The Energy Regulation Board (ERB) has increased the price of petroleum products by K1.20 for petrol and K3.04 for diesel while the price of paraffin has been reduced by 65 ngwee effective midnight today.

The new price for one litre of petrol is K22.74 from K21.54 while that of low sulfur diesel is K26.16 from K23.12 and a litre of kerosene will now cost K16.06 from K16.71.

Jet A-1 fuel will now cost K26.69 per litre from K26.50.

ERB Board Chairperson, Reynolds Bowa announced the adjustment of the pump price of petroleum products at a press briefing in Lusaka today.

Mr. Bowa further announced that the board has also commenced the full regulation of retail price of Jet A -1 at airports, which will be determined by applicable prices on a monthly basis.

He stated that the regulated Jet A-1 price has been set at K20.69 per litre for the month of October,2022.

Mr. Bowa said the regulation on Jet A-1 prices have been necessitated by the need to attain regional competitiveness.

He noted that the changes in the pump prices and the posted airfield price are due to trends in the global petroleum prices and the exchange rate of the United States dollars to the Zambian Kwacha in the period between the last and the current price review.

“Specifically, international oil prices continued to decline due to the global slowdown. This is aimed at concerns of inflationary pressure worldwide, anticipated slowdown of global economic growth and continued fears of global recession,” he explained.

Mr. Bowa further said during the review period, the Zambian Kwacha continued to appreciate mainly due to increased supply of foreign exchange on the market on the backdrop of the continued positive market sentiments following the conclusion of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) package in August 2022.

He explained that since the last price review in August, the Kwacha appreciated month on month by 3.23 percent from an average of K16.12 per United States dollar to K15.60 per United States dollar.

“In September 2022, government issued statutory instrument No.59 on value added tax (VAT) and No.44 of 2022 on customs and excise duty in order to restore taxes on Petroleum products which were revised in January 2021. The taxes which have been restored are excise duty and VAT,” Mr. Bowa said.

The ERB Board Chairperson said the government has restored excise duty from K0.64 per litre to K2.07 per litre while VAT has been restored from zero percent to 16 percent on petrol.

Mr. Bowa added that on diesel, the government has also restored excise duty from zero Kwacha per litre to K0.66 per litre while VAT has been restored from zero percent to 16 percent.

He said this is in line with ERB pricing mechanism, the combined effectiveness of the charges in the three factors exchange rate, international oil prices and taxes which has resulted in the determined charges in the national uniform pump prices for October.

[Lusaka Times]

27th September 2022 – UPND SUSPENDS SAUL MWALE CONHILL , PENDING INVESTIGATION

On behalf of the United Party for National Development (UPND) , and on my own behalf, I wish to announce the suspension Saul Mwale Cornhill from the party with immediate effect for allegedly insulting the University of Zambia student populace, including the graduates.

The UPND wishes to distance itself from Mr . Cornhill’s statement circulating on social media.

In view of the foregoing, Mr. Cornhill is not allowed to take part in any party activities or speak on behalf of the party.

It should be noted that the University of Zambia is a flagship of this country, and the highest institution of learning in Zambia.

UNZA is not only ranked number 18 in Africa but is a world class recognised reputable University competing, with international universities.

Thus for anyone to reduce the University to a mere institution is not only disrespectful to government that runs it but Is also an insult to the head of state who is a graduate of the University of Zambia.

On behalf of the party, we sincerely apologise to the University of Zambia students and graduates.

We therefore wish to warn all members of the party to desist from issuing remarks which bring the party and government into disrepute.

Members of the UPND and indeed the public ought to be reminded that the UPND is premised on discipline and the rule of law.

My office will not tolerate indiscipline among the party members.

Issued by:

Hon Batuke Imenda

UPND SECRETARY GENERAL

LUSAKA, (CAJ News) – THE Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex Life (LGBTQI) practice is deepening tensions in Zambia.

It is further dividing political rivals, raising differences in the church and threatens to culminate in a government crackdown against these members of the community.

Friction heightened this week amid criticism that the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) and President Haikande Hichilema were “downplaying” the issue.

Critics believe this is in contrast to the hardline stance by the previous Patriotic Front (PF) administration of Edgar Lungu.

On Monday, the government however broke its silence on the issue through a statement by Chushi Kasanda, the Minister of Information and Media, who is also the chief government spokesperson.

“Government wishes to reaffirm that LGBT practice is illegal in Zambia. The law is clear on this matter,” the minister stated.

“Government, therefore, warns that anyone found practising or promoting any of the said acts is liable to prosecution in the Courts of Law,” Kasanda said.

Kasanda dismissed allegations by critics and the opposition that the government supports homosexuality.

“The accusations are unfair and unfounded,” she stated.

“Government has been consistent, before and now, in office, that it does not support LGBT,” she said.

Kasanda said police and other law enforcement agencies were active and engaged in pursuing cases of LGBT “whenever and wherever” they are reported.

“I wish to stress that this government has a duty to promote, protect and defend the interest of the Zambian people,” she insisted.

Hichilema, in a social media post this week, made similar sentiments.

“Our position on this issue has been very clear and consistent from our days in opposition. We must focus our energy in addressing pressing issues affecting our people and not be detracted,” the president stated.

PF however differs.

It was in power until 2021 when UPND won elections.

Antonio Mwanza, PF spokesperson, raised qualms in a radio interview.

“The President says the issue of sodomy; homosexuality is not a pertinent national issue,” Mwanza was quoted.

“It is in that statement. He (Hichilema) says he will not be distracted from pertinent national issues,” the opposition spokesman said.

LGBT has divided the church.

Bishop John Mambo of the Chikondi Foundation, argued homosexuality and sodomy were not urgent matters.

This is in stark contrast to the position by other religious leaders, among them Archbishop Alick Banda of the Lusaka Archdiocese.

“The law enforcement agents and the President, who took oath to protect the Constitution seem to be paying a blind eye (to LGBT incidents),” Banda stated.

Banda denounced last Friday’s reported arrest of some citizens during a protest against homosexuality and sodomy in the country.

He has come under criticism.

“It is visibly clear that Archbishop Alick Banda is using the church as a tool to discredit the current government,” alleged Mwiba Mwiba, good governance and disability rights activist.

He encouraged the Archbishop to “come down the holy altar and join politics.”

“Let him (Bishop Banda) leave the church to play its instrumental role it has always played in the development of this country,” Mwiba said.

Mambo also said he had been “astonished” by Banda’s statement.

“I am further perplexed and don’t know whether to term it theological, doctrinal or political,” Mambo stated.

Mambo argued Banda was championing a doctrine of animosity against Hichilema and divisive theologies that turn citizens against each other.

Brian Chota Sampa, petitioning the police on behalf of “Concerned Citizens” reveled they would march to State House on September 28 against “the rise of unnatural act of homosexuality.”

Zambia criminalises same-sex acts through sections of the Penal Code Act Chapter 87.

These also outlaw “attempts to commit ‘unnatural offences’” and “acts of ‘gross indecency’ between men and between women.”

Zambia has been tense since the Lusaka July festival, held in the capital city earlier in September.

Members of the LGBT community were in full force.

PR Girl Media, organisers of the controversial Lusaka July, are now planning the Beerville festival also in Lusaka.

It mentioned a dress code.

“Please come dressed as your GENDER, we don’t want any trouble,” read a PR Girl Media invitation to the event.

[CAJ News]