Government has dismissed media reports suggesting that government is plotting to arrest private Post Newspapers proprietor, Fred M’membe, and defunct Zambian Airways Chief Executive Officer, Mutembo Nchito, for alleged theft by agent.

Chief Government Spokesperson and Information Minister, Ronnie Shikapwasha, described as untruthful the claim by the Post Newspaper edition of February 20, 2008 that government is planning to nab the duo for the inability by the defunct Zambian Airways to meet its financial abligations with National Airports Corporation.

Leutenant General Shikapwasha, however, indicated that investigative agencies of government are probing Zamban Airways as a follow-up observation made by Members of Parliament concerning the financial relationship between Zambian Airways and National Airports Corporation and other institutions.

“I want to state that whereas it is true that investigative agencies of government are probing Zambian Airways as a folow-up to observations made by members of Parliament concerning the financial relationship between Zambian airways and NAC and other institutions, there is absolute no truth in the claim President Banda or government is plotting to silence the two over the matter or indeed on any other matter,” Lt-Gen. Shikapwasha said.

Gen. Shikapwasha told ZANIS in a Statement that the investigative agencies were simply performing their normal operations, as they have done in many other cases involving other institutions in the past.

He explained that the agencies had competent professionals that have their own jurisdiction to decide on the course of action to take on cases upon completion of investigations.

He appealed for maximum cooperation to be given to investigative agencies to enable them complete investigations expeditiously.

“What the investigative agencies are doing is one of their normal activities  as agencies have done in many other cases in the past. As in any matter investigated by those agencies, the principle of innocence until proven guilty is observed to the letter. There is no need to panic over mere investigations,” he said

He said there is no need to panic for people involved in the Zambian Airways financial credit scam because the principle of innocence until proven guilty is observed.

ZANIS/KC/ENDS/SJK

President Rupiah Banda has welcomed the setting up of a tribunal by Acting Chief Justice Ireen Mambilima to probe allegations leveled against Transport and Communications Minister Dora Siliya.

State House Chief Analyst for Press and Public Relations Dickson Jere confirmed this in a statement released to ZANIS in Lusaka today.

Mr. Banda hoped that all those involved in the ongoing debate would allow the tribunal established under the Ministerial and Parliamentary code of conduct to conduct its work in a professional manner.

He said he has since written to the Acting Chief Justice informing her that he had instructed the Secretary to the Treasury to make financial provisions for the tribunal’s operations.

“I wish to say that I am happy that the tribunal has been constituted and I am confident that justice will prevail,” President Banda said.

The President has also since appealed to all Zambians to refrain from making comments, which could be prejudicial on the matter as it is now before a competent tribunal.

He said the nation should wait for the final verdict of the tribunal after conducting its proceedings.

ZANIS/AJN/AM/ENDS

Opposition Patriotic Front, Bangweulu Member of Parliament, Joseph Kasongo, today argued in Parliament that Zambia should adopt the 50 per cent + one vote requirement in the 2011 Presidential elections.

Mr Kasongo is of the view that the country should adopt the absolute majority vote requirement for the winning Presidential candidate as a measure of securing his endorsement as republican President from the people.

Mr. Kasongo said since 2001, the country has been subjected to a minority leadership, because of the present ‘First Pass the post’ system.

Contributing to debate on estimates of revenue and expenditure for the Office of the President, Mr. Kasongo said 50 per cent + one system should be embraced in order for the country to enhance its democracy.

He contended that a President, who wins an election through majority vote, would have less critics hence could concentrate more on development issues than mere politicking.

He advised that Zambia should learn from other African countries like Ghana, that have succeeded in using the 50 per cent + one vote system for winning Presidents.

He, further, cautioned that there should be a distinction between a political party president and a Head of State because a head of state embraces people from different sections of society irrespective of political differences.

And Mr. Kasongo said the First lady should not enjoy any executive powers because doing so undermines the full operation of cabinet.

He maintained that the First Lady should strictly focus at her role as spouse of the republican President.

Mbabala UPND MP, Emmanuel Hichipuka, bemoaned the continued depreciation of the Kwacha against the United States Dollar.

Mr. Hachipuka charged that the continued depreciation of the kwacha could derail investor confidence and worsen the effects of the global economic recession on the country.

Sinda FDD MP, Joseph Ngoma, regretted that the State House is under threat due to the move by second republican Fredrick Chiluba to temper with security measures designed for the interest of the President and the nation as a whole.

In his debate, Mr. Ngoma submitted that government should consider construct another State House, to prove for the establishment of new security measures that would not easily be compromised.

Earlier, Vice President, George Kunda, said President Rupiah Banda has exhibited leadership qualities of deliver the required development in all sectors of the economy.

Mr. Kunda said the Office of President has exhibited good governance through the executive powers vested on the past and current Presidents.

He has appealed to all Zambians to embrace and respect President Banda adding that Zambia has seen economic development amid the global melt-down.

ZANIS/KC/ENDS/SJK

One firm is supposed to evaluate assets of ZAMTEL, while the other is expected to install a Zambia Air Traffic Management Surveillance Radar System at Lusaka and Livingstone international airports.

Justice Mambilima has written to President, Rupiah Banda, notifying him of her intention to appoint a tribunal to probe Ms Siliya.

Justice Mambilima has also written to speaker of the national assembly, Amusaa Mwanamwambwa, on the same matter.

She says the tribunal will be set up as soon as logistics are put in place.

This is contained in a letter to former Transport and Communications minister, William Harrington, dated February 18th 2009, and made available to ZNBC News.

Mr. Harrington petitioned Justice Mambilima to constitute a tribunal to probe recent reports indicating that Ms Siliya had awarded contracts to two firms, without following laid down rules.

And Mr. Harrington says the public should now avoid making comments on the matter and allow an independent and competent body to do its work.

In his petition, Mr. Harrington alleged that Ms. Siliya breached the Parliamentary and Ministerial Code of Conduct Act when awarding the contracts in question

/ZNBC/NEWS