Shoprite store on Lusaka’s Cairo Road has been gutted by fire.

The fire, which started around 17:50 hours from the back-store, swept through some parts of the first floor of the building.

By 20:30 hours, the Zambia National Service, National Airports Corporation and Fire Brigade were still struggling to find the means of gaining entry into the affected upper part of the building.

The fire fighting officers could not gain entry into the gutted part of the bulding
because they did not have enough oxygen reserves to avoid suffocation in putting off
the fire.

Zambia Police Service Spokesperson Bonnie Kapeso confirmed to ZANIS that the fire
fighters were still outside the building as they had not secured enough oxygen
reserves by 21:00 hours.

Mr Kapeso, however, indicated that the ground floor, which accommodates the
merchandise section, seemed not to have been affected by the fire.

Senior management officials from Shoprite Checkers, found at the scene, declined to
comment on the incident.

This is the second time Shoprite store on Lusaka’s Cairo road ahs been gutted by
fire in less than a year.

Education Minister, Geoffrey Lungangwa has called on teachers across the country to go for voluntray HIV conselling and testing to Know their HIV/AIDS status.

Proffessor Lungwagwa says the country is losing valuable manpower due to HIV/AIDS
because people wait until they are sick to go to the hospital.

He noted that VCT was an important  element in the fight against the pandemic as  it
is the entry point for prevention, treatment, care and support.

Professor Lungwangwa said this in Lusaka today in a speech read for him by his
deputy, Lucy Changwe,at celebrations to mark the Teachers Health Day in Lusaka
today.

He noted that the ministry of education is the largest employer adding that quality
education cannot be achieved without healthy teachers.

Professor Lungwangwa noted that the fight against HIV/AIDS cannot be achieved
through talking alone, but that there is need to take drastic and holistic actions
to save the next generation from the pandemic.

speaking at the same function, Director of Human resource and administration at the
ministry of eucation, Daniel  Bowasi said the the HIV’AIDS pandemic has continued to
take  heavy toll on humanity.

Mr Bowasi said in ordeer to effectively fight the pandemic, the ministry in 2006
launched an HIV/AIDS work place policy.

He noted that the policy has so far been comprehensive, as it covers all vital areas
of HIV/AIDS.

Mr Bowasi observed that the policy was a foundation for the prevention and care
programmes in the ministry and also sets the standard behaviour expected of all
employees.

He however said the policy can only be useful if it is widely dessiminated to all
employees in the ministry.
ZANIS

THE London High Court has increased former president Frederick Chiluba’s indebtedness to the Zambian Government to more than US$58 million from US$41 million after adding interest and costs.

This came to light yesterday during a video conference court hearing between Chikwa Court in Lusaka and the Royal Courts in London where Judge Peter Smith was hearing submissions on quantum payments for Chiluba and 19 others.

This is the case where they were found liable to have defrauded the Zambian Government of US$46 million. The increase in Chiluba’s indebtedness means that he has to pay back $58,293,106 to the Zambian Government.

The London court also increased former Zambia Security Intelligence Services director-general, Xavier Chungu’s indebteness to $58,112,727, while that of Access Financial Services director, Aaron Chungu was upped to US$27,193,136.50.

The submissions increased Lusaka businessman Faustin Kabwe’s indebtedness to US$53,757,867, while that of former ZCCM chairman and chief executive, Francis Kaunda went up to US$100,575.

In the same submissions, the indebtedness of Swiss tailor Basile Boutique went up by US$500,000. The money spent on Chiluba’s clothes was originally US$1,815,736.

Congolese businessman Raphael Soriano’s debt went up to US$29,609,502.

Judge Smith also ordered for the evaluation of Chiluba’s Kabulonga house, whose amount should not be part of the US$58 million.

The judge also dismissed Mr Kabwe’s application that he be allowed to get 2,000 Pounds per week from his assets because he did not justify how he was going to be using the money.

Judge Smith also observed that although Chiluba said money deposited in the Zamtrop account on his behalf was from well-wishers, he did not specify who the well wishers were.

“And as a result, the Zambian Government is entitled to possession of his property,” Judge Smith said.

The submissions continue today. Task Force on Corruption chairperson, Maxwell Nkole said the proceedings were open to the public and defendants based in Zambia.

President Mwanawasa has urged the G8 most industrialised countries to come up with legal measures that will make it difficult for corrupt leaders from the third world to hide their stolen money in developed countries.

Mr Mwanawasa has also called on the G8 countries to simplify the process of
recovering such monies by the aggrieved governments.

In his address to the ‘Africa Business Forum 2007’ in London today, President
Mwanawasa said developing countries cannot afford a situation where the much needed
aid from developed countries  goes back there in the personal accounts of corrupt
leaders.

‘We cannot be receiving aid and the same aid goes back through corruption, so we
hope you can help us repatriate this money”, he said.

Mr. Mwanawasa pointed out that the  money is needed to deliver quality education,
health, clean water and many other services to improve the living standards of the
people.

President Mwanawasa also said the active participation of the private sector is
central to the economic emancipation of Zambia and the rest of the countries on the
African continent.

He pointed out that the need for aid diminishes and eventually becomes irrelevant if
the private sector becomes strong.

It is in this regard that his administration is endeavouring to create a friendly
investment climate through the implementation of the private sector development
programme (PSD) in a bid to remove various obstacles to doing business.

Mr. Mwanawasa explained that the PSD programme covers areas such as software
improvement and the creation of  a regulatory framework to facilitate private sector
participation in infrastructure development through public-private partnerships
(PPPS).
The framework  would also cut down on the time required to register a company,
customs and other formalities.

President Mwanawasa added that the move would also rationalise licence requirements
and generally change laws and regulations that choke private sector initiatives.

He said in many cases, the envisaged improvements would be established through the
application of Information Technology, ICT, backed by client charters which define
the minimum acceptable standards of delivery of public services in support of the
private sector.
 
Mr. Mwanawasa said in addition, government was also creating conducive business
environments through targeted  infrastructure development in specially designated
areas  dubbed Multi Facility Economic Zones.

He pointed out that companies operating in the special economic zones will not only
benefit from world class physical environment but will also benefit from excellent
tax incentives and a world class regulatory environment.

President Mwanawasa invited the business community to explore the abundant
investment opportunities that Zambia offers through  facilities.

He pointed out that as a result of the good business environment, Zambia has
attracted significant investment in the past few years that has seen huge investment
in mining, agriculture and other sectors.

Mr. Mwanawasa however pointed out that business cannot thrive in the midst of
corruption.

He said it is in this light that his administration has taken practical steps by
prosecuting people who are suspected to have participated in corruption and theft of
public resources.

Mr. Mwanawasa said punishment of corrupt persons  is only one tool in the fight
against corruption adding that another important part of the arsenal should deal
with removing the incentives for corrupt activities to thrive.

” I say so because quite often, it is unreasonable rules and work procedures in the
public service that create fertile ground  for corruption as business people try to
find ways and means of cutting corners to get things done quickly”, he said.

Mr. Mwanawasa who thanked the G8 countries, particularly Britain , for the debt
relief so far received has since urged the grouping to meet the commitments made
during the 2005 G8 summit.

President Mwanawasa also held private talks with his Ugandan counterpart Yoweri
Museveni.

Addressing the same gathering, Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni stressed the need
for aid in order to promote trade between Africa and developed countries.

Mr. Museveni said energy, particularly electricity and cheap transportation, such as
railway, are key to Africa’s efforts to fight poverty and better the continent’s
economic position.

He also urged western countries to encourage their companies to invest in Africa.

Speaking earlier, Commonwealth Business Council, Director General and Chief
Executive Officer Dr. Mohan Kaul said small and medium enterprises  (SMEs)  are the
cornerstone  of economic development hence the need to channel more resources to
thius area.

And Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State and minister for Africa  Lord Triesman
said G8 countries should help Africa in a way that the continent is able to help
itself in the long-run.

He said donor dependence should be curtailed by supporting economic activities on
the African continent.

The Zambian delegation at the Forum includes foreign affairs minister Mundia
Sikatana, commerce, trade and industry minister  Felix Mutati, agriculture and
cooperatives minister Ben Kapita and Zambia development agency executive director
Glynne Michelo.

The  high profile Forum under the theme “Partnerships for Jobs, Growth and
Sustainable Development”, which comes on the eve of the G8 summit in  Germany, is
an ongoing initiative to help business people  explore trade and investment
opportunities in Africa through high level  conferences.

THE Lusaka High Court has ordered companies and banks that hold money on behalf of former President Kenneth Kaunda to transfer it to a consortium of lawyers’ account to service the debt he owes in legal fees.

This is in a case in which lawyers from law firms are owed legal fees amounting to US$645,526.26 by Dr Kaunda.

The law firms include Central Chambers, Andrea Masiye and Company, Dove Chambers, Lukona Chambers and Mvunga and Associates.

Deputy High Court Registrar Jones Chinyama directed that the cited companies should appear before him on June 19, and show cause why they should not give the money to a consortium of lawyers.

The companies include Zambia National Commercial Bank, Barclays Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, Stanbic Bank, Indo-Zambia Bank and Investments Bank. Others are Zambia National Holdings Limited, United Quarries Limited, Dora Tamane School and E.W Tarry’s.

The order was made following an application by the lawyers that the named companies and banks pay them the debts, dividends, profits, rentals due or any money accruing to Dr Kaunda and UNIP, which they were holding.

The legal fees accrued when the lawyers represented Dr Kaunda in cases, which included the misprision of treason, which attracted a fee of US$171,726.25, citizenship case with a cost of US$150,000, and the black mamba case with a cost of US$90,475.

Other cases in which they represented Dr Kaunda were the alleged Kabwe assassination attempt and illegal assembly with a cost of US$ 45,825 and the 1996 presidential petition case.

The legal fees which the lawyers are demanding were agreed upon in a consent order on April 27,1999 after Dr Kaunda disputed the initial fees.

It is alleged that the former President and UNIP undertook to settle the fees but to date they have not done so.

The ruling MMD in Mufulira district has maintained that the Mungomba Constitution should be adopted by Parliament and not a Constituent Assembly as suggested by some sections of society.

This is because the constituent assembly could cost huge sums of money that could
instead be channeled to the implementation of economic development programmes.

The MMD has also maintained that adopting the constitution through the constituent
assembly would only demean and undermine parliament which is the only legitimate
body put in place to make laws.

MMD Mufulira District Secretary, Joseph Chikombola, said this in a walk in interview
with the Zambia News and Information Services in Mufulira today.

And the MMD has suggested that the K205 billion set aside for the constitutional
making process in this year’s budget should be channeled towards national
development ventures.

The party says the money involved was too much and would only end up benefiting a
few individuals who will draw per diem at the expense of suffering Zambians.

And the ruling MMD in Mufulira has taken a swipe at the Catholic Church whom they
have accused of misleading the people on the entire constitutional making process.

Mr. Chikombola added that the church has of late been posting pastoral letters on
the constitution making process, to its members in various communities.

Mr. Chikobola has since appealed the clergy in the largest Christian grouping to
desist from talking about the constitution and rather concentrate their efforts on
propagating the works of God.

He added that politics and matters surrounding the constitution should be left to
politicians alone adding that the clergy should not gain political mileage by
speaking on the constitution without firstly consulting their members.

The ruling MMD has scooped the Chilongo ward by election in Nchelenge district.

MMD’s candidate Chilembi Chipili polled 251 votes beating his nearest rival paul
Chisala of the National Democratic Focus, NDF, who got 137 votes. PF’s Maxwell Mpande came third with 62 votes.

Returning officer Edward Musonda last night declared Chipili duly elected in
the by election at the Nchelenge District Council Chamber.

UNIP candidate Peter Muposhi was last with 14 votes. The returning officer said there were two spolied ballots with none disputed.

Speaking to ZANIS after the announcement of results, Nchelenge MMD Constituency
chairman Oswell Musamba expressed delight at the results of the polls.

Mr Musamba said the party’s victory in the polls was not by accident but a result of hard work, issue based campaign and support from the party leadership at both provincial and national level.