Government says it acknowledges high level of corruption in its public procurement systems.

Choma District Commissioner Mongoni Simulilika says expenditure on public procurements makes the process vulnerable to corrupt practices.

Mr Simulilika says the vulnerability of public officers to the vice is on suppliers of goods, public services and works.

He says corrupt practices affect public officers who carry out the procurement function on the other.

He said because the large amounts of money used in the process, officers entrusted on procurement of goods and services, are vulnerable to corrupt practices.

Mr Simulilika was speaking in Choma, Tuesday, when he opened a managerial accountability workshop for the Ministry of Education procurement staff and District Education Board Secretaries ( DEBS )from all districts in the province at Riverside Lodge.

He said it is a well known fact that government spends a lot of money in the procurement of goods, services and works annually and that the amounts spent are in trillions of Kwacha.

He said the people of Zambia expected quality services from public institutions like the education ministry as it has received a lion’s share of financial resources from government.

Mr Simulilika commended the Anti Corruption Commission ( ACC ) for conducting the workshop for the ministry to help address corruption in public sector procurement.

The DC said this will enhance the quality of goods, services and works which public officers are required to provide to the people.

He urge the workshop participants to fully take advantage of the workshop and discover points which are weak and open to exploitation for corrupt ends by public officers.

Mr Simulilika noted that prevention of corruption is less costly thatn dealing with deep rooted corruption, urging ACC to extend the workshop to all government ministries and departments.

Speaking earlier, ACC director for prevention and community education Kayobo Ng’andu said it is only through proper utilization of government resources that education quality can be enhanced.

Dear Jelita

Its been quite a long while since I heard from you. I’m much happier now and feel more settled here in Chicago.

As you know when I first came here I was so sad and felt terribly out of place. I tried to act happy and even copied the American accent so I’ld sound like a black American! I sounded so phony! Then one day a chance remark uttered by my mother in law transformed my life. She was talking one day of how she brought up her children and she said ” No matter what happened, I always insisted on their being themselves.”
Something lit up in my brain. Of course, I needed to be myself. Theres never been a Womba like me through out history nor will there be for ages to come. Why should I try to be a 2nd rate American when I can be a first class Zambian, with my beautiful Zambian accent.
I’m so happy. Instead of playing basketball with my husbands family last weekend I taught them netball.We had so much fun and laughter like never before. Laughing with them for the first time made me feel a part of them. I sing my Lunda and Bemba gospel songs proudly and I’ve stopped trying to sound like Yolanda Adams!
I end with a poem I saw in my mother in laws kitchen.

If you can’t be a pine on the top of the hill,
Be a scrub in the valley- but be the best little scrub by the side of the hill
Be a bush if you can’t be a tree.

If you can’t be a bush,be a bit of the grass
and some highway happier make;

We can’t all be captains, we’ve got to be the crew,
there’s something for all of us here.
Theres big work to do and there’s lesser to do
And the task we must do is the near.

If you can’t be a highway,then just be a trail,
if you can’t be the sun ,be a star

It isn’t by size that you win or fail
Be the best of whatever you are!

love Womba

Delays in releasing results of Zimbabwe’s harmonized elections, held on Saturday the
29th of March, are causing speculation and tension, analysts fear.

The announcement on Sunday night that the results would be declared from 06:00 on Monday, came amidst mounting fears that the delay signaled further efforts to rig the polls.

Previous ballots have seen results issued within hours of voting.
In an announcement on state television, ZEC Chairman George Chiweshe said there was nothing
untoward about unveiling the results on Monday.

He defended the delay, noting that, “In other countries, it takes longer than that, at times
up to one week.”

The excuses are, however, being dismissed by opposition members and activists who say some rigging is going on somewhere and they delay the announcement as to perfect it, Lovemore Madhuku, chairman of the National Constitutional Assembly said.
zanis

Sinjembele Member of Parliament Mubika Mubika has objected to the proposal by the Road Development Agency (RDA) to construct a new road from Senanga to Shangombo.

Mr. Mubika says the new road would be an expensive venture compared to rehabilitating the existing roads.

He pointed out that the venture would entail the construction of two bridges on the Zambezi River and importation of new earth moving machines.

Mr. Mubika explained that the new road is an 80 km stretch while the established road is much shorter.

The lawmaker noted that the proposed new road would disadvantage the welfare of the people in his constituency as transport costs to ferry their goods would be doubled thereby retarding development in the area.

Mr. Mubika , who is also Communications and Transport Deputy Minister said government is in a hurry to accelerate development hence the proposal by the RDA is misplaced.

He said the old Senanga to Shangombo road has enhanced the quick delivery of goods and services and advised the RDA to concentrate on maintaining the same road as opposed to unnecessary capital projects.

The Senanga/Shangombo road connects Sioma, Kalongola, Nagweshi and sub-boma with well established government infrastructures.

The RDA is reported to have approved the construction of the new road to be funded by the Danish government.

Meanwhile, the Mboyiwa feeder road has been washed away by floods experienced in Shangombo district.

Sinjembele Member of Parliament Mubika Mubika confirmed the development to ZANIS in an interview.

Mr. Mubika said culverts have been swept away and the people now using banana boats to ferry their goods across to the other side of the road.

President Levy Mwanawasa had refuted accusations that the executive was interfering with the operations of the judiciary.

President Mwanawasa said the executive did not comprise judges to pervert justice.

Dr. Mwanawasa said he has never together with his predecessor Dr. Fredrick Chiluba interfered in the operations of the judiciary which has been given autonomy.

President Mwanawasa said Judges both for the Supreme and High court, with the exception of the Chief Justice and Deputy Chief Justice, are appointed by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).

Dr. Mwanawasa said he had no say in what the JSC, which is chaired by the Chief Justice Ernest Sakala, does.

He said the JSC recommends and appoints candidates after it has approved the names that they are submitted to the Chief Justice who later submits the recommended names to the president.

The President said he only appoints names submitted to parliament for ratification of the candidates based on recommendations from the commission.

“The Chief Justice can tell you that at no time have I rejected any appointment by the commission, “he said.

He said candidates are subjected to thorough scrutiny from various organisations that include Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) and the Office of the President in case such a person has ‘cob webs’.

For Subordinate court justices, the president said they are appointed by the commission without names being submitted for his approval.

He added that the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) enjoys autonomy together with the state advocates to decide on action to be taken on any case.

He said there are times when he feels that trial should commence on case but was handicap hence cannot interfere.

“ When I was practicing law, I would not handle a case for more than one year, but we have lawyers who handles cases for close to 7 years.

President Mwanawasa reiterated that his government believes in the separation of powers in the operations of the executive, parliament and judiciary.

He said his government would have been dictatorial if whatever cabinet agrees on was law.

“There are times when we had to present and withdraw the bill because we have thought other people were not involved in the process,” he added.

He stated problems of the judiciary are handled by the Chief Justice who also advises government on areas that needs to be addressed to improve the operations of the judiciary.

The Patriotic Front (PF) says it is not ready to hold its provincial and national conventions.

Party Spokesperson Given Lubinda told ZANIS in an interview that the PF would only hold its provincial and national conventions when it is adequately ready.

Mr. Lubinda pointed out that it would be meaningless for the party to vene its provincial and national conventions when it was not fully ready.

He however said the party would hold its provincial and national convention when the time is ripe.

Mr. Lubinda, who is also Kabwata Member of Parliament, said the party was under no pressure to convene is conventions.

“An egg cannot hatch before its due date,” he said.

Opposition PF has for sometime now been promising its supporters and sympathizers that it would soon hold its provincial and national convention.

The ruling MMD recently held its Eastern Province extra-ordinary conference.Kennedy Zulu is the new Eastern Province MMD Chairperson.

Mr. Zulu emerged winner in a tightly contested election after beating his closest rival, Lameck Mangani.

Mr. Mangami, who is also Chipata Central Member of Parliament and Lusaka Province Minister, lost by four votes after a recount because initially the two attracted the same number of votes.

The position of Chairperson which was contested by four candidates saw Mr. Zulu emerging victorious after polling 84 votes against his closest rival, Lameck Mangani who got 80 votes.

The other two contestants, Sherry Thole and Allan Sakala got seven and four votes respectively.

The Secretary’s position went to Rueben Chisanga with 116 votes beating Watch Banda who got 71 votes. The Vice Secretary is Charles Bensaia.

Mohamed Badat has retained his position as Treasurer and his Vice is Edward Banda.

The position of Information and Publicity Secretary went to Filimino Banda and his Vice is Nyimba Member of Parliament, Forrie Tembo.

Martha Mulenga beat two other contestants, Dorothy Dewe and Gertrude Zulu to become the Chairperson of the Provincial Women in development with Dorothy Phiri as her Vice.

The Provincial Youth Chairperson’s seat has been scooped by Samson Thole after beating Chipata Municipal Council Mayor, Sinoya Mwale.

Moses Moyo is the Vice Youth Chairperson and the Secretary is Christopher Katyetye.

The elections were held after the Provincial Executive Committee was dissolved last February by the National Executive Committee following squabbles in the party.

President Levy Mwanawasa says he would only take action against Finance Deputy Minister Jonas Shakafuswa after parliament has disposed off the case and if he feels there is need for him to take action.

President Mwanawasa said he will be prejudicing the action which parliament is dealing with if he decides to take action against the deputy minister.

He said the clerk of the National Assembly Doris Mwiinga has confirmed that the house is investigating the case.

‘ Am afraid I will disappoint you, I will not take action until parliament dispossess of the case, and I will only do so when I think that there is further need for me to move ,’ he added.

Dr. Mwanawasa said he was aware that people have labeled him all sorts of names, as a person who is a tribalist and one who seeks to protect his relatives.

He however said the Deputy Minister was his nephew and that he did not apply to be his uncle neither did the Mr. Shakafuswa apply to be his nephew.

He said Mr.Shakafuswa was appointed as Deputy Minister on the fact that he could deliver.

“ Are you not being unfair by expecting me to take action, dismiss Shakafuswa before allow the legislative body to do what ever it has to do.

Why is it that when it involves your interest you want me to abandon the rule of law, I will not decide on the popular wills of the people ,’ he said

The President was reacting to recent calls from some members of parliament for him to dismiss finance deputy minister over his remarks he altered in parliament which the women movement are saying were an insult to the women.

The President reiterated that as a custodian of the constitution, which he will rule by the laws and not by men.

Dr. Mwanawasa added by being a lawyer that he is deemed to know the law which he does abide by the Zambian would accuse him of not following the law.

He said Zambians could have forgiven First Republican President Dr. Kenneth Kaunda and Second Republican President Dr. Fredrick Chiluba because they did not know law.

“Am sorry it too late to reverse things, you voted for a lawyer and you should be ready to stick to the law, Mr. Mwanawasa said at State House today.

President Mwanawasa says he will not drop criminal cases against Former President, Frederick Chiluba he would be interfering with the rule of law.

Dr. Mwanawasa also said he will not take action against Finance Deputy Minister, Jonas Shikafuswa, over his derogatory remarks against women, until parliament concludes investigations into the matter.

Mr. Shakafuswa is alleged to have uttered derogatory remarks demeaning women, at Parliament.

He said even though he is Head of State and has the constitutional power to drop the cases such a move would be seen as interfering with the judiciary.

Dr. Mwanawasa said this during a swearing in ceremony for newly appointed Deputy Chief Justice, Ireen mambilima and high Court Judge, Albert Wood.

The President said although Dr. Chiluba is a friend of his, he will not abrogate the law to please the second Republican President.

He said Dr. Chiluba is being prosecuted by the Director of Public Prosecution on behalf of the people.

And Dr. Mwanawasa said it would be prejudicial for him to fire Mr. Shakafuswa as Deputy Minister because Parliament is still investigating his case.

He said at the moment there is nothing more that he can do than to regret Mr. Shakafuswa’s reported behaviour.

[ZNBC]