THE land scam has surfaced in Chingola where more than 50 acres of land have allegedly been allocated to relatives and friends of councillors and council employees displacing about 90 families.

Five councillors have allegedly been implicated in the scandal and the law enforcement agencies were closing in after Chingola Municipal Council handed over the matter to the security wings.

The council acting Town Clerk Joseph Zulu confirmed to the Sunday Times during the week that overwhelming evidence proved that land was sold to some Chingola residents and that it was up to the courts to determine whether those implicated were guilty or not.

According to the Chingola Municipal Council 2015 full council meeting minute book, Gymnkana, a settlement, was legalised so that settlers could be given titles.

But residents complained to the Sunday Times before making their submissions to the Taskforce on Illegal Land Allocation and Acquisition in Chingola recently, led by Home Affairs Deputy Minister Panji Kaunda that they have lived on the piece of land for many years but have been displaced after it was legalised.

The residents revealed that councillors and council employees allegedly grabbed the land and clandestinely sold it to their relatives and friends.

Commenting on the land scandal during a media briefing recently, Colonel Kaunda said five councillors have been implicated and that he had directed the Police to investigate the matter and recommended vigilance probe into the issue.

Col Kaunda said an internal inquiry had also been ordered, meaning that all those involved in the scandal would face the law.

However, Copperbelt Police Chief Charity Katanga said police had not yet instituted investigations into the matter.

“We are still waiting for details,” she said.

While on the Copperbelt, Col Kaunda emphasised that land was owned by the Ministry of Lands and councils were not the owners and that those involved would face the wrath of the law.

The deputy minister, however, did not rule out connivance of some council employees in the scandal.

Recently, Government banned the issuance of applications to new applicants after discovering that some land applicants have been on some council’s waiting-list for more than 10 years.

This was to ensure that all those on the waiting-list of councils countrywide, were cleared.

Local Government Minister Stephen Kampyongo recently suspended the Kitwe City Council, Ndola City Council and Livingstone City Council over allegations of illegal land allocation.

Illegal land allocation by some civic leaders in Zambia has become common with routine scams over land repeatedly occurring.

The Ndola City Council was named as the major culprit, by the Taskforce on Illegal Land Allocation and Acquisition.

THE UPND has challenged Patriotic Front (PF) deputy spokesperson Frank Bwalya to name the people who attempted to bribe him so that he can continue demanding the production of Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba’s Grade 12 certificate.

Edward Mumbi, the UPND presidential spokesperson (special duties), has described as ‘‘political astute’’ Fr Bwalya’s statement that he rejected a bribe from some UPND members.

Fr Bwalya claimed in yesterday’s edition of the Daily Nation that some UPND members attempted to bribe him so that he could continue to pressure Mr Mwamba, popularly known as GBM, to produce his Grade 12 certificate.

Mr Mwamba, who is vice-president for administration, has however assured the nation that he would shock Zambians when he produces his qualifications at the right time.
Speaking in an interview, Mr Mumbi said the UPND did not believe Mr Bwalya’s revelations.

Mr Mumbi said the remarks were portraying a ‘‘dirty and evil kind of politics’’ the PF deputy spokesperson was bringing to the country.

“Mr Frank Bwalya is being politically astute and his remarks lack decency. The only thing missing from Mr Bwalya’s statement were names of the people who approached him,’’ he said.

Mr Mumbi said the only thing that the PF deputy spokesperson deserved was to be congratulated for his refusal to accept the bribe and nothing more.

And the UPND presidential spokesperson has described as misplaced Mr Bwalya’s statement that UPND president Hakainde Hichilema’s presence at this year’s mining expo in South Africa was of no value to Zambia, but meant to consolidate his friendship with his foreign paymasters.

He said the remark was unnecessary and advised the PF deputy spokesperson to check the various issues raised by the UPND president with the Government.

Former President Rupiah Banda says he plans to meet with the MMD President Nevers Mumba to find solutions that will bring harmony in the party.

Mr Banda says when he returns from Uganda where he is leading a team of international observers for the forth coming elections in that country,he will meet with Dr Mumba to restore peace in the party.

Mr Banda says calls by President Lungu for reconciliation in the nation and the MMD is justified because of the squabbles the party has been experiencing.

He was speaking to the media shortly before he left for Uganda.

The former head of state noted that he has not met with Dr Mumba as was reported in the media and cited that it is unfortunate that individuals want to sow confusion in the party.

Mr Banda however said it is important that debates that are on going are mature and truthful

And the former head of state has urged Zambians to remain calm and civil ahead of the elections this year.

He said it is important that peace prevails in the country regardless of different political party affiliations and ideologies.

Meanwhile opposition MMD on the Copperbelt has called for unity of purpose in the former governing party.

MMD Copperbelt spokesperson Peter Phiri said the continued squabbles among rival factions in the party are worrying.

Mr Phiri is urging opposing groups in the party to bury their differences and unite.

Mr Phiri has also taken a swipe at some leaders in the MMD whom he has accused of using money to bring about anarchy and confusion.

Mr Phiri has told ZNBC News in a Press statement in Kitwe that MMD aspiring candidate and Lunte lawmaker Felix Mutati should sit down with Party Leader Nevers Mumba and resolve any differences.

On Monday, February 15, road traffic authorities will start enforcing the law on the display of motor vehicle insurance.

This follows an ACT of parliament, passed last year to effect this.

And Road Transport and Safety Agency -RTSA- Acting Senior Public Relations Manager, Fred Mubanga says all motorists must therefore comply.

Mr. Mubanga has explained that there has been enough publicity for this requirement, hence the grace period up to February 14, 2016.

Meanwhile,the Zambia Police Service says it will not hesitate to met out punishment on its officers found engaging in corruption.

Police Principal Traffic Officer, Yoram Phiri says all traffic officers have since been enlightened on this measure.

Mr Phiri says time and again, traffic officers have been accused of engaging in corruption, however, the police command is working to reverse this public assertion.

He has since advised members of the general public to report any traffic officer found engaging in corrupt activities to the police command.

Government has challenged radio stations to aspire for the highest level of ethical and professional standards, in their work.

Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Chishimba Kambwili says radio stations should not be used as platforms to ferment disunity and disharmony in the country.

Mr. Kambwili says radio, like other media, should be used constructively to foster peace and development in the country.

He said this in his message to mark this year’s World Radio Day, which falls on Saturday, February 13, under the theme The Role Of Radio In Humanitarian Emergency And Disaster Situations.

Meanwhile Mr. Kambwili says the role of radio as a medium of communication during disasters can not be over emphasized.

And Information and Broadcasting Services Deputy Minister Forrie Tembo has commended local community in the country for responding overwhelmingly to Government’s policy to liberalise the airwaves investing in the establishment of community radio and television stations.

Mr Tembo said at this year’s World Radio Day commemoration held in Chipata today that this follows Government’s liberalisation of the airwaves through the establishment of the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) and other policy interventions in the broadcasting sector.

He said through Information Permanent Secretary Godfrey Malama that the country now boosts of having more than 80 community and commercial radio stations.

“For Zambia, the commemoration of the World Radio Day has become more important and relevant today than ever before. This follows the Government’s liberalisation of the airwaves, the establishment of the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) and other policy interventions in the broadcasting sector with the result that no fewer than 80 community and commercial radio stations are now on air countrywide,” he said.

Mr Tembo said the community, commercial and religious radio stations now dotted all over the country were playing an important role in closing the information gap especially in far flung areas of country where Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) cannot reach.

He said for over 100 years now, radio has continued to play its unique and indispensable role in public access to information in both and developing countries in which Zambia was included.

He said through IBA Government has since accelerated the issuance of broadcasting licenses.

Mr Tembo reaffirmed the Government effort under President Edgar Lungu of commitment to creating an enabling environment for the continued growth and contribution radio to national development.

He urged the media to exercise the highest level of reportorial standards in contributing to peaceful, free and fair elections ahead of the 11th August 2016 general elections.

Speaking earlier, Eastern Province Permanent Secretary Chanda Kasolo said he would not condone journalist attacks in the province.

He said he would ensure that journalists were protected in whatever they were doing in information dissemination.

And IBA Director General Josephine Mapoma said the radio should provide a platform for people to make informed decisions in times of disasters and in times of emergencies.

Ms Mapoma said the station could discourage the use of violence and hate speech and instead appealed for peaceful co-existence.

“Sir, invited s and colleagues, radio is expected to highlight the plight of the people affected by disasters but should do so in a humane way,” she said.

Ms Mapoma urged all broadcasting stations to conduct themselves in an ethical and professional manner at all times including in emergencies or disasters if and when they occur.

She said the radio should not incite violence and hate speech which she said it was going against the broadcasting limits.

Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zambia chapter Chairperson Hellen Mwale who spoke through Wilson Pondamali said the radio provide listeners with the information they needed more especially in rural communities.

President Edgar Lungu says under the new constitution, government and the President have no power to de-gazette or gazette any chief.

He also says the new constitution has given power to traditional leaders to amicably handle issues of traditional boundaries.

President Lungu was speaking in Namwala District, Southern Province when he met senior Chief Bright Nalubamba, Chief Mungaila, Chief Muchila and Chief Mukobela at Namwala’s corner point lodge.

The President is in Namwala to check on various developmental projects.

The President and his entourage arrived in Namwala shortly after 11 hrs.

And Chief Mukobela thanked the President for his visit and said the people of Namwala are happy to be visited at the district level.

He said President Lungu’s visit will spur development in the area.

The chief also said the people of Namwala are happy with governments interventions in the Livestock sector which has led to the eradication of foot and mouth disease.

Paramount Chief Chitimukulu of the Bemba people in Northern Province has urged media personnel to be responsible in their reporting as the country heads to the August 11 polls.

Chief Chitimukulu says journalists should be factual in their writing and avoid fuelling hatred in the nation ahead of the elections.

He bemoaned the seemingly growing trend of misrepresenting facts among some media practitioners in the country.

The Mwinelubemba observed that if left unchecked, spreading of twisted information could lead to political strife.

He has since advised journalists to uphold professionalism in their work especially during campaigns for the forthcoming general elections.

Meanwhile, the traditional leader has appealed to political parties who intend to form alliances ahead of the elections to consult widely before making binding agreements.

In another development, Paramount Chief Chitimukulu has implored on people who have not yet registered as voters to take advantage of the voter registration at civic centres.

And the Paramount Chief has called for peaceful campaigns ahead of this year’s tripartite elections.

The Chitimukulu made the remarks when PF aspiring candidate for Kasama Central Constituency Kelvin Sampa paid a courtesy call on him at his palace yesterday.

And Mr Sampa assured the Mwinelubemba that the ruling party will continue to preach peace ahead of the elections.

Meanwhile, Mr Sampa has praised the Catholic Church for its continued partnership with government in providing health care services.

Mr Sampa, who is also PF Kasama Central Aspiring candidate, said the church should be commended for its efforts in helping people especially in rural areas to access health services.

He said this when he presented a donation of bed linen and blankets worth K30, 000 to St. Fidelis Mission Hospital in Kasama’s Chilubula area yesterday.

Mr. Sampa added that there is need for well-meaning citizens to supplement the provision of medical care as a way of helping the under-privileged.

He observed that the PF government has demonstrated leadership in improving health care delivery adding that the move should be emulated by other well-wishers.

And St. Fidelis Mission Hospital Sister in-charge Charity Chishimba thanked Mr Sampa for the donation.

Dr. Chishimba said the institution is faced with a number of challenges which require the help of other stakeholders in addressing them.

She however hailed government for the continuous support it renders to the institution.