Former first lady Thandiwe Banda faces arrest
February 16, 2013 | Filed underFeatured | Posted by mitia
By PERPETUAL SICHIKWENKWE -
THE Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has submitted in the Lusaka High Court that former First Lady Thandiwe Banda is ‘highly’ likely to face criminal charges and be prosecuted in connection with the seized apartments belonging to Mpundu Trust Limited.
The ACC told High Court Judge Dominic Sichinga that there was likelihood that investigations against Mpundu Trust would yield a criminal case for prosecution and as such, the court should dismiss her application to cancel the restrictions on the property placed by the ACC.
The ACC said the explanation given by Ms Banda, the director of Mpundu Trust Limited after she was interviewed did not or does not successfully exculpate the Trust from the allegations.
This is in a matter in which Ms Banda of Villa Number Three, Plot 2758 off Leopards Hill Road, New Kasama wants the Lusaka High Court to order with costs, the reversal of the restriction notice to lease or dispose of the property issued by the ACC on her property.
She wants in the alternative, the Court to annul the restriction notice and allow her to lease out the property.
But according to the affidavit in opposition of originating summons filed by ACC’s Chola Kasongo, the restriction could not be cancelled because the apartments are likely to be used in the courts of law as evidence.
Mr Kasongo said the investigations were still ongoing and the commission was still investigating Mpundu Trust in relation to amounts of money that came into the Trust’s account as well as the dealings of Mpundu Trust with third parties.
He said ACC was not obliged to update Ms Banda on how far the investigations have gone but the fact that she was on December 3, 2012 interviewed was an indication that investigations were active.
Mr Kasongo said ACC commenced investigations into alleged corrupt activities involving Mpundu Trust sometime last year.
He said a restriction notice was entered against Mpundu Trust on January 4, 2012 in accordance with the ACC Act and the same was served in October 2012.
“That on February 3, 2012 Thandiwe Banda as a director of Mpundu Trust was interviewed in connection with the investigations and the explanation given therein did not and does not successfully exculpate the applicant from the allegations to warrant the cancelation of the restriction notice,” Mr Kasongo said.
He said contrary to Ms Banda’s claims, investigations had reached an advanced stage.
Mr Justice Sichinga adjourned the matter to February 26, 2013.
Labels: ACC, DOMINIC SICHINGA, IMMUNITY, THANDIWE BANDA
Read more...
Thandiwe received K5bn allocation during Rupiah's tenure
By Mwala Kalaluka and Tilyenji Mwanza
Sat 08 Dec. 2012, 10:00 CAT
FORMER first lady Thandiwe Banda received about K5 billion as part of her allocation during her husband's three years as Republican president.
According to a summary of expenditure for first ladies for the period 2006 to 2011 released by State House following what the presidency calls the recent unproven and groundless assertions over the allocation of the sum of K1.5 billion to first lady Christine Kaseba's office in the 2013 national budget, the office of the first lady was allocated K493,408,200 in 2008.
The tabulation contained in the statement released by the President's special assistant for press and public relations, George Chellah, yesterday further indicated that Thandiwe's office was allocated K1,443,170,521 in 2009 and the figure rose to K2,505,763,217 in 2010.
The total allocation to Thandiwe went to about K4,442,341,938 but this excludes the K1,368,362,627 that was allocated to her office last year when Rupiah Banda lost the presidency to President Michael Sata in September last year.
Chellah's statement also indicated that the first lady's office was allocated K1,294,764,425 in 2006 and K1,568,501,695 the following year in 2007.
"As observed above, as far back as 2006 the Office of the First Lady has been funded under the estimates of revenue and expenditure, commonly referred to as the yellow book based on the offices and activities permitted by the Constitution using revenues of the Republic from the consolidated fund," he stated. "As stated before, the application of activity based budgeting in Zambia has existed for several years now and the reference to the Office of the First Lady is merely to enhance transparency unlike the way it has been in the past."
Chellah indicated that there was nothing illegitimate with this process given that the government and State House in particular was being accountable and transparent in accordance with the promises made to the people through the PF manifesto.
"It is unfortunate that a countable number of stakeholders are expressing concern that the Constitution may have been violated by the PF government's decision to uphold the tenets and principles of good governance by ensuring transparency in the budget estimates for 2013 to the Office of the First Lady," stated Chellah. "It is regrettable that over a straightforward and transparent matter such as this; there are those who seek to see corruption and illegalities.
As a matter of fact, the first lady Christine Kaseba-Sata deserves commendation and not attacks for the selfless service she is doing for our people. The Patriotic Front government is committed to running an effective, transparent and accountable democratic government with modesty, respect and hope for a better Zambia for all."
Labels: FIRST LADY, MMD, THANDIWE BANDA
Read more...
Rupiah, Thandiwe differ over dollars
By Joseph Mwenda
Wed 13 June 2012, 13:25 CAT
RUPIAH Banda has differed with his wife Thandiwe over the missing US$36,000 which has since been found within the house, family sources have disclosed. And according to family sources, Banda has since called on police to interrogate members of his household.
"The money has been found but now a problem has emerged between them (Banda and Thandiwe). It seems there is some mistrust and disagreements over the money and he (Banda) is not happy with what is going on," sources said.
Sources said it was not clear where the money was found but that it was a "bedroom issue".
"The money went missing from the bedroom and we heard that it was found but no one else at the house was questioned or suspected of stealing it. It is a bedroom issue, no one else is involved and that is what has caused a problem between them," the sources disclosed.
Sources said Banda has since called on police to re-enforce the security situation at his new New Kasama house in Lusaka.
"I understand he got a call from the Inspector General of Police over the weekend. She wanted to know if there was a problem following the case that was reported to Woodlands police, and the old man confirmed. He said the money had been found but he asked if police could go to his house to interrogate everyone there," the source said.
"The officers were supposed to go there on Monday but the former first lady did not allow it. She requested that the officers go there in the morning today (yesterday). Today when they went around 14:00 hours, they were told that they are too junior to handle the case. In fact they were told to go and report that the house needed more security."
Sources said the Criminal Investigative Detectives who were dispatched to Banda's house were not happy that they were not even allowed to go inside the house.
"I hear the officers spoke to the security personnel at the house that the former president should report to police headquarters tomorrow (today) at 10:00 hours," the source said.
But Banda last evening denied losing the money.
According to a statement issued by his office, no such kind of money had ever gone missing from Banda's house in recent times.
"President Banda has also never reported or sent any agent to any police station to report any such kind of missing money. In any case, President Banda's house is guarded by State security who should have been the first ones to be informed if any money had gone missing at the residence," read the statement in part.
"How ironic it is to have the case reported at Woodlands police station without the knowledge of the president's bodyguards and indeed the VIP protection unit stationed at his house! We demand that, in the spirit of responsible journalism, The Post retract the story and apologise to the president and the nation for misleading them with such blatant lies. Journalists can verify with Woodlands police station or indeed any police station to ascertain the truth about whether such a report was ever reported by president Banda or indeed any of his agents."
Banda also clarified that the house he was staying in was a private property rented by the Zambian government on behalf of the former president as per his retirement benefits and not his personal one.
On Monday, family sources disclosed that the president was keeping the money in his bedroom and discovered it missing on Wednesday morning last week.
"The old man says he counted the money before sleeping and he was shocked to discover it was gone the following morning. I am sure you would have known about it because he even reported the case to police, but you guys were busy with the UPND protest that day," sources said.
The sources said the former Head of State himself could not go to the police but instead sent someone to represent him.
And highly-placed sources at Lusaka Central police said the case had been withdrawn.
"We have nothing on that in the occurrence books, it seems he realised the magnitude of the case and the negative impact it would have on him so he called it off. It's like his son, Andrew didn't like the way this would turn out so he went to police and asked them to withdraw the matter," sources said.
When contacted for a comment, Andrew said he met with his father on Friday but the former president did not mention anything concerning the missing money.
Labels: RUPIAH BANDA, THANDIWE BANDA
Read more...
Rupiah joins wife on Mphundu board
By Speedwell Mupuchi
Tue 07 Feb. 2012, 13:00 CAT
RUPIAH Banda has been added to the directorship of ‘his' Mphundu Trust in a move that sources say has been prompted by security wings' questioning of his wife Thandiwe.
According to a notice of changes in directors or secretaries filed yesterday at the Patents and Companies Registration Agency (PACRA), Banda was appointed director last Thursday February 2, 2012, a day before Thandiwe was scheduled for interviews with investigative wings over the Mphundu Trust money.
According to the notice, Thandiwe was the director and her husband was now the appointed director and indicates that Robert Ashley Penny who was a director resigned on 20th January 2012.
Sources close to the family indicate that Banda was not too happy that Thandiwe was being interrogated over the Mphundu Trust money when he was the one that actually sourced it.
"He says he wants the police to call him. He feels they (police) are harassing his wife. He says he is the one who sourced the money and he is the father of the children for whom Mphundu Trust was created," said the source.
According to the sources, Banda told close associates that he knew the whole investigation was targeted at him, not his wife, hence his decision to join as director.
Investigative wings last Friday interviewed Thandiwe over Mphundu Trust money and indicated that she cooperated with them.
Banda told scores of MMD cadres that went to express solidarity with Thandiwe who was appearing before a combined team of government investigators at the former taskforce offices in Lusaka that his family was hurt by all the investigations targeting family members.
"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.
President Michael Sata ordered investigations into Mphundu Trust belonging to Banda.
The Trust was registered on March 16, 2009 with directors being Thandiwe and her sister Miriam Chilongo.
According to some documents, a deposit of 10 per cent of the purchase price (US$705,000 of stand number S/D ‘A' of S/D no 29 of Farm 488 a, Lusaka) was made on February 24, 2009 to the vendor's (British Council) lawyers through Banda Watae Advocates bank account at Zambia National Commercial Bank.
"Funds to complete the purchase were made through a loan from Access Bank in the amount of US$600,000.00. These are the funds that were used to purchase the house from the above vendor (British Council)," according to documents submitted to investigative wings.
According to the documents, a lease was signed through Banda Watae Advocates with Dr A. Gillespie (UNAIDS) on July 2009 to lease the property for three years.
"All rentals were paid into Access Bank to reduce the loan account as were rentals from Finance Bank," according to the documents.
According to the documents, Chilongo resigned as director and her shares were transferred to Thandiwe.
The documents indicate that a loan agreement was entered into in October 2009 between Mphundu Trust and Hands Industries LLC of Dubai and that funds were transferred into Access Bank in late 2009 to pay off the Access Bank loan used to purchase the property.
"A contract to develop the property into 13 units was agreed with QUEST Ltd (Flame Arab Contractors) in mid 2010. … A further loan of $1 million was negotiated and approved by Access Bank in March 2010. The purpose of this loan was for construction of the 13 houses at Leopards Hill Road. The loan attracts two per cent above libor (currently 14 per cent)," according to documents.
"The title deeds of the property were lodged with Access Bank by way of security. The loan agreement includes a clause that all rentals are to be lodged at Access Bank until the loan is repaid in full. The loan (from Hands Industries) arranged through Abdullah/Idris Mulla also has to be paid back but is not secured. Once Access has been repaid, then the loan to Hands Industries LLC' will be paid back - also from rentals."
But sources question how Banda bought the property without security "only to rely on rent from the property".
"I think Access Bank has to explain something; what security did the former president give them?" asked the source.
Labels: RUPIAH BANDA, THANDIWE BANDA
Read more...
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
Read more...
Rupiah will be compelled to speak, says Mangani
By Kombe Chimpinde
Mon 23 Jan. 2012, 12:57 CAT
RUPIAH Banda will be compelled to speak on the Mpundu Trust issue, says Lameck Mangani. In an interview, Mangani said that the summoning of the former president's wife, Thandiwe, was very interesting considering the fact that she was the director of a multi million dollar trust for her children, when she was merely a teacher.
The former first lady has been summoned to appear before a joint team of investigators at the Task Force office on February 3 on allegations of abuse of authority and money laundering.
This is in a matter involving the manner in which Mpundu Trust Limited and its directors acquired property sub division A number 29 of farm 488 A, on Leopards Hill Road.
"The former first lady never worked for three, four in fact five years when president Banda was vice-president and president. She was a teacher, so the type of value of the trust was far beyond the levels of the remuneration of the first lady as a teacher…," Mangani said.
He said whether Banda accompanies his wife or not for investigations, it would be interesting to know how Thandiwe would detach the Trust from the Banda family.
Mangani said Thandiwe was a citizen of Zambia although she was married to the former president and that she should be able to account for the hefty accounts that had been linked to her.
"What everybody is interested in is to know what really happened, since she is one of the directors that have been summoned along. We expect them to tell the truth," said Mangani.
"According to our Constitution, she does not hold public office, so if she has wealth that cannot be explained, it will be up to her to explain where she got the wealth. This is not the first time, we went through this during late former president Frederick Chiluba's time when his wife Regina had to give an account of property she had. This will send a clear message that no one is above the law. What we are trying to do is refine our society, that when you are given a mandate of serving the people, you are obliged to explain certain things that Zambians have doubt about."
Thandiwe has been summoned over allegations of abuse of office in connection with the establishment of the Mpundu Trust.
Labels: CORRUPTION, LAMECK MANGANI, RUPIAH BANDA, THANDIWE BANDA
Read more...
‘Thandiwe was part of MMD team giving T-shirts, money’
Written by Davies M.M Chanda Friday, 13 January 2012 07:10
A SECURITY officer has told the Lusaka High Court that former first lady Thandiwe Banda was part of the MMD team that allegedly distributed MMD T-shirts, chitenge material and money to people and patients at St Francis Mission Hospital in Katete.
Another witness told the court that MMD Mkaika Member of Parliament (MP)David Phiri allegedly distributed T-shirts and money on two occasions in his constituency where he urged recipients to vote for him and his political party candidates at presidential and local government levels.
This is in a petition hearing where losing Patriotic Front (PF) candidate Mustapher Banda has asked the Court to nullify Mr Phiri’s election to Parliament.
Dorothy Simushi, 28 a security officer at St Francis Mission Hospital told High Court Judge Elita Mwikisa that on 16 August last year she saw Ms Banda who was in the company of Mr Phiri both clad in MMD regalia allegedly distributed K50,000, and T-shirts to each of the men and chitenge materials to women who were in Kizito Ward at the hospital.
Some of them were patients, while others were on the bedside looking after their relatives.
Ms Simushi said during examination in chief by the petitioner’s lawyer Bokani Soko that earlier that day, she and her colleagues had received
information that the first lady was on her way to visit the hospital and surrounding areas.
She said within a short time, she saw a group of people in MMD regalia among them Mr Phiri and Mrs Banda who went to Kizito ward, a ward where orthopaedics patients are admitted.
Ms Simushi said they later started distributing MMD campaign materials and K50,000 to each of the people in the ward while urging them to vote for MMD candidates.
She said the first lady and Mr Phiri allegedly told the people while making the donations that on September 20, 2011, they should not forget their vote.
And Headman Kaela from Chief Mbang’ombe in Katete District told the court that he witnessed Mr Phiri donating T-shirts and money to people at St Francis Mission Hospital and in a village on different occasions.
Headman Kaela whose names are Matsauso Mbewe told the court that his older brother Moses Mbewe was admitted to St Francis Hospital and he was on his bedside.
He said he saw Mr Phiri allegedly distributing money and T-shirts and also benefitted from the donations.
He said he received the T-shirts and money although he knew that he would not vote for them because he was not supposed to be partisan.
He said he gave the money and T-shirts he received to his brother and his eldest son.
Headman Kaela said he was given K100,000 at the meeting in the village which was attended by headmen Chikutu, Mutalalika, Zonde, Safari, Chakuka, Pulanga, Kalinda and Kafokoye.
When asked during cross examination by one of the respondent’s lawyers Sakwiba Sikota why he received the T-shirts and money when he knew that it was wrong, Headman Kaela said:
"As headmen, we usually receive people who come to give things and since there are our visitors we receive because we are supposed to receive but not to wear them".
He said although he did not report the two incidents to the police, Electoral Commission of Zambia, he told his wife and other people in
the village about the money he was given at the meeting for headmen.
Hearing in the matter continues.
By Times Reporter
Labels: MMD, THANDIWE BANDA
Read more...
State seizes former Zambian first Lady Thandiwe Banda’s properties
TIME PUBLISHED - Tuesday, December 20, 2011, 9:29 am
THE State has seized properties worth billions of Kwacha, including a hotel in neighbouring Malawi and some apartments in Tanzania allegedly belonging to former first lady Thandiwe Banda. This comes in the wake of the on-going probe into suspected plunder of national resources by some former leaders in the MMD administration.
Sources told the Times of Zambia in Lusaka yesterday that the luxurious apartments linked to Mpundu Trust Limited in Lusaka and other properties within the country were also lined up for seizure from the embattled first family which has been under investigations over allegations of acquisition of property using public funds.
if it was proved that the properties were properly acquired after the investigations, they would be handed back.
Impeccable sources said investigative wings had seized a hotel in Malawi and some flats in Tanzania allegedly linked to Mrs Banda.
“The Mpundu Trust flats in Lusaka have also been seized. This is part of the on-going investigations into suspicions that the former first family could have acquired property using public funds.
“The probe on allegations of using public funds to acquire personal properties by the former first family has intensified. And it’s not only them that are being investigated. Anyone who is suspected to be involved in corruption will be investigated,” the sources said.
They said if it was proved that the properties were properly acquired after the investigations, they would be handed back to the owners.
“But if the opposite is discovered, then the law will take its course against the culprits.”
The source said the Government investigative wings were working in liaison with authorities in the host governments for properties suspected to have been plundered and were outside Zambia’s jurisdiction.
Inspector General of Police, Martin Malama remained mute on the matter.
Former president, Rupiah Banda’s administrative secretary, Mikatazo Wakumelo expressed ignorance over the development.
President Michael Sata recently instructed law enforcement agencies to investigate how a private bank account belonging to Mpundu Trust Limited held a colossal sum of US$ 1 million.
The president gave the directive in the wake of revelations that Mpundu Trust had unexplained funds in one of the commercial banks in the country.
On the basis of the colossal amounts involved, the president felt that it would only be fair and prudent for the Drug Enforcement Commission, in liaison with otherlaw enforcement agencies, to investigate the matter.
Recent media reports revealed that Mpundu Trust was linked to the former president, Mr Banda.
Mr Sata said the decision to probe Mpundu Trust Limited was without malice or ill-motive but to simply set the record straight.
He said the action was in line with the promise the Patriotic Front made to the people that accountability, transparency and fairness before the law would be the bedrock of his administration.
[Times of Zambia]
Labels: CORRUPTION, THANDIWE BANDA
Read more...
THANDIWE Banda Is Worth Over K 8 Billion
Former First Lady, Thandiwe Banda is worth over K8 Billion, Tumfweko understands. Thandiwe, had drastically acquired and owned major property ranging from houses, expensive vehicles, buildings and lodges.
Sources disclosed that the property which is in excess of K5 Billion is not even in Zambia but has been invested in neighboring countries mainly in Malawi. The source disclosed that Thandiwe’s fast acquired her property within the three years her husband Rupiah Banda was republican President.
The source further disclosed that apparently, she bought a lavish and luxurious Hotel in Tanzania at $1.2 Million and in Lusaka, Mpundu Trust Flats in woodlands being part of the many properties she owns.
‘As you get in Chipata town, there is a nice Hotel being owned by Thandiwe. It is amazing how money pops up in a short while and own such huge property,” said the source.
Thandiwe, a teacher by profession, once played as a ‘ghost worker’ when she was still first lady.
In 2009, President Sata said he had in his possession Thandiwe’s pay-slip dated July 9, 2009.
“People are so upset about what is going on in Zambia, and this morning they wanted to embarrass the President more because they think you politicians are not doing enough. They sent me a pay slip for his wife [RB's Wife, Thandiwe], who is still getting pay as a teacher. This came from Ministry of Education this morning,” Sata said.
“This pay slip is dated 9th July 2009, and this is Chipata District, Nyakutwa Middle Basic School, Nyakutuwa. And the beneficiary is madam Thandiwe Chilongo Banda. Now that is how people are frustrated.”
Some details on the pay slip indicated that Thandiwe was still considered an active full time employee and received a net salary of K1,541,892.74 for July, 2009. The employee No. is 11801 while the NRC No. 464544/52/1.
Labels: CORRUPTION, MMD, THANDIWE BANDA
Read more...
E/Province is Rupiah's bedroom - Thandiwe
By Joseph Mwenda and Christopher Miti in Chipata
Tue 13 Sep. 2011, 13:59 CAT
Eastern Province is President Rupiah Banda's bedroom and voting for the opposition will be like tolerating bana ba muchigololo, says first lady Thandiwe. Addressing hundreds of women from various constituencies at Chipata Teachers' Training College on Sunday, Thandiwe likened opposition MPs to children born outside wedlock whom she said were very difficult to keep.
"Lelo sinizakamba chizungu, nizakamba chitundu chakuno kwasu kuti munvwishishye, ndine wanu kaili a Banda enichosa ku Northern Province ai? (Today I will not speak in English, I will speak in our Eastern Province language so that you understand clearly. I am yours now since Mr Banda brought me here from Northern Province, didn't he?), Thandiwe asked.
"Pamene sininakambe vambili, nifuna mubaone bana bathu kuno kusogolo.
Rupiah Banda angapite elo azapita manje sangasebenze bwino ngati simunamupase ma MP, bana bake bamunyumba, bana bamuchigololo sitibafuna (Before I go any further, I want you to look here in front and see our children. Rupiah Banda can win the elections and he will, but he cannot work well if you do not vote for MMD MPs, his own children not children born outside wedlock"), she said.
Thandiwe said it was very hard to keep children born outside wedlock and as such they hardly received gifts from their mother.
"Mwainvela nkhani iyo? Mzimai mubanja ngati atiletela bana bakunja mzibambo timakondwela? Olo ukagula sweet, pakuti umupase kwanja ikangiwa ai? So tiyeni Rupiah Banda timupase bana bamu bedroom yake pakuti olo akamba naye aziba kuti uyu ni mwana wanga nebala neka (Are you listening? You mothers when a husband brings us a child born outside wedlock, do we become happy? Even when you buy a sweet, your hand fails to stretch and give the child. So let us give Rupiah Banda children from his bedroom such that even when he is talking to them, he feels that they are his own children)," Thandiwe said.
She introduced some of the MMD parliamentary candidates in Chipata who were present at the rally among them Reuben Mtolo Phiri who is challenging former home affairs deputy minister Lameck Mangani for the Chipata Central seat.
"Mwana winangu ali mubedroom ya Rupiah Banda ni Vincent Mwale mumuziba? Winangu mwana wamene achoka ku bedroom ya Rupiah Banda achokela uko ku kasenengwa Victoria" Another child in Rupiah Banda's bedroom is Vincent Mwale (Chipangali candidate, another one coming from Rupiah Banda's bedroom comes from Kasenengwa, her name is Victoria Kalima)," she said.
And Thandiwe urged the people of Eastern Province to ensure that they maintained the presidency in their region.
She warned party members in the area against relaxing in their campaigns in the remaining few days on grounds that President Banda hailed from Eastern Province. Thandiwe, who struggled to read from a prepared speech in vernacular, said President Banda had a heart for Eastern Province and planned to open a university in the region if elected back into office.
She further told the women that President Banda had a vision of eradicating HIV/AIDS from Zambia in future and that he would succeed if he was re-elected together with his MPs.
She said voting for President Banda would be easy because his name would be on top of the list of names on the presidential ballot paper.
Later during her rally, Thandiwe joined singer Miriam Mukape (Mampi) on stage in entertaining the women and other youths who filled up the fancily decorated college assembly hall.
Speaking at the same rally, Chipangali candidate Mwale urged the women not to feel lazy to cast their votes, saying men were unreliable because they would get drunk on September 20.
"55 per cent of registered voters here are women. Mostly on the polling day, men go behind the house to drink beer after which they forget to go and vote," said Mwale.
Labels: EASTERN PROVINCE, RUPIAH BANDA, THANDIWE BANDA
Read more...
Masebo accuses Thandiwe of abusing public resources
By Chibaula Silwamba
Fri 05 Aug. 2011, 14:00 CAT
SYLVIA Masebo has asked the Electoral Commission of Zambia to intervene in first lady Thandiwe Banda’s abuse of public resources, which she is using to campaign for the MMD and President Rupiah Banda. In an interview yesterday, Masebo said Thandiwe had been campaigning in Chongwe using public resources.
“I have a complaint to the ECZ, especially justice Irene Mambilima. I want to know the role of the first lady in the elections considering that the Constitution only allows the President to continue in office as a caretaker, after the dissolution of Cabinet and Parliament” said Masebo, the immediate past member of parliament for Chongwe in Lusaka Province.
“In my constituency, the first lady has been going round using state resources, transport and fuel, masquerading that she is going to officiate at some function and in the process she is campaigning for her husband and giving MMD campaign materials. This is raising a lot of concerns among the people.”
Masebo said Chongwe residents were displeased with Thandiwe’s conduct.
“On Wednesday she was at Verino where, according to the workers there who called me, she distributed money and 200 chitenje material for her husband. From there she went to Kanakantapa at the farm of a Mr Njobvu where lead farmers in the constituency were invited and they were told it was an agricultural occasion but when the farmers got there, they were surprised that all the speeches were political and nothing to do with agricultural activities for which they were invited,” Masebo said.
“She was campaigning for her husband and distributed the campaign materials and people were shocked.”
Masebo said the people that attended belonged to various political parties. She said Thandiwe was expected to address other meetings in Chongwe yesterday.
“It’s a very disturbing activity where a first lady can continue as if she is in office and campaign for her husband. We have no problem, she can campaign for her husband but it’s not fair for her to use GRZ vehicles because there isn’t even an office for the first lady in the Zambian Constitution,” Masebo said.
“Worse now that Parliament has been dissolved, ministers are not working and members of parliament are out of office, so what about the first lady? What office is she using?”
Labels: CORRUPTION, SYLVIA MASEBO, THANDIWE BANDA
Read more...
Thandiwe hails traditional ceremonies
By George Zulu
Mon 14 Feb. 2011, 04:01 CAT
TRADITIONAL ceremonies are a unifying factor which brings people from different walks of life together, says first lady Thandiwe Banda.
During the fundraising dinner for the 2011 Kuomboka traditional ceremony at Hotel InterContinental on Saturday, Thandiwe said the event was important as it signified the passing on of a cultural expression from one generation to the other.
“A cultural expression such as the Kuomboka ceremony plays a vital role in binding communities together and creating meaning in people's lives,” Thandiwe said.
She urged people to reflect deeply on the significance of the ceremony, which she said was a human victory over modernity.
“Quite often, we in Africa get carried away by the belief that to be modern' you should forsake your traditional values and customs. We place more value on the western culture forgetting that a nation that is not proud of its own indigenous value systems and cultural expressions is like a tree without roots,” she said. “A country without an indigenous culture remains prone to external influence in ways that are not always in its best interest.”
She said the nation shall be judged harshly by the future generations if it failed to sustain and preserve cultural expression because people would be denied an important reference against which to build their own developments.
Thandiwe said the success of the Kuomboka ceremony would accord the nation an opportunity to market Zambia as an important tourist destination.
“For many years now, the number of tourists that grace the ceremony has been increasing, which translates into improved government revenue, the success of this ceremony in terms of pulling huge crowds comes with considerable challenges,” said Thandiwe.
Labels: CEREMONIES, THANDIWE BANDA
Read more...
Duo appeals over Thandiwe’s ‘donations’
By Maluba Jere
Sun 24 Oct. 2010, 10:10 CAT
TWO women from Chinsali and Isoka who sued first lady Thandiwe Banda over her money-dishing trips to various districts in the country without any Parliamentary budgetary allocation have appealed against the High Court’s decision to throw out their application.
According to a notice of appeal filed in the Supreme Court, Evelyn Kangwa of Kalalantekwe Village in Chinsali district and Marjorie Nakaponda of Chiwanda Village in Isoka district were appealing because they were dissatisfied with the whole judgment.
This is in a matter where the duo sued Thandiwe in the Lusaka High Court over her recent charity trips to some districts of Northern Province.
Attorney General Abyudi Shonga was sued as the second defendant, pursuant to the provisions of the state proceedings Act, Cap 17 of the Laws of Zambia. In a statement of claim filed in the Lusaka High Court on September 8, 2010, the two women stated that since Thandiwe moved into State House or before that, she had not registered any non-governmental organisation (NGO) for whatever purposes.
“As a spouse of the President of the Republic of Zambia the 1st Defendant (Thandiwe) has no official status in the government or legal functions to perform for and/or on behalf of the government, ministries of government or departments,” the two women stated.
“From the year 2009 to date the 1st Defendant has undertaken personal trips without the company of the President of the Republic of Zambia to various districts in the country, visiting traditional rulers and purported clubs of women giving out amounts of money and various items and goods as gifts which moneys, in the absence of any express disclosure of the source by the 1st Defendant, is money from the treasury of the Republic of Zambia.”
The two women stated that the trips by Thandiwe involved the use of government motor vehicles and at times helicopters from the Zambia Air Force.
But in his ruling last week, High Court judge in-charge Philip Musonda dismissed the application on grounds that granting such an injunction would be a violation of the Constitution and the Financial (Control management) Act whose statutes have appointed officers to receive, pay and audit the revenue of government.
Labels: THANDIWE BANDA
Read more...
Sata questions Thandiwe’s trip to Mpulungu, cash handouts
By Patson Chilemba
Wed 25 Aug. 2010, 04:01 CAT
FIRST lady Thandiwe Banda is being used as a tool for corruption, Patriotic Front (PF) president Michael Sata charged yesterday. Commenting on Thandiwe’s recent trip to Mpulungu where
it is alleged that she distributed some money to people, Sata said Thandiwe should explain to the public who was funding her because it had now become a habit for her to visit areas that were to hold by-elections.
He said this was not the first time Thandiwe was visiting an area that was to hold by-elections under the guise of attending to women’s programmes.
“That is the desperation. They have already started bribing people through her. And people of that area should know and see. Where has she been to go and start distributing money now? Now they see what the government is doing through her,” Sata said.
“But my advice to them, they should collect all the money and enjoy themselves. They President Banda and the MMD are just ashamed because of how they treated late Mpulungu member of parliament Lameck Chibombamilimo. They even failed to accord him a day of national mourning which he was entitled to as a former minister.”
Sata said people should not listen to Thandiwe because while she was enjoying, they were suffering.
He said Thandiwe was enjoying State House and would get into all sorts of things just to prolong her stay there.
“That is why she is using some of the money. She is being used as a tool for corruption,” said Sata.
And a PF member Mwambazi, who lives in Mpulungu, said he witnessed the event when Thandiwe distributed money to people on Monday.
“We are just wondering why this means when the by-elections are coming. They are just giving anyhow, 15, 10, 20 pins K15,000, K10,000, K20,000 and so on. And they have this so-called women’s club. She came in the morning and she is moving about now,” said Mwambazi.
“She was in town; she addressed a meeting somewhere in town and from there proceeded going into some village area. We are told they donated K750,000 to registered women’s clubs and K500,000 to those who are not registered.”
Labels: BRIBERY, BY-ELECTIONS, CORRUPTION, MICHAEL SATA, THANDIWE BANDA
Read more...
Financial assistance to SMEs key to growth of business – Thandiwe
By Fridah Zinyama
Thu 29 July 2010, 12:50 CAT
FIRST Lady Thandiwe Banda has said financial assistance to the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) sector is key to ensuring the growth of business in Zambia.
And Standard Chartered Bank managing director Mizinga Melu said her bank is happy to be associated with the programme to support women entrepreneurs in improving their business.
Meanwhile, Bank of Zambia (BoZ) deputy governor for Administration Tukiya Mabula has said government is committed to reforming the country’s financial sector and has since approved the extension to the initial five years the Financial Sector Development Plan (FSDP).
During a ‘Women Entrepreneurs Workshop,’ in Lusaka, Thandiwe said SMEs were key players in all the major sectors of Zambia’s economy either as producers or suppliers.
“They account for 90 per cent of the total number of firms in Zambia and employ over 80 per cent of the potential labour force in the country,” she said.
Thandiwe said the growth and development of the SME sector would have a significant bearing on Zambia’s economic development and poverty alleviation.
“The opportunities in the SME sector are many and therefore need support to transform into formal entities,” said Thandiwe.
And Melu said women play an important role in the development of local communities but few deliberate programmes had been put in place to realise their potential.
Standard Chartered is supporting 11 women entrepreneurs through mentorship programmes, networking opportunities, financial support and financial and business planning.
And Mabula said the FSDP represented a strategy that was formulated to strengthen and broaden the Zambian financial sector.
“It is aimed at realising the vision of a financial sector that is sound, stable and market based and that would support efficient resource mobilisation necessary for economic diversification and sustainable growth,” she said.
Mabula added that the second phase of the FSDP would focus on three main pillars such as enhancing market infrastructure, increasing competition and access to finance in the country.
Labels: MZINGA MELU, SMEs, STANCHART, THANDIWE BANDA
Read more...
Govt distributing relief maize in Luena ahead of by-election
By Mwala Kalaluka in Luena
Sun 27 June 2010, 12:10 CAT
President Banda and first lady Thandiwe posing in front of a heap of salt during the tour of the Salt and Chemicals Company in Wavis Bay, Namibia
THE government is hastily distributing relief maize in several areas of the vast Luena Constituency in Western Province ahead of the August 5, 2010 by-election.
And Induna Sundano Sinvula of Mwene Chiengele’s Mushuwa Royal Establishment in Mongu has said there is nothing the MMD could give the people of Luena now.
A check by The Post in Ikwichi area of the constituency on Friday found a group of men off-loading 50 kilogramme (kg) bags of maize packed in Food Reserve Agency (FRA) sacks.
The bags of maize spotting some pests on them were being offloaded from a Fuso truck registration number ABM 6320 and stored in one of the buildings at Ikwichi Rural Health Centre.
In the vicinity, former Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairman Charles Milupi who is re-contesting the Luena by-election on the Alliance for Democracy and Development (ADD) ticket was addressing a campaign meeting.
Milupi, who is ADD leader, then approached the relief food distributors and asked them why they were coincidentally distributing it in view of the by-election campaign.
One of the men told him that the maize was to be distributed as food for work.
It was established that the government had within a week distributed relief maize in Isambai and Kate areas of Luena among others.
In an interview, Milupi said the relief food distribution was an indication of desperation in the MMD camp because they knew that they were losing Luena and Western Province.
“They have to go and get votes from elsewhere,” Milupi said. “We cried for relief food. There was nothing. The government could not bring relief food.”
On further inspection of the bags of maize, Milupi exclaimed and pointed out that the maize was rotten as seen from some pests on the sacks.
“People of Luena are being given rotten maize!” he exclaimed. “You want to kill the people even before they vote.”
Milupi said most residents of Luena had just harvested their maize and it was surprising that the MMD was desperately trying to buy votes through relief food distribution in June.
Milupi said the MMD’s desperation was also noted in the manner community development minister Michael Kaingu upped the women empowerment funds, which he personally distributed in some areas of Luena.
“All of a sudden because of the by-election in Luena, Kaingu himself moves from polling station to polling station,” he said. “This is the desperation of the MMD.”
Milupi said his campaign in Luena had so far placed the MMD in a desperate mode.
He said even the cheques that Kaingu had issued to ‘women’s clubs’ in the constituency could not be cashed at the banks in Mongu.
“Most of them (women) have been to the banks in Mongu to try and cash the cheques but they have been told to register a club first and that they need to pay K260,000 to open an account,” Milupi said.
“That process will last more than two months and by this time…the by-election will be over. Our suspicion is that the K5 million cheques are not backed by cash. That is how cruel the MMD party is that they can come and cheat.”
“I want to warn MMD and Mulyata who are involved in these schemes, that is the start of the concept of a warlord,” he said. “That is the start of a failed state.”
Milupi said that was how failed states like Somalia started.
“That is what Mulyata and his people want to start,” he said.
Milupi said Mongu District Education Board Secretary (DEBS) Mwangala Maopu, who is the potential MMD candidate in the Luena by-election had continued intimidating headmasters in the constituency.
However, Maopu recently declined to confirm whether or not he would contest the Luena seat and insisted that he was a civil servant.
But some teachers at Mange Basic School where MMD provincial chairman Simasiku Namakando addressed a campaign meeting on Thursday said the MMD would win because they were fielding Maopu.
Milupi said the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) had not allayed ADD’s fears that the forthcoming by-election in Luena would not be free and fair because the ruling party had engaged in the abuse of public resources to gain an advantageous position.
The MMD and the PF/UPND Pact are yet to officially announce their respective candidates in the by-election.
And Induna Sinvula in an interview at Ikwichi said the MMD government had failed the people of Luena.
“There is nothing they can give us now, which they did not give us then,” Induna Sinvula said. “How many times have we been crying for development? The government is not taking our complaints seriously.”
Induna Sinvula said although he was expected to be non-partisan, as a traditional leader, he would tell his children to vote for somebody who had exhibited exemplary leadership.
Milupi said the ADD had also verified reports that Mongu Central MMD parliamentarian Joseph Mulyata was indeed training some youths to go and fan violent acts in Luena, the Mufumbwe-style.
Labels: BY-ELECTIONS, CADRES, CHARLES MILUPI, CORRUPTION, JOSEPH MULYATA, MAIZE, POLITICAL VIOLENCE, RUPIAH BANDA, SUNDANO SINVULA, THANDIWE BANDA
Read more...
Thandiwe calls for food security to address HIV/AIDS challenges
By Florence Bupe
Fri 28 May 2010, 05:10 CAT
FIRST lady Thandiwe Banda (l) has called for increased food security as a means of addressing the challenge of HIV/AIDS. During a media leaders’ forum organised by the International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF) at Pamodzi Hotel yesterday, Thandiwe said nutrition was an integral part in tackling issues of HIV/AIDS.
“There is a closely knit inter-relationship between HIV/AIDS and food security, in that while HIV/AIDS causes poverty in many African households, it is also true that poverty oils the wheels of HIV/AIDS,” she said.
Thandiwe urged the media in Zambia and other African countries to highlight issues of sustainable agriculture if the continent was to register improved farming activities by bringing to the fore the challenges that affected the sector.
She complained that most media houses were preoccupied with reporting on politics, sidelining vital subjects like agriculture.
“Developmental activities in agriculture and other sectors of the economy receive very little coverage, more so when the players are women. Most of the reports we get in the media are either on politics, disasters, male-related activities or simply insignificant events,” she said.
Thandiwe reiterated the need for the government to prioritise the agriculture sector with a focus on women empowerment.
She said it was appalling that although women produced about 80 per cent of the global food output, they remained impoverished and marginalised.
Thandiwe further observed that the global economic crisis, combined with the negative impact of climate change, had continued to pose significant challenges for the country’s agriculture sector.
“The combined effect of the global financial and economic crises and climate change on global food security has increased the number of hungry and poor people in developing countries, especially sub-Saharan Africa,” said Thandiwe.
The media leaders’ forum has attracted participants from Zambia, Mali and Uganda and is being conducted under the theme ‘Reporting on Agriculture and Women.’
Labels: HIV/AIDS, THANDIWE BANDA
Read more...
Thandiwe urges dealers not to frustrate farmers
By Sandra Lombe
Sun 23 May 2010, 04:00 CAT
FIRST lady Thandiwe Banda says agro-dealers should not frustrate Conservation Agriculture (CA) farmers.
Speaking in Kapiri Mposhi on Thursday when she officiated at the hand over of bicycles to 588 CA farmers, Thandiwe urged agro-dealers in the district to immediately start preparing and stocking up for this year’s farming season.
“Do not frustrate our Conservation Agriculture farmers. Please provide quality implements and agro inputs in order for them to yield positive results in their farming,” she said.
“The same goes to the extension staff in all agricultural camps.”
Thandiwe also urged extension staff to ensure that they continue visiting the farmers on a regular basis, as there would be no excuse of lack of transport after being provided with transport and logical support.
“Besides, this town has very fertile soils and a favourable climate to ably support agricultural production and productivity. I have been informed that Kapiri Mposhi has a total of 35, 133 registered farmers out of a population of about 240,000 people,” she said.
Thandiwe said the district could not fail to produce enough food to feed its population and still export the surplus to other provinces and countries.
FAO country representative Noureddin Mona pledged his organisation’s commitment in conservation agriculture.
“As FAO we are committed to working with government so as to build farmers resilience to exogenous shocks and improving food security over long term,” said Mona.
Labels: AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION FARMING, FARMERS, THANDIWE BANDA
Read more...
Thandiwe speaks out on climate change
By TEDDY KUYELA
FIRST Lady Thandiwe Banda has called for concerted efforts among stakeholders in mitigating the effects of climate change in the country. And Mrs Banda has called on youths to be more responsible about the environment. Mrs Banda said there is urgent need to put in place measures aimed at mitigating the effects of climate change in the country.
She said climate change has become a serious threat to sustainable development and the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) relating to addressing hunger and poverty.
Mrs Banda said this when she officiated at the Zambian Children’s Climate Conference 2010 held at Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka yesterday.
She said Government has recognised climate change as a challenge towards the attainment of set targets in the Fifth National Development Plan (FNDP), MDGs and the Vision 2030.
Mrs Banda said effective interventions should therefore be put in place to address the effects of climate change.
“Climate change affects regions differently and for Zambia its impact includes increased intensity and frequency of floods and droughts, declining agricultural productivity, reduced hydropower potential and spread of vector diseases such as malaria,” she said.
Mrs Banda said Zambia has already started experiencing the worst effects of climate change as evidenced from the increased flooding and droughts in some parts of the country which resulted in damage of crops, infrastructure such as roads and bridges and displacement of people from their homes and loss of belongings and livelihood.
She said if the effects of climate change are not mitigated urgently, they can reverse the gains that the country has recorded in the various sectors of the economy and the efforts to reduce poverty and hunger in the country.
“Climate change is a global challenge which can only be resolved through concerted global efforts, but we still need to do more as a country to ensure that we protect Zambia from the worst effects of climate change,” Mrs Banda said.
And Mrs Banda has called on youths to be more responsible about the environment.
She said youths must play a pivotal role of complementing Government efforts of sensitising communities about the dangers of climate change and how the effects can be mitigated.
“Youths have a major role to play in efforts aimed at addressing the effects of climate change.
We need to sensitise the communities on the dangers of the indiscriminate cutting down of trees and charcoal burning as well as the need to protect the environment. So youths should play an effective role in protecting the environment,” Mrs Banda said.
And UNICEF country representative Lotta Sylwander called on Government to spearhead the development of the climate response strategy, policy and legal framework.
Ms Sylwander said Government must facilitate the development of the climate communication strategy and initiate its implementation as well as work out other effective modalities that will help reduce the impacts of climate change on development in Zambia.
Labels: CLIMATE CHANGE, THANDIWE BANDA
Read more...
Kalala urges Thandiwe to persuade Rupiah in resolving health crisis
By Patson Chilemba
Sun 11 Apr. 2010, 04:01 CAT
JACK Kalala yesterday asked first lady Thandiwe Banda to prevail upon President Rupiah Banda on the health crisis in the nation, particularly maternal health.
Commenting on FDD president Edith Nawakwi’s revelations of the crisis affecting the health sector where expectant women were being asked to carry buckets to the clinic to be used for the disposal of waste such as placentas, Kalala - who served as special assistant for policy, implementation and monitoring in late president Levy Mwanawasa’s administration - asked the government not to consider the matter political, but instead give it serious attention.
“Unless people tell me that she Nawakwi is going crazy, I am sure there is some truth in it, and it requires to be investigated and if found to be true, the situation needs to be corrected. We can’t be having such things in Zambia this time and age,” he said.
Kalala said he was shocked at the silence of women over the matter, saying Thandiwe should prevail over President Banda.
“Do we need to see the buckets for us to believe? We have got means to investigate and establish the truth, and if it’s happening, we take action, corrective action instead of just denying and refuting this and that,” Kalala said.
“And I would like to appeal to the first lady to prevail on the President to get people to investigate and report directly to him. Yes, to investigate quietly in the clinic, there are agencies, institutions that can do necessary investigations.”
Kalala said what was being written in the newspapers was read worldwide.
“And it’s an embarrassment for people to read in these newspapers that these things are happening here in Zambia at this time and age, and we can’t take action. Do we want a bucket to appear in the newspaper for us to take action, or are we finding a reason to arrest Nawakwi?” asked Kalala.
“So let’s please act. It is an embarrassing situation. And I am also appealing to other women in the country to support Nawakwi. They should not leave this fight for Nawakwi alone. It involves all of us.”
Nawakwi has in the recent past revealed the crisis in the health sector where expectant women were being asked to carry buckets to the hospital, while others were asked to carry Jik and chitenges because of the shortage of linen.
Labels: EDITH NAWAKWI, HEALTHCARE, JACK KALALA, THANDIWE BANDA
Read more...
