MALAWIAN MAN CUTS OFF HIS GENITALS TO SELL

“Genitals for Sale” is what seems to be the writing on a Malawian man’s forehead after he cut his luggage to sale to witchdoctors.
Malawi Police confirmed that a man cut off his own penis and testicles with a sharp knife last week.
According to police, Pilirani Lazaro of Dowa is hospitalised at Kamuzu Central Hospital after he cut his genitals which he wanted to sell.
KCH are keeping the genitals and doctors say they could not reattach his genitalia.
“Pilirani Lazaro had indeed severed his own testicles,” a police spokesman for central region John Namalenga said.
Nyasa Times reporter found Lazaro ay on the hospital bed, muttering incomprehensible phrases. “I feel pain all over my body,” he groaned
Issues of cutting genitals have become very common in Malawi .
Mzimba police spokesman Sub Inspector George Kondowe said recently that police arrested four people who attacked Joseph Nyirenda to chop off his genitals with “sharp knives.”
Private body parts of human beings are on a high demand by the witchdoctors and it is believed that people sell the penis and testicles abroad where they fetch a lot of money.
One case of this nature was concluded by the High Court in Blantyre which sentenced Peter Chakuamba to 20 years imprisonment with hard labour for cutting private parts of a fellow man.
Courtesy of Charles Kufa, Nyasa Times

CHINESE OFFICIALS SHOOT, WOUND 13WORKERS AT COLLUM COAL MINE

While officials were working on rescuing miners trapped underground in Chile, in Zambia trigger happy Chinese mine managers were busy shooting at workers at Collum Coal Mine in Sinazongwe District in the Southern Province.

Two Chinese Managers at Collum Coal Mine in Sinazongwe District, Southern Province who allegedly shot 13 miners are still scot free while three alleged master minders of the protest remain in custody. Collum Coal Mine workers on Friday October, 15th 2010 protested over their delayed salaries but two Chinese supervisors opened fire at them using a shotgun hence dotting their bodies with pellets.

As of Saturday more than 24hours after the incident the miners who were admitted at Maamba Hospital still had pellets in embedded in their bodies. Some had as many as nine pellets in their bodies while the doctor was nowhere to be seen. Ward Sianaini of the victims complained that such incidents would not go far because the Chinese officials are in the habit of bribing government officials.

“Even with this situation government will not do anything because the officials (Chinese) say they are above the law because they pay government,” Ward said. However, Sinazongwe District Commissioner Oliver Pelete said justice will prevail and culprits if found wanting will be brought to book.

“I will not say much because the provincial minister has already issued a comment and don’t want to look like I am overriding his authority,” Mr. Pelete said.

And when the DataBank reporter followed the DC and some Chinese officials including one of the mine’s shareholders who had come to visit the patients to the mine, it was discovered that the two alleged shooters were still walking scot free enjoying the nice summer warmth while the three alleged protest ring leaders were in custody.

The DC, mine officials and workers’ representatives went into a meeting that lasted about four hours but still the DC tried to be difficult in issuing a statement.
“I can only confirm that the police officers have recorded a warn and caution statement from the two Chinese managers,” said Mr. Pelete, but when asked about the correct way of doing things whether recording the statements from their premises or the police station, Mr. Pelete said he could not speak on behalf of the police.

Efforts to get a comment from the mine’s shareholder Lui Yao Ping almost proved futile as the DC was protective. However, Mr. Lui confirmed that the matter had been amicably dealt with by all stakeholders but refuted reports of him saying he is above the law.

“We have finalized, all is well, police officials and us as good now…….no no one is above the law, even the president has to respect the law,” he said.

Government speaks out on the shooting
Information Minister and Chief Government spokesperson Lt. Gen. Rev. Ronnie Shikapwasha shocked the country when he bluntly stated that the Chinese governments need no apologies over it because Zambians have been arrested before in that country.
The Minister was responding to some opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) and Patriotic Front (PF) Pact youths who went to lodge in a formal complaint at the Chinese embassy demanding for an apology and subsequent discussions on Zambia’s labour laws with Chinese investors.

The two opposition leaders could however not manage to pitch in their petition because they were manhandled by tens of police officers who were clad in heavy riot kits.

By Brian Mwale.

CUTS INTERNATIONAL ADDS VOICE ON ZAMBIA’S 2011 BUDGET

Despite the Zambian government having increased its national budget from ZMK 16.7trillion to ZMK 20.5trillion kwacha, many stakeholders still have ill feelings about it. Others have described it as an appeasement budget with the 2011 general elections around the corner.

Consumer Unity and Trust Society –CUTS- international has welcomed the 25% increase in The Pay As You Earn –PAYE- threshold in the Friday October 8th 2010 national budget presented to parliament for next year by Finance and National Planning Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane.

CUTS International Zambia centre Executive Board Chairman Love Mutesa says the increase from ZMK 800,000 to ZMK 1,000,000 forms one avenue for easing the burden on consumers.

However, Ambassador Mutesa like many stakeholders is still not satisfied with the increment hence describing it as minimal because of many economic factors like inflation which are very volatile.

“For instance, someone earning ZMK6,000,000-00 gross was subjected to a total PAYE tax of ZMK 1,628,250.15. The new system will entail a total PAYE tax of ZMK1, 553,250.15 representing a mere ZMK75, 000-00 increase in nominal terms. With the projected inflation at 7% for 2011, this means only ZMK70, 000 in real terms. Therefore, as CUTS, we feel this is still a raw-deal and question the so-called relief to workers when only ZMK70, 000-00 is freed as additional purchasing power,” says Ambassador Mutesa.

Infrastructure development
Government has in next year’s budget prioritised infrastructure development as a factor that will contribute to national development. CUTS International feels this is a welcome move under the understanding that a well developed infrastructure provides a number of incentives for business through lowered costs of doing business and accords a widespread supply of goods and services at competitive prices which ultimately benefits the consumer’s welfare.

However the Civil Society for Poverty Reduction (CSPR) Programs Officer William Chilufya feels the move is an appeasement strategy for electorates as government wants to use it as a campaign platform for next year.

The increase in the threshold at which small scale importers are required to engage a clearing agent is equally welcome. This will help address some of the trade facilitation problems by providing them with an opportunity to increase their import volumes and ultimately be able to increase their disposable incomes.

In the electricity sector the CUTS Chief feels the 15% tax scrapping must reflect in the relief to consumers and at least a stabilization of the domestic electricity tariffs.
“ It will certainly be unfair for power utility companies to upward adjust their tariffs in the short to medium term. This relief to power utilities on imported electricity should trickle down to individual consumers, notes Ambassador Mutesa.

Budget deficit and economic diversification
“On the budget deficit we wish to stress that the trade deficit, in itself, is not bad outcome looking at the stage of Zambia’s development projectile. It is an indication that Zambia is importing more than what it is exporting. What matters is the composition of the imports of which the majority for Zambia, as a developing country, must be capital equipment, a source of medium to long term national economic growth” he notes.

Ambassador Mutesa reveals that the source of worry at CUTS is the type of machinery of which, at the moment, the bulk is mining equipment for digging the country and not those meant for the manufacturing industries. He says such types of machinery do not provide a bed for long term sustained growth but rather end up as a nuisance. He has since called upon government to ensure that the forgone base for future development is compensated by increasing the tax rates and collections from the mining companies and investing in making the manufacturing sector attractive in Zambia.

Zambia must seriously look at diversifying the economy. Strike the iron while it is still hot alternatively make hay while the sun shines. It is in this respect that CUTS supports calls for windfall taxes. If this is done, we at CUTS are sure that consumers will be the major beneficiaries from these developments and the economic diversification that we all want to see develop will not just be a pipe dream.

Following calls for diversification of the economy the Zambian government has in the past two farming seasons recorded bumper harvests with 2008/2009 recording 1.9million metric tonnes with 2009/2010 recording 2.7million metric tonnes of maize. However the calls are that only maize and wheat are recording bumper harvests while other crops have not been prioritized.

By Brian Mwale.

BRAZILIAN INVESTMENT UNVEILED IN ZAMBIA

As concerns regarding the Zambian President Rupiah Banda’s perceived fruitless trips mount, some huge foreign investments have already starting flowing in much to the disappointment of his critiques. Pledges made to the country are now coming to light with visits of high profile presidents and ministers showing fruits.

Brazilian investors have shown commitment in injecting 1billion US dollars in the ARM valley Konkola North Mining project. The investment comes in the wake of that country’s President Luis Inacio Lula Da Silver’s visit last July.
The president was in Zambia with an entourage of businessmen looking at tapping into the untapped investment opportunities. The country’s investment promoters Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) has expressed delight with the interest shown so far.

ZDA Director Andrew Chipwende tells that DataBank that the investment is a good development for the country as it will contribute to economic development through revenue collection and job creation. He further reveals other areas of interest by Brazilian investors as development of the integrated sugar-ethanol and co-generation of power project in Luena district in the Western Province of Zambia.

“Technocrats in the Ministry of Agriculture and ZDA are closely working with Brazil in areas of ethanol production as that country has perfected this field hence Zambia stands a better chance of benefiting from this,” says Mr. Chipwende.

With the country moving towards the digital revolution deadline of 2015, ZDA is also happy that Brazil is also interested in injecting some finances in the transmission technology which will see digital Television sets and others. On the other hand the Brazilian government has confirmed its new investment partnership with Zambia. Brazilian Ambassador to Zambia Josal Luiz Pellegrino tells the Data Bank that his government has consolidated its agreements to assist Zambia in utilizing bio-fuels. He says a delegation has since been to Zambia to ascertain the needs of the southern African country in development of bio-fuel structure.

“We want to see Zambia emerge from its energy crisis the same way our country did years ago through the utilization of bio-fuels. In order to do so Zambia can maximize on sugar and plants like Jatropha,” reveals Mr. Pellegrino.

Fuel challenges in Zambia
Zambia is faced with a challenge of high fuel prices which have continued skyrocketing. Various stakeholders have complained that this status quo is a major contributing factor to the high cost of doing business in the country.
A shift from conversional petroleum products to bio-fuel is a call that many civil society organisations have been supporting because of its cheaper production mechanisms and clean nature which does not pollute the air.

Investment in transport
The Brazilian government is also looking at investing in bus body repairs for huge buses like Marcoplo as a way of reviving them after accidents. ZDA Director Andrew Chipwende has stated that the plant will be an establishment of its kind in this part of Africa as South Africa is the only one assembling.

By Brian Mwale

COMESA WOOS US INVESTORS

COMESA Secretary General, Sindiso Ngwenya, and ACTESA CEO, Cris Muyunda, have made earnest appeals to US investors to invest in Africa. Mr. Ngwenya and Dr. Muyunda were speaking separately in Washington DC and Kansas City in the USA at the ongoing AGOA 2010 Summit.
Mr. Ngwenya said Africa has potential to produce enough food for internal needs and international trade. During a panel presentation entitled, ‘Food Security: opportunities for Africa,’ Mr. Ngwenya said the African market provided a huge opportunity for growth in agricultural development and trade.
“We can produce enough for our needs and for the rest of the world as long as all challenges facing the farmers are dealt with, when farming is considered a business and when farmers get the necessary support from their respective governments and private sector,” he said.
Quoting the Mckinsey and Company 2010 report, “Lions on the move”, Mr. Ngwenya said in 20 years, Africa’s collective GDP would be $2.6 trillion, its consumer spending $1.4 trillion, the number of Africans of working age would be 1.1 billion, and 50% of Africans would be living in cities by 2030, showing the huge potential of the continent.
He further said regional integration through the tripartite COMESA, EAC and SADC agreement had created a bigger market which should be exploited.
Mr. Ngwenya said COMESA was addressing the challenges to agricultural development like infrastructure, technology and market related constraints through the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP).
He said the way forward was to embrace new innovations and technologies that would efficiently support farming practices for higher and better quality yields, citing the continent’s huge irrigation potential.
Meanwhile, Alliance for Commodity Trade in Eastern and Southern Africa (ACTESA) CEO, Cris Muyunda told American investors it was time to ‘board the plane on flight Africa 1.’
Addressing the AGOA Forum in Kansas City on August 5, during the main Business Roundtable discussion on trading and investing successfully in Africa, Dr. Muyunda, who quoted from the Barrons’s business and financial weekly and Africain Invester, stated that it is time to invest in the “final frontier – Africa” and that “Africa is richer than you think”, respectively, told the forum that key areas ready for investment included agro-processing, warehousing and various commodities including, roots and tubers, oil seeds, livestock and fisheries, forest and natural products, tree and plantation crops and agriculture inputs.
He thanked CARGILL and Pioneer, companies that were already investing in Africa and urged others to emulate them.
“Those remaining, you do have in your hands the boarding card for flight Africa 1, it’s time to board the plane,” he said to thunderous applause.
Dr. Muyunda said ACTESA provided a platform for investors to interact with policy makers in trade and investment.
Meanwhile, Dr. Muyunda was among two dozen senior African leaders who met President Barak Obama at a moving and memorable ceremony at the White House in Washington DC. The occasion was specifically reserved for Africa's top leaders visiting America during the AGOA Forum week.
Among the other leaders in the delegation to the White House were Zambian Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Hon. Felix Mutati, AU Vice Chair, His Excellency Erastus Mwencha, Mauritian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Arvin Boolel, former Namibian Prime Minister Hage Geingob, EAC Secretary General, Ambassador Juma Mwapachu, Burundese Agriculture Minister and other senior leaders. The US President met the African leaders in the presence of US Trade Representative Ambassador, Ron Kirk.
Earlier during the day, the senior African officials were part of the AGOA meeting that was addressed by US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton.
The 2010 AGOA Forum was held in two states, Washington and Kansas city. The Washington forum brought together senior US administration officials, African government ministers and senior officials, the AU, RECs, US and African businesses.
The second part of the forum in Kansas City focused on agribusiness, meetings with US business leaders and site visits to US local business. Participants had opportunities to engage with US companies in order to attract investors.
Zambia will tentatively host the next AGOA Forum in 2011.

Courtesy of ACTESA

KENYAN AIRWAYS: FROM THE PRIDE TO THE SHAME OF AFRICA

What many Africans look up to as one of the most successful airlines still under government operations is in fact a shame for Africa to boast of. It is an open secret for frequent travelers that while Kenyan Airways plays a cardinal role in Africa’s aviation industry; the service is horrible and leaves much to be desired.

Flight cancellations, delays and lies about pilots being sick are a daily routine for Kenyan Airways an airline that was once the Pride of Africa.
Passengers have continued complaining but nothing positive seems to come out of this.
While we appreciate the role that the airline plays in africa’s international trade and networking, its operations leave much to be desired.

On July 29, 2010 while connecting from Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania to Lusaka, Zambia vis Nairobi Kenya, I was made to wait for more than two hours in the name of the pilot being sick and officials were looking for a replacement who would arrive in twenty minutes time which ended up being two hours.
September 5, 2010 while waiting for a plane going into Lilongwe whose flight was scheduled for 11:15hrs world from the Kenyan officials was that the flight would be delayed because the plane had apparently over fueled hence causing a malfunction on one engine forcing the pilots to heard back to Nairobi. This saw tens of people being affected.
Fortunately for us heading for Lilongwe an arrangement was made with bumpy Air Malawi and sad for others who had to wait for the midnight flight. As though that was not enough, flying from Malawi was challenging as the pilot was again reported to be sick on Wednesday September 8th forcing the cancellation of the flight to the next day which saw Lusaka bound passengers having their one hour thirty minutes flight being prolonged by first going to Nairobi and waiting for four hours before connecting.
These are just but a few memorable incidents of the many complaints that many people have raised against this airline whose Corporate Affairs department seems to be sleeping as no official statement or apology is issued apart from the cliché now turned Kenyan Airline Daily anthem of “We would like to apologize for any inconveniences caused.”
Reports of strikes and lack of motivating factors for workers have been heard but nothing much seems to be done to turn tables.
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Niarobi is one of the busiest airports in Africa putting Kenya on the map for international trade and connections, however, the operations of the National flag carrier are what are making Africans like us now start felling ashamed.
What is need is a complete over haul of the airline and put some people that are able to perform. In as much as the aviation industry is very costly and involving, the need for better players and managers are of the essence.
As the world is now turned into a global village and the need for networking among professionals from various nations and sectors of the economy, I can not do away without Kenyan Airlines as it seems to be monopolizing certain routes hence need for improvement in service delivery.
Free advice in running a service based business “don’t take more than what you can carry or manage.” Kenyan Airway needs to enhance its network with its African and overseas partners in the routes instead of getting a huge client base which it can’t manage.

BUFFETT AND GATES ON CHINESE MISSION

(FT) -- Having persuaded many of their billionaire peers in the U.S. to give away chunks of money, Bill Gates and Warren Buffett are traveling to China to sell newly minted Chinese tycoons on the value of philanthropy.

But the fear of being seduced into giving up part of their fortunes might have scared some of the tycoons away from a dinner that the crusading U.S. billionaires are hosting in Beijing this month.

The exclusive list of attendees includes Zhang Xin, CEO of Chinese SOHO China, the real estate developer, and Wang Chuanfu, head of BYD, the car and battery maker, who counts Buffett as an investor.

But according to the Chinese media, the head of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in Beijing is worried that some invited guests might be reluctant to come.

"A small number of people declined the invitation to attend, while many of the invitees called to ask whether they would be required to pledge a donation at the dinner," the director of the foundation's China program, Ray Yip, was quoted as saying.

"Their biggest fear is being embarrassed and put on the spot." Yip's spokesperson did not dispute his comments, carried on a major news portal and the Economic Observer, when contacted on Friday.

Yip said the dinner was intended to allow Gates and Buffett to get to know friends and exchange ideas about partners interested in charity, not to convince Chinese tycoons to make donations.

Gates and Buffett might send out an explanatory letter reassuring their guests that they would not be put on the spot in the way their U.S. counterparts had been, according to Chinese media reports.

The pair's initiative, launched in the U.S. in June, has already secured support from many wealthy American individuals and their families.

Rupert Hoogewerf, who compiles the Hurun Report, China's rich list, said many Chinese remained sceptical of the motivations of people donating money.

"The most important stakeholder in all charities in China is always the government, and there is usually a suspicion that a lot of donations are not pure philanthropy but rather influence-buying by wealthy business people."

But Hoogewerf was optimistic about the U.S. pair's work in China, especially after the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, which changed the priorities of many Chinese entrepreneurs.

"Bill Gates and Warren Buffett are idolised by Chinese entrepreneurs," he said. "Their coming out here is likely to kickstart philanthropy in China."
By Jamil Anderlini, FT.com