Posts in category: Uncategorized

Researchers at the National University of Singapore (NUS) have developed a novel aero-elastic pressure sensor, called “eAir.” This technology can be used in minimally invasive surgeries and implantable sensors by directly addressing the challenges associated with existing pressure sensors.

By NATION REPORTER 

TRANSPARENCY International Zambia (TIZ) has called on government to facilitate the streamlining of annual declaration of assets by public servants.

Speaking at a media briefing to Media briefing to assess two years of the UPND in government, TIZ chapter president, Priscilla Chansa said government, through the Ministry of Justice should facilitate the streamlining of asset declarations with clear procedures and processes for annual declarations and a monitoring mechanism of the declaration within the year. 

Ms. Chansa the introduction of annual declaration of assets must also include the establishment of an autonomous institution or specific directorate under the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to collect the declarations and conduct lifestyle audits.

She said in actualizing the Motion that was passed by Parliament in December 2022, the Ministry of Justice should draft legislation on lifestyle audits for presentation to Parliament, while seeing to it that there was wide consultation in the process. 

Ms. Chansa said government, through the ACC, should provide a formal update on ‘Operation Recovery’ and state the worth of forfeited and recovered resources so far. 

“This should be coupled with strengthening the mechanism for managing the funds from forfeited and recovered assets,” she said.

Meanwhile, Ms. Chansa said TIZ rated the UPND administration’s performance as moderate in the last two years in strengthening the ACC as the main public body that has the constitutional mandate to fight corruption in Zambia.

She said the UPND administration has taken some positive strides by demonstrating political will, promptly appointing a substantive Director General, Commissioners, and increasing budgetary allocations towards the ACC.

Ms. Chansa said the funding to the Commission increased from K72.3 million in 2021 to K 101.1 million in 2022, a 39.8 percent increase, which can be cited as a clear indication of actualizing the political will to fight corruption more effectively. 

She also said despite the positive steps government was yet to deliver on their commitments to finalize the National Anti-Corruption Policy, to amend anti-corruption laws, and to enhance the operational independence of the ACC.

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By LUCY PHIRI

A LUSAKA pastor who was accused of raping an 18-year-old church member who was entrusted to him for spiritual cleansing and sponsorship to school has been acquitted.

This was after Lusaka magistrate Idah Phiri found the accused with no case to answer in a matter he is charged with one count of rape.

In passing judgement yesterday at the Lusaka Magistrate Court, Ms Phiri found George Phiri, 30, a pastor of United End of Times Church in Kanyama compound not guilty and acquitted him.

Ms Phiri said the prosecution did not prove their case beyond reasonable doubt through witnesses who never provided proof if there was an agreement between the victim and the accused to have sex.

Magistrate Phiri ruled that the court had doubts in the manner the incident happened because the records does not show that the victim consented or not.

She established that the victim in her testimony did not mention if she was forced or not, she said the pastor took her for prayers at a lodge.

Phiri pleaded not guilty to one count of rape contrary to the laws of Zambia.

It is alleged that Phiri took the victim to a lodge and had sex with her as part of spiritual cleansing.

It is also alleged that he smeared a white powder and sprinkled some water on her body claiming that she had a spiritual husband which needed to be removed whilst naked on the bed.

But Phiri in his defense denied the allegations on grounds that the victim was his girlfriend and they were in a relationship.

Phiri in his defence testified that the victim wanted him to sponsor her to school and buy her a phone of which he agreed.

Phiri is married with children and said he wanted to marry the victim as his second wife because it’s not a sin.

“According to the prosecution, the victim did not consent having sex with the accused, but there is no enough evidence because she was never heard screaming at the lodge and there is no evidence that the powder was found in the lodge.  The officer did not tell the court that he found the powder in the room, we don’t know where it came from. Two maids at the lodge said they saw the victim coming out holding hands with the accused.

Magistrate Phiri said if the accused used force, the victim could have screamed.

“The Prosecution did not prove their case beyond reasonable doubt, I therefore found the accused not guilty and acquit him accordingly,” she ruled.

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By PRINCE MABUMBA

THE Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has been asked to release Airline King B 190 by the Yango Airline Services who are the owners.

In a purported letter by MYM Legal Practitioner said, the airline was not involved in the gold scandal but it was brought in the country as part of the company’s plan to boost its taxi and courier business locally.

The lawyers said, at the time of seizure, the jet was parked on the run way with three staff on board.

They said the jet which was brought in Zambian on March 15, 2023, was scheduled to be officially launched on September 1, 2023 and would be flying on selected routes within Zambia at K350 for shorter distances and K500 on longer routes per person.

The lawyers said it was surprising that DEC officers who found the engine of the jet running as part of the routine maintenance confiscated the keys from the pilot and they did not leave any seizure form. 

 They say efforts to get back the keys proved futile as DEC officers have insisted that since the airlines was parked next to the aircraft where illegal contraband was found, they are presumed to know of the illegalities involved.

The lawyers said their client does not have any knowledge of activities in other planes as it is outside the purview of the business scope, therefore, the actions by the officers are detrimental to the company’s efforts to operate its business efficiently to the benefit of Zambians.

“By reason of the foregoing, we have been duly and unequivocally instructed to demand for the immediate release of the keys and control of the jet to our client,” they said. 

“In the event that you fail to comply within 24 hours from time of receipt of this letter, we shall have no option but to subject your institution to the rigmarole of court process whose outcome with consequential costs, damages are in your peculiar knowledge,” part of the letter said.

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By NATION REPORTER 

PANIC is unnerving law enforcement agencies and other state security wings after it was discovered that one of the suspects arrested in Zambia’s wonder gold scandal, Osward Diangamo should never have been arrested because he is politically highly connected.

The gold scandal which has kept Zambians intrigued and in suspense with its unfolding developments yesterday saw the Joint Investigative Team (JIT) raid the residence of Lusaka businessman Shadrick Kasanda three times in less than 24 hours in search of gold.

Early in the week, a gold transaction at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (KKIA) was busted leading to the grounding of a private jet and seizing of several gold bullions and about US$5.7 million and 10 suspects arrested in the process.

But the gold was to turn into copper, zinc and tin, according to Paul Kabuswe, the Minister of Mines and Mineral Development, creating more mystery and suspicion, resulting into Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security Jack Mwiimbu banning government agencies and ministries offering unsolicited comments on the matter.  

And yesterday, sources within the Joint Investigative Team disclosed that panic had gripped the investigative wings after Mr Diangamo was reported to have been among those who had been cornered in the gold heist.

After Mr Diangamo’s name was announced as being among the arrested, there was sudden panic among the law enforcement agencies who later discovered that although he (Diangamo) was a private citizen and not a government official, he had been privileged with a diplomatic passport.

In a hush rush, the JIT raided Mr Kasanda’s residence at three different intervals the first being 03:00 hours. Mr Kasanda becomes the latest suspect to be linked to the two jets carrying over US$$5.6 million and gold, which was to be intercepted after a whistleblower raised alarm.

Mr Kasanda was taken to the joint investigative team offices at 15:30 hours for interrogation and by press time, there was little information about the interrogation as the DEC director general Nason Banda could not be reached for comment because he was unable to talk.

“I cannot talk,” said Mr Banda in a short text message after he was called for a comment.

Earlier in the day, Mr Banda led a group of journalists at KKIA to show that the jests that were seized were still in the country in his attempt to dash the speculation suggesting that the two jets had been released. 

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MUFULIRA Wanderers patron Anthony Mumba has warned supporters against making unethical suggestions to him as the team prepares to take part in the Super League. Mumba revealed that previously, there have been some people who have suggested that he pay referees to give unfair advantage to Wanderers. “I have had people here telling to pay […]

THE church has congratulated Zambia’s former Vice President and current Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) president Nevers Mumba on his appointment as head of SADC Electoral Observing Mission to Zimbabwe for the General Elections scheduled to take place on August 23, this year. Victory Ministries International Presiding Bishop Cyrus Simwanza said Dr Mumba’s selection by […]

For decades, neuroscientists have been trying to better understand how humans learn behaviors and flexibly adapt to new situations or real-world challenges. While humans and other mammals are acquiring new behaviors, neural circuits in their brain are known to re-organize themselves, along with the connections between them.

A 22-YEAR-OLD woman on the Copperbelt has been detained in police custody to help with investigations relating to her husband’s death. Theresa Chanda is alleged to have reported that her husband Jackson Kaonga, aged 29 committed suicide by hanging himself. However, a postmortem examination conducted on the body revealed that the victim died as a […]

AFTER being set free in a rape charge, United End of Times Church pastor George Phiri told journalists that he was a three year relationship with the woman who accused her of rape and his wife knew about the affairs. Pastor Phiri, who has earlier told a magistrate that an 18-year-old girl who accused him […]