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File:Copperbelt University students listening to speeches by union leaders
Copperbelt University Management has accused some students of taking advantage of others without accommodation by charging them exorbitantly for squatting.
The institution’s Registrar Allan Ilunga said this is illegal and must be stopped immediately to protect the vulnerable students.
He said the university would endeavor to continue on its mandate of providing excellent education in a safe and healthy environment conducive for both students and those who support them.
Mr Ilunga said the institution was aware that some students have taken advantage of others without accommodation by charging them higher prices for squatting.
“CBU like any other institution has limited bed space and can only accommodate numbers equal to what is available and this should not compromise healthy issues or allow students to exploit their colleagues,” he said.
He said the University had on short term basis engaged private property owners in the surrounding areas to provide alternative accommodation to students who were not accommodated at the institution.
Mr Ilunga said CBU, like any other educational institution, had rules and regulations that govern its operations and that the student’s information handbook does not allow students to have extra people living in their rooms.
He said the institution was simply enforcing the already existing rules on accommodation and had the responsibility of providing a conducive environment at campus.
Mr Ilunga said CBU does not want to expose students to communicable diseases hence the decision to ban squatting.
Last week Copperbelt Students Union (COBUSU) president Oscar Mbewe said it was unreasonable for CBU management to bar squatting when the enrollment scale at the institution had kept on increasing.
Mr Mbewe said the institution had a population of about 13, 000 students against 2,000 bed spaces which meant that 11, 000 students have no accommodation.
Meanwhile, Mr Ilunga said management was working at addressing the accommodation challenges and would create an addition of 10 000 bed spaces by the year 2016.
Mr Ilunga said in a statement in Kitwe yesterday that the institution was working towards addressing the accommodation problems through partnering with the Government in constructing hostels through the Public Private Partnership (PPP) to provide enough bed spaces to students.
Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba has called on Zambians to unanimously reject and denounce people and some institutions championing homosexuality.
Mr Kabimba advised Zambians to be wary and report to law enforcement agencies some people working to ‘import’ and sponsor the homosexuality practices in Zambia
Speaking in Lusaka on Saturday evening at Pamodzi Hotel during a colourful fundraising dinner organised by the Patriotic Front Lusaka District, he said Zambians should discard homosexuality at all costs.
“As Zambians, we declared that we are a Christian nation and there is no way we can allow this un-Zambian culture. I want to urge all Zambians to rise and denounce this vice.
“Why should someone or institutions want to import this homosexuality and try to influence others to practice it? We can’t allow it, I am calling on all citizens to stand firm and reject it,” Mr Kabimba said.
He said Zambians should not be influenced to fall prey to homosexual practices because of some international organisations which had pumped in colossal sums of money to sponsor the vice.
He said citizens should be cautious of some people receiving finances from external institutions and pumping it in Zambia in a bid to massively influence innocent citizens on homosexuality recruitment drive.
Meanwhile, Mr Kabimba who is PF Secretary General said the ruling party would not be tempted to extort any finance from Government because it wanted to be self-reliant.
He said the party wanted to be autonomous and self-reliant and that it would stand on its fundamental pillars of being transparent by not abusing any Government funds.
“PF as a party, will not deep its hands into Government resources. This why even when I am going for party functions, I don’t carry any Government imprest, or use my official GRZ vehicle. We want our party to be independent of Government resources,” he said.
He said fundraising functions for PF were vital in raising funds from its many friends unlike some former party regimes who allegedly abused Government resources to sponsor party functions.
Mr Kabimba said President Sata was a ‘hero’ of the PF because he had managed to move the party to higher heights adding that PF was a party for all..
“PF was not formed to make some people get fatter in their offices. This is why President Sata is in a hurry to carry out various developmental projects countrywide to improve people’s welfare,” he said.
He said the ruling party had learnt lessons from former party administrations and warned civil servants against continuous frustrating of Government’s developmental agenda.
He said civil servants who did not always want to see Mr Sata’s official portrait as Head of State in their offices, should relinquish their positions because the Head of State was on course to reconstruct Zambia.
Earlier, fundraising committee chairperson Charles Chimumbwa said the PF was started from a humble background and the fundraising events would be on-going to raise finances for its operations.
PF Lusaka District chairperson Goodson Banda said the fundraising venture was meant to help in procurement of transport to assist in reorganising and recruiting more party members.
Among many people and companies that pledged towards the cause included Mr Kabimba with KR5000, Local Government Minister Emerine Kabanshi KR3000, Lusaka City Deputy Mayor Mulenga Sata KR 5000, a Mr Lombe Bwalya KR20, 000 and Avic International limited KR5000.
FORMER Zambia Railways Limited board vice chairperson Professor Oliver Saasa (right) flanked by Chairperson Mark Chona (middle) and board member Geoffrey Mulenga addresses journalists
The dissolved Zambia Railways board has described governments to dismiss it as a relief.
Earlier yesterday, Transport Minister Chris Yaluma held a news briefing at his house at which he announced the dissolution of the Zambia Railways board with immediate effect.
Outgoing Board Vice Chairman Professor Oliver Saasa said the board members are happy to see the board dissolved because of the many problems they faced.
Professor Saasa said it is such a relief to leave the Zambia Railways board as it will give him and other board members time to concentrate on their private engagements.
He said working with Zambia Railways Managing Director Clive Chirwa was difficult as he continued undermining the authority of the board.
“We are so happy that this decision has been taken but we are even more resolved to see to it that investigative arms of government move in and investigate the corruption which is rife at Zambia Railways,” Professor Saasa said.
Professor Saasa was speaking in Lusaka yesterday afternoon when some board members held a news conference to clarify some issues surrounding corruption allegations at the railway firm.
“For us, it became apparent that Professor Chirwa was undermining our authority and we sought the intervention of the Transport Minister who assured us that we will see to it that Professor Chirwa is fired but only to hear today that we have been dismissed.”
“The man wanted to listen to no one, imagine you as the employer and your employee dictating terms to you. It’s like a tail waggling the dog,” Professor Saasa said.
He said, “Professor Chirwa’s demands were extravagant and as the board we had to put a stop to this in order to protect public funds.”
[pullquote]“For us, it became apparent that Professor Chirwa was undermining our authority and we sought the intervention of the Transport Minister who assured us that we will see to it that Professor Chirwa is fired but only to hear today that we have been dismissed.”[/pullquote]
And Mark Chona who was until now Board Chairman of the Zambia Railways Board said Professor Chirwa must be fired it the public resources are to be safeguarded.
“With Clive Chirwa at the helm, we are sorry Zambia Railways is not going anywhere.”
Mr. Chona said accused Prof Chirwa of gross management adding that he tried to undermine the authority of the board on several occasions.
He said the board rejected Prof Chirwa’s attempts to move the corporate head office from Kabwe to Lusaka.
Mr. Chona further revealed that the board objected to his continued stay at the K 72 million per month rental Fallsway apartments which it describes as obscene.
“The man made obscene demands from a company which is insolvent,” Mr. Chona said.
Mr. Chona also revealed that Prof Chirwa is receiving K140 million as monthly salary after the board negotiated downwards from the K 248 million per month he initially demanded.
Zambia Railways has been embroiled in a scandal over the past few weeks which saw accusations and counter accusations between Prof Chirwa and the board bordering on corruption and gross mismanagement.
Zesco United captain Jacob Banda has hailed club striker Enoch Sakala who has retired due to a length injury.
Club secretary Justin Mumba recently announced Sakala’s retirement and revealed that Zesco has handed him the Under-14 coaching role.
Banda described Sakala as a great player.
“Enoch was a great player, he contributed a lot to this team,” he said.
Sakala was Zesco’s stop scorer during the 2009 CAF Champions League campaign with six goals and helped the Ndola side to reach the group stages of the competition.
” We are missing him very much. He did his part and now he has retired because he can’t force himself to play because of injury.” Banda added.
The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has maintained that it depends on each district’s database of trained personnel when recruiting polling officials for elections.
Speaking to ZANIS in an interview today, ECZ Public Relations Manager Chris Akufuna stated that the commission has people in every district who are trained to be polling officials.
Mr Akufuna added that the information about the trained polling officials is contained in the respective district databases.
Mr. Akufuna was responding to a statement by the Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) in which it disclosed that it had received complaints from political parties participating in the April 23 Lukulu and Kapiri Mposhi by-elections over the recruitment of polling officials.
He maintained that the commission refers to information contained in the individual district database when recruiting polling officials for any election.
“I would like to believe this is the procedure that was followed in recruiting staff for the two by elections”, he added.
In the statement issued yesterday, FODEP said it had received complaints from political parties participating in both the Lukulu and Kapiri Mposhi parliamentary by-elections alleging that there was a presence and recruitment of polling officials outside the two districts to oversee the elections.
ZANIS
The Ministry of Finance has released KR1.2 billion for developmental projects under the 2013 budget.
In a statement to ZANIS today, ministry of Finance Public Relations Officer Chileshe Kandeta explained that the funds are targeted at capital and infrastructure development programmes in various Ministries, Provinces, and spending agencies.
Mr. Kandeta noted that the figure excludes funds released for general government operations and salaries.
He disclosed that under the loans and investments portfolio, the Ministry of Finance received KR618.5 million, while the Ministry of Local Government and Housing received KR 22.6 million.
Mr. Kandeta further disclosed that the Ministry of Transport, Works, Supply, and Communication received KR 984.4 million meant for road sector infrastructure programmes beig implemented by the Road Development Agency-RDA.
Another KR 14.8 million was released for other projects including the rehabilitation of aerodromes in Serenje and Senanga districts among others, while KR4.2 million was allocated to the Ministry Of Community Development, Mother, And Child Health for the rehabilitation of office buildings and surroundings, and the construction of places of safety among other projects.
He said the Ministry of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs received KR1.7 million for the construction of chief palaces among other programmes, while KR 1.5 million went to the Ministry of Youth and Sport for the rehabilitation of stadia among other projects.
Mr. Kandeta revealed that a total of KR1.2 million was allocated to the Ministry of Labour and Social Security going towards the rehabilitation of field stations, while the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Water Development received KR41.4 million for the rehabilitation and management of bulk fuel depots among other projects.
He said KR4.7 million was given to the Ministry of Home Affairs for the construction of Mwembeshi prison among other programmes, adding that the Ministry of Health received a total of KR 47 million.
Mr. Kandeta disclosed that the Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education was funded with KR 43 million for infrastructure development programmes among other projects, while the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock received KR 32.6 Million for the construction of livestock service centres and many other projects.
He further disclosed that under provincial funding, the southern province received KR32 million for the construction of a Tourism Information Centre in preparation for the upcoming United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) conference among other projects while the provincial administration in Lusaka received a total of KR1.5 million.
He also revealed that Muchinga Province has been given KR2 million for rural roads infrastructural development among several other programmes, while north western province received KR1.7 million for the rehabilitation projects which include a health post.
And commenting on the released funds, Finance deputy minister Miles Sampa appealed to the public to take up the civic responsibility of monitoring how the funds are utilized.
Government has with immediate effect dissolved the Board of Zambia Railways Limited (ZRL) and that forensic investigations and audits will be instituted to ascertain the truth on alleged gross mismanagement of the company.
Works, Supply, Communications and Transport Minister Christopher Yaluma said in Lusaka today that he has written letters to the ZRL Board about Government’s decision to dissolve them.
Mr Yaluma told journalists that Government was concerned with operations of ZRL and the first step it had taken to restore sanity after the revelations was to dissolve the Board.
He said Government’s desire was to realign the objectives of ZRL and that forensic investigations and audits would be engaged to ascertain revelations of financial misuse.
[pullquote]“The ZRL Board was dissolved on Thursday last week in the afternoon. For now, they have no blessings from Government in whatever they will do because that will be done in their individual capacities.[/pullquote]
“The ZRL Board was dissolved on Thursday last week in the afternoon. For now, they have no blessings from Government in whatever they will do because that will be done in their individual capacities.
“ZRL is an important industry that we need as a country and when we hear of allegations we have to carry out smooth investigations on the matter and the first step to restore sanity now, is by dissolving the board,” he said.
Mr Yaluma said Government had embarked on an ambitious developmental programme to revamp the railway sector by redesigning it to higher standards in order for it to bring desired revenues.
He said Government was resuscitating ZRL and could not remain quiet with allegations of financial misconduct and subsequent a ‘war of words’ between the dissolved Board and management.
Government recently said that the financially beleaguered ZRL would receive capital injection amounting to $120 million (K600 billion) for use in undertaking a major facelift following Zambia’s successful issuance of the first sovereign bond amounting to $750 million.
The Board comprised former Task Force chairperson Mark Chona as board chairperson economist Oliver Saasa as deputy. Other members are Transport Permanent Secretary (PS) Muyenga Antanga, Commence and Trade PS Stephen Mwansa and Ministry of Finance PS for budget Pamela Chibonga.
Solicitor General Musa Mwenye, Road Transport and Safety Agency executive director Zindaba Soko, a consultant Jornam Mwansa, a lawyer Irene Zeko Mbewe, a mechanical engineer and consultant Geoffrey Mulenga and a retired ZRL worker Richard Chipanama, are others.
Kabwe Warriors maintained their four-match unbeaten run when they defeated troubled Forest Rangers 2-1 at Godfrey ‘Ucar’ Chitalu Stadium in Kabwe.
However, Warriors were forced to come from behind after Forest striker Owen Kaposa had put the Ndola side ahead in the 41st minute.
And that is how scores stayed going into the break as memories of their opening day 1-0 loss at the hands of Zesco United on March 16 came rushing back for Warriors.
But veteran striker Owen Mwendabi saved Warriors day with a brace in the 58th and 82nd minutes to extend promoted Warriors’ unbeaten run to four games in which they have picked 10 out of a possible 12 points.
Kabwe Warriors maintained their four-match unbeaten run when they defeated troubled Forest Rangers 2-1 at Godfrey ‘Ucar’ Chitalu Stadium in Kabwe.
However, Warriors were forced to come from behind after Forest striker Owen Kaposa had put the Ndola side ahead in the 41st minute.
And that is how scores stayed going into the break as memories of their opening day 1-0 loss at the hands of Zesco United on March 16 came rushing back for Warriors.
But veteran striker Owen Mwendabi saved Warriors day with a brace in the 58th and 82nd minutes to extend promoted Warriors’ unbeaten run to four games in which they have picked 10 out of a possible 12 points.
Government has ordered management at U-rest Form Limited in Ndola to reinstate the workers’ union with immediate effect.
Minister of Labour and Social Security Fackson Shamenda gave the directive when he visited U-rest Form Company in Ndola yesterday.
Mr Shamenda said individual members cannot make a decision to stop contributing to the Union but that this should be agreed upon with the mother body of the workers representatives.
Mr Shamenda said government was interested in the productivity of companies so that enough revenue could be raised by the Zambia Revenue Authority .
The Labour minister said if companies failed to remit taxes to ZRA government would lose out on revenue hence the need to ensure that there is production in companies.
Meanwhile, Government plans to de-gazette land near the forestry area in Ndola to allow for the expansion of the city.
Minister of Labour and social Security Fackson Shamenda disclosed this when he addressed residents of Dora Hills in Ndola central constituency yesterday.
Mr Shamenda who is also Ndola Central Constituency PF Member of Parliament said the people in his area will be given priority to acquire residential plots once the forest land is de-gazzetted.
Mr Shamenda said about 60 percent of the plots would be given to his constituency adding that he was not discriminating against anybody but pointed out that priority should be given to residents in Ndola central constituency.
He said over 200 residential plots would given by the council adding that ZAFFICO employees should not be left out.
He explained that people that bought houses at Dora hills were former ZAFFICO employees but pointed out that current ZAFFICO employees had not benefited from the sale of institutional houses hence the need for them to be considered for residential plots.
Mr Shamenda also paid tribute to the residents of Dora hill for helping to put Patriotic Front (PF) into power during the 2011 tripartite elections.
He noted that without their votes PF would not be in power today adding that this was the reason President Michael Sata was committed to taking development to all parts of the country.
He said President Sata’s leadership does not discriminate against any one because he is a listening president.
At the same function, Ndola district chairperson George Chisulo said the former ruling party MMD was just promising them houses until PF which he described as a people’s party came into power and heard their plight by giving them houses.
Mr Chisulo said this when he welcomed MMD members who defected to the ruling party and asked PF members to work with them.
He said development was taking place in all parts of the country because President Sata loves all Zambians.
Government has assured the country that there is no shortage of fuel despite Trafigura not offloading the commodity at Tazama Petroleum in Ndola.
A senior government official says this is there are enough stocks of fuel supply in the country.
Ministry of Mines, Energy and Water Development Permanent Secretary said this when he visited Tazama Petroleum in Ndola yesterday.
Mr Zulu explained that there has been a high influx of fuel tankers arriving in the country hence the incidences of most of them being marooned at the plant in Ndola.
Mr ZULU said the other cause of the prevailing situation at Tazama Petroleum was because of the mistrust by the supplier (Trafigura) who has not yet received the letter of offer of credit due to delays from some banks.
The permanent secretary however directed Tazama Petroleum to send some trucks to Lusaka so that they could offload the commodity in readiness for the commissioning of the reserve tanks next month.
He commended truck drivers for their patience and urged them to guard the flammable trucks to avoid a serious accident.
And Tazama Petroleum General Manager PATRICK MUSENYESA said the arrival of fuel tankers is beyond the capacity of Tazama Petroleum.
Mr Musenyesa however pointed that the recent closure of Nakonde border post due to confusion on the Tanzanian arising from religious fighting between Christians and Muslims led to the high influx of fuel tankers into the country.
Mr Musenyesa said the situation at the plant is expected to get back to normal soon as by yesterday about 230 tankers had offloaded the commodity.
The Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) has refuted media reports alleging that staff assigned on road traffic patrols receive unjustified allowances.
RTSA Principal Publicity Officer Mercy Mwila said the allowances referred to are in fact subsistence allowances to help staff meet their daily requirements while out of station on highway patrols.
This is because the officers are required to spend nights and days away from home.
In a statement to ZANIS, Mrs. Mwila disclosed that RTSA staff only receive a subsistence allowance of KR500 per night meant for meals, accommodation, and mobility when out of town, adding that the amount is below the normal government night allowance.
She explained that in 2012, RTSA in partnership with the Zambia Police, and the Road Development Agency (RDA) launched a National Road Traffic Enforcement Programme funded by the National Road Fund Agency (NRFA) which was meant to address the unprecedented high levels of road traffic accidents which killed more than 1,600 people in 2011.
Mrs. Mwila further explained that in an effort to address this scourge through road safety sensitization and intensifying traffic patrol, human and financial resource was needed, prompting all the partner institutions to put their resources together to meet the desired objectives.
She observed that with over 40 000 kilo meters of road to be covered, the partnership involved all road sector agencies and the Zambia Police team being given roles and tasks while managing the roads.
Mrs. Mwila said it is due to the requirement to travel to districts while collaborating with Police Officers in respective Provinces that a subsistence allowance of KR500 per night was recommended to contribute towards staff welfare in accommodation and meals.
She added that the allowance is not a stipend to appreciate staff involvement despite their participation in enforcement after working hours on a daily basis.
Ms. Mwila disclosed that the Agency uses a schedule to alternate staff involvement which also contributes to reducing familiarity with motorists on public roads.
She urged the public to feel free to report any corruption activities involving traffic officers saying the Agency will ensure it is promptly stopped.
Republican vice president Dr Guy Scott says there is need to clean up the distribution of subsidized fertilizer and inputs.
Dr Scott said government is aware that the distribution of subsidized fertilizer under the Fertiliser Input Support Programme-FISP is characterized by corruption.
The vice president made this revelation when he appeared on a special programme on Radio Liseli, a community radio station in Mongu.
Dr Scott wondered how the intended people can benefit from the FISP if the exercise is mugged with corruption.
Dr Scott explained that the subsidized fertilizer is meant for viable small scale farmers.
The vice president however lamented that the people benefiting from the subsidized fertilizer are big farmers and some civil servants instead of the small scale farmers.
Dr Scott reaffirmed the government’s commitment in cleaning up the distribution of subsidized fertilizer.
Meanwhile, Dr Scott says government will establish Zambia News and Information Services offices in all the nine new districts created by President Michael Sata in the western province.
He said the new ZANIS offices will help government have access to the concerns raised by the grassroots in the districts.
Meanwhile, Dr. Guy Scott has left Mongu for Lusaka following his tour of duty in western province where he also graced the 2013 Kuomboka ceremony of the Lozi people held yesterday.
The Vice President was seen off by Provincial Minister Obvious Mwaliteta, Permanent Secretary Emmanuel Mwamba, district commissioners and senior government and ruling PF party officials.
Dr. Scott who described the ceremony as successful, was accompanied by his wife charllote, cabinet, deputy ministers and senior government officials.
The ceremony was also attended by 65 chiefs from Zimbabwe, local and International tourists among others.
Meanwhile, business came to a stand still in Mongu and Limulunga districts yesterday as people left their stands and shops to witness this year’s Kuomboka ceremony.
The ceremony was celebrated admidst tight security by the Zambia Police and traditional security personnel.
Later in the evening, hundreds of people took a glimpse of King Imwiko Lubosi II who was dressed in a royal attire as he arrived to the safer land.
The King was received by his subjects with traditional songs and dances by different dance troops across the province.
Kalulushi referee Abudi Lungu was on Saturday forced to abandon the FAZ Division One North match between Mufulira Wanderers and visiting Nkwiza when a home fan allegedly poured Chibuku beer on the assistant referee.
Lungu is said to have called-off this Week Five game at Central Sports Grounds in the 80th minute when Nkwiza were 1-0 up.
Peter Poleni gave Nkwiza a 62nd minute lead before crowd trouble begun late in the game.
Suspected Wanderers supporters are reported to have stoned Nkwiza keeper Nono Kasongo before shifting their attention to the assistant referee.
Winless Wanderers have collected two points from the opening four games.
Zambia Railways Board of Directors Chairperson Mark Chona (centre) shares a light moment with Deputy Board of Directors Chairperson Professor Oliva Saasa (left) and Zambia Railways Managing Director Professor Clive Chirwa
The Zambia Railways saga has deepened with five board members who are not serving in government now accusing Chief Executive Officer Clive Chirwa of demanding to be paid US$560,000 as his annual salary (or K248 million per month) which the Board says it rejected.
The five, who are not serving in Government, are Mark Chona, the chairperson, and members Geoffrey Mulenga, Irene Mbewe and Jonam Mwansa issued a statement last evening responding to an exposé by Lusaka Times of the ongoing wrangles at Zambia Railways.
The Board members also denied a statement from Transport Minster Christopher Yaluma that they are receiving about K7, 000 per sitting.
They insist that the board members are paid K2, 600 as sitting allowances.
ZRL Board vice-chairperson Oliver Saasa, who issued the statement on behalf of his colleagues, accused Professor Chirwa of gross mismanagement and serious breaches of corporate governance ethos.
Professor Saasa said Professor Chirwa has been making decisions without the approval and involvement of the Board, a practice he said was against corporate decision-making.
[pullquote]“Prof Chirwa embarrassed the Board when he announced that he would invest the US$120 million Eurobond funds to turn around the company without a feasibility study which he said was a waste of money,” Prof Saasa said.[/pullquote]
“Prof Chirwa embarrassed the Board when he announced that he would invest the US$120 million Eurobond funds to turn around the company without a feasibility study which he said was a waste of money,” Prof Saasa said.
“As a result of this development, the Board resolved that Clive Chirwa should not be allowed to throw money to major restructuring projects until management has submitted to the Board for approval clearly-argued and properly sequenced activities,” Prof Saasa said.
“The Board has received insults from him for maintaining this position and, in one of his letters to the chairperson of the Board, he stated that he is at a different level of ‘intellectuality’ to be wasting his time with what he describes as a useless Board that is doing nothing and delays the implementation of ‘his’ grand vision.”
Prof Saasa said Prof Chirwa’s differences with the Board started when it rejected his demand for $560,000 annual salary (or K248 million per month) and 25 per cent shares in ZRL at the end of his five-year contract.
This is in addition to K2.6 billion annual bonus and six free tickets per annum for his wife to UK/Europe which the Board and the Government considered obscene.
He said Prof Chirwa even attempted to shift the company’s headquarters from Kabwe to Lusaka which the Board rejected because the move could only be effected with the Government’s approval and the Board’s endorsement.
He said Prof Chirwa had refused to shift to Kabwe and was living at Fallsway luxury apartments and the company was paying K72 million as monthly rentals contrary to the Board’s directive.
He said that when the company received the $120 million from the Eurobond funds, the money was deposited in Zanaco account yielding four per cent interest when Finance Bank was offering between seven to 12.5 per cent interest depending on the period.
He said that Prof Chirwa was self-centred and did not recognise the Board and had refused to facilitate the development of a strategic plan for ZRL preferring to use his document he developed before the Board was appointed.
[pullquote]“Any procurement that ZRL management may be undertaking now are outside the clearance or guidance of the Board and if there are irregularities they are completely outside the knowledge, let alone sanctioning of the Board,” he said.[/pullquote]
Prof Saasa said one issue that bordered on corruption was Prof Chirwa’s attempt to use his own company, Clavel Incorporated, to train all senior management staff at the company without declaring interest.
He was advised that the Board would not allow single-sourcing as it was against the Government’s procurement regulations and that President Michael Sata had already made a clear position on the matter and was briefed on current court cases regarding anomalous procurement practices.
Prof Saasa said legal opinion received by the Board suggested that the singular act bordered on criminality in a country that boasted of zero-tolerance to corruption.
“As CEO, Prof Chirwa also wanted to chair the tender committee and when the Board advised him that the move was against good corporate governance, he refused to accept resulting in tension with some Board members. In the meantime, he had advertised big procurement jobs for supply of equipment, including initiating the recruitment of senior management staff before the Board’s approval,” he said.
“Any procurement that ZRL management may be undertaking now are outside the clearance or guidance of the Board and if there are irregularities they are completely outside the knowledge, let alone sanctioning of the Board,” he said.
On accusation that the Board suspended the finance manager because she refused to pay Board members huge allowances, Prof Saasa said there were financial irregularities and the office of the Auditor General had been requested to carry out a forensic audit.
Board Chairman Mark Chona is Sunday afternoon scheduled to hold a news conference at the Hotel Intercontinental over the same matter.
