President Rupiah Banda this morning left for Mfuwe for a three day working visit.
President Banda left for Mfuwe at 10:00 hours and was seen off at City Airport by several senior government officials.
The President, while in Mfuwe, will also hold meetings with some investors.
President Banda is expected to return to Lusaka immediately after finishing his official business in Mfuwe
The National Restoration Party (NAREP) today launched its manifesto and promised to reduce the number of cabinet ministers from the current 23 to 12 in order to minimize spending on ministers.
Interim President Elias Chipimo Junior says when he forms government he will reduce cabinet ministers to minimize government spending on ministers.
Mr Chipimo said government is spending too much resources on cabinet ministers and their deputies.
He further said that NAREP has a vision of achieving a broader ownership of the economy by giving opportunities to everyone to own and run various industries.
He noted further that ownership of the economy can only be made possible if dependency on mines and imported oil is stopped.
Mr Chipimo said in this vein, if given a chance to form government he would ensure that the country starts to use bio-fuels to create jobs for Zambians who will be forced to go into farming to produce the bio-fuels.
He said that his party’s vision and Manifesto is spelling out how the country will develop using what he called a new philosophy known as “ a just was” which he said is better than capitalism and socialism.
Mr Chipimo said his vision will combine technology with agriculture to transform the rural landscape into an oasis of activity and innovation which he said will turn Zambia into a food basket for the whole continent.
He observed that government has good policies which have not been implemented and he would ensure they are implemented.
Mr. Chipimo however pointed out that the launch of the PF/UPND pact will not shake his party as it has a stronger foundation on which it was founded. He added that his party’s vision was to restore the hope of Zambians.
ZANIS
Lusaka District Commissioner, Krista Kalulu says government is doing everything possible to improve the film industry in the country.
Ms Kalulu says government has hence set aside K5 billion as youth development fund at the Ministry of Community Development which can be accessed by youths to engage in various projects such as film productions.
She noted that the film industry can create employment for youths who are in dare need of jobs.
The DC further said that government will support industries that create jobs for the youth adding that it is government’s desire to ensure that the welfare of youths is taken care of.
She was speaking in an interview at Lusaka’s play house during auditions for a film called “Kawanu movie” which will be produced by Frame works Media and will be shot in the Eastern Province of Zambia.
Ms Kalulu commended Frameworks media for coming up with the initiative which she said would help Zambian youths acquire jobs in the industry and improve their lives.
And Frameworks Media Executive Producer Preston Mwila applauded government for its efforts in re-establishing the art industry which he said has started doing well.
Mr. Mwila said the movie Kawanu, will be launched in the United States and China once it is completed.
He disclosed that some firms in the United State of American have approached him to have the film launched in that country after they saw the script and the message it carries.
He also noted that the auditions have received an overwhelming response from youths who want to be actors in the film.
ZANIS
The Chief Chimese Royal Family of Mansa district has cautioned politicians and the general public to stop politicizing the leaving-out of Chief Chimese of the Ushi people from the government developmental meeting which was recently held in Mansa.
The Royal Family said the Chief was left out of the meeting because he has not yet been recognized and given instruments of power by government.
The Royal Family was reacting to some sectors of society and politicians who are alleging in the media that the sitting-in Chief, Simon Kalaba was left out of the developmental meeting because he belonged to the opposition Patriotic Front (PF).
In a statement to ZANIS, sitting-in Chief Chimese, Kalaba and Philemon Mbola who is also heir to the chieftainship said the throne of chief Chimese is still vacant as there is a case before the courts of law between the sitting in chief and Benson Shapi over succession.
Mr. Kalaba was not invited for the developmental meeting which hosted all traditional leaders in Luapula Province.
The meeting was officiated by second republican President Dr. Frederick Chiluba at Mansa Hotel.
Mr Mbola said it could not have been right for the government to invite Mr. Kalaba because he is not yet confirmed as chief chimese.
He further condemned the claim by the son of the sitting-in Chief, Harry Kalaba that his father was not invited for the meeting because he belongs to the opposition Patriotic Front (PF) as selfish and misleading.
He told ZANIS that there was nothing political concerning the leaving out of Simon Kalaba from the meeting as some members of society and Harry are claiming.
Mr. Mbola said it was unfortunate that Mr Kalaba’s son misinformed the public by claiming that his father was left out of the meeting because he belonged to the opposition PF.
He expressed sadness that the statement has made people to politicize the leaving out of Mr. Kalaba from the convention adding that statement has gravity to stir-up friction in the Royal Family.
ZANIS
Northwestern Province World Vision Zambia Area Manager David Samazaka says his organization is expected to construct 60 VIP latrines in Solwezi’s Musele area in a period of three years to improve sanitation in schools, markets and rural health centers.
Mr. Samazaka in an interview in Solwezi said that World Vision Zambia under its water and sanitation project has so far constructed 20 VIP latrines in Musele area while 20 are expected to be constructed this year and another 20 next year.
He said his organisation’s aim is to provide clean water and sanitation to the community in areas it operates from in line with its area development programme adding that access to clean water and sanitation contributes to the well being of any human being.
Mr. Samazaka said 20 boreholes are also expected to be put up in the same area this year at a cost of K25 million each adding that the works will start as soon as the construction tenders have been approved.
He also disclosed that plans are under way to come up with an automated system of providing pipe water using solar especially in schools, markets and rural health centers.
Mr. Samazaka appealed to the community in Musele area to have a sense of ownership and guard the facilities being put up by World Vision Zambia jealously.
ZANIS
By Elias Munshya wa Munshya
Since 1991, Fred M’membe and his The Post Newspapers have been great custodians of Zambia’s press freedom. In fact, many of the scores that Zambia has attained in the democratic dispensation have been due to the courage of M’membe and his The Post. M’membe’s great work has undoubtedly ruffled many feathers and earned him enemies in high places. Since 1991, he has been a thorn in the flesh of many governments. His activities have led him to perhaps be the most powerful Zambian outside of politics and government. He lives in his own world and commands great power, the power of the pen. But as the old adage goes, “absolute power corrupts absolutely”. This maxim is true at all levels of human endeavour. Absolute power in politics corrupts absolutely and this is true for lawyers, churches, popes as well as the press. In the case of The Post, their commitment to truth and press freedom created lots of power for its Chief Editor M’membe, and this power if left unchecked had the potential to corrupt him absolutely. A great preacher of justice could easily become an evangelist of injustice, and this is what happened to one Fred M’membe.
All of Zambia’s presidents proved to be on match to M’membe. Kaunda tried to finish him but he could not. In the dying days of his presidency, it was The Weekly Post, as it was then, that led a press campaign against Kaunda.
[pullquote] But as the old adage goes, “absolute power corrupts absolutely”. This maxim is true at all levels of human endeavour. Absolute power in politics corrupts absolutely and this is true for lawyers, churches, popes as well as the press.[/pullquote]
During Chiluba’s presidency, Chiluba attempted to incarcerate M’membe but the courts came to his defence and he was acquitted on several occasions. On one occasion, The Post published a comparison between the military capabilities of Zambia and Angola. This obviously displeased Chiluba who swiftly charged M’membe with espionage. The courts promptly dismissed the case and let M’membe free. Additionally, Speaker Nabulyato charged M’membe with a draconian “contempt of parliament.” However, to parliament’s shock the High Court reversed the sentence declaring that Parliament unconstitutionally usurped judicial powers. The Post continued on their crusade against Chiluba, to the extent of fabricating a story that he was born in the Congo. To buttress this argument, The Post found a Mr. Kafupi who claimed to be Chiluba’s father. One of the Post’s edition in fact, carried two pictures one of Kafupi and another of Chiluba, which showed striking resemblances between the two. In a civil case involving Kafupi, the Supreme Court refused to subject Chiluba to a DNA test. It was Chief Justice Ernest Sakala who dissented against the majority and saw no problems with subjecting Chiluba to a DNA test. In spite of this, Chiluba failed to cage M’membe.
When Mwanawasa came to power, it was The Post that published stories of Mwanawasa being a cabbage. As a lesson in humility, Mwanawasa countered that charge and claimed that he, in fact, was a piece of steak. The Post, Edith Nawakwi and Dipak Patel were charged with defamation. The cabbage case was discontinued, however. Furthermore, in one of its editorials, The Post reserved some strong words for Mwanawasa, calling some of his actions stupid. The police quickly pounced on M’membe and remanded him at Kabwata Police. He, however, stood his ground and called for the High Court to strike down the law that criminalized presidential defamation. M’membe claimed that a stupid president should not hide his stupidity behind the cloth of presidential defamation. This case never went to court; it was withdrawn by Mwanawasa. The might of presidential powers were no match to cage M’membe. He was acquiring for himself real power and clout.
However, in the latter presidency of Mwanawasa, The Post made peace with the government and they became Mwanawasa’s greatest defenders. Levy succumbed to them by sanctioning the Nchitoic prosecutions of Chiluba and his lieutenants. The Post’s newly found friendship in Mwanawasa is also demonstrated in that the Managing Editor of the Post, Amos Malupenga, inadvertently became Mwanawasa’s personal biographer. Malupenga’s book, “Levy Patrick Mwanawasa: an incentive for posterity” was in fact born out of The Post’s profile articles of Mwanawasa and his family. During the Nchitoic prosecutions of Fredrick Chiluba and others, The Post upset Magistrate Chinyama, who banned them from his courtroom. At least in that case, The Post escaped without a sentence.
The Post working on its reputation as an invincible defender of press freedom and anti-corruption crusader seized on Banda’s support for Chiluba and quickly cast Banda as a dictator. Banda complained bitterly against M’membe, ironically calling him “morbid and peculiar”. Banda then made a huge mistake; he caused the Police to charge Chansa Kabwela with a pornography case. As the Kabwela case went to court, it was felt by many Zambians that the case had no merit and Kabwela would easily be acquitted. Picking on this, Professor Muna Ndulo an eminent legal academician, wrote an article in The Post where he accurately argued that Kabwela’s case was a comedy of errors. He quoted various authorities of law, both statute and common law, and reached a conclusion that Kabwela had no case to answer for the charges that she was facing. Ndulo’s article appeared at the time of Kabwela’s trial. Magistrate Kafunda, as the trying magistrate had problems with Ndulo’s article in The Post and allowed contempt proceedings to begin in his court. However, Kafunda’s contempt proceedings were stayed by the High Court and Judge Wood, ruled that Kafunda had irregularly commenced contempt charges.
Instead of letting the issue die, the prosecution, decided to commence the contempt proceedings in a regular fashion and brought it before Magistrate Simusamba. Simusamba was perhaps the only match for M’membe who arrogantly argued that the article, though contemptible, was justifiable. [pullquote]
It looks like from this case, we have learnt that while one can get away with insulting the Head of State, the Courts of Law however, are more vicious and would not allow any amount of contempt. [/pullquote] While being cross examined by Lusaka divisional chief prosecutor Mumbuna, M’membe turned the trial into a high school debate contest, mocking Mumbuna as a failure who failed to cross examine him.
Magistrate Simusamba obviously had other ideas about the case. He stood in solidarity with the trying magistrate Kafunda, and found that The Post and M’membe were criminally liable and slapped a custodial sentence on them. It was necessary to send M’membe to jail so as to help him reform. It still remains to be seen however, how and if at all, this particular convict will reform only after four months.
Zambian politicians could not cage M’membe, Kaunda tried but failed. Chiluba also tried and failed. Mwanawasa tried and lamentably failed. Banda has tried too, but failed. It looks like from this case, we have learnt that while one can get away with insulting the Head of State, the Courts of Law however, are more vicious and would not allow any amount of contempt. Contempt is alright only if it is the president you are dealing with, but contempt for court takes you to jail regardless of who you are. And Magistrate Simusamba has taught us that lesson.
Second Republican president Frederick Chiluba has said the launch of the Patriotic Front (PF)/ United Party for National Development (UPND) Pact does not make it relevant to the Zambian people and therefore does not threaten the existence of the MMD Government after the 2011 elections.
Dr Chiluba said in an interview in Ndola yesterday that the PF-UPND Pact was not relevant to the Zambian people as it was working towards removing the MMD Government and not serving the Zambian people.
The pact should be seen to be doing something for the Zambians before citizens took it seriously otherwise it would soon be defunct.
“This pact is part of the statistics in the Zambian politics and nothing more, it is not going anywhere,” Dr Chiluba said.
He said the policies that govern the Pact were retrogressive to the Zambian economy and merely fanned violence unlike the MMD Government that was serving Zambians.
[pullquote]“This pact is part of the statistics in the Zambian politics and nothing more, it is not going anywhere,” Dr Chiluba said.[/pullquote]
Dr Chiluba said one of the leaders of the pact, the leader of the PF Michael Sata opposed progressive political and economic trends that made Zambia a real democratic country.
He said Mr Sata, who was quoted in the media to have invited him to campaign in the upcoming Chifubu Constituency by-elections to test his popularity, should not even bother inviting him because he had already invited himself to campaign in that election.
“I don’t have to tell anyone of how popular I am but the people will tell the story of how popular I am in the Chifubu elections,” Dr Chiluba said.
And Dr Chiluba said the sale of 75 per cent shares of Zamtel by the Zambian Government was commendable and was one of the many efforts by the current Government meant to improve people’s lives and saving jobs.
And the Committee of Citizens has expressed concern over the PF/UPND Pact’s failure to disclose the candidate in next year’s elections saying it should not be taken seriously.
Committee of Citizens president, Gregory Cifire said in a statement yesterday that the pact had not harmonised its programmes, manifestoes and its vision for the people of Zambia.
He said despite the launch of the pact there was also no disclosure of what programmes it has for the people if it was elected into office.
“This is dangerous as the unity between them is held by a very thin thread of naked ambitions to go to state house,” he said.
And Chief Chikanta of the Tonga people in Kalomo has warned that the PF/UPND Pact lacks fundamentals similar to the 2006 failed alliance formed by Hakainde Hichilema and Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) president Edith Nawakwi.
Chief Chikanta said launching the PF/UPND Pact does not resolve the many technical and unresolved issues such as the shared popularity, which cannot easily be transferred to the candidate who would be adopted.
He said there were inherent weaknesses in the pact such as their failure to articulate development issues as they had only concentrated on insulting President Rupiah Banda and his Government.
[Times of Zambia ]
Citizen’s Forum says the conviction of post newspapers editor in Chief is a clear indication that the MMD government is desperate to hold on to power.
Forum Executive Director Simon Kabanda said that those who are not patriotic, the enemies of this country, who are also delight in stripping the country of its resources, people who don’t care about the common good, are now celebrating.
Mr. Kabanda said there have been several schemes, plans and attempts to crush M’membe and The Post adding that just before the last presidential by-election, there were open warnings and signals that The Post newspapers would be crushed soon.
Mr. Kabanda noted that the conviction of Mr. M’membe is a confirmation that they want to humiliate him and the post.
He added that people behind the conviction will never succeed, but have only managed to succeed in one thing and that is to demonstrate how desperate they are in their quest to continue their hold on to power.
Mr. Kabanda has wished Mr. M’membe good health and urged him to pray for people that have sent him to prison saying that they do not know what they are doing.
In an open later to M’membe dated 5 June and made available to QFM, Mr. Kabanda said that in the wake of the conviction over an allegation of contempt of court, he decided to write to him to uplift spirits.
He commends the post editor in chief of being a true patriot who has fearlessly given himself to the service of Zambia.
(QFM)
By Dr David Hoile
Last week, in Kampala, Uganda, state members of the International Criminal Court begin their first ever review conference of the Court since its establishment in 2002. When the Assembly of States parties meet in Kampala there is a lot they should be worried about, not least of which the fact that the ICC has proved to be manifestly unfit for purpose. The ICC’s claims to international jurisdiction and judicial independence are institutionally flawed and the Court’s approach has been marred by blatant double-standards and serious judicial irregularities.
While the ICC presents itself as an international court this is quite simply not the case. Its members represent just over one quarter of the world’s population: China, Russia, the United States and India are just some of the many countries that have remained outside of the Court’s jurisdiction.
The truth is also that the ICC is as independent as the United Nations Security Council and the Court’s European Union funding lets it be. The ICC’s own statute grants special “prosecutorial” rights to the Security Council. Political interference was thus made part of the Court’s founding terms of reference.
The Court is also umbilically tied to the European Union which provides over 60 percent of its funding. Unsurprisingly perhaps the ICC has ignored all Western human rights abuses in Afghanistan and Iraq or human rights abuses by Western client states. Instead, the Europeans have chosen to focus the Court exclusively on Africa. Despite over 8,000 complaints about alleged crimes in at least 139 countries, the ICC has started investigations into just five countries, all of them African. Given Africa’s previous traumatic experience with the very same colonial powers that now in effect direct the ICC, this must create an alarming déjà vu for those who live on the continent.
The Court’s proceedings have often been questionable where not farcical. Its judges – some of whom have never been lawyers, let alone judges – are appointed as the result of vote-trading amongst member states. The Court has produced witnesses who recanted their testimony the moment they got into the witness box. There have been prosecutorial decisions which should have ended any fair trial because they compromised the integrity of any subsequent process. Simply put, the Court has been making things up as it goes along.
It has cost half a billion Euros to put on one deeply flawed trial, which subsequently ground to a halt for months. The ICC claims to be victim-centred, yet Human Rights Watch has criticised its ambivalence towards victim communities. The ICC claims to be fighting impunity, yet it has afforded de facto immunity and impunity to several serial abusers of human rights who happen to be friends of the West.
[pullquote] Despite over 8,000 complaints about alleged crimes in at least 139 countries, the ICC has started investigations into just five countries, all of them African. [/pullquote]
Africa fought long and hard for its independence. It must reject this new “legal” colonialism. The ICC’s legal blundering in Africa has derailed delicate peace processes – thereby prolonging devastating civil wars. There is a clear lesson for countries in Africa and elsewhere: do not join the ICC and do not refer your country to the ICC. The ICC does not have Africa’s welfare at heart, only the furtherance of Western, and especially European, foreign policy and its own bureaucratic imperative – to exist, to employ more Europeans and North Americans and where possible to continue to increase its budget.
========================================================================================
Dr David Hoile, an African scholar and consultant, is the author of ‘The International Criminal Court: Europe’s Guantánamo Bay?’. He can be contacted at [email protected]
Nkana found the going tough at Woodlands stadium in Lusaka today where they drew 0-0 away to National Assembly.
The major highlight of this dull match was again Nkana’s big draw power with some fans including Zambia assistant coach Lucky Msiska failing to enter the stadium due to the unnecessary fracas just at the gate.
At times it looked more like a cattle crash-pen than a ticket box office as fans raised dust, pushed and shoved to get into Woodlands.
Faz must come up with a safe crowd control solution for potential big draw games like Nkana before a disaster happens.
Inside meanwhile, the game failed to leave up to the Nkana hype in a first half that both sides spectacularly failed to spark in attack.
Former Zambia and Young Arrows striker Kruger Mwansa came close to breaking the deadlock in the 44th minute.
Nkana striker Douglas Chiwaya, who came on in the 42st minute of the first half, was offside in the 70th minute just before his team mate White Phiri was booked in quick succession for decent but Nkana held on to get the share of the 3 points.
Faz Super Division Week 13 Results 06/06/2010
Lusaka Dynamos 1-Red Arrows 1
Green Buffaloes 2-Nchanga Rangers 0
National Assembly 0-Nkana 0
[standings league_id=15 template=extend logo=false]
The identity of the Zambia’s opposition political party leader Hakainde Hichilema has been questioned.
A civil society leader today told QFM that the United Party for National Development UPND president Hakainde Hichilema is not his real name.
QFM news has been told that Hichilema was known as Sunny Hichilema until later in his life and that he acquired his middle name Hakainde well into his adulthood.
It has also been disclosed that Hichilema’s father is Chitombwa and that Hichilema comes from his maternal grandfather in whose household he grew up.
[pullquote]Gregory Chifire, Committee of Citizens executive director explained that Hichilema’s father had many issues with the law and was always found in conflict with the law as a cattle rustler as police and prison records show in Namwala, Monze and Mazabuka.[/pullquote]
Gregory Chifire, Committee of Citizens executive director explained that Hichilema’s father had many issues with the law and was always found in conflict with the law as a cattle rustler as police and prison records show in Namwala, Monze and Mazabuka.
Chifire said it is immoral for Hichilema to hide his identity of his father even if his dad had an embarrassing history.
Chifire accused Hichilema of being afraid that an unfair comparison might be made between the manner he accumulated his wealth and the past criminal record of his father.
Mr. Chifire further expressed concern about the numerous reports about the way the UPND leader treated his workers he hired in his cattle ranches across the country.
[pullquote]Government has therefore has been called upon through the Human Rights Commission and labor commissioner to investigate the serious abuse reports and quickly protect these workers from exploitation perpetrated by Hichilema.[/pullquote]
He claimed that the workers have complained of very harsh slave conditions of service and were given poor remuneration.
Government has therefore has been called upon through the Human Rights Commission and labor commissioner to investigate the serious abuse reports and quickly protect these workers from exploitation perpetrated by Hichilema.
The civil society executive director further says that as a man contending to be Zambia’s next republican president, it is imperative that a full disclosure is made by Hichilema of his wealth, his past and parentage.
QFM
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
“And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine bursts the wineskins, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But new wine must be put into new wineskins”
(Mark 2:22, NKJ)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
Are you ready for increase? Are you ready to go to the next level spiritually, physically and emotionally? In today’s verse, Jesus is basically saying that you can’t go to a new level with an old way of thinking.
I’ve found that many people hear the truth that God has more in store for them, and something resonates on the inside. Their spirit comes into agreement with God. But often times, their natural minds will try to talk them out it. Thoughts come like, “It’s not going to happen for you. You’re not going to have a great year. You know what the economy is like.” Or, “You’re never going to get well. You saw what the medical report said.” “You’re never going to get married. You’ve been single so long.”
Friend, those are the old wineskins that you have to get rid of. This is a new season. What’s happened in the past is over and done. You may have been through some disappointments, you may have tried and failed or things didn’t work out. That’s okay. We serve a God of restoration. It’s time to get a new vision for your life. It’s time to open yourself to a new way of thinking so that you can move forward and receive all the blessings God has in store for you!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father in heaven, today I choose to get rid of old wineskins. I choose to release old thinking, old habits, and anything that would keep me from Your best. Strengthen me by Your Spirit so that I can live my life in a way that pleases You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
South Africa dashed Zambia’s dreams of a second successive qualification spot to the CHAN after drawing 1-1 in Lusaka today.
The visitors were the better side in this second round, return leg match that Zambia needed to win by 2-0 but instead were bundled out 2-1 on aggregate by colorful South Africa who dominated their hosts at Nkoloma stadium.
It was a difficult call for fans in Lusaka today who had to choose between going to the PF/UPND Pact rally at the Freedom Statue or taking the risk of watching Zambia.
For those that opted to stand in the snaking and endless queues to get into a packed Nkoloma to watch Zambia take on archrivals South Africa, were left kicking themselves and very disappointed and surely wished instead that they should have picked politics on their weekend social menu.
George Lwandamina and the state of Zambian football were the main topics the fans grumbled about as they trooped out of Nkoloma.
“That is why he (Lwandamina) failed at Warriors,” said one fan referring to Lwandamina’s recent brief and forgettable coaching spell at Kabwe Warriors.
“Lwandamina is not material to coach Zambia,” said another.
“This is why I don’t watch Zambian football, watching rubbish like that,” another fan said.
“Fi Zambian football, awe mwe…” said another fan.
We were told by those in the know who travelled to watch the first leg at Hunters Field outside Johannesburg that South Africa were poor second in a match the hosts won 1-0.
After watching today’s match, I beg to disagree as South Africa, led by their inspirational captain and playmaker Lefa Tsutsulupa, out-thought Lwandamina’s basic and predictable side who barely managed to frighten their guests or string three passes together.
Meanwhile, South Africa were rewarded for their commanding display with a 37th minute goal from midfielder Sifiso Myeni who unleashed an unstopped shot from outside the box that was too hot to handle for Zambian goalkeeper Jacob Banda to see the visitors take a very deserved 1-0 lead into halftime.
Zambia were rewarded with a late goal after another erratic display of huff and puff football in the 81st minute when Kennedy Mudenda finished off a one-two move with Jimmy Chisenga in front of goal.
Here are the results and standings from the Faz Super Division Week matches played 05/06/2010.
Faz Super Division
Week 13
05/06/2010
Konkola Blades 2- Zanaco 1
Choma Eagles 0-Nkwazi 0
Power Dynamos 2- City of Lusaka 0
Zesco United 2-Roan United 0
Kabwe Warriors 1-Forest Rangers 1
06/06/2010
Lusaka Dynamos-Red Arrows
Green Buffaloes-Nchanga Rangers
National Assembly-Nkana
[standings league_id=15 template=extend logo=false]
A Libyan telecommunication firm has bought seventy five percent shares in Zamtel. Lap Green has agreed to pay a total consideration of two hundred and fifty seven million United States dollars for seventy five percent of the equity in Zamtel, which values hundred percent of the equity in the company.
Speaking after the singing of the transaction documents of the sale and purchase agreement, the shareholders agreement and other documents in Lusaka, Finance and National Planning Minister Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane expressed satisfaction with the price at which the country’s telecommunication firm has been sold.
Dr. Musokotwane further explained that Lap Green has agreed to provide sixty two million US Dollars in additional funding.
He said the sixty two million US dollars will be part of Zamtel’s network expansion programme.
The Finance Minister also said that Lap Green will provide a further seventy five million US Dollars in taking over government guarantees relating to network expansion projects.
He noted that this would bring the total amount to three hundred and forty three million US dollars.
Dr. Musokotwane also disclosed that LAP Green has assured the Zambian government that a substantial part would be allocated to the settlement of full redundancy package for the two thousand three hundred and forty one Zamtel employees as agreed by the unions.
He,however, said some workers would be rehired.
Lap Green was one of the four telecom firms that qualified in the last part of the bidders of the country’s telecommunication firm.
The Zambian government has,however, remained with twenty five percent of shares in the telecommunication firm.
And Communication Minister Professor Geoffrey Lungwangwa said the coming in of Lap Green would enhance the development of Information Communication and Technology (ICT) in Zambia.
LAP Green group Chief Executive Officer Abdulbassat Elzzabi said his firm that has a total investment of five billion US dollars will ensure that Zamtel becomes a force to reckon with.
[ MUV TV ]
© Lusaka Times
