may attract cadres
or sympathisers. That should come out so clear,” he
said.
“Whenever we have information that there
is a court sitting which may attract cadres or
sympathisers, police officers will be deployed to
make sure that the courts operate in a peaceful
environment. Because we have seen of late, courts
being used as open rally grounds. And we are also
appealing to young people, the youths, that they “The truth is there and it sections calling for our arrest,
should not be used in these situations because we will come out at an appropriate resignations, let them prove,
have seen people being transported from different time when the security wings let them state facts that should
schools in the name of offering solidarity. So, that, have concluded their work. On lead us to our resignations or
we shall not allow as Zambia Police going forward, 25th of May, in the evening, arrests. There was no abduction,
we are not just mentioning because there is a one of Jay Jay’s wives received self-abduction. People shouldn’t
case concerning the former head of state, no. We a phone call where she had disturb the flow of investigations.
have noticed of late that people come and cause instructions to call somebody At the right time, you’ll be
commotion at the court. So, we want to make it who should deliver selected updated. It’s unfortunate that
clear to the members of the public, police officers clothes to Jay Jay who was in our brother is being used as a
will be deployed inside the court and around the abduction. How can a person pawn”.
court premises. So you and I are able to go for work
without any interruption”.
Meanwhile, Mwale said Police officers had
also been deployed around Zesco to deter those
planning to protest against load shedding.
“Police officers have also been deployed
around Zesco because we hear that some activists,
some young men and girls, they want to protest
against Zesco load shedding. So, we have also
deployed police officers to make sure that sanity
is observed. Those who want to protest, we gave
them advice and we only hope that they should
follow the advice other than going ahead with the
protest. Because load shedding does not affect one
compound, all of us in Zambia are affected. And
if you read further, it is not just Zambia. So, why
should a small section protest over an issue we
can’t control at the moment? It is beyond everyone.
So that is why we are saying police officers have
been deployed everywhere to make sure that sanity
is observed,” said Mwale. Thabo Kawana
Wednesday July 10, 2024 www.diggers. news Advert .7

3756-01-10/07/24
8. Opinion www.diggers.news Wednesday July 10, 2024

Like all politicians, Lungu is a liar, he never

allowed the Judiciary to operate freely
F
ORMER picture of the breaches
president Edgar that took place.
Lungu says
during his time in The Church, civil
power, he allowed society, LAZ, and
the Judiciary to similar organisations
operate freely and have a duty to stand
independently. He up for the voiceless.
says courts were even They must ensure that
able to make decisions politicians are held
that went against his accountable for their
government because, actions because they
by virtue of his know better than an
upbringing, he always ordinary citizen. This
tried to be politically is not merely a matter
honest, factual and of political partisanship
respectful in his but of safeguarding the
engagements. This is echoed by critics during It is common to see has been deflecting democratic process and
not only an absolutely the tenures of various those who have a blame onto the Patriotic For instance, when ensuring that those who
misleading statement, leaders, including the better understanding Front government. This leaders like Mr Hichilema vie for political office
but also a desperate current President and of politics; who can pattern of behaviour campaign for re-election, are properly vetted.
attempt by Mr Lungu his predecessor, Edgar analyse issues, fold their is characteristic of those with a voice must Our expectation is that
to hoodwink the people Lungu. However, we hands and watch while politicians who rarely challenge them on their when leaders like Mr
of Zambia once more. believe the issue requires politicians get away with admit to their own unfulfilled promises. The Hichilema take the
We need to have a deeper examination lies. failures. role of civil society and podium to campaign
serious conversation beyond simply faulting other pressure groups for the next election,
about the lying mouth the voters. President Hakainde The years between becomes paramount. those who have voices
of the former president, Hichilema made 2021 and 2026 are for We need to remind the must stand up for the
but before we do that, it To begin with, it is so many promises citizens to examine electorate of the promises voiceless to ask them
is important to review crucial to acknowledge a throughout his years whether the UPND that were broken and the what happened to their
the lying nature of all fundamental truth about in opposition. When can be trusted again. realities that unfolded. previous promises.
politicians in general. politicians: By nature citizens finally elected It’s also a period for At the next election, the Every promise they
politicians lie. We can’t him into office things the party in power to UPND, like any party in made should be put to
The persistent issue find one political leader changed. Suddenly we demonstrate why their power, will try to cleanse their face so that they
of poor leadership in this country who can saw a shift in goal posts. mandate in power itself. They will claim that explain how they dealt
in our country is a be excluded from this The specific things he should be extended. during their reign, police with it.
topic that continually statement. They all thrive said he would fix, like Every promise made were allowed to operate
garners much debate. on misinformation, removing middle-men during the previous without any political Politicians never
It is often easy to cast disinformation, and reducing the price of campaign should be interference. But is this admit to their own
blame on the politicians propaganda, false fuel, were not achieved. revisited and scrutinised. true? They will claim failures. They always
who deceive their way promises and empty After condemning the It is expected that civil that the opposition was try to paint a positive
into office. However, rhetoric. Unfortunately, previous administration society, the Church, allowed to hold rallies, image of themselves to
a more nuanced millions of our people for failing to plan for the Law Association and it will be the duty the people in the hope
perspective reveals do not have the capacity things like electricity of Zambia (LAZ), of pressure groups to that people will never
that the responsibility to see through these generation and ensuring and other influential remind them that they remember how they
lies significantly with lies. This is why, in our food security, we have organisations join are lying. When they governed the country.
the electorate. The view, the problem of seen his government the media in holding claim that they did not This is precisely what
adage that a poor electing bad leaders falling into the same the government influence decisions in former president Edgar
president reflects those can heavily be blamed trap. Predictably, rather accountable. These the National Assembly, Lungu is doing.
who voted him into on one specific group than owning up to entities must ask the institutions such as
power rings true and of society – those who these shortcomings, hard questions and the Law Association of To be continued…
is a sentiment often speak for the voiceless. this administration demand clear answers. Zambia should paint a

Crossword puzzle No 1742 “There was Solutions to puzzle No 1741

never a night or
a problem that
could defeat
sunrise or hope.”
— Bernard
Williams
 Wednesday July 10, 2024 www.diggers.news Readers’ Feedback .9

Editor,

Readers’ pastoral letter that is politically

Feedback
biased like an opposition party. It is
“The church at times is like a conduit
Archbishop Banda
therefore wrong for news Diggers
of characters that celebrate the to say the Catholic Church has said
assault of laws that govern a people!
That party misjudged the law and should have perused this”. - Lassie Kakuta

the Constitution before

everything it stands for. The bishop “Archbishop Iscariot would have
seems to agree with their wrongs”. - done well to peruse the constitution

Andrew-Knox B. Kaniki
“The man can’t quote any law that
was breached by parliament. Let him
sit down with the PF MPs and advise
them to behave maturely since he’s
a PF spiritual leader. This so-called
bishop should read Article 70(5) of
the Zambian Constitution”. - Fidelis
Halwiindi
“What is with this Priest [ Archbishop
Alick Banda] kanshi mwebantu?” -
David Zimba
“The Catholic church should emulate
the Reformed Church of Zambia”. -
Howard Hachoonga
pontificating from
before pontificating from the
pulpit. In fact, the speaker’s actions
the pulpit were entirely legal, predicated on
the letter received from the PF.
It is crucial to recognize that the
speaker’s action was precipitated
by the letter of expulsion, which
was authored by Miles Iscariot
“It seems even the Church doesn’t know the truth, and his SG. The onus is also on the
those MPs were suspended by their own party, individual MPs to have cleared their
not the government or courts”. - Hyden Chooma names during the party’s internal
processes. Thus, it is misguided
“When following the laws or constitution becomes to solely impugn the government
something else to others”. - Lister Mwiinga without a comprehensive
understanding of the antecedents
“This Bishop is the defacto ECL vice president. leading to the speaker’s declaration.
Archbishop Alick Banda is no longer representing We must approach this matter
the Catholic Church, he is merely speaking for with a dispassionate and informed
his benefactor ECL. The ZCCB has not issued any perspective, rather than indulging
in knee-jerk condemnation bereft of

How was the judiciary that gifted him

facts”. - Mcqueen Zaza

[Lungu] a third term bid independent?

Editor,
“Why are politicians blind to
their own shortcomings?” -
Mazuba S Hamakowa
intelligence of Zambians. memory”. - Chabota
This man even threatened Munyandi
one of the highest courts in
Zambia, the constitutional
court. Mr Lungu has not “The opposition, UPND

E:
improved nor has he become in particular had tough
“This man is a letdown”. - better. He is just showing lawyers. That’s what
R ’ S N O T
EDITO
Sanford Chilumbi off his lying skills. This helped them. Otherwise
is very annoying”. - Lassie hmmm...” - Nelson
“How was the judiciary that Kakuta Chiyuka ok or X Facebo
gifted him a third term bid e w s Diggers! ke and jo
t
independent?” - Lucky Undi “’I will hand over power to Go to ou
r N
c t a s t ory you li s y o u r
e le a
“In actual fact ) page, s ick that
Cheelo myself’. ‘There will be chaos
Lungu is not (Twitter omment. We will p t his p a g e . T he
if judges rule against me’.” y o u r c h e d o n
supposed to make down ou publis
and get y orter the
“This type of lie insults the This chakolwa has a short
such a comment feedback sh ce of
about Judges. As a r the chan
ND! Opinion: The climax
e
Note
h ig h
former president,
comment
the
. that we
it is his role to speak ub li s h e d se
about our institutions getting p book users who u
F a c e

of the PF downfall and

with integrity. Judges are blo c k nguage .
human and are bound to error abusive la
but you will never hear any

Chabinga’s big-headedness
Dear editor,
“Reading such news
makes it more certain
that Zambia is far from
total collapse just like
other former ruling
parties. The grace period
is 5 years”. - Noritah
Mwanza
lawyer bring our courts into
question despite losing a case.
Unfortunately, he sounds like
a man who is willing to see the
breakdown of law and order
and then emerge as a saviour”.
- Mumba Mubanga
“Who threatened the judges
and misled the ministers?” -
Kayombo Maybin

economic stability,
cause our leaders keep
practicing dirty politics,
day in and day out...
Instead of uniting and
UPND’s failure is defined by their ability to pay 100% attention to
aiming for one goal”. -
Ndabezinhle Dube
Editor,

“This President’s eyes are 90 %

“This Chabinga is not
very normal”. - Jacob
Kanyika
“At the center is a
government that has
lost popularity... and is
on its way out.. trying
to destroy PF in order to
survive...Some people
may opt to use this
opportunity to advance
their lives... At the end
of the day, they will be
ku wire very soon time
flies”. - Josphat Chisunka
“In your dreams, there
is the climax of the PF’s
fall”. - Shi Ka
“PF is on the verge of
alert on what ECL and opposition
are up to, what they are weaving,
who is financing them, and which
foreign power is behind but what
he can’t see is the epic trajectory
of the economic dwindling and the
economic crisis is secondary to
him and it can wait for ‘tomorrow’
so policing peoples rights is
fundamental and time to quench the
opposition is now and fast”. - Kay
Kash
“That will be good ba President but
muleke ifya imitunfyo and naimwe
ba Lungu lekeni ama setting, then
we may have genuine dialogue”. -
Nick Ndawa
“UPND’s failure is defined by their
ability to pay 100% attention to
their political thorn ECL. Focus
on improving the economy and
listen more to people’s concerns
and everything will fall in place”. -
Robham Mushota
their political thorn, ECL
“Be careful Mr President, remember
you are dealing with people who are
Lungu and his people have is that
they want their political problems
to become the citizens’ priority”. -
very dangerous and unforgiving, Richard Waga “Lying with impunity! President HH such lying lips. Let the rule of law
please allow the same RCZ to talk to must not waste his time meeting run its course”. - Mwape Mwaba
him on your behalf”. - Aggrey Sangu
“My President that’s the heart of a
Leader. God bless you”. - Godfrey
Lungu
“Not necessary, continue developing
the country. Why kupapatila muntu?”
- Ndate Mufukamar
“Sheer waste of time and energy.
Let him be... just ignore him. Time
will catch up with him, and finally
humble him”. - Kenai C Marcus
“Such a meeting will be difficult to
happen because ECL and PF think
that can leverage the divisiveness
and polarisation in the country.
The UKWA camp is preaching tribal
war and things like that, so any
optics that dilute their divisive
message is something they will not
be comfortable with. The problem
10. Local News
I We hope that govt will continue on its current
By Philip Chisalu
N the past few years, we’ve
seen how government has
been responsible in the
way they are borrowing, we
hope that this trend continues
even beyond 2024, says CSO
Debt Alliance.
On Sunday, Finance
Minister Dr Situmbeko
Musokotwane disclosed that
Zambia’s external debt had
increased from $13.04 billion
to $14.7 billion, while domestic
debt had risen from K194
billion to K225 billion since the
UPND took over government
in 2021.
Commenting on Dr
Read Constitution before asking
for votes in Shiwang’andu,
Kampyongo tells Mubanga
F
By Precious Daka
ORMER Shiwang’andu PF
MP Stephen Kampyongo
says it is shameful for
Elias Mubanga to politicise a
matter that is in court by telling
residents of Shiwang’andu
District not to vote for the
opposition.
On Sunday, Mubanga, who
is Small and Medium Enterprise
Development Minister, urged
residents of Shiwang’andu District
not to vote for the opposition if
the court upholds the speaker’s
decision to nullify nine PF seats.
But in an interview, Monday,
Kampyongo said Mubanga
should acquaint himself with the
provisions of the Constitution on
elected members of parliament.
“It is so shameful that a
nominated member of parliament
who is privileged to be a minister
KCM and workers unions sign
agreements for 20% salary
increase, other benefits
K
By Philip Chisalu
ONKOLA Copper
Mines (KCM) has signed
collective agreements
with five workers’ unions
that cover a wide range of
benefits, including a 20 percent
salary increase for unionised
employees.
And Mines and Minerals
Development Minister Paul
Kabuswe has described as positive
the news that Vedanta Resources
has arranged US$250 million to
pay KCM creditors.
In a statement, Tuesday,
Vedanta stated that the
agreements were signed last
Friday and are in effect from July
1, 2024 to December 31, 2025,
but would be backdated to June
1, 2024.
“Konkola Copper Mines
(KCM), a Vedanta Resources-
owned mining company, last
Friday 5th July, 2024 signed
collective agreements with
five workers unions fostering
a collaborative and productive
work environment. The
agreements, effective from July
1, 2024, to December 31, 2025,
will be backdated to June 1,
2024 and cover a wide range of
benefits including a 20 percent
salary increment for unionized
employees, the first such increase
in five years since Vedanta’s
return. This is a demonstration
of Vedanta’s dedication to its
workforce’s well-being and
prosperity, acknowledging the
important role that unions play
in representing the interests of
borrowing trend – CSO Debt Alliance
Musokotwane’s revelation, CSO
Debt Alliance Coordinator
Peter Mumba attributed the
reduced borrowing in terms of
external debt to government’s
commitment to concessional
borrowing.
“If you look at the trends
themselves, I think from around
2021 our external debt was
sitting around $13.1 billion.
Moving to what was reported
by the Ministry of Finance [in]
December last year [around]
$14.57 billion and then by
would opt to politic on a matter
like that which he knows that
it is in court. He doesn’t have
an idea what the Constitution
provides for an elected member
of parliament. He should acquaint
himself with the provisions of
the Constitution. I understand
that he is a nominated member
of parliament who has not
gone through an election. But
he would do well to acquaint
himself with the provisions of the
Constitution: what it takes for one
to occupy the office of an MP and
what it takes to vacate the office of
an MP,” he said.
Kampyongo added that
Mubanga should not be so
narrow-minded in his thinking
because democracy encompasses
both the ruling and opposition
parties.
“He must also understand
workers,” read the statement.
“The five unions that have
signed the collective agreements
with KCM are: Mine Workers
Union of Zambia (MUZ),
National Union of Miners and
Allied Workers (NUMAW),
United Mine Workers Union
of Zambia (UMUZ), Mine
Tailings Assistants Association
of Zambia (MTAAWUZ) and
Mine Auxiliary Workers Union
(MAWU). The significant
agreement is a testament to
the positive and collaborative
relationship of Vedanta’s
commitment to fostering positive
labour relations. The landmark
agreement paves the way for
a motivated and incentivized
workforce to drive KCM’s success
and contribute to the growth
www.diggers. news
March this year we were about
$14.58 billion, so you will
realise that from 13 billion to
14 billion it has barely increased
by almost 1.5 billion. And this
1.5 billion [is] because now we
have already been on an IMF
programme, first of all, which
has obviously given us specific
targets and these targets some of
them are actually embedded in
that democracy entails that there
should be both the ruling parties
and opposition parties. That forms
part of the government. So, he
shouldn’t be so narrow-minded in
his thinking and politicking. But
more importantly, he shouldn’t
make reference on matters that
are in the courts of law,” said
Kampyongo.
T
By Philip Chisalu
HE Jesuit Centre for
Theological Reflection
says during the month
of June, it observed a decrease
in the Basic Needs and
Nutrition Basket survey, which
now stands at K10,442.45.
JCTR says the decrease in
the basket represents a K258.68
reduction compared to the
month of May.
In a statement, Tuesday,
and development of the mining
industry in Zambia as a whole”.
In an interview, Kabuswe
described as positive the news
that Vedanta Resources had
arranged US$250 million to pay
KCM creditors.
“For me, you as a journalist
now spill it in the positive sense
that what we have been talking
about is what is happening.
You will remember the Escrow
[account], the first money that
Vedanta has brought in this deal is
a $25 million. It’s the first money
that came for the Escrow account
funded. Again, this is the second
tranche that is coming that will
pay creditors and all, so I think it’s
positive. Let’s wait and see, today
(Monday) is the 8th, the process
must begin to run,” said Kabuswe.
our 8th National Development
Plan and based on a local reform
programme. We have agreed
with ourselves, first of all, as
a country and also with the
international community that
we are not going to borrow from
non-concessional sources. if you
look at the annual borrowing
plan of 2023, the performance
in itself, you will realise that out
of whatever government had
hoped to borrow, I think that’s
externally, they under-borrowed
by 60 percent,” he said.
“You will realise that
whatever government had
planned to borrow in that
particular year I think about
around 1.7 billion inclusive
domestic and external [debt],
they only borrowed half of that
and largely because there was a
reduction in external debt. So,
the point I am trying to drive is
that I think in the past few years
we have seen how government
has been responsible in the
way they are borrowing for
several reasons. Number one,
because they are borrowing
largely on concessional terms,
and it could be for so many
reasons. Maybe because we are
Cost of living reduced by
K258.68 in June – JCTR
JCTR’s Social and Economic
Development Programme
Officer Lukwesa Musonda
attributed the reduction
to a drop in the prices of
commodities such as tomatoes
and fruits.
She stated that the seasonal
availability of certain foods
like sweet potatoes had also
provided a small but significant
relief, as they tend to be cheaper
due to higher supply.
“As the nation reaches the
midpoint of 2024, it is clear that
the year has been a challenging
one for the majority of Zambians,
shaped by a series of social and
economic challenges that the
country continues to grapple
with. During the month of June,
the Jesuit Centre for Theological
Reflection (JCTR) observed
a decrease in the Basic Needs
and Nutrition Basket (BNNB)
survey which now stands at K10,
442.45 representing a K258.68
reduction in the total basket
compared to the month of May.
The decrease in the basket is due
to the observed reduction in
the prices of commodities such
as tomatoes which cost K14.45
per kg from K29.99 per kg and
fruits such as oranges and apples
which cost K30.76 per kg from
K37.21 per kg. Additionally, due
to the seasonal availability of
sweet potatoes as an affordable
alternative to Irish potatoes, it
was observed that sweet potatoes
cost K10.08 per kg compared to
Irish potatoes which cost K25.37
per kg. The seasonal availability
of certain foods in this scenario
has provided a small but
significant relief as they tend
to be cheaper due to higher
supply. Therefore, considering
the impact of seasonality on
the availability and cost of food
items is an essential component
of the BNNB methodology,”
Lukwesa stated.
She noted that despite
some reductions in the prices
of certain commodities, the
overall cost of food items alone
increased significantly between
Wednesday July 10, 2024
on an IMF reform programme
which is closely monitoring our
borrowing practices. Number
two, because we are also
promising to come out of the
debt crisis, so we hope that this
trend continues even beyond
2024 as we move closer to 2026
which is an election year”.
Mumba, however, attributed
the increase in domestic debt to
a shift in borrowing ratios.
“Then another key thing, if
you move to domestic debt, you
will also realise that government
has been implementing the
medium-term debt strategy.
And one of the key things under
the medium-term debt strategy
is that government has hoped
to shift its borrowing options
– the priorities of borrowing
from external debt moving
more towards domestic debt.
Government has realised that
external debt in itself is quite
risky in terms of the exchange
rate risk. You may borrow $1
billion today but it’s not the
same $1 billion five years from
now because your exchange
rate would have depreciated, or
the other currency would have
appreciated. To reduce that risk,
January and June 2024.
“However, despite some
reductions in the prices of
certain commodities, the
overall cost of food items alone
increased significantly between
January and June 2024. Prices
rose from K3, 673.58 in January
to K4, 161.51 in June 2024,
reaching an all-time high of
K4, 466.30 in May 2024. This
increase in food expenses is
especially burdensome given
that it is only slightly below
the national average monthly
income of K5, 342. Additionally,
other expenses such as rentals
further strain household
budgets, leaving less disposable
income for other family/
household necessities,” Lukwesa
stated.
“From the perspective of
Catholic Social Teaching, the
economic challenges faced in
the first half of 2024 highlight
the critical importance of
upholding human dignity. Every
person, created in the image
and likeness of God, possesses
inherent dignity that must be
respected and protected. The
rising cost of living, especially
food items, food insecurity,
and energy shortages directly
impact individuals’ ability to
live dignified lives. Addressing
these economic challenges
requires policies and practices
that prioritize the well-being
of the most vulnerable. JCTR
continues to advocate for
social and economic justice
for all, especially the poor and
marginalized communities,
through advocacy for policies
and initiatives that promote
equitable distribution of public
resources and efficient public
service delivery”.
Lukwesa urged government
to ensure transparency in the
utilisation of public resources by
publicly disclosing actual budget
expenditures, among other
recommendations.
“Notably, the government
plans to mitigate some of the
effects of the drought through
government has moved away
from the 70:30 ratio where they
were saying of every borrowing
requirement in a year, 70
percent goes to external debt
while 30 percent is domestic
debt,” said Mumba.
“They have revised that
where they are now saying
that in the medium-term by
2025, they want to see to it that
55 percent of all borrowing
requirements are gotten from
the domestic economy through
domestic debt in local currency,
and then 45 percent from
external debt. Because of that,
domestic debt has actually
been increasing significantly
if I should say. Actually, if you
look at domestic debt [where]
we were sitting at around 2012,
around 2015, it has grown by
more than five times. Even from
2021 it was around K192 billion
and then if you look at what it
was at end of December last
year, it was at K233 billion. So
that’s a sign that there has been a
significant increase in domestic
debt largely owing to what I
have just explained in terms
of the shift in the borrowing
ratios”.
the 2024 National Budget
realignment (Supplementary
Budget No.1 of 2024) and
increase funding for social
protection programmes. The
Centre would therefore make
the following recommendations:
Efficient Implementation of
Social Protection Programmes:
The realigned budget seeks
to reallocate funds to social
protections in an effort to
mitigate the effects of the
drought crisis on vulnerable
households. It is imperative
that the government ensures
the credibility of these
budget alignments and that
the funds are utilized for
their intended purposes.
Promoting Transparency
and Accountability in Budget
Implementation Process:
Transparency and accountability
remain key to efficient public
finance management. We would
like to urge the government
to ensure transparency in the
utilization of public resources by
publicly disclosing budget actual
expenditures, and outcomes in a
timely and accessible manner,”
stated Lukwesa.
“Regular Engagement with
the Communities: Policy makers
and Members of Parliament
should regularly engage with
their constituencies through
town hall meetings, surveys,
and other feedback mechanisms
to better understand the
immediate needs and concerns
of their communities. This
direct engagement will ensure
that policies and initiatives
are more effectively tailored to
address local issues, such as the
impacts of rising living costs,
drought, and energy shortages.
Enhancing Utilization of
Meteorological Information:
In the long run, we call on
the government to enhance
ability to generate and promote
utilization of long-range
forecasts, early warning systems
and meteorological information
needed for long-term decisions
to avert disasters”.
Wednesday July 10, 2024
L
By Taonga Tembo
USAKA Magistrate
Mwandu Sakala has
discharged Education
Minister Douglas Syakalima
in a matter in which Sean
Tembo dragged him to court
for hate speech.
This came after Clerk of
Court Vincent Shanzambwa
informed Magistrate Sakala
that he was in receipt of a letter
from the Director of Public
Prosecutions Gilbert Phiri,
denying Tembo consent to
prosecute the matter privately.
In March this year, Tembo
filed a complaint in the Lusaka
Magistrates’ Court against
Syakalima for hate speech.
In his complaint, Tembo
stated that Syakalima used hate
speech against the people of
Luapula Province by referring
to them that “they have poverty
of the mind”.
“The grounds on which
this complaint is presented are:
that Douglas Syakalima on or
about 12th October 2023 in
an audio that was circulated by
means of a computer system,
did utter and publish on
various media platforms hate
speech language towards the
people of Luapula Province of
Zambia by referring to them
that ‘they have a poverty of
the mind’, and that the said
Nchanga Rangers
strengthen squad with
Cameroonian duo
N
By Chongo Sampa
CHANGA Rangers
has made a stated Ukwimi.
significant move to
enhance its squad ahead of
the 2024/2025 FAZ Super
League season by signing
two Cameroonian junior
internationals, Ikpeme
Stephan Aniekan and Ygor
Rincesse Tsolefack.
In a statement, Nchanga
Rangers Football Club Media
Officer Andrew Ukwimi said
Aniekan, a versatile holding
midfielder, and Tsolefack,
a robust defender for the
Cameroon under-23 team,
will bring a wealth of talent
and international experience
to the Konkola Copper Mine
plc-sponsored side.
‘’The club believes
these additions will provide
much-needed depth without
disrupting the current team
dynamics. Club president
Shapi Shachinda expressed
his excitement about the new
signings. The inclusion of the
two Cameroonian players is
part of our management and
technical bench’s strategy
to create some depth in the
team, without making many
changes as we all understand
that we have an exciting team
of mainly young players.
We aim to prepare the team
adequately and fill in the gaps
that the technical bench needs
to be solidified,” he stated.
Ukwimi further
announced the departure
of midfielder Angel Kieya
Lubamba, who has joined Red
Arrows Football Club on a
permanent deal.
‘’Shachinda took the
opportunity to thank
Lubamba for his contributions
over the past three years.
We would like to express
our gratitude to Angel for
his significant contribution
since he joined us from City
Court discharges Syakalima as DPP denies Sean
Tembo consent to prosecute him
statement expresses hostility
and segregation against the
people of Luapula Province of
Zambia,” he said.
At the last hearing, Tembo
asked the court to issue a bench
warrant against Syakalima for
failing to appear in court.
However, when the
matter came up for a ruling
on his application yesterday,
Syakalima was present and
seated in the accused dock
when the matter was called.
Before Magistrate Sakala
could rule on the bench warrant
application, Syakalima’s lawyer,
Clavel Sianondo of Malambo
and Company, informed the
court that he had seen the letter
from Phiri denying consent to
privately prosecute the matter.
However, Tembo said the
DPP had not availed him the
letter in question.
He argued that the
purported letter from Phiri
was not on headed paper and
therefore, did not carry any
authority.
“The complainant shares
a different position. First of
all, the DPP has not availed
any letter to the complainant
as of this morning. Secondly,
the alleged letter which is said
of Lusaka. His presence and
skills have been invaluable,”
The arrival of Aniekan
and Tsolefack is expected to
bolster Nchanga Rangers’
campaign as they look forward
to a competitive season.
T
By Chongo Sampa
HE 2024 Inter Company
Relay (ICR) is this
weekend set to host
1,200 participants.
The 24th edition of the ICR
will be held under the theme
“Mitigating Climate Change”
and is aimed to raise funds for
the qualified athletes expected
to participate at the 2024 Paris
Olympic Games in France.
Speaking during a press
briefing on Tuesday, Zambia
Athletics (ZA) president Elias
Mpondela said the 2024 ICR had
40 teams and about 70 directors
and CEOs were expected to
participate.
“As of now for this ICR
which is taking place on
Saturday, it is going to take place
at the Showgrounds. The time
we start is 06:30, at 06:30 we
would have started the 21K and
the other events will follow. We
now have approximately 1,200
participants who have registered
and paid. We are expecting a bit
more from now when you help
us to [drum] up the support.
We have of course 800 walkers
as of today, we have about 40
teams and we have about 70
directors and CEOs and about
54 individuals that are taking the
21K. Suffice to say we have 1,200
as we speak who have registered
in various categories,” Mpondela
said.
Mpondela urged
government institutions to
register and support the event
amidst the economic pitfalls.
“Our major sponsor this
year, like last year, like the
www.diggers.news
to be in the custody of the
public prosecutor is not on any
headed paper. And it is the view
of the complainant that the
said letter does not carry any
authority to be used as a basis
for discharging the accused
person. Any person could have
written this paper because it is
just on a plain piece of paper,”
R
By Ngosa Chalwe
ED Arrows will today
begin their quest to
win the K738,818
rich CECAFA invitational
tournament with a match
against Kenyan side Gor
Mahia.
Coach Chisi Mbewe has
declared his team ready to
take on the Kenyans in the
game that will be played today
in Tanzania.
Aside from aiming to win
the tournament, Arrows are
using the event to shape up
for the upcoming domestic
and continental seasons.
“We are ready for the first
match against Gor Mahia. We
will have our first training
later in the day and we hope
to finalise our preparations
for the first game. We are
happy to be taking part in
this competition and we
believe our participation in
competition will provide
valuable match experience
for players to stay sharp and
maintain match fitness,”
Mbewe told reporters
yesterday.
Mbewe said the
tournament will give his men
good exposure.
“We believe the
tournament will give our
young players the exposure
and experience needed for
1,200 to participate in Inter
Company Relay- Mpondela
other year is Madison financial
services, that is the headline
sponsor. Yash Life Sciences has
also come through with a high
figure, we have got Sanlam
that is here. We have got Dr
Agarwals Eye Hospital, China
Jiangsu International, Top star,
TMS medical services, Bata,
Coca Cola and many others that
we are inviting to come,’’ he said.
‘’So the economy is under-
performing and therefore
Zambia Athletics president Elias Mpondela speaking during a press briefing in Lusaka yesterday
- Picture by Chongo Sampa
Sports/ Local News .11
against Mr Douglas Syakalima.
‘Kindly be advised that consent
to conduct private prosecution
is denied’. Signed by DPP and
copied to Clerk of Court,” said
Shanzambwa.
Magistrate Sakala
he said. letter this morning around proceeded to discharge
When asked for an 10:30. I received a letter copied Syakalima of the charges.
explanation, Shanzambwa, the to my office from the National “By virtue of my Clerk
Clerk of Court in charge of Prosecutions Authority. I having received a copy of a letter
criminal matters, told the court acknowledged receiving the where authority to privately
that he had received the letter letter and this is the copy prosecute the case has been
from the DPP denying Tembo which I have. It is dated July 9, denied, I am of the firm view
consent to prosecute the case 2024 to Mr Sean Tembo. The that this letter makes it clear
earlier that morning. letter requested permission to that I don’t have jurisdiction
“I was served with the conduct private prosecution to hear the case. Accused is
discharged forthwith,” said
Magistrate Sakala.
Arrows kick start
Meanwhile, former
president Edgar Lungu who
was attending his wife Esther’s
theft case, jokingly told
CECAFA challenge
Syakalima that it was nice to
see him in power.
Lungu: How are you, good
afternoon?
their development ahead of have a date against Sudanese Syakalima: Fine thank you.
the new football season,” said powerhouse Al Hilal on Good afternoon?
Mbewe. Saturday before taking on Lungu: Nice to see you in
After today’s game, they Telecom FC next week. power (as they both laughed).
All set for Kopala One
Boxing tourney in Kitwe
B
By Ngosa Chalwe as a club, we are hosting this tournament
OXING fans will this Saturday be with the Copperbelt Boxing Association. We
treated to an exciting exchange of have boxers coming from 13 clubs across the
punches at the Kopala One boxing Copperbelt, even those from Solwezi. We
tournament to be staged at Baganda Centre want to help uplift the boxing standards on
in Kitwe. the Copperbelt, seeing that boxing has raw
Thirteen clubs across the Copperbelt will potential on the Copperbelt,” Nkolomba said.
bring their Pugilists to this amateur boxing He said the event is also aimed at instilling
tournament aimed at giving fighters a chance discipline in boxers.
to showcase their skills. “Our appeal is that the members of public
Kopala Warriors Mixed Martial Arts and support the series of events we’re set to be
Boxing Club Public Relations & Promotions hosting by coming to watch future world
Manager Paul Nkolomba said in an interview champions be made from these events. It will
yesterday that the event is poised to be an encourage the up and coming boxers to train
electric affair for boxing lovers. better and perform better and earn a living
“This is the first tournament we are hosting out of it,” said Nkolomba.
certain things cannot be done, in health is a good investment Olympics games.
but it is also important to state because it’s during this time that “We would like to boast that
that it’s during this time we depression occurs. We would the ICR has delivered, as you
need fit people, emotionally and like to urge the government know this particular year, we
physically and also mentally fit that health is not just a waste have qualified in the 4×4 100m
people. I think my colleague of money, it’s an investment. to the Olympic Games. You
from City Marathon can attest So we would like to see the know in terms of performance,
to that and that’s why there is government departments, there that team is second in the global
so many marathons, because it’s is still time to come through and ranking, that is even if we are
during this time that we need register’’. 16th in terms of the teams that
energetic people. We believe that Meanwhile Mpondela must go, we still remain the
government should not consider boasted that ZA had managed to team with a very good time at
this as a waste, any investment send seven athletes at the Paris the global ranking. We have
also qualified Muzala, we have
also been given an opportunity
to send a lady, that is Quincy
Malekani will go,’’ said Mpondela
‘’So our vision was to send at
least 10 people for Olympics this
year [in] Paris, this has somewhat
been made, we wanted 10 but we
have achieved seven. So that is
a great achievement and all this
is made possible from the funds
that we raise from the Inter
Company Relay. We would like
to take this opportunity to thank
all our partners that have been
supporting us and especially
our major title holder this year
Madison Financial services as
a group for supporting us to be
and do better in our effort to
qualifying athletes to the major
championships’’.
 R T I SE
AD V E
H E R E

1,200 TO RACE AT ICR

No 1774 K15 www.diggers.news Wednesday July 10, 2024

...as ZA calls for more govt entities to join

T
By Chongo Sampa
HE 2024 Inter Company
Relay (ICR) is this weekend
set to host 1,200 participants.
The 24th edition of the ICR will
be held under the theme “Mitigating
Climate Change” and is aimed to
raise funds for the qualified athletes
expected to participate at the 2024
Paris Olympic Games in France.
Speaking during a press briefing
on Tuesday, Zambia Athletics (ZA)
president Elias Mpondela said the
2024 had 40 teams and about 70
directors and CEOs were expected to
participate.
“As of now for this ICR which is
taking place on Saturday, it is going
to take place at the Showgrounds.
The time we start is 06:30, at 06:30 we
would have started the 21K and the
other events will follow. We now have
approximately 1,200 participants who
have registered and paid...
Story on P11

Nchanga Rangers Spain beat France 2-1 to book

strengthen squad with
Cameroonian duo place in Euro 2024 final
N S
By Chongo Sampa League season by signing
CHANGA Rangers two Cameroonian junior PAIN struck twice in five Tuesday as a record-breaking
has made a internationals, Ikpeme minutes in a pulsating goal from teenager Lamine
significant move to Stephan Aniekan and Ygor first half to secure a 2-1 Yamal and a Dani Olmo effort
enhance its squad ahead of Rincesse Tsolefack. comeback win over France on propelled them into the Euro
the 2024/2025 FAZ Super Story on P11 2024 final.
The 16-year-old Yamal

Forest sign cancelled out Randal Kolo

Muani’s opener with a sublime
shot in the 21st minute to

6ft 8in become the youngest scorer in a

Euro or World Cup tournament
before Olmo added another in

Brazilian the 25th for his third goal in the

knockout stage.

goalkeeper
The Spaniards, who
have won every game of the
tournament so far, will now face

N
the winners of Wednesday’s earlier in the tournament, Pedri, quickly turned the game
OTTINGHAM match between England and crossing for Kolo Muani to around.
Forest have signed Netherlands in the final in head in their first goal from Yamal curled a stunning
towering goalkeeper Berlin on Sunday as they open play at Euro 2024. left-footed effort from 25 metres
Carlos Miguel from hunt a record-breaking fourth But the Spaniards, who in off the post to break another
Brazilian club Corinthians. European crown. were missing suspended record held by Brazil great Pele,
The 25-year-old, who is Spain had an early chance Dani Carvajal and Robin Le as the youngest scorer in a Euro
6ft 8in tall, has moved to the when Yamal, the youngest Normand as well as injured or World Cup.
Reuters
Premier League on a four- player to feature in a World Cup
year contract. or Euro semi-final, floated a
The Brazilian began
his senior career with
Internacional and had spells
cross to the far post but Fabian
Ruiz headed over the bar.
France did better from
All set for Kopala
on loan with Santa Cruz and
Boa Esporte before signing
for Corinthians in 2021.
an almost identical move in
the ninth minute with Kylian
Mbappe, playing without a
One Boxing tourney
in Kitwe
mask after breaking his nose
BBC Carlos Miguel Story on P11

Arrows kick start

CECAFA challenge
R
By Ngosa Chalwe
ED Arrows will today
begin their quest to
win the K738,818
rich CECAFA invitational
tournament with a match
against Kenyan side Gor
COMP Mahia.
Coach Chisi Mbewe has
declared his team ready to
take on the Kenyans in the
game that will be played today
in Tanzania.
Aside from aiming to win
the tournament, Arrows are
using the event to shape up for
the upcoming domestic and
continental seasons.
Story on P11