State moves in to seize Tasila Lungu’s K13 million fish ponds

FORMER president Edgar Lungu’s daughter, Tasila, owns fish ponds in Sinda district, Eastern Province, constructed at over K13.9 million.

However, the State has instituted proceedings before the Economic and Financial Crimes Court to have those fish ponds forfeited to the State.

Between 2016 and 2021, Tasila was Chawama Constituency’s Nkoloma ward five PF councillor.

She is now Chawama PF member of parliament.

According to Beston Kajoba, a director of finance at the Lusaka City Council, Tasila attended 35 meetings during the time she was a councillor between 2016 and 2021 and was paid sitting allowances at a rate of K350 per sitting and transport refunds were paid at K60 within the radius of 25 Kilometers.

For the 35 meetings, Tasila amassed allowances cumulative to K12, 550 and K2, 100 for transport refund.

She was entitled to a monthly allowance of K3, 000 and the total allowances paid to her from 2016 to 2021 amounted to K154, 200.

Tasila had one trip to Rwanda and was paid K16, 116.41 and from the summation of all her allowances and earnings between 2016 and 2021 was less that K184, 966.41.

During the 2021 general elections, her asset declaration form indicated that she had assets worth K6, 130, 505.58 and an inspection at the ZRA revealed that she had no other income generating activities.

According to an analysis of her known income and known expenditure between June 11, 2015 and August 31, 2021, she had an income of K867, 800.08 against an expenditure of K502, 833.67, with a variation of about K364,966.41

Now, Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Gilbert Phiri has filed four originating notices of motion for an application of a non-conviction-based forfeiture order of tainted property pursuant to Order 30 Rules 15 and 17 of the High Court Rules, read together with Sections 29 and 31 of the forfeiture of proceeds of crime Act no. 19 of 2010.

This implies that Tasila will give up on her properties, without being subjected to trial.

According to an affidavit sworn on behalf of the DPP by Emmanuel Khondowe, a senior investigations officer at the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) under the anti-money laundering investigations unit, the DEC in May 2022 received information from a reliable source that politically exposed persons had illegally obtained property across Lusaka.

Khondowe said he investigated Tasila and established that farm no. F/2278 in Sinda district had fish ponds constructed at K13, 950, 378.83.

He said he looked into Tasila’s financial capacity and according to her bank mandate at ABSA, there were debit entries worth K502, 833.67 and credit entries worth K502, 833.67 as credit and debit turnover.

“A comparison of her income against the property valued at K8, 840, 098.00 showed a variation of about K7, 972, 297. 92 above her known income. There was a big gap between her known income and what she declared,” said Khondowe said.

By Mwaka Ndawa

Kalemba

Lungu’s daughter has property beyond her income – DPP

FORMER president Edgar Lungu’s daughter, Chiyeso has property worth K9.3 million which, according to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Gilbert Phiri, is way beyond her income.

Chiyeso, who was inaugurated as a practising lawyer in 2018, has two farms with a high-cost house, four chicken runs and three flats in Lusaka’s State Lodge area, property worth K9, 375, 438.62, and acquired between 2013 and 2021.

But according to the DPP, there was no way Chiyeso could have owned property worth that much because investigations show that
the former president’s daughter only opened her first bank account with FNB on December 9, 2014 and had no significant transactions since it was opened until 2018 when she started using it as a salary account.

Filing an affidavit in the Economic and Financial Crimes Court on behalf of the DPP, Emmanuel Khondowe submitted that Chiyeso’s property be forfeited to the State.

The DPP revealed that Chiyeso became part of education Outreach for Children, a charity organisation, which is no longer operational and opened an SME account on July 24, 2015.

Further, the DPP revealed that an inquiry at the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) showed that Chiyeso never declared any tax income and her company, Crest Lodge, on property no. LUS /38478, off Twin Palm road in Ibex Hill in Lusaka, declared VAT amounting to K14, 306, 103.87 and also declared rental income amounting to K375, 000.

“The expenses were K8, 021, 370.14 and paid salaries of K3, 422, 675.63 resulting in expenses of K11, 444, 045.77 and the only disposable income the company made was K3, 237, 058.10,” Khondowe stated.

He explained that a search at the Patents and Companies Registration Agency (PACRA) revealed that Chiyeso is a director and shareholder in Crest Lodge.

“An analysis of her known income between January 2, 2015 and June 3, 2023 was K2, 143, 184.41 against an expenditure of K2, 138, 920.00 with a variation of K4, 264.13,” Khondowe stated.

He said a comparison of the known income and against the two properties, valued at K9, 375, 438.62, showed a variation of K7, 232, 254.49 above Chiyeso’s known income and she had no other income generating activities.

“I seized the real properties in question as they were reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime. The properties are tainted and liable for forfeiture to the State because they are proceeds of crime. The offence in Section 71 of the Forfeiture of proceeds of crimes Act no. 10 of the Zambian laws is a serious offence,” said Khondowe.

By Mwaka Ndawa

Kalemba

DIRECTOR of Public Prosecutions Gilbert Phiri has filed a notice of motion seeking a court order to forfeit several properties belonging to former First Lady Esther Lungu and three others members of the former first family to the State.

In the court documents, the State has submitted that the properties, among them 15 flats belonging to Mrs Lungu, should be forfeited the State because they are tainted and a reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime.

This is according to four originating notices of motion for an application of a non conviction-based forfeiture order of tainted property filed by Mr Phiri.

Before being appointed DPP, Mr Phiri, then Anti Corruption Commission director general, had vowed that “We are going to get back what has been stolen from the Zambian people”.

In line with the pledge, Mr Phiri, wants the court to grant him an order to forfeit 15 flats belonging to Lungu’s wife Esther.

The State further wants a forfeiture of a farm in Sinda in Eastern Province belonging former President Edgar Lungu’s daughter Tasila Lungu-Mwansa, who is also Chawama lawmaker.

Further the State wants Crest Lodge in Ibex Hill belonging to Charles Phiri to be forfeited and three flats and a poultry belonging to Chiyeso Lungu, a lawyer.

The lawsuit is pursuant to Order 30 Rules 15 and 17 of the High Court Rules as read with Sections 29 and 31 of the Forfeiture of Proceeds of Crime Act 19 of 2010, a legal provision was was used on journalist Faith Musonda.

According to a court document sworn by Emmanuel Khondowe, a senior investigations officer at the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) under the anti-money laundering investigations unit, he submits that in May 2022, DEC received information from a reliable source that politically exposed persons had illegally obtained property.

Mr Khondowe said information was that property 9334/1, 9334/2, 9334/3 and 9334/4 in State Lodge and belonging to Mrs Lungu and were reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime.

The said properties were acquired between 2013 and 2021.

Mr Khondowe submits that later led a team of DEC officers who instituted investigate which

revealed that the 15 flats belonged to Esther Nyawa Tembo Lungu and the same was confirmed in the lands and deeds register.

“I wrote to the Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development requesting for the the estimated cost of construction of the 15 blocks of double storey flats and it was revealed that the cost of the flats and other associated works on the properties, as at November 2022 was K41, 586, 110. 66, ” Mr Khondowe submits.

He states that investigations also extended to Mrs Lungu’s financial status quo to establish her capacity of owing the properties in question and found that she never had other income generating activities.

“I conducted an analysis of her known income and known expenditure for the period August 1, 2012 to August 16, 2022 which revealed an income of K3, 104, 487.14 against an expenditure of K2, 511, 117.09 with a variation of K593, 370.05,” he said.

Mr Khondowe said a comparison of the known income of K3, 104, 487.14 against the four properties with the 15 flats valued at K24, 256, 434.55 which showed a variation of K21, 151, 947.41 above her known income.

In relation to Mr Phiri, he submits that nvestigations revealed that the three storey lodge in Ibex Hill was bought between 2013 and 2022, belonged to Charles Phiri.

“Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources official Andrea Chuni stated that the property at entry no.1 was a 99 year State lease to former ZAF commander Eric Mwaba Chinese, who obtained the title under certificate title no. 286342 on entry no.2 of the lands and deeds register.

“He had a kwacha and dollar account at FNB and there were debit entries worth K874,653.11 and credit entries worth K875, 155.54 as debit and credit turnover between July2, 2015 and January 3, 2023,” he submits.

Mr Khondowe said that he established that Mr. Phiri sold 10, 892.3890 hectors of property no. F/Mpika/1912933 at US$100,000.00 to Muneer Mitha and Mitha Ibrahim Hanif Mohammed and paid K87, 250 property transfer tax.

He said he established that there was a huge difference between Mr Phiri’s properties and his known income and he could not manage to build Crest lodge.

In other submissions, the investigator submits that Beston Kajoba, a Finance director at Lusaka City Council, indicated that Mrs Mwansa attended 35 meetings during the time she was a councillor between 2016 and 2021

She was paid sitting allowances at a rate of K350 per sitting and transport refunds were paid at K60 within the radius of 25 Kilometers.

“For the 35 meetings Tasila amassed allowances cumulative to K12, 550. 00 and K2, 100 for transport refund. She was entitled to a monthly allowance of K3, 000 and the total allowances paid to her from 2016 to 2021 amounted to K154, 200,” the document reads.

Mr Khondowe said an analysis of Mrs Mwansa’s known income and expenditure between June 11, 2015 and August 31, 2021 showed that she had K867, 800.08 income and against an expenditure of K502, 833.67, with a variation of about K364,966.41.

He submitted that a comparison of her income against the property valued at K8, 840, 098.00 showed a variation of about K7, 972, 297. 92 above her known income.

“There was a big gap between her known income and what she declared,” Khondowe said.

In relation to Chiyeso Lungu, it was established that he has two farms in State Lodge with a high-cost house and three flats, among others assets.

Mr Khondowe submits that a survey by the Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development valued the cost of construction of the three flats was K2, 695, 895.28 and the one high cost house with four chicken runs was K6, 679, 544.34.

He said investigations at Patents and Companies Registration Agency revealed that she is a director and shareholder in Crest Lodge.

“An analysis of her known income between January 2, 2015 and June 3, 2023 was K2, 143, 184.41 against an expenditure of K2, 138, 920.00 with a variation of K4, 264.13.

” A comparison of the known income and against the two properties, valued at K9, 375, 438.62, showed a variation of K7, 232, 254.49 above Chiyeso’s known income and she had no other income generating activities,” Mr Khondowe submits,” Mr Khondowe submits.

He submits that the properties in question were seized on grounds of being reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime and tainted and liable for forfeiture to the State because they are proceeds of crime.

(Mwebantu3)

By Zambian Business Times

Kwacha projected to gain and settle around K15 per dollar

The gains that the Zambian Kwacha has posted in the last two days is in response to positive sentiment of the expected closure of the much anticipated debt restructure deal based on the International Monetary Fund – IMF backed debt sustainability analysis.

The Kwacha has posted gains from trading around K20 per dollar in the last three working days to close the day (Tuesday 20 June 2023) at about K16 per dollar, a massive gain of about 20% within a space of three working days.

Zambia’s renowned economist and researcher based in Nairobi – Kenya Dr. Patrick Chileshe has told the Zambian Business Times – ZBT in an exclusive interview that the Kwacha is responding to positive news from Zambia’s official creditors who on Monday were reported to have made serious progress in restructuring the debt and that the final announcement of deal closure was imminent in the next few days.

Dr. Chileshe whose work in Kenya currently includes sovereign risk assessment which includes Zambia’s economic performance at regional level stated that this news (eminent conclusion of debt restructuring for Zambia) has created positive sentiment which has forced net dollar holders to offload on the market which has significantly pushed up dollar supply.

He stated that this trend [of the Kwacha gaining] is expected to continue and that it would only be reversed if the definitive agreement is adverse. Dr. Chileshe further told ZBT that if this trend and the final announcement is made as expected, the Kwacha is expected to settle around the K15 per dollar.

President Hakainde Hichilema has announced a snap trip to France and is starting with a state visit to Rwanda, but it has been projected by pundits that his trip to France may be made to coincide and in anticipation of the debt restructure announcement.

If the debt restructuring deal is closed as per reports with a 30% to 50% debt forgiveness or haircut, HH would have scored a big win for Zambia. It is expected that once this debt restructure is closed, more foreign investors will be more optimistic and willing to invest in Zambia, which would then mean more forex supply and medium to long term stability of the local unit.- Zambian Business Times

ZAMBIANS LOST THE CHARACTER OF SYMPATHY FOR PF A LONG TIME AND THOSE BEING ARRESTED MUST KNOW …***

By Stembridge Sikalundu

Let’s see the most courageous come up and defend the PF party , we warned the opposition not to collude with the former ruling party leaders in creating motives to fight president HAKAINDE HICHILEMA’S personally as a way to unpopularise the UPND govt . This silence by PF leaders and their members in all the media groups should remind those in charge of security around the president to invest more , PF members are elusive and they can turn evil because there are no options left , they know they have been hooked by the neck and the party is presumed dead and will never resurrect again .

After sympathizing with some people to govern this country almost led to the mortgaging of this nation due to careless borrowing and lack of economic management abilities , zambians were being inculcated to believe resolving the economic crisis required zambians to use prayers in the churches , many will recall when zambians were told to pray for the failed economy by the same plunderers , the nation is still faced with the life challenges because of how to restructure the unsustainable debt crisis . State resources were being shared like maize fields . It is very important to know why PF members of Parliament should retain their seats in 2026 when people in the constituencies now can see the damage they did to the country , of course we need the opposition in Parliament but their character is compromised for leadership purposes in this country . The UPND party should never associate with PF radicals , because the two Political parties have two different DNA .

We have seen these arrests and many properties that are being siezed , let’s be very careful to understand the cases these people are being charged for , terrorism for example , is it president HAKAINDE HICHILEMA who designed the law not to issue a bail for such a case ? , forgery of high profile letters that were seen in public domain ,should zambians sympathise with someone because of good spoken English or for being public persons ignoring the crimes these people have committed ? . We have seen properties that are being siezed worth million of dollars stolen from the zambian people .

They want sympathy from the zambian people ,we have not forgotten what sympathy did to us in Zambia since 2015 , the nation is in this crisis by the same people that are seeking for public sympathy because the law is being applied against them , who is going to use sympathy on people that are not leaders , people that can smile and ruthlessly harm . We lost lives of innocent citizens that should have been with us to see why the struggle was inevitable , assailants were kept in hiding outside the country enjoying Tax payers money while being protected by supreme powers . All the political manuevers have failed to materialize , let’s be very careful with these people in the country ., The last options may be dangerous , if gassing on the same people governed shocked the world .

Who in Zambia is going to remain praising former leaders of this country if at all they were ? , we have some PF members of Parliament who were not in govt then , it is better they contest as independent members of Parliament , than using the PF party name again because the name of this orgsnisation is symbolic of mafias that ravaged this country with impunity . God bless mother Zambia .

I CRY ZAMBIA IS MY BELOVED COUNTRY

Stealing the real economy while giving the Zambian poor masses bones

By Azwell Banda

Copper, cobalt, manganese, lithium, nickel and graphite are among the core materials the world needs, if it must transition out of “dirty” energy into “clean” energy.
Coal, oil and gas as sources of energy are on their way out, as evidence mounts of their disastrous impact on our earth and its ecosystem. There is a world stampede by developed countries and supper powers to secure the raw materials needed to transit from coal, oil and gas, as sources of energy, onto clean energy.

Believe it or not, even the war in Ukraine, besides the grains, has something to do with the abundance of coal, oil, gas and iron, and of course rare earth minerals including lithium. Lithium today is also known as “white gold” because of its great value in the transition to electric mobility and the global transition to clean energy. The West and the East are prepared to shed a lot of blood, to secure their access to these important materials. Trillions of dollars are at stake in this war.

In Zambia, 21 months of the UPND in government, there are obviously brutal and muddy battles going on, over the large, lucrative key copper mines on the Copperbelt. The Zambian government, from the time of privatisations in the 1990s to date, has tied itself up in extremely difficult to undo knots, over these large mines.

A thorough, high quality and independent forensic investigation of the goings on in these mines from 1991 to date would unearth evidence that would shock the masses of Zambia, over how our politicians have pocketed huge rents, commissions and bribes as they “sold” these mines to foreign mining companies.

The Zambian government has even constructed a government business architecture to facilitate the transmission of rents, commissions and bribes to the politicians in government. The UPND government of Hakainde Hichilema, a government of privatisers, has inherited this extremely dubious, faulty and completely rotten government business architecture.

ZCCM-IH portfolio includes shares in the major coper mines, on behalf of the Zambian government and people. ZCCM-IH is 60 per cent owned by the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) whose board is chaired by the President of Zambia and includes at least three key ministers. The ministers of finance, agriculture, and commerce are board members of the IDC. IDC is a mammoth operation with 36 companies in its portfolio (information from its website). The IDC is theoretically supposed to spearhead Zambia’s industrial development.
A lot has been written about the extremely weird arrangement where the President of Zambia chairs the board of the IDC, clearly placing this structure outside executive supervision and accountability. Ultimately, all the other members of the board of the IDC must bow before the President, who appoints them. How such a board actually functions in reality is a matter of conjecture. But it controls state businesses and investments which span the entire economy of Zambia. It is insane, the structure of the IDC and its board. The current parliament has in fact recommended that the President should not chair the board of the IDC. HH is hiding behind “the rule of law” – claiming this is what the law says, and he has to obey it. And yet he has had more than 21 months now to undo the obviously ill-intentioned legislation which makes the President of Zambia the chairperson of the IDC board, among other poor laws.

We already know about the dubious 3.1 per cent loyalty deal involving FQM and ZCCM-IH over Kansanshi Mining Plc. For a misery 3.1 per cent loyalty payment, quarterly, FQM are now 100 per cent owners of Kansanshi Mining Plc, and all the criminal charges against FQM directors have disappeared. ZCCM-IH minority shareholders have revealed that they were denied full information over the deal. This deal could not be made without the involvement of the IDC, a 60 per cent shareholder of ZCCM-IH.

There is a fierce boardroom war going on over Konkola Copper Mine (KCM). Vendata who conned our politicians and got the mine at the price of a rotten rat have been busy literally campaigning to get the mine back. We now know that through Vendata, should it get KCM back, Glencore will be back too, through the back door.

Hakainde Hichilema, as IDC Board chair, has immerse powers over any boardroom negotiations involving the key copper mines on the Copperbelt, in which ZCCM-IH has a stake. Hakainde has on several occasions stated that he prefers secret boardroom negotiations to our courts, over government commercial concerns. Zambians are not favoured with full detailed records and minutes of such boardroom negotiations. Parliament has thus far not been involved in certifying these negotiations above board and in the best interests of Zambia. Zambians are merely informed about the decisions reached between the “investors” and the relevant state-owned company.
Gifted to Hakainde Hichilema and his UPND privatisers by the departed PF government are immense powers and authority, through the leadership structures of the IDC and its businesses. Hakainde Hichilema sits at the top of the government economic empire like a mafia godfather. He is accountable virtually to no one, but himself. His is the dream position of any billionaire owner of a business empire.
As HH presides and negotiates in secret boardrooms multibillion dollar deals over the government business empire with foreign money, poor Zambians are thrown Constituency Development Fund (CDF), teaching, health, finance, defence and other few government jobs. Assuring the “private sector” of protection of their investments from “nationalisation” and offering them massive “incentives” including several favourable tax schemes, Hakainde Hichilema and his friends both in and out of government are poised to change the Zambian economy, in their interests, permanently.

HH says negotiations over KCM have taken this long because they are complex. Over public property, courts are the best fora to resolve complex matters involving competing property rights. Boardrooms are not court rooms qualified to offload massive public businesses to the “private sector”. Zambians who care to know understand how Zambians were reaped off in the privatisations soon after our 1991 reversion into a multiparty neo-liberal state. Lawyers, accountants, economists and “consultants” of all types became US dollar millionaires overnight, from the reckless privatisations of state businesses, as the majority of Zambians sunk into extreme poverty and joblessness. One day a full forensic audit, even if it is only to warn posterity about how not to be robbed of state companies by thieves, will be conducted.
Fighting over CDF money to set up a desk making company, to build a footbridge, to build a class room or two, to paint a clinic, to pave a gravel road, to set up at artisanal school, and so on, is not what will evenly fast track development in Zambia. Note that CDF is expended outside a coherent, systematised national set of development priorities over the whole country. Anarchy and chaos (individual private greed for money) determines where the CDF money is spent. Zambia’s natural wealth, properly managed and centrally planned for, has the real potential to lift the entire country out of its poverty. It is the meanness and selfishness of our political rulers that stands in the way of achieving this kind of national development.

Zambia’s real economy is mining, agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, construction, energy, finance and trading. All these sectors have something to do with the IDC, whose board President Hakainde chairs, and accounts to himself, apparently “by law”.
While our hunger, unemployment and generalised poverty reduces the majority of us Zambians to a pitiful hand to mouth existence, it is wrong to ignore the massive natural and other wealth, Zambia possesses. The government of Zambia, through the IDC, has a commanding position on Zambia’s economy. And today, this immense power is in the hands of Hakainde Hichilema, by law, and our Constitution.
We need full public exposure of the full minutes of all the boardroom negotiations to confirm Zambians are not once again being robbed in broad day light by privateers and their “investor” friends, especially over KCM, and all the other copper mines. Parliament must assert its constitutional right and duty to supervise transactions over public property.

At almost 60 years, there are many Zambians qualified to run our mines, for Zambia, very profitably, than Vendata or any foreign miners. The UPND is focused on completing the privatisations from where they left them, in the 90s. They are not interested in placing these mines in the collective ownership of Zambians. This way, they are guaranteed of their personal share of the spoils. Once more, Zambia’s real economy is being stolen, as the Zambian masses sink deeper into excruciating poverty.

Comments to: banda.azwell@gmail.com

State closes in on properties illegally obtained by Edgar Lungu’s family

THE State has instituted proceedings before the Economic and Financial Crimes Court to have tainted properties belonging to family members of former president Edgar Lungu, forfeited to the State.

Among the properties are the 15 flats belonging to Lungu’s wife Esther, Crest Lodge in Ibex Hill belonging to Charles Phiri and lawyer Chiyeso Lungu, a house, three flats and a poultry belonging to Chiyeso, land in Ibex Hill belonging to Charles Phiri and a farm in Sinda, Eastern Province, belonging to Chawama PF member of parliament Tasila Lungu.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Gilbert Phiri has filed four originating notices of motion for an application of a non conviction-based forfeiture order of tainted property pursuant to Order 30 Rules 15 and 17 of the High Court Rules, read together with Sections 29 and 31 of the forfeiture of proceeds of crime Act no. 19 of 2010.

This implies that the Lungus will give up on their properties, without being subjected to trial.

According to an affidavit sworn on behalf of the DPP by Emmanuel Khondowe, a senior investigations officer at the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) under the anti-money laundering investigations unit, the DEC in May 2022 received information from a reliable source that politically exposed persons had illegally obtained property across Lusaka.

According to they information, there was real property that was reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime at Plot no. 9334/1, 9334/2, 9334/3 and 9334/4 in State Lodge and belonged to Esther and her associates, which were acquired between 2013 and 2021.

He said upon receipt of the information, the Commission constituted a team of investigators who instituted investigations in the matter.

Investigations revealed that the 15 flats belonged to Esther Nyawa Tembo Lungu and the same was confirmed in the lands and deeds register.

He said he wrote to the Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development requesting for the the estimated cost of construction of the 15 blocks of double storey flats and it was revealed that the cost of the flats and other associated works on the properties, as at November 2022 was K41, 586, 110. 66.

Khondowe said he investigated Esther’s financial capacity, in relation to the properties acquired, and he interviewed Brian Mutakwa, a branch manager at ZANACO were Esther holds an account since March 27, 1995 as a sole signatory.

“The bank account had 65 debit entries worth K2, 511, 117.09 and 79 credit entries with a gross total of about K3, 104, 487.14 as credit and debit turnover between January 1, 2012 and August 16, 2022. Both credit and debit turnover consisted of inter account transfers of K500, 000. 00 on May 4, 2020, May 4, 2021, August 3, 202, May 10, 2022 and August 3, 2022, thereby increasing turnover on both ends with no fresh inflows,” he said.

The Esther Lungu Foundation had a kwacha and dollar account at First National Bank (FNB) and Esther was one of the signatories of the Kwacha account.

“The Kwacha account had total debit entries worth a gross total of K19, 459, 606. 86 and in this amount, there were placements of about K3, 000, 000 and US$20, 356.70 into fixed deposit accounts, which did not benefit Esther in her personal capacity,” Khondowe said.

In the dollar account, there was a credit balance of US$55, 115.57.

It was also established that Esther had no other income generating activities.

“I conducted an analysis of her known income and known expenditure for the period August 1, 2012 to August 16, 2022 which revealed an income of K3, 104, 487.14 against an expenditure of K2, 511, 117.09 with a variation of K593, 370.05. I did a comparison of the known income of K3, 104, 487.14 against the four properties with the 15 flats value at K24, 256, 434.55 which showed a variation of K21, 151, 947.41 above her known income,” Khondowe said.

He indicated that Investigations revealed that the three storey lodge in Ibex Hill, at Plot no. LUS/38478 in Lusaka, procured between 2013 and 2022, belonged to Charles Phiri, as confirmed by the lands and deeds register and the costs of construction obtained from the quantity surveyor at the Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban development was K15, 549, 422.22.

Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources official Andrea Chuni stated that the property at entry no.1 was a 99 year State lease to former ZAF commander Eric Mwaba Chinese, who obtained the title under certificate title no. 286342 on entry no.2 of the lands and deeds register.

Phiri had a kwacha and dollar account at FNB and there were debit entries worth K874,653.11 and credit entries worth K875, 155.54 as debit and credit turnover between July2, 2015 and January 3, 2023.

On the dollar account opened on October 20, 2016, at Kitwe industrial branch, there were debit entries worth US$2, 850.00 and credit entries worth US$2, 101.33 as credit and debit turn over between October 20, 2016 and January 20, 2023.

Khondowe said investigations at the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA), in relation to tax returns between Phiri and Crest Lodge, revealed that taxes on the three storey lodge built on the land has not been paid and tax evasion is a serious offence and attracts a penalty of three years imprisonment.

“Phiri sold 10, 892.3890 hectors of property no. F/Mpika/1912933 at US$100,000.00 to Muneer Mitha and Mitha Ibrahim Hanif Mohammed and paid K87, 250 property transfer tax,” Khondowe stated.

He said there was a huge difference between Phiri’s properties and his known income and he could not manage to build Crest lodge.

Khondowe said he invested Tasila and established that farm no. F/2278 in Sinda district had fish ponds constructed at K13, 950, 378.83.

He said he looked into Tasila’s financial capacity and according to her bank mandate at ABSA, there were debit entries worth K502, 833.67 and credit entries worth K502, 833.67 as credit and debit turnover.

According to Beston Kajoba, a director finance at Lusaka City Council, Tasila attended 35 meetings during the time she was a councillor between 2016 and 2021and was paid sitting allowances at a rate of K350 per sitting and transport refunds were paid at K60 within the radius of 25 Kilometers.

For the 35 meetings Tasila amassed allowances cumulative to K12, 550. 00 and K2, 100 for transport refund.

She was entitled to a monthly allowance of K3, 000 and the total allowances paid to her from 2016 to 2021 amounted to K154, 200

Tasila had one trip to Rwanda and was paid K16, 116.41 and from the summation of all her allowances and earnings between 2016 to 2021 was less that K184, 966.41.

During the 2021 general election, her asset declaration form indicated that she had assets worth K6, 130, 505.58 and an inspection at ZRA revealed that she had no other income generating activities.

According to an analysis of her known income and known expenditure between June 11, 2015 and August 31, 2021, she had an income of K867, 800.08 against an expenditure of K502, 833.67, with a variation of about K364,966.41

“A comparison of her income against the property valued at K8, 840, 098.00 showed a variation of about K7, 972, 297. 92 above her known income. There was a big gap between her known income and what she declared,” Khondowe said.

Chiyeso Lungu, who is a lawyer, has two farms in State Lodge, being property no. L/9390/M with a high-cost house and four chicken runs and property no. LN_79093/1, with three flats in State Lodge.

The same were acquired between 2013 and 2021.

Property no. L/9390/M at entry no.8 of the lands and deeds register is an assignment of property at a consideration of K3,000,000.00 and the assignor being Kalumbi Trevor with Chiyeso being the assignee.

Khondowe said according to a survey by the Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development, the cost of construction of the three flats was K2, 695, 895.28 and the one high cost house with four chicken runs was K6, 679, 544.34.

He said Chiyeso holds an account at FNB which she opened on December 9, 2014 and had no significant transactions since it was opened until 2018 when she started using it as a salary account.

“She became part of education outreach for children, a charity organisation which is no longer operational and opened an SME account on July 24, 2015,” Khondowe stated.

He said an inquiry at ZRA revealed that she never declared any tax income and her company, Crest Lodge, on property no. LUS /38478, off Twin Palm road in Ibex Hill, declared VAT amounting to K14, 306, 103.87 and also declared rental income amounting to K375, 000.

“The expenses were K8, 021, 370.14 and paid salaries of K3, 422, 675.63 resulting in expenses of K11, 444, 045.77 and the only disposable income the company made was K3, 237, 058.10,” Khondowe stated.

“Investigations at Patents and Companies Registration Agency (PACRA) revealed that she is a director and shareholder in Crest Lodge.
An analysis of her known income between January 2, 2015 and June 3, 2023 was K2, 143, 184.41 against an expenditure of K2, 138, 920.00 with a variation of K4, 264.13.”

He said a comparison of the known income and against the two properties, valued at K9, 375, 438.62, showed a variation of K7, 232, 254.49 above Chiyeso’s known income and she had no other income generating activities.

“I seized the real properties in question as they were reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime. The properties are tainted and liable for forfeiture to the State because they are proceeds of crime. The offence in Section 71 of the Forfeiture of proceeds of crimes Act no. 10 of the Zambian laws is a serious offence,” said Khondowe.

By Mwaka Ndawa

Kalemba

2021 Chipili Constituency aspiring Candidate Anthony Nyense. Calls for diss0lution of PF

The problem with PF is that (Tabomfwa abakuntanshi). What the public is expecting going forward is a notification for central committee meeting to close down the organization. It’s not helpful in anyway. The general public is expecting those honerable Members remaining in the PF to join socialist party for the purpose of fulfilling the credible doctrine of checks and balances to the Mighty UPND.

Before they suspended Miles for telling the truth, they needed to suspend themselves for losing the presidency. As it is , there is no h0n0r left in the party, PF.

The political party is formed for various reasons but the main ones are as follows.

(1) To take part in the struggle for power. ( Not to st£al or being found at high court every day for c0rruption allegations)

(2) To fulfill the credible doctrine of checks and balances. ( Not to criticize CDF , massive job Creation, free education and meal allowances for university students that they removed alleging tht d country had no money)

(3) The political party is formed in order to form a legitimate government.

(4) A political party is formed to champion a specific ideology, specific constitution reforms and For specific manifesto

Quick facts about Why PF should close down.

(1) The ideology of any Democratic government and ,or any political organization is attached to the tenure of the president of the party or state. Should the president fail the election or d!e, God forbid. It’s called end of ide0l0gy. From the day Former president ECL l0st p0wer, PF , has remained without an ideology, that’s a scientific perspective. The social stand point is that , the policies, constitution and manifesto that PF proposed to the Zambian people during the 2021 elections were rejected. PF may close down because it has failed to come up with a new package to sell to the Zambian people

(2) Politics is based on three (3) things. (I) Manifesto (ll) Constitution (lll) Candidate personality n interest. PF hs n0n

PRESS STATEMENT
For Immediate Release

PRESIDENT HAKAINDE HICHILEMA TO TRAVEL TO RWANDA AND FRANCE

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation wishes to inform the nation that Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia, will undertake a State Visit to the Republic of Rwanda from 20th to 21st June 2023, at the invitation of His Excellency Mr. Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda.

The President will also travel to Paris, France to participate at the Summit for a New Financing Pact, which is being hosted by His Excellency Mr. Emmanuel Macron, President of France from 22nd to 23rd June 2023.

The visit to Rwanda comes in response to an invitation from President Kagame, and aims to reinforce bilateral relations between Zambia and Rwanda, while fostering partnerships for development and cooperation.

It serves as a reciprocal gesture following President Kagame’s State Visit to Zambia in April 2022, highlighting the enduring strategic partnership anchored on shared values and mutual respect.

Among the engagements lined up is the President’s participation in the inclusive FinTech Forum, whilst in Kigali, where President Hichilema and President Kagame will deliver keynote speeches.

The forum will provide a platform to promote an “all Africa” approach, centering on the creation of harmonised and unified policies, by building bridges, encouraging the movement of skills and services across borders, and facilitating the seamless integration of African economies.

Furthermore, President Hichilema, in his capacity as the new Chairman of COMESA, will discuss priorities and initiatives he wishes to advance within the organisation.

On Thursday, 22nd June, 2023, President Hichilema is scheduled to participate at the Summit for a New Financing Pact in Paris, which has been convened to consider viable financing mechanisms that will guarantee developing countries access to international markets and concessional financing.

The Summit will provide an opportunity to address key issues such as the reform of multilateral development banks, sovereign debt matters, innovative financing, international taxes and special drawing rights.

On the margins of the Summit, President Hichilema, alongside the Heads of State of Brazil, Barbados, and Egypt, will participate in the High Level Segment on “Climate and Poverty”, where he will be expected to deliver a statement. The President is also scheduled to hold bilateral meetings on matters of mutual interest.

President Hichilema is expected to return to Zambia immediately after his engagements.

(Original signed)
Hon. Stanley K. Kakubo, M.P
MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
Charter House
Lusaka
20th June, 2023

ZAMBIA’S DEBT SITUATION LIKELY TO BE DECIDED THIS WEEK

JUNE 20, 2023

Creditors hope to propose a debt restructuring plan for Zambia this week, a source within the Paris Club of official creditors said Monday, after months of hold-up.

The United States has accused Zambia’s biggest creditor China — which according to financial researchers is owed $6.6 billion — of dragging its feet.

The African nation in 2020 became the first on the continent to default on its foreign debt — estimated at $17.3 billion — since the start of the pandemic.

Zambia has since sought help to restructure its debt through a G20 mechanism, which is co-chaired by Paris and Beijing, but implementation has been slow.

The Paris Club is an informal group of official creditors whose role is to find solutions to countries’ difficulties in repaying their debt.

The group will meet Wednesday, a day before an international summit also in the French capital, which aims to find ways to reform global financing for a new era shaped by climate change.

“I think we have done our work at a technical level, now it’s a question of ironing out the last details and being ready to make an offer to Zambia,” the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said.

“We are hopeful we can make an announcement during the summit,” the source added.

“The president of Zambia will be there, the prime minister of China will be there, numbers of creditors from the Paris Club will be there, so hopefully we can be in a position to offer a debt treatment to Zambia.”

“We are close to the finish line,” the source said.

Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema told AFP in an interview last month that the debt is “like a python around our necks, ribs and legs”.

In April, International Monetary Fund managing director Kristalina Georgieva said that she had been given fresh assurances during a trip to Beijing that China supported a debt restructuring programme for Zambia.

Negotiations on restructuring Zambia’s debt — a key step towards unblocking the IMF’s aid plan for the country — have been under way for two years.

(C) THE FALCON

By Mundia Lubinda (Concerned Supplier and Contractor)

The Government should seriously look at the issues surrounding TradeCorp, a South African company supplying goods to Lumwana Mine in the North Western Province. This company has been given preference in all supply contracts at the expense of our local suppliers. Reports say they want to even incorporate a company in Zambia which will be given authority to choose which supplier they can extend inquiries to. A move that is likely to favour foreign owned businesses or those connected to top management. As of now this is the only company that can submit multiple quotations on a tender while locals usually submit one quote per tender as per standard practice.

We are asking PACRA, Competition Commission, and Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) to take interest in this matter. TradeCorp is a company which ships goods through a broker DSV and all invoices are altered by DSV to show that goods were supplied by DSV. DSV is not a supplier but a logistics company, how come they submit an invoice to ZRA for goods supplied by TradeCorp? No wonder Government agencies cannot trace them because they use SDV for imports into Zambia. ZRA must wake up urgently.

ZRA should scrutinize this urgently. Is Lumwana trying to avoid taxes by using TradeCorp/SDV? This is not an issue of cost reduction, this is not the issue of procuring goods and services on a timely basis because TradeCorp are even worse culprits in late deliveries. There is a big cartel, the previous Government was aware about this. We want to make sure that this Government does something urgently. What’s happening is unacceptable and an insult to think that Zambians have no capacity to be engaged in high value procurement at Lumwana Mine.

Just as it is very difficult for Zambians to supply to mines in South Africa, foreign firms should not be allowed to outshine Zambian businesses using underhand methods.

Last time this issue was highlighted by the Association of Mine Suppliers and Contractors (AMSC), Lumwana Mine rushed to sue the leader of local suppliers and contractors. This time, we want the Government to act urgently and invoke the law and cite Lumwana Chief Executive Officer and the Supply Senior Manager for breach of the Mines and Minerals Act.

It is being reported that now there will be Senior Managers where a line Manager will be reporting to. The new Senior Managers will now be authorizing the issuing of work permits for such positions. Why should Lumwana hire a Manager from South Africa when the country has got some graduates wandering the streets and with proper qualifications?

Also we want to know why a TradeCorp personnel was issued with a work permit to work in supply at Lumwana when we have experienced professionals locally. In short, why would a competitor sit with Judges on the same table? This is not making sense unless something fishy is going on.

Mr President sir, there is unfair competition at Lumwana and if the Government does not do anything, we will arrange mass demonstrations to compel Lumwana to follow the country laws.

The office of the president (OP) should also take interest and investigate. Zambia institute of purchasing and supply should also take interest, because their members are only paper pushers, decisions are made by top Management who are favoring TradeCorp and benefiting South African companies

Mr President, maybe you are not aware, TradeCorp are also transporting all cargo to Lumwana from South Africa via DSV, they have also incorporated a company called Kalonga Logistics which is about to replace a local business registered with Lumwana called Hercules.

It is a crime to sideline Zambians, they have set up cartels in South Africa, most companies there are refusing to quote Zambian suppliers because TradeCorp has entered into agreements with them.

Also Lumwana are sharing significant information to TradeCorp, they are even sharing information on quotes from Zambian companies.

Barrick has the same arrangement with TradeCorp in the DRC, so they want to bring it to Zambia.

Mr President, this will make our party unpopular if not seriously looked at.

The question sir you should ask

1. What exactly do Zambians get out of mining (Lumwana), and how can they get more?
2. What MOU has Lumwana and TradeCorp signed and conditions attached to the MOU which is favouring foreign companies, while disempowering the state, unions, workers and citizens.
3. Why are we issuing Work Permits to foreigners coming to do jobs that can be done by Zambians?

Chilangwa faces jail as High Court confirms warrant of arrest

THE Lusaka High Court has re-inforced the possibility of Kawambwa Central PF member of parliament Nickson Chilangwa’s possible stay in jail for absenting from court after ruling that ruling that his warrant of arrest should be effected.

Chilangwa has been in hiding since the Kawambwa Magistrates’ Court issued a bench warrant against for shunning court hearings in a matter he is charged with arson, threatening violence, malicious damage to property, and four counts of assault.

He was jointly charged with his Pambashe Constituency PF counterpart Ronald Chitotela, Chabu Chitotela, Kalumba Chifumbe, Davy Kaniki and Chibwe Musantu.

After being found with a case to answer in the matter, Chilangwa absconded hearings and his absentism did not auger well with Magistrate Martin Namus, who directed that he be put behind bars and appear in court on May 26, 2023 to show cause why he should not be remanded in custody until the case was disposed of.

But instead of showing remorse and justifying his absence on the date which was scheduled for defence, Chilangwa questioned the legality of arrest in the Lusaka High Court.

Chilangwa went into hiding, whilst awaiting his fate to be determined.

In his petition, Chilangwa asked the High Court to stay the warrant of arrest and suspend proceedings pending determination of the complaint which he lodged before the Judicial Complaints Commission against magistrate Namushi for alleged bias.

Chilangwa claimed that he could not appear before court on May 24, 2023 on reasons that he was answering to contempt charges before the Lusaka High Court for masquerading as PF secretary general in a matter where Matero member of parliament Miles Sampa has sued the PF for hounding him out of the party.

He said despite notifying the court that he would not be available on the date of defence, it went ahead and issued a warrant of arrest against him.

Chilangwa sought a declaration that Magistrate Namushi’s directive to the police for his pursuit violates the right to a fair trial and goes against the rules of justice.

Ruling on the matter yesterday, Judge Zulu said although she has powers to make any interlocutory order, it does not extend to an application to stay an interlocutory decision in criminal proceedings before a surbodinate court.

“I find that, as was observed and stated by the Constitutional court in the Bowman Lusambo versus the Attorney General case, Chilangwa’s application before me is a disguised appeal against the issuance of the warrant of arrest, a thing that borders on abuse of court process and must be condemned and discouraged at all costs,” she said.

“Having so found, all the other arguments raised by the petitioner pertaining to the legality of the warrant of arrest and justification for staying the criminal proceedings are rendered otiose.”

Judge Zulu said Chilangwa’s application for an order to stay the warrant of arrest issued by the Kawambwa Magistrates’ Court on May 24, 2023 has failed and dismissed it with costs.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the net effect of this ruling is that the criminal proceedings against the petitioner in the case of the People versus Ronald Chitotela and others must proceed in the Kawambwa surbodinate court as they cannot be stayed by this court pending the determination of the petition before this court,” said judge Zulu.

“Similarly, the warrant of arrest issued by the surbodinate court remains in force and shall so remain until executed or cancelled by the court that issued it as per the provisions of Section 102(3) of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC).”

In relation to the matter before the Kawambwa Magistrates’ Court, Chilangwa and his accomplices during the August 12, 2021 general elections, while acting together assaulted four UPND members, damaged the windscreen of their vehicle, a Mahindra, before setting it ablaze and threatened violence against them.

By Mwaka Ndawa

Kalemba

HARVEST OF KANCHIBIYA’S CDF 2022 FUNDED RICE HARVEST IS LAUNCHED

As area MP Sunday Chanda shares…

“We have officially launched the rice harvesting exercise with the participating cooperatives in Munikashi Ward, Kanchibiya Constituency today.

Our vision is to have the Kanchibiya Rice brand hitting the market as soon as we have completed the value chain processes.

We look forward to communicating the quantities once the harvest is complete.

Accompanying me was the District Agriculture Coordinator (DACO) Mr Mulenga, Senior Agriculture Officer (SAO) Mr Ng’andu, Munikashi Ward Councillor Hon Bwalya, Munikashi WDC Chairperson and CDF Committee Vice Chairperson Mr Mukuka.

Next steps:

1. After harvest, Cooperatives will bulk the rice in readiness for an offtaker at an agreed market prices.

2. Samples of the rice to be showcased in Lusaka on a date and place to be communicated soon.

3. Under the CDF grants Programme of 2023, we shall prioritize applications for a Rice Polishing Machine under Munikashi Ward.

4. Three zones, namely Kapumfi, macheleta and nchubula zones will cultivate a total of 50 hectares of rice under the 2023/2024 farming season using the already existing seed and fertilizer.

5. Mechanization is the only way to go for increased productivity.”

ONLY REGULAR INFANTRY OFFICERS – Deputy Army Commander

19/06/2023

Zambia Army Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff, Major General Geoffrey Choongo Zyeele has cautioned the Officers Selection Board (OSB) members, that the Officer Cadet candidate selection is only meant for young men and women to be trained purely as infantry officers.

Maj Gen Zyeele has emphasised that upon completion of the training, the Officers will be posted to various infantry units where they will remain as infantry Officers and no one will be allowed to change from the corp’s to any other.

He added that candidates must be selected based on merit and that they should be in possession of a grade 12 certificate as stipulated in the advertisement.

The Deputy Army Commander said this at Kohima barracks in Kabwe where he addressed OSB members that no tertiary certificate should be accepted as a basis of selection.

Maj Gen Zyeele said candidates who wish to join the Zambia Army as specialists should wait until an advertisement as regards the same is made available through the media.

The OSB members were selected to conduct the exercise of selectIng candidates from those short listed to undergo Officer Cadet training selection process.

The successful candidates will later be called upon to undergo Officer Cadet training and eventually graduate as Zambia Army commissioned infantry Officers.

OSB is a meticulous process through which candidates who aspire to join Zambia Army as Commissioned Officers have to undergo before they commence actual Officer Cadet training process.

Maj Gen Zyeele further, directed the board members to ensure that the selection process is conducted according to the established rules and on merit.

It is important for members of the public to take note that not everyone (officer or soldier) in the army is a recruiting officer and that Zambia Army does not charge for Recruitment.

Any body asking for money should be reported to Zambia Police Service or military police.

Statement issued by Colonel Martin Kalaluka Liyungu.
Army Spokesperson

AMB.EMMANUEL MWAMBA APPLAUDS MILES SAMPA FOR HIS GOOD GESTURE

Good hearted people are rare in our generation but we thank God that we still have some in our midst despite scarcity.

Last week former Ambassador Emmanuel MWAMBA appreciated Matero Member Of Parliament for his good heart.Miles Sampa last week moved from one police station to the other looking for Amb.Emmanuel Mwamba.After locating him at Emmasdale Police Station, Amb Mwamba appreciated his efforts and thanked him for his visit as it meant a lot to him and his family.

And Mr .Mwamba couldn’t hide this truth as he told his counterpart that he was deeply humbled and honored by Sampa’s visit at Emmasdale Police Station when he was under custody over the allegations flying around social media.

Indeed, Miles Sampa always pours his heart and soul into everything and he doesn’t choose and he is also there for everyone in Patriotic Front and outside green party circle.

Not long ago,Hon.Miles Sampa willingly took up a role of being a surety in Francis Muchemwa’s case, a close allay to former PF secretary General Davies Mwila, when everyone refused to do so including his “best friend” the former Secretary General for PF.

Hon.Miles Sampa’s smile is always genuine and always has good intentions behind every action he takes.He is readily available for anyone, which is not the case with other Patriotic Front Presidential candidates.

We refer to Miles Sampa as “healer”, “friend”, or even “magical”.He’s always there to hug you, and be able to piece you back together after being broken down.Best of all he feels happy when everyone is happy.

Miles Sampa always offers new experience and help in every way possible and be able to see life from a different perspective, he is like “a squirrel that identifies how fertile the soil is”.

It’s not hard to feel deeply connected to Miles Sampa because he is just magical.He has the ability to touch your heart with his pure -intentioned desirable actions and selflessness.

The problem is that many don’t practice kindness frequently and, at times , we don’t appreciate it when others do.One thing is certain: Miles Sampa’s kindness is the “Koh-qi-noor”, a rare gem, a mountain light”opulent diamond.”

Amb.Emmanuel Mwamba’s manifestation shows how good someone is and their few in this world who would come in open and appreciate good people like he did to Miles Sampa after his medical check-up.Much respect to EM too.

Joseph Kazoza

Today at State House, we administered the oath of office to Ms. Kusobile Kamwambi as the Head of the Presidential Delivery Unit (PDU) and Ms. Chipokota Mwanawasa as the Deputy Head.

Additionally, we appointed Ms. Judith Mariana Adeodata Mulenga as the Ambassador to the Republic of France and Mr. George Muhali Imbuwa as the High Commissioner to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

We extended our congratulations to Ms. Kamwambi and Ms. Mwanawasa on their new roles within the PDU. We emphasized the importance of ensuring the effective and efficient delivery of the government’s policy priorities and initiatives.

We encouraged them to leverage their positions and new responsibilities to coordinate, monitor, and drive the implementation of key projects and programs.

Furthermore, we urged Ms. Mulenga and Mr. Imbuwa to effectively promote our vision of economic diplomacy and establish valuable networks with the countries to which they have been assigned. We encouraged them to learn from the developmental experiences of these nations and contribute to fostering mutually beneficial relationships.

Hakainde Hichilema,
President of the Republic of Zambia

COMPLAINT AGAINST POLICE OFFICERS THAT BRUTALISED AND ASSAULTED ME

136/A
Chandwe Musonda Road
Villa Elizabetha
Lusaka

The Secretary,

Police Public Complaints Commission
Head Office
Independence Avenue
P.O.Box 50997
Lusaka,
Zambia

RE; BRUTAL ATTACK AGAINST MYSELF BY POLICE OFFICERS; STEPHEN SIMWENDA, BRIAN CHIPANGO AND OTHERS

I am Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba.

I served as Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa. I also served as Zambia’s Ambassador to Ethiopia.

I also served as Zambia’s Permanent Representative to the African Union and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.

I also served as Permanent Secretary for Northern Province, Eastern Province, Western Province and Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services.

Before that I served as Official Spokesperson and Administrator, for ten (10) years, to Zambia’s Second President, Dr. Frederick Chiluba.

I am currently a member of the Opposition, the Patriotic Front and I hold a position of Member of the Central Committee and Deputy Chairperson of Information and Publicity.

I am also a person of known and fixed abode in Lusaka.

MY COMPLAINT

In accordance with the Police-Public Complaint Commission Act no.18 of 2016, Part III, Section 15-20, I bring the following complaint to your attention.

On Wednesday, 14th June 2023 after 15:30hrs, about 12 men in three unmarked motor vehicles stormed a Car Wash, Jamie’s Car Wash, based on Mosi-O-tunya Road in Chilenje/Woodlands area where I was washing my car.

They immediately approached me and demanded that I accompany them.

I had no way of knowing who these men were especially that they were not in police uniforms, and their cars were not marked as police cars. Further, they had no or did not show any Identification cards as policemen.

Although I recognized one officer as belonging to the Criminal Investigations Department, the unit based at Police Service Headquarters, I couldn’t tell if this was a police operation.

I asked politely why they didn’t issue a Police Call-out, or phone me.I also requested if they could allow me to phone my wife and my lawyer.

This request was met with brutal attacks as they were determined to extract me like an armed and dangerous criminal.

They also didn’t seem to worry about the great public humiliation they were subjecting me to as this was in front of many members of the public and those washing cars witnessing the highly humiliating scenario and ordeal.

Despite offering no resistance and trying to cooperate with them, I was greatly man-handled, brutalised and they later bundled me in one of their cars.

They also proceeded to confiscate mobile phones from some members of the public that were filming the violent scene.

Three people including a pregnant woman were also picked for filming this public incidence.

During this ordeal I sustained injuries on my right thumb, my right wrist, my right shoulder, my left shoulder, the right side of my neck and upper jaw. My tooth was also knocked out.

When we arrived at Police Service Headquarters, I was not informed of what case I was being investigated for.

I was kept for two hours at one of the offices on the first floor of Police Service Headquarters, in an office that acted out as an interview room. I was denied access to my family and my lawyers.

I was also denied access to medical attention despite repeatedly and formally requesting especially for the sharp pain I was experiencing on the right side of my neck.

During interrogations, they seized all contents of my wallets that included my identification cards, NRCs, Bank Cards and Driver’s Licence.

The officers also wanted me to surrender passwords to my mobile phone that they had earlier confiscated.

When I refused to do so I was told that I was failing to cooperate and they began to threaten me with unknown consequences and they promised to punish me.

I was immediately hand-cuffed without cause like a dangerous criminal and later dumped at Emasdale Police Station Police Cells.

The Police Cells are 3 small rooms separating male and female. There were 30 inmates in the small space.

Even when my lawyers and my family located me later in the night, they were denied access to me until the following day after 10;00hrs on the strict instructions by the officers who handled me from Police Service Headquarters.

This was clearly an abduction.

I remained detained there for almost three days.

To clearly cover up the harm inflicted on me, the lead police officer of the operation manufactured assault charges against me, a fraudulent activity that also needs to be subjected to immediate criminal investigations.

MY RIGHT TO INNOCENCE VIOLATED

Articles 18 and 28 of the Republican Constitution of Zambia guarantee me protection of my human rights and to be accorded fairness to the due process of the law. The Constitution also grants me the right to be deemed innocent until proven guilty by a competent court of law.

I was therefore surprised that I was treated as a dangerous criminal by officers keen to abuse the process and the law, and to cause psychological trauma, humiliation and bodily injuries to me.

Further, my repeated requests to be accorded medical access and medical attention while I was in detention were denied.

I was later arrested on charges of alleged forgery and publication of false information, matters that I have strongly denied.

These charges emanated from a press conference held by the Director Spokesperson at the Ministry of Information and Media, Thabo Kawana on Friday, 8th and Saturday, 9th June 2023 shortly after the documents became public.

During this press conference and before any investigations were done, he deliberately singled out those he alleged that they had published the documents.

He emphatically stated that the Patriotic Front through their alleged pages; Patriotic Front and Grindstone Television Facebook pages had published forged documents to cause public alarm. He also named Socialist Party President, Dr. Fred M’membe as onother that had published the documents.

Contrary to these false assertions, the documents were earlier published by many Facebook pages and personalities including prominent members of the UPND and other social-media pages.

This investigation and arrest was therefore predetermined, targeted and directed at me and others to use the false assertions that as a Patriotic Front Member of the Central Committee and as Deputy in charge of Information and Publicity, that I may be associated with those pages despite the strong and available evidence that I did not author, publish, or circulate the documents under investigations.

At the time of writing my complaint letter to you, my bank Cards, my driver’s Licence, my Identification documents have not been released to me and other personal items found in my wallet, despite them not being connected to the case at hand and despite being released on police bond, have not been given to me.

I have brought this complaint against the three officers but also against the whole group for their role especially in harrassing members of the public and confiscating their property during the operation.

I hope that my complaints will be investigated and remedial measures will eventually be done.

Find attached here to my Medical Report and support documents related to the injuries I suffered.

Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba
LUSAKA
19th June,2023

CC; The Director General
Human Rights Commission
36871, Independence Avenue
Lusaka

IT WILL BE VERY DISAPPOINTING IF ZAMBIANS DISCOVER THAT UPND MINISTERS , MPS AND SENIOR OFFICIALS HAVE ACCRUED MORE WEALTH THAN PF MEMBERS SINCE 2021…***

By Stembridge Sikalundu

Pretence has limits and selfishness leads to the downfall , many UPND leaders have distanced themselves from their people and the causes could be in two folds , either they are too rich or simply they have joined the same PF ways of treating the people like nonentities . We have seen the investigation wings probing to know how former govt officials accrued their wealth which is beyond their incomes , some properties have since been siezed by govt , we are very recogniscent that people declared their assets . What can’t be hidden shall always be seen and known .

It is very compelling to know how people can accrue more wealth in less than two years , some properties and business ownerships have just been progressed in less than two years , I recall when zambians expressed the scapticism when assets were declared , but these properties which have mashroomed may backfire some day because they will be comparable to what is being investigated and siezed by govt from PF members .

Is there anything happening which president HAKAINDE HICHILEMA is not aware of ?, have some people discovered a way of amassing wealth behind the president’s view ? .It was hoped that the fight against corruption should not be done after individuals leave office , as the case was in the past regime , it is very important that the investigative wings investigate individuals that are amassing wealth using their positions of influence .

It is important for the president to hold people accountable on the CDF funds as it may be the source of wealth gotten by senior officials , mining activities and the other contractual jobs may be the reason . People are still crying for development , we can’t be blaming officers at the councils without taking particular interest with the influence MP’S are doing on these funds and other activities , a lot is going on in terms of colluding to stiffle these funds. Am very optimistic that very soon many people in UPND will be exposed ,it is just a question of time .

The zambian people are very observant and therefore it will be very disappointing to see leaders in UPND becoming wealthier than PF members in less than five years , this message has the capacity to compromise the principle of the UPND party , the vision of the president and the fight against corruption . History repeats itself and unfortunately citizens easily loses confidence , especially after a difficult and most pathetic experience in the past decade . God bless mother Zambia .

I CRY ZAMBIA IS MY BELOVED COUNTRY

UPND CDF Projects Monitoring- Necessary Undertaking

By Dr. Martin Mushumba

The United Party for National Development (UPND) Secretary General (SG) Hon Batuke Imenda is widely known for being a shrewd, calm, collected, knowledgeable and mature Statesman who loves doing his works in the background. He is hugely adored in the UPND for being the first Secretary General to lead the party into forming government. Simply put, the UPND has a mature Statesman for its Secretary General.

In the last month or so, Hon. Imenda has embarked on a robust agenda to monitor Constituency Development Fund (CDF) projects across the country. Given the manner in which His Excellency President Hakainde Hichilema has reformed CDF to serve as a strategic development initiative, effective monitoring of CDF projects by the government, the community and all interested stakeholders remains very crucial.

Suffice to note that Hon. Imenda has been monitoring the implementation of CDF projects to provide citizens with the information that they need about their CDF and the ongoing government community development programmes. In this regard, he has demanded to know how government officials in various districts have overseen the utilisation of CDF.

The Secretary General has been committed in ensuring that communities make the best possible use of CDF. With the UPND government being up to date with CDF disbursements, Hon. Imenda holds that there was no justification for some constituencies to lag behind.

He has as such continued to ensure that all the constituencies, regardless of the political affiliation of the area Member of Parliament benefitted from CDF. Hon. Imenda has looked beyond politics by putting the welfare of the people first. He has managed to align the party’s manifesto with the government programmes by ensuring that the government implemented the party manifesto for the benefit of the people.

Therefore, to the general public, Hon. Imenda is that servant leader who has assumed the role of protecting the money meant to improve their lives and their communities. To the UPND, he is a leader advancing the party’s development agenda and protecting the UPND manifesto by ensuring that important aspects such as CDF were serving their purpose.

To everyone interested in good governance, Hon. Imenda has distinguished himself as being a passionate development activist concerned with the welfare of the people by ensuring that resources meant for the community were utilised for the intended purposes. He has demonstrated passion for grassroots development in ensuring that those leaders entrusted with the responsibility of managing CDF remained accountable to the people.

It is this kind of work that dignifies Hon. Imenda and amplifies the respect that is attached to his name. Even those in opposition admire his exemplary leadership. The manner in which he has remodelled the role of a party secretary general has been a subject of interest in the political circles. Hon. Imenda has professionalised the role of a party secretary general, and thus setting the bar so high.

Evidently, Hon. Imenda has distinguished himself as a leader who stands for politics of integrity, peace and order. His hand in ending cadreism is evident in the manner he has always challenged the UPND youths to engage themselves in productive activities and not to abuse the privilege of belonging to the ruling party.

Despite some critics challenging his role in monitoring CDF projects, he has ably managed to connect the role of the ruling party in ensuring that its manifesto was effectively implemented by government. From the CDF monitoring results, Hon. Imenda is enthusiastic and buoyed by the rising contribution of CDF to national development.

The author is a Public Policy Analyst

By Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba

THE ABDUCTION

THE SURVEILLANCE

Wednesday,14th June, 2023

When I was driving out of the lawyers’ place, I saw a car parked on the side of the road.

From the days I served as Second President, Frederick Chiluba’s Spokesperson, I have been familiar with tell-tale signs of being subjected to or being a target of both state or private surveillance.

The period I served as Zambia’s Ambassador to South Africa, brought this knowledge in sharp focus, as criminals would trail their victims, sometimes for extended periods.

I drove to Long acres.

When I was done, I started driving towards Ibex Hill. I saw the same car again, a green Toyota Fortuner, parked on the road side. I slowed down to check the occupant.

A man of asian origin was sitted alone on the driver’s side. I slowed down. He was on the phone and the laptop on the passenger side was open.

A second white vehicle, a Toyota Landcruiser Station Wagon short wheel-base, seemed to have joined him parked next to him.

In ordinary circumstances, when you slow down and take interest in checking in a car, the driver does also look up and also check you.

These guys instead pretend to be busy as if they have no interest with whatever is happening around them.

I knew I had a clear trail on my tail. This group was either using geo tagging or were collaborating with my mobile network to know my exact location using my phone number.

I immediately called my wife. She said she was in town. This was now around 15hrs. She said she was driving home. I said: ” let’s meet home”.

I knew if the Police wanted me for whatever reasons, they would issue a police call-out, or phone me or my lawyers.

This developing scenario was ridiculous but dangerous.

“How do you conduct heavy surveillance on someone who is in plain sight and readily available.” I asked myself.

The last few days I had been appearing in public limelight as I was on radio and television stations making our regular media appearances.

Even this time I had been at a radio station in the morning before I drove to the lawyers premises.

THE ABDUCTION

I thought; “let me drive to the car wash in Woodlands so that by the time my car is washed, my wife would have arrived at home”.

I arrived at the Car Wash and parked in the washing bay. I settled in the Shelter and saw an opportunity to catch up on the happenings on social-media.

It wasn’t long before my attention was distracted and drawn to the three cars that had just driven in a convoy and about twelve men came out.

The Car Wash is on near Lewanika Mall on Mosi- O-tunya Road in Chilenje and it is frequently used by the President on his daily trek to-and-from Community House to State House.

Such police or security presence has become familiar to many people that use this road.

I thought this group of men that had stormed the Car Wash was probably using the space to be dropped off and begin their shift for route-lining and surveillance.

But when the men headed straight to our shelter, I realized this was strange, especially with my earlier encounter with the two cars I suspected where trailing me.

I stood up and quickly recognized one man that seems to be leading the unknown group.

I usually visit the Police Service Headquarters and various Police stations and I have become familiar with what appears to be a Crack Squad that has been handling most cases against leaders of the Patriotic Front and other members of the Opposition.

“Guys are you the one trailing me? Are you following me? I asked in a friendly but surprised manner.

“Yes Ambassador, you have to come with us”, he answered with a friendly but evil grin.

“But you could have simply called me, or give me a Police Call-out, is this drama necessary? with three cars and all of you?” I asked but recognizing that this was a serious matter.

“Give me a moment I call my wife and my lawyer”,I politely asked.

The response was swift. I was immediately encircled with the officers determined that such a call would not be made.

Commotion had now ensued with chairs and tables being moved away as the men gathered around me.

I had dialed my lawyer but the line went unanswered.

I moved to the corner to protect myself so that all the officers were in front of me.

I dialed the number for my wife. This was now a fight with my hands being restrained and I was being violently pulled out of the corner.

She answered the phone. Despite the scene and confusion around me, I calmly told her. ” I am at the car wash. But the Police are here to pick me up.”

I think the last words were not spoken in the phone as one officer just violently grabbed my hand and twisted it behind my back.

I kept on asking them;” I is this necessary? Can I please make a call to my lawyer. Can I call my wife?”

They were now trying to lift me.

A crowd had now gathered and I was suffering the worst public humiliation being treated like a dangerous criminal.

I saw a few officers retreat. Then there was commotion in the people watching us.

I realized it was the mobile phones they were interested in as they were trying to stop members of the public from filming to the violent attack on me.

I again asked the lead officer that had grabbed my neck and was trying to lead me to the car.
“Don’t humiliate me You don’t expect me just to follow you. Of all these officers, I can only recognize you. I don’t even know if you are the Police”. Just allow me to call the lawyers”, I pleaded.

At this stage I didn’t have a phone.

I began to walk to their cars but they were determined to lift me.

They pushed me towards the Toyota Corolla.

At the car, I still asked: “Before we go, can I make the call to the lawyers?”

They were now trying to shove me into the car. I stand at 1.89m tall and the car door stands at probably half my height.

This is where were the most violent attack occurred as the officers were trying to lift, were pushing means trying to collapse my body into a baglike posture to push attempt to push me in.

I feared they would break my neck with the pressure being applied there.

I chose to enter the car.
The officers jumped in and I was sandwiched in the middle of them back seat and the Corolla sped off.

My right thumb was painful, my wrist and my shoulders was also in great pain. But it was the sharp pain on my neck that was serious.

I told the officers that what they had done was totally unprofessional.

They had brutally man-handled me, had in the process hurt me and caused huge public humiliation for me.
But of serious worry was the abduction. I didn’t know where we were going and no one knew where I would be.

AT THE POLICE

When we arrived at the Police, they ushered me in an interview room.

When they were all gathered and their superiors had joined in,I immediately registered my complaint about the brutal man-handling and assault done on me.

I also requested to see a doctor especially for the sharp pain in my neck.
I also asked if I could call me lawyer.

At around 20;00hrs after the initial process of investigations, they team drove me back to the Car Wash. They wanted to pick my car.

When we arrived at the Car Wash,there were no cars!

“Ambassador where is the car?”

Now, this was the most ridiculous question. How could I know where the car was?
I leant that apparently, members of the public, had prevented the other officers from taking my car and threatened to beat them up.

We later drove to what I later learnt was Emasdale Police Station.

At 20;30hrs. I was deposited in a police cell, my home for the next two days.

It was a very small space at this stage admitting me, as the 30th inmate.

The Author is former Zambia’s Ambassador to South Africa. He was also Zambia’s Ambassador to Ethiopia. He was Zambia’s Permanent Representative to the African Union and to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.

He is currently a member of the Central Committee of the Opposition Patriotic Front and among the nine presidential aspirants of the party.

SOME OPPOSITION LEADERS HAVE REDIRECTED THEIR FOCUS TO CRITICISE INSTITUTIONS OF GOVT AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO CASTIGATE THE PERSONALITY OF PRESIDENT HAKAINDE HICHILEMA …***

By Stembridge Sikalundu

It is regrettable that some opposition leaders think criticising instituitions of govt may bring about opposition political relevance in Zambia . We have requested them to avoid personalizing their critics on the president because of their own reasons , we have continued to encourage the opposition to be more objective and systimatic on issues that are happening in the country in order to offer meticulous ideas on the need for checks and balances . Since 2021 the course for opposition politics in Zambia has been modeled in such a way that the opposition has been working together in particular to ensure president HAKAINDE HICHILEMA is made unpopular , a motive which was used when the UPND was in opposition until recently , we have seen the UPND govt scoring and pushing a nail on the haters each day that the UPND spends in govt .

We can not forget our history , any country that does not regard the history of it’s nation whether bad or good is a dead one . We were once a one party participatory democracy , and we all understand how institutions of govt operated in this country , since shifting to multiparty politics in Zambia we have seen how some regimes took institutions of govt under siege , elections were compromised , we have been witnesses of how some private media houses were closed and others placed under strict surveillances, the state media was used as a propaganda tool to ensure regimes had special political mileage , freedoms of the citizens were withdrawn with impunity , police brutality , institutions of govt used selective justice , lack of equity distribution of state resources , churches were being funded to silence the voices , none governmental organizations were being threatened with a new law to monitor their fundings . A lot had gone wrong in this country .

How many of these opposition leaders talked and CRITICISED about the diminishing democracy in this country during the times of hell in zambia , people have been found with billions of money in their homes , the opposition is not asking where and how these people acquired the money , but they are blaming instituitions of govt which maintains the treasury on behalf of the zambian people , there was thin Political space which kept president HAKAINDE HICHILEMA confined because of being the frontier in scooping the 2021 general election , opposition leaders faught against president HAKAINDE HICHILEMA to ensure the then ruling party consolidated power , the opposition leaders are free to go by their Political agenda today , if they have failed to match the charismatic leadership style of PRESIDENT HAKAINDE HICHILEMA , instituitions of govt have nothing to do with the politics of this country . The UPND govt has restored dignity and discipline in the nation ,we no longer see some citizens live like second class or orphans in this country , zambia’s identity internationally is now a marvell .

The opposition should tell the nation what the offer is if they form govt and what they are going to do better , president HAKAINDE HICHILEMA has made unprecedented decisions , employing over 50 thousand workers in less than two years , increased CDF funds , introduced free education , bursaries , meal allowances to university students , pension payments normalised , equity distribution of state resources across the country , zambia is a destiny for Capital investment because of good governance , better economic diplomacy and intellectual presentations . Forward we are moving . God bless mother Zambia .

I CRY ZAMBIA IS MY BELOVED COUNTRY