Maravi

Kunda's law firm denies receiving K190m from Zamtel

Kunda's law firm denies receiving K190m from Zamtel
By Masuzyo Chakwe
Sun 27 Nov. 2011, 12:00 CAT

THE attack on the integrity of George Kunda and Company is misplaced and unfounded, states Kunda's wife, Irene.

Commenting on revelations by justice minister Sebastian Zulu and Zamtel commission of inquiry technical committee chairperson Dimple Ranchhod last week during a press briefing that former vice-president George Kunda's firm was paid a sum of K190 million by Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) as legal fees in respect of the sale of Zamtel to Lap Green Libya, Irene, who is a partner in George Kunda and Company, stated that in view of the libel committed against the firm and its proprietors, it intended to seek legal redress against all those who had wronged them.

"We reserve all our rights in the matter," Irene stated.

"We must state from the outset that we never acted for Lap Green, Zamtel, ZDA or the government of the Republic of Zambia in the sale transaction of Zamtel and we never received any legal fees in respect of the same. The attack on the integrity of the firm of George Kunda and Company and its proprietors is therefore misplaced and unfounded. The allegation that we received K190 million in respect of the Zamtel transaction has come to us with a sense of shock. The only sum of money received by George Kunda and Company from ZDA in October, 2011 was a sum of K100 million which was paid in the matter between Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba Vs Zambia Privatisation Agency, Minister of Finance, Magaba Nyirenda, Katema Mutale, Charles Mwamba, Oliver Munyonsi and William Nkonde which matter was in respect of the sale of Savoy Hotel Ndola."
Irene stated that this matter which had been outstanding since 1997 had no connection whatsoever to the sale of Zamtel.

She stated that the ZDA inherited this matter from the Zambia Privatisation Agency (ZPA).

Irene stated that the amount paid by ZDA was backed by a Supreme Court judgment (Appeal No, 68/2006), wherein their client was awarded a sum of US$46,000 plus 14 percent interest from April, 29 1998 to date of payment and costs.

She stated that pursuant to this judgment, the ZDA as successor to ZPA, refunded US$46,000 directly to Mwamba and paid another sum of K100 million as party and party costs of George Kunda and Company again pursuant to a court order.

Irene stated that it was unfortunate that Zulu and Ranchhod decided to release unverified information with intent to defame the firm of George Kunda and Company and its proprietors.

"We must point out that we have never been called by the technical committee or the commissioners appointed by the President under the inquiries Act to inquire into the sale of Zamtel to testify as witnesses and to state our side of the story. We came to learn about the alleged payment of K190 million through the media. The Minister of Justice and Ms Ranchhod had thus not acted impartially and faithfully in this matter," she stated.

Irene stated that for avoidance of doubt, Kunda, who is also Muchinga member of parliament and had been linked to the payment was not practicing in the firm at the time that the alleged payment was made as he was concentrating on his government portfolios.

Addressing a media briefing at the Ministry of Justice in Lusaka last week, Zulu said Kunda should have declared interest instead of accusing the PF government of fault-finding in its investigations.

Ranchhod, a lawyer who chaired the six-member technical committee, said a lot of information was either deliberately not given to her team or destroyed.

Labels: CORRUPTION, GEORGE KUNDA, ZAMTEL, ZDA

posted by MrK @ 6:57 PM