MINISTER of Information, Broadcasting and Tourism Given Lubinda on Monday when he bungee-jumped at Livingstone’s Victoria Falls, to support his claims that the bungee-jumping equipment was safe. Mr Lubinda left onlookers on edge as he took the dreaded plunge.

Apart from bungee jumping, Mr. Lubinda took a ‘gorge slide and swing at the Victoria Falls Bridge and remarked that the leisure activities are safe, contrary to popular belief that they can cause harm.

Mr Lubinda, who also participated in activities at the Victoria Falls Bridge Bungee jumping where there was an accident involving a tourist, urged all tourists and other guests to participate in bungee activities because they were safe.

“I came here to prove that the Bungee jumping activities are safe. I have done the slides and swinging because I have confidence in the activities. Let everyone come and do it. That accident was a small one in 50, 000 jumps in a year.

“The activities here are fantastic and you feel like rocks are holding you. Those who haven’t seen the Zambezi River down using the jumps at the Bridge are missing a lot,” Mr Lubinda said.

Recently, a 22-year-old Australian tourist plunged into the Zambezi River after the bungee jumping cord snapped.

The tourist managed to swim to the Zimbabwean side where she was treated and later evacuated to South Africa.

Meanwhile operator of the bungee jumping equipment regreted the incident, saying that it came to them as a shock. “Despite the experience of the crew and parameters and procedures, which have successfully guided the operation for 17 years and over 150,000 jumpers, we were unable to prevent this accident.”, read the statement released to the media.

” We take this exceptionally seriously and our objective now is to learn from this incident and review every component part of our operation to determine where we can further minimize the risk of bungee jumping from the Victoria Falls Bridge.”

The Operator has taken the following measures to ensure the incident does not happen again

• We have removed all bungee cords from the system, which were made with the same batch of rubber as that used to make the failed cord. These have been retained for further testing.
• An entirely new set of bungee cords have been installed on the system. These have been extensively load tested and inspected thoroughly and we are satisfied that they are safe to jump on.
• The entire bungee system has been thoroughly inspected and checked and we are fully confident that everything is safe to jump on.
• In addition to our normal checks and procedures we have instigated additional daily and intermittent checks on the bungee cords and we are fully satisfied that these checks and procedures are more than sufficient to ensure our clients safety.
• Our own crew are conducting test jumps before the commencement of daily operations and throughout the day.
• Experts in South Africa have been contacted and we expect them to be on site next week to help us with our ongoing investigations as to the cause of the incident.
• The broken cord has been carefully stored and will shortly be sent to South Africa for forensic testing.
• A qualified river guide with first aid certification and necessary safety and recovery equipment will be positioned in the gorge below the bridge.

” In light of the above Victoria Falls Bungee are entirely satisfied that everything humanly possible has been done to ensure the safety of our clients and bungee jumping operations have now recommenced without further incident,” concluded the statement

Finance bank board Chairperson Dr. Rajani Mahtani has been freed from criminal prosecution of money laundering involving the illegal acquisition of 25 percent shares in finance bank limited.

Director of Public Prosecution-DPP-Mutembo Nchito instructed the magistrate court presided by Lusaka chief resident magistrate, Joshua Banda to discharge Dr. Mahtani.

This was after Drug Enforcement Commission Principal state advocate Gracilia Mulenga, who made the formal application informing the court that the DPP had instructed for the discontinuation of the case.

In this case Dr. Mahtani was facing charges of illegally acquiring more than 25 percent shares in finance bank and another count of money laundering involving K81.7 billion.

In the first count, the allegation was that between January 1, 2003 and December 31, 2009, Dr Mahtani acquired beneficial interest in voting shares of FBZ to enable him to control more than 25 percent of the total votes that could be cast on any general resolution at a general or special meeting of the bank.

It was alleged that Dr Mahtani did so without prior approval of the Bank of Zambia in writing, contrary to section 23(1), (2) (a) and (6) of the Banking and Financial Services Act number 21 of 1994 of the Laws of Zambia.

In the other count, the allegation was that between January 1, 2003 and December 31, 2009, Dr Mahtani, jointly and whilst acting together with other unknown persons, engaged directly or indirectly in a business transaction that involved the acquisition or retention of more than 25 percent shares in FBZ, whereby K81.7 billion was realised as dividends from the said illegal acquisition.

He was charged under section 7 of the Prohibition and Prevention of Money Laundering Act number 14 of 2001 of the Laws of Zambia.

[pullquote]“I am a born-again Christian and I believe in Christian principles. Vengeance is not mine, it is the Lord’s…I have forgiven them but I need to make sure that my international reputation, which was at stake, is cleared,” Dr Mahtani said.[/pullquote]

The charges and other numerous allegations triggered the seizure and subsequent sale of FBZ by the Central Bank to First Rand National Bank of South Africa.

The discontinuation does not come as a surprise following Government’s reversal of the sale of Finance Bank to FNB of South Africa last year.

The reversal was done three days after President Sata had constituted a commission of inquiry to investigate the sale of the Bank by the previous regime.

And commenting on the discontinuation of court proceedings against him, Dr Mahtani said he is relieved in that justice has been done.

He said he has no ill feelings against all the people who made false allegations against him and that he has forgiven everyone involved.

“I am a born-again Christian and I believe in Christian principles. Vengeance is not mine, it is the Lord’s…I have forgiven them but I need to make sure that my international reputation, which was at stake, is cleared,” Dr Mahtani said.

He cautioned people to avoid the culture of making false allegations against their perceived enemies. “They must realise that there is the rule of law and justice must prevail,” he said.

[MUVITV/ Zambia Daily Mail]

Lawyers representing former PF Secretary General and MMD member Edward Mumbi have given the Zambia Daily Mail 14 days to apologize of face legal action for the stories published in the Daily mail issues of 5th January and 6th January,2012, headlined Mumbi Faces Arrest and Mumbi is Wrong-Mambo.

This emanated from a story which linked Mr Mumbi to a group of people circulating stories to the effect that President Michael Sata’s health has greatly deteriorated and that he has only about seven months to live.

In a statement of claim for damages for libel, obtained by QFM, Mr Mumbi’s lawyers George Kunda and Company says the serious allegations are completely false and malicious and that they constitute a grave libel upon their client.

[pullquote]The statement says the two articles published by the Daily Mail are highly defamatory and have lowered Mr Mumbi in the estimation of right thinking members of society and have exposed him to hatred,contempt and ridicule not only in Zambia but worldwide since the newspaper is also published online.[/pullquote]

The statement says the two articles published by the Daily Mail are highly defamatory and have lowered Mr Mumbi in the estimation of right thinking members of society and have exposed him to hatred,contempt and ridicule not only in Zambia but worldwide since the newspaper is also published online.

The lawyers say their client fears for his life because of the publications which impute that Mr Mumbi has criminally defamed the President and spread seditious statements against the President and the Government of the Republic of Zambia.

They are demanding that the newspaper publish in the next issue a full and complete retraction and apology in terms to be approved by them on their client’s behalf, in as prominent a position as the article complained of, that a written assurance and undertaking be made by the newspaper that they will not further publish any similar articles concerning their client.

They further demanding that the Daily Mail pays their client a proper suitable or reasonable sum as damages for the injury to his reputation and for the embarrassment and distress caused to him, and to indemnify their client in respect of the costs which he will have incurred in the matter.

QFM

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.

ZANIS

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.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

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.

ZANIS

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.

ZANIS

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.

Below is the Video footage showing the accident