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The University Teaching Hospital (UTH) has recorded 12 New Year babies.
Disclosing the development to ZANIS today, Customer Relations Officer Davies Chutu said the new year babies included seven girls and five boys who where born from midnight upto 08:30 hours this morning.
Meanwhile the Children in Need (CHIN) organisation has donated clothes and an assortment of toys worthy U$ 5,000 (K24 million) to the pediatric ward at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH)
Speaking when he presented the gifts to the children at UTH today, CHIN Chairperson, Kelvin Sampa called on stakeholders to help in alleviating the suffering of the less privileged children in hospitals.
He said less privileged children in hospitals need enough care and appreciation from people but that they have been neglected as people are focusing more on streets children.
Mr. Sampa said there is need to visit sick children in hospitals to uplift their spirit and morals adding that this is the responsibility of all citizens.
He said has appealed to government to prioritize children issues to allow them have access to better medical care, schools, for them to grow into responsible citizens.
He has also challenged Members of Parliament (MPs) to spend part of their gratuity on children admitted in hospitals.
And UTH Pediatric Department Coverage Nurse Hammond Kapapa has thanked CHIN for taking their time to visit and donating to the sick children at UTH.
Mr. Kapapa said government along can not manage to meet all the needs of the children at the hospital and appealed for more assistance from the cooperate world and individuals to assist the children in hospital.
Meanwhile, The University Teaching Hospital (UTH) has recorded 28 cases of assaults and injuries during the New Year eve celebrations.
UTH Customer Relations Officer, Davies Chutu, confirmed the development to ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka toady.
Mr. Chutu said 11 cases were from Roads Traffic Accidents, while 13 were assaults cases and 4 injuries.
He said most of the cases have been treated and discharged while only a few are still admitted at the hospital.
He said cases recorded on the New Year eve are much lower than those recorded during Christmas Eve which was about 38 cases.
.Mr. Chutu attributed the reduced number of incidents to people conscious on the celebration.
He said people were more conscious during their celebration and this helped the hospital and the people themselves.
The New Delhi court has acquitted three Zambian women, who were arrested in India seven years ago on charges of drug-trafficking.
Sepiso Lubinda 51, Stella Mwanza 47, and Maureen Banda 37, all of Lusaka, were arrested in June 2002 as they were about to board a flight to Lusaka from New Delhi.
The trio were acquitted after it was established that there was no evidence to convict them on drug-trafficking charges.
This is contained in a statement made available to ZANIS by First Secretary for press Zambian Commissioner to India Bwalya Nondo in Lusaka today.
Mr. Nondo explains in the statement that this was when Acting Zambian High Commissioner to India, Brig. Gen. Allan Kalebuka and other officials from the Zambian High commission in New Delhi visited the trio and donated some money for their up keep.
Brig Gen. Kalebuka confirmed that the incarcerated women were in good health and did not complain of any ill-treatment during their term.
He however reiterated his warning to Zambians especially women who travel to the Asian sub-continent for business, to guard against associating with people who may use them for ulterior motives.
The Acting Zambian High Commissioner to India said the trio are staying at a charitable home awaiting administrative clearance before flying back to Zambia.
Drug-trafficking in India carries a maximum of ten years imprisonment on conviction.
Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. Allan Kalebuka has called on all Zambians coming to India to make their presence known to the Zambian embassy.
He noted that this will ensure that the mission extends necessary Consular services to Zambian citizens who come especially for specialized treatment in India.
Brig. Gen. Allan Kalebuka said, it should be noted that, the mission’s obligation to extend consular duties, is not only to VIP patients, but to ordinary Zambians as well.
He said Zambians should not only approach the Mission when they are in distress.
Indian is increasingly becoming the world’s preferred medical tourism destination because of its competitive treatment costs in highly specialized hospitals.
Reading this article?- thank God. You have lived to see the year 2010. Undoubtedly, Danny Siulapwa in his future pondering song ‘Kaya’ was a voice for many of us who thought we would perhaps never live to see this day. If we keep holding our breath for another six months we could even watch the spectacular 2010 world cup. However, there is more to life than surviving 10 years of the millennium and watching the world cup.
To begin with, we should thank the almighty God for giving us this life. Think of how many people have not survived this day! This would help us appreciate our existence and fulfill our purpose in this millennium. The biggest resource that we have is our breath. Let us be more objective, focused and work on our weakness us we look back over the millennium. If we set our goals right and commit ourselves we will not only succeed as individuals but as a family, a community and as a nation.
Plans are already underway for updating the voter’s registration-which should not be mistaken as a mock exercise, following a mock plane crash reported in Lusaka over the weekend. Next year we will be going to the tripartite polls to elect a ‘new’ president who will be entrusted to run the affairs of our beloved country, until 2016- that is a long time to break or make. We need to participate in the governance of the country day in day out and ensure that our national resources are distributed equitably.
It seems Zambians are only allowed to exercise their right to vote and their right to remain silent; while other fundamental human rights such as their right to information, right to education, right to shelter and even right to good health are stumbled upon; like those 46 innocent Mazabuka women who have been infected with the deadly HIV virus in the name of medical research.
The infamous Microbicide Gel drug test is not just another medical scandal but a serious violation of human rights and a clear exhibition of mediocrity by leaders. Why is Zambia always a case in these HIV/AIDS, health circus- Kaya?
I am afraid 10 years into the millennium we will continue be greeted with more outrageous events as long as we continue with our Kaya mind-set. Do you even remember the last time you saw your area member of parliament? I can assure you, with a general election around the corner, sooner rather than later your honorable will start trotting to your neighborhood with drums of Chibuku while distributing sugar and Vintege imprinted with some of the ugly faces on the planet.
Spare yourself from nightmares, think of what you will do for mother Zambia this year.
These are the results of the survey conducted by Lusakatimes to give awards to respective categories decided by the people who frequent our website. The people who took part in this survey are spread across the globe except South American as shown by the picture below.
The list of categories was based on your nominations and suggestion
Congratulations to the winners, particular NINE CHALE who has won himself a $50 dollars talkime voucher. Please kindly get in touch with editor at Lusakatimes.com
Lastly great congratulations all people who visit our site for making the experiencing of serving you a pleasant one. Happy 2010 from the LT team
Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) Lusaka Province Chairman William Banda has accused opposition political parties of trying to undermine government’s efforts to bringing about development in the country.
Mr. Banda accused some opposition councilors of deliberately diverting funds meant for developmental projects in the province to paint a bad picture about government.
He said Lusaka province is currently facing many problems because the people that were voted into leadership cheated people into voting for them to only enrich themselves.
Mr. Banda said the Rupiah Banda government was a caring government and is determined to thwart the opposition’s plans to make people suffer by working hard to improve their living standards.
The MMD Lusaka Provincial Chairman said this in Lusaka‘s Matero Constituency today when he addressed MMD members.
Mr. Banda has since challenged opposition councilors in Lusaka province to explain to the people what they have done with the K 2.4 billion that government gave them last year.
He accused some councilors of giving themselves plots instead of concentrating on working to better the lives of the people that elected them.
Mr. Banda urged Zambians to wake up and realize the real character of the opposition leaders and refuse to be used as political tools.
He promised to fight hard to ensure that opposition councilors account for the money government released to them, saying people should not sit back and let certain greedy individuals exploit them.
Mr. Banda further said government would continue to care for people’s welfare and has mobilized K5.6 billion through the District Commissioner’s office for disaster reduction which he said could be used to avert cholera and to clear drainages in the province among other things.
And Mr. Banda has announced the appointment of Tolilo Chipango as the new MMD Matero Constituency Chairman.
Mr. Chipango takes over from Severino Mangimela who is unable to carry out his duties owing to ill health.
Meanwhile, Mr. Banda has called on MMD leaders to understand the party’s laws and regulations for them to abide by these laws and also understand how government operates.
He warned former MMD cabinet ministers and other members against speaking ill of President Banda, saying they risk facing the consequences of their actions.
Chinese traditional dancers wait for their turn to entertain guests at the Luanshya Copper Mines during the production resumption ceremony. Copperbelt, Zambia
By Henry Kyambalesa
Of late, investments by Chinese corporations in Zambia seem to have become a topical issue among politicians and the general public. I have, therefore, found it necessary to make a contribution to the debate by citing some of the advantages and disadvantages of such investments to Zambia.
Foreign investment is generally regarded as an essential element in any given country’s quest for accelerated and protracted socio-economic development. It can bolster a country’s efforts to uplift a good segment of its poor people from squalor. Such investment may consist of “portfolio investments” (composed of investments in financial assets like bonds and stocks) and/or “foreign direct investments” in production facilities, real estate, inventories, and/or other non-financial assets.
Ordinarily, investments by Chinese companies take the form of foreign direct investment (FDI). Proponents of this form of investment usually cite the potential benefits of the multinational enterprise (MNE) to a host nation in discerning the necessity of such investment, since the MNE is generally regarded as the vector of FDI.
They claim that MNEs can:
(a) make it possible for a country to gain access to investment capital and advanced technology;
(b) contribute to the creation of employment opportunities;
(c) introduce a diversity of new products in a host country, thereby affording local consumers a greater assortment of products to choose from;
(d) make a contribution to the tax revenues of a host government;
(e) promote exports and, thereby, contribute to the generation of foreign exchange;
(f) boost competition in the host economy and, thus, prompt local businesses to seek greater efficiency in their operations;
(g) promote local businesses which supply inputs and/or render services needed by MNEs to support their operations;
(h) contribute to the development of technical and managerial talent in a host country.
For these and a host of other important reasons, the promotion of FDI has become one of the major components of the economic policy regimes of apparently all countries of the world today. In fact, even countries which already have strong economies (such as Sweden, Australia, and G-7 nations) and have historically relied mainly on local investment have generated ambitious policies designed to attract FDI. It is, therefore, important for us to be aware that our country is competing for FDI not only with developing countries but also with the more developed and affluent countries in the world.
The operations of MNEs are, of course, not without costs or disadvantages to a host country like Zambia; critics of such enterprises often claim that they can:
(a) contribute to the self-perpetuating dependence of a host country on foreign technology;
(b) cause dislocations in a host country’s balance of payments when they import raw materials, repatriate profits, and/or engage in transfer pricing;
(c) subject local businesses which do not have the necessary material and financial resources to compete effectively with them to unfair competition in industrial, consumer and labor markets;
(d) contribute to the degradation of the physical environment through air, water and solid-waste pollution;
(e) introduce foreign social values and/or consumption patterns that are likely to disrupt locally cherished moral and cultural practices.
For a country like Zambia, which has failed to break the bondage of the majority of its people to destitution, the potential benefits of Chinese and other foreign investments certainly outweigh the potential costs of such investments. In fact, the costs often associated with FDI and the MNE are normal effects of a live economy which Zambia could reduce to acceptable levels through regulatory and administrative mechanisms.
But Zambia should not expect such investments to flow into its economy like manna from heaven, because a great deal of effort is needed to lure foreign investors. It is, therefore, essential to create an enabling investment environment that provides for attractive tax incentives, adequate skilled labor, a network of business support services and institutions, well-developed infrastructure (including energy, water, telecommunications, and transport facilities), and protracted industrial harmony.
Besides, both local and foreign investors expect the Zambian government to provide for the following:
(a) adequate public services, including police and fire protection;
(b) adequate public facilities, including educational, vocational, recreational, sewage, and healthcare facilities;
(c) political and civic leaders who are fair and honest in their dealings with private businesses;
(d) stable economic policies, including a formal assurance against nationalization or expropriation of privately owned businesses;
(e) a well-developed stock market;
(f) less bureaucratic licensing, import, export, and other procedures;
(g) adequate information about investment and marketing problems and opportunities, such as that which is currently being provided by the Zambia Development Agency.
If they are adequately catered for, these services and facilities can boost investments by both local and foreign investors, as well as enable businesses to operate more efficiently and eventually deliver economic and social outputs to society at reasonable costs and prices.
The Zambian government should expect foreign investors to:
(a) cooperate with local institutions in improving community life, and participate in programs designed to benefit less-advantaged citizens;
(b) comply with stipulated laws and regulations;
(c) respect local people’s traditional and ethical values;
(d) refrain from engaging in unscrupulous business practices.
The Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) has announced the inclusion of the bid submitted by Altimo for a majority equity stake in Zambia Telecommunications Limited (Zamtel).
ZDA Acting Director General Muhabi Lungu explained that the bid by Altimo of Russia was received five minutes after submission deadline of 15:00 hours Zambian which he said could not be opened because it came in late.
He further explained that ZDA decided to go for a board meeting to decide whether or not to accept the submission from Altimo.
He said the meeting considered the bid and accepted it.
Mr. Lungu told ZANIS in a press statement in Lusaka today that the decision was largely based on the fact that the Altimo bid was received before the other bids were opened by the ZDA and that no evaluation or adjudication of the other three bids has been undertaken yet.
Mr. Lungu noted that as a result of the board’s decision, the assessment of the bids will include UNITEL of Angola, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) of India, LAP Greencom LTD/LAP Green Networks of Libya and Altimo of Russia.
He pointed out that the ZDA will evaluate all the four bids and will announce a shortlist of companies or consortia that will be invited to the next stage of the privatization of Zamtel.
“Shortlisted companies and consortia will be invited to conduct further due diligence on Zamtel and will be asked to submit a binding bid for a majority equity stake in the company at the end of the next phase “he said.
The next phase of the Zamtel privatization and details on the indicative bids received will be announced on 11th January 2010.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has described the 2008/2009 farming season as a success.
Speaking in an interview in Lusaka today FAO Country Representative Noureddin Mona said the agriculture sector is expected to grow by 5.7 percent as compared to the previous farming season which was at 1.9 percent.
Mr. Mona said the good harvest contributed to the economic growth which helped the country pull through during the period of economic crunch.
He appealed to the private sector to play a pivotal role in the development of the industry in order to enhance sustainable development.
Mr. Mona noted that the production of maize this year which had 26 percent growth was impressive, adding that it is the country’s staple food.
He has however called for diversification in the agricultural sector by developing the livestock and fisheries industry.
Mr. Mona said the key to livestock and fishery farming is to create disease free zones in areas that are affected by the vice.
He said has further called for the need to change our mindsets and change our dependency on Maize as a staple food, saying crops like cassava can be put to good use as well.
Mr. Mona has commended the government for improving the agriculture sector in the country through the farmer input support program (FISP).
He said this was attributed to government’s good agriculture policy and the distribution of farming inputs on time.
Government has increased the allocation to agriculture and livestock sectors from K1, 096 trillion in 2009 to K1, 139 trillion in the 2010 national budget.
219,581 grade seven (7)pupils who sat for examinations in 2009 have been selected to grade eight (8).
Education Minister Dora Siliya announced that from the total number of 307,191 candidates that sat for examinations in 2009, 111,407 boys and 108,174 girls were selected to grade eight with a progression rate of 71.48% compared to 65.44% in 2008.
Ms. Siliya observed that out of 340, 509 who entered for the examinations, a total number of 33,188 candidates were absent from the examinations.
She attributed this absenteeism to distances to examination centers, economic reasons, early marriages and early pregnancies, cultivation and high levels of poverty at household level.
The Minister however noted that the ministry has put in place measures to address the problems of absenteeism.
She named some of the measures as construction of more classrooms to reduce on the distance to examination centers, replacement of temporary structures with permanent ones and allowing more schools to register as examination centers among others.
Meanwhile, Ms. Siliya noted that of all candidates who sat for grade seven examinations in North Western province, 9,078 were boys and 7, 235 were girls while in Luapula Province had 10,511 boys and 7,484 girls.
The Minister also announced that a total number of 7,359 girls in Western province have been selected to grade eight.
She said this is due to the two provinces having more space available than the number of candidates that entered and sat for the examinations.
Ms. Siliya attributed the increase in the number of candidates selected in all the provinces to the expansion of the school infrastructure that the ministry has embarked on in all the provinces.
The Minister also announced that a total number of 228 candidates, 128 boys and 99 girls with special education needs were selected into grade eight from a total number of 250 candidates who entered for the examinations.
Ms. Siliya noted that it was the desire of her ministry to create more spaces for children with special education needs adding that more attention in the 2010 infrastructure development will be paid to special education units and schools.
She further announced that grade eight classes will commence on January 11, 2010 and the grace period ends on 22nd January, 2010.
Zambia has recorded a 1.6 percent decline in the annual inflation rate.
The decline translates to 9.9 percent in December from 11.5 percent in November, 2009.
Central Statistics Office (CSO) Director Efreda Chulu says the decline in the annual inflation rate is due to the decrease in some food prices on the Zambian market.
Ms Chulu announced this in Lusaka today when she unveiled the CSO monthly bulletin for the month of December.
Ms Chulu also observed that price increases recorded between November and December are lower compared to price increases between the same months in 2008.
Ms Chulu however, said price increases in most essential consumer goods such as mealie-meal, maize grain, cereal products, cooking oil among other processed food stuffs were recorded this month.
She stated that the national average price of a 1 x 25 kg bag of white roller meal increased by 3.1 percent from K46,289 to K47,736 while the average price of a 20 litre tin of maize grain increased by 6.1 percent from K24,325 to K25,806
Meanwhile Ms Chulu has disclosed that Zambia’s major exports in November 2009 were copper, slag and ash which accounted for 81.1 percent of the country’s export earnings while sugar confectionery accounted for 2.0 percent of the total export earnings.
Zambia exported goods last month (November) mainly to China, Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa and Switzerland.
Copperbelt Permanent Secretary Villie Lombanya has urged private colleges in the area to offer skills that were still relevant to the country’s economic agenda.
Mr. Lombanya said there was need for private skills training centers to strive to offer quality courses that would add value to the economic development of the country.
He said this in a speech read for him by Assistant Secretary Steven Lindunda during the second graduation ceremony for Coppertone University in Kitwe today.
He said no country can attain a meaningful development without recording positive strides in the education sector.
Mr. Lombanya further said it would be unfortunate for a tertiary institution to produce half baked graduates because such would create chaos in the country.
He added that government should develop effective measures that would be used to monitor quality of education in private training institutions.
And speaking earlier, Coppertone University Vice Chancellor Sitwala Mundia said Zambia would not realise the vision 2030 without having proper tools of education.
Dr Mundia said education was a major developmental tool which must be taken seriously and supported with appropriate legislation if it was to contribute to economic development.
He called for the immediate review of the education act saying the current one had outlived its usefulness.
About 30 students graduated in various disciplines, among them, business, Information Technology and Communication.
Senior Chief Ishindi of the Lunda people of Zambezi district in Northwestern province has appealed to government to come up with a legal framework that would enable them take part in the governance system of the country.
Chief Ishindi said even though traditional leaders have a say in the affairs of the country, there should be a legal backing given to them especially on matters of resources in their chiefdoms.
He was speaking during a meeting with the new Northwestern province minister Daniel Kalenga in Solwezi yesterday.
He said noted that there was no chief representation in the governance system at any level, adding that their contribution was important.
The traditional leader expressed sadness that there was no chief sitting on the national petroleum board, which is looking into the issue of oil exploration in three districts of the province.
Meanwhile, Chief Ishindi has said people had blown the issues of wrangles between the Lunda and Luvale tribes out of proportion.
He said the picture was so negative that it seemed as though there is total chaos between the two tribes when in fact not.
The senior chief wondered why tribal wrangles in Zambezi are top on the agenda when in fact these exist even in other districts and provinces in the country.
He called on government to identify the problem and find solution to the wrangles as it has done in other chiefdoms.
BUSINESS in most parts of Lusaka yesterday temporarily came to a virtual standstill after a commercial airliner apparently had crashed at the Lusaka International Airport.
The route to the international airport, about 20 kilometres from the city centre, was clogged with traffic as curious onlookers watched in awe as emergency vehicles, including police cars and ambulances, hurtled to and fro with sirens blaring apparently transporting the injured and dead to the University Teaching Hospital (UTH).
It was, however, only after several hours that it dawned to the city dwellers that the whole dramatic episode was a mere routine simulated emergency evacuation exercise conducted by the National Airports Corporation (NAC) and the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) to prepare different sectors of society in the event that a real plane crash occurred.
In a media brief soon after the exercise, director of civil aviation, Chitalu Kabalika said the exercise was appropriate and in line with airline industry that routine mock emergency evacuation exercises were carried out to assess the levels of preparedness at the country’s airports.
Mr Kabalika said in fact, such mock evacuation exercises should normally be carried out once in two years to ensure that the country kept in line with international aviation standards.
The plane crash was assumed to have occurred at the Airport/Great East Road roundabout and caused unsuspecting residents, who were visibly shocked and gripped with fear, believe they would find grotesque scenes of mutilated bodies strewn all over.
According to eyewitnesses, some human “bodies” were found hanging in trees and around nearby bushes with tattered and soiled clothing which looked like blood as emergency workers retrieved them, fastened them on stretchers and loaded them onto waiting ambulances to the UTH and the Airport clinic.
Ambulances from Zambia Police, Zambia Air Force (ZAF), MARS and STS were involved in the exercise.
Telephone lines at the Times of Zambia offices in Lusaka were jammed with calls from members of the public who tipped reporters about the crash as some emotional callers immediately piled blame on the Government for keeping old and obsolete equipment at the international airport.
A check by a Times of Zambia crew that rushed to the airport to investigate the supposed crash, found frantic scenes of medical personnel from the Air Rescue crew, the Zambia Army and police medical teams applying emergency treatment to the injured.
Journalists who were researching at the High Court premises reported that judiciary workers abandoned their offices to witness the relentless screams of blaring sirens speeding towards the hospital as news of the disaster spread like wild fire.
At the UTH, nurses and other medical operatives were on hand at the casualty department receiving the injured and dead as some stretchers were passed on straight to the brought-In-dead (BID) section.
Some residents who were later interviewed complained that they expected the DCA to notify them that the crash was actually a mock exercise rather than to cause panic and anxiety among many.
Some local radio stations were overwhelmed with callers who expressed mixed feelings about the exercise as announcers were at pains to confirm the tragedy to them.
Mr Kabalika, however, insisted the exercises would continue without notice to see the level of preparedness at the airport in an event of a crash, hijack or unexpected fire, among other eventualities.
He said the mock crash was meant to see whether Zambia was ready to meet the international aviation standards.
NAC airport manager, Friday Mulenga said the emergency exercise was meant to see how prepared Zambia was to tackle airline emergencies.
THE Bemba Royal Council (BRC) has banned Patriotic Front (PF) president Michael Sata from meeting Paramount Chief Chitimukulu in the absence of his counsellors.
BRC secretary Alex Chimba-Nkole told the Daily Mail that the establishment is disappointed with Mr Sata’s disregard for the Chitimukulu.
Mr Chimba-Nkole said the decision by Mr Sata to shun the BRC court is a clear testimony of disrespect for traditional authority.
“We don’t want him to come and meet Chitimukulu in privacy, unless in our presence,” he said.
Mr Chimba-Nkole said the council did not deliberate much on Mr Sata’s alleged derogatory remarks against the Chitimukulu because the opposition leader turned down the summons.
“We didn’t say much because we wanted Mr Sata to be present to answer to the charges. Mr Sata is a Bemba, so we cannot be quarrelling with him in the press.
“He has insulted our paramount chief and so we wanted him to come and tell us why he did that,” he said.
Mr Chimba-Nkole said the BRC will meet on January 5 to decide on the way forward.
Mr Sata was quoted in the media as saying he will meet with Chitimukulu at his own convenient time.
The BRC convened a court on Tuesday, December 29, 2009, to deliver judgement in a case in which Mr Sata is alleged to have uttered derogatory remarks against the Chitimukulu.
The council summoned Mr Sata to appear before it to exculpate himself of derogatory remarks attributed to him against the chief.
But Mr Sata said he sees no reason to appear before the BRC because the council has neither the power nor jurisdiction over individuals like him.
THE Government, economists and the communications union have condemned Patriotic Front (PF) leader Michael Sata for saying he will renationalise Zamtel once elected into office in 2011.
They advised him and other opposition politicians to stop issuing statements that may scare away would-be investors for Zamtel.
Chief Government spokesperson Ronnie Shikapwasha, who is Information and Broadcasting Services Minister, said it was wrong for Mr Sata to warn would-be investors when the decision to sell the company was done in good faith.
Economics Association of Zambia (EAZ) president, Mwilola Imakando and National Union of Communication Workers (NUCW) general secretary, Clement Kasonde criticised Mr Sata and said his statements had the potential to scare away investors.
Lieutenant-General Shikapwasha advised the PF leader to stop politicking over Zamtel, saying if Mr Sata had the interests of the workers and Zambians as a whole, he would not issue such careless statements.
Gen Shikapwasha was reacting to recent comments by Mr Sata who was quoted by Reuters that should he be elected to the presidency, he would reverse the sale of Zamtel.
Gen Shikapwasha said the decision to sell the company was done after consultations and was aimed at saving the company from total collapse.
“We are concerned that Mr Sata has continued to issue statements that can scare away the would-be investors for Zamtel because the decision as Government is that it has been done in good faith,” he said.
If the Government did not want to be transparent in the sale of Zamtel, it would not have called for tenders, and wondered why Mr Sata was objecting to the sale.
The minister said the PF leader should find better ways of selling his party other than taking a confrontational stance of condemning and attacking the Government in power.
Zambians should be wary of such leaders who were ready to bring to a halt development programmes put in place to better the lives of people just to get to State House.
“The threats over Zamtel sale is mere politicking and this shows how Mr Sata is trying to win political support using Zamtel. Sadly this is being done at the expense of development,” he said.
Recently, Reuters quoted Mr Sata as having said that he would renationalise Zamtel, if elected as president in 2011, because the decision to privatise the company was not in the best interest of the country.
Mr Sata said the sale of Zamtel was unacceptable because, apart from it being a strategic organisation, the new majority owners were likely to close the rural branches and concentrate on urban areas.
“Those bidding for Zamtel are doing so at owner’s risk. The PF in government will reverse the decision to privatise Zamtel. Even if it is sold, we will renationalise it,” Mr Sata said.
MrKasonde wondered what solution Mr Sata would have for Zamtel if he blocked the sale.
Mr Kasonde said Mr Sata should not make statements that he knew would not have solutions for the company that was heavily indebted.
Mr Imakando, who also voiced the same sentiments, said people opposed to the sale of Zamtel should avoid making statements that may affect investor confidence which the country had enjoyed.
An independent economic analyst, Oliver Saasa said renationalising Zamtel would scare away other investors and was not in the best interest of the country because the sale was legally binding.
India’s Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited, Angola’s Unitel and Libya’s LAP Green Networks on Wednesday last week submitted bids to acquire between 51 and 75 per cent of the stake in Zamtel.
