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UPND president Hakainde Hichilema (left) interacting with his lawyer Jack Mwiimbu
THE Livingstone Magistrate’s Court yesterday discharged United Party for National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema in a case in which he was charged with proposing violence after the State decided to discontinue the matter.
Magistrate Chinkashi Chilingala informed Hichilema that the state had received instructions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to enter a nolle prosequi against him pursuant to Section 81 of the Criminal Procedure Code Chapter 88 of the Laws of Zambia.
Mr Chilingala, however, told Hichilema that the discontinuation of the case does not stop the State from starting fresh criminal proceedings against him.
“I hereby discharge you accordingly, you may stand down,” Mr Chilingala said.
This is in a case in which Hichilema was facing one count of proposing violence.
Addressing journalists at the court premises, Mr Hichilema said there is need to review the justice system.
Minister of Finance Alexander Chikwanda has told Parliament that Government has saved K5.5 billion following the removal of subsidies on fuel, maize and fertiliser.
Mr Chikwanda was responding to a written question by Senga Hill MP (MMD) Kapembwa Simbao who wanted to know how much money Government has saved from the removal of subsidies.
“The Patriotic Front government believes that investing public resources in tangible projects that promote sustainable livelihoods and take people out of the poverty cycle is the most effective way of mitigating our people from economic dislocationsm including the removal of subsidies,” he said.
Mr Chikwanda explained that the money saved as a result of the removal of subsidies has been channelled to health, education and other social sectors.
He allayed fears that the removal of the subsidies would create food insecurity.
But Mafinga MP (MMD) Catherine Namugala said the removal of subsidies on maize would make mealie-meal prices go up resulting in hunger.
Who will be the 2013 Zambia footballer of the year?
This year’s winner will be crowned on Wednesday evening at Moba Hotel in Kitwe.
All three players chasing this year’s honour have never won the award but have all recently made notable impact for country and at their respective clubs over the last twelve months.
Favourite for the main prize is Nkana striker Ronald Kampamba who is hoping for a second successive double after winning the 2012 Young Player Award and Golden Boot for his 15 goals that season,
The 22-year-old faces the prospect of another double after scoring 18 goals to win the 2013 Golden Boot award and also guiding Nkana to the 2013 Super Division title.
He faces competition from Zambia home-based team captain Bronson Chama who led his club Red Arrows to their maiden Barclays Cup victory last November when they beat Nchanga Rangers 3-1 in the final.
Chama also captained Zambia to the 2013 Cosafa Cup title and a bronze place finish at the Cecafa Cup in Kenya where the team appeared as guest side.
The third nominee 27-year-old Kondwani Mtonga made telling impact in his debut year playing for Zambia with the major highlight coming in June when he was converted into a defender and replaced the then injured Stopilla Sunzu for the 2014 World Cup qualifiers against Sudan and Lesotho that month.
Meanwhile in the coaching category, Nkana coach Masauso Mwale has been nominated for a second successive year after losing out to ex-Zanaco coach Keagan Mumba in 2012.
Mwale’s last nomination was for saving Konkola Mine Police from demotion in their first season in the FAZ Super Division.
This time around, Mwale oversaw Nkana’s unprecedented 12th title triumph in just his first season at the helm.
Mwale is in contention for the coach of the year award with Tenant Chembo whom he beat for the Super Division title to see the latter settle for second best.
The two will be against Nchanga Rangers coach Fighton Simukonda who is chasing his third award in four years after winning it in 2010 and 2009.
Ex-Chipolopolo midfielder Kebby Hachipuka has joined promoted FAZ Super League side Indeni on a one-year loan deal from Choma Green Eagles.
Eagles coach Justin Chinama confirmed on Tuesday that his club has loaned Hachipuka to Indeni.
The 2009 CHAN bronze medallist spent the 2013 season at Power Dynamos but saw little action at Arthur Davies.
Earlier in January, Hachipuka had returned to Eagles before sealing a move to Indeni.
“We have loaned Kebby Hachipuka to Indeni. After moving from Power he came back to Choma Eagles but Indeni requested for his services,” Chinama revealed.
And Eagles have extended striker Aubrey Zulu’s loan spell at Zanaco for another season.
“We wanted to recall Aubrey but Zanaco resquested for his services again, since the player wanted to remain at Zanaco I said let him go back,” Chinama said.
Meanwhile, Eagles have recalled defender Tindi Mwanza from Red Arrows and winger Spencer Sautu from Forest Rangers.
Nathan Sinkala returned to action after serving his three match ban in France while William Njobvu had an eventful weekend in Cyprus.
CYPRUS
Midfielder William Njobvu played the full 90 minutes in second from bottom Enosis’ 4-1 over 6th placed Anorthosis Famagusta.
The win was struggling Enosis’ third win of the season after 21 games played.
FRANCE
Midfielder Nathan Sinkala returned from his three match ban on Saturday to play in Sochaux’s 2-0 away defeat at Lillie.
Sinkala started the match together with his compatriots Stopilla Sunzu and Emmanuel Mayuka although the latter was substituted in the 46th minute.
ISRAEL
-Defender Emmanuel Mbola played the full 90 minutes for 10th placed Hapoel Ra’anana’s 3-1 away loss to 3rd positioned Maccabi Haifa on Saturday.
-Striker Rodgers Kola was sidelined in 6th placed Ironi Kiryat Shmona’s 2-0 home win over 8th positioned Hapoel Haifa.
Former Defence Minister Geoffrey Mwamba’s dramatic entry in Parliament this afternoon momentarily disrupted debate on the floor of the house as he stole the limelight.
The Kasama central Member of Parliament who walked into the house at about 15:00 hours 30 minutes after the house was in session attracted cheers from Members of Parliament mostly from the opposition who called him by his initials GBM.
This forced Liuwa Member of Parliament Situmbeko Musokotwane who was debating on the floor of the house to pause as the Kasama central lawmaker proceeded to take his seat on the backbench amid continuing cheers.
Some Members of Parliament could be heard referring to Mr Mwamba as ‘umwaume’.
Mr Mwamba returned to Parliament as a backbencher as the house resumed sitting today having resigned from his ministerial position as defence Minister over the impasse surrounding the recognition of Henry Kanyanta Sosala as Paramount Chief Chitimukulu by government.
Zambia and Kuwait have signed a $14 million loan agreement for establishment of an ultra-modern Teacher Training College in North-Western Province.
The agreement was signed in Lusaka between the Zambian government and the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, whereby the Fund will extend a loan of $14 Million for financing the establishment of the planned Teachers Training College.
Acting Secretary to the Treasury Felix Nkulukusa signed on behalf of the Zambian government, while Hamad AI-Omar, Deputy Director-General of the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development signed on behalf of Kuwait.
The loan agreement is for a period of 24 years, preceded by a 4 year grace period.
Speaking at the signing ceremony Mr. Nkulukusa said the aim of the project was to improve quality and increase access to teacher training education through establishment of a Teachers Training College in Science, Mathematics and Technology.
He said that the Project, which is expected to commence during the first half of 2014 and is scheduled for completion by end 2015, will contribute to meeting the country’s demand for Teachers in Science, Mathematics and Technology.
Mr Nkulukusa assured Zambians that the acquisition of the loan facility does not in any way expose the country to unsustainable debt burden.
He said that the Treasury is mindful that borrowing within national and international limits is necessary to ensure that Zambia’s debt burden remains manageable.
Mr. Nkulukusa stated that the implementation of the project would reinforce the implementation of government’s nationwide economic programme which is aimed at creating one million jobs within five years from 2011 to 2015.
Speaking on behalf of Kuwait, Mr. AI-Omar disclosed that the project involves the construction of buildings and infrastructure, and the supply of furniture, educational equipment and tools.
He explained that the total cost of the Project, including contingencies for quantities and prices is estimated at $20 million.
Mr Al Omar said that the Kuwait Fund will cover about 70% of the total costs of the project while the remaining costs will be covered by the Zambian Government.
FILE: An amatuer video producer takes time to smoke marijuana during the Bob Marley Memorial concert in Lusaka west.
The Drug Enforcement Commission has arrested 18 people from Lusaka’s Chibolya Compound for trafficking in various quantities of marijuana after an operation conducted last Friday.
Among those arrested is Mariah Mtonga, 36, a former radio personality of a renowned radio station in Lusaka residing at House No. 7 Pelekani Road in Makeni for trafficking in 0.6g of cannabis and a 16 year old boy of Chibolya for trafficking in seven (07) balls of cannabis weighing 16.5g.
Of the 18 suspects arrested, six (06) are residents of Chibolya while the rest are from other parts of Lusaka but were found trafficking in cannabis in Chibolya compound.
Meanwhile, the Commission has arrested a Cashier of a named bank in Mazabuka for money laundering activities involving over K80 thousand.
Chris Chani, 27, a Cashier of House No. 987 St Edmunds Extension in Mazabuka has been arrested for theft by servant contrary to section 278 of the Penal Code and fraudulent false accounting contrary to section 326 (b) of the Penal Code Cap 87 of the Laws of Zambia.
Particulars of the offence are that Chris Chani, on dates unknown but between 1st November, 2013, and 31st January, 2014 in Mazabuka District, jointly and whilst acting together with other persons unknown did steal K82, 467.90 by making false accounting entries on the accounts of unsuspecting customers of the Bank purporting to show that the customers had actually withdrawn the money when in fact not. The cashier debited the customers’ accounts without their consent or authorization and later claimed that they were miss posts.
Chief Government Spokesperson, Mwansa Kapeya said investigations into the leaked final draft constitution circulated on the internet last month are still ongoing.
Mr. Kapeya could not however say how long the investigations will take to be concluded.
He however said that government will avail the public with the findings of the investigations once they have been concluded.
Asked what is government’s position on the constitution making process which seems to have stalled, Mr. Kapeya has told Qfm News in a telephone interview that government is first dealing with the issue of the investigation into the leaked document.
Kasama Central Member of Parliament Geoffrey Mwamba has bragged that he is more popular in the Patriotic Front than in any other political party.
Speaking to Journalists this morning shortly after his wife Chama and daughter Thandiwe were questioned by Police at Woodlands Police Station in connection with the contract to supply poles to ZESCO, Mr Mwamba who himself was questioned by Police yesterday said no one should doubt his popularity in the PF.
Mr. Mwamba who asked if the Post Newspapers reporters were among the Journalists said the newspaper should also know that he is very popular without any doubt.
And Mr. Mwamba says he is ready to take his seat on the back bench as Parliament resumes sitting this afternoon.
Mr Mwamba quit his government position as Defence Minister over the deadlock surrounding the recognition of Henry Kanyanta Sosala as Paramount Chief Chitimukulu of the Bemba Speaking by government.
And Mr Mwamba says he harbors no grudge against his former deputy Minister Davis Mwila who attacked him for the manner he resigned from government.
Mr Mwamba who was asked how he feels that he will be sharing the same bench with Mr Mwila in Parliament said the onus is upon Mr. mwila to be friendly to him or not.
Meanwhile Police have recorded two warn and caution statements from the directors of Arizona Marketing and Distribution company.
Police Spokesperson Charity Munganga Chanda has confirmed to Qfm News that the statements have been recorded from Mrs Chama Mwamba and Thandiwe Mwamba.
And speaking after emerging from the interrogation, Mrs. Mwamba said the questioning went on well.
THE Lusaka High Court has discharged a stay of execution of the High Court judgment granted earlier to Attorney General Mumba Malila to halt the commencement of a tribunal constituted to probe Tourism and Arts Minister Sylvia Masebo.
This means that the Tribunal constituted by acting chief justice Lombe Chibesakunda to probe Ms Masebo’s alleged interference in the operations of the Zambia Wild Life Authority (ZAWA) would go ahead pending Mr Malila’s appeal in the Supreme Court.
This is in a matter in which former communications and transport minister William Harrington had through a judicial review challenged the decision of Ms Justice Chibesakunda to refuse to appoint a Tribunal to probe Ms Masebo.
But in his judgment Justice Dominic Sichinga said Mr Harrington had the right to be heard through a tribunal.
Ms Chibesakunda later appointed a tribunal to probe the allegations against Ms Masebo.
The Attorney General appealed against Mr Justice Sichinga’s judgment and was later granted an ex-parte stay of execution of the judgment subject to an inter-parte hearing on February 4, 2014.
Mr Harrington through his lawyer Gilbert Phiri had asked the court to lift the stay granted to Mr Malila saying the declaratory judgment granted to him by Mr Justice Sichinga was not enforceable and as such it could not be challenged.
In his ruling yesterday, Mr Justice Sichinga lifted the stay granted to Mr Malila saying he did not find sufficient grounds to agree with his claim, that if the judgment was not stayed, his appeal to the Supreme Court would be rendered nugatory and would be an academic exercise.
“For reasons stated above I find that order to stay is apt for review. The order of stay earlier granted to the respondent on 16 November 2013 is hereby lifted with costs to the applicant” Mr Justice Sichinga said
Community Development Mother and Child Health deputy Minister Jean Kapata
THE Ministry of Community Development Mother and Child Health says it is still awaiting correspondence from the Ministry of Justice on the implementation of the Non Governmental Organisation Act of 2009.
Community Development Mother and Child Health deputy Minister Jean Kapata said the response from the Ministry of Justice would determine the fate of all NGOs that have rejected to register under the Act.
Ms Kapata said registration had since closed and that the NGOs that had not yet registered would have themselves to blame if deregistered.
“We have not yet received a response from the Ministry of justice and we are still waiting for their advice but I should remind all the NGOs that have not registered with the NGO Act that they will themselves to blame if they are de-registered. “She said.
The Non Governmental Organisations’Coordinating Council NGOCC chairperson Beatrice Grillo said her organisation was willing to dialogue with Government if such a platform was created.
Ms Grillo welcomed the move by Government to regulate all NGOs but opposed to being regulated under a law whose sole purpose appears to be to register and de-register NGOs and adds no value either the country’s democracy or the NGO sector.
Over 460 NGOs risk being de-registered if the Ministry of Justice responded in favour of the Ministry of Community Development, Mother and Child Health.
However Ms Grillo said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday the civil society groups would continue to operate under the current Act.
“We are not affected in any way and our programmes have continued to run smoothly, however I must state that we are not refusing to be regulated all we need is to dialogue with Government.
Government had set February 3 as the deadline for regisration by NGOs under the new Act adding that any NGOs that would not abide by the decree risked being de-registered.
A computer assembly plant will be established in Zambia this year in a government initiative that is expected to significantly reduce the costs of the equipment, President Sata has disclosed.
The President says that the plant, to be established in Lusaka, will create employment opportunities and produce low-cost computers available to the majority of Zambians.
President Sata said in his Facebook posting yesterday that the establishment of the plant will be spearheaded by the Zambia Information and Communication Technology Authority (ZICTA).
“Some of the benefits of the computer assembly plant include: job creation, availability of affordable low cost computer equipment to citizens, as well as value addition through use of some local resources such as copper in the manufacture/assembly process,” he said.
Mr Sata said Government is focusing on promoting e-commerce and use of information and communication technology (ICT) in trade promotion, establishing e-Government services and promoting e-education, e-health and e-agriculture.
President Sata has also said that by the end of this year, the ongoing optic fibre network expansion is expected to cover a distance of 8,000kms from the current 7,385kms.
“These projects will contribute significantly to our goal of narrowing the digital divide between urban and rural areas and thus stimulate socio-economic growth in the country,” he said.
President Sata said Government’s efforts in promoting universal access to ICT services and products to the people will boost job creation and increase productivity in the economy.
He said during 2013, a project was launched through ZICTA to set up 169 GSM sites across the country mainly aimed at providing coverage to unserved chiefdoms and other rural populations.
President Sata said this project is ongoing and is scheduled to be completed by the end of this year at a cost of US$24 million.
“The 169 Towers Project will bring benefits of mobile phone service and other services riding on it such as Mobile Money to more than 200,000 citizens amongst the rural population,” he said.
KASAMA Member of Parliament Geoffrey Mwamba has sued Post Newspapers editor-in-chief Fred Mmembe for libel, demanding K14 billion and an injunction restraining the newspaper from publishing defamatory articles against him.
According to a statement of claim filed in the High Court, Mr Mwamba said The Post ran a story which alleged that he had interests in three companies that bid for a contract with Zesco.
“Other companies, according to the document that bid for the Zesco contract and where Geoffrey Mwamba, who is Kasama Central Member of Parliament (MP) allegedly has interest, include Engilex, whose bid price for the contract was K14 billion, Premia Supplies Limited with a bid price of US$337,500 and Astro Holdings Limited with a bid price of US$405,000,” part of the article reads.
He said the article was titled ‘Police question GBM’s daughter Sibongile over Zesco deal’ which appeared in The Post newspaper on February 5 this year.
Mr Mwamba said the words mean or were calculated to mean that he is a corrupt businessman and exerted undue influence in acquiring the contract by having an interest in the companies that bid.
He said the words in their natural and ordinary meaning meant that he engaged in unfair business practices for the purpose of disadvantaging other bidders and that he is dishonest and untrustworthy.
Mr Mwamba said the article was meant to disparage him and cause injury to his personal and professional reputation and that he is unfit to hold public office as MP.
“The said words were understood to mean that besides Arizona Marketing and Distribution Limited, there exists a document that suggests that I had interests in the named companies that bid when in fact not,” he said.
Mr Mwamba said that he wrote a letter to the Post Newspapers explaining that he had no interests in the said companies and requested the paper to publish a retraction and apology.
He said the defendants failed, neglected or refused to render an apology and retraction despite being appraised with the facts and insisted on maintaining the story as published.
Mr Mwamba said the defendants published the words complained of maliciously and knew very well that the words or allegations against him were false or reckless.
He asked the court to restrain the paper from publishing or causing to publish similar defamatory words saying that his reputation has been seriously damaged and that he has suffered ridicule and embarrassment.
Mr Mwamba is claiming damages for libel, exemplary damages, K14 billion damages for malicious falsehood and an injunction restraining the defendants, whether by themselves, their agents, servants or otherwise, from further publishing or causing to publish defamatory words against him.
Chief Government Spokesperson, Mwansa Kapeya, has responded to UPND President UPND Leader Hakainde Hichilema’s article in the Post Newspaper.
In a statement issued to the media, Mr Kapeya said that Zambians should begin to question whether Mr Hichilema deserves to be President of this country.
Below is the full statement
Republic of Zambia
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services
STATEMENT BY HON. MWANSA KAPEYA, MP, MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING SERVICES AND CHIEF GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON ON UPND LEADER HAKAINDE HICHILEMA’S COMMENTS ON PRESIDENT MICHAEL SATA’S RETURN FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM
Remarks attributed to UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema in The Post edition of Monday, February 10, are at best disappointing, and Zambians, including UPND members, should, if they have not already started, begin questioning his fitness as a political leader.
Mr Hichilema, according to The Post, says “he is happy to have recalled President Michael Sata from the United Kingdom” where he was “malingering.”
Government, too, is happy that His Excellency President Sata’s trip to the United Kingdom has exposed Mr. Hichilema’s level of understanding duties of the President and Zambians should begin to question whether he deserves to be President of a serious opposition party and later on of this country.
Government wishes to advise the opposition leader that even when the President is on leave, he does not abandon his duties. He very much performs his functions and His Excellency President Sata despite being on leave was very much aware of this fact and he was performing his functions.
In his own careless talk, Mr Hichilema misinformed the nation that President Sata had been flown to India for treatment and now that he has begrudgingly witnessed the return of the President he is struggling to remain credible.
Mr Hichilema should not talk about the President ‘malingering in the UK’, he should inform us about how the President is recovering in India since he reported about the illness.
Granted Mr Hichilema is still recovering from the crashing 2011 defeat, surely he should realize that it is one President at a time. The earlier he realizes this, the better for his health.
Hon. Mwansa Kapeya, MP
MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING SERVICES AND CHIEF GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON
