ACTIONAID Zambia says the 2021 national budget lacks progressive fiscal reform to enhance domestic revenue mobilisation and risks plunging the country into a debt trap. In a statement, ActionAid country director Nalucha Ziba stated that Zambia risked sliding into a debt trap that will see a situation where more than 70 per cent of the...

STAKEHOLDERS have reiterated calls that government removes the non-deductibility of Mineral Royalty Tax (MRT) payments, which result in double-taxation on mining companies to help encourage investment in the sector and revive Zambia’s economic growth. And economist Professor Oliver Saasa says government’s decision not to remove the non-deductibility of MRT in the 2021 national budget would...

THE PF government is trying to fool Zambians and divert their attention from real issues affecting the nation by using hired youths to champion the privatisation debate, says Jack Kalala. And Kalala says the intention to constitute a commission of inquiry into privatisation is a scheme by President Edgar Lungu to arrest UPND leader Hakainde...

FORMER Archbishop of Lusaka Telesphore Mpundu says President Edgar Lungu’s leadership is worse than the former British colonial masters because he exhibits no tolerance for opposing voices as required in Zambia’s Republican Constitution. In an interview, Bishop Mpundu complained that President Lungu’s government had rapidly degenerated into a brutal dictatorship, which was worse than the...

ECONOMIST Professor Oliver Saasa says the presentation by Minister of Finance Dr Bwalya Ng’andu before the creditors fell short of the needed clarity and detail to give sufficient comfort to the Eurobond holders, hence their rejection of the request to defer repayments. In an interview, Prof Saasa, the CEO of Premier Consult, regretted the Eurobond...

GOVERNMENT must strictly manage its debt contraction policy to ensure the 2021 national budget delivers on its intended objectives of ensuring Zambia’s economic recovery plan is achieved, says the Zambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ZACCI). Commenting on the 2021 national budget debt servicing allocation and its impact on Zambia’s economic recovery prospects, ZACCI president...

TRANSPORT and Communications Minister Mutotwe Kafwaya says the major reason why the speed cameras contract was cancelled is because it was signed by the RTSA chief executive officer when it should have been done by the Minister of Finance. And Kafwaya says the depositing of speed camera fines into an unapproved bank account is not...

POLICE on the Copperbelt have warned and cautioned former Kitwe District Commissioner Binwell Mpundu for allegedly holding an "illegal meeting". Copperbelt Police Commissioner Charity Katanga has confirmed this in an interview. She said the alleged meeting was held at Luyando community in Mindolo. "Yes, I can confirm that police in Kitwe summoned Binwell Mpundu. He...

UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema says while he is not afraid of intimidation, he opts to shy away from going out often in order to maintain peace in the country. And Hichilema has insisted that the 2021 budget is a disaster because it allocated less amounts of money to investment, thereby discouraging economic growth. Speaking when...

ZAMBIA Police spokesperson Esther Katongo says police have arrested suspected UPND cadres who were caught on the scene trying to damage a PF office in Chelstone, Saturday. But Katongo says the police have failed to arrest any PF cadres who attacked a UPND constituency office. Meanwhile, UPND secretary general Stephen Katuka says he is yet...