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Government orders the Ukwimi farmers committee in Lusangazi to stop illegal land allocations

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Government orders the Ukwimi farmers committee in Lusangazi to stop illegal land allocations

The government has ordered Ukwimi Farmers Coordinating Committee in Lusangazi District to stop the illegal allocation of land.

Lusangazi District Commissioner Mike Tembo has also suspended the operations of the Farmers Coordinating Committee because of its illegal land allocation activities.

The District Commissioner has said investigations into the matter are underway by the police and a solution will be found for those people that bought land through Ukwimi Farmers Association Committee.

Mr Tembo said the decision to stop the operations of the Ukwimi Farmers Coordinating Committee was arrived at following numerous complaints his office received from members of the community in the area with regard to the alleged illegal allocation of land.

Speaking in an interview yesterday, Mr Tembo said it is suspected that the operations of Ukwimi Farmers Association in the area were illegal as it had no blessings from the Local Authority and the chiefs in the area, adding that land is vested in the President.

“We held a meeting yesterday with the Ukwimi Farmers Coordinating committee and satellite leaders after allegations surfaced that these people were illegally selling land in the area, and so I have suspended the operations of the said committee with immediate effect as you may be aware that land is vested in the Republican President,” he said.

Mr Tembo added that some forms and receipts that were issued to people by the same committee upon allocating them with land were also confiscated for further investigations.

He advised people intending to buy land in Lusangazi to desist from paying any money to any committee but follow the rightful procedure by going through the Council or chiefs.

Mr Tembo also warned people dealing in illegal land allocation that they will be prosecuted by the law.

“Anyone intending to sell land in Lusangazi illegally will be dealt with by the law because all land and we will not allow every Jim and Jack selling land,” he said.

And Chief Sandwe of the Nsenga People of Lusangazi District has supported the Government’s decision to stop the operations of the Ukwimi Farmers Association Committee because it was illegally operating in the area.

The traditional leader said the operations of the committee were disturbing farmers in the area and that he has already informed the Provincial Resettlement Office in Chipata over the matter.

“I’m in total support of the stop order that the Government has issued to that committee because their operations were illegal and were disturbing our people in Lusangazi,” he said.

Tobacco free association disappointed over delayed Tobacco Control Bill

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Tobacco free association disappointed over delayed Tobacco Control Bill

The Tobacco-Free Association of Zambia (TOFAZA) says it is disappointed with the continued delay by the government to advance the Tobacco Control Bill.

TOFAZA Executive Director Brenda Chitindi has said that the Tobacco Control Bill has been sitting with the Ministry of Health for over a decade, while Tobacco Industry Bill has been moved to the next level.

Ms Chitindi argued that this has been done despite the Tobacco Bill, Cabinet approved, being designed to only care for the success of tobacco companies, without considering the health consequences of tobacco.

She said, unlike the bill that has been forwarded to parliament, the Tobacco Control Bill is a public health bill meant to prevent deaths arising from the consumption of tobacco products.

She said this in a statement in which she also stated that the government had chosen the killer bill.

“Please take note the Tobacco Industry Bill is designed to care for the success of Tobacco Companies to succeed and kill more Zambians, beyond the current over 7,000 being killed every year,” she said.

She further argued that the Tobacco Control Bill on the other hand is a World Health Organization product to which Zambia had committed to in 2008.

“But today, the Zambian government has chosen the killer bill to be rushed through Cabinet and Parliament to which our people continue heading to the cemetery, “she said.

She noted that despite the fact that tobacco consumption kills more than 7,000 Zambians each year, it seems to be getting no attention from the government.

“For more than a decade, Zambia has struggled to domesticate the WHO’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO-FCTC), a treaty to help the population from devastating health of hazardous of tobacco products,” TOFAZA Executive Director said.

The Tobacco Control bill is an effective policy and programmatic intervention that most countries around the world have adopted to reduce the demand for tobacco products and protect their citizens from premature deaths, diseases and economic costs resulting from the use of tobacco products.

Ms Chitindi has advised that policymakers need to be well equipped with clear facts and well-founded arguments to counter the myths generated by the tobacco industry.

Last month, Cabinet approved for publication and introduction in Parliament during the current sitting the Tobacco Bill, 2022, together with other bills including the Public Debt Management Bill and the Road Traffic Amendment Bill, among others.

The Tobacco Bill aims to provide among others, the regulation and monitoring of the production, marketing, and packaging of tobacco in the country.

The proposed Bill also provides for the regulation of the import of tobacco in the country; the continued existence of the Tobacco Board of Zambia and re-define its functions and re-constitute the composition of the Board.

“Corrupt” ACC officer Siwakwi fired, Ex Acting D.G Muchula asked to exculpate himself

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“Corrupt” ACC officer Siwakwi fired, Ex Acting D.G Muchula asked to exculpate himself

The Anti-Corruption Commission has fired its senior Investigations Officer Christopher Siwakwi after an internal inquiry found him guilty of corruption.

Newly appointed ACC Director General Gilbert Phiri fired Siwakwi on Monday and also asked former Acting Director-General Silumesi Muchula to exculpate himself on allegations of corruption.

Highly placed sources at the Commission have confirmed that Siwakwi is the first victim of the cleaning process that has started at the Commission.

“Yes he is gone, he got the letter this week on Monday and his friend Silumesi was written to and asked to exculpate himself, as you know, those two were working closely and were on top of all the dirty deals that happened here,” the source said.

The new leadership at ACC has moved swiftly to deal with the corruption taint that has engulfed the Commission by setting a Directorate of Internal Investigations to ensure all its officers adhere to the highest ethical standards.

ACC Board Chairperson Musa Mwenye said during a recent Hot FM interview that the new Directorate will help carry out internal investigations of staff members because “you can’t have corrupt people fighting corruption”.

Mr Mwenye said corrupt people should not be allowed to fight corruption.

A number of individuals and organisations had raised complaints against Mr Siwakwi alleging that he is one of the most corrupt ACC officers.

Siwakwi was implicated in a leaked audio soliciting for a bride from then Infrastructure Minister Ronald Chitotela in 2019 in order to drop an investigation against Mr Chitotela.

He was also implicated in the disappearance of around US$9,000 from the ACC vault in unexplained circumstances.

He is also the same officer who is accused of having pointed a gun and threatened to shoot Amos Chanda’s wife when he went to search property as part of an investigation.

Untidy Chipolopolo Luckily Make COSAFA Cup Semifinals

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A very poor Chipolopolo Zambia laboured to the 2022 COSAFA Cup semifinal following a 5-4 post-match penalty victory over Botswana after playing out to a 1-1 full-time result at King nZwelithini Stadium in Durban.

The performance brought back memories of last year’s group stage exit at Nelson Mandela bay where Zambia exited the tournament with 1 point.

Even the manner of the 9th minute goal summarized the worrying stage of the Zambia national team that should not go without any highlighting.
A flash of fortune saw the ball hit Ricky Banda and then bounce off Botswana defender Tebogo Koelang in the 9th minute to see Zambia earn a one-halftime lead via an own-goal.

The rest of the half was  not pleasing, surely not even to the eye of coach Aljosa Asanovic who is still stuck back in Zambia because of a South African visa hitch and must have had his head in his hands pondering about what he is just dealing with even from a remote location.

Botswana meanwhile equalized in the 53rd minute through Benson Mangolo as the Zebras looked better to watch than Zambia as the game dragged on.

They almost took the lead in the 78th minute but Tlebogo Kolagano shot was parried by Mwenya Chibwe and then Talane sent the rebound onto the post.

The post also conspired against Zambia in the last minute when Enock Sakala shot came off the woodwork and saw the game settled by spot kicks.

In the shoot-outs, Ricky Banda, Kelvin Kapumbu, Luka Chamanga and Saddam Yusuf all converted Zambia’s spot kicks.

Chibwe then threw himself in the line of fire of Mangolo’s spotkick and that is how Zambia qualified to Friday’s semifinals.

Zambia await the winner of Wednesday’s quarterfinal tie between Senegal and eSwatini.

Shepolopolo Face Senegal in Semi’s Decider

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Shepolopolo Zambia coach Bruce Mwape has declared his side ready to face Senegal in Wednesday night’s Women’s Africa Cup quarterfinal match in Casablanca.

Zambia and Senegal will be seeking to storm the WAFCON semifinals and qualify to the FIFA Women’s World Cup as they clash at the Mohammed V Stadium at 19h00.

During a pre- match media briefing, Mwape said Zambia want to reach the final in Morocco.

“The team is actually ready to meet Senegal tomorrow and we have come very far up to the quarterfinals,” Mwape said.

“So our aim is to ensure that we reach the final if things go well, especially looking at the last two games we have played our girls have been working very hard,” he said.

Unbeaten Zambia reached the last eight after winning Group B while Senegal were runners up in Group A.

“We have managed to create a lot of chances in the last two games that we played. With that in mind we will be able to do well,” Mwape said.

Zambia keeper Hazel Nali said Shepolopolo are looking forward to the Senegal encounter.

“So far so good. I think the preparations are going on so well and qualifying to the quarterfinals I think that’s when the tournament is just starting.So everyone is looking forward to tomorrow’s game and we are ready as a team,” Nali said.

This is the first time the Zambia Women Team has advanced past the group stages of the WAFCON.

Mines Minister Directs ZCCM-IH to Dialogue with Vedanta outside Court on Issues Surrounding KCM

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Mines Minister Directs ZCCM-IH to Dialogue with Vedanta outside Court on Issues Surrounding KCM

Mines Minister Paul Kabuswe has directed the Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines Investment Holdings (ZCCM-IH) through its lawyers to quickly dialogue issues surrounding Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) and Vedanta mineral resources outside court.

Addressing the media in Lusaka this morning, Mr Kabuswe says the government cannot wait for January 2023 for the next court case to be dealt with as this requires urgent attention.

Mr Kabuswe said the government is interested in dialogue so that matters surrounding Vedanta are resolved before next year and progress must be made as to whether Vedanta is exiting or staying in order to calm the public and avoid speculation.

Mr Kabuswe has reiterated that to significantly contribute to the treasury the ministry will ensure the mines act is looked at effectively to suit the current vision of the country.

There is currently debate in the country with some stakeholders pushing for the return of Vedanta at KCM while others remain critical of the investor who was ousted by the former regime for failing to honour its contractual and statutory obligations.

Meanwhile, Vedanta has said that they have set aside US$220 million to dismantle outstanding debt to small and medium contractors in a bid to reduce liabilities and aid the growth of businesses, adding that the company remain committed to offsetting the liabilities.

Vedanta Resources reiterated its position that it remains resolute in playing a part in revitalizing Zambia’s economy in mine development of KCM, serving the community and workforce in a more responsible manner through a structured programme and through an independent trust to empower the youth and women among others.

“We successfully operated KCM for 15 years and invested $ 3 billion which included $1.3 billion in sustaining CAPEX and $1.7 billion into project CAPEX.
This investment was funded through cash generated from KCM operations and $1.5 billion by way of a Vedanta shareholder loan to KCM and further makes a commitment to investing $1 Billion in KCM growth strategies that will include exploration and mine development, processing, and value addition to copper using both upstream and downstream linkages,” the Vedanta statement concluded.

Government urged to allow planned protests at the African Union (AU) summit

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Government urged to allow planned protests at the African Union (AU) summit

Human Rights Expert Macdonald Chipenzi is urging the government to allow planned protests at the African Union (AU) summit which takes place this week in Lusaka.

Mr Chipenzi says peaceful protests, demonstrations and picketing must be allowed because they are part of the democratic process and no one should block, deny and stop anyone who wants to demonstrate, protest or picket at the au summit although he is urging those who want to protest to notify the Zambia police.

He has urged the police to, therefore, permit, approve and escort those who want to protest against anything ahead, during and after the au summit and has implored the police to ensure the protests are peaceful.

Mr Chipenzi is of the view that allowing protests, demonstrations or picketing at the au summit will send a good signal about Zambia’s newly restored freedoms by citizens to other African countries that do not allow their citizens to express themselves through demonstrations, protests or picketing.

Yesterday, Home Affairs Minister Jack Mwiimbu warned anyone who will be found disturbing the smooth flow of the AU meeting saying the government is aware that there are some unscrupulous individuals and their supporters that want to take advantage of the AU conference to carry out illegalities.

Mr Mwiimbu warned that anyone who will be found disturbing the smooth flow of the 4th African Union mid-year coordination meeting will be dealt with.

Mr Mwiimbu said that it is important that differences are put aside as the country hosts the summit and can later be handled after the AU meeting is done.

He has since appealed to anyone who is thinking of creating anarchy to desist from doing so. Mr Mwiimbu has also encouraged the public to be courteous to the visiting countries that will be coming through for the summit.

Government’s decision to ambush mobile money operators is unfair and in bad faith, they are legitimate businesses

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Government’s decision to ambush mobile money operators is unfair and in bad faith, they are legitimate businesses

By Sean Tembo – PeP President

Mobile money booths are legitimate businesses that pay council levies as well as contribute tax to ZRA through excise duty and income tax. Mobile money booth owners are bonafide citizens of Zambia who are entitled to the protections of the Constitution and other laws of the land. Mobile money booths have conducted their businesses uninterrupted across the country for more than 20 years now;

If the current Government has decided on a change in policy and did not want Mobile money booth operators to operate along the streets, as indicated by the Local Government Minister, the Mobile Money Booth operators deserved to be given adequate notice of not less than 6 months so that they can adjust their businesses accordingly.

The key issue here is not how legitimate or not the reasons advanced by Government for removing mobile money booth operators are, but rather the failure by Government to give these people any notice. The government’s decision to ambush mobile money operators is unfair and in bad faith and is aimed at disrupting and possibly killing the legal businesses of mobile money operators. This will add to the already high unemployment and poverty levels across the country.

As bonafide citizens of the Republic of Zambia who conduct a legal business which contributes to the tax pool of the nation, mobile money operators are entitled to fair treatment by Government, but they have received none in this instance. There is no question that Government is more powerful than the mobile money operators since it controls the police and the armed forces, however, it is wrong for Government to abuse its powerful position to abuse the rights of a particular grouping of its citizens. As Head of State, President Hakainde Hichilema is accountable for the actions of his Ministers and the current abuse of Mobile money operators should be put squarely on his head.

It is also evident here that President Hakainde Hichilema’s Government has double standards and treats poor and vulnerable citizens like mobile money operators more harshly compared to rich citizens such as those who have built mansions in forest 27. President Hakainde Hichilema only uses poor people to amaze votes during elections, otherwise, he is repulsed by their sight. It is foolish for the poor people of Zambia to continue aligning themselves, supporting and voting for this rich man who has no heart for them.

A man who sees people’s source of livelihood as dirt. A man who believes that poor people deserve no notice. A man who is embarrassed by the sight of poor citizens, and instead of helping them, decides to get rid of them instead. A man who ascended to the highest office of the land through the support and votes of poor people, but has since abandoned and betrayed them. A double-faced man who preaches one thing and does the exact opposite

Indeed, a Government which mistreats its poor and vulnerable citizens is a cruel Government which must be voted out at the earliest opportunity. Given his evident cruelty, Hakainde Hichilema does not deserve to be given another term in office by the citizens of this nation, most of whom are poor and vulnerable.

You cannot treat Zambians the same way you treat your cattle sir.

UPND will deliver all its promises-Haimbe

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UPND will deliver all its promises-Haimbe

Minister of Justice Mulambo Haimbe says the United Party for National Development (UPND) government will deliver all the promises it made to the people of Zambia.

Mr Haimbe who is also Lusaka Central Member of parliament has called on stakeholders and faith based organizations to come on board and supplement the government improving the welfare of the less privileged in the society.

Mr. Haimbe was speaking when the Muslim social welfare trust in collaboration with a German faith based organization Hasene donated an assortment of food items to Lusaka central constituency in Lusaka today.

He said it is just right that humanity is shown to everyone regardless of their race, ethnic group and nationality.

‘’We believe that giving is part of humanity not putting in mind one’s background, ’’ said Mr. Haimbe .

Vice Chairperson of the trust ,Haroon Zulu said the society thought of helping the less privileged in Lusaka constituency.

And acting sister in charge at bauleni health facility Jennifer Sindano expressed gratitude for the gesture from the two faith based organizations.

The two organizations donated 50kg of beef and 5 bags of mealie meal at the bauleni clinic and 100 packs of beef to kabulonga ward 19 in the state lodge area.

After my wife, they are coming for me, they can lift my immunity but I am ready for them, Lungu

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After my wife, they are coming for me, they can lift my immunity but I am ready for them, Lungu

Former President Edgar Lungu says he is ready to give up his immunity from prosecution so that he can be investigated to clear his name.

The former head of state was reacting to the ongoing investigation of members of the First Family including daughter Tasila, son Dalitso and wife Esther Lungu.

Speaking at his residence in Lusaka, where Patriotic Front Members of Parliament went to give solidarity to Former First Lady Esther Lungu who was supposed to appear before the Drug Enforcement Commission, Mr. Lungu stated that it was a shame that his family was being harassed.

“We know the sequence, after my wife, they are coming for me but I am ready. Even now, they can lift my immunity and we can go to court and answer their questions, Mr Lungu said.

Last week, DEC announced that it had taken possession of 15 flats in Lusaka’s State Lodge area belonging to a person by the name of Esther Nyawa Tembo, suspected to be proceeds of crime.

And Mr. Lungu says he did well to give power to the other ‘guy’ so that people can see and compare leadership.

He said many people had told him to resist handing over power because of low quality Leadership aimed at prosecuting others.

Mr. Lungu says people of Zambia can now compare between his leadership and those he handed over power to.

He said the ‘other guy’ cheated his way to State House.

In an apparent reference to President Hakainde Hichilema, Mr. Lungu said some guy in the United Kingdom lied his way into power, in a subtle reference to UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

“I am sure you know Bojo, the UK Prime Minister (Boris Johnson), the guy lied and he is now in problems.”

And Mr Lungu has advised Patriotic Front (PF) members to keep struggling in the midst of being persecuted as struggle defines for better days to come.

“Let me tell you that the essence of life is struggle, when you stop struggling, you are gone So even in opposition, we should struggle and make sure our rights are enjoyed,” Mr. Lungu has said.

Meanwhile, the former first lady Esther Lungu has said that there is light at the end of the tunnel, advising those undergoing persecution to keep putting God first.

Mrs Lungu encouraged others going through difficult times to stay strong amidst persecution.

“Passing through such difficult times needs for you to have a should to lean on. Only God will vindicate us as he knows what is inside and out. There is indeed light at the end of the tunnel,” she said.

ZCS reinstates three officers retired in national interest

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ZCS reinstates three officers retired in national interest

The Zambia Correctional Service (ZCS) Commission has reinstated three officers who were unfairly retired in national interest.

ZCS Commission Chairperson Evalisto Kalonga disclosed that the officers who include Patrick Ngonga and Dennis Mbewe from Lusaka province and Kelvin Nshane from Copperbelt will rejoin the public service effective August 1st 2022.

Mr Kalonga said this when he called on Copperbelt Minister Elisha Matambo at his office.

Mr Kalonga is on a 10 day working visit on the Copperbelt to check on correctional facilities as well check on the welfare of inmates.

“I have managed to tour Chondwe Correctional facility and I am impressed that most facilities on the Copperbelt are able to produce enough food for consumption,” he said.

 Mr Matambo said inmates have the right to live in a clean environment and thus commended the ZCS chairperson for working towards improving the living standards of inmates.

And Copperbelt Province Permanent secretary Augustine Kasongo suggested that the Commission should find ways of motivating officers who have worked in the same positions for many years.

‘Notorious’ gold scammer deported to Zambia

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‘Notorious’ gold scammer deported to Zambia

Kenya has deported a Zambian national that police described as a notorious gold scammer who operated an international syndicate of fraudsters in Nairobi.

Mr Bupe Chipando, aka Elena, was deported following his arrest by transnational and organised crimes detectives after he defrauded a Dutch national of over Sh170 million in a fake-gold deal.

Mr Chipando was also previously linked to the printing of counterfeit currency.

Last year, his firm Alinani Precious Metals (APM) had announced plans to build a Sh1 billion gold processing plant on Mombasa Road in Nairobi at a cost of Sh1 billion targeting artisanal miners.

Mr. Chipando who is APM Chief Executive said at the time that the gold refinery project, whose construction was to start in early September, will offer miners the means to extract value from their own mineral wealth rather than just exporting raw commodities

He was ejected some minutes before midnight after Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i issued the deportation orders.

This was not the first arrest of fake-gold scammers who had defrauded foreigners.

In January, a Congolese man who had reportedly been on the run for four years was charged with defrauding a Ukrainian and a Japanese national of more than Sh680 million in a fake-gold deal.

The illicit trade is mainly concentrated in Nairobi’s high-end estates.

In a well-coordinated and orchestrated scheme, the fraudsters reside in expensive apartments that are guarded round the clock.

“It is in these upmarket establishments where they perfected the art of international organised gold scam fraud by luring unsuspecting genuine investors from across the world to part with millions of money in exchange for fake gold,” the DCI said in a statement.

In September 2017, the Mining minister gave people involved in the fake gold trade an ultimatum, warning that the government would deal with them ruthlessly.

This is after it emerged that rogue mineral dealers were issuing certificates purportedly issued by the Ministry of Mining to show that their gold, which is mostly fake, had been tested and graded.

The fraud, the ministry said, was being committed by persons with huge quantities of gold available at discounted prices.

Their victims were unsuspecting Kenyans and foreign nationals.

The criminals use false mineral dealers’ licences, export permits and reports purported to have been issued by the ministry.

Other common fraud cases involve demands for hefty upfront payments to facilitate the processing of export documents with relevant authorities, after which no export is done or the consignment turns out to be fake gold.

But the government is yet to follow through and punish the real masterminds, some of them politicians.

We are not investigating Mr. James Ndambo-DEC

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We are not investigating Mr. James Ndambo-DEC

The Drug Enforcement Commission has dismissed reports that it is investigating Zambian, but South African multinational businessman James Ndambo for any crime. DEC Director General Mary Chirwa has said that none of the high-value vehicles that the commission is investigating are connected to either Mr. Ndambo or My Home Town Organisation.

She explained that the Commission received information on 8th July 2022 of high-value vehicles parked in a yard in Lusaka. They included a Lexus, Mercedes Benz, BMW, Range Rover, two Toyota Landcruisers and a Toyota Hiace.

She adds that the vehicles were seized to verify ownership, details which the commission has obtained and indicated that one of the owners is a company.

“The Commission has established the names in which these motor vehicles are registered of which one is a company and Mr. Ndambo is not a Director or Shareholder. None of the motor vehicles is registered in the names of James Ndambo or “My Home Town” as alleged by social media, she said.

“As a Commission, we, therefore, wish to dismiss media reports that we are investigating the South African businessman in connection with those vehicles or indeed anything else. If, however, Mr Ndambo claims that the said motor vehicles are his, we shall still record the necessary statements for us to conclude the matter professionally, ” she added

Below is the full DEC statement

PRESS STATEMENT
Lusaka, Tuesday, 12 July 2022

UPDATE ON INVESTIGATIONS BEING CONDUCTED INVOLVING THE FORMER FIRST LADY AND THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE MY HOME TOWN COMMITTEE

The nation is aware that the Financial Intelligence Centre recently published its trends analysis report which was themed “Cash Bonanza”. According to the report, the year 2021 was characterized by people being found with a lot of money which was sitting outside the established financial systems in the country. This led to cash purchases of high value properties such as real estate, motor vehicles and other items, without any proper trail of how the items were acquired and where the money came from.

This is not a trend only in Zambia but globally, and as financial investigators, our duty is to investigate whatever information comes to us whether directly or indirectly to its logical conclusion. In this regard investigations are done backwards from asset to owner to source as apposed from illegal activity to perpetrator to asset.

Investigations are not targeted at any particular individual. Investigations can be instituted on a high value property which then leads us to the owner. It must also be noted that seizure/restriction of property is part of the investigations. While investigators are verifying other facts, the property in question needs to be restricted/seized so that it is not disposed off by the suspect.

The law is blind as you are aware and does not choose status, colour, religion nor gender. It’s equally applied to all citizens.

No one is immune to investigations, no one. Only the former President and the sitting President are immune to prosecution.

With that said; allow me to specifically update the nation on the two investigations that Drug Enforcement Commission is handling that have rocked the social media space.

1. Regarding the case involving the former First Lady, Mrs. Esther Nyawa Tembo Lungu, the investigations started with an intelligence report of 15 flats having been abandoned in State Lodge Area. After initial verifications with Ministry of Lands, it showed that the property number was not captured in the system. Further verification with Chongwe Council revealed that the property was sitting on a property No. F/11031 which number was given back to Ministry of Lands to verify who confirmed that, that property number was on offer to a Mr. Benard Chituta and that it was a farm based in Kasama.

Further investigations with the daughter to Mr. Chituta revealed that her father had no property in State Lodge. This lead to us as DEC to pounce on the flats as they had been abandoned at which point my team was then able to verify that the property was for a Mrs. Esther Nyawa Tembo through a Zesco prepaid meter number. At this point the Commission did not know which Esther Nyawa Tembo this was. Thereafter, following the media publication, the Lawyer to the former First Lady made a claim that the said flats were for the former First Lady.

We then invited her to come for an interview on Thursday, 7th July 2022, a date which the lawyers wrote informing us that it was not convenient for them. They proposed today, 12th July 2022 at 10:00hrs which was also not convenient for us. As you are aware, the country is hosting the AU summit and following social media reports that some sections of society would want to raid the Commission on this day. The interview has been postponed to a later date and we want to mention as DEC that we have a lot of respect for the former First Lady as the mother of the nation, and in this regard we would be comfortable to interview her from wherever she will be comfortable. All we want is to establish facts and bring this matter to a logical conclusion. It is unfortunate that the properties we are investigating have lead us to her. (Am sure no one wants to be in my position right now – nevertheless we have to do a professional job.

As the Commission, we responded to the lawyers informing them of our unavailability to attend to the matter today and instead we pushed the date forward. The nation shall be informed once the matter is concluded.

2. On Friday, 8th July 2022, the Drug Enforcement Commission received information about some high value vehicles which were parked in a yard in Lusaka. These vehicles included a Lexus, Mercedes Benz, BMW, Range Rover, two (2) Toyota Land cruisers and a Toyota Hiace , We then conducted an operation in which the said motor vehicles were seized and verifications of their ownership details immediately commenced. So far, the Commission has established the names in which these motor vehicles are registered of which one is a company and Mr. Ndambo is not a Director or Shareholder. None of the motor vehicles is registered in the names of James Ndambo or “My Home Town” as alleged by social media.

As a Commission, we therefore wish to dismiss media reports that we are investigating the South African businessman in connection with those vehicles or indeed anything else. If, however, Mr Ndambo claims that the said motor vehicles are his, we shall still record the necessary statements for us to conclude the matter professionally.

Allow me to emphasize that the law is blind to colour, race and status and for us as DEC, our work is driven by the intelligence information received with no malice at all.

The Commission wishes to assure the general public that we are not playing politics but are merely executing our mandate professionally without fear or favour.

I thank you.

Mary Chirwa
DIRECTOR GENERAL
DRUG ENFORCEMENT COMMISSION

MP incensed by the Procurement of Desk from a Supplier outside His constituency using CDF

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MP incensed by the Procurement of Desk from a Supplier outside His constituency using CDF

Kitwe’s Patriotic Front (PF) Chimwemwe Member of Parliament Allen Banda is shocked that a company from outside the Constituency has been allowed to supply school desks using Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

Mr Banda on Monday handed over 150 desks to Kapoto School in Chimwemwe’s Kamatipa Ward which were procured using the Constituency Development Funds (CDF).

The Chimwemwe MP said he was concerned that the desks were not sourced or procured locally as per CDF guidelines that seek to empower local entrepreneurs in the constituency.

The New Dawn government especially President Hichilema Hichilema has been insisting that local people within a constituency should be prioritised when it comes to the utilisation of CDF.

Mr Banda said he was concerned that the 150 desks were not locally made but instead were sourced and procured from some hardware shop in the Kitwe Town Centre without the involvement of local suppliers or contractors.

The Lawmaker said he expected the desks to be made by the people of Chimwemwe Constituency because that was the focal point for the new CDF guidelines which are aimed at empowering the locals.

Mr Banda said as Member of Parliament he has a duty to ensure that CDF money remains in Chimwemwe to empower the people who have formed companies and cooperatives.

He urged members of the community in Chimwemwe to form cooperatives and start benefiting from the increased CDF allocation countrywide.

“As Chimwemwe Member of Parliament I will ensure that the people of Chimwemwe are the ones benefitting from the Constituency Development Funds for Chimwemwe. Fellow Chimwemwe Residents, yesterday (Monday) we handed over 150 desks to Kapoto School in Chimwemwe’s Kamatipa Ward which were procured using the Constituency Development Funds (CDF).As area Member of Parliament, I was however, concerned that the desks were not sourced or procured locally as per guidelines that seek to empower local enterprenures in the constituency,” Mr. Banda said.

“I am deeply concerned that the 150 desks were not locally made but instead were sourced and procured from some hardware in town without the involvement of local suppliers and contaractors.We expected the desks to be made by the people of Chimwemwe Constituency because that was the focal point for the new CDF guidelines which are aimed at empowering the locals.My job as area Member of Parliament is to ensure that CDF money remains in Chimwemwe to empower the people who have formed companies and cooperatives within the area,” he stated.

Mr. Banda pledged to engage Kitwe City Council to ensure non Chimwemwe businesses always partner with local business so that local people can also benefit from CDF.

“We also continue to urge members of the community to form coperatives and start benefiting from the increased CDF countrywide.We will also engage the local authority to ensure non Chimwemwe businesses always partner with local business so that they can also benefit from CDF.I am also urging all the residents of Chimwemwe to get involved in the administration of CDF by submitting your areas of need to your zonal leaders onward submission to WDCs,” Mr. Banda said.

There has been increased public interest in the disbursing, utilization and management of CDF after the New Dawn Government increased the allocation to K 25.7 million per constituency.

CLARION CALL: Fred M’membe calls on People to Join Booths Removal Protest

Chief Editor
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CLARION CALL: Fred M’membe calls on People to Join Booths Removal Protest

By Fred M’membe President of the Socialist Party

How can they remove mobile money booths in Lusaka without giving notice to their owners?

And these are small business people from whom levies used to be collected! Booths which were acquired at a cost of not less than K7,000 are being taken away without compensation! How are these poor and struggling people going to survive?

The Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Gary Nkombo, says the removal of mobile money booths in the Central Business District has been done to bring sanity and not because of the African Union summit as insinuated. Clearly, what we have today as political leaders of our country are heartless people displaying a complete lack of feeling or consideration. These are cruel people wilfully causing pain or suffering to others, or feeling no concern about it.

Good leaders must be interested in the welfare of those in distress. We must expect them to be concerned with the increasing gap between those who have and those who do not have. We expect them to feel the distress of many who have a big problem about the cost of goods, medicine, with the tragedy of unemployment, of youth, of serious problems with transport, public and personal security, and many other important concerns where we are all involved. We need people of courage who will defend the truth and demand justice for the poor and others struggling to make ends meet.

Virtue must be nourished but vice springs up spontaneously like weeds and grows by itself. We must bear that in mind. If we do otherwise, while nourishing virtue we are simultaneously paving way for vice. That is a reality and we mustn’t lose sight of it.

We support the decision of the Socialist Youth League to closely work with the owners of the mobile money booths and protest at the International Conference Centre. This protest deserves the support all us. We make a clarion call to all of you to join this protest.

Let’s not forget that this country will not be a good place for any of us to live in unless it’s a good place for all of us to live in.

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