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Bank of Zambia Governor Dr. Caleb FundangaBank of Zambia (BOZ) Governor Caleb Fundanga says the
prevailing global economic crisis might reverse the hard
earned economic gains which the African continent has achieved in the recent past.
Dr. Fundanga said Africa has been adversely hit by the economic crisis, whose effects have quickly extended to the real economies, resulting into massive job cuts.
He said the global economic crisis has erased the economic growth rate of more than five per cent and a surge in investment flows in many sectors.
He said this today at a senior policy seminar on the effects of the global crisis that was organized by the African Economic Research Consortium (AERC) in Lusaka.
Dr. Fundanga said the global crisis has seriously affected the manufacturing industry, which has resulted into a decline for the demand of manufactured goods.
He said the decline in copper prices has resulted in the decline in export earnings and a change in investor sentiment towards investing in emerging markets.
Dr. Fundanga further said that the global economic crisis has affected the direct investments because donors have suspended their investment flows in Africa in a bid to save money and improve their liquidity for working capital in their countries.
He has however called for diversification of the economies to enhance competitiveness by increasing expenditure on infrastructure and social services in order for the continent to move forward and address the negative effects of the global economic crunch.
Dr. Fundanga said the continent should come up with a response framework on the financial system that will help reverse the effects of the crisis.
Speaking earlier, African Economic Research Consortium Executive Director, William Lyakurwa said the global economic crisis might put millions of Africans into poverty.
Professor Lyakurwa said sub-Saharan Africa will be the hardest hit by the current global economic crisis and will also be the last to get out of its grip.
He said the global economic crisis will have far-reaching consequences on the African continent, affecting the local investment, export earnings, tourism, remittances and aids.
1.An unidentified man and his wife making a majestic ride on one of the streets in Chipata
2.A bicycle is a valuable asset in Chipata district. Here traders cruising on the dusty road, transporting bread to their supermarkets
3.Children playing in contaminated rainy water in Kanyama township
4.A minibus driver contravening the law in Kitwe. Minibus drivers always put up cat and mouse fights with the traffic police officers for their nuisance on the roads
5.A policeman drags a minibus driver who was aprehended after causing a road traffic accident in Lusaka.
6.Policemen on horseback tame two minibus drivers who were arrested after trying to escape the dragnet for causing road carnage in Lusaka
7.A typical street in Kanyama township in Lusaka.
8.An aerial view of delegates inside the Mulungushi international conference centre during the national indaba
9.First republican president Kenneth Kaunda speaking before the close of the national indaba.
10.Former President Frederick Chiluba making a constribution before the close of the national indaba.
11.Chongwe MP Sylvia Masebo speaking at the national indaba.
12.Clowns Difikoti (l) and Bikiloni entertaining delegates at the national indaba in Lusaka
13.Bank of Zambia Governor Caleb Fundanga and Barclays Bank Zambia managing director Zafar Masud (c) talk to pupils from Matero girls and Kamwala high schools after launching the entrepreneurship programme.
14.German Ambassador to Zambia Irene Hinrichsen (l) welcomes a delegation of German MPs at Lusaka international airport
15.I didnt keep you waiting... President Rupiah Banda seems to tell defence chiefs who received him when he arrived from Swaziland where he went for a SADC meeting
16.Security and protocol officers in a tug of war when Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki arrived at Lusaka international airport
17.Kenyans resident in Zambia hoist their flags to salute Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki when he arrived at Lusaka international airport.
18.MMD cadres and traditional dancers outside the Ugandan presidential jet at Lusaka international airport.
19.President of Uganda Yoweri Museveni emerges from his presidential jet at Lusaka international airport on arrival
20.Yoweri Museveni and Defence minister George Mpombo at Lusaka international airport.
21.Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni at Lusaka international airport.
The Association of Chartered and Certified Accountants (ACCA) has pledged to continue supporting business and financial writers’ forum in Zambia.
Briefing the press on the forthcoming ACCA media awards for business writers’ forum in Lusaka today, ACCA country manager for Zambia, Mukaba Mukaba said ACCA was pleased with the role business and financial writers were playing in the country.
Mr. Mukaba said ACCA would also continue to support the development of the media in Zambia through various projects and initiatives that will contribute to the development of the economy.
He said the profession of accountancy plays an important role in the development of the country and therefore, there was need for people to learn about the profession through the media.
He said in order to improve the profession and make it more responsive, ACCA-Zambia has since adopted the international standards.He disclosed that ACCA Zambia would also join the international ethics for accountancy.
Mr. Mukaba said the forthcoming sixth business and financial writers’ forum media awards are scheduled for 12th May this year at Hotel Intercontinental in Lusaka.
He also announced that the business writers eligible to vie for the awards should submit four articles based on the credit crunch, financial services markets, capital and commerce, trade and industry.
Choma mayor Geoffrey Makaya has conceded that there is need to undertake a restructuring exercise at the municipal council because some workers are not competent enough to do their work.
Mr. Makaya said the local authority has come under serious criticism from the community because some officers were not able to discharge their functions satisfactorily.
Speaking in Choma at the weekend, during the close of a UNICEF sponsored workshop on sanitation, Mr.Makaya said it has now become desirable to carry out a restructuring exercise to address the human resource concerns.
He said councillors were also in support of government proposals to constitute the local government service commission to help address placement of qualified staff in councils.
Mr. Makaya said some of the administrative difficulties faced by the council were beyond the understanding of councilors.
The mayor was responding to concerns raised by Chief Macha on why councilors had failed to take action on a named chief officer who had been tasked to put up road signs in the town centre to stop trucks from parking but failed to do so for the past two months despite repeated reminders.
Chief Macha also wondered how council management had allowed a situation in which the internal auditor was issuing health permits to trading premises contrary to the provision of the Public Health Act which demands that only a qualified health inspector should perform this task.
Chief Macha, who is chairperson of the district joint monitoring team on sanitation, observed that there were a lot of anomalies in the operations of the local authority and therefore, there was a need for serious administrative solutions.
Government has procured over 20 billion worth of construction material to complete the Mongu- Kalabo Road.
Mongu Central Member of Parliament Joseph Muliata says the arrival of the long bridges from Britain is a true demonstration of government’s commitment to the successful completion of the road.
Mr. Muliata, who is also North-western province minister, was speaking to ZANIS in western Province.
He said the bridges and other construction material were enough to cover the remaining 40km of the road from Mongu harbour to Tapo in Kalabo district.
Mr. Muliata said the MMD government under the leadership of President Rupiah Banda was in a hurry to complete the project in order to open up western province to economic development.
He said contractors have in the past used low bridges which got washed away during floods and frustrated efforts to complete the road on time.
Mr. Muliata has assured the people of western province that a contractor has already been found and that government was assessing the best way of executing the mammoth project.
Zambian Breweries PLC corporate Affairs manager Chibamba Kanyama hugs Gender minister Sara Sayifwanda as managing director Pearson Gowero looks on before a seminar on women entrepreneurship in Lusaka
A journalist from Zambia News and Information Services on
Sunday 29th March, 2009 asked me about what I thought of
the announcement by the Central Statistics Office that inflation
(rate) had dropped in Zambia. Her view was that things were still very expensive and the poorer were becoming poorer.
My response (which was also given to an international news agency that interviewed me via phone):
It is true that many people, including myself will find it difficult to believe the inflation rate has indeed dropped in Zambia when we are experiencing the opposite. The CSO highlighted the reduction in air travel fares as having positively affected the inflation basket. There are not many Zambians who travel, and besides the airline industry has experienced a drop in travel.
The airlines have either not increased the prices in recent months while a few have reduced. One airline no longer exists and this may give an impression there has been an improvement in air travel costs. We needed a better context for the reduction in the rate so that we appreciated the overall impact this would have especially on the key items that have a significant impact on the inflation rate such as food prices, bus fairs, construction and fuel.
I was also asked on what would be the appropriate solution.
My response was that inflation is generally tackled from two fronts; fiscal incentives to industry that should encourage supply as well as monetary policy administered by the Bank of Zambia. The problem is that monetary policy is usually a short term measure as it uses interest rates to control money supply in the economy. The long term effect is that monetary has the potential of reducing output. The Zambian economy is not heating so; we do not need over-application of monetary policy. The experience has been that by targeting money supply, monetary policy has failed to arrest inflation triggered by food prices. There is a significant time lag between a reduction in money supply and consumer response on food in Zambia. People still consume where food is concerned.
The best way would be by identifying the transmission mechanism for inflation in Zambia, and as at now, the depreciation of the Kwacha appears to have accelerated the inflation rate. Zambia is an import dependent country for both raw materials and finished products, and prices for both finished products and raw materials have risen significantly.
Most manufacturing companies have for example adjusted prices except for those who market products that are highly sensitive to price changes; and in this case, companies will choose to manage the losses to maintain the volumes. But this goes with some cutting down on jobs. I am aware of many manufacturing companies that are responding this way. We have seen lately that by intervening in the foreign exchange market occasionally the Bank of Zambia manages to stabilise the inflation rate to tolerable margins, which is much more efficient than focusing on money supply. An injection of US $20 million in the market protects the Kwacha by about two basis points and this goes a long way in containing sharp price movements.
I was also asked a question on what I expect of inflation in near future:
My response was that all depended on four key items: the food harvest expected in May/June; the exchange rate, energy costs in view of the anticipated increase in electricity tariffs and the ongoing negotiations for salary increments by the public workers unions. The workers are already responding to the increase in the cost of living and they know inflation has been rising at higher margins. Household incomes have been impacted as we know and this is in part as a result of the economic crisis; and this will give added pressure for higher salary increases across industry.
By Wesley Ngwenyasoweto market
Here are a few reasons why we continue having poverty in
Zambia. The list is not exhaustive and each item could be a
dissertation on its own. Getting rid of poverty in a developing country like Zambia is critical and deserves our utmost attention. Feel free to add your own reasons.
Politicians/Leaders: The quality of leaders we continue to elect leaves much to be desired. Even in the business world, executives in Zambia continue to hire and promote their own in the organizations. This sidelines the most talented and leaves the mediocre to be the main decision-makers. The moment Zambia gives up the selfish ways it elects or appoints leaders we shall begin to see the difference in the way things are going to move in this country. We need quality leadership with exceptional skills and education.
Corruption and Abuse of Resources: There is no doubt that corruption in Zambia is a stumbling block to meaningful development in the country. As long as we continue to have government officers ask for a bribe to do business with the government we shall continue heading backwards. Many institutions in this country including, the police and the judiciary need to be freed of corrupt tendencies in order to create a favorable environment for development and get rid of poverty.
The few people who run the resources in Zambia end up abusing the resources whether it is authority, moneys, or vehicles. These resources that are supposed to be channeled to develop infrastructure or educate people end up being used by those entrusted to bring the development.
Bad Policies: When policies are made only in the best interest of the ruling elite or the mega foreign investors, the majority of Zambian citizens will continue living in poverty. The Zambian government has failed to create proactive policies that seek to address issues of poverty in this country. The recent closure of several companies in Zambia is a testimony of this failure. Hundreds of employees have been left jobless overnight without benefits whatsoever.
The government needs to advocate for the tax-paying citizens. Policies such as mandatory setting up of employee trust funds for new companies need to be introduced. The legislature needs to work up and start addressing real issues of poverty not debating the budget to this day.
Dependency Syndrome: In as much as foreign aid is essential for the development of country we should begin to look elsewhere to become more economically independent. Forty-four years after independence we are still dependent on the West for support. We can hardly stand on our own feet as a nation. It is not only the government who is diseased with begging for alms, but now many Zambians line up on street corners to ask for help.
Why not think of ways to make money as a country? I think government should be in the business of not only counting money generated from tax but also making money and devising new methods of creating a consistent cash flow. IMF and the World Bank have screwed us several times and maybe it is time we got out of those relationships and look for real relationships with mutual interests.
Brain Drain: Zambia has one of the highest rates of brain drain in the world. The emigration of highly skilled personnel such as doctors, nurses, teachers, scientists, administrators, business people, etc continues year after year. With this mass departure of skill for greener pastures, who is left to do the work here in Zambia? Again, it’s back to the mediocre leaders who are running things. If many of these professionals were given incentives to stay home and work in government or develop businesses then we will be taking long strides toward poverty alleviation. The government needs to come up with incentives such as all professionals who continuously live and work in Zambia for ten years will be given a gratuity.
HIV/AIDS: Like brain drain, this disease has claimed so many potential men and women of this country. If you go to any graveyard in this country and look at the tombstones, you will notice that many of the people lying there are people who were in their 30s and 40s. When a country loses so many people in their prime years, then it risks creating a generational gap that will in turn create leadership vacuum in the future. HIV/AIDS needs to be fought relentlessly in every corner of our society and by every member. We need a healthy group of citizens who can take up the leadership positioning in various circles of our society.
Nepotism/Tribalism: Unfortunately, in Zambia, it’s who you know not what you know that counts. Tribalism continues to exist in the Zambian community and it is a big contribution to poverty in this country since its equation eliminates merit.
When capable people are marginalized and not given equal opportunities simply because of their ethnicity then we are not helping in any way to curb poverty in this country. It is natural that people will generally favor their own kind after all blood is thicker than water. However, if for once we look past that and put the interests of the Zambian society at heart, then we will be breaking down barriers we don’t need. The best people will become presidents, managers, town clerks, and members of parliament.
Illiteracy: This disease is equally a huge hindrance to development in this country. When the majority of the Zambians cannot read and write it is difficult to comprehend how we can alleviate poverty. Education is a major ingredient to national development and its importance cannot be over-emphasized. The government has done very little to make education mandatory in this country. Similarly, many Zambians lack the appetite to partake in this feast. Many give up too soon. Others have good reasons such as lack of funds, etc.
Whatever the case, we need to overcome and do our best to educate ourselves formally or informally. Literacy creates confidence. The confidence needed to open your own business, the confidence needed to encourage others to go to school too, the confidence needed to run for political office and the confidence needed to aim as high as you would want to go.
Nigerian Movies: I noticed one thing in North America that I need to mention. When I visited a white family, the television was rarely on. We would sit and talk, play games, or read books. But every time I visited a black family, the television was turned on and loud indeed at all times. For some reason, we blacks know where the ON button is on the remote and can never find the OFF. The syndrome is on in Zambia especially with the flood on Nigeria movies. These movies have created couch potatoes who sit around all day and watch movies instead of being more productive by going to the library or explore ways of generating income.
Some delegates to the national indaba following proceedings
Government has committed itself to implementing recommendations of the national Indaba (dialogue) seeking to find solutions that would ease the effects of the global economic crisis on the Zambian economy.
Vice President, George Kunda told the delegates when he officially closed the Indaba this evening that government would put in place all necessary measures to table the recommendations before cabinet.
Mr. Kunda said this is to ensure that the Indaba recommendations received implementation authority from the highest government level.
“Government has taken note of various recommendations coming out of this Indaba. Government will therefore ensure that all necessary measures are put in place to table these before cabinet to ensure implementation authority is given at the highest level,” he said.
He observed that Zambians in general and in particular delegates to the Indaba, have shown sacrifice, commitment and patriotism by staying for dialogue in the last two days in order to help government find solutions to the global economic crisis.
Mr. Kunda, who is also Minister of Justice, noted that the high turn out for the Indaba was testimony that Zambians wanted immediate solutions to the global financial problems, which have also affected Zambia.
“With your support, government will overcome these challenges,” he said.
He has since called on all local and foreign stakeholders to work together with government to implement the recommendations and realize the desired solutions to the economic challenges facing the country and the world.
The Vice President also paid profound tribute to both local and foreign experts and ordinary delegates for their sacrifice and contributions to the Indaba.
And Professor Oliver Saasa said in winding up rapporteurs, that there was need for government to show political will through supporting the recommendations that came out of the two day Indaba, which was held at Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka.
Professor Saasa said government should develop a clear plan of implementing the recommendations.
He said there should also be clear and effective monitoring of the implementation of the recommendations, which should be done in a transparent manner.
He however cautioned that as government implements the recommendations, it should be weary of not disturbing the needs of sensitive sectors such as education and health.
Professor Saasa recommended that a task force that would deal with all matters arising from the global economic crisis should be set up, adding that a sustainable investment in human resource should also be encouraged.
And during presentations of the recommendation by specific Indaba groups, the mining group assured the nation that the Zambian mining industry would survive the crisis.
The group has however recommended that a taskforce be set up immediately to evaluate and review the entire mining industry in response to the global crisis.
Group Rapporteur, Sixtus Mulenga, said the Mining Sector in Zambia was still resilient and would therefore not be suffocated by the current global economic crisis.
An aerial view of delegates inside the Mulungushi international conference centre during the national indaba
Presenting recommendations of the group, Dr. Mulenga said the current cost of copper, which is US$ 4,000 per tonne was not very bad to necessitate the dying of the Zambian mining industry.
He said the Zambian mining industry has survived many economic recessions in the past, adding that it would in the same way survive the current global financial crisis.
The group recommended that in the short, there should be a review of the mines and minerals development act and considers restoration and review of the development agreement.
Other short term measures to survive the global economic crisis are the need to develop a policy of encouraging local entrepreneurship in the mining industry and fully implement the Zambia Development Agency Act and the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC).
Dr. Mulenga disclosed that as a medium term measure, the group recommended a reduction of the cost of doing business through e-commerce and single window clearance and provide incentives to domestic suppliers instead of taxing export oriented copper houses.
On the long term basis, the group recommended that there should be a policy stability guarantee, which has however worked well in Zambia in the past.
He said because of good government policies, the country has received about US$ 4 billion as direct foreign investment in the last decade.
He also stressed the need to maximally exploit also mineral potentials which the country has.
Dr. Mulenga said although the mining sector seems to be adversely affected by the economic crisis, chances of regaining its normal operations in the near future were very high.
Meanwhile, the group on energy recommended that Zambia must actualize her full potential in hydro power generation and that a master plan in the sector should be developed in order to foster development in the country.
Among many other groups that made recommendations were the tourism, finance and business.
The indaba, which comprised people from all walks of life and professions, was officially opened yesterday by President Rupiah Banda.
Chief Macha of the Tonga people in Choma has demanded to know the whereabouts of the new graders and other earth moving machines procured and sent to Southern Province by government recently.
Chief Macha said, while the feeder roads leading to agricultural productive areas in the district have deteriorated deplorably, the whereabouts of the new equipment sent to the province remain unknown.
The Chief said it is sad that the new graders and earth moving machines, where-ever they are being kept, are not being put to good use at a time when the rural road network is a sore sight.
He was peaking in Choma yesterday at the close of a three-day UNICEF sponsored workshop on sanitation that was also attended by all the chiefs and councilors in the district.
Chief Macha asked the District Commissioner, Laiven Apuleni who was present at the workshop, to explain why the provincial administration was holding-on to the graders and earth-moving equipment, when the damaged rural roads in the district need graded.
He described the attitude of the government officers charged with the responsibility of deploying the road repairing equipment to various districts as unbecoming and that it sad for them to keep the traditional leaders in the dark about their planned programmes and activities.
Chief Macha said such a situation send wrong signals as it might result into unwarranted negative criticism against government.
The traditional chief further expressed sadness over the slow pace at which the tarrying of the Choma-Namwala Road by a Chinese contractor is going.
He said have not seen any progress going on, although China Geo Corporation has been camping on site for a very long period of time.
In response, the District Commissioner, Laiven Apuleni informed Chief Macha that one grader is already in the district, which he said is grading the damaged Choma-Masuku Road.
Mr. Apuleni said all the roads leading to productive areas in the district will be worked on, as government has released adequate funds for the exercise.
President Rupiah Banda and his Kenyan counterpart Mwai Kibaki pose for a photograph at Lusaka international airport
Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki has arrived in the country for a two day tripartite high level North-South Corridor conference.
Mr. Kibaki touched down at the Lusaka International Airport around 16:40 hours aboard a presidential jet.
He was met by President Rupiah Banda, cabinet ministers, senior government officials and Kenyan nationals living in Zambia.
The Kenyan President was then treated to a variety of Zambian cultural performances before being driven to Intercontinental Hotel were he will be lodging.
Over three hundred delegates have so far confirmed their participation in the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA)- Eastern African Community (EAC)and Southern African Development Community (SADC) tripartite conference.
South African President Kgalame Motlanthe and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni are also expected to attend the meeting which will start tomorrow at the Mulungushi International Conference Center in Lusaka.
Linos Makwaza first day in charge began on a promising note that saw Zamtel to collect their first points from three games after a 0-0 away draw against Forest Rangers in their Ndola derby at Dola Hill today.
Prior to today, Zamtel had lost both their last two opening league games of the season under former coach Dan Njovu.
And Forest are now joint second with Power Dynamos on 7 points, two less than new leaders Zanaco who beat Choma Eagles 1-0 in Lusaka on Saturday.
Roan United 0- Green Buffaloes 2
George Lwandamina was back at the helm of Buffaloes after returning from Zambia national team duty in Egypt which meant only one thing: They won.
Buffaloes beat Roan United 2-0 courtesy of goals from Brian Lubaba in the 25th and Tyson Chikwanda deep into injury time at the end of the 90 minutes of play.
Chambishi 0-Young Arrows 1
Young Arrows won their second straight league match today when they handed Chambishi their first defeat of the season.
Veteran midfielder Moffat Mtonga scored in the 43rd minute to hand Young Arrows the three points.
The Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) has appealed to citizens in the country to faithfully pay taxes if they were to enjoy government’s improved service delivery.
ZRA Director of operations in Northern Province, Charles Shapi, said this when he addressed over 60 Mpulungu businessmen during a tax payers’ seminar held at the civic center on Friday.
Mr. Shapi said it was unfair for people, who neglected to pay tax, to cry for better services from public institutions because it is the same money from the taxes that government utilizes to provide goods and services.
He said ZRA has this year launched the tax payers’ week whose theme is ‘Develop Zambia, Pay Your Taxes’, adding that this initiative will be held at the beginning of every business year, which starts on 1st April, for the authority.
Mr. Shapi explained that the main essence of this initiative is to appreciate the support taxpayers render to the Authority in its duty to collect money on behalf of government.
“Every citizen has a national duty therefore, to give what is due to government if we are to see an emergence of a prosperous Zambia, free of the poverty that has afflicted many our dear brothers and sisters for decades,’’ he said.
He revealed that this year, ZRA has a challenge of raising 70 per cent of the national budget from domestic sources, saying it was incumbent upon every citizen to pay tax to support the budget.
Mr. Shapi warned the business people that it was a criminal offence to evade tax and urged them to pay freely to avoid falling into conflict with ZRA officers.
“As long as you are in business, you can’t avoid taxes, there is a saying that ‘death and taxes are the only two things in life that humans cannot avoid’. Besides, we have several ways of recovering monies from those defaulting or evading tax, so just pay.’’ Mr. Shapi told the gathering.
He explained that amount collected from a citizen will go a long way in enhancing service provision by government, adding that ZRA’s interest is not to be a liability to people but to help facilitate the smooth running of businesses in the country.
And speaking earlier, Mpulungu District Commissioner, Willie Simfukwe, said the initiative which ZRA has introduced will create a mutual understanding between tax payers and officers.
Mr. Simfukwe saying this will in the long run contribute to increased government revenue.
He added that it is this money collected by ZRA which will go towards the recruitment of civil servants like teachers, nurses and Doctors, policemen and others, who will eventually provide adequate and efficient services which the Zambian people are hungry for.
Simfukwe said after the seminar, Mpulungu businessmen must no longer fear ZRA officers but consider each other as partners in national development.
“Even in Biblical times, tax collectors were feared and hated. Jesus for one was criticized for dinning with them but he came out clearly that people must ‘Give to Caesar, what belongs to Caesar’. So ZRA officers are there to do a job for us and must not be feared and hated,” he stated.
The Mpulungu magistrate court has convicted and fined two men K500 000 each on two counts of aiding a suspected drug trafficker to escape from lawful custody and destroying evidence, contrary to the laws of Zambia.
This was in a matter in which the two men, Alex Sikazwe and George Chonya, both of Mupata village, appeared before Mpulungu magistrate Miyato Muyambango for judgment.
On March 22nd this year, the duo, who are community leaders, whilst acting together allegedly aided Justus Sinyangwe to escape from lawful custody.The Community Crime Prevention Unit (CCPU) in Mpulungu allegedly found Sinyangwe in possession of marijuana,in Mupata village by members.
The two, who were taking the suspect to police for detention, allegedly allowed him to escape.They have been slapped with two counts namely aiding a suspect to escape from lawful custody, contrary to section 120 of the penal code cap 87 of the laws of Zambia and destroying evidence contrary to section 30, sub section (h) cap 96 of the laws of Zambia.
In their mitigation before a packed courtroom, Sikazwe said he was married and was looking after four orphans who would suffer if he was sent to prison.Chonya said he had eight children and currently took care of his aged parents and pleaded that if incarcerated, all these people were going to experience untold misery.
But magistrate Muyambango said in passing sentence, that the offences committed by the duo were very serious.
He said the second count of destroying evidence carries a maximum sentence of seven years in prison.
Magistrate Muyambango however noted that he had taken into account the mitigation given by the duo and the fact that they were first offenders entitled them to leniency.He noted that from the evidence adduced by the prosecutions’ team in court, it was clear that the duo had conspired to commit the offence although they were both claiming innocence.
Magistrate Muyambango said it was not disputable that the two men were assigned to take the suspect to police before he, together with the marijuana he had, suddenly disappeared.
He acquitted Chonya on the second count and fined him K500 000 or six months in prison with hard labour for aiding a suspect to escape from lawful custody.
Magistrate Muyambango said the fine was to be paid by 10th April, 2009.
However his colleague, Sikazwe was found guilty on both counts and ordered to pay K500,000 or six months in prison in default, adding that the fines were non cumulative whilst the sentences were to run concurrently.
Magistrate Muyambango also observed that the duo had abused their authority as community leaders in Mupata village.
He ordered that Sikazwe and Chonya be removed from their positions as CCPU member and village secretary respectively, with immediate effect.
ZANIS/EM/KSH/ENDS
St. Ignatius priests Joe Kearney (l) and Fr Chilinda confer with each otherShout for the Lord... A christian during palm sunday celebrations in LusakaPalm SundayChristians walking during palm SundayChristians from different congregations listening to religious proceedings during palm Sunday in LusakaChristians from different churches exit the Lusaka High Court where they started proceedings for palm sundayA christian during Palm sundayDr Kenneth kaunda arrive at the RCZ Kabwata church for palm sundayDr Kaunda greeting children when he arrived for palm sunday at Kamwala RCZ churchA child participating during palm SundayThe Saint Ignatius eleven thirty choir leading hymns
Siavonga Member of Parliament, Douglas Syakalima, has bemoaned the poor state of most feeder roads in his constituency and said there is need to urgently improve them.
Mr. Syakalima noted that the poor state of the roads was affecting the social and economic development of the district.
He observed that it would be difficult for farmers in distant areas to have access to markets for their produce if the roads remained in a bad state.
“Currently farmers from chiefdoms such as Sinadambwe are finding it difficult to go to the market for their produce because the roads are impassable and cannot be accessed by any means of transport,” he said.
Mr. Syakalima added that it would be difficult to develop the area in terms of infrastructure because of poor roads.
He has since called on government to consider improving the roads in the constituency.
Mr. Syakalima observed that most roads in the country easily get damaged because of lack of maintenance.
He charged that it was wrong for government to neglect the roads for a long time, noting that the roads would only last if they undergo maintenance frequently.
Mr. Syakalima said government should allocate enough resources towards the maintenance of roads.
He observed that under normal circumstances, a road is supposed to last for a period of twenty years without getting damaged.
