SPEAK POSITIVELY ABOUT ZAMBIA, HH TOLD

By NOEL IYOMBWA PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema should be speaking positively about the country and the economy, former Finance minister Katele Kalumba has said. Dr Kalumba said that speaking negatively about the country’s economy could scare away potential investors. He said that once the President starts talking negatively about the country, then the international market would respond in negative terms. Dr Kalumba said that as the Head of State, Mr Hichilema speaks on behalf of the entire Zambians. “Now that he is in power, Mr Hichilema should understand the strategic interests of Zambia and he is speaking on behalf of Zambia hence the need for him to speak positively about the country and its economy to the outside world. “We are all under his guidance so whatever problems we have, are his problems and Zambia is in his hands now and we have to submit to his leadership, “he said. Dr Kalumba said that it was important that the head of state speaks well about the country to attract investors so that they have confidence. He said that it was normal to speak negatively about Zambia when the party was in opposition but now that it is in power, there is a need to talk positively about the country. [9:15 am, 24/09/2021] Madam Kombe: K65m not from here – BoZ By BUUMBA CHIMBULU THE Bank of Zambia (BoZ) says no official withdrew huge amounts of cash and that the K65 million discovered in New Kasama in Lusaka was merely at the central bank for safe-keeping. BoZ Assistant Director Communications, Besnart Mwanza, explained that the public cannot access cash directly from the central bank. “As reported by the Zambia Police Service, the money recovered in Lusaka was found packed in travelling bags and had to be transferred to the bank for safe keeping. “This, therefore, necessitated the use of locatable and sealable trunks to safely transport the money from the point of seizure to the bank,” Ms Mwanza said. Ms Mwanza has thus dispelled the allegations of huge amounts withdrawal and described them as false and unfounded. She said the central bank does not hold accounts for individuals but interacts with the public in issuance of currency through commercial banks. Ms Mwanza said the public only have access to currency through various channels offered by financial service providers on Automated Teller Machines, over the counter and their agents. She said false reports suggesting otherwise have the potential to tarnish the image of the central bank and destabilise the financial sector and the economy. “The public are urged to desist from circulating false news. The matter under investigation on the seized cash is being handled by Zambia Police Service to whom we refer any further queries,” Ms Mwanza said. At the weekend, police discovered more than K56 million and $57, 000 from a house belonging to Ms Faith Musonda, who has since been summoned for questioning.