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Decision to confer Presidents Lungu and Mnangagwa with Honorary Doctorates final

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Decision to confer Presidents Lungu and Mnangagwa with Honorary Doctorates final
President Edgar Lungu shows pictures to President of Zimbabwe Emmerson Dambudza Mnangagwa shortly before handing over the Presidential photo album to him at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport before his departure
President Edgar Lungu shows pictures to President of Zimbabwe Emmerson Dambudza Mnangagwa shortly before handing over the Presidential photo album to him at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport before his departure

A senior Zambian government official has confirmed that the University of Zambia will go ahead and confer Honorary Doctorates in Good Governance to President Edgar Lungu and his Zimbabwean counterpart Emmerson Mnangagwa.

The official who preferred to remain anonymous confirmed that the ceremony will go ahead at the next UNZA graduation ceremony.

“Yes the ceremony is on and invitations have been sent to Zimbabwe and both Presidents have accepted to be honoured, so we are just preparing to host President Mnangagwa here,” the official said.

Frantic efforts to get a comment from UNZA Council Caretaker Committee Chairperson Namucana Musiwa proved futile as she referred all queries to the Public Relations Manager Damaseke Chibale who refused to comment.

But some UNZA insiders have also confirmed that Presidents Lungu and Mnangagwa will be honoured at next week’s ceremony.

And some Zambians have taken to social media to denounce UNZA’s plans to confer Honorary Doctorates on President Lungu and the Zimbabwean Leader.

Zambians took to social media to express displeasure on the decision by UNZA after it was revealed that President Lungu might be changing titles from Mr Lungu will be conferred with an honorary doctorate degree as he officiates at the next graduation ceremony slated for June 21.

Both President Lungu and Mnangagwa graduated from UNZA with LLB.

“The initial plan was to simply confer an honorary doctorate degree on President Lungu alone, but some expressed concern that the public and even the members of the university may question the move, so it was decided that the best thing would be to find a cover-up. After much deliberation, it was agreed that another honorary doctorate degree be given to Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa so that he can be used as a decoy to legitimise the award. As you probably know the Zimbabwean President, like President Lungu, has an LLB degree from UNZA,” said the source who spoke to the News Diggers.

And the UNZA Alumni association has advertised an alumni dinner slated for June 22 at Mulungushi International Centre to be graced by President Lungu and President Mnangagwa.

Tickets are going for K950 per person.

Meanwhile civil rights activist Laura Miti said President Lungu must decline the good governance honorary doctorate if indeed the university is planning to confer him.

“If there is ever a time one hopes a rumour making the rounds is fake news, it this story that the University of Zambia plans to award President Lungu with an honorary doctorate in good governance. Good governance Even he would refuse it, kaleza. They should give him one for encouraging health and fitness pela, if they must. These things must ring true” Miti said.

Some have also used social media to circulate a mock Honorary Doctorate to be conferred to President Lungu for apparently promoting corruption.

Our Mineral Wealth is Being Stolen, and We Are Asked to Say Thank You.

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Our Mineral Wealth is Being Stolen, and We Are Asked to Say Thank You.

By Sunday Chilufya Chanda

For many developing nations of the world, an endowment of widely coveted natural resources is as much a blessing as it is a curse.

Although the extraction of these resources provides a means for public revenue, job creation and other socioeconomic benefits, the gap between potential and reality is, more often than not, widened by mismanagement, corruption and other preventable factors. At least this much is true in my own Zambia, where for decades, precious little has accrued to the people.

Of course, as fate would have it, this experience is not universal.

While generations of Zambians have earned pittance from the extraction of their nation’s natural resources, outsiders have made off with vast fortunes. By some estimates, multinational mining corporations have defrauded the country of nearly $3 billion in copper revenues since the sector was privatized in 2001. In 2011 these same firms only paid 2.4 percent of the $10 billion of their copper export revenues in tax. To put things in perspective, this meant that Zambians employed in the mining industry have historically paid a higher tax than their multinational employers.

Though to us, and countless other citizens of the developing world, these inequitable circumstances are nothing new. Save for the rare exception, these capitalist merchants of the mines employ the same entitled, abusive and unlawful tactics of past imperialist powers. It’s fitting then, that some appear to think themselves emperors in their own right.

Since Vedanta Resources acquired a majority stake in Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) in the early 2000s, Mr. Anil Agarwal, Vedanta’s Chairman, has fancied himself Zambia’s most valuable partner. And, to some extent, this is true. In the fifteen odd years since his company’s acquisition, Konkola Copper Mines has grown to become the single largest mining company in Zambia, and in turn the country’s largest private sector employer. Moreover the company’s direct and indirect contributions to Zambia’s economic and infrastructural development have been, and continue to be, tremendous. To be sure, Zambia would not be the copper producer it is today without the likes of KCM.

But since the downturn in global copper prices in 2016, what was arguably once a valuable partnership has grown increasingly toxic. In these last few years KCM has suffered from dreadful mismanagement and underperformance, and found itself entangled in a series of labor and environmental scandals, all the while shirking its fiscal obligations to the government.

What’s more, Vedanta has repeatedly failed to cooperate with tax regulations, including the new mining tax regime. And the company habitually falls short of its promises to revitalize investment and management of KCM, opting instead for coercion, and blackmail and fraud to bend Zambia, its generous host, to its will.

Though this is to be expected from a company owned by the likes of Mr. Agarwal who, lest we forget, is known to boast of his African exploits to his peers, behavior truly befitting of a king. Despite this, the Vedanta chair had the audacity to publicly ‘warn’ Zambia against the steps it taking to divorce its abusive partner, Vedanta.

Earlier this month ZCCM-IH, the state’s copper investment holdings company and minority stakeholder in KCM, filed a provisional liquidation petition with the Lusaka High Court. In effect the move is designed to oust Mr. Agarwal’s incompetent and indifferent Vedanta Resources at the perennial urging of multiple mine-workers unions, residents of the Copperbelt region and yes, even prominent opposition politicians.

Nevertheless, Mr. Agarwal claims to know the wants and needs of the thousands of Zambians this measure is meant to address. His claim that Vedanta’s ousting will “only hurt the nation’s hard-earned democracy and investor-friendly status,” is demonstrably false, if not outright threatening. The truth is that the ongoing ouster is one small part of the government’s broader effort to stand up against the greatest existential threats to Zambian democracy and economic stability – exploitative multinational corporations.

This process is not, as Mr. Agarwal and other Vedanta executives would suggest, a precursor to nationalization of the mining sector. Rather, it’s an attempt to revitalize KCM, one of the greatest assets at Zambia’s disposal. To be clear, KCM’s assets will not be seized, partitioned and sold to the highest bidder. Instead, KCM will remain in operation under the government’s supervision as new investors are identified and engaged in a civil and cooperative manner.

Those who criticize the undertaking, like Mr. Agarwal, offer only contrived, self-interested evidence, which pales in comparison to the legitimate grievances held by government and its constituents.

Zambians are right to believe they are due more than the scraps brushed to them by Vedanta and other relentless abusers. Indeed copper is one of our most valuable non-renewable resources, and we mustn’t allow disingenuous foreign interests to delay or obstruct our taking advantage of its potential. Securing a prosperous future for KCM and the rest of Zambia is contingent on our finding partners that share our ambition, as Vedanta once did. If we fail to do so, and stay the course of previous administrations, we will be protracting our own abuse. Should this happen, we will have only ourselves to blame.

The Author is Patriotic Front Media Director

FIC Director General Mary Chirwa Responds to the Critics

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FIC Director General Mary Chirwa Responds to the Critics
Financial Intelligence Centre Director General Mary Chirwa
Financial Intelligence Centre Director General Mary Chirwa

The Financial Intelligence Center is mandated to publish the trends report, its Director General Mary Chirwa has clarified.

In a statement, Ms. Chirwa said the product of strategic analysis includes risks, trends and methods in money laundering which the FIC communicates to the public and other stakeholders through its Trends Report.

She said the objective of the trends report is to inform the public and other stakeholders of measures to detect, prevent, deter money laundering and financing of terrorism or proliferation pursuant to section 5(2)(e).

Ms. Chirwa said the report may further influence policy formulation by government to address money laundering and terrorist financing.

Below is the full statement

PRESS STATEMENT ON THE OPERATIONS OF THE FINANCIAL INTELLIGENCE CENTRE

The Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) draws its mandate from the Financial Intelligence Centre Act No. 46 of 2010 (as amended by Act No. 4 of 2016) (the FIC Act). The law recognises the FIC as the sole designated national agency authorized to receive, request for, analyze and evaluate suspicious transaction reports and information from any other source authorized under any written law to make a suspicious transaction report including a designated foreign authority to determine whether there are reasonable ground to transmit reports for investigation by law enforcement agencies or foreign designated authorities.

The other functions of the FIC include but are not limited to:

Section 5 (2)(d) of the FIC Act- Provide information, advice and assistance to law enforcement agencies in furtherance of an investigation.

Section 5 (2)(e) of the FIC Act- Educate the public and reporting entities of their obligations and inform them of measures to detect, prevent and deter money Laundering and financing of terrorism or proliferation.

Section 5 (3)(c) of the FIC Act- Access, directly or indirectly, on a timely basis, financial, administrative and law enforcement information required for the better carrying out of its functions under the Act.

The provisions relating to the functions of the FIC were evaluated by the Eastern and Southern Africa Anti-Money Laundering Group (ESAAMLG) assessors during the 2018 Mutual Evaluation exercise and the provisions were found to be compliant with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) standards (International standard setter on Anti-Money Laundering/Countering the Financing of Terrorism policies).

Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Standards

The Financial Action Task Force is the global standard setter on Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism and Proliferation of weapons of mass distraction. Specifically recommendation 29 (4b) requires the Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs) globally to conduct strategic analysis. Strategic analysis uses available and obtainable information including data that may be provided by other competent authorities to identify money laundering and terrorist financing related trends and patterns.

1. Does the FIC have the mandate to publish the Trends Report?

Yes. Both the FIC Act and the international standards require the FIC to conduct strategic analysis. The product of strategic analysis includes risks, trends and methods in money laundering which the FIC communicates to the public and other stakeholders through its Trends Report. The result of strategic analysis are used by the FIC to inform the public and other stakeholders of measures to detect, prevent, deter money laundering and financing of terrorism or proliferation pursuant to section 5(2)(e).

2. What is the objective of the Trends Report?

The objective of the trends report is to inform the public and other stakeholders of measures to detect, prevent, deter money laundering and financing of terrorism or proliferation pursuant to section 5(2)(e). Further, the report may influence policy formulation by government to address money laundering and terrorist financing.

3. What is the difference between an Intelligence Report and Trends Report?

An intelligence report is a product of operational analysis which uses available and obtainable information to identify specific targets, to follow the trail of particular activities or transactions and to determine links between those targets and possible proceeds of crime, money laundering, predicate offences and terrorist financing. In undertaking operational analysis the FIC has access to wide sources of information such as suspicious transaction reports (STRs), internal and external data bases, financial, administrative and law enforcement sources. This is as provided for under Section 5 (3)(c) of the FIC Act.

The intelligence report contains details such as suspected offences in specified laws, property suspected to be proceeds of crime and names of suspects. This report is disseminated to law enforcement agencies. As highlighted earlier, the Trends Report on the other hand is for public consumption and contains redacted case studies that demonstrate methods used to launder suspected proceeds of crime.

4. How does the FIC process raw data into an intelligence report?

The above image illustrates the process that is followed in producing intelligence reports which are disseminated to law enforcement agencies. The process makes use of suspicious transaction reports and other disclosures which are classified as “raw data”. The information disseminated to law enforcement is not raw data as it goes through a rigorous process of enrichment.

5. Does the FIC disseminate intelligence reports to the public?

No. The FIC disseminates intelligence reports to designated agencies as provided by the law.

6. Are the redacted case studies illustrated in the Trends Report released to the public before dissemination to law enforcement agencies?

No. The redacted case studies contained in the Trends Report would have already been disseminated in full detail during the preceding year and prior to the release of the Trends Report.

7. Is the FIC the only Financial Intelligence Unit (FIUs) that publishes redacted case studies?

No. There other FIUs that publish redacted case studies to illustrate money laundering and terrorist financing risks, trends and methods.

Refer to links below.

United Kingdom
https://nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/who-we-are/publications/%20256-2018-sars-annual-report/file

Canada
http://www.fintrac-canafe.gc.ca/publications/ar/2018/ar2018-eng.pdf

South Africa
https://www.fic.gov.za/Documents/SCAMS%20&%20TYPOLOGIES%20-%20Public%20Awareness%20DEC%202018.pdf

Ghana
https://www.fic.gov.gh/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/2016-Annual-Report-FIC.pdf

Issued by
Mary Chirwa (Ms)
Director General
Financial Intelligence Centre

WEEKEND SCORECARD: Zambia-Gambia friendly cancelled

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Zambia’s second friendly on their three-match away tour against Gambia in Morocco has been canceled.

The match was scheduled for June 12 in Marrakech but has been cancelled due to operational reasons.

“Zambia will not play Gambia as earlier planned because the West African side will face Nigeria on Wednesday,” FAZ general secretary Adrian Kashala said.

“But, I can confirm that as a replacement, Zambia will face Cote d’Ivoire on June 19, in Abu Dhabi.”

Zambia has already played one match against Cameroon on June 9 in Madrid where they lost 2-1.

Beston Chambeshi’s side will face hosts Morocco on June 16 in Marrakech before heading to United Arab Emirates for their final friendly against Cote d’Ivoire.


WEEKEND SCORECARD

INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY
09/06/2019
Madrid,Spain
Miniestadio Cerro del Espino
Cameroon 2(George Ntep 3′,Joel Tagueu 71′)-Zambia 1(Mwape Musonda 77′)

2019 COSAFA CUP FINAL
08/06/2019
Durban,South Africa
Moses Mabhida Stadium
Zambia 1(Tapson Kaseba 78′)-Botswana 0


2019 INTERNATIONAL SCORERS CHART
09/06/2014
Senior
Augustine Mulenga(Orlando Pirates,South Africa):2
Tapson Kaseba(Green Eagles):1
Mwape Musonda(Black Leopards,South Africa):1
Austin Muwowo(Forest Rangers):1
Emmanuel Chabula(Nkwazi):1
Lazarus Kambole(Zesco United):1
Donashano Malama (Chippa United,South Africa):1

Chambeshi: We gave Cameroon a good game

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Beston Chambeshi has given his assessment of Chipolopolo’s performance in Sunday’s friendly loss against Cameroon.

Chipolopolo lost 2-1 away against Cameroon in Madrid on June 8 at Miniestadio Cerro del Espino.

Chambeshi started seven Chipolopolo regulars namely defender Kabaso Chongo, midfielders Salulani Phiri, Augustine Mulenga and Enock Mwepu plus strikers Patson Daka, Fashion Sakala and Justin Shonga.

Goalkeeper Allan Chibwe ,defenders Shemmy Mayembe and Moses Nyondo, midfielder Kebson Kamanga were the fringe players who started with the highlight seeing the latter two make their Chipolopolo debuts.

But it took 59th minute substitute Mwape Musonda, who replaced Fashion Sakala, to score Zambia’s consolation goal in the 77th minute after Cameroon had found the through George Ntep in the 3rd minute and Joel Tagueu in the 71st minute.

Musonda’s goal was also his first goal for Zambia since making his debut against Zimbabwe in August 2012.

“We have strikers who can attack but all that we need is that responsibility. We want to score beautiful goals but we need players who can shoot because we attacked so many times and wanted to prove a point,” Chambeshi said.

“Otherwise, it was a good game but you can see Cameroon felt our strength and we have given them a good game.

“what we need now is prepare for the second game; you could see some of the boys’ form dropped in the second half because they have lost their fitness, so we need to work on that over the next two days.”

Zambia will face hosts Morocco in their next match on June 16 in Marrakech.

Zambia Team:
Allan Chibwe,Salulani Phiri(Klings Kangwa 73′),Kabaso Chongo,Shemmy Mayembe,Moses Nyondo, Kebson Kamanga (Paul Banda 88′),Enock Mwepu, Augustine Mulenga,Patson Daka,Fashion Sakala (Mwape Musonda 59′), Justin Shonga (Emmanuel Banda 59′)

Slaughtering 77 animals by government was cruel – NDC

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Slaughtering 77 animals by government was cruel – NDC
Some of the slaughtered animals lying in a pool of blood in Choma after the department of Livestock slaughtered them on Saturday
Some of the slaughtered animals lying in a pool of blood in Choma after the department of Livestock slaughtered them on Saturday

The National Democratic Congress says the Slaughter of 77 animals by the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock was very cruel.

Axon Kaonga, the party Member of the Central Committee noted that at crucial time like this, when Zambia’s economy keeps dwindling, people expect Government to help the citizenry to cushion against poverty and hard times instead of sponsoring and reinforcing suffering.

Mr. Kaonga has since condemned the mass slaughter of animals (38 cattle, 28 sheep and 11 goats) of a farmer from Macha valued at K138, 000 by the department of livestock.

He said whereas, the NDC does not encourage lawlessness, it also does not elevate policy above humanity.

Mr. Kaonga said Government has failed to effectively prevent foot and mouth disease and provide adequate funding to deploy more extension officers country wide leaving famers to fend for themselves and fight foot and mouth disease.

He wondered how government can then slaughter so many animals without establishing if they had foot and mouth disease when farmers have not produced enough crops that bring food on the table and help them send their children to school because of drought.

Mr. Kaonga has since reiterated the need for government to test every animal for food and mouth disease and only kill those animals which are infected.

He lamented that the mass killing of animals without first isolating infected animals from the non infected ones is cruelty of its highest level.

Mr. Kaonga said the animals should have been quarantined, treated and thereafter allow the farmer to sell them.

Zambian diplomats have not been paid for 3 months – NDC

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Zambian diplomats have not been paid for 3 months – NDC

National Democratic Congress Consultant Chishimba Kambwili has alleged that Zambian diplomats have gone for three months without pay.

Mr. Kambwili says the treasury is in red, hence the failure by Government to pay diplomats.

He said it makes no logic to maintain a bloated diplomatic service when the country has no money to carter for officers in foreign missions.

Mr. Kambwili has described the none payment of salaries as the worst form of cruelty.

He observes that the best the government can do is to recall diplomats so as not to subject them to embarrassment.

Mr. Kambwili disclosed this in Lusaka today.

And Mr. Kambwili has urged Government to address the load shedding the country is experiencing.

He has bemoaned that the persistent power rationing is affecting trade and commerce.

Mr. Kambwili wondered what has happened to the new projects that Government started in 2015 meant to cushion the energy challenges.

Meanwhile, Mr. Kambwili has asked President Edgar Lungu to respect the findings of the Financial Intelligence Center which has revealed high levels of corruption.

The NDC leader says sentiments by President Lungu that the findings of the FIC are speculative are regrettable adding that President Lungu is afraid to act on the findings of the FIC report because he is one of the culprits mentioned in the trends report.

Mr. Kambwili has called for the immediate arrest of all those mentioned in the latest FIC dossier.

After the success of ‘Tinofara’, Katongo has released her follow-up single ‘Once In a Lifetime’.

Entertainment Editor
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After the success of ‘Tinofara’, Katongo has released her follow-up single ‘Once In a Lifetime’.

After the success of her hit song ‘Tinofara‘, Katongo has now released her follow-up single ‘Once In a Lifetime‘. The song was produced by Kekero.

‘Once In A Lifetime’ is a mid-tempo afropop track that speaks of feeling a love like never before. The song describes being in a love so strong that one feels this love will never happen again; it is a once in a lifetime love.

On this new single, Katongo has mixes both English and Nyanja.

Listen to / download the song HERE

First Quatum paid US$533million in taxes to Zambian government

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First Quatum paid US$533million in taxes to Zambian government

First Quantum Minerals paid more than US$533 million (K5.6 billion) in taxes to the Zambian government in 2018, with an additional US$10 million spent on community and infrastructure projects.

Contributions to the nation’s coffers accounted for two thirds of the global company’s worldwide tax payments, according to its just-published 2018 Tax Transparency and Contributions to Government Report, a legal requirement under Canada’s Extractive Sector Transparency Measures Act (ESTMA) and Chapter 10 of the EU Accounting Directive.

The 2018 Tax Transparency and Contributions to Government Report highlights First Quantum’s contributions to host Governments, which helps to illustrate the positive impact the company strive to create everywhere they do business,” said the report.

During the year, FQM paid US$144 million in income tax to the Zambian Revenue Authority, US$197 million in mineral royalties, US$73 million in PAYE, US$8 million in withholding tax and US$90 million in consumption and import taxes.

The company’s Kansanshi Mine in Solwezi accounted for US$315 million of the payments – 58 percent of the total payments to Zambia, while its Trident project, including Sentinel Mine at Kalumbila, accounted for 28 percent or US$150 million, a figure that reflected that the mine only began commercial operation in 2016 and has yet to turn a profit.

FQM’s tax payments in Zambia during the year represented 14 percent of the country’s budgeted tax revenue of K41 billion (US$3.9 billion) for 2018.

The calculations are based on the average exchange rate for the year of K10.4781/US dollar.

And FQM Chief Financial Officer Hannes Meyer said the company knows that success is dependent on the wellbeing of the economies and communities where their businesses operate.

He said the company also believe that transparency can help stakeholders to understand the economic benefits generated by their activities, and how those benefits are distributed for local, regional and national economic and social development.

Mr. Meyer said therefore, FQM strives to ensure that their disclosures are transparent, consistent, accessible and presented in a way that is easily understood.

He also explained that First Quantum’s investments are large and involve significant amounts of upfront capital.
“First Quantum believes that, to attract capital to make these large scale multi-year investments, it is essential for tax policy to be stable and consistent and that agreements are respected.

In 2018, FQM’s contributions under ESTMA reporting standards amounted to US$527 million. Compared to 2017, tax payments increased by 54 percent, mostly attributable to Kansanshi, while royalty payments increased by 23 percent, mostly due to stronger copper production from Sentinel Mine and higher copper prices.

First Quantum’s approach to tax and royalty payments reflects its underlying core values which focuses on building open and transparent relationships with the tax authorities in those countries.

HH challenges President Lungu to inform the nation on what was done to those cited in the 2017 FIC report

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HH challenges President Lungu to inform the nation on what was done to those cited in the 2017 FIC report

HH addressing a news conference at the UPND secretariat on Thursday, April 4th 2019

The rampant corruption and economic sabotage reported in the Financial Intelligence Centre’s 2018 Trends Report does not only make sad reading for a country that is in such a terrible economic crises, it actually tells us how arrogant the PF Government is, and how and determined they are to continue looting the fortunes of our country, take advantage of the fact that Zambians are a peaceful citizenry that will only talk and eventually walk away from the issue. It is sad for the country, sadder for its people and sadder still and shameful for the PF supporters who do not even benefit from the corruption, but keep supporting the PF simply for the feel good effect of being aligned to the ruling party.

In 2017, the country lost K4.5 billion through corruption, according to the FIC’s 2017 Trends Report. This has increased to K6.1 billion in 2018, meaning in two years, the PF Government has lost K10.6 billion, which is about US$1 billion through corruption. This is more than the US$750 million euro bond that is due in 2022. The President can save this country if only he can empower the law enforcement agencies and allow them to do their job of prosecuting the people that have looted the country and compelling them to return the money.

The PF Government has lost K10.6 billion, which is about US$1 billion through corruption. How many successful prosecutions did Zambia record on his watch?

We want to believe that President Lungu means well when he says he is committed to fighting corruption. And if he does, we want to challenge him to inform the nation what he has done to those who were cited in 2017 report for milking K4.5 billion off the country through corruption. How many successful prosecutions did Zambia record on his watch? Is Mr. Lungu letting these people go scot-free and yet still expect us to believe that he is fighting corruption? Mr. President, we are still waiting for your Executive action on the 2017 Trends Report, and we demand that those cited be compelled to bring back the K4.5 billion that they stole in 2017.

For 2018, the law enforcement agencies have again received 80 reports of suspected money laundering. We demand to know how many of these cases have been acted on. We demand that the K6.1 billion be forensically traced and brought back to the Government coffers this year. This is not PF Government money; it is the money of the Zambian people, which was entrusted to you Government. And on your watch, it was lost. We demand it back!

If you are not willing to head this crusade, one day, the Zambian people will head an anti-corruption crusade against you. As UPND, we will stand, as we always have, with the people to demand Zambia’s money back. If you think you will shield these culprits until 2021, there is life after 2021. The Bembas say “umulandu taubola”. The Zambian people will one day demand what rightly belongs to them. I am sure Zambian people would want to one day respect you as a former President, but to earn this respect, we urge you to also respect them today by securing their resources and therefore their future. As it is now, Edgar Lungu is being viewed with contempt, and many would say he deserved it because he has exhibited a leadership weakness that a President should never show.

You know the thieves and corrupt elements in your Government. You know each of your Ministers and the wealth they had when they joined you. You know for instance that a few years ago, your Minister Lusambo was just a parker at Cash Crusaders. Today Mr. Lusambo has become such a wealthy businessman that he can donate goods worth millions to his constituency. If not through corrupt dealings and pillaging of public resources, where do you think Mr. Lusambo might have gotten the money from when you know his salary as a provincial Minister?

You know Mr. Chitotela was just a police constable before joining the PF. Then he becoming a Minister and today Mr. Chitotela has amassed massive amounts of wealth. When ACC arrests him, you tell us that he is innocent and will continue as Minister until proven guilty. Where is the integrity and morality in keeping an allegedly corrupt person on your administration? Yes, the law may provide for that, but why did you not apply the same principle when Emerine Kabanshi was embroiled in the ZAMPOST Social Cash Transfer saga if your motive is not to aid and abet corruption? Same game and different rules, these are signs of your weak presidency Mr. Lungu.

As we demand the repayment of the K10.6 billion (about US$1 billion), which your colleagues have stolen in the last two years, we also demand that you immediately introduce amendments to the Public Procurement Act among others, to prohibit participation of shell corporations in public procurement. This is a key channel through which money is being stolen. Amending the Public Procurement Act was actually one of the promises the PF Government made in 2017 as part of the structural reforms towards fiscal fitness. Why have you grown cold feet if not to facilitate corruption? And yet to find it quite easy to amend the entire Constitution simply because you would rather weed out elements of the Supreme Law that are inconvenient to the PF, irrespective of the cost to Zambia.

As leaders, we shall continue to fight for accountability, good governance, the rule of law and justice. On behalf of the Zambian people, we demand that you take Executive Actions that will compel Law enforcement agencies to move swiftly in prosecuting those cited for corruption, theft, money laundering and so o; and that you institute a credible and transparent process for bringing our money back!

 

DEC commissioner should resign for attacking the FIC report – Tembo

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DEC commissioner should resign for attacking the FIC report – Tembo
Commissioner of the Drug Enforcement Commission Alita Mbahwe
Commissioner of the Drug Enforcement Commission Alita Mbahwe

The Patriots for Economic Progress has demanded for the immediate resignation of Commissioner of the Drug Enforcement Commission Alita Mbahwe for openly attacking the Financial Intelligence Center over the recently published trends report.

Party President Sean Tembo says Ms. Mbahwe is no longer a fit and proper person to continue occupying such a coveted position in the context of the criminal justice system of this nation.

Mr. Tembo who is saddened with the recent attacks on the Financial Intelligence Center by the Drug Enforcement Commission over the recently released trends report says such attacks by one state institution against another is retrogressive to the standing of the nation in the eyes of the international community, and gives a perception that there is a disorganized Government in office that is unable to coordinate its own state institutions.

Mr. Tembo said the Trends Reports published by the Zambian FIC are similar in detail and content to Trends Reports published by other countries in the region and overseas.

He said the attacks therefore, made by the Director General of DEC against the Financial Intelligence Centre do not only lack merit but are probably laced with malice also.

Mr. Tembo noted that if the DEC Director General had genuine concerns against the operations of the Financial Intelligence Centre, she should have had the presence of mind to engage FIC in confidence and seek to iron out those concerns.

He said the action of convening a press briefing just for the sole purpose of assaulting the integrity and standing of a fellow state institution can only come from a person that is either compromised by those mentioned in the FIC Report, or someone who lacks a sense of judgement requisite of a person holding a position as important as that of Director General of the Drug Enforcement Commission.

Mr. Tembo said PEP and the Zambian people have lost confidence in the integrity, independence and objectivity of the Director General of DEC, given the callousness of her actions in this regard.

Sunday Interview on FIC With Dora Siliya

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Sunday Interview on FIC With Dora Siliya

Half-baked intelligence data released by FIC jeopardising cases under investigation-Siliya

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Half-baked intelligence data released by FIC jeopardising cases under investigation-Siliya
Information and Broadcasting Services Minister Dora Siliya
Information and Broadcasting Services Minister Dora Siliya

Government has said that the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) is jeopardising cases that are under investigation by publishing half-baked intelligence data.

Speaking on ZNBC’s Sunday interview, Chief Government Spokesperson Dora Siliya said that some of the cases cited are already before the courts and under investigation.

Ms Siliya said that it is dangerous to alarm the nation with alleged report of criminality without providing any details and evidence, and that, instead of rumour mongering, FIC should give the information to other government wings for further processing.

Ms Siliya said that the institution is very important, but its work will be diluted if it is politicized.

Ms. Siliya, who is also Minister of Information, said that was professionally wrong to allege criminality before you hear from those that have been accused, adding that FIC does not have the mandate to find anyone guilty as that is the duty of the courts.

Meanwhile, Governance Expert Maurice Malambo has said that the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC)’s criteria to release information to the public before the conclusion of investigations on perceived financial crimes is tarnishing Zambia’s image internationally.

Mr. Malambo observed that the situation is creating a wrong perception that the corruption levels in Zambia are high which is also eroding investor confidence, and that the situation is jeopardizing investigations.

Mr. Malambo was speaking in an interview with ZNBC News in Lusaka.

He also called on the FIC to start channeling information on perceived financial crimes to the investigative wings instead of releasing it to the public.

Mr. Malambo echoed sentiments to amend the FIC Act to restrict the institution from releasing information to the public before the conclusion of investigations.

Cameroon down Chipolopolo

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Zambia kicked off their three-match friendly tour series on Sunday evening with a 2-1 away loss against defending African champions Cameroon in Madrid at Miniestadio Cerro del Espino.

Chipolopolo flew into Spain for the day to play The Indomitable Lions from Morocco where they are currently holding a training camp from June 8 to June 17.

Meanwhile, Cameroon took a one-nil lead into the break through midfielder Paul Ntep in the 2nd minute who beat goalkeeper Allan Chibwe in goals for Zambia.

Striker Joel Tagueu extended Cameroon’s lead in the 71st minute just ten minutes after he came on for Fabrice Olinga.

But Zambia cut the deficit in the 77th minute through striker Mwape Musonda who is fresh from winning the 2018/2019 South African Premier Soccer League golden boot with his club Black Leopards .

It was also Musonda’s debut goal for Zambia who found the target after coming off the bench to replace Belgium-based striker Fashion Sakala in the 59th minute.

Zambia now head back to Casablanca to prepare for their penultimate friendly match on June 12 against Gambia in Marrakech.

Beston Chambeshi’s side will wrap-up their North Africa and European tour with a date against hosts Morocco on June 16 in Marrakech.

Choma Farmer collapses after his 71 animals are killed by Vet officers

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Choma Farmer collapses after his 71 animals are killed by Vet officers
Some of the slaughtered animals lying in a pool of blood in Choma after the department of Livestock slaughtered them on Saturday
Some of the slaughtered animals  in Choma after the department of Livestock slaughtered them on Saturday

A farmer of Choma’s Macha in Southern Province has collapsed after the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock slaughtered and disposed off 71 of his animals worth K138,000.

Choma District Fisheries and Livestock Coordinator, Dr. Alex Hachangu said this is in view of the animal movement ban effected in February due to the Foot and Mouth Disease.

The disposed animals moved from Pemba district headed to Mumbwa via Man’gunza on foot from among the areas affected by foot and mouth disease.

Dr. Hachangu stated that the action was in line with the Health Act No. 27 of 2010 which provides for the clearance of all animals moving from one district to another by the veterinary department.

He added that the ministry had no choice in this case as there was clearance from Vet and the police.

There was wailing and crying from Macha residents when the Ministry paraded 71 animals including 32 Cattle, 28 Sheep and 11 Goats in pulls of blood worth K138, 000.

Meanwhile, Keme Syantumbe, owner of the stock, who could not hold his emotions described the incident as a death penalty because his entire life depends on the slaughtered animals.

He further stated that the future of his 13 children who are at Primary, Secondary and Tertiary level has been shuttered as their education depended on the slaughtered animals.

Asked where they would take the carcass, Dr Hachangu said the Ministry will auction the 32 Cattle to the nearest Abattoir owned by a Somalian national should they be deemed fit for human consumption.

Credit: Macha Radio

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