Zukas warns of public reaction against acquittal
Written by Patson Chilemba
Friday, September 25, 2009 6:11:20 AM
VETERAN politician Simon Zukas has warned that the public will mobilise itself and react against the misapplication of justice and political interference over former president Frederick Chiluba. And Zukas thanked works and supply minister Mike Mulongoti for clearing people's doubts that there was strong political interference in Chiluba's acquittal.
In an interview, Zukas said the court process had not been completed over Chiluba's acquittal, saying the unfinished business should be allowed to finish.
"The public will mobilise itself soon or later and react against the misapplication of justice or the pushing in a political element in the process of justice just because he is a former president," Zukas said last Tuesday.
On works and supply minister Mike Mulongoti's statement that it would have been costly to jail Chiluba, Zukas said many people raised several questions over the acquittal but he was glad that Mulongoti had confirmed what really transpired.
"Firstly, I would say thanks to Mike Mulongoti. Thanks for bringing us up to date on the Chiluba acquittal by revealing that there was a strong political element in it. I would thank Mulongoti for giving the game away. Many of us had suspected this, but I am grateful to have it confirmed now. This is the nearest we have got so far to the smoking gun. You know what I mean by smoking gun? Yes, well you know smoking gun is something that you see when someone has shot somebody. Then this is very good evidence," Zukas said. "And I think we should be grateful to Mulongoti, he has come clean, even though I don't agree with his sentiment. It's good to have an element of transparency."
Asked if the country was going anywhere on the fight against Chiluba's corruption especially with the conduct from the government, Zukas responded: "We are going somewhere, but unfortunately so far it has been going down, and we need to listen to the people to start going up."
Zukas said money was stolen and Zambians should demand it back, saying the government should not drag its feet over the matter.
"The first thing is to proceed and register the London judgment. You know there was a judgment in London against Chiluba, a very big sum of money and that requires registering in the court. And even though they haven't gone ahead, even though they blocked the appeal, we must push them to proceed with the registration of the London judgment," he said.
Asked on the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ)'s position that Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Chalwe Mchenga should have appealed against Chiluba's acquittal and where this left the DPP, Zukas asked Mchenga to consider his position.
He said the Constitution gave Mchenga a lot of independence from the Executive.
"If he is being pushed in any way, to save his honour, he must consider his position. LAZ is a respected body. It's not only LAZ, many lawyers that I have spoken to have said that there was sufficient ground in the magistrate's verdict to warrant an appeal. Now that the appeal in fact started taking place and was then forced to be withdrawn, it should be reinstated," Zukas said. "I don't know the legal niceties..whether time to appeal lapsed, but there should be a way where we should go to higher courts of justice."
Zukas said he did not accept President Rupiah Banda and Mulongoti's view that the public had accepted Chiluba's acquittal.
He said most people were in fact suspicious of the verdict.
"You see let's look back, there was a process of reinstating or rehabilitating Chiluba. Remember in the sitting arrangements that took place during public occasions? Who was behind that? This didn't just happen out of the blue. There was someone behind it, and it can only be government. You can't just go and sit anywhere in a public occasion. Someone places everyone," Zukas said. "And that is where it started and we should have suspected from then that politics was being mixed with justice. Now there are many aspects of Mulongoti's statement. If he says that not everyone hates Chiluba, it's not a question of hate. It doesn't even come into it. We want justice and we want money belonging to the people to be given back.
"Honourable Mulongoti takes a simplistic view, saying that some of the money in the Zamtrop account belonged to Chiluba. Well if that is so, why didn't Chiluba go into the witness box and stand up to make not unsworn statement and object to cross examination? The magistrate had no right to give too much weight to it because it was made from a statement, not from a witness. So, Mulongoti is trying to justify the acquittal on very weak grounds."
On Mulongoti's statement that people who got houses for K10,000 did not hate Chiluba, Zukas said the people were given bribes for which they could support Chiluba.
He said what the Zambian people wanted was a proper system of justice, without politics to apply to those who stole including a president.
"It may be [assertions that Cabinet secured Chiluba's acquittal], we don't know. But Mike is a Cabinet minister and he can't be speaking out of turn here. I know him quite well and he is a responsible man. So he wouldn't have made the statements he made in Kasama without having discussed it with higher authority," Zukas said. "Whether it was a Cabinet decision, we will only know when a Cabinet minister reveals historically."
Featuring on Kasama's Radio Mano last Thursday, Mulongoti said it would have been costly to jail Chiluba.
Labels: CHILUBA, ZUKAS
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Rupiah gave chiluba temporal joy – Sata
Written by Patson Chilemba, George Chellah and Margaret Habbuno
Tuesday, August 25, 2009 3:46:55 PM
PATRIOTIC Front (PF) Michael Sata yesterday said President Rupiah Banda gave former president Frederick Chiluba temporal happiness.And veteran politician Simon Zukas said Zambians welcome the state's appeal against Ndola High Court Registrar Jones Chinyama's decision to acquit Chiluba on embezzlement charges.
Commenting on the state's filing of a notice of appeal in the Lusaka High Court against Chinyama's decision to acquit Chiluba on all counts of embezzling public funds amounting to US $500,000, Sata said Chiluba went out of his way to preach hatred at Bible Gospel Church in Africa (BIGOCA) on Sunday.
He said the temporal happiness was washed away by the state's notice of appeal against Chiluba's acquittal by Chinyama.
"Even if his brother did not deliver [in Luapula] last year, at least he [President Banda] has done his part. He has pulled out diplomatically and left the matter in the state. He [President Banda] has given him [Chiluba] temporal happiness. He gave him temporal happiness and went to Matero to preach hatred. But he did not know that at the time, his friend was appealing," Sata said. "So let the law take its course. He [President Banda] is a clever man. He has had it both ways. His friend is happy and the other people [state] are also happy."
Sata said Chiluba's case was a high profile one and President Banda should have been aware that the state would appeal against the former president's acquittal.
On Chiluba's statement that he campaigned for President Banda in last year's presidential elections even when other people had said that a certain politician was popular and the President would not win, Sata responded: "Ulelila tabamucheba kukanwa, at the moment our comrade has to justify the kindness of Rupiah Banda, and he can use the Church and rebels. The only contradiction is that His Excellency the President, at State House, on behalf of Zambians; he thanked the people for accepting the acquittal, and now we are wondering whether the state are included in the people of Zambia."
Sata asked both President Banda and Chiluba to take it easy and never be excited by anything.
"So, we don't know who is cheating who. That's a very high-profile case. I don't think the state would appeal without the President knowing," Sata said.
And Sata said Chiluba was using the Church to preach hatred by attacking other people.
He said Chiluba contradicted himself by saying that President Banda was unifying the nation, while he [Chiluba] in the same breath was busy attacking others.
Sata said a person like Chiluba who lived in a glasshouse should be the last one to throw stones. He said Chiluba might be lucky over his acquittal, but his wife Regina might not be.
"I think it will be wrong to have a go at the judiciary, because even the case of Regina is still on appeal. Even his case is on appeal. He is committing contempt of court by talking over Regina's matter. So the president should take it easy," said Sata.
And Zukas said Zambians would welcome the decision by the state to appeal against the judgment.
"Thousands of Zambians will welcome the news that the state is appealing against the Chinyama verdict in the Chiluba embezzlement case, which stunned all right-thinking Zambians," Zukas said. "Max Nkole and the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) deserve our congratulations for restoring our nation's self-esteem. I trust that the state will also pursue without delay the registration through our courts of the London Smith verdict."
And senior chief Bright Nalubamba of the Ila people of Southern Province yesterday advised President Banda to keep away from the jubilation of Chiluba's acquittal and support the Task Force to conclude the case.
Chief Nalubamba said he wished the Task Force on Corruption all the success in their endeavour to seek justice.
"I am sure that they would appeal even up to the highest court of appeal in this country," he said, and urged the government to support the Task Force on Corruption.
"I believe that the Task Force is a product of the state. So the state must give it the support to conclude this case to its logical conclusion," chief Nalubamba said. "The Task Force has put up very solid arguments as the reason for the appeal. If the state tries to stop the appeal, there will be pressure from Zambians."
Chief Nalubamba demanded for justice to be done in the matter.
"There must be fair play. Government must not influence... the statements from the head of state may not help the pursuance of the appeal. So I would advise my brother (President Banda) to keep away from the jubilation of the Chiluba acquittal until everything is sorted out. We must be fair, you rejoice when the final appeal has been made," he said.
Chief Nalubamba said Chiluba was now attacking the country's judiciary by saying that it did not make legal sense that he had been acquitted, while his wife Regina, who was charged with receiving stolen property from him was found guilty by the courts.
"I don't know how you view it yourself when someone says ‘how do you convict my wife and acquit me?’ Who is guilty here, what is he saying?" chief Nalubamba asked. "He was asking the court to convict him, that's my understanding. This calls for the opening of his case."
And Transparency International Zambia (TIZ) executive director Goodwell Lungu has commended the State through the Task Force on Corruption for having filed an appeal in the Lusaka High Court against Chiluba's acquittal.
In an interview yesterday, Lungu said the appeal was timely and hoped it would clear the legal confusion that had existed after Chiluba's acquittal.
Lungu said it was good that the Task Force on Corruption were doing a noble job on behalf of the Zambians.
Lungu said it was sad that Chiluba had started demanding for money to be paid back to him when he had not yet been cleared on the other cases.
"The former president should remain calm until he is cleared. That's when he can start the process of claiming his money from the Zamtrop account. The Auditor General clearly said that it was wrong for Chiluba to put his private money in the government account. He should let the investigate wings carry out their job," he said.
Lungu said Chiluba should not think that Zambians hate him but they were just doing a noble thing for the Zambian people.
Labels: CHILUBA, RUPIAH BANDA, SATA, ZUKAS
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Sale of zamtel likely to be fraudulent – zukas
Written by Chiwoyu Sinyangwe and Florence Bupe
Tuesday, August 11, 2009 5:31:24 PM
VETERAN politician Simon Zukas has said the sale of Zamtel is likely to be fraudulent because the process preceding the transaction has not been transparent.
Meanwhile, most participants to the Economics Association of Zambia (EAZ) public discussion under the theme ‘Privatisation of Zamtel - What are the Economic Benefits?’ called for a peaceful demonstration to halt the sale of three quarters of the country’s biggest telecommunication company, stating that the government has failed to heed to dialogue.
Contributing to the debate, Zukas said the hiring of RP Capital to evaluate the net asset value of Zamtel was done without transparency.
Zukas however said it was more prudent to sell Zamtel than to have the company liquidated and workers get very little out of it. “It should be privatised. As to the degree, then we can discuss that but the one point I would like to make…what is the point of asking to see the RP Capital report when we were never consulted transparently about choosing it to assess the assets of Zamtel?” Zukas asked.
“As far as I am concerned, the report is not worth anything…so, we would have to find someone else to be given assessment of what Zamtel is worth. But the important thing is that what Zamtel is worth is not its assets, its assets are old and probably out of date but the assets of Zamtel are the customers that will come in the future. That is where the value lies. Anyone coming in here is not interested in buying the assets. They are going to look at the market…as Zambia develops, they have seen how the cell phones have taken off. The market is there and that is what they will be looking at, but my main concern is that there should transparency. That is the key.
“We started with lack of transparency in choosing the consultant, now all the emotions should be concentrated on making sure that whoever is chosen as managing partner should be chosen in a transparent manner and we should be sure that that partner has the capacity to run Zamtel and not act in the way some of our investors have acted; when the going gets tough, they run away.”
And most members of audience contended that there was need for a peaceful demonstration to halt the process of privatising Zamtel, which they said was laced with corruption.
The audience observed that whereas other national issues like Zesco electricity tariffs had been subjected to thorough debate, the government was evidently bulldozing its way in the manner it was handling the privatisation process.
Former Copperbelt University Students Union (COBUSU) president Emmanuel Mwange said the demonstration was the only way of informing the government that Zambians had rejected its roadmap on Zamtel.
“We can’t come and start massaging ourselves…maybe if we decided that come next week Monday, we are going to hold a demonstration to demand that before Zamtel is given away…how are we going to ensure that those concerns are addressed? I propose that we don’t become jokers,” said Mwange. “If cadres can demonstrate to show their foolishness, why can’t we demonstrate to show some meaningful and purposeful vision for our country Zambia? So, I challenge everybody to make sure we protect our interest.”
His sentiments were echoed by former University of Zambia Students Union (UNZASU) president Antonio Mwanza who said continuing to dialogue with the government over the matter was a waste of time.
He also complained that most educated people had become averse towards matters of governance.
“What worries me is the level of lack of participation by the learned people. We have left the issues of governance in the hands of riff-raffs but we expect proper results from people who don’t even understand their own lives. We are wasting our time,” said Mwanza.
“So, it is time for us to stand up and be a part of that process of governance. Any more dialogue will not change anything…the saying of the wise is that if you want peace, you should be ready for war in order to earn peace. What are we going to do to ensure that equity partner does not take Zamtel?”
Another member of the audience, Heather Hanene said there was need to seek the legal route of blocking the privatisation of Zamtel, and that if it failed, massive demonstration remained the only alternative.
Earlier, National Union of Communications Workers (NUCW) president Clement Kasonde said Zamtel workers accepted the privatisation of the company with a heavy heart after the government, the majority shareholder, rejected the union’s plans to recapitalise it.
Kasonde said the government’s move was a sharp contrast to Western governments that had offered rescue packages to companies that had been hit by the global financial crisis.
“For us as a union, our mandate is not just about representing our workers…we have considered what is happening in Zamtel and its indebtedness and the failure by the shareholder, the government, to recapitalise the company…painfully, we have accepted that we allow the company to be privatised purely on the basis that we want Zamtel to survive,” said Kasonde.
But communications minister Professor Geoffrey Lungwangwa has maintained that the sale of the majority shares of the telecommunications company is the surest way of guaranteeing its survival.
In his draft ministerial statement to Parliament last Friday, Prof Lungwangwa said based on the recommendations given to government by RP Capital, there was need for government to look for an equity partner who could buy 75 per cent shareholding in Zamtel, while the government retained 25 per cent equity in the company.
Prof Lungwangwa said the government would award the 75 per cent shares to a qualified organisation of any nationality, including Zambian, which would demonstrate that it had the financial capacity and management experience to make the telecommunications company competitive.
Labels: ANTONIO MWANZA, CLEMENT KASONDE, EAZ, EMMANUEL MWANGE, GEOFFREY LUNGWANGWA, HEATHER HANENE, PRIVATISATION, UNZASU, ZAMTEL, ZUKAS
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Rupiah has lost moral high ground befitting a president, says Zukas
Written by Lambwe Kachali
Wednesday, March 11, 2009 5:10:49 PM
VETERAN politician Simon Zukas has said President Rupiah Banda has lost the moral high ground befitting the status of a Republican president. And Zukas has welcomed the recent conviction of high-profile people, saying it is a plus to the country's fight against corruption.
In an interview, Zukas advised President Banda against running a government dictated by MMD cadres.
Zukas said any President worth his sort would not turn State House into a political platform to deliberately attack institutions like The Post in front of cadres.
He said the Republican Presidency was an important institution and that the one occupying it should retain high moral ground.
"...You can't run a show as dictated by cadres. These marches of cadres to State House are a deliberate move, being organised by MMD officials. It is embarrassing that he [President Banda] allows them. This reduces the status of State House," Zukas said. "I think as a President, any President worth his sort, would not do that and in particular President Banda will reflect that this is a wrong way we are heading as a democracy.
"There was a serious lapse [on MMD], where State House became a political instrument. That is regrettable. I am sure that President Banda will reflect on this and not repeat it. It's regrettable that he made himself to come down to that level, because once you are in State House, you are above your party politics. Addressing cadres the way he did, he lost it and became just a party politician. He lost the moral high ground of speaking for the country as a whole. He is supposed to represent all the political tendencies...represent the people as a whole."
Zukas also said MMD was no longer the same strong party because it had been split.
Zukas, who was one of the founding members of MMD, described the recent expulsion of Jonas Shakafuswa [Katuba member of parliament] and Lameck Chibombamilimo [Mpulungu member of parliament] as a disservice to the party.
"This reflects a split in MMD. To me the firing of these two and threatening others is a sign that there is a split in the party," Zukas said.
Over a week ago, President Banda vowed in front of MMD cadres who marched to State House to express solidarity with him that he would ensure that The Post was closed by the debt that it owes various government institutions.
President Banda also told cadres that he had fired Shakafuswa and Chibombamilimo for issuing negative statements against him and the party. President Banda went on to say that he would take the duo's names to the MMD national executive committee where he would have them removed from the party after which he would follow them to their constituencies and defeat them.
The duo was later expelled from the MMD for alleged indiscipline.
And last Saturday, President Banda told students from institutions of higher learning - who were transported to State House to express their solidarity with him - that The Post owed US$30 million to the Zambian people. President Banda said he would ensure that The Post was investigated thoroughly because no one was above the law.
And Zukas said the magistrates were doing a commendable job and hoped that there would be no interference from the political front in the remaining high profile corruption cases.
"For quite a while, it looked as if magistrates couldn't exercise themselves over higher ranking people. Cases could be span up for years, and that higher ranking [offenders] thought that they could get away with it. So, we welcome the convictions and hope magistrates will continue to do their duty and that on the political side, there will be no interference with their work," he said.
Zukas appealed to the National Pensions Scheme Authority (NAPSA) to help reduce the impact arising from the global economic meltdown.
He said the government should also take drastic measures such as reducing unnecessary expenditure on luxuries if the economy was to recover.
"They [government] should be serious. This is my disappointment. There is no belt tightening at government level," said Zukas.
Prior to the elections, Zukas flanked veteran politician and Lusaka lawyer Dr Roger Chongwe at a press briefing where the latter backed President Banda's candidature in last year's elections.
Labels: CADRES, RUPIAH BANDA, ZUKAS
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Govt’s engagement of RP Capital in Zamtel sale not transparent – Zukas
Written by Patson Chilemba
Saturday, February 14, 2009 4:36:33 AM
VETERAN politician Simon Zukas yesterday said the engagement of RP Capital Partners of Cayman Islands by communications and transport minister Dora Siliya to value Zamtel’s assets is not transparent.
Commenting on the US $2 million contract awarded to RP Capital Partners Limited by Siliya without following procedure and disregarding the Attorney General's advice, Zukas said the nation should be told how the government arrived at awarding the contract to RP Capital.
"This deal lacks transparency. To remove the [Kashiwa] Bulaya taste, the public needs to be told the international experience of RP of Cayman on similar projects. How was the firm selected and payments established? Is it the right fee? How do we know whether it's going to be paid the right fee?" Zukas asked.
"Unless the firm's professional standing is adequate, the incoming partner into Zamtel will not accept the valuation of Zamtel assets."
On whether Zamtel should be partially privatised or not, Zukas said Zamtel needed a partner because it was not good enough in its current state.
Last month, Malila strongly criticised Siliya's decision to proceed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with RP Capital Partners Limited over the partial privatisation of Zamtel shares in total disregard of legal advice from his office.
Malila in his letter dated January 5, 2009 to the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Communications and Transport advised that the MoU be nullified and that the necessary processes be followed.
But addressing the press before leaving for Tanzania on Monday, President Banda backed Siliya, arguing that she was on the right track regarding the partial privatisation of Zamtel.
According to the MoU, RP Capital had been single-sourced and contracted by the government to provide consultancy services to the government in connection with valuation of Zamtel for purposes of the potential sale of government shares in Zamtel, assistance in negotiations with prospective acquirers in conjunction with the government team and project management of the potential Zamtel sale process working with the Ministry of Communications and Transport and/or the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA), as the case may be.
The MoU further stated that the Zambian government shall pay RP a fee amounting to five [5] per cent of the negotiated amount and would get US $2 million [about K10.3 billion] as transaction fees at the end of the transaction.
The MoU stated that RP Capital partners Limited would be reimbursed the expenses it would incur in air tickets, accommodation charges, sundries, report production and communication charges.
Labels: CORRUPTION, DORA SILIYA, PRIVATISATION, RP CAPITAL PARTNERS, ZUKAS
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Zukas asks Rupiah to ‘pull his socks’
Written by Lambwe Kachali
Saturday, December 13, 2008 3:45:52 AM
VETERAN politician and freedom fighter Simon Zukas has asked President Rupiah Banda to “pull his socks” and give Zambia's position on the deteriorating situation in Zimbabwe, saying remaining silent will not solve anything. And Zukas said the removal of Ng'andu Magande as finance minister has contributed to the continuous depreciation of the kwacha against major convertible currencies.
Meanwhile, Zukas has said conducting peaceful demonstrations over high mealie-meal prices was not the solution to the problem although he agrees that the Patriotic Front (PF) has the right to demonstrate.
In an interview, Zukas wondered what President Banda went to do in Nigeria when he was aware of the humanitarian disaster being faced by neighbouring Zimbabwe.
Zukas said President Banda's silence on important issues such as the Zimbabwe situation was unacceptable, especially that he claimed to continue with late president Levy Mwanawasa's legacy.
He observed that President Banda would fail to continue with late president Mwanawasa's legacy if he cannot contribute towards finding a lasting solution to Zimbabwe's political and economic crisis.
“I don't know what he [President Banda] went to do in Nigeria. I don't know the relevance of that trip to Nigeria. I think the problem is here next door and he is got to play an active role. We can't ignore the situation in Zimbabwe. Our late president took a good stance to help Zimbabwe get out of its problems through SADC. This process has got to continue. President Rupiah Banda, who likes to claim that he wants to continue with the legacy of the late president Mwanawasa, he must be forthright about it. He [late president Mwanawasa] represented us. Out of all countries, the most affected by Zimbabwe will be Zambia. Angola is too far away, South Africa, though has a common border it has a big economy. But the effect on Zambia is much more. Disorder, chaos in Zimbabwe will mean having an effect on us,” Zukas observed. “So we have a greater responsibility and president Banda must continue with the legacy of our late president.”
He advised President Banda to change his silent attitude.
“Maybe he has been consolidating but he is got to change his tune. He can't by pass it; he can avoid dealing with it. Yes, there are senior people politically but his [voice] makes a difference. Zambia has a say in SADC and since the death of the late president who made a big mark, the present one has got to continue with it. He should help and get a solution because it can't happen by itself. [Gordon] Brown [British Prime Minister] has made statements, [George] Bush [US President] has been making statements but its neighbours have got to make themselves out. [Robert] Mugabe [Zimbabwean President] has gone too far,” he observed.
And Zukas observed that until investors were convinced of the new finance minister Situmbeko Musokotwane's financial policies, the kwacha would continue to depreciate.
Zukas said most investors had confidence in Magande's policies hence the appreciation and stabilisation of the kwacha during his time as Minister of Finance.
Labels: RUPIAH BANDA, ZUKAS
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Levy, Sata deal is unique in africa, says Zukas
By Patson Chilemba and Inonge Noyoo
Sunday May 18, 2008 [04:00]
THE reconciliation of President Levy Mwanawasa and PF leader Michael Sata is unique in Africa, veteran politician Simon Zukas has said. And information minister Mike Mulongoti said all those criticising Sata's decision to reconcile with President Mwanawasa were against peace. Commenting on the reconciliation between President Mwanawasa and Sata yesterday, Zukas said the two leaders' move to reconcile was good for the future stability of the country.
"I'm sure it will even affect our investment. Investors will see us as a peaceful country," he said.
Zukas said the continued bickering between President Mwanawasa and Sata was one of the problems that greatly affected the country. He said there would be no need for Sata and President Mwanawasa to continue attacking each other on a personal basis. Zukas said the two could now attack each other on issues. However, Zukas said PF should remain an opposition party and provide checks and balances to government.
And Mulongoti, during a seminar at the Inter-religious and International Federation for World Peace (IIFWP) yesterday, revealed that Sata had called him to ask whether he had done the right thing by reconciling with President Mwanawasa.
"I told him that it's what we have been calling for and that he had done the right thing. All those criticizing him are against peace. What he has done is good for Zambia. It is opening a new chapter and all those practicing politics of confrontation are in the past," he said.
Mulongoti said it was normal that some members of Sata's political party appeared to be lost with their president's decision.
He likened President Mwanawasa and Sata's reconciliation to two army generals reconciling after a war saying it was obvious that the soldiers would be lost but that the move by their leaders would be a great one.
Mulongoti said Sata must be commended for his decision and not condemned.
He urged all political competitors to move forward and work together.
Mulongoti also said leadership qualities of management skills and administrative qualifications should be balanced in every true leader.
He said a true leader should have the attitude of a true teacher, a true owner or a true parent.
Mulongoti said a true teacher would always try to teach, raise and educate subordinates to become better and always speak for other people's benefit.
He said each form of leadership required its own approach and had its own particular demand on leaders and the other people alike.
IIFWP chairperson General Malimba Masheke said peace was an essential quality that should characterize all relationships.
"We should seek to build a broad strategic alliance among individuals, educational institutions, organizations, religions, NGOs, corporation, the media and government for the sake of peace," he said,
Gen Masheke called for all people to be guided by a vision of humanity as one global family under God living in accordance with universal principles.
Labels: MIKE MULONGOTI, MWANAWASA, POLITICS, SATA, ZUKAS
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Zukas challenges ERB on blackouts...3
By Joan Chirwa
Friday May 02, 2008 [04:00]
VETERAN politician Simon Zukas has asked the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) to adequately explain its findings on the mid-January nationwide power blackouts. But sources have disclosed that ERB could not give more details on the cause of the January power blackouts because of the sensitivity surrounding the issue, considering that another country was involved.
Zambia, between January 19 and 22 this year experienced power blackouts that were, according to the findings, triggered by the loss of a major load at Kariba North Bank power station.
According to the ERB’s findings, the countrywide power outages were initiated by a disturbance in the Zimbabwean grid which resulted in the loss of a major load and shutdown of the Kariba North Bank power station.
The ERB stated that the loss of a major load at Kariba North Bank led to the tripping of the machines at Kafue Gorge and Victoria Falls power stations, resulting in the blackout.
But Zukas said the public needed more explanation on the loss of a major load at Kariba North Bank, which led to the shutdown of the power plant.
“The technically literate public will find this report most unsatisfactory with regards to its findings. Finding number one ascribes the blackout of January 19, 2008 to a loss of a major load and shutdown of the Kariba North Bank power station. While accepting that the Kariba North Bank power station was shut down, the public would need to know more than that this was caused by a loss of a major load,” Zukas said.
“Power station control gear would normally protect against overloads; to shut down on loss of a load, even if major, needs more explanation than this report has given us. Since the loss of the load in the integrated grid was in Zimbabwe, there should have been more power left for Zambia and not a reduction to zero for Zambia.”
Zukas said there was no mention in the finding that there were many generators out of action due to a mistaken programme of simultaneous refurbishment.
“Finding two ascribes the blackout of January 21, 2008 to a ‘spurious tripping’ on a transmission line. Spurious means fake or non-genuine. Only genuine tripping can result in a blackout. If there was an accidental, unnecessary tripping, did Zesco explain and was the committee satisfied how it happened and how to avoid such an event in future?” he asked.
Zukas, who is also a commercial farmer, said wheat production was highly dependent on irrigation and the frequent power outages would have terrible negative effects on agriculture.
Labels: ERB, ZUKAS
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SADC tried to cover up the mess in Zim - Zukas
By Masuzyo Chakwe
Tuesday August 21, 2007 [04:00]
VETERAN politician Simon Zukas yesterday said all the SADC statements at the just ended heads of state summit tried to cover up the mess in Zimbabwe. And Zukas said the National Constitutional Conference (NCC) Bill was a shortcut that would achieve very little for Zambians. In an interview yesterday, Zukas said there was a mess in Zimbabwe and all the Southern African Development Community (SADC) statements tried to cover it up.
“On the ground, we know otherwise. People who are arriving here from Zimbabwe. We are not talking about cross border traders, we are talking about skilled people, intellectuals. They tell us what mess is there and how repressive the regime has become. Now we are allowing them for the sake of preaching solidarity.
For the sake of unity, we are trying to allow the Zimbabwean statements to hide all this. It won’t get us anywhere,” he said
Zukas wondered how Zimbabwe would be supported as suggested by SADC.spreads evenly, it will all go one way. People have to be very careful about that because it's secondary industries that create employment."
And Zukas said there was a mess in Zimbabwe and all the SADC statements during the heads of state summit in Lusaka tried to cover it up.
"On the ground, we know otherwise. People who are arriving here from Zimbabwe, we are not talking about cross-border traders, we are talking about skilled people,
intellectuals, they tell us what mess is there and how repressive the regime has become. Now we are allowing them for the sake of preaching solidarity. For the sake of unity, we are trying to allow the Zimbabwean statements to hide all this.
It won't get us anywhere," he said.
Zukas wondered how Zimbabwe would be supported as suggested by SADC."What are we going to do? Are we going to give them the foreign exchange of our own budget or what? Are we going to transfer some of our foreign exchange that we get from donors? Are we going to transfer that to them?" he asked.
And Zukas said the NCC Bill was a repeat of history.
"Under Chiluba, he had a chance to create a new constitution after the Mwanakatwe recommendations. He was not interested; he had his own agenda he pushed through.
The only thing he wanted to change was to make sure that Dr Kaunda does not stand," he said.
He said as far as the MMD was concerned, President Mwanawasa and justice minister George Kunda were only interested in a few changes and had never been in favour of a new constitution.
Zukas said President Mwanawasa and Kunda were playing along with the public but were never going to give way to the general demand for a new constitution.
He said certain amendments in the Constitution would not solve basic problems and would not make the constitution stand the test of time. Zukas said the best way to go in adopting the constitution was through a constituent assembly.
He said there was need for people to participate in the process and the government should narrow down its opposition for change.
"Willa Mung'omba and his team made recommendations and we need to follow them.
Why spend all that time and ignore them? The Oasis Forum is not a foreign body, it's a Zambian body, it's not an imperialist body, and it should be listened to.
It represents a wider sector of the public opinion. NCC is a shortcut which will achieve very little," he said. On the crumbling of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), Zukas said from the word go, UDA was a syndicate and nothing more. He said it had no organic unity and this had proved so. Zukas said even during the election for which it was formed, co-operation between the various elements was not really there because UDA partners were undermining each other in many places.
"It has no future. The three parties each have areas of influence and support and they will not be a combined opposition because there is no organic base between them. It was an adhoc arrangement, syndicate, I think, is the right word for them," he said. Zukas said in every case if there was going to be an alliance, there should be good principles.
"They can't each have their own manifestos and then say 'we are an alliance', it doesn't make much sense. The way to do it is whoever wants to come together, they have to hold a joint conference, make it as inclusive as possible, agree on principles which are going to unite them and I mean political principle not just tribal principles and then move forward with leadership elected by that conference or convention. That to me would be an organic unity, not these adhoc arrangements," he said.
Meanwhile, Zukas said at the micro-level and higher economic level, Zambia had done quite well. "We have attracted a lot of investment, new mining and agriculture. But in service delivery, I don't see that we have gone very far. As far as I can see in health, the pattern is still as it was before the improved situation. With drugs, people are still sent away to buy their own drugs," he said. He said the trickle-down effect had not spread out because of lack of funds.
Zukas said the key areas should be education and health. "The allocation of resources should be focused and concentrated on those two areas to make an impact on poverty alleviation," said Zukas.
Labels: SADC, ZUKAS
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Don't listen to Chiluba - Zukas
By Masuzyo Chakwe and Noel Sichalwe
Sunday May 20, 2007 [04:00]
VETERAN politician Simon Zukas has urged Zambians not to listen to second Republican president Frederick Chiluba's attempts to politicise the London High Court verdict against him. And Chiluba yesterday said he was ready to appear before the ad-hoc committee of doctors at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) to determine whether he was fit to stand trial or not.
In an interview, Zukas said the verdict was correct and a great success for Zambia.
"The verdict is definitely correct, in fact, probably it has not covered the whole aspect but just half of it or maybe just a tip. However, it is symbolic and at the end of it, it will come to the right conclusion that thieving doesn't pay," he said.
Zukas said Chiluba was trying to blame imperialism for the London High Court judgment.
"That's rubbish, anyway he has never been an anti-imperialist himself. He may be a born-again Christian, I am not even sure about that, but certainly no one will accept him as a born-again anti- imperialist. That one is plain," he said.
And speaking through his spokesperson Emmanuel Mwamba, Chiluba said he had never feigned illness. Acting High Court registrar Jones Chinyama on Friday ordered Chiluba to appear before an ad-hoc committee at UTH to determine whether he was fit to stand trial.
Mwamba said Chiluba was ready to appear before the ad-hoc committee upon receiving communication from UTH.
"Dr. Chiluba has never feigned illness and his medical condition is in public," he said. "He has always been willing to comply with the court orders. Whatever UTH will direct, he will comply. However, the fact is that Dr. Chiluba continues to receive medical treatment. You remember in December last year, the court ruled that he cannot attend trial and there has been no contrary determination ever since.
It is for that reason that he continues to be on medical treatment."
On Task Force prosecutor Mutembo Nchito's statement that Chiluba was engaged in more strenuous activities in the public domain, Mwamba said the fact that Chiluba was sick did not mean that he could not talk to the press.
Mwamba said Chiluba's speech when addressing a press conference a fortnight ago was scheduled for 30 minutes but he had difficulties reading until he finished after an hour.
"It is sad that people want to impute that Dr. Chiluba is involved in more strenuous activities than attending court," he said. "Dr. Chiluba is an efficient deliverer of speeches but he had difficulties addressing the press conference. I am sure those who attended can tell you that."
Magistrate Chinyama on Thursday directed Chiluba to appear before a team of doctors at UTH to review his medical condition.
The order came after lawyer Diana Bunting informed the court on behalf of the defence (Robert Simeza and John Sangwa) that Chiluba was not before court for mention because he was still unwell.
Bunting further asked the court to set trial dates sometime in August because Chiluba was scheduled to go to South Africa for medical review in July.
In response, Nchito noted that from what Bunting was saying, Chiluba was not able to attend trial anytime before August.
Nchito noted that it was evident that Chiluba was active in the public domain and engaged in matters more strenuous than attending court.
He suggested for special equipment to be provided for Chiluba to attend court in the comfort of his home if it was not possible for him to attend court in person, or that the trial date could be set in August as per request by the defence.
Defence lawyer Robert Simeza said it would be ambitious to assume that the review could be carried out in two weeks because the doctors needed a report from Chiluba's doctors treating him in South Africa.
This is a case where Chiluba is jointly charged with Access Financial Services directors Faustin Kabwe and Aaron Chungu for theft of about US $500 000.
The trio is alleged to have stolen the money in question between 1998 and 1999.
On May,4, London High Court judge Peter Smith established that Chiluba and others had defrauded Zambia of a total of US $41 million through the BK Facility and the Zamtrop account in London.
Judge Smith ordered Chiluba and others to pay about 85 per cent of the total sum (US $41 million) within 14 days upon service of the judgment.
This is a case in which the Attorney General of Zambia took out a civil suit against Chiluba and 19 others who were alleged to have siphoned about US $20 million from the state treasury.
However, during a press conference at his Kabulonga residence, Chiluba defended himself against the London High Court judgement by accusing President Levy Mwanawasa and British Prime Minister, Tony Blair of corruption and imperialist conspiracy against him.
Dismissing judge Smith's judgment as corrupt and racist, Chiluba accused Blair and the entire British political and judicial system of trying to impose imperialism on Zambia.
Chiluba also accused President Mwanawasa of championing British imperialism in Zambia.
And commenting on the constitution making process, Zukas advised that instead of rushing into demonstrations, Zambians should heed President Mwanawasa's call for an indaba.
"But the indaba should not be a substitute for a constituent assembly, that's nonsense because the indaba will have no legal force but there is room for a mini indaba like we had in 1990 in the Cathedral. We also were at loggerheads, Dr Kaunda wanted to go one way and we wanted to go multiparty. He was dragging his feet, eventually we got to the Cathedral and we discussed and reached a consensus," he said.
Zukas said at the moment, people were not keen on the indaba because they did not trust President Mwanawasa.
"A lot of people are saying there have been a lot of indabas at State House and everytime he lectures us and it becomes a useless meeting so I say the first thing we do is not to go to State House, we go to a neutral place, we don't go under his chairmanship, perhaps it can be a clergyman to do the mediation, and we start talking as Zambians to try and reach consensus instead of going to the streets," he said.
He said confrontation over the constitution making process was unnecessary.
Labels: CHILUBA, ZUKAS
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Reach consensus on constitution, urges Zuka
By George Chellah
Monday May 07, 2007 [04:00]
VETERAN politician and freedom fighter Simon Zukas has urged Zambians to try and reach a consensus on the constitution-making process before going to the streets. In an interview yesterday, Zukas said Patriotic Front (PF) president Michael Sata's rejection of President Mwanawasa's proposal for an indaba was too quick. Zukas said he believed in the saying that where there is a will, there is a way.
"In my view, Sata was too quick to reject Mwanawasa's suggestion for an indaba. Whatever Mwanawasa has in mind about an indaba doesn't mean that they have got to fall with it," Zukas said.
"That's just an indaba...an indaba can take many forms. If he (President Mwanawasa) has the idea of an indaba it means he is beginning to feel the public pressure on the constitution."
He urged the civil society, the Church and opposition political parties to take a positive view of President Mwanawasa's suggestion.
"I take the view that the suggestion of an indaba by him, it's really hinting forward. He is moving forward somewhat. Indaba is not equivalent to a constituent assembly but in my view it can be a means of getting forward to the constituent assembly," Zukas said.
"I would like to urge the civil society, the Church and opposition political parties to take a positive view of the suggestion."
Zukas urged Zambians to try and get a consensus on the constitution-making process before going to the streets. "In 1990, we had a very similar situation. We had a lot of pressure on Kaunda to give way to multiparty politics. Eventually when he felt the pressure we finished at going to the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, where we had a sort of an indaba," Zukas said.
"In the end we reached a consensus for the way forward to avoid going to the streets because when going to the streets you never know whether you can control it or if it would go bad.
"President Mwanawasa has been sticking to his legalism or Article 79 et cetera. There are legalistic problems on how to go forward but where there is a will there is a way. We can overcome by discussing with some sort of an indaba. Let's go back to the Cathedral and use our historical precedence. Let's try and get a consensus before we go to the streets for demonstrations."
He urged PF and the other stakeholders to take the view of the indaba positively. "And I take it that despite legal arguments, I want to assume that the will of Mwanawasa is also to have a constitution in place. Let's use the auspices of the Church like we did in 1990 to put us together... it's still an indaba," Zukas said. President Mwanawasa has stated that it would be cheaper to adopt the new constitution through an indaba.
He said he was prepared to call for a national convention to discuss the constitution-making process. "When we met to discuss the issue of the national indaba, my proposal was well received by the civil society who were present at State House. But I don't know whether State House ties people's mouths such that they cannot speak out while inside there.
But when they went out, they went to renounce what we had agreed on the national indaba," President Mwanawasa said last week. "That proposal is still open. It will be cheaper for us to adopt the Constitution... for us to ensure that those portions of the Constitution that require amendment are looked into. It will be cheaper...yes, I know that some people will not get the money from the donors which they are getting for waging war against us. But I agree, the option is still open. I am prepared to call the national convention, but that can be when it is supported by the people."
Labels: KAUNDA, PF, ZUKAS
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