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Corruption has not increased during President Banda’s reign, Shikapwasha

By editor
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Information and broadcasting minister Ronnie Shikapwasha
Information and broadcasting minister Ronnie Shikapwasha

Government has dismissed claims by the Catholic Church leadership that corruption has increased in the last four months of President Rupiah Banda’s reign as baseless.

Chief Government Spokesperson, Ronnie Shikapwasha was reacting to a pastoral letter which was written by Roman Catholic Bishops at a media briefing in Lusaka today.

General Shikapwasha cited the facilitation of the current tribunal, which is hearing allegations of corruption and abuse against a named minister, as confirmation of government’s commitment to the fight against corruption.

He explained that government created the Task Force on Corruption to supplement efforts of existing institutions such as the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) because of cases of corruption and abuse of authority by some senior government officials and politicians.

He also disclosed that cabinet would soon approve an Anti Corruption policy which is aimed at realigning and rationalizing the fight against corruption.

General Shikapwasha said this is also in line with government’s efforts to further strengthen institutions that are fighting corruption and other agencies that promote good governance.

He said government will not accept the proposal to establish an independent commission of enquiry to investigate and deal with corruption cases because the existing agencies are capable of delivering good results.

ZANIS/CM/KSH/ENDS

editor
editorhttp://www.lusakatimes.com

111 COMMENTS

    • BA GHOST DOG DON`T EVEN WASTE TIME ASKING ABOUT ABENA SHIKAPWASHA AS YOU KNOW THESE ARE FINISHED RAGS SO CALLED POLITICIANS WHO ARE SIMPLY JOB SEEKERS.SO FOR THEM IT`S YES BWANA SO AS TO HAVE A JOB.IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH PENTECOSTALS OR THE CHURCH IN GENERAL.

    • AFRAID OF WHAT BA OPERATION.
      THESE WARTHOG ARE NOT AFRAID OF ANYTHING LOOK AT OUR ROADS AND WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THEM, THEM ANSWER IS NOW GLOBAL RECESSION BUT IN THE SAME GLOBAL WHATEVER WE HAVE PLENTY OF MONEY TO FUND THINGS LIKE TRIBUNALS TO PROBE DORA SILIYA.THE ONLY QUESTION WE CAN ASK NOW IS WHERE IS THIS EXTRA MONEY COMING FROM? WHEN WE HAVE NO MEALIE MEAL IN THE COUNTRY, AND ROADS ARE IN A BAD SHAPE WERE YOU HAVE TO TAKE TWO HOURS TO COVER A KILOMITRE JOURNEY.

  5. I thought rigging elections is the worst corruption that one can commit,maybe thats what the catholic church leadership arev trying to remind them.

  6. Why can’t you pave way for the younger generation to run the affairs of the country. We are tired of you Shikapwasha. I hope you will be resting after 2011

    • He ´ll never rest. These men are broke thats why they´ll do anything to get paid. Look at VJ!!!

  7. Everyone sees increased corruption since RBB became presido. Its just that you cant say YES, CORRUPTION HAS INCREASED AND WE ARE AT THE TOP OF IT ALL! So shame on this government for taking us back after we made progress with LLPM.

  9. How does Mr Shikapwasha know that Corruption has not increased? What about the corrupt acts that have not been revealed yet? Have you considered these as well? We still should not feel comfortable just because there has not been any increase (Which I doubt unless someone explains the math). This Shikapwasha-Statement sounds like a blame on Levy’s or Chiluba’s ruling period!! This finger pointing should stop. If RB becomes president then he automatically inherits the failures of the past rulers unless he indulges in strategic policy measures to cure the disease. On One point I praise the present regime, when it comes to imprisoning those involved in corrupt acts. …

    • Continued!!

      The best thing RB can do is to help speed up the time taken for a case!! It makes no sense if tribunals are called and the civil society spends more than the given 48hrs in finding lawyers. Anyway I know RB is on the right track. Mr President also address the Nation on the problems you as a President is facing so that the people know your moves and appreciate your work. Just do not operate in silence and let others report on your measures. Please speak to us directly. Let us know you are closer to your own people. Thanks

  10. Ba Shikas, just agree. Corruption has always been on the increase bcoz every day people become more selfish and materialisity. Look at how selfish you people in top leadership are; 1. You award yourselves heft salaries/allowances and 2. You continue awarding yourselves Govt contracts. This is selfishness (Corruption) at its worst! You our leaders are blood suckers (you suck our blood until you see us to our graves). Our little resources you continue sucking into you bottomless pockets. God help the poor so that they choose leaders that will put service before self. The policy of keeping your people poor, illiterate so that they dont analyse issues is a sin. God will make you account for this

    • Ba Zemule what has being pente got to do with anything? Now you, your mind is also corrupt!
      NB-Iam not even a pente but a Katolika!

    • Shikas, people’s eyes are no you, they are watching you every second,minute, hour, day, week, month and year on what you are doing, it will be a day when you will dance to the same dramas like your friends have danced. You know very well that corrpution is their your govt.

  12. I think one thing most people don’t realise is that as Chief Government Spokeperson,Shikapwasha is simply a parrot,he says what he’s told to say.I feel sorry for him for having to bag what is going on at the moment,he is related to Maureen Mwanawasa & in some way to Shakafuswa & yet Banda mistakenly thinks Maureen wants to kick him off his seat so i wonder what Shikapwasha is thinking more especially that Maureen is the one that helped him get appointed by her late husband Levy,remember that Shikapwasha was in the Heritage Party when Levy became President.

  13. Going by what is going on in the Banda administration, who is Shikapwasha to tell that corruption has not increased under the rule of his boss?
    What barometer is he using to measure the levels? Careful, could that be ‘fear of the unknown’?

  14. LT are we going to be just talking about corruption now? Anyway this in itself Shikapwasha shows how serious the problem of corruption has become.Although you are refusing.

  15. He’s just telling lies so that he can steal more.Rb is corrupt even the chicken know tht.I don’t know why shikapu is saying?

  17. Look, Shiki, RB came in corruptly and still continues with his chola boys such as you. How can u say corruption is on the decline. In any case, you are not the right person to tell us about the corruption levels of the country. In fact its on the upswing. Can u tell us why it takes more than two years for Zambians to acquire a passport. While it takes only few days for foreigners to acquire the latest passport which is supposed to forster security on unlawful acquisition of it with its morden technology on it?

  18. Shaka-washa deep down knows what is saying is bull s h i t , just scared of getting a suck like his bbululu

  19. The current ‘Anti-Corruption Agencies’ we have in Zambia are answerable to to the Government of the day that guides/decides who gets prosecuted and who does not. For this reason, government is more less likely to take a eurocentric position in presenting an arguement that is one sided hence, better. This a wrong and dangerous path because it questions the credibility of our judicial system. For example Nchito is part of the Anti-Corruption Agency yet he is implicated in the saga involving Zambian Airways, then Comes Siliya and the least goes on. This in my view, justifies the need to have an independent agency that should be autonomyous to fight corruption effectively.

  21. I dont believe what Shika is trying to say in here.
    Sorting out 1 corruption case does not mean the corruption issue is already on decline.

  22. What zambia needs urgently to stay afloat are are leaders with a vission ,leaders who are courageous ,leaders with passion for the country,not the current crop of rhetoric leaders . This is our greatest need . Count micheal sata out ,he can not understand modern global trends ,we need young revitalised men and women to save zambian .count nyama soya out.

    • Ok, let the Zambian masses try you as their next presido.
      Young vibrant minds are needed to rejuvenate Zambia which can do better now that the Copper prices are fairling well.
      Or should Zambians be waiting for manna from heaven?
      in other words, wait for a miracle to happen?

    • #22.1 Dear cutery , I mean`t what I wrote , without any shadow of doubt we really need young persons who are very genuine and have a love of zambia at heart.I know some day soon that will indeed happen .Its you and I to do it ,sad though we are not in the country ,anyhow this is just temporal . We do not need cadre mentality we need young men and women who can not be be bribed ,who values integrity when in public office

    • Let the search begin, is actually what I meant. Did not mean to off mark you at all. Zambia is a lovely country with massive natural resources which is going to waste as everyone seems to be politicking in a different and wrong direction.
      RB is there to maintain stability peace wise. Poverty wise, we are still in deep shambles.
      Gen. Miyanda amazes me. He does not realise and follow the political zeal needed to get it right.

    • I get an impression you are an intelligent lady assuming you are a lady . We will need more of your kind to succeed in the coming years ,keep the candle light til we reach the shore.

    • Mr Wiseman-reborn,
      I am lady and a mother of three. ( I will always be a lady).
      I can not participate in Zambian active politics because of beaurecracy or red tape.

      Daily, very concerned about Zambia as my whole family including my mother lives in Zambia.
      If Gen. Miyanda can get his books right and start campaigning now, we could be talking of a different story……..Maybe.

  25. Ba Zambia,
    Why should it take 3 days to clear a Western union transaction which takes minutes to finalise???.The other end always receives what you have sent immediately you have notified them of the correct data.
    Hard cash Kwacha becoming scarce like $??? Or is this another corruption issue?

    very annoying indeed.

  27. Mr. Shikapwasha, the country has laid off many workers. The MMD Govt., has failed to protect them. The off shoot is corruption will increase, to just get a job, corruption. Out of 12m Zambians only 300,000 are in gainful employement. We are seating on a time bomb. This will explode anytime.

  28. why is shikapwasha defending Rupia’s govt?, is he scared that he will be the next one to be fired? coz i remember very he also wanted to contest for the 2008 presido elections.

  29. Shiks is a bootliker. You are just wasting your time,wait 2011 you and RB inside Chimbokaila.
    ACB went down,how?
    So shiks, just shut up!!!!

  30. What else do you expect him to say? He cannot be asked pa road block to drop something so he is not in touch with reality. Only when he joins us in Mutendere will he understand what the Bishops are talking about. Officers in all GRZ insititutions are now so brave that they no longer use idioms to solicity for bribes; they just mention what they want by name.

    • i second you Zoe…..its a weekeeeeeeeeend baby. and just got my bonus, single and not involved. What more can I ask for

    • Wamona ifyo wayamba mwayiche. Lilya ndeya ku Pretoria lelo that’s when you are getting ubwato butatu. Yashani? Please find out for me from aka nobe about my Texas instrument calculator. Taka suka phone pantu. Unshileko ubwato butatu, nkaku mona mayilo.

  33. WHAT I CAN TELL IS THAT THIS GUESS ARE USING THE MEDIA TO FOCUS ON CORRUPTION WHILE REAL ISSURE LIKE DEVELOPMENT ARE NOT BEING TACKED.IT’S A SHAME THAT EVEN SOME WELL EDUCATED PIPO CAN’T RECONGNISE THE SIMPLE TRUTH ABOUT POLITICS.IT’S A PROPAGNDA.

    • so you dudes pop bottles on a thursday,some binge drinking, I would like to witness that,I here it has become a burgeoning tradition among South African, jus wondering if doesnt affect your friday.anyway bro hope u nurse it well,more juices and water of course,have a niceday.

    • It actually quickens up my Friday as that is the worst boring day for me at work. I will have 1 (actually 10) for you Bro. Enjoy your weekend too

  37. Indeed corruption is on the “decline”, and govt is happy that’s why they even want to retire Mutembo Nchito unceremoniously from the fight. These b a s t a r d s! They will be taught a lesson 2011.

    • Even when it has truly increased would you accept it? leave that to people with eyes judge since you the MMD have gone blind you can’t see it has increased.

  39. Why is it that the majority of people being to jail are Bembas? Is it because the state hates bembas or what? am perplexed.

  41. Anyway, all Zambians are now nothing but thieves. Look at Mabenga and Mwaanga or Satamashimba. Even Tongas too, HH sold Inters Mosi Oa Tunya for a song and made sure he became one of the shareholders later. Ubu sakala mu Zambia kwena bwa fulisha saana. Even beautiful girls like Regina and Dora these days ka, they are the worst thieves. Shame shame!

  42. President Joao Bernardo Vieira ordered the killing of armed forces chief of staff, General Batista Tagme Na Wai. Tagme’s lieutenants did not waste time to administer the same medicine of Vieira. That’s what I can an eye for an eye. Mundia Nalumino and Ronald Penza’s relatives should have acted with the same speed and ferocity.

  43. LT Don’t allow pervets like Ghost Dog to post anything. What has virgins ot to do with issues being discussed on this great blog

    • These LT topics wont help you in anyway,dont let politics get you,have time for yourself and your family,enjoy life before you hit the grave,time is too short we cant just be politiking daily,learn to have fun and relax,if you are frustrated with life and you need some help,we are more than willing to help you,I know Europe cab be frustrating sometimes,but always stay on your grind keep your head up,we love you bro,peace

    • People change. Strive not with a man without a cause if they have done thee no harm. This is a free forum, so everyone has a right to post as long as they don’t violate the rules. I think LT has the situation well under control. Having said that, may we all continue to blog responsibly.

    • don’t blame churches . . . it just him!!! he is a corrupt guy, he is part of a bleed of corrupt pipo . . . you can’t see how he is looking . . . the fact is corruption is on the upswing. . . . ala!!!

  45. If you come to think of it Zambia can have a CABINET IN PRISON for criminals by the criminals
    1. President: (vacant-But Chiluba warming up!) 2. Richard Sakala (Secretary to the Cabinet/presindetial spokesperson). 3. Kashiwa Bulaya ( Health)

    3. Samuel Musonda ( Bank Governor)

    4. Singogo (Air force)

    5. Geojargo Musengule ( Army)

    6. Amon Sibande ( Commerce & Trade)

    7. Sunday Kayumba ( Defence)

    8. Xavier Chungu ( Intelligence)

    9. Rev Nyirongo ( Lands)

    10. Regina Chiluba (Gender and Women Affairs)

    11. Francis Kaunda (Mines)

    12. Faustin Kabwe ( Finance)

    13. Aaron Papa Chungu ( Home Affairs) Any voluteers for vacant positions of Agriculture, etc.

  47. The criminal investigations against the Zambian Airways directors range from theft, fraud, money laundering and tax evasion. Mutembo is accused of using Zambian Airways as a vehicle to defraud and steal public funds from banks and state institutions. He is being accused of orchestrating purported commercial transactions that allowed him to obtain a string of loans running into millions of dollars without the intention of paying back. Every time the monies were released to Zambian Airways, Mutembo allegedly reneged on servicing the loans and would always attempt to persuade these institutions to turn the debt into shareholding without showing how and what the loans were used for or invested.

  48. Investigating wings are particularly interested in what happened to the USD29million provided to Zambian Airways by various creditors as its asset portfolio remains poor in value and the allegation is that funds were not directed to the operations of the airline.
    Zambian Airways has been known to have operated on a tight shoe-string budget. The revelation that it has over the years obtained loans and obligations totalling over USD29million is puzzling as no evidence exist that the funds were poured into Zambian Airways. This is the focus of criminal investigations by Agencies to attempt to understand what directors of Zambian Airways did with this USD29million.

  49. MODUS OPERANDI
    The theft and fraud was perpetrated by directors of Zambian Airways using political influence, to siphone money from public bodies on the pretext that it was a ‘national airline’ and required funding, loans or couldn’t pay statutory obligations.
    Its CEO, Mutembo Nchito has consistently targeted public bodies to ‘finance the operations of Zambian Airways’ even when the history of the airline shows that government privatised the airline to avoid the tax payer running such an enterprise.
    It is ironical that Mutembo even targeted ZCCM-Investment Holdings, technically the former owner of the airline, urging them to buy shares in the troubled airline.

  50. THE EXTENT OF THE PROBE
    The probe has been widened to key persons at Bank of Zambia and Ministry of Finance who deliberately allowed and supported the current state of affairs. Despite the financial records and audit reports showing that Zambian Airways consistently suffered annual losses, lacked solvency plans and was clearly a financial failure, Mutembo sought more and more loans.
    Former Finance Minister Peter Ngandu Magande and current BOZ chief Caleb Fundanga are said to be targeted in a wider probe, for their role in allowing Zambian Airways accumulate a total debt of over USD29million.

  51. Magande is said to have used his office to dissuade and stop statutory bodies such as ZRA, NAPSA and National Airport Corporation (NAC) from collecting fees, tax liabilities and other obligations due, from Zambian Airways. For example, Magande penned a letter to Transport and Communications Minister Dora Siliya directing her to waive’ for a period of 3 years’, debts and payments Zambian Airways owed and were due to National Airport Corporation.
    Magande had rescheduled and deferred debts Zambian Airways owed statutory bodies such as ZRA, NAPSA and NAC.

  52. Magande is also accused of attempting to force the Zambia State Insurance Corporation (ZSIC) to give a loan of USD4million to Zambian Airways.
    Mutembo then applied to ZSIC persuading it to be shareholders. ZSIC were requested to provide Zambian Airways with an investment of USD4million. The application showed that the money was needed to purchase the leased planes and also clear outstanding lease finance expenses (USD77, 000.00 per month) that had accumulated on the books. The application also sought to use the funds if provided to help reduce the operational costs. (This is the same line of approach Mutembo has consistently given to all the institutions that are owed money).

  53. However, In November 2008, ZSIC declined to provide funds to Zambian Airways for its ‘rescue plan’ The ZSIC investment committee headed by Judge Anderson Zikonda rejected the bid citing ‘bad books’ and bankruptcy as the reason not to risk public funds.
    ZRA, DBZ and ZSIC fall under Ministry of Finance which Magande headed until recently when he recently lost his ministerial position to Musokotwane.
    Zambian Airways directors also failed to remit and pay taxes to ZRA has resulted in the debt of USD2million.

  54. Even when extensive loans were obtained and waivers given for its tax liabilities, the airline continued to show features of bankruptcy raising the key question of whether any financing arrangement obtained was ever put into the airline. This is the foundation of the fraud and theft charges against Mutembo.
    In a twist turn of events, it is said that even The Post were duped to invest USD3million by Mutembo. The Post are said to have bought 30% shares in the airline and are owed undisclosed amount in monies lent to Zambian Airways for operations. (Isn’t there honour even among thieves? Though shall not steal from each other?)

  55. Wait your friends are inside, they will welcome you when your times comes, there is to much corrputoin in rb’s govt

  56. Mutembo Nchito is a Lusaka corporate lawyer from MNB Partners and Associates a firm owned by himself, his brother Nchima and current Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) President Elijah Banda. Mutembo is also a private prosecutor at the Task-Force on Corruption handpicked by the late President, Levy Patrick Mwanawasa.
    Among other persons targeted in the probe is suspended NAPSA Director General, Dr Aubrey Munyeke Chibumba, who pumped USD2m into Zambian Airways. Chibumba is also being investigated for his role in Zambia Lotto where NAPSA went into a joint business with Lebanese nationals and invested K10billion. He is also being investigated for his role in the purchase of Munali Coffee. Chibumb

  57. Chibumba is said to be currently ‘on the run’ and is outside the country (Germany). BOZ governor Caleb Fundanga is accused of allowing irresponsible borrowing by commercial banks who gave loans to an entity that was bankrupt and was therefore not eligible for such loans. The loans were however disbursed despite Zambian Airways adverse financial position and in total breach of the Banking and Financial Services Act. The loans were also given in clear breach of BOZ own regulations on large loan exposures. In cases of DBZ and Finance Bank these institutions gave loans or overdrafts beyond their required threshold.

  58. In one instance, the airline used leased planes as collateral security, and valued at USD1.2million (Valuation done by Zambian Airways itself), to obtain a huge loan of over USD4million contrary to banking and financial regulations. The regulations require that loans provided by financial institutions should be far less than that of the value of the asset mortgaged.
    In another instance, Zambian Airways as mere agents of National Airports Corporation collected departure fees from passengers and refused to remit such revenues resulting in the current debt of over USD2million.
    Fundanga at a Zambian Airways official function gave a public statement ‘directing’ local banks to help and…

    • The authorities are investigating this issue, lets not jump to conclusions, lets give nchito and all the pipo you have mentioned to defend themselves . . . so far we haven’t heard their side of the story. . . we have head your RB story.

  60. screw Rupiah Banda the dude’s messing up all the what Mwanawasa died for. this is what you get when people who weren’t supposed to be anywhere end up in corridors that they neither understand nor belong. i wouldn’t even be surprised if corruption is running amok again in Zambia. screw that old senile dude!

  62. The so called RB is just too scared and i don”t think he can stop corruption coz he”s got no words like yes and no.He”s just too much of let it be.

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