CHIEF Government Spokesperson Kennedy Sakeni has said that Government has no hand in the decisions of the Judiciary in the dispensation of justice. Reacting to a statement made by Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ) yesterday on the acquitting of Henry Kapoko, Mr Sakeni said that it was unfortunate for CCZ to doubt Government’s commitment to the fight against corruption following the acquittal of Mr Henry Kapoko and eight others over corruption charges.

According to the statement released to the media , Mr Sakeni said that this was neither the first nor the last case the State has won or lost in the courts of law.

“It is therefore advisable that stakeholders desist from politicizing court decisions, but follow the due process of the law in seeking amends where it is deemed necessary, ” Mr Sakeni said.

“I re-iterate Government’s commitment to the rule of law and independence of the Judiciary as this is one of the major pillars for a thriving democracy”, the statement concluded.

Meanwhile, Mr Sakeni has said that State House should be a respected and people should not turn it into a playing ground for protests or demonstrations.

Mr Sakeni said although MMD president Nevers Mumba was free to walk to anywhere in Zambia including State House, he needed to know that State House entry was subject to restrictions.

Mr Sakeni who is Information and Broadcasting Services Minister was reacting to Dr Mumba who allegedly threatened for the second time to march to State House after concluding his business in Mufumbwe district.

The MMD leader wanted to see President Michael Sata over the Head of State’s alleged statement that he (Dr Mumba) embezzled church funds.

But Mr Sakeni said “Dr Mumba is free to walk to anywhere in Zambia including State House. .However, he should be alive to the fact that entry is subject to restrictions.”

He said Dr Mumba allegedly missed the regular entries he used to make during the MMD Government.

Dr Mumba was recently quoted as having said during the party’s final campaign rally to drum up support for MMD candidate in Mufumbwe by-election that he would soon march to State house to seek audience with Mr Sata.

He wanted to meet President Sata who should explain in detail which money he (Dr Mumba) stole from the church.

Defence Minister Geoffrey Mwamba has said that it is very unfortunate that junior PF party members are attacking senior party officials in the media.

Mr. Mwamba, who is also Kasama Central Member of Parliament, was reacting to PF Lusaka province chairman Geoffrey Chumbwe who was recently quoted in the Post newspapers saying he has no wisdom to be president of Zambia.

Mr. Mwamba says he has nothing much to say about the remarks attributed to Mr. Chumbwe stating that the Lusaka province PF chairperson is entitled to his own opinion.

Speaking to QFM News in a telephone interview, Mr. Mwamba said it is just unfortunate that Mr. Chumbwe has chosen to be used by some selfish party officials.

And when asked to name the party officials, Mr. Mwamba said he was better off not mentioning any names.

Mr Mwamba and Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba have recently been involved in a war of words, which has also drawn in their supporters with the PF.

QFM

Secretary to the Treasury Fredson Yamba says government will with effect from January 2013 make it mandatory for all Ministries, Provinces and revenue collecting statutory bodies to deposit all collections of fees and fines directly to the treasury.

Mr. Yamba said the Treasury wants to minimize human direct contact with cash especially in areas where banking services are available.

Speaking at a press briefing on the implementation of a pilot project for Direct deposit fees for Zambia National Travel and Citizenship documents in Lusaka today, Mr. Yamba said as was noticed from the Auditor General’s report, reports of theft and misappropriation of funds have been on an increased.

He said this development has deprived the citizenry of the much needed development and access to social services.

He said in order to ensure that the collected revenue reaches the main revenue Bank these institutions shall be made to deposit such revenues through revenue transit accounts at commercial banks.

Mr. Yamba said on February 29, this year government signed an agreement with Indo-Zambia Bank which seeks to improve revenue collection and accountability.

He said this agreement will enable the general public to pay for Zambia National Travel and Citizenship documents through dedicated counters at Indo-Zambia Bank and then proceed to the Passport and Citizenship office for processing of their documents.

He noted that this project will improve service delivery to the citizens and general public on the issuance of travel documents.

He further stated that this project will significantly contribute to the reduction in revenue related audit queries.

And Indo- Zambia Bank Managing Director Shankardas Gupta said his company has so far spent about K413 million in the setting up of network infrastructure with dedicated payment counters at the passports offices in Lusaka, Kabwe, Chipata, Livingstone and Ndola

Mr. Gupta said Indo- Zambia Bank has completed its training on internet banking for supervisors from the passport office.

He has however pledged the Banks adherence to all obligations as stipulated in the memorandum of understanding.

ZANIS

Police in Livingstone have summoned former United Party for National Development (UPND) Southern Province chairperson, John Chidyaka, for allegedly issuing a statement likely to cause tribal wars in Zambia.

Mr Chidyaka, who was in the company of his lawyer, John Kapepe of MAK partners, arrived at Livingstone Central Police at 09.30 hours with senior party officials both at the district and constituency levels giving him suppoprt.

Mr Kapepe told journalists in Livingstone today outside the Livingstone Central Police that his client had been summoned to the police station for him to help with investigations.

Mr Kapepe said the former UPND provincial chairperson was summoned on allegations
that he was promoting tribal war in the country between Bembas and Tongas.

He explained that his client refuted the charge and explained that the case would not go to court.

Mr Kapepe said that unless his client had publicly urged all the Tongas to fight the Bembas in the country there was no base for the charge.

He explained that the police are still investigating the matter.

UPND Livingstone district spokesperson, Neto Halwabala, said the move to summon Mr Chidyaka is one of the many efforts by the PF government to intimidate the opposition.

Mr Halwabala said this is just a political move by the PF to bring down the UPND
but charged that it will not work.

“The PF is looking for storm in a tea cup using the police in the country and that it is a passing phase,” he said.

Mr Chidyaka looked calm and collected after the police interview that ended at 11.50 hours in Livingstone.

ZANIS

The Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ) has said that the acquittal of Mr Henry Kapoko and his accomplices is very suspect. In a Pastoral letter to released to the media, where they have addressed a number of issues, CCZ encouraged the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC), who have expressed that they would appeal this case, to boldly go ahead and do it in a way that it will be a water tight case.

The CCZ wondered who could have embezzled the Funds at the Ministry of Health.

Below is the full statement

A PASTORAL LETTER

NOVEMBER, 2012

1.0 Preamble

We, the Heads of Churches under the umbrella of the Council of Churches in Zambia met on 7th November, 2012 to reflect and to deliberate on a number of matters pertaining to the livelihood of the people in Zambia especially the poor. We also took time to interrogate national issues as we see them unfold in the nation which have direct bearing on the well-being of our country Zambia and impact negatively on the lives of the Zambian people. We also deliberated on governance issues in general.

We continue to reaffirm our role in the Nation as people who advocate for social justice, peace and development and as such we intensely endeavor to protect the interests of the majority of the voiceless people in Zambia. Our inspiration always comes from the prophetic voice according to the word of God. We believe we are obliged to bring to the nation an enlightened Christian opinion on issues affecting the spiritual, physical, social and well-being of Zambians and we offer a holistic ministry for human dignity informed by God’s truths and God’s desire that all may live a life of abundance.

2.0 State of Politics in Government

2 Sam 23.3b-4 “……. He who ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God. And he shall be like the light of the morning when the sun riseth, a morning without clouds, as the tender grass spring out of the earth, by clear shining after rain.” (2 Sam 23.3b-4)

The Council of Churches in Zambia continue to believe that the government still has good will from the people of Zambia. The same good will Zambians exhibited during the last general elections when the Government was ushered into office in September, 2012. We hasten to say, however, that we are concerned with the direction in which the Government is leading our Country Zambia. This concern has been prompted by the way the Government has set itself to repeat all the things that the Zambians said they did not appreciate in the previous governments. This trend is a threat to the aspiration of the Zambian people who had hoped to see new dispensations, new ideologies, new work ethics, new values and new focus on the improvement of the lives of the people. People believed the promise of a better Zambia.

So far indications are that not much has changed as we continue to see concentration on the well-being of the leaders rather than the led. The leadership wrangles, in full view of the nation, perpetuated by very senior members of Government are an indicator of lack of vision, insight and discipline in the government ranks. The hostility and the language used are destructive. This state of affairs is disheartening and should not be tolerated by the party in government. Zambians are not interested in wrangles of people jostling for positions, but only want to see proper and long lasting development in the nation as they were promised before the elections. The wrangles are only taking away people’s confidence in the government. We call upon the President to bring these wrangles to an immediate stop. The news on conflict in our media should be replaced with plans of where and how the government intends to develop Zambia and lead her out of her poverty. This is the basic reason that the Zambians voted the current government into power; to bring long lasting development that takes precedence over all personal, selfish desires of individuals.

3.0 Fight Against Corruption

2 Peter 2:19 – While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.

The acquittal of Mr Henry Kapoko and his accomplices is very suspect in our view to say the least. This takes away the confidence that people have in the government to effectively fight corruption.

This is not the first time that a high profile case has just fizzled out of the face of the earth. We want to encourage the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC), who have expressed that they would appeal this case, to boldly go ahead and do it in a way that it will be a water tight case.

The Zambians would like to see the case dealt with to its logical conclusion. It concerns the loss of billions of Kwacha meant for the well-being of Zambians and for the case to be disposed off in the manner that it has been is very sad and very suspicious.

This case, if not properly determined will only erode confidence of the people who generously provide the resource for the betterment of the people of Zambia especially those living with HIV/AIDS.

The question we are asking is; if Mr Kapoko is not the embezzler then who is? This case must not be allowed to just go away. Someone must be held responsible for the disappearance of the money meant for development.

4.0 By-Elections

Mathew 5:9 – Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be called the children of God.

We have noted the tendency by the new government to use the same language that has been used over the years to intimidate Zambians during the elections, to frighten the electorate into submission with statements like “we shall not bring development to this place if you do not vote for our candidate”. This type of campaign messages is erroneous and unacceptable. Many people in Zambia contribute to the national resource basket in terms of paying all kinds of taxes and therefore whether they vote for one party or another they are all entitled to development because they are all Zambians. Governance issues are not the same as party issues. Government’s role is to develop the country on behalf of all Zambians. Politicians must take note that all people have the right to freely elect leaders of their choice as this is their constitutional right and should not be deprived of their livelihood because they voted for a different party.

Misuse of government resources, just like before, continues unabated. The sudden appearance of relief food, quick fix development belongs to the past and is not expected of the Government which promised Zambians new type of politics.

The Council of Churches is encouraged with the campaigns in Mufumbwe. It is our prayer that these by-elections will proceed and conclude in a non-violent manner. All parties who are taking part in the elections must exercise maximum maturity, self-control, self- restraint by all means. We are encouraged by the political parties demonstration of maturity in Mufumbwe which has been done in a non violent manner so far. We have said this before and we say it again that we will not accept members of parliament who to go Manda Hill riding on the blood-soaked backs of poor innocent Zambian due to selfishness and impunity of some politicians. We will accept nothing short of clean politics for a change in this country.

5.0 Gender Based Violence

Ephesians 4:31-32 – Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice. And be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

The Council of Churches in Zambia will participate together with other stakeholders in the forthcoming 16 days of activism through a worship service, TV and radio programmes, bible studies, youth indabas. This occasion we believe provides a good platform for the church fraternity to show commitment to reducing Gender based violence which has become endemic in the nation. We, therefore, call upon all our member churches to ensure that they all participate in their various locations in this important programme. It has become imperative that we join forces with the government and other stakeholders to fight this ugly phenomenal in our country. As a church we should ourselves take serious steps in embracing GBV programmes in all our churches. This requires that we not only participate in the 16 days of activism but that we make it our business to put this matter on top of our programmes as it has a huge bearing on the improvement of quality of lives for the people, reduction of poverty and enjoyment of dignity for all as God intented it to be.

We wish all Zambians well.

Signed by: The Rev Suzanne Matale
General Secretary
For and on behalf of the Heads of Churches of CCZ member-churches

Zambia Gospel artist resently released 2 new singles “Giant killer” and ” No rent”

GIANT KILLER

No Rent 

By Kapa187

Bond’s loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her. As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.

PROS

• Great story line and fast paced action.
• Daniel Craig was awesome from the acting to the stunts to the suits .
•   Stunning cinematography and  a stirring music score
•  Silva is a throwback to a more traditional Bond villain, with equal parts creepy sensuality, intelligence, and psychopathy, and a touch of physical deformity for good measure.

FAVORITE QUOTE

Q: What were you expecting, an exploding pen?

James Bond: Some men are coming to kill us. we’re going to kill them first!

1. James Bond: 007 reporting for duty.
2. M: WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN?!
3. James Bond: Enjoying death.

Conclusion

This was one of the best Bond movies in recent memory . It focused less on gadgets and womanizing and more on the dramatic and action packet story . The film has great stunts & thrills – you’ll see this in the long opening sequence. All the characters are great, from the MI6 team members to the villain (Silva) who acts like a traditional Bond villain.

In my opinion Casino Royale remains the best of the recent Bonds, with Skyfall just a notch below it.

Rating

5 out of 5

By Kapa187

Suspended former Patriotic Front Lusaka Province chairperson Davis Chama has charged that party Secretary General Wynter Kabimba will never be a Presidential candidate on the Patriotic Front ticket, in what appears to be a sustained war of words between the Kabimba and GBM camps.

Mr. Chama has told Qfm News that PF members will not allow the party to be hijacked by people who recently joined the party like Mr. Kabimba and current Lusaka province PF chairperson Geoffrey Chumbwe.

He has categorically stated that PF members will not allow newcomers to destroy the party.

And Mr. Chama has challenged Mr. Kabimba to immediately discipline Mr. Chumbwe for publicly attacking and subjecting a senior member of the cabinet to public ridicule.

He says Mr. Chumbwe has personally attacked Defence Minister Geoffrey Mwamba and that his line of attack is similar to that perpetuated by the PF Secretary General and Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba on his fellow cabinet minister.

Mr. Chama adds that the statement in yesterdays Post Newspaper attributed to Mr. Chumbwe as having said that Mr. Mwamba will never be President of Zambia makes sad reading and is a confirmation of the division being created in the party.

He says he is aware of Mr. Kabimba’s plan to bring divisions and frustrate the founding members of PF and bring in their identified Presidential candidate.

[QFM]