President Banda says he is very saddened with the emerging culture of hatred and misinformation in the country where politicians make unsubstantiated statements on things they know to be totally false.

This is contained in a press release made available to ZANIS in Lusaka today by President Banda’s Special Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations Dickson Jere.

The President appealed to politicians, especially his opponents, to refrain from dragging his children in mudslinging and smear campaigns which he said they had launched for some time now.

President Banda advised politicians to let his children to lead a quiet life, especially those involved in business, adding that they were running their companies successfully even before he was recalled from retirement to become Vice President in 2006.

He reminded Mr. Kavindele to be sincere with his attacks particularly that it was he when he served as Vice President, who pleaded with the nation not to judge him based on his son, Enock Kavindele Junior’s involvement in the TST oil procurement problems.

The President said Mr. Kavindele rightly argued that his son was old enough to carry out any business transaction without his father’s help and wondered what the difference was with his children.

President Banda disclosed that Mr. Kavindele had approached him over his business problems with the North-Western Railway Company but could not help him instantly without consulting widely.

[ZANIS]

Attorney-General Mumba Malila says the disbanding of the Task Force on corruption will not affect cases that are still before the courts of law.

Mr. Malila also says the move will not affect the on-going investigations which where initiated by the task force on corruption.

The Attorney-General says corruption cases that the Task Force was prosecuting and those under investigations before its disbandment will be ably dealt with by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

Mr. Malila told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today that the transformation of the Task Force into a department in the ACC does not mean the corruption cases it was pursuing would be done away with.

He said the ACC will take up the cases and ensure that they are dealt with in the usual independent manner that it has always carried out its mandate.

The Attorney General said government will continue providing the necessary support to the commission to ensure the fight against corruption was effectively undertaken in the country.

There have been growing concerns from some quarters of society that the disbanding of the Task Force on corruption would have a negative effect on some cases which are still before the courts of law and those under investigations.

ZANIS

National Initiative citizens Awareness (NICA) president Kelvin Sampa says his organisation is not pleased with the blame game that has emanated over the fuel crisis in the country.

Mr. Sampa said it was unfortunate that Republican President Banda’s administration was being blamed by sections of society and individuals over the fuel crisis in the country.

He said it was a known fact that there are people trying to undermine Mr Banda’s leadership and his government by blaming him fr causing the fuel crisis.

He urged government to fully carryout an Audit of the Energy Regulations Board ( ERB ) saying its operations was worrying the Zambians.

He added that the ERB Board wrongly advised Energy and water development minister Kenneth Konga over the fuel crisis in the country which led to the President to be misinformed on the matter.

He said this at a press briefing in Lusaka today.

Mr Sampa noted that it was disappointing to note that ERB could not apologies to the Zambian people over the crisis saying it was unfortunate that it had to take President Rupiah Banda to apologies to the nation on the crisis.[quote]

He said his organization wondered why the ERB existed as its purpose has failed to work to regulate energy in the country.

Mr Samapa said the leasing out of the Zambezi Oil Transport (Z.O.T) to Samfuels, a company allegedly owned by a named business man, by the ERB is strange as the matter was in courts of law.

Sections of society are expressed concern n the continued fuel shortage that has gripped the nations. Some concerned Zambians are calling for the resignation of Energy and Water Development minister Kenneth Konga over the crisis.

On the other hand, Opposition Forum for Democracy and Development leader Edith Nawakwi , has pointed an accusing finger at Mr Banda who she says is an inept leader who has failed to manage the fuel crisis.

ZANIS

Transparency International Zambia TIZ has accused government for disbanding the Task force on corruption as a way of completely killing off the outstanding investigations against Dr Fredrick Chiluba and allegations which are still under investigations.

TIZ Zambia President Reuben Lifuka said the disbanding of the task force on corruption was done in an hastily manner which will have a negative consequence for some cases which are still before the courts of laws or under investigations.

Mr Lifuka however said this raises questions whether the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) will be given room to independently investigate.

He said this at a press briefing in Lusaka today.

Mr Lifuka pointed that the institution has been given additional responsibility while government has not indicated the support it will provide to improve its capacity .

He added that it could have been appropriate if government had strengthened the capacity of the ACC before making the transition.

Mr Lifuka noted the fact that the tenure of task force on corruption was limited and plans should have been put in place to ensure a smooth transition into the ACC.

He added that the Taskforce has scored a number of successes and recovered several asserts hence the need for government to have evaluated the work of the Taskforce before disbanding in that way.

Mr Lifuka attributed the disbanding of the task force on corruption by government as not being thoroughly thought through the decision adding that the move has taken undoubtedly added to their efforts of killing the fight against corruption and the late president Mwanawasa’s legacy of fighting corruption.

ZANIS