Speaker of the National Assembly, Amusaa Mwanamwambwa has reprimanded Chimwemwe constituency member of parliament Willie Nsanda, for using disparaging language against fellow parliamentarians  his colleagues in the House.

Mr. Mwanamwambwa strongly reprimanded Mr. Nsanda for allegedly calling the then Deputy Minister of Sport, Youth and Child Development Patricia Mulasikwanda, who is now Minister for Gender in Development, and the Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Grace Njapau, “armhole”, meaning prostitutes.

This happened on January 18th, 2007 in the National Assembly chamber during the post election seminar for Members of Parliament.

The two ministers lodged a complaint to the Speaker of the National Assembly on
January 24th, 2007 against Mr. Nsanda, Pambashe MP Dr. Bernard Chishya and Chipili
MP, Davis Mwila, all of them members of  the opposition Patriotic Front (PF).

However, the other two who were jointly accused with Mr. Nsanda were not found with
a case to answer after all the  procedures.

The two  ministers,  who are nominated MPs for the ruling Movement for Multiparty
Democracy (MMD), complained that the remarks made by Mr. Nsanda reduced their
standing in society.

They further said in their letter of complaint that they were both widows and were
not known to be going out with any man including the three MPs who allegedly called
them prostitutes.

In delivering his ruling on the matter today, the speaker of the National Assembly
ordered Mr. Nsanda to go out of the Chamber and enter through the main entrance and
stand behind the bar near the same entrance.

“I also direct the Sergeant-At-Arms to take the mace from the racks and go and stand
behind the Hon. Member for Chimwemwe, Mr. Willie Nsanda, MP,” he said.

Mr. Mwanamwambwa told the MPs in the House that, after the complaint was formerly
lodged, the matter was referred to the Committee on Privileges, Absences and Support
Services for determination.

He said the committee then asked the trio to exculpate themselves from the
accusation levelled against them, to which they responded and denied making any
disparaging remarks against the two ministers during the said seminar.

He said the accused however confirmed having heard the remarks.

“Hon. members may wish to know that on the material date, there was no verbatim
recording of the proceedings of the seminar because the recording equipment had
broken down. However, the proceedings of the post-election seminar were recorded by
rapporteurs who did not capture the alleged disparaging remarks in their record,” he
said.

Mr. Mwanamwambwa further told the House that the two ministers had mentioned three
MPs as witnesses to the alleged remarks.

The three witnesses were MPs for Munali, Solwezi and Namwala namely Mumbi Phiri
(PF), Ben Tetamashimba (MMD) and Major Robby Chizhyuka of the United Democracy
Alliance (UDA/UPND).

In her evidence Ms. Mumbi said she heard the remarks being made in the Chamber but
noted that it was difficult to know who uttered the words “armhole” because there
was confusion in the House.

Mr. Tetamashimba, who is also Deputy Minister for works and Supply, said he did not
hear Dr. Chisha and Mr. Mwila insult the two ministers on the material day but
confirmed on Mr. Nsanda.

Major Chizhyuka said in his testimony that, “there was a physical threat to my
person by some members of Patriotic Front party.

He added that in the middle of that confusion in the Chamber, Ms. Njapau and Ms.
Mulasikwanda crossed the floor of the House and went to sit next to him, noting that
it was at that time that he clearly heard someone shout “amahule”.

“I turned round, saw and heard Hon. Willie Nsanda saying “Amahule”. Madam I confirm
that the said words were said by Hon. Willie Nsanda, MP. Although I could not put a
tag on the others who shouted the word, I am very firm on Hon. Willie Nsanda, MP,
because I saw and heard him say these words,” Major Chizhyuka said in his testimony.

The Speaker said Mr. Nsanda also called three MPs as his witnesses who testified
before the committee and were cross-examined by the two complainants.

“After listening to all the evidence submitted before them and thoroughly examining
the same, the Committee on Privileges, Absences and Support Services established a
prima facie case of breach of parliamentary privileges and contempt of the House
against Mr. W. Nsanda, MP, but not against Mr. D. Mwila MP, and Dr. B.E Chishya,
MP,” Mr. Mwanamwambwa said.

Mr. Mwanamwambwa explained in his reprimand on Mr. Nsanda that the action of the
accused to utter disparaging remarks against the two deputy ministers amounted to
breach of parliamentary privilege.

He said section 23 of the National Assembly (Powers and Privileges) Act, Cap 12 of
the laws of Zambia states that any person who assaults, obstructs or insults any
member of officer going to or coming from the precincts of the assembly chambers
would be guilty of an offence.

The Speaker said the offence was punishable by the house.

He told the members of parliament that the House would not entertain such language.

He told Mr. Nsanda that his utterances on the two deputy ministers were not only a
betrayal of the confidence the people of Chimwemwe constituency who elected him but
also an insult to the confidence and trust Zambia has placed on the two
complainants.

“The people of Zambia cannot have “amahule” in this honourable House. Mr. Willie
Nsanda, you should also know that, by making such disparaging comments, you in
essence undermined the dignity of the House. This constitutes contempt of the House
which is a breach of the trust that the House the nation at large have in you as a
member of parliament,” he admonished.

Mr. Mwanamwambwa said being a first offender, the committee on privileges, absences
and supporting services exercised leniency on him but warned that the House might
not do so in future.

He added that the House would not hesitate to impose necessary and appropriate
sanction against any one who breached parliamentary privileges.

He has since asked Mr. Nsanda, who he reminded that he has been in the House for a
long time, to reorient himself with the provisions of the National Assembly Act.

  “In the name and by the authority of the House, it is now, my unpleasant duty to
reprimand you and admonish you Mr. Willie Nsanda MP, for making disparaging
remarks at Hon. Patricia Mulasikwanda MP, and Hon. Grace Njapau MP. This reprimand
shall be recorded in the votes and proceedings of the house,” he said.

The Speaker then ordered Mr. Nsanda to make a public apology to the two deputy
ministers and to the House and the nation at large.

Mr. Nsanda said he was unreservedly sorry for the making the remarks on the two
deputy ministers and promised never to do it again.

At this, the members in the House shouted ‘hear! hear! hear! as Mr. Nsanda resumed
his seat.

Doctors have ordered the ailing former president Frederick Chiluba sent to South Africa for treatment after his heart condition deteriorated, a Chiluba spokesman said on Tuesday.

Emmanuel Mwamba said Chiluba, who was in court on Tuesday attending a graft trial of his wife Regina in Ndola and would be flown to South Africa after doctors said he needed immediate specialist treatment.

Mwamba said Chiluba’s cardiac problem had worsened over the last few weeks and that the 64-year-old former leader needed to see his doctors in South Africa before a scheduled treatment review at a Johannesburg clinic in early August.

“Doctors have said his condition has deteriorated and that he needs to go to South Africa for immediate treatment and review,” Mwamba told Reuters by telephone from Ndola.

“The government has competed arrangements for his evacuation and he will leave as soon as the trial for his wife is adjourned because she performs nursing duties for him,” Mwamba said of Regina who is a trained nurse.

Chiluba refused to go for treatment in South Africa in March after authorities declined to allow his wife to accompany him, and he only left after Regina was also permitted to go.

In May, Chiluba spent five days in a Zambian hospital after he collapsed at his Lusaka home.

Chiluba, his wife and a number of associates are the subject of graft trials over allegations they stole large amounts of money during his 10 years in power from 1991-2001.

Chiluba has denied he or his associates stole funds during his rule and accuses and accuses his successor Levy Mwanawasa of a political witch hunt.

Secretary to the Treasury, Evans Chibiliti, has revealed that K700 billion State cash meant for development is lying idle in commercial banks because controlling officers have failed to apply the funds for development purposes.

“We shall hear a perverse situation where commercial banks are lending Government’s own money back to Government and the immediate impact of this is to complicate the conduct of monetary policy by the central bank and increase the cost of contractual works due to late payments,” Mr Chibiliti said.

Speaking at a two-day controlling officers’ review workshop on strengthening treasury and financial management at Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka yesterday, Mr Chibiliti said it was disheartening to note that implementation of measures aimed at controlling such situations had not been sustained.

“The central bank governor has informed the Ministry of Finance and National Planning that once more, the Government was holding close to K700 billion in the commercial banks. We must devise and agree sustainable solutions to this problem,” he said.

He said Government was unable to pay salaries and meet contractual obligations on time because of cash shortage yet its billions were lying idle in banks.

Regrettably, the Government was not earning any interest on the idle cash in commercial banks because the money was held in “clearing accounts in balance and mirror accounts.”

He called for remedial measures to control the situation.

He also invited the Director-General of the Zambia National Tender Board to speak to controlling officers at the workshop following observations that one of the major reasons permanent secretaries were carrying such large balances of idle funds was the stringent tender procedures they had to satisfy to authorise large payments.

He also called for prudent management of public resources in order to reduce the increasing audit queries from the Auditor-General.

“I want us to embrace the view that the Auditor-General is our ally and her work is intended to complement ours by bringing to our attention areas of our financial management which need strengthening,” he said.

He appealed to controlling officers not to be defensive on audit queries but reflect on the concerns raised and respond with operational measures that could constructively address weaknesses.

Meanwhile, Secretary to the Cabinet, Joshua Kanganja, directed permanent secretaries to put in place measures aimed at reducing audit queries and mismanagement of public resources.

Dr Kanganja observed that there had been frequent concerns by oversight institutions regarding the abuse, misapplication, mismanagement and outright misappropriation of public resources.

“In all these instances there is a controlling officer who authorised a payment to be made for such shoddy work…in all such cases, there is a controlling officer who has allowed a situation where work has been certified as complete and having met the stipulated standard for payment to be effected,” he said.

He directed the Secretary to the Treasury to ensure that disciplinary provisions under Part Four of the Public Finance Act Number 15 of 2004 were enforced.

Controlling officers were custodians of public resources who should spearhead the development of the country and safeguard the interests of all citizens.

He appealed to them to cooperate with the Office of the Auditor-General, saying its efforts helped to strengthen treasury and financial management and implementation of programmes outlined in the Fifth National Development Plan.

Auditor-General, Anna Chifungula, and three parliamentary committee chairpersons: Charles Milupi (public accounts), Godfrey Beene (estimates) and Request Muntanga (Government assurances) attended the workshop.

Drug Enforcement Commission commissioner, Ryan Chitoba, and Zambia Revenue Authority Commissioner-General, Chriticles Mwansa, also attended the meeting.

Parliament today heard that a total of 508 lecturers and support staff retired from the University of Zambia (UNZA) and the Copperbelt University (CBU) between 2001 and December 2006.

Deputy of Education minister Lucy Changwe disclosed that 416 officers retired from UNZA while 92 support staff retired from the CBU.

This brings to  508, the total number of employees who retired from the country’s
highest learning institution over the period under review.

Ms. Changwe said out of all the retirees, only 66 from both institutions have since
received their terminal benefits.

She was responding to Chilubi member of parliament (PF) Obius Chisala, who wanted to
know the number of lecturers and support staff retired from the two universities
between January 2001 and December 2006 and how many had been paid their benefits.

The deputy minister said the 442 retirees were still waiting to receive their
retirement packages.

Ms Changwe said out of the 442 retirees, 391 were former UNZA employees while 51
were from the CBU.

Kantanshi member Mukanga Yamfwa (PF) asked what measures government had instituted
to ensure the retirees that had not yet received their benefits did not turn into
destitutes.

In response, education minister Geoffrey Lungwangwa said the workers were still on
monthly salaries until they received their benefits.

Professor Lungwangwa added that there was K38 billion allocated in this year’s
budget for the payment of retirement benefits at the two universities.

Meanwhile, Ms. Changwe told parliament that 420 basic and secondary school teachers
retired in Northern Province between December 2000 and December 2006.

She said the retired teachers were to be paid their retirement benefits by the
pension’s board while her ministry was responsible for repatriation for the
teachers.

Ms Changwe said this in response to a question from Chilubi Mp Obius Chisala Mr. Who
wanted to find out why the 420 retired teachers were not receiving their monthly
dues for over 15 months as at January 2007.

And Ms. Changwe said government has started realising the objectives of establishing
community school dotted around the country.

She said this in response to a question raised by Mpika Central PF Mp, Mwansa Kapeya
who wanted to know the purpose of introducing community schools in the country and
whether the idea has worked according to expectations.

NDOLA resident, Andre Mtine, has been arrested along with two senior employees at Zambia Postal Services (ZAMPOST) in Ndola for money laundering and theft involving more than K100 million.
Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) spokesperson, Rosten Chulu, confirmed the arrest of Mtine, 43, a Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) committee member along with ZAMPOST Finance manager, Gilbert Kapambwe, 42, and Financial accountant Ignatius Kapembwa, 49, all of Ndola.
Mr Chulu said in an interview yesterday that the three were arrested on Saturday and would appear in court soon.
In the first count, the three, who are on bond, were charged with theft contrary to cap 87 of the Laws of Zambia while in the second count, they were charged with obtaining money by false pretences.
The third count was money-laundering contrary to section seven of the prohibition and prevention of money laundering Act 14 of 2001.
The total amount involved is K110,737, 000.
“I can confirm that Andre Jabulani Mtine of 35 Lualaba road in Kansenshi was arrested on July 7, 2007.

He was arrested with two others namely, Gilbert Mofya Kapambwe Finance manager at ZAMPOST of 5628 Itawa extension and Ignitius Kapembwa Financial accountant of Kasusu road in Northrise,” Mr Chulu said.
He said Mtine was arrested as consultant and director of Riskmate Limited and charged jointly with the two ZAMPOST employees for the offences allegedly committed between January 1, 2004 and June 26, 2007.
“The three are alleged to have been making bank transfers from Africa Banking Corporation, money amounting to K110, 737,000 to Riskmate limited. They will appear in court as soon as possible,” Mr Chulu said.
When contacted, Mr Mtine refused to comment and referred the matter to his lawyer Chimuka Magubbwi.
Mr Magubbwi confirmed that he was handling Mr Mtine’s case.
“He is our client in the matter. This is a matter, which is coming up in court and we are going to defend it. We’ve not been given a date yet,” Mr Magubbwi said.
In Chingola, Police have arrested a Lusaka illegal currency dealer who was also found in possession of other stolen items.
Chingola Police chief, Felix Mulenga, confirmed the arrest and named the suspect as Sydney Mukosha, 23, of Lusaka’s Chaisa township.
Mr Mulenga said police received a tip off from members of the public who had seen the suspect dealing in currency.
“Following his apprehension, police officers went to search his house where they found a briefcase containing millions of money in different currencies.
“We also found him with a Laptop that helped us to trace the details of the owner. The suspect is detained in custody,” he said.
The currencies included United States dollars, New Zealand dollars, South African rand, travellers cheques, Indian Rupees, United Kingdom pounds, United Arabic Emirates currency, Nokia and Motorola Cell phones, two pieces of precious stones of diamond and emerald.
At the weekend, police arrested Evans Mwata Michelo, 27, who was trapped between burglar bars in his intention to steal from Mimosa Evertake Preschool in Chingola’s Kabundi north township.
Mr Mulenga said Michelo went to the school at night and squeezed his head in quite well but the body failed to go in and his effort to get the head out failed.
The suspect later started screaming for help as he swung between the burglar bars helplessly, prompting the people in the neighborhood and the owners to call the police.
He was arrested for felony with intent to steal.
Mr Mulenga said the two suspects would appear in court soon.
And Police in Lusaka have picked up a man who is alleged to have been planning to marry his niece.
Police spokesperson, Bonny Kapeso, said the man had been picked up by police to assist with investigations following a report on the matter.
Mr Kapeso said that the man has since been remanded in police custody while investigations have been instituted to establish the relationship between the two.

United Liberal Party (ULP) president Sakwiba Sikota has defended the
chairmanship of Dr Katele Kalumba at the Zambia Centre for Inter Party Dialogue (ZCID).

Mr Sikota who is also Livingstone Member of Parliament said in a livE interview on Zambezi FM community radio station in Livingstone last night that although Dr Kalumba was facing charges in the courts of law, he remained innocent until proven guilty.

”Dr Kalumba is facing charges, yes he is. As per my profession, everyone is innocent until proven guilty. If Dr Kalumba today was convicted, I would be the first one to ask him to step down,” he said.

He said even Patriotic Front Leader Micheal Sata was also facing charges in courts of law  over the alleged defamation of President Levy Mwanawasa adding that no one had asked him to step down on those grounds.

The position of Dr Kalumba as Chairman of the ZCID has raised debate within certain sectors of society as he is still facing charges in court.

Meanwhile, Mr Sikota has expressed concern at the Heads of Departments who allegedly shared the carcass of an elephant that died about two weeks ago in
Simoonga area near Kazungula district.

Mr Sikota wondered why ZAWA decided to share the meet with the Heads of government departments at the expense of local villagers who were harassed by the
animals.

He said he has asked ZAWA to furnish him with the criteria that was used for people to benefit from the meat adding that even if ZAWA did not give him a list, he would still table the issue in parliament.

”I would like ZAWA to give me a full list of those who benefited and what criteria was used. Even if they do not, Iam going to table the issue in parliament.

 I went to Simoonga this morning to find out if anyone of them was offered the meat and they all said no, yet they are the ones that are harassed by elephants,” he said.