Government has advised the media and the general public to desist from drawing conclusions and speculating about who is guilty in the on-going investigations into allegations of theft of billions of Kwacha at the Ministry of Health.

In a press statement released to Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) this afternoon, Chief Government Spokesperson, Lt Gen Ronnie Shikapwasha, said it is imperative that the public do not pass judgment about who was involved and may have benefited from the money or if anyone is being shielded from investigations and subsequent prosecution.

Lt Gen Shikapwasha said desisting from speculations and insinuations will be in the interest of fairness and in order not to prejudice the investigations concerning the reports that some officials at the ministry may have pocketed more than K27 billion meant for procurement of goods and services for the ministry.

He reiterated that President Rupiah Banda has ordered that forensic investigations be carried out in the matter and appropriate investigative wings, namely the police, Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) and the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) are involved in the investigating the matter.

Lt Gen Shikapwahsa stated that the investigative bodies must be allowed to do their work without external influence, adding that these bodies will determine, after, investigations, who the suspects are or who benefited from the stolen public funds and recommend appropriate action, including prosecution.

The Chief Government spokesperson said it is the wish of government that the three investigative bodies will be allowed to do a professional job and prosecute all who are involved, and assured that government has no intention to subvert the work of the three bodies and no one will be shielded from prosecution whatever their status in the government or the ruling party.

He added that it will not help matters to speculate about the beneficiaries of the stolen funds or that some of the people being investigated may have connections with powerful people and that they were being investigated in order to protect others.

Lt Gen Shikapwasha said government appreciates the role the media are playing in sensitizing the public about the dangers of corruption and the thefts that may be taking place in government institutions.

However, Lt Gen Shikapwasha, who is also Information and Broadcasting Services Minister, stated that government is concerned that some of the media reports are based on rumours and unconfirmed reports which may be designed to politicize the investigations.

He said the information gathered so far suggests that individual officers in the ministry may have been the culprits, adding that it is therefore, highly mischievous to suggest that the government or the ruling party had a hand in the dirty work.
Lt Gen Shikapwasha appealed to those who wish to know the truth about whether the ruling party benefited from the scam should contact the party spokesperson and not engage in publishing insinuations by some of the suspects or their political sympathizers.

ZANIS

GOVERNMENT says it has enhanced the capacity of the Government Printing Department in Lusaka to print various materials, including ballot papers locally.

Works and Supply Minister Mike Mulongoti said the Government Printing Department is well-equipped and ready to print ballot papers for the 2011 tripartite elections.

Speaking during the recording of `Culture Remodelling’, a Ministry of Finance and National Planning programme at the ministry’s headquarters in Lusaka yesterday, Mr Mulongoti said the Government Printing Department is prepared to print electoral materials for the 2011 tripartite elections if requested by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ).

He said his ministry would indicate to ECZ the capacity of the Government Printing Department to do the job locally.

“We are considering printing ballot papers here. We are ready to do it for 2011, if they call on us. All we need to do is building confidence in our own systems,” Mr Mulongoti said.

He said Government Printing Department has got all the necessary equipment for the job and is also able to do colour printing.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

First Republican President Kenneth Kaunda has strongly condemned corrupt activities in government ministries, saying corruption must be fought and defeated, otherwise there is no future for Zambia.

Dr Kaunda was referring to the recent corruption case where a senior civil servant and many other juniors in the Ministry of Health have amassed wealth amounting to over K10 billion illegally.

Dr Kaunda said this at the Lila fundraising Golf Tournament at Lusaka golf club in Lusaka today.

After inaugurating the tournament the former President also teed off the tournament, which has attracted various businessmen in Lusaka who are participating in this fundraising venture.

The tournament, which attracted about 150 participants, is expected to realize about K50 million to assist the vulnerable members of society.

Dr Kaunda, a former active golfer, encouraged other golfers after taking off time from his busy schedule to attend the fundraising golf tournament.

And Lila Golf tournament Chairperson, Jessi Kumar, said this is the biggest charity event this year, adding that the last one was in 2007.

Ms Kumar said the participants have a mandate to finish projects targeted for Dec 2009, hence the need to sponsor the golf tournament.

Lila is an Association of Indian Ladies which looks at humanitarian service to the needy, especially those in remote areas.

ZANIS

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“For the vision is yet for an appointed time…it will surely come; it will not be behindhand on its appointed day”
(Habakkuk 2:3, AMP).

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

God is looking for people who have a made-up mind; people who will trust His timing. You may not see His promises happen overnight, but they will happen. In the Bible, Abraham waited 20 years to have a son and see his promise come to pass. Moses waited 40 years to fulfill his purpose and lead the children of Israel out of captivity. You might say, “Joel, I’ve been waiting for a year, and I don’t see anything happening.” No, something is happening. Right now, God is working behind the scenes in your life. He is arranging the right people, the right breaks, and the right opportunities.

Today’s scripture tells us that at the appointed time, the promise will come to pass, and it will not be one second late! When is the appointed time? It’s when God knows the timing is best for you. When you understand and accept this principle, it takes all the pressure off. It’s a very freeing way to live knowing that as long as we stay in faith, God will release His favor, His increase, His restoration, and His healing at exactly the right time in our lives!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father in heaven, thank You for working behind the scenes in my life. I trust that the appointed time for me is on its way. I am content in You, knowing that You have a good plan for my future. I bless you today and always. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Joel Osteen Ministries

Chief Mwanachingwala of Mazabuka says his support for President Rupiah Banda to run for another term of office would be based on merit.

And Chief Mwanachingwala has advised MMD cadres to give President Banda time to deliver on his election promises and stop the campaigns for the 2011 elections.

The Chief told ZANIS in Mazabuka today that the President would lose focus and concentrate on his campaigns instead.

Chief Mwanachingwala noted that it is too early for the MMD to start campaigning for the Presidency because the nation expects a lot from the leadership of President Banda.

He said President Banda has been in office for only close to 7 months, adding that MMD members should give him time to address challenges facing the country.

Chief Mwanachingwala warned that failure to heed his advice would be catastrophe for MMD as it would be difficult to sell their candidature as people would want to demand if the promises were met.

He said currently he has not seen anything wrong or bad with President Banda’s leadership.

Meanwhile, the MMD in Magoye constituency in Mazabuka has endorsed President Banda’s candidature for the 2011 presidential and general elections.

Constituency chairman, Moses Munjile, said in Mazabuka that the constituency leadership is behind President Banda’s leadership and would not allow anyone else to challenge him.

Mr Munjile said endorsing another candidate would be suicide to the ruling party.

ZANIS