DEC nabs former Red Cross chief for money laundering
By Masuzyo Chakwe
Fri 22 June 2012, 13:22 CAT
THE Drug Enforcement Commission has arrested former Zambia Red Cross Society secretary general Charles Mushitu and his former finance manager Sydney Chituta for money laundering offences involving over K200 million.
DEC public relations officer Samuel Silomba stated yesterday that Mushitu, 44 and Chituta, 31 had been arrested and jointly charged for theft by servant and money laundering.
Silomba stated that it was alleged that on dates unknown but between January 1, 2011 and June 12, 2012 the two in their capacities as secretary general and finance manager of the ZRCS did steal K278,532,000 funded by the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies meant for orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) project in the Kazungula and Sesheke districts.
He stated that the duo was earlier this year arrested by the commission for theft by servant and money laundering involving K1.4 billion meant for water and sanitation projects in Southern Province.
Silomba stated that the suspects will appear in court soon.
Labels: DEC, MONEY LAUNDERING, RED CROSS
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DEC arrest Red Cross boss for theft, money laundering
By Bright Mukwasa
Fri 27 Jan. 2012, 13:59 CAT
ZAMBIA Red Cross Society secretary general Charles Mushitu has been arrested for theft and money laundering offences involving K1.4 billion and for possessing an AK 47 assault rifle. Mushitu was arrested together with his finance manager Sydney Chituta.
Drug Enforcement Commission acting public relations officer Samuel Silomba said in a statement, it was alleged that between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 31, 2011, the duo stole a total of K1.4 billion, funds which came into their possession by virtue of their office as secretary general and finance manager.
"Further, Mr Mushitu was found with an AK47 rifle with 30 rounds of ammunition without authority, and he has since been charged with being in possession of an offensive weapon contrary to section 85 of Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia," said Silomba.
Silomba said that the stolen funds were meant for water and sanitation projects in Southern Province.
He explained that the two suspects were believed to have acquired property which included houses, cars and plots.
Silomba said that Mushitu and Chituta have since been released on bond and will appear in court soon.
Last month, the ZRCS board accused the DEC of witch-hunting against Mushitu and other officers, an allegation the Commission denied.
This followed DEC's request for Mushitu to take a break to pave way for investigations into allegations of misappropriation of donor funds.
ZRCS national president Kelvin Chiposwa in a letter dated December 12, 2011 stated that the board noted with grave sadness the manner in which the Commission continued to engage in witch-hunting against its officers.
"You may be aware, and we believe you have been briefed to the effect that the Commission, through your investigation officer Ms Constance Zimba, has been carrying out endless investigations targeting our general secretary for five years now without success," Chiposwa said.
"We wonder whether these past and current investigations are indeed genuine or they are laced with hate, personality and malice."
Labels: CORRUPTION, MONEY LAUNDERING, RED CROSS
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DEC disputes Zambia Red Cross witch-hunt allegation
By Bright Mukwasa
Wed 21 Dec. 2011, 13:50 CAT
DRUG Enforcement Commissioner Alita Mbahwe says Zambia Red Cross Society officials must be happy that they are being investigated as this creates a chance for them to clear their names.
In an interview yesterday, Mbahwe said there was no reason for any witch-hunting against Zambia Red Cross Society secretary general and his colleagues in the various investigations that DEC was undertaking.
"It's becoming a standard practice. We are not interested in earmarking people just to harass them or witch-hunt them as they are saying; that's not being professional. But people must understand that we do receive complaints and when we do, it's in our mandate to ensure whether that particular issue that has been reported is under our jurisdiction. If it is, we will follow it up to the letter, and necessary results are communicated accordingly," said Mbahwe.
She said she did not see why Zambia Red Cross Society should take the position they had taken.
"What reason do we have to pick on them of all the other organisations?" she said.
She said some people always wanted to accuse the commission of all forms of unprofessional conduct but added that if they had nothing to hide, people should let investigators do their job.
"So there's this growing thing; each time investigating departments want or undertake to carry out a particular investigation, we're always accused. How are we ever going to follow up issues that are brought to our attention if we don't investigate them? At the end of the day, people reporting will be disgruntled and people being investigated are expected to be happy, actually, so that they clear their names. But there are people who will always complain witch-hunting. If you have information that exonerates you from whatever allegations, bring it forth so that we analyse that information and then necessary action is taken."
The Zambia Red Cross Society board has accused the DEC of witch-hunting against its secretary general Charles Mushitu and other officers.
This followed DEC's request for Mushitu to pave way for investigations into allegations of misappropriation of donor funds.
ZRCS national president Kelvin Chiposwa in a letter dated December 12, 2011 stated that the board noted with grave sadness the manner in which the commission continued to engage in witch-hunting against its officers.
"You may be aware, and we believe you have been briefed to the effect that the commission, through your investigation officer Ms Constance Zimba, has been carrying out endless investigations targeting our general secretary for five years now without success," Chiposwa said. "We wonder whether these past and current investigations are indeed genuine or they are laced with hate, personality and malice."
Labels: CORRUPTION, DEC, RED CROSS
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Nevers Mumba is a shameful lair and cannot be trusted-Father Bwalya
TIME PUBLISHED - Tuesday, December 13, 2011, 1:43 pm
Father Frank Bwalya has charged that MMD presidential aspirant Nevers Mumba cannot be trusted with the leadership of the party. Father Bwalya has described Dr. Mumba as a shameful lair, who cannot be trusted to run the affairs of the former ruling party,
Father Bwalya, who is the executive director of Get Involved Zambia, said that it was a pity and shameful for a leader to lie that he was cleared by the auditor general’s report while he served as Zambia’s high commissioner to Canada.
In an interview with QFM radio, Fr Bwalya said that Dr. Mumba has been exposed of his lies even before he attempts to take over the presidency of the former ruling party.
He has further questioned the rational behind Dr Mumba’s defence of former president Rupiah Banda against alleged corrupt activities.
He said that it was clear knowledge that the former head of state might be linked to corruption.
Father Bwalya has advised the MMD leadership to think clearly on the type of leader they would want to have.
He adds that Zambia needs political leaders who are clean and have a better vision for the country whether in opposition or the ruling party.
QFM
Labels: FRANK BWALYA, MMD, NEVERS MUMBA, RED CROSS
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Hichilema nearly stopped from donating to Lusaka flood victims
Wednesday, March 24, 2010, 13:15
There was near confusion today when United Party for National Development president Hakainde Hichilema was nearly stopped from donating mealie meal to the flood victims at the camp near the independence stadium.
Zambia Red Cross officials based at the camp told Mr. Hichilema that he was supposed to follow procedure when making his donation. The official said that they were under strict directives not to allow people to donate items to the flood victims.
Sources,however, told QFM that the directives were coming from the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) under the office of the vice president.
Mr. Hichilema expressed disappointment that government was trying to turn the camp into a military base.
He told journalists that it is a pity that government has been calling on the stakeholders to assist victims at the camp when on the other hand they are politicizing it.
Mr Hichilema maintained that he would not deliver the items to the DMMU but to the people at the camp site.
Zambia Red Cross Society secretary general Charles Mushitu who rushed to the camp later apologized for the confusion that occurred.
QFM
Labels: DMMU, FLOODS, HAKAINDE HICHILEMA, RED CROSS
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Red Cross launches Zimbabwe food aid appeal
By: Floyd Nkomo
Posted: Thursday, March 11, 2010 1:18 pm
THE International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has launched an urgent appeal for funding in response to a "looming new hunger crisis in Zimbabwe".
"Some 2.8 million Zimbabweans - almost a third of the population - are in need of food aid, and the number is expected to rise as a result of a widespread drought," said the humanitarian agency..
Masvingo, a province in the centre of the country, is reported to have parched fields full of dead or dying maize.
The Red Cross has set up feeding programmes to try to support the most vulnerable, but a lack of funding means only limited help.
It is facing a shortfall of $23.9m (£15.9m) for its programmes in Zimbabwe, which include home care for those infected by HIV.
Hunger is also said to be impacting the efforts to provide anti-retroviral treatment to the sick because the medication has to be taken on a full stomach.
"We have seen people default on their treatment because the drugs are too toxic without food," Emma Kundishora, secretary general of the Zimbabwe Red Cross (ZRCS), said.
Once people do this, their situation deteriorates incredibly quickly, added Kundishora.
In December 2009, the ZRCS and the IFRC extended their emergency food operation until October 2010, calling on donors for 38.4 million Swiss francs (US$ 33.2 million).
"Right now, the situation is already critical — more than 2 million people need direct humanitarian support," said Dr. Stephen Omollo, the IFRC representative in Zimbabwe. "And we know that this will get worse as the upcoming harvest already appears to have failed."
Farmers organizations forecast local corn harvests this year of some 500,000 tons, with annual consumption estimated at about 1.8 million tons.
AFRICAN FOOD CRISIS
The total projected demand for agribusiness financing required in Africa from now till 2050 stands at $620.4 billion, just as the annual demand is put at $6.5 billion.
Funding globally from various sources had been declining over the years. Official Development Assistance [ODA] to sub-Sahara Africa’s agriculture dropped from $1.450 billion in 1998 to $713 million in 2002.
Africa’s food import bills stand between US$2 billion and 20 billion per annum in addition to the continent’s $2 billion annual food aid. These huge financial resources being expended could be used internally to develop Africa’s Agricultural potential.
If the continent fails to address the problem associated with agriculture, there could be impending food crisis in the continent.
Labels: FOOD, RED CROSS, ZIMBABWE
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Red Cross acquires flood management kits
Red Cross acquires flood management kits
Written by Kelvin Tembo
Friday, December 12, 2008 4:15:15 AM
THE Zambia Red Cross Society (ZRCS) has acquired flood management kits worth over K122 million in anticipation of floods this rainy season.
In an interview yesterday, ZRCS public relations manager James Zulu said the society was ready to respond to any humanitarian needs that would arise as a result of floods.
“We have acquired the kits worth US $25,000 for flood preparation and the equipment is already in the country,” Zulu said.
He said the kits comprised shelter materials, water purification chemicals to avoid any water-bone diseases, water storage containers, emergency sanitation materials, kitchenware and cutlery.
Zulu said also access extra water sanitation kits for about 10,000 people would be available within 48 hours from the regional office in South Africa.
He said the kits included water treatment materials, sanitation materials and hygiene education materials for sensitisation among flood victims.
Zulu said ZRCS staff had been trained from Namibia on how to use the kits so that they could quickly respond to emergencies, as that was part of the contingency plan revised for the 2008/2009 flood management strategy.
Zulu said ZRCS was working in partnership with the government and other agencies such as the United Nations and some NGOs.
The meteorological department has predicted that there is a likelihood of floods during this rainy season.
Labels: DISASTER MANAGEMENT, FLOODS, RED CROSS
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