FOLLOWING her recent arrest, former First Lady Esther Lungu, and four others, including two police officers, have been taken to court over alleged theft of three cars and money laundering involving over K1.5million.

Mrs Lungu is also facing a charge of concealing US$400,000 which is reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime.

The other suspects in the matter are o James Phiri and Lee Chisulo, both police officers of Obama and New Chilenje, respectively, and Catherine Banda and Kapambwe Lungu, whose occupation are yet to be established.
The are facing five counts of theft of motor vehicles, theft and concealing property reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime.

Allegations are that between August 9, 2021 and September 30,2022, the five stole a Mitsubishi canter registration number BAV 5282 worth K 320,000, belonging to Elizabeth Phiri, who is reportely the former first lady’s niece.

In the second count, allegations are that between the same dates, all the accused persons stole a Toyota Runx Registration number BLA 9772 valued at K 110,000 , the property of Ms Phiri.

It is alleged in count three that between the same dates, the accused stole a Toyota Alex registration number BAV 3986 valued at K 110,000 belonging to Furhana Patel.

In count four, Ms Lungu and others allegedly stole a certificate of title relating to stand number S/LUSAKA/333/2977 situated in Libala , Lusaka water works worth K 1,050,000, the property of Ms Phiri.

In the last count, allegations are that between the same dates, Ms Lungu, a housewife according to the indictment, had in her possession or concealed US$400,000, money is reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime.

The accused are expected to appear before Lusaka Magistrate Mbuywana Sinvula.

(Mwebantu, Friday, 29th September, 2023)

PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema says those think the fight against corruption have been slowed down are mistaken as it is actively ongoing.

He made the remarks after swearing in Cornelius Mweetwa as the Minister of Information and Media and Chief Government Spokesperson, alongside Thabo Kawana, the Permanent Secretary for Information and Media, and other senior government officials at State House.

The President said the perceived sluggishness of legal processes has led some individuals to assume that the fight against corruption has been weakened.

“The slowness of the law has made those who take public assets and convert them into private hands to assume that the fight against corruption has been watered down. They are very wrong, I think it has built enough data now and ready to explode,” he said.

He urged those appointed not to be complacent or trapped by the power that comes with their positions.
“We work for the people of Zambia and never should we forget that, it is them we agreed to serve. They expect a minimum level from us, time and quality service all the time. We must carry ourselves as servants of the people. Please do not fall in that trap because once you do that you would have lost it,” he said.

President Hichilema also directed the new Minister of Information and Media to ensure effective communication of government achievements to the public.

He highlighted the importance of establishing strong relationships with stakeholders to facilitate the flow of information.

The President said those appointed should focus on serving the people and avoiding any pitfalls that may compromise their commitment to the nation.

(Mwebantu, Wednesday, 27th September, 2023)

THE Chapter One Foundation (COF) has expressed concerns regarding marginalisation of women in the appointments to high office.

In a statement, COF executive director Linda Kasonde said the lack of female representation, particularly at Cabinet level is not only lamentable, but is also unjustifiable in a nation in which over 50 percent of the population is made up of women.

Ms Kasonde said lack of attention paid by the government in addressing issues of gender equity and equality is alarming and appears to indicate a lack of appreciation for the need for equitable gender representation in government.

She said the trend is in breach of Article 259(1) of the Zambian Constitution and Zambia’s international obligations under the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development, specifically Article 12(1), and Article 9(1) of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa, which both call for equal representation of women in decision-making positions.

“The Office of the President issued a press release, dated the 25th of September 2023, announcing several appointments, transfers, and a dismissal. Notable of the decisions taken by the President, is the continued marginalisation of women in appointments to high public office, even in the face of opportunity to rectify the worrying situation. Equally worrying is the continued Politicisation of the
public service,” Ms Kasonde said.
She said urgent and deliberate action must be taken by the government to demonstrate its commitment to gender equality.
And Ms Kasonde has supported Speaker of the National Assembly Nelly Mutti’s view that the Ministry of Gender should be re-introduced.

“We further call for the Gender Equity and Equality Act be operationalised without further delay,” she said.

Meanwhile, Ms Kasonde says the appointment Ministry of Information and Media Permanent Secretary Thabo Kawana who was a political party functionary in the ruling United Party for National Development Alliance is disturbing as it adds to the politicisation of the public service.

She said the civil service is meant to be occupied by professional, non-partisan public officers who can serve the nation without fear or favour.

“We call upon the Zambian government to pause and reflect on potential and actual implications of these decisions. We believe that jobs in the public service belong to all qualified Zambians, regardless of gender, tribal, or other affiliation in line with our constitutional provisions,” Ms Kasonde said.

(Mwebantu, Wednesday, 27th September, 2023)