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The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has set August 5 as the date for parliamentary by-elections for Luena and Chifubu constituencies and local government elections in six wards in various districts, ECZ public relations manager Cris Akufuna has said.
The by-elections in Luena Constituency in Western Province and Chifubu Constituency on the Copperbelt Province respectively follows the resignation of area member of Parliament Charles Milupi while the Chifubu polls are as a result of the death of Patriotic front (PF) ember of Parlaiment Benson Bwalya.
In a statement in Lusaka yesterday, Mr Akufuna said the elections in six wards were as a result of resignations, convictions or deaths of incumbent councillors.
He named the six wards as Myulu in Mansa, Ilambo in Luwingu, Mailo in Serenje, Chimwemwe in Kitwe, Mpima in Kabwe and Kariba in Siavonga.
[ Times of Zambia ]
The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has arrested opposition Patriotic Front Ndola Central Member of Parliament Mark Mushili for alleged money laundering involving over six billion Kwacha.
DEC Spokesperson John Nyawali, who confirmed the arrest of Mr. Mushili, said the parliamentarian aged 61, a resident of Doctor Damme Street, kansenshi in Ndola, was arrested for siphoning fuel worth two billion Kwacha from TAZAMA Pipeline Limited by false pretences using Anegi Oils Limited.
Mr. Nyawali said the parliamentarian has been arrested for fraudulent activities in Anegi Oils involving four billion kwacha and theft of twenty million kwacha from Anegi Oils Limited.
The opposition Member of Parliament has received his arrest as political persecution.
Speaking to his PF sympathizers a minute after he was ordered to remove shoes and switch off his mobile phone at Ndola Central Police, Mr. Mushili cautioned all opposition politicians to be wary of political persecution.
[ MUv TV ]
Suspended deputy Health Minister Dr Solomon Musonda at Woodlands police station after he was arrested.Police last night officially arrested and charged former Health Deputy Minister Solomon Musonda with causing grievous harm with intent to maim,disfigure or disable contrary to section 224(a) of the Penal Code.
Dr Musonda who reported at Woodlands Police Station in the company of his lawyer yesterday around 18:15 hours for questioning in connection with the shooting incident of a Patriotic Front (PF) youth, Jackson Musaka, in Serenje two weeks ago was only officially charged around 20:40 hours.
His arrest and subsequent charging by the police followed the decision by president Rupiah Banda yesterday to relieve him of his duties with immediate effect.
Dr Musonda who was released on police bond is expected to appear before a Magistrate court today for possible plea.
And Police spokesperson Bonny Kapeso confirmed to journalists last evening the arrest and charging of Dr Musonda.
In relieving him of his duties, president Banda said he had received a report indicating that the Director of Public Prosecutions had recommended for the prosecution of the Dr Musonda following a shooting incident in his Chitambo Constituency.
[ QFM ]
Hastings Bwalya returns to the ring on Saturday, June 19 when he takes on American Matt Ellis in a non-title welterweight fight at the Niagara Falls Conference Centre in Niagara Falls.
The fight will be one of six undercard fights to heavyweight Hasim Rahman’s non-title 10-round clash against fellow American Shannon Miller.
This will be 24-year-old Bwalya’s fourth professional fight and second of the year after his unanimous points decision over American Ashantie Hendrickson in their six-round fight on May 21 in New York City.
Bwalya, against Ellis, will be looking to do much better than his last fight after being taken to the distance by Hendricks in New York last month with that win on the east coast coming after two knockout decisions in th Zambian boxers favor last year.
Meanwhile, 27-year-old Ellis faces Bwalya in his third professional fight that come on the back of one win in October 2009 after earlier losing his debut fight in May last year against the unbeaten Andre Gorges.
President Rupiah Banda has with immediate effect relieved Health Deputy Minister Solomon Musonda of his duties. This decision comes after the President received a report from the Director of Public Prosecution recommending for the prosecution of Dr. Musonda following a shooting incident in his constituency.
President Banda noted that he wanted the Minister to concentrate on his case and the judicial process to take its course in the matter.
This is according to a statement made available to ZANIS in Lusaka today by Special Assistant to the President Dickson Jere.
Meanwhile, President Banda has appointed Mpongwe Constituency Member of Parliament Gabriel Namulambe as new Mines and Minerals Development Deputy Minister with immediate effect.
Mr Namulambe once served as Science and Technology Minister in President Banda’s government before his appointment was revoked.
Former vice president Enoch Kavindele talking to journalists in Lusaka
Former Vice President Enoch Kavindele has advised Education Minister Dora Siliya to stop trivializing issues over his condemnation of the sale of ZAMTEL.
And Mr. Kavindele says his criticism of the government is not as a result of government’s decision to deny him a license to operate a mobile phone network, Vodacom.
Speaking in a telephone interview with QFM, Mr. Kavindele says it is wrong for Ms Siliya to base the issue of the sale of ZAMTEL on personalities. He said his condemnation of the sale of the Parastatal Company does not mean that he is obsessed with her.
He said the matter has nothing to do with her looks whether she is a good looking woman or not.
Mr Kavindele says he is not the only person who has condemned the sale of ZAMTEL and therefore Ms Siliya should not think that the issue is based on personalities.
And asked on whether his reaction to the sale is emanating from government’s refusal give him a mobile phone operating license, Mr. Kavindele stated that his criticism has nothing to do with that.
He also dismissed Ms Siliya’s assertions that if he was granted the license to operate Vodacom, it would have hindered the operations of ZAMTEL.
Mr Kavindele explained that Vodacom was meant to operate on its own without creating a hindrance on other telecommunication companies.
He has also dismissed the excuse by government that it does not have money to recapitalize ZAMTEL, leading to its decision to sell it. He said government has adequate resources to recapitalize ZAMTEL.
[Q FM]
Inspector General of Police Francis Kabonde
Mission Press Director Father Drevensek Miha has described as criminal Inspector General of Police Francis Kabonde’s request for numbers of reporters from Zain.
Father Miha said such acts are proving that the police service which is supposed to be protecting people has been turned into a militia.
He said the police has become an MMD militia wing instead of serving the interests of the Zambians.
Father Miha observed that the police service has ceased to be a serious and professional service under the leadership of Mr Kabonde.
He added that the directive by Mr Kabonde requesting for numbers of journalists from Zain should be treated as a criminal case because it demands striping the subscribers of Zain their privacy.
He expressed sadness that the relevant authorities have remained quiet over the matter.
Father Miha said this in a telephone interview with Qfm.
Father Miha also said Government has no choice but to release the Valuation report of ZAMTEL by RP Capital.
He said ZAMTEL is a public entity that requires people to know the transactions involved.
He said Zambians have a right to be suspicious of the 75 percent sale of ZAMTEL shares as long as Government continues to refuse to make the Valuation report public.
[ QFM ]
The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) yesterday held a meeting with 20 political parties where it was resolved that the political parties should urge their members to avoid all forms of violence during campaigns and abide by the electoral code of conduct.
According to a statement issued in Lusaka yesterday, the ECZ and the political parties agreed during a meeting held at Chrismar Hotel in Lusaka that the political parties would not engage in violent activities in the fourthcoming Luena and Chifubu parliamentary by-elections.
They condemned the violence that characterised the recent by- election in Mufumbwe.
The meeting was called realising that violence was detrimental to the development of Zambia and that it disenfranchised the electorate. Among some political parties that attended the meeting were the MMD, Patriotic Front, UPND, FDD, UNIP, NAREP, Heritage Party, ZADECO, United Liberal Party, APC and New Generation Party.
[ Times of Zambia ]
President Rupiah Banda
President Rupiah Banda has directed police to arrest and prosecute people involved in illegal grabbing and allocation of land regardless of their political affiliation.
President Banda said the police should immediately devise an effective and efficient law enforcement mechanism to arrest and prosecute all those that have acquired land illegally from lawful owners, especially in Lusaka.
Special assistant to the president for Press and public relations Dickson Jere said yesterday in a statement the police should further investigate the people and their ring-leaders involved in land grabbing and bring them to book without fail.
He said the president had received numerous representations from a number of people concerning the conduct of criminals purporting to be political party cadres grabbing land from lawful owners.
The president directed that all those occupying land illegally should be removed forthwith and land should be given back to the rightful owners who had title deeds.
“Police officers should protect all legitimate owners of land from harassment and victimisation from the illegal land grabbers regardless of their political affiliation. The police should ensure those threatening violence are brought to book without fail,” he said.
The president has also directed the minister of Lands, minister of Local Government and Housing and minister of Home Affairs to immediately form a committee to follow up on all complaints concerning land, which has been illegally acquired and allocated.
The president said all unplanned settlements should be stopped.
“The Ministry of Lands through the office of the commissioner of lands should conduct the audit of undeveloped land, especially in Lusaka and appropriate action taken in accordance with the law,” he said.
The president has directed local and other planning authorities to take charge by stopping any illegal construction of buildings.
“All buildings under construction should have legitimate planning permission as prescribed by law. Public officers involved in the illegal acquisition of land should also be dealt with and appropriate action taken against them,” he said.
The president has also directed all public officers entrusted with the responsibility of administering land to be above board and avoid involving themselves in illegal transactions.
“It is the wish of the president to see to it that there is order and tranquility in land acquisition in Zambia. There are laws in Zambia which govern land acquisition, which must be respected at all times,” he said.
A Lawyer representing former president Fredrick Chiluba’s wife Regina has told the Lusaka High Court that the magistrate’s court erred in passing a custodial sentence on his client because the charges she faced were misdemeanours.
This is in a matter in which Regina has appealed against her three- and -half-year imprisonment by Lusaka chief resident magistrate Charles Kafunda who convicted her on five counts of being in possession of property suspected to have been stolen.
Regina’s lawyer Robert Simeza said the court erred to passing a custodial sentence on charges that were misdemeanours and also another custodial sentence of three-and -half years on a felony relating to a television set that was valued at about US$3,700 and was non-functional at the time of the case.
Mr Simeza said although the television set charge fell under section 318 of the Penal Code and was a felony, Regina was a first offender that should not have been handed a custodial sentence.
He also said magistrate Kafunda also erred when he imposed a custodial sentence of two and half years in respect of counts under section 319 (a) relating to three properties.
Mr Simeza said that the question of Regina not being married to Dr Chiluba at the time she received a television set through State House was not sufficient ground to jail her to three and half years.
Regina, whose appeal is being heard by High Court judges, Evans Hamaundu, Eddie Sikazwe and Catherine Makungu, was convicted for failing to account for properties in her possession, which were allegedly stolen or unlawfully obtained.
Regina argued through her lawyer, Simeza, that magistrate Kafunda should not have dismissed her explanation over the Toshiba television set and convicting her for the felony just because she was not married to then president Chiluba at the time she got the television set through State House.
Simeza said he had no contention on the aspect of Regina having possessed the said television set, which she said was personally bought by her using money received as a gift from Chiluba while he was president.
Mr Simeza said magistrate Kafunda’s holding was that Regina was a private person who should not have been in possession of Government property.
He said that since the prosecution wanted to convict Regina at all cost they failed to call evidence from the person who sold her the television set in London.
He said this was highly improper because this information was within the prosecution’s province and that the person who sold Regina the television resided in both England and Zambia. Hearing continues today.
[Times of Zambia ]
The Zambian government has finally reduced its international gateway license fee from US$12 million to $350,000 in a bid to attract international investment in the country’s telecom sector and reduce the high cost of communications.
The new gateway license fee puts Zambia at the same level as other countries in the region including Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya, which are experiencing massive investment in the telecom sector. International gateway fees are $214, 000 in Kenya and $50,000 in Uganda.
Private mobile operators in Zambia and other telecom sector stakeholders — including Zain, the World Bank, and the U.N. Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). — had been expressing concern at the high cost of doing business in Zambia.
The decision to lower gateway fees comes in the wake of the government sale of Zamtel, which controlled the gateway and charged private operators high fees for its satellite system. Zamtel has been sold to Libya’s LAP Green Networks in a bid by the Zambian government to level the playing ground in international call services.
“The move by the Zambian government would enhance the performance of the telecom sector because high tariffs put pressure on customers’ pockets,” said Walter Tapfumanei, communications officer for Africa Agency for ICT Development.
Despite the reduction in international connection fees, the high user tariffs are not expected to decrease anytime soon, since the Zambian government has not come up with a law to govern the use of the gateways. Service providers are still using the old tariffs for international calls as they wait for the enactment of the new law that the Zambian government has drafted to guide service providers on the use of the gateways. The new law is yet to be presented to Parliament for approval, which might take months.
Commerce Minister Hon. Felix Mutati and Philips regional head JJ van Dongen.
Philips today kicked off the Lusaka leg of the Cairo to Cape Town Tour, during which, from May 12 to July 20, 2010, Philips will travel across Africa to raise awareness for the opportunities of new solar powered LED lighting and best in class medical solutions to improve the quality of healthcare in Africa. An estimated 560 million Africans have no effective lighting at night and the demand for effective healthcare solutions that increase access to healthcare in Africa is growing rapidly. As a leading company in health and well-being, Philips will meet with relevant stakeholders in 15 countries to present and discuss its simple and effective lighting and healthcare solutions during this 2-months road show.
Solar lighting to strengthen economy, education and well-being
In Africa, it goes dark all year round at about 6.30-7.00 pm and this darkness holds countries back socially and economically. Philips believes that access to effective, energy efficient and sustainable solar lighting has the potential to strengthen Africa’s economic, social, educational and cultural activities in a life-changing way. Philips new solar lights include a small LED reading light that offers children the chance to do school homework at night or for adults to more easily follow evening classes. These lights are affordable and offer the potential for a major boost in literacy across the continent.
‘It is amazing what solar lighting can change for the lives of the people living in these areas. It can strengthen Africa in many transformational ways’, says Dutch soccer legend Ruud Gullit who is working with Philips to gain attention for the world’s first solar powered LED football field lighting system. This latest innovation will effectively extend the day for communities without access to electricity allowing them to play and watch a game of football in the evening. Gullit: ‘It is important that the African people have access to simple and sustainable solutions to build the future.’
A night-time football match illuminated entirely by the sun
Philips also partners up with The Right to Play foundation, which aims to improve the lives of children in some of the most disadvantaged areas of the world. Matthijs Huizing, director of Right To Play Netherlands: ‘We are pleased to join forces in communicating the power of sport and play for development, health and peace, strengthened by the new opportunities that solar LED lighting offers.’
‘’As the leading company in Health and Well-being, Philips plans to serve Africa’s growth potential in terms of partnerships for innovation, solution supply and knowledge sharing by bringing meaningful lighting and healthcare solutions to the African people”, said Tamer Abolghar, General Manager, Philips Lighting, Egypt and Eastern Africa.
Innovation and partnerships to improve quality of healthcare
Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for 11 percent of the world’s population, yet bears 24 percent of the global disease burden and commands less than 1 percent of global health expenditures. The average life expectancy in sub-Saharan Africa has remained at roughly 50 years since 2002. Philips points out that there are signs of improvement: the quality of hospitals and medical staff increased significantly in the last years and many healthcare projects have boosted the transformation to modern and well-structured healthcare systems in Africa.
‘At Philips, we applaud the fact that governments, public and private hospital sectors increasingly dedicate energy towards making healthcare more accessible and affordable’, JJ van Dongen, Senior Director and General Manager, Philips Healthcare – Africa & Country Manager – Philips South Africa. ‘Demand for new healthcare solutions is growing fast. Our mission is to improve the quality of healthcare in Africa through access to education, sharing of best practices and improved collaboration between public and private stakeholders’.
Philips cooperates in Public Private Partnerships (PPP), supports large-scale projects that are aimed at upgrading hospitals, educating healthcare professionals and supplying medical equipment. Furthermore, Philips takes part in the ORET international development initiative, which is funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and seeks to promote economic growth in developing countries in order to promote sustainable development and growth.
Minister of Health Kapembwa Simbao has refuted insinuations that donors have suspended the Global Fund facility to the Ministry of Health. The Minister however said the Global Fund instead delayed disbursements of all grants to pave way for the Global Fund audit. Speaking at a press briefing at Ministry Headquarters in Lusaka today, Dr Simbao assured that the Ministry of Health was still enjoying a cordial relationship with some donors such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as well as World Health Organisation(WHO) among other co-operating partners.
Mr Simbao said Government with the Global Fund partners are currently working on modalities which will enable the Ministry to start accessing funds through UNDP. He added that the Ministry will then be able to access the funding directly after two years.
He said the current position is that, instead of being the principle recipients, the Ministry of Health has now become sub recipients. And Mr Simbao further stated that the Ministry of Health has been invited to apply for Global Fund round 10 since the country has managed to qualify in four rounds namely rounds 1,4,7, and 8.
He said the round four grants for malaria and HIV which were due to expire in October this year have been extended for one year to make up for the delay in disbursement. Mr Simbao further revealed that the Ministry will continue working hand in hand with some co-operating partners to build its capacity especially in procurement and finance as per agreed joint governance action plan.
He added that the Ministry of Health has so far accessed Six million United States Dollars from the Global fund saying out of this money, only three million Dollars has been used and the remaning three million dollars was yet to be accesed. Mr Simbao said the Global Fund allowed the Ministry of Health to continue procuring life saving drugs namely anti malarial, anti retro virals and Tuberculosis (TB) drugs.
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) reported today that Global Fund had suspended disbursements of grants to the Ministry of Health in Zambia
Zambia on Wednesday played down fears of a looming health crisis after the Global Fund suspended more than $300 million in health assistance to the country citing corruption.
The freeze, the latest graft scandal to hit President Rupiah Banda before an election due next year, is likely to affect the southern African country’s fight against AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.
Health Minister Kapembwa Simbao said the Global Fund would still continue supporting Zambia but the funding would now be made available through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
“It is just that the Ministry of Health will no longer be the principal recipient of the funding but all the programmes will continue under UNDP,” Simbao told Reuters.
“We hope that with the support of the UNDP, the Ministry of Health can build capacity to administer the funding in about one to two years.”
The aid freeze comes a year after Sweden and the Netherlands suspended $33 million in Health Ministry aid due to a missing $5 million. Some officials were later charged with stealing the money.
The European Union has also halted aid earmarked for road construction because of concerns about graft.
University of Zambia economist Oliver Saasa said the latest suspension should serve as another warning to Banda to get serious about graft, a growing concern of donors who pay for 30 percent of the budget in Africa’s largest copper producer. (Reporting By Chris Mfula)
Rev. Maidstone MulengaLast week was one shining moment for journalism in Rochester. When the Democrat and Chronicle published a story about Beverly Anderson, a student whose college future was mired in a paperwork bog, the community sprang into action to help her. Talk about making a difference, the reason some of us went into this profession.
That is why Shakespeare’s “Parting is such sweet sorrow,” makes great oxymoronic sense as I prepare to answer a call to full-time ministry in the United Methodist Church. I find sweet sorrow in leaving Rochester and the Democrat and Chronicle. The sorrow stems from leaving behind friends and colleagues of the last 15 years. The grief emanates from that missed phone call that was never returned, that lunch date that was cancelled, that chance to meet that did not materialize. The sweet oozes from that cherished letter, card or phone call to express gratitude about a story or a column.
For 15 years here, I have tried in different roles to highlight the global nature of today’s world. When Sept. 11, 2001, attacks occurred, we were able to put in the hands of our readers a newspaper at noon, barely three hours after the attack, educating our community about the rest of the world. Through internationalization of local stories and localization of international stories, I strived to help Rochester understand the world better.
Here at the Democrat and Chronicle, I served in various capacities and led several projects, including the revamping the Diversity Committee; leading the creation of the first-ever Ethics Code for the National Association of Black Journalists; founding the Rochester Association of Black Journalists and starting the Multimedia Academy for high school students studying journalism, which was instrumental in helping the Democrat and Chronicle be recognized by Gannett Inc. as the front-runner in reflecting the diversity of the community in staffing, outreach and coverage.
Where do I go from here? Answering God’s call to serve full time would be my humble way of thanking God for the many blessings showered on me and my family. For the last 20 years or so, journalism has been my religion, but now religion becomes my journalism.
Maybe the only word that can capture my gratitude to Rochester is: Natotela. (“Thank you” in Bemba — my language from Zambia.)
Mulenga, a native of Zambia, has been appointed director of communications for the Upper New York Area of the United Methodist Church. He will be based in Syracuse.
