DAILY NATION Sunday February 28, 2021

NATION NATION OIL FIRM KAMBWILI RAIDED BISHOPS GOVERNMENT PONDERS WAY FORWARD OVER DAILY CEC JUDGEMENT PURSUING JUSTICE AND EQUITY WITH INTEGRITY

PriceVol. K10 6. Issue 2765 |

Price K10

Escalating commodity prices irk President Lungu

E-paper. dailynation.info/online

editor@dailynation.info www.dailynation.info adverts@dailynation.info

Vol. Issue 1917 Saturday March 10, 2018 | 4.

Sunday February 28, 2021 | www.dailynationzambia.com

PAGE 3

C3765-30-31

PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu PURSUING JUSTICE AND EQUITY WITH INTEGRITY says the escalating Advertise: dailynationadverts@gmail.com E-paper. dailynation.info/online Vol. 6. Issue 2677 Price K10 Monday August 10, 2020 commodity prices are unjustified and could be caused by sabotage by some individuals.

PURSUING JUSTICE AND EQUITY WITH INTEGRITY

DAILY

HITS BACK RISE ANGRY FARMERS CHIDE

Kasama MP warns …ditches Opposition Alliance, suspends UPND chief

...in another mukula scam Vol. 6. Issue 2734

NZO

Former Archbishop TELESPHORE MPUNDU

Mr. Sampa

Mr. Mucheleka

P3. UPND not to blame over NDC infighting, says Katuka

Price K10

Monday October 12, 2020

“If truly Archbishop Telesphore Mpundu is trying to stop dedicated Christians from dedicating the country to Christianity, then that is sad and unacceptable because he does not hold the monopoly of wisdom,” Bishop Kaela said.

PRESSURE GOVT

or a serious xploit Gold Zambia is illegal minthe mineral expert Edas said. aid disational ers and ployed y trained nterests d to replace t of them By SIMON MUNTEMBA rs. To Page 3 T is unacceptable for former Archbishop Telesphore Mpundu to think he holds

By PETER SICHALI

MPUNDU

‘traitors’ (Page 3) …apologise or else,

No one Christian however powerful or educated can stop other Christians from dedicating the country to the creator in honour of Gospel values

WE are not responsible for the confusion that has rocked our alliance partner the National Democratic Congress (NDC), UPND Secretary-General Stephen Katuka has said.

[Page 4]

Mucheleka told

He has also pulled the National Democratic Congress (NDC) facthe monopoly of wisdom and tion out of the Opposition Alliance try to stop Christian from dedHISHIMBA Kambwili has icating Zambia to Christianity, led by the UPND, stating that his suspended his party vice says Bishops Council of Zambia party overwhelmingly opposed president Joseph Akafumsecretary-general Bishop Able being subordinated to the UPND. Kaela. ba, Secretary-General Bridgette But Mr Kambwili’s spokesperson EdwardKALUNGA Mumbi said the action was Story on Page 3Atanga and Roan Member of Par-By KETRA liament Joseph ChishalaFARMERS indecent, illegal and thatof ofKwacha a per- in lost will lose millions Mr Simukonda from the party. son who did are not stuck respect the42, law. income as they with 000 tonnes

By PETER SICHALI

Page 3

…no market Cfor 42, 000 tonnes I e to n’ Dr Kambwili

of winter maize which they cannot export and Page 3 a profit. from which they expected to generate This is because the government has not allowed them export the excess harvest.

The maize was produced at great cost in irrigation, electricity and chemical input.

Government asked farmers to produce about 135, 000 tonnes when there was a grain shortage in the country which led to hiked meal mealie prices.

Under the agreement, farmers were to export some of the maize after meeting the local targets.

But Government has not sanctioned the move.

(To page 3)

‘CONSTITUTE COMMISSION PageTraditional 3. ZESCO leaders DENIES are Govt bans Malanji slamsmovement ‘stingy’ Kenyatta OF TO PROBE ACC’ CONSPIRING PAGE 3 ofINQUIRY pigs inMPs Isoka treasured –WITH East KCM PF chief and Odinga opposition Mr Lubusha

The two trucks the Scania from South Africa and the Freightliner (right), Zimbabwean PAGE 3 registered where found laden with Mukula tree logs. [Pictures Linda Tembo Soko] See story on Page 4

AFRITANK

DECLARE INTEREST, MUKUNI CHALLENGED

IMF talks on again

Why has > 20 years' Expected Lifespan outdoors?

Because it contains double layer with the pale green outer layer and inner layer of> 2.3% Carbon Black - melt compounded into Polyethylene - to block and provide effective protection against the harmful effects of the Sun's Ultraviolet Rays Other features

Mr. Lusambo

Mr Zimba

pledge to heal divisions Page 4

Double layer tank, 100% virgin food grade material, Corrugated walls for extra strength, 5 Years warranty against the manufacturing defect Side Manhole access, ease of inspection and installation

story on Page 19 Lungu tipped See I won’t to retain powerapologise to Commonwealth in 2021sidelines polls Chitimukulu ZCID on

By SIMON MUNTEMBA

Demolish structures • Mwanakatwe reveals contributing to floods - Lusambo talks set for April P.4 See story on Page 3 C6098

AFRITANK is the part of AquaSanTec group of companies, the Most trusted brand in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Zambia and South Sudan market, As a group over 30 years legacy in manufacturing of water storage tanks.

Senior Chief Mukuni

Mr Katuka

SENIOR Chief Mukuni should declare interest in matters surrounding the 1990s privatisation process as he is believed to have acquired shares in Sun International, Government deputy chief whip, Tutwa Ngulube has said (To page 3)

- Lukulu

dialogue preps

dialogue preps We have not yet Farmers been paid and See when we story engageon Page 4 them, they are not calls complain Lungu giving us satisfactory answers.

Imagine I invested againstConCourt must explain more my K400 so that for I can get help but Mayfair is being unfair on insurance Chilanga us farmers vacancy and this is de-cam-- YALI prayers paigning PF which claims to be See story on Page 2 firm. P4 pro-poor government.

STORY ON PAGE 4

Mr Ngulube

STORY ON PAGE 3

Sunday February 28, 2021

HOME NEWS

DAILY

2

OPINION & ANALYSIS Tel: +260 211 243527

Plot No. 5251B Mukwa Road, Heavy Industrial Area. P.O. Box 34553, Lusaka Email: dailynation@ymail.com www.dailynation.info

OASIS OF PEACE VERNON Mwaanga, one of the country’s celebrated freedom fighters claims that Zambia has lost its “Oasis of peace” status.

We do not understand how the “elder statesman” came to this conclusion, which we think does not hold water.

It is in this vein that we share the disappointment expressed by the Inter Africa Governance Network Executive Director, Mr Maurice Malambo over these negative remarks.

Mr Malambo said the sentiments were not only untrue but also aimed at tarnishing the good image of the country to the international community.

He also said the sentiments were also an attempt to aid regime change amidst the protracted social-economic strain largely induced by the effects of climate change and the Covid-19.

Although Dr Mwaanga wants the nation to believe that he is non partisan and an “elder statesman,” such statements show the opposite.

We do not expect Dr Mwaanga to sing praises for the Patriotic Front government. If anything, he should be in a better position, having served in government from independence until the government of President Frederick Chiluba to advise those in government.

But he of all people should appreciate and commend the government for upholding the country’s cherished peace.

Zambia, despite the many challenges the country has faced, has been able to maintain its national peace and unity.

Yes, the country is heading for presidential, parliamentary and local government elections slated for August 12 this year, and there have been insinuations that there could be violence.

Yet, President Edgar Lungu himself has personally assured the nation that his government is committed to ensure that there is peace before and after the August 12 elections.

Zambians are all united to ensure that the country’s reputation as an “oasis of peace” remains intact.

What Dr Mwaanga and other detractors should be worried about are those of our citizens who are sowing seeds of division and preparing for “Armageddon.”

They have embarked on a destructive agenda through their toxic messages to their supporters that the only way they could lose the August 12 elections is from rigging by the party in government – Patriotic Front.

In addition, they have been active questioning the integrity of the Judiciary, in particular the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ), institutions which have helped maintain the peace and stability the country enjoys.

They want to create an impression that the ECZ is a creation of the ruling party when all political parties go by what powers the constitution has given it in regard to its operations.

As we have stated so often, holding peaceful elections is not a preserve of the party in government. All political leaders must commit themselves to submit to the will of the people and campaign in a peaceful manner.

These are the issues that Dr Mwaanga and other senior elders must be impressing upon their political proteges.

Mr Malambo is right on to advise Dr Mwaanga and other like-minded that democracy does not only entail the accordance of rights and freedom to its citizens but also accords the collective responsibility to the same citizens to maintain the climate of social-political tranquility.

Mr Malambo reminded Dr Mwaanga that his careless sentiments could derail the flow of donor cooperation and Direct Foreign Investment into the country.

The bottom line is that Zambia will remain an oasis of peace that will continue to offer refuge to people from other countries running away from repression.

UPND LIFE-PRESIDENT AND HIS RUNNING-MATE’S DILEMMA

It is common knowledge that for a time Mr Hichilema had been looking for a running-mate who would bring in more votes from the Bemba-speaking hinterlands of Luapula, Muchinga, Copperbelt and Northern provinces.

F

By MUBANGA LUCHEMBE

RESH from his choreographed victory at the party’s first-ever virtual general assembly since 2006, where he was rubber-stamped as the UPND’s presidential candidate in the forthcoming general elections, Hakainde Hichilema has come out threatened by an albatross in the shape of his choice of running-mate at the August 12 elections.

He has only two months left to make the most important decision in his political career over the dilemma before the scheduled presidential nomination which takes place in May at the Supreme Court.

It is common knowledge that for a time Mr Hichilema had been looking for a running-mate who would bring in more votes from the Bemba-speaking hinterlands of Luapula, Muchinga, Copperbelt and Northern provinces.

To this end, Mr Hichilema had made forays into these four vote-rich and populous provinces seeking a suitable deputy. The party’s two exvice presidents, Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba (GBM) and Canisius Banda were miffed when they realised that they were no longer in his succession plan, and decided to go against their boss. Undoubtedly, their challenge and exit distressed the UPND. Worth noting though, is that recently, a heated argument ensued between Mr Hichilema and UPND Monze Central member of Parliament who is also leader of opposition in Parliament, Jack Mwiimbu.

This was after Mr Hichilema confided in him that he could not be his running-mate in the upcoming polls, because this time around the position was reserved for a Bemba-speaking person.

This angered Mr Mwiimbu who told Mr Hichilema point-blank that Bembas had done nothing for the UPND, they had contributed zero and were backstabbers.

Mr Mwiimbu gave the examples of Miles Sampa, Mulenga Sata, Felix Mutati all of whom were Bembas and above all, GBM who was offered the vice-presidency but ditched the party when times got tough.

The Monze Central lawmaker was however against the idea of bringing outsiders at a crucial time when elections were less than six months away. He insisted that none other than a Tonga-speaking person must be the running-mate and the

only other compromise could be a Lozi-speaking choice.

But Mr Hichilema tried to reason with Mr Mwiimbu advising him that he should not be selfish because it was himself who wanted to be the running-mate, but should look at the bigger picture.

In Mr Hichilema’s view, the Tonga-vote was already secured 100 percent UPND and even the Lozi-vote was more or less 90 percent UPND already.

the primary processes for the selection of National Management Committee members and presidential candidate, which were fraught with irregularities.

What these suggested was that the party’s top brass had an unrestrained hand in calling the shots, while at the same time party lieutenants ensured that orders were obeyed.

Furthermore, even Mr Hichilema’s greatest admirers

parliamentary and local government election candidates.

It all sounds familiar.

It seems Mr Hichilema is only answerable to himself.

And pundits are already wondering what might happen in May when he presents his nomination papers to unveil Ms Mutale Nalumango the newly-appointed UPND vice-president, as his running-mate.

Observers are asking about the would-be reaction of

Mr Hichilema

Dr kambwili

Ms Nalumango

But the Bemba-vote from Copperbelt, Luapula, Northern and Muchinga provinces needed to be strongly swayed to come to the UPND’s side by bringing a prominent Bemba-speaking candidate.

In August this year, Mr Hichilema would lead the UPND into a presidential, parliamentary and local government election.

But from the look of things, the saga of a running-mate is not going to go away too soon as it feeds into a perception of ethnocentric-autocracy levelled against Mr Hichilema and his party. His political adversaries inside and outside the UPND tent are lying in wait.

For failing to quell internal rebellion in his own party, Mr Hichilema will have to go an extra mile, to either regain or recruit new Bemba-speaking allies to replace a sizeable lost chunk of his former Bemba-speaking electoral constituency.

As he shuttles to the 2021 general elections his chances of the ultimate prize are compromised by his party’s excessive internal haemorrhage and his inability to keep influential Bemba-speaking friends, like GBM. Also at stake would be self-preservation, judging from the intra-party level of subtle brand of dictatorship particularly evident during the just-ended UPND’s virtual general assembly, as shown by

in pro-UPND NGOs and media outlets were surprised when he was simply rubber-stamped as presidential candidate.

No challengers to him were permitted nor were elections allowed for those wishing to serve in the executive as two vice-presidents – portfolios left vacant since GBM and Canisius Banda’s exit.

Prior to this, organisers of the virtual general congress made a show of things by asking provincial delegates if they had any alternative candidates in mind.

THE appointment of Mutale Nalumango as UPND vice president does not make her an automatic running mate to Hakainde Hichilema, Chishimba Kambwili said.

The response was what seemed like a well-rehearsed “NO.” Analysts suggested that the whole charade had been orchestrated to ensure that the party’s major financier, Mr Hichilema, had guaranteed loyalty and reverence from the senior party hierarchy.

They in turn would be given party positions or adopted as

many of the party’s ethnocentric-elders like Mr Axon Sejani and Mr Mwiimbu to this anticipated announcement which may suggest that cracks exist beneath the UPND’s façade.

These party’s ethnocentric-elders may express disappointment that not only has Mr Hichilema selected another Bemba-speaking person to join him on the ticket again, but also a woman – albeit married to a Lozi-speaking spouse.

Whatever the outcome, perception is the most dangerous player in the game of politics.

A perception of tribalism is not good for the image of a political party that has seen its nationwide popularity drop year by year in parliamentary and civic by-elections conducted since 2016. That begs the question: Will the UPND and Mr Hichilema survive the forthcoming elections?

Chances are that they will, come August 12, but not without damage. Throughout the UPND’s 20-year electoral history, it has always demonstrated an ability to re-invent itself, and it will this time.

Barring a complete collapse of the formidable presence across the country or a monumental intraparty upheaval leading to its fragmentation, the UPND will continue to oppose the ruling party’s policies in Zambia’s political future for a few more years to come, irrespective of trials and tribulations of its life-long president.

DAILY

Sunday February 28, 2021

KAMBWILI HITS BACK … ditches Opposition Alliance, suspends ‘traitors’ From Page 1 Mr Kambwili said the claim by Ms Atanga that he was not elected president at the national council was baseless and devoid of any legal backing because he was appointed by the central committee in line with the provision of the NDC constitution.

“I, Chishimba Kambwili was appointed by the national governing council of the NDC in accordance with article 24 sub section 3 of the party constitution.

The claim that I was elected which you have taken to court is baseless and devoid of any legal support.” Mr Kambwili said.

Mr Kambwili said having been appointed by the national governing council he possess powers like that one elected at the party’s congress.

He said the party constitution gives him power in consultation with the secretariat to convene a central committee meeting.

Mr Kambwili said his removal as president is null and void because those who removed him did not meet the required threshold to expel the party president.

He said Mr Akafumba, Ms Atanga and Roan MP and NDC chairperson Fr Richard Luonde did not have authority to expel him as president because they did not meet the quorum of three-thirds majority of the central committee members to make that decision.

Mr Kambwili said he was not against the Opposition Alliance but was against renaming it as UPND Alliance and contesting of elections on a single party ticket, a move that would completely eliminate the NDC from the political scene.

“We are not against an alliance but we are not against the alliance where we are treated like small boys in a big brother young brother arrangement where our party will not be respected and turned from NDC to UPND that we totally rejected,” Mr Kambwili said.

Mr Kambwili said contrary to claims by Mr Akafumba that he was not elected president of the party, its constitution gives authority to the central committee or founding members to appoint the president until one was elected at the national council.

Mr Mumbi said Mr Kambwili’s name does not appear on any party registration document at the Registrar of Society.

“Mr Kambwili’s action is very indecent, illegal and is that of the person who does not respect the law,”Mr Mumbi said.

He said Mr Kambwili has been expelled therefore he has no authority to suspend any party member.

Mr Mumbi could however not say more as the matter was before the courts of law.

Dr Kambwili

HOME NEWS

GOVERNMENT PONDERS WAY FORWARD OVER CEC JUDGEMENT

By SILUMESI MALUMO

I

WILL engage the Attorney General to see what next we can do as government on the judgement made by the High Court to quash my decision to declare Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) transmission as common carrier, Energy Minister Mathew Nkhuwa has said.

Mr Nkhuwa said after consulting the Attorney General, Government would then decide whether it would be neccessary to appeal the judgement.

The minister said the government’s legal team would

MOST opposition members of Parliament are stingy and want to save their faces by accusing MPs from the ruling Patriotic Front of being thieves and corrupt politicians because of their generosity, says Kwacha MP Joe Malanji.

Mr Malanji said because most opposition politicians were stingy and selfish, they have decided to justify their meanness by claiming that PF MPs were thieves and corrupt people Mr Malanji, who is also Foreign Affairs minister, was speaking yesterday at Mitanto Secondary School when he addressed branches in Kitwe’s Kwacha constituency He said he did not go to parliament a poor person and so it was unfortunate and unfair for those stingy individuals from the opposition to accuse

him and other PF MPs of being thieves and corrupt people "I’m generous because God has blessed me with a lot of favour. I have businesses and other favours and so people should not compare me with one who went to Parliament with a bungle only.

“When I give out money or any material things, people start saying Patriotic Front government officials are thieves and corrupt. No, it is not my problem that some people are so stingy and cannot even pay a garden boy "Because they are stingy, they cannot give out out anything to the people, they want to save their faces by accusing us that we are thieves and corrupt because of our generosity.

“Have you seen a person who has stolen public funds going to construct a clinic or school or giving out a revolving fund," Mr Malanji said

Mr Nkhuwa

know the route which can be taken on the judgement.

"My Permanent Secretary has just sent me the judgement made by the High Court today (Saturday) and I am trying to go through it.

According to her findings, Judge Mwikisa said CEC was not fairly treated by the minister who arbitrarily used his powers to declare its transmission and distribution lines as common carrier without giving it a chance to negotiate terms and conditions for the use of its infrastructure.

And the issue is that today (yesterday) is Saturday so we cannot do anything. So what we shall do is that come Monday we shall engage our legal team so that this matter can be addressed.

For now this is what i can say, more will be done on Monday," Mr Nkhuwa said.

On Friday, Lusaka High Court Judge Elita Mwikisa quashed the Energy Minister’s decision to declare CEC’s transmission and distribution lines as a common carrier.

According to her findings, Judge Mwikisa said CEC was not fairly treated by the minister who arbitrarily used his powers to declare its transmission and distribution lines as common carrier without giving it a chance to negotiate terms and conditions for the use of its infrastructure.

Escalating commodity prices irk President Lungu PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu says the escalating commodity prices are unjustified and could be caused by sabotage by some individuals.

President Lungu said the situation is a source of worry for government hence the decision to thoroughly investigate the matter.

Mr Lungu said this when he paid a courtesy call on Paramount Chief Chitimukulu, who welcomed the investigation of the escalation of prices of essential commodities.

Expressing his concern that some indicators have shown that the rise in prices of goods is as a result of sabotage, President Lungu said government is engaging suppliers to find a lasting solution to the problem.

Meanwhile, President Lungu has appealed to Paramount Chief Chitimukulu to help

Malanji slams ‘stingy’ opposition MPs

By ROGERS KALERO

3

Mr Malanji advised PF officials and members to respond to the falsehoods and propaganda because the opposition have nothing to tell Zambians, apart from lies on social media He said PF members and officials at branch and ward levels should not allow the opposition to have a field day on social media, but must expose their lies so that people can know that they have nothing to offer "We came here with district and constituency officials so that we talk to you and set the stage for the August 12 elections. Ward and branches are the ones with the people and so it important that we set the stage and tell the people that the opposition have nothing to offer "You should tell the people that the opposition have nothing to offer starting from the candidates. When you see the calibre of opposition can-

sensitise people on the dangers of Covid-19.

And Paramount Chief Chitimukulu of the Bemba has commended President Lungu for constituting a team investigate the escalation of commodity prices.

Paramount Chief Chitimukulu said the rise in prices of essential commodities such as mealie meal and cement seen in recent times has impacted negatively on people’s lives owing to the high poverty levels.

The Mwinelubemba has since praised the president for instituting an investigation into the matter.

And Paramount Chief Chitimukulu has thanked the Head of State for ensuring timely distribution of farming inputs to farmers under the Farmer Input Support Programme.

President Lungu

He also commended SEEDCO for continuously sensitising farmers in the region on important farming techniques.

He assured President Lungu that the people of Northern Province will continue to rally behind his leadership.

Meanwhile, the Paramount Chief has expressed concern over the poor state of the drainage system in Kasama town.

He also lamented on the flooding in Chambeshi area and the deplorable state of Chambeshi Ring road.

And in response, President Lungu attributed the blocking of drainages to poor waste management.

He said waste management is a responsibility of everyone and called for behavioral change President Lungu also assured the Mwinelubemba that the Chambeshi Ring road in Mungwi will be worked on starting with the embankment. - ZNBC

UPND not to blame over NDC infighting, says Katuka

By PETER SICHALI WE are not responsible for the confusion that has rocked our alliance partner the National Democratic Congress (NDC), UPND Secretary-General Stephen Katuka has said.

And Mr Katuka said the UPND has nothing to do with the infighting in NDC. He said the confusion in the NDC was their own internal process and that it was unfair to accuse UPND and its president, Mr Hakainde Hichilema of being behind it.

To start with, UPND is not a lion to swallow another political party and we are equally not happy that our alliance partners are fighting but I cannot comment than this because I’m not the alliance spokesperson,” Mr Katuka said.

“Why would HH sponsor

confusions in the NDC and what would be the benefits thereafter? We welcomed the NDC into the alliance with the aim of working with them therefore accusations of sponsoring their infighting are quite unfair,” Mr Katuka said.

He said there was no benefit in swallowing the NDC because they were already working together in the alliance.

“We welcomed everyone on board because we wanted to work with them now, what benefit are we going to have if they start fighting,” he said.

Patriots for Economic Progress (PeP) president Sean Tembo has accused UPND and Mr Hichilema of sponsoring revolt and confusions in the NDC. Mr Tembo appealed to NDC members who had revolted against their leader,

Mr Katuka

Mr Chishimba Kambwili, to reconsider their position.

By betraying their leader, Mr Tembo said, their political value had automatically been reduced to zero because no political leader would be able to trust them going forward.

Sunday February 28, 2021

HOME NEWS

HH IS DIFFICULT TO WORK WITH - GBM

By SILUMESI MALUMO

I

T is difficult to work with Hakainde Hichilema because of his selfish desire, Patriotic Front (PF) deputy national chairperson for mobilisation Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba has said.

He once served as the UPND vice president for administration.

Mr Mwamba said in an interview that when he talked about his experience with Mr Hichilema, people only thought that he wanted to dent his name.

Mr Mwamba, popular-

ly known as GBM, said "the things I’ve been telling the Zambian people are facts, he is my brother but his conduct and behaviour is uncalled for.

“What is happening in the Opposition Alliance, he said, is a clear testimony of what has been said about him.”

Mr Mwamba said "My brother Hakainde Hichilema only wants to use people then dump them. The only thing he want is to be in State House.

"When one has such behaviour towards others then it is very difficult to work with him. Some of us when we joined UPND we thought it

was a good decision without knowing his character.

What made I who was his vice president and many others, the likes of Richard Kapita to leave the UPND was because of his selfish leadership.

"To say the truth Hakainde Hichilema is not the right person for the Presidency because of being greedy," Mr Mwamba said.

Recently, the Opposition Alliance decided to name the alliance as UPND Alliance and settled on Mr Hichilema to be its Presidential candidate.

It also decided that all members who want to contest for

Zesco plans mass disconnections to recover arrears

By SILUMESI MALUMO

Mr Mwamba

the parliamentary and local government general elections would field on the UPND Alliance ticket.

This has caused infighting among the alliance members, with the National Democratic Congress (NDC) expelling its president, Mr Chishimba Kambwili, who rejected the decision.

Traditional leaders are treasured – East PF chief

By TROY MUKUPA

Mr Lubusha

WE shall continue engaging traditional leaders as per our manifesto because they are partners in development, Patriotic Front Eastern Province chair-person Andrew Lubusha has said Speaking after he paid a courtesy call on Senior Chief Luembe of the Nsenga in Nyimba, Mr Lubusha said the PF

Don’t use PF to commit crime, warns Lungu

By PETER SICHALI

PERPETRATORS of criminal activities under the guise of the party will be dealt with, President Edgar Lungu has warned.

Speaking during the official opening of the Patriotic Front (PF) Northern province conference in Kasama yesterday, Mr Lungu said the party will waste no time to part company with such individuals.

“Let me also take this opportunity to sound a warning to perpetrators of criminal activities under the guise of the party. Once found wanting we shall waste no time to part company with you,” Mr Lungu said.

Mr Lungu said the ruling party had a noble duty to serve the Zambian people.

He has directed PF secretary general Davies Mwila to prioritise political education in the party, from the lowest unit to the highest.

He said it was important for all in the party to understand why and what it exists for.

“We should strive to ensure that our party is not separated from the people from

whom we draw our mandate to serve and these are the grassroots. This is why much needs to be done to keep the lower ranks happy” Mr Lungu said.

And President Lungu has said he would not listen to naysayers and prophets of doom because they have never run government before.

Mr Lungu said the country’s economy will rebound and the sacrifice Zambians are making will be rewarded.

He said there is no denying that the economy was biting.

“There is no denying that the economy is biting, people are struggling to put food on the table and the covid-19 pandemic has further slowed economic growth but we have been through worse challenges throughout our history, yet because of our resilience, determination, and hard work, we have turned around our fortunes,” Mr Lungu said.

Mr Lungu said Zambians should not listen to naysayers and prophets of doom who have never run government before. “They speak with great authority and confidence. We may look humble, but we have seen it all, better the devil you know,” he said.

Government will continue to be a pro-poor party.

Mr Lubusha is aspiring for the Chipangali parliamentary seat on the PF ticket in the August 12 election.

Chief Luembe was recently elected as House of Chiefs chairperson.

"We are your servants and we will remain loyal. We thank you for your support to the developmental agenda of

DAILY

4

IN an effort to halt the debt growth and improve cash flow, Zesco Limited will from tomorrow begin a countrywide mass disconnection exercise of all defaulting postpaid customers with unsettled electricity bills of more than 30 days.

Zesco Public Relation Manager Hazel Zulu said yesterday, the corporation was owed in excess of K900 million through unpaid bills by some of its postpaid customers which negatively affects the company’s drive towards the provision of efficient services.

"We therefore take this opportunity to alert all defaulting customers to take

advantage of this notice and settle their bills immediately.

Customers are further informed that once disconnected, re-connection to supply will only be activated upon payment of 75 percent of the outstanding amount and applicable reconnection fees," she said.

We implore, she said, the affected customers to ensure that their accounts are promptly paid up in full in order to avoid any inconvenience that may arise due to suspension of power supply.

Ms Zulu said "Customers are therefore, advised to utilise online payment platforms available as well as visiting the nearest Customer Service Centres to settle their bills.

President Edgar Lungu and the party in the province," Mr Lubusha said.

"Let me also take this opportunity to congratulate you, your Highness for being elected as House of Chiefs chairperson," he said And Chief Luembe commended the leadership of President Lungu for the massive development taking place across the country.

By CHARLES MUSONDA A POLICE officer accused of killing public prosecutor Nsama Nsama Chipyoka and UPND supporter Joseph Kaunda awaits committal to the High court after appearing in the magistrate for explanation of his charges.

Before Magistrate Felix Kaoma was Fanwell Nyundu, 25, of Matero Township charged with the two murders that happened on December 23, 2020 when UPND president Hakainde Hichilema appeared at the police headquarters for questioning.

Donning a grey winter coat, the youthful Nyundu appeared calm and composed as Mr. Kaoma read out the charges to him in the emotional filled courtroom.

Prosecutor’s suspected killer awaits committal to high court In the first count, particulars of offence are that on December 23, 2020, Nyundu murdered Mr. Nsama who was shot dead as he was entering a restaurant located next to Cabinet Office and some metres away from the National Prosecutions Authority headquarters.

In the second count, particulars of offence are that Nyundu murdered Kaunda, a Kafue resident who was part of the UPND supporters who had thronged the police headquarters and nearby areas to offer solidarity to Mr. Hichilema.

Asked if he understood

both counts, Nyundu answered in the affirmative after which Mr. Kaoma told him that he would not take plea before his court as the capital offence he is facing is only tried by the High Court.

He also told Nyundu that he will only be appearing in the subordinate court for mention while awaiting instructions from the Director of Public Prosecutions or a preliminary inquiry in case of any delay in committing him to the High Court.

The case was adjourned to March 2, 2021 for mention and possible committal while Nyundu has been re-

manded in custody.

Nyundu was arrested a few days ago after Inspector General of Police Kakoma Kanganja handed over his report on the investigations into the killing of the two men to President Edgar Lungu.

Few days before the shooting incident, the police had advised the UPND not to allow their supporters to accompany their leader to the police headquarters but the opposition defied the advice and ferried their followers in more than 30 buses to the premises, resulting in a confrontation with officers.

Why manufacturing can’t tick - Dodia

By SILUMESI MALUMO HIGH cost of production is hindering the growth of the manufacturing sector, says Private Sector Development chairperson Yusuf Dodia.

Mr Dodia said in an interview that the high cost of production was not allowing the manufacturers to maximise their potential.

He said that this was also impacting the econo-

my negatively because the country was not exporting as expected.

Mr Dodia said the economy which was dwindling can only survive when the country was exporting more thereby earning enough foreign exchange.

He noted that if the trend continued then the economy would negatively be impacted, and the cost of living would continue rising.

Mr Dodia explained that

the materials which were being used to manufacture goods and services had become expensive unlike in the past.

He said it had become very difficult for companies involved in manufacturing to meet their production quotas because of what was prevailing on the market.

This, has made the companies to manufacture less goods and services to carter for the country and for ex-

portation which is not yielding any results.

"So when the manufacturers produce less the end result is that only few goods and services would be exported and the country cannot earn enough revenue.

These are the things which are costing the economy. If there was a turnaround then things will change in the economy because the manufacturers will be exporting more," Mr Dodia said.

FREE COPY

NATION

BOMBSHELL MAGAZINE SUNDAY NATION February 28, 2021

LOCKDOWN VIDEO DROPS ON MARCH 5

Pg3

II

Weird News

NATION

SUNDAY NATION February 28, 2021

FAMILY BURIES WRONG BODY, FORCED TO EXHUME

A

FAMILY from Lobengula West suburb was left speechless after they were given a wrong body by a funeral parlour and had to travel all the way to Plumtree to exhume the body of their loved one for reburial in Bulawayo.

A family insider, who requested anonymity, said a misunderstanding broke out after the late Mthokozisi Ndlovu’s family members were handed a wrong body by Falakhe Funeral Services officials.

“On Tuesday at around 8am, we left for

Falakhe funeral parlour to take the body of our late relative Mthokozisi Ndlovu (34), who had died last week at Thorngrove hospital, for burial at Luveve Cemetery.

“But we were surprised to see the funeral parlour officials seeming to be too busy and dashing about. After about 20 minutes of waiting, one of our relatives approached the official, who told him to wait for some minutes,” said the insider.

A family member, who only identified herself as MaMpo, said an official approached them and explained that they had given their dearly departed’s

body to the wrong family.

“The official told us that one of their drivers collected the deceased’s body and it happened that he went off duty for two days, resulting in another driver giving the Brunapeg family Mthokozisi’s body,” she said.

The insider said they had to report the matter to the police and took the body of the family in Plumtree.

“We had to go and engage the family with the help of Falakhe Parlour and they agreed to exhume Mthokozisi’s body so that we bury it here in Bulawayo,” said the source.

The source added: “We buried Mthokozisi at Luveve Cemetery yesterday (Thursday).”

Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube confirmed the body mix-up saga.

“I confirm we received a case where a body was swapped with another body resulting in one family burying a wrong body. The Bulawayo-based family had to travel to Plumtree to exhume the body for burial at Luveve Cemetery. It is important to do body viewing, at least one relative who knows the deceased.”

B-METRO

China denies using Covid-19 anal swabs on US diplomats CHINA — which has largely brought the virus under control domestically — said last month that anal swabs can be more effective than normal throat and nose swabs as the virus can linger longer in the digestive system.

But Beijing rebuffed reports from Vice and Washington Post — citing US officials — that State Department employees in China had been given the test “in error,” despite diplomats being exempt from the procedure.

“China has never requested US diplomatic personnel in China to undergo anal swabs,” foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said at a regular press briefing Thursday. Officials in China have used anal swabs to test people it considers at highrisk of contracting Covid-19, including residents of neighbourhoods with confirmed cases as well as some inter-

national travellers.

State media reports that anal swabs had been used in Beijing during a small outbreak in January caused a social media uproar, with

many commenters on Twitter-like Weibo reacting with a mix of horror and amusement.

But officials acknowledged it would be hard to

use anal swabs as widely as the other methods, which have been used to test millions in mass campaigns, as the former technique was “not convenient.” AFP.

Stray love message lands woman in trouble A WOMAN from Lupane Business Centre was battered by her angry husband after he stumbled on a ‘‘stray’’ love message on her phone.

Caroline Moyo (23), who is a nurse aide, had to dash to a police station to report physical abuse she suffered at the hands of her husband Musa Moyo (38).

The matter was then referred to court.

She told the court: “We were relaxing at home then I received a stray love message on my WhatsApp from an unknown man. My husband, who was just sitting next to

me, saw the love message which read: ‘I love you and I cannot wait to meet up with you’. After that he started to accuse me of cheating on him and labelled me a prostitute who sleeps with her colleagues.”

Caroline described her husband as an abusive

monster who is in the habit of bashing her whenever a misunderstanding arises between them.

“My husband is very abusive, whenever we have a misunderstanding, he gets angry quickly and hurls insults at me, at times he bashes me while accusing me of

being a stubborn woman of loose morals,” she told the court.

Musa shot down his wife’s defence: “I strongly believe the love message was from her lover because when I tried to wrestle her phone from her so that I could send the message to my phone to use it as an exhibit she quickly deleted it and that cemented my suspicion that she was cheating on me.”

Magistrate Ndumo Masuku found Musa guilty and ordered him to pay a $10 000 fine. If he fails to pay, he will have to spend three months in prison. - H- METRO

Bedding minor: rape charge for woman

A WOMAN who made headlines after being nabbed for having sexual intercourse with a minor on Tuesday is now facing a rape charge.

Precious Teya, was not asked to plead when she appeared before Harare provincial head magistrate Vongai MuchuchutiGuwuriro.

Teya was initially being charged for having sexual intercourse with a minor, who is 13-years-old. She now has to seek bail at the High Court following the review and upgrading of her charge.

The court heard that on February 22, the complainant — a Form Two pupil at a renowned private school in Marondera — went on a dating site and selected Teya.

He followed the prompts and found a link to her WhatsApp number and after messaging her, she sent a list of the services she offered and the respective prices namely NURUV – US$15, FETISH – US$30, FULLHOUSE – US$40 and SEX -US$20. The

court heard that the complainant agreed and invited Teya for sex and she stated that she was coming the following morning and he asked her to bring sleeping tablets to give his siblings and she agreed. The State further alleges that she arrived the following day at around 1pm on a taxi and asked the complainant to pay the taxi driver US$20 and he complied.

It is further reported that the complainant told Teya to go back, but she forced herself into the gate then he asked for the tablets he had asked for and gave them to his siblings so that they could sleep while they were having sex. The two had sex and when they were done, the complainant asked Teya to leave, but she refused demanding her money and this prompted the complainant to approach their neighbour asking for money amounting to US$120 so that she could leave. H-METRO The neighbour then called the complainant’s grandmother and the matter came to light.

- H-METRO

NATION

Lifestyle

SUNDAY NATION February 28, 2021

CHEF 187, KB IN ‘THIS LOVE IS NEW’

By TERENCE MISELO

N

EXUS Entertainment signed artiste K.B and Chef 187 have teamed up for a new music video dubbed ‘This Love is New’.

This is music produced by K.B under Kila Beats in association t. with Nexus Music Entertainmen like and song K.B cal typi It is a always, reveals his great works to refine sound by collaborating with higly-talented artistes.

K.B who is sometimes referred

III

to as our Zambia’s version of DJ e Khalid, has so far attracted hug support on this video which hit over 2K views within 24 hours of its release. The song is available t on Nexus Music Entertainmen YouTube channel and other related platforms.

Like Father, Like Son: Mulinda Jr working on Sounds of Zambia

By TERENCE MISELO

LATE legendary radio personality Isaac Mulinda Sr’s son Isaac Mulinda Jr is set to relive his father’s dream of documenting Zambian music through the presentation of ‘ Sounds of Zambia’ compilation album.

Bombshell lockdown video drops on March 5

By TERENCE MISELO

ZAMBIAN talented female rapper Bombshell is set to release her music video for the single ‘Lockdown’. According to information from her music label, Nexus Music Entertainment, the video drops on March 5.

The song is set up in typical hip hop style with Bombshell showing off her neat rap skills.

The song was released earlier this year and has so far received massive airplay. With the coming of the video, fans are surely guaranteed of a double treatment of rap skills and visuals. The video is expected to be on the Nexus Music Entertainment platforms.

The young broadcaster and mobile DJ is working on what will be the latest edition of the ‘ Sounds of Zambia’ music collection started by his father two decades ago.

Mulinda Jr is compiling ‘Sounds of Zambia Volume 4’ which is set to feature a lot of hit songs from the past decades like ‘Zambia Zaire’ by Amayenge, ‘Amalwele Yafulisha’ by The Green Labels Band, ‘Ine nga nafwa’ by Rocky Kapya and many others.

Mulinda is also calling on all those that love traditional Zambian music to suggest other classic songs from the past which should be included on the album that will also be meant

to uphold his father’s legacy of promoting Zambian music.

In 2000 his father, who was fondly called Dr Zambia compiled classic Zambian Kalindula and traditional music produced under Mondo Music dubbed as ‘Sounds of Zambia’ Volumes 1,2 and 3. It is 21 years since the dream of doing more volumes was cut but Isaac Jr wants this moment in history revived.

Sounds of Zambia Volume 1 under Mondo Music record label was a 15 track album which comprised of various hit songs from different bands. Among them were Grace by The Uweka Stars, Janet by the Witch, Sebenzesani ma condom by Burning Youth, Ngomwa by John Nyirongo, Icupo ni nsansa by PK Chishala, Tai Yaka by Julizya Band, Bashi Maini

by Dickson Mponda, Alungu by Paul Ngozi , Imisango yaba chaiman by The Black Power Band & Dziko la Mulungu by the Masiye Band to mention but a few. Dr Zambia later went on and released Volume 2 & 3.

Self-taught tailor Nkandu shares her dreams

By NOEL IYOMBWA

“I HAVE always been passionate about tailoring and I discovered it at the age of 15, says 27-year-old fashion designer Nellie Nkandu.

Nkandu, a degree holder in Sociology from the University of Zambia got her inspiration from her mother who was a tailor.

“But my major inspiration came in when at one point I had no clothes and no money to buy so I bought a two-meter chitenge and made myself a dress which I loved do much (handmade),” she said.

Nkandu explained that she used to redesign big dress to her size by hand.

She said that she did this for some time and later started making for sale to her fellow students at university and other friends, until one of her friends, whom she considers as a sister, bought her a sewing machine because she believed and has always believed in her.

“From that day I would buy materials and make different designs

for myself and because of the compliments from my friends I thought it would be a good idea if I started making for sale.

“In the years to come, I would love to open up a big shop for my business and empower my fellow youths. I would also love to open a school for children who have a passion for tailoring and design,” Nkandu said.

Unfortunately, within a month, the sewing machine was stolen, just within her compound.

“It was not easy putting myself together and getting back to business, but I kept the faith, my friend kept telling me all will be well, this is just a phase and it will pass.

“I began going to someone to finish up my fabric for me after hand making and managed to save some money and got a secondhand sewing machine, saved up more money and got a better new machine,” she said.

Nkandu has encouraged other youths that employment is not the only source of income but discov-

ering one’s talent and use it to make a living.

“One cardinal thing, always look up to God and thank him in every situation, talk to him even when things don't seem right When things get better never forget him too.”

NATION

IV

Lifestyle

SUNDAY NATION February 28, 2021

SUNDAY NATION February 28, 2021

Introducing gospel singer Kwanda

MISS ZAMBITIOUS, OTHERS REACH OUT TO UTH

By TERENCE MISELO

U Supplement World Zambia taps into Plight’s fitness goals

By TERENCE MISELO

MUSICIAN Plight Intellect of the ‘Be with You’ fame has won himself sponsorship from Supplement Zambia following his dedicated fitness goals.

Plight insists that as an artiste, his mission is to be an ambassador of good health and fitness, a move that has attracted Supplement World Zambia, who are also currently sponsoring Mr. Zambia body building.

Plight who plans to shoot

the video of his song ‘Be with You’ ft Emtee from South Africa says he is pleased with the recognition of his fitness goals.

He thanks Supplement World Zambia for the sponsorship and urges more companies to open themselves up to artiste sponsorship and partnership.

Meanwhile, Plight says he is working on new music expected to feature a Nigerian artiste on a song to be produced by a Nigerian producer. He said more details will be given on his social media platforms.

Halle Berry cast in 'The Mothership' INTERNATIONAL

HALLE Berry will star in and executive produce “The Mothership”, a new sci-fi movie for Netflix.

The 54-year-old actress has signed on to star in and executive produce the new sci-fi drama for Netflix.

The story follows Sara Morse (Berry) a year after her husband mysteriously vanished from their rural farm. But when she discovers a strange, extraterrestrial object underneath their home, Sara and her kids set off on a race to find their husband, father and most importantly, the truth.

Oscar-nominated screenwriter Matthew Charman will make his feature directorial debut and has also written the script. Fred Berger and Brian Kavanaugh-Jones are producing the film under their Automatik banner. Danny Stillman will serve as an executive producer alongside Halle.

The ‘X-Men’ actress is also set to star in Roland Emmerich’s sci-fi movie ‘Moonfall’.

Halle will appear opposite Patrick Wilson and Charlie Plummer in the latest project from ‘The Independence Day’ filmmaker. - IOL

NITED Kingdom-based Zambian nurse , Cynthia Mulayantanda Oba Williams , also known as Miss Zambitious, With her multidisciplinary London Cancer team , T15 ANGELS supported by her childhood friend , award winning actress Paxina Kafula Mpundu recently reached out to the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) to donate assorted items.

The donation was a special way of spreading love to the children at UTH’s Paediatric Division at Cancer Diseases Hospital.

Lifestyle

V

By TERENCE MISELO KWANDA is a Zambian gospel recording artiste, a songwriter and an award nominee .

Her passion for music started when she was young. Since then, she has never stopped cultivating her musical God-given gift.

Kwanda comes from a family of seven , did her primary and secondary school in Kalulushi Town,Copperbelt.

She is a daughter of Apostle Webster & Prophetess Agness Mooka Mwima.

In 2019, she released her debut album titled ‘Nalichimfya’, which was produced by Ben Blazer ,Ben Mini and the Elect Band. ‘Nalichimfya’ album features the likes of Mag44 ,Damiano, Mapalo Charles Ngonga,and Ephraim (SoA) .

Last year, she released a single titled ‘Kind of love’ produced by Mixtizo. Currently, Kwanda has released another single called ‘Katebebe’ produced by Mixtizo and Lazarus ‘Lalo’ Zulu.

In her career, she is proud to have shared stage with both international and local great artistes. “ My desire is to glorify God with my music

Miss Zambitious who is also winner of UK Zambians Excellence Professional Award for 2020 and presenter of Zambitious Table Talk , joined hands with her colleagues and presented items such as blankets, assorted toys and personal effects.

Award winner of Women in film Award 2017 , Paxina was on hand to present the donated items to UTH. Receiving the donation were Mr Terence Nyirongo , Public Relations Officer, Mrs Emily Lishimpi - Senior Social Worker and Ms Albina Phiri - purchasing and supplies officer at UTH. This donation is also seen as a way of encouraging love during this Love month of February.

Meet Ikko Ace & Muko

By TERENCE MISELO

PENZABOY Management has this week announced another of their many music signings for the label.

The music management label has brought in the emerging artistes of of the new wave of music.

Ikko Ace & Muko, is a new music duo that has signed up with Penzaboy Management.

The duo has already started causing some effect in the music circles especially after their creativity caught the eye of hip hop star Slapdee, who posted on Facebook stating: “I caught this somewhere on these internet streets. Ikko Ace & Muko.

This ladies and gentlemen is my idea of NEW WAVE! From song to video you can tell they’re aiming for the bigger picture. Creativity overflow!

Looking forward to more of their music but for now, I’m definitely vibing to this!

PAUSE .”

Ikko Ace & Muko didn’t

form alongside African giant acts such as Nasty C, Emtee, Shekhinah, Joeboy, Sauti Sol, WSTRN and Casper Nyovest, just to name a few.

Ikko Ace has been a presenter on ZNBC "the link" even acting in various productions and adverts, to say the least, "Zamtel" "SUNDANCE ad for Trade King's" "ULWIMBO" "wasted" "Investtrust" and currently

start as a famous duo, musically.

The nation first heard of Ikko Ace as a solo artiste when he jumped on Jay Rox's "Kazizi" song, while Muko started his entertainment journey as a dancer entering several dance competitions and coming out top in most of them which gained him his first bit of popularity.

He then commenced his musical career in 2016, with his first sin-

gle “Whatchu Say” which popularised him.

The two later combined and joined forces with Shinko Beats to make and drop their first project 'Now Or Never' as a duo, that changed its status from newcomers to a viable brand in the music industry. This gave them opportunities to per-

in season 2 of “Amooye” an exciting TV drama which airs on Zambezi Magic.

On the other hand, Muko has also gained the attention of the cor-

porate world, working on ads and getting endorsed by the likes of Vodafone, Airtel, and Mosi lager.

The duo that is very popular with the younger generation is one of the pioneers of the upcoming new international sound “new wave” stemming out of the country. " The two are now signed under UK based management label "Penzaboy Management" as solo acts but still working on their collective projects that will be promoted and marketed on the international stage, we can’t wait to see the amazing things that are expected from this great talents," read a statement from the music label. You can catch more from @ikko_ace and @ dominicmuko on Instagram and other social media platforms.

"You can listen to their previous project as a duo titled “NOW OR NEVER” available on all streaming platforms, just to give you a taste of what's more to come!"

South Africa ranks 12th worldwide for musical influence SOUTH African music has been ranked 12th out of 30 countries worldwide for its global musical influence.

This is according to a study by Medimops, “The Global Influential Music Index”, by Europe's largest online marketplace for secondhand CDs and records.

Information was gathered from music streaming services, Spotify, YouTube and iTunes/Apple Music.

A summary of the study revealed that the artists whose music is streamed the most around the world come from the US, followed by the UK, Canada, South Korea, France, Germany, Puerto Rico, Australia, Spain and Sweden, with SA ranking in 12th spot. - IOL

Umodzi using arts to create awareness

By NOEL IYOMBWA

AS the country heads towards general elections Umodzi Art’s Organization is using Art to promote political process, good governance, civic participation and conflict prevention in Western and Southern provinces.

National Co-coordinator Wallace Tembo said that organization is implementing a program titled Community Theatre for Development. Mr. Tembo said that the project goal is to contribute to the Promotion of political awareness, voter education,

conflict prevention and Civic participation among women and youth prior to the 2021 General Election.

He explained that the organization has been a championing creating Awareness on various issues affecting the communities.

Mr. Tembo explained that the organization is creating awareness on political Violence and Civic participation.

“We want all the people who registered as voters to exercise the right in participating in the general election Free to choose their leaders without fear or intimidation from any

political party.

“Creating Awareness on the importance of voting and effects of apathy among traditional vulnerable and politically marginalized people who include eligible voters, women, youth and disabled in western and southern rural districts to elect active and inclusive voter participation, “he said.

Umodzi Art’s Organization was established and incorporated under the laws of Zambia with the register of society in 1999.

With the blend of 22 years of practical experience in improving livelihoods of traditional vul-

nerable and politically marginalized groups of people from poor communities using popular Theatre methods and its application in community development.

Members are comprised of personalities and human resources with skill and expertise in participatory research, audience mobilization, Monitoring and Evaluation, practical financial management and strategy design and project management.

The organization uses music, dance, drama and poetry to communicate to different people and communities.

VI

Lifestyle

NATION

SUNDAY NATION February 28, 2021

W

ORLD Pangolin Day falls on the third Saturday of February each year. In view of the devastation caused by Covid-19, which is reported to have spread through abuse of pangolins by humans in China, this year’s commemoration, the TENTH annual celebration (which happened yesterday), gives us the opportunity to consider how threats that result from the improper handling of pangolins far outweigh their supposed mythical benefits, and how we can make better choices in future to avoid pandemics.

To begin with, there are eight species of pangolins, four are found in Asia while the other four are found in Africa. All species face declining populations because of illegal trade, which has seen Asian pangolins being listed as critically endangered and African pangolins listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.

Last year pangolins were infamously reported as the animal that potentially passed the SARS-CoV-2, the novel virus that causes COVID-19, to humans. Chinese scientists arrived at this conclusion due to the presence of SARS-CoV-2-related viruses in Malayan pangolins.

Pangolins are being poached to near extinction due to a high demand for their scales, meat and other body parts in China and Vietnam, where many people falsely believe that pangolin scales can be used to cure various diseases. This myth has been debunked by science, since pangolin scales are made of keratin, the same protein found in human nails and hair. Therefore, if pangolin scales have power to cure diseases, biting your fingernails should be just as potent. Moreover, the everincreasing number of people who are being infected with Covid-19 and those who are succumbing to it shows that the threats associated with the improper handling of wildlife are very real and often unforgiving. So far, COVID-19 has killed more than 2.4 million people and infected more than 110 million people in every part of the world.

REFLECTIONS FOR WORLD PANGOLIN DAY Pangolin meat is also in high demand in Asia, where it is considered a delicacy.

This is not unlike the high demand for illegal bushmeat here in Zambia. There have been many pandemics that are a direct result of consuming illegal wildlife meat, which scientists have long warned is dangerous, as it often carries unknown diseases. While previous warnings have somewhat fallen on deaf ears, we can’t afford to ignore the warning signaled by Covid-19, because if we don’t change how we interact with wildlife, especially regarding consumption of illegal bushmeat, worse pandemics are certainly coming.

The high demand for pangolins is also motivated by economic reasons. Some Zambians have unfortunately been encouraged to engage in the illegal poaching and trafficking of pangolins, risking their freedom and aiding in robbing the country of its wildlife resource. While poaching may be lucrative for a small number of criminals, when things fall apart, it’s the entire world that pays for it.

For instance, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimates the Covid-19 pandemic will cost the global economy $28 trillion in lost output by 2025. Further, the World Bank

estimates 150 million people could be pushed into extreme poverty by 2021.

Another very real threat associated with poaching and trafficking pangolins is the possibility of being jailed and separated from one’s family for a very long time. Under the Zambia Wildlife Act No.14 of 2015, illegal possession of pangolins or their scales is punishable with a minimum prison sentence of five years without the option of paying a fine. So, for Zambians who think they can make quick money by poaching pangolins, the only payment they will receive is prison time.

As we celebrate pangolins, one of the most unique creatures on the planet, there are several things we need to keep in mind. Pangolins belong in the wild, their natural habitat.

We can restore the delicate balance between humans and nature by being mindful of the fact that how we interact with pangolins and other wildlife has serious implications on our health and on the health of the planet.

You can protect pangolins by reporting any suspicious wildlife or pangolin activities to the Department of National Parks and Wildlife.

Write to: info@wildlifecrimeprevention.org

NATION

Lifestyle

BOOK REVIEW: SUNDAY NATION February 28, 2021

VII

NYAMI NYAMI: THE ZAMBEZI RIVER GOD

N

Preston Mwiinga was born on November 4, 1988, in Lusaka. He wrote his first book in 2019 named 'Wrath of the gods'. He later in the same year published 'The Mailoni Brothers' an anecdote about Zambia's famous chronic executioners. In 2020, he published a self-portrayal Novel 'The Tortured heart' Preston has for the longest time been itching to see many dominating in the field of writing, he cooperated with both the published and the unpublished writers where they together distributed the first historically speaking Anthology of Poems, Motivation and Inspira tion.

He has now brought his compositions into the Zambezi River with this new book 'Nyami Nyami' which is the Zambezi River God, having a top of a fish and a middle of a snake. Nyami Nyami is a holder of both love and disdain. He is mad that he was isolated from his significant other and his house was wrecked when they put a dam.

Appreciate this energizing Novel that saves Zambia's set of experiences and convictions.

PRESTON MWIINGA

YAMI Nyami: the Zambezi River god (2021) is the fourth novel by Preston Mwiinga. It is a story about the unfolding of events before, during and after the construction of Lake Kariba in Siavonga in the 1950s.

This is the second largest man-made lake in the world. According to Tonga and Lozi mythology, Nyami Nyami the river god, who had the torso and fangs of a snake with the face of a fish, was the protector of these two tribes which lived in the area that was cleared out for the construction of the lake.

He was also the provider for these two tribes in seasons of drought. Legend has it that Nyami Nyami allowed the chief priests of the villages to cut out pieces of his flesh in order to feed the communities until the season of plenty came around again. Hence, the name nyami nyami in Tonga is also nyama nyama, meaning meat.

The novel starts out with Nyami Nyami and his beloved goddess wife, the mermaid-shaped Kitapo, going around the Gwembe and Zambezi valleys seeing to their people’s food and security needs, as they often

NYAMI NYAMI

By NAMWANJA MARGARET CHIKWABI

Word Count: 801

NYAMI NYAMI The Zambezi River god

Preston Mwiinga

978- 1- 716- 34616- 3

did. Soon, this peaceful coexistence with the people is disturbed by the white man’s arrival. Villages were burnt, the physically strong were carried off in boats to be made slaves and plans were underway to dam the Zambezi River in Siavonga. Nyami Nyami rescued as many people as he could with the help of the crocodiles and hippos in the river. He was separated from Kitapo as she went to the northern banks of the river to check on the people. The story recounts

the many attempts by Nyami Nyami to be re-united with his beloved wife even as she searched for him. That story continues to this day.

Nyami Nyami: the Zambezi River god brings out three compelling themes.

The first theme is love. The novel reveals that love compels us to do extra-ordinary things when our backs are against the wall. The love story between Nyami Nyami and Kitapo is well-told by the author. Secondly, the novel is about ‘ubuntu’ in that every-

one’s needs can be adequately met if we work together.

What also comes out is good leadership in that ubuntu context. The chief priests of the Tonga and Lozi communities were responsible for co-ordinating the sacrifices made to Nyami Nyami to ensure good rainfall and plentiful harvests. They worked with the village headmen to make sure that this culture continued and tradition was passed on from generation to generation, and that the common villager was in-

formed about all this.

The third theme that sticks out is when the author Preston Mwiinga goes into detail about the white man’s arrival in the Gwembe and Zambezi valleys and the effects of that.

There is an insidious disregard for the people found there. 57, 000 people were displaced when the Kariba Dam was constructed with no restitution given to them.

They were relocated to rocky and infertile land, and to this day, they long for Nyami Nyami to reappear someday so they can go back to the river banks and their homes.

There is also a dismissive stance by the white men with regards to the myth of Nyami Nyami and the religion of the people. That stance continues to this day because in the novel, the author attaches an actual newspaper article from 2019 about the attitude of Zambia’s Minister of Religious Affairs and National Guidance towards Nyami Nyami and the National Day of Prayer public holiday.

This novel would have read better with careful editing because there are a few places where the sentence structure did not make sense. Additionally, punctuation and grammar, especially when the characters were speaking, needed proofing. Where historical photographs and illustrations are used, it would have been good to in-

clude the sources.

Irrespective of the above, Preston Mwiinga is an admirable storyteller. In Nyami Nyami: the Zambezi River god, he weaved mythology, imagination and facts together to create a story that is worth the read. It is evident from this novel that he has something to say about our reluctance as Zambians (and Africans) to accept our cultural mythologies as readily as we accept Greek and Roman ones. After reading this novel, I’d like to read Preston Mwiinga’s other works, too.

Preston Mwiinga is currently nominated in the Mulher Forte African Literature Awards for his 2019 novel The Mailoni Brothers for Best Novelist and Book Club of the Year.

Full disclosure: Preston Mwiinga and I worked together on PAIN: Anthology of Poems, Inspiration and Motivation (2020).

The project was his brainchild with author Pelekelo Mwiya. I contributed a poem to the anthology.

PAIN: Anthology of Poems, Inspiration and Motivation is now part of the catalogue of books in the Library of Congress in Washington, DC.

DYNAMIC DEVELOPERS SCOOPS BEST AGRICULTURE COOPERATIVE OF THE YEAR AWARD ...we are geared to contribute to agriculture - Liswaniso

By Francis Chipalo

D

YNAMIC Developers Women Multi-purpose Cooperative Society LTD (DDWMCS) has scooped the 2021 Best Agriculture Cooperative of the year award sponsored by Zambia Small Scale Farmers (ZSSF) and Just Fresh Group.

This is an award meant to encourage and motivate various players in the agriculture Industry especially those doing farming at a small scale.

It is the first time that the cooperative is scooping this award.

In handing over the award to the cooperative, Twambo Chuula who is also Just Fresh Group CEO said the awards emanates from an agribusiness dialogue forum recently held which was aimed at sharing best practices in the sector.

Mr Chuula said ZSSF decided to introduce the awards mainly to encourage players in the sector to do more and grow their businesses.

Mr Chuula however said the award-

ing ceremony was done virtually in Lusaka on Friday because of the corona virus pandemic.

He however congratulated the cooperative and encouraged it to do more as well as encourage more women to join.

And in receiving the award, cooperative co-founder and chairperson Enala Zulu Liswaniso said the cooperative was delighted to have scooped the award.

"As you know this is the first award we are winning as a women cooperative so we are extremely delighted and we are motivated to work even more harder," Ms Liswaniso said.

And Ms Liswaniso also expressed happiness that the cooperative was being noticed by players in the agriculture sector.

"This also means that the little we are doing as women is being recognized and for us it means we need to get back and do more work," she said.

Ms Liswaniso stated that women can achieve a lot if they are united.

"We have come to realize that there

is so much we can as a cooperative and hence making an appeal to all women out there who are just seated at home to come and be part of this fast growing cooperative," she added.

"We can actually contribute to the agriculture sector of this country as women and that is exactly what we are doing as a cooperative," she added.

Meanwhile, Zindaba Nyirenda who is the cooperative's secretary said the award will push the members to more in the agriculture sector, words echoed by Brenda Sibande, another group member.

Dynamic Developers initially started as a small group in the business of buying land and sharing among members but it has now grown to a big cooperative with more than a thousand members across the country.

The cooperative is into among others, empowering fellow women especially those who feel neglected in society.

Enala Zulu Liswaniso receiving the award from Twaambo Chuulu

VIII

Love issues with Uncle Chirwa

NATION

SUNDAY NATION February 28, 2021

Looking for a life partner?

This is your chance to find one!

IF you are single, divorced or widowed, and seriously looking for a partner to marry, following this column is a MUST. However, to be eligible for connection, you will be required to pay a membership fee of K100 per year, whether you are applying or responding to a listed codename(applicants are listed under codenames to maintain confidentiality.

The actual names will only

be released to the connected partners). Moreover, fulllength photos will be required of all applicants and respondents using any available means.

All connections are free (in other words, once a member has paid the K100 membership fee, he or she will not be required to pay any further amount for a connection or connections during the one-year period.)

So take the challenge! No need to be miserable when you have this golden opportunity to get a life partner!

SMS your details to 0977425827/0967146485 or email pchirwa2009@yahoo.com.

Pay your K100 membership fee through ZOONA or through Airtel or MTN Money using the already mentioned mobile numbers.

FEMALE APPLICANTS single, divorced or widowed.

DNFA227 She is a 27-year-old Lusaka lady, single and without a child. She has done a diploma in business management and currently working for a private company. She is looking for a man aged between 32 and 35 who should be working or in gainful business, humble, loving and caring.

DNFA228 She is a 45-year-old Lusaka lady, widowed with four children. In formal employment, she is looking for a man aged between 45 and 52 with a stable income, God-fearing, loving, humble and honest with or without children.

DNFA229 She is a 33-year-old Ndolabased civil servant, single and without children. She has never been married before. She is tall and dark and not very fat with hips. She is HIV positive and her ideal partner should be a working class or doing stable business, aged between 34 and 45, with or without children (not more than one), tall, medium built or fat. No time-wasters please!

DNFA230 She is a 36-year-old Ndolabased civil servant, single and without children. She has never been married before. Tall and dark in complexion, she is looking for a tall or medium height man aged between 38 and 48 with or without children (not more than three), someone working or doing stable business. Moreover, he must be

DNFA 231 She is a 34-year-old Lusaka=based government worker, single and without children but taking care of her late sister’s tenmonth-old baby. She is looking for a partner aged between 40-45 who is loving, God-fearing, serious about marriage and ready and willing to allow her to look after her late sister’s baby.

DNFA 232 She is a 42-year-old Lusakabased social worker, single with two children. She is looking for a man who is well educated with a degree or a Master’s, humble, loving and caring aged between 41 and above.

DNFA 233 She is a 29-year-old farmer currently doing part-time work with the Ministry of Agricultre in Mafinga, Muchinga Province, single with two children. HIV positive, she is looking for a man of mature age, HIV positive or HIV negative, who is caring, loving and interested in farming.

DNFA234 She is a 46-year-old Lusaka nurse, single and without chidren.

She has never been married before. She is looking for a man between 58 - 60 years, in steady employment or business, mature, honest and caring, with or without children.

MALE APPLICANTS DNMA153 He is a 45-year-old Lusaka businessman, divorced with one child.

He divorced his wife in 2002 because of excessive beer drinking and is looking for a woman who is God-fearing, serious about marriage, divorced or widowed, somoneone well-to-do or in formal employment.

DNMA 154 He is a 36-year-old Lusaka businessman.

He was previously

married to a white lady with whom he had one child living with her in Finland. He is looking for a partner aged between 29 and 38 who will be ready and willing to accept him the way he is, someone serious about marriage, Godfearing and humble with up to three children.

DNMA156 He is a 61-year-old Ndola resident, widowed with five children, all grown up girls, three of whom are married.

The last born is doing fourth and final year at

college. He is looking for a lady aged between 40 and 45, preferably a lecturer or teacher in English language.

Another preference is a medical doctor or a clinical officer.

DNMA157 He is a 59-year-old part-time lecturer at a Kabwe educational institution, widowed with four grown up children, three boys and one girl.

Two of them live on their own. He has a steady income apart from lecturing. He is looking for an honest partner of any

denomination, working or with stable income, a bit light or light in complexion, HIV negative, with one or two grown up children and serious about marriage.

DNMA158 He is a 37-year-old Lusaka carpenter running his own carpentry/ joinery shop, divorced with three children. He is looking for a partner aged beween 26 ad 30 who should be Godfearing, faithful and serious about marriage with or without children.

he West. Yes,

feedback,

please

contact

DAILY

hemselves.

Sundaykindly get all the fe at the mo- meexplanation at masuwambuyi1118@ ately, most Zam- articles on this28, topic February 2021as they use this Covid being is gmail.com. think are one, you’ll be needing , any feel pocket hoax, it’s re- one to understand the other. this earth As For perproblemcan as we DISCLAIMER: Knowledge is power. any ad the waycomments forward and as anywhere much cases taining questions, and notthe that safeYes, actual implementation of as West. feedback, please contact the vaccination process in safe at the mo- me at masuwambuyi1118@ cause this being Zambia, uch complex gmail.com.

I believe the govkawill brokedefinitely into a houseadand age, any pocket toBydate there ernment MULENGA MUSONDA stole beddings among other on earth can vise through DISCLAIMER: As iralthis diseases the Ministry perof HABITUAL thief in items. pread anywhere taining the and This way prompted re. The besthas Health andforward this Choma shall Choma proved (MoH) eersnot that faced the last part of the line with ICU Principal Resident Magisare that safe actual implementation that old habits iral infection be die well communicated onof trate Idah Mupemo to slapin nowing being thevaccination last phase right before hard. if they the process he Three infection. all media platforms. with a three-year jail days after be- him ed themselves the horizon that leads to anothre such complex Zambia, I believe the govingCovid-I9. convicted and placed term for being incorrigible. ith the disease or er dimension.

Ms will Mupemo in convicthat date there ernment definitely adon to community service, have been VACCINOLOGY 101 ing Mukonka,of Sibanyatiof salute all these We arethrough no longer Front21-year-old Charles Mukonw viral diseases vise theThe Ministry area in Choma deemed him eirunfortunately time The in the Today we will mainly have because we do not meet cure. bestliners Health (MoH) and this shall pioneers that faced the last part of the line with ICU effective vac- the an beintroduction to Vacciwa me menEnemy SARSCOV2 first, on viraltoinfection well communicated ot knowing if they nology: being the last phase right before esident Vlad248 Chapter 87 ofhas the alPeWhat is a A year on Iso- we all meet him platforms. when hevaccine, nt the infection. media fected themselves the horizon that leads to anothnal Code of the Laws of h Putin was where, how, why this have increased invaded the bodydid and has o to with Covid-I9. b the disease or ready er dimension.

Zambia. at Levy Mwadamage. nounce Sputconcept from, How have VACCINOLOGY 101 Particulars of the ofally salute all been these caused We arecome no longer The Frontfence are that Kanji on re many more Sometimes we meet when he their time in the Today we will mainly have a somewhere it save lives etc?

Allow unfortunately didliners because we do not meet Valentine’s Day - February nt parts of the has even already left the victim an effective vac- methe an introduction Vaccinow thetoUK to call VACCINOLOallow me menEnemy first, 14,this 2021,SARSCOV2 insteadto of trying ustotoreconcile dealwhen with the ef-als President Vladnology: What iswith ahe vaccine, ou.

A year on Iso- leaving meet him has his wife, OTECH while GYwe 101.

Abigail Halubwana, opted SSAGE THE of him having been there. roch Putin wasfects where, how, why this have increased ready invaded the bodydid and has aes and many to assault her and thereing at Levy Mwacaused damage. announce SputYes, we got so many people that concept come from, How are working WHATbyISoccasioning A VACCINE, her actual re aresomewhere many more are did Sometimes we meet when ussia itsick save lives etc?

Allow very right now both inhe bodily harm l.

WHAT IS VACCINATION? me last year toUK ferent parts of the Covid has even already left victim When heVACCINOLOappeared for hen now the me Centress to call this and atthe Home should be The word “vaccine” esBIOTECH has been the plea, hedeal admitted to

By MULENGA MUSONDA leaving us to with thethe efwhile GYare 101. who now already Negative charge and explained that or everyone, comes from “vacca” which yMESSAGE familiar mesTHE fects of him having been there. hina and many andwho unfortunately many of A JEALOUS husband he only slapped her after pockets of means “cow” Latin.

It was kries has reached we gotspite so people that even after going them on Yes, sepfinding her with another are working WHAT ISinmany A VACCINE, die in being NegaG. aration with his wife butvery are sick right now both in w,well. one I believe against this coined in 1796 by the man I man.

WHAT IS VACCINATION? time last year to tive. consistently tried to make According to the facts Covid Centress and at more Home ave heard and there have believed to have saved gress should be Thepresented wordby Public “vaccine” ssage herhas lifebeen hardthe by always Proswho areFRONTLINERS now already Negative en.

THE NEW ests ineveryone, some lives than anyPearson other human stalking and wanting to for comes from “vacca” which ecutor Chilumbu, very familiar mesand unfortunately many of know who sheofwas with that is lot no hard sciClearly, the pandoras box it“cow” appeared like the sepaathink distrust being has ever existed, ome pockets means in Latin.

It was has reached them die in spite being Negahas been sentenced to with his wife did not it is against as has beenration opened, SARSCOV2 now, onesimple Iand believe are this coined inEdward 1796 by the Kanji man I nments thetive. man Dr Jenner. three months imprisonseem to sit well with he cry for the is everywhere, the community af have heard and nt, there have ment with hard labour believed to have saved who constantly kept more on tical compabythe thePublic Choma Fast Track erve spread is alarming.

We need to e seen.

THE NEW FRONTLINERS visiting her in case she was protests in some lives than any other human believe there SMALL POX , EDWARD for Gender Based going out with other men. age isby nosimply hard sci- engage Clearly, the box just the community and reis Court a lot distrust being that haspandoras ever existed, nda with this JENNER (ADD THOMAS Violence for assault.

He said, on the fateful ery, it is as simple has been opened, SARSCOV2 ally distancing, mind them of their role for they vernments and Magthe man Edward Jenner.

Principal Resident day,Dr Kanji just emerged just too JEFFERSON 1806 isare the crycompafor theMupemo everywhere, the community istrate Idah hygiene and areisthe keyfrom players in this. a maize field and ceutical s.observe LETTER), THE it the incumbent that the Public spread is alarming.

We need beat up AND his ,wife who wasto hers to do They are the ones with the ny found believe there SMALL POX EDWARD 33-year-old Clement Kanji coming from church beus to really VACCINE. ures just by simply realengage the community and repower toshe fight this eneagenda with chiefdom this JENNER (ADD THOMAS of Mapanza sees fore was rescued by socially distancing, mind them of their role for they nder control To really appreciate what me ittheis like we my head on, their attitude will inside of too a prison cell JEFFERSON congregants. here are just 1806 andforhygiene aretothe key players this.guilty, ation has toand would-be offenders vaccination really isinand how After finding him different times, determine the altitude ofTHE this ions.

LETTER), AND others They are the ones with the takewe ato leafdo andthe learn from Magistrate Mupemo in and it has saved so many lives, rlds. are them, these are virus to are reallywave.

VACCINE. hisThere fate. passing jail sentence realAmong power tothe fight this eneons of peoI will briefly revisit the he public especially those in to high densiIn case,we Kanji was under control To really appreciate what told Kanji be anpagamtime itthis ismealike my head on, their attitude will facing one count of assault bassador of change in the d millions in es of history and talk about ypulation there arehas the neighbourhoods (mukomtoty determine vaccination really is and how wo different times, the altitude of this occasioning actual bodily fight against gender-based ith soI always much ed and we are Small Pox, Edward Jenner not. it has saved so many lives, worlds.

There are wave.

Among them, these are harm contrary toboni). section violence. billions of meapeo- and I will briefly revisit the pagIthe amgeneral driving Then have thehigh markemer the we First Vaccine. eythe public especially those in densiand millions inteers, es the of history at and talk about centres going patrons night clubs, there are the ty neighbourhoods (mukomdnearly to see how t do with so much Small Pox, Edward Jenner tre not.

I always boni). ny people who the political gatherings, it is the if ever we SMALL POX never I in ampubdriving duty Then have the markerom general and the we First Vaccine. masksthe of political leaders to ation centres going teers, the patrons at night clubs, hard to see how their followers on the eoples’ fears,who educate many people the political is the there if ever we SMALL POXtoit the ts my being, importance of gatherings, adhering eties as gening masks in pubduty of the political leaders sh theyreason could public health measures during to this educate their followers on the rtouch peoples’ fears,their what we rallies.When the matter came up

By MULENGA MUSONDA expert on this hurts my being, of adhering to the for continued trial, Detective nxieties asfeel gen- importance t we smell, wish they could public health measures during endeavour to Constable Aston Chivanga YOU ARE THE FRONTLINERS 25-YEAR-OLD for this reason general enA touch taste what testified that Kunabantu see, what we their worker has been foundPlease with rallies. asic informayou have toMs help prono expert on this nside the walls filed a complaint on Janua case to answer in a matter what we smell, feel tectYOU all ofARE us protecting tly scientifiill endeavour aryby 12, 2021 to the yourPolice to THE FRONTLINERS is accused ofto snatching , he even taste what the effect that, as she was selves, you are the ones we are on.

I will try a handbag containing imh basic informaPlease you have to help proow these the meaenportant inside walls from a closing her liquor store, documents counting on, you are the ones tect all of us by protecting yourrrently scientifiof ways help to obeyed Choonga, who seemed to be res.

Barbe Lady the shields thewe vi-are selves, you areagainst thestupor ones upon.

I will in a drunken resisted hese you Choma Resident Magises.

At for times I trywith d how these meato leave the premises. counting on, you are the ones rus, you are the one that can est of ways help found trate Kanunka kewise. only toSalie be only obeyed ink it is He said, Choonga then Tapson Choonga with a case with the shields against the videcide to let it enter in or stay of youI places.

AtIfor times articles will usthese who are grabbed Ms Kunabantu’s to answer after the rus, state you are the one that can without. el likewise. eccines thinkdisease, is only proved prima facie handbag and took to his the -ittheir what decide to it enter in stay Efforts to pursue him You areheels. theletones that canordinext articles I will m of us who are case against him in a matter ers. What? The ccination, the without. proved futile as he was fast he is the charged with theft conrectly affect how much the hosinst disease, s vaccines what o trary really are the of Zambia. and the quickly disappeared. nes, how safe, You are ones that can dito the Laws tvaccination, liners.

What? The pitals fill upMs or empty down.

You Kunabantu and people Allegationsorthe are rectly that affect how much the hosvaccinated Who really are the who witnessed incident are the ones that can the take us ccines, how safe, Choonga stole a handbag you do not pitals fill up or empty down.

You ments upareto managed to track Choonga containing liquor license, be vaccinated or back tothe the old normal, you are are ones that can take us e no longer the at his house in the early national registration card yt ofwith these called “small” pox you do not revernments up totheThough real heroes. hours of normal, the following day back to the old you are photocopy, receipts, quoot anymore.

It we are no longer the toPlease necessary differentiate it from Syphand found the with these Though called “small” pox beg you todocuments kindly tations and for K2, cash theall realwe heroes. nfishy the middle of 550 no not anymore.

It that were in the handbag in ilis which was known as the valued at K3, 010for theact properit necessary to differentiate it from Syphand behave like you are rePlease beg you to kindly d but mostly atKunabantu. his we house. re in the middle of ty of Ms Esther the “great” pox, was ?preciate ilistoand which was known as rethe act behave like youreally are Thethere hearing continues on Thebut alleged theft ehind mostly atis said appreciate the “great” pox, there was really March 2, 2021 for defence. have occurred on January

because the care givers then nothing “small” about this had no PPEs and this meant COURT NEWS disease. It used to start with that all close contacts got a fever, vomiting, mouth infected as itprogress spread into via airsores then fluborne, skin to skin, blood id filled blisters… those who products and depending were sicketc were best left alone onbecause the form fromthen 30 the killed care givers tohad up no to 90 percent.

It killed PPEs and this meant upthat to 500 million people got in all close contacts to be alast misfit100 in who house and stole his axe, a konka was apprehended by infected associety it spread via airthe years of its exdeserved to be in prison. pillow and T-shirts Neighbourhood watchmen thblanket, borne, skin to skin, blood Cenistence and just in 20 In this matter, Mukon- all valued at K550. with the stolen items. products depending tury aloneinetc killed about 300 he appeared for ka appeared the and Choma When In passing the sentence Magistrates Court plea, 30 Mukonka admitted Magistrate Mupemo con-FRONTLINER. on in thefront form killed ally of charged the line from knowing we win or lose has everything to BA million people. with one count of house the charge saying he wanted sidered the fact that he is a

5

SERIAL THIEF LOCKED UP 36 MONTHS A

Jealousy ex-hubby jailed 3 months

Jail beckons for handbag snatcher

13, 2021 in Choma.

Choonga is on Police bond.

to upthere to 90 It killed that arepercent. many lives that

do with you for you are the real

*MASK UP!

breaking and theft. to sell the items so that he second offender who apup million in *OBSERVE HAND HYGIENE! depend on you, for people what Frontliners.

Particulars of the offence buy peared not to be receptive to To to the500 survivors, it could leftyou a food. the last 100 years of its exaredo thatthere Mukonka on FebruAccording toUNTIL the facts reformation.

She sentenced *SOCIALISE WISELY! at the front directly THEN, ALUTA CONpermanent deformity theven ary 5, 2021 what inand Choma

by Public Prosecutor him to threeCONyears imprisCenistence justbroke inhere 20stated BECAUSE CARE, affects we do at the TINUA, THE STRUGGLE of Russia even YOU named the only hope then.

The Doctors into Mr Reubenas Muchanga’s Pearson blindness a reminder it Chilumbu, Mu- onment with hard labour. AND

tury about 300 at thealone back ofkilled the line, whether

had been there. it not ally in front of theHad line knowing million people. that stopped there are many that been the lives world depend on you, for what population would have To the survivors, it leftyou a do there at the front directly been wiped out. permanent deformity even

affects what we do here at the blindness as a reminder it at the back of the line, whether had been there. Had it not been stopped the world population would have been wiped out.

DR EDWARD JENNER (MAY 17, 1749 T0 JANUARY 26, 1823) AND DR EDWARD JENNER THE FIRST VACCINE.

(MAY 17, 1749 T0 JANUARY 26, 1823) AND Of him Thomas Jefferson THE FIRSTwhen VACCINE. wrote in 1806 Edward

Jenner was sick…mankind him Thomas Jefferson canOfnever forget that you wrote in 1806 when Edward have lived …future nations Jenner was sick…mankind will history canknow neverbyforget thatonly you that the loathsome small have lived …future nations pox existed by you willhas know by and history only has been that theextirpated, loathsomefervent small wishes for existed health.”and by you pox has Considered the father of has been extirpated, fervent wishes for health.”

Immunology and Vaccinolthe father of ogy,Considered the man said to have Immunology and Vaccinolsaved more lives than any ogy, the manever said existed. to have other human saved more lives than any He grew up at a time when other human ever existed. small pox was wiping out He grew up at a time when about percent the popsmall10pox was of wiping out ulation and mostly the chilabout 10 percent of the popdren. ulation and mostly the chilAs a teenager he was VAdren.

RIOLATED against small As a teenager he was VApox.

Variolation was small the RIOLATED against pox. Variolation was the

PLEASE KINDLY SHARE. TINUES,cut SOsome KINDLY PLEASE first child to receive the vacwould blisters of BA FRONTLINER. we win or lose has everything to cine Vaccincov. the sick, dry the content in *MASK UP! do with you for you are the real the sun and then introduce *OBSERVE HAND HYGIENE! Frontliners. *SOCIALISE WISELY! UNTIL THEN, ALUTA CONSMALL POX ERADICTED. it in the healthy to protect TINUA, THE STRUGGLE CONonly hope then.

The Doctors TINUES,cut SOsome KINDLY PLEASE would blisters of the sick, dry the content in the sun and then introduce it in the healthy to protect

them against chicken pox.

Later he went on to study medicine and became a them against chicken pox.

Doctor.

Later he went on to study medicine became a THE and VACCINE Doctor.

Remembering those THE VACCINE words he heard in childhood from one lady who said she Remembering those never needed variolation words he heard in childhood because pox from oneshe ladyhad who cow said she and it was known variolation then if one never needed had cow she pox had they cow couldn’t because pox and it small was known then if one catch pox. In 1796 he had acow saw ladypox whothey had couldn’t signs of catchpox. small 1796 he cow Hepox. thenIn“infected saw a lady who had of ”a young boy Jamessigns Phipps cow pox.

He then “infected with cow pox virus then ”a young boy James Phipps tried to violate him, no reacwith cow pox virus then tion, then did it on his chiltried to violate him, no reacdren.

Vaccination tion, then did it onwas his born, chilhe named it so because the dren. Vaccination was born, protection Small Pox he named against it so because the came from Cow pox virus. protection against Small Pox This throughout the camespread from Cow pox virus. world.

Catherine the great This spread throughout the world. Catherine the great

BECAUSE CARE, ofAND Russia even YOU named the PLEASE KINDLY SHARE. first child to receive the vac-

cine Vaccincov.

SMALL POX ERADICTED.

Global unity was needed even Russia and the USA who were at war - cold war needed - Global joined unity handswas to fight the even Russia and the USA greatest threat to humaniwho wereInattoday’s war - cold ty then. timewar this -isjoined hands to fight like North Korea, thethe US, greatest threat to humaniIran and Israel all team up ty then. In today’s time this eradicate istolike North Covid-19.

Korea, the From US, 1958and WHO promoted global Iran Israel all team up vaccination against From Small to eradicate Covid-19. pox and the 1980sglobal Small 1958 WHObypromoted pox was eradicated markvaccination against Small ing the disease hupox andonly by the 1980sthat Small pox was eradicated mans have eradicatedmarkingYES, the only that huTHEdisease VACCINES ARE mans have eradicated HERE AND WE ARE YET TO YES, THEALL VACCINES ARE SEE HOW THIS TURNS HERE AND WE ARE YET TO OUT BUT PLEASE THIS SEE HOW ALL THIS TURNS DOESN’T MEAN WE LOOSOUT BUT PLEASE THIS EN UP, NO ALUTA CONTIDOESN’T MEAN WE LOOSNUA, CONEN UPTHE , NOSTRUGGLE ALUTA CONTITINUES, SO PLEASE NUA, THE STRUGGLE CONTINUES, SO PLEASE

*MASK UP *OBSERVE *MASK UP HAND HYGIENE *SOCIALISE WISELY. *OBSERVE HAND HYGIENE *SOCIALISE WISELY.

Sunday February 28, 2021

Send an email to dailynation@ymail.com

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

6

Readers Forum: The Column You Write

WE NEED TO OVERHAUL FOOTBALL ADMINISTRATION IN ZAMBIA President Edgar Chagwa Lungu is very disappointed that now Zambia has become a perennial absentee at AFCON. Dear Editor, I have just finished a meeting with Forest Rangers players and officials who visited me at my Ndola residence as they are camping nearby my house preparing for a crucial derby match against rivals ZESCO United.

As a lifelong Fole Malembe supporter, I was happy to meet the players and team staff and wished them well in their match.

My key message to the players and officials was that Football is very important for Zambia. This is a sport that unites us as a

nation and we can use this sport to fully market Zambia to the world.

I also told them that His Excellency President Edgar Chagwa Lungu is very disappointed that now Zambia has become a perennial absentee at AFCON. This is a taboo which should not be accepted.

This country is blessed with immense football talent which can only be nurtured with effective administration of the game.

The football stakeholders should ensure that we return Zambia to where it used to be.

BOWMAN LUSAMBO

THE UPND ALLIANCE TAKING A SUICIDAL TRAJECTORY Dear Editor,

I

usually avoid commenting on internal issues concerning other political parties. However, this issue concerning the UPND Alliance is too serious to ignore.

My comment is not on their choice of the leader who will represent the Alliance in the upcoming election. Rather, it is on the proposed litigation.

I understand that one NDC faction wants to go to court to stop the other faction from holding their Central Committee Meeting. I understand that they also want to stop the embattled leader Dr. Chishimba Kambwili from continuing to represent NDC as party president on account that he did not respect the outcome of the meeting where it was mutually agreed to field president Hakainde Hichilema as the UPND Alliance candidate.

If it is true that Akafumba faction will go to court on this ground, that is likely to be suicidal because UPND or UPND Alliance may ultimately fail to field HH as a candidate. Here is why: If CK files a counterclaim that he was unjustly denied a chance to be the Alliance presidential candidate, and in that regard applies for an injunction to stay the candidacy of HH on UPND or UPND Alliance until the determination of the court on who is the rightful person to represent the Alliance in the forthcom-

ing elections, then that's it for UPND unless the matter is ultimately determined by Supreme Court or Constitutional Court before the nominations day. And from my experience, it is unlikely that such a complex matter can be determined by the High Court, and then Court of Appeal and finally by the Supreme Court or Concourt in two months' time considering that the nominations for presidential candidates are due early May. I repeat: if the Akafumba faction makes a mistake to go to court to banish CK, and in turn CK hits back with a counterclaim of the Alliance leadership, then its gonna be some interesting legal drama. Lets watch this space.

PETER SINKAMBA ___________________________

UPND’s Garbage Bag:

The Imaginary Alliance Dear Editor,

HH should learn from PF to do things differently when it comes to politics, most especially if you have failed in the past. At present, among the Opposition Presidents,

Chishimba Kambwili has more weight and he surely could have assisted the Alliance to get numbers on the Copperbelt, Luapula, Northern, Muchinga and the Metropolitan towns across the country, but HH’s pomposity clouded his proper thinking and PF has bitten him on that one clearly.

Over the course of the past year, Hakainde Hichilema has led the United Party for National Democracy (UPND) into a recruitment drive of other opposition parties to form an opposition alliance and stood strong at nine political parties at one point.

Six months before the most critical general elections of his entire political career, he is sitting at only three, what happened?

To this writer, there is now no doubt about the selfishness and greediness of UPND’s leadership and its President. This also explains why the opposition alliance crumbled from the initial total of nine opposition parties to just three, which are UPND and two irrelevant one-man show parties of the muliokela fame.

It is disappointing that HH always forgets the critical reason why alliance are made and why people opt to join in. The thing with alliances, however, is that they come at a cost. Many of the individuals who had joined the opposition alliance in the past have positions of high privilege and

great benefit in their organizations.

It would be naïve of Hichilema, or anyone of his party members, to think that any of these alliance members are Mother Theresa’s who are in it for the charity, No. Failure by HH and his top leadership to

Such a person is not cut from presidential material and he will again lead UPND to the table of slaughter during this year’s elections as per his tradition, especially if you even try to analyze the current voters’ roster.

It is game over for UPND

acknowledge this fact preordained the beginning of the end of the alliance, HH clearly failed to acknowledge the value of others.

In politics, there are no saints; there are no saviours.

There are no heroes; there is no honesty. All that is, is profit and loss calculations on the balance sheets of businessmen and he failed to apply his accounting acumen in politics.

It is important to note at this juncture that, history does repeat itself and indeed it has repeated itself as HH’s selfishness has been exposed again for his luck of wisdom to put the country first before himself and the party.

without any doubt. The match decided before a ball is kicked.

UPND’s strongholds total 1.6 million registered voters. The four PF strongholds total nearly 2.5 million. The remaining three provinces, which are likely to be shared more or less, equally add up to about 2.9 million, do the math and you will see that UPND will be behind by a million votes or so, the reason they needed Kambwili to boost their number in their non-stronghold’s.

Any citizen that put his selfish agenda above that of the country or his party must be exposed for who they are and they should not be given any mandate to govern our democratic country. HH’s

selfishness is clearly seen in his bullying the small parties into submission and to calling the alliance, “ The UPND Alliance” what UPND alliance?

By definition, an alliance is a union or association formed for mutual benefit, especially between countries or organizations. It is a relationship based on similarity of interests, nature, or qualities, but as things stand, UPND has gone into an alliance with its own self, which in essence has a zero effect.

HH should have consulted widely, including the Church, NGOs and eminent people and including the General Citizenly on how to go about having a working Alliance.

HH should learn from PF to do things differently when it comes to politics, most especially if you have failed in the past. At present, among the Opposition Presidents, Chishimba Kambwili has more weight and he surely could have assisted the Alliance to get numbers on the Copperbelt, Luapula, Northern, Muchinga and the Metropolitan towns across the country, but HH’s pomposity clouded his proper thinking and PF has bitten him on that one clearly.

As things stand, with the announcement of a defunct UPND Alliance, the PF is heavily smiling. They can smell Victory.

DR JOSE MANDA

Sunday February 28, 2021

WORLD NEWS

ANC BIGWIGS DATE ZUMA

…We’ll tell him: 'Let us all abide by our Constitution' - Ramaphosa

J

OHANNESBURG - The ANC's top leadership will engage with corruption-accused former President Jacob Zuma, and the message will be clear and straightforward: "Let us all abide by our Constitution, respect our institutions, particularly the judiciary," said President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Ramaphosa fielded questions from the South African National Editors' Forum (SANEF) on Friday afternoon, with the first question asked being his predecessor's defiance of the Constitutional Court and accompanying allegations that judges re-

ceived money from the CR17-campaign.

On Thursday, The Witness reported that a proposed meeting between the ANC top six and Zuma had been shelved as the former president refuses to be engaged on the matter.

Ramaphosa said there are, "... quite a number of engagements," with Zuma.

"And one of those is an engagement that he is going to have with the top leadership of the ANC, which should be happening any day soon," he said.

"He's agreed to it, we've all agreed to it, that we are going to engage with him.

BRIEFS Zim's nurses 'reluctant to take China vaccine' HARARE - Medical workers in Zimbabwe have been reluctant to take Covid-19 vaccinations received from China, the AFP news agency reports the nurses’ union as saying.

It cites a lack of clarity over whether China's Sinopharm vaccine protects against a virus variant that emerged in neighbouring South Africa. – BBC.

Togo bribe case to go ahead in France PARIS - A judge in Paris has ruled that the corruption trial of a leading French industrialist should go ahead, despite his guilty plea because of its serious nature.

Vincent Bolloré and two others had already accepted their guilt in bribing an official in Togo to win a contract to run the port of Lomé a decade ago. The case against his conglomerate has been concluded with a fine of $15m. – BBC.

_______________________

White supremacist jailed in plot to Senegal MP to face bomb synagogue rape charge after DENVER, US - An avowed white supremacist was immunity lifted sentenced on Friday to 19_______________________

DAKAR - Lawmakers in Senegal have voted to lift the immunity of leading opposition MP Ousmane Sonko, who has been accused of rape - allegations he denies.

Sonko finished third in the 2019 presidential elections, and is considered a strong future presidential contender. The 46-yearold head of the opposition Pastef party has accused President Macky Sall, of conspiring against him, AFP says. – BBC.

1/2 years in prison after pleading guilty months ago to a federal hatecrimes case stemming from a botched plot to bomb a historic Colorado synagogue in 2019.

Richard Holzer, 28, appeared in a federal courtroom in Denver for a sentencing that capped an undercover FBI investigation of a plan to blow up Temple Emanuel in Pueblo, Colorado, the second-oldest synagogue in the state. – REUTERS.

He is a member, and a disciplined member of the African National Congress, and we will be able to have an engagement with him.

"And the message will be fairly simple and straightforward: Let us all abide by our Constitution, respect our institutions, particularly the judiciary."

– NEWS24.

DAILY

7

Hunt for 300 girls as second abducted school group freed ABUJA - Police in Nigeria have launched a search and rescue operation for 317 girls kidnapped from a school in the state of Zamfara.

The operation comes as 42 people kidnapped from a boarding school in a similar incident last week in Niger state were released.

The kidnappings are carried out for ransom and are common in the north.

President Muhammadu Buhari condemned the latest kidnapping as "inhumane and totally unacceptable."

The United Nations Children Fund also condemned the abduction of the girls and called for their safe release.

The 2014 kidnap of 276 schoolgirls in the north-eastern town of Chibok by Islamist militants Boko Haram brought global attention to the scourge of raids on schools in Nigeria but the most recent attacks are suspected to be the work of criminal gangs.

Nigerian police said in a statement that "a co-ordinated search and rescue operation, involving the deployment of both ground and aerial assets" was under way.

Two helicopters have been deployed.

Police also appealed for calm. Residents of the town of Jangebe, where the abduction took place, have reacted angrily, attacking vehicles that entered.

The Vanguard newspaper said that a convoy of journalists was attacked by a mob.

Friday's attack happened at 01:00 local time when a group of gunmen arrived at the Government Girls Secondary School in Jangebe. – BBC.

U.S. urges vaccine-sceptical Tanzania to review evidence on the Covid-19 shots NAIROBI - The United States urged vaccine-sceptical Tanzania on Friday to review evidence on the drugs, saying they work and are one of the tools to fight off the Covid-19 pandemic.

U.S. Ambassador to Tanzania Don Wright said he was encouraged that authorities had recently admitted Covid-19 as a public health priority and had called on Tanzanians to take basic precautions to fend off the virus.

In a statement he urged the government to start sharing data about testing and cases “in order to know if response measures are having the in-

tended impact,” and said the government should employ vaccines as an anti-coronavirus tool.

“There is no doubt that a mass immunisation campaign will save lives,” he said. “I urge the Government of Tanzania to convene its health experts and review the evidence on vaccines.”

President John Magufuli has been one of the world leaders most sceptical of efforts to combat the pandemic. He has also cast doubt about the efficacy of Covid-19 vaccines, saying last month that they “are not good. If they were, then the white man would

have brought vaccines for HIV/AIDS.” His government has said it has no plans to import vaccines.

Last week, the death of a senior politician who had tested positive for Covid-19 added to the concern about a hidden epidemic running rampant in the country.

On Sunday, World Health Organisation head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urged Tanzania to bolster public health measures, prepare to distribute vaccines and start reporting coronavirus cases and sharing data.

The government stopped

reporting coronavirus statistics last May, at a time when it had registered 509 cases and 21 deaths. – REUTERS.

Joe Biden scores legislative win as House passes $1.9 trillion Covid-19 relief plan WASHINGTON - President Joe Biden scored his first legislative win as the House of Representatives passed his $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package early yesterday, though Democrats faced challenges to their hopes of using the bill to raise the minimum wage.

Democrats who control the chamber passed the sweeping measure by a mostly party-line vote of 219 to 212 and sent it on to the Senate, where Democrats planned a legislative manoeuvre to allow them to pass it without the support of Republicans.

The American Rescue Plan would pay for vaccines and medical supplies and send a new round of emergency financial aid to households,

small businesses and state and local governments.

Democrats said the package

was needed to fight a pandemic that has killed more than 500, 000 Americans and thrown millions out of work.

"The American people need to know that their government is there for them," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in debate on the House floor.

Republicans, who have broadly backed previous Covid-19 spending, said much of the current package was not necessary, highlighting elements like a subway near Pelosi's San Francisco district.

Only nine percent of the total would go directly toward fighting the virus, they said.

"It just throws out money without accountability," House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy said.

The House vote amounted

to a successful first test for Democrats, who hold a narrow 221-211 majority in the chamber. The president has focused his first weeks in office on tackling the greatest US public health crisis in a century, which has upended most aspects of American life.

Democrats aim to get the bill to him to sign into law before mid-March, when enhanced unemployment benefits and some other types of aid are due to expire.

The action now moves to the Senate, where Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris may have to cast a tie-breaking vote in a chamber where Republicans control 50 seats and Democrats and their allies control the other 50. – REUTERS.

NATION

www.dailynation.info

editor@dailynation.info

Sunday February 28, 2021

https://www.facebook.com/dailynationews

https://twitter.com/dailynationzm

Kitwe derby ends in tears for Nkana

By MICHAEL MIYOBA

KAMANGA WINS ...FAZ councillors retain Kamanga as president

By MICHAEL MIYOBA

A

NDREW Kamanga has been retained as FAZ president after he beat hallenger Emmanuel Munaile with a landslide victory during the delayed elective annual general meeting held yesterday at Fairmount Hotel in Livingstone.

FAZ Electoral Committee chairperson Ronald Hatoongo declared Kamanga as president after getting 57 votes, while Munaile, a former FAZ vice president got 29 votes.

A new term for Kamanga who first came into office in 2016 after he beat football icon Kalusha Bwala sent the Andrew Kamanga camp into jubilation.

And speaking after the polls which were held without any confusion, Kamanga promised to continue with his path of transparency and accountability.

Kamanga hailed the FAZ councillors for trusting him with another four years to

ensure football development in the country.

He however called on FAZ councillors to unite and work together in their quest to develop the Zambian game.

"We have a lot of work before us, It has not been easy but whatever has happened in the last four years or five years it’s now things of the past, we should now look to the future with a lot of optimism. We need to qualify to the Africa Cup, we need to go to the World Cup for the

first time. These remains our milestones as articulated in our 10-year plan," Kamanga said. The FAZ polls saw former Zesco United CEO Justin Mumba being voted as the new FAZ vice president, a position which was previously held by the late Rix Mwemba who died last year.

Mumba amassed 55 votes, while his closest rival Gideon Mwenya had 31 votes. Konga Mundona did not get any vote in the vice presidency category.

Meanwhile, in the Women's Representative category, Green Buffaloes Women's Football Club president Priscilar Katoba was the favourite as she came first with 66 votes while former FAZ executive committee member Brenda Kinda got seven votes.

Aelly Banda and and Hildah Mutangama got six votes respectively while Besa Kunda finished last in the females category with two votes.

THE much anticipated Kitwe derby lived up to its expectations for Power Dynamos who reigned supreme with a 3-0 bashing of cross town neighbours and rivals Nkana at Nkana Stadium yesterday.

The Nkana backline was exposed as it failed to handle the pressure in the first half where they conceded two goals before Kennedy Musonda put the icing on the cake in the second half.

Power broke the deadlock in the fourth minute when midfielder Mukuka Mulenga beat an offside trap to beat Zimbabwe international goalkeeper Talbert Shumba in the Nkana goal.

Nkana had a chance to level matters a minute after Power’s opener but Laison Thole’s free kick was parried for a corner by Power keeper Jackson Kakunta.

Spencer Sautu almost doubled Power’s lead in the 15th minute but his free kick was collected by Shumba.

Obed Masumbuko then tried to level matters but his effort was parried by Kakunta before a defender cleared to safety for Power to survive.

Power doubled the lead when Sautu connected a pass from Kennedy Musonda to pile more pressure on the defending champions going into the break.

Power made the game beyond reach for the home side after scoring a third through Musonda who benefitted from Sautu’s pass in the 66th minute.

The win in the Kitwe derby propelled Power to eighth on the Super Division table with 25 points while Nkana maintained 13th with 19 points.

Stones sends Man City 13 points clear atop Premiership standings MANCHESTER City moved 13 points clear at the top of the Premier League as John Stones sealed a 2-1 win against West Ham that made it 20 successive victories in all competitions for the leaders.

Pep Guardiola's side are closing in on their third Premier League in four seasons thanks to priceless contributions from their in-form centre-backs.

Ruben Dias, imperious since signing from Benfica in September, put City ahead with his first goal for the club.

Michail Antonio equalised for West Ham just before half-time, but the revitalised Stones bagged the winner with a fine strike after the break.

City are enjoying the longest ever winning streak by an English top-flight team, with 14 of those 20 victories coming in the league to leave their title rivals trailing in their wake.

They are unbeaten in 27 games across all competitions, one match shy of their longest run without defeat under Guardiola in 2017.

Second-placed Manchester United and third-placed Leicester can close the gap back to 10 points if they beat Chelsea and Arsenal respectively today.

But it is hard to imagine anyone catching City over the last 12 games of the season.

They survived a stern test from fourth-placed West Ham and home games against Wolves and Manchester United next week offer a chance to put the title within touching distance.

– AFP.

Meanwhile, at Woodlands Stadium in Lusaka Napsa Stars picked their second consecutive win after beating Lusaka Dynamos 1-0.

Veteran striker Emmanuel Mayuka was the hero again as his 71st minute goal gifted Napsa Stars three points which pushed them to 12th with 21 points.

At Sunset Stadium in Lusaka, Rodger Kola rescued Zanaco from recording a home loss after he scored a late equaliser in the 1-1 stalemate against Choma-based Green Eagles.

Amit Shamenda had given Eagls an early lead when he scored in the 27th minute before Zanaco came back strong and scored the equaliser in the 66th minute.

The draw denied Zanaco the opportunity to open a four-point lead at the summit of the FAZ Super Division table.

At Godfrey Chitalu Stadium, Kabwe Warriors and Nkwazi were involved in a goalless stalemate.

Green Buffaloes and Indeni shared the spoils following a 1-1 draw.

Today’s Super Division action will see Buildcon taking on Young Green Eagles in a lunch time kick off at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, the same venue which will host another electric affair, a Ndola derby involving Forest Rangers and Zesco United.