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THE Government has advised former Republican president Rupiah Banda to choose between clinging on to the MMD presidency and losing out on his emoluments.
Chief Government spokesperson, Given Lubinda said Mr Banda should stop ‘shedding crocodile tears’ because he had an option of choosing between remaining in active politics or retiring so that he could access his benefits.
Mr Lubinda said it was a pity that despite being a president of Zambia for three years, Mr Banda could not correctly interpret the Benefits of Former Presidents Act.
The Act states that a former president who engages in active politics cannot be deemed to have retired, hence his benefits could not be paid.
Mr Banda on Sunday said it was not fair for the Government to discontinue paying him his emoluments, insisting that he was not involved in active politics.
He said he was merely holding on to the MMD presidency to facilitate a smooth transition while the former ruling party prepared to hold its extraordinary convention in April next year.
However, Mr Lubinda said it was shocking that Mr Banda could not interpret such a simple and clear law concerning his emoluments.
“He has to choose whether to give up politics and get his benefits or remain as president of the MMD and lose out because that is what the law stipulates.”
Veteran politician Vernon Mwaanga has observed that the fight against corruption embarked upon by the Patriotic Front government is on the right track.
Mr Mwaanga says the government has started well, stating that he is happy with the Michael Sata led government.
Mr. Mwaanga has however advised the government to ensure that people accused of corruption are not tried in the public but are taken to court to answer charges.
He says the situation where people are being prosecuted in the media should not be allowed.
He has further hoped that those who have embarked on the fight against corruption will themselves not be found wanting once they left there term in office.
And Chisamba MMD Member of Parliament and aspiring presidential candidate Moses Muteteka has applauded the Patriotic Front government for the stance it has taken on corruption.
In an interview with QFM, Mr. Muteteka says corruption must not be allowed to flourish in the country as it inhibits development.
Mr. Muteteka says he fully supports the stance by government adding that no stone should be left unturned on the crusade.
The Parliamentarian has further explained that fighting corruption should be broad based and not only targeted at perceived political opponents.
He says government should allow law enforcement agencies to carry out their investigations professionally without interference if the crusade is going to yield positive results.
Zambia’s 2012 Africa Cup Group C opponents Senegal have named their final 23-man team for the tournament.
Senegal will face Zambia in the two sides opening Group A match on January 21 in Bata, Equatorial Guinea.
Amara Traore’s team will have 7 strikers led by Demba Ba of Newcastle United in England.
The team will only have two home-based players both of them
goalkeepers.
They are Khadim Ndiaye from ASC Linguere and Pape Latyr Ndiaye of Ouakam.
Team:
Goalkeepers: Khadim Ndiaye (ASC Linguere), Bouna Coundoul (New York Red Bulls, USA), Pape Latyr Ndiaye (Ouakam)
The decision by Times of Zambia managing director Mr Godfrey Malama to demote some editors at Times of Zambia newspaper can only be regarded as witch-hunt and interference by the PF government in the affairs of public media.
It is not true that what information minister Given Lubinda says that the PF government will not interfere in the operations of the public media. This is happening day in and day out because Given is always giving instructions to the public media companies.
We were told that all those journalists who were pro-MMD at Times of Zambia will be fired. But the PF government has failed to fire them and gave instructions to Mr Godfrey Malama to demote them which is a shame.
Those who have been affected are Mr Enock Ngoma who was features editor and has been demoted to become assistant news editor to Mr Chishimba Chishimba who is now the new news editor who was once a reporter when Mr Enock Ngoma was news editor at one time.
Another person who has been affected in the exercise of with-hunt is Mr Charles Simengwa who was news editor but has not been demoted to be production editor which is similar to a position of assistant news editor.
The former assistant news editor Melody Mwala Chansa who was also regarded to be close to the MMD cadres has been taking to a new position which is not in the company hierarchy as assistant features editor in charge of entertainment.
Mr Ben Phiri who was dropped as business editor for incompetence has again been promoted to the same position. Instead of confirming Mr Michael Simbayi who was acting as Sunday Times Editor after Mr Austin Chongo retired Mr Malama has appointed Mr V. Mwansa to become Sunday Times Editor. This man is also not competent to be a full editor.
We don’t know what will now happen to Mr Patrick Phiri who was assistant political editor after they dissolved the section. The political editor Bob Siajalika has been given a post as assistant features editor under Miss Margret Mangani who has now been appointed features editor after many years of being ignored. This appoint is welcome.
The painful thing is that Mr Malama has only made changes to the editorial section when all other sections should be touched in one way or another.
We can assure Mr Malama that his close links to Mr Billy Wamundila to advise him on changes in editorial will make him fail. Mr Wamundila has misled the former Managing director mr John Phiri and he should be careful with this man in his dealings.
We also appeal to Mr Malama to do his work in a professional manner because by targeting some of the people his thinks were not with PF, he is wasting his time.
We are also doubting the value which Mr Malama’s number 2 Mr Nicky Shabolyo has brought to Times Printpak when he failed as a reporter at Zambia Daily Mail and engaged himself in public replations work. He has lost reality in the media sector.
We are a few days away from 2012 . 2011 has seen an improvement in the quality of Zambian music videos. They have been more creative and the general production value has increased . A good number of them are shown on Channel O and MTV BASE .
here are some of the best videos of the year , in no particular order ;
SLAP D LOOKING FOR LOVE
PAUL DA PRINCE FT MR.MIYAGI -BEST OF ME
MUTINTA STATE OF AFFAIRS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLThSsIMFDw JK- NAFIKILISHA
FORMER Minister of Energy and Water Development Kenneth Konga’s multi-billion Kwacha hotel under construction near Kamwala in Lusaka, which Police have seized
KENNETH Konga is the latest former Cabinet minister in the MMD government to be in police books after being warned and cautioned over a multi-billion Kwacha hotel under construction near Kamwala, a semi-detached flat in Kabulonga and mining equipment in Makeni.
The former Minister of Energy and Water Development in the Rupiah Banda administration is the owner of the plush hotel on plot 30778, Dedan Kimathi Road, near the Inter-City Bus Terminus, a bulldozer G9G parked at a private property on Makeni road, and a semi-detached flat on plot 50E, Sable Road in Kabulonga.
The current selling price of a brand new G9G bulldozer is US$1,000,000 (K5 billion) and the used models are approximately US$425,000 (over K 2.1 billion) exclusive of tax.
Police have seized the properties.
Police spokesperson Elizabeth Kanjela confirmed yesterday that Mr Konga was cautioned in relation to abuse of authority contrary to Section 99 Sub-Section 1 of the laws of Zambia.
And police in North-Western Province have confiscated assorted goods worth millions of Kwacha from Mr Konga’s home in Chavuma.
North-Western police commissioner Eugene Sibote disclosed this to journalists at a press briefing in Solwezi yesterday, saying the goods are suspected to have been unlawfully acquired.
In the Lusaka incident, Ms Kanjela said a combined team of officers will continue with its investigations regarding Mr Konga’s property.
Mr Konga, who is MMD Chavuma member of Parliament, was earlier quizzed by a combined team of law enforcement officers at the former Task Force on Corruption offices in Woodlands Extension in Lusaka.
He was accompanied to the Task Force offices by his lawyer ,Sakwiba Sikota.
When contacted, Mr Konga could neither deny nor confirm the seizure of his properties but referred the query to his lawyer. However, Mr Sikota said his client was being questioned over a Hummer vehicle that was bought for him by Parliament.
“It’s sad that police are pursuing him over a vehicle bought by Parliament and it’s up to you to decide whether it is a witch-hunt or not,” Mr Sikota said before he cut the line.
Meanwhile, Mr Sibote said all the items confiscated from Mr Konga’s Chavuma home are believed to belong to the former minister. “We got information that certain items were hidden in Chavuma and following the reports, our officers went there and conducted a search of certain premises where those goods were hidden,” he said.
Mr Sibote said the officers managed to retrieve 55 sewing machines, 14 boxes containing pieces for tables, 22 boxes containing pieces for stands, eight motor bikes, 80 bicycles and 135 boxes each containing 50 small winding radios.
He said the recovery of items was part of the on-going investigations which the PF government instituted after assuming power in September. “The goods are enroute to Lusaka. That is why we haven’t off-loaded them. I just wanted my officers to rest a bit before proceeding,” he said.
Mr Sibote said some of the items were recovered from Mr Konga’s home while others had been hidden at the premises of a Mr Mukwato, a local businessman. He said Mr Mukwato’s premises were allegedly hired by the former minister.
“The items are in two police trucks and two Land Cruisers which are full to capacity,” Mr Sibote said. He said police officers were dispatched to Chavuma on Friday and got the items on Saturday before returning to Solwezi on Sunday.
The trucks have been parked at Solwezi Central Police Station. A host of former ministers in the Banda administration have now visited security offices to explain their new-found wealth as the new PF government prioritises the corruption fight in a country that is potentially rich but whose wealth rarely trickles down to the masses.
President Sata has vowed to U-turn the mismanagement of the country’s resources, starting by cracking a whip on former leaders alleged to have looted State coffers.
THE Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) has advised President Sata to call for a tripartite meeting regarding the Barotseland Agreement controversy to avoid a recurrence of loss of lives and bloodshed in Western Province.
FODEP executive director MacDonald Chipenzi said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday the Barotseland Agreement issue should be resolved through a tripartite meeting because it was signed under a meeting of three different parties.
Commenting on President Sata’s revelations that a group of people in Western Province is attempting to form its own State, Mr Chipenzi said the head of State should call for a meeting involving the Litunga, former President Kaunda and himself.
“We do not want to see a recurrence of killing innocent people and shedding of blood like what happened during the MMD rule.
“What we need is serious dialogue and this should involve the President, the Litunga and former President Kaunda, who was part of the people who signed the Barotseland Agreement,” he said.
Mr Chipenzi said it is unfortunate that people are still talking about the Barotseland Agreement and creation of a state within a State when Zambia is one.
He said the Barotseland Agreement should be resolved through dialogue because it was signed by former President Kaunda, the Litunga and a representative of Queen Elizabeth, a process which involved dialogue.
Mr Chipenzi said now that the Barotseland Agreement has resurfaced even under the Patriotic Front (PF) Government, there is need to have a tripartite meeting to resolve the matter conclusively.
Mr Chipenzi said if it will mean including the Barotseland Agreement in the constitution-making process, this should be done so that the matter is resolved.
He said sending police officers to Western Province will not help to solve the matter but will aggravate the situation, which might lead to loss of lives.
On Friday, President Sata disclosed in Kabwe during the commissioning parade of 164 Zambia Army officer cadets that a group of people in Western Province is attempting to form its own State and has already appointed a Prime Minister.
The President described the situation as serious and castigated the police and ministers of Defence and Home Affairs for failing to deal with the matter.
THE Government is closing in on more high-profile personalities in the ongoing investigations against corruption to eradicate the vice in a more steadfast fashion.
Vice-President, Guy Scott said the Government had remained focused on investigations against former Government officials and other individuals, indicating that more would be “visited” soon.
Investigative wings, he said, would not be distracted despite accusations that the probe was selective and meant to persecute some people.
Dr Scott said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that the Patriotic Front (PF) had categorically stated before assuming power that it would pursue people who could have stolen or acquired property corruptly.
The vice-president said investigative wings would vigorously follow former officials who served in Government institutions and that the corruption fight was one of the aspects the PF pledged to eradicate without any vengeance.
He said it was folly for some former leaders to cry foul instead of seizing the opportunity to defend themselves.
Investigative wings had continued to collect more valuable leads in the ongoing probe.
The vice-president assured that innocent people would be protected and that those who would be found to have acquired money or property genuinely would be cleared.
He said investigative wings would soon pounce on some more high profile personalities.
Last week, former Finance minister, Situmbeko Musokotwane complained that the PF Government had maliciously targeted to persecute some people under the guise of fighting corruption and that it had failed to meet most of its pledges in 90 days.
Another former Foreign Affairs minister in the MMD government, Kabinga Pande, who is eyeing the top position in the former ruling party, accused the Government of embarking on a “witch-hunt.”
But Dr Scott said statements by the two former ministers were inaccurate and meant to divert the citizens’ attention from the steady progress the Government was making.
Investigative wings have seized about 1,000 bicycles from Dr Musokotwane and other MMD leaders and also impounded trucks from the former ruling party.
Former Mines minister, Maxwell Mwale is already appearing in court over some bicycles bought from funds suspected to have been stolen, and so is former Labour minister, Austin Liato on whose premises more than K2 billion cash was alleged to have been dug out.
Meanwhile, the vice-president said the Government had met most benchmarks in the 90 days it had been in power.
He said his Government had started a comprehensive policy reform on which to implement development programmes aimed at turning around the economy of the country.
He said Zambian workers would start earning higher salaries from April next year when the K2 million exempt tax threshold on pay-as-you-earn takes effect.
Dr Scott said the mineral royalty tax had been revised from three to six per cent, which the MMD government never did when it was in power.
He said Zambians should expect more benefits as the PF Government starts implementing the national Budget, which was approved last week on Friday.
Dr Scott said the Government had allowed the public media to cover all political parties and promote divergent views because it valued a free media and enhanced democracy.
The vice-president said the media was polarised under MMD while corruption was high.
He said Zambians were able to see the landmark achievements such as reduced fuel prices and base lending rates.
FORMER president, Rupiah Banda has said it is not fair for the Government to discontinue paying him his emoluments, insisting that he is not involved in active politics.
Mr Banda said he had retired from active politics and that he was merely holding the position of MMD president to facilitate a smooth transition while the former ruling party prepares to hold its extra-ordinary convention in April next year.
He was responding to a Press query through his administrative assistant, Mikatazo Wakumelo in Lusaka yesterday.
He said he was not supporting any of the MMD presidential candidates because he had decided to retire from active politics.
Chisamba Member of Parliament Moses Muteteka, former Zambian high commissioner to Canada, Nevers Mumba, MMD chairperson for commerce Felix Mutati, national vice-chairperson Kabinga Pande, and former Finance minister Situmbeko Musokotwane have applied to contest the party presidency.
On Sunday last week, Chief Government spokesperson Given Lubinda announced that the Government was suspending the disbursement of entitlements to the former Republican President.
This was after the MMD national executive committee resolved that Mr Banda would continue holding the position of party president until April next year when the party would hold elections at an extra-ordinary convention.
Meanwhile, Mr Banda said he would allow investigations into the Mpundu Trust account, which allegedly holds up to US$1 million (K5 billion) to conclude and would not engage in public debate over the matter.
The former president said he was not willing to defend himself in the public on allegations of impropriety, but would allow investigators to do their work.
He said there was no way he could start explaining details of the Mpundu Trust account and villas in Lusaka when there had been an announcement that they should be probed.
President Michael Sata recently directed investigative wings to probe Mpundu Trust that holds about K5 billion and how the construction of the villas was financed.
Former Energy and water Development Minister Kenneth Konga
Former minister of energy Kenneth Konga has been summoned by the Zambia police at the former Task Force offices. Police spokesperson Elizabeth Kanjela who confirmed the development to QFM said Mr. Konga was summoned at 15 hours today.
However,Ms. Kanjela could not give the reasons why the former minister in the MMD government has been summoned saying she was on her way to the former Task Force offices were Konga was being questioned by broadcast time.
And Inspector general of Police Martin Malama has pledged to ensure that Zambia is free from corruption. Dr. Malama says that he would like to see a public and private sector that is devoid of corruption.
He said that corruption has continued to affect Zambia’s development efforts stating that there is need to ensure that the country fights hard.
He has however stated that the fight against corruption should not be left to the police alone, but the responsibility of all Zambians.
He said that every Zambian should ensure that efforts are taken to fight the high levels of corruption.
Speaking last evening on MUVI TVs the assignment programme, Dr. Malama expressed happiness that the police are on the right cause in fighting corruption.
He has stated that the Zambia Police will ensure that no one is protected in the quest to fight corruption.
The technical committee on the drafting of the new constitution says concerns raised by international constitutional lawyers require action on them.
Two Zambian constitutional lawyers based outside the country have observed that the current constitution-making process is deeply flawed and unlikely to produce good results.
Law Professor Muna Ndulo and Dr Chaloka Beyan are among the people that were last week included in the Committee of Exerts drafting the constitution but just as consultants.
Committee spokesperson Simon Kabanda has explained to QFM radio that the committee is happy that the constitutional lawyers have raised a number of points in coming up with the new constitutions.
He says that it is a known fact that previously, Zambia failed to get a new constitution because of lack proper consultation.
Mr. Kabanda added that the committee will ensure that it takes the points raised by Prof. Ndulo and Dr. Beyani into consideration.
Prof. Ndulo and Dr. Beyani observed that the current constitution-making process was deeply flawed and may not produce good results.
In a joint statement, Professor Muna Ndulo and his UK-based counterpart Dr Chaloka Beyani stated that the option taken by the government was not ensure transparency.
The duo stated that the process had numerous flaws that made it difficult to come up with a people’s constitution.
“It is our considered view that the current constitution making process is deeply flawed and is unlikely to deliver a constitution that is legitimate and provides a framework for the democratic governance of Zambia. The primary flaws in the process are the following: (1) the process itself is inherently unrepresentative and suffers from a crisis of legitimacy; (2) it is ill designed to build consensus and produce a constitution the country can be proud of,” the two lawyers stated on Thursday.
File:Zambia National team in Training at Nkoloma Stadium
16 players on Tuesday fly out from Lusaka for Johannesburg for final Zambia training camp ahead of the 2012 Africa Cup.
The team will departure for Johannesburg at 13:00 hour on South African Airways from KK international Airport in Lusaka.
Tuesday’s travelling party will include Jonas Sakuwaha who missed the first two weeks of training camp due to injury.
Sakuwaha confirmed that he was fit and would travel with the team to South Africa.
Swiss-based striker Emmanuel Mayuka of Young Boys also joins the team when it regroups today in Golf View Hotel in Lusaka today ahead of departure tomorrow.
Zambia will be based at the garden Court Milpark and will be training from the Wits University grounds.
Goalkeeper: Kalililo Kakonje (Unattached)
Defenders: Joseph Musonda (Golden Arrows, South Africa), Hichani Himonde, Francis Kasonde (Both TP Mazembe, DR Congo), Nyambe Mulenga (Zesco United),Thomas Nyirenda (Konkola Blades)
Midfielders: Rainford Kalaba (TP Mazembe, DR Congo), Isaac Chansa (Orlando Pirates, South Africa), Felix Katongo, Nathan Sinkala (Both Green Buffaloes), Jonas Sakuwaha (El Merreikh, Sudan), Kampamba Chintu (Bidwest Wits,South Africa)
Zesco’s Winston Kalengo (left) is involved in a tussle with Green Buffaloes defender Dennis Banda in the rescheduled Week 10 match which was played at Woodlands Stadium in Lusaka
Wedson Nyirenda has been confirmed as new Zesco United coach.
Nyirenda has signed a three year deal that starts on January 1, 2012 after beating two other candidates for the job as coach of the three-time Faz Super Division Champions.
“The decision came about after wide consultations and we agreed unanimously that Wedson be coach,” Zesco secrtary Justin Mumba said.
Mumba said Nyirenda will be free to choose his own assistants including which players he will keep for the 2012 season.
Nyirenda, who quit as Zanaco coach last month, returns to Zesco two seasons after resigning to join the former.
During his first stint with Zesco, Nyirenda who two league titles in 2007 and 2008 that included back-to-back Barclays Cup triumphs in both season.
He also won a treble in 2007 when Zesco lifted the Coca Cola Cup.
At Zanaco, he won the 2009 league title in his first season in charge and guided Sunset side to their first-ever group stage appearance in 2010 Caf Confederation Cup.
Whether you are working out at home or the gym , you have to make sure you are getting the best out of your work outs and reaching your particular goals .Here are of the best tips you should consider;
Optimise your reps
Do 2-4 sets per exercise, with 8-15 reps, to boost your testosterone and growth hormones for bigger muscles and more fat-burning.
Boost your grip strength
Your pinching power is equal to approximately 20% of your maximum strength, so practice pinch lifts. Hold two barbell plates( if you are at home you can use a container of water) together and lift them to knee height, pause for around 3 seconds, then return to the start position. Do 3 sets of 10-12 reps.
Combine exercises
Perform lunges and bicep curls simultaneously and combine shoulder presses with cardio exercises. You’ll work all of the major muscle groups in your body in one session and build more muscle in less time.
Lower your weights
Put your heavy load down and continue an exercise with a lower weight once muscle fatigue sets in. You’re aiming for muscle failure so that during rest, maximum repair will be required – which will give maximum results. It’s a great plateau-busting option.
Always test your strength
In order to grow and gain size, your body needs to become increasingly comfortable with heavier sets. Load a bar with about 40% more weight than you could normally lift (make sure you have a spotter) and bust out a few hard-core lifts at the end of each session to prepare your body for what’s coming.
Go back to basics
Training with free weights is better than using machines as they engage your core stability muscles while you train.
Embrace variety
Instead of always doing 3 sets of 8-10 reps, for example, occasionally reduce the weight and attempt 4 sets of 15 reps. People who vary their rep counts increase their bench strength by 28% and their leg-press strength by 43% in two months. The upshot of this is a greater month-on-month muscle gain.
Schedule your recovery
It takes up to 7 days for muscles to recover and add size. Training a muscle group prior to this is likely to do more harm than good. You have fully recovered 48 hours after any soreness has gone. You can train other muscle groups while one group recovers, but should always leave at least 5 days between training the same muscle or muscle group.
Work out in the evening
Training after 18hrs earns you bigger muscle gains than if you train before 10am.
Barotseland Freedom Movement National Secretary Mulasikwanda Chazele has refuted the announcement on Friday by President Michael Sata that there is a group of people trying to form a government in Western and that so far a Prime Minister has been appointed.
Speaking during a Press Statement in Mongu on Christmas eve, Mr. Chazele said he has learnt with deep concern the statement issued by Republican President Sata that there was such developments in the Province.
Mr. Chazele said as far as the people of Western Province know there is no prime minister in the land adding that currently the Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE) does not even have an acting Prime Minister (Ngambela) since the resignation of the late Maxwell Mututwa.
“ I would like to state very clearly that as far as we the people of Barotseland very well know is that there is no prime minister in Barotseland. Not even an acting prime minister (NGAMBELA) the last time we had a Ngambela is when late Mr. Maxwell Mututwa Mututwa held this high post in Barotseland.” He said since then, we had no confirmed Prime Minister (Ngambela) apart from one acting Ngambela Mr. Walubita who also passed on this year,” Chazele added.
He said people in the province are currently patiently waiting to hear the findings of the Commission of Inquiry into the Mongu fracas that characterized on January 14 this year.
Mr. Chazele further appealed to President Sata and the national at large to remain calm as people in Western Province are solidly behind the Patriotic Front government’s leadership.
AND Western Province Youth Dialogue Forum says the youths in the province have distanced themselves from people who are reportedly forming a state within the country.
Forum Vice Chairperson Enock Ntoka stated that young people in Barotseland are not part and parcel of efforts and claims made by selfish and hungry individuals to create anarchy in the province.
Mr. Ntoka told a media briefing in Mongu that those trying to create a state within Western Province are targeted on frustrating the PF government efforts is making to resolve the situation in the province.
“ We wish to appeal to our fellow youths in Western Province to remain united and engage in productive activities and reject selfish and scrupulous motives to divert the attention of government of building peace and development in Zambia, such errands are unfounded, unconstitutional, illegal, unconstructive, and against the laws of Zambia ” He stated
He said the young people in Western Province were not consulted hence they will not subscribe to such intentions or actions.
Earlier, Adolescents Reproductive Health Activists (ARHA) Director Brian Kayongo appealed to young people in the province not to entertain people who want to use them as tools of distraction.
Mr. Kayongo said the youths of Western Province have learnt better ways in which they can resolve their challenges hence they will not participate in any programmes that are not of help to their well being.
President Michael Sata announced that he was disappointed with Inspector General of Police Martin Malama for not taking action against people who are reported to have formed a state in Western Province.
The President also said that so far the purported state has already appointed its Prime Minister adding that there are currently looking for offices in which to operate from.
