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A 15 year–old grade six girl and her 49 year old aunt both of Chinsali have pleaded not guilty to trafficking in 507 grams of cannabis.
The duo appeared in the Chinsali Magistrates court yesterday.
Appearing before Magistrate Shadreck Chanda for plea was a grade six juvenile aged 15 of Chinsali Primary School and Maggie Bwalya, 49, both of Chandamali village in Chinsali district.
The duo is alleged to have trafficked in psychotropic substances contrary to Section 6 of the narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances Chapter 96 of the Laws of Zambia.
It is alleged that on 23 July 2014 the duo jointly and whilst acting together with other unknown people willfully and unlawfully did traffic in psychotropic substances namely cannabis weighing 507 grams.
The duo pleaded not guilty and the matter has since been adjourned to 12 August 2014 for commencement of trial while both accused persons are remanded in custody.
Meanwhile, sources at the Drug Enforcement Commissioner (DEC) in Chinsali said the accused juvenile was allegedly given the contraband by her father to hide at her aunty’s place who is the co-accused after he noticed the presence of a combined team of police and DEC officers in the area.
The girl’s father who allegedly deals in the same psychotropic substances went into hiding after he heard that his daughter and sister had been apprehended.The operation was conducted after a tip off from members of the public.
First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba share a light moment with MMD president Dr Nevers Mumba and ZAAA president Elias Mpondela (r) during the Inter Company relay. Dr Christine Kaseba took part in a 5 kilometre walk in Lusaka on June 14 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) president Nevers Mumba says his party is determined to bring a new style of politics to the country’s political arena.
Dr. Mumba said politics of character assassination is not what will win the confidence of the majority Zambians.
He stressed that true and mature politics is what Zambians need if the countrys democracy is to flourish.
Dr Mumba said so far his party has made tremendous efforts to speak the truth and to let the people understand the true meaning of politics.
The MMD president has also encouraged Zambians to continue living in peace and unity for the good of the nation regardless of political affiliation.
Aspiring candidate for Kabwata Constituency Clement Tembo has charged that current Member of Parliament has over stayed and should give room for others to develop the area.
Mr Lubinda has been MP for 13 years and would have served for 20 years if he contests and wins re-election in 2016.
Mr Tembo said it is unfortunate that Mr Lubinda wants to cling on to power when he has allegedly failed to effectively represent the people of Kabwata.
“Mr Lubinda is not there with the people, he is always stuck in his constituency office but people want him to move around and interact with them. Kabwata is not just about Chilimbulu and Burma roads, how about Jack compound, who is speaking out for those people? Kabwata is full of heaps and heaps of garbage and the MP is saying it is not his duty to clear garbage in Kabwata. I do not agree with that because the welfare of the constituency is supposed to be his baby.”
Mr Tembo said he decided to engage the local authority and hired the garbage clearing equipment at a small cost to demonstrate to residents in Kabwata that an MP can initiate development.He said it is sad that the poor people in areas of Kabwata such as Jack compound are still using shallow wells for their water needs.
“In this day and age, you expect people in Kabwata to be using shallow wells and you are still there as MP? Morally, you should just step aside.”
Mr Tembo said he has not officially kicked off his campaigns but was merely introducing himself to the electorate in Kabwata.
“We are doing something that has never been done before. We are introducing our ideas and telling the people that we are here to serve. We are not waiting for 2016 to meet our people, we have started sharing our ideas with the local people and that is not campaign,” he said.
Mr Tembo said his interactions with the people do not amount to political campaigns which might contravene the Electoral Code of Conduct since the official campaign period has not been officially declared.
He said the youths in Kabwata have resorted to beer drinking because of lack of jobs and recreation.
“What we plan to do is put together a number of youth cooperatives, have them registered and provide skills and allow them to bid for some of these construction works going on. No youth will be found in bars because everybody will be busy working,” he said.
Mr Tembo also pointed that Mr Lubinda has done well in the area of education infrastructure in Kabwata with the construction of Kamulanga School.
“On Kamulanga School, big up to the MP, that is a lot of good work. On the land issues in Mapopo he also did very well and helped the poor people there but surely he has over stayed and he should leave room for people with fresh ideas,” he said.
Mr Tembo also ranked President Michael Sata as one of the most hard working MPs when he served as in the 1990s.
“Kabwata has had a number of big political figures who have served as MP and their work is there to show but I think President Sata’s legacy in Kabwata is there for all to see, the Merzaf flats speaks for itself,” he said.
Boxer Ben Muziyo lifted Zambia’s fading medal hopes at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on Monday night after winning his last 16 Middleweight bout on the night all-rounder Kabange Mupopo faded in her 400 meters semifinal heat.
Zambia’s last man standing in the ring defeated Canadian Brody Blair via 3rd round technical knockout.
Muziyo will now face Cedric Olivier of Mauritius in the Wednesday’s quarterfinals at 22h15.
His victory came after compatriot Bwalya Lumbwe lost 3-0 to Fazil Kaggwa of Uganda in a last 16 Flyweight contest on the same date.
Meanwhile on the track, Mupopo finished sixth in heat one of the 400 meters semifinals to bow out at Glasgow in the Shepolopolo captain’s first major world tournament outing six months after adding track and field to her résumé.
However, Saviour Kombe has a chance to redeem some hope in the 400 meters mens semifinals this evening when he takes to the track in heat three at 21h18.
Kombe advanced to the semifinals after finishing third in Monday’s first round in heat seven.
Indeni coach Steven”Baines” Mwansa says the 5-1 loss his side suffered at Power Dynamos on Sunday was a lesson to the Oil Men.
Mwansa said he wants to quickly forget the Arthur Davies massacre to focus on their next match against struggling Red Arrows.
“What we planned for never worked for us, we made a mistake in the first half by allowing an early game,” he said.
A brace from Jimmy Ndhlovu plus a goal each by Kennedy Mudenda, Richard Kasonde and Ignatius Lwipa guided Power to victory while Sam Chulu scored a consolation goal for Indeni.
“It is a lesson to us, this game has passed so we are now looking forward to the game against Red Arrows,” Mwansa said.
Power have now completed a double over Indeni this season as they won the corresponding fixture 3-1 in Ndola.
Power Dynamos say they will take disciplinary action against striker Alex Ng’onga for attending trials at South African club Mpumalanga Black Aces minus permission.
Ng’onga was earlier this month reported to have attended trials at Black Aces in South Africa for close to two weeks.
Power secretary Ricky Mamfunda said Ng’onga’s action amounts to indiscipline.
Mamfunda said Power will not tolerate indisciplined players.
The 22 year old striker has since resumed training days after returning to Arthur Davies Stadium.
“Of course action will be taken because we can’t condone indiscipline. The executive will sit to decide what to do with the player,” he told Radio Icengelo in Kitwe.
“Our players need to realise that this is not social football they are employed. For somebody to go away and fail to report for work for days without notifying the officials that calls for disciplinary action,” Mamfunda added.
Ng’onga’s blurred disciplinary record is well documented.
Kalulushi Modern Stars have displaced stuttering Mufulira Wanderers from the top of the FAZ Division One North table after beating Forest Rangers 1-0 in Ndola on Sunday.
Green Witika scored the lone goal as Kalulushi silenced Forest at Dola Hill to move to 33 points after 19 matches played.
Forest now drop into fourth place on the table and remain stuck on 31 points.
Kalulushi reclaimed the leadership thanks Mighty’s 1-0 loss to Mufulira Blackpool in the Mufulira derby played at Shinde Stadium.
Blackpool scored a 34th minute goal through Happy Ng’ambi to condemn Wanderers to their second straight defeat after last week’s similar loss at Kitwe United.
Mighty are now in joint second with improving Chambishi who beat Mining Rangers 1-0 away at Garden Park Stadium in Kitwe on Sunday.
In other matches, Linos Makwaza’s Lime Hotspurs beat Zesco Luapula 2-1 while Lumwana Radiants thrashed Ndola United 3-0 in Lumwana.
FILE: President Michael Sata and Labour Minister Fackson Shamenda watch a workers’ march-past during Labour Day celebrations in Lusaka
President Michael Sata, may you please help us?
By a Miserable Retired Civil Servant
Nobody knows my name.
I am a retired civil servant who served my country for many years before retiring several years ago, after 36 years of national service. Unfortunately, up to now, I have not been paid my retirement benefits.
After years of neglect, unfulfilled promises and disappointment from the MMD governments, I was one of those who woke up early on 20 September 2011 to cast a vote for change, secure in the expectation that I would finally receive my earned benefits. President Michael Sata and the PF had pledged to look into our welfare once in power. They had promised to even improve our monthly pension to sustainable levels. Unfortunately, this promise has not materialised to date, at least for me and a host of my colleagues I know.
I appeal to our President to please consider our plight, especially that nobody appears to be interested in speaking for us. We do not have an effective union to represent us. Neither do we have a ministry that has been assigned to deal particularly with our issues and concerns.
[pullquote]I was one of those who woke up early on 20 September 2011 to cast a vote for change, secure in the expectation that I would finally receive my earned benefits. [/pullquote]
I recognise the fact that I am fortunate that I have lived this long to tell the story, of how my own country has forgotten about the plight of its ex-servants. It is an act of God that l am still alive. And I am grateful to Him. Do not be surprised if you wake up tomorrow or the day after and learn that I have ceased to breathe. Obviously my death, like those of my colleagues long gone, won’t make the news headlines because nobody knows my name.
Many of my colleagues have died without receiving their benefits, leaving children in distress and poverty, shattering dreams of tomorrow. Nobody knew their names. Nobody listened to their cries. A majority of them died on the way to the Public Service Pension House, chasing their benefits, which they had worked for more than half of their lives. Even the families they have left behind continue to struggle to get this money. Today, as a country, we keep a noisy silence about these parents of the children that live, as if all is well and unmindful that we may be culpable for sending them to their graves prematurely. How many more will have to die before we pay attention to and hear the cries of those who have been unsuccessfully courted by death and survived this ordeal?
Is it that surprising that many civil servants today are reported to be stealing from their country? Every year, the Auditor General tells us of what has now become a ritual: so and so much public funds have been misapplied or misappropriated this year. We see a number of civil servants earning very little salaries erecting mansions in Chalala, New Kasama and Sunningdale. We see them buying expensive vehicles way beyond their income. (This is not to say there are no civil servants that are genuinely and legally investing in construction of housing estates, but an acknowledgement that there are some who are robbing their country, just like the Auditor General’s reports tell us. Wrong as all this is, I do not blame the civil servants who are misappropriating public funds. They are seeing how those who were in their positions yesterday are being treated today, how they are struggling, struggling even just to get that which is due to them.
The link between corruption and the ill-treatment of retirees is not hard to discern here. A mind-set that ‘I should steal or harvest as much as I can before I retire’ has been cultivated and entrenched. Why? Because they are increasingly recognising the fact that it is the surest way of avoiding our fate, of being turned into beggars tomorrow, as we are. I come from the KK generation where misappropriation of public funds was abhorred and where the dignity of both the current and previous public service worker was assured or guaranteed. Today, I am paying the price for serving my country diligently and with honour, honesty and distinction for close to four decades. Does the government realise the message they are sending to present workers by not paying retirees?
[pullquote]The link between corruption and the ill-treatment of retirees is not hard to discern here. A mind-set that ‘I should steal or harvest as much as I can before I retire’ has been cultivated and entrenched. [/pullquote]
Our plight is worse now that MPs are only speaking for themselves. And before Catherine Namugala attacks me, I wish to tell her that I have a wife, children, grandchildren and I understand the difficulties of sending children to school. I am a father and guardian of many and my children have had to be withdrawn from school because of lack of funds. When I talk of school, I do not mean those abroad to which politicians send their children. I mean public schools, those in Zambia where the rest of us send our children, where fees are low but too high for a retired civil servant like me, who has not received a penny for my services rendered to my country.
While Namugala, Effron Lungu, Jack Mwiimbu and their co-MPs are concerned about what will happen to them tomorrow, I can hardly make my ends meet today. While our MPs are afraid that they will wallow in poverty tomorrow, some of us are already living the nightmares of their worst fears, and getting to the next day is a struggle. While our MPs will get their gratuities even before their term of office expires, and will further be paid their mid-term gratuity prior to that, they should know that some of the people who elected them are going without retirement benefits for many years. They are already starving, they are suffering and lead terrible lives that should shame our collective consciences, especially those of our leaders.
It is not just MPs. Even the Minister of Finance Alexander Chikwanda is a culprit. He has given absolutely no attention to our plight. His annual budgets have promised many things to many people but nothing to retirees. Completely nothing. When the government awarded a pay rise to public service workers, no reference was made to us, the retirees. Does this suggest that even the Patriotic Front Government in which we deposited so much hope has no regard for people that contributed so much to the development of this country? Alright, I understand when the government says it does not have money because it can only give what it has and nothing more. But austerity needs to be equally shared among us all. It should not only be retirees sacrificing; all-from the President down to MPs, should.
[pullquote]While Namugala, Effron Lungu, Jack Mwiimbu and their co-MPs are concerned about what will happen to them tomorrow, I can hardly make my ends meet today.[/pullquote]
I had planned to invest my retirement package wisely. I drew up a plan of how to do exactly this. That vision is gathering dust today. My country has forsaken me. My leaders have now turned into spokespersons of their own interests. What happened to being the representatives and spokespersons of the people? Who will hear and advance our cries and concerns as retired civil servants? Who will speak for us? Is this the best way to treat us after many years of service to our country?
Not paying a retired person is tantamount to killing me, especially after using me for the most productive part of my life. This is not the way to treat fellow human beings, to treat fellow citizens. A more fair, just and humane approach is needed. I appeal to President Sata to help us get our benefits. I speak on behalf of many retirees, who are supportive of you and your government and who remain confident that you can help us to celebrate our Jubilee meaningfully. Mr President, are you hearing me?
The Catholic bishops have strongly condemned same sex marriages and other unions that go against human nature and natural law.
The Bishops in the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) have since affirmed the institution of marriage as an indissoluble union of love between a man and a woman
AMECEA Chairman Rev. Berhaneyesus Souraphiel says marriage between man and woman is the only institution which is open to procreation and denounced any attempt to redefine marriage.
Rev. Souraphiel explained that Family life must be respected, promoted and protected so that it can provide men and women an opportunity to weave a social fabric of peace and harmony.
ZANIS reports that this is contained in a communiqué issued at the end of 18th AMECEA Plenary Assembly held in Lilongwe from the 16 to 26th July, 2014.
AMECEA consists of eight countries namely Malawi, Kenya, Sudan, Tanzania, Eritrea, Zambia, Uganda and Ethiopia.
And the Catholic Bishops have expressed sadness at the on-going conflicts in Sudan, South Sudan and Somalia.
Rev. Souraphiel said the bishops have deplored the suffering of the people in the named countries and other parts of the world.
He has since appealed to governments in the region to work hard and address the root causes of these problems to ensure protection of the lives of people and their properties.
The Reverend has further appealed for concerted regional and global efforts towards solving these problems being faced in the named countries.
The Powers of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to enter into a nolle prosequi have continued to come under criticism by members of the public.
The issue which was first raised at the Legal and Justice Sector Reforms Commission public sittings which opened in Lusaka last week, was also a point of petition yesterday.
A petitioner has observed that the State through the DPP has been using nolle prosequi to silence political opponents.
During its sitting in Mtendere township at the Catholic Church today, a resident Emmanuel Tembo petitioned that the courts be should be given the authority to either grant or deny the DPP to enter into a nolle in court cases.
Mr. Tembo noted that in most cases the State takes the case to court without proper evidence and ends up entering into a nolle when it is discovered that it would lose.
Mr Tembo stated that political opponents and other innocent citizens are denied justice whenever the State enters into a nolle as they would be waiting for investigations into a case which he said doesn’t happen hence his suggestion that there should be a time frame for the State to enter into a nolle.
In response to the petition on the powers of the DPP to enter into a nolle, Director of Public Prosecutions Mutembo Nchito explained that the State takes such legal action in order to ensure that an accused person receives justice in court.
Mr Nchito explained that 99 percent of cases the State enters into a nolle do not involve politicians but mere citizens in order to allow further investigations so that no party is unjustly treated .
He added that statements to insinuate that a nolle is meant for political opponents were baseless.
Similar observations on the powers of the Director of Public Prosecutions to enter into a nolle were made by petitioners at the Lusaka Civic Centre and Chawama public sittings last week.
The Justice Fredrick Choma led Commission will today be sitting in at Dzithandizeni Trades School in Lusaka’s Garden compound.
And Mr. Tembo has appealed to the commission to quickly enquire into the operations of the Zambia Institute of Advance Legal Education (ZIALE) which he has accused of deliberately limiting the number of practicing lawyers in Zambia for selfish reasons.
He said due to the limited the number of lawyers in Zambia, practicing lawyers have taken advantage of their clients to charge exorbitant fees while many who cannot afford to pay have ended up in prison due to lack of legal representation.
President Sata decends from the presidental chopper
The ruling Patriotic Front-PF in Kapiri Mposhi district has condemned the request by opposition political parties and civil society organizations to meet President Michael Sata at State House.
Kapiri Mposhi District PF Chairman Smart Mwila said the request was in bad faith and offensive to the dignity of the office of the President and the ruling party and should therefore not be entertained.
Mr. Mwila accused opposition political parties of wishing the President bad luck and wanting to gain political mileage from the matter.
“They are preaching bad omen against the President but at the same time they want to see him … we want to ask through our party leadership at National level not to allow this to happen because their thinking is negative”, Mr. Mwila said.
Mr. Mwila said this on Saturday during the district fundraising dinner for Kapiri Mposhi District PF Executive Committee which was officiated by PF Deputy Secretary General Bridget Atanga.
There have been calls from the opposition political parties and some civil society organizations for government to allow them meet the head of state at State House to ascertain his health.
But Mr. Mwila said the demands were ill-timed and maintained that President Sata was well and working as he should.
“The calls for the opposition to meet the President are in bad faith and should not be condoned because the President is working as he should in line with the mandate that the Zambian people gave to him and the PF”, Mr. Mwila said.
Mr. Mwila asked God to bless President Sata more and allow him to complete his development agenda mandated to him by the people of Zambia.
The Green Party says it has identified medicinal marijuana as one most viable high value crop which zambia should consider growing at commercial level.
Party leader Peter Sinkamba says his party considers this as a priority high value crop, as there is a ready market for it.
He says when the green party forms government, it plans to review the narcotics laws so that marijuana is legalized the production and export of medicinal marijuana.
He says harnessing this potential can go a long way in terms of contribution to Gross Domestic Product GDP and reduction of souring external debt as well as salvage the value of kwacha.
Mr Sinkamba who was speaking at a press briefing at the Green Party secretariate in kitwe this morning adds that the Green Party believes that marijuana needs to be repositioned in its rightful place as a medicine, as well as effective contributor to the social and economic development.
Meanwhile Mr Sinkamba says when in government all the construction activities will be given to the army.
He says the army in zambia have the capacity to do the construction services in the country.
Mr Sinkamba argues that this is the only way that the money will remain in the country and benefit the local people.
He notes that all the money which government is borrowing towards the infrastructure development is not benefiting the people because the funds go to the foreign companies engaged to do the works.
THE Holy Fire Ministries Bishop, was arrested last week for allegedly sexually abusing young girls, has been charged with indecent assault.
Copperbelt police commissioner Joyce Kasosa confirmed the charging of Bishop Dominic Nyondo 47, of House number 853 Kapoto township in Kitwe an interview today.
Ms Kasosa could however not give details of the charges but only that the clergyman has officially been charged following his arrest last week.
Bishop Nyondo is accused of sleeping with the girls aged between 14 and 20 years between 2010 and 2013 in the former Kitwe council farm across the Kafue River on the mountain top on the pretext that he was exorcising their demons.
Meanwhile the church has since been deregistered following allegations of indecent assault and sexual abuse scandals at the church.
Registrar of Societies Kakoma Kanganja shut down the church based in Bulangililo, Kitwe, to stop any further abuse and disturbances to the public.
FORMER Zambia Railways Limited (ZRL) chief executive officer Clive Chirwa has been found with a case to answer in the case of abuse of authority and failure to disclose interest.
Lusaka principal resident magistrate Obister Musukwa placed Chirwa and his co-accused, former ZRL director of finance Regina Mwale, on their defence to answer charges of abuse of authority leveled against them.
Mr Musukwa said in his ruling yesterday that the State had established a prima facie case against Chirwa and Mwale to warrant the court to place them on their defence.
Mr Musukwa said that after analysing the evidence from the prosecution witnesses and the submission filed in court, he was satisfied that the prosecution had proved its case against Chirwa and Mwale beyond any reasonable doubt.
This is in a matter in which Chirwa, 58, of plot 206/101, Ibex Hill, an academician, is in the first count charged with failure to disclose interest contrary to the laws of Zambia.
He is in the second and third counts jointly charged with Mwale, 50, 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, an amount which was beyond his entitlement.
After the ruling, Chirwa and Mwale through their defence lawyer Mulilo Kabesha informed the court that they would give sworn evidence.
Mr Kabesha said while Chirwa would not call any witness and depended on his sole evidence, Mwale would call two other witnesses in addition to her evidence.
Mr Musukwa set August 6, 2014 as the date Chirwa and Mwale would open their defence.
State witnesses, including former ZRL board chairperson person Mark Chona, testified how Chirwa allegedly failed to declare interest to the board that Clavel Incorporation was his company.
The witnesses also disclosed to the court how Chirwa and Mwale authorised the payments of his accommodation to Falls Ways above his entitlement as CEO for ZRL.
Two Zambian students at Rhodes University in South Africa have died in a Canoe accident at Settlers Dam in Eastern Cape.
The two identified as Mr Mohammed Musa and Mr Rizwan Bhayat were in their third academic year of study in Commerce and Pharmacy.
They together with one of their friends rented a boat early Saturday morning at Settlers Dam, which is situated in the Thomas Baines Nature Reserve.
They encountered difficulties in the high wind and the canoe capsized.
Their friend managed to swim ashore and made his way to a neighbouring farm, where he raised the alarm.
He was then taken to Settlers Hospital where he received medical attention and was discharged.
The Acting Vice-Chancellor Dr Mabizela and other senior university officials arrived at the Settlers Dam soon after the alarm was raised on Saturday.
The South African Police Service, the police dog unit and police divers were on the scene until night fall on Saturday, when the search was called off for the day.
The Thomas Baines rangers searched the reserve and neighbouring farms for the students.
Police divers resumed their search on Sunday morning and the bodies of the two students were recovered around 14h10 and 15h55.
Parents and other family members of the two students arrived in Grahamstown on Sunday and were at the Settlers Dam throughout the day as the divers searched for the bodies of their sons.
The senior leadership of the University was there as well to support the two families.
Acting Vice-Chancellor Dr Sizwe Mabizela said. “I wish to record our sincere appreciation to the South African Police Services, their dog unit and their diving team for the professional manner in which they carried out the search for the two students.”
“I also wish to acknowledge with thanks and appreciation the support provided to the surviving student by Mr and Mrs Macleod, whose farm lies adjacent to the Thomas Baines Nature Reserve. On behalf of Rhodes University, I extend our deepest condolences to the families and friends of the deceased.”
