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Weekend in Pictures
Drama erupts in Livingstone magistrates court over stolen pants
There was drama in Livingstone magistrates court when a suspect claimed that the police stole his pants and household goods while he was in custody pending court appearance.
The 36 years old Francis Simuhata of Zecco Compound is in court on charges of burglary and theft of goods from two shops belonging to some renowned Kazungula Businessmen.
This was heard in a trial continuation of the matter between Francis Simuhata versus the People.
Facts before Court are that on June 12, 2010 Simuhata connived with two others and stole goods ranging from cell phones, laptops and groceries worth K42million altogether from two separate shops in Kazungula where they had camped for a week.
The two people who were with Samuhata pleaded guilty on June 23, 2010 and have been convicted for five years each while Samuhata still denies the charge.
First witness in the matter, Fred Joe Mukuwa, 26, of Plot Number 72, Makalanguzu Area, and Kazungula said in the Morning of June 13, 2010 he found his shop in a mess, the door open and some empty carton boxes littered outside with Shop’s poster razed down.
Mukuwa said when he entered the shop he discovered that the shop was empty with only carton boxes left.
Mukuwa, who was apprehended in possession of the items later led the Police to the people he was with at a time of offence.
Appearing before Magistrate Ernest Kabungo, Samuhata lifted up his hand and asked for an application.
“My Lord the Police are stepping on my Human Rights they have stolen my property and my pants and so I can’t proceed with trial before my items are returned to me,” Samuhata said.
Magistrate Kabungo asked the prosecutor why the Police seized Samuhata’s pants and furniture.
The prosecutor refuted that his pants where not gotten but property from his home was seized as part of evidence.
During cross-examination Samuhata asked the witness where he together with the Police took the property they stole from his house.
The Magistrate discontinued Samuhata from asking question and told him to shut because his questions are irrelevant.
The case is adjourned to October 11,for commencement of defence.
In the same Court, another man shocked people who attended the session when he decided not to take oath.
Godson Mlakutse, 32 was charged with unlawful possession of prescribed trophy after being found having five pieces of Ivory.
Magistrate Kabungo asked him to choose one way he would defend himself among the options of to remain silent, take Oath or remain in the doc.
“The evidence you give when you remain in that docket does not carry weight but the evidence you give in when you take oath carries more weight,” Magistrate Kabungo said.
The case comes up on October 5.
[ ZANIS ]
Power Open Barclays Cup Defence Against Nkwazi
Defending champions Power Dynamos have been drawn against Nkwazi in the quarterfinals of this years Barclays Cup to be played this Saturday.
Power will travel to Lusaka to face Nkwazi in a doubleheader at Woodlands Stadium in what will be the latter’s first appearance in the Barclays Cup.
The match will kick off at 14:00 after two-time winners Zesco United take on division 1 south leaders Nakambala Leopards at the same venue in the other quarterfinal match that will kick off at 12:00.
Respective winners in that doubleheader will clash in the semifinals next month.
And in the other quarterfinal doubleheader at Arthur Davies stadium in Kitwe, Zanaco take on Green Buffaloes in a 13:00 kickoff while Nchanga Rangers take on Lime Hotspurs from division 1 north who led their league by week 15.
‘Current Mining tax regime, Malfunctioning’
Opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) law maker has charged that the current mining tax regime is malfunctioning.
Mazabuka central Member Of Parliament, Garry Nkombo said only the windfall tax would bring sanity to the mining remittance of taxes.
Mr Nkombo said that revenue collection from the mining sector would continue to remain a stumbling block and a serious huddle on the part of government because the current tax regime is defective.
Mr Nkombo said that the windfall tax is a docile law until the mining companies start to rake in supper profits.
He said it is not useful for government to become diplomatic and favour more of the foreign and new mine owners at the expense of its own people.
Mr Nkombo said it is vital that government allows its people to benefit more when the companies are making profits by activating the windfall tax at whatever points the prices and profits are high.
He said with such a scenario t every stakeholder would benefit from the proceeds of the mining industry at the same time.
[ QFM ]
Proposed 2011 budget not satisfactory, ZCTU
The Zambia congress of trade unions ZCTU has expressed dissatisfaction at the proposed k17 trillion 2011 national budget.
ZCTU observes that amount might seem figuratively impressive but the breakdown of it clearly states that the resources are inadequate.
ZCTU general secretary, Roy Mwaba said that the labour force was anticipative of a bigger budget as compared to what has been laid up on the table.
Mr Mwaba noted that the congress expected that government would try and pump more into the emoluments of the public service workers and the social sector.
He said that social sectors such as the education needs more investment and would require a lot of resource in the next year’s budget.
Mr Mwaba said that government could have made a better consideration in providing a broader budget in a bid to meet the universal standards of education.
Mr Mwaba has,therefore, challenged members of parliament to lobby for more resource allocations to the social sector when the bill is presented in parliament.
[ QFM ]
Mumbi challenges Sata to produce audited accounts of the party and his businesses
FORMER Patriotic Front (PF) secretary general Edward Mumbi has filed a court notice which is seeking PF president Michael Sata to produce bank statements and audited accounts of the opposition political party and his business.
And some PF cadres-cum-hooligans yesterday insulted Mr Mumbi, his friends, and his lawyer Keith Mukata within the Lusaka High Court premises.
Mr Mumbi also wants Mr Sata to account for K35 million, which the Zambia Centre for Inter-party Dialogue (ZCID) gave the PF during the 2008 Presidential elections.
This is in a case where Mr Sata has sued Mr Mumbi for defamation of character on grounds that the former PF secretary general accused him of stealing money, which some people donated to the party.
In his ‘notice to produce’ filed in the Lusaka High Court, Mr Mumbi wants the PF president to produce bank statements relating to his accounts maintained at Standard Chartered Bank, Finance Bank Zambia Limited, and Zanaco for the period January 2001 to December 2009.
“Take notice that the defendant (Mr Mumbi) shall at the hearing of this matter require the plaintiff (Mr Sata) to produce the following documents…bank statements for Patriotic Front for the period January 2001 to December 2009, relating to its account(s) maintained at Finance Bank Zambia Limited…
“List of names, addresses and phone numbers of observers deployed in the nine provinces during the 30th October 2008 Presidential elections and an account of how the K35 million released by the Zambia Centre for Inter-party Dialogue was applied,” the notice reads in part.
He further seeks Mr Sata to produce the PF’s audited accounts from 2001 to 2009, and audited accounts for M.C Sata Business Consultants and Manufacturer Representatives for the years 2001 to 2009.
When the matter came up on Monday this week, the said documents had not been produced and Mr Sata’s lawyer Wynter Kabimba was of the view that there was a procedural irregularity in Mr Mumbi’s request.
Later the parties resolved that a formal application under a relevant order should be made after which Judge Evans Hamaundu will make a ruling on whether Mr Sata should release the documents.
After the case was adjourned yesterday Mr Mumbi said he will immediately re-file the application through his lawyer Keith Mukata.
[pullquote]“This man, who is vying for the highest office of the land, hired street kids from the markets to escort him… those were not PF members but street kids who insulted me, my lawyer and my few friends who escorted me to court after the chamber hearing was adjourned.[/pullquote]
“I will re-file this application immediately as a matter of urgency. I would like to see this matter come to its logical conclusion,” Mr Mumbi said.
Meanwhile, some PF cadres, who included youths and elderly women, unleashed insults at Mr Mumbi, his friends and Mr Mukata after the case, which was in chambers, was adjourned.
Mr Mumbi accused Mr Sata of hiring hooligans from City and Soweto markets to escort him to the court.
“This man, who is vying for the highest office of the land, hired street kids from the markets to escort him… those were not PF members but street kids who insulted me, my lawyer and my few friends who escorted me to court after the chamber hearing was adjourned.
“We all belong to political parties but we did not have any cadres at the court. So I want people to make their own opinion as to which party is decent or which person is better than other because this matter does not need the presence of cadres or that kind of hooliganism,” Mr Mumbi said.
[Zambia Daily Mail]
RB off to SA, Mozambique
PRESIDENT Banda is today expected to leave for South Africa and Mozambique for consultations on a number of issues.
The President’s Special Assistant for Press and Public Relations Dickson Jere announced this in a statement issued in Lusaka yesterday.
The President will leave for Maputo via South Africa where he will stop over before proceeding to Mozambique.
President Banda will be accompanied by First Lady Thandiwe Banda, Minister of Energy and Water Development Kenneth Konga, and other Government officials.
President Banda is current chairperson of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation.
He took over the position from Mozambican President Armando Emilio Guebuza.
President Banda will return to Lusaka immediately after completing his scheduled business in Mozambique.
[Zambia Daily Mail]
State reposses over 200 plots
GOVERNMENT has repossessed 257 plots from owners who failed to develop the land within the stipulated lease period as well as from those who failed to settle their ground rent.
And Government has given a three-month ultimatum to 606 other property owners to explain in writing why a certificate of re-entry should not be effected for the commencement of proceedings to repossess their title deeds.
Commissioner of Lands Barnaby Mulenga said Government has repossessed 257 plots because property owners failed to develop their plots within the period stipulated in the lease agreement.
Mr Mulenga said in a statement issued in Lusaka yesterday that among the 257 plots ceased, are some plots whose owners failed to pay ground rents from the time they acquired the plots.
He said the lessees whose plots have been repossessed should surrender their title deeds and that failure to do so will result in the Registrar of Lands and Deeds to cancel the title of registration pursuant to Section 84 (f) of the Lands and Deeds Register Act.
“The Commissioner of Lands, acting for and on behalf of the President, pursuant to Section 13 of the Lands Acts, have this day re-entered upon the above mentioned plots on the grounds that the Lessee has failed to develop the said piece of land within the period stipulated in the Lease, and or you have failed to settle ground rent.
“All Lessees whose plots have been repossessed are expected to surrender their title deeds, failure to which the Registrar of Lands and Deeds will cancel the same in pursuant to Section 84 (f) of the Lands and Deeds Register Act,” reads part of the statement.
Mr Mulenga said Government is also intending to repossess 606 plots because some property owners have allegedly failed to follow the terms and conditions of the offer letter or lease agreement.
He said the owners of the 606 plots have been given a three-month ultimatum to explain in writing why the certificate of re-entry should not be entered in the register for the commencement of proceedings to repossess their title deeds for not paying ground rent as well as not developing their plots.
“Further take note that I, Barnaby Mulenga, Commissioner of Lands, acting for and on behalf of the President of the Republic of Zambia, intend to repossess the 606 properties.
“In pursuance of section 13 (1) of the Lands Act 1995 the owners of these properties are required to make representations in writing within three months from the date of this notice as to why the Certificate of re-entry should not be entered in the Register,” part of the statement reads .
Mr Mulenga said in line with the Lands Act Cap 184 of the Laws of Zambia, property owners are expected to observe terms and conditions of the Offer letter or Lease agreement with the President.
He said failure to observe the condition or term of the Lease agreement or letter of offer might result in the Commissioner of Lands repossessing the land from the title holders.
[Zambia Daily Mail]
RDA chiefs sent on leave
THE Road Development Agency (RDA) board of directors has sent chief executive officer Erasmus Chilundika and three other senior managers on forced leave to pave way for investigations into allegations of mismanagement of resources.
RDA board chairperson Luambe Mondoloka announced in a statement released in Lusaka yesterday that the four were sent on forced leave based on consideration of the Auditor Generals report covering the period 2005 to 2008.
Mr Mondoloka named other officers sent on forced leave as senior manager construction and maintenance Stephen Malubila, senior manager planning and design Daniel Mulonga and manager procurement Charles Mushota.
He said the decision to send the quartet on forced leave was arrived at following a special board meeting held in Lusaka on Monday.
“Other reasons that have been cited for the action include: the parliamentary Accounts Committee (PAC) recommendations regarding the disregard for the 2008 Annual Work Plan resulting in over commitment of the Zambian Government K1 trillion, the non observance of Acts governing the sector, procurement irregularities and unsubstantiated payments to contractors,” he said.
Mr Mondoloka said senior manager technical and commercial services Nason Balashi would act as chief executive officer for administrative convenience.
Mr Mondoloka said the relevant sub committees of the RDA board had started meeting from yesterday to deliberate issues surrounding this development.
He said the committees were expected to report back to the main board on October 12 with appropriate recommendations.
[Times of Zambia]
Opposition ‘s stand on mobile hospitals saddening – Mukosha
Vision 2011 has observed with great concern the misconception by opposition political parties and some members of the society on the procurement of mobile hospitals by government.
Vision 2011 Executive Director Patrick Mukosha said it very saddening that the opposition and some people do not appreciate the mobile hospitals that the state has bought.
In a statement to ZANIS in Lusaka yesterday, the Vision 2011 Executive Director said the mobile hospitals were part developmental programmes that the government was undertaking.
He added that the mobile hospitals would work in the interest of the most disadvantaged especially in most parts of the rural areas.
Mr. Mukosha said the problem was that certain people were quick to condemn and criticize government and say it was a sheer waste of resources without analyzing the idea behind such an acquisition.
He was quick to note that the Vision 2011 was pleased that the Ministry of Health (MOH) has a technical team capable medical personnel who shall ensure that the mobile hospitals are operated and utilized efficiently and effectively.
ZANIS
Mpombo challenged to reveal his PF membership
The National Youth League (NYL) has challenged expelled Kafulafuta Member of Parliament and former Defense Minister George Mpombo to come out in the open and declare himself a Patriotic Front (PF) member.
And the NYL says it is happy with the manner in which President Rupiah Banda in has maturely handled criticisms by sections of society .
The organization’s Secretary General Lucky Soko charged that Mr. Mpombo is being used as a pawn to smear propaganda exhibiting traits of hatred, bitterness and jealous on President Rupiah Banda’s government.
Mr. Soko says it is unfortunate that Mr. Mpombo who had a good time during the tenure of government would like to blind himself to the fact that there has been a change of leadership style in the country to that of President Banda.
In a press statement released to ZANIS in Lusaka today, Mr. Soko said It was very interesting to note that Mr. Mpombo who has been portrayed by the Post as ‘Brave’ has actually proved to be a coward.
“It is an open secret that Mr. Mpombo was favoured by the late President Mwanawasa’s administration but it could be wise enough for him to realize that status quo has changed for him. Let Mr. Mpombo come out in open and declare himself a PF sympathizer,” Mr. Soko said.
He claimed that Mr. Mpombo has been portrayed by the Post Newspaper a ‘Brave’ but actually proved a coward who is dead afraid of running for a by election on PF ticket of which he is currently a member.
Mr. Soko reminded Mr. Mpombo that he was expelled from the MMD Party for gross indiscipline and failure to respect party rules and procedures and the NYL finds it immature for Mr. Mpombo to comment on MMD issues.
“The National Youth League finds the behavior of Mr. Mpombo to be childish and immature which is nothing short of that of a toddler. Mr. Mpombo at his age is expected to show maturity and not bitterness as a result of loss of pecuniary benefits as a result of change of government. Mr. Mpombo needs to realize that Mr. Banda is the Head of State for 12 million Zambians” he said.
According to Mr. Soko he named education, road infrastructure, the Farmer Input Fertilizer Programme as some of the notable economic development achievements set in place by the MMD government’s good policies.
ZANIS
CIA ranks Zambia high
The American Central Intelligence Agency -CIA- has ranked Zambia’s economic performance in 2009 as number 15 in the world.
According to the CIA fact book which gives data on all countries, Zambia’s 6.3 percent growth rate in 2009 was the 15th best in the world.
Zambia’s performance was far much higher than that of regional economic giant South Africa, whose negative one percent growth in 2009 was ranked at number 145.
Zambia like many other countries in the world experienced the effects of the Global Financial Crisis during the period in question, but managed to register substantial economic growth.
[ ZNBC ]
Govt declares September 23rd national mourning for Dr Mwale
President Rupiah Banda has declared Thursday 23 September 2010 as a day of National morning in honor of the late Special Envoy and National Coordinator for the Great Lakes Region and Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Siteke Mwale from 06:00 hours to 18: 00 hours .
This is according to a press statement made available to ZANIS by Secretary to the Cabinet Dr Joshua Kanganja in Lusaka yesterday.
Dr Kanganja said during this period of national mourning, all flags will fly at half mast and activities of an entertainment nature should be postponed or cancelled during the period .
Radio and Television Stations should play solemn music during the period of National mourning
The late Dr Mwale‘s funeral church service will be held at Cathedral of the Holy Cross and all mourners should be seated by 09:30 hours after which burial will take place at the old leopards hill Memorial park
Dr Siteke Mwale passed away after an illness on Sunday 19th September 2010 at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka .
[ ZANIS ]
UNIP gears itself for Chilanga seat
Several political parties in the country are already expressing their confidence and readiness of winning the Chilanga parliamentary by-election slated for October 28.
Among these is the former ruling but now renamed as United National Independent Party (UNIP) which rates its chances of scooping the seat very highly asserting that no other party is as popular in Chilanga as it is.
UNIP Secretary General Jemimah Banda told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that her party is confident of victory adding that it would leave no stone unturned to ensure it grabbed the Chilanga seat.
Mrs Banda said her party has embarked on a vigorous preparation exercise since area MP Ng’andu Magande was expelled by the ruling MMD.
“Immediately we heard that MMD had expelled (Mr ) Magande from the party and he accepted the expulsion, that was the time we started preparing ourselves for the Chilanga by-election”, she said.
She said the party’s internal organs have been to all the wards in Chilanga identifying possible candidates that are to be adopted to contest and out rightly win the elections.
Mrs Banda has since revealed that the party has so far received two applications from would be candidate but stressed that many more are in the process of applying.
She said UNIP has done its homework and would continue doing so until the by-elections are held to ensure a landslide victory.
The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has set October 28 as the date for voting in the Chilanga parliamentary by-election, necessitated by the expulsion of Ng’andu Magande from the MMD.
[ ZANIS ]
UPND cadres demand Chizyuka’s resignation
UPND cadres marched to Parliament on Tuesday to air their demands, charging that Major Chizyuka is not a member of parliament claiming he has continued insulting the party president Hakainde Hichilema.
The cadres who were led by UPND Lusaka Province Chairperson Shell Mulyata demanded that the UPND Namwala MP joins the ruling MMD.
Police in riot gear, however, blocked the irate placard carrying cadres who wanted to meet the embattled MP at Parliament buildings.
Major Chizyuka has fallen out of favor with his party for strongly opposing the UPND/PF pact.
[ MUV TV ]