Unions (ZCTU) General Secretary Roy Mwaba
Dangote Industries Zambia Limited (“DIZ”) today welcomed reports that the Minister of Labour and Social Services, Honourable Fackson Shamenda had finally reported the allegations of enticement levied against one of its employees, to the Anti Corruption Commission, which is the rightful body to investigate all alleged acts of corruption in the Republic of Zambia.
Dangote Chief Executive for East and Southern Africa, Mr. Albert Corcos said through DIZ’s lawyers, Theotis, Mataka and Sampa Legal Practitioners: “We reserve our rights on this matter and remain resolute in denying that the incident that resulted in these malicious accusations took place as alleged by the Honourable Minister.”
Dangote is one of the most diversified conglomerates in Africa with a hard earned reputation of excellent business practice and products. We cannot allow these mischievous reports to tarnish our reputation and good standing in Zambia and indeed on the continent.”
Corcos stressed that Dangote has the strongest support for the investigative process and is fully committed to co-operate with the Anti Corruption Commission. As and when the Anti Corruption Commission requests, Dangote Industries Zambia Limited will make all the relevant individuals named available for questioning and are also willing to provide documented information to prove the malicious intent to bring Dangote into disrepute.
Corcos further stated that DIZ would not be deterred and remained firmly committed to working with the Government of the Republic of Zambia to deliver on its commitment to complete the cement plant in which DIZ has invested over US$400 million.
“We fully appreciate the benefits that will accrue to Zambia, including employment opportunities, diversification of the economy beyond mineral resources such as copper and the broader infrastructure investment from our operating activities in Ndola. Furthermore, as a responsible corporate partner we are committed to helping to stabilize the price of cement, enabling the industry to grow.”
DIZ is a partner of the Zambian Government, in-line with the Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement entered into in December 2010. DIZ anticipates that it will commission the cement plant in November 2014 consequently, transforming the sector.
DIZ is a subsidiary of Dangote Cement Plc, the largest listed company on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, with market capitalization of over $24 billion. Dangote Cement Plc has operations in several African countries, employs over 8,000 people and operates within the highest corporate and ethical standards.
Shame on us Zambians we can’t even produce and manage cement on our own instead a Nigerian is doing that for us! Shame ! while we are busy worrying about our sleeping president,Kabimba etc Nigerians,Chinese and South africans are making money in our backyards
This is a country of jokers my friend. Even the type of investors we go for will tell you a story. You go and pick white South Africans (sworn racists) who were involved in apartheid and you expect them to give you respect and share everything with you??????
I cannot defend Shamenda on any allegations of corruption since the vice is rife in Zambia and starts from the Head of State, Michael Sata (We have seen the USD Finance bank acc). However, reading this story, including Dangotes response, I am inclined to believe and support Mr Shamenda.
There is absolutely no benefit to him in making such a claim publicly but every reason for Dangote to attempt to bribe him. Dangote is reported to have said that Shamenda has been “breathing” down their necks, to improve conditions, for some time now and referred to this as “Harassment”. It is plausible that they believed a bribe would shut him up but it has clearly back fired.
As Zambians we need to rally behind our ministers when they satnd up for us and Shamenda appears to have done so in this…
Shamenda wanted alot of money so that he can also plant some of it like Liato. (Enzo funa nazo shanga).
@Maharaji & Ghandi..
…guys even if you have received thumbs up, I don’t appreciate some-one demeaning Zambians like that…..even if u survey around people running the economy in most of so called developed countries are not the indigenous at all…say in the UK…Indians are the Land Rover Motor co. Chelsea club, Man U, the Scottish oil etc..many examples…the Chinese are constructing nuclear power station..
….your reasoning is out of context to say the least… The only part I would concede is the inability to formulate a win win deals with the so called investors..Those who are appointed to draw up contracts on our behalf seem not to have interest of Zambians but their pockets…as a result most if not all deals are in favour of investors…numerous examples
This Shamenda guy has finally reported to ACC after being shamed by Dangote management for his numerous, unwanted and unannounced trips to the firm. It will be interesting to see that inviting an undernourished Zambian for dinner amounts to corruption after this investigation.
Investors-investment, investment-investors; to day investor this, tomorrow investor that, God help us; are we ever going to have peace of mind in this country about these so called investors????? I will soon form a political party called CHASE THE INVESTOR POPULAR PARTY (CIPP) and when i come into power in 2016, you know what it means. Robert Bob Mugabe (who is my role model) will be the consultant…By the way, Hon. Shamenda, i am told we have a lot of issues with these Boars you have brought in the country to run lodges( abusive language, racism, low salaries etc) am employing you to start looking at this issue also before i come into power..
That’s a good party and mandate. When are you filing and recruiting!!
Rather than argue the corruption allegation, they go on extolling themselves about the size of investment. Are they trying to divert attention from the real case. Yes they will employ hundreds but they will also make millions of dollars through those employees.
Shamenda should be commended by all for setting a good precedence by refusing corruption. long live PF!
uku shipula pa zed!!! The chap should be locked up not commended – he should have reported immediately after, rather than wait for the chap to leave zed, he has only reported becoz he is now found wanting by the law, for not reporting!!
Interesting turn of invents. The Minister has been forced to report the corruption case to authorities which he, by his own confession, had wanted resolved amicably; whatever than means. Next time he will definitely keep quite as this issue will keep him busy up and down to court as a key and only witness.
Dangote, the fight is actually between Zambia portland cement and Dangote cement. shamenda is on the side of Dangote. why u shamenda has it taken the pressure of the pipo to report the case? you shamenda you want investors but see how you are dealing with them? shamenda , what is your main aim in this issue? amalemu echilya navimbombo viwili; vintu viza ululika, basopo!!!!!!!!!!!!
i meant shamenda is on the side of ZPC
Sometimes its important to analysis issue before blowing out trumpet without proper evidence. I personally see nothing wrong in buying shamenda dinner especially that he bought that same man some drink.( should we call it corruption also).
You people, what is your problem? Shamenda has text messages with him. Do you know why he did not delete them? It is because it would be evidence just in case.
NOW AMENDA HAS DISTURBED THE HONET AND THE BEES ARE ALL OVER HIM.
We should chase investor wrong doing. We want some revenue for our economy. You see, if any of the parties in Zambia were advocating chasing investors like this; we’d all vote for them! There is a conspiracy between our gov’t and investors to rob us of the value of our resources (feels like it). What does the gov’t of Zambia do these days? Build Housing, Roads, Mining….Chinese(whom we welcome).
The worst is all this consultation nonsense. I reckon that is just a way if siphoning money abroad. The opposition is silent because they want to do the same when in power, otherwise they would be telling us how they are mandating this problem to counter the government.
But Zambians are dull. Dangote Cement will cause problems for Lafarge and Zambezi Portland which is owned by Rajan Mahtani (for now). Shamenda was obviously paid by corrupt Mahtani so he has everything to gain by scandalising their name. I can never trust a PF politician who could have easily summoned DIZ and privately discussed the matter but chose to make screaming headlines.
Shamenda will be bruised. Even if what he said is true, there is no way GRZ will side with him against the richest most powerful man in Africa who can pay every cabinet minister a million Dollars and without it registering on his financial radar. Now that it is with ACC, Shamenda’s dirty laundry will end up in the public domain.
If the matter has now been reported to ACC there is now no need for Dangote to exonerate itself in the media. The ACc is coming and possibly the courts of law. In zambia we know that you are innocent until proven guilty. Dangote should not be labouring the point that we all know. Let the relevant authorities do their work and then we take it from there. We do not know what information/evidence Shamenda has.
Dangonte is useless,look at how he is treating the local people and man power.Their are alot of us zambian who can run that plan, but he brings in indians for what?Ask nigerians who this company is fairing on the nigerian market.
Shamenda should have taken the money so he could have bought shaving blades.Period!
Is inviting you for Dinner a bribe? that is news to me
I don’t know about the rest of you guys, but iyi nkhani yamba ku mvesa ko ulesi mwe…..
Can Dangote just start operations so that people can start doing work and getting paid….!?!?!!!
People of Lusakatimes, especially those abroad, take it from someone who has worked with this firm in Ndola, bribery has been their modus operandi. You refuse to dance to their song they offer you a bribe. You refuse the bribe they frame you…out of nowhere a cop stops you on the road and finds weed in your car or purse. Before you know it, you’re doing time, and ain’t there to hurdle their way. And they’re so cheeky about their operations. I guess it is natural when you’re owned by the richest negroid ever.