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I’m not bitter – Shakafuswa

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Former Science and Technology deputy minister, Jonas Shakafuswa, says he is not bitter with the decision by President, Rupiah Banda, to relieve him of his duties.

Mr. Shakafuswa who is also Katuba Member of parliament has also thanked President Banda for having accorded him a chance to serve in his administration.

He told ZNBC news in an interview that he is ready to apologize if he had wronged the President during the course of his duties.

Mr. Shakafuswa said he has always protected and spoke in support of President Banda’s leadership.

He said he will now spend more time with his family and the electorate.

Yesterday, President Banda relieved Mr. Shakafuswa and Energy deputy minister, Lameck Chibombamilimo, of their duties.
Two former Deputy Ministers showed up in parliament on Thursday afternoon just hours after they were relieved of their duties by President, Rupiah Banda.

The two, Lameck Chibombamilimo, who was Energy Deputy Minister and his counter part, Jonas Shakafuswa, at Science and Technology were spotted sitting on the back bench.

As the parliamentary proceedings progressed, some opposition MPs sparingly passed comments alluding to their dismissal.

Others approached the two Mps to console them.

Outstanding was Luapula MP, Peter Machungwa, who consoled Mr. Shakafuswa and Mr. Chibombamilimo prior to making his contribution to the motion on the floor.

Dr. Machungwa advised the duo to accept their dismissal saying such was part of politics.
[ZNBC]

MMD accused of helping members with business favors

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AN MMD cadre shades off the sunlight and following proceedings at State House
AN MMD cadre shades off the sunlight while following proceedings at State House

The MMD has distanced it self from party members engaged in business transactions with government ministries using the name of the party.

Meanwhile the Police Service has received correspondence from the opposition PF regarding payments made to MMD members at the Ministry of Home Affairs.

MMD National Secretary, Katele Kalumba, has directed the party’s treasury to study the allegations and subsequently submit a detailed report to his office.

Dr. Kalumba said in a statement on Thursday that the report will then be submitted to the acting party president for action.

He said the MMD does not use its influence to help party members or supporters to gain advantage in their business transactions.

Dr. Kalumba said persons who support the MMD do so because they share the party’s ideological positions on good governance, economic empowerment of citizens, poverty reduction and the fight against corruption.

MMD deputy national Secretary, Jeff Kaande, is reported to have written to Home Affairs Permanent Secretary, Susan Sikaneta, asking her to pay over K1 billion to seven food suppliers who had pledged financial support to the ruling party.

ZNBC

Stormy Season Ahead For Copperbelt Sport

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The sun is setting on the Copperbelt as a sporting powerhouse.

While, affluent Zesco United and Power Dynamos will continue to fly the flag on the Copperbelt for the foreseeable future, things are really looking bleak for their struggling provincial rivals.

Legendary football clubs Roan United, Nkana and Mufulira Wanderers are motherless and futures unknown after the mining concerns that have sponsored them over the decades finally closed their cheque books  for  monthly handout that have helped sustain the clubs over the years.

The current global recession is a major factor and that has also seen perennial strugglers Chambishi FC also without a bankroller for this season and the immediate future.

However, football is not the only sport in a serious state of crisis.

Rugby, the second biggest attraction after football on the Copperbelt,  is also facing an uncertain future.

Last Saturday, the Zambia Rugby football Union held its annual general meeting in Lusaka at which five out of the 12 affiliated clubs failed to attend.

Konkola, Roan, Ndola Wanderers, Mufulira and Chambishi rugby clubs all failed to travel for the AGM.

However, only Konkola from no-man’s land in Chililabombwe sent their RSVP citing a bereavement at the club.

The rest, however, did not give a valid reason for staying away.

Roan, like their football club relations from Luanshya have lost sponsorship, so too have Mufulira and Chambishi while community funded Ndola Wanderers is also  limping and last season struggled to fulfill its league fixtures.

Moreover, legendary Diggers too have been hit by the economic bug after their life-long sponsorship deal with a major Kitwe-based mining company was also ended this year.

Diggers influence as rugby giants especially after losing their five-year grip on the crown ended last year will be interesting to see this season.

Powerhouse Lusaka on the other hand who wrestled the championship away from Diggers are in rude health and have set the bar in terms of corporate sponsorship in sport and are looking undisputed survival kings in the challenges awaiting in 2009.

Siliya’s tribunal starts sittings on 2nd March

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Chief Justice, Ernest Sakala, has constituted a four member tribunal to probe alleged abuse of office and corruption against Transport and Communications Minister, Dora Siliya.

The tribunal to be chaired by Justice, Dennis Chirwa, from the Supreme Court, starts sittings on March, 2 at the Supreme Court.

Other members of the tribunal are Justice, Peter Chitengi from the Supreme Court and Justice Hamaundu from the High Court.

Deputy Director of the subordinate courts, Maka Phiri, will be the secretary.

This is contained in a statement issued to ZNBC news by Registrar and Director of court operations, Mwamba Chanda.

The proceedings of the tribunal will be open to the public.

The setting up of the tribunal follows a petition to the Chief Justice by former Transport and Communications Minister, William Harrington.

He had petitioned to investigate Ms. Siliya for allegedly breaching the parliamentary and ministerial code of conduct Act.

Civil society organisations also presented a petition to the Chief Justice over the manner in which Ms. Siliya engaged RP Capital Partners of Cayman Island to value Zamtel assets.
/ZNBC/NEWS

Probe Team for Zambian Airways saga set up

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Three law enforcement agencies have constituted a team to investigate alleged financial irregularities in dealings involving Zambian Airways.

The three are the Zambia Police Service, Drug Enforcement Commission and the Anti Corruption Commission.

Acting Inspector General of Police, Francis Kabonde, says a probe into the operations of the airline follows official representations from the Forum for Leadership Search, members of the public and political parties.

Mr. Kabonde was speaking at a joint media briefing in Lusaka on Thursday.

He also disclosed that the opposition Patriotic Front has officially made representations to his office regarding the payments made to food suppliers by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

He also said investigations into the leakage of government confidential documents to the press are progressing well.
/ZNBC/NEWS

Singogo jailed again

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Former Zambia Air Force Commander, Christopher Singogo, has again been jailed for five years with hard labour for abuse of authority of office by the Lusaka magistrate court.

Lieutenant General Singogo was early this year sentenced to six years imprisonment with hard labour on two counts of charges of theft by public servant and abuse of authority of office.

He however appealed against the sentence and is currently on bail.

In another case, general Singogo has been convicted for giving Nassim Cleaning Services a contract for cleaning services at the Zambia Air Force.

General Singogo was one of the directors of Nassim Cleaning Services.

Magistrate, Aridah Chuulu, sent general Singogo to prison on Thursday after hearing submissions from both the prosecution and defence teams.

The Magistrate said while it is difficult to punish a person of his status, general Singogo should have known the consequences of his actions.

In mitigation, defence lawyers urged the court to consider the service that the former air commander rendered to the nation.

They also said the defence team will appeal against both the conviction and sentence.

Magande wanted to cancel Zambian Airways debt, RB

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President Rupiah Banda said  he has documents proving that former finance Minister, Ng’andu Magande, was going to allow Mr. Mmembe and his colleagues to get away with the debt.

He said the Post Newspaper had opted for the candidature of Mr. Magande during the October 30, 2008 presidential election so that he could cancel the loan.

The President said this when he addressed thousands of MMD cadres who matched to State House on Thursday in a show of solidarity with his leadership.

Mr. Banda also said he will not be compelled to act against the media by questionable persons at the Post Newspaper.

He said the Post which has been attacking him will only be closed by the huge debt owed to various public institutions.

Mr  Banda has demanded that Zambian Airways settles the 29 million US dollars debt it owes various public institutions.

Mr. Banda says the money could help build a number of schools and hospitals to serve the people.

The President says he was not there when Post Newspaper Editor, Fred M’membe, and his colleagues borrowed money to invest in the closed Airline.

/ZNBC/NEWS

Rupiah Banda sacks two Deputy ministers

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w_shakasPresident Rupiah Banda has with immediate effect fired Science and Technology Deputy Minister, Jonas Shakafuswa and Energy Deputy Minister, Lameck Chibombamilimo.

Mr. Banda announced the dismissal of the two when he addressed thousands of MMD cadres who matched to State House on Thursday to show solidarity with his leadership.

The President also said he would also dismiss MMD MPs who are not loyal to the party and face them in their constituencies during by-elections.

Mr. Banda warned that he will take action against all government and MMD leaders speaking ill of his administration.

He said he is aware that there are some bad eggs within government and the MMD whom he will be getting rid of.

The President said as republican President and Acting MMD president he will not tolerate indiscipline.

Earlier, MMD Lusaka Province Acting Chairperson, Cleophas Chimembe said his members will not sit idle while President Banda is being insulted.

Mr. Chimembe said personal attacks on the president will not derail the MMD’s commitment to fulfilling promises made during the last election campaign.

Zambia went to the polls on 30th October,2008 in a presidential election following the death of President Levy Mwanawasa.

Chitimbwa clinic run by unqualified personnel

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Chief Chitimbwa of the Lungu people of Mpulungu has bemoaned the shortage of medical staff at Chitimbwa rural health centre in his area.

In a message sent through his retainer, Sam Chipeta, chief Chitimbwa lamented that people’s lives are being lost in his chiefdom due to lack of qualified health personnel at the clinic.

He said the problem has been compounded after the only trained medical officer at the centre was sent for further training by the Ministry of Health, leaving the centre to be run by unqualified people.

Chief Chitimbwa revealed that recently, a pregnant woman in her 20s, died on the way to nearby Vyamba rural health centre for medical attention, saying she would have been attended to at Chitimbwa if there was a trained officer.

He said people in his area are finding difficulties in accessing health services, even the ambulance at the district cannot respond to emergencies from his chiefdom because the road leading to Chitimbwa area is impassable.

Chief Chitimbwa said he has made several appeals to district health officials to send medical officers but he has been told that Mpulungu district is currently experiencing a critical shortage of medical staff.

Chief Chitimbwa appealed to the Ministry of Health to urgently look into the matter by sending medics to the district before more lives are lost.

Meanwhile chief Chitimbwa has commended government for allocating billions of kwacha in this year’s budget for the rehabilitation of the Mbala/Kasaba bay road, which passes through his chiefdom.

He said the road, once completed, will not only help unlock the tourism potential in Kasaba bay and Nsumbu national park area, but also improve the agricultural potential in Chitimbwa farming bloc and ease transport towards accessing health care for the local people.

ZANIS/ENDS/EK/EB

Finance minister explains Kwacha depreciation

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situmbeko2MINISTER of Finance and National Planning Situmbeko Musokotwane has attributed the cumulative depreciation of the Kwacha by 73 per cent since June last year to short-term and fundamental factors like political uncertainty and re-emergence of pricing of local goods and services in dollars.

The local currency has depreciated by about 17.1 per cent since January this year.

Dr Musokotwane told Parliament in a ministerial statement yesterday that the depreciation of the local currency did not mean that it had performed poorly as it competed favourably with other currencies like the British pound and the South African rand.

“Against the sterling pound for example, the Kwacha had depreciated by only 11 per cent since the end of June 2008. Against the South African rand, the Kwacha depreciation was only 26 per cent,” he said.

The minister said the two international currencies could have been about the same price they fetched against the Kwacha if measured by February last year.

He said Zambian importers often needed other foreign currencies apart of the United States dollar.
Dr Musokotwane said a lot had to do with the foreign currency individual traders wanted to deal with.

Commodity imports and exports that are invoiced in the dollar, like petroleum, attracted higher amounts of Kwacha equivalents which may not be the same for goods purchased in pounds and rand.

“In other words, when we consider the depreciation of the Kwacha against a hypothetical average exchange rate that reflects all our relevant trading currencies, it becomes clear that the Kwacha has not done so badly,” he said.

Dr Muskotwane said other than the re-emergence of dollarisation, fundamental factors like the change in investors’ sentiments resulting from the global financial crisis also contributed to the local currency’s depreciation.

He said the growth and terms of trade that led to reduced foreign exchange earnings equally affected the strength of Kwacha.

Other factors that have contributed to the Kwacha depreciation are the increased and bunched demand for foreign exchange rising from oil, maize and fertiliser import requirements, including some element of panic and speculation in the market linked to uncertainties about the supply of foreign exchange.

And Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives Daniel Kalenga told the House that the Food Reserve Agency paid K305,500,080,000 for 402,786 metric tonnes of farm produce bought from farmers countrywide during the 2006/2007 farming season.

Deputy Minister of Energy and Water Development Lameck Chibombamilimo said mining companies, hotels, agriculture and banking sectors lost US$39,550,717 as a result of power outages last year.

Government did not however compensate such strategic industries for the loss.

Meanwhile, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Mutale Nalumango reserved a ruling on a point of order raised by Nkana member of Parliament Mwenya Musenge (PF) over the matter in which MMD deputy national secretary Jeff Kaande requested Government to pay party members for goods and services they supplied to Government institutions.

Mrs Nalumango said she, too, had read such reports in the press but needed time to study the matter before she could make a ruling.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

Registration of London High Court judgement stalls

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chiluba_courtTHE registration of the London High Court judgement against former President Chiluba and 21 others in the Lusaka High Court has stalled.

Attorney-General Mumba Malila said this in an interview in Lusaka yesterday.

“Unfortunately, that has stalled after the death of Judge Japhet Banda who was presiding over the matter,” Mr Malila said.

He said this was not under Government’s control and that there was nothing much that could be done.
Mr Malila said Government was still waiting for the Judge-in-charge to allocate the matter.

Two years ago, London High Court Judge, Peter Smith reduced damages against Dr Chiluba to US$57.4 million from the US$58.3 million he was earlier ordered to pay the Zambian government in connection with the Zamtrop and BK conspiracies and for the breach of fiduciary duty.

This is according to Judge Smith’s final judgement against each of the 21 defendants in the London civil case brought by the Attorney-General of Zambia.

“Upon handing down of judgement in this matter following the hearing on June 7, 8 and 11, 2007, it is ordered that there be final judgement against each of the defendants in the following sums being inclusive of interest and credits required to be given to the claimant (Government) in respect of recoveries made,” Judge Smith’s order read in part.

The Judge also ruled that a Mr Meer, a partner in a London law firm, Meer Care and Desai, the first defendant, pay US$11.135,665.61
Former Zambia Security Intelligence Services director-general Xavier Chungu was ordered to pay US$57,261,390.72 for conspiracy and another 56,442,027.90 for breach of fiduciary duty, among others.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

No-Rhythm Zambia Fail To Spark

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It was untidy though not unexpected. Zambia stuttered to a 0-0 draw against Senegal in their penultimate CHAN Group Group A game played in Abidjan this evening.

Senegal were superior throughout the first half and most of the second period winning all the aerial duels and also muscled Zambia off the ball with such ease.

Hosts Cote d’Ivoire, whom Zambia beat 3-0 on Sunday at the same venue in the tournaments opening game, will be kicking themselves after watching in envy how Senegal frustrated Herve Renard’s side.

Vito Badine and Mustapha Diallo both unsettled Zambia’s defence with good chances in the 10th and 18th minutes.

At the opposite end, defender Francis Kasonde headed down ball narrowly that bounced over the bar in Zambia’s first of only two chances of the first half.

Given Singuluma failed to spark and in a rare show of intent short wide from outside the box in the 42nd minute after a singular counter by Zambia.

Zambia survived conceding a goal two minutes after the hour mark when substitute Oumar Sow saw his powerful shot saved by Davy Kaumbwa.

However, there was later some marked improvement by Zambia in the final 20 minutes of the match but Senegal, who were later reduced to 10-men with 10 minutes remaining on the clock, choked Renard’s boys to submission.

Zambia must now beat Tanzania on Saturday in both sides final game in Bouake to keep their CHAN dreams of reach the March 4 semifinals.
Meanwhile, Tanzania eliminated hosts Cote d’Ivoire 1-0 in the second Group A match tonight in Abidjan to stay 3rd on 3 points, one less than Zambia and Senegal in first and second places respectively on 4 points.

Opposition MPs to present a Petition to RB

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Twelve Members of Parliament representing 50 others from the opposition and independent will tomorrow present a petition to Republican President Rupiah Banda seeking redress to the displaced people of Sichifulo in Southern province.

The 50 members of Parliament are from the Patriotic Front-PF, Forum for Democracy and Development-FDD, the United Party for National Development-UPND and Independent MPs.

Namwala MP Robbie Chizhyuka who is the Spokesperson for the 50 told ZANIS in Lusaka today that the 50 MPs are seeking the President’s intervention to the plight of over 8, 500 people of Sichifulo who have been forced out of Sichifulo Game Management Area where they have lived for 23 years.

Major Chizhyuka who is also Chairperson for the Indigenous People’s Association said that the 12 MPs will be led by to Statehouse by Independent Luena MP, Charles Milupi, PF Chimwemwe MP, Willie Nsanda and UPND Katombora MP, Regina Musokotwane.

Major Chizhyuka explained that the people of Sichifulo were displaced last year to pave way for hunting and photographic safari by a named foreign company.

He explained that at the time of displacement between November and December last year, the people of Sichifulo were both agriculturalists and pastoralists producing over 7,381 by 50 kilogram bags of maize and owned 7,432 herds of cattle.

Major Chizhyuka said the petition will be handed to the President at Statehouse at 14:30 hours.

ENDS

Paramount Chief Chitimukulu back in Kasama

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Paramount Chief Chitimukulu of the Bemba speaking people in Northern Province has vehemently dismissed recent rumours which went round that he had died.

Speaking upon arrival aboard a Zambia Flying Doctors Service plane at Kasama Airport yesterday, Paramount Chief Chitimukulu described the rumours as false and highly malicious.

The Paramount Chief said contrary to the claims he was feeling much better this time after undergoing specialist treatment at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) in Lusaka.

Paramount Chief Chitimukulu, who spoke in Bemba, thanked people of Northern Province for praying for his quick recovery. He further advised Zambians to desist from speculating on other people’s health status and condemned those who wished him ill health.

Recently, there were speculations among members of the public that the Paramount Chief had passed away at the university Teaching Hospital where he was undergoing specialist treatment.

And Northern Province Permanent Secretary Mwalimu Simfukwe, who was one of the officials who received the Paramount Chief at Kasama Airport, said government was happy that Paramount Chief Chitimukulu’s health has tremendously improved.

Mr. Simfukwe said President Rupiah Banda’s administration was fully committed to fulfilling its promise of ensuring that Chiefs including Paramount Chief Chitimukulu are accorded quality health care whenever they fall sick.

He further explained that government regards traditional rulers in the country as key partners in national development hence it would continue to address their welfare. Paramount Chief Chitimukulu was evacuated on February 10, this year to the University Teaching Hospital for a medical review.

The Paramount Chief was welcomed at Kasama Airport by among others deputy Permanent Secretary Micah Zyambo, Provincial Health Director Dr. Fabian Kabulubulu, Kasama District Commissioner Lieutenant Colonel Steven Chanda, Kasama General Hospital Executive Director Dr. Cliff Hara and other government officials respectively.

A 69 year old British National nabbed by DEC for Cannabis trafficking

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marijuana

A British National has been arrested by the Drug Enforcement Commission-DEC- in Lusaka for trafficking in 14.6 kilograms of cannabis.

Margret Kirby, 69, a teacher at Lusaka’s Baobab College was arrested after DEC officers conducted a search at her house in Rhodes Park.

DEC Public Relations Officer, John Nyawali, confirmed the arrest in a statement to ZNBC news in Lusaka.

Mr. Nyawali said Ms. Kirby will appear in court on Friday 27th february for mention.

And the DEC has also arrested a prison warder at Lusaka Central Prison along with a convict for trafficking in 12 balls of loose cannabis weighing 3.6 grammes.

Jimmy Mulenga 32, was picked up following the arrest of the prisoner who was found with cannabis hidden in his pockets.

/ZNBC/NEWS

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