Magande tribunal may derail probe - Shikapwasha

The made in Zambia Tribunals got a knock on the head when the Zambia Consumer Association and the Minister of Information Ronnie Shikapwasha spoke against the idea. The following story appeared in the Zambia Daily Mail of March 26, 2009:

GOVERNMENT says setting up a tribunal to investigate former Minister of Finance and National Planning, Ng’andu Magande’s alleged involvement in the Zambian Airways saga can hijack the on-going investigations by law enforcement agencies.

And Inspector-General of Police, Francis Kabonde, says three security wings in the country have made progress in investigating alleged financial irregularities at the Zambian Airways to establish whether there were some criminal motives involved. Chief Government spokesperson, Ronnie Shikapwasha, said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that members of the public should allow the Zambia Police Service, Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and Drug Enforcement Agency (DEC), to complete investigations on Zambian Airways.

“The investigations launched by the three security wings are still going on and will continue. As government, we don’t see how these investigations which include the role Mr Magande played in the Zambian Airways issue, should be hijacked by setting up a tribunal,” Lieutenant-General Shikapwasha said.

He appealed to Zambians to wait until the investigating wings complete their work.

“A tribunal is also a way of investigating, but since investigations have already been launched, we should wait for the outcome. Those calling for a tribunal to be set up must have their own personal interest but, we must allow the investigations to be concluded,” he said.

And Forum for Leadership Search (FLS) executive director, Edwin Lifwekelo, said his organisation felt the Zambian Airways issue was so grave that it was not a matter for a tribunal. In a letter to the three investigative wings, Mr Lifwekelo said findings by the investigative wings would set deeper consequences for those involved than what civil undertakings such as tribunals could come up with. Mr Lifwekelo said setting up a tribunal would dilute the on-going investigations.

“Owing to the extent of the huge monies involved in this matter, criminal investigations aimed at bringing culprits to book should take precedence,” he said.

Mr Lifwekelo urged the investigative wings to give an update to the nation on the Zambian Airways saga as it had aroused public interest.

And Mr Kabonde said his office in collaboration with the ACC and DEC had made progress in investigating alleged irregularities at Zambian Airways. Mr Kabonde said this in an interview in Lusaka yesterday. He said the investigations required forensic auditing and that members of the public should wait patiently for the outcome.

“What I can say is that we are making progress. The investigating ground has been set and it’s a matter of time. People will know the results,” Mr Kabonde said.

He said police would take appropriate action depending on the outcome of the investigations.
Mr Kabonde also said investigations into leakages of confidential Government documents were progressing well. He said a comprehensive statement would be issued to the public once investigations in the two cases are concluded.

The investigations into alleged financial irregularities of the airline were initiated following official representations from the FLS, political parties, non-governmental organisations and members of the public.

After Dora Siliya, Now it's Made in Zambia

After the Petition against Minister of Communication and Transport Dora Siliya was set up by the Chief Justice and it started sitting some weeks ago, now what can only happen in Zambia is the vogue.

There is some gentleman from Chongwe east of Lusaka who has asked the Chief Justice to set up a Tribunal against former finance minister under late President Levy Mwanawasa.

In the daily Post newspaper a joker has written that the column by Kalake has been suspended from publication pending another .... You have guessed right - prtition to be set up by the Chief Justice.

There is no doubt that Zambia is awash in corruption. It appears no deal involving government, private and parastatal companies can go through without money changing hands.

Unlike Madagascar that changes its presidents through street power - always institgated by Tana Mayors or former mayors - Zambia has its own system of absorbing the simmering heat of discontent.

RB courts investors

This is the second article to appear in the Times of Zambia where President Banda is seeking to persuade investors to come and invest in Zambia. The article appeared in the newspaper on March 21, 2009 some four days after the first appeal to Chinese investors. This time President Banda was seeking Australian investment during Governor General Quentin Bryce's visit:

PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda has said despite the current challenges on the world market due to the prevailing economic recession, Zambia is fully committed to providing an enabling environment for a private sector driven development programme.

President Banda said the Government believed that private investments, both foreign and domestic could stimulate growth in various economic sectors, which in turn could create jobs for the Zambians. Mr Banda said this during a luncheon held in honour of governor general of Australia, Quentin Bryce, at Lusaka’s Hotel Inter-Continental. Ms Quentin and her delegation was on a tour of nine African countries and Zambia is one of them.

Mr Banda has since called for increased cooperation between Zambia and Australia in various sectors of economic development saying Zambia had huge investment opportunities in many sectors. Mr Banda said Zambia had various investment opportunities in the manufacturing, mining, agriculture and tourism sectors and would, therefore, welcome investors from Australia to partner with Zambians in the exploitation of these opportunities. He said Zambia valued the excellent relations that she enjoyed with Australia and expressed hope that they would be further enhanced for the mutual benefit of both countries and peoples.

“We are keen to explore further, taking advantage of the warm and cordial relations between our two countries to cultivate others areas of mutual cooperation and interest,” he said.

The president said the bilateral relations between Zambia and Australia could be traced to the late 1970s and that from that time, the two counties had continued to interact at political, economic and technical levels. Mr Banda said through the assistance rendered to Zambia under the economic and technical cooperation agreement with Australia, a number of Zambians had been trained in that country in various fields. He said apart from capacity building support rendered in Zambia’s education sector, the health sector had also received considerable support from Australia.

He said the Australian government had also extended its assistance to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Zambia. He said the assistance had been vital, as it supplemented the Government’s efforts aimed at promoting development, tackling social ills and challenges such as poverty, street kids and HIV/AIDS pandemic.

On the international level, Mr Banda said Zambia, like other countries in the world had kept a keen eye on strategies and implementation of Australia’s foreign policy and welcomed the new decision to take Australia/Africa cooperation to a higher level.

Ms Bryce said her country enjoyed the warm friendship by the Zambian Government saying the two countries had vibrant democracies. She said Zambia and Australia shared the same ideals of peace and opportunities, which championed human rights and dignity. Ms Bryce said the bilateral relations of the two countries had a firm foundation with 4000 Zambians living in Australia most of who were studying in various colleges and universities. She commended Zambia for the courage it exhibited in trying to find a solution to the Zimbabwean crisis. The Australian government was ready to engage with Africa in a new way.

“We are partners in trade. Equinox and First Quantum and universities are part of Zambia’s future. We are committed to human and environmental issues,” she said.

The luncheon was attended by First Republican president, Kenneth Kaunda, second Republican president, Frederick Chiluba and the wife, Chief Justice Ernest Sakala, Cabinet ministers, senior Government officials, service chiefs, members of the diplomatic corps, members of the business community and some opposition leaders.

On arrival, Ms Bryce inspected a guard of honour mounted by the Second Battalion of the Zambia Army and a 12 gun salute was also blasted for her. President Banda, senior Government and MMD party officials welcomed her and the entourage.

RB woos Chinese investors

This is a season for seeking investors as the two stories which appeared in the Times of Zambia show. The first story appeared in the newspaper on March 17, 2009:

President Rupiah Banda has implored Chinese investors in the energy sector to invest in the country saying Zambia's investment climate is favourable.
Speaking when a group of Chinese investors called on him at State House yesterday, President Banda said that investing at this particular time was appropriate as Zambia was experiencing a power deficit.
“Your intended investment to our country is very welcome. We welcome your presence because we have a great shortage of power in our country as well as this region,” Mr Banda said.
He said that the potential to invest in the energy sector was abundant in the country saying there was abundant water, coal, uranium, sunshine as well as human resources among others.
Mr Banda said that it was imperative that the Chinese invested in Zambia particularly in the face of the global economic crisis and the falling commodity prices.
“Your investment will provide jobs to our people and revenue,” Mr Banda said.
Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister, Felix Mutati said that he held meetings with the Chinese investors enlightening them on possibilities of exploring investment opportunities in the nation.
With the falling copper prices and some mining investors intending to leave, he said that the Chinese had been informed on the best sectors for investment as well as investing in the mining sector.
And Zhonghui Guohua Industry Group Company Limited chairman Wang Yaohui said that his organisations was in Zambia to assess the investment climate.
He said that for many years, China and Zambia had cooperated in many economic sectors citing the construction of the Tanzania Zambia Railways Authority (Tazara) as one area of cooperation.
Mr Wang said that China would continue offering loans at low interest rates to developing countries and Zambia would continue benefiting from the gesture.
And State Grid Corporation of China chief economist Du Zhigang said that in the face of the economic crisis, it was imperative that Chinese investors invested in Zambia. He said that toward the end of last year, his firm acquired prospecting licences in North–Western Province. He said that his organisation, which was one of the largest electricity firms in the world, would continue assessing the investment climate in Zambia.
Chinese ambassador to Zambia Li Qiangmin commended the Government for ensuring that the investment climate in the nation was favourable.
Meanwhile, two Chinese companies have shown interest in doing mineral exploration works in Mwinilunga district in North -Western Province.
Zhonghui Guohua Industry (Group) Limited and State Grid International Development made their intentions to invest in Mwinilunga during a meeting with Mines and Minerals Development Minister Maxwell Mwale and Mr Mutati in Lusaka yesterday.
Zhonghui Guohua Industry (Group) Limited was represented by its chairman Mr Wang while State Grid International Development was led by Mr Du who is also the chairman.
Mr Mwale said the Government was open to foreign investments and was happy to receive the two investors whom he assured of the support from the Government.
Mr Mwale said past exploration surveys indicated that North Western and Western provinces also had gas and petroleum.
He said the Government would this year advertise a block for would be developers in the petroleum industry in the country.
Mr Mutati said even if the country was not spared by the effects of the global economic recession, the Government had in this year’s national budget proposed major incentives that would boost the mining industry.
Director geological survey department at the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development, Kennedy Liyungu said Mwinilunga has strong indication of mineralisation.

AUSTRALIAN VISIT SEES PRESIDENT BANDA IN MATERO

The state visit of Australia's Governor General Quentin Bryce has seen President Banda visit one of Lusaka City's Patriotic Front's strong hold Matero Township. The Church, in this report by the Times of Zambia of March 23, 2009 welcomed the gesture:

"THE Church has commended President Rupiah Banda for being closer to the grassroots as the move is a clear testimony that the Government is serious about the empowerment policy. Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ) general secretary, Suzanne Matale, said yesterday that credible leadership was identified through its interaction with the grassroots, which was usually down-trodden.

Reverend Matale said this when President Banda, First Lady Thandiwe and the Governor-General of Australia, Quentin Bryce, attended a church service at the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AMEC) in Matero Township. Others who attended the service were Vice-President, George Kunda, Information and Broadcasting Services Minister, Ronnie Shikapwasha and Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources Minister, Catherine Namugala.

Rev Matale said Mr Banda could have decided to attend a church service in the plush areas of Lusaka, but owing to his commitment to empowering the grassroots, he preferred Matero, regarded as a place for the common people.

“We are delighted that you came to worship with us here. This is where we worship, we are delighted that you by-passed Cathedral of the Holy Cross, Trinity Church, Cathedral of the Child Jesus and so when we talk about empowerment, this is what we are talking about. A leader who goes down to the people using a potholed road, with your visit this church will not be the same. We will now be empowered,” Rev Matale said.

She said the attendance of the church service by Mr Banda was an indication that the residents of Matero were special in the eyes of the president. She also said that the global economic meltdown has had adverse effects on the citizens, particularly the residents of Matero. Additionally, she said, the majority of people were living in abject poverty, suffered from the effects of HIV/AIDS, while cholera was a perennial outbreak.

And Ms Bryce said that she was honoured by the reception accorded to her by the church and said Zambia should use her visit to reflect on the friendship existing between the two countries.

“This is a very special day and I bring to you greetings from Australia. This visit should enable us reflect on the friendship and respect between Zambia and Australia,” Ms Bryce said.

In welcoming the president, a youth member of the AMEC, Modesta Daka, said that the Government was focused in as far as addressing the plight of the youth was concerned. This, she said, could be evidenced in President Banda’s assurances made during the Youth Day commemorations. She said it was encouraging that the Government had worked hard to ensure that the majority of the youth were in schools.

“Matero is a cosmopolitan area where people of different backgrounds, political affiliation, religious beliefs live together in unity. This is a true manifestation of the motto One Zambia, One Nation,” Ms Daka said.

ORGANISED CRIME ON THE INCREASE

Organised crime on the Copperbelt is on the rise. This story from the Times of Zambia of March 23, 2009 tells the story that illustrates how sophisticated it has become. It shows how employees have become part of the scam and this is not only in the supply of spares for mining chain but also in the final product of mining:
"THREE managers at Atlas Copco have been arrested in connection with alleged theft of mining equipment, which act has been going on at the Chingola’s head office. This comes barely two weeks after two other Atlas Copco employees were apprehended for allegedly stealing K50 million worth of drill rods.

Both police and Vanguard Investigations Limited (VIL) confirmed the detention of a customer service manager and two former site managers to the Times in Chingola. VIL managing director, James Kasamanda, said the trio had allegedly been conniving with some mining companies to steal spares used in servicing mining equipment.

VIL is a private investigations company hired by Atlas Copco to help the company trace the white-collar crime, nab perpetrators and recover stolen property.

Captain Kasamanda said at times, the suspects stole in full view of all the employees by purporting that the goods were being transferred from one branch to another while using forged documentation.

“These three suspects when stealing used genuine names of other employees when in fact they avoided using their true identity. VIL has come to realise that the level of connivance on the Copperbelt is so high and there is need for mining owners to have the employees vetted because we have discovered that the same culprits move from one company to another. Through the same connivance with briefcase business companies, Atlas Copco employees smuggled larger consignments of drill rods into Democratic Republic of Congo,” he said.

He said Atlas Copco management, VIL and State law enforcement agencies were working hard to pin down the suspects because most of the people involved were professionals who graduated from universities. Capt Kasamanda said the fight against corruption and money laundering was not supposed to be left to the Anti-Corruption Commission and Drug Enforcement Commission alone. He said there was need for an expanded method of operation to covert surveillance in Government and the private sector if money laundering and corruption are to be fought successfully. He said the stolen spares, recovered at NFCA in Chambishi from a Chinese firm together with the suspects, are at Chingola Central police station.

Capt Kasamanda, who has been seen around Chingola for the past one month, said US$300,000 worth of drill rods for Atlas Copco, which had gone missing in transit from South Africa, were still being investigated to establish their whereabouts. Those arrested earlier for allegedly stealing K50 million worth of drill rods include the stores officer, assistant security officer and dispatching officer.