DEFENCE Minister Kalombo Mwansa says the Ministry of Defence has not procured any arms or equipment amounting to US$100 million in the recent past.
Dr Mwansa said his ministry and the ministry of Finance and National Planning have no records indicating that the country procured arms worth that amount.
He said former Minister of Defence George Mpombo’s allegations that President Banda was involved in such a deal are unfounded and should be treated with contempt.
“It is uncalled for, for anyone to misinform the nation on such a sensitive matter which borders on national security. The Ministry of Defence was only compelled to respond because people have continued to comment on the matter without facts,” he said.
Dr Mwansa, who was speaking at a press briefing in Lusaka yesterday, said the ministry has a legal and stringent arms procurement process in which the President is not involved at all.
“It is clear that the President, or indeed the son of the President (James Banda), cannot be connected to the supply of equipment or arms to the Ministry of Defence. The procurement process is very stringent and does not directly involve the Head of State or State House,” Dr Mwansa said.
“It is unfair for Mr Mpombo to allege that President Banda was involved in an arms deal which in fact did not take place.
“We have never procured arms worth such an amount in the recent past and we have not made such a deal with any such company,” Dr Mwansa said.
Dr Mwansa said the President’s son James has had no dealings with the Ministry of Defence and implicating him in such a manner because of his relationship with the President is uncalled for.
[pullquote]“Even after approval is given, a contract will only be signed after the Attorney General has scrutinised it and given his legal opinion and through this whole process, the President has no role whatsoever,” Dr Mwansa said.[/pullquote]
He said because of the sensitive nature of arms procurement, it is the duty of the Ministry of Defence to ensure the strictest confidence and that the President despite being the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces is not involved in the procurement process.
“Even after approval is given, a contract will only be signed after the Attorney General has scrutinised it and given his legal opinion and through this whole process, the President has no role whatsoever,” Dr Mwansa said.
He said the President deals with matters of policy and strategy and procurement of equipment for the armed forces is the responsibility of the Ministry of Defence.
He cautioned citizens to be wary of the excitement related to the approaching elections as people tend to say things even if they do not have the evidence to back their words.
Dr Mwansa also wondered why it took so long for Mr Mpombo to make these revelations. The allegations against the President were only made after Mr Mpombo was arrested on charges of non-retirement of imprest during his tenure as Minister of Defence.
[Zambia Daily Mail]
I think this mwansa is indeed using the brain of an insect as pe his name (kalombo) who asked u a question. Iwe chikala leave that isue chikala chakwe RB. U hv realy taken piece forgrant jst be prepare for a run soon. Dat includes kafupi n ur RB demon, siliya, big norse n red lips ARV Kunda
If mpombo was taken to court for bouncing a cheque and unretired imprest, what of these very serious allegations?
People should be forgiven for believing him if no legal action is taken.
#2 Excellent point. You are right on the money. that iMpombo has enough on his plate right now with the law. Just watch the space. he has his visits to the court cut cut out already. His next item on the Agenda in court will be with the state, again, after that a civil litigation with James Banda. This is a game, if he is ready to play, we say bring it on. We are ready to play. If iMpombo thinks he can use big lies instead of big words to resurrect his shredded political life, he has miscalculated. He just bought himself a one way ticket to political oblivion, not to be even remembered as a relic.
Watch the space. The stage is set. The show is about to begin
what proof do you have that Mpombo is lying or RB is lying? You dont work in the security wing of the nation nor do you sit in the arms procurement meetings so really, what makes you think Mpombo is lying? He was the minister of Defence so i dont think he would blabber something from without. There is no smoke without fire.
Dr. Mwansa, should resign for misinforming us. Mpombo might be whatever you want him to be but he never said the deal went through. He said he was coerced and bullied in trying to make the deal go through. After his team’s visit to SA and later seeing RB wanted to continue with it, he resigned. I can assume that because of his resignation, Big Nose knew that he could not go through with the deal. In short, Mwansa stop implying that Mpombo said the deal was done. why lie when we all know the truth.
@Umwana Zed. You are very right. i wonder why people cant get the proper information. Mpombo never said it went through. In his statement, i remember him saying even people at the Ministry sensed something and gave the didnt allow payment.
@4.u ve hammered the nail on the thumb.They ve already started twisting this issue.We heard what Mpombo said.His refusal to be coerced scared these guys hence abondoning the whole project and shredded whatever evidence could ve been there.
Of course people in governement never accepts wrong doings or see wrong things.
No. 3 – Not sure what the fuss is all about. Who makes you think this Country belongs to you or any of your stupid cronies, because it does not. You will be flogged on Cairo Road just like Captain Solo wanted to do to Kafupi and very soon. I will keep my mouth shut if I were you. For Kalombo – Mpombo didn’t state the deal went through you I’diot, just read the past POST papers.
Ba # 8 mulibakali ! Let us avoid insults bane! We are all zedians fighting for a good cause, to make Zambia a better place. Peace Peace Peace !!!!!
Ba Kalombo, do you seriously think Mpombo is mad to come up with such wild allegation? he was sitting in the same office you are currently sitting and he knows what he is talking about, the problem with politiciansis that the you will differ with RB, you will change your stance and agree with Mpombo, why not do it now? I hear you say that no arms were bought for that amount($100m), implying that arms were bought in any case…i rest my case
I would be a very very worried citizen if PS’s, ministers & army chiefs went about buying military hardware without the presidents knowledge and approval.. Where would those weapons end up? Excuse me ka kalombo.. There are no children here… National security and defense expenditure is overseen and reviewed, approved & signed off by the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces because he is responsible for the nation’s security and defense. That how military issues operate.. Besides the size of military contracts are such that the president must approve, especially the technical specifications. I dont think ZPPA even look at the specs for killing equipment or their location becase in most cases its classified information. KALOMBO YOU LIE.
Ba Kalombo lishilu. He has forgotten that FTJ signed the arms deal for $25million with Katebe Katoto of Congo. Which judge is Kalombo referring to? What country on earth where Ministers and Judges buy arms without the knowledge of the President? Wow. This man just insulted the all entire Zambian government of gross mismanagement and failure to monitor arms movement. Banda is commissioning manda mandas, sealing of potholes, but he does not know when and who is buying arms for the nation? NONSENSE.
Who says the deal went thru?? very dull man ineed, the time of change has just come!
Mwansa just keep quiet, instead of making a fool of yourself, leave that to Shikapwasha. Hon Mpombo said ‘ the Nation would have lost colossal sums of money had the deal gone through’.
WHAT MPOMBO IS ALLEGING IS ATTEMPTED FRAUD/CORRUPTION, JUST LIKE THERE IS ATTEMPTED MURDER OR ATTEMPTED RAPE, WHICH ARE BOTH VERY SERIOUS CRIMES
#3 MMD Chief Bootlicker you are at it again always wrong assumptions and out of topic, pls just read comments from #4 to #10 and try to help yourself learning intellectual approach to issues and also understanding the topic at hand maybe that way u will be able to better articulate matters in future. ulichipuba I.d.o.i.t
Mr Mwansa Kalombo.
I think You are not fit to be on that position . we know that katele made U to be on that Chair.thats why U just tolking from Yo mouth only .kindly read what mr mpompo said about this issue.U were not there .and u didnt knew that there was this .So my province mate Just tell the nation that am sorry what i have just said. i was not there.>>>>Mr mpompo was there .thats so.
Poor kalombo. U r so silly for nothing. We know that so one is using u for this..that much U know.
There is no smoke without fire. I smell a smoking gun
its the wiff of corruption mpombo was alleging and not that the transaction took place
foolish pipo posting foolish comments so what if the nation buys guns all armies are improving imwe bakolwe let us also improve coz zambia has one of the lowest army budgets in africa.
Well done LT, your new look web site is good. But alas your stories pro MMD. Atase Chi Mwansa, if RB wants to be involved, can you chi Mwansa stop HIM? He is your appointing authority. The fact that parliament does not approve defence budgets leaves loopholes for Banda and his corrupt sons to do stupid things.
The source of this Kalombo story ( Daily Mail ) is enough to tell ‘What’s is really cooking’. Remember, Mpombo has gone even further by challenging the president to take him to court if he thinks these revelations are untrue. This means that Mpombo has more damning evidence on this scandal. To say there are no records on the shady arms deal is not amateurish. what can stop anyone shreading them. These stage-managed responses are causing more irreparable damage.
This dull and stupid Kalombo Mwansa should not make me believe of what a white friend of mine said to me that you cannot educate a black man!!
This is a very DULL MAN!!!!!!! and Kalombo you a a f.o.o.l. Its you trying to lie to Zambians. Just shut your stinking mouth!!!!!!!!
“UWASAMBILILA” didn’t give his full name. It is Uwasambilila Kupelela Mu Grade Folo
Doesn’t RB have a mouth to answer for himself over the allegations? It seems RB has only a mouth for insulting opposition politicians or opponents but not to defend himself over the arms deal allegations or the ‘James-saga’. Watch out, your days are numbered and are vividly written on the Walls of State House. Unfortunately you are blind and your advisors are equally blind hence can’t tell you anything constructive. Kalombo Mwansa with is PhD has reduced himself to an uncivilized person. You what such titles as “DR” don’t mean anything to a person like him. No quality no style.
Kalombo Mwansa when did you become a spokesperson for Rupiah’s disgrantled family? Mpombo had raised seroius allegations against Rupiah and James, neither of them have provided a credible response. Why you? You can only respond on behalf of the group from your ministry that went to South Africa not James or Rupiah please. Did your people go for holiday with Mpombo to South Africa or what? The story about Rupiah & family Co is still fresh, refer to RP CAPITAL/ ZAMTEL or contact Dorah Siliya. You have time today to fool the people of Zambia, the hour of reckon is near, we will see who will laugh the loudest.
this is fun indeed ba kalombo you think you are talking to children who does not know anything. you should be mature in dealing withh some of these matters. the all nation knows the truth you can’t reverse that statemant or defend it because you where not there malabishi. I don’t even know how you got that doctorate because you are just showing the nation how dowful you are. honestly can we have leaders who does not think about what they are saying. we calibers who can develop our country. CHANGE IS REQUIRED.
“We must guard our peace jealously. Zambia has been sending Peace Keepers to countries devastated by wars some of which are caused by careless politicians. Politicians should not masquerade as irresponsible citizens by issuing inflammatory statements,” Hon Mpombo, Defence Minister.
Well, in as much as I am not a supporter of Mpombo, I wish to say that he did not say Zambia procurred military equipment worth $100 million. He said he resisted RB’s pressure to do a deal with James worth this amount. So, how do you expect records of the purchase if the deal never went ahead? Let James and RB sue Mpombo for defamation of character if the story is false. Then we shall know the truth because Mpombo will have to bring evidence to justify his allegations.
# 27 we can’t understand what you are saying my friend.
Could you all tune in to BBC1 now 12:58 and listen to the discussion about Mopani mines (GRENCO) and how they have been dodging paying tax and how they have been polluting Zambia. Today, about more than 400 employees will become millionaires at the expense of the Zambian people. Please tune in and listen before you comment.
Kalombo is entitled to his opinion! However Big Noseberg Mphuno in the name of Kapapasha will make a statement soon. just wait!
DR. Mwansa should be ashamed of himself. It has taken him all this long to react to Mpombo’s allegations! Nobody in his/her right frame of mind can buy the story from this Minister. Corruption is easy to detect just as a lie is easy to detect. RB/MMD is too corrupt and some day soon a good number of Minsters will disown their boss. The drama has just began over serious corrupt acts involving Plot One.
so the records you have are for how much? US$102 million?
This mambala of a minister thinks Zambians are like small children and cannot see through a lie. Why twist what Mpombo said? Even the reporter and the paper, Zambia Daily Mail, that reported this story are mere “His Master’s Voice”. The lack of analysis by the Zambian state controlled media and their editors is shocking. Some school magazines are far much better than Times of Zambia, and Zambia Daily Mail. Clearly, there was an attempted arms deal.
Kalombo Mwansa qualifies for the title of “Mambala of the month” for his lies in defence of his boss and his son. The more he opens his mouth the more the attempted fraud becomes apparent. Did the late Mwanawasa really know the person he appointed as his vice president? Zambians should not give Wako ni Wako and his MMD another chance.
MR. MINISTER, YOU’RE CERTAINLY TWISTING THE ISSUE FOR REASONS BEST KNOWN TO YOUR SELF…..MPOMBO NEVER SAID THIS DEAL WENT THROUGH. HE SAID THE DEAL WAS FOILED WHEN HE RESISTED IT, SO WHAT CONTRACT ARE YU TALKING ABOUT?…….SURELY, A FORMER MINISTER CAN’T JUST WAKE UP ONE DAY TO COOK UP SOME STORY AGAINST HIS FORMER BOSS……WHERE THERE IS SMOKE, THERE MUST BE FIRE………WHY HASN’T MPOMBO BEEN SUED ON SUCH A SERIOUS ALLEGATION? INFACT, MPOMBO HIMSELF CHALLEGED THE CONCERNED TO TAKE HIM TO TASK OVER THIS…BUT SOMEBODY IS TRYING TO PLAY IT DOWN…………ABALEYA!!!!!!!!!
But kwena. Ba Mwansa don’t bother abt pipo taliking let’s shelve the matter and when relevant docs surface we shall revisit the matter muchilye! Secondly u say the preident is not “directly’ involved meaning what? There is an indirect involvement? Say things carefully muka lubulula
Ba Kalombo sorry we can’t buy your twisted story. Let rupiah respond to specific allegations made against him and his son James by the former minister of defence Mpombo. You have not answered any of the allegations made. Of course there are no records of such equipment because no arms or equipment were bought…sorry you have lamentably failed to make this story go away. Please stop insulting the intelligence of the citizens.
Very funny comments here – so Mpombo resisted the “deal”, which eventually does not go through — very patriotic Zambian indeed. But then he resigns on his own accord? Does not make sense to me. If the deal failed to go through because you acted very professionally Mr Mpombo, what is the case. Can you then prove in court the case of corruption? This is very tricky because if RB so desires you will go in.
Mwansa will cry like a baby when Luphia is kicked from running this country by the voiceless, oppressed and the needy through the vote. When Ruphia will be called to answer his crimes against humanity and corruption. Kalombo will be asked to give the evidence and if the evidence is false thats it.Katete was working under the orders of Chiluba, today Katele Kalumba has been found and charged. Chiluba is free to walk and speak. Kalombo Mwansa should be very careful. The change is coming and it is no surprise that many Ministers are quite and planning for the exit route. Wait the annoucement of elections and parliament closed
The feelings for many people is that Ruphia has to go whether the like it or not. Printing of the ballot of papers in South Africa will not help MMD
“Mwansa is skirting around the fundamental issues I raised in his shameless and narrow cheap political outburst, which amounts to shocking levels of shattering-irrationality and profound illogicality which contains several loopholes through which a head of an elephant would pass,” Mpombo said.
It is an embarrassment to see how those presumed educated lose their sense of discernment and understanding. Since it is clear that the deal was meant to be a secret, who in their right mind would be expecting that there would any record of such a deal? Stop being mediocre u people and behave like the educated you are are supposed to be.
MMD Chief Bootlicker CHI-COLOUR
“The Ministry of Defence was only compelled to respond because people have continued to comment on the matter without facts,” he said.” He is mainly addressing 3 top, general comments here. Number 1, on comments that were made entailing the deal went through. Number 2, comments made of the presidents involvement, he is saying that it’s not possible the president or his son was involved because they don’t have the authority to make such a deal. Number 3, comments that the deal went down entirely, he is saying that even if people out there believing the deal went through should not, cause evidence of it does not exist…….you dumb assess! Please, read, understand the material and language then comment. All a bunch of *****s.