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NCC proposal to pay allowances of up K5 billion to Lusaka based MPs irks FODEP

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National constitutional Conference delegates
National constitutional Conference delegates

Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) has expressed displeasure on the proposal by the National Constitution Conference (NCC) to pay Lusaka based Parliamentarians facilitation allowances amounting to K 5 billion.[quote]

FODEP Information Officer Chipenzi McDonald said in a press statement released to ZANIS today that the proposal demonstrates the misplacement of priorities by those entrusted with the management of public resources.

Mr. Chipenzi said the proposal is both ill-conceived and a clear manifestation of imprudent financial management of public resources.

He said government should refrain from the tendency of utilizing public resources for the benefit of few elite individuals.

He suggested that the K5 billion should assist government to hasten the implementation of projects particularly those that address the needs of the majority poor.

Mr. Chipenzi stressed that FODEP expects Cabinet and President Rupiah Banda to ultimately reject the proposal to save government’s integrity and retain people’s confidence in it as regards to financial management.

He has since implored the Zambian people to take keen interest in the management of their resources and demand for accountability from their leaders.

ZANIS

A game of Kabote turns tragic, man charged with murder

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The High Court sitting in Mongu yesterday sentenced a 24 year old man of Kalabo district to 25 years imprisonment with hard labour for one count murder.

Appearing before High Court Judge Eddie Sikazwe was Linowe Sibamba of Nalionwa village of Kalabo District who was being charged with murder contrary to section 200 cap 87 of the laws of Zambia.

On the 7th April 2007 at Nalionwa Habour in Kalabo District, Linowe- the accused found the deceased-Kalomo Kalomo in company with his four friends playing at the river a game called kabote and then asked them if he could join them.

After they refused to let him join them, Linowe grabbed them one by one dipped them in the water then lifted them up and threw them back in the water over the top of his head, behind him.

The court then later heard that the deceased was the last one to be thrown and he did not resurface on the water thereafter and that’s
when the accused warned the children not tell anybody or face being arrested by the police.

Iin Mitigation the accused pleaded with the court to show leniency on him as he is a first offender and that he is married with three children and that he has shown remorse to the offense.

In passing judgment Judge Eddie Sikazwe said the prosecution has proved without reasonable doubt the accused committed the crime and sentenced him to 25 years imprisonment with Hard Labour with effect of the day of his arrest.

[ZANIS]

Just for Laughs

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By LT blogger- Amajokes

A man died and went to Heaven.As he stood in front of the Pearly Gates, he saw a huge wall of clocks behind him. He asked, “What are all those clocks?”.St. Peter answered, “Those are Lie-Clocks. Everyone on earth has a Lie-Clock. Every time you lie, the hands on your clock move.”
“Oh”, said the man, “Whose clock is that?”
“That’s Miyanda’s”, replied St. Peter “The hands have never moved, indicating that He never told a lie.”

“Incredible.” said the man “And whose clock is that one?”

St. Peter responded, “That’s Levy’s clock. The hands have moved twice, telling us that Levy told only two lies in his entire life.”

“Where is Sata’s Clock?” “God is using that as a ceiling fan in his office”

“What about the clocks for the PF MPs?” St Peter, “Oh, we’re using them like a windmill to generate all the electricity up here.

By LT blogger Zacs

I saw an old woman driving while knitting,

“Pull over!” I shouted.

“No” she replied “It’s a scarf”!!

By anonymous LT blogger

A popular motivational speaker was entertaining his audience. He said: “The best years of my life were spent in the arms of a woman who wasn’t my wife!”
The audience was in silence and shock. The speaker added: “And that woman was my mother!”

Laughter and applause. A week later, a top manager trained by the motivational speaker tried to crack this very expensive joke at home. He was a bit foggy after a drink. He said loudly to his wife who was preparing dinner, “The greatest years of my life were spent in the arms of a woman who was not my wife!”
The wife went; “aahh!” with shock and rage. Standing there for 20 seconds trying to recall the second half of the joke, the manager finally blurted out “…and I can’t remember who she was!”

By the time the manager regained his consciousness, he was on a hospital bed nursing burns from boiling water.

Moral of the story;
DON’T COPY IF YOU CAN’T PASTE

Two men get 20, 25 years for defilement

Guest Editor
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The High Court sitting in Mazabuka has sentenced two Mazabuka residents to 20 and 25 years imprisonment respectively, for defiling minors contrary to section 138 cap 87 of the laws of Zambia.

Handing down the sentences, Livingstone High Court Judge, Enerst Mukulwamutiyo said the court is concerned with the continued increase in cases of defilement despite the stiff punishment meted on culprits.
He said the court will not tolerate men sexually abusing under age children because the act is inhuman and barbaric.

Judge Mukulwamutiyo said this when he sentenced Nalishebo Nalishuwa, 54 of Magobbo area to 25 years imprisonment for having carnal knowledge of a 12 year old girl.

And Judge Mukulwamutiyo said it was sad that a Church care taker could lure a 14 year old girl into a church to defile her.

The Judge said this when he sentenced another defiler to 20 years imprisonment with hard labour for defiling a 14 year old girl contrary to section 138 cap 87 of the laws of Zambia.

He said it is worrying to learn that elderly men in the community have continued to defile under age children when the town has a lot of single and mature women with whom they can have sex.

Judge Mukulwamutiyo said the court will continue protecting the rights of children.

ZANIS

FFTUZ saddened with continued misapplying of public funds

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The Labour Movement has expressed sadness at the continued revelations of financial irregularities in the Auditor General’s report, every year.

The Federation for Free Trade Unions of Zambia(FFTUZ) has since called on government to put in place stringent measures to deal with those found wanting.

FFTUZ president Joyce Nonde Simukoko told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that, the continued misappropriation of public funds has negatively impacted on both the social and economic growth of the country.

Mrs. Simukoko said due to the increase in the levels of misapplication of public resources, government has failed to offer better conditions of service to most of its workers due to lack of sufficient money.

She also explained that the labour movement and government have failed to come up with meaningful negotiations as the services of workers have remained the same.

Mrs. Simukoko added that this is why government should put in place stiffer laws that will ensure that those found guilty of misusing public funds are punished.

She noted that the money that is not accounted for especially in unretired imprest and irregular payments can go a long way in improving the conditions of service for workers if properly utilized.

She said the country cannot afford to continue losing huge sums of money that can be used for other meaningful developments.
Mrs. Simukoko has since advised government to be tough on those cited for misapplying public funds.

The Auditors Generals report of financial year ended 2008 has revealed financial irregularities in misappropriation of revenue, unaccounted for revenue, delayed banking, unretired imprest, unaccounted for stores and irregular payments among others major irregularities.

ZANIS

FTJ happy with his appointment as patron of former miners

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Former President Dr Fredrick Chiluba has accepted his appointed as patron of the former miners on the Copperbelt.

Dr. Chiluba says his appointment demonstrates the trust that people still have in him to help them address some of their challenges.

The former president said he will work to the best his ability to try and help the miners get their terminal benefits which have been withheld by a named commercial bank.

Dr. Chiluba told ZANIS in an interview through his Spokesperson Emmanuel Mwamba that the former miners are entitled to their terminal benefits hence the need to help them get what belongs to them.

Meanwhile Dr. Chiluba has called on politicians in the country not politicize his appointment adding that his appointment is only meant to help the former miners who have suffered for a long time now.

He said his appointment is non-partisan but aimed at helping the former miners regardless of their political affiliation.

This week, former Miners on the Copperbelt appointed Dr Chiluba as their patron to help them get their terminal benefits which have not been given to them by a named bank.

ZANIS

Mahtani Group of Companies Legal Counsel Essa and 11 others plead not guilty

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The Mahtani Group of Companies Legal Counsel Zaheeda Essa and 11 other employees of the same company have all denied the charge of obstruction of authorized officers.

The dozen employees appeared for plea this morning before Principle Resident Magistrate (PRM), Charles Kafunda facing a charge of obstruction of authorized officers contrary to section 26 of the prohibition and prevention of money laundering Act number 14 of 2001.

The 12 were arrested in Lusaka on Monday by the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) for obstruction and failure to provide a shareholding certificate for Zambezi Portland Cement.

Essa is facing two counts of obstruction of authorized officers while the rest of the employees are charged with one count of the same charge.

In count one, Essa is alleged to have, on dates unknown but between February 13th and 15th, 2010, jointly and while acting together with other persons unknown, being a Legal Counsel at Mahtani Group of Companies, did obstruct authorized officers by failing to furnish or produce original share transfers for Zambezi Portland Cement limited.

In the second count, Essa and eleven other are alleged to have on February 15th, jointly and while acting together with unknown people, did obstruct, hinder and or delay authorized officers being Drug Enforcement Commission Officers (DEC) from exercising powers conferred on them under the prohibition and prevention of money laundering Act.

Magistrate Kafunda read the charges to each one of the accused persons in a fully packed courtroom at the Lusaka Magistrates Court complex today.

They all pleaded not guilty to the charges.

And Magistrate Kafunda has granted bail to all the twelve accused persons but given them different bail conditions depending on their citizenship.

He gave Essa a K50 million cash bail with two working sureties at the level of Directors, who should also pay K50 million each.

He said Essa, who is a dual citizen of Zambia and Britain, should also surrender her British passport and any other travel document.

She has also been ordered to be reporting to the Officer-In-Charge at Ridgeway Police every Friday in the company of a lawyer.

The magistrate gave an K18 million cash bail to each of the three foreign accused persons with two working Zambian sureties in management positions in the like sum.

He also ordered the accused to surrender their passports to the State and report to the Officer-In-Charge at Ridgeway Police every Friday in the company of a lawyer.

The Zambian nationals got a K1 million cash bail each and ordered them to provide two working sureties.

The matter has been adjourned to March 9th, 2010 for commencement of trial.

ZANIS

President Banda honours M-Net face of Africa winner Lukundo Nalungwe

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President Rupiah Banda has urged youths in the country to remain focused and use their talents to the best of their ability.

President Banda urged young people to embrace the spirit of hard work and productivity adding that this is what will move the country forward.

Mr Banda said the future of this country is dependent on the younger generation who are expected to take the country to higher heights through various avenues.

He was speaking at a luncheon hosted in honour of the 2010 M-Net face of Africa winner Lukundo Nalungwe at State House yesterday.

President Banda also advised Nalungwe to plan properly for the money she won from the competition.

Mr Banda also honoured her with a VIP status in Zambia and thanked the sponsors and urged them to continue sponsoring young ladies in the modeling industry.

And First Lady Thandiwe Banda said the country is endowed with a talented and knowledgeable population whose intellectual capital needs to be harnessed in the social economic and scientific fields.

Mrs Banda said Nalungwe’s victory in the competition has opened new doors in her modeling career, which will propel her on to the global stage.

She hoped that the M-net face of Africa Winner will serve as a true Zambian and ambassador to inspire other Africans especially young women.

ENDS/ AH/ MB/ZANIS

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

Guest Editor
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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

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