The Auditor General’s Office has disclosed that it has began investigations into alleged misappropriation of public resources by a construction firm, Tomorrow Investment Limited and its continued receipt of contracts from Government.

This follows President Levy Mwanawasa’s directive to the Auditor General’s Office to probe the construction company saying it had carried out shoddy works on roads in Eastern and Northern Provinces but wondered why it had continued receiving contracts from Government.

Auditor General Anna Chifungula disclosed that investigations to recover alleged misapplication of billions of moneys and culprits brought to book would be completed by Friday this week.

Ms. Chifungula told Journalists that investigations had already began with her first visit being conducted at the Road Development Agency (RDA), Zambia National Tender Board, Ministry of Works and Supply and other line departments today to establish what had transpired and those involved in awarding contracts to Tomorrow Investment.

Ms. Chifungula was answering questions from Journalists attending a two-day Public Expenditure and Accountability Media Sensitisation workshop in Lusaka today.

The Auditor General explained that a report from her office also reveals huge disparities about Tomorrow Investment misappropriating public resources especially on road rehabilitations.

Over the weekend, President Levy Mwanawasa during a public rally held at Chiutika basic school grounds in Mambwe district in Eastern province banned any further Government dealings with Tomorrow Investment Limited and a probe into the matter.

Dr. Mwanawasa’s decision follows the company’s alleged failure to complete several projects after getting Government contracts among them the rehabilitation of Chisegu/Mfuwe road amounting to K4 billion.

Meanwhile, Auditor General has challenged the media to take an active role in highlighting public expenditure and accountability to raise public awareness.

Ms. Chifungula urged Journalists to interpret financial and audit reports objectively and professionally saying doing so would deter and attract checks and balances from members of the public.

Ms. Chifungula said this in Lusaka today when she opened a two-day Public Expenditure and Accountability Media Sensitisation workshop organised by her Office.

The workshop is aimed at analysing audit and financial reports and report public expenditure.

The workshop has attracted several local Journalists from different media houses.

Meanwhile, the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) has disclosed that it will this year start auditing Councils in the country.

OAG Deputy Director in-charge of Performance Audits Aggrey Mukalasha says the decision to do so was arrived at last year during a Public Accounts Committee of Parliamentarians who made the recommendation to Parliament.

Mr. Mukalasha said this in Lusaka today at the official opening of a two-day Public Expenditure and Accountability Media sensitisation workshop organised by her Office.

Mr. Mukalasha attributed the delay in taking over the exercise by the OAG to unnecessary delays by the Ministry of Local Government and Housing to appoint auditors.

He explained that the 1992 Public Audit Act gave the Minister of Local Government and Housing powers to appoint auditors to audit local authorities but Parliament realised that moneys expended by local authorities and unretired imprest did not reflect at the time the OAG compiled annual financial and audit report to the Executive.

Mr. Mukalasha further says this made it difficult for his office to account for the funds and yet Government releases grants of subsidies to local authorities.

The workshop is aimed at analysing audit and financial reports and reporting public expenditure.

The workshop has attracted several Journalists from different media houses.

Meanwhile, Mr. Mukalasha has maintained that the OAG is one of the most independent institutions in Africa.

He explained that Auditor General, (AG) Anna Chifungula enjoys constitutional powers to audit Government line departments and as well as other private public institutions in an effort to enhance economic efficiency and effectiveness.

The Deputy Director also noted that the AG has powers vested in her to appoint an Auditor to audit the Accounting Unit of the OAG to clear public concerns and maintain transparency.

Mr. Mukalasha further assured that often times the OAG has invited Organisation of Foreign Auditor Generals in Africa (OFAGIA) to carry out auditing at the Zambian OAG.

Government has proposed to increase the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) from the current K200 million to K400 million per constituency this year in order to accelerate development.

Local government and housing minister Sylvia Masebo disclosed this at a public rally addressed by President Mwanawasa at Chiutika Basic school in Mfuwe yesterday.

She said the new deal government was not for politicking but determined to fulfil its promises.

Meanwhile, Local government and housing minister Sylvia Masebo has advised councils not to retrench workers if they do not have money to pay them their retrenchment packages.

And Ms Masebo has disclosed that government has bought 150 motor vehicles and 30 tractors for councils countrywide.

Ms Masebo said 16 out of the 150 vehicles and three tractors will be distributed to local authorities in Eastern province.

The minister disclosed this when she addressed councillors and council employees at Mambwe district council in Eastern province yesterday.

She further disclosed that government has ordered over 100 vehicles to enhance the movement of chiefs in the country.

She said the vehicles are meant to enhance the mobility of chiefs in their chiefdoms as they are key partners in the development of the country.

Ms Masebo also announced that government has released K150 million for town planning in developing districts.

She said there is need to develop districts according to laid out plans in order to avoid illegal settlements.

And Ms Masebo has attributed the poor performance of most councils in the country to poor management.

She emphasized the need for councils to employ qualified personnel if they are operate professionally and efficiently.

Ms Masebo also advised councilors to desist from politicking and instead concentrate on development.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister Ng’andu Magande said government has released K187 million for council retirees in Mambwe district.

Mr Magande also said government has released money for all retired council workers in the country.

The Finance minister advised councillors to initiate income generating activities and not to wait for government financial interventions if the district is to develop.

Mr Magande also encouraged the local people to take advantage of the booming tourism sector and venture into the hospitality business.

Meanwhile, the local authority in Mambwe district says land demarcations between chiefdoms are not clear.

Council chairman, Phaile Mbewe said this has resulted in land disputes among chiefs in the province.

He cited land disputes between chiefs Jumbe of Mambwe and Chikuwe of Chipata, Msoro of Mambwe and Mbang’ombe of Katete because of unclear demarcations.

The minister also disclosed that government has since released K150 billion to all councils in the country to enhance their service delivery to the people.

Ms. Masebo also said she was impressed with the implementation of the Keep Zambia Clean campaign by most of the districts in Eastern province with Chipata being the cleanest.

President Mwanawasa has challenged United Kingdom, UK – based MMD party presidential hopeful, Professor Clive Chirwa to start his campaign from branch level.

Dr Mwanawasa said professor Chirwa lost Zambian domicility because he has been out of the country for 20 years.

He said for Professor Chirwa to aspire for party presidency, he should pass through party regulations from branch, ward and constituency, through to district and national levels.

Dr Mwanawasa wondered how Professor Chirwa could think that people in the country are not capable of choosing a successor among themselves.

“He cannot just come from nowhere to teach us what to do. He has been in the UK for 20 years and the MMD is not the same. He has to learn all party activities from branch level,” he said.

President Mwanawasa has called on the MMD to elect corrupt-free people to leadership positions at all levels of the party.

At a public rally to wrap up his Christmas and New year holiday in Mfuwe yesterday, Dr Mwanawasa warned that he would not support any candidate who has a track record of corruption.

He said one of the major tasks he has is to ensure that he provides guidance to the nation as president of the party and the country.

The President added that he wanted a successor who would continue the fight against corruption from where he would have left in 2011.

He said the fight against corruption has restored the country’s dignity and helped Zambia reach the Highly Indebted Poor Countries Initiative Completion (HIPC) point which has resulted in Zambia’s huge debt burden being written off by international creditors.

“I direct the provincial party chairman to ensure that no corrupt person assumes party position through the back door at any level. We have achieved a lot in the past and I don’t want us to lose what we would have achieved by 2011,” he said.

Dr Mwanawasa warned the MMD against being used by selfish politicians who want to assume leadership corruptly.

Lusaka MMD provincial chairman Geoffrey Chumbwe has warned party officials and members fueling disunity and confusion among party structures in Lusaka province that they risk being suspended if they do not stop the practice.

Mr Chumbwe has also appealed to party officials in the province to respect and support elected members of parliament and councillors so that unity prevails.

He says there is need to co-exist so that the party delivers on its mandate and promises it made during elections.

Mr Chumbwe made the warning today when he officially opened a District End of Year Meeting for the MMD in Kafue held at Highway Park Lodge which was also attended by Kafue area MP Bradford Machila who is Lands Minister.

He said the party in the province is not ready to entertain officials who undermine the party leadership and just want to fuel confusion.

Mr Chumbwe told party members attending the meeting drawn from both Chilanga and Kafue constituencies, that his office is much aware that the party in Kafue district is still facing a number of problems, among them divisions where some cadres are supporting the current MP and others support their preferred candidate who was not adopted in the 2006 tripartite elections.

Mr Chumbwe wondered why members should form camps instead of concentrating on development in their constituencies and wards.

He said the party as it prepares for the 2011 elections, will flush out individuals who might be a risk to the elections.

Mr Chumbwe who was accompanied by provincial party officials and Lusaka district party officials, appealed to members to remain united and not allow personal differences to interfere in the internal matters of the party.

Mr Chumbwe said party members should also learn to respect elected MPs and councillors .
officials because they are the ones who have made it possible for them to be elected in power.

Mr Chumbwe commended both party members in Kafue and Chilanga constituencies for campaigning hard that ensured that the MMD scooped both parliamentary and local government seats in the 2006 election.

He said as the party prepares for elections it was important members reconcile and work as one.

Mr Chumbwe also admitted that the provincial leadership was partly to blame for the problems district structures are facing as it has not done enough to work with them.

He assured the delegates that the provincial leadership will strengthen the party in all the constituencies of Lusaka province so that the MMD wins election in 2011.

Speaking earlier, MMD Kafue District Chairman Goodson Sansakuwa said unity is still lacking in the party structures starting from national executive committee (NEC) to branches which might cost the party if nothing is done about it.

He said most elected MPS and those in NEC do not have regard for political structures in districts and are never respected.

Mr Sansakuwa said this has demoralized party members in districts who feel neglected and worthless.

He said as a party, it is important to start appreciating and valuing lower organs as these are the ones who campaign and do most of the work for the MMD to run government.

Mr Sansakuwa said as a party in the district, it supports republican President, Dr Levy Mwanawasa’s leadership.

He said the party is also happy with the president’s stance on banning campaigns for theparty presidency as these will just fuel confusion and divisions in the party.

The district chairman also appealed to the party to supply the district with bicycles and chitenge materials as a way of motivating members.

President Mwanawasa has removed from office Southern province minister Joseph Mulyata.

Dr Mwanawasa said in his letter to Mr Mulyata that he has no option but to remove him from office following his arrest by the Anti Corruption Commission and subsequent appearance in court on December 17th, 2007.

“I am informed that you have finally been arrested and must have appeared in court for plea on 17th December, 2007. Under the circumstances, and assuming that the Anti Corruption Commission are now serious, I regret that I have no option but remove you as Provincial Minister pending the outcome of those criminal proceedings,” President Mwanawasa said in his letter to Mr Mulyata.

This is contained in a press statement to ZANIS in Lusaka today issued by the President’s Special Assistant for Press and Public Relations John Musukuma.

Former Southern province minister Joseph Mulyata has confirmed his dismissal from office by President Mwanawasa.

Mr Mulyata has since thanked President Mwanawasa for the privilege accorded him to serve in government.

He confirmed having receoved a fax message indicating his dismissal from his position as Southern province minister.

Mr Mulyata says his conscience is clear because he did not order the release of an overloaded bus belonging to prominent Lusaka businessman Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba, popularly known as GBM, at a check point in Livingstone some time last year.

The former provincial minister who is making arrangements to vacate the ministerial house in the tourist capital, said he has since written to President Mwanawasa to thank him for affording him an opportunity to serve in government.

Mr Mulyata is alleged to have abused the authority of his office when he ordered the Road Development Agency, RDA, to release Mr Mwamba’s overloaded bus last year which matter is now in court.

Meanwhile, President Levy Mwanawasa has handed over 18 vehicles to the ministry of health in Eastern province.

Presenting the Landcruiser station wagon vehicles at a mammoth rally at Chiutika basic school in Mambwe district in Eastern province this afternoon, Dr Mwanawasa also disclosed that government will soon buy ambulances for each constituency in the country.

Dr Mwanawasa said wants to make health facilities accessible and as close to the people as possible.

The President appealed to health authorities in Eastern province to ensure that the vehicles are used for the intended purpose.

And President Mwanawasa said government has blacklisted Tomorrow Investment, a Zambian owned construction company from undertaking any government project because of a trail of shoddy performance.

Dr Mwanawasa said the government has disappointed government on various projects through poor workmanship and failure to complete projects within the stipulated timeframes.

At the same rally, health minister Brain Chituwo said government has made tremendous progress in making Zambia a measles free zone.

Dr Chituwo also revealed that Mambwe district performed the best among all the 72 districts in the country in the national malaria control programme.

The health minister said the district scored 85 per cent in the distribution of insecticide treated mosquito nets with an average of three nets per household.

The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has set February 21, 2008, as the date for the Kanyama Parliamentary by- election which fell vacant following the death of Patriotic Front (PF) member of parliament Henry Mtonga .

The ECZ has also set the same date for local government by- elections in 12 wards in seven provinces which have fallen vacant due to deaths, resignations and appointments of incumbent councillors.

ECZ Public Relations Manager Chris Akufuna said in a statement to ZANIS in Lusaka today that aspiring candidates should lodge completed and attested statutory declaration and nomination papers by 31st January between 09:00 and 15:00 hours.

Mr. Akufuna said aspiring candidates in the by-elections should lodge completed and attested statutory declaration and nomination papers subscribed before a Magistrate, Local Court Justice, head of primary school, head of secondary school, principal of college, Commissioer of Oaths, Election Officer or Returning Officer.

He said the polls will take place on Thursday, February 21 from 06:00 hours to 18:00 hours.

Aspiring candidates in both the Kanyama constituency by-election and the local government by-elections should carry along with them for the nine supporters who must be registered voters in the affected constituency and wards.

The supporters must have in their possession their green National Registration Cards, NRCs and Voters Cards.

Aspiring candidates for the parliamentary by-election will be required to pay K500,000 non refundable nomination fee while those for candidates in district councils will be required to pay K50,000.

Those in municipal councils will pay K75,000 and those in city councils will pay K100,000 non refundable nomination fees.

The affected ward around the country are Moomba in Kabwe, Central province, Chinondo in Masaiti on the Copperbelt and Mandia in Kazungula district of Southern province.

Others are Lufubu, Mbereshi, Munkombwe, Chisenga and Shabo in Luapula province.

Lilayi and Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula in Lusaka province are also earmarked for by-elections including Kalengwa and Luampa in North-Western and wester provinces respectively.

He has since advised Non Government Organization (NGO) wishing to monitor /observe the elections to apply for accreditation from ECZ.

And various political parties have confirmed their participation in the Kanyama parliamentary by-election slated for February 21st.

Ruling MMD chairman for elections Mike Mulongoti said the party will invite applications from interested people to contest the by-election following the announcement of the date.

Mr Mulongoti ruled out the automatic fielding of the previous candidate saying the party is democratic and would want people to apply for the seat.

PF Spokerperson Given Lubinda said the party would re-contest the seat though it was not in a hurry to start discussing the matter.

United Liberal Party (ULP) President Sakwiba Sikota disclosed that his party will discuss the matter during the National Executive Committee meeting to be held next week.

United Party for National Development (UPND) spokesperson Charles Kakoma said the party was in the process of identifying a possible candidate to field in the by-election.

Mr. Kakoma who is also Zambezi East Mp said the party has left the door open for any person who would want to contest the seat.

A South African contractor has been nabbed by Luanshya police for allegedly sadomising a 25 year old Zambian worker.

Copperbelt police commanding officer Antoneil Mutetwa named the suspect as Frederick Mulder Winad, a camp manager with Batman, a firm contracted to work at Muliashi open pit mine in Luanshya.

Mr. Mutentwa said Winad, aged 57, of house number 57, Ngwee avenue, was arrested on Wednesday, after he was alleged to have sadomised Emmanuel Simukonda, aged 25, of house number 408, Mikomfwa township, who was working as a driver.

He said the incident happened at Lowden Lodge on November 27, 2007 and it was reported to the police on December 27, 2007 after Simukonda who was working as a driver was fired from employment.

‘’The man is in custody, we have revoked his police bond and his passport has been confiscated after we received information that he wanted to run away,’’ said Mr. Mutentwa.

Some police sources said the victim was first given food laced with some drugs with a view of seducing him before he could be abused.

And Legal Aid, a Non Governmental Organisation for God shepherds community trust coordinator Musonda Muyembe, whose organisation had also been investigating the matter, described the situation as very unfortunate .

“The young man was allegedly sodomised when he went to ask for a job, and he was promised to be given a job only after being sodomised,” he said.

mR. Muyembe said such investors should not be allowed in the country, adding that Zambia is a Christian nation hence such practices should not be tolerated in the country.

‘’Such practices should not be allowed in our country. This man should be prosecuted,’’ he demanded.