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International Women’s Day – Weekend in Pictures
Lusaka City Council (LCC) to raze unpaid for billboards
Various companies in Lusaka owe the Lusaka City Council (LCC) about K1.2 billion in billboard advertising fees.
LCC Assistant Public Relations Manager Habeenzu Mulunda told ZANIS in Lusaka today that some companies have not paid the outstanding balances to the council for a long time.
Mr. Mulunda said the council will next week embark on removing the billboards belonging to companies that still owe the local authority.
He said the council expected companies to be honest enough to pay for their adverts on billboards, which he said were not for free.
Mr. Mulunda explained that LCC will not issue any public notices on when to raze the billboards because the action to do so was long overdue.
“K1.2 billion is a lot of money and we will not issue any notices to companies that owe the council. This news item should serve as a warning,” he said.
And Mr. Mulunda stated that once the billboards in arrears are razed, other companies that would be willing to apply for space should take the opportunity to do so.
Mr. Mulunda appealed to companies to ensure that they settle their payments.
ZANIS
Kitwe businesswoman arrested for cocaine trafficking
The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has arrested a 27 year old Kitwe businesswoman for trafficking in 30 pellets of pure grade cocaine.
Rozana Kunda, who is a resident of Ndeke village in Kitwe, was arrested at Lusaka International Airport on her arrival from India aboard a Kenyan Airways Flight number 724.
DEC Public Relations Manager John Nyawali said in a statement to ZANIS today that Ms. Kunda swallowed the cocaine pellets as a mode of concealing them.
She was detained in police custody and was scheduled to appear in court soon.
And DEC has arrested a 40 year old man of Chawama Township in Lusaka when he attempted to sell narcotic drugs to some people.
Mr. Nyawali named the arrested man as Mwamba Muyaya, who he said is a mastermind for cocaine supply in Lusaka.
He said Muyaya has been eluding the security dragnet for some time now.
“Muyaya’s arrest is significant as it is expected to lead to other positive developments in the fight against drug trafficking,” he said.
ZANIS
ECZ sets April 29 for Milanzi by-elections
The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has set Thursday April 29, 2010 as the date for holding the Milanzi Constituency parliamentary by-election and eight ward by-elections.
This follows the death of Milanzi Member of Parliament Reuben Banda, who died in last month, while the eight ward by-elections were left vacant through court convictions, resignations and deaths of councilors.
ECZ Public Relations Manager Chris Akufuna disclosed this in statement to ZANIS in Lusaka today.
Mr. Akufuna said the polls will take place from 06: 00 hours to 18:00 hours.
He said parliamentary aspiring candidates in by elections should lodge completed and attested statutory declaration and nomination papers subscribed before a magistrate, local court justice of a head of a primary
school.
He said the nomination papers can also be subscribed to head of a secondary school, principal of a college, commissioner of oaths and an election officer or returning officer on April 8th, between 09: hours and
15:00 hours.
Mr. Akufuna said the aspiring candidates should take along with them nine supporters who must be registered voters in Milanzi constituency.
He said the supporters must have in their possession their green National Registration Cards (NRC) and voters’ cards.
Mr. Akufuna said aspiring candidates will be required to pay K500, 000 non-refundable nomination fee.
He also said aspiring candidates in the Local Government by-elections should take along with them nine supporters who must be registered voters in the affected wards.
He said the aspiring candidates in district councils will be required to pay K50, 000 while those in Municipal Councils will be required to pay 75, 000 .00 non-refundable,” he said.
“The campaign period for the elections commences on Thursday 8th April 2010 after 15:00 hours and will end at 18:00 hours on 28th April, 2010,” he said.
Mr. Akufuna advised Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) wishing to monitor or observe the elections to apply for accreditation from the ECZ from today to April 22nd.
He also pointed out that accreditation for political party officials wishing to monitor the elections in the constituency shall be restricted to a maximum of 20 members per political party.
He also noted that only a maximum of 10 accredited members per political party and two accredited representatives of NGOs shall be authorized to represent their respective political parties or NGOs at the collation centre.
He added that not more than two political party members per participating political party shall be allowed to witness counting of votes at the polling station.
ZANIS
Nkonde Refuses To Step Down over Simataa Decision
Sunday Nkonde has said he will not bow to Kalusha Bwalya statement that he resigns if he is not happy that Simataa Simataa’s suspension stands despite the former declaring it null and void.
And football administrator Anthony Kasolo has added his voice backing Kalusha’s action saying the Faz executive had every constitutional right to ban Simataa.
Simataa was banned last Monday by Faz from all official and club functions for bringing the game into disrepute.
Nkonde said in a press statement today he had done nothing unconstitutional by and will not resign after lifting Simataa’s ban.
“I have taken note of the position by the Faz executive through the Faz communications manager Mr. Eric Mwanza and the president Mr. Kalusha Bwalya to effect that the Faz executive will not accept my advice or opinion that the indefinite suspension of Mr. Simataa Simataa is unconstitutional, ” Nkonde said in a press statement.
“Mr. Bwalya has gone further to tell some sections of the media that the Faz executive is the supreme organ between council meetings and if I am not happy with the decision of the Faz executive, I should resign. Mr. Bwalya further states that I should declare interest in the latter.
“I wish to be very clear; 1. I will not resign since I have not done anything unconstitutional. 2. I have given my opinion in response to Mr. Simataa’s letter to me as chairman of the disciplinary committee. It ‘s not about being happy or not. It is about stating what the law is. I have no interest to declare in this matter. 3. I will not force the Faz executive to accept my advice or opinion. However, the truth is and will remain the truth.
“What the Faz executive or whoever sat in the name of the Faz executive did in giving themselves disciplinary powers to discipline officials of Faz members clubs or associations was and remains unconstitutional and null and void ab initio.
“The argument that the Faz executive is the supreme organ of Faz between the council meetings is only correct to an extent as it does not mean the powers of the Faz executive between council meetings are limitless.
“Even between council meetings the supremacy of the Faz executive is limited at Articles in the Faz constitution. In this case, Article 47 does not give power to Faz to the Faz executive to perform judicial functions including handling disciplinary cases involving officials of Faz member clubs and associations.
“Does the Faz executive realise the implication of their action? 1. Faz does not mean the Faz executive. The disciplinary committee is also part of Faz.5. As chairman of the disciplinary committee, I am alarmed at what I am hearing and seeing. I am expected to sit idly by while the powers vested in the disciplinary committee are being usurped without ant remorse? No. I will still ask my friends in the Faz executive-at least those who have not understood my opinion -to reflect again in the interest of constitutional order. It is not about Simataa or any individual. it is about the Faz constitution.”
Meanwhile, Kasolo said at Wednesday’s Faz press briefing at football House that Faz where within their constitutional jurisdiction to suspend Simataa and that the disciplinary committee was subservient to Faz and had no powers to overrule the powers of the Faz executive committee.
Kasolo quoted Article 20 and 28 of the Faz constitution said the executive committee and the FAZ president had constitutional rights to suspend any member.
“The council is responsible for suspending a member. The executive may however, suspend a member that seriously violated its obligations as a member with immediate effect. The suspension shall last until the next council meeting unless the executive committee has lifted it,” Article 20 (1) reads.
“The president shall in consultation with the executive committee has the poor to suspend any member of the executive or standing committee if such a member has committed gross misconduct or has acted in contravention of the provisions of this constitution or any rules and regulations made hereunder. Provided that the president shall inform the FAZ council before the said member is formally charged and shall, within one (1) month of the date of suspension submit a report pertaining to the said suspension to the council and the council shall then confirm, reverse or alter the president’s decision as it shall deem fit. The person suspended shall be charged and tried and shall be given a chance to exculpate himself within three (3) months of the alleged misconduct,” Article 28 (1) reads.
Gwembe Basic employee defiles 14 year old daughter
Police in Gwembe are holding a Ministry of Education employee man who defiled and impregnated his 14 year old daughter.
Hankwilimba Muma Moonga 48 a general worker at Gwembe Basic is scheduled to appear in court today.
Police on Friday recorded a warn and caution statement from the accused person and further recorded a statement from the four-month pregnant girl.
Gwembe Police Station Officer-in Charge Tundwe Chisanga confirmed the arrest in Gwembe and further said that police intend to charge Hankwilimba with incest because he had carnal knowledge with his daughter.
Chisanga said at first police investigated and arrested the accused for assault after he beat up his daughter in his desperate attempt to pursued his daughter to name someone else for her pregnancy, and caused injuries on her daughter’s private parts before his relatives closed the case and Hankwilimba was released.
He said police continued to investigate the matter and came up with full evidence and charged the accused with defilement and detained him in police custody.
“In his warn and caution statement, Hankwilimba narrated the ordeal, confirmed and accepted having defiled his daughter and how he had attempted to pursued his daughter to shift her pregnancy to another man,” Chisanga said.
The matter comes up in court today.
First lady Thandiwe calls for concerted efforts in women issues
First lady Thandiwe Banda has called for concerted efforts in addressing major issues affecting women in the country.
Mrs. Banda says this is the only way women can play a role towards the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MGDs) especially goal number three that aims at promoting gender equality and women empowerment.
Speaking in Lusaka today when she launched the Habitat for Humanity Women Build 2010 project, Mrs. Banda noted that women have an inner resilience
and strength that is key to moral, psychological and economic health of a country.
She said it is for this reason that government and other cooperating partners should work closely and ensure that all imbalances that affect effective women’s participation in national programmes are fully addressed.
She cited lack of decent accommodation, low education levels, access to food and quality health facilities as some of major challenges that women
in the country have continued to face.
The First Lady has further commended Habitat for Humanity for alleviating housing poverty among the vulnerable groups especially women and children
in the country.
And Habitat for Humanity Zambia Patron Dr. Kenneth Kaunda disclosed that the organisation has so far built 2,200 housing units for the orphaned and
vulnerable people in different communities across the country.
Dr. Kaunda said there is need for Zambians to support initiatives that are targeted at uplifting the living standards of the less privileged in society.
He has since pledged that his organisation will continue to supplement government’s efforts in providing low cost but decent and affordable houses
for people.
[ZANIS]
Zimbabwe Needs Trade, Not Aid
By Henry Kyambalesa
The recent revelation made in Parliament by Hon. Lameck Mangani that Zambia will give K2.7 billion to Zimbabwe as a contribution to the country’s economic recovery needs to be condemned, because Zambians like their counterparts in Zimbabwe are equally facing very serious socio-economic problems.
There is, therefore, no wisdom in “stealing” from the poor in Zambia to give to the poor in Zimbabwe. In fact, there is no guarantee that the money will not end up being used by Robert Mugabe in his 2011 presidential bid. Mugabe has already announced that he is ready to contest the 2011 presidential poll regardless of whether or not the country’s new constitution will have been enacted by then.
Zambia needs to stop using borrowed money on unproductive ventures. For too long, a significant portion of loans secured by the MMD government has been used on keeping inefficient state companies in operation, financing the production of non-tradables, subsidizing consumption, financing government leaders’ superfluous perquisites, and/or on other unproductive schemes.
This misapplication of loans has led to one obvious consequence: forlorn development projects and programs have not provided an enabling environment for the private sector to mass-produce for export markets and generate the foreign exchange needed to service external debts, let alone provide for capital accumulation to facilitate and expedite socio-economic development.
What Zimbabwe needs today more than ever before is greater trade with Zambia and other African countries in its quest for economic recovery, not free money which is likely to end up in the pockets of politicians.
Trade is an essential element in a country’s quest for heightened socio-economic development; it can function as a “vent for surplus” for a country like Zimbabwe which has abundant unemployed resources which cannot be fully harnessed due to a small domestic market.
Also, trade between Zambia and Zimbabwe can bolster the creation of new jobs in both countries. As economic units in each of the two countries expand their production capacities to meet the demand for their product offerings in both markets, they are more likely to hire additional employees in order to facilitate the production of higher volumes of their product offerings.
Moreover, trade among the two nations can generate competition in their domestic markets and consequently foster innovation and creativity among economic units in their domestic economies. Such competition can be beneficial to the economies of both countries; for example, it can give suppliers the incentive to be efficient in order to satisfy the changing and divergent needs and expectations of consumers. Specifically, competition can lead to lower prices, high-quality products, and greater variety and abundance of products.
Further, trade among the two countries can boost their foreign exchange reserves—depending, of course, on whether exporters in the two countries would demand for payments in currencies other than the Zambian kwacha or the Zimbabwean dollar.
Besides, greater trade between Zambia and Zimbabwe can create opportunities for commercial and industrial undertakings in both countries to attain “economies of scale”—that is, reductions in the average cost of producing a particular class of products resulting from mass production of the products. It can also make it possible for commercial and industrial undertakings to attain “economies of scope”—that is, cost savings gained through the production or distribution of a wide variety of products.
It is not prudent for Zambia to continue to secure loans beyond the current US$1.2 billion in external debt, and to become a donor country using borrowed money. Borrowed funds need to be used in providing for subsidies, tax incentives and cooperative government-industry programs designed to create a comparative advantage in industries which have the potential to support economic growth and job creation.
Sata sues TIMES for defamation
PATRIOTIC Front (PF) president Micheal Sata has sued the Times of Zambia for libel.
Mr Sata has also applied for an interim injunction to restrain the newspaper and its servants or agents from publishing any defamatory words concerning him.
Mr Sata’s lawyers from Ituna Partners have also filed a certificate of urgency claiming that the matter was of extreme urgency and required expeditious determination as the Times of Zambia had allegedly continued to write, publish and print defamatory articles concerning Mr Sata.
In an affidavit in support of an interim injunction, Mr Sata stated the Times of Zambia published articles concerning him in the editions of February 22, 23, 24 and 25 this year.
He indicated that the articles titled some ‘Sata leads polygamous life’, ‘Forget about presidency’, Sata told, ‘Sata is not credible’- Mumbi, Chimumbwa.
He stated that the articles were allegedly defamatory.
“The words in the said articles in their ordinary and natural meaning meant and were understood to mean that I am not a law abiding citizen, I have a criminal record, I am not a sincere Christian, I do not abide by the rules and teachings of the Catholic Church, and I am a dishonest person with no integrity,” Mr Sata claimed.
Mr Sata said he was a staunch Christian in the Catholic Church which did not allow people leading polygamous or polyandrous lives to receive Holy Eucharist.
That he was a politician and alleged repetition of false imputation of a criminal character would only lower his estimation in the minds of voters.
He stated that unless the defendant was restrained by law of a court order from repeating the publication of defamatory matters, he was likely to suffer irreparable injury as his political ambitions and standing in the Catholic Church could not be atoned for by damages.
Mr Sata was claiming for aggravated or exemplary damages, an injunction restraining the defendant from further writing, printing or circulating or otherwise publishing of the plaintiff the said or any similar libel.
High Court judge handling the matter, Evans Hamaundu has set March 15 as the hearing date.
Times of Zambia
Poor school infrastructure irks Siliya
Minister of Education Dora Siliya has observed that poor workmanship in the construction of some school
infrastructure in Eastern province has eroded people’s confidence in government.
Ms. Siliya expressed disappointed with the quality of some new school infrastructure in Eastern province.
“Government is spending a lot of money in constructing these schools but the kind of contractors we have leave much to be desired,” she said.
She said government’s intention of trying to empower small local contractors was good but disappointing because government ended up getting poor infrastructure. She said this would leave government with no option but to engage large construction companies.
Ms. Siliya said there was need for buildings officers from the Ministry of Education to intensify their supervision of projects. She has since instructed the inspectors to terminate contracts of contractors that were producing shoddy work, adding that government would not continue to lose money on something that would not last long.
She particularly expressed disappointment with the state of a one by three classroom block at Tasala Basic School, which was built recently at the cost K180 million and opened in January this year. She said the new building looked like it was built some five years ago.
And Tasala Basic School PTA chairperson Joseph Mumba said the parents in the area were very reluctant to assist in the construction of the school. Mr. Mumba said the community did not provide the 25 per cent upfront materials that were needed for the construction of the school.
He added that if the parents were actively involved in the construction of the class room block, there could have been close monitoring of the project.
ZANIS
Zesco arrests a man for swindling customers
The Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (Zesco) in Lusaka has arrested a man for swindling customers through illegal power connections.
Fonda Musamba, 39, of Lusaka’s Kaunda Square compound, is alleged to have been purporting to be an inspector from Zesco. Musamba, who was using a pseudo name of John Phiri, was arrested in Chelstone area today after some affected customers reported him to Zesco
police.
ZESCO Inspectorate Coordinator, for Lusaka Division, Patrick Simwinga confirmed the arrest of Mr. Musamba in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today.
Mr. Simwinga said the suspect, who has been on the ZESCO’s list of most wanted people, is alleged to have swindled unsuspecting Zesco customers of huge amounts of money by illegally helping them to connect electricity to
their houses.
He said the suspect has since been charged with two counts of impersonating a ZESCO officer and obtaining money by false pretence, contrary to section 102 and 309 chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia.
Mr. Simwinga has since cautioned customers to be wary of such people to avoid paying money to individuals.
Meanwhile one of the victims, George Chongolo, who reported the matter to police, narrated how he was swindled by Musamba.
ZANIS
RB visits Lusaka floods affected areas
President Rupiah Banda today visited flood affected areas in Lusaka where he disclosed that K11billion has been set aside to help mitigate the impact of the floods.
President Banda toured Chawama, Msisi, Chibolya and Kanyama compounds and the Independence stadium where over 600 flood victims have been temporally relocated.
He said his idea of visiting flooded areas was meant to get first hand information about the impact of the floods so that government could find ways of mitigating the problem.
President Banda also said government would work with many other stakeholders to find a lasting solution to the problem of floods in the city.
He called on the opposition political parties in the country to come on board to find a lasting solution to the problem of floods.
The President said it was not good for the opposition political parties to politicize problems in the country.
He has since called for unity when it comes to developing the country.
“The opposition must not always oppose. I would like to see Mr. Sata or Mr. Hichilema say what we can do to help these people. We have to work together sometimes instead of cheap politicking.” President Banda said.
He said in China where he was recently, there are many political parties but the country has managed to emerge as an economy to reckon with because of the unity in purpose.
President Banda said Zambia can also do the same for the sake of development.
He also thanked Lusaka District Commissioner, Krista Kalulu, the Lusaka Provincial administration, Zambia Red Cross, the Zambia Army and all those that have devoted their time to assisting the flood victims.
He said he was very touched by the flood situation in the district saying he was open to receive ideas that can help find a lasting solution to the problem.
The President said it would be unrealistic to take people back in their flooded areas hence the need for dialogue to have standing solutions.
He appealed for support from the business community, churches, NGOs and other well-wishers to assist flood victims as they will need assistance in among other things, food and blankets when the floods subside.
ZANIS
FAZ DC chairman Lifts Simataa’s Suspension
Faz disciplinary committee chairman Sunday Nkonde SC has said football administrator Simataa Simataa’s suspension by Football House is null and void.
In a letter to Simataa obtained by LT this evening, Nkonde said Simataa’s suspension was unconstitutional.
Faz suspended Simataa on March 7 for brining the game into disrepute for allegedly constantly attacking Kalusha Bwalya’s executive.
“I acknowledge receipt if your Tuesday, March 9 letter to me in my capacity as chairman of the FAZ disciplinary committee,” Nkonde said.
“In the letter, you wonder if the executive committee action to suspend you is in conformity with the disciplinary procedures or not.
“I wish to respond as follows: 1. The disciplinary committee has never sat to hear any complain leading to your purported suspension. 2. This is a purported suspension because it is unconstitutional and null and void ab initio (right from the beginning). The Faz executive committee or whoever sat in the name of the Faz executive committee has not power under the current Faz constitution to suspend an official on disciplinary grounds.”
Nkonde went on to say that under Article 47 of the Faz constitution, the only recognized judicial bodies are the disciplinary committee, The Faz council appeals committee and the Arbitration council.
“The Faz executive committee is not one of the judicial bodies,” Nkonde said.
“Even Article 4(15) which the Faz executive committee has invoked in suspending you doers not give such power to the Faz executive committee.
“Article 4(15) refers to powers of Faz-not powers of the Faz executive committee. Thus, the provision begins with the words “Faz shall have full power….” and not the words “the Faz executive committee shall have fill power…
“Faz comprises such bodies as the Faz council, the Faz executive committee, the secretariat, the judicial bodies, the standing committees, etc (Article 25) but whose various powers are set out in the various Articles of the Faz constitution.
“The powers of the Faz Executive committee are found in Article 27(6) of the Faz constitution. And a quick perusal of Article 27(6) confirms that the powers of the Faz executive committee do not extend to powers to suspend an official or take any such disciplinary measures.
“What the Faz executive committee or whoever sat in the name of the executive committee has/have done is to usurp the powers of the disciplinary committee established by Article 45 of the Faz constitution in the first place. I repeat that such an act is unconstitutional and null and void ad initio. The appeal is not even necessary.
“In fact, it is wrong for the Faz executive committee to be the complainant, prosecutor and judge in the same case. The Faz constitution provides for the separation of powers when it comes to disciplinary cases (for instance, no member of the executive committee sits on the disciplinary committee or the Faz council of appeals committee). Due process has to also be followed.
“Lastly, whoever is giving legal advice to the Faz executive committee must be very careful and avoid clearly misleading the Faz Fez executive committee in making patently unconstitutional decisions.
“What has happened is very unfortunate. It is akin to a president of a country appointing judges but when he or cabinet feels aggrieved, they sit and pass sentences on persons instead of letting the judges handle the cases.”
Nkonde said it was regrettable that people could not find time to benefit from his legal knowledge and experience.
“I am a lawyer; a State Counsel for that matter. I also once served as Solicitor General of the Government of the Republic of Zambia for close to 6 years,” he said.
“It therefore, becomes regrettable if people can to find time to benefit from my legal knowledge and experience. I mention this because there are just too many unconstitutional decisions being made and those that may not be in a position to verify as you have done may wrongly conclude that these decisions have some input from me when this is not the case.”
Nkonde said he trusted he had responded to Simataa’s letter and that a copy of his reply had been forward to the Faz general secretary for the attention of the Faz executive committee.
Banda is driving Zambia into dictatorship- Fr Bwalya
Change Life Zambia Executive Director Fr Frank Bwalya says republican president Rupiah Banda is slowly driving the country into dictatorship.
Fr Bwalya says president Banda’s continued protection of alleged corrupt people in his government is clear a sign that the country is being driven into dictatorship.
He charged that the current government has failed to provide leadership and has continued to plunge the country into further disaster.
He stated that his organization would not rest until the country has a change of government in 2011.
Speaking last night on Muvi TV’s the Matter at Hand, Fr Bwalya alleged that the current government is corrupt and does not deserve to lead the country.
QFM
Kabwe Grandfather strangles Four year granddaughter to death
A four-year-old girl of Kabwe’s Kamushanga compound was on Sunday strangled to death by her grandfather.
Central Province Police Chief Simon Mpande confirmed the incident to ZANIS in Kabwe today that police have since arrested the man, Steven Lukwesa and his wife Monica Chimfwembe.
Mr. Mpande said the body of the girl, Naomi Njavwa Nambela is in Kabwe general hospital mortuary awaiting postmortem.
He said police was investigating the matter to establish the motive behind the killing of the girl adding that the two have been charged with murder and would appear in court soon.
And according to the mother of the deceased girl, Gladys Musonda, the girl went missing at about 10 hours on Sunday.
She told ZANIS that her stepfather killed her daughter like a chicken and wrapped her body in chitenge material, mosquito net and an old jersey before hiding it under a bed.
She narrated that after noticing that her daughter was not seen playing with friends, a search was constituted at about lunch hour.
‘I even went to look for her at her father’s place within the compound. When it was apparent that she was nowhere, my mother who had then just arrived from the field, joined me while my step father showed no concern,’ she explained.
Musonda said later around 19 hours, her stepfather picked the body from where he hid it and tried to escape with it but a ten year old girl noticed him dashing into the dark and she shouted.
Musonda said she was suspicious of her stepfather who has been on separation with her mother for a long time.
She said she gave chase and managed to wrestle with her stepfather to get what he was carrying in his arms.
‘I managed to get him and when I touched the parcel, it was soft and as we struggled I realised that I held the head part of the body and the legs and only to discover that it was the body of my daughter. I screamed, my step father killed my child like a chicken,’ she narrated.
She said he tried to calm her down asking her to go with him in the house so that he could explain what transpired. She however cried for help and people gathered around and unwrapped the body.
ZANIS