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FJT appears before Taskforce on corruption

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THE Taskforce on corruption yesterday recorded a warn and caution statement from second Republican president, Frederick Chiluba, over his alleged involvement in the Carlington Maize deal in which the country lost US$7.8 million.

Dr Chiluba, who arrived at the Taskforce offices in Woodlands at 10:40 hours, was accompanied by his wife Regina, lawyer Robert Simeza, former Foreign Affairs deputy minister, Valentine Kayope, and spokesperson, Emmanuel Mwamba.

The interrogations took over two hours.
The Taskforce has been investigating the case of a Canadian commodity supplier by the name of Carlington Sales Company.

The supplier was being investigated following an agreement with the Republic of Zambia in 1997/98 for the supply of maize to Zambia at a cost of US$24 million.

Speaking to journalists shortly after the interrogations, Taskforce chairperson, Maxwell Nkole, said Dr Chiluba had been called to explain the deal and a questionnaire was given to him.

“A warn and caution statement has been recorded. He is deemed to be a suspect as he was at the centre of brokering together with other people,” he said.
Mr Nkole, however, said Dr Chiluba was evasive and declined to answer questions.

He said the Taskforce would investigate the matter further and if possible recover the money involved.

“This was abuse in the sense that a fraction of that money was diverted. A lobby contract was entered into after a formal contract was sealed. This is another angle we are trying to consider.”

When asked whether former Finance minister Edith Nawakwi and Finance Bank chairman Rajan Mathani, who had also been mentioned in the deal, would be implicated, Mr Nkole said the Taskforce had already carried out preliminary interviews with the duo.

The focus of the Taskforce was to recover the money and the matter would later be referred to the Director of Public Prosecution for possible prosecution.

‘We will be making recommendations after completion of the investigations,” he said.
Mr Mwamba said in an interview that Dr Chiluba was asked more than 20 questions which he refused to answer as he was exercising his constitutional right.

He said there were two contracts involving US$7.8 million.
The Carlington Sales Company was contracted to supply white and yellow maize and the contract was signed on October 10, 1997.

Mr Mwamba said the then Food Reserve Agency executive director, Chance Kabaghe, signed the contract together with Mr Ali Ben Menashe on behalf of Carlington Sales Company.

He said when the contracts failed, two sub-contractors were engaged. One was for consultancy and the other for lobbying.

He said Mr Bonaventure Mutale, who was the Attorney-General then, signed the consultancy contract while Ms Nawakwi signed the lobbying contract.

Mr Mwamba said the lobbying contract was meant to help Zambia find a buyer for Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines assets in Canada while the consultancy contract was to help the country build its image.

Mr Mwamba said Dr Chiluba denied involvement in any of the alleged offences.

[Times of Zambia]

Body goes missing at Maamba Hospital Mortuary

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The body of the Sinazongwe Council employee who died on Tuesday after inhaling chemicals has gone missing at the Maamba Hospital Mortuary in Southern province.

Maamba Hospital acting Superintendent Dr Elisha Chipandwe confirmed the development and said the hospital was trying to establish the facts over the matter.

Dr. Chipandwe said two bodies were brought to the Hospital mortuary on Tuesday and they suspect that one family that buried their deceased early could have picked a wrong body.

He said the hospital would call the family that buried their body early to identify the remaining body in the mortuary to identify their owners.

“The family that came in the morning to claim for the body of their deceased caught us unaware and we suspect the first family buried a wrong body we are trying to establish the fact and find the body,” Dr. Chipandwe said.

Sinazongwe Council Director of Works Mathews Mashapi identified the deceased as Mailos Siakambila who was a council employee based at Sinazeze barrier.

Mr. Mashapi said the deceased died on Tuesday at home after accidentally inhaling the chemicals he was using to spray his cotton field.

He said the people at his home decided to give him milk and when he slept he died.

The Director of works explained that his body was taken to Maamba Hospital Mortuary but when mourner went to retrieve it they failed to find it.

The mourners reported the matter to Maamba police while carrying their empty coffin.
[ZANIS]

Thursday Zambian Football Round-up

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-Forgotten Zambian striker Collins Mbesuma could make the Bursaspor first team ahead of Sundays away league match to Ankaraguku in the Turkish Capital.

Bursaspor’s official site reports that Mbesuma is set to make the final 18 man-team that will travel to Ankara for their mid-table clash this weekend.

Bursaspor and Ankaragucu are 11th and 8th on the table respectively on the 18-team Turkish Super Lig table.

Mbesuma has been struggling with fitness since joining Bursaspor from English club Portsmouth last August.

-A Rainford Kalaba-less Zambia have delayed their departure for Swaziland today, Thursday due to a flight congestion problem from Lusaka.

The team was expected to leave for Manzini via Johannesburg today but have had to put back their departure to Friday to avoid traveling in two groups over the next 24 hours.

Zambia will travel as one group on Friday instead ahead of Sunday’s first leg match in the inaugural Caf Africa Nations Championship preliminary round qualifier.

Faz will send it’s Under-23 team to face Swaziland instead of the senior team whose programme has been put on hold due to Saturdays annual general meeting and executive committee elections.

Moreover, Patrick Phiri’s contract as Zambia head coach comes to an end this Saturday March 29.

-Promoted Nkwazi have ended all speculation today about whether ex-Lusaka Dynamos coach Oswald Mutapa would return to the team played for and later coached after he was unveiled today as the clubs new head trainer.

The development will see Shex Chipoya who helped guide Nkwazi back to the top-flight after just one season relegated to Mupata’s assistant.

Nkwazi’s gain is Dynamos loss after the latter failed in their bid to retain his services for this season after guiding them to an impressive run last term.

Dynamos under Mutapa mounted a strong challenge for second place before running out of steam to finish sixth on the Premier League table.

The Queensmead side is currently searching for Mutapa’s replacement after two unsatisfactory results under the caretaker duo of Lucas Phiri and Joel Kabemba.

Dynamos have one point from two games while Nkwazi have four after the first two round of the league matches.

Stop stigmatising TB patients, says medical practitioner

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A medical practitioner in Kabompo district in North-Western Province has called for intensified sensitisation in communities in order to stop social stigmatisation against Tuberculosis (TB) patients in the district.

Loloma Mission Hospital Sister-In-Charge, Marion Ronald, made the call during the commemoration of the World TB Day held at Manyinga in Kabompo.

Sister Ronald said high levels of social stigmatisation against TB patients in Kabompo district were contributing to poor adherence to drugs instructions by TB patients.

She called on local chiefs and village headmen to partner with government and its cooperating partners in sensitising communities against social stigma against TB patients.

She thanked the government for seconding a government medical doctor to Loloma mission hospital.

Sister Ronald further appealed to government to consistently supply TB drugs to rural health centres in the district.

She said in the last quarter of last year, the Loloma mission hospital had 40 TB patients.

‘Don’t migrate’, Sinyinda urges Zambian teachers

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Education Deputy Minister Clement Sinyinda has implored teachers in Zambia not to migrate to other countries in search for better conditions of service.

Mr. Sinyinda urged teachers to remain committed to serving the nation because government was working on improving the education sector.

He was speaking when he held a meeting with teachers in Senanga district today.

He said it was no longer beneficial for Zambian teachers to leave the country for ‘greener pastures’ when their colleagues that had gone abroad were pondering on returning home.

Mr. Sinyinda, who is also Senanga Central MMD Member of Parliament, said conditions of service for teachers had become very competitive in Zambia than in other countries, hence the need for them to stay.

Mr. Sinyinda said the teachers should now commit themselves to duty, discourage examination leakages and focus on service delivery other than concentrating on migrating to other countries.

He said government was devoted to improving the education sector in the
country through the provision of good conditions of service and a good
teaching environment.

He said the ministry had started providing car loans, house loans and many other incentives to staff in the teaching fraternity.

The Deputy Minister was in the district to inspect infrastructure in education facilities.

Parliamentarians should be accompanied by their spouses

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A clergyman has proposed that Members of Parliament coming from out of Lusaka be allowed to be accompanied by their wives whenever parliament is in session.

Reverend Peter Nguni of the Church Planters Network (CPN) says this would help curb the alleged promiscuity at the National Assembly Motel.

Rev. Nguni said the presence of spouses would act as a deterrent for any improper sexual conduct.

Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today, Reverend Nguni said the National Assembly Motel should not be misused for any illicit activities.

Reverend Nguni called on all leaders put in public office to maintain high levels of integrity and morality as they are supposed to be role models to the people they represent.

He said leadership is service with sacrifice, therefore all those who are put in high office must be the custodians of good morals.

Reverend Nguni pointed out that if leaders sacrifice and maintain good morals, Zambia will have a society that is free from HIV/AIDS.

Reverend Nguni further said people elect leaders hoping that they will represent the views of the people and maintain integrity and also protect the rights of the underprivileged in society.

Task Force warns and cautions FJT

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The Task Force on Corruption has warned and cautioned Second Republican President, Frederick Chiluba over the 1997-98 $7.8 million Carlington Maize deal.

Dr. Chiluba accompanied by his wife Regina and lawyer, Robert Simeza appeared before the Task force at 10:00hours – Wednesday he was interrogated for two hours over the controversial maize deal.

Speaking shortly after the interview Task Force Chairperson, Max Nkole said Dr. Chiluba was evasive and declined to answer some questions related to the maize deal.

Dr. Chiluba was summoned, to shed more light over the deal after he had indicated that he wanted to explain his role in the contract awarded to the Canadian Carlington firm to supply maize that was never delivered.

Mr. Nkole told Journalists in Lusaka that the Taskforce also questioned Dr. Chiluba over $1 million diverted to a contract dubbed “a lobbying contract” from the $7. 8 million.

He said the Task Force will at the moment endeavor to recover the funds and is also contemplating recommending the prosecution of Dr. Chiluba and two others.

Mr. Nkole disclosed that the Task Force had conducted preliminary interviews with then Finance Minister, Edith Nawakwi and Finance Bank Board Chairperson, Rajan Mathani.

He however said the task force will conduct father interviews with Ms. Nawakwi and Mr. Mathani.

[ZNBC]

Women still angry with Shakafuswa

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Police in Lusaka have prevented women from staging a demonstration against Finance Deputy Minister, Jonas Shakafuswa, over a statement which has injured women.

The women who were organised by the Non Governmental Coordinating Council were dispersed because they had not obtained a police permit.

Lusaka Division Police Commanding officer, Greenwell Ng’uni led a team of officers that stopped the planned protest outside cabinet office.

Mr. Nguni ordered the protestors to leave cabinet office premises because they didnt have a permit.

The Police, however allowed NGOCC Executive Director, Engwase Mwale and Young Womens’ Christian Association Executive Director, Katembu Kaumba to present a petition to Vice President, Rupiah Banda.

The women are demanding the dismissal of Mr. Shakafuswa from his ministerial position.

Mrs. Mwale later told ZNBC in an interview that her organisation was disturbed with the utterances attributed to Mr. Shakafuswa.

She said Mr. Shakafuswa’s remarks during a drinking spree at Parliament motel were demeaning to women.

According to one newspaper article, Mr. Shakafuswa did not like a statement attributed to Chikankata Member of Parliament, Muji Habeenzu for stating that parliament motel had been turned into a brothel by some MPs.

[ZNBC]

Zambia Inflation Accelerates to 9.8%

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Inflation in Zambia accelerated to an annual 9.8 percent in March as clothing, footwear and furniture costs rose, the Central Statistical Office said.

The inflation rate increased from 9.5 percent last month, Modesto Banda, assistant director at the agency, told reporters today in the capital, Lusaka.

Mr. Banda has also announced that Zambia recorded a trade surplus valued at K168.2 billion during the month of February.

He said the total value of the country’s exports in February 2008 was K1, 263.5 billion compared to K1, 386.8 billion in January 2008.

He said the prominent exports were manufactured goods accounting for 81.8 percent in February and 81.7 percent in January 2008 of which refined copper was the most significant export item accounting for 70.0 percent of Zambia’s total earnings.

Mr. Banda said other exports included cobalt, ores, slag, cereals and electrical machinery equipment parts which collectively accounted for 88.1 percent of Zambia’s total export earnings for the month of February 2008.

He said the major destinations of Zambia’s exports in February were Switzerland, China, South Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo, Korea, Oman and Saudi Arabia which collectively accounted for 76.5 percent of the country’s total export earnings.

He added that other destinations included Netherlands, Egypt, Thailand, United Kingdom and Belgium which collectively accounted for 13.6 percent and the rest accounted for 9.8 percent of Zambia’s total export earnings.

Mr. Banda however said the value of Zambia’s total imports in February 2008 was K1, 095.3 billion compared to K1, 429.0 billion in January 2008.

He said the most prominent imports were machinery and transport equipment which accounted for 45.4 and 42.8 percent in February and January 2008 respectively.

He said other imports were manufactured goods classified chiefly by material which collectively accounted for 39.3 and 41.7 percent in February and January 2008 respectively.

He noted that sources of Zambia’s imports were SADC Countries, Asian market, European Union and COMESA which accounted for 59.4, 19.5, 13.7 and 10.7 percent respectively in February 2008.

And Mr. Banda said according to the 2006 Living Conditions Monitoring Survey (LCMS) 56 percent of households in Zambia cannot afford three meals a day.

He said in the rural areas 33.7 percent of households could afford three meals, 66.3 percent could afford only two meals or less per day while 63. 4 percent of urban households could afford three meals or more per day.

He further said 57.5 percent of rural households have no access to safe water compared to 11.2 percent of their urban counterparts.

Mr. Banda said according to the LCMS 53.9 percent of urban households treat their drinking water whereas 20.5 percent of rural households treated their drinking water.

Meanwhile, Mr. Banda said 82 percent of persons employed are in the informal sector compared to 18 percent in the formal sector.

Mr. Banda said informal employment is higher in rural areas at 93 percent than in urban areas at 52 percent.

On housing Mr. Banda said the LCMS indicates that 75.4 percent of Zambians live in their own dwelling while 16.2 percent rent from private landlords and 3.4 percent occupied free housing.

He said the rural-urban analysis revealed that 90.9 percent of households in rural areas live in their own dwelling compared to their urban counterparts with 46.4 percent.

Zambia cancels 1.2 billion dollar Oil deal

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Zambia has ended negotiations with South Africa’s largest bank to finance a 1.2 billion dollar (762 million euro) oil import deal after disagreements, state radio reported Thursday.

Zambia’s energy ministry permanent secretary, Peter Mumba, told the state-run Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation that his government failed to reach a deal with South Africa’s Standard Bank. The bank had been selected to finance crude oil imports from Kuwait.

“The government is not happy with some of the conditions the bank had proposed,” Mumba was quoted as saying by the radio.

He declined to disclose what these conditions were.

Early this year, Zambia awarded a contract to a Kuwaiti firm, the Independent Petroleum Group (IPG), to supply crude oil to Zambia and the South African bank won the tender to provide financing for the deal.

Zambia will look for other financial institutions to replace The Standard Bank, picked after a competitive tender process, he said.

The Standard Bank, South Africa’s largest banking group, has about 1,000 branches and is present in about 40 countries in Africa and major financial centres of Europe, North America and Asia.

Plans to link Zambia to Angola afoot

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Plans are afoot to build a rail-line from Zambia to Angola.
The line will be laid from the copperbelt mining town of Chingola to Jimbe in Northwestern Province - into Angola.
The Zambian government has already started mobilising resources for the construction of the railway that will link the two countries.
President Mwanawasa disclosed this to journalists, shortly before leaving for Botswana.
Dr. Mwanawasa said the government might concession the rail line if need be.
And Dr. Mwanawasa has said government may terminate the railway permit offered to North Western rail company owned by former Vice President, Enoch Kavindele.
Dr. Mwanawsa said this is because the company has not shown seriousness in building the railway line in North-Western Province.
He said government is in a hurry to develop North Western province and the nation as a whole.
The president said government has been let down despite efforts to allow private sector participation in running the rail transport.
On calls by members of parliament for action against the Railway Systems of Zambia following its failure to efficiently run the railway firm Dr. Mwanawasa said the matter is receiving attention.
[ZNBC]

Govt gives K2.4 billion to light up Sinazongwe villages

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Sinazongwe District Commissioner (DC) Laiven Apuleni has disclosed that government has released K2.4 billion for Rural Electrification Programme (REP) to light up villages

Mr. Apuleni expressed happiness that government has remained committed to fulfill promises that the valley people have been appealing for to have electricity in their homes.

He said the K2.4 billion that government has released through the Rural Electricity Authority (REA) would be invested in Ngoma in chief Sinazongwe area.

The DC has urged people to make use of the investment that government has brought to them through setting up business ventures.

He said the development was cheering because people were beginning to realize that government meant well.
Mr. Apuleni said the rural electrification programme has helped to have the entire Chiefs palace in the valley to be electrified.

REA project engineer Francis Mulenga said at meeting in Ngoma that the money would be used to bring power over a distance of 15 km.

Mr. Mulenga said the project was expected to finish within six months though it was delayed as a result of heavy rain that the district received.

He noted that the project was being carried out by the British Engineering Service which is working in partnership with the Zambia Company.

REA Community mobilization Specialist Naomi Sidono told Ngoma people to engage themselves into productive ventures for them to improve their living standards since they would soon be connected to power.

Ms. Sidono pointed out that power would help to ensure that teachers at Ngoma basic School do not run away.

Ngoma Basic School Manager Stanley Cheelo said the project of installing power at the School was a “dream come” true because ten years ago Ngoma area was bushy with nothing on it.

He said teachers run away from rural areas because of the lack of power adding that the problem would be addressed once power was installed at the School.

“There would be no need for teachers to run away from Schools, there is plenty of water since the School is only 500 meters away from Lake Kariba and we will make use of power to pump water for our School production unit,” Mr Cheelo said.

Headman Sikaneka thanked government for bringing power to villages to reduce on people migrating to urban areas.
[ZANIS]

DEC Chief Intelligence officer wanted for Drug dealing

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The Lusaka Magistrates Court has ordered the arrest of Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) Chief Intelligence officer, Michael Musonda.

He is wanted is for supplying cocaine to jailed Portuguese national, Alpine Julies.

Resident Magistrate, Joshua Banda has however, ordered that Lawyers representing Mr. Julies make a formal and appropriate charge against Musonda before he is arrested.

Magistrate Banda said the warrant of arrest should be executed by the officer in Charge at the Lusaka Central Prisons.

The Magistrate delivered the ruling, Wednesday after complaints by Julies that Musonda had betrayed him after supplying him with the drugs that landed him in jail.

Zambia to audit AU and SADC

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The Office of the Auditor General in Zambia has been appointed by the World Bank to audit the African Union (AU) and SADC.

Auditor General, Anne Chifungula announced this at a strategic plan review workshop for the Office of the Auditor General.

Ms. Chifungula said her Office has sent two Officers to war-torn Liberia to help audit that country under the hospice of the African Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions.

And government has challenged the Office of the Auditor General to be proactive and initiate new strategies in its mandate to enhance accountability and performance.

Permanent Secretary Management Development Division at Cabinet Office, George Kawatu said government has put priority in promotion of prudent financial management in the fight against abuse of public resources.

Mr. Kawatu notes that the Office of the Auditor General plays a critical role in ensuring that public resources are used for the benefit of the citizenry.

Grade 12 results out, 19,500 fail

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Over 30,600 out of a total of 50,200 pupils who sat for the grade 12 examinations last year have passed and obtained full school certificates.

This represents a decrease from 61.25 per cent of candidates who obtained full certificates in 2006 to 60.98 per cent in 2007.

Minister of Education Geoffrey Lungwangwa announced the grade 12 results at a press briefing in Lusaka today.

Professor Lungwangwa said out of the 21,613 girls who sat for the examination, 12,409 have obtained full certificates while 18,201 out of 28,587 boys, have obtained full certificates.

He said 9,886 boys and 8,831 girls only managed to obtain the General Certificate of Education (GCE), giving a total number of 18,717 candidates.

“These results show that 60.98 per cent of the candidates obtained full certificates in 2007, compared to 61.25 per cent in 2006. 37.28 per cent of the candidates obtained General Certificate of Education in 2007 compared to 36.75 per cent in 2006,” he said.

He told journalists that 873 pupils failed, representing a 1.74 per cent in 2007 as compared to the 1.98 per cent in 2006.

Professor Lungwangwa said out of the 51,518 who entered for the examination, 1,318 were absent, representing an increase of absenteeism from 2.44 per cent in 2006 to 2.56 per cent in 2007.

He said 17 schools countrywide recorded a 100 per cent pass rate in the 2007 examinations with Southern province having the best results at 73.3 per cent while the lowest pass rate was recorded in North-Western province at 33.5 per cent.

The minister added that 115 candidates were involved in examinations malpractices in 2007 compared to 25 candidates in 2006.

“The natures of malpractices were largely that of candidates smuggling of materials into the examination rooms. Schools were closely monitored during the whole examination period by Standards Officers at all levels and other interested key stakeholders in quality education delivery in the country,” he said.

Professor Lungwangwa has urged candidates to collect their statements of results from schools and examination centres, stressing that no results would be issued from the Ministry of Education Headquarters or the Examination Council of Zambia.

Meanwhile, the minister has said Nkrumah Teachers College in Kabwe and the Copperbelt Teachers College will be turned into university colleges to train High School teachers.

He said this is in order to increase High School teachers output for better performance of pupils.

Professor Lungwangwa also said that K90 billion has been allocated for the construction of 1,527 new classrooms across the country

He said 233 classrooms would be for new basic schools while 799 would be for additional classrooms in existing schools.

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