The K18 billion DBZ debt which President Sata has failed to clear may lead to him being dribbled out of the 2016 presidential bid.

A senior PF official told the Daily Nation that the Chikopa tribual was supposed to gravely undermining the judgment and punish the judges responsible and thereby to cause a write off the debt in return for the support of a named official’s 2016 presidential candidature.

This was why colossal expenses were being incurred on the tribunal. Failure by the tribunal to clear the debt has seen the alternative candidate being supported for presidency so that he can clear the debt from State House in 2016 or even before.

“This is why they are upset by endorsements because they have their own candidate despite President Sata having a constitutional mandate to stand for two terms.”

Meanwhile, the Zambian Law Reports Editorial Committee has selected Judge Nigel Mutuna’s judgment against Zambian Airways owned by Mutembo Nchito, Fred M’membe and Nchima Nchito for inclusion in the 2012 report.

Entry into law reports represents outstanding judgments with clear and proper statement of the law, accurate, brief, and clear summary of the facts of the case as well as uniqueness of the point of law decided and precedential value of the judgment .

Judge Nigel Mutuna found that the three directors were culpable to pay back the K18 billion owed to Development Bank of Zambia (DBZ).

In particular, Judge Mutuna found that Mutembo Nchito who is now Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) was amenable to prosecution for a criminal offence under section 357 of the Companies Act.

Defence Minister Godfrey Mwamba said M’membe supported President Sata in 2011 for ulterior motives adding that the Post editor in-chief should not think that Zambians were foolish and easy to manipulate because M’membe’s scheme against President Sata’s presidency was well known before he became president of Zambia.

He said that it was a well known fact that M’membe was supporting and hero-worshipping President Sata because of the loan burden he has.

The section states that “If an officer of a company who is knowingly a part to the contracting of a debt by the company has, at the time the debt is contracted, no reasonable or probable ground of expectation (after taking into consideration the other liabilities of the company at the time) of the company’s being able to pay the debt, the officer shall be guilty of an offence, and shall be liable on conviction of a fine not exceeding two hundred and fifty monetary units or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding three months or both.

The facts of the case in particular the financial state of Zambian Airways demonstrated severe financial hardship and indebtedness but Mutembo despite knowing this, went ahead and committed the company to further debt.

According to submission of the 2012 Judgments for Zambia Law Report, Judgment in the case were based on clear and proper statement of the law.

Source: Daily Nation

The post Sata Dribbled for 2016 appeared first on Zambia Reports.

The Lusaka High Court has dismissed the injunction granted to Kabwata member of parliament Given Lubinda in which he had sought a court injunction to retrain the Daily Nation from publishing articles about him.

The articles over which Lubinda took the newspaper to court for were ‘Lubinda’s inflated ego’ and ‘Sata has let Lubinda down’, but Justice Sichinga discharged the order of injunction granted on July 15, 2013.

Justice Sichinga stated in his ruling that it was trite that injunctions were a form of equitable relief granted at the court’s discretion.

“I have carefully considered the affidavits on record together with the skeleton arguments and written submissions. From the onset, it is trite that injunctions are a form of equitable relief at the courts discretion. In this matter, I have firstly considered whether the plaintiff herein has substantive cause of action,” Justice Sichinga said in his ruling.

He said while the plaintiff was a public figure being a member of parliament and a senior
member of the ruling party, it was also true that the defendant, the Daily Nation was a popular daily newspaper.

“The plaintiff here in is a public figure being a member of parliament and a senior member of the ruling party. The defendant on the other hand is a popular daily newspaper and in the event that the defendant was found liable, they would in my view be able to settle the appropriate sum in damages to the plaintiff. For the forestated reasons, I discharge the order of injunction granted on the 15th day of July, 2013,” Justice Sichinga ruled.

The Daily Nation has come under heavy barrage of legal suits from top PF leadership including President Michael Sata and defence minister Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba for being critical of the ruling party and government.

The post Zambia Daily Nation Win Case Against Lubinda appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Chipolopolo coach Herve Renard is set to join South Africa topside Orlando Pirates if Zambia fails to beat Ghana on Friday, sources close to the two parties have disclosed, according to bolazambia.com.

Renard has told close associates talks between the two parties were underway and that the result in Kumasi in a Brazil 2014 World Cup qualifier was crucial to determining progress on the issue.

The Frenchman has not hidden his farewell message after hinting last week that the African Nations Championship (CHAN) defeat against Zimbabwe subsquently eliminating Zambia for the 2014 edition could have been his last at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.

“If Zambia lose, Renard is out. He may stay for the knockout if the team makes it but he has already told people to start counting him out,” the source said.

In South Africa, sources at Pirates have said the Frenchman has engaged people to represent his discussion with one of the top clubs in the Premier Soccer League and so far, things look bright for both parties.

But Pirates spokesperson Mickey Modise in an interview with bolazambia this morning that issues of negotiations were never discussed until they were concluded.

“Issues of talks between the club, players and officials are not discussed before conclusion. When we agree about the terms, that is when we can talk to the media,” he said.

Asked if Pirates and Renard had so far discussed anything, Modise claimed; “No, I don’t know that name. I don’t know whether he exists or not. That’s my comment.”

But bolazambia sources have insisted that Renard and Pirates have reached an advanced stage in their discussion and that the Frenchman was sometimes frustrated with comments made by officials like sports minister Chishimba Kambwili.

Renard has not been happy with Kambwili’s comments from the time Zambia was embarrassingly eliminated from the 2013 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations and that it explains why the otherwise media friendly coach has shied away from interviews to avoid publicly hitting back.

Their frosty relationship hit the backroom spotlight after Zambia was eliminated by Zimbabwe with Kambwili storming the dressing to bullock the players and singled out Nkana striker Festus Mbewe.

Apparently, Renard was infuriated and defended the players telling Kambwili to heap the blame on him as coach and not the players.

Several efforts to get Renard’s comment since the incident have proved futile as his mobile phone has gone unanswered. Similar attempts to get Kambwili’s comment were made this morning but he too did not pick his line.

Chipolopolo are scheduled to leave for Ghana today on a chartered flight for the crunch fixture on Friday night in Kumasi.

The post Reports Emerge Renard is Heading to Pirates appeared first on Zambia Reports.

A sullen looking Herve Renard has said the Zambia national soccer team knows what its mission in Kumasi is as the Chipolopolo head for their final Group D match against the Black Stars of Ghana.

Renard whose team has been caught up in chaotic disorganization ahead of their crunch tie against Ghana said that the team will give their statement on the pitch.

“We know what we have to do in Ghana, we are going to play to win,” he said.

The team that was scheduled to leave for Ghana at 11:00 hours was by 14:00 hours still at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport with the departure time yet to be confirmed.

Renard’s lads endured a long wait at the Oliver Tambo International Airport on their way to Lusaka where they were expected to join a prayer meeting but did not pitch.

By the time Sports Minister Chishimba Kambwili was leading the congregants at the Cathedral of Holy Cross Renard and his troops were stuck at the airport and only boarded at 21:30 and arrived at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport close to midnight with formalities winding up an hour later.

Pressed for time the technical bench organized an impromptu session at Nkoloma Stadium in the morning before heading to the Airport at 10:00 hours where they were by 15:00 hours still holed up.

While the protestations were muffled, the team had reservations about making the trip to Lusaka as they thought it consumed their preparation time.

“We have lost a lot of time on the plane because we do not know why they made us come all the way. Our preferred itinerary was to leave from South Africa. But now we are here and not sure what time we are leaving,” the source said.

“This is a very big game and we could not afford losing time in terms of training. We will do our best but we are not very happy.”

Enquiries about the itinerary indicated that the team may leave via Lubumbashi where they are expected to take off for Accra.

Zambia need a win to make it to the final qualifying round as they trail Ghana who are on 12 points, one better than the 2012 African champions.

The Chipolopolo will be without key strikers Jacob Mulenga and Collins Mbesuma.

Kick off has been set at 18:00 hours Zambian time.

The post Chipolopolo Abort Trip to Kumasi appeared first on Zambia Reports.

The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) is crying “mind games” after Chipolopolo this afternoon aborted its trip to Kumasi after Ghana authorities advised their chartered flight can’t land at night because of renovations to the runway. On the other hand, officials at FAZ are blaming sports minister Chishimba Kambwili and his officials for hijacking travel arrangements.

Zambian football authorities also failed to get prior clearance for refuelling in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.

According to a statement released on the official Ghana website on August 15, Kumasi international airport had been shut during certain hours, mostly at night to necessitate renovations.

“The Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) has announced that effective August 15, 2013; the Kumasi Airport would close at 1600 hours to 0600 hours on Sundays through Thursdays and from 1800 hours to 0600 hours on Fridays and Saturdays,” the Ghana website announces.

“This is to allow for the next phase of the rehabilitation of the runway, which started at the beginning of this year and which would require full possession of the runway.

“The project, which is being implemented in phases in order to minimize inconvenience to passengers, is expected to be completed in June 2014.

“Management of the GACL said it regretted any inconvenience that the new arrangement may cause and urged the public to cooperate with the Company during the period.”

But in Lusaka, the Zambian public is being deceived into believing that the failure to travel to Kumasi was as a result of mind games employed by the Ghana Football Federation.

FAZ spokesperson Erick Mwanza has claimed the GFA was refusing to cooperate and refusing to also grant the team’s advance party permission to access the team hotel. But insiders at Football House have accused the government of hijacking the trip and making weird arrangements.

The post FAZ Shift Blame To Ghana appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Political activist Nason Msoni says it is shocking that the Patriotic Front government is insisting on having only Lombe Chibesakunda as Chief Justice despite her being over age and rejection by Parliament which makes it illegal to sustain.

Msoni said it was shameful for Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba to declare that the PF government would allow Chibesakunda act until the eight year period renewable contract is served out.

“The legitimate question we are asking the executive is why they should insist on having one person act indefinitely as if there are no other automatic qualified candidates suitable for the plum Job of Chief Justice?” he asked.

“But the insistence by the executive that the constitution allows her to continue in that appointment for a further seven years maximum but broken into shorter periods on contract beats any sensible reasoning.”

He added: “The fact that the executive is intent on having a personal-to-holder substantive Chief Justice is unfortunate; we think that is where the principal of separation of powers is tragically betrayed and compromised to the detriment of the citizenry.”

He wondered why the government was willing to go an extra mile just to keep Chibesakunda.

“There are no personal issues here with her lordship but what we are questioning is the willingness of the executive to go an extra mile and bend rules to accommodate her rejected bid to be Chief Justice,” he said.

“The ultimate question is how will she pay back her debt of gratitude to the executive once erroneously ratified and made chief Justice? Will she be impartial against her sponsors if found wanting? Will Justice be sacrificed when it matters most?”

Chibesakunda’s continued stay in office in an acting capacity has been a highly condemned by the civil society, LAZ and opposition political parties.

The post Kabimba’s Insistance on Illegal Chief Justice Shocks Msoni appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Football Association of Zambia writer Mutheliso Phiri has perhaps innocently let the cat out of the bag in the behind the scene blame game between the country’s governing body and Chishimba Kambwili’s Ministry of Sport over the embarrassing travel arrangement for Zambia’s World Cup qualifier against Ghana.

Contributing on his facebook page Wednesday after Chipolopolo were marooned at the airport for over four hours and later made to abort the trip after Ghana authorities maintained that the airport’s night operations were closed for renovation, Mutheliso said government should take the blame.

Mutheliso exonerated Ghana whom some FAZ officials were blaming as applying mind games to block Chipolopolo from arriving on time and derail the 2012 champions’ mission in Kumasi. However, Ghana’s process of renovating Kumasi Airport has been on-going for over a year.

“Ghana is not playing mind games with Zambia as far as travel arrangements are concerned,” Mutheliso stated before adding;

“The Zambian government is responsible for the national team’s travel and were responsible for the charter of the plane to Kumasi.

“I got concerned this morning when I learnt that the Chipolopolo arrived after midnight from South Africa and went for training as early as 07:30hrs this morning.

“Firstly, the team got to OR Tambo International Airport at midday on Tuesday and flew out to Lusaka at 21:30hrs.

“As if that was not enough, the same thing has happened here all because someone did not do his kob properly at the Ministry of Youth and Sport. As an avid fan of the Chipolopolo am not happy at the turn of events.

“Secondly, this whole trip has been politicized. Traditional chiefs have been given priority over soccer fans. Political party cadres have taken space meant for genuine soccer fans. When we watch on TV and do not see anyone singing Chipolopolo songs at Baba Yara Stadium we will know why that we be the case.”

Mutheliso’s public comments may not go down well with authorities both in FAZ and government who have carefully crafted false explanations claiming that the botched travel on Wednesday was as a result of Ghana game tactics when it is clearly ineptitude at the hands of Zambians.

Zambia face Ghana at 18:00 hours on Friday in a must win encounter to secure a knockout spot for the 5 African places for the 2014 Brazil World Cup qualifiers.

The post FAZ Employee Blames Govt for Kumasi Travel Debacle appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Transparency International Zambia (TIZ) has demanded the immediate suspension of officials who took part in the signing of the US$210 million alleged single sourced contract awarded to ZTE Corporation for the supply, delivery and installation of CCTV cameras.

TIZ has since handed over a 57 paged dossier of evidence on the alleged irregular signing of the contract with ZTE to the Anti Corruption Commission for action.

In a letter a to Home Affrairs Minister Edgar Lungu dated 5th September,2013, obtained by QFM News, TIZ Executive Director Goodwell Lungu says the suspension of the officials involved regardless of their status and position will pave the way for smooth investigations by the Anti Corruption Commission were the matter has been referred.

Mr Lungu says such action will be similar to the action taken against suspended Ministry of Tourism and Arts officials who were suspended over similar contract irregularities.

He has further warned the PF government to desist from engaging in wasteful secret procurements purported to be for security projects but which are not even a national priority.

The post TIZ Compiles PF Corruption Dossier appeared first on Zambia Reports.

The ruling Patriotic Front has been given another clear statement of its inability to impress Zambians when its candidate David Phiri was embarrassingly humiliated by opposition Movement for Multi-party Democracy candidate Peter Phiri in the Mkaika parliamentary by-election

David Phiri had defected to the ruling MMD after being bribed with a deputy ministerial position to cause an unnecessary and expensive by-election which he lost on Thursday, September 4, 2013 by a massive margin.

According to final results tallied, Peter Phiri polled 9, 054 while the PF’s David Phiri was in distant second with 1,712. National Restoration Party (NAREP)’s Nigel Mpakateni was third on 161 votes with the United National Independence Party (UNIP)’s Nelson Mwale finishing fourth after getting 136.

This is in an election the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) stayed away to support their loose alliance partners MMD and the rewards have greeted both camps with extreme joy. MMD leader Nevers Mumba camped in Mkaika with a horde of MMD faithful MPs and was joined by UPND’s Hakainde Hichilema during campaigns.

The post MMD Humiliates PF in Mkaika By-Election appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Southern African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) says the protracted legal process over the Petauke Central, Malambo and Mulobezi constituencies was hurting the electorates in that area who were being deprived of representation.

The Patriotic Front has taken their quest to block Dora Siliya, Maxwell Mwale and Hastings Sililo from contesting the by-elections to the Supreme Court after the High Court gave the trio a go ahead to contest.

SACCORD Executive Director Boniface Chembe said it was sad that the electorates in the three areas had to wait for a long time without any MP as the PF spiritedly went through the legal process.

“I think this is becoming a big disadvantage to the electorates in these constituencies where the elections have been put off due to a legal challenge,” Chembe said.

“Remember that in the last two years there have been petitions in those three constituencies and there is no real chance for development and now when the petitions have been disposed off we have to deal with fresher challenges of dragging the process further. They should think about the people of Petauke, Mulobezi and Malambo.”

High Court Judge Mungeni Mulenga granted Siliya and two others the right to file their nomination papers but the Attorney General Mumba Malila appealed that decision.

The Electoral Commission of Zambia has deferred the elections indefinitely pending the outcome of the Supreme Court case.

The post Court Denying Petauke Parley Representation appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Female singer Miriam Mukape popularly known has Mampi last week hit back at the social media criticism in the aftermath of her first show in Atlanta on her three months long United States tour.

Mampi was criticized for short-changing her fans in Atlanta after she allegedly arrived late and abandoned the show after a couple of songs without even saying goodbye to those that had bothered to pitch up.

Apparently, Mampi was displeased with the security more so that some curious men uncomfortably got too close to her.

There are also reports of a fist of fury at the venue of show and this is alleged to have happened where Mampi had parked the vehicle she was using for the event. A heated debate ensured on social media.

Some people attacked Mampi accusing her of being “a nobody in the music” circles but she hit back.

“Even going to an extent of saying I’m a nobody in Zambia. I’m sorry to say this but things have changed back home. Come see the way I live that aside. Don’t judge pipo because u [are] in the US.

“I love Zambia better, I travel a lot but I go back home. Women should learn to support each other. Majority of the negative comments are coming from my fellow women n yet we are busy fighting for gender equality????

“It won’t happen if we don’t change our mindset. We are one people lets not drag each other down. Criticism is allowed but the approach matters that way you will build me.

“U cant build a house by throwing the bricks. But all in all thank you sooooooo much for coming, points have been taken we learn from our mistakes n im gona do even better,” she stated in her contribution to the debate.

Mampi, however, wondered how some people who didn’t pay for access to the show became the loudest in condemning her performance.

She also accused some Zambian promoters of frustrating efforts of their counterparts who facilitated her travel to the United States where she is set to hold a series of shows in different states.

“Some promoters are not happy that other promoters brought me here,,,,and [are] ganging up on me to discourage people from coming for the shows but we are going to put up bigger n better shows,” he said.

Mampi’s next stop, according to the programme by one of her promoters Jaskillz Justin, is set for Chicago on September 14.

“I am not bigger or better than anyone I just work hard to put bread n butter on my table n I need my Zambians to support me n I’ll put up even better performances for my fans,” she said.
Sidique Geloo, leader of the Zambian Association based in Atlanta, was among the many that triggered the debate by stating;

“I am writing this in view of what I have read on facebook concerning the Mampi Concert in Atlanta. I have sent texts exclusively for the Zambians in Atlanta (ONLY.)

“I know, Mampi being the biggest Zambian star, we wanted to see her perform the whole night. We had waited for this diva for years. “Many of us left the concert still thirsting for her performance and we are angry that at one point she had to go.

“Her promoter and myself disagreed on a few things concerning her exit and I still stick to my view.

“But whatever the disagreement, I just want everyone to know that it is all because WE LOVE OUR ZAMBIAN DIVA,” he stated.

Mampi US-based promoter Jaskillz Justin apologized for the missteps and promised the singer will put up better shows on the tour.

“I would like to thank every body who came to the show in Atlanta. This was the biggest well attended show ever. Hence, I am personally humbled. It is a promoter’s responsibility that we explain how long the performance for the artist will be.

“We [are] also supposed to let people know when the artist will be on stage. Third, we [are] supposed to provide security for the artist especially a Lady like our sister MAMPI. it is also my responsibility to make sure the MC’S announces the artist exit therefore, I’m asking for forgiveness on this, Its All this [these] missteps that caused the misunderstandings.

“Please take that blame on me, I am more experienced in doing this [these] shows, I should have done a better job,” Jaskillz said.

The promoter explained that Mampi performed several renditions including the love song called (Your love), Walilowelelela, Nakutantele, Why and Swililili Akapela, among others.

According to the programme laid out for Mampi, the singer is on a bus tour Seattle, New York, Connecticut, Boston, California and Dallas.

The post Mampi Hits Back after ‘Poor’ Atlanta Show appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Miles Sampa, President Michael Sata’s nephew, this morning took to social media to announce victory in a court case litigated in the United States of America against a defunt rumour based online publication known as Kachepa360.

Sampa, who is also Matero member of parliament, used the opportunity to warn those running critical websites in Zambia that have so far been blocked by President Sata and the Patriotic Front regime not to hide behind the veil of anonymity as the law could catch up with them. Although blocked, the websites can still be accessed in Zambia through various proxies and facebook.

Kachepa360, which has close to two years not been present on cyberspace, had once catalogued Sampa’s alleged extra marital affairs in Lusaka claiming he had a penchant desire for models and college students many of whom the publication alleged he had sired children with.

Below is Miles Sampa’s celebratory message

Miles Sampa Vs Kachepa360 (Chisala Mulenga) 09.09.13

In order to vindicate my name from perennial slanderous and unsubstantiated allegations directed at me by the online publication Kachepa360, I took up the matter in the USA courts of law where the defendant is domiciled.

After months of deliberations, the case was awarded in my favour against the promoter of the Publication Kachepa360, Ms Chisala Mulenga, and I have been awarded damages amounting to USD $50,000 at 12 % interest from November 2012.

Although I welcome criticism, I believe that the journalism profession should be unbiased, factual and professional regardless of the location of their residence or the medium used to disseminate their information.

I decided on pursuing this matter in the relevant courts abroad to demonstrate that accountability is a standard for all, even for online publications which may feel that they are beyond the reach of the Law.

The case was heard and judgment delivered by Hon. Judge Patrick J. Brady in Dedham, Norfolk County, Massachusetts. I wish to commend and thank the USA justice system and my lawyer Mr Theodore Folkman.

I pledge to donate funds received from this judgement to charity NGOs both in Matero and other parts of Zambia.

Sincerely,
Miles Sampa, MP

The post Miles Sampa Celebrates Victory over Defunct Online Publication appeared first on Zambia Reports.

This article is an independent contribution sourced from Reginald Ntomba’s blog.

Why was the PF so comprehensively beaten in the September 5 Mkaika parliamentary by-election?
In 2011, David Phiri won the seat on the MMD ticket with 6813 votes against the PF’s Mustapher Banda who got 3871. That was a difference of 2942.

In last week’s by-election, Phiri got 1712 votes compared to the MMD’s Peter Phiri who amassed 9,054. This is a difference of 7392 votes. What explains this massive scale of defeat?
The following five factors are by no means exhaustive.

First, this election was caused by Phiri’s attempt to stretch the stroke of luck that Gabriel Namulambe and Stephen Masumba enjoyed when they swam in the euphoria that brought PF to power in 2011. That euphoria has now faded and those that were hoping to continue riding on it must smell the coffee and wake up.

So Phiri grossly miscalculated. The ability to read signs is one mark of political shrewdness. Richard Taima’s and James Chsihiba’s experience should have acted as enough restraint for Phiri. As such, Phiri did not need much thinking and analysis to discern that he was embarking on a dangerous gamble – especially that in addition to Solwezi Central and Kafulafuta, the nearby Chipata Central had produced a result which showed that the jolly ride for defectors was over.

But Phiri walked right into it and humiliation was the price he paid. He joins the likes of Taima and Chishiba who have been relegated to obscurity, courtesy of their own misadventure and exaggerated ambition.

Second, the PF did not have a convincing message for Mkaika. In all the by-elections held after the 2011 general election, the PF have been preaching the same message – ‘you need a ruling party MP to deliver development’. So in Mkaika they stuck to that tired and discredited myth. That was despite Chipata Central, Kafulafuta and Solwezi Central rejecting that thinking. The lesson here is that the PF should repackage their message. This line they have consistently held onto is passed its sell-by-date.

In any case, sticking to this message makes the PF appear hypocritical. In the 2006 general election, the PF emerged with 43 MPs, a huge improvement from the one seat they collected five years earlier. The competition they provided to the MMD both inside and outside Parliament was good for democracy. So would the PF accept the accusation that they intended to consign areas they controlled to underdevelopment since they now argue that only ruling party MPs can facilitate development?

Third, the PF have been in power for almost two years now. The honeymoon is over. Two years is enough time for PF opponents to diagnose ills in their management of the country and use that against them. So blaming their predecessors as a mode of campaigning for a by-election does not help the PF improve their fortunes.

Four, in any election, there is always a question of whether people voted for the party or the candidate. The result in Mkaika was an affirmation of the people’s loyalty to the MMD. If Phiri was popular as an individual, voters would have followed him to the PF and that would have effectively shifted the ground in Mkaika in favour of PF. That did not happen and that is not a surprising trend for Eastern Province.

For a long time, the province stuck with UNIP after it was rejected in 1991 in other parts of the country. It was only after UNIP committed political suicide in 1996 that its presence begun to fade. But even in 2006, fifteen years after UNIP had lost power, it still managed to pick a seat through Mkhondo Lungu in Lundazi.

Fifth, the result was also a strong message that people cannot be taken for granted. Two years ago, they entrusted Phiri with the noble task of representing and articulating their interests. Instead of working towards that, he chose to fall for the myth that an MP cannot facilitate development if he or she belongs to the opposition. The people did not buy that. They protested by handing him a defeat much larger than he won last time.

The post Opinion: Why PF Lost Miserably in Mkaika appeared first on Zambia Reports.

The Copperbelt University has re-opened three weeks after closing following riots that ensued as students protested the critical accommodation situation at campus.

Students have reported back to campus with management having backed down on having to bar students from sharing rooms.

Copperbelt University Students Council chairperson Kondwani Mumba said management and the students union had resolved their differences.

“The CBU is open again and students started reporting back on Sunday. Management has reversed its idea of stopping students from sharing rooms but have promised to address that problem more systematically,” Mumba said.

The students rioted after management had opted to expel students that were guilty of squatting but the students also accused management of renting out their houses in nearby residential areas at exorbitant prices.

The post Copperbelt University Re-Opens appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Opposition political parties have condemned calls by Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba for African countries to reject the International Criminal Court.

MMD president Nevers Mumba says Zambia’s membership to the International Criminal Court (ICC) must be preserved.

Kabimba has been quoted advocating for the African governments to reject the ICC because it was not established on good faith as it is only meant to humiliate Africa leaders.

Kabimba, who was speaking his capacity as Council of African Political Parties (CAPP) president, said his organization supports Kenya for pulling out of the ICC and that other African countries should also be urged to follow suit.

Dr Mumba, however, notes that the concept of the ICC should be preserved because it holds accountable governments that abuse their people’s fundamental rights.

Dr. Mumba says the PF government is also a good candidate for the ICC because it has allegedly among other things been abusing people’s rights and using the Zambia Police Service to oppress the opposition.

He has however called for the reforming of the ICC for it to also start hearing cases of leaders from countries outside Africa such as former US President George W Bush and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair who allegedly committed war crimes during 2003 military invasion of Iraq.

And the United Party for National Development (UPND) has described as ill intended calls by CAPP president Wynter Kabimba that African governments should now start rejecting the ICC.

UPND Secretary General Winston Chibwe notes that such calls will imply that the PF wants to continue abusing its power in governing the country.

Chibwe says if the PF pushes for the withdrawal of Zambia from being a member of the ICC, it will be as bad as the decision that the previous MMD government made to remove the Abuse of Office offence from the ACC Act to suit its interests.

The post MMD, UPND Condemn Kabimba’s ICC Remarks appeared first on Zambia Reports.

The Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) says Defence Minister Geoffrey Mwamba should apologise to the people of Eastern province for calling them deceitful for not voting for the Patriotic Front candidate in the just ended Mkaika by-election.

FDD spokesperson Antonio Mwanza in a statement says Mwamba should know that the humiliating loss the ruling party suffered in Mkaika to the MMD is due to its growing unpopularity due to its failure to deliver on its promises.

Mwanza says the PF is suffering election defeats because of its failure to respond to the sufferings of the people of Zambia.

He adds that it is this arrogance on the part of the PF leadership that has continued to alienate the party from voters.

He further states that to assume that the people of Mkaika voted on tribal lines is illogical,especially that the PF candidate is himself an easterner,and had won the same seat when he stood on the MMD ticket.

Mwanza says time has come for the PF to swallow their pride and accept that the people of Zambia will no longer accept mediocre leadership.

He adds that insulting the people of eastern province arrogance and violence will not help keep the PF in power.

The post FDD Demand GBM Apology on Easterners appeared first on Zambia Reports.

The Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) has given public transport vehicle operators two weeks to paint their vehicles with the relevant color codes as stipulated in the Statutory Instrument 63 which came into effect early this year.

Speaking at a press briefing in Lusaka this morning, RTSA Director, Zindaba Soko says the agency remains committed to ensuring that they enforce the SI 63 so that all public transport operators comply with the law.

Soko says all public vehicles that have been painted wrongly should be repainted with the correct colors to avoid being impounded.

He adds that each public vehicle must have a ten centimeters ribbon that will be identified by members of the public as a public transport.

Speaking during the same briefing, RTSA Deputy Director for Transport, Pumi Mfwankila, has appealed to motorists not to label their vehicles contrary to the law but rather comply with what is in the law.

Mfwankila further warns public transport operators not to paint beyond the required ten centimeters as this is an abrogation of the law.

The post Public Transport Bus Colour Must Change in Two Weeks – State appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Patriotic Front cadres yesterday took their anti-Wynter Kabimba demonstration to the Cathedral of Child Jesus where they openly threatened to beat up the ruling party’s secretary general for allegedly planning to unseat President Michael Sata before his first term has expired.

They said Kabimba had coined for himself the slogan aleisa, aleisa aleisa and that he was using it to campaign for himself.

“He has been saying aleisa, aleisa. aleisa, aleisa kwisa. aleya, kuya bebele. We have suffered for the party and he is the one who is enjoying. He has uncountable jobs when most of the youths who made sure President Sata won the elections are still jobless. We also want to eat, tulefwaya soup. If he is inside, he should not come out using this door because we are going to beat him in the presence of the President. He must be expelled so that he can form his own party,” one of the cadres shouted as the police looked on.

The cadres in their party regalia took advantage of President Sata presence at the requiem mass of Kennedy Sakeni to demand Kabimba’s expulsion from the ruling party.

The cadres who had gathered at the entrance of the Cathedral of Child Jesus claimed that Kabimba had never been a PF member and that President Sata had just done him a favour by appointing him secretary general of the party and Minister of Justice.

The cadres who thought Kabimba was part of the mourners had planned to waylay him at the entrance of the Cathedral threatening to physically deal with him.
Kabimba was, however, not part of the mourners as he was reported to have been on the Copperbelt.

While the Mass was going on, the cadres were shouting obscenities against Kabimba while the police and other security officers watched on.

The cadres told the police who were on alert that Kabimba was destroying the party and that they were at church to physically deal with him because President Sata was taking too long to act.

They said the PF was slowly dying because Kabimba had launched his presidential campaigns and that he had dissolved and suspended all district and provincial executive committees that were endorsing President Sata for the 2016 general elections.

The cadres said if Kabimba had presidential ambitions, he should consider forming his own political party because the PF would never allow him to take over from President Sata.

Source: Daily Nation

The post PF Cadres Baying for Kabimba’s Blood appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Judges are annoyed with the disproportionately excessive salaries awarded to the Attorney General, Director of Public Prosecutions, Solicitor General, among others; calling them a form of bribe for the current office holders to continue bringing Patriotic Front-inclined frivolous cases to court.

The Daily Nation has learnt that DPP Mutembo Nchito and SG Musa Mwenye were each earning K343 million a year while a High Court Judge earns K218 million a difference of K135 million while the AG Malila was earning K353 million.

This is compared to the Judiciary where the Chief Justice earns K272 million a year Deputy Chief Justice K267 million, Supreme Court Judges K226 million and High Court Judges K218 million.

Judicial sources told the Daily Nation that judges have questioned the huge salaries given to President Sata’s ‘crack squad’ that he appointed at the start of his term of office comprising Attorney General Mumba Malila, Solicitor General Musa Mwenye and Director of Public Prosecution Mutembo Nchito.

The awards, they said were not only immoral but illegal since there was no approval by Parliament.

They said it was shocking that President Michael Sata had awarded the said officers huge salaries leading to a situation where the said officers now earn more than High Court judges and the Chief Justice, who as per procedure should be the highest earning Judicial officers.

They have since demanded for an explanation on how the said officers’ salaries were excessively increased without Parliament’s approval.

The sources said this was pure constitutional anarchy exhibited by the Executive to reward the ‘crack squad’ to quote President Sata’s own words, but warned that this was bound to backfire in the very near future as this was a negotiated bribe.

“All salaries and allowances from the President to all constitution office bearers must be approved by Parliament without exception. This is for purposes of transparency and accountability and seniority of rank.

“The judges feel these special salaries for the ‘crack squad’ must be tabled in parliament to have a national character and approval. Because of these strange and special salaries, you can see and understand why these gentlemen are always acting very strangely in their execution of their official duties,” said the sources.

And civil rights activist Brebner Changala said this was unfair as judges were more qualified and held more serious responsibilities than other state legal officers and should therefore be remunerated better.

“These people are junior to the judges on the bench and when did Parliament sit to agree that judges would get lower salaries than the ‘crack squad’. I demand that government explains this anomaly and can they tell us if this was deliberately done to entice a favoured group of citizens to work for Patriotic Front.

“This also confirms why the judiciary is in disarray and being threatened by massive arrogance from the Executive. Why should a small group of people take up salaries for the entire Judiciary and why were the salaries increased through a statutory instrument instead of a motion in parliament,” he said.

Changala questioned the role of Parliament in constitutional emoluments.

‘Is this the much talked about judicial reforms done at State House? Who negotiated these uncharitable salaries and allowance? Is this not corruption that the PF and President Sata have been talking against for a long time now? Can the government give a comprehensive and clear statement on these seemingly dubious salary increments?’

According to the Statutory Instrument No 59 of 2012 obtained by the Daily Nation and signed by Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda, the salaries for the Secretary to Cabinet, Attorney General, Solicitor General, Director of Public Prosecutions, Auditor General and Investigator General were higher than that of the Chief Justice and other judges by a K100 million.

But judicial sources said historically, all government employees except the Secretary to Cabinet earned less than High Court judges and that was the reason why most of the people that had served in these offices aspired to be judges because of the accrued benefits.

Source: Daily Nation

The post Salary Scandal at Judiciary Exposed appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Information Minister Kennedy Sakeni will be laid to rest at his home village Mushinka.

On Monday Mansa residents bade farewell to their deceased Member of Parliament who died last Thursday at the University Teaching Hospital.

President Michael Sata had declared three days of national mourning for the former intelligence officer.

He is survived by a wife Lillian and thirteen children.

The post Sakeni to Rest Today appeared first on Zambia Reports.