"Zambia has filed a lawsuit in London against its former president, demanding the return of a multimillion-dollar fortune allegedly plundered from state coffers.
Lawyers for the Zambian government claim that Frederick Chiluba and his associates deposited $24 million (£13 million) of assets in London bank accounts, and have obtained an order from the High Court to freeze the assets while the case is heard.
The allegation of theft is strongly denied by Chiluba - who led the southern African country until 2001 - and the other defendants. They insist that the money was obtained legitimately." Continued......
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
Saturday, June 25, 2005
Levy's Attempt to Silence Zambians Will Boomerang
"IT seems President Levy Mwanawasa and his minions do not learn or are incapable of learning. They seem to be jumping, like monkeys, from one violation of the Constitution to another.
It seems in their desperation to hide their heinous deeds, they have now resorted to a systematic campaign of repression. They want to shut any mouth that opens up to expose the crimes of their league. They have started a reckless and dangerous assault on our people's freedom of speech and that of expression. They don't even seem to care that this is a constitutionally protected fundamental right. What of the summoning of people every day to police stations to be questioned on what they said on some radio programme or on what they were quoted to have said in some newspaper, or indeed on what was published under their by-line over the last few weeks? Why are they in such a frenzy? What are they trying to hide that is worrying them so much that if the people come to know, they may lose their manliness? What is it? Whatever it is, it must be a very big transgression, a gigantic crime." More from source.....
related posts on Zambia
It seems in their desperation to hide their heinous deeds, they have now resorted to a systematic campaign of repression. They want to shut any mouth that opens up to expose the crimes of their league. They have started a reckless and dangerous assault on our people's freedom of speech and that of expression. They don't even seem to care that this is a constitutionally protected fundamental right. What of the summoning of people every day to police stations to be questioned on what they said on some radio programme or on what they were quoted to have said in some newspaper, or indeed on what was published under their by-line over the last few weeks? Why are they in such a frenzy? What are they trying to hide that is worrying them so much that if the people come to know, they may lose their manliness? What is it? Whatever it is, it must be a very big transgression, a gigantic crime." More from source.....
related posts on Zambia
Journalist charged with sedition in Zambia for giving the fax
The Cape Times reports: "Lusaka: Police here on Wednesday interrogated journalist Anthony Mukwita and charged him with sedition. He faces a seven year jail sentence or an option of a fine, Mukwita confirmed, but said he had not been arrested yet.
Mukwita is the Cape Times correspondent in Zambia.
He was questioned over a fax he read out during a prime time radio programme he hosts on Lusaka's privately owned Radio Phoenix on June 10.
The fax was signed by 'annoyed Zambians' who cautioned President Levy Mwanawasa that he would 'slide the country into anarchy' if he did not listen to Zambians over various social, political and economic issues. "
Mukwita is the Cape Times correspondent in Zambia.
He was questioned over a fax he read out during a prime time radio programme he hosts on Lusaka's privately owned Radio Phoenix on June 10.
The fax was signed by 'annoyed Zambians' who cautioned President Levy Mwanawasa that he would 'slide the country into anarchy' if he did not listen to Zambians over various social, political and economic issues. "
Thursday, June 23, 2005
Govt Pursues Nevers Over Diplomatic Passport
"THE government is pursuing former Republican vice-president Pastor Nevers Mumba over his diplomatic passport.
And police yesterday questioned Radio Phoenix's Face The Media programme presenter Anthony Mukwita regarding a fax he read on June 10, 2005 from a listener that expressed fears that President Mwanawasa might slide the nation into chaos."
More from source:
And police yesterday questioned Radio Phoenix's Face The Media programme presenter Anthony Mukwita regarding a fax he read on June 10, 2005 from a listener that expressed fears that President Mwanawasa might slide the nation into chaos."
More from source:
Friday, June 17, 2005
Ruling Party Distances Itself From Attack On Newspaper
Zambia's ruling party, the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD), on Friday denied that it had authorised any attack on the media, after claims that its supporters had attacked newspaper vendors.
'We are committed to a democratic regime and believe in the freedom of the press,' MMD spokesman Akashambatwa Mbikusita-Lewanika told IRIN.
The Post, a privately owned daily newspaper, alleged that supporters of the MMD had attacked its vendors and confiscated copies of the newspaper at its printing plant in the capital, Lusaka, on Wednesday morning.
More from UN Integrated Regional Information Networks :
'We are committed to a democratic regime and believe in the freedom of the press,' MMD spokesman Akashambatwa Mbikusita-Lewanika told IRIN.
The Post, a privately owned daily newspaper, alleged that supporters of the MMD had attacked its vendors and confiscated copies of the newspaper at its printing plant in the capital, Lusaka, on Wednesday morning.
More from UN Integrated Regional Information Networks :
IPI Calls for Arrest of MMD Thugs
INTERNATIONAL Press Institute (IPI) director Dr Johann Fritz has condemned ruling MMD thugs' attack on Post Newspaper vendors yesterday.
And Post Newspapers Limited circulation manager Elizabeth Nyirenda disclosed that suspected MMD cadres yesterday morning went wild grabbing copies of The Post from the vendors in Lusaka,Zambia.
In a statement from Vienna, Austria yesterday, Dr Fritz called for the prosecution of the MMD thugs. More from source...
And Post Newspapers Limited circulation manager Elizabeth Nyirenda disclosed that suspected MMD cadres yesterday morning went wild grabbing copies of The Post from the vendors in Lusaka,Zambia.
In a statement from Vienna, Austria yesterday, Dr Fritz called for the prosecution of the MMD thugs. More from source...
Radio Phoenix Public Affairs Programme Host Questioned By Police, Fired By Station
On 14 June 2005, Lusaka police questioned Anthony Mukwita, a Radio Phoenix 'Let the People Talk' programme host, over a fax anonymously sent, which he had read on air during the 10 June edition of the programme. The fax accused the government of condoning corruption and warned that the country might slip into anarchy as a result.
Mukwita told MISA that a chief investigations officer for Lusaka Division and two detectives followed him to the MISA Zambia offices from where he operates and questioned him in connection with the fax, signed only 'Annoyed Zambians'.
'They demanded to have a copy of the fax, which cautioned the Mwanawasa administration to be responsive to the people's needs or risk throwing the country into anarchy through another attempted coup, similar to the one staged by Captain Stephen in 1997,' Mukwita told MISA Zambia.
Mukwita said the police wanted him to give a statement but he refused, insisting that he would only do so in the presence of his lawyer. The interview was done in the presence of MISA Zambia's chairperson, Kellys Kaunda.
In a related development, Radio Phoenix has terminated Mukwita's contract as of 16 June, citing his decision to read the controversial fax on the 'Let the People Talk' programme, among other reasons.
In a 15 June statement, Kaunda condemned the police action saying it was part of a grand scheme to silence the 'Let The People Talk' forum, the only platform available to the Zambian people to air their views freely.
Mukwita will be questioned again in the presence of a lawyer at the MISA Zambia secretariat on 16 June.
BACKGROUND
The fax was sparked off by a Radio Phoenix programme which broadcast a discussion of the state's 17 May decision to not proceed with its case against former health permanent secretary Kashiwa Bulaya. Bulaya was being prosecuted for alleged abuse of office involving the allocation of K3 billion Kwacha (approx. US$640,000) for the government purchase of anti-retroviral drugs from a Bulgarian company in which he allegedly has financial interests.
The state's decision had resulted in Bulaya's discharge, which was met by sharp criticism from "The Post" newspaper and other quarters.
On 14 June, Justice Minister George Kunda instructed Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Chalwe Mchenga to resume Bulaya's prosecution due to public outcry and the need to avoid anarchy in the country.
"Let the People Talk" is a popular interactive discussion programme on public affairs.
Media Institute of Southern Africa
(Windhoek)
PRESS RELEASE
June 15, 2005
Mukwita told MISA that a chief investigations officer for Lusaka Division and two detectives followed him to the MISA Zambia offices from where he operates and questioned him in connection with the fax, signed only 'Annoyed Zambians'.
'They demanded to have a copy of the fax, which cautioned the Mwanawasa administration to be responsive to the people's needs or risk throwing the country into anarchy through another attempted coup, similar to the one staged by Captain Stephen in 1997,' Mukwita told MISA Zambia.
Mukwita said the police wanted him to give a statement but he refused, insisting that he would only do so in the presence of his lawyer. The interview was done in the presence of MISA Zambia's chairperson, Kellys Kaunda.
In a related development, Radio Phoenix has terminated Mukwita's contract as of 16 June, citing his decision to read the controversial fax on the 'Let the People Talk' programme, among other reasons.
In a 15 June statement, Kaunda condemned the police action saying it was part of a grand scheme to silence the 'Let The People Talk' forum, the only platform available to the Zambian people to air their views freely.
Mukwita will be questioned again in the presence of a lawyer at the MISA Zambia secretariat on 16 June.
BACKGROUND
The fax was sparked off by a Radio Phoenix programme which broadcast a discussion of the state's 17 May decision to not proceed with its case against former health permanent secretary Kashiwa Bulaya. Bulaya was being prosecuted for alleged abuse of office involving the allocation of K3 billion Kwacha (approx. US$640,000) for the government purchase of anti-retroviral drugs from a Bulgarian company in which he allegedly has financial interests.
The state's decision had resulted in Bulaya's discharge, which was met by sharp criticism from "The Post" newspaper and other quarters.
On 14 June, Justice Minister George Kunda instructed Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Chalwe Mchenga to resume Bulaya's prosecution due to public outcry and the need to avoid anarchy in the country.
"Let the People Talk" is a popular interactive discussion programme on public affairs.
Media Institute of Southern Africa
(Windhoek)
PRESS RELEASE
June 15, 2005
Private press victim of deteriorating political climate
Reporters Without Borders has expressed concerned about growing tension engulfing opposition media after a radio journalist was questioned for reading a listener's fax on air and newspaper sellers were brutally attacked by presidential party activists.
The press freedom organisation urged the Lusaka police chief, in a letter, not to allow the press to become a scapegoat.
The press freedom organisation urged the Lusaka police chief, in a letter, not to allow the press to become a scapegoat.
"The press are often a convenient scapegoat when the political climate in a country deteriorates", Reporters Without Borders said in a letter to the regional police chief in Lusaka, Chendela Musonda.
"The two recent incidents reported in Zambia seem to us worrying in this context. The interrogation of a journalist and the assault on newspaper sellers are signals that we would not like to see repeated. That is why we are asking you, on one hand to ensure that the services that you are in charge of observe the strictest legality in dealings with the press and respect the principle of protection of sources of information. On the other hand, we have noted your actions aimed at punishing the perpetrators of the assaults on the sellers of the Post. We nevertheless ask you to see to it that these investigations are thorough and independent.
"Unless this happens, suspicion which would undoubtedly fall on the Zambian police, could aggravate a situation that is already quite unstable."
Thursday, June 16, 2005
Mwanawasa's ally to be probed once more
"Zambia will re-open the trial of a close ally of President Levy Mwanawasa accused of diverting cash meant for Aids drugs, a senior official said on Wednesday, bowing to pressure from donors and the public." more...
Wednesday, June 15, 2005
Mumba Urged to Form Party As Sanderson Quits MMD
The Post (Lusaka) reports:
"MMD National Executive Committee (NEC) chairperson for lands Eva Sanderson has resigned from the party. And expelled MMD presidential aspirant Pastor Nevers Mumba's Copperbelt-based supporters have asked him to form his own party and not join any of the existing parties.
Sanderson in her resignation letter to MMD national secretary Vernon Mwaanga dated June 12, 2005 said that corruption at the highest level of the party and at the State House as well as undemocratic tendencies within the party were the reasons for her resignation."
"MMD National Executive Committee (NEC) chairperson for lands Eva Sanderson has resigned from the party. And expelled MMD presidential aspirant Pastor Nevers Mumba's Copperbelt-based supporters have asked him to form his own party and not join any of the existing parties.
Sanderson in her resignation letter to MMD national secretary Vernon Mwaanga dated June 12, 2005 said that corruption at the highest level of the party and at the State House as well as undemocratic tendencies within the party were the reasons for her resignation."
Monday, June 13, 2005
Levy is Morally Crippled - Nevers
"PRESIDENT Mwanawasa has been morally crippled in the fight against corruption, expelled MMD presidential aspirant Pastor Nevers Mumba has charged.
Speaking on the Face the Media programme on Yatsani Radio yesterday, Pastor Mumba also said President Mwanawasa, like Saul in the Bible, had fallen on the sword he was using to fight corruption.
Pastor Mumba said he joined government to help fight corruption and that he did his part with tremendous resolve.
He said President Mwanawasa championed himself as the father in fighting corruption but that what Pastor Mumba later discovered shocked him." More from source.....
Speaking on the Face the Media programme on Yatsani Radio yesterday, Pastor Mumba also said President Mwanawasa, like Saul in the Bible, had fallen on the sword he was using to fight corruption.
Pastor Mumba said he joined government to help fight corruption and that he did his part with tremendous resolve.
He said President Mwanawasa championed himself as the father in fighting corruption but that what Pastor Mumba later discovered shocked him." More from source.....
Friday, June 10, 2005
Levy Should Stop Lying
This editorial from The Post Newspaper confronts "the dishonesty of Levy and his minions".
Sunday, June 05, 2005
Zambia's Mwanawasa under fire on graft campaign
"Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa's anti-graft credentials have been battered after his government halted the case of an ally charged with squandering millions of dollars meant for AIDS drugs, analysts said on Sunday.
Opposition groups, diplomats and newspapers questioned Mwanawasa's commitment to fighting graft after the country's top prosecutor dropped proceedings against former health ministry official Kashiwa Bulaya." Full News Coverage....
Opposition groups, diplomats and newspapers questioned Mwanawasa's commitment to fighting graft after the country's top prosecutor dropped proceedings against former health ministry official Kashiwa Bulaya." Full News Coverage....
Thursday, June 02, 2005
sticky web of political blogss
FEC treads into sticky web of political blogs: "Web loggers, who pride themselves on freewheeling political activism, might face new federal rules on candidate endorsements, online fundraising and political ads, though bloggers who don't take money from political groups would not be affected.
Draft rules from the Federal Election Commission, which enforces campaign finance laws, would require that paid political advertisements on the Internet declare who funded the ad, as television spots do."
Draft rules from the Federal Election Commission, which enforces campaign finance laws, would require that paid political advertisements on the Internet declare who funded the ad, as television spots do."
Wednesday, June 01, 2005
Mice and Men
This reminds me of a neighbourhood spoilt brat who who resorts to walking away with his toys when no one agrees or panders to his whim.
Honestly, if the MMD does not wish to go in history as a corrupt clique, they have failed to show it.
Expelling Nevers Mumba is a shameless cope-out.
What makes men want to be mice?
perhaps it's so they have an excuse for any cowardly behavior; or maybe it's just because they like cheese.
To be a mouse, or not to be a mouse. That is the question. Whether nobler in the minds of many that the mouse is indeed the nobler, therefore the noblest of the nobles is the mouse. Therefore we should all chill and eat cheese...
Honestly, if the MMD does not wish to go in history as a corrupt clique, they have failed to show it.
Expelling Nevers Mumba is a shameless cope-out.
What makes men want to be mice?
perhaps it's so they have an excuse for any cowardly behavior; or maybe it's just because they like cheese.
To be a mouse, or not to be a mouse. That is the question. Whether nobler in the minds of many that the mouse is indeed the nobler, therefore the noblest of the nobles is the mouse. Therefore we should all chill and eat cheese...
Zambia ruling party expels former vice president
"Zambia's ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) party has expelled former vice president Nevers Mumba for lack of discipline after he accused President Levy Mwanawasa of involvement in corruption.
MMD national secretary Vernon Mwaanga told journalists on Wednesday that Mumba had been expelled for bringing the party's name into 'ridicule' and for lack of discipline." Full News Coverage:
MMD national secretary Vernon Mwaanga told journalists on Wednesday that Mumba had been expelled for bringing the party's name into 'ridicule' and for lack of discipline." Full News Coverage:
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