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Given Lubinda Information, Broadcasting and Tourism minister Given Lubinda has reiterated that the Patriotic Front government has never and will never harbor intentions of interfering with the operations of the media.
Mr. Lubinda says the PF government will never interfere in the operations of any media organization, not even the public media.
He says government believes that journalists once given the leeway are capable of operating professionally.
Mr. Lubinda notes that media organizations are capable of finding the balance for their news,hence can not be criticized for not covering any politician regardless of political affiliation.
and radio Q-FM Managing director Asan Nyama says the current PF government has an opportunity to learn from the mistakes of the previous government in dealing with the media in the country.
Mr. Nyama says the previous government failed to initiate policies that would have benefited the stakeholders in the media in the area of coverage.
He says under the previous MMD government, the state attempted to transform the private media into state run media by dictating the operations of most private radio stations including QFM.
Mr. Nyama recalls that most private media houses that covered opposition political parties were perceived as enemies of the MMD government.
He says it is therefore important for the Patriotic Front government to leave a legacy by ensuring that the freedom of information bill is enacted.
Mr. Nyama has further stated that if former vice president George Kunda allowed the freedom of information bill to be passed in parliament during the MMD’s rule, he would not be complaining about coverage by the public media.
THE case in which former President Rupiah Banda’s son Andrew has been linked to an Italian construction company—Fratelli Locci—has taken a new twist with the former President’s son admitting receiving a “payment” from the Italian company but denied the fact that the payment could have been a “kick-back”.
Mr. Banda, who spoke via phone from his New Delhi, India base also said he is willing to meet the police—whom he has apparently not met yet—regarding the issue as soon as he returns to Zambia from India.
“I am not afraid of the police. I will hand myself to them in broad daylight when I return because I am aware that they want to speak to me,” Mr. Banda said, adding, “I am also aware that the authorities have spoken to my daughter Ketiwe at Stanbic and that they have also spoken to my auntie Mrs Zekko about this matter in my absence.”
Mr. Banda, a diplomat, told the Daily Mail that his relationship with Fratelli Locci owned by Mr Antonelli Locci is “above board” and that he has known the company and owner since 2001.
“I can’t deny knowing Fratelli and receiving money from them because my small transportation company has done work for them and I have been paid for that, that’s how I know the company,” Mr. Banda said.
The diplomat, who also clarified that James is his older and not younger brother, regretted that efforts to reach him when the story broke proved futile as he could have answered the questions had James not refused to assist the Daily Mail with his contact number.
Andrew Banda joined the growing list of high-profile Zambians that have been linked to questionable deals, entered into during his father’s three-year administration, in addition to his younger brother Henry whom police are looking for right now.
The police could soon consider putting a reward on Henry’s head, said Mr. Rae Hamoonga, the acting police spokesperson, in an interview yesterday.
“We have not reached a stage where we must place a reward on Mr. Banda’s head yet,” Mr. Hamoonga said. “What we have done is that we have intensified our search for him so far.”
The Daily Mail yesterday carried a story linking Andrew Banda to a 2 percent payment from Fratelli who have told law enforcement agencies that they made the payment out to Mr. Banda’s company AB Logistics under pressure from the diplomat after he allegedly threatened he would terminate the K300 billion Pedicle Road contract.
At press time, the Daily Mail could not reach Fratelli but the company lawyer Overs Banda, former Local Government Permanent Secretary called the newspaper and said he “doubted” whether Fratelli had been paid by the Road Development Agency.
“If they had been paid any percentage, I would also have been paid as the lawyer, so I don’t think they have been paid just yet hence the reason they have not even moved on site,” Mr. Banda said.
But Daily Mail investigations show that Fratelli has already been written a warning letter for failing to be on site five months after they were awarded the contract that runs into billions, to the Road Development Agency’s dismay.
The standard procedure at RDA is to pay a contracted company between 10 to 15 percent of the quoted amount for a job as a down payment in all contracts and this must apply to Fratelli, contrary to Mr. Banda’s view.
Mr. Banda also felt he was receiving “negative media attention” just through mere association because “Henry and James are my brothers, which I think is not fair because I am an individual family member.”
President Sata has embarked on an anti-graft fight that has sucked various former leaders such as Petauke legislator Dora Siliya, former Finance Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane and former Vice-President George Kunda.
The President has said no amount of “witch-hunt” or “retribution” cries shall slow his anti-graft fight as he tries to reduce poverty levels and create jobs in a country where some 65 percent of the population live in abject poverty, despite vast mineral wealth.
Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) Secretary General Roy Mwaba addresses journalists as ZCTU Trustee Sifeniso Nyumbu (left) looks on at Courtyard hotel in Lusaka
THE labour movement believes that it is possible for former President Banda to lose his immunity from prosecution but that the process should be handled cautiously to avoid setting a bad precedent.
Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) secretary general Roy Mwaba said it is in the interest of the nation and transparency that the allegations of plunder levelled against the former head of State are cleared.
Mr Mwaba said there have been numerous allegations of plunder levelled against Mr Banda which need to be cleared.
Mr Mwaba said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that ZCTU supports calls to remove the immunity of Mr Banda so that he can defend himself over allegations that corruption in the MMD government was carried out under his directive.
He said the Patriotic Front (PF) government should exhaust all options before deciding whether or not to table a motion in Parliament to lift the immunity of former President Banda.
“The issue of removing the immunity on any former President is a sensitive one but it is also part of the democratic process and good governance of any country. There are so many allegations pointing to President Banda. We are happy that President Sata has instituted commissions to probe some of these corrupt activities committed by former leaders in the previous government,” Mr Mwaba said.
He said Government should wait for the reports of the commissions of inquiry before tabling the motion in Parliament to lift Mr Banda’s immunity.
“We are eagerly waiting to hear the findings of the National Pensions Scheme Authority, Zambia Revenue Authority, Zambia National Building Society, Zamtel, Finance Bank and many other commissions of inquiry that have been instituted by President Sata to investigate corruption in the former MMD government.
“We should study these findings carefully and see if they will point to former President Banda being involved in corruption,” Mr Mwaba said.
And former Commissioner in the Willa Mung’omba Draft Review Commission John Mambo said Parliament should proceed and lift the immunity of the former head of State if the commissions of inquiry reveal overwhelming evidence of impropriety and corruption on his part.
Bishop Mambo, who is also former Church of God regional overseer for eastern and southern Africa, said calls to remove former President Banda’s immunity are welcome and should be supported by all well-meaning Zambians who support the fight against corruption.
He said all former leaders in the MMD government who, have been cited for plunder of national resources should be arrested and prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to would- be offenders.
“I think it will be unfair to the Zambian people to allow President Banda to go without being probed. There are various allegations that have been made against him which need to be cleared,” Bishop Mambo said.
He said he is disappointed that some leaders in the former MMD government allegedly abused resources, without considering the suffering of the majority of Zambians.
Bishop Mambo, however, cautioned that lifting Mr Banda’s immunity would set a bad precedent as all former heads of State might be subjected to prosecution over the decisions they made while in office.
Recently, President Sata said the crusade against corruption would be done without malice or witch-hunt and would be impartial because he does not believe in selective justice.
MMD National Secretary Richard KachingweTHE MMD has rescinded its decision to expel members of Parliament (MPs) who have been appointed as deputy ministers in the Patriotic Front (PF) ?Government, party national secretary Richard Kachingwe has announced.?
And President Michael Sata has welcomed the decision?by the MMD’s decision not to discipline its members who have accepted to serve?in the PF Government.?
Mr Sata said in a statement released by his Special Assistant for?Press and Public Relations George Chellah that he was grateful for the?political maturity exhibited by the national secretary of the MMD.?
The president said the appointment of deputy ministers from the MMD into Government was done in good faith and in the interest of the country.?
“It’s good that Major Kachingwe has withdrawn the former ruling party’s threats to expel MPs who have been appointed into Government.?This is how it should be,” he said.?
Maj Kachingwe, however, said the party would find it problematic if the?MPS appointed into Government shifted party allegiance to the PF.?
He said during a Press briefing in Lusaka yesterday that the former?ruling party would not take disciplinary action against the MPs unless?they shifted their allegiance to the PF.?
Maj Kachingwe last week said the MPs who had been given positions in the Government had been given enough time to reflect on their action and that the MMD was now going to take disciplinary action against them.?
Maj Kachingwe had said the MPs should decide whether to join the?PF or remain MMD members.?And Maj Kachingwe has maintained that party president Rupiah Banda?would not contest the party presidency at the party convention.?
He said Mr Banda would hand over the presidency to whoever would emerge victorious at the convention.?
Get Involved Zambia Executive Director Father Frank Bwalya says he will endeavor to engage the Zambian government in quite diplomacy in order to ensure it delivers according to the people’s expectations.
Fr Bwalya says his organization failed to collaborate with the previous MMD government because it was full of stubborn people.
Father Bwalya says the previous MMD regime thought they knew how to better run the affairs of the nation than anyone else.
He says his organization tried in vain to bring to the attention of the former MMD government the many challenges that the country was facing.
Father Bwalya says his organization will continue to stand for what the majority Zambians aim for.
Former Finance and National Planning Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane
FORMER Finance and National Planning Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane says he supports the idea of probing all former leaders.
Dr Musokotwane said at a press briefing in Lusaka yesterday that he supports President Sata’s fight against corruption, which he feels will provide an opportunity to establish if any of the MMD former leaders misconducted themselves.
“I welcome the setting up of commissions of inquiry. I am confident they will explain the process of valuing a company and some of us will be cleared,” Dr Musokotwane said.
He said the MMD is proud of its record in privatising some parastatal companies which he said was efficient.
He said Zamtel would have sunk if Government had not taken the decision to sell the telecommunications company.
“Those who are saying the company was sold for less do not know what they are saying,” he said.
Dr Musokotwane said he expects the commission on Zamtel to explain what is involved in valuing a company. Zamtel presently has about 700 workers down from about 3,000 before privatisation.
Former Zambian High Commissioner to Canada Dr Nevers Mumba
Former Zambian High Commissioner to Canada Dr Nevers Mumba has sued Zambia Daily Mail and its Managing Editor Anthony Mukwita for defamation of character.
Dr. Mumba is seeking compensation of over five hundred million kwacha following the publication of an article in the newspaper dubbed ‘Nevers in five hundred million kwacha gold scandal’.
Dr Mumba is further seeking an injunction restraining the paper, its servants and agents from publishing, printing distributing same or similar articles about him.
According to the statement of claim filed before the Lusaka High Court, Dr Mumba is claiming for damages including aggravated or exemplary damages for defamatory libel contained in the said article.
Dr Mumba contends that he is a politician and member of the MMD, who has held various positions the last being that of Zambian High Commissioner to Canada.
He said he is also an ordained pastor and founder of Victory Ministries and a television evangelist widely known both in Zambia and internationally.
Dr Mumba stated that Mr. Mukwita is the Managing Editor of the Zambia Daily Mail and was responsible for all articles published in the newspaper.
He said the defendants caused to be published a false and malicious story about him which was widely circulated throughout Zambia and the world both in print and electronically online.
Dr Mumba said the words in the article were false and published out of malice and reckless disregard for the truth.
He said the words in their ordinary and natural meaning were understood to mean that Dr Mumba was a criminal who was connected to an illegal criminal scheme involving five hundred million kwacha.
File: Former President Rupiah Banda addressing a public rally
The opposition MMD has refuted media reports that former President Rupiah Banda is soliciting to retain the party presidency during the forthcoming party convention.
MMD national secretary Richard Kachingwe says the National Executive Committee (NEC) has already made a decision to replace Mr Banda during the party’s convention.
Major Kachingwe explains that Mr. Banda is currently acting to ensure that the handover of the party presidency is done in a systematic manner.
He has since advised all those wishing to contest for the position of party president to do so stating that the closing for applications will be done 24 hours before the elections.
And MMD national secretary Richard Kachingwe has urged the public media not to use the party to clear its past mistakes.
Major Kachingwe told journalists in Lusaka today that the public media should take responsibility for the actions that could have dented their image.
President Michael Sata has urged the Zambia Security Intelligence Service (ZSIS) to contribute to the fight against corruption. Addressing the ZSIS senior officers’ conference today, on the theme:“Efficient and Effective Intelligence: Key to Enhanced National Security, Sustainable Economic Development and the Fight Against Corruption,” President Sata directed the intelligence service to fight the scourge with renewed vigour.
“The Patriotic Front (PF) government will spare no effort to fight corruption which the previous regime had embraced. As government, we are aware that corruption has been a major factor hindering national development and service delivery to the majority of our people,” President Sata said.
“In this fight, you should not be swayed by attempts by some elements who are deliberately misconstruing government’s efforts in order to gain political mileage. These elements have gone to the extent of promoting tribalism and regionalism to further undermine the government at the expense of national unity, peace and stability.”
“It is this same corrutpion we are fighting which has given birth to the tribalism and regionalism they are trying to use to divide our people in a bid to protect themselves against possible prosecution. Our people lack essential services due to corruption and no wonder we are very resolved to fight this scourge,” the Presiden said.
The President said he was aware that the PF’s ascendancy to power has heightened the expectations of Zambians who had lost hope under the previous regime.
“Whereas our government is working hard to live up to people’s expectations, some opposition groups and their sympathisers are sowing seeds of discord in our people by discrediting the efforts by the government towards the realisation of its goals of devlivering to the people,” President Sata said.
The Head of State and Commander-in-Chief directed the ZSIS Director-General and his senior managers to ensure close monitoring and negation of these manoeuvres which border on subversion.
“The theme for the conference for the could, therefore, not have come at a better time than this one given the subversive activities being hatched by some elements that are bitter about having lost the September 20 elections,” he said.
President Sata reminded the gathering that as senior managers, they carry the responsibility of ensuring that the service remains a noble institution by setting high standards of integrity and professionalism.
And ZSIS Director-General Mr Regis Phiri pledged the intelligence service’s total loyalty to the Head of State, the Government and the people of Zambia.
South Africa has downgraded its January 11 friendly match against Zambia in Pretoria to a mare training game.
According to Kickoff.com, this is after three South African Premiership clubs refused to release its players for national duty for the friendly.
Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns and Golden Arrows have all refused to release any players for that game including the other friendly involving Ghana.
South Africa face Ghana in Rustenberg on January 15 in another friendly.
Zambia will face South Africa at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville.
MMD chairman for legal affairs and former vice president George Kunda has accused Republican President Michael Sata of using his instruments of power to intimidate his political opponents.
Mr. Kunda during a media briefing in Lusaka today said the MMD will have brace itself for hard times this year because the PF is a vindictive government which is dedicated to vengeance, retribution and an eye for eye principle.
The former vice President has also claimed that President Sata’s New Year massage to the Zambian people on Saturday was characterized with attacks and threats which spoiled the New Year festivities for individuals like him.
Mr. Kunda has further observed that the PF is most unlikely to provide good democratic governance because of its alleged selective fight against corruption targeting certain individuals.
At the same occasion MMD’s Situmbeko Musokotwane said the MMD is proud to have scored a number of economic successes the time it was in office.
Dr. Musokotwane notes that the single digit inflation rate and the anticipated economic growth that the country recorded in the year 2011 were as a result of the MMD’s good economic policies.
The former finance minister noted that there is need for the PF government to restore investor confidence saying most of the potential investors are holding on to investment because the current government has not given assurance of the good and favorable investment climate.
Northern Province Permanent Secretary Emmanuel Mwamba
A provincial taskforce comprising officers from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) and the Zambia Police (ZP) set up to investigate allegations of theft, fraud, illegal tendering and corruption at the Northern Province Administration and line ministries has unearthed financial scams worth billions of Kwacha involving government officials in the previous administration.
Provincial Taskforce Chairperson Mary Chikwanda, who is also Provincial Police Commissioner for Northern Province has confirmed the development.
She said the Task-force was constituted by the Permanent Secretary for Northern Province, Emmanuel Mwamba in line with President Michael Sata’s vision and policy of zero tolerance against corruption.
Ms Chikwanda states that the Taskforce has so far seized trucks, luxury motor vehicles, houses and a building complex in Kasama owned by government officials currently under investigations.
She said the investigations have so far exposed financial scams at Provincial Administration, departments at Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education involving over K3billion.
Ms Chikwanda says last week, the Commission also exposed theft of K131.5million stolen at the Road Development Agency (RDA) in the province and had since questioned and will likely arrested an accountant at the department.
She adds that the Accountant at RDA, Ernest Chibuye has since been suspended from work after being questioned for allegedly paying K131.5million from the coffers of RDA to a company called Ertafa General Dealers without seeking authority from or knowledge of his superiors.
She further adds that her team is also pursuing cases of K1.6billion and K400million paid to a bogus company for projects whose works have never been undertaken and have never commenced.
The Provincial police Commissioner also states that the Taskforce is also investigating the purchase and installation of a set of traffic lights in Kasama, whose initial cost was estimated to be only K90million but the provincial administration spent over K750 million on the project.
She also reveals that the other irregularity regarding the traffic lights was that the former Permanent Secretary and now Member of Parliament for Mbala Constituency, Mwalimu Simfukwe never referred the matter to the Zambia Public Procurement Authority (ZPPA) as required by law since the threshold was above the provincial tender committee limit of K500 million.
The Traffic Lights contract was awarded to a company called Cornerstone Construction.
And Northern province Permanent Secretary, Emmanuel Mwamba has revealed that Cornerstone Construction Company has abandoned 7 government projects awarded to the company in Mbala, Kasama, Isoka and Luwingu.
He expressed concern that there were many companies that were dubiously awarded contracts for government works or projects in the province but acted fraudulently by abandoning works after being paid initial amounts or cash advances.
He encouraged the Taskforce to pursue all such matters.
Meanwhile, the Provincial TaskForce has summoned an ACC investigation officer based in Kasama on allegation that he bounced a K15 million Barclays cheque.
Ms Chikwanda emphasised that her office will not discriminate or spare anyone but will allow the law to take its course.
THE Immigration Department has maintained that it will not renew the work permit of a Nigerian pastor in-charge for Winners’ Chapel in Lusaka Victor Femi Adeniji following reports of his verbal abuse against church members.
Chief Immigration Officer Anderson Phiri said the department would not renew pastor Adeniji’s work permit because of his continued reported misconduct.
In an interview yesterday, Mr Phiri said the department had received many complaints over Pastor Adeniji’s behaviour, which prompted it to reject his application to renew his work permit.
“I can confirm we have refused to renew his work permit because of the reported abusive language and conduct to church members.
“This is not acceptable because when people come to Zambia they have to do things correctly but if he uses bad language on the locals, we shall also not renew his work permit,” he said.
Mr Phiri advised members of the Winners’ Chapel to consider engaging another pastor because the department would not renew pastor Adeniji work permit again.
On Sunday, tempers flared and confusion reigned at Winner’s Chapel in Lusaka’s Libala Township when placard-carrying congregants demonstrated against the Immigration Department’s refusal to renew the work permit for pastor Adeniji.
The congregants who accused some of the members of the church of being behind the development, demanded that the Immigration Department immediately renews the pastor’s work permit.
FORMER vice-president George Kunda has denied allegations that he or his firm, Messers George Kunda & Company received K190 million in respect of the Zamtel transaction.
And Mr Kunda has said his firm received K3.5 billion from the Ministry of Finance on behalf of its client, Sun Pharmaceuticals Limited in a matter against the Development Bank of Zambia.
Mr Kunda said in a statement in Lusaka yesterday that it was not necessary to constitute a commission of inquiry on him over the K3.5 billion money for the Sun Pharmaceuticals and in the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) transaction.
On allegations that his firm received K190 million, the former vice-president said the only sum of money received by George Kunda & Company from ZDA in October 2010 was K100 million.
He said the K100 million was paid in respect to a matter between now Defence Minister Geoffrey Mwamba versus Zambia Privatisation Agency (ZPA), Minister of Finance, Magaba Nyirenda, Katema Mutale, Charles Mwamba, Oliver Munyonsi and William Nkonde.
He said this was in respect of the sale of Savoy Hotel in Ndola.
“The ZDA inherited this matter from the ZPA. The amount paid by ZDA is backed by a Supreme Court Judgment (Appeal No. 68/2006) wherein Mr Mwamba was awarded a sum of US$46,000 plus 40 per cent interest from April 29, 1998 to date of payment and costs.
“Pursuant to this judgment the ZDA as successor to ZPA refunded $46,000 directly to Mr GB Mwamba & Company again pursuant to a court order,” he said.
He said the payment of K100 million is also supported by the necessary Bill of Cost in respect of the same matter as directed by the court in its order for costs.
Mr Kunda said all supporting documents were available at ZDA.
“It is common knowledge that law firms receive fees, legal costs and client’s money and George Kunda & Company is no exception. It may be that ZDA paid the K100 million from the Zamtel proceeds. We understand from inquiries made at ZDA that other creditors including some law firms, were also paid from the same proceeds including allowances for members of staff at ZDA,” he said.
He said as a law firm, they could not answer for the error made by ZDA, saying it was an error as they did not control the operations and financial affairs of the agency.
He said his company was merely a victim of an error made at ZDA.
[pullquote]“It is unfortunate that Mr (Sebastian) Zulu and Ms Dimple Ranchold (Chairperson of the Zamtel Commission of Inquiry) decided to release unverified information with intent to defame the firm of George Kunda & Company and as proprietor. It must also be pointed out that we have never been called by the technical committee appointed to inquire into the sale of Zamtel to testify as witnesses and state our side of the story,” he said.[/pullquote]
“It is unfortunate that Mr (Sebastian) Zulu and Ms Dimple Ranchold (Chairperson of the Zamtel Commission of Inquiry) decided to release unverified information with intent to defame the firm of George Kunda & Company and as proprietor. It must also be pointed out that we have never been called by the technical committee appointed to inquire into the sale of Zamtel to testify as witnesses and state our side of the story,” he said.
He said he learnt about the alleged payment of K190 million through the media.
He said the firm had since decided to commence legal action against media organisations which carried the story that he had received K190 million.
Mr Kunda explained that as former vice-president and minister of Justice and now MP for Muchinga, he was not practicing in the law firm at the time the alleged payment was made.
“In view of the foregone it is not necessary to appoint a commission of Inquiry with its attendant financial cost to the tax payer in form of sitting allowances. All the information pertaining to this matter is available at ZDA,” he said.
He further said that it would be unfair to subject him to a commission of inquiry composed of politicians appointed by the president which is chaired by his principle accuser, the Minister of Justice.
“Such politicians are determined to ensure that my political career is ruined so that they can rule Zambia without any formidable opposition. With the president having pronounced me guilty already there is no way I can receive a fair hearing,” he said.
Mr Kunda said while some people were arguing that he should have declared interest, he said he had been filing declarations of assets and liabilities with the Chief Justice which includes a declaration of companies and firms in which he holds shares or interest.
On allegations that his firm received K3.5 billion, Mr Kunda said George Kunda & Company received the amount on behalf of Sun Pharmaceuticals Limited.
“The case between Development Bank of Zambia and Sun Pharmaceuticals Limited commenced in 1995 in the High Court that is to say 17 years ago in which case George Kunda & Company was acting for Sun Pharmaceuticals Limited,” he said.
He said at the time he was not in Government and that the case arose out of a loan agreement.
He said arising from the Judgment of the Supreme Court, the court awarded Sun Pharmaceuticals Limited compensation towards over payment.
Mr Kunda said the matter was between Sun Pharmaceuticals Limited and DBZ but that with the passing of the Development Bank of Zambia (Amendment) Act No. 11 of 2001, Government assumed the debt portfolio and liabilities of the bank.
He said arising from this, the Government was obliged to settle the debts of DBZ including the Sun Pharmaceutical debt.
‘The money was paid from the Compensation Fund in installments and not in one lump sum of K3.5 billion and the firm has accounted for all the money. It is not possible for the Ministry of Finance to pay money to George Kunda & Company or indeed to any law firm without a court order and supporting documents,” he said.
He said the said monies represented compensation and party costs due to Sun Pharmaceuticals Limited.
[pullquote]‘The money was paid from the Compensation Fund in installments and not in one lump sum of K3.5 billion and the firm has accounted for all the money. It is not possible for the Ministry of Finance to pay money to George Kunda & Company or indeed to any law firm without a court order and supporting documents,” he said.[/pullquote]
He said the money was not paid to George Kunda and Company as legal fees for work done for Government or the Development Bank of Zambia.
“This is not the only case DBZ has been sued by borrowers. There are other similar cases e.g. the famous Match Corporation case. To the best of my knowledge, Government has been paying billions of Kwacha to many claimants through various law firms and it is surprising that George Kunda and Company has been targeted for libelous attacks,” he said.
He said while some people are arguing that he should have declared interest, this could not arise because the firm was not acting for the Government.
In his New Year message, President Michael Sata said law enforcement agencies had made progress in arresting MMD leaders and that Mr Kunda would be the next target.
Did you think that weights were the only way to develop a strong, muscular chest? Think again. You can build your chest – and your arms – without lifting a single barbell or dumbbell.
Work through these push up variations to add layers of new upper-body muscle in just eight weeks. The first phase builds, endurance the second boosts strength and the final phase adds explosiveness and speed so you can pack on more size.
THE WORKOUT
Wide press-up
Weeks 1 & 2
Perform these exercises 2 or 3 days a week in the order shown, with at least 1 day’s rest between workouts.
Complete three sets of each, resting 1-2 minutes between sets.
Aim for sets of 10-15 reps.
If that’s beyond your chest efforts, just do the best you can.
Perform a standard press-up, but with your hands placed wider than shoulder-width apart.
Alternating shuffle press-up
Weeks 1 & 2
Start in the classic press-up position.
Move your right hand to the left until your two hands are next to each other.
Slide your left hand further left until your hands are shoulder-width apart again.
Perform a press-up and repeat, moving to the right. That’s two press-ups, but only one rep
Diamond press-up
Weeks 1 & 2
Perform these exercises 2 or 3 days a week in the order shown, with at least 1 day’s rest between workouts.
Complete three sets of each, resting 1-2 minutes between sets.
Aim for sets of 10-15 reps. If that’s beyond your chest efforts, just do the best you can.
Perform a press-up with your hands close enough for the tips of your thumbs and index fingers to touch. That’s the diamond shape.
One-arm press-up
Weeks 3, 4, 5 and 6
Perform these variations 2 days a week, completing 4 sets of each variation, resting 1- 2 minutes between sets.
Again, aim for 10-15 reps per set, or as many as you can.
You’ll need a 10-20cm high box. Or the stairs or a step
Perform a press-up with your right hand on the floor and your left hand on the box. Switch arms and repeat. That’s one rep.
Cross-over box press-up
Weeks 3, 4, 5 and 6
Do a one-arm press-up with your left hand on the box.
From the starting position, lift your right hand to beside your left.
Move your left hand down to the floor, with hands shoulder-width apart. Do a press-up. That’s one rep!
Hands-on-box diamond press-up
Weeks 3, 4, 5 and 6
Perform these variations 2 days a week, completing 4 sets of each variation, resting 1- 2 minutes between sets.
Again, aim for 10-15 reps per set, or as many as you can.
There’s a clue in the title: perform a diamond press-up, but with both hands on the box.
Dynamic box press-up
Weeks 3, 4, 5 and 6
Place your hands on a box in the diamond press-up position.
Lower your body and press explosively off the box, so your hands land on the floor with the box between them.
Watch that chin. Immediately lower your body and press explosively up so your hands land back on the box in the starting position. That’s one rep.
Time to get serious
Weeks 7 & 8
Thanks to your hard work you will have now built base muscle endurance (weeks 1 and 2), and added strength. This final phase develops the explosiveness and speed which will give you a performance edge in any sport that uses your upper body.It doesn’t come easy, though: You’ll now complete the same exercises as in weeks 3 to 6, but as a circuit, performing one exercise after the other with no rest in between. Try to perform 10 reps of each exercise. That’s a set. Rest for 1-2 minutes, then repeat for a total of four sets. Collapsing is optional. Do this twice a week, allowing 3 days of rest between sessions. You’ll need it.
This requires a lot of hard work and discipline , that is the only way you will see results . Dont give up , and remember, ” no pain no gain!!!”
