FIVE Grade 10 pupils at Kikombe Secondary School in Solwezi in North-Western Province have fallen pregnant.
School headteacher Pamela Kadimba confirmed the development in an interview.
Ms Kadimba said the number of girls falling pregnant at the school annually has reached alarming levels.
She attributed the increase in pregnancy cases at the school to insufficient secondary schools in the district forcing most pupils to walk long distances to access the nearest education facility.
“When you look at statistics of the majority of these young girls falling pregnant, most of them are being impregnated by taxi and bus drivers as they seek to raise money for transport fare due to the long distances from their homes to school,”Ms Kadimba said.
She said there is need for Government to come up with a deliberate policy to sensitise pupils especially girls on the dangers of child pregnancies.
Ms Kadimba lamented that the increasing trend of girls dropping out of school in preference to marriage is contributing to escalating cases of Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
She said most women and or girls in marriages succumb to GBV as they are solely dependent on men.

MINISTER of Finance Alexander Chikwanda has sued Anglican priest Richard Luonde for alleged defamation.
According to a statement of claim filed in the Lusaka High Court, Mr Chikwanda said Father Luonde caused to be published in the Post newspaper edition of August 18, 2014, a story headlined: “Chikwanda is double-dealing with the mines and eating with two hands.”
Mr Chikwanda claimed that other alleged defamatory stories that were published in the Post under headlines: “Fr Luonde challenges Chikwanda to explain his role in Sigma Enterprises” and “Zambians are living dangerously by having a Finance minister whose interest is to protect mining companies so that his supply business remains profitable,” were defamatory.

POLICE in Mwinilunga have arrested two siblings of Samutondo village in Chieftainess Ikelenge’s area for allegedly beating their 28-year-old brother to death after he insulted their parents.
Crispin Sambinga, 32, and Collins Sambinga, 26, are said to have beaten their brother Reagan Sambinga last Friday around 01:40 hours at Samutondo village.
North-Western Province deputy commissioner of police Michael Nkaka said the matter was reported to police by the suspects’ mother, Kutemba Sambinga.
“Crispin and Collins allegedly beat Mr Sambinga to death after he allegedly insulted both of their parents. They punched him and broke his neck,” Mr Nkaka said.
The body is in Mwinilunga District Hospital mortuary and the suspects will appear in court soon.
And a 70-year-old woman of Samfya has died after the house she was sleeping in caught fire.
Five other houses were burnt destroying property worth over K50,000.
And two of the three children who went missing two weeks ago in Mansa have been found, with medical tests revealing that they were sexually abused.
Luapula Province commissioner of police Malcolm Mulenga said Margaret Mwape was burnt to death  on Sunday around 20:45 hours at  Malando village after her 14-year-old granddaughter Rebecca Mumpambe left a candle burning and sneaked out of the house to visit her friend within the village.
“Rebecca left a candle burning and it melted resulting in the table catching fire and before long the entire house was on fire and the old woman failed to get out of the house,” Mr Mulenga said.
He said the fire spread to five other houses but that the occupants escaped unhurt.
Mr Mulenga said two affected families lost K15,000 and K5,000 cash, which was burnt.
“The two families had just collected the money from the government after selling their maize to the Food Reserve agency,” Mr Mulenga said.
He said the remains of the deceased were immediately buried and police do not suspect foul play.
And two of the three children who went missing on September 10 in Mushipashi farm area in Mansa have been found about 15kms from their home.
Mr Mulenga said the children, aged seven and five, have been found while the youngest, aged one, is still missing.
He also said medical tests done on the children reveal that the two girls were sexually abused.
“They have been missing for the past two weeks and they were taken to the hospital where it was found that they had been sexually abused,” he said.
He said the search for the youngest girl has continued.
“We have tried to interview the two children but they are not saying anything sensible,” he said.
The children disappeared after they went with their parents to the family cassava field to harvest some of the crop.
The parents had briefly left the children to soak the cassava tubers in a nearby stream and when they returned, the children had disappeared.

Wynter Kabimba has asked the Clerk of the National Assembly to excuse him from remaining in Parliament as a nominated member of parliament.

According to a letter addressed to the Clerk of the National Assembly Doris Mwiinga dated September 23, 2014, Kabimba, who was recently dismissed as justice minister, said he was grateful to President Michael Sata for allowing him the privilege to remain in the House as member of parliament.

“RE: MY NOMINATION AS MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT.
I refer to the telephone conversation I had with you on 30th August 2014, in respect of the above subject matter. During the said discussion, you informed me that you had sought clarification from His Excellency the President, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata, regarding my status as a nominated Member of Parliament following my dismissal as Minister of Justice. You advised me that my nomination as MP (member of parliament) had not been revoked at all. This was confirmed by the appearance of my name on the list of Members of Parliament on the day of the official opening of the Fourth Session of the Eleventh National Assembly by His Excellency the President on Friday 19th September, 2014,” read the letter in part.
Kabimba said he had reflected on the matter and was grateful to the Head of State for allowing him to remain member of parliament.

“I have reflected on this matter and I am grateful to His Excellency the President for his consideration to allow me the privilege to remain in the House as Member of Parliament. However, in view of the circumstances which prevailed prior to my dismissal and thereafter and in order to foster peace, unity and stability which our party and government need so much for our national development, I hereby request that I be excused from remaining in the House as a nominated Member of Parliament. I will be most obliged if you would inform the appointing authority accordingly. I wish to thank the Right Honourable Speaker, yourself and indeed your members of staff for the support I received from all of you during my tenure of office as Member of Parliament,” said Kabimba.

President Sata dismissed Kabimba from both government and party positions on August 28th, 2014.

Chadiza MMD member of parliament Allan Mbewe on Tuesday caused laughter in the House when he asked if the government had come up with any measures that would prevent the spread of Ebola through the eating of monkeys by Bemba-speaking people.
And health minister Dr Joseph Kasonde says people who are in areas affected by the Ebola virus should be discouraged from travelling to countries that are not affected.
In his follow-up question to a ministerial statement that was presented by Dr Kasonde on Zambia’s preparedness should there be an outbreak of the Ebola virus, Mbewe asked what precautions the government had taken to ensure Bembas are not eating monkeys, which are believed to be the carriers of the Ebola virus.
“Mr Speaker, this is a very serious question. I want to find out what measures, the precautions, the Ministry of Health is taking to ensure Bembas are not eating monkeys to avoid the spread of Ebola?” asked Mbewe in apparent tribal cousinship between Easterners and Bembas as the House burst into laughter.
In response, Dr Kasonde said people should exercise caution when eating the animals.
“I know of some areas where they eat smaller animals than monkeys but let these people enjoy those animals. What matters is that caution should be taken,” he said.
And Dr Kasonde said if the Ebola virus was to be contained on the African continent, people in affected areas should be discouraged from travelling to areas that are not affected.
He said it was not possible for the government to maintain surveillance on all borders around Zambia, hence the focus on critical areas such as Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport and Mwami, Kasumbalesa, Nakonde, Mpulungu, Nchelenge and Katima Mulilo borders which had all been equipped with hand-held thermal scanners.
Dr Kasonde said an estimated budget of K106,142,459 had been prepared to cover, among other things, disease surveillance, port health, case management, community sensitisation, isolation and quarantine facilities as well as laboratory capacity.

Early this week, opposition MMD leader Pastor (Dr) Nevers Mumba who is also the founder and President of Victory Bible Church and Victory Ministries International took time to answer questions directed at him through Facebook by both members of the public and the media. Below are the questions and answers to some of the questions (of religious nature).

Q: During an interview with Frank Mutubila in the 90s, you said that getting into politics would be a demotion? What has changed since then?
A:I still believe that serving the Lord is the highest calling. That is why I am still serving the Lord up to today. I did not substitute my faith for politics. I just added an extra responsibility to my faith. I was much younger then and had limited information and understanding at that time. I have since grown to find out that I can do more things through Christ who gives me strength.
As we grow and receive more information, we change our minds and positions on many matters. This is the blessing of growth and maturity. If at 54, you still hold onto all the beliefs you had at 17, then you are stunted and have not grown. There is nothing wrong with realising that some pronouncements made in the past were made with incomplete understanding.
Q:Why did you abandon the church? Politics is dirty and not for you. Was it God who called you into politics?
A:I am first a Christian, then a Pastor and Politician. I did not substitute my Christian faith for politics. I just accepted an additional responsibility to public service – Politics. The same God who called me to be a minister of the Gospel, called me to influence politics by participation. I have served God for 37 years and know his voice. If the call to politics was not from God, I would have been the first person to stay away.
My life’s commitment is to do God’s will. A moral and just Zambia is God’s will and defines my assignment to government. When I began to promote the slogan “Zambia Shall Be Saved”, I thought it was only in spiritual matters. Over time, God has progressively revealed to me that the plans he has for the salvation of Zambia are much more than just spiritual. It also encompasses material things which are determined by the politics of the land.
I am still leader of our 52 churches in Zambia and abroad and I preach almost every Sunday both at home and outside. The cliché, “You have abandoned church for politics” was coined by our opponents to mud-sling me and create a negative attitude towards me among the electorate. They have never asked Reverend Danny Pule who heads a political party but still runs Dunamis Ministries to go back to the pulpit.
Nor have they done the same for Father Frank Bwalya, Reverend Gladys Nyirongo or Reverend Ronnie Shikapwasha. It seems they have one set of rules for Nevers Mumba and another for other church leaders which is double standards. They have twisted what the Bible says to confuse people and also dishonestly perpetuated the myth that I am a failure. How can a failure manage to set up 52 churches from scratch in and outside Zambia, when even managing just one is very difficult?
There is nowhere in the Bible where it says that a religious leader cannot serve as a community or political leader. To the contrary, the Bible suggests that believers in God holding political office can bring prosperity and justice to nations. Scripture says in Proverbs 29:2 that “When the righteous rule, people rejoice, and when the unrighteousness rule, people mourn.” The Bible is full of stories of godly leaders like Moses, Joseph, Joshua, Daniel, David and others leading nations in a political capacity on behalf of God.
Joseph was the Prime Minister of the idolatrous nation of Egypt and he single-handedly saved all the people from starvation due to his God-given wisdom and prudent management of the national
crop yields. Daniel also served as a high-ranking politician in Babylon with his friends Shadrack, Misheck and Abednego.
In the Third Century, the Roman Emperor Constantine embraced Christianity and stopped the brutal persecution of Christians by his predecessors. He appointed many Christians into positions of authority, financially supported the Church and was instrumental in creating the modern Bible. He also organised the first Christian Council to establish and codify modern foundational church doctrine and he reformed many Roman laws in line with Christianity, for example abolishing crucifixion. This is a prime example of what happens when believers take the mantle of political leadership.
I have not abandoned the church. I am involved in politics because my faith in God demands it of me. Politics will never be clean until men and women with the fear of God get involved. Zambians should prefer to be governed by people with the fear of God in their hearts, rather than corrupt thieving politicians.
Q:Why don’t you return to the pulpit? Why did you get into Politics?
A:I have been called by God to be an Evangelist. An Evangelist is a bearer of good news – the Gospel. His responsibility is to identify people and communities living in “spiritual darkness” and bring the light of the Gospel. Matthew 5:13-14 says, we are the salt and light of the World. My job as an Evangelist is to find the most ungodly sections of our society and bring light to those dark spots; areas where sin abounds; areas where injustice abounds. Politics is such an area, and is notably called, the “dirty game of politics.”
I have held Gospel crusades in the most dangerous, ungodly areas around the world. I became the first African Evangelist to hold a crusade in the heart of Soweto, South Africa just before independence when no evangelist wanted to risk their lives in 1994. I held a crusade in Bulgaria at a time that country was experiencing great instability. I took a group of Zambian Christians to Israel and preached in Tel Aviv during a war. I did all this because I am an Evangelist. My call is to dark and dangerous areas. My call is to take light where there is darkness. In Zambia, there is no darker place than politics. If Christians don’t go there, who qualifies to go there?
My assignment from God today is to bring light to Zambian politics. The battle against Christians in this sector will continue to be vicious because the land is occupied by the ungodly. I have never left the pulpit, except that I have taken the pulpit to the political world as an Evangelist.
Q:Are you a preacher or politician? The Bembas say “cimbwi afwile intanganana” [the hyena died because of divided interests] and the Bible says you cannot serve two masters.
A:I am both. Preaching and being a political leader of people are not two masters but two roles. Human beings are made to do more than one role. Husband and father; teacher and preacher; wife and secretary. The Bible summarizes it in Philippians 4:13 by saying, “I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me”. The two roles are not exclusive to each other. Doing one does not prevent the other.
I would like to challenge all those who say I cannot be both in politics and the church to give genuine Christian reasons why, and not the old worn out argument of me not being able to serve two masters at the same time. They should explain how they are able to have a full-time job while serving in their churches as elders, deacons or in some other capacity.
Q:When will you meet TB Joshua to speak into your life concerning your Presidential ambitions?
A:I respect all men of God including brother TB Joshua. I am not experimenting about my political involvement, neither am I looking for someone to confirm whether I should be in politics or not. This was done before getting into politics. I had several weeks of prayer and fasting and also sought the wisdom of a lot of ministers of the Gospel. I know I am in God’s perfect will in this journey.
Q:What is God telling you about Zambia’s political landscape?
A;The Political landscape must change. We must move from the current immoral politics to politics of morality and integrity. We need to change the players.
Q:You keep leaving organizations like the church, the National Citizen’s Coalition, Reform Party, etc. How can you be trusted?
I left Chinsali at 14, moved to Livingstone for Secondary school, moved to Kitwe for College at 18 and finally moved to Lusaka at 41 for my political involvement. Your question suggests that I can only be trusted if I lived my whole life in Chinsali. The question also suggests that only those who have never changed jobs or clubs can be trusted. Please remember that life is a journey.
I however wish to correct you on the Church. I was born into a United Church of Zambia family and grew up in that church like all my brothers and sisters. When I personally gave my life to Christ at age 17, I joined the Pentecostal Assemblies of God until 1980 when I pioneered what is now Victory Ministries International. I remain the leader of this church organization to date. I have never left church.

A Traditional leader of Ngandu village in chief Sekute’s area in Kazungula district says President Michael Sata is a leader with a heart for the people of Zambia and his efforts to ensure development in the country should be appreciated by everyone.

Headman Alfred Ngenda’s comment comes in the wake of President Sata’s continuous directive to his ministers to visit constituencies in the country to ensure that they farmiliarise themselves with the challenges that people are facing.

Ngenda said President Sata was a leader that wanted to see development for the people of Zambia, adding that his directive to government ministers was to ensure that he reached to as many people as possible through those under him.

“President Sata is a hard worker and he does not just want to see his ministers in the offices. He wants to see them working for the benefit of the people. He has demonstrated his passion for the people of Zambia by directing those under him to visit their constituencies so that they know the plight of the people,” he said. “There are so many challenges in rural areas that need the support of the government. There is hunger, lack of proper health centres, people have to walk long distances to go to a clinic and there are no proper schools. But how do leaders get to know these challenges if they do not visit their constituencies?”

Ngenda said if members of parliament visited their constituencies regularly as directed by President Sata, the government would be made aware of the plight of the people and the necessary attention would be channeled to such areas to alleviate their suffering.

Daniel Munkombwe says the PF lost in Solwezi Central due to careless talk.

Speaking at Maramba Cultural Village on Tuesday after the PF cadres took part in a five-kilometre march from the main business centre to celebrate the party’s three years in government. Munkombwe, who is Southern Province minister, advised politicians to be clean before they decide to fight others.

“In the last by-elections, we won four out of six seats…they [UPND] won in Solwezi Central, yes but narrowly and I know why we lost in Solwezi Central. We were carelessly talking in Solwezi. But you can see that the PF still has got life,” he said.

Munkombwe said President Michael Sata is a political magician who impresses the nation.
He also advised politicians to be clean before they fight others.

“If you are a thief anywhere, you will be a thief everywhere. Because new leadership has been born, you want to go there and cry,” Munkombwe said.

He advised the PF cadres to ignore rumour mongers and gossipers and instead aspire to grow the ruling party.

Munkombwe, who is also Southern Province PF chairperson, further said dirty people were trying to use party secretary general, Edgar Lungu’s name to destabilise the PF in the province by circulating a list of purported new provincial and district executive members.
And provincial political secretary, Leonard Siamalonga Siachona asked the PF cadres to persevere if they want to succeed.

And PF provincial women’s chairperson, Anne Nyirenda Tischer, said women were the most abused by politicians with bad intentions and asked them to verify any information given to them using the recognised party hierarchy.

Controversial South African Pastor Lesego Daniel of Rabboni Centre Ministries has apparently made his congregation drink petrol.

He once made them eat grass and now he claims that drinking petrol is as tasty as drinking pineapple juice.

Members of the church exclaim how “sweet” and “nice” it tastes, comparing it to “Iron Brew” and “pineapple juice”.

The news emanating from Nigerian armed forces in the North this week has been extremely encouraging, especially considering the alarming ISIS inspired ‘caliphate’ rhetoric coined by Boko Haram’s fugitive leader in recent weeks.

Several reports of strong victories for Nigerian forces culminating with the killing of Abubakar Shekau (or a man feigning his bloodthirsty antics in the spate of sickening videos publicly released) speak of a turn in the tide in the battle for Borno and beyond.

Only weeks earlier, reports were rampant of an imminent attack on Maiduguri by Boko Haram as their dastard attempts to establish an Islamic caliphate in Nigeria showed signs of encompassing the whole of Borno State.

The insurgents attack on Bama, Borno’s second largest town earlier this month, spoke of the severity of their intent. Stories of Nigerian soldiers abandoning post and complaints of inadequate equipment for the task at hand further fuelled the speculative notion that Boko Haram were on the defiant rise.

However, with the cloud of ‘invincibility’ surrounding Shekau (or his eccentric double) dealt with and an alleged 260 militants ‘surrendering’ subsequently, I think we can successfully posit that a turnaround in the fortunes of Nigeria’s fight with Boko Haram has come at last.

“The recent devastation on the insurgents’ leadership is attributable to the renewed commitment to eradicating terrorism,” was the triumphant tweet of Defence HQ Nigeria yesterday, coupled with the hashtag #VictoryforNigeria.

I join every well-meaning Nigerian to rejoice in this wonderful news. However, as someone inclined to the philosophy of the spiritual outworking in the physical, aside from the selfless sweat and toil of our boys at the front, I would suggest another key factor involved in the sudden decline of the militants.

Aside from their financial backers in high places, it is known that Boko Haram rely on ‘spiritual protection’ in their operations. I remember a controversial Nigerian cleric warning against fear in the fight against the insurgents earlier this year. “Your response determines their operation,” he calmly said. “Fear and panic help their operations because their main weapons are not bombs and guns of all sorts but evil spirits.”

I am of the opinion that a particular event triggered a spiritual change in the atmosphere in Borno which proved critical in the demise of Shekau or his impersonator. You may insinuate religious fanaticism but I pose the question – does any coincidence exist between Pastor T.B. Joshua’s unusually heated words last week and the subsequent surge by Nigerian forces? Consider yourself what he said in the aftermath of fingering Boko Haram as the masterminds of an ‘attack’ on his church that led to over 100 casualties.
“I want to assure you that our God will get back to them. Listen to me – God will get back to them – the agents of satan – and you will know when He gets back to them. You will know – ‘Because of what happened, look at what happened’. I said it last time concerning Boko Haram – our God will get back. Maybe this will be the end of the whole thing.”

I may be wrong but I suggest God’s wrath and retribution has been provoked! Let us pray that indeed ‘the end of the whole thing’ is nigh, for no one can fight God and escape unscathed. That includes Boko Haramites and all whose devilish ideals involve innocent bloodshed.

By Godwin Ikechukwu – Lagos, Nigeria

Nigerian actor Osita Iheme popularly known as PawPaw recently published a 110-paged inspirational book with 101 quotes titled ‘Inspired 101′. He spoke recently on why he published the book and what he intends to do with it..

“I read a lot of books, so I got inspired by some of these books and also some societal challenges that affected me personally. Inspired 101 is basically a compilation of inspirational/motivational quotes. It took me about two years to put this together. There are a lot of challenges we go through that requires words of inspiration to help people carry on. That was why I came up with Inspired 101 which I spiced and blended with some artistic visuals. I started it in 2012 and completed it 2014.

“The main purpose of the motivational book is not just to launch it and make cash but to make sure it gets to the target audience, that’s Junior secondary schools. The Federal government wants to give out to these students through the Universal Basic Education. Many others are recommending it to parents” he told Encomium magazine

Honour Janza says he is in the process of replacing “tired” players in the national team.
Speaking to journalists after breaking a three-day training camp for local players, the Chipolopolo coach said there were some players in the national team who needed to leave to pave way for younger players.

Janza said he could not completely overhaul the team at once, but instead undertake the process in stages.

“Not immediately but the process has to start now. Like we have said, we will keep rebranding. But you don’t chop everything at once. You can’t replace all the 11 players at one time. It’s a process and has to start now. Maybe we are late,” Janza said.

Janza said it was clear that some of the players were tired and could not peform at their best level.

“They have done their part but we need to say to them you can do up to this up to this level, so maybe we can try another person. It’s possible (that most players are tired), you see them, you watch football, you watch them. It’s normal in football that you can’t stay forever, you have to hang up your boots. You need to wind up,” he said.

Most players who were part of the 2012 Africa Cup-winning team have struggled to return to their best form while others have shown signs of tiredness.

Janza said the future for the national team was sitting on a good platform looking at the local players who were ready to take up places.

“… when you see players like these, you can see the future of Zambian football. Zambian football is still sitting on a good platform. In the medium and long term we are okay. Our short term, we look at maybe one or two from the local, but mostly we want to use the ones that have graduated,” he said.

He said the nation should remain patient as he would soon start using local players for competitive matches.

Janza added that he was not under any pressure to produce results after a poor start to the 2015 Africa Cup qualifiers.

Zambia played to a goalless draw against Mozambique and lost 2-1 to Cape Verde in the opening two group fixtures.

The team’s next assignment is away to Niger next month.

The drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has arrested 42 people in the infamous Chibolya Township in Lusaka for trafficking in various quantities of cannabis.
DEC and other investigations wings have for the past months raided the township to conduct a cleanup of unlawful drug substances with some of the suspects having been prosecuted and sentenced.
The 42 suspects were arrested on Tuesday after DEC conducted two separate operations in Chibolya.
DEC public relation officer Theresa Katongo disclosed in a statement yesterday that those arrested include Samson Mawele, 24, a garden boy of Chibolya for trafficking in loose cannabis weighing 1.2 killogrammes.
An 18- year -old- boy also of Chibolya was also arrested in the raid for trafficking in 804grammes of loose cannabis.
Others arrested and jointly charged are Memory Sakala, 25, a housewife and Humphrey Banda, 21, of Chibolya Township. They were arrested for trafficking in loose cannabis weighing 2.953kg.
Ms Katongo said Timothy Singoyi, 32, of Kanyama Township was arrested for trafficking in 455grammes of loose cannabis, Kingsley Sisuku, 28, of the same township for trafficking in 192g of cannabis and Victor Kangali, 21, of the same area for trafficking in 168g of loose cannabis.
Meanwhile, the Commission in North Western Province has arrested a peasant farmer Evans Chipango, 25, of M8 area in Kabompo District for trafficking in 1.7kg of cannabis.
Hilary Kamboyi, 28, of Mandandi area in the same district was also arrested for trafficking in 900g of loose cannabis.
The suspects will appear in court soon.

GOVERNMENT has directed Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) to settle the US$44 million debt owed to Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) and the power utility to immediately restore power supply to the Vedanta Resources Plc-owned company.
The directive comes after CEC started restricting power supply to KCM following a commercial dispute between the two companies.
This has forced KCM to suspend operations at its Nchanga underground mine after the mine flooded due to restriction of power supply.
Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development Christopher Yaluma and Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services Joseph Katema said at a joint press briefing in Lusaka yesterday that the two companies should normalise their stand-off before the end of business yesterday.
“Government will not accept any further delay by the two companies to resolve this matter as it can have far-reaching humanitarian and economic consequences. It is disappointing that the stand-off has continued and now threatens the safety of workers at KCM.
“Government feels both KCM and CEC have not done what they were supposed to do. We, therefore, direct that with immediate effect, both companies fulfil their respective obligations since we want to see that before the end of the day today [Thursday],” Dr Katema said.
The minister said it is important for the situation to normalise in the interest of both companies and the country as a whole.
When asked about consequences of not following Government’s directive by the two companies, Dr Katema said: “We don’t see any of them disobeying Government instructions.”
And Mr Yaluma said Government’s interest is to see power supply restored at KCM.
When asked if the directive would not set a bad precedent to other mining companies to stop paying for power supply, Dr Katema said Government’s intervention is in national interest.
“This is a business transaction between the two entities. We have come in because it borders on economic sabotage whereby production has stalled and also the safety of miners is threatened, so we don’t think other companies can like to be found in a similar situation,” he said.
KCM public relations and communications manager Shapi Shachinda said KCM is aware of the statement by Dr Katema and Mr Yaluma.
“As a responsible corporate citizen and key player in the country’s economy, KCM has already and will continue to honour its obligations to the CEC,” Mr Shachinda said
He said KCM is grateful for the guidance from the government.
“However, CEC has yet to restore power and this is affecting the future of operations at Nchanga,” Mr Shachinda said.
But CEC head of corporate affairs Chama Kalima said her company is ready to restore the restricted portion of power supply provided KCM discharges its obligations to CEC within the time specified in the ministerial directive.
On Wednesday, Mr Shachinda alleged that CEC had unilaterally made further restrictions of power supply which caused flooding at Nchanga underground mine around 23:40 hours on Tuesday.
But Mrs Kalima said KCM is attempting to malign CEC in the public eye and play victim while defaulting on its payment obligations.
Mrs Kalima said current restriction of KCM’s power requirements was agreed upon with KCM and no further reduction has been effected since.
“It seems KCM attempted to bypass the power restriction to the concentrator that CEC had effected last Saturday leading to a load ramp-up, which caused trip-outs on the system,” Mrs Kalima said.

By NANCY SIAME and CHOMBA MUSIKA
A 40-YEAR-OLD teacher of Mabumba Primary School in Mansa has allegedly scalded his nine-year-old daughter’s hands with water after she ate relish meant for supper.
The suspect identified as Frank Bupe is on the run and police are looking for him.
Luapula Province commissioner of police Malcolm Mulenga said yesterday that the incident happened on Saturday around 20:00 hours.
“The matter was reported to police by the mother of the girl, Mary Chileshe, 32,” Mr Mulenga said.
He said the family did not initially want to report the matter to police but school authorities forced Ms Chileshe to do so.
He said the girl’s right hand was dipped in boiling water after she ate Chinese cabbage which was meant for the family’s supper.
“The father got annoyed and as a way of disciplining his daughter, he dipped her right hand in boiling water making her to sustain burns,” Mr Mulenga said.
He said Bupe and Ms Chileshe allegedly tried to treat the burns using traditional herbs after realising that the injuries were serious.
He said the girl is admitted to Mansa General Hospital while Bupe’s whereabouts are unknown.
“Police are doing everything possible to ensure that the culprit is brought to book,” he said
He said Bupe will be charged with assault on a child.
And a one-year-old baby has died after drowning in a well at Kasongo village in Mansa.
Mr Mulenga named the child as Nathan Chama.
Mr Mulenga said the child’s mother identified as Chipense Ng’andwe, 23, was in the house when the incident happened.
He said Ms Ng’andwe heard Nathan screaming for help and she jumped into the well in a bid to rescue him but she also started drowning.
Mr Mulenga said quick action by a team of police and firefighters saved Ms Ng’andwe from drowning.
“The child was retrieved dead while the mother was alive and is admitted to Mansa General Hospital,” he said
And a one-year-old baby of Bulili village in Kalomo has died after allegedly consuming a cattle-dipping chemical.
Southern Province commissioner of police Mary Chikwanda said the incident happened on Tuesday afternoon.
Ms Chikwanda said the child’s stepfather identified as Depast Siamani has been detained at Kalomo Police Station to help with investigations.
“Police in Kalomo received a case of suspected poisoning in which Derrick Mungowa of Siachitema village in Kalomo reported that a one-year-old boy was found dead in his stepfather’s house and was foaming at the mouth,” Ms Chikwanda said.

Chief Government Spokesperson Joseph Katema says Government has not received any information that President Michael Sata has been admitted to a New York hospital as is being reported by US media.

Reacting to US media reports that President Sata was admitted to hospital after falling sick on Thursday, Dr Katema has told QFM News in a telephone interview this morning that government has not received any such adverse information from the President’s delegation in New York.

US media organizations that reported President Sata’s hospitalization include VOA, Newsweek and Associated Press.

President Sata is in New York for the annual gathering of world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly, where he was scheduled to speak on Wednesday.

He did not deliver the address to the 193-member world body.

The number of Europeans joining Islamist fighters in Syria and Iraq has risen to more than 3,000, the EU’s anti-terrorism chief has told the BBC.

Gilles de Kerchove also warned that Western air strikes would increase the risk of retaliatory attacks in Europe.

US-led forces have launched nearly 200 air strikes against Islamic State (IS) militants in Iraq since August and on Monday began targeting IS in Syria.

The UK parliament is due to vote on possible air strikes in Iraq on Friday.

IS has seized large parts of Iraq and Syria in recent months.

Mr de Kerchove said the number of 3,000 included all those who have been to the region, including those who have returned and those who have been killed there.

Earlier this year, experts put the figure at about 2,000.

BBC

TWO children of the same family in Chief Singani in Choma have been burnt to death by a suspected thief who set the hut in which they were sleeping on fire when they screamed for help and thwarted his attempt to steal household goods.
Police have arrested the suspect identified as Antifel Muleya, 22, also of Chief Singani’s area.
Southern Province commissioner of police Mary Chikwanda said yesterday that the incident happened on Monday night while the parents of the children were at a funeral.
Ms Chikwanda identified the dead children as Eric Simbalyani, 9, and his older brother, Steven, 11.
Ms Chikwanda said Muleya allegedly broke into the house with intent to steal while Eric, Steven and three other children were asleep.
She, however, said Muleya’s attempt to steal household goods was thwarted when the children were awakened by the noise and screamed for help.
“Muleya entered the house where five children were sleeping but the children were awakened by his noise and they recognised him and immediately screamed for help.
“But when Muleya realised that the children had recognised him, he went outside, collected some fire and set the grass-thatched house ablaze,” Ms Chikwanda said
She said three children escaped through the window while Eric and Steven, who were gripped with fear, opted to hide under their parents’ bed and were burnt to death.
Ms Chikwanda said police have arrested Muleya and charged with arson.
She said the two children were buried on Tuesday morning but their bodies will be exhumed for an autopsy.
The incident comes barely a month after a 55-year-old man and his daughter, also of Chief Singani, died after the house they were sleeping in was set ablaze by the deceased’s son on suspicion that he was a wizard.
Meanwhile, Malawian commissioner of police for the northern region Agness Gondwe has apologised to Zambia over the recent brutal murder of a 31-year-old tobacco trader in that country.
Ms Gondwe said Joseph Mtonga, 31, of Lundazi was murdered by four Malawians on the outskirts of Embangweni in Malawi early this month.
She said this during a joint police security conference in Chipata yesterday.
“We have come here to give our condolences to the people of Zambia over the death of our brother Joseph Mtonga who was brutally murdered by four Malawians when he went to Malawi to collect his tobacco money from one of the accused,” Ms Gondwe said.
She said Mr Mtonga met his fate when he gave one of the suspects bales of tobacco to sell on his behalf but that the suspect did not remit the money as agreed.
She described Mr Mtonga’s murder as inhuman and that such acts should not be condoned.
And Eastern Province commissioner of police Grace Chipalila commended police in Malawi for working with their Zambian counterparts to arrest the suspects identified as Christopher Chirwa, 54, and his relatives Norma Chirwa, 25 and Allan Chirwa , 24.

THE under-17 national team were yesterday treated to a lukewarm reception on arrival in Uganda ahead of tomorrow’s 2015 Niger Africa Youth Championship last round return leg.
The junior Chipolopolo, who arrived shortly after midnight, slept on empty stomachs as the staff at the Grand Global Hotel where the team has been lodged, did not prepare any food for them.
Delegation leader Lee Kawanu told fazfootball.com that he was shocked to find that the hotel had not prepared any food for the team.
Kawanu, who is Football Association of Zambia committee member, said the team will however stay focused and will not be swayed by what he termed “mind games” by the hosts.
“Firstly no food was prepared for the team so we are sleeping on empty stomachs, then they wanted to separate the team into two groups with some players and officials going to some rat hole of a hotel that’s even worse than the first one. We have opted to put the boys in 3s [threes] so that they all stay in one place with the head coach, team manager and physiotherapist.
“The rest of us have moved to the rat hotel. We’ve been assured that the rooms will be sorted out this morning [yesterday]. Apparently, the hotel was initially told that we were arriving over the weekend and were only told of our arrival yesterday [Wednesday]. The boys were told before travelling to expect the worst but stay focused so this will not affect them at all,” Kawanu said.
And Coach Chris Kaunda told Kawowo Sports of Uganda that Zambia will play the return match with caution.
“We are here for the second half. The first half was played in Zambia. We expect to play with caution as a qualification slot is at hand”, he said
When asked if he was aware that Uganda lodged a petition accusing them [Zambia] of fielding over aged players, Kaunda said all his players are young.
“Zambia is a Christian nation and there is no way we could cheat before the entire nation. All the boys are young and within the bracket”, Kaunda said.
Zambia, who beat Uganda 2-0 in the first leg at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka only need a goalless draw to clinch a maiden qualification to the continental championship.

THE Road Development Agency (RDA) has awarded two contracts for the periodic maintenance of 151.8 kilometres of the Solwezi-Mwinilunga road and rehabilitation of a stretch of 23.35 kilometres of urban roads in Chingola at a cost of over K228 million.
The contracts have been awarded to Asphalt Worx Limited and Inyatsi Roads Zambia Limited.
Speaking at a signing ceremony in Lusaka yesterday, RDA chief executive officer Bernard Chiwala said Asphalt Worx Limited has been mandated to complete the rehabilitation of selected roads in Chingola following the termination of the contract awarded to Mivami.
Mr Chiwala said Asphalt will complete all outstanding works, which include construction of pavement layers, drainage structures, asphalt pavement works, provision of road markings and signage.
He said the works will be completed within eight months at a cost of K68,154,655.57, adding that 15 selected roads have been earmarked for rehabilitation under the project.
Mr Chiwala said in addition, RDA will rehabilitate an additional 15 kilometres of selected urban roads in Chingola.
He said the contract will be executed by Sino Hydro, the contractor currently working on the Kitwe-Chingola dual carriageway and that the company has already moved on site.
He also said RDA has awarded a contract for the periodic maintenance of 151.8 kilometres of the Solwezi-Mwinilunga road in North-Western Province to Inyatsi Roads Zambia Limited at a sum of K159,985,158.37.
“RDA is confident the improvement of these important road links will ease the movement of people living in those areas as well as facilitate trade and commerce,” he said.
And RDA board chairperson Willie Nsanda warned that the agency will not hesitate to terminate contracts if the two contractors engage in poor workmanship.
“We are very concerned about some contractors doing shoddy works on our roads and we will not hesitate to terminate contracts once a contractor is found wanting.
Meanwhile, Inyatsi general manager Adrian De Koning and Asphalt Worx Limited chief executive officer Dave Brown thanked RDA for awarding them the contracts.
And Chingola member of Parliament Joseph Katema, who is also Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services, urged the contractor awarded to work on the Chingola urban roads to work hard and ensure there is good workmanship.
“Please ensure that works are completed on time. Don’t fail the people of Chingola by doing shoddy works,” Dr Katema said.