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Black-Americans who have traced their African ancestry or became citizens

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In 2019, Ghana successfully hosted the “Year of Return,” a year-long series of events commemorating the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first recorded enslaved Africans in Virginia, USA.

The initiative drew an estimated 1,500 African Americans, including notable figures such as Tina Knowles-Lawson (Beyoncé’s mother), Boris Kodjoe and his wife Nicole Ari Parker, Steve Harvey, and Jidenna.

These individuals seized the opportunity to reconnect with their roots and deepen their understanding of their ancestral heritage. Despite the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic the following year, their commitment to exploring their origins and learning about the African diaspora remained unwavering.

For many, this reconnection went beyond education; it sparked a desire to reclaim their African identities, with some even opting to become citizens of African countries.

Here are 11 African Americans who have traced their African roots you should know:

Stevie Wonder

The legendary musician’s recent visit to Ghana marked a significant return to his African roots after being granted citizenship by President Nana Akufo-Addo. Originally from Michigan, the 25-time Grammy Award winner expressed his desire to make West Africa his permanent home in 2021, citing increasing racial tensions in the United States.

Ludacris

The Atlanta-based rapper and actor confirmed his Gabonese citizenship via an Instagram post from Libreville. His wife, Eudoxie Mbouguiengue, hails from Gabon, and during a family trip, she surprised Ludacris, their daughters, and his mother with dual citizenship to her homeland. The family also visited Ghana during the Year of Return, celebrating New Year’s Eve there.

Samuel L. Jackson

The acclaimed actor discovered his roots in the Benga tribe of Gabon after taking a DNA test as part of the documentary series Finding Your Roots. In August 2019, Jackson visited Gabon, where he met with President Ali Bongo Ondimba and his wife, Sylvia Bongo Ondimba, and was granted Gabonese citizenship and a passport.

Tiffany Haddish

In May 2019, the comedian and actress became a full citizen of Eritrea, her father’s birthplace. Raised in the United States, Haddish had always identified as American with Eritrean parentage. Her first visit to Eritrea was in 2018 to bury her father, Tsihaye Reda Haddish.

Idris Elba

Elba received citizenship from Sierra Leone, his father’s native country. Raised in East London, Elba gained fame in America for roles such as Nelson Mandela in Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom and Stringer Bell in HBO’s The Wire.

Erykah Badu

The singer and songwriter discovered her Cameroonian heritage in 2015 and subsequently made a trip to the country. Her visit, documented by OkayAfrica, was a journey of spiritual enlightenment. Badu, who belongs to the Bamileke tribe, engaged with chiefs and locals during her stay.

Don Cheadle

The Hotel Rwanda star, originally from Kansas City, Missouri, traces his paternal ancestry to the Ewondo ethnic group of Cameroon. He also shares maternal ancestry with the Bamileke, Masa, and Tikar people of Central Africa.

Whoopi Goldberg

Although born and raised in New York City, Goldberg’s DNA traces her roots back to Guinea-Bissau. She declined an invitation from the country’s Tourism Ministry to visit due to a fear of flying.

Oprah Winfrey

Through the show African American Lives, Winfrey discovered that her ancestry traces back to the Kpelle people of Liberia, the Bamileke of Cameroon, and Zambia.

Chris Tucker

Best known for his roles in Friday and the Rush Hour movies, Tucker’s roots trace back to Angola and Cameroon.

Blair Underwood

Underwood’s appearance on NBC’s Who Do You Think You Are? revealed that his paternal ancestry traces back to Cameroon. He and his father later made a pilgrimage to their ancestral homeland.

 woman who confessed to k!lling a man she claimed s3xually trafficked her has been sentenced to 11 years in prison

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A Milwaukee woman who confessed to k!lling a man she claimed s3xually trafficked her has been sentenced to 11 years in prison Monday in Kenosha.

Kenosha County Judge David Wilk sentenced 24-year-old Chrystul Kizer to an additional five years of state supervision after she pleaded guilty in May to a count of reckless homicide in Randall P. Volar’s June 2018 death.

Kizer was 17 when she killed the 34-year-old Volar in Kenosha.

Kizer’s case has attracted national attention, with advocates for survivors of sexual trafficking supporting her and pushing for the charges to be dropped.

“The court is well aware of your circumstances surrounding your relationship with Mr. Volar,” Wilk said as he delivered his sentence.

“You are not permitted to be the instrument of his reckoning. To hold otherwise is to endorse a descent into lawlessness and chaos.”

At the hearing, Kizer’s mother spoke of the difficult upbringing the family had when they moved from Indiana to Milwaukee.

Chrystul, who her attorney said was baptized recently in prison, invoked the Bible in a written statement read to the court, quoting the Book of Genesis and Psalms.

“I don’t know where to start, but I’m asking for your generosity in my sentence today. I understand that I committed sins that put the Volar family in a lot of pain,” she said.

The prosecutor and defense attorney offered their telling of how the incident came to pass in the hearing.

Kizer’s defense attorney, Jennifer Bias, pointed to her adverse childhood, the effects of trafficking and how it affects Black women specifically when asking for a gentle sentence. Advocates and the legal team have said she lashed out after years of being trafficked by Volar.

At the hearing, Bias said Volar paid her bail for a prior offense and used it as leverage to traffic her to other men at a hotel in Milwaukee. Kenosha County District Attorney Michael Graveley disputed the idea during his statement, saying no electronic evidence existed proving that.

“There is no other conclusion to draw from the evidence that is available to us in this matter involving (the two) that Chrystul is a sex trafficking victim,” Bias said.

Graveley said Kizer had acted out of a grab for notoriety and for material gain. Graveley said texts, social media videos, and other statements from others suggested Kizer acted for those purposes.

He did not recommend any length of prison time, just asked Kizer receive some length of imprisonment.

“We in no way ask the court to consider Mr. Volar to be blameless in this case,” Graveley said. “The fact that he is not blameless as a victim in no way excuses the conduct.”

Judge Wilk also issued an order that Kizer receive about a year and a half of credit for time served during her case. This means she will be in prison for just under 10 years.

Kizer was just 17 when she initially was charged in the case with first-degree intentional homicide and the case garnered significant international attention through its six years.

Claudine O’Leary, an independent sexual trafficking survivor consultant who worked with Kizer and attended the hearing, said she was saddened by the sentencing.

She has worked for the last several months to organize community resources Kizer could rely on if released into the community.

The Wisconsin prison system does not have adequate resources to support survivors of sexual trafficking, she said.

O’Leary also said she works with many trafficking survivors who already don’t trust the court system and Monday’s sentencing would worsen that.

“They’re getting from the court system is to say ‘My life doesn’t matter if I defend myself, I have to be prepared to go to prison,’” she said. “There’s just a profound lack of understanding of the kind of harm that people actually experience.”

At the hearing, Kizer’s defense attorney said Kizer was first trafficked at 16, when she posted an ad on a website later seized by the FBI as a forum for prostitution. It offered her money she used to buy food for her siblings, she said.

Kizer’s previously said she didn’t know who would respond since she was new to the site and had to have another girl show her how to use it.

Anti-violence groups jumped to Kizer’s defense, arguing in court briefs that trafficking victims feel trapped and sometimes feel as if they have to take matters into their own hands.

Olympic Gymnast Jordan Chiles Breaks Silence Over Decision To Strip Her Bronze Medal

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After the decision to strip Jordan Chiles of her Olympic bronze medal, the gymnast has finally spoken about the “unjust” ruling.

There have been efforts to help the Team USA star keep her individual medal. Chiles has been quiet all along, but her outspoken sister, Jazmin, has slammed the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) over the decision on her behalf.

Chiles, 23, has now come of out her shell as she has been the subject of discussion in the past weeks.

On Thursday, she took to Instagram to address the ongoing battle, the “overwhelming” love from her supporters, and backlash from other critics.

She said the “devastating” news came while she was “celebrating” her “Olympic accomplishments.”

“I had confidence in the appeal brought by the USAG, who gave conclusive evidence that my score followed all the rules. That appeal was unsuccessful.

“I have no words. This decision feels unjust and comes as a significant blow, not just to me, but to everyone who has championed my journey,” she stated.

Apart from the scrutiny and ongoing uncertainty, Chiles and her family had faced different forms of condemnation online.

Despite the backlash in the U.S. and from across the globe, she remains “so proud” to represent her “culture and country.”

“I will never waver from my values of competing with integrity, striving for excellence, holding upholding the values of sportsmanship and the rules that dictate fairness. I have taken pride in cheering on everyone regardless of team or country.”

“I am now confronted with one of the most challenging moments of my career. Believe me when I say I have had many. I will approach this challenge as I have others and will make every effort to ensure that justice is done,” Chiles stated.

Despite the ongoing challenges, the top athlete said she remains strong that “at the end of this journey, the people in control will do the right thing.” The stellar competitor has the support of her family, USA Gymnastics, and the 2024 Paris Olympics hero, Flavor Flav.

Senegal media embarks on blackout protest against repression

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The media in Senegal observed a news blackout on August 13, 2024, in protest of repressive measures taken against them by the new government.

Several news outlets responded positively to a call by the Conseil des diffuseurs et éditeurs de la presse du Sénégal (CDEPS), an organisation representing broadcast and publishing companies, to suspend publication and broadcast in protest of the government’s draconian measures.

No newspapers were published on Tuesday, except for a few that featured the same headline: “Journée sans presse” (press-free day) in red and white on a black background, while TV stations showed blank screens.

The same applied to websites and radio stations that restricted themselves to playing music without any live news or presentations.

The “strike” aims to protest against the new government’s multi-faceted pressure exerted on the media, including the freezing of the Press Development and Support Fund and the bank accounts of certain media companies.

The state authorities have also suspended the government’s subscriptions to newspapers and unilaterally terminated advertising contracts with them.

In addition, the new government has decided to claim 38 billion FCFA from press companies, which the previous government had decided to write off.

The amount breaks down into 13 billion FCFA in tax debts and 25 billion FCFA in dues to the Agence de Régulation des Télécommunications et de la Poste (Artp).

Besides freezing the accounts of companies, the authorities have issued warnings and confiscated the production equipment of certain media organisations.

However, media leaders say they are ready to negotiate a tax regime adaptable to their situation.

“We are not refusing to pay, and we pay our taxes. However, what we are asking is that, in view of the specific nature of the [media] sector, there should be differentiated taxation, as there is in France and here in Senegal in agriculture, public housing, and health sectors,” Mamadou Ibra Kane, President of CDEPS and owner of Avenir Communication, told the media at the end of an emergency meeting held on June 5.

The emergency meeting was prompted by concerns, including the freezing and seizure of 91 million FCFA from the bank account of Avenir Communication.

“The procedure is too fast. And we might wonder why the tax authorities are so diligent in dealing with some companies and not others,” said Mr. Kane in an interview with RFM radio on June 12.

Mr. Kane condemned what he said: government powers being abused for political ends.

The seizure of accounts led a number of media organisations, including the publishers of daily newspapers Stades and Sunu Lamb as well as Vox Pop, to suspend publication.

In addition to the economic strangulation, the media has accused the new government of threatening press freedom in Senegal.

This is in reference to the Prime Minister’s diatribe against the media at a meeting of young executives of his political party, the Pastef.

“We will no longer allow the media to write whatever they want about people without any reliable source, in the name of so-called press freedom,” declared Ousmane Sonko on June 9, 2024, in Dakar.

Mr. Sonko’s statements sparked a wave of indignation in the media space, the political class, and civil society in Senegal.

However, the crackdown on the media was not limited to warnings or threats from the new authorities; a number of journalists have been arrested recently.

For example, the police arrested and questioned the Director of Publication of the newspaper La Tribune, Pape Moussa Traoré, and the Director of Publication of the newspaper Le Quotidien, Mohamed Guèye, before releasing them on May 31.

They were accused of publishing alleged false information about the transfer of an army general to New Delhi, India, as a military attaché of Senegal’s embassy.

Pape Moussa Traore of La Tribune was briefly detained before being released the same day.

The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) commends the sacrifices made by the Senegalese media to ensure their survival in the face of the many challenges they face.

We welcome the solidarity of the media players who have largely followed the call for a press-free day and express our solidarity with the Senegalese press.

We call on the authorities to give priority to dialogue and to show understanding towards the press companies.

It is in the interest of the new authorities to support and promote an independent press whose immense contribution to building peace and social cohesion as well as consolidating democracy has made Senegal a benchmark country for democracy in Africa.

It will be recalled that the MFWA, in collaboration with six other regional and international organisations, recently sent an open letter to the new Senegalese authorities, calling on them to give priority to press freedom.

Suspected serial killer flees custody in Kenya – police

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A suspected serial killer in Kenya has escaped from custody, prompting a manhunt, police say.

In July police said Collins Jumaisi Khalusha had confessed to the murders of 42 women, including his wife, since 2022.
Mr Khalusha’s lawyer denied the claim, saying his client had been tortured to confess.

He had been held at a police station since being arrested in July, but on Tuesday authorities said Mr Khalusha and 12 others escaped by cutting through a wire mesh roof and scaling a perimeter wall.

An incident report from the station says police discovered the detainees were missing at 05:00 local time (03:00 GMT) when officers were serving breakfast.

The 12 individuals who fled alongside Mr Khalusha were Eritrean nationals detained for entering the country illegally, the police said.

Mr Khalusha, aged 33, was detained following the discovery of nine mutilated bodies at an abandoned quarry in the capital, Nairobi.

The victims were aged between 18 and 30 and were all killed in the same way, according to the police.

There murders sparked shock and outrage. Many questioned how 42 people could be murdered in the space of two years without police noticing and also how officers failed to detect that bodies were being left in a quarry around 100m (109 yards) from a police station.

Kenya’s police watchdog launched an investigation to establish whether the police were linked to the killings, following “widespread allegations of police involvement in unlawful arrests [and] abductions”.
It has not yet released its findings.

Police in Kenya have been accused of scores of human rights abuses in the past – and the force is currently under investigation over deaths and abductions following recent anti-government protests.

At the time of Mr Khalusha’s arrest, Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) chief Mohamed Amin said: “It is crystallising that we are dealing with a serial killer, a psychopathic serial killer who has no respect for human life, who has no respect and dignity.”

Mr Khalusha’s lawyer, John Maina Ndegwa, told the BBC in July: “He says he was strangled to confess. You could tell he was in distress, terrified and in anguish.”

The suspect appeared in a court in Nairobi on Friday, when the magistrate ordered him to be held for a further 30 days so that police could complete their investigations, news agency AFP reported.

The discovery of the dismembered bodies came as the country was still shaken from the so-called Shakahola forest massacre, where more than 400 bodies were found in mass graves near the Indian Ocean coast.

Cult leader Paul Mackenzie had allegedly encouraged his followers to starve themselves in order to “go see Jesus”.

He has pleaded not guilty to manslaughter.

No foreign holidays for Gabon government officials

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Gabon’s interim president who seized power in a coup a year ago has barred members of his transitional government from holidaying abroad.

Gen Oligui Nguema has also limited government officials to a maximum of one week of holiday leave.

These new restrictions were announced on state television, after he toured the country to listen to people’s concerns.

There is speculation that Gen Nguema may be softening the ground to run for president in next year’s election – the first since he seized power in the Central African state.

He overthrew his cousin Ali Bongo, who became president in 2009 following the death of his father, Omar Bongo Ondimba, who had ruled for 41 years.

Since Gen Nguema took power, he has sought to reassure the public that his military government is acting in their best interest.

However, he has not publicly commented on whether or not he will run for the country’s top job in polls that are planned for 2025.

News of the holiday restrictions comes days before the first anniversary of the coup – when the junta’s record will inevitably be scrutinised.

Gen Nguema may be hoping to draw favourable comparisons with the man he overthrew, Mr Bongo, who was known to travel overseas regularly and whose family owned multiple properties in France and the UK.

Yet Gen Nguema is himself said to own multiple properties in the US, and when asked about these in recent years he has said that his private life should be respected.

Nonetheless it is thought the new holiday restrictions will apply to Gen Nguema too.

But he will no doubt be entitled to go abroad for official purposes.
Details of the new holiday rules were read out on state television, with viewers told that the goal was to “immerse” government officials “in the realities and expectations of their compatriots”.

A spokesman for the interim government explained that “this measure aims to encourage a return to the roots and increased proximity with local populations”, stipulating that exceptions will only be made in cases of “force majeure” – a legal term meaning extraordinary events that are out of parties’ control – or on health grounds.

Gabonese officials need not despair, given the array of attractions in their home country – including stunning white sand beaches and some of the world’s best gorilla safaris in Loango National Park.

Disgraced former Rep. George Santos pleads guilty to federal charges

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Former Republican Rep. George Santos pleaded guilty on Monday to aggravated identity theft and wire fraud charges stemming from fraudulent activity during his 2022 midterm campaign.

The guilty plea comes just weeks before the ex-congressman was set to stand trial on nearly two dozen federal charges, including allegations of fraud related to Covid-19 unemployment benefits, misusing campaign funds, and lying about his personal finances on House disclosure reports, all of which he had to admit to in an allocution statement Monday.

Santos will serve a minimum of two years in prison as part of the stipulated agreement and pay restitution of $373,000. His sentencing hearing is set for February 2025.

“I deeply regret my conduct,” Santos said in court Monday. “I accept full responsibility for my actions.”

Speaking to reporters outside the courthouse, the former congressman said he had “allowed ambition to cloud my judgment.”

“Pleading guilty is a step I never imagined I’d take, but it’s the right thing to do,” Santos said. “It is my own recognition of the lies I told myself.”

Prosecutors said they were prepared to show during trial over 500 exhibits of evidence, including cell phone evidence, information downloaded from Santos’ iCloud account, and financial records.

The plea to charges of committing wire fraud and aggravated identity theft marks an end to the nearly two-year saga that saw Santos lie about his resume as he sought election to New York’s 3rd Congressional District. He won the seat but was ultimately charged with 23 federal counts and was dramatically expelled from Congress last year.

Prosecutors, in two batches of charges last year, alleged Santos committed fraud related to Covid-19 unemployment benefits, misused campaign funds and lied about his personal finances on House disclosure reports.

Santos pleaded not guilty in May 2023 to 13 federal charges, including seven counts of wire fraud, three counts of money laundering, one count of theft of public funds and two counts of making materially false statements to the US House of Representatives.

And in October, he pleaded not guilty to another 10 federal charges, which included allegations that he stole donors’ identities and ran up thousands of dollars in fraudulent charges on their credit cards, embezzled cash from his company, and conspired with his former campaign treasurer to falsify donation totals to hit fundraising targets, among other offenses.

Santos, 36, insisted after the second wave of charges that he would not accept a plea deal and that he would seek reelection for his seat, telling reporters in October, “The No. 1 question you all ask me is, ‘Are you going to take a plea deal?’ No. The answer is, I will not take a plea deal.”

Santos’ campaign fundraiser, Sam Miele, pleaded guilty to a federal wire fraud charge as part of a plea deal in November. His former campaign treasurer, Nancy Marks, pleaded guilty in October to conspiracy to defraud the United States by committing one or more federal offenses.

Expelled by House in rare move

Santos, who represented parts of Long Island and Queens during his brief tenure in Congress, sparked shock and controversy on Capitol Hill over revelations that he fabricated large parts of his life story, including significant elements of his resume and biography.

Against the threat of expulsion from Congress, Santos remained defiant. He argued that he was being bullied and that it would set a dangerous precedent if the House expelled him since he had not been convicted in a court of law.

But calls for Santos’ expulsion from the chamber grew to a fever pitch after the House Ethics Committee released a major report that uncovered additional “uncharged and unlawful conduct” by Santos beyond the criminal allegations already pending against him.

In a resounding 311-114 vote in December, with 105 Republicans voting with the overwhelming majority of Democrats in favor of his expulsion, the House used its most severe form of punishment for a member and expelled Santos. He became only the sixth lawmaker ever to be thrown from the chamber.

Santos briefly attempted a congressional comeback, announcing in March that he would leave the Republican Party to run as an independent in New York’s 1st District. But he dropped his bid in April, saying at the time that he didn’t want to split the ticket with incumbent GOP Rep. Nick LaLota and “be responsible for handing the House to Dems.”

First transgender Paralympian, 50, breaks silence on criticism of her competing at Paris 2024

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The first transgender Paralympian has issued a defiant message about inclusion ahead of competing at Paris 2024.

Visually impaired athlete, Valentina Petrillo will represent Italy in the women’s T12 200m and 400m sprints, having claimed bronze at the World Para Athletics Championships in 2023.

Petrillo was born male with the name Fabrizio and transitioned in 2019 after undergoing hormone therapy. The 50-year-old was also born with Stargardt disease, a degenerative eye condition that has no cure.

Her rival, German Paralympian, Katrin Mueller-Rottgardt fears Petrillo has an ‘advantage’ in the 200m as ‘she has lived and trained as a man for a long time’ while one Spanish lawyer called the Italian’s qualification ‘unfair’ but despite the controversy, Petrillo is ready for the Games and wants to use them as an opportunity to teach people about ‘inclusivity’.

‘Honestly, I can’t wait to be in Paris and race on that beautiful purple track and in front of all that enthusiastic crowd. I think there will be a lot more love for me than I can imagine,’ Petrillo said, via Relevo.

‘It’s only fair that each of us can express ourselves in our own gender. Sport should teach us the value of inclusion and this is fundamental for people’s happiness.

‘I have learned to let go of what I cannot control. I am now psychologically stronger than I was some time ago and this is also due to the support of my psychologist. People always criticise, for whatever reason, and that is why in my case they are even more likely to do so.

‘I gradually understood that you have to live with people’s envy and jealousy. unfortunately, but for my part I am aware that what I do is real and therefore I have nothing to fear.

‘I can win a medal, but I have to do better than my personal best from last year (58.011), because the level has increased.

‘I am absolutely aware of the social and cultural value of my presence in Paris 2024. I will do everything possible to rise to the occasion and achieve a sporting result of a certain competitive value.

‘There is a community that supports me and looks up to me, but even those who are not from the LGTBIQ+ world encourage me, because they see me as an inspiring role model and this for me is the most beautiful thing.’

The sprinter’s participation has sparked controversy and debate following the gender row involving Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting that engulfed the Olympics.

Despite being disqualified from competing at the World Championships for failing a gender test, both Khelif and Yu-ting insisted that they were born female and had never identified any differently, each going on to claim triumphant gold medals in their respective weight classes.

Indians demand arrest after name of doctor gang r@p£d and murd£r£d in hospital appears on p*n sites

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The death of Dr Moumita Debnath sent shock waves through India and the international community, yet, to add insult to injury, Indian men are on p*rn sites, hoping to find footage of the a$$ault.

Protest has erupted in India seeking justice for the 31-year-old doctor who was gang r@ped and m*rdered in the hospital she worked at.

On August 9, the doctor’s c0rpse was found on a blood-soaked mattress at R.G. Kar Medical College in the city of Kolkata.

Dr. Moumita Debnath’s colleagues said she was over halfway through a 36-hour shift when she decided to rest in a lecture hall at the college hospital.

Although Debnath’s family was initially told she d!£d by su!cide, an autopsy report brought before the Kolkata High Court by the victim’s parents revealed that she di£d by str@ngulation and her body showed signs that she had been subjected to a brut@l and sustained s£xual a$$ault.

The injur!es Debnath suff£red included severe pelvic bone and muscle trauma, causing her legs to be twisted in an unnatural way. Her neck was br0ken, her eyes and mouth were bl££ding, and she had sustained injur!es to her abdomen, hands, and leg.

The post-mortem report also noted that over 150 mg of s£men was recovered from the doctor’s body, indicating that up to 30 men could have been involved in the v!olation of Debnath’s body. The normal volume of semen produced by a male upon ejaculation typically varies from 1.5 to 5.0 mg, according to the online medical encyclopedia MedlinePlus.

“No step taken to arrest any other offenders while the evidence clearly indicates that their daughter was the victim of a g@ng r@pe and murd£r, a cr!me that could not have been committed by one person alone,” the doctor’s family explained, adding that they noticed discrepancies in the autopsy report.

The family also alleged that they had been prevented from seeing their daughter’s body after arriving to the coroner’s office.

“[An] improper autopsy was done with a view to shield the others involved in their daughter’s death,” the family’s lawyer alleges.

Although the court scolded the college hospital, including its former principal, Dr. Sandip Ghosh, for mishandling the case by not filing a police report after finding the doctor’s c0rpse, the case was passed on to India’s Central Bureau of Investigation last Tuesday.

So far, at least one man has been arrested in connection to the case – civil servant Sanjoy Roy. Roy is known to be addicted to p0rnography. His bluetooth headset was found near the victim’s body.

Disturbingly, unverified rumors that Debnath’s r@pe had been filmed and uploaded to the internet began to circulate this weekend, leading to an explosion in search queries from sick individuals seeking to watch the video.

According to Google Trends, queries such as “Moumita Debnath p*rn” and “Dr. Moumita Debnath video” have experienced surges across India, with “Moumita Debnath r@p[e] video” experiencing a 110% increase in searches.

As of the time of this writing, of all the queries associated with her name, “Moumita Debnath photo video” is the 5th most searched in India, while “Moumita Debnath last video” is the 12th most searched overall.

Of image search queries, “Moumita Debnath body photo” and “Moumita Debnath body postmortem” are the two fastest rising queries associated with the deceased woman’s name, while the more explicit “Moumita Debnath r@p[e] photo” is the 11th fastest rising image query.

Internet users from other subcontinental nations, such as Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, have also expressed an interest in locating the r@pe footage.

The queries were not limited to Google, but p*rn websites as well.

On XVideos-India, Debnath’s name has been searched alongside actual p0rn*graphic videos.

This would not be the first time g@ng r@pe footage in India trended on p*rnography websites.

In 2019, a doctor of veterinary medicine was brut@lly r@ped and murd£r£d in Hyderabad. Priyanka Reddy had been heading home when a group of four men sabotaged her scooter, took her to an isolated area, r@ped her, and s*ffocated her to d£@th. Her c0rpse was later burned in an effort to destroy the evidence.

In the days following the news of Reddy’s horrific mrder, her name began trending across prn sites as men scrambled to locate the rumored footage of her final moments.

Indians on X are urging authorities to track down and arrest those searching for Dr Moumita Debnath’s name on p*rn sites.

US sanctions former Haiti President for drug traff!cking

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The U.S. Treasury Department announced sanctions on Tuesday, August 20, against former Haitian President Michel Martelly for his involvement in drug trafficking, including cocaine, destined for the United States.

Martelly, who served as president of Haiti from 2011 to 2016 and was previously a popular musician, has been accused of abusing his political influence to facilitate the trafficking of dangerous drugs. According to the U.S. Treasury, Martelly also engaged in the laundering of illicit drug proceeds and collaborated with local drug traffickers, while supporting multiple gangs based in Haiti.

This action by the U.S. mirrors similar sanctions imposed by the Canadian government in 2022 against Martelly and two former Haitian prime ministers, who were accused of benefiting from the activities of armed gangs. The sanctions reflect a growing international concern over the role of political elites in Haiti’s ongoing crisis.

Haiti, the poorest country in the Americas, has been plagued by escalating gang violence, particularly in the capital, Port-au-Prince, where criminal groups now control approximately 80% of the city. Residents have reported widespread violence, including threats of murder, rape, and kidnapping for ransom, as the country grapples with severe political, social, and economic instability.

The situation in Haiti deteriorated further in February, leading to the resignation of then-Prime Minister Ariel Henry under pressure from armed groups. In response to the escalating crisis, hundreds of police officers from Kenya have been deployed to Haiti as part of an international effort to restore stability.

“Today’s action against Martelly emphasizes the significant and destabilizing role he and other corrupt political elites have played in perpetuating the ongoing crisis in Haiti,” said Bradley Smith, the Treasury’s acting under-secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence. He added that the sanctions highlight the U.S. government’s commitment to holding accountable those who contribute to gang violence and the destabilization of Haiti’s political environment.

U.S. State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel reinforced this stance, stating that the sanctions demonstrate the U.S.’s “unwavering resolve to promote accountability for all individuals whose activities contribute to gang violence and destabilize the political environment in Haiti, regardless of their rank or stature.”

Baobab Land case outcome creates uncertainty for Zambian landowners

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Baobab Land case outcome creates uncertainty for Zambian landowners

By Mwebe Mbewa

At the heart of an application for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court by the owner of Baobab Land, Jonathan Van Blerk, there is one key question. How is it that the very feature which raised a point of law of public importance has not found expression in the reasoning of both the High Court and the Court of Appeal judgments?

What are the elements of the point of law of public importance which the Baobab Land case has raised?

The first, which has been stated several times in reviewing the long drawn out litigation concerning Baobab Land in Lusaka, is that there are matters which go beyond the specific facts relating to this case, and would affect any citizen of Zambia or investor who holds land.

The current state of outcomes bring a foreboding that any citizen or investor, whose land holding becomes subject of exercise of the State’s powers to compulsorily acquire land for public purposes, can fall victim of a process in which the reasons the Attorney General advances for this action at the instance of acquisition can be varied, in violation of the enabling legislation, and the Courts would be powerless to protect their interests.

This sounds like a scary prospect. But it is exactly what has resulted from the uncertainty created by the Lusaka High Court, supported by the Court of Appeal. It appears the High Court and Court of Appeal have refused to note, and consider seriously, that if the Attorney General submitted in court that part of Van Blerk’s land was compulsorily acquired to be given to the Lusaka City Council to build houses and demarcate plots for civil servants and other residents, but later, after defeating the land owner’s challenge in court, proceeded to give the same land to private companies for their profit, this constituted some deviation from the public purpose justification accepted by the court.

The courts have acknowledged that it was the discovery that the land compulsorily acquired from him was several years later given to Bantu Capital Corporation owned by Mohamad Salama, and Kwikbuild Construction Limited linked to the Mahtani Group of companies, which forced Van Blerk to conclude that the Attorney General’s justification of giving the land to  the LCC was a fraudulent misrepresentation to simply defeat his challenge of the State’s action in court.

Hence Van Blerk has been fighting to overturn the judgments which went against him on grounds that they were obtained by fraudulent misrepresentation. Why? Because for him, giving his compulsorily acquired land to private companies instead of the LCC rendered the Attorney General’s justification a fraudulent misrepresentation.

But High Court Judge Sharon Newa refused to accept this, ruling that Van Blerk has not proved fraud existed at the time of the compulsory acquisition. The Court of Appeal agreed with Judge Newa that Van Blerk needed to prove fraud existed at the instance of the submission to court that the land was for public purpose of LCC building houses and giving plots to civil servants and other residents.
Which is a very strange demand to make of Van Blerk, since it only became apparent after several years that the Attorney General had given the land to private companies for their own profit.

How then can he prove fraud which became apparent, for example, in 2006, when his court challenge of the compulsory acquisition of part of his land took place several years earlier?

The problem or uncertainty created by these two judgments is major, especially when seen in the light of what the Supreme Court of Zambia said in its Judgment of Van Blerks appeal two years ago:

“We must at this point state  that if property is compulsorily acquired for public purpose and IT LATER TURNS OUT that it was not after all for a public purpose, that compulsory acquisition can be set aside and the property restored to the original owner.”

What the Apex Court was pointing out implies that compulsory acquisition can be justified as being for a public purpose, but it later turns out that this is not the case. Inversion of this point gives further elaboration; what the State ultimately does with land it has acquired compulsorily from a private citizen will sometimes give a more accurate determination of whether the public use justification it has submitted is true or not.

The question then is why did the High Court, and later the Court of Appeal, take such a narrow view of proving fraud or misrepresentation in this instance, despite the guidance given the Supreme Court, in this same case?

This is what has brought about uncertainty. How are the rest of Zambian citizens to feel protected if the State can justify compulsory acquisition of their land, or portions thereof, on grounds of public use, and get away with parceling out the same compulsorily acquired land to private companies for one reason or another?

The final outcome of this case therefore has public importance beyond the interests of Van Blerk. It will clarify the issue as regards protection of citizens against arbitrary use of this draconian power by the State to compulsorily acquire land held by citizens or even investors.

Leaving the matter where it is, after High Court Judge Newa and the Court of Appeal judgments would create a permanent window for potential abuse of this power simply because fraudulent misrepresentation which becomes apparent after passage of time, whether there was a court challenge or not, does not matter.

That is no comfort to all Zambian landowners.

Assuredly, this point of law has arisen in the courts below as a result of the determinations they have made, by their insistence that Van Blerk should prove fraud at the instance of Attorney General’s witness Fortune Kachamba’s evidence in court, before the Attorney General decided to replace the LCC with private companies.

At that point Van Blerk had no suspicions and simply accepted the public purpose justification, as did the High Court which tried his challenge of the compulsory acquisition of part of his Farm 4300, known as Baobab Land.

In actual fact, it could be that the true intent of the Attorney General may be inferred more accurately from the ultimate decision to give land compulsorily acquired for public purpose, to private companies for their own profit.
If this point of law is left without clarification, all Zambian landowners will remain exposed to potential abusive use of this power, which could eventually hobble the country’s land tenure system and become a disincentive to attracting both local and foreign investment.

But beyond the point of law of public importance discussed, the two judgments also do not seem to have held the Attorney General to a very high standard of adherence to provisions of Lands Acquisition Act 1970, particularly clauses which exist to ensure compulsory acquisition id deemed to be in line with the legal provisions.

Simple questions were not asked. Such as, when the Attorney General decided to divert the compulsorily acquired land from the LCC to Bantu Corporation and Kwikbuild Construction, was this a change of purpose from public to  private, in the light of what the law defines as “public purpose or use”?

Did the purpose remain the same, but the State only changed the mode of execution of that purpose from LCC to  the private company “conduits”?

But this would raise another question, which the Supreme Court, sitting Justices Mumba Malila, Jane Kabuka and Albert Wood, did during earlier hearing of Van Blerks appeal.

One of them asked a representative from the Attorney General’s chamber what criteria was used to pick the private companies to execute the project for the State, and why the original owner of the land was excluded from participating in executing the “public purpose”.

It is not surpring therefore that Van Blerk’s Intended Ground One of appeal, should the Court grant him leave, is that “The Court of Ap peal erred in law and fact when it held that allocation of land to private entities does not per se prove that Fortune Kachamba made fraudulent misrepresentation under the circumstances of this particular case when in fact the peculiar circumstances of this reveal that such allocation is evidence of fraudulent misrepresentation for being contrary to the interest of the Republic or public purpose for which the land was compulsorily acquired as envisaged in sections 3,5 and 6 of the Lands Acquisition Act, 1971, Chapter 189 of the Laws of Zambia.”

Intended Ground Two targets mention that the Court of Appeal made of the issue of compensation:

“The Court of Appeal erred in law and in fact when it held that if at all there was any fraudulent misrepresentation made by Fortune Kachamba the 1st Respondent’s witness, the appellant did not rely on it to his detriment because he was compensated for the acquisition when in fact it is detrimental to the legal owner of private land that has been compulsorily acquired when the interest of the Republic or public purpose for which the said land was acquired is deviated from by the 1st Respondent later allocating the said land to private entities or companies for their benefit, contrary to the provisions of sections 3, 5, and 6 of the Lands Acquisition Act, 1971, Chapter 189 of the Laws of Zambia”.

It sounds like the Court of Appeal was suggesting here that whether or not there was fraudulent misrepresentation by Fortune Kachamba, it did not work to the detriment of Van Blerk because he was compensated.

This seems tangential and unfortunate coming from the Court of Appeal. The issue of compensation was dealt with by the Supreme Court Judgment of 17th May, 2021:

“In our estimation, there is therefore ample authority that land can, subject to certain conditions such as paying back the money which was paid as compensation, be restored to the original owner.”

Did the Court of Appeal simply not attempt to fudge the issue by resurrecting the issue of compensation, in the manner they linked it to Kachamba’s evidence and thereby concluding that Van Blerk did not rely on it to his detriment?

Quite unsurprisingly, the appellant believes that apart from raising a point of law of public importance, also raises issues whose determination will transcend the circumstances of this case. The appellant states that there are reasonable prospects of his appeal succeeding because of the conflicting statements of the law made in the judgment of the Court of Appeal.

“The draft ground of appeal exhibited support our submissions as the said grounds all turn on the point of law of public importance, that is, the exercise of the power of eminent domain as prescribed in sections 5 and 6 of the Lands Acquisition Act.”

“We further submit that there are other compelling reasons to hear the appeal particularly that the appeal raises valid points of consideration that are novel and for the public good. For the foregoing, we submit that there are cardinal issues of law or jurisprudence that deserve further input from the Supreme Court. It is in this respect that we humbly urge the Court to grant the Applicant leave to appeal to the Supreme Court against the whole of the judgment of the Court dated 30th July, 2024.”

Dickson Jere calls out hypocrisy among Zambians, says Maureen was deserted

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Jere calls out hypocrisy among Zambians, says Maureen was deserted

LAWYER Dickson Jere says Zambians are pretenders who love to eulogize people in their death unlike appreciating them while they are still alive.

Jere advised Zambian’s to be at the service of colleagues who are on a rocky road unlike praising them when they are departed yet they are neglected in difficult times.

The journalist-cum-lawyer was speaking during the valedictory service of the late former First Lady Maureen Mwanawasa who died on August 13, and was buried at Leopards Hill memorial park yesterday.

Jere eulogized the late Maureen as an overachiever who was big-hearted.

The lawyer however expressed disappointment that the former first lady was deserted by her colleagues in her trying time.

He thanked the President for stepping in to offer her support.

“During the period when she had a number of issues many had abandoned her, we thank the President of Zambia Mr Hakainde Hichilema that he was there for her. He provided her with the comfort that she needed during difficult times,” Jere said.

He said prior to her passing the former First Lady always made a comment about her death and wished her funeral should be held at the retirement house posthumously built for her late husband levy Patrick Mwanawasa in Silverest, Chongwe, by government.

“In her last few months she talked about death continuously and one of the things she really really talked about was her funeral. She always wanted her funeral to be held in Silverest. But that didn’t happen she is no more,” he said.

Jere admonished Zambians for being two-faced and only wanting to show love and care for the departed.

“Zambia is a country of hypocrites, we are speaking lovingly about this woman (Maureen) where were we when she was going through all this?,” he wondered.

“As soon as she died I remembered the famous speech of a South African politician Julius Malema, during the death of the late Winnie Mandela who said mama! they are here!. And I say, mama! they are here!”.

Jere emphasized the need to stand by colleagues when they are going through trouble.

“We shouldn’t write nice, lovely speeches and raising money for the funeral, we should be there for colleagues when they are going through difficulties. If all of us really were there for her she wouldn’t….”

He called to mind how Maureen pleaded with him not to turn his back on her like many did when she was going through a difficult time.

“I will personally be there because I promised her I would be there. I remember some three weeks ago I had received a writ of summons and I didn’t have instructions to receive the writ of summons. When I communicated with her(Maureen) she said counsel, I hope you are not abandoning me coz everyone is abandoning me zapaka milandu. But again such is life. Attorney general (Kabesha) thank you for opening your door,” said Jere.

By Mwaka Ndawa

Kalemba August 20, 2024.

LUSAMBO, WIFE ALLEGEDLY DITCHED BY LAWYERS

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Makebi Zulu and team abandon Lusambo in hour of need

LAWYERS from Makebi Zulu and Advocates have ditched Bowman Lusambo and wife Nancy leaving them stranded at the time the couple needs legal services the most.

The law firm indicated to the Economic and Financial Crimes Court that it was withdrawing its legal services to Lusambo on professional grounds.

Recently, Lusambo had hinted of ditching his Party PF to join the UPND but his sentiments have not sat well with his comrades in the green camp who continue to give him a social distance.

Few days after his statement, Lusambo received a slap to the face from his lawyers whom he relied on to save him from trouble, when they marooned him hours before he could account for his wealth, before the EFCC.

The firm had sent a junior lawyer yesterday to inform magistrate Faidess Hamaundu that it had ditched Lusambo, and would file a notice of withdrawal afterwards indicating that they had part ways.

Addressing magistrate Hamaundu yesterday Emmanuel Phiri said; “We wish to state that we have instructions on behalf of our client to withdraw as advocates for first and second accused on professional grounds. We had occasion to discuss with both accused and explained to the accused the implication for the said application. We shall file a notice of withdrawal in the course of the day.”

After Lusambo was left all alone with his wife Nancy by his side who is his co-accused, the ‘Bulldozer’ asked the Court to excuse him on reasons that he was unwell and needed time to engage a new lawyer who will have to study the matter before Tuesday next week.

“I informed ACC that I am unwell and wish to see a doctor. With this withdrawal of the lawyer, I ask the court to give us ample time to engage the lawyers to represent us in this case. I ask the court to use its discretion to adjourn the matter to allow me to see the doctor and to engage new lawyers,” Lusambo said.

ACC prosecutor Daniel Ngwira did not object to the application but urged the Court to warn Lusambo about being mindful about time.

Magistrate Hamaundu granted the application and reserved three days on her Court diary for the Lusambo’s to give their defense from August 27 to August 30.

In this matter Lusambo is facing 10 corruption-related charges before the Economic and Financial Crimes Court; among them one count of corrupt acquisition of public property, five counts of possessing property suspected to be proceeds of crime, three counts of tax evasion and one count of conspiracy to defraud.

He is jointly charged with his wife Nancy for possessing four houses in Silverest Gardens, Chongwe which were suspected to be procceds of crime.

By Mwaka Ndawa

Kalemba August 20, 2024.

Kanye West and Bianca Censori make surprise appearance at Donald Trump rally

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Kanye West is showing support for Donald Trump again and this time he and wife Bianca Censori made a surprise appearance at a Donald Trump rally in Beverly Hills, California.

According to a TikTok video shared by a Trump supporter who attended the rally on Saturday, August 17, the “Gold Digger” rapper and his wife pulled up to the gathering in his Tesla Cybertruck.

Fans who were waving “Make America Great Again” flags quickly flocked to the couple’s vehicle and were shocked to see West and Censori inside.

In the clip, the Yeezy founder spoke to the crowd but his words could not be heard over the screaming fans.

Meanwhile, Censori, 29, seemed uncomfortable as she sat in the passenger seat, looking away from the crowd.

After a few seconds, West quickly drove off as the fans screamed, “We love you, Kanye!”

Though West, 47, has been quiet about the upcoming presidential election between Kamala Harris and Trump, 78, he previously threw his support behind the former president.

In 2016, Kanye told the crowd at his San Jose, California, concert that if he had voted, he would have cast a ballot for Trump.

Over the years, West has also rocked the red “Make America Great Again” and visited Trump at the White House to discuss prison reform and other issues.

In 2022, Trump slammed Kanye West for inviting far-right activist Nick Fuentes to the former president’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida for dinner.

At the time, Trump called Kanye a “seriously troubled man”.

“So I help a seriously troubled man, who just happens to be black, Ye, who has been decimated in his business and virtually everything else,” the politician wrote on Truth Social at the time, “and who has always been good to me, by allowing his request for a meeting at Mar-a-Lago, alone, so that I can give him very much needed ‘advice.’”

Trump added: “He shows up with 3 people, two of which I didn’t know, the other a political person who I haven’t seen in years. I told him don’t run for office, a total waste of time, can’t win. Fake News went CRAZY!”

West reportedly asked Trump to be his 2024 running mate at the dinner.

Actor Matthew Perry and assistant spent $55,000 on 55 ketamine

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American actor, Matthew Perry and his live-in assistant Kenny Iwamasa spent a minimum of $55,000 on 55 ketamine vials and related injections in the 29 days prior to the Friends actor’s fatal overdose at the age of 54 in October 2023.

Iwamasa had sent consecutive text messages seeking more of the surgical anesthetic from his suppliers, including an illegal transaction, authorities with the Department of Justice said, US Weekly reported on Sunday after reviewing court documents in the cast against Iwamasa.

Actor Matthew Perry and assistant spent $55,000 on 55 ketamine vials in a 29-day span prior to his death

Iwamasa, one of five people arrested earlier this month in connection with Perry’s passing – in one instance convened with the Friends actor and Dr. Salvador Plasencia in a parking lot, where the actor had been injected with ketamine, according to legal docs reviewed by the outlet.

Iwamasa and Plasencia had ‘exchanged thousands in cash for bottles’ of ketamine, legal docs stated, noting that Plasencia had injected Perry with ketamine at his home on numerous occasions.

Plasencia in one instance injected the Williamstown, Massachusetts native, who played Chandler Bing on the NBC series, ‘within hours’ of Perry already having been injected with ketamine

The double dose led to Perry’s systolic blood pressure rising to dangerous levels, according to legal docs, with the actor ‘unable to speak or move’ as result of the injections.

Iwamasa illegally spent $6,000 on 25 bottles of ketamine, according to legal docs, nine days after he purchased 25 ketamine vials illegally.

In that instance, Perry was injected six times in one day by Iwamasa, and 18 additional times in the next three days, legal docs stated.

Perry, on the day of his death, was injected with ketamine by Iwamasa three times, as he allegedly told his assistant to ‘shoot me up with a big one,’ the outlet reported, citing court docs.

New details drawn from unsealed federal court documents and a medical examiner’s investigation provide a chronological look at the end of Perry’s life.

On September 30, Perry and Iwamasa met at their home in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles with Plasencia.

Perry had been receiving ketamine treatments for depression – an increasingly common off-label use – from his regular doctor, but wasn’t able to get as much as he wanted. Plasencia texted a doctor friend in San Diego, Mark Chavez, who agreed to obtain ketamine for him.

‘I wonder how much this moron will pay,’ Plasencia texted Chavez. The two met up the same day in Costa Mesa, California – halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego – and exchanged at least four vials of ketamine.

Plasencia returned to Perry’s house, where Iwamasa paid him $4,500 in cash for the vials. Plasencia gave Perry two injections of ketamine, and instructed Iwamasa on how to give the injections to the actor.

Plasencia texted Chavez that the experience ‘felt like a bad movie.’

On October 2, Iwamasa texted Plasencia saying he wanted to buy not just injection sessions, but to be left with more vials of ketamine, referring to it in agreed-upon code as ‘dr pepper.’

Plasencia appeared, gave Perry the injections, and left behind the vials of the anesthetic.

On October 4, Iwamasa injected Perry himself for the first time. He texted the doctor that he had found ‘the sweet spot’ to put the needle into his boss, but that trying different spots on Perry had led to them running out, and they needed more. Plasencia texted Chavez asking if he could keep supplying the drug so they could become Perry’s ‘go-to.’

On October 6, Iwamasa told Plasencia they were running low, and needed more. Plasencia went to Perry’s house and sold him one or more vials.

On October 8, in a late-night meetup at a Santa Monica, California shopping plaza, Plasencia sold Iwamasa four vials of ketamine for $6,000 in cash.

On October 10, Iwamasa drove Perry to a public parking lot in Long Beach, California where they met up with the doctor. He sold them more ketamine, and gave an injection to Perry while the actor sat in a car. On the same day, Iwamasa sought even more of the drug from an additional source of ketamine, reaching out to Erik Fleming, an acquaintance of Perry.

On October 11, Fleming messaged Iwamasa that he can get ketamine from a woman he knows.

‘It´s unmarked but it´s amazing – he take one and try it and I have more if he likes,’ Fleming wrote.

The woman, Jasveen Sangha, was known to her customers as the Ketamine Queen. Fleming texted Iwamasa that she only deals ‘with high end and celebs. If it were not great stuff she´d lose her business.’

On October 12, Plasencia went to Perry’s house, where he was paid $21,000 in cash, some of it owed to him for previous ketamine buys. While there he injected Perry. The actor immediately froze up and his blood pressure spiked. The assistant said the doctor told him, ‘Let’s not do that again.’

On October 13, Perry got a sample of Sangha’s ketamine and tried it. He and Iwamasa would ask for 25 vials of it, for which he would pay $5,500. Fleming dropped it off at Perry’s house a day later.

On or around October 20 – Perry received his last legal ketamine treatment from his regular physician, according to what a woman close to him whose name was redacted in official documents told medical examiner’s investigators.

The woman said his previous doctor had given him treatments every other day, but his new doctor said Perry was doing well, his depression was managed, and he no longer needed so many treatments. The woman would tell investigators that she had believed Perry had been sober for 19 months and there had been no relapse.

On around October 24, Perry talked to the unidentified woman for the last time. She told investigators he had been in good spirits.

On October 25, Iwamasa asked Fleming for another 25 vials of ketamine. After picking up $6,000 from Perry, Fleming picked up the ketamine from Sangha, who told him her own source is known as Master Chef; meanwhile, Iwamasa gave Perry at least six shots of ketamine.

On October 26, Iwamasa again gave Perry at least six shots of ketamine.

On October 27, the assistant again gave the actor at least six shots of ketamine. With the supply coming from Fleming and Sangha, Perry and Iwamasa had been out of touch with Plasencia for about two weeks.

Plasencia would text Iwamasa saying he had more to offer: ‘I know you mentioned taking a break. I have been stocking up.’

On October 28, at about 8:30 a.m., acting at Perry’s direction, using syringes from Plasencia and ketamine from Sangha, Iwamasa gave Perry an injection.

At about 11 a.m., Perry played pickleball, according to what Iwamasa told medical examiner’s investigators later in the day, though many elements of that initial story changed in his later talks to prosecutors.

About 12:45 p.m., Iwamasa gave Perry his second shot of the day, and the actor began watching a movie. Shortly before 1:30 p.m., Iwamasa gave Perry his third and final injection of the day while Perry sat at his backyard jacuzzi.

‘Shoot me up with a big one,’ Iwamasa remembered Perry telling him. The assistant then left to run errands.

At about 4 p.m., Iwamasa returned home to find Perry face down in the jacuzzi. He jumped in, pulled Perry to the steps and called 911.

Paramedics arrived minutes later and declared Perry dead. Coroner’s investigators would say ketamine was the primary cause of his death, with drowning a secondary cause.

Iwamasa has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute Ketamine. Fleming has pleaded guilty to distributing ketamine resulting in death. Both are cooperating with prosecutors.

Chavez has agreed to plead guilty to conspiracy to distribute the drug. Plasencia and Sangha, the two main targets of the investigation, have pleaded not guilty to multiple felony counts.

Man charged with mu¥der and having s3x with a d£ad body

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A man has been charged with m*rder and having s3x with a d£ad body after a woman was st@bbed to d£ath in Kent.

Ernestas Juska, 20, from Dartford, was arrested following reports of a disturbance at a property on Henderson Drive, Dartford, at 6.50am on Saturday, August 17.

Officers and paramedics attended the property where a woman was found with injuries consistent with a st@bbing.

Local residents reported hearing emergency sirens throughout the Saturday morning.

An air ambulance car was among the vehicles called to the scene and forensic officers in protective clothing have been seen entering and exiting the property.

One neighbour, who asked not to be named, said: ‘You do not expect this on your doorstep. This is something major. I think the police will be here all day. It is more than just a disturbance.’

Speaking of the forensic officers, another resident said: ‘They have got the blue gloves and white suits on. There are around six forensic officers there.

They added: ‘I never seen so many law cars go down the hill. I was born in Dartford and I have never seen anything like this.’

Jim Dickson, MP for Dartford, said: ‘My thoughts are with the victim and all those affected by this morning’s tragic incident in Temple Hill.

‘I would like to thank the police for their swift response and encourage anyone with relevant information to contact them.’

A spokesman for Kent Police said on the weekend: ‘A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder following an incident in Dartford, Kent.

‘Officers attended with colleagues from South East Coast Ambulance Service and a woman was found with injuries consistent with a stabbing. She was pronounced deceased at the scene.

‘A man in his 20s, who was known to the victim, has been arrested and taken into custody. Officers remain at the scene making enquiries and Henderson Drive is currently closed between the junctions with Marsh Street and Cavell Crescent.’

Councillor Kelly Grehan, Ward councillor for Temple Hill, said on Saturday she had been made aware of a ‘very serious incident’ and asked people not to speculate on the circumstances.

Thierry Henry has resigned from his job as manager of France’s under-21s team following the side’s defeat by Spain

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Thierry Henry has resigned from his job as manager of France’s under-21s team following the side’s defeat by Spain in the Olympics final.

The Arsenal legend was appointed into the role last August after stints coaching Belgium and managing Monaco and Montreal Impact.

He managed to lead the side to an impressive silver medal, missing out on gold to Spain who beat them 5-3 after extra-time thanks to two late goals from Sergio Camello.

And now Henry has quit the job after less than a year and revealed that ‘reasons of his own’ were behind the decision.

A statement from the French Football Federation (FFF) today said: ‘Thierry Henry, coach of the French Espoirs team, has decided to terminate his contract, which ran until June 2025, for reasons that are personal to him.

‘At the end of an exceptional campaign at the Olympic Games, punctuated by a silver medal, Thierry Henry spoke with Philippe Diallo, the president of the FFF, to inform him of his decision.’

Diallo said: ‘On behalf of the FFF, I would like to thank Thierry Henry for all the work he has accomplished at the head of the Espoirs and Olympiques teams.

‘We obviously regret this decision because Thierry Henry has achieved the objectives that were set for him by winning an Olympic medal at the Paris Olympics, 40 years after the one in Los Angeles.

‘Having followed him throughout this campaign, I was able to discover his great professionalism, his rigor and his love of the blue jersey. We wish him good luck for the rest of his career.’

The statement continues: ‘ “I would like to thank the FFF and President Philippe Diallo,” says Thierry Henry, “who offered me this incredible opportunity.”

“Winning the silver medal at the Olympic Games for my country will remain one of the greatest prides of my life.

‘ “I am incredibly grateful to the federation, the players, the staff and the supporters who allowed me to live a magical experience.”

‘Philippe Diallo will launch in the next few days the process of appointing the new coach of the French Espoirs team, who will take up his duties during the next two matches counting towards the Euro 2025 qualifiers, scheduled for early September.’

I was once asked to leave the stage for PSquare – Flavour

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Nigerian high-life singer, Chinedu Okoli, popularly known as Flavour, has recounted his humble beginnings and how he was once made to leave the stage during a performance for the now-defunct PSquare.

In an interview on “In My Opinion” podcast, which was released on Sunday, August 18, Flavour narrated how he began his music career as a choir conductor and drummer in the church.

Afterwards, he joined a music company/ band that trained young boys.

When he left the band after 13 years to be a solo act, he said life became tough.

Flavour said: “Things started changing when I started seeing some artistes.

“When I left the band, I went into the streets. That was when the game became hard. All this time, I was in a good place; the music had procedures and all, but now I was in the streets.

“Like a street musician hustling, I went to different joints to play. I could sing so many songs; I had like 5,000 songs I could sing and play to entertain people.”

He explained that he had a regular spot – City Centre in Enugu – where he used to perform regularly from 8pm to 3am and he was beginning to build a fan base. Yet, he said when bigger artists came and performed for a shorter time, they got better reception from the fans.

He recalled: “We play from 8pm until 3am, but then I see these artistes; they play for like 30 minutes, and everybody is happy, clapping for them and hailing them. And I’m wondering, ‘what is going on? Are we not same artistes?'”

He then recalled a time P-Square came to the spot to promote their single “Temptation” and how that was a turning point in his life.

Flavour said: “I was playing and immediately P-Square came in, the manager said, ‘Hello. Off that thing’.

“I switched off and I passed the microphone, went somewhere and sat down.”

Flavour said he saw the fans screaming as the twins sang and he wondered if it was not the same songs he sings that they were singing.

According to him, this experience made him realise he needed to transition from being a mere musician to an artiste.

Flavour said, “So I was like, it’s the same music these people are doing I’ve been doing with you, and you never shouted like this. I was so cold; I was just watching. When they left, the manager just told me to carry on.

“Then it started occurring to me that these guys, the difference is that they create their sound, go to the studio, and record. That’s how it’s done. So you are just a music man.

“So I decided to change from a music man to an artiste, and that was the difficult part of it because I thought it was going to be easy. I could play, I could sing, but to create your own sound, where are you going to start from?

“The best way to go about it was to start afresh.”

one of Sean “Diddy” Combs’ accusers, has filed a police report with the Miami Beach Police Department

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Adria English, one of Sean “Diddy” Combs’ accusers, has filed a police report with the Miami Beach Police Department, potentially adding fuel to the ongoing federal investigations into allegations against the music mogul. English, who is already suing Diddy for allegedly sex-trafficking her at his infamous White Parties, took her claims to law enforcement for the first time last week.

In her report, English shared details of same accusations she outlined in her civil lawsuit, which dates back to the early 2000s. English, a former p0rn star who performed under the stage name “Omunique,” alleges that she was recruited as a go-go dancer for Diddy’s White Parties in 2004, where she claims she was drugged and coerced into sexual acts.

While the Miami Beach PD did take the report, detectives reportedly concluded there wasn’t enough evidence to pursue an investigation into human traff!cking or other crimes. However, the report has been filed and will be shared with federal authorities who are conducting parallel investigations into the allegations against Diddy.

English’s attorney, Ariel Mitchell, expressed cautious optimism about the process, revealing that English plans to file another police report in New York City soon. The delay in filing there is due to the city’s requirement for her to make the report in person.

English’s lawsuit, filed last month, names Diddy and several of his associates, including Tamiko Thomas, who English alleges played a role similar to that of Ghislaine Maxwell in the Jeffrey Epstein case. English is seeking damages for emotional trauma, citing lasting issues with intimacy and painful memories stemming from the alleged incidents.

In response to the mounting legal challenges, Diddy’s attorney, Jonathan Davis, issued a statement to TMZ, asserting, “No matter how many lawsuits are filed it won’t change the fact that Mr. Combs has never sexually assaulted or sex trafficked anyone. We live in a world where anyone can file a lawsuit for any reason and without any proof. Fortunately, a fair and impartial judicial process exists to find the truth and Mr. Combs is confident he will prevail against these and other baseless claims in court.”

As the situation continues to unfold, all eyes will be on the federal authorities and the potential impact of these latest developments on the broader investigation into the serious allegations against Diddy.

Africa won tonight, say Adesanya and Du Plessis

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Dricus du Plessis (R) inflicted Israel Adesanya’s first ever defeat by submission in the UFC
Israel Adesanya points to an encounter about four months ago which can now sum up his rivalry with Dricus du Plessis.

“There was a South African guy in my taxi. And he said: ‘You know, when you and Dricus fight, even if you win or he wins, I feel like I win’,” said Adesanya.

“And I said ‘exactly’. And then we took a picture, it was a beautiful moment.”

The build-up to Nigeria-born New Zealander Adesanya’s fight with South Africa’s Du Plessis at UFC 305 – the first all-African title bout in UFC history – had been sour.

Du Plessis, 30, claimed he was the UFC’s “first real African champion” – a comment which riled two-time UFC middleweight champion Adesanya, who once held titles alongside fellow Nigerian Kamaru Usman and Cameroon’s Francis Ngannou.

Du Plessis clarified his comment by saying he is the first champion that still resides on the continent, with Adesanya, Usman, and Ngannou all moving elsewhere, but the bitterness remained during a charged pre-fight news conference.

But, after a captivating main event in Perth, Australia where Du Plessis submitted the 35-year-old Adesanya to retain his middleweight title, the pair settled their differences before agreeing Africa was the real victor in the bout.

“I think Africa won tonight and as I said earlier, he’s going to inspire the next generation of African fighters, just the way me, Kamaru Usman, and Francis Ngannou inspired him to become an African champion,” said Adesanya.

After the fight, Du Plessis gave Adesanya his jacket, which is embroidered with a South African flag, as a show of respect.

He also referenced former South African president and activist Nelson Mandela, who helped fight for racial equality in the country.

“Izzy and I won’t be friends because, on a personal level, we don’t see eye to eye but warrior to warrior, after spending that time in the octagon with him, you can’t respect that man,” said Du Plessis.

“To give him that jacket was a token of appreciation, a thank you for this memory. Win or lose I was going to give him the jacket as a reminder of an all-African main event.

“It means the world to me that sport brings people together. The great Nelson Mandela, that is what he said – ‘sport unites people in a way that politics can never do’, and that is a fact. That’s what you saw tonight.

African event could be next year – UFC

The UFC is yet to host an event in Africa but the organisation says it is something it wants to schedule sooner rather than later.

Speaking after the event in Perth, UFC executive David Shaw referenced UFC 304 in Manchester last month, which took place through the night and early morning to serve an American audience.

The event in Perth was also scheduled to serve a US audience, with the preliminary card starting at 08:30am Eastern Australian time.

He said a pay-per-view event in South Africa would likely mirror the event in Manchester because of similar time zones in the country and that raises questions for the UFC.

“The Dricus situation is tough, he’s a champion so are going to take a pay-per-view there? We’ve just done Manchester so it’s possible but we also want to make a good first impression,” said Shaw.

“Coming to Africa for the first time, do we want to do an event in the middle of the night?

“The short answer is we’ve got a few different countries we are targeting, nothing to report right now, but this is definitely a 2025 thing, we don’t want to wait much longer.”

Outcry at sentence for man who raped and killed girl of 7

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The brutal rape and murder of a seven-year-old girl has sparked outrage in Ethiopia, with many saying the sentence given to her attacker is too lenient.

Heaven Awot was sexually assaulted, mutilated, and killed by her mother’s landlord Getnet Baye last August in the north-western city of Bahir Dar in the Amhara region.

Getnet was last week sentenced to 25 years in prison, which he is appealing against, and the case is now adjourned until October.
The mother of the girl, Abekyelesh Adeba, tells the BBC that losing her child has left her feeling “lifeless”.

More than 200,000 people have so far signed an online petition demanding a review of the sentencing “to reflect the gravity of the crime” and to offer support for the grieving mother.

One of the largest women’s rights advocacy groups in the country, the Ethiopian Women Lawyers Association (EWLA), released a statement saying they believe the sentencing was “very light”, adding “the murder by itself should have been enough to sentence him to life imprisonment or to death… It’s especially sickening and outrageous when such a horrendous crime is committed against children.”

Senior government officials have joined the chorus of criticism, with Minister for Women and Social Affairs Ergogie Tesfaye writing on her Facebook page that the crimes committed against Heaven were “inhumane” and saying her office would pursue the case with stakeholders.

The brutal attack has triggered heated discussions about the safety of vulnerable women and young girls in Ethiopia.

According to a report released in May by Human Rights Watch, conflict-related sexual violence “has reached alarming levels in Ethiopia”.

The lack of accountability for perpetrators is seen by some as one contributing factor for its prevalence.

Thousands of women and young girls are reported to have been raped during a devastating two-year war in Tigray, the country’s northernmost region.

Before being raped and killed, Heaven saw the breaking up of her family because of that war.

Her father, an ethnic Tigrayan, was imprisoned for months at the height of the conflict. He was never charged.
When he was released, he left Amhara – where he felt there was still hostility and suspicions towards him – for Tigray.

Heaven’s mother, Ms Abekyelesh, a nurse, was left to raise her and her younger sister alone.

Being on friendly terms with their landlord who lived with his family within the same compound, Ms Abekyelesh told the BBC that she never felt any threat to her children.

She was related to the landlord’s wife which made her feel even more at ease.
When Heaven was attacked, Ms Abekyelesh was at work and the girl’s aunt was babysitting her.

Her aunt says Heaven told her she was going to the bathroom and did not return. Wondering why she was taking so long, the aunt says she went to look for the girl but did not find her. She believes Getnet had snatched her away.

Later that day, Heaven’s mutilated body was found in front of her home with clear marks of being strangled. Her mother tells the BBC that she believes the attacker dropped the body there.

“If our children can’t be safe in our homes, where else can we go?” she says. “Should we stop work and spend all our time with them? How can we feed them?”

In the following months, Ms Abekyelesh faced added ordeals as she grieved her murdered daughter.

She had to go into hiding, fearing for her own and her other daughter’s safety, after the attacker – Getnet – escaped from custody.

He fled from the police station in Bahir Dar where he was being detained last August, after local Amhara militias battling the army broke into that facility to free their fellow fighters who were held there.

Now on the loose, Getnet came looking for Heaven’s mother with a gun. He was not rearrested for close to a month.

She says she felt that security forces were reluctant to detain him, and had to beg them to re-arrest him. All the while Getnet was threatening her.

It left Ms Abekyelesh feeling unsafe, and as a result, she has moved homes and jobs repeatedly in the year since.

Ms Abekyelesh feels that the justice system failed her. She does not believe the 25 year sentence for Getnet was enough.

But she is more concerned about him winning his appeal and getting an early release.
“I have lost my Heaven… I am lifeless,” she tells the BBC.

Yet as a health worker, she says she knows of countless more women and young girls who have been sexually assaulted.
“I know there are so many Heavens.”

Protests across Venezuela as election dispute goes on

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Opposition supporters have gathered across Venezuela to protest against Nicolas Maduro’s disputed victory in last month’s presidential election.

Opposition leader María Corina Machado joined thousands of protesters in the capital, Caracas, and urged them not to be afraid.

Ms Machado, who had been in hiding after being accused of insurrection, said there was nothing above the voice of the people, and that the people had spoken.

Police and the army were deployed in force as supporters of Mr Maduro also held a demonstration.

“We won’t leave the streets,” Ms Machado told protesters, with many of them waving copies of election records from their voting stations as proof of victory.

Ms Machado, who was banned from running in the election, had called for nationwide protests to intensify pressure on Mr Maduro to concede.

Some demonstrators seemed determined to carry on.

“This is a criminal government that wants to hold on to power. I smell freedom, I have nothing to fear,” said Adriana Calzadilla, quoted by AFP news agency.

“I hope for Maduro to recognise his defeat and hand over the power peacefully,” medical student Jose Berbin told Reuters.

“What I think will happen is that the dictatorship will get harder, we all need to unite against the dictatorship and show that good people are more.”

Mr Maduro has insisted he won a third six-year term, but the opposition released tallies it said showed its candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez, winning by a wide margin.

Speaking from an unidentified location, Mr Gonzalez said it was time for an “orderly transition”.

At his rival rally, Mr Maduro mocked Mr Gonzalez, saying he was “living in a cave”.

The electoral commission, controlled by allies of Mr Maduro, has refused to release detailed results, but declared he won with 52% of the vote. Independent observers said it lacked transparency.

Since the election, anti-government protests have flared up and hundreds of people have been arrested by the security forces, which remain loyal to President Maduro.

According to the Venezuelan government, more than 2,400 people have been detained since 29 July, the day the disputed election result was announced.

The UN denounced the fact that street protests and criticism on social media have been met with “fierce repression” by the state.

Similar demonstrations have been held in cities around the world, from Australia to Spain and also in the United Kingdom, Canada, Colombia, Mexico and Argentina.

The European Union, the United States and a number of Latin American nations have refused to recognise the result.

US arrests reputed Peruvian gang leader wanted for 23 killings in his home country

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A reputed Peruvian gang leader suspected in 23 killings in his home country was arrested Wednesday in New York by US immigration authorities.

Gianfranco Torres-Navarro, the leader of “Los Killers” who is wanted for the killings in Peru, was arrested in Endicott, New York, about 145 miles (233 kilometers) northwest of New York City, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement said Thursday. He is being held at a federal detention facility near Buffalo pending an immigration hearing.

Torres-Navarro, 38, entered the US illegally at the Texas-Mexico border on May 16. He was arrested the same day and given a notice to appear for immigration proceedings, according to the agency, known as ICE. US authorities moved to arrest Torres-Navarro after receiving information on July 8 that he was wanted in Peru.

“Gianfranco Torres-Navarro poses a significant threat to our communities, and we won’t allow New York to be a safe haven for dangerous noncitizens,” said Thomas Brophy, the director of enforcement removal operations for ICE’s Buffalo field office.

Immigration agents also arrested Torres-Navarro’s girlfriend, Mishelle Sol Ivanna Ortíz Ubillús, described by Peruvian authorities as his right hand. She is being held at a processing center in Pennsylvania, according to ICE’s Online Detainee Locator System.

Online immigration detention records for Torres-Navarro and Ortíz Ubillús did not include information on lawyers who could comment on their behalf.

Peru’s justice system confirmed to The Associated Press that it ordered the location and international capture of Torres-Navarro and his partner Ortiz-Ubilluz on July 3.

Col. Franco Moreno, head of Peru’s High Complexity Crime Investigations Division, told the AP Thursday that they tracked phone calls, geolocations and messages from Torres-Navarro and his gang of at least 10 members.

“He is a highly dangerous criminal who believed he was untouchable and responsible for 23 murders, including other gang leaders who ended up dead along with their families, all in order to increase his criminal leadership,” Moreno said.

According to Peruvian authorities, Torres-Navarro is the leader of a criminal organization known as “Los Killers de Ventanilla y Callao” that has used violence to thwart rivals seeking to cut into its core business of extorting construction companies.

Torres-Navarro allegedly fled Peru after the killing of retired police officer Cesar Quegua Herrera and the shooting of a municipal employee at a restaurant in San Miguel in March, Peruvian media reported.

Six reputed members of “Los Killers,” formed in 2022 in an area along the Pacific coast where Peru’s main port is located, were arrested in a series of raids in June and accused of homicide, contract killing, and extortion, the National Police of Peru said.

Torres-Navarro was previously a member of the Los Malditos de Angamos criminal organization, Peru’s Public Prosecutor’s Office said. He is also known as “Gianfranco 23,” a reference to the number of people he is alleged to have killed.

Torres-Navarro eluded previous attempts to hold him accountable for his alleged crimes.

In 2019, while on the run from authorities, he was sentenced in absentia to 10 years in prison for illegal weapons possession. He remained at large until 2021, when he was arrested at a toll checkpoint near Peru’s capital city, Lima. But even then, he didn’t stay behind bars for long. After an acquittal in that case, Torres-Navarro was freed last December.

Soon after, Peruvian authorities said, “Los Killers” ramped up its violence, culminating in the shooting in San Miguel.

Gianfranco’s girlfriend, Ortiz Ubillús, has a prominent role in “Los Killers,” Peruvian authorities said. The Public Prosecutor’s Office described her as Torres Navarro’s romantic partner, lieutenant and cashier.

She also has a sizable following on the social media platform TikTok where she showed off their lavish lifestyle, including designer clothes, resort vacations and shooting targets at a gun range.

Thailand’s king endorses Paetongtarn Shinawatra as new prime minister

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Thailand’s king has officially endorsed Paetongtarn Shinawatra, a scion of the country’s most famed and divisive political dynasty, to become the country’s new prime minister.

Her appointment follows a series of twists and turns in Thai politics over the past week, during which the Constitutional Court ousted Srettha Thavisin, her predecessor from the same Pheu Thai party.

The country’s youngest ever prime minister at 37 years old, Paetongtarn is the daughter of ousted former leader Thaksin Shinawatra. She becomes Thailand’s second woman prime minister, after her aunt – and Thaksin’s sister – Yingluck Shinawatra.

On Sunday, King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s approval was read to her by the secretary of the House of Representatives at Pheu Thai headquarters in the capital Bangkok.

Paetongtarn got down on her knees and paid homage to a portrait of the king, before giving a short speech thanking him.

“This is the highest honor and pride in my life,” she said after the endorsement.

“I, my family, and the Pheu Thai party greatly appreciate His Majesty’s kindness. I am determined to perform my duties with my loyalty and honesty for the benefit of the nation and the people,” she added.

She is expected to appoint her 35-member cabinet and will lead the ministers in swearing an oath before the king. The new government will, she said, continue to push a soft-power initiative that taps the country’s historic and contemporary cultures, as well as tourism.

Asked by reporters if her appointment would be seen as the return of a dynasty, Paetongtarn said she wouldn’t be influenced by others. She said she may ask her father for advice, but stressed she has her own ideas, adding that Thaksin will not take up any role in the administration.

She pledged to put problems affecting the nation first, vowing to cooperate with all parties.

“No one wants to repeat what happened to my father and my aunt,” Paetongtarn said.

Thaksin’s economic and populist policies enabled him to build a political machine that has dominated the country for the past two decades, despite his ouster in a 2006 coup.

But parties allied to the telecoms billionaire – and former owner of Manchester City Football Club – have struggled to hold on to power, having been forced out in the past due to coups or court decisions.

Yingluck was removed from office before the military seized power in a 2014 coup, and Thaksin went into self-imposed exile in 2006 to escape corruption charges after the military toppled his government. He returned to Thailand from exile in August last year.

Last week, the Constitutional Court ruled Srettha breached ethics rules by appointing to his cabinet a lawyer – and Thaksin aide – who had served prison time.

Srettha’s dismissal was the latest blow to the Thaksin-backed Pheu Thai, which has frequently run afoul of Thailand’s conservative establishment – a small but powerful clique of military, royalist, and business elites.

On Friday, the national parliament voted Paetongtarn into the role after she was nominated as the sole candidate to replace Srettha by Pheu Thai’s ruling coalition.

She was one of three prime ministerial candidates for the Pheu Thai party ahead of national elections in May and made international headlines when she gave birth just two weeks before the vote.

Paetongtarn Shinawatra embraces her father Thaksin Shinawatra as they arrive for the royal endorsement ceremony in Bangkok, Thailand, on August 18, 2024.

Call for President Hakainde Hichilema to Return Unjustly Awarded non-existent UNZA ‘Doctorate’- Kasonde Mwenda C -EFF President

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Call for President Hakainde Hichilema to Return Unjustly Awarded non-existent UNZA ‘Doctorate’- Kasonde Mwenda C -EFF President

19th August 2024.

It is grossly erroneous to award an honorary “Doctorate” of Business Administration (DBA) to President Hakainde Hichilema by the University of Zambia because a honorary “Doctor” and a “Doctorate,” are two terms that hold distinctly different connotations in the world of academia and beyond. Installing a Doctorate on Presideny Hakainde Hichilema was wrong, there is no such thing and as such the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) is deeply concerned and outraged by the ongoing abuse and politicization of academic qualifications by public and private universities in Zambia. This worrying trend has seen institutions of higher learning compromise their academic integrity by succumbing to political pressure and bestowing unearned accolades on political figures, thereby distorting the true meaning and value of academic titles.

It is imperative to distinguish between an honorary “Doctor” and a “Doctorate,” two terms that hold distinctly different connotations in the world of academia and beyond. An honorary “Doctor” is a symbolic gesture, an acknowledgment of an individual’s contributions or accomplishments in a particular field. It is not, however, an academic qualification that implies rigorous research, scholarship, or mastery of a subject. On the other hand, a “Doctorate” signifies the highest level of academic achievement, often following years of dedicated study, research, and contribution to a body of knowledge.

The conflation of these two terms is not only misleading but also dangerous. It undermines the credibility of our educational institutions and devalues the hard-earned qualifications of scholars who have committed their lives to academic excellence. By awarding an honorary title as a “Doctorate,” the University of Zambia has set a troubling precedent, blurring the lines between academic merit and political favoritism. This is a disservice not only to the academic community but also to the people of Zambia, who expect our educational institutions to uphold the highest standards of integrity.

Furthermore, in diplomatic and professional circles, the misuse of titles such as “Doctorate” can lead to misunderstandings and misrepresentations. The international community relies on these distinctions to assess the qualifications and expertise of individuals in various fields. Misleading titles can damage Zambia’s reputation, calling into question the credibility of our educational system and the qualifications of our leaders.

The EFF strongly advises President Hakainde Hichilema to return the honorary “Doctorate” to the University of Zambia as a matter of principle. It is not an appropriate or earned title and should not be allowed to stand unchallenged. Instead, the University should correct its mistake by bestowing upon him the honorary title of “Doctor in Business,” which accurately reflects the nature of the recognition without infringing upon academic standards.

We call upon the University of Zambia and other institutions of higher learning in the country to resist political interference and uphold the sanctity of academic qualifications. The integrity of our education system must be protected at all costs, and the EFF will continue to hold accountable those who seek to undermine it for personal or political gain.

The Economic Freedom Fighters stand for the true values of education, integrity, and justice. We will not tolerate the degradation of our academic institutions and will continue to fight for a Zambia where qualifications are earned, not awarded as political favors.

Wherever we want to go our feet will take us there.

Kasonde Mwenda C
President
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF)

Jerome Kanyika’s Defence Counsel quizzes ZAMRA witness

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Jerome Kanyika’s Defence Counsel quizzes ZAMRA witness

Friday, 16th August, 2024

Mufulira Surbordinate Court

Ruling –

The court was called to order at 08:45 hours for the ruling on the Preliminary Issue (PI) raised by Defence Counsel in the application Defence Counsel had indicated that the evidence on record already confirmed that the importer of the medicines which were the subject of the trial was Zango Healthcare Ltd, the seizure form that was submitted as ID1 was bearing the name ZANGO Healthcare Ltd and Zambia Medicines and Regulatory Authority (ZAMRA).

The FIRST WITNESS, who is the inspector that seized the commodities, confirmed with the court that the medicines that led to the arresting of Mr. Jerome Kanyika was being imported by Zango Healthcare Ltd.

Defence Counsel reminded the court that Limited Companies are regarded as persons at law, and they have their own separate legal entities that can sue or be sued in their name and therefore the accused Mr. Jerome Kanyika was a wrong party before the court.

Defence Counsel reiterated that continuing the trail with a wrong party was a grave injustice to Mr. Kanyika.

The court was reminded of the sacred principle in company law that separates natural persons from artificial persons like companies and finally, the court was referred to the evidence on record were ZAMRA confirmed that indeed the medicines that were subject of trail were for the entity Zango Healthcare Limited which the accused works for and as such the accused Mr. Jerome Kanyika was a wrong party before the court, and the court was urged to dismiss the matter as having a wrong person before it was a substantial departure from procedure that can not be cured under the circumstances.

The prosecution responded, arguing that companies work through human agents, and as such, the director who is found at the scene can be held liable.

Defence Counsel replied, reminding the court that there is no law that makes employees or agents of the company directly responsible unless it is provided clearly.

Ruling

The court ruled that giving such a ruling and attending to the  PI would be premature as the onus lies on the prosecution to prove beyond reasonable doubt.

Agreeing with the prosecution, the court ruled that since the Companies Act through human agents, the application lacked merit, and it was dismissed and proceeded to trial.

Continuation of Trial

Ms. Mtonga Towela,
ZAMRA inspector working under Mr. Paul Banda, the first witness.

Despite Madam Mtonga working under the supervision of Mr. BANDA, further testified that all her actions were directed by her superior (Mr. Banda).

Her testimony differred from Mr. Banda as she  testified that whenever ZAMRA inspectors consficate or seize the medicines, they have to hand them over to an arresting officer who keeps them.

It was Madam Mtonga’s testimony that after the seizure of the drugs in Mufurila, Copperbelt Province, they left everything, and her work was done.

And questioned on whether or not ZAMRA gives pre approvals, it was Madam Mtonga’s testimony that indeed ZAMRA gives pre approval but added that she does not know what pre approvals are as there were phased out when she was joining the institution in 2018.

Asked on whether or not the DG is the final authority granting authority, Madam Mtonga testified that  the ZAMRA DG had final say but pressed whether herself as an inspector can change or refuse to follow an instruction given by the DG, she indicated that she can go against the decision of the DG.

Below is a Verbatim Report

Counsel Daniel Mwaba
Question: Madam Mtonga, you were telling this court that you were instructed to seize the drugs, is it true?

Answer: Yes, Your Worship.

Question: Who instructed you to seize the drugs?

Answer: AS I SAID, I DIDN’T COME ALONE.

Question: Madam Mtonga, please tell this court who instructed you to seize those drugs?

The court reminded Ms. Mtonga that the questions Defence Counsel, Mr. Mwaba was asking were on behalf of the court, and her answer should be directed to the court.

The magistrate noted that if she continued being rude in responding, she was being rude to the court.

Witness apologises and the cross examination continues.

Question: Please, tell this court who instructed you to seize these drugs?

Answer: My supervisor, Mr. Paul Banda.

Question:are you aware that the DG facilitated the drugs and the DG has the power to give permits according to the act

Answer: yes I know

Question: if the DG asked you to do something are you going to do it or not?

Answer: am not going to do it as it against the law.

Question: but you work on behalf of the DG

Answer: yes

Question: From the time the goods were seized, is this the first time for you to see them?

Answer: Yes
Question: Where are they?

Answer: They are here.

Question: How do you know that there are here?

Answer: Because I was told, and we were told to go see them here.
Question: Who was in possession of drugs when you seized them?

Answer: There were with the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC).

Question: When you seized the goods, where did you leave them? In whose custody were the seized drugs supposed to be deposited?

Answer: They are supposed to remain with the arresting officer.

Question: Were you aware that these medicines were taken to Lusaka?

Answer: No, I am not aware.

Question: So, you just seized the medicines and left them?

Answer: Yes, my assignment was done it the evidence before this court your work as an inspector were done when you left?
Answer: No, I didn’t say my work was done, I said my assignment was done.

Question: Did you know what happened to the medicines that you seized?

Answer: No
Question: So, you are hearing about those medicines today?
Answer: Yes
Question: Does ZAMRA give authorisations to letters which are like go ahead we shall give you the licence?

Answer: they used to give, but they phased them out when I was joining.

Question: Do you know what those letters or pre approvals meant?
Answer: I don’t know them because they phased them out just when I was joining.

Question:You said that Jerome is your client, is he a client as Jerome Kanyika or as Zango Healthcare Limited?

The witness hesitates
The court: Witness, answer the question. if you are not clear, ask so that the question is repeated.

Answer: Zango Healthcare Ltd
Question: Confirm to this court that the medicines you seized belonged to Zango Healthcare Ltd?

Witness hesitates again.

Answer: Yes, but Mr. Kanyika is a director for Zango Healthcare Ltd.

Counsel: Please just  answer the questions and don’t include the accused in everything you are saying
Question:Who does ZAMRA issue the permits to?
Answer: Members of the public and people of Zambia generally
Question: Does ZAMRA issue permit’s to ordinary members of the public?

Answer: Yes.

Question:Is it your evidence to this court that ZAMRA issues licences to members of the public without any conditions?
Answer: Yes
Counsel michelle mwiinga
Question: When you came madam mtonga,were you introduced to the owners of the drugs?
Answer: Yes
Question: Is it the evidence before this court that you were advised to seize the drugs?
Answer: Yes
Question: Can you also confirm to this court that the decision to seize the products was not your decision
Answer: Yes, I can confirm it wasn’t my decision.

Question: Is it your evidence before this court that import permits to members of the public are for small quantities?

Answer: Yes
Question: And you can agree with me that the consignment in question before this court was a bulk purchase?

Answer: Yes
Question: Confirm that it was your evidence that ZAMRA used to give pre approvals?

Answer: Yes

Question: Have you presented before this court any memo to show that pre approvals have been removed/
Answer: No.

Question: Are you aware the drugs in question were ordered by Zango on behalf o the  Ministry of Health (MoH)?

ANSWER: AM NOT AWARE.

Question: Could it be be because you were not involved at your level?

Answer: Yes.

Trial continues with a third witness

Musumali’s Misrepresentation on Joining UKA

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Exposing Musumali’s Lies and SP’s Internal Struggles

By Wilson Banda

Musumali’s Misrepresentation on Joining UKA

Recent revelations have unmasked the misleading information propagated by Musumali and his associates regarding the Socialist Party’s (SP) stance on joining the United Kambians Alliance (UKA). Contrary to their public claims that such a significant decision could only be taken by the national congress, it has come to light that Musumali, along with Fred, Dr. Chris Mwikisa, and Akende, had already preemptively decided against joining UKA. This decision was made unilaterally by this small group, which they refer to as the politburo, without soliciting input or considering the perspectives of the broader SP membership.

This raises a critical question: If the politburo claimed it had no authority to make such a decision on the party’s behalf, why did it proceed to unequivocally announce that SP would not join UKA, bypassing the necessary congress deliberation and consensus? This undemocratic approach highlights a dictatorial and iron-fisted leadership style where significant decisions are concentrated in the hands of just four individuals. This centralization of power, limited to Fred, his daughter, and two close associates, is prompting disillusioned members to exit the party. A political party cannot function effectively when it mirrors a private family business, where key decisions are dictated solely by family members and close friends.

2. *Brian Hapunda’s Marginalization within SP*

Brian’s situation further exemplifies the dysfunctionality within SP. Despite his designation as Media Director, key decisions within the media department are reportedly dominated by Akende (Fred’s daughter) and Cecilia, who resides in South Africa. Brian has privately expressed his dissatisfaction with this arrangement, lamenting his lack of substantive involvement or authority in media-related matters. It is disheartening to see Brian publicly attempting to downplay his grievances and pretend that everything is well within SP.

Brian owes an explanation to the Zambian people regarding the so-called rules that SP members supposedly find challenging to follow. What exactly are these rules, and how do they contribute to the current turmoil within the party?

3. *Core Reasons for Defection from SP*

The exodus of members from SP can be attributed to several fundamental issues:

   – *Private Family Business Approach*: SP operates more like a private family venture, with Fred, his daughter, and his close friends, Dr. Chris Mwikisa and Dr. Cosmas Musumali, monopolizing decision-making. These four individuals wield exclusive control over party resources, often using them at their discretion while expecting members to fund their own party mobilization efforts.

   – *Intolerance to Opposition*: Any member who dares to question or disagree with the leadership is quickly labeled a traitor, subjected to harsh treatment, and often forced out of the party. Fred’s authoritarian demeanor means he is resistant to advice, criticism, or divergent viewpoints, preferring instead to surround himself with sycophants.

   – *Lack of Genuine Mobilization for 2026 Elections*: The SP’s approach to election preparedness is superficial at best. The party’s minimal participation in by-elections appears to be a strategy aimed at appeasing funders rather than a genuine effort to mobilize for the 2026 national elections.

In conclusion, the SP’s internal dynamics, characterized by centralized control, suppression of dissent, and superficial election strategies, are driving members away and undermining the party’s credibility and effectiveness.

_Wilson Banda is the Former Chairperson for Mobilisation in the Socialist Party_

PF MAY BE PAYING HEAVILY FOR POLITICAL LESSONS THEY HAVE REFUSED TO LEARN FROM

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PF MAY BE PAYING HEAVILY FOR POLITICAL LESSONS THEY HAVE REFUSED TO LEARN FROM

A KBN TV Editorial

To know where you are going, they say, you must understand where you are coming from. Past and present political happenings in Zambia are full of lifelong lessons that the former ruling party Patriotic Front should have embraced to learn from in order to avoid the many challenges they are faced with today.

Why should we invest our time writing editorials about the PF, you may ask. PF is not just an ordinary party. They were in opposition, formed Government and were in power for 10 years and they are now back in opposition. This is the party whose formation was shaped by one man’s charisma that propelled it to fame, overrunning the UPND that had been in opposition longer than the PF.

Given the years of experience on both sides of the coin, one expected better from the PF than its current predicament and self inflicted inconveniences.

When President Frederick Chiluba dribbled King Combra Michael Sata and annoited Levy Patrick Mwanawasa as his successor, Sata summoned everything within him and with the help of the Post Newspaper solidly behind him then, he became the people’s favorite, beating Rupiah Banda in an embarrassing defeat that only comes close to the 2021 general elections in which UPND (opposition) beat the PF (in power) with over 1 million votes to spare.

After such a humiliating defeat of the ruling party by an opposition outfit, the expectation was that the PF would retreat and hold a convention with the likes of Brian Mundubile as favourite to take over the party leadership from former President Edgar Lungu who had formally resigned from active politics. The plan was for him to handover power to whoever the convention could have chosen.

This perhaps was the beginning of the problems in PF. No convention was held to choose the new leadership that would address the problems that a post election study revealed as the main reasons for PF’s embarrassing fall from grace.

The first two Parliamentary by-elections after the August 12, 2021 elections in Kwacha and Kabushi, should have taught the PF lessons that the political field of play had changed. They lost both seats and it appears they also lost the lessons.

Fast forward, the PF today has 3 presidents, each one of them claiming legitimacy in the courts of law. The former ruling party may have played in the hands of the state sponsored machinations and the appetite to fight back, may have come too little too late.
As though that is not enough, the ECZ has introduced new rules regarding signing of adoption certificates and so far, any PF candidate from the ECL aligned camp hasn’t been successful at the attempt to participate in recent ward by-elections. Here too, the former ruling party doesn’t seem to have learnt anything from these experiences.
The real problem, it seems, PF officials like to listen to themselves. Big mistake!
Senior officials and former advisors must realize that they are way too invested to offer an objective assessment of the challenges facing the PF.

All things considered, the real trump card for the PF is the UKA Alliance. But even there, the mistakes that sneaked Miles Sampa into the driving seat are being repeated with unilateral declarations such as “UKA is ECL and ECL is UKA.” If the PF doesn’t see any problem with such statements, then we are worried for them.

UKA itself though very promising, has a lot of teething problems but those problems are not insurmountable.
Already, the majority of PF MPs and MCCs have boycotted UKA, which means even among themselves, they are still undecided which way to go. Information reaching us indicates that only 7 out of 58 MPs are remitting their monthly contributions to the party. It’s now 9 months the party is failing to pay its Secretariat staff. These are serious problems.

What should also be bone in mind is that once Parliament is dissolved in two years time, each PF MP will have to choose a ticket to use for their seats. If the court cases have not been decided by then, former MPs may be looking elsewhere, potentially to the UKA Alliance for adoption.

Should the status quo remain the same with ECL, Chabinga and Miles all claiming the presidency of PF, only the UPND version of PF will most likely be allowed on the ballot.

As someone intimated recently “we (PF) have a lot of lessons on how UNIP and MMD died, yet we have failed to learn anything from that and we have done the exact same things that made UNIP and MMD die.”

If PF truly considers UKA as an alternative vehicle, they should show commitment to the Alliance by deeds, not words only. Information reaching us that PF wants to field an independent candidate in the Kawambwa by-election, raises a lot of questions about the party’s sincerIty and commitment to UKA.

The expectation by now is PF should be allowing its candidates to contest by-elections on the Alliance ticket not sponsoring independents.

A Letter to Maureen Mwanawasa- Sishuwa Sishuwa

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A Letter to Maureen Mwanawasa

19 August 2024

Dear Maureen,

Your departure was sudden. Were you in a hurry to meet up with your husband? It is not lost on us that he too died unexpectedly in the month of August, exactly sixteen years ago today, the sad day when the earth is set to swallow the small house of wood that you now occupy, cold and still and without voice.

We remain wondering whether we will see a recorded video of you bidding farewell – just like your husband did – to the land that held you firmly and lovingly in its bosom. Should this not happen, the gaping hole of longing that you have left behind, the void that we feel, will keep tormenting us for years on end. 

Your untimely passing, at a young but die-able age of 61, is a painful reminder of the fragility of life. Yesterday it was your then 59-year-old husband. Today, it is you. Tomorrow, it will be our turn. The lesson to all is clear: let us be there for each other, take care of ourselves, and cherish the good times we share with our friends and loved ones because it is easy in the bloom of youth and health to forget our mortality. For in the end, death must come to all. Such is the nature of existence and the circle of life. We come. And we go. It has been like this ever since it all began.

Your lived experience teaches us that the relevance of death lies in its impact on those that live. It will inspire us to continually improve ourselves because it is in our quest for individual excellence that we truly become witnesses to the greatness of life and service to humanity. It will remind us to celebrate the ephemera and gift that each day is, to live now and in the present. We sometimes miss out on life when we seek more, when we seek permanence, for what we have is now, and we must live in the moment. For that is all there is to life – now. As Petersen Zagaze, has sung, ‘Ku manda kuli boring’! a summary of what life is: alive!

Both the beauty that epitomised your life and the ugliness of its end are not lost on us.

You played your part. You loyally and diligently served our homeland. In a way, the love that you showed for the citizens cannot be matched by the love which the citizens showed you in return. It is a terrible indictment on our collective attitude that we generally only hoist and celebrate the good people among us after they are gone. How invisible, even today, the great works of so many among us. Their real honour comes by way of knowledge of the truth – the whole story that they know and, with an inner smile, narrate fully to no other but their conscience. 

Your selflessness and commitment to a better Zambia shall forever be remembered. You were a friend to many, a wife, a mother, a lawyer, and a First Lady. And through your activism for social justice, community development, and access to public health, you touched many lives and served as a patron of many causes. These include the Maureen Mwanawasa Community Initiative, Breakthrough Cancer Trust, Habitat for Humanity Zambia, and the Rotary Club of Maluba. It is perhaps appropriate that your very last post on X, formerly Twitter, consists of a short but meaningful sentence that appears to have been your guiding principle in public life: “Putting people’s interests first.”

You remain a lesson and a symbol of hope to many and in particular to girls and women. This is because you started life as a nobody and ended as a star. Inspired by the awareness of the importance of education, you went to school, completed a secretarial course, secured work, and became, in later years, a legal practitioner. Your dreams, in their diversity, came to pass. The lesson to all of us is clear: in life, it does not matter how we start; what matters is how we end.  Time and chance happen to all.

You married Levy Mwanawasa on 7 May 1987. Through the institution of marriage, you became a devoted partner, a mother of four, and a ‘Mother of the Nation’. You supported and stood by your man, just like he supported and stood by you. Your combined experience teaches us that our choice of a partner in life has a significant effect on our lives. It also tells us that as we come to grow, learn more about ourselves, perfect the art of living and following through our interests, we also end up inevitably fine tuning ourselves into the rhythms of those with whom we are most compatible or attuned to. Some call it serendipity – the stuff of fairy tales. Others call it a connection.

You possessed a remarkable capacity for friendship – intensely loyal, warm, and kind, expressed in a genuine interest in another’s well-being and in the most generous hospitality in conversation that encouraged as well as stretched. Perhaps more importantly, you cherished family and community. In furtherance of these values, you embraced both your biological children and those belonging to the extended family, almost always blurring the distinctions. While your husband was busy attending to national duties, you did your best to raise your children well.

Following your husband’s death, and illustrative of the general plight of the African woman when a spouse dies, you faced many challenges. Family. Career. Financial. Your life shows that opportunities and challenges come to all. In the end, all we are is human. What gives meaning to life is not fame, status, beauty, wealth, or power. For all these are fleeting. What matters most are the timeless values and authentic relationships we cultivate with other people. It is how we enhance the lives of others while enriching our own. It is how we occasion good, make others feel, and add value to their lives. Everything else is, overall, vanity. 

I am sure you are seeing and hearing the many things that are being said about you in the wake of your departure. Good and bad things. False and true. Sentiments openly expressed and those expressed through hushed conversations and murmurs. Many more things will be said about you today, tomorrow, and the day after.

None will be truer than this truth: in the end, you were, like the rest of us, only human. With nothing you came and without anything you have gone. Gone to the same destination where every human being eventually goes. In ‘Do not go gentle into that good night’, the Irish poet, Dylan Thomas, advised us to not accept death passively, despite its inevitability. Instead, he encouraged us to confront it with courage and challenge it:

“Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of light.
Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning, they
Do not go gentle into that good night”.

Go well, Maureen Mwanawasa, and rest gently into that good night, as a victor, one more time.

Sishuwa Sishuwa

Source: https://x.com/ssishuwa/status/1825431422112268380

Churches may pay tax on their collections, Rwanda President Kagame says

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Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame says he might introduce a tax on church collections, seeking to tame what has turned out to be extortion and exploitative tendencies by evangelical clerics.

In his first address after taking a new oath of office this week, the Rwandan head of state, strongly criticised church leaders who masquerade under the cover of God to manipulate and “squeeze money” from people.

“These unscrupulous people who use religion and churches to manipulate and fleece people of their money and other things, will force us to introduce a tax, so churches pay tax on the money they get from people,” he said.

Rwandan authorities said this week they had closed down about 8,000 churches for operating illegally and not fulfilling infrastructural requirements.

Speaking after presiding over the swearing-in ceremony of the re-appointed Prime Minister, Edouard Ngirente, and new members of parliament, Mr Kagame said he would go for more rogue preachers and their churches.

The poor are targeted

“If truth is to be told, these mushrooming churches are just there to squeeze even the last penny from poor Rwandans, as those who own them enrich themselves,” said Mr Kagame.

Rwanda has recently seen an increasing number of Pentecostal churches, many of which build their churches on prosperity gospel doctrine, attracting more poor folk. “We have seen cases of these cult leaders even leading people to their deaths, through manipulation and brainwashing them to starve to death and do all sorts of other things, it has happened in other countries.

It is not just Rwanda that has struggled with regulating preachers. Uganda announced last week it will publish a white paper on regulating worship, after reports of extortion by clerics.

In Kenya, the courts are currently trying Paul Mackenzie and his followers said to have brainwashed worshippers into deadly fasting.

According to Rwanda Governance Board (RGB), the regulatory body for religious organisations, some 59.3 percent of over 13,000 churches inspected in the last month have been closed down due to non-compliance.

“The closure of these places of worship came after routine inspections as per our mandate, we had given these churches ample time to improve but they didn’t so we had to shut them down,” said Usta Kaitesi, the CEO of RGB.

NAPSA agreed to buy Society Business Park for K230m (about $9m) which had a book value of only K32m (about $1.2m) in ZNBS books

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ZNBS SOCIETY SAYS

●We sold Society House Business Park to NAPSA

●We bought former MTN head office situated at Corner of Chikwa lane and Beit Road from AFlife Properties who were selling it on behalf of Sartunia Regna.

SALE OF THE SOCIETY BUSINESS PARK AND PURCHASE OF THE MANNU BUILDING

…. An opportunity arose after the Board and the Procurement Committee had already approved the purchase of Stand no. 4647 Lusaka. The former MTN head office situated at Corner of Chikwa lane and Beit Road, opposite the newly constructed Standard Charted Bank head office was advertised by AFlife Properties on behalf of Sartunia Regna with a closing date of 30th December 2021, for receiving of bids….

… This is a four (4) storey building with estimated net lettable area of 5610 square meters constructed on a 6000 square meter plot with 134 parking slots…..

1.0 SALE OF SOCIETY BUSINESS PARK

1.1 Zambia National Building Society (ZNBS) was established by the Building Societies Act, with the mandate to increase the housing stock within Zambia.

1.2 The property in question was sold to NAPSA on 30 December 2020.

1.3 At the time of sale of SBP, the Society was receiving annual concession fees of K69,000 per month. Given the need to unlock capital, the Board made a decision to sale SBP to support the issuance of mortgages and to purchase a new head office outside the Central Business district.

Even after considering a 100% occupancy rate of SBP, the resulting concession fees were too low to make a significant impact on ZNBS’ capital position.

1.4 Negotiations for the sale of SBP to NAPSA started in June 2019 and were concluded in February 2020 and a purchase consideration of K230million was agreed.

1.5 The carrying amount on ZNBS financial statements was K32.41million as at year ended March 2020 and the Society made a profit of K197.6million kwacha from the disposal of SBP which significantly improved the capital position.

1.6 ZNBS was the owner of the Society Business Park and entered into a concession agreement with NAPSA for the refurbishment of the building following an infernal which had gutted the building.

1.7 In a letter dated 5th November 2014, National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA) requested to purchase the Society Business Park citing the fact that the current Concession Agreement was not viable as it was not able to recover the investment amount in the 20 year concession period.

1.8 At a meeting held on 5th July 2018, the Board of Directors of Zambia National Building Society resolved to seek approval from the Ministry of Finance for the sale of the Society Business Park.

1.9 Following the approval granted by the Ministry of Finance, ZNBS Management commenced exploratory meetings with NAPSA Management and a road map was proposed commencing with the preliminary valuation of the Society Business Park. These exploratory meetings commenced in 2019.

1.10 The justification for the sale of the Society Business Park was as follows:
(i) According to the concession agreement with NAPSA, ZNBS is only entitled to 3.5% of gross rentals per month for a period of 20 years translating to a yield of 2.9% per annum which is below inflation and therefore not economically profitable for the Society.

(ii) The concession agreement further requires that NAPSA be paid 50% of market value at the end of the concession period of 20years for NAPSA to exit the agreement.

Zambia National Building will not have the means to make such a payment.

(iii) NAPSA, in its letter to the Society dated 5th November 2014, indicated that the project is not viable for them within the 20year period as they would be unable to recover the sum invested to redevelop the building. A sale would therefore be beneficial to both parties.

(iv) The Society had been raising funds on the capital markets through a Medium Term Note Programme (MTNP), and by obtaining corporate loans which are linked to the yield on Government securities. The sale of the Society Business Park not only offered an opportunity to unlock funding into the Society’s core business but also an opportunity to lower the cost of funds for the Society.
1.11 The Board of Directors wrote to the Ministry of Finance and National Planning to seek approval to for the sale of the building to NAPSA. The Ministry of Finance engaged Cabinet and obtained approval for the transaction.

1.12 Following the receipt of approval from Cabinet and the Ministry of Finance, the Society entered into a contract of sale for the sale of the building to NAPSA on in December 2020 and the sale was concluded in April 2021.

2.0 PURCHASE OF STAND 4647 LUSAKA

2.1 The Board approved the proposal for the Society construct a new head office outside the CBD, in line with the Corporate Strategic Plan. A budget line was approved for the year 2021/2022 to acquire land and design a new head office budget of K10 million.

2.2 The Society initially wanted to purchase a plot and build the head office. However, the estimated cost of constructing a 2500 square metre Head Office at this Land is at USD $4,700,000.00, this is in line with the property and construction cost guide 2021 done by AECOM SA (Pty) Limited for Southern Africa countries. The tendering and construction processes will take approximately 2½ years.

2.3 An opportunity arose after the Board and the Procurement Committee had already approved the purchase of Stand no. 4647 Lusaka.

The former MTN head office situated at Corner of Chikwa lane and Beit Road, opposite the newly constructed Standard Charted Bank head office was advertised in the Zambia Daily Mail on 28th December 2021, by AFlife Properties on behalf of Sartunia Regna with a closing date of 30th December 2021, for receiving of bids.

This is a four (4) storey building with estimated net lettable area of 5610 square meters constructed on a 6000 square meter plot with 134 parking slots.

2.4 The property is strategically located at the famous Elunda Park next to Standard Chartered, CITI Bank, Barclays Bank, and Liquid Telecom Head Offices at the Addis abba round about.

Other Banks Head Office in close proximity Stanbic and Indo Banks (under construction). The Property was considered due to the excellent accessibility and visibility from the two high traffic roads. This location has become the Banking Square with most of the leading Banks having their Head Offices around this location.

2.5 Management had put in a bid of $5.4m, however the seller advised Management that they had received a bid of $8m and the sellers book value of the property stood at $8.2m. Hence, the bid was unsuccessful.

However in March 2022, Aflife reached out to the Society after the highest bidder pulled out of the transaction. AFLIFE indicated that being the second highest bidder they were willing to accept $5.4 million for the building. The selling price was renovated to a Kwacha amount of K 89 million before VAT, which is the equivalent of $ 3.2 million at the current exchange rate, against a reserve price of USD 8 million and a valuation of USD 7 million.

2.7 All relevant approved within the requirements of the Public Finance Management Act were obtained for the purchase of the building.

Government did not neglect Maureen Mwanawasa – Hichilema

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Government did not neglect Maureen – Hichilema

PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema says government will make all effort to assist the Mwanawasa family especially the children who are bereft of their parents.

And the President has refuted assertions by someone opposition political party leaders that government failed to care for the late former first lady Maureen Mwanawasa.


The President was speaking yesterday when he visited the house of mourning in Lusaka’s Roma Park.

President Hichilema said Maureen’s death is so numbing as it happened without warning.

“We offer our sincere condolences to the Mwanawasa and Kakubo families as you know every person comes from four families. We are sincerely saddened by the loss of Mrs Mwanawasa especially that it happened so sudden,” he said.

“When people endure or go through a long illness, we do accept that sooner or later they may …. But her illness deteriorated quickly and shocked a lot of us including myself.
About two months ago we had dinner together and she was jovial and nobody thought we would be attending her funeral today most unfortunately.”

President Hichilema described the late Maureen Mwanawasa as diligent and unfaltering.

“She worked for this country, for the family for the vulnerable …. All of us will miss her. There’s one mystery we can do great things in life.…one mystery about death we don’t know when any of our family members will go, but death is inevitable only God decides …,”he said.

“We must all work hard when we are called to serve the public. When we occupy public office directly or indirectly. All of us who serve in the public service directly or indirectly we must appreciate that we are servants of the people. We work for the people. Let’s work for the people and our interest will be taken care of afterwards.”

He said government never failed to tend to the former First Lady as it stopped at nothing to see to it that she attained medical care.

“Social media needs to be managed. We don’t want to send misinformation. Facts are facts, the government tried to do its best , the illness was discovered late and when it was discovered, government flew her in India. And the doctors advised on how we could proceed,” the President explained.

“The government did its best. There are other issues, the family is fully aware, it’s not for public consumption. Government and all of us as family members tried to do our best and we will continue to do our best.”

President Hichilema pledged that government will continue supporting the children and urged family members to foster harmony.

“We are committed to support the family in any way possible going forward, to alleviate the suffering especially that some of the children are young and sadly have lost both parents.
Their father left them and now their mother has left them. It is up to us who have remained to provide support,”said President Hichilema.

Maureen Mwanawasa a lawyer, was the widow of late president Levy Mwanawasa who died as a sitting president on August 19, 2008.

She died on August 13, 2024 at Maina Soko military hospital in Lusaka after a short illness.

The former first lady who is survived by four children, will be inhumed today at Leopards Hill memorial park after funeral rites.

By Mwaka Ndawa

Kalemba August 19, 2024.

“HH ‘SNUB’ SPOILS MNANGAGWA’S SADC PARTY”

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HICHILEMA’S ABSENCE AT SADC
Sunday 18 August 2024
PROF MOYO ON HICHILEMA SADC SNUB

“HH ‘SNUB’ SPOILS MNANGAGWA’S SADC PARTY” – @thestandardzim
Interesting report. But it’s a major let down when the media goes capriciously frivolous, like this.

Firstly, there was no “Mnangagwa Sadc  Party” in Harare yesterday;  there was a major Sadc event, not a Zimbabwe event and not a Mnangagwa event.

The major event was the 44th Ordinary SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government; and out of 16, 13 heads attended, meaning only three heads were absent; and they delegated their representation.

Therefore, the 44th Ordinary SADC Summit in Harare was very well attended, without any question whatsoever about that.

Secondly, it is a gross exaggeration and in fact inaccurate to describe President Hichilema’s absence or non attendance as a ‘snub’ of Zimbabwe or President Mnangagwa; if it was, then it was not a snub of Zimbabwe or Mnangagwa, but a childish snub of the 44th Ordinary SADC Summit organised by @SADC_News which would not speak well of or bode well for President Hichilema in terms of his leadership standing and influence in the region.

Heads of state and government are not expected to personalise state or government affairs, let alone interstate affairs, by being sulky, moody or petulant over national, regional or geopolitical issues. When there are differences in these issues, leaders are expected to rise to the occasion, not to retreat to the village and seek sanctuary there.

And to add an important perspective to this, and with due respect to him, President Hichilema is not a consequential African, regional or even national leader or figure. His attendance or non attendance of any multilateral forum is a perfunctory matter of no substantive consequence.

In any event, and above all, it is important to keep in mind that Sadc is an interstate, multilateral body whose members are states or countries, not individuals of any description or status.

It is a fact that Zambia, as a country which is a cofounder of Sadc founded on its soil in 1980, attended the 44th Ordinary SADC Summit held in 🇿🇼.

If Zambia had not attended the 44thOrdinary Sadc Summit in Harare yesterday, then there would be something to write home about. But 🇿🇲 attended. Full stop. This is the only relevant and important fact. The rest is just drama! He was writing on X

NewsdzeZimbabwe at Sunday, August 18, 2024

Lungu’s Cabinet Approved The Sale Of Society Business Park- Dr. Nama

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LUNGU’S CABINET APPROVED THE SALE OF SBP- Dr. NAMA

By Rick Nchito

FORMER President Edgar Lungu’s Cabinet approved the proposal to sale Society Business Park (SBP) to the National Pensions Scheme Authority (NAPSA) at K230 million in 2020, contrary to claims by some politicians that the transaction was orchestrated by the New Dawn administration.

Immediate-past Zambia National Building Society (ZNBS) board chairperson Dr. David Nama also says the institution bought Maanu building situated at Ilunda Park at US$3.2 million and not US$10 million as insinuated by Patriotic Front president Miles Sampa.

Mr Sampa claimed that Government has bought a four -storey building which is former MTN situated next to Citi Bank for around US$10 million.

He alleged that the purchase was made some few months ago through ZNBS whose mandate from the UNIP era is to build or finance affordable houses for ordinary Zambians.

Addressing the media yesterday, Dr Nama said negotiations for the sale of SBP to NAPSA started in June 2019 and were concluded in February 2020.

ZNBS then entered into a contract of sale for the building to NAPSA in December 2020 and the transaction was concluded in April 2021.

“I have been the board chairperson for this organisation for the past six years and I wish to state that negotiations to sale SBP did not start under this regime.

“Plans to sale SBP to NAPSA started in 2019 and when the proposal was brought before the Ministry of Finance, then line Minister Bwalya Ng’andu took this matter to Cabinet, the ECL (Edgar Chagwa Lungu) Cabinet approved the proposal,” he said.

Dr Nama said ZNBS owned Society Business Park and entered into a concession agreement with NAPSA for the refurbishment of the building following an infernal that damaged the infrastructure.

He said among justifications for the sale of the SBP was that according to the concession agreement with NAPSA, ZNBS was only entitled to 3.5 percent of gross rentals per month for a period of 20 years, translating into a yield of 2.9 percent per annum, which was below inflation and, therefore, was not economically profitable for ZNBS.

“The concession agreement further required that NAPSA be paid 50 percent of market value at the end of the concession period of 20 years for NAPSA to exit the agreement. ZNBS would not have the means to make such a payment.

“NAPSA, in its letter to the Society dated November 5, 2014, indicated that the project is not viable for them within the 20-year period as they would be unable to recover the sum invested to re-develop the building. A sale would, therefore, be beneficial to both parties,” Dr Nama said.

He said in a letter dated November 5, 2014, NAPSA requested to buy SBP citing the fact that the concession agreement was not viable as it was not able to recover the investment amount in the 20-year concession period.

“At a meeting held on July 5, 2018, the board of directors of ZNBS resolved to seek approval from the Ministry of Finance for the sale of the Society Business Park, following the approval granted by the Ministry of Finance, ZNBS management commenced exploratory meetings with NAPSA management and a roadmap was proposed, commencing with the preliminary valuation of the Society Business Park,” Dr Nama said.

“At the time of sale of SBP, the society was receiving annual concession fees of K69, 000 per month. Given the need to unlock capital, the board made a decision to sale SBP to support the issuance of mortgages and to purchase a new head office outside the central business district. Even after considering a 100 percent occupancy rate of SBP, the resulting concession fees were too low to make a significant impact on ZNBS’ capital position.”

He said the sale of SBP did not only offer an opportunity to unlock funding into ZNBS’s core business, but a chance to lower the cost of funds for the Society.

“The board approved the proposal for the society to construct a new head office outside the CBD [central business district] in line with the corporate strategic plan. A budget line was approved for the year 2021/2022 to acquire land and design a new head office at a budget of K10 million.

“The Society initially wanted to purchase a plot and build the head office. However, the estimated cost of constructing a 2,500 square metre head office at this land is at US$4.7 million and tendering and construction processes would take approximately two –and- half years,” he said.

Dr Nama said an opportunity then arose to buy Mannu building situated at Ilunda Park.

“The selling price was renegotiated to K89 million before VAT [value added tax], which is the equivalent of US$3.2 million at the current exchange rate, against a reserve price of US$ 8 million and a valuation of US$ 7 million,” he said

Joel Bwalya, Kalusha’s often forgotten brother

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A MUST READ ❤️🔥

Joel Bwalya, Kalusha’s often forgotten brother

By Cafonline

Football is rich with family affairs and the story is no different with Joel Bwalya who diligently went about his long Zambia football career in the shadow of his more famous brother Kalusha Bwalya.

Joel, remains active in football too, and is former assistant coach at Zambia top club Zanaco after earning his coaching the hard way in the lower leagues with Luanshya Hotspurs and Luanshya United, one of Zambia’s oldest teams.

In 2017, Joel joined top club Red Arrows as an Assistant Coach and later took up the managerial role at Zambia’s 1977 CAF Cup Winners’ Cup representatives, Ndola United, whom he left in January for Zanaco in the midst of a top three promotion battle in division three before Covid-19 halted the season.

CAFOnline.com caught up with the unsung ex-Chipolopolo midfielder for a comprehensive interview about his family, playing career amongst others.

CAFOnline.com: What are your early memories of the game?

Joel Bwalya: Growing up in Mufulira (a town in the Zambian Copperbelt Province), my father Benjamin Bwalya was an official at Mufulira Blackpool. My elder brothers Benjamin (deceased) and Kalusha always dragged me along to watch the great Alex Chola and Simon Kaushi. The interest started from there, and Benjamin and Kalusha started their careers at Blackpool, so we would also go and watch them. It inspired me and I started playing with friends in any space we would find in the neighborhood.

And your football career, when did it start?

I started in the amateur leagues at Mufulira Police in 1985, I played there for one year and then in 1986, I was drafted into the Mufulira Wanderers Youth team. At the time, my brothers (Benjamin and Kalusha) had crossed over from Blackpool to Wanderers because every player in Mufulira wanted to play for the biggest team in town.

At Wanderers youth team, I met future Zambia internationals Harrison ‘Wawa’ Chongo and Tennant Chilumba as well as goalkeeper Joseph Kabungo, now a medical doctor and a member of the CAF Medical Committee.

Towards mid-1987, I was probable the first of the reserves to break into the main Wanderers team and was training with the likes of Efford Chabala, Ashios Melu, Philemon Mulala and Fredrick Kashimoto. It was massive for a young kid to be amongst Wanderers greats and I enjoyed that. I remember my first game was a friendly against Mutondo Stars in Kitwe, it was an awesome moment that I will never forget wearing the green shirt of Wanderers playing with and against some of the greatest men in Zambian football.

What honours did you win with Wanderers?

The biggest moment was winning the 1988 Independence Cup beating Roan United 3-0 in the final in Lusaka. And playing under a coach as good as Samuel ‘Zoom’ Ndhlovu and hearing him telling you that ‘you have the feeling, you have the technique, all that you have to do is work hard and you can be an awesome player’ is all the motivation you needed to go forward.

The name Samuel ‘Zoom’ Ndhlovu is legendary and synonymous with Zambian football, what kind of a person was he?

A legend, larger than life character, who never said much. You could feel his presence when he walked in. Everything ‘Zoom’ said about football was the gospel. A lot of players speak highly of him. I am blessed I went through his hands all the way to the national team. He is the kind of coach who would give you a picture of every situation. Most of the players who passed through him at Wanderers went on to be coaches in their own right because the philosophy of coaching was put into them early as players.

When was your big break in the junior national teams?

In 1988, I was part of the Zambia for the qualifiers of the 1989 FIFA U-16 Championship, under the tutelage of the late Willie Phiri and Josphat Mutetwa. The team also comprised of some players who passed away in the 1993 Gabon crash like Winter Mumba, Robert Watyakeni who was our captain, Numba Mwila and Patrick ‘Bomber ‘Banda. We also had Happy Sichikolo and Collins Sichande from Profund Warriors. In our first game of the qualifiers, we beat Mauritius away 5-1, Patrick (Banda) scored three goals and I scored two. In the return home game, we won 9-0, I scored four and Patrick scored three times. Our opponent in the final round was Nigeria, and they had the likes of Daniel Amokachi, Victor Ikpeba amongst others. Till date, Amokachi and Sunday Oliseh always ask ‘where is Happy Sichikolo?’ He (Happy) gave them a lot of hell in Bauchi. We graduated to the U-20 and went to 1991 African Youth Championship in Egypt with Robert Watyakeni (who also died in the Gabon Air Crash), who was the captain yet again. Dennis Lota also joined the team. We placed fourth at the tournament, losing 2-0 to Ghana in the third-place match.

“Representing your national team at 18 is every player’s dream, and seeing all these great African players like Jules Bocande (Senegal), Stephen Tataw and Thomas Nkono (both Cameroon) and Rabah Madjer (Algeria) was an awesome experience,”Joel Bwalya

And your senior Zambia career…

After Zambia returned from the famous performance at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, I was one of five players invited to train with the team in 1989 when a combined list of 60 was made for 1990 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and 1989 CECAFA Cup outing. When the CECAFA was cancelled, the focus was shifted to the AFCON. I kept grinding to be amongst the best under ‘Zoom’ Ndhlovu and I was fortunate together with my Wanderers club mate Philemon Chisala to make the final 22 man squad. We went for a pre-tournament camp in India and later flew to Algeria via Rome.

How was your first experience of the big stage in Algeria?

Unbelievable! Before departing Zambia, we were told Kalusha and Charles Musonda (both in Europe at the time) would join us i Algeria. Upon arriving in Algeria, the team received sad news both will miss the tournament due to injuries. We had Lucky Msiska and Stone Nyirenda joining from Belgium, and Jeff Mulenga from Switzerland. However, Webby Chikabala (deceased) who was at local club Chambishi rose to the occasion as we placed third.

Representing your national team at 18 is every player’s dream, and seeing all these great African players like Jules Bocande (Senegal), Stephen Tataw and Thomas Nkono (both Cameroon) and Rabah Madjer (Algeria) was an awesome experience. I was on the bench for all the games except the semifinal against Nigeria. Eventually, I made my debut in the bronze match against Senegal which we won 1-0 with Webster Chikabala scoring the only goal. It was an honour to be part of Zambia’s first podium finish since 1982 (also bronze), and humbling to return home with a medal and to a heroes welcome.

How did you find yourself in Europe?

Whilst in Egypt for the 1991 African Youth Championship, an agent representing Swiss side Grasshoppers contacted me. Negotiation between them and Wanderers started upon our return from Egypt. Unknown to me, there was also an offer from Cercle Brugge in Belgium where Kalusha and Charles Musonda had played. Grasshoppers wanted an outright deal while Cercle offered me a three-month trial. After a friendly against Kitwe United, our manager then, an Englishman Beardsley, sat me down to discuss the two options and advised I go to Belgium where they were familiar with Zambian players because my brother (Kalusha) had been there and it would be easier to adopt.

And how did the trials go?

I left in the summer of 1991 and was staying with a Belgian family. I was sent to train with the reserves for the next three months. Three days after I arrived, I played my first friendly on a Wednesday, and they took me off at halftime and told me they had seen enough. I was concerned because I was a bit heavy when I arrived in Belgium but my handlers told me they were impressed and I was told to come to the office on a Friday and quickly signed a four-year deal. These are things you dream about as a kid… to be a professional.

How much pressure was there to emulate two successful Zambians Charles Musonda and Kalusha at Cercle Brugge?

The good thing was that the coaches and officials after seeing me play said ‘you are different from Kalusha and Charles, you can use both feet. Kalusha uses his left; and you are faster than Charly who is an excellent midfielder and plays in almost slow motion.’ It meant I didn’t have to be Kalusha or Charles.

Meanwhile, earlier as an amateur, I also thought independently about being this number 10, imagining myself playing with two good feet and a good football brain but there was always that feeling of Kalusha and Charly played in this position but I told myself I was going to be my own man.

It was also good to hear when Kalusha went there for the club’s 100th anniversary that they asked about me and when he got back he told me ‘I wonder what you left there because they still speak highly of you’.

The first two years in Belgium were difficult because I was young man in a foreign land. I could only get game time in the reserves and Cup games. Later, I was loaned out in 94 for two years to KRC Harelbeke. I had two fantastic seasons there and was voted the best foreign player in Division One. The highlight was reaching the semifinals of the Belgium Cup where I crossed swords with Charles Musonda’s Anderlecht. We lost on penalties and that’s when I proved myself. Charles giggled in the tunnel as we lined up for the first half saying ‘I see you are doing well. Congratulations! This is the big stage and to be here means you are doing well’.

Following my exploits, Harelbeke wanted to make my loan permanent, but Cercle refused. I returned to Cercle to find a new coach who believed in my abilities. I settled and played the best five years of my career there. I treasure those moments because I became dependable, and every time I went on Zambia duty, it was always difficult for them to release me.

What are your reflections on the 1993 Gabon crash?

I was at home in Belgium when I got a call because you always tracked what Chipolopolo were doing. I was aware that they had first an AFCON away game against Mauritius that weekend and then a FIFA World Cup game in Senegal the next weekend. The team won 3-0 against Mauritius via a Kelvin Mutale hat-trick, a guy that I had never seen play and I was dying to train with. The team gets back from Mauritius preparing to go to Senegal and you are hoping that the invitation will come but it never does and then the other thing you hear is there is a problem with the plane and that it is missing and lost on the radar. The next day it was confirmed there were no survivors. I still have a Belgium newspaper cutting with the headline “Zambia Dies: Minus Kalusha, Musonda and Bwalya”.

How was the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia?

We had an all-West African cast in the group stage namely Sierra Leone, Senegal and Cote d’Ivoire, and we sailed through unbeaten in the group stage with two wins and a draw, beating Senegal 1-0 at the quarters, to the semifinals where we beat Mali 4-0. Mali was no pushovers after they had beaten host Tunisia 2-0 in the opening match. Then we played Nigeria in the final. The two teams were staying in the same hotel in Tunis and so they had to change the dining schedule. Prior to the semifinals, we were eating at the same time but when we reached the final, the teams had to go in turns.

Amokachi has been my friend from the U-16 qualifiers in Bauchi, and we were together at AFCON 1990. Also, in Belgium, we were based in the same town – he played for Club Brugge at the time and I was with Cercle Brugge.

Then came the match day, with Bobby Charlton, Michel Platini and Pele in attendance, we scored first through Elijah Litana but before we got in the groove, Emmanuel Amuneke equalized before halftime and Amuneke scored again in the second half.

It was a wet pitch after it rained all night, but no excuse, we lost 2-1, downcast and defeated. Our coach Ian Porterfield consoled us with the words “you were fantastic boys and you have to hold yourselves high because nobody gave you a chance before you came here after what happened a year ago following the crash”. Shockingly, we returned to a heroes welcome at the airport in Lusaka and we went directly to the stadium which was packed like there was going to be a big game and the late President Frederick Chiluba lifted us up with his speech.

Now to your last AFCON in 1996 that is for many, also the beginning of the end of that Chipolopolo fairy tale for many years to come until 2010?

We started preparing for AFCON 96 at home in Lusaka. We did everything in Zambia. We were really confident that we could go one step further because this was like playing in our own back yard. But the first thing was to get there; we really believed that if we got to this final we could get it.

So there we were in Bloemfontein and we took teams apart but I remember the most difficult game was against Egypt in the quarterfinals. Egypt was really good led by Ahmed El Kass and their captain Hany Ramzy. We were down by a goal at halftime and we thought it was over. During recess, our coach then Roald Paulsen, asked ‘Do you want to win this game? We answered ‘yes coach’. he said ‘Go out and play’. Mordon Malitoli, Dennis Lota and Vincent Mutale scored, 3-1 in the end. Tunisia was next in the semi finals.

The semifinal was a strange game, take us through it…

When we came into the semifinals, there was a feeling something was not right, because we conceded twice in the first 20 minutes, both awkward goals: the first one was a simple free kick and it bounced went in. We had so much belief and good players around and were sure we will come back and get them. But the more we pushed, the easier it became for them to score. We were 2-0 down at half time. We came back, they scored and we replied. Then it was 3-1 but they scored again to make 4-1. The Tunisians didn’t give us any chance to come back and very late we went 4-2 but was it over. We were a solid team but in that game, we were dismantled and could not come into the game. We had another game to play for bronze against Ghana which again was not going to be an easy game.

And then you started against Ghana, how was that game?

On the final day, we played as a curtain-raiser, Poulsen again fielded a strong side. We were outplayed by Ghana because the Black Stars are a ball-playing team. Ghana captain Abedi Pele, my hero, didn’t play because of injury. I had followed his career when he was in Europe and before I went to Europe. I scored the only goal and we won Bronze again.

Family affairs are quite common in national teams, your and Kalusha was no different. Describe his personality and when did you guys first play together?

He is a fantastic human being and a great guy. The first game I played with him officially was the Morocco game in 1993 in Lusaka in a 1994 FIFA World Cup qualifier. Earlier, we missed out playing together at AFCON 1990 because he was not in the final squad due to injury, whilst I didn’t make the team for the 1992 AFCON. After the Morocco game, we played between 20 and 25 games together.

He is awesome, and in my opinion he was the best player we saw of his generation. As a brother, to see what he achieved as a player is remarkable. The hard work that he put in, the pressure that was always on him when we returned to play or where ever we played for Zambia, he delivered.

He had great instinct in whichever position he run into on the pitch and of course with the free-kick, it is a technique he practiced over and over for years. They are many great Zambian players; Godfrey Chitalu, Alex Chola, Efford Chabala, Timothy Mwitwa, Charles Musonda and my late brother Benjamin Bwalya amongst others. Like the Spanish say ‘grande jogador’ meaning great player, that is Kalusha.

We are seven years apart and grew up in the same house. To see him grow to become that great footballer and show patriotism, it’s incredible.

“They are many great Zambian players; Godfrey Chitalu, Alex Chola, Efford Chabala, Timothy Mwitwa, Charles Musonda and my late brother Benjamin Bwalya amongst others. Like the Spanish say ‘grande jogador’ meaning great player, that is Kalusha,”Joel Bwalya

Did you share personal moments in camp or it was business as usual?

Usually when we were in Europe we would travel together. Sometimes, we will chat throughout a nine-hour flight standing at the back of the plane talking about football. It would be business as usual maybe one of us speak to relatives and siblings, and later on pass a message from home.

He was often irritated with me more than any other player when I made a mistake on the pitch. During the 1996 AFCON in South Africa, we roomed together but even then it would still be business. It would be ‘good morning’ and small talk about what time training or lunch was but he would give advice after the game.

At one point in the Chipolopolo team we had the Bwalya brothers Benjamin as coach, Kalusha and Joel as players. That is a very rare situation in football, what was it like for you guys?

I grew up watching these guys Benjamin and Kalusha …fantastic footballers with super technique. I can confirm that Benjamin was the best player in the family though he never played for the national team. I never knew that one day Benjamin would be an assistant Zambia coach, Kalusha the captain and I would also be there as a player. So we were together for the first time in 1996 for the 1998 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. It was remarkable and historical. I would like to believe we all got there on merit. It was awesome for our parents and I’m sure they were proud of us doing service for the nation.

THE SOCIALIST PARTY IS NOT FOR SALE!!!- Gilbert Mumba

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THE SOCIALIST PARTY IS NOT FOR SALE!!!

Sunday, 18th August 2024

Revolutionary Greetings my dearest Revolutionary Comrades from across the Country and beyond. Let me start by quoting what Fidel Castro said in 1959 and I quote ” a revolution is not a bed of roses, a revolution is a struggle between the past and the future”.

Fellow comrades the Socialist Party is NOT FOR SALE, not today not tomorrow or any other day. The Socialist Party has been formed for the Zambian working masses both employed and unemployed. Our goal is a Socialist Zambia with equal opportunities to everyone and where there is going to be equity in the distribution of wealth according to ones level of effort. Don’t be cheated Comrades, this undertaking will never be easy and many will fall out along the way but the vision and the ideas will never fall out, they will never die and they will be achieved.

My fellow fighters, we are going to have days when vultures will come with hidden agendas pretending to be part of the family and they will mislead many and they will try to divide the Socialist Party family and they will try to win your sympathy when infact all they want is to sale your Party to the enemy. Before you know it, you will have no Party to be proud of, your Party, the Party for the poor Zambians would already have been taken away from you by a few selfish individuals and work done will be equal to zero.

I agree that a party thrives on the growth of it’s membership and it’s not healthy to be losing members, but at the same time, who would love to carry a basket full of rotten eggs to the market for business? The Socialist Party is not for individuals, the Party is bigger than any individual.

We have vultures who want to sale your Party because they are power hungry, we have vultures who want us to compromise all the socialist principles just to get into power so that they start eating and forget about you the owners of the party. When you have a leadership in the Party, it’s just right to have trust in your leadership and the decisions it’s making. As hard as some decisions made can be, believe me they are made in the interest of the Party which is our interest. Let’s defend the Party and the leadership today because tomorrow will have no Party to talk about.

We have come a long way and through our hard work we have survived, we have struggled and we have achieved. Let’s hold on just for a bit, we are almost there. Don’t be fooled by cheap propaganda. Socialist Party means business and will not betray the Zambian people.

Samora Machel said and I quote,” personalities and fame pass; the revolution must remain”

Remember Comrades we are who we say we are.
Socialists!!!
Revolutionaries!!!
Fighters!!!

Viva SP Viva….

Cde Gilbert Mumba
SP Member of the Central Committee

OF EXPULSIONS AND RESIGNATIONS IN THE SOCIALIST PARTY

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OF EXPULSIONS AND RESIGNATIONS IN THE SOCIALIST PARTY

18th August 2024

The socialist party like a human body must lose some hair painfully as it may, because of the chemotherapy treatment as a result of the cancer that was eating her from inside.

We may even have been a little bit late in the diagnosis of the disease, letting the cancerous wounds spread and grow.  Therefore the pain must be felt before the final healing. That is what the socialist party is going through now. If we are kind enough, let’s call it internal cleansing, which is health for any organization.

The history of the post colonial political party democracy in Africa is a sad one and very new. In the case of Zambia, we have politicians who belong to 2, 3 or more political parties, through patronage, covert, tribal or for survival. I had friends in the socialist party who never believed in anything, except the preoccupation of winning the next election, because that is how they survive.  We have insisted in the socialist party workshops and meetings, the core business why we formed the party, theirs was just negative energy. It was a worst of time for some to having stayed even this long.

Because membership to a political party is open to everyone, we took it that after rigorous trainings, people can reform and act for once responsive to the needs of the poor working class people that we owe our existence to.

I ask the Zambian people, my fellow citizens to ignore slanderous comments against Dr Fred M’membe, president of your party, the socialist party. It’s a trend in the Zambian politics when you draw close to the next election, vultures of all kind, betrayers, sellouts, gang up in search for Greener lands.   Most of the defectors have a common principle, the quid pro quo.

The consolation is that the chemotherapy treatment is going on smoothly, the pain is bearable, the cancer that was fast spreading is under control.

Your party, the socialist party is and will never be for sale. The leadership, under comrade president, Dr Fred M’membe , our General secretary Dr Cosmas Musumali is intact, the Central committee, the national council, the provincial and all the lower organs of our party is intact.

To my fellow youths, let’s remain steadfast and loyal to the socialist cause, we have by God’s design more years and more future problems if we don’t do it right now. As long as we live, the socialist struggle continues. Aruta continua.

Long live the socialist party.
Long live the leadership long live.
Abash political opportunism abash.

CDE MAXIMO MUTAMBO SINKONDE.
Member of Central committee .

Julius Sello Malema: a politician full of contradictions

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Comments about Malema in the in South African social media confirmed my fears about him. Malema does not take critiques kindly; for this reason, he has fallen out with his right-hand-man, Shivambu: there could other serious reasons, sure. This is how bad things had become. We have adored Malema for too long and written thousands of miles of articles for his courage to speak out. But the contradictions in Malema are not spoken. His inability to understand regional political events, has forever shaken Zimbabweans of Ndebele ethnic group. A week ago, Malema told us to go out in the streets and revolt again Mnangagwa. Why revolt against Mnangagwa now, and not Mugabe then. He hero-worshipped the former President Mugabe and wears a Mugabe faced T-Shirt bearing his signature on it. Mugabe is Africa’s hero, according to Malema, Mugabe is his hero. Malema was three years old when Zimbabwe got independent in 1980; he was 7 years when Gukurahundi atrocities took place in Matabeleland from 1983 to 1987. The cancel culture permits him to delete what he does not want to hear his hero, Robert Mugabe. He fears the Gukurahundi atrocities will alter his narrative about him., a genocidist: a narrative he treasures and worshiped.

Malema should be asked another question: does he know the difference between Mugabe mark one and Mugabe mark two? Mnangagwa shared a symbiotic relationship with Robert Mugabe. Malema, a young politician must have informed, understood a strange relationship between Mnangagwa and Robert Mugabe. Christopher Mutsvangwa put Malema to order: he told him in no uncertain terms, to mind his political failings in EFF party; why and how he ferried badly in the May 2024 general elections. Hardly a week, Malema is sinking in EFF turmoil, in deep political trouble, he cannot even breath. Storms in a teacup with his deputy Shivambu transformed into irrevocable differences. Reality is playing out openly for all to see.

Honestly, I saw that coming about Julius Malema. When activists in the African continent started to hero-worship him to be a true Pan-African, me included: he became full of it. He assumed to become the voice in Africa. A position of a Pan-Africanist demands factors on the ground: he or she must be an outright activist with privileges with unspeakable language not used by decent citizens. However, Malema is President of a mandated political party in parliament. He has a serious project on his hands. The EFF got a mandate to usher black South Africans economic freedom. Malema should be told to stick to the project and see it through withing a defined timeframe than to scatter his precious talent and energy. He is more about continental politics to gain continental appraisal only. Is Malema slowly reneging his noble project, EFF? He glossed over his election success when the EFF won previous elections resoundingly and they entered the Union Buildings. What Julius Malema must have done then on or should be doing is to grow his EFF party base to a higher level. That should give him a needed voice to challenge continental issues. President Mandela had a vast political base in South Africa first before he was recognized globally. Malema has an organic example in Mandela to tape from.

Does Malema have advisers in EFF who advise him what to say in the public? What I know about African leaders is their disdainful attitude towards advice especially advice coming from someone with a lesser position than himself. His press statement after the resignation of his deputy did not convince much but had hallmarks of self-importance. An adviser would have told Malema to be careful about his Hail Mary comments about xenophobia in South Africa. To say all African migrants can come to South Africa is not realistic. But he knows that such a rhetoric sits well in the ears of citizens north of SA. Malema should have openly approached Operation Dudula and demand to know their sources sponsoring them? To kill black Africans in high density townships will always be associates with apartheid South Africa.

Malema should have addressed organic fears of xenophobia and worked on them, calmed them political-correctly at his EFF party platform, and not African social media platforms. He still needs to grow his political base on issues that address the fears and deep concerns of the majority black. Instead, he assumes that what he says can only be politically correct: he gives the impression that, what he thinks and says about xenophobia can only be right and everyone must follow his own political line. Gauging the political mood on the ground and acting accordingly and correctly, is a virtue. About how many political suicides has Malema committed inadvertently, pushed by a feeling to sound Pan-African, applauding a fish for swimming! In Malema, we could be talking about a narcissist gradually turning into dictator: it will be difficult to control him with time.

Malema lost it in Matabeleland/Zimbabwe when he went out of his way to embrace Mugabe: a leader that authored genocide in our lifetime. He overlooked serious issues in a leader that had blood in his hands because Mugabe sounded Pan-African in international platforms. It is interesting to realize how Malema twists political statements to become relevant at a precise moment. There is no information given, how Malema switched from hero Mugabe to villain Mnangagwa. Soundingly furious; he tells Zimbabweans to rise, kick Mnangagwa on his a*s and take over power. If Zimbabweans were stupid to execute a dubious instruction coming from a neighborhood opposition who has not clues in solving looming internal squabbles in his compound. However, the statement remains genuinely correct albeit in different contexts. Malema has been long enough in politics to know he cannot call for a revolution outside his borders. No revolution is ignited and stage-managed externally. Malema wants to talk loud and pitch high to get African appraisal and recognition he craves. This is how Africa crafts its own dictators: however, when the monster starts devouring them indiscriminately, they cry loud.

Three million Zimbabweans live in South Africa, some of whom are highly educated. This demographic is lost to South Africa forever. We expect Malema to lament the African brain drain taking place in African countries first and foremost, and later in the Diaspora. At no time did Malema speak about brain-drain in Africa itself. Brain drain is among several factors destabilizing Africa: why Malema is silent about brain drain is because it is benefitting South Africa immensely more than any country in Africa.

Malema must know that President Traore of Burkina Faso is a Head of State. Malema. He achieved the impossible to become President of Burkina Faso. Quite contrary to Malema, an opposition leader, President Traore can afford to engage international discourses, challenge some African leaderships continentally with dictatorial tendencies to shape up. Malema needed to grow his voter base in South Africa first. EFF is number 4 down the line in the larger scheme of things: is at its infancy. Going around provoking political settings across Africa and beyond to want to sound Pan-African is uncalled for; it exposes his youthfulness.

Malema needs to put all his energy at home in South Africa, put a big fight for the economic emancipation of black people and succeed. We wish him to succeed. Malema should take the Freedom Charter away from Klipstown and put it inside Madikizela Mandela House. The content of the Freedom Charter should be his daily Hail Mary prayer. The anti-imperialism rhetoric has always been upon us for decades. Concrete action is now a factor needed today to defeat global neo-liberal capitalism, and not empty pan-Africanist rhetoric that gives a” feel good” pseudo comfort to Africans. We are vomit sick of a daily diet of pan Africanist rhetoric that has not put any bread and “butter” on the table for the black poor in SA and elsewhere.

Painfully for those of us who believe in African renaissance, carefully following Malema’s political path, there is nothing that informs us that he is on the side of the majority poor black people. The posh life that Malema commands is reminiscent of that of our President Nelson Chamisa in Zimbabwe. Somehow, he manages to openly justify to us why he must enjoy opulence. (Eating on our behalf before the EFF project has started) Time will come when the black poor majority will see through Malema: see how they were sold a dummy to vote for EFF. Malema does not realize the gold in his hands: that gold is EFF. If this project had genuine players, it was going to set a precedence across Africa, how economic war was fought South Africa, and winnable.

The EFF party colour red is good. However, it is not enough: must be followed by political content on the ground to effect economic change and a high premium for changing the lives of the poor black majority. His effort of liberating South Africa from economic bondage needs a transparent plan A & plan B for us to follow. EFF comrades must go back to the drawing board, make timelines on how they will implement EFF policies that will improve economic conditions of majority poor black South Africans. This point must be emphasized because it is still possible in South Africa to democratically navigate a shift democratically in favour of the poor black majority. In sharp contrast to Zimbabwe, this window closed. There is full dictatorship in Zimbabwe. However, this democratic window in SA will close soon if Malema and the comrades in EFF are not careful.

What is brewing unnoticed in South Africa are political transformations with a full-blown neoliberal diet that will sweep away a fragile GNU to favour anti-black globalist neo-liberal government. Mark this space and visit it again in the next South African general elections. South African GNU should be called a government of neo-liberal unity. It is disturbing to realize that EFF wanted to be stakeholders. Malema is drunk with power-presidency of an opposition leadership, a party that has regressed. Malema does not see danger lingering upon South Africa. Malema and EFF should wake up from their slumber before it’s too late. Certainly not Zimbabwe, South Africa can be a colony again. My scatter shots!

Source – Nomazulu Thata

Tanzania President pushes for diligence, common sense in new hires

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Performance and integrity top President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s priorities in government, she said on Thursday while swearing in newly appointed ministers.

In her three-minute address after swearing-in the ministers and other government executives, Samia said common sense, diligence and integrity should be observed to enhance efficiency in her administration.

A mini Cabinet reshuffle saw the return of former ministers Prof Palamagamba Kabudi and William Lukuvi, whom she dropped in January 2022.

Prof Kabudi has been appointed the Minister for Constitutional and Legal Affairs, taking over from Dr Pindi Chana who was moved to Natural Resources and Tourism.

A former lecturer of law at the University of Dar es Salaam, Prof Kabudi is credited with negotiating major contracts between the Tanzanian government and foreign energy and mining companies operating in the country.

Mr Lukuvi, now Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office responsible for Policy, Coordination and Parliamentary Affairs, took over from Jenista Mhagama, who was transferred to the Ministry of Health.

He is known as one of the most effective government chief whips in Parliament who helped to improve government coordination.
The shuffle came amid murmurs of poor performance in the key ministries, something President Samia has talked publicly.

The justice system in Tanzania has been one of the targeted sectors for reforms and last year President Samia formed acommission to assess the criminal justice system and come up with improvement measures.

The Commission presented its report to the president in July last year, highlighting key findings, including major weaknesses in the entire system.
Violations of rights of prisoners and remanded suspects, delays in sending accused persons to court, lack of dedicated interventions and adequate resources for the social reintegration of ex-offenders, denial of bail for bailable offences were cited among human rights violations.

The president has appointed Dr Irene Isaka the new NHIF director-general, replacing Bernard Konga.

President Samia signed the Universal Health Insurance (UHI) Bill in December 2023, aiming to improve healthcare accessibility in Tanzania.

Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health Dr Grace Maghembe has been transferred to the Local and Regional Administration Ministry in a similar capacity.

A mini Cabinet reshuffle saw the return of former ministers Prof Palamagamba Kabudi and William Lukuvi, whom she dropped in January 2022.

Ummy Mwalimu, who was minister for health, was dropped. Ms Mwalimu had been through turbulent times, especiallyin the management of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).

Kanye West’s Steals The Show At Trump Rally With Seconds-Long Surprise Appearance

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Kanye West has once again shown his continued support for former president Donald Trump, causing quite the scene in the process.

In a video captured by a spectator on TikTok, a group of Trump supporters can be seen running up to a Cybertruck, which has pulled over on the side of an unidentified road. As the person filming approaches the car, West and wife Bianca Censori are revealed as the driver and passenger of the vehicle.

Fans soon realize who happens to be behind the wheel of the vehicle, and start pulling out their phones and even chanting Ye’s name, at which point the Chicago native stares straight ahead and pulls off. The video then shifts to a group of excited young men.

According to TMZ, the moment took place on Saturday (August 17) at a Trump rally in Beverly Hills, California.

A former Trump staffer recently revealed that the former president had previously shared a plan to use Kanye West to “unify” America during his presidency.

Alyssa Farah Griffin, who served as the White House’s Director of Strategic Communications during Trump’s tenture in office, recalled the bizarre idea during an appearance on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen last month.

After prefacing her story by describing it as “dark,” Griffin said: “One day, he wanted to have Kanye West come and do a church service on the White House lawn to unify the country.”

She then joked: “I can think of a few things less unifying than that,” referencing Ye’s penchant for controversy.

Needless to say, Trump’s plan didn’t materialize.

“We were like, ‘Not the time or place, sir,’” Griffin added while laughing.

Kanye West and Donald Trump have had a long and complicated relationship.

The Chicago native first met with Trump in New York City in December 2016 following his victory in the presidential election, sparking shock and outrage among fans and fellow rappers.

“I wanted to meet with Trump today to discuss multicultural issues,” Kanye wrote on X (then Twitter) at the time. “I feel it is important to have a direct line of communication with our future President if we truly want change.”

Trump, for his part, called the rap legend a “good man” and told reporters that they had been “friends for a long time.”

The pair met again in the Oval Office two years later to ostensibly discuss prison form. However, Kanye — wearing a red Make America Great Again hat — launched into a lengthy and rambling monologue in which he touched on race relations, tax breaks, criminal justice and mental health.

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