Govt to create more economic zones, reveals Chilipamushi
By Joan Chirwa
Saturday February 24, 2007 [02:00]
GOVERNMENT will create more economic zones even for investors from Taiwan if it receives enquiries from that country, commerce permanent secretary Davidson Chilipamushi has said. During a private sector discussion meeting organised by the Economics Association of Zambia held last Tuesday, Chilipamushi said government had created the economic zones, the concept also included in the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA), as an engine for job creation.
“Government has created the economic zones and this concept has been included in the ZDA,” Chilipamushi said. “We have one in Chambishi which has been given to Chinese investors and we are designing one in Lusaka which will be established by Malaysian investors. Government will create more of these economic zones once it gets enquiries from investors from other countries, including those from Taiwan.”
Chilipamushi said government had already received an enquiry from an investor who wanted to turn the Ndola Refinery into a gemstone industry.
“Economic zones are able to attract sustainable development in the country if they are given enough attention. The private sector must also take this whole programme with a clear vision,” Chilipamushi said. “We cannot be looking at potential wealth without exploiting it. It is not government’s responsibility alone to create jobs, government’s duty is to create a good political and economic environment to encourage investments and job creation.”
Government, through the Ministry of Commerce Trade and Industry has created two economic zones, one in Chambishi and another in Lusaka, for Chinese and Malaysian investors respectively, as deliberate growth facilities aimed at creating jobs for Zambians.
Private Sector Development Association (PSDA) chairperson Yusuf Dodia hoped that Zambians would be involved in the development of the two economic zones while following the laid down procedures of the ZDA Act.
Dodia however said there must be a proper board and management of the ZDA before Chinese investors could start developing the Chambishi economic zones.
“We need to know how it is going to be done and not a situation where we will have Chinese investors doing things on their own,” said Dodia.
ZDA currently has an interim board in place and a provisional management, but government announced that the institution is now fully operational.
The creation of the agency is aimed at easing business operations in the country, where investors will be able to acquire investment licenses from one institution.
Labels: ECONOMIC ZONES
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Zamiba, SA sign four memoranda of understanding
TATENDA MALAN
ZAMBIA and South Africa have signed four Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) but failed to agree on five others at a meeting held between the two countries’ ministries of Foreign Affairs at Lusaka’s Taj Pamodzi Hotel yesterday. The two countries concluded and signed MoUs on trade and industry, health, science, technology and vocational training, and justice.
The MoUs not signed were on financial matters, tourism, environment, local government and housing, agriculture and energy. This is according to a joint statement issued at the Zambia-South Africa senior officials meeting that ended in Lusaka yesterday. Director for development cooperation and international organisations in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Anne Mtamboh, signed for Zambia while South Africa's chief director for southern Africa in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tselane Mokuena, signed for her country.
Ms Mtamboh said the two countries could not finalise the five MoUs because they needed more time. "I urge the two sides to expeditiously conclude the MoUs for signing by the end of the year," she said. Ms Mokuena said strict deadlines were needed to ensure that the MoUs were signed in time so that the two countries start working on the next ministerial meeting.
Meanwhile, South Africa has asked Zambia to consider her request to conduct the cleansing and healing ceremony for its nationals who lost their lives during the liberation struggle. According to the minutes of senior officials’ meeting of the two countries, South Africa reminded Zambia of the decision of the October 2005 ministerial meeting on the matter. "The Zambian delegation assured the South African delegation that the request would be submitted to the relevant authorities for consideration," the minutes read in part.
On consular matters, both delegations were concerned over the arrests and detention of their respective nationals without notification of their respective diplomatic missions. The Zambian government was concerned over Zambian nationals detained in South Africa who were charged for overstaying.
Labels: MoU, SOUTH AFRICA
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Lifting the standard of MPs
By Editor
Saturday February 24, 2007 [02:00]
We strongly feel Gwembe UPND member of parliament Brian Ntundu is abusing parliamentary privileges by attacking private citizens on the floor of the House. These parliamentary privileges were meant to enable the House to carry out its primary functions of legislating, debate and enquiry more effectively and independently. But what Ntundu showed on Thursday evening is that parliamentary privilege has potential for abuse. Yes, it is important for our members of parliament to have freedom of speech in the House. They deserve to be protected for what they say in the House. But if abused this privilege can turn into an absurdity.
Whilst we appreciate that in a maiden speech one is expected to show a generosity of spirit, we cannot let the occasion pass without referring to Thursday’s attacks on and attempted character assassination of Post editor Fred M’membe by Ntundu. We have taken the opportunity to read the verbatim record of Ntundu’s valedictory speech. It is interesting to recall part of what he said that night. We quote;
“Mr Speaker, I now want to talk about the press. Mr Speaker, I want to particularly condemn some of these newspapers in their writings. For instance, there is one editor of a named newspaper in this country who thinks he is clever than anyone else. He can even write that the President is stupid and he gets away with it. He can write that Hon members of parliament are greedy by asking for higher perks, which is diminishing Parliament.
Mr Speaker, let some of these editors advertise their payslips so that we see who gets more money.
Hon Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Ntundu: Mr Speaker, I cannot afford to buy a Jaguar which some of these editors drive. His Excellency President Mwanawasa, SC is just too good because some of these editors should have been followed. Mwanawasa is a very decent President and he is too good.
Hon Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Ntundu: He is also very kind. Some of these editors buy big houses and raze them and put up mansions. We need to bring sanity in this country. We want the press to respect Parliament and the President of the Republic.
Hon Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Ntundu: We will not tolerate this. If this continues, we will rise against them.
Interruptions
Mr Ntundu: Mr Speaker, sometimes they promote tribalism. We do not even know where they come from themselves because they have names which we do not know.
Laughter
Mr Ntundu: Some of these editors have names which are not common.
Interruptions
Mr Mabenga: On a point of order, Sir.
Mr Ntundu: Mr Speaker, I now want to talk about the budget. Sir, I need your protection. Sir, it is well known that on the day of elections, one newspaper was supporting a political party and they had put up a picture on the front page. They should come out in the open on which political party they support so that when they write, we know which political party they are supporting.
Hon UPND members: Hear, hear!
Mr Ntundu: Sir, we know the political party they are supporting. Sir, some of these editors who diminish Parliament have never put on a tie or suit. They do not know how to wear a tie and a suit.”
If this Parliament continues to descend into a chamber where assassination of character is the order of the day, it will never ever live up to the promise that it holds. We hope it does not do that. We hope it can learn that there are other ways. We will not attack Ntundu’s character. We drew the line at that a long time ago, although we cannot say the same for what some have said of us.
Those who have sought to attack The Post editor’s character under the protection of Parliament ultimately won’t even amount to footnotes in the history of this nation when one compares their contribution with his. We believe it is appropriate now, given Thursday’s experience, that the Speaker finds the means to ensure that private citizens and their families are protected from suffering such malicious character assassination. For it is truly a misnomer to call this a privilege of Parliament.
We can have endless debates about individualism versus collectivism, but such arguments count for naught in situations like these because, despite all the rhetoric, an individual journalist is effectively left defenseless. It is the primary task of our members of parliament to ensure that people enjoy a free, peaceful, democratic society; that they live in a clean, safe environment; that they have access to adequate health care, education, employment opportunities, security in retirement and a decent standard of living.
We do appreciate that invariably occasions arise when for some reason or another, a member of parliament feels compelled to criticise or perhaps castigate private citizens. It is contrary to the unwritten law of Parliament to make charges reflecting upon persons who have no right of reply to those charges, unless the member has strong proof of the assertions. In what might appear to be a bad case of a member using the privilege of freedom of speech, the Speaker may seek to restrain any such attack, but it is not within the province of the Speaker to prevent free speech in the House. Our Speaker has on several occasions warned members against using their freedom of speech in Parliament to reflect adversely on private citizens who do not enjoy the same privilege, especially where they raise unsubstantiated allegations against an individual.
Ntundu alleges that the editor of The Post thinks he’s cleverer than anyone else. It is on record in many of our editorial comments that we don’t believe we possess the sum total of human knowledge on any issue, we don’t have the monopoly of wisdom. It is our stated belief that everything should be approached with broad-mindedness, listening to everyone, without thinking we are the owners of absolute truth. There will be no one thinker. Hundreds of thousands of thinkers can make up the thinker our times need. And for this reason, we avoid, as a rule, giving our opinion on problems and processes we are not well informed about. We are very careful in that regard. At The Post, everyone is listened to, everyone has the opportunity to speak on any issue.
The editor of The Post does not chair any meeting - be it the general meeting of the company, the board meeting, the management meeting or indeed the monthly staff meetings. This is despite the fact that he holds an absolute controlling vote in the company; he can single-handedly pass a special resolution. If he wanted he could simply run the newspaper by decrees, he would be chairman and chief executive of the company; he would appoint all the directors of the company.
But things are not done this way at The Post. Everything is put on the judgment seat of reasoning to ensure that the best decision is taken on every issue. This is a private company being run this way. The editor does not hire or fire anyone, he doesn’t even promote anyone. There’s no room for favour seekers at The Post. In terms of staff welfare, there is a staff committee elected by all members of staff to look into the affairs while disciplinary matters are also handled by another elected committee. The management of The Post cannot dismiss anyone without the disciplinary committee hearing his or her case and so recommending. The salaries that members of staff get are not decided by the editor or by one person. For its size of income, The Post favourably competes with organisations that earn far more than it in terms of staff remuneration. No organisation in the media can be said to have the conditions of service that The Post offers its staff.
Regardless of our limitations and defects, our newspaper is infinitely superior in many respects to most companies in this country in terms of how workers are treated and remunerated. And this is not only from a material standpoint, because material things alone don’t make for happiness. A sense of justice, dignity, self-respect, respect for others, and love for your fellow human beings also have a lot to do with happiness, as have moral principles; the feeling of being free, equal, and respected and of taking part in the battle for the progress of the world, the world you live in; and working like beavers, shoulder to shoulder with the rest of your people.
There are journalists and editors that have sold themselves out to the powerful, have been hired by the powerful, or have surrendered to the powerful, but we serve notice on Ntundu and others like him - and all should know, after 16 years, that we mean what we say - that no one here is for hire, our journalists, our editors will never hire themselves out. We will confront every difficulty; pressure, and political, or other kinds of attack. We will keep on moving ahead while those who hate us choke with envy. The Post will go on winning new laurels and scoring new victories - and nothing and nobody can ever stop us. Our maturity, seriousness, wisdom, honesty, and courage give us a feeling of security and great confidence in the future.
We have made great progress, and we will continue to do so, but we know it won’t be easy. But we are prepared to meet the difficulties. We have difficulties now, and we will have even greater ones in the future, even if we do things the right way - and we should do them the right way, even if it calls for our greatest efforts. We have to cope with the objective problems of the situation in our country, the increasing desperation of our politicians and all those opposed to us and the measures they take against us. Others may be used to trembling at the powerful’s threats, but not us. Never!
Our ideas are very clear, our convictions are very deep, our decisions are very resolute: we don’t want conflicts with anyone, we are not in the habit of provoking conflicts and we don’t want to do so, but they should beware of provoking us! They should beware of dragging us into a conflict! If they impose a conflict on us, they will find out what a resolute group is like. We have a lot of dignity and are very sure of ourselves. They should know that whereas we were strong in the days of Chiluba, today we are one hundred times stronger and better prepared organisationally, politically and psychologically. We have resources within us, in our energy, in our will. If they think they are going to settle their differences with us by threats, blackmail and slander, they are mistaken! They should not underestimate our ability, our dignity and courage - their attacks will last as long as a lit candle lasts in a rainstorm.
We are not trembling, we are not scared by these attacks and threats. On the contrary, we turn these threats and attacks into a force - we use them to organise ourselves.
We have learnt to manage our affairs with increasing efficiency; but the most important thing is that we will keep on learning more and more. We can assert, above all else, that we have known how to use our time, that we have been capable of rectifying mistakes and today our newspaper is stronger and more solid than ever before.
But what we are seeing from our politicians is increasing desperation, lack of seriousness and purpose, and in some respects childishness and high levels of irresponsibility. How can one explain why a member of parliament should be concerned with a car an editor of a private newspaper drives or the house he lives in as if all these things were acquired with taxpayer’s money or his father or mother’s money? Why should Parliament be concerned with what type of car or house a private citizen decides to acquire with his own money. If there’s a bank or any person that has been robbed by the editor of The Post the police and other agencies are there to deal with the matter - report to them instead of making it an agenda of the House.
This is the irresponsibility we are talking about. The taxpayer is not paying our members of parliament for that type of business. Ntundu goes to Parliament just to raise on the floor of the House the strangeness of The Post editor’s name and insinuating that he is a foreigner. For his own information M’membe’s father hails from Mwika’s village, chief Nkula in Chinsali. His mother hails from Mongu and has a combination of Nkoya, Kwangwa, Mbunda and Nyengo blood - and she is the headperson of Lindu village in the Tungi area of the Barotse plains. And the talk of the The Post editor not knowing how to wear a suit and a necktie has no value to the lives of the people of this country. What does that benefit the people of this country? Again, is this what our members of parliament should be wasting time debating? How much should the taxpayer pay for all this? This is the type of members of parliament we have and in whose hands the future of our country is entrusted.
When we denounce this type of behaviour, it is not out of hatred or lack of respect for anyone. What we are preaching is repudiation, rejection and hatred of injustice. We are not preaching hatred among human beings, because in the final analysis, they are just victims of the system in which they live. If we have to fight the system, we will fight the system. If we have to fight and denounce the men who represent the system we hate, we will do so. We shouldn’t forget that Jesus made some very strong charges against the Pharisees and called Herod a fox. What’s more, Jesus tells us we must love our enemies - he doesn’t say we mustn’t have enemies - and there’s no greater love for a person than to prevent him from doing wrong things.
Our Speaker has a lot of work to do to lift the standards of our Parliament and it won’t be an easy undertaking given the quality of members of parliament he has been given to work with.
Labels: EDITORIAL, FRED M'MEMBE, UPND
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MP attacks Post Editor
By Speedwell Mupuchi
Saturday February 24, 2007 [02:00]
GWEMBE United Democratic Alliance (UDA) member of parliament Brian Ntundu used Parliament to issue scathing attacks on a newspaper editor he considered disrespectful to everyone. But Speaker Amusaa Mwanamwambwa advised members of parliament to avoid acrimonious debates that made reference to members of the media.
In his maiden speech Ntundu who was debating the budget speech by finance minister Ng’andu Magande said there was one editor of a newspaper - in apparent reference to Post editor Fred M’membe - who thought he was cleverer than anyone else and could even call the President stupid and got away with it. He said the same editor could write that members of parliament were being greedy by asking for higher perks. "Mr Speaker, let some of these editors advertise their payslips so that we see who gets more money," Ntundu said amid encouragement from other members of parliament. "Mr Speaker, I cannot afford to buy a Jaguar which some of these editors drive. His Excellency President Mwanawasa, SC is just too good because some of these editors should have been followed. Mwanawasa is a very decent President and he is too good."
Ntundu said some of the editors buy big houses and erase them and put up mansions. He said Parliament needed to bring sanity in the country. "We want the press to respect Parliament and the President of the Republic," he said. "We will not tolerate this. If this continues, we will rise against them."
He went on, under encouragement of other members of parliament, to say it was well known that on the day of elections, one newspaper was supporting a political party and they had put up a picture on the "They should come out in the open on which political party they support so that when they write, we know which political party they are supporting," said Ntundu. He also said even if the editors were degrading Parliament, he had never seen them wearing a suit and a necktie. Ntundu also said the same editors sometimes promoted tribalism and that they had rare names.
But Speaker Mwanamwambwa said there were 47 reporters from media organisations accredited to Parliament signifying the interdependence between Parliament and the media. He said the media were a conveyor belt of what the House said and urged members to realise that reporters and editors were human beings and that it was inevitable to work harmoniously with each other. Speaker Mwanamwambwa said it would be difficult if members of parliament started criticising reporters when they could not defend themselves. He cautioned that the media usually had the last word.
Ntundu earlier talked of how he met Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace where he was introduced as a member of parliament from Zambia whose Speaker was committed to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA). He also said the Queen even gave him a silver card worth 500 pounds.
Below, we reproduce part of Ntundu's address to Parliament:
Mr Speaker, I now want to talk about the press. Mr Speaker, I want to particularly condemn some of these newspapers in their writings. For instance, there is one editor of a named newspaper in this country who thinks he is clever than anyone else. He can even write that the President is stupid and he gets away with it. He can write that Hon Members of Parliament are greedy by asking for higher perks, which is diminishing Parliament. Mr Speaker, let some of these editors advertise their payslips so that we see who gets more money.
Hon Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Ntundu: Mr Speaker, I cannot afford to buy a Jaguar which some of these editors drive. His Excellency President Mwanawasa, SC is just too good because some of these editors should have been followed. Mwanawasa is a very decent President and he is too good.
Hon Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Ntundu: He is also very kind. Some of these editors buy big houses and erase them and put up mansions. We need to bring sanity in this country. We want the press to respect Parliament and the President of the Republic.
Hon Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Ntundu: We will not tolerate this. If this continues, we will rise against them.
nterruptions
Mr Ntundu: Mr speaker, sometimes they promote tribalism. We do not even know where they come from themselves because they have names, which we do not know.
Laughter
Mr Ntundu: Some of these editors have names, which are not common.
Interruptions
Mr Mabenga: On a point of order, Sir.
Mr Ntundu: Mr Speaker, I now want to talk about the budget. Sir, I need your protection. Sir, it is well known that on the day of elections, one newspaper was supporting a political party and they had put up a picture on the front page. They should come out in the open on which political party they support so that when they write, we know which political party they are supporting.
Hon UPND Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Ntundu: Sir, we know the political party they are supporting. Sir, some of these editors who diminish Parliament have never put on a tie and suit. They do not know how to wear a tie and a suit.
Labels: FRED M'MEMBE, THE POST, UPND
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Musona orders Bulaya’s forfeiture of properties
By Noel Sichalwe
Saturday February 24, 2007 [02:00]
LUSAKA magistrate Edward Musona yesterday ordered Bulaya’s forfeiture of six motor vehicles and nine properties including the house where he lives in Lusaka's Chalala area. But Bulaya's re-appointed lawyer Nicholas Chanda and Bulaya's brother have vowed to appeal against the forfeiture. Magistrate Musona on Wednesday jailed former health permanent secretary Kashiwa Bulaya for five years with hard labour on abuse of office and corruption charges saying he deserved to be in prison for the crimes that he committed.
Bulaya was alleged to have misappropriated about K3 billion public funds meant to buy immune boosters (Elixir 9) for people living with HIV/AIDS. Making the application for forfeiture, Task Force prosecutor Mutembo Nchito said the judgment had indicated that there were properties that Bulaya acquired using proceeds from the offences. "In the circumstances of the case, the state pursuant to section 41(c) of the Anti-Corruption Act and based on the findings of the court, apply that the properties be forfeited to the state. In total, there were six motor vehicles and nine other properties," Nchito said.
At this stage, magistrate Musona asked Bulaya to respond to the application. Bulaya then asked for an adjournment because he had re-engaged his lawyers Nicholas Chanda and Mumba Kapumpa to handle his matter. But Nchito said the matter was closed, judgment was passed and Bulaya was now serving a prison sentence. He said the application was delayed as they waited for the investigations officer to be present. Nchito said at that stage of the case, Bulaya could not decide to retain lawyers when the matter was concluded. He said the court had made findings and that the proper thing was to enforce the provisions of section 41(c) of the Anti-Corruption Act.
"Even without the state's application, the findings of the court are by implication to be enforced," he said.
Nicholas Chanda then said it was not in dispute that he withdrew from representing Bulaya but that there was no rule that barred him from being re-appointed to represent his client. "We received instructions from family members and came back yesterday by filing a notice of appeal," he said. Chanda said he even met Task Force prosecutor Fred Malambo and served him with a notice of appeal. He asked for an adjournment to allow him argue the case for Bulaya.
Passing the ruling, magistrate Musona said it was trite law that a lawyer could withdraw from representing a client and later be re-appointed. He, however, said that could be done through filing a notice of appointment or placing himself on record in court but that Chanda did not do any of the two. Magistrate Musona said he could not therefore place Chanda on record because he did not make such an application. He also rejected the application to adjourn and ordered that Bulaya forfeit his six vehicles and nine other properties to the state.
Chisha Mwaba said they would continue appealing until they appealed to God for help. Chanda on Thursday filed an appeal in the Lusaka High Court's criminal registry stating that he was dissatisfied with the decision to convict Bulaya and jail him for five years. Chanda is likely to argue that the state did not prove its case beyond reasonable doubt because Bulaya had refused to defend himself against the allegations since the court was unfriendly.
Labels: KASHIWA BULAYA
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Katumbi must come and answer charges - Nkole
By Speedwell Mupuchi
Saturday February 24, 2007 [02:00]
TASK Force on Corrutpion chairman Maxwell Nkole yesterday said Democratic Republic of Congo Katanga Region governor Moses Katumbi must come to Zambia to answer to what he (Katumbi) calls rubbish. Responding to Katumbi's statement that what the Task Force was saying about him was rubbish, Nkole said as far as they were concerned, Katumbi was a fugitive. "He is required here because he has some civil and criminal cases in courts. He has to come and help us clear his cases," Nkole said. "If he thinks the cases are stupid and rubbish, then he should come and answer to the same rubbish. After all, if it is rubbish then there is no need for him to worry, he can simply come in."
In an interview from his Lubumbashi residence in the DRC last Sunday, Katumbi said whatever the Task Force was saying was "rubbish" because the matter was already in court and he had a lawyer representing him in Zambia although the case had been postponed several times. He said only President Levy Mwanawasa could stop him from coming to Zambia. He said he had respect for the court process over anything related to charges against him. "I will come. I will come, I will ask the Zambian government. I don't have to ask the Task Force, it's not the Task Force leading the country," Katumbi said, when asked if he was still insisting on travelling to Zambia over official duties now that the Task Force says he still has to avail himself for questioning.
Katumbi said he was not afraid of answering to the accusations but that would be in court, a process he said was already in place. "I am not above the law. Why can I be above the law? Nobody is above the law. Let's follow the matter in court, let's follow the procedure," he stressed. He said he had no grudges against the Zambian government because he was aware that the problem was in court.
Katumbi left Zambia in 2002 and he has been pursued by the Task Force on Corruption in connection with a series of cases involving restricted properties such as MCK dump mining trucks on the Copperbelt, Mansa Milling, Tamba Bashila, among others. Nkole said Katumbi's cases were still in the High Court where ownership was being contested and that the Task Force had been conducting criminal investigations pertaining to Katumbi's involvement in the K53 billion maize deal part of which was diverted for his (Katumbi's) private use.
Labels: KATUMBI
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Africa and resources
By Jenkins Chisoni
Saturday February 24, 2007 [02:00]
Why is Africa the least developed? Brother Aubrey Chindefu, the answer lies in front of you and yet, like all of us except The Post, you want to go round the truth.
The answer is that our leaders have chosen greed and selfishness against service to the continent and its poor people using the abundant resources you have correctly identified. Blaming the West or East will not help Africa as our leaders have always shown them how gullible we are.
"Come Europe! Come America! Come China! Come India!! We are here for taking. Take our resources, (ifwe tushale no bwakumwinko twalibelela ukucula)", our leaders have been telling the rest of the world continuously. Indeed they have come to Africa and taken the resources with our leaders' approval whilst dressed in their expensive suits. Wouldn't you take advantage as well brother Chindefu if you were the West or East?
History indeed repeats itself, our chiefs fought wars to sell our brothers and sisters to be slaves in the West and East for beads, guns and beer. ‘Why is Africa least developed?’ you ask?
http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=23033
Chiluba’s outcry
By Mkandawire Stein,Kampala - Uganda
Saturday February 24, 2007 [02:00]
Reading the story that Chiluba cried over being deserted by his friends was sad.
Indeed Chiluba as a human being can cry because he seems to have been isolated and the only faithful friends of his that I have noticed are Chitalu Sampa, Peter Machungwa and Michael Chilufya Sata. Chiluba is ailing and he needs close friends that can always encourage him.
I felt very sorry for Chiluba when I saw that picture which showed him being assisted by his wife. All those that were very close to him and benefitted so much from him have indeed abandoned him for greener pastures in President Mwanawasa's government. People should have sympathy and integrity.
However, it does not surprise me so much that Chiluba has been abandoned. First Chiluba brought in this culture by ensuring that all the prominent people that were in UNIP turned against Dr Kaunda. Who knew that Sebastian Zulu would at one point fight Kaunda?
Chiluba engineered that with money. When the late Kebby Musokotwane was the leader of UNIP, Chiluba made sure that Musokotwane spied over his colleagues like the late Cuthbert Ng’uni over the Zero Option saga which was a baby of MMD.
You The Post covered that story very well and in depth. There came a slogan from MMD that each time Dr Kaunda opened his mouth he annoyed many Zambians so Kaunda should not talk. Chiluba embraced that slogan because if he did not agree with the same slogan he should have told his MMD cadres not to use it .
In 2001 when Chiluba mapped his third term campaign, he chased many of his close friends within MMD who genuinely opposed his third term bid.
During a press conference where he fired 21 cabinet and deputy ministers, he was asked: “How are you going to treat these people if you met on the street?” His answer was very casual and teasing: “I would say hello guys.”
Actually this is a fact because it was live on ZNBC television.
So his friends are saying to him ‘hello king Fred”. In Nyanja there is a saying " chaona muzako chapita maba chili pa iwe". This is what is typically happening to Chiluba.
The other thing is that some Christians are not happy with the manner he married the former Mrs Mwanza now Mrs Chiluba. They feel they are condoning that behaviour. So Chiluba should examine all the avenues that have led to his being abandoned.
Crying out in public would not solve matters as we would just listen and forget about it but he should make amends with the people he has wronged especially Mr Mwanza.
http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=23029
Bulaya’s incarceration
By Mwiya Nawa, Lusaka
Saturday February 24, 2007 [02:00]
The sentencing of Kashiwa Bulaya should serve as a lesson to all those who, in the discharge of their duties on behalf of the public, decide to steal from the very people they were appointed to serve. One did not need to be a lawyer to see how much Bulaya abused his authority.
Even his attempt to delay the wheels of justice was in the realisation that he was headed to jail. It was, therefore, shocking that someone who deprived Zambians access to drugs by diverting K3 billion meant for drugs could go scot-free on account of lack of evidence.
Had it not been for The Post, civil society and political parties that objected to the nolle entered in Bulaya’s favour by Mwanawasa and his brigade, Bulaya would be walking free after stealing from Zambians.
The conviction of Bulaya is a huge indictment on Mwanawasa, George Kunda, Chalwe Mchenga, Darlington Mwape and the entire fight against corruption.
In societies where people take responsibility for their conduct of public affairs, all these should have resigned on moral and legal grounds. But this is Zambia, where wrongdoers refuse to acknowledge their wrong and where plunderers are glorified.
Plunderers have no remorse for their actions. How else can one explain Bulaya’s conduct – the man has been jailed but he came out smiling as though he had won an acquittal? The same goes for Samuel Musonda.
I read in your editorial a day after he was sentenced that he was laughing at questions put to him by the prosecutors during the trial.
It appears stealing had gone to their heads so much that it was no longer a strange thing to do – What callousness!
Chiluba's cry should serve as an eye opener to President Mwanawasa.
Labels: CHILUBA, KASHIWA BULAYA, LETTERS, MANUFACTURING
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Districts now road authorites
By KANYANTA KATONGO
THE Road Development Agency (RDA) has appointed all the 72 district councils in the country as Road Authorities. Minister of Works and Supply, Kapembwa Simbao, said in a statement yesterday that the appointments were effective February 12, 2007.
Mr Simbao said the appointment of Road Authorities was in line with Public Roads Act of 2002, which empowered the minister to do so. “With the direction of the RDA which has the overall mandate to plan and coordinate all public roads in the country, the Road Authorities would be responsible for all the construction, care and maintenance of the public roads in their jurisdiction,” Mr Simbao said.
He said the relationship between the RDA and Road Authorities was based on sub section 4 (2) of the Act, which provides guidance and technical assistance to the Road Authorities. He said the Act would advise Road Authorities regarding the construction, rehabilitation and maintenance of roads in their jurisdiction.
Labels: DECENTRALIZATION, DISTRICTS, LOCAL GOVERNMENT
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Zesco workers question managers' tour allowances
By Bivan Saluseki
Friday February 23, 2007 [02:00]
ZESCO Limited employees have questioned the over K80 million social tour allowances being paid to top management at the utility company at the expense of service provision. But Zesco director human resource John Luswanga yesterday said the money being paid as 'social tour allowances' were merely holiday allowances, which were part of the directors' conditions of service.
Sources yesterday revealed that management at ZESCO had continued to advance themselves hefty allowances even when the company was failing to provide services to its customers. "Right now we don't have enough fuses, no adequate poles, no utility vehicles and cables," disclosed sources. "We have a backlog of people who have paid in full to have their premises connected to the power lines. Now for more than two years, they have not been connected. There is definitely something rotten going on here."
According to sources, management had been advancing themselves loans not applicable to ordinary workers. "Even the Kawambwa incident where two Zesco employees died after being electrocuted, Zesco did not have a vehicle of its own. It had to borrow a vehicle from ZAMTEL in Kawambwa. The ones who went to work on the 30 KV power line were casual workers. One of them even died. The other one was supposed to retire soon," said the source.
The sources said management had been paying themselves social tour expenses and hiding in hefty gratuities. The sources said top management was supposed to focus on resuscitating the company first instead of paying themselves huge allowances.
According to documentation, Zesco director of engineering services Musonda Chibulu was paid K89.7 million under cheque number 11831 on May, 25 2005 as social tour expenses and K408.5 million being long-service gratuity. Former director distribution and supply Alex Matele was paid K89.7 million for social tour under cheque number 11828 on May 29, 2005. Further payments of K89.7 million were also made to Stanslous Mwape the former director customer services and director human resource John Luswanga too.
The sources said government needed to check what was happening at Zesco seriously because most senior managers were hiding in gratuities and too many allowances being awarded to themselves. "What hurts us is that all this money is supposed to help improve Zesco's inefficiency. Right now if you have a power failure, a reaction time is unimaginable," said the sources. "People can just work for one year and get K1 billion gratuity. Others can work for 25 years and fail to get a pension of K50 million." The sources said even loans had become a preserve for senior managers only. However, Luswanga said the figures were fake. "Those figures are fake. And who is releasing that information? It's surprising. Social tours are just like holiday allowances. Even you when you go on leave, you get some allowance. Some people get a month salary," he said.
Luswanga said the payments being made under social tours were part of the conditions of service. He said ZESCO was a public company with its activities open to scrutiny and nothing could be swept under the carpet. Luswanga said the conditions of service were part of the contract. "We can't do anything out of the ordinary," he said. Luswanga said conditions of service for unionised staff were reviewed every two years and management had their own conditions too.
Labels: CORRUPTION, GRATUITIES, ZESCO
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Privatisation nets K490bn
By Times Reporter
PARLIAMENT heard yesterday that a total of K490 billion was realised in gross proceeds from the privatisation process as at December 31 2006. Finance and National Planning Minister Ng’andu Magande said this in response to a question by Mapatizya Member of Parliament (MP) Ackson Sejani (UPND) who wanted to know how much money was realised from the entire privatisation exercise.
Mr Magande explained that the money realised in gross proceeds was K25.6 billion and US$109.75 million (adding up to K490 billion), while the net proceeds, after meeting employees’ terminal benefits and other liabilities, were K5.6 billion and $65.6 million.
The amounts were transferred to the Zambia Privatisation Revenue Account (PRA) managed by the ministry of Finance and National Planning and did not include proceeds from the sale of the defunct Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines (ZCCM) assets. It was now up to the Government to decide what to do with the money within the alternatives provided for under the Privatisation Act. The Privatisation Act provides that such proceeds be used for financing the cost of the privatisation and the Privatisation Trust Fund (PTF) as well as expand existing productive capacities. “The Act also provides that the assets be used for rehabilitating existing plants, support new capital investments, fund the restructuring of State owned enterprises to be privatised and to fund any social project that will be in the interest of the public,” Mr Magande said. Some funds were utilised to meet the costs of the privatisation programme.
The cash included the employee obligations met at privatisation which stood at K7.259,342,027 and $5,197,681, credit obligations met on transactions at the same time at a cost of K5,794,290,976 and $13,327,820 respectively. He said privatisation expenses cost K1, 537,171,794 and $1,272,156 and that other utilisations met on transactions cost K560, 358,812 and $191,209. The amount still held in escrow and interim managers’ accounts and not yet transferred to the PRA was K258, 062,004 and amounts due from purchasers were K3, 393,500,000 and $3,652,931. He told the House that 262 State owned companies and units had been privatised as at December 31, 2006 while 22 more were currently under various stages in the privatisation process. The minister informed the House that Government owed K80.2 billion to 937 retirees and was working round the clock to offset the payment.
And Minister of Health Angela Cifire told the House that there was need for further research on the four herbal medicines under study to cure HIV/AIDS and that trials on 26 patients administered with the same remedies had been completed. The four herbs that qualified for research were the Mayeyin, Sondash formula, Mailacin and the Ngoma formula which could not be analysed because the owner died before commencement of the study. About K1, 400,415,000 was spent on fees for investigators, laboratory costs, participants’ upkeep allowances as well as administrative costs. No side effects were detected in the participants who were quarantined for about six months.
Labels: MAGANDE, PRIVATISATION
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I'm addicted to The Post, says Sata
By Amos Malupenga
Friday February 23, 2007 [08:09]
I am addicted to The Post, said Patriotic Front president Michael Sata yesterday. Explaining why he decided to subscribe with The Post online when he was out of the country for almost three weeks, Sata said he didn't see the need to subscribe when he was in the country because he always bought a hard copy. "Even when I toured the country during the run up to the September 28 elections, I didn't miss The Post because wherever I went, I found The Post first thing in the morning or latest by mid-day depending on the distance from Lusaka," Sata said. "But when I went out of the country to India, Hong Kong, Taiwan and England, I felt the gap, I experienced poverty of information.
I asked the High Commissioner to India Kelly Walubita if they had subscribed. That's how I contacted you for subscription and I was fed with information everyday. Now that I am back, I will not use it because I get the hard copies but I will keep the subscription running as I will need to use it every time I am out of the country." Sata said he had even encouraged more people in Taiwan and Hong Kong as well as India and England to subscribe to The Post online if poverty of information was to be concurred. "It is not possible that all the people will like what is reported or written in The Post but they have to know what has been published," Sata said. "Sometimes The Post tell the truth in a negative way but at other times it is positive. But I am addicted to The Post. My life has been consistent with everything I do and I always like change and that change is for good, not just for the sake of it."
He said he had always resisted monopoly so when The Post was born as a weekly newspaper, he voluntarily participated in its circulation although he had no pecuniary interest. He said apart from the role he played as a voluntary newspaper vendor for The Post, he has always contributed to the growth of the newspaper in that he has proved to be one of the key sources of news. "In the early days, The Post wrote anything about me; they reported about my goats and even when I married Dr Kaseba The Post said 'Sata has finally married his long time girlfriend'," Sata said.
He said although he was addicted to The Post, he didn't like everything that came out of it and when he was aggrieved, he took legal action against the newspaper. He said at one time, he had to sue the newspaper for libel following an editorial comment and he was awarded K1 million in damages. "But the K1 million came at great pain because former chief justice Matthew Ngulube who sat as a psuine judge said I was being economical on the truth and that all public figures should develop thick skin when they are criticised," Sata said. "And if I was a light-weight, I could have turned my back against The Post during the run up to last year's elections when there was that series of damning editorial comments. Even when I was in government as minister, it was government's position that we have nothing to do with but I disagreed that it was not the best way of doing things. For me I continued associating with The Post even when I was in government."
Labels: SATA, THE POST
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Only Levy can stop me - Moses Katumbi
By Webster Malido
Friday February 23, 2007 [02:00]
ONLY President Levy Mwanawasa can stop me from coming to Zambia, Democratic Republic of Congo Katanga Region governor Moses Katumbi has said. And Katumbi said he was in touch with people like former president Frederick Chiluba, former intelligence chief Xavier Chungu, including some of President Mwanawasa's ministers. In an interview from his Lubumbashi residence in the DRC last Sunday, Katumbi however said he had respect for the court process over anything related to charges against him.
"I will come. I will come, I will ask the Zambian government. I don't have to ask the Task Force, it's not the Task Force leading the country," Katumbi said, when asked if he was still insisting on travelling to Zambia on official duties now that the Task Force says he still has to avail himself for questioning. When reminded that it was Vice-President Rupiah Banda who said he would be arrested if he dared enter Zambia, Katumbi said Zambia had a President. "Even if it's the Vice-President (who said he would be arrested). In Zambia, there is a President. That's why there is a President who is President Mwanawasa. If President Mwanawasa told me, 'Moses don't come, I don't come'. It's the President," Katumbi said. "The Vice-President, tomorrow Mwanawasa can nominate another Vice-President. How many vice-presidents President Mwanawasa has changed? If Mr Rupiah Banda doesn't have anything to give to the Zambian people, he just has to keep quiet."
He said it was up to the two governments to discuss his matter. "President Mwaanwasa has got a government, President Kabila has got a government. They will talk," Katumbi said. "If President Mwanawasa says 'no, I don't want you', I will follow what the President says. He is the boss of the country."
Vice-President Banda recently told Parliament that Katumbi would be arrested if he came to Zambia. This was after Katumbi had earlier disclosed that he would be leading a delegation to Zambia on official duties as governor of Katanga.
Later, the Task Force on Corruption also issued a statement to the effect that Katumbi still had to avail himself to answer some questions in order to finalise his case. But Katumbi said whatever the Task Force was saying was "rubbish" because the matter was already in court and he had a lawyer representing him in Zambia although the case had been adjourned several times. He said foreign affairs minister Mundia Sikatana was so far the only senior government leader who had exhibited responsibility over his matter. "You know somebody who's got sense is the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Sikatana. His speech was very good, he is responsible," Katumbi said. "A man like him is responsible. First, he is a lawyer, he knows what he is talking about. He knows, he is a lawyer, there is a problem in court." Recently, when Sikatana was asked about how the Zambian government would deal with Katumbi now that he was governor, he said: "We don't want to risk our relationship with Congo."
Katumbi said he was not afraid of answering to the accusations but that would be in court, a process he said was already in place. "I am not above the law. Why can I be above the law? Nobody is above the law. Let's follow the matter in court, let's follow the procedure," he stressed. He said he had no grudges against the Zambian government because he was aware that the problem was in court. "But I just want to say, they say, 'no, Moses is a crook'. People will know the truth. Mr Rupiah Banda says 'if he arrives in Zambia, you arrest him'. Why they are refusing me to come to Zambia (as) if I have killed somebody, if I have stolen, they have to leave me come freely," he said.
Katumbi maintained that he respected the court process but it was only the Task Force which kept adjourning his case. "...who is postponing in court? Five years, the Task Force is postponing. I've got a lawyer there because I am a person not...they don't want me to go back in Zambia. Even Rupiah Banda said. Today they are saying this, in the next morning they are saying other things. I've got my lawyers there. They go to court, postpone, postpone. For six years, postponing the matter. I don't have any problem with the government," he said.
Katumbi said he had great respect for the Zambian people.
When asked if he was still in touch with people like Chiluba or Chungu, Katumbi said: "Yes I talk to president Chiluba, I talk even to ministers of Mwanawasa. I talk to plenty people. "The time Xavier was in Europe, he was calling me. I talk also to the ministers of Mwanawasa. I was talking even to the people who are in the MMD. Up to now, and I don't understand why these people of the Task Force are making noise. I still have got respect for the Zambian people, the country where I lived for a long time. I don't have today to say that 'no, I am a superman'. No. Nobody is super."
Katumbi left Zambia in 2002 and he has been pursued by the Task Force on Corruption in connection with a series of cases involving restricted properties such as MCK dump mining trucks on the Copperbelt, Mansa Milling, Tamba Bashila, among others. Task Force on Corruption chairman Maxwell Nkole said Katumbi's cases were still in the High Court where ownership was being contested and that the Task Force had been conducting criminal investigations pertaining to Katumbi's involvement in the K53 billion maize deal part of which was diverted for his (Katumbi's) private use. "Katumbi's involvement lies in the diversion of the amount of K17.2 billion to refinance Tamba Bashila and Chani Fisheries of which he was the owner. Both Tamba Bashila and Chani Fisheries are now restricted by Gazette notice," Nkole said. "In addition, the Task Force wishes to interview Mr Katumbi in respect of the arms deal case popularly known as the B.K. Facility in which the Zambian government lost approximately US $20 million for arms supply contracts which was never honoured."
To read more about Katumbi's rise in DRC politics, including his plans to turn Katanga Province into "a small South Africa", look out for this Sunday Post.
Labels: Moses Katumbi, RUPIAH BANDA
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The future doesn't belong to the faint-hearted
By Editor
Friday February 23, 2007 [02:00]
IT gets dark sometimes, but the morning comes. There is no need to surrender. Suffering breeds character. Character breeds faith. In the end faith will not disappoint. This is the way we feel about the conviction of former health permanent secretary Kashiwa Bulaya. There is no doubt that Bulaya has been fairly and justly convicted for theft of public funds and abuse of public office. There is also no doubt that the funds he has been prosecuted and convicted for stealing are just a small fraction of what has been stolen. This criminal abuse of public funds must be brought to an end.
It was not easy to get Bulaya prosecuted because his friends in government tried everything possible to ensure that he was not prosecuted. There was an attempt by Director of Public Prosecutions Chalwe Mchenga, the then Attorney General George Kunda who was also the justice minister, and also by President Levy Mwanawasa himself, to protect Bulaya from prosecution. It took a month-long protracted struggle to make Levy yield and allow Bulaya to be prosecuted; it took the use of very hard language to make this government allow Bulaya to be prosecuted.
But Bulaya’s case and his conviction raise a lot of questions about the integrity of our criminal justice system. It raises serious questions about the independence of the Director of Public Prosecutions. What happened in the Bulaya case, over the nolle prosequi that was granted to him, raises serious questions about the behaviour of those who occupy the office of Director of Public Prosecutions. In Bulaya’s case, it is very clear that the decision to enter a nolle in his favour was not an independent decision of the Director of Public Prosecutions, he was merely fulfilling the wishes of the President and his justice minister.
We know that in every society throughout history, those who administer the criminal justice system hold power with potential for abuse.
We are not in any way trying to say that the Director of Public Prosecutions should not enter nolle prosequis. What we are trying to say is that he should do so in an independent way, a way that is consistent with the constitutional powers given to this office.
Our Director of Public Prosecutions will have serious difficulties convincing anyone that he had acted independently in this matter. And this is confirmed by his open collaboration with State House to try and spin a lie over Bulaya’s nolle prosequi. Mchenga signed a joint statement with Darlington Mwape and Solicitor General Sunday Nkonde which was full of lies and untruths about Bulaya’s nolle prosequi.
Why did he do this? Why did he join this web of deceit? Is this a sign of someone who is acting independently?
Every state must have the power to maintain order and punish criminal acts but the rules and procedures by which the state enforces these laws must not be arbitrary and subject to political manipulation by those in power.
Abuse of power, in any form, should not be tolerated and should be fought without respite whenever it occurs or signs of it start to show.
Again, now that the Bulaya case is over, we reiterate our demand for the release of Sokoni’s letter. Why are we demanding Sokoni’s letter to be released to the public? We are not demanding the release of this letter just for the sake of it.
We want to remove deception, crookedness and lies from public life and the politics of our country. We know that Levy and his minions did not act in an honest manner over this issue; they acted in a very treacherous and dishonest manner. We know it is hard to understand their behaviour, but sometimes painful things like these happen. It is all part of the process of building a nation.
And this is not just a matter of oversight on the part of Levy. It was a deliberate action taken to perpetrate an injustice. They knew very well what they were doing and they had calculated everything. This was not just a matter of style. Of course the truth is that in many aspects of politics, style and substance complement each other. Very often, there are two sides of the same coin.
Some people may wonder why we should continue demanding Sokoni’s letter when the issue is over and Bulaya has been convicted. The key issue in this matter is not Bulaya’s conviction; it is dishonesty in public life, in the discharge of public duties - it is corruption on the part of Levy and his minions. Dishonesty is corruption.
It is not only the stealing of money that constitutes corruption - dishonesty is also a fraud that can harm a nation and it must be detested and punished in the same way as the stealing of public funds.
Levy and his minions lied to the nation that there was no sufficient evidence in the Bulaya case for it to be successfully prosecuted. But Bulaya failed even to put up a defence. The only defence he wanted to rely on was of accusing the trial magistrate of unfairness or bias. We all know that this was nonsense because the matter was conducted with sufficient fairness and integrity.
Actually, the one who lacked fairness and integrity was Bulaya himself. This shows that there was much more to the entering of a nolle prosequi of Bulaya. It wasn’t a clean nolle. We know that the Director of Public Prosecution shas no obligation to explain his nolles to anyone. But this is not a blank ticket for any Director of Public Prosecutions to abuse our criminal justice system through the use of nolle prosequis. If this is found to be so, the Zambian people have every right to question any nolle prosequi so entered. Nolle prosequis were made to serve a legitimate cause and not to be used as a vehicle for corrupt deals with criminals like Bulaya.
We therefore demand the release of Sokoni’s letter so that the Zambian people can know for themselves if in any way Levy and his minions had betrayed public trust in the Bulaya case. And as we continue to demand the release of this letter, we give our most humble thanks to all our people, wherever they may be, who never hesitate to join just causes and denounce crookedness and corruption.
The future belongs to the courageous like them; it does not belong to the faint-hearted; it belongs to the brave, to those who can stand up against injustices; to those who are daring.
Labels: EDITORIAL, KASHIWA BULAYA
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'Vulture funds'
By Sam Barrait, Head of Media, Oxfam
Friday February 23, 2007 [02:00]
Recent reports highlighted a misunderstanding concerning the appearance on BBC Newsnight of Martin Kalungu-Banda when that programme reported on the case between Zambia and Donegal international last week.
Oxfam and Jubilee are campainging against the action which Donegal has taken and have been working with the BBC to bring the matter to international attention so that cases like this one can be prevented. Martin was offered to Newsnight as a spokesperson to speak as a Zambian citizen on behalf of Oxfam.
Newsnight knew that he had been a special consultant to the President and were aware that he is now a staff member of Oxfam. However, they made an error in referring to him as an advisor to the President.
The campaingn has already had an impact. After seeing the BBC report, congressman John Conyers in the USA has brought this case to the attention of President Bush who has indicated willingness to tackle the issue of ‘vulture funds’.
Oxfam will be campaigning when the court reconvenes in March to decide the amount that Zambia must pay. We hope that Donegal will not take the money from Zambia where it is urgently needed to pay for more doctors, nurses and teachers.
http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=23005
Donegal Vs Zambia
By Evans Chisanga
Friday February 23, 2007 [02:00]
As a concerned taxpayer, I wish to express my heartfelt emotions about the Donegal Vs Zambia case in the London courts which has been ruled against our country. While it is clear that Donegal and 'vulture' organisations like them belong to the other side of the moral spectrum, it has emerged from the trial that there were collaborators from the Zambian government side.
It is they that I wish to turn the spotlight on. Details from the trial suggest that Donegal 'donated' $2m to the scandalous and illegal PHI, and some undisclosed amounts to individuals. If that is not betrayal of an entire nation then what is it? This is extremely serious. Furthermore, I would like to express my dissapointment with the government spokesman VJ for seeming to embark on a campaign of illusiveness on just about any issue on which the public are demanding answers from government.
On the issue at hand, VJ chose to deflect questions on government's position on this case and preferred to censure the BBC for having mistaken a Banda they interviewed as an advisor to the President.
If you didn't know, that was pathetic. Why should the Zambian public be relying on foreign media to give us detailed information on a case involving our country? In fact Zambians should thank the BBC for having brought the issue to light as our government was evidently intent on keeping quiet about it.
http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=23002
Sata and Taiwan
By Daniel Maimbo
Friday February 23, 2007 [02:00]
The Post on 15 February 2007 carried a story in which PF president Michael Sata was explaining his exploratory visit to Taiwan. I admire Sata's stand on a number of issues but I was deeply disappointment with his shallow reasoning and conclusions about Taiwanese development.
Sata was comparing China to Taiwan and glorified the development he saw in Taiwan without going to China to have a fair comparison. To attempt to compare the Chinese economy to that of Taiwan without having visited China and to draw conclusions on merely what you have seen with your own eyes in Taiwan alone is not only wrong but also exposes blind loyalty, narrow-mindedness and above all hypocrisy. The indisputable and acknowledged fact world over is that China is the fastest growing economy in the world.
Sata is also quoted as having said that, "There are so many Taiwanese companies in mainland China. So the quality goods you are seeing here are from Taiwan and inferior ones are from mainland China."
What a conclusion! Honestly, even though Sata tailors his message towards the underprivileged, he should understand that not all Zambians are so daft as to buy conclusions without logic and intellectual analysis.
Sata should read Animal Farm by George Owell. He has indeed deliberately closed his eyes and says, Taiwan is always right and China is always wrong. Whatever comes from China is always poor quality and whatever comes from Taiwan is always good quality.
Finally, even though Sata's warning that "We have to be careful because if we leave them (the Chinese) unchecked, we will regret.
China is sucking from us; we are becoming poorer because they are getting our wealth", is important and welcome, this sounds merely petty jealousy against China but in favour of Taiwan as this warning is applicable to all countries Zambia is doing business with, not just China.
Labels: SATA, VULTURE FUND
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ZIBA urges govt, private sector to utilise SMEs
By Joan Chirwa
Thursday February 22, 2007 [02:01]
THE Zambia Indigenous Business Association (ZIBA) has said the government and the private sector associations should utilise small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) to help achieve economic development in the country. And Private Sector Development Association chairperson Yusuf Dodia said the government should pay serious attention to problems faced by SMEs to ensure that the targeted economic growth is private sector led.
During a World Bank/Economics Association of Zambia discussion on private sector equity and development in Zambia held in Lusaka on Tuesday, ZIBA chairperson Phillip Chilomo said most countries had developed their economies through SMEs. "SMEs have made most of the developed countries move. It is not the super companies that have made their economies be what they are today, it is the SMEs," Chilomo said.
He further said there should be broad-based participation in activities that are aimed at promoting economic development in the country. "We need indigenous businesses in this country, which are going to drive our economy forward. When I say indigenous, I am not talking about having blacks only running business here. We can combine efforts regardless of one's race to develop this nation, as long as whatever is done is meant to benefit the local economy," Chilomo said. "For example, a number of industries have folded and left the country because they were not indigenous. Most of them have left after the tax holiday is over."
And Dodia said enhancing the performance of the SMEs would contribute to Zambia's economic growth. The government has in this year's budget targeted GDP growth of even per cent from 5.8 per cent achieved last year, and announced that the growth would be private sector led.
Dodia further wondered why incentives for investments announced in this year's budget were based on the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) when the institution had not yet been concretised. "As long as the ZDA remains in its current form where there is just an interim board and a temporary management, we see that most of the things announced in the budget might not happen," said Dodia.
During the discussion, commerce permanent secretary Davidson Chilipamushi said non-state actors should have an input in ensuring that the private sector development reforms were realised.
Labels: SMEs, ZIBA
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State gets $71m tax from mines
By Times Reporter
PARLIAMENT heard yesterday that the Government collected US$71,490,000 as tax from the mines over a period of five years. Mines and Minerals Deputy Minister Maxwell Mwale was responding to a question from Mwinilunga East member of Parliament (MP) Stephen Katuka (UPND), who asked how much revenue in United States dollars the Government realised in form of tax from the companies from 2002-06. The MP also wanted to know how much profit the mining companies made in the same period, to which the Mr Mwale said $652,296,093 was made as profit for the companies. The minister said the revenue the Government realised was in form of company tax, withholding tax, dividends and through mineral royalties.
He explained that the low levels of company tax in the earlier years was attributed to carry-over losses agreed upon in the development agreements between the Government and mining companies to enable mining firms recover the heavy start-up costs. In 2006, most mining companies had started making positive declarations, hence higher tax figures.
Mr Mwale said during 2002-05, there was an increase in the recapitalisation of the mining sector to take advantage of the up-turn in metal prices in the global market. The recapitalisation was tax deductible and, therefore, resulted in significant reduction in company tax. Mining companies did not make profits in 2002 due to various reasons, among them, the fact that the mines had just been privatised and a lot of rehabilitation was in progress and that there were low operating efficiencies and low copper prices.
After many years of being depressed, the price of copper on the London Metal Exchange began to recover in 2003, a recovery which was sustained from onwards to 2006, contributing to increased profits for the mining companies. “The price of copper in 2002 was $0.68 per 1 barrel. It reached $3.99 per barrel in 2006 and as at January 2007, the price of copper was $2.50 per barrel,” the deputy minister told the House. Mr Mwale said the Zambian economy benefited from the profits made by mining companies through taxes, and to that effect, the companies remitted 11 per cent of profits to Government. “The House may wish to note that the contribution of the mining sector to the Growth Domestic Product (GDP) was 8.3 per cent in 2005 and 11.6 per cent in 2006. The figure of 2006 was preliminary and could be adjusted upwards or downwards,” he said.
Copperbelt produced 335,023 tonnes of copper in 2002, 372,222 tonnes in 2003, 418,986 in 2004, 382,122 tonnes in 2005 and 388,302 tonnes last year while North-Western produced 79,626 tonnes in 2005 and 127,316 in 2006, respectively. Mr Mwale said the decline in copper production on the Copperbelt in the period 2005-06 was largely due to labour disputes, fuel shortages caused by the shut-down of Indeni Oil Refinery during the month of October and mine accidents. Mr Katuka wondered why the Government could not increase the mineral royalty tax to about 10 per cent, and Mines Minister Kalombo Mwansa said the Government had already done so but over a longer period this would be considered.
The deputy minister also informed the House that Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) made a profit of $113 million during the 2005-06 financial year while Mopani made about $28 million. He was responding to a question by Kantanshi MP Yamfwa Mukanga (PF) who wanted to know how much profit was made by privatised mines on the Copperbelt during the 2005-06 financial year, mine by mine. Mr Mwale said Luanshya Copper Mines made a loss of about $1 million, while Chibuluma Mine made a profit of about $12 million and Chambishi had $385,000 due to cobalt price fall. On how much of the profit was ploughed back into the community mine by mine, the minister said KCM gave about $4 million, Mopani $2 million, Luanshya $361,000, Chibuluma $1 million, Chambishi $966,000 and NFCU$22,000.
Lusaka Central MP Guy Scott (PF) wondered whether the special unit under the Ministry of Mines to monitor profits still existed, to which Dr Mwansa said a post-privatisation unit was in place to undertake such a task.
Acting leader of Government business, George Mpombo, told the House that the Government, through the disaster management unit distributed 435,659 bags of maize as relief food last year constituency by constituency. Mr Mpombo, who is Defence Minister, was responding to Mr Mukanga who wanted to know how many bags of maize were distributed as relief food last year constituency by constituency.
The House also heard that K18.5 billion was last year remitted by ZESCO to the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) and that the money was used to finance operations and maintenance of equipment, as well as to monitor water levels at Kariba dam. Energy and Water Development Deputy Minister Gaston Sichilima said this in response to a question by Gwembe MP Brian Ntundu (UPND) who wanted to know how much money ZESCO remitted to the ZRA.
Labels: CORRUPTION, MINING, TAXATION
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Release Sokoni's letter
By Editor
Thursday February 22, 2007 [02:00]
When we called Levy Mwanawasa’s followers minions over the Kashiwa Bulaya nolle prosequi, we were misunderstood. Some people thought we were unnecessarily abusive. They didn’t bother even to find out from a simple dictionary the meaning of the word ‘minion’. To them, it sounded like a big insult. But this ‘big insult’ was not an insult at all. It simply meant blind followers. But why did we call them blind followers?
They knew the truth about the Bulaya case and yet they decided to suppress it, to protect their employment and gain cheap favours from their boss. They were telling Levy what he wanted to hear, not what he needed to hear. And these included very senior government officials who are well paid by the taxpayer to help Levy discharge his duties in an efficient, effective, orderly and honest manner. Among these characters was George Kunda, working as Attorney General and justice minister, Sunday Nkonde - Solicitor General, Chalwe Mchenga, the Director of Public Prosecutions for the Republic, and one Darlington Mwape, Levy’s adviser on legal matters.
They all ganged up to justify and defend a fraud, a deception, a lie, a gross abuse. They ganged up to try and procure a nolle prosequi for Bulaya. They ganged up to shove into our throats Bulaya’s nolle prosequi. They were prepared to tell lies and deceive the public for reasons that have nothing to do with national interest.
They allowed their boss to mount public platforms and declare that there was no evidence upon which Bulaya could be convicted. Levy as a senior lawyer himself declared that there was no evidence on which Bulaya could be tried and convicted. This in itself would have been very bad if that was all they did. They went so far as to vilify and attack innocent people. They turned against their own prosecutor Mutembo Nchito, accusing him of violating the Constitution by refusing to effect a nolle prosequi in favour of Bulaya.
However, the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) investigated their allegations against Mutembo and found that there was no truth in them; they were just trying to crucify an innocent person. At the helm of this crusade against Mutembo was Levy himself. He publicly bayed for Mutembo’s crucifixion at LAZ. We have not forgotten the day at Lusaka International Airport when Levy was ordering Mutembo to appear before LAZ whilst addressing the press and his party cadres. He expressed optimism that LAZ would nail Mutembo to the cross because, as far as he was concerned, a lawyer should not refuse to uphold the Constitution.
In a characteristically Levy way, Mwanawasa had forgotten the difficult struggle that Mutembo had waged which had earned his government international respect and standing. For political expediency, Levy was prepared to destroy a hard-working professional. The only sin the professional had committed was to refuse to be a minion - a blind follower of Levy.
As for us, we were called all sorts of names and accused of all sorts of things; of harbouring all sorts of hatred and hidden agendas. We were vilified because we refused to accept Levy’s attempt to pervert the course of justice. We were not going to sit quietly whilst Levy and George decided to play selective justice.
When we were calling for the release of former acting DPP Caroline Sokoni’s letter, we were met with resistance on the pretext that it was classified and would prejudice Bulaya’s case.
Bulaya’s case is now over. Can we see Sokoni’s letter! There is no reason to hide this letter, except that Levy and George know that they were involved in something wrong. They know that they were caught in a deception and the release of Sokoni’s letter would finally nail them. If as Levy claims, he is a man who respects the law, the time has come for him to come clean and apologise to the public for his abuse of office in his attempt to deceive the public and give a nolle prosequi to Bulaya who had extended favours to him in his 2001 campaign and in the presidential election petition.
Levy and his minions must learn to respect the public and deal with them on the basis of truth. Levy and his minions lied on the Bulaya case. And yesterday, their lie was laid bare - Bulaya was given a five-year jail sentence after being found guilty on every count.
The fight to reverse Bulaya’s nolle prosequi should teach us all a lesson; there is no one Zambian who can change the nation alone, all by himself or herself. To improve our lot, we must engage in concerted actions, we need to work together side-by-side like beavers.
One lesson that stands clear from the Bulaya saga was a clear division that emerged between those who were ready to bury both the truth and those who were fighting for the truth on one side and those who were prepared to stand up for the truth and defend it to the hilt.
The conviction and sentencing of Bulaya is not only a product of the work of the prosecutors; many others contributed to ensure that justice was done. This judgment is a fitting tribute to the selfless, courageous and distinguished anti-corruption crusader, the late Professor Alfred Chanda. All those who will care to scan the media coverage of the issue during that period will appreciate the clarity of debate that Professor Chanda brought to the issue. He fearlessly stood by the prosecutors, against the formidable onslaught that Levy and his minions had unleashed on all who differed with them on this score. Proferssor Chanda was a clear voice for the many voices of our nation.
The Law Association of Zambia and its leadership also deserve credit for the professionalism that they exhibited in dealing with this matter. Levy tried to flatter them, bribe them with praises into taking his line on this matter. But they stood their ground and saw things for what they were.
The efforts of Reverend Japhet Ndhlovu on this matter also deserve recognition because they helped alter the balance of forces in favour of honesty and justice.
In short, our people’s ability to stand up to injustice, to denounce that which deserved to be denounced, is what has contributed to yesterday’s conviction of Bulaya and to the challenge of impunity. It will no longer be possible for any sensible person in government, or politics in general, to act with impunity, without risking too much.
If Levy and Kunda do not take this opportunity to be honest and disclose Sokoni’s letter, they themselves would have joined Bulaya’s criminal activities and deserve to be with him wherever he may be. They should deal with the public honestly. We told them that we would not stop fighting for Sokoni’s letter. This is a humble reminder to deal with that matter honestly. As we pay tribute to all those gallant comrades who fought this matter, our demand is very simple - release Sokoni’s letter.
Labels: CORRUPTION, EDITORIAL, KASHIWA BULAYA
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http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=22964
There's need to diversify economy - Dr Hinrichsen
By Masuzyo Chakwe
Thursday February 22, 2007 [02:00]
GERMAN Ambassador to Zambia Dr Irene Hinrichsen has said there is need to diversify Zambia's economy in order to further increase economic growth. And Ambassador Hinrichsen has said government needs to reduce poverty and fight for the betterment of people's daily lives. In an interview yesterday, Ambassador Hinrichsen said the problem in Zambia was the growth rate. She said the country had a steady increase in GrossDomestic Product (GDP) that had reached six per cent but the real growth started at eight per cent. "If Zambia can just gain that two per cent then the growth will be felt by everybody and we can achieve this by economic diversification. There is need for new branches and avenues to be opened," she said.
Ambassador Hinrichsen said agriculture needed to be intensified by developing the industry. "In the area of tourism, there is need to be careful in what kind of tourism the country wants to develop. This also applies to the Legacy Project where wildlife would have been ruined and I can assure you that no German will come to Zambia if the environment is ruined. I am glad that they decided to do away with the golf course and concentrate on the other things," she said. She said Zambia had beautiful areas that had not been developed and there was a lot that could be done in other fields. Ambassador Hinrichsen said Zambia should not rely on mining alone as a source of its revenue.
She said the economy had to be balanced. "Fifty per cent of the national income can come from mining but the other 50 per cent should be divided among the other sectors and this will help reach the famous eight per cent. Otherwise, development is going in the right direction, inflation has reduced and we hope to see a better number this year," she said. And Ambassador Hinrichsen said it was time for government to reduce poverty and fight for people's daily lives to become better. She said the fact that Pay As You Earn (PAYE) had been reduced was good in that people would have more money.
Ambassador Hinrichsen said Zambia could get more money from new contract negotiations in the mining sector. She said Zambia could also get more money from co-operating partners in terms of direct budget support in areas that affected the people.
Labels: AGRICULTURE, ECONOMY
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K202bn enough to finalise new constitution - Mweemba
By Patson Chilemba
Thursday February 22, 2007 [02:01]
LAW Association of Zambia (LAZ) president William Mweemba has said the K202.6 billion proposed allocation towards constitutional reforms in 2007 is enough to finalise the enactment of a new constitution. In an interview, Mweemba charged that the government was in a habit of exaggerating figures in order to deliberately delay the constitution review process. "I suspect highly that the K202 billion is sufficient enough to finalise the process. Government has always exaggerated resources to prolong the process. The figure is sufficient," he said. Mweemba said there was no need to extend the constitution review process over a period of three years, considering the huge allocation for the 2007 reforms.
He said it was unfortunate that the government had not specified what the proposed allocation was intended for. "What is unfortunate is that government will allocate an amount without indicating how it is going to be spent. One was expecting that they would indicate specifically how the money would be spent," said Mweemba.
He said the Oasis Forum, to which LAZ is affiliated, would soon issue a comprehensive statement on the alternative figure and roadmap. Government last year planned to disburse K369 billion towards the constitution review process that has been spread across three years starting 2007.
Labels: CONSTITUTION, LAZ
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'Women's movement to submit constitution proposals to Levy'
By Masuzyo Chakwe
Thursday February 22, 2007 [02:00]
THE women’s movement is expected to present its proposal on the Constitution when it meets President Mwanawasa next week. And chief government spokesperson Vernon Mwaanga said the government was willing to look at an alternative road map on the Constitution if presented to it. Reacting to Mwaanga's statement on Tuesday that the government's roadmap on the constitution was final because none of the stakeholders had presented an alternative roadmap for discussion, NGOCC board chairperson Marian Munyinda said NGOCC had consulted widely and would be ready to submit their input and proposal on the constitution roadmap when they meet President Mwanawasa next week.
She expressed surprise at government's position to stick to its proposed constitution roadmap. "Indeed it is with surprise because NGOCC with representatives from member organisations sought a meeting with the President to discuss the same and did so at a 12th January 2007 meeting with the President. And during that meeting, the President and the Minister of Justice reaffirmed their commitment to facilitate a process of dialogue on the enaction of the Republican Constitution for the purpose of getting stakeholder input in the process," she said. Muyinda said NGOCC was further concerned because the meeting that discussed the way forward on the constitution-making process was adjourned by President Mwanawasa to allow for consultation among civil society and discuss the proposal at the next meeting. She reiterated their commitment to facilitate the effective participation of civil society in the constitution-making process by ensuring that the government was availed with their input into the constitution making process. "And this we will present to government on our scheduled meeting with the President," said Muyinda.
And Mwaanga said he was aware of the meeting between the women's movement and President Mwanawasa that was held last month. Mwaanga said the government made it clear that if they had an alternative roadmap that would be quicker, they were willing to study it. "If they say that they will submit an alternative roadmap on the constitution, they are welcome and there is no doubt that we will study it as long as it has the provisions of advancing the new constitution," he said.
He said President Mwanawasa had said that there would be no shortcuts. "You must have heard yesterday (Tuesday), LAZ said they would come up with an alternative roadmap within 10 days. The response is coming now but it is a bit too late but we will study every proposal submitted," said Mwaanga. On Tuesday at a press briefing, Mwaanga said those agitating for the constitution to be enacted had failed to present a shorter, alternative road map on the process.
Labels: CONSTITUTION
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Dear all, thanks to all who responded to yesterday's call-in action. Though the phone at Debt Advisory International's office was not being attended, a number of you left messages on the answering machine or sent in emails. We will be following the case of "Zambia's debt and the Vulture Fund" closely and are considering other ways to put pressure on the company before March 9, when the British high court is expected to rule on the amount that the company will be awarded.
I'd also like to remind you that these actions and updates are made possible by the hard work of our small but dedicated staff. When we have visitors from abroad, they are often shocked to see that our office consists of only two staff people and a handful of volunteers. Like other progressive organizations, we survive on a shoestring budget that is only made possible through the generous contributions of supporters like yourself. If you value these updates, the analysis we provide and having a progressive voice opposing corporate globalization in the heart of the U.S., please consider making a contribution through our website, at www.50years.org/donate . You can also contribute by calling our office at (202) IMF BANK or by sending a check or money order to the address below. March is the last month of our financial year, and we need your support to make it to the next one. If everyone who receives this email donates just ten dollars, we will reach our fundraising goal for this month. Of course we recognize that many people on this list are not in a position to contribute, and therefore if you are able to contribute, please consider making the biggest donation you can. If you contribute $35 or more, you will be eligible for one of our premiums, which include:
Ten Things You Really Should Know About the World Bank, a rebuttal to the World Bank's widely-distributed public relations vehicle, 10 Things You Never Knew About the World Bank. Our booklet lays out the facts and corrects the misinformation circulated by the World Bank.
The Grassroots Guide to the IMF and World Bank, which offers an in-depth and easy to understand look at the international financial institutions and the global economic system they dominate.
Most importantly, you'll be showing your support for the work that the 50 Years Is Enough Network does in exposing the workings of the IMF and the World Bank and joining the global community calling for an alternative, sustainable and just global economy. In the coming months, that work will include:
Supporting the U.S. Social Forum in Atlanta, Georgia. From June 27 to July 1, U.S. social movements will converge on Atlanta. Under the banner of "Another U.S. is Possible" we will be among those talking exploring how structural adjustment affects communities in the U.S. and abroad and working to reclaim our rights - to affordable housing, to good education, to a better tomorrow - that governments and corporate elites have stolen from communities in the U.S. and around the world. For more information, click here.
Global Economic Justice Workshops. Together with some of our allies in the progressive community, we will be sponsoring a series of global economic justice workshops from mid-March to mid-April. The trainings are designed to link together communities of struggle around the U.S. and come to an understanding of grassroots work in the U.S. as part of a grassroots movement for social and environmental justice around the world. If you would like to host a training in your community, please contact us at 202 IMF BANK as soon as possible or fill out this online form.
The IMF: Shrink It Or Sink It Campaign. Together with allies in the Global South, we are taking part in an exciting new initiative to curb the powers of the infamous International Monetary Fund. For too long, the IMF has projected its market fundamentalism onto development theory without any evidence to back up its views. While governments in the Global South say "enough", we will be pushing new campaigns and possibly legislative initiatives to clip the IMF's wings. This is a project we're really excited about, but it's one of our new initiatives that may be in danger if we cannot find funding for it. For the latest article on the IMF by myself and former 50 Years Is Enough Policy Analyst Soren Ambrose (now with the Solidarity Africa Network) click here.
Thanks again for your support. Like all the work of the 50 Years Is Enough Network, these initiatives are made possible through your contributions. If you are as excited about these initiatives as we are, please make the best contribution you can.
In Solidarity,
Sameer Dossani
Director, 50 Years Is Enough: U.S. Network for Global Economic Justice.
Labels: VULTURE FUND
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Bulaya gets 5 years for corruption
By Noel Sichalwe
Wednesday February 21, 2007 [16:43]
LUSAKA magistrate Edward Musona has jailed Kashiwa Bulaya for five years with hard labour on abuse of office and corruption charges saying he deserved to be in prison for the crimes that he committed. This is a matter in which Bulaya, a former permanent secretary in the Ministry of Health, was alleged to have misappropriated about K3 billion public funds meant to buy immune boosters (Elixir 9) for people living with HIV/AIDS.
After the verdict, magistrate Musona asked Bulaya to mitigate. However, Bulaya - who appeared unruffled by the judgment - responded that he had nothing to say. Delivering judgment in a packed courtroom, magistrate Musona said it was important that people who were entrusted with national responsibilities look into the affairs of citizens and not betray their confidence. He said the supply of Elixir 9 to the Zambian people, which was still undergoing clinical tests on mice and animals in Bulgaria, was a great risk to many people. Magistrate Musona said after considering the circumstances surrounding the case, the only appropriate sentence needed was a custodial one.
He said although Bulaya had refused to say anything in mitigation, he had considered the fact that he was a first offender who served the people of Zambia in a very senior position.
“Consequently, therefore, the accused will serve five years with hard labour on each of the three counts with effect from July 17, 2006 (when bail was revoked),” magistrate Musona said. “What it means is that the sentences will run concurrently for five years. If you are not happy, you can appeal to the higher court within 14 days.”
At this stage, Task Force prosecutor Fred Malambo indicated that they would apply for forfeiture of some of Bulaya’s properties on Friday. Malambo said he needed to sit down with the investigations officer Trevor Nyoni who was out of town by yesterday before making the formal application.
Magistrate Musona also said according to his findings, he was satisfied that Bulaya and his business partner Dr Yotsov were directors in the two companies - BUTTICO A1 and Anbul Investment - that supplied the drugs to the ministry. Magistrate Musona said when Elixir 9 was supplied to the Ministry of Health in 2001, it had not yet been subjected to any clinical tests for quality assurance in Zambia before it was sold to the public. He noted that the National Formulary Committee that selected medicine to be used in public sector and the Zambia Essential Drug List that comprised of authorised drugs on the Zambian market, did not approve the public consumption of Elixir 9. Magistrate Musona also found that there was movement of money from Ministry of Health to BUTTICO A1 and finally into Bulaya’s account.
He also noted that there were buildings and motor vehicles that could have been purchased with public funds. Magistrate Musona said Bulaya had the right to call witnesses but he declined to exercise his right for over five months with about eight adjournments. “The law is there to allow an accused person to elect to remain silent but there is no law to force an accused person to testify when he has emphatically refused,” he said. Magistrate Musona said Bulaya did not declare interest when he introduced the issue of Dr Yotsov for the supply of Elixir 9 from BUTTICO A1.
He said by the time Bulaya introduced Elixir 9 to the Ministry of Health committee, it was sold to members of the public and the Ministry of Health had already purchased it. “It is clear the accused person benefited directly from the money he received from BUTTICO A1,” magistrate Musona said. “The accused also benefited from buildings and in fact he lives in one of these houses. This was a clear abuse of office and the accused used his powers wrongly to purchase drugs from Dr Yotsov who was his business partner.”
He also noted that the purchase of Elixir 9 from BUTTICO A1 was neither approved by the ministerial tender committee nor the Zambia National Tender Board. “I am therefore, satisfied beyond all reasonable doubt that the prosecution have proved every ingredient of the charge on all the three counts. I therefore, convict you on each of the counts as charged,” he said. Bulaya was abandoned by his lawyers - Mumba Kapumpa and Nicholas Chanda when he wanted to address the court in his personal capacity.
Among the issues he raised against magistrate Musona was that the court had contributed to his suffering by incarcerating him in prison after the revocation of bail. Bulaya also complained that the bail conditions were high and inhuman, that the prejudice and desire to have him incarcerated had never stopped. He has also asked magistrate Musona to recuse himself as he might not receive a fair hearing.
After the judgment, Bulaya’s relatives sympathised with him although he appeared not concerned as he could even afford a smile. As he was led to the vehicle that took him to Lusaka Central Prison, Bulaya diverted to the toilet where people including the photojournalists followed him up to the door and waited for him until he came out. In the first count, Bulaya was - between August 18, 2001 and October 31, 2001 - alleged to have abused his authority of office by disregarding laid down tender procedures by engaging BUTTICO A1 to supply herbal drugs to the Ministry of Health.
Bulaya in the second count was between August 17, 2001 and April 4, 2003 alleged to have corruptly received K116 million cash gratification from Dr Yotsov as an inducement or reward for having engaged BUTTICO A1 to supply herbal drugs to the Ministry of Health. On the last count, he was between October 11, 2001 and June 17, 2003 alleged to have corruptly received K913 million cash gratification from Dr Yotsov for having engaged BUTTICO A1 to supply herbal drugs to the Ministry of Health.
Labels: AIDS, CORRUPTION, KASHIWA BULAYA
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Don’t manipulate media’s role, advises Uganda’s D/Speaker
By George Chellah in Kampala, Uganda
Wednesday February 21, 2007 [02:00]
UGANDA'S Deputy Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga has said the media's responsibility to society should not be manipulated. And Kadaga observed that opposition parliamentarians in Africa sometimes unnecessarily take an opposing view on matters in Parliament. Addressing journalists at a training course organised by the Commonwealth Press Union (CPU) at Kampala's Hotel Africana on Monday, Kadaga said the media had a huge responsibility in society, which should not be manipulated.
Kadaga noted that the media was a partner in any country's quest for good governance. "The media are complementary in activities and we can't do without you. I have never understood why legislators in the previous parliaments did not allow coverage of parliamentary debates," Kadaga said. "Since we are the chief makers of laws and news, you are entitled to report on us what you feel and how you see it.
Sometimes we disagree with you the media because sometimes you over-step the boundary and report falsehoods. You tend to over-dramatise this and that, I don't know whether this creativity is part of your training. "But it's important to get clarifications then you will be able to write better. Your responsibility to the public is very big so it should not be manipulated."
Kadaga urged the media to be sensitive to the interests of the nation in its reporting. "Like that, we are going to have a good working relationship," she said. Kadaga further said some people especially politicians normally avoided the press because they were cognisant of the fact that the media could either make or break them.
And Kadaga observed that some opposition members of parliament in Africa sometimes oppose unnecessarily during parliamentary debates. "Opposition members of parliament sometimes oppose just for the sake of it. And you even know when they stand that this one will oppose no matter how good the decision is, they will just oppose," Kadaga said. "But we do have some members who think freely and speak freely. But those are the challenges of democracy."
Kadaga said opposition parliamentarians sometimes fail to reflect their party's stance on certain matters in their debates. "Sometimes the opposition member will speak and debate so well but his colleague from his own party will also stand and oppose him. So you wonder what the party position is on some matters," said Kadaga.
Labels: MEDIA
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