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State House releases Pictures of President Michael Sata meeting Chiefs in a closed door meeting
Zone fam release new single sinjonjo
Zone fam today released their new single “sinjonjo” that features malawean artist “tay grin” and zambian singer “Starn”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BdgBTj_NZY
By Kapa187
Former President Rupiah Banda arrested
Former Republican President Rupiah Banda this morning was arrested and later released on police bond.
Mr. Banda, who appeared before a combined team of government investigation wings, has been charged with abuse of authority of office contrary to section 99 of the penal code sub 87 of the laws of Zambia.
He was released on bond after producing two working sureties, who are MMD vice president for administration Brian Chituwo and his administrative assistance Mikatazo Wakumelo.
The former head of state has also paid KR 500, 000 in his own recognisance and will appear in the magistrate court tomorrow morning.
Speaking after his release, his lawyer Sakwiba Sikota said it is still very clear that the investigations team does not know why they are interrogating his client.
The former head of state Rupiah Banda said he is ready to go through the entire process because he is a law abiding citizen.
And confirming the arrest and release of the former head of state, investigations team spokesperson Namukolo Kasumpa confirmed that Mr. Banda has also surrendered his passport.
Mrs. Kasumpa said interrogations will continue on Thursday, 4th April, 2012.
Where and how is President Sata?
There has been a lot of talk about whereabouts of President Sata.Rumours are flying around that our President is ailing and perhaps on his death bed.There is unsubstantiated talk that Fred Mmembe is calling the shots behind the scenes. Both rumours are very disconcerting for Zambians.To make matters worse our leaders are not saying anything about it.But I guess even if they did say anything we would not believe them after the embarassing blunders they made last year in March and February this year when they tried to keep secret the Presidents trips to India and London for medical treatment.
However,I’m not sure what really is the truth but I thought it worth while to see what our constitiution says and see if it addresses the issues being raised in the rumours.
[pullquote]According to my understanding if Cabinet does not raise the issue of the Presidents health and capacity to discharge his functions as president
there is nothing ordinary Zambians can do about it and the President can appoint anyone -even Fred Mmembe to run the country on his behalf[/pullquote]
Article 39 Discharge of Functions of President During Absence, Illness,
(1) Whenever the President is absent from Zambia or considers it desirable so to do by reason of illness or for any other cause, he may by direction in writing, authorise the Vice-President, or where the Vice-President is absent from Zambia or incapable of discharging the functions of the office of President, any other person, to discharge such functions of the office of President as he may specify,and the Vice-President or such other person may discharge those functions until his authority is revoked by the President.
(2) If the President is incapable by reason of physical or mental infirmity of discharging the functions of his office and the infirmity is of such a nature that the President is unable to authorize another person under this Article to perform those functions
(a) the Vice-President;
or (b) during any period when the Vice-President is absent from Zambia or is himself, by reason of physical or mental infirmity, unable to perform the functions of his office, such member of the Cabinet as the Cabinet shall elect;shall perform the functions of the office of President:Provided that any person performing the functions of the office of President under this clause shall not dissolve the National Assembly nor, except on the advice of the Cabinet, revoke anyappointment made by the President.
(3) Any person performing the functions of the office of President by virtue of clause (2) shall cease to perform those functions if he is notified by the Speaker that the President is about to resume thosefunctions or if another person is elected as, and assumes the office of, President.
(4) For the purpose of clause (2), a certificate of the Chief Justice that
(a) the President is incapable by reason of physical or mental infirmity of discharging the functions of his office and that the infirmity is of such a nature that the President is unable to authorise another person under this Article to perform those functions;
(b) the Vice-President is by reason of physical or mental infirmity unable to discharge the functions of his office:shall be of no effect until such certificate is verified by the National Assembly:Provided that any such certificate as is referred to in paragraph (a) shall cease to have effect if the President notifies any person under clause (3) that he is about to resume the functions of the office of the President or if another person is elected as, and assumes the office of, President.
Article 36 Removal of President on Grounds of Incapacity
(1) If it is resolved by a majority of all the members of the Cabinet that the question of the physical or mental capacity of the President to discharge the functions of his office ought to be investigated,and they so inform the Chief Justice, then the Chief Justice shall appoint a board consisting of not less than three persons selected by him from among persons who are qualified as medical practitioners under the law of Zambia or under the law of any other country in the Commonwealth,and the board shall inquire into the matter and report to the Chief Justice on whether or not the President is, by reason of any infirmity of body or mind, incapable of discharging the function of his office.
(2) If the board reports that the President is incapable of discharging the functions of his office, the Chief Justice shall certify in writing accordingly and shall table such certificate, with the report of the board before the National Assembly who shall on a motion, passed by a two thirds majority
(a) ratify the decision of the board, and thereupon the President shall cease to hold office;
(b) reject the decision of the board and cause a further inquiry into whether or not the President is incapable of discharging the functions of his office and shall thereafter decide on such questions by a two thirds majority vote, which decision shall be final.
(3) Where the Cabinet resolve that the question of the physical or mental capacity of the President to discharge the functions of his office shall be investigated, the President shall, until another person assumes the office of President or the Board appointed under clause (1) reports that the President is not incapable of discharging the functions of his office, whichever is earlier, cease to perform the functions of his office and those functions shall be performed by
(a) the Vice-President;
(b) in the absence of the Vice-President or if the Vice-President is unable, by reason of physicalor mental infirmity, to discharge the functions of his office, by such member of the Cabinet as the Cabinet shall elect:Provided that any person performing the functions of the office of President under this clause shall not dissolve the National Assembly nor, except on the advice of the Cabinet, revoke any appointment made by the President.
(4) A motion for the purposes of clause (1) may be proposed at any meeting of the Cabinet
According to my understanding if Cabinet does not raise the issue of the Presidents health and capacity to discharge his functions as president
there is nothing ordinary Zambians can do about it.Worse according to Article 39 (1) the President may appoint anyone to carry out his functions.This is if the Vice President is incapable of carrying out presidential functions. Now we know that Guy Scott is incapable of carrying out Presidential functions since he never even been allowed to act as President.In that case President Sata can appoint anyone -even Fred Mmembe to run the country on his behalf. Tell me this isn’t true and I have misunderstood the first paragraph of Article 39.Tell me Zambians didn’t put such an open clause into the most sacred Law of the Land!Are you kidding me -Anyone can be appointed?
So basically people its actually none of our business if the president is sick or dying and its none of our business if Fred Mmembe is now ruling us! As long as Cabinet doesn’t challenge the Presidents health status there is nothing we can do.
My conclusion is we have a really dumb Constitution.All along I thought the constitution was a powerful document, carefully worded by Zambia’s intelligentsia, Zambia’s creme de la creme but this doesn’t seem to be the case.Day in day out we see simple Grade 12 school leavers being made policy makers in our country.We have an embarrasingly low calibre of Mp’s in parliament.I urge Zambia’s creme de la creme,Zambia’s intelligentia to wake up and be part of shaping the countrys future.Give your input into the new constitution that is being drafted.I end with a quote by Edmund Burke All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.
By Patriotic Zambian
President Michael Sata is planning to seize all my assets -HH
Opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema has claimed that President Michael Sata is planning to seize all his assets as part of a scheme to harass and persecute the opposition.
Mr. Hichilema said President Sata’s latest move to release bank details and assets is a move towards seizing his million dollar assets.
“We know the President wants to grab my assets and hand them over to some people, this is what that they are planning and we are aware but is it a crime to own assets in this country now?”
“I have done business from the Kaunda days right through to the Banda administration and I have never been arrested for theft, infact the current President was a defacto Vice President in Dr Chiluba’s administration and I was never arrested because I never stole,” Mr. Hichilema said.
“How come President Sata is the only one who seems to have a problem with my property?”
[pullquote]Even if he mocked his political opponents such as the late Mwanawasa and George Kunda over their health, we believe we should pray for President Sata during these times[/pullquote]
Mr. Hichilema was speaking on a live radio programme on Lusaka’s Joy FM called Tikambilane Sunday mid-morning.
“Instead of the President encouraging young Zambians to own assets, he is now busy demonizing HH over his wealth. I have worked hard for what I have and I thank God for that. As a Zambian I have a right to own property in this country and universally I have a right to own property.”
Mr. Hichilema advised the PF government to concentrate on addressing real issues affecting the Zambian people.
“They promised more money but people don’t have jobs and the Mealie meal prices have skyrocketed. This is where the PF should concentrate and not on Hakainde’s wealth,” he said.
The UPND leader also advised Zambians to take time to pray for President Michael Sata.
“It is our duty to pray for our leaders but we also believe there is something wrong with our President, how else could he say that I signed the Choma declaration in 1968? Even if he mocked his political opponents such as the late Mwanawasa and George Kunda over their health, we believe we should pray for President Sata during these times.,” the UPND leader said
Anti-Robbery Squad in Kitwe shoot dead a suspected dangerous criminal in Riverside Extension
THE Anti-Robbery Squad in Kitwe yesterday shot dead a suspected dangerous criminal in Riverside Extension who is believed to be behind a series of armed robberies.
Police gunned down the suspect from behind, ripping his chest open around 10:00 hours after an exchange of gun fire.
The bandit was driving a white Toyota Hilux with a fake registration number ALE 7634 believed to have stolen in Lusaka from Noel Nkoma.
Seven rounds of ammunition were recovered from the suspect with an Austrian made automotive Glock pistol and wallet containing the National Registration Card (NRC) of Mr Nkoma.
Police sources said yesterday in separate interviews that the suspect,who is the mastermind of a series of armed robberies, was found in theparked stolen vehicle in Riverside Extension with five other people.
They said the original registration number of the recovered Toyota Hilux was ABV 5000 and that the suspect attempted to flee after realising the presence of the police.
“We received a report from an uncle of the complainant who is the owner of the vehicle which was stolen from Lusaka. The suspect attempted to run away after realising our presence and after exchange of fire, he was shot from behind as he was about to bout,” they said.
The sources explained that a man hunt has so far been instituted to track down the other five bandits who managed to escape.
The identity of the middle aged suspect who is believed to be West African origin.
Soccer fans disappointed with Zambia’s draw result.
Soccer Fans have expressed disappointment with the draw result Zambia got in Lesotho. Renard was particularly blamed for the draw by substituting forward Collins Mbesuma for defensive midfielder William Njovu, a change that allowed Lesotho to drive forward.
Cholwe Mweemba, a Chilenje fan said Mbesuma was the only player who keep Lesotho on their toes and when he was rested, it allowed the Sothos to go foward freely.
“Mbesuma was the best player, he struck the post and Lesotho knew they needed to watch him, now Renard, in his wisdom, thought otherwise. Mbesuma was the best player for Zambia and you substitutte him,” Mweemba said.
Another fan, Jeseph Nguvu said Mbesuma should have been left on the field and further questioned what positives William Njobvu brought to the team.
On goalie Kennedy Mweene’s red card, Nguvu said the Free State Stars goalie had no option and his deliberate foul that led to him been sent off, was a sacrificing for his country.
Chanda Bwanga was subtle in his assessment saying Zambia must just forget about the World Cup and all players as coach Renard were consistently performing below par.
“Look at our big players, Chris Katongo, Stopilla Sunzu, Rainford Kalaba, what did they do. The coach also has loyalty to players who can’t perform. How did Njobvu become so neceessary that you should come in for Mbesuma. If by chance we qualify to the World Cup, we will be an embarrassment,” he said.
In Kitwe, most fans talked to at Arthur Davies Stadium where Power Dynamos and Kabwe Warriors kick off at the same time as the Zambia match expressed disappointment over Chipolopolo’s performance.
A visibly disappointed Robert Banda, who was one of the many fans who abandoned the Power-Warriors match to watch the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying encounter from a pub under the grand stand, said Chipolopolo needed an outright victory yesterday.
Banda said a win was important to Zambia’s quest for maiden World Cup appearance saying it victory could have eased pressure off Chipolopolo owing to the next two matches at home in June against Lesotho and Sudan.
“We can’t go anywhere with that bad performance – we should forget just about qualifying for the World Cup. The team is not inspiring, it is a shadow of the 2012 Africa Cup winning squad,” Banda said.
Evans Mwamba echoed Banda’s sentiments saying there was need for the Herve Renard-headed coaching staff to make an overhaul of the team by phasing out senior players whom he described as having outlived their usefulness.
Mwamba said there was urgent need to beef up the team with ambitious young talent that is able to cope with the demands of the fast paced modern game.
“But unfortunately, it is like we are content with the same old players who have clearly demonstrated that they have nothing more to offer. The same senior players who contributed to our early elimination from the Africa Cup were continued from where they left,” Mwamba said
It is Government’s resposibility to address mealie meal shortage-ZACA
Government has been urged to address the artificial shortage of mealie meal in the country and ensure normal supply of the commodity on the market.
Zambia Consumers’ Association (ZACA) director Muyunda Ililonga said shortage of the commodity in most parts of the country was a public concern and that it was the responsibility of Government to find a lasting solution to the problem.
Mr Ililonga said yesterday in an interview that consumers were being exploited by businesses because of the commodity shortage which has continued to persist in some parts of the country.
“We appeal to Government to ensure normal supply of the commodity is restored. It is not the millers’ issue at the end of the day because people will look up to Government to ensure that mealie meal was available on the market,” he said.
He said Government should ensure that businesses do not use their business interests to exploit the consumers.
“Pointing fingers will not help because at the end of the day it is the people who are suffering and Government should ensure that consumers are protected at all costs,” he said.
Mr Ililonga urged Government to facilitate increased mealie meal production by millers and that law enforcement authorities at Kasumbalesa border should intensify patrols to halt smuggling.
He said it was unacceptable for unscrupulous traders to allegedly smuggle mealie meal into Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
“Law enforcement agents must enforce their checks and patrols at the border and they should encourage them to remain vigilant so that the consumers were not deprived the local market,” he said.
ZCTU praise State over the cheap loans to be given to public service workers
The Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) in Muchinga Province has welcomed the establishment of a micro finance institution for public service workers.
Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda announced the establishment of the micro finance last week in Chavuma when he opened a National Savings and Credit Bank branch which makes it the first-ever bank in the area .
Mr Chikwanda said the micro finance institution will be charged with the responsibility of disbursing affordable credit to public service workers at a lending rate not exceeding 5 percent adding it will be operational soon and will trigger a downward movement in interest rates.
ZCTU Regional Coordinator for Muchinga Province Nondo Kasanda told ZANIS in Chinsali today that government workers in the province have welcomed the development.
Mr. Kasanda says the move shows how committed the government is towards the improvement of the workers welfare in the country.
Mr. Kasanda says other financial institutions should take a leaf from the government and consider reducing their lending rates to levels that will encourage many people to access affordable loans.
He said President Michael Sata promised the government workers that his administration would soon come up with a micro finance institution that would be giving loans to the workers at a much better rate.
Mr. Kasanda has also appealed to the government to consider giving first priority to workers serving in the newly created districts so as to enable them build houses and avert the critical shortage of houses.
He said workers in Chinsali and other newly created districts are facing serious challenges with regards to housing and there is need therefore for the Government to come up with a deliberate policy that will support the giving of house loans to officers serving in such districts.
Mr. Chikwanda explained that the public service micro finance institution which will be operational soon is meant to trigger a downward movement in interest rates.
ZANIS
PSDA welcomes state explanation on BOZ bill to regulate forex inflows and outflows
Private Sector Development Association (PSDA) chairman Yusuf Dodia has commended government for dispelling stakeholder anxiety over the Bank of Zambia (BOZ) Amendment Bill.
The BOZ Act of 2013 amends the Bank of Zambia Act and seeks among other things to regulate and monitor foreign exchange inflows and outflows, and amounts remitted.
Various stakeholders have raised concern over the new act with immediate past Central Bank governor Caleb Fundanga saying that government should instead strengthen monitoring mechanisms of existing institutions and not bringing new regulations.
But Mr Dodia told ZANIS in an interview that the move by Finance Deputy Minister Miles Sampa to explain government’s motives towards amending the act is a good way of dispelling rumours that may have an effect on the sector.
At a recent tour of the Bank of Zambia offices, Deputy Minister Miles Sampa affirmed that the Bank of Zambia Act of 2013 was not meant to reintroduce foreign exchange controls on the economy but to monitor exports for the Kwacha’s stability.
And according to the ZANACO newsletter for 22 March 2013, the bank said the kwacha is in the near term expected to trade at a narrow range of between KR5.370 (K5,370) and KR5.420 (5,420) on the interbank for bid and offer respectively.
Mr Dodia however said there is need for government to clearly articulate their policies so as to calm the growing concern by people in the banking sector who feel the new provisions to the law will give government more monetary control.
The PSDA chairman stated that clear statements and government coordination in economic policies will go a long way in reinforcing confidence in the economy especially with attempts to stabilise the kwacha.
Mr Dodia added that the fall of the kwacha in recent weeks has been due to the insufficient foreign currency in circulation brought on by uncertainty in the market.
He affirmed that the takeover of mines, lack of coordinated policy pronouncements, the BOZ amendment bill, and insufficient foreign currency are among the factors that have contributed to the recent poor performance of the local currency.
He stressed the need to manage the business environment prudently to allow players gain confidence in the local currency
Mr Dodia urged government to look at ways of increasing foreign currency on the market to stabilise demand and in the medium to short term boost the local currency.
ZANIS
Drunk Driver flees the scene after his Minibus with passengers overturns
A Ndola minibus overturned a few meters from the under bridge leaving eight passengers with minor injuries on Saturday.
The driver of minibus registration number ACJ 4030 who was found with opaque beer packs of shake shake lost control when he concentrated on taking the beer while driving at high speed. One of the passengers, Agness Mulenga of 455 Mine Masala who complained of a painful left ankle said, the driver was accosted by the passengers from taking the alcohol but he said being a weekend it was okay for him to do that.
“We actually condemned his beer drinking and asked him to stop but he was not interested with what we were saying and kept on telling us it’s a weekend and its okay” Ms Mulenga said.
Another passenger who sought anonymity said the driver started drinking in Chipulukusu where the bus was boarding from at a place called beach club. “The driver of the bus was taking shake shake when we were boarding and I thought he would leave the shake shake behind but to our surprise he carried it along with him when we started off,” he said.
When traffic officers arrived on the scene the driver identified as Winston Sichilongo of an unknown address of Chipulukusu ran away.
Chief inspector Clement Nsunda Deputy officer-in-charge at Ndola traffic said a docate will be opened to pave way for investigations to find the driver who flee the scene.
The bus belongs to a Ndola business man Zino Ratif whose son was also at the scene of the accident.
Tchara Farming Limited drags 23 Chongwe villagers to court for trespassing
Tchara Farming Limited in Chongwe district has dragged 23 villagers of Busoli royal establishment of Chieftainess Nkhomesha Mukamambo II to court for allegedly trespassing in its farm and allowing their goats and cattle to graze on the land.
The farming limited wants the Lusaka high court to grant it an injunction restraining Robert Mweemba and 22 others from trespassing and cultivating in the said land.
The farm had further asked the court to award it damages for the electrical wire fence valued at about K600, 000 which was allegedly destroyed by the villagers and their animals.
It stated in its statement that the defendants were villagers under the Busoli royal establishment of Mukambo II while the plaintiff was the lawful owner of farm number 592.
Tchara farming Limited stated further that on or about 1 February that it would make a road was for the villagers which were a seven meters corridor through the said land to enable them have access to the main road.
This was despite the 3.5 meters between the Hartley farms which had also given away 3.5 meters to make it the said seven meters but instead Hartley farm have allegedly refused.
It stated that despite making the seven meters corridor for the villagers, the defendants and others have continued destroying the electrical wire fence whose value so far damaged was about K600.000.00.
Tchara farming limited stated that the villagers, as if destroyed the wire fence was not enough taken their cattle and goats for grazing on the land in question without permission hence causing injury to the land.
It said it has as a result suffered loss, injury and had been gravely inconvenienced
I have been persecuted for things I did not do, my day of victory will one day come-Lubinda
Kabwata Member of Parliament (MP) Given Lubinda has charged that he has been persecuted for doing nothing and that his day of victory will one day come.
Mr Lubinda, who is serving a-six months suspension from his Patriotic Front (PF) party, likened himself to Jesus Christ’s resurrection few days after he was persecuted and accused of things which he did not even do but was enough to give him strength that his day of victory was coming.
He said this in an interview in Lusaka yesterday during the Palm Sunday commemoration when he joined scores of Christians to march from Libala Salvation Army Temple to the Mary Immaculate Catholic Parish in Kabwata constituency.
He said his day was coming because there was hope in knowing that the persecuted always emerged victorious.
Mr Lubinda urged politicians in Zambia to take the Easter period to pray to God to give them strength to stand against those they knew had evil intentions about their leadership.
The former Foreign Affairs Minister said leaders could not provide true service to the country when they were busy painting everybody else black other than themselves.
“How can you provide true service to people when you are painting everybody black except yourself? I urge politicians to pray to God to give us strength to stand against those we know have evil thoughts about us. This period is relevant to me because it tells me that even in suffering, there is victory,” he said.
He said the resurrection of Christ from the dead was an indication that those who persecuted others were in the end the vanquished while those who were persecuted emerged victorious.
He said the Palm Sunday was a sign of salvation as well as meekness of Christ who even when many people including those he saved accused him of things he did not do, remained true to his word.
He said that everybody including those he saved freely accused him but when he was being tried, he remained quiet and calm. He was accused of saving mankind and a lot of things were twisted against him.
He said that it was a reminder to Christians that there was power in remaining true to oneself as Palm Sunday was a period for leaders to realise that power was a borrowed thing.
He said Christ always humbled himself even at difficult times, something that leaders should emulate.
Quoting the Bible verse which says “Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing,” Mr Lubinda urged his fellow politicians to be meek and humble even when persecuted.
He urged political leaders to take this period to reflect on their role in society and not to only give prominence to themselves even to the extent of wanting to kill others just to place themselves on top.
He said the church had a role to pray in the good governance of the country and bring about development.
RUGBY: Diggers Maintain Lead
Defending champions Diggers have opened up a six-point lead at the top of the 2013 Zambia Rugby Union/Buildcon National League.
On Saturday, Diggers thumped Roan 27-0 in Luanshya to stretch their tally to 15 points after three games.
Second placed Buffaloes beat Mufulira 10-3 to move to nine points.
Meanwhile former league champions Arrows kicked off the new season on Saturday with a 23-7 win over Eagles away in Kabwe.
This was Arrows’ first league match this year after their two opening fixtures failed to take pla
Nkana Rues Conceded Goals
Nkana coach Masautso Mwale has rued the two goals Kalampa conceded in Saturday’s away 3-2 win over Forest Rangers in Ndola.
Leading 3-1, Nkana allowed a 90th minute goal scored by Zambia Under-17 striker Spencer Sautu to ensure a nerve racking finish to the FAZ Super Division Week Two fixture at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.
In an interview, Mwale told LT Sports that conceding two goals was not healthy.
“It (allowing goals) was not good, we relaxed a bit and there was miscommunication in my backline,” he said.
“This is something that we can sort out,” added Mwale.
He, however, expressed joy over Nkana’s two consective wins in the new season.
“We are on course and we know what we want to achieve. I think the players are accounting for themselves very well.”
Nkana take on league leaders Kalulushi Modern Stars in their next fixture at home.
Kalulushi tops the league on superior goal difference after collecting six points from the first two opening matches.