Zulu defends radar inquiry findings
By Kombe Chimpinde
Fri 20 Apr. 2012, 11:59 CAT
MINISTER of Justice Sebastian Zulu says he was ‘walking a tightrope' when President Michael Sata rubbished his report because he could not defend it as the matter was in court.
Recently, President Sata said the Sebastian Zulu-led commission of inquiry report on radar contracts for three international airports was useless and wondered if the Minister of Justice was trying to protect Dora Siliya.
In an interview, Zulu who chaired the commission of inquiry on radar contracts for the airports, said the findings by his commission were justified.
He however said that he could not defend it as it had coincided with the time of Siliya's arrest and appearance before the magistrates' court regarding the same matter and commenting on it would have made it prejudicial before the courts of law.
"Our findings as far as I am concerned were justified. I could not comment on the findings of the report because that matter is in court. It was on the basis of some of those findings that Dora was arrested. So I was walking a tightrope," he said.
"See what I mean? The matter was in court so I couldn't comment on the findings of the report because the matter is in court."
Zulu said that he was also awaiting an appointment to be fixed in which he would present the report on the Inquiry on NAPSA regarding the Meanwood project and ZNBS property development, which the President deferred following his (Zulu) decision to delegate the function because he was reportedly out of the country.
"They will give me a date. They have not given me a date on which to present," said Zulu.
On the Zanaco inquiry which Zulu chaired, Zulu said that the findings had been closed and that he had been waiting to be given time to present it.
Earlier, Zulu said a team of experts comprising all stakeholders to draw up specifications in order to identify the requirement for a new and modern air traffic management system, which would include the radar, should also be set up.
And Zulu clarified that there was a circular released recently to all government departments regarding some changes in State House and government function protocol at which the PF secretary general Wynter Kabimba has been included in the top three but that he was not the spokesperson to divulge the details of the circular.
Responding to journalists who wanted to know if those changes had any attachment to the Cabinet arrangement, Zulu said, "The circular is merely talking about who comes first second and so forth. All I can confirm is there is a circular. But the protocol must not be confused with Cabinet."
Labels: CORRUPTION, MICHAEL SATA, NAPSA, ZANACO
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Sebastian Zulu absent at State House event, Sata refuses to receive NAPSA inquiry report
TIME PUBLISHED - Thursday, April 12, 2012, 1:19 pm
President Michael Sata this morning refused to receive the report of the Commission of Inquiry constituted to investigate the purchase of a farm in Lusaka and the financing of the Zambia National Building Society Central Arcades project by the National Pensions Scheme Authority (NAPSA).
This was after the commission chairperson Sebastian Zulu who is also Justice Minister failed to show up and instead delegated his vice Ngosa Simbyakula to present the report.
President Sata during the less than five minute event noted that he had appointed Mr.Zulu as the chairperson of the commission of inquiry and therefore would not receive the report from any other person.
President Sata who quickly stopped the permanent secretary for administration at Cabinet office Anne Sinyangwe from introducing the commission members said he was disappointed that the commission chairperson failed to show up.
He said a lot of dust had been swept under the carpet on the NAPSA investigations by the commission.
Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary for administration at Cabinet office Anne Sinyangwe this morning shocked journalists when she informed them that her office will begin to regulate the attendance of the media at State house functions.
In an apparent vent of anger at the innocent journalists after President Sata lashed out at her office for failing to bring the chairperson of the NAPSA commission of inquiry to present the report, Mrs. Sinyangwe claimed that the room that was being used to host functions has become too small to accommodate all the journalists that attend statehouse assignments.
However, the room has from time immemorial been used for state house functions and has always accommodated journalists who are accredited by the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS).
Mrs. Sinyangwe is of the view that ZANIS will be used to cover state house who will in turn distribute stories to all the media houses.
The Journalists especially from the private media complained at this turn of events noting that most of these government officials were not there when the media covered President Sata during the time he was in opposition for them to stop them from covering state house functions.
QFM
Labels: CABINET, CORRUPTION, MICHAEL SATA, NAPSA, STATE HOUSE
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Inquiry to summon experts on refurbishment of Society House
By Gift Chanda
Thu 01 Dec. 2011, 13:20 CAT
THE commission of inquiry probing the operations of the Zambia National Building Society says it will summon experts to ascertain if the US $98 million for refurbishment of Society House can be substantiated.
In an interview shortly after the commission concluded the phrase one hearing in Lusaka, commission chairperson Mwila Lumbwe expressed satisfaction over the quality of submissions received so far.
"We have received a number of submissions from the management team, the public and the employees," Lumbwe said.
"It is quiet apparent from the submission that we have received that the public is concerned with the quality of management and also the financial condition of the Zambia National Building Society ( ZNBS). They are also concerned about the applications of the resources of the building society."
Lumbwe said out of all the submissions received, the building society project and the compensations to senior management stand out in a "glaring fashion".
He said the commission would summon contractors, engineering professionals, and associations that regulate the building industry to try and ascertain whether the value of the Society House contract could be substantiated.
He said the employees were concerned about the future viability of the ZNBS and was looking to the government to ensure that the institution survived.
"From what I have read so far, there is a dedicated pool of employees who are keen, enthusiastic and keen, about the building society," he said.
"They have made an earnest appeal that if they are given the tools that they require, that is capital and a dynamic management, they believe they can take the competition to other financial institutions in the industry."
The National Pensions Scheme Authority (NAPSA) US$98 million transaction with the ZNBS was to refurbish the latter's Society House.
NAPSA took over ZNBS House and Central Arcades under the build, operate and transfer (BOT) scheme.
According to the agreement on the re-development of Society House and Central Arcades by concession arrangement, NAPSA would put in $98.2 million into the project and would thereafter claim its profit and interest within 12 years.
An additional eight years would be given to the institution as a bonus to run the building. The agreement also states that NAPSA would be paid an additional exit fee, which might see it walk away with more than $300 million from the deal.
Labels: CORRUPTION, NAPSA
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There was big looting under Rupiah - Mangani
By Kombe Chimpinde, Henry Sinyangwe in Lusaka and Christopher M
Mon 28 Nov. 2011, 13:59 CAT
THE abuse of resources that Zambians witnessed in late Fredrick Chiluba's 10-year rule will be nothing compared to the looting that went on during Rupiah Banda's three years in power, says Lameck Mangani.
And MMD Solwezi Central member of parliament Lucky Mulusa says the unearthing of K2.1 billion from Austin Liato's farm shows the recklessness of some individuals who served in the previous government.
Commenting on the K2.1 billion that law enforcement officers dug out at Liato's Mwembeshi farm last Thursday, Mangani, in an interview, said what had been unearthed showed the levels of looting that happened in the Banda regime.
"There was basically big looting. We are also aware that some of the innocent .
Zambians are keeping vehicles illegally acquired by MMD and keeping them in tents," Mangani said. He said the case of Liato was a clear example of how greedy some leaders were in Africa.
"Even during the Meanwood and NAPSA transactions, I remember honourable Liato supported it heavily when people questioned the deal and said it was not correct. He took it upon himself and went all the way to defend the transaction. I am not a police officer but these could be areas of interest for investigations," Mangani said.
"In fact I am aware that most of the ministers have been moving in and out of Zambia trying to hide one or two things. I want to warn, however, that there is nothing that can be hidden even the houses that we hear some people bought will be known soon."
Mangani said he was also aware that some former government officials had engaged lawyers to try and alter property titles.
"This sends bad signal about the previous government we had. How could the president allow such a thing? If Liato was a gold dealer as reported earlier on, when did he start being a gold dealer as a minister?" he asked.
Mangani said it was not only Liato but many others who were engaged in corrupt acts and were on the verge of being discovered.
"There are many people that could be in a similar position like that of Liato. So I want to appeal to the police to continue investigating these matters for the benefit of Zambians," he said.
"…We African leaders, what is killing us is greed. Liato was a minister of labour, he is aware that some of the labourers are getting as little as K150,000, what was his moral conscience when he was going to work, he has money in a trench of over K2 billion, and for someone to have K2 billion after the elections, how much was there before?"
Mangani said such greediness, if not curbed, could destroy chances of the country developing to higher levels.
He said the K2.1 billion hidden at Liato's farm generated a lot of suspicions about the MMD.
However, the MMD has distanced itself from the case and has since suspended Liato with immediate effect saying the matter could not be defended by the party as it was personal.
"If it was clean money, why keeping it in the trenches and not the bank? This matter gives a lot of suspicions on the part of the MMD and they should not call it a witch-hunt," said Mangani.
And Mulusa, in an interview, said some individuals in the former cabinet had caused much damage to the country.
''That discovery of K2.1 billion from Liato's farm has really saddened us especially those of us who were never part of the previous government.
We are new members of parliament, we came in innocently and we campaigned for the party hoping that the party would be retained but we did not know the extent to which this party, the MMD, has caused so much damage," Mulusa said.
He said he could only apologise for the campaign messages which were delivered in the run-up to the September 20 elections in order to convince the people to vote for the MMD.
We can only imagine the damage that MMD would have done had we managed to retain power. We now feel that we need to step up our efforts to serve the people and ensure that while the MMD is still living, it is transformed into a party with a productive outcome, said Mulusa.
And Chitambo MMD member of parliament Mushili Malama said the MMD should not die following the wrongdoings of the previous leadership.
"While the previous leadership did some wrongs, we feel that it should not die but must be given a fresh set of leadership to ensure that it carries on with the noble dream that underwrote its birth in 1991," said Malama.
Labels: AUSTIN LIATO, LAMECK MANGANI, NAPSA
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Dora wasn't involved in Zamtel sale - Sikota
By Chiwoyu Sinyangwe
Sun 30 Oct. 2011, 20:50 CAT
DORA Siliya's name continues to be linked to the allegedly corrupt sale of Zamtel to Libya's LAP Green despite many legal proceedings, complains her lawyer Sakwiba Sikota.
Sikota, who spoke on behalf of Siliya when she was summoned to appear before the commission of inquiry probing the sale of Zamtel, NAPSA's procurement of land from Meanwood and NAPSA's US $98 million investment in ZNBS's Society House, said Siliya was not involved in the transaction.
"There has been a tribunal, there has been a court case, there has been other cases going right up to the Supreme Court. It seems like a never ending story. Let's hope this is the final chapter," Sikota said.
He said Siliya had not missed an opportunity to clear her name of wrongdoing in the controversial US $257 million transaction.
"Everything she has to say is in the records which were before the courts. There is nothing more she can add to what was stated in the court actions," he said.
Asked by The Post if Siliya acted above board in the controversial transactions, Sikota said: "That is what the court said. The court vindicated her right up to the Supreme Court."
Siliya, who together with Henry Banda, son of former president Rupiah Banda, were key architects in single-sourcing RP Capital of the Cayman Islands to valuate Zamtel for the planned privatisation process.
Siliya and Henry single-sourced RP capital for a US $2.5 million fee, and later retained RP capital as transaction advisors for a five per cent fee for the total selling price of Zamtel.
Siliya committed Zambian public money without the consent of the Attorney General's chambers.
The controversial transaction saw Siliya hauled before the Dennis Chirwa-led tribunal by a consortium of 10 civil society organisations led by the Zambian chapter of Transparency International, together with former transport minister William Harrington.
Earlier, Siliya who arrived at 14:28 at the hearing on Friday, immaculately dressed in a flash red outfit in the company of Sikota and ushered into the room of proceedings amidst the glare of cameras, declined to comment on the allegations made against her by some witnesses.
"Our firm instruction is that our client will not comment on the allegations made by Transparency International Zambia…there is nothing new that Transparency International Zambia has presented to this committee which was not brought to the Tribunal's attention," Sikota said.
Sikota said Siliya was not in fact involved in selling Zamtel because she was not Minister of Transport and Communication at the time the Zamtel sale was finalised.
Sikota said "I will insist on exercising her constitutional rights as guaranteed by the provisions of Article 18 of the Constitution of Zambia chapter one volume one of the Laws of Zambia."
But solicitor general Mubanga Kondolo advised Sikota that the inquiry was not called to investigate or incriminate Siliya.
He said there had been a lot aspersions cast on Siliya and the committee thought it was important to give her an opportunity to come and clarify.
"I would just want to clarify that these are not criminal proceedings, not judicial proceedings of any kind," Kondolo said. "This committee is not making any ruling. It's just purely an information-gathering exercise.
A number of people have been here and made submissions on the sale, not just relating to the sale but to the procurement of the transaction advisor right through to the entire spectrum of the process of sale.
It's purely an exercise for her self-preservation to help concretise her position in this situation as you have seen from the public outcry that you referred to.. It is her constitutional right to keep quiet."
Siliya, who refused to talk directly to journalists later left in her Toyota Landcruiser GX registration number ALC 7063 together with Sikota and a known freelance photographer.
Labels: CORRUPTION, COURTS, HENRY BANDA, MICHAEL SATA, NAPSA, RP CAPITAL PARTNERS, SAKWIBA SIKOTA, ULP, ZAMTEL
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Former President Rupiah Banda implicated in Napsa land scam
TIME PUBLISHED - Tuesday, November 1, 2011, 11:45 am
THE Commission of Inquiry established to probe irregularities at the National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA) has heard that Meanwood Property Development director Robinson Zulu was well-connected to former president Rupiah Banda and that the two sat next to each other to watch the Zambia National Soccer team in training before the transactions started.
NAPSA director of investment Joseph Ngosa testified before the Sebastian Zulu Commission of Inquiry that NAPSA director-general Stanley Phiri asked him if he knew how connected Mr Zulu was before he handed him a letter from Zulu.
This is in a mater in which NAPSA is alleged to have purchased 1,500 hectares of land from Meanwood Property Development in disregard of tender procedures and in the absence of a business development plan.
Mr Ngosa said soon after he was informed that Mr Zulu sat next to President Banda during the soccer training match at Edwin Imboela Stadium, Mr Phiri produced a letter authored by Mr Zulu offering land to NAPSA at K50 million per hectare.
Mr Ngosa also revealed that Mr Phiri further told him to immediately start making arrangements to meet Mr Zulu and discuss the land issue in detail so that NAPSA could purchase it.
He told the commissioners that during the transactions and preceding meetings, he had in mind the statement by the director informing him that Mr Zulu was well-connected and sat next to president Banda at the national soccer team training session.
Apparently, Mr Ngosa explained that, there was no investment at the time by NAPSA but he went ahead and discussed with Mr Zulu.
Director of finance, Doreen Chiwele also testified that there was political pressure in the acquisition of NAPSA land in which Mr Phiri also confessed to her that he was being pressured to ensure that NAPSA bought the land.
During the testimonies by the two officials, Mr Phiri was also present at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre.
She said it was clear that Mr Phiri was under political pressure and looked stressed as he continued pushing for the payment to Meanwood Property Development.
Ms Chiwele said Mr Phiri even confessed to her that he was under political pressure to buy Meanwood land at K75 billion.
Ms Chiwele said at that time, she refused to process the initial payment of K35 billion towards the deal.
She revealed that there were several other offers for land with lower costs but the decision could not be altered because of the political pressure.
Ms Chiwele said Mr Ngosa had written a memorandum to Mr Phiri for the attention of the investment committee of the board of directors but he was told to amend it and remove the aspect of the reservations.
She said in the memorandum to Mr Phiri, Mr Ngosa was explaining the correct procedures and that there were other offers with lower prices.
When asked by Mr Zulu, who is also Minister of Justice who exactly issued political instructions, Ms Chiwele said she was not told by Mr Phiri.
She said there was no evaluation process used to buy the 1,500 hectares of land because other institutions that offered land were excluded.
Ms Chiwele said the procedure used to procure the land was irregular.
[Times of Zambia]
Labels: CORRUPTION, NAPSA, RUPIAH BANDA
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Sata questions logic in Rupiah buying 2 luxury cars for K3.6bn
By Bright Mukwasa
Thu 13 Oct. 2011, 13:40 CAT
PRESIDENT Michael Sata has questioned the logic by his predecessor Rupiah Banda to buy two luxury vehicles worth K3.6 billion amidst other pressing needs in the country. And prominent Lusaka lawyer Dr Rodger Chongwe says the buying of the two vehicles is a manifestation that former president Banda and his executive ran a corrupt regime.
Speaking when he swore in Zambia National Service Commandant and his deputy, Brigadier General Nathan Mulenga, whom he elevated to Major General, and Brigadier General Alick Kamiji on Tuesday, President Sata expressed disappointment at the expenditure on the two luxury vehicles.
"This country, we are not ashamed. I am standing here, my predecessor brought in two Lexus vehicles, four wheel drive at K3.6 billion, what for? K3.6 billion and they came by air, what for? I expect we have people who are dying without receiving their pensions from NAPSA and yet NAPSA can take $98 million give to a foreign company who has not started anything; they can get $15 million and give to some unknown bogus imaginary company. Take $75 billion give to somebody else. And Mr Minister of Agriculture, I will not take it kindly for your maize to be soaked."
Former president Rupiah Banda justified the US$98 million NAPSA deal, saying he was happy that the pension authority had not been detracted by the best newspaper The Post.
And Dr Chongwe said the expenditure on the luxury vehicles was insensitive when the country had no medicines in hospitals, schools were dilapidated and roads were dilapidated.
He said the buying of the vehicles must be taken seriously and investigated by the current government.
"Mr Banda as president and his executive, whoever they are, must be held responsible and must explain to the people why it was necessary to spend such huge sums of money, when our own people are wallowing in poverty. That's theft, that's corruption. And the current government should deal firmly with behaviour like that by our previous leadership," Dr Chongwe said.
"There should be a thorough investigation into the activities of the previous government regarding their expenditure and regarding their receiving of the money. It is becoming obvious now that the government of Mr Rupiah Banda was marred in corruption and deceit."
Labels: CORRUPTION, MICHAEL SATA, NAPSA, RUPIAH BANDA
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MMD owes NAPSA K460m in unpaid rentals
By Chibaula Silwamba
Thu 06 Oct. 2011, 05:40 CAT
MMD owes NAPSA about K460 million in unpaid rentals for its national secretariat in Lusaka, according to well-placed sources at NAPSA. Sources at National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA) disclosed that the former ruling party had failed to settle the rentals for a long time and NAPSA's efforts to recover the money were not yielding any positive results.
"Our management has since written to the former ruling party MMD demanding that it pays the K460 million within one week. In fact, if the MMD fails to pay within the time we have given it, we will send bailiffs to enforce the recovery of the rentals," the sources said. "So just wait and see. The bailiffs will soon swing into action and the MMD will be left without offices if they don't pay."
MMD national chairman Michael Mabenga referred queries to party national secretary Major Richard Kachingwe, whose phone remained unanswered by press time.
When the issue of unpaid rentals was introduced to him, Mabenga responded: "Why don't you ring the national secretary? He will be in a position to know all the details. That is the man who keeps all records; he will be able to tell you the fair information."
Efforts to contact Maj Kachingwe and deputy national secretary Chembe Nyangu proved futile as they were not answering their phones while MMD deputy national chairman Kabinga Pande said he was in a meeting.
Former president Rupiah Banda had presided over a number of irregularly awarded contracts with NAPSA, among them the K75 billion Meanwood deal and the redevelopment of the Society House building, which raised a lot of concern among members of the public.
The MMD conducted one of the most extravagant campaigns in Africa with hundreds of vans, trucks, abundant chitenje materials, t-shirts, badges, Rupiah Banda-branded sweets, MMD campaign message-inscripted ‘flags' placed on streetlight poles and trees including bicycles among others items distributed to would-be voters.
Seventy-four-year-old Banda and the MMD lost to President Michael Sata, also 74, and his Patriotic Front (PF) party in the September 20 elections
Labels: DOMESTIC DEBT, MMD, NAPSA
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TIZ cautions on Zamtel, FBZ sale investigations
By Ernest Chanda
Tue 04 Oct. 2011, 12:50 CAT
TRANSPARENCY International Zambia (TIZ) has appealed to President Michael Sata to ensure that investigations into the sale of Zamtel and Finance Bank Zambia Limited are handled professionally to avoid the country losing out.
Welcoming President Sata's order to probe the hasty sale of the two institutions by the MMD administration, Zambia chapter president Reuben Lifuka said it was important to avoid vindictiveness in the exercise.
"Transparency International Zambia wishes to welcome the intention of the PF Government to probe the circumstances surrounding the sale of Zamtel and specifically the valuation exercise conducted by RP Capital and the Finance Bank deal.
Generally, we want to believe that President Sata and his administration should satisfy themselves thatb these deals were conducted above board and there is no wrongdoing associated with these transactions at all," Lifuka said on Saturday.
"We would like to urge President Sata, however, to ensure that such probes are conducted in a professional and objective manner and should not be motivated by any malice or vindictiveness. Zambia will miss the benefit of such probes if these are influenced by narrow political interests.
It is our view that such probes should provide firstly, information on any possible wrongdoings and secondly recommendations on how government can avoid the noted shortcomings in the future." He said it would be necessary for the President to acquaint himself with the Justice Dennis Chirwa Tribunal findings and take some of the recommendations into consideration as he decided the way forward.
"Finally, we would like to advise President Sata to reassure investors that such probes were well intended and not meant to harass those that have genuinely invested or are willing to invest in this country," said Lifuka.
"It is an undeniable fact that Zambia still needs foreign investment but this should not limit the government's intention to probe all possible wrongdoings in the manner that some of the transactions such as Zamtel were handled."
After he swore in Vice-President Guy Scott, Cabinet and deputy ministers at State House on Friday, President Sata ordered his justice minister to probe the sale of the two institutions.
He further ordered the Minister of Justice to probe the National Pension Scheme Authority's US $98 million funding of the Zambia National Building Society expansion project.
"I've appointed the Minister of Justice to look into the sale of Finance Bank. We want to see the sale of Finance Bank; was it transparent or was it fraudulent? And you have to look into the sale of Zamtel. The people of Zambia suffered to build Zamtel, so it cannot just be given away like that. So I need that report within 30 days," said President Sata.
The MMD government hastily sold 75 per cent of Zamtel shares after then communications and transport minister Dora Siliya single-sourced RP Capital Partners of Cayman Islands to valuate the company's assets.
And four days before the recent general elections, the MMD government announced the sale of Finance Bank to First National Bank of South Africa at a giveaway price of K27 billion, despite public resentment against the transaction.
Labels: CORRUPTION, DORA SILIYA, FINANCE BANK, NAPSA, RP CAPITAL PARTNERS, RUEBEN LIFUKA, TIZ, ZAMTEL
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Who is Rupiah serving? asks Kabimba
By Patson Chilemba
Sat 28 May 2011, 04:01 CAT
THOSE saying Rupiah Banda is benefiting from the US$98 million dollars NAPSA deal are justified, says Wynter Kabimba. Commenting on Pres-ident Banda’s justification of the deal, Lusaka lawyer Kabimba, who is also PF secretary general and spokesperson, wondered why President Banda was insistent on describing the deal as a good project.
He said the fact that President Banda was patronising the NAPSA and Zambia National Building Society (ZNBS) directors that they should focus on pushing the deal despite criticism from the public, meant that he realised that the criticism was justified.
Kabimba said the role of social security schemes in the past was to give loans to local authorities in order to build houses, such as the ones seen in Libala and Chilenje.
He said that was the role of the security schemes because the money belonged to the workers, so it went back to them by way of social development in form of low-cost housing.
Kabimba said the ordinary people today could not afford to purchase the houses from National Housing Authority because the cost usually ranged between K500 million to K1 billion.
He said any responsible government would have been urging NAPSA and other pension schemes to be investing in low-cost houses so that the people could have decent homes.
“To go and try to promote that project between NAPSA, ZNBS against the general welfare of the ordinary person is not only irresponsible by any government, but it’s working against the interests of the ordinary persons,” Kabimba said.
“We in PF would not support such projects because... you tell me how refurbishing of Zambia National Building Society improves the lives of people in Matero. How does it deliver water to the people in Chawama?”
Kabimba said US$98 million would go a long way towards improving the welfare of people in squalid settlement such as Kanyama which had no drainage system since the MMD came into office, and floods were the order of the day every rainy season.
He said President Banda found it wise to spend billions on a building when people could not afford health services, saying he wondered how many people from Matero would ever enter the ZNBS building.
“So the question is who is Mr Rupiah Banda serving? Certainly it can’t be the interest of the ordinary person…and Mr Rupiah Banda says that this is a good project, good for who? It’s a good project for himself, his government and the elite, and we cannot support that as PF,” Kabimba said.
“When you look at that principle, that’s why people are saying that there must be something for him. Otherwise, how does he just work against the interests of the people? Those reasoning like that would not be wrong.”
Kabimba said it was out-right strange that it had to take the head of state to go and officiate at the NAPSA-ZNBS ceremony.
He said the President even went out of his way to declare the deal, which he said had been criticised not only by The Post but the general citizenry.
“Without The Post in this country, these guys would have run the coffers of this country, bankrupt. Zambia would be bankrupt without The Post.
These guys are bitter not that there is something wrong that The Post has done but because it’s protecting the interests of the citizens. They have their dirty hands in the national till and when The Post screams, they withdraw their dirty hands from there,” said Kabimba.
During the launch of the Zambia National Building Society House redevelopment and Central Arcade development on Thursday, President Banda justified the deal, saying he was happy that the pension authority had not been detracted by “the best newspaper, The Post”.
The deal has attracted questions from several members of the public over the manner the transaction was handled. Sources disclosed that State House has been instrumental in ensuring the deal go through.
Labels: CORRUPTION, NAPSA, PENSIONERS, RUPIAH BANDA, WYNTER KABIMBA
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Rupiah justifies $98m NAPSA deal
By Bright Mukwasa
Fri 27 May 2011, 04:00 CAT
PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda has justified the US$98 million NAPSA deal, saying he was happy that the pension authority has not been detracted by the best newspaper The Post. And labour minister Austin Liato said the allegations by The Post that President Banda influenced the deal were misplaced.
During the launch of the Zambia National Building Society House re-development and Central Arcade development yesterday, President Banda said despite a lot of talk surrounding the project he was glad NAPSA and Zambian National Building society had remained focused.
“I know that a lot has been said especially by our best newspaper The Post that there’s something fishy about this.
It’s only human that when you are trying to change something, when you’re trying to transform something or yourself, you will always meet with opposition and so I am happy that the board of directors of the NAPSA as well as Zambia National Building Society (ZNBS) have remained focused in their desire to change this business district as well as to transform this area into a modern city,” President Banda said.
He said he liked the project because it could be seen even from afar where the opposition was.
President Banda urged people not to listen to those who told them that his government could not attain development.
And President Banda said the project heralds the urban and the central business district renewal programme and believed that it would at its completion become an example that other cities could emulate.
“The project is viable in technical, social and economic terms. It will create employment both at construction stage and user stage, serving as a perpetual earner of revenues for the two organisations (NAPSA and ZNBS). The end benefit will accrue to the people of Zambia,” he said.
He said the ZNBS and NAPSA had a mandate to empower Zambians to own housing through well-priced housing finance and ensure social security funds were invested prudently for retired populations.
“The rewards of this investment can only reinforce the mandates of these institutions and enable them to better serve their esteemed clientele,” President Banda said. “This project is in line with my government’s policy on public-private partnerships, marking my government’s participation in the development and expansion of infrastructure in the capital city.”
President Banda said the dilapidated state of properties such as Central Arcade had raised questions among the public and in Parliament pertaining to any plans to revamp the social, economic and viability of the properties.
He said the vision behind the project was to turn Central Arcade into an ultra-modern structure that would have Zambia’s first automated car park with a capacity of 1,068 vehicles.
President Banda said he was certain the face of Lusaka was changing for the better and dreamt that change would spill over to other towns and cities.
He also urged NAPSA and ZNBS to explore ways of obtaining reasonably-priced financing for mortgages which could be given for medium and long-term periods at affordable interest rates.
“Home ownership must be encouraged, and on that note, I want to see the building society reinvigorating its core business and be seen to reach out to greater numbers of our people,” he said.
President Banda said the project had its specifications and time line and called on the project implementers to ensure that all standards and expectations were met if its value was to be realised.
He called on Zambians to support the project.
“It has been planned for and it will add to the fulfilment of the vision 2030 deal, in which Zambia will be by that year a middle-income country.”
And Liato said the allegations by The Post that President Banda influenced the deal were misplaced.
“The allegations coming from the private media, from The Post that there was a Kenyan investor brought in are misplaced. The allegations that President Banda was involved in the deal are again misplaced and politically motivated. But this kind of politics will not do,” Liato said as President Banda flanked by Vice-President George Kunda nodded his head.
Liato said as a politician, he felt he needed to clarify the matter.
Later, the master of ceremonies at the function, Augustine Seyuba, raised some people who were said to be officials from both local and international firms of the various partners involved in the project.
The event was also attended by scores of MMD cadres who were chanting party slogans.
The ZNBS-NAPSA deal has raised questions from several members of the public over the manner the transaction was handled. Sources disclosed that State House has been instrumental in ensuring the deal goes through.
This is the second major deal that has been linked to State House involving NAPSA, with the earlier one having involved the purchase of land from Meanwood.
Labels: CORRUPTION, NAPSA, RUPIAH BANDA
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Government’s string of scandals is criminal - Shamenda
By Chibaula Silwamba
Fri 20 May 2011, 04:01 CAT
THE Rupiah Banda administration’s string of scandals is criminal and the next government must make it a top priority to investigate them, says Fackson Shamenda.
In an interview yesterday, Shamenda said the National Pensions Scheme Authority (NAPSA) US$98 million transaction with the Zambia National Building Society (ZNBS) to refurbish the latter’s Society House was scandalous, shameful and criminal.
“It is shameful that on one hand NAPSA wants to invest in projects which a good number of people are questioning and on another hand, you (NAPSA) don’t have the capacity to service the members who are retiring to which the same scheme was established,” said Shamenda, the former head of the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU).
“World over workers’ capital has become an issue where governments are looking for those resources to use for development but in consultation with the stakeholders,” he said.
Shamenda said in the past, during NAPSA’s forerunner, Zambia National Provident Fund (NPF), the investments were sensible and profitable.
“Investment is the biggest activity of NAPSA because of the pension scheme.
NAPSA gets the money but it shouldn’t keep the resources in the bank because it can’t get returns so it NAPSA needs experts who are supposed to look at how much money is going to be invested so that it gets the returns to pay those who are retiring,” Shamenda said.
“The investments should make sense. The majority of the stakeholders, who are the owners of the money, besides the returns which will accrue, should equally benefit. In this case, the contributors – both the workers and the employers. These are basic business plans of the workers’ capital globally.”
He said the controversial projects that NAPSA had engaged in were unfortunate.
He said NAPSA must be reorganised, depoliticised and made to operate as purely a business entity.
Shamenda said the government must stop interfering in NAPSA’s operations.
“It is high time that the government realised that the success of the company does not necessarily depend on ownership but the business approach and management.
If you have the right persons in place, without political interference and transparency, the company succeeds,” Shamenda said. “There should be no invisible hand in the investments that are being made in the public sector.”
He said there were several questionable investment deals involving parastatals.
“I think it’s criminal. Any new administration which will come must make it as one of its top priorities to investigate what is happening at the moment.
We started with the Zamtel deal; it was very suspicious and nobody has explained. There has been a chain of these scandalous deals,” Shamenda said.
“You can’t run a government like that. No wonder there are a lot of complaints from a lot of Zambians. They say, ‘we are a listening government’ but they are running things with impunity. Nobody is listening even if people complain, it is business as usual.”
Well-placed sources in government disclosed that President Banda pressurised NAPSA to provide US$98 million to ZNBS for refurbishing the latter’s building in Lusaka.
However, NAPSA and ZNBS have failed to convincingly explain the transaction in which a Kenyan firm was allegedly single-sourced to carry out the works.
Labour minister Austin Liato dismissed allegations that President Banda influenced NAPSA in the US$98 million deal, adding that it was false that a Kenyan firm was party to the transaction.
Liato said the transaction would be managed through Zambezi Consortium but did not disclose the names of shareholders of the same entity.
Labels: AUSTIN LIATO, CORRUPTION, FACKSON SHAMENDA, NAPSA, RUPIAH BANDA
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Who is Zambezi Consortium? Lubinda asks Liato
By Chibaula Silwamba
Thu 19 May 2011, 04:01 CAT
THE Minister of Labour and NAPSA must make full disclosure of the ownership of Zambezi Consortium concerning the US$98 million deal with ZNBS, says Given Lubinda.
Commenting on labour minister Austin Liato’s claims that it was false that a Kenyan firm had been engaged in the US$98 million NAPSA deal to refurbish Zambia National Building Society (ZNBS), Lubinda said Zambians wanted to know the owners of Zambezi Consortium and how it was picked as the preferred bidder to run the investment portfolio.
“We understand that this is an investment by NAPSA. That is not the issue. But the issue is who is behind this special investment vehicle called Zambezi Consortium. Can Liato categorically say that there is no Kenyan involved in Zambezi Consortium and can he disclose the shareholding of Zambezi Consortium? Who are its shareholders? Can he also disclose the other bidders who took part in bidding to manage that investment portfolio,” Lubinda demanded.
“Can the feasibility study be made public so that other stakeholders can assess the viability of this investment portfolio, bearing in mind that what is being invested is contributors’ money? We are being wary because the experience in Zambia has shown that many pensioners go to their graves early without receiving their benefits because of the mismanagement of these investment portfolios by some of these pension funds. That is the reason why the public is interested and want full disclosure of these investments.”
Lubinda, who is Kabwata PF member of parliament, said US$98 million, which NAPSA was investing in ZNBS, was a lot of money for which the public wanted to know the viability of the investment.
“We are not talking about K98 million but US $98 million; it’s a huge amount of money for NAPSA to invest without making a full public disclosure so that all the members of NAPSA are aware of how their money is being managed. So, please, Mr Liato should not try to wash this issue away by just telling us that there is no Kenyan involved but it’s a consortium called Zambezi. What is important is for us to know who is behind Zambezi Consortium.”
Well-placed sources in government disclosed that President Rupiah Banda pressured NAPSA to provide US$98 million to ZNBS for refurbishing the latter’s building in Lusaka.
However, NAPSA and ZNBS have failed to convincingly explain the transaction in which a Kenyan firm was allegedly single-sourced to carry out the works.
Liato dismissed allegations that President Banda influenced NAPSA in the US$98 million deal, adding that it was false that a Kenyan firm was party to the transaction.
Liato said the transaction would be managed through Zambezi Consortium but did not disclose the names of shareholders of the same entity.
Labels: AUSTIN LIATO, CORRUPTION, GIVEN LUBINDA, NAPSA, ZNBS
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Plunderers have risen, says Sata
By George Chellah in Kasama
Wed 18 May 2011, 04:02 CAT
PF leader Michael Sata says plunderers have risen. And Sata says the PF-led government will support media freedom in the country. During a special programme on Kasama's Radio Mano on Monday, Sata said plunderers had risen under President Rupiah Banda's government whose focus was to steal from poor Zambians.
“There are a lot of retirees who haven't been paid their benefits. But Mr Banda gets K70 billion and gives his relative Robinson Zulu for land. How can government buy land? Mr Banda again gets US $98 million and gives it to a Kenyan using the same pensioner’s money,” Sata said.
“Ba Banda tabaletontonkanya (President Banda is not thinking). Even on the road contract at Landless Corner he has given ka BY Mwila National Democratic Focus president and Nchelenge member of parliament.”
He said President Banda only cared about himself.
“Rupiah Banda has spent a lot of money. He gave ministers huge sums of money to go round the country because he knows that this year it’s going to be tough for them. Rupiah Banda kuya bebele! (Rupiah Banda is going!).
We have a number of hospitals and clinics here but because Rupiah Banda went to China and brought mobile hospitals,” Sata said. “In this country you don't even have sufficient ambulances so how can the mobile hospital concept work? They got US $53 million for mobile hospitals.”
He said instead of learning from first Republican president Dr Kenneth Kaunda who did tremendous things for the country, President Banda’s administration was abusing the poor.
“Kaunda put up roads and other infrastructure in the country. Banda has come and he has neglected this infrastructure which Kaunda left in place,” he said.
On his policy of governance once in office, Sata said the PF would bring back the real civil service as opposed to the current one that was littered with MMD cadres.
“All the District Commissioners who are campaigning for MMD will go with MMD,” he said.
He said under the PF government, traditional leaders would be chairpersons of the various development committees in their areas and they would be handsomely remunerated for that task.
When asked whether he would win this year's elections, Sata responded: “God was testing my strength and resilience.
In 2001, we only campaigned for three months, in 2006 we really tried because we increased the number of members of parliament and in 2008, Banda even failed to steal votes in Eastern Province where he hails from. He went and stole in Western Province.
Currently, there are a lot of people that want to see us in a number of places. So we are now meeting our people in distance places.”
And Sata has stressed the need for press freedom in the nation.
“Let Lieutenant General Ronnie Shikapwasha shut down radio stations if he wants and we will also come and shut him down.
They closed Radio Lyambai but what have they achieved?” Sata asked. “ZNBC, Times of Zambia and Zambia Daily Mail are all government controlled. So we will encourage you independent media because you are able to reach areas even where ZNBC does not reach.”
Meanwhile, Kasama Central member of parliament Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba popularly known as GBM warned the police against being partisan.
“When people are annoyed you won't even sit in those offices. You watch what is happening on Al Jazeera. Abantu bakali bane!” Mwamba said.
He also advised Northern Province permanent secretary Mwalimu Simfukwe to behave like a civil servant.
He accused the provincial administration of giving contracts to MMD cadres and sharing money.
“When we come into power you will be jailed and we will be coming to watch you in prison,” he said.
Lukashya member of parliament Elfrida Mwamba urged the district commissioner and Simfukwe not to overstep their duties.
Labels: CORRUPTION, MICHAEL SATA, NAPSA, PENSIONERS, RUPIAH BANDA
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Rupiah’s scams will be followed, says Panji kaunda
By Chibaula Silwamba
Wed 18 May 2011, 04:00 CAT
THE numerous scams that President Rupiah Banda is involved in will follow him when he leaves office and he will be prosecuted, says Colonel Panji Kaunda.
Commenting on allegations that President Banda forced NAPSA to give US $98 million to Zambia National Building Society (ZNBS) to refurbish its Society House building in Lusaka, Col Panji said
the questionable deal would follow the President when he leaves office.
“As PF leader Michael Sata is saying, whoever is involved in corruption no matter how big they are, they must be accountable to the people of Zambia through our system. This is what we are praying for,” Col Panji said.
“We must make sure that the money that was stolen is brought back. Every single brick that they have laid on their foundation, if it was stolen, it must be given back to Zambians. This is our cry and wish.”
He said there was need to change the Constitution and systems to ensure that the President was accountable to the Zambians unlike at present where he could violate laws and commit wrongs but the law enforcement agents cannot investigate him.
He said the President had excessive powers, whereby he could do anything without being questioned, appoint and fire anybody from his shoe cleaner to the Republican Vice-President.
He said even if the President was involved in corrupt activities, law enforcers like the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) could not do anything.
“There is no system in place today that can investigate the highest authorities in this country. Even now we have some of our leaders’ children spending a lot of money but the system is not there to ask.
They ask us where we get the money to campaign but nobody asks them where their children are getting money to buy all the fancy toys posh vehicles they are moving around with,” Col Panji said.
“Unless we change the government and thereafter change the system we shall forever be crying and our money will continue to be stolen.”
He said it would be up to Zambians, in a few months time, to get the MMD’s ‘big people’ out of government and bring in others who would govern according to the will of the people.
He said the new government must change the Constitution to allow law enforcers to operate independently and investigate whoever engaged in illegal activities.
Col Panji observed that the arrest of International Monetary Fund (IMF) managing director Dominique Strauss-Kahn, whom he described as one of the most important persons in the world, was proof that where there were systems, even the powerful could be arrested, held, and prosecuted for their wrongs regardless of their status in society.
“But we can’t see that happening here in Zambia. Here the powerful ones can get away with murder,” said Col Panji.
Labels: CORRUPTION, NAPSA, PANJI KAUNDA, RUPIAH BANDA, ZNBS
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Plunderers have risen, says Sata
By George Chellah in Kasama
Wed 18 May 2011, 04:02 CAT
PF leader Michael Sata says plunderers have risen. And Sata says the PF-led government will support media freedom in the country. During a special programme on Kasama's Radio Mano on Monday, Sata said plunderers had risen under President Rupiah Banda's government whose focus was to steal from poor Zambians.
“There are a lot of retirees who haven't been paid their benefits. But Mr Banda gets K70 billion and gives his relative Robinson Zulu for land. How can government buy land? Mr Banda again gets US $98 million and gives it to a Kenyan using the same pensioner’s money,” Sata said.
“Ba Banda tabaletontonkanya (President Banda is not thinking). Even on the road contract at Landless Corner he has given ka BY Mwila National Democratic Focus president and Nchelenge member of parliament.”
He said President Banda only cared about himself.
“Rupiah Banda has spent a lot of money. He gave ministers huge sums of money to go round the country because he knows that this year it’s going to be tough for them. Rupiah Banda kuya bebele! (Rupiah Banda is going!).
We have a number of hospitals and clinics here but because Rupiah Banda went to China and brought mobile hospitals,” Sata said. “In this country you don't even have sufficient ambulances so how can the mobile hospital concept work? They got US $53 million for mobile hospitals.”
He said instead of learning from first Republican president Dr Kenneth Kaunda who did tremendous things for the country, President Banda’s administration was abusing the poor.
“Kaunda put up roads and other infrastructure in the country. Banda has come and he has neglected this infrastructure which Kaunda left in place,” he said.
On his policy of governance once in office, Sata said the PF would bring back the real civil service as opposed to the current one that was littered with MMD cadres.
“All the District Commissioners who are campaigning for MMD will go with MMD,” he said.
He said under the PF government, traditional leaders would be chairpersons of the various development committees in their areas and they would be handsomely remunerated for that task.
When asked whether he would win this year's elections, Sata responded: “God was testing my strength and resilience.
In 2001, we only campaigned for three months, in 2006 we really tried because we increased the number of members of parliament and in 2008, Banda even failed to steal votes in Eastern Province where he hails from. He went and stole in Western Province.
Currently, there are a lot of people that want to see us in a number of places. So we are now meeting our people in distance places.”
And Sata has stressed the need for press freedom in the nation.
“Let Lieutenant General Ronnie Shikapwasha shut down radio stations if he wants and we will also come and shut him down.
They closed Radio Lyambai but what have they achieved?” Sata asked. “ZNBC, Times of Zambia and Zambia Daily Mail are all government controlled. So we will encourage you independent media because you are able to reach areas even where ZNBC does not reach.”
Meanwhile, Kasama Central member of parliament Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba popularly known as GBM warned the police against being partisan.
“When people are annoyed you won't even sit in those offices. You watch what is happening on Al Jazeera. Abantu bakali bane!” Mwamba said.
He also advised Northern Province permanent secretary Mwalimu Simfukwe to behave like a civil servant.
He accused the provincial administration of giving contracts to MMD cadres and sharing money.
“When we come into power you will be jailed and we will be coming to watch you in prison,” he said.
Lukashya member of parliament Elfrida Mwamba urged the district commissioner and Simfukwe not to overstep their duties.
Labels: CORRUPTION, MICHAEL SATA, NAPSA, PF
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NAPSA deal must be stopped - Chongwe
By Chibaula Silwamba and Ernest Chanda
Sat 14 May 2011, 04:01 CAT
NAPSA’s US$98 million deal with bankrupt Zambia National Building Society (ZNBS) is a shameful scam which must be stopped, says Lusaka lawyer Dr Rodger Chongwe. And President Rupiah Banda says if The Post has to accuse someone, it is usually him.
Dr Chongwe, a former minister of legal affairs, said the National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA) was supposed to consult workers and employers, who own the money it keeps, before transacting in US$98 million with ZNBS, which he said had no capacity to repay.
“NAPSA is owned by the workers of this country because every month out of their salaries there is deduction of their contributions to NAPSA.
The workers have not been asked by the government or by NAPSA whether it is prepared to loan to a company, which is almost bankrupt and will be unable to pay US$98 million if loaned to it,” Dr Chongwe said.
He said NAPSA did not consult the employers and all key stakeholders.
“It is not good enough to say the board of directors of NAPSA has agreed to loan US$98 million. Who gave them the permission? The government doesn’t own NAPSA. The workers of this country own NAPSA,” Dr Chongwe said.
“This deal is a scam and it must be stopped. It has no support of the workers who contribute their little ngwees towards their pension scheme.” Dr Chongwe said it was shameful that NAPSA had decided to give ZNBS US$98 million when in fact many pensioners had not been given their money.
“As I speak now, there are so many people in Zambia who have retired and who have applied to NAPSA to have their retirement benefits under the scheme paid to them, which has not been paid on the basis that (a) there is no sufficient money, (b) because of bureaucratic ineptitude.
But this organisation now has US$98 million to waste by paying it to a company which is bankrupt, which cannot even repair its own building, Society House. It’s shameful!” Dr Chongwe said.
He accused President Banda of involvement in the NAPSA-ZNBS questionable deal.
“If the head of state were not involved in this scam, he would be the first one to stop them but because he has not stopped, there is a reason for that. It is because either he or his colleagues are involved in it,” Dr Chongwe said.
“He is the head of state and NAPSA is run as a parastatal although it’s not a parastatal, it’s owned by the people. But the President is the custodian of the people’s wealth, including their pension scheme. He is failing in discharging that duty out of personal interest.”
Dr Chongwe said the MMD government had neglected ZNBS leading to the parastatal’s failure to perform its functions to provide loans for people to build houses and even repair Society House.
Dr Chongwe said since 1997 when Society House was gutted, the government that wholly owns ZNBS had not released money to refurbish the building.
“The government has failed to invest in its own organisation, ZNBS, by providing it with money so that it is able to build houses in Zambia at low cost for the Zambians to buy,” said Dr Chongwe.
And responding to questions from journalists on arrival from Turkey on Thursday evening at Lusaka International Airport, President Banda said he does not participate in tender procedures.
President Banda was responding to a question on whether or not he ordered NAPSA to fund the renovation of Society House which was gutted by fire in 1997.
“I don’t participate in tender procedures; it is illegal for anyone to interfere with the tender procedures just like it is illegal to interfere with the judiciary, as it is illegal to interfere with the Parliament. So, it’s not correct. You know, that’s life; if they have to accuse somebody it’s usually me,” said President Banda in apparent reference to The Post.
“I don’t do it that way. You know in this country we’ve got procedures on how you order things. But of course as President they come to tell you that we are planning to do this and that; and then I look at it.
“And if I tell them that it’s okay with me, the rest of the procedure is theirs. I don’t even know; I saw it already. I received the press statement here; I’ve nothing to do with that. And I’ve also seen today that there was a reply from them NAPSA, that is the truth.
Well-placed sources disclosed that President Banda pressurised NAPSA to provide US$98 million to ZNBS for refurbishing the latter’s building in Lusaka.
However, NAPSA and ZNBS have failed to convincingly explain the transaction in which a Kenyan firm was allegedly single-sourced to carry out the works.
Labels: CORRUPTION, NAPSA, PENSIONERS, ROGER CHONGWE
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NAPSA deal raises Lubinda’s eyebrows
By Chibaula Silwamba
Fri 13 May 2011, 04:01 CAT
NAPSA’s US$98 million deal with Zambia National Building Society is highly suspicious and raises eyebrows, says Given Lubinda. Lubinda said NAPSA must instead prudently manage pensioners’ funds as mandated by law.
“NAPSA being a pensions fund is keeping money that belongs to pensioners directly and its management of the funds must be in public interest,” he said.
“This matter has raised so much controversy because of the bad timing for K500 billion about US million of people’s funds to be subjected to a very suspicious investment portfolio in an election year is not wise judgment,” Lubinda said.
Lubinda, who is PF member of parliament for Kabwata and chairperson of African Network of Parliamentarians Against Corruption, urged NAPSA to hold back on this investment decision and subject the issue to further public debate.
He called for a public presentation of the proposed US $98 million investment.
Lubinda advised that the Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountants (ZICA) should, on behalf of pensioners, assess the viability of NAPSA’s investment and determine whether or not this investment decision made economic sense.
Lubinda urged parliamentarians to take keen interest in the matter because the funds involved were for the public and that the investment was illiquid.
“This investment will certainly affect NAPSA’s ability to pay pensioners. It will affect the cash flow position of NAPSA,” Lubinda said.
“There is no one who would be allowed by Bank of Zambia to borrow in excess of their balance sheet and especially using the so-called special vehicle. Why would one want to commit themselves to such a huge loan and not manage it themselves but give it to another entity to manage it?”
He said it raised a lot of eyebrows that NAPSA and ZNBS decided to establish a company, whose ownership was unknown, to manage huge funds.
“The other reason why this issue raises eyebrows is that it comes too soon after a similar transaction involving NAPSA and Meanwood. Also, it raises a lot of questions because this is coming after President Rupiah Banda issued instructions that properties belonging to parastatals, including NAPSA, should be sold on the market for a song. It shows that there is no will on the part of President Banda to protect public institutions and finances,” he said.
Lubinda also demanded that NAPSA makes public its investment portfolio in the Levy Junction, the residential and commercial development project located opposite the Lusaka Central Police Station.
Well-placed sources disclosed that President Banda pressurised NAPSA to provide US$ 98 million to ZNBS for refurbishing the latter’s building in Lusaka.
However, NAPSA and ZNBS have failed to convincingly explain the transaction in which a Kenyan firm was allegedly single sourced to carry out the works.
Labels: CORRUPTION, GIVEN LUBINDA, NAPSA
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COMMENT - Isn't there anything more disgraceful than raiding the national pension fund? This by the way is why there has to be a constitutional separation between the government (the cabinet and president) and the state (civil service and parastatals).
Rupiah pushes NAPSA into a $98m deal
By George Chellah
Tue 10 May 2011, 04:02 CAT
NATIONAL Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA) is to finance the refurbishment of Society House on Lusaka’s Cairo Road, which was gutted by fire in 1997 to the tune of US$ 98 million.
Well-placed government sources yesterday disclosed that the deal to renovate the Zambia National Building Society’s Society House is being pushed by President Rupiah Banda.
“NAPSA will finance the renovation of Society House to a tune of US$ 98 million. As usual, even on this transaction, the tender procedures have not been followed or adhered to,” the source revealed. “A Kenyan contractor has already been single-sourced to carry out the refurbishment of the structure at such a colossal sum of money.”
The source said the Kenyan contractor, who has been pushing for contracts directly from President Banda, has been singled-sourced following finance and national planning minister Dr Situmbeko Musokotwane’s approval of the project.
“The Zambia National Building Society wrote to the Ministry of Finance and National Planning and Dr Musokotwane has agreed or authorised the project to refurbish Society House,” the source said.
“What is interesting is that despite the amount quoted for the refurbishment being excessive, Dr Musokotwane is not objecting. He is simply saying it’s a viable project.”
The source disclosed that State House is exerting pressure on NAPSA to finance the project.
“In fact, in one of the meetings, NAPSA board chairman Mr Dominic Mbangu raised the issue and informed the meeting that he was receiving phone calls from the President,” the source said.
“He Mr. Mbangu actually asked if there was anyone from the meeting who was willing to be taking those calls from the President.”
And when contacted yesterday, NAPSA director general Stanley Phiri asked for a press query.
“…Okay, I think what you can do, you can put that in writing. I don’t take such queries over the phone because ...sometimes we speak, sometimes I mean…you know what I am talking about, you have been in this longer than myself. So I would rather maybe get a written query then I would probably reflect on it,” Phiri said.
Asked where the press query should be directed, Phiri responded: “I have got a public relations wing.”
And Zambia National Building Society managing director Noriana Muneku was not reachable.
Labels: CORRUPTION, NAPSA, RUPIAH BANDA
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Mpombo links Rupiah to Zulu
By George Chellah
Tue 15 Mar. 2011, 04:02 CAT
GEORGE Mpombo yesterday challenged President Rupiah Banda to deny his close links with Meanwood Properties Development Limited proprietor Robinson Zulu. In an interview, Mpombo, who is Kafulafuta MMD member of parliament, said State House had a hand in the Meanwood/NAPSA land transaction.
“All of us in MMD know that State House has very strong connections with Mr Zulu. Mr Zulu is a friend of State House and there is no way he can deny that. We know that Mr Zulu has been frequenting State House,” Mpombo said.
“Mr Zulu has unfettered access to State House and to Mr Rupiah Banda in particular. I challenge Mr Rupiah Banda or even Mr Zulu himself to deny these close links between them.”
Mpombo insisted that President Banda should come out clean over the NAPSA land deal.
“Mr Rupiah Banda and Mr Zulu must come out and speak the truth over this matter. Otherwise, these concoctions which they are wasting rolls of newsprint on in the state media will not yield anything,” he said.
Mpombo said Zulu's activities at the recent Nc'wala traditional ceremony of the Ngoni people of Eastern Province were well known.
“We know what happened at Nc'wala and how Mr Zulu displayed major proportions of generosity to the extent that his 'kind gesture' raised a lot of eyebrows amongst the people who were around,” Mpombo said. “Mr Zulu's generosity at Nc'wala left a lot of people wondering what exactly that amounted to or what that meant.”
Mpombo said the NAPSA transaction smells of corruption.
“Even the failure by NAPSA to follow procedure confirms the suspicions. But everybody within the MMD knows that Mr Rupiah Banda is trying to prop up the political aspirations of Mr Zulu at the expense of Lameck Mangani,” Mpombo said.
“It's very clear that Mr Rupiah Banda is determined to throw Mangani into political wilderness or some sort of political eclipse.”
He said President Banda's government was overbearing on parastatals.
“The Meanwood/NAPSA land deal is a one that is deeply besmirched in deep irregularity which clearly demonstrates the deep-rooted corrupt practices in government and with the government's full knowledge,” Mpombo said.
“And this is the reason why Mr Rupiah Banda has put his own people in most of these parastatal institutions to enable them facilitate such kind of transactions. They are pretending that they are fundraising for the party ahead of the forthcoming general elections when in actual fact the money is just going into their pockets.”
Mpombo urged President Banda to humble himself and listen to the constructive views from the general public on the matter.
“Mr Rupiah Banda and his government must listen. Otherwise, Zambia will be plunged into a very serious political and economic crisis,” he said.
Mpombo was commenting on the move by NAPSA to purchase 1,500 acres of land at an exorbitant price of US $15 million (about K75 billion) from Meanwood Properties Development Limited without following tender procedures.
MMD members recently expressed concern over what they termed “scandalous” transactions at NAPSA, which President Banda wanted to use to raise campaign funds.
The sources said President Banda was using his friends to mobilise funds from parastatals for campaigns, but the money was not being paid to the party.
Labels: GEORGE MPOMBO, NAPSA, ROBINSON ZULU
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