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Minister dissolves Livingstone City Council

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Local government minister Eustackio Kazonga and his deputy Moses Muteteka during a press briefing in Lusaka
Local government minister Eustackio Kazonga and his deputy Moses Muteteka during a press briefing in Lusaka

LOCAL Government and Housing Minister Eustarkio has with immediate effect suspended the Livingstone City Council and appointed a local government administrator to discharge the functions of the council.

And Dr Kazonga has warned councils that have not submitted information on property rates and grants collected and received for the years 2008 and 2009 that they would not receive any more grants until they submit the required data.

He said at a Press briefing in Lusaka yesterday that he had suspended the local authority because of the internal squabbling among the councillors and officers, particularly the office of the mayor and town clerk, “which have brought unwanted embarrassment”.

Dr Kazonga said Livingstone council had in the last few months been embroiled in many disturbing matters that had put the council and the ministry in disrepute, and that the situation should not be allowed to continue.

“Therefore, to save the dignity of the council and the local government system, I have taken measures as provided for in the Local Government Act Cap 281 of the Laws of Zambia (LAZ), Section 88 (1) to suspend the council.

“I am appointing a local government administrator to discharge the functions of the council until such as a time that the Ministry of Local Government and Housing will be convinced that the situation has returned to normal as expected of a council,” Dr Kazonga said.

He warned officers at the council that the ministry would not tolerate any indiscipline of any kind because the conduct of an officer had a direct impact on the operations of a council.

The minister said Livingstone City Council was expected to lead by example in the conduct of councillors and officers, and that members of the public were eager to see improved service delivery.

“Yesterday, February 18, 2010, I signed a Statutory Instrument suspending the LCC. The Statutory Instrument will be published in the Government Gazette today, Friday, February 19, 2010,” he said.

The minister said the suspension of the local authority should serve as a warning to other councils facing similar problems.

He urged all the councils to comply with the provisions of the Local Government Act, Cap 281 of LAZ in the running of affairs of the councils.

On grants, he said only 37 out of 72 councils had submitted the requested information in the last two years.

Dr Kazonga said councils that had not remitted the requested information would not be given any more grants, and that the action had been necessitated by the need for councils to account for the funds received from his ministry and collected by the local authorities.

He said the ministry had received the recurrent grant of K31.1 billion and the capital grant totalling K12 billion for the councils.

And Copperbelt provincial local government officer, Solomon Sakala has said Roan Member of Parliament, Chishimba Kambwili should not politicise the release of information on grants, but instead help tell the residents of Luanshya about how the money was being spent.

Mr Sakala said releasing the information on grants was meant to show the people how committed the State was about the social welfare of the citizenry.

Reacting to Mr Kambwili’s assertions that the publication of the grants was a political manouvre for the MMD, Mr Sakala challenged the mayors or town clerks in the province to deny having received the grants.

Mr Sakala said the council administrators were free to disagree with the figures and not politicians like Mr Kambwili.

He said the reason behind publishing of the grants was to show the people how much the councils received because the local authorities had created an impression that the central government did not release any money to the councils.

“It is Mr Kambwili who wants to politicise the matter, all the councils received the grants we published and Launshya equally received various grants, we have letters confirming receipt of the grants,” Mr Sakala said.

According to a schedule of grants between 2007 and 2009, Luanshya Municipal Council received K2.5 billion as constituency development fund.

A breakdown of the grants indicates that Roan Constituency and Luanshya Central Constituency obtained K200 million each in 2007.

The two constituencies received K400 million each in 2008 and K666 million each in 2009.

NCC rejects clause on political party mergers

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THE National Constitutional Conference (NCC) yesterday rejected a clause that could have allowed political parties to merge, saying the exercise would be costly because of by-elections.

Debating article 162 which said Members of Parliament whose parties merged should not lose their seats, most delegates said that a merger amounted to dissolution of parties and such MPs should seek a fresh mandate.

Namwala MP Robbie Chizyuka said the article to allow for political party mergers should be dropped because it would be costly for Government to hold by-elections for 100 MPs.

Bishop Harrison Sakala said the merging of political parties should be avoided unless coalitions while deputy chairperson of parliamentary committees Mkhondo Lungu said that although merging before elections was good, merging just after elections was costly.

Chifunabuli MP Ernest Mwansa said in case of a merger, MPs should have an option of joining the merger or remain as MP for their constituencies and lawyer Patrick Matibini also said MPs should remain as independent in case of a merger.

Vice-President George Kunda said the norm in Zambia was such that those who joined a merger should lose their seat while UPND vice-president Richard Kapita also said no MP should keep a seat when they changed or rejected their parties.

Pastor Godfridah Sumaili said that it was in order that MPs lost their seats in case of a merger while Chieftainess Nkomeshya said the clause to allow merging of parties should be dropped but another delegate Dan Musenge said mergers should be allowed because of the right to association.

Southern Province Minister Daniel Munkombwe said the article to allow for political party mergers would weaken the stable political system while Works and Supply Minister Mike Mulongoti said MPs would be endangered if mergers were allowed.

The NCC also adopted article 99 (1) which states that a general election would be held every five years on the last Wednesday of September after the last general elections.

Meanwhile, the NCC yesterday adjourned sine die to facilitate for the sitting of the National Assembly which resumes on Tuesday.

NCC chairperson Chifumu Banda told the conference that yesterday’s sitting was the end of the session and that the House would adjourn sine die.

Mr Banda said while it was true that the NCC had not concluded all matters, it should be acknowledged that it had made several achievements in debating various committee reports.

The NCC had considered the legislative, executive, local government and democratic governance committee reports while three quarters of the human rights report had been covered leaving the general constitutional principles report to be tabled later.

“We intend to call the House in April. You know we cannot sit when Parliament is in session,” he said.

He said that after concluding all committee reports the NCC would prepare a draft report and Constitutional bill, adopt them and publish them for the public to make comments.

After that public comments would be considered and then the conference would present its draft Constitution to the minister of Justice for onward considerations.

[Times of Zambia]

Zambians need access to information

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What does the future of Zambia have in store for these girls?

By Patrick Hatontola
On Feb 18th 2010, the NCC rejected article 56 (1) (a) of the Willa Mung’omba draft constitution which states that a person shall have right to access of information held by the state. Generally, the purpose of the article was to: afford Zambians their right to participate in national issues from an informed point of view; hold government accountable through transparent operations; and to have a say in the governance of their country by timely accessing valuable information. Zambians would then air timely views on democratic issues that foster their socio-economic aspirations. This was the Zambians’ wish. At the moment, it stands as a dream deferred if not a dream shut.

At the pace through which the NCC is rejecting progressive clauses; starting with the adoption of the degree clause for a Presidential candidate; to the current rejection of the right of access to information clause in disguise of preserving state secrets; Zambians may as well brace themselves to the time when the NCC would declare the national budget; the auditor general’s report and perhaps the constitution itself as “state secrets”. This will mean that government will preside over the national affairs at their pleasure. Zambians will be made to believe that government is a philanthropic service to the “undeserving Zambians”. Provision of social services such as basic health care and basic education will be declared a prerogative of those called “government” with sole rights to access of information.

The constitution review process was conceived by Zambians because they felt that the current constitution was inadequate, restrictive and remote from their social and economic aspirations. Therefore, the purpose of the NCC was to deliberate on the Mong’mba draft constitution diligently in order to bridge that constitutional vacuum. Unfortunately, the NCC has abdicated its moral duty to strengthen the weak constitution as mandated to. They have rather opted to weaken it by rejecting the recommendation of the Mungomba draft that reflects the views of the majority Zambians.

Information is power! Without public information, no one can make informed decisions on issues of public interest and discourse. The NCC has deliberately disempowered the people by restricting them access to information. This infringement is not without cost to the growth of our democratic dispensation. It is a grievous assault to the Zambians’ dream; a dream that one day they will know and question the actions of those in power; a dream that one day they will know how their country is managed by those they have entrusted it with; a dream that one day they will have information to express their views from an informed point of view. This is neither a collective statement nor personal conviction but a summation of the general view. The rejection of the clause cannot be seen to be in public interest. Every sincere person will tell that the NCC has rejected this clause as a means of power preservation. It is common knowledge that the less information the public has, the more it advantages those in government in their endeavor to sustain their political fortunes. But suffice to say that Posterity and history will judge all those who are moved by whims and caprices of power and its preservation to the detriment of the people’s ware fare. The time is coming; perhaps now is the time, the time when Zambians will give themselves their constitution as stated in the preamble of the constitution.

In many African countries such as South Africa, the bill of rights provides for the right of access to information held by the state and/or a person. I am alive to the fact that every right is not absolute. However, the constitution must guarantee the right to access of information provided that, subsequent legislation is enacted to alleviate possible administrative and financial burden on the government in its course of proving this information. To this end, the NCC ought to have qualified and not reject the clause by stating what information may not be made public. Such information would generally limit to the operations of armed forces.

Zambia is not exempt from the general African phenomenon of power abuse resulting from limited information access by the public. In fact, it has a history where a DPP almost succeeded with his illegal nolle proseque. Some NCC delegates such as Japhet Moyo have cited this example to justify limit to access of information. What a fallacy. One will recall the shallow reasoning advanced in refusing to disclose why that nolle proseque was entered. It was “state secret”. Finally, a state secret became public knowledge-Bulaya is today serving a jail sentence. How about the sad memories of the abuse of the Zamtrop account and eventually the mysterious acquittal of the concerned? Remember their refusal to account for the stolen $8M citing “state secrecy”. These are fresh and bitter memories that Zambians have to endure. Unfortunately, the rejection of this clause means nothing but a guarantee in increase of the aforesaid vices. Transparence and accountability will be compromised in disguise of state secretes.

By rejecting this clause, those in power have rejected the fact that they need to be held accountable and that they must be Transparent in their dealings. What a denunciation of the tenets of good governance.

The rejection of the clause means that all Acts of parliament that prescribe access to information will be repealed because every law inconsistent to the constitution is null and void to the extent of its inconsistence to the constitution. Think of the information bill. I have no doubt that Zambia needs the right of access to information now more than ever. But let Zambians choose a government they want in 2011.

Katumbi canes cheap politicking

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President Banda with DRC Katanga Governor Moses Katumbi at the Umutomboko ceremony in Mwansabombwe.

DEMOCRATIC Republic of Congo (DRC) Katanga Province Governor Moses Katumbi has described as cheap politicking allegations that he travelled to Mwansabombwe in Luapula Province to drum up support for President Banda.

Mr Katumbi told journalists in Ndola yesterday that he was a foreign national who cannot influence internal political matters of Zambia.

“To say that I went to Luapula Province to give support to the President (Banda) is cheap politics,” Mr Katumbi said.

He said DRC and Zambia share the longest border which stretches from Chililabombwe on the Copperbelt Province to Mununga in Luapula Province and his visits to Zambia are on mutual relations.

“So every time I come to Zambia, it is because of the mutual understanding between the two governments. I cannot have any influence over politics in Zambia because I am Congolese just like no Zambian can influence anything in the Congo,” Mr Katumbi said.

On his impromptu visit to Zambia, Mr Katumbi said he was in the country on the continued development understanding which exists between the two countries, especially the Copperbelt and Katanga provinces, respectively.

He said the bilateral relationship between Zambia and DRC will continue to benefit the people in the two countries through projects such as the tarring of the Pedicle Road which links the Copperbelt and Luapula provinces through the enclave of the DR Congo.
“We want to improve the Kasumbalesa border post,” he said.

Mr Katumbi, who was accompanied by Copperbelt Province permanent secretary Villie Lombanya and officers from the DRC consular office in Ndola, also held a meeting with officials from Gecamines at Bangala House before returning to Katanga Province.
Gecamines is a DR Congo-owned mine in Katanga province.

Earlier, Mr Lombanya said Zambia and DRC have for a long time enjoyed the bilateral and cordial relationship which exists between the two countries.

[Zambia Daily mail]

Wife of televangelist Benny Hinn files for divorce

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The wife of televangelist Benny Hinn has filed for divorce from the high-profile pastor, whose reputation as an advocate of prosperity gospel has attracted millions of followers and criticism from lawmakers and watchdog groups over his lavish lifestyle.

Suzanne Hinn filed the papers in Orange County Superior Court on Feb. 1, citing irreconcilable differences, after more than 30 years of marriage. The papers note the two separated on Jan. 26 and that Hinn has been living in Dana Point, a wealthy coastal community in southern Orange County.

“Pastor Benny Hinn and his immediate family were shocked and saddened to learn of this news without any previous notice,” Benny Hinn Ministries said Thursday in a statement. “Although Pastor Hinn has faithfully endeavored to bring healing to their relationship, those efforts failed and were met with the petition for divorce that was filed without notice.”

Hinn is one of the best known advocates of the prosperity gospel, which teaches that Christians who are right with God will be rewarded with wealth and health in this lifetime.

His TV broadcasts on the Trinity Broadcast Network, a Pentecostal broadcasting juggernaut, and other TV networks are seen by millions of people around the world nearly every day. He travels the globe in his ministry’s plane, named Dove One, holding events he calls “Miracle Crusades” that include spiritual healings.

Hinn has never fully publicly disclosed how he spends the money he raises, but his vast ministry is believed to be a multimillion-dollar operation. There was no mention of finances in the court filing, which listed three recent Southern California addresses for the family.

Over the years, Hinn has been the target of intense criticism from fellow Christians and watchdog groups who call his teachings false and accuse him of raising money only to enrich himself.
He is one of six televangelists under investigation by Sen. Charles Grassley, the Iowa Republican on the Senate Banking Committee, over whether he complied with IRS rules for nonprofits. Hinn has said on his Web site that external auditors ensure his compliance with IRS regulations and that in 2008, 88 percent of the money he collected was spent on ministry.

Benny Hinn Ministries is based in Grapevine, Texas, and operates a church and television studio in Aliso Viejo in California’s Orange County, according to its Web site.

Sorrell Trope, the attorney with the law firm representing Suzanne Hinn, did not return a call for comment. A woman at his office said the firm does not comment on divorce filings without the client’s approval.

J. Lee Grady, contributing editor of Charisma, a news magazine on the Pentecostal community, said Hinn’s divorce is the latest in a string of high-profile ministry divorces and moral failures among the Pentecostal leaders, beginning with Ted Haggard’s fall from grace in 2006.

Haggard, who is married and has five children, admitted to receiving a massage from a male prostitute and buying drugs from him, but denied allegations he paid the man for sex.

Grady said in an e-mail Thursday that Hinn’s followers will want an explanation for the divorce because of the high profile the couple had.

“It will be devastating to the people who have supported Benny Hinn’s evangelistic work around the world,” Grady said.

“Obviously because their ministry has been very public, they will need to issue a statement to their supporters to explain how this happened,” he said.

[The Washington Post Thursday, February 18, 2010] Initial info by LT Blogger Chapwa

Zambian classic gospel export

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Youtube videos of a  Zambian classic gospel song doing rounds in US choirs

First clip

Second clip of the same song

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

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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/

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