Zamtel commission summons Dora

Zamtel commission summons Dora
By Chiwoyu Sinyangwe
Wed 26 Oct. 2011, 15:40 CAT

DORA Siliya has been summoned by the commission of inquiry probing the sale of Zamtel to LAP Green of Libya over her role in the controversial transaction. Chairperson Sebastian Zulu said Siliya needed to appear before the commission any day between today and next Monday - the period of the sittings.

Zulu said this after the Zambian chapter of Transparency International submitted that Siliya, then serving as transport and communications minister, had abused her position as well breached ministerial procedures by hiring, at US $2.5 million, RP Capital of the Cayman Islands to valuate Zamtel for privatization.

RP Capital was subsequently retained as government transaction advisers in the sale of the total communications provider for US $257 million in 2010.

"I know she is MP Member of Parliament…this week, we are sitting mornings and in the afternoon on Friday, and Monday the whole day," Zulu said. "So she Siliya can indicate on any of those days and times. Please communicate with her so that she can indicate anyone of those days."

Earlier TIZ executive secretary Goodwell Lungu said Siliya acted dishonestly and breached ministerial and governmental procedures when hiring RP Capital to valuate Zamtel.

Lungu said Siliya submitted a different proposed Memorandum of Understanding for approval by the office of the Attorney General but went to sign a different contract with RP Capital.

"The MoU she Siliya sent to the Attorney General did not have the US $2.5 million fees but the subsequent one that she signed with RP Capital had US $2. 5 million inserted in it," Lungu said.

"We feel this was deception by Hon Siliya and even the chambers of the Attorney General were actually surprised."

Lungu said apart from disregarding the Attorney Genera's advice, Siliya also breached the Zambian laws by hiring a firm not registered with Valuation Surveyors Registration Board as provided for by the Zambian laws.

Lungu said Siliya, on hiring RP Capital, worked with Henry Banda, son of former president Rupiah Banda.

He also said the procedure used by Siliya in hiring RP Capital flouted local rules and amounted to usurping the powers of Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) and the minister of finance who is empowered to making transactions with the amount that Siliya signed for.

"The minister went beyond the ministry threshold by committing the Zambian people to these huge amounts of money that should have been sanctioned by Zambia Public Procurement Authority," said Lungu.

Apart from chairman Sebastian Zulu, other member of the committee included finance deputy minister Alfreda Kasembe, Solicitor General Mubanga Kondowe, Ministry of Justice permanent secretary Dr Winnie Mwenda-Sithole and permanent secretary administration in the Ministry of Justice, Muyaba Mbololwa.