No apologies for Buzaianu, says Sata

No apologies for Buzaianu, says Sata
By Chibaula Silwamba
Sat 29 Oct. 2011, 14:00 CAT

PRESIDENT Michael Sata says he has no apologies to make to Switzerland-based businessman Nicolae Buzaianu over the gold scam and urged him to come to Zambia and help with investigations.

In a media statement issued in Lusaka yesterday through his spokesperson George Chellah, President Sata stated that he found Buzaianu's demands unfortunate. "Dr Buzaianu's demand for an apology and compensation is completely groundless and is utterly unacceptable for Zambia," President Sata stated.

He stated that Buzaianu was at liberty to exhaust all legal avenues available to him.

"In fact, we need Dr Buzaianu to come to Zambia and help with investigations. More details that require his clarification are coming out hence the need to have him in person," President Sata stated.

On October 15, 2011, President Sata, who was elected on September 20, revoked the appointment of Buzaianu as Zambia's permanent representative to UNESCO in Paris, France, according to Chellah.

Chellah stated that this was after President Sata had disclosed to the nation that Buzaianu, an individual who is on the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) watch-list in connection with the gold scam, flew into Zambia from Geneva aboard a private jet.

"Whilst in the country, Dr Buzaianu met former president Mr Rupiah Bwezani Banda, his son Mr James Banda and former State House press aide Mr Dickson Jere," stated Chellah.

Buzaianu's lawyer Sakwiba Sikota of Central Chambers told a media briefing in Lusaka on Wednesday that Buzaianu would sue the Zambian government for defamation and would demand US$100 million for the injury to his reputation.

Sikota said Buzaianu had no direct or indirect links to the two companies that bought the gold in question.

"We are instructed to sue for defamation and claim for damages. Our client has also instructed us to sue the Zambian government for the false and defamatory statements imputing that our client is a fugitive from the law and is on the Drug Enforcement Commission and Zambia Police wanted or watch-lists," said Sikota, one of Banda's main campaigners in the run-up to the September 20 elections. "Our client will be seeking $100 million in damages for the injury to his reputation. Our client will be seeking these damages not in order to enrich himself or profit from the same but as vindication that he did nothing wrong."

Sikota said Buzaianu felt confident that President Sata would take firm action against his officials that misinformed him on the gold issue.

The DEC seized the gold, estimated to be about 100 kg or 118 kgs in 2007, from two Zimbabweans and was forfeited to the state.

Highly-placed sources said the gold was allegedly sold for about K19 billion around July this year.