UPP President Saviour Chishimba says his party believes that the fire that gutted the Ministry of Agriculture Irrigation and Water Development in Malawi is an act of arson orchestrated by corrupt individuals involved in the maizegate scandal.

Dr Chishimba said it is not uncommon for corrupt regimes to resort to desperate acts of sabotage with a view to escaping possible trial and conviction.

He explained that the arson in Malawi is not different from what happened in Zambia some years back were the Zambia National Tender Board (ZNTB) were gutted by fire at a time that one minister and other senior government officials were being investigated for plunder.

Below is a full statement as issued by Dr Chishimba.

We in the United Progressive People (UPP) have received the news on the fire which has gutted the offices of the Minister and Permanent Secretary in the eat shock and surprise.

Our position is informed by the legal test of what every “reasonable man” would conclude and we hereby authoritatively believe that this act of arson is a deliberate and well orchestrated scheme by the corrupt regimes, through their private or state agents, to destroy valuable evidence in the ongoing criminal investigations on the maize saga.

It is not uncommon for corrupt regimes to resort to desperate acts of sabotage with a view to escaping possible trial and conviction. Over the past decade, the offices of the Zambia National Tender Board (ZNTB) were gutted by fire at a time that one minister and other senior government officials were being investigated for plunder. The burning to ashes of critical evidence resulted in the cessation of criminal investigations.

African leaders have aborted serious investigations and revelations of corrupt practices by either assassinating whistle blowers or causing the disappearance of records at pre-trial and during trial stages.

Zambia lost one of the most talented and intelligent young politician, Paul Tembo, a day before the scheduled submission of evidence during the sittings of the tribunal which was appointed to probe ministers for their involvement in the cashgate scandal. In this case, ministers allegedly drew about K2 billion from the National Assembly to fund the MMD convention.

Likewise, Malawi lost a Mr. Bakuwa of ADMARC mysteriously within days after he refused to have backdoor dealings with ZCF. Immediately after his death, all the illegal transactions on the Malawian and Zambian sides took place and today these deals are at the core of the maizegate mystery.

Today, the continent of Africa, which has been plagued with bad leadership and corruption, has witnessed a new twist in a case that has attracted international interest.

The case in point is that after a few days of the presentation of the Commission of Inquiry report to President Arthur P. Mutharika, the office of the Minister of Agriculture in Malawi has suffered the same fate of ZNTB (as it was called then). Naturally, every reasonable man would expect the ongoing investigations by the ACC (Zambia) and ACB (Malawi) to end in the same way that the investigations of senior government officials ended, for lack of evidence, when ZNTB was gutted.

We in the UPP submitted before the Commission of Inquiry that Presidents Edgar C. Lungu and Prof. Arthur P. Mutharika must clear their names in the scandal. We have expressed serious concerns that the direct involvement of Presidents in this deal will render the whole exercise academic.

In our submission, we prayed that while the two Presidents enjoyed the temporary earthly immunity for now; let them take punitive actions against officials who they clearly used to advance corrupt practices.

President Edgar C. Lungu must explain to Zambians how a company called Zdenakie Commodities Ltd came into the deal. The directors of this company which came into play at the eleventh hour must be known. This revelation will prove that UPP does not provide checks and balances through rumours – we deal with hard evidence (documentary, video and audio).

In the same breathe; President Arthur P. Mutharika must explain to Malawians how Transglobe came into the deal. Hon. Dora Siliya and Dr. George Chaponda must equally explain to our two peoples how they sealed these deals under the aegis of the two Presidents.

We shall be shocked, but not surprised if these ministers and public officers who played a role in the scandal are maintained in government. African leaders who plunder the poor people’s resources do it through their subordinates and when scandals are exposed they (leaders) feel duty bound to defend the corruption of their lieutenants.

The report of the Commission is unequivocal and stands on solid grounds in terms of findings and recommendations. We reminded commissioners that they travelled to Zambia on the blood and sweat of the people of Malawi who roam the streets everyday in search of a livelihood. In this context, we appealed to them not to submit a report which would please the appointing authority.

It is with this in mind that we in the UPP shudder and with deep pain stand helplessly as we see justice being miscarried before the very eyes of the voiceless people of Zambia and Malawi. Like king David, we shall encourage ourselves in the LORD. The Word of Elohim our God declares that “…the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His…” (2 Chronicles 16:9).

We have no doubt that God is watching and His decrees against wicked rulers shall be executed in ways that will leave many stunned. Let those who care write these words in their diaries.

The over 500, 000 jobs that the MMD-run PF Government promised the youth through the Ministry of Youth and Sport are not in sight. The lower taxes, more jobs and more money in the pockets that the PF committed itself to deliver are now a white elephant.

The people of Zambia are waking up every day to the crude reality of the declining purchasing power of the Kwacha; high taxes (from 35% to 37.5% PAYE); skills training levies; toll gates; market levies; and the high statutory reserve ratio which has resulted in high interest rates. The cost of living in our nation has gone up at a time that family incomes are declining.

After more than fifty years of independence, many Zambians are still homeless and they are being made refugees in their own country.

Self-determination or self-rule was meant to usher in responsible leaders who would do their very best for their people.

Tragically, successive regimes that have been deceiving the people to rise to power for the sole purpose of powering their pockets, have departed from the original vision of our freedom fighters. They think that powering their pockets is what it takes to form the government of the corrupt by the corrupt and for the corrupt.

Corruption through the use of Chinese investments that have become a curse to our nation is destroying our foundation.

It will take prayer and fasting for the mercies of the Lord Jesus Christ to be showered upon us. In this season all those who stand on the truth shall not die – they shall live to declare the works of the LORD in Zambia.

The LORD will suddenly arise and cut short the reign of the wicked. I for one have seen the Lord Jesus Christ as He is and I want to declare to the four winds of Zambia that I and all those that the LORD has given me are made for signs and wonders in this land from the Holy of Israel. We shall not be meat in their caldrons!

Martin Luther King Jr said that he had been to the mount top and he had a vision, but observed that he might not be there with the people to see it come to pass. I declare today, before the Mighty Warrior and Holy One of Israel, that I shall not die but be there with you to birth a prosperous new Zambia! We shall see it come to pass together! This is the vision that I was born for and shall not die but live to fulfil it in the name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ!

Saviour Chishimba
UPP PRESIDENT

#UPP: #Dignity & #Justice for #All!

THE Road Development Agency (RDA) says China Geo Engineering Construction Company (CGC), the contractor engaged to work on the damaged section of the 89km road leading to Luangwa district, off Great East Road, is today expected to move on site in preparation to start rehabilitation tomorrow.

About 300 metres of the road leading to Luangwa town was recently damaged as a result of natural earth movements, prompting authorities to close it for the safety of users.

The damage is attributed to heavy rains.

RDA director communications and corporate affairs Loyce Saili said in an interview yesterday that transportation of the road rehabilitation equipment started yesterday from Lusaka.

“The equipment for the contractor has started off and will be on site tomorrow [today] because they are moving at a slow pace and, as you might be aware, heavy-duty equipment is not allowed to move at night.”
Ms Saili has also said investigations into the cause of the damage are still ongoing and details will be given when the process is completed.

“Our immediate occupation is to provide an alternative [route] and other details will follow. The rehabilitation process will take some time and we will engage Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit to help with getting people across either with boats or other means,” she said.

Meanwhile, a team of experts from the Geological Survey Department in the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development is trying to find the cause of the lateral movement of earth which damaged a 300-metre stretch on the Luangwa-Feira Road.

The damage happened on Monday night as a result of what experts say is natural earth movement, leaving scores of motorists to and from Luangwa and Feira stranded on either side of impaired stretch after authorities closed the road.

Mines and Minerals Development Permanent Secretary Paul Chanda confirmed the deployment of experts from the Geological Survey Department in an interview yesterday, saying they would compile a comprehensive report on the cause of lateral movement of the earth from the hillside which seemed to have caused the damage to the road.

“As a ministry, we are also concerned about what happened to that road. This morning (yesterday) we sent officers from our Geological Survey Department to investigate the cause of the movement of the earth leading to damage on the road,” he said.

Mr Chanda said he was hopeful that the officers would give a report and the nation would be updated today.

Meanwhile, Luangwa acting District Commissioner Ngoni Moyo said a team of engineers from the Road Development Agency (RDA) and officers from the Department of National Parks and Wildlife that carried out an assessment in the forest to create a temporary road discovered that the area was covered with depressions.

Mr Moyo said, according to the report his office received yesterday, the section of provisional road was covered with trees and stones and could pose a danger to motorists.

“The team carried out surveys and have found out that it was impossible to create a temporary road because of huge trees, stones and depressions,” Mr Moyo said.

Council secretary Gilbert Sendama said the engineers had since recommended that the mountain be dismantled to allow the gravel and stones to be put on the edges of the road to widen it.

Mr Sendama said the alternative deviation was about 40 kilometres from the Luangwa-Feira Road and it required full rehabilitation if it was to be used by motorists.

He said the contractor, China Geo, was yet to move to the site to assess the damage and suggest a workaround.

Lusaka City Council has dragged 11 bar owners to the Fast Truck Courts for selling liquor beyond permissible hours contrary to Regulation 4(3) of Statutory Instrument No. 64 of 2012 as read with Section 29 (1) (3) of the Liquor Licensing Act No. 20 of 2011 of the Laws of Zambia and for playing loud music contrary to Regulation 25 of Statutory Instrument No. 44 of 2007 of the Local Government Act Cap 281 of the Laws of Zambia.

To appear in the Fast Truck Court on Monday 20th February, 2017 include, Kabs Mall and Arena Pub (both from Kabulonga Extension), Club 007 (Matero), Royal Splash (Kabwata KCC), Auto Pub (Avondale), Eighties Pub (Avondale), Things Pub (Chelstone Barzaa), Don Peddro Pub and Grill (Avondale) Big Star 2 (Mtendere) One One One Pool (Chelstone Barzaa) and Uncle T Dallas City situated at Kabwata Cash and Carry.
Meanwhile Lusaka City Council has received 70 signed petitions against Uncle T. Dallas City Bar over noise pollution.

The Council therefore would like to appeal to members of the public and business owners to adhere to the provisions of the law as well as to comply with Authorized Officers mandated to inspect their premises as they do so to protect the health of the general public.

The Council further would like appeal to Bottle stores, Bars and Night Club owners to desist from playing loud music for it is an offence. Further the Council would like to earnestly appeal to everyone served with summons to avail themselves before the Court, any absenteeism will leave the Council with no option but to apply for bench warrant to have the absconders arrested.

Meanwhile, the council through Public Health department, Council and State Police has intensified inspections in all bars/taverns as well as Night Clubs; therefore all business owners are urged to observe the law to avoid possible prosecution.

A new World Bank report has charged that majority of African cities are hampering development because they are they are crowded, disconnected and costly.

The report says urbanisation is a source of dynamism that can enhance productivity and increase economic integration.

It says if well managed, cities can help countries accelerate growth and “open the doors” to global markets by creating productive environments that attract international investment and increase economic efficiency and by creating livable environments that prevent urban costs from rising excessively with increased densification.

It says by generating agglomeration economies, cities can enhance productivity and spur innovation and national economic diversification.

The report however says that in Africa, concentration of people in cities has not been accompanied by economic density.

It points out that typical African cities share three features that constrain urban development and create daily challenges for businesses and residents such crowding.

The report says to support the development of cities that work, cities that are livable, connected, and affordable, and therefore economically dense, it calls for policy makers to direct attention toward the deeper structural and institutional problems that misallocate land, fragment development, and limit productivity.

The report says Africa’s cities are quickly gaining in population adding that urban areas contain 472 million people.

It forecasts that the number will double over the next 25 years and that the largest cities will grow as fast as 4 percent annually.

“Productive jobs, affordable housing, and efficient infrastructure will be urgently needed for residents and newcomers. The growth of cities will be central to development in Africa as well as elsewhere. But for urbanization to bring the benefits that it should, cities will need to offer incentives to investors through agglomeration and higher productivity,” it argues.

It says cities also must become more livable to their residents by offering services, amenities, and housing for the poor and the middle class and that Mayors and ministries will need to resolve structural problems and improve conditions for both people and businesses.

“Starting with reforms to land markets and regulations, while increasing and coordinating early infrastructure investments, African governments can build cities that work. Successful urbanization will also support Africa’s agricultural and rural transformation by effectively absorbing the labour being released by these sectors; by providing a market for agricultural produce; and by financing further transformation and commercialization.”

It says over the next 20 years, growth in Africa’s urban populations will increase new demand for infrastructure, for housing and other physical structures, and for amenities and to meet this new demand, city leaders and planners must use adaptable strategies.

“Plans and regulations should allow the best use of land but they should also permit uses, and users, to change over time, as demand evolves further. Three key considerations will be how to handle land and property rights; how to value land and manage land prices; and land use and urban planning.”

It also says that cities must improve the institutional and the physical and infrastructural structures, making them more livable and affordable for people and more attractive to business.

The Zambia High Commission in Tanzania has informed the Zambian Government about the recent developments in that country on immigration matters relating to the citizens of Zambia.

Home Affairs Permanent Secretary Professor Elwyn Chomba said these developments emanate from discussions held at different levels by relevant authorities of both countries aimed at resolving issues of mutual concern.

Professor Chomba said Zambian truck drivers will no longer be required to obtain a Business Pass when entering Tanzania and will not be charged the US$ 200 fee which was previously applicable.

She said truck drivers will now be required to obtain a “Visitor’s Pass.”

“Citizens of Zambia proceeding to Tanzania for a visit will be entitled to 90 days per year which will however, not be issued at once as it was previously. Any visitor intending to spend more than 90 days in Tanzania will be required to apply for a resident permit or any other relevant permit in line with the laid down immigration regulations of that country,” she said.

She added, “Citizens of Zambia falling under the business category will still be required to obtain a Business Pass when entering Tanzania and will also be entitled to 90 days per year which will not be issued at once.”

Meanwhile, Police in Mpulungu have arrested 14 Tanzanian Nationals for entering the country illegally.

Are District Commissioner Dennis Sikazwe confirmed the development to ZANIS in Mpulungu today saying the prohibited immigrants were arrested in Chambeshi village of Iyendwe area yesterday around17:00 hrs.

Mr. Sikazwe said the team of uniformed officers from immigration, Zambia National Service and Zambia police swung into action after a tip off from the community in Iyendwe that some foreign nationals were in their area cutting timber.

After apprehending them, it was discovered that the prohibited immigrants did not have proper documentation for their entry and cutting of timber in the country, he said.

The suspects are detained at Mpulungu police station and will appear in court soon.

The District Commissioner has since commended Iyendwe residents for their patriotism to the country by reporting the presence of illegal immigrants in their area.