Presidient  Mwanawasa has urged the Patriotic Front (PF) to make meaningful contributions to Zambia Centre for Inter-Party Dialogue (ZCID) discussions on the Constitution review process and not cause confusion.
Mr Mwanawasa said that while he welcomed the return of PF to ZCID, he hoped the party would not cause confusion but instead make progressive contributions.
“We welcome them to make meaningful contributions, but if it is just to bring confusion, I will suggest they go back to the Oasis Forum,” he said.
Mr Mwanawasa said at Livingstone Airport yesterday that he was happy political parties had agreed on empowering the Constitutional Conference to adopt the Constitution.
He urged people to pray to God to give wisdom to the stakeholders for them to do the right thing.
Mr Mwanawasa said the PF had earlier denounced the Netherlands Movement for Inter-Party Dialogue, but later embraced it to get computers from the institute, which he said demonstrated that the party was just interested in getting benefits from the institute.
On Mr Sata, the President said “after the summit of presidents, we took a group photo. On that picture their leader (Sata) was pictured sitting next to me like God with his son, but he denounced what he had agreed to in the meeting.”
On the Civil Society, Mr Mwanawasa said he preferred political parties to discuss the Constitutional review process as opposed to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) because their mission was poverty reduction.
The President said NGOs’ involvement in political matters was tantamount to a breach of the law because their objectives did not include politics, and advised them to leave the issues to political parties.
“NGO means non-governmental organisation, so why should they be involved in Government issues? They are formed to serve the poor people, not politics. It is a breach of the law for them to do so because their objectives don not include politics,” he said.
The President had met many NGOs who accepted his proposals during meetings but thereafter branded him a trickstar and manipulator.
Mr Mwanawasa said some NGOs were masquerading as civic organisations when they were in fact competing to become pseudo political parties.
Mr Mwanawasa was reacting to Sport, Youth and Child Development Minister, Gabriel Namulambe’s threats that his ministry would deal with NGOs that were donor-aided to champion the cause of youths but were abusing the children.
Mr Mwanawasa said that most of the NGOs were established for good purposes, but unfortunately they were now competing to become pseudo political parties.
“If they can’t perform their duties as NGOs, then we welcome them on the political arena as political parties but those who are set to protect the rights of children and vulnerable people should do exactly that,” Mr Mwanawasa said.
Meanwhile, President Mwanawasa yesterday paid tribute to Livingstone member of Parliament (MP), Sakwiba Sikota, for being among scores of people that welcomed him at the airport.
The President said he had reconciled with Mr Sikota and was grateful that the MP was supporting his proposals over the Constitution review process.
He said the important thing was to improve people’s living conditions, and added that ignoring Mr Sikota would not be fair to the people of Livingstone who elected him as their representative.
Southern Province Minister, Joseph Mulyata said the party was reconciling and recruiting new members and all Government programmes were on course.
He said the damaged Maamba road was being repaired and that Livingstone road repairs would start next week.
The minister said dams and other infrastructure were also being repaired and restocked with fish.
“As you know your Excellency, Tongas and fish, it’s a big problem. We are trying to teach them that even fish is good food for them,’’ Mr Mulyata said as he joked with his traditional cousins.
Acting Southern Province MMD chairman, Solomon Muzyamba said the party was intact and supported the Government’s stance to empower the Constitutional Conference to adopt the new Constitution, and urged those who wanted to cause chaos to stop.
Mr Mwanawasa, accompanied by Tourism Minister, Kabinga Pande, is in Livingstone to break the ground for the construction of the SOS Village on the entrance to Livingstone.

Business was temporarily suspended in parliament today because of a technical fault in the public address system in the chamber.

Speaker of the National Assembly, Amusaa Mwanamwambwa suspended business at 15:15 hours, saying he had been informed that the proceedings in the House were not being recorded and were not been transmitted by parliament radio.

Mr. Mwanamwambwa said it was a requirement that what was discussed in the House was recorded and transmitted live on parliament radio.

He said the hired public address system parliament was currently using was not
working well, adding that he would inform the House on how far the National Assembly
had gone in acquiring its own equipment.

Business only resumed at 16:07 hours after the problem was rectified. 

During the questions for oral answers session, Agriculture and Cooperatives Deputy
Minister, Albert Mulonga informed the House that the Zambia Colleges of Agriculture
(ZCA) in Monze and Mpika would in September this year start offering diploma
courses.

Previously, the two colleges have only been offering qualifications at certificate
level.

Mr. Mulonga was responding to Chadiza Member of Parliament (MMD), Allan Mbewe, who wanted to know when government would turn the Natural Resources Development College (NRDC) into a university and when the two ZCA colleges would start offering diploma courses.

Mr. Mulonga said government had no immediate plans to upgrade NRDC into a university because of insufficient infrastructure at the institution.

He however said the college was offering diploma courses that were underwritten by
the University of Zambia (UNZA).

On the issue of encroachment into the NRDC land, the deputy minister said government
would repossess the land from encroachers after they procedures have been finalised.

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.