Gemcanton Investments Holdings Limited has welcomed the directive by Acting Republican President Inonge Wina to investigate reports of abduction and deportation of its manager Sergey Kuznetsov, whose contract of employment was terminated.

Company spokesperson Davy Phiri, who exonerated company officials from the reported abduction and deportation of Kuznetsov, said the former manager had his employment contract terminated.

Phiri dismissed assertions that Kuznetsov was abducted, stressing that there were no such acts as he was peacefully escorted to Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport in Ndola.

He added that management was happy that government, through Acting President Wina, has directed that investigations be instituted in events surrounding Kuznetsov’s departure for his native country, Russia.

“The company has the right to hire and fire employees and this is exactly what happened in the case of Mr Kuznetsov. We are worried that there are incessant reports indicating that Mr Kuznetsov was abducted and forced out of the country. The company wishes to state that Mr Kuznetsov was peacefully escorted to Ndola where he boarded his plane to Russia. We are, however, happy that Madam Inonge Wina, in her capacity as Acting Republican President, directed that the matter be investigated, to establish circumstances that led to the departure of Mr Kuznetsov,” Phiri said.

He has further cautioned against issuance of inflammatory statements, while investigations were ongoing, as accusations of abduction of a foreign national have the potential to strain diplomatic relations between Zambia and other countries.

Phiri explained that Gemcanton management officials will cooperate throughout the process of investigations to establish circumstances that led to Kuznetsov leaving the country.

Last week, Kuznetsov filed an official complaint of abduction,false imprisonment and illegal deportation through Mvunga Associates legal firm. 

Mvunga Associates, through Counsel Dickson Jere, wrote to the office of the Inspector General of police, asking the command to quickly investigate the matter of abduction,false imprisonment and illegal deportation.

Jere told the Inspector General of Police that his client’s deportation was spearheaded by a group of Senegalese who escorted him to the airport.

He added that the Kuznetsov’s work permit was taken away before he was forcibly made to board an Ethiopian airline plane to Moscow.

The associates also added that the complainant was an employee of Gemcantom Investment Holdings and was in charge of a strongroom were precious stones were stored.

– Story courtesy of SUMA SYSTEMS.