THE Civil Society for Poverty Reduction (CSPR) has logged official complaints to Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) and Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) against some Government departments cited in the Auditor General (AG) report in Eastern Province.

And ACC Public Relations Manager Timothy Moono confirmed yesterday the receipt of the report stating that it would be under consideration. Nyimba and Petauke District Education Boards Secretaries (DEBS), Lundazi District Community Medical Office (DCMO) and the auction committee of Government vehicles in Eastern Province have also been reported to DEC and ACC for further probe into the matter.

In a letter to ACC regional manager Raymond Banda and copied to his counterpart for DEC, CSPR Advocacy and Communications Coordinator Maxson Nkhoma said CSPR has taken time to study the findings of the 2015 Auditor General’s Report with keen interest particularly on poverty reduction sectors such as health, agriculture, infrastructure development, social protection and education among other sectors. Mr Nkhoma said the provincial analysis of the report involved a comparison of the 2012, 2013 and 2014 Auditor General’s Reports to get a comprehensive picture of financial management in various Public Institutions.

“From the study we have undertaken, we are saddened to note that there seem to be growing general increase in abuse of Public funds meant to finance national development programmes in various line Ministries,” he stated.

Mr Nkhoma said it was sad that there was increasing trend in abuse of public funds in various line ministries taking place against the background of existing Memoranda of Understanding signed by ACC, DEC and AG.

He said it was regrettable that while the Head of State continues to denounce corruption, public service workers were busy reversing his efforts in the fight against corruption.

“CSPR hopes that the law enforcement agencies will expedite their work in carrying out investigations and bring those found wanting to book.CSPR is ready to start litigation against the above mentioned departments should law enforcement agencies drag their fits in investigating these cases for unknown reasons,” he said.

He said the auction committee was being reported in relation to the recently auctioned government vehicles where it was alleged that officials could have taken peculiar advantage by offering themselves or their relative’s vehicles without following laid down tender procedures.

Mr Nkhoma said the 2015 report reveals serious gloss financial irregularities arising from wilfully failure to follow laid down tender procedures by the Petauke and Nyimba DEBs contrary to the Public Procurement Act of 2008.

He said the report also reveals failure to retire accountable imprest by Lundazi DCMO.

“The following are particulars 1) Willful failure to follow to tender procedures – Nyimba and Petauke DEBS This involved irregular procurement of ICT-equipment by the DEBS offices in Petauke and Nyimba,”he said

He said on 30th March 2015 the Petauke DEBS office received K456, 765 for procurement of ICT equipment for various schools in the District.

Mr Nkhoma said the procurement guidelines given by the line ministry required that funds be sent to schools and procurement be done by the provincial procurement committee.

He said without following the procedures, Petauke DEBS single sourced HiFi corp to supply the computers at K379,749 without obtaining any authority from the Zambia Procurement Authority and the balance of K77,000 was used on unrelated activities such as paying out of pocket allowances, subsistence allowances and fuel.

“This is contrary to the Public Procurement Act of 2008.The Nyimba DEBS similarly received funding of K164, 500 for procurement of the ICT –equipment for schools in the district. The DEBs did not advertise for the tender to supply the ICT-equipment but instead chose to use a simplified bidding process by inviting two companies to tender for the supply of ICT equipment. The DEBs procured 35 laptops at a cost of K164, 000 and the type of the laptops supplied did not meet the technical requirements specified by the Ministry,” he said.

On unretired accountable imprest for Lundazi District Community Medical office, Mr Nkhoma said an impress amounting to K48,608 was issued to an officer on August 4th 2015 to facilitate the consolidation of the 2016 to 2018 Action Plan.

He said the funds were meant to be paid as subsistence allowances for eight nights of which the activity only took four nights resulting in an overpayment of K22,800 to hotel where the activity was taking place stating that as of June 2016 the funds had not been recovered.

Mr Nkhoma said the perceived corruption during the auction of Government vehicles in Eastern Province should be investigated.

“Further CSPR has received complaints from members of the general public of perceived corruption regarding the auction of government vehicles which recently took place in Eastern Province which case may interest the Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate so as to ascertain the correct position regarding the auction sale of government vehicles which recently took place in Eastern Province,” he said.

President Edgar Lungu has called on African leaders to uphold constitutionalism, the rule of law, democracy and good governance, if the continent has to attain peace and stability and forge its development agenda.

President Lungu has said failure by some African leaders to respect their countries’ constitutions has been a source of conflicts on the continent.

Speaking when members of the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council paid a courtesy call on him at State House today, President Lungu said constitutionalism is a prerequisite for peace and security on the African continent.

The President observed that some African countries were under strife because of lack of respect for constitutionalism.
President Lungu says constitutions should not be changed at will to serve selfish interests at the expense of the majority citizens.

“Our people want peace. We can give them peace through the respect for our constitutions. Lack of respect for constitutions is a recipe for anarchy,” The President said.

“Let the people’s constitutions be stable. All of us are passengers and we will not be there forever. Leaders must therefore allow the law to take its course for the sake of peace on the continent. It is about the rule of law, democracy and good governance. There is also need for governments to treat former leaders with respect and diginity after they leave office,” the President said.

And the President has assured the African Union Peace and Security Council members to count on the Zambian Government support to push for the implementation of resolutions of the ongoing retreat in Lusaka, at the forth-coming Heads of State and Government AU Summit in January 2017.

President Lungu assured of his unwavering personal commitment and the Zambian Government’s dedication to ensure that African countries which have not yet ratified the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (2007) do so.

Earlier, Representative of the AU Peace and Security Council members Ambassador Osman Kamara from Sierra Leone appealed to the President to take a leading role in ensuring that the declaration of the African Union Assembly in 2013 to make Africa conflict-free by 2020 through the agenda “Silencing the Guns-Owning the Future.”

And Burundi’s Representative to the Council Ambassador Dieudonne Ndabarushimana described Zambia as a source of inspiration and a haven of stability, peace and hope.

Ambassador Ndabarushimana says Zambia’s unwavering commitment to peace and stability in Africa is conspicuous hence the need for the country to spearhead to continent’s vision to attain peace and stability.

And Kenya’s Representative to the Council Ambassador Joseph Vungo expressed concern that democracy in Africa was under threat due to prolonged stay of some African leaders in some countries.

Ambassador Vungo appealed to President Lungu to take up the role of an Ambassador in this matter by collaborating with his counterparts to put an end to this challenge.

Other members in the Council who visited State House included those from Algeria, Botswana, Chad, Congo, Egypt, Kenya, Niger, Rwanda, Nigeria, South Africa, Togo and Uganda.

The Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) has instituted investigations into suspended FAZ vice president Richard Kazala and Committee member Blackwell Siwale.

The two have been suspended for financial mismanagement and are charged with gross misconduct by FAZ President Andrew Kamanga.

ACC Spokesperson Timothy Moono has confirmed the development.

Moono says ACC has received information regarding Kazala and Siwale’s alleged financial mismanagement at Football House.

He says ACC has moved in and wants to determine whether the alleged crime fall under its jurisdiction.
He said the alleged cases are both civil and criminal in nature.

Moono days the Commission will give a detailed report once its analysis into the matter is concluded.

Kazala and Siwale are alleged to have failed to account for K1.6 million in ticket sales involving Zambia vs Nigeria match.

The duo is further alleged to have failed to account for K150 thousand.

And Moono says cases involving former FAZ officials have reached an advanced stage.

President Edgar Lungu sent a message of condolences to the family of the late Masha Moyo saing that he has learnt with deep sorrow the untimely passing away of Ms Irene Hlekiwe Marsha Moyo, a renowned icon in the arts locally and internationally.

President Lungu has said Ms Moyo’s distinguished contribution to the field of arts, gender equality advocacy and the marketing of the country’s tourism sector as lifetime Zambia’s Tourism Ambassador shall greatly be missed.

The President has prayed that the family will find comfort and strength in the Almighty God during this difficult period.

“On behalf of the Zambian Government and on my own behalf, I wish to extend my heartfelt sympathies to the Moyo family on this tragic loss. We mourn with you on this tragic loss,” the President said.

This is contained in the statement released to the media by State House.

The opposition UPND says the Ndola land scandal is just an iceberg on the corruption in the PF and that the Provincial Minister has his job cut out if he is to win against fight.

Percy Chanda who is the Party’s Chairperson for Labour advised to be careful in his quest saying “corruption is a very risky business especially if the entire top leadership is corrupt.”

Below is a statement as issued by the UPND.

The Ndola land scandal is not just an eye opener but a tip of the iceberg on the corruption in PF. I pity Hon Lusambo for thinking he is going to fight the corruption that is in PF.

I don’t appreciate the style of Hon Lusambo’s management but he should be very careful, fighting corruption is a very risky business especially if the entire top leadership is corrupt.

By saying this we are not condoning corruption, in fact as UPND and our President HH hates and condemn it.They say ISABI UKUBOLA LYAMBILA KUMUTWE. Meaning -the fish starts rotting from the head. One can safely ask, where these people building at night? Is he the first Provincial Minister under PF?

The answer to the two questions is NO so it goes without saying that these people who were allocating plots had the blessings and protection of the top. Somebody more senior than the Provincial Minister gave a go ahead. That’s the time the fish started rotting from the head.

Its common sense that what has been going on in Ndola is what has been happening though out the Country. Surprisingly enough everybody has kept quiet including the Highest Office, who Am sure knows everything through the OP.

When as UPND say that corruption in the PF Government is enjoyed like a cup of tea we just mean that. President Lungu is my witness as he attested to this fact openly. But you can’t use a corrupt system to cleanse corruption.

You need a clean UPND system under President HH to flush out the dirty. Otherwise its merry go round, where nobody catches any one.Zambia needs a pair of clean hands, HH and his team will fix it.

The National Treasury is empty because of corruption. How do you borrow kaloba money to pay back kaloba? This is only possible where people think in reverse like DUNUNA REVERSE.

I have said it before that dictators throughout the World ruin their Countries’ economies hence the suppression of their people.

It’s no longer a secrete that Zambia is being ruled by a dictator thus you see the hardships that people are going through. Who can hold a dictator accountable? Unless if you want to be brutalized by the state police and later be charged with a non bail able offence. That is the style of leadership synonymous with dictators throughout the World.

Cleverly you have changed the name of Prisons to Correction Facilities, as UPND we will not send you to correction facilities but to Prisons. You have been stealing with impunity so what are we going to be correcting in you.

Your days are numbered very soon you will stand before an upright Judge and be sent to prison. As for Hon Lusambo move in all Copper belt towns and you will be shocked on how land has been shared by your PF party

Percy Chanda
UPND – Chairman for Labour and Social Security.

Former ZANASU Vice President Prince Ndoyi has expressed disappointment with the state of affairs in the nation.

Mr Ndoyi explained that youths in the country are disappointed with the turn of events as regards a number of challenges in the country including the nation’s economy, the civil society, the Church and the state of the media among other challenges in the country.

He said as young people they lament the lack of economic opportunities, soaring prices of commodities and the growing gap between the rich and the poor.

“As young people we want to add our voice on the state of affairs in the nation today. We express our utmost disappointment with the turn of events in our country as regards the economy, the state of the civil society in general especially the youth NGOs , the church, the media and the political landscape as regards our democracy.

“As young people we want to lament on our ailing economy, the soaring prices of commodities continue to hurt us in the compounds, fuel and electricity increments will paralyse production. More and more people will fail to eat a cheap but balanced diet, three quarters of the population are living way off below the food basket threshold per household. With poor nutrition will come with it more illnesses and diseases and subsequently deaths and a sky rocketing infant mortality. But we will not pretend that these increases will not irk a hike in health care prices disadvantaging the poor even worse to die like animals,” he said.

He said youths have no one to look up to as those in positions of power and influence only know how to use young people to achieve their own ends and later dump them.

He said youth unemployment is a ticking time bomb that should be properly handled by those in office.

“As youths we don’t have anyone to look up to because those in positions of power and influence only know how to use young people to pursue their interests and discard us. So many young people have been used as cadres and others have been used to write business proposals on behalf of those who have access to finance later dumping them.

“Ask yourselves who supplies simple things in govt like paper and pens, and we are everywhere singing youth empowerment choruses. Youth unemployment is a time bomb and will definitely bottle over into a brutal revolution we have never seen before, subserviently if not handled properly. In the forthcoming budget we expect youth empowerment to be amongst the top priority sectors to stimulate entrepreneurship and innovation,” he said.

He accused the Civil Society of watching from a distance while a number of challenges go without a call for action.

“The country is quite, the church, civil societies like NGOCC & OASIS FORUM are watching from a distance. Today everyone is playing politics, we have lost genuine causes on issues that affect us directly like clean and safe drinking water, decent and habitable housing, subsidised nutritional and dietary supplements, free and accessible Anti Retroviral Therapy drugs, etc.

“Today Zambians can’t start a fight for anything and see it to its logical end, workers unions are bruised and the worker has no where to run to. Today’s politics and checks and balances have been left to Antonio Mwanza, Raphael Nakacinda and Peter Sinkamba the remaining lot are either sorry or compromised,” he said.

He complained that corruption has become a norm in a country with so much resources but it’s people living in abject poverty.

“What is happening to rumors of some Minister’s illegally exporting Uranium to China? What has happened to the sinking fund, how much have we saved and which account is it in, what measures are there to safeguard it against abuse? What happened to the rehabilitation of the falling and cracking Kariba dam wall which threatens to tsunami our economy?

“In the name of common decency, humanity and common sense, surely the poor families should be shown some compassion and let their livelihood depend not only on laws and rights lost in the referendum but simply on morality and decency. We dread to think how much all this will cost the poor families.

“What have the generous public charity donations and the tax payers done for Government to be so blatantly uncaring, stubborn and unbending . We beg can someone have the courage to stand for democracy and humanity and make the right decisions. People no longer stand up for what is right in this country, national issues have been reduced to how much do you have and what is your personal interest. The NGOs, Church, media and politicians lack the temperament to be relevant in today’s unique challenges,” he said.

He added “On the economy and democracy our position is that our country is economically moribund, persists with policies that have demonstrably failed, we strongly believe that increasing democratic resistance is an indication of its vulnerability, our systems are increasingly becoming
indifferent to democracy, is run by and for a small, self-perpetuating elite, and is slowing dying. We have surely made the wrong comparisons here. This is not the US without the electric chair; it is the USSR without the gulag.”

Opposition UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema has assured that the party will continue offering support to all its members who are facing various charges in court in the aftermath of the August 11 polls.

Speaking after the party leadership went to offer solidarity to UPND officials incarcerated at Kitwe’s Kamfinsa Correctional facility after their court appearance in the Kitwe High Court, Mr Hichilema said the party is with those who have trouble with the law.

Mr Hichilema who himself along with Vice President Geoffrey Mwamba appeared in the Luanshya Magistrate Court before Magistrate John Mbuzi on allegations of unlawful assembly and seditious practices took time to offer solidarity to those incarcerated and their families.

“After our court case hearing at Luanshya Magistrate court this morning, we travelled to Kitwe for the High Court session of our incarcerated freedom fighters led by our Copperbelt Provincial Chairperson Elisha Matambo. They are facing alleged offences of aggravated robbery which are none bailable,” Mr Hichilema said.

Mr Hichilema insisted that the detained officials are political prisoners who were merely exercising their rights and obligations in the governance of our country.

“It is also a well-known fact that they are being punished for their civic duty in respect of the role they played in the vote protection following the disgusted August 11, 2016 elections. They are all in high spirits and pleaded not guilty to the allegations of theft of a Zamtel phone, laptop, and Electoral Commission of Zambia materials,” Mr Hichilema said.

“It is our duty to continue offering support and encouragement to each other as their matter has been adjourned to the 10th, 11th and 21st November for trials”

“When our time comes for the governance of this resource endowed country, we will never waste time and resources on trivialities such as harassing the opposition, as fighting hunger through a well-managed and predictable economic programme will be our priority,” he said.

And in the Luanshya case, Mr Hichilema and Mr Mwamba’s case the state prosecutors for the second time informed the court that they have not received instructions from the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on how the should proceed.