Guys maybe sanity will prevail now in Zambia rumours are that the minister responsible for the hunting ban has been fired by our president unfortunately cannot confirm this as am sitting at nairobi airport with a probable cancelled flight

Interesting if true, but I still can't tell the difference between the good guys and the bad guys.

I guess this is good news BUT time is running short to get the GMA's tendered and up and running?

Hey Andrew!! What does the little birdy tell you?

quote:

Originally posted by Frostbit:
Hey Andrew!! What does the little birdy tell you?

I was celebrating that last night.

More likely than not the minister has a nice account in Switzerland or the Caymans funded by PETA, WWF, or other such animal rights activists.

We can only hope

I have a big Lion that is not so happy about this news

Finally

Now they need someone who has at least a small idea about hunting&conservation and things will improve fast.

Dennis

quote:

Originally posted by poacher458:
I have a big Lion that is not so happy about this news

Be more specific please: ..."a free-range, unfenced, big bodied, black maned, 6+ year old lion with worn down canines, black nose and a battle-scarred face that is not so happy "...

quote:

Originally posted by fujotupu:

quote:

Originally posted by poacher458:
I have a big Lion that is not so happy about this news

Be more specific please: ..."a free-range, unfenced, big bodied, black maned, 6+ year old lion with worn down canines, black nose and a battle-scarred face that is not so happy "...

Must be without a pride as well.
Probably best if you prove he is 12years, toothless and gay, to make sure nobody gets upset when you shoot him....

quote:

Originally posted by Caracal:

quote:

Originally posted by fujotupu:

quote:

Originally posted by poacher458:
I have a big Lion that is not so happy about this news

Be more specific please: ..."a free-range, unfenced, big bodied, black maned, 6+ year old lion with worn down canines, black nose and a battle-scarred face that is not so happy "...

Must be without a pride as well.
Probably best if you prove he is 12years, toothless and gay, to make sure nobody gets upset when you shoot him....

All of the above!
But I have just hung a bait in my skinning shed with a trap door. He can wait there until I have the license!

http://zambiareports.com/2014/...ister-sylvia-masebo/



Sata Sacks Tourism Minister Sylvia Masebo
Published March 20, 2014 By George Mwenya
In a dramatic turn of events, President Michael Sata announced today the sacking of Zambia’s Minister of Tourism and Arts Sylvia Masebo.

Masebo, who is a latecomer to the ruling Patriotic Front party, had at one point been considered as a potential future leader for the party but found herself in hot water over alleged corruption issues.

Following a six-month legal battle by Masebo’s critics, last fall the High Court approved the formation of a Tribunal to be chaired by Judge Rhoydah Kaoma to investigate Masebo over allegations of corruption and abuse of office with regard to Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) tenders.

Before the Tribunal, Masebo’s defence team claim that she acted under orders from President Sata to cancel ZAWA licenses for hunting safaris – a claim which was later challenged director of standards and inspection Gloria Ngoma, who testified that the Minister had exceeded her powers in making such moves.

Sources closer to the presidency indicate that Sata was very upset with Masebo for implicating his name in the Tribunal, and made the decision to dismiss the Minister ahead of what is expected to be a guilty verdict.

Masebo’s career with the PF has been highlighted by several scandals. In August of last year, Masebo was in charge of organising the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) summit in Livingstone, which failed to attract sufficient attendees or gain media coverage. She was also at the centre of an ugly incident last year when officers of the Zambian National Service (ZNS) shot and killed two villagers in Kampasa, who had been protesting over their eviction from lands that were penciled for development by Masebo.

According to a brief statement circulated by President Sata’s spokesperson George Chellah, “The Head of State thanked Hon. Masebo for the services rendered to the country during her tenure of office.”

quote:

Originally posted by Caracal:

quote:

Originally posted by fujotupu:

quote:

Originally posted by poacher458:
I have a big Lion that is not so happy about this news

Be more specific please: ..."a free-range, unfenced, big bodied, black maned, 6+ year old lion with worn down canines, black nose and a battle-scarred face that is not so happy "...

Must be without a pride as well.
Probably best if you prove he is 12years, toothless and gay, to make sure nobody gets upset when you shoot him....

No, the 12 year old toothless gays in America would be mad.

Oh well, Can't please everyone. I guess that's an acceptable demographic to offend.

quote:

Originally posted by poacher458:
I have a big Lion that is not so happy about this news

Consider it sold.

These new revelations sound like great news for Zambia and you too, Andrew!

quote:

Originally posted by txsouthpaw:
These new revelations sound like great news for Zambia and you too, Andrew!

Looks as if the ban and cancellation of the tender was illegal. Now we need to get back on board.

Excellent news, now if the Gov't moves quickly to sort this out and renew hunting ASAP.

That is great news Andrew...CAN things move fast enough now to salvage a 2014 season?

quote:

Originally posted by Safari2:
That is great news Andrew...CAN things move fast enough now to salvage a 2014 season?

I doubt it but Lion and Leopard quotas should be reinstated.

Congrats Andrew

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:

quote:

Originally posted by Safari2:
That is great news Andrew...CAN things move fast enough now to salvage a 2014 season?

I doubt it but Lion and Leopard quotas should be reinstated.

You stay away from my Lion Andrew!

Great news. Hope it all goes well for you Andrew and your other industry mates.

quote:

potential future leader for the party but found herself in hot water over alleged corruption issues.

An ailment that affects ALL politicians!

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:

I doubt it but Lion and Leopard quotas should be reinstated.

I'm willing to bet it will return to normal - the decision taken by the deposed Minister to suspend the hunting of cats, especially Leopard, for obvious reasons, was clearly an "influenced" one.

While on the subject of deposed Ministers, keep a close watch on Tanzania as the new man in charge appears to be promising.

quote:

Originally posted by Wendell Reich:

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:

quote:

Originally posted by Safari2:
That is great news Andrew...CAN things move fast enough now to salvage a 2014 season?

I doubt it but Lion and Leopard quotas should be reinstated.

You stay away from my Lion Andrew!

Lets say about 10 yards.

I hope this is good news and hunting cats, allocating concessions, etc. can begin in earnest to bring this great game country back to the forefront of the safari industry. I would love to return some day... sitatunga, the lechewes, superb lion and all of those buffalo!!!

https://www.zambianwatchdog.co...ster/comment-page-1/


Jean Kapata is the New Tourism Minister
March 26, 2014 | Filed under: Breaking News | Posted by: mwami

President Michael Sata has appointed Mandevu Member of Parliament Jean Kapata as new Tourism Minister replacing dismissed Sylvia Masebo. Until her appointment, Ms. Kapata was Community, Mother and Child Health Deputy Minister.

Ms. Kapata during the intra -party wrangles belonged to the team that supported former Defense Minister Geofrey Bwalya Mwamba. Jean Kapata was the campaign manager for President Michael Sata’s son Mulenga during the Lusaka District Patriotic Front elections in which Mulenga emerged victorious and became the new District Chairperson.

The appointment of Kapata is not only a big blow to PF Secretary General and Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba but also to Kabwata Member of Parliament Given Lubinda. Many expected Lubinda to be re-appointed back to the Ministry he once headed especially that he testified against Masebo during the Roydah Kaoma tribunal that was set up to investigate Masebo’s misconduct when she unilaterally dissolved the Zambia Wild Life (ZAWA) board and fired senior managers including cancelling duly awarded tenders.

Masebo was fired last week for bringing the name of the President into ridicule, contempt and disrepute why she lied under oath that it was President Sata who directed her break the law at ZAWA.

quote:

Jean Kapata is the New Tourism Minister

OK, Zambians....Is she pro hunting?

quote:

Until her appointment, Ms. Kapata was Community, Mother and Child Health Deputy Minister.

This doesn't sound good to me.

quote:

Originally posted by Frostbit:

quote:

Jean Kapata is the New Tourism Minister

OK, Zambians....Is she pro hunting?

Dunno? This will be interesting.

quote:

Originally posted by Lhook7:

quote:

Until her appointment, Ms. Kapata was Community, Mother and Child Health Deputy Minister.

This doesn't sound good to me.

We seem to be afflicted with this sad episode in our lives.

It seems so many appointments, regardless of country, are more PC oriented rather than pick the best person for the job!

quote:

It seems so many appointments, regardless of country, are more PC oriented rather than pick the best person for the job!

Ain't that the truth!

http://www.postzambia.com/post....php?articleId=46892


Tribunal clears Masebo
By Moses Kuwema, Francis Lungu and Mwala Kalaluka
Thu 27 Mar. 2014, 14:00 CAT


VICE-PRESIDENT Dr Guy Scott says Kabwata PF member of parliament Given Lubinda should not be like a dog with a bone that has lost its flavour.
And President Michael Sata says a tribunal to probe alleged professional misconduct can be constituted on anyone.
Meanwhile, President Sata has elevated Mandevu member of parliament Jean Kapata to the position of tourism and arts minister to replace Sylvia Masebo.
The judge Rhoyda Kaoma-chaired tribunal yesterday found that Sylvia Masebo never gained any pecuniary advantage nor breached the parliamentary and ministerial code of conduct over her handling of affairs at Zambia Wildlife Authority.
In its 131-page report handed to President Michael Sata at State House yesterday, the tribunal concluded that having found that Masebo did not breach any of the provisions of part 2 of the parliamentary and ministerial code of conduct, it was not going to make any recommendations as expected by the complainant.
On Masebo's alleged ordering of the non-publication of the hunting tenders, the tribunal noted that there were a number of complaints that resulted in four addenda being issued and that this was in accordance with the provisions of the Public Procurements Regulations 56 and 57 of 2011.
"We found that even after the revision of the document, the Minister received complaints of irregularities in the manner in which the evaluation of the bids was conducted," the tribunal stated. "It is on the basis of these complaints that the Minister announced the cancellation of the Tender on the 30th of December 2012. On the evidence before us, we find that the position taken by the Minister was supported by the government."
The tribunal further found that the advisory committee to prepare the bidding document for the tender was appointed soon after Masebo assumed office to counsel her on issues pertaining to the management of wildlife in the country and that it was not solely appointed for the purpose of revising the bidding document.
"Although we find that the Minister cancelled the tender in contravention of the Public Procurement Act and Regulations, we find no evidence that she acquired any pecuniary advantage or assisted any other person to acquire pecuniary advantage when she cancelled the tender. We find that she did not breach the Parliamentary and Ministerial Code of Conduct Act," they held.
On the dismissal of the five senior ZAWA officers, who include director general Edwin Matokwani, the tribunal accepted Attorney General Mumba Malila's opinion that where there is indiscipline taking place in a ministry, the minister was expected to make recommendations and take corrective steps without taking a visible role.
"We find that the Minister was wrong when she relieved the five senior ZAWA officers of their duties with immediate effect," the report reads. "Although we have found that the Minister dismissed the officers and that she had no power to dismiss them, there is no evidence before us to show that her conduct resulted in her acquiring pecuniary advantage or assisted another person to acquire pecuniary advantage... We find that the Minister did not breach Section 4 (c) of the Parliamentary and Ministerial Code of Conduct Act."
Over the allegation of issuing verbal instructions to ZAWA officers to hunt without a special license, the tribunal found no wrong against Masebo as there was no evidence before it as to what became of the meat after the hunt.
The tribunal further held that Masebo was not responsible for a hunt done after the expiry of a licence.
"We find no wrongdoing on the part of the Minister in relation to the instruction to hunt," they stated.
The tribunal also found that Masebo ordered a hunting ban for the purpose of conducting a verification exercise on the numbers of wildlife countrywide but that further there was no evidence before it of the procedure she failed to follow when she banned hunting.
On her alleged failure to report to the government security wings that foreign-registered aircraft were violating Zambian airspace to uplift wildlife species or government trophy, the tribunal noted that Masebo was angry that high levels of corruption at ZAWA had resulted in such illicit activities.
"We also found that the Minister admitted making a statement on the matter in response to a question from a member of the press and that she did not consult anyone before she responded to the query because the issue was already in the public domain," the tribunal stated. "Nevertheless there is no evidence before us to show that the Minister's conduct resulted in her acquiring pecuniary advantage or assisted another person to acquire pecuniary advantage."
Commenting on Masebo's clearance, Vice-President Scott said for all intents, the battle was over.
"Sylvia has been cleanly cleared on all complaints that were levelled against her. So for people like Lubinda that testified against her, my advice to him is that he should not be like a dog with a bone that has lost its flavour. He had personal issues with myself and Masebo, so we hope the differences can be mended and we move forward," Vice-President Scott said.
He said it was obvious the decisions Masebo made were not for her benefit but the country as a whole.
Vice-President Scott, however, said more noise was expected from the activists following Masebo's clearance.
And on William Harrington who made the allegations against Masebo, Vice-President Scott advised him to run for parliament and be appointed minister of tourism as opposed to what he was doing.
"Mr Harrington was being used by certain people, so let him run as a member of parliament and get elected. He cannot use tribunals as alternatives to govern and determine how the country is run. I hope he will be made to pay Sylvia's legal fees," said Vice-President Scott.
But Harrington said he was meeting his lawyers over the filing of the judicial review.
Harrington now wants the High Court to interpret the aspect of Masebo obtaining pecuniary advantage when she fired the five ZAWA directors.
"The tribunal has not cleared Masebo," said Harrington. "It is not right for the tribunal to say there was no evidence that Masebo obtained pecuniary advantage. By firing ZAWA directors, it created vacancies for others to get jobs and start getting salaries."
Harrington said the Vice-President seemed to have a one party state mentality.

And speaking yesterday when he received a report on the tribunal that was constituted to probe alleged misconduct by Masebo, President Sata told tribunal chairperson justice Kaoma that: "Thank you very much. Today it is Sylvia Masebo, tomorrow it will be you."
The tribunal to probe Masebo was constituted following allegations of misconduct that were made by former minister of tourism in the MMD regime William Harrington.
The terms of reference for the tribunal included to investigate allegations in the print media of interference and abuse of office by Masebo in the tender process by ordering the withdrawal of the list of successful bidders for hunting concession licences in breach of the Zambia Public Procurement Agency (ZPPA) Act number 12 of 2008; to investigate alleged removal of senior ZAWA management officials from employment by the minister in breach of the parliamentary and ministerial code of conduct Act chapter 16 of the laws of Zambia.
The tribunal was also set up to investigate alleged breach of the ZAWA Act by Masebo when she gave verbal instructions to ZAWA officers to hunt wildlife without issuing a special licence; to investigate allegations of corruption by Masebo in ZAWA management in the handling of a tender for hunting concession licences.
Other terms of reference were to investigate media reports that the minister banned hunting without following procedure and also to investigate whether Masebo was in breach of state security by failing or neglecting to report to government wings that foreign registered aircraft were violating Zambian airspace to uplift out of Zambia some wildlife species or government trophy and to recommend to government appropriate collective action based on the findings for the investigations.
Meanwhile, President Sata's special assistant for press and public relations George Chellah yesterday told journalists that Kapata had taken over as tourism and arts minister from Masebo.
Chellah further announced that Mkushi North PF member of parliament Ingrid Mphande has been appointed deputy minister in the Ministry of Community Development, Mother and Child Health, a position previously held by Kapata.
President Sata dismissed Masebo from his Cabinet last Thursday, but did not advance any reasons for the decision.
And Harrington says he is considering challenging the judge Rhoyda Kaoma-led tribunal's clearance of Masebo through a judicial review in the High Court.

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:
It seems so many appointments, regardless of country, are more PC oriented rather than pick the best person for the job!

"P" in "PC" stands for "Political" aka ... politics. It's politics as usual, Zambia style.

I am probably going to get roasted for this but unfortunately the replacement is not the brightest star in the sky if you guys catch my drift?? Could say loads more but we do have a big brother is watching scenario at the moment with all internet traffic monitored..
We just need to keep our fingers crossed as going by the past any attempt at represantation has really been a waste of time.

http://allafrica.com/stories/201404180679.html


Zambia: Kapata Dissolves the Masebo Appointed Zawa Board
BY NSE UDOH, 18 APRIL 2014




Tourism Minister Jean Kapata has with immediate effect dissolved the Zambia Wildlife Authority board that was appointed by her sacked predecessor Sylvia Masebo.

The move is a slap in the face of Masebo whose backers attempted to shove down the misconception that she had done nothing wrong prior to her dismissal.

Kapata announced that a new board will be put in place in the next two weeks.

She said the new board will be appointed following strict guidelines to avoid falling back into the scandalous manner her predecessor handled her responsibilities leading to a tribunal being constituted against her subsequently leading to her dismissal.

Former Tourism Minister William Harrington petitioned the High Court to probe Masebo for breach of the parliamentary and ministerial code of conduct.

Masebo was found to have illegally dissolved the board and also cancelling hunting licences for Safari tenders.

Good on Jean.

Lets hope this will be the turn around for opening up again for Zambia.

http://allafrica.com/stories/201404250079.html



Zambia: ZAWA Boss' Contract On Ice
BY MAIMBOLWA MULIKELELA, 24 APRIL 2014






GOVERNMENT has not renewed the contract of Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) director general Zen Vlahakis which expired on April 21, 2014.

Tourism and Arts Permanent Secretary Stephen Mwansa said in an interview in Lusaka that Mr Vlahakis' contract had not been renewed and that the former director general had since left the authority.

Mr Mwansa explained that Mr Vlahakis' contract initially expired on January 31, but it was extended to April 21, 2014 to give time to the ZAWA Board to appoint a new director general.

Mr Vlahakis thanked Government for the opportunity to serve as ZAWA Director General and the period he served in an interim capacity after his initial contract expired.

Mr Vlahakis urged all members of staff at ZAWA to keep up the spirit and morale and that he looks forward to seeing them when he visits the National Parks in his private capacity.

ZAWA communications and public relations officer Readith Muliyunda said acting director general Kampamba Kombe, who is the authority's legal counsel, thanked Mr Vlahakis for his leadership and contributions to the authority during his tenure in office.

Mr Kombe said Mr Vlahakis' contribution could not be over-emphasised and would definitely help the institution and the industry as a whole to proceed towards achieving its mandate.

Recently, Tourism and Arts Minister Jean Kapata dissolved the ZAWA Board which was appointed in January last year by then minister of Tourism and Arts Sylvia Masebo.