Wednesday, April 2, 2025
Home Blog Page 4943

Mining firm scales down morbidity

A local firm, Sandvik Mining and Construction Limited Company says it has recorded a reduction in the number of deaths related to HIV/AIDS amongst its employees following the HIV/AIDS workplace policy.

Company Human Resource Manager, Ruth Mubita said the company has managed to bring down the morbidity rate since the HIV/AIDS workplace policy was effected.

Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Kitwe, Mrs. Mubita said the decline in the number of deaths has been attributed to the HIV/AIDS, health and fitness interventions that the company has put in place.

She explained that the company before used to lose approximately five to eight people per year due to various sicknesses a situation she said has now improved for the better.

Mrs. Mubita added that the company currently has more than 400 employees and has not recorded any deaths from illness.

“We were losing between five to eight employees per year, but this is no more.” Mrs. Mubita said.

She also revealed that the company will launch a wellness programme in September 2010 to supplement the already existing company strategies for its employees.

Mrs. Mubita said the programme emphasizes community engagement, counseling, occupational; health and safety as well as medical care and assistance.

She however stressed that there were still discussions going on about the programme.

[ ZANIS ]

M’membe granted bail (UPDATED)

Post Editor-in-Chief Fred M’membe
Post Editor-in-Chief Fred M’membe

Convicted Post Newspapers Editor-in Chief Fred M’membe has been granted bail pending appeal worthy K20 million Kwacha in his own recognizance by a Lusaka Magistrate court with two working sureties.

His lawyer Remmy Mainza told journalists at the Lusaka Magistrate Complex this afternoon that M’membe has been granted a free bail by Magistrate David Simusamba. This means Mr. M’membe will not have to pay the money unless he defaults bail conditions.

The bail which was supposed to be signed this morning was delayed until after 15:00 hrs, because his lawyers were told to make some amendments to the notice of appeal which was presented earlier to Senior Resident Magistrate David Simusamba.

And speaking to journalists after he was released, Mr M’membe,who was clad in a pair of jeans, a pair of canvas, a checked shirt and a black cap said he does not understand what the alleged corrupt government of President Rupiah Banda has achieved by his conviction.

Mr M’membe said the Post Newspapers will continue operating as before, adding that his spirit remains the same and shall never be crashed.

M’membe further said that there is a great need to improve the judicial system in the country. He said the judicial system is not operating the way it ought to be.

Meanwhile, M’membe has appealed to authorities to look into the plight of prisoners whose situation he has described as ‘Worse than That of Dogs and Chickens’ in people’s homes.

M’membe has also thanked all those who turned up at the court today to give him moral support, mostly women clad in opposition UPND chitenge materials and T-shirts who sang songs of solidarity.

The Post Editor-in-Chief was last Friday sentenced to four months imprisonment after being convicted for contempt of court arising from an article by US based Zambian professor of law Muna Ndulo titled “the Chansa Kabwela trial,a Comedy of errors”.
[ QFM ]

Weekend Scorecard: Faz Favors Foreigner In Coach Head Hunt

7

Faz has decided to head hunt for a foreigner to coach for the Zambia national team.

And Lucky Msiska has been appointed as Under-23 coach.

According to Faz, the new head coach will be named at the end of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

The announcement ends speculation that a local will be given the job and comes in the wake of Zambia’s failure to qualify for the CHAN tournament after they were eliminated by archrivals south Africa and the subsequent redeployment of George Lwandamina to the technical desk at Football House.

Meanwhile, Msiska will be assisted by Zanaco coach Wedson Nyirenda in his duties to guide the Under-23 to the Mozambique 2011 All-Africa Games and 2012 London Olympics.

Msiska replaces Patrick Phiri who is now with Simba of Tanzania was earlier appointed to the post two years ago.

Faz has also announced further changes to the Under-17 bench with Aggrey Chiyangi dropped and he will be replaced by Nkwazi and former Under-20 trainer Oswald Mutapa.

Football House has also made changes to the Under-20 team where Choma Eagles coach Keegan Mumba will be at the helm taking over from Honor Janza who is now Faz technical director.

WEEKEND SCORECARD
Faz Super Division

Week 13

05/06/2010

Konkola Blades 2 (Patrick Kasunga 40″, Graven Chitalu 87″)- Zanaco 1(Winstone Kalengo 45″)

Choma Eagles 0-Nkwazi 0

Power Dynamos 2(Francis Kasonde 40″, Felix Nyaende 87″)- City of Lusaka 0

Zesco United 2(Jackson Mwanza 44″ 54″)-Roan United 0

Kabwe Warriors 1(Joseph Bwalya 9″)-Forest Rangers 1(Steven Kabamba 66″ og)

06/06/2010

Lusaka Dynamos 1(Patson Kaimana 15″)-Red Arrows 1(Dube Phiri 74″ pen)

Green Buffaloes 2(Dennis Banda 49″, Saili Musebo 90″)-Nchanga Rangers 0

National Assembly 0-Nkana 0

2010 TOP SCORERS

06/06/2010

Dube Phiri (Red Arrows): 8

Kennedy Chola (Green Buffaloes): 5
Reuben Tembo (Green Buffaloes): 5
Douglas Chiwaya (Nkana):5
Liniker Mwikisa (Green Buffaloes): 5

Jackson Mwanza (Zesco United):4
Makundika Sakala (Zanaco): 4
Keegan Phiri (Nkwazi): 4
Enock Sakala (Zesco United): 4
Chipulu Chileya (Konkola Blades): 4

Winston Kalengo: 3
Graven Chitalu (Konkola Blades): 3
Aubrey Zulu (Choma Eagles): 3
Patson Kaimana (Lusaka Dynamos): 3
Joseph Bwalya (Kabwe Warriors): 3
Stanley Banda (Red Arrows): 3
Vanecious Mapande (Zanaco): 3
Hendrix Mumpa (Kabwe Warriors): 3
Chileshe Kangwa (Nchanga Rangers): 3
Hendrix Kapeta (Kabwe Warriors):3
Lyson Sikaonga (Roan United): 3
Mathews Macha (Zanaco): 3

International Friendly

02/06/2010

Lusaka, Independence Stadium

Zambia 1(Makundika Sakala 79″)- Angola 0

Division 1

06/06/2010

Week 15

North

Konkola Mine Police 2- Chindwin 1

Prison Leopards 3- Zamtel 0

Medical Stars 0- Chingola Leopards 1

Chambishi 2- Kalewa 1

Lime Hotspurs 5- Mufulira Police 0

Mufulira Wanderers 2- Indeni 1

Ndola United 4- Mufulira Blackpool 1

Kitwe United 1- Mining Rangers 1

Mansa Health Stars-Kalulushi Modern Stars*

*Not played after Kalulushi travelled to Mansa on Friday anticipating to play on Saturday for the match that was scheduled for Sunday.

02/06/2010

Chambishi 1- Kitwe United 1

South

Zesco Shokers 2-TP Rangers 2

Nampundwe 1-Lusaka City Council 2

Lusaka Tigers 1-Kalomo Jetters 1

Profund Warriors 1-Young Green Eagles 0

Paramilitary 1-Luena Buffaloes 0

Kafue Celtic 1- Riflemen 1

Communite  2-Kumawa 0

Green Eagles 0-Livingstone Pirates 1

Mazabuka United-Nakambala Leopards*
*Not played follow the death of Mazabuka coach Sondo Susiku.

Commencement of the Continuous voter registration to start June 21

6
Electoral Commission of Zambia chairperson Florence Mumba

The Electoral Commission of Zambia has set June 21st ,2010 as the date for the commencement of the Continuous voter registration exercise.

Electoral Commission of Zambia Chairperson Justice Florence Mumba announced in Lusaka this morning that the commission is this week completing the last phase of the trainings of the registration officers in various parts of the country.

Justice Mumba says the commission is now ready to commence the continuous voter registration exercise in earnest.
She says through the continuous voter registration, the commission hopes to maintain a permanent,up to date accurate voters register.

She adds that the commission will implement the continuous voter registration through the periodic mobile registration campaigns.
Justice Mumba further reveals that the ECZ will implement the continuous voter registration exercise through periodic mobile registration campaigns and that teams equipped with the digital mobile registration kits will be deployed in each of the 72 districts in the country.

She says registration officers will be stationed at respective registration centers in each of the 150 constituencies for the period of 12 days.

Justice Mumba has since called on political parties, civil society organizations and the media to partner with the ECZ to inform the public about how the voter registration process will work and why it is important.

QFM

RB takes three day working break

54
President Rupiah Banda talks to Information minister Ronnie Shikapwasha before he left for a working holiday in Mfuwe. This was at Lusaka City airport
President Rupiah Banda talks to Information minister Ronnie Shikapwasha before he left for a working holiday in Mfuwe. This was at Lusaka City airport today

President Rupiah Banda this morning left for Mfuwe for a three day working visit.

President Banda left for Mfuwe at 10:00 hours and was seen off at City Airport by several senior government officials.

The President, while in Mfuwe, will also hold meetings with some investors.

President Banda is expected to return to Lusaka immediately after finishing his official business in Mfuwe

NAREP launches Manifesto

20
National Restoration Party president Elias Chipimo junior and his vice Charles Maboshe during the launch of the political party in Lusaka.

The National Restoration Party (NAREP) today launched its manifesto and promised to reduce the number of cabinet ministers from the current 23 to 12 in order to minimize spending on ministers.

Interim President Elias Chipimo Junior says when he forms government he will reduce cabinet ministers to minimize government spending on ministers.

Mr Chipimo said government is spending too much resources on cabinet ministers and their deputies.

He further said that NAREP has a vision of achieving a broader ownership of the economy by giving opportunities to everyone to own and run various industries.

He noted further that ownership of the economy can only be made possible if dependency on mines and imported oil is stopped.

Mr Chipimo said in this vein, if given a chance to form government he would ensure that the country starts to use bio-fuels to create jobs for Zambians who will be forced to go into farming to produce the bio-fuels.

He said that his party’s vision and Manifesto is spelling out how the country will develop using what he called a new philosophy known as “ a just was” which he said is better than capitalism and socialism.

Mr Chipimo said his vision will combine technology with agriculture to transform the rural landscape into an oasis of activity and innovation which he said will turn Zambia into a food basket for the whole continent.

He observed that government has good policies which have not been implemented and he would ensure they are implemented.

Mr. Chipimo however pointed out that the launch of the PF/UPND pact will not shake his party as it has a stronger foundation on which it was founded. He added that his party’s vision was to restore the hope of Zambians.

ZANIS

Zambia’s growing film industry hailed

3

Lusaka District Commissioner, Krista Kalulu says government is doing everything possible to improve the film industry in the country.

Ms Kalulu says government has hence set aside K5 billion as youth development fund at the Ministry of Community Development which can be accessed by youths to engage in various projects such as film productions.

She noted that the film industry can create employment for youths who are in dare need of jobs.

The DC further said that government will support industries that create jobs for the youth adding that it is government’s desire to ensure that the welfare of youths is taken care of.

She was speaking in an interview at Lusaka’s play house during auditions for a film called “Kawanu movie” which will be produced by Frame works Media and will be shot in the Eastern Province of Zambia.

Ms Kalulu commended Frameworks media for coming up with the initiative which she said would help Zambian youths acquire jobs in the industry and improve their lives.

And Frameworks Media Executive Producer Preston Mwila applauded government for its efforts in re-establishing the art industry which he said has started doing well.

Mr. Mwila said the movie Kawanu, will be launched in the United States and China once it is completed.

He disclosed that some firms in the United State of American have approached him to have the film launched in that country after they saw the script and the message it carries.

He also noted that the auditions have received an overwhelming response from youths who want to be actors in the film.

ZANIS

Chiemese Royal Establishment against politicking

2

The Chief Chimese Royal Family of Mansa district has cautioned politicians and the general public to stop politicizing the leaving-out of Chief Chimese of the Ushi people from the government developmental meeting which was recently held in Mansa.

The Royal Family said the Chief was left out of the meeting because he has not yet been recognized and given instruments of power by government.

The Royal Family was reacting to some sectors of society and politicians who are alleging in the media that the sitting-in Chief, Simon Kalaba was left out of the developmental meeting because he belonged to the opposition Patriotic Front (PF).

In a statement to ZANIS, sitting-in Chief Chimese, Kalaba and Philemon Mbola who is also heir to the chieftainship said the throne of chief Chimese is still vacant as there is a case before the courts of law between the sitting in chief and Benson Shapi over succession.

Mr. Kalaba was not invited for the developmental meeting which hosted all traditional leaders in Luapula Province.

The meeting was officiated by second republican President Dr. Frederick Chiluba at Mansa Hotel.

Mr Mbola said it could not have been right for the government to invite Mr. Kalaba because he is not yet confirmed as chief chimese.

He further condemned the claim by the son of the sitting-in Chief, Harry Kalaba that his father was not invited for the meeting because he belongs to the opposition Patriotic Front (PF) as selfish and misleading.

He told ZANIS that there was nothing political concerning the leaving out of Simon Kalaba from the meeting as some members of society and Harry are claiming.

Mr. Mbola said it was unfortunate that Mr Kalaba’s son misinformed the public by claiming that his father was left out of the meeting because he belonged to the opposition PF.

He expressed sadness that the statement has made people to politicize the leaving out of Mr. Kalaba from the convention adding that statement has gravity to stir-up friction in the Royal Family.

ZANIS

VIP Toilets to be erected in Solwezi

6

Northwestern Province World Vision Zambia Area Manager David Samazaka says his organization is expected to construct 60 VIP latrines in Solwezi’s Musele area in a period of three years to improve sanitation in schools, markets and rural health centers.

Mr. Samazaka in an interview in Solwezi said that World Vision Zambia under its water and sanitation project has so far constructed 20 VIP latrines in Musele area while 20 are expected to be constructed this year and another 20 next year.

He said his organisation’s aim is to provide clean water and sanitation to the community in areas it operates from in line with its area development programme adding that access to clean water and sanitation contributes to the well being of any human being.

Mr. Samazaka said 20 boreholes are also expected to be put up in the same area this year at a cost of K25 million each adding that the works will start as soon as the construction tenders have been approved.

He also disclosed that plans are under way to come up with an automated system of providing pipe water using solar especially in schools, markets and rural health centers.

Mr. Samazaka appealed to the community in Musele area to have a sense of ownership and guard the facilities being put up by World Vision Zambia jealously.

ZANIS

A Comedy of Contempt: How M’membe Met His Match

97

By Elias Munshya wa Munshya

Since 1991, Fred M’membe and his The Post Newspapers have been great custodians of Zambia’s press freedom. In fact, many of the scores that Zambia has attained in the democratic dispensation have been due to the courage of M’membe and his The Post. M’membe’s great work has undoubtedly ruffled many feathers and earned him enemies in high places. Since 1991, he has been a thorn in the flesh of many governments. His activities have led him to perhaps be the most powerful Zambian outside of politics and government. He lives in his own world and commands great power, the power of the pen. But as the old adage goes, “absolute power corrupts absolutely”. This maxim is true at all levels of human endeavour. Absolute power in politics corrupts absolutely and this is true for lawyers, churches, popes as well as the press. In the case of The Post, their commitment to truth and press freedom created lots of power for its Chief Editor M’membe, and this power if left unchecked had the potential to corrupt him absolutely. A great preacher of justice could easily become an evangelist of injustice, and this is what happened to one Fred M’membe.

All of Zambia’s presidents proved to be on match to M’membe. Kaunda tried to finish him but he could not. In the dying days of his presidency, it was The Weekly Post, as it was then, that led a press campaign against Kaunda.

[pullquote] But as the old adage goes, “absolute power corrupts absolutely”. This maxim is true at all levels of human endeavour. Absolute power in politics corrupts absolutely and this is true for lawyers, churches, popes as well as the press.[/pullquote]

During Chiluba’s presidency, Chiluba attempted to incarcerate M’membe but the courts came to his defence and he was acquitted on several occasions. On one occasion, The Post published a comparison between the military capabilities of Zambia and Angola. This obviously displeased Chiluba who swiftly charged M’membe with espionage. The courts promptly dismissed the case and let M’membe free. Additionally, Speaker Nabulyato charged M’membe with a draconian “contempt of parliament.” However, to parliament’s shock the High Court reversed the sentence declaring that Parliament unconstitutionally usurped judicial powers. The Post continued on their crusade against Chiluba, to the extent of fabricating a story that he was born in the Congo. To buttress this argument, The Post found a Mr. Kafupi who claimed to be Chiluba’s father. One of the Post’s edition in fact, carried two pictures one of Kafupi and another of Chiluba, which showed striking resemblances between the two. In a civil case involving Kafupi, the Supreme Court refused to subject Chiluba to a DNA test. It was Chief Justice Ernest Sakala who dissented against the majority and saw no problems with subjecting Chiluba to a DNA test. In spite of this, Chiluba failed to cage M’membe.

When Mwanawasa came to power, it was The Post that published stories of Mwanawasa being a cabbage. As a lesson in humility, Mwanawasa countered that charge and claimed that he, in fact, was a piece of steak. The Post, Edith Nawakwi and Dipak Patel were charged with defamation. The cabbage case was discontinued, however. Furthermore, in one of its editorials, The Post reserved some strong words for Mwanawasa, calling some of his actions stupid. The police quickly pounced on M’membe and remanded him at Kabwata Police. He, however, stood his ground and called for the High Court to strike down the law that criminalized presidential defamation. M’membe claimed that a stupid president should not hide his stupidity behind the cloth of presidential defamation. This case never went to court; it was withdrawn by Mwanawasa. The might of presidential powers were no match to cage M’membe. He was acquiring for himself real power and clout.

However, in the latter presidency of Mwanawasa, The Post made peace with the government and they became Mwanawasa’s greatest defenders. Levy succumbed to them by sanctioning the Nchitoic prosecutions of Chiluba and his lieutenants. The Post’s newly found friendship in Mwanawasa is also demonstrated in that the Managing Editor of the Post, Amos Malupenga, inadvertently became Mwanawasa’s personal biographer. Malupenga’s book, “Levy Patrick Mwanawasa: an incentive for posterity” was in fact born out of The Post’s profile articles of Mwanawasa and his family. During the Nchitoic prosecutions of Fredrick Chiluba and others, The Post upset Magistrate Chinyama, who banned them from his courtroom. At least in that case, The Post escaped without a sentence.

The Post working on its reputation as an invincible defender of press freedom and anti-corruption crusader seized on Banda’s support for Chiluba and quickly cast Banda as a dictator. Banda complained bitterly against M’membe, ironically calling him “morbid and peculiar”. Banda then made a huge mistake; he caused the Police to charge Chansa Kabwela with a pornography case. As the Kabwela case went to court, it was felt by many Zambians that the case had no merit and Kabwela would easily be acquitted. Picking on this, Professor Muna Ndulo an eminent legal academician, wrote an article in The Post where he accurately argued that Kabwela’s case was a comedy of errors. He quoted various authorities of law, both statute and common law, and reached a conclusion that Kabwela had no case to answer for the charges that she was facing. Ndulo’s article appeared at the time of Kabwela’s trial. Magistrate Kafunda, as the trying magistrate had problems with Ndulo’s article in The Post and allowed contempt proceedings to begin in his court. However, Kafunda’s contempt proceedings were stayed by the High Court and Judge Wood, ruled that Kafunda had irregularly commenced contempt charges.

Instead of letting the issue die, the prosecution, decided to commence the contempt proceedings in a regular fashion and brought it before Magistrate Simusamba. Simusamba was perhaps the only match for M’membe who arrogantly argued that the article, though contemptible, was justifiable. [pullquote]
It looks like from this case, we have learnt that while one can get away with insulting the Head of State, the Courts of Law however, are more vicious and would not allow any amount of contempt. [/pullquote] While being cross examined by Lusaka divisional chief prosecutor Mumbuna, M’membe turned the trial into a high school debate contest, mocking Mumbuna as a failure who failed to cross examine him.

Magistrate Simusamba obviously had other ideas about the case. He stood in solidarity with the trying magistrate Kafunda, and found that The Post and M’membe were criminally liable and slapped a custodial sentence on them. It was necessary to send M’membe to jail so as to help him reform. It still remains to be seen however, how and if at all, this particular convict will reform only after four months.

Zambian politicians could not cage M’membe, Kaunda tried but failed. Chiluba also tried and failed. Mwanawasa tried and lamentably failed. Banda has tried too, but failed. It looks like from this case, we have learnt that while one can get away with insulting the Head of State, the Courts of Law however, are more vicious and would not allow any amount of contempt. Contempt is alright only if it is the president you are dealing with, but contempt for court takes you to jail regardless of who you are. And Magistrate Simusamba has taught us that lesson.

Pact’s irrelevant to Zambians — FJT

Chiluba and Sata during their happy days in MMD
Second Republican president Frederick Chiluba has said the launch of the Patriotic Front (PF)/ United Party for National Development (UPND) Pact does not make it relevant to the Zambian people and therefore does not threaten the existence of the MMD Government after the 2011 elections.

Dr Chiluba said in an interview in Ndola yesterday that the PF-UPND Pact was not relevant to the Zambian people as it was working towards removing the MMD Government and not serving the Zambian people.

The pact should be seen to be doing something for the Zambians before citizens took it seriously otherwise it would soon be defunct.

“This pact is part of the statistics in the Zambian politics and nothing more, it is not going anywhere,” Dr Chiluba said.

He said the policies that govern the Pact were retrogressive to the Zambian economy and merely fanned violence unlike the MMD Government that was serving Zambians.
[pullquote]“This pact is part of the statistics in the Zambian politics and nothing more, it is not going anywhere,” Dr Chiluba said.[/pullquote]
Dr Chiluba said one of the leaders of the pact, the leader of the PF Michael Sata opposed progressive political and economic trends that made Zambia a real democratic country.

He said Mr Sata, who was quoted in the media to have invited him to campaign in the upcoming Chifubu Constituency by-elections to test his popularity, should not even bother inviting him because he had already invited himself to campaign in that election.

“I don’t have to tell anyone of how popular I am but the people will tell the story of how popular I am in the Chifubu elections,” Dr Chiluba said.

And Dr Chiluba said the sale of 75 per cent shares of Zamtel by the Zambian Government was commendable and was one of the many efforts by the current Government meant to improve people’s lives and saving jobs.

And the Committee of Citizens has expressed concern over the PF/UPND Pact’s failure to disclose the candidate in next year’s elections saying it should not be taken seriously.

Committee of Citizens president, Gregory Cifire said in a statement yesterday that the pact had not harmonised its programmes, manifestoes and its vision for the people of Zambia.

He said despite the launch of the pact there was also no disclosure of what programmes it has for the people if it was elected into office.

“This is dangerous as the unity between them is held by a very thin thread of naked ambitions to go to state house,” he said.

And Chief Chikanta of the Tonga people in Kalomo has warned that the PF/UPND Pact lacks fundamentals similar to the 2006 failed alliance formed by Hakainde Hichilema and Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) president Edith Nawakwi.

Chief Chikanta said launching the PF/UPND Pact does not resolve the many technical and unresolved issues such as the shared popularity, which cannot easily be transferred to the candidate who would be adopted.

He said there were inherent weaknesses in the pact such as their failure to articulate development issues as they had only concentrated on insulting President Rupiah Banda and his Government.
[Times of Zambia ]

M’membe’c conviction shows MMD is desperate, Kabanda

Citizen’s Forum says the conviction of post newspapers editor in Chief is a clear indication that the MMD government is desperate to hold on to power.

Forum Executive Director Simon Kabanda said that those who are not patriotic, the enemies of this country, who are also delight in stripping the country of its resources, people who don’t care about the common good, are now celebrating.

Mr. Kabanda said there have been several schemes, plans and attempts to crush M’membe and The Post adding that just before the last presidential by-election, there were open warnings and signals that The Post newspapers would be crushed soon.

Mr. Kabanda noted that the conviction of Mr. M’membe is a confirmation that they want to humiliate him and the post.

He added that people behind the conviction will never succeed, but have only managed to succeed in one thing and that is to demonstrate how desperate they are in their quest to continue their hold on to power.

Mr. Kabanda has wished Mr. M’membe good health and urged him to pray for people that have sent him to prison saying that they do not know what they are doing.

In an open later to M’membe dated 5 June and made available to QFM, Mr. Kabanda said that in the wake of the conviction over an allegation of contempt of court, he decided to write to him to uplift spirits.

He commends the post editor in chief of being a true patriot who has fearlessly given himself to the service of Zambia.
(QFM)

The International Criminal Court: Africa Beware!

28

By Dr David Hoile

Last week, in Kampala, Uganda, state members of the International Criminal Court begin their first ever review conference of the Court since its establishment in 2002. When the Assembly of States parties meet in Kampala there is a lot they should be worried about, not least of which the fact that the ICC has proved to be manifestly unfit for purpose. The ICC’s claims to international jurisdiction and judicial independence are institutionally flawed and the Court’s approach has been marred by blatant double-standards and serious judicial irregularities.

While the ICC presents itself as an international court this is quite simply not the case. Its members represent just over one quarter of the world’s population: China, Russia, the United States and India are just some of the many countries that have remained outside of the Court’s jurisdiction.

The truth is also that the ICC is as independent as the United Nations Security Council and the Court’s European Union funding lets it be. The ICC’s own statute grants special “prosecutorial” rights to the Security Council. Political interference was thus made part of the Court’s founding terms of reference.

The Court is also umbilically tied to the European Union which provides over 60 percent of its funding. Unsurprisingly perhaps the ICC has ignored all Western human rights abuses in Afghanistan and Iraq or human rights abuses by Western client states. Instead, the Europeans have chosen to focus the Court exclusively on Africa. Despite over 8,000 complaints about alleged crimes in at least 139 countries, the ICC has started investigations into just five countries, all of them African. Given Africa’s previous traumatic experience with the very same colonial powers that now in effect direct the ICC, this must create an alarming déjà vu for those who live on the continent.

The Court’s proceedings have often been questionable where not farcical. Its judges – some of whom have never been lawyers, let alone judges – are appointed as the result of vote-trading amongst member states. The Court has produced witnesses who recanted their testimony the moment they got into the witness box. There have been prosecutorial decisions which should have ended any fair trial because they compromised the integrity of any subsequent process. Simply put, the Court has been making things up as it goes along.

It has cost half a billion Euros to put on one deeply flawed trial, which subsequently ground to a halt for months. The ICC claims to be victim-centred, yet Human Rights Watch has criticised its ambivalence towards victim communities. The ICC claims to be fighting impunity, yet it has afforded de facto immunity and impunity to several serial abusers of human rights who happen to be friends of the West.

[pullquote] Despite over 8,000 complaints about alleged crimes in at least 139 countries, the ICC has started investigations into just five countries, all of them African. [/pullquote]

Africa fought long and hard for its independence. It must reject this new “legal” colonialism. The ICC’s legal blundering in Africa has derailed delicate peace processes – thereby prolonging devastating civil wars. There is a clear lesson for countries in Africa and elsewhere: do not join the ICC and do not refer your country to the ICC. The ICC does not have Africa’s welfare at heart, only the furtherance of Western, and especially European, foreign policy and its own bureaucratic imperative – to exist, to employ more Europeans and North Americans and where possible to continue to increase its budget.

========================================================================================
Dr David Hoile, an African scholar and consultant, is the author of ‘The International Criminal Court: Europe’s Guantánamo Bay?’. He can be contacted at [email protected]

Nkana Disappoint With Dull Draw

3

Nkana found the going tough at Woodlands stadium in Lusaka today where they drew 0-0 away to National Assembly.

The major highlight of this dull match was again Nkana’s big draw power with some fans including Zambia assistant coach Lucky Msiska failing to enter the stadium due to the unnecessary fracas just at the gate.

At times it looked more like a cattle crash-pen than a ticket box office as fans raised dust, pushed and shoved to get into Woodlands.

Faz must come up with a safe crowd control solution for potential big draw games like Nkana before a disaster happens.  

Inside meanwhile, the game failed to leave up to the Nkana hype in a first half that both sides spectacularly failed to spark in attack.

Former Zambia and Young Arrows striker Kruger Mwansa came close to breaking the deadlock in the 44th minute.

Nkana striker Douglas Chiwaya, who came on in the 42st minute of the first half, was offside in the 70th minute just before his team mate White Phiri was booked in quick succession for decent but Nkana held on to get the share of the 3 points.

Faz Super Division Week 13 Results 06/06/2010

Lusaka Dynamos 1-Red Arrows 1

Green Buffaloes 2-Nchanga Rangers 0

National Assembly 0-Nkana 0

[standings league_id=15 template=extend logo=false]

HH’s true indentity questioned

228
UNITED Party for National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema

The identity of the Zambia’s opposition political party leader Hakainde Hichilema has been questioned.

A civil society leader today told QFM that the United Party for National Development UPND president Hakainde Hichilema is not his real name.

QFM news has been told that Hichilema was known as Sunny Hichilema until later in his life and that he acquired his middle name Hakainde well into his adulthood.

It has also been disclosed that Hichilema’s father is Chitombwa and that Hichilema comes from his maternal grandfather in whose household he grew up.
[pullquote]Gregory Chifire, Committee of Citizens executive director explained that Hichilema’s father had many issues with the law and was always found in conflict with the law as a cattle rustler as police and prison records show in Namwala, Monze and Mazabuka.[/pullquote]

Gregory Chifire, Committee of Citizens executive director explained that Hichilema’s father had many issues with the law and was always found in conflict with the law as a cattle rustler as police and prison records show in Namwala, Monze and Mazabuka.

Chifire said it is immoral for Hichilema to hide his identity of his father even if his dad had an embarrassing history.

Chifire accused Hichilema of being afraid that an unfair comparison might be made between the manner he accumulated his wealth and the past criminal record of his father.

Mr. Chifire further expressed concern about the numerous reports about the way the UPND leader treated his workers he hired in his cattle ranches across the country.

[pullquote]Government has therefore has been called upon through the Human Rights Commission and labor commissioner to investigate the serious abuse reports and quickly protect these workers from exploitation perpetrated by Hichilema.[/pullquote]

He claimed that the workers have complained of very harsh slave conditions of service and were given poor remuneration.

Government has therefore has been called upon through the Human Rights Commission and labor commissioner to investigate the serious abuse reports and quickly protect these workers from exploitation perpetrated by Hichilema.

The civil society executive director further says that as a man contending to be Zambia’s next republican president, it is imperative that a full disclosure is made by Hichilema of his wealth, his past and parentage.

QFM