EXAMINATIONS Council of Zambia (ECZ) director, Chekani Sakala has with immediate effect been suspended following reports of alleged financial impropriety, maladministration and abuse of office at the examinations body.

Education, Science and Vocational Training Minister, John Phiri who announced Mr Sakala’s suspension has also dissolved the ECZ council and requested the Auditor General’s office to carry out a forensic audit at the council.

Dr Phiri said during a media briefing at the ministry in Lusaka yesterday that following articles which appeared in the Sunday Times of Zambia of November 6, 20 and 27, 2011 in which the workers alleged that a senior ECZ official was involved in financial impropriety, maladministration and abuse, he constituted a team to investigate the allegations.

The investigation team comprised officers from the Directorates of Human Resources and Administration, Standards and Curriculum, Planning and Information, Education and Specilaised Services, Procurement and Accounts Units.

The objectives of the investigative team whose findings were reported on January 3, 2012, were to establish whether the allegations leveled against ECZ were true, make appropriate recommendations and report on any related matters of interest.

“From the report, it is evident that there was financial impropriety, maladministration and abuse of office at ECZ but further investigations would be necessary,” his said.

Dr Phiri said based on the report the investigative team submitted, he decided to immediately suspend Mr Sakala in accordance with the ECZ and Public Service Disciplinary Codes and allow for further investigations.

“In exercise of the powers vested in me as Minister, pursuant to Provisions of Article 4 of the Examination Council of Zambia Act, CAP 137 of 1983 of the Laws of Zambia, I have dissolved the Council of ECZ with immediate effect. A new Council will be announced soon to foster continuity in the operations at ECZ,” Dr Phiri said.

He said to make further investigations and verifications; he requested the office of the Auditor General to carry out a forensic audit at ECZ and urged them to expedite their work.

[Times of Zambia]

PRESIDENT Michael Sata yesterday left for South Africa to attend the African National Congress centenary celebrations.

Mr Sata who left in the morning was seen off by Vice-President Guy Scott, Defence Minister Geoffrey Mwamba, Mines Minister Wylbur Simuusa and defence chiefs.

The ANC will on Sunday clock 100 years and Mr Sata is among several leaders invited to attend the centenary celebrations. The president is scheduled to return after the event.

First Republican president, Kenneth Kaunda is happy that he played a major role towards the liberation struggle against apartheid in South Africa.

In a statement released by First secretary for Press at the Zambian mission in South Africa, Patson Chilemba, Dr Kaunda has noted that the centenary celebrations of the African National Congress (ANC) were a great part of African history.

Dr Kaunda is in South Africa to attend the 100 years of existence of the ANC at the invitation of the South African government together with President Michael Sata.

Dr Kaunda’s administration hosted the ANC headquarters at the height of the liberation struggle.

He was speaking to journalists on arrival at Bloemfontein Airport yesterday where he said he was grateful for having been invited and was looking forward to being part of the celebrations.

And Dr Kaunda said Africa needed a strong South Africa politically, economically and health-wise, especially in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

He said Africa was looking forward to a strong South Africa that would lead the struggle, just like during the freedom liberation struggle.

“I feel very strong, very happy, continue to build South Africa. We need to grow, to grow fast,” he said.

Upon arrival in South Africa, Dr Kaunda was accorded VIP treatment and driven by police escort to a villa in Bloemfontein’s Woodland Hill.

Dr Kaunda is among several eminent personalities who have been invited for the celebrations.

Mr Chilemba said Mr Sata was also being awaited in Bloemfontein, and would be among several Heads of State who would attend the celebrations.

South Africa, particularly Bloemfontein, has been a hive of activity as the city prepares to host celebrations of the oldest political party in Africa which has graced the likes of Nelson Mandela, Thabo Mbeki, Walter Sisulu, Oliver Tambo and others.

[Times of Zambia]

THE Zambia Daily Mail has put up its defence against the former Vice-President’s law firm, George Kunda and Company and Mrs Irene Kunda.

Mr Kunda accused the newspaper of ‘falsely’ and ‘maliciously’ publishing an article that his company is alleged to have received K190 million from Zamtel.

But the Mail has maintained the article published on November 25, 2011 is not false and malicious as it is an accurate reflection of proceedings of the press conference held by the Minister of Justice Sebastian Zulu when he presented a report of findings into the sale of Zamtel to President Sata, which he said was marred with “irregularities” that bordered on “illegality” in some instances.

This is contained in a defence filed by Zambia Daily Mail company secretary George Zulu in the Lusaka High Court on Tuesday.

Minister of Information Given Lubinda on Thursday told reporters in Lusaka that a special probe team investigating Mr Kunda—again headed by State Counsel Zulu—shall soon return with a report.

“The Zamtel transaction which was bigger took the inquiry only about three weeks so I don’t think the probe on Mr. Kunda will take any time longer than that…it should be out very soon,” Mr. Lubinda said.

The Zambia Daily Mail, in its defence, submits that its article “focused on issues of non-declaration of interest by the former Vice-President and Minister of Justice and Attorney General, in the transaction done by his law firm involving State enterprises and whose payments were for the benefit of the first plaintiff, in which the second plaintiff and Mr Kunda had a vested interest.”

The newspaper is also aware that Mr Kunda appeared on Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation news and said the commission of inquiry to investigate payments to his law firm was not necessary because it would be a waste of taxpayers’ money as “records on payments made to his company “existed” at the Ministry of Justice, where he worked as Minister of Justice and Attorney-General.”

The newspaper also distanced itself from Mrs Kunda, who has sued with her law firm as it never mentioned Mrs Kunda by name or otherwise.

The Zambia Daily Mail has denied allegations that it injured the law firm and Mrs Kunda in their character, credit, professional reputation and standing and is ready to defend itself in court.

The newspaper can also show that several attempts to verify the story with Mr. Kunda were futile as he refused to talk to a Zambia Daily Mail reporter and efforts to amicably resolve the matter were also disregarded by the duo who rushed to issue a court process.

The Zambia Daily Mail seeks the court’s action to dismiss Mr Kunda’s claim with costs unless he drops the suit.
On December 22, Mr Kunda commenced libel proceedings against the Daily Mail and he is claiming compensatory and exemplary damages.

He is also claiming an injunction restraining the Zambia Daily Mail whether by its management, servants and/or agents from further publishing and printing the defamatory words complained of, or any similar libel concerning them.

The Zambia Daily Mail’s editorial team has maintained that it shall uphold high ethical standards in its pursuit for the truth and justice and report matters, only in the interest of the nation and that it would always, were possible, contact each and every person mentioned in a story as long as they agree to talk.

The Zambia Daily Mail also maintains that attempts to cow it with law suits will not deter it from reporting on matters of public interest.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

FORMER Church of God regional overseer for eastern and southern Africa Bishop John Mambo has condemned former Patriotic Front (PF) secretary general Edward Mumbi for reportedly leading a group of people circulating stories that President Sata’s health has greatly deteriorated.

Bishop Mambo said it is absurd that Mr Mumbi has decided to be part of continued efforts to frustrate President Sata and the PF government which was duly elected by the majority Zambians.

The clergyman, who is also founder of the Chikondi Foundation, said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that it is unZambian and uncalled for, for Mr Mumbi and his colleagues to spread falsehoods about President Sata’s health.

Mr Mumbi has denied that he is part of any such group peddling rumours about Mr Sata’s health.

He has accused the Daily Mail and Deputy Managing Director Anthony Mukwita of trying to alienate him from President Sata, following a story in yesterday’s edition, which linked him to circulating malicious rumours against the President.

In a letter addressed to Mr Mukwita in his official capacity, Mr Mumbi reckons the Daily Mail conduct shows that they want him to continue having political differences with the President and cause him anguish.

Bishop Mambo said he is disappointed that even after attacking and insulting President Sata before the September 20, tripartite elections, Mr Mumbi has reportedly continued to show disrespect to the head of State.

“We want to know who is supporting this group because it is unZambian for a person to discuss someone’s health or to wish him or her death. It is only God who gives and takes life. My advice to Mr Mumbi is that he should not continue doing what he was doing before the elections,” he said.

Bishop Mambo said the people behind the circulation of stories alleging that President Sata’s health has deteriorated should be dealt with by the law.

He said Mr Mumbi should have been remorseful for causing harm to Mr Sata through malicious statements in the run-up to the September elections.

“We want him to apologise to the nation for all the damage he has caused Mr Sata because even in the West, medical records are confidential. They are just between the doctor and the patient. This is a very sad development to a country such as Zambia, which is a Christian nation,” he said.

The Lusaka-based clergyman also called on the people spreading alarming rumours about the health of the head of State to stop.

Bishop Mambo said opposition leaders should stop criticising the President unnecessarily and that they should only offer constructive criticism to build a better Zambia.

He said Zambia can only develop meaningfully with concerted efforts from all stakeholders.

Reports indicate that the group which could be led by Mr Mumbi, a former MMD supporter, has given President Sata only about seven months to live due to an “unspecified” illness.

[Zambia Daily Mail]