Confusion reigns at Congo DR border
By Staff Reporters
Sun 08 July 2012, 13:25 CAT
AN estimated 700 trucks are marooned on the Zambian side of the Kasumbalesa Border Post as
SADC truck drivers continue to protest over the killing of their colleague last Thursday.And ordinary Congolese have complained of hunger just three days of non-operations at Kasumbalesa border following the burning of a Zambian truck driver, Derrick Chanda, to death in Congo.
Meanwhile, some Congolese traders have been chased from Ndola streets while two were beaten by angry Ndola residents. The drivers who walked out of a meeting between the Zambian and Congolese officials called to resolve the stand-off Friday evening have continued to demand for an address by Katanga governor Moses Katumbi.
The meeting ended in a stalemate as the drivers refused to recognise the presence of Kasumbalesa mayor Andrea Kapampa and his delegation.
"What we have been told by our colleagues and what we know is that we came here to meet Katumbi, so since Katumbi is not here there is no meeting," said chairperson of the SADC Drivers Association Stanley Muluka as his colleagues walked away while Congolese officials watched in disbelief.
Present at the meeting were drivers from Malawi, Zimbabwe, Botswana, South Africa, Namibia, Tanzania, Zambia and a drivers' representative from Congo DR.
Later on after the drivers walked out, acting Chililabombwe district commissioner Stephen Chishiko addressed them on the Zambian side assuring them that the government would take their demands seriously.
Chishiko also thanked the drivers for the peaceful manner in which they were pursuing the issue.
And the Congolese who usually rely on Mealie-meal and other essential commodities from Zambia using the Kasumbalesa border have for the past three days failed to cross into neighbouring towns on the Zambian side as the irate drivers have kept vigil, turning away any Congolese pedestrian trying to trade in Zambia.
Zambia and Congo have strong trade links, especially in food stuffs as the Congolese buy several food needs from the Copperbelt.
When the Zambian delegation led by Chishiko visited Kasumbalesa, some Congolese who thronged their border offices with curiosity complained amongst themselves that the stubbornness by their authorities was 'killing' them as food supplies were becoming limited.
"Let them just apologise, these Zambians are serious. We are suffering, if they don't depend on Zambia for food we, depend on this border for daily essentials, let them listen. Three days is long enough, very soon our children will start dying of hunger because of a few individuals…," complained the Congolese as the Zambian delegation passed.
Other border officials said they were worried that mining operations within Congo would be affected as they depended on the fuel that passes through Zambia.
There was no activity at the border yesterday as security personnel and border authorities from Zambia were still awaiting communication from the higher authorities while trucks kept piling up at the border.
Zambians living near the border have for a long time complained of kidnappings and rape cases involving Congolese nationals.
And traders around Ndola's Town Centre have asked Congolese nationals to stop selling their merchandise in Ndola and demanded that they go back to their country. The traders, together with minibus drivers, have threatened to demonstrate if Congolese nationals continue trading in Ndola. And Truck Drivers Association of Zambia president George Kasalika said the Zambian and Congolese governments should put a stop to the killing of truck drivers.
Kasalika said this is not the first time a truck driver has been killed in Congo as many had been attacked in similar ways.
"It is not the first time our drivers are being killed; many drivers have died like animals in the hands of the Congolese, last time a Zimbabwean driver was killed on the Congolese side," he said.
Kasalika complained that many Congolese live a peaceful life in Zambia even without travelling documents which Zambians do not enjoy in Congo, because even Congolese police officers who were supposed to offer protect harassed them when they didn't possess immigration documents.
Meanwhile, there was confusion at Lusaka City Market yesterday when some angry traders attempted to destroy goods belonging to Congolese nationals at the market.
Police spokesperson, Elizabeth Kanjela confirmed that the situation was however calmed when the Police moved in.
"…We would want to take this opportunity to urge all members of the public to remain calm and collected as this issue is being handled by officials from the two countries. We should also have in mind that there are Zambians based in that country, so such acts do not only amount to breach of law here but also bring to risk the lives of our nationals in that country," Kanjela said.
A Zambian truck driver was on Thursday burnt to death in Congo DR forcing a boarder shut down at Kasumbalesa.
According to sources, a group of Congolese blocked the road at a sloppy area, demanding that the truck allows them to pass as they were going for a burial. And when the truck tried to swerve, it overturned in the process and spilt the cement which was looted by the same people, including suspected Congolese police officers.
"When they looted the cement, the story changed from going to the burial and now they accused him of hitting one mourner and they pushed him back inside the truck and burnt him beyond recognition," said the source.
Vice-President Guy Scott has also promised to engage the Katanga government at a higher level to resolve the matter which threatens trade between the two countries.
And Police have picked two bodies in Misisi and Industrial areas, respectively.
Kanjela said they had picked a body of an unidentified juvenile behind Shoprite near Ngwnya dam.
"Around industrial area, a body of a man identified as John chirwa was discovered with injuries on the head. He used to be a resident of George compound, also a security guard at World Food Programme. The body is lying in UTH mortuary awaiting post-mortem," she said.
And Police have also arrested a 31-year-old man for allegedly murdering his father.
"The suspect has been identified as Frank Ngalande of Muchiliba village Mumbwa district while the deceased is Adamson Ngalande, aged 55 of the same address," said Kanjela.
Labels: BORDER POSTS, DRC, KASUMBALESA, Moses Katumbi
Read more...
COMMENT - dr. Situmbeko: "
the government was aiming at inviting as many investors as possible, who would in turn lead many Zambians into the Pay as You Earn tax group." - neoliberal idiocy. The government will share mining revenues with local governments 'when we are ready'? This individual is a joke.
Musokotwane silent on Katumbi emeralds
By Mutale Kapekele and Bright Mukwasa
Fri 11 Mar. 2011, 18:40 CAT
FINANCE minister Dr Situmbeko Musokotwane on Wednesday
failed to tell Parliament how much tax the government generated from confiscated emeralds that the government returned to Katanga governor Moses Katumbi.During the question and answer session, Dr Musokotwane was asked how much the government generated from Katumbi’s emeralds but he
refused to answer, saying he would
prefer a written scheduled question.
When he was asked when the government would start sharing mineral royalties with local authorities in which mines operate, Dr Musokotwane responded “when we are ready.”
And Dr Musokotwane told Parliament that 65.5 per cent of Zambia’s rising external debt was contracted from multilateral organisations like the World Bank, Africa Development Banking group and the IMF while the rest was owed to the Paris Club members, among other.
Zambia has recorded an average of US$200 million yearly rise in external debt. He maintained that as of December 2010, Zambia’s external debt stood at US$1.28 billion.
Dr Musokotwane said the country still had room for careful borrowing considering the fact that copper exports had recorded a sharp rise from US$900 million 10 years ago to a projection of US $7 billion this year.
Copper exports contributed less than three per cent to the country’s revenue despite netting US$7.2 billion in 2010.
Responding to advice from Ithezi-thezi member of parliament Godfrey Beene who said the government should limit its borrowing to US$100 million per annum, Dr Musokotwane acknowledged that the caution was valid but added that borrowing was a normal part of life and that even rich countries contracted debt.
Dr Musokotwane also defended the government’s failure to collect tax saying the ability to generate income from taxation depended on the levels of investments.
He said the government was aiming at inviting as many investors as possible, who would in turn lead many Zambians into the Pay as You Earn tax group.
Labels: CORRUPTION, EMERALDS, Moses Katumbi, NEOLIBERALISM, SITUMBEKO MUSOKOTWANE
Read more...
Katumbi seeks explanation over DRC border post blackout
By Kabanda Chulu and Abigail Chaponda in Kitwe
Tue 14 Sep. 2010, 20:50 CAT
COPPERBELT permanent secretary Villie Lombanya yesterday said the Zambian government was not involved in the recent switching off of electricity at Sakania border post on the DR Congo’s side.
Explaining the presence of DR Congo’s Katanga Province Governor Moise Katumbi in Ndola last week, Lombanya said the standoff that resulted in the closure of the border post was between Frontier Mines and the Congolese government.
“The issue (switching off power) had nothing to do with the Zambian government but it was because of a dispute between First Quantum Minerals-owned Frontier Mines and the DR Congo government which withdrew the mining licence and the mines switched off power at the open-pit, hence affecting surrounding communities including the border post,” said Lombanya.
“Frontier Mines used to buy power from Copperbelt Energy which has a sub-station and transmission lines that side and into the Congo, and when the mines were told to close and leave, they also decided to switch off power, and Katumbi came to see us with a view to helping resolve the issue of which we did and power was restored last Friday.”
And a source at Frontier Mines disclosed that the open-pit had been closed and everyone, including expatriate managers, had started going back to their respective countries.
“People have started going back to their countries, and the situation is bad; the only person to give all the details is the Governor Katumbi,” said the source.
On 1st September 2010, the DR Congo withdrew FQM’s mining licence and ordered the company to stop all mining activities and leave the country, and the titles owned by FQM at Frontier Mines were given to the Congolese government-owned Sodimico Mining.
After the mines closure, FQM chief executive officer Philip Pascall issued a statement, claiming that the DR Congo was retaliating over the FQM’s decision to start the arbitration process regarding its Kolwezi project.
He stated that FQM took the DR Congo government to the International Chamber of Commerce Court of Arbitration after the State, in August 2009, revoked its mining licence for the Kolwezi tailings project (a copper/cobalt project in the Katanga Province), where the company had already spent US $750-million in acquiring and developing the property.
“The withdrawal of the exploitation permit for the Frontier mine is contrary to the DR Congo’s laws and the mining code and FQM will continue to advance its rights through international arbitration with respect to the Kolwezi project and now the Frontier mine and will pursue all other legal remedies available against third parties seeking enrichment through interference with First Quantum's legal rights,” stated Pascall.
Labels: BORDER POSTS, DRC, Moses Katumbi, VILLIE LOMBANYA
Read more...
MMD is lying on $7m owed to Katumbi - Sata
By George Chellah and Noel Sichalwe
Monday April 23, 2007 [04:00]
MMD is lying on the US $7 million debt owed to Katumbi, Patriotic Front (PF) president Michael Sata said yesterday. And Sata said President Levy Mwanawasa's tricks on the Constitution were too many. Meanwhile, Sata has urged street vendors to peacefully resist eviction from the streets because the Chinese and Lebanese have taken their space.
Commenting on MMD spokesperson Benny Tetamashimba's statement that the ruling party has banned its members from discussing DRC's Katanga Province governor Moses Katumbi's issue, Sata said MMD has banned discussions on Katumbi because they knew the truth about the maize deal.
"I have said it before that somebody was not telling the truth on Vernon Mwaanga's trip to DRC. It's clear now that somebody is lying. That's why they are now sending Tetamashimba to begin saying that 'don't talk about Katumbi'," Sata said. "They have banned talking about Katumbi because they know the truth. This is typical of this government, they always want to lie."
And PF spokesperson Given Lubinda said the MMD's US $7 million debt to Katumbi was a matter of public interest that should be discussed by all Zambians.
Lubinda said it was totally unacceptable for Tetamashimba to ban discussions on the MMD debt to Katumbi because the matter was in public domain and had created a lot of interest in people. He said the MMD's approach to Katumbi's issue was shallow and should not be tolerated.
Lubinda said in 2002, President Mwanawasa addressed a special session of Parliament where he alleged that Katumbi was suspiciously paid about US $20 million taxpayers’ money.
"Now if these issues were raised by the President, why should we not talk about them?" Lubinda asked. "President Mwanawasa should tell the nation when Katumbi will answer the charges.
Katumbi is claiming to have been owed US $7 million by the MMD. If President Mwanawasa is serious, he needs to explain how they will repay this debt. He should not use taxpayers’ money to pay the debt otherwise whether, I will be in Parliament in 2011 or not, I will be the first person to call for the removal of his immunity to face prosecution. A person elected to a position of leadership must be beyond blemish," he said.
Lubinda said Zambians have the right to question Katumbi's integrity following President Mwanawasa's allegations against him in 2002. He said former information minister Vernon Mwaanga testified in the presidential petition how MMD parliamentary candidates were supplied with cheaper maize by Katumbi in 2001.
"The MMD must come out clean and explain where they will borrow US $7 million to pay Katumbi," he said.
Lubinda also said Tetamashimba should not vilify Dr Kenneth Kaunda by saying he has no right to comment on the need for a new constitution because he did not leave a good constitution. He said Tetamashimba's thinking on the issue was myopic because Dr Kaunda was a father of the nation who deserved to be respected.
He said Zambians must allow Dr Kaunda to speak out on any national issues.
"KK has integrity and is the founding father of the nation," he said. "Why should they start protecting Katumbi and start insulting KK? As PF, we will continue respecting KK. We shall continue talking about Katumbi."
And addressing a public rally in Lusaka's Chawama compound on Saturday, Sata said it was only a new constitution that would assist the country.
"Mwanawasa's tricks on the constitution are too much. I told them that I will start and I am here today, I have come. Let's unite and start speaking because if you stop speaking, they will take you for granted," he said.
Sata said President Mwanawasa was hesitant on the enactment of a new constitution because they want to continue abusing national resources.
"In every ministry now they are stealing. K24 billion for expired drugs, that's stealing," he said.
Sata said he would soon instruct his supporters to march to push for a new constitution.
"I will give you a programme soon. We are going to march for the new constitution. We will march to Mwanawasa and tell him we want a constitution. If he fails to give us a constitution then he must resign," Sata said. "We need a constitution that will facilitate for better health and education. We want a constitution not in 2008. We want a constitution by the end of this year. We want by September Mwanawasa to give us a white paper. Alipola (he has now recovered)."
Sata said if Zambia had a better constitution, the MMD would not have taken government’s money money and entered into the maize deal with DRC's Katanga Province governor Moses Katumbi.
Sata vowed to continue holding public rallies countrywide.
"We have started meeting like this so that we can tell Levy that it's time to go. You don't have to be violent. You didn't throw stones to remove Kaunda so do the same," Sata said. "Chiluba must be feeling pity for us wherever he is when he sees the problems he left us with in Mwanawasa. That's why it's only God who knows and will judge Levy's problems because he doesn't care about Zambians."
He also urged street vendors to resist eviction from the streets because the Chinese and Lebanese have taken their space.
"Don't beat the council police when they come to chase you.
Kumwebafye ati boi bulapo ulubalala uleya (Just tell them that 'my friend just get a groundnut and go'). Tell them that 'we are your bosses'," Sata said. "Masebo is cheating that she has markets for vendors. Let her take the Chinese and Lebanese to those markets in the bush since they drive. Sylvia Masebo keeps Levy's secrets of what he has eaten from Lebanon and China. That's why she is doing this.
"Masebo was deputy mayor in 1992, she didn't break any house or chase anybody from the streets. You want to chase a Zambian street vendor and bring a Chinese or Lebanese street vendor?"
Sata challenged local government minister Sylvia Masebo to read the local government Act he formulated in full to the people.
"The Act I formulated, I stopped people from urinating in public and I also gave licenses to hawkers. But I saw her on TV she just read a line let her read it in full," he said.
Sata also criticised President Mwanawasa over the land wrangles in Southern Province.
"Why should he fire Nyirongo? He should also go for giving land to Albidon in Southern Province," Sata said.
Sata promised better houses, schools, hospitals and universities once he takes over power.
"Ninenty days after Levy has gone, we don't want to fight for one university. Each province should have its own university. There should be better schools and hospitals in all compounds in Lusaka," he said.
He said when he demolished houses in Chibolya compound during his tenure as local government minister, he provided a plot to people before demolishing.
"When we were breaking in Chibolya, we were giving them a plot before demolishing. We used to tell them that this structure is illegal so if you don't demolish, we will assist you. But we were giving a plot before we demolish," Sata said.
And Dr Scott advised Zambian white farmers not to be cheated that PF would throw them out like in Zimbabwe once they form government.
"We are telling white businessmen and white farmers to stop this nonsense of telling scary stories to each other that PF will come and throw them out once we are in government," Dr Scott said. "PF is not a racist party. Do you think I can remain in a party, if it is a racist party?"
Labels: CONSTITUTION, Moses Katumbi, SATA
Read more...
MMD bans discussions on Katumbi
By George Chellah
Sunday April 22, 2007 [04:00]
THE MMD has banned party members from speaking about Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)'s Katanga Province governor Moses Katumbi, party spokesperson Benny Tetamashimba said yesterday. Commenting on Dr Kenneth Kaunda's statement that the ruling MMD must pay Katumbi US $7 million for the maize he supplied them in 2001 for their election campaign, Tetamashimba said the party had prohibited talk about Katumbi.
"We have banned ourselves from speaking about Katumbi. He is above the politics we are doing. Let the government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs be commenting about that, especially on high profile persons like Katumbi. He is not an ordinary person now," Tetamashimba said.
"Katumbi is a senior government official in the DRC."
And Tetamashimba said it was not right to say that the MMD should pay Katumbi because it were individuals that benefited from him and not the party. "The US $7 million... it wasn't an issue in the Supreme Court during the petition so why are they talking about it now?
People should have brought it during that time if they knew it. They talked about motor vehicles but they didn't talk about it (US $7 million)," Tetamashimba said.
"Sata himself testified in the petition, why didn't he speak about it? Even VJ (former minister of information and MMD trustee). There are individuals who benefited and we want to know them, who are those? There are individuals who benefited and not the MMD. So they should pay and the government should not pay the money."
Commenting on Katumbi's statement that he was contracted by the Zambian government in 2001 to supply maize meal to MMD parliamentary candidates at reduced prices for the purpose of campaigns, Dr Kaunda said it was wrong for the MMD to transfer its indebtedness to the Zambian taxpayers.
On the constitution review process, Tetamashimba urged Dr Kaunda to desist from issuing statements over the enactment of the constitution because he failed to leave a better constitution for Zambia. "Dr Kaunda should be a father of the nation and guide the nation. What are the demonstrations for? He should have waited than him saying let's go and demonstrate with the Oasis Forum," he said.
Tetamashimba said Dr Kaunda needed to think twice over his declaration that he would join forces with the Oasis Forum over the people's demands for a new constitution.
"Which people is he talking about? Last year he de-campaigned Mwanawasa, he supported HH. After all that, people rejected his advice and voted for Mwanawasa. So let him think twice about that," Tetamashimba said. "Which people is he referring to because they are the same ones who voted for Mwanawasa just last year? Mwanawasa defeated him together with Hichilema."
Labels: MMD, Moses Katumbi
Read more...
Who owes Katumbi US $7 million?
By Editor
Friday April 20, 2007 [04:00]
When it was first reported that former information minister Vernon Mwaanga had told a press briefing in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) that the Zambian government owes Moses Katumbi US $7 million, Attorney General Mumba Malila was quick to clarify that the government owes Katumbi nothing.
But from the time DRC Katanga Province governor Katumbi stated that he is actually owed US $7 million by the Zambian government for the mealie-meal or maize he supplied in 2001, there has been deafening silence from Malila in particular and the government in general.
We feel there is every need for the government to make a clarification on this matter. US $7 million is a lot of money. At the current bank rate, US $7 million is equal to K28 billion.
Katumbi says he was contracted in 2001 by the government through the Ministry of Finance and National Planning to supply mealie-meal at subsidised prices to MMD parliamentary candidates and that he has got documents to this effect. This statement has not been challenged to date. So how should Zambians interpret this silence? Does it imply consent?
Evidently, Katumbi is owed money. But the question is, who owes him? Is it the MMD or the government? And how much is Katumbi owed? Is it US $7 million or much more than that?
These are the questions that beg answers from the MMD leader Levy Mwanawasa. It cannot be denied that the MMD has in the past used state money for party activities. In fact, we hear that part of Katumbi's debt was paid off using taxpayers' money even as late as 2002.
This is why our people deserve to know who owes Katumbi. But as things stand today, it cannot be disputed that this US $7 million is an MMD debt. If this is the case, why should the taxpayer be made to pay for MMD's activities that have nothing to do with state functions?
We know that this debt has put Levy in a very precarious situation because he cannot distance himself from it, despite the fact that it was contracted by his predecessor Frederick Chiluba who had great appetite for public resources.
Since Levy advocates transparency and good governance, we expect him to summon enough courage and come out in the open to admit that the MMD owes Katumbi money and clarify how much is outstanding. He should also explain to the public why the MMD chose to use the Ministry of Finance to purchase maize or mealie-meal for its parliamentary candidates.
Levy should further tell the public whether or not he endorses this criminal behaviour of using state funds for party activities. After that, Levy should state how the MMD hopes to pay back this money. K28 billion is a lot of money and we do not see how a party that is almost bankrupt can afford to settle it.
We heard during the presidential election petition that MMD's accounts were in red. We also heard Mwaanga narrating how the MMD used some money from Zesco and Office of the President to print campaign posters and T-shirts.
Traditionally, MMD has used very little of its own money legitimately raised from unquestionable sources in their campaigns. The bulk of the money that MMD has used over the years is from questionable sources, including the government coffers.
That is why corruption will not end in this country. We see many companies and individuals from the private sector busy outdoing each other in making hefty donations to the MMD, the ruling party. These donations are not for nothing. It is great investment on the part of the donors. The benefactors expect some rewards and favours in return; rewards such as government contracts and the like.
In the long run, it is situations like these that destroy democracy. Wrong people are voted into power or office not on account of merit but just because they have the fattest wallet, they have the mealie-meal to dispose off at give-away prices.
When democracy is compromised the result is what we are seeing today; mediocre leaders. People who have something to offer in Parliament but do not have the financial muscle are often rejected or not voted for.
But people who have nothing to offer, people who do not even know how to sing Zambia's national anthem are overwhelmingly voted for because they have manipulated our poor people with a few bags of mealie-meal and some pieces of silver. And instead of contributing to national issues discussed in Parliament, these ones just warm the seats. All they know is to shout 'hear! hear!'
However, if on the other hand the MMD does not owe Katumbi, the public would expect Levy to explain how the Ministry of Finance was used to contract this debt with Katumbi's Chani Fisheries. Who signed on behalf of the ministry? Can those officials involved explain that deal?
We know this is a catch-22 for Levy. And if he is not careful, he will be consumed by the same corruption that he is fighting. MMD cannot absolve itself from the corruption that has reigned supreme in the country for many years now.
Yes, Levy did not contract this debt but he is still expected to explain since he inherited everything from Chiluba as leader of the MMD. The only way out for Levy to isolate or divorce himself from this MMD scandal is to admit and condemn it publicly. In that way, he will show and demonstrate his honesty and sincerity in fighting corruption in Zambia.
It cannot be denied that Levy has tried to do things differently on this score compared to Chiluba. If the MMD are still using public funds for their campaigns and party activities, the magnitude cannot be as colossal as we witnessed in the Chiluba regime where they could even shamelessly divert K2 billion meant for road construction to fund a party convention.
However, this compliment to Levy is not to encourage the ruling MMD to continue using national resources for their party activities in a small way. Theft is theft. It doesn't matter whether one steals K2 billion or another K100, 000. If arrested, both of them will be convicted for theft regardless of the amounts involved.
Labels: CHILUBA, CORRUPTION, DRC, EDITORIAL, Moses Katumbi
Read more...
MMD must pay Katumbi - KK
By Brighton Phiri
Friday April 20, 2007 [04:00]
THE MMD must pay Moses Katumbi for the maize he supplied them in 2001 for their election campaign, Dr Kenneth Kaunda has said. And Dr Kaunda has declared that he will join forces with the Oasis Forum over the people's demand for a new constitution.
Commenting on Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Katanga Province governor Moses Katumbi's statement that he was contracted by the Zambian government in 2001 to supply maize meal to MMD parliamentary candidates at reduced prices for the purpose of campaigns, Dr Kaunda said it was wrong for the MMD to transfer its indebtedness to the Zambian taxpayers.
Dr Kaunda wondered why government should be dragged into a deal, whose sole purpose was to drum up support for MMD candidates.
"I don't understand why anyone can get confused over this matter. It is a straightforward issue...MMD must pay Mr. Katumbi for the maize he supplied them to win the 2001 elections," Dr Kaunda said. "Let us do the right thing...those that engaged Mr. Katumbi to bring in cheap maize must pay him. And we all know that it MMD, so it should not be the tax-payers to carry the debt burden on behalf of the MMD."
Dr Kaunda asked the government to explain how it had been involved in the Katumbi maize saga when the business deal was between MMD and the suppliers of the maize. He said Katumbi should claim his money from MMD and other persons that engaged him because the purpose of the contract was for the benefit of the ruling party.
On the constitution-making process, Dr Kaunda disclosed that he had reached a stage where he could no longer travel extensively at regional level in connection with his Kenneth Kaunda Children of Africa Foundation activities and that he would now join the Church under the umbrella of the Oasis Forum to join the voices calling for a new constitution.
"I do not want to sound as if I am fighting against President Mwanawasa, but it is my intention to speak to him and hear from him some of the difficulties he was facing over the matter. I do not want President Mwanawasa to feel that I am siding with the Oasis Forum, but it is a matter of siding with the right thing," Dr Kaunda said.
"We have been working on this matter for some time together. Meetings have been held, even at State House and I believe that we must continue with the same spirit. If there are more points which other groups are making, let us say so and if government has any difficulties in meeting the questions that the other side is raising let them tell us."
Dr Kaunda said he was saddened with the deadlock between the two parties.
He said there was no justification for the two parties to reach a stage where they could not discuss the constitution-making process anymore. Dr Kaunda said Zambians should not allow themselves to reach a point where they could not talk to each other.
"I hope to hear from the Oasis Forum and government," he said.
In his letter to Oasis Forum, President Mwanawasa observed that the two parties were not getting anywhere in trying to resolve the stalemate.
"I regret having to advise that any possible meeting between us would serve no useful purpose," read President Mwanawasa's letter in part.
On Zimbabwe's 27th independence anniversary, Dr Kaunda reminded Zimbabweans of the SADC efforts in Tanzania a few weeks ago.
"April 18, is extremely important day for Zimbabweans and indeed all of us its neighbours. It is a day when Zimbabweans should remember the moments they will never forget in their lives...the struggle for their independence. I believe as a genuine neighbour who knows what terrible things they have gone through, we must not only pray for them, but remind them of the heavy duty they have to carry," Dr Kaunda said. "To remember what they must remember to do is one of the duties...the duty to unite the nation. That is why some of us can't forget the work of the SADC."
He asked Zimbabweans to use the SADC intervention to open up a new chapter for their country.
Dr Kaunda said the region's responsibility was to encourage Zimbabweans to follow the SADC guidance.
"We look forward to hearing from them that the new roadmap has been created," he said. "All this is not to ask Zimbabweans to forget the difficulties they have gone through under colonialism and racism. We are not asking them to forget about the wrongs, which the evil forces have done to their country. We ask them to look to the future," said Dr Kaunda.
Labels: KAUNDA, MMD, Moses Katumbi, OASIS FORUM
Read more...
TIZ challenges Levy to state govt's position on Katumbi
By Bivan Saluseki
Sunday April 15, 2007 [04:00]
TRANSPARENCY International Zambia (TIZ) president Reuben Lifuka has asked President Mwanawasa to state clearly government's position on cases involving DRC's Katanga Province governor Moses Katumbi. And Lifuka has expressed disappointment with Speaker Amusaa Mwanamwambwa in the way he handled the issues surrounding former information minister Vernon Mwaanga.
Lifuka said on Friday that while TIZ applauded President Mwanawasa for firing Mwaanga, the government's position was confusing given the numerous and inconsistent statements made so far.
"It is unfortunate that the President in his press statement on the dismissal of Mr. Mwaanga did not take that opportunity to clarify this issue. In fact, the President failed to clearly state whether it was within Mwaanga's remit not only to deliver a letter to President Kabila but also visit Mr Moses Katumbi," he said.
Lifuka said TIZ was concerned that Mwaanga's statement in Parliament seemed to suggest that President Mwanawasa requested that the issue of Katumbi's cases of alleged corruption should be removed from the public domain.
"There is already too much speculation on this matter and we challenge that President Mwanawasa takes the necessary steps to calm the anxieties by the general public on this matter," he said.
Lifuka said even Parliament should remain an unfortified place, which mirrored the democratic aspiration of the Zambian people.
"Parliament should not be allowed to be a sanctuary of dishonest men and women who will abuse parliamentary privileges just to protect their selfish interests," he said.
Lifuka said the Speaker was supposed to shape the institution and make it a revered vehicle for growth and development for Zambia and that could only be done through the provision of objective and impartial leadership.
He said Katumbi was using his powerful political position to avoid facing justice in Zambia Lifuka said Zambia was concerned that the MMD government had allowed a trend referred to as 'state capture by powerful private interests' using embedded networks.
"We are worried at the trend by some powerful private sector entities of using their embedded networks within the government to achieve their personal aspirations," he said.
Lifuka said the government should not commit the country and resources to loans or debts, which simply served narrow and personal interests of a few people.
He said from Mwaanga's statement in the DRC, the US $7 million referred to was not used for national development but instead to facilitate the election of MMD in 2001.
"This in itself was an act of political corruption. As Katumbi himself confirmed in his interview with The Post Newspaper, his company was contracted, using public resources to supply subsidized mealie-meal to MMD candidates in 2001 and it is this same maize that was used to bribe and entice the electorate to vote for the MMD," he said.
Lifuka said President Mwanawasa should not use corruption to fight corruption.
He commended The Post for exposing the issue but wondered what the fight against corruption would have been without a vibrant private media.
He reminded the state media that they had previously been used by corrupt politicians to further their political ambitions.
Labels: CORRUPTION, DRC, Moses Katumbi, TIZ
Read more...
Liar Mwaanga gets the boot
By George Chellah and Speedwell Mupuchi
Thursday April 12, 2007 [02:00]
PRESIDENT Levy Mwa-nawasa yesterday said that former information minister Vernon Mwa-anga's handling of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) assignment was extremely irresponsible. According to a statement issued by President Mwana-wasa's special assistant for press and public relations, John Musukuma, the President stated that he had decided to relieve Mwaanga of his duties because it was certain that his handling of the DRC assignment made his position in Cabinet untenable.
"His Excellency the President, Mr. Levy Patrick Mwanawasa SC has relieved Honourable Vernon J. Mwaanga of his duties as Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services, revoked his nomination as member of parliament and removed him as chief government spokesperson and Parliamentary Chief Whip with immediate effect," read Musukuma's statement in part.
President Mwanawasa has also revoked Mwaanga's nomination as member of the MMD national executive committee subject to ratification by the party's central organ.
According to Musukuma, President Mwanawasa, in a letter to Mwaanga dated April 11, 2007, reminded Mwaanga of his instructions for him to deliver a letter to DRC President Joseph Kabila.
"I refer to my recent instructions for you to travel to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and see President Kabila to whom I gave you a letter to deliver expressing my concern on the closure of the border between Zambia and DRC at Kasumbalesa for trucks going to collect or bring copper concentrates from that country," President Mwanawasa's letter read in part.
"Initial reports coming from that country and reported in The Post indicated that your handling of this assignment was extremely irresponsible and substantially departed from my expectations on you as my special envoy. My fears were unfortunately confirmed when I received a DVD which recorded one of the at least two press conferences that you addressed while there."
President Mwanawasa told Mwaanga that his handling of the assignment made his position in Cabinet or in any public or party office in his administration untenable.
President Mwanawasa said Mwaanga's letter to him giving an account of his trip to the DRC was discussed during a meeting at State Lodge on April 8. President Mwanawasa wished Mwaanga all the best in his future endeavours.
And PF president Michael Sata said Mwaanga had dismissed himself.
"Oh my God! VJ has been fired?" Sata asked when contacted for comment. "But VJ has fired himself because of his carelessness. Anyway, that must serve as a warning for him to be much more careful next time especially that Levy is firing him for a second time. He must be careful and ensure that he doesn't eat with both hands next time. But I doubt if there will be a next time because this might be the end of him. Let him know that eating with both hands is not safe, he should either eat with the left hand or the right one, not both."
And Luapula PF member of parliament Peter Machungwa - who raised the point of order in Parliament about Mwaanga's statement in DRC - said it was unfortunate that Mwaanga had been fired.
"Nobody feels happy when somebody loses a job. However, the
decision was inevitable. When you travel as a special envoy of the President, as chief government spokesperson and as chief whip you carry a lot of weight in terms of statements," Machungwa said. "If you make statements in a foreign country and come and deny in your own country, what credibility is Zambia going to have internationally? VJ refused and gave a fabricated statement in Parliament. If a parliamentary chief whip can do a thing like that, where is the credibility of Parliament?"
Machungwa said President Mwanawasa's decision to dismiss Mwaanga had brought credibility to Parliament.
"We can't allow such a thing. I feel sorry for the former information minister but it was inevitable. Unfortunately, he has to go," he said.
Machungwa said there was more that needed to be known over the DRC trip.
"We shall just watch this very closely and see where it goes," he said.
And United Liberal Party president Sakwiba Sikota said President Mwanawasa had no option but to act against Mwaanga since no one could believe him as information minister and chief government spokesperson.
"President Mwanawasa had to act to restore the credibility of his government and that of the MMD," Sikota said. "To further restore the credibility of his government, it does not end with firing VJ, he (President Mwanawasa) now has to give Zambians full disclosure of the whole saga of Katumbi being owed, and who got us involved with Katumbi."
Sikota also said President Mwanawasa should tell Zambians the government's way forward on whether Katumbi would eventually appear in the Zambian courts and how they would handle diplomatic issues since Katumbi is a senior member of the Kabila government.
"He has to issue an honest statement on the issue. If Katumbi is owed, corruption is a two-way process, who on the Zambian side was involved?" Sikota asked.
He said everyone in government should learn to come out with the truth no matter how unpleasant it might be.
Mwaanga told journalists in the DRC that the Zambian government owed DRC Katanga Province governor Moses Katumbi US $7 million for the maize he supplied in 2001.
He later denied his statement, claiming that it was highly distorted. But video evidence confirmed what Mwaanga denied. The video further exposed Mwaanga as saying that the Zambian government did not consider Katumbi a criminal because it had nothing against him.
Labels: MAIZE, Moses Katumbi, VERNON MWAANGA
Read more...
Katumbi explains Zambia's $7m debt
By Chris Tshani in Lubumbashi
Wednesday April 11, 2007 [04:00]
DRC Katanga Province governor Moses Katumbi has said information minister Vernon Mwaanga confirmed that the Zambian government owes him US $7million for the maize he supplied because he knows about the transaction. In an interview in Lubumbashi, Katumbi said he was contracted by the Zambian government in 2001 to supply maize meal to MMD parliamentary candidates at reduced prices for the purpose of campaigns. He said Mwaanga, as MMD national secretary then as well as campaign committee chairperson, was aware of this transaction and that is why he had no difficulties confirming Zambia's indebtedness to him.
However, Attorney General Mumba Malila last week said the Zambian government owes Katumbi no money and was not doing any business with him, as far as his office was aware.
Below is Katumbi's interview with The Post in Lubumbashi last Saturday.
Chris: In 2001 you had a maize deal with the government of Zambia. Could you briefly explain?
Katumbi: I think I have to tell the Zambian people the truth and they know very well I was doing adverts on TV, on radio and I was not hiding while selling the maize meal. Today they are saying I am a crook, I have stolen the money. I don't know where I have stolen that money. People have to know the true. I had a contract with Ministry of Finance where we suppose to put subsidy of the maize, and all the maize meal I gave to the members of parliament in 2001 on the election.
You can ask honourable Eric Silwamba, you can ask VJ Mwaanga, everyone. We are buying even the maize locally in Zambia. I have got the proof, K35,000 and the government ask to sell at K15,000 today they are saying Moses is a crook. Which crook? The Government of Zambia owe us money, which is not also right. Advert was on TV, on the petition, the time they did the petition, they mention also the maize meal because you are selling maize meal, they sue us even the Ministry of Commerce in Zambia to say that it was not fair the price we were selling. We had contract, all the members of parliament who win election at that time in Kitwe is like Jesus Christ said that the guy who did not do thing badly had to stone that woman.
Chris: Our Minister of Information is distancing himself from the allegation that the government of Zambia owes US $7 million, is it true that they owe you some money?
Katumbi: The government owes me money that's why they went to take all the papers with the Task Force. They owes me money, they owes me emerald, they owes me a lot of things. People are going to know the true in Zambia one day.
Chris: When the minister was around, did you ask him about your money?
Katumbi: Listen, the minister came here, came to see the President. I didn't ask him, it is the journalist who asked that question to the minister and the minister confirmed to say the Zambia government owes Mr. Katumbi the money, because he knew the operation we were about the maize meal, because he was the secretary general of the party at that time and he was also the chairman for the election at the time.
And he knows very well you deliver maize which we are buying at K35,000 and selling that at 15,000, make yourself the difference, if you have got 10,000 bags today it is K350,000,000 you come and sell at K150,000,000, there is a loss of K200,000,000. Who suppose to support that? It is government, and there is clear contract to the terms. You can call anyone, they can call anyone to ask, and...
Chris: You mean the government of Zambia has not given you any money?
Katumbi: Listen, I say people will know the true one day, I don't want to say anything at the moment, people will know the true one day.
Chris: Mr. Governor could you explain how were you distributing the maize?
Katumbi: We were distributing the maize to the members of parliament, MMD members of parliament not anybody else. We were buying maize at K35,000 and we were buying, importing some maize from South Africa, which we were not paying duty because we had a contract with the government which we suppose to reduce.
In South Africa the maize was at 10 dollar and we were selling also at K15,000 because we needed a lot of maize meal, we were giving to members of parliament at K15,000 and every day we were distributing almost twenty thousand bags of maize every day which was almost at the market at the time K700,000,000 at that time for 20,000 bags and the same day you are selling the same maize at K300,000,000 you are losing K400,000,000 per day, which the members of parliament, MMD members of parliament got it from us, for the campaign.
Chris: Were you only buying in South Africa or also locally?
Katumbi: Locally also, with Antelope, APG, Olympic, plenty milling plants. We are going and buy at full price at K35,000 and sell to the members of parliament at K15,000. Sometimes we use Tamba Bashila money to pre-finance the government. You pre-finance the government the money, that's why I'm asking they owe me money.
I can prove it, I have got tape, the Zambian people saw it on TV, and I was not selling the maize meal at night, I was selling the maize meal on the day.
Chris: Did you sign any document with government that they owe money?
Katumbi: I have got the contract with the government and I have got the audit report by the Ministry of Finance, not my company auditors or somebody, auditor from the government, and after the same government coming in power, they send us another auditor, can you see? I have got a audit report from the Ministry of Finance recognizing the money they owe me, and they went to PriceWaters which gave wrong figures, which I didn't even had, and I can show you all the contract.
I say one day I will say the true to Zambian people and I will tell the Zambian people who reimburse me a bit of my money. I will talk one day. I will tell the people the true. I never stolen any perk in Zambia, anything in Zambia. I have lost. In court with the government of Zambia, they are selling my things, there is even contempt of court.
They don't even respect the court of law by the Task Force, they don't even respect the court of law. I am in court and they go and sell the things illegally. So they are on top of the Zambian law, they don't even respect the judges in Zambia, it is an insult. They should first wait until the case finish in court. They go and sell my things in Kasongole, things worth it US $300,000, they go and sell it for US $10,000. The guy for Task Force is a crook, they have to arrest him.
They can go and do the evaluation of the goods which was US $300,000 I bought, and they went to sell it for US $8,000. With not even a court order, with not even a judgment in court. How can, the matter is in court, tomorrow the guy is selling. He just a crook.
Chris: Thank you Mr. Governor.
Katumbi: Thank you.
Labels: MAIZE, Moses Katumbi, VERNON MWAANGA
Read more...
Explain VJ's DRC trip, Machungwa asks Levy
By George Chellah
Tuesday April 10, 2007 [04:00]
Luapula PF member of parliament Peter Machungwa (in white T-shirt and glases) watching VJ's video footage at Post Newspapers' offices yesterday. From Machungwa's far (r) is reporter George Chellah, Post managing editor Amos Malupenga and Post IT specialist Andrew Chiwenda - Picture by Abel Mambwe
LUAPULA PF member of parliament Peter Machungwa yesterday asked President Mwanawasa to state whether or not chief government spokesperson Vernon Mwaanga's statement on Moses Katumbi was the message he sent him to deliver to DRC President Joseph Kabila as his special envoy.
And Machungwa said Mwaanga's case was a serious matter for Parliament to take up because it was obvious that he lied to the House.
Commenting on the latest revelations over Mwaanga's recent trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Machungwa - who raised the point of order in Parliament over the same matter last week - challenged President Mwanawasa to tell the nation the truth on the matter.
"I think we have a serious problem here. Honourable Mwaanga travelled to the DRC as a special envoy of President Mwanawasa. VJ is one of the most experienced and seasoned diplomats this country has produced. So for him to go and speak like this means something," Machungwa said. "Maybe there is something President Mwanawasa is not telling us. Unless the President says VJ, for reasons unknown to him, went and spoke in this manner. Just recently the Vice-President confirmed that the Task Force are still interested in him (Katumbi). He said if he was to come to Zambia they would arrest him. So is this the mandate President Mwanawasa gave VJ to go and mislead Moses Katumbi?"
Machungwa insisted that President Mwanawasa should tell the nation the truth over Mwaanga's trip. "This is extremely unfortunate and as Parliament and Zambians, we need to know what's behind this since VJ travelled as a special envoy of the President. Maybe that's the message the President gave him to deliver," Machungwa said. "This is extremely serious because VJ is in government, he travelled as a special envoy and he is the chief government spokesperson and also the chief whip so what he says carries a lot of weight."
Machungwa wondered whether Mwaanga's statement was part of the strategy in the fight against corruption.
"We want to know... so that we know that some cases in this fight on corruption, if it's decided for political expedience others may be dropped because they are powerful and the like. We need to know," Machungwa said. "Maybe let us wait and see what transpires."
On Mwaanga's address to Parliament over the matter last week, Machungwa described it as unfortunate. "This is a serious matter. Under Cap 12 of the Act under which we operate as members of parliament, you can't deliberately mislead or give falsehoods. I have seen and listened to the video and the questions he was asked, what his answers were and what he presented to Parliament and the questions he doctored," Machungwa said. "It is obvious and clear that VJ was not telling the truth, that's a serious matter for Parliament to take up. VJ is currently one of the longest serving members of parliament and he should know better."
Mwaanga has denied saying that the Zambian government owes DRC's Katanga Province governor Moses Katumbi US$7million for the maize he supplied in 2001. He claims that his statement was distorted.
But according to the video transcript obtained by The Post, Mwaanga in no uncertain terms stated that the Zambian government has nothing against Katumbi. He said all he knew was that Katumbi had sued the Zambian government for the US$7 million owed to him for the maize he supplied in 2001.
Mwaanga further advised the Congolese people never to pay attention to what is published in The Post because the newspaper fabricated and exaggerated issues just to strain the good relationship currently obtaining between the DRC and Zambia.
Below is part of the video transcript of Mwaanga's interview with journalists in Lubumbashi.
Question in French:...
Translation:...
Answer: It is unthinkable for us as Zambian government to consider a distinguished and senior member of the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo as criminal...that is totally out of the question. The Zambian press and particularly the private press...
Question: Especially the newspaper called The Post...
Answer: The Post is a private newspaper. I would like to urge you not to read too much into what The Post says because when it reports on these issues there is an element of exaggeration. There is an element of blowing issues out of proportion with a view of creating misunderstandings between us and the government of Congo. Governor Katumbi is a senior member of the government of President Kabila and the two governments enjoy very warm relations of brotherhood and fraternity which have withstood the test of time in the past and I would like to urge you that in the laws of Zambia there is a... the justice system in Zambia is based on the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. As far as government is concerned, there is nothing that I can attribute to governor Katumbi. All I can say is that governor Katumbi has sued the government of Zambia. He is owed money by the government of Zambia and he has sued the government for US$7 million for maize which he supplied to the Zambian government in the year 2001. And this matter is in the courts of law in Zambia as I speak to you now. So I would encourage you not to read too much into what the newspapers are saying. And I can say that with confidence because I am a former editor-in-chief of the Times of Zambia myself. I was editor-in-chief of the Times of Zambia and I am very familiar with newspapers and as Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services and chief government spokesman, I know what happens in the newspaper business and I would invite you not to take too much notice of what appears in the newspapers because there are a lot of exaggerations and distortions.
But this transcript is in sharp contrast with what Mwaanga presented to Parliament last Thursday as the correct version of his interview in the DRC.
Mwaanga's explanation followed a point of order by Machungwa who sought an explanation from government following Mwaanga's statement in DRC to the effect that government owed Katumbi US$7 million.
Labels: DRC, Moses Katumbi, VERNON MWAANGA
Read more...
Tembo urges MPs to change attitude
By Patson Chilemba
Monday April 09, 2007 [04:00]
FORMER Republican vice-president Lieutenant-General Christon Tembo has urged members of parliament (MPs) to change their attitude towards debates in the future sittings of parliament. And Lt Gen Tembo has urged politicians that are quarreling over the statement by information minister Vernon Mwaanga, that it was in fact Zambia which owes DRC Katanga Province governor Moses Katumbi US$7 million, to examine themselves before they could comment on the matter.
In an interview, Lt Gen Tembo said the conduct of some members of parliament especially in the parliamentary sitting that just adjourned left much to be desired. Lt Gen Tembo said members of parliament should change their attitudes towards debate. "It is very important that when MPs are in the House, they must demonstrate maturity. Constituencies expect them to represent them in a mature manner...anything short of that is unacceptable to their constituencies," he said.
Lt Gen Tembo said it was up to the constituencies to monitor and sanction members of parliament that failed to represent them in a worthy manner. "They can do that whilst the life of Parliament is still on. They can, within the constituencies meet and pass a message and at the end of the term of Parliament, it's there duty to vote out those who are cantankerous," Lt Gen Tembo said.
"During this life of Parliament MPs should change their attitude."
During some debates in the House sittings that just adjourned, deputy speaker of the National Assembly Mutale Nalumango threatened to 'eject' parliamentarians that shouted and made commentaries while their colleagues were debating.
Roan Patriotic Front (PF) member of parliament Chishimba Kambwili was once 'ejected' by Parliamentary Committees Chairman Mkhondo Lungu for making running commentaries while his colleagues were debating. And Lt Gen Tembo said there was still a lot of political immaturity in most politicians that were 'quarrelling' over the issue of Katumbi. "Most people who are quarrelling are the key players. They want to wash away their hands when they were involved. It's not difficult to unearth these issues. I would advise people who are quarrelling to first examine themselves and say 'how clean am I to take on this matter?'" Lt Gen Tembo said.
Labels: CHRISTON TEMBO, Moses Katumbi, VERNON MWAANGA
Read more...
Don't eat with both hands, sata tells VJ
By George Chellah
Friday April 06, 2007 [04:00]
Vernon Mwaanga should desist from eating with both hands, Patriotic Front (PF) president Michael Sata said yesterday. Commenting on information minister Mwaanga's statement that his remarks in the DRC that the Zambian government owes Katanga Province governor Moses Katumbi US$7 million for the maize he supplied a few years ago were distorted, Sata expressed surprise at Mwaanga's statement.
"This government never ceases to amaze us. There is no way The Post and other publications both in French and English could misquote VJ. Let him just tell us that somebody has threatened him that he will go like former lands minister Gladys Nyirongo that’s why he now wants to deny,” Sata said. “Did he think that we won’t know what was happening in the DRC? Let him just come out in the open. You can’t eat with both hands and VJ should desist from eating with both hands. He cannot continue doing that.
“In this era of Internet, surely can somebody afford to misquote or distort anyone’s words from another publication? VJ shouldn’t panic because I am sure that if he is fired, Katumbi can look after him very well.”
Sata said Mwaanga’s days were numbered.
“Probably this is what the Bible talks about that ‘he whom God wants to destroy he first makes them mad...’ So may be that’s why some people could say something today and forget it tomorrow,” Sata said. “If he is not careful he is going, it’s just a matter of time. Levy afforded him a last chance because he ate in Kaunda and Chiluba’s regimes but no government will accommodate him anywhere because we all know his true colours.”
Sata urged Mwaanga not to panic over what he said in the DRC.
“Let him be a man, let him be bold enough because no amount of his diplomacy will clear this matter. I am sure that he must have said it... I know VJ when he is pressed against the wall, that’s how he behaves,” he said.
Sata teasingly said that for the first time, Mwaanga had said the truth.
“VJ is being very honest on Katumbi and should not retreat,” Sata said.
He said Mwaanga knew what he was talking about in the DRC because he knows the transactions between the Chiluba administration and Katumbi.
However, Sata wondered why it had taken the government four years to admit that it owed Katumbi money.
“If they owe Katumbi money, why have they been chasing him all this while? Let them just apologise to the nation that they have been using the fight against corruption for political expedience,” he said.
Mwaanga has denied saying that the Zambian government owes Katumbi US$7 million for the maize he supplied a few years ago, despite two different DRC newspapers quoting him as having said it.
Mwaanga said he suspects that the distortion of the story could have occurred during the translation from French to English.
But the African Press Agency (APA), which reported the same story on the same day in English as the French publication, quoted Mwaanga in part as follows:
“Commenting on the information released by the Zambian media which reported that Moise Katumbi Chapwe, the governor of Katanga, is wanted by the Zambian court, Mwaanga said his country was not informed on the issue.
Instead he explained that the Zambian government rather owed Chapwe, 7 million dollars for the maize he delivered in 2001.”
And the Le Potentiel newspaper of the DRC whose story Mwaanga is disputing reported in part in French that:
“Ensuite, le porte-parole du gouvernement zambien a tenu à fixer l’opinion sur les prétendues poursuites judiciaires qu’aurait engagées son pays à l’encontre du gouverneur du Katanga Moïse Katumbi. Selon Veji Mwanga, c’est plutôt l’Etat zambien qui doit à Moïse Katumbi une bagatelle de sept millions de Usd. Cette somme représente la valeur de la quantité de maïs fourni par ce dernier. Quant au prétendu dossier judiciaire qui serait réactivé à Lusaka, il s’agit d’un montage grossier d’une certaine presse zambienne à la solde des groupes impliqués dans le commerce illicite en RDC des minerais congolais. Et dont les camions ont été bloqués à Kasumbalesa pour exportation frauduleuse de marchandises.”
The literal translation of this quote is: “Mwaanga also sought to clarify, the opinion on his government’s alleged judicial action against Katumbi. According to Mwaanga, it is in fact Zambia that owes Katumbi a trifle US $7 million, the sum being the value of the maize supplied by Katumbi. As far the alleged judicial case which would be reactivated in Lusaka, Mwaanga said it was an ill-conceived fabrication by a Zambian newspaper with a view to destroying groups of people alleged to be involved in illegal trade of Congolese minerals in DRC, and whose trucks were blocked at Kasumbalesa for alleged fraudulent exportation.”
Labels: Moses Katumbi, SATA, VERNON MWAANGA
Read more...
VJ distances himself from Katumbi's $7m
By George Chellah
Wednesday April 04, 2007 [19:29]
INFORMATION and broadcasting minister Vernon Mwaanga today distanced himself from the statement attributed to him that the Zambian government owes DRC's Katanga Province governor Moses Katumbi US $7 million for the maize he supplied to the government a few years ago. Mwaanga, who is also chief government spokesperson has claimed that his remarks in the DRC were distorted. "I would have given you a transcript of the interview. The story is inaccurate. In fact, I had five officials with me from Zambia," Mwaanga said. "I have sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and State House a full copy of what I said...a transcript."
Mwaanga said he was asked by the press in DRC concerning Zambian troops. "On the issue of troops, it was the press who asked me that question... it wasn't with President Kabila," Mwaanga explained. He complained that yesterday's Post lead story stating that he told the press in the DRC that it was in fact the Zambian government that owed Katumbi US $7 million, was a gross distortion. "In fact, I was shocked when I saw that because I have had a good relationship with The Post. So I expected you people to call me before you ran the story," Mwaanga said. "It's a total distortion, it's a malicious distortion. You were quoting another newspaper...a French newspaper for that matter, meaning that somebody was translating."
When asked to give what he thinks is the correct position about the matter since he was saying that the initial story was a distortion, Mwaanga responded: "I am not ready to go on. You have to send a written statement. In order to avoid any more distortions, you have to send a written inquiry and I will respond in writing as well." But the African Press Agency (APA), which reported the same story on the same day in English as the French publication, quoted Mwaanga as follows: "APA-Lubumbashi (DR Congo) Zambian information minister, Vernon Johnson Mwaanga, has rebutted claims following an audience with the Congolese President Joseph Kabila at the border town of Lubumbashi at the weekend, that his country was occupying parts of Congolese territory, APA learnt here.
Mwaanga said he and the Zambian military authorities acquiesced that the allegations that the Zambian army was occupying parts of Pweto, a locality in the northeast of Katanga in DR Congo were groundless. He said the Zambian ambassador to DR Congo would rebutt the information on Radio Okapi (UN mission's radio in DRC) which aired the news quoting Mwaanga as saying that the issue may 'sully the relations between the two countries'. Mwaanga carried a special message from President Levy Mwanawassa addressed to President Kabila pertaining to the relations between the two countries and particularly the alleged seizure of mining products destined for exports to Zambia.
Crude mining products worth over 20 million dollars were reportedly seized in early March in Kasumbalesa on the border between DR Congo and Zambia. Commenting on the information released by the Zambian media which reported that Moise Katumbi Chapwe, the governor of Katanga, is wanted by the Zambian court, Mwaanga said his country was not informed on the issue.
Instead he explained that the Zambian government rather owed Chapwe 7 million dollars for the maize he delivered in 2001. Before his visit to Lubumbashi, the information minister held discussions with Congolese authorities in Kinshasa on bilateral relations between the two countries. DR Congo and Zambia share a border of about 17,000 kilometres."
And the Le Potentiel newspaper of the DRC whose story Mwaanga is disputing reported in part in French that:
"Ensuite, le porte-parole du gouvernement zambien a tenu à fixer l'opinion sur les prétendues poursuites judiciaires qu'aurait engagées son pays à l'encontre du gouverneur du Katanga Moïse Katumbi. Selon Veji Mwanga, c'est plutôt l'Etat zambien qui doit à Moïse Katumbi une bagatelle de sept millions de Usd. Cette somme représente la valeur de la quantité de maïs fourni par ce dernier. Quant au prétendu dossier judiciaire qui serait réactivé à Lusaka, il s'agit d'un montage grossier d'une certaine presse zambienne à la solde des groupes impliqués dans le commerce illicite en RDC des minerais congolais. Et dont les camions ont été bloqués à Kasumbalesa pour exportation frauduleuse de marchandises."
The literal translation of this quote is: "Mwaanga also sought to clarify, the opinion on his government's alleged judicial action against Katumbi. According to Mwaanga, it is in fact Zambia that owes Katumbi a trifle US $7 million, the sum being the value of the maize supplied by Katumbi.
As far the alleged judicial case which would be reactivated in Lusaka, Mwaanga said it was an ill-conceived fabrication by a Zambian newspaper with a view to destroying groups of people alleged to be involved in illegal trade of Congolese minerals in DRC, and whose trucks were blocked at Kasumbalesa for alleged fraudulent exportation."
Labels: DRC, Moses Katumbi, VERNON MWAANGA
Read more...
It's Zambia which owes Katumbi $7m - Mwaanga
By Webster Malido
Wednesday April 04, 2007 [04:00]
INFORMATION and broadcasting minister Vernon Mwaanga has said that it is in fact Zambia which owes DRC’s Katanga Province governor Moses Katumbi US$7 million for the maize he had supplied the government. According to Le Potentiel newspaper of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) of April 2, 2007, Mwaanga was in that country last weekend and met with President Joseph Kabila over recent security concerns. Mwaanga, who is also chief government spokesperson, further denied reports that Zambian soldiers had occupied Katanga Province's Moba territory.
On the alleged corruption charges against Katumbi in Zambia, Mwaanga said it was in fact the Zambian government that owed Katumbi US$7 million for the maize that he had supplied. On the alleged corruption cases which are supposed to be reactivated in Zambia against Katumbi, Mwaanga is reported by the newspaper as having said that it was just an ill-conceived fabrication by a certain Zambian newspaper with a view to destroying groups of people alleged to be involved in illegal trade of Congolese minerals, and whose trucks were blocked at Kasumbalesa for alleged fraudulent exportation.
Mwaanga's statement contradicts recent statements by the Task Force on Corruption that Katumbi's corruption cases were still active and that he would be arrested if he entered Zambia. According to Task Force on Corruption chairman Maxwell Nkole, Katumbi's cases are still in the High Court where ownership is being contested and that the Task Force has been conducting criminal investigations pertaining to Katumbi's involvement in the K53 billion maize deal part of which was diverted for his (Katumbi's) private use.
"Katumbi's involvement lies in the diversion of the amount of K17.2 billion to refinance Tamba Bashila and Chani Fisheries of which he was the owner. Both Tamba Bashila and Chani Fisheries are now restricted by Gazette notice," Nkole stated in explaining Katumbi's case. "In addition, the Task Force wishes to interview Mr Katumbi in respect of the arms deal case popularly known as the B.K. Facility in which the Zambian government lost approximately US $20 million for arms supply contracts which was never honoured."
Earlier in the year, Vice-President Rupiah Banda told Parliament that Katumbi would face the law if he entered Zambia because the Task Force on Corruption was still pursuing him. Vice-President Banda said the explanation that he had given Parliament over Katumbi in January was government's position and that the status quo for the Katanga governor once in Zambia still remained unchanged. He said he did not want to lie and say Katumbi was free to travel to Zambia when the position had been that he was wanted for questioning by the Task Force on Corruption.
"If Mr Katumbi was to come here, yes the law would visit him. This was my honest answer and I did not want to deceive my brother by saying no he is not wanted for questioning by the Task Force," he said.
And Mwaanga told President Kabila in Lubumbashi that it was not true that Zambian soldiers had occupied Moba territory in Katanga Province. "The storm is over, nothing can any longer overshadow the friendly relations and neighbourhood that exists between Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo," Mwaanga was quoted after his meeting with President Kabila.
He said he was the bearer of a message from President Levy Mwanawasa to his counterpart Kabila, meaning that there was now a dissipation of all the misunderstanding which in the recent past had affected relations between the two countries. Mwaanga indicated that President Mwanawasa sent him to the DRC to refute information suggesting that Zambian soldiers had occupied the towns of Moba territory. He recalled the SADC countries' non-aggression pact to which both Zambia and DRC were signatories.
Labels: DOMESTIC DEBT, Moses Katumbi, VERNON MWAANGA
Read more...
Development-centred trade
By Kabumbu Isaac
Tuesday March 27, 2007 [02:00]
Economics is said to be the study of how society organises its money, trade and industry. At the same time, economics teaches people to find fiscal solutions, within scanty resources, to problems. The principle at play is about minimising expenditure and maximising income; spending less and gaining more.
With this background usually comes a mentality that one finds it difficult to resist inordinate and great love of money and desirous of that of others. In this trap falls a merchant who no longer seeks the development and good of one’s own country, but individual unsatisfactory accumulation of wealth.
Consequently, economics is understood only as the increase of personal wealth rather than the administration of countries and resources to swell up economic reservoirs of society as a whole.
On the international or national level some leaders have fallen prey to selfish capitalism.
The weak and innocent people are tossed on the sharp-edges of unjust economic objectives aimed at capitalistic increase of wealth without regard to principles of solidarity, subsidiarity and the common good. It then becomes easier to trade on the market and compromise the inexhaustible value of inherent human rights and dignity.
Human rights suffer a great deal and are better eliminated together with their subject who is merely reduced to a means to and end. In the process trade-centred development is claimed at the expense of development-centred trade.
The latter is a policy shift to place trade, production and employment at the core of reducing poverty and serving humanity. This development-driven approach to trade is needed for it allows for trade and social justice that lies in solidarity.
Without this shift in policy, our society is unlikely to progress especially in this 21st century, where world economic system is advantaging the West.
http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=24375
Watch Katumbi
By Chris
Tuesday March 27, 2007 [02:00]
I would like to congratulate Moses Katumbi for his intelligence. Just a few weeks ago, he said he was going to turn Katanga Province into a small South Africa. Very few people understood what he meant. This man has foresight and he knows what he is talking about. He may be a crook, as it has been alleged, but personally I admire him. Let our politicians learn a lesson from this.
One fact is clear: It only takes one person in power to grasp the vision to turn around an ailing economy.
Wake up Zambia! Katumbi has just been governor for a few months and he has been able to see the irregularities surrounding the copper business and the overloaded trucks!
Watch Moses Katumbi in the next one year.
http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=24372
Western clandestine services
By Kanyanta Kapwepwe, Lusaka
Tuesday March 27, 2007 [02:00]
The comments by our two former heads of state on Zimbabwe were a true example of what stance brave leaders should take. I also wish to advise all those against the statements that we need to be analytical in the way we comment over this issue if we are to understand the real problem. Let us not just call an egg "an oval shaped shell". There is more to it than what you see.
The difference is not between Mugabe and Tsivangirai, and what can be done to Zimbabwe can also be done to any African country in one way or another.
Let us be alert of the Western clandestine services. They use you to fight your own brothers and before you realise it they will have gotten what they wanted. Moreover, the pernicious economic sanctions are meant to create an evil face on the rulling government.
Labels: DEVELOPMENT, LETTERS, Moses Katumbi, ZIMBABWE
Read more...
Ben Mwila backs Katumbiover restriction on movement of copper conc
By George Chellah
Sunday March 25, 2007 [02:00]
NATIONAL Democratic Focus (NDF) president Ben Mwila yesterday backed the decision by Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Katanga Province governor Moses Katumbi to restrict the movement of copper concentrates from that country. And Mwila said there was need for the government to develop a system of monitoring the production on local mines in order to get the right figures of production and profitability.
Commenting on Katumbi’s decision, Mwila said the DRC authorities were on the right track. "The Congo is on the right track because if you listen to their argument they are losing money and people are not being honest. They are not declaring the right tonnage," Mwila said. "They are flouting the recommendations and requirements. Every country has got export regulations which must be adhered to." He said the DRC authorities' decision was right because the government wanted to make money. "Government must have revenue. We should just try to be honest in our business, we must be transparent while we make money," Mwila said.
On the local mines, Mwila suggested that there was need for the government to develop a system of monitoring the production in local mines. "Maybe government must have representation on the mines to monitor production so that figures of production are not manipulated so that we get the right figures from their production and profitability," Mwila said. "For example, are mines like Kansanshi able to account for the gold they are extracting from the copper ore? These are things we must be monitoring as a country. Even Lumwana, when they start, the same should be done." Last Wednesday, some members of parliament raised concern over Katumbi's decision, saying it had led to a lot of trucks being marooned at Kasumbalesa border post.
However, Katumbi said Zambia should not complain much because of the 500 trucks at the border, only 41 had Zambian registration numbers. He said the rest of the trucks were from countries and he expected those countries to complain more than Zambia. Katumbi said some crooked people were stealing copper concentrates from both the DRC and Zambia and they were making false declarations at the border. "People are stealing materials here. Can Zambia accept to export these stolen materials? So you see, I am protecting both countries. It's also to protect Zambian investors because we are brothers," he said. "People are not paying taxes. Zambia is losing. Congo is losing. Trucks are crossing the borders illegally, with no papers."
He said another problem he discovered was that some of the trucks were illegally transporting radioactive materials such as uranium. Katumbi said his decision was also aimed at protecting people's lives as some of the materials being illegally moved from the DRC across the region were radioactive. He maintained that he would stick to his decision of March 6, 2007 to restrict the movement of unprocessed materials, especially copper, between the DRC and Zambia in the interests of the economies of both countries.
Katumbi said both Zambia and the DRC have been losing in terms of revenue as most of the transported materials entering the border point were under declared. He said before he made the decision to restrict the movement of copper concentrates, the DRC was losing about US$450 million monthly due to false declarations at the border. According to Katumbi's statement of March 6, 2007, dealers were reminded that pursuant to article 85 of the Mining Code and article 218 of its Regulations, export of unprocessed minerals (mineral scraps, malachite etc) was forbidden, except with conditional authority from the Ministry of Mines.
Labels: COPPER, MINING, Moses Katumbi
Read more...
Katumbi explains decision to restrict copper movement
By Webster Malido
Friday March 23, 2007 [02:00]
DEMOCRATIC Republic of Congo (DRC) Katanga Province governor, Moses Katumbi, has said that the decision to restrict the movement of copper concentrates was made in the interests of both his country and Zambia. In a telephone interview from Lubumbashi yesterday, Katumbi said some crooked people were stealing copper concentrates from both the DRC and Zambia and they were making false declarations at the border.
"People are stealing materials here. Can Zambia accept to export these stolen materials? So you see, I am protecting both countries. It's also to protect Zambian investors because we are brothers," he said. "People are not paying taxes. Zambia is losing. Congo is losing. “Trucks are crossing the borders illegally, with no papers."
Katumbi said his decision was also aimed at protecting people's lives as some of the materials being illegally moved from the DRC across the region were radioactive. He maintained that he would stick to his decision of March 6, 2007 to restrict the movement of unprocessed materials, especially copper, between the DRC and Zambia in the interests of the economies of both countries.
Katumbi said both Zambia and the DRC have been losing in terms of revenue as most of the transported materials entering the border point were under-declared. He said before he made the decision to restrict the movement of copper concentrates, the DRC was losing about US$450 million monthly due to false declarations at the border. Katumbi said he had a duty to build the economy of his country.
Katumbi said another problem he discovered was that some of the trucks were illegally transporting radioactive materials such as uranium. "I am protecting the people because they can't feel the problem today but after some years, people are going to get sick from diseases like skin cancer from the radioactive substances which are moving from the DRC to Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Tanzania," he said. "Unprocessed materials will not leave the Congo. I am going to make sure that they don't leave. I need to control these things in the interest of both Zambia and the Congo."
On Wednesday, some members of parliament raised concern over Katumbi's decision, saying it had led to a lot of trucks being marooned at Kasumbalesa border post. However, Katumbi said Zambia should not complain much because of the 500 trucks at the border, only 41 had Zambian registration numbers. He said the rest of the trucks were from other countries and he expected those countries to complain more than Zambia.
According to Katumbi's statement of March 6, 2007, dealers were reminded that pursuant to article 85 of the Mining Code and article 218 of its Regulations, export of unprocessed minerals (mineral scraps, malachite, etc) was forbidden, except with conditional authority from the Ministry of Mines. "It has been noted that besides the violation of the above provisions, the weight declared is below the real weight carried," Katumbi stated. "It is a fact that a false declaration is a breach of the law on the part of the exporter and loss on the part of the government. Besides, the under declared weight damages roads. "In the light of the foregoing and while waiting for the strengthening of control mechanisms by the services concerned, it has been decided to suspend export of the above mentioned minerals until further notice."
Labels: COPPER, Moses Katumbi, TRADE
Read more...
Katumbi only banned copper exportation, Parley told
By Times Reporter
PARLIAMENT heard yesterday that Katanga province governor, Moses Katumbi, did not order the closure of Kasumbalesa border post but only issued a decree banning the exportation of copper concentrates from his province so that the products could be processed within that country.
Acting leader of Government business in the House, George Mpombo, told Parliament that such a decree was without a notice, hence the confusion that surrounded the alleged border closure. The minister was responding to a question by Chipili MP, Davis Mwila (PF), who wanted to know the background and Government’s immediate reaction to the alleged closure of the Katanga border with Zambia and the halting of copper and cobalt exports.
Mr Mpombo, who is also acting Minister of Home Affairs, said the report from the consulate-general of the Republic of Zambia in Lubumbashi, advised that the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government in the actual fact did not close the border. “What actually happened is that on March 6, 2007, Katanga governor, Mr Moise Katumbi, issued a decree, banning the exportation of copper concentrates from Katanga Province so that the same could be processed within that province and thereby promoting the local industry. The ban was without notice,” Mr Mpombo explained. He said owners of the concentrates, most of whom were Congolese nationals but with links outside the DRC, challenged authorities in Lubumbashi demanding that the export merchandise be allowed to get to its intended destinations but to no avail.
“For its part, the Zambian consulate held discussions with the office of the governor so that a solution could be found as most drivers happened to be Zambians and had been rendered destitute with some of their visas expiring. “Further, the provincial leadership on the Copperbelt also made frantic efforts to have the situation resolved and were promised that the trucks would be allowed to proceed as of today (yesterday) March 21, 2007. This undertaking by the Congolese is yet to be put to rest,” Mr Mpombo told the House. He said as testimony to the fact that what happened was not a border closure per se, other vehicles which were carrying cargo other than copper concentrates were allowed to enter or exit the DRC.
Mr Mpombo said the number of trucks marooned at the border kept increasing and that as of yesterday, there were more than 400 trucks. He explained that immediate repercussions of the actions by the Katanga governor would be loss of employment and therefore, income by Zambian drivers. He said owners of trucks involved in transporting the copper concentrates would also lose business.
In a follow-up question, Nkana MP, Mwenya Musenge (PF), wondered whether the sour relations over the border was as a result of the Task Force on Corruption and the Katanga governor issue to which Mr Mpombo said it was not true. Mufulira MP, Marjory Masiye (PF), asked Government to assure the nation that ties with Congo DR would not sour to which Mr Mpombo said the two countries enjoyed good relations. Nalolo MP, Mubita Mwangala (MMD), asked what Government action had been and Mr Mpombo said he was informed that a team of DRC ministers had flown to Katanga to rectify the problem.
Labels: MINING, Moses Katumbi, PARLIAMENT
Read more...
Katumbi is my nephew, like it or not - Kazembe
By George Chellah
Wednesday March 07, 2007 [02:00]
MOSES Katumbi is my nephew whether people like it or not, Mwata Kazembe of the Lunda people of Luapula province has said. In an interview on Monday, Mwata Kazembe, who was reluctant to discuss the matter, said Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Katanga Province governor Moses Katumbi was his blood relation and nobody could change that fact.
"You know I usually don't like giving my thoughts on cases of corruption because most of those people involved are my relatives. People like Chiluba, he is my son from here. So if I talk about that some people might think I am biased that's why I don't like talking about it," Mwata Kazembe said. "But for Katumbi, Katumbi is my nephew and nobody can change that whether people like it or not, Katumbi is my blood relation. He is my nephew." When asked whether he has attempted to advise his nephew to come back and answer the corruption charges he is currently facing in Zambia, Mwata Kazembe responded: "Katumbi has been willing to come back to Zambia on condition that he should be put under house arrest and not to take him in jail... to Chimbokaila," Mwata Kazembe said. "So if the powers that be can meet those conditions, Katumbi is willing and can return to Zambia even tomorrow."
Last week in parliament, Vice-President Rupiah Banda said authorities would question Katumbi if he visits Zambia. And on complaints by losing MMD Mwansabombwe parliamentary candidate Maybin Mubanga that he (was intimidating witnesses in the Mwansabombwe petition, Mwata Kazembe denied the allegations. "I don't know what is wrong with Mubanga. I can't intimidate his witnesses and I will never do that. I understand how bitter Mubanga is for having lost an election but I will never intimidate his witnesses. I understand the law better than Mubanga himself,” Mwata Kazembe said. "In fact, I am even on record of encouraging him to go to court so that we can settle this matter once and for all. People should learn to accept defeat honourably. These people... the MPs are just passing birds, they come and go that's why our current MP is Chitonge for now. Mubanga can come and contest in 2011 if he wants." He advised Mubanga to use his money properly and not on costly activities like he was doing. He also advised him to be respectful. "Even the person he is saying that I was intimidating, Mubanga doesn't live with us here so who told him that? Let him give you the number of that same person I intimidated so that you can get exactly what happened from the person herself," Mwata Kazembe said. "This person came all the way from her place to come and provoke me at the palace. I even told her that you people are embarrassing me... in fact, I was going to cane her because she just came to provoke me. "As for Mubanga, I am the Mwata and he is my subject and let him accept that."
But Mubanga said Mwata Kazembe was threatening witnesses in his petition case, where he has asked the High Court to nullify the election of Samuel Chitonge. And Mwansabombwe PF member of parliament Samuel Chitonge advised Mubanga not to draw the Mwata in his petty politics. "Mr Mubanga has petitioned so what else does he want? Let him just wait for the courts to determine the matter. He should even have respect for the Mwata because that sort of behaviour is the highest level of insolence," Chitonge said.
Labels: CORRUPTION, Moses Katumbi, Mwata Kazembe
Read more...
