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United Party for National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema
UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema has vowed not to retract his statement of allegations suggesting that the Patriotic Front was sending its cadres to Sudan for militia training.
Mr. Hichilema said that he is aware that the Director for Public Prosecutions Mutembo Nchito is trying to create evidence to use against him once he admits and retracts the statement.
The opposition leader has told QFM news that he will not allow Mr. Nchito to hold him to ransom as well as blackmail him.
He said that Mr Nchito is faced with the conflict of interest in the DBZ case and is trying to silence the opposition as they seem to speak on the matter in the interest of the nation.
Mr. Hichilema has further stated that Mr. Nchito does not deserve to be the Director of Public Prosecutions on the basis that he is compromised.
The UPND leader has charged that Mr. Nchito is behaving like a cadre for the PF and has questioned why the DPP seems to be talking on behalf of the ruling party.
And Mr. Hichilema said that he will not appear before the Police who have summoned him to appear before them today.
Mr. Hichilema said that following the alleged Police brutality that took place yesterday, he will not allow the police to continue violating his human rights.
The opposition leader has also challenged the Lusaka Province Commissioner of Police Solomon Jere to stop issuing misleading statements indicating that he is on the run.
Mr. Hichilema has since advised the Police investigations team to concentrate on bringing to book the police officers who allegedly brutalized people yesterday leaving two in a critical condition.
Justice Minister Sebastian Zulu has disclosed that he has started the process of drafting a new bill that will seek to govern the constitution making process.
“I have already asked our drafts persons in the Ministry to start working on a draft bill that I will present to Parliament, that’s how serious we are,” Mr. Zulu said.
He said government had listened to the concerns from stakeholders over the lack of a legal framework to govern the ongoing constitution making process.
Mr. Zulu was speaking last night on a special National Watch programme on ZNBC TV.
On the referendum, Mr. Zulu said government will appoint a referendum commission soon but will only start its work in 2013.
He said it was logistically difficult to put in place a referendum commission because the work of the commission was not budgeted for in the 2012 national budget.
Mr. Zulu emphasized that holding a referendum on the constitution is a must especially that the draft constitution has proposed broad changes to the Bill of Rights.
“A referendum is a must and it is definitely coming as far as I’m concerned. You cannot temper with Part Three (Bill of Rights) minus having a referendum, so it’s coming.”
The Justice Minister also moved to assure the public that the PF government will not publish a government white paper in order not to interfere with the wishes of the people.
“We want to stay away from this process as far away as possible. We don’t want to influence the end product and so there will be no white paper or government’s position paper if you like,” Mr. Zulu said.
Asked on the sentiments from some senior government and party officials opposing the 50+1 and the running mate clauses, Mr. Zulu said the said officials are entitled to their opinions.
“Those are merely their opinions and will not influence the process. They are Zambians and just like every other Zambia, they are entitled to have a say on the draft constitution but that it not to say that they will have the final say.
Former Finance and National Planning Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane
ormer Finance Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane has asked government to withdraw the Statutory Instrument on the revised minimum wage and engage in negotiations.
Mr. Musokotwane said the revised minimum wage has the potential to negatively affect foreign investment in the country.
He said one of the factors for foreign investors is a low cost of labour adding that with the imposition of the high wages on employers, potential investors will hold their investment in Zambia on account of an expensive labour market.
The former cabinet minister said if the status quo continues, Zambia’s economic growth will stall as investors will shun the country.
Mr.Musokotwane said the Patriotic Front government has failed to put money in people’s pockets but that they have resorted to imposing wages on employers as a way of empowering people.
Mr. Musokotwane pointed out that the ongoing anger in the labour market which has resulted in protests by employers has been created by the PF government and needs an urgent solution.
The work of the Technical Committee Drafting the Republican Constitution will cost approximately K95 billion, Justice Minister Sebastian Zulu has revealed.
And government has reassured the public that cabinet will not produce a white paper before the final adoption of the new constitution.
Mr. Zulu disclosed that the Ministry of Finance has since released 50 percent of the K95 billion set aside for the operations of the technical committee.
He clarified that the K95 billion only covers the activities of the technical committee and does not include the cost of running a referendum.
The Justice Minister was speaking during a special National Watch programme on the constitution making process on ZNBC TV last night.
This is the first time that a senior government official has disclosed the budget for the ongoing constitution making process.
“The treasury has already released half of the K95 billion. You have to understand that the national budget we are currently utilizing did not have a provision for this process and so the Finance Minister had to mobilise funds elsewhere to fund this process,” Mr. Zulu added.
He added that the PF government is committed to ensuring that Zambia gets a new constitution that its people would be proud of.
On the same programme, Oasis Forum Chairperson Beatrice Grillo said her organisation has genuine fears that the constitution making process is not heading in the right direction.
Mrs. Grillo observed that the lack of a clear roadmap and a defined legal framework to protect the process have given rise to fears that the process could be hijacked.
She also demanded that government gives a clear break down of how much has been spent from the K95 billion on what activities.
“As the Oasis Forum, this is the first time we are hearing K95 billion, what we would like is a breakdown of activities and the cost thus far.
We need strict accountability for this funds because we know that K95 billion is a lot of money,” Mrs Grillo said.
And a representative of the Civil Society Coalition on the Constitution Francis Mwale advised Zambians to learn from past failures with regard to the constitution making process.
“It seems we have short memories, the route that this process is taking has a resemblance of past efforts at making a constitution which failed. We have to learn from our past mistakes and ensure that they are not repeated,” Mr. Mwale said.
The opposition Movement for Multi Party Democracy (MMD) has disclosed that it will go on a retreat next month with a view of coming up with a civilised party.
Speaking at a media interactive session in Lusaka yesterday morning, MMD National Secretary Richard Kachingwe disclosed that the retreat, which will include party founding members, political science lecturers, chairmen of committees and trustees and submissions from all MMD organs, is aimed at rebranding and strengthening the party.
Major Kachingwe said the party will look at where it has come from, its present state and its future.
And MMD Chairman of Mines Maxwell Mwale has condemned the killing of a Chinese manager at Collum Coal Mine during demonstration last Saturday.
Mr. Mwale said in Lusaka yesterday that the shedding of blood was unfortunate.
He said it was important for government to be a fair referee between employees and employers.
Chief Government Spokesperson Kennedy Sakeni has advised people calling for the revocation of the deportation of Roman Catholic Priest Father Viater Banyangandora to make their submissions using proper channels.
Mr. Sakeni said no one has made any calls for government to revoke the order but that this has only been heard through the media.
He said government is reluctant to engage in discourse over this matter based on media reports and without clear submissions from aggrieved parties.
He has since advised any persons with grievances regarding this matter to use proper channels in airing their concerns.
Mr. Sakeni said government is always ready to consider such concerns if relevant authorities are informed.
And Government has castigated opposition UNPD leader Hakainde Hichilema for ferrying party cadres when he appeared before the police for question this morning.
Mr Sakeni said it is uncalled and indiscipline for the opposition leader to go with party cadres at the Police Station which also resulted in a clash with the police.
He said it was also unfair on the part of Mr. Hichema to have involved the cadres when appearing for questioning before the police which turned violent and caused injuries to journalists.
Mr. Sakeni, who is also Information and Broadcasting Services Minister, said this at a press briefing in Lusaka today.
He said Mr. Hichilema committed the offence alone and what was only expected of him was to go alone and answer charges.
“He was summoned to answer to some charges and what was expected was for him to go alone or in the company of his lawyers and answer to those charges. He should just own up and not act like he has done,” he said.
He said there is need for politicians to respect police officers and police stations adding that police stations and offices are small places to be swarmed by hundreds of cadres.
He has since advised politicians to leave the officers to conduct their business professionally stating that they always act civil and do not harass anyone.
Mr. Sakeni said Mr. Hichilema’s behaviour shows a lot about him and wondered where this kind of politicking will take the opposition leader.
THE Zambia Federation of Employers (ZFE) yesterday boycotted the tripartite labour council meeting which was to discuss the minimum wage and Labour Act, among other issues.
Minister of Labour Fackson Shamenda expressed disappointment at the development, saying it was unfortunate that the ZFE had opted to boycott the meeting, a favourable platform for the two parties to air their grievances.
Mr Shamenda said in Lusaka yesterday when he officially opened the meeting that for development to take place, stakeholders should dialogue on every matter.
He said the statutory instrument on the minimum wage is meant to benefit vulnerable groups of workers who are not represented by any union.
Mr Shamenda said the piece of legislation is not for employees represented by unions because they have their own collective bargaining for salaries.
He said government decided to report protests against the minimum wage for domestic and general workers to the police because the ZFE was inciting employers not to comply with the law.
Mr Shamenda said the federation should have sought dialogue with government on the minimum wage.
And International Labour Organisation country representative Martin Clemensson said there is need for continued dialogue on the minimum wage, to arrive at an amicable solution.
Meanwhile, the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions president Leonard Hikaumba said the tripartite labour council meeting is a platform where stakeholders discuss issues in the labour industry and the absence of the ZFE will not yield tangible results.
FORMER Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services Ronnie Shikapwasha yesterday appeared before the Government Joint Investigations Team for questioning, for alleged abuse of authority.
Lieutenant-General Shikapwasha was summoned in connection with the Stand Up for Zambia documentaries aired on the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) produced by Chanda Chimba III prior to last year’s general elections.
Government joint investigations team acting spokesperson Christopher Chibanku said the team has recorded an ordinary statement from Gen Shikapwasha.
Mr Chibanku said in an interview with journalists that Gen Shikapwasha was summoned in connection with allegations that he directed the board at ZNBC and management to air Mr Chimba’s documentaries.
“During the interview, he co-operated and he was calm. We have recorded an ordinary statement and investigations are continuing,” Mr Chibanku said.
Gen Shikapwasha who arrived at former taskforce office at about 14:45 hours, was accompanied by his lawyer Hobday Kabwe.
He, however, refused to comment on the matter after the interrogation which lasted close to two hours.
The lawyer Mr Kabwe, referred all queries to the investigations team.
On Wednesday, former ministry of Information and Broadcasting permanent secretary Sam Phiri and Mr Chimba were warned and cautioned by the joint investigations team, in connection with the publication of newspapers and the television documentary.
Mr Chimba was warned and cautioned for allegedly being in possession of property suspected to be proceeds of crime contrary to section 71 (1) of the Forfeiture of Proceeds of Crime Act No. 19 of 2010.
Dr Phiri was warned and cautioned for alleged corrupt acquisition of public property and revenue contrary to Section 33 (1) (a) of the Anti-Corruption Act Number 38 of 2010.
UNITED Party for National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema faces arrest and arraignment in court if he does not retract a statement he made in June that the Patriotic Front youths would undergo military training in Sudan.
Correspondence in the Daily Mail possession between the Director of Public Prosecutions Mutembo Nchito and Inspector-General of Police Stella Libongani indicates that the opposition leader has been given an opportunity to retract his statement before investigators.
Although Mr Hichilema appeared before investigators yesterday, he did not retract his statement and his supporters who had thronged Central Police Station in Lusaka had to be dispersed with tear gas.
Mr Hichilema has since been summoned again to Police headquarters and Lusaka Province Commissioner of Police Solomon Jere yesterday said if he fails to show up today, he will be arrested in accordance with the DPP’s directive.[pullquote] “The law is very clear. If someone is on the police wanted list, we will follow him whether he is in the air, water or on the ground. We will track him down,” Dr Jere warned.[/pullquote]
“The law is very clear. If someone is on the police wanted list, we will follow him whether he is in the air, water or on the ground. We will track him down,” Dr Jere warned.
He added: “In consultation with the Director of Public Prosecutions. a directive was made that Mr Hichilema retracts his statement so that the case comes to a close.”
And a letter from the DPP, dated August 8, 2012, states just that:
1. That the suspect be summoned to appear before the investigators immediately.
2. That he be given an opportunity to make an ordinary statement (i.e a statement not under caution) in which he should retract the inaccurate statement he made.
3. Should he proceed in this fashion, I direct that the docket be closed and no further action should be taken against the suspect.
4. Should he refuse to retract, have the suspect arrested and arraigned in court for the captioned offence.”
On June 11, 2012 at a press briefing, Mr Hichilema claimed that Government had signed a memorandum of understanding with Sudan for Sudanese militias to train PF youths.
But in his letter to Ms Libongani, Mr Nchito writes: “This information is unfortunately not borne out by the evidence seeing as the suspect elected to remain silent when challenged by your officers under warn-and- caution.”
And Dr Jere yesterday said police failed to interview Mr Hichilema because he went to Lusaka Central Police accompanied by an unruly crowd. In the morning, police fired tear gas to disperse the cadres.
There was a near stampede as cadres, journalists and other members of public scampered for safety. The incident happened on the second floor as cadres insisted that Mr Hichilema could not take a seat on the bench as he waited to be interviewed.
Police fired teargas and three people got injured in the process. The interview was subsequently postponed.[pullquote]“We would like to apologise to members of the press who were caught up in the tear-smoking. Some police officers were also affected,” he said.[/pullquote]
Dr Jere at a press briefing in the afternoon apologised unreservedly for the tear gas that smoked journalists covering Mr Hichilema’s appearance at the police.
“We would like to apologise to members of the press who were caught up in the tear-smoking. Some police officers were also affected,” he said.
Dr Jere guaranteed the safety of journalists covering such events. He, however, warned that the police will not tolerate unruly behaviour of cadres from any political party, including the PF.
Dr Jere explained that Mr Hichilema was summoned to the police so that he can shed more light on his claims that the Patriotic Front government had sent youths to Sudan to train as militia.
And police deputy spokesperson Charity Munganga said in an interview that police summoned Mr Hichilema and not cadres. Mr Hichilema has accused Government of turning the country into a police state.
The UPND leader claimed that 15 people were injured in the fracas.
“They called us here to attack us, people are injured, 15 people are injured upstairs,” he said.
And his lawyer Jack Mwiimbu said Mr Hichilema will wait for the next course of action by the police. “They told us what to do and we co-operated but I do not think they will get the same co-operation next time,” Mr Mwiimbu said.
And chief government spokesperson Kennedy Sakeni has condemned Mr Hichilema for going to the Lusaka Central Police Station with cadres. Mr Sakeni said it is absurd for Mr Hichilema, who claims to be a man of integrity, to go to the police station with cadres instead of going with his lawyer.[pullquote]“Why did he take a group of cadres with him to a police station? This is unacceptable because a police station is not a venue for political activity but for serious business. That issue should not have involved cadres,” Mr Sakeni said.[/pullquote]
He said it is disappointing that the UPND leader behaved in such a manner.
“We condemn Mr Hichilema for what he did this morning [yesterday] at the Lusaka Central Police Station. This is the worst kind of indiscipline. Why did he mobilise cadres to follow him when he was summoned alone?”
“Why did he take a group of cadres with him to a police station? This is unacceptable because a police station is not a venue for political activity but for serious business. That issue should not have involved cadres,” Mr Sakeni said.
He said Mr Hichilema, who is vying for the highest office of the land, should have respected the police and advised his cadres not to accompany him. Mr Sakeni said what happened at the Lusaka Central Police Station is unfortunate and will not be tolerated by Government in future. Mr Sakeni also advised UPND cadres against being used as tools of political violence.
Zimbabwe deputy coach Peter “Wonder” Ndlovu says the Warriors would have put up a better show had they prepared well for Wednesday’s friendly against Zambia.
Zimbabwe lost 2-1 as the two old foes renewed their rivalry in Ndola.
Ndlovu revealed that Zimbabwe just trained for a day ahead of the match played in the evening.
The Zimbabwe soccer icon said despite the defeat he was happy with his side’s display against Zambia.
“I am very proud of my boys, how they played, because we had just a little chance of getting the training underway,This is a new crop of players we are building but obviously the result determins the game” Ndlovu said.
” Despite the result, I was happy how my boys accounted for themselves in the game. We have respect for Zambia and also we learn from our neighbours, Zambia who have done very well in the past nations cup,” he added.
Ndlovu hoped that Zimbabwe would triumph over Angola in the final round of the 2013 Africa Cup qualifiers.
Coach Herve Renard has revealed that he targets to identify three players from the current Zambia developmental side to be fused in the Chipolopolo squad.
Renard was speaking after Zambia beat Zimbabwe 2-1 in Wednesday night’s friendly at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
He said the Zimbabwe friendly gave him a chance to asses young stars who featured in the match.
“Obviously, the result is important but today it was not very important. I hope you will understand the way we are working. It’s a very new squad except for about three players who feature in the Chipolopolo like Joseph (Sitali),” Renard said.
He added:” We have to build for the future. This was an opportunity for me to see a lot of new players, Their target is to play for the Chipolopolo but it won’t be easy for them.
We hope to find two or three new players and to take to the next Africa cup, like we found Chisamba and Nathan Sinkala.”
Government has sent Home Affairs Minister, Edgar Lungu to Ghana to represent Zambia at the burial of that country’s late President John Atta Mills.
Professor Atta Mills will be buried tomorrow.
Chief Government Spokesperson Kennedy Sakeni said Mr. Lungu has gone to represent President Michael Sata and the Zambian government at the burial.
Mr. Sakeni, who is also Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services, said Patriotic Front (PF) Secretary General Wynter Kabimba has also gone to represent the party at the funeral.
He told ZANIS in an interview today that government enjoys a warm relationship with the West African country hence the decision to send a senior minister at the burial of the late President.
Mr. Sakeni has since conveyed a message of condolence to the government and people over the death of their former President.
President Michael Sata said when he signed the book of condolences that Zambia was saddened over the death of Professor Atta Mills.
Professor Atta Mills, who died on July 24 in Accra, Ghana at the age of 68, will be put to rest tomorrow.
President Michael Sata, Vice President Dr. Guy Scott and other cabinet Minister were among the officials that signed the book of condolences at the Ghanian Embassy in Zambia after the death of Prof. Atta Mills.
Police in Lusaka brutally beat up and tear gassed Journalists and some UPND cadres when UPND President Hakainde Hichilema turned up at Lusaka Central Police for questioning.
Mr. Hichilema who arrived at 10:25 in the company of his lawyers and some senior party officials was summoned for questioning for holding an illegal meeting at Evelyn Hone College.
Moments after his lawyers entered into a meeting with some senior police officers on the second floor, tear gas canisters were unleashed on unsuspecting cadres and journalists who had gone to cover the event.
About ten people were seriously injured, four hospitalized with two admitted in Intensive Care Unit at Lusaka’s Fairview Hospital.
The commotion continued for over 30 minutes as people scampered in all directions with some people teargased losing their personal belongings such as cell phones and hand bags.[pullquote]Mr. Hichilema vowed that he will not be silenced by the PF government adding that he will never again turn up for questioning when summoned by police.[/pullquote]
And addressing a hastily organised media briefing, UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema charged that President Michael Sata is a dictator who wanted to assassinate him.
He said the attacks at Lusaka Central Police were planned and executed by PF cadres wearing police uniforms.
Mr. Hichilema vowed that he will not be silenced by the PF government adding that he will never again turn up for questioning when summoned by police.
And UPND Vice President Richard Kapita charged that the Zambia Police has declared war on innocent Zambians.
Mr. Kapita said the conduct of the police is unprofessional and unacceptable.
The Gemstone and Allied Workers Union has advised government to rescind its decision to revoke mining licences from non-performing mining companies.
Mines Deputy Minister Richard Musukwa recently revealed that government had since written to the affected mining firms notifying them of the intention to repose their mining rights.
Mr. Musukwa observed that many licence holders who have failed to develop their mine are slowing down the pace of development.
But Gemstone and Allied Workers Union President Sifuniso Nyumbu said in an interview that revoking the licences would not be the best solution.
“What we need is to sit down and examine why these mining rights holders are not developing their mines. You will find that the majority affected are small scale miners who are mostly Zambians,” Mr. Nyumbu observed.
“If government goes ahead and grabs these licences, they would be acting against the spirit of local economic empowerment. We need Zambians to participate in the mining sector and grabbing their licences would be a draw back,” he added.
Mr. Nyumbu said the Ministry of Mines needs to understand that the mere fact that somebody went as far as getting a licence, it shows great commitment on the part of the licence holder.
“I believe government should play a more positive role by supporting such initiatives by such bold entrepreneurs. Mining is expensive and government should infact step in and provide financing opportunities for these small time mining investors,” Nyumbu said.
He said government needs to encourage the participation of indigenous mining companies by structuring various types of support.
