Metro

Zambian opposition lawmaker drags Speaker to anti-graft agency

Published

1 year ago

November 10, 2023

An opposition member of the Zambian Parliament, Mutotwe Kafwaya has joined the fray in the unending crisis rocking the assembly by dragging the Speaker, Nelly Mutti, to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) over alleged abuse of authority.

In a letter to the Director-General of the ACC on Thursday, Kafwaya, who represents the Lunte constituency on the platform of the Patriotic Front (PF), alleged that the Speaker committed constitutional breaches and urged the agency to probe matters of abuse of authority and office by a public officer.

The MP said the move had become necessary following the emergence of a faction of the opposition party led by Miles Sampa who went ahead to make changes to the offices of leader of the opposition and whip, respectively.

Kafwaya alleged that on October 25, 2023 a letter was written by the PF informing Mutti that Sampa had been expelled from the party and that his seat should be declared vacant, but lamented that the Speaker ignored the letter and went ahead to install Sampa.

He further narrated how Sampa illegally appointed Morgan Ng’ona as Secretary-General of the former ruling party, leading Ng’ona to write a letter to the Speaker informing her of changes purportedly made to the office of the Leader of the Opposition and PF whip in Parliament.

Kafwaya said Sampa later appointed Robert Chabinga, the MP for Mafinga Constituency and Anthony Mumba, representing Kantanshi Constituency as Leader of the Opposition in Parliament and Opposition Whip, respectively.

“It will be noted that this is from the background that in June, 2023, the Speaker of the National Assembly was written to inform her that the PF had substituted Sampa with Sydney Mushanga,the Bwacha MP as representative of the Party in the Pan African Parliament,” he said.

“I have no doubt that the Speaker of the National Assembly, Ms Nellie Butete Kashumba Mutti, is a public officer,” he noted in the letter, adding that Mutti ignored the said letter and the instructions contained therein.

“After the Patriotic Front learnt of Ng’ona’s letter, the substantive Secretary-General of the PF, Raphael Nakachinda wrote a letter on the October31, 2023 to the speaker of the National Assembly informing her that there were no changes in the offices of Leader of opposition, Patriotic Front whip and deputy whip.”

He said the Speaker, acting through the Clerk of National Assembly, in total defiance of the information provided and Article 74 (2), responded to the letter sent through the office of the Leader of the Opposition.

He claimed that after receipt of these documents, the Speaker, in total disregard of Article 74(2) of the constitution, went ahead to recognise Chabinga as leader of opposition.

Kafwaya also claimed that in accordance with Article 74 (2) of the Constitution, a person only assumes the office of Leader of the Opposition after an election by members of the opposition political party in parliament with the largest number of members.

He, therefore, alleged that the Speaker acted contrary to the provisions of the Constitution when she effected changes in the office of Leader of Opposition, thereby constituting an act of abuse of office by a public officer.

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Metro

Zambia: Expert warns of food security threat due to climate change

Published

4 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Isaac Dachen

A prominent Zambian climate-smart agriculture expert, Oliver Bulaya, has warned of a collapse of the county’s agricultural sector with a potential threat to food security due to the worsening impact of climate change.

Bulaya, who bared his mind in an interview with Zambia Monitor on Friday, warned that ignoring the crisis could lead to severe disruptions in the country’s food supply and economy.

“Unless concerted efforts are made, the country will continue facing dire consequences from climate change,” the expert noted.

He lamented a growing trend of farmers relocating to regions experiencing above-normal rainfall, such as the northern block, as they struggle with losses caused by climate variability.

Bulaya emphasized that the once-reliable rainfall areas like North-Western Zambia are now experiencing lower precipitation, as seen during the 2023/2024 farming season and cautioned that poor farming practices, which had already strained the Southern region, could lead to similar challenges in other parts of the country if proactive measures were not implemented.

Metro

Outrage over murder of Nigerian beaten to death by South Africans inside estate security office

Published

9 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The Nigerian community, under the auspices of Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa (NICASA), has raised the alarm over the murder of a 37-year-old Nigerian, Julius Chukwunta, who was beaten to death by four South Africans inside an estate.

According to the association, Chukwunta, a native of Aninri Local Government Area in Enugu State, was reportedly attacked on Saturday, December 7, while driving to his residence in Midrand Protea Estate.

In a statement issued on Saturday by the President-General of NICASA, Dr Frank Onyekwelu, Chukwunta was blocked by the four men while approaching his residence.

Onyekwelu stated that information available to the association noted that after attempting to pass through, Chukwunta was met with resistance by the assailants, prompting him to seek help at the security office of the estate.

“At that moment, the four men allegedly attacked him, leaving him severely injured with a head wound,” the PG said.

“His female companion, who was sitting in the car, rushed to the security office and discovered him bleeding on the ground.

“In spite of attempts to call for help, the security office and residents did not assist in calling the police or an ambulance.

“After an hour, Chukwunta’s partner contacted her father, who, along with other family members, took him to Tembisa General Hospital.

“Chukwunta was placed on life support but later succumbed to his injuries and died at the Tembisa General Hospital on December 10, 2024.”

Onyekwelu also confirmed that the case was reported to the police by Chukwunta’s partner at the Midrand Police Station and was registered under file number 262/12/2024.

The NICASA President said the four suspects, aged 20, 24, 27, and 28, were arrested, and the case was presented in Alexandra Magistrate Court on December 13, 2024, where they were charged with murder.

“The court proceedings on December 18, 2024, saw three of the suspects granted bail of R10,000 each, while the fourth had not yet applied for bail. The case was adjourned to February 3, 2025.”

Onyekwelu however, expressed disappointment at the proceedings, wondering why three of the suspects were released on bail and vowed that the Nigerian community would continue to demand justice for Chukwunta and support his family.

He emphasised that the community would not rest until justice was served and the value of Nigerian lives was upheld in South Africa.