Inspector General of Police Dr Martin Malama has removed roadblocks to avoid corruption practices after the police service were cited as the most corrupt. Dr Malama was speaking yesterday morning on ZNBC TV’s Kwacha Goodmorning Zambia programme. Dr Malama said fighting corruption is not a political party’s fight but a national cause.

He further said that the corruption fight is not retributive but it is aimed at those that had stolen from the country. “The fight against corruption is not retribution, I am not from a political grouping that makes it partisan. The corruption fight looks like retribution but that is not what we are after. We are after those that have stolen from the public so that we can create a strong future” Dr Malama said.

And the police chief said that the fight against the Kitwe notorious guys called the JERABOS is now in the police’s favour by looking at the number of cases which are in court.

“If you look at the court records you will see that the zambian people are winning and some of the big names that you used to hear of are in court”, the Inspector General said.

Meanwhile the Inspector General of police has said that officers handling riots should not be armed. “People with riotous behaviours are not our enemies they are our brothers and sisters, they are not criminals, we should attend to them with minimum force” Dr Malama said.

He also stated that the police service are collaborating with other law enforcement Agencies to make sure that Zambians and visitors ensure safety on the road.

Chiefs and Traditional Affairs Minister Inonge Wina says it is vital for the Patriotic Front (PF) in Western Province to acknowledge the amount of work in the province as that party celebrates it victory.

AND Provincial Minister Nathanial Mubukwanu has appealed to the PF membership to emulate President Michael Sata in the fight against corruption.

Mrs. Wina said the party should apply more effort in ensuring that it grows in the region hence the need to strengthen its mass recruitment.

“You are therefore called to duty to yet again to ensure that we strengthen the party by mass recruitment. To achieve this we need to be a disciplined party all the time,” she emphasized.

She was speaking in Mongu last night when she graced the official opening of the Patriotic Front Christmas and New Year party that was organized by the District Committee and held at Mongu Trades Training Institute main campus.

Mrs. Wina who is also PF National Chairperson and Nalolo Member of Parliament noted that as a new party in government, there lies a huge responsibility to develop the country based on equitable distribution of power and resources.

The Minister pointed out that the challenge of developing the Western Province and country at large calls for resources, huge commitment, strong dedication, hard work and tolerance from all Zambians irrespective of their Political affiliation and social culture position including class and gender.

“In this regard, we must lead by example. Let us ask ourselves of what we can do for the party rather than what the party can do for us,” Wina added.

She commended the district committee for organizing the Christmas and New Year part whose aim was to promote social interaction and party unity saying it is a bed rock for recruitment.

Mr. Mubukwanu noted that the PF party has formed government at a time when people have great expectations in the province.

He said the development of the province will depend on the party’s good conduct, governance, hard work as well as a spirited commitment towards the fight against corruption.

“The development of this province depends on our conduct as a party therefore we ourselves should be the seen to be the drivers in the fight against corruption,” Mubukwanu stated.

The Minister has since called on all PF members to team up with the Provincial Administration in order to stay steady fast in developing the province.

Earlier, Mongu District Chairperson Tembo Mulenga thanked the district fundraising committee for working hard in ensuring that the part come to pass.

Mr. Mulenga said through fundraising the party was able to donate foodstuff and other materials to Lewanika General Hospital last week.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We have to thank God that we have made it to see another year.  It is up to you to make the best out of 2012 .

Here is how some people around the world brought in the new year.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA

LONDON ,ENGLAND

HONG KONG
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoJ5exsQfNw
PARIS ,FRANCE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8XV1O_XxCQ

DUBAI , UAE

How did you celebrate the new year ?

BY KAPA187

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
“…I will walk within my house with a perfect heart”
(Psalm 101:2, NKJ)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
This time of year, people often take time to reflect and set goals for the New Year. But have you ever set “perfection” as a goal on your list?

Now, that may seem a little strange or unobtainable to many, but really, in God’s eyes perfection isn’t about performance. In fact, it isn’t about behavior at all. What God is looking for is a heart that is perfect toward Him. Scripture says that man looks on the outside, but God looks at the heart. That means that He is more pleased with someone who has a heart toward Him who may mess up than He is with someone doing all the right things for all the wrong reasons.

The condition of your heart is extremely important to God. When you have a right heart, you are humble before Him. You seek His ways. You get up each day with a desire to please Him. You submit every area of your life to Him, and you are willing to make adjustments and receive correction so you can grow and come up higher.

As you prepare for the coming year, make knowing Him your number one priority. Yield yourself to Him and let Him shape your character. Serve Him with all your might and let your heart be perfect toward Him!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father in heaven, thank You for all of Your blessings in my life. I declare today that You are good and thank You for Your mercy. I set my heart and mind on You and ask that You have Your way in me. Help me to love You perfectly and keep me close to You in Jesus’ name. Amen.
— Joel & Victoria Osteen

GOVERNMENT has constituted a commission of inquiry to investigate the US$8.25 million (about K42 billion) sale of the Zambia National Commercial Bank (ZANACO) to Rabobank of the Netherlands.

In 2006, the Government sold 49 per cent shares in Zanaco to Rabobank after protracted negotiations.

As part of the sale and purchase agreement, Rabobank took over management rights of Zanaco while the Government retained its representation in the bank at board level which included three members from Rabobank, two Government representatives and one representative appointed by board members.

The transaction was conducted by the MMD government under late president Levy Mwanawasa.

Meanwhile, Zanaco Managing Director, Martyn Schouten, says the bank would be readily available to help the commission throughout the process and advised customers that operations would remain unaffected during the period of enquiry.

Mr Schouten said the bank acknowledged the announcement of the formation of a commission of inquiry pertaining to the sale of the bank to Rabobank of the Netherlands in 2006.

“Zanaco wishes to confirm its full cooperation throughout this enquiry to assist in offering a transparent and professional outcome,” Mr Schouten said.

Justice Minister Sebastian Zulu confirmed that President Sata had directed him to appoint a team of officials from the Ministry of Justice and experts from the private sector to investigate what transpired during the sale and how the resources were used.

Mr Zulu said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that the commission, which he would chair, would commence sittings next month.

“We are putting together a team of experts who will include auditors, prosecutors, bankers and consultants because we want to do a good job,” Mr Zulu said.

The minister said during investigations, transactions that would suggest the prevalence of fraud would be handed over to the security wings.

He said prominent politicians who were influential during the sale of the bank would be summoned to give evidence.

The secretariat of the commission had been set up at the Mulungushi International Conference in Lusaka and that the programme of the sittings was still being prepared.

Zanaco’s 49 per cent shares were transferred to Rabo Financial Institutions Development, (RFID) which is a subsidiary of Rabobank.

The opposition political parties at the time, including the Patriotic Front (PF) and trade unions had opposed the sale, fearing the new owner could cut jobs and close branches in rural areas.

They also felt that the $8.25 million was low for the bank which had an attractive asset value with branches spread across the country including rural areas.

Mr Zulu said there would be no malice in the conduct of the inquiry and was not targeted at former Government officials who served in the previous Government.

He said he would use his experience as a prosecutor to engage people who were directly involved in the sale and ensure appropriate action was taken.

[Times of Zambia]

United Party for National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema has said that he is puzzled by President Michael Sata’s sudden change of thought on the Barotseland agreement which he promised to honour during campaigns.

Mr Hichilema has further accused President Michael Sata of dragging his feet when dealing with issue of the Barotseland agreement of 1964.

He said that the failure by the President to act quickly on the Barotseland agreement will increase tension in the western province.

Mr Hichilema told QFM that the PF won the 20th September elections because of the promises it made to the people of western province on the Barotseland agreement.

He said that President Sata should therefore fulfill the promise he made to the people of Western Province on the challenges they are facing.

Mr Hichilema added that it was President Sata who was inciting the people of western province on the Barotseland agreement and not the other way round.

He further stated that the issue of the Barotseland agreement should not be politicized, but requires urgent attention to address.

QFM

United Party for National Development UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema has charged that foreign investment is threatened under the leadership of the Patriotic Front.

Mr. Hichilema says President Sata has since coming to power not given confidence to foreign investors.

He adds that the recent statement the President made on the alleged fake money in circulation further heightened the concerns of investors.

Mr. Hichilema has advised President Sata not to be careless in making statements that border on the economy of the country.

The opposition leader says his party is concerned with such statements coming from the head of state.

Meanwhile, Alliance for Democracy and Development ADD leader Charles Milupi has said that President Michael Sata was wrong when he referred to Barotseland agreement advocates as being in a weaker position.

Mr. Milupi said that though the call for dialogue is welcome, the Republican President was rather sarcastic when he stated that those trying to be confrontational on the Barotseland agreement were in a weaker position.

He said that Barotseland agreement advocates have a right to ask what they asked for, stating that the language the President used was a bit hard.

Republican president Michael Sata this week urged the people of western province not to resort to confrontation in dealing with issues surrounding the Barotseland agreement.

But Mr. Milupi has urged the president not to use perceived bad words in trying to resolve challenges that have been facing western province.

[pullquote]Mr. Milupi said that though the call for dialogue is welcome, the Republican President was rather sarcastic when he stated that those trying to be confrontational on the Barotseland agreement were in a weaker position.[/pullquote]

And The Foundation for Democratic Process FODEP has called on first republican president Dr. Kenneth Kaunda to intervene in resolving the Barotseland agreement of 1964.

FODEP executive director MacDonald Chipenzi says now that republican President Michael Sata has opened dialogue on the same, it is important that the first republican president intervenes.

Mr. Chipenzi says Dr. Kaunda being a signatory to the agreement should come forward and offer advice on how the issue of the Barotseland agreement should be resolved.

In an interview with QFM radio, Mr Chipenzi has welcomed government’s stance to promote dialogue in resolving issues surrounding the controversy in Western Province.

He adds that there is need for unity in the country in view of the many developmental challenges being faced.

The FODEP executive director further says that there is need for government to ensure that all the issues surrounding the Barotseland agreement are resolved in the shortest period of time.

QFM