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Livingstone Magistrate Court revokes Mulyata’s police bond

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The Livingstone Magistrate Court
today revoked former Southern Province Minister Joseph Mulyata’s
police bond after establishing that he missed a court session without
notifying the court.

Mulyata, who is being charged with Abuse of Authority of Office,
today appeared before Magistrate Edsen Shanduba for a ruling to
determine why he did not appear in court on December14, 2007
for plea.

On the stated date, Mulyata was not before court but his defense
lawyers were present and informed the court that their client had
been given permission by the Anti-Corruption Commission Arresting
Officer Chibulu Musonda, to attend the National Constitution
Conference (NCC) sitting in Lusaka.

However, Mr Musonda was not present in court on that particular day to
confirm those claims and the matter was adjourned.

But today, Mr Musonda disputed claims that he had given Mulyata
permission to abscond from court proceedings.

He said Solomon Muzyamba, one of Mulyata’s defense lawyers had requested for Mulyata
to miss court on December 14 last year to enable him attend the NCC
but the request was rejected by his superiors.

Mr Musonda explained that Mulyata was an arrested person and could not
dictate which days were suitable for him to attend court sessions.

And in his ruling, Magistrate Shanduba established that Mulyata
deliberately stayed away from court even after his request to miss
court and attend the NCC was rejected.

Magistrate Shanduba then revoked Mulyata’s police bond and instead granted
him a K6 million bail with two working sureties.

Meanwhile, when trial commenced after the ruling was made, one of the witnesses for the prosecution Edward Ntinda, was sent out of the
courtroom for not being properly dressed.

Magistrate Shanduba said Mr Ntinda, as a Senior Road Inspector in the Road
Development Agency (RDA) was a high-ranking officer, who could not be
allowed to give evidence in court while dressed in casual clothes.

He ordered Mr Ntinda to go back home and dress appropriately while the
court stood down for 30 minutes to await his return but later
adjourned the case to tomorrow for continued trial.

FRA to start paying farmers in Southern Province

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GOVERNMENT has disclosed
that the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) will soon start
paying off money it owes to farmers in southern
Province.

Southern Province Permanent Secretary, Darius Hakayobe,
said he has been assured by FRA officials that the K7
billion Kwacha owed to the farmers who supplied their
maize in the last farming season will be paid soon.

He said the agency has completed an audit report for
Southern Province and has since started paying farmers
in Kalomo before moving to other districts.

Mr. Hakayobe said the agency has delayed in paying
farmers in the province due to some logistical
problems.

He was speaking in Livingstone yesterday when Information
Deputy Minister David Phiri paid a courtesy call on
him.

And Mr. Phiri has commended the media in the province
for highlighting issues of flood adequately.

He said this is why government has included the
equipping of the media on its priority list.

Mr. Phiri said the media can only fulfill its
mandatory role of informing the public when it is well
equipped.

He also toured ZNBC, ZANIS, Zambezi FM and
Mosi-O-Tunya Offices.

And Livingstone District Commissioner, Francis Chika,
said the flood situation should serve as a wake up
call to finding lasting solutions.

Mr. Chika said his office is encouraging organizations
to donate building materials to flood victims.

He said this will enable them to build permanent
Structures.

Kafue police thwart NCZ demo

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Police in Kafue this orning blocked a peaceful marching procession by Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia (NCZ) workers who wanted to walk to Lusaka as they continue to demonstrate over their non payment of four months salary arrears.

Over 200 workers only marched up to the Kafue steel plant on their way to Lusaka to petition government at the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives over the non payment of salaries and government’s neglect of the plant by not funding it and paying for fertilizer it produced in November last year.

The workers were intercepted by a team of paramilitary and police officers who ordered them to retreat and disburse.

The police also picked up ten of the workers for questioning.

Police and paramilitary officers who were in riot gear did not have a tough time to convince the crowd of workers who tried to argue their intention fro marching to Lusaka.

The workers later on retreated and went back to the office of the District Commissioner, Michael Bwalya, for a briefing from their union leaders who by press time had traveled to Lusaka to pursue the matter with the Ministry of Agriculture.

The march almost brought traffic to a standstill on the road that connects to the Lusaka-Kafue main road from Kafue Estates.

Scores of residents and onlookers watched the procession of the workers who vowed to walk to Lusaka in their continued pursuit of their demands from the government.

This is the second week workers at the fertilizer-making plant are demonstrating, demanding that government pays them their four months salary arrears and have continued camping at the office of the District Commissioner.

Controlling officers urged to ensure effective implementation of the 2008 budget

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Secretary to the Cabinet Dr Joshua Kanganja has called on controlling officers in ministries and government departments to device a mechanism that will ensure an effective implementation and execution of the 2008 national budget in order to enhance economic growth in the country.

And Dr Kanganja has called on controlling officers to take appropriate action including disciplinary measures against supervisors that are certifying shoddy civil works in order to ensure proper utilization of public funds.

Dr Kanganja says effective implementation and execution of the 2008 national budget would play a paramount role in achieving economic growth and help contribute to the wellbeing of the people.

Dr Kanganja said this in a speech read on his behalf by Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet Likolo Ndalamei at the workshop for controlling officers on treasury and financial management in Lusaka today.

He said controlling officers should work out modalities aimed at improving the budget execution, treasury and financial management in order to move the country’s economic growth forward.

Dr Kanganja further directed the ministry of finance and national planning to introduce a system of ranking of the performance of Management in Ministries, Provinces and Spending Agencies (MPSAs) in terms of treasury, financial management and budget execution.

He said this would help in identifying controlling officers that are performing poorly so that appropriate remedial action is taken on them.

And Dr Kanganja has called on controlling officers to take appropriate action including disciplinary measures against supervisors that are certifying shoddy civil works in order to ensure proper utilization of public funds.

He said supervisors that would be found to have certified works of poor workmanship would be liable for prosecution and commensurate sanctions.

Dr Kanganja said the government is saddened with the reports it has continued to receive from the public of some companies that are abrogating the provisions of the contracts.

He stated that contractors, consultants and clients found abrogating the provisions of the contracts would be severely dealt with as government is losing huge sums of tax payers money on contractors that are doing shoddy works

Dr expressed concern that many controlling officers and permanent secretaries are not paying attention to the well meaning initiatives such as the Sector Advisory groups (SAGS) which he said are meant to assist MPSAs in budget formulation, execution and monitoring.

At the same function, Secretary to the Treasury Evans Chibiliti urged controlling officers to embark on tendering procedures in a bid to enhance the implementation of development programmes.

Mr. Chibiliti has since called on controlling officers to carefully prepare budget execution profiles aligned to procurement plans.

Misapplication of public funds is embarrassing, MMD

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The MMD in Kitwe has described the misapplication of public funds by some government ministries as an embarrrassment and should not be allowed to continue.

District Secretary George Lungu said revelations in the Auditor General’s report indicate that government was losing billions of kwacha through misapproriation of public resouces.

He said that bold steps should be taken seriously by the controlling officers if the Millennium Development Goals are to be achieved.

Mr Lungu said it was now time that controlling officers were made accountable to the people in the way government money was being misused.

The MMD official urged all zambians to demand accountability and transparency in developmental projects and programmes.

He also called on the member of public to support calls by the Inspector General of Police Ephram Mateyo over the fight against corruption in the police service.

He said the law should be stiffened against motorists who were in the habit of bribing traffic officers.

Printing of ballot papers for Kanyama polls commence

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The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has started printing ballot papers for the Kanyama constituency by-election to be held on the February 21, 2008.

ECZ Public Relations Manager, Chris Akufuna said some officers from ECZ left yesterday for South Africa to commence the printing of the ballot papers.

Mr. Akufuna said the commission hopes that the printing of the papers will be finished by the end of this week.

He told the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) in an interview that the ECZ is ready to conduct the elections.

Mr. Akufuna said so far the commission has not received any reports of malpractices by political parties participating in the by-election.

“Some officers from ECZ left yesterday for South Africa to commence the printing of the ballot papers. Once samples of the ballot papers are made, the will be sent to political parties participating for observation and the final printing is hopefully expected to finish by the end of this week,” Mr. Akufuna said.

Meanwhile, ECZ will by the end of this week make the position known as to whether they are able to conduct the Kanyama by-elections.

Mr. Akufuna said ECZ is still accessing the flood situation in Kanyama constituency adding that its position will be communicated to the public by the end of this week.

ECZ chairperson, Justice Ireen Mambilima had two weeks ago toured Kanyama compound to access the flood situation.

Justice Mambilima announced the possibility of ECZ postponing the by-elections because most polling stations were inaccessible due to flooding.

The Kanyama constituency seat fell vacant after the death of PF Member of Parliament Henry Mtonga in December last year.

Town Clerk to hold on to Post Newspaper bike

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Mazabuka Town Clerk, Ekan Chingangu says he will not release a bicycle belonging to the Post Newspapers which was confiscated from a vendor who was caught urinating until a fine of K 450,000 is paid.

Mr Chingangu told ZANIS in Mazabuka today that the enforcement of the Nuisanace Act will be imposed on all people violating it with impunity.

He said the Council will not be lenient on those found wanting because they are frustrating efforts meant to Keep the Town clean.

Mr Chingangu said Council Police have been put on higher alert to ensure those who spit or urinate any how are dealt with in accordance with the law.

And Post news paper vendor, Palicha Mwaanga complained that his bicycle was impounded on Wednesday as he was reporting back for work after making collections for the day.

Mr Mwaanga said the uncompromising Council Police Officers seized the bicycle and immediately demanded for K 180,000 from him.

” I had to surrender the bicycle because I didn’t have the money they were demanding,” said Mwaanga.

But Mr Mwaanga challenged the Council to construct public toilets adding that he was forced to answer the call of nature in the bush because of lack of such facilities.

State urged to address issue of misapplication of public funds

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An Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) has expressed fear that the country may not achieve the vision 2030 if government does not tackle the issue of misapplication and misappropriation of public funds.

Luena MP Charles Milupi observed that development and the attainment of the goal can only be realized if funds budgeted for specific programmes are fully ultilised for the intended purposes.

Mr. Milupi who is also Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Chairperson expressed sadness at the continued misapplication of public funds in government departments.

Mr. Milupi said government has a challenge of ensuring that it matches its expenditure with revenue measures if development is to take place.

Mr. Milupi who commended the Auditor General’s (AG) office for the work it is doing in highlight irregularities in the utilization of public funds said serious action should be taken against officers that are not doing a service to the country.

He told ZANIS in an interview that the report was an indication that the executive was not taking action on erring officers so as to help in reversing the trend.

“It is disappointing that yet again we are seeing the same issues that were reflected in the 2005 and 2006 AG’s reports,’ he stated.

He said the bodies empowered to undertaken oversight functions need to be given powers to also propose sanctions to be taken.

And Mr. Milupi says the National Constitution Conference (NCC) also needs to consider increasing the powers of oversight bodies.

Auditor General, Anna Chifungula has in her 2006 financial year revealed misapplication of about K65 billion by various government departments.

The report reveals glaring misapplication of K42. 8 billion and over K22 billion uncounted expenditures.

The report further indicated unconstitutional expenditure amounting to over K8 billion in various government Ministries and departments.

The ministries involved include Defence, Foreign Affairs, Home Affairs, Office of the President and the Vice President’s office

Other departments are Commission of Investigations, Zambia Police and Prisons Services.

Mrs. Chifungula said the excess expenditure of K8, 642, 049,204 is unconstitutional and would require approval by parliament as provided for under Article 117 of the republican constitution.

Economic growth is due to attractive investment climate, says Mines minister

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Minister of Mines and Mineral Development Kalombo Mwansa has attributed the growth of the Zambian economy to the attractive investment climate in the mining sector.

Dr Kalombo Mwansa said added that the good policies put in place by government had also played a significant role in the steady growth of the economy saying economic growth cannot be achieved without good government policies.

He said this during the official closing of the Africa Mining Congress organized by the Mining International Natural Resources Enterprise (MINE LLC) at Zambezi Sun hotel in Livingstone yesterday.

He said Zambia was doing very well in mining activities adding that this was proved last year when it scooped the ‘International Country Award for Outstanding Achievement for a country that has shown the most improvement in terms of attractiveness to mineral investors during the 2006/2007 period.’

Dr Mwansa said the objective of the congress was to enhance cooperation among developers and financial institutions and hoped that it would be a fixed feature on the calendar of local and international mining companies.

Meanwhile, Secretary to the Treasury , Evans Chibiliti has called on all mining companies alleging that the new tax regime translates to a 60 percent tax rate to submit their financial models to government for proper clarification.

Mr. Chibiliti said government had formulated a solid financial model that translated to a 47 percent tax rate before increasing mine taxes and all mining companies that had models that reflected a tax rate of 60 percent needed to meet with the state to see where they had gone wrong.

He was speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Livingstone yesterday.

Mr. Chibiliti said all companies with project proposals that were made before the increase in mineral royalties could still proceed and make a profit as long as they clearly understood what to include in their financial models.

However, the Secretary to the Treasury was happy to note that some sectors in the mining industry had welcomed the new tax law saying it was reasonable and could be supported.

He said government was of the view that a fair and balanced tax law for all parties concerned was key in sustaining the mining industry as it reduced the motivation for any of them to change it.

AG‘s report reveals that ECZ has not been submitting annual reports

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The Auditor Generals (AG) report has revealed that the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has not been submitting its annual reports since 2002.

The report indicated that as at November 2007, the Commission had not prepared the financial statement for the year ending December 31, 2006 for submission to the Republican President.

Auditor General, Anna Chifungula stated that the act is contrary to the provisions of the ECZ act no 24 of 1996 which requires the Commission to prepare annual reports for submission to the President not later than 90 days after the end of the financial year.

She further said the commission did not maintain a register of accountable documents which was contrary to the financial regulations no 103.

Mrs. Chifungula also revealed that election materials amounting to over K925 million meant for the 2006 tripartite elections were not ulitlised and are still in the warehouses of the ECZ.

The AG said election materials meant for the tripartite elections accounting to over K1 billion were not accounted for.

She said there was no evidence that the commission carried out a needs assessment prior to the procurement of various election materials for the tripartite elections in September 2006.

The materials are Canvas bags amounting to K503 million, Lanterns over K325 million, Cameras over K263 million, PA systems K403 million and mega phones amounting to K348 million.

Mrs. Chifungula however stated that as of May 2007 that materials including 49 lanterns, 576 lantern batteries and 19 canvas bags were stolen from the warehouses although the matter had not been reported to the police.

According to the report, ECZ was in 2005 and 2006 given K146 , 144, 217, 840 and K235 , 040 , 704 , 538 for various operations, in additional over K1 billion was realised from the sale of maps, registers and nominations pertaining to presidential , parliamentary and local government elections.

According to the report , the Commission had paid a local company US$77,904 equivalent to K252, 954 000 for the supply of various HP computer consumables out of which K87, 941, 648 has not been delivered.

The report says as of July 2007 only materials costing K165, 012, 352 had been delivered, contrary to the contract agreement that the materials should be delivered by August 2006.

During the same period, the Commission spent about K256 million on fares and allowances for officers’ trips abroad without obtaining authority from Cabinet Office for the officer’s trips.

The Report stated that the act is contrary to the Cabinet Office Circular no 12 of 1998.

The report also stated that the Commission has a lot of accounting irregularities on funds disbursed to the councils for the training of assistant registration officers and other operations.

The operations included ZANIS inspections of Voters Roll, Briefing and temporal shelter budget, Conflict Management, training of assistant publican officers, Voter education and return of materials from districts.

About K183 million issued to various officers in 11 councils had not been retired as of October 2007 and that K705 million was not accounted for as there were no documents to support expenditure.

Buffaloes, Zesco Head East

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Zambian football shifts its attention this coming weekend to the continental club action after a last three weeks of Africa Cup of Nations action.

Zesco United and Green Buffaloes will both be away in action in Caf Africa Champions League and Confederations Cup engagements respectively in East Africa.

Buffaloes head out to Zanzibar tomorrow Monday February 11 where they face Chipukizi this Saturday in their Confederations Cup preliminary round, first leg tie.

This will be Buffaloes 5th outing in Africa since they were promoted back to the top-flight in 1999.

Coach George Lwandamina is carrying an 18-member team for the game against Chipukizi and his Buffaloes squads will include four new faces-three of them on loan players.

The team includes Zambia national soccer team Kabwe Warriors striker Emmanuel Mayuka including his club mate and defender Danny Zulu.

Mayuka’s fellow Zambia international team mate William Njobvu of Lusaka Dynamos including midfielder John Musukwa from Chambishi are also in the team.

Buffaloes will host Chipukizi in the return leg on March 1 at Nkoloma Stadium while their home ground at Independence Stadium is undergoing major rehabilitation works.

Winner of the preliminary round two-way fixture will in the next round face either Highlanders of Zimbabwe or Ferroviario de Nampula of Mozambique late next month.

Zesco on the other hand head to Uganda on Wednesday where they face Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) in a Caf Africa Champions League preliminary round first leg away match in Kampala also on the same date.

This will be Zesco’s second escapade into African club cup competition since making their continental debut in the 2006 Confederations Cup where they reached the 2nd round and were ejected by Township Rollers of Botswana at that stage.

Coach Wedson Nyirenda is hoping his first African outing at the helm will not be a brief one for a Zesco team that boosts three internationals in the starting line-up.

Zambia international Midfielder Rainford Kalaba and defender William Chinyama have just returned from the Africa Cup in Ghana.

Striker Enoch Sakala is also expected to be the 18-member team to be announced by the club on Tuesday.

Also expected to be in the team are Zesco’s two on-loan signings.

Striker Elson Mkandawire of Power Dynamos and Zambia Under-23 forward Sign Chibambo from Nakambala Leopards are also expected to be in the traveling party.

Winner of the Zesco-URA two-way preliminary round tie will face last years Caf Africa Champions League semifinalists Al Hilal of Sudan in the 2nd round.

Buffaloes Team:

Goalkeepers: Mike Poto, Dave Kayumba.

Defenders: Maybin Chishimba, Danny Zulu, Newa Mwewa, Lawrence Phiri, Dennis Banda, Selekani Mwale, Sydney Banda.

Midfielders: William Njovbu, Prince Mubita, Sebastian Mwansa, Dears Kakunta, Morgan Hanjeema, John Musukwa.

Strikers: Emmanuel Mayuka, Reuben Tembo, Brian Chilando.

Mubuyu Farm Workers seek Levy’s Help on Barclays Loan

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Over 3,000 Workers at Zambia’s leading Coffee producing company, Mubuyu farms in Mazabuka have called on President Mwanawasa to intervene before the process of liquidating the farm is completed. The loan has grown from US $ 5, 000 in 1999 to US $17 million today. Human Resource Manager, Paul Chabala told ZANIS in Mazabuka that the company has not failed to liquidate the debt of $ 17 million it obtained from Barclays bank in 1999.

Mr Chabala said the problems have been caused by the drought that impacted negatively on Coffee production from 2001 upto 2005.

Mr Chabala explained that workers are now looking up to President Mwanawasa to rescue the farm as all the avenues to reason with the bank management on the need to reschedule the loan have been exhausted.

He said the company allegedly failed to service the loan which stood at $ 5,000 in 1999 and has accrued to $ 17 Million over the years.

Mr Chabala said the drought that affected Mazabuka in 2001 upto 2005 is not something to hide because all the people who use the Mazabuka -Kafue highway saw its effects on Coffee.

He said Banks should exercise leniency on customers other than imposing prohibitive conditions that result in liquidating big companies.

Mr Chabala complained that putting of the farm on receivership has serious economic consequences on Mazabuka and the nation as a whole.

Meanwhile, Mr Chabala has called on the Immigration department to investigate why two foreign nations sent to work at Mubuyu farms do not have proper documents allowing them to do so.

Meanwhile, President Levy Mwanawasa is tomorrow expected in Antananarivo, Madagascar for a three day state visit.

Dr. Mwanawasa who will be accompanied by First Lady Maureen Mwanawasa and Foreign Affairs minister Kabinga Pande is expected to arrive at D’ Ivato International airport in Antananarivo at 15: 30 local time

Be accurate in your reporting, Journalists told

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Deputy Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services David Phiri has challenged journalists to be accurate when reporting.

Mr Phiri urged reporters to work hard and ensure that they report responsibly by making sure that information in their stories is factual.

The minister further urged journalists to ensure that information collected is verified before writing stories to avoid misleading the nation

Mr.Phiri was speaking in Monze today when he toured Sky F.M radio station.

He called on all community and commercial radio stations in the country to inform people on various developmental issues taking place within their areas of operation.

Mr.Phiri said there was need for people to know about any developments taking place and opportunities that government had been creating for them.

He said that it was a mandate to monitor and regulate community and commercial radio stations that were directly under the ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services.

The minister added that government would ensure that the freedom of information bill goes back to parliament.

He said that government was prepared to take the bill back to parliament as consultations had been carried out widely.

Mr.Phiri said that the bill was dragging because of consultations that were going on at both national and international levels.

He said that the freedom of information bill was not about journalists but citizens and accessing information.

He added that information should never be used at the detriment of developmental programs and important issues of national interest.

The minister was accompanied by Monze District Commissioner and some heads of government departments during the tour of Sky F.M radio station in monze.

LCC closes 14 taverns in Lusaka’s Chipata compound

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The Lusaka City Council LCC has closed 14 taverns which were operating without licenses in Lusaka’s chipata compound.

The taverns were also found to be operating under deplorable conditions.

LCC Public Relation Henry Kapata said the taverns had no toilets and people were putting human waste in plastics of chibuku packets’ which he described as pathetic.

Mr Kapata charged that the taverns for those that were operating illegally will not be opened again.

Mr Kapata was speaking to ZANIS in a telephone interview in Lusaka today.

He said the council has also buried 86 wells and disinfected pit latrines in the same area.

He noted that the council has also distributed 950 bottles of chorine to Chipata compound to help reduce the spread of Cholera that has broken out in the area.

Nine cases have so far been reported.

Meanwhile Ministry of Health spokesperson Canius Banda has disclosed that13 cholera cases have been recorded in Chipata compound‘s Overspill and Chaisa compound in the past two weeks.

Mr Banda observed that out of the 13 patients; only 5 have undergone treatment saying so far there are no deaths recorded in these areas.

He further said 13 cases were also recorded in Kitwe’s Kapoto compound and one patient died at home before seeking medical attention.

Mr Banda however commended Zambians for embracing the Keep Zambia Health and Clean Campaign.

He has urged the general public to ensure that they get medical attention on time as the ministry has enough medication to prevent cholera outbreaks.

Mr Banda said the ministry has also embarked on spraying the affected areas and conducting health education to sensitize the public against Cholera

Mwanawasa arrives back home

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President Levy Mwanawasa has arrived back from London where he went for a routine medical check up after attending the just ended African Union Summit in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa.

The Plane carrying President Mwanasawsa who was accompanied by his wife Maureen touched down at the Lusaka International Airport at about 6.50 hours this morning.

The President was received by Vice President Rupiah Banda, MMD Party National Secretary Dr. Katele Kalumba, Lusaka Province Minister Lameck Mangani and Service Chiefs.

Others who were at hand to receive the President include cabinet ministers, deputy ministers, senior government officials and party cadres.

Before his departure for London, President Mwanawasa was among the heads of states that attended the 10th Session of the African Union (AU) Heads of States and Government Assembly in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa.

This years’ AU Summit, focused on among other issues the Kenya crisis which has resulted in the loss of a thousand lives and the need to unite the continent.

While attending the summit, the President had talks with the Indian delegation to whom he appealed for humanitarian assistance towards the mitigation of flood effects.

He also met World Bank president Robert Zoellick, Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Director General Jacques Diouf and his South Africa and Zimbabwe Counterparts President Thabo Mbeki and Robert Mugabe Respectively.

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