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Former republican vice president George Kunda has questioned the legality of Guy Scott as republican vice president if he cannot act as President in the absence of President Michael Sata .
Mr. Kunda says President Michael Sata should explain to the Zambian people whether Dr. Scott qualifies to be vice president of the republic.
He says it is surprising that President Sata left the instruments of power with finance minister Alexander Chikwanda when he went to South Africa last Friday when the vice president was in the country at the time.
Mr Kunda says it might be that the president has realized that Dr. Scott does not qualify to be vice president and subsequently act as president in his absence.
Mr. Kunda has since revealed that the MMD legal committee will soon be meeting in order study the matter and pursue the matter further in courts of law to establish whether Dr Scott qualifies to hold the office of republican vice president.
And Mr. Kunda has conceded that the Movement for Multi party Democracy was misled while in power.
The former vice president says it is now that they have realized that things are not the way they used to see them while in government.
Mr. Kunda has further appealed to the public media to cover him and the Movement for Multi party Democracy.
He has confessed that the MMD government did not offer a right to reply to the opposition on a number of issues in the public media.
Meanwhile, the former vice president has questioned why former ruling party members are being treated as second class citizens.
Mr. Kunda complained that the MMD as a party is being victimized with the knowledge of the police.
He has cried out to Inspector General of Police Dr Martin Malama as to why police have continued to target former MMD government officials for investigations.
He wonders why Police cannot also extend their investigations to the PF to establish were they got the money they used in the campaigns.
Government says it will be up to the courts of law to determine who was wrong or right in the sale of the telecommunications company Zamtel to Libya’s LAP Green.
Vice president Guy Scot has exclusively told QFM that the matter which he said would be a civil litigation would tell who is liable in the Zamtel Sale case after it is heard in the courts of law and all the evidence is given.
The vice president however declined to comment further on LAP Green’s reaction to media reports that government has reversed the sale of Zamtel saying the government would not try anyone through the media.
In a statement availed to QFM over weekend, newly appointed LAP Green board chairman Wafik Alshater said LAP Green will pursue all options and do everything possible to retain its stake in Zamtel claiming the Libyan firm legally acquired its 75% shares in the company.
Meanwhile, The Private Sector Development Association has called on the Zambian government to quickly resolve the issue of the sale of Zamtel to LAP Green of Libya.
PSDA chairperson Yusuf Dodia says government should ensure also ensure that sale of ZANACO to Rabo bank is resolved.
Mr. Dodia says the two companies are very important in far as foreign investment is concerned to Zambia.
[pullquote]The vice president however declined to comment further on LAP Green’s reaction to media reports that government has reversed the sale of Zamtel saying the government would not try anyone through the media.[/pullquote]
He says if the government handles the issues very well, and assures confidence in the economy, they will boost foreign investors’ confidence in the country.
He adds that Zambia needs foreign investment as it aids the development of the country.
Ndola High Court Judge Timothy Katenekwa says one of the key requirements for the judiciary to be free and independent are secured adequate funding.
Justice Katenekwa says in spite of the judiciary having continued to operate effectively; the institution in the northern jurisdiction still faced a number of challenges in the area funding, transport and infrastructure.
The high Court Judge was speaking during the ceremonial opening of the High Court criminal Session for the Copperbelt, Luapula and Northern provinces, yesterday.
Justice Katenekwa said the inadequate infrastructure has posed a challenge as the current high court building was built with only offices for two judges and two court rooms.
He said with the increase in the establishment of judges and support staff, there is urgent need to have more court rooms and office space.
Justice Katenekwa said any well functioning democracy needs a free and independent judiciary where funding is also adequate and sound.
He said government should ensure that it funds the institution on time because justice delivery is one of the key demands of the Zambian people.
The judge also appealed to government to increase and improve support to other stakeholders in the justice delivery system.
He mentioned these as been the Zambia Police, office of the DPP, Legal AID, Zambia Prison Service and the social welfare department.
Justice Katenekwa said the operations of the judiciary will not be smooth if these key stakeholders are not adequately catered for the areas of manpower, transport and adequate funding.
He said for the justice delivery system to operate efficiently and effectively, it as necessary that all the key stakeholders are in a position to move at the same pace.
He however expressed happiness at the recent directive by the head of state to the attorney and solicitor general’s to look at the conditions of lawyers employed by the legal aid board.
He also said the increase of judges from four to six at Ndola has greatly helped in dispensing cases as only cases to be heard during this year’s session were committed last year.,
The judge called on all those involved in public service particularly the justice delivery system to rise to the occasion and perform their duties effectively to sure that the Zambian public enjoy their rights in full.
And Copperbelt Province Minister Rodgers Mwewa who was guest of honour said government recognises the judiciary as an important arm of the state and partner in delivering good governance to the Zambian people.
The minister said the PF government is committed to rule of law and will strive to address the issues of inadequate infrastructure and funding to the judiciary and other stakeholders.
Mr Mwewa said government has adopted a zero tolerance to corruption in order to implement a number of programmes to improve the social conditions of people and ensure that resources are spent properly.
He urged the judiciary to play its role to ensure that corruption cases are properly handled and appropriate sentence meted out.
MINISTER of Information, Broadcasting and Tourism Given Lubinda
MINISTER of Information, Broadcasting and Tourism Given Lubinda says owners of online publications should state their identity to make it easier for aggrieved parties to seek redress.
He said publishers hiding their identity should not be allowed to tamper with freedom of speech and press freedom through online publications.
“I know some people are hiding in the fact that they cannot be reached. Everyone running a publication should declare where they are to be found. Cowards must not be allowed to interfere with freedom of speech,” Mr Lubinda said.
He said this when he appeared on a special programme on Zambezi FM in Livingstone yesterday.
Mr Lubinda said the attorney-general’s report on the legal framework within which online publications are operating will soon be presented to Cabinet to address the matter.
A few weeks ago, President Sata directed attorney-general Mumba Malila to investigate the legal framework in which online publications are operating in Zambia following complaints from the public about the stories some of them have been carrying.
The minister also reiterated his advice to the public media to always report fairly and professionally and always remember that they are run on public resources.
He said the public media should not take advantage of the latitude the Patriotic Front government has given them to write defamatory stories because the government will not bail them out in the event that they are found wanting.
[pullquote]He said the public media should not take advantage of the latitude the Patriotic Front government has given them to write defamatory stories because the government will not bail them out in the event that they are found wanting. [/pullquote]
Mr Lubinda said the public media should not use the press to settle political scores, but mirror the aspirations of the public.
“From our lesson during the 2011 campaigns, we know how the public media can be deceiving. We would like them to reflect the true aspirations of the people. I appeal to them to do one thing; report accurately, fairly and truthfully,” Mr Lubinda said.
Meanwhile, Mr Lubinda has called on all residents of Livingstone, including street vendors, to support the declaration of the city as a tourist capital. He said street vendors should control their vending.
Mr Lubinda said he wants to see an increase in the quality of tour operators in the city, as they are the ones who help to attract tourists to the capital.
He said despite Livingstone being the tourist capital of the country, it lacks professionally qualified personnel to run the tourism and hospitality industry.
And asked in a separate interview how much the current technical committee of experts on the constitution is getting, Mr Lubinda said it is not important to know the amount.
“It is not how much has been budgeted for, but the cost of getting the business done, that is what is most important,” Mr Lubinda said.
File: Peasant farmers wait for the Food Reserve Agency to buy their maize
Quick response by alert police officers saved Serenje district commissioner Ronald Sinyangwe’s life from being assaulted by irate farmers who stormed his office demanding payment for their maize produce last farming season.
ZANIS reports from Serenje today that the armed farmers stormed Mr. Sinyangwe’s office calling for his blood as they demanded payment for the maize they sold to government last year.
And Central Province minister Philip Kosamu who confirmed the development in an interview said it was unfortunate that Serenje farmers could threaten to assault the embattled District commissioner while demanding payments for their produce even after government assured them that their plight was being addressed.
Meanwhile deputy police commanding officer for central province Nelson Phiri whom Serenje district police officer commanding Daniel Museteka referred to for all queries concerning the matter said when contacted that he had not received the information.
Mr. Sinyangwe who confirmed the development to ZANIS today described the situation as tense saying the farmers, close to 100, stormed his office threatening to beat him up accusing government of deliberately delaying to pay them their money.
He said police in riot gear were quickly called in to help calm the situation as the farmers forced him to go to the Finance bank branch and ask the management to pay them from whatever amount the bank had so that government could reimburse the bank.
“the situation was tense and thanks to the police who acted professionally otherwise the farmers were in a bad mood,’ he said.
Mr. Sinyangwe said his plea for them to give government a little more time to sort out their problem of payments, seemed not to be heeded by the farmers who complained that they wanted the money to pay school fees for their children since schools have opened today.
He said the farmers who also complained of sleepless nights and hunger because they come from far flung areas also demanded transport from government to take them back to their various respective homes.
Mr Sinyangwe however said Ibolelo ward PF councilor, Chester and himself (DC) have donated a 25kg bag of mealie meal for the affected farmers to eat before they leave for their respective villages.
He further said his office was finding it difficult to meet their demand for transport to take them back to their various homes because his office could not manage to do that.
And Felix Kalunga, a farmer of Chalilo in chief Chitambo’s area in Serenje who was among the farmers demanding payments, told ZANIS in a telephone interview that all farmers wanted was their money and nothing else.
Mr. Kalunga said farmers felt government was cheating them and just wanted to cool them down by asking them to extend their patience when government allegedly doing nothing to sort out their payment issues.
Mr. Kalunga sold 148 by 50kg bags of maize to FRA last year in August, explained that he had waited for too long and with nothing fruitful coming from government.
The opposition MMD on the Copperbelt says calls to lift former President Rupiah Banda’s immunity are premature and unnecessary.
MMD Copperbelt Province Information and Publicity Secretary Yotam Mtayachalo said it is immature to call for the lifting of the the immediate past Republican President Banda ‘s immunity because there are no legitimate grounds to warrant such action.
The MMD further charged that former President Banda’s immunity can not be lifted over mere allegations unless a strong evidence was established against him.
Mr. Mtayachalo was saying this at a press briefing held at the Party’s secretariat in Kitwe today.
He has also advised Zambians and the ruling PF Government not to exert unnecessary political pressure on investigative wings of government so that they can do a good job.
However, Mr Mtayachalo said the MMD on the Copperbelt was in support of any well intended measure designed to fight corruption but measures put in place should not be meant to settle political scores in the name of fighting corruption.
He observed that it was clear that the majority of Zambians were against the culture of removing immunity of former presidents, a tendency that leaves them labeled as corrupt leaders which he observed that it was not health for the nation.
And Mr Mtayachalo advised the PF Government the channel the limited national resources which are being spent on commissions of inquiry to strengthen governance institution such as the Police, Drug Enforcement Commission, Anti-Corruption Commission and the Auditor General’s Office to help them operate effectively.
He further advised Government to put in place watertight financial controls to prevent public officers from abusing public funds.
Meanwhile, Mr Mtayachalo has cautioned Information and Broadcasting Tourism Minister Given Lubinda against using demeaning and provocative language against former Vice President George Kunda through the Public Media.
He said the former vice president and the MMD mighty have misused the public media but that does not mean that they should not be accorded space in the public the media.
Mean while Mr Mtayachalo has criticized government’s recently announce plans to start importing finished petroleum products from neighbouring Angola saying the move would destroy the business viability of Indeni Oil Refinery and Tazama Pipeline unless government puts in measures to protect the two companies from unfair completion.
He added that importation of finished petroleum products would lead to the closure of the two energy companies and other related companies that depend on these companies there by resulting in massive job loses in the country.
The Malawian government has described its relations with Zambia as cordial.
Malawian Information Minister Patricia Kalyati says the warm relations between the two countries have existed for a very long time now.
Ms. Kalyati said whatever happened in the past should be forgotten so that the two countries could forge ahead.
ZANIS reports that Ms. Kalyati was speaking at Bloemfontein Military base shortly before President Sata’s departure to Johannesburg today.
The Malawian Information Minister said the warm relations could be seen from the interaction of the two Presidents whilst in Bloemfontein.
She, however, appealed to the media to report on issues responsibly.
Ms. Kalyati said the media should be in the forefront of bringing harmony between the two countries and not strife.
President Sata and his Malawian counterpart Bingu Wa Mutarika embrace each other at Bleomfontein Military Base in South AfricaPresident Sata talks to Malawian President Bingu Wa Mutarika at bleomfontein Military base in South AfricaPresident Sata with Malawian President Bingu Wa Mutarika at Bleomfontein Military Base in South AfricaPresident Micheal Sata with other African Heads of State and Government during ANC 100th anniversary at free State Stadium in Bleomfontein in South Africa
Former Education Minister Dora Siliya has finally appeared before a combined team of investigators at the former Task Force offices in Lusaka where she has been warned and cautioned.
And Zambia Police Service spokesperson Elizabeth Kanjela has clarified her earlier statement to the media stressing that the former Minister has being warned and cautioned not charged as earlier reported.
ZANIS reports that Ms. Siliya who was smartly dressed and looked composed appeared at the former Task Force offices at 08:30 hours in the company of Lusaka lawyer Lubinda Linyama.
Ms. Siliya who was questioned by a combined team of officers from the Drug Enforcement, Anti Corruption Commission and Zambia Police for over an hour refused to talk to journalists as she opted to remain mute amid pressing questions from the press.
Ms. Siliya who is also former Communications and Transport Minister was summoned to appear before the investigators to answer charges of irregularities surrounding the supply, delivery, installation and commissioning of the Traffic Management Surveillance Radar System at Kenneth Kaunda and Harry Mwaanga Nkmbula International airports in Lusaka and Livingstone respectively.
And Zambia Police Spokesperson Elizabeth Kanjela confirmed that Ms. Siliya appeared before the investigators and has since being warned and cautioned for abuse of authority of office contrary to section 99 of cap 87 the laws of Zambia.
Ms. Kanjela has clarified that the former Minister has being warned and cautioned not charged as earlier reported in the morning.
She explained that Ms. Siliya was summoned to appear before the investigators in relation to the awarding of tender of supply, delivery, installation and commissioning of the Traffic Management surveillance Radar System at Kenneth Kaunda (KK) and Harry Mwanga Nkumbula international airports.
[pullquote]She explained that Ms. Siliya was summoned to appear before the investigators in relation to the awarding of tender of supply, delivery, installation and commissioning of the Traffic Management surveillance Radar System at Kenneth Kaunda (KK) and Harry Mwanga Nkumbula international airports.[/pullquote]
She noted that this happened between July 2008 and July 2010, adding that investigations are still going on.
Ms. Siliya was last week was expected to appear before a team of combined investigators, but kept the officers waiting as her lawyer Sakwiba Sikota later informed the police that his client was unwell.
Ms. Siliya is allegedly to have ordered the cancellation of a duly awarded contract for supply, delivery, and installation and commissioning of ZATM-RADAR at KK and Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula international airports to accommodate SELEX Sistemi Integrati an Italian company through single sourcing.
The People’s Party has accused the ruling Patriotic Front government of hiding its empty agenda behind the fight against corruption. Party president Edwin Sakala has said that the PF government has no vision and no proper programme for the country other than attacking fellow politicians.
Mr. Sakala told QFM that government so far has not shown that it has any economic agenda for the country but has wasted its time in power fighting other politicians.
He said that what president Michael Sata was fighting should be left entirely in the hands of investigative wings for him not to move away from issues that affect people.
Mr. Sakala said that President Sata needed to start delivering on promises he made to the people of Zambia during election campaigns instead of turning his back on them now that he is in power.
The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has cleared President Michael Sata’s son Mulenga of allegations that he bought two motor vehicles worth K1.8 billion within days of his father ascending to the presidency.
DEC Commissioner Alita Mbahwe in a statement released to QFM today says following the conclusion of investigations into the allegations by Gregory Chifire it has been established that the allegations were not true.
Ms Mbahwe says investigations have revealed that one of the vehicles, a Jeep, registration number ALB 9988 which was believed to have been acquired at K1billion, does not belong to Mulenga Sata, but belongs to Chishala Karabasis.
She explains that the other vehicle, a Toyota Land cruiser registration number ABT 5000, which was alleged to be worth K800 million, is in fact a second hand vehicle which Mulenga bought on hire purchase at a total amount of US$A 25,000.
Ms Mbahwe has also disclosed that when Chifire appeared before DEC officers, he gave a statement that was different to the story that he supposedly gave to the online publication.
She however says under the Laws of Zambia, there is no criminal offence that Chifire committed as his allegations were made to the public through online private publication, and not to any public officer.
The DEC boss has however warned that this does not mean that people should be making unsubstantiated allegations against other people publicly, as the aggrieved person may seek civil litigation.
Ms Mbahwe has since implored whistle blowers and members of public in general, to grow in confidence and report any suspected criminal offence, directly, to the Commission or any other law enforcement agency, and not through the media.
An Australian woman has survived a terrifying fall after her bungee cord snapped during a 111-metre (364-feet) leap off Africa’s Victoria Falls Bridge, plunging her into the crocodile-infested Zambezi River below.
Erin Langworthy, who suffered only cuts and bruises in the fall on New Year’s Eve, said it was a “miracle” that she had survived the plunge into the rapids below the bridge, which borders Zambia and Zimbabwe. “It felt like I had been slapped all over,” the 22-year-old from Perth told Australia’s Channel Nine television.
Want to strengthen your back muscles but not a member of a gym , no problem . You can do these simple workouts to build a stronger ,V shaped back. It wont happen overnight ,it will take hard work and consistency.
Table exercise: table rows
Muscles lats, rear delts
For many, back muscle means lats, While virtually all back exercises recruit them, they’re not the only muscles you need to work.This move also hits your rear delts, helping to give you a V-shaped torso.
HOW ITS DONE
Lie under a sturdy table and grab the edge with a shoulder-width grip.
Keeping your body rigid, pull your chest up, hold, then lower.
Best done before you set the table for dinner.
Sets 4 Reps 12
Rest 60 seconds
Door exercise: let me in
Muscles lats, rhomboids
HOW ITS DONE
Facing an open door, place your feet on either side and grab both handles.
Slowly lean back until your arms are straight. You need to have good grip with the floor, so don’t do this in socks.
Keeping your lower body locked, pull your chest up until it touches the door.
Repeat. Squeeze your shoulder blades together at the top of the move to work that little bit extra
And for balance, throw in a set of press-ups between each of these exercises.
Sets 4 Reps 10 Rest 60 seconds
Floor exercise: scalpular retraction
Muscles lats, rhomboids, traps, shoulders
Drop into a press-up position and then squeezing your shoulder blades together for 10 seconds.
That’s one rep. This move will protect against injury, and make you appear more symmetrical.
Sets 3 Reps 6 Rest 45 seconds
Kitchen exercise: single-leg deadlift
Muscles lats, lower back
HOW ITS DONE
Hold a light weight in each hand.
If you don’t have dumbbells at home, use a couple of tins of beans.
Stand with your feet together, then raise your right leg off the ground.
Bend your left knee slightly and lower the weights towards the floor, keeping your back straight.
Stop just before the weights touch the ground, then rise up.
This move will also hit your core – giving you a free abs workout to boot.
Power Dynamos-bound defensive midfielder Thomas Nyirenda has been ruled out of this year’s Africa Cup.
Zambia coach Herve Renard told the Sunday Mail that Nyirenda has failed to show significant progress in his recovery for the tournament that kicks off on January 21 in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.
“Thomas needs time to recover and he is out of Africa Cup of Nations,” Renard said.
Nyirenda has failed to recover fully from a knee injury he sustained against Comoros in a 2012 Africa Cup Group C qualifier that Zambia won 2-1 away on September 4.
The news means the ex-Konkola Blades player becomes the third player out of the Africa Cup and he also misses out on making his debut at the Africa Cup.
Striker Jacob Mulenga and midfielder William Njobvu will also miss the tournament due to injury.
Labour, Sports, Youth and Gender Minister Fackson Shamenda
EMPLOYEES at Kansanshi Mining Plc who are involved in the production of gold fear that their fertility could be affected by the rigorous infra-red searches they are subjected to every day.
The employees, who did not want to be named, said they are worried that their reproductive systems are under threat because of the unwarranted searches which expose them to radiation.
“We are subjected to searches almost every hour. There are always fears we can steal gold from the plant, so they search us several times,” one miner said.
They complained that even when miners go to answer the call of nature, they are exposed to an infra-red search on all parts of the body.
The workers, who have appealed to Labour Minister Fackson Shamenda to look into their plight, said some categories of workers are not searched or exposed to infra-red radiation.
The gold production unit is kept sacred and no dignitaries or government officials are allowed to tour it, one worker said.
And Government will soon carry out a labour audit on companies which have hired expatriates, to reconfirm the relevance of giving expatriates certain jobs, Labour, Youth and Sport Minister Fackson Shamenda said in Solwezi at the weekend.
The audit is aimed at establishing the qualifications and jobs that expatriates hold.
Mr Shamenda, Vice-President Guy Scott, Foreign Affairs Minister Chishimba Kambwili and Minister of Mines Wybur Simuusa were in Solwezi to ask miners at Kansanshi Mine to return to work after a wildcat strike.
The miners complained that there is a huge gap in conditions of service between them and expatriates.
“We will verify their qualifications and check if the qualifications and skills match,” he said.
Mr Shamenda said Zambia has many qualified professionals who can take up jobs that have been given to expatriates, especially in the mining industry.
HE said his ministry will soon set up a database of workers to ensure that only qualified expatriates are allowed to work in the country.
Mr Shamenda also said there are ‘very serious’ salary disparities between management and unionised workers in most companies in the country.
“The audit will ensure that expatriates doing jobs that Zambians can do are sent away to pave way for locals,” he said.
Mr Shamenda also said the ministry of labour will engage qualified Zambians, including those in the diaspora, to take up jobs that will be left by some expatriates who are not qualified.
He also said that government will not tolerate any investors abusing Zambian workers.
Mr Shamenda also bemoaned the high levels of casualisation of labour in mining companies, saying the Ministry of Labour will review labour laws to resolve the problem.
PRINCE Imasiku Mutangelwa has described people advocating the secession of Barotseland and the announcement of the so-called Barotseland cabinet as ‘insane’.
Mr Mutangelwa has called on Government to identify the culprits behind the illegal cabinet, saying they need to be incarcerated or put in a mental institution before they plunge the national into chaos.
Mr Mutangelwa, who has previously been arrested and charged over his sentiments on the Barotseland Agreement, said Government should find the people circulating documents suggesting that a cabinet has been put in place in Barotseland, saying : “These characters are causing alarm in the nation.”
“This is insanity. The state must identify them and put them in prison or take them to Chainama (Hills Hospital) before they cause chaos with their alarming statements,” Mr Mutangelwa said.
Mr Mutangelwa said in an interview yesterday that most of the people named in the ‘Barotseland cabinet’ were not consulted over their appointment to the illegal cabinet.
“These statements are just meant to distract Government as they have no backing from the people of Western Province. Government must identify these people and take them to Chainama – where they belong,” Mr Mutangelwa said.
And some of the people named in the purported Barotseland cabinet have denied links to the formation of a government in Western Province, saying they were not consulted and have no idea who was making the appointments.
Nyambe Namushi, a commissioner on the Mongu Commission of Inquiry into the Mongu riots of January 14, 2011, who was named as the deputy administrator-general, said the reports have injured his reputation.
Mr Namushi said he only learnt of his appointment through the Zambian Watchdog, an online publication.
He said he has written to the publication, asking the publishers to retract the statement because he does not even know who appointed him.
“All the people in that cabinet were not consulted and have no clue who was appointing them,” Mr Namushi said, adding that it was the work of fanatics, trained to misdirect people’s attention.
Mwangelwa Mbikusita Lewanika, who has been named as Finance Minister in the Barotseland government, said his reputation has been damaged because people are connecting him to calls for secession, when the Barotse Royal Establishment can competently deal with the matter.
“It’s very damaging to those of us who have been named. It’s a cowardly act that people should desist from because they only damage other people’s reputation and even the whole process of Barotseland discussions,” Mr Lewanika said.
Mukubesa Ilukena, one of those named in the cabinet, said some people can do anything to frustrate Government.
Mr Mutangelwa, however, said he strongly believed President Sata cannot be disturbed by fanatics. “President Sata is always on the ground and ahead of things. He should not let anyone disturb him from pursuing his vision,” he said.
He said the PF government should not get distracted by alarming statements which have no backing from the people of the Western Province.
Mr Mutangelwa commended the PF government for its stance against corruption.
He said corruption has in the past disadvantaged most citizens, as a few greedy individuals were pocketing all the resources.
Mr Mutangelwa said “all those characters that deceived the people of Zambia that they were governing us but were instead stealing from them must be investigated and brought to book”.
President Sata last month said a group of people in Western Province is attempting to form a state within a State and has already appointed a Prime Minister.
The President described the situation as serious and castigated the police and ministers of Defence and Home Affairs for failing to deal with the matter.
Mr Sata said there was no need for the army to intervene in the matter because they might end up ‘slaughtering’ people, adding that bloodshed over the issue was unnecessary.
Under the previous Government last year, police killed and maimed people over similar agitations in the province. Other people were arrested but pardoned when Mr Sata won the presidency and currently, a commission appointed by the President is still sitting to investigate the incident.
President Sata recently held talks with representatives of three groups from the Western Province to discuss the matter.
In August 2000, Mr Mutangelwa, then leader of a small group known as the Barotse Patriotic Front, was sought by police for questioning after he made statements supporting a separatist rebellion.
Later the same month, Mr Mutangelwa sought asylum in the residence of the South African High Commissioner, but his request was denied.
He was subsequently arrested and charged with belonging to an unlawful society.
