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PARLIAMENT yesterday heard that government is still in possession of a trunk of emeralds worth US$214,223.60 that was confiscated from governor of Katanga Province in Democratic Republic of Congo, Moses Katumbi.
Vice President George Kunda told the House that the emeralds are secured in an undisclosed bank and that they are safe.
Deputy Minister of Justice Todd Chilembo told Parliament yesterday that government is in the process of handing over the emeralds to Mr Katumbi following the agreement he signed with the Zambian government.
Mr Chilembo said this in response to a question by Kanchibiya member of Parliament Davies Mwango (PF) who wanted to know why Government returned the assets belonging to Mr Katumbi and what the value of the retuned assets is.
This was during questions for oral answer. Mr Chilembo said the agreement signed between Mr Katumbi and the Zambian government through the Task Force on Corruption sought to reach an amicable out of court settlement of the civil court proceedings and claims filed by Mr Katumbi in the High Court of Lusaka and Kitwe.
He said in public interest, government agreed and undertook to close all civil proceedings and claims that were pending against government as represented by the Attorney General, Anti-Corruption Commission and Drug Enforcement commission.
Mr Chilembo said the High courts in Kitwe and Lusaka endorsed the agreement. He explained that as a result of the agreement signed between government and Mr Katumbi, properties were forfeited to the Zambian government and sold. Mr Chilembo said various mining equipment and motor vehicles located at Kalulushi, Lufwanyama and Lusaka were sold at over K3 billion.
He said money forfeited to government was K183,679,243.59 and US$16,695.03. Mr Chilembo said office furniture and equipment were sold at K13,719,00.00. He said further said industrial property stand No NDO 4083/12 in Ndola was handed over to National Housing Authority (NHA) for disposal with an estimated value of K1.8 billion.
And Mr Chilembo denied reports that the emeralds belonging to Mr Katumbi were stolen. He said this in response to Chipili MP Davies Mwila (PF) asked government to confirm reports that emeralds were stolen.
And Mr Kunda said all the criminal and civil cases leveled against Mr Katumbi were settled in the agreement. He said this in response to Roan MP Chishimba Kambwili (PF) who wanted to know whether the criminal cases against Mr Katumbi were settled.
Mr Kunda said the attorney general settled the agreement with Mr Katumbi on behalf of the Government. He said this in response to Kabwata MP Given Lubinda who asked whether then Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services Vernon Mwaanga settled the agreement following his visits to Katanga province.
And Mr Chilembo informed the house that government acquired the Presidential Jet on lease because it was not able to purchase the aircraft in a one off cash transaction due to financial constraints.
He said the Presidential jet was delivered in October 2001 at a cost of US$28,772,813 through a lease agreement with Execujet Aviation Group who sourced most of the financing for the aircraft.
Mr Chilembo said this was paid off in September 2006, after government had paid a total of US$35,950,000, including a residue amount of US$6,000,000 for operations and maintenance by Execujet during the five years lease period and penalties on some delayed remittances.
He said the Presidential aircraft is now fully owned by the Zambian government. Mr Chilembo said this in response to a question by Mr Mwila who wanted to know why government acquired the Presidential jet on leased, the terms of the contract and how much money government has spent on the lease of the Presidential jet.
PF Leader Michael Sata (Picture Courtesy of The Post Newspaper)
TODAY the people of Chifubu go to the polls to elect their new Member of Parliament (MP) who shall be representing them for the next one year before the country’s 2011 tripartite elections.
Chifubu Constituency, which has a population of more than 100,000, with 29,198 registered voters in six wards and 39 polling stations, is largely under-developed in many areas. The by-election is as a result of the death of area MP Benson Bwalya who died some three months ago.
Four candidates are contesting the Chifubu seat, namely Frank Ng’ambi of the governing Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD), Susan Kawandami of the Patriotic Front (PF), the United National Independence party (UNIP)’s Poko Mambwe and political freshman and academician, Brian Banda of the Alliance for Development and Democracy (ADD).
Over and above, the campaigns have relatively been peaceful until lately when pockets of violence shored up among cadres in different areas of the constituency. Cadres have been mocking each other over which party is more popular in the area that is still grappling with serious developmental challenges.
The recent high profile violence involved alleged PF cadres who blocked Vice-President George Kunda’s motorcade on Monday afternoon as he headed for the Ndola International Airport from addressing a rally in Kawama.
President Rupiah Banda waves the MMD party symbol when he arrived at a rally in Limulunga to drum up support for Luena candidate Mwangala Maopu
At the time of the incident, the PF leader Michael Sata was from the airport in a convoy going to Chifubu, where he was going to address a public rally.
The incident has since been roundly condemned by various sections of society, who argue that violence has no place in a civilised society that subscribes to democratic norms.
Every peace-loving Zambian should abhor any form of violence, which is obviously retrogressive in a democratic society. There is need for political maturity from political players.
As though this is not enough, suspected opposition cadres also descended on MMD candidate Frank Ng’ambi and stopped his vehicle, which had MMD campaign posters on Ndola’s Kwacha Road.
Mr Ng’ambi, his daughter, Lukundo and a driver, had to be rushed to Ndola Central Hospital, where they received treatment after being beaten.
MMD and PF cadres have been fighting running battles in Chifubu Township ever since the PF leader addressed a rally in the area on Monday.
Police had to fire teargas canisters to disperse the charged cadres. Four people where injured in the fracas.
These kind of incidents have almost become commonplace in Zambia’s elections. Every time there is an election, political parties and police make a public commitment to avoid any form of violence – but they almost always fail to keep that commitment.
If elections have to be free and fair, political party leaders have a duty to ensure they discourage their members from engaging in violence.
The people of Chifubu constituency need more than violence. They are in dire need of development. They need food for their stomachs, a roof over their heads, employment for the youths, clean water to drink, a modern market to sell their merchandise and a good road network.
However, the duty and responsibility lies with the people today to elect a credible candidate to represent them effectively in Parliament. It is all in their hands to determine their destiny, as far as development is concerned.
The constituency, despite having had parliamentary representation, largely remains under-developed.
Some of the major developmental issues in Chifubu include poor water reticulation, poor road network, lack of recreation facilities for youths and several other social amenities.
For example, spaced areas like Kaniki have one health centre, which makes it hard for people to access health services because of the distance they have to cover to reach to the health centre.
There is also need for a secondary school in the area. Currently, there is only one basic school and those who qualify to grade 10 have trouble attending classes, as they have to sometimes hike and walk to attend school in Ndola central.
Temweni High School, the only secondary school in the constituency, is out of reach for many in various parts of constituency due to its distance.
Poor road network and water reticulation in places like Kawama, Chifubu and some parts of Pamodzi remains a serious challenge. People have no access to safe drinking water and proper sanitation.
Chifubu has traditionally been an MMD seat since the country returned to political pluralism and was once held by late president Levy Mwanawasa and later Matthew Mulanda.
In 2006, the tables turned and the opposition PF swept the Copperbelt to become the dominant party with the late Benson Bwalya taking the Chifubu seat after beating three contenders.
[pullquote]There is also need for a secondary school in the area. Currently, there is only one basic school and those who qualify to grade 10 have trouble attending classes, as they have to sometimes hike and walk to attend school in Ndola central.[/pullquote]
The area, which includes Pamodzi, Chifubu, Kaniki, Sakanya, Kawama and Overspill, is largely under-developed and is presented with challenges such as poor water and sanitation, bad road network, unemployment and poor health facilities.
MMD Candidate
MMD candidate, Frank Ng’ambi, a successful business executive, is riding on his corporate experience to bring development to the constituency.
He believes he is better placed to develop Chifubu as he would be a direct link between Government and the people.
Mr Ng’ambi, who also has an accounting background, is currently studying for his Masters degree in Business Administration with Northrise University and wants to bring accountability to the management of the Constituency Development Funds (CDF) – which were recently increased from K600 million to K666 million.
His areas of priority include employment creation through establishment of business ventures, water reticulation, road network and building of a modern market. If elected, he would also want to build a secondary school in the constituency.
PF candidate
PF candidate, Susan Kawandami, a farmer and business person, has her priories set on empowering women and improving the water and road infrastructure in the area.
Being a woman, she argues she is better placed to understand and empathise with people’s struggles in the area.
Ms Kawandami is not new to politics after previously taking part in a hotly contested election in the constituency on a Heritage Party ticket in 2001. She came fourth out of 10 candidates but fell far short of beating the winner, MMD’s Matthew Mulanda.
ADD candidate
ADD candidate, Brian Banda, a freshman in politics and an academician, is focused on wealth creation, youth employment and women empowerment. He also wants to improve the road network and create recreation facilities for youths most of whom have been victims of alcohol and prostitution.
Mr Banda sees himself as an agent of change to stir-up development in the constituency due to his vast knowledge and understanding of issues. The youngest of the four candidates also sees himself as a realist not one who would introduce textbook solutions to practical problems affecting the people of Chifubu Constituency.
UNIP candidate
UNIP’s Poko Mwambwe believes he has the qualities to represent the people of Chifubu Constituency in Parliament.
He is riding on his noble background as a teacher, arguing that he is better placed to understand the common man as he also is an ordinary human being keen to do extra-ordinary things. In addition, he strongly feels that it is time for the electorate in Chifubu Constituency to reciprocate his good gesture having moulded many youths in the area into responsible citizens as a teacher.
His major areas of interest are water reticulation and general infrastructural development. He articulated these two issues passionately during the campaigns.
Ultimately, the die has been cast. Each of the candidates is confident of scooping today’s by-election but the people will determine who will be representing them in Parliament before next year’s tripartite elections. Let the best candidates carry the day!
Football Association of Zambia president Kalusha Bwalya and his vice Emmanuel Munaile during the FA's annual general meeting in Lusaka FAZ president Kalusha Bwalya has described as stupid allegations that he played a role in Zambia defender, Emmanuel Mbola’s botched transfer move to Europe.
Kalusha said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that he was saddened with people making wild allegations against him which were aimed at tarnishing his image.
Reacting to allegations that he had been actively involved in the failed transfer deal for Mbola from DR Congo side, TP Mazembe to Europe, Kalusha said he does not want his name to be tarnished because the claims were false.
“Allegations that I was involved in Mbola’s transfer are stupid”, he said
Sources at the weekend said Mining Rangers director Elijah Chileshe and Kalusha had been involved in the Mbola transfer, which attracted a strong protest from TP Mazembe proprietor Moses Katumbi when the teenage player attempted to join a European team recently.
Mbola moved to Mazembe in March for a $200,000 deal, while his contract with Armenia side, Pyunik Yereven was still binding.
Kalusha said yesterday that his job was to develop Zambian football and would not allow his name to be dragged in the ‘mud’.
[pullquote]”Allegations that I was involved in Mbola’s transfer are stupid”, he said[/pullquote]
“I can’t comment now because these are stupid allegations. I don’t want my name to be tarnished,” an upset Kalusha said.
On Monday, Chileshe said he was free to consult any FAZ official including Kalusha in matters relating to player international transfer.
“If Kalusha is able to assist in his personal capacity with player transfer, I can go there,” Chileshe said.
Kalusha also said he executes his football duties for many people including officials from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) who consult him on several issues.
“So many people come for consultation even from CAF. I work for football development,” he said.
Sources said there had been active ‘consultations’ between Chileshe and Kalusha, raising concern that the FAZ boss has had a hand in the controversial and botched move to a European country and that another move was being planned.
Mbola recently indicated that he would move to Italian Serie A Juventus while information also emerged that the 17-year-old was about to be signed by West Ham in England.
He eventually returned to Lubumbashi after Katumbi insisted that he belonged to TP Mazembe and that anyone wishing to get the player should first consult his club.
On July 23, sources said, Chileshe reportedly sent details of his passports and that of Mbola to Kalusha when the player had just returned to Lubumbashi.
But Chileshe said he does not understand why the Mbola issue had attracted such hype with some people accusing FAZ of being involved in the deal.
He said the only time FAZ was involved in the Mbola matter was when they issued an International Transfer Certificate (ITC) to Pyunik last year after Mining paid the association $5,000.
Chileshe said Mazembe paid Mining for Mbola’s services and that FAZ played no role in the deal.
He could not however state why the player was signed by Mazembe when his ITC is with Pyunik where the contract is still valid.
“I don’t know why some people have suddenly become very interested in Mbola’s transfer when this transaction does not involve FAZ but Mining, TP Mazembe and Pyunik. Let them stay away from this because I developed Mbola with my own money. So those clubs talking about this matter should just concentrate on building their own players,” he said.
He said he knew the people behind the ‘scheme’ whom he claimed wanted to fight Kalusha.
Chileshe said he was saddened by Katumb for divulging private matters concerning Mbola’s deal to the public.
He said what Mining and Mazembe agreed on Mbola was not meant for the public.
Chileshe said that Katumbi promised to sort out the Pyunik problem with world football governing body, FIFA over Mbola’s contractual mess.
The Mining boss said he had now adopted Mbola’s younger brother, Paul whom he was trying to develop into another top class player.
National Constitutional Conference chairperson Chifumu Banda (L) and spokesperson Mwangala Zaloumis, during the launch of the draft constitution in LUsaka.
THE National Constitutional Conference (NCC) has said the conduct of Patriotic Front (PF) deputy national secretary Samuel Mukupa to tear the Draft Constitution at a political rally is an insult to the many Zambians who have made submissions including Parliament.
And Mwense Patriotic Front (PF) Member of Parliament Jacob Chongo has said Mr Mukupa’s behaviour is also an insult to the United Party for National Development (UPND) their sister partner in the pact.
NCC spokesperson Mwangala Zaloumis said in an interview yesterday that it was wrong for the PF to politicise the cnstitution-making process.
“Zambians have been making submissions to the Draft Constitution and huge resources have been spent on this very important document therefore it would be wrong for people to politicise the process,” he said.
Ms Zaloumis said if people are opposed to the NCC process, they should not resort to politicising the constitution making process.
She said the NCC was a creation of the National Assembly and that it was wrong for a member of the PF to conduct himself when parliamentarians from the party were party to the creation of the Act.
“PF members of Parliament were there when the NCC Act was created,” she said.
NCC chairperson Chifumu Banda refused to comment about Mr Mukupa’s behaviour because he had so much work to do.
“We have so much work to do because we have received a lot of submissions which Zambians have made, so I will not waste my time to comment on that behaviour,” he said.
In a separate interview, Mr Chongo wondered how the PF and UPND would work together when they had such fundamental differences.
“That act by Mr Mukupa by itself is rubbishing all Zambians that have participated in the process including the UPND. They are telling the UPND that they do not think now just imagine how can these two parties work together. Are these really credible people that can form government?,” he said.
“Do you have to go to such an extent if you do not agree with something? I think there are more civil ways that people can show disagreement.”
He said by this act the PF were also rubbishing the Mung’omba Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) that the party has been advocating for.
“I only hope Zambians will now realise that these are criminals who want to usurp power by inciting people,” he said.
The Mwense MP also condemned the PF cadres for blocking Vice President George Kunda’s motorcade in Ndola.
“Just imagine what Mr Sata would have done if it was him that was blocked?” he said.
Mr Mukupa on Monday tore the Draft Constitution at a rally addressed by PF leader Michael Sata and threw it to the public saying the document was only fit for marketeers to use as a wrapper for vegetables.
Zambian miners are unhappy that Vedanta Resources owned Konkola Copper Mines has continued to outsource labour because of lack of intention from the government.
Mr Rayford Mbulu president of Mine Workers Union of Zambia said that KCM, Zambia’s leading copper producer is likely to continue outsourcing labour as long as there is no intervention from politicians.
Commenting on the recent visit by mines deputy minister Mr SimoN Kachimba to KCM operations on the Copperbelt region of Zambia, Mr Mbulu was skeptical of tangible results emerging from the meeting with the mine officials because they appeared to have already made up their minds over outsourcing.
He commended the government for the initiative to meet mine officials on the matter relating to Zambianisation which said that the mining union has already has had a similar one before. The impression of the miners union was like discussing an issue on which decisions seem to have been made already noting that that it was MUZ’s view that the miner, KCM has already made up its mind to outsource labour at the expense of skilled locals.
He said that I think we’ve not achieved anything because they KCM were simply justifying their decision to outsource. From the manner the meeting ended, it seems they will continue outsourcing.
According to Mr Mbulu, if what was happening at KCM was left unchecked, it would spread to other mining firms and ultimately disadvantage Zambian professionals. There was need for all stakeholders to join hands in stopping the outsourcing at KCM.
He said that KCM has the largest number of expatriates in the mining sector. Mopani has been led by a Zambian Chief Executive Officer and he has run it so effectively so far. KCM has more than 135 expatriates while Mopani has about half that number but they are performing very well.
[SteelGuru ]
(Filed by Mr Kapembwa Sinkamba SteelGuru Correspondent Zambia)
A JOINT investigations team of Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) and Anti Corruption Commission officials has arrested former Finance Bank chairman Rajan Mahtani for alleged money laundering involving over K80 billion.
DEC spokesperson John Nyawali confirmed Dr Mahtani’s arrest in a statement released in Lusaka.
Mr Nyawali said Dr Mahtani’s arrest comes after Director of Public Prosecutions Chalwe Mchenga gave consent for the case to proceed following conclusion of consultations with the investigations team.
“However, investigations in other matters involving Dr Mahtani are ongoing and the nation will be kept informed as events unfold.
“The commission would like to warn that it will investigate and prosecute anyone involved in money laundering activities regardless of their status in society to ensure protection of the national economy,” Mr Nyawali said.
He said Dr Mahtani, 62, a resident of Finance House Cairo Road, Lusaka, has also been arrested for flouting Banking and Finance Services rules.
It is alleged that on dates unknown but between January 1, 2003 and December 31, 2009, Dr Mahtani jointly and whilst acting with some unknown people, directly or indirectly engaged in a business transaction that involved property acquired with proceeds of crime when a total of K81,700,253,230 was deposited into bank accounts of Finsbury Investments Limited.
The accounts were kept at Finance Bank’s corporate branch, the bank in which Dr Mahtani had more than 25 percent shares. This was contrary to the Banking Act.
Mr Nyawali said Dr Mahtani has since been released on bond and will appear in court soon.
Early this year, Dr Mahtani resigned as Finance Bank board chairperson on grounds that he wanted to protect the bank’s interest, and to defend himself from allegations leveled against him.
PF leader Michael Sata
Patriotic Front (PF) Leader Michael Sata has accused the MMD of creating ghost voters in tomorrow’s Chifubu parliamentary by-elections by grabbing National Registration Cards from women in the area on the pretext of using the NRCs as collateral for lending them money.
Speaking during a sponsored special programme on Radio Phoenix this morning, Mr Sata said the MMD is using Community Development and Social Services Minister Michael Kaingu to allegedly dupe women that he wants to lend them money but that they have to first surrender their NRCs.
Mr Sata questioned why Mr Kaingu is allegedly getting National Registration Cards from the women if it is not for the purpose of creating ghost voters especially that the ongoing voter registration exercise is still going on in Chifubu even with the by-elections taking place.
He said in the past whenever they were elections the voter registration exercise would be suspended but this is not the case in Luena and Chifubu.
Mr Sata noted that Electoral Commission of Zambia Chairperson Justice Florence Mumba has tried but unfortunately she is working under difficult conditions and with difficult people.
The PF leader has further lamented that the Electoral Commission of Zambia does not give confidence to anybody.
Meanwhile, Mr. Sata has called on the electorate in Chifubu constituency to turn out in large numbers tomorrow and vote the MMD out.
He expressed confidence that the PF will scoop the Chifubu parliamentary seat tomorrow.
Mr. Sata stressed out that all the past elections where the PF is said to have lost elections were as a result of the MMD rigging the elections.
Mr. Sata also noted that the MMD has continued to lose seats in parliament ever since late President, Levy Mwanawasa died in August 2008.
[QFM ]
The Libya Africa Investment Portfolio (LAP), the Uganda Telecom parent company, will invest at least $125 million in , Zamtel. LAP GreenN, the group’s telecom arm, recently acquired the operations of Zamtel.
Mr Hans Paulsen, the newly appointed chief executive officer of Zamtel told Daily Monitor in Kampala last week that the money will be invested in the telecom operations in the next two years under the LAP Green Network. He said: “The investment will mainly go into restructuring the company; acquiring new technology, building a 3G network, extending network coverage and at the same time re-launch the brand.”
The plan comes on the back of LAP’s 75 per cent stake in the company leaving the Zambian government with a 25 per cent interest. The investment will also reinforce LAP’s ambitious plan of increasing Zamtel’s subscriber base from 300,000 mobile phone and landline subscribers to 1 million subscribers by the end of 2010. Mr Paulsen said: “Our target is to cross the one million mark before the end of the year.”
LAP GreenN has operations in eight African countries including; Uganda, Rwanda, Niger, Ivory Coast, Zambia, South Sudan, Sierra Leone, and Togo. It has a total subscription platform of 5.2 million customers compared to MTN’s 100 million plus and 42 million for Zain Africa operations.
A 24 year old woman was severely mauled by a crocodile on Lake Kariba in Sinazongwe, resulting in the amputation of both her two hands.
Juliet Siangombe of Ndolo Village in Senior Chief Mweemba’s area, narrated to ZANIS from her bed at Maamba Hospital that the incident occurred when she went to fetch water from the banks of Lake Kariba, accompanied by her sister in law.
Mrs. Siangombe said the crocodile attacked both her hands while she was in the process of dipping a container to draw some water.
The victim said she wrestled with the crocodile, which was pulling her into deeper water.
“While fighting with it I could feel it breaking my right hand and later it broke my left hand,” Mrs. Siangombe said.
Mrs. Siangombe narrated that her sister in-law shouted for help, after which some people rushed to the scene and started stoning and hitting the beast on the head with a paddling stick, but it was still not giving up.
Mrs. Siangombe said that after a long struggle the crocodile let go, after which the rescuers dragged her to the shore and rushed her to Maamba Hospital where doctors amputated both her hands.
Hardly a month passes by without one or two people being either killed or injured by a crocodile on Lake Kariba in Sinazongwe district.
Assistant Secretary Johnnie Carson(left) and Hon. Felix Mutati in Washington DC
Zambia has taken over the Africa Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA) Forum for the next one year following an African Ministerial Consultative Group meeting held in Washington DC. This is according to a statement released to Lusakatimes by First Secretary for Press at the Zambian Embassy in the United States of America Ben Kangwa.
The Forum is an annual event mandated by the African Growth and Opportunity Act, which was signed into law by former President Bill Clinton in May 2000 to expand trade and investment with the sub- Saharan Africa.
It allows eligible countries’ officials to review the implementation of AGOA, as well as exploring new ways for the future in order to enhance and strengthen trade integration and make smooth commerce activities between the United States and sub-Saharan Africa.
The out –going Chairperson of Kenya, the Minister of Trade Hon. Amos Muhinga Kimunya passed over the Chairmanship to Zambia’s Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Hon. Felix Mutati, pledging unflinching support and cooperation for a successful tenure.[pullquote]Africa is no longer the same as before – It is a continent that is rich in natural resources and has a highly cost effective labour base. Let us kill this negative myth for it to develop[/pullquote]
Speaking at the Ministerial opening ceremony on behalf of the Ministerial Consultative Group, Hon. Mutati reiterated the importance of AGOA in promoting trade and economic development in Sub Saharan Africa.
He stated that Africa is a continent with significant potential for the US market and offers greater financial returns more so that it was seeing its strongest economic growth since the late 1970s.
“Africa is no longer the same as before – It is a continent that is rich in natural resources and has a highly cost effective labour base. Let us kill this negative myth for it to develop,” he said amid a loud applause.
Minister Mutati also said that Africa had shown greatest improvement and taken the biggest steps in reducing corruption in 38 countries, introduced business reforms as well as stabilized exchange rates over the past decade.
He emphasized the need that AGOA should be viewed as a partnership- between the US and Sub Saharan Africa in order to promote trade and development.
Later the Minister took part in a plenary session along his equivalent – US Trade Representative, Ambassador Ron Kirk in a discussion entitled “New Strategies for Expanding US Sub Saharan African Trade.”
The session explored new strategies to reduce trade barriers, creation of new trade opportunities and the strengthening of US-African trade within the context of the changing global trading environment.
Hon. Mutati and his delegation which included Zambia’s Ambassador to the United States of America, Mrs. Sheila Siwela held two bilateral meetings, first with Ambassador Kirk and officials from the United States Trade Representative’s (USTR) and later with Ambassador Johnnie Carson, the Assistant Secretary, Bureau of African Affairs at the US Department of State.
Meanwhile, Zambia’s Ambassador and Plenipotentiary to the United States of America, Mrs. Sheila Siwela said this year’s AGOA Forum offers a great platform for the Zambian delegation to engage with American decision makers and their private sector in developing productive business networks based on mutual understanding.
“It will be a great opportune time to enhance personal business contacts between Zambia and the USA in order to try and jump start trade and investment between the two countries,” she added.
PF Leader Michael Sata (Picture Courtesy of The Post Newspaper)
Patriotic Front Leader Michael Sata says the differences in the PF/UPND pact are normal.
In an interview with QFM, Mr. Sata said there is nothing sinister about the squabbles in the PF/UPND pact because in every situation human beings are bound to differ.
He expressed happiness that the differences in the pact have emerged at a time when there is still room to resolve them.
Mr Sata says it would have been bad if the differences emerged in 2011 ahead of the general elections because Vice President George Kunda would have been vindicated.
He has also dismissed reports by some sections of the media that the two parties in the pact were fielding candidates in all the contested seats for this Thursday’s by-elections.
The PF/UPND National Governing Council is expected to meet soon to find a way of resolving the problems in the pact.
[ QFM ]
PF cadres
Police in Ndola have arrested 10 Patriotic Front (PF) supporters for allegedly having blocked Vice-President George Kunda’s motorcade on Monday.
Copperbelt police commanding officer, Antonneil Mutentwa said 13 others who are suspected to have been part of the cadres that blocked Mr Kunda’s motorcade will be arrested soon.
Mr Mutentwa said those arrested will appear in court soon, adding that most of them are taxi drivers alleged to have been hired by the PF.
“The total number of the people that were involved in the fracas is 23, but we have so far arrested 10,” he said.
Mr Mutentwa warned that police will arrest people who perpetrate violence.
He said police held three meetings with all the political parties participating in the Chifubu constituency by-elections on the need to maintain peace and tranquility during the campaign period.
And the Leadership In Development has described the tearing of the Mung’omba draft constitution by PF vice national chairman Simon Mukupa as being anarchist.
Leadership in Development executive director, Moses Kalonde said the PF has no respect for the law.
“That is an act of anarchy which should be condemned in the strongest terms,” he said.
Mr Kalonde said people should judge for themselves the kind of opposition leaders who want to aspire to the highest office of the land.
He said the public should start scrutinising the kind of leadership they want to lead them after 2011.
“This is the time to ensure that politicians are scrutinised in both the ruling party and opposition political parties,” he said.
Mr Kalonde called on the people in Chifubu to elect a candidate that will bring about development in the constituency.
[ Zambia Daily Mail ]
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has with immediate effect withdrawn Lusaka lawyer Robert Simeza as a co-prosecutor in the murder case involving Inktech managing director Mohan Matthews and others.
In his letter to Mr Simeza dated July 20 this year, Mr Chalwe Mchenga indicated that his action to immediately withdraw him had been necessitated to protect the integrity of the trial process.
This is in a case in which Matthews and Crown Paints proprietors Idris Suleiman Patel and Shabbir Patel have been charged with the alleged murder of Cyclone Hardware managing director Sajid Itowala on July 21, 2009.
“ This letter serves to advise that I have with immediate effect withdrawn the authority for you to co-prosecute the case of ‘The People Vs Mohan Matthews and others, my action has been necessitated to protect the integrity of the trial process.
“ And the inconvenience that the very short notice may cause you and your clients is deeply regretted,” said the DPP.
And the respondent’s family representative and uncle of the deceased, Mr Mohamed Suleman Itowala had filed an appeal against the DPP’s decision to withdraw Mr Simeza as a co-prosecutor in the matter.
In his affidavit, Mr Itowala alleged that he had authority to depose his support of Mr Simeza as co –prosecutor and that as family, they were comfortable with the way he had been prosecuting the case and felt that justice was going on well.
Mr Itowala said as the family they had been grandly taken aback and distressed by the turn of events that the person who had primary conduct of the prosecution would no longer be able to direct the prosecution at this advanced stage of the case.
“ That I and the family are desirous to see Mr Simeza continue to play a role in this matter as he is well versed with the facts of the case as he has spent time interviewing witnesses including those who may not be called to testify, he will be of great service in easing the mind of the deceased’s family and of great value to the court,” he said.
Mr Itowala indicated that allowing Mr Simeza to continue a role in the prosecution of this case would go along way towards ensuring that justice was not only done but also manifestly seen to be done.
That this case was the first of its kind in Zambia and had generated enormous public interest especially in the Muslim community and as such there should not be any lingering doubt as to the manner the prosecution would have been conducted.
But Mr Mchenga in his response said his withdraw of Mr Simeza from the case was not as a result of any misconduct on his part but followed his assessment that it was not in the broad interest of justice for this case to continue to be prosecuted by a private legal practitioner.
“ This being the case I will not reverse my decision to withdraw Mr Simeza from the case, neither will I allow any other private legal practitioner to join in the prosecution,” Mr Mchenga said.
He said it was his obligation to act as he did knowing well that his decision might not be well received by interested parties like him and his family and apologised for his action and the inconvenience.
The matter has been set for August 9, for continued trial.
[ Times of Zambia ]
A LUSAKA magistrate’s court yesterday convicted Patriotic Front (PF) president Michael Sata’s body guard Judge Ngoma on two counts of assault.
The court has since reserved sentencing to this Friday.
Senior Resident Magistrate David Simusamba yesterday said he was satisfied that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and found the accused guilty on both counts.
Mr Simusamba said Ngoma’s defence could not stand because there was overwhelming evidence, which showed him and his colleagues punching and kicking at a helpless man trying to escape from them.
“I am therefore satisfied that the prosecution has proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and I accordingly find the accused guilty as charged and convict him accordingly on both counts,” he said.
In count one, Ngoma 42, of plot 21/15 of Barlastone Park in Lusaka on June 5, 2009 in Lusaka jointly and while acting together with others unknown, assaulted Mubanga Chileshe thereby occasioning him bodily harm.
[pullquote]“I am therefore satisfied that the prosecution has proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and I accordingly find the accused guilty as charged and convict him accordingly on both counts,” he said.
[/pullquote]
In count two, Ngoma on the same date jointly and while acting together with other persons unknown assaulted Samson Zulu, thereby occasioning him actual bodily harm.
Mr Simusamba said during trial, Mr Zulu testified that on June 5, 2009 while hosting a Press conference at Courtyard Hotel in Lusaka as a pressure group within the PF protesting against the party’s failure to call for a convention, he was confronted by a group of seven members whom he identified as his colleagues in the PF.
Mr Simusamba said Mr Zulu narrated that among the group Ngoma was also present.
“He testified that the members of the group took turns in beating him up while the now accused was speaking on the phone to the effect that he had been apprehended and abducted him by which time the now accused participated in the beatings and took him to a place he recognised as the party’s secretariat where he was further physically abused,” he said.
He said Mr Zulu testified that after the abuse, a statement denouncing his Press conference was forced out of him and was released and warned not to report the matter to the police since the matter was resolved.
He, however, decided to report the matter to the police where he was issued with a medical report, which he took to the hospital.
And Mr Chileshe also testified that on June 5, last year, while hosting a Press briefing with Mr Zulu, he was attacked by a group of people he identified as PF members, among them, Ngoma who was with his friends took turns in punching and kicking him.
Mr Simusamba said another witness Chiwele Maimisa testified that on the material date, Ngoma, together with others known went to Courtyard Hotel to disrupt a Press briefing where he witnessed the other members of the group beat up Mr Zulu and Mr Chileshe.
He said Mr Mamisa testified that he drove in the front seat of the vehicle in which Mr Zulu was bundled when he was abducted and taken to the party secretariat where he was further physically abused.
Mr Simusamba said after considering all the evidence before the court, he was satisfied that the evidence of Mr Zulu, Mr Chileshe and Mr Maimisa and as corroborated by an exhibit of a video footage that on June 5, 2009, both the complainants were assaulted by persons known to them.
Mr Simusamba said Ngoma’s defence was that he was merely acting in self-defence when Mr Zulu descended on him.
Ngoma has since been detained in custody pending sentencing.
[ Times of Zambia ]
