United Party for National Development Member of Parliament for Kabwata Constituency Honourable Levy Mkandawire has died in a Fatal Road Traffic accident that happened just outside his house in Kabwata and Speaker of the National Assembly Nelly Mutti has also confirmed the death of Mr. Mkandawire, during today’s parliament session.

According to a statement released to the media by Zambia Police Spokesperson Rae Hamoonga, the incident happened at 12:45 hours at the gate of plot number 34 along Chalata road woodlands extension involving a Toyota Ist registration number ALX 2038 which was driven by Hon Mkandawire, aged 60, who sustained head injuries, fractured right leg and died on the way to University Teaching Hospital.

The Zambia Police Statement stated that, also involved was a BMW X5 registration number ALM 5955 which had its front part extensively damaged whilst being driven by Jane Mwale aged 39 of plot number 32 Chalata road woodlands extension who sustained unknown injuries. Onboard of the same vehicle was the husband to the driver Kalengo Jetta Alick aged 57 who complained of a headache whilst the driver was not found at the scene when officers visited it.

The accident occurred when the second vehicle (BMW) which was approaching from East towards West was moving at an excessive speed and in the process, the driver lost control of the vehicle before hitting into a stationary Toyota Ist whose driver had disembarked with a view of opening the gate. Due to the impact, it was forced to move forward thereby squeezing the deceased against the wall fence and the wall pillar of the gate fell on him.

Investigations to establish the whereabouts of the driver have been instituted, concluded the statement.

Early this month, there were reports circulating on social media that Hon Mkandawire had died. However, the UPND in the Kabwata constituency refuted reports circulated by the party’s Facebook page that area MP Levy Mkandawire had died.

“Kindly be informed that the rumours circulating about the ‘sudden death after a short illness’ of UPND Kabwata Constituency MP Hon. Levy Mkandawire are NOT TRUE. Hon. Mkandawire has confirmed he is in good health and has dispelled the rumour as false and malicious. Take this as official notification,” Constituency information and public secretary Mainda Simataa stated.

Meanwhile, President Hakainde Hichilema has said that he has received with shock and sadness the death of Mr. Mkandawire, adding that his sympathy and prayers go to the bereaved family.

The Head of State has also described the late Mr. Mkandawire as a servant of the people who served the people of Kabwata and the Nation with passion during his short stay as a Member of Parliament.

According to a statement read on behalf of President Hichilema by Presidential Spokesperson Anthony Bwalya at the statehouse today, President Hichilema said this is the time for the country to come together in prayer and wish the bereaved family God’s strength.

All councils in the country have been directed to implement policies, which will support development at the local level.

President Hakainde Hichilema has issued this directive to the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, which he says councils must heed.

The directive was issued at the Joint 65th Local Government Association of Zambia annual conference and 18th Alliance of Mayors Initiative on Community Action on AIDS at The Local Level (AMICAALL) general Assembly.

Speaking at the event today, President Hichilema explained that local government is key in the development of the country because the central government cannot do much on its own.

He said with the increased Constituency Development Fund -CDF- allocation, the government is paying particular attention to ensuring there is NO mismanagement of these resources.

The President has since warned local authorities against inflating costs of projects, which will be implemented using the CDF.

President Hichilema further explained that the increased CDF will demand for more responsibility and accountability from local authorities.

And Local Government Minister, GARY NKOMBO said guidelines for the management of CDF are being developed by his Ministry.

Mr. NKOMBO said the guidelines will address the concerns raised by some stakeholders on the capacity of the councils to manage CDF.

Meanwhile, Lusaka Mayor, Chilando Chitangala appealed to the central government to look into the councils’ various problems, such as poor conditions of service for workers.

Ms. Chitangala however commended the President for his commitment to the implementation of the decentralisation policy.

And United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator, Coumba Mar Gadio praised the government for increasing the CDF, saying this shows commitment to the implementation of the decentralisation policy.

Meanwhile, German Ambassador to Zambia, Anne Wagner-Michell observed that there is renewed hope among cooperating partners with the implementation of the decentralization policy.

The Constitutional Court this morning concluded the hearing of arguments on the appointment of Ministers and firing of civil servants.

In this matter, Governance Activist Isaac Mwanza sought the interpretation of the Court on the appointment of a minister after the dissolution of Parliament and before its commencement. Mr. Mwanza also asked the Court to determine whether persons can be nominated to a Ministry newly created  Ministry which has not yet been approved by Parliament.

Mr. Mwanza further asked the Court to interpret whether public service workers can be removed from office without good reasons and due process through a hearing.

When the matter came up for hearing, Mr Mwanza argued that the life of Parliament commences when Members of Parliament are sworn in and ends upon dissolution of Parliament as per provision of Article 81(1) of the Constitution. He thus submitted that no Minister can occupy office when Parliament remains dissolved and has not yet commenced.

Mr. Mwanza also argued that persons cannot be nominated, sworn in and begin performing their functions in a newly created or merged Ministry before the Ministry is approved by Parliament.

And Mr. Mwanza has submitted that after 2016, public service workers are constitutionally protected from being removed from office without being given good reasons and subjected to a hearing as required by Article  173(3)(b) of the Constitution and the Employment Act.

Mr Mwanza said the powers of the President and other authorities to hire and fire are subject to provision the authority shows just cause and afford workers a hearing.

But Solicitor General Marshal Muchende argued that the President needed to appoint the Finance Minister because of the budget that was to be presented to Parliament.

Mr Muchende also called for a holistic  interpretation of the Constitution and pleaded with the Court to reframe the question so that they focus could be the question on the exercise of executive powers by the President, a suggestion objected by the Petitioner.

The Court has since reserved judgment to a later day to be communicated to parties.

Police have jointly charged and arrested former Defence Minister Davies Chama aged 57 of New Kasama for the offence of Attempted Murder Contrary to Section 215 Subsection(a) of CAP 87 of the laws of Zambia.

Also charged alongside Mr Chama is Brain Dumisani Nyoni aged 47 of Matero Compound Lusaka, a former Diplomatic Staff at the Zambian Embassy in Ethiopia.

This is according to a statement by Police Spokesperson Rae Hamoonga.

It is alleged that the two persons on the 6th June, 2015 in Sichili of Mulobezi District of Republic of Zambia jointly and whilst acting together with others unknown did attempt to unlawfully cause the death of Mushaukwa Mushaukwa aged 47 of Shesheke.

The two are currently in police custody and will appear in Shesheke magistrate court soon.

Former Attorney General Musa Mwenye says Justice Mumba Malila is exactly what this country needs in the office of Chief Justice.

Mr. President Hakainde Hichilema yesterday announced the appointment of Justice Dr Malila, a highly respected legal brain, as Chief Justice subject to ratification by the National Assembly.

Mr. Mwenye served as Solicitor General at the time when Dr Malila was the Attorney General of Zambia.

“I succeeded him as AG. Knowing his work ethic and acumen, Justice Malila is exactly what this country needs in that office at this time,” said Mr. Mwenye.

He said special commendations to President Hakainde Hichilema for making this extremely fitting appointment.

“For those who may not be aware, Dr. Justice Malila SC was bold enough to write a scholarly critique of the judiciary of which he was a part and also published a candid book on his time on the bench.”

He added, “At a time when so many jurists sacrificed their principles on the alter of political expedience Justice Malila, who is a distinguished Cambridge scholar, maintained his moral campus.”

“As a lawyer, I’m extremely hopeful and optimistic.”

Governance, Elections, Advocacy, Research Services (GEARS) executive director, McDonald Chipenzi has said that the arrest of all those who behaved and acted with political impunity during the previous regime is welcome and long overdue, However, this must be done within the law and a civilized approach.

In a statement released to the media, Mr. Chipenzi said that the emerging silence from police on the status of former defense minister Davies Chama’s case and his whereabouts must now be a source of concern and anxiety to many human rights defenders.

Mr. Chipenzi said that many well-meaning citizens wish to see all suspected lawbreakers brought to account and those charged with bondable or bailable charges be awarded these facilities until their cases are decided by a competent court.

Mr Chipenzi is of the considered view that less flight risk political suspects charged with bondable and bailable offences must be treated within the dictates of the human rights specifications.

Below is a full statement

GIVE DAVIES CHAMA, BRIAN NYONI BOND OR BAIL, IT’S BEEN FIVE DAYS
DAVIS CHAMA ISSUE: IS HE A FLIGHT OR POLITICAL RISK?

The arrest of all those who behaved and acted with political impunity during the previous regime is welcome and long overdue. However, this must be done within the law and civilised approaches.

The emerging silence from police on the status of Davies Chama’ s case and his whereabouts must now be a source of concern and anxiety to many human rights defenders.

Many of us wish to see all suspected lawbreakers be brought to account and those charged with bondable and/or bailable charges must be awarded these facilities until their cases are decided by a competent court.

Therefore, less flight risk political suspects charged with bondable and bailable offences must be treated within the dictates of the human rights specifications.

Almost 4 days now have past since Davies Chama was arrested, detained and transfered to Sesheke, the scene of crime, as the last official update. The sesheke trip was also for Davies Chama to take plea on the offence he is charged with that of attempt to murder-by police.

The question is, has Davies Chama taken plea or still in custody and why has he not appeared in court to ask for bail if the offence he is charged with is available?

Being a former Defence Minister, he cannot be a flight risk and has fixed abode.

It is important that he is treated within the prescribed demands of the law I.e. appear before a competent court within 48 hrs and apply for bail or be bonded if police are ready and still investigating on the case.

I submit

McDonald Chipenzi