The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) has released the Basic Needs Basket for the month of May 2009 with an observation that the continued increase in the cost of food is hurting the Zambian economy and undercutting development prospects of the country as increases of food have multidimensional effects on various sectors of Zambian society.

The Basic Needs Basket which measures cost of living for an average family of six in Lusaka and other urban areas of Ndola, Kitwe, Luanshya, Kabwe, Livingstone, Mongu and Kasama has starkly revealed that local food prices on the Zambian market have continued to increase despite what would have been the case of experiencing some general reduction due to post harvest effects.

From costing K788, 200 in the month of April 2009, the cost of basic food items for a family of six in Lusaka added to K815, 850.

JCTR Coordinator of the Social Conditions Programme, Miniva Chibuye, says this is a clear manifestation of a rise in cost of living unaffected yet by seasonality influences.

Ms. Chibuye said this nominal increase was mainly influenced by the cost of tomatoes, onions, green vegetables and dairy products.

She said the Basic Needs Basket research revealed unprecedented increases in Tomatoes and Onions of over 100 percent.

Ms. Chibuye said Tomatoes increased from K4, 700 to K10, 500 per Kg. Onions on the other hand increased from K5, 200 to K10, 200.

She said this could be explai... Read more »

The Chipolopolo boys beat visitors Rwanda with a 1-0 win in Group C of the 2010 World Cup and African Cup of Nations qualifier.

The lone goal of the game was recorded byRainford Kalaba in the 79th minute.

The victory means Zambia has four points, after they drew 1-1 with Egypt in the opening game of the final round of qualifiers.

Noise from the stadium flared up in usually

By CHARLES MUSONDA 

THE Zambia Institute of Advanced Legal Education (ZIALE) Council has refused to enroll five law students from the Zambia Open University.

This is because the students do not qualify for enrolment at ZIALE under the Legal Practitioners Act.

And the Lusaka High Court has granted the students leave to apply for judicial review against the council’s decision not to enroll them.

The students are also seeking a court order to stay and reverse the council’s decision not to admit them to the highest legal training institute in Zambia.

The ZIALE council denied them application forms to enroll as students for the 2009-2010 intake.

The students are aggrieved by the refusal, which they say is irrational, irregular, unlawful, and unjustified.

They are, therefore, seeking an interim order declaring that the grant of leave should operate as a directive reversing the ZIALE Council’s refusal and directing the institute to enroll them pending final determination of the matter.

The students’ lawyer Michael Mundashi argued that when the council carries out its functions, it conducts public functions as opposed to private law functions. 

Mr Mundashi submitted that the ZIALE Council is amenable to judicial review and that the application is properly before court.

“The Legal Practitioners Act only comes into play on admission of a successful student to the bar and not at the stage of enrolment at ZIALE. The ap... Read more »

Over 3,000 unionised public service workers in Mazabuka, Southern Province, will Monday hold a meeting to chart the wayforward following delayed salary negotiations.

Civil Servants and Allied Workers Union (CSAWU) district Vice Chairperson, Kennedy Mutale said the meeting will be held at Nakambala Reformatory Training hall.

He said this followed delays by government and union national leaders to conclude their salary negotiations.

Mr. Mutale said the workers have demanded an immediate strike action.

He said all teachers, health, agriculture and other essential workers would attend the meeting planned for 10:00 hours.

Prior to the meeting, a team of union leaders will go round government departments to ensure no worker reported for work.

Mr. Mutale said civil servants are bitter with the government.

He also warned heads of government departments to desist from intimidating their staff.

The CSAWU district Vice Chairperson said police have granted a permit to the union to hold the meeting.
[znbc]