Government has reiterated its appeal to the donors that have withheld funding the Ministry of Health reconsider their decision as the development has a negative impact on the health sector.
Information and Broadcasting Services Minister Ronnie Shikapwasha says the donor community should continue to funding the health sector on humanitarian grounds as the development has mainly affected poor Zambians.
Lt General Shikapwasha, who is also Chief government spokesperson, told journalists in Lusaka today that government has since put in place stringent measures aimed at monitoring and tightening financial controls at the ministry.
He urgent Zambians entrusted with the public funds to be patriotic in the way they administer meager resources meant for development and alleviating the suffering of Zambians.
Lt General Shikapwasha was commenting on media reports suggesting that GAVI has temporarily stopped its funding to the ministry of health pending investigations in the theft of K27 billion at the ministry of health.
He appealed to Zambians to report anyone suspected to have acquired assets beyond their accumulative income to law enforcement agencies for investigations.
Recently, the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) unmasked a financial scam at the ministry of health were K27 billion is believed to have been stolen by the officials who have since been arrested for the theft.
Law enforcement agencies have since confiscated several assets that include expensive motor vehicles and a lodge believed to belong to the suspects pending probe in the theft.
ZANIS
they should not give them any funding until those *****s are locked up and the entire ministry is replaced. What expensive cars did they have?
what stringent measures? destroying evidence and protecting those close to RB? be serious ba Ronnie, bu cadre kwati tamuli ba General!!!
On “Information and Broadcasting Services Minister Ronnie Shikapwasha says the donor community should continue to funding the health sector on humanitarian grounds as the development has mainly affected poor Zambians”, I am asking the Minister and the President RB Banda Administration to concentrate on coming up with a National budget that will not let Zambia depend on foreigners’ tax payers’ money instead of crying for spilt milk like children who can not feed themselves from hard work.
To the Donors, please continue protecting your own people’s tax payers’ money and only help when it is necessary.
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Matt 7 + KJV Bible
7:5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.
You dont just appeal to them to resume funding show us what you have done about those said to have been pocketing money.
3 continued.
I would like to appeal to president HH to also write up ann alternative National Budget for 2010 which should not show donor funds.
This will give me and other Zambians an opportunity to takr note of how the UPND or the UPND-PF PACT intends to run Zambia should they be elected into forming GRZ in 2011 or any time soon when wheen will have presidential (and parliamentary) elections.
To the rest of Zambians, let us strive to be self reliant in our individual capacities and spend only when it is necessary.
Have a blessed day you all.
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Matt 7 + KJV Bible
7:5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.
Ronnie, that is cheap talk, i hope you know that its the tax payers in Norway, Denmark, Sweeden that are being hurt by your inaction to punish your theives
I sometimes wonder why one of the three Republican Clowns (Teta, Ronnie & ka Mike) should be worried and be speaking on behalf of the MOH when he actually knows that it was through settling of personal vendettas that funding was withdrawn. There is a lot to be done bwana apart from waffling everyday !
Agree with #4. Instead Mabenga is even appointed as D. Minister and is called a “noble man”!!!! someone who was found guilty of corruption and missapproriation of CDFs. Give the donors a break!!!
Shikapwasha’s appeal for Donors to continue funding MoH based on humanitarian grounds is extremely weak and insulting. In essence, he is telling them that even though the money is being mis-used, they should continue to provide funding ‘because it is the right thing to do for the many Zambians that are suffering’. What stringent measures have been put in place? At the moment, the entire MoH scandal looks like a circus in which govt. officials are attempting to play up to the ‘good nature’ of the donors. The govt needs to move to plan B and see how best they are going to make up for the short fall in MoH funding. Donor assistance is not the answer and this crisis may provide the opportunity for govt to carefully scrutinize ineffective programs gobbling public coffers, they may need to…
Actions and not words should be seen to show govts commitment to fight graft!
What a fool !
# 9, unfortunately asking our govt to come up with plan B is too much work, for them it is much easier to plead for aid. They do not realise that unlike them, donors are accountable to the tax payers.
Contd from 9. They may need to cut back on programs that are not working and re-allocate those funds to MoH. This appeal shows a complete lack of seriousness on the part of govt. in prioritizing and using funds efficiently. What would happen if donors refused to honor their pledges altogether? Does that mean that the govt would stop functioning? What are the ‘thinkers’ in govt doing? Even on an individual level, people make alternative plans when the main plan falls apart. Should it be any different for the govt?
Ati imwe ma Sweed, nama Norwigian tipaseni ndalama for workshops!!!
# 12. PY, I agree with you to some extent and it is unfortunate that we cannot even ask them to undertake a task that they were put in power for. It is part of their job and they should know this. To me, this donor appeal really shows complete ignorance of what the government is supposed to do when faced with a crisis (in this case, a crisis caused by the same govt!!), rather than take charge of the situation, they place their hands above the head and cry like children who have been whipped by the parents.
When RB and his son Teta embark on digging up the ministry of defence graves, let them explain to the nation the fact that the defence force services have illegally been retaining old generals some five years after the stipulated retirement age. The defence service is not like doctors that can work well after 70 years. this has been much to the chagrin of upcoming officers in that they have been blocked from rising by these walking museums of generals and colonels. Their morale right now is LOW because these old frogs are busy looting whatever funding is given to their respective station.
# 13, i can assure you, I have worked in government before. The only thing that warrants change of plan and reallocation of resources is when it directly affects politicians, especially the president. Important activities and programmes will be set aside to ensure the comfort of the “gods” we put in state house. the civil service does not accomodate criticle thinking but comformity to the status quo.
If the MMD President RB Banda Administration has failed to manage Zambia, they can all always resign so that those that have the capability to run Zambia without pleading for donor aid can take the lead of our great Nation.
I thus demand that President RB Banda addresses the Nation on his socio-econimc plan for Zambians in the wake of no donor funding.
At the same time, I implore donors to look for ways of directly taking their aid money to the so-called suffering Zambians by not letting the people’s tax payers’ money pass thorugh our failing MMD GRZ.
Good and noble wo/men like MP Mpombo resign.
Be blest.
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Matt 7 + KJV Bible
7:5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s…
This whole episode vindicates Dambisa Moyo’s arguement about aid. The government cannot think outside the box. Zambia has been talking about coming up with a meaningful tax regime that can capture the big informal sector for donkey years now….but ist like ‘why implement when SIDA is there?
What message are you sending to the EU and other cooperating partners when a President stands on a padestal in Livingstone Zambia at a Lwindi Ceremony and claims that Zimbabwean Leader Mugabe is a great man whom enemies have failed to bring down and then hope that donors will easily give you their people’s hard earned money?
What message are you sending when you try hard to imprison journalists doing a noble job for the Zambian Citizenry after the health workers’ strike caused untold deaths and even a child birth on the street by framing inconsistent charges linked to obscene material diffuse?
Very very sad.
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Matt 7 + KJV Bible
7:5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.
Barack Obama was never eligible to be president because he wasn’t born in the United States.Obama is not a natural-born citizen of the United States and is therefore ineligible to serve as commander-in-chief of the U.S. Armed Forces.
# 21, Chapwa, what does your statement have to do with the topic at hand?
“believed to have been stolen by the officials who have since been arrested for the theft”. Did I miss out something. Has Miti been arrested as well?
Mwebantu mwe, has Miti also been arrested? Are those arrested the only ones who stole the monies? They are jokers. Donors keep your money. There are people who stole the money and are still out there, enjoying it.
21 chapwa greetings. Have you checked with the USA Constitution as to whether you claims are valid.
Just look at our Zambian state where the “ Article 34 3(b) of the 1996 Republican Constitution: (3) A person shall be qualified a candidate for election as President if — (b) both his parents are Zambians by birth or descent” was never discussed at the time of President RB Banda’s election last year since he is Zimbabwean born while his parents are Zambians from Northern Rhodesian descent I believe though I am open for clarification by some who know better.
Thus, Citizenship only matters.
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Matt 7 + KJV Bible
7:5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s…
This is a sad story, its on the Muvitv website: muvitv.com/newsindepth.php?id=484,
Bwezani Kanitundila Banda should be taking care of this instead arresting young women! Shame on you!
Leaders, who talk loud and tough, act as if they are in control. They are incapable of of bigger thoughts. Lack vision. They were, are, and will always be nothing but desperate beggars.
Empires are built on bigger thoughts and vision. Can these men and women, build a corner shop? Judge for yourselves.
# 26, Expectant Mother, you have made my day, lol!!! Bwezani “Kanitundila” Banda, hahahahahaaaa. Nice one.
SHIKAPWASHA, MULEFWAYA UKUKONKANYAPO UKWIBA, AGAIN? MIND YOU, DONNOR COUNTRIES HAVE A DUTY TO THEIR TAX-PAYERS UNLIKE YOU THIEVES.
#2. WHICH GENERAL? BU GENERAL BWAKULYAFYE UBWALI. HE NEVER FOUGHT ANY WAR. NO WONDER HE’S SO DUFT.
#3 I totally agree with you. However, I am not with you on comment #5 where you ask HH to write a plan alone. You are not serious-how can he do it alone when he is in a pact. You are talking like UPND can win an election without a pact. He (HH) must sit down with the main party, PF to draw up an economic plan which does not including begging bowls. Otherwise, alone he hasn’t got the capacity. His hope is entirely dependent on PF’s popularity. “The African dog’s dinner is entirely dependent on the master’s appetite”. so to say.
31 Peter greetings, following you “However, I am not with you on comment #5 where you ask HH to write a plan alone”, I wrote that because history shows that the UPND has been doing what I have requested. As for “You are not serious-how can he do it alone when he is in a pact“, are you the only one who does not know that it has been clearly stipulated that both UPND and PF are remaining as individual parties and they have not become one?
However, I can not join the UPND because I do not want to ride on their hard work. I want to prove to Zambians that I can start from nowhere and do wonders.
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Matt 7 + KJV Bible
7:5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.
Shikapwasha has may be forgotten that the money which was stolen by his men in the ministry of health was given by donors. How on earth could he urge them to give when the money given is not accounted for. He says the people suffering most are the poor zambians, yes the poor but you the rich are still stealing. I hope the donors hold on to their funds, when will we be able to be responsible as a nation? O have never heard or seen a country where a minister urges/ begging the donors to give in despite his failure of accountability. But pa Zed things are strange mweeeee.
LT i dont know why you always get my comments off even when they are sconstructive, please show the comment for people to get the idea. Iam not a politician but am truly zambian
#32. You say, and I quote. “However, I can not join the UPND because I do not want to ride on their hard work. I want to prove to Zambians that I can start from nowhere and do wonders.”
YES! That’s the spirit-starting up your own thing. And I would advice you not to start up another political party. Implement a project which is of benefitial to Zambians in Zambia. And you talk like you even started it. Well done and best wishes.
34 Peter cool. Everything is in God’s hands right now and I am just applying myself so that I can do a small contibution to Zambians and my country.
Time for finger pointing is over and we all need to work hard on personal levels.
Have a nice day as I retire to bed now.
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Matt 7 + KJV Bible
7:5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.
so that you can re-employ Dr. Miti? such foolishness.
N.B. – Donors keep your purses closed.
No Way!! NO ACCOUNTABILITY, NO AID!!!!!!!!!!
All you donor countries should not fund a few individuals.
It is time this government became accountable to the people and the donors.
The president is busy appointing and boasting about people who have been found to be corrupt, like Dorah Siliya and Michael Mabenga and then still asking for aid which will end up being embezzled by these same thieves.
I am a tax payer who contributes towards that aide and would not like my tax to go towards gratuity of Members of Parliament or sending RB Banda to South Africa for treatment.
Hence, I call upon the donor nations to tighten up further, and this should be extended to the IMF and the World Bank.
This MMD government is not accountable to anybody and has failed the people of Zambia .
what is happening in Zambia has no word yet in the dictionary in the English dictionary. In the bemba one – ubupuba bulesempauka
There are a number of bright young Zambians who have constructive proposals to sort out this situation PROBLEM How does a young intellectual educated experienced Zambian be given a chance to advice on the implementation of a solution to help Zambia. ACCESS The problem the people who have ideas are not given the chance to participate in the decisions moreover get noticed and paid. THE POINT goverment needs to give people with the right qualifications and experience posts where they can give solutions to these issues they are facing. Find a way to communicate and engage young educated Z economists and Z medical people to take part in improving Zambia’s economy . Maybe an institute of Zambian economists or medical proffessionals should be formed to give advice to the goverment.
#39 the first sentence in your contribution is very funny. God bless Zambia.
Big up to the donors…
You want the donors to donate the funds so that you can pocket it. Let the donors hold the funds though petty to the innocent people who benefit from it but you politicians and people in power, we are tired with your thefts. Make things transparent ,then the donors will reconsider
Ba Reverend Shikapwasha, God will punish you for you’re supposed to be the salt of this world! Talk first about failure to investigate the loot which seems deliberate. Bwekson Banda shall never rule Zambia again!!
What is this, ” Report anyone suspected to have acquired assets beyond their accumulative income….” by Shikapwasha. How do you explain Dr. Mitis’ vast assets? Where is he, still waiting to be re-apponted as minister in another of RB’s line-up? Get this Miti, arrest him; interrogate any of those you have rounded up, they will tell you Miti was involved. Donors should press for Miti to stand and explain how shuch vast sums can disappear while he was the PS. If it is not GROSS INCOMPETENCE, it is GROSS INVOLVEMENT! I strongly believe he was involved, just look at the ‘baby-love’ letter he wrote to RB.
‘Thou shall not steal.’
Ninshi Shikapwasha? Dont have pocket change anymore?
I think the poor have or will always suffer with or without donor money
Donors please teach these thieves lessons. They were stealing with no regard to the poor Zambians. MMD is in control of the MoH, why didt they monitor the opperations at the MoH? We know that the MoH has been used as a funder for MDD ellections and the people like Kapoko and group took advantage of this act by the MMD. So it was sangwapo. Donors are not so dull as not know where the money has been going. They know also that its the same money MMD uses for their hefty salares , allowances and the K1 billion graduity. PLEASE DONORS DONT GIVE THEM MONEY … this will help us start using the litle wehave properly. How long shall we continue depending on Donors?? We have to be ashemed that we are always begging.
Two independent clergies have put to rest the question as to which form of BAPTISM is good – by splinkling or total submergence. One clergy based at state house baptised RB by splinkling, what have we seen from RB? We have seen more arrogance, and no repentance at all. But the other clergy based at some hotel in Livingstone baptised one George “FUEL” Mpombo by total submergence in water. What have we seen from Mpombo? He is now humble, kind, very wise and above all he is a completely new man. Therefore fellow bloggers the choice is yours. I call upon some clergy based at chimfushi in chingola-solwezi road to waylay traitor mashimba to baptise him also by total submergence.
Donors have a responsibility to account for the money back home. There’s a lot of unemployment in developed countries due to recession. Therefore it will be unfair to leave your people suffering then go give the money to thieves. Who is to blame? The GRZ for not having systems to stop stealing.
Our Govt should know that this is not free money. Tax payers have sweated for it. We must demonstrate that we are serious and we want to develop. If they can steal donor money, how much more local tax payer’s money!
#40 I think its all about survival for these politicians. They can do anything to lay their hands on money.
May be teh Economic Association of Zambia can advise. But are they a listening people, these politicians? To them politics come first. Look at MMD and internal democracy – out of the window. Already they have made RB sole candidate. It’s all about survival, shamelessly. It’s dog eats dog. A professional or one thinking abjectively will be eaten or hounded out. Look at what they are doing to professor Chirwa.
#52 you have actually hit the nail on the head. In history all the chiefs of Zambia let the younger generation take part in gaining independence gave them a chance to contribute to enhance Z. Somwhere along the lines in the C21st some sons and daughters are not being given an opportunity to contribute to improve the Z society. What is the use of educating and investing in your son’s and daughter in the 1970’s if you do not give them a chance in decison making? There is a time to accept age. The older people need to encourage the younger people to freely participate. They should not ignore one part of the family. The best Legacy in the world help build a stronger generation able to handle the future wisely. It is like a child being told they can only crawl when they can walk .
Hehehehehehehe. Ba pungwe
….is where u find a useless Gen asking for more money to sustain his greedy lifestyle