The wife of second republican president, Frederick Chiluba, Regina has been jailed for three and half years for illegally receiving government funds and property.

Regina Chiluba was found guilty of receiving stolen government funds to buy three houses on the Copperbelt and and over three hundred thousand United States dollars while former President Chiluba was in office.

Principal Resident Magistrate, Charles Kafunda, on Tuesday convicted and sentenced Mrs. Chiluba on four counts.

Magistrate Kafunda told a courtroom packed with Chiluba supporters that she had failed to explain how she had received the questionable properties and goods.

“These were serious allegations and were casually explained by the accused, and I now convict you accordingly and sentence you to three-and-a-half years simple imprisonment,” Kafunda said.

A shocked silence filled the court when the conviction was read out. Her husband Dr Chiluba shook his head.

Some relatives began to silently weep and had to be helped out and one fainted inside the court. Others began to sing gospel songs.

Soon after judgment was passed, a court clerk took Mrs Chiluba’s fingerprints while the Dr. Chiluba joined her in the dock.

She was then led to a waiting car and driven to the Lusaka Central Prison to begin her sentence.

As he left the court, Dr. Chiluba said his wife’s sentence would just be a “passing phase.”

Political Party cadres have been banned from attending proceedings of the tribunal constituted to probe corruption allegation against Communications and Transport Minister, Dora Siliya.

Tribunal Chairman Judge, Dennis Chirwa, issued the directive today, a day after MMD harrased former Communications Minister, William Harrington.

Mr. Harrington is one of the individuals and civic groups that have petitioned the manner in which Ms.Siliya handled the partial sale of ZAMTEL among other things.

Judge Chirwa further directed that any cadre dressed in political attire will not be allowed in the court premises.

Earlier Judge Chirwa summoned MMD Presidential advisor, William Banda, who had been accused of inciting the cadres to insult Mr. Harrington. But Mr. Banda denied the accusation.

Meanwhile, the tribunal has started sitting with Mr. Harrington being the first witness.

[ZNBC]

President Rupiah Banda has appealed to the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) supporters to refrain from harassing people at the ongoing Tribunal investigating the conduct of Transport and Communications Minister Honourable Dora Siliya.

President Banda said the complainants and witnesses at the Tribunal should be allowed to testify without any interference so that the truth can be established.

In a statement released to ZANIS in Lusaka today by State House Chief Analyst for Press and Public Relations ,Dickson Jere , Mr. Banda said he does not want would-be witnesses to the Tribunal to use the presence of MMD supporters as scapegoats for failing to testify.

“Let us allow the Tribunal to conduct its work in a transparent and impartial manner. Every witness should be allowed to testify without interference from anybody,” President Banda said.

The President said he was the believer in the rule of law and therefore would not condone members of the MMD or indeed any other political party to intimidate or interfere with the ongoing Tribunal.

President Banda appealed for calm among the MMD supporters saying they should refrain themselves from harassing people, including Journalists, even when provoked. He said violence should not be condoned at any given time.

ENDS/EB/AM/ZANIS

Copperbelt Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) Youth Chairman Richard Mofya has been suspended with immediate effect.

The development follows allegations linking him to a group of individuals allegedly discrediting Republican President Rupiah Banda.

Mr Mofya is said to have partnered with a pressure group headed by one Mr Kaputula of Ndola by working against Mr Banda through issuing of disrespectful remarks and events aimed at tarnishing the image of the President.

Copperbelt MMD Provincial Youth Publicity Secretary Morgan Ntankula said in a statement obtained by ZANIS today, that Mr Mofya has been given aw week in which to exculpate himself before a final decision will be made on his future in the ruling party.

Mr Ntankula said that the Provincial Vice Chairlady Mrs Dorothy Mukulama will take over as the MMD youth chairman in Mr Mofya’s absence.

He added that the ruling MMD was proud to announce that the party had received nine opposition Patriotic Front (PF)members of parliament and thirty-one councillors who he said have indicated their willingness to rejoin the MMD.

ZANIS/CK/ENDS/MM

Former Zambia Army Commander Lieutenant General, Geojago Musengule, has been jailed for four years with hard labour for corruption and abuse of office.

General Musengule has been convicted for irregularly awarding several business contracts to Base Chemicals, a Lusaka based company, when he was army commander.

The contracts to supply fuel to the army are worth millions of US Dollars.

He has also been found guilty of receiving gratification for awarding the contracts to Base Chemicals.

Lusaka Magistrate, Leya Tembo, has also imprisoned Mr. Amon Sibande who is General Musengule’s co accused and Base Chemicals Chief Executive Officer.

Mr. Sibande will serve three years with hard labour for engaging in corrupt activities.

The Court jailed General Musengule and Mr. Sibande despite pleas for leniency.

In mitigation General Musengule and Mr. Sibande said they were first offenders and that they had served the country diligently in the public service and business sector respectively.

General Musengule becomes the third defence chief to be convicted and jailed for corrupt practices and abuse of office.

Former Zambia National Services commandant Lieutenant General, Wilford Funjika, and former Zambia Air force Commander Lieutenant General, Christopher Singogo, are also in prison for similar offences.

/ZNBC/NEWS

The tribunal set up to probe allegations of abuse of office and corruption against Communications and transport minister, Dora Siliya, has stalled.

The tribunal which was expected to begin receiving submissions on Monday morning could not proceed with business because members of the Civil Society have not yet hired a lawyer.

The civil society is party to the petition against Ms. Siliya.

Transparency international Zambia Executive Director, Goodwell Lungu has asked the chairperson of the Tribunal, Judge Dennis Chirwa, to adjourn the proceedings for another 48 hours to enable the civil society to find lawyers.

However, the adjournment of the proceedings displeased both Judge Chirwa and Ms. Siliya’s lawyer, Eric Silwamba.

And Judge Chirwa who is the Chairman of the Tribunal said he does not have powers to send Ms. Siliya on sabbatical leave or suspension pending the hearing of the allegations against her.

Judge Chirwa and Mr. Silwamba said the powers to appoint and disappoint a minister are the prerogative of the president.

They were responding to concerns by petitioner, William Harrington’s lawyer, Bonaventure Mutale, who argued that Ms. Siliya’s continuation as minister will render the tribunal as a sham.

Mr. Mutale said it is undesirable that Ms. Siliya continues as minister when the complainants in the tribunal have subpoenaed her subordinates to testify against the minister.

The tribunal has been set up in accordance with section 13 of the parliamentary and ministerial code of conduct after complaints by Mr. Harrington and 10 non governmental organizations.

Ms. Siliya is among other issues, accused of not following procedure when awarding contracts to an international firm to value ZAMTEL assets before the company is privatised.

The Vice President says the allegations against public prosecutor, Mutembo Nchito, are serious because they involve money laundering, racketeering and theft.

George Kunda, was speaking when he received a petition from New generation party and the Leadership Search.

The two institutions are demanding the removal of Mr. Nchito from the Task Force on Corruption.

Mr. Kunda said Government will consider all the allegations against Mr. Nchito when looking at the petition.

He said Mr. Nchito as a public prosecutor was appointed through the Director of Public Prosecution and the Attoney General.

He said the two offices will have to be consulted when considering the public out-cry on Mr. Nchito’s continued stay in the task force.

Leadership Search executive Director, Edwin Lifwekelo said Mr Nchito should be relieved of his duties because his stay would frustrate the investigations initiated by government on Zambian Airways.
[ZNBC]