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Zambian mission in Canada misapplied over K300 million in 2010

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Former High commissioner to Canada Dr.Nevers Mumba

The Zambian mission in Canada, Ottawa misapplied K339 Kwacha in 2010 which was part of the K898 million meant for the rehabilitation of the High Commissioner’s residence.

According to the 2010 Auditor General’s report ,of the total amount of K898 million, only K365 million was spent on renovation works, while K193 million was in the bank.

The report revealed that K 339 million was applied on unrelated activities such as settling of utility bills and payment of subsistence allowances.

It further revealed that the contractor engaged to carryout the works on Residence No.9 Mission Inn Grove was paid a down payment of K24 million but that as of May 2011, the contractor had not completed the works and had since abandoned the site.

The Audit report also revealed that in June 2010, a representational vehicle, Mercedes Benz 240 CDJ, was involved in an accident which was not reported to the Police.

It said that conquently, despite the vehicle being comprehensively insured, no insurance was claimed, but that the mission paid an amount of K26 million in repairs.

The mission during the period under review also transferred amounts totaling K403.9 million from the revenue account to operational account without authority from the Secretary to the Treasury.

The Zambian mission in Canada was headed by Dr Nevers Mumba at the time.

Yesterday, the 2010 Auditor General’s report was released with a comparison of irregularities with the 2009 report revealing a sharp increase in excess expenditure from K87.3 billion in 2009 to K814,2 billion in 2010.

In a statement released to media,Public relations officer Ellen Chikale said that misapplication of funds increased from K95.2 billion to K 220.6 billion ,while unretired imprest in the same period increased from K25.8 billion to K77.2 billion respectively.

Ms Chikale said that the report had also revealed irregularities due to undelivered materials,unaccounted for funds, excess expenditure and non recoveries of salary advance and loans.

The report has also revealed that there was delayed banking of K13.5 billion, while unaccounted for funds amounted to K3.8 billion and irregular payments amounting to K 10.3 billion

And Bishop John Mambo has charged that revelations of increased irregularities in the 2010 Auditor General’s report are a clear confirmation that Zambia stinks of corruption.

Bishop Mambo said that it was saddening to note that Zambia has been singing the song of poverty and unemployment when billions of kwacha go unaccounted for.

He said that the Patriotic Front government has a mammoth task to correct the disturbing revelations of corruption in the previous MMD government.

Bishop Mambo has however noted that the Patriotic Front government is working hard to ensure that misappropriation of funds is reduced. He has predicted that more revelations will come to the fore in view of the change of government.

Bishop Mambo in an interview with QFM radio on Wednesday appealed to civil servants to help the PF government achieve its goals.

QFM

Zambians are yet to see the worst of Sata

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President Michael Sata
President Michael Sata

By Elisha Musoma (ZRP President)

Zambians are yet to see the worst of the man they gave the mandate to lead them and will regret why they did not listen. Where I come from they say nalikwebele tabulapo.

We warned our people that Rupiah Banda was even a better devil than Sata and they didn’t listen.Now you just have to brace yourselves for the worst because if you expect anything better after what you have so far seen in 90 days you are in for a rude shock because even Chiluba when he took over, it didn’t even take the so called 90 days.

Chiluba didn’t give himself an ultimatum yet we saw Phoenix and Shimtz contractors constructing and taring roads in all the towns in the country, end the abnormal queues for transport and essential commodities such as cooking oil, mealie meal and sugar among other things. Things like police and teacher brutality ended in less than 90 days together with smuggling and the once famous pick pocketing and the popularly known “by air” on the streets,markets and bus stations.This unlike the development Sata and team is bragging about that of rewarding his cadres like George Mpombo,
Kambwili, GBM, Panji and the legion of Post News paper staff, with good appointments and changing the names of infrastructures while prosecuting his perceived enemies in the name of fighting corruption.

People should not be deceived by cheap political propaganda of President Michael Sata and his choirmaster because if they were seriously fighting corruption, President Sata would not have appointed people who were facing criminal charges in Zambia like George Mpombo,Mutembo Nchito and Sebastian Zulu.He should not have even appointed Maxwell Nkole because we all know in Zambia that a lot of billions of kwacha were misappropriated at the Task Force.

Why has Sata found it prudent to probe people like Nevers Mumba and Hakainde Hichilema now when he is busy appointing people believed and proved to be bankrupt, crooks and those that are facing criminal charges?

What things has President Sata and PF done differently from MMD in the 90 days they have been in power, when he single sourced the contractor at state house and handed over finance bank to his friend who is suspected to have been financing his rallies and who had no doubt flouted banking ethics?

President Sata can fool Bakaponya but not us. But even Bakaponya very soon they will catch up with him and he will be in trouble.

President Sata has never been a democrat and does not have what it takes to carry the country forward and that’s the reason why he has resorted to political witch-hunting and vindictiveness.

Sata wants to silence and finish all the opposition political parties in Zambia through intimidation, witch hunt and lies and that’s the reason why he first begun by wining Memmbe and Post News paper, catholic church, KK and family and civil society in Zambia to himself while going at the opposition political leaders with the strongest venom ever and he will do anything to ensure his goal is attained -a one party sate and communism.

So he is not fighting people like HH, Nevers or even former president Rupiah Banda because they have done anything wrong, but because he wants them to either be quiet or surrender. By this I don’t mean to say that the afore mentioned are innocent. But what I basically mean is that it’s not because of what so ever they might have done wrong which they are being persecuted for, but because he doesn’t want any opposition however small to exist in Zambia.

Okey for example in the case of Hichilema, if President Sata knows that he is not straight,why did he go into an alliance with him? Who believes Sata that when he complains for example about MMD having flouted tender procedures in selling Zamtel to Libyans,when in less than 90 days he has been President he has made appointments and changes himself without following the right procedures?

As Zambia Republic Party ZRP we don’t believe him, though we are in full support that government should not even hesitate to reposes Zamtel.

President Sata’s aim no doubt is to die a President and for PF to rule for 100 years through lies, intimidation, witch hunt and completely killing democracy in Zambia; the things he is good at. I repeat Pesident Sata and his surroundings are not democrats and have never been one before. But please let him know that the REPUBLICANS are back!

NEW SONG “VITUMBUWA” TAKES OVER THE AIRWAVES

Entertainment Editor
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A new song is taking over the airwaves on Zambian radio stations . The song is called “Vitumbuwa” it is done by 2wo-1ne, a hiphop all star group made up of K star, krytic, thugchuld, buttah Nova & Marvel. The song has got so popular a remix of it is already reportedly being produced.

It is a hot topic of discussion on social media websites such as facebook and twitter. People are in two groups those who love the song and those who hate it.

The people who hate the song say it is a meaningless song that does nothing to improve the state of Zambian music. And that zambians need to be making songs that will stand the test of time , not songs that will be hot for a month and then fade away.

Contrary to those views there are those that love the song. They say it is a fun song and music is supposed to be fun . You forget about all your problems and just let lose and enjoy the carefree , humorous  song.

Take a listen to it and tell us what your view of the song is.

2wo-1ne – VITUMBUWA

 

BY KAPA187

Industrial unrests should not be tolerated, they are unproductive and impact negatively on the country’s economy-Hikaumba

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Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) president Leonard Hikaumba
Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) president Leonard Hikaumba

Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) president Leonard Hikaumba has advised workers to engage themselves in dialogue whenever they have industrial relations disputes.

Mr. Hikaumba said the workers should engage into discussions by using the right channels to avoid industrial unrest.

He was speaking during a press briefing in Lusaka yesterday.

Mr. Hikaumba said ZCTU would assist the workers whenever they had disputes without attracting industrial unrest.

He noted that industrial unrests should not be tolerated as they are unproductive and impact negatively on the country’s economy.

Mr. Hikaumba explained that ZCTU would strive to ensure that there is industrial peace through mutual dialogue in the country.

He pointed out that the Minister of Labour should only intervene when there is need and when the unions have failed to reach a decision.

Mr. Hikaumba has since urged government to respect the tripartism, which includes government, trade unions and the employees, in dealing with industrial relations.

He further said smooth dialogue between government and the workers would help to reduce unnecessary industrial unrest in the country.

Meanwhile, Zambia Federation for Employers (ZFE) president Alfred Masupa said his federation and ZCTU agreed to involve the Minister of Labour on issues affecting the labour laws.

He observed that employees were directly linked to the government without engaging the labour unions.

Mr. Masupa added that the issue of minimum wage was addressed and it had since been handed over to Cabinet for scrutiny.

He said once Cabinet was done with the scrutiny on the minimum wage, it would be brought back to the technical team for the final say on the issue.

He further advised government to avoid putting pressure on investors saying this might force them to leave the country and invest elsewhere.

ZANIS

Lusaka City Council to slap a fine of K450 000 on anyone disposing garbage in undesignated areas

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File: Uncollected garbage piling in Lusaka

Lusaka City Council (LCC) Council Public Relations Officer Henry Kapata says the council will take appropriate measures against anyone found disposing garbage indiscriminately in the city.
Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka yesterday, Mr. Kapata said the local authority will spare no effort to sternly deal with people in the habit of disposing of garbage anyhow.

Mr. Kapata said, like was the case on Omelo Mumba Road, whoever will be found disposing garbage in undesignated areas will be made to pick up the garbage and pay a fine of about 2500 units which is equivalent to K450,000.

He said that the act by the LCC to punish all those disposing waste is part of the Public Health Act cap 295 of the laws of Zambia.

He said that last week two Lusaka residents, Nawa Sitwala and Ntenga Mwenya were punished by the LCC for indiscriminate disposing of garbage in undesignated area and that the duo has since finished doing the punishment.

He said the two named people were told to clean the allay on Lusaka’s Omelo Mumba Road in seven days and that they have done a good job which they completed only done in four days.

ZANIS

Pan African parliament swears in five Zambian parliamentarians

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Pan African PArliament
Pan African PArliament

The Pan African Parliament (PAP) has sworn in five (5) Zambian parliamentarians. The swearing in ceremony took place in Addis Ababa Ethiopia yesterday during the opening of the 6th Ordinary Session of the Second Parliament.

Those sworn in include; Solwezi Central MP Lucky Mulusa, Mutinta Mazoka of Pemba, Dorothy Kazunga of Kafubu, Davis Mwango of Kanchibaya and Lubansenshi MP Patrick Mucheleka.

The five Parliamentarians will represent the Zambian Parliament at the Pan African Parliament for next five years.

This is according to a statement released to ZANIS by First Secretary for Press at the Zambian Embassy in Ethiopia, Dorcas Chileshe.

Speaking after the swearing in ceremony, PAP president Moussa Idriss urged members to double their commitment and ensure that they advocate for policies which will help address the numerous challenges on the continent.

And PAP Ambassador Jerry Rawlings urged the Pan African Parliament to enhance its image and reputation by taking strong positions on various challenges affecting Africa.

The PAP 6thOrdinary Session of the Second Parliament under the theme,” Transformation of the Pan African Parliament into a legislative Organ” has attracted over 235 members from 47 AU member states.

The five (5) day Session will discuss the State of the African Union, Peace and Security on the continent and the state of Ratification of the African Charter on Democracy, Governance and Elections.

ZANIS

Zambia Red Cross Society senior managers under probe over impropriety

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Zambia Red Cross Society General Secretary Charles Mushitu (r) and public relations manager James Zulu (l) talk to journalists on the Haiti earthquake aid appeal in Lusaka
File : Zambia Red Cross Society General Secretary Charles Mushitu (r) and public relations manager James Zulu (l) talk to journalists on the Haiti earthquake aid appeal in Lusaka

The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has pounced on two seniors management officers at the Zambia Red Cross Society (ZRCS) who are currently being investigated by the commission for various offences including money laundering activities and seized six motor vehicles from them.

DEC acting Public Relations Officer Samuel Silomba, who confirmed the development to ZANIS in Lusaka today, said the motor vehicles were seized early this week by the officers from the commission.

Mr Silomba said investigations into the matter involving ZRCS senior management officials have reached an advanced stage.

However, he could not give out the names of the affected officers but said the nation would be kept informed of any latest development at Zambia’s largest humanitarian organisation.
Efforts to get the comment from ZRCS Secretary General Charles Mushitu proved futile as his mobile phone was switched off while Public Relations Manager, James Zulu could not comment referring all
queries to the former.

Meanwhile, sources from within Zambia Red Cross Society have revealed that the remaining few motor vehicles were being parked in different locations within Lusaka, where the commission could not find them.

The sources said the organisation has been grounded to a halt following the sudden closure in December last year of the institution after senior managers received immerse pressure from the commission to stand aside to pave way for investigations.

The workers complained that management communicated to them through telephone calls and text messages, informing them that the organisation had been closed until January 8, 2012.

The employees told ZANIS yesterday that as things stood, they received information that the humanitarian organisation might not resume operations for a very long period of time considering that seniors officers were under investigations.

The workers also complained that they had not yet received their salaries as far back as September last year and appealed to the government to serious intervene.

ZANIS

President Sata authorises the creation of 650 positions in the Health Care Industry across the country

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File: President Sata greets Finance Minister Alexander Chikweanda when he arrived from Uganda

President Sata has authorised the creation of 650 health posts across the country. This is contained in a press statement made available to the media by Special Assistant to the president for Press and Public Relations George Chellah.

The health posts and residence facilities will be equipped with solar systems, equipment and furniture, hand pumps, medicines and dressing materials among others.
As a result, President Sata has instructed the Minister of Health Dr. Joseph Kasonde, to step up the recruitment of health personnel both locally and abroad to ensure the new health posts are adquately staffed.

“I have also instructed Dr Kasonde to take a survey of the conditions of service for medical personnel in the region in order for us to see how we can curb brain drain as well as attract our well trained citizens who are currently in the Diaspora,” President Sata said.

The President’s directive is in line with the Patriotic Front campaign promise to improve the health sector by facilitating the building of vital infrastructure that will deliver primary healthcare as close as possible to the people.

“This is why we opposed the expensive procurement of mobile hospitals which have been unable to reach all parts of the country. The new health posts will expand the healthcare infrastructure and therefore reach many people in the outlying areas,” the President said.

Meanwhile, the president has created a new district called Nsama between Kaputa and Mporokoso districts in Northern Province.

In a letter to the Provincial Minister, the President directed that a suitable place for the district headquarters be identified in liason with all stakeholders, political parties and their Royal Highnesses.

[pullquote]“This is why we opposed the expensive procurement of mobile hospitals which have been unable to reach all parts of the country. The new health posts will expand the healthcare infrastructure and therefore reach many people in the outlying areas,” the President said. [/pullquote]

Last Friday, January 13, 2012 President Sata created three districts, namely:Chikankata, Chirundu and Mulobezi.

The President’s decision was in line with his campaign promise to decentralise government operations for the effective and efficient delivery of services to the people.

First Lady asks business community to help government reduce disease burden

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File:First Lady Dr.Christine Kaseba

First Lady Christine Kaseba has called on the business community to play an active role in helping government to reduce the disease burden among citizens.

Dr. Kaseba says diseases such as cancer, malaria and HIV/AIDS require combined efforts from various stakeholders if they are to achieve the
intended results.

Dr. Kaseba was speaking at State House today, when she was conferred with the Chairpersonship of the Forum of African First Ladies Against Breast and Cervical Cancer (FAFLBCC).

She said business entities have a role to play through the effective implementation of programmes such as the HIV/AIDS work place policy.

She explained that there is need for these institutions to integrate Cervical/Breast Cancer, Malaria, Hypertension and other non communicable diseases in the work place if information on such diseases is to reach out to the masses.

Dr. Kaseba also noted that by doing so such organisations would be supplementing government efforts of ensuring that Zambia continues to be a healthy nation.

Meanwhile, the First Lady has described the honour conferred on her by other African First Ladies as a privilege for Zambia to double its efforts and become a shining example in the fight against Cervical Cancer.

Dr. Kaseba further pledged to use the opportunity to enhance the just launched Red Ribbon, Pink Ribbon campaign which was launched by former United States of America President George Bush when he visited Zambia recently.

She has also called on women in the country to take advantage of the programmes that have been put in place in different health centers for
them to be screened.

Dr. Kaseba noted that there was need for the country to have health women as there are a corner stone of any country’s development.

She added that women and parents should have the young girls vaccinated with the H-PV vaccine which is currently available in the country to have early preventions against the disease.

And earlier FAFLBCC representative Nikky Onyeri expressed confidence that Dr. Kaseba will oversee issues of the forum well especially that she has a medical background.

Ms. Onyeri noted that with the current progress that Zambia has recorded in the fight against cervical cancer, having a Chairperson who is a gynecologist would be an added advantage.

She also pointed that the forum has an objective to advocate for increased awareness on breast and cervical cancer and also reduce the stigma against people suffering and living with breast cancer in Africa.

She added that the forum will also mobilize resources needed for the development of policies, strategies and actions to fight breast and cervical cancer at country, regional and international levels.

[ZANIS]

Collum coal miner dies as Chinese Supervisor allegedly forced workers into unsafe tunnel

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File: Coal Mine workers picking coal without protective clothes at Shaft One at the chinese collum mine

One miner has died in an underground accident at the Chinese owned Collum Coal Mine while two others are battling for their lives at Maamba Hospital in Sinazongwe district.

Sinazongwe District Administrative Officer Sokoluku Daka, Sinazongwe Member of Parliament Richwell Siamunene and
Nkanddabwe Ward Councilor Partson Mangunje confirmed the accident that happened on Tuesday 17th January at 13:30 hours.

An eye witness, Geshom Muchindu, a miner who was underground at the time of the accident disclosed that the accident occurred after blasting underground.

Mr. Muchindu alleged that before dust settled the Chinese supervisor ordered them to go and work in the tunnel where blasting had just been done.He said there was a rock fall on three of the miners and killed one on the spot
while the others were severely injured.

And one of the injured, Dought Mudenda also said the Chinese Supervisor only named as Ruin forced them to enter the tunnel where blasting was done and allegedly threatened them that he would deduct their working hours if they refused.

However, the Chinese supervisors at Shaft three where the accident happened refused to comment and claimed that they did not understand English.

Mr. Daka named the deceased as Gibson Siachivwenya aged 37 and the two injured person as Wispo Mayiya aged 36, and Dought Mudenda aged 23.

Meanwhile, Sinazongwe Member of Parliament Richwell Siamunene has condemned the incident and attributed it to poor safety measures that the company management have been using to conduct their underground mining activities.

Mr. Siamunene called on the Ministry of Mines to give the public the full details of the report pertaining to the operations of the mine where accidents have continued to occur.

And Nkanddabwe Ward Councilor Partson Mangunje said government should look into the safety of the mine to protect the lives of miners.

Mr. Mangunje said despite the Ministry of Mines officers inspecting all shafts at the mine the public has not been informed about the safety of the Chinese owned Collum Coal mine.

He alleged that management has no qualified personnel to handle the explosives used for blasting underground.

The body of the deceased miner is at Maamba Hospital Mortuary.

[Zanis]

DPP Mutembo Nchito takes over Liato’s case

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Former Labour Minister Austin Liato

The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Mutembo Nchito has taken over the case in which former Labour Minister Austin Liato is accused of receiving and or obtaining money amounting to K2.1 billion.

The DPP also told the Lusaka Magistrate court today, that the indictment has been substituted with a new one in which the accused would take plea.

Before Magistrate Aridah Chulu was 46 year old Austin Liato a who pleaded not guilty under the new indictment.

The accused is alleged to have been found in possession of property suspected of being proceeds of crime contrary to section one (1) of the forfeiture of proceeds of crime Act number 19 of 2010 of the laws of Zambia.

Particulars of the offence are that on November 24, 2011, Mr. Liato did allegedly possess and conceal money at his farm number L/Mpamba/44 Mwembeshi amounting to K2.1 billion reasonably suspected of being proceeds of crime.
Trial commences tomorrow January 19, 2012 at the new magistrate Complex in Lusaka.

ZANIS

Senanga Tour in Pictures

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1.

Western Province Minister Nathaniel Mubukwano (in red tie) talking to the patients at Senanga District Hospital

2.

Western Province Minister Nathaniel Mubukwano (in red tie) visiting the patients at Senanga District Hospita

3.

Patients queuing to be attended to at Senanga District Hospital

4.

Western Province Minister Nathaniel Mubukwano speaking to the laboratory technicians during his visit at Senanga District Hospital.

5.

Western Province Minister Nathaniel Mubukwano (in red tie) having the light moment after visiting Senanga District Hospital

6.

Western Province Minister Nathaniel Mubukwano inspecting the Sesheke- Senanga road, which is under construction

7.

Part of the Sesheke –Senanga road that is under construction

8.

Senanga District commissioner Siyupwa Kabisa (c) talks to Western Province Minister Nathaniel Mubukwano(l) and Dond Haitao Project manager China New Era during the inspection of the Sesheke- Senanga road.

9.

Donald Haitao, the Project manager for China New Era talks to Western Province Minister Nathaniel Mubukwano during the inspection of the Sesheke- Senanga road

10.

Workers of China New Era working on the Mongu Senanga-Sesheke road.

11.

Workers of China New Era working on the Mongu Senanga-Sesheke road.

12.

Western Province Minister Nathaniel Mubukwano speaking to China New Era Chief engineer Feng Liyon during the inspection of works on the Sesheke- Senanga road

13.

Dond Haitao Project manager China New Era demonstrates how the stone crushing machine works to Western Province Minister Nathaniel Mubukwano during the inspection of works on the Sesheke- Senanga road

14.

Western Province Minister Nathaniel Mubukwano speaks to China New Era Chief engineer Feng Liyon during the inspection of works on the Sesheke- Senanga road.

15.

Western Province Minister Nathaniel Mubukwano inspecting of the crushing machine Sesheke- Senanga road .

16.

Dond Haitao Project manager China New Era explains how the stone crushing machine works to Western Province Minister Nathaniel Mubukwano during the inspection of works on the Sesheke- Senanga road

17.

China New Era Chief engineer Feng Liyon explains some technicalities to Western Province Minister Nathaniel Mubukwano during the inspection of works on the Sesheke- Senanga road

18.

Western Province Minister Nathaniel Mubukwano inspects the Sesheke- Senanga road.

NEW VIDEO BY UK BASED ZAMBIAN SINGER CHEMBO

Entertainment Editor
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Chembo , who came on to the scene with songs like “suga honey ice tea” and “Holla at me FT Trizzo” is back with a new collaboration with british rapper TooClassical .

The song is called “Never calls”. It has a nice laid back beat on which she displays her vocal talents .The song has subject matter girls can relate to .  “When he goes away he never calls , no no no , when his on his way he always calls, ye ye ye  ” she sings. It the kind of song that will make use of your replay button .

NEVER CALLS

BY KAPA187

Constitution first draft ready in 4 months

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Justice Minister Sebastian Zulu
Justice Minister Sebastian Zulu

THE technical committee tasked to draft the new Constitution on Monday started preparing the first draft which will be ready within four months to allow for comments from members of the public.

Justice Minister Sebastian Zulu said in an interview in Lusaka that the first draft would be ready in the next 4 months.

He said experts at the meeting urged draft persons to prepare a consolidated first draft after making comments on the major views that had been gathered from the three previous reports, the Mvunga, Mwanakatwe and Mung’omba Constitution review commissions.

Mr Zulu said members of the Technical Committee would start travelling to the provincial centres to seek comments on the first draft but would not gather fresh views as that had been done by the previous commissions.

The minister said it was important to ask the Zambian people whether or not the contents of the first draft contained what they submitted to the Mvunga, Mwanakatwe and Mung’omba review commissions.

He said a new Constitution in a democratic country must be compiled after gathering comments on the submissions but would not duplicate the previous work by gathering new views.

Mr Zulu said members were yesterday given the submissions that had been generated from the previous commissions for them to study and that the commissioners would reconvene thereafter to allow the draft team to complete their job in four weeks.

He said he submitted a proposal on the sitting allowances to be paid to the commissioners and that they would revert to him at their next meeting.

Mr Zulu said the commissioners had not earned any allowances from the work they had done so far because formulating the allowances was part of their job.

“I cannot tell you yet how much we have proposed because the matter is still under consideration but we have suggested something as Government. If we do not agree, then I can inform the nation,” Mr Zulu said.

The Technical Committee would produce the final draft Constitution by June this year after which some issues would be subjected to the national referendum.

Recently, committee spokesperson Simon Kabanda said the Technical Committee was different from the constitutional review commission (CRC) and the National Constitutional Conference (NCC).

This is because the Technical Committee had a strict deadline and timeline considering that the gathering of views had been done by the commissions.

[Times of Zambia]

ZAMTEL workers and union were made to believe company was sinking

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THE National Union of Communication Workers (NUCW) and general workforce at Zamtel were made to believe that the telecommunication firm was fast headed for collapse and that employees would all lose their jobs, the Sebastian Zulu-Commission of Inquiry report says.

The report indicates that the decision to sell Zamtel was imposed on the union and the general workforce.

Former NUCW general Secretary, Clement Kasonde, had told the commission in his submission during the commission sittings that former Transport and Communications minister, Dora Siliya, threatened that no one was to frustrate the sale of Zamtel.

The union was not accorded an opportunity to sit on the committee that considered the sale of Zamtel contrary to the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) Act number 11 of 2008.

Mr Kasonde had noted that the NUCW was not afforded an opportunity from pre qualification up to the final selections of the bidding process and did not sit on any of the privatisation committees as representatives of the workers.

“The sale of Zamtel was forced and imposed on the union, workers of Zamtel and the people of Zambia by the former MMD government,” he said in his submission contained in the report compiled by the commission of inquiry tasked to probe the sale of Zamtel to Lap Green Networks.

Mr Kasonde said former Zamtel Managing director, Mukela Muyunda and Ms Siliya created an impression that if Zamtel did not find a strategic equity partner, the company would collapse and the workers would lose what they had worked for.

Mr Kasonde said the MMD government through its agents did not act responsibly and never inspired hope other than inducing unreasonable fear in the minds of the workers.

Mr Kasonde who worked for Zamtel for 20 years, said he had difficulties to see what additional value the new Lap Green management had pumped into the company.

He said ever since the new management took control of management, it had only concentrated so much on the mobile side in the branding and marketing strategies.

“However, on the PSTN side, which has been the traditional demand product for Zamtel for a long time, LAP Green/Zamtel has completely failed despite being the only company with exclusive monopoly,” he said.

He said the performance of fixed line telecommunication facilities has become the worst ever and that this is typical of LAP Green as the story is the same in Uganda where the company also operates.

At another meeting with the workers in Ndola, Ms Siliya explained that Zamtel was a loss-making company and the only way to salvage it was “to go the Zanaco way by privatising it”.

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