Mwale leaves MMD for UPND
By Moses Kuwema and Christopher Miti
Tue 30 July 2013, 14:01 CAT
FORMER Malambo constituency member of parliament Maxwell Mwale has defected to the UPND from the MMD. And UPND vice-president Dr Canicius Banda has called on Zambians to rise and protest against the PF government now instead of waiting for 2016.
Mwale said he had joined UPND because he was part of a new generation of politicians from Eastern Province who were able to see the future that UPND would form the next government.
"I subscribe to UPND manifesto because it's the one that will develop this country. I have resigned with all the wards in Malambo Constituency," he said at the UPND secretariat, where he was introduced.
In his resignation letter addressed to MMD president Nevers Mumba, Mwale stated that he had resigned due to pressing personal commitments.
"The many personal commitments have left me with no choice but to move on, on this political journey. May I put on record my indebtedness to the party on whose platform I was accorded an opportunity to serve in government and NEC to the best of my ability. I am equally thankful to have had an opportunity to serve under your leadership," read Mwale's letter of resignation.
Meanwhile, MMD Eastern Province chairperson Alexander Miti said Mwale was inciting people in the area to defect to UPND with him.
"All I can say for now is that this is a very sad development because honourable Maxwell Mwale, as a man of his status, should clearly indicate to MMD what his position really is. If he can't officially communicate with the MMD what his intentions are, we are wondering what exactly he is up to," Miti said.
He said Mwale had been a senior member of the MMD and that he even got the position of chairman for mines.
"He (Mwale) is one person who has enjoyed a lot of respect in the party. As provincial chairman, I have not received any official communication on the move by honourable Maxwell Mwale ditching MMD but I am aware of the activities going on in Malambo, where I have heard that he is going round in the constituency, trying to urge people to join UPND with him," Miti said.
Last week, Mambwe district MMD chairperson Zephaniah Kaleya warned that Mwale would be bruised if he continued to champion the UPND cause with former labour minister Austin Liato in the district.
And Dr Banda, briefing the press, alleged that the PF had betrayed Zambians.
"We the people must rise and protest, we must not wait for 2016. Every youth must protest and say we need jobs," he said.
Dr Banda said the UPND was the only party that had grown in terms of numbers of members in the National Assembly.
He claimed that the UPND would form government and that those who were thinking that this would happen in 2016 would be shocked as the party was likely to form government earlier than 2016.
And commenting on the shortage of anti-retrovirals drugs in health centres, Dr Banda said the country's national response to HIV was in danger of collapsing because of the PF.
Meanwhile, newly elected Solwezi East member of parliament Villie Lombanya said the PF's arrogance was getting out of hand.
Lombanya said PF were behaving as though they were the alpha and omega.
"They should realise that this country once had the mighty UNIP and MMD; where are they?" asked Lombanya.
Labels: CANISIUS BANDA, MAXWELL MWALE, MMD, UPND
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Malambo MMD wants Mwale to re-contest seat on party ticket
By Christopher Miti in Chipata
Mon 15 July 2013, 14:01 CAT
THE MMD in Mambwe district says there is no way its former Malambo member of parliament Maxwell Mwale can stand on UPND ticket in the forthcoming by-election.
Commenting on reports that UPND wants Mwale to stand on its ticket, district chairperson Zephaniah Kaleya said the people of Malambo want Mwale to re-contest the seat on the MMD ticket.
Kaleya said Mwale was MMD and would continue representing the constituency even after the by-election.
He said Mwale was just confused with the nullification of his election.
"Hon Mwale knows that his big family is here and the party is going to parade him as MMD candidate immediately the time for nomination comes," Kaleya said.
He said the people of Malambo were more important that Mwale's decision.
"Mwale knows that he has a big family in Malambo and he must come back and continue being an MMD member here," Kaleya said.
Asked whether he had contacted Mwale to confirm his links with UPND, Kaleya said he had not but that he had received a lot of messages from people of Malambo who want the immediate past member of parliament to stand on MMD ticket.
"I think it was like, you know when someone is in suspense, you know court issues, he might have felt lonely. There is no one to look after him but us as people of Malambo are assuring him that he has a home," Kaleya said.
He said the MMD had not received any resignation letter from Mwale.
Labels: MAXWELL MWALE, MMD, ZEPHANIAH KALEYA
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Nevers quizzes Dora
By Kombe Chimpinde
Sat 06 July 2013, 14:01 CAT
MMD PRESIDENT Nevers Mumba says he has been talking to Dora Siliya over her being linked to UPND.
In an interview yesterday, Mumba, who was responding to revelations by sources that UPND wanted Siliya and Maxwell Mwale to stand on the party ticket in Petauke Central and Malambo respectively, said he was aware that some of his influential members were being approached by UPND with a view to defect.
"It is true that our members are preparing now for the elections. We know that honourable Mwale has been approached to see whether he could stand on UPND ticket. I have been talking to Dora Siliya, she says she is not aware of that. So I cannot speak on their behalf, they have to speak for themselves," he said.
Mumba said the poaching by UPND was an 'issue' that he was already dealing with as party president and would soon issue a statement on the matter.
"That is another issue that we are dealing with. I will come out on that subject at some stage soon," he said.
Mumba said he expected Siliya to re-contest the seat on the MMD ticket as indicated by all the executives in the province.
Mumba said MMD wanted the two former members of parliament to re-contest their seats on the former ruling party ticket.
"In Petauke Central for instance, I was there last week. The executive committees in Petauke Central all want Dora to re-contest. They are the ones who make the decision and they all want Dora. The constituency, the district and the province, they all want Dora to re-contest. So she will have to listen to the grassroots because they are the ones who have got the floor," said Mumba.
But Mwale said in an interview that he was not available for political office because his family had asked him to rest.
Mwale said that he was however available for public office, even in an advisory role.
Mwale could however not deny or confirm whether he had been approached by UPND to re-contest Malambo on its seat.
"In any case I am not for sale, even to the highest bidder. My family and I have agreed that I need a rest from politics so I am taking a back stage.," Mwale said.
He said he would not be available for the MMD to re-contest the seat, or for any political bidder.
Mwale lost the Malambo seat after the Supreme Court nullified it on grounds of electoral malpractices.
Highly-placed sources within the UPND confirmed that there were consultations going on with Siliya and her supporters and that overwhelming response had been received from Mwale.
Asked to confirm or deny reports of the UPND move on Siliya and Mwale, Hichilema said he had no comment on the matter.
In April when Canisius Banda resigned from MMD to join UPND, Mumba said the MMD felt betrayed by UPND for cannabalising its members.
Mumba stated that the UPND, its alliance partner, was creating a lack of trust and confidence by its continued poaching of MMD senior members.
But Hichilema in April justified the poaching of MMD senior members, saying it was one way of consolidating the opposition in the country.
Hichilema said by poaching from MMD, UPND was ensuring that members were not lost to the PF.
Labels: DORA SILIYA, MAXWELL MWALE, MMD, NEVERS MUMBA, UPND
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UPND wants Dora
By Kombe Chimpinde
Fri 05 July 2013, 14:00 CAT
THE UPND wants MMD's Dora Siliya and Maxwell Mwale to stand on the party ticket in Petauke Central and Malambo respectively, sources within UPND have revealed.
But UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema yesterday said he had no comment to make on the issue.
And UPND vice president Dr Canisius Banda, who refused to mention names, said UPND was in talks with a number of members of parliament and non-members of parliament from other political parties including the PF because UPND was now the 'most attractive party'.
Highly-placed sources within the UPND confirmed that there were consultations going on with Siliya and her supporters and that overwhelming response had been received from Mwale.
The source said that the duo had a better chance of re-scooping their seats on the UPND.
Siliya has however not given a substantive position on the matter.
"Yes consultations are there and we have received a good response from Mwale. In fact Mwale is more like one of us because he was our provincial chairman before he went to MMD. So for Mwale, it will not be a difficult decision to make," the source said.
"On Dora, I cannot confirm if she has accepted but yes it is true that we courting the two individuals to re-contest the seats on the party ticket."
When asked to confirm or deny reports of the UPND move on Siliya and Mwale in an interview, Hichilema said that he had no comment on the matter.
"Ask your sources to elaborate more. I have no comment," said Hichilema.
In April when Dr Banda resigned from MMD to join UPND, Nevers Mumba said the MMD felt betrayed by UPND for cannibalising its members.
Mumba, stated that the UPND, its alliance partner, was creating a lack of trust and confidence by it's continued poaching of MMD senior members.
But Hichilema in April justified the poaching of MMD senior members, saying it was one way of consolidating the opposition in the country.
Hichilema said by poaching from MMD, UPND was ensuring that members were not lost to PF.
And Dr Banda yesterday said there would be a lot of pronouncements very soon.
"The decision to join us is entirely their own. We are flatted as a party that we are receiving so much attention," he said.
"So in the next coming months, you will see a lot of announcements on who has joined."
Mwale was UPND Eastern Province chairman before he resigned from the party to join the Forum for Democracy and Development and later joined MMD.
When he defected in October 2001, Mwale said UPND was not a mass movement.
He said a party should be founded on a common national cause.
Mwale said UPND had failed to address the tribal tag which had continued to haunt the party.
Labels: DORA SILIYA, MAXWELL MWALE, MMD, UPND
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Corrupt elements seek protection in tribe
By Editor
Fri 05 Apr. 2013, 14:01 CAT
Maxwell Mwale is claiming that the Patriotic Front government's fight against corruption is targeting the people of Eastern Province.
This is not a new argument. We have heard such arguments before. When Nalumino Mundia was fired from Dr Kenneth Kaunda's government for alleged corruption, the first reaction was a regional one, a tribal one. And this was in the early years of the UNIP government.
Nalumino formed his own Lozi-based political party, the United Party.
For sure, it must not have been an easy decision for Dr Kaunda to fire such an outstanding freedom fighter and such a leading politician at that time. Nalumino was not inherently corrupt. But poor judgement was made on his part to accept some shares in a private company in a manner that was not acceptable for someone who was a cabinet minister in Dr Kaunda's government. Under the current order, Nalumino would not have lost his cabinet position over that. But very high standards, principles, values and common aims had to be defended at that early stage of our independence. Dr Kaunda made it very clear that he didn't "want to see decisions made for self-interest rather than the benefit of the people". Dr Kaunda maintained that his "government hates corruption, and anyone we discover doing that will be in trouble with the government".
Nalumino was not punished because he was Lozi or because Dr Kaunda hated him. Actually, in the Second Republic, Dr Kaunda brought back Nalumino to be prime minister.
We also heard similar arguments in 2001 when Levy Mwanawasa approached Parliament to ask for the removal of Frederick Chiluba's presidential immunity so that he could be prosecuted for corruption. Some people argued that Levy was selectively prosecuting people from Luapula Province and that he didn't like Bemba-speaking people.
Of course, this was nonsense, it was not true. What was true was that Chiluba, with a band of corrupt elements from Luapula, abused his office, his powers to loot the national treasury. The people who Chiluba was stealing with were predominantly from one region. But this is not strange, corrupt elements always turn to nepotism, regionalism and tribalism for protection. This is the only time they pretend to care about the region or the tribe from which they hail. Chiluba and his friends didn't care much about the people of Luapula. And we challenge anyone to go to Luapula and see the poverty that exists in that region of our country. They will not find good roads and other infrastructure in Luapula that is not found elsewhere in the rural provinces of our country. Luapula is as poor as any rural province of our country. Chiluba and his friends did not steal to share their loot with the people of Luapula; Chiluba was not a Robin Hood for Luapula. He stole for himself and his friends - they bought expensive designer suits, shirts, pyjamas, neckties, shoes and so on and so forth. They competed with each other when it came to dressing; they boasted about having the most expensive suits. Chiluba spent over US$1 million of public funds on suits, shirts, pyjamas and shoes in a Belgian boutique. Of what benefit were these things to the people of Luapula? Chiluba spent public funds buying his then girlfriend Regina Mwanza all sorts of things, including property. How did this benefit the people of Luapula? Regina may be from Luapula but the public funds Chiluba spent on her were not shared with the people of Luapula. The people of Luapula remained in poverty and are still in poverty today. But Chiluba tried to abuse them in his attempt to discredit the genuine and legitimate efforts of Levy's government to make him account for his corruption.
We today again see a similar attempt by Rupiah Banda and his friends to play victim when being pursued for corruption. There is nothing regional or tribal about Rupiah being pursued for corruption. It is not an anti-Eastern Province campaign. If Mwale was a beneficiary of the corruption of the Rupiah regime, he should just answer for himself. We know that Mwale had issues of corruption over the many bicycles he could not account for. We cannot comment further on this issue because it is before our courts of law.
If one closely examines the people Rupiah was involved with in his corrupt activities, it would be evident that most of them were from one group of people. But this is not strange. This is the typical behaviour of corrupt people. Corrupt elements are nepotistic, tribalistic and carry on their corrupt activities by patronising people on all sorts of lines, including regionalism or tribalism.
And this is why the fight against corruption has also to be a fight against divisive tendencies like regionalism and tribalism. This is so because these are weapons corrupt elements use to perpetrate their vices. In a nation that has totally overcome these vices, corruption becomes difficult to perpetrate and fighting corrupt elements becomes much easier because people are more united against wrongdoing. If you remove regionalism and tribalism, corrupt elements have no place to hide, they will have no tribe or region to run to.
Fighting corruption requires action on several essential levels. First of all, a political line of action must be laid down. By defining regionalism and tribalism as enemies to be fought against, just like corruption, corrupt elements are deprived of the chief instruments of their anti-people practices.
Of course, we have also heard arguments about personal hatred against this one or that one being advanced to try and divert public attention from the real issues at hand. It is not hatred for which Rupiah is being prosecuted. There is nothing of a personal vendetta in issue here. The charge against Rupiah is very simple and clear. One doesn't need to be a lawyer to understand that charge because it is in a layman's language. There is nothing about hatred in that charge. If Rupiah can explain in a satisfactory manner why things happened the way they happened in that transaction, that charge against him will fail.
That charge is not dependent on whether Michael Sata likes or hates Rupiah. It has nothing to do with love or hatred; it is simply about what happened, who benefited from that government oil transaction. The prosecution will give its evidence and Rupiah will have the opportunity to discredit that evidence. If magistrate Joshua Banda is satisfied that Rupiah has got a case to answer, he will put him on his defence. At this stage, Rupiah will have an opportunity to give his side of the story by taking the witness stand himself and calling others to testify. That is all that is needed in this case. After that, magistrate Banda will give his judgment. And as Rupiah has personally said, he has confidence in the country's Judiciary, which includes magistrate Banda. This being the case, where is the regionalism, the personal vendetta in this case?
Labels: CORRUPTION, EASTERN PROVINCE, MAXWELL MWALE, MDC, PF, TRIBALISM
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Enforce mine tax regulations, Mwale urges government
By Gift Chanda
Wed 20 June 2012, 13:22 CAT
FORMER mines minister Maxwell Mwale says the MMD regime had challenges tightening mine tax collection regulations due to
poor staffing levels in institutions such as the Ministry of Mines.Mwale, who is also MMD committee on mining chairperson, admitted that the former regime failed to enforce measures aimed at curbing cheating in the mining sector. The government last week tightened the country's regulations on taxation of mining companies to boost compliance and revenue collection.
"This is a welcome move as Zambian people want to benefit more from the mining sector through taxation," Mwale said in an interview.
"However, I would like to make it known that those measures were already in place. For instance, the mining firms are supposed to submit their monthly reports, quarterly reports and their annual reports where they indicate the volumes of ore mined, and what they have processed but to ensure enforcement is where the government has always done badly."
He said the Ministry of Mines had challenges then to enforce those existing systems partly because of the poor staff levels.
"The challenge that was there in the Ministry of Mines is that, believe it or not, virtually for five years we were not able to recruit personnel. I am not talking about creating new positions but replacing those who had left," he said.
"My only advice is that let the current government ensure that the laws are enforced. It is the same as the collection of taxes; it is just an issue of enforcement. The government needs to ensure that they enforce whatever is in black and white so that the mines can comply."
Several stakeholders have expressed concerns that mineral production has been improving over the years but this improvement has not been matched with a corresponding increase in revenue to the government.
Data shows much of Zambia's exported copper destined for Switzerland, little of it shows up in Swiss customs figures, raising questions about transparency.
Mines minister Christopher Yaluma, who last week announced new measures aimed at curbing cheating in the mining sector, said that mining companies would now be required to provide information on tonnages, type and grade of ore mined, quantities and the end product.
Yaluma said mining companies would also be required to submit annual reports on the recovery percentages and efficiency of all mining and metallurgical processes including details of the quantities of minerals sold and their average selling price.
He said failure to comply would result in revocation of licences and other punitive measures.
Labels: MAXWELL MWALE, MMD, WINDFALL TAX
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COMMENT - I would really like to know which corporation bribed the MMD minister, because of they were US or Canadian, they would be criminally liable under the FCPA and the Canadian version of that law.
Former mines minister arrested for facilitating issuance of the mining license
Posted by Editor on March 29, 2012
Former mines minister has been arrested and charged with two counts of corruption and being in possession of property believed to be proceeds of crime.
Mr Mwale is alleged to have received about K473 million from a foreign mining company as reward for him to facilitate the issuance of the mining license.He has also been charged with being in possession of property allegedly believed to have been proceeds of crime. Mr. Mwale is alleged to have brought in 5,000 bicycles suspected to be proceeds of crime valued at about K I.5 billion.
Mr. Mwale who will appear in court on 4th April has since been released on a K50 million police bond with 2 working sureties.
Spokesperson for the Joint Investigative wings Charity Munganga-Chanda has confirmed the development to QFM News.
Parliament passed the 2012 Anti Corruption Commission Bill which has also seen the abuse of authority of office clause reinstated./QFM
Labels: BRIBERY, CORRUPTION, MAXWELL MWALE, MINING, MMD
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Rupiah accuses cops of lies over Henry
By Mwala Kalaluka
Sat 04 Feb. 2012, 13:00 CAT
RUPIAH Banda says his family is hurt by the investigations going on against them. And Banda, the former president, says President Michael Sata's government should be left to fail on its own.
Meanwhile,
former mines minister Maxwell Mwale was yesterday arrested and charged with the offence of theft by public servant involving 20 bicycles meant for small-scale miners in the Eastern Province.
Addressing some MMD cadres that went to express solidarity with former first lady Thandiwe Banda who was appearing before a combined team of government investigators at the former Task Force offices in Lusaka, Banda said his family was hurt by all the investigations targeting family members.
However, Thandiwe did not appear at the former Task Force on Corruption offices in Lusaka's Woodlands area for the interrogation relating to money for the Mpundu Trust but was instead taken to Police Force Headquarters at around 09:57 hours.
After hearing that there were cadres that were waiting for Thandiwe at the former Task Force on Corruption offices, Banda went to address them in the company of former tourism minister and current Mafinga MMD MP, Catherine Namugala.
"Of course we are hurt by all this sort of thing. But I hope, you know when you are a president bakunamiza boza banthu bambili. So, ningo mpempera Mulungu kuti a Sata abagwile amene abanamiza boza when you are a president so many people tell lies against you. So I am praying that President Sata will find out those peddling these lies," Banda said. "He will find out one day, and I know he will deal with them.
"Banama boza they are lying that they're investigating, akuti that they're in touch; Henry this, Henry this, ni boza zonse it's all lies. When the President finds out one day, I hope he will do the needful. Nobody has ever contacted Henry."
The duo's address was punctuated by shouts of Dr Nevers Mumba's coined don't kutina don't fear slogan, to which Banda responded with several thank yous.
Namugala said the solidarity that the cadres, who were however not dressed in any party regalia, had expressed was an indication that they still loved their party president Banda and his wife.
"Thank you, now listen my fellow women, listen, let us move together. Our mother, Mrs Banda, is not coming here and she has gone to another place where she is being interviewed," Namugala said in Chinyanja.
"Please forgive us we did not know of that arrangement, because had we known we would have informed you but you have already shown that you really love her."
And Banda said his wife was not alone where she was being interrogated and that she was in the company of her lawyers.
"Tionga zikomo kuti abapasa ulemu kuti afuno baciita interview mucisinsi mwakuti aonese monga kuti ni muntu analakwa cintu cili conse. Ti onga zikomo kuti abalola kuti bakabaone privately, bapita na ma lawyers, pamene bapita sibali beka we appreciate that she has been accorded respect by interviewing her in privacy and she is with the lawyers there," Banda said.
"Chifukwa cake na amai, na anzanga bonse tamvwana kuti iyai tiyeni pakuti bantu ba fika kale bakatione; kuti tionga zikomo zimene mwaticitila that is why we decided with our mother Namugala and my other friends that we come here and express our thanks over what you have done for us."
Banda said the general elections were now over and the PF government should be left to fail on its own like an impotent person.
"Nifuna ni peleke mau akuti ma elections anata. Poyamba paja, anati iyayi simungacite arrange election muzatibela. Sitina abele bana wina, tinabapasa monga ngomwa zibakange beka I want to say the elections are over. Initially they were doubting that we could not arrange the elections, you will steal the votes. We did not steal for them, they won and we handed over to them, like an impotent person they should fail on their own," said Banda as one cadre shouted, zabakanga kale they have already failed.
"Ife cimene citidabwisa m'malo mwakuti bazikondwela mwamene mulilipano, bazipita, baziimba and so on; acita ngati niokapilika. Lomba kuti muna wina mukalipilanji? Gwilani nchito!
Ehe, tiyeni tione amene agwira bwino ncito, iwo olo ife. Osati tizingodonsana masiku onse, eeh tiyeni ku Police what is surprising us is that instead of being happy like you gathered here they look angry. Now how can you be angry when you won! Just start working, yes, let us the hard workers between you and us, instead of dragging people to the police every day."
Banda said he would not leave the MMD because when one's time to leave office comes they knocked off.
"My heart with you the people of Zambia and wherever I go I don't say I will leave the MMD. Every person knocks off and it is up to them to choose a party to belong to," Banda said.
"For now I want to go and wait somewhere in case I may be required by the investigators. Don't be worried because not a single bad thing will happen. Like all the people in Zambia, we are going about our work with respect for the sake of national unity. We want peace in our country, we don't want suffering, no."
Asked what the impact of his wife's appearance before the law enforcement agencies was, Banda said Thandiwe was a citizen like any other citizen.
"She is innocent, so there is nothing to run away from," Banda said.
On the police looking for his son, Henry, Banda said the law enforcement agencies were liars.
"They're actually lying. Yesterday I said he Inspector General of Police Dr Martin Malama was silly. Now I want to tell you that they're lying; they've never even approached this poor boy and he has never been to Kenya," Banda said. "He was last in Kenya, if you heard the BBC yesterday, he was last in Kenya six months ago. So anawenye amudala enena kuti ali ku Kenya so the man saying he is in Kenya is a liar. We have all heard it, he's not in Kenya."
Three minutes before 10:00 hours, Thandiwe arrived at Force Headquarters in the company of her lawyers, Prof Patrick Mvunga and Sakwiba Sikota. She appeared before investigators for close to two hours before she was sneaked out of the premises to avoid journalists that wanted to interview her.
Combined investigative team spokesperson Charity Munganga-Chanda told journalists that an ordinary statement had been recorded from Thandiwe over the operations of the Mpundu Trust.
"We have interviewed the former first lady, Mrs Thandiwe Banda and she cooperated very well with the investigators. The interview was in connection with the running of Mpundu Trust," Munganga-Chanda said.
"Yes, she spoke. The investigations are still going on so I am not in a position to give you the details now. But just know that she was talking in connection with the operations of Mpundu Trust. We just recorded a statement but not a warn and caution, just an ordinary statement."
And the combined team of government investigators arrested and charged Mwale with the theft of 20 bicycles meant for small-scale miners in the Eastern Province.
Munganga-Chanda confirmed that Mwale, an MMD member who lost his Malambo parliamentary seat last week following the High Court's nullification of his election, would appear in court next Wednesday.
Munganga-Chanda said the value of the bicycles was about K5.5 million.
"He is currently on police bond," said Munganga-Chanda.
Labels: ARRESTS, CORRUPTION, HENRY BANDA, MAXWELL MWALE, RUPIAH BANDA, THANDIWE BANDA
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Cops warn and caution Mwale again
By Staff Reporters
Mon 30 Jan. 2012, 14:01 CAT
THE joint team of security officers investigating the plunder of resources in Rupiah Banda's regime have warned and cautioned former mines minister Maxwell Mwale and his deputy Boniface Nkhata.
According to family sources, police recorded a warn and caution statement from Nkhata on Saturday at Chama police station in connection with 20 bicycles from the ministry intended for HIV/AIDS programmes.
The sources said the bicycles were distributed to chief retainers, relatives and friends instead of the intended beneficiaries.
The sources said Mwale was also warned and cautioned yesterday at Mfuwe police station in connection with 20 bicycles, intended for HIV/AIDS programmes under the ministry.
The sources said investigators were still on the ground collecting more evidence against the duo.
Labels: CORRUPTION, MAXWELL MWALE
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No visitors for Dora
By Mwala Kalaluka
Sat 07 Jan. 2012, 12:40 CAT
DORA Siliya yesterday instructed staff at Fairview Hospital where she is ‘admitted' not to allow anyone access to her admission room without obtaining her consent.
And a docket on
former mines minister Maxwell Mwale's use of a Chinese mining firm to pay duty for his campaign bicycles is before the Director of Public Prosecutions for consideration.
Siliya, who is ‘admitted' at the lavish hospital, which has a hotel-like ambience, told an official from Fairview Hospital Customer Service that she was not ready to talk to anyone.
This was after The Post went to the hospital to interview Siliya over assertions she was feigning illness to evade police interrogations.
The customer service officer only identified as Siphiwe who called the former transport minister on her mobile phone, assured Siliya that no one would be allowed to pay her a visit without her consent.
Earlier, sources said that Siliya, a parliamentarian for Eastern Province's Petauke Central Constituency under the opposition MMD, was expected to appear in court yesterday upon arrest on Thursday.
Siliya, who is also MMD spokesperson, was expected to appear before a team of combined investigators from the Drug Enforcement Commission DEC, Anti-Corruption Commission ACC and Zambia Police, but kept the officers waiting from about 14:00 hours till late in the afternoon on Thursday.
Police spokesperson Elizabeth Kanjela said on Thursday Siliya could not appear after her lawyer Sakwiba Sikota informed the police that she was unwell.
But sources said yesterday that officers had been dispatched to verify whether indeed Siliya was unwell and admitted to a hospital as claimed.
"We sent some officers to verify whether it is true she has been admitted or not and they have not come back yet," the source said.
But Kanjela said in an interview yesterday that Siliya was unwell.
"She was by yesterday admitted at Fairview Hospital. So we can only do that summon when she is well," said Kanjela.
In 2009, Siliya ordered the cancellation of a duly awarded contract for the supply, delivery, installation and commissioning of ZATM-RADAR at Lusaka now KK and Livingstone now Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula international airports to accommodate SELEX Sistemi Integrati, a company from Italy single-sourced to carry out the works.
Siliya's conduct was contrary to professional advice from officials in her ministry, the National Airport Corporation Limited NAC and the procurement authority.
Former president Rupiah Banda once described her as 'Smart Dora'.
And sources said the matter where Malambo MMD parliamentarian, Mwale, was recently warned and cautioned over the manner in which his campaign bicycles were procured had been taken before the DPP.
The sources, who are involved in the probe, said Mwale would be arrested should the DPP issue the instruction after consideration of the docket.
Investigators say there was corruption in the manner the said campaign bicycles were procured as Mwale allowed a Chinese firm, Zhongui Mining, allegedly awarded a suspicious mining licence when he was at the helm of the Ministry of Mines, to clear the duty for the bicycles.
Mwale is already appearing before Lusaka chief resident magistrate Joshua Banda charged with the offence of failing to account for over 200 bicycles reasonably suspected to have been stolen.
Labels: CORRUPTION, DORA SILIYA, DPP, MAXWELL MWALE, ZAMTEL
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Times faces contempt proceedings
By Mwala Kalaluka
Fri 30 Dec. 2011, 13:30 CAT
THE Lusaka magistrates' court has instituted contempt proceedings against Times of Zambia after Maxwell Mwale complained that the newspaper fabricated evidence from his trial.
But the Lusaka magistrates' court has dismissed Mwale's application that issues relating to the State's fresh investigations against him in the midst of trial be referred to the High Court.
This is a matter where former mines minister and current Malambo MMD member of parliament, Mwale, is charged with the offence of failing to account for 261 bicycles reasonably suspected to have been stolen.
When the matter came up for continued trial on Wednesday, Mwale's lawyers applied that Times of Zambia be excluded from the proceedings in view of its news article on the previous day's proceedings, saying it was a misrepresentation of facts.
Subsequently, Lusaka chief resident magistrate Joshua Banda summoned Times of Zambia managing director Godfrey Malama and the reporter involved to appear before him to explain themselves.
When Malama, 57, and senior reporter Delphine Hampande, appeared before him yesterday morning, magistrate Banda said the story was said to be prejudicial and did not represent what was said by the two witnesses.
Malama said he sanctioned the publication of the story Mwale's advocate, Sakwiba Sikota, had complained of.
"The article was published in Times of Zambia," Malama said.
"The onus of ensuring the information in any article is correct, that should be the onus of the author of the article, although the editor-in-chief sanctions the same."
Malama said it was Times of Zambia's common practice of not by-lining their news stories and that the omission of the reporter's name from the article in question was not therefore exceptional.
Hampande said the story she tendered was accurate and that it was edited after passing through the relevant channels.
In his ruling, magistrate Banda said in light of the statements from Malama and Hampande, he would institute contempt proceedings against Times of Zambia.
"Formal summons shall be accordingly served on the concerned officers to answer to why they should not be cited for contempt over the article in question," magistrate Banda said.
The matter was then adjourned to January 10, 2012 for hearing.
But magistrate Banda dismissed the defence's application that the issue of fresh investigations against Mwale by the security agencies when he was already before the court be referred to the High Court for determination.
In his application, Sikota said only the High Court would determine the questions whether it was right for the state to continue investigating Mwale when he was being tried, among other issues.
"I don't think that the issues raised by State Counsel Sikota warrant being referred to the High Court," said magistrate Banda. "The application to that extent collapses."
Meanwhile, a witness testified in the Lusaka magistrates' court yesterday how MMD deputy national secretary Chembe Nyangu instructed him to collect 20 bicycles from Mwale's Makeni home.
This is in a case where Mwale is appearing before magistrate Banda, charged with one count of failing to account for bicycles reasonably suspected to have been stolen.
Conference Miyoba, a driver working for the MMD secretariat, testified during continued trial yesterday that he collected 20 bicycles from Mwale's Makeni home on the evening of October 17, 2011 at Nyangu's behest.
He said he delivered the bicycles at the MMD secretariat but that on his way back to collect 16 more bicycles the next day, he was intercepted by police officers who brutalised him whilst asking where he got the bicycles from.
Miyoba said one of the officers threatened to kill him but that one Lozi officer saved him from further beatings.
In cross-examination, Miyoba said the security officers did not have a search warrant when they blocked him at the Makeni-Chawama junction and neither did they have one when they searched a container at Mwale's house.
But in re-examination, Miyoba said he did not know where Mwale got the bicycles from.
And when the prosecution applied for an adjournment of the matter, Sikota said the request confirmed that the state had not been ready for the trial all along.
"In spite of what we stated yesterday Wednesday, my client was being asked how the bicycles were cleared," Sikota said.
He said he was involved in the election petitions before the High Court and that the Chief Justice had said the petition cases should be given precedence.
However, the prosecution said they were only remaining with two witnesses and they would be able to close their case at the next sitting.
They added that no investigations were being conducted in relation to the charge already before the court.
The matter was then adjourned to tomorrow, December 31 for continued hearing.
Labels: MAXWELL MWALE, THE TIMES
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Police to press fresh charges against Mwale
By Mwala Kalaluka
Thu 29 Dec. 2011, 13:58 CAT
SECURITY agencies have told the Lusaka magistrates' court that they will institute fresh investigations against former mines minister Maxwell Mwale following information that a Chinese mining company paid duty for his electoral campaign bicycles.
But Mwale's lawyer, Sakwiba Sikota says moves by a combined team of investigative agencies to record a fresh statement from his client when he is already before the court are unfair.
Sources yesterday disclosed that the search at Mwale's Makeni home on Tuesday afternoon was meant to establish how some bicycles found in his possession were procured.
"We feel there was corruption in the way the bicycles were bought," the source said.
"Quite alright, they were bought by his company but a Chinese company paid for the duty. How can a Chinese company pay duty for his bicycles when he was a mines minister?"
The sources said the Chinese mining firm that allegedly paid duty for Mwale's campaign bicycles was Zhongui Mining, which they said was awarded a mining licence in suspicious circumstances when Mwale was at the helm of the ministry of mines.
"So we are going with him after the trial at court and we shall warn and caution him there former Task Force on Corruption offices," the source said.
During the hearing of the case in which Mwale is facing one count of failing to account for 261 bicycles reasonably suspected to have been stolen before magistrate Banda yesterday, Sikota asked if the investigators could allow his client to have lunch before leading him to be interrogated.
One officer from the investigative agencies agreed to Sikota's request after confirming that they were poised to pick up Mwale immediately after the hearing.
But earlier during the hearing, Sikota described the conduct of the investigative wings as very sad.
Sikota said when the case was adjourned on Tuesday at 13:17 hours, a combined team of security officers accosted Mwale in order to go and search his home.
Sikota said the probe team concluded their search expedition at around 18:30 hours and they subsequently issued a notice of seizure of Mwale's tractor and trailer.
Sikota said the State was probing issues related to the same charge that Mwale was facing before magistrate Banda and he complained that the police wanted to compel Mwale to give evidence against himself.
"They have already brought him before this court, they can't be seen to be still conducting the investigations," Sikota said. "They can't be still taking statements from the accused person."
Sikota said the investigative wings' conduct was against Articles 11, 18 and 23 of the Republican Constitution and he asked magistrate Banda to refer the issues to the High Court for determination.
Sikota said it was clear Mwale was being discriminated and targeted because of his political affiliation to the opposition MMD.
He said his assertion that Mwale was being targeted was reinforced by Vice-President Dr Guy Scott's recent statement that investigations would be focused on the former MMD leaders.
"These are very serious issues that go to the core of fair treatment under the Constitution," Sikota said.
In response the State told Mwale to wait for new charges because they were coming.
They said the fresh investigations against Mwale had nothing to do with the matter that was already before magistrate Banda.
The state prosecutors argued that there was no bar to the extent to which a person appearing in court could be investigated over different matters.
They said investigations in the matter before magistrate Banda had been concluded and sealed.
The prosecutors said the matters brought before the courts were not targeted against any individuals or groups but that they were based on the information investigative officers had.
Magistrate Banda reserved ruling on Sikota's application to today.
Testifying in the matter, MMD national secretary Chembe Nyangu said he was surprised that Mwale's bicycles had become an issue.
Nyangu, 55, said he personally asked Mwale, being a senior member of the party, to contribute bicycles towards the by-elections that took place in the country's three constituencies and some local government elections.
Nyangu said he was the one that sent his driver in October this year to go and collect campaign bicycles that Mwale had pledged to contribute.
However, Nyangu said his driver called him the next morning to inform him that police had impounded the party's light truck, which was carrying the bicycles.
Nyangu said it was surprising and unreasonable to suspect Mwale over the bicycles because it was common knowledge that all political parties distribute bicycles to the electorate.
Nyangu said it was crucial for the MMD to have the bicycles because its motor vehicles had been impounded by the police.
Hearing continues.
Labels: CORRUPTION, MAXWELL MWALE, MDC CORRUPTION, SAKWIBA SIKOTA
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Cops search Mwale's farm again
By Mwala Kalaluka
Wed 28 Dec. 2011, 13:59 CAT
SECURITY officers yesterday picked up Maxwell Mwale at the Lusaka magistrates' court in order to search his Makeni home. And another former minister in president Rupiah Banda's administration, Kenneth Konga says the seizure of his properties by law enforcement agencies investigating plunder of national resources is inconveniencing.
A combined team from the Zambia Police, Drug Enforcement Commission and Anti Corruption Commission wanted Mwale to take them to his Makeni farmhouse for them to carry out another search.
Sources said the search was in connection with the bicycles that were found on Mwale and that investigators wanted to establish the source of the funds used in procuring the said bicycles.
Mwale was appearing before Lusaka chief resident magistrate, Joshua Banda, yesterday morning in a case where he is charged with one count of failing to account for 261 bicycles reasonably suspected to have been obtained unlawfully.
Testifying in the trial, 40-year-old driver, Carlos Lungu said he was assigned by an MMD secretariat official identified as Mr Muntanga to drive to Mwale's house in Makeni area to collect some unspecified items.
Lungu said this was on the evening of October 18, 2011 and that earlier the same Muntanga contracted him and his friend to drive motor vehicles hauling some items from Lusaka House to the MMD's new offices on Nyati Road, Rhodes Park.
Lungu said Mwale welcomed them at his house and that shortly he asked them to get into their motor vehicles and follow him but that 40 metres from the house, they were blocked by two motor vehicles carrying police officers.
He said they were ordered to go back to Mwale's house and after a search there, one of the officers came out with a bicycle which was placed inside a light truck that was covered behind.
Lungu said they were then taken to Police Force Headquarters.
The trial was adjourned to today after two prosecution witnesses adduced their evidence but as Mwale came out from the courtroom, the probe team members called his lawyer, Sakwiba Sikota to tell him what they intended to do.
Sikota after a while asked Mwale to follow him to his motor vehicle, after which Mwale told his wife and children that their lunch had been aborted because the investigators wanted to search his house again.
Two members of the probe team jumped into Mwale's motor vehicle as he drove to Central Chambers where, after a short discussion, he led the officers to his house in Makeni for the search.
Sikota, who failed to accompany his client to witness the search owing to his diabetic state, said the security wings were investigating a matter that was already before the court and he described the move as harassment.
"They have conducted searches before, again they want to go and search," Sikota said. "He can't even have lunch, that is a denial of human rights!"
And Sikota, said in an interview shortly after a Boxing Day interrogation by a combined team of investigative wings relating to Konga's seized properties that the Hummer was bought for his client by Parliament.
"It's over his parliamentary Hummer, the one that Parliament bought for him. Can you imagine they have seized the one that Parliament gave to him!" exclaimed Sikota after he was asked what the over an hour interrogation was all about.
"It is something simple. They could even go to the Clerk of the National Assembly Doris Mwiinga and say 'did you buy this on behalf of the Honourable?' You know there is that scheme thing. So when we say it is witch-hunting, when we say it is persecution, it's very clear."
Asked if Konga had been charged with any offence, Sikota said the investigative wings would never charge his client because they were just witch-hunting.
"But they are inconveniencing him because now he has to hire another vehicle since his vehicle is now seized; the parliamentary vehicle you can imagine," Sikota said.
Sikota said even the Toyota Land Cruiser registration number ALC 8595 which Konga used to drive to the former Task Force on Corruption office in Lusaka's Woodlands area on Monday was equally hired.
Police spokesperson Elizabeth Kanjela told journalists on Monday that several of Konga's properties had been seized and he had since been warned and cautioned in the ongoing investigations.
Some of the properties seized include a hotel under construction on Dedan Kimathi Road, a semi-detached flat in Kabulonga and mining equipment in Makeni.
Police officers were also dispatched to Konga's Constituency, Chavuma, in the North-Western Province where an assortment of items were also confiscated.
Labels: CORRUPTION, DEC, KENNETH KONGA, MAXWELL MWALE
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Mwale ordered ministry to give Namulambe, Kabonde mining rights
By Chibaula Silwamba
Mon 28 Nov. 2011, 13:59 CAT
FORMER mines minister Maxwell Mwale instructed his ministry officials to favour fellow minister Gabriel Namulambe, then inspector general of police Francis Kabonde and former defence permanent secretary Nicholas Kwendakwema with mining rights contrary to the law.
According to his signed letter reference number MMMD/101/7/7 of December 21, 2010 to the director of mines and the Director of Geological Survey, Mwale ordered the two officials to give Namulambe, then minister of works and supply, mining rights for areas in Luapula and North/Western Provinces.
"RE: Instructions on processing applications for mining rights in government reserved areas. This serves to instruct you that applications received over areas recently reserved for government shall be processed as follows: (1) Applications received and registered in the priority register at anytime shall not have any priority; (2) Priority shall be assigned to government investment partners by my office in writing; (3) former LPL 7517 for Caledonia Nama must be processed in favour of Honourable Gabriel Namulambe under the following applications: (a) 15576-HQ-LPL and (b) 15577-HQ-LPL," Mwale stated.
"You will receive further similar allocation instructions for other government reserved areas."
According to sources, 15576-HQ-LPL is in Milenge District in Luapula Province while 15577-HQ-LPL is in Chavuma District in North/Western Province.
"The areas where the minister instructed that Mr Namulambe be given mining rights have deposits of copper, manganese, iron and silver," the source said.
In a memo dated June 29, 2011, Mwale instructed the director of mines and the director of geological survey to favour Kabonde, Dr Kwendakwema and others with mining rights in Mumbwa District, west of Lusaka, in Central Province.
"Subject: instructions on processing applications for mining rights over expired licences. This serves to instruct you that applications received over areas reserved for government shall be processed as follows: (1) applications received and registered in the priority register at anytime shall not have priority ; (2) priority shall be assigned to government investment partners by my office in writing; (3) area relinquished by
Metmin Limited no. 12997-HQ-LPL must be divided into four parts and processed in favour of Mr. Francis Kabonde, Micmar Investments, Kaima Farms and Quiman Enterprise," Mwale wrote.
"(4) the area under the expired licence for Albidon no. 8262-HQ-LPL must be divided into two parts and processed in favour of Axion Consultancy Limited(5) the area under the expired licence for Siziba no. 11903-HQ-LPL must be divided in three parts and processed in favour of Chiluku Enterprises Limited, Glanava Supplies & Services and Sepo Mining Company, (6) part of the area under the expired licence for Cellstop no. 10159-HQ-LPL must be processed in favour of Pedicle Investment and Dr N. Kwendakwema."
Mwale also directed that of the remainder areas under reserve, one should be allocated to Ngwezi Resources Limited.
Mwale's memo was copied to Ministry of Mines and minerals development permanent secretary and the head of the mining cadastre.
The permanent secretary's date stamp, acknowledging receipt of the memo, indicated July 28, 2011.
But in a July 22, 2011 memo to director of mines and the director of geological survey, Mwale notified the two officers about Kaima Farms' disinterest in the area it was allocated.
"Subject: Instructions on processing applications for mining rights over expired licences. The memo dated 29th June, 2011 on the said subject refers. Applicant Kaima Farms for the area relinquished by Metmin is not interested in the Mumbwa area and thus has withdrawn," stated Mwale, in a memo copied to Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development permanent secretary and the head of the mining cadastre.
A mining expert, who sought anonymity for fear of victimisation, said the Mumbwa area where Kabonde and others were allocated mining rights has deposits of gold, copper, uranium, manganese, cobalt, silver, iron and lead.
Mwale's instructions on persons and companies to be given mining rights were contrary to the law, according to the head of mining cadastre a Mr G Ndalama, who in his February 19, 2010 memo explained the normal procedure in the issuance of mining rights that depends on first-come first-serve basis.
"Processing a later application at the expense of earlier applications over the same area would be illegal. In this regard, I wish to advise that principles outlined at Section 12 of the Mines and Minerals Development Act in accepting and evaluating applications over reserved areas be adhered to," advised Ndalama.
Current mines minister Wylbur Simuusa has suspended the issuance of mining rights in a bid to root out corruption in the lucrative industry.
Labels: CORRUPTION, MAXWELL MWALE, MINING, WYLBUR SIMUUSA
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Police, ACC and DEC interrogate ex-defence chiefs over state funds
By Maluba Jere
Fri 25 Nov. 2011, 13:55 CAT
RECENTLY-retired defence and service chiefs were on Wednesday interrogated by a combined team of officers from the investigative wings over state funds amounting to about K2 billion.
The money in question is believed to have been misappropriated during campaigns for the September 20 general elections.
A source yesterday said that the retired defence and service chiefs - former Zambia Army commander Lieutenant General Wisdom Lopa, former ZAF commander Lieutenant General Andrew Sakala and former ZNS commandant Major General Anthony Yeta - were summoned by the investigative wings to the former Task Force on Corruption offices in Woodlands.
The source said the former defence and service chiefs appeared at the former Task Force offices on Wednesday morning and that some of them went back in the afternoon the same day.
The source also said the generals were questioned on allegations of abuse of authority of office charges relating to about K2 billion believed to have been misapplied during campaigns for the September 20 general elections.
"The investigators said the money is believed to have been misappropriated during the campaigns. They said the service chiefs got this money and used it for other things," said the source.
When contacted for a comment yesterday, Nganga Yalenga who is representing Lt Gen Sakala confirmed the summoning of his client by the law enforcement agencies.
Yalenga said his client was summoned by the investigative wings and appeared before the team in the morning and afternoon.
"Our client was summoned and interviewed for about 2 hours on abuse of authority of office allegations," said Yalenga.
A number of officials from the previous government, among them former mines minister Maxwell Mwale and former education minister Dora Siliya, have appeared before the same team of investigators on alleged abuse of office and state funds.
Siliya has since described her interrogation as "persecution" by President Michael Sata's government.
Upon winning the September 20 elections, President Sata, during his inauguration, promised to fight corruption and prosecute those involved regardless of their status in society, adding that he was "allergic to corruption".
Labels: ACC, ARMED FORCES, DEC, DORA SILIYA, MAXWELL MWALE
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Fight against corruption should not be a tool to persecute ex-ministers-Siliya
TIME PUBLISHED - Saturday, November 19, 2011, 8:33 am
MMD spokesperson Dora Siliya has appealed to the Patriotic Front (PF) Government not to use the fight against corruption to persecute innocent people from the former ruling party. But Chief Government spokesperson Given Lubinda said the PF Government has no reasons to settle political scores using institutions of governance like the police.
Ms Siliya told journalists after attending former Minister of Mines and Minerals Development Maxwell Mwale’s case at the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court complex that the PF should strive to build on the country’s peace and not to persecute former MMD cabinet ministers.
“Let us not set a precedent that every party which comes out of power must have its former cabinet ministers and members prosecuted for corruption.
“The fight against corruption is good but it should not be a tool to persecute former cabinet ministers,” she said.
Ms Siliya said Zambia is treading on dangerous grounds if every political party which forms government will take a stance of prosecuting former cabinet ministers.
She claimed that MMD members are being mistreated by the PF Government over campaign materials the former ruling party legally acquired.
Ms Siliya said it is surprising the PF Government is after the MMD over campaign materials when the ruling party is busy distributing chitenge materials in Chongwe Constituency.
“The PF today is persecuting the MMD over campaign materials because they did not have some chitenge materials to distribute during the September 2011 tripartite election.
“But why are they distributing chitenge materials in Chongwe for the by-election if that is being considered as corruption?” she asked.
Ms Siliya said the PF should concentrate on governing the country and build on the already existing peace for Zambia to continue being a beacon of hope and peace.
But Mr Lubinda, who is also Minister of Information, Broadcasting and Tourism, said the PF Government has not embarked on a witch hunt against the former cabinet ministers in the MMD Government.
He said people who have been arrested by the police have questions which the police want them to answer.
“Let the old adage come true today, Let the guilty be afraid, at an appearance of the police officer they shall run and when they so do the police will follow them.
“All those people who have been arrested, it is because the police believe that they have answers to the questions the police have,” Mr Lubinda said.
He said there is no political motivation to arrest some cabinet ministers and some prominent figures.
Mr Lubinda said all Zambians know of scandals associated with named individuals in the former regime but those people are still going on about with their business.
“Indeed those individuals are still going on about with their business free, had we mounted a witch hunt, all such people would have been rounded up,” he said.
Mr Lubinda said people who are free in their dealings will have their minds and conscious clear and will go about with their businesses as free citizens as any other person.
He said the PF Government has no interest “whatsoever” in settling political scores using institutions of governance, especially the police.
[Zambia Daily Mail]
Labels: CORRUPTION, DORA SILIYA, MAXWELL MWALE, PF
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Police arrest former mines minister over bicycles
By Chibaula Silwamba and Roy Habaalu
Thu 17 Nov. 2011, 14:00 CAT
POLICE yesterday arrested former minister of mines Maxwell Mwale in connection with bicycles and he will appear in court today. Police spokesperson Elizabeth Kanjela confirmed the arrest of Mwale.
"The offence is conveying stolen property and he will appear in court tomorrow today," said Kanjela.
Mwale, who is member of parliament for Malambo in Eastern Province, was remanded in custody at Woodlands Police Station in Lusaka at 15:00 hours yesterday.
Police last month seized 300 bicycles from Mwale's farm.
On Tuesday, police arrested former president Rupiah Banda's then senior private secretary Robinson Nkonde in connection with the former president's campaign vehicles, bicycles and other materials that were registered in Nkonde's name.
Labels: CORRUPTION, MAXWELL MWALE
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Maxwell Mwale arrested and denied bail
TIME PUBLISHED - Wednesday, November 16, 2011, 8:58 pm
File: Former Mines minister Maxwell Mwale and Chinese state grid corporation executive vice president Shu Yinbiao exchange notes in LusakaMaxwell Mwale, Former Mines and Minerals Minister in the Rupiah Banda led administration has been arrested. Sources familiar with the development have disclosed that Mr. Mwale, who is also Malambo Member of Parliament(MP), was arrested Wednesday, afternoon after long hours of interrogation.
Mr. Mwale has been arrested in connection with the alleged disappearance of gold at the drug enforcement Commission (DEC) offices in Lusaka. He is said to have been denied police bond and has been detained at Woodlands Police Station.
Mr. Mwale is expected to be taken to court tomorrow. Recently, Mr. Mwale was summoned to appear before a combined team of law enforcement agencies over the gold which, Republican President, Michael Sata claim was stolen.
He becomes the latest high profile official in the previous administration to be thrown in the cells following revelation by the Police command that all those linked to the missinggold will start appearing in court this week.
Meanwhile, Former Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) Commissioner Aaron Zulu who was arrested on Tuesday has appeared in the Lusaka Magistrates’ court for mention.
This is in a matter where Mr. Zulu is charged with abuse of authority.
The former DEC Chief is alleged to have abused his authority on July 8 this year by directing the sale of one hundred and eighteen point 897 Kilograms ofGold to Societe Financier Du Seujut SA.
The gold was allegedly sold at the value less than the market price.
Mr. Zulu is set to appear for another mention on November 23, pending consent from the Director of Public Prosecutions -DPP- to prosecute the matter.
Meanwhile, Principal Resident Magistrate Aridah Chuulu has granted Mr. Zulu a Five Million Kwacha cash bail.
Magistrate Chuulu has also ordered Mr. Zulu to avail two working sureties in their own recognizance.
This was after Defence lawyer Sakwiba Sikota, applied for bail saying his client is facing a bailable offence and is of fixed abode.
ZNBC
Labels: CHINESE, CORRUPTION, COURTS, DEC, MAXWELL MWALE
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Zambia Police quiz former Mines Minister over Bicycles used in campaigns
TIME PUBLISHED - Wednesday, October 19, 2011, 8:29 pm
Former Mines Minister Maxwell Mwale this afternoon appeared for questioning at the former Task Force offices before the Zambia police in connection with the bicycles that were recovered at his residence in Makeni .
A check by QFM at the former Task Force building at about 15 hrs found that Maxwell Mwale had just left after being questioned. The police are currently investigating MMD officials to establish the source of campaign materials used in the just ended elections which include bicycles and motor vehicles.
When contacted police spokesperson Ndandula Siamana could not give details by broadcast time saying she did not have the details ready from the people that were questioning the former Mines Minister.
Meanwhile, the Lawyer to former Foreign Affairs Minister Kabinga Pande has distanced his client from the Gold saga. Sakwiba Sikota said that Mr Pande was called to answer queries over the source of funding for the ruling MMD in his capacity as Vice National Chairman of the party.
Mr Sikota told ZNBC News that connecting Mr Pande to the Gold scandal was erroneous. He has also demanded for an apology from the Police service whom he said some media institutions have quoted confirming that Mr Pande was answering queries on the Gold saga.
Labels: 2011 ELECTIONS, CORRUPTION, KABINGA PANDE, MAXWELL MWALE, MMD, SAKWIBA SIKOTA, TASK FORCE
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Ex-miners urge Rupiah to take action against Mwale over dumps
By Kabanda Chulu in Kitwe
Mon 25 July 2011, 13:59 CAT
FORMER miners on the Copperbelt who were allocated disused dumps have urged President Rupiah Banda to take disciplinary action against mines minister Maxwell Mwale for failing to grant them licences and title.
But Mwale said the former miners were not sincere because the dumps belong to mining companies and President Banda only promised to negotiate with the mines with a view to surrendering the sites. The former miners claimed that Mwale had defied the directive by President Banda that they be given title to the dumps to supplement their livelihoods.
“After launching the KDMP (Konkola Deep Mining Project) in Chililabombwe in April 2010, President Banda came to Kitwe and held a press conference at CEC Broadway Lodge, where he announced that former miners should be given the dumpsites and Mwale was directed to ensure that licences and titles were given to us,” said Peterson Manzi, who spoke on behalf of other former miners.
“We want President Banda to discipline Mwale for disobeying his directive, especially that the three-month reconnaissance permits given to us in August last year to explore and ascertain the viability of the dumps have even expired.”
Another former miner Nelson Fube from Chililabombwe said due to Mwale’s failure, the Kakoso dump in Chililabombwe has been sold to Sino Metals leach.
Other regions of former miners that want President Banda to take action against Mwale were Chambishi, Kitwe, Mufulira, Chingola, and Luanshya.
And responding to the miners sentiments, Mwale said Zambia was a preferred investment destination because investors were assured of security of tenure on their investments.
“They are free to make statements about their leaders but it is not true that I am insubordinate to President Banda because those dumps belong to the mines and the President directed that we negotiate which we are doing and so far KCM availed one site which has been given to some former miners,” said Mwale.
“As a responsible government we shall not grab those dumpsites unless the mines surrender them because grabbing the sites will send wrong signals about the country.”
Labels: MAXWELL MWALE, MINING, RUPIAH BANDA
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