FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 8, 2011 — In Lusaka press secretary of President Sata released a formal apology to philanthropist and former Zambia’s permanent representative to UNESCO Nicolae Buzaianu. Dr. Buzaianu was wrongly accused of purchasing the gold from DEC when he flew into Zambia from Geneva, Switzerland. What was believed to be a nefarious meeting between former President Banda and the Swiss-Businessman turned out to be a meeting of diplomacy.
Entrepreneur & Philanthropist Nicolae Buzaianu
Lawyers who represent Banda stated that Nicolae Buzaianu arrived in Zambia upon a private jet to announce his resignation as Zambia’s permanent representative from UNESCO. Dr. Buzaianu felt that it was time for him to move on and follow a path more spiritual and focus on rebuilding churches in Eastern Europe. For which he has received a Gold Medal honor by the church.
The gold purchase is still a mystery and President Sata currently has his hands full with his crossover into taking command of the government. Sources claim that the President jumped into the gold scandal without having all the fact presented. This reporter was unable to reach Nicolae Buzaianu for a statement about the formal apology.
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- In Lusaka press secretary of President Sata released a formal apology to philanthropist and former Zambia’s permanent representative to UNESCO Nicolae Buzaianu. (newsforpeople.wordpress.com)
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Dr. Buzaianu
Most recently this journalist had a quick opportunity to sit with ex-president Banda and hear his words about the recent gold scandal involving him, his son James Banda and a Swiss National. Mr. Banda briefly stated that matter was not perceived correctly and that a mix up in paper work in the DEC was the most likely culprit.
As for the Swiss Businessman Nicolae Buzaianu who arrived in Lusaka at first believed with the motivation of purchasing gold but that is untrue claims Banda. Mr. Banda was more than happy to set the records strait that Mr. Buzaianu who was UNESCO representative for Zambia arrived to express his dismay that he was stepping down from his post. This conversation confirms the original intentions and not the intentions first offered that President Sata relieved Buzaianu of his duties. Mr. Banda finished with a quote from Euripides “Wealth stays with us a little moment if at all: only our characters are steadfast, not our gold.” The scandal in Zambia continues.
When doing research about scandals on the continent of Africa one can easily see that it is not only by the dirty hands of foreigners coming here for out exportable wealth but the dirty hands of our won politicians and leaders. Show me a poor politician and I will show you and honest politician but few are to be found.
Africa has a large quantity of natural resources including oil, diamonds, gold, iron, cobalt, uranium, copper, bauxite, silver, petroleum we also have woods and tropical fruits. Our abundance of natural resources makes us exploitable by many nations like the U.S., U.K., Canada, and France. One resource they are not interested in is our impoverished children.
Sudan and Nigeria are two of the main oil producers. China owns 40% of Sudan’s oil production. Oil is provided by both continental and offshore productions. Together they account for 85% of the continent’s oil production and are, in order of decreasing output, Nigeria, Libya, Algeria, Egypt and Angola. Other oil producing countries are Gabon, Congo, Cameroon, Tunisia, Equatorial Guinea, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Cote d’Ivoire. Exploration is taking place in a number of other countries that aim to increase their output or become first time producers. Included in this list are Chad, Sudan, Namibia, South Africa and Madagascar while Mozambique and Tanzania are potential gas producers.
Ore resources in Africa are plenty, and extremely more so nowadays as other continents are beginning to face depletion of resources. The copper belt in Katanga, the diamond mines in Sierra Leone, Angola, and Botswana are well known for their abundance and rich produce, albeit, also notorious for their level of corruption and links to rebel movements. The RUF (Revolutionary United Front) and the blood diamonds used to supply these rebel factions with arms is one such example.
There is scandal everywhere in Africa.
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GOVERNMENT has constituted a commission of inquiry to investigate the US$8.25 million (about K42 billion) sale of the Zambia National Commercial Bank (ZANACO) to Rabobank of the Netherlands.
In 2006, the Government sold 49 per cent shares in Zanaco to Rabobank after protracted negotiations.
As part of the sale and purchase agreement, Rabobank took over management rights of Zanaco while the Government retained its representation in the bank at board level which included three members from Rabobank, two Government representatives and one representative appointed by board members.
The transaction was conducted by the MMD government under late president Levy Mwanawasa.
Meanwhile, Zanaco Managing Director, Martyn Schouten, says the bank would be readily available to help the commission throughout the process and advised customers that operations would remain unaffected during the period of enquiry.
Mr Schouten said the bank acknowledged the announcement of the formation of a commission of inquiry pertaining to the sale of the bank to Rabobank of the Netherlands in 2006.
“Zanaco wishes to confirm its full cooperation throughout this enquiry to assist in offering a transparent and professional outcome,” Mr Schouten said.
Justice Minister Sebastian Zulu confirmed that President Sata had directed him to appoint a team of officials from the Ministry of Justice and experts from the private sector to investigate what transpired during the sale and how the resources were used.
Mr Zulu said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that the commission, which he would chair, would commence sittings next month.
“We are putting together a team of experts who will include auditors, prosecutors, bankers and consultants because we want to do a good job,” Mr Zulu said.
The minister said during investigations, transactions that would suggest the prevalence of fraud would be handed over to the security wings.
He said prominent politicians who were influential during the sale of the bank would be summoned to give evidence.
The secretariat of the commission had been set up at the Mulungushi International Conference in Lusaka and that the programme of the sittings was still being prepared.
Zanaco’s 49 per cent shares were transferred to Rabo Financial Institutions Development, (RFID) which is a subsidiary of Rabobank.
The opposition political parties at the time, including the Patriotic Front (PF) and trade unions had opposed the sale, fearing the new owner could cut jobs and close branches in rural areas.
They also felt that the $8.25 million was low for the bank which had an attractive asset value with branches spread across the country including rural areas.
Mr Zulu said there would be no malice in the conduct of the inquiry and was not targeted at former Government officials who served in the previous Government.
He said he would use his experience as a prosecutor to engage people who were directly involved in the sale and ensure appropriate action was taken.
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RUPIAH Banda was like a monkey in a maize field, says chief Chisunka.
Commenting on revelations that the corruption of Frederick Chiluba’s 10-year-rule was a joke when compared with the theft of public resources in just three years of Banda’s government, chief Chisunka of Luapula province said former president Banda was intoxicated with corruption.
“It was like a monkey in a maize field. As traditional leaders we were not seeing what was happening until the minister revealed, but this is what I said; that he (Banda) must be prosecuted and explain the source of his corruptly-obtained money,” said chief Chisunka.
He said former ministers that were close to Banda must be investigated for stealing from the poor.
He said suffering in rural areas under the MMD had reached unbelievable levels because leaders had stolen money meant for development.
“He (Banda) never imagined he would be president. After getting him from the farm, it was free for all. He thought even if he stole he would continue as president. As chiefs and subjects, there was nothing we got but look at the money they spent on foreign trips, K40 billion! What type of president was ba Rupiah?” he wondered.
He said members of parliament that denounced traditional leaders should reconcile with them and work together.
Chief Chisunka said in 2012, parliamentarians should find time to plan with traditional leaders on how they would deliver development in various areas.
“There are a lot of things happening on the ground, let them not just stay in Lusaka like was the case during MMD where MPs where dictating the use of CDF (Constituency Development Fund),” said Chisunka.
Minister of Home Affairs Kennedy Sakeni recently said the corruption in Frederick Chiluba’s 10-year-rule was just a joke when compared to the theft of public resources in just three years of Rupiah Banda’s government.
Sakeni said everything in Banda’s administration stinks and Banda was free for now because of his immunity from prosecution.
President Banda had promised take a robust anti-corruption stance when he came into power but many see him as having faltered in that regard.
Several former leaders in Banda’s regime are being investigated for various corruption-related offences.
The Drug-Enforcement Commission is also investigating to establish the source of the US $1 million (about K5 billion) held in a commercial bank account by Mpundu Trust, which is linked to Banda.
There are also investigations involving Banda’s acquisition of luxury villas located on Leopards Hill Road, his role in the acquisition of scanners for the Zambia Revenue Authority and the sale of gold among others.
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Entrepreneur & Philanthropist Nicolae Buzaianu
It appears that corruption flows like a mudslide in Zambia. President Michael Sata has been too swift in his allegations of accusing the Swiss Businessman Nicolae Buzaianu of being involved in the gold scandal involving DEC. Dr. Buzaianu held an esteem position as a UNESCO representative and was strongly researching educational outlets to enhance reading in the school system. This is an opportunity the youth of Zambia will now miss out on because of ill researched investigations.
President Sata
Most recently it has been revealed that Situmbeko Musokotwane was paid K5.5 billion and got two salaries. One must wonder what is happening behind the closed doors of the Zambian government. Most recently the Zambian Watchdog stated directly that “Sata has been making allegations against individuals but most of these allegations have turned out to be false.”
It does appear that President Sata has righted his wrong and officially apologized to the Swiss based businessman Nicolae Buzaianu over the gold scam story. The Zambian Watchdog also reported that after Sata alleged that Buzaianu and former president Rupiah Banda along with others stole gold. Sata was forced to issue a public apology to Buzaianu when it was established that the allegations were incorrect.
There is an old song by the British rock group the Who and a very apropos line which says. “Meet the new boss, just like the old boss.” Let us hope that this is not the fate of our beloved country of Zambia.
Sata says Situmbeko Musokotwane was paid K5.5 billion and got two salaries. President Michael Sata says former Finance minister Situmbeko Musokotwane was paid K5.5 billion by the bank of Zambia.
Speaking through his spokespersons, Sata has maintained that Musokotwane was paid two salaries when he was minister of Finance. Sata said Musokotwane got K5.5 bilion from the bank of Zambia between 2003 and 2008. He said the money was mostly allowances like Christmas bonuses.
He said although the K5.5 billion payments to Musokotwane was approved by the previous government it was immoral because it was a lot of money. He said no other Bank of Zambia official or president of Zambia was ever paid that kind of money before.
He said when Musokotwane was appointed minister of Finance; he got two salaries for the period November 2008 to February 2009. From the time he became president, Sata has been making allegations against individuals but most of these allegations have turned out to be false.
One example involves Switzerland-based businessman Nicolae Buzaianu over the gold scam story which engulfed the country after Sata alleged that Buzaianu, former president Rupiah Banda and others stole gold.
Sata was forced to issue a public apology to Buzaianu when it was established that the allegations were incorrect. On November 16, 2011, Sata said he found Buzaianu’s demands understandable considering the allegations.
“Dr. Buzaianu’s demand for an apology and compensation originally appeared groundless and now acceptable for Zambia. Dr. Buzaianu was at liberty to exhaust all legal avenues available to him since that is the democratic way. Infact, we need Dr. Buzaianu to come to Zambia and continue his UNESCO support.’
Respected journalist Cecil Bello who cracked the story of the silver mine disaster in Africa had the opportunity to speak with ex-president Rupiah Banda and his involvement in the recent Zambian gold-gate scandal. The now crestfallen Banda had much to say about President Sata’s finger pointing at him, his son and Swiss based energy guru Nicolae Buzaianu.
It appears a flight of diplomatic affairs into Lusaka by Buzaianu was misconstrued by DEC, the Drug Enforcement Commission as a covert operation to purchase gold. Truth be told said Banda was Nicolae Buzaianu was discussing his post as Zambia’s UNESCO representative. Nicolae Buzaianu a philanthropist had decided to step down to follow other acts of business and charity.
President Sata has been quiet about the affairs of MAUREEN Mwanawasa, wife of late President Levy Mwanawasa and her involvement in the gold sale. She stated “I represented one of the people that were interested in buying the gold,” a Lusaka lawyer from Mwanawasa and Company said, “We gave a South African client the necessary advice and got our fees for the job…that is all we did.”
Where there is gold there is greed.
Nicolae Buzaianu, the Swiss businessman President Michael Sata wrongly linked to the “mysterious disappearance” of about 118kgs of gold with a present day value of more than K32 billion may have distanced himself from Zambia and its gold scandal but has recently been awarded a gold medal by the Church of Russia for his charity work in Eastern Europe.
What is now being called the “gold-gate” scandal has turned into an embarrassing event for President Sata. Like they say in Hollywood movies he came out “guns-a-blazing” and blamed all the wrong doings on the Swiss based philanthropist when in fact President Sata did not know whether the gold was sold to Dr. Buzaianu or even if a crime was committed.
Originally the Swiss national has hired Lusaka lawyer Sakwiba Sikota to defend him in the scandal that involved former President Rupiah Banda, his son James and a former press assistant, Dickson Jere. Dr. Buzaianu has withdrawn all legal actions against the Zambian administration since an official apology has been released on his behalf.
In a brief explanation Buzaianu, 42, philanthropist, confirmed in correspondence obtained from his lawyer that the gold was bought not by himself, but by two South African companies he named as Societies Financiere du Seujet SA and Valsior SA. Buzaianu arrived in Lusaka to make Banda aware that he was leaving his UNESCO post to take up other charitable endeavors.
Buzaianu continually declared that he was not part of “the transaction” that has seen Mr. Jere questioned by a combined team of police, Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) and Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Mr. Buzaianu stated he felt a need to demonstrate that the “transaction was perfectly correct,” and “I did not participate in the transaction and I did not receive any benefits”. He further stated “I arrived on a personal matter which was to chat with President Banda.” Mr. Banda confirmed in a call that Mr. Buzaianu arrived in Lusaka to discuss his exiting his UNESCO post.
Mr. Buzaianu explained through his lawyer why he “believed” that the transaction was “perfectly correct” he has compelled the two South African companies based in Switzerland to give “full support” to the fact that they, and not him, bought the gold at US$4,066,000. A letter received confirmed Buzaianu’s explanation of not being a buyer of the gold.
No tender procedure was implemented and the buyer was single-sourced. This is by no means is fault of any buyer but fault of DEC and those who run the organization. The gold scandal has brought much embarrassment onto the office of the former President, forcing him to issue a statement on October 16 admitting he had met Buzaianu, but that his meeting was not sinister but about Buzaianu stepping down from his UNESCO post.
President Sata, however, on October 12 expressed disappointment and even anger that persons of suspicious character on a DEC “watch-list” flew into Zambia on a private jet and “saw my predecessor (Rupiah Banda).” Unfortunately President Sata over spoke and only assumed Buzaianu were on the watch list but never was.
Lusaka News 