Minister of Information and Media Chushi Kasanda has advised members of the public to be cautious when purchasing used motor vehicles from online dealers purporting to be operating in Japan.
Chushi Kasanda who is also Chief Government Spokesperson stated that the Government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has received information regarding mounting complaints from Zambian citizens who have been swindled or shortchanged by unscrupulous individuals running websites purporting to sell used motor vehicles when in fact not.
Ms Kasanda added that the Government has been notified of cases involving Zambians who have not had their vehicles delivered, despite having made the payment, while some have only received their motor vehicles after intervention by our mission in Tokyo, Japan.
She noted that in view of the foregoing, the Government wishes to advise all individuals wishing to purchase used motor vehicles from Japan to contact the Embassy of the Republic of Zambia in Tokyo, Japan.
“For guidance on the legitimate sources to avoid loss of funds and personal inconvenience, members of the public are advised to contact the Zambian embassy in Tokyo, Japan on [email protected],” Ms Kasanda said
Ms Kasanda cited that alternatively, Zambians are advised to use the Zambia Postal Services Corporation (ZAMPOST), which has a signed Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) with various car dealers in Japan, or to purchase their vehicles from companies with a physical presence in Zambia.
She has encouraged individuals to read online reviews of companies before engaging in business, as this will enable them to appreciate the experiences of other customers.
Ms Kasanda has since directed individuals who may prefer online purchases to deal with companies belonging to the Japan Used Motor Vehicle Exporters Association (JUMVEA), an association approved by the Government of Japan.
When you find a vehicle that is too cheap just know that it’s a scam.
This is not new. I have been buying vehicles from Japan since 2004 and what we do is to stick to the traditional exporters. Even then some of the buyers were duped and after paying for the purpoted vehicle the website disappeared.
If the Zambian govt was really serious they would have compiled a list of approved Japanese importers which is continuous updated on a govt webpage for potential buyers to refer to before making purchases.
@Tarino If the Zambian govt(and other African governments) was really serious they would have started manufacturing cars 60 years after independence. How come Korea makes cars? China is making cars. India is making cars. There’s nothing difficult about manufacturing cars. We have the manpower but are clearly lacking the ability because of poor leadership. Africans do want cars and that means there’s a ig market for cars here that can be supplied right here. But you wont advance to making these gadgets when all you focus on is mining a mineral that is a component of the car. Wake up Africa
Things are bad economically under this useless upnd govt. Soon people will start buying used condoms. It has probably already started hence the increase in HIV infections
When we expect her to say something she’s conspicuously quiet but when she finally talks it’s on a topic that we never expected
They throw her breadcrumbs as they know she is not competent to tackle the big issues…why they keep her in that office is unknown. She is also not a confident woman any woman who has worked in a proper her level role would have walked out.
*…high level role…
This is how useless this woman is; reduced to issuing statements about Jap imports, meanwhile her junior the Media Director is the one issunig important statements. You are busy asking people to send emails to a Zambian govt embassy information inbox as if they will ever respond …really laughable.
@Tarino @Tarino If the Zambian govt was really serious they would have started manufacturing cars. This is 60 years after independence. How come Korea makes cars? China is making cars. India is making cars.
Garfield Mwamba – Manufacturing vehicles requires a lot of energy which Zambia doesnt have on top of that Zambia doesnt the local market to sustain this industry…those countries you mentioned have it.
@Tarino I’m disappointed with you. You come across as a different kind of Zambian but now I see you’re just like all of us couch critics. You aren’t as proactive a citizen as the one Africa needs right now.
Your answers to me here are those many of Africa’s failed politicians would welcome with broad smiles because they offer excuses excuses excuses.
Let’s just look @ countries other than South Korea. Denmark has a population a quarter of Zambia’s but still manufactures cars. Finland also has 5million people and manufactures vehicles.
Back to Korea, it came out of a devastating war at about the same time as Zambia was being born the latter with a much more buoyant and better economy. It’s GDP is now 3 trillion dollars, it’s industry is 100 times bigger than Zambia…
it’s industry is 100 times bigger than Zambia. Communist North Korea, only 7million more people than us, manufactures cars for its internal market. Zambia with 19 million people is also surrounded by 8-11 countries. One of them DRC is perpetually at war. Wouldn’t an entrepreneurial Zambia make plenty of money manufacturing military vehicles for DRC? Malawi needs boats for its lake wouldn’t Zambia sell those? Zimbabwe has a well developed agriculture industry wouldn’t Zambia provide fertilizer, and farm equipment?Our leadership isn’t creative. We elect people who think it’s an achievement to get into State House and are happy to sit in that chair. They just specialize in crying about what we can’t do like “the runway at Kasama Airport isn’t finished” All the political parties…
Cont’d 3
” All the political parties we have had are full of victim mentalities. Noone wants to lead an industrial revolution. No energy as you put it but I would say no ambition.
Its reality …Denmark has the EU market at its door step…where are you going to get the steel and aluminium from?
There’s nothing difficult about manufacturing cars. We have the manpower but are clearly lacking the ability because of poor leadership. Africans do want cars and that means there’s a ig market for cars here that can be supplied right here. But you wont advance to making these gadgets when all you focus on is mining a mineral that is a component of the car. Wake up Africa
@ Tarino Half of my comment awaits moderation. Let me go to other sites
Bored with this woman. I can say confidently she knows nothing about this, if asked a question by any journalist about cases of people being cars from unauthorized people, she would keep quiet I am sure.
Arent cars tested for roadworthiness before being boght? Does Zambian embassy in Japan test for buyers?
If there is a race I can trust in the world is a Japanese.I have been dealing with several Japanese car dealerships since 2010 so far my experience with them has been splendid.
Japanese are generally trustworthy people.I wish to agree with the Minister, let’s use Reputable,well known and we’ll established car dealers with a good track record.Using an embassy may not be very easy as said,it maybe tedious and cumbersome.ZAMPOST maybe safe, however,they do not have MOUs with all dealers,,,so one may be limited in choice of what vehicle they want.
Kindly contact me for more details
0977382013