Transparency International Zambia (TIZ) has written to Home Affairs Minister Edgar Lungu asking government to take action and suspend all the officials who where involved in the alleged $210 million CCTV single sourced contact.
In a letter released to the media, TIZ has warned the PF Government to desist from engaging in wasteful secret procurement projects.
Below is the full letter.
The ruling Patriotic Front (PF) in Central Province has advised its members not to join in debates relating to the endorsement of a Presidential candidate for 2016 General Elections.
And the PF in the area has vowed to wait for guidance from the top leadership of the party over the matter relating to the endorsement of a Presidential candidate for the 2016 polls.
Central Province Political Secretary (PPS), Beatrice Sikazwe says the ongoing debate on the preferred candidate for 2016 on the party ticket was too early and would fuel divisions in the rank and file of party.
Ms. Sikazwe advised the ruling PF members in Central Province to desist from uttering statements regarding the endorsement of a Presidential candidate for 2016 stating that the continued commenting on the issue would result in ‘perceived infighting in the ruling party.
She said thisx in an interview in Kapiri Mposhi District , yesterday, following the recent fracas in Lusaka where PF members from two opposing camps crushed over the matter.
“I’m advising all meaning PF members in Central Province to refrain from issuing statements on this matter.
“ The issuing of statements on this matter is resulting in ‘perceived infighting in the ruling party.
“ I am happy; however, to note that so far, no party official in my province has taken part or has spoken on this matter.” Ms. Sikazwe said.
She said the ruling PF in Central Province was saddened by what transpired in Lusaka last week adding that the action will expose the party to the opposition.
“I am speaking as PPS … my humble appeal to the PF members in Central Province is that they should not engage in discussions relating to the endorsement of the presidential candidate for 2016,” Ms. Sikazwe said.
Ms. Sikazwe instead advised PF members in the Province to channel their energies towards strengthening the party as well as fostering developmental project in the area.
“As you may be aware, the President has created more districts in our Province and it is only prudent that we work hard and ensure that sustainable development is recorded in the newly created districts in our Province,” Ms. Sikazwe said.
She said the PF in Central Province, shall wait for the top leadership of the party to give guidance and direction over the matter relating to the endorsement of a Presidential candidate for 2016.
“We cannot be having the so called ‘infighting’ at the expense of development. We have a mammoth task ahead of us… let us concentrate on organizing the party we also need to focus on fostering developmental projects in Central Province and wait for our top leadership to provide direction in this matter”, Ms. Sikazwe said.
Ms. Sikazwe hoped that PF members in Central Province would heed her advice in the matter for the sake of harmony and unity in the ruling party.
Voting in 38 polling stations of Mkaika parliamentary constituency started this morning and is progressing well though with an average turnout.
A check by Zambian News and information Services (ZANIS) at Unda polling station found that out of the 1,800 registered voters, only 101 had so far cast their votes by 09:00 hours.
Assistant presiding offer Christopher Moyo said the turnout was impressive adding that people arrived to cast their votes as early as 05:00 hours before the polling station opened.
And a check at Omelo Mumba polling station found that only about 80 voters had cast their votes out of the 4, 250 registered voters.
Presiding officer Adamson Mulambya express hoped that the turn out will improve as the day progresses.
Meanwhile at Katete primary school polling station, about 151 voters had cast their votes out of the 1,337 registered voters at the polling station.
Presiding officer Philip Mwansa told ZANIS that the voting was going on peacefully.
The Mkaika seat fell vacant after MMD Member of Parliament David Phiri defected to the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) on which he is re-contesting the seat.
MMD has fielded Peter Phiri, Nelson Mwale is contesting on UNIP ticket while the National Restoration Party (NAREP) has floated Nigel Mphakateni.
ZANIS
Chipolopolo have finaly left for Ghana ahead of Friday’s crucial 2014 World Cup qualifier away in Kumasi.
Zambia left for Ghana around 08:30 hours this morning.
The squad led by captain Christopher Katongo arrived at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport after 07:30 before departure.
The team is expected to land in Accra before traveling to Kumasi by Road.
According to Ghanaian officials Zambia could not land in Kumasi because the airport there is undergoing rehabilitation.
Herve Renard’s team was supposed to leave yesterday before the trip was rescheduled.
Zambia must beat Ghana to reach the final stage of the 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign.
In exercise of our freedom of conscience, we wish to make a call to our compatriots, to rise against the injustice that is depriving the Zambians of their birth right to enjoy the wealth of this great nation.
The awakening being alluded to is one of patriotism ,which by primary implication is that a person’s moral duty is to place the interests of the nation above one’s own needs. This admonition is directed to government institution or rather public officers in strategic institutionS that process the permits of foreigners to enter into this country for various reasons.
As citizens it has come to our attention that the immigration procedures and therefore the relevant law is being contravened in connivance with some officers – QUID PRO QUO (Latin meaning : something for something:
How for instance can you have a person who can hardly express himself in English or let alone write proper English actually be employed here in Zambia as General Manager even before he has been cleared by the immigration department.For the benefit of those that have not seen the procedures, here it is as reproduced hereunder;
The above is readily obtainable on the immigration department website.It is clear as day as to the requirements of the law , but there are some people who are charged with the responsibility to articulate the aforementioned and implement government policy accordingly but because of greed they are contravening the law.
In most cases the people who they assist to crowd out job opportunities which, by the way Zambians roaming the streets can competently perform exceptionally well, end up perpetrating industrial injustices.They become so arrogant to the extent of not respecting the labour laws.
The end result is that this contributes to the unreasonable high levels of unemployment increased levels of poverty.These same people are the ones that determine wage policies in companies and once they set a foot hold in Zambia ,they embark on re-stocking exercises- brinGing in their own kind in the name of “ expatriates” who are in turn , handsomely remunerated to the detriment of Zambians.It is quite evident that this is endemic in the private sector in particular.
Another case in point is a named Company in the motor trade industry which investigations have revealed that employees of Asian origin have replaced a number of Zambians in unclear circumstances and are performing functions which clearly do not need specialized expertise.This company for some time now had been operating without a human resource department but use unqualified persons in the name of General Managers to perform the Functions of Chief Accountants.
Even at their head office and the branches Zambian employees are treated differently from those of non Zambian origin (who get work permits through dubious means and some working without permits.
We challenge any competent authority, Ministry of Labour, Zambia institute of chartered accountants, Immigration department, Anti Corruption Commission or investigative journalists to carry out an inquiry.
The laws of Zambia with regard to the foregoing are very clear, with particular reference to the Bill of rights of the Zambian constitution and some excepts are reproduced below ,not IN TO – Latin ( in its entirety):
To the Zambians, we say stand up for your rights, this is your country, if you don’t act now poverty will be passed on to all your generations to come. Let us stop the rot and be patriotic and help the current government fight these injustices as the saying goes, “You may break a single twig but a bunch will be a challenge to break “.
The cry of any meaningful Zambian is “when are we going to wake up as Zambian”.
In conclusion, we wish to reiterate the fact that as Zambians we should not remain docile whilst people undeservedly take full advantage of our economy’s natural and human resources by light of day and cover of darkness. The mantle for fight for our independence by our gallant men and women has to be picked from the ground.There is need now more than ever before to escalate to economic liberation.The toil of our ancestors, let alone their deaths towards this ideal, to bequeath us with the liberties of our country, to enable the Zambians to promulgate and implement an economic agenda, whose benefits are to cover the length and breadth of our mother land, the multiplier effect of which should be passed on to generation to come.
As for those who formed unholy alliances with foreigners to economically brutalize our brothers and sisters, your fall together with your allies is imminent; the fight has just begun… Aluta continua!
May God continue blessing our beloved country…..
By Concerned Zambian
The World Economic Forum (WEF) has ranked Zambia as one of the top 10 most competitive economies in Africa for 2013.
The WEF’s Global Competitiveness Report 2013-2014 which was released in Geneva, Switzerland yesterday ranked Zambia as the seventh most competitive economy in Africa ahead of Kenya, Gabon and Senegal.
According to the report accessed in Lusaka yesterday, Zambia, Africa’s largest copper producer, trails Namibia, Seychelles, Botswana, Rwanda, South Africa and Mauritius which were ranked as the most competitive economies in Africa.
Out of the 148 countries surveyed globally, Zambia moves from last year’s 102nd position to 93 as one of the countries which recorded remarkable progress.
The ranking was based on the Global Competitive Index which was introduced in 2004 and could be defined as the set of institutions, policies and factors that determined the level of productivity of a country.
Its 12 pillars were institutions, infrastructure, macroeconomic environment, health and primary education, higher education and colleges, goods market efficiency, labour market efficiency, financial market development, technology, market size, business sophistication and innovation.
“A number of African middle-income economies – Botswana (74th), Namibia (90th), Zambia (93rd), Senegal (113th), Lesotho (123rd) and Swaziland (124th) – improved, while oil-producing economies, Gabon (112th), Cameroon (115th) Nigeria (120th) and Chad (148th) – stagnated or declined in the ranking,” reads the report partly.
Among the low-income countries, Kenya made the biggest improvement, rising by 10 places to 96th position in the world.
Globally, Switzerland maintained its first position and so did Singapore and Finland on second and third positions, respectively.
Other countries in the world top 10 most competitive economies were Germany, United States of America (USA), Sweden, Hong Kong, Netherlands, Japan and the United Kingdom on 10th position.
“Overall, wide regional divergences remain, and a number of African economies continue to trail behind significantly, with 14 of its economies populating the bottom 20 of the ranking.
“Efforts across many areas are needed to place the region on a sustainable growth and development path, especially in infrastructure, health and basic education and adoption of the latest technologies,” the report says.
It places Switzerland at the pinnacle of the ranking for the fifth consecutive year.
Globally, excellent innovation and strong institutional environments were increasingly influencing the economies’ competitiveness.
The US continued to be a world leader in bringing innovative products and services to the global market and its rise in the ranking was due to a perceived improvement in the country’s financial market and great confidence in public institutions.
There, however, had been continued concerns over that vast country’s macroeconomic stability which ranked 117 out of 148 economies.
Former Patriotic Front Lusaka province chairman Davies Chama says those who have come out to endorse President Michael Sata for 2016 elections are merely giving him a vote of confidence and not causing divisions in the party.
Mr. Chama has told Qfm News that there is no need for Patriotic Front members to begin dividing each other.
He says as far as he is concerned, the controversy or misunderstanding among some party members is a share waste of time because President Sata is and will be the PF candidate in the 2016 elections.
Mr.Chama says those against the endorsement of President Sata are not being loyal to the party.
He adds that he has also endorsed president Sata’s candidature because of his tangible developmental projects he has embarked On IN the two years he has been head of state.
Mr. Chama further states that president Sata is still healthy and fit to go for a second term of office.
And Mr. Chama says some PF officials are faking their loyalty to President Sata by lying to him about other members of the party.
He says he was the first victim of the same people who are faking their loyalty to the president by victimizing other members of the party.
The Zambia Police Service has denied allegations that it favours members of the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) when enforcing the Public Order ACT.
This follows concerns by some opposition political parties and Civil Society Organizations who have questioned the criteria the Zambia Police use to allow the ruling party members to stage public processions when opposition members are denied permits to hold similar gatherings.
Police acting Spokesperson Rae Hamoonga says the Police implement the Public Order Act in the exact way the legislation stipulates and that no political party is being is favored or suppressed in the enforcement of the Act.
Mr. HamoOnga has also clarified that the Police did not permit the PF youths who marched to State house last week.
Mr. HamoOnga has told Qfm in an interview that this why the same PF youths were blocked from using the Presidential lane and denied access to ZNBC premises during their demonstration.
Patriotic Front (PF) youths yesterday besieged the Lusaka Magistrate’s Court complex chanting slogans accusing some party leaders of dividing the party.
But quick action by alert police officers stopped the cadres from entering the court premises as they sealed and closed all the gates denying the youths any access.
The youths move was in a bid to render support to one of their colleague, Innocent Kalimisha who was scheduled to appear before court for assault and malicious damage to property.
Kalimisha, 32, of Chawama Township, however, did not appear in person but sent two of his sureties who informed Resident Magistrate Irene Wishimanga that their colleague could not be in court because he was nursing injuries after he was allegedly beaten by 18 police officers during investigations of the offence.
Police acting spokesperson Rae Hamoonga doubted the credibility of the allegations by the cadres saying there was no report or complaint to the police from Kalimisha.
Mr Hamoonga said if the allegations were true, Kalimisha who was detained at Emmasdale Police Station before he was given bond should have lodged a complaint with superiors at the station before or at the time of his release.
University Teaching Hospital (UTH) public Relations officer Mwenya Mulenga did not have Kalimisha’s details of being admitted to the hospital by press time.
Kalimisha is facing five counts of assault and three counts of malicious damage to property resulting from the Saturday incident at Northmead School where PF cadres fought over the presidential endorsement debate.
When his matter was called before Ms Wishimanga for possible taking of plea, Kalimisha’s two sureties Benja Siwila and Elvis Simukonda informed the court that their colleague could not be before court because he was sick resulting from the beating he allegedly received from
officers who arrested him.
Ms Wishimanga adjourned the case to September 9, 2013 after hearing that Kalimisha was unwell.
Shortly after court appearance one of the sureties Mr Siwila vowed during a press briefing that the youths would continue fighting until Justice Minister and PF national secretary Wynter Kabimba was hounded out of the party.
He accused Mr Kabimba of dividing the party and demanded that he stepped down adding that the youths would do anything to ensure they too enjoyed the sweat of their labour since they were the ones who put Mr Kabimba and others in party positions.
He said Mr Kabimba as the party chief executive officer should have addressed them on the ongoing wrangles in the party and ensure the affairs of the party were running smoothly.
GOVERNMENT says the current social security system which it inherited has failed to meet the aspirations of citizens in eliminating poverty and destitution among beneficiaries.
And government says it is committed towards reforming the current social security system.
Labour and Social Security Minster, Fackson Shamenda observed that the delivery of social justice is highly dependent on a well-functioning social security system, hence the urgent need to reform the current system.
Mr. Shamenda said the current levels of occupational injury are shockingly low which has led to claimants being subjected to unnecessary delays and denial of justice.
ZANIS reports that the Labour minister said this during the installation of a new Workers Compensation Fund Control Tribunal in Ndola today.
The Minster said it is for this reason that government has committed itself to reforming the social security system.
“We want a social security system that will adhere to tenets of social justice and help eliminate poverty and destitution among our people,” he said.
Mr. Shamenda commended the tribunal for taking up their positions, urging them to be diligent in performing their duty.
He charged the new members to exercise independence, diligence, and fairness in discharging their duties.
And Workers Compensation Commissioner Dr. Elizabeth Nkumbula congratulated the newly appointed tribunal.
Dr. Nkumbula urged the tribunal to work hard and take the commission’s dealings with pensioners and other customers to another level.
ZANIS
Red Arrows made big jump from sixth to third after 1-0 win over Nkana at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka on Wednesday.
The first half started off brightly for Nkana who had a great chance in the 36th minute through Festus Mbewe missed when he headed his effort wide.
However, the second period was all Arrows as striker Stanley Nshimbi kept Nkana’s defence busy throughout.
Nshimbi was unlucky not to find the target in the 65th minute when his fine curling shot hit the woodwork.
Arrows persistence paid off in the 90th minute when Captain Richard Phiri stomped in the ball in a goalmouth melee to stun a packed Nkoloma Stadium whose voice failed to fuel Nkana to another vital win.
TABLE
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Opposition UNITED Party for National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema says his party’s recent victory Kafulafuta constituency is a sign of good things to come for his party.
And new Kafulafuta Member of Parliament Brian Chitafu says his victory in the recent parliamentary by election is a good opportunity for him to prove that his party is a party of choice in the area..
Mr. Hichelema says the party’s seat in the area is inaugural on the Copperbelt saying the party was ready to work for the people.
Mr Hichilema said this during the party’s official celebrations on its victory in the recent Kafulafuta constituency parliamentary by- election held at Masangano in Masaiti district today.
He said that the opposition party followed all laid down guidelines when scooping the seat under its candidate Brian Chitafu.
Mr Hichilema further said the UPND’s presence on the Copperbelt has caused panic in the ruling party as it has become their party of choice.
“The country needs candidates that are loyal to the people and Brian Chitafu as UPND candidate qualify for the position and I believe the UPND is the only party as opposition that has remained to push Zambia forward,” he said.
And new Kafulafuta Member of Parliament Brian Chitafu says his victory in the recent parliamentary by election is a good opportunity for him to prove that his party is a party of choice in the area..
Mr Chitafu said winning the seat has shown that UPND is a party to vote for and it is doing everything to work in favour of the Zambian people.
“I am glad UPND choose me as their candidate for these by-elections on the Copperbelt and I will show my loyalty to the party,” he said.
Mr. Chitafu further said it is time to show people that the UPND will emerge victorious in the 2016 general elections and will do everything in its power to develop the country.
ZANIS
The Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) Executive Director Macdonald Chipenzi says it welcomes the court ruling on MMD spokesperson Dora Siliya and Others.
Mr. Chipenzi says his organisation welcomes the high Court ruling in favour of Dora Siliya, Maxwell Mwale and Hastings Sililo which ruled that the trio be allowed file in their nominations.
He said this shows that the judicially is independent when passing judgments in many cases in the nation.
ZANIS reports that the FODEP Executive Director said this in an interview in Lusaka, today.
He said the High Court Judge Mungeni Mhlanga’s decision is professional and that it is in line with the ECZ regulations section 104 subsection 6 of the electoral act.
He said now that judgment has been passed, the ECZ should announce the day of the three parliamentary seats so that they people the these constituencies can be allowed to have presentation in parliament.
This is in matter in which the three had applied for judicial review following the decision by the Electoral Commission of Zambia -ECZ-to bar them from filling in nominations in Petauke, Malambo and Mulobezi constituencies.
High Court Judge Mungeni Mulenga said the decision by ECZ was not in line with section 104 subsection 6 of the electoral act.
Judge Mulenga has instructed ECZ who are the second respondent not to bar the three from filling in their nominations.
The Judge also stated that the press statement issued by the judiciary did not have any legal consequence on the proceedings.
However, the Patriotic Front (PF) Secretary General Winter Kabimba has indicated that the ruling party will appeal against the Judgment.
ZANIS
The Patriotic Front (PF) Muchinga province leadership says it has endorsed President Muchael Sata as a sole candidate for 2016 elections.
Speaking to the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) in Mpika yesterday, Provincial Publicity Secretary Mulenga Mwanashiku said the entire PF leadership in Muchinga knows very well that President Sata has to run for two terms.
Mr Mwanashiku said the party in the province has resolved to endorse President Sata as a sole candidate for 2016 elections adding that Muchinga province will only start thinking of someone to take over from President Sata after 2021.
Mr Mwanashiku charged that if at all there are some PF members who are championing the idea of stopping President Sata from contesting as a presidential candidate for 2016, the party in Muchinga is saying that such people are not true members but mere opportunists and enemies of the huge developmental scores Zambia is witnessing under the leadership of President Sata.
And Provincial Women Chairlady Mary Chifuna says no amount of pressure will change the people of Muchinga over the resolve they have made to endorse President Sata as a sole candidate for 2016 elections.
ZANIS
Zambia’s chartered plane for Friday’s World Cup qualifier game cannot land at Kumasi airport because it cannot take any plane bigger that a 45-sitter ATR 42 turboprop due to construction works currently taking place at the airfield.
Sources on the ground in Accra say they could not also fly to Kumasi on an evening flight because the airport is closed for night landings at 17:00 due to works at the air field.
“That airport cannot take a Boeing 737. The biggest plane it can handle for now is an ATR 42. Plus there are not night flights due to works at the airport,” the source said.
Meanwhile, Zambia’s charter to Ghana today has been scuttled just 48 hours before their 2014 World Cup showdown against the Black Stars.
However, officials said the Wednesday’s flight has been shelved primarily after authorities failed to get clearance from DR Congo to refuel in Kinshasa en route to Ghana.
The team has been marooned at KK international airport since mid morning after arriving in Lusaka late on Tuesday evening after another day-long delay in Johannesburg after another departure fiasco.
That development has seen the team miss two valuable days of training ahead of Friday’s must-win clash.
© Lusaka Times
