The Taskforce on corruption has lifted the restriction that was placed on a trunk of emeralds belonging to the Governor of Lubumbashi in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Moses Katumbi.
Taskforce Chairman, Max Nkole said this follows an amicable resolution of issues concerning the settlement that Mr. Katumbi and the Zambian government reached.
Mr. Nkole was speaking at a press briefing in Kitwe after a meeting with Mr. Katumbi’s lawyers and ZANACO officials.
He said Mr. Katumbi and his lawyers will meet with ZANACO officials to ascertain the value of the emeralds.
Mr. Katumbi’s dollar and Kwacha accounts have been reopened.
Mr. Nkole said in the settlement, the money found in the accounts as at June 28 last year has been forfeited to the state.
He noted that in the kwacha account there was K159 million while in the dollar account there was $80,000.
Mr. Nkole also said Mr. Katumbi has also surrendered property worth over $5.5 billion to the state.
And Mr. Katumbi who was present paid tribute to president Mwanawasa and the Zambian government for successfully reaching the settlement.
Mr. Katumbi said he was pleased that the settlement was reached amicably.
He said this paves way for him to re-establish his businesses in Zambia.
Mr. Katumbi said Zambians and Congolese are one people.
He had lived in Zambia run a series of businesses.
[ZNBC]
This chap katumbi is merely preparing to pounce on a bigger piece of beef now that it is clear there is still copper and other precious stones in Zambia. Basopo wena.
PLIZ KATUMBI AND MWANGA NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED FULLY, What is behind this forfeiting of such huge amounts of money after they had a case to answeer before the taskforce? why are they trying to blindfold us let them tell us who was behind all this, if mwanga and katumbi seems to cover somebody.
Free all the rest. They are innocent! As innocent as Katumbi! “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere!” 2011 here we come!
Sorry, but I smell a rat in this whole plunder saga because this fellow was too close to FTJ. If he is cleared, then FTJ will also definitely be a witness oneday.
Bwafya sana mucalo cesu! Can you imagine how insulting it comes out:
“… an amicable resolution of issues concerning the settlement that Mr. Katumbi and the Zambian government reached”.
Mumbwe alisula sana no buteko bwesu. I believe by now he thinks he can even hold our Government by the neck an shake it ruthlessly a million times. Why? He knows the core tricks of the Zambian Stealing trends; the stealing part of “Political engineering”.
“Useless Task force”. How come we’re only getting the results this time … and Mwanga???
What`s going on?
This is all confusing, how can this conman be cleared? Can someone break this down for us please?
The Government has the prerogative to quash some cases due to issues of National security.
The British govt. recently closed a case that had massive corruption and bribes issues realating to an arms deal with Saudi Arabia.
Everyone is quiet except a few disgruntled friends of the earth or people for justice ‘whatever they call themselves’.
You saw what happened when MK closed the border with Katanga.
Our Economy suffered badly.
#8
Is it anything to do with national security or someones hands have been oiled?
#8 is right, this thug controls congo area boadering Zambia. The goverment in kinchasa can not touch him.
He closed the boader to trade between zambia and congo. We lost billions. Because copper mined in congo was being smelted in zambia, erning big bucks , this thug threatend all this.
He lives by the rule of the jungle. But he is king in the katanga jungle. As long as we make 1000% profit from the katanga jungle, fare deal.
The question is, Why was Mwaanga fired. Was it for preempting the ‘peace treaty’? Has Katumbi agreed to testify against FTJ?
#11
Asked if he would assist the Task Force in its investigations once called upon, Katumbi declined to comment.
#8 could be right, you can remove him from the fugitive list but don’t invite him back to do his shoddy deals again. He does business jointly with his brother Katebe Katoto who is still a fugitive after running off with $42m of Zambia Army money. These guys are international crooks! If you can forgive Katumbi then just go ahead and disband the task force instead of jailing Funjika of raincoat money and Musonda ignoring bank protocals. This guy was part owner of Aero Zambia and was named by the UN in the Savimbi arms-for-emeralds investigation with FTJ and crew.
Task force and LPM have lost credibility? where did katumbi get a trunk of emeralds? lord have mercy…!
I dont know for how long these people will treat us like kids in Zambia.
Zambians are just too busy blogging
Zimre Holdings Acquires Insurance Firm in Zambia
Diversified Group Zimre Holdings Limited is set to consolidate its presence in Zambia after acquiring an insurance company in that country.It recently acquired Cavmont Insurance for US$1 million. The money was divided between the cash consideration of purchasing the company and funds for capitalising its operations.
The purchase was funded mainly through Zimre’s other regional operations. Zimre Holdings group chief executive Mr Albert Nduna said while Cavmont was currently the smallest insurance company in Zambia, plans were afoot to turn it into a major force in that country’s insurance sector. He said Zimre Holdings would seek to go the same route that they took NicozDiamond, which was transformed from a minow in the local insurance industry, to become the leading insurer in the country presently. Zimre Holdings first entered the Zambian market through its subsidiary, Zimre Zambia in 1996.
Zimre Zambia is primarily involved in reinsurance business and is the only resident reinsurance company in that country. The company was also established to oversee and manage selected regional investments. Zimre Holdings’ regional operations have continued to pay off for the Group, accounting for 80 percent of income.
I think its best we leave the DRC alone in the name of NATIONAL SECURITY. These guys are experienced when it comes to war. They have been through 2 civil wars and are currently in unrest in the DRC. It would be a shame if Zambia had to be caught into it over a trunk of Emeralds. Zambians are peace loving people and we dont want a WAR with DRC. Let the man have his Emeralds but dont let him do business in Zambia again. If he does, be very cautious with him, you dont know what he can do. So yes, let him free and let him have his Emeralds in the name of National Security.
Earnings from the group’s regional operations moved from 38 percent of the group’s overall income in 2006 to 80 percent last year while earnings from local operations declined from 62 percent to 20 percent. Gross premiums from the regional operations rose from US$10 million in 2006 to US$14 million last year. Mr Nduna said the increased contribution of the regional operations have helped the group to wither the storm locally given the challenges that are being faced by its local subsidiaries due to the challenging economic climate in the country.
Zimre’s chief operating officer, Mr Solomon Tembo said the group had managed to capitalise on its regional operations to pay off additional acquisitions. Apart from Zambia, Zimre Holding is also present in South Africa through Southern Union Reinsurance and in Mozambique through Zimre Mozambique. It also has operations in Uganda, Angola and Malawi where it has a controlling stake through its subsidiary United General Insurance.
I have always said it was a smear campaign. Come 2011. Chuchu you will dance for putting our presidency and judiciary in disrepute! Now lets see how you go ahead with a partial prosecution. I declare a nolle prosequi.
#16,17,18,20 &21
Walter Muchinguri/Pragmatist
Are you also a beneficiary of the Katumbi loot?Why are you so desperate to change the topic?
Compatriots,
Please join me in saluting our Head of state H.E Dr. President Levy Patrick Mwanawasa SC for his wisdom and heart to hear from the voice of reason. He has rejected to be used by Morgan Tsvingirai in his quest to saw undesirable seeds of rivalry in SADC and Southern Africa. Zambia is bound by consensus of the brotherhood. The people of Zambia that shared the era of humiliation with fellow Southern Africa victims in the liberation struggle are behind you. We have a few moles like among us but certainly they have no mileage.
People forget about Katumbi, he is busy making money while you dream online. Katumbi is the main man in Congo DRC right now. Instead of wasting time chatting about stuff that will never happen, people should focus on exploiting business opportunities with wealthy DRC. Viva Katumbi, Katumbi is maintaining a good relationship between Zambia and DRC which some of you are too blind to see. Look for opportunities not faults. The Task Force is just a cash cow!
Too much smoke, but me can’t see de fire! What I mean is: the truth must be hidden way down below.
This is landlockedness dilemma. Zambia will be forced to create peace with the neighbouring countries because of its position. Any disruption of peace with our neighbours can cost zambia’s exports and imports. That is why she is handling the congo and zimbabwe issues with care. However, i dont like the idea of this katumbi doing business with zambia.
but the task force must continue dealing mercelessly with the zambian thieves and help us put them in jail.
There are no thieves. You do not take 10 years to persecute (oh sorry to prosecute) perceived thieves who you live with. And Julius Sakala has suffered the double jeopardy at the hand of a lawyer. Is he the weakest link? Somebody has to have the weakest links too. Will it be in 2011? Maybe if they don’t buy chiefs “Ifigayo!” Take the lawyer too for a refresher course.
Dante, you are such a liar Katumbi was never a part onwer of Aero Zambia. Does it mean all board members on any board of a company are part owners?… Do not bring out yourignorance on this forum. Katumbi was just a board member with not share in Aero Zambia.
Check your facts..before taulaloba ilya uma…
Papa Moise Chapwe wa Katumbi
Viva, Toi tame prefessionalism nebatu ba kyalo kya Sambia. Abatu ba Sambia bantu besu banatoka ku Lunda-Luba kwa Mwati Yavwa.
Iwe Chapwe ifwile waya Kumutombo kuli yama obe mukupalwa amate.
Long live Tamba Bashila abene be Sabi
Gentelemen! That is day light corruption, my Goooood!!
What we need to consider why the move by the Government?I personally don’t want to hear a mere politician being quoted as to have said all this was done in the interest of the nation and above all it’s security that is just nothing it is in fact, stupid a thing to say to a people anxiously waiting for positive results from this war wagged against the supposed plunderers of natural resources.
Then why was there need to establish the Task force if they knew they wouldn’t really get to the bottom of these issues?If they were in already and noticed that they wouldn’t finish they would have disbanded the Task force instead continued excess spending of tax payers money on so called
investigations, and today this is what I and the rest of us Zambians get “an amicable resolution of issues between our GOV and THUG”?This is just bad, I hate all this thing, wish we hadn’t even started all this.
Guys, leave the man be. Mr Katumbi is the most powerful man in the Katanga region of the congo. Have any of you considered what could happen if he had to close borders or if he stopped smelting his copper in Zambia. Think about it, think about the Zambian economy. Just leave the man alone. He is TOO powerful for us to do anything at this level. Right now, we need him more than he needs us.
would it be that MMD is strategising for 2011 just like 2001 katumbi might be a very usefull tool espcially if he establishes some busness which might be used as vehicle for campangn.Zambian are under a curse from chiluba adm and there is a cancer which has infiltrated the politics and pipo are just porns in the big picture.I don’t believe that Xevier is in exell.We are going to need a fundamental change to bring pipo back into gorvernance.Zambia decieve better
THE FISH STARTS ROTTING AND SMELLING FROM THE HEAD !!!
WE ARE BEEN BLACKMAILED HERE IN THE NAME REFER 34
Keep on blogging and pointing fingers while Katumbi and company make the money!
#34
We don’t need Katumbi with his money earned from blood diamonds. He’s just a thug from Katanga.
Has Zambia been sold to thugs?
Pipo be carecareful in your sentiments! Im not an analyst but this one has just caught me. Not so long on LT we were talking Katumbi and Chief Kaputa. Shortly after, the discovery of Gold,Copper and Uranium in Kaputa’s chiefdom. With Katumbi’s questionable integrity. I believe this a strategic move from GRZ to ensure that he does not meddle in ZED affairs.
Or the strategy could be that he uses his machinery in Kaputa for the GRZ.
useles mwanawasa govt.stop wasting our money and time.if u fail to rule ,give it to the other.if katumbi is free ,then stop bothering chiluba.pipo shud come first in govt set up.
If FTJ agrees to share his loot with these bandits.Then we`ll see another nolle.What a shame!!!
This is not about FIGHT against corruption but “nichekeleko” How much have these people been paid verse what they`ve recovered?Is there any difference between what they are doing and daylight robbery?
#25 Anonymous, well said. While we’re all busy blogging, Katumbi is pushing another pawn to success. Say what you wanna say but this man’s achievements are admirable. I saw the picture where he stood in front of his exclusive bungalow and fleet of cars, not even our ministers can compete. “if you can’t beat them, join them!”. Either you get your @ss up and become an African Money Maker like Katumbi or die a poor blogger!
# 40 Which company and which Geologist discovered Gold, Uranium and Copper reserves/resources in Kaputa? Mama Matako? Who calculated the ore reseves and under which code. How many tonnes and at what grade. Please dont get carried away by politicians bubbling nonsense and start analysing issues you dont understand. These claims from laypersons are not different from those of herbalists claiming to have found an AIDS cure.Becomes a politician and going to parliament does not make one a mineral resource specialist.A mineral occurence is not the same as an economic/mineable mineral resource/reserves
What ignorance on the part of you young people. You utter sentiments about people you least know of. Do you not know that Katumbi has always had money? You sound childish and ignorant and do not have any understanding nor comprehension of anything, Swearing and bad language will get you nowhere-grow up and look at the big picture.
#46 BA MAMA
I think the question is not about whether Katumbi has money or not but how he`s been let off the hook after syphoning public funds.
Kindly aquent yourself with the details of the allegations that were levelled against him and then maybe you`ll have an idea of the basis of people`s frustrations.
I totally understand the diplomatic and security implications involved in such a difficult case.The worst we can do is to give someone who has plundered our resources any red carpet treament.
Why show someone a similing face when he`s raped our meager resources.Are we so desperate as to engage in any business with such a dishonest individual?
Let`s read between the lines and wake up before we again find ourselves on the losing end.
Once beaten….twice shy……..
Finally, Chiluba is to be free. Wow, kamudala is happy. How do you expect Levy to prosecute Freddie and leave Katumbi alone? So Chungu must be back home soon. Free at last, free at last, they are free at last. Mwanawasa must give up if he does not want to look hateful and tribal. Bane apa there’s nothing like diplomatic or security implications. The only thing is to leave Chiluba alone. Mwanawasa has failed to prosecute these cases despite his unupdated law degree. FREE FTJ.
People Levy is very dangerous,i think chiluba was a better president bcoz levy pretends to be cleaning but he is pushing some dirty under his king size bed.Katumbi is not stupid,to go into a deal with chuchu,this is a classic move on both sides,KATUMBI is the man,is gotta this fools by the BALLS. VJ is too smart for chuchu.
This is thug mentality,everybody is a thug,zambia has become thug nation since FTJ,life is thuglife,with thug politicians hanging on a thug system,this is typical thug,were you gat to do all it takes to get ya greens
#45,Bear in mind the Integrity of this Katumbi. Do you think he will come to seek permission from GRZ to carry all that you have mentioned? He is greedy and has the technology from the exsiting mining companies in Katanga. Something is amiss in this deal. Do not be blinded by whats on paper.
#51
I like your analysis on thugs and thug life. Zambia is a ghetto.
#52 Katumbi is much too smart than you think and makes astute business moves.His does not spend his pastime blogging and will not send mining equipment to Kaputa if there are no reserves. Example:lots of people have had plots in the emerald area for 20-30 yrs, poured in millions of ZMK and haven,t extracted won a single stone.Katumbi went there in the mid 90’s and there is the news that he has TRUNKS of emerald in ZANACO’s vaults. Introspect on how he has out-maneuvered Levy.He was the first mover in the fresh Tilapia business and later competitors followed. Like him or hate him the guy is smart.
Why do people take us for grunted. Is it because we have fists made of clay. Vuka muloona!
What is so special about this Katumbi guy???Looks like he has bought all the Zambian politicians????Shame on Mwanawasa and his so called task force!!
There’s a coming a day of final judgement !one is left to wonder what our corruption crusade is all about!
Free FTJ Thug nation indeed
Thug=Levy!
I completely disagree with this statement of Katumbi: “Mr. Katumbi said Zambians and Congolese are one people”. Me, aa! batili shangwee, I’m not in anyway related to stinking Katangese thiefs so I do not see how I can be the same with those thieving monkeys. Of course they are related to the likes of Katele, Chibanda, Chiluba and Sata, but to me, aa, they may as well be I raqis of Greeks.
I quoted president Mwanawasa saying he will never pardon Chiluba.Now the question is, has he pardoned Katumbi?? Why can’t he also pardon Chiluba and Chungu?? I smell a rotten rat.
Please free Chiluba and Chungu immediately. Pano pantanda kine………….?
the moral of the story here is………don’t be a broke thief..in zambia you can buy your freedom !!
Surely it’s K5.5B not US$5.5B! If Zambia landed that kind of dough, it could solve nearly all her current social/economic problems. Some editor didn’t do his/her job properly. ZNBC you don’t need forex to cross-check facts of this nature! Not if they’re actually brewing just behind your back yard.
I still insist that swearing will take you nowhere. Learn to discuss intelligently and impact appropriately. You actually disgust me when you swear.
What a shame! Still dealing with plunderers of zambian resourses? No wonder all hard working nurses fled the country. Tatwakatale lubuka!
respect GOVT of the day
Let all the wrongfully accused also make peace with the “Task” or “Mwanawasa” Force too.
Number 31 you are very rude. I am insulted by the likes of people like you. You should be ashamed of yourself.
Do you realise that you are swearing the woman who bore you??
Number 47:I am very aware of the allegations that were levelled against him. Were the allegations properly researched? I think not!!
YOU GUYS ARE JUST LOST, IF YOU HAVE NEVER HEARD OF A PERSON WHOSE BLESSED, MR. KATUMBI IS ONE OF THEM, YOU CAN NEVER PUT A GOOD MAN DOWN, ITS NOT THAT ZAMBIA MADE HIM RICH, OR MAYBE BECOZ OF ZAMBIA THATS WHY HE IS RICH? THE BALLY HAS ALWAYS HAD MONEY, ITS ONE OF THOSE THINGS WHERE YOU ARE BORN WITH IT. MONEY IS JUST IN HIS BLOOD……….. ITS LIKE JESUS NO ONE BELIEVED HE WAS THE SON OF GOD,