Monthly Archives: February 2012

ZR Comment:  President Michael Sata has undertaken some rather surprising and extensive reshuffling of his cabinet this week.  It is interesting to note that he has moved his nephew, Miles Sampa, to Deputy Minister of Finance.  This coincides with the appointment of another one of his relatives, Alexander Chikwanda, as Minister of Finance, who Secretary of the Treasury Fredson Yamba, who is Sata’s wife’s cousin (thus is seen as his brother-in-law in Zambia).  At this point, the entire Finance Ministry is controlled by members of Sata’s family. — HEADLINES — President Sata reshuffles government again, appoints new Minister of Mines  …More

Zambia’s President Michael Sata at State House Zambia Reports is an online news and market intelligence media product which began its trial phase in March 2012, featuring on-the-ground reporting and analysis on political risk, foreign investment, and security from Africa’s #1 copper producer.  We are currently gauging interest in our reporting by measure of a daily email newsletter.  If you would like to receive the newsletter and give us feedback, please fill out the form below. Zambia Reports only sends an email one time per day (M-F), and guarantees NO ADS, NO SPAM, AND 100% confidential. Subscribe to our mailing  …More

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ZR Comment:  The bitter debate over media independence in Zambia has finally hit the front pages this week, as the Daily Mail is running two separate articles attacking former President Rupiah Banda over his accusation that the press is biased against the opposition, serving as a mouthpiece for the Patriotic Front.  From the rumor mill:  Is Post editor Fred M’membe currently fighting with President Michael Sata?  A says that the new president became annoyed with M’Membe for boasting that his newspaper “took down” former presidents Kaunda, Chiluba, and Banda.  M’Membe is also apparently angered at Sata for having poached so  …More

MMD Threatens to expel pro-PF MPs has threatened some of its members of parliament with expulsion from the party for voting with PF over the election of the Speaker of the National Assembly Dr Patrick Matibini and for supporting the ratification of Director of Public Prosecutions Mutembo Nchito. According to an internal memo dated 22 December, 2011 obtained yesterday addressed to all members of parliament and signed by MMD national secretary Major Richard Kachingwe, the party had observed with disbelief the treacherous conduct of some of its members of parliament against the very principles of the party that sponsored them.  …More