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Former president Frederick Chiluba’s spokesperson Emmanuel Mwamba has been arrested and charged with contempt of court.
Mwamba who handed himself over to the police in the company of his lawyer John Sangwa was by press time appearing in court.
This follows an order by High Court Judge Gregory Phiri’s who demanded for a thorough investigation meant to identify the author and publisher of contemptuous and scandalous articles commenting on murder suspect Mathew Mohan’s case that were published on Zambian Watchdog.
Earlier in the day, Mwamba was detained at Woodlands Police station after he was interrogated at Police headquarters.
At around 10:40 hours, nine uninformed police officers took Mwamba to Woodlands Police station where he was arrested and detained.
Mwamba’s lawyer had a bitter exchange of words with police officers when they forced him (Mwamba) to remove his shoes and enter a police
cell where he was to be detained.
Faz today announced changes to the Cosafa Youth Championship team technical bench that will see assistant coach Beston “Quicksilver” Chambeshi take charge of the team.
Chambeshi has been assistant trainer to Keagan Mumba who will instead lead the other Under-20 team to the less glamorous SADC Games in Swaziland next month.
Other changes will see Nkana secretary Stan Kaseko taking up the team manger role with the Cosafa team to replace Hastings Ndovi who has been dropped.
Under-17 team manager Daniel Jere will take up the same capacity under Mumba for the SADC Games team.
Meanwhile, Faz has excused all the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup call-ups from African club champions TP Mazembe of the DR Congo due to club commitments next month at the FIFA world Club Cup in the UAE.
The players excused are defenders Hichani Himonde and Emmanuel Mbola, midfielder Rainford Kalaba and striker Given Singuluma.
Zambia go into camp on Saturday under Dario Bonetti to prepare for next week’s trip to the Cecafa Cup that will be held in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania from November 27 to December 12.
Former President Frederick Chiluba and his wife Regina talk to reporters
The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) says it will not investigate Former President Dr. Frederick Chiluba’s money laundering activities because it would contravene the laws of Zambia.
DEC Public Relations Manager John Nyawali has said article 18 of the constitution of Zambia does not allow prosecuting an individual for an act which did not constitute an offence at the time it was alleged to have been committed.
Mr Nyawali in a statement to ZNBC in Lusaka today said Dr Chiluba allegedly committed money laundering activities before the Prohibition and Prevention of money laundering law was enacted.
His remarks follows a letter written by the Patriotic Front demanding that the DEC investigate Dr. Chiluba’s money laundering activities.
Mr. Nyawali also said some of the alleged activities which constitute offences for money laundering were investigated and prosecuted by the then Task Force on Corruption for which Dr. Chiluba was acquitted.
Finance and National Planning Minister, Situmbeko Musokotwane has said there is need to increased momentum on regional integration and free trade if countries in the (COMESA) region are to address their problems.
The Minister was speaking during the 4th meeting of the Regional Integration Support Mechanism (RISM) advisory committee in Lusaka today.
He said most economies in the sub-region are dependent on single commodity-trade particularly in the production and export of unprocessed natural resources such as minerals and crops.
Dr. Musokotwane said although the exports from these commodities have contributed to the development of the economies in the region, countries have to deal with high poverty levels, unemployment, illiteracy,and poor infrastructure.
He, however, said regional integration would not deliver the benefits if COMESA member countries do not take advantage of the vast market in the Eastern and Southern Africa-Indian Ocean (ESA-IO) region.
The minister noted that by taking advantage of the ESA-IO, countries would create a uniform and predictable environment for the private sector who are the major drivers of the economy.
And COMESA Assistant Secretary General Stephen Karangizi said the current RISM would allow all the countries to take advantage of the support to achieve the common objectives of the regional agenda.
Mr. Karangizi said that the reformulated RISM programme would also provide the opportunity for countries to make larger steps in the implementation of regional programmes.
He said this expected to lead to faster and deeper integration that facilitates trade internally and with global economies.
[ QFM ]
File: Maize that has been purchased from farmers waiting to be transported to sheds by the Food Reserve Agency
While government is bragging over the 2010 much talked about bumper harvest, Zambia’s high levels of inefficiency in harvested crop risks plunging into a food deficit nation as more and more harvested crops especially maize is going to waste owing to poor storage.
An on the spot check by Muvi TV in Chisamba’s Central province more 50 kilogram bags of maize are decaying because of poor storage.
A snap survey of two depots namely Mwachisompola and Keembe, revealed hundreds of fifty kilogram bags of maize lying on plain ground while some of the grain is spilling out of the bags due to high temperature.
Some residents were also found repacking some of the maize that had spilled out of the bags, into new FRA bags that were recently acquired.
Officials found at Keembe depot complained to MUVI TV news that they were given poor quality sacks in which to pack their maize adding that they could not resist the high temperature that the country experienced in the recent past.
Recently Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister, Dr. Eustakio Kazonga refuted a report that was aired on Muvi TV news describing it as lacking facts.
This was despite Muvi TV showing a video footage of rotting maize at a named depot in Kabwe owing to poor and inadequate storage.
[ MUV-TV]
THE Zambia Premier League (ZPL) ad hoc committee has said the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has lost out on an opportunity to dialogue after the national football governing body refused to meet the conditions set by Premier Division clubs to call off the league boycott.
But FAZ has maintained that the league is closed and matters to do with the outcome of the 2010 Premier League season were being dealt with by disciplinary sub-committee and was beyond the secretariat jurisdiction.
ZPL ad hoc committee chairperson Kephas Katongo said in an interview yesterday that the dialogue that FAZ president Kalusha Bwalya was calling for from the petitioners had to have a starting point and the bid to call off the boycott was one such juncture.
Katongo said it was now very clear that the Kalusha administration did not want to dialogue and the ZPL together with other petitioners would now chart the way forward at the November 26 emergency council meeting (ECM) set for Hotel Inter-Continental in Lusaka.
“There has to be a point of discussion but FAZ has decided that we are a voice from the wilderness. Let them avoid us at their own peril. Our proposal to call off the boycott was an opportunity for dialogue,” he said.
Katongo said calling off the boycott was done in the interest of the sponsors, players, fans and other stakeholders but that the defiance by FAZ not to meet their conditions made the clubs stay away from the season closing matches.
The 2010 Premier League season closed prematurely last weekend as the two warring factions in FAZ failed to reach a consensus on the days to play the Week 30 matches as the ZPL ad hoc committee wanted to play the closing matches today (Wednesday 17), while FAZ insisted the matches were supposed to have been played last Saturday.
He said since the boycott was meant to press for the ECM, after getting the two-thirds threshold, the clubs offered to call off the boycott but that with FAZ refusing to budge, clubs decided to stay put.
“We have the numbers so what was there to continue with the boycott for? We gave them our conditions to call off the boycott, they refused; so our next course of action will be to decide the fate of our local game during the ECM,” he said.
Katongo said the defiance by FAZ was only aggravating the situation adding that even the proposal to harmonise the two meetings called by FAZ and the petitioners would not be possible without dialogue.
The former Roan chairperson, who is now heading demoted community-based side, Lusaka Dynamos added that FAZ appeared less willing to compromise even when it was clear that the current impasse in the local game was retarding the progress Zambia had scored in the recent past.
FAZ communications manager Erick Mwanza said the secretariat staff was only waiting for the disciplinary committee to finalise the final league standings and that teams that boycotted matches knew the consequences.
Mwanza said as far as the association was concerned, the 2010 season closed at the weekend and that no more matches would be played.
The verdict that would be passed by the disciplinary committee next Wednesday is final.
ZPL ad hoc committee directed Premier Division clubs to boycott league matches but FAZ reacted by docking points teams that did not travel to fulfil fixtures saying the ZPL was not registered anywhere.
The Africa Governance Monitoring and Advocacy Project (AFRIMAP) and Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa (OSISA) have launched a report on Public Broadcast Media in Zambia aimed at providing common ground for negotiation and agreement that meets aspirations of the Zambian Society.
Launching the Report Tuesday evening at Southern Sun in Lusaka on behalf of AFRIMAP and OSISA, Retired High Court Judge Anderson Zikonda
said AFRIMAP and OSISA as well as the Open Society Institute Media Programme should be commended for a well thought report which he noted would help the Zambian Media to improve in areas it was lacking.
Judge Zikonda described the report as a nice document which had raised some pertinent issues aimed at contributing to the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) adding that the national broadcaster was falling short of being a model of an ideal public media broadcaster.
Mr. Zikonda stated that the report contained various issues, views and recommendations based on the researcher’s own opinion and analysis of the situation adding that recommendations provided food for thought for both the Government and the media at large.
And Speaking during the launch Media Institute for Southern Africa (MISA) Zambia Interim Chairperson Fanwell Chembo said the report would provide a litmus test for the growth of Zambia’s Democracy since the country reverted to a democratic dispensation in 1991.
Mr. Chembo said the research was as a result of advancing knowledge created in the past adding that the document would also assist Zambia in solving the existing problems and even further improve in areas in which the country was already advancing.
He further said MISA Zambia greatly valued the efforts by AFRIMAP in financing the research.
Minister of Works and Supply Mike Mulogoti has disclosed that Government has engaged a Japanese Company to redesign all roads in Lusaka, the capital city to reduce congestion.
Mr. Mulongoti said the plan to redesign Lusaka roads had already been devised and that the contractor was working round the clock to come up with proper city planning of roads in the capital city and not only Lusaka but also Mumbwa road.
ZANIS reports the Minister stated that two years ago Vice President George Kunda made an announcement on Government’s consolidated plan to extend and redesign Lusaka Roads adding that this was underway and had reached an advanced stage.
Mr. Mulongoti said this in Parliament today when answering a question from Luapula Member of Parliament Peter Machungwa who wanted to know when Government was going to widen the Lusaka -Mumbwa road to cushion the congestion being experienced in the capital city. This was during the question and answer session.
He said President Rupiah Banda was geared to ensuring that all Lusaka roads which were congested are done in a bid to restore sanity to the capital city.
The Works and Supply Minister further stated that Zambians should trust the leadership of President Banda because he was there to work for them.
President Rupiah Banda has arrived in Sao Paulo, Brazil for a three day State visit.The President arrived at Sao Paulo’s Guarulhos International airport at 22:51 hrs Zambian time monday.
His visit to Brazil is in response to the invitation by Brazilian President Luiz Inacia Lula Da Silva in July this year, when he visited Zambia.
Among the activities on President Banda’s programme is a visit to Dedini, a major company dealing in bio-fuels. He will also address a Zambia-Brazil business forum, which has been organized by the Federation of Industries of the State of Sao Paulo.
The President will wednesday leave Sao Paulo for the capital city Brasilia for a ceremonial welcome, and talks with President Da Silva.
President Banda is also expected to meet the President-elect, Dilma Rousseff who will be sworn-in in January next year, to become Brazil’s first female president.
During the President’s visit, Zambia and Brazil will sign more agreements, which will add to the eight agreements and two Memoranda of Understanding which the two countries signed in Lusaka in July this year.President Banda is expected to depart from Brazil on Thursday.
[ZNBC]
Murder suspect Mathew MohanBy LusakaTimes
A 31-year-old Lusaka businesswoman, Mwansa Mfula, this morning presented her testimony before the Lusaka High Court as part of the state evidence in rebuttal against murder accused Mathew Mohan during his defence.
Appearing before Supreme Court judge Gregory Phiri who sat as High Court judge, Ms Mfula narrated how police officer got the car keys to the unregistered Toyota Vitz from her at night, which is believed to have been used in the murder of Itowala.
“In November last year, around 01:00 hours, police officers came to Kabwata, my grandmother’s house to collect keys for the Toyota Vitz,” she said, adding that the police officers claimed that the car had been involved in some crime.
Ms Mfula further said when she asked the police about the nature of the crime the car was involved in, the police officers did not tell her what crime the vehicle had been used to commit.
She also told the court that the car which was purchased from a Swaziland national in 2009 was sometimes driven by her husband and further disclosed that her husband was a friend to Mohan.
Ms Mfula said the police officers who went to pick up the key from the house in Kabwata also informed her that her husband had been arrested but they did not disclose to her the charge.
She produced two photographs before the court to prove that the car in question was hers and that she had custody to the said vehicle at the time.
When being cross examined, Mfula was asked why the car was not registered and she responded saying she did not know why her husband did not register the vehicle with relevant authorities.
This is a case in which Mohan, Idris Patel and Shabia Patel are charged with the murder of Cyclone Hardware proprioter Sajid Itowala.
Zambia will not play any friendly match this month prior to traveling to the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup, Faz has disclosed.
This follows the cancellation November 17 friendly international against Sudan set for Khartoum that fell through this week.
Coach Dario Bonetti and his team are now expected to gather this Saturday in Lusaka to begin training camp for the Cecafa Cup that will be held in Tanzania from November 27 to December 12 in Dar-es-Salaam.
However, the team might be without Israeli based midfielder William Njobvu who will miss the tournament due to injury.
Meanwhile, the Zambia Under-20 team is due to enter camp in Lusaka on Wednesday after a 24 hour delay to begin preparations for their Cosafa Youth Championship outing in Botswana next month.
PROVISIONAL CECAFA CUP TEAM
Goalkeepers: Jacob Banda (Zesco United), Raja Kola (Zanaco), Kalililo Kakonje (Clubless), Davey Kaumbwa (Green Buffaloes)
Defenders:Billy Mwanza, Nyambe Mulenga (Both Zesco United), Jimmy Chisenga (Red Arrows), Emmanuel Mbola, Hichani Himoonde (Both TP Mazembe, DRC), Davies Nkausu (SuperSport United, SA), Dennis Banda (Green Buffaloes), Stephen Kabamba (Kabwe Warriors)
Midfielders: Rainford Kalaba, Sebastain Mwansa (Both TP Mazembe, DRC), Joseph Sitali, Simon Bwalya (Both Power Dynamos), Thomas Nyirenda (Zanaco), Jonas Sakuwaha (Le Havre, France), Fwayo Tembo (FC Basel, Switzerland), Norman Munthali (Konkola Blades)
Strikers:Felix Sunzu Jnr (Konkola Blades), Emmanuel Mayuka (Young Boys, Swizterland), Roger Kola (AS Ashdod, Israel), Adubelo Phiri (Red Arrows)
A new political party called Africa’s Democratic and Economic Development Organization -Zambia Must Change Now ADEDO – ZAMUCANO which was formed last week, has officially been launched in Lusaka.
The party has adopted Change Life Zambia’s Red Card symbol as its official party symbol.
Party President Brown Kapita said he consulted widely and made an agreement with Fr. Frank Bwalya and Change Life Zambia team to use their symbol.
He said this when he launched the party.
Mr. Kapita has also promised to bring about a different kind of politics.
[ZNBC/ZANIS]
President Rupiah Banda has said the country has been robbed of a humble, generous, social, approachable and accommodating leader in the death of His Royal Highness Chief Kabamba of the Lala people, who died after a short illness in Serenje at his palace on Saturday.
Conveying his message of condolences today during the burial ceremony in Serenje through Minister of Local Government and Housing Dr. Brian Chituwo, President Banda said his government was deeply touched by the loss of Chief Kabamba who stood for development not only in his chiefdom but also the nation as a whole.
He said the late chief whose names were Kunda Mwape Sayi was a humble, generous, social, approachable and accommodating person who exhibited rare attributes in his leadership which government would want surviving chiefs in the province and beyond to emulate in order to foster development in the country.
The President said the death of Chief Kabamba who died at the age of 69, was a loss not only to the royal family but also to the Royal Establishment in Serenje district.
He said Chief Kabamba’s death brings to five the number of chiefs to pass on in the province from December 2009 having lost Chiefs Shaibila, Muchinda, Chamuka and Chibuluma of Mkushi, Serenje, Chibombo and Mumbwa districts, respectively.
He added that the late chief would be remembered for the land he gave to Serenje District Council for the purpose of extending the district town boundary and that government would forever appreciate this rare gesture.
President Banda reminded mourners that the late chief has left behind a big family that requires the support of every person in the chiefdom and beyond, and further advised them to ensure that the widow and the dependants are accorded every comfort they may require as they pass through this dark moment of mourning.
He further appealed to the Kabamba Royal Establishment to maintain peace and ensure that they handle the transition period with calm and maturity so that succession wrangles are avoided as much as possible.
President Banda said government would be sad to hear of succession wrangles in the chiefdom because the late chief preached peace and respect for the institution of the chieftaincy.
Earlier, His Royal Highness Senior Chief Mboroma of the Lala people said he was deeply saddened at the loss of his friend and colleague Chief Kabamba.
Chief Mboroma said it was sad that Chief Kabamba died shortly after the district lost Senior Chief Muchinda who died in February 2010.
He said he personally knew the late chief as a hardworking, loyal and accommodating chief who ruled his subjects with love and solidarity.
The Senior Chief urged the people of Kabamba chiefdom to look to God and maintain peace by ensuring that they choose a wise leader who will continue with the legacy of Chief Kabamba.
And His Royal Highness Chief Chibale of the Lala people in Serenje has thanked government and all well-wishers who have offered support of any kind from the time of Chief Kabamba’s death to his burial.
Chief Chibale who is also a representative of the House of Chiefs for Central Province said he was however disappointed that as big as the late chief’s kingdom was many of his subjects did not attend his funeral.
He said it was embarrassing that the people of Chief Kabamba’s chiefdom shunned the funeral of a man who led them with wisdom and love throughout his 11 years of reign.
He appealed to the Kabamba Royal Establishment to be guided by the family tree in choosing the successor so as to avoid succession wrangles.
Meanwhile, His Royal Highnesses Chief Mailo and Chieftainess Serenje have called for peace in the Kabamba Chiefdom.
The duo said the subjects should ensure that peace continues to reign in the chiefdom during the mourning and the succession periods.
They said the people must reflect on the leadership skills of the late chief and seek God’s guidance during the succession period because leadership comes from God.
The late Chief Kabamba who was born on 13th November, 1941 ascended to the throne of chieftaincy on 13th November 1999 bringing his total reign to 11 years.
He is survived by a wife, eight children, 32 grandchildren, and three great grand children
Fr. Frank Bwalya
Former Patriotic Front (PF) Secretary General Edward Mumbi has threatened to sue change Life Zambia Executive Director Father Bwalya for libel.
Father Bwalya is said to have referred to Mr. Mumbi as a crook who has been using his late brothers name as his.
Featuring on Monday Nite Live programme on QFM, Father Bwalya stated that Edward is not Mr. Mumbi’s first name, as he is Kangwa Mumbi.
The Change Life Zambia Executive Director further called on Zambians not to believe Mr. Mumbi because of his unknown identity.
Father Bwalya on the same programme challenged Mr. Mumbi to sue him on the accusations that he was making.
He added that once he is sued, it will be an opportunity to show Zambians who the former secretary general of the PF is.
Mr. Mumbi has, however, charged that the opportunity to know who Father Bwalya is has finally come, and that would be in the courts of law.
Mr. Mumbi said that he has informed his lawyers on the cause of action he is about to make.
He said that father Bwalya is now trapped and his sponsors will not be there to save him.
The Former PF Secretary General noted that father Bwalya’s sentiments lack truth as he has no dead brother by the name of Edward Mumbi.
He said that in his family, he is the only one who is known with the name of Edward Kangwa Mumbi and it is not another person’s name.
Mr. Mumbi availed his Curriculum Vitae to QFM in Lusaka today bearing the name Edward Kangwa Mumbi from the time he was at school, until his professional life.
[ QFM ]
