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Emerine Kabanshi was not dismissed because of the £2.7 million -Amos Chanda

By Chief Editor
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Mr Amos Chanda
Amos Chanada Press Briefing

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Mr Amos Chanda

Special Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations Amos Chanda has said that the presidential decision to dismiss Emerine Kabanshi as Minister of Community Development and Social Welfare was actually an administrative change.

Mr. Chanda said that President Lungu has continued making administrative changes within the Ministry of Community Development and Social Welfare, adding that Ms. Kabanshi was not therefore fired because of the £2.7 million which the British government has demand was missing, but because there was an inquiry much earlier.

Mr. Chanda noted that to this effect some junior officers have been asked to proceed on administrative leave to allow a smooth process of inquiry that is ongoing at the Ministry.

Mr Chanda said that there was currently no specific allegation of corruption against anyone as what has been established in the preliminary findings is that some monies meant for the poor were paid to retirees.

Mr. Chanda said that President Lungu also knows from the findings that some of the Social Cash Transfer money was used to rehabilitate ZAMPOST offices and paying daily subsistence allowances.

Mr Chanda stated that that for the fact there is an ongoing inquiry, State House is trying, as much as possible, to stay away from the details so that it does not put pressure on the investigators.

On 19th September, the president said:

“I have with immediate effect dismissed Minister of Community Development and Social Services, Emerine Kabanshi and the Zampost Post Master General McPherson Chanda.”

“I further ordered for a clean-up of Ministry of Community Development and Social Services and Ministry of Transport and Communications particularly Zampost.”

“Considering the mandate given to investigative wings, I met with Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) and the Anti-Corruption commission to inform them of the administrative changes I made and expect the two wings to quickly constitute a speedy criminal investigation to establish whether there was criminal liability over the Social Cash Transfer.”

“I urge all leaders to work hard and serve the Zambian people with high integrity.”

Chief Editor
Chief Editorhttp://www.lusakatimes.com

89 COMMENTS

    • What a crack of sh!t. Honestly Zambians are we going to let Lungu and PF go on like this? Surely there is nothing we can do about this impunity? My heart bleeds for my once beautiful country Zambia. We deserve better

    • “Dr. Kambwili said President Edgar Lungu insulted the integrity of the people of Zambia by discussing corruption and morality.
      Dr. Kambwili said president Lungu has no moral right to discuss corruption because he is not clean.
      Dr. Kambwili has accused Mr. Lungu of running an extremely immoral régime.
      He has added that Mr. Lungu is surrounded by corrupt elements at statehouse.
      The NDC consultant has wondered how Mr. Lungu has managed to accumulate so much wealth within his short stay in power.
      Dr. Kambwili said Mr. Lungu can not account for the illicit wealth he has acquired.
      He added that Mr. Lungu will soon lose the grip to power just like former South African leader Jacob Zuma.”

    • Why can’t politicians be honest? A while back the late Sata said “I am not sick” next thing you know he’s dead! Why not be honest life is too short. We as a nation could have prayed for him, Jesus heals even today. The bible clearly says LIARS will not inherit the kingdom of Heaven. It’s better to be honest that spend eternity in Hell. God bless you all.

    • Wow! ‘ the money was not missing/not used it was in an account all this time ‘ but some of it was used in the zampost office maintaince,,,, all of sudden there was no a audit but an inquiry, no one is charged with corruption kekekeke Amos Chanda and lungu are really sick fuuuls

    • What a load of bul.sh..it, only PF can take this in. EVEN the hearts of well-meaning PF should be bleeding.
      Who is running the show, Amos Chanda? A mere Assistant to the Press acting as a VP of the country.
      And if one says something, you are accused of tarnishing the name of the country, who is actually tarnishing the name of this Country? Its PF GRZ itself !!! Those with eyes can see, those with ears can hear, the rest……..only God knows !! These guys can go out an insult Zambian people intelligence, and get away with it
      Those with eyes can see, those with ears can hear, the rest……..only God knows !!

    • Amos. Spokesman of the year. You have made really made matters worse for Lungu. If I was Lungu I would fire you right away. If I was you silence would have been the answer to this issue. Can you explain why Lungu met with Acc, DEA, and other wings before she was sucked? Why did he have to suck her at that specific time and not before? What are the details to the so called administrative change? Why did Lungu talk about receiving a report of alleged corruption if the money was never missing? Why did the auditor highlight significant issues if the money was intact? The list of unanswered questions continues.

    • Very embarrassing. The world is wondering what type of people we are. No wonder Chinese are taking advantage. Why can’t Lungu and team allow the investigation to be completed? And culprits brought to book? Does this mean there will be no arrests? From all this, one can stated something does not add up and someone is been protected. Where these funds used for campaigns and these Zampost boys will tell the truth? Or was this money given to one of the ministers or someone close to top people?

    • OF COURSE SHE COULDN’T BE A SCAPEGOAT. THE FIRING WAS A KEEPING UP APPEARANCES STUNT. GOVERNMENT KNOWS WHERE THE MONEY WENT AND MOST PROBABLY THE PRESIDENT SHOULD KNOW.
      ===========================
      How could you honestly misappropriate money meant for the vulnerable, the very people you claim to care ABOUT? How could you? If that money is tax payers money from the West whose purpose you know, how could it end up in ZAMPOST rehab program? At this point how do you call double h a bad man for selling our assets and you remain saints for smacking the poor in their faces like this? What an unfortunate remark on this ordeal. Next the ZAMPOST boss is innocent too. I don’t like games politicians play.

    • This is worse than comedy from Tona and Ponyax in the olden days of icengelo . These scumbags have been caught with their pants down and now they are playing catch up .The more they do it , the worse it looks and sounds . A thief will always be a thief .

    • Covering BS with more BS….telling lies has become the norm…very soon these fooools will dupe you on National Day of Prayers…vile animals!!

    • Really, Amos… is it the best you can do? Zambians please how can we have such explanations for something so obvious. In one breath the money in one of the ZANACO accounts and within the same breath money paid to retirees. Surely Zambia we can do better than this level of lies, anyway it is all part of Dochi Kubeba syndrome.

  2. What are you telling us? What did your boss say when Kabanshi was relieved of her duties? Do you really know what you are doing, you and your Lungu. Amos, Zambians might be docile but certainly not dull. one thing I know is the Zambians will laugh last. you can enjoy and laugh now.

    • Amos. Spokesman of the year. You have made really made matters worse for Lungu. If I was Lungu I would fire you right away. If I was you silence would have been the answer to this issue. Can you explain why Lungu met with Acc, DEA, and other wings before she was sucked? Why did he have to suck her at that specific time and not before? What are the details to the so called administrative change? Why did Lungu talk about receiving a report of alleged corruption if the money was never missing? Why did the auditor highlight significant issues if the money was intact? The list of unanswered questions continues. When Lungu says Zambians are denting the image he should look closers because what would diplomats make out such? Coming from a government official.

  3. During campaigns presidential empowerment funds and social cash transfer was used as dangling carrots and most people were made to believe, the funds were coming from their own pockets, chanda kabwe should also tell us if marketeers have repaid the loans he gave out during campaigns, olo maybe those loans were part of the social cash transfer scheme. We need to know, we got to know.

  4. This guy is the worst spokesperson of all time. He has contradicted his boss at the time he issued his so-called dismissal statement. You can’t make this crap up.

  5. Let lungu hold a press conference. Why should he speak through ingambelas in the name of Chandas

    Let him face questions like TRUMP.

    There is untold poverty in the compounds yet you guys have money to buy plots at chaminuka in dollars.

    Poor people are forced to sell on street because of poverty. And you set dogs on them from the council

    That SCT should make lungu and yourself resign but you have nothing to do out side politics and thats why your are amassing properties with greed.

    But a God of justice neither deaf to their cries nor blind to the suffering of the poor. A day of justice will dawn one day.

    You can’t dribble God. Look at HH. He got the money yet he is miserable.

    The best you mr lungu can do is GO including your chanda boys.

    Dont forget we

  6. Jona is used to useless explanations like ka Amos is currently brewing BUT THEY WON’T WORK!
    Remember Jona Pombe tried his best to worm out of the Widow embezzlement case BUT the dishonest Drunk was found wanting, & had his Lawyers license revoked.
    Same when the Mbava Jona is finally out of State House, the same Amos, Kaizer, Chimpyiongo, & other P.F goons defending the Dear leader today will be falling all over one another to testify, give evidence, for a plea bargain lighter sentence, MARK MY WORDS!

    • Problem with lies is they have short legs.
      Ati “Kabanshi was NOT dismissed for the missing £2.7 million, & we had other issues with Kabanshi well before”
      If that is the case, & she was not fit for purpose, why did you wait till Africa Confidential, then the British High commissioner raised concerns months later??
      IS IT BECAUSE KABANSHI WAS USING THE SOCIAL FUND MONEY TO BUY PHONES, VITENGE, & CHIBUKU FOR P.F SUPPORTERS, WHILE TELLING THEM,- “ACHAKOLWA A LUNGU AKU KONDANI” & She was seen as useful for the 2021 Visionless Nafuchi nafuchi Campaign??
      ONLY IN ZAMBIA, WHERE CHARLATANS, PIMPS, CROOKS & PIRATES, ARE NOT DISMISSED, as they could be useful one day!

  8. They have concentrated on money and put people behind. Thats the unfortunate part. What happened to banda will be worse to lungu. Amos and your friends ..which streets will u be walking? Kaya coz you have messed up our system.

  9. Amos, you are doing a good job as a Presidential Spokesperson. I feel we should eliminate the Ministry of Information and maintain you as the official mouth for the Government.
    As for the issue at hand, I can’t see any contradiction. It is normal to take action when other issues arise, when you had actually noticed some lapses on unrelated issues.

  11. Amos, you are doing a good job as a Presidential Spokesperson. I feel we should eliminate the Ministry of Information and maintain you as the official mouth for the Government. We can indeed adopt the American system where there is only a director of communication who issue any government position on issues affecting government.
    As for the issue at hand, I can’t see any contradiction. It is normal to take action as some new issues arise, when you had actually noticed some lapses on unrelated issues.

  12. SPG , it is us the Zambians to do something , as we did in 1991 and 2011 , also remember we had the Patel and my wife Nawakwi do the Chiluba is a thief and we can now have PF are thieves

  13. God knows why he gave us a jemasoni guzzler as President, it seems the decision to fire Emerine Kabanshi was made in a drunken stupor. If Emerine is a thief, then we have a Cabinet of kleptomaniacs. Edgar sober up and do the right thing, it’s not yet too late. Otherwise you’re headed for a humiliating ending. Don’t come and say we didn’t warn you.

  16. Amos, you contradict yourself. We demand honesty from you. Being in statehouse does not make you superior to us out here that are paying you your salary.

  17. People commenting here have very little or no information on the subject matter.

    It is true that the minister was not fired for $2.7 million from UK.
    She was fired for lack of supervision and not responding to the president’s demand for a report on cash transfer in June 2018 but the report was only availed on 14th September 2018. When it was to late.
    The total amount for social transfer is $4.3 million. Hence the need for the audit to establish were the other monies are.
    The UK grant of $2.7 million was not used still in the bank from December 2017.

  19. This is how conmen behave.

    They forget what they said yesterday, and their story keeps changing.

    Surely even the illiterates that vote in masses, in exchange for a Pamela and Kapenta, can see right through these fake magicians.

  20. @ Zambia FK. you are very right. Most of these guys making comments have absolutely no clue on how to handle such issues administratively. You are not dealing with your maids or gardeners at home but people holding ministerial and other higher positions. Ati bwana aba nkuku uyu basi you fire. NO

  21. JUST GIVE EMIRATES HER JOB BACK YOU HONESTLY RUSHED TO FIRE HER HOPING TO SEND A SIGNAL TO BRITISH

    AT LEAST YOU SHOULD HAVE SUSPEND HER PENDING AUDIT REVIEW LIKE WAS DONE BY THE BOARDS OF ZAMPPOST

    SOMETIMES TO ACCEPT ERROR OF JUDGEMENT IS TRUE LEADERSHIP THE HONORABLE THINK IS TO GIVE HER HER POSITION AS MINISTER AND APOLOGIZE TO HER FOR BEING IN A HURRY

  22. ” Mr. Chanda said that President Lungu also knows from the findings that some of the Social Cash Transfer money was used to rehabilitate ZAMPOST offices and paying daily subsistence allowances.”

    Zampost falls under ministry of transport and communications, so shouldn’t the President have fired Brian Mushimba and not Kabanshi? Or should we expect Brian to go next?
    Like I said last night, Zambia is so much more at peace when Amos and his boss are touring the world with their friends than when they are in tge country with so many lies and contradictions and allegations of corruption and denial after denial, including denying what they denied the previous day.
    Yaba! But I am not saying that Tri.bal Hacks is any better please don’t misunderstand me!!

    • I hear you.
      This is embarrassingly silly. Great point. Thing is, money usually has a way of moving. It leaves paper trail as its footprint. Simply put Govt knows where the money went and who is in the thick of it, directing its paths. Spare investigators’ time in 3 words. Cut the crap.

  23. The real president has spoken, ich doli mu state house Na chi bumuka akale tachi shibe eko chili, chilemona kwati chi chili Ku new York, these chaps take the whole country for fuuls

  24. Very embarrassing. The world is wondering what type of people we are. No wonder Chinese are taking advantage. Why can’t Lungu and team allow the investigation to be completed? And culprits brought to book? Does this mean there will be no arrests? From all this, one can stated something does not add up and someone is been protected. Where these funds used for campaigns and these Zampost boys will tell the truth? Or was this money given to one of the ministers or someone close to top people?

  26. It seems there are really serious issues in our Country. I don’t get this either. It is like an explanation coming a child born today. Money can’t disappear and then resurface. There is a very serious problem pa Zed. Ya kosa yena iyi

  28. This level of crookery and deceit is alarming indeed. Just yesterday his boss connected the firing to the “lost” money today ati its just administrative. These guys can lie through their teeth and still want us to believe in their amafi story – NO this is the worst kind of lies state house can give and still survive elections to cheat another day – amazing. Us Zambians we are very slobbish – tulo maningi. How I wish we had a 1 Malema in Zambia – ask Zuma!!!!
    Disaster!!!!

  29. @ Lukanga, who told you that money disappered?
    Problem you depend to much on watch dog stories.
    Some social cash transfer money has been used not for the intended purpose e.g. paying retirees at Zampost and donors have demanded for govt to account for the money not that it disappeared, hence Audit to establish the utilization or abuse if any.
    So we await the audit report but is clear is that the minister was not in control.

    • @zambia fk. A minister doesn’t sign anywhere. Ministries are run by ps and finance depts. They should just give Emerine her job back

    • Why has the money not been paid to those that were supposed to be paid. Money was diverted? For what reason? Tell me

    • @ Zambian FK
      You are also behaving like Amos Chanda. The fact that the money was not used for the intended purpose means it disappeared. The money did not work as it was intended. That is why the donor is annoyed.

      If the Govt had wanted to use the money for some other business other than intended, they should have sought for authority to do so.

      How do these people neglect the poor suffering Zambian and prioritise refurbishing and putting air-cons in their own offices?

      God will surely visit you……

  30. All you people defending lungu and PF are just yes boys….bottom feeders….people want information, people have the right to be informed of what is going on in their GRZ …..we can not be having a situation where high profile people are fired without explaining …..what type of democracy is this ? Eric chimesa, this woman, that ZAMPOST chap …..

    Is it too much for zambians to expect lungu to address the nation ?

    then if you will starve Zambians of information then we will make up our own minds , lungu was not given part of the stolen monies, that is why they were fired…

  32. What a silly and weak statement from Press Aid Chanda. For the first time I see your carelessness in the face of embezzled poor people’s money. It’s either you are saying your boss made a serious error in judgement for firing the boss in the line Ministry or you and your boss are actually mocking the Zambian people with impunity. Stealing public funds is as bad as a fellow who partook in the sale of our national assets and mocking us as he appears on the ballot paper showing his ugly face. We anxiously await the report from the investmentors. At this point, with those remarks, it’s hard to tell if it will be credible.

  33. I can rise and clap, Spokes person of the year….this is how we mess up our Presidents, miscalculation in things we tell the people……..I would rather have my President ECL to address the nation than listening to Amos.

    • @Simon you have echoed exactly my thinking, thanks we still have Zambians like you. The President needs to stand up and live to expectations by calling a Press Conference this coming Saturday and address the nation, the issue at hand as the main focus. Speaking through Amos Chanda is not enough especially when issues have escalated to an alarming level.
      It is very worrying even for those in PF to the fact that two (2) statements are issued from two persons within the same office. What are we talking about?? What will people believe
      This is just crazy, with all the drama. Britain could not just freeze funding for no reason.
      The big question is? Who diverted the funds, let the bank come with information? Someone signed. Oh GOD, awe yakosa

  34. @Chuck indeed a minister does not sign but provides overall direction of the ministry.
    After getiing intellient reports of issues in her ministry the president requested her to provide a report in June 2018 on social cash transfer she couldnt and only provident a report on 14th September 2018 at which time the some donors were already demand to be paid their money back.
    This will tell you that the minister was not in control of her ministry.
    I am sure you dont expect the president to demand a report from a PS and not the Minister

  35. I hope that Honourable Emerine Kabanshi can start spilling the beans, clearly there is plenty of beans to spill . And you Emerine, I hope you have learnt your lessons, don’t accept bribes to shut your mouth, the truth will set you my dear and beloved sister.

  36. My appeal to all Constitutional Office holders is that while it is your constitutional right to have increased salaries, show patriotism by foregoing this particular increment in honour of the poor citizenry who have gone months on end without their meagre allowances under the Social Cash Transfer. This is my humble request to the President.

  37. Amos Chanda, I don’t care about the size of your delegation , please go back to New York or wherever, just keep away from our beloved mother Zambia, pleeeeaaaaseeee.

  38. Twanaka ubufi iwe is Chanda, naba Dora Siliya mailo bakalande fimbi fimbi. Then the President will contract both of you when he swears in someone tomorrow…..kikikikikii.
    Chamoneka kwati kuya bebele ubuteko ubu.

  39. Why was the money used to rehabilitate the post office? That’s misuse of funds, and everyone involved should be held accountable because the poor people meant to receive those funds were deprived whilst some guy was benefiting with a new desk and chairs.

  41. I think this is one of the so much significant information for me. And i’m happy studying your article. However want to remark on some general things, The site taste is great, the articles is truly great : D. Good process, cheers|

  42. This one made me laugh… I quote: “Why can’t politicians be honest? A while back the late Sata said “I am not sick” next thing you know he’s dead!”, end of quote: Now my question is, Who told you that only sick people die?LOL

  43. Whatever you say, the audit trail remains. It starts from the date the money was transferred to Zambia. The British have the report of the date of transfer (Transmission report). We will start from and the rest will follow. For now enjoy yourselves. I’m also waiting for Sunday Chanda to issue a statement on this matter.

  44. Whatever you say, the audit trail remains. It starts from the date the money was transferred to Zambia. The British have the report of the date of transfer (Transmission report). We will start from there and the rest will follow. For now enjoy yourselves. I’m also waiting for Sunday Chanda to issue a statement on this matter.

  45. lies have short legs, mulifipuba? mulebepa banani? Your boss told the world that Hon. Kabanshi was fired because of financial indiscipline

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