In a dramatic turn of events, President Michael Sata announced today the sacking of Zambia’s Minister of Tourism and Arts Sylvia Masebo.
Masebo, who is a latecomer to the ruling Patriotic Front party, had at one point been considered as a potential future leader for the party but found herself in hot water over alleged corruption issues.
Following a six-month legal battle by Masebo’s critics, last fall the High Court approved the formation of a Tribunal to be chaired by Judge Rhoydah Kaoma to investigate Masebo over allegations of corruption and abuse of office with regard to Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) tenders.
Before the Tribunal, Masebo’s defence team claim that she acted under orders from President Sata to cancel ZAWA licenses for hunting safaris – a claim which was later challenged director of standards and inspection Gloria Ngoma, who testified that the Minister had exceeded her powers in making such moves.
Sources closer to the presidency indicate that Sata was very upset with Masebo for implicating his name in the Tribunal, and made the decision to dismiss the Minister ahead of what is expected to be a guilty verdict.
Masebo’s career with the PF has been highlighted by several scandals. In August of last year, Masebo was in charge of organising the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) summit in Livingstone, which failed to attract sufficient attendees or gain media coverage. She was also at the centre of an ugly incident last year when officers of the Zambian National Service (ZNS) shot and killed two villagers in Kampasa, who had been protesting over their eviction from lands that were penciled for development by Masebo.
According to a brief statement circulated by President Sata’s spokesperson George Chellah, “The Head of State thanked Hon. Masebo for the services rendered to the country during her tenure of office.”
The post Sata Sacks Tourism Minister Sylvia Masebo appeared first on Zambia Reports.