Sylvia Masebo has been all over the media playing victim over the two corruption charges she is facing in the Lusaka Magistrate Court.

Understandably it is not a good thing to see leaders that have fallen out of favour with the system make courts their new office where they make frequent appearances.

But then Masebo could not have been more right herself when she said “it is good that this case has come up because a lot of things will come out.” Is that not the whole essence of taking the matter to court for the honourable member of Chongwe Constituency to clear her name?

Any student of Zambian political history will not forget that Masebo has had a turbulent political history. Away from her current troubles, Masebo has not been faithful to any one political party at most times of her political career.

A cursory count traces her to MMD, ZRP, ZAP/RP merger, back to MMD and PF with anyone who reads the political signs not too far from the truth to know her next stop is either UPND or Rainbow Party.

Before she plays victim she should not accuse the PF of persecuting her for she was in essence PF in the true DNA of the PF. She jumped into the boat weeks before the 2011 elections when she had burnt all the political bridges in the MMD with the exit door her only realistic option.

Late President Michael Sata went some way to accommodate her until things began to fall apart at the Ministry of Tourism. She went out of her way to pick up fights on every imaginable front in her imagined, unsanctioned self styled reformist drive that had no presidential or cabinet blessings. Who would forget how she alarmingly went to town crying wolf that there were planes that flew into Zambia transporting game out of the country under the cover of darkness?

Nothing wrong if it was a whistle blowing ac,t but to have simply gone to town without running that information with security authorities hinted at Zambia’s air space being a free for all zone.

And she did not end there and also pushed her agenda to single handedly fire the Zambia Wildlife Authority management without having the move approved by the board. While the merits of the cancellation of the hunting licences is a subject of debate and court action, there could be no doubt that Masebo may not be the angel that she wants to pontificate each time she makes a court appearance. For now our advice will be that madam Masebo ties up her defence and let the law take its course.

Surely, the PF were magnanimous enough to accommodate her after years of having been out abusing late President Sata. Maybe she may have overdrawn on their tolerance and maybe time to face the music may have just come so she can now prepare for the potentially beckoning new title of corruption convict.

The post Opinion: Masebo’s Self Curved Path to Becoming A Potential Corruption Convict appeared first on Zambia Reports.

The people of Bangweulu will today go to the polls to vote for a new Member of Parliament following the death of incumbent Chifita Matafwali.

Seven parliamentary candidates have offered themselves for the vacant seat with the participants coming from the PF, UPND, FDD, NAREP, CDP and two independent candidates.

Campaigns in the area have been quietly going on with all the political parties claiming popularity in the march to poll day.

Matafwali was representing the ruling Patriotic Front and naturally the ruling party may have a slight edge ahead of the crowd with the added advantage that it is their stronghold.

The post Bangweulu Votes appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Volatile Zambian Voice Executive Director Chilufya Tayali says newly appointed United Party for National Development vice president for administration may ditch the opposition political party if he loses the Kasama Central seat by-election.

Mwamba, popularly known as GBM, was recently appointed UPND vice president consequently losing his seat.

GBM has announced that he will re-contest his seat in an area the UPND has yet to register a significant presence since their formation in 1998.

Tayali said GBM has a very emotional personality and may jump out of the UPND flock once he lost his seat.

He also said the police should be heavily mobilized as the election was likely to be violent.

“Knowing GBM and the fact that he may want to win at all costs the election may be violent so I would like to appeal to Inspector General Stella Libongani to ensure that there is heavy security,” he said.

There have been violent skirmishes in Kasama in the aftermath of the seat falling vacant but nothing yet to suggest it could spiral out of control.

The post GBM Will Ditch UPND If He Loses Kasama – Tayali appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Voting in Bangweulu constituency has replicated the recent trend of apathy in elections as constituents cast their ballots in the by-election.

And a consortium of Non Governmental Organizations has launched an anti voter apathy drive ahead of the 2016 general elections.

The Bangweulu seat fell vacant following the death of incumbent Chifita Matafwali with seven candidates lining up for election.

By midday the turnout had been less than half across polling stations with a dim possibility the trend could improve later in the day.

The participants are from the PF, FDD, UPND, NAREP, CDP and two independent candidates with results not expected until later in the evening.

Bangweulu has 51 polling stations with 41, 000 registered voters.

Meanwhile, four Non Governmental Organizations have launched a campaign dubbed “My Vote My Voice” that seeks to address the voter apathy problem.

The member organizations are the Zambia National Women’s Lobby Group, Operation Young Vote, Anti Voter Apathy Project and Young Women in Action.

According to the organizers, the programme will be officially launched next month and spread to the 10 provinces of the country.

Voter apathy has been a lingering problem with less 50% of elected voters turning up to exercise that duty in recent elections.

The post Bangweulu Records Low Voter Turn Out appeared first on Zambia Reports.

University of Zambia Lecturers and Researchers Union have stuck to their guns not to release examination results until government gives a clear roadmap on payment of their outstanding allowances.

The country’s highest learning institution is on recess after the end of the academic year, and is scheduled to re-open next month but uncertainty surrounds that possibility following a standoff between lecturers, management and government.

Among the demands is payment of outstanding allowances, gratuity and also benefits for retired employees.

UNZALARU president Euston Chiputa said that the lecturers will not release the results which are a prerequisite for moving into the next academic year if there is no clarity on their grievances.

Chiputa said that they had been open to dialogue with no tangible solution reached so far.

The instability at UNZA culminated into the resignation of four top officials including Vice Chancellor Professor Stephen Simukanga.

Another crisis in the tertiary education sector is currently unresolved at the Copperbelt University which was closed indefinitely with lecturers demanding that Vice Chancellor Naison Ngoma be shown the exit door.

With the standoff having dragged on Minister of Education Michael Kaingu closed the institution indefinitely.

The post UNZA Lecturers Threaten to With-hold Results appeared first on Zambia Reports.

A lawyer who formerly worked for Finance Bank of Zambia Ltd Rajan Mahtani has told the Zambian Police that the banker is guilty of committing forgery to steal control of a majority shareholding in Zambezi Portland Cement Ltd. (ZPC), according to documents obtained by Zambia Reports.

Mahtani, who was arrested on June 2 and criminally charged with two counts of forgery and issuing false documents, has repeatedly denied the charges brought against him, and has sought judicial review.

According to a witness statement recorded by the Zambian Police on June 16, 2015, Mahtani’s former lawyer Zaheeda Essa claimed that Mr. Mahtani had instructed his personal assistant Chisha Mutale to “cut” the signatures of Antonio Ventriglia and Manuela Sebastiani, the actual owners of ZPC, from a separate shareholding agreement onto a share transfer form that would be submitted to the Patents and Companies Registration Agency (PACRA).

The reason for the illegal copying of signatures is because Mahtani never paid to acquire the majority shareholding in ZPC, and as such, he allegedly does not possess the original share transfer certificates with original signatures, the ZPC owners have claimed in past press releases.

“With reference to the share transfer forms, specifically as mentioned earlier, there was a panic within Dr. Mahtani for not having his 58% shares reflecting in the PACRA system,” Essa declared in her witness statement to police.

“Irrespective of the system being rectified, Dr. Mahtani came up together with CHISHA MUTALE, his personal assistant to his Secretary PARIVATHU NACHIMUTHU, dated these Share Transfer Forms. Mrs. Nachimuthu dated ‘RLM 7′ and ‘RLM 9′. Chicha Mutale dated ‘RLM 8′ and ‘RLM 10.’ Mrs Nachimuthu endorsed the words ‘Finsbury Investment Limited’ and Joan Craven’s signature on ‘RLM 7′ and ‘RLM 8.’ Chisha Mutale cut the signatures of Antonio Ventriglia and Manuela Sebastiani from the Share Holding Agreement mentioned above, and glued it on the Form, and then photocopied the Form,” Essa declared.

“My office was one office away from Dr. Mahtani’s office, and next door to Mrs Nachimuthu’s office, with an interlock door which I used regularly to walk in and out of the offices, therefore, I saw what was photocopied, and I saw Mrs Nachimuthu signing the documents in question,” Essa said.

Once the alleged forgery had been completed, Essa told the Zambian Police that she was present in Mahtani’s office, where he congratulated Mrs Nachimuthu on a “job well done” in her presence and received the forged share transfer forms.

Essa’s statement to police, which can be read in full below, came about after a falling out with Mathani, and his Lawyers Simeza and Sangwa Associates.

After closing her law firm last year in which she was in partnership with her Lebanese boyfriend dubious character named Fawaz, she briefly worked with Mathani’s lawyer Simeza and Sangwa Associates until around March/April this year. She did not stay long, they differed over the questionable tactics of Mathani and his lawyers (Sangwa has been jointed arrested and charged with Mahtani in the past). She left Simeza Sangwa Associates and she now works for LAMASAT, a Lebanese company.

Rumours in the legal community indicate that Mahtani is desperately trying to recruit Essa to work with him again as retained counsel.

Rajan Mahtani departed Zambia last week after applying for release of his passport to receive medical treatment abroad.

Mahtani Forgery Investigation – Essa Statement to Police June 2015

The post Lawyer Tells Police She Witnessed Mahtani’s Forgery appeared first on Zambia Reports.

The Media Institute of Southern AFRICA (MISA) Zambia has demanded that the defamation of the President Law should be abolished because it is archaic and discriminatory.

MISA has instead recommended that the Zambia Law Development Commission should come up with a different law that would only allow for a fine once one is found guilty of defaming the president and not a custodial sentence which is currently the case.

Making submissions to the Zambia Law Development Commission on review of the penal Code Act in relation to issues bordering on freedom of expression and freedom of the press today, MISA National Director Austin Kayanda has also demanded for the removal of clauses relating to prohibited publications, Sedious Practices,defamation and the public order Act from the constitution.

He says the clauses are old and archaic and do not apply to the country.

Kayanda says MISA and its partners will continue putting Government under pressure until it succumbs to the demands of the people.

And Legal Practitioner Daniel Libati has submitted that section 67 of the penal code Act which relates to publication of false news with Intent to cause fear and alarm to the public should be removed.

Libati says they have proposed that this act be removed because it is an hindrance to press Freedom.

He cited the recent judgment of the High Court by Judge Isaac Chali involving Daily Nation Editor Richard Sakala and Macdonald Chipenzi which determined that it was not constitutional as an example.

The post MISA Wants Defamation of President Law Abolished appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Zambia’s ruling Patriotic Front candidate Anthony Kasandwe has scooped the Bangweulu by-election relegating opposition UPND to third place after Edith Nawakwi’s Forum for Democracy and Development finished in distant second.

The PF polled 9,512 with the FDD candidate managing 1,803 votes while Hakainde Hichilema’s man collected 1, 335 votes to finish in third place in Thursday’s by-election.

Meanwhile, newly appointed UPND vice-president Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba is celebrating a ward victory recorded by his new party.

“I am now confirming that Bululu Ward in the Kasama Central Constituency had been taken by the UPND candidate Mr Mutale Kabwe. Our candidate got 781 whereas the PF candidate got 587,” Mwamba, who is re-contesting the by-election in three months to defend his seat, said.

“Collegues this is just but a dress rehearsal for the main event to be announced soon by the ECZ.
(Kadyonko). UPND has entered PF’s bedroom and it is time to separate the Men from the Boys. We await the contender and he surely ought to come prepared because they will be humiliated beyond recognition.”

Mwamba said said he was not afraid to be arrested if there was any such rumours.

“Let me also refer to the threats that have been made on the pending arrests to the opposition members. I strongly remind those making these threats that they are missing a point. In any democratic dispensation like ours, and during elections its expected that there will be victors and the vanquished.

“What has happened in Bululu ward in my constituency is the beginning of the real game. Just accept that you have been defeated straight and fair. The violence is actually perpetrated by their cadres who travelled from as far as Lusaka. I will not be intimidated by those threats. This is it. From hereon, its Go Go Forward with UPND and HH. Northern power here we come. 2016 is in our sights.”

The post PF Whitewashes 3rd Placed UPND in Bangweulu; GBM Celebrates Kasama Ward Triumph appeared first on Zambia Reports.

THE Lusaka High Court has dismissed a case in which some residents of Kabwata constituency sued the Lusaka City Council over the disposal of a piece of land on Yotum Muleya Road.

LCC won the case in which the residents took the council to court over the disposal of Stand number Lus/20435 Yotum Muleya Road, which houses basketball and tennis courts.

This is in a case, in which Kabwata resident Clement Tembo sued the LCC together with Wua Feng Construction Company over the disposal of the said piece of land.

Tembo contested that residents of Kabwata needed to participate in the disposal of the property and obtained an injunction in the High Court against construction on the piece of land.

In its ruling on Wednesday, the Lusaka High Court observed that the LCC followed procedure in disposing of the said piece of land and dismissed the case with costs.

Stand number Lus/20435 is earmarked for development of a multi-purpose sports arena, incorporating tennis and basketball courts, a shopping mall and entertainment zones.

Source: Daily Mail

The post Court Rules Against Kabwata Residents in LCC Land Scam appeared first on Zambia Reports.

PRESIDENT Lungu is concerned that some opposition political parties are plotting violence ahead of the 2016 general elections.

The Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation reports that the President said he has received reports that some opposition parties are bent on creating lawlessness in the country.

He said that the scheme was to start with yesterday’s Bangweulu Parliamentary by-election and some ward elections in Kasama and Isoka in the run-up to next year’s polls.

President Lungu has regretted that Forum for Democracy and Development president Edith Nawakwi encouraged voters in Bangweulu to seize government property which she claimed was carrying rigged ballots.

The head of State says Nawakwi’s statement led to some polling stations opening late.
The President said this yesterday through his special assistant for press and public relations, Amos Chanda.

President Lungu added that he is aware that a senior member of the UPND is sponsoring violence, which has resulted in seven PF supporters being attacked.

The President also disclosed that there is a scheme to paint the ruling PF as a violent party by dressing criminals in Patriotic Front (PF) regalia at Lusaka’s Soweto market to attack innocent marketeers.

He has warned that he will not spare anyone, regardless of their position, in his efforts to maintain law and order.

The post President Lungu Uncovers Opposition Plot to Fan Violence appeared first on Zambia Reports.

One day after the newly founded Rainbow Party won its first seat in the Kapililonga Ward by-election in Isoka of Muchinga province, the party leaders Fred M’membe (who is also owner and editor of the Post Newspaper) and former Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba are determined to bring other high profile figures into the fold.

Sources tell Zambia Reports that the former First Lady Dr. Christine Kaseba is expected to meet with Mr. M’membe and Mr. Kabimba tomorrow at Kabimba’s home along Independence Avenue.

The so-called “cartel” led by M’membe and Kabimba are expected to offer Kaseba a deal to help her find a way forward in her political career, which would likely include praise-singing in the Post and financial assistance for future campaigns.

The source says it was not clear however whether Kaseba would be asked to formally join Rainbow and stand on its ticket, or whether she would be a cartel representative to infiltrate other parties, including the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) and opposition United Party for National Development (UPND).

Following the death of her husband, the late President Michael Sata, Dr. Kaseba was one of the candidates hoping to take over leadership of the PF, but was quickly beat out by other candidates eventually resulting in the nomination of Edgar Lungu as the presidential candidate.

The source says that Kaseba agreed to take the meeting with the cartel because she has vowed to “finish the PF” because she is displeased that President Lungu has fired a wide range of her unqualified relatives who had been rewarded with posts in the diplomatic service.

One high profile example is the High Commissioner to South Africa Muyeba Chikonde, who has been recalled by the Lungu administration. Chikonde is reportedly brother-in-law to Kaseba, and was allegedly given the diplomatic posting despite greater seniority and qualifications of other candidates.

The post Kaseba to Meet with M’membe and Kabimba appeared first on Zambia Reports.

POLICE in Kasama have formally arrested opposition UPND Vice President for Administration Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba. Popularly known as GBM, the former parliamentarian, is not new to violence.

GBM has been previously charged and taken to court for domestic violence as well as wiping his own employees when they fall short of his set standards.

According to Radio Mano, police have charged Mwamba with the offence of assault for attacking cadres with his hooligans during ward by-elections held in Bululu Ward in Kasama which the UPND won. Mwamba was due to appear in court today.

The post GBM Arrested for Assault appeared first on Zambia Reports.

The Copperbelt University which was closed indefinitely on July 8 as a result of a strike by lecturers will reopen on August 17, 2015.

Education Minister Michael Kaingu told a media briefing in Kitwe today that students are expected to be at the campus by 16th August.

Kaingu, however; said Vice Chancellor Naison Ngoma will continue being on leave.

The reopening of the Copperbelt University follows the decision by striking CBU lecturers to end their two months boycott.

They were demanding the removal of CBU vice-chancellor Naison Ngoma.

The decision by the lecturers to end their boycott is a culmination of a two-day meeting with the Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early
Education Michael Kaingu and his Labour and Social Security counterpart, Fackson Shamenda.

The post CBU Re-opens Aug 17 appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Opposition Rainbow Party Leader, Wynter Kabimba says his party’s victory in the Kapililonga ward by-election in Isoka district of Muchinga province shows that the party is formidable and ready to compete with other political parties.

Kabimba says he is happy that the party he formed barely seven ago has managed to scoop its first local government seat.

And Kabimba says he confident that his party’s political strategy is bearing fruit seven months after the Rainbow party was formed as evidenced by its victory in the Kapililonga ward election.

Kabimba says his party is geared for the 2016 tripartite elections.

And Rainbow Party Spokesperson Goodson Banda has told a media briefing that the party’s first attempt victory in the Kapililonga Ward by-election spells the beginning of the people’s time to start governing themselves.

He says people of Kapililonga triumphed by uniting to reclaim the local government seat by voting for their own candidate who stood on the Rainbow Party ticket.

Banda says the victory has therefore demonstrated that Rainbow Party is about the people and people represent themselves.

Meanwhile, United Party for National Development (UPND)deputy spokesperson, Edwin Lifwekelo says the appointment of former Kasama Central MP Geoffrey Mwamba as UPND vice president has paid off as evidenced by the party’s victory in the Bululu ward by-election in Kasama central.

Lufwekelo says the UPND is headed for victory in the forthcoming general election in 2016 considering the rate at which it is growing.

The post Kabimba Goes to Town with Isoka Ward Win appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Dear Editor
Please find space in you widely followed news source for my comparison.

Football Leagues – Politics+
1. Super league – State President
2. Division 1- Member of Parliament
3. Division 2- Ward Councillor

Facts

-So PF are represented in all leagues. UPND now are competing with the likes of Rainbow and FDD in Division 2.

-The UPND best team played PF under 12 team in ward by election.

– The Rainbow Party best team played PF under 12 in the ward by election

-In the past Parliamentary by election in Bangweulu FDD beat all the opposition parties

– Wins at Division 2 by UPND and Rainbow are good for Democracy despite being done against an Under 12 team.

– People of Kasama have taught us that it doesn’t matter which part of Zambia a leader of a party comes from they vote for the party. A lesson other people from a give province should learn.

When you win against an Under 12, you celebrate due to the fact that you are used to losing.

Joe Mwansa Lombe Kaluba

The post Letter: Rainbow & UPND Ward Victories Good for Democracy appeared first on Zambia Reports.

The following press release was distributed by the High Commission of Zambia to South Africa:

Zambia’s High Commissioner Designate to South Africa, His Excellency Emmanuel Mwamba has pledged to work toward ensuring that Zambia continued to benefit from the cordial relations that the country enjoys with South Africa and other countries of extra-accreditation.

Mr. Mwamba said he was looking forward to working with other diplomats at the High Commission in Pretoria and the Zambian community in South Africa in order to fulfill the mandate given to him by President Edgar Lungu.

Mr. Mwamba, who was accompanied by his wife, Monde and children, was speaking on arrival at Oliver Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa.

He was met on arrival by out-going Deputy High Commissioner to South Africa, Mr. Joe Kaunda and other members of staff from the Mission.

Mr. Kaunda said diplomats at the High Commission have been eagerly waiting for Mr. Mwamba so that they could quickly continue on the path of serving the nation.

Mr. Mwamba has taken over from Mr. Muyeba Chikonde who has been transferred to the United Kingdom.

Issued by:
Nicky Shabolyo
PRESS SECRETARY
HIGH COMMISSION OF ZAMBIA IN SOUTH AFRICA

The post Emmanuel Mwamba Pledges to Serve Zambian Interests in South Africa appeared first on Zambia Reports.

In recent days there have been reports on several websites owned by Rajan Mahtani that that the banker is threatening and harassing journalists again, this time ordering his lawyers to pressure the hosting company GoDaddy to engage in censorship of free speech to silence Zambia Reports. The same tactics have been attempted numerous times in the past without any success, which may explain why Mahtani has chosen to publish his lawyers’ correspondence publicly as an attempt at intimidation.

What many readers may not know is that Mahtani has a long history of going after journalists and attempting to censor the media. Below is a reprint of an article published on Zambian Watchdog in February of 2010. The article has since been deleted from the website, however a copy exists on a Google archive.

Mahtani unleashes agents on Watchdog

Finance bank owner Rajan Mahtani has unleashed his agents to find out who is behind the Watchdog.

Mahtani, according to one of the persons who came into contact with Mahtani’s agents, wants to know who the editors of the Watchdog are, where their officers are and any other contact details.

This is in a bid to block any information relating to the ongoing investigations by the Drug Enforcement Commission over alleged altering of shares in the Ndola based Portland cement.

Last Friday DEC officers grilled for four hours Zaida Essa, the lawyer for Rajan Mahtani.

Sources told the Watchdog that this was about allegations that she fraudulently altered shares in Zambezi Portland cement.

The fraudulent changes in shares is said to be in favour of Rajan Mahtani.

The complaint to DEC was lodged by Odys Mandenakis and Antonio Ventriglias. When reached for a comment, DEC spokesperson John Nyawali said that it is true Essa was summoned for an ongoing enquiry.

But this story apparently angered the mighty businessman so much that yesterday his agents ‘combed’ Lusaka for any hint of the Watchdog contact details.

The Watchdog is operated from outside Zambia.

A few years ago, a branch of Finance bank was closed by the Central bank of Malawi folowing allegations of money laundering.

Below is what the DEC is investigating: Antonio Ventriglia and his family set up Ital Terrazzo Ltd a stone and tile making company. Four years ago they decided to set up a cement plant in Ndola.

The family approached Rajan Mahtani to organise start up project funds for the cement plant. Mahtani quickly proposed a stake in the company and the family gave up 49% shareholding to Mahtani.

The project required over USD100 million in start up funds. Zambezi Portland Cement (ZPC) was born.

Mahtani arranged finance facilities from the European Development Fund (guaranteed by BOZ) and from COMESA’s investment and development wing, the PTA Bank of Kenya.

Mahtani proceeded to source more funds from his own bank, Finance Bank, Finance Leasing and from Barclays Bank.

All these funds were never credited to the Zambezi Portland Cement Account. Mahtani paid suppliers directly for the construction of the plant.

Only residual funds to cover salaries and petty expenses were credited to the ZPC account which was also controlled by Mahtani’s appointee, Peter Khana.

When ZPC exhausted its borrowing limits, Mahtani persuaded the Ventriiglia family to stake their family asset Ital Terrazzo Ltd, and their family houses as collateral for further loans.

He persuaded them to register another firm, Cladava Mining Ltd and heaped new loans on the two firms to help finance the cement project.

Mahtani imported and employed 120 ‘Indian expatriates’ to compliment the 460 Zambian workers!

When the company decided to increase the plant capacity from 600 ton per day to 1000 ton per day, costs ballooned.

The plant needed additional capital funds! He proposed a change in shareholding to 42% for the Ventriglia and 58% for his Group of Companies.

Later he revised the shareholding to 25% for the Ventriglias and 75% for the Mahtani Group. The Ventriglias obtained more loans from Trust Merchant Bank of Congo to help service their earlier loan commitment to PTA Bank.

With over due schedules, and without commissioning production, ZPC debts mounted and PTA Bank –Kenya, and Finance Bank placed the cement plant under receivership.

Mahtani through Finance Bank also placed Ital Terrazzo under receivership claiming that the firm was liable for the ZPC debts! He even registered mortgage debentures with Ministry of Lands against Ital Terrazzo.

The loans which were obtained for the benefit of ZPC were now to be paid by the Ventriglias!

Mahtani proceeded to lay a criminal complaint against the Ventriglias. On 18th July 2008, police on the Copperbelt picked Antonio, his wife and children locked them on fraud charges! Their passports were confiscated and their travel outside Zambia banned!

They police charged the Ventriglias with offences of obtaining money by false pretences. The loans obtained were now sought under false pretences! To date, the matter has never seen the light of day in court!

Mahtani has proceeded to encumber the Ventriglias with numerous court actions. He has proceeded to change ownership of Zambezi Portland Cement without bothering to obtain consent nor authority from the Ventriglias.

At the last Zambia International Trade Fair, ignoring the pending cases in court contesting the shareholding of Zambezi Portland Cement, Mahtani informed the country that ZPC would commence production by August 15th 2009. He stated that the reported dispute with ‘minority shareholders’ had been resolved! (The Post 8th July 2009).

Antonio Ventriglia and Manuel Ventriglia have since lodged an official complaint to the police on the Copperbelt reporting the fraudulent manner in which Mahtani changed the shareholding of ZPC.

The family accuses Rajan Mahtani of stealing their shares in Zambezi Portland Cement. The family allege that the family shares were transferred to Finsbury Investments fraudulently, without their consent and knowledge.

They accuse Mahtani of even forging signatures on the share certificates submitted to PACRO by Mahtani’s agents.

To verify and support their claim that Mahtani forged their signatures, the family hired Jannie Viljoen Bester of South Africa. Bester is an international handwriting expert and document examiner who is a member of the South African Forensic Society.

Bester has confirmed and collaborated the claim of fraud and forgeries on documents submitted to PACRO Zambia.

Bester’s report is dated 28th October 2008 and sworn in the Registrar of the High Court in South Africa (Transvaal Division) for authentication for authority.

This matter was further reported to the DEC, and Police Service Headquarters. When Mahtani learnt of this, he called the family and mocked them that their allegations ‘’ will go nowhere since he runs a parallel government!’

The post Flashback: Mahtani Unleashes Agents on Watchdog appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Dear Editor,

Please share this comment with your readers.

For many years now, Zambians have been fed on an enormous amount of filth which is mistakenly refereed to as JOURNALISM. Unfortunately, public opinion has often been shaped by such filth.

An excellent example is the picture below of Ignatius Mwansa Shilangwa, which the Post Newspapers have brazenly published with a misleading caption which portrays a seemingly ‘poverty stricken’ subject prior to his appointment as republican vice president in 2006.

However, it is common knowledge that the chipolopolo replica jersey which the other person in the picture is wearing was only released towards the Africa cup of nations soccer tournament six years later in 2012.

Obviously, the Post Newspapers knows that most readers will not relate facts in this manner and will most likely believe what they see at first glance.

Such deception is most unfortunate especially coming from a leading media house like the Post Newspapers.

Think about this for a moment – the largest newspaper in our country simply goes on Facebook to grab images and then knowingly passes them off with invented falsehoods. How amateurish and unprofessional!

After 24 years of democracy and 50 years of independence, Zambians must reject such behaviour among people that call themselves journalists, but instead are propagandists driving an agenda of their own interests.

Thank you,
C.L.M.
Lusaka

The post Letter: Post Playing Games with Shilangwa Picture appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Police on Saturday fired teargas canisters to disperse protesting Mufulira Wanderers when their team conceded a goal by Winstone Kalengo giving visitors, Zesco United, the lead in the 20th minute of the FAZ Super Division.

This forced match officials to cancel the match which will now go to the FAZ disciplinary committee.

According to eyewitness, unruly Wanderers fans could not stomach their team’s early poor 20 minutes but vented their anger on Zesco officials one of whom is coach George Lwandamina – a Mufulira Wanderers product.

Previous Kabwe Warriors and Nkana have suffered bans for unruly crowd troubles at their home matches some of which include suspending league matches at such venues.

Wanderers, yet to lose at home since their return to the elite league, may face similar hardships especially that they are no longer adequately funded and rely on a shoestring budget to survive.

They are one of the country’s most respected, in terms of history winning trophies, after Nkana, Warriors.

The post Police Fire Teargas at Wanderers, Zesco Abandoned Soccer Match appeared first on Zambia Reports.

FORMER President Rupiah Banda says Zambians should be proud of President Lungu because he has raised the profile of the country.

Mr Banda said yesterday that President Lungu is doing his best to put the country on the world map as evidenced by people coming to Zambia.

Some of the presidents who have come to Zambia since January this year are Jakaya Kikwete (Tanzania), Uhuru Kenyatta (Kenya), Peter Mutharika (Malawi) and Robert Mugabe (Zimbabwe).

Mr Banda urged Zambians to support the President for peace and unity to continue flourishing in the country.

“As Zambians, we should be proud of President Lungu, he is doing his best to put the country on the world map as evidenced from the arrivals here at the airport. I am in good relations with him and the respect I get from him sometimes makes me feel like I do not deserve it even if I am a former President. He also has lots of respect for humanity,” Mr Banda said.

And Banda said his relationship with Preident Lungu is sound, dismissing claims that he had differed with the President.

He said the reports that the relationship had soured were false as the two are enjoying a good relationship and have mutual respect for each.

The former President said President Lungu has a lot of respect for him.

Meanwhile, former First Lady Thandiwe Banda says she is alive, well and enjoying good health.

Speaking on arrival from South Africa on Saturday, Mrs Banda said she has been cleared of cancer by doctors though she is expected to go for check-ups every six months.

Mrs Banda, who was in the company of her husband, Rupiah, thanked Zambians for their prayers, support and love rendered to her and the family.

“I am happy to inform you that I have been cleared of cancer by doctors and I am happy to be back home,” Mrs Banda said.

Last week, there were reports on social media that Mrs Banda had died.

Commenting on the speculations that his wife had died, Mr Banda said the culture of rejoicing when one is unwell must be discouraged.

“Zambians are known for caring for each other and when someone is sick or has a funeral, Zambians are known to show love, support and care in such times,” Mr Banda said.

Mr Banda said to learn that some sections of the media could claim that his wife had died when she is alive is shocking and ‘unZambian’.

“It is very ‘unZambian’ to rejoice if something tragic has happened. Fortunately with us, here we are, your prayers have been answered,” Mr Banda said.

Source: Daily Mail

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