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Five Copperbelt PF councils deny financial impropriety

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Five opposition Patriotic Front (PF) controlled councils on the Copperbelt, have said assertions that they have failed to perform despite receiving huge grants from government are not true and were meant to tarnish the integrity of the party.

The Mayors, Stephen Chipungu of Kitwe, Simon Chanda of Chingola, Mufulira mayor Thomson Ngulube and Mayor Ben Mpande for Chililabombwe said at a media briefing held at the Kitwe council chamber that the allegation was not true describing it as unfair.

The civic leaders stated that the five councils are ready to receive the auditors any time but wondered why government has singled out PF controlled councils alone.

The mayors said their councils have performed well under difficult circumstances compared to MMD councils and challenged government to be consistent in giving grants to councils to enable the local authorities improve their service delivery.

Ndola mayor Charles Chiwala who read out the joint statement said the five councils have used the grants from government according to the stipulated conditions and guidelines.

Mayor Chiwala said it was a misconception that rates collected by councils were misused because there have always been auditors from government to audit their books since they took office in 2006 and there has been no alarming audit queries raised.

And Chililabombwe Mayor Ben Mpande said PF councils have fallen victim of political harassment because the Ministry of Local Government has not raised a complaint against them over the alleged failure to perform or misappropriation of funds.

He said the councils have a good working relationship with the Local Government Minister Eustakio Kazonga and questioned why government has come up with such a suspicion now.

Mufulira mayor councilor Thomson Ngulube said the PF mayors have been forced to respond to the statement because they have to protect the integrity of the party.

The mayor said the statement was meant to derail councils’ developmental plans.

On the property rates that councils collect, the mayors said 40 percent of the total collected is spent on service delivery while 60 percent goes towards administrative matters.

Meanwhile Kitwe mayor Stephen Chipungu said councils were unable to collect all the rates a situation he said has led to a shortfall in total revenues which in turn affect the service delivery to the people.

Mayor Chipungu said Kitwe city council received K3 billion from Mopani Copper mines and K958 million from Konkola Copper mines as rates while government was owing the council K7 billion in lieu of rates grants.

President Banda last week directed the Ministry of Local Government and Housing to audit books of accounts for the councils.

ZANIS/

UPND-PF to take Chiluba back to court

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United Party for National Development vice preswident Richard Kapita
United Party for National Development vice preswident Richard Kapita

The United Party for National Development (UPND) has threatened to take former president Dr. Frederick Chiluba back to court once the UPND-PF pact comes into power.

The UPND has also threatened to withhold Dr. Chiluba’s benefits because of his alleged involvement in active politics.

UPND Vice President for Administration says it is unfortunate that the courts have thrown out Dr. Chiluba’s cases regardless of the overwhelming evidence against him.

Mr. Kapita says the UPND-PF pact will ensure that the former head of state answers for all his wrong doings and account for the public resources he is alleged to have plundered.

Speaking t a press briefing in Lusaka today Mr. Kapita said the UPND/PF pact government will ensure that Dr. Chiluba stops getting his pensions because of his alleged involvement in active politics.

He said the pact was aware that the former head of state was being used by government to campaign for the ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD).[quote]

And Mr. Kapita has warned outspoken Namwala Member of Parliament, Major Robbie Chizyuka of stern action if he does not stop attacking the party over its decision to form a pact with the Patriotic Front.

Mr. Kapita explained that the UPND’s decision to form a pact with the Patriotic Front was done after wide consultations with the general party membership and that the National Management Committee (NMC), except for Major Chizyuka endorsed the idea.

He said the initiative was good because splitting of votes by the fragmented opposition political parties had helped the MMD to always win the polls.

Mr. Kapita challenged Major Chizyuka to go ahead and re-contest the Namwala parliamentary seat if his claims of popularity are true.

At the same press briefing, UPND vice president for politics Francis Simenda accused the MMD government of planning to rig the 2011 polls by secretly issuing the National Registration Cards to MMD members in areas where the ruling party is not popular.

Mr. Simenda said the UPND was also aware of the false voter population being projected by government.
He alleged that for Western province, government has projected 400,000 eligible voters, while in Eastern Province where the party is said to be popular, 839,000 people will be eligible to vote.

Mr. Kapita claimed that according to the document obtained by the party, only 372,000 voters will participate in North Western Province.

He said the Zambian people will not be stopped from changing government because they are ready for the exercise.

ZANIS

We are committed to improving the drainage system in Lusaka – Muteteka

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Local government deputy minister Moses Muteteka inspect the Chilenje market which is under construction

Ministry of Local Government says government is committed to ensuring that the drainage systems in all the compounds in Lusaka are worked on by the next rainy season.

Local Government Deputy Minister Moses Muteteka says there is no need for people to politicize the issue of drainage systems as government is doing everything possible to ensure that the situation is corrected.

Mr. Muteteka says it is important for people to help find lasting solutions to the problem adding that government remains committed to the provision of services to all the people in the country, regardless of their political affiliation.

Mr. Muteteka told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today that his ministry allocated K10 billion towards the digging up of the drainage system following an outcry from the people in Kanyama compound which was most hit by the floods then.

He explained that the Ministry of Local government also engaged a contractor to work on the drainage system in the same area to assist the council.

The Deputy Minister noted that another K9.8billion has also been released towards the works on the drainage system.

Mr. Muteteka stressed that the Lusaka City Council LCC, is still holding on to the money which will be released in phases.

He added that the other money went to the logistics in the tendering process of which the difference of K900million has already been released.

Mr. Muteteka noted that government is committed to maintaining the drainage systems in the city and will continue to work on the system until all is well.

[ZANIS]

Kabinga Pande justifies RB’s travels abroad.

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Foreign Affairs Minister Kabinga Pande (R)

Foreign affairs Minister Kabinga Pande has said that it was vital that  President Rupiah Banda travels to source for investors for the country to create jobs and generate wealth for the growth of the country’s economy.

Mr. Pande said the President’s travels raises the countries investment opportunities and lays the foundation for wooing investors into the country.

Mr Pande said the President is the chief marketing officer for the country, adding that when the President travels, he raises the country’s investment prospects.

Meanwhile, Mr Pande said government will soon issue an explanation on why former Inspector General of Police Ephraim Mateyo has not been deployed to Germany to take up the position of ambassador despite having been sworn-in earlier on.

On Wednesday Republican president Rupiah Banda appointed and swore-in former Zambia Venture Capital Fund General Manager Johnston Chizinga as new Zambian Ambassador to Germany.

President Banda had last year appointed and sworn-in Mr Mateyo as Ambassador designate to Germany to replace General Kingsley Chinkuli who was recalled, but the former inspector general of police, who even underwent diplomatic etiquette training, had not travelled to Germany to take up the appointment.

During the swearing in ceremony at State House, President Banda did not explain whether Mr Mateyo’s appointment had been revoked or not.

However, Mr. Pande says that government will soon explain why there has been a sudden change on the appointment of the Zambian ambassador to Germany.

QFM

The Great Debate: Mbesuma

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Mbesuma
Collins Mbesuma

What will happen to Collins Mbesuma at the end of this season?

It seems it was another false dawn for the 25-year-old striker whose career has been an antithesis ever since he left Kaizer Chiefs for Europe in 2005 before returning from that misadventure last year.

Moreover, he failed to even kick a ball in all of Zambia’s four matches at the Africa cup in Angola before being stranded in Luanda after the tournament on his way back to his South African club Moroka Swallows.

Now Swallows coach Rainer Zobel has hinted this might be Mbesuma first and last season at the club under his tenure.

“At the moment he is not in my plans as other players in his position are doing well. We have been using more youngsters in the team recently and they have been showing high discipline and working hard at training,” the German-born coach told Kickoff in an interview.

“This must apply to him; he (Mbesuma) must give me more at training, like everybody does because all my players are equal.

“We have changed our system a bit and Mbesuma must learn that he has to run and pick up the ball rather than wait to get the ball upfront.”

Mbesuma has not played a single match for Swallows since returning from Angola.

Grade 12 pass rate unacceptable – Judge Kabamba

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A retired Judge has described the poor pass rate in the recently announced Grade 12 results as shocking and abnormal.
Judge Noel Kabamba in a statement made available to ZANIS today said that he was shocked and saddened by the failure of Grade 12 pupils in the results announced by Education Minister Dora Siliya yesterday.

He said that the pass rate of just over 33,000 of the 55,117 pupils who sat for Grade 12 examinations last year is unacceptable. He added that even last year’s grade seven and nine results were very disappointing not only to parents but even the government as a whole.

Judge Kabamba has since appealed to government to quickly find a lasting solution to the cause of the bad results in the education sector in the country.

He stressed that among the interventions that government can embark on to improve the performance of pupils is the introduction of computers to teachers and pupils in schools to enable them access latest information on changing trends in the world.

Judge Kabamba has also called on government to scrutinize all private schools in the country to ensure quality education not only in government but private institutions as well.

ZANIS

Milupi attacks RB,HH and Sata

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PF Leader (L) and UPND Leader (R)Opposition Alliance for Development and Democracy (ADD) President Charles Milupi says there is need for political change in this country.

Mr. Milupi said there is no need of politics of insults at the expense of serious Zambians who need economic development in the nation.

He charged that it is unfortunate that the Republican President Rupiah Banda and the Patriotic Front/United Party for National Development (UPND) leaders Micheal Sata and Hakainde Hichilema, respectively, were busy insulting each other at the expense of developing the country.

Mr. Milupi was speaking over the weekend when he addressed a meeting which was poorly attended by people in Livingstone’s Maramba market area.

However, However, Mr. Hichilema brushed off Mr. Milupi’s assertions who he said was bitter becuase President Banda had not appointed him to any government position despite the Independent Luena M.P campaigning for the President in 2008.

Mr. Hichilema is quoted in the local media to have advised Mr. Milupi to stop his verbal attacks on the pact.

ZANIS

MMD cadres harrassing fish mongers

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A Sinazongwe fisherman with his children on Lake Kariba

Two named MMD cadres at Lukanga swamp fishing camp in Kapiri Mposhi district have taken advantage of the fish ban to harass fish mongers in the area.

The two cadres are allegedly grabbing fish from unsuspecting fish traders. Sources at the fishing camp told ZANIS that the situation was uncontrollable as the cadres brag that,as members of the ruling party in the area, they were supposed to be in every organization to ensure things were going on well.

The source further said the cadres had almost taken over the whole fish ban exercise and were working every day freely harassing any one suspected of having fish.

And a fishmonger who asked not to be named for security reasons admitted that fishing during the ban was illegal but added that it was also wrong for the cadres to grab fish from illegal dealers only to give it to their wives to go and sell.

‘We know we are also stealing by fishing during the ban. But we find it more disgusting for the cadres to steal from another thief and only to eat or sell the fish instead of handing it over to the fisheries officers, both them and us are supposed to be answerable,’ he said.

And fisheries officers spoken to also confirmed the development saying they reported the matter to their superiors in Kabwe and were waiting for a response.

Meanwhile, MMD Central province vice chairperson Robert Makangila condemned the action saying the party would investigate the matter before punitive action can be taken against the cadres.

ZANIS

TIZ reacts to Richard Sakala’s “corruption fight is a myth”

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Richard Sakala

Transparency International Zambia (TIZ) is saddened by former Special Assistant for Press and Public Relations to former President Chiluba, Richard Sakala’s assertion that the campaign against corruption in Zambia is a myth.

TIZ president Reuben Lifuka described the sentiments by Mr. Sakala as disappointing especially that they were coming from a man who had held a very senior position in Dr. Chiluba’s administration.

Mr. Lifuka alleged that Mr. Sakala’s sentiments were not made in good faith and were only meant to justify the wrong things he did when he was the Special Assistant to the former president.

He told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka that the campaign against corruption, as orchestrated by the late President Dr. Levy Mwanawasa, helped to lessen cases of corruption in the country.

Mr. Lifuka said the late Dr Mwanawasa was very emphatic in fighting corruption and urged the government of President Rupiah Banda to adopt some of the strategies the late president initiated in curbing the vice.

The TIZ president said although the country has not reached its peak in fighting the vice, people’s attitude against the fight on corruption has changed dramatically since the campaign was launched.

Meanwhile, Mr. Lifuka has called on members of the public to be vigilant and play an active role in raising alarm if the country was to effectively combat the scourge.

He has also urged President Banda to act firmly but fairly on people including those in his cabinet who may be suspected of corruption.

Mr. Lifuka’s comments come in the wake of assertions by Mr. Sakala that the campaign against corruption in Zambia was nonexistent and was only coined by some individuals with personal vendettas aimed at fixing certain individuals.

ZANIS

Local Councils to be empowered- George Kunda

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VICE-PRESIDENT George Kunda says Government will pass legislation during the next sitting of Parliament to create the Local Government Service Commission which will help to build capacity in councils and improve accountability and transparency.

Mr Kunda said Government is concerned with the inefficient operations of most local authorities in the country despite huge sums of money they get from annual budgetary allocations.

He said this in Lusaka yesterday during this week’s Ministry of Finance and National Planning recording of the culture remodelling programme on the theme “Strides in good governance”.

“There is poor performance, especially in rural areas where councils do not even have planners. In urban areas, there is a problem of over-politicisation. We need to review issues of accountability and transparency in local authorities,” the Vice-President said.

Mr Kunda said it is surprising that funds allocated at provincial level are put to good use but nothing tangible comes out of the money given to local authorities.

The Vice-President also said Government will soon enact a piece of legislation for establishing the National Prosecutors Authority which will help to strengthen the financial intelligence unit and prevent dirty money from finding its way into the country.

He said such an authority exists in South Africa, the United Kingdom and other countries because they contribute to strengthening of various institutions of governance.

On the Millennium Challenge Account to which Zambia has won eligibility, Mr Kunda said Government scored high marks but warned against laxity in the continued fight against corruption.

Mr Kunda said there should be respect for the rule of law as this is important for building investor confidence.

He said there is no need to slip up in reforming governance systems because the benefits, especially from co-operating partners, are immense.
Mr Kunda said Government has remained committed to fighting corruption, money laundering and other organised criminal offences.

“Zambia should not be a haven for dangerous crime. That is why we are domesticating the United Nations Convention on Corruption and this will pass in Parliament,” he said.

The Vice-President said Government wants to seal all loopholes for organised financial crime to create a conducive environment for investment and ensure resources are in the right sectors such as health and education.

Mr Kunda also said Government has been working well with co-operating partners, some of whom have continued funding the Governance Unit in the Ministry of Justice.

He said currently, the unit is conducting a survey from which empirical data will be collected regarding various governance issues and service delivery on the part of Government.

The Vice-President said the results of the survey will be availed to the public in due course.
Mr Kunda said most of the statements published in newspapers alleging high level corruption in Government are mere perceptions which co-operating partners do not take as evidence because they lack scientific statistical data.

The Vice-President said such misleading reports are baseless and that donors know what happens on the ground.

And Mr Kunda said Government will institutionalise consultations with various stakeholders through a legal framework which will be passed in Parliament so that the process of formulating the national budget can become all-inclusive.

He said Government has now shifted to engaging civil society in consultations on governance issues and other areas of national concern.

Mr Kunda said there is no need for some sections of society to continue attacking Government through the press when the door is open for dialogue.
He said civil society and the church have been good partners in providing checks and balances and that Government appreciates their role.

Mr Kunda said Government is ready to dialogue with civil society organisations and the church on any pertinent matters because this is what is required of an open society.

Meanwhile, Mr Kunda said Government does not interfere in the work of members of the National Governance Council of the African Peer Review Mechanism.

He said Government’s target is to be peer-reviewed by June this year so that a report can be ready in good time.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

FRA buys K258bn maize for 2009 – 2010 season

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THE Food Reserve Agency (FRA) has bought 198,630 tonnes of maize at a cost of K258.2 billion during the 2009/2010 marketing season.

The agency has also assured the nation that all the maize stocks are in safe storage despite the heavy rain experienced in recent weeks.

FRA public relations officer Mwamba Siame said in an interview yesterday the agency also bought 803 tonnes of paddy rice at K1, 204,500,000 in the 2009 purchasing period of the 2009/2010 marketing season.

This follows a comprehensive verification of figures from purchase locations across the country.

She said all the money for the farmers who supplied their maize by the close of the season had been disbursed.

Ms Siame said the increased purchase rates were observed during the extension periods of buying the grain.

She said purchases for maize increased by 81,525 tonnes. Rice purchases increased by 560 tonnes.

The purchasing period normally runs from June 1 to September 30 for maize and June 1 to October 31 for rice.

Northern Province recorded the highest purchases, with more than 54,385.85 tonnes, representing 25.2 per cent, followed by Eastern Province, with 39,087.05 tonnes, translating into 19.2 per cent. In the third place was Southern Province at 34,652.05 tonnes.

The fourth highest was Central Province at 18, 492.20 tonnes, and Luapula Province, whose volume was 16,745.90 tonnes.

Lusaka Province recorded purchases of 15,082.40 tonnes, representing 7.2 per cent.
Ms Siame said North-Western Province recorded 9,834.40 tonnes and Copperbelt Province sold 8,208 tonnes. Western Province recorded 1,900.20 tonnes at 0.88 per cent.

She said the season was successful and farmer’s payments were made within the stipulated 10 days.

And Ms Siame said that the agency had sold 4,545 tonnes of maize (91,000 x 50 kg bags) at K70, 000 to the market and rural communities.

The collaboration between the district commissioners’ offices and FRA had helped to identify needy areas in the provinces.

Ms Siame said the agency had enough maize to last up to the harvest season in April.
She assured the nation that all maize stocks were in safe storage despite the heavy rain experienced recently.

Meanwhile, National Milling Corporation (NMC) has closed its Kabwe branch due to lack of maize stocks from small-scale farmers in Central Province.

NMC managing director Peter Cottan confirmed the closure in an interview yesterday and explained that the move was temporary.

He said workers from the Kabwe plant had been paid their full benefits according to the Labour Act, and that the Ministry of Labour and Social Security and all relevant organs had been notified of the move.

[Times of Zambia]

Mahtani group lawyer, 11 others nabbed

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MAHTANI Group of Companies lawyer, Zaheeda Essa and 11 other workers have been arrested by the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) for alleged obstruction of justice and failure to provide a shareholding certificate for Zambezi Portland Cement, and they later in the afternoon appeared in the Lusaka magistrate court for mention.

DEC public relations officer, John Nyawali confirmed this in Lusaka yesterday, adding that Ms Essa was further being investigated in connection with the alleged fraudulent transfer of 80 million shares in Zambezi Portland Cement, which belonged to other shareholders.

Ms Essa, of 14 Chila Road in Lusaka’s Kabulonga area, was jointly charged with company manager, Zeyaur Rahman Hashmi, consultant Anthony Grant, messenger Wilson Shamboko, leasing officer Rajeshvary Joshi, management secretary Parvathi Nachimuthu, and receptionist Mercy Nkashi.

Others are deputy manager, Bridget Banda, security officer, Nyambe Namushi, driver, Mukumbuta Wamuleme, secretary, Agness Njekwa and support staff, Jean Kunda.

A team of officers from DEC on Tuesday evening conducted a search of the Mahtani Group of Companies premises in connection with the ongoing money laundering investigations.

The officers who where looking for a shareholding certificate for Zambezi Portland Cement combed the offices of Finsbury Investments at Finance Bank head office in Lusaka.

Mr Nyawali said the commission suspected that Ms Essa had fraudulently transferred the shares in Zambezi Portland Cement, which were held by other shareholders, to Finsbury Investments.

Mr Nyawali said DEC had further established that Ms Essa held a Zambian passport and a British one, which was contrary to the laws of Zambia.

He aid the commission wanted to correct the perception created that the matter being investigated was a civil one, which did not warrant the involvement of DEC, saying it was a criminal offence as it bordered on money laundering activities.

Later in the afternoon, the 12 appeared in the Lusaka magistrate court for mention in the same case.

They were scheduled to take plea yesterday before chief resident magistrate Charles Kafunda, but could not do so because Mr Kafunda was reported to be attending deliberations at the National Constitutional Conference.

Ms Essa and the other 11 who appeared before senior resident magistrate Sharon Newa are expected take plea today before Mr Kafunda.

One of the lawyers representing the 12 accused persons, Michael Mundashi said it was unfortunate for the State to contend that the matter was coming up for mention contrary to the earlier statement that it was coming up for plea.

But Anti-Corruption Commission advocate, Kampamba Kombe said the matter was scheduled for plea before Mr Kafunda but because the chief resident magistrate was not available, their instructions were to mention the matter before another court.

Mr Kombe said the accused would take plea before Mr Kafunda because he was the magistrate handling the case.
The 12 were sent to remand prison.

[Times of Zambia]

NCC rejects clause guaranteeing citizens the right of access to information held by Government.

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NCC delegates

THE National Constitutional Conference (NCC) has rejected a clause which could have guaranteed citizens the right of access to information held by Government.

Article 56 (1) (a) of the Willa Mung’omba draft Constitution states that every citizen has the right of access to information held by the State.

Contributing to the debate on the article, commissioner Divo Katete said he did not support the article because there was no need to release State information to the public.

Mr Katete said the State held information that was classified and could not be released to the public anyhow.

Another delegate, Japhet Moyo said the article was wrong because people would even be asking for reasons why the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) entered a nolle prosequi.

Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister Fashion Phiri said he did not agree with the article because even in the United States of America, information was kept secret even to researchers until after a certain period of time.

The NCC plenary, however, adopted article 55 (1) (a) which gives citizens freedom to hold an opinion and the freedom to receive or impart information or ideas.

Press Association of Zambia president Andrew Sakala and lawyer Patrick Matibini supported the clause, saying it should include the freedom of artistic creativity and academic freedom which were not covered in the current Constitution.

Bahati Member of Parliament Besa Chimbaka and Independent Churches of Zambia president David Masupa supported the clause while Anti-Voter Apathy director Bonnie Tembo said the article should not state that there would be no interference to receiving some information.

Article 55 (2) which was also adopted said the freedom did not extend to propaganda for war, incitement to violence and advocacy of hatred.

[Times of Zambia]

RB to visit China

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President Rupiah Banda and First Lady Thandiwe Banda interact with Zambians resident in Ethiopia at the weekend.
President Rupiah Banda and First Lady Thandiwe Banda interact with Zambians resident in Ethiopia recently.

PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda is next week expected to leave for China for a State visit at the invitation of Chinese President, Hu Jintao.

According to a statement released in Lusaka yesterday by special assistant to the president for Press and public relations Dickson Jere, President Banda would depart for China on February 23 and would hold talks with President Jintao and other senior Chinese government officials.

During the visit, the two countries would sign various memoranda of understanding (MoUs) in different fields.

President Banda would be accompanied to China by First Lady, Thandiwe Banda and five Cabinet ministers among them Finance and National Planning Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane, Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister Felix Mutati, Mines and Minerals Development Minister Maxwell Mwale, and Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources Minister, Catherine Namugala.

The president is scheduled to meet various investors as well as undertake a tour of some leading Chinese companies before meeting African diplomats accredited to China. Mr Banda and his delegation are scheduled to return home on March 4.

[Times of Zambia]

Civil Society organizations commend media bodies on self regulation

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The Civil Society Organisations have commended the media for coming up with a self regulatory body.
The Media Liaison Committee last week announced that it will officially launch its self-regulatory Zambia Media Council (ZAMEC) by 3rd May 2010.

Southern Africa Council for Constructive Resolutions of Dispute (SACCORD) and the Gender Media in Southern Africa (GEMSA) have since advised the media to adhere to the rules that they will come up with by being factual and objective in their reporting.

Speaking in separate interviews with ZANIS in Lusaka, SACCORD Information Officer Obby Chibuluma said the move to have a self media regulatory body will go a long way in assisting the media to have self confidence and win the confidence of the general public.

Mr. Chibuluma noted that this will also help the media to operate at the same level as they will have the same set of rules governing them.

He said for a long time now some media organizations have lacked public confidence and support because of their different rules of operation.

Mr. Chibuluma added that the self-regulatory mechanism will also help to strengthen the capacity of the media to contribute positively to the development process of the country through effective reporting.
He further urged all media organizations in the country to participate and support the process if it is to save its intended purpose.

And GEMSA Chairperson Madube Siyauya said having a media that regulates itself will contribute to press freedom in the country.

Mrs. Siyauya stated that this will also enhance the media access to various information of public interest.
She pointed out that the set rules and regulations will compel the media to improve their coverage of marginalized groups such as women and children.

She has since challenged the media to be professional and ensure that they strictly follow the rules that they will come up with by not violating people’s rights but rather provide information that will make people make informed decisions for the betterment of the country.

Mrs. Siyauya added that the media being the fourth estate of the country, there is need for it to be responsible and participate in national development.

ZANIS

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