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LUSAKA lawyer Nelly Mutti has denied stealing about K35 million from the Zambian Government in a case in which she is facing 33 counts ranging from theft, uttering false documents to forgery.
This is in a case in which Mutti, 58, of Makeni is charged with a count of forgery, uttering false documents and 31 counts of theft, contrary to the Laws of Zambia.
When the matter came up before magistrate Humphrey Chitalu, Mutti said she understood all the charges but denied committing the offences.
It is alleged that in the first count, Mutti on dates unknown but between January 1, 2009 and April 1, 2009 in Lusaka, jointly and whilst acting with others, with intent to defraud or deceive, forged a civil servants voluntary separatees list purporting to show that it was genuinely made and issued by the Voluntary Separation Association of Zambia when in fact not.
In the second count, Mutti is alleged to have uttered a false document between January 1, 2002 and April 23, 2009 in Lusaka, knowingly and fraudulently, namely a civil servants voluntary separatees list to the principal registry of the High Court of Zambia.
In counts three to 33, Mutti is charged with theft of money in different amounts and on different dates from April 23, 2009 to June 21, 2013, amounting to over K35 million.
Lusaka Province Commissioner of Police Charity Katanga
POLICE in Lusaka have arrested MMD member Eddie Shanambe for declaring that he had taken over the leadership of the party from Nevers Mumba.
But Dr Mumba has dismissed Mr Shanambe’s assertions, saying the party and its leadership are intact.
Mr Shanambe was arrested at Radio Phoenix’s premises in Rhodes Park immediately after appearing on Let The People Talk programme, where he was discussing problems that have rocked the former ruling party.
Lusaka Province police commissioner Charity Katanga confirmed Mr Shanambe’s arrest following a complaint by Dr Mumba. He has been charged with forgery and uttering false statement.
He is remanded in custody while police continue with investigations.
“Mr Shanambe notified police that Dr Mumba would be holding a meeting at the party secretariat when in fact that was not the case. Dr Mumba went to complain to the police,” she said.
Ms Katanga also said there was confusion at the secretariat after Mr Shanambe misled MMD members and the police that Dr Mumba would address members of the party.
And Ms Katanga said Mr Shanambe was submissive, claiming that he was just giving his position on matters relating to the former ruling party.
On radio, Mr Shanambe threatened civil disobedience against Dr Mumba if the party leader does not relinquish his position.
“Dr Mumba has gone into oblivion and there is no way the party can run without the head [leader]. Somebody has to bring out the voice of the party and that is why I have been appointed caretaker president,” he said.
He claimed that Dr Mumba had gone into oblivion.
“Our president is not there,” he said and added, “what do you expect us to do when other party presidents are there and are seen by their members working?”
But MMD national youth secretary Bowman Lusambo said the MMD is still intact and that Mr Shanambe is an outsider whose interest is to allegedly fan trouble in the party.
Mr Lusambo said Mr Shanambe should promote unity and reconciliation instead of worsening the situation.
He said Dr Mumba is the legitimate party president.
“How can you become caretaker MMD president when the president is there and leading the party?” Mr Lusambo asked.
Struggling FAZ Super Division side Red Arrows have demoted head coach Albert Kachinga to the role of assistant.
Club spokesperson Captain Melody Siisii reveals that Mathews Phiri who was Kachinga’s assistant has been promoted to the role of head coach.
Arrows are 10th on the table with 13 points from 11 games.
“We have made changes to the coaching staff. Mathews Phiri has been elevated to head coach and Albert Kachinga takes up the assistance coach role,” Capt Siisii said on Friday.
Arrows have so far recorded three wins, four draws and four defeats.
Kachinga guided Arrows to surviving relegation on the final day of the season after taking over the Nkoloma top job from Oswald Mutapa in August 2014.
Mutapa had replaced George Lwandamina at the start of last season before he was fired in August.
New Zambia coach George Lwandamina has pleaded with Chipolopolo fans to back the team as it starts a new era.
Zambia begin life under Lwandamina on Saturday with a home game in a 2017 Africa Cup Group E qualifier against Guinea Bissau in Ndola on the back of a modest run of results.
Lwandamina takes over from Honour Janza who was fired on Monday after Zambia picked up just one competitive win from six games in 2015 that came in the consolation Cosafa Cup Plate semifinal after tumbling at the quarterfinal stage in last month’s tournament in South Africa.
The other three wins in 2015 have all come in friendlies.
“The fans will be very, very important. They have to encourage the boys. It is a transitional period,” Lwandamina said.
“They used to play good football but have gone down slightly. We need support for them to play better football.
“If they discourage them, then the woes will continue. So they have to rally behind these players, they can do it, they have been doing it it, and they have done it before.”
Vice President Inonge Wina says Government will allow the relevant authorities to deal with the culprits of the political violence that characterized Mulobezi district in the Western province last weekend in the run-up to the June 30 Mulobezi constituency parliamentary by-election.
Mrs Wina was speaking when she paid a courtesy call on the BRE Kuta in Mwandi district this morning.
The Vice President noted that the political misunderstanding in Mulobezi shocked everyone and that if it was established that the violence was caused by outsiders they shall be deported back to where they came from.
ZANIS reports that Mrs Wina was reacting to remarks made by BRE representative Induna Anasambala who stated that no violence had ever been reported in Sesheke Kuta during campaigns and that it was strange because the area has always been peaceful.
Induna Anasambala ? further noted that such incidents occur because people are ferried from different parts of the country during campaign periods .
He said the people of Mulobezi, Sesheke and Mwandi districts are law abiding and that whoever is found responsible should be dealt with by the law.
The Vice President is in the Western province on a working visit.
Meanwhile, About 120 members from various opposition parties have defected to the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) in Mongu District of the Western Province.
ZANIS reports that the Vice President Inonge Wina received the defectors at a rally she addressed at Community Development Hall in Mongu yesterday.
Ms. Wina thanked the defectors for joining the PF stating that the new members were very much welcome as this was a plus for strengthening the roots of the party.
Ms. Wina disclosed that the opposition were joining the PF because of the massive infrastructure development that was currently taking place in the country sighting road construction works, construction of health posts and schools as well as rural electrification among others.
She urged the new members to be free in the PF and encouraged them to participate in even contesting for any positions at any level in the party.
And among those who defected were former Western Province United Party for Nation Development (UPND) Chairman Joseph Mulyata, Movement for Multi Party Development (MMD) Provincial Chairman Katongo Kameya with her Provincial Chairlady Ethel Wamunyima.
And speaking on behalf of the defectors, Mr Mulyata thanked the Vice President for welcoming and supporting them in joining the PF saying that they did not join the party to bring confusion but to work together and attract more members.
Mr. Malyata further said they had joined the PF because of its good works adding that President Edgar Chagwa Lungu and the Vice President Inonge Wina were good people.
MINISTER of Health Dr. Joseph Kasonde
Acting Minister of Labour and Social Security Joseph Kasonde has urged children to take education seriously so that they can become better citizens when they grow up.
Speaking during the commemoration of the 2015 World Day Against Child Labour in Lusaka today, Dr. Kasonde said government has made moderate achievements in the fight against child labour through hiring of 55 new labour officers in various districts.
He said the 55 labour officers will boost the inspectorate and enhance enforcement of laws on child labour.
Dr. Kasonde also said the implementation of government policies on the worst forms of child labour such as the national child labour policy and the national action plan on the elimination of worst forms of child labour have yielded good results.
He added that government will provide quality education as this year’s world child labour focuses mainly on the significance of the provision of quality education.
And Human Rights Commission Director Florence Chibwesha has applauded government for tremendous efforts made towards combating child labour.
Ms. Chibwesha has however noted that high levels of poverty and broken families were the main contributors of child labour in Zambia.
She added that child labour takes away children’s rights thereby subjecting them to child slavery.
Meanwhile, Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) representative Elaston Njovu promised that the congress will continue working with government to fight child labour.
Mr. Njovu has since called on government to provide quality education to children in the country.
He further said free education must be extended to tertiary education level through awarding full bursaries to vulnerable children.
And Ministry of Education Permanent Secretary Chishimba Nkhosha has reiterated that government will soon employ 5,000 teachers in an effort to eradicate child labour and provide the needed quality education.
Mr. Nkhosha added that Zambian primary education has improved from 80 percent to 90 percent between 1990 to date in terms of infrastructure development and free education.
President President Lungu with first lady and dr simbyakula
President Edgar Lungu has left for Johannesburg, South Africa, for 25th Assembly of the African Union (AU) Heads of State and Government.
Speaking shortly before departure at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport this afternoon, President Lungu said Zambia stands to benefit a lot on gender issues from the 25th AU Assembly.
President Lungu observed that women and children are usually victims of Gender Based Violence (GBV), rape, defilement and other social ills related to GBV, adding that the Heads of State and Government meeting is cardinal.
Mr Lungu, who is accompanied to South Africa by First Lady, Esther, and some Cabinet ministers, departed from Kenneth Kaunda International Airport at 15:40 hours.
On violence, Mr Lungu condemned the ‘importation’ of political cadres from one place to another.
The President observed that cadres from other political parties become excited and engaged themselves in barbaric acts of violence.
He appealed to parties participating in the Mulobezi June 30th parliamentary by elections to remain united and desist from violence which characterised the going political campaigns.
Police in Western Province have since arrested and charged opposition United Party for National Development Sesheke Central Member of Parliament, Siyauya Sianga and three others for possession of offensive weapons.
The two-day Assembly of AU Heads of State and Government starts from June 13 to 15, 2015.
The First Lady, will attend the Organization of African First Ladies against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA) on the margins of the AU Summit.
On June 13, the President is expected to deliver a keynote address on behalf of the Southern African region to a pre-summit meeting whose theme is “Women’s Empowerment and Development towards Africa’s Agenda 2063.”
On June 14, the Head of State will attend the AU Committee of Ten (C-10) countries tasked to spearhead Africa’s lobby for the reform of the United Nations Security Council.
President Lungu was seen off at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport by some Cabinet ministers, defence chiefs, PF Central Committee members and senior government officials.
Meanwhile, Special Assistant for Press and Public Relations, Amos Chanda, says in statement to ZANIS that after the Summit proceedings, the Head of State would attend a scheduled medical review at a named hospital in that country.
President Lungu is expected to return home next week.
Ministry of Finance Public Relations Officer Chileshe Kandeta (L)
Zambia has commenced preparations for hosting of the 2016 Annual Meeting of the African Development Bank in Lusaka. The 2016 ADB Annual meeting is expected to be attended by approximately 5, 000 people from Africa and overseas, from Monday 23rd to Friday 27th May, 2016.
Speaking to some members of the preparatory committee, Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda called for thoroughness in preparations to ensure that the thousands of visitors are well serviced, and that the country is properly marketed to investors and financiers, for the benefit of the Zambian economy.
“Players in the hospitality and other relevant service industries in Zambia must begin to get ready for the influx of people who will come to our capital city so that, through efficient services to them, we affirm our status as a preferred destination for safe and sustainable investment,” said Mr. Chikwanda.
The Minister said, “The much needed foreign exchange which participants at the 2016 Annual Meetings of the ADB in Lusaka will bring with them can only be spent and remain in Zambia if we offer them excellent services”.
Hosting of the 2016 Annual Meeting of the ADB has huge economic benefits for Zambia. These include foreign exchange inflows and creation of jobs in the hospitality, transport, language translation, events management, and information and communication technology sectors.
The preparatory committee of the 2016 ADB Annual Meeting will soon commence an exercise of grading service facilities in Lusaka to ensure that they meet the standard of hosting such a prestigious event.
Meanwhile, Mr. Chikwanda, who is also current Chairperson of the African Development Bank Board of Governors is set to swear in the New President of the African Development Bank Dr. Akinwumi Adesina at function to be held on Tuesday 1st September, 2015 in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
This is the first time that a Zambian national will be presiding over the installation of a President of the African Development Bank; a Triple-A Credit-Rated Multinational Financial Institution. Dr. Adesina, 55, succeeds Dr. Donald Kaberuka, whose second term as President of the ADB ends on 31st August, 2015.
Asked about his view as the first Zambian to carry such an honour, Mr. Chikwanda reiterated that “the honour belongs to all the citizens of Zambia on whose behalf I will be performing that esteemed duty.”
Dr. Adesina, a Nigerian Development Economist and that country’s outgoing Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, was elected as the 8th President of the African Development Bank by the Bank’s Board of Governors at the recently held Annual Meetings, which also marked the commemoration of the Bank Group’s 50th Annual Meeting in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
FORUM for Democracy and Development (FFD) President Edith Nawakwi addressing a rally at the Changanamai grounds in Kitwe
FDD leader Edith Nawakwi has told the police to stop behaving like an armed wing of the PF and arrest PF Secretary General Davies Chama for shorting a UPND cadre, Mushaukwa Mushaukwa.
Ms. Nawakwi says it was surprising that the police were swift in arresting the victim of the shooting while Mr. Chama who pulled the allegedly pulled the trigger has been left scot-free. She says it is unbecoming for the police to be acting as the judge, the jury and the defenders of the PF.
“I call upon my sister, Stella Libongani to arrest the PF Secretary General Davies Chama. The problem we have is that the police are behaving like they are members of the Patriotic Front. It is nonsensical that someone who allegedly pulled the gun and shot someone is being protected by the police while the victim is arrested. It is clear that the police just like other state institutions have been infiltrated by PF cadres.
There is no professionalism or ethical conduct from the people who should uphold the rule of law and ensure that justice is not only a preserve of those in power but a fundamental right for all regardless of our political affiliation. I want to further warn Mr. Chama that violence begets violence. No civilized human being can resort to violence in a bid to win votes,” Ms. Nawakwi charged.
Three stray lions from Musalangu Game Management Area [GMA] in Chief Kazembe of Malambo valley are terrorizing villagers and animals in the area.
ZANIS in Lundazi reports that the three lions have reportedly killed five cattle and 10 pigs and are currently terrorizing villagers of Chibamu, Chimwaza, Chingala, Mudike and Musameke villages in chief Magodi’s area .
Mr Derrick Ngwira, a farmer of Chibamu village in chief Magodi Lundazi disclosed to ZANIS in Lundazi yesterday.
He narrated that the lions attacked and killed one bull at Chingala village, one cow at Chimwaza village, while three cattle were also killed at Mudike and Musameke villages of chief Magodi on June .
Mr Ngwira said on the night of Saturday 6th June 2015, the lions killed four pigs at Musameke village, while on the night of Wednesday 10th June 2015 they killed five pigs belonging to two farmers at Mudike villages in chief Magodi.
He said despite area Councillor for Nkhanga Ward, Chasefu Constituency Obote Banda reporting the matter to ZAWA Office to control the stray lions nothing has been done to either shoot or to chase the stray lions away.
ZAWA Park Ranger Joseph Bwalya admitted receiving reports about lions terrorizing villagers and killing domestic animals belonging to farmers of Chibamu,Chimwaza,Chingala,Mudike and Musameke villages of Chief Magodi.
He however told ZANIS that his Office has already dispatched ZAWA Officers to the affected area to control the reported lions.
Zambia on Saturday kickoff their 2017 Africa Cup qualifying campaign with a home Group E match against Guinea Bissau at Levy Mwanawasa stadium in Ndola.
This is the debut meeting between Chipolopolo and Guinea Bissau.
The 2012 African champions are favourites over the West African side that has never qualified to the Nation Cup.
Zambia face Guinea Bissau just five days after replacing coach Honour Janza with George Lwandamina who has taken over the job as acting trainer.
Lwandamina is positive that Zambia will launch the qualifying campaign with a positive result in Ndola.
“We have tried to psyche players and believe that they can deliver in the same way they used to do because it is not a team that has changed much because it is a team that has been playing well which played better football and for that, they have to start believing in themselves and deliver for zambia,” Lwandamina said.
Zambia are missing key defender Stoppila Sunzu and striker Evans Kangwa who are nursing injuries.
“Definately those are good players like any other player in the team.But the replacements will always be there. we may not see exactly what we usually expect from Sunzu and Evans but we have cover.”
Guinea Bissau are arriving in Zambia in Friday afternoon- hours before the match.
Meanwhile, Congo-Brazzaville host Kenya in the other Group E opener on Sunday in Brazzaville.
The body of Ben Muleba retrieved from the well by KCM rescue team.v
Residents of Chikola Township in Chingola woke up to the shocking news that a three year old boy had been thrown into a well yesterday afternoon by a woman of the same Township believed to be the wife of a man called Fassy Musonda.
Ben Muleba, the deceased 3 year old child, who was a pupil at Evangel private nursery school near Chingola High School was allegedly strangled and latter thrown into the well by the wife of a known businessman who owns shops at Malemba trading place.
Last night as it was getting late parents of the 3 year old child got worried and started searching for the boy and asking neighbors.
Around 20 hours Mrs Musonda’s daughter who is nine years old told the parents of the deceased that she was with Ben in the afternoon but later he was called by her mother in the bedroom where he did not came back.She said she saw her mother taking Ben outside and throwing him into a well that had a concrete cover designed a with little hole on top to draw water.
The parents of the deceased reported the matter to Chingola Central police station and Mrs Musonda was arrested upon finding the truth that boy had indeed been thrown into the well by her.
Residents gathered at the Musonda’s house early in the morning to see weather it was true that Ben was thrown into the well.
Police rushed to the scene to prevent any mob justice from the residents while waiting Konkola Copper Mine (KCM) rescue team to retrieve the body.
Around 09 hours rescue team arrived at the scene and had tough time to remove the concrete built on the well.
As residents saw the body retrieved from the well by KCM rescue team there was commotion as many residents wept uncontrollably and the father to the deceased Ben Muleba senior fainted.
Police together with the deceased parents took the body to Nchanga North General Hospital mortuary.
After the police drove off, residents started demolishing the house of Mr Musonda the businessman, while others started looting house goods.Residents did not end there they but went on to demolish his shop at Mulemba trading place and looted all his merchandise from the shop in Chikola Township.
Residents are said to have suspected the businessman practiced Satanism because of previous strange behaviour.He is thought to be a successful businessman in the township.
The Police were unable to comment because the Officer in-Change had gone on tour with the Minister of Home Affairs who was in Chingola at that time.
The house of Fassy Musonda demolished where a three year old boy was thrown into the wellThe house of Fassy Musonda demolished where a three year old boy was thrown into the wellThe body of Ben Muleba retrieved from the well by KCM rescue team.
A five months old baby died on the spot when a Noah bus registration number ARL 7923 lost control after a tire burst in Kabuyu area near Zimba.
According to Zimba District Commissioner (DC) Elizabeth Kalaluka, who arrived at the scene of the accident around 10 hours yesterday, the Five month old baby died instantly while 7 adults and other 2 children sustained injuries.
Ms Kalaluka said the Noah bus was also carrying loads of Tomatoes and is believed to have been coming from Nyawa area.
She said all the injured and had been taken to Zimba district hospital while the dead baby’s body was taken to the same hospital’s mortuary.
Ms Kalaluka advised drivers not to over load their cars as well as over speed on Choma-Livingstone road because accidents on this stretch had become a source of concern for government.
Meanwhile at press time, Southern Province Police Commissioner Mary Chikwanda said she had not yet received the details of the accident as she was locked up in a meeting.
MMD President Nevers Mumba has complained to the police of continued harassment and attacks from some MMD members opposed to his leadership.
Dr Mumba said in an interview that the case of his continued attacks on him and the MMD secretariat staff by unruly members had been handed over to the police and arrests were being expected.
He said whenever the party wanted to mobilize itself, some known expelled senior members sent unruly youths to destabilize meetings and attack Secretariat staff.
“We are being destabilized and they are weakening the party,” he said.
Dr Mumba said the court ruling was clear that the MMD under him should be left to operate freely.
He said some disgruntled MMD members wanted to use the youths to destabilize his leadership so they say he had failed to lead the party.
Asked to comment on reports that the MMD was headed for extinction under his leadership, Dr Mumba said “It’s a fallacy, I haven’t failed. There are people who want to use youths to undermine our Constitution.”
He said under his leadership, MMD had survived the biggest fights and the party would not have survived the battle had it not been for his spiritual standing.
“Now we have fought a good fight and defended the party with limited resources. We will continue to succeed,” he said.
On calls for him to immediately call for a convention, Dr Mumba said he had a five year mandate to run the MMD during which time he would uphold the party Constitution.
“Those calling for a convention should know that it doesn’t work like that. I have a five year mandate and I don’t understand why people are in a hurry to call for a convention,” he said.
On members calling for Dr Mumba’s resignation, he said it was not for them to say they did not want him.
“I was voted for by the grassroots. Those are just innocent street people that they are using to destabilize the party. Just because I am a Pastor people think they can destabilize the party. There is no back door entry,” he said.
Dr Mumba said he would uphold the Constitution and MMD would remain a democratic party under his leadership.
The MMD had since started mobilizing itself and within a few days, the party would hold a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.
He dismissed allegations that he was seeking an ambassadorial job from the PF Government.
“I never joined politics for a Job. I am in this to serve the Zambian people. Am on a mission to change the face of Zambian politics and assist develop the country. Am not satisfied until my country sees a
better day,” he said.
Meanwhile three people have been arrested in connection with the harassment of MMD President Nevers Mumba and MMD secretariat staff.
Lusaka province police chief Charity Katanga said police received the reports from Dr Mumba on Wednesday and yesterday.
Ms Katanga said that before Dr Mumba reported the case on Wednesday, some youths went to the police to get a permit that the MMD president would be addressing them at the MMD secretariat when it was in fact not true.
The three suspects are being held at Woodlands police station and police are investigating the matter further.
She warned that police would not allow the harassment of Dr Mumba and the MMD staff and police would handle the matter to its logical conclusion.
