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Police in Samfya have arrested a woman of Luka Chabu village in Chief Kalasa Mukoso area alleged to have stolen a 2months old baby.
Police have since recovered the baby who was reported stolen from Buyendele village on July 23 last month around 03:30.
Luapula Police Division Second in Command Muweswa Wakwinji confirmed the incident to ZANIS saying the woman Christine Pule was apprehended and is in custody awaiting appearance before the courts of law.
Earlier scores of onlookers had rushed to catch a glimpse of the accused child snatcher as police arrested her.
Meanwhile Chief Kasomalunga of Kasomalunga swamp area has disclosed that a juvenile in his chiefdom recently torched his grandmother to death inside a hut on suspected ritual circumstances.
Speaking to a district team of officials visiting his chiefdom in the Bangueulu swamps, the chief said he was saddened by the bizarre occurrence which had riled most of his subjects whom he advised to refrain from mob justice on the boy.
The Chief told the entourage which included Acting Samfya District Commissioner, Godfrey Zimba that it was unfortunate that there were such cases of juvenile delinquency in his area owing to bad vices they were getting themselves into.
The traditional leader said the boy allegedly set fire to the hut in which the woman and did not even show remorse for his actions alleging that the old woman deserved what had happened to her.
Police have since arrested and remanded the boy and will appear in court soon.
Government has launched a K12 billion Lusaka District Disaster Risk Reduction Plan (DRR) that aims at minimizing the risks associated with hazards in disaster prone areas of the district.
And the American government has pledged financial support to the programme with a grant of $ 930,000 through its implementing agency Care International for the provision of improved water supply and sanitation in Kanyama compound.
Speaking during the launch, Lusaka Province Minister, Charles Shawa said the Plan underscores government’s commitment in responding to disasters and floods as they contribute to poor hygiene and perennial outbreaks of waterborne diseases.
The Provincial Minister bemoaned the negative impact of the 2008/2009 rain season that was exacerbated by the outbreak of cholera which claimed 107 lives in the district.
Mr Shawa said the plan will seek to address adequate access to safe water and sanitation, improved garbage disposal and drainage systems among others in the district.
He added that government is committed in protecting its citizens from waterborne diseases through the provision of improved sanitary conditions so as to enhance the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) on water and sanitation by 2015.
And Lusaka District Commissioner, Christah Kalulu said the plan is an accumulation of concerted efforts of various key stakeholders aimed at targeting potential disaster prone areas in the district.
Ms Kalulu, who is also Lusaka District Disaster Management Committee Chairperson, said the plan forms the district’s response to emergencies in line with the global trends on disaster management aimed at mitigating the risk to life, livelihoods and infrastructure.
Speaking earlier, Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) National Coordinator, Dominiciano Mulenga said the plan conforms to the Hyogo Framework of Action to which Zambia is a signatory.
Mr Mulenga noted that the framework is also a departure from Disaster Management to Disaster Risk Reduction with emphasis on interventions into development programme.
He said that DMMU will decentralize the operations of disaster management and mitigation to districts in line with the Decentralization Policy.
The implementation period of the plan is over three months from September –December 2009 before the onset of the rainy season.
Kanyama Member of Parliament, Col Gerry Chanda and his Matero counterpart Faustina Sinyangwe attended the launch while Mps for Lusaka Central, Chawama, Kabwata, Mandevu and Munali sent representatives.
Others in attendance were LWSC Managing director George Ndongwe and several civic leaders in the district.
Power Dynamos midfielder Kennedy Mudenda has been recalled while 12 unknowns have also been drafted into a 23-man Zambia team of home-based players that went into camp today in Lusaka.
The team enters camp as Herve Renard begins preparations for next months 2010 Group C qualifier against Algeria on September 6 in Bilder.
Mudenda returns to the fold together with fellow CHAN team mates and fellow midfielder Henry Banda inlcuding striker Makundika Sakala- both of Zanaco.
Amongst the unknowns is Green Buffaloes striker Edward Museba who was heckled on Sunday by some football funs at Woodlands Stadium after a poor performance.
Ironically the animated fans chanted while pointing at Renard, who was high up in the stands watching the game, to hand a call-up to DR Congo-born prolific Zanaco striker Patrick Kabamba after Museba fluffed a clear chance on goal.
Little did they know the Buffaloes striker was about to earn a call-up even after they complained about the quality of strikers on the local scene.
Also in the team is goalkeeper Joshua Titima of relegation threatened Zamtel whose side has conceded 17 goals this season.
There is also a call-up for unknown player Kondwani Mpezeni of division 2 south K-Stars.
The team is camped teams new permanent home at the Faz technicial centre next to Independence Stadium that was opened in July.
The Under-17 team were the first occupants at the facility in July.
Former President Frederick Chiluba’s executive designer suits and shoes seized by the Task force on corruption will not be handed back to him despite his acquittal on Tuesday.
And the Task Force says it will soon consult its prosecutors on whether or not to appeal against the acquittal of Dr. Chiluba.
Task Force executive Chairman, Maxwell Nkole, says the agency will hold on to Dr. Chiluba’s expensive clothing until the registration of the London High Court Judgement is determined by the high court in Zambia.
Mr. Nkole told ZNBC that the Attorney General, Mumba Malila, is trying to register the London judgement in the high court so that it can be enforced.
In 2007, London High Court Judge, Peter Smith found Dr. Chiluba liable of having embezzled public funds and ordered him to pay the government in excess of $50 Million United States Dollars.
Dr. Chiluba’s lawyers John Sangwa and Robert Simeza are challenging the registration of the London judgement.
The Lusaka magistrate court has cleared Dr.Chiluba of all six counts of theft by public servant, involving $500,000 US dollars.
FODEP has urged the Task Force on Corruption to explain the contents of the Judgement in the case where former president, Frederick Chiluba, was facing theft charges.
The Lusaka Magistrate court on Monday acquitted Dr. Chiluba who had been facing six counts of theft by public servant, involving $500,000 US dollars.
This is on grounds that the prosecution team failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.
FODEP Executive Director, Stanely Mhango, says simplifying the judgement will allow ordinary Zambians to understand the ruling and end unnecessary debates.
Mr. Mhango told ZNBC News in Lusaka that FODEP is a firm believer in the rule of law and hence respects the court’s decision.
He also said the Task Force on Corruption has competent lawyers who should decide on whether or not to appeal to the high court on behalf of the Zambian People.
President Rupiah banda with United Liberal Party leader Sakwiba Sikota after Mr Sakwiba was bestowed with the status of a State Counsel at State House
President Rupiah Banda has hailed Zambians for accepting the decision made by the Judiciary on its verdict to acquit former second Republican president Fredrick Chiluba .
President Banda praised the Zambian judiciary for continuing to upholding integrity of the judicial system in the country.
Mr Banda said this when he swore in five lawyers from the Judiciary as Supreme Court Judges, Solicitor General, State Counsel and also appointed Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) commissioner at State House in Lusaka today.
He swore in Hildah Chibomba as Supreme Court judge, Abyudi James Shonga as Solicitor General, Chalwe Muchenga as State Counsel, while Lusaka lawyer Sakwiba Sikota has also been sworn in as State Counsel
The President also appointed Minerva Tembo as Electoral Commission of Zambia ECZ, Commissioner.
Mr Banda said the ECZ is very important in ensuring that Zambia has free and fair elections and hope the country will grow adding that Zambia is different from other countries.
The president said he was happy that a woman has been appointed to fill the position of Supreme Court Judge to have a gender balance.
Mr Banda called for hard work amongst the newly appointed adding that the jobs are competitive and demanding and that he appreciates the role that they are playing in the country.
China Non-Ferrous Metals Company (CMNC) has employed 820 former miners on six months contract basis before actual production resumes.
Speaking when Labour Deputy Minister Simon Kachimba called on him, CMNC -Luanshya mine team leader, Luo Xingeng said his mine had employed 820 former Luanshya mine workers.
Mr Xingeng said his company intends to employ over 4,000 people after the completion of maintenance works and upgrading of the obsolete equipment at the mine.
He said that when production resumes some time in January next year, the company will employ on permanent and pensionable conditions.
Mr Xingeng said his company has put aside US$ 374m to rehabilitate Baluba and the construction of the leaching plant and the Mulyashi open pit mine in the next two years.
He also said his company had ordered machinery for the construction of Mulyashi mine adding that the company would bring some Chinese engineers to help in the construction of the leaching plant.
And the deputy minister said government was happy with the investment CMNC was putting in the mine.
Mr Kachimba said the recapitalization the company was putting in the mine was testimony that CMNC was a serious investor.
He also expressed pleasure at the fast pace at which development was going on at the mine.
The Chipata High Court has sentenced a 29 year old man of Lundazi to 20 years imprisonment with hard labour after convicting him of incest.
High Court Judge, Phillip Musonda, sentenced James Ngulube, of Kamangamukuta village in chief Mwase’s area after he was found guilty of unlawfully having canal knowledge of his niece.
Facts before the court are that on unknown dates but between June 10 and 30 last year, Ngulube’s wife left their home leaving the niece at home.
Ngulube took advantage of the time when his wife was not home and dragged the named girl into the house and forced himself on her.
It was later discovered that the girl was pregnant and when she was asked who was responsible she named Ngulube.
In mitigation, Ngulube pleaded for lenience saying that he was a first offender who readily pleaded guilty to the charge.
But Judge Musonda however said that he had taken into consideration Ngulube’s mitigation but noted that his hands were tied looking at the offence commited.
“I sympathize with you because you think when you are in a traditional box you can sleep with any woman. The courts are so tough on such offences and I sentence you to 20 years imprisonment,’’ Judge Musonda said.
In the same court, Judge Musonda sentenced a Petauke businessman to 15 years imprisonment with hard labour for indecently assaulting a woman.
Facts before the court are that on April 29 this year, George Phiri, 24, of Kalele village in chief Kalindawalo’s area attempted to have canal knowledge of a woman without her consent.
On the said date, the woman was coming from her field when she saw the convict going in the opposite direction but when they met, he grabbed her and forced her to the ground with intent to rape her.
The woman managed to escape and reported Phiri who was later apprehended by villagers and taken to the police.
Over 100 teachers from the Zambia Union of Teachers (ZNUT), Secondary School Teachers Union (SESTUZ), and the Basic Teachers Union (BETUZ) have resigned from their teacher unions to join the newly formed Professional Teachers’ Union of Zambia (PTUZ).
Representative of the over 100 teachers, Paul Kamwendo, says teachers have decided to join PTUZ due to poor management and representation from their former unions.
Mr. Kamwendo accused the three unions of not being competent enough to represent teachers’ views and interests after signing for a 15 percent salary increment without the approval of the teachers.
He added that BETUZ is also operating illegally as it changed its constitution without the consent of the labour commissioner.
Mr. Kamwendo further alleged that the three unions have deviated their attention from attending to matters affecting teachers and are rather fighting the PTUZ and have also concentrated on court issues using teachers’ contributions.
He further wondered why the Lusaka District Education Board Secretary is stopping them from withdrawing from the three teacher unions.
He noted that the move was undermining their right to belong or not to belong to a union of their choice as stated by the industrial and labour relations Act.
Police in Livingstone are holding an unmarried woman of Zesco Compound in Livingstone for throwing her baby in the gorge near the Victoria Falls.
Southern Province Commanding Officer, Lemmy Kajoba confirmed this development to ZANIS in Livingstone yesterday.
Mr. Kajoba said Ruth Museke 32 who gave birth to a baby boy between 19:00 and 21:00 hours on Sunday, went and threw it in one of the Zesco power gorges near the Victoria Falls.
He said a combined team of rescue workers were still struggling to retrieve the body of the baby.
“Police are still struggling to retrieve the body of the baby,” he said. He dded that the woman is in police custody and will appear in court for infanticide.
And three people died in a road traffic accident that happened on Maamba – Choma Road on Sunday night.
Mr. Kajoba said the accident involving a Mitsubishi Canter truck Registration Number ABM 9151 was due to over speeding.
He said the driver, Most Banda 25, lost control of the vehicle which careered off the road and rammed into a tree stump before over-turning, killing three people on the spot.
He named the deceased children as Tabisa Moonga a two- month- old baby, Frank Mwila 6 months and one male adult, Sleeve Mwiinde 34.
Mr. Kajoba said seven other people were seriously injured and are currently admitted to Maamba Mine Hospital while eight others sustained minor injuries and were treated and discharged.
Meanwhile, a cyclist in his 40s was on Sunday found dead along Choma-Namwala Road around 20:00hours after being hit by an unknown vehicle.
“There was a hit-and- run in Choma which happened along Choma-Namwala Road and involved was a cyclist whose age is not known but in his 40s,” Mr. Kajoba said.
He said the body of Ben Chongo of Moomba Farms was found on the road with a mangled bicycle on the side.
The body of the deceased is lying in Choma District hospital and police are searching for the hit and run vehicle.
And Mr. Kajoba has expressed worry at the increasing number of road traffic accidents in the province.
He disclosed that the province had recorded 13 road traffic accidents between Thursday and Sunday last week.
He attributed the increase in road traffic related accidents to over speeding and appealed to motorists to observe speed limits.
Mr. Kajoba warned motorists against taking advantage of the absence of highway patrols and urged them to regulate themselves.
ZANIS
A LUSAKA magistrates’ court has sentenced former intelligence chief, Xavier Chungu to nine months imprisonment on two counts of forgery and uttering a false document.
Delivering judgment in a case in which Chungu, who was arrested for forging and uttering a passport, magistrate Joshua Banda said the two offences were very serious and punishable by a maximum of seven years imprisonment.
Mr Banda said in passing his judgment he would follow the Supreme Court rules on exercising leniency for first offenders and also take into consideration Chungu’s mitigation.
Mr Banda sentenced Chungu to nine months simple imprisonment for forgery and nine months imprisonment with hard labour for uttering a false document.
The sentences run concurrently from the day of arrest and Chungu immediately walked to freedom.
Facts are that Chungu, on dates unknown but between October 1, 2003 and November 30, 2003 in Lusaka, with intent to deceive, did forge passport number ZH 88471 purporting to show that it was issued properly when in fact not.
In the second count, he is charged with falsifying a document contrary to section 352 of the Penal Code Cap 87 of the laws of Zambia.[quote]
Particulars of the offence are that Chungu on December 3, 2008 in Lusaka knowingly and fraudulently did utter the passport in question to Mary Bwalya, an immigration officer.
Earlier, Mr Banda said it was his considered view that the passport in question was fraudulently obtained in the manner it was processed because records showed that it was issued in Ndola when it was obtained in Lusaka.
He said the passport officer who was alleged to have signed on the passport did not do so and the national registration number was for a different person.
He said it was clear that Chungu, while acting with others unknown did manufacture a false passport and that he uttered it before an immigration officer on December 3, 2008 at the Lusaka International Airport.
“In the sum total, the passport was forged and intended to be what it was not and Chungu participated in its generation. The prosecution proved its case and I convict him accordingly,” he said.
After the judgment, Chungu told reporters that he was humbled with the judgment and would concentrate on his recovery since he had already served the sentence because he had been in detention since December 3, 2008 when he was arrested.
Regina Chiluba embraces Dr Chiluba during a press briefing at their residence
THE Task Force on Corruption has welcomed the conclusion of the case involving former president Frederick Chiluba, saying it demonstrates political determination to fight corruption and accord those suspected due process of the law.
Task Force executive chairperson, Maxwell Nkole said in a statement in Lusaka yesterday now that the case had ended, it was time to reflect on why late president Levy Mwanawasa created the Task Force.
“Obviously, with the successful conclusion of the Chiluba case, this may appear to many people as being the destiny of the work of the Task Force on Corruption.
“But the truth is that the clearance of the Chiluba case is just one step in the long journey of the fight against corruption by the Zambian people,” Mr Nkole said in reaction to the judgment.
He called on all the Zambians to accept the decision of the court, saying some might find it hard and painful that a former head of State had been prosecuted.
He said the Task Force was delighted that the case marked the landmark pillar in the rule of law and abuses of public resources.
“So far, Task Force on Corruption wishes to praise itself for the continued good job and to thank all stakeholders and lovers of our country who have given support and encouragement to its work.
“The Government must be supported by all Zambians as it embarks on its future programmes and strategies to fight corruption,” he said. [quote]
Mr Nkole said the Task Force welcomed the convictions of former Intelligence chief Xavier Chungu, Access Financial Services directors Faustin Kabwe and Aaron Chungu.
He said the prosecutors and investigators at the Task Force who had worked tirelessly over the years should be commended for the job well-done and for braving the risks involved.
He said the nation was now expected to document lessons learnt from the work of the Task Force to curb abuses and safeguard public resources in the future.
Mr Nkole said amid challenges and resistance faced by the Task Force from certain quarters when it started its work, it forged ahead and investigated 170 cases of suspected grand corruption.
He said the stolen assets in extent of K1 trillion had been traced and recovered and was in the process of being restored to the Zambian people.
And PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda has said he deliberately did not want to comment on second Republican president Frederick Chiluba’s corruption cases because he did not want to influence the outcome.
Officiating at the Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ) general conference at Mulungushi University in Kabwe yesterday, President Banda said it was sad that certain quarters criticised him so much for not commenting on Dr Chiluba’s court cases.
“When we take the law into our own hands to condemn people before they are convicted, it will not promote social justice. Today (yesterday) is a big day in Zambia as Dr Chiluba is in court and his verdict is coming ‘‘I have been quiet all times because I wanted the judiciary to adjudicate on these matters and this is not to say I was in support of what Dr Chiluba is alleged to have done,” President Banda said.
He added, “I know that every suspect is innocent till proven guilty but grown-ups have been saying Chiluba is guilty.
‘‘I am speaking today about this issue because I know that it’s taking place and will not influence anything,” President Banda said.
He said Dr Chiluba was a human being like anybody else that deserved justice, which was the major thrust in the theme of the CCZ general conference.
“I hope that as we move forward as a nation, we shall learn through this principle. Nobody can deny that Dr Chiluba tried his best to rule this nation.
“It was under his reign, that we saw the proliferation of media houses and you cannot say he did nothing good. It’s not humane to expect another human being not to make mistakes,” President Banda said.
He said the CCZ theme, ‘Seeking justice for all’, was timely and cardinal to promoting peace and respect for every citizen.
President Banda said there was no need to promote hatred in the nation and that even the convicted deserved three meals a day and respect.
He said as president, he would try and serve the Zambian people diligently, but stressed that it was impossible for him to attend to all their needs.
“If leaders don’t fulfill their promises, remove them from office. Even me, get rid of me if I fail to deliver but of course I cannot deliver everything.
‘‘My Government has made promises to the people and they should see to it that we are trying to fulfill them and in 2011 if I fail to do so, vote me out,” he said.
Government has not yet started disbursing normal funding to health facilities in Luapula province despite cooperating partners resuming funding to the ministry of health resulting in the continued reduced patient meals in hospitals.
Luapula Provincial Health Officer, Dr Elicho Bwalya told ZANIS in an interview today that disbursement of funds to health facilities in the province has not yet normalised despite government’s pronouncement that cooperating partners had resumed funding to the ministry of health.
He said as a result, patients in hospitals are still on reduced meals adding that even the suspension of outreach health programmes was still in force.
Dr Bwalya said all health facilities in the province are still operating under strict budgets in the face of reduced funding effected after donors withdrew financial assistance to the ministry of health.
He said movement of vehicles is still restricted to only important activities as another measure to cope with reduced funding.
Dr Bwalya however, said that normal funding is expected to start getting to the health facilities after things are put in order at the ministry.
The National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA) has implored firms and other business organizations to register their employees with the institution so that they benefit from the pensions scheme at the end of their working lives.
Speaking during a seminar for employers held at Great Lake Product (GLP) lodge in Mpulungu on Friday, Lusaka NAPSA area manager, Water Phiri said employers have an obligation to register workers under them and make contributions.
Mr Phiri said that NAPSA exists to serve both the employers and employees while on the hand serving the interests of government.
He noted that misconceptions that social security schemes are meant to make people rich after retirement must be avoided by all progressive Zambians because social security schemes exist to enable people maintain an acceptable standard of living after retirement.
He further said that even those with maids, garden boys and other domestic workers at their homes must come forward and register the workers under the scheme.
And speaking during the same meeting, Benefits Manager, Nobby Simutanda said NAPSA has decentralized its claims to ensure as many people as possible access their benefits within the shortest period of time.
He said payments are now made at local banks as opposed to the long queues people were subjected to in the past.
Vice President George Kunda says government will continue with its macroeconomic policies aimed to preserve and consolidate the macroeconomic stability achieved in the recent years.
Mr Kunda says government will endeavour to encourage traditional economic growth with a deliberate policy of targeting new growth opportunities that can considerably reduce poverty in the country.
The Vice President said this in Mongu over the weekend when he flagged off the 2009 Western Province MMD card renewal exercise.
And Mr. Kunda has directed the MMD provincial leaders to revive and galvanize the youth wing by making it vibrant ahead of the 2011 Presidential and Parliamentary General Elections.
The Vvie President who is also MMD National Trustee has also implored the MMD members and youths in the country to be innovative by engaging in business ventures so that they can also contribute financially to the operations of the party.
The Vice President urged MMD members to take the card renewal exercise seriously with renewed vigour and ensure that the party remains formidable on the political arena.
He advised the youths to take advantage of the on-going issuance of the national registration cards exercise and register in numbers as voters for the 2011 Presidential and Parliamentary General Elections.
And when welcoming the defectors from the PF/UPND pact, Mr. Kunda said the defections are a clear signal that the pact is only made up of two individuals in the names of Mr. Sata and Mr. Hichilema.
Mr Kunda charged that the pact had just brought confusion on the political scene that even ordinary members of the PF and UPND do not know which of the two political parties is join the other.
Speaking at the function, MMD National Chairperson Michael Mabenga assured Mr. Kunda that party was united and ready to defeat the PF/UPND pact in 2011.
Mr. Mabenga who is also Lands Deputy Minister said the people of Western Province have embraced development hence their choice to endorse MMD as a party of their preference.
Earlier, Western Province Chairperson, Simasiku Namakando appealed to the government to consider resuming work on the Mongu-Kalabo road before the onset of the rainy season.
Mr. Namakando said there is urgent need to attend to the road network in the province to stimulate economic activities in the area.
Meanwhile, President Rupiah Banda has donated K10 million towards the operations of the party in the province.
Mr. Kunda made the donation on behalf of the President before contributing K5 million to the party in the province.
