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GOVERNMENT has directed the department of immigration to urgently take stock of all foreign employees working in the country. Minister of Home Affairs Kennedy Sakeni announced this in a statement issued in Lusaka yesterday.
“Keeping line with the country’s immigration policy regarding foreign nationals entering the country, the department of immigration should take stock of foreign employees in both local and foreign-owned companies operating in the country.
The exercise should be done in accordance with the principal of making sure that an immigrant in the country must have a contribution to make in the form of skill, profession or capital which should be of benefit to the Zambian people,” Mr Sakeni said.
He said an immigrant should not deprive a citizen of Zambia of employment and should not be a charge on the state as they must have the means with which to support themselves with their dependants.
Mr Sakeni said an immigrant intending to settle in the country must be in possession of an entry permit.
“Because of these principles it is imperative that all foreign investors should abide by these norms and provide economic and social data when requested by law enforcement,” he said.
Mr Sakeni appealed to local and foreign companies operating in the country to stop offering jobs which can efficiently be performed by Zambians to foreigners.
He said the trend is exacerbating the rate of unemployment in the country.
Mr Sakeni, however, appealed for fair treatment of foreigners and that they should enjoy equal opportunity if and when qualified for a specific task.
File : Zambia's High Commissioner to Canada Nevers Mumba in prayer at the Zambian diplomatic conference in Chisamba
Recalled Zambia’s high commissioner to Canada Nevers Mumba has responded to allegations of financial irregularities at the Zamnbian embassy in Canada. Dr Mumba has said that he is innocent and said that he will only return home when he gets a Foreign Office clearance officially.
He denied any allegations of “financial irregularities,” in an exclusive phone interview with the Daily Mail yesterday.
“Our office books have been audited thoroughly and I can’t recall any irregularities,” Pastor Mumba said, “I am happy this is an allegation and not a charge. I am open for investigations and the Auditor General can return to Canada and carry out another audit if there are any doubts…I am a God-fearing man and I fear tax-payers’ money. I have never stolen public funds.”
The fire and brim-stone pastor, who has been in diplomatic services for about two and a half years, has been placed on the spot for alleged “financial impropriety” by President Sata in a statement signed by his special assistant for press and public relations George Chellah.
“Information so far suggests serious financial impropriety at the Zambian mission in Toronto which is under the supervision of Dr Nevers Mumba,” President Sata’s statement said adding that the preacher-turned-diplomat was “resisting recall.”
The President wants Pastor Mumba to “corporate with authorities while in Zambia on a personal visit” he must be prepared to personally pay for rather than use tax payers’ money.
But Pastor Mumba said, “I can’t come home until after December 31 when my tour of duty expires. I have applied for local leave twice and twice it has been denied because I have been told to stay here until my tour of duty extension expires at the end of December. I am not coming.”
Pastor Mumba suggests that he could be getting the “heat” because his name has lately been linked to a list of a possible successor of Rupiah Banda, who resigned after he lost an election to President Sata on September 20. He declined to elaborate.
[pullquote]Pastor Mumba suggests that he could be getting the “heat” because his name has lately been linked to a list of a possible successor of Rupiah Banda, who resigned after he lost an election to President Sata on September 20. He declined to elaborate.[/pullquote]
However, he said he will make his political position clear once he retired because at the moment he is still a servant of the government led by “President Sata…I am still a government worker and will remain so until I come back home.”
The Pastor said he did not resist a “recall” notice sent to him but asked that his return be extended to the end of December so that he can find a place for his family to return back to rather than become destitute on arrival.
“I need time to find a place for my family to stay,” Pastor Mumba said, “I also needed time to bid farewell to friends while I was in service in Canada. I will return soon.”
File: Former Mines minister Maxwell Mwale and Chinese state grid corporation executive vice president Shu Yinbiao exchange notes in Lusaka
Maxwell Mwale, Former Mines and Minerals Minister in the Rupiah Banda led administration has been arrested. Sources familiar with the development have disclosed that Mr. Mwale, who is also Malambo Member of Parliament(MP), was arrested Wednesday, afternoon after long hours of interrogation.
Mr. Mwale has been arrested in connection with the alleged disappearance of gold at the drug enforcement Commission (DEC) offices in Lusaka. He is said to have been denied police bond and has been detained at Woodlands Police Station.
Mr. Mwale is expected to be taken to court tomorrow. Recently, Mr. Mwale was summoned to appear before a combined team of law enforcement agencies over the gold which, Republican President, Michael Sata claim was stolen.
He becomes the latest high profile official in the previous administration to be thrown in the cells following revelation by the Police command that all those linked to the missing gold will start appearing in court this week.
Meanwhile, Former Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) Commissioner Aaron Zulu who was arrested on Tuesday has appeared in the Lusaka Magistrates’ court for mention.
This is in a matter where Mr. Zulu is charged with abuse of authority.
The former DEC Chief is alleged to have abused his authority on July 8 this year by directing the sale of one hundred and eighteen point 897 Kilograms of Gold to Societe Financier Du Seujut SA.
The gold was allegedly sold at the value less than the market price.
Mr. Zulu is set to appear for another mention on November 23, pending consent from the Director of Public Prosecutions -DPP- to prosecute the matter.
Meanwhile, Principal Resident Magistrate Aridah Chuulu has granted Mr. Zulu a Five Million Kwacha cash bail.
Magistrate Chuulu has also ordered Mr. Zulu to avail two working sureties in their own recognizance.
This was after Defence lawyer Sakwiba Sikota, applied for bail saying his client is facing a bailable offence and is of fixed abode.
Chief Kapatamoyo of the Ngoni People in Chipata district in Eastern Province has given government a five-day ultimatum in which to remove a farm owner of farm D115 claiming that the farm is part of his chiefdom.
The visibly annoyed Chief who was stormed the office of Eastern Province Permanent Secretary Eularia Mwale accused both the provincial and district administrations of being reluctant to resolve the matter.
Chief Kapatamoyo threatened that he would use his powers as Chief to remove Kabililka Nkhengwe who had been holding title of the 800 hectares of the land in question since 1975.
He stated that it was sad that people at Wachepa village where over fifty houses were demolished continued to sleep under trees for one month.
[pullquote]“I am willing to die for my people like Muammar Gaddafi of Libya who died for the love of his people, if government does not do anything I will send my Impis (soldiers) to kick Nkhwengwe out of the area,” he said.[/pullquote]
“I will not allow my people to continue suffering, I will use everything I possibly can to ensure that my people are not chased away from that land because they have lived there all their lives and even their forefathers are buried in the same village,” he said.
The chief who also claimed that three children in the area had died from Malaria as they were sleeping in the open without sleeping under nets, also stated that he was willing to die for the welfare of his subjects because he had the heart for the people.
“I am willing to die for my people like Muammar Gaddafi of Libya who died for the love of his people, if government does not do anything I will send my Impis (soldiers) to kick Nkhwengwe out of the area,” he said.
Police and bailiffs on October 13, razed down the houses of the squatters as they were executing a court order following resistance to vacate the farm which was on title.
But Permanent Secretary Eularia Mwale said government was doing everything possible to resolve the issue though it could not defy the court order to remove the squatters from the area.
Mrs. Mwale disclosed that government had offered to purchase 400 hectares of land in question which was to be done after the area was surveyed.
She stated that the chief did not allow the surveyors to survey the land; a situation which she said was delaying the process.
The Permanent Secretary also revealed that government was willing to provide tents and relief food to the affected villagers only when they were relocated to other areas as the Law did not permit the provision of the two on illegal settlement.
Mrs. Mwale said government was willing to provide tents and foods to the squatters for eight months to allow them settle down after the demolition of their dwellings.
Over fifty families of Chief Kapatamoyo’s were made homeless after a combined team of bailiffs and Zambia Police officers demolished their houses at Nkhengwe farm which is about 13 kilometers away from Chipata town on the Chipata/Lundazi road where they were squatting.
Former High commissioner to Canada Dr.Nevers Mumba
Allegations of financial irregularities at the Zambian mission in Canada have disturbed President Michael Sata.
The President is concerned that information obtained so far suggests serious financial impropriety at the Mission in Toronto, which is under the supervision of Dr Nevers Mumba.
The President hopes that Dr Mumba’s impending visit to Zambia will provide law enforcement agencies an opportunity to engage him on the financial matters at the mission, he supervised as High Commissioner until his recent recall.
Mr SATA disclosed that Dr Mumba has been resisting his recall but now intends to come home on a private visit for some political engagements.
The President hopes Dr Mumba’s visit is self sponsored.
Mr Sata says the state shall recover from Dr Mumba any taxpayer’s money that would be spent on this purely private adventure.
Dr Mumba is among some former government officials being considered for the MMD presidency following former president Rupiah Banda’s abrupt retirement from politics after his September 20 polls defeat.
Promoted Konkola Mine Police Coach Godfrey Siame has declared the Chililabombwe based outfit ready to compete in the Super Division next season.
Siame stated even though Mine Police will be making their debut in the Super Division next year, his team is familiar with the competition in the elite league.
“Right now, the boys are ready because we have been watching Super League sides playing and am sure we can at least give them stiff competition,” he said.
Siame, a former Nchanga Rangers player, said he wants the same players who masterminded Mine Police’s promotion to feature in the elite league next season.
He added:” As at now our sponsors KCM (Konkola Copper Mines) is ready to help us buy players but as a coach I would like the boys who have done the job to do the same job in the Super League”.
Siame further paid tribute to stakeholders who helped the team win promotion among them club sponsors KCM, the executive and supporters.
Demoted Kalewa Coach Bilton Musonda has won confidence from the club
executive despite his team’s failure to maintain Super Division
status.
Kalewa finished bottom of the Super League table with only 17 points
in 30 games.
Club Secretary Emmanuel Makoleka said his executive has resolved to
maintain the current technical bench.
“The current technical bench is just OK.Bilton is a good coach we just
lacked some experienced players especially strikers,” Makoleka said.
He declared that the Ndola based outfit is going back to division one
with the aim of bouncing back to the elite league in 2013.
“We will organize ourselves and am sure next year we will come back to
the Super League”, Makoleka added.
Even though Kalewa recruited experienced players at the start of the
season among them, Boston Mwanza, Mervin Sinkala , Edward Musebo and
Medson Ngulube from Green Buffaloes the team failed to tick in the
just ended Super Division campaign.
An 11-year-old girl who was raped and brutally murdered in Kafue by her uncle has been buried amid calls by the area member of parliament to tighten security in the area.
The girl’s 10-year-old sister was also severely beaten and wounded by the same man, who intercepted the girls as they went to buy baby milk in Shimabala.
Area Member of Parliament Obvious Mwaliteta, identified drug abuse as the major cause of the many criminal activities that have beset the area.
Mr. Mwaliteta who is also Home Affairs Deputy Minister, says his ministry, will not spare efforts to ensure sanity prevails.
He noted with sadness that most people in the area are either dealing in, or taking drugs.
Mwaliteta was speaking on Tuesday at the burial of eleven year-old Mariah Shikwimi who was raped and killed by her uncle, Carlos Tindwa.
For this area which has no police post, Mr. Mwaliteta promised that measures will be instituted to have temporary police presence.
And Headman Chisebe says the rampant drug abuse in the area has led to a rise in criminal activities.
Former Zambia High Commissioner to Nigeria Alex Luhila
The Lusaka High Court has ordered former Zambia’s High Commissioner to Nigeria Alex Luhila and his wife Freda to remit over K1 billion debt to Stanbic Bank within 90 days.
Judge Flavia Chishimba has given Stanbic Bank the liberty to fore-close and sale the respondent’s mortgaged properties if they fail to settle the debt.
The properties include Stand number 6575, Kasangula Road – Olympia , Stand number 7426 Kaunda Square Stage one and Scania K 94-HB60 Seater Semi Luxury Coach.
Mr Luhila and his wife Freda who is also former Food Reserve Agency -FRA Executive Director, obtained K967 million from Stanbic Bank in March 2008.
However they defaulted in off-setting the debt and owed Stanbic Bank over one billion kwacha as of July 2011.
They were jointly sued with Mandona Luhila, Maria Kashonda and Matanki Freight Limited.
Judge Chishimba has granted the Luhila’s leave to appeal.
President Michael Sata has named a 20-member Technical Committee to draft the new Republican Constitution. This is contained in a statement released by the press aide to the President George Chellah.
The President said in carrying out its functions, the Technical Committee shall refer to all previous Constitutional Review Commissions.
“There are expected to refer to the Chona Constitutional Review Commission, Mvunga Constitutional Review Commission, the 1991 Constitution of Zambia, and the Mwanakatwe Constitutional Review Commission Report and Draft Constitution,” the President said.
“The Technical Committee will also review the Mung’omba Constitutional Review Report and Draft Constitution as well as the Zaloumis Electoral Reform Technical Committee Report and the National Constitutional Conference (NCC) Report and Draft Constitution.”
President Sata emphasised that the Technical Committee shall review the Mung’omba Draft Constitution and use it as the basis upon to develop the new constitution.
The Head of State said the Technical Committee is also expected to consult widely and take into account the submissions forwarded.
[pullquote]The President said the committee shall draw up its programme of work and submit the same to the Secretary to Cabinet within 7 days of its first sitting.[/pullquote]
“They are expected to consult local and international experts on constitutional law and practice, the members of the public at all provincial centres and incorporate in the new national constitution the views of the people as resolved in the provincial constitutional conventions.”
The committee is furthermore expected to consult and take into account the submissions of sector groups.
“The Technical Committee shall draft the national constitution based on its findings from the review process and best international constitutional practices and provisions of international conventions on human rights,” the President said.
“They shall also draft the Constitution of Zambia Bill to set the commencement date for the new Constitution, deal with transitional and other issues for the effective transition into a new constitutional regime under the Fourth Republic to be enacted by Parliament.”
The President said the committee shall draw up its programme of work and submit the same to the Secretary to Cabinet within 7 days of its first sitting. The President has also directed the committee to submit the whole report to him.
The Technical Committee shall be composed of the following eminent experts:
1. Hon. Justice Annel Silungwe, SC Former Chief Justice shall be Chairperson
2. Dr. J.B. Sakala JB Sakala and Company shall be Vice- Chairperson
3. Rev. Susan Matale Council of Churches
4. Mr. Willa Mung’omba Mungo’omba Associates
5. Hon. Sebastian S. Zulu, SC Minister of Justice
6. Ms. Charity Mwansa Permanent Secretary-Lusaka Province
7. Professor Patrick Mvunga Mvunga and Associates
8. Chief Luchembe Northern Province
9. Prof. Margaret Munalula University of Zambia
10. Mr. Ernest Mwansa Mwansa Phiri and Partners
11. Dr. Rodger Chongwe Chongwe and Associates
12. Mr. Paulman Chungu Law Association of Zambia
13. Mr. Simon Kabanda Citizens Forum
14. Mr. Reuben Lifuka Transparency International-Zambia
15. Mrs. Mwangala Zaloumis Dove Chambers
16. Dr. Winnie Sithole-Mwenda Ministry of Justice
17. Mrs. Thandiwe D. Oteng Ministry of Justice, who shall be the Secretary to the Committee
18. Three Catholic Bishops
The Technical Committee shall be supported and advised by the following draftspersons:
Mrs. Eva Jhala Bemvi Consultants
Mrs. Patricia D. Jere Chief Parliamentary Counsel, Ministry of Justice
Mr. Andrew Nkunika Acting Principal Parliamentary Counsel,
President Sata meets Raskin Jere and Mwila Lumbwe who are members of the commission of inquiry on the operations of the Zambia National Building Society at State House
2.
President Sata with chairperson for the commission of inquiry on the operations of the Zambia National Building Society Mwila Lumbwe at State House
3.
President Sata poses for a photograph with members of the commission of inquiry on the operations of the Zambia National Building Society at State House
4.
Northern Province permanent secretary Emmanuel mwamba is interviewed at Lubwa Mission Church of Chinsali district where the family of First Republican President Kenneth Kaunda settled as Missionaries of United Church of Zambia
Inspector General of Police Dr martin Malama with his deputy Stella Libongani during a press briefing in Lusaka yesterday
SUSPECTS allegedly involved in a rip-off in which more than 118 Kilogrammes of gold was sold at a give-away price are expected to appear in court today on charges of abuse of authority of office, among others.
Inspector-General of Police Martin Malama said at a Press briefing yesterday that the police had handed over the matter to the courts of law for prosecution so that justice could prevail. Dr Malama said all those linked to the scam would appear in court today and advised members of the public, particularly political party cadres to realise that the investigations were not meant to persecute people but rather to ensure that justice was upheld.
“We call on cadres and other ordinary Zambians to realise that this is not a political fight but a criminal case which needs to be taken to the courts of law,” he said. Dr Malama disclosed that the gold scam case would be the first, among many others, that would be taken to court.
He said that the Zambia Police Service would work with the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) in the fight against corruption and warned that the three agencies would not condone the vice in whatever form it came. “Zambia is on the way to development and so we will not condone people robbing the nation. Corruption is a cancer which will affect even our children if we condone it. We want Zambia to be a country we will proudly hand over to our children and grandchildren,” he said.
Dr Malama said that corruption would also be fought even within and outside the ranks of the police, ACC and the DEC so that Zambia could develop. He urged Zambians to report all forms of corruption to law-enforcement agencies. Prominent among those that have been linked to the sale of the gold are immediate past president Rupiah Banda’s son, James, Press aide to the former president, Dickson Jere, former secretary to the treasury, Likolo Ndalamei, former DEC commissioner, Aaron Zulu and a Swiss national, Nicolae Buzaianu.
He commended Zambians for giving the police time to investigate the case and ensuring that investigations were not jeopardised.?The gold was forfeited to the State in 2007 after it was seized from two Zimbabwean nationals by the DEC. It is alleged that the said gold was later sold, around July this year, at a give-away price of about K19 billion.
Dr Malama said the Zambia Police Service would also take the corruption fight to its traffic section so that it could stop the exchange of money at checkpoints. “In the next few weeks, we will not allow corruption even in our ranks. If anyone is caught in corrupt practices, the one giving the money and the one receiving the money will both be held,” Dr Malama said.
Meanwhile, Dr Malama disclosed that the police would also investigate reports of pornography at the Zambia Centre for Accountancy Studies (ZCAS) in Lusaka where students were allegedly filming each other and producing various pornographic materials. “I am glad that I am with DEC officials here, we will look at that case as well and investigate it,” he said.
[Times of Zambia]
Dr. Joseph Kasonde doing a Malaria test shortly after launching the (SADC) and Integrated Campaign on Malaria, Maternal, Newborn Child Health Nutrition week at Mongu Independence Stadium in Mongu
Malaria has continued to be a major public health concern in Zambia. Last year alone, the country recorded an estimated 4.2 million cases of Malaria representing both confirmed and unconfirmed. In addition, a total of 4,834 deaths were recorded. It is for this reason that the Government of Zambia through the Ministry of Health has taken measures to help mitigate the effects of malaria as a matter of priority.
In the same vein, Community Development,Mother and Child Health Minister Dr. Joseph Kasonde yesterday launched the commemoration of the SADC Malaria week and the Integrated Campaign on Malaria, Maternal, Newborn, Child Health and Nutrition which is commemorated annually during the second week of November.
This year, the launch of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Malaria week and the Integrated Campaign on Malaria, Maternal, Newborn, Child Health and Nutrition took place in Mongu Western Province.
The theme being “be free of malaria in the SADC region” and its accompanying slogan “Know the malaria symptoms, go for testing and treatment” reminds member states that malaria is a disease that does not respect territorial borders, race, colour or class. The theme and slogan also emphasizes the importance of testing before commencement of treatment.
In his speech Dr. Kasonde said the scaling up of malaria prevention and control services has been intensified by the Ministry of Health in order to secure the health of mothers, children under the age of five and that of the public.
Dr. Kasonde said with assistance from valuable partners, government has expanded the availability and access to insecticide treated mosquito nets, the coverage of house spraying and the administration of both preventive and therapeutic life-saving medicines.
He said over the last five years, Zambia has made remarkable progress in malaria control; saying in 2006, malaria incidence was 412 cases per 1000 while in 2007 and 2009 the incidence reduced to 358 cases per 1000 and 251 per 1000 people respectively. The Minister attributed the overwhelming progress to increased financial resources, strengthened partnership, and intensified implementation of interventions and strong leadership over the years
The progress has been recorded and the mechanisms have been put in place in ensuring that malaria can be conquered, as this in not government’s fight along, the challenge therefore remains for the community to fully get involved and accept the interventions as a vital and integral part of their lives. A malaria free-Zambia is possible.
The LUSAKA High Court has adjourned hearing in the case where Zambezi Airline has sought Judicial Review over the suspension of its air service permit.
The hearing has been adjourned to November 21 on grounds that State advocates need to be furnished with further instructions.
A week ago Zambezi Airline filed an application for Judicial Review following government’s decision to suspend its air service license.
It sought the court order of certiorari to quash the decision by transport, works and supply Permanent Secretary, Dominic Sichinga to suspend its airline service permit.
The Airline contended that the suspension was illegal as it lacked jurisdiction.
Zambezi airline argues that the power to revoke, suspend or vary a permit is the preserve of the Minister for Transport, as contained in the Air Service Act Chapter 446 of the laws of Zambia.
The Airline has also alleged that the Director of Civil Aviation acted illegally by evoking legislation which has NOT been enacted in Zambia to arrive at the suspension of the permit.
Zambezi Airline also lamented that the verdict to suspend the air permit was defiance of the rule of Natural justice because the airline industry was NOT given an opportunity to be heard.
But Information Minister Given Lubinda told parliament recently that the airline flouted both international and local aviation rules.
He also revealed that Zambezi Airline engaged an Air Crew that had not been cleared by the Department of Civil Aviation.
Movement for Multi Party Democracy (MMD) National Secretary Major Richard Kachingwe has dispelled reports that a committee formed by the party’s national executive committee is investigating former President Rupiah Banda. Maj Kachingwe said the committee, headed by the party’s chairman for international affairs Kalombo Mwansa, wants to review the MMD’s performance and establish why it lost the September 20 polls.
Maj Kachingwe said the committee, comprising the party chairperson for legal affairs Bradford Machila, NEC trustee Jane Mkhalipi, chairperson for health Lumba Kalumba and Senga Hill member of Parliament Kapembwa Simbao, has been receiving written submissions from all constituencies and will also receive oral submissions at provincial centres.
“I have written to all provincial chairmen and chairladies informing them of this committee led by Dr Kalombo Mwansa. It’s not investigating president Banda and our members should ignore such reports,” he said.
Meanwhile, with two weeks to go before the party secretariat can close the door to anyone wanting to express interest in the former ruling party’s leadership, 9 top MMD members – mostly former ministers and diplomats, and a businessman – have thrown their hats into the ring and decided to run for party president.
The contenders officially include Zambia’s High Commissioner to Canada Nevers Mumba, former Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Felix Mutati and Austin Chewe, a businessman.
A list in the possession of Daily Mail confirms that the nine are the only ones that have applied to their party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) to be considered for the once upon a time, most coveted job in town following Mr Banda’s decision to retire.
Mr Banda announced his intentions to quit the MMD presidency after he suffered defeat to Mr Sata in the September 20 elections. MMD national secretary Richard Kachingwe confirmed having received applications but refused to disclose the names of the people that hope to succeed Mr Banda.
Major Kachingwe said, “We have about nine to ten people who have applied from the time we invited applications for the presidency.” He said the party expects to receive more applications as the November 30 deadline draws near.
Asked to name the people wishing to contest the MMD presidency, Major Kachingwe said: “We will announce the names of the people interested after we reach the deadline.”
Other strong contenders for the job are former Minister of Finance and National Planning Situmbeko Musokotwane, former Minister of Foreign Affairs Kabinga Pande and former Minister of Local Government and Housing Brian Chituwo.
The rest are Chisamba member of Parliament Moses Muteteka, Charles Ngesa, a party member based on the Copperbelt, and Mr Nason Msoni, who contested the Kabwata parliamentary seat as an independent.
Party stalwarts say members championing Pastor Mumba as a possible successor to Mr Banda are demanding huge campaign funds from the diplomat. The party bigwigs believe the move has scared interested candidates from announcing their intentions for the party‘s highest position following the monetary demands that are rife in MMD.
