Transparency International Zambia (TIZ) has expressed displeasure at the latest revelations that K34 million from the Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) was unaccounted for.

TIZ Information Officer, Charles Chulu, said in a statement made available to ZANIS in Ndola today that it is worrying to note that such a report came from a Non-governmental organization that represents a lot of people in Zambia.

Mr Chulu wondered why the report came from the Draft Forensic Report which indicated that K34 million was unaccounted for and that ZNFU did not know about it.

He stressed that ZNFU shares the concerns of the farmers and should the report on the said financial mismanagement be true, a lot of small scale farmers risk losing support following threats from the Finish and Swedish governments which will result in cutting funding to the institution.

Mr Chulu added that it is disheartening that one organization can allegedly mismanage K34million at the expense of millions of poor Zambians.

He further added that TIZ has since called for quick action from the law enforcement agencies to look into the revelations and ensure that the law takes its course in dealing with ZNFU officials.

Mr Chulu advised that other than prosecution and incarceration, outright dismissal of the officers who have allowed such irregularities at the expense of poor farmers should be exercised.

He said TIZ has made a further call to the investigative wings of the organization to ensure that whistle blowers are protected from losing their jobs, adding that ZNFU management and staff respond fully to the issues that have been raised in the audit report.

PEOPLE’s Democratic Party (PDP) president George Mpombo’s 17-year-old son yesterday appeared for mention in Ndola magistrate’s court charged with murder and attempted aggravated robbery.

The boy, who appeared before magistrate Moffat Phiri, is in the first count alleged to have murdered Ruth Phiri on January 11 this year.

In the second count, it is alleged that the juvenile tried to rob Lewis Mpundu of his property by use of actual violence. He told the court that he understood the charges.

Mr Phiri explained to the juvenile that the offences he was charged with were only triable by the High Court and that he was appearing before his court for mention only without taking plea.

The matter, which attracted scores of Ndola residents, was adjourned to February 11 for another mention as the prosecutions team awaits instructions from the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

The juvenile is in police custody.

ZANIS reports that Mr Habasonda made the remarks during the launch of TI 2015 Corruption Perception Index (CPI) which is taking place in 120 countries simultaneously.

Mr Habasonda said the launch of CPI should not be taken for granted but should be the day to take stock of the successes and failures recorded in the fight against corruption.

He added that TI-Z is directly linked to promoting transparency, accountability and integrity which will better the lives of citizens.

“The key objectives of the Corruption Perception Index are to enhance comparative understanding of levels of public sector corruption and to create public awareness of corruption and create a climate for change, to offer a snapshot of the views of business-people and experts that make decisions about trade and investment and also to stimulate scientific research and complementary diagnostic analysis on causes and consequences of corruption, both at international and national level,” Mr Habasonda explained.

He said Zambia was first surveyed and included in the CPI in 2001 with the view of challenging government and all stakeholders to put the fight against corruption at the centre of national development.

Mr Habasonda appealed especially to the media to help clean up the political space of dishonesty and lack of accountability because Zambia has performed badly in the past few years on the continent.

He stated that a total of 168 countries are included in the 2015 CPI and that 82 countries performed better than Zambia in the 2015 CPI out of 168 countries.

Mr Habasonda said the CPI 2015 demonstrates that all countries still face the threat of corruption at all levels of government from the issuing of local permits to the enforcement of laws and regulations.

He added that even the private sector has not been spared, siting the recent revelations from the Zambia National Farmers Union and Football Association of Zambia which are a clear indication that the fight against corruption is a troubled one and that there is need to urgently do something about it.

Mr Habasonda said the CPI results for Zambia are a clear message to all citizens that corruption has continued to destroy all the positive efforts of bringing back the lost values of a decent society.

He further stated that there is need to see strong political leadership that would see strategies of addressing corruption in areas such as public procurement and put an end to the reported corruption in the construction sector.

Mr Habasonda has since urged the nation to further put its energies to the current efforts of responding to climate change, economic crisis and extreme poverty.

A Zambian National, Paul Sikazwe who was detained at Westville Prison on charges of causing alarm and panic at King Shaka International Airport, contrary to the Terror Act, has been freed.

Sikazwe appeared in a Durban Court this Thursday afternoon and pleaded guilty to the charge of causing panic and alarm.

The Judge convicted him to a R15,000 fine suspended by R12,000( meaning he only paid R3000.00) and released him upon paying the statutory fine.

Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa Emmanuel Mwamba confirmed the development.
On Friday last week, Sikazwe joked to an airport security officer that he was carrying a bomb when the lady asked him the content of his hand luggage.

Police quickly swung into action, searched and detained Sikazwe for causing panic and alarm.

Nothing was found in the bag and his pleas that he was merely joking went unanswered.

There was celebrations outside the court when Sikazwe was released, and was greeted by Zambians led by ZASA leaders in Durban and Pietmarizburg-KZN.

The Human Rights Commission has condemned the violence that took place in Choma where some UPND supporters stoned some private and public vehicles.The Human Rights Commission has called on all political leaders to take responsibility over violent acts by their supporters.

Below is a Full press statement

28th January, 2016

PRESS STATEMENT
For Immediate Release

The Human Rights Commission condemns the political violence that took place in Choma where United Party for National Development (UPND) cadres disturbed public peace and order and stoned some private and public vehicles.

The conduct of the cadres was unreasonable and unjustified in a democratic state like Zambia where respect for other people’s rights and freedoms, such as motorists and the general members of the public, should be respected. The Commission is deeply concerned that in a space of five days, disturbing incidences of grave political violence have taken place at Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport in Ndola, in Sinda District in Eastern Province and now in Choma in Southern Province. All these incidences hinge on violation of the rights to fundamental freedoms of Association, Assembly and Expression, which are the life blood of a vibrant plural society.

The Commission is therefore calling upon all political parties to take full responsibility over the violent conduct of their members by unreservedly and publicly condemning violence regardless of the perpetrators and victims.
The failure by leaders of political parties to take full responsibility over violent acts committed by their supporters has given an impression to the party cadres and the public at large that the party leadership endorses political violence by their members.

Therefore, the tendency by political party leaders to half-heartedly condemn violence while at the same time exonerating their members from acts of political violence even when it is clear to any right thinking and reasonable member of society that such acts were being committed by their supporters, should stop in order to end the circle of political violence.

The Commission therefore reiterates its earlier call for evident and effective sanctions against individuals involved in political violence as a punitive and deterrent measure against abuse of human rights and freedoms. Political parties have the primary responsibility of ensuring that their members and supporters always maintain law and order. Violence only serves to alienate the vulnerable and marginalised members of society such as women, the aged and persons with disabilities as well as other peace-loving members of society from participating in public affairs, thereby violating the core human rights principles of inclusive participation of citizens in matters that affect their lives.

It is therefore necessary that political party leaders should co-operate with, and support the Zambia Police Service in maintaining law and order, particularly as the campaigns for the 11th August elections gain momentum for the common good of society at large.

The Human Rights Commission is a National Human Rights Institution established under Article 230 of the 1991 Zambian Constitution as amended by Act Number 2 of 2016, to among other human rights functions, ensure that the Bill of Rights is upheld and promoted.

Mweelwa Muleya
Chief Information, Education and Training
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION