Kabimba tells GBM to stop fighting
By Prince Chibawah and Godfrey Chikumbi in Samfya
Wed 11 Sep. 2013, 14:00 CAT
WYNTER Kabimba has told Geoffrey Mwamba that they should stop fighting now that Kennedy Sakeni who was reconciling them has died.
Speaking during the burial of information minister and Mansa Central member of parliament Kennedy Sakeni at Mushinka Village in chief Mwansakombe's area yesterday, Kabimba, who is PF secretary general and justice minister said amid cheers that there was no need for him and defence minister Mwamba to continue fighting because they were one.
He said it was not necessary for party leaders to continue bickering.
"Let me say this, though it's not part of my coming; my friend GBM let's stop quarrelling and fighting; we are one. Let's unite and work together for the benefit of our party," Kabimba said.
He said he and Mwamba needed to support each other for them to execute duties as senior party leaders .
"It was Honourable Sakeni who got the two of us at Parliament to reconcile when we were not talking to each other," he said.
While Kabimba was saying this, defence minister Mwamba was heard agreeing with him.
After speaking, Kabimba walked to Mwamba and asked whether he had heard what he said. Mwamba responded, "Naumfwa boi, walanda bwino sana (I have heard my friend, you have spoken well)."
The two leaders also hugged and were seen talking to each other during the funeral procession.
And representing the government, home affairs minister Edgar Lungu said Sakeni advocated for the free flow of information through, among other ways, the issuance of 17 broadcasting licenses to different media institutions countrywide.
He said Sakeni ensured depoliticisation of public media institutions as it was part of the government's agenda.
"Everyone is now benefiting from the public media institutions. This is because they are currently operating without interference from the government," Lungu added.
He said it was therefore painful to lose a leader whom he said was determined to serve the government and the people.
Lungu further thanked the people of Mansa Central Constituency for having confidence in the PF by voting for Sakeni as their area member of parliament during the 2011 parliamentary elections.
Meanwhile, Speaker of the National Assembly Dr Patrick Matibini said the invaluable contributions of Sakeni to the work of parliament would never be forgotten.
In speech read on his behalf by Mazabuka UPND member of parliament Garry Nkombo, Speaker Matibini said Sakeni represented his people in the national assembly with honour and diligence.
"Hon Sakeni was highly committed to his work as an MP and with great enthusiasm brought to the attention of the house the issues affecting his people," he said.
Speaker Matibini added that Sakeni had served in all the governments due to his trustworthiness and hard work.
"Sakeni held ministerial positions under all governments. This shows that he was a hardworking and trustworthy individual who inspired confidence and could be relied upon to serve the country effectively," said Speaker Matibini.
And family representative Obby Mwansa thanked President Michael Sata and his government for the support rendered before and after the death of the late.
"Your government has been there for us since our relative (Sakeni) got sick up to now. We have never witnessed this kind of gesture," said Mwansa.
Labels: GBM, KENNEDY SAKENI, PF, WYNTER KABIMBA
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Govt dismisses Banda's persecution claims
By Mwala Kalaluka
Thu 21 Mar. 2013, 14:01 CAT
THE government says former president Rupiah Banda will be prosecuted and not persecuted for the wrongs he is suspected to have committed while in office.
Reacting to complaints by Banda following over four hours of questioning on corruption and money laundering-related allegations, chief government spokesperson Kennedy Sakeni stated in a press release yesterday that the alleged wrongs against Banda had been clearly itemised for his response.
"It is unfair for former Republican president Mr Rupiah Banda to accuse government of persecuting him through the ongoing investigations into his alleged wrongdoing while in office," Sakeni stated.
"Mr Banda, like any other citizen, in his situation, is enjoying his full human rights and freedoms such as legal
representation, including the assumption that he is innocent until proven guilty, as per law established."
He stated that further and beyond this, as former Head of State, Banda was still enjoying all other privileges such as state security that go with the status of his office.
"So, what persecution is Mr Banda complaining about? We challenge him to point out any injustice or violation of his human rights that he has suffered during the ongoing investigations," he stated.
"But this country is governed by the rule of law. There are no sacred cows. Whoever is suspected to have done something wrong is called to account for their actions in accordance with the law. The people of Zambia have done just that: to ask their former Head of State to account for his actions in the manner he presided over their resources while he was in office."
Sakeni explained that the law was very clear in its provision on the removal of a former president's immunity when there is suspicion of wrongdoing so that they can exonerate themselves.
"When he addressed his supporters on Monday after appearing before the Joint Investigative Team, Mr Banda is on record as urging sympathisers to remain calm as the investigations would provide him a chance to answer to the various allegations leveled against him," he stated further.
"What has suddenly changed that Mr Banda should now say he is being persecuted over the same process he had earlier welcomed as an opportunity to clear himself over the allegations?"
Sakeni indicated that the Patriotic Front was a responsible government with a duty to ensure public resources benefit Zambians.
Labels: CORRUPTION, KENNEDY SAKENI, RUPIAH BANDA
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Suspended PF officials accuse Sakeni of causing confusion
By Staff Reporters
Fri 08 Mar. 2013, 14:00 CAT
TWO of the suspended Luapula PF officials have accused party provincial chairman Kennedy Sakeni of causing confusion in the party because of his presidential ambitions.
But Sakeni described the accusations as sheer madness from indisciplined people. In separate interviews, Mansa district PF vice-chairman James Nyenjele and secretary Obino Chipanta said Sakeni, who is also Mansa Central member of parliament, had been working with his Bahati counterpart Harry Kalaba to destabilise the party by appointing people who would support the former's presidential ambitions in 2016.
"They want to make plans for the 2016 election, they want from among the group someone to come and contest the presidency. In fact, it's not only these two; there are even others. That's why Mr Sakeni has gone to that extent of bringing MMD people in the party; all that he needs is his popularity. We know very well that Mr Sakeni is positioning himself for the presidency in 2016 and he is using Kalaba and others to frustrate genuine members of the party," Chipanta said in an interview on Tuesday.
Asked if he had accepted the suspension, Chipanta vehemently responded in the negative.
"Accept? No, I can't. Why should I accept? And in fact those were just appointed, with me I was elected by the people. Those who gave me this mandate are the people who can remove me from this position," he said.
Asked if he and his colleagues had sought the intervention of party secretary general Wynter Kabimba, Chipanta responded: "We have written him, this is where we are waiting to hear from. We have written him, we have explained; even to State House, we have done everything. We don't just want to do something which can bring confusion here in Mansa. We are waiting first of all for the secretary general, including State House.
In fact, we should invite them to come as soon as possible before things go worse. In fact, they shouldn't just sit idle because these small things they sometimes turn into bigger things."
Chipanta said his team had lived up to the guidelines given by Kabimba when he visited them last November.
He said it was disappointing that Sakeni and his team had decided to overlook Kabimba's guidance and move in a different direction. On holding meetings, Chipanta said it was normal for party officials to hold legal meetings, and they had been doing that.
And Nyenjele said Sakeni had acted outside the party constitution. Nnyejele said their suspension came because they opposed the appointment of Bernard Musonda as Mansa district chairperson,a whom they said was ineligible for that position.
"We shall not allow anybody to be operating outside our constitution. As far as we are concerned, we are not suspended and we will not accept Bernard Musonda's appointment even if it comes from Mr Sakeni because the PF constitution says the appointment of a district chairperson should be done by the party president," said Nyenjele.
But Sakeni denied having any presidential ambitions and vowed to instil discipline in the party.
"I don't think I have the qualities to become president of this country. I weigh myself and I know that I'm nowhere near the presidency. Every person knows what they're capable of being in life, and I know that I am not presidential material," said Sakeni.
"Those chaps are just being malicious and they are trying to divert attention from the main issue of indiscipline. They were trying to put a rift between me and the secretary general, whom I work with very well, but they've failed. So, that story is fake. Let them find something else to say."
And Kalaba denied ever working against anyone in the provincial party leadership.
"But if Honourable Sakeni is working with the structure of the party, my duty as member of parliament is to work with the structure of the party. So, it's only correct that I work with the structure of the party because, for me, the PF is an organised party and as an organised party we have to work within the circumference of the organisation," said Kalaba.
Recently, the provincial executive suspended 13 officials from the party for, among other things, pushing for the removal of Sakeni.
PF provincial secretary James Kabwita, who confirmed the suspensions in an interview, named the suspended officials as Nyenjele, Chipanta and his vice Tascious Chaikatisha.
Others are district information and publicity secretary Joseph Songolo, Mansa Central Constituency chairperson Stephen Chenda, together with his secretary Elijah Sinfukwe, and Mansa Central Constituency youth chairperson Victor Kapasa.
Albina Chiyambi, Chaala Lwimpa, Danny Mulenga, Shamende Mpundu, Alice Chipulu and Katebe Wilson from Bahati and Mansa Central constituencies, respectively, have also been suspended.
Labels: JAMES NYENJELE, KENNEDY SAKENI, OBINO CHIPANTA, PF
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Rupiah is a perpetual liar, says Sondashi
By Ernest Chanda and Kombe Chimpinde
Wed 06 Mar. 2013, 14:00 CAT
INFORMATION minister Kennedy Sakeni says Benjamin Mwila has no credibility with which he can defend Rupiah Banda because they both literally participated in the looting of national resources.
And Dr Ludwig Sondashi says Banda is a perpetual liar who knows that he will end up in jail if his immunity is lifted.
Responding to the former Nchelenge Zambia Republican Party member of parliament's utterances against the lifting of former president Banda's immunity, Sakeni said the best Mwila could do was keep quiet.
"What do you expect from people like ba BY? He is not the right person to talk about RB's immunity. If I were him, I would rather have kept quiet; his credibility is always doubted by the Zambians," Sakeni said in an interview yesterday.
"There's a contract they were being awarded, people who never won the bid, behind the doors they became the contractors; being given huge contracts of money. Without any record of what they had done before they were given huge contracts by their friend (Banda), so you don't expect people like him to condemn because they were literally partakers in the scam."
Sakeni said when people aspire to public offices, they must always bear in mind that they were there to serve the people diligently.
He said there was no other way a former president, who is suspected to have embezzled public funds, could be prosecuted without removal of their immunity.
"And when you are suspected of dipping your hands in people's money, how else do you expect people to recover whatever you are alleged to have embezzled when you were president, because the only way a president's allegations of embezzlement can be sorted out is through the removal of his immunity," Sakeni said.
"So, removal of immunity is important so that if you are innocent, you remove the tag of guilty in the public eye. And if we let the precedent of allowing suspected embezzlement to go unchallenged by removal of immunity, then we are setting the worst precedent that whoever goes there has to dip his hands in the national coffers; you have to weigh the two things."
On Mwila's complaint over the appointment of some MMD members of parliament as deputy ministers, Sakeni responded: "He has no moral right to condemn that, the man had his own political party on which he stood in Nchelenge. Where did he find himself? On the side of former president Rupiah Banda, that's where he found himself, a president of a political party!"
In what he termed an open letter to sons and daughters of Zambia, Mwila described calls to remove Banda's immunity as politics of hatred.
He accused late president Levy Mwanawasa of having been driven by the same when he summoned Parliament to remove Chiluba's immunity in 2003.
"My biggest concern right now is that as Zambians we are being hoodwinked with the politics of hate, politics of malice and politics of jealousy. When today we talk about the lifting of the immunity of the fourth Republican president Rupiah Bwezani Banda, we should always look back to the damages that our Parliament and the third Republican president Levy Patrick Mwanawasa did to the second Republican president Frederick Titus Jacob Chiluba," he said.
"Very strong allegations were made against him and the Zambian people responded positively to punish FJT. That action alone made the second Republican president FTJ suffer irreparable damage while in retirement. Up until his demise, FTJ never quite recovered from the shock, tribulations and torture as a result of the allegations levelled against him.
"Admittedly, FTJ had a very strong will as well as a strong character that made him survive the 10 years after leaving State House. He was really tortured and he could have died earlier. Strangely, all the allegations brought before Parliament and upon which the honourable members based their decision to lift FTJ's immunity were not used in the indictment he faced."
Mwila said even those who were now calling for the removal of Banda's immunity were being duped.
"Today a certain section of the Zambian people is vociferously demanding that Parliament lifts the immunity of the fourth president of the Republic of Zambia Mr Rupiah Bwezani Banda. It can be seen that the Zambian people are once again being duped into accepting that Parliament lifts RB's immunity. We can see the trend, which took place in the FTJ process being repeated," said Mwila.
On the appointment of MMD members of parliament into government, Mwila said: "With regard to the party I helped found (MMD), my heart bleeds when I see honourable members of parliament weakening the MMD by accepting jobs as deputy ministers simply because of the flag on the official car."
And Dr Sondashi, who is a former justice minister and leader of Forum for Democratic Alternatives (FDA), said in an interview that he was shocked by Banda's plea that he should be left alone to enjoy his retirement.
On Monday, Banda told Radio Phoenix in an interview from Nairobi, that those calling for his immunity to be lifted must allow him to enjoy his retirement.
Banda, said while they were calls for his immunity to be lifted following corruption-related allegations during his three-year tenure, he did the best he could for the country, adding that he had done a lot for the country.
Banda also said that he did not like the idea of lifting his immunity because it was detrimental to the development of the country.
But Dr Sondashi said Banda was a perpetual liar who was in the habit of twisting issues to work in his favour.
"It also shows that Banda is not repentant and that he is a perpetual liar and can easily twist issues," Dr Sondashi said.
"When Mr Banda served as president of Zambia he did not perform well. His three-year term was characterised by rampant corruption. He is even known for interfering with the courts to stop the courts from registering the London judgment which upheld that the late Fredrick Chiluba stole from Zambians."
Dr Sondashi said it was Banda who punitively removed the abuse of office clause to cover up for corrupt activities in his administration.
"Its Mr Banda who also amended the law dealing with corruption, the Anti Corruption Act to remove the clause which dealt with abuse of office by public officers," Dr Sondashi said.
"It is him who prevailed to have Chiluba come out of the courts where he was taken on charges of corruption, and it is him who brought his children into government to benefit from several contracts which were marred with corruption. So, if that is the record which Mr Banda is talking about, then I think it is clear that Zambians made a mistake to vote for Banda to be their president."
Dr Sondashi said if Banda was a honourable statesman, he should be repentant over all the plunder committed in his regime.
"Banda must ask himself 'why was he removed from office after only being there for three years?' The reality in Zambia is that people would like a president to complete two terms, so if you see them remove you for only having been there for three years, it means there is a problem," he said.
"Banda knows very well that he was removed from office because of corruption. He knows he amassed public resources, it's a pity that Zambians did not know the type of person Banda was. President Kaunda had spared him when he served in his office. Now after he was given a chance to run the country, everything came to the open and Zambians realised he could not be trusted."
Dr Sondashi said that Banda had a heavy cloud over his head and that he should apologise to Zambians.
"If I were Banda, I would have gone to my knees to plead with the Zambian people to forgive me for the plunders which he committed," Dr Sondashi said.
"We can't allow a man to enjoy immunity, when he is having cloud over his head. We will not allow that. Millions of Zambians do not have immunity, so why is he fearing to have his immunity lifted?"
Labels: BENJAMIN MWILA, CORRUPTION, KENNEDY SAKENI, LUDWIG SONDASHI, RUPIAH BANDA
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PF suspends 13 Luapula officials
By Prince Chibawah and Lloyd Chibale in Mansa
Tue 05 Mar. 2013, 14:00 CAT
THE PF provincial executive in Luapula has suspended 13 officials from the party for, among other things, pushing for the removal of provincial chairperson Kennedy Sakeni..
PF provincial secretary James Kabwita, who confirmed the suspensions in an interview yesterday, named the suspended officials as Mansa district PF vice chairperson James Nyenjele, district secretary Obino Chipanta and his vice Tascious Chaikatisha.
Others are district information and publicity secretary Joseph Songolo, Mansa central constituency chairperson Stephen Chenda together with his secretary Elijah Sinfukwe and Mansa Central constituency youth chairperson Victor Kapasa.
Albina Chiyambi, Chaala Lwimpa, Danny mulenga, Shamende Mpundu, Alice Chipulu and Katebe Wilson from Bahati and Mansa Central constituencies, respectively, have also been suspended.
Kabwita said the suspended officials were also in the habit of holding illegal meetings and issuing press statements without the consent of the provincial secretariat.
"We have decided to suspend these officials because of their indiscipline within the PF party, so they will remain suspended until after three months when we shall assess them and if they are not going to reform, another disciplinary action will be slapped on them," said Kabwita.
The suspended officials refused to comment on the matter but promised to issue a comprehensive statement at a later stage.
Labels: JAMES KABWITA, KENNEDY SAKENI, LUAPULA PROVINCE, PF
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Govt ponders lifting RB’s immunity
February 16, 2013
By NAKUBIANA MUMBUNA and VICTORIA PHIRI -
GOVERNMENT is still considering lifting immunity on former President Rupiah Banda so that the truth in corruption allegations levelled against him can be established.
Chief Government spokesperson Kennedy Sakeni said in Lusaka yesterday that there was widespread corruption during Mr Banda’s administration and as such it was important for the truth to be established.
Mr Sakeni said this when he addressed journalists after appearing on UNZA radio in Lusaka yesterday.
He said it would be prudent that matters were not left hanging.
Meanwhile, Mr Sakeni says UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema and MMD’s Nevers Mumba must apologise to the Zambian people for being unpatriotic.
Mr Sakeni said in a statement in Lusaka yesterday that the action by the two opposition leaders was uncalled for and unbefitting of leaders who aspired to govern the country.
He said Government was pleased to note that level-headed citizens had not hidden their dissatisfaction of the trio’s reckless act of treachery to the nation.
“Let them not comfort themselves. Their recent conduct in South Africa was abhorrent and a highly risky political gamble by all standards,” he said.
Mr Sakeni, who is Information and Broadcasting Services Minister, said it was politically suicidal for any opposition leader to think that they would ride on the back of former President Rupiah Banda who refused to be interviewed by law enforcement agencies.
He said their decision to defend Mr Banda’s alleged plunder and abuse of State resources under the guise of human rights violations and abuses was the worst self-deception.
Meanwhile, UNPD spokesperson Charles Kakoma said during a media briefing yesterday that the party would use every opportunity to discredit President Michael Sata to the International Community.
Mr Kakoma said the party was yet to seek audience with other international and regional governing bodies to discredit the President.
He insisted that there was nothing immoral about holding a media conference on foreign soil and that Mr Hichilema had no intention of seeking asylum in another country.
“Please tell Mr Sata that we are going to embarrass him, this is just the beginning, from here we are going to SADC, African Union and even individual Heads of State will be told about what is happening here,” Mr Kakoma said.
On Thursday, Dr Mumba said he and other opposition leaders did not go to South Africa to seek asylum but to ensure that a 40-page document highlighting alleged human rights violations in Zambia was delivered to the Commonwealth Secretary General.
Labels: IMMUNITY, KENNEDY SAKENI, RUPIAH BANDA
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TIZ wants demonstration against Rupiah's immunity
By Ernest Chanda and Kombe Chimpinde
Thu 14 Feb. 2013, 14:30 CAT
RUPIAH Banda is running away from crimes he has committed by going to the Commonwealth through his proxies, says information minister Kennedy Sakeni. And Sakeni has maintained that former president Banda and his former press aide, Dickson Jere, had travelled to South Africa almost at the same time as UPND's Hakainde Hichilema and MMD's Nevers Mumba.
But Jere yesterday denied travelling with Banda. And Dr Ludwig Sondashi has described Banda as a lame duck who was failing to account for his misdeeds within Zambia. Meanwhile, Transparency International Zambia (TIZ) has asked Zambians to demonstrate in support of lifting Banda's immunity.
Sakeni said it was a fact that Banda was behind the press conference held in Rose Bank where a plea to the Commonwealth to suspend Zambia was made.
"I am wondering how this young man Dickson (Jere) is trying to call me to tell me no I was not there. Who said he was there? I said he went to South Africa together with Mr Rupiah Banda and my statement stands as it is," he said.
"The schedules of all their movement's remains as such and I have no apologies to make. In fact when you look at the Commonwealth itself, 50 per cent of the membership are represented in Zambia at diplomat level and are able to see that the issues our colleagues raised in South Africa were mostly falsities and hold no water."
But Jere dissassociated himself from the press conference saying he had not met Banda in person since last year August.
"I can tell you I am in school (Zambia Institute of Advanced Legal Education). You can ask my classmates. I never travelled with RB. Maybe it is mistaken identity and what I am just saying is the minister should have checked with me before claiming that I accompanied Mr Banda to South Africa," said Jere.
Meanwhile, the opposion leaders said brutalisation of the opposition by the PF had become the order of the day.
They submitted in the report that President Sata had embarked on an aggressive agenda to impose his vision of one party state.
They claimed President Sata was doing this by positioning his family and personal allies at the centre of the economy and rule of law.
They claimed that President Sata had failed to honour any of his promises made to Zambians, for which he was voted.
The coalition said the independence of the Judiciary had been eliminated, while officials in government like justice minister Wynter Kabimba escape accountability.
They further claimed President Sata's relatives and some private sector elites had captured the country's economy which were in their hands while engaging youths to harass and intimidate and attack the opposition.
"We bring this pattern of conduct to the attention of the secretary-general of the Commonwealth Secretariat for referral to the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG), as policies undertaken by the current Zambian government represent serious and persistent violations of the Harare Declaration and the Commonwealth values," it further read.
But Dr Sondashi described Banda as a lame duck who was failing to account for his misdeeds.
"He wants to escape what happened to (Fredrick) Chiluba but this should not worry the PF government. They should go ahead to have his immunity removed. He must be locked up."
"Even Nevers Mumba has got to be investigated for the alleged cases he committed in Canada, when he was ambassador," Dr Sondashi said.
"There is no good reason for running to the Commonwealth when people commit atrocities and corruption in their governance."
He said MMD was not best suited to talk about issues of violation of rights as they were engaged in serious looting of Zambia's resources.
"I don't agree that opposition parties that have been taken to court on the basis of their involvement in corruption-related activities are being harassed, especially not those that were under Rupiah Banda's government."
Dr Sondashi advised the opposition to seek proper channels of communication and dialogue with government.
He also cautioned Commonwealth to be cautious in the manner they handled the matter, so as not to derail government from bringing Banda and his allies to book.
"Although I agree that the PF is making some mistakes in their governance, this does not mean that we can raise an issue with the Commonwealth, at a time when we are dealing with Rupiah Banda's corruption cases, together with his family members and friends," said Dr Sondashi who is Forum for Democratic Alternative president.
Banda recently refused to appear before the Anti Corruption Commission to be interviewed on corruption matters.
TIZ executive director Goodwell Lungu said the nation would be doomed if people became complacent about the matter.
"It will be important for Zambians to consider mounting a demonstration to press for the removal of Mr Banda's immunity once information is made public on his alleged extent of plunder. TIZ also will consider mobilising citizens to demonstrate on this noble cause to press our members of parliament to lift Mr Banda's immunity," Lungu said in a statement yesterday.
Lungu said holding politicians accountable was one of the sure ways of instilling a sense of responsibility in especially elected leaders to serve the people and not to serve private, selfish and criminal interests.
He said Banda's immunity should be lifted in the forthcoming session of the National Assembly.
"We believe that in this way, Mr Banda's lawyers will be more than happy to take their client for questioning on allegations of corruption and criminality."
Lungu stated that TIZ and other stakeholders consistently advised the Banda regime to be more accountable over public funds and resources.
TIZ condemned all those in the habit of sympathising with people that had abused public resources when they were being probed.
"We want to state clearly that stealing from poor Zambians should not attract any sympathy and all gymnastics and antics meant to divert public attention from noble and legal avenues should not be paid attention to. It is a pity that the Rupiah Banda regime paid a deafening silence to TIZ's consistent warnings to avoid plundering public resources as the serious allegations of corruption and criminality against Mr Rupiah Banda do not come as a surprise," he stated.
"Further, it is not a bad precedent to lift a former head of state's immunity to face prosecution if indeed he was involved in stealing from the same people that he was expected to serve. It will always be TIZ's conviction that men and women who elect to become heads of state in Zambia should always be above board and not assume such offices with criminal intentions."
He stated TIZ would consider all available options to ensure that members of parliament do not fail Zambians if availed an opportunity to consider lifting Banda's immunity once a prima facie case is presented to them.
And Lubansenshi independent member of parliament Patrick Mucheleka said he would vote for the motion to lift Banda's immunity if it is brought before the National Assembly.
In an interview, Mucheleka said the issue of National Assembly lifting the presidential immunity of Banda was straightforward.
"I don't even know why we seem to be debating this matter. We know that it is not the first time a former president's immunity is being lifted. The precedence has been set by (late) Levy Mwanawasa," Mucheleka said. "If Mr Banda's immunity is removed, for me really, like many other Zambians, who may want to know what took place during his presidency, I have no problem with that. If anything, it is something that we (members of parliament) must do. It's appropriate that we know what happened under president Banda."
Mucheleka also called for the automatic removal of immunity once a head of state leaves office. "If you're talking about transparency and accountability, even at the level of the presidency, it's only appropriate that immunity is removed. Immunity should only be enjoyed while someone is still in office. So really I have no problem with removing the immunity of the former president," he said.
UPND spokesperson Charles Kakoma, who is also Zambezi West member of parliament, said the party was wondering why the alleged crimes committed by Banda were being kept under wraps.
"I think that it is not in dispute that anybody who is involved in corruption should be investigated and if found guilty, the law should take its course. However, we are surprised with the manner the PF is taking the whole issue of corruption in general," Kakoma said.
He challenged the government to outline Banda's corruption cases to the nation.
"What have they found out? They are jumping the gun and they will find that people are suspicious and reluctant to respond to the calls, because of the way they are proceeding with the case. You see the party cannot make a decision based on hearsay. Let them lay the case on the table," Kakoma said.
Meanwhile, MMD vice-president and Mwandi member of parliament Michael Kaingu said the party would decide on Banda's immunity issue which all its members of parliament must comply with.
Labels: CORRUPTION, KENNEDY SAKENI, RUPIAH BANDA, TIZ
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Rupiah, HH extend their anti-sata campaign to SA
By Kombe Chimpinde
Wed 13 Feb. 2013, 15:10 CAT
CHIEF government spokesperson Kennedy Sakeni has challenged former president Rupiah Banda to come out clean on yesterday's press conference in Johannesburg, which opposition leaders Nevers Mumba, Hakainde Hichilema and Sakwiba Sikota held in Rosebank.
And FDD president Edith Nawakwi has advised the opposition leaders to cool down and stick together since Zambia is still mourning the loss of 51 people in the Chisamba accident last Thursday's.
During the press conference staged to attract international sympathy for Banda, who is facing corruption-related charges, opposition leaders accused the government of, among other things, harassing and intimidating as well as attacking members of the opposition.
The opposition leaders accused President Michael Sata of trying to enforce a one-party state on Zambians.
The opposition leaders further claimed that President Sata was stoking ethnic tensions in the country and called for the suspension of Zambia from the Commonwealth on account of the alleged violations of human rights.
But Sakeni said the government was aware of Banda's direct links to immature and embarrassingly fruitless schemes to discredit President Sata's government and his governance style.
"For example, is it a coincidence that Mr Banda has been to South Africa twice in a week; he left on 6th February accompanied by Mr Dickson Jere and returned on 7th February; only to leave again for the same destination the following day," he stated. "And on 9th February, 2013, Mumba, accompanied by Nakacinda, similarly left for South Africa; only to be followed by Mr Hichilema, who was accompanied by Mr Jack Mwiimbu on 10th February. The result of these hasty and deceitful trips is today's (yesterday's) sponsored press conference in South Africa."
Sakeni advised Banda and his newly constituted defence team comprising the named opposition leaders that the matters he was facing would be justly determined within the Zambian jurisdiction, and not abroad.
"Therefore, let them make no mistake because the PF government is resolved to seek justice with regard to Mr Banda and his children's alleged involvement in the plunder of this country's resources," he said. "We shall follow the laid down legal procedures and processes to seek justice for all Zambian people… The truth of the matter is that Mr Banda is facing a credible investigation and this government has accorded Mr Banda respect so far as his legal rights and freedoms are concerned.
We therefore wonder what Mr Banda is scared of to hastily convene a press conference by proxy in South Africa," he stated.
Sakeni maintained that there were no human rights abuses against the leaders and members of the opposition as claimed by them.
The opposition leaders, during their briefing, also claimed that Zambia's democracy was under threat and accused President Sata of turning the country into a one-party state.
And Nawakwi said the opposition leaders should remember that there was time for mourning, sowing and reaping.
"Those who are aggrieved should realise that there are procedures in upholding the rule of law. And to my brothers, they should know better how to internalise their pain by following proper channels of addressing their grievances both at home and abroad," she said.
Nawakwi also wondered why the opposition leaders held their briefing in Johannesburg's Rosebank area, where they called for Zambia's suspension from the Commonwealth, when the institution's headquarters are elsewhere.
Labels: DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS, HAKAINDE HICHILEMA, KENNEDY SAKENI, MMD, OPPOSITION, RUPIAH BANDA, SOUTH AFRICA, UPND
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Government conveys condolences to Nawakwi
Time Posted: January 10, 2013 6:32 pm
Government has conveyed its condolences to Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) leader Edith Nawakwi on the death of her 26 year old daughter, Hatamba Hambulo.
Chief Government Spokesperson Kennedy Sakeni, who is also Information and Broadcasting Minister, said the death of the FDD leader’s daughter was saddening.
Hatamba is believed to have been brutally killed by unknown people in Lusaka’s Ibex Hill residential area on Tuesday.
Mr. Sakeni said this in a press statement released to ZANIS in Lusaka today.
He expressed government’s deep-felt grief and sorrow on the sad and tragic loss of Ms. Nawakwi daughter.
Mr. Sakeni wished the bereaved family God’s comfort and strength as the bereaved family goes through a time of extreme pain and sorrow.
He said perpetrators of such brutal and barbaric acts would not go unpunished but be dealt with severely by the long arm of the law once they are nabbed.
ZANIS
Labels: EDITH NAWAKWI, HATAMBA HAMBULO, KENNEDY SAKENI, MURDER
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Musicians defend weekend pictures
By Joseph Mwenda
Sun 06 Jan. 2013, 14:20 CAT
MUSICIANS in Zambia have defended the use of pictures depicting skimpily dressed patrons in nightclubs by newspapers.
Zambia Association of Musicians (ZAM) president Maiko Zulu says it is unfair for the Minister of Information and Broadcasting Kennedy Sakeni to condemn the media for merely bringing to light what is prevailing in society.
On Friday, Sakeni who is also chief government spokesperson said government condemns the use of pictures depicting scantily dressed persons socialising in nightclubs, adding that the "porno" was slowly corrupting the morals of Zambians.
But in separate interviews, the musicians spoken to said editions like the Weekend Post and Weekend Mail have only exposed what goes on in society for people, including those in government, to see.
"Societies are reflected through the media and art, and Zambia is not a clean society. I think in this country people are hypocrites because we condemn these images but look at how many people rush to buy the Weekend Post on Friday to see those same images," Zulu said.
He said the media should not stop exposing the morals of our society but should try to find ways of warning the reader of explicit content in a given edition.
Dalitso Phiri, commonly known as Dalisoul, said music in Zambia has attracted many youths as a self-employment sector because of the support of the media.
"For me as mwana wamukomboni, I don't see why the minister should address the concerns to the media. People have to understand that the journalists come to our events to publicise our shows. They do not force people to dance carelessly. So it is not the journalist's fault if someone jumps on stage and undresses, at the same time, it is not my fault as a musician," Phiri said.
"We don't fight, we don't encourage violence and our aim is to entertain people and we are grateful to The Post and other publications for the good work that they are doing," Runnel Chikopela said democracy is about allowing citizens to choose what they like.
"I don't understand why that should come about in a democratic society. I think people should be allowed to choose. If they like the Weekend Post pictures, let them buy the newspaper, if they don't they can choose to stop buying, that's the solution," said Chikopela.
Mirriam Mukape, alias "Mampi", wondered why the government has not expressed concern over the use of semi-nude pictures of traditional dancers at cultural ceremonies.
"Yes, maybe the media should choose what to publish and sometimes edit your pictures, but at the end of the day people will continue dressing the way they do. It would not be a solution to see the Weekend Post banned from publishing because there are people who dress worse during some traditional ceremonies but you don't see anyone complain," said Mukape.
Danny 'Kaya' Siulapwa said news reporters are tools used to reflect trends of a given society.
"It's like a musician, if you see AIDS is killing too many people, you sing about AIDS; if you see corruption, you sing about it and that's what the newspapers do.
This does not happen every weekend. I think 80 per cent of the content published by the Weekend Post is fair. But sometimes the pictures are too much, only because that particular weekend, that is what was trending in the entertainment circles," said Siulapwa.
Labels: CENCORSHIP, ENTERTAINMENT, KENNEDY SAKENI, MAIKO ZULU, THE POST
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Love for money has dented journalism, says Sakeni
By Roy Habaalu
Thu 08 Nov. 2012, 14:00 CAT
KENNEDY Sakeni says love for money has dented the journalism profession. But Press Association of Zambia (PAZA) president Andrew Sakala says not all journalists are enticed with money. This comes in the wake of Muvi TV cameraperson Lloyd Kapusa who agreed to a K30 million out-of-court settlement after he was assaulted by William Banda.
Receiving a petition from the Media Liaison Committee (MLC) against the continued harassment of media practitioners in Lusaka on Tuesday, Sakeni who is chief government spokesperson said the state cannot act if a complainant withdraws a case.
"This love for money is what causes problems. Our hands as the state are tied. The journalist has the best answer for withdrawing a case. It's your (MLC) members that withdraw cases and there is nothing we can do, so direct your arsenals at your members," Sakeni said.
And the MLC has asked the government to take stern action against political actors who attack journalists with impunity.
Presenting a petition to Sakeni, MLC chairperson Gillies Kasongo demanded that the police be conscious in their ranks about the need for journalists to be protected when on assignments that can turn violent.
He said when journalists are attacked in police presence, the police should introduce a fast-track system of arresting culprits and taking them to court without relying and waiting on journalists to file a complaint.
"The political party should name and suspend their respective cadres found harassing journalists; and they should help take these cadres to police and court as a pledge of ridding their ranks of political violence," said Kasongo.
But Sakeni said parties that were harassing journalist were known because of their frustration.
"The problem is that people commit offences and our law enforcement agencies grow cold feet and that's what becomes a problem," Sakeni said.
And Sakala said the Muvi TV case was not a representation of a dented media profession.
"Just because one journalist withdrew a case does not paint the real picture of journalists. There are many journalists who are willing to let the law take its course. My appeal to journalists is they must not be taken by the love for money; they should resist whoever offers them money because the profession is more valuable than money, it can't be quantified in terms of money," said Sakala.
On the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) Act, Sakeni said it would be ready soon.
Labels: CORRUPTION, JOURNALISM, KENNEDY SAKENI
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Public order Act will be reviewed - Sakeni
By Mukosha Funga
Thu 01 Nov. 2012, 13:58 CAT
THE public order Act will be reviewed, says information and broadcasting minister Kennedy Sakeni.
In an interview after he opened the African labour media workshop in Lusaka on Tuesday, Sakeni said the government would engage stakeholders to review the public order Act.
"People have been making comments and as government we will try to engage stakeholders and come up with an amicable solution. We cannot just do it overnight... people want freedom of speech, they want absolute freedom. There is no absolute freedom. You cannot just allow people to be assembling anywhere as they wish," he said.
Sakeni said PF could not abandon the public order Act, but would review it.
"Absolute freedom can bring about anarchy in the country but of course there is room for reform and reviewing some of the contents in the Act," Sakeni said. "Freedoms must have limitations. If you give absolute freedom, people will start walking naked and there will be nothing like pornography, sodomy and the like. So these are issues we should always look at; there must always be limitations."
Sakeni said the government was listening to the concerns of the people and it would take them into consideration when reviewing the Act.
"There is room for engaging government; we can't just be depending on a piece of legislature. When the people speak, we will listen and engage other stakeholders so that we balance up but absolute freedom is impossible anywhere in the world. It is still one of our priorities but we cannot handle all these issues at the same time," he said.
President Michael Sata recently described the Public Order Act as a good law that he thought was bad when in opposition.
Speaking at State House when he swore in Joseph Akafumba as permanent secretary in the Ministry of Justice, President Sata said his government would not repeal the public order Act in order to ensure order in the country and avoid anarchy.
"When we (Patriotic Front) were in the opposition, we thought some laws like the public order Act were bad. But we are now in government and appreciate this law because there will be no government without sanity and order in society," he said.
President Sata said it would continue being difficult for opposition political parties to understand the public order Act because they were not in government.
Meanwhile, Zambia Congress of Trade Unions general secretary Roy Mwaba says it is high time issues of labour were given prominence by the media.
"Labour partners and the government through the media can enhance national development," he said.
He also urged labour unions to come up with newspapers and periodicals that cover labour-related issues of various organisations.
Labels: KENNEDY SAKENI, PUBLIC ORDER ACT (ZM)
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Sakeni challenges critics to wait for PF-drawn budget
By Ndinawe Simpelwe
Wed 10 Oct. 2012, 15:00 CAT
CHIEF government spokesperson Kennedy Sakeni says the PF will have no excuses if it fails to implement its own budget. In an interview yesterday, Sakeni said the government was being treated unfairly by the opposition.
He said it did not make sense for the opposition to judge the performance of the PF just after one year in power, especially that it was using an adopted budget.
"Let him (MMD president Nevers Mumba) wait for our budget and see what the people of Zambia will comment after we present it. This coming budget is purely our own PF budget and we will have no excuses. All this criticism is coming from frustrated political young men whom we are not even worried about," Sakeni said.
"Honestly speaking, even judging the performance of the government in one year is not right. You can't surely give a judgment within one year. I think our beginning so far has been good. We are on the ground and I think we are moving at a faster rate than our colleagues in the MMD did."
Sakeni said even during the late Levy Mwanawasa's rule, there was nothing to talk about in the first year as the economy started improving in the second year.
He advised members of the PF to ignore criticism that was not offering solutions from the opposition political parties.
"Let us just concentrate of performing for the people of Zambia according to the mandate they gave us. We need to guide the ship so that Zambia becomes the bread basket of Africa," said Sakeni.
Sakeni said the government would not waste time listening to frustrated politicians like Mumba as they had no solutions to offer to the Zambian people.
Mumba on Monday said "no reasonable and genuine person can honestly give a passing grade on the performance of the PF in their one year of governance" and that they had been a "great disappointment and had lamentably failed to live up to the expectations which they themselves created in the minds of the electorate".
"We all have come to the conclusion that one year later the Patriotic Front is like a ship desperately trying to sail on yesterday's wind," Mumba said.
Mumba pleged the opposition would play its part to ensure the PF government succeed in honouring the many promises they made to Zambians.
"Success by them and any other party is good for our country and means a better life for us all. A disastrous failure by the PF government will mean a disaster for our country and for us all. We, therefore, all have a stake in ensuring that this disastrous failure does not occur," said Mumba.
Labels: KENNEDY SAKENI, PF
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Sakeni explains withdrawal of military escorts from GBM
By Roy Habaalu
Mon 08 Oct. 2012, 13:50 CAT
IT is only the Republican President and Vice-President who are entitled to military escort, says chief government spokesperson Kennedy Sakeni.
And Sakeni has reiterated that President Michael Sata will not tolerate anyone involved in corrupt practices following the ACC's launch of preliminary investigations into allegations of abuse of office by defence minister Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba and justice minister Wynter Kabimba.
The state on Friday withdrew military escort from defence minister Mwamba who now has only police security like any other cabinet minister. He has since surrendered his ministerial vehicle following the withdrawal of military escort automobiles from him.
"There is nothing sinister about withdrawing escort vehicles from the defence minister," said Sakeni yesterday when asked to give the government's position on the matter.
He stated that due procedure was not followed and that government ministers should stick to laid-down procedures in the use of government vehicles.
"The only people entitled to military escort are the President and the Vice-President, so the question of withdrawing is neither here nor there.
It's just a question of following laid-down procedure and you're aware that since independence that has been the practice. We need always to stick to those practices; we can't be changing practices overnight," he said.
Sakeni said there was no need to debate over procedural matters that were straightforward.
"It's a straightforward matter; there is nothing sinister about it. It's normal to withdraw escort vehicles when procedure is not followed because honestly speaking that's how it has been. Officers at times are in a hurry and want to get somewhere faster, then it's normal but it shouldn't amount to abuse so it might have been an oversight. People at times gloss over some issues.
It's a question of not appreciating that this thing is not the way it's supposed be and once you discover that something went wrong you correct the situation and as such as far as history can tell us, its only the President and the Vice-President who are entitled to that," he said.
Sakeni said there are instances when defence and home affairs ministers could request for escort based on the urgency and importance of the event.
"These are circumstances anybody can appreciate - so, definitely, somebody late rushing for a bigger function abroad, somebody can be escorted; it's normal but those are rare and once in a while not routine," he said.
On the ACC's preliminary investigations into corruption allegations against Mwamba and Kabimba on the supply contract for wooden poles to Zesco Limited and oil deals, respectively, Sakeni said there would be no sacred cow in the fight against corruption.
Sakeni, who couldn't comment on the ongoing investigations, said the government's position on corruption remained unchanged.
"The statement which I issued is the correct position on the stand on corruption," he said.
Sakeni, who is information minister, in a statement recently stated that President Sata had warned civil servants in particular to take note that they would not be spared if they engaged in corrupt activities or acted as conduits of corruption simply because some of their collaborators may be high-ranking officials.
He stated that President Sata's fight against corruption was not limited to the former regime.
"Make no mistake; no civil servant is obliged to carry out instructions that amount to corruption. If a minister or indeed anybody senior in government requests a junior officer to do something unlawful, they should not do it," stated Sakeni.
Labels: KENNEDY SAKENI, MICHAEL SATA
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Sata won't tolerate corruption - Sakeni
By Allan Mulenga and Ernest Chanda
Wed 03 Oct. 2012, 13:00 CAT
PRESIDENT Michael Sata is not going to spare anyone found acting corruptly or entertaining corrupt instructions, says Kennedy Sakeni. And Anglican priest Father Richard Luonde has called for the resignation of defence minister Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba (GBM), saying the corruption allegations against him have the potential to dent the image of PF.
Meanwhile Mike Mulongoti says the allegations that GBM had been influencing Zesco to award his company and others where he had interest, contracts for the supply and delivery of wooden poles, have serious implications.
Sakeni, who is information minister, yesterday said in a statement that President Sata had warned civil servants in particular to take note that they would not be spared if they engaged in corrupt activities or acted as conduits of corruption simply because some of their collaborators may be high-ranking officials.
Sakeni stated that President Sata's fight against corruption was not limited to the former regime and the dirt it engaged in.
"Make no mistake; no civil servant is obliged to carry out instructions that amount to corruption. If a minister or indeed anybody senior in government requests a junior officer to do something unlawful, they should not do it.
If they decide to participate in the corruption, they will only have themselves to blame when they are fired and later on prosecuted," said Sakeni in apparent reference to GBM's issue.
"Government would like to remind all national leaders and public servants that His Excellency Mr Michael Chilufya Sata's call for a spirited fight against corruption is not limited to the former regime and the dirt it engaged in.
This administration has undertaken to fight corruption whenever and wherever it is found. Therefore, the President will not spare anyone found acting corruptly or entertaining corrupt instructions."
Earlier in the day, Fr Luonde called for the resignation of Mwamba before the Zambian people begin to lose faith in government.
"The honourable thing that GBM can do is resign and concentrate on his businesses because that will tarnish the image of the PF which is in government and people will begin to lose faith in our dear government which is the PF. The honourable thing that our dear Minister of Defence should do is to resign," he said.
Fr Luonde said corruption allegations among Cabinet ministers made sad reading because the PF campaigned on the platform of rooting out corruption.
"When the PF were campaigning for the change of government, it was to end corruption and the PF was put into government for that. Corruption was the first issue, followed by health, education, poverty and so on.
When government leaders are accused of corruption, then the government must take action. Out of sincerity, such leaders should resign without even being fired by the President," he said.
"It is very saddening and it is a sad story. Because honestly, if I went as a leader and acted in a manner which is not proper such as acquiring contracts, it would be unfair to those who are not out of leadership."
And speaking earlier, Mulongoti, who is former works and supply minister in the MMD government, urged President Sata to treat the matter with the seriousness it deserved.
"What you have is a story of a Cabinet minister and for it to come out like that, it has got serious implications. It is expected that the powers that be, will take that issue with the agency it is deserved, so that the integrity of government is respected; the integrity of individuals will also be protected," he said.
Mulongoti said the Zambian people would like to see the matter investigated conclusively.
"If you rush discipline, you are declaring him guilty. I don't think that is the right way. The right way is to inquire into it and interrogate into the facts, so that you get the bottom of the matter.
The powers that be can now make an informed decision. For now in line with our Constitution there is the presumption of innocence until proven guilty by the courts of law," he said.
"Allegations of corruption will always be there, it is not only one individual. There are many people in government. I will not want to see action taken before the conclusion of investigations that will protect the integrity of government."
Meanwhile, Transparency International Zambia executive director Goodwell Lungu urged President Sata to take keen interest in the matter.
"As TIZ, we are going to follow up this matter very vigorously and we would like to advise GBM and other people to avoid being found in such allegations. But of course we are following up just to ascertain that he did not involve himself in such issues," he said.
"We want to advise the President to take a keen interest also on that particular matter, so that transparency can prevail. Normally, when such things pop up, it only necessary that the state should be able to verify such serious allegations that are made against ministers."
Mwamba, when contacted over other corruption allegations which some people brought to The Post yesterday said he had never been a friend of The Post newspaper, and asked the reporter never to get in touch with him again.
"Mwana (my friend), I don't want to be dragged into such issues because I don't know anything; I'm not in the ministry of, what is that? In any case what you do in future please try and write to me, then I respond the way I'm going to respond to this article of today. I'll respond so that the public can judge who is telling the truth and who is not. So, unfortunately I'm not able to discuss anything, and anyway how come we've become friends now? When there's something negative, that's when you want to contact me.
I'm sorry I'm not your friend.
Me and The Post, we are not friends, why do you want to…? In future don't even waste your time to talk about me or to ask me anything; you should ask those that you cover," said Mwamba, who has in the past requested for coverage from The Post on several ministerial assignments.
Labels: CORRUPTION, KENNEDY SAKENI, MICHAEL SATA, POLICE
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Cops taking bribes not supposed to be in the system - Sakeni
By Moses Kuwema
Tue 02 Oct. 2012, 14:10 CAT
CHIEF government spokesperson Kennedy Sakeni says Copperbelt police officers who have vowed to continue receiving bribes from illegal copper dealers are not supposed to be in the system.
And Transparency International Zambia executive director Goodwell Lungu says it is extremely unjustifiable for the officers to cite poor conditions of service for engaging in corruption.
Commenting on some police officers on the Copperbelt who have vowed to continue receiving bribes and working with illegal copper dealers until the government starts giving them good salaries, Sakeni said the action by the police officers was "the worst kind of indiscipline".
"An officer of the state cannot be making such statements, no matter how aggrieved such a person is, they know the chain of command and how to go about it, not using threats. Such officers are not supposed to be called police officers, they are not supposed to be in the police service in the first place or indeed in any government service," he said.
Sakeni said corruption is not justifiable.
"A crime is a crime, those are just criminal minded fellows. They are just trying to hide in the issue of low salaries. That is very unbecoming behaviour of those officers, I am sure the ministries responsible should dig deeper and establish who these characters are and boot them out. We don't need such kind of officers in the police service, who dare government. They are not supposed to be in those jobs," he said.
Sakeni said the officers should appreciate the government's efforts in trying to better the working conditions of everyone in the public service, including those in the defence and security wings.
"The government is also working towards harmonising salaries for the defence and security wings. We cannot do this overnight. From the onset we are doing something towards that," said Sakeni.
And Lungu bemoaned the attitude of the officers, whom he said wanted to dent the image of the police service.
"We wish to advise them to desist from justifying their engagement in corrupt practices. This is so because even if the government was to increase salaries, these few officers would still continue engaging in corrupt activities," Lungu said.
He said his organisation was aware of a number of police officers that earn very little money but had continued to uphold their integrity by not engaging in corrupt practices.
Lungu further called on the government to seriously consider increasing police officers' salaries by next year.
And Police Inspector General Stella Libongani has stated that they have instituted investigations to bring to book officers who have vowed to continue receiving bribes from illegal copper dealers on the Copperbelt.
She stated that the police would conduct thorough investigations and bring to book anyone involved in taking bribes from illegal copper dealers.
"As law enforcement officers, we shall not hesitate to bring to book such indisciplined officers who not only fail to follow the good laid down communication procedure in place for airing grievances but also engage themselves in illegal activities," stated Libongani.
Labels: CORRUPTION, KENNEDY SAKENI, POLICE
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Law must take its course on anyone who started the riots that resulted in death of a Chinese national-Sakeni
TIME PUBLISHED - Sunday, August 5, 2012, 6:46 pm
Chief Government Spokesperson, Kennedy Sakeni, has said that the law must take its course on anyone who will be found guilty of causing the riots that resulted in the death of the Chinese national at Collum Coal Mine in Sinazongwe yesterday.
Mr Sakeni, who is also Information and Broadcasting Services Minister said that the issue of minimum wages allows employers and employees a platform and time to dialogue amicably without violence.
He said that there is no need for the miners to go to such extremes as to shed blood on a fellow worker over an issue which is clear and open for dialogue.
Mr Sakeni has urged the Ministry of Labour and law agencies to deal with the case decisively and leave no stone unturned until all those found wanting are brought to book.
Meanwhile, the National Union of Miners and Allied Workers (NUMAW) has condemned the killing of a Chinese miner at the embattled Collum Coal Mine in Sinazongwe.
NUMAW president Mundia Sikufele said that despite his organisation not having membership at the mine, the killing was barbaric and sends a wrong picture about Zambia to the outside world.
ZANIS reports that Mr Sikufele said that the incident shows the need for people to always embrace dialogue whenever they are grieved.
He explained that people should always aim at exhausting the good communication channels rather than engaging in violent activities that could lead to lose of lives.
Mr Sikufele has noted that what the miners did yesterday is disturbing to the labour Movement; hence stringent measures should be taken to ensure that such an incident does not repeat itself in future.
Yesterday a Chinese miner, Wu Shengzai aged, 50, was killed while another is battling for his life after other miners, particularly Zambians, rioted to protest against delays by management to effect the newly revised minimum wage payment.
The deceased died on the spot after being hit by a trolley that was pushed towards him by the rioting miners as he ran away into the underground tunnel where he wanted to seek refuge.
And Labour Minister Fackson Shamenda immediately called for thorough investigations into the killing of a Chinese national. Mr Shamenda has regretted that the riots had led to loss of life and described it as unfortunate and regrettable.
Mr Shamenda has wondered why the embattled Collumn Coal Mine continues to be a spot of tension between Zambian workers and Chinese investors. Mr Shamenda has since urged the workers to avoid taking the law into their own hands.
He said that the sad development at the mine should serve as a lesson for all workers and employers to follow the normal channel of communication. Mr. Shamenda who has since traveled to the Mine was speaking in an interview with TV2 News prior to his departure from Lusaka.
Mr Shamenda also said that Government was working out measures to ensure that the hike in the minimum wage does not become a source of industrial protests. Mr Shamenda said that protests and work stoppages negatively affect governments revenue collection.
Labels: CHINESE COLLUM COAL MINE, KENNEDY SAKENI, STRIKE
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HH is a political mischief - sakeni
By Joan Chirwa-Ngoma
Wed 27 June 2012, 13:25 CAT
HAKAINDE Hichilema is a political mischief who has now turned to daydreaming, says home affairs minister Kennedy Sakeni.
Reacting to the UPND leader's recent attacks on President Michael Sata and his statement in Livingstone that Zambians were "asking for milk from a stone" by thinking that President Sata would develop the country, Sakeni said Hichilema's allegations were out of bitterness for losing an election last September.
"The young man is so bitter that now he has gone out there to tarnish the image of President Sata and the PF government. He is a political mischief; the man is daydreaming. He is totally misplaced. He says things that have no facts at all," Sakeni said.
He said the opposition political parties in the country had now run out of ideas, hence their decision to turn to character assassination.
"They opposition have run out of ideas. It is all sour grapes of losing in last September's election, especially for the young man HH. For the others, apart from the bitterness of having lost power, they have their own internal wrangles," Sakeni said.
He also doubted the credibility of the UPND-MMD working alliance, saying "they will not get anywhere".
"…UPND is not anywhere in Luapula. Even their so-called alliance with MMD is neither here nor there. We don't count them there…MMD has literally gone into oblivion. The question of politics needs strategies, but these (UPND and MMD) have no strategies. They don't know what Zambians want," said Sakeni.
Hichilema on Monday likened Zambians' expectations from President Sata to develop the country to "asking for milk from a stone".
"We are asking for too much from President Sata if we think that he can develop this country. We are asking for milk from a stone, I'm being polite, and I have learnt to be polite. This country needed redemption. It is time to bring leadership with knowledge," Hichilema said.
He said the creation of new districts by the PF was exposing the insincerity of the ruling party.
"They are creating new districts without understanding them. There are a lot of places that are very big and have been left out. It shows ignorance and in the UPND we don't praise ignorant people. Creating a district does not provide food on the table, the people of Zimba want good prices for their cotton. The people of Pemba are crying for cattle disease eradication," he said.
Hichilema further claimed that President Sata had shown traits of a dictator and could only be called as "a person without a plan".
Over a week ago, Hichilema likened President Sata to a clueless hyena.
Labels: HAKAINDE HICHILEMA, KENNEDY SAKENI
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Amsterdam is not welcome - Sakeni
By Kombe Chimpinde
Sat 09 June 2012, 13:00 CAT
MINISTER of Home Affairs Kennedy Sakeni says Robert Amsterdam is not welcome in Zambia. And Amsterdam said in an interview that the VISA issued to him by the Zambian High Commission in UK to visit Zambia had been withheld.
"I was given a VISA to come to Zambia but because there is so much talk about me by the Zambian government. I have been asked to wait until a few things are cleared," said Amsterdam who was recently hounded out of Singapore.
Opposition political party leaders in Zambia have petitioned the donor community over President Michael Sata's leadership through Amsterdam as their consultant.
Sakeni however warned in an interview that Amsterdam should not even have been issued with a VISA in the first place because of his questionable activities.
"His name is one of those that are talking about Zambia's internal politics. So how can he be given a VISA as a tourist?" asked Sakeni.
He said as minister in charge of internal security, he could not allow Amsterdam into the country.
"In fact let me tell you that from the word go, he is not welcome. We do not need him as tourist. Let him go and tour other countries. That is the position. We can't allow a foreigner to come and start engaging in our internal affairs. He should forget about that VISA," charged Sakeni.
And Amsterdam said the Zambian High Commission in UK had withheld the VISA shortly after it was issued to him.
Some opposition political parties have engaged Amsterdam as their consultant in their petition to the donor community over their fight with PF and President Sata.
In an open letter addressed to the donor community written and signed by the party leaders and Amsterdam, they contested several decisions that had taken place under PF.
The leaders who included Pastor Nevers Mumba, Hakainde Hichilema, Charles Milupi, Sakwiba Sikota, Edwin Sakala and lawyer Amsterdam, stated that it was their concern that continued unconditional donor support to the PF administration would further the disturbing trends that represented a sharp departure from the laws, norms, traditions, and constitutional culture of the country.
According to them, President Sata had engaged in a concerted effort to install family members and friends in all key positions of the country's economic management; assaulted the independence of the judiciary, and; systematically eliminated democratic rights of the political opposition and freedom of expression, among other things.
Labels: KENNEDY SAKENI, MMD, PF
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Henry seeks to halt interpol alert
By Chiwoyu Sinyangwe
Tue 10 Apr. 2012, 13:30 CAT
HENRY Banda's decision to hire high-profile international lawyer, Robert Amsterdam gives insight into the amount of money he accumulated when his father ruled Zambia, says home affairs minister Kennedy Sakeni.
Henry, a fugitive son of former president Rupiah Banda, is wanted by Zambia's joint investigative team for suspected fraud in connection with his role in the US$257 million sale of the Zamtel to LAP Green Networks of Libya.
Although not a government official in 2008, Henry is alleged to have connived with former communications minister Dora Siliya to single-handedly hire RP Capital of Caymen Islands to value the asset liability position of Zamtel in preparation for the controversial sale in 2010.
Siliya has been taken to court for allegedly cancelling a duly-awarded tender for provision of radar services to the then Lusaka and Livingstone International Airports, a decision investigative wings say cost the country K1.9 billion.
Henry has been placed on the International Police (Interpol) red notice list as a wanted person.
Henry, currently domiciled in South Africa, has hired Amsterdam of Amsterdam & Peroff LLP to halt the Interpol alert.
"These unspecified allegations against Henry Banda are politically driven and without foundation. It is clearly not a genuine investigation," stated Amsterdam, who also represents former president Banda, in a claim to counter Zambia's pursuit for Henry.
But Sakeni said Henry was not being persecuted but "merely" being asked to come and clear his name.
Sakeni said Henry's hiring of Amsterdam told a big story of how much "foreign exchange" the former president's son had accumulated.
"People who have money, what can you do? Maybe, he has no confidence in our local lawyers? We don't know how much they are paying that lawyer," Sakeni said in an interview.
"It's up to individual level but certainly they have the money. How else can they hire an expensive lawyer of the nature if they don't have the money? It gives us a bigger story. Where have they got that wealth to hire such as an expensive lawyer? I am told the lawyer is paid millions of US dollars. I believe we have our lawyers who may be even much better than him. But that is their business, we can't go into it."
According to their official website, Amsterdam & Peroff states that it offers legal counsel to companies and individuals facing critical challenges.
Among the prominent individuals Amsterdam has represented are incarcerated Russian billionaire and politician Mikhail Borisovich Khodorkovsky, and former Thailand prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Shinawatra hired Amsterdam to serve as international lawyer and adviser to the defence counsel of the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship.
Though Amsterdam could not represent Khodorkovsky in Russia as no foreigner can argue before a Russian court, and the Federation has refused to issue a visa, he still represents Khodorkovsky on the international stage.
And Sakeni described as a "welcome development" the announcement by South African High Commissioner to Zambia Moses Chikane that South Africa was aware that Interpol is now active on Henry's case and that his country was ready to do its part as long as it was within the stipulated laws.
"The young man is not being persecuted. He shouldn't hide in the father's immunity just because the father was president," Sakeni said.
"If he is suspected of wrongdoing, we should not just fold our arms and just look at him like that. He is just like any other citizen. A suspect is just a suspect like any other person. He is not of special status. If the state has high suspicion that he was involved in some corruption or crimes of any kind, he should just own up and appear before the officers so that they are able to interview him and get the truth."
Sakeni advised Henry to voluntarily come back to Zambia rather than through an arrest.
"Maybe he knows too much that and he is convinced that he committed some felony of some kind and that is why he has been running away," said Sakeni.
"Some of his friends, including those who been arrested, are on bail. So, why run away? For how long is he going to run away? The world has become too small. Running away will not do. The best he can do is not even to wait for Interpol to bring him. Let him come back and clear his name. He has got many years to go in his life. Running away doesn't solve any problem and the world has become too tiny for anyone to hide. What happened to Osama Bin Laden? He eluded the world for so many years but there it was. It's not good to run away, especially if the cases you are facing are not capital offences?"
Sakeni said the allegations against Henry were mere white collar crimes.
Labels: CORRUPTION, HENRY BANDA, KENNEDY SAKENI, RP CAPITAL PARTNERS
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