Sources in Lusaka have told the Times of Zambia that authorities have frozen Zamtel accounts pending money laundering investigations as a result of the transaction between the former MMD Government and LAP Green of Libya.
And Information, Broadcasting and Tourism Minister Fackson Shamenda has said that security wings had the right to freeze any bank account in the country.
Mr Shamenda, who is Chief Government spokesperson, said the investigative wings could freeze any bank accounts if it was discovered that there were suspected irregularities.
“Government does not go round freezing bank accounts but if law enforcement officers have suspected an anomally, they have a right to freeze any account,” he said.
He said operations of Zamtel and welfare of employees would not be affected and the Government had done transparently everything pertaining to the sale of Zamtel in the best interest of the nation.
Mr Shamenda urged Zambians to desist from speculation but verify alreports regarding the Zamtel sale following the release of the report
by the commission of inquiry.
“In as far as there is freedom to access and disseminate information strongly feel that people should verify this information with their sources first,” Mr Shamenda said.
And National Union of Communications and Allied Workers of Zambia (NUCAW) president Patrick Kaonga, said it was common knowledge that the Zamtel accounts were frozen because the company’s staff could not deposit any revenue into the accounts.
“Yes, in terms of being aware about the Zamtel accounts, it is common knowledge because when staff go to deposit money at banks, they are told that they can’t make any transactions,” he said.
Mr Kaonga, however, said Zamtel management had not issued any official correspondence regarding the freezing of the company’s accounts by the Government.
Asked for how long Zamtel staff had not been able to make deposit, he said, they learnt about it on Thursday when employees who went to make deposits were told they could not do so.
LAP Green Networks, majority owners of Zamtel, also disclosed that Zambian authorities had frozen all their bank accounts as part of investigations into the alleged irregular sale of the Zambian telecommunications company.
In an e-mail response to a Reuters query yesterday, Lap Green denied any wrongdoing saying: “The authorities have no reasonable grounds whatsoever to believe that the moneys in the seized accounts and any other Zamtel accounts are from the proceeds of criminal activity.”
The response further states that the authorities had seized bank accounts belonging to Zamtel in connection with allegations of money laundering, “which are utterly false”.
LAP Green maintained that Zamtel’s accounts only contained monies that directly related to its activities as a communications service provider in Zambia.
The statement said Zamtel was engaging relevant authorities in an effort to have its accounts unblocked.
“We are also currently working on avenues for the amicable resolution of matters. We have also taken measures to ensure services to Zamtel’s clients are not affected,” the statement further reads.
The response also states that aside from anything else, the Zambian Government remained a shareholder in Zamtel and had representation on the board of directors who had access to and knowledge of the company’s accounts.
LAP Green said Zamtel’s accounts were audited every quarter and the Government was aware and knew the result of the audit reports, which made it clear that there was and had been no wrongdoing.
[Times of Zambia]
Most likely for the first time, the complainant, the judge and the jury is the executive in this case and we are all expected to believe that it is not necessary to follow due process. It is a precedent set and will most likely be applied when the Chief Constable is no more (God forbid) or PF serves their only one term in office. Most likely there will be a new force based on youth, and this will not be HH or Chipimo yahoooooooooo!
I smell a rat. Someone may have received a kick back from Libya through Zamtel bank account after freely giving the company to Libya.
E110 ba Shamenda security wings have a ‘duty’ not a ‘right’ to freezeaccounts when investigating, okey?
The Zamtel issue has been handled in the most barbaric way possible, I wouldnt be surprised if PF govt get classed as the most ‘inept govt ever to run a country’ by the guiness world record.
stu,pid full, duty or right we dont care as long as they correct errors
ITS LIKE THE SOURCES REVEALED A LOT OF INFORMATION. WAITING FOR A PUBLIC RESPONSE FROM LAP GREEN.
problem,typical of zambians.there faces have been covered with wool and their brains rinsed with anti reasoning chemicals.this exercise has got nothing to do with the illegal purchase of zamtel,it`s the people who want to grab zamtel who are pulling the strings.any reasoning goverment will understand the consequencies of the PF way of trying to take over zamtel but it`s not sata, it`s the greedy forces behind him.sata is just the exercutioner
Number 5, greedy forces? You don’t mean Zamtel will be used to compensate those whose companies were closed in the last few years? We have already done a similar thing for Finance Bank haven’t we?
We have too many people who are agents of PF to post comments on e-news sites. some of them get so personal, not forgetting, insulting
Reverse the sale. Period!
The people support GRZ stance….this is what happens when you sale to a rogue outfit like Lapgreen… next time choose wisely!!
LAP GREEN only exists in Zambia. It died together with its master Gaddhafi.
Having heard the borderline racist spout against so called sub Saharan African countries considered to be in bed with former Libyan leader in a statement made by then incoming former ‘rebel’ spokesperson… personally feel lack of interest in doing business with those who figure they are not African :) Mind you no particular country mentioned but they clearly felt their money was being ‘stolen’ by said governments and made it clear how they would be pursuing corruption. We have sinced changed leaders so it is in our national interest to do what is best for us and that might be unpalatable to one viewpoint or the other but nevertheless is a stance. Whether I agree or not I wish them the best outcome and amicable resolution to the benefit of Zed.
Bustards,why tell us to comment on Lapgreen report when Finance Bank was repossed on fast track without the public reading the report.Iwe shamenda just cut the beards it looks like its confusing you.Cycle Mata should not use people as scapegoats or waste time to allow people to comment on issues which he has already predetermined.Lesa nimalyotela.
by the time GVT reverses the sale, Zamtel will be remaining with 200 thousand subscribers… donchi kudabwa …you were warned
LAPGREEN should just pack up and leave. You can’t operate in Zambia under the current political climate. You can’t reason with Sata. Well, the international community is watching and now are being very careful about bringing in any investment into the country. Already some reports coming through international investor media are issuing investor warning about Zambia and we have dropped to even below Zimbabwe. A government of monkeys… Zambia is slowly going back to 40 years ago. Surprisingly, people are finding govt behaviour on Zamtel amusing and funny and are busy grinning with big wide teeth right now because hunger hasn’t yet started biting. Give it another 12 months. THere are serious long-term consequences still coming… watch this space..
I think to do such a thing at a time when there are global economic concerns is totally unwise. Zambians will one day regret this recklessness form their government. They are the ones to pay the price.