Lusaka Magistrate has today convicted a Lusaka resident for impersonating a Zambia Revenue Authority Officer and jailed him to 18 months imprisonment with hard labour.

Justice Arida Chulu today jailed Owen Sinyamuki 31, of 1094 Kuomboka-Chawama Compound in Lusaka on two counts of obtaining money by false pretences and one count of impersonating a public officer.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) arrested Sinyamuki on June 4, 2008 for allegedly impersonating a Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) officer and subsequently obtaining money by false pretences.

In the first count, Sinyamuki was arrested and charged with the offence of impersonating a public officer contrary to section 102(b) of the penal Code Chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia.

It was alleged that on June, 3, 2008 in Lusaka, Sinyamuki did falsely present himself to be a person employed in the public service namely a Zambia Revenue Authority Officer, Deputy Direct Taxes Inspector.

In the second count, Sinyamuki was arrested and charged with the offence of obtaining money by false pretence contrary to section 309 of the penal, code Chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia.

It was alleged that on June 3, 2008, with intent to defraud, Sinyamuki did obtain K350,000 money in cash from Muhammed Kayabwe by falsely pretending that he was a ZRA officer , when in fact not.

He is alleged to have impersonated himself as ZRA Deputy Direct Tax Inspector and solicited for five million Kwacha as inducement or reward for himself to waiver any tax obligations that Muhammed Kayabwe had with the ZRA.

In the third count Sinyamuki was arrested and charged with the offence of obtaining money by false pretence contrary to section 309 of the penal code Chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia.

It was alleged that between May 1 and June 12, 2008 , in Lusaka with intent to defraud Sinyamuki did obtain K200, 000 money in cash from Sarah Nain by falsely pretending that he was a ZRA officer when in fact not.

He is alleged to have impersonated himself as ZRA Deputy direct Tax Inspector and solicited for K500, 000 to assist repair his car which had broken down on his way to inspect the business for Nain.

Magistrate Chulu jailed Sinyamuki fro six months with hard labour on each count and the sentence will run consecutively. This means that Sinyamuki will serve 18 months in prison with effect from 10th December, 2009.

ZANIS

The first locomotive train to move on the Chipata/Mchinji railway, which has been under construction for the past 27 years, arrived in Chipata this afternoon.

There was excitement and jubilation among people of Chipata who gathered six kilometers from Mwami boarder, to witness the first working train, when it finally arrived carrying ballast stones for the completion of the Chipata/Mchinji project at 13:00 hours this afternoon.

Eastern Province Minister Isaac Banda, who was among the people who witness the first working train offload ballast stones said, once completed the Chipata/Mchinji railway line will uplift the socio-economic development of the country through enhanced trade between Zambia and Malawi.Mr Banda said this will be achieved through reduced transport costs.

He said the development will also contribute to government’s aspiration of wealth creation through sustained economic growth which he said is an important element in poverty reduction.

The Minister stated that this will further cement the already existing relationship between the two countries.
And speaking on behalf of Paramount chief Mpezeni of the Ngoni people, Chief Mnukwa advised the people of Eastern Province to take advantage of the Chipata/Mchinji railway line to boost their businesses with the forth coming cheaper means of transportation.

Chief Mnukwa urged the people of both countries to ensure that once completed, the project is well managed and generate resources to sustain its operations.

He said it was gratifying to see the project reach an advanced stage adding that this could only be attributed to the efforts of President Rupiah Banda and his Malawian counterpart Bingu Wamutharika.

Meanwhile, chief Mnukwa has said there is need for Zambians to support each other in the spirit of oneness if the country is to develop.

The traditional leader castigated some politicians engaged in inciting citizens to destabilize the nation.
Chief Mnukwa said chiefs in the region will continue to support the government of the day, regardless of where the president hails from.

He stated that the founding father of the nation Dr Kenneth Kaunda championed the slogan of one Zambia one Nation to promote unity among people from all tribes.

He assured President Banda that chiefs in Eastern province will continue to support his government as he mobilizes resources to develop the country.

And Regional Marketing Manager for Central and East African railways, Leckson Kalanje said Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique will boost their economic activities with cheaper transportation through the Nacala corridor.
Mr. Kalanje also encouraged people in Zambia and Malawi to make use of the railway line to boost their businesses.

Meanwhile, the Eastern Chamber of Commerce has urged government to speed up the acquisition of land for a dry port.

ECCPI chairperson Timothy Nyirenda said there is urgent need to construct a dry port that will be used for storage and transportation of heavy duty goods.

Mr. Nyirenda said it is necessary to put up a road that would be ideal for heavy duty cargo because the current one passes through a compound and may not be able to contain heavy duty vehicles once the railway line becomes fully operational.

ZANIS

Kanyama Member of Parliament (MP) Gerry Chanda says he is ready to be dragged to court by the former UNZASU Secretary General Stanford Kabwata, who quarried him on why he refused to represent his constituency on the National Constitutional Commission (NCC).

Colonel Chanda said he would not hesitate to respond should the former University of Zambia Students Union official proceeds with his plan to petition him through the National Assembly for not representing him at the NCC.

He told ZANIS in Lusaka today that he could not participate in the NCC because he did not want to go against his party rules and campaign promises.

He stressed that he belong to a political party that has rules and regulations to follow saying attending the NCC will be a violation of the party rules.

Colonel Chanda said he will as at now not respond to the letter from Mr. Kabwata, which is asking him to explain why he has chosen not to represent him at the NCC.

He said he was too busy with addressing problems in his constituency and he would therefore not respond to Mr. Kabwata’s query.

The MP noted that people in his area elected him because he promised to concentrate on developmental issues saying aligning himself with the NCC would be a betrayal to his electorates.

He has since advised Mr. Kabwata to proceed with his plans to petition him through the National Assembly or take him to court.

On Wednesday, two former UNZASU officials gave Colonel Chanda and his Munali counterpart Mumbi Phiri a three day ultimatum in which to explain to them why the duo chose not to represent them at the NCC.

Antonio Mwanza, a former UNZASU President and his former Secretary General Stanford Kabwata wrote to the two MPs demanding for a legal explanation saying the move by the MPs is an infringement of their rights and contrary to article 133 (b) of the Zambian constitution.

Efforts to get Munali MP Mrs. Phiri proved futile by press time.

ZANIS

Government has held a tripartite meeting with the Zambia Federation of Employers and other stakeholders to discuss the revision of the current K268, 000 (USD $53) minimum wage per month for employees in the country.

Labour and Social Security Deputy Minister Simon, Kachimba said his ministry the tripartite meeting was successful.

Mr. Kachimba said all stakeholders in the issue of minimum wage will soon hold a technical meeting to address other issues related to minimum wage.

He told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today it was important that the minimum wage is revised soon.
Meanwhile, Mr. Kachimba has assured the labour force in the country that government would do what it can to better the lives of workers in the country.

He said government was concerned with the human resource, noting that workers were a means to boosting the economy of the country.[quote]

He said the role of government in the labour force was to level the playing field between the employers and the employees in the country.

Mr. Kachimba said government will continue to harmonize the employers and the human resource of any institution to ensure all players in the economy were treated well and respected.

He has also urged employers to adhere to the labour laws in the country, which he said were clear on how workers are supposed to be treated.

Mr. Kachimba said when workers are laid down they are back on the streets and later become the burden of the government.

He said government recognizes the fact that the human resources played an important role in the development of the economy.

Many employees in the country have bemoaned the low minimum wage which currently stands at K268, 000 (USD $53) per month.

ZANIS

President Rupiah Banda and South African President Dr. Jacob Zuma have directed Foreign Affairs Minister Kabinga Pande and South Africa’s Minister for International Relations and Co-operations Maite Nkoana-Mashabane to convene an inaugural session of the Joint Permanent Commission for Cooperation (JPCC) early next year.

The two Heads of State noted that the JPCC which was signed in 2005 has not been inaugurated.

President Banda and Zuma acknowledged that the long standing support for liberation in South Africa has led to the establishment of deep mutual bonds for the benefit of the peoples in the two countries.

This is according to a joint communiqué issued by President Banda and his South African counterpart Jacob Zuma and read by Foreign Affairs Minister Kabinga Pande and South Africa’s Minister for International Relations and Co-operations Maite Nkoana-Mashabane.

The communiqué stated that the two presidents held official talks during which they reviewed a wide range of bilateral regional and international issues reiterating the need to collaborate in the fight against poverty, under-development and HIV/AIDS.

On regional issues, the two leaders expressed views on the prevailing political, economic and security situations in the region.

President Zuma commended President Banda for the role Zambia plays as Deputy Chair of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defense and Security Co-operation in the Southern Africa Development Community, SADC.

The communiqué said President Banda, similarly commended President Zuma for the role South Africa was playing in her facilitating peace in Zimbabwe.

Mr. Banda further commended South Africa for being the first African country to host the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup. Both leaders wished the participating team’s success in the tournament slated for January next year.

The two leaders committed themselves to working together in pipit of the SADC Agenda, African Union and integration within the framework of the consultative act of the AU.

Mr. Pande said the two leaders welcomed the international efforts that seek to address the global financial crisis which has negatively affected especially the developing countries.

He said President Banda has accepted the invitation by President Zuma to visit South Africa for a State visit to be announced later through diplomatic channels.

Mr. Pande said President Zuma , at the end of his state visit expressed his profound gratitude and appreciation to President Banda, the government of Zambia and its people for the warm hospitality and fraternal reception accorded to him and his delegation.

The state visit afforded the Zambian and South African governments an opportunity to sign two agreements and four memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) aimed at enhancing bilateral co-operation in sectors of energy, mining, diplomatic consultations, trade and cooperation, health and agriculture.

Meanwhile, President Zuma has since returned to his home country.

Dr. Zuma was accompanied by the First Lady Nompumelelo Ntuli, eight minister and more than 60 South African businessmen and women.

He was seen off at the Lusaka International airport by President Banda, First lady Thandiwe, South Africa’s High Commissioner to Zambia Moses Chikane, Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa Leslie Mbula, Secretary to the Cabinet Dr. Joshua Kanganja, cabinet ministers, defense chiefs, MMD party and senior government officials from Zambia and South Africa.