Monday, May 12, 2025
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Chief Sinadambwe wants relief food to be airlifted to chiefdom

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Chief Sinadambwe of Siavonga District in Southern Province has appealed to Government to urgently airlift relief food to his area which has continued to be cut
off from the rest of the district due to the destruction of bridges and flooding of rivers and streams.

The Traditional leader disclosed that people in his area are facing serious food shortages because the mealie meal that was sold in the area has run out and that there are no means of
purchasing the commodity from other places.

The chief explained that people of Sinadambwe are unable to buy mealie meal from Siavonga due to lack of access to the Matinagala –Syanyolo road which connects the chiefdom to Siavonga Township.

In a Statement released to ZANIS in Siavonga today, Chief Sinadambwe said the scenerio has resulted in some of his subjects to only afford a meal in a day while others have gone for days without eating.
The Traditional leader suggested that the only way Government through the Office of the Vice President could salvage the prevailing situation was to airlift food to his chiefdom where vehicles had no access to the road and bridges have been washed away and culverts destroyed.

”Even Government workers based in my area should have access to food from Government because they can’t buy food from anywhere. If Government wants its people to survive then it must use helicopters even though expensive,” the chief said

Sinadambwe is the furthest and remotest chiefdom in Siavonga covering a distance of about 90km West of Siavonga Township.

The Chief observed that access to proper health care have been denied to him and his subjects because officials from the district hospital are unable to deliver drug kits to the area
due to the impassable road.

”The destruction has been too heavy to us. Floods have washed away maize fields which were planted near river banks and those crops that were planted on the surface became yellow because of too much rainfall,” he stated.

Chief Sinadambwe further claimed that had it not been for the flash floods experienced in the area, people in his chiefdom anticipated a bumper harvest this year because they had planted their crops in
good time.

And area ward councillor Willard Chabulabwambe disclosed in an interview that school lessons at Kabuyu community and Sinadambwe Basic School have been hampered due to floods forcing pupils to abandon school.

Mr Chabulabwambe revealed that pupils from selected villages have since stopped attending school lessons at the two learning institutions because they were unable to cross the flooded Lusangazi River and other outlying streams.

He appealed to Government to consider putting up a bridge across Lusangazi river which leads to the chiefdom .

Mr Chabulabwambe who is also Siavonga District Council Chairperson further bemoaned the poor sanitation prevailing in his ward where several pit latrines have collapsed saying a serious water borne was looming in the area.

Clergy cautions students against stigma

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A Clergyman in North western Province has implored students at Mwinilunga Trades Institute to refrain from stigmatising people living with HIV/AIDS.

Speaking when he addressed students, Bishop Matabishi said most of the people living with HIV/AIDS have died early due to stigmatisation.

He stressed that people with HIV/AIDS would have lived longer if enough love and support were given to them by the communities they live in.

Bishop Matabishi said stigma should be discouraged at all levels of society because of the negative effects on the people living with the pandemic.

“A lot of people living with HIV/AIDS have died early due to stigmatising from there work place or institution of learning” he said.

He noted that their health will be prolonged once society resolves to treat them with dignity and respect instead of stigmatising them.

Bishop Matabishi urged students at Mwinilunga Trades Institute to champion the cause of speaking against stigmatisation.

He said the fight against HIV/AIDS is a collective responsibility hence the need for students and youths at large to condemn the vice.

And Bishop Matabsihi has called on students at Mwinilunga Trades Institute to desist from engaging in promiscuous activities.

The clergyman cautioned the students to exhibit upright lives and uphold the teachings of the Christian faith.

Floods to affect Zambia’s economic growth-Govt

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Government says floods that have hit the country will affect the country’s economic growth.

Ministry of Finance and National Planning Permanent Secretary in charge of Planning and Economic
Development Division James Mulungushi said the agricultural sector will particularly suffer as a
result of floods.

ZANIS reports that Dr Mulungushi who was accompanied by Southern Province Permanent Secretary Darius Hakayobe was speaking in Kazungula yesterday when he made an on the spot check on the more than 600 displaced Kasaya families.

He said help from Government to the affected families would continue until they find their
own feet.

Dr Mulungushi commended the provincial leadership in Southern Province for acting swiftly to save the affected families.

He further cautioned officers involved in the distribution of relief food to the affected families
to guard against corruption and ensure that relief food reached the intended families.

Dr Mulungushi also donated K250,000 to Kazungula District Commissioner Fred Siansuntwe on behalf of affected families to buy books for 146 displaced school going children.

And Kazungula District Commissioner Fred Siansuntwe appealed to Government to supply more relief food to the area.

Meanwhile, Government has started airlifting relief food to flood victims of Namwala and Itezhi Tezhi districts in Southern Province.

The operation is being undertaken by the Zambia Air Force jointly with officials from the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) who have set temporal base at the Choma airstrip for the relief exercise.

Choma District Commissioner Mungoni Simulilika who yesterday flagged off the exercise said about 700 by 25 kilogramme bags of mealie, food supplements and other relief items will be airlifted from Choma to Namwala and Tezhi Tezhi districts in an exercise that is expected to last about three days.

The Zambia Air Force is using a fixed wing cargo plane to transport the relief food to Namwala where it was again being offloaded and dispatched by helicopters to earmarked areas.

Mr Simulilika told ZANIS at the Choma air strip that the humanitarian assistance was testimony of Government’s commitment to alleviating the suffering of flood victims.

The DC said the relief items from the office of the Vice President intended for flood victims in the two districts which have been severely hit by floods are currently stored at the Food Reserve Agency sheds in Choma.

The Choma-Namwala road has become almost impassable still getting stuck in the mud.

The 190- kilometre journey which used to take three hours is now lasting about seven hours of driving due to the bad road.

This has triggered skyrocketing of prices of mealie meal and other basic commodities sourced from Choma.

Govt to strengthen monitoring of projects

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Government says it will this year strengthen monitoring measures to ensure that various projects being undertaken in the country are not abandoned by contractors.

Ministry of Finance and National Planning Permanent Secretary in charge of Planning and Economic
Development Division James Mulungushi said there is need for Government to strictly monitor projects wherever they are being undertaken in the country.

Dr Mulungushi said this in Kazungula today when he made an on the spot check on the progress made in the construction of Kazungula Boarding High School, the first ever high school in the district.

He said Government was in a hurry to ensure that economical growth that is being achieved in the
country trickles down to lower levels.

Dr Mulungushi said the only way poverty would be reduced in the country is to ensure that people in
rural areas have access to good health, education and agriculture.

He said the country can only achieve economic development if it had an educated population.

Dr Mulungushi said education was one of the key sectors in the Fifth National Development Plan (FNDP) adding that Government was interested in seeing people progress in their education.

He said it would be difficult for uneducated people to move the country forward economically.

And Southern Province Permanent Secretary Darius Hakayobe said the provincial administration had put a committee in place to ensure that all projects in the province were monitored every three months.

Mr Hakayobe said the committee has been put in place to ensure that money is not misappropriated.

He also complained that contractors were being funded directly from the Ministry of Education without involving the local people.

Mr Hakayobe also called on the contractors to employ more local people instead of bringing workforce from Lusaka.

Speaking earlier, Zambia China Construction Company (ZAMCHIN) foreman Edwin Zimba said the first phase of the construction of Kazungula boarding high school commenced in September last year.

Mr Tembo said the project involves the construction of 3 by one by two classroom blocks, four teachers houses, girls dormitories and the administration block.

He said 30 workers have so far been employed on site the majority of them being from Lusaka while the locals had rejected the wage rates which range between K5,000 to K13,000 per day.

Govt releases over K45bn for Great East Road Rehab

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Government has released over K45 billion for rehabilitation works on the Great East Road in Eastern Province.

And Government has warned Controlling Officers who award contracts to contractors that perform shoddy works that they risked being prosecuted.

Eastern Province Minister Charles Shawa disclosed to ZANIS in an interview in Chipata today, that K30.2 billion has been released for the Chipata-Mwami road while K15.5 billion will go towards the Nyimba-Sinda stretch on the Great East Road.

Mr. Shawa said major rehabilitation works on the two roads have since commenced and that the projects were expected to be completed by June this year.

He also disclosed that Government has awarded a contract to Sable Construction Company to carry out works on the two roads.

Mr. Shawa further revealed that works on the Chipata-Lundazi road would commence in September this year and would be completed next year.

He said Government was prompted to release the funds in order to ease the transportation of agricultural produce and other products to other parts of the country.

The Provincial Minister noted that there is need for permanent rehabilitation on major roads in the province to enhance development.

“We need to ensure that these roads have permanent surfaces so that we do not spend monies on rehabilitating them annually, mere patching has been costly,” he said.

Mr. Shawa added that rehabilitation works on the Chipata-Mfuwe road would begin in December this year and be completed next year.

And Mr. Shawa has warned Controlling Officers who award contracts to companies that perform shoddy works that they will face the consequences.

He described the trend as dishonest and a deterrent to the country’s development.

Mr. Shawa stated that Government will not take kindly to erring Controlling Officers frustrating its developmental efforts.

He further warned contractors abrogating their contractual obligations that they will have their operating licences revoked and be liable for prosecution.

Meanwhile, the provincial minister has expressed happiness at the rate at which the Chipata/Muchinji Railway line is progressing.

He expressed confidence that the project would be completed by April this year, according to schedule.

Mr. Shawa said the K10 billion that was released by Government recently would facilitate the quick completion of the project.

Zesco labeled ‘incompetent’ in Kalomo

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Residents of Bwacha compound in Kalomo have accused zesco in the area of being incompetent in their operations.

The residents, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of victimization, told ZANIS in Kalomo yesterday that the power utility company has failed to electrify their compound despite assurances from the management.

The residents said it was unfortunate that zesco has failed to honour its promises after it advised the residents to apply for the service in September last year.

A check by ZANIS yesterday revealed that most houses in Bwacha had solar panels mounted on the roofs as the only means for power generation.

And Bwacha compound chairperson, Emmarson Munkombwe, said Zesco advised the residents to apply for power in September last year and over 200 people applied, but up to date nothing tangible has been done by the company despite the residents having paid for the service charges.

Mr. Munkombwe said Zesco’s reluctance in electrifying the compound was a sign that it is not ready to do the electrification exercise as earlier promised, and wondered why the process has taken long when the compound is near the zesco pylon system connection.

Efforts to get a comment from the local Zesco branch proved futile by press time.

Fifa inspector gives Independence stadium a go ahead

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A visiting FIFA inspector has given the go ahead to contructors at Lusaka’s independence stadium to lay the artificial turf.

Marcus Keller said he is happy with the work done on the 43 year old stadium.

Keller however advised that the turf should not be put when the surface is in wet condition.

He told ZNBC Sports after inspecting independence stadium that the date to start laying the turf will be known when he meets FAZ officials.

Edelgrass from Holland has been contracted to spread the artificial grass.

Keller is a Swiss born specialist based in Lyon, France and has helped many other African countries including Ghana to lay artificial turf.

He leaves for Swaziland for another inspection and is expected back in Zambia in a month.

FTJ has a Case to Answer, Trial Date Set

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Former Republican President, Frederick Chiluba has this afternoon been found with a case to answer. This is in a case in which he is accused of stealing public funds amounting to $488,000.He faces a minimum of five years in jail if found guilty.

The Lusaka Magistrate Court has consequently asked Dr. Chiluba and his co accused, to defend themselves. Magistrate Jones Chinyama set the trial date for May 5. Chiluba denies any wrongdoing.

The former president is accused along with former Access Financial Services Chief Executive Officer, Faustine Kabwe and Managing Director, Aaron Chungu.

They all face 12 counts of theft.

Dr. Chiluba and his co-accused are expected to start their defence at the next court hearing scheduled for May.

Principle Resident Magistrate, Jones Chinyama was satisfied that the prosecution has proved its case against Dr. Chiluba and his co accused beyond reasonable doubt.

Mr. Chinyama further said ledgers and other accounting documents admitted as evidence by the prosecution are conclusive and can not be easily dismissed.

The entire case revolves around funds paid to Dr. Chiluba’s children, which were trasmitted from the Zambia Security Intelligence Service account at the ZANACO Bank London branch called the Zambia Transregional Operations Account (ZAMTROP).

According to evidence produced by the prosecution team, funds were diverted from the $9.6 million meant to pay two United States firms Wilban Incorporated and Systems Innovations for upgrading security installations at several strategic government departments.

Mr. Chinyama said in his ruling delivered that Part of the funds were also used to buy houses in Lusaka’s Roma and Kabulonga residential areas for two Lusaka Lawyers, Eric Silwamba and Vincent as renumeration for defending Dr. Chiluba in the 1996 presidential petition.

Mr. Chinyama said his findings are not withstanding Dr. Chiluba’s assertions that funds paid to his children from the ZAMTROOP account were from private sources and had co mingled with the government funds in the ZAMTROP account.

But Chiluba has said some of the funds were his own money, given to him by his friends, while the rest was for national duties taken by the intelligence agency.

He is also fighting in court to block authorities from recovering $58 million that last year a London high court ruled he had to repay, with interest, for allegedly stealing while in office.

Zambia lodged the civil case in British courts in the hope of recovering properties allegedly purchased with stolen funds and owned by Chiluba and 19 other defendants in Britain and other European countries.

Chiluba has not been convicted on criminal charges of stealing the funds and he does not recognise the authority of the London court

Zesco, Buffaloes kickoff African campaigns

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Zesco United and Green Buffaloes tomorrow kickoff their African club cup campaigns with away ties in the Caf Africa Champions League and Confederations Cup respectively.

Zesco, who are making their Champions League debut, are away to Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) in Kampala.

Buffaloes are in Zanzibar where they take on hosts Chipukizi in Pemba.

This will be Zesco’s second outing in continental club cup competition after participating in the 2006 CAF Confederations Cup second round after they were eliminated out by Township Rollers of Botswana.

One person who will be looking forward to making his mark in this years tournament for Zesco will be midfielder Rainford Kalaba.

Kalaba has just had a forgettable Africa Cup campaign and will be looking forward to replicate his impressive club campaign from last season to Africa.

Kalaba and striker Enoch Sakala were Zesco’s joint top-scorers on 13 goals last season are both expected to lead the Ndola team’s in attack.

Zesco are also boosted by off-season arrivals -with three of the four signings attackers.

They are Signs Chibambo from Nakambala Leopards, Lottie Phiri of Young Arrows including Elson Mkandawire.

Mkandawire is the subject of a controversial move from Power Dynamos to Zesco although the former have temporally cleared the striker to play for the former.

Zesco must be wary of the two-time Ugandan league champions who are unbeaten in all their last three home games in Caf competitions since making their debut in 2006.

URA have two wins and one draw from last years CAF Africa Champions League home games but have yet to make it beyond the second round of the tournament.

And in their 2007 CAF Africa Champions League outing, URA failed to make it past the first stage after drawing 0-0 at home in the return leg against Cotonsport of Cameroon.

URA were eliminated 3-0 on aggregate by Cotonsport after losing to the latter in the first leg.

The Zesco-URA return leg match is scheduled to be played in a fortnight’s time either at the Trade Fair in Ndola should the venue pass CAF inspection.

Zesco has revealed Nchanga Stadium in Chingola is the alternative venue should the Trade Fair not pass its final inspection.

And in the Confederations Cup, Buffaloes will be hoping for a better performance in this years tournament after their first round eject in 2007.

George Lwandamina has made three off-season signings with the pick of the trio being the talented Lusaka Dynamos teenage midfielder William Njobvu who expected to make his debut and hopefully inspire Buffaloes to an important away win.

Levy’s Views on African Union Govt

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President Mwanawasa has said time for the African Union government or the
United States of Africa being advocated by some African leaders has not come.

Dr . Mwanawasa, who is also Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Chairperson, noted that countries in the region are not against the idea of the Union government
but that the time has not come for such a government on the African continent.

Dr. Mwanawasa said there is need to strenghthen regional community organisations like SADC before thinking of the United States of Africa concept, which is a version of the possible future unification of Africa as a national and sovereign federal of states similar to that of the United States of America.

“When these organisations have been strengthened and our people sensitised and willingly accept the concept and only when we feel we are ready can we have that idea, but for now we are afraid we are not going to accept it.” he emphasised.

Dr. Mwanawasa said this in Antananarivo when he held a joint press briefing with his Madagascar counter part President Marc Ravalomanana today.

The idea of the United States Africa concept was recently advanced by Libyan President Muammar al-Qaddafi at a 2000 AU summit in Lome, Togo and in June 2007. It was further advanced by outgoing Africa Union Commisson chairperson Alpha Oumar Konare on the occassion of the commemoration of the Africa Day in May 2006.

President Mwanawasa pointed out that some of the countries like Zambia would require the amendment of the constitution as the issue of Africa Union Government is not enshrined in the country’s constitution saying if one was going to introduce such an item with such
an idea they will need to seek views from the people in Zambia or Madagascar.

” Let us not be rational, there is no need to confuse the people on something that needs serious consideration and consultation. We are doing everything possible to protect the interests of Africa and our individual countries,” said President Mwanawasa.

He explained that Zambia has nine provinces and that in most cases the country is unable to agree on which province to produce a President and wondered which nation out of the 53
countries in Africa would produce a President for the United States of Africa concept.
“I also wonder from which countries out of the 53 nations on the continent will produce the
15 ministers outlined in the concept,” he said.

Dr. Mwanawasa noted that the issue of United States of Africa has received a lot of public debate, positive and negative.

AVAP hails K20bn allocation to Kasama airport rehab

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The Anti Voter Apathy Project (AVAP) in Northern Province has commended Government for allocating K20 billion in this year’s National Budget towards the rehabilitation of Kasama Airport.

AVAP Provincial Coordinator Kelly Kashiwa said the funds would go a long way in uplifting the status of the Airport to international standards.

Mr. Kashiwa, who toured the on-going construction works at Kasama Airport, described the quality of works being done by PAMACO Construction Company as impressive.

He told ZANIS that the rehabilitation of Kasama Airport would greatly assist in boosting economic activities in Northern Province.

Mr. Kashiwa noted that the tourism sector will benefit immensely from the project because tourists arrivals to the Province would shoot up.

The AVAP Coordinator pointed out that the Province has great tourism potential because of its abundant natural resources.

Last year, Government commenced the rehabilitation the Kasama Airport in order for it to meet internationally acceptable standards and that once completed, it would be able to accommodate larger aircrafts thereby increase economic activities taking place in the northern region.

And Mr. Kashiwa has appealed to the Ministry of Works and Supply to consider increasing funding to road construction projects in Northern Province as most road networks in the area were in a deplorable state.

He observed that infrastructure development was vital if Zambia is to achieve sustainable development.

Meanwhile, Mr. Kashiwa has praised the good leadership qualities of the acting Provincial Permanent Secretary Gabriel Kaunda in as far as the management of government affairs in the Province was concerned.

He said through the Office of the PS, most Government departments were now receiving their monthly funding in good time and as a result implementation of developmental programmes has become efficient and effective.

Mr. Kashiwa further said there was an improvement in the way government affairs were being executed in the Province as civil servants were now adopting a positive working culture.

First Lady calls for continued HIV/AIDS research

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First Lady Maureen Mwanawasa has said research on HIV
and AIDS should continue so that ways of reducing
infections can be found.

Mrs. Mwanawasa, who is also Organization of African
First Ladies Against HIV/AIDS-OAFLA President, said
science has indicated that circumcision is one way of
preventing the spread of HIV and AIDS but that
research to further reduce infections must continue.

She pointed out that African leaders and their
governments and everyone else have a responsibility to
reduce the number of orphans on the continent.

The First Lady said this in Antananarivo yesterday
when she met members of the Madagascar
Network of HIV and AIDS.

She praised the Heads of States on the African
continent for their undying efforts to fight the
scourge alongside the First Ladies.

She also expressed happiness that OAFLA has organised
a total of 50 first ladies to work hard in partnering
with governments in the fight against the scourge.

Mrs. Mwanawasa said OAFLA is working on a number of
projects, among them the ‘Save the Unborn Child’ which
she said was already bearing fruits.

She said it is possible for a positive woman to give
birth to a negative baby, saying mothers should be
sensitised on the same so that the world can be free
from HIV and AIDS.

She called on the denizens of the African continent to
work hard and reduce stigma.

Madagascar Network of HIV and AIDS was founded in
September 2007 and is the network of associations of
support to People Living With HIV and AIDS.

Its mission is to represent structures of support to
People Living with HIV and AIDS at national and
international levels.

Its objectives are, among others, to coordinate
activities of associations for support to People
Living with HIV and AIDS.

Mrs. Mwanawasa was in Madagascar to accompany the
President on his three day state visit.

Western ULP secretary resigns, joins UPND

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Western Province United Liberal Party (ULP) Secretary, Nambula Tebuho, has resigned and joined the United Party for National Development (UPND).

According to a press release made available to ZANIS in Mongu today and signed by ULP Provincial Publicity and Information Secretary, Saxson Kashumba, Mr. Tebuho cited irregularities in the ULP administration as the reason for his resignation.

Mr. Tebuho said the removal of Mr Sikwindi Situla and Mr Edwin Simusamba from the National Constitution Conference by Party President, Sakwiba Sikota without blessings from the National Executive Committee (NEC), was a clear exhibition that ULP was not a listening party.

He further accused Mr. Sikota of having appointed Crispin Shumina as both Party Secretary General and a commissioner on the NCC, removing Mr Sikwindi Situla and Mr Edwin Simusamba without consulting the NEC.

Mr. Tebuho said he has decided to join UPND because the party had credible and receptive leaders likely to form the next government.

Mulungushi University to be centre of excellence – Prof Chinene

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MULUNGUSHI University is off to a good start and its vision is to be a centre of academic excellence and a leading institution of higher learning in Africa, Professor Vernon Chinene has said.

Prof. Chinene who is the Vice Chancellor of the institution said this in Kabwe today when he addressed students of the newly opened university.

“The mission of Mulungushi University is to provide high quality education and generate knowledge and technological innovations relevant to national and regional development goals,” he said.

The Vice Chancellor said that Mulungushi University would make every effort to provide quality education which would empower students to be competitive in any given field of specialisation.

He urged the students to rise up to the challenge and get as much out of their lectures as possible and exhibit high performance standards in their academic endeavours.

“In April 2008, we expect to admit the first students to undertake diploma programmes of the university. This will be followed in September by the admission of first undergraduate students of the university” Prof Chinene said.

He added that the advertisement of undergraduate programmes was expected to be launched in June, 2008 or earlier, depending on the preparatory arrangements which were currently going on.

The Vice Chancellor said other planned academic programmes would be developed during the course of the development of the university and that the certificate courses would be beefed up in their syllabus and courses extended from six months to one year.

“With regard to the future of certificate courses, let me take the opportunity to reaffirm that Mulungushi University plans to continue offering them by virtue of it being a multi-level curriculum university,” he said.

Prof Chinene told the students that 30 per cent of the places in the academic programmes would be reserved for women while the remaining 70 per cent would be competed for equally between male and female applicants.

He said Mulungushi University had been established on the understanding that it would be a 100 per cent fee paying university which would be expected to be self sustaining financially.

And in a vote of thanks, IMIS Diploma student, Sylvester Hakalaki said that it was a honour to have a third university which would offer higher education as the other two were not sufficient to cater for the whole population.

Hakalaki quoted Psalms 127 which stresses that unless God builds, the builder builds in vain.

Police officer commits suicide after being arrested by ACC

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A Police Officer in Livingstone has committed suicide following his arrest by the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) for corrupt practices by a public officer involving K100,000.

ACC Public relations manager, Timothy Moono confirmed the development to ZANIS in Lusaka today.

Mr. Moono said Detective Sergent Nawa Ngela of Linda Police Station was on February 8, 2008 arrested and charged for one count of corrupt practices by public officer contrary to section 29 (1) and 41 of the ACC act no.42 of 1996.

Mr. Moono said Sergent Ngela was arrested following a surveillance operation that was conducted after the commission received information that he was soliciting for K100,000 from a named person.

He added that Ngela received the said money as an inducement or reward for him to drop a case of theft by agent, which he was investigating.

He said Ngela was later detained in Police custody at Livingstone Central police to facilitate for further investigations.

Mr. Moono added that the following day, on Saturday, February 9, the commission was informed that Ngela had taken poison and was rushed to Livingstone Central Hospital where he died the following day.

He added that the ACC Director General Nixion Banda has expressed sadness at Ngela’s death.

Mr. Banda has since appealed to citizens to live with integrity to avoid such painful encounters in life.