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Libya will do all it can to protect its 75 percent stake in Zamtel, the fixed-line telecoms firm in Zambia, whose government announced plans last week to seize Libya’s stake in the firm, Libyan Foreign Minister Ashour bin Khayyal said on Monday.
“The Zambian government has taken a unilateral action by nationalising this company,” Khayyal said, adding he had spoken to his Zambian counterpart about the issue at the African Union summit in the Ethiopian capital.
Zambia dissolved the board of Zamtel and appointed a new acting CEO last Tuesday, a day after announcing plans to seize 75 percent of the firm from Libya’s LAP Green Networks.
The previous Zambian government had sold the 75 percent stake to LAP Green Networks for $257 million in 2010.
Libya made major investments in Africa during Muammar Gaddafi’s rule, some of them managed by the $65 billion Libyan Investment Authority (LIA) through a $5 billion fund known as Libyan African Investment Portfolio.
LAP, a telecom company operating in six African countries, was one of these investments.
Khayyal said Libya’s ruling National Transitional Council would review such investments. “We will keep what (investment) is successful, and we will review what is facing difficulty or is a failure,” he told Reuters on the sidelines of the summit.
He said Libya would send a delegation to Zambia to discuss the Zamtel issue in one or two weeks.
“Definitely this money is Libyan money, and owned by the Libyan people. We will exercise all our efforts to protect this money,” Khayyal said
Former Finance Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane arrives at the former Taskforce on Corruption offices in Lusaka for questioning
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A police officer escorts Former Finance and National Planning Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane from the former Taskforce on Corruption offices in Lusaka
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First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba about to embrace children from the SOS Zambia Children’s village in Lusaka.
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First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba about to embrace children from the SOS Zambia Children’s village in Lusaka
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First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba embraces children from the SOS Zambia Children’s village in Lusaka
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First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba interacts with children and teachers at the SOS Zambia children’s village in Lusaka
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First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba (centre), wife of the vice president Charlotte Scott (left) and SOS Zambia Children’s village board chairperson Lucy Kasanga during the launch of the cancer screening clinic in Lusaka
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: SOS Zambia Children’s Village board chairperson Lucy Kasanga (left) pins a medal on First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba after she was appointed goodwill Ambassador for cervical cancer in Lusaka
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First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba cuts a ribbon during the launch of the cervical cancer screening centre at the SOS Zambia Children’s Village in Lusaka
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A family of Chowa Township in Kabwe is spending time outside the house after their home was floded following a heavy downpour on Saturday night
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Kabwe District Commissioner Mwafwa Ngambi (l) and Kabwe Central MP James Kapyanga inspect flooded houses in Kabwe after a heavy downpour on Saturday night
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: Kabwe District Commissioner Mwifwa Ngambi wades through one of the flooded houses in Chowa stage Four.
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A Mr Muleya who lives at house number 40 in Chowa Township stands helpless after his house was flooded following heavy rains in Kabwe at the weekend.
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Kabwe Central Member of Parliament James Kapyanga (c) meets Kabwe residents whose houses were flooded following heavy rains at the weekend
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Many Township roads have been flooded following heavy in Kabwe at the weekend. Here, some residents wading through one of the roads leading to Chowa Township.
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Many houses were flooded following heavy rains in Chowa Township of Kabwe at the weekend. Here, one of the houses with household property submerged in water.
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MMD presidential aspirant Dr Nevers leaves the former Taskforce on corruption offices in Lusaka.
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MMD presidential aspirant Dr Nevers (right) and his lawyer Sakwiba Sikota after appearing before investigative wings at the former Taskforce on corruption offices in Lusaka.
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POLICE officers search motorists entering and coming out of Zamtel offices in Lusaka. Security has been tightened at the telecommunications firm after the takeover by the government
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POLICE officers search motorists entering and leaving Zamtel offices in Lusaka. Security has been tightened at the telecommunications firm after the takeover by the government
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POLICE officers search motorists entering and leaving Zamtel offices in Lusaka. Security has been tightened at the telecommunications firm after the takeover by the government
President Sata has been challenged to probe all privatized firms in the country. President Sata recently instituted a commission of inquiry to probe the sale of Zanaco.
Political analyst, Sunday Chanda says the president should depart from selective approach of probing the privatized companies. He has also challenged President Sata to publicize the findings of the commission of Inquiry in to the sale of Finance Bank.
Mr. Chanda claims that the path taken by the PF led government is similar to Zimbabwe’s nationalization program. He has expressed fears saying the trend if let to go on will be costly and plunge the national economy into chaos.
MMD presidential aspirant Dr Nevers (right) and his lawyer Sakwiba Sikota after appearing before investigative wings at the former Taskforce on corruption offices in Lusaka.
Former Zambia’s High Commissioner to Canada, Nevers Mumba yesterday opted to remain silent when he appeared before a combined team of investigative wings of government at the former taskforce on corruption offices.
Dr. Mumba was able to speak to the media claiming allegations leveled against him are baseless.Dr Mumba is alleged to have solicited and received more than half a billion Kwacha from Barrick Gold, purporting to fund a Zambian cultural week in Canada.
“We have made our position very clear that there was no such thing that happened that they are talking about. So I just came to make that one statement that they are talking about private money and not public money that was given as a sponsorship to Amayenga to come and perform in Canada”
Dr Mumba said that he was disappointed with what was going on. He urged MMD members to be strong and organise the people and said that if investigative wings have questions, he was ready to go to court and answer those questions.
According to joint investigative wings Spokesperson, Charity Chanda, Dr. Mumba exercised his constitutional right not to respond to any questions from the officers.
She said that the investigating team will explore other options including recalling Dr. Mumba as investigations in the matter progress.
And Patriotic Front (PF) secretary general Wynter Kabimba says investigations being carried out on some former leaders in the MMD government are justified because people want to know whether they stole tax-payers’ money or not.
Mr Kabimba said in an interview over the weekend that law enforcement agencies should arrest and prosecute all former leaders who are alleged to have misappropriated public funds.
He said once arrested and prosecuted, such former leaders will serve as a deterrent to would-be offenders.
Mr Kabimba said he is disappointed that some former leaders allegedly abused public resources despite being aware of the suffering most Zambians go through.
“I think it will be unfair to Zambians to allow former leaders who are alleged to have stolen public funds to go without being probed. There arevarious allegations that have been levelled against them which need to be cleared,” Mr Kabimba said.
He said the PF government will only show its commitment to fighting corruption when it ensures that all former leaders suspected of having plundered national resources are arrested and prosecuted.
“When we were campaigning, we promised the people of Zambia that we will fight corruption when ushered into office and we have already started showing our commitments towards this fight.
“We want all the people who have plundered public funds at the expense of development to be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law,” Mr Kabimba said.
Mr Kabimba said the crusade against corruption is being done without malice. He called on Zambians to support President Sata’s resolve to rid the country of corruption.
As Zambia gears for their quaterfinal encounter with Sudan this weekend ,hopes are high that this year Zambia will do very well in the AFCON.
Here is a look back at the 1994 team that was rebuilt after the Gabon disaster . They were able to soldier on after the tradgic accident and almost qualified for the world cup .
Zone fam won an award for Best African Group at the Global Music Awards . The other nominees in their category were ;
1- Blacberry crase – Britella
2- Fly But ghetto – Chizika
3- Highcuts – A2 Empire
4- Like you – Afro Geng
The 1st Global African music awards unveiled its winners list , the nominees were from all over Africa . The big star of the night went to Nigerian artist, Ng(Don Zubi Entertainment). He picked up GOLD for Best African Male Artist, Best Collaboration with Kelly Handsome and tied for Song of The Year with Dare David. He also walked away with a Silver award in the Best R&B artist.
The rest of the wins was very well spread out and the closest other big winner of the night went to Young Stunna who took Gold for Best Hip-hop solo act, a Silver in Best African Male Artist and a Bornze in Song the Year for his collaboration with James Baum on the song, Top Priority.
Some players from the Zambia National soccer team in training
Zambia will face Sudan in Bata this Saturday in the quarterfinal of this year’s Africa Cup.
This is after Sudan beat winless Burkina Faso 2-1 in Bata this evening in their final group B match to finish runners-up to pool toppers Cote d’Ivoire.
Sudan have four points, five less that Cote d’Ivoire but level with Angola.
Sudan usurped Angola from second place on goal difference after the Palancas Negras lost 2-0 to Cote d’Ivoire in the other Group B top two decider played in Malabo.
Zambia and Sudan’s meeting this weekend will be one of two confirmed encounters this year between the two sides.
The two teams will also meet on June 1 in Khartoum in a 2014 World Cup Group D opening qualifier.
Defence Minister Geoffrey Mwamba says some sections of the media misquoted President Michael Sata when they reported that the head of State directed the ministry of finance to ensure that it increases health workers’ salaries in the country by 100 percent.
Mr. Mwamba has told journalists that the President was merely commenting on the need for the government to improve the conditions of service for health workers as a way of attracting back to the country health workers and used the 100 % salary increment as an illustration.
The Defence minister has since urged the media in the country to stop twisting facts especially on issues involving the head of State.
Meanwhile,Mr Mwamba has said that the government has been receiving various medical equipment from the Chinese government under US $1 million grant which China gives to Zambia annually.
Mr. Mwamba says Zambia has continued to receive assistance from China in the health sector especially in the defence wing since 1985.
The minister was speaking when he received 11 medical personnel from China who will be attached to Maina Soko military hospital.
Mr. Mwamba notes that the government will continue working with its cooperating partners such as China in order to curb the scarcity of human resource in the health sector.
President of Zambia, Michael Sata has assured all companies operating in Zambia whether local or foreign, that Government is committed to maintaining an environment that conduces to their functioning in an atmosphere of serenity and peace reinforced by strictest adherence to the rule of law.
The President said in a statement made available to the media that Government style and policy was to discuss with employers and workers, matters of mutual interest following the statutory channels and procedures.
Mr Sata said that based Government style and policy, some of the approaches pursued by individuals in government were adrift with established procedure.
“Labour Unions are free to bargain with employers on salary or wage settlements as by law established, ” the statement read.
The president also said that in the interest of the economy, the his’s guidance, save for the special case of workers in the medical sector, was that the salary adjustments stay as close to inflation as possible.
“This is necessary to avoid triggering inflationary spirals which would then render salary increases futile, ” the statement read.
The President has enjoined and cautioned the Ministers and government officers not to resort to arbitrary positions which can only induce loss of confidence in our country and in the process undermine progress which is so essential and crucial to achieving poverty alleviation and reduction within the shortest time possible.
Lately the newly appointed Labour Minister Chishimba Kambwili has been making impromptu visits at companies threatening to close down those that are not offering Zambians better conditions service.
Last week, Mr Kambwili threatened to shut down Scaw Limited in Kitwe if it failed to improve conditions of services for its employees.
[pullquote]“This is necessary to avoid triggering inflationary spirals which would then render salary increases futile, ” the statement read.[/pullquote]
The Minister also revoked the work permit of a Chinese Doctor who he accused of being rude when he visted his practice to check on a case of low salaries. Yesterday, Mr Kambwili defended his decision to order the revocation of the work permit for Dr Xisheng saying it will send a message to foreigners not to mistreat Zambian workers.
He said certain situations call for bold decisions and that he will not allow Chinese nationals to subject Zambian workers to low salaries.
“I usually emphasise a point with the use of hands and he told me that I am being rude. We cannot have a situation where a foreigner can tell a minister that he is rude, which he cannot do in his own country. We have received a letter from workers at Sinozam who complained that he (Dr Xisheng) is rude. We must set an example,” Mr Kambwili said.
He added: “We have to take certain measures that will act as a warning that when they (investors) come here, they must respect us.”
[pullquote]“I can agree with you that the 12 percent salary rise is too low. I have given management at MCM up to Wednesday next week to come up with a better pay rise. This afternoon, I will hold serious discussions with management at the mine to see how best they can give you a better pay,” Mr Kambwili said.[/pullquote]
Mr Kambwili however said he has nothing against Chinese and Indian investors but that most of the abuses reported to his office are perpetrated by them and warned that he will not allow such a situation to continue.
And at KCM last week Mr Kambwili gave the Mine Workers Union of Zambia, the National Union of Miners and Allied Workers (NUMAW) and MCM management a two-day ultimatum to conclude negotiations and sign the new collective agreement.
Speaking when he addressed the miners at the MCM general offices in Kitwe , Mr Kambwili assured the workers that Government will dialogue with management to explore ways of increasing their salaries ‘reasonably’.
Mr Kambwili said the 12 percent salary increase management is proposing is unreasonable. He directed MCM management to reconsider its offer.
“I can agree with you that the 12 percent salary rise is too low. I have given management at MCM up to Wednesday next week to come up with a better pay rise. This afternoon, I will hold serious discussions with management at the mine to see how best they can give you a better pay,” Mr Kambwili said.
Zambia national soccer team coach Herve Renard and the technical bench
Zambia’s performance in Group A should not surprise anyone said Herve Renard as Zambia headed into this Saturdays quarterfinals unbeaten.
Renard’s team, with two wins and one draw from Group A, handed Equatorial Guinea their first defeat at the Africa Cup via a 1-0 win in both sides final group game in Malabo on Sunday evening.
A lone goal from Chris Katongo in the 67th minute settled this duel between Zambia and Equatorial Guinea to see both sides secure their last eight passages.
Renard said he was pleased to have finished top of Group A to see Zambia secure their second consecutive quarterfinal appearance since the 2010 tournament in Angola.
“Maybe it is surprise to some people but it wasn’t a surprise to us,” Renard said at the post-match press conference in Malabo.
“We came to finish first but it was a difficult target. Now we have to concentrate because absolutely Zambia deserves to go to the semifinals for the first since 1996.”
The team finished top on 7 points, Equatorial Guinea are second on 6 points while Libya and Senegal have been eliminated on 4 and zero points respectively.
Zambia will travel back to Bata on Tuesday afternoon ahead of Saturday’s quarterfinal tie against the runner-up from Group B which will be decided on Monday night.
Group A leaders Cote d’Ivoire will take on Angola who are second in their group in a battle for first and second place in Malabo.
The 1992 champions have six points from two games while Angola has four with a draw tonight enough to see them finish first and second respectively.
Football fans in Kamwala took the street in order to celebrate Zambia's win over Equatorial (Picture by J.Mandela)
On behalf of President Michael Chilufya Sata and the entire Zambian People, I wish to convey to the Zambian Team, the Coach and indeed to FAZ our profound and hearty congratulations for the splendid performance at the African Cup of Nations.
The team has performed a feat in all the three matches. They were a joy to watch and have indicated they will be a force to reckon and contend with. They showed resoluble will, determination and focus. They played as a team and their pace was accompanied by flawless ball control and coordination. We are legitimately proud of our team and wish them well as they move forward in the balance of the tournament.
There is a clear message to all of us Zambians from our team, simply that if our country moves forward as a focused and coordinated team we will get to very high levels of development.
File:Inspector General of Police Dr Martin Malama with his deputy Stella Libongani Centre) and Drug Enforcement Commissioner Head Alita Mbahwe during a press briefing in Lusaka
Inspector General of Police Dr Martin Malama has cautioned police officers not to be swayed by politicians but stand firm and protect the republican constitution.
Dr Malama says Police officers should always ensure that they defend the constitution of the land which they swore to defend.
He stated that there should be no other law that should be protected apart from the constitution adding that no one should re-define the law.
Dr Malama has warned police officers against looking at political affiliation when handling cases adding that those found wanting should be dealt with according to the law regardless of affiliation.
He further urged the police officers to prioritize defending the country’s democracy in their operations.
The Inspector General was speaking in Lusaka this morning when he opened the national post election review meeting for the Zambia police with stakeholders who include the Church, the Media, CSOs and political parties.
Western Province Permanent Secretary Augustine Seyuba and Dr. Patrick Chikusu Health Deputy Minister inspect wheelchairs at Senanga Hospital
Health Deputy Minister Dr. Patrick Chikusu has warned that government will fire and take legal action against any health personnel who will be caught stealing drugs from health centers.
Speaking when he addressed health workers at Lewanika General Hospital in Mongu , Dr Chikusu stated that it is unacceptable for anyone to steal drugs from hospitals and clinics.
He emphasized that government spends huge sums of money in procuring the drugs which are meant to cure diseases being faced by many people in the country.
This follows remarks by Western Province Medical Officer Albert Sitali that there has been a report of alleged thefts of medical drugs by health personnel at various health centers across the province.
And Dr. Chikusu assured the nation that there will be no shortage of drugs in all health centers across the county adding government has procured enough drugs.
He stated that the PF government is committed to providing quality health care service to the people of Zambia hence the increase in this year’s budgetary allocation to the health sector from K1.2 trillion last year to K2.2 trillion this year.
Meanwhile, the 100% salary increment to health personnel across the country has cheered health workers in Western Province.
Dr. Chikusu said further disclosed to the workers that government will also introduce housing and motor vehicle loans to health personnel across the country.
He explained that this is in order to motivate the health personnel across the country and inspire those abroad to return and work for their country.
The Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountants (ZICA) has spoken out on government’s takeover of 75 percent shares in Zamtel from LAP Green Network of Libya after the Sebastian Zulu led commission of inquiry established numerous irregularities in the sale of the firm.
Speaking at a media briefing in Lusaka today, ZICA Chief Executive Officer Hapenga Kabeta said government should have engaged LAP Green with a view to reach a consensus that would give more benefits to the people of Zambia.
Mr. Kabeta suggests that one of the alternatives for government would have been the reduction of the shareholding for LAP Green from 75 to 49 percent.
He has expressed hope that the move by government to repossess Zamtel will not prove to be costly to the Zambian people.
And Mr. Kabeta has objected the manner in which the Zamtel Chief Executive Officer Mupanga Mwanakatwe has been appointed.
He says ZICA does not question the professional standing of Dr. Mwanakatwe but that the principle used to appoint him was not appropriate and not in conformity with good corporate governance practices.
He says government should have appointed an interim board of directors which a chairperson which would have appointed the Zamtel CEO rather than appointing an individual who at the same time is chairman of the board.
On government’s move to rebase the Kwacha, the ZICA chief executive officer says government should have taken a more consultative approach in this regard.
Mr. Kabeta adds that the six months period stipulated for implementation of the rebased Kwacha raises challenges such as the designing, tendering and printing of new notes and coins, the process of withdrawing the old notes and sensitization of the general public.
He has since advised government to consider moving the implementation date to January 1, 2013 adding that this will give the nation adequate time to adjust to the development.
