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Nkana have shot up the table from 11th to 7th after a 2-1 home win over Konkola Blades on Wednesday in a FAZ Super Division Week 2 game at Nkana Stadium in Kitwe.
The 2013 champions secured their second successive win thanks to goals in each half by striker Ronald Kampamba and midfielder Claude Bwalya.
Kampamba put Nkana ahead in the 33rd minute with a cheeky flick over Blades goalkeeper William Chibale before rounding the latter to poke the ball into the back of the net.
Bwalya added Nkana’s second in the 51st minute when he finished off on the rebound after Chibale parried Evans Kangwa’s shot into the midfielders’ path.
However, Blades who were relentless throughout the 90 minutes equalised in the 57th minute through striker Elson Mkandawire with an ice-cold finish from close range.
Blades drop to number 8 following the loss after Nkana replaced them in 7th spot on nine points each.
Meanwhile in the other rescheduled Week 2 game at Konkola Stadium in Chililabombwe, Zesco United escaped with a draw at Konkola Mine Police in a match both sides finished with ten men each.
Striker Jackson Sunzu put Mine Police ahead in the 2nd minute before he was sent off in the 32nd minute.
Zesco had to wait until the 85th minute when they secured the point from the penalty that was converted by midfielder Cletus Chota who in turn was also sent off after his equaliser.
Zesco moved back into second place on 15 points, two behind leaders Power Dynamos after seven games played.
MTN Chiefs Sales and Distribution Officer Amon Jere having a ward with Emmanuel Sakala who developed called Zed Health Facilite whilst Joe Phiri developer Sherlock application is looking on during the launch of second phase of MTN application at MTN offices
Mobile operator MTN-Zambia has observed that Internet penetration in Zambia was still low. In a statement issued from Lusaka shortly after announcing Phase Two of the MTN Appathon application developers, MTN Zambia Chief Sales and Distribution Officer Amon Jere said there is need for Zambians to develop interest in and exploit the various data propositions in the country.
He noted that data in Zambia is wrongly perceived to be a preserve of the elite further saying providers are challenged to make it a mass market service as it has the potential to enrich people’s lives and in accordance with “our mission to make our customers’ lives a whole lot brighter”.
“Data in Zambia is wrongly perceived to be a preserve of the elite. As a provider we are challenged to make it a mass market service to enrich people’s lives and in accordance with our mission to make our customers’ lives a whole lot brighter. Data is critical for social and economic development of every country.
We are optimistic about our proposition as people will have easy access to information and improved communication between consumers, business and consumers and businesses to businesses as well as a tool for enhancing quality education,” he said.
Mr. Jere also said there is need to remove barriers for penetration saying MTN is already doing this through various initiatives including the provision the country’s fastest internet through 3G and 4GLTE as well as affordable and relevant devices.
As you can tell from our vision to lead the delivery of bold new digital world, we have strategically focused on the development of data in Zambia and we are continuously developing innovative and affordable ways to drive data and we are optimistic about our proposition as people will have easy access to information and improved communication between consumers, business and consumers and businesses and businesses.
Meanwhile, MTN Zambia today announced the second phase of the ongoing Appathon. The MTN Appathon is a competition that challenges young Zambians to develop their own computer applications and submit them to MTN Zambia. Successful applications will be uploaded on the MTN platform (Appstore) for public use.
Mr. Jere said MTN Zambia launched the Appathon to encourage innovation and give people a platform to showcase their talent. “Because these apps are home grown and data related, we are confident that data uptake will increase among our customers.”
“Over the years, we have noted with interest that Zambia has massive young talent that needs support and exposure in order to realise its potential. We will continue to receive brilliant and inspiring proposals from Zambia’s young talent and we feel this is the best way we can support and expose them.
The exposure for the developers, highlights the high demand and interest in open source solutions as we embrace the new world. As a leader in the digital space, we are optimistic about the possibilities which the MTN Appathon will bring,” he said.
The Appathon is running in two phases. Phase One: was the period for participants to develop and submit their apps to MTN for two months. Phase Two, will be the public judging period for one month where submitted apps will compete for downloads to qualify for the initial shortlist.
The shortlisted applications will be submitted to experts for confirmation of originality of concept, market relevance and commercial viability among other tests before being officially adopted.
The Appathon has been set in five categories: Entertainment & Lifestyle, Productivity, Games, Education and Health & Wellness.
The best applications in the each of the 5 categories will get a percentage of revenue from the application, K5,000 prize money, Samsung Galaxy S4 and free promotion of the application on MTN Play.
MTN Chiefs Sales and Distribution Officer Amon Jere shakes hands with Joe Phiri developer Sherlock application whilst Emmanuel Sakala who developed called Zed Health Facility is looking on during the launch of second phase of MTN application at MTN offices
A traditional leader in Mbala has appealed to government to urgently work on the road leading to his kingdom to steer development.
Sub chief Tanzuka of the Mambwe speaking people said the road leading to his area from Chipoka passing through Nsokolo has almost become impassable due its poor state.
The chief said his area expects to produce a bumper harvest for 2013/2014 farming season but worried how the produce would be ferried from satellite depots in the area to the main FRA shed in Mbala.
He said motorists were now shunning the area because the road, which was last worked on in 1968, has become impassable and travelling on it was risky to vehicles.
And sub chief Tanzuka has appealed to the Ministry of Education to consider upgrading Tanzuka or Mambwe Primary School to secondary status to enable more pupils in his area access secondary education.
He said a lot of pupils, especially girls, have dropped out of school because of walking long distances to Mbala Secondary School or Kayambi Secondary School.
The traditional leaders added that the situation is worsened by high school fees.
The chief hoped that the problem of pupils dropping out of school prematurely would be addressed by upgrading either Tanzuka or Mambwe primary school to a fully fledged secondary school.
Modernisation works at Zambia’s biggest referral health institution, the University Teaching Hospital, are bearing fruits, hospital Public Relations Officer Mwenya Mulenga has said.
Mr. Mulenga told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today that the modernisation works have been accelerated and works were on schedule.
He further said the construction of a new filter clinic will help reduce the congestion at the highest health facility in the country.
He said the works commenced in January this year but will only be completed after two years because of the amount of work to be done.
Mr. Mulenga said the road network in the hospital premises was dilapidated and needed to be worked on immediately.
He said the road works will involve the resurfacing of the road network and maintaining them at bituminous standard.
Mr. Mulenga explained that the maintenance of the road network at the institution will also help reduce the hustle of car parking area.
He said the hospital will have a modern car park which will accommodate about 400 cars at a time.
Mr. Mulenga said previously, parking space at the hospital was a huge challenge which also disrupted the smooth flow of operations.
PF Secretary General, Wynter Kabimba, has disbanded the interim Provincial Executive Committee in Eastern Province, saying the ruling party does not recognize it.
Mr Kabimba said this morning on Chipata’s Feel Free radio programme dubbed ‘The Big Issue’ that the interim committee in Eastern Province had no blessings from the Central Committee and President Michael Sata as required in the party guidelines.
He stated that the PF Central Committee only recognized Provincial chairperson, Lameck Mangani, who was appointed by the Head of State and part president.
Mr Kabimba, who is also Justice Minister, stated that for someone in the party to hold a position he or she is supposed be subjected to election and also have a letter from the Central Committee.
“I am thereby appealing to the wards, constituencies and districts in the region to end intraparty conflicts and infighting as it is taking our party backwards. We are the governing party and we expect to see maximum discipline and unity within the party more than ever before,” he added.
Mr Kabimba advised the Provincial chairperson to work with structures at district level to spearhead party programmes.
He also noted that all positions will be subjected to an election except that of provincial chairperson although he stressed the need to seek clarification from the President over the matter.
He further appealed to PF members in the region, Chipata in particular, to ensure that they were united and there was discipline and guarantee that the members were not fighting but spend their energies on party mobilization.
Mr Kabimba noted that burden for the party to remain strong and win elections depended on Mr Mangani who is party chairperson, adding that he should ensure the party remains united by providing leadership and discipline in the PF.
He appealed to Mr Mangani to ensure that the ruling party wins all pending by-elections in the province.
“He should show good leadership and discipline if the party gets stronger and wins the pending by-elections in Kasenengwa, Malambo, Petauke and Vubwi constituencies which are currently awaiting court ruling,” he said.
The SG also urges people in Eastern Province to rally behind the PF, failure to which he said the province would continue to lag behind in terms of development.
An unknown man in Chibombo District last night escaped a possible mob justice after he was caught naked near John Chinena Market.
A ZANIS reporter who accompanied the police and Chibombo Central Ward Councillor Robby Malindima to the scene, found a mob of people from the market and the nearby village questioning the man about where he had come from.
The man, who at the time had been given some clothes by some good Samaritans, could not however explain clearly where he had come from and how he had found himself in such a situation.
According to an eye witness, the man was spotted standing by the roadside near the market around 21 hours by some passersby.
The eye witness narrated that people did realize at first that the man was naked as he was standing in the darkness.
The eye witness said people only became aware that the man was not wearing anything after the headlights from the oncoming vehicle illuminated the place where he was standing.
The eye witness further said upon realising that he had been noticed the man tried to run away but was pursued by a mob.
And area ward councillor Robby Malindima said he was called by some informers at the market about the incident which he also reported to the police immediately.
Mr Malindima said it was difficult to establish the particulars of the man and what had transpired at the time because he could not speak clearly despite the mob not beating him.
Meanwhile, Mr Malindima commended the police for the quick response which he said had saved the man from possible lynching.
The Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) has observed that connecting all districts that are currently running on diesel generated power to the national electricity grid will save about US$ 8 million which it spends on fuel per annum.
ZESCO Acting Transmissions Director Webster Musonda disclosed that the power utility company spends about US$8 million on running diesel generators in districts that are not connected to the national electricity grid countrywide.
Mr. Musonda said ZESCO’s resolve to begin connecting rural districts to the national grid was meant to serve huge sums of money and to service its clients better because diesel generators were not reliable and have limited capacity.
He was speaking during his presentation at the stakeholders’ awareness and engagement meeting in Lukulu district of Western province today.
The presentation was on the North-western province electricity grid extension project to which Lukulu district in Western province will be connected.
Government, through ZESCO, has embarked on constructing a grid extension project in North-western province which will cost US$163 million.
And Deputy Minister of Energy Charles Zulu has warned people of North-western and Lukulu district to desist from acts of vandalism noting that this will promote the electrification project in their areas.
Mr. Zulu, who is leading a team of officers from his ministry and ZESCO on the sensitisation of stakeholders in the province, stated that government would want to fulfil the promises it made to the people by connecting them to the national grid.
He said government, through ZESCO, has already secured funds for the project and will not allow hindrances by some people hence the warning to stop acts of vandalism.
He pointed out that cooperation from people living in project areas would allow works to be
completed on schedule.
Mr. Zulu commended ZESCO for its commitment to its duty of connecting all Zambians to the national grid.
The team has held meetings with stakeholders in Solwezi, Kabompo and Lukulu districts and will proceed to Zambezi, Chavuma and Mwinilunga where the projects will also be implemented.
In all the districts where the team has had meetings, the chiefs, public servants and the business community have praised government for embarking on an ambitious project of connecting their areas to the national electricity grid.
One of the traditional leaders in the project area, who lives about 55 kilometres away from the main road, was happy that his palace will be electrified.
The chief has since appealed to government to consider working on the road which leads to his palace.
The traditional leader was also impressed to hear that all his subjects, who will be affected by the implementation of the project, will be compensated but he appealed to the contractor to give jobs equally amongst chiefdoms in project areas.
Government has repossessed the operation of Kamowa Airstrip in Luangwa District that was being run by a civilian company Yexley Zambia Limited.
This follows the expiry of the license issued to Yexley in June 2011, after the Ministry of Defence that had been operating the Airstrip from the 1970s during the liberation struggle of neighboring countries could no longer use the airstrip.
Defence Minister Edgar Lungu has told a media briefing this morning that Yexley’s license to operate the airstrip came to end on 31st December 2011.
Mr. Lungu says arising from non renewal of the license, Yexley sublet the operation of the airstrip to third parties an act that was also a violation of the regulation of civil aviation as it did not consult the Department of Civil Aviation before subletting the airstrip.
He says this has led to the recommendation that Luangwa District Council takes full responsibility of management and operations of the airstrip and should apply for a license from the Department of Civil Aviation.
Mr Lungu adds that the other recommendation is that due to the sensitivity of the area, no private tour operator should be issued with an operating license to manage the airstrip.
The status and existence of the Kamowa Airstrip in Luangwa District can be traced back to the year 1954 during the time it was being managed by the Council before the Ministry of Defence took charge of its operations in the late 1970s.
PATRIOTIC Front (PF) Secretary General Wynter Kabimba has that United Party for National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema was not attacked by PF members when he featured on a radio show in Ndola.
Speaking today when he featured through a telephone call on ‘Big Issue’ Radio Programme on Feel Free FM in Chipata, Mr Kabimba, however, condemned the violence which took place in Ndola.
Mr Kabimba said that Mr Hichilema was merely attacked by ordinary citizens who were angered with his outbursts on the Head of State.
“Mr Hakainde Hichilema was not attack by PF members but ordinary citizens who were angered with his outburst on the radio in Ndola,” he said.
Last month, Mr Hichilema disclosed that the suspected PF cadres attacked his entourage and interrupted an interview he was attending at a radio station in Ndola and that they were armed with among other things guns and machetes.
Mr. Hichilema said that he suspects that the PF cadres whom he referred to as being thugs may have come from Kitwe and Luanshya specifically sent to allegedly kill him.
Mr. Hichilema told the media that his conviction that the said suspected PF cadres came for his life is based on the fact that even after he left the radio station to open up his party’s new office in within Ndola, the same cadres pounced again on his entourage discharging fire arms while the Police watched the ordeal.
The UPND leader also wondered why up now the Police have not arrested any of the suspected PF cadres when they were present at both incidents when members of his party were being attacked by the suspected PF cadres.
Transport, Works, Supply and Communications Minister Yamfwa Mukanga (centre) poses for a photograph with new Zambia Railways board members at his office in Lusaka
Hjoe Moono
Yesterday Transport and Communications Minister, whom the President recently designated as ‘Chipuba’ unveiled the new Zambia Railways (ZRL) Board to the nation. After the Clive Chirwa drama and the immediate past board which comprised of highly learned and accomplished Zambians, one would have hoped that the new board would be better, and headed by a more innovative individual noting the huge amounts of money being channelled there from the euro-bond.
However, the new Chairman of the board, a Mr. Davis Chama was until a while ago PF Provincial Chairperson and was running media battles as recent as last year with Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba. Simply put, the ZRL board is headed by a cadre, whose experience overseeing national parastatals like ZRL is unknown. His experience, however, is that of organising PF campaign materials and party regalia—this is what party cadres do. We are set to see what this experience will bring to ZRL.
But appointing a man without any known accomplishments beyond party bickering to head such an institution makes one question what goes in the head of the appointing authority. Furthermore, one would heavily question the calibre and of thinking of his economic advisors and government ministers under which a parastatals like ZRL falls. This appointment can only make sense in the following situations:
(1) That the man appointed to chair ZRL is brilliant and innovative, and his time at the head of PF’s Lusaka Province had radically signalled his corporate governance skills that the president marvelled at his leadership and saw it fit to appoint him chairman of the board to help commandeer ZRL into a viable institution.
(2) That a bomb had struck Zambia and killed off most of its educated people, thus the need to move cadres across professions owing to the few number of educated Zambians;
(3) That parastatals like ZRL are not important players in the development process, even when millions are US Dollars from the euro bond are pumped into it, and as such, can be used as “holding rooms,” for PF cadres and politicians as well as reward those ‘loyal’ to the party.
Loyalty to the party is what the newly appointed head of the board had been preaching. And he must have distinguished himself as the most loyal among his peers to deserve such an appointment.
But beyond loyalty, the man now heading the ZRL board was neither brilliant nor imaginative—there is no paper trail of such–and his time at the head of PF’s provincial leadership has nothing in common with strict and value for money governance with a large corporation like ZRL. If the media fights he had with Hon. Wynter Kabimba are anything to go by, as a matter of fact, it would be difficult to imagine his performance in Parliament, if he ever won an election, its intellectual and moral standards notwithstanding—with the likes of convicted felons still roaming around our noble August House.
It seems that we are in the era of the highest order of the ‘Spoils System of Governance’—-To the victor go the spoils—and the ‘spoils’ of the Eurobond are now being harvested by cadres such as the newly appointed ZRL board chairperson. Beyond rewarding ‘loyal members’ of the party and those that supported and ensured that the president won the elections, there is nothing more to this appointment.
There is absolutely no value addition to ZRL in having a cadre head its board. We have seen this before when Fr. Frank Bwalya, a man that had worked so hard to ensure the PF’s victory in 2011, was rewarded with the Chairmanship of ZESCO. Clearly we saw nothing new to the operations of ZESCO beyond a confirmation of the ‘Spoils system of governance’ that was befalling our nation.
To manage government bureaucracies and head parastatals like ZRL well takes a combination of many qualities, talents and skills: program or technical expertise; organizational know-how; years of on-the-job experience; management and people skills; the wisdom of maturity; a high comfort level with relative anonymity; a willingness to subordinate private ambitions to the greater good of one’s public clients or programs; and, perhaps most significant, a long-term view with an abiding concern for the future of the organization one leads.
Most political appointees fall far short of possessing the requisite management skills. They have little interest in management and governance, and thus seldom even consider that as their proper role. They have a high turnover rate and few stick around long enough to acquire the requisite skills even when they are sufficiently talented and motivated to do so. They have no long-term commitment to the organizations they head—as the case of Fr. Frank Bwalya leaving the head of ZESCO board and forming his own party.
One would ask, was his chairmanship at ZESCO ever in the interest of Zambians or just a base on which he would launch his political career? And with that experience, how do you bring a cadre of the calibre as the newly appointed to head ZRL when history is still fresh with clear examples?
While all these serial and non-ending appointments are happening, Zambia is slowly becoming crowded with highly trained and motivated young unemployed or underemployed people that are eager to take on the mantle of corporate leadership. These are the people who end up working for cutting-edge companies and institutions abroad, helping to transform the lives of Americans, Europeans or South Africans, and, yet, the parastatals that were designed among others to play important roles in the development process in their productive, distributive, marketing or other capacities are the reserve of cadres with suspect governance experience. But then, what do we see? The sharing of Spoils type of governance, demotivating the youths of our nation, the very people that made possible the PF’s rise to power.
So then the question becomes: why would a government that intends to uplift the standard of living of its citizens insist on an action that so blatantly undermines that intention?
The only inference that can be drawn is that the number one priority of those making the appointment was not really uplifting people, but consolidating political support. As such, the criteria for the appointment were not brilliance, imagination, passion or commitment to changing lives of the poor, but uncritical loyalty to the appointing authority. The case of singing praises about how popular the party is; how 2016 twalageta nafuchi nafuchi is the only requisite for appointment. All this, at the expense of the country’s development.
History is there to teach and remind us of the dangers of having cadres head parastatals. We all saw from the Kaunda regime the ultimate dangers of having person worshippers taking on the role of merit managers. There is need for independent value for money accountability with the management of ZRL. The millions of dollars spent on revamping ZRL can not only end with political accountability of cadres to their masters, but to the Zambians who will have to pay back the debt.
Here in lies the need for a new constitution that would change that culture and reinstate meritocracy in which criteria for appointment to government positions would be informed by values and attributes such as passion, dedication, innovative and integrity, the overriding consideration being making a difference in the lives of Zambians, and not buying political loyalty and creating channels for plunder. But alas! As the law stands, the President enjoy sweeping powers over the appointment of boards and directors of State-owned firms, inviting intense political lobbying for the jobs.
As a politician, the new appointee contributed nothing to the struggle for democracy beyond political bickering in the PF, did nothing to change the political culture of violence, and contributed no useful ideas on development and social justice to warrant such an important appointment. Indeed, in comparison to the previous head of the ZRL board, he can be compared to David Moyes taking over coach-ship of Manchester United over Alex Ferguson: Pure Failure.
ACTING MMD national secretary, Chembe Nyangu has submitted to the court that party president, Nevers Mumba refused to abort the national executive committee (NEC) meeting despite serving him with an injunction.
Meanwhile, MMD chairperson for the tourism, Lucky Mulusa has applied to join in the matter where two MMD vice presidents have sued Dr Mumba for contempt.
The two, vice presidents for politics Michael Kaingu and his administration counterpart, Brian Chituwo have asked the Lusaka High Court to cite Dr Mumba for contempt for going ahead with the NEC meeting despite having being served with an injunction restraining him from holding the meeting.
According to the affidavit verifying communication of the injunction to Dr Mumba and other NEC members filed yesterday in the principal registry, Mr Nyangu stated that he only read statements from some NEC members and lawyer Makebi Zulu that no documents were served prior through the press.
Mr Nyangu said on April 27, 2014 around 14:10 hours while preparing for the meeting at the MMD secretariat, he was personally served by Messrs Milner Katolo and Associates what appeared to be an ex-parte injunction.
He said the injunction was granted by Judge Eddie Sikazwe restraining him from convening the NEC meeting on the same day and he acknowledged receipt.
Mr Nyangu said upon being served the injunction, he tried to call Dr Mumba on his mobile number but it went unanswered.
He then called Dr Mumba’s spokesperson Muhabi Lungu asking him where Dr Mumba was and informed Mr Lungu about the injunction.
He said later, Dr Mumba told him that he would go ahead with the meeting adding that while he was on the way to Kapingila house where the meeting was being held.
And Mr Mulusa has filed affidavit in support of summon for an order to join the contempt proceedings.
Mr Mulusa said that NEC members were surprised that on April 28, 2014, himself and four others, Dr Chituwo, Dr Kaingu, Dora Siliya and Tobias Kafumukache received disciplinary letters from Mr Lungu preferring charges against them demanding that they exculpate themselves within 10 days.
He said to avoid possibility of multiplicity of actions and to conclude the matter meaningfully, he needed to join the case because he believed that the notices of disciplinary action issued by Mr Lungu were illegal as he was appointed by an illegal meeting.
THE Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has summoned directors of Techmiya Commercials Limited, a company contracted to supply earth moving equipment worth K8 million from a United Kingdom (UK) to seven local authorities which have not been delivered.
PAC has since described as a scandal the transaction in which seven councils in southern province purchased earth moving equipment worth K 8 million from a UK based firm which to date have not been delivered.
Three of Techmiya directors are registered with Patents and Companies Registration Agency (PACRA) here in Zambia with the names Kapota Miyambo, Hambayi Milambo and Miyambo Chisala all of Rhodes park in Lusaka.
The committee chaired by Chipangali MMD MP, Vincent Mwale ordered the three directors to appear before it at a date to be later communicated to them.
The councils involved in the purchase of the equipment were Choma central, Dundumwezi, Mapatizya, Mbabala, Pemba, Kalomo central and Kazungula.
The councils had engaged Techmiya Commercials Limited of UK for to supply second hand earth moving equipment at a cost of K 8 million but to date the equipment had been delivered despite paying for the equipment in full.
In the case of Choma municipal council, the PAC heard how the local authority paid over K1.3 million to Techmiya Commercials Limited on April, 8 2013, 22 days before signing the contract on May 1, the same year and to date the equipment had not yet been delivered.
The PAC also wondered why all councils were single sourcing from the same Techmiya Commercials Limited despite the organization failing to deliver.
Choma town clerk Mwiiya Mwiiya had a tough time explaining to the committee how he carried out a transaction with Techmiya Commercials Limited without following proper procedures.
Mr Mwiiya said the equipment was still marooned at Walvis Bay and the supplier was holding on to the equipment because other councils had not yet paid the same supplier.
Local Government and Housing permanent secretary, Stanford Mschili who had a tough time defending the local authorities said Government would now move in and work with the International Police to bring Techmiya Commercials Limited to book over their failure to deliver the
equipment.
The PAC heard that most of the local authorities were introduced to Tekemiya Commercials Limited by their area MPs who had been approached by the firm to advertise their services.
Government would also discuss with the Zambian embassy in the UK on how best to recover the money or obtain the equipment.
But Mr Mwale wondered where the ministry had been since 2012 for it to start following up with Techmiya Commercials Limited now when Government had lost millions of Kwacha.
FORMER Information and Broadcasting Services minister, Newstead Zimba has told the court that he is a Christian who does not believe in divorce because experiences encountered by him after previous divorces have taught him lessons.
Mr Zimba, however, told the court when he was asked by his former wife, Naomi Mbewe’s lawyer as to what happened with his first two marriages if he did not believe in divorce that he divorced the first wife and abandoned the second one for Naomi.
This is in a matter where Naomi has appealed against the Lusaka local court’s decision to grant Mr Zimba a house on Woodlands’ Nalikwanda road after the divorce last year.
Ms Mbewe contends that she equally contributed to the purchase of the house while in marriage as such, she should also benefit from it.
Mr Zimba who is a former diplomat has also appealed against the local court’s decision to give Naomi one of the two vehicles claiming the vehicles were his.
[pullquote]“When I was in Foreign Service, I was getting a lot of money, K38 million per month at some point. I was already minister when I married her so I had money” he said.[/pullquote]
During continued trial before Lusaka resident magistrate, Ireen Wushimanga yesterday, Mr Zimba urged the court to throw out Naomi’s request saying he wholly bought the house on his own.
“When I was in Foreign Service, I was getting a lot of money, K38 million per month at some point. I was already minister when I married her so I had money” he said.
Mr Zimba said the money which Ms Mbewe was making from her Salon and other business was a hand to mouth.
He said that he allowed Ms Mbewe to co- hold the title of the house but that did not mean that she had contributed to its purchase and cannot claim ownership.
Meanwhile, Ms Mbewe’s lawyers yesterday asked the court to intervene over Mr Zimba’s decision to refuse to release Ms Mbewe’s personal property such as under wear, clothes and the house.
Ms Wushimanga has since advised Ms Mbewe to put in a formal application to the court so that the matter could be attended to.
Mr Zimba confirmed to the court that there were several personal things belonging to Ms Mbewe at his house but that he was not one who asked her to leave the matrimonial home.
THE Ruling Patriotic Front (PF) has said it was an illusion for Kasama Central Member of Parliament, Geoffrey Mwamba to rush to court to block his purported expulsion from the party.
Party Secretary General, Wynter Kabimba said the Northern Province PF committee had been in constant touch with Mr Mwamba from the day he was charged and suspended from the party but he neglected to respond to the charge.
Mr Mwamba was expelled by Northern Province disciplinary committee for conduct likely to bring the name of the party into ridicule, contempt, disrepute and acting dis-respectively to the party and officials pursuant to regulations of the party disciplinary code.
“It was an illusion for Mr Mwamba to conclude and pray to the court to find that the purported expulsion was illegal by reason of procedural impropriety and ought to know that the PF’s Northern Province committee had authority under the party’s disciplinary code to expel any member of the party,” Mr Kabimba said.
Mr Kabimba in response to an affidavit in support of summons to an interlocutory injunction not to expel Mr Mwamba from the party said the plaintiff’s application before court was unattainable because he flouted the party disciplinary procedure.
He further submitted that Mr Mwamba was not supposed to challenge the decision of the Provincial PF disciplinary committee that expelled him because he refused to appear before it and resorted to responding through the press.
“I have been informed that by Northern Province senior party officials that throughout the procedure when Mr Mwamba was slapped with a charge and subsequent suspension, he has refused, failed or neglected to respond to the charge or attend the meetings and the disciplinary hearings,” Mr Kabimba said.
He said Mr Mwamba was a senior party official who ought to have known that the decision of the provincial committee was not final as they were expected to submit their recommendations to the party’s Central Committee for further hearing and final decisions.
Mr Kabimba added that Mr Mwamba further neglected to adhere or to invoke the provisions of the PF disciplinary code to which he was duly bound as both member of the party and as Kasama MP.
Mr Kabimba also indicated that it was unattainable for Mr Mwamba to seek the Court to declare that the purported suspension and expulsion were null and void.
He said Mr Mwamba had not exhausted the normal administrative procedure by appealing before the disciplinary committee which would have submitted its new recommendations to the Central Committee.
