The two Patriotic Front (PF) Ministers, Justice Minister, Wynter Kabimba and his Defence Minster Geoffrey Mwamba have both welcomed the probe instituted by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

In separate interviews both Ministers said that they had nothing to fear or hide.

Mr Kabimba said he had confidence in the ACC and that it would get to the bottom of the matter and the truth would surface.

“I welcome the investigations. I have confidence in the ACC and I am sure the truth will come out,” Mr Kabimba said.

His counterpart, Mr Mwamba said the investigations would help to establish the truth and that he looked forward to the outcome of the probe.

“I have welcomed the investigations and I am looking forward to the probe and there is no problem, let them do the investigations.

ACC has launched preliminary inquiries into corruption allegations against Justice Minister, Wynter Kabimba and his Defence counterpart, Geoffrey Mwamba.

ACC spokesperson, Timothy Moono said at a press briefing in Lusaka yesterday that the launch of the inquiries followed complaints received on the alleged conduct of the two Cabinet Ministers.

“Yes we are on that case, our officers have received official complains of alleged corruption involving the two Ministers and the nation will be kept informed of the outcome of the investigations,” Mr Moono said.

Mr Kabimba, who is Patriotic Front (PF) Secretary-General, is alleged to have influenced the procurement tender process so that Trafigura would be awarded the tender to supply Zambia with petrol and diesel for one year.

Trafigura was awarded the supply deal at a cost of US$500 million for the one year period.

On the other hand, Mr Mwamba is accused of influencing ZESCO to award his company and others where he had interests, a one-year contact for the supply and delivery of wooden poles.

ZESCO intends to award a tender for the supply and delivery of nine, 10 and 12 metre-wooden poles on a year-running-contract basis to several bidders, among them Arizona Marketing and Distribution, which belongs to Mr Mwamba and two of his family members.

Arizona Marketing and Distribution’s bid price on the ZESCO poles contract was about K36.7 billion.

The company, according to the Patents and Companies Registration Agency (PACRA), was owned by Mr Mwamba, of Plot 10 Roan Road in Lusaka’s Kabulonga area.

Preliminary notification of the contract award for the tender, whose bids were closed and opened on June 8, 2012, indicated that the preliminary award had been issued pursuant to Part VI, Section 53 (1) and (2) of the Zambia Public Procurement Act No. 12 of 2008.

Ministry of Health spokesperson, Reuben Kamoto Mbewe, says most of the equipment that was stolen from Lusaka’s Cancer Diseases hospital in the early hours of the morning on October 4th has been recovered.

Speaking in an interview to ZANIS, Dr Mbewe disclosed that five monitors, three computer controlling towers and two keyboards that were used in the diagnosis of cancer ailments in patients have been retrieved.

And Dr Mbewe has asked cancer patients who are still undergoing treatment not to lose hope as everything will get back to normal because management at the health institution is doing all it can to ensure operations resume.

He, however, lamented that three computer keyboards and three computer mice are still missing.

The Ministry of Health spokesperson added that engineers and relevant experts have since been engaged and are already working to repair all the vandalized cables as well as replacing the stolen equipment.

Dr Mbewe said there is some form of relief at the Cancer Diseases hospital as indications are that the equipment will work and advised all cancer patients to report for their continued treatment on Monday, next week.

He has urged cancer patients not to fall prey to misleading information because there is a new twist of event showing that the equipment will effectively perform.

Dr Mbewe explained that the cables which connect to the CT scan were excessively damaged and in the process the dongle which has the licence for the software is still missing adding that it may take quite some time to restore the CT scan services.

He further said in the mean time the Cancer Diseases hospital will use the CT scan which is available at the Levy Mwanawasa General Hospital.

And Police have arrested one person in connection with the theft which happened at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) cancer disease hospital bringing the number of apprehended suspects to four.

Police Public Relations Officer Elizabeth Kanjela has disclosed that Police have also recovered some items among them three computer processing units, five monitors and two key boards labelled GRZ-CDH belonging to the cancer hospital.

Ms. Kanjele has told ZANIS in a statement in Lusaka today, that other items recovered are a safe belonging to Zambia Institute for Diplomacy Studies, 16 unused cheque books and various breaking tools.

She identified the suspect as Maxwell Mwale aged 25 of Lilanda compound who is currently detained in custody and investigations in the matter have continued.

ZANIS

So good entertainment artist F Jay released a video for his single called “Nga Nga Nga”

By Kapa187

Amaka Arts Festival in conjunction with BitterSweet Poetry brings you Slap Poetry night : The Power of the Arts- Spoken word!!

Place: Mulungushi Conference center

Time: 18:30

Cover : 50 000

Come and share mingle and interact with Art lovers on another level ,come and see the prestige of the Art of Poetry.

For reservations call : +260967766557

Afri-CAN By Alexander PinceCharmer Brown

There’s no right. There’s no wrong.

There’s no weak. There’s no strong.

There’s but one reality that we’re all yet to find.

That is the fact that the world is in your mind.

There’s no lie. There’s no truth.

There’s some doubt. And there’s faith.

There’s more life in front than there is behind.

That’s belief without sight. The world’s in your mind.

There’s no rich. There’s no poor.

There’s only getting tired of what we have and who we are.

But…wake up! Open your eyes! Don’t be blind!

You need to realize. The damned world’s in your mind.

There’s no black. There’s no white.

We’ve all got grey matter. Isn’t that right?

There’s no luck. Good or bad. It’s all psyche-bind

Yes. Color’s outside. But the world’s in your mind.

There’s no heroes. There’s no bad guys.

There’s only us…and a type who compromise.

Once you fall into the trap, you can’t rewind.

You’re good. You’re bad. But…The world’s in your mind.

There’s no failures. There’s no greatest.

There’s no such idiocracy as an impossible test.

If someone did it, you too can. You’re just as good a kind.

Yes. You can…Say it…The world’s in your mind.

There’s no borrowers. There’s no owners.

There’s no need for losers and winners.

With the thoughts in your head, your world you’ve defined.

As strong or as weak as you think. So you shall be. The world’s in your mind.

There’s no me reciting this poem.

There’s no sound of my voice. There’s no poet by my name.

But listen…This day’s in your head…You can date success if you make up your mind.

Yes…You can…It starts with telling yourself that the world’s in your mind.

Can? Did I say you ‘can?’…No….You…

afri-CAN

Your skin’s dark. But not your mind

Here…Come see yourself through my eyes. You’re wonderfully designed.

Industrious men and beautiful women.

You’re not just black. You’re afri-CAN

You’re a product of natural beauty and pure richness.

Why then, should poverty your lips confess?

Don’t let them say you can’t when you can.

You can, and not just ‘can.’ You afri-CAN

Strong willed. Hard working. You’re a child of Africa.

Macho. Hour-glass shaped. You’re more than you think you are.

You’re meant for greatness if you can withstand that much pain.

You’re meant to do it. Your meant to succeed. You Afri-CAN.

Scratch those who say you can’t.

You’re afri-CAN. Not africant.

It’s from your mind that success or failure, you gain.

Say you can. Yes you. You afri-CAN

You afri-CAN make it!

You afri-CAN prove it!

You afri-CAN be whatever you want to.

Yes, you. You afri-CAN you.

You afri-CAN succeed

You afri-CAN get whatever you need

Look around. If he can-

Then we all can. We afri-CAN.

You afri-CAN get through school!

You afri-CAN be successful!

You afri-CAN get that job.

If you afri-CAN stop being a slob.

You afri-CAN get that chick.

You afri-CAN stop being socially pathetic.

You afri-CAN be the person you wish to see in the mirror.

Wipe out the can’t from your face, so you afri-CAN see clearer.

Wake up! Stand on your two feet!

Make a name. You afri-CAN do it.

Quit following! Some can’t tweet. Think original. Think you can.

Yes. Because you can. You freaking can. You afri-CAN.

Keep Smiling

LAU TAU by Isunge Mwangase

Remember how i’d call on you

During hours enveloped by night?

Remember how I was your beau,

How our love was true but not right?

I admit- we did not care,

Happiness is never wrong,

It mattered not who would stare

Because together we were strong,

You used to call me Lau Tau,

A pet name I cherish still,

Hidden in scripts of the tao-

A passion always at its fill.

Heaven n earth I think of no other,

My thoughts of you are endless,

Even though we are not together,

My love for you is timeless.

DESIRE (A LYRICAL SONNET) By Mufumbi John Mulenga III

In far-off time, when the days expire

I still will live on, still will inspire.

And I’ll know you then, my unforgotten Desire

When your love for me sets your eyes on fire.

And I’ll breathe you in, I will inspire

The grace in you to make me entire.

You’ll walk with me, neither halt nor tire,

I’ll soar with you, fly with you still higher.

You’re all my dreams, you’re all I aspire

And I’ll love you then, my unforgiven Desire

When you breathe into me a kiss like a fire.

You’re all of me, you’re all I require

We’ll fulfill eternity’s graceful desire

And live on for all the world to admire. 

President Michael Sata has appointed PF losing candidate in the Livingstone Central bye election Joseph Akafumba as Ministry of Justice Permanent Secretary.

At a swearing in ceremony at State House this morning, President Sata urged Mr. Akafumba to ensure that the Public Order Act is enforced and adhered to.

Mr. Sata said the PF whilst in opposition used to think that the Public Order Act was a mere piece of legislation until it got into government.

He also ordered the newly appointed PS to ensure that access to justice is enhanced even for the poor.

President Sata said it is saddening that the poor are denied access to justice especially for those in the rural areas.

And Mr. Akafumba said in an interview that he is grateful to President Sata for allowing him to serve the people of Zambia.

“This is a huge responsibility and I’m just grateful to the President for entrusting me with this responsibility,” Mr. Akafumba said.

Mr. Akafumba who has lost the Livingstone seat on two occasions is also PF Southern Province Chairman.

The Anti-Corruption Commission has revealed that its officers have launched investigations into corruption allegations leveled against PF Ministers Wynter Kabimba and Geoffrey Mwamba.

Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba and his Defence counterpart Geoffrey Mwamba has been caught in a web of corruption allegations over energy and ZESCO deals.

Mr. Mwamba is accused of corruptly soliciting a contract to supply electricity poles to ZESCO while Mr. Kabimba is said to have received kickbacks for facilitating the awarding of an oil supply contract to Trafigura.

And ACC Spokesman Timothy Moono confirmed that that the Commission is investigating the two Ministers.

“Yes we are on that case, our officers have received official complains of corruption involving the two Ministers and the nation will be kept informed of the outcome of the investigations,” Mr. Moono told Journalists at a quarterly briefing today.

Veteran musician Kayula Bwalya aka Kay Figo has had her reconciliation case with her husband john van quashed on grounds that the two were not legally married.

Senior local court magistrate Mary Namangala dismissed the case and said her claim of reconciliation could not stand because the couple was not legally married but were just cohabiting.

She said no dowry was paid to approve the marriage and was evident that the two were not committed to the marriage.

“I am dismissing the case of reconciliation because the two of you were not legally married and no dowry was paid to approve the marriage,” she said.

And van said he was happy with the verdict because he had enough from Kay and that he had gone through a lot with her.

He said her music career had contributed to the breakdown of the relationship because he could not stand her provocative dance moves.

But Kay was not happy with the verdict and said she would appeal the matter as it was not fair.

She said the verdict was not fair because as far as she was concerned the two were legally married and had stayed together for a long time.

“I will appeal the verdict because it is not fair me because we have been together for a long time now,” she said.

THE Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) says it is a joke to suggest that opposition political parties should field one candidate to stand for the Mufumbwe Parliamentary by-elections scheduled for November 8, 2012.

Alliance for Democracy and Development (ADD) president Charles Milupi was recently quoted saying that it was only wise that the Mufumbwe seat should return back to the opposition and that all opposition political parties should support one candidate.

Mr Milupi said opposition political parties should support a candidate that should come from a ‘big’ party that was popular on the ground.

He said small parties should not contest just for the sake of recording history.

But FDD leader Edith Nawakwi said it was a joke to talk of unity among opposition political parties and a suggestion to float one candidate was not worthy any consideration.

“I have already spoken that needs to be said about political alliances and there is nothing to talk about anymore.
All I can say is that an alliance by opposition political parties is just a circus. As you can see, MMD and UPND are fighting as to who floats a candidate in Mufumbwe,” Ms Nawakwi said.

Amidst laughter she said those that wanted to support one opposition candidate should support the FDD candidate instead.

She said suggesting that all opposition political parties should support one candidate was like hyenas and lions trying to hunt for game together.

“Where have you ever seen hyenas and lions hunting together? Hyenas and lions have their own dens, even in the river there are different shades of hippos, it’s the same with political parties,” she said.

And National Restoration Party (NAREP) president Elias Chipimo said he had not been officially approached by any political party to suggest that all opposition parties should float one candidate apart from what he was hearing through the press.

He said is Party was currently in the process of selecting a suitable candidate to contest the Mufumbwe by-election.