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Deputy Minister of Health, Patrick Chikusu, says he is shocked to learn that male and female students share the same hostel at Serenje’s Chitambo School of Nursing.
Dr Chikusu said it is not right for both male and female students to share the same hostel, regardless of the accommodation challenges at the institute.
ZANIS reports from Serenje District that the minister said this when he toured the institute on Thursday.
He said it was morally and professionally wrong for male and female students to be sharing a hostel adding that this should not be tolerated.
He added that because the situation may encourage students to engage in illicit behaviour, which may in turn dent the good image of the institute.
He said while government understands that Chitambo Nursing School is faced with accommodation challenges, the situation cannot be allowed to continue.
“ Therefore, I advise management to find ways of putting up a temporal demarcation that will, at least, separate the male students from the female or just find an alternative space for the male students to ensure acceptable moral standards at the institute, “ he said.
He said the issue needs urgent attention because government does not want to see a situation where colleges are being turned into brothels and at no time should accommodation problems be excuses for laxity in training institutes.
He added that government, through the Ministry of Health, would consider constructing more hostels at the Nursing School to mitigate accommodation challenges.
Dr Chikusu said the PF government is working hard at ensuring that there are adequate training institutions for health workers in various parts of the country, in order to allow the local people to enroll.
Earlier, the Matron at Chitambo School of Nursing Hilda Mubanga said lack of accommodation is a major issue affecting the institution.
Ms. Mubanga, who is also a Nursing Officer in Charge at Chitambo Hospital, said as a result, the students are forced to share the only existing hostel, despite their gender.
She said this has also disadvantaged the community because the school can only accommodate 27 students who share one room per two students.
She said currently, there are 27 students pursuing their Nursing Careers at the Institute and of these, 17 are female while 10 are male.
Ms Mubanga, on behalf of the training institute, appealed to government to expand accommodation at the institute so that it can take in more students as more and more people would want to enroll at the Nursing School.
Farmers in Monze District have accused Omnia Zambia of deliberately destabilizing the Government Farmer Input Support Program (FISP) in Monze District by failing to deliver fertilizer for distribution.
And Hamusonde mutli-purpose cooperatives chairperson Munankombe Mwaanza has appealed to Government to deal with Omnia Zambia firmly.
Mr. Sintemba Cooperatives Chairperson Penshi Musunga said that farmers were very disappointed with Omnia Zambia over the non delivery of fertilizer to the District.
ZANIS reports that the Cooperative Chairperson said this on behalf of farmers in an interview in Monze, yesterday.
He said that they had not received top dressing fertilizer for the past two weeks and Omnia had kept on assuring them that fertilizer would be delivered.
“This has affected many farmers who have not yet received top dressing (Urea) fertilizer as the period of time in which to apply it to the crops was running out, “Mr.Musunga said.
He added that with heavy rains currently being experienced maize crop had already started turning yellow.
He said that the situation may result into a disaster if left unchecked because most of the farmers might fail to achieve good harvest.
Meanwhile And Hamusonde mutli-purpose cooperatives chairperson Munankombe Mwaanza has appealed to Government to deal with Omnia Zambia firmly.
Mr. Mwaanza explained that government should deal with the fertilizer firm by ensuring that law takes its course for failing to deliver fertilizer as this was tantamount to breaching of contract which was awarded to the company to supply inputs.
Mr.Mwaanza said in an interview that the prevailing situation on FISP in Monze District was painting a bad picture on Government because the program had not been handled properly.
He said that Omnia had not shown interest in serving farmers who have been an integral part of the Country’s food security adding that Government must not give the company any contract to distribute inputs to farmers next farming season.
Mr.Mwaanza said that Government must ensure that Omnia delivers the fertilizer so that farmers could try to apply despite time running out.
He said that farmers were interested in knowing what caused delays by the company to deliver the inputs yet Government had paid for the inputs in full.
And Monze District Agriculture Coordinator (DACO) Justine Ngosa confirmed that Omnia had only distributed 36,684 by 50 kg bags of urea leaving a balance of 12,546 by 50 kg bags.
Mr.Ngosa said in an interview that most of the farmers had already collected D compound fertilizer but were stuck with urea.
He said that the situation was not good because crops risked being affected if no urea is applied at the right time.
The DACO said that production this year especially among small scale farmers would be affected if Omnia does not supply urea and distribute to farmers soon.
Efforts to get a comment from Omnia Zambia Southern province regional manager proved futile as his was not reachable by press time.
Court clerks and messengers at Gwembe’s Chipepo local courts have continued to draw salaries without working following the retiring of local court judges about two years ago.
ZANIS reports that Chief Chipepo Representative, Samson Siabwengo said in Gwembe today that government has also continued to loose court revenue following its delay in recruiting judges in Chipepo.
Mr. Siabwengo said courts are important as they offer justice and redress and wondered why government has given a blind eye to the calls by Gwembe people to have the local courts operational.
He said court clerks and messengers are now drawing salaries without rendering a service, adding that the Chipepo community cannot blame the officers.
Mr. Siabwengo has appealed to government to consider deploying local court judges to the area in order to revamp the much needed court services.
And a Gwembe husband who sliced his wife’s left eye during a domestic fight has pleaded guilty in the Monze magistrate courts.
Pontianos Chidila of house number 288 in Gwembe Township assaulted Marilyn Sianjina 27 of the same address last week.
Fists were allegedly used, leaving Sianjina with a cut on left eye, swollen face and general body pains.
Police in Gwembe told ZANIS that the victim heard the suspect speaking to some woman on the phone and suspected Chidila of having an extra-marital affair.
Sianjina then grabbed the phone from her husband who turned on her, and beat her with fists.
The suspect is in police custody and will reappear in court for facts next week.
And police in Gwembe turned down Sianjina’s request to withdraw the assault case against her husband owing to the magnitude of the matter.
Police have advised would-be victims to think twice before reporting cases to police.
A book writer in Kasama Shula Clement says introduction of local languages in school is a welcome move.
Mr Shula who is also a Teacher at Chafwa Basic School in Kasama of Northern told ZANIS in Kasama today that teaching in local languages will enable pupils understand and articulate issues better.
He said teachers find it difficult to teach English to children especially in low grades as they fail to understand the language.
Mr. Shula noted that teaching local languages in school would revive the spirit of embracing Traditions and culture of the land. .
He has however appealed to Government to recognize local Book writers as an encouragement to write more books.
Mr. shula emphasized that pupils enjoy reading books that are written by people they know but writer are not funded to produce this books.
Shula said he has found it difficult to market Books written in local language as readers prefer English ones.
He explained that after finding that Bemba written books ran out of the market, he decided to translate all 12 books he has written into English so that people can buy them.
Recently Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba said Government wants to ensure that teaching of local languages is re-introduced in school.
King Imwiko Lubosi (II) sitting on his thrown in the Kuta (Traditional Court) in Limulunga royal village in Mongu contrary to reports that he had died.
DELEGATES at the Western Province Constitution Convention have resolved that Article 201 of the Draft Constitution be amended by making the Litunga and the council as the head of administration in the province.
The decision was arrived at yesterday following an election preceded by a debate, with those in support of the amendment, as proposed by Mongu delegates at the Western Province district consultative fora, getting 58 votes while the opposing side obtaining 29.
Similarly, as recommended by Mongu delegates at the Western Province district consultative fora, their counterparts at provincial level yesterday also recommended that Article 203 be amended by including three provisions after Clause (4).
The delegates at the Provincial Constitution Convention held in Mongu reached that conclusion following an election which saw those in favour of the amendment polling 55 and those against it getting a paltry five votes.
The three included provisions to Article 203 state that: “In the case of the Barotseland, there shall be established the Barotse National Council in accordance with the tradition of the people of the Barotseland and members of the Barotse National Council shall also be members of the Provincial Assembly of Barotseland.
The other amendment states,”The Provisions agreed upon for inclusion in the Constitution of Zambia at the Constitution Conference held in London in May, 1964 shall form part of this Constitution and shall have full force and effect in Barotseland.”
The third proposed amendment says, “The Government of Zambia shall take such steps as are necessary to en sure that the laws for the time being in force in the Republic of Zambia are not inconsistent with the provisions of the Barotseland Agreement of 1964.”
One of the major highlights among the debaters was Western Chapter Local Government Association of Zambia vice president Kunga Kalimbwe when he argued that the country was trying to come up with an “indivisible” Constitution and thus there was no need for a Barotse National Council.
Mr Kalimbwe contended that the inclusion of the Barotse National Council was unfair and unnecessary because other provinces had existing councils.
“We want uniformity in a Zambia that is equal to all the people of Zambia.Uniformity for all the Zambians. This is not the Constitution for Barotseland alone. It’s a Constitution for the Republic of Zambia.
In that respect, it must contain all the provinces’ wishes,” he said.
Mr Kalimbwe was at some point interrupted by murmuring delegates prompting the Convention chairperson Bernard Silumesii to demand for order before allowing the debater to continue with his submission.
Mr Kalimbwe is also MMD Mbanyutu Ward councilor in Kaoma’s Luampa Constituency.
President Sata on arrival in South Africa for the AFCON Openning ceremony at Waterkloof-Picture by Presidential Photographer THOMAS NSAMA
The Patriotic Front has postponed its central committee meeting which was scheduled to determine the fate of members facing disciplinary charges.
The Central committee was expected to meet tomorrow to determine the matter which involves foreign affairs minister GIVEN LUBINDA, suspended eastern province PF chairperson LUCAS PHIRI and six others.
PF secretary general Wynter Kabimba has confirmed the postponement in a telephone interview with ZNBC news in Lusaka today.
Mr. Kabimba said that the meeting will instead take place next week on Wednesday.
He said that the deferment has come about because the Chairman of the central committee President Michael Sata is out of the country.
Meanwhile, President Michael Sata has left for South Africa to attend the official opening of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.
President Sata who is accompanied by First Lady Christine kaseba left at 10:20 hours on Saturday aboard the Presidential challenger plane.
Vice President Guy Scott and Finance minister Alexander Chikwanda were on hand to see off the President.
Others who saw off the President are defence minister Geoffrey Mwamba, Home Affairs minister Edgar Lungu and service chiefs.
The National Restoration Party (NAREP) President Elias Chipimo Junior has released the first instalment of the 10 part series aimed at pointing out what things are wrong and right with the current PF Government. The 10 part series is in response to Statehouse reaction to a press briefing held on January the 10th by Mr Chipimo to deliver his party’s new year message in which he criticised the government’s running the affairs of the country. This first series is focused on the current Mealie meal crisis.
Below is the full statement.
THE PARALLEL UNIVERSE SERIES ISSUE NO. 1: THE MEALIE-MEAL CRISIS IN ZAMBIA
Introduction
As promised, we set out the first in a series of 10 statements that we have entitled: “The Parallel Universe Series”. The term “parallel universe” is normally used in a non-complementary manner. It suggests that someone is out of touch with reality. When NAREP held a press conference on 10 January 2013 to deliver our New Year message, we challenged the Patriotic Front to stop focussing on political domination (for example, through triggering unnecessary by-elections) and to prioritise development actions. We then gave several examples of people’s expectations and pointed out that it was not our intention to see the PF fail because if they failed, it would be the people who would suffer.
We received a harsh response from State House suggesting that we are living in a “parallel universe” and requesting us to: “pinpoint where the PF Government has failed, and provide alternative grounded options rather than spend time in a day-dreaming or theoretical session about what [we] [wish] to happen”. The Parallel Universe Series will therefore address issues we were asked to point out. We do this in the spirit of offering solution-oriented thinking and to share with the general public our own policy priorities and governance plans as a Party that seeks to restore values-based leadership through constructive reasoning and issue-based politics. Our first discussion topic is the current mealie-meal crisis.
Rule number one in handling a maize crisis: accept that there is a problem
Few people would deny that we are facing a serious food crisis and one that could get a lot worse by the time the current rains are over and the new maize crop is harvested. The price of maize meal – the nation’s staple food – has increased in some cases by over 100 percent from the prices prevailing prior to the day the PF administration came to power. As we will try to demonstrate, although the problem is not entirely the PF’s fault, decisions that they have either taken or failed to take, have served to make a bad situation even worse.
With the price of mealie-meal reaching record levels, the PF appears to have finally woken up from its development slumber and realised they need to get their act together. The problem is that rather than acting, they are reacting. During one of the seemingly endless swearing-in ceremonies at State House, President Sata stated that he would consider re-introducing price controls to curb the high cost of mealie-meal. This would be an act of desperation and would only make the situation worse over the long-term.
When you consider that prior to the election in 2011 the average cost of a 25 kilogramme bag of mealie-meal was K45,000 (rebased K45) and that this had risen to over K90,000 (rebased K90) at its highest point in some parts of the country last month, it is clear why there is some panic within the PF hierarchy.
[pullquote]The threat of price controls should not be taken lightly. Mealie-meal increases on a much smaller scale formed an important part of the revolutionary build up that saw the downfall of President Kaunda in 1991.[/pullquote]
The threat of price controls should not be taken lightly. Mealie-meal increases on a much smaller scale formed an important part of the revolutionary build up that saw the downfall of President Kaunda in 1991. Riots that took place in June 1990 due to Kaunda’s attempt to remove subsidies on maize were seized upon by a daring signals officer who mounted a short-lived coup less than 12 months before Zambia’s First President was finally voted out of power. Mealie-meal is clearly serious business in Zambia. What is sad about the situation we face today is that the present increases were predictable and could have been avoided.
The belated intervention by the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) and continued threats from the Head of State against the millers have meant that prices have started to come down. This has reduced the fear that price controls and other Second Republic tactics will be adopted to address a problem that was almost entirely due to the mishandling of the situation by an administration that appears to be focused more on playing politics than on development.
Before we get too cosy with the idea that this risk has gone away, however, we need to remember that because the current price reductions are not a reflection of market forces, the reductions we are witnessing may only be temporary. Sooner or later, a more comprehensive approach to dealing with the mealie-meal crisis will have to be taken. What is needed now is a government that fully understands the politics of maize.
Understanding the politics of maize
When prices of commodities rise drastically, it is usually a market signal that something has gone wrong with the balance of supply and demand. If more people want to buy something that is in short supply, the price of that item will quite naturally go up. Any person who is in the business of trading in mealie-meal will be well aware when demand goes up and so will the consumers.
Out of desperation and in order to secure an “essential” commodity whose availability is uncertain, people will – up to a certain level – be reluctantly prepared to pay more. This is exactly what has happened with the price of mealie-meal in Zambia.
The PF does not seem to have understood the politics of maize quickly enough. They have been too busy dealing with their political opponents to realise that they have created for themselves a new enemy: the ordinary Zambian who just wants to be able to enjoy his staple nshima without paying too much for it.
Things might not even be so bad for the generally neglected Zambian if at least he or she had a job and could afford the price increase – or if he or she did not have to suffer endless load-shedding, lack of access to quality healthcare and safe clean water, or to face costly transport charges getting the family to school and to work. But before we give the PF too much grief over their poor handling of the maize crisis, let us first examine how we got here in the first place.
The roots of the crisis
The roots of the current mealie-meal crisis lie in the seemingly insatiable demand for the commodity from neighbouring countries, particularly the Democratic Republic of Congo (as well as in the broader Great Lakes Region and beyond), which demand has been made even worse by last season’s poor harvest in the United States and Mexico.
Here is a summary of the challenge: South Africa has produced about 12 million metric tonnes of maize this year and is able to supply mealie-meal to the Congo more cheaply than Zambia because of its efficient system of planting, harvest, storage, finance and generally well-supported agricultural sector.
[pullquote]The roots of the current mealie-meal crisis lie in the seemingly insatiable demand for the commodity from neighbouring countries, particularly the Democratic Republic of Congo (as well as in the broader Great Lakes Region and beyond)[/pullquote]
This year, however, South Africa is not exporting to the Congo because its exports are covering the shortfalls in the North American markets (which were a result of last year’s drought in that region). The massive vacuum in the Congo supply chain has created even greater pressure on Zambian maize. Due to the basic rules of supply and demand, Zambian maize has simply become hot property in the DRC and beyond, pushing up the local sale price to unprecedented levels.
Had the Government intervened early enough when it became clear that prices in Zambia were rising, the crisis would have been far better managed. For example, when several politicians and commentators started speaking of banning exports last year, it was precisely to prevent Zambian maize from being sucked into the regional vacuum and creating a crisis here.
When you add to the regional demand factor, the various problems resulting from
(i) the Food Reserve Agency’s confusing role in the maize market (exporting maize when our markets are facing erratic supplies);
(ii) infrastructure challenges preventing maize from being collected from rural areas when roads are impassable during the rains and there is no effective storage in these locations;
(iii) long-term structural problems in maize marketing;
(iv) delays in providing inputs and payments to farmers;
(v) poorly thought out government policy; and
(vi) last minute procurement practices,
you have the perfect storm of problems. You also have one predictable outcome: sky high maize prices in excess of K100,000 per 25 kilogramme bag. In some ways, we are lucky that the price is not higher!
When you have a critical continental shortage of a staple commodity creating strong regional demand, the short-term measure to take is to prevent exports (so that you can at least feed your own people) and flood the market with as much raw material (stored maize) as possible in a consistent manner. Belatedly, this is the action that PF administration has taken.
The reason why prices are not coming down as fast as they should is that the demand is still so high and there are no effective means of preventing exports from our long and porous border with the DRC.
[pullquote]FRA stocks of maize are not audited and it is pure guesswork as to how much maize they are holding at any one time and the quality of that stock.[/pullquote]
Earlier this month newspapers reported the discovery by a Government official of a boat laden with mealie-meal as it was about to set sail for Burundi from Mpulungu harbour. Demand is high in the Great Lakes countries and into Sudan. How many boats go unnoticed? How much mealie-meal is being smuggled daily, weekly, monthly? No one knows!
As for the FRA? Well, that is a whole different story. FRA stocks of maize are not audited and it is pure guesswork as to how much maize they are holding at any one time and the quality of that stock. It did not help that the FRA was itself getting in on the export game during the current marketing season, presumably to try and recover the huge subsidy costs to the maize sector which amounts to nearly US$2 million per day. That amounts to 730 million dollars a year – almost the same amount of money as we borrowed under the Eurobond!
So what is the way forward?
(a) Infrastructure and extension services
Clearly, there is need for more innovative approach to the challenges (actual or perceived) affecting this critical sector. Even when it is not trying hard, Zambia is capable of producing enough food to feed itself. There has to be an expanded incentive to produce not only more but to do so efficiently. This calls for massive investment in extension services, research and development, road networks, irrigation infrastructure and in maize marketing. The colossal amounts being spent on maize purchases could have done wonders if applied to these areas. It is commendable that a good part of the Eurobond is to be spent on the energy and transportation sectors. These are critical areas for ensuring sustained agricultural production.
Zambia has in excess of 400,000 square kilometres of medium to high quality arable land that could serve as a massive breadbasket not only for the region but for Africa as a whole. Without investment in infrastructure, however, this potential will remain unrealised. The PF is certainly trying to do its part to improve the road infrastructure with its Link 8,000 project. The only problem is that Link 8,000 is not being supervised and run in a manner that will get us the best results within the shortest possible time and at the least cost (but this is a topic for another day).
(b) New marketing mechanisms
Once production costs are brought under control, we need to develop an efficient marketing mechanism. Innovative ideas include the support to the development of a vibrant commodity exchange linked to a series of storage centres around the country. Storage is critical and can be tied to a system of warehouse receipts. This is a great way to reintroducing the financial sector into agriculture even at a smallholder level. Storage that is certified based on best international practice will effectively commercialise the small farmer.
If, for example, a rural small-scale farmer can deposit their produce in a warehouse near his or her field and collect a warehouse receipt for that commodity, he or she can take that receipt and obtain cash for part or all of the stock. This will prevent panic selling and will provide stability to his or her financial requirements. In order for such a system to work efficiently, however, Government must put in place – among other things – supporting legislation and a national storage construction and development programme.
It is important to recall that the private sector has been asking for the recognition of a Warehouse Receipt as a document of title from as far back as 2004. The MMD Government only moved on this in 2010 in an attempt to replace the Agricultural Credits Act. However, the 2012 Act remains unimplemented.
This action should be delayed no further. Similarly, an Agricultural Marketing Bill went through stakeholders consultation in 2010 but it is not clear when it will be taken to Parliament despite a Parliamentary Committee report recommending the immediate presentation of the Bill to the National Assembly. It contains important provisions for the improving the sector and curtailing adverse political interference. A Commodity Exchange Bill also underwent stakeholder consultation in February 2010, although it is not clear what stage the Bill has reached.
All of these interventions will help to put maize supply on a much better footing. The price of mealie-meal should be determined as much as possible by market forces and if the Government wants to intervene then it should be done for every bag of roller meal which leaves the mill and not from the raw material stage. After all, Government is probably also subsidising the production of stock-feed (which uses huge amounts of maize) and is not able to monitor how much of the subsidised maize is being used in the stock-feed industry.
(c) Rethinking our diet and farming practices
It is also important for Government to begin the exercise of re-thinking our dependence on maize as a staple food as part of a broader crop diversification programme. Consuming huge quantities of maize meal, particularly the refined breakfast meal contributes to the high rates of preventable illnesses – particularly diabetes. It is almost as impacting as taking lots of sugar in your tea because it is simply refined carbohydrates (especially breakfast meal) that are then converted into sugar by the body.
[pullquote]Traditionally, our communities were raised on finger millet – a commodity that can grow with far less fertilizer, has far greater nutritional value and would not become embroiled in the politics of maize..[/pullquote]
Traditionally, our communities were raised on finger millet – a commodity that can grow with far less fertilizer, has far greater nutritional value and would not become embroiled in the politics of maize as it can be grown more cheaply and efficiently in rural locations.
Rural farmers need to be supported to move from subsistence to income-based farming through the emphasis on money crops like soya beans. Soya beans is a source of protein that is widely used for both human consumption and animal feedstock and has great national and regional demand. A soya farmer should have no problem paying back loans on the back of huge demand. In order for the maize sector to perform better, certain structural changes will have to be made.
(d) Rethinking the role of the FRA
Government needs to seriously rethink the role and performance of the FRA. Many traders and millers are not willing to take any local positions on maize preferring to do so purely for export and to a lesser extent to supply local breweries which consume a very small portion of annual production (approximately 80,000 metric tonnes against a full harvest of over 1 million tonnes).
Local traders have traditionally had mandates from mills to buy and stock maize for them for release later on in the year but this business has been obliterated by FRA. The reason is simple. If a trader is not sure whether the FRA will also begin releasing maize at a cheap price to millers in the middle of the year, that trader will not want to hold stock that he might have purchased at a high price.This is because even a small reduction in the FRA price to the market could bankrupt a miller that has pre-purchased maize stock for releasing later into the market.
[pullquote]This is because even a small reduction in the FRA price to the market could bankrupt a miller that has pre-purchased maize stock for releasing later into the market.[/pullquote]
Most millers rely on bank finance but the lack of clarity and planning on the part of FRA makes both the millers and the lending institutions nervous and therefore cautious. They have no certainty as to when the FRA will intervene in the market. The only solution is to focus on the export market or buy limited amounts of stock that they can quickly sell if the FRA drops the price of maize.
The financial sector generally prefers to lend to FRA because such lending comes with a Government guarantee. Millers would therefore rather fill their storage sheds with only a few months of stock when FRA is not participating in the market between May and October (a restriction set by the Food Reserve Act).
Further, because not every miller is able to accesses cheaper FRA maize, there is a distortion in the market. A close look at production figures shows that the more efficient producers of maize – essentially the large scale farmers – have tended to diversify into other commodities such as soya beans and tobacco.
FRA has therefore only served to promote inefficiency. Current maize yields in Zambia average about 2 tons per hectare when they are supposed to be 5-10 tons per hectare. With its 1.3 million small-scale farmers, Zambia can easily match the average annual South Africa production of 10-12 million tons of maize and feed the continent!
Conclusion
A simple comparison between Zambia and South Africa demonstrates the challenge we face and how without more focussed national leadership, we will not solve the problem of high maize prices. In the end, unless economic activity picks up and people are able to earn more money, the price of maize will always be too high.
[pullquote] If the PF administration was as determined to deliver development as it is to destroy Nevers Mumba’s MMD, Zambia would already be a very different country by now.[/pullquote]
Even in South Africa where production and marketing efforts are efficient, the price of a 25 kilogramme bag of maize fetches over K100,000 (rebased K100). If the PF administration was as determined to deliver development as it is to destroy Nevers Mumba’s MMD, Zambia would already be a very different country by now.
As one expert in the sector (who shall remain nameless) points out, maize in the Americas and Asia is an economic commodity, whereas here we have reduced it to a political crop, haemorrhaged the Treasury and succeeded in sustaining poverty.
THE Prosecution team in a matter in which former Information and Broadcasting Services Permanent Secretary Sam Phiri and three others are charged with corruption has conceded duplicity in the first count but said the same does not warrant for quashing of the charge.
Phiri, former Zambia Daily Mail deputy managing director Davis Mataka, consultant Ngande Mwanajiti and the Zambian Newspaper Limited have raised preliminary issues asking Principal Lusaka Magistrate Aridah Chuulu, to quash the charge of corrupt acquisition of public property on their indictment on grounds that there was duplicity of charges.
But Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) Prosecutor Silumesi Muchula said yesterday that although it was true that there was duplicity in the first count, the same did not call for the court to quash the indictment.
Mr Muchula instead asked the court to allow the State to make amendments to the indictment so that the accused could proceed to take plea.
“We concede your honour that there is duplicity in the statement of the offence under count one in that section 33 (1) (b) creates a separate offence from that cited in section 33 (2) (b). However the question to be answered is whether the accused has suffered prejudice or embarrassment to warrant the quashing of the indictment on account of duplicity,” Mr Muchula said.
He said there has been no prejudice or embarrassment suffered by the accused so far and as such, the motion to quash count one at this stage was premature especially that the accused had not even taken plea.
He said he strongly believed that the remedy for the duplicity did not lie in quashing the count but that necessary amendments could be made to the indictment to make it more suitable for the accused to take plea.
“It’s my humble prayer that count one should not be quashed but the prosecution be allowed to make necessary amendments to the indictment.
Phiri’s defence lawyer Charles Lisita who maintained his motion to have the count quashed said it was however heartening to learn that the State was conceding to duplicity of the count.
And Mwanajiti’s lawyer, Lillian Mushota sought guidance from the court on the move by the State to save the fourth accused (Zambian newspaper) with summons yesterday when the court had already ruled that they would proceed without summons.
Ms Mushota also told the court that she was not competent to represent the newspaper because it was a limited liability company with two directors who are also shareholders of the company.
She said that since the company was governed by the Company Act, issues relating to its legal representation have to be as a way of resolution adding that unless she saw such resolutions from the two directors she felt incompetent to represent the newspaper.
But Mr Muchula said the summons was duly served on one of the directors, Mwanajiti, and as such Ms Mushota should have obtained instructions from Mwanajiti.
Magistrate Chuulu reserved ruling to January 30, 2013.
Phiri, Mataka and Mwanajiti are in the first count charged with corrupt acquisition of public property and revenue.
The Zambian Newspaper Limited, which is the fourth accused and in person being represented by Mwanajiti, is separately charged with unlawful printing and publication.
It is alleged in count one that Phiri, Mataka and Mwanajiti fraudulently diverted K202, 696, 050 Public Media Support Fund from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services for the production of a newspaper called, “The Zambian.”
In the second count, Mataka alias “John Allan Mugwida” and Mwanajiti alias “George Banda,” unlawfully published a newspaper called “The Zambian” which was not registered at the National Archives Department.
The offences were committed between January 1, 2011 and November 1, the same year in Lusaka.
First Quantum Minerals (FQM) has projected to be paying in excess of US$1 billion in profit tax to the Zambian Government annually once Sentinel Mine at Trident comes on stream in 2014.
FQM resource optimisation manager John Gladston said in Lusaka yesterday that the mining company was committed to paying taxes to the Government and was set to pay $1 billion once the expansion programme including the development of Sentinel Mine at Trident came on board.
In an interview, Mr Gladston said with the expansion of the Kansanshi Mine and the coming on line of Sentinel Mine, FQM would be in the position to pay in excess of $1 billion per year adding that Kansanshi would increase its copper output with additional coming from Sentinel mine.
The mine paid in excess of US$450 million in taxes to the Government last year and Mr Gladston said the firm was committed to paying more taxes once the Sentinel Mine was fully operational.
He said the taxes the firm would be paying to the Government would be above the $750 million Government raised from the Euro bond.
“We are happy to be paying the taxes to the Government and we want the tax regime to be fair and we are ready to comply with the new tax regime the Government will be putting in place.We want to be transparent in our transactions,” he said.
The firm welcomed government initiatives to audit figures of mining firms in Zambia to ascertain production figures and check who was evading tax.
He said with regard to the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), the mining company would be putting in place a number of projects in the mining areas where they were operating.
“We are putting in place a number of infrastructure development such as the construction of schools, clinics and industries to support the local community,” he said.
Mr Gladston said the company planned to build a township in Kalumbila together with a school, clinics and industries.”
About 2, 000 Zambians were expected to be directly employed at Sentinel Mine at Trident when it was fully operational and 400 additional Zambian jobs expected at the proposed Solwezi Smelter planned by First Quantum.
Hurray… University of Zambia graduants after receiving their credentials
Government has said that it will set up loan schemes for its public university students this year in a bid to do away with the bursary system in the long term.
Education Permanent Secretary Patrick Nkanza said that his ministry was currently looking at ways to strengthen the system of recovering the loans so that other students can benefit.
Dr. Nkanza disclosed that government was in the process of putting up a body to administer the loans.
The minister said this in an interview in Lusaka yesterday.
He welcomed input from all stakeholders to ensure effective management of the system.
He affirmed that the system will be implemented and improved on as government was keen on seeing the exercise become successful and achieve its targets.
On Wednesday former University of Zambia (UNZA) Vice-chancellor Robert Serpell advised government to consider establishing a system to offer loans to students at public unversties, as opposed to the current bursary system which had become unsustainable for government.
In a submission to the Parliamentary Committee on Education, Science and Technology, Professor Serpell also called on government to detach itself from the loan scheme but allow commercial banks to administer the system because they already had effective loan recovery measures in place.
The government has with immediate effect banned political party cadres from escorting their leaders when they are appearing for questioning at any police station.
This follows the fracas that characterised the arrest of Mr Hichilema for allegedly defaming President Michael Sata.
In a statement made available to the media today, Home Affairs Minister Edgar Lungu directed police to investigate thoroughly and bring to book suspected UPND cadres who assaulted a police officer Adam Banda at Woodlands police station.
“This is not only hooliganism but also thuggery,” Mr Lungu said.
Unruly UPND cadres on Thursday turned Woodlands Police station into a battle ground and severely injured Mr Banda during the arrest of their leader.
Mr Hichilema was arrested for allegedly uttering a defamatory statement against Mr Sata during a tour of Kalikiliki Market recently.
Mr Lungu said the escort by party cadres or a mob was banned because it was a recipe for causing unruly behaviour and anarchy.
He advised any summoned person by police to only be escorted by a lawyer of their choice if they opted for one.
[pullquote]“However, using their discretion, the officer in charge will allow the person summoned to be accompanied by their spouse or relative,” Mr Lungu said.[/pullquote]
“However, using their discretion, the officer in charge will allow the person summoned to be accompanied by their spouse or relative,” Mr Lungu said.
He said the ministry would not sit idle by seeing the culture of anarchy prevail and become the order of the day.
“I am charged with the responsibility of ensuring that law and order in the nation is maintained and I will do just that,” he said.
He warned that his ministry would not take things lightly or kindly with anybody who interfered with the operations of police officers in the course of their duties.
In the case of suspected UPND cadres’s behaviour, Mr Lungu said, it was unacceptable and inhumane for the cadres to go to an extent of hitting an innocent police officer with a brick in the head.
He said the assault of the police officer by the unruly suspected UPND cadres was regrettable and made sad reading.
He said police should expedite investigations in the matter and bring to book all the culprits.
Mr Banda sustained a deep cut and bled profusely as the opposition leader pleaded with his supporters to be peaceful.
Former Information and Broadcasting Services Minister Ronnie Shikapwasha (right) and freelance journalist Chanda Chimba III hug at the Lusaka magistrate’s court complex
Plea in a matter involving former Information Minister Ronnie Shikapwasha, Stand up for Zambia documentary producer Chanda Chiimba III and former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information Samson Phiri today failed to take off as it was discovered that the indictment was substituted.
Mr. Shikapwasha, Mr Chiimba and Mr. Phiri appeared in good time at the Lusaka Magistrate in the company of their lawyers ready to take plea.
However when the matter came up before Lusaka, magistrate Mwaka Mikalile, defence lawyer Charles Lisita told the court that the defence team was surprised to see that the state prosecution team had a different indictment from what was obtained when the matter came up in the last sitting.
Mr. Lisita told the court that he was not informed on any changes and as such his clients could not take plea on matters they are not preview to.
He told court that the defence side needed time to look at the changes that have been made so that they too can get new instructions from their clients pertaining to the matters at hand.
Defending the twist of events on the indictment, Public Prosecutor Muchula told the court that there were slight changes that have been made to the indictment but that they were going to give the defence team the new indictment.
Mr. Muchula further asked for time so that the defence lawyers can study the new indictment and enable them get fresh instructions from their clients.
In count one and two Lieutenant General Shikapwasha stands charged with two offences of Abuse of Authority of Office contrary to section 99 (1) of the penal code cap 87 of the laws of Zambia, together with the former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information and broadcasting Samson Phiri.
Particulars of the offence are that on dates unknown but between October 1 and November 31, 2010 General Shikapwasha and Dr. Phiri being persons employed in the public Service as Minister and Permanent Secretary, respectively, in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services jointly and whilst acting together arbitrarily did direct ZNBC management to broadcast Chanda Chiimba III’s documentary namely “Stand up for Zambia”, an act prejudicial to the rights and interest of ZNBC a public body. This was in disregard of defamation laws and ZNBC editorial policy.
Furthermore the duo whilst acting together arbitrarily and in disregard to the professional Legal Advice not to broadcast “Stand up for Zambia” committed the government to pay all liabilities and legal fees emanating from the broadcast of the said program as act prejudicial to the rights and interests of ZNBC and government.
In count three and four, which has received some changes Chanda Chiimba stands charged with unlawful Printing and Publication contrary to section 5 (1) as read with section 5(2) of chapter 161 of the laws of Zambia.
Particulars of the offences are that Chiimba on June 9 and July 28, 2011and between August 25 and September 26, 2011 respectively while in Lusaka, unlawfully did cause to be printed and published a Newspaper “Stand Up for Zambia.”
Chimba further more did cause to be printed and published a newspaper namely “News of our Times” which where both not registered at the office of the Director for National Achieves of Zambia.
In count number five Dr. Samson Phiri is charged with Abuse of Authority of Office contrary to section 99 (1) of the penal code cap 87 of the laws of Zambia.
It is alleged that on unknown dates but between June 1, and July 31, 2011 while in Lusaka being a public officer namely Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting services did arbitrarily direct Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation management to repeat the broadcast of Chanda Chimba’s documentary “Stand Up for Zambia” at no fee, an act prejudicial to the rights and interest of ZNBC a public body.
In the sixth count Chanda Chiimba is accused of possession of property suspected of being proceeds of crime contrary to section 71 of the forfeiture of proceeds of crime Act number 19 of 2010 of the laws of Zambia.
It is alleged that in dates unknown but between June 9 and September 16, 2011 while in Lusaka did have in his possession an accumulated total of K 611, 440, 433.12 which he paid for his private and printing services to the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation, Muvi TV and Daily Mail Limited respectively which was reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime.
Stopilla Sunzu has joined the Zambia team at its Group C base in Nelspruit.
The TP Mazembe defender has missed Zambia’s last four training sessions after he was released by Herve Renard on January 12 to attend trials at Reading in England.
The defender has been at Reading for the last four days since leaving Zambia last Sunday for England.
Sunzu arrived in Nelspruit at 12:30 hours in Nelspruit after landing earlier in the morning from England in Johannesburg.
He later joined the team in training at Ka Nyamazane Stadium in Zambia’s only practice session on Friday afternoon.
Club assistant coach Bilton Musonda confirmed the death of his boss to LT Sports on Friday afternoon.
Musonda said Chikokola died on Friday morning at Lusaka’s Maina Soko Military Hospital after a short illness.
“He passed on this morning at Maina Soko Hospital. This is a sad moment for us,” he said.
Chikokola re-joined Buffaloes late last year and helped the army side to survive relegation.
He had coached the Zambia women soccer team and Young Buffaloes of Swaziland.
Tourism and Arts Minister Silvia Masebo has announced the nine member new Zambia wild life Authority-ZAWA-board to be led by commercial farmer Guy Robinson.
Other board members are PF Secretary General Wynter Kabimba, Senior Chief Inyambo Yeta and Timothy Mushibwe.
Others are Tourism PS Charity Mwansa, Ministry of Finance Economist Chasiya Kazembe, Anita Poleti, Chieftainess Mwape from Petauke and Yonas Mita.
Mrs. Masebo announced the new board in Lusaka this morning during a breakfast meeting organised by the Tourism Council of Zambia.
She said her Ministry is confident that the men and women in the new board will help reorganize ZAWA.
“ZAWA is an important organisation in tourism promotion but the current ZAWA needs an overhaul,” she said.
“The PF government is very concerned at the state of affairs at ZAWA. The organisation is deep in debt of over ZMK 2 trillion and cannot even pay its workers. We need to turn ZAWA around and I believe with this board, this objective can be realized,” Mrs. Masebo said.
She also bemoaned the continued externalization of revenue generated from the tourism industry by some foreign tourism players.
“You got to ZAWA and you pay US$3,000 to hunt a lion and when you sell that lion for US$ 30,000 in the US, you only declare US$ 1,000 and that is what you declare and bank in our local banks but the huge chunk of your profits are held offshore. We have to address this abnormality.”
She said foreign tourism investors should always plough back some of their profits into the communities where they are operating.
“We need genuine community investment programmes and not these PR campaigns where you donate a ZMK 20 million to a poor community or you paint a clinic in some rural community and you claim to be ploughing back to the community. That is unacceptable under this new government and even in business ethics, which is wrong.”
