In his sudden u-turn over Chinese investment, President Sata has called for continued closer ties with China.

Sata who met with Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Zhai Jun in Lusaka yesterday called for continuous cooperation and exchange with China.

He recalled the long history of friendship between Zambia and China, saying at the beginning of Zambia’s independence, China helped Zambia build a railway linking Tanzania and Zambia, which is regarded as a road of freedom. Through the railway, the Zambian people started to learn about and understand China.

In recent years, funds and aid from China play an important role in local economic and social development.

Zambia is willing to be a continuous development partner and further strengthen cooperation in the sectors of agriculture, education and infrastructure construction, the president said.

Zhai said since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Zambia, the two sides have always enjoyed mutual understanding, with both countries supporting each other in core issues and helping each other in national development.

Both sides have witnessed fruitful achievements in fields of economy, trade, agriculture, mining and infrastructure construction.

The deputy foreign minister called for joint efforts of the two sides to further develop understanding and exchange among people, so as to deepen all-weather friendship between China and Zambia.

Meanwhile China has given Zambia K75.3 billion for poverty reduction programmes out of which K43.3 billion is a grant while K32 billion is an interest-free loan.

Minister of Finance Alexander Chikwanda said the money will be used on programmes that are of a priority in nature within the context of the Sixth National Development Plan.

He was speaking yesterday in Lusaka at the signing of economic and technical co-operation agreements.

“The grant and loan facilities will, therefore, be put to good use to ensure maximum benefits are derived in the fight against poverty. Zambia greatly admires the strides made by China in uplifting the standard of living of its people…” Mr Chikwanda said.

He said Zambia and China share identical views and positions on many international and regional issues of common interest, adding that Zambia is glad to see China’s success in coping with the recent global financial crises.

Mr Chikwanda said Zambians are grateful for the assistance China has continued to render to Zambia in many areas of development.

He cited construction of the TAZARA railway line, the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium and the Lusaka General Hospital as some of the examples of China’s commitment to continuing cementing friendship with Zambia.

Mr Chikwanda said Zambia has positioned itself to ensure it maximises benefits arising from the 2009 Africa-China Declaration, where the Chinese government made available US$10 billion to finance a series of projects in Africa from 2010 to 2012.

He said Zambia is also gratified by the China-Africa Development Fund to establish a regional office in Zambia with an investment outlay of US$1 billion.

“In this regard, the Government of the Republic of Zambia reiterates its desire to access Chinese financial assistance and technical expertise to extend the TAZARA railway line to Angola,” Mr Chikwanda said.

And visiting Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister Zhai Jun said despite the long distance between the two countries, Chinese people have always regarded Zambians as their brothers and sisters.

“In the long course of our friendship, our two peoples and our two countries have always been supporting each other and helping each other. I am confident that the Chinese people will continue to stand together with the Zambian people in economic and social development,” Mr Zhai said.

He said China is ready to continue supporting and co-operating with the Patriotic Front government to bring about prosperity and create a better future for the two countries.

Former Zambian high Commissioner to Canada Nevers Mumba this morning presented himself for questioning at the Force headquarters in connections with allegations of financial irregularities at the Zambian mission he was heading.

Police could however not question Dr Mumba.

Dr Mumba was accompanied by his lawyer Sakwiba Sikota to the Police headquarters and a number of MMD supporters.

Mr Sikota expressed disappointment that the Police had summoned his client when they were not ready for him.

And Dr Mumba vowed that he will not bow to politics of witch-hunting and intimidation.

He encouraged his supporters to stand strong and soldier on in the face of alleged intimidation by the PF government.

Meanwhile the Zambia Police have said that they summoned Former Zambian High Commissioner to Canada, Nervers Mumba this morning to secure an appointment with him.

Spokesperson Eelizabeth Kanjela said that the police will question Dr. Mumba on Tuesday next week.Ms Kanjela said police could not chrage Dr Mumba today because they are still investigating the matter.

Ms Kanjela said that Dr. Mumba should not feel harassed or intimidated because it is police routine to call him to the police station.

She has further advised political leaders not to come with cadres to the police station when they come for questioning.

Ms Kanjela said that police will not entertain the presence of cadres at the police station because it is not a political ground

ZNBC

Government may reject or reduce the ‘out-standing’ payout package to former Minister of Finance Situmbeko Musokotwane until it is established whether the economist-turned-politician was really on a double salary – an allegation he has vehemently denied.

Chief government spokesman Given Lubinda in an interview yesterday said Dr Musokotwane, who on Saturday spoke on the privately-owned Radio Phoenix where he denied the ‘double salary’ story, should slow down before denying the allegations.

“I don’t think a person in the position of the President Michael Sata can make a baseless allegation against the former minister,” Mr Lubinda said.

“He knows what he is talking about when he raises these issues but the Finance Minister (Mr Alexander Chikwanda) would probably be best suited to speak on this matter.”

Dr Musokotwane refused to discuss the matter when the Daily Mail called his mobile phone yesterday saying “I am in South Africa…call me when I return on Wednesday”, before he hang up his phone and switched it off. Mr Chikwanda could not be reached via phone as he officially owns no mobile phone.

Conversely, Dr Bwalya Ng’andu, the BoZ acting governor – the institution that is supposed to have been paying Dr Musokotwane’s other salary, declined to comment, saying: “I need more time to make consultations before I can comment on that. Call me tomorrow please.”
[pullquote]“I don’t think a person in the position of the President Michael Sata can make a baseless allegation against the former minister,” Mr Lubinda said. [/pullquote]

President Sata on December 9 questioned why Dr Musokotwane had been drawing two salaries – one of them amounting to K55 million and a ministerial one just below K10 million – when his colleagues were on one salary. He said this when he swore in Commerce and Industry permanent secretary Stephen Mwansa.

“You Mr Mwansa are not going to be like Situmbeko Musokotwane who was getting two salaries – K55 million from the Bank of Zambia and a salary from the government,” President Sata said.

If Dr Musokotwane gets his benefits based on the BoZ wage, accounting analysts state that he could easily pocket up to K5 billion while fellow former Cabinet ministers that served with him could carry home just under K500 million each depending on how long they worked and in what capacity.

The Daily Mail, however, has been informed that a ‘thorough’ investigation has to be carried to establish whether the former Finance minister currently being investigated for being in possession of some more 1,200 bicycles was on one wage.

Depending on the outcome of investigations prompted by President Sata’s red flag, the accountants believe Dr Musokotwane’s final payout could be reduced to be in line with what other former ministers that worked on one salary may earn.

On Saturday, Dr Musokotwane featured on a special Radio Phoenix programme that cost about K2.3 million and denied everything.

Dr Situmbeko is one of the former ministers that have found themselves being investigated after President Sata declared a fight against corruption which he said he is ‘allergic to’, earning himself some enemies especially from the opposition.

Before the denial, he called a press conference, cast aside political decorum and used strong language against President Sata whom he accused of continuing to operate like an ‘opposition’ leader instead of a national President.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

VETERAN politician Vernon Mwaanga says only a strong, responsible, articulate and visionary person can bring the embattled former ruling MMD back to its glory.

Mr Mwaanga said those aspiring for the party’s top position should ensure they convince MMD members that they will re-organise and reposition the embattled party and restore it as a serious political player.

Mr Mwaanga said this in an interview in Lusaka yesterday as the race for the opposition party presidency peaked with politicians such as preacherman Nevers Mumba showing interest and others such as Situmbeko Musokotwane and Felix Mutati.

“They need to show party members what they are capable of energising, rejuvenating and repositioning the party to its past glory,” Mr Mwaanga said without mentioning any specific aspirant.

He said there is no need for the candidates to attack each other because it does not portray a good picture of the party.

Mr Mwaanga said the country needs a strong opposition that will ensure checks and balances on Government, the development he said is only possible when the MMD has a good leader.

He said a strong opposition is required to enhance democracy in the country and that the MMD can do this by remaining visionary regarding the country’s development.

“The country needs a strong and responsible opposition to enhance democracy. Therefore, the MMD needs a visionary leader,” he said.

Mr Mwaanga said the fact that people can aspire to lead the MMD shows that the party is still popular but that all it needs is to reposition itself.

He said attacking each other in the media will not benefit anyone because people will lose confidence in the ability of the aspiring leaders to re-organise the party.

“This is not a campaign for the whole country but for the MMD and, therefore, those aspiring to lead the party should hold civil campaigns,” Mr Mwaanga said.

The politician, who in the past has on record ruled himself out of contention of national leadership because he would ‘rather be a king-maker than the king himself’ again did not state whether he would want to run the party.

[Zambia Daily Mail]