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American Gospel Musician Kirk Franklin has arrived in the country. He is making his debut visit to Zambia with expectations from the locals upped after experiencing his charismatic kind of musical display from the screens.
The 41 year old renowned artist is schedule to work with local musicians during his stay and later host a concert within the capital Lusaka.
Speaking to Muvi TV news on arrival at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, Franklin said he is looking forward to working with Zambian musicians to help them excel in their careers.
He added the music should be used by those in the industry to promote behavior change among the young people who are an important asset.
ALL is set for the world acclaimed and top-selling Gospel artist Kirk Franklin historical concert slated for today Monday, December 5 at Lusaka’s Mulungushi International Conference Centre.
Two years ago one of our readers sent us this story which was a true account of her life.It was very difficult for the author to relive her past and write this article but she did it to help other girls,women and parents who might entrust their daughters to relatives.A few days after the article was published Lusakatimes got an email from one of the men who was mentioned later in the story.He sought forgiveness for his involvement and said he had carried guilt with him for many years.We also got emails from women, some in their 50’s who shared similar stories but never felt they had a voice and applauded the author for her courage.This article is being republished to give a voice to the voiceless in the Zambian society.
This girl is NOT the author of this story but around the same age the author was sexually abused by her rich uncle
By Indi
I was five year old when I left the Southern province with my young sister to go to live on the Copperbelt. The Copperbelt (CB) was the place to be at that time, the mines were giving the best jobs and scholarships, the best private schools could be found here, visas to shop in the UK were unlimited, the Duty Free shops where everywhere and of course it was a big thing to miss the Trade Fair.
I loved the trade fair and took pride in how many candyfloss I could eat in one day. So the idea to travel to the CB and live with my very rich uncle and his wife sounded like was the best thing that could ever happen to me. My parents had allowed us to stay with my uncle for the first three years to be able to attend the mine schools there. As my aunt and uncle had no children, it would be an ideal thing to do but all those details and more did not matter to me as I was going to live in the place of my dreams.
The first weeks of arriving there were heaven on earth, I had no idea that this would soon change. I soon became my uncle´s sex pet. It all started with simple sexual sayings like, “you do not have your breasts yet at your age?”, “What lovely long straight legs you have!” etc. I took these comments as compliments and also eyeopeners to pray that I would develop fast and have breasts. But I liked being with uncle, he just showed us the best times in life.
The comments would change to small touches on my private parts and chest. I was five years of age and thought it was some kind of game that I really did not want to play. It was then that I started to get weary and shy of being in his presence.[pullquote]I never gave them the details of what he did to me, but when I got home, I was whipped by my aunt so badly that I swore on everything in my life never to repeat this story or even hint at it. She accused me of trying to wreck her home, reputation and called me lots of ugly names. Names that would soon become a part of me. She told me, I was useless, ugly and a home wrecker[/pullquote]
Uncle who was 36 years at the time began to play “games”. Games that were secrets never to be told. Uncle`s game of touch would turn to showing me pornographic movies. My parents never allowed us to watch any form of kissing in any movie, magazine or newspaper. So when the porno movie started, I did what I always did, cover my eyes with my hands and hope that it would soon be over. I never knew what I was watching but it was full of sounds and not words. I run out of the room to my sleeping room. I did not want to disobey my parents.
By the time I turned six, the movies, touching games had soon began to be a part of my weekly life. I was afraid to tell because I was just so scared Then the sexual molestation began, the bait was my young sister. If I refused to do what he said, he told me that he would go after my sister and kill us. I never wanted that. I had to protect my sister. So I surrendered to his demands. I never understood this but I knew this game was not what I ever wanted to play and I just wanted to go home. My aunt was always busy and attended every single party/event there was to attend. After all she was the Boss´ wife and a very important person in the community.
But the holiday we were to come home, my aunt had her first baby and unfortunately we had to stay. But my parents did come and visit us, but I never got around to tell them what was going on. I cried so much the day they came but everyone around me including myself said it was homesickness. My parents were surprised to see that I was no longer carefree (I have to admit that I was very lazy in terms of doing house chores) but became so clean and concerned. The truth was, I thought my hard work would make me so tired that I never woke up to do what my molester wanted.
My abuser would soon get tired of his molesting and wanted more. Three days before my seventh birthday, he took me in his big car for a ride with his young son. We rode to a river bank or was that a dam, I never can remember. He took me out of his car and slapped me so hard, I could not understand why. His son was quietly sleeping and I looked around for someone nearby, but there was nobody. He kicked me so hard in my stomach. I was so confused and in pain that I just did not know what to do. It was in my confusion and crying that he raped me. The feeling was like that of the sharpest razor cutting me down there. He told me it was a way to make me feel like a woman, to be mature and he was doing me a favor and if I told anyone he would kill me.
All I did was try to scream, but his hand was over my mouth, and cry and wish never to be a woman because what I felt during the rape hurt me so bad. I was bleeding and thought I was going to die.
When we returned home, he was laughing and being nice and acted like nothing had happened. My aunt noticed my sad face and the blood on my clothes and she asked me what had happened and he was fast to say I had began my menstrual period. I did not know what those words meant and agreed to what he said. I went to bath asking myself did every woman go through this to become a woman? What about my mum, did she go through it too?
I never died that night but I held my sister so hard because I did not want her to feel what I felt. I cried myself to sleep. The next morning the pain was still there and I could barely walk, so I stayed in bed. My aunt came in and told me things about “periods”, something that made no sense to me. She also warned me to stay away from boys as I could get pregnant. The bleeding had eventually stopped but the pain was excruciating. I hated to have to urinate.
Within a week of this experience, my abuser carried on sexually abusing me. I kept asking, how many times do I have to be cut down there to become a woman? As he sometimes came into my room late in the night, I would always be up and awake and loud hoping that my aunt would hear what was going on. But all my efforts were in vain as we lived in a very large house.
That year my cousin had been killed in a car crash, so we had to go to the funeral. As we sat around the fire, I told my abuser´s sister and a number of other relatives that were willing to hear how my uncle had sometimes late in the night come into my room.
I never gave them the details of what he did to me, but when I got home, I was whipped by my aunt so badly that I swore on everything in my life never to repeat this story or even hint at it. She accused me of trying to wreck her home, reputation and called me lots of ugly names. Names that would soon become a part of me. She told me, I was useless, ugly and a home wrecker.
Right after the funeral Aunt had to travel to London, we had to look after our baby cousin. Uncle heard about my incident at the funeral, and he pulled me by the hair out of the house and drove me to his friends house. I was so shaken that I thought he would beat me up, but it turned out I would be in a porno movie and I was the leading actress. I had never felt so dirty in my life but I never wanted him to kill me or my sister like he said he would. His friends enjoyed taking turns at me too. I had to oblige, I was being made into a woman and I belonged to him.
When we drove back to the mansion, my sister was so scared and came to my bed and we cried together. I prayed every night that he or his friends would stop these “woman” lessons because I just wanted to be a girl. It hurt so bad to be a grown up. I prayed to God that I would even stop playing those grown up games, like putting lemons in my chest pretending they were my breasts or wearing my aunts shoes because I was now happy to be a girl. But for some reason the answer never came. Where was my God? I went to church and tried hard not to sin. I just wanted God to save me and my sister from being killed.
When we finally went home that August, I was so happy but then I became afraid of all men in my life including my own father and brothers. I never wanted to play and hid behind house chores and reading.
The remaining year, we stayed with my parents and I started to feel normal again, but then my aunt came to collect us just before my ninth birthday to return to the Copperbelt. I thought my uncle had told her to come and kill us …that when it was time for us to leave, I went into the car without looking back at my family and falling back into my abuser´s hands. Many months went by and the abuse got worse but I accepted it as a part of my life. I was beaten and tied down if I refused but fear had the best of me.
United Party for National Development (UPND) has described the recent resignation of Msanzala independent Member of Parliament in Petauke district, Colonel, Joseph Lungu, as the worst plunder of national resources.
Party Deputy National Spokesperson, Cornelius Mweetwa allege that the current scheme by the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) to boost its numbers in Parliament is primitive.
Mr. Mweetwa, who is Choma Central MP, says the reported resignation of the Msanzala legislator barely two-months after general elections, is disappointing.
He said although Colonel Lungu, as a democratic right of association, it is morally wrong for him to subject the people of Msanzala to a by-election so soon.
Colonel Lungu has resigned from his position as Member of Parliament and joined the ruling Patriotic Front (PF).
This is not the first time an MP is resigning after September, 20th elections and force a by-election.
Meanwhile, The long awaited opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) general assembly next year will be held next year.
[pullquote]Mr. Hapunda says all positions in the party’s National Management Committee will be contested for and that all eligible members are free to apply[/pullquote]
The mandatory general assembly comes six years after the last convention was held in 2006. The party failed to hold a mandatory general assembly prior to the 2011 tripartite elections, as prescribed by its party constitution for unknown reasons.
UPND National Youth Coordinator, Brian Hapunda has disclosed that his party is in full gear to prepare for its elective general assembly.
Mr. Hapunda says all positions in the party’s National Management Committee will be contested for and that all eligible members are free to apply
The Zambian flag flies along the Presidential flag characterised by the Coat Arms
The Electoral Institute of Southern Africa has observed that some Zambian laws on the qualifications of presidential candidates are inconsistent with regional principles.
The institute has singled our article 34, which contains the parentage and domiciled clause not allowed in the Principles for electoral Management, Monitoring and Observation in the SADC region.
According to the institute’s interim statement on the just ended 2011 elections, the two clauses should be amended if Zambian elections are to meet international standards.
According to article 34 of the current republican constitution, a person shall be qualified to be a candidate for election as President if both his parents are Zambians by birth or descent he has been domiciled in Zambia for a period of at least 20 years.
Zambia Under-20 stayed in second place in Group C at the Cosafa Youth Championships in Botswana after beating Mauritius 4-0 this evening in Molepolole.
The defending champions were inspired by a brace scored by Nkana’s teenage striker Reynold Kampamba in the 31st and 46th minutes.
Red Arrows midfielder Shadreck Malambo added the third goal in the 68th minute.
Nkana striker Evans Kangwa scored Zambia’s fourth of the game and his third goal of the tournament in the 79th minute.
Zambia have 4 points from two games, level with leaders South Africa who drew 1-1 with 3rd placed Tanzania in the earlier kickoff at the same venue.
Only goal difference separates the three teams on four points each from two games placed.
It looks like Group C will go down to the wire on Tuesday with the derby showdown between South Africa and Zambia at 17:00 hours at the same venue taking center stage.
Zambia national soccer team head coach Herve Renard
Herve Renard has talked tough that changes are coming in the 2012 Africa Cup bound team but one department in particular needs serious attention.
The other day I sat down with some Copperbelt-based ex footballers who aired their concern over the state of the Zambia goalkeeping department.
Their concerns were not about Kennedy Mweene but about the quality he lacks in competition from the bench.
In particular, they said, does Kalililo Kakonje still deserve to continue being Zambia’s number two?
Mweene has been peerless since 2005 after replacing Kalililo as number one.
Furthermore, I agree with the guys that the TP Mazembe substitute goalkeeper has been inactive since leaving Amazulu in 2010 and so is it justifiable to keep him on?
If so, is Faz telling us that a foreign-based bench-warming goalkeeper was enough criteria to get you a national team place?
Or don’t we have enough quality at home in Joshua Titima of Power Dynamos or Jacob Banda of Zesco United to measure up to Kalililo’s grade?
Zambia had no sufficient information to arrest Former US President George W. Bush who was visiting the country.
President Michael Sata says the Amnesty International had not given government sufficient information regarding Mr. Bush’s arrest.
Mr. Sata was speaking to journalists shortly after he arrived at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport where he had gone to see off Mr. Bush on today.
The Amnesty International had made fresh calls on three countries to arrest Mr. Bush during his trip to Africa.
Mr. Bush whose second stop over was Zambia after visiting Tanzania has left for Ethiopia.
He is in Africa to promote HIV/AIDS relief efforts and to raise awareness on cervical cancer.
And yesterday, Zambia has dismissed an international rights group’s call for the arrest on torture charges of former President George W. Bush, who has been touring Africa to raise awareness about cervical and breast cancer.
“On what basis does Amnesty International want us to arrest President Bush?” Foreign Affairs Minister Chishimba Kambwili asked.
[pullquote]“On what basis does Amnesty International want us to arrest President Bush?” Foreign Affairs Minister Chishimba Kambwili asked.[/pullquote]
Kambwili said Zambia would have considered the request only if it had come from the International Criminal Court acting on behalf of international organizations like the United Nations.
Earlier in the week, Amnesty International said it had asked Tanzania, Zambia and Ethiopia to arrest Bush, “someone who has admitted to authorizing waterboarding.” As president, Bush authorized the interrogation technique that simulates drowning and is viewed as torture by many.
Bush is warmly remembered across Africa for his U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which since 2003 has provided AIDS treatment to millions on the continent hardest hit by the disease.
Bush started his Africa tour in Tanzania. He launched his Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon project Friday in Zambia.
The project is aimed at expanding the availability of breast care education and cervical cancer screening and treatment.
The Police reserve officer who accidentally shot a man to death in Kalingalinga on Saturday morning has been charged with murder.
Police Spokesperson Elizabeth Kanjela who confirmed the development to ZNBC News in Lusaka on Sunday, also says the Police reserve is currently remanded in custody and will appear in court soon.
Meanwhile a check by ZNBC News crew in Kalingalinga found people going on with their normal business and some shops which were closed yesterday have been opened.
And all wreckage which was used to block the roads by rioters has been removed and traffic is flowing smoothly.
On Saturday Police fought running battles with Kalingalinga residents who rioted after a police reserve shot and killed a youth in the area.
The named youth who earns a living by selling smoked beef outside a named night club in Kalingalinga was shot around 03:00 hours on Saturday after police tried to stop a fight at the premises
And Home Affairs Minister Kennedy Sakeni has warned the Police against using Lethal weapons in the course of their duties.
Mr. Sakeni says government expects Police officers to take into consideration the rights of citizens whenever they are executing their duties.
The Minister said this when he officiated at a pass out parade of 344 Paramilitary officers at Geoffrey Mukuma Training School in Kafue on Saturday.
He advised the graduating and serving law enforcement officers to be disciplined and loyal to government and the country in the discharge of duties.
And Inspector General of Police Martin Malama says government’s decision to recruit 1000 police officers next year is a milestone in addressing the inadequate workforce.
Dr. Malama assured government that the Police service upholds the constitution without fear or favour and remain committed and loyal to the government of the day.
Lusaka residents jostle to touch the hand of President Sata
President Michael Sata has said that Zambia cannot afford to exist in isolation therefore the need to interact with other countries.
The President said this today during the departure of Former American President, George .W. Bush.
Mr Sata has refuted that the visit by Zimbabwean President, Robert Mugabe to Zambia had any connection with the visit of Mr Bush.
He explained that Mr. Mugabe is an African neighbour and that his visit to Zambia during Mr. Bush’s trip to Africa is a coincidence.
The President told journalists that during Mr. Mugabe’s visit on Saturday the Heads of State discussed issues regarding unity of Africa.
President Sata hosted Mr. Mugabe and Mr. Bush who has been on each others’ throat.
Mr.Bush left at about 06:55 hours on this morning. Mr.Bush was in Zambia on a two- day working visit to promote HIV/AIDS relief efforts and to create awareness on and cervical cancer.
During his visit Mr. Bush launched the HIV and cancer campaign in Zambia.
[pullquote]Local journalists were upset that they had been quarantined in a truck while American journalists had been allowed to move around.[/pullquote]
He also visited the cancer hospital at UTH, Peace Corps and Chikumbuso in Ng’ombe among others.
Meanwhile, Zambian journalists got into a big argument with American Embassy security staff who were forcing them to get into a truck and operate from there during Mr. Bush’s departure.
One of the security personnel told journalists that they had no option but to operate from the truck.
Local journalists were upset that they had been quarantined in a truck while American journalists had been allowed to move around.
Photo journalists and camera persons were also upset that they could not get proper pictures of President Sata.
During Mr. Bush’s visit journalists had been subjected to physical and verbal harassment by American Secret service staff.
Power Dynamos made a clean sweep of the Barclays Cup awards held in Kitwe on Saturday.
The main highlight was the coach of the year award that went to Beston Chambeshi and not Fordson Kabole.
Kabole and Chambeshi have been locked in a personality battle as to who should be credited for Power’s league and cup double success this season.
Chambeshi took home K10 million.
And Power striker Luka Lungu also won an award after winning the top scorers honor after scoring four goals in this year’s Barclays Cup and took home K5 million for his efforts in the tournament.
File:Patrotic Front Youths almost causing mayhem in Kitwe during the parliamentary nominations
The Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) has been following with keen interest the PF Government’s assurances and promises since its historic victory of 20th September, 2011. YALI is saddened with the U-Turns that have characterized the PF’s 60days in government on a number of key issues of national interest. This constant change of positions and U-turns does not inspire confidence amongst our people and the youth who voted in large numbers for this Government.
YALI considers it unpatriotic to argue that assurances and promises made by the PF were mere campaign promises, and that once the PF had formed government, it has had to rationalize and make well-informed decisions against positions which won them the election. Such narrow-minded reasoning simply means that the PF leadership did not understand the issues they were talking about during the campaign period and would only mean two things: either the PF did not actually believe in what they had been saying or is deliberately misleading and taking the Zambian people for granted. The PF Government must be judged based on its manifesto and assurances it continued to make after forming government.
[pullquote]The expectations of our people are very high; they need jobs, more money in their pockets and better opportunities as per the PF campaign promises[/pullquote]
The Constitutional-making process
The Republican President and the Patriotic Front as a whole told the people of Zambia that they will deliver a new Constitution within 90 days. YALI believes that this was not merely a campaign issue but also contributed to the loss the MMD suffered in the tripartite elections. The assurance was in tandem with the longing of Zambians for a people-driven constitution that would stand the test of time. The promise by the ruling party to deliver the Constitution within the 90-day period was not only a relief to many Zambians but also raised people’s hopes and inspired their confidence in the PF Government. This roadmap was not only logical but also cost-effective as Government would not go on yet another path of wasting taxpayers’ money on a process that has been adequately deliberated and exhausted by the previous Constitution Review Commissions (CRCs). It is therefore very disappointing and frustrating that this Government has decided to U-turn on this very important promise to the Zambian people by deliberately delaying the process.
What is particularly annoying is the fact that even when he opened the First Session of the 11th National Assembly, the President assured Zambians that the new Constitution will be in place within 90 days. The President’s speech in parliament is not a campaign promise but a roadmap and government assurance which Government provides to the Zambian people on what is expected to be implemented during the whole year. This is a very important speech and the President, his advisors, if he has any, together with the Honourable Justice Minister Sebastian Zulu, SC should have thought through all the pronouncements before delivering this important speech to the nation.
YALI believes the terms of reference for the Committee of experts to review the previous four Constitutions is not only unnecessary but will also elongate the period and will be done at a great cost to taxpayers. Young leaders have taken legal notice that the Willa Mung’omba Constitution Review Commission had already reviewed submissions to all previous CRCs and repeating the process is merely a waste of the much needed public resources and an affront to justice and national development.
The U-turn by Government from the 90-day period to 365-days for delivering the supreme law of the land has no nobility at all and is meant to create opportunities for patronage among eminent persons and organisations appointed to review the Constitution in a process which is simply putting “more money in the few individuals’ pockets.” We are of the opinion that issues of numbers and demographic composition of the committee of experts is and must never be an issue. YALI is of the view that such a Committee is in fact unwarranted at this stage of the country’s constitution-making process. The work that this Committee is doing has already been done by the able members of the previous CRCs. Young leaders are of the view that technocrats in the Ministry of Justice should have been, within the 90-day period, directed to review contentious issues, errors and inconsistencies in the previous Constitution which collapsed in the last session of Parliament thereby saving a lot of resources going into this process.
The Fight against Corruption
YALI fears that the fight against corruption in Zambia is slowly becoming another kleptocratic tool to gunner political mileage. If this trend is not reversed, Zambia will continue witnessing misallocation of billions of taxpayers to benefit few individuals at the expense of national development. YALI, in the strongest terms, condemn the very thought of the Republican President to appoint convicts and questionable characters that have been tainted with corruption and amassed unexplained wealth. We note that the President has gone on the same path of using excessive presidential powers he used to condemn as an opposition leader to pardon and appoint persons to public service who are appearing before our courts of law even before their cases are concluded. This renders the separation of powers between the executive and the judiciary an academic exercise in Zambia’s democratic governance.
We shudder to think the name of Xavier Chungu could have even crossed the mind of the President for appointment to public service. YALI notes that President Sata has among others appointed Emmanuel Mwamba, Chiluba’s press aide as Northern Province Permanent Secretary and former defence minister George Mpombo earmarked as ambassador to Nigeria. These are persons who have not yet been cleared by our courts of law and we do not expect the President to interfere with the due process of the law by issuing unnecessary pardons which only serve his narrow interests. The very mention of such names, including Dr. Simon Miti, Sheryl Thole and pardoning of Judge Ngoma barely a day after the court granted him bail pending the appeal hearing completely negates the talk of fighting corruption and separation of powers. We also demand the Police investigate allegations made by Committee of Citizens director Gregory Chifire that the President’s Son, Mulenga Sata has in the last 60 days bought expensive property among them a brand new Jeep costing about K800 million and a brand new GX, valued at about K1 billion without unnecessarily victimising Mr. Chifire.
Wining the fight against corruption requires principled and resolute leadership against the vice and its perpetrators and promotion of good democratic governance. Our young people will continue to wonder what the fate of Chiluba would have been if he was alive. Was the President going to fulfil his 2006 campaign promise to pardon Chiluba and his tandem of thieves or was he going to stick to his new found love of being ‘allergic to corruption’ or probably U-turn in the same manner his Government has been U-turning on a lot of issues?
Wind fall Taxes on the mines
The PF promised to re-introduce the windfall tax once elected into government, a matter which is well articulated in the PF manifesto. The issue of windfall taxes was very heavily debated before Zambia’s tripartite elections and won the Patriotic Front the peoples support which gave them a mandate to govern this country. YALI strongly believes the matter of wind fall taxes is very crucial and should not be thrown away without convincing, well thought-out and logical explanations from Government. YALI demands that a comprehensive explanation by the President and his Government must be given on why Government has decided to renegade on this important promise.
Conclusion
The expectations of our people are very high; they need jobs, more money in their pockets and better opportunities as per the PF campaign promises. This poses a greater challenge on this government to perform and deliver on its promises as failure to meet these expectations is a time bomb and may result in mass discontent among so many young voters. The consequences of such discontent would be catastrophic as there are enough examples from other parts of the continent for everyone to see. For instance, the uprisings in the Arab world were caused by young people who felt their governments were not paying attention to their needs and aspirations. Zambia may not be spared if these majority young voters feel that they have been deceived. YALI therefore calls on this government to walk the talk and stop wish-washing with the “don’t-kubeba” syndrome in the running of national affairs.
A woman shies away from photographers after she was quizzed at the former Taskforce on Corruption offices in Lusaka
By Daimone Siulapwa
THE Wikipedia defines Proof beyond a reasonable doubt as the standard of evidence required to validate a criminal conviction in most adversarial legal systems. Generally the prosecution bears the burden of proof and is required to prove their version of events to this standard.
This, in essence, means that the proposition being presented by the prosecution must be proven to the extent that there could be no “reasonable doubt” in the mind of a “reasonable person” that the defendant is guilty. However, there can still be a doubt, but only to the extent that it would not affect a reasonable person’s belief regarding whether or not the defendant is guilty.
When late president Levy Mwanawasa started the fight against corruption, a lot of people were accused and arrested. A few appeared in the courts of law and even fewer were convicted. The excitement of
the fight against corruption and the plundered wealth was centered on Chiluba, the man who gave Mwanawasa the presidency on a silver plate. Literally!
The excitement, the arrest, the accusations and the court cases did not match the conviction rate, we in fact as a country ended up spending more money and man hours going to court. Out of the 65 or so
accused during the Mwanawasa regime, only about seven were convicted.
We know that the corruption in the Chiluba regime centered mostly around the Zamtrop account, which we understand was solely controlled by spy master Savior Chungu. While people like former ZANACO managing director Samuel Musonda, who used to receive instructions from Savior to conceal certain transactions, were convicted, the main architect himself remains free and was on the brink of receiving an appointment as permanent secretary for Luapula province.
That is why there must be proper guidelines on how this corruption fight is going to be handled, otherwise the PF government risk facing the same charges when they leave office themselves. In other words, it will just be a cycle with no tangible benefits accruing to the Zambian public despite their monies being used which otherwise would have gone on to build schools, hospitals and roads in some needy areas.
What the PF government should be doing is to avoid exciting the public with all these minor issues on corruption. Yes all offenders should be treated according to the law without political emotions attached to these cases and all offenders must be brought to book.
Our law enforcement officers must investigate these cases of corruption and plunder thoroughly before they excite the people. This habit of exciting the public with images by the media is not the best way to proceed.
Some statements, coming from some politicians point to the fact that they have already been found guilty. What chance do they then have in a lower court if top politicians have already pronounced judgment on them?
Let us not forget that these are cases that are at investigation level, they have not yet even gone to the prosecution team. The prosecution on takes the case to court if it is convinced and satisfied that the evidence gathered by the investigation, is enough to convince a reasonable person beyond a reasonable doubt, that the accused is guilt.
The case in point is that of Austin Liato, while the public in interested in Mr. Liato’s explanation, the law enforcers must make sure they have a solid case, this could have been compromised with the time it took for them to get a statement from Mr. Liato, this in evident in his tactic of being mute when questioned, the ideas is to stay mute until the case goes to court, in this way, they will have enough time to brainstorm and come up with a must plan, he actually has 2 full days to consult with his lawyer and plan the whole game, even the suspension by the MMD could just be part of the master plan. In my opinion, removing and 2.1 billion circulation is not an issue, we know of so many businessmen of foreign origin who keep dollars and hide the money in their houses, its not even a surprise for people to ask you to pay 20,000 USD in cash when buy a car from them, the issue is how was that money acquired? The brand new cars, the tractors even the farm must be accounted for, how where all these assets acquired? In a nutshell, the country must be more interested with the Source of Mr. Liato’s money and not the burying of 2.1 billion. Chances are that the 2.1 billion is a small fraction of the total sum.
It is therefore plain wrong to excite the public with a case that will take years in gathering interest. In the meantime, the suspected person would have some irreparable damage in the eyes of the public especially that we, as the present scenario seems to be, tend to assume someone guilt and wait for them to prove their innocence.
Further, the PF government should not give the people a chance to think the fight against corruption is a witch hunt of the previous government. Let us have a professional approach to this corruption fight, and please, let us not target individuals who served in the previous government only. If anything, we would want to know where all the parties got the funding for their campaigns, their must be full disclosure.
Let us thoroughly investigate, then prosecute and possibly get convictions. We do not want cases stalling or getting thrown out of the courts of law simply because the State rushed to court in an effort to appease the public and be seen to be doing their work. Upto now, we do not have a clear outcome in the case involving the Ministry of Health officials who were arrested and taken to court in the midst of wild public excitement.
We also know that when Levy Mwanawasa went to parliament to make the case for the removal of late Chiluba’s immunity, he made a lot of (charges) allegations, totaling over 60. Yet, when the case went to court, the charges were a fraction of that. Even then, they failed to prove that same fraction.
Clearly, there are lessons to be learnt as we embark on this fight against corruption.
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”
(1 John 1:9, NKJV)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
When we make mistakes in life, there are three main things that we need to do. Number one, ask for forgiveness. Number two, receive God’s mercy. And number three, move forward with your life. Let it go and press ahead.
So many people today are still beating themselves down over something they did five years ago. They’ve asked God to forgive them a thousand times, but can’t let it go. They go around living depressed, defeated and feeling unworthy. If that’s you, realize today the price has already been paid. The first time you asked God to forgive you, He forgave you. Now you’ve got to receive God’s mercy and press ahead. That mistake did not change who you are to God. My children have never once gotten up in the morning as an Osteen and then done something wrong and gone to bed that night with a different last name. No matter what they did, they’re still my children.
You may have made mistakes today, but because of the blood of Jesus, you are still your Father’s child. You are still the apple of God’s eye. You are still His most prized possession. God may not be pleased with every action, but He is pleased when you receive His forgiveness by faith!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father, thank You for the blood of Jesus which cleanses me from all unrighteousness. Thank You for forgiving me and restoring me. I choose to forget the past and move forward into all that You have prepared for me in Jesus’ name. Amen.
File:Western Province Permanent Secretary Augustine Seyuba shaking hands with Barotse Royal Establishment’s Induna Namuyamba
The Baroste Royal Establishment (BRE) has reaffirmed its position of being non-partisan and committed to working with the government of the day.
Senior Chief Anan’anga Imwiko of Namayula Palace in Lukulu District said the BRE is mandated to work with the government of the day because the party in then, represents the wishes of Zambians.
The Chief said the position of being non-partisan has been misunderstood by many people and political parties.
He was speaking in Lukulu when Western Province Permanent Secretary Augustine Seyuba called on him at his palace during a familiarization tour.
The Chief emphasized that the BRE’s obligation is to work with the government of the day as decided by Zambians that include the people of Western Province during election.
” You see we are being misunderstood by the general public even politicains, we are bound to work with the government of the day because then that is what the people of Zambia has given us, we will always mainten to working with the party in power.” Chief Anan’anga said.
He said the policy of BRE is to work with the government of the day as always government is responsable for the development of the country with the involvment of traditional leaders.
” How do you expect me to say I belong to this party when all the development brought to my area is being initiated by the party in power? he said.
Senior Chief Anan’anga has since appealed to government to initiate projects that will help change the poor status of the district and province as whole saying there is a lot work to be done if the province is to hold its rightful position.
The Chief also thanked commended President Michael Sata for emerging victoriously in the September 20 general elections and thanked him for appointing Mr. Seyuba as Permanent Secretary for Western Province.
AND Mr. Seyuba said government has great respect for traditional in the country saying this is evident establishment of a new Ministry to look into the welfare of traditional leaders.
He said traditional leaders are major stockholders in the development of the country adding government will work closely with the BRE in fostering visible and sound development to the people of Western Province.
Mr. Seyuba has since assured the BRE that he will monitor all government projects closely to ensure that there is Transparency, Accountability, Responsibility and Fairness.
The 2011 Born N Bred awards are set for 9th of December. NIPA is a venue of this year’s 6th annual Music Video Awards.
THIS YEARS CATEGORIES & NOMINEES ARE:
BEST FEMALE:
kay-Phone
Dambisa-Kaduka chain
Mutinta chungwa
Debbie-Never leave
Chichi-Owena
BEST R&B:
Slap dee-Looking 4 luv
B’flow-Thank you
T’sean-Sininazibe
Roberto-Love u more
Jk-Nkafilisha
BEST COLLABORATION:
Macky 2-Mami
Zone fam,Petersen,Slad dee-Chikali
BEST HIP-HOP:
Mr.Veezy-I’m a bad boy
Ruff kid-Yes
Slap dee-Nomba Ninshi
Zone fam-Mbama
Young Magic-She got it
BEST ZED
Mutinta-Chungwa
Frankiss-Chalalila
Macky 2-Mami Afunika-Umutende
The organized family-Bopeni
BEST UP COMING:
Zone fam-Chikali
T’sean-Sininazibe
Brisky-Vop
Mutinta-Chungwa
BEST GOSPEL
Pompi-Chipolopolo
Divine Tribe-Favour
Tio-Fine Fine boy
Mandiva-Bana bakwalesa
Rizen Rizon-Chiliche
Vote by sending Bnb +artist +category . for example “Bnb Zone Fam Upcoming” and send to 882 on all Networks i.e Airtel, Mtn and Cell Z (Sms costs ZMK800)
American Gospel Musician Kirk Franklin has arrived in the country. He is making his debut visit to Zambia with expectations from the locals upped after experiencing his charismatic kind of musical display from the screens.
