The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has said that that it is in receipt of a press query with regards the alleged refusal by Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) to allow City of Lusaka to use the Woodlands Stadium.

In a statement released to the media, the allegation is that FAZ has told City of Lusaka not to use Woodlands Stadium because it is branded with Vodafone, the sponsors of City of Lusaka.

According to FAZ, the presence of the Vodafone brand is in violation of the sponsorship that FAZ has with MTN Zambia as the the official sponsors of the Zambian Super Division League.

Below is the full statement

PRESS RELEASE

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Refusal by FAZ to allow City of Lusaka to use the Woodlands Stadium

For Immediate Use

7th September, 2017

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has a mandate to promote, strengthen and regulate the way competition works in the Zambian markets by ensuring that there is a level playing field for all enterprises as they conduct business to improve the efficiency of the economy.

The Commission wishes to inform the public that it is in receipt of a press query with regards the alleged refusal by Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) to allow City of Lusaka to use the Woodlands Stadium allegedly because it is branded Vodafone, City of Lusaka sponsors while MTN Zambia the official sponsors of the Zambian Super Division League are a business competitor in the provision of mobile products and services.

The Commission endeavours to ensure that all players conducting business in the country do so in a manner that is devoid of anti-competitiveness. This requirement is more stringent for dominant players in every sector as they have an added responsibility to ensure that they do not forestall the progress of their competitors.

In this regard, the Commission would like to state that the issue of FAZ and City of Lusaka is currently being assessed by the Commission to ascertain whether the conduct indeed did occur and the potential implications it might have on fostering a competitive economic environment.

Therefore, the Commission will endeavour to get necessary information regarding this matter to enable a thoroughly assessment. The media will be updated of the outcome and if indeed the conduct violated the Competition and Consumer Protection Act No. 24 of 2010, appropriate remedial measures are put in place to avoid any such occurrences.

Namukolo M. Kasumpa
Public Relations Officer
CCPC

Mumba Yachi released the video for his single “Mutinta” off his latest album “The Great Work”.

Music Video produced by Fortress , directed by Chawana Christlyk.

BY KAPA187

Ruling Patriotic Front Secretary General Davies Mwila says he would be comfortable having Finance Minister Felix Mutati as a full time PF member and not as MMD President.

And senior State House sources have revealed that Mr Mutati is likely to dump the MMD and concentrate on to his ministerial position.

Mr Mwila who yesterday presented to President Edgar Lungu, the petition by party cadres to have Mr Mutati resign his ministerial position or relinquish his MMD presidency said the protests have merit.

He said the PF would prefer ‘owning’ Mr Mutati full time than having him continue doubling as MMD President.

Mr Mwila this week received anti Mutati petition from several structures of the PF and he presented the petition to President Lungu on Wednesday morning at State House.

The cadres are accusing Mr Mutati of mobilizing the MMD and positioning to challenge President Lungu in the 2021 general elections.

Mr Mwila said the protests by the cadres are justified as they only want him to choose and belong to only one political party.

“We received a petition from Eastern province, and I know there is another one in Central province. I will take all these petitions to the President,” Mr Mwila said.

And some highly placed sources at State House have revealed that Mr Mutati is likely to dump the MMD and hold on to his ministerial position.

The sources also confirmed that the anti Mutati petition was presented to President Lungu at State House on Wednesday shortly after cabinet sitting.

They said Mr Mutati was not in the meeting when the petition was tabled as he had left by then.

The sources said President Lungu is also keen on having Mr Mutati quit the MMD and focus on his Ministry of Finance portfolio.

They said that a plan to absorb all MMD structures into the PF has already been devised if Mr Mutati decides to dump the MMD.

Zambeef has announced that it has entered into a Share Sale Agreement with the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) for the sale of 90 per cent shareholding in its wholly owned subsidiary, Zampalm Limited to the IDC for a cash consideration of US$16 million.

The US$16 million cash is to be paid on completion, with a further Performance Amount of up to US$2 million dependent on performance milestones over the three years from 2018 to 2020.

Zambeef Chairman Dr. Jacob Mwanza said the transaction is in line with and a continuation of the Group’s strategic vision, which will allow Zambeef to focus on growing its core business, which is the production and retailing of cold chain meat and dairy products, cropping and stockfeed, delivered through the Group’s extensive processing, distribution and retail network.

Dr Mwanza said the deal would further allow Zambeef to continue to reduce its overall gearing, and in so doing, reduce interest costs.

Zampalm was incorporated in 2009 following Zambeef’s acquisition of Zamanita Limited in order to develop an oil palm plantation and crushing mill in Zambia as a continuation of its strategy of vertical integration.

In addition to its position as a leading edible oil and soybean meal producer, Zamanita also owned the only solvent extraction plant in Zambia.

It is estimated that 50%-70% of Zambia’s edible oil consumption of approximately 120,000 Metric Tonnes per annum is imported as finished edible oil from the Far East, East Africa and South Africa.

Zampalm was created to substitute those exports and produce palm oil entirely in Zambia for the domestic market.

Zampalm owns 20,238 Hectares of land on title in the Northern Province of Zambia, on the Eastern side of Lake Bangweulu, to the North-West of Mpika town.

Zampalm currently has approximately 413,362 palms planted over an area of 2,911 Hectares in the main plantation, with another 172,000 seedlings in the main and pre-nursery.
As at 30 September 2016, the assets of Zampalm had a book value of US$19 million, representing approximately 6.3 per cent of the Group’s gross assets.

Following the disposal of Zamanita, the Board has reviewed its strategy for Zampalm and concluded that given the long timescales required to create value from a greenfield project, it was in the best interests of Zampalm stakeholders to seek a new majority shareholder.

Zambeef will however retain a 10 per cent shareholding.