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Celebration of Zambia’s victory over Ghana in Pictures
Kunda wrote letter over Varun tax
FORMER Republican vice-president George Kunda allegedly wrote a letter to former Finance minister Situmbeko Musokotwane objecting to the decision to award a tax deferment facility to Varun beverages, it has emerged.
Mr Kunda, in his letter a few days before former president Rupiah Banda summoned a meeting at State House on March 15, advised that companies that wanted a tax holiday should arrange with the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA).
He had contended in the letter that a “face-less” tax deferment was illegal. Mr Kunda was also Justice minister at the time.
Sources said when he appeared before a team of law enforcement officers, Mr Kunda was asked to read the letter and confirmed that he authored it because it was his duty.
A letter from Mr Banda to Dr Musokotwane in April 2010 directing the ministry to facilitate the awarding of tax holiday was written after Mr Kunda’s advice against the deferment facility.
The former president’s letter has, however, allegedly disappeared from the Ministry of Finance in unexplained circumstances.
The special combined team of security personnel investigating allegations of corruption has attempted in vain to trace the letter dated April 24, 2010.
The letter was a follow up to a meeting that allegedly took place at State House on March 15, 2010 called by Mr Banda in which he allegedly asked Dr Musokotwane to ensure that the tax holiday was granted.
Those who attended the State House meeting included Dr Musokotwane, former Commerce minister Felix Mutati, and Mr Kunda.
Others were Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) Director-General Andrew Chipwende and former chief budget analyst in charge of tax revenue who is now director of economic management, Felix Nkulukusa.
In an interview in Lusaka on Tuesday, Mr Chipwende said he was just called to attend the State House meeting and could not discuss the matter in detail.
“We do not operate like that. I was called to that meeting and what is said is for the Government and not for the public,” Mr Chipwende said.
Mr Kunda declined to comment on the matter saying it would be hard for him because a warn and caution statement had been recorded from Dr Musokotwane.
Value Added Tax (VAT) is not on the list of taxes available for deferment to companies according to the Zambia Development Agency Act (ZDA), but was offered to Varun.
[Times of Zambia]
Copper bullets shoot down Black Stars
Last night Zambia defeated the mighty Black stars in a very tense match .
Kennedy Mweene saved an early penalty kick that would have put Ghana ahead . The Black stars dominated much of the match , but chipolopolo did not give up .
In the second half , against the run of play, substitute Mayuka, received the ball with his back to goal , controlled it with his first touch then swung and sent a shot curling past Adam Kwarasey and in off the foot of the post for his third goal of the tournament giving Zambia a shock 1-0 win over four-time champions Ghana and securing a place in the Africa Cup of Nations final.
“When I had the ball, I saw the defender backing off a little bit and then I just said to myself take a shot. And then I just said to myself thank you God and I knew this was our day” Mayuka told reporters.
“It was written in the stars that we had to return to Gabon in order to honour the memories of the national side wiped out in 1993,” said Zambia’s French coach Herve Renard.
“A team that is returning home and all of them die, is catastrophic for a country.
“Twelve million Zambians wanted us to go the whole way to Libreville. As soon as we arrive in Libreville, we will go to the spot where the plane crashed, not far from the stadium.
“It is imperative we play for them, for Zambia, because it is a fantastic country.”
Highlights of the match
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9Jj4I6-yCU&feature=youtu.be
BY KAPA187
Henry Banda using 2 passports
KENYAN police commissioner, Mathew Iteere, has said that son of former Zambian president Rupiah Banda, Henry used two different passports for entry and exit while official records indicate that he left the East African country on November 23, last year.
According to the Daily Nation of Kenya quoting Mr Iteere: “Since then, there are no records to show that he has visited again.”
Contrary to this, the newspaper recently visited one of the business executives who is said to have links with Henry in Spring Valley, Nairobi and learnt that the son of the former president instead left the country on January 26 and it was not known when he would be back.
Mr. Iteere was quoted as saying that should it turn out that Henry was still in that country as claimed by Zambian authorities, he then must have gained entry using an illegal route.
Kenyan police have been looking for Henry following a request by Zambia through the global police organisation, Interpol, to have him for alleged corruption.
“If he is in Kenya, he did not pass through designated entry points. We did enquiries and established that he visited Kenya three times last year and left,” Mr Iteere is further quoted as saying.
He said records showed that Henry used two passports on different occasions, with the last update showing he left Kenya on November 23 last year.
The Daily Nation reports that the Kenyan police commissioner corrected reports by his Zambian counterpart Martin Malama which indicated that Henry was hiding in Kenya.
“The report I got from Zambia does not indicate that he is in Kenya.
It says that Mr Banda had left South Africa and could be headed to Kenya,” Mr Iteere said
Kenyan police have been on the lookout for Henry though they were not keen to arrest him immediately so as not to break international laws and procedures.
The newspaper states that Kenyan authorities would have to wait until Interpol headquarters in Lyon, France, issues a red notice, even after receiving a warrant of arrest.
Though a wanted man at home, Henry enjoys close connections with prominent Kenyans and is linked to many businesses.
He was widely accused in Zambia in 2009 of brokering a deal in which a Kenyan oil trading company, Dalbit Petroleum Ltd, clinched a multi-million-dollar contract to supply finished petroleum products to Zambia.
There were claims in the media on how the Kenyan businessmen who had attended the tender opening ceremony in Lusaka had been given aide de camps by the Government.
The former President’s son has been linked to the illegal sale of Zamtel to Libya’s Lap Green Networks.
When contacted, Zambia Police Service Inspector General, Martin Malama, said that the latest information that police had remained as earlier indicated that Henry was still in Kenya.
[Times of Zambia]
Four Chinese Nationals charged with defilement decide to remain silent in court
THE four Chinese Nationals charged with defilement of young girls in Luanshya have chosen to remain silent.
The four were due to start their defense before magistrate CHITUNDU KALUNGU Wednesday morning after they were found with a case to answer.
This forced the Magistrate to adjourn the case.
Magistrate KALUNGU has set February 27th as date for judgment.
The four Chinese nationals working for 15 MCC in Luanshya are facing charges of defilement involving young girls of Luanshya’s section nine area.
ZNBC
Government warns those planning to demonstrate against its decision to realign some districts.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has warned individuals planning to cause anarchy in the country by demonstrating against its decision to realign some districts.
Home Affairs Minister Kennedy Sakeni said the Government will not tolerate acts that intend to provoke civil strife.
He cautioned perpetrators to desist from engaging in such acts as they would face the wrath of the law.
Mr. Sakeni told journalists that the realignment of districts in the country does not change any individual from being Zambian, because the move is purely for administrative purposes.
Some quarters of society especially from Southern Province have vowed to go to war over government’s decision to realign certain districts in the country.
Meanwhile, Mr Sakeni has commended the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) on the efforts it is making in the fight against drug trafficking, drug abuse and money laundering.
The Minister was speaking when he officially opened the 13th Drug Enforcement Commission senior Officers Conference in Lusaka today.
And DEC Commissioner Alita Mbahwe said there is urgent need to increase funding to the Commission to effectively fight drug trafficking, drug abuse and money laundering.
ZNBC
Chiefs release land to Muchinga
Two traditional rulers in Chinsali district in Muchinga Province have released thousands of hectares of land to government for the construction of the new administration offices.
President MICHAEL SATA last year created the tenth province in the country, and selected Chinsali as the headquarters for Muchinga Province.
The two traditional leaders are Chief Chewe and Senior Chief NKULA who have released 16 thousand 7 hundred hectares of land to the government for development.
Muchinga Provincial Minister MALOZO SICHONE told ZANIS in Chinsali today that 9 thousand hectares of land has been released by Chief Chewe while Senior Chief Nkula has released 7 thousand 600 hectares of land.
The minister yesterday visited the proposed site for the provincial administration at Mweye, with Provincial Permanent Secretary Charles Sipanje.
He said he was grateful to the traditional for the gesture.
The visit to the proposed site marks the begining of the mammoth task to construct the provincial headquarters in the Muchinga province.
ZNBC
Government lost K3 trillion through maize marketing and fertiliser subsidies-Guy Scott
Vice President GUY SCOTT has said that government lost three trillion kwacha through scams under the maize marketing and fertiliser subsidies last farming season.
Dr. SCOTT, who is also PF party Vice President, said that the money, which government lost could have been enough to provide free education for many Zambians from grade one to twelve.
The Vice President was speaking in an interview with ZNBC news in Msanzala constituency in Petauke District in the Eastern Province shortly before he left for Lusaka.
Dr. SCOTT explained that the money that has been lost is much more than the budget for health, military and the Zambia Police Service.
He further explained that the Food Reserve Agency-FRA staff have been taking out Tarpaulins so that the maize can go to waste.
Dr. SCOTT said the FRA staff have been puling out tarpaulins so that the money they steal can not be audited.
And Dr SCOTT said that government will prioritise infrastructure development in rural areas.
Dr. SCOTT said that because most roads in rural areas are impassible and people travel long distances to access health facilities and schools.
The vice president also urged Zambians of Asian origin to be more involved in the country’s economy. Dr. SCOTT who is also PF party vice president says Zambians of Asian origin have been very useful, but that they need to increase their participation.
The vice president was speaking last night when he met the business community in Petauke, the Eastern province.
Dr Scott said government is happy that the Asian community is providing employment to Zambians and assured them that their investment is safe.
He explained that people who thought PF was radical towards investments from the Asian community have been proved wrong.
Agriculture EMMANUEL CHENDA said the PF government has an open door policy and is inclusive.
AND proprieter of GOOD LUCK bakery RIZWAAN PATEL said the business community in Petauke is happy with the positive step that the govenment has taken.
And proprieter of Petauke Bargain centre RASHID LULAT urged the PF government to seriously look at the way the constituency development fund is being used.
Dr. SCOTT has described his three-day campaign trail in Petauke District as sucessful.
The Vice President wound up his campaign Wednesday after he held two public rallies at Sandwe and Chiwale Basic Schools.
He was in Petauke District to drum up support for PF Msanzala candidate Colonel Joseph Lungu.
The MMD is fielding Peter Daka, Shadrick Banda is standing on the the UNIP ticket and Usuman Maumba is contesting the seat as an independent candidate.
The seat fell vacant after Colonel JOSEPH LUNGU resigned and joined the Patriotic Front party.
The Msanzala parliamentary by-election takes place on 16th February, next week.
ZNBC
We Didnt Doubt We Would Beat Ghana-Katongo
Chris Katongo said he never doubted Zambia would overcome Ghana to reach the 2012 Africa Cup final.
Zambia shocked Ghana 1-0 with a 78th minute goal scored by striker Emmaunel Mayuka who came on as substitute in the 46th minute for striker James Chamanga.
The 2012 finalists were outplayed by Ghana and had Kennedy Mweene to thank for saving a 6th minute penalty from Asamoah Gyan.
“We don’t doubt ourselves,” Katongo said at the post-match briefing.
“Every time we go on the pitch we know what our target is. At the end of the day we got the goal and we are the winners and we are in the finals.”
Meanwhile, Zambia leave for Gabon on Thursday morning ahead of Sundays final in Libreville.
AFCON Semi-Final Match: Zambia Vs Ghana ( Final Score Zambia 1:0 Ghana)
Zambia takes on Ghana in in the first semi-final of the African Cup of nations at Estadio de Bata in Bata Equatorial Guinea at 18:00 hrs Zambian Time.
Zambia coach Herve Renard has decided to go for experience in attack. He has decided to start Emmanuel Mayuka on the bench. Emmanuel Mayuka has started all the matches at the tournament thus far.
Below are the starting line ups for both teams
Zambia:
16-Kennedy Mweene, 2-Francis Kasonde, 5-Hichani Himoonde, 6-Davies Nkausu, 4-Joseph Musonda, 13-Stoppila Sunzu, 17-Rainford Kalaba, 19-Nathan Sinkala, 8-Isaac Chansa, 12-James Chamanga, 11-Christopher Katongo (Cpt)
Subs: 1-Kalililo Kakonje (GK), 22-Joshua Titima, 23-Nyambe Mulenga, 3-Chisamba Lungu, 15-Kampamba Chintu, 14-Noah Chivuta, 10-Felix Katongo, 21-Jonas Sakuwaha, 9-Collins Mbesuma, 20-Emmanuel Mayuka, 18-Evans Kangwa
Absent: 7-Clifford Mulenga
Ghana:
16-Larsen Kwarasey (GK), 9-Owusu Boateng, 7-Samuel Inkoom, 6-Anthony Annan, 5-John Mensah, 21-John Boye, 20-Kwadwo Asamoah, 17-Lee Addy, 13-Jordan Ayew, 10-Andre Ayew, 3-Asamoah Gyan
Subs: 1-Daniel Agyei (GK), 22-Ernest Sowah (GK), 19-Jonathan Mensah, 18-Kwame Takyi, 23-Mohammed Abu, 15-Isaac Vorsah, 14-Masahudu Alhassan, 11-Sulley Muntari, 12-Prince Tagoe, 4-Johan Pantsil, 3-Tawiah Opare
Absent: 8-Agyemang Badu
The match will be streamed live at 5 minutes before Kick off. Keep refreshing the page
Pompi,Mag44,Tio and Abel Chungu release new music video supporting chipolopolo
Pompi,Mag44,Tio and Abel Chungu – released a video for their song “Chipolopolo Africa Unlimited” in time for the count down to the tonights bit match against Ghana.
Pompi,Mag44,Tio,Abel Chungu – Chipolopolo Africa Unlimited
BY KAPA187
Japan pledges financial support to Zambia’s oil exploration
JAPAN has pledged financial assistance to Zambia in the exploration of oil and gas.
Mines and Natural Resources Minister Wylbur Simuusa disclosed this today in Cape Town, South Africa where he is attending a Mining Indaba conference.
Mr Simuusa said Japan has assured Zambia that the funds were already available to do the exploration.
The Mines Minister was confident that the project once successful would help improve the country’s economy.
Mr Simuusa who has also taken the opportunity to meet several mining companies that are attending the same conference said new technology was required to tap into the minerals that have remained idle for many years.
He said North-western province had a lot of iron deposits but remained under utilised mainly due to lack of power in that part of the country.
Mr Simuusa observed that government had a huge challenge of translating the rich mineral resource that the country has into tangible benefits for the people.
He said it was only the proper management of the mineral resource base that would turn around the economic status of the country.
Mr Simuusa however said with the new technology, government would follow the iron wherever it was.
The minister was speaking when he met a Ghanaian investor of Jonah Capital in Cape Town today.
And Sam Jonah of Jonah Capital said his company had the equipment that was capable of getting the finished product from the iron ore.
Mr Jonah who is also chairman of Jonah Capital said he was the only one who had equipment that was capable of extracting the finished product from the iron deposits.
Mr Simuusa is accompanied by his Permanent Secretary Dr Victor Mutambo and the Chief Mining Engineer Fred Banda.
QFM
President Sata mourns Mine Workers Union of Zambia President Oswell Munyenyembe
President Michael Sata has said that he is deeply saddened over the death of Mine Workers Union of Zambia (MUZ) president Oswell Munyenyembe. Mr. Munyenyembe, 59, died in a car crash on the Kitwe-Ndola dual carriageway on Tuesday afternoon.
President Sata described the late Munyenyembe as a rare breed and highly valuable and respectable trade unionist.
“Oswell was someone with exemplary trade union skills and it was always a joy to see him doing what he knew best – presiding over negotiations and always accomplishing what his members expected of him,” President Sata said.
“Therefore, I have no doubt in my mind that the effect of this sudden loss is already being felt by both the employees and the management in our robust mining sector. His bravely, courage and maturity even on crucial moments is simply peerless or first-class.”
The President said Munyenyembe has been a beckon of hope, courage and bravery for the labour movement since the commencement of his trade union career in 1983.
“During his many years in the trade union movement, his dedication and selfless nature was always something that many passionately admired and esteemed. Even outside his work, Oswell carried himself as a kind, honest and a man of great honor and strength,” the Head of State said.
President Sata said genuine patriots of mother Zambia will never forget Munyenyembe’s great strides, efforts and contributions to the labour movement.
“Indeed, he will be greatly missed and we are all saddened by his passing and our thoughts and prayers are with the Munyenyembe family,” the President said.
“We pray that the Almighty God gives them comfort and fortitude as they face these immense difficulties.”
The Weekend in Pictures
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Zambia Breweries Stakes K400 million For AFCON Victory
Zambia will get K400 million from Zambian Breweries PLC if they win the Africa Cup.
In a statement, ZB corporate affairs specialist Japhet Banda said the incentive came after the company paid a K250 million bonus to the team for qualifying to their Africa Cup.
“We enhanced our support to FAZ and the National Team in the past three years and we are looking forward to continuing our support especially that we are beginning to realize the positive results from the National Team,” Banda said.
“It is our hope that the Chipolopolo will deliver on the expectations of the nation.
“We are close to bringing the trophy home and we at Zambian Breweries are pleased to be associated with the team’s achievement at the AFCON. Zambian Breweries PLC is the official sponsor of the Chipolopolo through our leading brand Mosi Larger.”
