The Post Newspapers says it is capable of meeting all its tax obligations and shall do so within the time frame granted by the High Court ruling.
And the Post Newspapers says it is not behind nor has it by itself or through any agent given any blessing to any calls for donations for purposes of liquidating its obligations to ZRA or any other obligation for that matter.
Yesterday, High Court Judge Mwinde Siavwapa granted the Post Newspapers a Stay of Execution of his judgment while the matter goes to the Supreme Court on appeal.
In a statement, Post Newspapers Finance General Manager Rowena Zulu said the judgement allows The Post to continue liquidating both its current and outstanding tax obligations to the revenue authority in the manner that it has been doing since the matter went to court.
Below is the full statement released by the Post Newspaper.
RE: PRESS RELEASE
HIGH COURT GRANTS THE POST STAY AGAINST ZRA
The matter in which Zambia Revenue Authority has been pursuing Post Newspapers Limited to pay its tax obligations in one instalment has undoubtedly attracted interest from within and across the borders of our country.
Following the ruling of His Lordship High Court Judge J.M. Siavwapa granting Post Newspapers Limited a Stay of Execution of his judgment dated 30th October, 2015 while the matter goes to the Supreme Court on appeal, The Post wishes to sincerely thank the Zambian public and the international community for the moral support extended to the newspaper so far in this difficult period.
For the avoidance of doubt, the ruling by His Lordship Judge Siavwapa now allows The Post to continue liquidating both its current and outstanding tax obligations to the revenue authority in the manner that it has been doing since the matter went to court and ensure that it is current with ZRA within 90 days from the date when the Supreme Court will dispose of the appeal.
Furthermore, while The Post deeply appreciates the goodwill of the masses in this matter, we wish to declare that the newspaper is not behind nor has it by itself or through any agent given any blessing to any calls for donations for purposes of liquidating its obligations to ZRA or any other obligation for that matter.
The Post hereby assures its readers and partners that it is capable of meeting all its tax obligations and shall do so within the time frame granted by the High Court ruling.
Meanwhile, Post Newspapers Limited would like to assure all who identify with its cause that it remains committed to being the good corporate citizen it has been in the 24 years of its existence, which includes paying its tax obligations as required by law.
Rowena Zulu
Finance General Manager
Post Newspapers Limited
So are you saying you actually owe ZRA ?? Isnt this the same Zulu who said ZRA pouncing on them was political pesecution?? Atase!! These people really think they are special
The question will remain as to why you allowed the situation of non-payment/delayed payment of your tax obligation to get into public domain. No situation is permanent, do not patronise politicians; no matter how much smooth talking they do or promises they make to you or the nation. Do your job within your description without fear or favour. Be impersonal, patronising politicians by first names like “Micheal, Edgar, Hikainde, Rupiah” wont get you off the hook of paying taxes. Call them; Obama and not Barrack, Cameron and not David, Bush and not George etc,.. that is what the respectable press does.
This is good news. I hope ZNBC, Times of Zambia, Daily Mail, National Housing Authority and all other quasi GRZ will also make good of their taxes in 90 days.
This is were I find that our governing is very regressive. You see the post under Sata were un touchable today suddenly they are touchable. So this is clear that the presidential powers are way beyond the constitution of the land. Until at a time we start being ethical in our conducts as leaders of this great nation, things will remain one man headed. Today all good things in the country credit goes to the sitting president and any bad going they say global. If during Sata era, the rule of law was active, Post newspaper would not have been owing 30 million in unpaid taxes because the law would have visited them already.
Because of rule of law countries are advancing. look at how we are building houses, completely ignoring the local Govt law. we have built houses without the sewer system…
we have built houses without the sewer system, no road network, no water system in place sometimes no power system, why becoz of ignoring the rule of law. And who does this? it is both the public and the local govt very institution who should enforce it.
Well done Post! They thought they could fix you. Do they know how unbreakable King Fred is? From Frederick Chiluba to Levy Mwanawasa to Rupiah Nyamasoya, none has been able to shut down The Post. Talk about Steel Balls! No one has been able to crack Fred M’membe’s balls.
Good to know that you are surviving this one, but yet to survive the next one (ZMK14 billion). Please PF and The Post keep fighting each other as the two are birds of the same kind and you are both linked to the economic melt-down the country is facing.
I dont want the Post to be closed, not that I believe everything they say, but I think they have the right to exist and report real issues. Thats my opinion.
Now that You have admitted ZRA mus appeal to the Supreme Court against the 90 days/
Ba POST what is the concern about by the so-called SADC Lawyers’ Association some Harassment which you reported about yesterday?
In my case if given an opportunity by the Post News Paper, my company is ready to donate K5 Million towards the same so that Edgar Lungu is ashamed to his grave at Embasy Park. Money is nothing compared to the closure of the Post. The post has been there for us and we are ready to show edgar lungu and his carders masquerading as ZRA that we care for the Post than we do for Edgar Lungu ande Chishimba Kambwili combined.
For sure the past newspaper has been there for you Hilderh not us, the past newspaper are the ones who branded HH as a big Tribalist who must not be given a chance to rule Zambia.They even went to an extent of saying, HH became rich through privatisation. HH `s Bank accounts were published in this evil paper so that people can believe their propaganda against HH. They were in for front writing HH is under 5, HH Hakayi votela Heka.
Well Hilder show care to your fellow evil men but us we want our money and don`t delay in helping them.
Court why 90 days & not 10 days by law enforcers on the ground.very big weakness to the ones doing ground work for u.ZRA/LABOUR VISIT MEDICAL CENTRE SOLWEZI AND HILLTOP SOLWEZI/LUSAKA WORKERS COMPLAIN ABOUT LATE PAYMENT I DOUBT IF THEY PAY TAX ON TIME.
democracy entails accommodating even those you loathe. my appeal to ECL is that distance yourself from pursuing all your adversaries (imagined or real). Zambians, the Post is bound to fail from time to time but from the 90’s when it was the weekly post, i believe it has contributed to the strengthening of democracy in Zambia. that said, i believe the Post went to sleep during the time of Sata and created a PF that could do anything. i remember how they villified the UPND members who were clobbered by the police and many other instances. for you the Post, please, please never join the ruling party even when they do wrong things. from my own analysis, Sata is the cause of the current state of PF not so much ECL.
M’membe had some funny arrangement with Sata. ZRA had to stay away from the Post for that time in exchange for unconditional praise in the newspaper, no matter what fcuk up the PF made.
The post will exist for longer than any Political part because it speaks the truth, only that the truth hurts .Chishimba kambwili and lungu chagwa ,mumbi phiri you will need the post next year to speak for you after elections.Thanks to the high court for a fair ruling
I doubt your statement about the Post speaking for Kambwili and Co. after next elections. If that were true, Rupiah would have been spared after he lost 2011. The Post ceased a long time ago being ethical and all they have tried to do is corrupt governments.
The fact that the newspaper has existed to this day does not make it clean. Remember evil can live side by side with good!
Edgar Lungu needs to see a psychiatric. He has a serious mental problem which may lead him to undress himself in public. Troubling Mmembe and wanting to close the Post, The appointment of the so called Bishop Chomba, Dora Silya, Micheal Kaingu, Vincent Mwale, Siamunene, Moonde and many other none PF hard core supporters speaks volume of an imbecile president.
True PF Members are suffering while New Comers are enjoying. Edgar Lungu will drink his urine in 2016.
@Jane Mulenga
Please dont be an id10t of a blogger. How does Edgar or we come in? Mmembe went to bed with Levy and Michael and forgot all about his obligations to ZRA. Proof! Mmembe was calling past Presidents by their first names, have you ever heard him call our president by his first name?
Just pray that ZRA do not appeal.
@Luapula Premier. Jane Mulenga is right. This is how ECL comes in. He publicly threatened Fred Mmembe & the Post. What conclusion do you expect people to draw when the person you threatened to shoot is found dead the following day? So this is no coincidence, especially when you consider that at the last count, Zambia Daily Mail & Times of Zambia owed ZRA a combined total of K700 million! Why go for the Post who owe a paltry amount compared to that owed by the Govt press?
Most people seem to miss the point here. It’s not about the post owing taxes but the way ZRA is acting. How can they go to the post newspaper’s offices in the morning to demand for tax payment , and were very unsuccessful, later in the afternoon go to the same office and search for information on the post’s servers? If you people don’t see anything wrong with ZRA actions then I don’t think you are objective in your thinking.
Even a moderate analyst will see something wrong here. ZRA is being used for sure and they should stop this no sense. Let them follow the law. The law is there to protect each and every individual in the republic. Those in authority must learn to respect the law but not abuse it. They should not think that they are untouchable because their time will come to…
@Bright, I think most bloggers understand that but what we are saying is that the Post has to take a lot of responsibility for what it is going thru’. Some people claim that the Post turned a deaf ear to a number of bad things which was being committed by “you know who” JUST because they were benefitting (not paying taxes). Also known as going to “BED” with someone. ZRA going thru’ their databases is NOT RIGHT WE CONDEMN that BUT the Post Newspaper problems are created by themselves.
Pretty your point is valid but just because the Post went into bed with certain politicians and abandoned us in the past does not mean the current administration has the right to close the company. Anyone who runs a business will know how difficult the environment is for business. Killing the goose that is laying the eggs will not gain you more tax. All those in support of this unwarranted attack on the Post should provide us with figures of how much the Posts’ competitors owe and how much they have paid. Its about fairness, and here its clear that what we have is a witch hunt.
Pleast ba Post, advertise account in which we can donate. Dont waste time.
@kanchule, “..the newspaper is not behind nor has it by itself or through any agent given any blessing to any calls for donations for purposes of liquidating its obligations to ZRA..” and “..that it is capable of meeting all its tax obligations and shall do so within the time frame granted..”. You need a Bemba translator..!?
I don’t find the ordeal of the post funny. I was once a victim of state machinery it almost drove me to my knees when I was finally paid my dues I owed soooo much money I was near destitute. Fat Desk Lawyer and now Disgraced DPP was behind my ordeal, I suffered so much because the man believed I belonged to FTJ and his crooks…but I have moved on our God is just and faithful…but please do not rejoice when a man is about to lose his bread and butter especially if he be innocent. When you have nothing and are the sole bread winner what do you do when the wife comes home with food? So please don’t laugh at anyone especially if they are innocent.
@amos, sorry for your ordeal, you were obviously innocent as you yourself point out.
I don’t think any of us is finding the Post ordeal funny in “that sense” (filya – bemba), we just feel these are self-inflicted pain. Rather complicated to explain if you don’t see the “negative humor”.
THIS IS THE ZAMBIA OF TODAY.A COUNTRY FOR THE RICH.KAUNDA TREATED ALL CITIZENS EQUAL.MY FRIEND HU RUNS A FUNERAL BUSINESS ON THE COPPERBELT WAS VISITED BY ZRA INSPECTORS.AFTER FINDING THAT ALL HIS TAX OBLIGATIONS WERE UP TODATE,THEY ASKED FOR THE TITLE DEEDS OF HIS HOUSE,AND WEN HE TOLD THEM HE WAS RENTING,THEY SLAPPED WITHHOLDING TAX ON RENTALS ON HIM BACKDATING 24 MONTHS AND GAVE HIM ONE MONTH TO PAY.YET MMEMBE HAS BEEN A BAD TAX PAYER EVEN FROM THE TIMES OF MWANAWASA’S GOVERMENT,BUT HE GETS AWAY BY BEING FRIENS WITH PRESIDENTS LIKE LEVY AND SATA,AND BY USING COURTS IN UNFRIENDLY PRESIDENTS LIKE RUPIAH,CHILUBA AND EDGAR LUNGU.THATS THE ZAMBAI OF TODAY WERE COURTS CAN PROTECT THE RICH WHILE MANY POOR ZAMBIANS HAVE EVEN HAD THEIR PROPERTY TAKEN AWAY BY ZRA FOR FAILING TO PAY TAX.
@GM what you narrate is symptomatic of a country that has gone off its rails in terms of the Rule of Law. You have a lot of people surviving by the grace of the politician in Zambia and when they fall out of favor those favors are converted into legitimate criminal offences because our politicians never give you favors without breaking their own laws. Meantime, what characterised Kaunda’s time is how he hounded out all those who proved intellectually challenging to him. It was NOT a fun time, either. I would never wish UNIP on any creature, living or dead.
Well done “The Post Newspapers”, at least you are able to pay ZRA what belongs to them. I do not doubt you have learnt a big lesson from the whole SAGA.
We will be expecting informative news going forward. I mean independent, positive criticism, etc news going forward – without fear or favour – No doubt people will buy your paper pegged at K10.
I get your point. The Post should have been paying their taxes and we condemn them for ignoring their obligation, very true, but the actions of ZRA are embarrassing to say the least.
We need the post for future taxes and reporting. What will it benefit the country to close the post. The right way to go is to use the law fairly to make them pay their taxes and allow the firm operate and continue collecting tax from them. Good business sense.
@bright, who said they are being closed? My friend The Post newspaper is not a KANTEMBA media house. They have property worth millions. They have said they will pay and in the meantime we will continue reading informative and fairly balanced news.
The action was meant to embarrass them no doubt and also expose them to the masses for their “shady dealings”.
Yes, of course the country needs all the taxes paid up and “king” Fred should also pay his workers. Hope you are aware that Post employees haven’t been paid for a long time. What’s the point of having a job if you don’t get paid. Unless it is voluntary – which I doubt it is.
#LetThePeopleTalk
Pretty we are on the same page but please know that Zambia is one of the most expensive places to do business. All businesses are struggling, I am sure the Post too, that’s why we are now buying it at K10 while the government papers are still selling at K5, because you and me are subsidizing them and they are not even paying taxes. The issue here is about fairness. If you want Fred to owe zero taxes please ask the public media to also pay the 1.3 billion they owe.
If Awisi Tasila was behind the so called ‘political persecution’ of the Pest/Past, would the paper had been granted this 90 days stay execution? Just goes to show what hogwash the Pest/Past was peddling in relation to RB’s acquittal.
@Mphendula Kayula, You and I weren’t in court thus we don’t know the details either that the final judgement. Drawing conclusion from the judgement is being immature.
CORRECTION:
@Mphendula Kayula, You and I weren’t in court thus we don’t know the details OTHER THAN the final judgement which we are being served.
Drawing conclusion from the judgement is being immature.
Iwe Chi Pretty, you and I were not in court but what transpired there has been duly reported on this site and elsewhere. You will hurt your bollo.cks if you are always sitting on the fence. This case is not new. In fact we first learnt of the Pest/Past’s problems with ZRA last year. These problems were supposed to have been resolved by now if the Pest/Past had kept to the agreement it entered with ZRA. But it didn’t. The Pest/Past knew about all the court proceedings regarding RB’s alleged corruption case including the fact that the star witness brought into court by the fat former DPP broke down in tears and stated that RB had not done anything wrong and yet the Pest/Past still wanted him to be jailed and blamed Lungu for his acquittal. In fact Membe will be in court again because he…
@ Fulish Chi Pretty – Mmembe will be in court facing contempt charges because he persisted in tarnishing RB even when the case was still in court. So before you run around calling others ‘immature’ digest the facts and dont be so arrogant to assume that you are the only one who is able to analyse issues. And as I say sometimes it is better to call a spade a spade.
@Mphendula Kayula, don’t get all worked up. You and I don’t even know each other. You are obviously used to having your way and don’t tolerate opposing views. you do remind me of someone. yes, of course……
Not so bothered about who will be in court as long as it’s not me. Just face facts the whole lot of them are —-KS.
You and I don’t need to lose sleep unless you are affected. AM OBVIOUSLY NOT.
@ Pretty -Then if that is the case then dont call other’s contributions as ‘immature’. You can make a point without being condescending and patronising.
@ Mphendula Kayula, forgive my choice of words. It was a “spur of the moment.”
MMEMBE IS ABOVE THE LAW IN ZAMBIA.INFACT HE BOASTS THAT HE RUNS THIS COUNTRY.IF HE CANT HAVE A PUPPET PRESIDENT LIKE LEVY HU HE CONTROLLED IN THE SO CALLED CORRUPTION FIGHT AND SATA HUM HE CONTROLLED THRU BLACKMAIL,HE WILL USE THE COURTS WERE HE HAS ALOT OF CORRUPT JUGES WORKING FOR HIM.THATS HOW MMEMBE HAS MANAGED TO GET AWAY.HE ALSO HAS A TEAM OF INTERNATIONAL *****S IN THE NAME OF PRESS FREEDOM HU OWEZ SING TO HIS DEFENCE WENEVER HE HAS ISSUES WITH THE LAW.HE ALSO HAS A NUMBER OF LOCAL PUPPETS LIKE NGOCC,FATHER LUONDE,CHIEF BRIGHT NALUBAMBA,BISHOP JOHN MAMBO,FATHER AUGUSTINE MWEWA,HU WILL OWEZSING HIS DEFENCE WENEVER HE IS IN TROUBLE.THIS IS THE SAME MMEMBE HU INFLUENCED BOTH LEVEY AND SATA TO TAKE THEIR PREDECESSORS CHILUBA AND RUPIAH TO COURT FOR CORRUPTION,AND JUST TO BE AQUITED…
No sir I disagree with you Mmembe is not above the law instead he just understands his right. I is not as big as you think both in resources and influence. People are always putting him where he does not belong.
I don’t believe in 90 day promises anymore!
Dont kubeba slogan heey.
I once worked under an administration that always tried to trip its employees. They got more vicious as savvy employees like me consistently jumped over their traps. The Post must prepare themselves for what might be in the offing and seal all loopholes. STOP GETTING POLITICAL FAVORS is the very first thing you must do. Don’t take favors from statutory bodies like ZRA which can very easily be overruled and commandeered by political powers. I survived a vicious administration by consistently keeping my own personal professional house in order, so to speak.
Delay the Judge’s Salary by 90 days once Post Newspaper pays! ! This Judgement is going to undermine the Tax System, The Judge should realize that he gets paid from the Same Tax that he is delaying to be collected on Time! ! I will instruct my CFO to delay all Tax payments to ZRA until after 90days there is precedence already! !
@ msz, ZRA must appeal to the Supreme court otherwise all companies in Zambia will eventually stop paying taxes and when taken to court they will cite this case. The supreme court is above the High court and this case will be decided by a panel of high integrity of Supreme court Judges. In Taxation the timely collection of taxes is what we call ‘being Tax efficient’ otherwise, once this Judiciary is not adequately funded by the Treasury, they should not complain…
LusakaTimes, give us more news. This is now stale news.
What is this about KCM laying of 2500 workers… Data bane.
DO NOT WASTE OUR PRECIOUS TIME JUST PAY THE TAX THAT IS WHAT WE NEED. SO MANAGER JUST PAY AND WE ARE AWARE THAT YOUR PAPERS ARE NOT SOLD NOWADAYS SINCE YOU INCREASED TO K10 THEY ARE BEING USED AS TISSUE PAPER BY THE ZAMBIAN MASSES
In Zambia companies which are in good books with the govt never pay their dues until it is too late. Post Newspaper is not the only one. It is just pity that ZRA let them to continue operating without paying for such a long time. The question is not just how the paper was not paying, but why did ZRA wait this long? Yes the Post Newspaper is owing, but why do they have to wait for instructions from state house. Do we really have to differ with EL and Kambwili for the authorities to pounce on us?
@The Observer, it was actually ABC who started the whole thing. It started after Winter was fired and the Post kept writing “orbituaries”……. you know what I mean.
The others just picked it up from somewhere…. Post was not “govt. reader-friendly”. Then a few threats BANG – ZRA knocking on the door.
Why do people want Fred to pay all his taxes as if he is the only one who owes ZRA money. Like I always say he is not one of my favourite citizens but he has done more for the democracy and freedom all of us are now enjoying then all of us here put together so let’s not crucify him. We are all flawed and he is not the only one who owes money to ZRA, Banks, Relatives etc. Just let ZRA be civilised and fair to everybody in the way they do their collections.
Thanks to Zambian public and International Community for their MORAL Support!! What! Are we to believe this!!
If you can meet the 90 day ruling why are you appealing? It’s all terribly confusing ….why would you expect us to believe you?
When I finally realized that the post was specialized in personality wrecking, cheating on Tax matters and the like, I have stopped supporting them. I have heaps of old post papers in the car shed and if need be for contribution to the post, I shall be happy to give them back for free.
Mwalikwisa lyonse li?
“The Post wishes to sincerely thank the Zambian public and the international community for the moral support extended to the newspaper so far in this difficult period.” Just imagine the Post saying this!!!!!!!!!!. Imagine if this was ECL in this predicament and how the Post could have feasted on this sad happening. Post does not deserve my sympathy what so ever. They are the ones holding development back by not paying Tax and that is criminal in Developed Countries
So Ka Fred Mmembe after all you all the tax man? If you do as you admit now how shameful it is for you to accuse ECL that he is after you. This chap is always afraid of his own shadows. He has so much under his sleeves that even the normal thing that everyone must do he makes them to be political because he understands the extent to which a head of state can be manipulated, or be held captive. This is what this chap has been doing. Shame on you.
So Ka Fred Mmembe after all you owe the tax man? If you do as you admit now how shameful it is for you to accuse ECL that he is after you. This chap is always afraid of his own shadows. He has so much under his sleeves that even the normal thing that everyone must do he makes them to be political because he understands the extent to which a head of state can be manipulated, or be held captive. This is what this chap has been doing. Shame on you.
So ECL is behind this jugement
Mmembe double – tounged as usual.
So He will pay after ruling by the Supreme Court.
He has never spoken the truth in his life.
Mmembe The devil. Is a liar.