No387 K10 www.diggers.news Friday March 8, 2019 WE’RE NATURALLY I allowed accused to DICTATORIAL have sex with me, ...ZNBC is expected to side juvenile tells court Story page 3 with govt of the day - KasoloStory page 7 Kambwili U-turns, challenges Speaker in court over Roan Parliamentary seat By Zondiwe Mbewe NDC leader Chishimba Kambwili has petitioned the Constitutional Court for a declaration that his Roan parliamentary seat did not fall vacant as ruled by the Speaker of the National Assembly Dr Patrick Matibini because the latter violated various provisions of the Constitution. Kambwili who has cited the Attorney General as the respondent in this matter, is further seeking a declaration and order that the President Lungu (c) poses with new High Court judges: Evaristo Pengele, Koreen Etambuyu Mwenda - Zimba, Kenneth Mulife, Speaker’s ruling is null and void. To page 5 Wilfred Muma, Ruth Hachitapika Chibbabbuka, Abha Nayar Patel, SC, Bonaventure Chakwawa Mbewe and Kazimbe Chenda. Govt offers 4% pay rise to civil Private media viewed as opposition in Zambia, servants, leaving unions divided observes US Embassy By Mirriam Chabala workers’ unions have rejected not to be named, told News formation of two camps of By Stuart Lisulo Government has offeredthe proposal, describing it as Diggers! that the proposed workers unions - one for those Zambia has a lot of work to do in embracing divergent views unionised public servants a a disservice to the suffering salary increment has spurred that want to accept the offer because the private news media are still being viewed as a four percent salary increase workers. tension within the public and move one and those that across the board, but the Union leaders, who sought service, leading to the want to declare a dispute. proponent of the opposition political fraternity, says the US The unions are afraid that Embassy’s public affairs director Sean McIntosh. To page 4 being the largest employer, Mutati asks govt to postpone government’s fashion of increasing salaries for public C/Belt cops nab Chinese workers by such small amounts April sales tax implementation would inspire the private man in Copper theft scam Story page 4 sector to follow suit. To page 5 Story page 4 2. Local News www.diggers.news Friday March 8,, 2019 By Stuart Lisulo The Millers Association of Zambia (MAZ) says the new policy lifting the ban of mealie meal exports Millers want new mealie needs to be revised because some millers who accessed subsidized Food Reserve Agency (FRA) maize are restricted meal export policy revised from participating. permits for mealie meal. market. For me, what is FRA maize who I feel of the local market and look at the issue of that Commenting on “This is actually meant to cardinal in dealing with should also be brought the export market,” restriction. I feel we should Agriculture Minister assist us on so many fronts: the exports is the issue on board in the sense explained Chintala. concentrate more on the Michael Katambo’s recent 1) There’s a condition of capacity; does miller that they may have the “So, it is, indeed, a capacity side and insist policy pronouncement given in the Minister’s B have the capacity to financial capacity as well positive move, but we will that FRA maize remains where he announced statement with regards be able to uptake from as the crushing capacity engage the Ministry (of in the country for our own the lifting on the ban to who participates in the private sector; to to be able to take care Agriculture) to try and domestic consumption.” of mealie meal exports, the exports, that some of be able to produce for MAZ president Andrew those who accessed the local consumption, Chintala said the FRA maize may not be export and maximize Association plans on able to participate, a thing the profits from the Department of National Parks’ engaging government that I’d like to engage the outside market compared in a bid to revise the Minister to find a win- to the local market.” policy because millers win situation for all those He explained that as many negative perception worries PS who accessed FRA maize that have got the capacity different millers ought By Stuart Lisulo to improve and correct wrong will be excluded from to be able to participate to be able to participate Tourism and Arts Permanent perceptions held by stakeholders. participating in the because we are looking in the export market, Secretary Reverend Howard Rev Sikwela explained that lucrative export market. at two markets,” Chintala which usually sees a 25Kg Sikwela has urged the Department in 2019, his office would not One of the conditions said in an interview. breakfast bag of mealie of National Parks (DNPW) to entertain inertia and mediocre Katambo announced as “It’s not just the exports; meal priced at around correct the impression of under- approach towards work that had part of the major policy we need to look at the double the price compared performance seen by outsiders. dented the image of the Ministry. pronouncement was domestic market. So, I to Zambian prices. Speaking during a meeting with This is contained in a statement that millers, particularly wouldn’t want to foresee “We need to be extra Copperbelt-based millers a situation where people careful as we deal with this staff at the DNPW offices in availed by Tourism Ministry who accessed subsidized start concentrating on issue of exports because Chilanga, Wednesday, the PS said public relations officer, Sakabilo FRA grain, will not be the export market when there are millers that may there was always room for staff Kalembwe. allowed to get import neglecting the domestic have participated in the HRC pleads with govt to reverse Prime TV ‘closure’ By Mirriam Chabala to seriously undermine the the decision made by IBA. economic development of the the rights, freedoms and broadcasting industry as The Human Rightsgrowth of the privately- As a national human rights country and on the general reputation of others from a hallmark of deepening Commission (HRC) has owned television station as institution, the Commission welfare of the citizens at large. unprofessional broadcasting, democracy, respect for asked government to review well as deprive millions of its wishes to advise that Therefore, the common good it is the Commission’s human rights and good Independent Broadcasting viewers of their democratic freedom of expression and must override any sectional strong view that IBA governance,” stated Muleya. Authority (IBA)’s decision to right to access divergent media freedom are common interests in resolving the should continue executing “Finally, the Commission suspend Prime Television’s information and views as parameters of assessing a complaints against Prime TV.” its legislative mandate in further wishes to call upon broadcasting license required in a democratic state. country’s human rights and HRC advised the IBA to focus a manner consistent with all stakeholders, particularly for 30 days over alleged Zambia has a relatively good good governance record. on building capacity for all the fundamental human human rights defenders unprofessional conduct. record of having established It is, therefore, in the broadcasting institutions in rights principles of non- and the media fraternity, to In a statement, HRC a robust liberalised media national interest that the Zambia in order to contribute discrimination and equal effectively claim their right spokesperson Mweelwa industry in the quest to government must look at a to a professional, pluralistic protection and benefit of to a robust pluralistic and Muleya expressed concern promote free expression of, broader governance picture and diverse broadcasting the law. To this effect, IBA diverse media industry in that the consequences of and access to divergent views, in resolving this matter. The industry as a hallmark of is encouraged to be seen to Zambia that will fearlessly, Zambia being viewed as a information and opinions consequences of a country deepening democracy, be building the capacity of but factually, and fairly mirror human rights violator had as a matter of human rights being viewed as a human respect for human rights all broadcasting institutions the diverse socio-economic, a far-reaching negative and good governance. rights violator, whether true and good governance. in Zambia in order to cultural and political heritage impact on the socio- It would be extremely or not, has far-reaching “While appreciating IBA’s contribute to a professional, of the country for sustainable economic development unfortunate if such a record negative impact on the socio- mandate of safeguarding pluralistic and diverse inclusive development.” of the country and on of human rights and good citizens’ general welfare. governance was undermined “After engaging variousby a decision such as stakeholders, the Human suspending the broadcasting Rights Commission strongly license of the privately-run recommends that the television station when the Independent Broadcasting matter could easily have Authority (IBA) should been amicably resolved in consider lifting the suspension better way,” Muleya stated. of the broadcasting license “The Commission is, for Prime Television Station. therefore, confident that the The suspension of the government will listen to broadcasting license of Prime numerous voices pleading for TV for 30 days is excessive its public interest intervention punishment that is likely and will accordingly review Friday March 8 , 2019 www.diggers.news Local News .3 By Thomas Mulenga Senga Hill PF member of parliament Kapembwa Simbao Simbao withdraws motion after opposition on Wednesday moved a private member’s motion that was seeking to urge government to phase out gasoline driven shoots down his technology motion vehicles and replace them the way we do business in in my time in this country level it becomes extremely needles at the moment.