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Nathan Sinkala and Chisamba Lungu had disappointing midweek outings for their respective clubs in league and cup engagements.
In Switzerland, Sinkala was benched for the second successive game in a space of four days when Grasshoppers lost 3-0 away to St Gallen in a league game.
Sinkala sat out the match just after he was also on the bench in Sunday’s 5-3 away win over Neuchatel Xamax in a 2014/15 Swiss Cup tie.
In Russia, Chisamba’s club FC Ural were ejected 3-1 from the 2014/15 Russian Cup by promotion chasing Krylya Sovetov .
The midfielder played the full 90 minutes.
And in Turkey, striker Jacob Mulenga was completely rested for Adana Demirspor’s 4-1 Turkish Cup win over Gungorenspor.
Government has expressed its disappointment at the manner in which developmental projects were being implemented in north western province.
Provincial permanent secretary Amos Mapulenga has since warned heads of government departments in North western province to stop frustrating government efforts or face dismissal.
Mr. Malupenga was speaking when he officiated at the provincial development coordinating committee in Solwezi today.
He said development in the province is lagging behind due to lack of commitment from heads of government departments in the region.
He wondered why K500,000.00 meant for the construction of maternity wings at four different health centers in the District is still lying unutilized when government released the money in February this year.
Mr Malupenga also sought an explanation from the department of water affairs in the province on why Solwezi airport has continued operating without running water.
Several officers from different government departments were at pains to explain why government projects under their care have stalled.
The permanent secretary has since called for the change of attitude among government officials in the province adding that they must work to fulfill the expectations of the public.
The Zambia Prisons Service (ZPS) in Luanshya has commenced cleaning up of all public health centers in the district in commemoration of the Prisons Service week.
Luanshya Prisons Officer Commanding Steven Nyendwa says most public health centers and their surroundings were neglected as the institutions lack adequate manpower to do the required manual work .
ZANIS reports that Mr. Nyendwa who confirmed the development in an interview today said that the exercise started on Tuesday this week.
He said the exercise started with three clinics including Chibolya, Mikonfwa, Urban clinic and Thomson hospital in Luanshya constituency.
“ The exercise will tomorrow spread to Roan General hospital and all clinics in Roan constituency, “ he said .
In addition, a combined team of prison officers and inmates were also cleaning up Luanshya town cemetery and cutting down old trees, which were a danger to mourners seeking shelter as they put their loved ones to rest, he said.
Mr. Nyendwa noted that the prisons service week was significant as it helps the service reflect on their performance and services rendered to the community away from their usual custodial role.
He called on the community to take keen interest in understanding the role the prison service plays and make us of the services offered to the community from skills training offered to inmates, such as brick molding, gardening, fencing and aquaculture aside of the usual agricultural services.
And Luanshya Municipal council Public Relation Manager Gideon Thole has welcomed the move by the service to clean the cemetery.
Mr. Thole said his council was ready to partner with any organisation wishing to help in ensuring that mourners put their loved ones to rest in a dignified and habitable place.
He noted that though it was the local authority’s mandate to maintain the graveyard, the council appreciated the gesture and would support any form of assistance from well wishing partners.
The prisons service will tomorrow celebrate the Prison Service day at Mukobeko Prisons in Kabwe were all prisons would showcase their goods and services in a colourful exhibition.
ormer President Rupiah Banda with Transport, Works, Supply and Communication Minister Yamfwa Mukanga during Kulamba traditional ceremony of the Chewa people in Katete
Former Republican President Rupiah Banda yesterday held discussions with a delegation from the Human Rights Committee of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).
Mr. Banda expressed gratitude at a two-man delegation that had paid him a courtesy call where the meeting was held at his office in Lusaka.
The closed-door meeting lasted for about 30-minutes and was also attended by Mr. Banda’s lawyer, Sakwiba Sikota.
The delegation comprised President of the Human Rights Committee of the IPU Juan Pablo Letelier and Committee Secretary Rogier Huizenga.
This is contained in a press statement released to ZANIS in Lusaka today President Banda’s dDeputy administrative assistant Kennedy Limwanya.
And briefing journalists soon after the meeting, Mr Letelier said he was happy that the Zambian government had allowed his delegation to visit the country and meet several stakeholders to assess the country’s human rights performance.
Copperbelt Energy Corporation Plc has refuted claims by Konkola Copper Mines Plc that CEC has effected further power restrictions to their operations.
In a statement, CEC Spokesman Chama Nsabika said KCM has been receiving in the order of 90% of their power requirements since Saturday, 20th September 2014 when CEC restricted part of their supply on account of their failure to pay for electricity consumed since April 2014.
The restriction was done in accordance with provisions of the Power Supply Agreement of 2000 and pursuant to a Restriction Notice issued to KCM in April 2014, and following the ruling of the High Court on 16th September 2014, setting aside the Injunction it had earlier granted to KCM, ex parte, restraining CEC from restricting, suspending, disconnecting or otherwise interrupting supplies of electricity.
The current restriction of KCM’s power requirements was agreed upon with KCM per PSA provisions and no further reduction has been effected since.
Mrs Nsabika said it seems KCM had attempted to bypass the power restriction to the Concentrator that CEC had effected on 20th September, leading to a load ramp up which caused trip outs on the system.
“On Tuesday, 23rd and Wednesday, 24th September 2014 at 23:48 hours and 01:53 hours respectively, CEC’s Incomer Transformers No.s 1A, 3A and 7A, which supply part of KCM’s Nchanga Mine, tripped out on an overload condition due to KCM’s ramping up of load on the previously restricted transformer capacity,” Mrs Nsabika.
She added, “This tripping, caused by excessive load uptake, resulted in interruption of power supply to the 11kV Front Bus Bars for 65 and 20 minutes respectively. Prior to the incident in question, KCM had been warned about their excessive power uptake as this could lead to tripping, as it indeed did.”
Mrs Nsabika said CEC deplores KCM’s continued attempts to vilify CEC in the public eye and play the victim while they persistently default on their payment obligations and renege on efforts to find a lasting settlement to the current challenges.
“While CEC continues to supply KCM, currently providing about 90% of all of KCM power requirements, KCM continues to refuse to settle invoices; in breach of our PSA and the Order of the High Court that dictates that the Parties continue to meet their PSA obligations.”
Meanwhile, Government has directed Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) and Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) to resolve their standoff over the outstanding $44 million electricity bill the mining company owes before the end of today.
Speaking during a joint media briefing in Lusaka this afternoon with Mines Minister Christopher Yaluma, Chief Government Spokesperson Joseph Katema said that the standoff between the two companies has become a source of concern to government.
Dr Katema said that Government will not accept any further delay or inaction by the two companies to resolve this matter as it can have far reaching humanitarian and economic consequences.
Dr. Katema said that both companies were given enough time to resolve the matter, but that it is disappointing that the stand-off has continued and is now seriously threatening the safety of the workers at KCM.
He noted that the situation could have been avoided had the two companies exercised their responsibility by fulfilling their obligations to each other.
And Mines, Energy and Water Development Minister Christopher Yaluma feels both companies have not done what was expected of them which he says is unacceptable.
File:Riot Police in running battles at Lusaka’s notorious Chibolya market, with suspected illicit drug dealers
The Drug Enforcement Commission has again conducted a raid on Lusaka’s notorious drugs den Chibolya compound and arrested forty two (42) people for trafficking in various quantities of cannabis.
DEC Public Relations Officer Theresa Katongo in a statement to QFM News said those arrested include Samson Mawele, 24, a garden boy residing in Chibolya for trafficking in loose cannabis weighing 1.2kg and an 18 year old boy also of Chibolya for trafficking in 804 grams of loose cannabis.
Ms Katongo says others arrested and jointly charged are Memory Sakala, 25, a housewife and Humphrey Banda, 21, both of Chibolya compound for trafficking in loose cannabis weighing 2.953kg.
Also arrested is Timothy Singoyi, 32, of Kanyama compound for trafficking in 455 grams of loose cannabis, Kingsley Sisuku, 28, also of Kanyama compound for trafficking in 192 grams of cannabis and Victor Kangali, 21, of the same area for trafficking in 168 grams of loose cannabis.
Ms Katongo says the forty two suspects were apprehended on Tuesday after DEC conducted two operations in Chibolya compound.
Meanwhile, the Commission in North Western Province has arrested Evans Chipango, 25, a peasant farmer of M8 area in Kabompo District for trafficking in 1.7kg of cannabis and Hilary Kamboyi, 28, of Mandandi area in Kabompo for trafficking in 900g of loose cannabis.
The Press Association of Zambia has condemned ZRA for harassing media houses over monies owed without consideration for the unfriendly economic atmosphere in which they operate.
PAZA has called upon Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda to should consider waiving all the money owed to ZRA by both public and private media houses in the country because taxation is killing the media.
Police and Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) officers on tuesday morning conducted a raid on the office headquarters of the Post Newspaper in Rhodespark, Bwinjimfumu road in Lusaka in connection with the K27 million owed in unpaid taxes.
However a press statement released by ZRA yesterday stated that the Minister of Finance does not instruct the Zambia Revenue Authority to undertake enforcement action against taxpayers.ZRA said it has a statutory duty to collect revenue on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Zambia.
Below is the Full press statement
The Press Association of Zambia (PAZA) wishes to disagree strongly with the position taken by the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) to harass print media houses to recover their dues without consideration for the unfriendly economic atmosphere in which they operate.
PAZA wishes to remind the government of a position paper originated by media houses on the bad taxation system relative to the poor environment in which they operate.
That position paper has not been attended to by the government. PAZA believes that the government must waive the unfriendly taxes which are killing the media and allow them to start afresh.
A recent study by PAZA on the effects of taxation on the Zambian media shows that the most affected are the print media houses. This has made it hard for them to continuously remain alive and most of them have folded. For the electronic media, the taxation system has made the operational costs unbearable especially that Zambia does not manufacture electronic media materials.
We therefore wish to appeal to the Minister of Finance, Mr Alexander Chikwanda to revisit the taxation system and allow the media to grow. We further question the criteria used to select ZRA’s harassment of the Post and the Daily Nation when almost all the media houses in the country owe ZRA money.
The Minister should consider waiving all the money owed to ZRA by both public and private media houses in the country because taxation is killing the media.
We propose that the money to be saved by the media should be used to offer salary increments for our members some of whom are unpaid for several months while the rest have the lowest salaries compared to other sectors.
It must be appreciated that media houses employ thousands of the media personnel across the country which must prompt the Government to act with caution when dealing with tax matters.
Patson Phiri
Executive Secretary and Secretary General (Southern African Editors Forum Zambia Chapter)
The Kasama High Court has sent three men to the gallows for murder including one who murdered his estranged wife and hid her body under a heap of unshelled maize.
In the first case, presiding judge Petronella Ngulube convicted and sentenced Kennedy Chileshe, 26, of Mungwi District to death for murdering his wife Petronella Nkole on June 26, 2014.
One of the prosecution witnesses Exhilda Chanda who was the deceased’s neighbour testified that she was on the material day doing her laundry around mid-morning when she heard someone shout, “Bashi Kennedy, did you call me to come and kill me?”
Ms Chanda said she lifted her head to see who was crying out but did not see anyone. She then heard another shout of “I am dead” and got concerned enough to get up investigate.
She saw Chileshe leave his house alone.
Chileshe later came back and asked Ms Chanda if he had seen his wife with a Mr Phiri.
A group of neighbours that became worried after everyone failed to trace the whereabouts of Ms Nkole decided to search Chileshes’s house.
When they got to the to a room where maize was kept, they noticed that the maize was heaped on one side.On closer scrutiny, one of the neighbours, Lloyd Chanda saw an elbow of a person protruding and upon realizing there was a body underneath ran out of the house.Members of the crime prevention where informed and they retrieved the body from under the maize heap and it was positively identified as that of Ms Nkole.
In his defence, Chileshe admitted that his wife went to get maize from the pantry and they differed over the maize and fought. He said he hit Ms Nkole with a fist and she fell down and died.He said he was filled with fear and left the house to go and inform his relatives.
Mrs Justice Ngulube citing the case of Kashenda and others Vs The People she quoted: “Where evidence of assault followed by a death without opportunity for a novus interveniens, a court is entitled to accept such evidence as an indication that the assault caused the death.
(Novus actus interveniens is a Latin term which means a new intervening act. It is an act or event that breaks the causal connection between a wrong or crime committed by the defendant and subsequent happenings. The new event relieves the defendant from responsibility for the happenings.)
“I therefore accept that the accused caused his wife’s death.”
The judge also said she did not find any extenuating circumstances. “I therefore return the mandatory verdict for the offence of murder, the death sentence.”
In the second case Mrs Justice Ngulube also sentenced Humphrey Sinkonde to death for shooting his uncle Winford Matafwali in cold blood over a family feud involving a piece of land.
“The accused (Sinkonde) went to the deceased’s house with a gun to shoot him and cause grievous harm or kill him, which he did. The murder was therefore premeditated and an act of pure evil. I direct that Humphrey Sinkonde be hanged by the neck until he is pronounced dead,” she said.
The judge also handed down a third death sentence in a case in which Stephen Simuntala was charged with the murder of Aggrey Sinkala during a fight.
Students from institutions of higher learning chanting slogans during the gathering the demand for the release of the draft Zambian constitution
The sixteen opposition political parties that form part of the Grand Coalition advocating for the enactment of the new constitution have observed that the Patriotic Front Government is still not prepared to give the people of Zambia a people driven constitution.
Spokesperson of the sixteen political parties in the Grand Coalition Jevan Kamanga said this is despite the change in the leadership at the Ministry of Justice where Edgar Lungu is now the new Minister.
Reverend Kamanga who is also NAREP National Secretary said all the signs are still showing that the Patriotic Front government is not willing to give the Zambian people a constitution that will stand the test of time before 2016.
Rev. Kamanga said they expected that during the opening of the National Assembly last week, President Michael Sata will give a clear road map on the constitution making process.
Rev. Kamanga however said the Grand Coalition will do everything possible to have a new constitution enacted before 2016.
He said government should not worry about the resources for the enactment of a new constitution, stating that there is so much money in the country, adding some donors are willing to fund the process.
Thanks to the Post Newspaper’s invasion of privacy and ‘deep-digging’, we now know indeed that Alexander Bwalya Chikwanda (ABC) is a noble man, a true statesman with a genuine concern for Zambia and its people.
While no one would support private media tapping of private conversations, the conversation between ABC and the Post’s ‘Other Person’ has clearly enlightened many of us that even in Mr. Chikwanda private home, while sipping on ka red wine, he is still concerned about the affairs of the nation.
I can imagine that the publication of this transcript was aimed at painting a negative image of ABC, but I think most would now agree that the effect is otherwise—-his ratings have gone up! The conversation has shown us that he is indeed an honourable man with respect and his character and stature if of a high standing. He is not petty in his dealings, and has larger concerns than petty fights.
Reading through the recorded conversation, many have asked the question: So What? Reading further, any sane Zambian would agree that the conversation reveals ABC as a principled man that is not excited about being in a position of authority. He comes out as a loyal believer of Mr. Sata who is willing to work hard to compensate for his Mr. Sata’s shortcomings.
He is concerned about so many things: From the Millennium Challenge Account to Rajan Mathani’s troubled Finance Bank where he is not willing to compromise the violation of the Banking and Financial Services Regulations of the Zambia. He clearly laments about the injustice Finance Bank faced when it was sold off for K5billion (unrebased) when it was worth over $100millio. He ponders on competition in the Cement industry and expresses his admiration for Aliko Dangote.
Clearly, if the post was hoping to discredit his standing in society, their invasion of privacy has not achieved its intended purpose. A further detailed read shows that ABC is indeed deeply concerned about the state of affairs but is however, willing to go if asked to, but cannot do so given the current state of the president. On his making reference to the Post newspaper, he is clearly not the kind of a politician who would need the Post to lobby for him.
With regards to details of the conversation, who would argue against ABC’s concerns such as:
1. Unnecessary and expensive government travel?
2. Non-Marketability of Wynter due to his arrogance when compared to Edgar Lungu?
3. The need to create a conducive environment for business to flourish?
4. That due to Mr. Sata’s health, someone has to double up their work effort to keep the country going?
5. That ZRA should approach any business entity and make it meet its tax obligations regardless of its real or perceived connections with state-house? That ZRA should be more proactive and focus on real concerns rather than following up small-scale traders and engaging in corrupt activities?
Clearly there is nothing malicious in ABC’s private discussions, and noting that it was over a bottle of red wine, one can only imagine that the man is indeed even more upright when sober!
Such media practice of tapping private conversations however shows us the other side of the paper—it’s a business that has failed to meet its tax obligations and would like to blame it on the Minister of Finance. It also shows how far the Post is willing to stoop, very low, perhaps even get deeper in the ground to survive. Many may be aware of Rupert Murdoch’s case of tapping telephone conversations. Clearly this led him in trouble, and had to pay a huge price. One would have hoped that the Post ‘snooping team’ is aware of the dangers of invasion of privacy and learn, or at least at the bare minimum practice the media ethics they are expected to be trained in.
If this is the ‘bad’ that the post has on ABC, then we can only imagine the ‘good’ side that they deliberately ignored. Clearly they have failed to get this man bow down to them. They triumphed with MMD’s Magande when he proposed some form of taxes to the media houses which the vehemently opposed, but they clearly have now met an enlightened and non-compromising noble statesman without qualification who does not need their sympathy nor support to execute his duties diligently. Let the show down continue.
Now let me get myself a ka red French wine, tu beko practical!
Former President Rupiah Banda says he has left the debate on whether he should come back into active politics to the people.
Mr Banda told Journalists at his office last evening that it is up to the people of Zambia to decide for him whether to come back to politics or not.
Mr Banda said this shortly after meeting a delegation from the Inter Parliamentary Union that paid a courtesy call on him.
He said he is also following the calls from some sections of society that he returns to active politics with keen interest.
“I’m also hearing the calls but it is you the people that make people bounce back. It is not me to decide. If you were in my position you just sit and listen,” Mr Banda explained.
Mr Banda who refused to discuss the matter further said he is now careful about what he says regarding the issue of returning to politics.
“This is why you have found me with my lawyer (Sakwiba Sikota) so that he can guide me through this mine field. I don’t mean to be uncooperative but I also need to be careful with what I say,” Mr Banda said.
Calls for Mr Banda who ruled Zambia between 2008 and 2011 have heightened with some quarters urging him to bounce back to steer the country in a transitional period in an event of a by election.
PF Cadre displays a placard shortly before President Michael Sata arrived at Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International Airport for the opening of the UNWTO 20th General Assembly -Picture and caption by THOMAS NSAMA
By shi William in chingola
PF GOVERNMENT CORRUPTION FIGHT HAS FAILED TO INSPIRE ZAMBIANS
The corruption fight by the current Government has extremely failed to inspire the many Zambians and Diplomatic missions accredited to her. It is not a disputing fact that among the promised items by the PF to voters during the campaigns was to eradicate corruption as a tool to quality delivery service to the all Zambians, hence, voters turn up in large numbers to cast their votes as the way of ushering the PF into Government in exchange to eliminate corruption for better social services and equity among the citizens. The turning of the events has disappointed majority Zambians and Diplomatic community which is dangerous to our baby economy.
The Anti-Corruption Commission has found itself in the awkward situation as it has been turned into a whipping tool by politicians. People who are perceived to be critics and holding diverging views against the government are in most cases visited by ZRA and Anti- Corruption Commission for various offenses. What is not clear is why only the people who are out of favor of the ruling party are investigated but not those who are still serving at the palace.
When you look at the case of GBM, the police and other Government agencies resumed and paid more attention to his conduct when he resigned from the ministerial post and now is an angel just because he has reconciled with ruling party. No one is hearing that his employees have taken him to police because of assault and no concerned government agencies are screening his businesses for tax compliance and how the contracts are awarded to his companies. All the allegations against him are quiet as at now. Mr. Brian Hapunda is also the victim of manipulation and today is walking with his head high in the streets of Lusaka because he is in good boot with people at the palace together with his collogue MR. Steven Masumba who’s conduct is in public domain. People are still waiting for the out come of the electoral malpractices allegations leveled against Hon. Gabriel Nalumambe MP since 2011.
For Hon. Shamenda Fackson and dangote outstanding bribe case is yet to be investigated according the press statement by the Anti- Corruption Commission public relation office and Zambian people are watching the turning of events. Mr. Wynter Kabimba has also joined the dancing floor after been shown the exit from the party he had defended so much and surprisingly the once buried and rotten corruption allegations are in the process to be exhumed. One wonders where the Anti-Corruption Commission was when he was the minister and secretary general of the party.
The latest one is the raiding of the post newspaper offices by the ZRA officials for non tax compliance cases. It is believed that the firm has not been paying various taxes for many years and people are wondering whether the ZRA were on holiday all these years and what has awakening them today for them to know that post has not been remitting tax for long time now.
The Government should know that people are more than ready to join the fight against corruption as it is an enemy to the much needed development but the way it has been handled leaves much to be desired.
KONKOLA Copper Mines (KCM) has suspended operations at its Nchanga underground mine after miners were trapped in a cage when the mine flooded due to the restriction of power supply by Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC).
KCM manager for public relations and communications Shapi Shacinda said yesterday that the Nchanga underground mine was flooded following a further alleged unilateral decision by CEC to step down power supply to a major transformer supplying electricity to the mine.
“The incident put at risk the lives of miners who were working at the bottom of a cage. This occurred on Tuesday, September 23, 2014 around 23:40 hours. When KCM technicians noticed instability and trip-outs of a power transformer, investigations revealed that CEC had further restricted power supply, without notifying KCM, beyond the earlier restriction on Saturday, September 20, 2014, which had prompted the suspension of operations at the Nchanga concentrator,” Mr Shacinda said
He said CEC allegedly “recklessly” stepped down its transformers supplying power to Nchanga underground mine from 150 percent overload settings to 50 percent.
Mr Shacinda alleged that this is in total disregard of the provisions of the Power Supply Agreement (PSA), which requires both parties to be present when restricting supply to avoid creating safety hazards to employees and flooding risk of the mine.
“KCM officials made initial efforts and contacted CEC technicians just after the incident occurred to ask them to resume normal supply to the Nchanga underground mine but the CEC technicians refused to comply,” Mr Shacinda said.
He said supply was only normalised following the intervention of the CEC managing director, who had to be contacted by a senior KCM executive and informed of the flooding and risk to miners trapped underground.
Mr Shacinda said the cage could not be operated to take the miners up due to the restricted power.
“The miners were later rescued and we are pleased to advise that they are in good health. Resulting from the CEC unilateral power restriction and the flooding this has caused, KCM has suspended mining operations at the Nchanga underground and has incurred massive financial losses,” Mr Shacinda said.
He said it will now take weeks to de-water the flooded areas and more time to stabilise and resume normal operations.
Meanwhile, Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development Christopher Yaluma says Government will no longer tolerate the stand-off between CEC and KCM over a commercial dispute because it is tantamount to economic sabotage.
Mr Yaluma said in Lusaka yesterday that Government does not want the restriction of power supply to KCM to result in job losses and to negatively impact on the national economy.
“We think there is need for consideration on the part of CEC because this is a serious economic disruption and Government is very much concerned about the turn of events at KCM.
“We cannot continue tolerating the way events are unfolding. Right now [Wednesday], I am trying to talk to CEC officials. I cannot get hold of Mr Hanson Sindowe [CEC board chairman] because he is out of the country, so I am trying to get hold of the managing director Owen Silavwe to see how this matter can be resolved amicably since it is now tantamount to economic sabotage,” he said.
Early this year, CEC, which supplies power to the mines on the Copperbelt, increased electricity tariffs which KCM disputed and the matter was taken for arbitration.
But last week, the Lusaka High Court ruled in favour of CEC, which is owed about US$44 million by KCM.
Consequently, CEC restricted power supply to KCM and restricted service to critical areas like underground ventilation, pumps and medical facilities.
This development forced KCM to shut down its Nchanga concentrator on Saturday which has affected production at its Tailings Leach Plant, resulting in loss of 482 metric tonnes of copper production worth about US$3.3 million.
One of the streets in Kitwe with statue of a miner called Mposa mabwe or stone thrower
POLICE in Kitwe on Tuesday arrested former Kitwe Mayor Divo Katete for alleged defilement.
Mr. Katete was reported to the police by the victim’s family for allegedly defiling their 15year old daughter who summoned Mr. Katete for questioning at the Kitwe central police station.
The police at central later locked up Katete and said the matter is before Mufulira police and should be taken to Mufulira for further questioning.
” Our duty is to lock up Katete in the cells and wait for police in Mufulira who are handling the case. For us the instructions where that he (Katete) should be locked up when he reports because we are not the ones dealing with the case,” a police source said.
Mr. Katete is expected to appear in court on thursday.
THE Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) says it will ensure that taxpayers who evade taxes are investigated and possibly prosecuted.
This is according to a statement issued in Lusaka yesterday by the ZRA corporate communications unit research and planning department.
“The Minister of Finance does not instruct the Zambia Revenue Authority to undertake enforcement action against taxpayers,” the statement reads
ZRA said it has a statutory duty to collect revenue on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Zambia.
“Notwithstanding the above, the Zambian citizenry have a civic responsibility to express concern when players in the economy disregard the law passed by parliament for the timely collection of the much-needed revenue for Government to provide services and achieve its development agenda,” the statement reads
ZRA said non-compliance with the tax law is expensive and the authority will ensure that taxpayers who evade taxes are investigated and possibly prosecuted.
This follows media reports that Minister of Finance Alexander Chikwanda allegedly instructed ZRA to pursue The Post to collect tax revenue amounting to K26.8 million.
