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Chansa Kabwela trial: Lessons from the tragedy.

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Post newspaper editor Chansa Kabwela
Post newspaper editor Chansa Kabwela

The trial of The Post editor Chansa Kabwela is not a comedy but a tragedy. A comedy is meant to cause laughter, but from whatever angle I look at this story, I cannot find anything funny in it but only dismay and anxiety on one hand and pity and anger on another.

I am first of all dismayed and anxious when I consider that the constitutional office of the DPP can be so degraded due to personal preservation. I say this because that is the only way I can explain why a learned lawyer can pursue a malicious prosecution of a citizen purely on the personal opinion of a head of state.

The President is a layman at law. He has at least four people, the Vice President, also Justice Minister and SC, the Attorney General, the DPP and the Solicitor General, who can advise him on any point of law. More than that, the Constitution of Zambia, directs that no one should influence the DPP as to whether or not to prosecute. If this prosecution went ahead to please the President, it has.

Well, much has already been said about the demerits of the case. I turn now to pity and anger. I pity the man and wife in this story. ‘How sweet to hold a new born baby, and feel the pride and joy he gives’ (Bill Gaither), but this couple were denied this experience amidst the selfishness of some and savagery of others. I understand that the baby died.

What has the State done to prevent this from happening again? There is a case for negligence. The state owed a duty of care to this couple and the state failed to provide that care and injury resulted. I am angry that not a single lawyer has come to this family’s aid to seek compensation from the state. Res ipsa loquitur.

Scores of Zambians perish in hospitals, on roads and other places because of the negligence of the state directly or indirectly through its agents. There are no hazard warnings on roads that look like a moon face. There are no diagnostic facilities in state hospitals where patients are treated by trial and error! There is no Health and Safety legislation to write home about. Six people have drowned recently in public swimming baths and no one is held to account![quote]

Meanwhile, Mr Mangani is more concerned about ‘laws against pornography!’ Why should government legislate personal morality? The government should be more concerned about protecting the lives and livelihoods of the citizens. Urgent labour legislation is required to outlaw unfair remuneration. It is time there was ‘equal pay for equal work!’ That baby must be remembered as the child who put an end to mediocrity in Zambia. We owe it to him/her. It is time to hold someone accountable.

LT Blogger

Cattle rustling worries government

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Government says has expressed concern with the rampant cases of cattle thefts in Namwala district and has called for concerted efforts in curbing the vice.

District Commissioner, Wilson Siandunka, said the increase in cattle rustling in the district has deprived many cattle farmers in the area of their only source of livelihood, thus subjecting them to poverty.

His comments come in the wake of the arrest of three people by Namwala Police over the weekend who allegedly stole a herd of 27 cattle belonging to a named cattle farmer of Katengwa area.

The three suspects, identified as Shombe Nacholombwe, Phenias Mwelwa, and Godwin Nani, all of Katengwa in Chief Mungaila’s area, were cornered and arrested in Monze district where they attempted to sell the alleged stolen animals.

Mr Siandunka said there was need to strengthen neighborhood watch groups to help state police curb the vice.

He also advised farmers to herd their animals as opposed to letting them roam around freely to protect them from cattle rustlers.

Meanwhile, Mr Siandunka says the mobile national registration team in the district was facing transport problems as the officers had no reliable vehicle to reach far-flung areas which have since become impassable following the onset of the rainy season.

[ZANIS]

Copperbelt PS calls for departmental cooperation

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Copperbelt Permanet Secretary, Villie Lombanya, has called on the Ministry fo Mines to work in harmony with the Forestry Department and local authorities when issuing sand mining licenses to avoid creating conflicts of interest among stakeholders.

Mr Lombanya said it was important to work in harmony with other stakeholders in championing development because all government ministries and department had one objective of bringing development to the people in the province.

The Permanent secretary made the call during the Provincial Development Coordinating Committee meeting on Friday at Savoy Hotel.

Mr Lombanya said the Ministry of Mines should consider other stakeholders’ interests so that what one government organ was doing should not create a conflict with other interests of other government ministries.

He added that there was also need to promote dialogue among government departments and local authorities so that government remained focused and move in one direction in developing the province.

Mr Lombanya observed that the province was endowed with abundant natural resources and all the stakeholders should play their part in the effective planning and management of the resources for the good of all.

And the meeting heard that the Road Development Agency (RDA) has secured some funds to do all the Chingola Township roads.

RDA Chief Engineer, Thomas Zimba, told the meeting that the funds were secured in Lusaka and he was going to finalize the paper work with the Chingola District Commissioner, Tobias Maliti, at his office for the works to commence.

Mr Zimba said the RDA was committed to deliver on its mandate but was constrained by the erratic flow of funds.

The meeting expressed concern that the RDA was not doing enough in the province which has in some cases attracted criticism from the members of the public towards District Commissioners, Councils and the provincial administration.

[ZANIS]

Kunda arrives in Tobago and Trinidad to attend Commonwealth Summit

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Vice-President, George Kunda, has arrived in Port of Spain, the Capital City of Trinidad and Tobago in South America, to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), which officially opens this Friday.

Mr Kunda and his entourage arrived at Piarco International Airport last evening at 22:40 hours local time aboard British Airways.
He was accompanied by his wife, Irene, Foreign Affairs Minister, Kabinga Pande, Central Province Minister, Ackimson Banda and Senior Private Secretary at the office of the Vice-President, Kenneth Ngosa.

On hand to receive the Vice-President at the airport were high ranking government officials from the host country, Zambian High Commissioner to Britain, Professor Royson Mukwena, Deputy High Commissioner to Canada, Nedson Nzowa and other senior government officials.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Patrick Manning, says he is optimistic that this week’s Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting could overcome the pessimism surrounding next month’s united Nations Climate Change talks in Copenhagen, Denmark.

The Prime Minister was giving the feature address at the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth People’s Forum at Queen’s Hall yesterday.

Mr Manning said as chair of CHOGM, Trinidad and Tobago is working assiduously with other nations, in and out of the Commonwealth, to attain a position that is strong enough to advance the process toward a global agreement on this critical matter affecting humanity.

He said the fact that the United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon and other world leaders outside the Commonwealth, such as the French President, Nicolas Sarcozy and Danish Prime Minister, Lars Rasmussen are attending CHOGM is an indication of the intensity of the efforts on climate change.

Mr Manning underlined the need to tackle climate change, saying a recent UN Summit of world food security had found escalating mass starvation and malnutrition, with the world having one billion starving people.

“Six million children die of hunger every year, seventeen thousand every day. Much of this tragedy and trauma is taking place in the Commonwealth,” he observed.

He said the Commonwealth, with its diversity, is a microcosm of humanity and reflects diverse positions on climate change.

“We are, therefore, in a very good position to lead the way forward on this matter,” he said.

Mr Manning urged the People’s Forum to let their views be known on climate-change and on the global financial crisis. He blamed the latter crisis on a violation of trust between citizens and the bureaucracy which he said must be loudly condemned.

Inviting comments from the People’s Forum on small business and other issues, Mr Manning told the gathering that the voice of the people must be heard on every issue of concern.

He said democracy is more than a periodic visit to a voting booth but rather an unending process that must always deepen the involvement of the citizenry in national affairs. The voice of the people must continuously be heard, and its influence felt.

And Commonwealth Secretary-General, Kamalesh Sharma, hailed the role of civil society, saying it was one leg of a three-legged stool comprising society and also made up of the government and the business sector.

He said all three need each other, adding that there is supposed to be creative tension between the trio which each have their own constituencies.

Mr Sharma said the People’s Forum contains the voice of the people and it must be heard. He said the global economic downturn had hit civil society groups both by reducing donations and by increasing demands for their services.

He added that civil society acts both to protest, cajole, criticize and hold accountable, but can also advise, support and partner.

Commonwealth Foundation Chair, Simone de Comarmond, also gave an address in which she said people in the world who have been traditionally vulnerable have now been even worse hit by the global economic crisis. [ZANI]

No need to fear Cameroon Kalu

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FOOTBALL Association of Zambia (FAZ) president Kalusha Bwalya says there is no need to be intimidated by the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations draw because Zambia has faced Cameroon, Gabon and Tunisia before.

“I’m proud of the team to be at the Africa Cup because it is important. It is difficult to be at the last 16 because the road was rough. We have respect for our opponents but we will face them,” Kalusha said.

In an interview in Lusaka yesterday, Kalusha said Zambian football would only improve when the Chipolopolo lock horns with the cream of Africa.

Zambia in Group D will start the chase for the first Africa Cup of Nations title on January 13 against Tunisia and will face Cameroon on Januray 17 before wrapping up with a clash against Gabon on January 21.
Kalusha said the technical bench led by Herve Renard will look at the videos involving Cameroon and Tunisia.

Cameroon clobbered Zambia 5-1 at the 2008 Ghana Africa Cup of Nations while Tunisia trounced Zambia 4-1 at the 2006 edition in Egypt.

“The challenge is to go to the second round and pick it up from there. We want to compete with the best teams, best players,” Kalusha said.
On Gabon, Kalusha said the West Africans are a force to reckon with.

He said it has been long since Zambia was paired against Gabon on the continental stage.

Zambia beat Gabon 1-0 on April 9, 1995 in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at Lusaka’s Independence Stadium. Kalusha scored the only goal.

“It was an emotional match. It is good we are in the same group and we are looking forward to meeting them,” Kalusha said.

He also said Zambia earned respect from Algeria, Egypt and Rwanda who were opponents in the 2010 World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations qualifying series.

“Everywhere we have gone they have told us that Zambia was the best team in the group. We were better than Egypt, Algeria and Rwanda in terms of standard of play,” Kalusha said.

Meanwhile, FIFA has sent Kalusha to be an observer at the Federation of Uganda Football Association annual general meeting set for this Saturday in Kampala.
[Zambia Daily mail]

Lending rates drop as economy stabilises

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STANDARD Chartered Bank has reduced its Kwacha base-lending rate from 24 per cent to 21 per cent with effect from next month because of stability in the economy.

Standard Chartered Bank managing director ,Mizinga Melu said the reduction in the base-lending rate by three per cent was a result of the drop in the level of inflation and other economic benchmarks.

Another bank, Invest Trust Bank, also reduced its rate by a similar margin recently.
Ms Melu, who is vice-chairperson for the Bankers’ Association of Zambia, called on other financial institutions to review their base-lending rates downwards to support economic growth.

Last month, President Rupiah Banda, at the official launch of the First National Bank (FNB) in Lusaka, asked commercial banks to bring down loan interest rates because the current harsh lending conditions were responsible for the poor loan recovery rates and were eroding confidence in the banking sector.

The president said there was equally a risk of discouraging both savings and investments due to ironically low rates on deposits.

Mr Banda added that there was need for financial houses to bring down the high loan interest rates and other bank charges, which had made loan repayments exorbitant.

The rates for other banks are Barclays Bank at 25 per cent, First Alliance (23 per cent), Investrust (22 per cent) and Eco-bank (19 per cent).

Ms Melu said from January this year, the Government had managed to reduce inflation rate from 16 per cent to the current level of 12.3 per cent.

“We recognise the efforts and progress from the Government, through the Bank of Zambia, in reducing the level of inflation in the country. Inflation has reduced from a high of 16 per cent in January 2009 to the current level of 12.3 per cent,” she said.

Ms Melu said there had been consistent reduction in the benchmark market rates such as the three months’ Treasury Bill rate which had dropped in the last two months.

She said Treasury Bills in the last two months had on average dropped between four per cent and six per cent.

Ms Melu said the bank was committed to assisting the customers in growing their businesses.

She said as a partner in national development, the bank realised that the benefits from reduced benchmark rates needed to be passed on to the productive sectors to increase economic activity and create more jobs.

“We, therefore, believe that with the reduction in the cost of finance, our customers will continue to grow their businesses and create more wealth for the nation,” she said.

While the severity of the global financial crisis had been unprecedented, the Bank of Zambia (BoZ), financial institutions and other stakeholders played an active role in facilitating the development of the financial markets in order to improve their efficiency and effectiveness.

She said the introduction of an overnight lending facility for commercial banks by BoZ with effect from next month would contribute to improved liquidity management for financial institutions.

Ms Melu said the introduction of a wholesale lending rate by BoZ next year would further contribute to the reduction of lending rates in the market and, consequently, the productive sectors of the economy could be able to borrow at lower rates.

Ms Melu said the bank was confident of the resilience of the Zambian economy and still recognised that right across the continent, the economic environment would continue to be challenging going into next year.

“We are seeing ‘green shoots’ in the Zambian economy led by increased productivity in the mining sector,” she said.

Meanwhile, head of asset and liabilities management for global market dealing, Kabwe Mwaba said the dollar base-lending rate had been fairly stable in the last six months.
[Times of Zambia]

RTSA procures 100 motorbikes

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The Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) has procured 100 motorbikes to enable it enforce road traffic regulations effectively in the country.

RTSA deputy director for road transport Robert Mtonga disclosed this in an interview with ZANIS in Kasama recently. Mr. Mtonga said the motorbikes would soon be handed over to the Zambia Police Service under the Traffic Unit to enhance their mobility while ensuring that safety standards on public roads were observed.

He explained that RTSA was working closely with the police to curb reckless driving among motorists, which has resulted in fatal road accidents.Mr. Mtonga, who was in Kasama for the RTSA public sittings to review the 2010 public service licenses for transport operators, said his Agency was concerned with the increase in road traffic accidents in the country.

He stated that 90 per cent of road traffic accidents happening in the country were due to human causes, mostly bordering on failure to observe traffic regulations.
Mr. Mtonga cited over -speeding as a big problem among motorists which requires urgent attention to safeguard people’s lives.

Meanwhile, Mr. Mtonga described the RTSA public sitting in Kasama as successful considering the high number of transport operators who turned up to have their 2010 public service licences renewed.
He however urged transport operators to hire drivers with Public Service Vehicle (PSV) licences to avoid their vehicles being impounded for having unqualified drivers.

Mr. Mtonga further advised bus operators servicing distant routes to make sure their vehicles were fitted with speed-limiters to avoid being in conflict with the law.
ZANIS

Katele Kalumba stable in UTH

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THE condition of MMD National Secretary, Katele Kalumba who is admitted to the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) is stable, hospital public relations manager, Pauline Mbangweta has said.

Ms Mbangweta said in Lusaka yesterday that Dr Kalumba who was last week taken to the UTH after experiencing a heart problem, was currently admitted to the institution’s high cost admission ward.

She said in an interview in that Dr Kalumba’s condition had remained stable.
“Dr Kalumba is still with us at the high cost admission ward. His condition is stable,” Ms Mbangweta said.

[Times of Zambia]

Zambia Go Into Camp

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Zambia will feature two foreign-based players in the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup that kicks off this Saturday in Kenya where they are playing as guest team.

Defender Emmanuel Mbola from Pyunik Yerevan in Armenia and striker James Chamanga of Dalian Haichang in China have been drafted into the 22-member team that went into camp in Lusaka today ahead of departure for Kenya on Thursday.

Chamanga on Saturday scored a hat trick for Zambia in their 4-1 win over North Korea in an international friendly played at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka.

Meanwhile, Herve Renard has excused five Zanaco players from training to play in the sides rescheduled Week 29 game against City of Lusaka on Wednesday.

The five are goalkeeper Joshua Titma, defenders Charles Siyingwa and Thomas Nyirenda plus midfielders Allan Mukuka and Henry Banda.

Zambia are in Group A at the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup together with Djibouti, Ethiopia and hosts Kenya.

Renard’s side take on Kenya in their opening Group A game on November 28 in Nairobi.
Zambia will later play Ethiopia in their second match on December 2 before wrapping-up their Group A outing on December 4 against Djibouti.

Govt. to continue support for traditional ceremonies – RB

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President Rupiah Banda says government will continue supporting cultural events in the country because they are an important unifier.

Mr. Banda says traditional ceremonies play a cardinal role by breaking artificial tribal barriers.

And the President has said his government will continue involving chiefs in matters of national interest because of their critical role in the governance system of the country.

Mr. Banda said chiefs need to be involved in development issues because of their influence on their subjects.

He said traditional leaders do not only act as good mediators in matters of traditional boundary and succession dispute but also on matters of national development.

The President said this over the weekend in a speech read on his behalf by Community Development Deputy Minister Moses Muteteka.

This was during the Lwiindi Traditional ceremony of the Toka-Leya of chief Sekute in Kazungula District.

Meanwhile, the President disclosed during the ceremony that government through the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services under the department of culture affairs is currently undertaking a programme of constructing and rehabilitating cultural villages at provincial centers.

Mr. Banda said this is in order to provide venues where artists, artisans and cultural practitioners can train, produce and market their products.

He said the Provincial office in Livingstone will soon complete the construction of the Maramba Cultural Village where various cultural products and exhibits will be showcased for employment and wealth creation for the people.

The President encouraged artists and cultural practitioners to develop their skills and marketability if government’s programme of developing culture industry is to succeed.

And the President said the reduction of poverty among people lies on improved agriculture production.

He said government has put in place policies suitable to assist the vulnerable in society.

Mr. Banda said viable farmers such as those households headed by females, orphans, widows, the elderly and the disabled will have to acquire farming inputs.

He however, stressed that government gets very concerned when it hears stories of farmers selling the seeds and fertilisers because the trend poses a danger to food security at both household and national levels.

ZANIS

Don’t worry of MMD loss – Mutati

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MMD Lunte Member of Parliament, Felix Mutati, has urged party officials not to despair following the party’s recent defeat in the Kasama and Solwezi Central parliamentary by-elections.

Mr Mutati said the defeat should not be interpreted as the beginning of the downfall of the ruling party as it was still a great party.

Addressing ward officials at Kapatu in Mporokoso district yesterday, Mr Mutati said the defeat should serve as an inspiration to all MMD officials on the need to reorganise the party to make it meet the aspirations of the people.

The MP, who is on a tour of developmental projects in his constituency, said there is need to enhance unity in the party and avoid finger-pointing which could work to the detriment of the party.

He observed that the defeat in the Kasama and Solwezi parliamentary by-elections could be an indication that the opposition was getting better organised, hence the need for the MMD to step up its activities at all levels.

Mr Mutati said there is need to strike a balance between political pronouncements and the physical delivery of development projects.

He has since urged ward officials in his constituency to come up with budgets for party mobilisation so that they could strengthen their structures at branch level.

The MMD recently lost the Kasama and Solwezi Central Parliament to the opposition.

ZANIS

Esther Phiri’s fight in over K100 million shortfall

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National Milling Company (NMC) has unveiled a budget of K400million for this Saturday’s Women International Boxing Association (WIBA) Light Walter Weight title between Esther Phiri and USA’s Terri Blair.

National Milling Company Managing Director, Peter Cottan said during a press briefing in Lusaka today that the total budget of K400million required for the fight was still short of about K110 million.

Mr. Cottan however expressed hope that the remaining money would be raised before the boxing fight between Phiri and Bliar.

Mr Cottan thanked stakeholders that have already come on board to assist in raising the K400million for the fight but also appealed to others to come on board and assist with the remaining funds.

Meanwhile, Mr. Cottan has appealed to Phiri’s fans to turn up in numbers and give the boxer support.

He added that turning up in numbers will give Phiri the morale to beat her opponent and lift the Zambian flag high.

And Phiri expressed confidence that she would beat her opponent adding that she is ready for the fight against Terri Blair.

Meanwhile, Phiri called on the Boxing Board Control (BBC) in the country to put in place measures that would allow boxers to go for drug testing before fighting.

She said this is because some international boxers were in the habit of taking some drugs before entering the ring to fight.

ZANIS

Chiluba’s trip to Nigeria is his entitlement-Shikapwasha

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Second Republican President Fredrick Chiluba and his wife Regina
Second Republican President Fredrick Chiluba and his wife Regina

Government says Former President Dr Fredrick Chiluba’s trip to Nigeria is part of his entitlement as a former head of state.

Chief government Spokesperson who is also Information and Broadcasting Services Minister Lt. Gen Ronnie Shikapwasha says under the terms of the benefits of former President’s Act, a former head of state and his spouse are entitled to one trip outside the country every year.

Gen. Shikapwasha said this in a press statement made available to ZANIS in Lusaka today.

Gen. Shikapwasha said Dr Chiluba has undertaken this trip to Nigeria for the first time since he ceased to be President of Zambia.

Meanwhile Gen. Shikapwasha has clarified that President Rupiah Banda, was not involved in the initiation or preparations of Dr Chiluba’s trip to Nigeria.

He said it is wrong to suggest that the former President’s trip had been initiated by government for any particular purpose.

ZANIS

Zambians urged to utilize diaspora desk

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Zambian Ambassador to Ethiopia Albert Muchanga, has called on Zambian nationals living in Ethiopia to make use of the Diaspora desk which President Rupiah Banda recently set up at State House to address the welfare of Zambians living abroad.

Mr. Muchanga said that Zambia is currently offering good investment opportunities to both Zambians and foreigners hence the need for Zambians in the Diaspora to participate.
He said the Zambian Embassy is for this reason planning for an investment sensitization seminar for the Zambian community in Ethiopia.

This is contained in a press release made available to ZANIS in Lusaka today by Zambian Embassy in Ethiopia First Secretary to the Press Dorcas Chileshe.

Mr. Muchanga said the seminar will create a platform for Zambian nationals in Ethiopia to discuss various ways in which they can participate in contributing to the country’s development.

He said this in Addis Ababa at the weekend when he addressed Zambians who had met to elect new office bearers for the Zambian Association in Ethiopia

Mr. Muchanga commended the Zambian community in Ethiopia for exhibiting a strong team spirit.

ZANIS

RB mourns Maj. Joe Musengule

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President Rupiah Banda was today among hundreds of mourners who gathered at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross to attend the church service for the late Former Zambia Army Commander Geojago Musengule’s son Major Joe Musengule.

Several cabinet ministers, senior government officials, service chiefs and members of the diplomatic corps joined the President at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross to pay their last respects to Major Musengule.

Major Musengule, who is the third of Lt Gen Geojago and Mrs Muriel Musengule’s four children, passed away on November 19 after suffering a heart attack.
His death is believed to have been triggered by the death of his wife of eight years, Halodatte Musengule who died on November 14 at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) after an illness.

Major Musengule who will be put to rest at Mutumbi Cemetary, leaves behind a son and two daughters.

And reading out Maj Musengule’s life history, family representative Joyce Makulu disclosed that the deceased joined the Zambia army in 1994 as an officer cadet shortly after completing his secondary education at Kabwe Secondary School.

Mrs Makulu said before that Maj Musengule did his grade one to three in Yugoslavia before returning home where he completed his primary education in Kabwe.

ZANIS

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