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Chibesakunda bemoans inadequate infrastructure

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ACTING Chief Justice Lombe Chibesakunda
ACTING Chief Justice Lombe Chibesakunda

Acting Chief Justice Lombe Chibesakunda says inadequate court infrastructure in the country still remains a challenge for judiciary staff to dispense their duties diligently.

Justice Chibesakunda has further attributed the lack of sufficient court rooms, inadequate magistrates’ chambers and limited office space for support staff as contributing factors to delays in the dispensation of justice.

She said this factor was a major contributor to delays in the disposal of cases country-wide.
Justice Chibesakunda however said that government was committed to see to it that infrastructure development is secured in the sector to provide efficient and effective administration of justice.

Justice Chibesakunda was speaking during the commissioning of a new subordinate court complex in Kalomo recently whose construction gobbled over K3,000.000.

The judiciary staff were previously housed at the buildings department storeroom which was improvised with makeshift facilities to suit a court set-up

Justice Chibesakunda however urged judiciary staff in Kalomo district to guard the new building jealously stressing that the beauty of the structure would be meaningless if there was no client satisfaction.

ACC sign MoU with TIZ against graft

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ANTI-Corruption Commission (ACC) director-general Rosewin Wandi
ANTI-Corruption Commission (ACC) director-general Rosewin Wandi

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) says Zambia needs a strong united front in the fight against corruption.

ACC Director General Roselyn Wandi said there is need for strong ties among all common stakeholders if the fight against corruption is to be curbed in the country.

Ms. Wandi noted that good governance and zero tolerance should be at the helm of all partners in order to avert the escalating trend.

ZANIS Reports that Ms. Wandi said this in Lusaka , today.

This was during the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Zambia Bribery Payer’s Survey Index between ACC and Transparent Zambia (TIZ).\

The MoU will among other issues aimed at conducting a national survey on the nature of bribes that Zambians go through in their day to day lives.

And TIZ Zambia executive director Good well Lungu expressed hope that the MoU will highlight key area in the fight against corruption that needs new strategies.

He further said despite many being investigated and prosecuted with corruption cases, there is need for Zambian o be educated on the dangers of engaging in the vice.

Government calls for extensive screening of suspected Ebola virus

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Some medical staff at Livingstone General Hospital in protective clothing preparing to screen delegates coming from West Africa against Ebola
Some medical staff at Livingstone General Hospital in protective
clothing preparing to screen delegates coming from West Africa against
Ebola

Government has called for extensive screening for suspected Ebola viral disease at intercity bus terminus in Lusaka.

Lusaka province Permanent Secretary Wamunyima Muwana says this was because the inter-city bus terminus handles a lot of travellers who might have entered the country using undesignated entry points.

Mr. Muwana has further called on relevant authorities to ensure that adequate protective equipment are sent to all entry points in the province which include Luangwa and Chirundu districts, respectively.

ZANIS reports that the Permanent Secretary said this during Ebola preparedness and response stakeholders meeting held at the new government complex in Lusaka today.

Mr. Muwana who is also Provincial Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit DMMU Chairperson said he was grateful that government and stakeholders had set up a rapid response team in case of an outbreak.

He further called for more sensitizations among members of the public on the causes and prevention of the virus.

And the Provincial Medical Officer Dr. Abel Kabala said that St. Agnes health facility has been identified as an isolation center for suspected Ebola cases.

Dr. Malabo said at the same time his office has advised the rest of the clinics in the province to reserve an isolation rooms to admit suspected cases of Ebola before moving them to quarantine centers.

He also revealed that protective equipment has been procured and disbursed to all key areas in the province.

Dr. Kabalo indicated that the University of Zambia Laboratory with support from the Japanese Agency for International Corporation (JICA) is currently helping with the testing of Ebola suspected samples.

It was however heard that all the five suspected cases tested have turned out to be negative.

The Provincial Medical Officer said that soon trainers of trainers will be trained in all the provinces on the Ebola Viral Disease and that there is need for adequate testing kits in the country.

It was also discussed that there is need to engage private health facilities on how to handle Ebola suspected cases as three of the five suspected cases recorded came from private facilities.

I have no presidential ambitions, Fred M’membe is the most useless man I have ever met-Kambwili

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MINISTER of Sport, Youth and Child Development Chishimba Kambwili
MINISTER of Sport, Youth and Child Development Chishimba Kambwili

Sports and Youths Minister Chishimba Kambwili has come out fuming after the Post Newspapers published a story quoting unknown sources claiming that Mr Kambwili had presidential ambitions.

In its Tuesday, September 16 edition front page story, the Post quoting unknown sources who allegedly attended a closed door meeting President Michael Sata held for party members in Ndola over the weekend said President Sata revealed that Mr Kambwili was planning to succeed him.

But Mr Kambwili in an interview trashed the Post article describing it baseless.

He also denied having presidential ambitions.

“You know the Post have an agenda. It is well known. They are using boys who were working with Wynter (Kabimba) to fight me. I just want to tell them that I cannot be moved by the trash they write about me. Infact Fred M’Membe is the most useless person I have ever met in my life,” Mr Kambwili retorted.

He said the position of party and Republican Presidency is fully occupied by a functional President and wondered why he should start eyeing a post which is not vacant.

Mr Kambwili said he also has a job as Minister of Sports and Youth which he said he has been executing exceptionally well.

“At the moment, my main occupation is to carry out the assignment allocated to me by His Excellency and this is to administer the affairs of Youths and Sports fraternity. All these accusations do not mean anything to me.”

Dangotegate: Shamenda maintains he was offered a bribe by Dangote executive

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Labour Minister Fackson Shamenda
Labour Minister Fackson Shamenda

Labour and Social Security Minister Fackson Shamenda has maintained that a Dangote official attempted to bribe him during a meeting at Intercontinental Lusaka recently.

Mr Shamenda has since challenged Mr Bala Zango, a Manager at Dangote Group Office in Nigeria to come back to Zambia and prove that he did not offer a bribe.

On Tuesday, Dangote Zambia Limited categorically denied allegations made by Mr Shamenda that Mr Zango offered a bribe which he rejected describing the Minister’s claims as malicious misinformation.

The cement firm also accused Mr Shamenda of harassing Dangote and frustrating their US$ 400 million investment into Zambia.

But Mr Shamenda insisted that Mr Zango cannot deny what he did when the two men met at Intercontinental hotel.

“I want this man to come back and prove me wrong. I don’t want people that were not there to start speaking for him. We were just the two of us at that hotel so he has to come and say whether I’m lying or not,” Mr Shamenda said.

He claimed that the Dangote official has been trailing him for some time asking to meet with him to discuss issues of the company’s investment in Zambia.

“I have the text messages he was sending. I have about six text messages from him offering to meet me for lunch or dinner. He started shortly after I met him in Ndola, he then followed up with his requests for lunch or dinner, imagine he followed me up to Lusaka for dinner and he offered to buy,” Mr Shamenda said.

He continued, “I agreed to meet him without the Ministry officials because he said it was important that he meets me alone and he sounded rather desperate so I agreed to meet me. When I got there, he offered to buy me dinner and I refused, it was at this stage that he offered me cash, a lot of it and also refused.”

Mr Shamenda revealed that he did not report the incident to the Anti-Corruption Commission because he did not want to jeopardise Dangote’s investment in Zambia.

“I could have rushed to the ACC but I thought through it and decided to find time to engagement first in order to resolve the matter amicably. I spoke to the media the other day when we toured the plant because I wanted to send a stern warning to other erring investors not to offer bribes to government workers.”

MMD claims second place in terms of total votes received in the just ended by-elections

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Kenneth Chipungu
Kenneth Chipungu

The opposition MMD says it came second to the ruling Patriotic Front in the just ended by-elections by the number of total votes amassed.

MMD Chairman for Elections Kenneth Chipungu says contrary to the common belief that the former ruling party was the biggest loser in the five by-elections; The party in fact came second to the PF after amassing 15,532 votes against the PF’s 16,068 votes, while the UPND managed 8,012 votes in total.

Mr Chipungu points out that the 536 votes gap between the PF and MMD demonstrates that there were almost as many people that voted for MMD as PF, while there was 7,520 votes gap between MMD and UPND.

He states that PF Secretary General Edgar Lungu’s statement that the ruling party would get a massive victory in the 2016 general elections after winning three of the five parliamentary by-elections is therefore misleading.

Mr Chipungu says the overall total votes are more important than the total constituencies won.

[pullquote]The party in fact came second to the PF after amassing 15,532 votes against the PF’s 16,068 votes, while the UPND managed 8,012 votes in total.[/pullquote]

He explains that a political party can win more constituencies, yet is beaten by another party that win a few large constituencies.

Meanwhile, former party vice-president for politics Michael Kaingu has said that the MMD’s losses in the just-ended by-elections are a clear
vindication of previous calls by members to re-organise the party
through an extra-ordinary convention.

Dr Kaingu said in an interview that party leaders then, such as vice-president for administration Brian Chituwo and spokesperson Dora Siliya foresaw the challenges of the party under the leadership of Dr Nevers Mumba and the need to dissolve leadership and start afresh.

“When we were calling for the reorganisation of the party, people misunderstood us,” Dr Kaingu said. “We foresaw these challenges and the right thing the party should have done was to dissolve the leadership and call for fresh elections through the extra-ordinary convention.”

He said unless a serious strategic approach was taken, MMD would continue to record losses and its popularity would continue dwindling.

Dr Kaingu advised the current party leadership to come up with a comprehensive strategy and work hard to regain the confidentiality of the people.

“At the moment as a mere ordinary member of the party and a member of Parliament for Mwandi Constituency, all I can say is that the vibrancy of MMD entirely depends on the current leadership and the strategies they will put in place to save the party,” Dr Kaingu said.

He said there was need for introspection by the members to save the party from further oblivion.

The party lost three of its four seats it held previously in the recent by-elections.

Dr Kaingu also refuted claims that he had left MMD to form a new party with other members that were removed from their positions.

“I am still a staunch MMD member and also an MP in Mwandi Constituency where the party is still vibrant, people will continue coming up with speculations and this does not surprise me,” Dr Kaingu said.

“When we were calling for the convention people said I had been bought by the PF (Patriotic Front). Now that I have not moved they come up with rumours that we have formed a party, it is not true.”

The Weekend in Pictures

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1.

Zamtel CEO Dr. Mupanga Mwanakatwe exchanging documents with Nippon Electric Company (NEP) President Dr. Endo Nokuhiro during the singing of the agreement at Zamtel head office last Thursday
Zamtel CEO Dr. Mupanga Mwanakatwe exchanging documents with Nippon Electric Company (NEP) President Dr. Endo Nokuhiro during the singing of the agreement at Zamtel head office last Thursday

2.

UNICEF Zambia Country Representative Hamid El-Bashir and Irish Ambassador to Zambia Finbar O’Brien with Zambian climate ambassadors selected to attend the National Youth Summit in Dublin, Ireland, on 19 September 2014. From left to right: Josephine Namakai Pumulo, Gideon Mushota, Ireen Ng’andu, Frisco Nshimba, Solomon Nkonde and Kapwani Kavenuke.
UNICEF Zambia Country Representative Hamid El-Bashir and Irish Ambassador to Zambia Finbar O’Brien with Zambian climate ambassadors selected to attend the National Youth Summit in Dublin, Ireland, on 19 September 2014. From left to right: Josephine Namakai Pumulo, Gideon Mushota, Ireen Ng’andu, Frisco Nshimba, Solomon Nkonde and Kapwani Kavenuke.

3.

Widow Grace Matoka (c) being consoled at the funeral house for late freedom fighter, veteran politician and academician Dr. Peter Matoka
Widow Grace Matoka (c) being consoled at the funeral house for late freedom fighter, veteran politician and academician Dr. Peter Matoka

4.

Vice President Dr. Guy Scott consoles widow Grace Matoka who is flanked  by her sister Mary at the funeral house for late freedom fighter, veteran politician and academician Dr. Peter Matoka
Vice President Dr. Guy Scott consoles widow Grace Matoka who is flanked by her sister Mary at the funeral house for late freedom fighter, veteran politician and academician Dr. Peter Matoka

5.

Vice President Dr. Guy Scott shortly after signing the book of condolences at the funeral house for late freedom fighter, veteran politician and academician Dr. Peter Matok
Vice President Dr. Guy Scott shortly after signing the book of condolences at the funeral house for late freedom fighter, veteran politician and academician Dr. Peter Matok

6.

Vice President Dr. Guy Scott  at the funeral house for late freedom fighter, veteran politician and academician Dr. Peter Matoka y
Vice President Dr. Guy Scott at the funeral house for late freedom fighter, veteran politician and academician Dr. Peter Matoka y

7.

Mourner's at the funeral house for late freedom fighter, veteran politician and academician Dr. Peter Matoka
Mourner’s at the funeral house for late freedom fighter, veteran politician and academician Dr. Peter Matoka

8.

Mourner's at the funeral house for late freedom fighter, veteran politician and academician Dr. Peter Matoka
Mourner’s at the funeral house for late freedom fighter, veteran politician and academician Dr. Peter Matoka

9.

Former Zambian Ambassador to Russia John Sikaulu greets former republican vice president Enock Kavindele at the funeral house for late freedom fighter, veteran politician and academician Dr. Peter Matoka
Former Zambian Ambassador to Russia John Sikaulu greets former republican vice president Enock Kavindele at the funeral house for late freedom fighter, veteran politician and academician Dr. Peter Matoka

10.

First quartum minerals country manager Kingsley Chikuli consoles widow Grace Matoka at the funeral house for late freedom fighter, veteran politician and academician Dr. Peter Matoka
First quartum minerals country manager Kingsley Chikuli consoles widow Grace Matoka at the funeral house for late freedom fighter, veteran politician and academician Dr. Peter Matoka

11.

Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda consoles widow Grace Matoka at the funeral house for late freedom fighter, veteran politician and academician Dr. Peter Matoka
Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda consoles widow Grace Matoka at the funeral house for late freedom fighter, veteran politician and academician Dr. Peter Matoka

12.

Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda consoles widow Grace Matoka at the funeral house for late freedom fighter, veteran politician and academician Dr. Peter Matoka
Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda consoles widow Grace Matoka at the funeral house for late freedom fighter, veteran politician and academician Dr. Peter Matoka

13.

Former Zambian Ambassador to Russia John Sikaulu talks to ZANIS Journalists at the funeral house for late freedom fighter, veteran politician and academician Dr. Peter Matoka
Former Zambian Ambassador to Russia John Sikaulu talks to ZANIS Journalists at the funeral house for late freedom fighter, veteran politician and academician Dr. Peter Matoka

14.

ormer Inspector General of Police Ephraim Mateyo signing the book of condolences when he visited the funeral house for late freedom fighter, veteran politician and academician Dr. Peter Matoka
ormer Inspector General of Police Ephraim Mateyo signing the book of condolences when he visited the funeral house for late freedom fighter, veteran politician and academician Dr. Peter Matoka

15.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education Dr Patrick Nkanza receiving soccer balls from Zanaco MD Dick Bruce meant for selected Lusaka based primary schools .The ceremony took place at the ZANACO Sunset Stadium
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education Dr Patrick Nkanza receiving soccer balls from Zanaco MD Dick Bruce meant for selected Lusaka based primary schools .The ceremony took place at the ZANACO Sunset Stadium

16.

Zanaco MD Dick Bruce congratulating  the PS Dr. Patrick Nkanza voted the "best player" during a match against ZANACO senior management
Zanaco MD Dick Bruce congratulating the PS Dr. Patrick Nkanza voted the “best player” during a match against ZANACO senior management

17.

UNRULLY BEHAVIOUR, Luangwa police officers handcuffed this man during the Dantho Traditional Ceremony of the Chikunda people in Luangwa over the weekend
UNRULLY BEHAVIOUR, Luangwa police officers handcuffed this man during the Dantho Traditional Ceremony of the Chikunda people in Luangwa over the weekend

18.

Trucks waiting to be  cleared at Kasumbalesa border
Trucks waiting to be cleared at Kasumbalesa border

19.

EASTERN Province MMD Youth Chairperson, Chembe Daka, stunned people who waited for the Kasenengwa by-election results at Chipata Municipal Council Chamber when he rose from his slumber in his drunken state and started urinating inside the chamber.The returning officer, Noel Sichale,  had to call for the police who dragged him out.
EASTERN Province MMD Youth Chairperson, Chembe Daka, stunned people who waited for the Kasenengwa by-election results at Chipata Municipal Council Chamber when he rose from his slumber in his drunken state and started urinating inside the chamber.The returning officer, Noel Sichale, had to call for the police who dragged him out.

20.

EASTERN Province MMD Youth Chairperson, Chembe Daka, stunned people who waited for the Kasenengwa by-election results at Chipata Municipal Council Chamber when he rose from his slumber in his drunken state and started urinating inside the chamber. The returning officer, Noel Sichale,  had to call for the police who dragged him out.
EASTERN Province MMD Youth Chairperson, Chembe Daka, stunned people who waited for the Kasenengwa by-election results at Chipata Municipal Council Chamber when he rose from his slumber in his drunken state and started urinating inside the chamber.
The returning officer, Noel Sichale, had to call for the police who dragged him out.

21.

.Education deputy Minister David Mabumba addressing teachers and parents at one of the primary schools in Serenje during his recent tour of schools earmarked for upgrading in Central province.
.Education deputy Minister David Mabumba addressing teachers and
parents at one of the primary schools in Serenje during his recent
tour of schools earmarked for upgrading in Central province.

22.

First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba cuts a cake with Kitwe School of nursing Principal Nursing Eduvcation officer  Mavis Chinsezhi and Health Deputy minister to mark the  Kitwe school of nursing Golden Jubilee and Kitwe central hospital open day on September 12,2014
First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba cuts a cake with Kitwe School of nursing Principal Nursing Eduvcation officer Mavis Chinsezhi and Health Deputy minister to mark the Kitwe school of nursing Golden Jubilee and Kitwe central hospital open day on September 12,2014

23.

First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba  receives a bouquet of flowers from Kitwe school of nursing trainee nurse Bwalya Mulenga on arrival at the hospital  the  Kitwe school of nursing Golden Jubilee and Kitwe central hospital open day on September 12,2014
First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba receives a bouquet of flowers from Kitwe school of nursing trainee nurse Bwalya Mulenga on arrival at the hospital the Kitwe school of nursing Golden Jubilee and Kitwe central hospital open day on September 12,2014

24.

First Lady Dr. Christine Kaseba displays a sports shoe presented  to her  by Zambia Bata shoe company managing Director Prosper Bachi  (r).  This was during the handover of 250 pairs of  school shoes  donated to the Office of the First Lady by  Zambia Bata Shoe Company at State House on September 11,2014
First Lady Dr. Christine Kaseba displays a sports shoe presented to her by Zambia Bata shoe company managing Director Prosper Bachi (r). This was during the handover of 250 pairs of school shoes
donated to the Office of the First Lady by Zambia Bata Shoe Company at State House on September 11,2014

25.

First Lady Dr. Christine Kaseba with   Zambia Bata shoe company managing Director Prosper Bachi   during the handover of 250 pairs of  school shoes donated to the Office of the First Lady by  Zambia Bata Shoe Company at State House on September 11,2014
First Lady Dr. Christine Kaseba with Zambia Bata shoe company managing Director Prosper Bachi during the handover of 250 pairs of school shoes donated to the Office of the First Lady by Zambia Bata Shoe Company at State House on September 11,2014

26.

First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba arrives at Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe Airport in Ndola for the Kitwe school of nursing Golden Jubilee and Kitwe central hospital open day on September 12,2014
First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba arrives at Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe Airport in Ndola for the Kitwe school of nursing Golden Jubilee and Kitwe central hospital open day on September 12,2014

27.

Education Deputy Minister Patrick Ngoma confers with Lusaka Province Permanent Secretary Wamunyima Muwana will Luangwa DC Eunie Mumba looks on during the Dantho Traditional Ceremony of the Chikunda people in Luangwa over the weekend
Education Deputy Minister Patrick Ngoma confers with Lusaka Province Permanent Secretary Wamunyima Muwana will Luangwa DC Eunie Mumba looks on during the Dantho Traditional Ceremony of the Chikunda people in Luangwa over the weekend

Movie review : Into the Storm

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intothestorm

In the span of a single day, the town of Silverton is ravaged by an unprecedented onslaught of tornadoes. The entire town is at the mercy of the erratic and deadly cyclones. Most people seek shelter, while others run towards the vortex, testing how far a storm chaser will go for that once-in-a-lifetime shot. Told through the eyes and lenses of professional storm chasers, thrill-seeking amateurs, and courageous townspeople, “Into the Storm”throws you directly into the eye of the storm to experience Mother Nature at her most extreme.

PROS

  • Excellent visual effects , makes you feel like you are in the storm yourself .
  • The story is compelling, and very emotional

CONS

  • It was some what unrealistic that Trey (Nathan Kress) was holding his video camera and recording the whole time they were looking for his brother .
  • The movie was a bit predictable .
  • Some of the characters were forgettable and added nothing to the story .

FAVORITE QUOTES

Allison:  I’ve studied storm all of my life. This one is bigger than has ever been.

Pete: That’s the biggest tornado I’ve ever seen.

CONCLUSION

I went into this movie with no expectations .I had seen the trailer but didn’t get much from it .That being said , I found this to be a very interesting , intense and gripping movie . I was literally on the edge of my seat . If you are a fan of ‘disaster movies’ it may seem a tad bit predictable , but what gets you sucked in is the human element , the personal issues the characters are dealing with while trying to survive  the storm . All in all it is a fun movie to go out and watch .

RATING

3 out of 5

3stars

BY KAPA187

I lowered my standards when staying at Fallsway apartments- Prof Chirwa

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Fallsway apartments
Fallsway apartments

Former Zambia Railways Limited (ZRL) Chief executive officer,Professor Clive Chirwa yesterday closed his defence
in case in which he is charged with his former director of finance Regina Mwale, an accountant of High Ridge in Kabwe with abuse of authority of office, after the duo allegedly authorised payment of K72,282,210 to Fallsway Apartments for Chirwa’s accommodation.

Prof Chirwa told the court that he lowered his standards to zero by staying at Falls Way apartments instead of a five star hotel.He said that according to the job he was doing ,he was entitled to be stay at a five star hotel.He said it was for this reason that he wrote back to the former ZRL board chaired by Mark Chona telling it that he could not afford to further lower his standards when he was charged for lodging at FallsWay.

Prof Chirwa said that he told the board that he was not asking for too much to continue staying at Fallsway until his house was renovated adding that the K200 extra which was paid compared to the accommodation he was
entitled to was not worth disturbing his peace.

” I lowered my standards when staying at Falls Way apartment because my required accommodation according to the job I was doing was a five star accommodation but I went to zero-at this zero star accommodation per month.It was K44, 000 les than a five star hotel” Prof Chirwa said.

Prof Chirwa said that he also told the board that ministers, permanent secretaries and other government officials had lived at the apartments and one of the ministers was even his neighbor and wondered why it was
an issue with him.

He said that the amount he was paying at Falls Way was less than what he was paying at Intercontinental hotel where he had earlier stayed,as he would have been paying K275, 000 per month for three rooms to accommodate his family.He said that he had no idea who was paying for his accommodation until he went to find out from the ministry of communication where the minister told him that it was ZRL.

Prof Chirwa further told the court that he only became CEO of the ZRL on January 11, 2013 after he signed a contract which means that he could not be found wanting for recommending Clavel to train ZRL employees
because he was CEO in waiting.He said that at the time he recommended Clavel, he had just been given
an offer to be CEO and he was not yet appointed.

This is in a matter in which Chirwa 58 of Ibex Hill is jointly charged with his former director of finance Regina Mwale 50 for abuse of authority and failure to disclose that Clavel Incorporated Limited, a company he had recommended training ZRL staff was his company.

Prof Chirwa who gave evidence on oath but did not call any witnesses.

Chirwa’s co-accused Mwale is however, expected to open her defence today and will call one witness apart from her evidence.Trial continues today.

It is unacceptable to have drug shortages-Kasonde

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MINISTER of Health Dr. Joseph Kasonde gives his speech during the Zambia and Zimbabwe (ZamZim) joint World malaria day commemoration at Mukuni Park in Livingstone
MINISTER of Health Dr. Joseph Kasonde

Health Minister Joseph Kasonde says it is unacceptable to have drug shortages in health facilities.

Dr Kasonde said this is because Medical Stores has sufficient stocks of drugs to ensure a steady supply to all health institutions in the country.

Dr Kasonde said this when he inspected a newly constructed maternity wing at Kalabwe Health Post in Mporokoso.

He said government in the current budgetary allocation for drug purchases does not warrant a shortage because government has tripled allocation since 2012.

He said the allocation for the purchase of drugs in the national budget increased from about K200 million in 2011 to over K750 million at present.

The Health Minister urged health workers not to treat drug shortage as an acceptable occurrence.

Dr Kasonde also revealed that he has engaged Medical Stores Limited on what mechanism can be devised to ensure a constant drug supply to health facilities.

The Health Minister is in Northern Province to inspect health infrastructure as well as drug stock levels at health facilities.

MMD Eastern Province youth Chairperson suspended for urinating in public

17

mmdlogo

The MMD in Eastern has with immediate effect suspended Provincial Youth Chairperson Chembe Daka for openly urinating in the Chipata Municipal Council Chamber where vote counting for the Kasenengwa by-election was taking place.

In a letter of suspension signed by Provincial Information and Publicity Chairperson Samuel Phiri, made available to ZANIS, Mr Daka has been given 10 days in which to exculpate himself.

Mr Phiri described the action of Mr Daka to openly urinate in the council chamber as an embarrassment to the former ruling party which he said is tantamount to indiscipline.

He stated the MMD will not tolerate such behaviour from any of its members and advised all party members to exhibit good morals to the public.

Mr Daka is alleged to have urinated in the presence of election monitors and observers from various political parties, Non-Governmental Organizations and electoral officers in the council chamber last Friday when vote counting was taking place.

Mr Daka is alleged to have been in a drunken state when the embarrassing moment occurred.

Shamenda is disappointing for not reporting DAngote to ACC – ZYAFAC

7
Labour Minister Fackson Shamenda
Labour Minister Fackson Shamenda

The Zambia Youths Association in the Fight Against Corruption (ZYAFAC) is disappointed with Labour Minister Fackson Shamenda’s failure to report a bribe offer from a former Dangote Cement Company official to the Anti Corruption Commission.

Mr. Shamenda disclosed on Sunday during a meeting Dangote management in Ndola that he had rejected a bribe offer from the company’s former human resource manager Bala Zango whose aim could have been to persuade him to overlook the critical labour issues at the cement manufacturing company.

ZYAFAC Executive Director Rickson Kanema says while the move by Mr Shamenda to reject the bribe is commendable, the Minister should have gone a step further by reporting the culprit to the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC).

Mr. Kanema has told Qfm news that Mr. Shamenda, being a Cabinet Minister in a government that has promised zero tolerance to corruption, has set a bad precedent.

He says such a bad precedent is actually a drawback to the morale of fighting corruption in the country especially that senior government officials such as Ministers are expected to walk the talk by resisting and reporting any forms of corruption to the ACC.

He says his organization believes that Mr. Shamenda should be among senior government officials well vested with issues of corruption and should know how people in the country look to them as role model in the fight against corruption.

Mr. Kanema says his organization is left to wonder why Mr. Shamenda did report the Mr.Zango, who has since returned to his home country in Nigeria, the time he was offered the said bribe.

Dangote denies allegations of corruption and bribery claims made by Minister of Labour Fackson Shamenda

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Labour Minister Fackson Shamenda (right) and Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) General Secretary Roy Mwaba
Labour Minister Fackson Shamenda

DANGOTE Industries Zambia Limited (“DIZ”) categorically denies the allegations and malicious misinformation made by the Minister of Labour, Honourable Fackson Shamenda that has been featured in international and national media as well as circulated through social media. It is indeed regrettable that the esteemed media houses in Zambia did not request for a comment from DIZ but proceeded to disseminate misinformation.

On Saturday, Mr Shamenda revealed that a former human resources manager at Dangote allegedly attempted to bribe him at a hotel a week ago. Mr Shamenda told the media that he did not report Mr Bala Zango to the ACC because he had information that he wanted to bribe him.

“This man wanted to buy me dinner at Hotel Intercontinental, which I declined, and he had a bundle of money on him. But I hate such things and so I just walked away from him and this is why I visited the company last weekend to warn them that such actions are illegal,” Mr Shamenda said.

Asked how much he was offered, Mr Shamenda said he got so incensed by Mr Zango’s alleged intentions to bribe him that he walked away. Mr Shamenda said he deliberately did not inform ACC because he knew that he would later deal with the matter. The minister said he also wanted to ensure that the investment at Dangote is protected.

Below is the full statement from Dangote

Dangote categorically denies corruption & bribery claims made by Zambian Minister of Labour

Lusaka, Zambia – Monday, 15 September 2014 – Dangote Industries Zambia Limited (“DIZ”) categorically denies the allegations and malicious misinformation made by the Minister of Labour, Honourable Fackson Shamenda which has been featured in international and national media as well as circulated through social media. It is indeed regrettable that the esteemed media houses in Zambia did not request for a comment from DIZ but proceeded to disseminate misinformation. Accordingly the purpose of this Press Release is to set the record straight.

As you are aware, DIZ has to date invested over $400m to build Zambia’s largest integrated cement plant in Ndola, which will be commissioned in November 2014. Without a doubt, DIZ’s entrance into the Zambian market will completely transform the sector, provide employment and indirectly support Zambian businesses.

The public must be made aware that DIZ entered into an Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement with the Zambian Government and Zambia Development Agency on 9 December 2010. DIZ subsequently applied for an investment license, began feasibility studies and engaged Zambian environmental consultants and other advisors to advise on issues pertaining to environmental impact assessments as well as Zambian tax & legal issues. DIZ has to date obtained all relevant licenses and has been operating within the confines of the Zambian law.

During the construction phase of our project, DIZ has had numerous interactions with the Government including with the Ministry of Labour. In fact Senior Management and members of the Board of DIZ have on several occasions met with the Honourable Minister and Senior Officials from the Ministry of Labour in Lusaka to discuss labour issues. Honourable Shamenda has in the last 4 months paid the DIZ Ndola plant “four surprise visits” (two of such visits were made at the weekend when no Dangote senior management were available). All of Honourable Shamenda’s visits were conducted in full glare of the Zambian media, whom he brought to the plant without giving DIZ any notice. Thereafter, DIZ made a written complaint of Honourable Shamenda’s actions to its supervising ministry (Ministry of Commerce) as DIZ was beginning to feel that Honourable Shamenda was deliberately looking for wrong doing. DIZ was beginning to feel harassed and unwelcome in Zambia and immediately brought this to the attention of the Ministry of Commerce.

A meeting was subsequently held between Senior Officials at the Ministry of Commerce and DIZ, wherein DIZ was assured that GRZ were fully committed to creating a conducive business environment for investment and further encouraged DIZ to proceed with it’s Lusaka project.

Despite all this high level interaction, it is indeed surprising that Honourable Shamenda chose to have a “business meeting” with a junior member of staff at Intercontinental Hotel after working hours. For the record, Mr. Zango Bala is an Assistant Manager at the Dangote Group head office in Nigeria. He was assigned to DIZ for 4 months to assist the local team with the set up it’s human resource department and training for Zambian employees who are to work on DIZ’s highly automated plant. Our understanding of the meeting was that it was a purely social interaction. If indeed the Honourable Minister was offered an inducement then as a responsible Zambian and figure of authority he should have reported the matter to the Anti Corruption Commission, which is the body legally empowered to deal with such issues.

DIZ is a subsidiary of Dangote Cement Plc, the largest listed company on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, with market capitalization of over $24 billion. Dangote Cement Plc has operations in several African countries, employs over 8,000 people and operates within the highest corporate and ethical standards and therefore takes great exception to this corruption and bribery claim.

Despite this unfortunate event DIZ remains committed to working with the GRZ on further expansion in Zambia and further values the support received from GRZ to date.

For the record, DIZ categorically deny any claims of corruption and bribery and reserve our rights on this matter.

Mighty move on after Barclays Cup exit

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Mighty Mufulira Wanderers coach Manfred Chabinga says there is future in his team.

Wanderers made their debut appearance in the Barclays Cup on Saturday as they lost to Zesco United 2-0 to bow out of the competition at the quaterfinal stage.

“I am not disappointed most of my players are still young and learning. There is a future in the team,” Chabinga said.

Wanderers are now switching their focus to promotion fight in Division One North.

“Our chances of going back to the premier are 95% percent,” Chabinga said.

Meanwhile, Mighty are fourth on the Division One North table with 44 points from 25 matches and have one unplayed home match against Chindwin Sentries.

The Shinde outfit can join leaders Forest Rangers at the top who have 47 points if they beat Chindwin.

Spacio Kalandanya: Konkola ready for any team

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Speedy winger Davy “Spacio” Kalandanya says Konkola Blades are ready to face any team in the semifinals of the 2014 Barclays Cup.

Konkola are in the semis together with three time winners Zesco United, one time champions Napsa Stars and Nkana.

The Chililabombwe club advance to the semifinals after shocking Zanaco 1-0 in the third quaterfinal match at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka on Sunday.

“We can play any team. Since We have qualified we are prepared for any game coming our way,” Kalandanya said.

He was voted man of the match.

“I am happy and I thank my team mates we worked hard,” he said.

FAZ is yet to conduct the draws of the Barclays Cup semifinals.