Home Affairs Minister Lameck Mangani yesterday led hundreds of mourners, who included service chiefs, in putting to rest Zambia Prisons Service commissioner Gibbie Nawa at Mukobeko Prison grounds.
And President Rupiah Banda has directed that Dominic Nkonde, a prisoner at Mukobeko medium prison who was instrumental in preparing the burial site for Mr Nawa, be put on parole for six months after which he should be employed by the Zambia Prisons Service under the buildings department for his diligence.
In his address to mourners, who included senior Government officials, Mr Mangani, who represented President Banda, said Zambia had lost a vibrant and hard working officer who had demonstrated humility and kindness.
Mr Nawa was instrumental in ensuring that the welfare of his staff was uplifted and the zeal was reflected in the housing initiative he had formulated.
“His death is a loss to all and, importantly, the family. Let me state here that out of every bad situation, God has a hand and, as such, family members should support the widow and children,” Mr Mangani said.
He advised Prisons Service staff to remain steadfast in discharging their duties even in the absence of the commissioner.
The minister hailed the South African government for assisting Mr Nawa and his family while he was in hospital in that country. He also commended the family for allowing the Government to choose the burial site for the late commissioner.
And on behalf of President Banda, who is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, Mr Mangani directed that Nkonde, who was serving a five-year jail term for the offence of motor vehicle theft, be put on parole for six months and that he be employed later.
Mr Mangani also promoted assistant superintendent John Phiri, who supervised the preparation of the burial site, to the rank of superintendent. The pallbearers and officers who participated in the drills were also awarded a rank each for the job well-done during the burial of Mr Nawa.
In a citation, Home Affairs deputy Permanent Secretary Willies Manjimela described Mr Nawa as a humble, approachable and friendly person.
Mr Manjimela said the late commissioner had contributed to the Prisons Service and that Zambia had lost a gallant serviceman who was loyal and hard working.
Earlier, Africa Correctional Services Association (ACSA) representative, Mary Magoro said the association was saddened by the loss of a visionary leader. She said Mr Nawa provided good leadership under ACSA and the region would miss his wisdom.
Family spokesperson, Bartholomew Tilasi thanked the Zambian and South African governments and all well-wishers for the assistance rendered during the illness and eventual death of Mr Nawa.
Mr Nawa is survived by a wife Beatrice, nine children and three grandchildren.
[Times of Zambia]
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Hmm…Why not promote everyone ninshi?
When was this Dominic Nkonde jailed and for how long has he served his 5-year jail term?
Jailed for motor vehicle theft? Diligence was also paramount in the execution of the motor vehicle theft – I think this Dominic Nkonde will steal again!
Dominic is a lucky guy hope he will never steal again. We will miss Mr Nawa, he was really a good guy
what next??? parole for waving MMD sign?? 😕
yaba!!!!!!!!!! doing bad things pay. RB is an extraordinary dude someone can ever imagine. (in foolish terms). Twachula pafula
It is normal practice anywhere in the world to have fellow service men as pallbearers whenever one of their own gets buried. Does this merit a promotion? I don’t think so.
Just be happy for that prisoner, with a job, chances are that he might not still or whatever he did again
This is very interesting!!!! Guess who Nyama Soya is going to promote next?……Ka Kafupi!!!! What a president you have…..:p~X(|-)$-)8-}
People are being promoted for preparing a burial site. Zambia sucks. Even as being pall bearers people are promoted.
Zambia either suucks or it has become very good where senior positions have become vacant to promote anybody. Those in the diaspora come back to Zambia, positions you have been craving for a Mbweeee. ha ha headless NyamaSoya, it sems crime pays pa Zed.
Fr Bwalya`s parole messege to presido has reached him, and has started manifesting…..
Anyway, how many prisoners are eligible for parole as of today?
some peoples jelousy and envy is worryng. A promotion arising from whatever circumstances must be congratulated because it means the promotee will now have a higher wage to support his family that is part of the Zambian community. In other words a family no matter how small has been empowered. How on earth would someone claiming to care for Zambia condemn a promotion of a fellow Zambia to a higher rank?
Good for the ex prisoner, God has a hand in release i hope he will repent and be good. Motor vehicle theft???? then employment you should thank your lucky stars do not like spoiler released and go and steal again.
Had Mangani been Defence minister there would have been serious promotions at Mwanawasa’a funeral.
So only Sata is not entitle to job?
As the head of State, RB has the powers to exercise acts of forgiveness like this particular one. As #8 Wise Woman has wisely remarked, let us rather rejoice with the ex-convict because things have turned out well for him.
I dont think the word meant is “diligence”. That aside this smacks of Idi Amin politics in which the dictator, not the system, determines who should be jailed killed or freed. How can you see someone just once and judge his character enough to give him a parole? Dont we have a Paroles board? Why should the president over-rule the board and at his whim decide so and so should be freed and be given a job when jobs are so hard to find. Remember at a funeral people, especially Zambians, are very emotional so I think Nyamasoya was just being overly sentimental.
AWE MWANDINI NAPAPA SANA!!! Beyond words….am not disputing the pardon but the job promotions???????How does the duty of burying the dead warrant promotion? So if a nurse shows deligence in carrying for an offical, why not promote them? Awe ba RB PLEASE, mulesabanya icalo…
not even the people who who buried Kennedys got the promos!!!
Republicans are contesting every statement that comes from Obama’s mouth – even things that they are advocating. That is what we have here – everything RB says or does is responded to in the negative – before any evaluation is done.
Kwena pa Zed chalilila,I hope those that were mourning the loudest will be given jobs.