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Taskforce raised K92.4bn

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File: Vice-president George Kunda
File: Vice-president George Kunda

VICE-PRESIDENT George Kunda yesterday told Parliament that the disbanded Taskforce on Corruption raised K92.4 billion from the sale of assets seized during its investigations while it spent K23.3 billion provided by the Government on operations and US$11.8 million (about K57 billion) from the United States of America (US) as donor support.

 

Responding to Lukulu East Member of Parliament (MP) Batuke Imenda who wanted to know how much was realised by the Taskforce on Corruption and how much was spent on operations between 2002 and 2009, Mr Kunda said K92.4 billion was raised while the Government spent K23.3 billion on operations, with $11.8 million coming from the US as donor support.

The vice-president said of the K92.4 billion raised, K72.7 billion was realised from the sale of real estate and K5.8 billion was from movable assets while cash at the Bank of Zambia amounted to K1.6 billion.

He said the Government remitted about K12.3 billion to the Ministry of Health for the construction and rehabilitation of labour wards country-wide.

And Agriculture and Cooperatives Deputy Minister Allan Mbewe told Parliament that more than K75 billion had been spent on construction and rehabilitation of grain storage facilities in various parts of the country from 2006 to date.

Mr Mbewe said the Government was not happy with the current storage arrangements, as it was inadequate.

He said the country had about two million tonne grain storage capacity but only 1.3 million was being utilised while the other was not in good condition.

Mr Mbewe was answering a question from Kanchibiya MP Davies Mwango who wanted to know how much the Government had spent on repairing grain storages country-wide from 2006 and whether the Government was satisfied with the current storage facilities.

And Agriculture Minister Eustarckio Kazonga has urged the business community to assist the Government in leasing out and building new grain storage to secure the grain that the country had yielded and is expected to harvest in the next farming season.

He said the Government was in the process of constructing and rehabilitating more storage facilities in the phase two project this year.

Mr Kazonga said the Government would construct six extra silos and rehabilitate the existing ones, and that would construct 98 extra sheds country-wide.

And responding to Itezhi-Tezhi MP Godfrey Beene, who wanted to know why the Government was concentrating on maize storage facilities and not for other crops, the minister said storage for all other crops was being considered and the emphasis on maize was because it was the staple food.

And the Water Resources Management Bill number 50 of 2010 yesterday passed through the second reading after the MPs unanimously voted for it.

The Government approved the revised national water policy in February 2010, which would provide for streamlined and focused guidance to the water sector in the country.

Energy and Water Development Minister Kenneth Konga said the Bill sought to repeal and replace the Water Act of 1949 through a comprehensive review due to the nature and scope of issues that had developed over time.

Meanwhile, Local Government and Housing Deputy Minister Moses Muteteka said the ministry had entered into public-private partnership to develop parking spaces in Lusaka central business centre to ease parking problems that the city had been experiencing.

Mr Muteteka said the business community had expressed interest to embark on the exercise and land had been identified within the central business district for the exercise.

He was responding to a question from Pambashe MP Benard Chisha who wanted to know if the ministry had any plans of creating more parking areas in Lusaka city centre.

[Times of Zambia]

Don’t condemn Dutch Amabassador over his advice, Government urged

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Flashback: SACCORD executive director Lee Habasonda presenting a report on tribal politics in Zambia

The Southern African Centre for Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) says it is inappropriate for the government to condemn Netherlands ambassador to Zambia Harry Molennar over his advise on the need for the government to consider resolving the impasse on the Barostseland agreement using the decentralization policy.
SACCORD executive director Lee Habasonda says what the Dutch envoy said is not different from what the people of Zambia want.

 

Mr. Habasonda has told QFM news that the decentralization policy is key because it will accord the people of Zambia an opportunity to participate in national development.

He adds that the people of western province have clearly indicated through the report submitted to government that they do not have any intentions of seceding from the rest of the country but that all they want is to see meaningful development in western province.

Mr. Habasonda notes that government also needs to reconsider its decision on the Barotseland issue and deal with the matter effectively to avoid instability in the country.

On Monday Netherlands ambassador to Zambia Harry Molennar said that the Barotseland impasse which recently led to a fracas in Mongu district could be resolved through implementation of the government decentralization policy.

But Foreign Affairs minister Kabinga Pande warned diplomats against commenting on internal matters of the country saying the people of Zambia are well- placed to handle such matters.

QFM

Lubinda, others to defect to UPND, reveals former PF official

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Given Lubinda

A FORMER Patriotic Front (PF) official has disclosed that Kabwata Member of Parliament Given Lubinda will shortly after Parliament is dissolved together with several district party officials’ defect to the United Party for National Development (UPND).

Former Mandevu PF treasurer Alex Mulenga said Mr Lubinda had now realised that he had fallen out of favour with the PF leader Michael Sata who did not want to be challenged as party presidential candidate at the convention.

“Mr Lubinda is seriously de-campaigning Mr Sata and PF and he is therefore planning to defect with a lot of PF district officials to UPND immediately when Parliament is dissolved.

“This is because Mr Lubinda has seen, experienced and heard what the MCC and Mr Sata are saying. They are saying that he is not an indigenous Zambian and cannot stand as national president on the PF ticket,” he said.

When contacted for a comment Mr Lubinda declined to comment saying he did not want to be dragged in fortune telling stories.

“If he (Mr Mulenga) is practicing fortune telling, let him go ahead and do so. I will not participate in fortune telling,” he said.

Mr Mulenga said Mr Sata’s camp was alleging that Mr Lubinda was a hired gun by the UPND to destabilise the PF and that he should be fired from the party.

“That is why they have started with his party portfolio. They further said the pact was not an initiative of the PF but that it was Mr Lubinda’s idea who is still pretending to insist that the pact should be maintained,” he said.

Mr Mulenga said he had been vindicated by the statement he issued last month that Mr Lubinda would be stripped of his position as party spokesperson.

He said this clearly showed how the differences between Mr Sata and Mr Lubinda had widened.

Mr Mulenga said Mr Sata thought he was clever by manipulating Mr Lubinda to abandon the United Liberal Party (ULP), the party which enabled him earn a seat in Parliament.

Meanwhile, Mr Mulenga has said that Mr Sata has finally decided that the PF would contest the 2011 general elections as a single party and that during one of the party meetings which was held recently he admitted that president Rupiah Banda had worked extra hard.

Mr Mulenga said Mr Sata said it would be difficult to convince the Zambian people not to vote for the MMD.

[Times of Zambia]

Lusaka sex workers demand for recognition from authorities

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Some sex workers in Lusaka are calling on relevant authorities to help stop police harassment. In an interview with MUVI TV News, the sex workers have accused the police of harassing them by arresting and charging them.

They have further claimed that the police behavior borders on violation of human rights.

And when contacted for a comment, Police Service spokesperson, Ndandula Siamana said any immoral act is against the Zambian laws.

Ms. Siamana explained that the police will not allow lawlessness in the country to be the order of the day.

[MUVI TV]

We don’t survive on political alliances – UPND

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File: UPND deputy spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa talks to police officers when he was blocked from entering the results centre for Chilanga constituency
The United Party for National Development UPND has said that it was utter nonsense to insinuate that it can only survive through political alliances.

UPND deputy spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa said that the party was capable of existing on its own despite its involvement in the PACT.

Mr. Mweetwa dismissed assertions that the UPND was secretly working with the MMD in order to forge an alliance with the ruling party.

He said people have taken advantage of the squabbles that have rocked the PF/UPND pact to malign the UPND.

Mr. Mweetwa re-emphasized that the UPND was capable of going it alone in the forthcoming elections because it is still a popular party.

He told QFM news that it’s only Zambians who can make political judgment on the behavior and conduct of the two political parties in the PACT.

MR Mweetwa noted that Zambians are disappointed with the unfolding events in the PF/UPND pact especially that it was considered a window of hope for most Zambians.

Meanwhile the Patriotic Front in Mansa have said the current trend of exchanging words in the media between the two parties in the pact was not healthy.

PF member of the central committee in Mansa, Rasford Mwale said the party in the province had decided not to discuss the pact to avoid making conflicting statements.

Mr Mwale said there was need for party officials to refrain from issuing statements concerning pact and leave everything to the top leadership to resolve.

He told QFM in Mansa that it was better that the issue concerning the pact is left to the top leadership of the two parties to discuss so as to avoid confusion.

Mr. Mwale said the top leadership of both parties should be given time to talk about the issues instead of unnecessarily issuing statements.

He said it was unfortunate that UPND members in other provinces have continued to issue statements which are contributing to the misunderstanding.

QFM

BOZ has started the process of selling Finance Bank Zambia Limited

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Flashback: Bank of Zambia Governor Caleb Fundanga and head of public relations Kanguya Mayondi during the central bank's quarterly media briefing

The Bank of Zambia has started the process of selling off Finance Bank Zambia Limited, in line with the Banking and Financial Services Act.

The Central Bank has asked interested parties to either make oral or written submissions during a public hearing that will be held at the Mulungushi Conference Centre in Lusaka, on March 9th 2011.

The Bank of Zambia says the legal rights of depositors and creditors will be honoured during the transaction.

This is according to a statement released to ZNBC News in Lusaka on Tuesday by Bank of Zambia Head of Public Relations Kanguya Mayondi.

Mr. Mayondi says the Central Bank would like to ensure that the branch network of Finance Bank is maintained and employment safeguarded.

He said the assets and liabilities of Finance Bank still remain solvent.

Mr Mayondi however, revealed that Finance Bank has a shortfall in the regulatory capital as prescribed by the Central Bank.

Government took over operations of Finance Bank in December last year.

[ZNBC]

Egypt to increase investment

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The Egyptian Government has pledged to increase investment in ZAMBIA as part of honouring the YOUTHs that lost their lives during the recent protests in that country.

And a book of condolences to honour the YOUTHs that died during last month’s revolution has been opened at the Egyptian Embassy.

Egyptian Ambassador, SALAH EL-SADEK has assured ZAMBIANS that the government will ensure that transparency prevails to achieve good governance in EGYPT.

Ambassador El-SADEK was speaking in an interview in LUSAKA today.

He said that EGYPT has come out of the revolution more UNITED, and STRONG.

The protests led to the resignation of President HOSNI MUBARAK.

ZNBC

PF expels 16 MPs, as court dismisses legal challenge

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The Patriotic Front (PF) has announced the expulsion the 16 rebel members of parliament from the party.

The expulsion of the rebel MPs follows the High court’s decision to dismiss with costs the consolidated action against the PF.

PF secretary general Wynter Kabimba announced the expulsion of the rebel MPs in Lusaka today during a media briefing.

Mr. Kabimba named those expelled as Matero member of parliament Faustina Sinyangwe , Celestino Chibamba of Shiwan’gandu Constituency and Kawambwa’s Elizabeth Mulobeka Chitika.

Other are Besa Chimbaka of Bahati constituency, Ernest Mwansa of Chifunabuli , Joseph Kasongo Bangweulu, and Dr. Peter Cachungwa of Luapula constituency.

Percy Chanda of Kankoyo Constituency, Bernabas Chela Wusakile constituency Michael Nyirenda of Kafinsa constituency,Lombani Mschili Kabushi constituency, Joseph Zulu of Bwana mkubwa have also been expelled .

The party has also expelled the Benson Bwalya of Chifubu constituency posthumously, Anson Simama and Violet Sampa Bredt of Kalulushi and Chawama constituencies respectively.

And Mr. Kambimba has said the PF has launched a system of registration for its members and supporters.

Mr. Kabimba says the registration system will be done via mobile phones of Airtel subscribers adding that subscribers to this facility will be kept updated on the operation of the party ahead of this year’s elections.

QFM

POST should not set agenda – RB

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President Banda talks to US assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Johnnie Carson (r) and American Ambassador to Zambia Mark Storella at State House

President Rupiah Banda has called on the media in the country not to allow the Post Newspaper to set the agenda for them.

 

President Banda said this when he was asked by Journalists at ZAF City Airport to respond to today’s lead story in the POST Newspapers.

The story under the heading ‘ MMD in Napsa Fundraising Scam’ suggests that President Banda wants to use parastatals to mobilize campaign funds for the ruling party.

Mr. Banda said it is not surprising that his name is mentioned by the daily tabloid everyday.

The President said allowing the tabloid to set an agenda for the entire media fraternity will be encouraging the scandalizing of innocent people.

And President Banda told Journalists that campaigns in the Mporokoso by-elections are on the right track.

Leave Barotseland Agreement issue to Zambians, Pande advises Diplomats

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Foreign Affairs Minister Kabinga Pande receives credentials from new Africa Development Bank Country Representative Freddie Kwesiga at Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Lusaka recently

Foreign Affairs Minister Kabinga Pande has cautioned diplomats serving in Zambia against commenting on the country’s internal affairs.

Mr. Pande has said that Zambians were better placed to comment on internal issues affecting the country.

The Minister said that it was unfortunate that Netherlands Ambassador to Zambia Harry Molenaar on Monday commented on the Barotseland Agreement issue, which is purely an internal matter.

Mr. Pande told ZNBC News in an interview on today that issues such as the Barotseland Agreement of 1964 debate should be left to Zambians.

On Monday Mr. Molenaar said Zambia can resolve the impasse on the Barotseland Agreement through government’s decentralization policy.

Mr. Molenaar said this is because the decentralization policy encourages inclusive dialogue.

Meanwhile, The European Union(EU) says it has no doubt that Zambia will uphold and demonstrate its democratic nature during this year’s tripartite elections.

New EU Head of Delegation Gilles Harvio has said that the EU has supported Zambia in many sectors because of the good record it holds in good governance and upholding of democratic tenants.

He was speaking on today when he introduced himself to Foreign Affairs Minister Kabinga Pande in Lusaka.

And Mr. Pande said President Rupiah Banda is determined to ensure that Zambia remains a model of democracy and good governance in Africa.

He said the President has invited the international election observers which include the EU and the US government.

And Mr. Pande said cabinet recently ratified the African Charter on democracy, elections and governance to demonstrate its commitment to democratic principles.

ZNBC

Fuel Price increase realistic-RB

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Flashback: President Banda interacts with a mother and her baby at Chipata Clinic in Lusaka

President Rupiah Banda has said that there is no justification for some people to create unnecessary worries in the minds of Zambians regarding the recent hike in fuel prices.

The President has explained that countries that are on the importing side usually pay the price each time prices from oil producing countries go up.

President Banda said this is because countries like Zambia do not have oil fields of their own. He has since challenged people unnecessarily criticizing the hike in fuel pump prices to be realistic.

President Banda was responding to Journalists at City Airport before departure for the Northern Province

Meanwhile, the Public and Private Drivers Association of Zambia has officially announced a K300 bus fare increment on local routes across the country.

Association Spokesperson Steven Zulu confirmed the development to TV2 news in an interview on Monday.

Mr. ZULU said the K300 increment was agreed on following consultations with the Ministry of Transport and communications and the Commuters’ Rights Association.

 

[pullquote]He appealed to the travelling public to respect the increment and avoid conflicts with bus drivers and conductors.[/pullquote]

He appealed to the travelling public to respect the increment and avoid conflicts with bus drivers and conductors.

The Association has further appealed to the Road Transport and safety Agency- RTSA and other relevant authorities to consult his Association when increasing the penalty fees for traffic offences.

He said this would avoid what happened in Livingstone recently where bus and taxi drivers demonstrated over newly introduced fares.

In another development, the Association has expressed concern over the delay to open the newly constructed Kulima Tower bus shelter.

Spokesperson, Steve Zulu appealed to the council to quickly open the bus station. He said buses loading from the streets were inconveniencing both members of the public and companies operating from the area.

ZNBC

ZNBC’s Mangani Phiri has died

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Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation ZNBC Assistant News Manager Mangani Phiri has died.

Mr. Phiri, 44 died in Lusaka in the early hours of yesterday morning after collapsing.

Sister to the late Mangani Phiri, Judy Chileshe confirmed the death to ZNBC News in Lusaka.

He worked for ZNBC for 22 years.

Mrs Chileshe said the funeral gathering is at Mr Phiri’s home in Lusaka’s Chalala area and burial date will be announced soon.

The Late Mangani Phiir joined ZNBC in 1989 as a news reporter and rose through different files and ranks.

In August 1991 the late Mr Phiri was appointed Senior Reporter and was later in 1996 promoted to the position of Deputy News Editor.

A year later, Mr Phiri was promoted as News Editor in September 1997 and transferred to the Kitwe studios.

In September 2004, the Late Mr Phiri was transferred back to Lusaka as News writer and was on November 7th the same year appointed Assistant News Manager a Position he held until the time of his death.

And the Zambia Union of Broadcasters and Other Information Disseminators ZUBID has described the death of Mr. Phiri as a loss to the corporation.

ZUBID President Simon Mwila said the Union has been taken aback by the sudden death of Mr Phiri whom he said had contributed greatly to the well being of ZNBC.

Meanwhile, The Zambia Public Relations Association is saddened by the death of Mr PHIRI.

Association Publicity Secretary Mwamba Siame said the works of Mr Phiri will be remembered as a household name in news production and documentaries.

Ms Siame described Mr Phiri as a dedicated journalist who served the profession with passion.

This is contained in a statement released to ZNBC News in Lusaka.

[ZNBC]

Zambian Breweries remits K332billion in 2010 taxes

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File: Zambian Breweries Group corporate affair director Chibamba Kanyama (l)

Zambian Breweries contributed K332 billion in indirect taxes to the Government last year, corporate affairs director Chibamba Kanyama announced in a statement.

Mr Kanyama said the 2010 contribution has increased by 20 per cent from the 2009 payment of K278 billion.

“Zambian Breweries plc has posted K332 billion in indirect taxes to Government coffers for the 2010 period, which reflects an increase of 20 per cent in one year. The company has further recorded an 87 per cent increase in Output VAT standing at K118 billion paid in 2010,” Mr Kanyama said.

He said the rise in tax payments was largely because of last year’s reduction in excise duty on clear beer from 60 per cent to 40 per cent.

“The Government has also won by capturing tax which, otherwise, it would have continued losing. All the volume that was originally in the hands of the smugglers moved to Zambian Breweries.

“We have now been able to increase our sales volume and this benefit is not only for us but also for government that is now able to collect tax from us, and also for the consumer who is now getting our products at a reduced charge,” Mr Kanyama said.

He said with the reduction of excise duty last year, companies such as Zambian Breweries will become more profitable and this would lead to an increase in Pay-As-You-Earn, corporate and other taxes and licenses paid by suppliers and distributors.

[Times of Zambia]

LCC land scam deepens

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Lusaka mayor Daniel Chisenga(R)

The special team investigating operations of the suspended Lusaka City Council has uncovered documents in which the Patriotic Front (PF)-dominated council is processing the sale of land belonging to the National Assembly.

 

According to minutes of the plans, works and development committee meeting of November 17, 2010 attended by, among others, Mandevu Member of Parliament Jean Kapata, former deputy mayor and committee chairperson Charles Msiska, Lusaka Mayor Daniel Chisenga and his deputy Harry Hampende, the council intends to create five plots at the National Assembly land in Olympia.

The meeting was attended by 18 other officials from the country’s biggest council.

The revelation comes in the wake of some land scandals, including one in which the council shared State land with 102 plots in Lusaka’s Lilayi area without following the right procedure.

The National Assembly land is behind Parliament buildings at the Zesco sub-station and the plots to be created would mean that part of the road in the National Assembly Township would be sold to facilitate for the construction of five houses.

According to guidelines on land allocation, the council is mandated to spare about 12 metres of the road reserve but the land is small and the road has been affected.

The land also houses the Zesco sub-station in Olympia, and the acting director of city planning is reported to have sought authority from the electricity firm to allow the council to construct houses at its site against the long-standing arrangement where the sub-station was reserved for further expansion.

“The acting director of city planning explained that Zesco indicated that they had no objection provided the cost of re-routing the cables at K114,825,200 was met by deserving applicants,” the minutes read in parts.

At the Wednesday, November 17, 2010 meeting, the matter was deferred to allow for a tour of the site to be undertaken by the committee and make members decide on the matter properly.

The tour took place on Thursday, December 30, 2010 after which the plan to sell the land was passed, but implementation was blocked following a decision by Minister of Local Government and Housing Brian Chituwo to suspend the council for 90 days.

“Arising from the findings of the committee after the tour conducted on Thursday, December 30, 2010, the committee recommends that five plots be created as opposed to three and that the proposed layout be approved,” the minutes state.

The committee also recommended that the plots be numbered by the surveyor general and the cost of surveying be met by the would-be buyers.

The list of applicants was forwarded to the commissioner of Lands after passing another recommendation that the applicants would pay for the cost of re-routing the cables from the Zesco sub-station.

The Government has suspended LCC for 90 days and appointed an administrator to manage the affairs of the council following allegations of impropriety in the land allocation.

Other irregularities faced by the council include misuse of funds in which huge sums of money were directed towards personal emoluments at the expense of service provision and in breach of the law, which requires them to spend more money on servicing the community.

[Times of Zambia]

New PF shadow cabinet, Panji Kaunda on the list

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Panji Kaunda

THE opposition Patriotic Front (PF) has continued to juggle its national leaders in yet another shadow cabinet, with the latest inclusion being former Chadiza member of Parliament Panji Kaunda who is earmarked for the post of Agriculture minister.

Their latest ‘innovation’ has also seen the inclusion of former Chipangali MP Lucas Phiri earmarked for the Home Affairs portfolio.

The new machinations have rocked the PF boat, with some members being dissatisfied by their president Michael Sata’s scheming, especially that he has given himself three portfolios – Presidency, Defence and Local Government.

In the envisaged PF government, which has no place for its pact partners United Party for National Development (UPND) members, party secretary-general Wynter Kabimba has lost his earlier appointment as vice-president to Guy Scott because of his (Kabimba’s) alleged involvement in the Lusaka City Council land scam.

Well-placed PF sources revealed in Lusaka on February 28 that Kabwata MP Given Lubinda, who was left out of the earlier shadow cabinet, has been earmarked for the position of Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services.

Although Mr Kabimba is still seen as the favourite to assume the position of vice-president, sources said the recent land scandal at LCC may see him give way to Dr Scott.

However, the PF sources indicated that Dr Scott’s undoing may be his involvement in what became known as the 1992 ‘Swinegate’ scandal when he served as Minister of Agriculture.

Roan MP Chishimba Kambwili has retained his shadow portfolio of Minister of Finance, given his consistent call for the re-introduction of windfall taxes in the mining sector.

Mwenya Musenge would be Mines Minister while Mr Lubinda has been given the shadow portfolio of Information and Broadcasting Services to dissuade him from challenging Mr Sata for the position of PF president should the party hold a convention.

Conspicuously missing from the list of shadow ministers is Inonge Wina, who has allegedly failed to deliver Western Province to the PF.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

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