Patriotic Front Deputy Chairman for Elections and Prominent Lusaka Lawyer Kelvin Bwalya Fube has responded to remarks made by the US Government on the closure of the Post Newspaper by Zambia Revenue Authority over the unpaid taxes.
In a statement made available to the media, Mr Fube cautioned the US Government to remove the speck out of their eyes before accusing the Zambian Government of stifling the media. Mr Fube stated the cases of Edward Snowden and William Asange who the US Government is pursuing for whistling blowing charges.
Below is the Statement on US Government by PF
Foreign Influence
In the same light we would like to caution sympathisers—especially foreign ones such as the US government—to remove the speck out of their eyes before they accuse the Zambian government of alleged stifling of the media.
Let it be placed firmly on record that the US government is up to now hunting down whistle blower Ed Snowden for violating American laws including earlier before him, Australian activist William Asange whom they want to be extradited for releasing secret documents online.
“We do not appreciate being patronised by people enjoying our hospitality. It is insulting to our intelligence as hosts that are fully aware of international affairs,” Bwalya said.
“Ostensibly it is okay for the Unite States to hunt down Assange and Snowden but not alright for the Zambia government to collect tax from an offender like Membe?…what standards is the US setting here.”
The case at hand is simple, The Post owes money the government needs to provide services and in some cases save lives.
Once they pay back the money, they will be allowed to operate freely, Americans should know this because they drag Hollywood stars to court every day for tax crimes.
One last word of advice to The Post, leave President Lungu out of your tax crime and just pay up. The victims here are poor Zambians and not The Post. The newspaper is nothing but a defaulter. It committed a tax crime that has denied Zambian babies medicine in hospitals and teachers and policemen delayed salaries. We must NEVER lose sight of this.
Yesterday, the US Government said that the timing of the closure of The Post Newspaper by the Zambian Revenue Authority, only weeks before important elections in Zambia were of deep concern.
In a statement issued on the State Department website, the US government said that the closure of The Post is the loss of an independent voice during the campaign period and election cycle.
The United States Government urged the Government of Zambia to work with the Zambian Revenue Authority and The Post to find a way forward that allows The Post to reopen immediately.
It says the free flow of information to the Zambian people is an essential element of a free, fair, credible and peaceful election.
Meanwhile Mr Fube has appealed to all organisations all organisations and individual entities owed money by The Post newspaper to immediately approach the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) and seek advice on how they can recover any money the tabloid owes them.
Here is the full statement
KELVIN BWAYA, LAWYER ADVICES THE POST CREDITORS TO SEEK ZAMBIA REVENUE AUTHORITY ADVICE ON HOW TO RECOVER THEIR MONEY.
23rd June 2016, Lusaka–We would like to appeal to all organisations and individual entities owed money by The Post newspaper to immediately approach the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) and seek advice on how they can recover any money the tabloid owes them.
This is because as the organisation—ZRA—owed the bulk of the money right now, ZRA is carrying out a through forensic inventory and audit of all Post newspaper property, with a view of determining its worth against the colossal debt.
Once its worth, both at Bwinjimfumu and Chandwe Musonda roads is determined, ZRA will give the tabloid an opportunity to make good of the debt or else the tabloid will run the risk of its property being sold in order to recover Zambian tax payer’s money. That is the legal position.
The government “desperately needs the money in order to deliver social services to the majority of poor Zambians that do not enjoy the same preferential treatment as the tabloid.”
The tabloid owes ordinary poor Zambians via ZRA up to 68 billion Kwacha unrebased ($6.1million), money the government “needs to buy medicine in hospitals to reduce deaths of children and mothers at birth or to provide clean water, with that money.”
The money Fred Membe and his newspaper has refused to pay over the years due to some tax holidays “is the same money the government is supposed to use to pay public workers such as teachers, policemen, soldiers, nurses and Doctors for their noble services on time.”
When Mr Membe decides “not to pay the money or delays in paying, he is effectively taking money out of the pockets of soldiers, teachers, policemen and nurses.”
“It is important to remember that every time civil servants salaries are delayed, it is because Fred Membe and The Post has not paid ZRA 68 billion Kwacha.”
As a party we also think it is, “cheap and grossly misleading for Membe to be ‘Grand-standing’ on the debt issue by trying so desperately, like a spoilt child to link President Lungu to his gross inefficiency and pure greed. President Lungu never told Membe to stop paying his debt. That money is meant for buying drugs in hospitals, just pay it back (Membe) and stop snivelling.”
I didn’t even read the response but I know ECL does not make sense of anything. He closed the post so that he can take the voice that matters, intimidation, rigging the election is what is his agenda is. God is looking, if killing people, burning factories, closing factories, burning posters for the opposition, killing those that do not agree with him and the laundry list goes on and on….. One day nobody will touch him but he himself will catch fire, watch and wait and see what playing with innocent lives can do.
I hear Mulenga, GBM and Wynter have a lot of money. Let them pay the 68 and we all move on mxxm
The issue at hand is very simple and straight forward, pay and you’ll be allowed to operate freely. $6.1 million is nothing but a drop in the ocean for the US and EU, why can’t they pay the amount on behalf of the Post and put this issue to rest once and for all? This has got absolutely nothing to do with timing of the elections………..ZRA wanted to take this action sometime last year but the Post kept on appealing and obtaining injunctions one after another. They have swung into action now because that’s when the Supreme court made a ruling against the Post……. just pay bane cause we all pay taxes when they fall due.
Read on Tax evasion and “Civil asset forfeiture” cases in the USA then you will appreciate why IRS is the most feared Federal institution in second to none. Tax evasion for over 8 years cannot fly with a protected status in the USA. Perpetrators instantly lose their businesses, assets and go to jail. Therefore, those who find the our Tabloid as a useful propaganda tool must instead folk out money to redeem them settle their tax burden instead of shoving it on poor faithful Zambian tax payer. It is callous to push this burden on citizens. Under what circumstances should the Post abdicate its tax obligation to poor Zambians?Where in the USA would the Fed or State Government do that? Just help tax defaulters/evaders engage ZRA for a settlement schedule. Otherwise, we should shove impunity of…
I have followed the imprisoning of celebrities in the USA due to tax evasion maybe Zambia should follow suit. M’membe had K16bn written off and the same USA and EU did not condemn government because government should leave private businesses run on their own and that money that government wrote off was supposed to go to other expenses. THE POST MUST PAY WHAT IT OWES. I BUY THE POST AND I PAY MY TAXES SO LET THEM PAY…Full stop!
“It is important to remember that every time civil servants salaries are delayed, it is because Fred Membe and The Post has not paid ZRA 68 billion Kwacha.”
This is not true by any or all counts for the following reasons
1. If the post is closed today will the teachers and others continue to be paid?
2. Once the asserts for the post are sold, will the gains by ZRA be used to settle the salary bills of teachers and other costs for good?
3.If the post had been paying its tax obligations in the past, was this going to lead to paying salaries on time?
4. Is there a connect between the current over expenditure on an election and Membe’s failure to pay tax?
The answer to all the above is simply no. PF you have just run down this economy through borrow on the open market in the…
The answer to all the above is simply no. PF you have just run down this economy through borrowing on the open market in the morning and evening, now the cracks are showing. The only way you are still having some value is through Open Market Operation which is reducing liquidity to new lows and leaving many in poverty.
Senior Citizen sr.
Why even bother post your pre-conceived ideas on the respected website if you did not read the response. ECL is winning without rigging so live with it
Senior Citizen twakwata amano. Just donate to the Post towards dismantling that tax liability than defending criminality and attacking an innocent chap like ECL. If the Post was a law abiding company, ZRA wouldn’t have pounced on them. This is not a political issue but tax evasion which has been in the courts of law for a very long time
These marauders and looters in PF do not make sense. The international community should save Zambians from these hijackers who have taken over the running of govt and are using every means to steal the elections. The international community will be to blame if Zambia becomes another DRC or Zimbabwe. Zambia has been a beacon of hope for close to 50 years until PF took power in 2011. Please save Zambia from these fascists.
Iwe ka Kelvin, who has killed more babies, got more people out of employment, and accummulated 120%profit in 16 months..Fred or your weak and drunken giraff? And its Julian, not William..check the facts boy.
Chairman of elections. So this The Post vs ZRA is about elections
It’s JULIAN ASSANGE, morons!
The fact that PF are reacting to the American govt shows that The Post has been closed for political reasons. That’s why PF are panicking and trying to deflect the criticism. However, this Bemba crook, Bwalya, should not even be the one to say anything in the first place.
#1.8 AKANYONGA INDIMI,
This Senior Citizens knows no insults but constructive issue based debates.Your questions must be referring to the counterfeit @ 1 Senior citizen sr. There is a reason my name carries a Zambian coat of arms.
OF COURSE ITS THE POLITICIANS WHO RULE. WHO ELSE DO U WANT TO MOTIVATE THE ARRESTS OF THIEVES, OR ILLEGAL OPERATIONS OF SOME FAME? IT IS POLITICALLY MOTIVATED, EVERYTHING IS, EVEN CAMPAIGNS, MITIGATION OF LOAD SHEDDING, INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT ETC. EVERYTHING IS RULED BY POLITICIANS. DO U WANT IT TO BE “CHURCH-LY MOTIVATED”? CHURCHES DON’T RULE
US need a conman in state house to privatise me for a song. Shameless people. Can somebody evade Tax in their countries? Shame
The Americans and Europeans should immediately impose personal sanctions against Chakolwa and his minions, like they did against Mugabe in Zimbabwe. Chakolwa can try and party in Beijing with the Chinese he has been stealing money with from govt. Chakolwa is a threat to peace and stability of Zambia.
There other private media so does it mean it is only the post that can disseminate free flow of information. If the US feels it is only the post then let them pay the $ 6 million tax on behalf of the post
Its not about paying taxes that made PF close the post its about losing elections. Lungu thinks closing the post like they tried the watchdog would win them votes. For now people know who Lungu is. Only bastards can still support and vote Lungu a dictator. Zambians Wake Up the route we are taking is that of Zimbabwe and Uganda. If you voted Lungu you ll remember my words.
Its not about paying taxes that made PF close the post its about losing elections. Lungu thinks closing the post like they tried the watchdog would win them votes. For now people know who Lungu is. Only bastards can still support and vote Lungu a dictator. Zambians Wake Up the route we are taking is that of Zimbabwe and Uganda. If you voted Lungu you ll remember my words…
A WORD OF CAUTION TO LUNGU : “POWER IS SWEET UNTIL YOU LOSE IT, KNOW HOW TO USE IT WHEN YOU HAVE IT” – WORDS OF WISE MAN.
Let Mmembe pay please. Let him pay. We should not be begging. And come to think of it, does Mmembe pay his lawyers because he is forever rushing to court and taking out court processes? He has the dbz which he wanted to evade even destroyed judges lives and he also owes National Airports Corporation. He should take a sabbatical and think about his life and how it affects other people.
Really!? Kelvin Bwalya is a lawyer?? A “prominent” lawyer? What kind of logic was he taught in law school? He compares the Edward Snowden item to the closure of a media house.
Is this Kelvin Bwalya the same thief who has been stealing clients money on property transactions? I know one person who had to threaten to sue a lawyer called Kelvin Bwalya before he repaid the money.
People are forgetting history here. When Fred was running his airline …they were collecting departures
taxes and not remitting them. They were agents who abused that privilege. Some of these taxes for the Post are VAT which they collect through their sales but they do not remit them. VAT is tax you collect on behalf of GRZ I do not see any politics here but bad habits of not remitting taxes.
Looking at my June 2016 payslip, I realise i am paying about K4,500 in Income Tax. RTSA the other day nabbed me for not paying Road Tax. On my way to Ndola yesterday I paid at the Toll Booth for use of the road. After sll is said and done I ask myself, “Who the ***** is M’membe to refuse to pay Tax ?”
Is that K4,500 your weekly tax or what? Even on a weekly basis my tax is higher than that, I don’t default on my road tax, and yet I think it’s wrong to ostracise the Post.
By the way the Post is not my favourite of tabloids. Haven’t bought a copy the past 10 yrs because I don’t agree with their reporting. We all know how all public media owe ZRA more what the Post owes, but they are not touchable. What is good for the goose should also be giod for the gander!
Paying tax is a statutory requirement by all income earning Zambian citizens and business organizations. Failure to which, is tantamount to abrogation of the law. Therefore the quicker the money is paid better for both parties. Debt is bad for business.
Paying tax is a statutory requirement by all income earning Zambian citizens and business organizations. Failure to which, is tantamount to abrogation of the law. Therefore the quicker the money is paid the better for both parties. Debt is bad for business.
USA can go to hell. All we want Mmembe to pay tax.USA should not promote illigality.
The USA should put sanctions against Chakolwa and his minions just as they did for Mugabe. Let Chakolwa feel the international weight of democracy. This scarecrow has ruined the Zambian economy and now wants to rape democracy in Zambia.
I did not read far enough of GRZ’s response to US Statement. The reason is very simple. The PF party spokesman has conflated issues. It shows the shallowness of analysis of world affairs that the PF suffers from. Edward Snowden and The Post Newspaper issues are as different as chalk is from cheese.
Snowden was involved in leaking state secrets. The Post’s woes are about failure to pay taxes. This is the key differences. Had there been equivalence between what the PF spokesman says and Snowden’s issues, we should have seen the Justice Ministry/Finance Ministry Spokesperson outlining the nature of the issue. In Snowden’s case, the then US AG, Eric Holder was at the middle of pronouncements.
That PF spokesperson and not the Justice Ministry/Finance Ministry spokesperson/or even ZRA is…
What state secrets are you talking about? Those are very grave crimes against humanity the US wanted to hide under ‘state secrets’……….they knew that they had gone against the UN charter on humans rights and that’s why they classified those crimes as state secrets.
What kfb meant is grz does not hunt down people who are in the habbit of releasing classified information the way Fred do. Read logic behind the context and you will know what kfb is addressing.
Meanwhile pay up or back off
biting the finger that feeds you!
“..I did not read far enough of GRZ’s response to US Statement..”
@Bapongozi, there is a world of difference between GRZ and PF, as different as chalk is from cheese actually…
He meant the post releases classified information.
So this unlearned lawyer is conceding that PF is behind the closure? What clowns we have for politicians in Zambia!
How stupid zambians can become when they become blinded by political inclination even villains become heroes.check who is castigating membe.
Closed until………..12Aug2016
After they pay ZRA next it’s DBZ
Snowden put the US special military operators at risk for disclosing secret base locations in war torn countries.He compromised sophisticated cell phone monitoring activities of potential terrorists.As for Julian Asange, the Swedish and not Australian, he was just a conduit or accomplice of crime.Releasing state security secrets in the US of A is tantamount to being a traitor and most of them get a life in prison or death sentence in a worst case scenario.What Snowden has done has proved to be more damaging than thought.The terrorists are now more cautious than they were.It is proving difficult to assess a terrorist threat.The post case is nowhere similar to that case.Lawyer >:
What state secrets are you talking about? Those are very grave crimes against humanity the US wanted to hide under ‘state secrets’……….they knew that they had gone against the UN charter on humans rights and that’s why they classified those crimes as state secrets.
The gutter Post incites the citizens and insults the President every day. If it were me on the receiving end of the Mmembe opprobium I would long have banned the yellow paper and put Mmembe in gaol and. thrown the gaol keys in Lake Kariba.
Good riddance the gutter paper.
Zambia risks remaining poor if the rich continue to get away with the law. Mmembe should own up and pay his debts Leave politics out of it. If anything Edward Snowden was exercising is freedom of expression that relates to the media my friends. Just because somebody talks the loudest doesn’t mean he is the wisest. Mmembe be responsible…………..
Oh God,if it was another lawyer I was going to listen.Not this crook!Talk about Dead N B C as well and your media minions who are owing taxes.You really have double standards. Let every one who is owing pay.Why target one entity?
What has ZNBC got to do with The Post failing to pay taxes? Let Mmembe failing to pay his taxes well driving around in executive benzes and H2 hammers?
The EU & US are a shame. No wonder Britain has left the st.u.pid EU. Tax evasion is criminal and they actually jail offenders for long jail terms. You EU Ba.st.urds just pail you fellow do.g and stop issuing immoral statements from you ass you jacks
If the EU and USA are a shame then let them put sanctions against your Chakolwa and his crooked sidekicks. Let’s seed how you will scream. Chakolwa is ruining Zambia, first with his ritual murders and xenophobic attacks and now these attacks against the opposition.
Uk hasnt left the EU but its pipo voted to leave,it will leave in 2019,as they are EU laws and treaties that have to be worked on.post doesnt owe zra money but the dispute is on figures.
Poor Hary Kalaba now has to clean up after these cardes in his party of thugs. In one hand to you go to them with a begging bowl via IMF and World Bank and on the other you are seen to violate one of their basic preconditions for aid, watch how they will scramble to do damage control.
What basic right is denied? Mmembe makes profit from his Post Newspaper but fails to remit taxes and you are here making noise on his behalf as if he feeds anyone. Those taxes where supposed to buy panado in clinics>let him pay. Otherwise, all of us should stop and accumulate a substantial amount of taxes so that ZRA should start chasing us up and see how government will operate. USA stay out of this issue it is way above your pay grade atase!
Those guys see it as a violation on free speech, whether right or wrong is a matter of ones own perception. I personally feel the post must comply but such strong statements coming from party cadres doesn’t help the cause. Thats why I feel Kalaba would have been better placed to make a more sober response to their claim.
How dull can you be imwe ba UPND? There is no Mmembe in the USA so there can be no direct comparison. The reference to Ed Snowden and William Assange by Mr Fube Bwalya on matters of freedom is purely a reminder that the US has its own unique problems. To the US the Assange and Snowden cases are purely legal cases but to the rest of the international community it appears like abuse of individual freedoms by the US government. In the case of Zambia, Mmembe is not a fugitive and is freely walking the streets of Lusaka. The current situation is that our courts of law have ordered that the Post is liable for the taxes, they have not ordered that Mmembe is arrested so he is a free man and does not have to hide in any embassy in Lusaka.
Meantime, a word of caution to PF: do not be distracted…
The Post is not closed ,they just need to pay the taxes.Why is it that people are talking about the closure of the Post in relation to election and freedom of speach leaving out the taxes. There is no freedom without responsibility. US governmment should help the post clear the debt
Every business individual knows that the 21st of every month is tax day. There is also NAPSA and PAYE which have to be computed on behalf of govt if u r an employer
Who the hell is Fred Membe not to comply wen the rest of us que up every month to ensure that our country receives wat is due. The arrigance shown by this egoidtic clown is appalling!! He usxeven parading his poor employees to show solidarity! Solidarity for being kaw breakers!!???
I pity Joan Chirwa who the other day was saying they owe it to the Zambian prople to continue. The correct statement shud have been…they owe the Zambian people monies which are long overdue and need to be paid!!! Not ati we are revolutionaries! Ify bupuba!!
KELVIN,
YOU ARE NOT THE RIGHT PERSON TO RESPOND TO WHAT THE AMERICAN GOVT SAID. YOU ARE JUST A PARTY CADRE AND YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO RESPOND TO THIS. READ THE CONTEXT PROPERLY AND YOU WILL UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY WERE TAKING ABOUT.
“The United States Government urged the Government of Zambia to work with the Zambian Revenue Authority and The Post to find a way forward that allows The Post to reopen immediately.”
MR. LAWYER, YOU ARE WELL LEARNED BUT HOW SAD THAT YOU FAILED TO READ BETWEEN THE LINES.
A lot of the mansions I see rising out of the dust and squalor in Zambia are from unexplained wealth and squirreling of what is supposed to be either tax or aid from outside. It is even appalling for foreign entities to start squealing about “unfairness” when all they want to do is perpetuate that poverty by advancing their misplaced aid which almost always ends up in the wrong place! COLLECT THE TAX but DO IT INDISCRIMINATELY AND NOT ONLY FROM THE POST!
Can UPND CADERS AND HH EXPLAIN WHY M’MEMBE SHOULD NOT REMIT VAT MONIES HE COLLECTS ON BEHALF OF GOVERNMENT. IT IS NOT JUST DEFAULT BUT THEFT TOO. IF IT WERE IN OTHER COUNTRIES SUCH AS THE USA, HE WOULD HAVE BEEN JAILED ALREADY. PAY YOU TAXES OR FACE THE CONSEQUENCES.
KBF is a crooked lawyer no-wander his licence was suspended by LAZ. Even now his law firm is run by a partner a Mr. Eya from Uganda. His reason of being in PF is to seek sympathy from the president. We know him and he can not even keep a family.
Mr. Court.
You can’t even spell. Its no-wonder not no-wander
Like mentioned above, Post is not closed but property has been seized and will be auctioned in order to recover money owed in taxes. There is also the issue of DBZ loan which has not been solved.
I pay tax bane and Jesus paid tax the son of God.Post should pay period.U can’t invade Tax in USA and UK.Therefore the ambassadors should not issue such a statement. U can’t hide in the name of Press freedom in order to avoid paying tax.We need that money in order to pay civil servants.If pipo are not paying tax where is govt going to get money?.it means everyone will stop paying taxes.Therefore there are no sacred cows.Please USA ambassadors don’t encourage lawlessness .we have so much respect for USA.I’m 100% sure USA doesn’t support tax evasion.Please pay for post ba ambassodor. Govt hasn’t closed the post but ZRA wants it’s money.let the post pay or pay on behalf of post if you support such behavior of tax evasion.
There is no problem with paying tax but the problem is the way the PF has politicized the whole issue. Remember Kambwili was say when he starts a crusade he has to go up to the end………you will have a shock of your life with Mmembe. KK has an answer for you…..trust me!!
Satan must pay the tax then he shall work.
Very poor reasoning by a so-called prominent lawyer. Blinded by his biased political inclination and can’t tell a treason case from business default case. Cadres and minions are the same, whether lawyers or kaponyas
Oh dear. US govt directed their message to the Zambian govt not the PF party because they have a relationship with the govt not the party. Its our govt to respond.
It is a fact. KBF has not even exhausted his statement. Maybe if the Post does not pay and we let them, will you settle our debts as a country on the international market? Since losing Zambia in Africa at this time would be a hindrance to democracy we are among the few democratic nations? Don’t be naive, worry about BREXIT. You have failed to handle Mugabe?
Yaba, he (membe) is oso snivelling kansi
This is hogwash. The Plan is to close the Post to stop it from reporting on Lungu’s rigging plans. Lungu thru ECZ will cook election results to make him a winner. Should HH petition Concourt that court will declare Lungu the winner becoz that Concourt is packed with judges appointed by Lungu. On the other hand on the advice of RB , Lungu appointed Justice Essau Chulu as Chairman of ECZ and Chulu is the first Cousin to RB. RB helped Lungu win the state Presidency in Jan 2016 and in return Lungu has since restored RB’s immunity. Lungu and RB are now partners in crime and it Is both in their interests that Lungu retains power. To ensure that this is achieved Lungu has to cook a win and they dont want the Post to expose these plans. The Post exposed the planned rigging thru the printing of…
IT IS SURPRISING THAT A PERSON LIKE KELVIN BWALYA FUBE COULD COMMENT ON THIS MATTER WHEN HE HAS NO INTEGRITY AT ALL. HIS LICENCE WAS SUSPENDED BY LAZ FOR NOT DOING THINGS THAT HAD NO INTEGRITY AND NOT BEFITTING A LAWYER’S STATURE IN SOCIETY. WE SHOULD ALSO REMIND YOU THAT EVEN EDGAR LUNGU’S LICENCE WAS SUSPENDED FOR FALLING SHORT OF EXPECTATIONS OF LAWYER IN GOOD STANDING. IT IS A SHAME THAT LAZ EVEN HAD THE AUDACITY TO RESTORE LUNGU’S LICENCE. HE DID NOT DESERVE IT. IN A NORMAL SITUATION, IN OTHER COUNTRIES, EDGAR WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN PRESIDENT FOLLOWING THE SUSPENSION OF HIS LICENCE WHICH WAS DUBIOUSLY RE-INSTATED AFTER STATE HOUSE INTERVENED. SHAME TO LAZ FOR THIS ACT OF BETRAYAL.
AS REGARDS THE ISSUE AT HAND, THE POST HAS NEVER REFUSED TO PAY TAXES (VAT, PAYE, IMPORT DUTY…
All of us know that these are just politics as we know that other institutions owe much more than the Post.
@KNOX, Does Mmembe have any integrity at all? Or you who is complaining, you could be an adulterous bull.
This is a public issue for any member of the public or group to comment on. It is from this locus standi that even the US gov is commenting, otherwise they have no legal right to comment on a Zambian legal.matter.
It is much like the Oscar Pistorius case we had comments even from Donald Trump who called the female South African judge a twit. But the final decisions are legal and should be made in court.
All who are commenting should know that in Zambian statutes there is no law which states that during 60 days before an election orveven during an election, that individuals who consider themselves special do not have to pay tax.
Guys this is pure thuggery. P A Y E reflect on monthly workers pay slips. Where does the Employer take the money to? (
The British PM has honourable resigned…in Zambia our president would have clag on to keep enjoying himself.
You have nothing to say Zambia has had two ruling Presidents who did not cling to power after losing. Loser
Lungu is delivering while Cameron failed to deliver. That is why.
Hatred is self consuming.
God bless you.
jay jay why can’t you ask Barak Obama to resign after he lost the immigration bill. I don’t like North Korea but admire their resilience. They have defied USA on nuclear making. Why should USA stop others while themselves have arsenals of nuclear warheads?
As the Americans why Wesley Snipes was sent to jail.
Mudala Mmembe l like you bravery in reporting but dont mix paying taxes with politics. If taxes are due just pay them even the Americans and Europeans who seem to be on your side now very well know that tax evasion is a serious crime in the countries. You must pay tax whether it is election time or not kwasila! Dont politicise this issue my brother Mmembe, my fellow Zambians, Americans and Europeans taxes need to be paid. One wise man commented that the two unavoidable things on earth are paying taxes and death. MMEMBE and my fellow country men unfortunately we can avoid both!
Fube your comparisons are misplaced, let us just stick to the tax issues and forget about Snowden and the wiki leaks guy. We should just remind the US that they have strong laws against tax evasion and so do we. Yes the closure of the Post news paper may have a come at wrong time for some people, but it could have happen earlier or later. That does not still make a big difference because they are owing and have not honored their obligation since time in memorial. The Post News paper is not a kantemba that should be entertained when it comes to such affairs as tax. They too know they have defaulted and what they must be doing is simply negotiating with ZRA and put politics aside. Yes we will miss the reading the post and it is sad but we must respect the laws governing this country period!
Never again are we going to have a Government of Mmembe, By Mmembe and for Mmembe. This Media Masquerade, Tax Criminal and Bank Fraudster must never be allowed anywhere near the Corridors of State Power ever again in Zambia. Zambia deserves better Men and Women , Nationalists and Patriots , not People who think that Power Belongs to them and only them Alone. If If do not have the Power then nobody else should have it, and Zambia should be destroyed. As for Eric Schultz and his Friends , we Are awake in Zambia. Very Awake . Come August 12, you will be recalled. You have been a Big Disgrace and Embarrassment to yourself and your Government.
Mmembe is still a Zambian who deserves to have the benefits from his government. Closing the post is NOT a solution but just to attract criticism and bad governance tag. Why not work out a payment plan with ZRA if ZRA is a serious organization.
You don’t represent me in your rantings. The majority Zambians do not support Lungu theft and dictatorship of ton of bricks…..crushing
Personally, without being partial, i think it’s the timing and selective justice that is the bone of contention here. if zra had gone all out on all institutions owing it money, believe me we wouldn’t be having this conversation let alone failing to pay our GRZ workers on time.
In Africa everything is moulded to curtail anybody who dares to criticize the government and it’s policies.we want a “yes prime minister” populace. Even when the constitution is amended, it is done with a view to fixing perceived enemies or prolonging their stay in power. That is why African countries will never have a satisfactory constitution. Every successive govt will tamper with it to suit themselves. Herein lies the problem. Come on, you and I, know why the tabloid has been closed. This is our country…
Tom, did you read this in today’s Time?
By REBECCA
MUSHOTA
THE Supreme Court has ruled in
favour of the Zambia Revenue
Authority (ZRA) in a case
where Tiger Limited declared
a dispute claiming that the
Zambia Development Agency
(ZDA) violated the terms of the
company’s licence concerning
tax refunds.
Tiger Limited alleged that
ZDA violated the terms of an
investment licence issued to
it pertaining to rebates on the
importation of equipment.
This is a matter where ZRA
issued against ZRA.
ZRA was not a party to the
arbitral proceedings, but the High
Court awarded Tiger Limited
and enforced a judgment against
ZRA.
This is according to a statement
issued by ZRA communications
unit.
The award arose from arbitral
proceedings…
@ Pakudya Salimbana
And?
Bring back the money Mr Mumemba next stop is the debt you owe with your fat desk lawyer Mutembo the former DPP who will soon be hang dry…the corporate veil will be lifted in the dbz case..no amout of writing and miswriting will save you…we know you have lost the contracts with FRA for your trucks even of you did not tender like other companies but sata order fra to give the contracts…on the moving business is so slow you always late and your workers cut deals…goliath will now starve…
This guy thinks he can get into an argument with the US government and win kikikikiki. Mr. Fube the story of David vs Goliath is just in the bible.
KBF has forgotten who has biggest influence within IMF!!!
Terms and Conditions apply to IMF Structural Adjustment Program bail-out!!!
Watch your back. If they decide to set the CIA on your A.. don’t come crying to us.
Lets put politics aside and let ZRA and Post sort out this issue, Post has not just employed Mmembe but hundreds of our brothers and sisters are working there with dependents in their homes, y shud we celebrate the failure of one mmembe when alot of pipo will suffer coz of his actions, my wish is the government to intervene thru Hon. Chikwanda and resolve this matter, Government ows mines billions of tax refunds but they sat down and resolved this matter let ZRA put post on a payment plan so tht this money is recovered in a way that does not affect the welfare of employees. so fellow citizens let us not celebrate the fall of Mmembe but let us encourage him to pay, u and l knows he cant suffer even if post is closed but our brothers and sisters will suffer unemployment. just a caution to…
BLOGGERS, BE VERY CAREFUL WHAT YOU POST. POLITICS AT PLAY HERE. BEFORE ELECTIONS, FRED AND EDGAR MAY BECOME FRIENDS, AGREE TERMS WITH ZRA, WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH YOUR INSULTS? MIND YOU, THE POST EXISTS AS A SEPERATE LEGAL ENTITY FROM FRED. THE POST HAS SHAREHOLDERS ETC, THIS MATTER WILL BE SORTED AND SOME OF YOU INSULTING WILL NOT EVEN FEEL THE IMPACT OF FRED PAYING K68M. YOU WONT EVEN KNOW IT HAS BEEN DONE. BE CAREFUL AND BE OBJECTIVE, SPEAK WITH FACTS, DONT BURN YOUR FINGURES.
AS FOR KBF, DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN PARTY AND GOVT. HE IS NOT SPOKESPERSON FOR THE GOVT.
That shows how dull Edigar Lungu is. This is not an issue to be responded to by a political cadre but by a senior government official. What has PF to do with the closure of a media house? This is what keeps confirming this act as politically motivated. Zambians grow up in your analysis. We should not even be listening to such crap, let a senior guy answer the US even if the answer will be the same as the cadre but atleast there will be sanity in terms of procedure. Am fed up of being fed up with Edigar’s leadership.
Just what does Fred meembe pay? he does not pay tax, does not pay workers salaries, does not pay statutory contributions… I also did not know the US Government was part of this MASONIC CARTEL that is eating away into our country and trying to impose one of theirs as PRESIDENT. We say NO and will vote Edgar and Christianity back to power.
Membe is a stiopet brat…..cancoon wamumunganda
Why do these PF morons want us to be increasing land at graveyards,Leopards hill i already full pls you *****s.Wake up & smell the rat-For American to come out strongly as they ve done,is a straight up warning & its stiff.If you read properly,its infact a command,They are not asking the PF,they are telling the PF to “reopen the Post immediately”.So mr Fube watch your big mouth pls.You and your Edgar may have stolen from us but we do not want you to die like Muamar Gaddaffi and or Sadam Hussein or Bin Laden.No one in this world threatens the US and walk away freely-Watch your Mouth pls.Am UPND but am giving you a friendly advice.
let the post settle the dues demanded then reconcile later.
PF vipuba let me educate you again,this is how the US works:To start with,the US does not & will never negotiate with terrorists.So what they do is,they give first warning,if you refuse,they put you on sanctions,if you refuse,they send you CIA or FBI special units.And for your own info,CIA & FBI is already in Zambia monitoring the situation & they know already where,who & when to strike.You Fube has just put yoself on this list now.Countries like Zambia are a walk in park,they can give Lungu a clean shot in the head and clean it up easily-no one will ever know Lungu was sorted out by FBI.Zambia is too open & very very weak security wise.We ve nothing here,so how does this noron Fube even dare to speak such bull.
Here are some facts that leaves the PF naked:The US is the major trainer of the Zambia Army and ZAF specialised units,remember our first marines where trained by and in America.Our ZP & ZA officers sent to fight in war countries under UN are trained & all equipment provided by America.The Zambian army is funded by the US.Including half of ZAF & ZP.The Zambian economy is run by the UN donations from Luapula to Livingstone.And the UN is run by America.The Eurobond money belongs to Europe-another foreigner.The IMF is an American company(technically & physically) And this is the only hope that Edgar Lungu to revive the economy.Now you can clearly see how completely weak Zambia is,in all angles.No strength!
From what i ve i told you above,now go and tell your FUBE to shut up!and re-open the post tomorrow okey?
Interesting. What most people are failing to grasp is that at the end of the day what Mmembe is aiming at is for some gullible people to end up paying for his irresponsible financial management. Unless he is slowly going insane, Mmembe knows he is 100% in the wrong but all he wants is to play the victim card so that some fools somewhere can come and pay for him. Its actually quite clever but it is fine as long as the debt is settled.
Did the writer of this article mean to say Julian Assange? and not William Assange? If he meant the former, Julian Assange is actually Swedish, not Australian.
Kelvin Bwalya is a crooked lawyer who stole clients money juat like Edgar Lungu. Who has ever heard of a head or deputy head of elections of a party who fails to be adopted as MP candidate. Even PF knows he is useless just like Noisy Sunday Chanda.
The US can pay that $6m and overthrow Lungu if they wish. They dont play.
JUST PAY TAX OR SHUT UP
WHY CRYING?????WE ARE BUSY BUYING POST NEWS PAPER EVERYDAY AND HE DON’T WANT TO PAY TAX THAT’S NONSENSE. HE MUST PAY TAX OR ELSE AUCTION SELL KWAMANA NO CHEAP POLITICS HERE
#Payyourtaxes.
By the way whats the latest with the Post, sorry I mean Mmembe? The blood sucker is Bleeding to death I hope.
I do not seem to miss the Post at all, after all I do.not spend my useful time reading it I just glance at the headlines to get a good laugh at some self overrated Zambians!
@61 Joseph, for your information the US government of Obama cannot overthrow a legimately elected government such as Zambia’s. And for what? For a single tweet called Mmembe against all the people of Zambia? Come down to earth mate, this is not the Cold War ba Joseph badala uko kuNamwala. Remember to pass this message to underfive too when.you meet him tonight.
#PayYourTax
By the way, Muvi TV covers HH well and he hss notbcomplained. But Muvi TV pays its taxes. And when it has some difficulties it makes a payment plan with ZRA and adheres to the plan. So it has not been raided by the ZRA. So ba Mmembe nishani?
#PayYourTax!
We are aware that some people have been corrupted by PF leadership to write comments in support of ZRA and PF.
Others are targeting radio stations while others on social media.
Ba PF ,you can not cheat the people all the time.
Time to pay back is near. Lesa Ni malyotola.Who thought that one day a Leader like Gaddafi can be removed from power?
Calling upon all former students, students from all the institutions to stand up and show support to post. Remember when you were at school, government closed your school due to selfish reasons. Bursaries were removed.But Post Newspaper stood for you and made sure it was there for you.
It’s now your time to show support for The Post.
The US and the EU have no moral right to comment on the issue of the post. Neymar and Messi are in courts because of Tax cheating . There are so many people in prisons in both member country of the EU and US because of not being honest when it comes to paying tax. What wrong has the Zambian government done? The money in question is for the zambian people and not the PF. Can these countries commenting on the post sober up.I don’t like the PF, but on this issue i wish the PF to win the Elections so that they punish the post all the post will not pay what belongs to us.
Who is this ***** called Kevin?The US Govt has the right to talk about PF Govt’s evil doings While is ZRA’s mandate is to collect tax and not established to close companies.The move by ZRA will only scare Zambian SME’s/entrepreneurs and other foreign investors/business firms of which the institution is supposed to help local companies grow instead.Its very shameful of Edgar Lungu’s directives and his minions to close the POST but then,it will not help them if their motive is to silence or keep the citizens uninformed of what his GOVT is doing and intends to rig elections.This is purely a calculated political scheme.*****s like Kevin Fubefube Bwalya have always said Zambia is independent..independent on what yet our economy is foreign driven every time dependent on loans,grants and aid…
Too many mix-up of issues and contradictions here.
– Why is this a PF issue and not government? Minister of information and not a PF elections chair/cadre should be making a statement – unless of course its an admission that the closure of the Post is a PF decision.
– There are ‘hundreds’ of other companies in the same tax quagmire and we haven’t seen any closures
– What does the US pursuit of individuals like Asange and Snowden have to do with non-payment of tax? Unless the PF is acknowledging that this actually is a pursuit of Mmembe as an individual?
– Individual tax evaders have been jailed in the US. Here we are dealing with a company. What does the law actually say about company tax evasion in Zambia? What are the ZRA’s powers? This is the question we should be asking – and…
… whatever powers exist, they should not be applied selectively.
From 2009 to date, The Post has paid a total of K147 billion in the old currency to the Zambian Treasury.
From September 2011 when the Patriotic Front came to power to date,
The Post has paid K101 billion in the unrebased currency.
From September 2014 when Alexander Chikwanda issued the fatwa against the newspaper by unleashing the Zambia Revenue Authority on us, we have paid a total of K62 billion in the unrebased currency.
From October last year when the judgment of the High Court was issued against us, we have paid a total
of K18 billion in various taxes. This is not the character of an institution that does not want to pay tax.
PF LAIRS OR SORRTY LAWYERS
KBF bwamba bwakanoko, what do you know about USA .if they get concerned for sure there something fishy.bwalya fube tell your ***** rugari and timor cunsult to remove their dirty ,blood stained and crocked minds on the the zambian elecctions you Pfools.
@71Marie. I have been paying PAYE all my working life. Paying tax for working persons and businesses is an everlasting issue. You don’t substantiate or itemize what you have paid. It is an obligation.
The timing was great so as to accelerated payment amid Mmembe itching for election story insults. No one is above the law. No need for emotions.
I’m a huge supporter of freedom of speech and freedom of the press. Like Evelyn Beatrice Hall put it that, “I do not agree with what you have to say, but I’ll defend to the death your right to say it.” That’s what freedom of speech means. Meaning you may not like or even intensely hate the POST newspaper’s style of journalism, but they have a right to present it that way, and you as a citizen have a duty to defend that right for them. And if anyone wants to legally challenge what they write about, the courts are there for that purpose, i.e., if you feel libeled. So for those of you who keep saying “this paper should be wiped out of existence for good,” you don’t seem to grasp what freedom of speech and freedom of the press means yet.
On the other hand, the POST newspaper is…
(Continued)…supposed to know the importance of paying taxes as a profit making company. It’s not only an obligation, but a duty as good and patriotic citizens of Zambia. For Zambia’s economy to function we need people to pay their fair share of taxes, and that includes the POST newspaper. What if all the companies in Zambia were dragging their feet in paying taxes, what would happen to our economy? The IRS in the USA is nothing to play with as far as tax collection is concerned. The IRS will , without hesitation, issue an order to the banks, in order that a defaulting company’s funds be immediately transferred to them in a seizure. They can also order all the customers that owe that particular company money to send it straight to IRS. And in addition to this, they can also seize…
(Continued)…a company’s assets and auction them off, in order to recover the tax debt owed to them. And these American guys here calling for ZRA to be lenient with the POST know this. While I strongly support the POST newspaper’s role in Zambian journalism, I find it hard though to defend them, with such a huge tax debt hanging over their head, a debt they could’ve perhaps prevented from ballooning out of proportion.
We all know that the timing smacks of political involvement. But then the politicians knew that it would be hard for all of us who love freedom of speech to extricate the POST from ZRA’s hostage claws. Their detractors keep reminding us that the POST is not as innocent and as pious as it would want us to believe. They accuse them of tax dodging. So this is where…
(Continued)…the USA can come in, if they’re really genuinely concerned about freedom of the press. Lend the POST the money they need to pay the tax debt, and that’ll help get the taxman and the politicians off their back, since they will have no reason to continue holding them hostage. Otherwise, their hostage negotiating skills leaves much to be desired.
One thing this M’mbe should know is that in Zambia currently we are given equal treatment,gone are the days when M’mbe was untouchable. Its time for him to come out of self denial and start leaving in reality by paying what he owes our great nation.He is not even ashamed of himself amassing wealth by evading taxes.Thank God people in our country are educated,they able to see whose telling the truth.