Egyptian forfeits US$5 million, as State gives back jet in gold scandal

THE State has given back the Aircraft Global Express T77WSS Jet to its owners after Egyptian Micheal Adel Michell Botros surrendered US$5 million as punishment for engaging in illicit gold transactions at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in August 2023.

The minerals, firearms, ammunition and drilling machine will be surrendered to the State by the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC).

The parties have avoided a lengthy legal battle and have opted for a win win situation by entering into a consent agreement before the Economic and Financial Crimes Court

In this matter the Director of Public Prosecutions moved a motion before the Economic and Financial Crimes Court to have the jet, money, fire arm and minerals which were onboard, confiscated on reasons that the same were tainted for having been used to commit a crime.

The DPP had cited World Aviation Sinai International, Mountains Limited, IBIS Air (PTY) Limited and Micheal Adel Michel Botros as interested parties in the matter.

Among the items that were earmarked for confiscation were Global Express T7-WSS JET, US$5, 697, 700. 00, 602 pieces of Brass pellets (A combination of Copper and Zinc metals weighing a total of 127.28 kilograms, five pistols with 126 rounds of ammunition, 11 pistol magazines, a drilling machine and a central processing unit.

According to a consent judgement endorsed by judges Pixie Yangailo, Mwanajiti Mabbolobbolo and Vincent Siloka it was agreed that DEC shall release the jet to World Aviation Sinai International forthwith.

It has been agreed that Botros will forfeit US$5 million to the Zambian government and get the excess UU$697, 700 through his lawyers to cover some of the attendant costs of facilitating and servicing the aircraft, for it to achieve optimal airworthiness.

“All other items seized by DEC be surrendered to the State, and we consent to the order in the terms herein set out,”ordered the Court.

Each party shall have to bear their own costs…https://kalemba.news/…/egyptian-forfeits-us5-million…/

By Mwaka Ndawa

Kalemba

Highlights from the press briefing held by the Minister of Information and Media and Chief Government Spokesperson Hon. Cornelius Mweetwa MP in Choma, Southern Province today.

TRANSACTIONS OF EVENTS THAT TOOK PLACE ON THE COPPERBELT DURING PRESIDENT HAKAINDE HICHILEMA’S VISIT;

1. EU-Zambia Business Forum in Kitwe

✅ Zambian and European businesses came together to forge corporate partnerships and facilitate a dialogue around attracting finance, upscaling through the copper value-chain, and realising the potentials of circular economy, in order to strengthen the EU-Zambia copper-trade.

2. CEC 60MW Itimpi Solar Photovoltaic Power Station in Kitwe;

✅ The commissioning of the 60 Megawatts Itimpi Solar plant has come at the right time when the nation is grappling with the drought which has consequently affected hydro electricity generation.

✅ The commissioning of the solar Photovoltaic power station speaks to the future that solar power is the way to go.

3. Meeting at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium with Truck Drivers;

✅ President Hakainde Hichilema made history by meeting truck drivers who brought forth challenges they face as employees of various companies and proposed solutions they think would resolve their challenges.

✅ The meeting underscored President Hichilema’s commitment to ensure the transport sector thrives.

✅ The President shall continue to provide such platforms for conversations with the private sector on governance issues

4. Commissioning of the de-watering of Shaft 28 at Luanshya Copper Mines;

✅ The reopening of the Mine is a milestone and will create over 3,000 jobs, which will in turn recapitalize small businesses.

✅ Shaft 28 is expected to produce about 40,000 metric tonnes of copper per annum once operational.

✅ This will contribute towards achieving the three Million tonnes national production target in the next 10 years

✅ Government is delighted that the trip the President under took to China continues to bear fruit, among them was sighning an agreement that has brought shaft 28 back to life.

5. Interaction with the citizens on the Copperbelt in Mpatamatu, it gave an opportunity to the people of Luanshya to interact with President Hakainde Hichilema physically.

6. Commissioning of the Chingola- Chililabombwe-Kasumbalesa road which was constructed under the PPP model;

✅ The President commissioned the 35 kilometre Chingola Chililabombwe Kasumbalesa road financed under a 31 million US dollars Public Private Partnership (PPP) agreement.

✅ The PPP financing model has reduced pressure on Government treasury.

7. Meeting with mine supplies and contractors in Mufulira;

✅ Government will ensure that investors in the mining sector remain compliant to agreements of investment particularly that local suppliers and contractors are given their rightful share.

8. Commissioning Buteko market in Kantanshi Constituency in Mufulira District;

✅ Government through the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development built a modern market to ensure a decent trading area was provided, other places inspected are;
Wusakile market, and the Copperbelt University.

11. Commissioning of the $20 million Chifubu Level One Hospital in Ndola;

✅ Meanwhile, the Chief Government Spokesperson has clarified that President Hakainde Hichilema did not go to Kwacha Constituency to commission a single toilet, but to commission a 53.4-Million-kwacha worth emergency works project consisting of 1,674 flushable toilets, shower provisions and a sewer reticulation system.

✅At the time of commissioning, 1,240 out 1674 were complete and ready for handover to the beneficiaries.

✅The emergency works project in Kwacha Constituency was an upgrade in terms of supply of water and Sanitation services in the area.

✅President Hakainde Hichilema will grace this year’s Kuomboka Traditional Ceremony.

✅ Mr. Mweetwa has called for professionalism and responsibility among journalists in the country as opposed to practicing politics.

WE’LL TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE OPEN DOOR GRANTED TO ZAMBIA BY THE AMERICAN PUBLIC AND THE GLOBAL COMMMUNITY, MUSOKOTWANE

Finance and National Planning Minister Dr Situmbeko Musokotwane, MP, has described the Zambian delegation’s first day, Monday, at the ongoing 2024 Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group in Washington DC, USA, as engaging, productive and an open door granted to Zambia by the Bretton Woods Institutions (IMF and World Bank Group), the American public, and the global community, to market her investment potential and natural resource endowments.

“During our assignment here, we have to take advantage of the open doors granted by our partners and the rest of the global community to promote investments in economic sectors in which we have a competitive edge in the region and the greatest potential to sustain Zambia on a strong path of economic transformation and growth. This will also aid in the attainment of our value-chain, wealth creation, citizen empowerment and poverty reduction goals in all regions of the country,” Dr Musokotwane told his delegation at a briefing meeting on assignments for the day.

Dr MUSOKOTWANE is accompanied to the Spring Meetings by Secretary to the Treasury FELIX NKULUKUSA, Bank of Zambia Governor Dr DENNY KALYALYA, Acting Permanent Secretary (Budget & Economic Affairs) MWAKA MUKUBESA, Zambia Revenue Authority Commissioner General DINGANI BANDA and Bank of Zambia Deputy Governor (Operations), Dr FRANCIS CHIPIMO. Zambia is also being represented at the Global Parliamentary Forum being held on the sidelines of the Spring Meetings by Honourable FRED CHIBULO CHAATILA, MP, Chairperson of the Zambian Parliamentary Planning and Budget Committee, and Honourable DAVIDSON MUNANGANDU, MP, Member of the Zambian Parliamentary Committee on National Economy, Trade and Labour.

Meanwhile, IMF Managing Director KRISTALINA GEORGIEVA, the World Bank’s International Finance Corporation Managing Director MAKHTAR DIOP, World Bank Managing Director for Operations ANNA BJERDE, US Treasury Under Secretary JAY SHAMBAUGH, Angola’s Minister of Finance VERA DAVES DE SOUSA, and US Chamber of Commerce President for the US-Africa Business Center KENDRA GEITHER, among others, took opportunities of their separate meetings with the Zambian delegation to congratulate and commend the country for the positive developments in the debt restructuring process.

IMF

During the IMF-Zambia bilateral meeting, Monday evening, Ms Georgieva congratulated Zambia for reaching an agreement with bondholders, further indicating that the country’s progress was a major milestone under the G20 common framework. The IMF Managing Director encouraged Zambia to remain on the path of economic transformation despite the challenges posed by climate change, and other shocks.

“You have so many reforms in place and in the right direction, Zambia is going to do great,” Ms Georgieva observed.

At the meeting, Dr Musokotwane delivered fraternal greetings from His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia Mr. HAKAINDE HICHILEMA to the leadership of the IMF for massively supporting the country during difficult and challenging times as the Government strove to attain debt restructuring. He paid tribute to the IMF for the role played together with other stakeholders and partners.

The Minister also took the opportunity to congratulate Ms Georgieva for her renewed term office as Managing Director of the IMF. He appealed to the IMF to continue helping Zambia in positively marketing the unfolding economic transformation landscape – attested by the strong growth registered in the fourth quarter of 2023, which resulted in a 5% annual GDP growth.

The Minister also briefed the IMF on measures being undertaken by the Government to mitigate the food supply negative impact of drought on citizens. He indicated that power challenges may have a dent on industrial productivity but affirmed that the Government will maintain its focus on strong growth and ensure that, through good governance practices, the country’s credit rating goes back on the positive upward trajectory.

US Treasury

Meanwhile, during the US-Zambia bilateral meeting, Monday, US Treasury Under Secretary JAY SHAMBAUGH conveyed the US Government’s appreciation of how Zambia has been able to remain resilient under difficult circumstances.

Responding to a question on the debt restructuring process, Dr Musokotwane indicated that 77 percent of eligible debt has been negotiated while another 23 percent has to be negotiated, mostly with commercial creditors. To improve resource mobilisation, he stated, the Government, through ZRA, is in the process of appointing fiscal agents. The Minister announced that a meeting with bond holders will soon be convened with a view of concluding the process as soon as possible.

The US Treasury Under Secretary took the opportunity to state the American Government’s willingness to help combat economic crimes and promote interagency coordination. On the Lobito corridor project, Mr. Shambaugh reiterated the will to push the agenda as quickly as possible through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) route.

US Chamber of Commerce

Meanwhile, during the US Chamber of Commerce roundtable discussion on the economic and fiscal outlook for Zambia held on the side-lines of the ongoing Spring Meetings of the IMF and World Bank Group, Monday, US Chamber of Commerce President for the US-Africa Business Center KENDRA GEITHER specified the Importance of good leadership in establishing partnerships and conditions that are attractive to investment. She congratulated Zambia for the progress made in debt restructuring through the strong and focussed leadership of President HAKAINDE HICHILEMA.

Ms GEITHER observed that although not many countries are currently recording strong performance, the Zambian economy had shown signs of resilience, adding that, the debt restructuring process had now put the country on strong footing.

“To commit the Government to a plan and agenda for reform says a lot about the leadership of President HICHILEMA and your team,” said Ms GEITHER. Good leadership is vital in creating economic conditions and opportunities for trade and investment to take place and for the work that the Zambian Government is doing in partnering with regional leaders to development infrastructure, agriculture, digital advancements, and the Lobito corridor.

During the roundtable, the Minister also took the opportunity to brief the high-level industry delegates on the performance of the Zambian economy, recent developments, and measures put in place to facilitate trade and investment through legislative realignment, and steps taken to facilitate the ease of doing business and good economic governance.

Dr MUSOKOTWANE appealed to the American private sector to invest more in Zambia by taking up prospects in mining, agriculture, tourism, value chain development, the green economy and digital infrastructure, through direct investments or public private partnerships.

Issued by:

(Original Signed)

Office of The Secretary to the Treasury

MINISTRY OF FINANCE AND NATIONAL PLANNING

BISHOP PHIRI COUNSELS LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS

Catholic Diocese of Ndola Bishop Benjamin has implored law enforcement officers to serve people with honesty and love.

Bishop Phiri noted that there are officers denting the image of law enforcement agencies through bad conduct in the course of their duty.

The Ndola Chief Shepherd said law enforcement should be centered on crime prevention as opposed to wanting to catch citizens napping.

In his recent homily in the Ndola- Cathedral of Christ the King, Bishop Phiri said the presence of the police in communities or on roads should not scare citizens.

“God has a task for all of us. Let us do our part, let each one do his part honestly and with love. You officers in the security wings have a very important task for all of us, now when one of you or more of you begin to do just their own things vamu mutu chabe then you are not only spoiling the name of the uniform but maybe President should give us the right for citizens arrest so that we can arrest such a person and remove the uniform because they are not worth of the uniform they wear,” Bishop Phiri said.

“You cannot be in uniform and do wrong things. I should feel safe when I come to you or when I find you. I should not be afraid because now you are going to ask me for this and that. Unless you pay this you are going to be this. No,” he said.

“Safety on the road is very important and people have to observe those regulations and they should be road signs and so on. But a police officer doesn’t have to hide in a trench, in a ditch or behind a tree to ensure that I am keeping the law. The police officer should be visible so that when I see him or her it is a deterrent. I began driving safely. The idea is not to catch me but the idea is to prevent me from committing the offence. But sometimes even in the same family you have some good and bad seeds. We will continue to give advice. Many of the officers are young, as a senior citizen sometimes I just say young man this is not the way. Let’s do the correct thing after all I have been where you are and more,” Bishop Phiri said.

In the same sermon, Bishop Phiri asked the media to be professional and
ethical.

CREDIT: Icengelo Radio

HIGHLIGHTS:

Highlights from His Excellency President Hakainde Hichilema’s National address on the drought response appeal.

✅Zambia has experienced extremely low rainfall this year culminating into the worst drought the country has ever experienced since records began.

✅Climate change has brought increased Frequency and intensity of extreme weather events such as drought and flooding.

✅ The Drought has mostly affected crop production were one million hectors of planted maize has been adversely affected in 84 of the 116 Districts

✅ Pasture availability has been reduced for animals, while ground and surface water levels have been affected negatively.

✅9.8million people have been
adversely affected by the drought.

✅6.6 million are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.

✅To respond to the adverse effects of the drought, emphasis is being placed on the provision of food assistance to the people in need as well as interventions for early recovery and resilience building.

✅Focus is being placed on investing in water development for Agricultural and Energy production as well as the provision of water to households, Livestock and Wildlife.

✅ A total of K23.5 billion is urgently needed to effectively implement immediate life saving and life sustaining and humanitarian recovery needs.

✅Of this amount,K1.3billion is available leaving a financing gap of K22.2 billion.

✅K12.6billion is required for immediate food assistance out of which K28.3 million is available leaving a gap of K12.54 billion.

✅The Education sector particularly expanding the school feeding programme a sum of K784 million is urgently needed.

✅For the Health sector, K2.5billion is required out of which K51.7 million is available leaving a gap of K2.45 billion.

✅To protect the integrity and well being of children under five, as well as pregnant mothers,a total of K532 million is needed.

✅Water resources development management a key pillar of early recovery and resilience building, a total of K3.02 billion out of which K569million is available leaving a gap of K2.4 billion.

✅ Agricultural production, as part of early recovery and resilience building will require K2.5billion an amount equivalent to the fundraising gap of this specific activity since no resources are available for the proposed interventions.

✅Livestock and Wildlife preservation and well being will require K1.7 billion out of which K98millon is a available leaving a gap K1.5 billion

Answering Laura Miti’s boot-licking Antics

By Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba

Civil Society activist Laura Miti has stirred up a hornets’ nest by her irrational claims that President Hichilema has not had a personal financial scandal in 3 years.

President Hichilema’s proximity to the recent large-scale scandals and acts of corruption,disqualifies Laura’s statement.

Infact Socialist Party President, Fred M’membe has stated that Hichilema’s sophisticated acts of corruption and plunder of national resources “makes the Patriotic Front” look like “pick-pocketers”.

There are times I think that Laura Miti’s personal quest to ensure that President Hichilema succeeds, blinds her so much that she embarrasses herself with her rattling and empty praises and noises in favour of Hichilema.

Let’s tabulate President Hichilema’s financial scandals, which I bet will one day be investigated;

1. $50million- fresh in State House in 2021, President Hichilema perpetrated this fraudulent procurement involving fertiliser worth $50million. This was a contract single-sourced and awarded to his long-time friend, Maurice Jangulo and tje company Alpha Commodities.

2. US$40 million Environmental Protection Fun. This fund has always been managed by the Ministry of Mines, but a fund manager was sourced and awarded to African Life Financial Services Limited, a company belonging to President Hichilema until 2019. His long-time business partners; Munakupya Hantuba and Valentine Chitalu remain shareholders.

3. $2.5billion at Kansanshi Copper and Gold Mine and the irregular incentives given to First Quantum Minerals(FQM). The Guardian Newspaper of UK exposed FQM’s financial and technical support given to UPND in elections. Following a high-level security meeting hosted by President Hichilema in May 2022 with delegates to the African Security Dialogue hosted by Brenthurst Foundation held at Royal Zambezi Lodge, the meeting birthed the USA Africom Security Office in Zambia and incentives to FQM. Earlier ZCCM-IH took to court FQM for siphoning $2.5billion from KansanshiCopper and Gold Mine. A special audit of Kansanshi Copper and Gold Mine revealed the plunder. FQM Directors were facing criminal charges and court process were underway in Lusaka and an arbitration in London for ZCCM-IH to recover the $2.5billion. After this meeting in Lower Zambezi, the DPP dropped the criminal charges against FQM Directors, and ZCCM-IH was asked to drop the court cases. There is no pathway announced how Zambia will recover the $2.5billion stolen from Kansanshi Copper and Gold Mine. Further ZCCM-IH 20% shareholding in the lucrative mine were irregularly converted to a royalty payment.

4. The Mopani Deal-ZCCM-IH has hired investment bank Rothschild & Co to sale Mopani. Rothschild brought in a law firm Baker McKenzie to help coordinate the sale. By October 2023, Government announced that prospective equity partner had been whittled down from ten to four.

The finalists was made up of entities comprising; China’s Zijin Mining, South Africa’s Sibanye Stillwater, China-based Norinco Group and an investment vehicle owned by ex-Glencore officials.

From nowhere, an unknown non-mining firm International Resource Holding(IRH) were presented to scoop Mopani Copper. Prior to Glencore leaving Mopani in 2020, it had invested $4.5billion to extend the life of the mine by over 25 years, improve production efficiencies and safeguard the existing jobs. Mopani sunk Syclinorium and Mindola Deeps Shafts at Nkana Mine in Kitwe and The Henderson Shaft at Mufulira Mine site. Mopani also built a brand new Concentrator at Nkana mine site, The New Syclinorium Concentrator.
In short, this a precious mine with newly investment in the assets.

President Hichilema proceeded to transfer shares without approval of Parliament.

The details are that the share price of 51% were sold at the price of $620million.

However this money is not being paid to ZCCM-IH but is a mere investment pledge into the mine.
Rothschild & Co and Baker McKenzie have walked away with $15.7million as transaction fees.
Further, the new owners IRH through their new subsidiary Delta Mining and the new deal involving Jubilee Metals on mine slags in Mufulira and Luanshya raises concerns. The company recently appointed Munakupya Hantuba as its Board Chairperson in Zambia.
Jubilee secured one of Zambia’s largest copper waste rock assets and entered into a partnership with International Resources Holding.The asset has been independently verified to contain a minimum of 260 million tonnes of historical waste rock, with Jubilee’s sampling indicating copper grades above 1.5%.Jubilee CEO Leon Coetzer said: “At Munkoyo, early test work of approximately 80,000t has revealed excellent copper grades of 1.5–3% for what was believed to be an uneconomic source of copper by previous owners.

5. Investment at Community House- Since President Hakainde Hichilema has refused to shift to the designated State House, the State has been forced to invest in security and infrastructure wares to make Community House safe and secure. A new access road, water and electricity installations have been done using public resources. A second helipad has been made and Community House has been designated as an area enjoying flight restrictions in the proximity of Community House near the area like State House is.
So to Laura, there are dozens large-scale acts of suspected corruption associated with State House. To absolve President Hichilema of corruption is to betray your patriotism to this country. Infact, many analyst have termed Hichilema’s Government is probably the biggest looter of national assets and the Treasury making previous acts of corruption to be pick-pocketing.

MPs PLAN PROTESTS

…Brian Mundubile says the prolonged detention of Rizwani Patel, among other political prisoners should be condemned in the strongest terms, and says the opposition lawmakers have no option but to demand the immediate release of the victims.

Lusaka – Tuesday, 16 April 2023

OPPOSITION Members of Parliament are planning to protest against the continued injustices being perpetrated by the UPND government against citizens deemed to be associated with opposition political parties .

Mr Mundubile, the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament said in an interview that many Zambians, including Rizwani Patel are being ill-treated and are having their rights violated by the UPND government.

Mr Mundubile said the opposition MPs have therefore resolved to convene and voice out on the injustice against the citizens and alert the international community about what Zambia had become…autocratic under the leadership of President Hakainde Hichilema.

He said Mr Patel and other Zambian political prisoners had the right to fair trial and that detaining him without trial and indefinitely was uncalled for and should be condemned in the strongest terms.

Mr Mundubile has also appealed to the ruling party MPs from Eastern Province to join hands with the opposition MPs to ensure that justice prevailed.

“As MPs will soon gather and call out government especially on this particular case, we know there are many cases of injustices, i think it’s time to attend to them.

I also call upon all MPs from Eastern Province from both ruling and opposition to take keen interest to what is happening to Rizwani Patel. Rizwani is a citizen, Rizwani is not different from other people who represent Eastern Province.

“There should be concerted efforts by Members of Parliament to go and visit Rizwani and begin to speak about Rizwani’s fate. Zambians are also called upon to voice out on cases of injustice occasioned on ordinary citizens, “he said.

Mr Mundubile said; “Police are exerting excessive power on innocent citizens that can not defend themselves, citizens that can not hire lawyers for themselves. All Zambians have got rights of associate, of speech , movement and right of fair trial.”

He said now that the UPND government has failed to destroy the PF, they are trying by all means to punish those who are not in support of their program.

(Credit: Daily Nation Zambia)

BY Kasebamashila Kaseba

WHEN ONE DELIVERED EXPENSIVE TOILET INSTEAD OF ONE’S PROMISED CHEAP MEALIE MEAL

— “For I was hungry and you gave me” a flashable toilet to flash —

Once upon a time in the long future ahead, also called the forward, the one all knowing great King of the great Kingdom, in the King declared drought disaster year, of one cassava meal in three to four days thus one flashable toilet visit in two weeks or fortnight, the richest King who had promised or decreed the cheapest maize mealie meal in history ceremoniously commissioned the most expensive flashable toilet for his poor subjects.

The rich King was alone happy to deliver or palter the unpromised most expensive flashable toilet instead of the cheapest staple food to the starving subjects also called starvelings’ dining tables.

He was also himself alone satisfied to deliver toilet water instead of kitchen sink drinking water.

He seemed unaware his Kingdom and subjects had already fallen off the Bristol Stool Scale of seven types of stool as they both urinated and defecated pure water, as opposed to “rice water stool” of the former King.

In short, they urinated, front and back.

He too had also fallen off or ran counter to his heir-apparent princely promises to the subjects, JCTR BNNB, United Nations SDGs, the home economics basic areas of eat first and toilet second.

As the King’s caravan of horse chariots left the flashable toilet sub area of “The Watchers” (Balangililo) in the larger area of “The Dawn” (Kwacha) of “The Elephant Head City” (Chitwe) the King watched for himself as a long convoy of elephant chariots ladden with cheap maize mealie meal quaked the earth as they snaked their export mealie meal cargo to the neighboring Kingdom, which was also the source of flashable toilet water.

The export convoy was guarded and escorted by his soldiers.

The King also watched his distracted subjects and then shouted to the watchers of the mealie meal convoy, “Remember, as I said (flashing) water is life; more important than cheap export mealie meal.”

142 REMOVED, 62 DETENDED, 15 CONVICTED, 2 DEPORTED AND 2 REFUSED ENTRY INTO THE COUNTRY BY IMMIGRATION

Lusaka… Tuesday April 16, 2024

The Department of Immigration in Lusaka has successfully removed 64 illegal immigrants from the Country.

Those removed during the mass removal exercise conducted on 13th and 14th April 2024 were 58 Ethiopians and six Somali nationals.

This mass removal exercise brought the number of illegal immigrants removed across the country between 13th and 14th April 2024 to 142.

Meanwhile, the Lusaka Regional Immigration Office has apprehended 25 suspected illegal immigrants during a routine check-up operation conducted on 12th April 2024 in various parts of Lusaka.

Those apprehended were 15 Burundians, seven Congolese, one Chinese, one Rwandese and one Tanzanian.

All suspects are detained pending prosecution.

Further, the Luanshya Immigration Office secured the conviction of a Ugandan national, Andrew Walakira (34), for having more than one passport and unlawful stay.

He was apprehended on 11th March 2024 at the Luanshya Subordinate Court where he had gone for plea in a Police case.

At the time of his apprehension two Passports bearing his name were found in his possession.

Consequently, on 12th April, 2024 he was convicted and sentenced to a fine of K 2,500 for possession of more than one passport and K16, 500 or nine months simple imprisonment for unlawful stay.

Furthermore, the Kafue Immigration Office, on 12th April 2024, secured the conviction of two Zimbabweans Levy Zulu (33) and Mupakayiri Severia (44) for illegal entry and 31-year-old Zimbabwean Gandiwa Tadiwanashe for unlawful stay.

The Trio was apprehended between 10th and 11th April 2024 at Kafue security checkpoint during a routine compliance check-up.

Zulu and Severia entered the Country through Chirundu District at undesignated crossing points without passports and were arrested on the 11th April, 2024 on their way to Lusaka while Tadiwanashe was apprehended on the 10th April 2024 after it was discovered that he had unlawfully remained in the country beyond his 30 visiting days having entered the country through Chirundu Border Control on 30th January, 2017.

They have since been convicted and sentenced to pay fines of between K 2,000 and K5, 000 or one and seven months of simple imprisonment.

The Luanshya and Kafue court cases brought the number of persons convicted by the Department on 12th April 2024 to 15.

In addition, the Department of Immigration between 13th and 14th April 2024 apprehended 62 persons of different nationalities for various immigration offenses countrywide, deported two prohibited immigrants from the country and refused two foreign nationals entry for failing to meet entry requirements.

Namati H. Nshinka (Mr)
PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
255282/pro@zambiaimmigration.gov.zm

Alebwelelapo lyrics don’t have my name – Miles Sampa

PF president Miles Sampa has washed his hands off the K13.5 million Kalandanya debt contracted by Edgar Lungu’s PF leadership.

Sampa says his name is not mentioned in any of the songs done by the Musical ensemble in the likes of Dandy Crazy, Yo Maps, Mampi, JK, Slap D and a string of other musicians.

Yesterday, High Court Judge Charles Zulu ordered the the former ruling party to pay businessman Bwalya Kalandanya K13.5 million for the 70 campaign songs which were composed by his musicians under his record label Kalandanya music promotions, in attempts to trick the masses into re-electing Lungu on the pretext that God had chosen him to rule Zambia for the third time.

In the wake of the judgement, a debate has erupted about whether it should be Lungu’s or Sampa version of the PF to pay debt.

But Sampa wonders why the Lungu’s faction wants to be in charge when it comes to the selling of party and national assets yet when it comes to debt repayment and other liabilities they lump all the responsibilities on him.

He wondered whether the campaign choir sang about him or Lungu.

“Listen to the songs and hear properly if anywhere in the lyrics or chorus the name Miles Sampa is mentioned,” Sampa argued.

“So when it’s income to PF like sale of the Burma road land its theirs, but debt or liabilities then it’s for Miles Sampa. Listen to the songs and hear properly if anywhere in the lyrics or chorus the name Miles Sampa is mentioned,” he added.

“Anways, I am on Parliamentary duty in Kenya and upon arrival will look at the judgement to see if I or current PF SG Morgan Ngona is mentioned anywhere in the judgement at which point we will establish whether it was a personal or party debt.”

Sampa added that he will inquire from his lawyers on the next course of action and upon establishing facts, he will advise on the way forward which may include doing nothing about the debt.

Exposing Political Opportunism against President Hichilema’s Symbolic Toilet Launch and the Fight Against Misinformation

By Catharine Mulaisho

In the aftermath of President Hakainde Hichilema’s symbolic inauguration of a toilet, the United Kwacha Alliance (UKA) has shamelessly attempted to exploit the event for political mileage.

However, amidst these cynical maneuvers, it’s crucial to refocus on the core responsibility of governance: delivering tangible benefits to the people.

The President’s symbolic act must be understood within the broader context of government’s duty to provide essential services to citizens.

While it’s impractical for the President to personally launch and inspect every toilet constructed, his symbolic gesture to launch one toilet among the thousand constructed underscores the government’s commitment to improving water sanitation and hygiene facilities across the nation.

The recent cholera epidemic, which claimed the lives of numerous citizens, highlights the urgent need for proper sanitation infrastructure.

Ensuring access to adequate water and sanitation facilities isn’t just political posturing; it’s a fundamental obligation of any responsible government to safeguard public health.

As Zambia approaches the next elections, the proliferation of propaganda and misinformation is inevitable.

However, the United Party for National Development (UPND) must actively combat these falsehoods and present the truth to the public.

Instead of merely reacting, UPND should invest in a coordinated social media strategy to effectively communicate its achievements and policies.

In the face of political opportunism, UPND must remain steadfast in its dedication to serving the people and advancing the nation’s interests.

By focusing on delivering concrete results and countering false narratives, UPND can ensure that Zambia’s progress isn’t derailed by petty politicking.

President Hichilema’s symbolic toilet launch serves as a reminder of the government’s commitment to improving the lives of all Zambians.

It’s imperative that political opportunists like the United Kwacha Alliance do not distract from the crucial work being done to address the nation’s pressing challenges.

UPND must remain vigilant in defending the truth and promoting its vision for a better Zambia.

REAPONSE TO ECL STATEMENT AT REFORMED CHURCH IN ZAMBIA IN CHIPATA

By Mark Simuuwe

Former Zambia’s Republican President Edgar Lungu says leaders must not tell lies after which he made a contribution of K10,000 at RCZ in Chipata .

ECL is currently trending as the noisiest former president in the world .

A day ago in Chipata , ECL made reference to the current leadership in Zambia .

RESPONSE :

1. ECL is right by saying leaders must not tell the truth as he did when he lied that HH committed treason in Mongu and maliciously incarcerated him for 127 days and arrested him 15times for no reason ;

2. ECL should have taken this opportunity to repent for causing so much ethnic hegemony after firing or retiring in national interest some over 3000 civil servants that came from other regions ;

3. He should repent for assuming together with his then Vice President
that UPND were the ones who set City Market on fire during his tenure , had them arrested for no reason yet he knew exactly who did that ;God hates those who tell lies ;

4. ECL should have told the truth who the real gassers at his time were and why some of the PF members and officials were arrested for the same and later released in Chingola ;let ECL tell us who Kongolo (Witchdoctor) was in his entourage, as cited by President Fresher Siwale on Prime TV ;

5. ECL should tell the truth on why he had over 3000 ghost workers on government payroll and where the money the ghost workers were paid went ;God does not like thieves !

6. ECL must tell the truth on why some of his associates have forefeited properties to the state; God does not like thieves !

7. ECL must tell us the real price of the fire trucks during the controversial fire tenders ;God does not like thieves !

8. ECL must must tell us the real price of Ambulances that cost over $ 288,000 beyond the market price at his time ;God does not like thieves !

9. ECL must tell the truth on what happened to the Mukula logs that were seized and the real price they were sold at since the price indicated in China was different from what government in Zambia declared ; God does not like liars ;

10. Let ECL also repent for the bloodshed he caused under his leadership which saw Nsama Nsama , Joseph Kaunda , Mapenzi Chibulo , among others to die ;God does not like murderers ;

11. ECL does not know why he was voted out even after he established Christians for Lungu; God does not like those who abuse His name for selfish personal things ;

12. ECL must repent from his barbaric bloody leadership that saw what looked like state sponsored terrorism in which citizens who wore opposition regalia were met with machetes , guns and insults .

Conclusion:

ECL must appreciate the peace he is enjoying such that he is even able to go round churches to worship . At his time politicians were attacked and tear-gassed even during church gatherings at times . Many citizens may recall the tear-gassing of Dr Nevers Mumba in a church in Eastern Province.

Today , ECL is in all the churches deceiving congregants thinking they do not know him well . ECL should heal from the loss and must learn to let go and accept that he lost elections. It was time for citizens to reject him and he must understand that it is his poor and bad leadership which made citizens get rid of him .

Today , he can’t still see that only those who deceived him that he was going to win in 2021 are still deceiving him .

His bitterness and pain for the loss is not good for his health. High BP is real , the earlier he lets go the better even for his health .

Let him also admonish those extorting his money that it is time for him to retire and let go ; he must allow himself to remain a statesman and rest .

Ends //

REPEAL BAD LAWS

There is a role for the government in keeping people safe from actual criminals. But some of our laws, like the public order Act, don’t keep people safe. The public order Act punishes peaceful meetings, protests, demonstrations or rallies and other activities unlikely to be performed with criminal intent.

The absence of criminal intent should be taken more seriously by our politicians, legislators and other leaders. With a law like the public order Act which punishes you without you having intent to commit a crime on our statute books, the old adage that “ignorance of the law is no excuse” no longer makes sense. Therefore, government should regularly repeal laws, like the public order Act, we no longer need. Although there are some exceptions, criminal intent or mens rea is an essential element of most crimes. Under the common law, all crimes consisted of an act carried out with a guilty mind. In modern society, criminal intent can be the basis for fault, and punishment according to intent is a core premise of criminal justice.

Crimes that have an “evil” intent are malum in se and subject the defendant to the most severe punishment. Crimes that lack the intent element are less common and are usually graded lower, as either misdemeanors or infractions. Malice aforethought is a special common-law intent designated for only one crime: murder. The definition of malice aforethought is “intent to kill.” Society considers intent to kill the most evil of all intents, so malice aforethought crimes generally mandate the most severe of punishments, including the death penalty in jurisdictions that allow for it.

To be charged under the public order Act there has been no consideration for criminal intent.
Criminal intent is a necessary component of a “conventional” crime and involves a conscious decision on the part of one party to injure or deprive another. It is one of three categories of “mens rea,” the basis for the establishment of guilt in a criminal case. There are multiple shades of criminal intent that may be applied in situations ranging from outright premeditation to spontaneous action.

It is possible to establish criminal intent even when a crime is not premeditated. Individuals who commit a crime spontaneously may still understand that their actions will cause harm to another party and contravene existing criminal law. In other words, an individual that takes or withholds action with the knowledge that such behaviour will lead to the commission of a crime can be said to possess criminal intent.

Clearly, whichever angle one looks at, the public order Act is very bad law which must be done away, repealed and not amended.

Fred M’membe
President of Socialist Party

DEMAND ACCOUNTABILITY FROM YOUR LEADERS AND OPPOSE LIES- ECL PRODS ZAMBIANS.

…..As he calls on the church to commit the country to prayers while navigating the numerous challenges….

CHIPATA, 14-04-2024 (SMART EAGLES)

Sixth Republican President Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu has urged Zambians from all walks of life to begin to demand accountability from their leaders who rely on political deceit to address the social economic challenges they are currently facing.

Addressing congregants who gathered to worship at The Reformed Church in Zambia Chipata Main congregation in Chipata District of the Eastern Province yesterday , the Former Head of State reiterated the importance of everyone to be seeking and speaking the truth, echoing the teachings of Christ.

“Let us freely seek the truth, for it is the truth that shall set us free. We must continue to speak whether as leaders, politicians, or men of faith, we serve the same people who are entitled to the truth” Dr Lungu stated.

The former Head of State highlighted the detrimental impact of raging falsehoods on the country, drawing parallels from the breakdown of trust within families when parents resort to dishonesty.

Furthermore, Dr Lungu urged the church to pray for politicians across the country to overcome the pervasive spirit of telling lies every time they are called to account.

“We must stop telling lies. Pray for us, that chimuzimu cha wenye chichoke. Ma wenye yapaka!. Let us be resolute in seeking the truth, for it is the ultimate liberator” President Lungu said.

President Lungu, whose MwaUKA greeting elicited the response “Unga wadula, njala muma nyumba,” underscored the need for the church to continue speaking for the people of Zambia without fear or favor.

And gospel Minister and preacher, Joe Munyoki of the RCZ Chipata Main congregation emphasized the need for all who lead people at any level to do so in truth and honesty.

He also restated the importance of embracing the teachings of Jesus Christ, who proclaimed that “He is the way, the truth, and the life. No one goes to the Father except through him”

The Former President was in Eastern province for a private family visit and took time to pray and worship at Reformed Church in Zambia, a church that is rooted in his family and childhood life.

LOAD SHEDDING MAY COLLAPSE MORE BUSINESSES

….already a lot of small businesses are struggling to thrive during this load shedding, says ZUPED

Lusaka… Monday April 15, 2024 (SMART EAGLES)

The Zambians for Peace Unity and Development (ZUPED) anticipates an increase in the collapse of small businesses due to the continued load shedding being implemented by power utility company, Zesco Ltd.

ZUPED President Ronnie Jere says his organization has interacted with a number of small business owners who have complained that the current load shedding is negatively impacting their businesses.

Mr Jere told Smart Eagles via telephone that not all small business holders can manage to invest in alternative sources of energy and equipment to support their businesses.

Mr Jere has also observed that the staggered four hours of load management at least helped small business holders to do their businesses compared to the 8 hours.

The ZUPED President said the four hours staggered schedule gave room to businesses to either work in the morning or afternoon depending on the schedule.

“Zesco Ltd yesterday announced that they will be reinstating an 8-hour load shedding schedule to enhance stability and predictability in power management across Lusaka, but did they interact with small business holders to arrive at this decision? For example, during the four hour load shedding power can go at 6hrs and be restored around 10hrs and someone can work up to 18hrs when power will be gone. Now with this 8hrs load shedding, power goes at 12hrs and restored around 20hrs making it almost impossible for them to do business,” he submitted.

“People in business need a breather for them to make money. Things are hard in this country, the cost of living is way to high for the majority to cope up. The government at this point should be looking at means of creating an enabling environment for the business community to survive.”

Mr Jere said most businesses depend on reliable power supply for them to conduct their businesses smoothly.

He wondered how some businesses will survive having to operate only for about four hours in a day saying this will hugely affect their businesses.

SmartEagles2024