Ruling Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) sympathizer, Edward Mumbi has given change life Zambian CLZ Executive Director, Father Frank Bwalya a seven days ultimatum in which to apologize for what has been termed as libelous statements against him or risk legal action.

In a letter sent to Father Bwalya, by his legal advisors, AKM practitioners and signed by Mr. Keith Mukata, and made available to qfm Mr. Mumbi has demanded for an apology which must be inserted in the print and electronic media with payment of damages in the sum of k3.7billion kwacha.

Mr. Mumbi said failure to abide by the demands as laid down will result in serious legal action claiming that father Bwalya’s statement was false and uncalled-for.

Featuring on Monday Nite Live program on QFM, Father Bwalya stated that Edward is not Mr. Mumbi’s first name but Kangwa.

He later dared Mr. Mumbi to sue him and called on Zambians not to believe Mr. Mumbi because of his unknown identity.

Meanwhile, Mr. Mumbi has challenged all those willing to engage in political debates to be truthful about the statement they make.

He said that this is the only way Zambia would record some form of decency in its politics.
[ QFM ]

The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC ) says it will not investigate Former President Dr. Frederick CHILUBA’s money laundering activities because it would contravene the laws of Zambia.

DEC Public Relations Manager John Nyawali said article 18 of the constitution of Zambia does not allow prosecuting an individual for an act which did not constitute an offence at the time it was alleged to have been committed.

Mr Nyawali in a statement to ZNBC in Lusaka Wednesday said Dr CHILUBA allegedly committed money laundering activities before the Prohibition and Prevention of money laundering law was enacted.

His remarks follows a letter written by the Patriotic Front (PF) demanding that the DEC investigate Dr. Chiluba’s money laundering activities.

Mr. Nyawali also said some of the alleged activities which constitute offences for money laundering were investigated and prosecuted by the then Task Force on Corruption for which Dr. Chilubawas acquitted.
[ ZNBC ]

Finance and National Planning Minister, Situmbeko Musokotwane has said there is need to increased momentum on regional integration and free trade if countries in the (COMESA) region are to address their problems.

The Minister was speaking during the 4th meeting of the Regional Integration Support Mechanism (RISM) advisory committee in Lusaka today.

He said most economies in the sub-region are dependent on single commodity-trade particularly in the production and export of unprocessed natural resources such as minerals and crops.

Dr. Musokotwane said although the exports from these commodities have contributed to the development of the economies in the region, countries have to deal with high poverty levels, unemployment, illiteracy,and poor infrastructure.

He, however, said regional integration would not deliver the benefits if COMESA member countries do not take advantage of the vast market in the Eastern and Southern Africa-Indian Ocean (ESA-IO) region.

The minister noted that by taking advantage of the ESA-IO, countries would create a uniform and predictable environment for the private sector who are the major drivers of the economy.

And COMESA Assistant Secretary General Stephen Karangizi said the current RISM would allow all the countries to take advantage of the support to achieve the common objectives of the regional agenda.

Mr. Karangizi said that the reformulated RISM programme would also provide the opportunity for countries to make larger steps in the implementation of regional programmes.

He said this expected to lead to faster and deeper integration that facilitates trade internally and with global economies.
[ QFM ]

The Africa Governance Monitoring and Advocacy Project (AFRIMAP) and Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa (OSISA) have launched a report on Public Broadcast Media in Zambia aimed at providing common ground for negotiation and agreement that meets aspirations of the Zambian Society.

Launching the Report Tuesday evening at Southern Sun in Lusaka on behalf of AFRIMAP and OSISA, Retired High Court Judge Anderson Zikonda

said AFRIMAP and OSISA as well as the Open Society Institute Media Programme should be commended for a well thought report which he noted would help the Zambian Media to improve in areas it was lacking.

Judge Zikonda described the report as a nice document which had raised some pertinent issues aimed at contributing to the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) adding that the national broadcaster was falling short of being a model of an ideal public media broadcaster.

Mr. Zikonda stated that the report contained various issues, views and recommendations based on the researcher’s own opinion and analysis of the situation adding that recommendations provided food for thought for both the Government and the media at large.

And Speaking during the launch Media Institute for Southern Africa (MISA) Zambia Interim Chairperson Fanwell Chembo said the report would provide a litmus test for the growth of Zambia’s Democracy since the country reverted to a democratic dispensation in 1991.

Mr. Chembo said the research was as a result of advancing knowledge created in the past adding that the document would also assist Zambia in solving the existing problems and even further improve in areas in which the country was already advancing.

He further said MISA Zambia greatly valued the efforts by AFRIMAP in financing the research.

[ ZANIS ]

Minister of Works and Supply Mike Mulogoti has disclosed that Government has engaged a Japanese Company to redesign all roads in Lusaka, the capital city to reduce congestion.

Mr. Mulongoti said the plan to redesign Lusaka roads had already been devised and that the contractor was working round the clock to come up with proper city planning of roads in the capital city and not only Lusaka but also Mumbwa road.

ZANIS reports the Minister stated that two years ago Vice President George Kunda made an announcement on Government’s consolidated plan to extend and redesign Lusaka Roads adding that this was underway and had reached an advanced stage.

Mr. Mulongoti said this in Parliament today when answering a question from Luapula Member of Parliament Peter Machungwa who wanted to know when Government was going to widen the Lusaka -Mumbwa road to cushion the congestion being experienced in the capital city. This was during the question and answer session.

He said President Rupiah Banda was geared to ensuring that all Lusaka roads which were congested are done in a bid to restore sanity to the capital city.

The Works and Supply Minister further stated that Zambians should trust the leadership of President Banda because he was there to work for them.

[ ZANIS ]