Defense Minister, George Mpombo, says politicians inciting the defense forces are committing a treasonable offence.

And Mr Mpombo revealed that government has raised K20 billion to build housing units for defense forces.

Mr Mpombo, who reiterated President Rupiah Banda’s advise to politicians to desist from provoking ‘the men and women in uniform’ said security issues should be separated from politics.

Speaking at a press briefing in Lusaka yesterday, Mr Mpombo regretted that some politicians want to paint a picture that government is doing nothing to address the needs of the defense wings.

He pointed out that politicians should not spread their tentacles of confusion in the defense force saying there should be limits in politics.

“We must guide our peace jealously. Zambia has been sending Peace Keepers to countries devastated by wars some of which are caused by careless politicians. Politicians should not masquerade as irresponsible citizens by issuing inflammatory statements,” he warned.

He said election time is over and people should settle down and work for the well being of the country.

Mr. Mpombo wondered why some politicians are attacking President Banda on trivial issues saying the detractors will not divert President Banda and his Cabinet’s plan and focus for the country.

“We are committed to the well being of the defense Forces and the country will be run accordingly,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Mpombo said government released K20 billion at the end of last year to build houses for the defense security.

He explained that construction work will start as soon as possible saying government is not happy to see members of the defense wing living among civilians.

He said government is further contemplating revive the Builders Brigade in all wings of the defense force so that the construction work can be done well and on time.

Mr. Mpombo emphasized that government wants to be pro-active and would like to see a positive change in the well being of men and women in uniform.

ENDS/CBM/ZANIS/SJK

The Zambia National Farmers, ZNFU, in Mazabuka has welcomed the arrest of a transporter suspected of involvement in a scandal in which over 200 bags of fertiliser and Maize went missing.

ZNFU Mazabuka District Agri-Business Manager, Clement Phiri, told ZANIS in Mazabuka today, that the swift action by Police to arrest the suspect deserves commendation.

Mr Phiri said the arrest of the named transporter, who allegedly has strong political backing, would serve as a warning to individuals that no person is above the law.

He said ZNFU is particularly cheered with the arrest because the suspect was boasting of immunity against prosecution despite having committed the offense.

Mr Phiri has, however, appealed to the affected farming community to exercise patience as Police intensify the investigations into the matter.

Meanwhile, Police in Mazabuka have released a suspect, who is alleged to have received the fertiliser consignment from the transporter on behalf of farmers.

Police sources told ZANIS that the suspect, who was picked after Police traced the National Registration Card number was released after the transporter cleared him of the allegations.

Police said the transporter will appear in court soon because it has now become apparent that he actually committed the offense alone.

ZANIS/ENDS/HC/SJK

The decision by Patriotic Front, President, Michael Sata, to direct PF councilors to go ahead and approve the budgets for their respective councils has cheered the Civil Servants and Allied Workers Union of Zambia, CSAWUZ.

CSAWUZ Vice president, Beatrice Nyirongo, says it was important that the councils approved their budgets for the benefits of various community projects.

She told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today, that Mr Sata had done the right thing for his party, the council and the people of Zambia.

She added that once the councils approve their budgets people would benefit in their respective areas as the councils would start embarking on different projects.

Mrs Nyirongo added that most of the projects in different areas stalled because most councils had not approved their 2009 budgets.

She has also advised politicians not to do things as they please but listen to the will of the people as they are the one who put them into offices and should be put first.

The CSAWUZ added that money was very important in the lives of the people as it is a driving tool.

Mrs. Nyirongo has since urged the councils that once they approve their budgets and they know the out come, the money allocated to projects should be used for the intended purposes adding that discipline must be observed.

She said with the rains the country was experiencing the councils need to approve their budgets in order to start working on projects such as the drainage systems and garbage collection.

Recently, the PF Leader Sata rescinded his stance and asked his Party councilors countrywide to go ahead and approve the budgets for their councils.

ZANIS/AJN/ENDS/SJK

President Banda, says Government is working hard to improve the conditions of service for defense and security personnel in the country.

President said this today during a scheduled Defence Council meeting which was held to discuss various issues concerning the welfare of the defence and security personnel.

This is according to a statement issued by Chief Analyst for Press and Public Relations, Dickson Jere, made available to ZANIS in Lusaka yesterday.

And Mr. Banda also appealed to political leaders to desist from using issues involving defense and security forces for their political propaganda, because doing so could create unnecessary discontent in the nation.

The President, who is also Commander In-Chief of the Armed Forces, regretted that some political leaders have continued to issue careless statements designed to incite the Defense and Security personnel against government on grounds that it is allegedly not addressing their problems.

He said Government through the defense Council has addressed several issues concerning the defense forces.

He said the issues of accommodation, general welfare of the entire personnel and senior officer’s contracts have been tackled by his Government.

The President said he has held two meetings with the Defense Council within the two months he has been in office because he attaches great importance to the welfare of the defense forces.

ZANIS/GP/ENDS/SJK

Today’s Scripture

“Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ…” (II Corinthians 2:14, NKJ).

Today’s Word from Joel and Victoria

God promises to always lead us into victory! That means, no matter what you are facing, no matter what’s going on in the world around you, no matter what anybody says, you should always be planning for a comeback! In the middle of that adversity or tough time, start making your list of who you’re going to invite to your victory celebration. You don’t have to wait for everything to be perfect before you decide to celebrate what God is going to do in your life.

Put some action behind your faith. That means if you’re in the hospital, start planning what you’re going to do when you get out. If you lost some money when the stock market went down, start planning your coming-out-of-debt party. When things don’t look good in the natural, remember, we serve a supernatural God. With God leading you into victory, you can always plan for increase. You can plan for restoration. You can plan for a comeback that will make you stronger and better than you ever were before!

A Prayer for Today

Heavenly Father, I give You thanks and praise today for the promise of victory. Give me Your vision for the future so that I can move confidently into the abundant life You have for me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Joel Osteen ministries

Local Government and Housing Minister, Benny Tetamashimba, has given the Lusaka City Council a Three-day ultimatum during which a special council meeting to approve the 2009 council budget should be held.

Mr Tetamashimba in a letter addressed to the Mayor, of Lusaka and the Town Clerk and copied to ZANIS in Lusaka today said he has ordered the council to approve the 2009 by January 13, 2009 failure to which undisclosed measures would be enforced against the local authority.

“The council is directed to hold the special council meeting to approve the 2009 budget before the 13th of January ,2009 failure to which I shall proceed to take measures to correct the situation prevailing at the council,” he said.

Mr Tetamashimba regretted that the political situation at the council has negatively impacted on the welfare of residents of Lusaka city.

He has also reminded the Lusaka City Council that there is currently no vacancy in the office of the Mayor despite the postponement of mayoral elections recently.

“The SI number 120 of 2008 postponing the Mayoral, deputy Mayor, Chairman and vice Chairman has not been revoked,” he said.

ZANIS/GP/ENDS/SJK

DEFUNCT Access Financial Services Limited directors Faustin Kabwe and Aaron Chnugu and their lawyer John Sangwa have sued Task Force on Corruption executive chairman Maxwell Nkole for alleged false imprisonment.

The alleged false imprisonment relates to an incident in which Task Force officers held the trio under siege at the magistrates’ court complex for about four hours when they attempted to arrest Kabwe and Chungu after the duo ignored call-outs to appear before the anti-graft agency last year.

This is contained in a statement of claim filed in the Lusaka High Court by Mr Sangwa.

He says on December 24, 2008 at about 09:30 hours, while he was talking to Kabwe and Chungu, police officers wrongfully and without reasonable cause forcibly detained and prevented them from leaving the complex until 13:00 hours when they were allowed to leave.

This was after Kabwe and Chungu had attended a court session in another case where they are jointly charged with MMD national secretary Katele Kalumba and four others for corrupt practices.

Mr Sangwa states that the officers acted on the premise that they had instructions from Mr Nkole to arrest Kabwe and Chungu.

“The police officers were at all material times under the direction and control of the defendant in the purported performance of his functions.

In the premises, the plaintiffs were wrongfully imprisoned and deprived of their liberty, and Mr Nkole is liable to the plaintiffs in respect of such imprisonment,” Mr Sangwa said.

He says the officers’ conduct was arbitrary, oppressive, illegal and or unconstitutional, and that the plaintiffs were therefore claiming exemplary damages.

Mr Sangwa says the officers failed or refused to listen to the plaintiffs’ explanation or pleas and threatened to use force on them.

“The police officers were armed with AK47 automatic rifles which they threatened to use. The imprisonment of the plaintiffs took place in full view of court officials and private legal practitioners,” he said.

Mr Sangwa says the officers ignored the plaintiffs’ explanation that there was a court order staying the defendants’ decision to arrest Kabwe and Chungu.

He says Kabwe and Chungu were kept without food or access to a lavatory during the said period.

[Zambia Daily Mail]