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FORMER Lusaka Division police commanding officer, Chendela Musonda has welcomed President Michael Sata’s announcement to implement police reforms in the country.
In an interview with the Times yesterday, Mr Musonda said the reforms would help the police to expand and at the same time improve its operations, which in turn would benefit the general public.
He said he was hopeful that President Sata would deliver on his promise to reform the Zambia Police Service, adding that reforms had been long overdue.
Mr Musonda said the delay in implementing the reforms had contributed to failure by the police service to be transformed.[pullquote] lack of transport at police stations was another issue that hampered the efforts of the police to effectively fight crime in the communities.It was frustrating for police officers to fail to rush to a crime scene or even be able to respond to emergency calls from the public because the service had no vehicles for its officers to use.[/pullquote]
President Sata said, when he announced the police reforms, that big police divisions would be headed by police commissioners, which would add to efficiency of the police instead of deputy police commissioners as was currently the case.
Mr Musonda, who is currently working as a senior legal consultant for the National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA) in Lusaka, also called for motivation of police officers to be made a top priority in order to avoid making them vulnerable to corruption and enhance the fight against rising crime.
“There is need to motivate the police officers such as giving them better perks, accommodation and other tools to prevent them from falling prey to the vice of corruption,” he said.
He said crime, which was relatively high especially in Lusaka Province, needed the combined efforts of the police and the general public to be able to wipe it out.
Mr Musonda said lack of transport at police stations was another issue that hampered the efforts of the police to effectively fight crime in the communities.
He said it was frustrating for police officers to fail to rush to a crime scene or even be able to respond to emergency calls from the public because the service had no vehicles for its officers to use.
Mr Musonda further called for intensive training programmes from the police top brass to the reserve police in order for them to update themselves on new policing methods and the law.
He said experience alone was not enough but constant upgrading would help the service improve its services.
Mr Musonda said that the nation would not develop if there was no investment in good security.
Senanga UPND Member of Parliament Likando Mufalali has accused Republican President Michael Sata and the Post Newspapers editor in Chief Fred Membe of being tribalists.
Responding to media reports associating UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema with former President Rupiah Banda, Mr. Mufalali claimed that President Sata and the Post Newspaper are bent at tarnishing the image of the UPND.
Mr. Mufalali charged that the UPND leader had a right to associate with anyone he feels and wondered why this should be an issue.
He explained that Zambians should not allow the Post to divide the country.
Mr. Mufalali has further accused President Sata’s of practicing regionalism adding that plans create a tenth Province to be called Muchinga are aimed at pushing development in Northern Province at the expense of other parts of the country.
Mufalali also noted that most road construction projects announced in the parliament speech by the president are in his tribal region.
He said that the decisions that President Sata has made so far are questionable and that Zambians must brace themselves for more surprises from the PF government.
KITWE town clerk David Kabanda and director of finance Benson Mwila have been suspended from the Kitwe City Council (KCC).
Local Government Service Commission chairperson Charles Sambondu confirmed the suspension of the duo in a telephone interview on October 16 from Lusaka. Mr Sambondu, however, refused to disclose the reasons why they have been suspended.
“I can confirm that Kitwe town clerk and director of finance have been suspended, their suspension is with immediate effect. There are certain issues that we are investigating,” Mr Sambondu said.
But sources at the council yesterday said that Mr Kabanda was suspended for allegedly refusing to reverse the sale of an institution house to a former employee who has since retired.
The source charged that Mr Kabanda is an innocent person saying the sale of the house to the named retired employee was done before he was appointed town clerk for Kitwe.
“The Kitwe town clerk David Kabanda was suspended for refusing to reverse the sale of the institution house that was sold to the former employee who has retired but what is important to know is that the sale of the house was backed by council resolution and was done before Mr Kabanda was appointed town clerk,” the source said.
The source further said the director of finance is being investigated in connection with the plots in Kitwe West on the Kalulushi road where some funds have allegedly been misapplied.
Efforts to get a comment from Mr Kabanda failed as his phone went unanswered while Mr Mwila said he has not received any communication over his suspension.
National Restoration Party interim president Elias Chipimo Jr is flanked by vice president Charles Maboshe
THE National Restoration Party (NAREP) has urged the Patriotic Front (PF) to effectively plan for the implementation of a new people-driven constitution. NAREP president Elias Chipimo said the PF Government should not rush in coming up with a new constitution as it might have flaws.
Mr Chipimo said the party is of the view that the 90 day period set by the PF to implement a new constitution is inadequate and unrealistic. On October 14, President Sata assured the nation that his Government will deliver a new people driven constitution within 90 days.
Mr Sata said his administration attaches great importance to good governance and will as such ensure a new constitution is delivered within three months. But Mr Chipimo said in an interview on yesterday that it is not feasible for Government to deliver a good constitution within 90 days. He suggested that Government tackles the implementation of a new constitution in two stages.
Mr Chipimo said in first three months, the first stage can be tackled which is passing of non-controversial clauses. He said in the second stage of between 18 to 24 months, the sensitive and controversial clauses in the draft constitution can be addressed.
Mr Chipimo said Government should not complicate the delivery of a good constitution by rushing the process. Mr Chipimo said there is no room for errors as it has the potential to affect the implementation of a people driven constitution.
“If the constitution making process is rushed, it will not stand the test of time and so we appeal to this Government to take its time on this important process,” Mr Chipimo said.
He said President Sata should leave a good legacy by ensuring his administration produces a people driven constitution.
Former Republican President Rupiah Banda has welcomed investigations into the disappearance of gold at Drug Enforcement Commission which has been linked to Dr. Nichola Buzaianu.
Mr Banda has also welcomed investigations into the purchasing of LEXUS and the alleged missing vehicles.
Breaking his silence since he left office Mr Banda says that all the relevant people involved in the transaction involving the vehicles are available and will provide necessary answers to the investigating team.
Mr Banda however says that no gold went missing mysteriously at the DEC as has been portrayed.
He said that he is availble at any given time to answer to any clarification which President Michael Sata may want to know about.
The Former head of state, his son James and former Press aide Dickson Jere were last week linked to three fugitives whose gold was ceased by the Drug Enforcement Commission but mysteriously disappeared while in the care of the commission.
President Sata revealed that the fugitives arrived in the country by a private jet on 12th October and had a meeting with former President Banda.
Mr Sata told journalists that one of the fugitives Nicola Bordan Buzaianu was escorted to meet President Banda by Mr Dickson Jere and President Banda’s son James.
Below is the Stament in full
STATEMENT BY THE OFFICE OF THE FOURTH REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT
Following the numerous allegations made against former Republican President, Mr. Rupiah Bwezani Banda, I wish to make clarifications on the following issues:
That Mr. Rupiah Bwezani Banda has a number of friends both in Zambia and outside who have requested to meet him following his gracious exit from the Presidency after the September 20, 2011 elections. Mr. Banda has granted appointments to a number of visitors who have been coming to see him since he left office. To the best of his knowledge, he has not met anyone who is a fugitive.
That Dr. Nichola Bogdan Buzaianu, a Swiss-based businessman, requested to pay a visit to the former President during his planned trip to Zambia. Dr. Buzaianu applied to the Zambian authorities for permission to land at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport 48 hours before his trip to Zambia and the Zambian Government granted the landing rights to Dr. Buzaianu who arrived on Wednesday, 12th October, 2011.
That a request was made to the Zambian authorities to extend the usual courtesies to Dr. Buzaianu at the airport which was, in fact, done. He was received by a protocol officer at the airport and taken to the VIP lounge while his immigration formalities were done. He did the finger print biometric procedure at the airport before he proceeded to the customs and exited. He spent about one hour and 30 minutes at the airport while doing his formalities.
That all relevant security wings were at the airport when Dr. Buzaianu was doing the usual formalities and at no time did he hide his identity. The former President provided vehicles for his visitor to pick him at the airport together with the state security attached to the former President’s office. President Banda also requested his former press aide Mr. Dickson Jere to receive his guest on his behalf at the airport because his security did not know him.
That after leaving the airport, Dr. Buzaianu proceeded to the Taj Pamodzi Hotel where he was booked for an overnight stay and did not hide at all. He later paid a courtesy call on President Banda that same day. During his stay at the hotel, Dr. Buzaianu interacted freely with hotel guests and staff. If Dr Buzaianu was a fugitive as alleged, he would not have been openly moving around.
That the following day, Dr. Buzaianu proceeded to Mfuwe to visit the Chipembele Educational Centre, which he has been supporting as a philanthropic cause. Dr. Buzaianu proceeded in the normal way at the airport and paid his airport taxes before he left Kenneth Kaunda International Airport for Mfuwe International Airport. At Mfuwe Airport, Dr. Buzaianu was cleared in the standard manner as prescribed by the provisions of the Immigration and Deportation Act before he went to visit the school. He flew out the same day with airport permits for his flights from Mfuwe.
That President Banda welcomes the investigations of the sale of gold by the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC), which has been linked to Dr. Buzaianu. All the relevant people involved in this transaction are available and will provide necessary answers to the investigating team but suffice to say that no gold went missing mysteriously as has been portrayed.
That on the issue of purchasing or alleged missing of vehicles, President Banda also welcomes the investigations into this matter as he was not a procurement officer. All the people involved in this matter are around and are still serving even under this administration. So they will provide answers as they are better placed to explain where the missing vehicles are, if at all they are missing.
That President Banda is available at any given time to answer to any clarification which the current Head of State Mr. Michael Chilufya Sata may have concerning this matter or indeed any issue before they are made public. He remains committed to supporting the current President in order for him to succeed in running the Government. This is the position President Banda took when he made his farewell speech at State House after losing the last elections.
The Zambian Watchdog Online Newspaper has been running a series of sensational stories on Barotseland, among them the following:
Lozis to declare independence when parliament is dissolved
Barotseland appoints administrator, prepares for independence
Barotseland constitution to be distributed starting today
The latest one published on 11th October 2011 being:
Barotseland government named
On top of that, the online paper has posted on its Website the so called “Declaratory Statement” which purports to declare that Barotseland is independent from Zambia as of 8th September 2011 and the so called “BAROTSELAND’S EMANCIPATION AND RESTORATION ORDER 2011” which also purports to be the Constitution of the Independent Barotseland.
With all due respect to the Zambian Watchdog and the source of these stories who claim to be Linyungandambo, (though some known members of Linyungandambo deny any knowledge of the information. That’s why we conclude this is the work of a disgruntled faction or individual within Linyungandambo) this series of articles is simply a big joke taken too far.
After reading literally all the comments posted in reaction to the last article “Barotseland government named”, I am convinced that someone needs to rebut the article otherwise the world will forever be denied the chance to know the truth.
There is need to set the record straight! It surprises me how gullible people can be. From the comments so far posted in reaction to the article it is clear that a number of readers on the forum take this rubbish about the declaration of Barotseland Independence seriously.
Another thing that has come to my realization upon reading through all those comments is the fact that there is such rampant ignorance over the Barotseland Agreement 1964 which must be counteracted by an aggressive awareness campaign to answer questions like; what is Barotseland? Who is a Lozi? How does the BA’64 benefit the Lozis? What are the implications of the BA’64 on the unitary state of Zambia? What are the implications of the abrogation of the BA’64? Etc.
In any case it is not the scope of this particular article to delve into these complexities but simply to set the record straight concerning the article in question.
Reading through the series of article that I have listed above it doesn’t require a rocket scientist to quickly decipher through the absurdity of the whole story and come to the conclusion that indeed the articles are simply a big joke taken too far!
Had the Zambian Watchdog made a simple verification exercise in Barotseland they would have discovered that the declaration of the independence of Barotseland, the appointment of the A.G, the circulation of the constitution and finally the so called naming of the cabinet are not a reality on the ground and certainly have not affected life in Barotseland as we know it, they are just a fallacy.
All these are simply the creation of small group or most probably one individual suffering from acute self deception and living in utopian dreamland with all the time to indulge in fantasy and use the Zambian Watchdog as a platform to popularize that fantasy.
The cabinet list is most amusing to say the least. I have personally called a number of the people mentioned and without exception each of them has been caught unawares by the absurd news and denied being part of the nonsensical Barotseland Cabinet.
[pullquote]A serious bid to declare Bulozi independent of Zambia can not be carried out in this childish way and this should be clear to any person who has been exposed to the basics of public administration and politics.[/pullquote]
I am convinced that over 90% of those mentioned in that list are completely unaware of the existence of such a list or indeed of a Barotseland Government in place. . Some of the names mentioned in the list of the so called Barotse Government are definitely not part of the idiotic scheme.
They are too honourable and sensible to be part of it. (Mr M. Wanga, Mr M. Liuwa Mr Mwangelwa Lewanika, Mr Nyambe Namushi and Mr M. Mulope for example) Their names are just being used to add some credibility to the nonsensical scheme. One of the persons named on the list has commented in his post reacting to the article about the Cabinet;
“Now that my name appears on the Cabinet list as Secretary to the Cabinet, my earlier conclusion that this is the work of cowardly lunatic(s) is confirmed.”
A serious bid to declare Bulozi independent of Zambia can not be carried out in this childish way and this should be clear to any person who has been exposed to the basics of public administration and politics.
There are genuine and credible efforts currently underway to resolve the Barotse issue. The commission of inquiry appointed by Zambia’s Fifth President, especially if its terms of reference are broad enough, is one such effort.
[pullquote]There are genuine and credible efforts currently underway to resolve the Barotse issue. The commission of inquiry appointed by Zambia’s Fifth President, especially if its terms of reference are broad enough, is one such effort.[/pullquote]
The dialogue that has been going on between the BRE and all major stakeholders like the Activist groups namely Barotse Freedom Movement (BFM), The Barotse Patriotic Front (BPF), Linyungandambo and The Movement for the Restoration of Barotseland Agreement (MOREBA) is another such effort.
The up coming enlarged Barotse National Council (BNC) is hoped to be the climax of such efforts.
These sensational stories about declaration, constitution and cabinet of Barotseland are just an attempt to derail progress in the real Struggle for Barotseland. The Linyungandambo faction involved in this scheme is a bunch of lunatics who must be dismissed with the scorn, contempt and ridicule that they deserve.
“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”
(Romans 12:2, NIV)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
If you watch television for any length of time, it won’t be long before you see products and pills advertised to make you thinner, smarter, younger looking, more successful and ultimately claim to change your life. But the truth is all you need in order to change your life is already in your hand. God has given you the ability and the power to be transformed into the person He created you to be.
I heard somebody said, “Sight has to do with what we can see, but vision has to do with what we can be.” The reason some people are stuck at the same level is because their vision is limited. They don’t see themselves growing, increasing, being promoted or getting healthier. All they see is more of the same. More lack. More struggle. More defeat. They’re producing what they’re seeing.
Friend, don’t let that be you! Instead, let the Word of God wash over you and renew your thinking. See yourself the way God sees you. See yourself rising higher. See yourself becoming stronger, healthier and wiser. Change the picture you have of your life, and you will change your life. See yourself the way God sees you and receive the wonderful blessings He has in store for your future!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father God, thank You for the seed of the Word which will not return void in my life. I receive Your truth which sets me free. Help me to see my life the way You see it so I can boldly embrace the blessings You have in store for me in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Former Power Dynamos goal king Kellies “Paymaster” Mwaba is the Mufulira Wanderers coach.
It has been revealed that Mwaba has been in charge at Mighty in their last three games.
“Yes, we have a new head coach Mr. Kellies Mwaba,” Wanderers secretary Josphat Sekwila said.
“He has been with us for three week now. We decided to reinforce our technical bench after a poor spate of results. Coach John Chelleh is still with us.”
Mwaba is unbeaten in his three games in charge with two wins and a draw.
However, Mighty have fallen 10 points off the pace of leaders Konkola Mine Police on 48 points from 29 games played with four games to go.
Indeni are second on 57 points.
Mighty are almost certain of missing out on a promotion place after five years in Division 1 North.
MMD Lusaka Province Chairperson, William Banda has given the Zambia Police Service a forty eight hour ultimatum to apologize over a story linking his son to a robbery case.
Mr. Banda says he has no son by the name of Essau Banda.
But Zambia Police service spokesperson Ndandual Siamana has explained that the suspect, 32 year old Essau Banda of garden Compound claims he is Mr. Banda’s son.
She however says police will continue with investigations to ascertain Essau’s real parents.
The Zambia police service yesterday disclosed that MMD Lusaka province Chairperson, William Banda’s son had been apprehended in connection with the robbery of a motor vehicle.
Police spokesperson, Ndandula Siamana said Mr. Banda’s son was alleged to have been involved in the snatching of a vehicle from Cardinal Merdado Mazombwe.
She explained that Mr Banda’s son was one of two suspects, picked up in connection with the incident, which happened last Tuesday night.
File:President Michael Sata greets children at St Ignatius Catholic Church
President Michael Sata has with immediate effect revoked the appointment of Nicole Buzaianu as Zambia’s permanent representative to UNESCO.
President Sata says he will find a Zambian educationist to replace Mr. Buzaianu at the UNESCO offices in France.
The revocation has been confirmed to MUVI TV News in a statement availed by special assistant to the president for press and public relations George Chellah.
On Thursday, President Sata expressed regret that Mr. Buzaianu who has been linked to a gold scam had been in the country yet police took no action.
President Sata disclosed that Mr Buzaianu whilst in the country met former president Rupiah Banda, his son James and former press aide Dickson Jere.
Meanwhile, the Malawian government has announced that it no longer considers President, Michael Sata as a persona non grata or prohibited immigrant and therefore is welcome in Malawi.
The announcement was made by office of the president and cabinet secretary, Bright Msaka through state broadcaster Malawian Broadcasting Corporation yesterday.
Malawi has in the recent past been having diplomatic row with Britain and Zambia.
Lilongwe and Lusaka has also been experiencing strained diplomatic relations since Sata was elected president last month.
In 2007, Malawi deported Sata when he went to visit former president Bakili Muluzi.
He was declared prohibited immigrant on his arrival at Chileka airport and was bundled in a police vehicle to be dumped at Zambia border.
But the Mutharika administration announced that it has revoked the persona non grata status on a British envoy and Zambian President in a bid to mend diplomatic relations.
However, an apology has not been issued.
President Sata turned down an invitation from Dr. Mutharika to attend the Comesa meeting demanding an apology from his Malawian counterpart.
Troubled Kabwe Warriors moved one place up the table after drawing at home against Red Arrows at Railway Grounds in Kabwe.
Warriors are on the verge of demotion for the first time in two decades with three games to go before the season comes to an end.
The Railwaymen rise from 14th to 15th, exchanging places with Nkwazi who only play on Sunday against fellow D-zone side Lime hotspurs.
Arrows meanwhile, are second for at least 24 hours ahead of the big Copperbelt derby clash between title defending champions Zesco United and contenders Power Dynamos in Ndola.
Konkola Blades remain unchanged at number 4 after a 1-1 draw away to Nkana.
Zanaco on the other hand slipped a notch away from the ensuing championship battle zone dropping from 5th to 6th after a 3-1 home defeat to town rivals Green Buffaloes at Sunset Stadium in Lusaka.
Zanaco made a false start after midfielder Simon Silwimba put them ahead in the 10th minute.
However, Buffaloes defender Sanida Zulu leveled in the 31st minute to see the two teams go 1-1 into the break.
Midfielder Nathan Sinkala made it 2-1 in the 57th minute before Noel Mwandila scored a rare goal 14 minutes before fulltime.
File: UPND deputy spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa (R)
Choma Central UPND Member of Parliament Cornelius Mweetwa has welcomed the moving of the Southern province headquarters from Livingstone to Choma.
Mr Mweetwa however said that the pronouncement should be backed by a programme to put up modern infrastructure in Choma.
He says the central position of Choma will enable government to effectively distribute developmental programmes in the province.
Mr Mweetwa was speaking with ZNBC News after President Michael Sata’s opened the first Session of the Eleventh National Assembly yesterday.
Mr Mweetwa said that Livingstone was not an effective administrative center because of its distance from some districts in the Province.
President Sata in his Key note address to the first session of the eleventh National Assembly has announced plans to move the Southern Province Headquarters from Livingstone to Choma.
POLICE have confiscated 49 bicycles and two motor vehicles belonging to the opposition MMD, deputy national chairperson Kabinga Pande has said. And MMD deputy national secretary, Chembe Nyangu has complained about alleged escalating witch-hunt and victimisation of the former ruling party members and leaders by the PF Government.
Mr Pande said yesterday that the bicycles and motor vehicles were confiscated at his Makeni residence. He said seven police officers went to his home and confiscated the bicycles and vehicles.
Mr Pande, who is former Foreign Affairs minister in the former government, said 49 bicycles and two motor vehicles, a Toyota Dyna and a Hilux were confiscated in the morning and were currently in the custody of the police.
He said the bicycles and motor vehicles were in his custody by virtue of him being the party deputy national chairperson, adding that he did not feel shaken by what had transpired.
“I don’t feel shaken by this, my conscience is clear. Whatever is happening is meant to weaken the MMD but we have to be strong as a party,” he said.
And Mr Nyangu said in a statement yesterday that the PF Government was pursuing the former minister of Finance, Situmbeko Musokotwane over the bicycles seized at his farm in an action he claimed was aimed at eliminating the opposition.
He said the PF Government was “clearly on a fishing expedition” to invent an offence because Dr Musokotwane, who was alleged to have stolen the bicycles, was initially suspected to have used public funds to buy them.
Mr Nyangu said the party wondered why the new administration had chosen to focus on Dr Musokotwane to explain how he obtained the bicycles and other campaign materials even though there was no law to support their claims.
“The use of campaign materials is normal. The materials may include transport equipment such as bicycles, motor vehicles and even helicopters as has been the case with PF. “The MMD is aware that all political parties in the recent general elections utilized various forms of campaign materials,” he said.
He said the party was calling on the police to handle the matter with professionalism and condemned the alleged partisan approach displayed at the time the bicycles were being seized at Dr Musokotwane’s farm where a PF leader led the media to cover the seizure.
File:Construction workers working on the drainage system in Lusaka's Kamwala township
Handle adjustment to minimum wages with caution
By Chibamba Kanyama
The directive by President Michael Sata for the Ministry of Labour to adjust the minimum wage will have a significant impact on the standard of living for the majority of Zambian workers. The cost of living in Zambia has, since the last adjustment of the minimum wage, risen by over 200 percent, thereby making it difficult for over 100,000 labourers and casual workers to sustain a decent livelihood.
However, in making this adjustment, the Government will need to carry out wider consultations and research in order to determine a minimum wage that does not negatively shock the country’s economic system. A sudden and unrealistic adjustment in salaries for a large number of people has the potential of increasing inflation. High inflation will be another way of taxing the same people we are offering the relief.
In addition, wages that do not reflect high levels of productivity generally lead to stagnation in corporate growth and investment. In the long run, employers will respond by adjusting head counts which will eventually lead to high levels of unemployment.
It is for this reason consultations on the minimum wage should not be limited to unions, employers and government but should allow monetary authorities to have a big say so that any possible repercussions are fully managed before any such adjustments are made. The best option for now is to get those companies failing to comply with the existing minimum wage to do so. Logically, if they are failing to meet the barest minimum wage, they will have challenges meeting the adjusted one.
Secondly, Zambia can learn from the South African model where the minimum wage adjustment was made over a period of time to allow for proper macro-economic re-alignment with an increase in productivity. In the Zambian situation, it would be advisable to adjust the minimum wage over a three year period.
