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MMD National Secretary and Former Finance Minister Katele Kalumba (R) on his way to jail
The Zambia Youth Association in the Fight Against Corruption (ZYAFAC) has welcomed the conviction of MMD National Secretary and Former Finance Minister Katele Kalumba on corruption charges.
Dr Kalumba was yesterday sentenced to 5-years imprisonment with hard labour together with three other co-accused former finance permanent secretary Stella Chibanda, former Acess Financial Services directors Faustin Kabwe and Aaron Chungu.
ZYAFAC Executive Director Rickson Kanema said the conviction of Dr Kalumba sends a strong signal to would be perpetrators of corruption that it does not pay to be corrupt.
Mr Kanema has since called on public officers to use resources entrusted in their care for the public intended purposes.
He said government leaders should desist from engaging in corrupt activities.
Mr Kanema said Dr Kalumba is a senior member of the MMD and held a senior position in government his corrupt practices has caused him to be found guilty.
Mr Kanema has since commended the judiciary for taking a bold stance to convict Dr Kalumba and his co-accused despite the case taking long.
He has also urged young people to learn something from the MMD national secretary’s conviction that it does not pay to be corrupt.
[QFM ]
President Rupiah Banda yesterday launched a highly advanced video conferencing system that will enable lecturers from Japan to teach students at the Copperbelt University and the University of Zambia at the same time.
The technology is the first ever to work in any part of the World while universities in the United States of America will be linked to the system next month.
President Banda was delighted that Zambia was pioneering a technology that would keep Zambia at an advanced stage in technology advancement ahead of the launch of the e-learning Africa conference, taking place at the Mulungushi International Conference.
Mr Banda and delegation attended a lecture which was conducted by a lecturer from CBU whose presence appeared too close and intimate to believe it was a distance lecture that was meant for his class in Lusaka and another at CBU.
[pullquote]“Let all our citizens be assured that my Government is striving to ensure that equitable and accessible education is provided to all citizens of Zambia,” President Banda said.[/pullquote]
The president learnt about the classification of copper minerals, derived from a system that was designed by Professor James Dana in 1848 in which eight different metals were listed and there chemical make up explained.
President Banda said he delighted that a project that he had discussed with directors from the World Alliance Forum had finally materialised.
“Let all our citizens be assured that my Government is striving to ensure that equitable and accessible education is provided to all citizens of Zambia,” President Banda said.
He said his Government’s commitment towards education takes from the decision to turn the former Mulakupikwa Police Training College in Chinsali and turn it into a centre that would offer mathematics, science and information and communication technology at a university level.
The president urged Communications and Transport Minister Geoffrey Lungwangwa to ensure a speedy implementation of the ICT policy he launched when he was vice-president because information technology was a catalyst for economic development, which helps farmers monitor trends in agriculture.
Japanese Ambassador to Zambia Hideto Matamura said the cost of putting up the technology was offered under the Japanese official development assistance.
He hoped the system would be broadened to allow for teaching agriculture and other matters in the rural areas and this would reduce on the cost of travels to conduct education matters.
Prof Lungwangwa said the innovation was part of President Banda’s success stories and commitment towards education.
[ Times of Zambia ]
China Non-Ferrous Metal Company’s Luanshya Copper Mines (CLM) is set to recruit 1,000 employees in readiness for the beginning of production at the Muliashi open pit mine, taking the total number of workers to more than 3,000.
CLM also plans to make an additional investment of more than US$150 million to rehabilitate infrastructure at Luanshya Copper Mine this year.
CLM public relations officer Sydney Chileya said in an interview yesterday that CLM had so far recruited 2,480 miners and would employ 1,000 more for the Muliashi mine project.
“The expansion of CLM under its second mine, Muliashi open pit mine is going on smoothly and all is set to make the new mine operational by July this year,” he said.
Mr Chileya said CLM was optimistic that production at Muliashi would start within the planned time frame.
[pullquote]“The expansion of CLM under its second mine, Muliashi open pit mine is going on smoothly and all is set to make the new mine operational by July this year,” he said.[/pullquote]
Once fully operational, Muliashi is expected to have production capacity of 500,000 tonnes of copper ore per year and would be operational for a period of not less than 12 years.
The mine’s basic engineering designs have already been completed and the mining technology is only waiting for approval from the Zambian Government, while detailed engineering works have all been completed.
And Mr Chileya said CLM management was this year working towards meeting the anticipated production target of more than 1,000 tonnes of copper ore per day at Luanshya Copper Mine.
Apart from opening the Muliashi project, the mine owners have indicated that they would this year make an additional investment of more than $150 million to repair infrastructure at Luanshya Copper Mine.
The mine was targeting to produce 1,000 tonnes of copper ore per month, approximately 11,000 tonnes per year, before increasing to 2,000 tonnes per month.
Luanshya Copper Mine, which resumed production recently, was closed early last year and placed on care-and-maintenance after global commodity prices fell on the international market.
Last year, the then mine owners Enya Holdings said they were not ready to continue with copper production after the mine operations were adversely affected by the global economic meltdown.
[ Times of Zambia ]
Zambia’s information minister has dismissed accusations that a former president and the electoral commission will rig next year’s general elections to keep the ruling party in power.
Ronnie Shikapwasha told VOA the electoral commission is an independent body mandated to organize transparent elections.
“First of all, it must be dismissed with the contempt that it deserves. There is no way (former) President (Fredrick) Chiluba has nothing to do with the electoral commission, has nothing to do with the government and, therefore, he cannot be considered in any situation to do anything…the electoral commission is a high integrity organization that Mr. Lubinda is telling lies upon,” he said.
Given Lubinda, spokesman for the main opposition Patriotic Front, said Zambians will not allow former President Fredrick Chiluba, the government, and the electoral body to rig the 2011 general elections.
Lubinda has often accused former President Chiluba of rigging previous election results in favor of the ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD).
But, information minister Shikapwasha said the accusations are preposterous.
“If he has a complaint, he should have gone ahead and tabled this complaint in order for the electoral commission and, indeed, the courts of law to deal with it in Zambia,” Shikapwasha said.
Local media quoted opposition figure Lubinda as saying, “the PF supporters have since advised their Leader, Mr. (Michael) Sata, to go on a self-imposed exile so that his supporters are left to directly deal with the ECZ (electoral commission) if they attempt to engineer the 2011 elections.”
First Quantum chairman and CEO Philip Pascall was diplomatic, as always, for the duration of a conference call on Monday to discuss the announcement that two (more) of the group’s interests in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have again been the subjects of special mention. “We are extremely concerned with the orchestrated attack on the company’s Frontier and Lonshi operations”, said First Quantum.
More to the point, perhaps, First Quantum appears to be nearing the day when it will “name and shame” the individuals that, under increasingly fragile disguises, are waging a relentless campaign against it in the DRC.
First Quantum, one of the world’s top ten copper miners, has long been insistent that it is compliant with the DRC’s Mining Code, but in a September 2009 announcement, it confirmed suspension of work at the 75%-complete KMT project, after it was shuttered by government agents, cutting 700 jobs loose. Today First Quantum put its investment, so far, in KMT, at USD 750m.
Where will this go? Unlike KMT, no “direct action” has been taken by the DRC authorities (so far) against either Frontier or Lonshi as a result of a Supreme Court “decision”.
Questions put by investment analysts to Pascall on Monday pussyfooted around the background to the attacks on First Quantum in the DRC, which First Quantum solidly alluded to in its statement on Monday, when it referred to: “our refusal to resolve this dispute by agreeing to submit to arrangements with unspecified third parties”.
Proverbial napalm was further poured out, when First Quantum later added: “We will also take all necessary legal measures to protect our mining rights and property and pursue damages against any third party interfering with our legal rights”.
The names of the “third parties” are hardly secret, and could well become public within a month, when arbitration proceedings commence over the KMT debacle. On 1 February 2010 First Quantum announced an international arbitration by First Quantum and its partners in KMT, under the facilities of the International Chamber of Commerce, International Court of Arbitration, in Paris.
So far, courts of law, Congolese style, have been used as the main weapon against First Quantum. On 30 March, First Quantum announced that it “believes” that a DRC appeal court had upheld a USD 12bn “damages” claim against First Quantum, in respect of KMT.
The classic “third party” technique applied in the DRC is simple, starting with placing an entity such as First Quantum under extreme pressure. In the case of mining companies, the target s then approached to buy additional “valuable” mining properties. Whether paid by the victim in cash or shares, or both, the hustlers (diplomatically, “third parties”) cash in on millions and millions of dollars. First Quantum is unyielding, having apparently adopted a stance of “never give an inch, never yield an atom”.
“Orchestrated attack” intensifies on First Quantum, which seems closer to naming and shaming certain “unspecified third parties” as another court-supported potential asset confiscation looms.
DARIUS Mukuka, the man who was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment with hard labour for insulting and defaming the
President, has thanked President Banda for pardoning him, describing the gesture as fatherly.
Mr Mukuka has advised people against insulting President Banda because he holds the highest office in the land and deserves respect. Mr Mukuka, 36, a driver of Ndola’s Chifubu Township, said this in an interview yesterday.
“I would like to thank His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Rupiah Bwezani Banda, for the fatherly act he has shown and done for me because my conviction has greatly affected my family,” Mr Mukuka said.
He said his family would have suffered if he had served his entire sentence. “I have been praying ever since I went to prison and God has finally answered my prayers, I am grateful that the President has helped me in this matter. I knew that God would answer my prayers, praise be to God.”
Mr Mukuka said it was a joyous moment for him, especially that being a husband and a father of four, his family would have suffered if he had served the entire sentence.
“It is not good to insult the President because he holds the highest office of the land. Whatever political differences you have or if you are bitter with the President, it is better to use the right channels to be heard instead of insulting,” Mr. Mukuka said.
He said people should refrain from insulting leaders because life in jail is not good.
Mr. Mukuka is one of the 350 prisoners President Banda has pardoned by remitting the remainder of their sentences. Mr Banda ordered Minister of Home Affairs Mkhondo Lungu to remit the sentence slapped on Mukuka by Ndola Chief Resident Magistrate Kelvin Limbani on March 17, 2010.
This was in a matter in which Mukuka was charged for defaming the President. Facts of the case were that Mukuka, on March 22, 2009, uttered words with intent to bring the name of the President into ridicule.
Over 100 tobacco farmers stormed the office of Chipata District Commissioner demanding for payments for the sale of tobacco to Alliance one-Zambia.
The farmers brought up several concerns, among them, delayed payments of their produce, council levy deduction and floor price.
And speaking to ZANIS in separate interviews in Chipata today, the aggrieved farmers said that Alliance One did not honour the agreement of paying 48 hours after the sale of the produce.
The farmers who were represented by Sam Mbewe and Masiye Jere, said the delay has caused misery among farmers as they had to board buses on pay forward basis hoping to pay after getting the money from one of the financial institutions since last month when they sold their produce.
The duo also said parents had failed to pay school fees because the tobacco company has not paid them their dues after selling the produce.
They said farmers traveled from as far as Chipangali where they were charged K30, 000 for transport to go Chipata town where they were to access the money.
They have since appealed to government to monitor the operations of companies if the poverty alleviation is to be achieved at house hold levels.
They claimed that tobacco vending was still an issue in the district, which happened with the full knowledge of the companies that purchase the commodity
And Addressing the farmers in the presence of the Company’s regional Accountant, Stern Juliasi, Chipata District Commissioner Moses Nyirenda said the company had already transferred over 500,000 United States Dollars towards the transaction adding that it could not fulfill the agreement to pay them after 48 hours because of money transaction.
Mr. Nyirenda stated that he was assured by the company management that farmers will start receiving their money from today until Friday this week.
Mr. Nyirenda told the farmers that the company was paying according to the floor price and to the exchange rate of that particular day the farmers sold their tobacco to the floors.
“The price displayed on the chart is the one to be paid to all farmers that brought tobacco on that particular day,” he said.
Mr. Nyirenda said issues of council levy raised by the farmers would be investigated and refunds would be paid if the issue turns to be true.
He said government has slashed the council levy adding that it would be unfair for Alliance one to enforce deductions towards farmers.
Mr. Nyirenda told the farmers that he would ensure that farmers start getting their money’s before the end of the day.
ZAMBIA Development Agency (ZDA) Regional Entrepreneurship Development Officer Shental Siajunza has called on Small and Medium Entrepreneur (SME ) business organisations to develop interest in learning new techniques in running their businesses.
ZDA Regional Entrepreneurship Development Officer made his call at a one day workshop organised by COMESA at Kasama Lodge on Monday this week.
Mr. Siajunza said SMEs should take advantage of the workshop and advance in running their business profitably and effectively through joining relevant trade organisations.
He pointed out that by linking with relevant organisations like COMESA they could avoid paying trade taxes to councils and exorbitant border charges.
Mr. Siajunza thanked Zambia national Commercial bank for sponsoring the workshop to expose the SMEs in Kasama to modern trade techniques and enhance the development of the district.
He further praised COMESA for offering free a free training kit to SMEs in Kasama which would go a long way in enhancing smooth business operations.
Mr. Siajunza pointed out that SMEs should making joint trips when importing items abroad to cut down on costs which could result into economic growth of their businesses.
Meanwhile Zambia National Commercial Bank (ZANACO) Head Business Banking SME Manager at Head office Chibamba Lopa said his Bank is proud to sponsor SME workshop to empower local businesses in national.
Mr. Lopa said ZANACO is aiming at promoting and empowering Small and Medium Business Entrepreneurship by providing conducive business climate to it clients and achieve economic growth.
The Head Business Banking SME Manager disclosed that his bank has reduced Bank interest rate to 20 Per cent from 32 with effect from May 1 this year.
Mr. Lopa added that ZANACO is also geared in offering short tern loans, credit facilities in overdrafts and make their customers comfortable by spending shorter times at their branches national wide.
Commerce,Trade and Industry Minister Felix Mutati has urged Zambians not to frustrate investors coming into the country
Mr. Mutati said government has worked hard to bring investors in the country warning that if frustrated investors can leave the country for other countries.
He also noted that there is need to address the bureaucracy that seems to be having a negative impact on investment.
Mr. Mutati pointed out that certain government ministries should ensure that bureaucratic tendencies that surround investment are well sorted out.
Speaking in Lusaka this morning when he met a Japanese business delegation, Mr. Mutati states that government would keep on working hard to attract more investment into the country for the benefit of the Zambians.
Mr. Mutati has since thanked Japan for choosing Zambia to explore investment opportunities in the various sectors.
He said Japanese investment would further attract other countries to invest in Zambia because of its global dominance.
Mr Mutati said government welcomes such investment because it is aimed at creating jobs for Zambians
And Japanese ambassador to Zambia Hideto Mitamura has praised Zambia’s steady progress in economic growth.
Mr. Mitamura said Japan remains committed to help Zambia to attract investment from Japan.
He has further praised Zambia for the way it managed the effects of the global economic downturn last year.
And Japanese business delegation leader George Hara said the team is in the country to help contribute to infrastructure development.
He noted that once settled, the business delegation will help the country achieve economic growth.
[QFM]
A Lusaka magistrate Court has convicted former Finance Minister Katele Kalumba together with six of his co-accused on corruption charges.
Lusaka High Court deputy director of court operations Edward Musona sitting as magistrate convicted Dr Kalumba together with his co-accused today when he delivered judgment in the long running corruption trial.
Those convicted together with the MMD national secretary are former finance permanent secretary Stella Chibanda, former finance chief economist Bede Mphande, former finance director of budget Boniface Nonde, former secretary to the treasury Professor Benjamin Mweene, former Access Financial Services Limited (AFSL) directors Faustin Kabwe and Aaron Chungu.
The corruption charges relate to the payments made to US security companies Systems Innovation and Wilbain Incorporation involving US$20 million during the time he served as Finance minister in former president Fredrick Chiluba’s Government.
[ QFM ]
Duda Yankovich has said she had little to say about how much she rates Esther Phiri in their looming World title clash showdown set for Lusaka this Saturday.
WIBA light welterweight champion Yankovich and Esther will battle on Saturday at Mulunsughi Conference Centre for the world title.
“I have seen Esther Phiri’s fights but it will be ridiculous for me to tell you how I rate her,” The Serbian-born Brazilian boxer said on Wednesday in Lusaka upon arrival.
“All will be seen in the ring. I’m a boxer my job is to fight.”
Yankovich has lost only once from 12 professional fights with her first loss incidentally in her last bout, and first fight outside Brazil, after suffering fourth-round technical knockout to America Holly Holms in WIBA welterweight title fight on June 5 last year.
George Lwandamina has drafted three more players to his CHAN team ahead of next weekend’s CHAN qualifier against South Africa.
The trio includes the Zanaco duo of striker Ignatius Lwipa and goalkeeper Racha Kola.
Lwandamina has also called Red Arrows defender Jimmy Chisenga.
The team regroups in Lusaka on Thursday at the Faz Technical Centre ahead of Zambia’s must-win match on June 5.
Zambia lost the match 1-0 away in South Africa last Sunday and must beat the latter 2-0 in a week’s time to book their place at the second edition of the CHAN finals in Sudan next year.
Division 1
Week 5
North
Konkola Mine Police 1-Mufulira Blackpool 0
Mufulira Wanderers 0-Kitwe United 0
Mining Rangers 0-Mufulira Police 0
Chambishi 1-Ndola United 1
Indeni 1-Chingola Leopards 1
Kalulushi Modern Stars 3 -Prison Leopards 0
Mansa Health Stars 0 -Lime Hotspurs 0
Chindwin 2 -Medical Stars 0
Kalewa-Zamtel (Not played)
South
Communite 2 -Mazabuka United 1
Nakambala Leopards 2 -Young Green Eagles 1
Kafue Celtic 1 -Green Eagles 1
Nampundwe 0- Profund Warriors 0
Riflemen 1 -Kalomo Jetters 1
TP Rangers 0- Paramilitary 1
Lusaka City Council 2 -Lusaka Tigers 2
Zesco Shockers-Livingstone Pirates (Not played)
Kum’mawa Vs Luena (Not played)
Bank of Zambia of Zambia governor Caleb fundanga and his deputy Denny Kalyalya
Zambia’s economy may grow faster than the government forecast this year on higher copper prices and a bumper grain crop, putting the country in a good position to seek its first credit rating, central bank Governor Caleb Fundanga said.
The government may sign an agreement with JPMorgan Chase & Co. as early as this week to advise it on proceeding with the credit rating, Fundanga said in an interview yesterday in Abidjan, the commercial capital of Ivory Coast.
Zambia, Africa’s biggest copper producer, shelved plans for a credit rating in the second half of 2008 after the global financial crisis hit. Copper prices have more than doubled since the beginning of last year, while the government estimated a 42 percent surge in grain output in 2010. That could push economic growth to between 7 percent and 8 percent in 2010, compared with 6.3 percent forecast in December, Fundanga said.
“There are reasons why one should be optimistic,” the governor said. “I don’t see why in a year when we have fewer problems we should do less than a year when we had more problems.”
Zambia will probably produce a grain surplus of 1 million metric tons this year, which will be exported, boosting foreign currency earnings, Fundanga said.
Credit Rating
A credit rating will allow local companies to borrow at more favorable rates abroad, the governor said. The government hasn’t decided whether it will also use the rating to sell an international bond, he said.
“If there’s an opportunity for the government to borrow to finance critical investment in infrastructure, for example hydropower generation, roads and so forth, there’s no reason why the government can’t borrow,” Fundanga said. “Debt sustainability ratios are good right now, and our capacity to repay is very good.” Still the primary purpose of the rating is to “assist our private sector,” he said.
Angola, which vies with Nigeria as Africa’s biggest oil producer, was awarded its first credit rating of B+ by Standard & Poors and Fitch Ratings last week, paving the way for the sale of an international bond. Ghana, the world’s second-biggest cocoa producer, is also considering selling its second dollar bond next year, Deputy Finance Minister Fifi Kwetey said in an interview yesterday.
China and Copper
Zambia’s economy is benefiting from Chinese investment in its copper industry. China Development Bank Corp. will provide $5 billion of loans to companies involved in Zambia’s mining sector under an accord signed this month, the official Zambia News & Information Services reported on May 13.
Copper production is forecast to reach 1 million metric tons in 2012 from 700,000 tons this year, Fundanga said. Output was 697,860 tons last year.
[pullquote]“If there’s an opportunity for the government to borrow to finance critical investment in infrastructure, for example hydropower generation, roads and so forth, there’s no reason why the government can’t borrow,” Fundanga said. “Debt sustainability ratios are good right now, and our capacity to repay is very good.” Still the primary purpose of the rating is to “assist our private sector,” he said.[/pullquote]
The price of copper climbed to as high as $7,960.25 a ton in April, compared with $2,809.50 in December 2008.
“The key to maintaining a high price depends on growth in the key copper-consuming countries, such as China,” Fundanga said. “If China continues to grow, if India continues to grow, and countries in the euro zone can sort out their problems and start growing, that will help. They are also major consumers of our copper.”
Zambia’s Kwacha has slumped 6.6 percent this month as investors sold riskier, emerging market assets on concern the European debt crisis may stall the global recovery. The currency was trading at 5,065 per dollar late yesterday.
The inflation impact from the Kwacha’s depreciation may be limited, while exports may benefit, Fundanga said. The government is still on track to meet its goal of bringing inflation rate down to 8 percent by the end of the year, from 9.2 percent in April, he added.
“With a food surplus like that, prices will come down,” the governor said. “The trend is towards lower levels of inflation. Our target can easily be attained.”
[Bloomberg BusinessWeek]
==================================================================
–Editors: Philip Sanders, Heather Langan
To contact the reporters on this story: Nasreen Seria in Abidjan at [email protected].
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Peter Hirschberg at [email protected].
Zambia makes their first visit to the America’s in 11 years when they face hosts Chile in Calama in a friendly match.
The match is part of Chiles 2010 World Cup warm-up ahead of next months tournament in South Africa.
On Zambia’s last visit to the continent in 1999, they lost 7-1 to Honduras in another friendly match.
This evening match against Chile will mark caretaker trainers Wedson Nyirenda and Honor Janza’s first senior match in charge for Zambia and also the two teams first ever meeting at senior level.
Meanwhile, missing from the side will be key goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene due to a shin injury and so his longtime number two Kalililo Kakonje of Amazulu in South Africa will step in for the friendly.
Midfielder Rainford Kalaba who has been club-less since returning from the Africa Cup is set to return to high profile action since last playing for Zambia in Angola.
Jonas Sakuwaha will also play his first match for Zambia this year after pulling out of the Africa Cup to concentrate on cementing a place at French club Lorient.
In attack, Given Singuluma and Christopher Katongo should lead in attack while Hichani Himoonde, Francis Kasonde and Stophila Sunzu will be in defence.
The National Revolution Party (NRP) has called on President Rupiah Banda to set up a tribunal to investigate the death of late President Levy Mwanawasa.
Party Secretary General Kelly Walubita Jr told Q fm that Zambians would be interested in knowing the circumstances that led to the death of the late President.
Mr. Walubita was backing former first lady Maureen Mwanawasa that there is need to investigate the death of her husband. He said there are a lot of speculations concerning the death of Dr. Mwanawasa, adding it is incumbent upon the government to help respond to these speculations.
Mr. Walubita said there have been a lot of suspicious deaths of prominent politicians in the history of the country. He named some politicians whom he says died suspiciously as late Paul Tembo, Ronald Penza, Peter Lishika, Major Wezi Kaunda, among others who died during the Chiluba regime.
He said the death of the late President also might have been a planned one, urging the government to take seriously, the former first lady’s concerns.
[Q fm]
