Top Motors, the Chinese company contracted to supply hearses to the Ministry of Local Government and Housing, today officially handed 100 hearses to the Ministry of Local Government and Housing.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, Local Government and Housing Minister Ben Tetamashimba said of the 100 hearses 64 would be distributed to 47 district councils.
Mr. Tetamashimba said government decided to distribute the hearses despite the circumstances surrounding the purchase of the vehicles as it is alive to challenges faced by the poor in the country to bury their departed.
He, however, said although government accepted the hearses, the move does not in any way mean that government is convinced that the hearses were bought at US$29, 000 each.
Mr. Tetamashimba maintained that the cost of the hearses was below the US$ 29, 000 per vehicle contrary to assertions by others.
The minister says he is convinced that the hearses were bought at less than $10,000 dollars each.
He urged the local authorities to prudently use the hearses to enable residents bury their departed in a dignified and humane manner.[quote]
The minister said the councils shall be the custodian of the vehicles for the purpose of control and maintenance.
He said the vehicles would only be released to councils that would pay comprehensive insurance cover for the vehicles.
And Top Motors manager Lee Yang said his company had fulfilled its contractual obligation.
Mr. Yang said the hearses are suitable for rural areas and would withstand any terrain
ZANIS
hope there not too Chinese< or they wont be with us for the long time
will comment latter
MAYDAY! MAYDAY! Strong winds….caused…by….flapping…lips…evacuate! evacuate now! Moron alert!!!
What does the receipts say u teta. You are very dull. You mean up to now u dont know how much the country paid. We are not going anywhere with this calibre of ministers. Atase.
# 1 nice pic
Ok but fi manda manda filya teti fichite cost $29pin.
Looking forward to give you a ride in one of these hearses tetamailo!
And how dare you can be saying that government is not convinced that those hearses were bought at $29,000, don’t you have records, receipts, even the original contract to show us how much they costed us the tax payer. jounalist are also failing us on this one by not aksing this i.d.i.o.t tough questions.
On, “The minister says he is convinced that the hearses were bought at less than $10,000 dollars each.”
What evidence has convinced Teta? If he has evidence why not give it to the ACC or other investigating organs of govt?
They have distributed the vehicles.. .so that is the end!
I really really don’t get it. How ignorant and bureaucratic can our leaders get. To find out the true cost of a hearse, isn’t that like a one day job.!! Why do they need to set up a committee and spend months to find out the true cost. Why not just phone the supplier and ask him how much he charge or better still ASK FOR ANOTHER QUOTE FOR THE SAME MODEL. How HARD IS THAT??????????? IS THAT HOW DULL OUR LEADERS ARE??????????????. SURELY YOU NEED A COMMITTEE FOR THIS??????????
i hope the spares will be readly available…
these manda mandas will be used as multi purpose cars…carry dead people, m-meal etc.
Tetamalilo is trying to con us and we shall surely be conned. But can someone twll me how we will be riding in these manda manda? 6-6 going ku burial?
Stop morning and do the work. If you have the facts why not prosecute the people involved instead of backing all the time. Get some guts and do your job. You feel by complaing you are working hard no bwana, the lady did some good job. She has something to show what have you got to show
isnt this the D!ck who said he’d paid for those things? Huh?
#8 you are goddamn right. Why do these politicians think words speak louder than actions. It is the opposite. Can somebody tell them. It’s very schocking that our leaders cannot use the least common sense to act to certain issues. Masebo talked about the documentation pertaining to buying the hearses. Has he not read them? Teta ubupuba!
#8 Papa J, you have summed it up so well, our so called leaders are so disgraceful.
We came across one hearse that had broken down at Manda Hill the day they were being delivered! Just packed up. Hello!!!
#3 LMAO – I feel the winds too.
What point is this @#$% ! trying to drive across…..if they where over paid, who did it? Whose signature is on the payment voucher? We all remember this @#$%! telling the whole world how he was taking full responsiblity over the deal and how he approved the payment….spare us of the B.S and STFU!!
# 3 Walasa S.O.S
I think Tetamalilo’s stupidity is striking a vile lunatic level. He was in the meeting that decided to buy these hearses and when payments were remitted, he was the responsible minister. How can he now turn around and puke such foolish monkey urine in the face of Zambians? No wonder, a dead fish starts rotting from the head, looking at Tetamalilo’s wilting head, he is brain dead, clean!
Teta tell us more . Hammer them right on their heads. Its public money we are talking about.
A dead fish starts roting from the head. Like fish, Teta’s head is wilting, turning gray. The chap is brain dead!
Teta…just tell us the price
It was Teta who ordered them and paid for them, just what the hell is he talking about? Iwe ci No Longer at Easy, bushe wa lipena? Uli na matenda a galu ya chiwewe ka? U zisunge basopo.
It seems Teta knows something his boss is trying to sweep under the carpet.Could someone hear the man crying in the wildness please.by giving him the address of the ACC offices
Someone from NTB should explain how they awarded this contract – from floating of tenders through to contract award. nikutibelesha uku, this one says this, this one says that as if they are dealing with a nation of the uneducated – even KK never looked down upon the masses in this fashion. Dont ignore Teta too much, silvia was very arrogant during her hay days, Teta seems to know something except that he is too dull to express it intelligently….
Marvin Haggler dude, brain dead implies there actually is a brain which i strongly doubt. All this a-hole’s senses reside in his lips. never in my existence have i seen a man as shameless as Teta. no remorse, no nothin! this guy’s lack of normal human feelings is very dangerous. he is a strong believer in self preservation and would betray his own kid if it meant saving himself and rite now am being serious.
No longer at Easy(Ease???) dude……am speechless…….
The worring development in Zambia at the moment is that ministers are flouting tender rules.at will.
what a bunch of complete nut cases we have as leaders. I do not know who are more stupid.. the leaders or the people who voted them in… either way.. why should we care if he is convinced or not? just show the receipts and we will all know the real price you *****. someone put HIM in a hearse.
Akin to Dora Siliya’s debacle, Teta knows what went on. The truth is being swept under the carpet. This is corruption par excellence.
I completely agree with number 8 (Papa J). However, should we really be surprised with the state of our country if these are the people running the show? Is your leader qualified for that technical decision-making? E.g. About Member of Parliament: TETAMASHIMBA, Benny MP, Solwezi Central (MMD) Constituency Number: 110 Date of birth: 27th September 1955 Marital Status: Married Educational Qualifications: Form V, Diploma in Human Resources,Certificate in Accounting and Finance, Certificate in Social Policy Year First Elected: 1996 Sectional Committee membership: Profession: Businessman Hobbies: Football Contact Details: National Assembly P O Box 31299 , Lusaka Tel: (260) (211) 253446 Fax: (260) (211) 253330 Email: [email protected] and [email protected]
LET US KNOW!
This Tetamashimba guy is a very dubious fellow. If he was in the meeting at LG&H that decided on the tender, why didn’t he state it at the time? What if LPM (MHSRIP) was still alive, was this illiterate coward going to tell the nation the same story? I have never seen a Minister who is so full of nonsense and yet people tolerate it. Even some of the worst MCCs in KK’s govt had some grey matter. But this one, yaba, I think the mother must be ashamed of him mwee!! But may be due to ignorance, she is proud of the stolen bootlicking allowances he gets and she thinks that is success. To end this story, Tetamashimba should produce the payment vouchers and we ascertain who signed them. That is it and then we shall know who authorised the payment and where the money went.
Teta never ceases to amaze me. He has accepted the vehicles and has started distributing but still doubting the cost price of these machines Be sincere man. Stop this kind of politicking. You are now at the helm of that ministry. You have access to all the files at the ministry even for contracts that were done 20 years ago. You can easily follow through the all contract process from the tenders, qoutations up to the final purchase of these items. I mean you know the price and you can easily call it out instead of wasting our time. Tell us the original quoted prices and the person that inflated these figures to get to $29K each and who stood to benefit from that and how. If you do not have these facts and are just speculating please close that your mouth instead of exposing youself.
They were overpriced yes, that is common knowledge now. So what next?
Tetamashimba, don’t beat about the bush. Produce the payment vouchers, ascertain who raised the payments and we shall come to the bottom of the matter. Don’t make look like little Children who can buy any story we can analyse. Masebo has given you the dates when the payments were made and she was not in office. Why didn’t you query the payments at that stage. It is either you are very incompetent or you are just a pathological lair who enjoys causing confusion using lies. Lies, lies and lies, confusion after confusion and no productivity!!! You are a waste space, time and money for most well meaning Zambians. I wished God could recall people like you earlier than he has done to most usefful citizens. May be zambia could develop!!!
Its amazing how the mind of TetaMalilo works! Today he says he does not agree with the cost of the hearses, but as a sitting minister, he effected the payment. Why did he not stop it if he really questioned the real unit cost? Why did he cut the Cheque in January 09?
And fellows at ACC, are really not doing their job.
Can the Paper that digs deeper get to the bottom of this? Can some one shut Tetamalilo up like they did with VJ and the congo trip.
TETAMALILO has spoken, trash as usually, cant someone tell him he is better off quiet than talking!
THE University of Zambia (UNZA) council has made a special appeal to its lecturers and researchers to immediately resume work to allow for the resumption of negotiations for improved salaries and conditions of service.
UNZA council chairperson, Tukiya Mabula said UNZA lecturers and researchers (UNZALARU) who will fail to return to work today should not enter the university premises as long as they do not wish to resume work.
“Council wishes to bring to your attention that the current strike action has been declared outside the provisions of the labour laws and therefore illegal. In this regard, Council wishes to make a direct appeal to staff to return to work immediately,” she said.
this guy is a complete nut case
tete be a man. I will come for you.
And Top Motors manager Lee Yang said his company had fulfilled its contractual obligation.
I would guess that ,that is why the China brothers were paid .because they fulfilled their contractual obligation.No more no less .Ifya ma spares fyenu
Tondolo musuma!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! abena Tetenus you talk too much kwati li swau lya mu li chibuku
Take them back if you think you got a raw deal. Why cry over simple issues.
You know I don’t blame Teta at all. You know why, because these sorry excuses for journalists just sit on their behinds guzzling moba, waiting for a politician to call them with a story. Every day its Teta says, shikapwasha says, Sata says, HH says, RB says, Siulapwa says… Why don’t you for a change verify the facts before you even think of feeding us with these stories. “Keep them Honest” as Anderson Cooper of CNN would say. Have facts and be ready to confront the politicians. You so called journalists have allowed this mediocrity from politicians to continue. Don’t just go to a press release and enjoy the tuma bottled water and think mission accomplished! BTW, #8 Papa J I agree with you 100%.
Good evening.
LT can we please have a picture of these hearses? I don’t know of any Chinese motor company that manufactures vehicles siutable for African terrain. If they were Landrovers or Toyota Landcruisers, I would’nt budge. As soons as the rainy season begins, we shall soon find out whether or not Mr. Lee Yang pulled a fast one on us.
Teta must be sick. I cant believe every word he says.
I ve owez bn following the nosense of Tetamalilo this charp is useless.
This issue of hearses look like the Carlington Maize Scandal. You know the culprits but fail to prosecute them because they are well connected. There’s no wisdom in just talking without action. If this man has evidence as purports he does, why waste time? Hand over to relevant authorities and let them act. If he has done so, the best thing is to shut up until you see inaction. If these vehicles have criminal cases attached to them, there’s no reason to put them on the roads as doing so will mean tampering with evidence and when these vehicles are damaged and out of commission will mean destroying evidence when these cases come up in courts. Lawyers are not stupid. So, what is the way forward Mr. Minister? What makes this case different from the scandal at MoH? ACT NOW!
Are we seeing another Carlington Maize Scandal were the culprits are known and no action taken? So, only small chaps go to jail and the big ones their cases end in talking. What does former Minister Masebo know that they are afraid she will bring out? $2 million dollars is a lot of hearses, a lot of nurses’ salaries, a lot of UNZA lecturers’ salaries, a lot of knee surgeries for RB, a lot of teachers’ salaries, a lot of books and journals at UNZA, a lot of desks for Mr. Munkombwe not to harass poor Head Teachers in Choma. So, what next ACC, Task Force, Police arresting poor Kabwela at the Post? Why go for simple cases and leave issues that affect people’s lives?
Hon.Teta, we are still waiting for the “MOTHER OF CORRUPTION” you assured us of, chilishani?
i wonder who is telling the truth now on these funeral vehicles.can Teta be trusted on this?
Teta is in the past. He was part of the team that initiated the purchase of these katenga malilo. Its at that stage you take time to look at the bidders as well as their termsl. Iam sure he has some sleeping sickness he might have slept through out those meetings. And even now iam sure he just sleep in that office of his and woke up to drive the VX and go home. stop being unprofessional TETA.
Everything is interesting for me 1. A tender was floated
2. A bidder was picked
3. The bidder delivered the consignment
4. And Teta is distributing the same
A contract was sealed and implementation is underway. Meaning the Three pillars of a contract have been followed.
From the revelations transpiring now can we say that the contract was
a. Unlawful but licit
b. Lawful but illicit
c. Unlawful and illicit
d. Lawful and licit
Can somebody educate me.
which vehicle can cost $10 000.00 ubukopo,go on the net and check with GM,TOYOTA,LANDROVER,see how much they cost.UBUTUTU muleleka
Listen to this empty tin called Tetamalilo or whatever name suits it, I think it is just a noise maker that enjoys publicity on anything that touches power. THE REAL NAME FOR SUCH A PERSON IS A CHARLATAN. He knows nothing but wants to show that he knows everything about nearly everything. Ask him questions about planning in his Ministry, the tin is empty. Talk about the presidency, the tin jumps as if the President has no advisers and no spokesperson. I WISHED THE PRESIDENT WAS MORE OF A PRESIDENT AND COULD SHUT THIS EMPTY TIN UP. LPM and MAZOKA must be truning in their graves – what a nuisance Tetamatole.
Yeah…..Teta,you look like you dying.
Could Somebody pls help this man shut his mouth.
Brace yourselves guys. Zambia of today ni bling bling compared to what you will see in 2015.
Arest MASEBO for corruption , what are you waiting? Its the sme corruption which Chiluba and group were commiting. Why being so selective in applying the rule of law?
How come the suppliers have kept quiet over the issue of pricing? If they are really a company with integrity to safeguard then they need to dispel these rumours of over-pricing or corruption.
Can this Lee Yang comment the the accusation of corruption by his Top Motors company.
The Tender Board accepted the Bid. If this was the case who should be arrested? Let us be objective and not subjective or speculative.
Gentle people. How can Masebo say “I can put my neck that the manda mandas cost $29,300” when she is not the one who processed papers and payed?!!! Why stake her neck? I left a corporate organisation a year ago and on some issues I still call the shorts and run the show. Give Teta the benifit of doubt. It is even good that checks and balances are taking place within the rulling government; fighting suspected corruption.
Following “Mr. Tetamashimba said government decided to distribute the hearses despite the circumstances surrounding the purchase of the vehicles as it is alive to challenges faced by the poor in the country to bury their departed“, I am still waiting for the outcome from the ACC and/or other investigative wings together with a possible resignation of Minister Teta. should he be found wanting over his pledge to resign.
However, let us move on as it has been done as of now.
Have a blessed day and keep well.
_
Matt 6:33 + KJV Bible
Iron…..
Are you implying that the whole process was licit but unlawful.
Too much verbatims and verbiages concerning this endless issue….
Teta, just say you dont want to be involved in Sylvia Masebo’s fiasco… its as simple as that!
All of you guys who say, Maestro Hakucincha this, Maestro that, let me tell you something! Our brother comes from the South which is the Colombia of Zambia. Mbanje is is taken before going to the gardens, he could have participated at one time? He once said, he is Tonga by culture but SDA (Seven Devils Alltogether) by tradition (or vise versa) Now his formula is Religion plus Mbanje plus physics =to hallucinations. The man stands alone. He is a great guy. Put your hands together for him! Kwa, kwa kwa. I surely mean it he is a great guy.
Mwalembe
You have the right to blog but respect freedom of others as well. Lets debate issues as they come and not derail the line of thought of your friends
so what is be being done about it…probably nothing so shut up, we already know all u MMD thugs are plundering big time and you get away with it coz u r like a cartel..talk is cheap baba, we need action
and we still don’t know who got the bulk of $27m…simply amazing!
Ba Minister, tell us the facts. we are dying to get the facts over these tetamalilo. Where is the IG and his boys? Where is the ACC? What is happening to this circus. Please tell us the truth. What about top motors, what is there story over the price for the tetamalilo? Probably let us start by arresting the Top motors staff, they might tell us the truth.
68 Mwalwembe greetings. Your sickness exhibited in the insults “Mbanje is is taken before going to the gardens, he could have participated at one time? He once said, he is Tonga by culture but SDA (Seven Devils Alltogether) by tradition (or vise versa) Now his formula is Religion plus Mbanje plus physics =to hallucinations. Simply show that the devil is in full control of you since you are lying and have accused me (see John 8:44 Ye are of [your] father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. and Rev. 12).
Have a blessed day and keep well.
_
Matt 6:33 + KJV Bible
Calibre, calibre, calibre……………………..
Is this the best we can have for a minister, Zambia? This is pathetic. Why not log at the supply contract, the receipts and other records. Surely it is not difficult to find out how much the vehicles cost.
Besides Govt is above individuals. Who ever ordered did so on behalf of Govt. Whether such people are dead or still alive is not an issue. Govt should go by procedure and records. Looks like Teta is more a mindless politician than a technocrat. Why make cadres ministers? They have little brains.
69 Wrong No. greetings and thanks for trying to advise the very sick character in your “Mwalembe You have the right to blog but respect freedom of others as well. Lets debate issues as they come and not derail the line of thought of your friends“. My believe is that Mwalembe is sent by the devil and I would not be surprised if he/she is Senior Citizen, persona or Free-Market-Economist because I have time and again nicely overcome the mentioned characters in debates and they also have a habit of insulting others.
Interesting enough, the sickness of Mwalembe is demonic and not easy to handle by advice for it is spiritual although it comes out as a mental problem.
I will elaborate my claim below and keep reading.
_
Matthew 6:33
69 Wrong No. and others concerned, the Holy Scriptures record in Ephesians 6 + KJV Bible “12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” and hence the condition of Mwalembe.
Advice to you and me is given in the same Chapter of the Bible as: ” 13Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness” and this is our only way to overcome the devil and his evil characters that insult.
Thus, lets only pray for this character.
_
Matt…
He must stop telling us gvt is not convinced about the $29000 tag, he can easily get prices/quotations of similar hearses from other suppliers in China, then he run his mouth after that. Ba Moze says a hearse had broken down on delivery and that news really saddens and disgusts me. Mwebantu pa zed things are going from bad to worse. $29000 can get u a decent GX. Banati gonga ba minister na ma chocholi
For such a muscle mouth, why can’t he just tell!
Its disappointing to read what Teta is saying if he is not sure of the cost of hearses, he should shut up. Honestly our govt is full of corrupt beings, its will take a very long period for our country to recover.
# 76.
Maestro Hakucincha.
Why are you so negative? uh ? big man, why pick only the wrong and leave the good? You are the good guy here, only your formula worries me. On the other hand, eeh, I need some help! do you still use “Monze tea”, This American viagra is not working well for me. I can come to Germany if you still have some.
#69. Wrong no. Are you also from SDA? Why inlvoving yourself in matters that you don’t know? Are you Maestro? or his lawyer? or his his brother? oh! may be you are gay? why bringing Maestro closer to you and sobbing softly in each other’s arms? Uh? wrong no. Bwino ka, these cultures you are getting…Tukofwako.
Teta – I wonder why Zambians have permittd this man to continue insulting their integrity. People even call him, Ba Minister. Shame.
Well, I am sure he is waiting for his time of reckoning in 2011
#68 that personal attack is completely off the subject. Why trading insults with Maestro instead of contributing a comment to the subject above. If you are enemies this LT is not a battle field. Resolve your difference and embless our motto > One Zambia One Nation.
#8… You are total right.. The matter is simple Ben can call and find out if he daughts on the costs of the vehicles. As to me it doesn’t work to point accusing fingers without knowing the truth $10,000 or $29,000 However In my opinion if those vehicles are new ones $29,000 could be the right value for each.. My opel Zafira 7seator costed me €29,000 new brand.. $10,000 is too little for vehicles of that type. …God blesses u all.
Well done Teta for providing evidence that the MMD government engages in corrupt activity. After all Masebo was serving as a minister in the MMD govt when all this was happening. Hats off to Tetamashiba for also informing us that the’s been corruption in the Ministry of Defence. Since he’s telling us that corrption should be investigated right back to Chiluba’s days, this shows that the MMD govt has been corrupt for over 10 years.
Can someone tell what sort of equipment are these hearses kitted with. I am at loss at thought of spending £18,000 on a hearse which cannot be used for any purpose other than what it is designed for. Are they going to be offered free to anyone who has a bereavement? It is only in Zambia where you have more hearses than ambulances!!!! Very ironical….Typical