The Technical Committee drafting the country’s Constitution has pledged to work without pay if its latest request to extend its work to July 31st is approved by government.
The latest request for the extension of the deadline if approved will gobble fifteen point eight million kwacha rebased.
Government earlier this week announced that it had rejected a six months request by the Technical committee for extension of its work.
Speaking during a media this morning, Technical Committee Spokesperson Ernest Mwansa disclosed that the draft persons are confident that they will finish their work by July 6th ,2013 to allow consideration of their work by the Technical Committee.
Mr. Mwansa says this will follow the editing of the final draft constitution and final report of the Technical Committee by Independent Editors, and thereafter the adoption of the edited final draft constitution and final report by the Technical Committee.
Mr. Mwansa notes that the printing of the adopted final constitution and Technical Committee’s final report will be followed by the actual handing over of the final draft constitution and Technical Committee’s final report to President Michael Sata and members of the public by July 31st this year.
Meanwhile Mr. Mwansa has maintained that the failure to beat the June 30th deadline is attributed to delay by some districts to submit their comments and recommendations on the popular version of the draft constitution.
And Mr. Mwansa has also clarified that the Technical Committee has spent only ninety nine point eight million kwacha rebased from its hundred and fifteen million kwacha rebased budget line.
Mr. Mwansa notes that the key expenditure has been on the initial set up of the Secretariat, purchase of office equipment and furniture, purchase of motor vehicles and operational overheads.
He further states that the Technical Committee has had only ninety eight sittings from 2011 to date
United Party for National Development (UPND) president, Hakainde Hichilema this morning staged a one man protest to commemorate black Friday at the Freedom Statue over alleged bad governance by ruling Patriotic Front (PF) government.
Mr. Hichilema says it is unacceptable for the PF to turn the country into a dictatorship.
He says he decided to protest alone at the Freedom Statue because the people who fought for the liberation of the Zambian people are not pleased with the conduct of the PF administration.
Mr. Hichilema adds that the PF does not want to listen to the many cries of the people on the removal of maize and fuel subsidies which has affected the majority Zambians.
He further states that many people are being brutalized by the PF cadres while President Michael Sata is quiet meaning he is enjoying the action.
The UPND leader notes that the Zambia Police has lost its professionalism in the way they are operating.
He notes that people no longer have the right to express their opinions because they are afraid of being attacked by the PF cadres.
Mr. Hichilema says a lot of people who voted for the PF are now disappointed at the way the PF has turned against them.
National Restoration Party president Elias Chipimo Jr
National Restoration Party President Elias Chipimo said that there is need for politicians to change their selfish attitudes towards the people who vote them into power.He said this should begin by consulting them as key stakeholders when coming up with policies that have a bearing on their livelihood.
Mr. Chipimo said there is no careful analysis in the manner the Patriotic Front administration is handling policy changes.He said this is creating an unstable environment for investors to operate.
Mr Chipimo explained that what is happening now is a clear picture that the Patriotic Front did not have a plan for the country before coming to power.
He said Zambians gave the PF an opportunity to govern the country after being frustrated with the manner the MMD government was governing the country, hence the PF should learn from the mistakes of their predecessors.
Mr.Chipimo said his party will enhance the capacity of private citizens and the private sector in building the economy of the country once in power.
The Social Action for Development (SAD) Executive Secretary, John Mwendapole has called on the Auditor General to investigate the budget overruns by the technical committee on the constitution which may be an indicator of misuse of funds.
Mr Mwendapole has noted that the budget investigation must be carried out with zeal to seal any financial leakages or loop holes.
He told ZANIS in a telephone that the perpetual extension of deadlines and budget overruns are an indication of poor management and leadership.
Mr Mwendapole said his organization supports government’s decision through the Minister of Justice Wynter Kabimba not to allow the extension.
He also noted that the continued request for extension periods is a clear indication that the committee does not see the agency and importance of a new constitution being demanded by the Zambian people.
“We agree that their demand for an extension is outrageous as the committee has been responsible for planning and execution of the drafting process hence the perpetual extension must not be entertained,” he said.
Mr Mwendapole also said that the technical committee has on several occasions assured the Zambians that their work would be completed by June this year.
“We recommend government having given the autonomy to the committee and it is unfortunate that they have chosen to abuse the trust of government and that of the Zambian people,” said Mr Mwendapole.
Yesterday, government rejected a proposal by the constitution making process to extend the period by six months.
The committee has since been ordered to stick to the June 30, 2013 deadline.
Minister of Justice Wynter Kabimba said the proposed extension to December 30, this year would have required an additional budget of 44 million Kwacha rebased in addition to the already spent 100 million Kwacha rebased.
THE controversy surrounding the tribunal constituted to investigate the three judges continues to rage this time around with the panel maintaining that it will proceed to hear allegations of professional misconduct leveled against Supreme court judge Philip Musonda despite him tendering in his resignation letter.
This follows the action by Dr Justice Musonda’s lawyers representing him stating that the tribunal constituted to probe his professional misconduct has no jurisdiction to do so because he had decided to leave office.
The letter signed by Milner Katolo the lawyer representing Dr Justice Musonda to the tribunal secretariat is dated June 7, this year.
In a response to Dr Justice Musonda’s letter to the tribunal secretariat where he contended that it had no jurisdiction to hear his evidence since he had left office, the secretary, Chipili Magayane advised that her office would sit on June 18 2013 to hear the issues raised by the judge.
The letter from Ms Magayane is dated June 10 2013 and copied to the Attorney general Mumba Malila.
This was the initial date that was set by the tribunal to start receiving evidence in the alleged professional misconduct involving Dr Justice Musonda and two High Court Judges Nigel Mutuna and Charles Kajimanga.
But Mr Justice Mutuna and Mr Justice Kajimanga rushed to the High Court to challenge the legality of constituting the tribunal and were granted leave to stay the proceedings by Judge Timothy Katenekwa until further determination of the matter.
Ms Magayane had since advised Dr Musonda’s lawyers Milner Katolo and Associates to formally bring the said issues raised before the tribunal for consideration and not through the exchange of letters.
“Please be advised that the tribunal will sit on June 18, 2013 at 09:30 hours to hear your client on the issues raised in your correspondence, in addition, we wish to reiterate that he tribunal doubts the propriety of exchanging matters of this nature by way of letter as it does not make for proper case management,” Ms Magayane said.
The Tribunal was tasked to also probe the professional misconduct of Dr Justice Musonda who instead decided to write to President Michael Sata on June 4, this year, informing him of his intention to be retired in national interest saying he had almost reached retirement age.
In his letter to the tribunal, Dr Justice Musonda through his lawyers alleged that the tribunal had no jurisdiction to probe his alleged professional misconduct because he was of the considered view that the tribunal had now no jurisdiction over him since he had voluntarily decided to leave office.
“We write to seek confirmation on the reports reaching our client to the effect that the tribunal intends to continue sitting to hear evidence against Dr Musonda notwithstanding the stay of proceedings granted by the High Court,” the lawyers said.
Dr Justice Musonda through his lawyers, Milner Katolo and Associates said there was no need to sit because he had voluntarily left office and that he was part to the proceedings before the Ndola High Court as he was facing joint allegations.
Mr Katolo said the action by Justices Kajimanga and Mutuna was challenging the very legality of the tribunal, it was his considered view that the tribunal was better advised to wait for the outcome of that matter.
He said if the court found that the tribunal was illegal and unconstitutional, then it would challenge the very core of powers of the tribunal constituted to investigate any person not only the applicants in that case.
Former South African president Thabo Mbeki is expected in Zambia on 17th June, 2013 to chair a two-day high level meeting on illicit financial flows.
The high level panel on illicit financial flows in Africa, which was established by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and the African Union (AU), was inaugurated in February 2012 to address the debilitating problem of illicit financial outflows from Africa which is estimated at US$50 billion a year.
This is contained in a press statement released to ZANIS in Lusaka today by UNECA Communications Officer Sampa Kangwa-Wilkie.
Ms. Kangwa-Wilkie said illicit financial flows constitute among others things undocumented commercial transactions and criminal activities characterized by over pricing, tax evasion and false declarations
facilitated by some 60 international tax havens and secrecy jurisdictions that enable creating and operating millions of disguised corporations, shell companies, anonymous trust accounts and fake
charitable foundations.
Ms. Kangwa-Wilkie further said other techniques used include money laundering, transfer pricing and corruption.
“Illicit financial flows are a global problem. Their impact on the continent is monumental thereby representing a significant threat to Africa’s governance and economic development and governance. Current evidence shows that Africa lost over US$ 854 billion in illicit financial flows between 1970 and 2008 corresponding to a yearly average of about US$22 billion,” she said.
The trend has been increasing over time and especially in the last decade, with an annual average illicit financial flow of US$ 50 billion between 2000 and 2008 against a yearly average of only US$ 9
billion for the period 1970-1999.
Ms. Kangwa-Wilkie however said these estimates may well be short of reality as they exclude such other forms of illicit financial flows as proceeds from smuggling and mispricing of services.
She added that some of the effects of illicit financial outflows are the draining of foreign exchange reserves, reduced tax collection, cancelling out of investment inflows and a worsening of poverty.
She said preliminary evidence shows that taking prompt action to curtail illicit financial outflows from Africa will provide a major source of funds for development programmes in the continent in the
near future.
Ms. Kangwa-Wilkie said one of the keys to achieving success is the adoption of laws, regulations and policies that encourage transparent financial transactions.
The panel chaired by Mr. Mbeki will be composed of nine other members from Africa and outside the continent.
Over 60 delegates from East and Southern Africa are expected to attend the high level panel meeting in the Zambian capital, Lusaka as part of several regional consultations with key stakeholders on the project Africa including the executive, legislature, judiciary and key civil society and private sector representatives.
Other consultations have already taken place in North Africa and Kenya, Tunisia, Liberia and Nigeria.
Meanwhile the former Mbeki will hold private talks with President Michael Sata to enhance dialogue and policy discourse on the matter.
About 4 million US dollars has been stolen from different commercial banks ATM withdraws through a scam involving three foreign criminals who have recruited and trained Zambians in cyber-crime.
Police Deputy Inspector General Solomon Jere revealed that police have discovered a scam in which the recruited Zambians have already started operating and specialize in ATM thefts.
Dr Jere said members of the public are therefore advised to secure their pin numbers and not to at any time share them with anyone who will offer help to them.
He said it is also advisable not to expose the pin number when making ATM transactions in isolation.
Dr. Jere said in a statement that the criminals may also take advantage of upcoming events such as the International Trade Fair in Ndola and the Lusaka Agriculture and Commercial show.
He said would-be attendants of these events are advised to take extra care of their personal documents and property to make sure they don’t become victims of such thefts.
Dr. Jere assured that Zambia Police is on the look-out for these criminals and once caught, they will face the wrath of the law.
In another development seven dangerous criminals have escaped from lawful custody in Congo DR and entered Zambia through Sakanya boarder.
The seven have no travel documents and are targeting people with firearms as they are ready to defend themselves.
The criminals escaped in the early hours of 12th June 2013 and are believed to be heading for the Copperbelt and Lusaka Provinces.
Police is now appealing to members of the public with firearms to secure them or deposit them at the nearest police station for safe custody.
Police officers on the Copperbelt, Central and Lusaka Provinces have been directed to intensify road blocks and snap check points.
Power Dynamos were beaten in a practice match today as FAZ Super Division sides kept busy ahead of resumption of the league on June 22 after the FIFA international match week.
Power lost 3-2 to FAZ Division Two team Mining Rangers at Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe.
Maybin Mwaba and Kebby Hachipuka scored for Power while Mining were on target through Junior Armstrong, Muma Bwalya and Mbita Chalwe.
In Chingola, Nchanga Rangers beat Division Three side Beanal 3-0 thanks to a Felix Nyaende brace.
Nyaende’s fellow former Power Dynamos club-mate Patrick Kasunga scored the other goal for his new club.
And in Ndola, Zesco United beat Indeni 3-1 through goals by Lottie Phiri, Tom Bakala and Luka Milanzi.
The league has been on recess since June 2 to make way for Zambia’s 2014 World Cup engagements against Lesotho and Sudan on June 8 and 15 respectively.
A Ndola football fan Phyllis Chifunda who was on Wednesday hit by a stray bullet during the sale of tickets for this Saturday’s 2014 World Cup between Zambia and Sudan has lost her left kidney.
Chifunda, 33, of house number1817, Pamodzi Township was hit by a bullet as police tried to disperse a crowd that stormed Kansenshi Post Office.
Ndola central hospital public relations officer Sheona Chalimbana said Chifunda who was operated on Wednesday remains in the Intensive Care Unit after her kidney was removed because it was hit by bullet.
“She is still in the ICU because her kidney was removed; it was affected by the same bullet. She was operated last night around 18 to 19 hours, so she is in ICU,” Chalimbana said.
And Copperbelt police commissioner Mary Tembo has ordered the detention of the police who fired the live bullet only identified as Inspector Chibesa.
Four officers were manning the ticket sales at Kansenshi police station include Chibesa himself from the Paramilitary Unit in Ndola, asergeant Lilando, a Constable Mulenga and fellow constable Chileshe.
Nkana assistant coach Zeddy Saileti says the FAZ Super Division leaders are not worried with the two point gap between them and second placed Zesco United.
Kalampa leads the Super Division on 26 six points while Zesco have 24 four points after a round of 11 matches.
In an interview on Wednesday, Saileti told Radio Icengelo Sports in Kitwe that Nkana are minding their own business.
“We are not concerned about what other teams are doing; we are just focusing on our team,” he said.
The former Chipolopolo striker said Nkana were hoping to maintain their stay at the top of the table when the league resumes on 22 June.
Nkana takes on Konkola Blades in Kitwe when the league recommence
Chris Katongo says Zambia did not ask for the three points off Sudan and are ready for their aggrieved guests in this Saturday’s 2014 World Cup Group D qualifier at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
Zambia picked up three free points in the controversial first leg meeting on June 2, 2012 that Sudan won 2-0 in Khartoum losing the win after fielding an ineligible player.
“I do not know if it is an injustice for them because we follow rules that is why there are rules even in a home there are rules that you put in a house,” Katongo said at the end of Thursday training.
“So there is no way they can say that it is unfair it is the rules that they did not follow . Not us.”
Sudan coach Mazda Abdullah said upon arrival on Thursday that a win in Ndola would go some way in putting to rest the forgettable chapter of the docked three points for bottom placed Sudan who have one point in four games.
“We did not ask for the three points it is them who did not follow the rules,” Katongo said.
“They asked for it by giving away the points.”
Zambia lead Group D on 10 points, one ahead of second positioned Ghana who face third placed Lesotho on Sunday.
ZAMBIA Congress of Trade Unions secretary general Roy Mwaba
The Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) says government should extend the removal of subsidies on beer and free accommodation offered to officers in the Zambia Army.
Adding its voice on government’s decision to remove fuel and maize subsidies, the ZCTU argues that the move should not only affect workers in the private and public service sectors.
ZCTU General Secretary Roy Mwaba said in Ndola today that government should stop subsidizing officers in the Zambia Army so that an equal situation is created for all Zambians.
The ZCTU General Secretary was speaking during a sensitization workshop for youths on Unionism under the theme “Giving skills to the youths in Unionism” held in Ndola today.
Mr Mwaba said government’s decision to remove fuel and maize subsidies is however a right move as it will help government raise more resources.
He however noted that the decision should not affect public service workers alone.
Mr Mwaba added that although government wants to raise more money through the removal of fuel and maize subsidies the situation has negatively impacted the public service workers.
He explained that the 2013 conditions of service for public service workers have already been negotiated and concluded but that implementation has not yet been done noting that with the recent removal of fuel and maize subsidies this will impact the civil servants negatively as their new salaries are already consumed by the new measures.
Mr Mwaba said government should treat workers equally by ensuring that all subsidies are removed adding that army officers are still enjoying subsidies on beer and have free accommodation.
Mr Mwaba said consultation should be done before implementation in order to have a win-win situation for all citizens.
I urge the people of Zambia not to allow the Patriotic Front (PF) government with its planned project of fundraising using the subsidies removed from fuel and maize. I am aware that there will be a lot of money that will be realized from the removal of the said subsidies. The money will end up in the pockets of private individuals that hijacked the Patriotic Front who cannot be trusted.
They will squander the money from subsidies the same way, the MMD with the money that was realized from the sale of mines and other parastatals during the age of privatization on Zambia. Some of the ministers in this government held top positions at the time money from the privatized mines was misused or stolen at that time.
Another reason why we don’t want this government to have nothing to do with the issue of subsidies is the sudden change on the part of government. There is nowhere in the PF manifesto where it is indicated that subsidies on essential commodities will be removed. All that was mentioned was that, they will change the way to deal with subsides if they formed government. In line with this promise in their manifesto the removal of subsides is quiet suspicious.
[pullquote]There is nowhere in the PF manifesto where it is indicated that subsidies on essential commodities will be removed.[/pullquote]
I am also aware that, the removal of subsidies on maize and fuel will generate a lot of money. Regrettably, the money from the subsidies will be misapplied in areas such as by elections, funding the constitution in an adhoc fashion, meeting extra expenses in an over bloated government, funding of other countries’ internal affairs such as exporting of maize to countries like Tanzania, Malawi and Zimbabwe. Similarly, we have proved that at the moment the most compelling need for the PF government is to increase the tally in parliament.
Now, this government want to legitimize the removal of subsides by championing arguments in support of subsidies that it will use these proceeds for “resource security” or “access” or “social or trade protection.” All these are another set of lies. This government just wants to use the proceeds from subsidies to champion its political agenda of wanting to create a one state where only the top brass of the PF leaders will benefit. [pullquote]What has gone unnoticed in the PF explanation of the removal of subsidies is the fact that government is running out of cash .. [/pullquote]
Equally, what has gone unnoticed in the PF explanation of the removal of subsidies is the fact that government is running out of cash pure and simple and can no longer afford the KR2.3b ($430m) of subsidies as well as continue with its budget implementation and development projects.
Its debt nudges 4.3% of GDP and bond yields are rising. Let me make it clear here is that the disaster over the removal of subsidies hides the real predicament that the government is in.
The government claims it wants to shift spending to social sectors and infrastructure investment especially in poor rural areas. We advise the PF that “the era of being a consumer economy is over and now is the time for putting resources in real development” and that means the economy must be controlled by Zambians and not foreigners as it is today.
The end of the “consumer era” bluntly means the consumer pays more for fuel and virtually all transported goods and labor derived services and maize. Farmers will pay more for fertilizer and the consumer will pay more for food and unconditional maize buying by the state will cease food security.
[pullquote]Now, this government want to legitimize the removal of subsides by championing arguments in support of subsidies that it will use these proceed for “resource security” or “access” or “social or trade protection.” All these are another set of lies.[/pullquote]
What this PF government has failed to know is that, energy subsidies are costly to a national budget and crowd out other spending, including on much-needed infrastructure and social services.
My advice to this government is that, cut down on the overheads; deal directly with the suppliers of fuel and fertilizers, cut out all the middle men because they are responsible for the following activities. The cost of fuel taking into account both direct subsidies and foregone taxes, amounted to 1.4% of the region’s GDP in 2012.
For oil exporters, the fiscal cost was 3.2% of their GDP. The data for Zambia shows the 5% fuel subsidy totaled KR754m ($145m) or 0.7% of GDP in 2012 rising from KR100m or 0.1% of GDP in 2010. According to the Zambia Institute for Policy Analysis and Research (ZIPAR) the subsidy was projected at KR1.2b ($225m) or 1% GDP in 2013. The rise is due to 25% increase in oil prices as well as rising consumption.
When it comes to the electricity sector, the available information indicates that the substantial costs are incurred by fixing power tariffs below the costs of production. Currently Zambia experiences a shortfall of 200 megawatts during peak periods. Only 20% of the populations have electricity. Zesco, the state utility, is planning a substantial revision of tariffs of 26% next year. On this issue, the PF government claims the fuel subsidy of KR1.2b plus the maize subsidy of KR1.1b would be better spent on other social and infrastructure projects. This so called subsidies amount to $430m.
Therefore, I urge the people of Zambia not to allow the PF government to have anything to do with the removal of subsidies because it is not better place to address relevant concerns.
Issued by
Dante Saunders
Zambia’s Political activist
Luangwa District conflict management committee has banned the opposition Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) from using former President Rupiah Banda’s campaign materials.
The conflict management committee chaired by Lameck Mvula made a ruling.
Patriotic Front PF elections committee member Bonnie Tembo had argued that it is against the benefits of the President Act number 15 which forbids former Presidents from participating in active politics to continue using material bearing Mr Banda’s portrait.
Mr. Tembo says it is unfortunate that MMD has continued dragging Mr Banda into active politics when he has retired.
He has advised MMD Leader Nevers Mumba to stop riding on 2011 expired party regalia.
Meanwhile, MMD Councilor for Kaunga Ward in Luangwa, Patrick Tembo has agreed with the ruling noting that there are a lot of campaign materials bearing Dr Mumba’s portrait.
The opposition MMD in the Eastern province has described the nullification of Maxwell Mwale as Member of Parliament for Malambo constituency as regrettable.Provincial Chairperson Alexander Miti told ZANIS in an interview that the loss of the Malambo parliamentary seat was a big blow as MMD has lost one of the most hardworking and vibrant MPs in the province.
Mr Miti said that Mr Mwale was reliable, dependable and contributed positively not only to his constituency but to party and the development of the country.He said that there was nothing that the former ruling party can do since the nullification of the seat by the high court was upheld by the Supreme Court and the decision should be respected.
He however charged that the country would continue losing huge amounts of money on by-elections which he claimed were triggered by the ruling PF.
Mr Miti said the by-elections were a serious cost to the national treasury saying the money spent on by-elections since the 2011 tripartite elections could have been used on developmental projects.He charged that the PF wanted to divert people’s attention from developmental programmes to politics.
Mr Miti said people were tired of by-elections that were being held due to petitions saying a lot of money was being wasted on by-elections although he noted that this was a constitutional issue.
He however hoped that the new constitution would bar people who ditched their political parties from contesting in any election.
The Supreme Court yesterday upheld a high court ruling to nullify the Malambo parliamentary seat on grounds of election malpractice.
