Dora wasn't involved in Zamtel sale - Sikota
By Chiwoyu Sinyangwe
Sun 30 Oct. 2011, 20:50 CAT
DORA Siliya's name continues to be linked to the allegedly corrupt sale of Zamtel to Libya's LAP Green despite many legal proceedings, complains her lawyer Sakwiba Sikota.
Sikota, who spoke on behalf of Siliya when she was summoned to appear before the commission of inquiry probing the sale of Zamtel, NAPSA's procurement of land from Meanwood and NAPSA's US $98 million investment in ZNBS's Society House, said Siliya was not involved in the transaction.
"There has been a tribunal, there has been a court case, there has been other cases going right up to the Supreme Court. It seems like a never ending story. Let's hope this is the final chapter," Sikota said.
He said Siliya had not missed an opportunity to clear her name of wrongdoing in the controversial US $257 million transaction.
"Everything she has to say is in the records which were before the courts. There is nothing more she can add to what was stated in the court actions," he said.
Asked by The Post if Siliya acted above board in the controversial transactions, Sikota said: "That is what the court said. The court vindicated her right up to the Supreme Court."
Siliya, who together with Henry Banda, son of former president Rupiah Banda, were key architects in single-sourcing RP Capital of the Cayman Islands to valuate Zamtel for the planned privatisation process.
Siliya and Henry single-sourced RP capital for a US $2.5 million fee, and later retained RP capital as transaction advisors for a five per cent fee for the total selling price of Zamtel.
Siliya committed Zambian public money without the consent of the Attorney General's chambers.
The controversial transaction saw Siliya hauled before the Dennis Chirwa-led tribunal by a consortium of 10 civil society organisations led by the Zambian chapter of Transparency International, together with former transport minister William Harrington.
Earlier, Siliya who arrived at 14:28 at the hearing on Friday, immaculately dressed in a flash red outfit in the company of Sikota and ushered into the room of proceedings amidst the glare of cameras, declined to comment on the allegations made against her by some witnesses.
"Our firm instruction is that our client will not comment on the allegations made by Transparency International Zambia…there is nothing new that Transparency International Zambia has presented to this committee which was not brought to the Tribunal's attention," Sikota said.
Sikota said Siliya was not in fact involved in selling Zamtel because she was not Minister of Transport and Communication at the time the Zamtel sale was finalised.
Sikota said "I will insist on exercising her constitutional rights as guaranteed by the provisions of Article 18 of the Constitution of Zambia chapter one volume one of the Laws of Zambia."
But solicitor general Mubanga Kondolo advised Sikota that the inquiry was not called to investigate or incriminate Siliya.
He said there had been a lot aspersions cast on Siliya and the committee thought it was important to give her an opportunity to come and clarify.
"I would just want to clarify that these are not criminal proceedings, not judicial proceedings of any kind," Kondolo said. "This committee is not making any ruling. It's just purely an information-gathering exercise.
A number of people have been here and made submissions on the sale, not just relating to the sale but to the procurement of the transaction advisor right through to the entire spectrum of the process of sale.
It's purely an exercise for her self-preservation to help concretise her position in this situation as you have seen from the public outcry that you referred to.. It is her constitutional right to keep quiet."
Siliya, who refused to talk directly to journalists later left in her Toyota Landcruiser GX registration number ALC 7063 together with Sikota and a known freelance photographer.
Labels: CORRUPTION, COURTS, HENRY BANDA, MICHAEL SATA, NAPSA, RP CAPITAL PARTNERS, SAKWIBA SIKOTA, ULP, ZAMTEL
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Siliya mute as she appears before commission of inquiry
TIME PUBLISHED - Saturday, October 29, 2011, 11:59 am
Former Communications and Transport minister Dora Siliya and
her lawyer Sakwiba Sikota make submissions to the commission of inquiry on the sale of Zamtel in Lusaka
EMBATTLED former Minister of Transport and Communications Dora Siliya yesterday appeared before the Commission of Inquiry into the sale of Zamtel and Finance Bank but opted not to say anything on all allegations levelled against her during the submissions.
Ms Siliya, 41, of 411 Independence Avenue and clad in a red suit arrived at Mulungushi International Conference Centre in the company of her lawyer Sakwiba Sikota and informed the tribunal led by Commission chairperson, Sebastian Zulu that there were no irregularity in the sale of Zamtel.
Ms Siliya who spoke through her lawyer said she would not commit herself to any statement because the said allegations especially by Transparency International Zambia (TIZ) would be subjudice.
“ Everything she has to say is already on record so there is nothing more to add except to refer this commission to all the court proceedings.
“Since these allegations by TIZ persist notwithstanding the fact that courts of competent jurisdiction have adjudicated over the same, our client will not commit herself to any statement as these matters are subjudice,” said Mr Sikota.
He said Ms Siliya appeared before the tribunal where the same allegations by TIZ were tested after considering together with the evidence and made its findings which were contained in a detailed report submitted to the former Republican Rupiah Banda on April 16 in 2009.
Mr Sikota said her client had elected to refer the commission to visit the records of all the aforesaid matters which were public documents and were available at the courts, Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) and the Ministry of Justice.
He said after Ms Siliya was cleared by the High Court, TIZ appealed to the Supreme Court addressing the same allegations and in turn the Supreme Court also cleared his client and wondered why TIZ decided to raise the same allegations.
A Mr Francis Chilumba who referred to himself a ‘Patriotic Zambian’ claimed Ms Siliya had been mislead by her lawyer not to personally defend herself because she was the one who signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with RP Capital to evaluate the sale of Zamtel.
Mr Chilumba claimed that Ms Siliya allowed the under evaluation of Zamtel which was supposed to be sold at over US$1 billion and not the actual price which was US$257 and urged the commission to ensure that they see RP Capital evaluation report before coming up with a final report.
And the commission earlier advised Ms Siliya not to feel intimidated to represent herself because the commission was set to get more information on the sale of Zamtel and not for people to feel as if they were being tried in the court of law but to allow them to defend themselves once mentioned.
Labels: CORRUPTION, DORA SILIYA, SAKWIBA SIKOTA, ULP, ZAMTEL
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PF leaders hold rally in Lukulu, ULP MP defects to the party
TIME PUBLISHED - Sunday, June 19, 2011, 9:03 am
FLASHBACK: Mandevu MP Jean Kapata places a red ribbon on Guy Scott
Patriotic Front (PF) leaders Given Lubinda, Guy Scott, Jean Kapata and Mumbi Phiri held a political rally at Fernando Show grounds in Lukulu yesterday. The rally, at which United Liberal Party (ULP) Member of Parliament for Lukulu Eileen Imbwae defected to the PF, was however attended by mostly children.
The action by the PF has invited the wrath of the general public who have been left wondering what type of leaders they have who fail to respect the death of a former president.
“The behaviour by the PF members is inhuman and un-African and clearly demonstrates the lack of respect that the general leaders in that party have for the death. Their members are a group of selfish individuals who want to go to State House at all costs,” Committee of Citizens executive director Gregory Chifire said.
Mr Chifire said in the African culture, people are expected to show respect when death occurs by postponing or suspending all activities of political or entertainment nature.
However, Mr Chifire said the decision by the PF to proceed with their rally shows that the PF members who hated the late president have continued to show their hatred even in his death.
“Clearly, the PF with their leader are celebrating the passing on of DrChiluba because that is what they have been longing for. That is the only reason they could not suspend their Lukulu rally. This behaviour goes beyond barbaric. They are heartless,” he said.
Leadership in Development executive director Moses Kalonde said the PF’s decision to go ahead with the rally reflects immorality.
Mr Kalonde said a lot of activities have been suspended in respect for Dr. Chiluba and the PF was expected to do the same.
“What was so important that the PF members could not wait to hold their rally in respect for the dead? Zambians should reflect seriously on what the PF has done because this shows that its entire party leadership lacks substance and merit to lead the Zambian people,” he said.
[Zambia Daily Mail]
Labels: PF, ULP
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Hichilema slams plan to pick Sakwiba as vice-president
By Patson Chilemba
Tue 20 Oct. 2009, 09:34 CAT
UPND president Hakainde Hichilema has said President Rupiah Banda’s consideration to replace Vice-President George Kunda with United Liberal Party (ULP) president Sakwiba Sikota is a panic reaction.
And PF leader Michael Sata has said President Banda’s consideration to appoint Sikota as vice-president is a good lesson to Vice-President Kunda not to rely on the President.
In an interview after the celebratory mass that was held at newly-elected parliamentarian, Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba’s residence to celebrate his victory in the Kasama Central by-election, Hichilema said President Banda’s consideration to appoint Sikota would not change anything because people had already made a decision to move away from the MMD to the PF-UPND pact.
“You can’t panic react like he President Banda is doing. It doesn’t help. Absolutely. It will not deliver anything. You know when you are falling; every branch you touch just goes down with you. He touches that branch it falls. It will not help him,” he said.
Hichilema said the Zambian people wanted change to the pact which he said was expected to help unite Zambia, saying on a united platform the nation would be delivered economically and socially.
He said the MMD’s loss of some wards which they previously held all pointed to the fact that the ground had shifted and the writing was on the wall.
“I think that anyone who argues against that decision people have made, I think he is not a good leader. A good leader must follow and listen to what people are saying. And I heard Southern Province minister Daniel Munkombwe say that I am campaigning in the wards.
I feel sorry for him, he doesn’t understand that the votes are in the wards,” said Hichilema. “The councillor’s vote is in the ward, the MPs vote is in the ward, the presidential vote is in the ward. So where else can you campaign if not in the ward? I guess he’s just a tired old man.”
And Sata said President Banda’s consideration to appoint Sikota was a big lesson to Vice-President Kunda.
“Mr Rupiah Banda is the President. He is free to do anything so that George Kunda can learn that he can’t rely on Rupiah Banda, his all weather friend,” he said.
On works and supply minister Mike Mulongoti’s assertion that PF was jealous of former president Frederick Chiluba’s relationship with MMD, Sata said he did not enjoy Chiluba’s stealing patronage.
“Mulongoti is a … and he supports other criminals, full stop. There is nothing to be jealous about. I did not enjoy his Chiluba’s stealing patronage, distinguish that. I enjoyed a sincere innocent patronage, not stealing patronage. If Mulongoti wants to enjoy theft, let him go ahead,” said Sata. “But the whole point, Mulongoti, what is he justifying? Is he justifying people stealing? Is Mulongoti justifying stealing?”
Meanwhile, Mwamba prayed for God to give him wisdom so that he could serve the people with justice, and to know the difference between good and evil.
GBM thanked God for the heavy responsibility that had been bestowed on him to serve the people of Kasama.
“Just as Solomon cried to You when he was made king, so I come to You. Give me wisdom to serve Your people with justice, to know the difference between good and evil. Correct me when I go wrong, lift me whenever I fall. This is my prayer Lord. Lord hear us,” prayed GBM.
Several songs and dances of celebration characterised the mass which was held at GBM’s residence such that at one point the newly elected member of parliament danced vigorously, much to the delight of several congregants.
After the mass, the congregants were treated to a buffet.
Some notables who attended the celebration included Sata, Hichilema, Dr Nkandu Luo, several members of parliament from both PF and the UPND as well as the PF’s central committee and UPND’s national management committee officials.
Labels: HAKAINDE HICHILEMA, MMD, SAKWIBA SIKOTA, SATA, ULP, UPND
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Consult Litunga over Saki, Namakando advises Rupiah
Written by George Chellah
Monday, October 19, 2009 7:05:11 AM
CHAIRMAN of the dissolved Western Province MMD executive committee Simasiku Namakando yesterday advised President Rupiah Banda to consult the Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE) especially the Litunga over his intentions to appoint Sakwiba Sikota as Republican vice-president.
Reacting to President Banda's consideration to replace Vice-President George Kunda with United Liberal Party (ULP) president Sikota with a view to regaining political support in Western Province, Namakando urged President Banda to consult the Litunga - the paramount chief of the Lozi people of Western Province - before making a decision.
“We believe in democracy, when you do a thing because there is heat somewhere, you can sometimes make a lot of mistakes. People of Western Province have been advocating that we need somebody from here. The people of Western Province should be given a choice of their own leadership,” Namakando said.
“But if Mr Rupiah Banda is now considering, if he is now agreeing with us that time has come for him to appoint a Lozi, with consultation with the BRE let him come to the BRE and consult them.”
He urged President Banda to consult ruling party officials in the province as well.
“Yes, because his [initial] position was that the choice he made was the right choice, even in that letter he wrote to me said the choice he made of vice-president was the best. We have been saying we need a Lozi as vice-president now because we have been supporting our friends for over 45 years,” Namakando said.
“Please, we must also be recognised as leaders that people from Western Province can also be vice-presidents. They have to come to Western Province and consult the Litunga as chief here, then consult the political leadership.”
He warned that without consultations, President Banda risked making the same mistake late president Levy Mwanawasa made on Zambia's High Commissioner to Canada Pastor Nevers Mumba.
“You know the problem that we are having is that of imposing opposition leaders to the ruling party to become vice-president. The late president Mwanawasa, may his soul rest in peace, found problems because in the first place, he brought Reverend Nevers Mumba from the opposition. He [Mumba] gave him lots of problems,” Namakando explained. “Secondly, the MMD now have got a problem because they brought Mr Rupiah Banda from UNIP. The man who never even resigned from UNIP to bring him to MMD. For him to know what MMD stands for it becomes very very difficult.
“So we are saying let him consult with the local people especially the traditional leaders, our parents the BRE, the Litunga and his Kuta. Let him go to Mwandi, let him come to the Litunga, then the Litunga will call his people.”
He wondered whether the appointment of Sikota as vice-president would yield its intended results.
“Sakwiba Sikota is ULP, Sakwiba Sikota is not MMD. So I don't know whether that can work to his [President Banda's] interest, whatever he is thinking. Our stance is that let him come and consult the BRE because MMD, whether he is getting one or not we are saying we must go for the convention so that people have their choice,” Namakando said. “That of appointing somebody that's the prerogative of the President. Let him appoint somebody but he must first of all consult the BRE because without consulting, he might make blunders, which the late president made when he appointed Nevers Mumba who gave him problems.”
Namakando emphasised that he had nothing against Sikota.
“I have never had problems with Sakwiba Sikota. Personally, I have nothing against him. Appointing somebody as vice-president that is another issue, going for the convention that is also another issue, democracy must prevail in the MMD,” said Namakando. “We have nothing against Sakwiba Sikota, he [President Banda] must consult the party. He must consult the BRE there is nothing wrong in consulting. Let him come to Western Province and consult.”
President Banda is considering replacing Vice-President Kunda with Sikota with a view to regaining support in Western Province, where there is a fall-out within the ruling party's ranks.
Labels: LITUNGA, RUPIAH BANDA, SAKWIBA SIKOTA, SIMASIKU NAMAKANDO, ULP, WESTERN PROVINCE
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Rupiah considering Saki for vice-President
Written by George Chellah
Sunday, October 18, 2009 2:59:10 AM
PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda is considering replacing Vice-President George Kunda with United Liberal Party (ULP) president Sakwiba Sikota with a view to regain support in Western Province, where there is a fall-out within the ruling party's ranks.
Well-placed government sources yesterday disclosed that President Banda wants Sikota to replace Vice-President Kunda in order to recapture support in Western Province.
"The President intends to appoint Mr Sikota as a way of buying peace with the Western Province. We all know what's happening in Western Province where the ruling MMD is concerned. So the President thinks having Mr Sikota as his Vice-President will assist him for the 2011 general elections," the sources disclosed.
However, the sources could not disclose what would happen to Vice-President Kunda in the event that the President appointed Sikota.
The sources could not reveal whether Vice-President Kunda would be kept as Minister of Justice or would simply be relegated to the backbench.
When contacted, Sikota, who first laughed upon being asked about President Banda's intentions, responded: "...Oh I didn't know that, that comes as a surprise. That's not something that I had even... have thought about. It's such a surprise, it caught me totally unawares. It's not even something that I have put thought to. You have caught me totally unawares by that."
When pressed further whether or not he would consider the appointment if it came his way, Sikota answered: " Well there would be lots of things to look at it. Like I said it's not something that I have even sat down to analyse. So it's not something that one would be able to make a response to just like that. It's something that has just come so suddenly."
But sources from Western Province said President Banda was just wasting his time because his plans would not yield any positive results for the party and himself in particular.
"We know that... but what the President should know is that even if did that [appoint Sikota], the people of Western Province know that he will be doing that in bad faith because of the stance he has taken against the people of Western Province. So we will not be swayed by his manoeuvres to bring in Sakwiba," the source said. "The President promised that the vice-presidency would go to Western Province but what happened? We have since realised that the man [President Banda] is not honest and truthful because there are so many other people he promised.
"Therefore, he cannot hoodwink us. Even if he went ahead and appointed Sakwiba we know that it will not be in good faith, he is just wasting his time because his manoeuvres won't take him anywhere in so far as Western Province is concerned."
Recently when reacting to the decision by MMD secretariat to appoint an interim provincial executive committee in place of the dissolved one, chairman for the dissolved Western Province MMD executive committee Simasiku Namakando said President Banda was becoming unpopular because of the decisions that he was allowing MMD national secretary Katele Kalumba and his friends to make.
"Because President Banda was UNIP he must know that in the MMD we follow the constitution. We do not follow shortcuts," Namakando said. "President Banda is an acting president of the MMD; please put this in capital letters. He is not yet endorsed. When you act, you can either make it or fail."
Namakando said from the way President Banda was running the MMD, it was clear that he was failing to manage the party.
Namakando said only four MMD provincial leaders had been 'reshuffled' from the dissolved executive committee.
He said there was no way that an executive committee, which was elected by a provincial conference, could be reshuffled.
Namakando maintained that he was still the provincial MMD chairman.
He accused President Banda of being ungrateful to the people of Western Province who voted for him in the 2008 election.
"I liken President Banda to an Indian emperor Shahjahan...who when his wife, Mumtaz, died after the birth of his 14th child became sick and died, emperor Shahjahan called the most experienced architectures to build what is now known in India as the Taj Mahal; one of the Seven Wonders of the World," Namakando said, adding that after the builders completed the Taj Mahal, the emperor decided to cut-off their hands so that they could never build such a structure anywhere again.
"This is what President Banda is doing. I made him win as provincial chairman for the MMD in Western Province. Mr Banda is now in State House and after winning his reaction was that, 'I did not solicit for the vote of the people of Western Province'. He wrote a letter to me, who campaigned for him. I was the campaign manager for Western Province. I do not know whether Mr Banda is being ungrateful to the people of Western Province or not."
Namakando further compared President Banda to one of two men that went to the bush in search of honey and when they found it, one man climbed the tree and started eating the honey alone, saying where he came from they did not eat honey while looking down.
Namakando said it was not until the man on the ground set the tree on fire that his friend atop the tree started crying for help.
"This is what is happening. They are enjoying. If they are forgetting Western Province, we will say thank you and we will put a lot of heat and fire to the tree," said Namakando.
Labels: RUPIAH BANDA, SAKWIBA SIKOTA, ULP, VICE PRESIDENCY
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MMD is in a hurry to bury itself – Imenda
Written by Mwala Kalaluka
Sunday, October 11, 2009 4:00:09 AM
LUKULU East United Liberal Party (ULP) member of parliament Batuke Imenda yesterday said the MMD is in a hurry to bury itself due to its dictatorial tendencies.
And the MMD in Lukulu district has rejected the directive by the party’s deputy national secretary Jeff Kande that the district executives in the province should be reporting to the Secretariat instead of the dissolved provincial executive committee.
Commenting on the recent dissolution of the entire Simasiku Namakando-led Western Province MMD executive committee, Imenda said undemocratic parties had an inherent tendency of self-destructing.
“Currently, the MMD is in a hurry like UNIP before it to bury itself,” Imenda said in an interview. “The dissolution of the Western Province MMD provincial executive committee signifies a sad development in Zambia’s political dispensation. Once again the country is witnessing the emergence of dictatorial tendencies, which were synonymous with the first and second Republics, which President Banda was part.”
Imenda said a party that was founded on the backbone of democratic principles must not condone the ‘wamuyaya’ syndrome, which he said was currently showing its ugly head in the ruling party.
“President Banda must take leaf from the disastrous third term attempt by former president Frederick Chiluba,” he cautioned. “President Banda must therefore not impose himself on his party members.”
Imenda said the provisions of the MMD constitution with regards to the election of party president were very clear, as Namakando constantly reminded his superiors in the party.
“It is vividly clear to those that wish to care that prior to the 2008 presidential by-election, the MMD held an election to choose a presidential party candidate,” he said. “The Namakando-led executive supported that healthy democratic process and went ahead to campaign for Mr Banda and produced the best results second only to Eastern Province, where Mr Banda hails from.”
Imenda said the MMD’s undemocratic tendencies would lead to its self-destruction.
“It is equally shameful and unbecoming of a ruling party to sponsor some cadres to go and demonstrate against the British High Commissioner instead of addressing people’s concerns,” said Imenda. “Instead, the government is just dwelling on undemocratic issues to confuse the Zambian people from concentrating on real issues.”
And Lukulu MMD vice chairman, Mukata Mukambwa said the party in the district would continue to report to the dissolved Namakando-led provincial executive because it had done nothing wrong.
Mukambwa said it would be a violation of the party constitution for them to report to the party Secretariat when the party national secretary Katele Kalumba had no powers to dissolve a committee.
District MMD youth chairman Mutoshi Chinyama said even if the National Executive Committee (NEC) calls for the election of a new provincial executive committee, it would not be recognised by the membership.
“We have refused to report to the National Secretariat because we have seen nothing wrong with our provincial executive committee or with their position that we should go to the convention,” he said.
Chinyama said if the NEC wanted, they should dissolve all the party’s executive committees starting with the wards, branches, constituencies and districts.
Labels: BATUKE IMENDA, MMD, ULP
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Rupiah thanks Zambians for ‘accepting’ Chiluba acquittal
Written by Chibaula Silwamba, Mwala Kalaluka, Maluba Jere and Zumani Katasefa
Wednesday, August 19, 2009 6:21:51 PM
PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda yesterday thanked and congratulated Zambians for accepting the acquittal of former president Frederick Chiluba on corruption charges.
Speaking at State House in Lusaka after he swore in Hildah Chibomba as Supreme Court judge, Abyudi Shonga Jnr as Solicitor General and bestowed the status of State Counsel on United Liberal Party (ULP) president Sakwiba Sikota and Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Chalwe Mchenga, President Banda said there was anxiety about what would happen to Chiluba before the judgment.
"I want to thank the Zambian people, your honour the Zambian people today, for having accepted the decision of the Judiciary. I congratulate them because all of us were anxious; we wanted to know what will happen to one of our former presidents. The Zambian people really have to be congratulated for respecting the Judiciary, for respecting this noble institution. Whoever thought of it, wherever he came from, was a very wise person and that's why this should continue to thrive," President Banda said. "In those countries where the Judiciary has been despised and branded and replaced with things less than the Judiciary, the problems have never ended. We are very happy here in Zambia that we have a Judiciary for which we are very proud."
But UPND spokesperson Charles Kakoma said magistrate Jones Chinyama's judgment on Chiluba had opened a Pandora's box for politicians to steal public funds.
Commenting on Monday's outcome of the eight-year case in which former president Chiluba was separately charged with former directors of Access Financial Services Limited (AFSL) - Faustin Kabwe and Aaron Chungu - Kakoma said magistrate Chinyama's judgment was terrible and bad.
"That judgment is terrible. It is a very bad judgment and you see the implication of that is that because politicians are not public officers, it is alright for them, as private citizens, to start stealing public funds," Kakoma said. "It is going to open a Pandora's box where politicians feel it is alright to steal public funds and...get away with it. That is a very bad precedent that the court has set."
Kakoma, who is also Zambezi West member of parliament, said the best the court could have done was to use the judgment to curtail politicians from dipping their fingers in public funds.
"Since we are not public officers, how are we going to be stopped from dipping our fingers in public funds?" he asked.
Kakoma said magistrate Chinyama's whole judgment on Chiluba was also confusing.
"If Chiluba is not guilty, on the other hand the London High Court judgment found him guilty and ordered him to pay back," Kakoma said. "How does that match with this judgment? The two judgments are in conflict. Does that mean that the state will stop registering the London judgment? It is a very confusing judgment. It is not going to help this country in the fight against corruption. It has in fact taken this country many years backwards."
Magistrate Chinyama had argued in the judgment that Chiluba was not a public officer but an elected one.
And PF leader Michael Sata mockingly said Chiluba's acquittal from embezzlement charges had come at a right time to allow him celebrate president Levy Mwanawasa's death in a much more peaceful atmosphere.
"Congratulate him. Give him my congratulations that the acquittal has come at the right time. He should be able to celebrate Mwanawasa's death peacefully," he said. "I do not want to comment on what Rupiah Banda said [in Kabwe]."
Sata said people like Luapula member of parliament Peter Machungwa had always been with Chiluba.
However, Sata said he felt sorry for Chiluba's co-accused persons, Kabwe and Chungu, who had been convicted and sentenced over the corruption charges.
"I feel sorry for my two young brothers," Sata said. "I feel sorry for them and ask them to be brave."
Southern African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) executive director Lee Habasonda said Chiluba had already suffered irreparable personal shame despite his acquittal.
Habasonda said the acquittal was not what every Zambian desired.
"While it may not have been the sort of result that every Zambian has desired, we see it as a precedent in Africa that a former president can be tried," Habasonda said. "He [Chiluba] has suffered irreparable shame in the whole process of eight years. As a man in the standing of a president to be subjected to that for eight long years, I think he has been punished."
Habasonda said Zambians were anxiously waiting to see if the state would appeal against Chiluba's acquittal, so as to determine how committed the government was in the fight against corruption.
"The state still has an option to appeal and how they handle this...we will see if they are committed in fighting corruption," Habasonda said. "People of Zambia have now gotten their determination that no matter which office you occupy, you can be taken to court."
Former Radio Icengelo station manager Fr Frank Bwalya said Chiluba's acquittal would dent Zambia's image internationally in terms of fighting corruption.
Fr Bwalya said the development was regrettable.
"The acquittal of Chiluba raises a lot of questions about the judicial system in our country, I think this acquittal, instead of strengthening the perception that other people have about corruption in Zambia, I think it has weakened that perception, the perception would be negative," he said.
Fr Bwalya said it was not true that the acquittal of Chiluba presented the triumph of God's will, saying it did not add any value to the judicial system in Zambia.
"It is not adding any value to our judicial system, the impression created that Chiluba's acquittal represents God's will is not true," he said.
He said Chiluba was acquitted on technicalities, saying the former head of state had used money from the Zamtrop account to pay friends and relatives.
Fr Bwalya said it was not every leader that came from God, adding that God only provides leadership.
"There were a lot of other things that characterised his [Chiluba] reign, I do not believe that Chiluba's acquittal represents God's will, that breaks my heart. God is ready to forgive people who are ready to repent, and not those who just claim to be repentant," Fr Bwalya said.
And opposition UNIP on the Copperbelt expressed displeasure over Chiluba's acquittal.
UNIP Copperbelt provincial information and publicity secretary Brian Chishimba asked their national leaders to review their relationship with the MMD.
"We as UNIP on the Copperbelt Province we are disappointed with the outcome of Dr Chiluba's case who was facing charges of plundering public resources, we're very disappointed as UNIP," he said.
He said there was sufficient evidence that Chiluba did abuse public resources.
Chishimba wondered why the court had left Chiluba scott free and then jailed his co-accused persons.
"Regina was found guilty of being in possession of stolen property, and what about those 150 pairs of shoes, what is the significance of Chiluba's innocence then?" he said. "What about Basil who confessed that he was Chiluba's tailor!"
Several people talked to on the streets of Kitwe expressed displeasure over the acquittal of Chiluba and wondered whether President Banda was continuing with late president Mwanawasa's legacy to fight corruption.
In Luanshya, some MMD cadres rejoiced upon hearing the news that Chiluba had been acquitted.
On Monday, magistrate Chinyama acquitted Chiluba on all counts of embezzling public funds amounting to US $500,000 but convicted Chungu and Kabwe and sentenced them to five years imprisonment.
Labels: CHILUBA, RUPIAH BANDA, SAKWIBA SIKOTA, ULP
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ULP advises govt on ZAMTEL privatisation
Tuesday, July 28, 2009, 21:18
THE opposition United Liberal Party (ULP) has advised government to handle the 75 per cent sale of Zamtel shares with cautious. Party President, Sakwiba Sikota, says there is need for government to ensure that the matter is handled in a transparent and accountable way, adding that it attracts the interest of many people.
Mr Sikota, who was speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today, said before a strategic partner is found government needs to clearly explain to the pubic the benefits that the nation will have from the sale.
He said people in the country must understand the valuation process being carried and what kind of liabilities the company has.
He noted that government has also to be responsible enough to ensure that the welfare and interests of workers are well looked after.
Mr Sikota explained that government should put in place stringent measures aimed at making sure that there will be no unnecessary job cuts by the investor who will take over the operations of the company.
He stated that with the current global economic meltdown affecting many countries, people’s only sources of income, such as jobs, should be properly secured by he government.
He also challenged government to timely provide adequate information on the offer to both the public and trade unions for their evaluation and interventions.
Mr Sikota further charged that the prospects should also be made public, saying it is the only way Zambians will be given an opportunity to take part in such huge investment by bidding.
And in a separate interview the Committee of Citizens said it supports the decision by government to sale 75 percent of Zamtel shares, saying anything less will be unattractive to investors.
Committee Executive Director, Gregory Chifire, noted that the decision should be supported by all peace-loving Zambians as it aimed at bringing more investment in the country.
Mr Chifire disclosed that Zamtel has for a long time lagged behind, especially in infrastructural development, hence making it difficult for the company to compete favourably with other companies locally and internationally.
He advised government not to be arrogant but rather accommodate different views from various stakeholders on the matter before making a final decision.
Mr Chifire has also called on opposition political parties not to politicise the issue, adding that it is a national subject aimed at benefiting all Zambians.
President Rupiah Banda last week announced that government has resolved to sell 75 per cent shares of the Zambia Telecommunications Corporation (Zamtel) to a private equity partner and retain 25 per cent shares to enable the company operate profitably.
Speaking in Ndola when he addressed Zamtel management and employees, President Banda said the partial privatization of the company was the only way to resolve the financial problems the company was facing and enhance the viability of the company.
ZANIS
Labels: PRIVATISATION, SAKWIBA SIKOTA, ULP, ZAMTEL
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Inonge Wina joins PF/UPND pact
Written by George Chellah
Monday, June 29, 2009 2:41:50 PM
FORMER Nalolo Con-stituency member of parliament Inonge Wina has stated that the United Liberal Party (ULP) has found itself detoured and compromised.
And Wina has stated that she has decided to support and join the PF/UPND pact.
Wina, who is former ULP chairperson for international relations, revealed that she had withdrawn her membership from the party.
"I wish to take this opportunity to make the following announcement to the nation that, I Inonge Mutukwa Wina, former member of parliament [2001-2006] for Nalolo Constituency and chairperson for international relations in ULP has on this 26th day of June, 2009 decided to relinquish my position as chairperson for international relations in ULP," Wina stated.
"In addition, I have also decided to withdraw my membership in the ULP. This move that I have taken has the full blessing and support of the entire executive and the general membership and sympathisers of the ULP in Nalolo constituency and Zambia."
Wina stated that she took the decision after a wide and protracted consultative process both in Western Province and the country in general.
"Naturally, I am expected to state why I am relinquishing my membership in a party for which I was a founding member and sacrificed so much for. My main reason is that it has become unattainable for me and for the people who support me whose main interest was to see to it that the ULP as one of the opposition parties in the country was going to advance the hopes and aspirations of the many voiceless Zambians," Wina stated.
"However, our views are that the ULP has found itself detoured and compromised as most Zambians who have been following the political trends in our country lately, will agree. The ULP has ceased to be a beacon of hope for Zambians who believe in true multi-partism and what it should stand for. I am pleased to announce to the nation that I will from today throw all my support and weight behind the PF/UPND pact."
She stated that Zambians deserve better leadership.
"The people of Zambia especially the down-trodden and the disadvantaged deserve and expect better leadership from those of us, who are privileged to occupy these offices. We are expected to give them a sense of hope and worthiness in being Zambians. This is why I have decided to support and join the PF/UPND pact," Wina stated.
"This pact represents hope for this country. Our people yearn for a united front, which is committed to spearhead their struggle against poverty, corruption and deprivation. A collective leadership that goes beyond tribe and sex but one that stirs the consciousness of our people to unite for their common good."
Wina stated that Zambia was a big country populated by diverse ethnic groups, hence the need for oneness and to make the country one and move it forward.
"This was the driving spirit among those men and women of courage who fought and sacrificed so much to make this country what it is today. This pact therefore is a building block to harness this diversity into a solid and united people," Wina stated.
"By supporting and joining the pact, I am looking at a broader picture as opposed to advancing personal agendas which has become a norm in most of the fragmented opposition parties."
Wina thanked ULP president Sakwiba Sikota and the party's national executive committee for having accorded her the opportunity to work with them.
Labels: INONGE WINA, PF, ULP, UPND
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MMD is putting pressure on workers, councillors to ignore theft at Lukulu council – Imenda
Written by Mwala Kalaluka
Sunday, May 17, 2009 3:08:30 PM
LUKULU East United Liberal Party (ULP) member of parliament Batuke Imenda on Friday accused the MMD of pressurizing councillors to gloss over the misappropriation of public funds at Lukulu Council.
Imenda stated in a press release that he had information that an MMD provincial official in Mongu was now interfering in the running of Lukulu Council following the recent audit report on the local authority, which revealed acts of gross financial indiscipline.
"He [MMD provincial official] is putting pressure on council staff and councillors to ignore thefts that have rocked the council," Imenda stated. "The same official is misleading councillors in believing that he has spoken to Hon. Tetamashimba, Minister of Local Government and Housing to protect the Council Secretary from a disciplinary action."
Imenda demanded to know whether MMD as a party tolerated such dirty schemes.
"It is morally wrong and lack of principles for a top party official to protect a corrupt individual," Imenda complained. "We call upon the Anti-Corruption Commission to monitor the dirty activities by the MMD official...we want to know whether MMD as a party tolerates these dirty schemes."
Imenda pointed out that the findings of the latest audit report undertaken by the Ministry of Local Government and Housing on Lukulu Council made sad reading.
"When I met him, the minister [Benny Tetamashimba] categorically put it to me that he was not going to tolerate theft and corruption in his ministry," Imenda stated. "He told me that if the rot in Lukulu District Council will not be corrected in time, he would have no option but to dissolve it."
Imenda expressed concern that despite piling demands on the new Lukulu Council chairman, a Mr Twembuchi and Kabombo to call for a full council meeting to discuss the audit report, this was not being done.
He stated that instead Twembuchi was going around telling people that there was no need to for a council meeting because he knew how the money was spent.
Imenda threatened that councillors would demand Twembuchi's removal as chairman should he abrogate his responsibilities.
He called on the provincial local government officer to order Twembuchi to call for a full council meeting so that the matter could be settled once and for all.
"We assure the nation and Lukulu in particular that this matter will never go to sleep until all culprits are brought to book," pledged Imenda.
Western Province MMD chairman Simasiku Namakando could not be reached for comment.
Labels: BATUKE IMENDA, ULP
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Cancel $53m mobile hospitals deal, Prof Luo advises govt
Written by Chibaula Silwamba and Patson Chilemba
Saturday, May 02, 2009 4:57:31 PM
FORMER minister of health Professor Nkandu Luo has advised the Zambian government to cancel its planned purchase of nine mobile hospitals valued at US $ 53 million [about K301 billion] from a Chinese firm. And United Liberal Party (ULP) president Sakwiba Sikota said procuring mobile hospitals does not make economic sense.
Commenting on the Zambian government's intention to purchase nine mobile hospitals for all the nine provinces at a cost of US $53 million from China and plans to borrow the same money from EX-IM Bank of China, Prof Luo said Zambia had purchased some mobile clinics in 1991 but the project failed.
Prof Luo wondered why the government wanted to resuscitate a project that would just become a white elephant.
She observed that if the government does not cancel the planned deal, the international donors, who are the main financiars to the health sectors, could cancel their aid hence affecting many Zambians.
"I can tell you for a fact because I used to run that ministry that the bulk of the funding in the health sector is from the donors. That decision now with the donors withholding support, the majority of Zambians especially the poor Zambians in rural areas, in compounds are gonna suffer because they have nowhere else to go. That is a serious decision," said Prof Luo in an interview in Lusaka.
"So the way forward is just to cancel that order so that we get support from donors."
She observed that the health sector had many problems and mobile hospitals were not a priority.
"For many years, even from the time I was minister of health, people have been saying our health services have a problem and the problems have been pointed out to all of us. One which is very serious at the moment is the human resource capacity in terms of numbers and distribution," she said.
"The second thing that our people have been raising is that our health institutions do not have adequate drugs and diagnostic services are not adequate, needing priority attention."
Prof Luo said the government must prioritise the problems that need to be tackled in the health sector instead of buying non-essential things.
"One, we don't have human resources, then it means you can't bring in mobile clinics [hospitals] because who is gonna work in those clinics? Then the facilities we have right now have a problem of human resource. So if I were to look at priorities, my priorities could be that of improving the human resource capacity," Prof Luo said.
"Secondly, the hospitals that we have at the moment have the problem of shortage of drugs. So how do I go and create more when I am not able to meet the demand of the current ones? So my second priority would be to make sure that there are enough drugs in hospitals. But I think we are not prioritizing."
She said Zambia did not even have money to fight HIV/AIDS and had to beg from international donors.
"So how then get into a situation where we don't look at the fact that we have these issues that are surrounding us that need our immediate attention and we want to create another monster," Prof Luo said.
"It is very important for us to look in the past, what has happened and what lessons we can draw from that. I remember in 1991 these same mobile clinics were brought; if you go round the country you will find some of these mobile clinics sitting as white elephants behind our health institutions. This thing was tried in 1991 but it did not work."
She said at that time a few mobile hospitals were brought in and some members of parliament took them to their constituencies but the project was not viable and was abandoned.
"So what is it that has changed that this time these mobile clinics brought into our country will work? Basically I think we are a nation that is very wasteful. We are a nation that doesn't learn lessons from the past, we are a nation that doesn't interrogate our leadership and we are a nation that doesn't prioritise issues," Prof Luo said.
"We just think that we can just wake up in the morning and make decisions and whatever happens, it doesn't matter; that money goes to waste then we start looking for other monies. We can't continue like that!"
She said Zambians should engage their leaders to ensure accountability.
"The other thing is that when you are put in leadership the people that put you in leadership, expect certain things from you. Tomorrow, I will not be there but I am going to leave my sons in this country," she said.
"So if I have been part of the destruction, those people will come to write history of Zambia a lot of people's names will really be in trouble because of the way they make decisions. I think those of us who are in leadership, we have to think beyond ourselves."
Prof Luo said she was glad that the donors who were supporting Zambia were interrogating the mobile hospital deal.
"Because even me as a professional, I am interrogating this. For those who are interrogating it is in the interest of every Zambian," Prof Luo said. "All these revelations we have been hearing in the past months show that the governance systems and procedures are broken down. As at now we are like a headless chicken running all over the place."
And Sikota, who campaigned heavily for President Banda during last year’s presidential elections, said procuring mobile hospitals was not worth it.
He said mobile hospitals were not the most cost effective way of dealing with the health problems the country was faced with.
Sikota said instead of procuring mobile hospitals, President Banda's government should use the K301 billion to build stationery hospitals.
"When you look at the amounts and logistical issues that arise in keeping the mobile hospitals moving, government will have to justify that it makes economic sense. But from what I have seen it doesn't seem to make economic sense. I don't see how it makes sense when you look at the other alternative, which would be building stationery hospitals. Stationery hospitals make more economic sense than mobile hospitals," Sikota said.
"There is the issue of those people who are in remote areas, maybe getting a few ambulances or helicopters could be provided to get those people to stationery hospitals. Helicopters would be able to land at every place. The concept is not a bad concept. But when you see the figures, that's when you see that the concept was wrong. The final cost no longer makes it attractive."
Sikota said an undertaking which involved about K301 billion was supposed to be tabled before Cabinet and then Parliament before it could go ahead.
He said the government should justify their undertaking to Parliament if they could not explain it to the people.
On single sourcing which has characterized President Banda's government's dealings, Sikota said single sourcing should be done rarely and in emergency situations.
He said there was nothing that made procuring mobile hospitals an emergency purchase, saying Parliament should therefore not be bypassed.
"You can have single sourcing if it is an emergency or where only one or two people who are specialized in an area can supply that kind of good or service," said Sikota.
Sikota is one of the opposition party presidents who toured most parts of the country campaigning for President Banda during last year's presidential election.
And Patriotic Front (PF) president Michael Sata said President Banda's son, Henry, had been frequenting health permanent secretary Dr Velepi Mtonga's office. Sata charged that most of President Banda's deals were being executed by some of his children.
"Whether it's fertiliser or Genetically Modified Organisms [GMO], they are being done by his sons. The current wife of Rupiah Banda [Thandiwe] is related to Velepi Mtonga," said Sata.
"What I am trying to say, you know Rupiah Banda's children. You saw them in the Dora Siliya case and you find that probably at the end of the day, they are the ones who are behind these Chinese [mobile hospitals]."
According to sources within the donor community, the Zambian government is in the process of acquiring a US$53 million loan from EX-IM Bank of China to facilitate the acquisition of the mobile hospitals from a Chinese firm called China National Aero Technology Import and Export Corporation (CATIC).
However, international donors have questioned the deal and held meetings last week in Lusaka to discuss the pending transaction between the Ministry of Health, on behalf of the Zambian government and CATIC.
The donors later cancelled the signing of a memorandum of understanding for support to the ministry pending a satisfactory explanation from the Ministry of Health.
Labels: CORRUPTION, HEALTHCARE, NKANDU LUO, SAKWIBA SIKOTA, ULP
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ULP still a force to reckon with in Zambian politics, Sakwiba Sikota
Tuesday, April 14, 2009, 16:38
The opposition United Liberal Party (ULP) has put in place programmes that would enable the party compete favourably in the 2011 general elections. ULP president, Sakwiba Sikota, said the party has embarked on a daily recruitment membership’s exercise.
Mr. Sikota said in an interview in Lusaka today that the party membership has been growing since the recruitment exercise started. He added that a lot of people have shown interest of joining the opposition ULP.
He also said the party has put in place continuous programmes that would help in developing the party’s manifesto.
Mr. Sikota further said that ULP has been informing Zambians on what the party’s intentions were and what the party would stand for in 2011.
He said ULP has also been participating and contributing to different national issues affecting the country.
He said, with the different programmes put in place, the party would make the party much stronger by 2011.
Mr. Sikota noted that ULP was still a force to reckon with in the country’s politics, adding that the people of Zambia should not look down on the party.
He said the ULP was still very popular and that the party had support not only in Lusaka but also in other parts of the country.
ZANIS/AJN/KSH/ENDS
Labels: SAKWIBA SIKOTA, ULP
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Teta nominates MMD officials as water utilities board members
Written by Chibaula Silwamba and Kelvin Tembo
Friday, January 23, 2009 7:04:38 AM
LOCAL government minister Benny Tetamashimba has nominated MMD provincial chairpersons for Western and Central provinces Simasiku Namakando and Boyd Mutonka as board chairperson and board member of Western Water and Sewerage Company and Lukanga Water and Sewerage Company respectively.
But Zambia Water and Sanitation Engineers Allied Workers Union (ZWSEAWU) general secretary Charles Phiri has said
Tetamashimba should not extend the confusion he has created in the councils to water utility companies.
According to a final list of final names of board members of the eight new boards for water utility companies, which indicate the appointing institution and academic qualifications of the appointees, Tetamashimba nominated Namakando as chairperson of Western Water and Sewerage Company.
The list also indicated that Tetamashimba, who is also MMD information and publicity chairperson, nominated Mutonka to the board of Lukanga Water and Sewerage Company. Tetamashimba also nominated opposition United Liberal Party (ULP) national chairperson Clementina Chipeta as a board member for Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company. The ULP, under the leadership of Sakwiba Sikota, campaigned for President Rupiah Banda in the October 30 presidential election.
And former Lukashya MMD member of parliament Bernard Mpundu is vice chairperson for Chambeshi Water and Sewerage Company while former United Church of Zambia (UCZ) Copperbelt presbytery overseer Bishop Committee Njase is new chairperson for Kafubu Water and Sewerage Company.
Tetamashimba also nominated a Mr. T. B. Vundamina of Mufulira as board chairperson for Mulonga Water and Sewerage Company and Morgan Ntantula as a board member of Kafubu Water and Sewerage Company.
Tetamashimba nominated Marthar Judy Evans as vice-chairperson of Eastern Water and Sewerage Company.
Other board chairpersons, whose appointing authority is not indicated, include Mpundu Mwila Shapi (Chambeshi Water and Sewerage Company), Ruth Mvula (Lukanga Water and Sewerage Company), William Nyirenda (Nkana Water and Sewerage Company) Victor Zulu (Eastern Water and Sewerage Company) and Ann Mwanza (Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company).
“The Ministry of Local Government and Housing has confidence in the men and women that have been appointed and in their ability to effectively discharge their responsibilities of providing policy guidance and overall supervision of their water utility companies. This is because they have been appointed on merit after wide consultation and screening to ensure that they met the requisite qualifications,” Tetamashimba stated. “The boards have a challenge of measuring up to the challenge of reducing by half the proportion of the population without access to safe and reliable water supply and proper sanitation by the year 2015.”
And commenting on Tetamashimba’s appointing of new boards for eight water utility companies, Charles Phiri said the dissolutions were welcome but it was not up to Tetamashimba to appoint new board chairpersons.
“It is not up to the minister to appoint the board chairperson and his vice. It is the board members that are supposed to do that. We do not want confusion in water companies,” Phiri said.
He said the tenure of office for the eight boards had expired and Tetamashimba was in order to dissolve them, but political interference should be avoided in the appointment of those boards.
Phiri said the government was a shareholder in the utility companies and did not have the power to appoint board chairpersons.
He said the boards should be allowed to operate autonomously because they were commercial entities.
“Obviously we will see party cadres being appointed as board members who will affect the independence of the water utility companies,” Phiri said.
He said the union would not allow Tetamashimba to extend the confusion he had created in the councils to the water companies. He said the union was not happy with the way Tetamashimba was running the ministry.
“We are going to give the new boards 90 days to see how they are going to operate and we will take the issue to State House because we do not need anymore confusion,” said Phiri.
Labels: BENNY TETAMASHIMBA, BOYD MUTONKA, CHARLES PHIRI, CLEMENTINE CHIPETA, CORRUPTION, MMD, PARASTATALS, SIMASIKU NAMAKANDO, ULP, WESTERN WATER AND SEWERAGE COMPANY, ZWSEAWU
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W/Province ULP chairman joins PF
Written by Nyambe Muyumbana in Mongu
WESTERN Province United Liberal Party (ULP) chairman Simasiku Kalumiana has resigned from his party to join opposition Patriotic Front. In an interview, Kalumiana said his decision to resign from ULP was backed by his relatives, friends and ULP supporters in Nalikwanda Constituency, where he is former member of parliament.
Kalumiana said that ULP had lost direction and its core purpose of which it was founded upon, saying that it was only three individuals who were setting their selfish agendas for every one in the party.
He said that he found it unacceptable to be part of a party which had failed to enhance and advance the ideals of multiparty democracy which it stood for when it was formed.
"I have today decided to relinquish my position as provincial chairman for ULP in Western Province as well as member of ULP. This is as a result of serious searching for a right party to join as well as consultations with my family members, friends and supporters," he said.
"Today ULP is controlled by few individuals who are setting the agenda direction of the party for everyone and it's only these few people who are benefiting. Look at the pact between ULP and MMD, there was no formal meeting of the National Steering Committee to agree on that! That's why today it's only Shumina (ULP secretary general) and Sakwiba flying in the chopper to go for campaigns. No! We can't have only three people flying," he said.
Kalumiana said that it was so unfortunate that Sakwiba Sikota had reduced himself to such levels of following Rupiah Banda when he was in the actual sense supposed to run his own party.
Kalumiana said that it was clear that everyone in the country wanted change and said that he did not want to be one of the people who were standing in the way for change.
He declared that the support Sata was commanding across the country was unstoppable saying that it was sad that the MMD together with ULP were fighting it instead of harmonising it.
"For me I believe the wind for change is here. Whether it will happen on Thursday or 2011, the fact is the wind is here. What I'm doing is just a tip of an iceberg phenomenon otherwise the rest are waiting to come out in the open and resign from various parties to join PF," said Kalumiana.
Labels: PF, SIMASIKU KALUMIANA, ULP
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Mwanawasa is surrounded by pretenders, observes Katilungu
By Mwila Chansa in Kitwe
Monday August 11, 2008 [04:00]
UNITED Liberal Party (ULP) women’s national chairperson Charity Katilungu has said the decision by Cabinet to award itself a pay rise clearly shows that President Mwanawasa is surrounded by pretenders. And Katilungu said ULP wanted its members to be well-informed about the constitution-making process so that they could make tangible contributions that their representatives sitting on the National Constitutional Conference (NCC) could forward to their respective committees.
In an interview shortly after she officially opened a ULP consensus building workshop on the constitution-making process at the YMCA Norfred Hotel in Kitwe yesterday, Katilungu said it was surprising that Cabinet decided to award itself salary increments in the absence of President Levy Mwanawasa, who is currently admitted to Percy Military Hospital in Paris.
“I remember the President had said that government was not interested in making itself rich but to improve people’s livelihood, but why have things changed in his absence?” asked Katilungu.
She said the money that Cabinet officials wanted to offer themselves as pay rise could go a long way in improving conditions in hospitals and schools, which she said were pathetic.
And Katilungu said ULP wanted its members to feel that they had a hand in the outcome of the country’s constitution.
She said it was for this reason that workshops were being organised across the country so that members could give their views which would later be taken to the NCC by the representatives.
Katilungu said the party was also using the workshops to ascertain its strength on the ground. Katilungu said the party could win sufficient seats in Parliament in an event of an early election.
Labels: CHARITY KATILUNGU, MMD, MWANAWASA, NCC, ULP
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Sakwiba is bitter for nothing, says HH
By Lambwe Kachali and Agness Changala
Saturday June 21, 2008 [04:00]
OPPOSITION UPND president Hakainde Hichilema has said he does not want to engage in politics of hatred with United Liberal Party (ULP) leader Sakwiba Sikota. In an interview on Thursday from Milanzi Constituency where he had gone to drum up support for UPND candidate Chimwala Phiri, Hichilema said he had insisted on inviting Sikota to his party because he harboured no grudge against him. Hichilema said Sikota's statement was malicious and misleading because he (Hichilema) had met him on several occasions over the need to reconcile.
"I think, as leaders, we need to be honest and sincere. Before the 2006 convention, I met Hon Sikota at Pamodzi Hotel and this meeting was presided by Hon David Matongo Pemba member of parliament in which we discussed that each of us should accept the outcome of the convention. And after the convention, I met him at Dr Kenneth
Kaunda's residence and we discussed many issues.
There have been many emissaries used between these two years to have us come together so that we deliver this country forward," Hichilema said.
"So, it is clear that my brother Saky is bitter for nothing. You know, I believe in honesty and sincerity and it will be important that Hon Sikota accept that. We cannot be perpetrating enmity for two years. That's not constructive politics."
Hichilema said UPND's invitation to Sikota was genuine and that he had never issued tribal sentiments as alleged.
He said people promoting issues of tribalism lacked important issues to talk about because UPND believed in unity regardless of people's affiliations.
"This is not the first time Sikota has issued such derogatory tribal statements against me. He has been circulating many statements which I have not reacted to because I believe they are not worth reacting to," Hichilema said. "As politicians who seek public office, we should not promote hatred the way Sikota does. Anyway, Zambians will judge at the end of the day."
He said if Sikota was against the idea of reconciliation, he should not use lies.
"Even if Sikota is trying to insult me, I will not insult back because we have been vindicated since the majority of ULP members have come back to their original party, UPND. So there is no need to argue with such a person," he said.
And Hichilema complained that The Post editorial comment, which was carried in the Thursday edition was discriminatory and injurious to his party.
Hichilema said The Post had no authority to question UPND's campaigns because they were at liberty to do so across the country.
He said newspapers should not be used as tools of oppression against other political parties.
"If there is something wrong I have done against you The Post, please call me and we can resolve," said Hichilema.
And former ULP chairperson for elections Lawrence Nyambe said Hichilema's olive branch to ULP members to rejoin UPND was genuine.
Nyambe, who recently resigned from ULP to rejoin UPND, said the call for Sikota to rejoin the party was based on Hichilema's strong desire to unite Zambians to work together and achieve social and economic development and reduce poverty in the country.
Nyambe said tribal sentiments at the UPND convention were uttered by Ngande Mwanajiti and Syacheye Madyenkuku and it was unfair to ask Hichilema to apologise over the sentiments.
On Tuesday, Hichilema asked Sikota to join UPND in the spirit of national unity and development but on Wednesday Sikota said the UPND leader's invitation was not genuine.
Labels: HAKAINDE HICHILEMA, SAKWIBA SIKOTA, SATA, ULP, UPND
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Saki refuses to rejoin UPND
By Lambwe Kachali
Thursday June 19, 2008 [04:00]
UNITED Liberal Party (ULP) president Sakwiba Sikota yesterday said UPND president Hakainde Hichilema is not honest in his offer of reconciliation because he has failed to deal with tribalism in the party. Responding to Hichilema who on Tuesday invited him to rejoin UPND in the spirit of national unity and development, Sikota said Hichilema's offer to the leadership and membership of ULP to rejoin UPND was not genuine and was laced with thorny issues.
Sikota accused Hichilema of playing to the gallery by using the press without apologising to the people that suffered at the 2006 UPND convention and those who were still affected by the alleged tribalism in the party. He said if Hichilema really wanted him to re-join UPND, he should have raised the matter with him privately without using the press. Sikota charged that Hichilema wanted to use ULP to cheat Zambians.
"Mr Hichilema is not being honest in his offer of reconciliation because he has failed to acknowledge and deal with many serious issues of tribalism, intimidation, bribery and violence that made us leave UPND to form the United Liberal Party. We have met with Mr Hichilema at several public events, at no time has he ever shown any remorse or apologised for the blatant tribalism, violence, corruption and bribery that characterised his campaign before, during and after the UPND convention of 2006," Sikota said.
He wondered what message he would send to Zambians if he rejoined UPND. "Wouldn't we be telling the people of Zambia that it is okay for Mr Hichilema to harbour serious tribal sentiments and still aspire to run for public office?" Sikota asked. "We have a moral responsibility to ensure that those that use tribalism, intimidation, bribery and corruption to gain favour in public office are exposed for what they are."
Sikota said even those who gave Hichilema a benefit of doubt after the UPND convention indicated that tribalism and intimidation was rife by the top leadership. He cited Patrick Chisanga, then UPND vice-president and Frank Tayali, then national youth chairperson, who resigned because of alleged tribalism and intimidation from the top leadership.
"In case Mr Hichilema has forgotten, we would like to remind him and the nation of his tribalism. Before the UPND convention in July 2006 at a meeting attended by Honourable Jack Mwiimbu, MP for Monze, Honourable Eileen Imbwae, MP for Lukulu West and Mr Wynter Kabimba, Patriotic Front (PF) chairperson for local government, Mr Hichilema was asked on why he wanted to become UPND leader and as to why Honourable Sikota would not be the right person? His response was purely tribal and we quote; 'I have decided to go for the UPND presidency because a Lozi person can never win the presidency of the Republic of Zambia'," Sikota said.
"Another sad incidence which was also reported in The Post Newspaper that confirmed Mr Hichilema's tribalism was at a public rally he addressed in Kaoma during campaigns in 2006 elections. In reference to our pact with PF in the 2006 elections, he (Hichilema) said, 'Don't vote for ULP because Sakwiba Sikota has sold you to the Bembas'. It is also tribal on the part of Mr Hichilema to ask the people of Western Province not to vote for ULP because of the Bemba people."
Sikota said that if Hichilema was serious about abandoning his tribal sentiments and reconciling with ULP, he should have approached him in person rather than rushing to the press for window dressing.
"If he is truly interested in working with the leadership of the United Liberal party, he should apologise to the people of Zambia for the tribalism and then come to join the ULP," said Sikota.
And ULP Lusaka provincial leadership stated that they would not accept to rejoin UPND.
In a statement signed by provincial treasurer Charles Kalimba, Lusaka district chairperson Roseline Chipasha and constituency trustee Rex Mataa stated that Hichilema's offer was fake and covered with a dark cloud of desperation.
Labels: HAKAINDE HICHILEMA, SAKWIBA SIKOTA, ULP, UPND
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HH invites Sakwiba to rejoin UPND
By Lambwe Kachali
Wednesday June 18, 2008 [04:00]
OPPOSITION UPND president Hakainde Hichilema has invited United Liberal party (ULP) leader Sakwiba Sikota to rejoin UPND in the spirit of national unity and development. And Hichilema said defence minister George Mpombo and information minister Mike Mulongoti were hired political mercenaries.
During a press conference yesterday, Hichilema said the rate at which ULP members were deserting the party to join UPND was enough for Sikota to understand that his party had no future.
Hichilema said he had no grudge against Sikota and it was important that he joined his original party and moved the country forward.
He said he would not stop inviting Sikota to UPND because he was a formidable politician who could help develop the country now and after the party formed government in 2011.
"This is not the first time I have invited my brother Sikota. I have done so before but I always realise that in the spirit of brotherhood, we should continue to invite him so that we can work together. He should come to his original party. The issue of hiding behind the scenes is over. Honourable Sikota should know that UPND is his party, his original party and we want to work with him as before," Hichilema said.
He said when he travelled to Western Province last week, he was gripped by the sufferings of the people and that made him realise that there was no time for squabbles.
Hichilema said there was need for politicians to unite in order to turn their promises into reality and that UPND's invitation was not for Sikota alone but every Zambian that believed in development.
But when contacted, Sikota declined to comment on the matter. nd Hichilema described Mpombo and Mulongoti's reactions to his statement that the reconciliation between President Levy Mwanawasa and Patriotic Front (PF) president Michael Sata's reconciliation was circumstantial as professional noise making. He said Mpombo should concentrate on finding solutions to the problems affecting the country.
"We will not be dragged into further debate over this issue which we consider to be dead issue. The Mwanawasa and Sata issue is dead. Mr Sata had simply reconciled with his former party, MMD and we wish him well as he rejoins the MMD," said Hichilema.
Labels: GEORGE MPOMBO, HAKAINDE HICHILEMA, SAKWIBA SIKOTA, ULP, UPND
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Levy should admit failure in education sector - HH
By Lambwe Kachali and Masuzyo Chakwe
Tuesday May 27, 2008 [04:00]
UPND president Hakainde Hichilema yesterday said President Levy Mwanawasa is being irresponsible in the manner he is handling the grievances of the University of Zambia (UNZA) students. And United Liberal Party (ULP) president Sakwiba Sikota called for an inquiry into the shooting of two UNZA students to determine whether the situation warranted the use of live bullets.
Briefing the press at his residence yesterday, Hichilema said President Mwanawasa should admit that he had failed to find a lasting solution to the problems affecting students at UNZA.
Hichilema said it was extremely sad that the President had issued threatening remarks against students instead of exhibiting good leadership and ensuring that their grievances were addressed.
He said the main problems at UNZA were lack of funding and poor management of resources by the Ministry of Education.
Hichilema said President Mwanawasa should not blame the students but admit that he had failed to uplift the education sector.
"I was very alarmed to hear President Mwanawasa say that his government will not increase allowances that our students are requesting.
This is total irresponsibility of the highest standard. We have been calling for proper funding to our two universities and unless this is done, students' unrest will not be stopped," Hichilema said. "Right now President Mwanawasa is spending more money for his trip to Japan than what is requested by the students. Why can't he prioritise education in the country?"
He said President Mwanawasa's statement was enough to suggest that he had failed to run the country, more particularly the education sector.
Hichilema said Zambia had failed to improve the education system to compete with other countries at world level despite having gained independence 44 years ago.
"And now President Mwanawasa is telling our poor students to quit education just because they are demanding better allowances. Is UNZA for Levy's children and his ministers children alone?" Hichilema asked. "President Mwanawasa should know that K300,000 with these high prices of food is not enough for students to sustain themselves."
And asked why he could not attend Africa Freedom Day celebrations at State House on Sunday, Hichilema said leadership was about priorities. Hichilema said although he respected Africa Freedom Day, there was no way he could attend the celebrations when majority Zambians were suffering. He said such celebrations were meaningless when citizens were being shot at by state agents.
"I thought visiting the students who were shot at by the police was more important than listening to music and eating cake at State House. So I went to visit the students at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH)," said Hichilema.
On Sunday, President Mwanawasa before departure for Japan said the government would not increase the meal allowances for students as they were reasonably paid.
And Sikota in an interview yesterday said it was very sad that the problem at UNZA had reached such levels.
"This goes back to what I had debated on the Zambia Police in Parliament on the need to equip them with proper crowd control equipment such as rubber bullets and water canisters so that they don't panic when people are rushing to them. They should also be trained in crowd control," he said.
Sikota said a full enquiry was needed to establish the circumstances under which the two students were shot.
"Who fired the shots? Who gave the briefing to the police on the situation at UNZA and what the briefing was all about," he said.
He said there was also a need to resolve the issue of the meal allowances.
Sikota said there were three solutions to the problem at UNZA.
"The fees can either remain the way they are, or they can be increased or it can be decided whether or not the students should be fed and they get coupons," he said.
Sikota said there was need for a study to determine how the students came up with the K600,000 they were demanding.
"The study should determine if the current amount is enough to sustain the students and also how they came up with their figure. It is time to deal with the matter based on evidence in the ground. By doing the study, it is also possible to find out if government can buy in bulk. We need to investigate the pros and cons," Sikota said.
And the University of Zambia Students Union (UNZASU) has complained to the Inspector General of Police Ephraim Mateyo over the alleged unprofessional and inhuman behaviour exhibited by police officers during the internal demonstration, which took place last week.
In a letter dated May 25, 2008 to Mateyo signed by UNZASU vice-president Duncan Nyirongo and secretary general Charity Samunuma, the students stated that they were treated like armed criminals even though they did not damage any public property or disturb public peace.
They stated that they were merely exercising their constitutional and democratic right of holding a peaceful internal demonstration to express their grievances over government's failure to grant them the justified meal allowance increment.
"The action taken by the police to shoot innocent and unarmed students using live bullets in an attempt to disperse them was uncalled for; to begin with, the policemen are the ones who provoked the situation by going into lecture theatres with guns to scare away everyone, as though that was not enough, your men went further to follow the students in the residences where they had fled to for safety, and fired tear gas canisters in the rooms leading to the destruction of university and students property.
A number of students collapsed and most of them were choked and had to leave their rooms for fresh air outside where the police savagely shot two of our students, Chewe Chisala and Samuel Nasilele with live bullets," they stated.
The union stated that using live ammunition on innocent civilians was unethical.
"Firing teargas canisters in the residences is also unacceptable. Recently, Parliament also passed a law that prohibits the usage of teargas on humans, which you have also decided to ignore," he said.
The union stated that the police also damaged property in the process.
They have since demanded a comprehensive report on what prompted the policemen to disturb the normal operations of the university by stopping lectures and ordering the closure of some offices, as well as interfering in a peaceful internal demonstration.
"The culprits that shot the two students should be dealt with sternly and the police should issue a public apology to the victims and the UNZA community at large.
The Lusaka police deputy commanding officer, Chewe Bowa, who is also a post-graduate student at UNZA should be dealt with for blatantly confirming that the police had used live bullets on the students, about 400 metres away from the main road, because the students were indisciplined. UNZASU is forced to believe that he ordered this shameful act, as he was on the site of these events," they stated.
They stated that the police should heavily compensate the two students who were shot as well as those whose property was destroyed.
"The police should apologise to the student populace for interfering in the exercise of their constitutional right. Your office should facilitate the evacuation of the student who was shot in the chest, who up to now has the bullet lodged in his chest and the condition is unstable, for specialist treatment," the letter read in part.
On President Mwanawasa's statement that the government would not increase meal allowances, union president Solomon Ng'ambi said the President was being misinformed over students' allowance negotiations. Ng'ambi said the bursary was not negotiable but that the allowances could be adjusted.
"Lungwangwa is misleading President Mwanawasa. Lungwangwa is behaving as if he were not a professor and does not know these conditions. Negotiations over allowances are even enshrined in the constitution. The union will explain to the president when he returns from Japan," said Ng'ambi.
Meanwhile, the condition of Nasilele and Chisala, who were admitted to UTH last Friday is stable. The students have even been moved from the low cost ward to the high cost ward after Hichilema paid K2 million when he visited them on Sunday.
Labels: HAKAINDE HICHILEMA, MWANAWASA, SAKWIBA SIKOTA, ULP
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