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Zambia Police Service has re-introduced the old police uniform in order to distinguish its officers from others from private security firms.
Inspector of Police (IG) Francis Kabonde disclosed this at a pass out parade at Kamfinsa in Kitwe today.
And Mr. Kabonde has since asked private security firms that are using similar uniform to the one the police was using to change their uniform to avoid being mistaken for police officers.
Mr. Kabonde warned security firms against using similar uniforms similar to those used by police officers to avoid being mistaken as police officers in confrontations situations with armed bandits or during maintenance of public disorder.
He said the new uniforms will distinguish police officers from other security officers from private firms.
ZANIS Reports that the pass out parade marked the return to the use of the navy blue combat and barat for mobile police unit.
Previously officers had a green combat commonly known as the paramilitary uniform.
FORMER Deputy Minister of Energy and Water Development, Lameck Chibombamilimo
Government has described the late former Deputy Minister of Energy, Lameck Chibombamilimo, as a great contributor to democracy.
Chief Government Spokesperson, Ronnie Shikapwasha, told journalists in Lusaka today that the Government was grieved about the death of Mr. Chibombamilimo, who was also Mpulungu MMD Member of Parliament.
Mr. Chibombamilimo 49, died in Apollo hospital in New Delhi, India this morning (around 02:00 hours) after suffering kidney complications.
He was evacuated to India last month where he was to undergo a kidney transplant.
“As government we are very grieved that one of our Members of Parliament has passed on. He was a great contributor to democracy,” he said.
Lieutenant General Shikapwasha said Government was making arrangements to have the late Mr. Chibombamilimo’s body, transported back to Zambia.
He said Government will work with Parliament for burial arrangements.
He has since conveyed condolences to the late Mr. Chibombamilimo’s family and the entire Mpulungu constituency.
And MMD Spokesperson, Dora Siliya also confirmed the death of Mr. Chibombamilimo and said the party will however give more details on the MPs death once more information was availed.
“Yes I can confirm to you that Mr. Chibombamilimo, who was our MP (MMD), has died this morning in India where he was admitted” she said.
She said the MMD as a party is saddened with the death of Mr. Chibombamilimo.
Ms. Siliya has since sent a message of condolences to the family of the late Mr. Chibombamilimo.
Mr. Chibombamilimo was elected to Parliament in 2006 under the MMD ticket and served as Provincial Minster for Northern Province and also as Energy Deputy Minister before he was fired.
President Rupiah Banda says he had nothing to do with the prosecution, convictions and sentencing of former Defence Minister, George Mpombo, by the Ndola Chief Resident Magistrate Kelvin Limbani.
President Banda said he had nothing to do with Mr. Mpombo’s court case, in which he was facing one count of issuing a cheque on an insufficiently funded account in December last year.
President Banda, who said he had just heard about Mr. Mpombo’s conviction from journalists, said those accusing him were being insincere.
“You know they are lying. I am not in charge of the police, I am not in charge of the judiciary and I did not even follow his case,” he said.
He was responding to journalists at Lusaka International Airport before he left for Botswana for a two- day state visit at the invitation of his counterpart, Ian Khama.
The journalists who wanted to get his comment on allegations that he was playing double standards in the administration of the justice system in the country.
Some sections of the political sphere have accused President Banda of being biased in the administration of justice saying Mr. Mpombo’s case was done speedily while Deputy Minister of Gender, Lucy Changwe, who also issued a cheque on an insufficiently funded account, has not been arrested.
Mr. Mpombo, who is also Kafulafuta Member of Parliament, was found guilty of one count of issuing a cheque on an insufficiently funded account in December 2009 and has since been sentenced to two months simple imprisonment.
President Banda is accompanied to Botswana by Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Lucy Mungoma while Minister of Health, Kapembwa Simbao, is already in that country for the same visit.
While in Botswana, President Banda will officiate at that country’s international trade fair and open Serowe Institute of Health Sciences in Serowe.
He was seen off at the Lusaka International Airport by Vice President George Kunda, Minister of Defence, Kalombo Mwansa, Minister of Information Ronnie Shikapwasha, Works and Supply Minister Mike Mulongoti and Presidential Affairs Minister, Ronald Mukuma.
Others are Local Government Minister, Eustarckio Kazonga, Mines Minister, Maxwell Mwale, senior government officials and defence and security chiefs.
The Ndola Magistrate Court has jailed former Defence Minister George Mpombo to 60 Days Simple imprisonment and fined him K4million for dishonoring a cheque amounting to K10million.
ZANIS NDOLA reports that in a case which came up for sentencing after the court convicted him on Friday August 6, 2010, Ndola Chief Resident Magistrate Kelvin Limbani sentenced Mr. Mpombo to 60 days simple imprisonment and consequently fined him K 4million for the offence.
Magistrate Limbani said the court had taken note of what was said in mitigation and added that cases of a financial nature had serious consequences that can adversely affect the economy of the country.
“The Court has taken note of what was said in mitigation, but you deserve punishment so that you can reform and so that would be offenders can be deterred from committing the same offence, cases of a financial nature have serious consequences which can have adverse impact on the economy of a nation e.g. the global economic crisis,” he said.
He further said the failure by Mr. Mpombo to honour his obligation did not just have an impact on Colwyn Limited but the economy of the country as a whole.
“Failure by you to honour your obligation did not just have impact on Colwyn but the country as a whole, therefore I am sentencing to pay a fine of K4million and 60 days simple imprisonment,” he said.
And speaking from the Court Cell soon after his sentencing Mr Mpombo told journalists that he was going to appeal to a higher court.
He explained that it was unfortunate that the Magistrate passed judgment based Mr Terence Findley’s concoction story.
He further said the whole ordeal was not going to break his spirit or discourage him in any way.
“This whole ordeal is just a passing phase, my spirit is not broken and am not discouraged at all,” he said.
And Mr. Mpombo said appealed to the Human Rights Commission to look into the status of prisons in the country.
He said prisoners were currently not having breakfast and that most prisons were heavily congested.
The Ndola Magistrate Court on Friday August 5, 2010 convicted former Defence Minister George Mpombo of one count of dishonoring a cheque amounting to K10million.
Mwinilunga District commissioner (DC) Webster Samakesa has expressed his satisfaction with the works done so far on the economically important T5 international road linking Zambia to Angola.
MrSamakesa told ZANIS after inspecting the road works going on the high way,that he was pleased with the workmanship exhibited by the contractor.
He stressed that government has pumped colossal amounts of money towards the rehabilitation of the T5 international road, hence the need for the contractor to do a good job.
He said the T5 road is an important economical road with potential to boost trade between Zambia and Angola once the road is completed.
Mr Samakesa urged the contractor to complete the repair works before the on set of the rains.
He noted that once the rains starts the contractor won’t be able complete the works.
The DC said he was pleased with governments decision to work on the road.
Finance and National Development minister Situmbeko Musokotwane told Parliament recently that infrastructure developmentremains government priority in 2010 adding that the focus will be on building, rehabilitating and constructing roads, electricity generating projects, schools and hospitals.
Dr Musokotwane disclosed that the government has to this vain budgeted K 16,717,8 billion or 22 percent of Gross Domestic Product (G.D.P ) in 2010.
President Rupiah Banda and Inspector General of Police Francis Kabonde at the police pass-out parade in Lilayi
PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda has welcomed changes to the police command on the Copperbelt, saying they should not have allowed Vice-President George Kunda and suspected Patriotic Front (PF) cadres to use the same route during the Chifubu parliamentary by-election campaigns.
Mr Banda said yesterday that the incident in Ndola last week where some suspected PF cadres blocked the vice-president’s motorcade could have been avoided if it was not for laxity on the part of the police.
He wondered why the police allowed Mr Kunda and opposition cadres to use the same route.
“Don’t you think that’s good enough a reason? Why have a meeting at the same place and allow the vice-president to be on the same route, that could have been avoided,” Mr Banda said in response to a question from journalists.
He was speaking at City Airport in Lusaka upon his arrival from Chipata.
Inspector-General of Police Francis Kabonde at the weekend made changes to the police service high command, and shifted Copperbelt Province chief Antoneil Mutentwa to Lusaka where he would be director of medical services.
He takes over from Martin Malama who has been appointed Copperbelt Province police chief.
[pullquote]Meanwhile, President Banda refused to comment on PF president Michael Sata’s statement that he had secured former Defence minister George Mpombo’s conviction as reported in the Sunday Post because the matter was in court[/pullquote].
Sources in the Zambia Police Service said there were several other changes expected to be made soon.
The president was welcomed at the airport by Mr Kunda, Presidential Affairs Minister Ronald Mukuma and Lusaka Province Minister Charles Shawa.
He was accompanied to Chipata by Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources Minister Catherine Namugala and Science, Technology and Vocational Training Deputy Minister, Lameck Mangani.
Meanwhile, President Banda refused to comment on PF president Michael Sata’s statement that he had secured former Defence minister George Mpombo’s conviction as reported in the Sunday Post because the matter was in court.
UPND president Hakainde Hichilema on a campaign trail in Luena constituency.
UPND President, Hakainde Hichilema, has bragged the UPND has won more parliamentary seats than any other party in the last 12 to 15 months.
Congratulating Alliance for Democracy and Development interim President, Charles Milupi’s victory in the just ended Luena Parliamentary by-election, Mr. Hichilema said the UPND accepts the loss, adding that other parties must also be given chance to win other parliamentary seats in a democracy.
He said in every election, there has to be a winner and a loser, and that UPND, MMD, and other parties that contested the election were losers in this case, and the ADD was the winner.
He said the UPND is not aggrieved by the lose because it has won the majority seats in parliament in the last 12 to 15 months.
He said the UPND is the only party that has gained more parliamentary seats, as opposed to the ruling MMD which has been retaining seats in parliament.
He added that what is important in an election is to gain a seat and not to retain it.
He said while Mr. Milupi must be congratulated for emerging winner in Luena, there is not much impact because he merely retained his seat.
MMD Spokesperson Dora Siliya
MMD spokesperson Dora Siliya has urged Zambians to develop political careers by joining the ruling party.
Ms Siliya said the leadership in the party is friendly and embracing, adding that those who join the party are assured of being given an opportunity to aspire for various positions.
She said Zambians, especially the youth, should associate themselves with the MMD because President Banda has their interest at heart.
Ms Siliya said the victory which the party recorded in the recent local government elections is evidence that the party has support from people at the grassroots.
She said most Zambians are happy with the policies of Government as witnessed by the voting pattern in the local government elections.
Ms Siliya said the youth must be sober-minded and consider joining the MMD as they stand to benefit from a number of opportunities
She further encouraged the womenfolk to join the party saying MMD is all-embracing.
Ms Siliya said the economy is growing as the private sector has also expressed confidence in the leadership of President Banda.
She said it is highly unlikely that the private sector would want to see a change in policies and programmes of Government.
[pullquote]“The President has been so embracing to the private sector that I do not think they would want to see change in policies and programmes of Government,” Ms Siliya said.
[/pullquote]
Ms Siliya said Government has put in place incentives to make business transactions flexible in the country.
“The President has been so embracing to the private sector that I do not think they would want to see change in policies and programmes of Government,” Ms Siliya said.
Meanwhile, former secretary general of the National Energy Sector and Allied Workers Union (NESAWU) Yotham Mtayachalo has advised PF president Michael Sata to respect President Banda and desist from scandalising his office.
Mr Mtayachalo said it is unfortunate that Mr Sata has developed the habit of making wild and unsubstantiated allegations against Mr Banda in an effort to gain political mileage.
He said this in reaction to an article in yesterday’s edition of The Post newspapers in which Mr Sata was quoted saying the conviction of Kafulafuta member of Parliament George Mpombo was secured by Mr Banda.
Mr Mtayachalo said the remarks by Mr Sata are a mockery to the independency of the Judiciary.
He said the judiciary is independent but that the opposition usually deems it biased when a person who is perceived an enemy of the State is convicted.
“When the judiciary rules in favour of a member of the opposition, it is all smiles but if it rules against them, then the Judiciary is deemed compromised.
“It must be realised that in all countries where the judiciary has been undermined, there has been no peace. Mr Sata should stop the habit of commenting on everything for the sake of political mileage…this is not the first time he is making allegations without facts,” he said.
Mr Mtayachalo said Mr Sata should produce evidence to prove his claims that the judiciary is working in favour of President Banda.
He said a person who is aspiring for Presidency should desist from making reckless and wild allegations which have no substance.
Mr Mtayachalo said the office of the President must be protected and respected at all times.
He said Mr Banda has nothing to do with Mr Mpombo’s conviction as the law on bouncing a cheque is clearly stipulated.
“The President is not the one who came up with the law on bouncing a cheque so he should not be blamed for what has happened to Mr Mpombo,” he said.
On Friday, Ndola Magistrates court convicted Mr Mpombo of one count of dishonouring a cheque amounting to K10 million.
[ Zambia Daily Mail ]
Former Lusaka Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo.
Former Lusaka Catholic Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo has condemned opposition political parties inciting violence among the youth.
He said in Lusaka yesterday that promoting violence among young people showed that the country was diverting from the norms and values of a Christian nation.
Archbishop Milingo, who was speaking in Lusaka when he ordained five bishops from Jehovah’s Kingdom Assemblies Church, said the custom by some opposition political party leaders to insult those in authority was worrying and should be brought to an end.
Archbishop Milingo said Zambians should not allow divisions to rock the country and called on the people to live by the golden motto of ‘One Zambia, One Nation.’
And Archbishop Milingo urged the newly-ordained bishops to serve God and the people with sincerity.
Bishops Council of Zambia director-general Isaac Chabwera in his homily said the office of bishop called for sacrifice.
Local Government and Housing Deputy Minister Moses Muteteka said once one accepted the office of bishop, they were expected to devote time to preaching the Gospel and to unite the people.
[ Times of Zambia ]
Law Association of Zambia President Stephen Lungu (left) talks to Transparency International Zambia Executive Director Goodwell Lungu (file Picture)
Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) president Steven Lungu has said it is wrong for Patriotic Front leader Michael Sata and other civil society organisations to comment on a matter before the courts of law because it is prejudicial and a bad culture that should stop.
And the Judiciary Department has said those accusing President Rupiah Banda of being behind the conviction of Kafulafuta Member of Parliament (MP) George Mpombo should provide evidence and avoid making wild allegations.
Mr Lungu said in Lusaka yesterday that it was not right for anybody to comment on Mr Mpombo’s case because it had not been disposed of.
He wondered why the case had generated debates and accusations when it was still in court.
“This is what I have said before and I will continue saying, commenting on matters still in court is prejudicial and people should desist from this culture.
“The Mpombo case has not yet been disposed of and it is not right for people to continue commenting on it,” he said.
Mr Lungu said the best time to comment on any matter was when it had been concluded and that any comments should have a sound basis.
[pullquote]“The Mpombo case has not yet been disposed of and it is not right for people to continue commenting on it,” he said[/pullquote]
Judiciary Department public relations officer, Terry Musonda said yesterday it was sad that the civil society and some politicians always wanted to involve the president in selected convictions and judgments even when they knew that the judiciary operated under stipulated laws.
He said in an interview in Lusaka that Mr Mpombo’s was purely a court case and not political in any way.
“We all understand that people are entitled to their own opinions especially on the outcome of court cases, and where they have evidence on any allegations let them provide it because how else will society believe them if they just continue speaking from without,” he said.
Ndola Chief Resident Magistrate Kelvin Limbani on Friday convicted Mr Mpombo on one count of issuing a cheque of K10 million on an insufficiently-funded account and sentencing is expected to take place today.
Meanwhile, PF Luapula MP Peter Machungwa has said it is unfair to attribute all professional decisions Government institutions make to President Banda.
Dr Machungwa described Mr Sata’s assertions that President Banda had influenced Mr Mpombo’s conviction as shallow politicking and called for the respect of the judiciary.
And former National Energy and Allied Workers Union secretary general, Yotam Mtayachalo advised Mr Sata to stop dragging the judiciary into politics.
[ Times of Zambia ]
Kafulafuta MP George Mpombo in his jail cell in Ndola after he was jailed for bouncing a cheque
The MMD leadership from seven wards in Kafulafuta Constituency yesterday petitioned the district executive committee to expel area Member of Parliament (MP) George Mpombo from the party after passing a vote of no confidence in him.
MMD Masaiti District secretary Patrick Zulu said some of the wards which withdrew their support for Mr Mpombo were Muyenga, Shitwe, Majaliwa, Kambowe and Mutaba.
He said the district party leadership had received the petition and that it would meet on Thursday to decide Mr Mpombo’s fate.
Mr Zulu said the leaders would discuss matters regarding Mr Mpombo, whose recent stand in the party has been a source of controversy.
The Kafulafuta MP has caused tension in the ruling party with his constant attacks on the top leadership, including President Rupiah Banda.
[ Times of Zambia ]
Mauritius Under-20 caused a major upset today when they sent Zambia Under-20 packing out of the African Youth Championship qualifiers.
Mauritius beat Zambia 3-1 to advance 3-2 on aggregate from the first round qualifiers to the final second round after overturning 1-0 loss they suffered at the hand of Keagan Mumba’s on July 24 at Nkoloma stadium in Lusaka.
The two teams were locked at 0-0 going into halftime on Sunday on the Indian Ocean Island before Mauritius took the lead 47th minute through Clarel Jackson.
Rodrick Kabwe equalized in the 55th minute for Zambia but goals from Christopher L’enclume and David Azie in the 67 and 80th minutes respectively ensured Mauritius went through after their dramatic comeback to sail through to the second round qualifiers on the road to next years Libya finals.
PF leader Michael sata and UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema
United Party for National Development, UPND, President, Hakainde Hichilema, has backed his Patriotic Front(PF) counterpart, Michael Sata, in saying that the MMD government has a hand in the conviction of former Defense Minister, George Mpombo.
Mr. Hichilema said the MMD government drove Mr. Mpombo’s conviction just like it did drive Post newspaper editor, Chansa Kabwela’s case.
Mr. Hichilema said the way Mr. Mpombo’s case was handled, it clearly shows that there was pressure on the judiciary by the government.
Meanwhile, Mr. Hichilema has said the judiciary in the country has been divided, one for the MMD sympathizers, and the other for non MMD sympathisers.
The UPND leader noted that there is need for the judiciary in the country to operate the way it ought to operate.
He said the judiciary is being driven by those in authority, adding that this could be clearly seen from the way Ms. Lucy Changwe’s case where she failed to honour a cheque to a Mr. Musonda was handled by the government.
Mr. Hichilema said that Mr. Mpombo’s case is almost the same as that for Ms Changwe, but that she was not convicted.
He added that it is extremely not fair for the government to handle cases in such an imbalanced manner.
[ QFM ]
Assistant Secretary Johnnie Carson(left) and Hon. Felix Mutati in Washington DC
Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Hon. Felix Mutati received a standing ovation after delivering a strong emotional speech that was punctuated with a strong message that” Africa is a new frontier for investment” amid long and loud applauses
He told his audience and in particular American investors that they will lose huge opportunities if they avoid ” investing in changing Africa.”
“Africa is changing. At least 38 African countries in the recent past have moved towards political stability and good governance. They have also implemented reforms to improve the way they conduct business,” he said.
It was for this reason that he challenged American companies to take advantage of the African Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA) as Africa was open and ready for job creation and accountability.
He commended the hard work and dynamism of African women who are also attending the Forum in their determination to make a difference and prosper in a world dominated by men citing as an example Ghana’s Chief Excecutive Officer of Homefoods Processing and Cannery Limited, Felicia Twumwasi and Zambia’s Sylvia Banda CEO of Sylva Food Solutions Inc.
“ I salute African women who started their businesses in their kitchens and are now able to run multi million dollar companies or have expanded from catering to processing and packaging traditional Zambian foodstuffs.i
Hon. Mutati also spoke at a panel discussion moderated by the US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Ambassador Johnnie Carson. Other speakers were Mr. Ezra Sabiti Suruma a former Minister of Uganda, Ambassador Islam Siddiqui Chief Agriculrural Negotiator from the office of the US Trade Representative, and Mr. Philippe Villers, the Chief Executive Officer of GrainPro in Massachussetts.
The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum opened last Monday 2nd August, 2010 in Washington. It moved to Kansas City on Thursday 5th August, 2010 in order to link African business people with American counterparts.
Passed into law 10 years ago, the trade policy seeks to boost Africa’s economic growth by allowing 6,400 products duty-free access to the American market.
US exports to Africa under the Act increased to $18.5 billion in 2008 from $10.2 billion in 2005, while exports from Africa soared to $86 billion from $50.3 billion, according to the latest numbers from the US Department of Commerce.
Later, the Minister and his Zambian delegation met with some business leaders from US companies to discuss specific areas for investment.
The Minister also toured the Zambian stand accompanied by Her Excellency, Mrs. Sheila Siwela, Zambia’s Ambassador to the United States of America.
He also held bilateral talks with his Angolan counterpart, Mrs. Maria Idalina Volente, the Angolan Minister of Trade. The discussions were mainly focused on increased trade between the two countries.
