NEVERS MUMBA
Opposition Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) President Nevers Mumba has been arrested and detained at Lusaka’s Woodlands Police Station.
The government joint investigations team this afternoon arrested and charged Dr. Mumba for willful failure to comply with applicable procedure relating to management of public funds contrary to section 33 (2b) of the repealed Anti Corruption Act No: 38 of 2010.
Dr. Mumba has also been charged with three counts of abuse of authority of office contrary to section 99 (1) of the Penal Code Cap 87 of the laws of Zambia.
This was after Dr. Mumba availed himself before the joint investigations team this afternoon at Woodlands police station for questioning in connection with offences allegedly committed during his stay in Canada as Zambia’s High Commissioner.
Dr.Mumba arrived at Woodlands police station in the company of his lawyers, Makebi Zulu, Irene Kunda and was later joined by Sakwiba Sikota for the questioning which took over an hour.
Others present were party acting MMD National Secretary Kapembwa Simbao, party Spokesperson Dora Siliya, some NEC members and other party officials.
Particulars of the offence are that Dr. Mumba on dates unknown but between the 1st June, 2011 and 31st December, 2011 at the Zambian High commission in Canada, being a person whose functions concerned the use of public revenue, willfully failed to comply with laid down procedures in receiving and disbursing of 122 thousand Canadian Dollars, a donation to the Zambian government by a private company, Barrick Gold Corporation.
And speaking to journalists shortly before being thrown in the cells, Dr. Mumba said he is not worried about his arrest stating that what is worrisome is the continued abuse of resources by government in pursing opposition leaders which can instead be used to develop the country.
And Dr. Mumba’s lawyer, Sakwiba Sikota said he will apply for bail for his client after his appearance in court tomorrow.
And government joint investigations team Spokesperson, Namukolo Kasumpa confirmed the arrest of Dr. Mumba to journalists.
Meanwhile, the Government joint investigative team has summoned former information and broadcasting Minister Lieutenant General Ronnie Shikapwasha, together with his former Permanent Secretary, Sam Phiri and journalist Chanda Chimba III to appear before the team tomorrow for questioning.
Team Spokesperson Namukolo Kasumpa has told QFM in a statement that the summoning of the trio is in connection with the ongoing investigations into the publication and airing of the Chanda Chimba III Stand Up for Zambia programme.
The team has also summoned former Deputy managing director of the Zambia Daily Mail Davies Mataka and consultant Ngandu Mwananjiti in connection with the ongoing investigation in which the public media support fund was fraudulently and unlawfully diverted from the ministry of information and broadcasting services for the production OF A private newspaper called the Zambian.
The duo will also appear before the team tomorrow.
QFM
OPPOSITION PARTIES PREPARE YOURSELVES NOW FOR 2016
In Zambia our opposition parties appear or become active only during an election, and disappear when the election is over. It is found out that most of the opposition parties are established around the personalities of individuals, lack internal democracy, suffer from inter-party and intra-party conflicts, have severe shortage of finance, and lack strong base and experience. Their weaknesses also include bad organization and weak connection with the popular constituencies. My research concludes that most of the weaknesses in the opposition parties emanate from the incumbents’ hostile policies, which are mostly aimed at fragmenting and weakening the opposition groups.Opposition parties are also defined as minority parties that do not wield executive power, but act as a check on governments
. In democratic country like ZaMBIA , opposition parties are suppose to be free to criticize the ruling party and the government with out intimidation , and they are entrusted with offering policy alternatives. 2016 is around the corner and I must commend opposition parties and leaders such as HH from the UPND PARTY , Mumba that have continued to challenge SATA and government when government is wrong even when they are faced with arrest.We live in a time where Sata and PF govt continues to abuse office and undermine democracy .They continue divide the opposition instead of listening , we have also seen an increase in corruption from the PF government while the common man suffers.ZaMBIA needs credible leadership , we have had 90 days of nonesense
Winning a general elections is not easy so the opposition needs to start organising themselves and campaigns now .Every part of ZaMBIA must be visited and explained to the people why we need a government that will bring development and not create divisions .Sata and PF have to go they have failed ZaMBIA .
Freedom Speech ( you can find me on facebook)