MMD presidential aspirant Nevers Mumba has challenged his opponents to explain their source of wealth before they seek to be elected to lead the opposition party.

Dr Mumba said yesterday in Ndola when he met his supporters at the party’s district office that to change the bad perception of the party, leaders of high morals and integrity should be elected.

“ We need to change the corruption perception by electing people with integrity. All those who aspire for any position in the party we should ask them about their wealth and not asking them after we elect them,” he said.

He said those seeking the party presidency should not be selfish but check themselves if they had the drive and time for party issues.

The MMD needed a leader who would take it back to where it was, and cadres should not divide the aspiring candidates because the issue was not about individuals but leadership.

He said leaders whether in PF, UPND or MMD should not tell lies because people were no longer tolerant with leaders who did not deliver on their promises.

He said he would visit all the 10 provinces and that he started with the Copperbelt because it was his home town and the engine for Zambian politics.

Dr Mumba said he wanted to introduce integrity and morality to Zambian politics and that was the reason his party the National Citizen’s Coalition merged with the MMD during late President Mwanawasa’s reign.

He said the MMD was voted out of power because people wanted it to change and not that they hated the party.

He said the MMD needed a leader who was not a Member of Parliament (MP) so that he or she could have time to mobilise the party.

Dr Mumba said he would give 100 percent commitment to the MMD if he was elected president adding that the survival of the party depended on unity.

He said the PF Government should start fighting corruption dating back to 1991 and not just in the last three years. He accused President Sata of turning State House into a police station.

Meanwhile, police yesterday detained Dr Mumba’s supporters who became unruly after they were denied entry to Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport where they had gone to welcome their leader.

Copperbelt Police Commissioner, Mary Tembo, said yesterday that 21 cadres were detained and charged with conduct likely to cause breach of peace and would only be released after paying admission of guilt fee.

She said that two mini-buses that were ferrying the cadres had also been impounded and would only be released after K270, 000 was paid for each as traffic offence fee.

[Times of Zambia]

As Zambia competes in the AFCON 2012  with our first match being played today. We will be taking a look at our players.

First up is striker  Christopher Katongo . Zambian international footballer who plays professionally for Chinese club Henan Construction F.C., as a striker.

Club career

Born in Mufulira, Katongo played with Butondo West Tigers and Kalulushi Modern Stars before moving to Green Buffaloes in 2001.In 2004, Katongo moved to South African side Jomo Cosmos, before moving to Danish side Brøndby in January 2007.In August 2008, Katongo moved again, this time to German club Arminia Bielefeld^. In July 2010, he moved to Greece to play for Skoda Xanthi.In July 2011, Katongo signed a two-and-half-year contract with Chinese Super League side Henan.

 International career

Katongo made his international debut in 2003,and after scoring a hat-trick against South Africa in September 2007, Katongo was promoted in the Zambian Army from corporal to sergeant.

Katongo has appeared in FIFA World Cup qualifying matches.

A recent interview

INFORMATION

BY KAPA187

Ruling Patriotic Front-PF bid to brighten its prospects in Parliament has suffered a minor setback following the loss of Chasefu election petition.

PF Parliamentary Candidate in last year’s polls, Boniface Paul Botha failed to convince Lusaka High Court, Judge Nigel Muntuna that the election was marred with electoral malpractice.

Ironically, Mr Botha has lost the petition with cost. Judge Mutuna ruled that all allegations leveled against Mr. Banda have not been proved by the evidence before the court.

The Labor movement has described as premature calls by the opposition UPND to impeach President Michael Sata. Zambia Congress of Trade Unions(ZCTU) said that there is no basis to call of the impeachment of the head of state.

Union General Secretary Roy Mwaba said that calls were untimely as the people calling for that have failed to outline the basis on which to remove the president from office. He said that no Zambian president has ever been impeached since independence.

Mr. Mwaba called on the opposition to be practical in their criticism and not only create arguments that have no basis. He was responding to a question from MUVI TV during a media briefing in Lusaka today.

Yesterday, the UPND announced plans to present a private members bill in the next sitting of parliament to impeach President Sata for alleged abuse of office.

UPND Presidential Advisor, Douglas Siakalima said that President Sata should be impeached and his immunity stripped when parliament resumes sitting.

He has accused the president of abusing his office in the past four months he has presided over national affairs.

Mr Siakalima, who is immediate past Siavonga parliamentarian, said that the president abused his office when he urged the Director of Public Prosecution to investigate former ruling party officials who are alleged to have abused their offices.

But president Sata’s Special Assistant for Press and Public relations, George Chellah wished the UPND all the best in the endeavour.

Mr Chellah told MUVI TV News in a telephone interview that Zambia is a democratic country and moves for a president’s impeachment are allowed.

MUVITV

Forum for Leadership Search Executive Director Edwin Lifwekelo has warned that plans to lift former President Rupiah Banda’s immunity will have serious retributions on future Presidents too ghastly to contemplate.

Mr Lifwekelo tells QFM in a statement that it is becoming clear that in Zambia when one becomes a president, they should pray and fast that they do not become former Presidents.

He proposes the immediate removal of the presidential immunity from the republican constitution if people do not appreciate its relevancy.

He says this will subject anyone who breaks the law to be prosecuted as and when need arises instead of waiting to be striped of their immunity when their term expires.

Mr Lifwekelo adds that any move to remove former president Rupiah Banda’s immunity based on political machinations rather than irrefutable evidence will naturally be met with resistance and likely to undermine the fight against corruption.

He says past experience has shown that the passion to remove immunity of former presidents has been driven by vengeance rather than genuine political will.

QFM

Exclusive Divas of Africa is a non-profit organisation meant to promote the interests and advancement of women and girls in various disciplines. It was  founded on 16 February 2010, . With over 20 active volunteers dedicated to many developmental activities
within their various specialisations, EDA is growing each day and focused on accomplishing
high- leveled dreams.

There objectives are :

• Empowerment of young girls and women through recognition of their productiveness.
• Social education of young girls and women in handling life changes, hardships.
• Protection of young girls and women against social evils and crimes.
• Help young girls and women attain their human rights.
• Financial and legal support of young girls and women

They have 4 main programs

1. Career Development Program
This program is designed specifically for each and every single member of EDA who want to
get an experience in a professional work environment. Members will undergo attachments
minimum of three months where they will working together with a supervisor and mentor
from EDA and within the selected work environment.
Before going out on this very special program, the members will have to complete the
other programs, Educational Programs, and Charity Program that will also help into giving
them more knowledge, responsibility in being an EDA Member, a responsible woman and
citizen. This Program is an opportunity for the members to have a face to face experience in a
career that they would want to work with in the future. To give realistic experiences, visual
sights and hardships that occur, to inform the members about the potential hardships,
requirements, and struggle that occur within the specified work area and how to find problem
solving.

2. Charity program

Their goal with this program is to embrace more knowledge and heart in giving out to society
and people who are less fortunate in life. To make someone’s life better with the daily means
that we have and the little we can share and give.
EDA is a big organisation that is spread out into the entire nation and every day they are
growing and they have dedicated their growth and hearts into giving back and into making this
generation a better one, our nation a greater nation and making life memorable for each and
every single Zambian by helping out with the little they can, be it knowledge, tuitions,
farming, inspiration.
Members will be put into groups, and every group will every month or decide period be doing
any sort of charity work, small or big representing and being under EDA.
The groups will decide the name, supervisors, what goals they want to achieve, how and
whom they will be dedicating their time into giving back.

3. Educational Program
The EDU Program aims to set goals in helping our members in managerial skills such as time
management, financial management and educational management and balancing school, life
and work.
Their goal with the program is to make the members more responsible and multi-tasked. As
the world is going to the change where a woman is supposed is to be working, studying, also
taking care of a home and herself, they want to ensure that thier members get the full support,
experience and expertise they need in managing themselves and the works that they will be
doing. This program offers and gives our members the knowledge and skills they need to
improve certain areas in their lives that will teach them how to coordinate EDA programs and
personal programs at home, work, school and in life.
Inspirational speakers, financial advisors and management experts will be included in the
program to give our members the full knowledge and professional support they require and
need.

4.Mother Diva program

The members who have children and are mothers will be getting advice on child nutrition;
development and expert help into raising a child in our modern world and cultured Zambia
This program is for our members whom are mothers and parents.
It reaches out to mothers who want to socialize and get to know other mothers within
Exclusive Divas of Africa and be able to share, encourage one another with life learning and
changing experience.
The Diva Mothers will be put into groups according to where their residence is and which age
group they feel more appropriate towards and can relate themselves.
Their aim and goal with Mother Diva Program is for the diva mothers to continue being world
class mothers and a great role model for their off springs and also the entire Exclusive Divas of
Africa organisation.

                                                 FUND-RAISING GALA

Exclusive Divas of Africa will be celebrating two years of existence and beginning the New Year by bringing all our members closer and together in the day that love is expressed and honoured the most during the whole year.

EDA’s Valentines fundraising auction GALA will be held at Vegas Lounge, Northmead Lusaka and our main purpose and goal is to let the public and society more aware of what EDA does and our future goals and aims for 2012.

We will have an amazing program filled with performances, AUCTIONS of great prizes; entertainment and more. The entire program will be coordinated, managed and created by our members.

 The EDA auction gala has been moved to the 22nd of February the charges and theme still remain the same.

Chef Lillian Elidah will be launching her Diva’s cocktail and Snacks at the same event.

_{Date: 22nd February 2012}

_{Location: Vegas Lounge, Northmead}

Time: 19:00- 23:00

Tickets: Pre-purchased 35,000. Door: 45,000

Info: 00(26)962146084, 00(26)979677833

Email: [email protected]

You are cordially invited to the fundraising gala and your presence shall be highly appreciated and honored.

” We realise that in Africa and Zambia in particular, girls lack motivation and want to continue living in men’s shadows. They want to continue thinking that only men can succeed, so Exclusive Divas of Africa or EDA is meant to change this perception and encourage women and girls to work hard and succeed,” Founder Lillian Elidah

Some pictures from previous events ;

1st Annual Meeting of Exclusive Divas of Africa, June 2012 – Gonde Lodge Chelstone,
Lusaka

 Founder Lillian Elidah with Anthony Banda- Football player supporting and attended the
event.

in the childrens ward with the mothers giving our fruits and drinks.

 BY KAPA187

THE British government through the Department for International Development (DFID) will provide Zambia with a Growth and Poverty Reduction Grant of K450 billion (£58m) over the next three years. DFID will this year disburse K194 billion (£25m).

Ministry of Finance and National Planning public relations officer Chileshe Kandeta said in a statement in Lusaka yesterday that the grant would be delivered as general budget support to help the Zambian Government continue the fight against poverty.

Mr Kandeta said the funds would be used to deliver more and better essential services to poor Zambians in areas of education, health, water and social security, and also increase investments in infrastructure and agriculture.

“The money will ensure that an additional 54,000 rural people have access to safe water by 2014, keep an additional 50,000 children in school every year and provide an additional 42,000 households with access to electricity by 2015,” he said.

And in an official signing ceremony with the Minister of Finance and National Planning, Head of DFID’s office in Zambia Mike Hammond said the UK remained one of Zambia’s key development partners and was committed to working with the Zambian Government to deliver its programme, especially the reduction of poverty.

“I am pleased to announce our support direct to the Government’s budget which will help them to build on progress already made and deliver better quality basic services.

“Our support will complement other programmes which target aid resources at the most off-track MDGs, and is part of a total amount of Z932billion (£120m) that has been committed since the PF came into power,” he said.

DFID would provide £235million in development assistance to Zambia over the next four years (2011-15) and the focus of DFID’s programme was making growth more inclusive, tackling inequality especially in the rural areas, tackling corruption and improving accountability of Government to its voters so that all Zambians could benefit from Zambia’s development efforts.

[Times of Zambia]

A WITNESS has testified that former Labour minister Austin Liato and his relatives allegedly threatened to kill his three farm workers after suspecting them of having informed police about the K2.1 billion found buried at his farm in Mwembeshi area.

And in cross examination, defence counsel Nelly Mutti suggested to the witness that Liato had called him and the others, thieves because they had allegedly stolen K600 million from the trunks saying the money was supposed to be K2.7 billion and not the K2.1billion declared by the police.

But the witness Paul Kakombe denied the allegations and insisted that he was with the police and after counting the money which was found to be K2.1billion.

Meanwhile, Liato’s trial was yesterday characterised by heavy security called in to seal-off the court premises as the two trunks carrying the K2.1 billion dug-out from the former Kaoma Central Member of Parliament’s farm were being brought in as exhibits.

Liato is facing one count of being in possession of property suspected of being proceeds of crime contrary to section 71 (1) of the Forfeiture of Proceeds of Crime Act number 19 of 2010 of the Laws of Zambia.

Particulars of the offence allege that Liato, 47, did possess and conceal money at his farm, Mwembeshi Farm number L Mpamba 144, amounting to K2.1 billion reasonably and suspected of being proceeds of crime.

Mr Kakombe, 36, of Kaoma told Principal Resident Magistrate, Aridah Chulu, that Liato returned home two days after police dug out the K2.1 billion at his farm and bundled all the three workers in his Pajero vehicle and drove to an unknown destination while threatening to kill them or make them mad.

The witness said Liato who was in the company of his two brothers Kawewe and Peter later drove to their sister’s house, a Mrs Naminano where one of his friends was allegedly beaten by Liato when he attempted to explain to his relatives that they were not the ones who informed the police.

“He called us liars, thieves and betrayers while threatening to kill us but we challenged him and his relatives to first go and kill President Michael Sata and the police because the police had told us that they were sent by the President to search his farm,” he said.

Mr Kakombe told the court that he was among the people that assisted in digging out the two trunks that were buried under a thick concrete burglar-barred chalet with security alarm systems.

He said he and his friends were shocked to see the two trunks containing huge sums of money while their wives fainted upon seeing that kind of money.

The witness said he was with the police from the time they managed to dig-out the trunks until they broke the two safes with one containing K1 billion and the second carrying K1.1 billion.

He said they later drove to police headquarters together with the police.

Mr Kakombe said the police then opened the two trunks in the presence of the two farm workers; himself and Kalu and counted the money together.

Kalu then signed for the money and they were later taken back to the farm.

Mutemwa Mutemwa asked the witness whether Liato had the right to bury the money under ground or whether he was supposed to get permission from anyone on how he should keep his money.

In response, Mr Kakombe said Liato was wrong to bury the money because he was an account holder and was supposed to take it to the bank.

And Magistrate Chulu advised Mr Mutemwa not to take the witness to task citing an Act because he was a lay person and should not expect him to know the State provisions of the Law.

And security officers, some in plain clothes, sealed-off the court premises as early as 08:30 hours to give protection to the money as it was being brought before the court.

The officers accompanied the trunks while clearing on-lookers from the way as they led the trunks into the courtroom.

Scores of onlookers hovered around the court entrance to have a
glimpse of the trunks.

And the presiding Magistrate warned that she would in future, ask the police to clear the court-room if people continued to murmur and pass comments during court sessions.

The court was initially supposed to move to Liato’s farm house but this was rescheduled because of the poor state of the roads following heavy rains in recent days.

Trial continues today.

[Times of Zambia]

Security wings have questioned former vice-president, George Kunda and former minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Felix Mutati in the acquisition of the controversial border scanners at a cost of over K100 billion.

The investigators quizzed the two former MMD leaders in connection with suspected illegalities in the acquisition of eight border scanners.

Mr Mutati arrived at the former offices of the task force on corruption on Buluwe Road in Lusaka’s Woodlands area around 14:00 hours on Wednesday.

His appearance was in connection with reports that the awarding of tenders for the purchase of scanners by the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) was marred with irregularities.

Spokesperson of the combined team of security personnel, Charity Chanda, confirmed the development and said Mr Mutati’s appearance was meant to help the team understand what he knew about the tender process in the ZRA deal.

This is in a matter in which ZRA is being investigated on allegations that the tax collector single-sourced for the job with the influence of some senior Government officials.

Mr Kunda is reported to have issued an illegal statutory instrument last year to sanction collection of ‘inspection fees’ of K360,000 from each transporter by Bradwell International, a company contracted by the Zambia Revenue Authority to manage scanners.

Mr Kunda, who was then Republican vice-president is said to have authorised in August last year, the collection of the money from each transporter even in ports where there were no scanners to pay 85% to Bradwell International. The remaining 15% went to the Government.

Finance and National Planning Minister, Alexander Chikwanda has since revoked Mr Kunda’s statutory instrument and abolished the K360,000 which was being levied on transporters.

Mr Kunda in a separate interview denied the allegation and said the statutory instrument was signed within the law.

And Mrs Chanda said both Mr Mutati and Mr Kunda were appearing as witnesses because of their knowledge and involvement in the matter.

Recently, former ZRA Commissioner-General, Wisdom Nhekairo was warned and cautioned by the security team.

Mr Nhekairo referred further queries to the police.

And the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has pounced on two senior management officers at Zambia Red Cross Society (ZRCS), who are currently being investigated by the commission for various offences including money laundering activities and seized six motor vehicles from them.

DEC acting public relations officer, Samuel Silomba, who confirmed the development in Lusaka yesterday said the motor vehicles were seized early this week.

In an interview in Lusaka, Mr Silomba said investigations into the matter involving ZRCS senior management officials have reached an advanced stage.

However, he could not name the affected officers but said the nation would be kept informed of any latest developments at Zambia’s largest humanitarian organisation.

Efforts to get a comment from ZRCS Secretary General, Charles Mushitu proved futile as his mobile phone was switched off while another senior officer Mr James Zulu, could not comment referring all queries to Mr Mushitu.

Meanwhile, sources within the society revealed that some motor vehicles belonging to the organisation were being parked and hidden in different locations in Lusaka, where the commission could not find them for fear that they could be seized as well.

The sources said the organisation had been grounded following the sudden closure in December last year after senior managers received immense pressure from the commission to stand aside to pave way for investigations.

The workers complained that management communicated to them through telephone calls and text messages informing them that the organisation has been closed until January 8, 2012 but that was not the case.

The employees said that as things stood, they received information that the humanitarian organisation might not resume operations soon because of the on-going investigations.

The workers also complained that they had not yet received their salaries dating back to September last year and appealed to the government to intervene.
[Times of Zambia]