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The Drug Enforcement Commission(DEC) will appeal against the suspended sentence slapped on Ndola Central Member of Parliament Mark Mushili for attempting to swindle the Government.
The Lusaka Magistrate court jailed Mr. Mushili for six months but suspended the sentence for one year and ordered him to do community service at the court premises for 120 hours.
Mr. Mushili was found guilty of attempting to swindle government of over 300 million kwacha.
DEC Public Relations Manager John Nyawali said the Commission has decided to appeal against the judgment of the court after consulting the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Mr. Nyawali said the commission has been prompted to appeal the case due to public outcry demanding a review of the sentence.
He said various stakeholders have termed the sentence as lenient considering the fact that Mr. Mushili is a Member of Parliament who should live above reproach.
United Party for National Development (UPND) president, Hakainde Hichilema, has refuted the assertions that the UPND in the Patriotic Front (PF) pact is a junior party.
Mr. Hichilema said there is no junior party in the PF/UPND pact.
He said both parties have nothing to do with either senior or junior, but that they are meant to work together to unite the country.
Meanwhile, Mr. Hichilema has said the statement by former PF Secretary General, Edward Mumbi, that he has been reduced to the level of PF Secretary General, Winter Kabimba, is non issue.
He noted that in a group of individuals, there would always be different views, adding that no one can change that fact.
[QFM ]
“So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit”
(Galatians 6:9, The Message).
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
Everyone has God-given dreams and desires. We all have goals we want to accomplish and situations we are believing will be turned around. Sometimes it seems to take longer than we originally thought. Sometimes, things don’t work out the way we planned, and it’s easy to lose enthusiasm. If we’re not careful, we’ll get discouraged and end up just settling where we are. But God doesn’t want us to settle, He wants to take us higher. But many times, people miss out on God’s best simply because they give up too soon. They don’t realize how close they are to their victory.
Friend, don’t let that be you today. Don’t give up just because things seem hard. You’ve invested so much, and you never know, just a few more days of believing, another few weeks of doing the right thing, another few months of staying in faith, and you could see that situation turn around. Remember, God is on your side! Keep standing and keep believing because you are closer than you think to fulfilling every desire He’s placed inside of you!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father God, today I come to You again, believing that You are working behind the scenes on my behalf. Give me Your strength to keep moving forward into the place of victory You have for me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Power Dynamos stayed second on the Faz Super Division table after a resounding 3-0 Week 16 home win over Choma Eagles at Arthur Davies stadium in Kitwe today.
Fordson Kabole’s side remain second on 27 points, three less than leaders Zesco United who are not in action this weekend because of Week 16 opponents Zanaco’s Caf Confederations Cup engagements earlier today against Enyimba of Nigeria.
Power took the lead in the 2nd minute of the first half through Luka Lungu to see them take a 1-0 lead into half time.
Lungu completed his brace in the 53rd minute before midfielder Joseph Sitali added the third and final goal in the 80th minute.
In Chingola, Nchanga Rangers beat 10-man Konkola Blades 2-1 in their northern Copperbelt derby this afternoon at Nchanga Stadium.
Rangers went ahead in the 9th minute through Chileshe Kabwe before Blades midfielder Patrick Kasunga was sent off in the 25th minute.
However, Blades managed to equalize after the break despite being a man down through Chipulu Chileya in the 65th minute but that was short-lived as Floyd Phiri sealed Rangers win over the Chililabombwe side with the winning goal just two minutes later.
And at Railway Grounds in Kabwe, Kabwe Warriors suffered a 1-0 home loss against Nkwazi.
A first minute goal scored by Keegan Phiri secured Nkwazi’s win away.
Zanaco thumped Enyimba of Nigeria 4-0 today at Sunset stadium in Lusaka to take a comfortable first leg lead in their Caf Confederations Cup first leg last 16 match.
Zanaco took just two minutes on the clock played to take the lead through defender Eugene Shamakamba who headed in a corner kick from Allen Mukuka to make it 1-0.
Zanaco were back on target six minutes later through Mathews Macha who crashed in a close -range shot past Enyimba goalkeeper Ejiogu Chiyoke.
Enyimba’s best attempt in the first half came from their lively winger Philip Auta on 15 minutes who skipped pasted Zanaco’s defence but saw his tame shot sail across the face of the home sides goalmouth.
Zanaco made it 3-0 in the 29th minute through Zambia international forward Ignatius Lwipa who his left rifled in a shot from inside the box following a layoff from Venecious Mapande.
Wedson Nyirenda’s side completed a good day at the office in the 44th minute when striker Winston Kalengo headed-in sublime ball from close range past Chiyoke.
Lusaka City Council has clarified that the plot outside Leopards hill grave site was specifically designed for churches.
Assistant Public Relations Officer Mulunda Habeenzu said there was nothing wrong with building churches on that plot because the place was meant for that purpose.
Mr. Habeenzu told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka this week that the construction of a church or any structure only became illegal when built on the grave.
He was reacting to media reports that churches were being erected on the Leopards Hill grave site.
Meanwhile, Mr. Habeenzu said the Council has curtailed burials at Kasisi saying that the development was unacceptable.
Mr. Habeenzu noted that the land in question was not certified for burial purposes saying it was illegal.
He emphasised that people should stick to the already authorized burial sites to avoid such occurrences in future.
The PF-UPND pact has said it has not delayed in announcing the Presidential candidate because it has not yet chosen the one to stand for the presidency.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with QFM, pact’s UPND Deputy Spokesperson, Cornelius Mweetwa, said the MMD and some stakeholders’ predictions that the pact is doomed are too early.
He said the MMD in particular has no moral ground to say the pact is headed for doom following what he termed as ‘superficial misunderstandings’ in the pact because they have always wanted the pact to be disrupted following its alleged heavy loses it has suffered at the hands of the two pact member parties.
He said the Octopus that predicted Spain’s win of the FIFA World Cup trophy is better placed to predict the pact’s failure, and not the MMD.
Mr. Mweetwa said the PF-UPND pact has not yet chosen the candidate to stand for the presidency for the pact as opposed to insinuations by some people.
He said it is for this reason that the pact has not announced the presidential candidate for the pact, adding that the presidential candidate will be announced at an appropriate time after he has been chosen.
Mr. Mweetwa also said the PF-UPND pact is not a marriage of convenience, but that it was a necessary vehicle for uniting the people of Zambia and the opposition political parties’ voice.
On Caritas Zambia Executive Director, Sam Mulafulafu’s statement that the constitution in Zambia has no provision for a coalition government, Mr. Mweetwa said his statement is highly misplaced.
He said the pact is not seeking to form a coalition government but to form a government sponsored by the parties involved and the people of Zambia.
He said there is nothing unconstitutional about the perceived government to be formed by the Patriotic Front and the United Party for National Development.
He however acknowledged that it is a challenge to explain to the electorates on the combination of the parties intending to form government, but that such challenges are not being surmountable.
He has since cautioned that it is cardinal for any person wishing to comment on the pact to acquaint themselves with the fundamental principles governing the PF/UPND pact.
Former Patriotic Front (PF) Secretary General, Edward Mumbi, says United Party for National Development (UPND) leader Hakiande Hichilema should have engaged into consultation before going into a pact with Patriotic Front.
And Mr. Mumbi said PF leader, Michael Sata, can not make a good president because he has never been ‘even’ a Village Headman before.
Mr. Mumbi said it is unfortunate that the PF/UPND pact is going through some misunderstandings, but he added that the misunderstandings in the pact were anticipated.
He said Mr. Hichilema made a mistake to accept forming a pact with Mr. Sata because he is an arrogant man who does not respect others’ views.
Mr Mumbi added that despite people’s calls that the pact should chose a young leader for the presidency, Mr. Sata will not accept.
Meanwhile, Mr. Mumbi questioned Mr. Sata’s leadership experience.
He has since expressed disappointment that the UPND leader Hichilema has been reduced to the level of PF Secretary General, Winter Kabimba.
[ QFM ]
NDOLA District Commissioner Joshua Mutisa has said his office has received overwhelming response from Ndola residents who are interested in reading the Draft Constitution.Mr Mutisa said in an interview that people had visited his office in numbers to get a copy of the Draft Constitution.
He said his office was given 200 copies of the Draft Constitution on Friday last week and all the copies had run out.
“All the copies have run out, the response from the people of Ndola has been overwhelming,” he said.
Mr Mutisa said his office was making arrangements for more copies.
He said some people had, however, raised concerns on how they would make their responses. The Luanshya Pastors Fellowship said on Thursday that the 40 days given for submissions on the Draft Constitution were sufficient.
Chairperson Morgan Kanjolo, however, urged the National Constitutional Conference (NCC) to supply sufficient copies to the district.
Livingstone on Wednesday received 200 copies of the Draft Constitution which were being distributed to Government departments, churches, and non-governmental organisations.
District Commissioner Francis Chika, who apologised on behalf of the NCC for the late delivery of the copies to the district, urged residents to read the draft copies and send their comments to the NCC secretariat.
He said at a media briefing that his office would give two copies to each organisation and other sector representatives to ensure many people received the copies and made comments.
“Though the copies are not enough, the idea is to ensure that at least each sector is catered for. “We will also target libraries and other ordinary people who may not access the copies under various sectors,” Mr Chika said.
PBJ productions and ‘Stand up for Zambia’ producer Chanda Chimba (III) has accused Transparency International Zambia (TIZ) of “exerting extreme pressure” on its employee Agness Bwembya, a programmes officer from whom he bought a motor vehicle to embarrass him because of his pro-Government stance.
But TIZ president Reuben Lifuka refuted Mr Chimba’s allegations, saying the vehicle transaction between the two was a private matter that did not concern the non-governmental organisation.
Mr Chimba last week told the Times that he had in the recent past been receiving threats on his life from various people some of whom he had since reported to the police.
In a letter dated July 15, 2010, addressed to Ms Bwembya, reported as a businesswoman in The Post, Mr Chimba said she was being threatened of dismissal for associating with him.
He said Ms Bwembya was not a businesswoman but a programmes officer at TIZ. “It is with a heavy heart that I want to remind you that the only reason you went on this avenue is because you are being threatened with dismissal by your boss at Transparency International Zambia where you work as an assistant programmes officer for associating with me.
“One of your text messages sent to me on July 10, 2010, two days after I was visited by bailiffs from the sheriff’s office clearly confirms this aspect.
“In the text message received at 08:38 hours this is what you wrote, ‘you won’t believe this my having sold the vehicle to you has been associated to me as the supplier of information’.” Mr Chimba said.
He said Ms Bwembya was under extreme pressure from her bosses and that she was being used to discredit him.
He, however, admitted that he had entered into a memorandum of understanding with Ms Bwembya on January 16 this year over the purchase of a Toyota Caldina, ABT 1897.
But TIZ president Mr Lifuka in an interview yesterday refuted Mr Chimba’s claims that pressure was being exerted on Ms Bwembya to discredit Mr Chimba.
“It’s not TIZ that sold the vehicle to Mr Chimba. Mrs Bwembya has a fully signed contract and the board cannot make a decision based on a private matter. What offence can we give Mrs Bwembya?” he said.
He said Mrs Bwembya was actually the longest serving employee of TIZ.
Ms Bwembya in a separate interview said no one was putting pressure on her. She said she was only concerned that Mr Chimba seemed to have some debts and that the bailiffs may grab the vehicle in question.
“No one is putting pressure on me, I couldn’t just go on waiting for my money.
He told me that he was waiting for some payment from the Ministry of Energy but it has never come forth. I just needed a way to protect my vehicle,” she said.
THE Economics Association of Zambia (EAZ) and Private Sector Development Association (PSDA) have hailed President Rupiah Banda for opening up bilateral relations with Turkey, a decision they say will bear positive results for the country’s economy.
EAZ president, Mwilola Imakando said in Lusaka yesterday that by establishing strong bilateral ties, Zambia would have increased investment opportunities.
“The country always benefits from useful bilateral relations. The little we know about Turkey is that that is a progressive country,” Dr Imakando said.
He said the increased trade opportunities arising from the trade relations with Turkey would increase competition, hence making Zambian companies more efficient.
Dr Imakando said President Banda was showing political will from the highest office to create an enabling environment to enhance investment in the country.
President Banda ended his three-day State visit to Turkey on Thursday where he held meetings with government officials and wooed some key investors, including Turkish Airlines that would soon launch a flight to Lusaka.
Mr Banda said Turkey was a strategic country as it was one of the emerging markets rated among the top 15 in the world and the sixth largest in Europe.
The focus of the visit was to capitalise on the warm relations between the two countries to establish conditions for development of economic ties through bilateral cooperation and the promotion of trade and investment.
A bilateral agreement on air services was signed alongside two memoranda of understanding for cooperation in foreign service training and on political consultation between the two governments.
The president also officiated at the first Turkey-Zambia Trade and Investment Forum in Istanbul at which 11 Zambian business executives were present.
The forum resulted in establishment of business contacts. He said the bilateral relations would also boost Zambia’s tourism sector.
PSDA chairperson, Yusuf Dodia said the relations between the two countries would link Zambia with the Middle East and Europe.
He said trade relations with Turkey would help Zambia become a regional air travel hub. Mr Dodia said through these relations, Zambian businesses could export to Turkey.
FORMER Taskforce on Corruption State prosecutor, Mutembo Nchito yesterday appeared before the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) legal practitioners committee in connection with a complaint of legal impropriety raised by second Republican president, Frederick Chiluba.
Also summoned was Patriotic Front (PF) secretary general, Wynter Kabimba to answer charges of breaching provisions of the law following a complaint by former Health deputy minister, Solomon Musonda.
On the complaint against Mr Nchito, Dr Chiluba was represented by his administrative assistant Emmanuel Mwamba at the hearing that started at 10:00 hours at the LAZ offices.
LAZ heard the complaint against Mr Nchito for lodging an appeal against the acquittal of Dr Chiluba without consent from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
The former Taskforce prosecutor refused to say anything, arguing that he could not defend himself because he was acting on behalf of the DPP.
The committee, however, directed Mr Nchito to make a submission which must be before the committee within 30 days.
The directive was extended to Mr Mwamba, who was representing Dr Chiluba. Mr Mwamba, who made the submission on behalf of the former president, justified why LAZ should discipline Mr Nchito.
Dr Chiluba had complained in a letter to LAZ dated August 27 last year over The Post newspaper story that stated that the State had appealed against the judgment entered in favour of the former president on August 17, 2009.
The story published details and grounds supporting the appeal and further reading showed that instructions to Mr Nchito sanctioning the appeal were written by former Taskforce on Corruption executive chairperson, Max Nkole and not the DPP.
It also emerged that the instructions that were dated August 21, 2009 were copied to the DPP, Chalwe Mchenga.
The DPP responded to the letter and refused to give consent to the appeal. Instead he advised Mr Nkole and Mr Nchito to give him the judgment to help decide whether the appeal was relevant.
“We are, therefore, surprised that an agent in Mr Nchito has blatantly usurped the constitutional powers of the DPP and proceeded to appeal in the case even in the face of clear cautionary instructions from the DPP,” Dr Chiluba said.
The judgment related to a case where Dr Chiluba was co-charged for offences of theft by public servant with former Access Financial Services directors, Faustin Kabwe and Aaron Chungu.
And according to summons drawn by LAZ administrative assistant Sipelile Mwilwa addressed to Mr Kabimba and Mr Nchito, Dr Musonda petitioned LAZ to take disciplinary action against the PF secretary general for allegedly violating the legal practitioners’ rules when he wrote the DPP that the Chitambo MP had been charged with a minor offence when the matter was already before the courts of law.
Dr Musonda has asked LAZ to investigate and punish Mr Kabimba for allegedly using expressions that he said would erode confidence in the country’s justice system.
He based his complaint on an article that appeared in The Post newspaper of June 22, 2010, which described the charge against the former minister as a mockery of justice.
The letter, which was copied to his lawyer, Sunday Nkonde of SBN Legal Practitioners, the president of LAZ and LAZ secretary, states that Mr Kabimba had breached rule number 32 of the legal practitioners practice rules of 2002 under statutory number 51.
Enyimba, albeit in two sets, arrived at the 11th hour ahead of Saturdays Orange Caf Confederations Cup last 16 clash against hosts Zanaco at Sunset stadium in Lusaka.
The first team of five officials and players arrived at 23:00 on Thursday that included a reported two Enyimba squad members.
The rest of the 2009/2010 Nigerian league champions’ team arrived on Friday around midday in a party that also included their coach Okey Emordi.
Enyimba claim that their travel plans to Zambia have been delayed by red tape in the issuing of their entry visas to Zambia before they were told on Monday by the Zambia mission in Nigeria that they could get them at the point of entry at Lusaka International Airport.
Enyimba media officer Tonnex Chukwu said the team late arrival for the first leg match will not hamper their chances of qualifying to next month’s Confederations Cup group stage matches.
“No, no Enyimba is a big team because we are used to these things,” Chukwu said.
“When you are hosting a team in the first leg you must be careful if you ill-treat your opponents you have a second leg to play and your guess is as good as mine. But we know Zambians are enlightened people so we expect a good match.”
Meanwhile, Zanaco come into the first leg with lingering doubts about the fitness of their key striker Makundika Sakala who is their top scorer in Caf club competition this season on four goals.
Sakala has been struggling with fitness for the last three weeks since June 12 when Zanaco beat Green Buffaloes 2-0 away at Edwin Emboela stadium in a delayed Week 4 match.
Zanaco travel to Nigeria in a fortnights to face Enyimba in Aba in the final leg decider during the weekend of July 31, August 1.
FLASHBACK: Pact co-spokesperson PF's Given Lubinda and UPND's Charles Kakoma (r) during a press briefing in Lusaka
The opposition UPND-PF PACT has decided to establish guidelines that will ensure that what happened in Chadiza and Kaoma does not happen again.
Pact co-spokesperson, Given Lubinda, told journalist at a press briefing this afternoon that the confusion that occurred in preparation for the Chadiza and Kaoma local government elections was due to lack of set of guidelines in place to help uphold the principles the pact was established on.
Mr. Lubinda said the pact has however learnt its lesson from the experience and has even decided to forward the matter to what is termed as the ‘Superior Committee’ which is co-chaired by the two party presidents.
He assured Zambians that according to the agreement that was reached at by the pact working group, it was not necessary to withdraw anyone from the committees who would have allowed the separate filing in to be done.
When queried on whether the matter had to be transferred to a superior body, Mr. Lubinda explained that the only reason the working group decided to make this particular move is to help those in the senior body to learn lessons from this matter.
The pact working group which underwent a serious 2 day meeting to resolve this matter and find solutions to the occurrence have directed that no one else will make any statements within the party about policy matter except the two co spokespersons.
It has also been resolved that the 9 committees of the pact immediately complete their reports and submit them to the working group within the next two weeks.
