WE CAN’T REPLICATE 2021 VICTORY…HH will get above 3.2m votes, says Mweetwa

By Kombe Mataka

IF we went to elections now, HH will get above 3.2 million votes, says UPND spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa.
Reviewing the UPND’s one year in power, Mweetwa, who is also Southern Province minister, said UPND would amass more votes compared to the August 12, 2021 elections because of what President Hakainde
Hichilema has done.

Mweetwa’s statement is in the wake of a statement recently made by former Copperbelt Province minister Mwenya Musenge that if elections were held today the UPND would lamentably lose.

“And that is honourable Musenge. I agree with him. We can’t replicate that victory. That was a once in a lifetime moment. If we went to elections now, HH will not get 2.8 million votes. He will get above
3.2 million because of what he has done. He promised job creation. He created a conducive, attractive, and predictable business environment in the country for job creation,” Mweetwa said. “We are talking about Nickel Mine Kalumbila , 700 jobs plus. This is a President who has employed 30,496 teachers, 11,200 health workers. Yes not everyone is satisfied because we had 117,000 applicants for teachers and 137,000 applicants for health workers . Whatdoes that tell you? It tells you that these sectors had been neglected. People were busy building mansions, building lodges for themselves and not building for the country. That is why we have to deal with all this mountain of challenges. This is a President who has paid retirees. Those who would go and sing outside the Ministry of
Justice, two months, no one from government would address them. President, first thing, they have been paid. Not all have been paid. We are aware there are some sectors like Zampost. We have already relayed information to the relevant authority, the Minister of Finance and others who are bringing information. That is being addressed. TAZARA workers, arrears paid.

KCM, workers paid. Indeni workers, supplementary budget paid. What else can man do other than doing what is humanly possible? So my elder brother honourable Musenge was provincial chairman for the Copperbelt before he defected to the PF and this you have to note what makes UPND unique is that it has resilient people.” Mweetwa said those who want a quick fix “to
their economy cannot stay in the UPND”. “They jump around and that is why they are outside the boat. He is one of them. Not the boat of PF if you look at salvation of man, it is represented in the olden days,” he said.
Mweetwa said Musenge could be suffering with he called “temporary insanity”.

“This issue I am talking about is honourable Musenge is a political orphan. He jumped from UPND into PF, from PF into NDC. In NDC he antogonised Chishimba Kambwili. Now he is just a political orphan. He is a political pedestrian looking for relevance. Unfortunately in this country, we have a situation where those who speak loudest even when they don’t make sense, but because they speak loudest, you give them headlines like the headline I saw on elections,” he said, when he featured on Prime TV’s Oxygen of Democracy on Monday. “From what I have espoused here, what this country has been able to undergo in the last one year of UPND even if you don’t even talk about teachers, whatever, just the sheer fact that you can invite an opposition leader here, they can talk all they want without fearing that when they go outside there they will find a horde of thugs, criminals that they have to go through the roof like HH did at Sun Radio in Ndola, through the roof because panga-wielding thugs with blazing guns were after his life! HH has transformed Zambia from being a country of pangas to productive. That is what the President stands for. And for all that has been said and done in this country, would you agree with a doomsayer, a drum beater, saying ‘no nothing is happening. If we go for elections HH can’t win’. These are the same people who said such and such a person can never be a president in Zambia. Now that such a person who they said can never be president, is President they are waking to a rude shock. They are now in a state of panic that is why they can speak like that. In law we call that temporary insanity.”
Mweetwa said UPND had forgiven Musenge for his statement.

“During temporary insanity you can commit an offence. You will be forgiven. We forgive Mwenya Musenge. We forgive my sister Saboi Imboela for saying that ‘UPND cadres are broke people.

PF knew how to look after their cadres’. I am picking on her because I respect the role she plays as a role model for the girl child. And I want her to succeed. By the way she was a member of the UPND. The only reason she left UPND is that she was not adopted in Kafue [in 2016]. She had not done her ground work and so she lost at the primary elections and now she is
saying UPND this, UPND that,” he said.

“Right now she is the only one taking after [Edith] Nawakwi. She should take after Nawakwi in terms of being a role model to the girl child not in terms of Nawakwi’s politics of mischief and malice. This is what is
problematic about her.”
Mweetwa said even those that did not vote for President Hichilema were now happy with his leadership.
He said President Hichilema and UPND would not be distracted from working.

“…they are trying to have issues with us when there is no corruption in our government. Those who were involved in corruption like you saw, I should use this with a caveat. You saw the (former) permanent secretary appear before the ACC. You would not see this under PF. People would be shielded if they are taken to ACC (Anti-Corruption
Commission). They will be driving a GRZ vehicle with a flag . Just to do mockery on the citizens, just to shield them from the
amenability of the law,” said Mweetwa.
“…in an air conditioned office at ACC and cadres chanting slogans….”

Hon. Bowman Chilosha Lusambo

Persecution through Prosecution

Given the amount of persecution we have suffered since President Hakainde Hichilema assumed office, we have written to Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Human Rights Commission in Zambia and the European Union delegation in Zambia and several western embassies.

We have alerted the global human rights community on the gross human rights violation we have suffered under a camouflaged anti corruption campaign which for all intents and purposes, is a mere political witch hunt.

We have implored these organisations to take keen interest in deteriorating human rights record and help protect Zambia’s cherished democracy.

Below is a copy of the letter addressed to EU Head of Delegation in Zambia His Excellecy Jacek Jankowski.

StopPersecutions

Below is one of the petitions sent to Human Rights Watch

17th August 2022

Mr. Bowman C. Lusaka
Plot No. Villa SKS S/609/E/44/B/9
Chamba Valley

LUSAKA

Mr. Kenneth Roth
Executive Director
Human Rights Watch
50 Fifth Avenue, 34th floor
New York, NY 10118-3299
USA

Dear Mr Roth,

RE: PERSECUTION THROUGH PROSECUTION

Warm greetings. I write to bring to your attention a matter of grave concern that borders on gross violation of human rights, freedoms and liberties that I have, along with several other former leaders in the PF administration suffered since the UPND assumed office last year.

The administration of President Hakainde Hichilema has launched a full scale persecution of perceived political enemies under the guise of fighting corruption.

The charges levelled against me are trumped up, fictitious and only meant to weaken my political stance. The Anti-Corruption Commission with instruction from State House launched a trial by media campaign by alleging that I owned more than 49 high end properties in several parts of the country. To this day, the ACC has failed to identify those properties and has failed to refute the media allegations. The matters of which I am currently appearing in court for are to do with acquisition of three pieces of land and nothing to do with the grand corruption that has been widely reported.

President Hichilema has on numerous occasions publicly announced that I was a thief despite the matter still in court. My family home was raided by armed police and my young family kicked out whilst I was away on a business trip. I have been detained and remanded in prison on a number of occasions since President Hichilema took over office.

Mr Roth, the so called fight against corruption is but a political witch-hunting expedition aimed at decimating the former ruling party. The insistence by President Hichilema’s administration to prosecute me has also revealed a very desperate pattern by law enforcement officers to attempt to find anything incriminating on me.

Interestingly, after many months of investigations, there has been nothing irregular that links me to the time I served as a Junior Minister for Copperbelt and Lusaka Provinces. The State is now desperately focusing on investigating matters involving my private life, even for periods before I held public office. The construction of our family house which they have been attempting to seize was commenced in 2013, four years before I became a Member of Parliament and Junior Minister for Copperbelt Province.

Mr Roth, following the announcement of the upcoming Kabushi Constituency by-election, the government of President Hichilema has started another round of questioning with the sole purpose of arresting me and knocking me out of the parliamentary race.

With the stated above, it is clear to see that I am a victim of a strong willed persecution drive. It is for this reason that I draw you to the abuse of my individual liberties and freedoms by President Hichilema and his government and wish to appeal to you to use your strong influence and stop this government from using the anti-corruption drive to harm its citizens.

Further, please caution President Hichilema to stop making unwarranted public statements against me as that risks influencing the judiciary on matters that are before court. President Hichilema should also be reminded that I am still innocent until proven guilty by our competent judicial system as provided for by our Republican Constitution.

Yours in defence of freedoms,

BOWMAN LUSAMBO

RECRUITMENT OF WORKERS IN LOCAL GOVT REJECTED

PROMOTE AND UPGRADE QUALIFIED STAFF FIRST

OUR REF: ZUL/54/5/1 18th August, 2022

To: All Provincial and Branch Secretaries Zambia United Local Authorities Workers Union REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA

RE: UPDATE ON THE MEETING WITH THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT SERVICE COMMISSION Please refer to the subject above.

The two Unions (ZULAWU and FIRESUZ) held a meeting with the Local Government Service Commission on Wednesday, 17th August, 2022, to discuss the position or progress on the following issues;

a) Employees with requisite qualifications and experience in light of the pending planned recruitment of employees by the Commission.

b) Division IV employees with requisite qualifications suitable for commissioned positions.

c) Reunion of married couples separated by transfers.

d) The concerns raised by the Unions on some provisions in the New Terms and Conditions of Service. The Local Government Service Commission gave their position on the above matters as follows;

1. The Commission will proceed with the current recruitment process and serving members are encouraged to apply.

2. The current recruitment will fill in the vacancies with qualified personnel and not as per recommendations from Councils.

3. Division IV’s employees who possess the requisite qualifications should be encouraged to apply.

4. The Commission will work with the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development to consider the issues raised by the Unions over the new Terms and Conditions of Service.

5. The matter concerning the reunion of married couples will be extensively considered in due course in collaboration with various stakeholders. The Unions argued and communicated the following as their position;

1. The recruitment process commenced by the Commission is not supported by the Unions due to the following reasons;

a) The Local Authorities have qualified employees to fill in the advertised positions.

b) The Commission has not considered the recommendations for promotions for both Commissioned and Division IV employees submitted by Local Authorities for the last 8 months or more. This should be considered before the positions can be advertised.

c) Employees have used personal resources to advance academically and should be considered first before advertising externally.

2. The process of uniting married Couples should be expedited and the Union is willing to work with the employer by providing additional information to help in the decision making.

3. The Implementation Circular for the new Terms and Conditions of Service should be able to speak to the issues raised as concerns by the Unions.

Therefore, given the above, members will discern that the two parties have different positions on the matter concerning the ongoing recruitment process. However, an assurance is given that further engagements have been arranged to have the matters resolved as soon as possible to the mutual satisfaction of the parties.
Yours in Solidarity,
ZAMBIA UNITED LOCAL AUTHORITIES WORKERS UNION

IT IS A ‘FAIRLY’ ONE YEAR TAKE OFF FOR THE UPND IN POWER.

We have asserted before and still do that the success of President Hichilema and the UPND in Government rest on the honest and sincere interpretation of the vote cast in the 2021 general elections.

Having been a governance stakeholder that has provided biased free issue based checks and balances over the past one year to the new dawn administration, we render our input as follows;

GOVERNANCE: The President and the UPND have made some positive strides in the general governance of the Country. A notable success in this area is the drastic reduction of cadres in public spaces.

ECONOMY: The President and the UPND seem not to know how to proceed economically over the past one year. The cost of living and doing business keep on rising and swinging under the review period. The lack of an national economic plan makes the UPND efforts haphazard.

CORRUPTION: The President and the UPND’s fight against corruption in welcome. However, in the past one year, the fight against corruption smacks of unprofessionalism and gross vindictiveness. Individuals are more charged and prosecuted in the press than in competent courts of law.

POLITICS: The President and the UPND’s one year in power continues to preside over a divided country politically. No tangible strategies have been made to achieve unity of purpose across political divides. No sincere dialogue has been initiated among stakeholders, just public displays of grandeur by the President and party officials.

THE WAY FORWARD: President Hichilema and the UPND in Government must work on THREE (3) R’s to turnaround Zambia’s economic fortunes OVER THE NEXT 4 YEARS:

1. REDUCE THE IMPACT OF THE HIGH OF LIVING ON POOR HOUSEHOLDS: The cost of food, transport and accomodation is escalating beyond many citizens. President Hichilema and UPND must respond with economic policies to enable AFFORDABILITY by our citizens.

2. REDUCE FOREIGN DEPENDENCE OF THE ECONOMY: Zambia is like a man who depends on his neighbour to develop his own household. President Hichilema and UPND must begin to take solid interventions to wean off the local economy from foreign hands. The Pro- west agenda must be measured.

3. REDUCE THE COST OF DOING BUSINESS: High cost of doing business, market instability and fluctuating cost of fuel characterise the current new dawn dispensation. A counter package of local intervention measures by the new dawn is needed to propel local businesses. Local business hold the economy of the country.

President Hichilema and the UPND won the 2021 August General Elections with an overwhelming mandate. They should stop proving themselves to the previous ruling party (PF) and just focus on all the Zambian people.

It is our considered view that the past one year of President Hichilema and the UPND in power has been a some what ‘FAIRLY TAKE OFF’. The UPND must unleash it’s full potential in presiding over our national affairs in all the sectors.

GPZ, Our People First.

Silavwe Jackson
President
GPZ.

Ryan Giggs has denied headbutting his girlfriend, claimed she kicked him in the head, and cried in court as he described a night in a police cell as “the worst experience of my life”.

The ex-Manchester United player denies using controlling and coercive behaviour and assaulting Kate Greville.

Mr Giggs, 48, also denies causing her actual bodily harm, and common assault of her sister Emma.

On his custody, he said: “I was scared, never been in that position before”.

Manchester Crown Court heard a row broke out over messages to other women Ms Greville, 38, found on the former Wales international and manager’s iPad in November 2020.

She left the hotel where they were planning to stay the night, and he decided to go home, the court heard.

When he got there he said he found the dog’s crate in the open boot of his Mercedes car and he removed it.

“I quickly worked out they were trying to take Mac,” he said, adding he was not aggressive.

‘Slipped on bags’

He told the court he wanted to call the police but could not find his phone, thinking Ms Greville had it, which she denied.

Later, he said both slipped on bags on the floor as they tussled over her phone.

Ms Greville was on her back, and he was on top with his head at her waist, he said. He alleged she was kicking him in the head.

“I was protecting my head,” he said, and after six or seven kicks he “got up” and moved away.

He told the court he was not initially aware of Emma Greville being at his home in Worsley, Greater Manchester.

‘It got more and more aggressive’

After finding his phone, he put it in his pocket and did the same with hers. They then grappled in the kitchen as she tried to get her phone back.

He described how they moved around the kitchen island with Ms Greville grabbing for his wrist of the hand in the back pocket with the phones.

“It got more and more aggressive, it was a tug or war and we clashed heads,” he said.

He said she accused him “of hitting her… of headbutting her.”

Mr Daw asked him: “Did you put your hands on Kate’s shoulders and forcefully and deliberately headbutt her in the face?” He denied it.

The court heard Ms Greville moved into his house during the first lockdown in March 2020.

His daughter and her boyfriend were there most of that time, and his son also stayed regularly.

Mr Daw asked about Ms Greville describing lockdown as “hell”..

But Mr Giggs called it “a really happy time from my perspective”. They would “bicker” but had “no big arguments”.

Dishwasher ‘team meeting’

Asked whether he was “particularly keen on dishwasher loading techniques”, Mr Giggs said it would often be on three to four cycles a day due to the number of people in the house.

“I would be opening the dishwasher and the tablespoons would be the wrong way round,” he said.

“It would wind me up because I would have to do it again so I called a team meeting and just said, ‘Everyone, can you please put the tablespoons the right way round’.”

He was asked about an incident at a London hotel when Ms Greville claimed he threw a laptop bag at her head, kicked her out of bed and ejected her naked into the corridor.

He denied doing anything physical to her, said the argument fizzled out and “we more or less made up that evening”.

The court heard they broke up for several weeks around Christmas 2019, but got back together and went on holiday to Dubai in February 2020, where they met her friend Katie Harvey for lunch at a hotel.

He said a row broke out in the taxi as they travelled back to their hotel after they had “been drinking rosé all afternoon”.

He said with “a slip of the tongue”, he called her by his ex-wife’s name Stacey, but said it was not deliberate.

A row escalated and Mr Giggs said he asked her to leave their hotel, before changing his mind as it was just a “stupid argument”.

However, she left and remained in Dubai with friends.

Under cross-examination, Mr Giggs accepted he was a hothead “on occasion” but denied being deceitful, self-centred and selfish.

He also said he sent constant messages to Ms Greville after she tried to break off their relationship, and would turn up uninvited to her home, office and gym.

The trial continues. BBC News

STATEMENT BY POLICE THAT PF CADRES BROKE INTO FORMER PRESIDENT EDGAR LUNGU’S HOUSE UNPROFESSIONAL – SHAKAFUSWA

Thursday 18th August, 2022

We find the statement by the Zambia Police claiming that it is PF cadres who broke into the house of former President, Edgar Lungu and stole 2 television sets very careless, unsatisfactory and quite unprofessional.

For the record, we want to categorically state the fact that the purported suspects that the police claim to have arrested are NOT members of the Patriotic Front. We have checked and verified our Party registers and we can confirm that there are no such names in our records.

It is shocking that the Police could be dragging the name of our Party in the mud when they could have simply reached out to our Party Secretariat to verify whether or not the said suspects are indeed members of the Patriotic Front.

And for the record, we want to make it clear that there are no PF cadres who are found at President Lungu’s residence. The former President has retired from active politics and he has nothing to do with party cadres. Members of the Patriotic Front go to the Party secretariat and not the residence of President Lungu so the police should desist from putting the name of President Lungu into public odium.

The police must pursue suspected criminals for their alleged crimes and not for their purported or perceived political affiliation. It is such unprofessional conduct and utterances that have made the Zambia Police to be ranked among the worst in the World. No wonder up to now they have failed to track and bring to book the criminals that abducted the named mobile money operator. How could they issue a statement attaching criminal suspects to an organisation they don’t belong to when a simple check with the Party Secretariat could have revealed the truth about the identity of the said suspects?

We challenge the police to be professional and not to be used as political tools for propaganda purposes. This is why our people are losing trust and confidence in our police because of such unwarranted statements and unethical conduct by SOME of our men and women in uniform.

The other day, the country was treated to an embarrassing circus at Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) with DEC officers scampering in all directions for dear life when a suspect brandished a gun in their own offices. How can such people who fail to even put a simple metal detector or a simple scanner be trusted with investigative duties of a nation? Shame!

This excuse of a government should instead be exonerating itself and explaining to the Zambians why it is failing to provide security for a former head of state.

We are worried and concerned about the safety and privacy of the former President and we demand that the Government accord him the kind of security and respect he deserves as a former head of state.

Issued by;
Hon Christopher Shakafuswa
PF Provincial Chairman
Lusaka Province

NAKACINDA RUBBISHES CLAIMS THAT ITS PF CADRES WHO BROKE INTO ECL’S HOUSE, STOLE TVS

……advises law enforcement agencies to stop playing politics on behalf of UPND

Lusaka…. Thursday, August 18, 2022 (Smart Eagles)

The quicker government institutions and law enforcement institutions stop playing politics on behalf of UPND, the better for them, PF Chairperson for Information and Publicity Raphael Nakacinda has advised.

Following a statement by the Police that the thieves who broke into former president Edgar Lungu’s house are PF cadres, Hon Nakacinda said the law enforcement need to be professional.

He in an interview with Smart Eagles that the police are being petty.

“Mr Kajoba, the statement is political and its nonsensical, it’s not expected to come from the police IG. It is also laughable because as far as we are concerned, there is no way we can have a former Head of State’s residence broken into with the State security there and then today you come and say it’s because of PF cadres that frequent that area,” he said.

“The screening process at the residence of the former president is the same standard as that of State House. Nobody just moves at any given time. That was a criminal act and we believe because of the courage and how it was executed, it can only be professional individuals. Mr Kajoba is playing politics on behalf of the UPND.”

Hon Nakacinda has challenged the police to produce pictures of those individuals who have been implicated in the matter.

“The reason I am saying it is laughable is because one, the Patriotic Front, you know that our membership is identified by registers. We don’t have party cards. So anybody can be stage manage and say it is PF. But we also know each other in PF because we are a family that has existed for close to 20 years. And to that effect, can you produce pictures of those individuals and tell us why you think they are PF cadres,” he said.

“And since when does Mr Kajoba know all members of the PF that he would identify those thieves and say they are the ones that stole those televisions. So let them stop this nonsense of playing politics.”

Clever Mpoha is not and has never been Director or Shareholder of African Security Academy as alleged by the ACC says African Security Academy.

LUSAKA, 18 August, 2022 (SMART EAGLES)

The African Security Academy has dispelled allegations from the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) that Mr Clever Mpoha of Savenda Group and Companies is a shareholder and direction of African Security Academy.

In a Statement released by the Anti Corruption Commission yesterday Mr. Clever Mpoha Director and Shareholder of Savenda Group of Companies was arrested and charged with three counts of corrupt practices.

According to the ACC, “Mr Mpoha is a Shareholder and Director of two other companies namely Eagle Trading International and African Security Academy (ASA) of Zambia.”

“The arrest comes in the wake of a contract which was single sourced and signed between the Ministry of Defence and African Security Academy (ASA) of Poland for the financing and purchase of military uniforms for the Zambia National Service at a contract sum of US$47million.
Investigations have revealed that Mpoha’s company, African Security Academy was the representative here in Zambia of the parent African Security Academy of Poland and financial transactions were facilitated through Mpoha’s other company Eagle Trading International.”

However, a document obtained by Smart Eagles has revealed that African Security Academy has refuted these allegations that Mr Mpoha is a Shareholder not a Director at African Security Academy.

“The African Security Academy of ilzecka Street 26 00130 Warsaw Poland, wishes to state that Mr Clever Mpoha is not and have never been director or shareholder of the African Security Academy Poland which was awarded a contract to supply military uniforms for the Zambia National Service contract No. MPC 032-16”

“In regards to the system that the Africa Security Academy was fraudulently paid and outside the budget line, we wish to state that we did receive a letter (MF/IDM/4/6/1) from the Ministry of Finance which was headed by then Minister Felix Mutati on 14th of December, 2016 and was signed by then Secretary to the Treasury Fredson Yamba stating ‘We wish to confirm that the general revenues of Zambian shall be utilized to pay for the debt service for both principal and interest. Kindly note that above condition is in line with part ii, section 5(1) of the loans and guarantees (authorization) Act, Cap 366 which indicates that all debt charges arising from the raising of the loan under this Act shall be charged on the general revenues of the Republic of Zambia. Further I wish to confirm that Government has provided this project in the National budget”

The Academy has continued to state that as per the Government and contract condition 25% was to be paid but because of the confidence in the government, the company delivered the merchandise before the 25% was paid and to this effect government was issued with two invoices #01/01/19 valued at $679,090 and second invoice #01/02/19 valued at $1,251,910 were delivered to both Government and ZNS command.

The Statement was signed by the African Security Academy Chief Executive Officer Mr. Dariusz Prigan and co signed by Mr. Roy Musonda the Country Director of the Academy, and copied to 14 Government institutions including State House and Office of the President.

Benjamin Mendy used a ‘fingerprint touchscreen’ to lock a woman in a bedroom of his £3million mansion before allegedly raping her, a court today heard.

In graphic testimony at Chester Crown Court, the woman, 24, revealed how she begged to the £52million Manchester City ‘I want to go home’ before he allegedly raped her.

The court heard how she had followed the 28-year-old French international into the room after he snatched her phone from her hands.

She said once inside, Mendy closed the door to the bedroom, which she told the court was fitted with a special locks and could only be entered using fingerprint technology.

The woman also told the court how Mendy bragged that he had had sex with ’10,000 women’ as he raped her.

Giving evidence in the trial, in which Mendy is accused of eight counts of rape, one of attempted rape and one of assault, she said: ‘He (Mendy) took my mobile phone off me and I followed him up two flights of stairs to try and get it back.

‘I was saying “that’s my phone, I want it back.” He was going through it looking at private pictures of me that I’ve sent before.

‘He saw pictures of my bum and was saying how much he liked it and he also said he liked my tits.’

Referring to Mendy’s bedroom, she said: ‘It was a big wooden door that had a black handle, like you have in a hotel. It had some kind of touch screen finger print thing on it.

‘I followed him in to get my phone then the door shut behind me. I said listen, I want to go home, I don’t want to have sex with you.’

The incident took place in October 2020 after the woman met Mendy and a group of friends in Alderely Edge and was then then invited back to his mansion for a party.

She was sitting in the basement of his home close to the swimming pool sending messages on Snapchat when Mendy snatched her phone from her.

The woman, 24 revealed that once in the room Mendy asked her to remove her clothing.

She said: ‘He said he just wanted to look at me. He said: “I promise, I won’t touch you. I just want to see your tits.

‘He said again, I promise, I just want to look at you. You can’t get out any way.’

The woman revealed that she reluctantly took off her clothes because she wanted to get her phone back and go home, she was just left standing in a thong.

Mendy then threw her mobile phone onto the bed and as she bent over the pick it up, the footballer grabbed her from behind.

She said: ‘He came around behind me and pushed me on the bed so I was on all fours.

‘I told him: “No. I don’t want to have sex with you.” He said he would not touch me, he just wanted to feel me.

‘I was on all fours with my bum in the air. He was pulling my bum towards him and I kept saying “I don’t want to have sex with you.”’

The woman revealed that Mendy then moved her thong to one side and first raped her vaginally.

She said: ‘He moved my thong to one side and said that he wanted to put his tip in for a minute. I was trying to wriggle to get free but he had a hold of me. He kept on coming back.’

The woman’s evidence was video recorded and played to a jury of eight men and four women.

She said: ‘Then he started to put his penis into my bum. I said I don’t want to do that. I told him that my sister is waiting for me, I need to go, she’s probably looking for me.

‘He had his pants down fully, his top off and three diamante chains around his neck.

‘Then he said: “Put it (Mendy’s penis) in your mouth.” I put his penis in my mouth but I was trying to pull away.

‘He said: “You’re too shy. I’ve had sex with 10,000 women.”

The woman revealed that she met Mendy at a restaurant called Panacea in Alderley Edge and that it was a Sunday evening.

Mendy was accompanied by three friends while she was with four female friends and they started chatting and drinking with the footballer’s group.

The woman revealed that at around 10.30pm as the restaurant was about to close, Mendy and his group invited them back to The Spinney, his mansion.

She told the court that she did not know that Mendy was a Premier League footballer when she first met him at the restaurant.

Following the rape, the woman said that she put on her clothes and that Mendy left the bedroom.

She said: ‘I just wanted to stay calm, get out and not cause a scene. I just put on my clothes and went out.’

The woman told the court that she confided in her sister and a colleague about what had taken place at Mendy’s mansion and that she also referred herself to a rape crisis centre as she has suffered trauma.

The woman told the officer interviewing her at Macclesfield Police Station that after raping her three times, Mendy said to her: ‘Don’t tell anyone and you can come here every night.’

The woman provided details of Mendy’s bedroom, claiming that it was lined with wood, had an en suite bathroom and a large bed which had a blue and gold Versace pillow.

She said that Mendy was dressed in chocolate coloured trousers, a black top and was wearing three diamante chains around his neck.

Asked about the impact of the attack, she said: ‘The hardest thing is how many times I said no, it makes me upset. I felt petrified after it happened.’

Yesterday, one woman, giving evidence in the trial, said how Mendy ‘had a predatory look in his eye’ before exposing his penis and trying to rape her.

The woman said the footballer ‘pushed’ her down onto a bed and tried to hold her on his lap.

Asked how she felt as Mendy was holding her down, the woman told the court: ‘Out of control. I was not in a place familiar to me. I was in a different territory and it was his.

‘He was surrounded by all his friends. I had no one else there. I kept saying ”stop” and ”no”. That was not heard and I felt a bit voiceless which is probably why I didn’t scream. I just had millions of questions.’

Mendy is accused of eight counts of rape, one count of attempted rape and one count of sexual assault, relating to seven young women.

IF BULLDOZER IS TO BE ARRESTED, IT IS A TOTAL POLITICAL MOVE – NAKACINDA

………as he slams the ACC for alleging that Hon Lusambo involved himself in bribery during the 2021 elections

Lusaka…. Thursday, August 18, 2022 (Smart Eagles)

If Hon Bowman Lusambo is to be arrested, on the grounds so far ACC is talking about, it is a total political move to basically just try and disfranchise him, Hon Raphael Nakacinda has said.

The PF Chairperson for Information and Publicity slammed the ACC for alleging that the former Lusaka Province Minister involved himself in bribery during the 2021 elections.

Hon Nakacinda maintained when he addressed the media in Lusaka yesterday that there is a scheme by the UPND directed from the Community House to find something they will use to try and block Hon Lusambo from contesting the Kabushi Seat and Hon Joseph Malanji from contesting the Kwacha seat.

“I have a record of proceedings in the matter that involved Hon Lusambo as petitioned in the High Court as well as in the Constitutional Court. Because as exposed, four days ago, that there is a scheme by the UPND directed from the community house to find something they will use to try and block Hon Lusambo from contesting the Kabushi Seat. And also Hon Malanji from contesting the Kwacha seat,” he said.

“The injustice that has been occasioned to Hon Malanji as well as Hon Lusambo is well known. And the Zambian people have spoken loudly. And the continued injustice that is occasioned to them, we are determined to have it exposed. The reason we have obtained the raw code of proceedings is to study line by line to appreciate and understand what the ACC are attempting to do.”

Hon Nakacinda claimed that people have been making wild allegations regarding the duo.

“Yesterday the ACC were alleging that Hon Lusambo involved himself in bribery during the 2021 elections. he bribed the church, the catholic church, he bribed a number of people including what alleged people that defected from UPND to Patriotic Front at a time,” he said.

“We want to see the testimony of each witness. So far what we have discovered are people making wild allegations. Some of them suggesting that there was a donation to a church in 2020, which was not an election year. Some of them alleging that Mr Lusambo, through another person they called a campaign manager gave money to people and not Mr Lusambo himself. And when they were questioned, they were discovered to be a boyfriend and a girlfriend and later admitted within this same record that they were lying before the court.”

He has however challenged Mr Musa Mwenya, the Chairman of ACC and test on Mr Gilbert Phiri to prove whether or not these they have been appointed to ACC as political tools or indeed they are going to apply their ethics and professionalism in dealing with each matter including those that involve politicians.

“If Hon Lusambo is to be arrested, on the grounds so far ACC is talking about, it is a total political move to basically just try and disfranchise him. What they said yesterday and what we have discovered in these records of proceedings doesn’t really make sense……we will continue studying and we are hoping that by tomorrow we will understand what was going on in the High Court as well as in the Constitutional Court,” he said.

“So I want to call upon Mr Musa Mwenya, State Counsel, Mr Gilbert Phiri, you are still fresh in that office. set a standard of professionalism. Don’t dance to political maneuvers. If you start by dancing to political maneuvers, you would have already soiled your position as Director General ACC as well as Chairman of the board of ACC.”

SmartEagles2022

ACC ARREST FORMER DEFENCE PS, STARDY MWALE

FORMER MINISTRY OF DEFENCE PS STARDY MWALE ARRESTED FOR CORRUPTION

The Anti-Corruption Commission has arrested former Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Defence Stardy Mwale for corrupt practices involving K8,500,000.00 Mwale, 51, of Flat 21 Eureka Park in Makeni, has been charged with two counts of Corrupt Practices by Public Officer contrary to Section 19(1) as read with Section 41 of the AntiCorruption Act no. 3 of 2012. He has also been charged with one count of Possession of Property Reasonably Suspected to be Proceeds of Crime contrary to Section 71 of the Forfeiture of Proceeds of Crime Act No. 19 of 2010 and one count of Conflict of Interest contrary to Section 28 as read with Section 41 of the Anti-Corruption Act No.3 of 2012.

Investigations have established that between 1st March 2018 and 30th June 2018, Mwale, whilst being a public officer, namely Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Defence, did corruptly solicit and actually attempted to receive US $200,000 from Eagle Trading International, a representative of African Security Academy, a company engaged by the Ministry of Defence to finance, supply and deliver military uniforms for the Zambia National Service.

The money was to be paid into an account of the Australian owners of Simonga Farm located in Chikankata District, which farm Mwale had purchased. The said money was an inducement or reward for having facilitated the signing and payment of the said contract. It has been established that between the same period, Mwale, whilst being a public officer, namely Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Defence, did corruptly solicit and actually received US $200,000 from Eagle Trading International, a representative of African Security Academy, a company engaged by the Ministry of Defence to finance, supply and deliver military uniforms for the Zambia National Service.

The money was paid into an account of the Australian owners of Simonga Farm located in Chikankata District, which farm Mwale had purchased. The said money was an inducement or reward for having facilitated the signing and payment of the said contract. Investigations have also established that between 1st January 2017 and 30th December 2017, in Lusaka, Mwale was in possession of K2,500,000.00 in his personal bank account, funds suspected to have been proceeds of crime. Further, between 1st August 2017 and 1st October 2020, Mwale , without declaring interest into the matter, did engage the Ministry of Finance to secure and facilitate the payment of US $1,675,497.76 to African Security Academy, as arrangement, management and insurance fees towards uniforms to the Ministry of Defenc e .

The action the contract was prejudicial to the supply of military interest of Defence, a public body.

The Commission has since seized of the Ministry Simonga Farm and the Zambia National Service has been engaged to manage it. Mwale was released on bond and is expected to appear in court soon.

TIMOTHY MOONO

PUBLIC RELATIONS MANAGER

The Monetary Policy Rate has been maintained at 9.0%. . BoZ

This decision was arrived at by the Monetary Policy Committee at its Meeting held on August 15 – 16, 2022.

The Committee considered the sharp deceleration in inflation in the second quarter and a further projected decline into the 6-8% target range during the first quarter of 2024.

Sustained implementation of fiscal consolidation and structural reform measures, supported by the Extended Credit Facility from the International Monetary Fund, are among the key factors expected to contribute to lower inflation.

The Committee, however, noted upside risks to the inflation outlook that include persistently elevated energy prices, higher than expected maize prices, adverse weather conditions, tight global financial conditions, and weak demand as well as supply chain disruptions that could stem from pandemic containment measures.
Inflation declined for the third consecutive quarter to an average of 10.5% from 14.1% in the previous quarter.

Dissipation of base effects to prices of chicken and charcoal, appreciation of the Kwacha against the US$ and improved supply of vegetables accounted for the decline.
In June, domestic credit growth slowed to 6.8%, year-on-year, compared to 11.5% in March.

This was largely attributed to the reduction in lending to Government and contraction in private sector credit.

Gross international reserves marginally increased to US$3.0 billion (3.7 months of import cover; US9.8 billion of imports) at end-June, 2022 from US$2.9 billion (3.6 months import cover; US$9.4 billion of imports) at end-March. Over the forecast horizon, inflation is projected to decline to averages of 11.4% and 8.4% in 2022 and 2023, respectively, from the outturn of 22.1% in 2021. In the first half of 2024, inflation is expected to average 7.0%.

During the quarter under review, the Kwacha appreciated by 3.4% against the US Dollar to an average of K17.15/$. The Kwacha’s strength arose mainly from increased supply of foreign exchange.

Positive market sentiments arising from stronger prospects of securing an IMF Extended Credit Facility also contributed to the observed appreciation of the Kwacha.

Total supply of foreign exchange to the market during the quarter was US$2,128.3 million out of which the Bank of Zambia received US$494.0 million (23.2%) through mining taxes. In order to manage periodic exchange rate volatility in the face of increased prices of petroleum products and fertiliser following the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the Bank provided US$424.0 million back to commercial banks.

Decisions on the Policy Rate will continue to be guided by inflation forecasts, outcomes, and identified risks, including those associated with financial stability. The next Monetary Policy Committee Meeting is scheduled for November 21 and 22, 2022.

BOZ

Jurors at R. Kelly’s trial in Chicago will be shown a graphic video of the disgraced singer allegedly having sex with 14-year-old girl.

The R&B star, 55, who is already serving a 30-year prison sentence, is charged in federal court in his hometown of Chicago with enticing of minors for sex, producing child pornography, and rigging his 2008 pornography trial at which he was acquitted.

U.S. Assistant Attorney Jason Julien said during opening statements on Wednesday August 17, that much of the world knew Kelly by his hit song ‘I Believe I Can Fly’ but argued that was ‘Kelly’s public side.’

‘Kelly had another side … a hidden side, a dark side,’ he said. ‘This trial is about Kelly’s hidden side.’

Julien sought to give jurors a sense of the scale of Kelly’s alleged exploitation, saying he ‘repeatedly’ had sex with girls who were just 14, 15 and 16 years old – ‘multiple girls, hundreds of times.’

The trial comes after Kelly was jailed for racketeering and sex trafficking in June, when he was found guilty of sexual abuse which spanned over decades. He was being held at a Brooklyn jail and was recently transferred to Chicago’s Metropolitan Correctional Center.

Lawyers for two of Kelly co-defendants will address jurors before the government begins calling witnesses later on Wednesday. Prosecutors have not said who they will call first.

The trial is expected to last about a month.

This trial is centered around the accusations that Kelly enticed minors for sex, produced child pornography, and fixed his 2008 state child pornography trial at which he was acquitted.

One central focus of the trial this month will be on whether Kelly threatened and paid off a girl with who he allegedly videotaped himself having sex with.

Kelly was about 30, and the girl was no older than 14.

That is the allegation underpinning another of the charges against Kelly, conspiracy to obstruct justice.

Jurors in the 2008 child pornography trial acquitted Kelly, with some later explaining that they felt they had no choice because the girl did not give evidence.

The woman, now in her 30s and referred to in court filings only as Minor 1, will be the government’s star witness.

When she gives evidence, prosecutors explained in court Monday, that they will not use her real name and will not refer to her as Minor 1. Instead, they will call her by a single pseudonym, Jane.

The disgraced singer was handed a 30-year sentence earlier this year on charges that he used his fame to sexually abuse other young fans.

Kelly spent more than a year being held at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center. Immediately following his sentencing, he was placed on suicide watch.

The US Attorney’s Office in Brooklyn filed court papers saying Kelly remained on suicide watch ‘for his own safety,’ following a psychological assessment.

Kelly’s attorney, Bonjean, filed a lawsuit alleging prison officials placed Kelly on suicide watch ‘solely for punitive purposes and because of his status as a high-profile inmate.’

Bonjean argued the measure was in violation of Kelly’s Eighth Amendment rights as he had no thoughts of harming himself. The suicide watch was eventually lifted.

He was convicted of sex trafficking and racketeering charges last September, following a six-week trial that amplified the accusations. He has denied wrongdoing.

The ‘I Believe I Can Fly Singer’ committed the heinous acts for decades before he was convicted.

During the sentencing, the judge said Kelly created ‘a trail of broken lives,’ adding that ‘the most seasoned investigators will not forget the horrors your victims endured.

‘These crimes were calculated and carefully planned and regularly executed for almost 25 years,’ she said. ‘You taught them that love is enslavement and violence.’

Lizzette Martinez, one of the victims at the June hearing, said she doesn’t think Kelly’s sentence is enough ‘but [was] pleased with it.’

Martinez described herself to the reporters as an ‘up-and-coming singer, a girl full of life’ before she met R Kelly and became ‘a sex slave.’

Ryan Giggs and his ex-girlfriend made explicit videos together and had a ‘healthy sex life’ which sometimes became ‘rough’, a court today heard.

Giving evidence in his domestic assault trial, the former Manchester United star, 48, said he and ex-partner Kate Greville recorded X-rated videos during their relationship.

Asked by his lawyer, Chris Daw QC, about their sex life, Giggs replied: ‘It was the same as always. We had a healthy sex life and sometimes it could get rough.’

When asked what he did with the videos when he and Ms Greville were going through an off period, Giggs told the court that he deleted them from his phone.

The former Wales winger also said that when he and Ms Greville would rekindle their romance that she would then send them to him again.

Today Giggs also told jurors how he had argued with Ms Greville at Winter Wonderland after she accused him of ‘flirting’ with a ‘very attractive’ sports presenter during a Christmas night out.

He said Ms Greville became ‘uncomfortable’ after he was paired with the unnamed TV presenter during a corporate crazy golf event for his agent’s company.

The group, which also involved cricket stars, then moved to Winter Wonderland in London’s Hyde Park where they had a table of 20 booked in the Munich-style German beer hall.

But Giggs today told the court he began arguing with Ms Greville during the party after she accused him of ‘flirting’.

Speaking about the incident, he told jurors: ‘I got paired with a lady who’s a sport presenter. Kate got paired with someone else. Kate felt uneasy with who she was paired with.

‘She wasn’t happy I was paired with a sport presenter, understandably. She didn’t know many people there. It would have been a couple of hours, having a few drinks.’

Giggs was asked why she was ‘uncomfortable’, prompting Giggs to say that the woman he was paired with ‘was an attractive lady’.

Giggs said Ms Greville later accused him of flirting with the sports presenter – something he denied – and that they had an argument about it. Mr Daw asked: ‘Had you (flirted) on this occasion?’

Giggs replied: ‘No. I was at one end of the table speaking to my agent and a few cricketers I knew and the other end were a group of girls who worked for the agency, and the sports presenter I mentioned.

‘I thought we were getting on fine. I said (to Kate) ‘is everything OK?’ and she said ‘no, not really’, which surprised me.

‘She just accused me of flirting with the girl which I was not. We were at opposite ends of the table. She said ‘you kept looking at her, I was watching you, you were definitely flirting’.’

The court heard the row, in December 2019, led to an argument at the Stafford Hotel in London, where Ms Greville claims he threw a bag at her head with a laptop on it, kicked her out of bed and ejected her naked into the corridor.

It comes after Giggs yesterday admitted in court to being a ‘love cheat’ who can ‘never’ resist an attractive woman as he admitted to cheating on his first wife with Kate Greville following his ‘very public’ affair with his sister-in-law.

While in the witness box, the ex-footballer admitted to being ‘a flirt by nature’ who has ‘never’ been faithful to any of his former girlfriends.

In a candid summary of his love life, the ex-Premier League star admitted that he is ‘never’ able to resist an attractive woman – regardless of whether or not he is in a relationship.

He also told jurors that he had been unfaithful to his ex-wife, Stacey Giggs during a ‘very public affair’ – referencing his eight-year fling with his sister-in-law that saw her fall pregnant – and a later entanglement with now ex-girlfriend Kate Greville, an affair he admitted allowed him to ‘have his cake and eat it’.

However, he strongly denied ever attacking Ms Greville, who has accused him of ‘headbutting’ her during a row at his £1.7million mansion.

When asked if he had ever had ever assaulted a woman, Giggs replied: ‘No’.

The former Wales midfielder’s ‘love cheat’ admission came as he began giving evidence in his domestic assault trial.

Giggs is accused of assaulting ex-partner Ms Greville and her sister Emma during an incident at his home in Worsley, Greater Manchester, in November 2020.

He denies the charges, as well as using controlling and coercive behaviour towards ex Kate during their ‘toxic’ six-year on-and-off relationship, and is currently on trial at Manchester Crown Court.

Today Giggs entered the witness box for his second day of evidence over allegations of assault and controlling behaviour.

His barrister Mr Daw asked Giggs, wearing a grey suit and standing to face the jury, whether he had ever been sent off in the more than 1,000 matches he played in his 24-year career.

Giggs replied: ‘Once for Wales. It was for two bookable offences.’ He said it was ‘part and parcel’ of being a footballer to be wound up and verbally abused on the pitch.

Mr Daw asked: ‘On any occasion did you react to any of that with violence?’ ‘No,’ replied Giggs.

Giggs also told the court he and Kate Greville had a healthy sex life and that sometimes it could get rough.

Giggs was asked about a message including a picture of him with the word ‘Bully’. He told the court the message was ‘a joke’ after he had a scratch on his neck from sex.

The court heard Ms Greville replied: ‘Oops, sorry baby. I have a bruise on my arm but you can’t see it because I’m so brown.’

Asked by Mr Daw about the nature of Giggs’ and Ms Greville’s sex life during this time, Giggs said: ‘The nature was the same as it had always been – a healthy sex life and sometimes it could get rough.’

Mr Daw also asked Giggs about an allegation that he was putting more pressure on Ms Greville to have sex. He replied: ‘Whenever we had sex it was always mutual.’

Mr Daw went through a series of messages between Giggs and Ms Greville in 2017. A message from Ms Greville to Giggs said: ‘I want you so badly. Rough xx.’ Giggs replied: ‘Do you? I’m scared of hurting you.’

Ms Greville said: ‘I want it to hurt a little, not in a weird way, I just want you to shock and surprise me.’

In response to a message from Giggs that it was ‘a fine line,’ Ms Greville then said: ‘We’ll just have to have fun finding that line then.’

Asked by Chris Daw QC about whether the pair had an equal interest in rough sex, Ryan Giggs replied: ‘From this exchange it looks like Kate, but throughout the relationship it was just mutual.’

The court heard that Giggs and Ms Greville frequently made sex videos together during their tumultuous on-off relationship.

When asked what he did with the videos when he and Ms Greville were going through an off period, Giggs told the court that he deleted them from his phone.

He also said that when he and Ms. Greville would rekindle their romance that she would then send them to him again.

As part of the evidence, Giggs was today asked about an incident at the Stafford Hotel in London in December 2019 in which Ms Greville claims he threw a bag at her head with a laptop on it, kicked her out of bed and ejected her naked into the corridor.

He told the court the couple had earlier travelled down for his agent’s Christmas party which included a mini-golf tournament, a trip to Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park and a visit to a nightclub.

A draw took place for the golf event as Giggs was paired with a female sports presenter, who he described as an ‘attractive lady’.

Ms Greville was not happy, he said, and they swapped golfing partners to play alongside each other.

The party of about 20 people moved on to Winter Wonderland where a table had been booked at a Bavarian beer garden tent.

Ryan Giggs told the court Kate Greville later accused him of flirting with the TV presenter he had been paired with for the golf.

Mr Daw asked: ‘Had you on this occasion?’ Giggs replied: ‘No. I was at one end of the table speaking to my agent and a few cricketers I knew and the other end were a group of girls who worked for the agency, and the sports presenter I mentioned.

‘I thought we were getting on fine. I said (to Kate) ‘is everything OK?’ and she said ‘no, not really’, which surprised me. She just accused me of flirting with the girl which I was not. We were at opposite ends of the table.

‘She said ‘you kept looking at her, I was watching you, you were definitely flirting’.’

Ryan Giggs told the jury: ‘I was slightly embarrassed we were arguing. I left on my own. I walked to the club where we going next. It was a long walk.’

Giggs stood down in June as manager of the Wales national team following a period of leave since November 2020.

During his time at Old Trafford, Manchester United won 13 Premier League titles, two Champions League trophies, four FA Cups and three League Cups.

He won 64 caps for Wales and is co-owner of League Two side Salford City.

Giggs met Ms. Greville in 2013 after she helped promote his Hotel Football venue, launched with ex-United teammate Gary Neville.

He divorced his wife Stacey in December 2017 and later found love again with lingerie model, Zara Charles, 33.

The trial continues.

PRESS RELEASE SAVENDA GROUP OF COMPANIES DIRECTOR AND SHAREHOLDER CLEVER MPOHA ARRESTED FOR CORRUPT PRACTICES

The Anti-Corruption Commission has arrested Clever Mpoha, Director and Shareholder of Savenda Group of Companies for corrupt practices involving US $927,448.00 Mpoha, of flat F104 Bank of Zambia Flats in Fairview, Lusaka, has been arrested and charged with three counts of corrupt practices.

Mpoha is a Shareholder and Director of two other companies namely Eagle Trading International and African Security Academy (ASA) of Zambia.

The arrest comes in the wake of a contract which was single sourced and signed between the Ministry of Defence and African Security Academy (ASA) of Poland for the financing and purchase of military uniforms for the Zambia National Service at a contract sum of US$47million.

Investigations have revealed that Mpoha’s company, African Security Academy was the representative here in Zambia of the parent African Security Academy of Poland and financial transactions were facilitated through Mpoha’s other company Eagle Trading International.

Consequently, in the first count, Mpoha has been arrested and charged with corrupt transaction by a private person contrary to section 20(2) as read with Section 41 of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 3 of 2012.

Investigations have revealed that between 1st March 2018 and 30th June 2018, Mpoha, through his company Eagle Trading International, attempted to pay US $200,000 into the bank account of the Australian owners of Simonga Farm in Chikankata District, for and on behalf of Mr Sturdy Mwale, former Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Defence, as part payment for the purchase of the said farm.

Mpoha was in the second count arrested and charged with corrupt practices with by private persons contrary to Section 20(2) as read with Section 41 of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 3 of 2012. Details are that Mpoha, through his Eagle Trading International, offered and actually paid US $200,000 into a bank account for the Australian owners of Simonga Farm on behalf of Sturdy Mwale as part payment for the purchase of Simonga Farm for facilitating the signing of the contract by Sturdy Mwale.

The payment was an inducement or reward for Sturdy Mwale for the supply of military uniforms for the Zambia National Service In the third . count, Mpoha has been arrested and charged with reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime contrary to Sectio possession of property n 71(1) of the Forfeiture of Proceeds of Crime Act No. 19 of 2010.

Details are that Mpoha, being a shareholder and Director in African Security Academy , did receive a total of US $527,448, funds which were fraudulently paid by the Ministry of Finance as pa fees for the delivery of the subject contract payment of the arrangement.

The funds were paid by the Ministry of Finance outside the budget line of the uniforms despite that the contract was to be financed by the supplier

Mpoha is expected to appear in court soon.

Timothy Moono PUBLIC RELATIONS MANAGER

BALLY IS LYING

…..Mourinho reacts to HH’s claim that he refused to append a signature for the purchase of Presidential vehicles costing US$1.3 million

Lusaka…. Wednesday, August 17, 2022 (Smart Eagles)

We are dealing with a President who is not being honest with Zambians, Antonio Mwanza has said following the remarks President Hakainde Hichilema said yesterday when he met Local Government Authorities.

The PF Media Director said to claim that the President Hichilema refused to append a signature to purchase new presidential vehicles which were costing US$1.3 million is a blue lie and it should be challenged.

He explained that the Head of State is not procurement officer and has nothing to do with the procurement of Presidential vehicles.

Mr Mwanza was speaking when he featured on CAMNET TV’s ‘Breakfast Show’ today.

“Let me begin with the President’s remarks yesterday. We are dealing with a President who seems to be having difficulties to be honest. I saw the President yesterday claiming that he refused to append a signature to buy luxury Presidential vehicles. I wish there were other palatable words that I should have used but unfortunately we are dealing with the President that is not being honest with the Zambian people,” he said.

“Yesterday he claimed that he refused to sign for the purchase of new Presidential vehicles. That is a lie. The President is not a procurement officer. The President doesn’t have anything to do with the procurement of Presidential vehicles.”

Mr Mwanza added that there are two institutions that deal with the purchase of Presidential vehicles and planes.

“The Presidency is an institution and anything to do with the transport of the Presidency is handled by two institutions of government. If it is issues to do with land transport, or air transport, it is handled by the special division. For air transport, it is handled by Zambia Air-force,” he said.

“These are the two institutions that do the purchase of motor vehicles, Presidential planes and they are the ones that handle the President’s movements.”

WALKING ON THIN ICE
[The Delicate Economic Case of ZAMBIA]

The reason the Kwacha has posted marginal gains in value is NOT because Zambia’s economy is doing well.

This is a problem.

A laudable and sustainable currency appreciation should result from improved forex receipts emanating from economic performance, a healthy balance of payments supported by actual economic activities.

This is NOT the case for Zambia.

Here are the reasons Zambia’s Kwacha has marginally appreciated:

1. Reduced imports by citizens [low credit in the economy; Zambian have no money]
2. Monetary tightening [the base rate increased by the BOZ has led to low Kwacha availability thereby reducing pressure/demand on the USD. Further, non-payment of suppliers of goods and services (arrears) is also contributory]
3. SDR [in the second quarter of 2021, Zambia, like all countries in the world, received millions of USD from the IMF as pandemic support, which funds improved the BOZ monetary position in terms of USD reserves]
4. Foreign debt [the UPND is viewing the accrual of USDs through non-servicing of debt as income. Zambia is NOT servicing its debt and this has led to a false increase/supply in the availability of the USDs]
5. Forex receipts [though there is no actual increase in these from our mines, with reduced pressure on the USD as illustrated above, the supply of the USD has relatively increased]
6. USD strength [as the BRICS and other countries begin to dump the USD, this currency globally is becoming anaemic, its strength with reference to all other currencies, is weakening]
7. Confidence [improved market confidence emanating from the impeding USD 1.4 billion has also helped, a form of speculation]

This then is the reason behind the Kwacha’s ‘bullish’ behaviour as economists like to mislead.

‘Bullish’ currency behaviour does NOT necessarily mean improved livelihoods of citizens.

The Kwacha’s strength does NOT mean that Zambia’s trade in goods and services has either increased, expanded or widened [economic growth].

When the government is the one employing and NOT the private sector this is a very bad economic sign.

This is socialism.

The employment of about 40, 000 civil servants recently is NOT a reflection of the improved economic performance, it is merely political.

The UPND, a capitalist party, is now practising socialism.

There is just no money to support and sustain this wage bill, which now stands at over 60 percent of GDP. .

If the USD 1.4 billion does not come and the debt servicing restarts, the FISCAL STATUS of Zambia will collapse.

Zambia’s finance minister Situmbeko MUSOKOTWANE’s BP is already high. It will get worse.

Note that the private sector in Zambia has not grown over the last one year.

It has actually shrunk and shed off over 100, 000 jobs.

A net analysis of Zambia’s job market shows negative growth.

Zambia is currently in a state of STAGFLATION and its economy has contracted.

The sale rate of goods and services has fallen, prices remain high in the face of low credit in the economy [business is slow], a precarious situation for out manufacturing industry.

Vitumbuwa siviyenda manje, as one female street vendor in Mandevu Compound, amake John, accurately captured the situation, her lips cracked for lack of vitamins and eyes bleary from despondency.

Further, the election of William RUTO as president of Kenya is NOT good for Zambia’s current government.

RUTO represents nationalism, sovereignty and Pan-Africanism.

This threatens market/business confidence, and in turn, Western FDI, which Hakainde HICHILEMA’s government is relying upon for Zambia’s recovery and prosperity.

Zambia’s candidate, Raila ODINGA, a western stooge, lost and with that, western confidence in Zambia as an investment destination has plummeted and is now under review.

We are economically walking on thin ice.

Tiliko slow.

PILGRIM

16 August 2022

STOP VICTIMISING INNOCENT CIVIL SERVANTS, UPND URGED
… Those people you are firing are Zambisns

THE UPND government should stop firing and transferring civil servants and public workers on suspicion of being Patriotic Party (PF) sympathisers or coming from certain regions.

Those innocent men and women the government is victimising through unfair dismissals and punitive transfers are Zambian citizens who should be allowed to enjoy their freedoms enshrined in the republican Constitution.

The panic that has gripped the regime over the leaked list of 50 police officers who have been earmarked for dismissal has exposed the UPND’s penchant for vengeance.

The speed at which Police Service Commission Chairman Peter Machungwa and Ministry of Information and Media mouthpiece Thabo Kawana moved to dismiss the list of police officers marked for dismissal, including former President Dr Edgar Lungu’s aide de camp (ADC), is evidence enough that they have been caught pants down.

If it is indeed true that the police officers have been recommended for dismissal when they have not committed any offence then it confirms fears that the UPND is bent on destroying the unity this country has enjoyed over the decades.
We are aware that thousands of innocent Zambians have been hounded out of employment for political reasons since the UPND assumed power, and more are being fired.
We warn Dr Machungwa and other people who are being used to victimise innocent fellow Zambians to bear in mind that a time will come when they will be held to account in their individual capacities.

They should therefore resist being used as tools of oppression to appease those who gave them the jobs.
Sending innocent civil servants and public workers onto the streets on account of their suspected political affiliation or the region they come from is not only callous but also irresponsible.

It’s a sheer abuse of political power, which has the potential to backfire.
Those people have families and friends who are aggrieved by the unfair dismissals. What the UPND regime and its surrogates must know is that the more people they fire unfairly the more enemies they are creating for themselves.
Our advice is that the government must rescind the decision to fire those 50 police officers.
Zambians are watching.
Issued by:
EDWIN LIFWEKELO
PF Deputy Media Director.

Luapula Province Minister Derrick Chilundika has been attacked at his home in Chingola in the Copperbelt Province by unknown criminals armed with a machete and stones.

Mr. Chilundika, the Nchanga Member of Parliament, was at home with his family when the criminals besieged the premises after jumping the perimeter fence.

Copperbelt Police Commanding Officer Sharon Zulu has confirmed that the attack occurred on Monday night.

Ms. Zulu said the incident occurred on August 15, 2022 at about 21:00 hours at House No. 27 Buyantanshi Lane, in Nchanga North.

Ms. Zulu said one of the attackers was shot dead when he attempted to confront an armed police officer who was guarding the premises.

She revealed that Constable Mulapwa reported that on August 15, 2022 at about 21:00hours whilst performing guard duties at the Minister’s residence, he saw one unknown person armed with a machete jumping over the wall fence from outside into the yard.

Ms Zulu said the officer challenged the fugitive and asked what he wanted inside the yard but the intruder could not answer but charged towards the officer.

She said after a while another man jumped over the wall fence into the yard while others from outside started throwing stones into the yard.

“A shooting incident was reported at Nchanga Police Station in Chingola which occurred on 15/08/2022 at about 20:00 hrs at House No. 27 Buyantanshi Lane, in Nchanga North, Chingola at Honorable Chilundika’s home in which, Constable Mulapwa reported that on 15/08/2022 at about 21:00hrs whilst performing guard duties at the Minister’s residence, he saw one unknown male Person armed with a machete jumping over the wall fence from outside into the yard. The officer challenged the fugitive and asked what he wanted inside the yard. The intruder could not answer but charged towards the officer. Again in a short time another man jumped over the wall fence into the yard while others from outside started throwing stones into the yard,” she said.

Ms. Zulu said the officer called in re-enforcement and shortly, officers arrived and found the body of the criminal lying face down with both legs fractured.

She said the scene was thoroughly inspected and stones were seen scattered in the yard, with a machete lying a meter away from the dead body.

“The officer was able to see them because the fence has iron bars between blocks. The officer immediately fired a warning shot in the air to try and scare away the one who was advancing towards him, but continued advancing. It was at this moment that the officer lowered the barrel and shot him on both legs with a view of maiming him. The intruder fell to the ground, while the colleague jumped over the fence and ran away. The officer called in re-for cement and shortly, officers arrived and found the body of the criminal lying face down. The same was inspected and found that both legs were fractured,” Ms. Zulu said.

She concluded:”The scene was thoroughly inspected and stones were seen scattered in the yard, with a machete lying a meter away from the dead body. The Body was picked and rushed to Nchanga North General Hospital where it was pronounced dead, and later deposited to Nchanga north general hospital mortuary awaiting post-mortem and identification. Inquiry file has been opened and investigations have been instituted in the matter.”

Notorious drug dealer makes daring escape from DEC offices

A NOTORIOUS drug dealer yesterday leisurely strolled out of the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) headquarters in Lusaka after he pulled out a gun during interrogation and sent officers scampering for life.

According to DEC insiders, the drug dealer, whose name has been withheld for security reasons, had been on the Commission’s wanted list from the time he was released from prison a few months ago.

Following a tip-off, DEC officers managed to catch up with the ex-convict in the Lusaka bottleneck traffic last week but the experienced criminal managed to run off on foot, leaving his pursuers only with his motor vehicle full of marijuana along with an AK 47 magazine and ammunition.

Determined to cage their client, DEC enlisted the help of a police officer from Chelston Police Station who managed to track the drug dealer and convinced him to go to the the DEC offices, saying they were ready to hand him back his vehicle because it was gotten as a result of mistaken identity.

However, once he arrived at the DEC offices yesterday, the ex-convict was ushered into an interrogation room where he was quizzed for several minutes.

The interrogation ended with a decision to arrest the drug dealer but as officers got up to handcuff him, he pulled a 9 millimeter pistol and threatened to shoot.

The brave but criminal stunt from the ex-convict triggered bedlam amongst the officers who tripped over each other as they ran from the scene to prolong their life expectancy while others, like cats, squeezed themselves out of the tiny windows of the interrogation room.

With no one to stop him, the ex-convict then assisted himself to the door and majestically walked out of DEC headquarters and stopped a car on Government Road that carried him in the direction of the University Teaching Hospital (UTH).

Not ready to let the suspect get away that easily, one DEC officer summoned some Dutch courage, jumped on a vehicle and gave chase.

Upon noticing that he was being trailed, the cheeky criminal opened fire at the officer, puncturing his tyres and perforated his car with bullets while frightened passersby around the UTH area dived to the ground for cover.

The DEC officer shot back a few times before running out of ammunition.

With no more bullets for the showdown, the courage to continue pursuing the criminal abandoned the DEC officer, although he was left with enough energy and strength to spirit him into a blistering Commonwealth Games-kind of sprint to save his cherished life.

In the process of the Olympic-kind of running, the DEC officer dropped his pistol which was picked by the criminal before he vanished from the scene.

After assessing the situation, cautious police officers from Kabwata Police Station arrived and tolled off the punctured vehicle and parked it at the Station.

There has been no statement from the DEC or police on the matter and the victorious criminal remains at large.

CAPTION: The bullet-riddled vehicle driven by the DEC officer parked at Kabwata Police Station

Kalemba August 16, 2022

Implement Decentralization Policy, shift focus away from CDF

By Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba

Listening to the President makes you have a strong feeling that he verily believes that the Constituency Development Fund(CDF) is totally equivalent to the Decentralization Policy.

He may be reminded that the CDF is a small component in the Decentralization Policy.

But it appears that the President wants the CDF to do all things development and empowerment at local level. He has now made a fresh announcement that District Commissioners will be part of the CDF Committees!🤣🤣

Unfortunately the bottle-necks around CDF and failures to unlock the fund will continue. This is as a result of clear illegal instructions being given designed to overcome legal and purpose provisions of the Act.

CDF Act provides for the management, disbursement, utilisation and accountability of the CDF in the Constituency as established under the Constitution.

It shows what type of projects must be undertaken, modes and structure and also provides how the evaluation amd procurement process will be done.

Outside the CDF, local authorities and districts have their own allocated budget for development.

Clearly, someone needs to give the President the Decentralisation Policy and the CDF Act and its guidelines.

This will help him distill his thoughts and then help him provide clear guidelines and instructions.

Under the circumstances CDF will not be unlocked unless officers will be forced to do illegal things because of the poorly structured manner the President wants it implemented. CDF is regulated by the law!

The CDF Act has provided for the composition of Committees and, purpose, ways and utilization of the fund. Until the law is amended, any expenditure or composition outside the law remains that…illegal!

I strongly feel that Government must place emphasis on implementing the Decentralization Policy that has been met by resistance and inertia over the years.

The objectives of the Decentralization Policy are to; empower local communities, devolve decision-making, functions and resources from the centre to the periphery, to deliver services to the lowest level, promote integrated planning that encourages a bottom-up approach, develop capacities of Councils and communities in development, planning, financing, coordinating and managing the delivery services, build capacity for development and maintenance of infrastructure at local level.

An effective implementation plan for the decentralization policy was developed on how this can be achieved.

SOME DCS RESPONSIBILE FOR CENSUS KERFUFFLE

The Scoop Editorial: August 16, 2022

IT IS common knowledge that the recruitment exercise for those to conduct the National Census of Population and Housing, which is a very important undertaking, has been marred with chaos in most places and left a sour taste in the mouths of most Zambians, more so, those who applied.

This is evidenced by the number of individuals, interest groups, including Members of Parliament (MPs), who have raised various concerns on how the process was done, with some demanding that it be declared null and void and be redone so that deserving candidates are recruited.

The census of populaton and housing is designed to collect a complete count of households, dejure and defacto population.

A census of population and housing is the biggest national resource that acts both as an input into development programmes, and as a measure of the impact of various development programmes embarked on by Governments, NGOs and other stakeholders with development programmes in Zambia.

It provides a vital account of the impact of developmental programmes on the population in areas of education, health, economic activity, agriculture, housing and infrastructure, internal and international migration, urbanisation, fertility, mortality and population growth, size, composition and distribution.

It also provides an accurate and reliable record of changes in these important population attributes over time and forms the cornerstone of the country’s national statistical system.

This is how important this exercise is. We know that a lot of teething challenges were noted in the preliminaries over this but we feel some District Commissioners (DCs) have added another dimension to this madness as a lot of fingers have been pointed to them as having sabotaged the process by purposefully adding people they wanted. In some instances, we understand that names of people who never even sat for exams were sneaked onto the final lists and this call has been loud across the country, with districts like Livingstone leading the fanfare.

In Western Province, it was the same issue in some districts and so was the Copperbelt and the Northen half of the country. In short, there is no province or district where such confusion and complaints were not registered and this must be a source of worry to all citizens who mean well for this country.

This is not the first time we are having a recruitment. We had massive recruitments by Government not long ago. Of course in any of these, there are casualties but we never had these complaints of corruption, nepotism, and unfair treatment of those who sought these jobs like the case is with census, and like they say, there can be no smoke without fire.

If all was well, we would not have been getting reports in Mazabuka, for example, that people who attempted to seek audience with the DC after they were left out and wanted to air their misgivings over how the recruitment process was conducted, had police officers unleashed on them, with some of them allegedly arrested. If you have done your job diligently, why should you use the police on defenceless young people who are just expressing their concerns over the process which left them out?

If students from UNZA can march to State House to express their grievances and are peacefully escorted back to their compass without anyone of them being harassed by police or getting arrested, why shouldn’t citizens at district level do the same? Why do some of these DCs think they are untouchable that each time members of the public air their views, are threatened with being arrested, if elected leaders allow divergent views from the people who elected them? Why should a DC with clean hands hide behind the police when the public demand for answers if they have nothing to hide? Why should they treat public offices like their private homes? Why do they act like they are now semi-gods who cannot be questioned? We don’t get it!

We don’t think we will be asking for too much if we demand that some DCs be thoroughly investigated over this matter because the corruption chorus over the cencus recruitment process has been too loud and clear to be ignored. We need sanity in these offices.

Immorality, either perceived or real, erodes public confidence and when this discord is allowed to form the main fabric of society, then service delivery becomes suffers and ultimately, the Central Government is seen to be in bad light. If truly these allegations have any aorta of truth in them, some of these DCs must be dealt with if our fight against corruption is to be won.

All we are asking for from those sitting in these offices as appointed by the authority, is to tow the line of those who appointed them and not advance personal interests. We are all Zambians and when opportunities come, the playing field must be levelled just like we saw during the recruitment of teachers and those in the health sector.

Please DCs, days of corruption and intimidation of citizens are long gone. Do not take us back to Egypt when we have already crossed into Canaan and are giving testimonies about what we went through while in exile!

It’s been 1-year long walk to nothing for youths – Kaunda

By Bright Tembo/ The Mast

Socialist Party (SP) national youth and security chairman Kelvin Kaunda says one year under the new dawn government has been a long walk to nothing for youths.

Kaunda told The MAST that despite the UPND government employing 30,000-plus teachers and 11,000 health workers in their first year of being in government, “it’s nothing but a long walk to nothing”.

He argued that there was nothing unique being done to resolve the challenges of the youths.

“The one year period with regards whether the youths have benefited from the one year in office [of the UPND], is that my honest assumption is that it’s been a year of a long walk. A long walk not to anything but a long walk to nothing,” Kaunda said.

“We have not seen anything unique or anything special this far. Or anything that has been done to resolve the challenges of our youths. Yes one may argue about the issue of employment or the recruitment of teachers and health workers but we are dealing with the obvious thing. The recruitment of public service worker is an obvious thing. But we are looking at something extraordinary.”

He added that because not everyone else is going to be a teacher and not everyone else would be a health worker, “there are a lot of young people in the area of accountancy, marketing, entrepreneur you can name it. This is where we want to see real jobs being created”.

“And from where we stand we have not seen any policy pronouncement which has been made with the intention to deal with these issues because this is where the real jobs will come from. So the recruitment of teachers and health workers is obvious. We have seen past governments recruiting but the only difference is that they have just increased the numbers here and there,” Kaunda said.

“There is really nothing extraordinary that the new dawn government has done in resolving the challenges of our youths. We expect a bit more and we expect the government to do much more in resolving the challenges of our young people.”

He demanded to see a change in policy direction towards the employment of young men and women in the country.

“Not too long ago our young people were removed from the streets in a bid to impress individuals of a certain class. To this date the young people who were surviving on MTN and Airtel booths have no jobs. And these are the young people who voted this party into government. It is also surprising that our leaders when they are voted into office by the same poor young people they get themselves bodyguards to protect themselves from the poor youths that voted for them. What a shame!” noted Kaunda.

“When we do a reflection for our colleagues for the one year that they have been in power, we cannot help it but to say it has been a long walk of nothing this far. And we hope they could do better than what they have done. We must see change from the policy position. We have line ministries in charge of the youths, tell me if there is any major policy pronouncement that has been made towards the welfare of the youths. Nothing!

“We have a ministry of so-called small and medium enterprises. Even before they meet the young people here, even before meeting the entrepreneurs of this country, you have the courage to go and meet businessmen in the other country in the name of the diaspora community and you expect to change the narrative on the ground! Tell me one single meeting which has been held where the young people have been engaged by these institutions in trying to resolve some of their challenges of their time. The only time you will hear that they had a meeting is when they select certain individuals who are masquerading as young people and group them [but] who are you consulting?”