Government has cautioned students at higher learning institutions against riotous behaviour which causes unnecessary disruptions and delays in study programs.

Science, Technology and Vocational Training Minister Peter Daka was speaking at the second graduation ceremony at Ukwimi Trades Training institute in Petauke district today.

Mr. Daka who is also Msanzala Member of Parliament said the recent riotous behaviour erxhibited by some students in some learning institutions in the country robbed government of much needed human resources.

He added that such a habit applied only to the laws of the jungle.

Meanwhile, the Minister commended 24 students who graduated with craft certificates in various vocational courses for successfully completing the courses other than concentrating on pulling government efforts down.

He advised students to desiset from blindly following politicians who incite students to rise against government in institutioins of higher learning as both government and guardians are spending a lot of money in educating them.

The minister further said studeants who are busy playing fond boycotts and strikes instead aof studying will be expelled.

And speaking at the same functioin, Ukwimi Trades Training Institute Principal, Shadreck Mapiki said since the opening of the college in 1996 the number of students has increased hence the need to finish the new structures at the Petauke boma campus to accommodate more students.

Mr. Mapiki said cosntruction works at the new campus has taken too long because of limited resources pumped towards the same project.

He has since appealed to government to send more money to the contractors to have the buildings completed on time.

The National Youth Progressive Movement (NYPM) has welcomed the retirement of former Information and Broadcasting Services minister, Vernon Mwaanga from active politics.

Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today, NYPM Spokesperson Nathan Banda urged other veteran politians to emulate Mr Mwaanga.

Mr Banda said old politicians should retire to leave room to upcoming and vibrant young politicans to take politics.

He said youths in the country were ready to take up the various challenges of leadership by promoting national unity through respect of democratic principles and youth rights.

He said this would contribute to the social – economic development at all levels and create gainful employment to the youths.

Mr Mwaanga, who is the only politician to have served in the three admministrations of Dr Kenneth Kaunda, Dr Frederick Chiluba and the current Presidednt Dr Levy Mwanawasa’s governmewnt, publicly announced his retirement from active politics yesterday.

Mr Mwaanga however said he was still in the ruling MMD adding that he was ready to play any advisory role in the party he helped found.

He called on youths in the country to take advantage of the available educationh and training opportunities.

“: We have to rise up to the occassion and make meaningful contribution to the development of our nation. We should not accept to be called future leaders as we are leaders of today not tomorrow, ” he said.

The Ndola Magistrate Courts this morning heard that findings of the medical examinations carried out on the juvenile alleged to have been raped by MMD Copperbelt Provincial Chairman Terence Findley, were inconsistent.

Appearing before Ndola Principal Resident Magistrate Chilombo Phiri, Dr Adolphus Obi, the Acting head of Obstetrics and Gynaecology department at Ndola Central Hospital, said findings on tests carried out on the juvenile were not conclusive.

During cross-examination in the continued hearing of the case, Dr Obi who did not personally examine the juvenile explained that the victim had no bruises and no injuries on her.

“From the findings it is very inconclusive for the charge of rape because there were no bruises and no form of injuries were found,” he said.

But the Doctor confirmed that the victim had scars on her left hand and buttocks.

The defence team is lead by Eric Silwamba, Paulman Chungu and Lawrence Matibini.

Meanwhile, the Ndola Magistrate Court grounds had a heavy presence of police officers in uniform and plain clothes as MMD cadres chanting party slogans had come to show solidarity to their party chairman.

Hearing continues this afternoon.

Police in London have recovered 79, 000 British pounds in an account of an Ethiopian national believed to be plundered resources for the Zambia government.

Task Force on Corrption was informed by Swindon police about a money transfer transaction made into the account of the Ethiopian national in suspicious circumstances.

Task Force on Corruption spokesperson Victor Makayi who confirmed the development in a statement today said the British police have since obtained a court order freezing the suspects (Ethiopian national) bank account and took him for questioning.

According to Mr. Makayi, the suspect told the police that thge money was not his, but that he had allowed the Canadian Bank Note Company (CBNC) to transfer into his account monies which they claimed was owing to Mr. Faustin Kabwe.

Mr. Kabwe was engaged by CBNC as their Zambian representative through a consultancy agreement with the Bank of Zambia in 1999.

The Task Force on Corruption believes that the transaction was an attempt by Mr. Kabwe to hide the moeny from the effect of the World Wide Freezing court order which is enforceable on him.

The freezing order does not allow Mr. Kabwe to receive monies without disclosure to the London court.

Mr. Makayi said following instructions from the Task Force on Corruption, the lawyers in London contacted Barclays Bank Swindon and served upon them the original world freezing order thereby putting them on notice of Mr. Kabwe’s status.

He said the Bank has since confirmed to the lawyers that the monies will remain frozen pursuant to the post judgement freezing order and that they will comply with any court order the lawyers will obtain.

Recently, the lawyers in London engaged by the Task Force, have obtained from the account holders (Ethiopian man) solicitors, a signed declaration, confirming that he has no interest in the funds in his account.

Furthermore, a letter has been obtained from the Canadian Bank Note Company, confirming that the funds they paid the account holders account, were payable by them to Mr. Kabwe in respect of commission due to him and that they have no interest in the money.

Mr. Kabwe has made an appeal an application in London for leave to appeal against the London judgement and the last indication on timing from Court of Appeal was that all applications would be reviewed by a single Lord Justice of Appeal during the course of this month.

Therefore, as matters currently stand, the monies are frozen by the bank, pursuant to the post judgement freezing order and the evidence the Task Force has supplied to them of Mr. Kabwe’s ownership of the funds.

If Mr. Kabwe’s application for leave of appeal is dismissed the Task Force will seek through its lawyers, an order paying the funds to the Attorney General of Zambia in accordance with the judgement.

Various individuals and industrial electricity consumers have asked the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) to reject the proposed electricity tariff increase by the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation ( ZESCO).

ZESCO has proposed electricity tariff increment of between 40-45% for domestic users and 70-75% for the industrial sector.

Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) first vice president, Jervis Zimba said at a public hearing on the ZESCO tariff review in Lusaka today that the proposed increment for the industrial sector is too high as it will have a direct impact on production costs and prices of items in the basket of goods that are monitored for inflationary trends.

Mr Zimba noted that if the cost structure of the Zambian producers becomes unfavourable, this will adversely affect food balance and will undermine the country’s position as the potential food basket of the region.

He observed that there is need to ensure that the cost of power to productive sectors of the economy remains as low as possible in order to derive full benefits from Zambia’s natural comparative advantage in agriculture.

Mr Zimba said that the proposed tariffs should be reversed with 40-45% being for the most productive sectors and 70-75% for non productive sectors.

Mr Zimba charged that the final increase in ZESCO tariffs that will be agreed upon should translate into improved funding for maintenance works at the local level so that the supply of electricity can become more reliable than the current situation.

He appealed to ZESCO to also publicise information on how much the mining sector are contributing in their current electricity tariffs.

Mr Zimba said electricity consumers need the assurance of ZESCO that the mining sector is paying its fair share of the costs of expansion.

And the Zambia Association of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ZACCI) Executive Director, Justine Chisulo said the proposed tariff increment by ZESCO was too high and too sudden.

Mr Chisulo said that in as much as it supports tariff adjustments, the proposed electricity increments by the power company was unjustified as the cost of doing business will skyrocket.

He advised that ZESCO should among other things try to recover over K300 billion it is owed by various Government agencies adding that even salaries and gratuity it gives to its contract employees should be reduced for the company to manage its operational costs.

Speaking earlier, ERB Chairperson Sikota Wina said that it is the Board’s objective to ensure that quality energy services are provided at reasonable prices.

Mr Wina noted that since its inception it has dealt with more than 10 tariff reviews for ZESCO.

He noted that this year’s review has been most comprehensive adding that it attracted 60 submissions and more stakeholders than before.

Mr Wina further noted that the review has come at a wake of a looming power deficit both in Zambia and in the entire Southern African Region.