Rufunsa Town Council has received 23,000 hectares of land from Chieftainess Shikabeta for development in the district.

According to Rufunsa Town Council Public Relations Officer Rachel Chako, the Shikabeta Chiefdom has given Rufunsa Town Council 23, 868 hectares of land for development.

Chako said the decision has come after a series of meetings between the Council and the Mushika Royal Establishment of Chieftainess Shikabeta’s Chiefdom held to negotiate for the piece of land for the extension and development of the Township.

She said the Ministry of Infrastructure recently visited the council with plans to construct 300 rent-to-own houses on the same piece of land among other developments that will spring up following this historical agreement.

Chako said Land survey will soon be conducted and the plan for the area will be developed with the help of the provincial planning department further adding that the council has already applied to the ministry of lands for the land development fund.

And Council Chairman Bartholomew Kalambalala said he is excited about the noble gesture from Chieftainess Shikabeta and the Royal Establishment.

“We have already acquired a piece of land from Chieftainess Mpanshya and now we have acquired from Chieftainess Shikabeta and from here we are moving to the newly installed Chief Bunda-Bunda to negotiate for some more land for Development. We want to build a modern city that is well planned with all the facilities and social amenities to make the residents and visitors to our city enjoy their stay,” said Kalambalala.

Chieftainess Shikabeta also said she was very proud to be part of the process of development of Rufunsa District through the release of the land in question.

The post Chieftainess Shikabeta Offers 23, 000 Hectares of Land for Development appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Finance Minister, Margaret Mwanakatwe, has downplayed suggestions made by financial commentators regarding the of US$ 750 Eurobond due in 2022.

Last week President Edgar Lungu, said when he hosted Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at State House that a Turkish Company is being courted on refinancing the 2022 Eurobond.

Mwanakatwe said that whilst the country was open to discussing financing of the Eurobonds to achieve lower costs and longer maturities with potential investors, the exercise would be done in full consultation with the bond holders and in accordance with international market standards.

“If the offer from Turkey crystallises, no unilateral action will be taken by the government. We stand by the commitments made to bond purchasers’ at the time of issuance of the Eurobonds not to take any action without consulting holders of Zambia’s bonds,” she said in statement.

Further, Mwanakatwe emphasized that such an operation was not a sign of failure to repay the Eurobond.

“We remain fully committed to meeting all our liabilities on time and in full. In line with the foregoing, we have developed a redemption strategy for the three eurobonds,” she said.

The Finance Minister said that the strategy is currently undergoing integrity reviews prior to seeking full cabinet approval.

“Further, the Government is in the process of engaging financial advisors on implementation of the strategy. In so doing however, we are duty bound to interrogate any other asset/liability proposals that may come from other private and bilateral partners, with the proviso that it should be cheaper and procedural in terms of international capital markets operations” said Mwanakatwe.

Center for Trade Policy and Development executive director Isaac Mwaipop says the move by government to seek help in refinancing the US$750 million Eurobond scheduled to mature in 2022 may translate into increased costs due to the suspended international monetary fund (IMF) bailout package.

Mwaipopo is urging government to concentrate on realizing fiscal consolidation and the operationalization of a sinking fund.

He has since urged the government to pursue the debt agenda with great caution and avoid projecting desperation if it is to find sustainable solutions that will help the country navigate through this growing debt crisis without further indebting the country.

The post Mwanakatwe Faces up Eurobond Critics appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Political players are getting agitated by the delay to announce the date for the Kasenengwa parliamentary by-election with political commentator Macdonald Chipenzi adding his voice.

Chipenzi says that with the 90 day constitutional window, time was running for the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to announce the date for the by-election.

The Kasenengwa by-election was necessitated by the death of area Member of Parliament and Gender Minister Victoria Kalima.

Below is Chipenzi’s full post:

Kasenengwa Bye-election

Tomorrow Marks 50 days since the Kasenengwa seat fell vacant on June 11, 2018 following the death of PF MP and Minister of Gender, Victoria Kalima.

Constitutionally, the Bye-election is supposed to be held within 90 days which must run from June 11 to September 11, 2018.

This means that only 40 days are remaining to holding this bye election.

If we subtract 30 days campaign period which comes after nomination, ECZ has only 10 days to announce the date for this bye-election and organise and announce the nomination day.

By 11 September, 2018, the 90 Days would be over and will be unconstitutional to organise such a Bye-election unless the Speaker dictated a different date other than the day Hon Kalima died as the date when the vacancy fell due.

The question is why has it taken long to announce a date for the Kasenengwa

The post Kasenengwa By-election Dates Unsettle Political Players appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Justice Minister, Given Lubinda says Zambia should consider doing away with its reliance on British Law for its justice system.

Lubinda said that over 50 years after Independence Zambia was still wedded to the British Law system

“If there are any statues that deserves to be removed from the book of statues is CAP 10 The British Act extension act and CAP 11 The English Law, extent of application Act, more than half a century since attaining political independence, for me a non-Lawyer with a mandate bestowed with a responsibility of sitting at the helm of the Ministry, all I can say is it is almost a scandal that we can allow ourselves bas Country to be governed using laws passed by the British parliament in the 17th Century,” he said.

“It is a big scandal, this is something all of us in the Ministry of Justice and especially yourself at the Zambia Law Development Commission must take up as a matter of priority emphasized,” Lubinda said.

Justice Roydah Kaoma Justice Roydah Kaoma has since been retained as Zambia law Development Commission Board Chairperson with Andrew Mwanakalanga her deputy.

Justice Ministry Permanent Secretary Andrew Nkunika, is also a board member, others are Lazarous Chota, Mr. Patrick Samwimbila, Mr. Chola Mbwa and Shilambwe Mwaanga.

The post Lubinda Wants British Law Struck Off Zambian Statutes appeared first on Zambia Reports.

The bank of Zambia has launched enhanced Two and Five Kwacha notes today while other new notes from ten to One Hundred kwacha will be put in circulation in due course with a view to mitigate counterfeiting of existing original banknotes by criminals.

One of the introduced security features called sparklive has been incorporated in the figure on the lower right hand side to further shield thebanknotes from being counterfeited.

Central Bank Governor, Dr. Denny Kalyalya, says the security features will exhibit three overt visual characteristics which are colour- shift properties, optical brightness and dynamic light effects.

There will also be a 5mm optically visible four window security thread with micro optical dynamic effects has replaced the hologram on the three denominations.

Dr. Kalyalya added that the “birds in flight” feature has shifted from the right edge of the back of the banknote to the left edge

He further said that “The tactile mark” for the visually impaired have now been put on both edges of the banknotes to enhance tactility or the feel effect.

The ten kwacha denomination will have among other features a new four-window security thread which will replace the hologram on the front of the banknote.

“Tactile marks for the visually impaired have been put on both edges of the banknote to enhance tactility.The K2 and K5 denominations have the following features,” he said.

“Different images (dove, text K2 and K5) appear as a new glossy varnish with a blind embossing for ease of identification. Tactile marks for the visually impaired have been put on both edges of the banknotes to enhance tactility.”

The Central Bank Governor said that the Bank will start circulating the upgraded banknotes in a phased manner, starting the with K2 and K5 denominations in August 2018.

The Bank will not withdraw the existing banknotes until the end of their circulation life meaning that the existing banknotes will co-circulate with the upgraded series and will continue to be honoured at full value.

The post BoZ Introduces New Features on Bank Notes appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Copperbelt police commissioner Charity Katanga confirmed the shooting and said Thompson was rushed to the hospital where he was admitted in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) but died 24 hours later.

“Yes, I can confirm that he committed suicide. He shot himself and was in ICU and died 24 hours later,” Katanga said.

She said the pistol he used to shoot himself was in police custody for investigations.

Nsobe Game Camp is on a privately-owned farm in Masaiti and is a popular spot for most Copperbelt residents for weddings and other functions.

The Game Camp is also popular for fishing activities and boat cruises.

The post Police Confirm Suicide of Nsobe Game Camp Owner appeared first on Zambia Reports.

The Electoral Commission has finally set the date for the Kasenegwa by-election and five other wards.

Electoral commentator MacDonald Chipenzi had pointed out the possible lapse to the ECZ.

The Kasenengwa seat fell vacant following the death of the incumbent Victoria Kalima in June.

FULL STATEMENT:

The Electoral Commission of Zambia -ECZ- has set Thursday, September 6 2018, as date for the Kasenegwa parliamentary by-election.

ECZ Public Relations Manager Margaret Chimanse also says the ECZ will conduct local government by-elections in Kamalamba, Liyovu, Mabili, Nkenyauna and Shikombwe wards.

Ms. Chimanse has advised aspiring candidates to lodge in completed nomination papers on Thursday, August 9th, 2018.

She has also disclosed that only five senior officials of participating political parties will be allowed to accompany aspiring candidates into the nomination centre during the filing of nominations, while the rest of supporters will remain outside the four hundred parameters from the centre.

The by election in Kasenengwa has been necessitated by the death of area MP Victoria Kalima on 15th June 2018, while the vacancies in the wards are as a result of resignation of councilors.

The post ECZ Sets Sept 6 as Poll Day for Kasenengwa By-election appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Chingola’s Chiwempala Market has become the latest to be gutted with property worth millions of kwacha burnt down.

The inferno swept through the market at around 02:00 destroying to ashes over 12 makeshift restaurants.

Chingola Municipal Council Public Relations Officer Given Masambika has confirmed the development in an interview.

He said fire officers from Chingola Municipal Council managed to put out the fire around 03:00 preventing it from spreading to other shops.

Masambika who could not quantify the loss, said the cause of fire is not yet known and investigations have been instituted to ascertain the cause.

He has urged marketeers to be patient as the local authority carries out investigations on the cause of fire.

Chiwempala Market in Chingola is among the markets on the Copperbelt that have been earmarked for reconstruction.

The post Chingola’s Chiwempala Market Gutted appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Patriotic Front Lupososhi Member of Parliament, Lazarus Bwalya Chungu has survived a road traffic accident when his vehicle overturned several times fifteen kilometres from Kasama district, Northern Province.

Northern Province police Commissioner Richard Mweene said that Chungu was travelling from Luwingu to Kasama around 17:30 last evening when the Ford Ranger had a tyre burst.

Mweene said that in total there were seven people in the vehicle including a child.

The Provincial Police Chief has described the condition of all the accident victims are stable and out of danger.

The post Lupososhi MP Survives Road Accident appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Former UPND member and NDC mayoral candidate in the just ended elections Saboi Imboela has given a chilling account of some members of her former party.

Imboela’s sister found herself on the end of verbal and violent attacks by some UPND supporters.

Below is her full posting:

UPND SHOULD CONTROL ITS VIOLENT CADRES

The United Party for National Development, UPND, should control its violent cadres and discipline them when they attack other members of the party especially women. I was horrified yesterday at the behaviour of about 8 cadres in the company of Chitanga and Brian Mulenga who followed my young sister home and verbally assaulted her in all ways possible. They threatened to beat her up and told her never to go to the UPND Secretariat and that if she did they would beat her up and strip her naked. The insults they hurled at her were very demeaning and scary.

The Gender Based Violence my young sister experienced yesterday is a very common thing in the UPND and I urge the party to discipline the 8 cadres who attacked my sister yesterday or we shall take the matter up as a family and let the law take its course. Contain your violence within the party if that is your accepted behaviour and do not follow people to their homes otherwise we shall not accept that lying down. There is now a school at the former family house where my sister was attacked from and they exposed this violence to the children who were nearby and all the neighbours and passers-by who watched the incident in horror.

Remmy was jailed for 9 months just a few weeks ago for physically assaulting Mbozi and while Mbozi sought to solve this matter internally you supported a man who assaulted her instead of supporting the woman that was physically attacked. The law now took its course and no one should blame the woman for protecting herself when you the party failed to protect her. I know how cadres like Brian Mulenga verbally attack anyone who fails to give them money on a particular day regardless of how many times you give them money in a particular week. And sadly, it is women that he normally targets for that abuse. I was a victim of that abuse when I was a member of the UPND and as usual you failed to protect me and the answer was ‘that is how he is’. Women should be protected from these violent cadres in the party and not turning your usual blind eye to the violence that your own members are facing from such hooligans. Moving forward, I would like to give the party only this week to discipline the violent cadres who attacked my sister yesterday failure to which we shall do so as a family. My sister is not NDC as the cadres are alleging and she has to be respected for her opinions and contributions within the party of her choice UPND. Politics, like religion, is not something that everyone follows just because the next person has done so.

Personal conviction is what leads people to make decisions and not just because a family member has taken a certain stance. What information can my sister be getting from UPND to give me- ‘how to lose elections several times?’ Besides, my work and roles in the UPND exposed me to sensitive information that my sister does not even know. I know more about the UPND than my sister does and my belonging to another party should not make my family members be labelled as suspicious characters in the party.

I still have a lot of friends and family members in UPND and those that joined NDC have done so openly and proudly, so respect them for their choice to be with the party of their choice. I am very disappointed and appalled by what happened yesterday and it is my sincere hope that the party takes this up urgently and deals with it accordingly. To me, violence is not a private but public matter, especially that it was done in a very public manner like that. So let all the perpetrators of this violence be brought to book in your party disciplinary systems, if at all any, failure to which we shall rely on the laws of the land to protect us.

*Saboi Imboela*

*Gender Activist and sister to the victim

The post Imboela Exposes UPND Violence appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Chipata looks set to have another mega industry after Attorney General Likando Kalaluka approved a memorandum of Understanding for the establishment of a tractor assembly plant in the district.

The tractor assembly plant would be located on a 24 hectares land in the city of Chipata.

Defence Minister Davies Chama confirmed the development when he paid a courtesy call on Eastern Province permanent secretary Chanda Kasolo on Tuesday.

“An MoU has been drafted, it has been approved by the Attorney General, so we are waiting for our partners(from Belarus) who are supposed to be our co-investors whom we are supposed to partner with in this venture to come and sign this MoU later on certain details will follow,” Chama said.

He said President Edgar Lungu has instructed his ministry to modernize and to be part of the industrialization of the government.

And Kasolo said he was extremely excited with the tractor assembly plant which would be very useful to the province which was agricultural based.

Chama is currently on a familiarization tour of Eastern Province.

The post Chipata to Get Tractor Assembly Plant appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) President Felix Mutati has told his party members that he will not spend time insulting his political opponents because it will not solve the many challenges the country is faced with.

Addressing an indoor meeting for party officials in Matero Constituency Mutati told members to stop expecting insults from him as a way of doing politics because it is not in him to insult opponents for political mileage.

He said it was sad the country is forced to see politicians exchanging insults when there is so much to do in the country adding that it should not take insults for one to be recognised as a good politician.

He said Zambia is big enough for politicians to coexist without resorting to insulting each other.

“We all have something to do for Zambia.. This country is big enough for all of us to co exist. It’s so sad we are forced to see our political leaders in the media quarreling everyday when there is so much to do in this country. You want me to be insulting everyone no! Every person was created with different abilities, everyone has a different talent, my talent is not talking about individuals, my talent is to work for people. My capital is in people.

“I will not waste time talking about individuals whose actions against me won’t change my being instead I will dedicate my time and energy to serve you and fight for your interests. Let those politicians whose talent is bickering continue to bicker we shall continue to serve,” he said.

And Mutati has called for patience among party members as the leadership puts things in order for it to be in the condition to contest and participate in elections effectively as opposed to just adding up numbers on the ballot papers.

He said the leadership was aware of the concerns from the grassroots as regards party’s non participation in by elections but that the party members should not be worried as the leadership was on top of things.

Mutati further said the leadership will soon announce the date for card renewals which will provide a road map on the party’s mobilization programs.

The MMD leader and his National Executive Committee Members are on a party mobilisation tour of constituencies in Lusaka District which he has been visiting after knocking of from work as he “does not want to steal from the Zambian people by engaging in party politics during work hours.” He has since visited Kanyama Constituency where he went Monday and Matero Constituency. He is expected to visit the remaining constituencies in the coming days.

The post I will Not Insult My Political Opponents to Prove Myself-Mutati appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Kwacha Member of Parliament Joseph Malanji has handed over a 1×3 classroom block at Valley View Primary School in Kitwe.

And Malanji who was flanked by Kitwe District Commissioner Binwell Mpundu has handed over a cheque worth K 50,000 to traders at Kwacha Market in Kitwe.

Malanji was a developmental sojourn in his constituency where he was touching base with various constituency works.

“The money I am giving you today are a revolving fund so that others can benefit as well, don’t be like other traders who have received the funds and do not want to pay back,” Malanji said as he handed a demo cheque.

Meanwhile, the Parliamentarian said the 1×3 classroom block at Valley View Primary school will help reduce congestion at the school.

He said the classroom constructed using personal resources has cost K 695,000 after school authorities approached his office for assistance.

Malanji said the classroom addition will help in the upgrading process of the school.

The post Malanji Commissions Classroom Block at Kitwe School appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Three people were killed in Zimbabwe’s capital Harare after troops opened fire on rioting opposition supporters, police say.

The government says the army was deployed in central Harare to help police restore order.

The opposition MDC Alliance condemned the crackdown, saying it was a reminder of the “dark days” of Robert Mugabe’s rule.

It alleges that the governing Zanu-PF party has rigged Monday’s elections.

Parliamentary results show Zanu-PF heading for a big majority in the first elections since long-serving ruler Mr Mugabe was ousted from power.

The presidential result has yet to be declared. However, the MDC Alliance insists that its presidential candidate, Nelson Chamisa, won Monday’s election.

European Union monitors have expressed concern over the length of time it is taking to declare the presidential result.

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) has announced 140 seats for Zanu-PF so far, and 58 for the MDC Alliance, ZBC state media reported. There are 210 seats in the National Assembly’s lower house.

More than five million people were registered to vote, and there was a high turnout of 70%.

(Credit:  BBC)

The post Zimbabwe Poll Turns Violent appeared first on Zambia Reports.

A lot has been said about the conciliatory tone between the Patriotic Front (PF) and the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) in the recent past. Some had initially dismissed it as a mere window dressing exercise by the chief protagonists of political violence in the Zambian political landscape. No matter how one may look at it, the two political parties have been at each other’s necks for far too long. The loathe for each other has been heightening pushing the country on the edge political disintegration with citizens indoctrinated to only view themselves as either green or red. But quietly both sides have suffered heavy casualties. The most ordinary of their foot soldiers have been aggressors and victims in this all-consuming senseless violent cycle. Everybody has had an opinion but few have been willing to act. Everybody has been willing to pay lip service to the non-violence creed with no action. But now it seems enough blood has been shed for this violence to continue.

The two leading political parties seem to have come to their senses. There could have been no better candidates to lead this process than youth leaders that commandeer some of these blood thirsty youths. The people that have sounded the war drums to their unquestioning youth to maim each other in the name of politics.

It is gratifying to have seen honourables Stephen Kampyongo and Jean Kapata lead a Patriotic Front (PF) delegation to the UPND secretariat to consolidate the message of peace the two parties have been preaching. The UPND has Munji Habeenzu, lawyer Mulambo Haimbe and deputy secretary general Patrick Mucheleka at the heart of the process. Previously any such visits would have attracted sanctions from both ends. Coming in the aftermath of the elections where emotions were running high for the vanquished and perhaps celebrations high for the victors, this move could not have been timelier. It could appear this is a peace accord that could work. Maybe there was no need for Commonwealth Secretary General Patricia Scotland in the first place to teach political players how to talk to each other. It is our hope that this process that has youthful level stuff, graduates to the top two personalities, but that could be a long wait for now. We take off our hats for the men and women that have finally seen the light in elevating our politics to some measure of decency. After all Zambia has already shown the way on the continent as a leader of political decency and maturity. We hope political parties remain cordial and civil in their language to preserve the spirit of this very welcome accord.

The post OPINION: PF/UPND Truce Deserves Commendation appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Police in Isoka District have arrested eight people for being in possession of leaked examination papers.

Muchinga Province Police commissioner Chola Katanga has confirmed the development saying the suspects that include five females and three males were arrested when they were writing a Mathematic GCE paper at Muchinga   and Isoka Boys secondary schools.

The commissioner further said that all the suspects were found with hand written pieces of paper regarding the same examination they were writing.

Katanga has since identified the suspects as Beatrice Musiani age 23, Nambela Sandra aged 25,Ruth Nalwimba aged 22  and Namonje  Lilian aged 40 who were arrested at Isoka Boys secondary school.

Others arrested from Muchinga secondary school are Bright Musonda aged 24,Simunthala Nkusuwila aged 31, Michael Kakole aged 42 and Trancilla Namunthala age 25.

The post Eight People Arrested in Isoka for Examination Malpractices appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Popular opposition leader Moise Katumbi has congratulated Jean-Pierre Bemba on his return to the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The post KATUMBI WELCOMES BEMBA’S RETURN … As Popular Opposition Leader Prepares Trip Back Home After Two Years In Exile appeared first on Zambia Reports.

UPND President Hakainde Hichilema has rubbished the peace accord that his party and the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) have expended so much energies propagating in the last few weeks.

And Hichilema says the UPND is not sinking even in the face of sustained defections by councillors.

Meanwhile Hichilema says that some UPND MPs may be defecting to the Patriotic Front.

Addressing another of his routine press briefings at the secretariat, Hichilema said that the peace accord that his party had sealed with the PF to curb political violence was an act of deception.

“The peace accord should not be confused that we are working with the PF. We are not working with the PF to destroy our country. We will not be accomplices to selling Zambia,” he said of an agreement that his party officials have been warmly speaking about.

“When they entered into that thing, they were not guided, we have now guided our youths. We do not want them to be duped into an agreement while the PF is planning another.”

Hichilema also reiterated his message to his supporters to hit back violently at opponents.

“If you are attacked by PF thugs, defend yourselves that is what the constitution says. I do not know why people choose to misunderstand that,” he said.

Hichilema said that his party was not sinking after a disastrous faring in the recent round of local government elections that saw his party scoop one out of 13 by-elections.

He said that ruling parties found it easy to win by-elections but could still be wiped out in general elections.

“The party is not going down, you have a ruling party that is buying people. Your party is not going down, it is deception,” he said.

He added: “There is no kusila (finishing) UPND, there is only going forward. There is no dununa reverse. Sometimes God has his only of cleansing up the house. We could have appointed some of these people to high positions in government had we formed government.”

Hichilema also took a swipe at some of his senior officials in the National Management Committee that have been raising alarm with the party’s dwindling fortunes.

“Do not waste your time on social media. Even some National Management Committee members are posting on social media that the party is going down. It is how dictators play on your grey matter,” he said.

Hichilema also revealed his fears of some Members of Parliament being next on the list of defectors.

“I am told that Lungu has made a decision on one or two MPs. He wants to entice them with money to defect,” Hichilema said.

The UPND long serving leader hinted at a possible exit when he metaphorically said slaves are only thanked when they are gone.

“Maybe one day you will remember me for these things I am saying. Muzike ulumbwa aloboka (a slave is only appreciated when he is gone,” he said.

The UPND has suffered heavy electoral casualties in the local government elections with some levels of dissent rising in the party.

It has also seen a growing number of councillors defecting to the ruling Patriotic Front.

The post Hichilema Resigned to UPND MPs Joining Defection List appeared first on Zambia Reports.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has won Zimbabwe’s presidential election, according to the country’s electoral commission.

With all 10 provinces declared, Mr Mnangagwa won 50.8% of votes to 44.3% for opposition leader Nelson Chamisa.

Police removed opposition officials from the electoral commission stage when they rejected the results.

The chairman of Mr Chamisa’s MDC Alliance said the count could not be verified.

By narrowly winning more than 50% of the vote, Mr Mnangagwa avoids a second run-off election against Mr Chamisa.

The president said he was “humbled” on Twitter, and called the result “a new beginning”.

The post Mnangagwa Wins Zim Poll to Become 2nd President Since Independence appeared first on Zambia Reports.

The corruption famous former Ministry of Health Human Resources Director Henry Kapoko has been jailed for 18 years for theft of over K6 million.

Kapoko has been jailed alongside four others by Principal Magistrate Exnobert Zulu for one of the biggest public servant crimes of the modern times.

Below is the full statement from the Anti-Corruption Commission:

KAPOKO, FOUR OTHERS JAILED 18 YEARS FOR CORRUPTION AND THEFT INVOLVING K6 MILLION

The Lusaka Magistrates Court has sentenced Henry Kapoko, former Ministry of Health Chief Human Resources Officer and four others to 18 years imprisonment with hard labour each for corruption, money laundering and theft of over K6million. The sentence includes five years each for theft, 5 years for money laundering and a further nine for theft by public servant.

In a ruling that lasted for two days, Principal Resident Magistrate Hon. Exnobert Zulu convicted Kapoko aged 45, three accountants namely , Zukas kaoma, 47,  Evaristo Musaba, 56, Vincent Luhana,  and an Internal Auditor Jasper Phiri, 46. However, honourable Zulu has acquitted other persons that were jointly charged namely Roy Maswenyeho, Luke Makeche, Chrispine Sichone, Nobert Peleti, and Essau Banda on account that no offence had been proved against them.

Henry Kapoko  and nine other officials from the Ministry of Health were jointly charged by the Anti-Corruption Commission on 67 counts following investigations conducted by the Anti-Corruption, Zambia Police, and Drug Enforcement  and were found with a case to answer on 66 counts by the magistrates court.

Hon. Exnobert Zulu in his ruling ordered that all convicts properties  and accounts in which stolen money was deposited be forfeited to the State. He also entered a statutory judgement in favour of the Attorney General to recover over K6.8m from the convicts. The said properties include 24 motor vehicles including BMW, Mercedes Benz,Nissan Truck. Others are 3 houses, 2 Lodges, 1 Filling station, 5 Banks Accounts.

He ruled that for the money to move in the fashion it did, there was collusion among the five convicts, and therefore the five were also ordered to pay costs incurred by the State during the whole court process.

Hon. Exnobert Zulu found that there were hyper activities in terms of the money Kapoko was depositing into his business and personal bank accounts. He said that Kapoko continued to endorse dubious payments from the Ministry of Health to a named consultancy agency, even after he had been transferred to the then Ministry of Local Government and Housing. This was evidenced in the cheques  and payment vouchers that were found in his house by the investigative wings.

He said that it was peculiar that Kapoko was making huge bank deposits at the same time he was acquiring high value motor vehicles and properties.

In this nine year trial, the investigative wings conducted an investigation following the unearthing of a scam involving corruption, theft, and money laundering at said Ministry.

Timothy Moono

PUBLIC RELATIONS MANAGER

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