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The Post Newspapers Limited has obtained a stay halting the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) from seizing its property.High Court Judge-in-Charge Isaac Chali granted the newspaper leave to commence judicial review against ZRA’s decision to disallow it to pay the tax liabilities in six installments and the stay would stop the commission’s decision to seize the newspaper’s property.
Police and Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) officers this morning conducted a raid on the office headquarters of the Post Newspaper in Rhodespark, Bwinjimfumu road in Lusaka.The newspaper’s operations were halted.
The team of ZRA officers arrived at the Post Newspapers offices around 10:00 hours and by about 13:00 hours the officers were still inside the company premises.
Earlier this month it emerged that the Post Newspapers Limited owed the Government more than K8 billion (unrebased)in taxes.The Newspaper apparently stopped meeting its tax obligations soon after the PF formed government in 2011.
Mr Justice Chali granted the Post Newspaper permission to commence judicial review against ZRA’s decision to refuse its offer to pay tax liabilities of K26,856.230.91 inclusive of penalties.
Mr Justice Chali said when he granted the request ex-parte that the same would operate as a stay against ZRA’s purported decision to seize goods from The Post as the company was operating in apprehension of the goods by which it generates income being seized.
According to the notice of application for leave to apply for judicial review filed by Post Newspaper Limited’s lawyers from Messers Nchito and Nchito, the newspaper is challenging the decision of ZRA Commissioner General Berlin Msiska to refuse its proposal to pay tax liabilities in installments.
Defense Minister Edgar Lungu (r) confers with PF Western Province Chairman Kenneth Namutulo (r) as Zambia Army Secretary Brig Gen. William Sikazwe (c) looks on during an Official visit in Mongu District at Country Lodge, Western Province
Opposition Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) has accused the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) Government of not attaching the importance that public offices deserves.
And the opposition party says the PF’s continued stay in office is a serious liability to the nation.
Speaking in an interview FDD spokesperson Antonio Mwanza has noted that the PF has turned the governance of the country into child’s play and a platform for looting public resources and sharing the nations resources in the name of working for the people.
He observed that in a country with so many serious social and economic challenges there is no way one person can be holding 6 serious posts as is the case with the acting president Edger Lungu who is also the Minister of Justice and Defence adding that Mr. Lungu is no super human to also be the Secretary General of the PF, MP for Chawama and Chairperson for Discipline in his party.
He wondered if Mr. Lungu even has time for any of the offices saying the man could just be pretending that he is a hard work when he is actually doing nothing while people he is suppose to be supervising are busy lazing around in offices.
“Public office under the PF has been reduced to a platform were people can bambazonke, its just a platform to get allowances and its about sharing as well as personal benefits as Mr. Lungu himself once said.
“Edgar Lungu is no super human to be holding six jobs. He is the acting President, the Minister in charge of two important Ministries; Defence and Justice, he is the General Secretary of the PF, he is the MP for Chawama and also the Chairperson for Discipline are you telling me that this guy has time to be in all these offices. This shows that the PF do not attach great importance to public office to them public office is for bambazonking and enriching themselves and friends as well as families.
“No human being can work in 6 serious offices as is the case with Mr. Lungu. By the time Edgar Lungu leaves his offices he will be one of the most richest Zambians because of the allowances he is getting from the many offices at the expense of the majority of Zambians who gave the PF a chance to better their lives and not only a few individuals in government,” Mr. Mwanza noted.
Mr. Mwanza also noted that keeping PF in office for the remaining two years of their term is a liability to the nation as the ruling party has continued in its path of destruction of looting public resources since assuming office.
“Keeping the PF in office for the next two years is a serious liability to the people of Zambia because we are paying heavily. This is actually the highest level of ineffective running of the government, actually its child’s play, its governance made easy by the PF.
“What the PF are doing is simplifying and cheapening governance because they don’t care whether there is service delivery to the people no, for them its about sharing positions that’s why President Sata has gone on for the past three years with a ceremonial vice president in Guy Scott because he does not care,” said Mr. Mwanza.
He added: “keeping Guy Scott as Vice President has been a total waste of national resources and drain to government’s resources because there is no way you can be a Veep who can not act when your boss is not around.”
A van ferrying policemenr along Independence Avenue in Lusaka
Police and Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) officers have conducted a raid on the office headquarters of the Post Newspaper in Lusaka today.
Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) officers raided the Post Newspapers offices on Bwinjifumu road in Rhodespark in an operation linked to the media institution’s outstanding tax payments.
The team of ZRA officers arrived at the Post Newspapers offices around 10:00 hours and by about 13:00 hours the officers were still inside the company premises.
Attempts by Journalists who have besieged the Newspapers premises to extract information from the ZRA officers have been unsuccessful as they have remained tight-lipped.
The officers have been frequently seen going in and out of the offices perhaps for consultations.
The Post Newspaper is allegedly owing the Government more than K8 million in taxes which have been outstanding since 2011.
According to ZRA Taxpayer compliance status report as at 1st September, 2014, Post Newspaper Limited had accumulated a total of more than K8 billion (unrebased) in Income Tax, Pay as You Earn (PAYE) and Value Added Tax (VAT).
First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba with the International Telecommunication Union Secretary General Dr Hamadoun Toure at Yale Club Library where she was inaugurated as the ITU special Envoy for e-Health. This was on the sidelines of the 69th UN General Assembly in New York on September 21,2014 –Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
Government conveys its congratulations to First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba-Sata on being honoured as the first Special Envoy of Electronic Health (e-health) by the International Telecommunication Union, ITU, at the ongoing 69th United Nations General Assembly in New York, United States of America.
This recognition adds to the growing list of international accolades the First Lady has, and continues to receive, for her passion, love and selfless service, above and beyond the normal call of duty, particularly in championing the welfare and wellbeing of women and children.
Government notes with pride that In May last year, the First Lady received a Frontline Award from the Global Coalition on Health in recognition of her work in women and children health issues.
The Coalition also recognised her work in reproductive health, cervical cancer, and her efforts to improve maternal health.
The First Lady was also conferred with an Honorary Fellowship Award for her professional work as an Obstetrician-Gynaecologist at the 61st 2013 American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (ACOG) Annual Clinical Meeting.
First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba with the International Telecommunication Union Secretary General Dr Hamadoun Toure and some Zambian at Yale Club Library where she was inaugurated as the ITU special Envoy for e-Health. This was on the sidelines of the 69th UN General Assembly in New York on September 21,2014 –Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
In September 2012, the First Lady was honoured with the Global Leadership of Excellence Award by the Cancer Foundation – Susan G Komeni.
The Award recognised the exemplary personal commitment of Dr. Kaseba–Sata in the fight against cervical cancer in Zambia.
Government deeply appreciates such noble works as they are in tandem with its agenda to improve people’s quality of life.
Government also conveys its appreciation to the ITU for the honour it has bestowed on the First Lady, and through her, the country as a whole, by designating her as its First Special Envoy on e-health.
I re-affirm Government’s commitment to working closely with the ITU in developing the ICT sector as a vehicle for delivering quality health care and other social and economic services to the people of Zambia.
Hon. Dr Joseph Katema, MP
Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services and Chief government Spokesperson
FILE: Mkushi DC Christopher Chibuye(in suit) pleading with angry Farmers at FRA main shed
Some irate farmers from Luageni Constituency in Chipata yesterday stormed the District Commissioner’s office to complain over delayed payments for the maize they supplied to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA).
The farmers complained that the delay by the FRA to pay them their money has greatly affected them in terms of planning as they are not able to pay co-operatives for the 2014-2015 farming inputs.
Farmers’ representative Jacob Shumba noted that despite supplying the maize to the FRA the agency has failed to pay them in good time, a situation which he said will affect their farming preparations.
Mr Shumba said despite assurances by government that they will be paid within two weeks of supplying their produce to the FRA, the agency has not done so.He expressed fears that the co-operatives in his area had already started distributing farming inputs therefore causing more panic among farmers to get their money.
But Chipata District Commissioner Kalunga Zulu disclosed that government had released K1, 550,000 million to clear all the balances that the FRA owes farmers in the district and that payments would start soon.
Mr Zulu assured the farmers in the district that the FRA will settle all the outstanding balances it was owing them.He said farmers would start receiving their money based on the first-in-first-out payment system.
Mr Zulu added that government was still committed to ensuring that farmers are paid within two weeks of supplying their produce to the FRA.He acknowledged that government had delayed a bit but urged the farmers not to be discouraged as his office was doing everything possible to improve the payment mode.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has fined Nkana US$10,000 (about K60,000) for failing to provide adequate security for Ethiopian match officials during their Confederations Cup Group B match against Tunisian side Etoile du Sahel.
Impeccable sources at Nkana said in Kitwe yesterday that the continental football governing body has cracked a whip on 12-time Super Division champions for allegedly failing to provide enough security to referee Tessema Bamlak Weyesa.
Minister of Youth and Sport Chishimba Kambwili on July 26 confronted Weyesa after the final whistle of Nkana’s match against Sahel to complain over his poor handling of the return match, which the Kitwe giants won 4-3 in Kitwe.
The 33-year-old Weyesa awarded the North Africans two questionable penalties, one in the fourth minute which Youssef Mouihbi converted to put his side ahead and again stepped up to score the second penalty in stoppage time with the Zambians leading 4-2 at the time.
Nkana secretary Kenny Mwansa said he has not yet received formal communication from CAF on the matter.
“We have not received formal communication from CAF,” said Mwansa, whose team got their four goals through Ronald Kampamba, Simon Bwalya, Festus Mbewe and Christopher Munthali.
Football Association of Zambia communications manager Nkweto Tembwe declined to comment on the matter.
Nkana bowed out of the competition after losing 3-0 to Sewe Sport of Ivory Coast in their last group match in Abidjan.
[Daily Mail]
President Michael Sata walks hand in hand with First Lady Christine Kaseba (left) as Speaker of the National assembly Patrick Matibini (right) looks on when he arrived at Parliament grounds
By Field Ruwe
While it is improper to begin a narrative with a question, circumstances at hand have forced me to flout the rule. The question is: Who won the battle between Devotees and Skeptics on 9/19? I read some of the comments by bloggers on President Michael Sata’s opening of parliament: “Sata silences death wishers,” “The president is as fit as a fiddle,” “HMCS is well and alive,” “Sata is seriously ill,” “Sata is deflated,” “Sata is as good as dead…”
Zambia’s greatest gift and greatest weakness
From such, it can be deduced that we Zambians have a knack for sticking to our views and beliefs. This is perhaps our greatest gift and sadly our greatest weakness. Our stubborn and strict adherence to our views and beliefs even when we are clearly wrong is partly the reason we have failed to advance as a people. Nations that have become great have been driven by a collective consciousness—the totality of sharing views and beliefs and letting go those views that are not shared by the majority or are evidently wrong. It is here we lamentably fail.
We stick to our views because of our self-interest and “the pleasures and pains of the moment.” It seems that is how our minds are programmed, to pursue only self-interest. In our minds, we think we are always right in what we say, do, or who we choose to support. Our pride and passionate support for something or someone prevents us from conceding when we are clearly wrong. As a result, we engage in unintelligent arguments and disputes and fail to strike mutually beneficial agreements. Our resolve is tenuous and as such our pertinent issues remain unresolved. It is this rotten attitude that has left us at the bottom of the totem pole, languishing in poverty.
The atmosphere in parliament
Let me now address the much anticipated question: Who won the battle between Devotees and Skeptics on 9/19? Answer: While 9/19 lived up to its expectation no one won. Both factions were consumed by emotion that left fear, sadness, sorrow, and tears in some. The president’s physical appearance, voice, and conduct were overpowering. The mood inside parliament was somber. It was melancholic, dismal, and gloomily dark. There was apprehension, burden, and disquiet on the faces of many. It was this same mood that engulfed both Devotees and Skeptics throughout Zambia. With this, it can be said that 9/19 will go down Zambian annals as the saddest parliament opening ceremony by a head of state.
Countrymen and women, we have a seriously ill president on our hands. Cruel, phlegmatic (heartless) and self-serving Zambians who see nothing wrong with president Sata and continue to shower him with their “fit as a fiddle” garbage can only be described as cold-blooded psychopaths and vampires driven by greed, glory, and self-preservation. Thank God for 9/19, the likes of Guy Scott, Joseph Katema, and Mwansa Kapeya will not continue to treat us like imbeciles with their fabrications. These uncouth politicians may not have a scintilla of shame or regret, but are surely liars of the worst kind. Scott in particular is a great let down indeed.
Sata’s fears
On 9/19, it became evidently clear that President Sata was not only sick, but also in a state of fear, confusion, and panic. Fear has been in him since he became president. His state of health has been its source. He has feared that once his opponents knew the extent of his illness they would declare him “enfeebled” and use it as ammunition to oust him. This was his greatest fear and it is what led him into the deceptive impression that there was nothing wrong with him. As expected, his wife, vice Guy Scott, spokesmen Joseph Katema and Mwansa Kapeya, other confidants, and members of the Sata family sanctioned this deception. Scott became the chief courier of lies and deluded gullible citizens, including chiefs.
But the fear in Sata on 9/19 was different. In the past three months his fear has shifted to his own inner circle. The very people he “created” have been shedding tears of joy by his bedside, hoping he remains forever incapacitated or expires. When they saw the condition he was in, they pushed him into a sea of his own making, and trapped him in a traitorous wave.
The lead pusher was Wynter Kabimba, but his approach was blunt, categorical, unprofessional, and therefore obvious. He instead fell in and drowned. Guy Scott followed. He wove his own fantasy about acting as president and tried to woo Zambians into believing he was illegible. The bedridden Sata got wind of it and blacklisted him. He is now hanging onto a thread. Others with similar motives started to show up—Given Lubinda, Geoffrey Mwamba, Chisimba Kambwili, causing the enervated Sata to panic. He scampered out of hibernation, got his red-buttoned communist suit on and dashed to parliament where in a manner short of confusion he allegorically cautioned them.
Notice I apply the word “confusion” in the last sentence. We saw in the president a clear deterioration of cognitive functions such as concentrating, and memory. We know Sata to often go off the tangent and say something outrageous. This time his poor mental acuity, stemming from his illness, was evident. His comments on Scott, Kambwili, and Fackson Shamenda were off color and irrelevant to the auspicious occasion. Many of the PF MPs present were left on the edge of their seats. When all was over, they breathed a deep sigh of relief.
What everyone agrees upon concerning President Sata
All this aside, it suffices to say that both Devotees and Skeptics agree that the president is not enjoying good health. The toll the illness has taken on him is a source of worry. He looks appalling. His entire body is inclined to skeletal. His facial features have drastically changed with heavy lines etching what is left of his cheeks. The iconic images of a shrunken Sata fighting parliament stairs, dwarfed by his seemingly grinning wife, shall ever remain etched in the minds of all Zambians. It is sad to see the energetic venomous King Cobra in such a fatal predicament. His once beaming frame is incomparable to the current molted one.
But as they say every cloud has a silver lining. His public appearance was perhaps good riddance. There are many who feel his illness is declining. They believe he has the potential to fully recover. Unfortunately, what is tragically remiss is his failure to disclose what he is suffering from. What if he is battling a terminal illness? It then means that his health is irreparably receding. Sadly, by sheer of his arrogance, self-interest, egotism, and conceit, Sata may be deceiving himself about his mortality. Before 9/19 he tried very hard to conceal his illness for the purpose of clinging to his presidency. Now that we all know he is unwell, he should tell us what the problem is. If indeed it is terminal, he should voluntarily step down.
Zambeef Plc, the largest integrated agri-business company in Zambia says Zambia has potential to be self-sufficient in cooking oil production in the next 10 years.
The company said the country can achieve this through the contribution of its multi-million dollar ZamPalm project.
Zambeef Chief Executive Officer Francis Grogan said the ZamPalm project in Mpika district in Muchinga province to create 2,000 new jobs in the remote Chinama area of Chief Kopa’s chiefdom will transform the outlook for Zambia’s edible oils industry and could save more than US$50 million on an annual basis in foreign exchange.
Dr. Grogan said Zambeef has so far spent US$16 million (more than K100 million) on a 2,132 hectarage ZamPalm project which is due to start production at the end of this year producing an initial 1,400 tonnes of crude palm oil in the first season.
“Zambeef is confident that its new ZamPalm project will transform the outlook for Zambia’s edible oils industry and have a significant impact in helping to reduce the drain on the country’s balance of payments caused by the current import of oil from abroad,” Mr. Grogan said
He said an additional 50,000 tonnes are expected to be produced in the year 2020 as his firm develops the 20,100 hectares of the plantation in coming years.He said Zambeef has already conducted considerable feasibility on the ZamPalm project as well as carried out an environmental land assessment and impact.
Zambia consumes around 90,000 tons of cooking oil per year and only produces around 25,000 tons from soybeans with the shortfall having to be imported.
The country imports 70,000 tonnes of crude palm oil and spends approximately US$56 million (around K380 million) a year to buy the commodity.
Reports about the PF government failing to pay farmers in several parts of the country that supplied maize and rice to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) are shameful and embarrassing if not frustrating.
It is painful to hear complaints from our farmers not being paid long after they supplied their produce because the government allegedly has no money, yet they are quick to flash lots of money during by-elections. The PF spent a lot of money in Mangango by-elections, let alone the 5 past by-elections that could have easily cost us 60 million kwacha. Fellow farmers 60 million kwacha would pay for 850,000 bags of maize or 1,000 farmers if each of them produced 850 bags of Maize. But we know colleagues that no subsistence farmer can produce 800 bags of maize.
File: Peasant farmers wait for the Food Reserve Agency to buy their maize
We know PF have no idea that farming is a business and a source of livelihood for majority of our people. Up to 80% of rural folk are employed or earn a livelihood from agriculture. The non-payment by the PF therefore has consigned over half of our population to continued poverty.
To start with, farmers have been punished because of the low floor price of maize and other agriculture produce, but now they are being punished again by delays in payments. Floor price is not a problem; the problem is that this Government has not managed the input costs. Fuel subsidies were removed, this alone increased production costs. This is the reason UPND insists that farmers should know the price of agriculture produce before the farming season so that they can plan properly and grow crops that are profitable. This is also the reason we have been advocating for a robust policy on agri-business which will include market information.
At this point of the year, a farmer is supposed to have bought his seed, fertilizer, herbcides and must have already been on the schedule of that local businessman who is providing ploughing services to prepare his field. But the farmer has not been paid, so what does he do?
We therefore urge the PF government to prioritize farming and immediately pay farmers that supplied to FRA without any further delays.
In light of various queries received on the position of the Commission on the above captioned subject, the Anti- Corruption Commission (ACC) wishes to confirm receipt of a complaint on the matter from Honourable Fackson Shamenda, Minister of Labour and Social Security.
The Commission wishes to advise that after due consideration of the complaint, the Commission has not instituted any investigations into the matter. In arriving at this decision the Commission has taken into consideration, among other issues, the circumstances and likelihood of an investigation which will disclose facts that show that an offence was committed under the Anti- Corruption Act.
The Commission would like to take this opportunity to remind members of the public to always report any cases of alleged or suspected corrupt practices directly and in confidence to the ACC.
In terms of Section 39 (1) of the Anti- Corruption Act No. 3 of 2012, Public Officers are particularly required to make a full report to the ACC or the Police, of any gratification corruptly given, promised or offered to them within twenty- four (24) hours of the occurrence of the event. Failure to do so without reasonable cause, amounts to an offence on the part of the public officer who is liable, upon conviction to a fine not exceeding two hundred thousand (200, 000) penalty units or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding two (2) years, or both.
In light of the above, the Commission wishes to encourage all members of the public and public officers alike to report all cases of alleged or suspected corrupt practices directly and in confidence in order for the Commission to appropriately and timely deal with the cases in line with its mandate under the law.
Timothy Moono
PUBLIC RELATIONS MANAGER
Anti Corruption Commission
Catherine Phiri has a new opponent for her November, 22 WBC bantamweight silver title defence following the withdrawal of South Korean Hee-Jung Yuh.
Jung withdrew from the bout citing the Ebola epidemic that has hit West Africa- and not Zambia.
WBC international secretary for Africa Nelson Sapi said Catherine will now face Bukiwe Nonina of South Africa.
“Nonina is a credible boxer and is the current South African bantamweight champion, she is ranked 26th globally among 114 boxers. We believe she will give Catherine a good run,” Sapi said.
The 23-year-old South African has six wins, and two defeats.
Two of her six wins have been knockouts.
Catherine meanwhile heads into her tenth fight still undefeated with nine straight wins and four knockouts.
Local Government and Housing Minister Emerine Kabanshi
Government plans to introduce a social cash transfer programme that will specifically address challenges facing the adolescents.
Minister of Community Development, Mother and Child Health, Emerine Kabanshi disclosed that the proposed social cash transfer was meant to support adolescents with educational needs so as to prepare them for a brighter future.
Ms. Kabanshi said there was need to provide young people with proper tools that will ensure they were adequately protected and able to make informed decisions.
She was speaking in New York in USA yesterday during the side event on the outcome of the 2014 international parliamentarians’ conference on the implementation of the international conference on population and development (ICPD) programme of action.
She said the Zambian government was working hard to ensure that challenges affecting women and adolescents were adequately addressed.
The minister warned that if women and children were not properly empowered, there would be a risky of impeding development.
Ms. Kabanshi is part of President Michael Sata’s delegation that is attending the 69th United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Nkana coach Beston Chambeshi has praised the resilience his players showed on Sunday when Kalampa recovered from 2-0 down to beat Konkola Mine Police 3-2 in a FAZ Super League match in Chililabombwe.
Mine Police had taken a 2-0 lead into the break before Nkana upset the tables with three second half goals from Ronald Kampamba, Festus Mbewe and Maybin Chishimba on their way to recording a rare win at Konkola Stadium.
Chambeshi said Nkana demonstrated the character of champions.
“We didn’t play very well in the first half, we had lapses in our defense but I am happy with the way the boys reacted in the second half they showed the character that they are champions,” he said.
“It is a sweet victory. This is the first time we are winning here at Konkola Stadium,” Chambeshi said.
The defending champions are now fourth on the table with 42 points from 23 matches played.
“The win has given us the morale booster ahead of the coming games.”
Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda with Muchinga Permanent Secretary Charles Sipanje touring newly opened Zambia National Commercial Bank Branch in Nakonde
THE Lusaka High Court has entered a default judgment ordering University of Zambia (UNZA) lecturer Mathias Mpande to pay Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda damages for defamation of character.
Deputy registrar Charles Kafunda, who entered the default judgment on Friday, said Dr Mpande should pay Mr Chikwanda damages but the amount would be assessed by the court.
Mr Kafunda’s default judgment comes in the wake of Dr Mpande failing to put up a defence concerning the allegations slapped on him by Mr Chikwanda.
This is in a matter in which Mr Chikwanda had sued Dr Mpande seeking compensatory damages over his remarks that the minister lacked nationalism and understanding of economics when dealing with mining issues.
Dr Mpande’s remarks against Mr Chikwanda were published in The Post newspaper’s story headlined ‘Mpande questions Chikwanda’s mining decisions’, which article the minister felt was defamatory.
Mr Chikwanda wanted the court to order Dr Mpande to pay him damages for libel and other relief that the court deemed fit.
Mr Chikwanda said that on about August 5, 2014, Dr Mpande, who is a mineral economist and lecturer in the School of Mines at UNZA, caused to be written and published on the front page and on page 4 of The Post newspaper an article slandering his character.
He said the remarks by Dr Mpande, who is also Senior Chief Mpande of the Mambwe-Lungu people, in the story were, in their natural and ordinary meaning, understood to mean that he was an unpatriotic Zambian.
Mr Chikwanda said the words were also understood to mean that he was ill-educated in economics, ignorant and, therefore, was not qualified to serve as minister of Finance.
But in his interlocutory judgment in default of appearance, Mr Kafunda ordered Dr Mpande to pay Mr Chikwanda damages for libel, costs of the proceedings and any other relief.
Mr Kafunda said the money to be paid to Mr Chikwanda would be assessed by the court.
VICE-PRESIDENT Guy Scott chatting with PF Mufumbwe Member of Parliament Stephen Masumba before addressing a rally at Kyafukuma Primary School grounds in Solwezi Central to drum support for PF candidate Newton Malwa
Vice President Guy Scott says he is not bothered that he has not acted as President of Zambia ever since he was appointed Vice President.
Dr Scott said he does not view the position of Acting President as a big deal.
“For me, if you are Acting President, you are basically a Chola Boy for the President. At least you are on the phone all the time if Sata wants to harangue you about this or that,” Dr Scott said.
Dr Scott was speaking in Lusaka Monday evening during a public discussion organised by the Post Freedom Committee of the Post Newspapers on the Three Years of the PF in Government.
He added, “Maybe one day Sata will wake up and say, you are Acting President today but I really don’t think about that and it is his discretion why he has not appointed me to act or maybe he does not want to start fighting legal battles because someone will rush to court and challenge the appointment because both my parents don’t come from here.”
Dr Scott also revealed that he spends sleeping nights worrying about the ongoing land grabs in several parts of the country.
He said Zambia is losing huge tracks of land which is being given away by traditional leaders to foreign investors.
“Our traditional leaders have suddenly discovered that if the bend the rules, they can become very rich by selling off large pieces of land to foreigners. They have now realised that they can buy a stretched limousine and a private jet by selling land because they believe they own the land which is not true. The Act is clear, all land is vested in the President,” Dr Scott said.
Dr Scott also explained that Zambia does not have the funds to undertake a referendum on the enactment of a new constitution.
“For me, if I had my way, I would recommend that we come together and agree on the key clauses and then we go to Parliament and have those passed than waiting for a referendum that may never go come.”
