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File:Collum coal mine employee in action at shaft one
COLLUM Coal Mine in Sinazongwe district has paid compensation of K50 million to the family of a deceased miner Gibson Siachvewenya who died in a mine accident on January 18, 2012.
The mine also provided a coffin to the family to use for the burial of the accident victim.
This is according to a report submitted to Southern Province Minister Miles Sampa dated January 22, 2012 also made available to Times of Zambia in Livingstone.
The mine, which is owned by Chinese, stated in its report that the two parties also made and signed a compensation agreement.
Management at the mine assured the Government that the mine management would look at the welfare of the other miners that had been injured in accordance with the laws of Zambia.
A miner Maiya Wispow, who was injured during the same accident, is currently in Maamba hospital while others have been discharged.
The mine said it had taken steps after the accident that happened on shaft three and has since reduced the productive task each team has to undertake from 75 tramcars to 70 tramcars.
“We apologise to the miners’ families and stopped production for seven days from January 18, after the accident happened,” the report says.
Last week, Mr Sampa gave Collum Coal Mine a 48-hour ultimatum to give him a report on the mine accident and warned that the Government would revoke its mining licence if the mine continued to violate safety standards.
Eye witnesses at the time of the accident told ZANIS that their 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 that killed Mr Siachvewenya on the spot while the others were severely injured.
The Chadiza Magistrate court has adjourned to 10 February 2012 the case in which two suspects were arrested with a rocket propelled grenade.
Magistrate Musonda Chanda granted the extension to the 10 February 2012 and has also extended bail for the first accused Agnes Nyirenda a deputy head Teacher at Zingale Basic School of Chipata District to the same date while the second accused Kachepa Zulu of Kavala village of chief Mwangala’s area will still remain in police custody
Chadiza police public prosecutor Charles Situtu appealed for the extension of the mention case because the police have not yet received instructions from the Director of Public Prosecution.
In another development a marauding hyena has left a man of Kambulile Village of Chief Mwangala’s area of Chadiza District with a life threatening wound on his left leg.
42 year old Isaac Mwale was attacked by the Hyena last night around mid night on his way back into the house from his backyard latrine after a call of nature.
Mwale said on his way back to the house, he saw a black animal that looked like a dog that leaped at him after which it severely mauled him his left leg.
He said he took courage and wrestled with the mammal until he rescued himself only to discover that it had chewed part of his left leg.
Mwale has since been treated for the wound at Taferansoni Clinic in the same area.
Last week villagers from Zingalume Village of chief Zingalume’s area appealed to the Zambia Wild Life Authority (ZAWA ) to crop the growing number of hyenas said to be terrorising goats and people in the area.
Zambians for Empowerment and Development (ZED) says government should disclose how much is involved in terms of compensation in the reversal of the Zamtel sale.
ZED president Fred Mutesa told QFM in an exclusive interview that he believes the Zambian government will have to compensate LAP Green hence Zambians deserve to know how much is involved.
Dr. Mutesa has further appealed to the government to state its plans for Zamtel now that it has taken over the company.
He says it is important for government to state whether it will continue running Zamtel or will privatize the company.
He has however urged government to ensure that Zamtel continues to run productively and profitably should they decide to keep the parastatal.
Dr. Mutesa observes that for Zamtel to operate as a profitable commercial entity there will be need for the firm to be free from any form of political interference.
President Sata on Tuesday announced the official take over of Zamtel which had been bought by Libya’s LAP Green for $257 million, and appointed Dr. Mupanga Mwanakatwe as Chairman and Acting Chief executive officer for Zamtel.
Former Zambian High Commissioner to Canada Dr Nevers Mumba
A JOINT Government Investigative Team on Thursday warned and cautioned former diplomat and MMD aspiring presidential candidate Nevers Mumba for abuse of office and corruptly acquiring public property and revenue.
Mr Mumba arrived at the former task force offices for questioning accompanied by his lawyer Sakwiba Sikota of Central Chambers.
Joint government investigative wing spokesperson Munganga Chanda confirmed the development, saying Dr Mumba was warned and cautioned over seven counts.
“I would like to confirm that the joint Government investigative team has warned and cautioned Dr Nevers Mumba,” Ms Chanda said.
Dr Mumba could not comment on the matter after the interview with the investigative team and Mr Sikota refused to say anything about his client’s interview with the police.
“How did you know that we were here? The police called you. So you talk to your reliable sources who called you here because you did not just dream to come here,” Mr Sikota said.
Ms Chanda said Dr Mumba was warned and cautioned on one count of abuse of authority of office contrary to section 99 (i) of the penal code cap 87 of the laws of Zambia.
She said Dr Mumba was also warned and cautioned over six counts of corrupt acquisition of public property and revenue contrary to section 33.
Ms Chanda said the cases are in connection with the funding which Dr Mumba solicited for from Barrick Gold, the owners of Lumwana mine in Solwezi, to fund the Zambia-Canada cultural exchange programme during the 2011 independence celebration in Canada.
Dr Mumba has sued the Daily Mail, over the same issues he is being questioned about by the task force.
She said Dr Mumba is again expected to appear before a team of investigators on Monday.
Dr Mumba is alleged to have solicited and received more than half a billion Kwacha (US$122,000) from the largest gold digger in the world, Barrick Gold, purporting to fund a Zambian cultural week as High Commissioner to Canada.
Documentation shows that Dr Mumba opened an account that could not be subjected to a government audit at Toronto’s Domion Bank.
The account was also not declared to the High Commission and the opening of the account was not sanctioned by the Zambian government.
Dr Mumba gave the restricted role of coordinating and raising payment vouchers subsequently signed by himself to one high commission staff member.
FLASHBACK: Happy days together, Mike Mulongoti sharing a light moment with former president Rupiah Banda
FORMER Republican president, Rupiah Banda and 14 others who include some of his former ministers, may face arrest following Cabinet’s unanimous decision that they stand trial on allegations of corruption and breach of financial regulations.
Cabinet resolved on Wednesday that Mr Banda alongside former minister of Finance and National Planning, Situmbeko Musokotwane and former Works and Supply minister, Mike Mulongoti should stand trial in connection with alleged irregularities at the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) which took place during the MMD’s reign.
The resolution is hinged on recommendations to Cabinet by the Kingsley Chanda-Commission of Inquiry in the 117-paged report that was handed over to President Michael Sata last month.
The report was released to the public yesterday by Finance and National Planning Minister, Alexander Chikwanda during a media briefing in Lusaka.
Mr Chikwanda said Cabinet held a meeting on Wednesday at which it was resolved that Mr Banda and 14 other officials listed in the report should stand trial on allegations of corruption, abuse of authority and generally breaching financial regulations.
The report contains a list of 14 people that should be prosecuted because of their alleged roles in suspected financial transgressions in the previous government and Mr Banda appears on top of the list while Dr Musokotwane, is second.
The report recommends that Mr Banda should be tried because he allegedly participated in the procurement of four extra-border cargo scanners and for his alleged role in increasing a loan from China from US$100 million to $125 million. A Chinese company, Nuctech, was single-sourced to come and manage the scanners.
Mr Banda has been a subject of debate on whether his immunity should be lifted so that he could have an opportunity to clear his name of allegations of impropriety.
Dr Musokotwane’s company, ZamBuild Investment Limited, is alleged to have supplied bricks to Varun Beverages of Lusaka, a company he is alleged to have earlier awarded tax concessions for five years.
But Dr Musokotwane said he was ready to face the law and that the State would have to prove in the courts of law that the business his company got to supply the bricks to the Pepsi Manufacturing Company was based on the tax deferment that Varun Beverages was given.
Dr Musokotwane charged the Government merely wanted to victimise political opponents as Cabinet could not discuss who should be prosecuted or not but that this role should be left to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and security wings.
The report has also named former minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Eustarckio Kazonga while Mr Mulongoti has been named over his alleged role in awarding of border concessions for the management of Nakonde, Mwami, Jimbe, Kipushi and Chanida.
Mr Mulongoti has also been mentioned over the award of the Kasumbalesa Border Post concession, while former Transport and Communications minister, Geoffrey Lungwangwa has also been named.
But Mr Mulongoti said he was available to stand before any security officer to explain the transaction at Kasumbalesa Border because all the money came from a private company and that no single “ngwee” came from the treasury.
Mr Mulongoti said the chairperson of the Commission of Inquiry, Mr Chanda, should have declared interest instead of participating in the probe as he also allegedly participated and lost during the tender process.
He said Mr Chanda also allegedly benefitted from the Chirundu Border project as a consultant and was paid Government money.
Mr Mulongoti wondered why Mr Chanda did not invite him to testify when sittings were opened instead of naming them in a report which did not portray his side of the story.
He said it did not make sense to open tenders for a project that would be funded by a private investor who was willing to handover the project to the Zambian Government after recovering their profits.
The report also states that former Secretary to the Treasury, Likolo Ndalamei would have to answer over his alleged role in the cancellation of the Nakonde border construction project.
Incumbent ZRA director of administration, Tenthani Banda, has also been named and so has former ZRA Commissioner-General, Wisdom Nhekairo over his alleged role in the contract to a company called Bradwell.
Mr Nhekairo’s predecessor, Criticles Mwansa will have to justify the alleged direct bidding of Nuctech, Cargo Scans and the procurement of four additional scanners and reduction of the tender floatation period from eight weeks to one week.
The report states that the additional scanners were clearly not needed.
Former Zambia Public Procurement Authority (ZPPA) director-general, David Kapitolo, is mentioned for alleged failure to verify information made available to ZPPA by ZRA in relation to the direct bidding of the companies.
Promoted Indeni have launched a search for a new head coach following the departure of trainer Tenant Chembo who has joined Zesco United.
Earlier this week, Zesco coach Wedson Nyirenda appointed Chembo as his second assistant trainer.
Indeni Secretary Steven Sinyinza said the “Oil Men” are scheduled to name a new coach next week after interviewing applicants.
Sinyinza said Indeni wants to recruit a coach who can withstand pressure in the Super Division.
“So far, we have received eight applications from interested coaches,” he revealed.
Following Chembo’s departure, assistant coaches Steven Tembo and Emmanuel Chimfwembe have taken charge of the Indeni Sports Complex side who have commenced their pre-season training.
In 2010, Chembo guided now demoted Lime Hotspur s to Super Division promotion.
Herve Renard has said people shouldn’t read too much into his in-and-out substitution of striker Collins Mbeusma.
The Golden Arrows striker came on to little impact in Zambia’s 2-2 draw against Libya on Wednesday in the teams penultimate Group A match in Bata in the first half only to be substituted again with less than a quarter of an hour left to play.
“I know for some people it is difficult to understand but me I don’t have problems with changing tactics three or four times in a game,” Renard said.
“I brought Collins to hold the ball and to come from behind to shoot because it was difficult to cross from both sides. The pitch was very bad especially on the left and on the right.”
Renard said it will be unfair to criticize the striker on his performance during his first appearance at this year’s Africa Cup.
Mbesuma had two good chances on goal but was denied by the veteran Libyan goalkeeper Abod Samir.
“I wanted him to hold the ball and we got some chances but it was sometimes difficult I think he did well,” Renard said.
“But in the last 10 minutes I wanted to play players faster some players were tired because of the pitch then I put some pace with Felix Katongo.”
Meanwhile, Zambia shift camp across to the Island of Malabo on Friday ahead of their final Group A match on Sunday there against co-hosts Equatorial Guinea that will decide the course of the second placed sides destiny in the Africa Cup.
Zambia, on 4 points from two games, needs a win or a draw against Equatorial Guinea on Sunday to join them the Africa Cup co-hosts in the February 4 quarterfinals.
Equatorial Guinea has qualified to the quarterfinals with a game to spare on 6 points from two games played.
The PF has yet again lost another parliamentary election petition. This time around PF has lost the Kapiri Mposhi election petition which is the second judgment. Ndola high court judge Mwinde Siavwapa has declared the election of MMD‘s Lawrence Zimba valid, dismissing with costs PF’s Eddie Christopher Musonda’s petition.
Judge Siavwapa says allegations of bribery contained in the petitioner’s claims had no effect on the overall results of the elections. According to the official result Zimba polled sixteen thousand five hundred and seventy five votes while Musonda who was his closest rival only polled nine thousand five hundred and nineteen votes and UPND candidate Robby Chungwa polled six thousand six hundred and fifty four votes.
File: Finance and National Planning Minister Alexander Chikwanda and his wife, Margret, displays the copper briefcase containing the budget
The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) has expressed concern at the many activities that government is embarking on which are not budgeted for.
The JCTR cites the creation of new districts and the rebasing of the Kwacha which were not provided for in the 2012 national budget.
In a statement released to QFM, JCTR says government out to depart from this kind of spending immediately or the country will be talking about the unusual problems of budget overrun which contributes to poor budget performance and ultimately poor service delivery.
It has since demanded that government disclose to the public the total cost of rebasing the Kwacha and the source of money.
JCTR cautions that if the country fails to instill discipline in the way public resources are being spent, the three zeros being knocked off the from the currency now will soon resurface.
And the JCTR has observed that while rebasing may enhance confidence in the currency in the short run, it is important to realize that it may fuel inflation especially in the absence of other initiatives to tame inflation.
It explains that people always have an illusionary feeling that they have lost buying power and thus tend to increase the price of goods and services.
The JCTR says the transition must therefore be managed to maintain people’s confidence in the currency by widely disseminating information on the rebasing exercise.
It further says that government’s ultimate focus should be to ensure that the convenience that comes with transacting with a rebased currency results in enhanced economic growth and economic development.
ZESCO has withdrawn its application to hike electricity tariffs by 25 percent.
ZESCO Managing Director Cyprian Chitundu says the withdrawal has been necessitated by lack of a board at the Energy Regulation Board to approve the tariff.
Mr Chitundu however said ZESCO will go ahead and apply for 25 percent increment within the next two months.
He assured Zambians that the tariff increment will not affect the poor as those that consume one to 100 watts of power will not be affected.
Mr Chitundu was speaking in an interview with ZNBC’s Katwishi Bwalya in Siavonga this morning.
Mr Chitundu said ZESCO has been advised that the application can not be approved because there is no board to act on the application.
Republican President Michael Sata has left for Addis Ababa Ethiopia for the 18th African Union (AU) Assembly of Heads of State and Government Summit at which all African leaders except for Madagascar will participate in the proceedings of the highest continental organ.
This is the first high-level meeting the President will be undertaking since assuming office in September last year.
President Sata who is accompanied by first lady Dr. Christine was seen off at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport by Vice President Guy Scott, Defence Minister Geoffrey Mwamba, Finance minister Alexander Chikwanda and other senior government officials.
The AU summit started on Monday with the Permanent Representatives’ Committee (PRC) meeting, while the Executive Council (EC) summit opens today.
During the summit whose theme is “Boosting Intra Africa Trade”,the new US$150 million AU headquarters will be opened on Saturday and thereafter the ceremonial opening of the Heads of State and Government summit.
Finance Minister ALEXANDER CHIKWANDA will act as Republican President during the time the President will be away.
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 has arrested the Secretary General and the Finance Manager of Zambia Red Cross Society for theft and money laundering offences involving over K1 billion.
DEC acting public relations officer Samuel Silomba tells QFM that Charles Mushitu, 44, of plot No. 31326 Chalala in Lusaka and Sydney Chituta, 31, of plot No. 797 Chilenje in Lusaka have been arrested for theft by clerk or servant contrary to section 272 as read with 278 of the Penal Code Chapter 87, and for money laundering contrary to section 7 of Act 14 of 2001 of the Laws of Zambia.
Mr Silomba explains that it is alleged that on dates unknown but between 1st January 2008 and 31st December, 2011, the duo did steal a total of K1.4 billion, funds which came into their possession by virtue of their office as Secretary General and Finance Manager, respectively.
He says the stolen funds were meant for water and sanitation projects in Southern Province.
He adds that the two suspects are believed to have acquired property which includes houses, cars, and plots.
Mr Silomba says further, Mr Mushitu was found with an AK47 Rifle with 30 rounds of ammunition without authority, and he has since been charged with being in possession of an offensive weapon contrary to section 85 of Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.
The two suspects have since been released on bond and will appear in court soon.
A 15-YEAR-OLD boy of Mwaiseni in Isoka district in Muchinga Province has saved a-day-old baby that was thrown into a pit latrine by its mother in an attempt to kill it.
ZANIS reports that efforts to get a comment from Police spokesperson Elizabeth Kanjela for comment on the matter failed by press time.
However, Police sources in Nakonde confirmed the incident yesterday saying that the baby weighing 3.4 kg was thrown into an 8 meter-deep pit latrine by its mother around 11:00 hours yesterday.
The infant was only retrieved alive at about 16:10 hours.
The rescue operation team led by detective inspector Dominic Tembo lowered a 15-year-old boy, Patrick Sichone into the pit latrine whilst tied to a rope to rescue the baby boy.
The rescued baby was immediately rushed to Isoka District Hospital where it is currently admitted and its condition is said to be stable and out of danger.
Mother to the baby who has since been arrested by the Police has been identified as Asha Nambaya a single mother with three children of Mwaiseni village in chief Kafwimbi’s area in Isoka district.
And the boy who rescued the baby said he accepted to be lowered into the pit latrine to rescue the baby because he saw it crying inside the pit latrine and was convinced that it was was alive.
Sichone said he was happy to have saved a human life especially that it was an innocent baby who was thrown into a pit latrine by its mother in an attempt to kill it.
Meanwhile, Society for Women Against AIDS in Zambia (SWAAZ) Coordinator for Muchinga and Northern Province Maggie Siame has condemned the behavior of some women who were in the habit of throwing away children.
Mrs. Siame said the law should deal firmly with such women once arrested adding that her organisation was worried with the increased cases of women dumping children in Isoka district.
She also disclosed that her organization will take care of the baby boy that is currently receiving treatment at the district hospital and will continue taking care of it even after it has been discharged until such a time when authorities would decide otherwise.
Cabinet has directed the reversal of the concession of three borders namely Kasumbalesa, Nakonde, Jimbe, Kipushi, Mwami and Chanida and the reversal of the tax concession offered to Varum Beverages Limited, the promoters of the Pepsi Zambia project.
Finance and national planning Minister Alexander Chikwanda revealed during a press briefing in Lusaka today that Cabinet has deemed it desirable and expedient to reverse fraudulent procurements regarding Zambia Revenue Authority related contracts with Bradwell International, and Cargo Scan.
He says in addition, Cabinet has directed the implementation of other administrative measures incidental to the same as recommended by the Zambia Revenue Authority commission of inquiry.
Mr Chikwanda says Cabinet at its sitting of Wednesday 25th January,2012 accepted without reservations the report on the findings of the Commission of Inquiry into the operations of Zambia Revenue Authority.
He says consequently Cabinet has ordered the termination with immediate effect the Cargo Scan contract on the operations and maintenance of Smith Detection scanners, the Bradwell contract on the operation and maintenance of Nuctech scanners, and that Nuctech be compelled to perform their contractual obligations of installation, operation and maintenance of the eight scanners.
Mr Chikwanda adds that the pre-requisites for the installation and operations of the scanners shall be met by government, and that ZRA assumes ownership of the scanners and work out appropriate measures for loan repayment for the scanners.
The finance minister has also disclosed that Varum Beverages Zambia Limited will have to pay outstanding tax arrears and criminal investigations will be instituted on persons found wanting for unlawful conduct, for granting the company a tax deferment of 5 years.
Mr Chikwanda says the PF government has no scores to settle warning that there will be no sanctuary given to those who have committed crimes against society through fragrant abuse of office and trust which the people of Zambia reposed in them.
