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Opposition APC President Nason Msoni has urged the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) and other law enforcement agencies to investigate claims by PF general Secretary General Wynter Kabimba that some Kenyans were smuggled in to country during the 2011 polls to participate in the nations electoral process.
Speaking in an interview Mr. Msoni said the ECZ, Zambia Police and other law enforcement agencies should take the mater seriously as it borders on electoral malpractice and criminal elements as outsiders are not suppose to interfere in the internal electoral process of the country without accreditation from ECZ.
He noted that the problem with Zambia’s politicians is that they have become too immoral and stop at nothing to secure victory in elections saying; “Mr. Kabimba has said it himself, there is no morality in politics, anything goes as long as you win an election.”
During his party mobilization tour of Eastern Province last week, Mr Kabimba was quoted as saying that he smuggled through Nakonde border some Kenyans who came to conduct parallel voter tabulation (PVT).
Mr. Msoni argued that there should be morality in politics and that it was immoral for the PF Secretary General to smuggle foreign nationals to participate in the country’s electoral process.
“There must be morals in politics, its immoral for anyone to impose foreign nationals whether they are Kenyans, Tanzanians to come and interfere or participate illegally in our electoral process we think that was unfortunate.
In civilized democracy the Justice Minister (PF Secretary General) would be under investigation but as usual in this country nothing counts; everything goes.
We hope that the ECZ will take up this matter seriously even the police can take this matter cause it borders on criminal elements,” Mr. Msoni said.
He added, “any legally invited people are accredited by the ECZ as the only body entrusted to run elections in the country. Outsiders that want to come and participate are invited officially by the ECZ so if there were all these elements who were not accredited it means that they were up to no good and they effectively interfered in our electoral process.”
And Mr. Msoni says the revelations by PF Secretary General gives the opposition firm grounds to contest the 2011 elections.
Mr. Msoni wondered how republican president Michael Sata benefited from the smuggling in of Kenyans into the country to take part in the country’s electoral process.
“There is every reason to contest the 2011 elections that Mr. Sata was not elected as president fairly. Further we need to be told how this same process benefited Mr. Sata personally,” Mr. Msoni said.
Mr. Msoni was commenting on recent revelations by PF Secretary General Wynter Kabimba that he smuggled some Kenyans to participate in the 2011 elections to do parallel voter tabulation (PVT).
First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba speaks with ZAAA President Elias Mpondela upon arrival at Mulungushi International Conference Centre for the Inter Company relay 2014 Gala Dinner- Multi Chioce ‘ So much more Healthy Living’ Gala Dinner in Lusaka on Friday, June 13,2014 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
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First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba being greeted by Airtel Chief Commercial officer Alok Verma (r) upon arrival at Mulungushi International Conference Centre for the Inter Company relay 2014- MutiChoice ‘ So much more Healthy Living’ Gala Dinner in Lusaka on Friday, June 13,2014
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First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba take to the dance floor during the ICR-Multichoice ‘So much More Healthy Living’ Gala dinner at Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka on Friday, June 13,2014 . With her are Vice-President spouse Charlotte Scott, Chief and Traditional affairs minister Prof Nkandu Luo and Airtel Chief Commercial officer Alok Verma (l) -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
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First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba take to the dance floor during the ICR-Multichoice ‘So much More Healthy Living’ Gala dinner at Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka on Friday, June 13,2014 . With her are Vice-President spouse Charlotte Scott, Chief and Traditional affairs minister Prof Nkandu Luo -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
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First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba take to the dance floor during the ICR-Multichoice ‘So much More Healthy Living’ Gala dinner at Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka on Friday, June 13,2014 . With her are Vice-President spouse Charlotte Scott, Chief and Traditional affairs minister Prof Nkandu Luo and Airtel Chief Commercial officer Alok Verma (l) -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
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First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba take to the dance floor during the ICR-Multichoice ‘So much More Healthy Living’ Gala dinner at Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka on Friday, June 13,2014 . With her are Vice-President spouse Charlotte Scott, Chief and Traditional affairs minister Prof Nkandu Luo and Airtel Chief Commercial officer Alok Verma (l) -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
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First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba take to the dance floor during the ICR-Multichoice ‘So much More Healthy Living’ Gala dinner at Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka on Friday, June 13,2014 . With her are Vice-President spouse Charlotte Scott, Chief and Traditional affairs minister Prof Nkandu Luo and Airtel Chief Commercial officer Alok Verma (l) -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
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First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba take to the dance floor during the ICR-Multichoice ‘So much More Healthy Living’ Gala dinner at Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka on Friday, June 13,2014 . With her are Vice-President spouse Charlotte Scott, Chief and Traditional affairs minister Prof Nkandu Luo -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
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Team MMD preparing for the Inter company relay
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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.
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Dr Mumba leads Team MMD at the Inter Company Relay
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Dr Mumba jokes with Home Affairs Deputy Minister Stephen Kampyongo at the Inter Company Relay
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Dr Mumba at the start of the relay
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Dr Mumba and his Team MMD being interviewed by ZNBC’s Paul Shalala at the Inter Company Relay
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First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba during the 5 kilometre walk during the 16th Inter Company Relay in Lusaka on June 14 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
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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 yesterday took part in a 5 kilometre walk in Lusaka on June 14 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
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First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba during the 5 kilometre walk during the 16th Inter Company Relay in Lusaka on June 14 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
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First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba during the 5 kilometre walk during the 16th Inter Company Relay in Lusaka on June 14 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
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First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba jogging during the Inter Company relay.
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Chairman of MultiChoice Zambia Dr John Mulwila SC presents a gift to the out-going Director General ZNBC Chibamba Kanyama at his farewell cocktail party hosted at Lusaka’s Pamodzi Hotel as MultiChoice acting public relations manager Mumbi Mutale looks on.
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Chairman of MultiChoice Zambia Dr John Mulwila SC presents a gift to the out-going Director General ZNBC Chibamba Kanyama at his farewell cocktail party hosted at Lusaka’s Pamodzi Hotel as MultiChoice acting public relations manager Mumbi Mutale looks on.
PATRIOTIC Front Secretary General, Wynter Kabimba and Eastern Province Interim Party Chairperson, Lameck Mangani, listen to questions from party members during a meeting at Luangwa House in Chipata
Patriotic Front (PF) secretary general Wynter Kabimba has denied reports that he was in Eastern Province to seek Paramount Chief Mpezeni’s support for his presidential ambitions.
Mr Kabimba said at no time did he tell Paramount Chief Mpezeni that President Sata had anointed him to take over the presidency of the PF after the expiry of Mr Sata’s presidential term.
Both Mr Kabimba and Paramount Chief Mpezeni have denied ever having such a conversation and have described reports as nothing but an attempt to cause confusion in the party.
But sources from Eastern Province have told the Daily Nation that Mr Kabimba had a meeting with Mpezeni at which he allegedly told the traditional leader that he was going to take over the presidency of the PF and needed the support of the traditional leadership.
The sources said some people who were part of the meeting when Mr Kabimba paid a courtesy call on Paramount Chief Mpezeni alleged that the Justice Minister told the traditional leader that he was the heir to the PF president and needed the support of the traditional leadership in Eastern Province.
The sources said Mr Kabimba went to see Paramount Chief Mpezeni without his Eastern Province PF chairman Lameck Mangani who has been accused by the Justice Minister of sponsoring a group of youths called Jimbos allegedly causing terror in the region.
The sources said Mr Kabimba had caused a lot of confusion in Eastern Province by openly attacking Mr Mangani and that the PF would have a lot of difficulties to win the support of the region in any election.
Mr Mangani when contacted refused to comment on anything saying he would rather wait to meet President Sata and Mr Kabimba to resolve the issues without involving the media.
“Why is it that some other media houses are not reporting what Mr Kabimba told Paramount Chief Mpezeni that he is going to take over from President Sata. He went to see the chief in the absence of the Provincial chairman Lameck Mangani and was canvassing for support and the chief told him that he would get his support because he (Mpezeni) is a strong supporter of the PF and President Sata,” the source said.
Mr Kabimba when contacted refused having had such a conversation with Paramount Chief Mpezeni and challenged the reporter to ask the traditional leader if he ever said he was the heir to the PF presidency. ‘I do not want to talk about that. Get to the Chief and ask him if we had such a conversation. I do not want to answer general questions about people claiming I have presidential ambitions just get what Paramount Chief Mpezeni has told you. There are no insinuations here unless you do not understand English,” Mr Kabimba said.
And Paramount Chief Mpezeni said Mr Kabimba was not asking for his personal support but for the party and President Sata and that as a traditional leader, he had no problems supporting the party in power.
Paramount Chief Mpezeni denied having been asked by Mr Kabimba to support his presidential ambitions stating that it was not correct for people to accuse the Justice Minister of habouring presidential ambiations.
The traditional leader said he was supporting Kabimba not as an individual but as a senior member of the PF government adding that the Justice Minister only talked about supporting President Sata.
The failure by government to pursue the matter in which defunct Zambian Airways owes the Development Bank of Zambia (DBZ) K14 billion has forced Zambian Voice executive director Chilufya Tayali to apply to join in the proceedings.
In his affidavit Mr Tayali has said the failure by the Attorney General Mumba Malila to protect public interest and the attempt by Minister of Finance Alexander Chikwanda to discontinue the case as well as the suspension of a Supreme Court Judge along with two High Court Judges over the same matter has compelled Mr Tayali to join the case.
Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Mutembo Nchito, his business partner Fred M’membe and Nchima Nchito are resisting to pay the K14 billion Development Band of Zambia loan which according to Judge Nigel Mutuna was obtained by fraudulent misrepresentation.
“My Lord, in exercising discretion whether or not to order joinder of the intending intervenor, the court ought to take judicial notice that at the behest of the Minister of Finance Alexander Chikwanda and the Solicitor General ordered to discontinue previous proceedings. Previous counsel Vincent Malambo had instructions withdrawn from him when he opposed moves to discontinue a matter that was awaiting judgment,” Mr Yayali said.
He argued that following the judgment in the case, two High Court Judges, Nigel Mutuna and Charles Kajimanga and Supreme Court Judge Philip Musonda were suspended and that a Tribunal led by Malawian Judge Lovemore Chikopa was constituted to investigate their alleged misconduct.
Mr Tayali in his skeleton arguments in support of notice of motion for non-joinder said he had decided to join the case after coming across correspondence suggesting that DBZ at the behest of the Minister of Finance Alexander Chikwanda and Attorney General Mumba Malila ordered to discontinue the case against Mr Nchito, his brother and Mr M’membe.
Mr Tayali said he was compelled to seek to join in the protection of public money after realizing that the Attorney General had deliberately failed to join the action to safeguard public interest. “My Lord, this application is brought partly pursuant to the provisions of Order 14 rule 5(1) of the High Court Rules, chapter 27 of the laws of Zambia which provide that if it shall appear to the court or judge, at or before the hearing of the suit, that all the persons who may be entitled to claim some share of interest in, the subject matter of the law suit or who may be likely affected by the result, have not been made parties, the court or judge may adjourn the hearing of the suit to a future day to be fixed by the court or judge and shall direct that such persons shall be made plaintiff or defendants in the suit as the case may be,” Mr Tayali said.
Mr Tayali said in his skeleton arguments that any person who ought to have been joined as a party or whose presence before the court was necessary to ensure that all matters in dispute were effectively and completely determined and adjudicated upon should be allowed to join in the matter
“This honourable court is thus urged to exercise its discretion in favour of the intending intervener and order to that the same should join these proceedings having demonstrated its locus standi in this public interest,” Mr Tayali argued.But Mr Nchito, his brother Nchima and Mr M’membe have objected to Mr Tayali application to join in the matter and have argued that the Zambia Voice chief in his application as an intending intervener was behaving like a middlesome private Attorney General.
President Michael Sata shakes hands with former Republican president Rupiah Banda at the commemoration of Africa Freedom Day at the freedom statue in Lusaka
On May 21 when they saw the president he never looked better. He had lost a large amount of weight and appeared very sick all of a sudden—sicker than the previous months. Word had gone round that it was a matter of time. Some speculated he had collapsed and was evacuated abroad while others said the evacuation had failed for fear of him not making it. They were preparing solemn vigils when a voice was heard on the phone.
“I’m fit.”
It was him, the president. He was talking to the editor of The Post newspaper.
“They are saying I have been evacuated, evacuated to where?” he asked. “I’m fit, very fit. I’m well.”
“Show him to us!” Zambian souls demanded upon hearing the president was fine and at his desk working. They wanted to cast their eyes on him. A couple of days back his sight had broken their hearts; their joys and hopes were dampened. To some the thought of riches to rags rustled their grief. Since that glorious September 2011, the years had flown all too soon. Frightening images of paucity lingered and rendered nightmares. To others, those he had fired, sued, persecuted, ridiculed, frustrated, and shamed, a sigh of relief was difficult to conceal. There was no pity in their eyes.
The phone rang. It was from my diplomat friend. “Phew that was close…”
Why Sata called The Post and not the state media
I was in another world. Something else was bothering me. Why did Sata choose to deliver such an important message through a privately-owned medium run by his one-time nemeses Fred Mmembe? Why did he not call ZNBC and have his voice recorded so we could hear him verbatim—gauge vocal vigor, and state of mind? Why did he not call the editors of the state media Times of Zambia and Zambia Daily Mail?
I know why; it is because Fred Mmembe is holding a bazooka to Sata’s head ready to pull the trigger should he break their covenant. The two are locked in an unconsecrated top-heavy cartel in which Sata, by virtue of being the head of state, is the chief mover (the benefactor) and Mmembe is the benefiter. It is this cynical arrangement that caused a feeble Sata to jump out of bed and, like a mad man, dash to court on that morning of May 21, 2014. I will elaborate.
Let me first qualify Sata’s role as a benefactor. When Sata called The Post on May 29, 2014 to inform the nation that he was fine, he was presenting Mmembe with a scoop. In journalism a “scoop” is a sudden news story of great appeal to a large audience. It is more or less a clincher or a diamond for it provides the requisite importance of news and is likely to increase readership and revenue.
Sata choosing to enrich Mmembe than pay state media staff on time
On the day Mmembe published Sata’s assurance his paper’s readership skyrocketed and so did its revenue. As has been the case since the Sata-Mmembe alliance, The Post, a paper that peddles sensational tabloid journalism has become the primary source of the news everyone is dying for. Times of Zambia and Zambia Daily Mail are left with no choice but to scavenge on The Post scoops. By the time their headline is hitting the street, Mmembe is on his way to the bank.
This has become a trend. Remember the assassination hoax doctored by Mmembe? It was announced through The Post. On that day The Post cashed in tons of money even when it was an inside job. How about the military coup exposé that turned to be false? Again it was a dollar raking day for Mmembe. It should perhaps explain why Times of Zambia is failing to pay its workers. The dysfunctional relationship between the state media and the president has left government news outlets dry and overburdened by financial shoestrings. Today, government-owned newspapers are teetering on the brink of collapse while The Post is enjoying monopolistic capital.
This is what I mean by the Sata-Mmembe conspiracy. It goes beyond this. It is a wider scheme that uses the office of the president to manipulate, and safeguard from outside intrusion any illegal arrangements. It is the reason we are seeing a mere newspaper owner make a fortune right before our eyes. Mmembe has made millions of dollars outside his actual business and is now richer than ever thought possible. His extent of wealth remains hidden from view, and it is getting bigger with Sata as an ally.
Mmembe has vowed to go down with Sata
Sata has no choice but to succumb. He is afraid of Mmembe and deeply distrusts him. It is possible that Mmembe knows where Sata’s “secret assets” are buried. This was brought to Sata’s attention back in September 2011, when he [Sata] attempted to demolish The Post with his “carrot and stick” stratagem. When he poached the bulk of the Post staff and left Mmembe with an unpaid DBZ debt, countless enemies, and numerous libel cases, he [Mmembe] vowed to go down with him.
There is enough dirt to excavate—Sata’s hidden wealth, the missing $8.5million from the Zamtrop account, corruption, money laundering, nepotism, favoritism, and suspicious deaths in Sata’s MMD [Sata was the Secretary General and FTJ’s confidant]. And of course Ilunda Chalo Investments Limited, a company owned by Sata and Wynter Kabimba which has earned the pair millions of dollars through unscrupulous lucrative roads contracts.
Had Mmembe fallen, he would have gone after Sata’s involvement in Ilunda Chalo the way he did with the Mezarf project. Back in early 1990s, Mmembe accused Sata of stealing and pocketing ZK1billion of the MERZAF money. Sata sued for defamation and was granted judgment. This marked the beginning of their acrimonious rivalry. A bitter Mmembe embarked on a witch-hunt of untold proportion and uncovered a chunk of Sata’s dark past and put it in his database. Sata knows about this and it worries him deeply.
Sata, Kabimba, and Mmembe running an insulated cartel
It is with this in mind that he has cut a deal with Mmembe. It is common knowledge that he has pledged to shield Mmembe from prosecution of any past crimes including the Zambian Airways saga. And by virtue of being Sata’s business partner, Wynter Kabimba has also embraced Mmembe. These three men, two posing as politicians and one as a businessman, have profusely hugged and created what is undeniably the most insulated cartel in the country.
Mmembe now uses his newspaper as a little more than a cover for far more lucrative business. Last year the Daily Nation reported that two Post Newspaper Courier trucks carrying multi-million kwacha of copper believed to have been stolen were impounded in Solwezi. The case went under water. But one case that is not going away is the “DBZ vs. Mmembe and Nchito” ZK14million loan recovery. It is Sata’s biggest nightmare because it rattles his pledge to Mmembe.
Many pundits have speculated that it was in an effort to deflect Mmembe’s guilt of wrongdoing that Sata suspended Justices Philip Musonda, Charles Kajimanga and Nigel Mutuna, and appointed a tribunal. Sata obviously did not like the course the trio was taking. Using his authority and power, he appointed a foreign judge as head of the tribunal so he could have a firm grip on the case and ensure Mmembe and his associates walked away without paying a penny.
Sata caught between Mmembe and Sakala
Aware of Sata’s motive, Zambians have continued to express their sentiments over the matter. In the face of a foundering tribunal, UNZA lecturer Choolwe Beyani wrote an article in the Daily Nation intimating that Sata had ordered DBZ to abrogate the contract of its lawyer Vincent Malambo in an attempt to prevent DBZ from suing Mmembe and Mutembo Nchito. Sata sued the paper for defamation and as of May 21, 2014, the defamation suit and not the Mmembe-Nchito case has taken center stage. By suing the Daily Nation Sata has opened the Pandora’s Box. He is caught between two newspaper proprietors who know him best—Mmembe and Richard Sakala, owner of the Daily Nation.
Sata and Sakala are ex-conspirators. Both are creatures of the worst corruption in the history of Zambia in which millions of dollars disappeared from government coffers. Sakala, who served as Chiluba’s press aide was, in 2006, arrested, indicted and served prison for corruption and abuse of authority. At the height of his state house stint he was in constant touch with MMD Secretary General Michael Sata. It is obvious the two got to know each other better and shared a frequent cordial tete-a-tete.
Time to chop off the ugly head
Since Sakala came out of prison he has been on the hunt. After what he endured, it pains to see Sata and Mmembe become lucrative and absolute at the expense of poor Zambians. It hurts even more to see them walk scot-free for a similar crime. It is on this basis he started his own newspaper. It is serves as a lure. When Sata filed his defamation suit he fell into the trapping pit and Sakala immediately sunk his unyielding teeth into his flesh.
Those who underrate Sakala must be cautioned. He has in his possession a much wider and deeper database than can be imagined and intends to put it to good use. Sata knows this and it this that is causing him to act irrationally. His hasty appearance in court on that May 21st was an attempt to pre-empty Sakala’s testimony. But being the man he is with characteristic paranoia and reckless abandon, he shot himself in the foot and kissed his own immunity goodbye.
Now Sakala and his legal team have an opportunity to chop off the ugly head of the Sata-Mmembe cartel before it spreads its tentacles and reproduces itself on an uncontrollable scale. If they succeed, they will be saving the country millions of dollars, and not only that, they will provide great relief to Times of Zambia and Zambia Daily Mail.
If, on the other hand, they fail, we should not ignore or shunt the Sata-Mmembe cartel to the side-track of disregard, but must confront it head on because it is a form of corruption that is the destruction of our country.
Please Note: I have created a website www.aruwebooks.com on which you can access all my articles, essays, books, and my autobiography. On it you can also learn more about the books I have written and read snippets of chapters. Contact me, blog, or join in the debate.
Minister of Transport and Communications Hon. Chinese Ambassador H.E. Zhou Yuxiao
Outgoing Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Zhou Yuxio has called on the Zambian Government not to rely on the mining sector alone but to invest in science and technology if the country is to develop.
Ambassador Yuxio said in modern society when you want to develop minerals are necessary but they are not the only capital you need as countries such as china among others have developed without minerals.
Speaking in Kabwe when he handed over 40 computers and related equipment to Mulungushi University laboratory worth over USD 40,000 through Huawei Technology Ambassador Yuxio said it is important for the Government to expand and invest in education.
[pullquote]Ambassador Yuxio said illiterate people cannot contribute to the development of the country hence the call for the Government to invest in the education sector.[/pullquote]
Ambassador Yuxio said the economy can improve very fast if the country invests heavily in the education sector especially in the natural sciences.
‘When China closed itself in the first 30 years and education was not emphasised the country’s development was slow and in 1978 when the country reformed itself the Gross Domestic Product(GDP) per capital was only USD2000 but after it opened itself and emphasised education the GDP has increased to USD7000’, Ambassador Yuxio said.
Ambassador Yuxio said illiterate people cannot contribute to the development of the country hence the call for the Government to invest in the education sector.
Ambassador Yuxio also challenged Zambians to work for the development of the country through patriotism, devotion and contribution even as the country celebrates its golden jubilee.
Ambassador Yuxio said if people don’t have patriotism for their country after education they may leave for a better life without contributing to the country and that will be a problem as no one can develop Zambia more than the citizens themselves.
[pullquote]‘It is unfortunate that the Zambian people leave the mines to be mined by foreigners while they go to do mining in a further country, which is difficult for me to understand’, Ambassador Yuxio said.[/pullquote]
He said China has been sending doctors to Zambia since 1978 and they have been working well serving the Zambian people while many Zambian doctors leave the country for greener pastures instead of contributing to their country.
Ambassador Yuxio said no other country can satisfy the needs of Zambia but the people themselves.
Ambassador Yuxio said it is sad that a number of mining engineers leave the country for greener pastures leaving foreigners to run the mines which has not show much progress as some foreign investors want to enrich themselves at the expense of the residents.
‘It is unfortunate that the Zambian people leave the mines to be mined by foreigners while they go to do mining in a further country, which is difficult for me to understand’, Ambassador Yuxio said.
Ambassador Yuxio urged the Government to come up with policies that foster development adding that correct policies are the most important keys to the development of any country.
He has since pledged to act as unpaid goodwill ambassador for Zambia wherever he would be as his term of office ends next month.
‘My Ambassadorship will end on July 10 this year, but my commitment to Zambia will not end as I will continue to speak positively about this country’, Ambassador Yuxio said.
He added that he enjoyed working in Africa for the past 15 years participating fully and contributing to the development of the continent at large.
‘I enjoyed working in Africa for the past 15 years many diplomats want to work in developed countries but I loved working in Africa where I was part of the many projects through my small donations’, Ambassador Yuxio said.
Meanwhile Minister of Education Doctor John Phiri thanked Ambassador Yuxio for the good counsel and commended the Chinese Government for the goodwill it has continued to offer to the country.
Dr Phiri said ambassador Yuxio is a blood brother because of the sacrifices the Chinese people have endured to develop Zambia from those dark days when Prime Minister Ian Smith of Rhodesia declared unilateral declaration of independence.
He said up to now the Chinese Government is executing projects all over Zambia which are changing the face of the country.
CHOMA Municipal Council (CMC) has issued 500 letters of warning since March 2013 to people building structures on illegally acquired land as demolishing exercise looms.
CMC assistant public relations manager Robert Zawe cited Kamuza, Chandamali and Zambia Townships as some of the prone areas where some people had illegally acquire land.
Mr Zawe said in an interview that the local authority had issued the 500 halting orders to people erecting building on land suspected to have been illegally acquired.
He, however said, the council was facing challenges to deliver more notices because most people who were constructing on such land, were usually not found at their premises.
Mr Zawe said the halting letters issued so far, were meant to stop the perpetrators from continuing to construct various structures on the illegally acquired pieces of land.
“Since March, 2013 to date, as a local authority, we have issued about 500 notices to people who have built structures on illegally acquired land and these letters are meant to warn them to stop their
activities,” he said.
Mr Zawe said, although some had complied with the warning from the local authority, other residents had continued to build.
He said the council would not tolerate such illegality by some people acquiring land which was not serviced by the local authority at the expense of stipulated procedures of obtaining land.
He said all structures built on illegal land were not well planned and they were disturbing infrastructure planning and development in Choma.
He said the council would continue sensitizing people on challenges of constructing on illegal land and urged them to cooperate with the officers executing their duties.
Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) President Kalusha Bwalya
Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee Vincent Mwale has clarified that the call to have the Office of the Auditor General move in to investigate allegations of financial malpractice at Football House is not meant to harass FAZ President Kalusha Bwalya.
Mr Mwale who is also Chipangali MMD MP says the forensic audit at FAZ will help Mr Bwalya clear his name.
He said the Parliamentary Committee is not interested in any witch hunt at FAZ but merely following up a matter of great public interest.
“There is nothing special about FAZ. As a Committee, our role is to support the work of the Auditor General, so if the Office of the Auditor General wants to move in, we will support them and if there any audit queries to be raised then we will ask Mr Kalusha to appear before our committee to clarify on those queries,” Mr Mwale said.
He said the Committee is not after tarnishing the image of Mr Bwalya but merely supporting efforts towards transparency and accountability in the utilization of public funds.
“What is true is that FAZ receives funding from the Treasury through the Ministry of Sports and it is only prudent that the Office of the Auditor General moves in whenever allegations of financial abuse are raised,” he said.
He said it would not be wise to ignore the fact that Mr Bwalya is a subject of an international investigations over the Qatar bribery scandal which he said raises questions about financial discipline at FAZ.
“I personally do not have anything against Kalusha as a person in fact the team I support which is Chipangali United has always supported Kalusha even during the time of the leadership turmoil I stood by Kalusha but we are talking about investigating allegations of financial abuse of public funds and it is important that Kalusha gets an opportunity to clear his name.”
The Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) says it is saddened by the recent tragic incident at Mpondo Camp in Mpika where villagers of Fulaza village in Musalangu Game Management Area rioted and destroyed the camp after a woman of the same village was killed by an elephant.
And ZAWA has urged people living in Game Management Areas to take extra caution and responsibility as the areas they are living in are primarily reserved for sustainable wildlife development and conservation.
ZAWA Communications and Public Relations Officer Mwila Muliyunda said the rioters looted and burnt down Mpondo Camp after accusing ZAWA officers of negligence and of being responsible for the death of a woman killed by an elephant while she was working in her field.
Ms. Muliyunda explained that the villagers forced ZAWA officers who had gone to repatriate the body of the woman for burial to take the body to the camp where a riot ensued and equipment as well as infrastructure wealth more than K95,000 was destroyed in the process.
She said the officers managed to whisk their families to safety before the riotous mob who burnt down the radio house to prevent officers from calling for back up could descended on them living behind their belongs in their tents which the mob looted before burning their tents
“On May 24, 2014, rioters burnt and looted Pondo Camp, accusing ZAWA officers of being responsible for the death of a resident of Fulaza village in Musalangu Game Management Area, after she was tragically killed by an elephant, while working in her field. ZAWA officers were immediately alerted to assist at the scene, and to facilitate the repatriation of the body to Mpondo Village for burial.
On arrival, a mob of villagers confronted the officers blaming them for her death. They then instructed that the body be taken to Mpondo camp, where a riot was started and the entire camp attacked. To prevent the officers from calling for help,the rioters burnt down the radio room and thereafter targeted the Village Game Scout houses, razing six of them to the ground. ZAWA equipment and personal belongings were looted and stolen.
Fortunately, the Game Scouts quickly managed to get their families out of the camp and hid them, and none of them were hurt.”
Meanwhile Ms. Muliyunda says though people are not prohibited to live in GMAs, communities living in these areas should realize that these lands are primarily meant for sustainable development and conservation of wild life hence should be more responsible and alert as they take care of their families as well as themselves.
“ZAWA is saddened by the loss of life and would like to re-emphasize the importance of communities living in these areas to be constantly cautious, alert and take personal responsibility in protecting themselves and their families.
ZAWA’s role is unique and complex and despite limited resources,our officers have to juggle to protect these communities from dangerous wildlife, while at the same time, ensuring that the animals are protected from human hostility and abuse, although we are not oblivious to cases where animals do stray into nearby communities, causing the frequent human-wildlife encounters.”
Mpondo Camp, which is located in East Musalangu Game Management Area (GMA) is strategically located to tackle the poaching threat in Chama District and on the North-Eastern border of North Luangwa National Park, which is home to Zambia’s only black rhino population.
And Ms Muliyunda said her institution together with its partner the Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS), which manages North Luangwa National Park,is scouting for over K95000 to replace the infrastructure and equipment which was destroyed during the riot.
11 eleven people have since been arrested and are detained in Mpika remand prison facing criminal charges.
This is contained in a press release released to the media by ZAWA Communications and Public Relations Officer Mwila Muliyunda.
Burnt down houses by riotersBurnt down houses by rioters
Promoted National Assembly rallied to draw away at Konkola Blades to remain unbeaten for a third successive league game.
The result 1-1 at Konkola Stadium in Chililabombwe on Sunday erased both sides recent two -match unbeaten run from their last two matches heading into this weekends game.
Striker Elson Mkandawire put Blades ahead in the 19th minute while Assembly equalised in the 76th minute through Peter Mangani.
Assembly and Blades stay put in sixth and fifth placed respectively but moved to 21 and 22 points after 13 games played.
Mighty Mufulira Wanderers made their intention of winning promotion back to the FAZ Super League clear after shooting to the top of the Division One North table on Sunday.
Wanderers opened up a one point lead at the summit of Division One North table after thumping visiting Zesco Luapula 2-0 at Shinde Stadium in Mufulira.
A goal in each half by regular scorers Ambungeni Kabuswe and Preston Musumali moved Wanderers to 28 points as at Week 14.
This was Mighty’s fourth straight victory of the season.
The Manfred Chabinga coached side have dislodged now second placed Kalulushi Modern Stars who drew scoreless with Ndola United in Kalulushi.
At Garden Park Stadium in Kitwe, Harrison Musonda scored a late goal as Mining Rangers beat Grinaker Lubengele 1-0 to maintain their place in the top six.
Promoted Mining now sits on 23 points from 14 matches going into the away mid-week match against Ndola United at Musa Kasonka Stadium.
Elsewhere, Chambishi silenced Kitwe United 3-2 in Chambishi Township.
Coach Tenant Chilumba is pleased with the 1-1 away draw Power Dynamos forced at Nkana in the big Kitwe derby on Saturday.
Striker Alex Ng’onga cancelled Ronald Kampamba’s 37th minute goal eight minutes from full time as Power came from behind to stole a point at Nkana Stadium in Wusakile.
Chilumba said getting a point in this away FAZ Super League Week 13 fixture was a bonus for the Arthur Davies outfit.
“To me this was a fair result. A draw away from home is OK. It is a bonus,” he said.
“It was a very exciting game, I think we struggled in the first half but we were tactical,” Chilumba said.
He maintained that Power were still in the race to win the league title.
“I am happy we are still in contention,” Chilumba said.
Nkana coach Zeddy Saileti described the draw as a fair result.
“1-1 draw is a fair result, I knew the local derby was going to be tough. In a local derby when you get a point it is a plus,” Saileti said.
He added:”We are still in contention we still have so many games to come.”
CHIPATA District Commissioner, Kalunga Zulu, briefs Justice Minister, Wynter Kabimba, when he paid a courtesy call at his office in Chipato
A Lusaka based non governmental organisation has raised the validity of ruling PF Secretary’s General Wynter Kabimba’s country wide tours when there are urgent national issues such as the New Republican Constitution to be worked on.
Youths for Transparency and Integrity (YTI) executive director Bright Muchima says Mr. Kabimba, who is also Justice Minister, should stop his countrywide campaigns and concentrate on the release of the second and final draft constitution.
Mr Muchima said the monies being used by Mr. Kabimba and his entourage could be used on the constitution issue.
He added that the Patriotic Front (PF) secretary general should as well honour the promise he made during the constitution summit organized by SACORD to release of the draft constitution before cabinet.
Mr Muchima said Mr Kabimba should also be busy attending to issues surrounding the undemocratic peace of legislature called the Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Act.
He said it is illogic for the Patriotic Front secretary general to be travelling instead of holding dialogue with stakeholders over the NGO Act.
Mr Muchima said Mr Kabimba should be organizing meetings pertaining to where the national referendum will be discussed.
He said that it is sad to note that Mr Kabimba is preoccupied with campaigns for his party ignoring issues that matter to the Zambian people.
Efforts to get Mr. Kabimba to comment on the matter were un successful by broadcast time.
However, the ruling Party Secretary General has stated that the decisions he makes are on behalf of the Republican President Micheal Sata who is the supreme leader of the ruling party and Head of State.
Mr. Kabimba is reported in the local media today to have said that he works for President Sata and acts on his behalf both in government and party affairs.
Chairman of MultiChoice Zambia Dr John Mulwila SC presents a present to the out-going Director General of Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) Chibamba Kanyama at his farewell cocktail party hosted at Lusaka’s Pamodzi Hotel as MultiChoice acting public relations manager Mumbi Mutale looks on.
Out-going Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) Chibamba Kanyama says during his 2-year tenure of Office, the public broadcaster doubled its revenue base and television levies to sustain the institution.
Mr. Chibamba says TV levies increased from K800,000 to K1.4 million contrary to general public assertions that the Corporation totally depended on government.
He however said that ZNBC requires massive re-capitalization in fixed and working capital to ensure that the migration process is satisfactorily addressed to the aspirations of the Zambian people.
ZANIS reports that the outgoing ZNBC Director General said this during a farewell party held in his hounour by the Corporation’s management at the mass media complex cafeteria, last night.
He urged ZNBC workers to work professionally without undue ‘external’ pressure if the corporation was to tick.
On his proposed 3-year strategic plan, Mr. Kanyama said he aims to create systems and build capacity at institutions he works for.
He claimed that he never sacked any employee under his rule but he managed to recall some of the former employees that were allegedly fired.
“Finally, to all ZNBC stakeholders, particularly members of the public, that gave me encouragement to provide leadership at the Corporation.
“ I do hope that the public will continue to render support to my successor, Mr. Maduma and ZNBC at large,” he said.
And ZNBC Board Chairman John Mulwila appealed to Mr. Kanyama to always avail himself whenever his expertise are needed by ZNBC.
Dr. Mulwila regretted that the Corporation would miss the services of Mr. Kanyama but quickly implored on the new management to follow the outgoing ZNBC management style.
He advised the incoming ZNBC DG Kenneth Maduma to take the corporation to the next level from from where Mr. Kanyama has left.
On his part, in coming ZNBC Acting Director General Mr. Muduma implored ZNBC workers to support him if the corporation was to tick.
And passing a vote of thanks, Sipo Sibutu appealed to ZNBC employees to emulate Mr. Kanyama’s managerial skills.
Mr. Sibutu implored the in-coming ZNBC Boss Mr. Muduma to continue from where Mr. Kanyama left.
The cocktail party was attended by other ZNBC Board Members among them Mr. Faides Katebe, senior ZNBC directors and government officials and ZNBC employees.
Chairman of MultiChoice Zambia Dr John Mulwila SC presents a present to the out-going Director General of Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) Chibamba Kanyama at his farewell cocktail party hosted at Lusaka’s Pamodzi Hotel as MultiChoice acting public relations manager Mumbi Mutale looks on.
President Michael Chilufya Sata talks to Transport, Communications deputy minister Panji Kaunda (r)
Government says the registering of trade schools as contractors will help create employment among the youths graduating from trade institutions.
Transport, Works, Supply and Communications deputy Col Panji Kaunda says his ministry wants to start awarding its contract to trade schools so as to help empower their graduates as they are skilled.
Col Kaunda has for this reason advised all trade institutions’ graduates to form cooperatives as government contracts will be given to trade schools.
ZANIS reports that the Transport, Works, Supply and Communications deputy minister said in Chipata yesterday when he paid a courtesy call on Chipata Trades vice principal, Christopher Zulu.
And Col Kaunda observed that under the new approach of job creation youths will benefit more when they work in cooperatives.
The deputy minister noted that often youths with skills are paid low wages by individual contractors a situation government intends to correct by awarding contracts to trade institution.
He further stated that from every contract a trade school will get ten percent while the rest of the funds will go to the cooperative.
Col Kaunda has since directed Chipata trades to recruit all former students in readiness to undertake various developmental projects in the province.
Meanwhile government has awarded the construction of the first ever radio station in Vubwi to Chipata trades institute.
The institute will supervise the construction works to be done by the former skills students.
And Chipata trades vice principal Christopher Zulu assured government of quality work as the trade school embarks on the construction of the Vubwi community radio station.
