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ZRA records K573.9 billion deficit

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ZRA Commissioner General Christicles Mwansa
ZRA Commissioner General Christicles Mwansa

The Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) has recorded a deficit of K573.9 billion below target in revenue collected between January and September this year.

ZRA Commissioner General Chriticles Mwansa said the tax revenue out-turn largely due to on account of poor performance in trade taxes adding that this was lower than the projected revenue collection in terms of trade taxes

He said in the period under review ZRA collected K8, 717.5 billion in gross taxes while the refunds stood at K1, 644.9 billion, net tax gobbled K7, 072.6 billion against a target of K7, 646.5 billion.

Mr. Mwansa said this in Lusaka today in a speech read on his behalf by ZRA Commissioner for Domestic Taxes, Wisdom Nhekairo.

The Commissioner-Gen. noted that the world financial crisis contributed to the rapid depreciation of the local currency the Kwacha against other major currencies during the first quarter of the year which resulted to slowdown in cost importation in economic activities in the country.

Mr Mwansa said in a bid to mitigate the impact of the global financial crises on trade taxes, the Authority set up measures that increased audits of the Taxpayers’ accounts in different key sectors of the economy.

He explained that the audits enabled Authority to improve revenue collections from inland taxes, a situation that is more dependable and sustainable for the nation.

The however discloses that the Authority has embarked on vigorous mining audits to ensure that they maximize revenues including taxpayers’ accounts in different sectors of the economy.

The Commissioner General added that these audits are aimed at verifying the compliance with the tax regime and validating the cost structure of these sectors that are being audited.

Mr Mwansa said the Authority commenced its pilot audits in February this year for three major mining houses in Zambia with a technical assistance of the Norwegian government.

He added that the last phase of these audits commenced last week and it is expected to be completed by the end of November this year.

The mining companies being audited are Mopani Copper Mine, Konkola Copper Mine (KCM) and Kansanshi Copper Mine respectively.

The Commissioner however, said during the review period ZRA intensified audits for small scale mining companies involved in gemstones, quarrying and those dealing in base metals to ensure comply with payment of mineral royalty.

ZANIS

Faz, North Korea FA Discuss Nov 21 Friendly Date

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Faz and the North Korean Football Association are still putting final touches to their proposed friendly international scheduled for November 21 in Lusaka.

According to a Faz statement released today, Football House are still in talks with 2010 World Cup finalists North Korea.

Zambia will be the second African nation North Korea will play this year after facing Congo-Brazzaville earlier this month on October 13 in Le Mans, France.

Congo-Brazzaville and North Korea finished 0-0 in that friendly match.

Meanwhile, Zanaco are Roan United’s delayed Barclays Cup quarterfinal match is scheduled to be played on November 4.

Power Dynamos, Green Buffaloes and Choma Eagles are already through to the semifinals to be played on November 7 after wins over Zesco United, National Assembly and Nkana respectively.

Faz said in a statement that the match will be played as earlier scheduled at Trade Fair Grounds in Ndola.

The match was postponed because Zanaco has six players with Zambia at the Cosafa Senior Challenge Cup in Zimbabwe.

Zambia face 2008 Cosafa Senior Challenge Cup runners-up Mozambique in the semifinals tomorrow in Bulawayo for a place in Sundays final at Rufaro Stadium in Harare.

The match will be Zambia’s 11th against Mozambique who are one of the few sides yet to beat the former.

Winner of Thursdays match will face hosts Zimbabwe in the final after they beat 2008 Cosafa Senior Challenge Cup champions South Africa 3-2 on post-match penalties after a 1-1 draw at full-time.

Updated: Nkana Lose Again

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It moved from bad to worse for Nkana today when they suffered an embarrassing home defeat to struggling Luanshya United in a delayed week 30 match played in Kitwe.

Luanshya thumped Nkana 3-0 to see the promotion chasing side stay put in 2nd place on the Faz Division 1 North table and four points behind leaders Nchanga Rangers.

A first half brace from Enock Chipo and a third goal in the scond half scored by Kunda Mulenga handed Luanshya their first win over Nkana this season after earlier losing 2-1 to the Kitwe side in the first half of the season.

Nkana’s defeat was their second successive competitive loss in a space of five days after Choma Eagles beat them 8-7 on post-match penalties in the Barclays Cup quarterfinals on Saturday at Woodlands Stadium following a 1-1 draw at full time.

Luanshya’s victory does little for them at the opposite end of the table for Zambia’s oldest surviving club who remain second from bottom of the log in their first season back in Division 1 North.

Meanwhile across town at Buchi Stadium, Mufulira Wanderers replaced Muchindu in third place they beat Mining Rangers 2-0.

Geoffrey Simwiinga and Moses Kashimoto scored a goal each in the first and second half respectively.

[standings league_id=2 template=extend logo=false]

Chinese school opened in Lusaka

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Government says education is the best tool to fight and eradicate poverty in the country.

And Government acknowledges that culture exchange programmes between countries can help to improve and accelerate national development.

Education Minister Dora Siliya pointed out that Zambia can benefit a lot from China noting that the Chinese government has a lot to teach the world in terms of culture and business ventures.

Ms Siliya was speaking in Lusaka today when she officially opened the Chinese International School in Zambia.

Ms Siliya said her ministry intends to have exchange programmes with China aimed at improving the standards of education between the two countries.

She disclosed that there are currently 15 Chinese nationals who are students pursing their studies at the University of Zambia (UNZA) under the exchange programme.

She further disclosed that Zambia will soon be sending students to China on the same programme to pursue their studies in that country.

And speaking earlier, Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Li Qiang Min said the school is going to offer studies of international standards that will be taught to Zambians.

Mr. Li said the school will benefit both Chinese businessmen and Zambian students.

He stated that the decision by his government to open a learning institution in Zambia is a symbol of the good bilateral relationship that exits between the two countries.

Mr. Li assured that the institution will greatly contribute to Zambia’s economic development including the support of other stakeholders.

ZANIS

First Lady Thandiwe Banda installed as GGAZ patron

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First Lady Thandiwe Banda was today installed and badged as Patron of the Girl Guide Association of Zambia (GGAZ).

And the First Lady has promised to take the girls movement to greater heights by upholding the values attached to the principles of Girl Guide.

Mrs Banda in her acceptance speech commended GGAZ for shaping the young girls and women to become responsible citizens through the provision of non-formal education programmes.

She said the time to for girls to take up their rightful positions in society was now to grow into responsible adults.

She said the movement has focused on the importance of protecting and safeguarding the rights and responsibilities of girls and young women noting that girl education ranks among the most powerful tools for reducing vices that contribute to becoming vulnerable to HIV/AIDS and poverty.

Other past Patrons of the GGAZ are Mama Betty Kaunda, former First Lady Vera Chiluba, and immediate former First Lady Maureen Mwanawasa.

And speaking earlier, GGAZ Chief Commissioner Janet Sitali pledged her organization’s commitment to bringing the First Lady on board so that she can be a role model to the girls and young women.

Mrs. Sitali said the movement has a total of 23, 662 direct and indirect active members who promote Girl Guide development in the country.

And Youth, Sport and Child Development Permanent Secretary Susan Sikaneta disclosed that her ministry will consider increasing budgetary allocation to the activities of Girl Guide through monthly grants.

Ms Sikaneta retaliated government’s commitment to supporting and developing youth programmes for young people.

And passing a vote of thanks, a Girl Guide Ranger Sylvia Chivunda said the movement is proud that the association is spearheaded by the First Lady.

Sylvia commended government for being an all weather friend of youth development programmes and challenged her fellow young people to rise to the occasion and realize their full potential

ZANIS

DEC Arrests senior passport officer

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The Drug Enforcement Commission has arrested a Provincial Registrar at the Passport Office in Kabwe for Money Laundering involving over one hundred million kwacha.

Commission Public Relations and Press Liaison Officer John Nyawali confirmed the arrest to ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today.

Mr. Nyawali said Mr. Kennedy Chisumpa, 39, was arrested together with Brian Chanshi, a cashier at the Passport Office in Kabwe for laundering a total of K144, 000.000.

He said the duo diverted receipt books meant for the issuance of National Registration Cards in Lufwanyama District and later issued them to the public as receipts for the acquisition of new passports.

Mr. Nyawali said the revenue raised was not banked in the government revenue account but was used for personal gain.

He said the two have been released on bond and will appear in court soon.

Mr. Nyawali said the Commission is warning public officers who are in the habit of abusing public funds that the law would catch up with them.

ZANIS

UPND expels Chizyuka

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United Party for National Development -UPND- Namwala Member of Parliament ROBBIE CHIZYUKA has been expelled from the party.

The Party says Major CHIZYUKA has failed to exculpate himself against the charges leveled against him for being against the UPND Pact with the PF.

UPND Spokesperson CHARLES KAKOMA told a media briefing that the Speaker of the National Assembly has been notified of the development and has been requested to declare the seat vacant.

When contacted for a comment Major CHIZYUKA said he is consulting his lawyers on the next course of action.

[ZNBC]

ZRA collects billions in taxes

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The Zambia Revenue Authority-ZRA has collected over eight hundred billion kwacha in taxes from January to September this year.

ZRA commissioner general CHRITICLES MWANSA says the organisation has however recorded a deficit of five hundred and fifty three billion kwacha in the past nine months.

He attributed this to poor perfomance of trade taxes.

Mr MWANSA said the rapid depreciation of the kwacha against major currencies at the beginning of the year made the cost of importing goods very high and impossible.

He said the commission is however confident of meeting the tax targets despite many set backs experienced due to the economic down turn.

Mr MWANSA said this in a statement presented by Commissioner for domestic taxes WISDOM NHEKAIRO at a media briefing in Lusaka today.

Meanwhile ZRA has collected over one hundred and sixty billion Kwacha in mineral royalties over the past nine months beating the set target of one hundred and fourteen billion kwacha.

Mr MWANSA said ZRA has also embarked on a pilot audit report for three major mining companies in the country as part of its means of strengthening tax collections.

He said this will also include small scale mining companies so that all firms dealing in mineral exports pay taxes to government.

[ZNBC]

UPND/PF Pact adopt candidate for Solwezi central seat

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Given Lubinda
Given Lubinda

The United Party for National Development (UPND) and the Patriotic Front (PF) Pact have adopted Watson Lumba as their candidate for the Solwezi Central Parliamentary by-elections.

Speaking at a PF/ UPND press briefing in Lusaka toady, PF spokesperson Given Lubinda said Mr. Lumba will stand on the UPND ticket.

Mr. Lubinda said Mr Lumba has been an active politician in Solwezi and chairman of the government contracts committee in the National Management Committee (NMC) of the UPND.

He the pact is confident that the pact will scoop the seat in Solwezi because the pact is becoming sharper and clearer.

Mr. Lubinda has since called on the electorate in Solwezi Central Constituency to vote for Mr. Lumba.

The seat fell vacant after the death of Solwezi MMD area Member of Parliament (MP) Ben Tetamashimba and the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has set November 19th 2009 as the date of elections.

Speaking earlier UPND Chairperson for Information and Publicity Charles Kakoma announced that the party yesterday expelled Namwala Member of Parliament (MP) Major Robbie Chizyuka.

Mr. Kakoma said the expulsion comes as a result of Mr. Chizyuka’s gross misconduct which has caused discontent and despondency in the pact.

He explained that the party has since written to Mr. Chizyuka’s lawyers who have since responded on the matter.

Mr. Kakoma further explained that the Speaker of the National Assembly has also been informed and advised to declare the Namwala constituency seat vacant.

He further said the Southern Province MMD have welcomed the move to expel the area MP.

ZANIS

High lending rates worry President Banda

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President RUPIAH BANDA has expressed concern over the high lending rates that banks charge on loans.
President BANDA said the high lending rates would only discourage Zambians from accessing financial services from Banks.
The President said this when he officially commissioned the First National Bank- FNB in Lusaka.
The President also urged FNB to extend its services to rural areas.
He said by doing so the Bank would help mobilise savings from the rural population who depend on agriculture.
Mr BANDA also advised the Bank to design products that are friendly for SME’s.

President BANDA said the SME sector is critical to Zambia’s economic growth and employment creation.
South African Ambassador to Zambia, Moses Chikane disclosed that South African Investment in Zambia now stands at 400 million dollars.
He said FNB’s entry in Zambian financial sector should help address the problem of access to financial services.
FNB South Africa, Chief Executive Officer Michael Jordan said the bank plans to expand its operations throughout Africa.
He said the bank would soon start operating in Angola, Tanzania and Nigeria.
Mr Jordan said the bank wants set up branches in all the nine provinces of Zambia.
FNB has invested about 75 millions dollars in the country.
It becomes the 16 commercial bank operating in Zambia and the fifth to open doors this year alone.
[ZNBC]

Petrol shortage rock Chadiza

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Petrol shortage has continued to rock Chadiza District when supply of the commodity has normalised in other parts of the country.

The commodity ran out last Wednesday, five days after a 7000 litres of the commodity was offloaded in the District.

A check at SGC filling Station, the only Service Station in the District revealed that only Diesel and Paraffin were being sold.

Workers spoken to at the Filling Station said Diesel was also likely to run out soon as only 2600 litres was in stock.

And when contacted Station Manager Musa Nanda said he had made an order of 7,000 liters of Petrol and Diesel each.

Mr Nanda could, however, not state when the Filling Station would receive the commodity.

He said indications from his superiors were that frantic efforts were being made to source the fuel so that motorists in Chadiza could be serviced.

Some vendors who have taken advantage of the situation are selling a two litre container at K25, 000.

[ZANIS]

MMD councilor Kanema scoops Mwinilunga district council hot seat

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The Movement for Multi Party Democracy (MMD) Mukangala ward councilor Francis Kanema has scooped the council chairmanship through votes casted in Mwinilunga district.

The seat was tightly contested between MMD councilor Kanema and UPND Mulumbi ward councilor William Mukangla, both councilors failed to beat each through the ballot.

The first round of voting both MMD and UPND councilors scored 12 votes each out of the 24 votes casted, second round the councilor still failed to beat each other as they scored 12 votes each.

The full council went for the third round of voting; still a deadlock could not be reached as the two candidates scored 12 votes each from the 24 votes cast.

A lot was used to decide the winner of the position of the council chairperson, through a lot Councilor Kanema managed to beat his reveal councilor Mukangala

And addressing the full council shortly after being declared a winner by the electoral officer Munganga Shadrick , Councilor Kanema assured the both MMD and UPND councilors that he would work towards improving the operations of the council.

He said wining through a lot was a bad sign, hence the need to improve the operations of the council.

Chairperson noted that the poor performance of the council has attributed to some councilors from the MMD to vote for UPND.He stressed that his office remains open to the councilors despite their political affiliation.

Meanwhile the position of vice chairperson went to MMD IKelenge ward councilor Eriton Kabola who went an opposed.

[ZANIS]

Keep PF-UPND pact talk outside chambers, Speaker tells MPs

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SPEAKER of the National Assembly Amusaa Mwanamwambwa yesterday warned members of the Patriotic Front (PF) and the United Party for National Development (UPND) to desist from referring the electoral pact when in Parliament.

Mr Mwanamwambwa said the electorate voted for the MPs based on their respective political parties and not the pact and as such, the members should avoid talking about it.

The speaker said this after Chinsali MP Christopher Mulenga (PF), during the debate on the 2010 national Budget said he was happy that the pact had a new member named Geoffrey Mwamba of PF.

“Be mindful of what the constitution states, you are in this House through a political party process or independent. If you constantly bring in things that are not in the provisions of the constitution, you are confusing the voters,” Mr Mwanamwambwa said.

“The voters want to know if you belong to the UPND, PF or MMD. Nobody will stop you from talking about the pact outside the chambers,” Mr Mwanamwambwa said.

Contributing to the debate on the 2010 Budget, Moomba MP Vitalis Mooya (UPND) said the construction industry in the nation was not growing as fast as it should because Government-funded projects were taking long to complete thereby increasing costs.

Mr Mooya said for instance, the construction of the Dag Hammarskjold Stadium in Ndola was much lower in the 1980s but because of the delays, the total cost was in 2009 estimated at more than K 300 billion.

According to the world economic report on construction, Zambia was ranked 125 out of the 129 countries surveyed.

Chilanga MP Ng’andu Magande (MMD) said as much as he supported the Budget, he was not comfortable that it did not highlight the activities that would be undertaken during the year.

It was important that the Government was transparent, accountable and adhered to the tenets of good governance so that donors could continue assisting in the development projects.

“If rules and laws are not followed to the letter, that is corruption. Reduction in donor aid could have been avoided if we are perceived to be a country that is seen to be fighting corruption,” Mr. Magande said.

Finance and National Planning Deputy Minister, Chilesehe Kapwepwe told the House that the daily revenue collection by the Zambia Revenue Authority at Nakonde border post for the period 2005 was K829.1 million, in 2006, K 801.0 million, in 2007, K 1,375.7 million and in 2008 it was K1, 507.9 million.

She said this in response to a question by Chinsali Central MP Christopher Mulenga (PF) who wanted to know how much was collected at the border post on a daily basis in the said years.

Mr Mulenga also wanted to know how much revenue was collected at the same border post from 2005 to 2008 year by year.

[Times of Zambia]

Copperbelt to have a World-class shopping complex

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OVER US$2 billion is to be invested in a shopping mall and hotel next to the Kitwe- Chingola Road, making it the biggest investment recorded in the province.

And Government has signed a US$215 million investment promotion and protection agreements (IPPA) to facilitate the expansion and refurbishment of Manda Hill shopping mall in Lusaka and construction of a modern mall on the Kitwe-Chingola Road.

The IPPA provides various structures of incentives that Government will grant the investors.

Speaking at the signing ceremony in Lusaka, Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister Felix Mutati said Government will support and facilitate all investments in Zambia.

Mr Mutati said the structure of incentives to be provided under the signed IPPA include zero-rating value added tax during construction, facilitation of work permits and removal of withholding tax on remittance.

Other incentives include duty-free imports of building materials into Zambia, and developers will be allowed to recover 100 per cent of the establishment cost.

Mr Mutati said Government will continue to maintain a friendly macro environment, reduce inflation and the cost of doing business in Zambia.

“The construction of a new mall on the Copperbelt, and expansion works at Manda Hill mall will create jobs for the locals,” he said.

He said Government is happy with the infrastructure support along the Chingola-Kitwe Road, opposite the Chambishi Multi-Facility Economic Zone.

He said investments in the Chambishi zone is projected at about US$1 billion, while the new mall will gobble US$160 million. The works at Manda Hill will cost US$80 million.

He said Government will soon tender the Kitwe-Chingola Road for the construction of a dual carriage way.

“In excess of US$ 2 billion will be invested in the area, which will be the highest investment in Zambia. Construction works at Levy junction in Lusaka has started and we hope to create more jobs for our people from these developments,” he said.

And speaking at the same function, HBW group (developers of Manda Hill) executive director Gareth Poole said the project involves construction of additional shopping and other commercial facilitates at the complex.

Mr Gareth said once Manda Hill is expanded and refurbished, it will be the best mall in Zambia with international standards.

He said trading at the newly-constructed Mr Price store will start next month while the new parking slot will be completed in December.

He said all construction works at the mall will be completed next month.

Phoenix Materials managing director Phesto Musonda said the project on the Copperbelt is set to develop an integrated upmarket shopping centre, commercial office park, a 210-room hotel, casino and conference centre.

Mr Musonda said TGP Properties Limited is a joint venture between a Zambian company called Phoenix Materials and HBW Group of South Africa.

He said the two investors plan to develop the Copperbelt City by building infrastructure next to the Kitwe-Chingola Road, a project expected to create 1,000 jobs.

And Zambia Development Agency board chairman Luke Mbewe said the agency does not have any problem concerning the approval of the two investments, which will create additional jobs on the Copperbelt and in Lusaka, once completed.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

Traditional ceremonies vehicles for HIV/AIDS transmission – report

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High risk behavior during public gatherings such as the lukwakwas, Mbundas-Liyoyelo and Chivweka traditional ceremonies is among five major factors leading to high levels of HIV transmission in Kabompo district.

This was contained in a District AIDS Task force (DATF) second quarter report made available to ZANIS in Kabompo today.

The report said that rural health facilities involved in the treatment of sexually transmitted diseases had revealed the presence of such disease at high levels in age groups 15 to 49 years especially in communities along the main road in the St. kalemba mission hospital.

The report said that Kabompo district with the population of 99,711 has estimated adult HIV prevalence rate of 6.1 per cent.

The report cited low status of women, unemployment, poverty and low use of condoms in the district as the other four major factors for increasing HIV Transmission in the district.

The report said that there had been an increase in the number of traders from the neighboring countries in search of caterpillars and groundnuts in Kabompo district this year as another factor for the increase in HIV transmission..

To mitigate the situation, the report said, 1,161 information, education and communication mistrials and 2,927 male condoms were distributed during the quarter of the year.

The report went on to say that 1,314 males and 733 females were tested for HIV from which 34 males and 48 females were found HIV positive.
The report said that 11 males and 39 females were with advanced HIV infection and put on ARV therapy and 103 males and 179 females were also provided with palliative care while 1,127 male and 1,151 female orphans and vulnerable children received care and support from community based organizations and non-governmental organizations.
[ZANIS]

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