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A Zombie in State House?

May---7--Fr. Frank Bwalya, the man of God who in quite bizarre circumstances cut a chicken’s head off at a Patriotic Front, PF, rally in the run-up to the September 2011 elections has really gotten his voice back.
Since resigning as board chairman of the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation, ZESCO, Fr. Bwalya has made himself available to several media houses in Zambia and abroad on his way forward. But his availability on Radio Pheonix’s “Let the people talk” on Friday May 3, 2013 may have sent some chills in some people’s spines when he said, “President Michael Sata died a long time ago, we buried him a long time ago and he is in Heaven.” He emphasised, “That is not the Sata we put in State House.” Listening to these particular words over and over again makes one suspect that this controversial Roman Catholic priest may be privy to what the rest of Zambia and the world at large do not know. What did Fr. Bwalya mean by all this as surely this was not careless talk at all?
Ever since the PF, which he supported all this while, assumed the reigns of power on September 23, 2011 there has been some serious talk about all sorts of evil doings and connections pointing to satanism and the occult in the top leadership of the ruling party. Some comments on one social network accuse the PF of all sorts of evil things from road traffic accidents not being normal to gruesome murders of people being sacrifices. Now assuming these accusations were true could it also be true that if President Michael Sata died a long time ago then the one in State House is a zombie?  Is it what Fr. Bwalya is so confidently communicating to us? When he says President Sata is being held hostage by a clique does he actually confirm that our president is a zombie as his earthly being is no more?
This Catholic priest must explain what he knows about the occult especo we ially that we are told that various secret societies exist right in our midst and that it is not just about the witchcraft we know about in Zambia. We are told of how people have testified of belonging to the underworld and selling their lives to a somewhat higher authority to achieve wealth, glory or power for a short while. Fr. Bwalya must also explain the gruesome act of killing a chicken in full view of a multitude of people and sprinkling its blood all over, an act widely condemned then and continues to be condemned today.
What is good however is that Fr. Bwalya has finally woken up to the truth and God has opened his eyes to the deceit of Mr. Sata as a person and the PF as a party. But do we have a zombie in State House?

SA govt to summon Zambian High Commission over insulting remarks by Guy Scott

A  diplomatic row has finally erupted between two otherwise known friendly governments of Zambia and South African government as the South African government has officially decided to summon the Zambian High Commission in that country over the negative remarks by the PF government attributed to Vice-President Guy Scott.
In a brief media statement today, South African government spokesperson Mr Clayson Monyela said in view of the Zambian government statement by Guy Scott, the South African Government has decided to take the matter up through the appropriate diplomatic channels.
“Accordingly, we shall  be summoning the High Commission of Zambia to South Africa to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation to seek an explanation behind the remarks and what it means in the context of our bilateral relations,” read the statement released today to the South African media.
The Zambian government that is already facing international isolation from other countries over some reckless conduct including human rights record described the South African people as backward and Zimbabwean president as  ”a funny chap who seems to doze off and then suddenly laughs at a joke while in the middle of dozing, and very articulate, without a note, without a scrap of anything”.
Scott, perhaps the only white person to hold such as senior position in any African government also scoffed at the inclusion of South Africa in the Brics grouping of emerging economies.
“They think in Brics that the ‘s’ actually stands for South Africa whereas it stands for Africa. Nobody would want to go in for a partnership with Brazil, China, India and South Africa for Christ’s sake.
“I dislike South Africa for the same reason that Latin Americans dislike the United States, I think. It’s just too big and too unsubtle,” he told the highly influential UK’s Guardian newspaper.
But the reckless remarks by the PF’s Zambian senior government official did not go well with other responsible governments in the region who have decided to summon the Zambia High Commission in South Africa over the insults.
Last week, the Post newspaper’s PF aligned media organisation run various condemnation statements over the statement allegedly issued by UPND president Hakainde Hichilema who was accused of having described Guy Scott as the “most stupid white man” in Zambia.
Scott has so far survived disparaging remarks on the Zambian people when he described them as thieves and corrupt.
Last month, the same PF’s Post newspaper was tipped by the Zambian government intelligence sources about the impending visit by former president Rupiah Banda to the South African High Commission in Zambia and run several insulting stories about that government and its president Jacob Zuma.
And in the continued souring relations with other governments, President Michael Sata himself literally insulted the Botswana government and its people during his visit to that country last year.

Lusaka residents reject proposed Zesco tariffs increment
Lusaka, April 30, ZANIS---LUSUKA residents have also rejected proposal increment of Zesco tariffs to emulate the residents of Kitwe and Livingstone.
 Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) vice chairperson Evelyn Nguleka opposed the proposed tariff hiking saying the move will among other things push the inflation of the country. 
Dr Nguleka said farmers were the biggest users of electricity and an increase in their cost of production will be passed on to the ordinary Zambians. 
She said if approved, the electricity tariff increase will also hamper the capacity of the agriculture sector as most farmers will not be able to export their produce. 
Dr Nguleka has since challenged the toothless Energy Regulation Board (ERB) to consider the application with utmost caution and should thoroughly investigate the issues advanced by the utility company.
She advised Zesco to give farmers subsidies in the same manner it was providing to mines which she said have less direct impact on the ordinary Zambian. 
Meanwhile, a clergyman from the Living Hope Pentecostal Assemblies of God Church Harold Gondwe said Zesco should consider the average salaries of Zambians before proposing tariff increments.
Reverend Gondwe said priority should be shifted from interests of high earners and big companies in the country to ordinary individuals who stand to face the full effects of the adjustment. 
Others who made oral submissions on the proposed 26 percent electricity tariff increase are ELCO Contractors, the Zambia Association of Manufacturers, the Zambia Institute for Policy Analysis and Research (ZIPAR), Richard Kabwebwe, Nelson Mushota and David Sikazwe.
And in defence Zesco Managing Director Cyprian Chitundu said Zambia risks failing to meet her vision of being a middle income country by 2030 if electricity tariffs are not adjusted.
Mr Chitundu said the demand for electricity will rise to about 2,389 mega watts (MW) by 2015 thereby creating a deficit of about 540 mega watts if the tariffs were not hiked. 
He said without a tariff increase, there will be more load shedding, unreliable supply, restricted investment and derailment of development projects in the country.
He retaliated  that the quantity of electricity in the country was not sufficient to meet the demand noting that there was currently a shortfall of 165 mega watts between 18:00hrs and 20:00hrs.
Mr Chitundu said the current domestic peak hour demand doesn't meet the capacity because the country has changed a lot economically since the time of independence.
He said the solution to the electricity shortage would lay in the company’s plans to construct more power stations through investing about US$3.7 billion on assets and infrastructure this year and $26.4 billion in the next five years. 
Mr Chitundu said about 75 percent of the Zambian population has no access to electricity.
 He said it was the desire of the company to fulfill Government’s plans to have the entire country connected to the national electricity grid by 2030.
ERB Chairman George Chabwera said the country has adequate means of dealing with electricity demand fluctuations. 
Dr Chabwera said there was need to ask whether Zesco’s business model was sustainable and whether there was another way to provide electricity to Zambian households.
He said Zesco still needed resources to make electricity available despite their call to work with cooperating partners.
Prof Chirwa may face tax evasion

April 30---PROFESSOR Clive Chirwa may face arrest if he went back to the United Kingdom over the income tax he may not have paid on the £2million he falsely claimed he earns there when he tried to impress the Zambian appointing authorities.
Watchdog investigations and people familiar to Her Royal Revenue and Customs (HR Revenue & Customs) offices revealed that Prof. Chirwa would now be required to prove that he paid the right income taxes over the money he willingly declared as his earnings in UK.
When quizzed about his exorbitant salary demands in Zambia and lavish life style as Chief Executive of the troubled Zambia Railways limited, Prof. Chirwa claimed that the close to K200 million per month he was getting was nothing compared to British Pound £2 million he was earning in UK.
But it has since emerged that with this claim, Chirwa who was or may still be a British citizen would have to prove that he paid the right taxes from these earnings which he disclosed himself.
“That man messed himself big time. He can only stay in Zambia and nowhere else. The British will cage him if he comes back to UK for the Tax not paid on the £2miilion he falsely claimed only to impress the poor Zambians,” sources said.
You can find details of income tax and rate allowances applicable in UK by clicking here 
                              Kasama road accident claims three

Lusaka, Apr 29/13 ZANIS-----Three people died on the spot while eight others sustained serious injuries in a road traffic accident in Kasama district in Northern Province.

Among the deceased are two children aged between 4 months and 5 years 11 months and an unidentified adult aged between 40 and 45 years.

Zambia Police Service Spokesperson, Elizabeth Kanjela, has confirmed the development to ZANIS in Lusaka today, saying the accident happened yesterday at around 19:30 hours along the Mpika-Kasama road.

Ms Kanjela explained that the driver of an unregistered Noah car lost control due to excessive speeding and careered off the road and over turned.

She said the bodies of the deceased are lying in the Kasama General Hospital mortuary awaiting postmoterm while those who sustained injuries are also admitted in the same hospital receiving treatment.

Ms Kanjela has since appealed to members of the public in Kasama who may be missing a relative to go to Kasama General Hospital and identify their relative.

And a cyclist died on the spot after being hit by a motor vehicle yesterday at round 17:30 hours, 35 kilometres east of Kapiri Mposhi along the Great North Road.

The cyclist, identified as Beauty Nanyame of Sinkala farm in Kapiri Mposhi, sustained injuries and died on the spot after she was hit by a Toyota Vitz registration number ABV 4744 when attempting to cut in the road and change the lane.

The body of the deceased is lying in Kapiri Mposhi District Hospital mortuary awaiting postmoterm while the driver of the Toyota Vitz, identified as Zebiya Chaziya Banda, has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving contrary to Section 161 of the Road Traffic Act No 11 of 2012 and will appear in court soon.

Another cyclist died on the spot around 18:00 hours in Kitwe’s Kwacha township yesterday after being hit by an unregistered a motor vehicle.

The body of the deceased is lying in Kitwe General Hospital mortuary awaiting postmoterm while the driver of the vehicle, identified as Joseph Mutale, has since been charged with causing death by dangerous driving contrary to Section 161 of the Road Traffic Act no 11 of 2012 and is expected to appear in court soon. Shamenda takes ZCTU to task

April 28-----LABOUR and Social Security Minister Fackson Shamenda has ordered the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) to give an explanation on why the institution shunned the commemoration of World Day for Safety and Health at Work.

And the Federation for Free Trade Union of Zambia (FFTUZ) has called for occupational health issues to be an agenda item in the negotiations for salaries and conditions of service.

Mr Shamenda expressed disappointment during the commemorations at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola yesterday.

“I want ZCTU to explain to the Government why they have not taken part in this important event that comes once in a year,” he said.

He, however, said the Government recognised the right to health and safety working environment as part of the basic human rights.

Mr Shamenda said work related diseases such as silicosis which is closely associated with the mining industry and quarrying had negatively affected the health of most workers and productivity in the country.

He said Government considers occupational diseases as a decent work agenda deficit, adding that it was in the process of implementing the revised decent work country programme for 2012 to 2016.

“This programme will enhance occupational safety and health in the workplace, I urge the Zambia Federation of Employers (ZFU) and other trade union movements to work hand in hand in the addressing of occupational deseases and safety for workers in workplaces.

FFTUZ President Joyce Nonde during the same function urged institutions to propose occupational health as an agenda in the next salary and negotiation meeting.

She said occupational health issues had been neglected by the Government and all stakeholders because more concentration was put on salaries and conditions of service.

Ms Nonde however, appealed to all workers in the country to ensure that protective clothing are worn at all times during work and called on company to discipline workers that will not follow safety instructions.

International Labour Organisation(ILO) director Martin Clemenson said occupational health deceases had caused a lot of suffering and loss in the world of work, adding that inadequate prevention had profound negative effects on workers and their families.

Mr Clemenson called on all stakeholders to cooperate in the implementation of the National policies and strategies aimed at preventing work related diseases.

 HH’s language is uncivilized, charges Sakeni
Government has taken a strong swipe against opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) leader Hakainde Hichilema for allegedly using derogatory language against Vice President Dr. Guy Scott.
Chief Government Spokesperson Minister Kennedy Sakeni described Mr. Hichilema’s language as uncivilized, un-Zambian and unacceptable.
Mr. Sakeni, who is also Information and Broadcasting Services Minister, told ZANIS in a statement in Lusaka today that it was against the Zambian culture and tradition to use derogatory language against the leaders in society.
He has since advised the UPND leader to show restrain and refrain from engaging in politics of insults and hatred.
“The Zambian culture and its people’s upbringing entails respect and sober language towards the elderly leaders in society,” he said.
Mr. Sakeni has further called on Mr. Hichilema to exhibit high levels of civil and sober language when reacting to national issues.
He stressed that name calling and insults will gain the UPND leader and the country nothing except drawing the country’s politics back to the Stone Age era.
Mr. Hichilema is quoted in one of the daily tabloids as having used unpalatable language against Dr. Scott.
Mr. Sakeni has since reiterated government’s commitment to promoting decent and result based politics that will benefit the general populace.
ZANIS

UPND, PF share seats 

THE ruling Patriotic Front (PF) has scooped the Kapiri Mposhi Constituency by-election, while the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) has also won the Lukulu West seat.

According to Times of Zambia, Newly elected Kapiri Mposhi Member of Parliament (MP) Eddie Musonda polled 6,614, beating his closest rival Lawrence Zimba from the UPND who got 5,470 followed by UNIP’s Francis Mwape with 443, while 182 ballots were rejected.

Returning officer Jimmy Museu declared Mr Musonda duly elected MP for Kapiri Mposhi Constituency.

Mr Musonda pledged to improve the welfare of the people and that rehabilitation of roads and youth empowerment programmes would be high on his agenda.

His campaign manager Philip Kosamu was happy that the people decided to vote for the PF and that as Central Province minister, he would work towards addressing some of the challenges.

In Lukulu, UPND candidate Misheck Mutelo polled 3,894 beating PF’s Eileen Imbwae who had 1,896 votes.

United Liberal Party (ULP) candidate Mubita Sikwa polled a paltry 61 votes.

Of the 11,889 registered voters in the constituency, only 5,922 cast their vote.

Lukulu West returning officer Christine Kasemuka declared Mr Mutelo as winner few minutes after 18:00 hours.

Mr Mutelo said he would work hard to develop the area and urged the Government to support various developmental projects in the area.

The Kapiri Mposhi and Lukulu West seats became vacant after the Supreme Court nullified the seats following election petitions, citing electoral malpractices during the 2011 general elections.

PF makes a breakthrough in Eastern province

April 24----THE PF won six local government by-elections in Lundazi and Petauke districts.

In Lundazi, PF candidate in Kajilime ward of Chasefu Constituency David Mtima got 587 votes to beat, Maison Phiri of UPND on 281 votes.
Zambia for Empowerment and Development (ZED) candidate, Chokolo Metani got 188 votes, while FDD candidate Jane Nyirongo got 165 with MMD’s Mabvuto Phiri getting a paltry of 51 votes.

Presiding officer Alick Mtonga declared Mr Mtima as duly elected Kajilime Ward councilor at about 20:00 hours on Tuesday.
In Petauke constituency, PF candidate for Kovyane Ward Makalamu Phiri won after polling 828 votes against his closest rival, MMD candidate Misheck Banda who managed 603 votes with UPND candidate Edward Daka on 66 votes.
In Msanzala constituency, PF candidate for Mateyo Mzeka ward Elasto Mwale polled 637 votes beating his closest rival John Phiri of MMD with 344 votes.
In Mawanda Ward, PF Candidate Lawrence Phiri polled 421 votes with UNIP candidate Misheck Mchenga trailing behind with 113 votes.
In UKwami ward, PF candidate Mathew Tembo polled 224 votes against MMD’s Benson Tembo who only managed 191 votes.
In Singozi Ward, PF candidate Enos Manda got 459 votes against MMD’s Mwambula Banda who had 309 votes.

PF cadre caught with K13.4 million distributing at Polling Station in Kapiri

A suspected ruling Patriotic Front (PF) Official has been captured by some opposition UPND cadres after he was found distributing money in Kapiri Mposhi at a polling station contrary to the Electoral Act.

Police Officers counting the money at the Police Station

The toothless Electoral Commission of Zambia seems not to have sufficient laws to punish such characters that later go scot free especially if they are coming from the ruling political party.
A suspected PF cadre identified as Benjamin Chinondo of Masala Township in Ndola was in possession of KR 13, 400 when he was captured and taken to Kapiri Mposhi Police Station where he is currently being held.

Benjamin Chinondo (in stripped shirt) at the Police Station

“We caught him distributing money within Paramedic Basic School polling station,” one of the UPND supporters informed Zambian Eye in Kapiri Mposhi. “As we talking now I’m at the Police Station and the man has been arrested. We have counted the money it is amounting to K13.4 Million,” he said.
Meanwhile the voting process has been violent free in the constituency despite such an event where an official from ECZ ushering voters was drunk and there were demands to have him replaced.
The voter turn up was very low especially in town. Counting has started.

 April 23; 

Kapiri, Lukulu go to the polls

KAPIRI Mposhi and Lukulu today go to polls to vote in the by-elections.

So far in Kapiri, over 300 police officers and 400 electoral staff   have been deployed in the 89 polling stations in readiness for today’s Kapiri Mposhi district by elections.

The  election is  being contested  by the ruling Patriotic Front (PF)  candidate, Eddie  Musonda, Francis Mwape, UNIP and  Lawrence  Zimba on the  United  Party for National Development (UPND) ticket who have all expressed  hope of emerging victorious.

Central  Commissioner of  Police  Standwell Lungu has  since  declared that  the  police are  ready to handle  any  situation that arise and urged the political parties to remain peaceful like was the case  during the campaign  period.

Mr  Lungu said 350 police  officers have  been deployed  in Kapiri Mposhi to maintain law and order and  warned  that  trouble  makers  would not be  tolerated.

The campaigns ended  on Sunday this week  and that no  violence  cases were recorded and  orientations  police officers and  elections  observers on do’s and don’ts  were also held over the weekend.

And Kapiri Mposhi District Electoral Officer, Mpande Hamwende says about 430 electoral officers have been deployed in various points and assured political parties and other stakeholders participating in the elections of credible elections.

Mr Hamwende who is also Kapiri Mposhi District Council Secretary said  that the staff  were  ready  to  conduct the elections  while  materials  across  Kafue river  has been dispatched.

And Mr Hamwende said the issue surrounding the 3, 664 extra ballot papers was within the electoral provision and should not be politicized. 

Speaking during the electoral stakeholders’ consultative meeting with all political parties’ representatives, the media, election observers and monitors in Kapiri Mposhi district ahead of today’s elections, Mr Hamwende said that it was a standard practice for the commission to provide extra ballot papers which are accounted for after an election.

He appealed to police officers and other electoral stakeholders to remain vigilant and curb any electoral malpractices so that the outcome of the election results should not be disputed and should show the true reflection of the electorates.

A Permanent Secretary can't stop a council meeting-Mulongoti

Former Chingola mayor McDonald Mulongoti has said the Permanent Secretary being a civil servant cannot intimidate councilors or stop a scheduled full council meeting; the way it happened in Chingola.

And Mr Mulongoti has said that it is not an offence for a councillor as a policy maker to speak to the media.

According to the statement made available to The Independent Observer Mr Mulongoti said the suspension of the special full council meeting by Copperbelt Permanent Secretary Stanford Mshichili on Monday April 15, 2013, was immoral and without backing from standing orders.

He said provided that meeting was adjourned in terms of orders 9(i) and 28 or order no. 8(g) (h) (i) was evoked, to consider the PS’ urgent letter then it was in order.

However, there may be no order which allows any outsider, not even the Local Government Minister to suspend or address a council meeting but may just address councilors not a council meeting on account of not been a council member,” he clarified.

“A council meeting can only be chaired by the mayor, council chairperson or any such councilor so appointed. With respect to these standing orders, even any person who attends a full council meeting by invitation is not allowed to say anything.

“So if it is viewed that the PS stopped that council meeting then it was a violation of standing orders. Above all the PS is junior officer to the councilors by the virtue that he is a civil servant and the councillor is a policy maker whose laws should be implemented by the PS. Finally I would like to encourage Chingola Council to dispose of all pending issues of unallocated alternative plots,” he said

And regarding the ad hoc committee whose findings have been made secret he said any councilor should have leverage on the media which highlights development or shortcomings in a given area.

“In terms of standing orders of section 64 of the Local Government Act No. 22 of 1991, order No. 46(iv) under code of ethics, a councilor is not barred from issuing press statements as it is being circulated in some sections of the media. And I quote: “No Councilor shall make use of advantage or confidential information obtained as a result of his position for his personal gain or for the personal gain of others, nor shall he disclose any such confidential information concerning the property, government or affairs of the council. Extreme care shall be exercised in making of any public statements in regard to the affairs of the council particularly negotiations which may operate to the detriment of the council.

“This order places lots of emphasis on the issue of council contracts concerning the council. And it talks about confidential information obtained for personal gain or for the personal gain of others. But in the case of Chingola intimidation of councilors PF, the councilors were talking about corrupt practices by some civil servants and councillors,” he said.

Mr Mulongoti said reporting corrupt practices were not done for her personal gain or for the personal gain of others but for national gain.

“And any such acts of corruption involving any councilor or any Zambian citizen cannot be classified as confidential information. Instead erring (those of whom such allegations concern) councilors should be disciplined in terms of order No. 46(i)(ii)(iii) which may erode or cause to erode public confidence.  

“It may be interpreted that order No. 46(iv) actually allows councilors to issue press statements but extreme care should be taken. If I may ask, what extreme care do you take to expose illegality if the matter is reported to the state police? In this regard, I would like to appeal to Chingola Municipal Council not to protect any selfish elements that may dent the image of the institution. Therefore, all those developing those illegal plots must be reported to the police immediately so that the law takes its course.

CBU bans squatting

The Copperbelt University Vice Chancellor Professor Ngoma has with immediate effect banned students from squating. 

The Copperbelt University has an accommodation capacity of around 1800 bed spaces against the more than 7000 students enrolled at the University.

Because of this, for years now students have been accommodating each other by sharing bed spaces.

The tyrant VC has vowed to make sure everybody not accommodated stays outside campus, meaning over 5000 students need to find boarding houses.

This is infact very impossible. First years are currently doing their registration in school and majority of them are being forced to sleep outside in the cold due to the VC’s stance.

As students we ask the world to take a look at what is happening at our university.

Is it our fault that CBU management always over enrolls? Is it our fault that we do not have enough accommodation. If our President, Michael Sata can allow street vending due to lack of space in the markets, why can’t the VC allow squatting due to lack of accommodation?

Concerned CBU student.

Desist from corruption DCs told

VICE President Guy Scot has warned District Commissioners to desist from engaging in corrupt practices.
Dr Scott called on the Commissioners to ensure they used public resources prudently and in accordance with laid down financial regulations.
Dr Scott said this in a speech read for him by Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba at the opening of an induction workshop for District Commissioners in Lusaka yesterday.
“May I remind you that discipline is cardinal to the success of our Government .The people of Zambia expect total commitment and responsibility from you, you must foster cordial but professional relationships at both personal and institutional levels in Government,” Dr Scott said. 

He said Government was committed to wipe out corrupt elements in public institutions and that the District Commissioners should take a leading role in this effort.

 Dr Scott reiterated that Government was making strides to strengthen institutions created to fight corruption.
Dr Scott directed the officials to explain Government policies and programmes to the people adding that this should be done in a transparent and accountable manner.
He said the role of explaining Government policy and its achievements should not be left to the Head of State alone but should involve all leaders.
He reiterated Governments’ commitment to the devolution of powers, authority and functions with matching resources to strengthen the local Government administration.
“We can no longer afford to remain passive and expect the President alone to shoulder the responsibility of explaining Government policies, programmes and achievements to the citizens,” Dr Scott said.

 He said government recognized the important role that District Commissioners played in the coordination of Government programmes in the Districts adding that it was the reason they were being inducted on salient issues regarding the operations of Government.
He said implementation of Government policies and programmes had failed in the past because of the inadequate understanding by key Government officials of their roles and responsibilities.
“It has been brought to my attention that in a number of instances the lack of clear understanding and adherence to laid down roles and responsibilities has resulted in strained working relationships among the executive at various levels, thereby adversely affecting the implementation of national programmes,” Dr Scott said.

RB arrested, Taxi driver's head chopped

FORMER President Rupiah Banda was yesterday formally arrested and charged for allegedly receiving nine light trucks valued at KR471, 000 as gratification.

Mr Banda was released on police bond in his own recognisance sum of KR500, 000 and two working sureties.

Details of the offence were that Mr Banda on dates unknown but between January and August, 2011, received nine motor vehicles all valued at KR41, 000, property which was obtained as gratification from Sogecao Zambia Limited, a subsidiary of Anui Foreign Economic Construction Company, the firm contracted to construct the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.

Mr Banda is alleged to have concealed the receipts of the said motor vehicles by having them registered in the names of other people he was believed to have been connected to.

Mr Banda reported before the Government Joint Investigations Team (GJIT) at the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) offices in Lusaka yesterday for questioning in the continued cases of alleged corruption during his term of office.

He was charged with concealing of gratification contrary to section 36 of the Anti Corruption Act number 38 of 2010.

GJIT spokesperson Namukolo Kasumpa said after the formal arrest was made that Mr Banda would appear before the court on April 30, 2013.

“Mr Banda has been formally arrested and charged with concealing gratification involving nine light trucks and he will appear in court on April 30, this year,” she said.

Mr Banda arrived in his motorcade and was ushered in for interrogations that lasted more than 30 minutes.

The former President is being represented by lawyers, Sakwiba Sikota of Central Chambers, Patrick Mvunga of Mvunga and Associates and Ireen Kunda.

A heavy presence of Police officers kept vigil around the DEC offices as questioning proceeded.

Investigators have during the last month, interviewed Mr Banda on issues relating to the Mpundu Trust, Baobab land, and election campaign materials.

Mr Banda has already been charged with abuse of authority regarding the procurement of oil from Nigeria to the tune of US$2.5 million and has appeared in court and is currently on bail.

In another horrifying murder , a taxi driver has resurfaced in Lusaka this time around a decomposed body with its head meters away was discovered by a firewood collector in Kabangwe area.

A week ago, another taxi driver, Pascal Maboshe, 34, was murdered by three passengers that hired him in Lusaka’s Mtendere Township to Ngwerere, where he was brutally murdered.

Police have launched investigations but no leads were readily available to pin any suspects in the latest murder episode which would heighten fears in taxi drivers.

“The body was discovered in a decomposed state by a passerby, who was going to collect firewood. The body was discovered beheaded and the head was found two meters away with his hands and legs tied together,” Police spokesperson Elizabeth Kanjela said.

Vincent Chandhla, 34, went missing in Precem area in Kabangwe and his body was discovered yesterday around 08:00 hours.

 “We would like to inform the public that we have unfortunately managed to trace him dead,” Ms Kanjela said.

In a statement yesterday thanked the public for working with Police and assured that everything would be done to bring the culprits to face justice.

In December last year, a 28 year old taxi driver in Kabwe identified as Gift Tembo was killed and his body dumped in Makombe area on the Kabwe-Lusaka Road with deep cuts on his neck.

Two weeks before that incident, 20-year-old Matthew Chipili was another victim of the gruesome murders.

His body was found dumped in Lusaka’s Roma Township with his facial skin peeled off, left eye gouged, and his gullet removed while the assailants also went away with his tongue.

Joseph Simfukwe, 28, a taxi driver who was operating from Downtown shopping mall in Lusaka was beheaded in January this year in a murder believed to have been ritually connected as his private parts were cut off by his assailants.

                    I’m well, says Sata

PRESIDENT Michael Sata has assured the nation that he is in good health contrary to claims by some opposition leaders that he is unwell.

The Head of State said yesterday, when he addressed a mammoth rally at Kapiri Mposhi town centre, to drum up support for the PF candidate in the April 23 Kapiri Mposhi Constituency parliamentary by-election, Eddie Musonda, that he was in good health.

“Some people have been telling you lies that I am sick, and that is why I brought myself so that you can see me. When I fall sick even ants will know,” Mr Sata told an excited crowd.

He said maybe it was MMD leader Nevers Mumba who was sick because he could not even keep his hair and wondered how he could look after the people.

Mr Sata, who asked Mr Musonda to kneel before his electorate, asked him to take development to the constituency because none of the voters asked him to stand as an MP.

The President said the PF had 11 aspirants for the seat but it picked on Mr Musonda because he was the one who petitioned the election of Lawrence Zimba who won the seat under the MMD in the 2011 elections.

Earlier, PF secretary general Wynter Kabimba said UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema and his MMD counterpart Dr Mumba claimed that Mr Sata was sick because they wished him dead.

Mr Kabimba told the electorate that they should vote for Mr Musonda if they wanted to see development in the vast constituency.

At another rally held at Ngabwe Primary School in the interior of the district, President Sata urged Kapiri Mposhi residents to choose a candidate who would spearhead development because the district was highly underdeveloped.

Mr Sata said the residents should vote for Mr Musonda so that he could help them have a secondary school, clinic and an improved road network.

“I have seen for myself how you live but it is up to you to choose the right MP because even birds choose branches they like,” he said.

Mr Sata said if the people were happy with the way they lived, then they should not elect Mr Musonda.

At Liyobe Basic School, Mr Sata said if the people elected a PF MP, he would continue to visit the district and it would not be good for an opposition MP to boast of development undertaken by the PF Government.

Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister Emmanuel Chenda said the people in Kapiri Mposhi should remember that Mr Sata would be president until 2016, hence the need for them to give him a PF MP.

He said to achieve the PF’s and Mr Sata’s dream, the people should vote for Mr Musonda, while Home Affairs Minister Edgar Lungu said Zambia was for all the people and tribe should not be an issue.

The President also paid courtesy calls on Chief Ngabwe of the Lamba people and Chief Chipepo where he promised that the Government would work on the road network and put up a bridge on the Kafue River.

He told Chief Ngabwe that he had decided to turn his chiefdom into a district because Kapiri Mposhi was too vast.

Mr Sata said he had gone to the area so that he could see for himself how the people were living because ministers could not always tell him the truth.

And Chief Ngabwe was happy that Mr Sata was the first president to visit his chiefdom since 1971 when first Republican president Kenneth Kaunda last went there.

Chief Chipepo appealed for clean water and an improved road network which the President took note of.

                Bees sting man 38, to death

BEES have stung a man to death in Lusaka.

Pumulo Phiri 38, of Chalala area in Lusaka was yesterday stung to death by bees, after his friend’s place where he went visiting.

A family spokesperson Jerry Sakala said Phiri popularly known as Kamponje died instantly after being stung by the bees.

Mr Sakala said Kamponje together with his friend went to visit their friend within the same area.

“But upon arrival at their friend’s gate they were swamped by the bees. His friend managed to jump out of the vehicle and rushed outside the yard, him too jumped out of the vehicle with the view of seeking refuge in the house of the friend they went to visit, but unfortunately the door was locked and the friend wasn’t at home,” he said sobbingly.

Kamponje was a son to Chembe Phiri a former General manager for ZCCM Luanshya division.

                         RB may laugh again

THE Lusaka high court has granted the application by former President Rupiah Banda to commence proceedings challenging the lifting of his immunity from prosecution by Parliament.

The application will however not operate as a stay to discontinue criminal proceedings against Mr Banda.

Judge Annie Sitali said in her ruling yesterday that Mr Banda had a fit case that should go for a substantive judicial review hearing.

Ms Justice Sitali said the Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia erred in allowing Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba to float a motion for the House to debate the removal of Mr Banda’s immunity which subsequently saw the lifting of his immunity because the House departed from its custom of not debating matters that were before the court of law.

She however said that the leave to apply for judicial review granted to Mr Banda would not operate as a stay of the removal of his immunity by Parliament neither would it act as a stop to  the criminal proceedings that the former president was facing.

 “I have noticed that if an order for stay is granted in this matter, it would have an effect of arresting the criminal proceedings against the applicant. Civil proceedings cannot arrest criminal proceedings,” she said.

She further noted that Mr Banda needed to satisfy the court that he had a case worth further investigating for him to be granted judicial review and he had demonstrated so.

Ms Justice Sitali said that Mr Banda had also demonstrated to her court that he had sufficient interest in the matter and had followed the right procedure of applying for judicial review in that he promptly filed for the same two days after his immunity was lifted.

The Zambian law requires that an aggrieved person should file for judicial review within three months.

Ms Justice Sitali said that Mr Banda had also shown to the court that he had an arguable case and that the removal of his immunity by Parliament directly affected him the reason why she allowed him to have a full inter parte hearing of his case through a judicial review.

Parliament on March 15, 2013 debated and subsequently lifted Mr Banda’s immunity which saw his arrested few days later.

However, Mr Banda on March 16, 2013 rushed to the court seeking its permission to commence legal proceedings to challenge Parliament’s decision which made him eligible to face criminal proceedings.

The former president is on Monday expected to appear for the fifth time before the Government Joint Investigation Team (GJIT) to answer to more charges.

Mr Banda has already appeared in the Lusaka magistrate court facing one count of abuse of authority of office relating to the procurement of oil from the Nigerian government which he has denied.

Present during the delivering of the ruling was Mr Banda’s son Andrew and his Administrative Assistant Mikatazo Wakumelo.

                  An illegal miner dies

AN illegal miner has died after he got stuck in weak sandy of a pond and later drowned at the very point where he got stuck.

Both Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) and Copperbelt Commissioner of Police Mary Tembo have confirmed the incidence to The Independent Observer.

KCM Public Relations Manager Joy Sata said the man, identified as Christopher Kamalamba 30, of Kalilamakungu in Kasonka area along Solwezi Chingola road, was allegedly mining at CUT II open pit area.

Ms Sata said KCM Security personnel received a report that about 20 to 30 illegal miners were illegally mining at CUT II, thereby disrupting KCM mining operations at the pit. 

“When the illegal miners saw the mine police vehicle, they scampered in different directions to elude the police drag net.

“In a bid to outrun the mine police, Kamalamba opted to cross the pond but unfortunately, it was deep and he drowned. His body was recovered by the KCM Nchanga Mine Rescue team and efforts to resuscitate him failed,” she said.

Ms Sata Kamalamba’s body was in Nchanga North Hospital mortuary after he was pronounced dead at Nchanga South Mine Hospital. 

She said it was regret that KCM was announcing the death of Kamalamba who drowned in the Nchanga Open Pit sump on Wednesday.

Sata lifts Sichinga’s secrecy oath to implicate RB

President Michael Sata has lifted former State House Chief of Staff Austin Sichinga’s secrecy of office oath. This is to enable Mr Sichinga testify against former president Rupiah Banda.

Like Judas' Sichanga left With RB

All State House aides are under an oath of secrecy for 25 years from the time they leave office.

We are reliably informed that the President gave Mr Sichinga a letter freeing him from the oath than banned him from speaking about information that came into his knowledge while he worked at State House.

Mr Sichinga and former chief of state protocol Bob Samakai are the only two former aides who have agreed to betray the former president.

The two, Mr Sichinga and Mr Samakayi are currently under police investigations for illegally acquiring huge tracts of land in Nansanga farming block. A police source says the state will drop these investigations once the two have testified against Mr Banda.

But former Attorney-General Abyud Shonga has reportedly refused to be used by the PF against the former president. The ‘recruiting’ team reported that Mr Shonga was hostile.

Mr Sichinga has been meeting the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Mutembo Nchito to rehearse what he would say in court.
Mr Samakayi is currently the PF government ambassador to Canada while Mr Sichinga has been promised to go to Italy.

Constitution making process should not be hijacked-Sata

The National Convention that is expected to come up with final resolutions to be embedded in the national Constitution opened in Lusaka yesterday with President Michael Sata saying the process should not be hijacked.

President Sata

In a speech read for him by acting President Edgar Lungu, Mr Sata said the Constitution making was a Zambian process, for Zambians and should not be allowed to be hijacked by anyone.

He said this when he officially opened the eight-day National Convention at Lusaka’s Mulungushi International Conference Centre (MICC).

He told the over 500 delegates that “we should not simply pander to foreign interests or seek to incorporate standards and principles which do not reflect our unique Zambian social political environment.  Indeed we seek a modern Constitution, a Constitution that will reflect our democratic progress.”

The quest for a modern Constitution should not be done without due regard to “who we are” as a people.

Mr Sata urged the delegates to utilize the opportunity to make meaningful resolutions that would help formulate a good Constitution for the country that would stand a test of time.

He said his government would do everything possible within its powers to ensure that the people of Zambia achieved their desired goal of a people-centred Constitution.

“As delegates, you should consider this a great honour and a call to national duty. You carry the aspirations of millions of Zambians and we all expect that you will diligently and conscientiously,” he said.

He said the unsuccessful attempts of the past should motivate the delegates to finally put before the Zambian people, a Constitution that entrenched Constitutional democracy while upholding the Rule of Law and establishing a credible governance system where the rights and liberties of all people were respected and protected.

He said government was pleased that the process had so far been inclusive in its consultations and endeavoured to solicit the views and opinions of many Zambians through district, provincial and sector groups conventions.

Earlier, Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba said the Constitution to come out of the Convention should not be a borrowed one from another country and challenged the delegates to craft a people-driven Constitution that would help Spur national development.

“The future of Zambia is being conferred on this Constitution and as Government, we urge you the delegates to put the interests of the country first and not your individual interests despite the different emotions evoked during deliberations.

“The people of Zambia should determine how they want to be governed and we should have a Constitution process that will embrace all in unity,” he said.

Chairperson of the Technical Committee on Drafting the Zambian Constitution Annel Silungwe was impressed with the constructive deliberations and interactions that translated into adoption of important resolutions during the recently held conventions.

The formal consultative process started with the holding of 82 district consultative fora, which were followed by 10 provincial Constitution conventions and the sector groups convention.

The National Convention would now consider resolutions from all the provincial conventions.

           RB blocked, Kenya trip cancelled
FORMER Republican President Rupiah Banda was yesterday blocked by security wings at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport from traveling to Kenya to attend the inaugural ceremony of that country’s newly elected President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Rupiah Banda

Both Information and Broadcasting Services Deputy Minister Mwansa Kapeya and Mr Banda’s administrative secretary Wakumelo Mikatazo confirmed the development.

Mr Banda recently surrendered his passport to the Government Joint Investigation Team (GJIT) when he was formally arrested and charged with abuse of authority in connection with the procurement of oil from Nigeria which was allegedly not beneficial to the Zambian Government.

On Monday, the Lusaka magistrate’s court ordered the Government to release Mr Banda’s passport to enable him join other dignitaries at the swearing-in of Mr Kenyatta.
But Mr Kapeya clarified that the Immigration authorities at the airport were right to stop Mr Banda from travelling to Kenya because the former Head of State was on the police watch list.

He said in a statement yesterday that Zambians were aware that Mr Banda was warned and cautioned  by the GJIT for many other offences in which he was due to be arrested.

“For that reason, immigration authorities at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport were within their rights to stop him from travelling if he is on the police watch list,” he said.
Mr Kapeya said the GJIT had been keeping Mr Banda’s passport as part of the police bond conditions in his ongoing corruption and abuse of office cases.

“When his lawyers requested for the passport, the State complied with the court order and Mr Banda was given his passport last evening to enable him travel to Kenya today,” he said. 

He said Mr Banda was booked on Kenyan Airways Flight KQ724 which was due to depart from Kenneth Kaunda International Airport at 11:00 hours. 

Mr Banda should have arrived in Nairobi by 16:00 hours East African time when the inauguration ceremony in Nairobi started at 09:30 hours East African time and ended at noon.

Mr Kapeya said Mr Banda was late for the function way before he even stepped his foot on the plane to leave for Kenya.

He wondered the motive behind Mr Banda’s desire to fly to Kenya even when he knew too well that he was late and would have found the function long finished.

In a separate interview, Mr Mikatazo said Mr Banda who was accompanied by his security personnel, had no choice but to return to his residence after his trip was stopped.

He said the decision by immigration authorities to block Mr Banda at the airport, came as a surprise to both him and other officials who had accompanied him.

He said the incident happened at 10:00 hours when Mr Banda who was already in the VIP lounge, was told by his security personnel that he could not travel to Kenya despite having his passport. 

“The whole move just came as a surprise to us because Mr Banda was already in the VIP lounge when he was told that he could not travel to Kenya,” Mr Mikatazo said.

He said when Mr Banda was blocked he personally approached a police inspector identified as Inspector Seta who confirmed that he was also working under instructions.
Mr Mikatazo said he later conferred with the immigration officer who also informed him that they had received instructions not to allow Mr Banda to travel to Kenya.

It is alleged, among other offences, that Mr Banda was involved in an illegal oil deal with a Nigerian firm to the tune of US$2.5 million whose proceeds were believed to have been deposited in an off-shore account.