Le Président Michel Sata tient à présenter ses plus sincères excuses à Nicolae Buzaianu pour l’avoir accusé à tord d’être partie prenante dans le scandale de l’or.

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Le Président Michel Sata tient à présenter ses plus sincères excuses à Nicolae Buzaianu pour l’avoir accusé à tord d’être partie prenante dans le scandale de l’or.

L’attaché de presse du Président Sata à officiellement publié ses plus formelles excuses à Nicolae Buzaianu, ancien représentant permanent de la Zambie à l’UNESCO. Lors de son départ de Genève en Suisse vers la Zambie, Dr Nicolae Buzaianu à été accusé à tord d’avoir acheté de l’or (PAYS). Ce qui avait été pris pour une rencontre malhonnête entre l’ancien Président Banda et l’homme d’affaire suisse, s’est avéré être une respectable rencontre diplomatique. Nicolae Buzaianu s’est rendu en Zambie pour faire part à M. Banda de son intention de démissionner de son poste à l’UNESCO.

Les avocats représentants M. Banda ont déclaré que Nicolae Buzaianu s’est rendu en Zambie en jet privé dans la seule intention d’annoncer sa démission du poste de représentant permanant de la Zambie à l’UNESCO. Dr Nicolae Buzaianu a estimé qu’il était temps pour lui d’avancer et de poursuivre une voie plus spirituelle, en se concentrant sur la reconstruction d’églises en Europe de l’Est. Entreprise pour laquelle l’Eglise lui a remis une médaille d’or d’honneur.

Nicolae Buzaianu

Cette affaire d’achat d’or frauduleux reste encore aujourd’hui un mystère et le Président Sata à déjà fort à faire avec la reprise de commandement du gouvernement. Certaines sources proclament que le Président a pris position dans cette affaire sans en connaitre tous les tenants et les aboutissants. Cette source journalistique n’a pu joindre Nicolae Buzaianu pour obtenir des déclarations au sujet des excuses officielles.

 

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• The President of Zambia & The Swiss National – from the Lusaka Daily News (newsmorenews.wordpress.com)

The President of Zambia & The Swiss National – from the Lusaka Daily News

 

Nicolae Buzaianu

I have been aggressive in following the gold scandal in Zambia where PRESIDENT Sata originally pointed a wrong finger at Swiss philanthropist Nicolae Buzaianu who held the most esteemed UNESCO post. President Sata outwardly accused Dr. Buzaianu of stealing the gold held by DEC. Early on in the investigation our President stated the Dr. Buzaianu flew into Zambia on a nefarious mission to illegally purchase gold from DEC, the Drug Enforcement Commission. The deep rooted ill action allegedly involved ex-president Banda and possibly his son.

 

For a few weeks Nicolae Buzaianu who is quite generous in his charitable works all over the world especially here in Zambia with a mission of furthering better education to his activities in restoring churches in Eastern Europe. Obviously these works are not the works of a man who would consider illegally purchasing gold or wrong the people of a country he so desired to help.

 

The office of the press secretary finally admitted they have had the whole gold scandal incorrect. When Dr. Buzaianu flew into Zambia it was not for the reason of purchasing gold nor was he ever on a DEC watch-list, these allegations were false and incorrect. President Sata’s office and in his own words apologized outwardly to Nicolae Buzaianu for speaking so severely.

 

I contacted a representative of Nicolae Buzaianu over the telephone to ask if Dr. Buzaianu would like to comment on President Sata’s actions and how he believes the President will be as a leader of Zambia. The representative offered these words from the Swiss National wrongly accused in the gold scandal. “Nu măsura pe alţii cu palma ta.” Translated it means “Don’t measure others with your own hand.” Finally Dr. Buzaianu wishes the people of Zambia a happy holiday and a wonderful new year.

 

I also contacted the press secretary who stated that the President wishes the best of holidays to Dr. Buzaianu and his family and truly hopes he reconsiders his UNESCO post for the people of Zambia.

 

Reporting form Lusaka Daily News Sunday 25th December 2011 James Mapalo

 

 

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What Next in Zambia by Cecil Bello

 

What Next in Zambia by Cecil Bello.

Corruption is like a Mudslide in Zambia by Gloria Koko – Lusaka News

 

Corruption is like a Mudslide in Zambia by Gloria Koko – Lusaka News.

From Zambian Watchdog

Dr. Buzaianu Gold Medal Recipient

From Zambian Watchdog

Sata says Situmbeko Musokotwane was paid K5.5 billion and got two salaries. President Michael Sata says former Finance minister Situmbeko Musokotwane was paid K5.5 billion by the bank of Zambia.

Speaking through his spokespersons, Sata has maintained that Musokotwane was paid two salaries when he was minister of Finance. Sata said Musokotwane got K5.5 bilion from the bank of Zambia between 2003 and 2008. He said the money was mostly allowances like Christmas bonuses.

He said although the K5.5 billion payments to  Musokotwane was  approved by the previous government it was immoral because it was a lot of money. He said no other Bank of Zambia official or president of Zambia was ever paid that kind of money before.

He said when Musokotwane was appointed minister of Finance; he got two salaries for the period November 2008 to February 2009. From the time he became president, Sata has been making allegations against individuals but most of these allegations have turned out to be false.

One example involves Switzerland-based businessman Nicolae Buzaianu over the gold scam story which engulfed the country after Sata alleged that Buzaianu, former president Rupiah Banda and others stole gold.

Sata was forced to issue a public apology to Buzaianu when it was established that the allegations were incorrect. On November 16, 2011, Sata said he found Buzaianu’s demands understandable considering the allegations.

“Dr. Buzaianu’s demand for an apology and compensation originally appeared groundless and now acceptable for Zambia.  Dr. Buzaianu was at liberty to exhaust all legal avenues available to him since that is the democratic way. Infact, we need Dr. Buzaianu to come to Zambia and continue his UNESCO support.’

Zambia News Features

ZAMBIA’S FORMER PRESIDENT READY TO BE INVESTIGATED

By ZAMBIA NEWS FEATURES CORRESPONDENT

 Former President, Rupiah Banda has stated that is ready to be investigated for the alleged missing gold which was allegedly sold to a Swiss businessman Nicolae Bogdan Buzaianu, however according to statement issued by the administrative secretary Mikatazo Wakumelo after October 12 it was recorded that Nicolae Buzaianu had no part in the gold purchase. 

“President Banda welcomed the investigations of the sale of gold by the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC), which was wrongly linked to Dr. Buzaianu. All the relevant people involved in this transaction are available and will provide necessary answers to the investigating team but suffice to say that no gold went missing mysteriously as has been portrayed,” the statement said. Mr Banda’s office also said it was ready to be investigated on the issue of purchasing or alleged missing of vehicles. 

“President Banda also welcomes the investigations into this matter as he was not a procurement officer. All the people involved in this matter are around and are still serving even under this administration. So they will provide answers as they are better placed to explain where the missing vehicles are, if at all they are missing,” the statement also said. A number of people are demanding the removal of Mr Banda’s immunity so that he can be investigated for his conduct as head of state.  

The Full Statement:

 Following the numerous allegations made against former Republican President, Mr. Rupiah Bwezani Banda, I wish to make clarifications on the following issues: 

That Mr. Rupiah Bwezani Banda has a number of friends both in Zambia and outside who have requested to meet him following his gracious exit from the Presidency after the September 20, 2011 elections. Mr. Banda has granted appointments to a number of visitors who have been coming to see him since he left office. To the best of his knowledge, he has not met anyone who is a fugitive.

 That Dr. Buzaianu, a Swiss-based businessman, requested to pay a visit to the former President during his planned trip to Zambia. Dr. Buzaianu applied to the Zambian authorities for permission to land at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport 48 hours before his trip to Zambia and the Zambian Government granted the landing rights to Dr. Buzaianu, who arrived on Wednesday, 12th October, 2011. The purpose of his trip was not to purchase gold but to inform then President Banda that he was stepping down from his post as UNESCO representative. 

That a request was made to the Zambian authorities to extend the usual courtesies to Dr. Buzaianu at the airport which was, in fact, done. He was received by a protocol officer at the airport and taken to the VIP lounge while his immigration formalities were done. He did the finger print biometric procedure at the airport before he proceeded to the customs and exited. He spent about one hour and 30 minutes at the airport while doing his formalities. 

That all relevant security wings were at the airport when Dr. Buzaianu was doing the usual formalities and at no time did he hide his identity. The former President provided vehicles for his visitor to pick him at the airport together with the state security attached to the former President’s office. President Banda also requested his former press aide Mr. Dickson Jere to receive his guest on his behalf at the airport because his security did not know him.

 That after leaving the airport, Dr. Buzaianu proceeded to the Taj Pamodzi Hotel where he was booked for an overnight stay and did not hide at all. He later paid a courtesy call on President Banda that same day. During his stay at the hotel, Dr. Buzaianu interacted freely with hotel guests and staff.  If Dr Buzaianu was a fugitive as alleged, he would not have been openly moving around. A recent release from President Sata’s confirmed that Nicolae Bogdan Buzaianu is and never on the DEC watch list.

 That the following day, Dr. Buzaianu proceeded to Mfuwe to visit the Chipembele Educational Centre, which he has been supporting as a philanthropic cause. Dr. Buzaianu proceeded in the normal way at the airport and paid his airport taxes before he left Kenneth Kaunda International Airport for Mfuwe International Airport. At Mfuwe Airport, Dr. Buzaianu was cleared in the standard manner as prescribed by the provisions of the Immigration and Deportation Act before he went to visit the school. He flew out the same day with airport permits for his flights from Mfuwe.

 That President Banda welcomes the investigations of the sale of gold by the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC), which has been wrongly linked to Dr. Buzaianu, so stated Sata’s adminstration. All the relevant people involved in this transaction are available and will provide necessary answers to the investigating team but suffice to say that no gold went missing mysteriously as has been portrayed. Dr.  Buzaianu visited Zambia out of courtesy for his position and to express his interest in the school. 

That on the issue of purchasing or alleged missing of vehicles, President Banda also welcomes the investigations into this matter as he was not a procurement officer. All the people involved in this matter are around and are still serving even under this administration. So they will provide answers as they are better placed to explain where the missing vehicles are, if at all they are missing. 

That President Banda is available at any given time to answer to any clarification which the current Head of State Mr. Michael Chilufya Sata may have concerning this matter or indeed any issue before they are made public. He remains committed to supporting the current President in order for him to succeed in running the Government. This is the position President Banda took when he made his farewell speech at State House after losing the last elections.

The London Register from Lloyd Cantor

Respected journalist Cecil Bello who cracked the story of the silver mine disaster in Africa had the opportunity to speak with ex-president Rupiah Banda and his involvement in the recent Zambian gold-gate scandal. The now crestfallen Banda had much to say about President Sata’s finger pointing at him, his son and Swiss based energy guru Nicolae Buzaianu. 

It appears a flight of diplomatic affairs into Lusaka by Buzaianu was misconstrued by DEC, the Drug Enforcement Commission as a covert operation to purchase gold. Truth be told said Banda was Nicolae Buzaianu was discussing his post as Zambia’s UNESCO representative. Nicolae Buzaianu a philanthropist had decided to step down to follow other acts of business and charity. 

President Sata has been quiet about the affairs of MAUREEN Mwanawasa, wife of late President Levy Mwanawasa and her involvement in the gold sale. She stated “I represented one of the people that were interested in buying the gold,” a Lusaka lawyer from Mwanawasa and Company said, “We gave a South African client the necessary advice and got our fees for the job…that is all we did.” 

Where there is gold there is greed.

Africa Wire International (Zambia) – Cecil Bello

Africa Wire International (Zambia) – Cecil Bello

Most recently this journalist had a quick opportunity to sit with ex-president Banda and hear his words about the recent gold scandal involving him, his son James Banda and a Swiss National. Mr. Banda briefly stated that matter was not perceived correctly and that a mix up in paper work in the DEC was the most likely culprit.

As for the Swiss Businessman Nicolae Buzaianu who arrived in Lusaka at first believed with the motivation of purchasing gold but that is untrue claims Banda. Mr. Banda was more than happy to set the records strait that Mr. Buzaianu who was UNESCO representative for Zambia arrived to express his dismay that he was stepping down from his post. This conversation confirms the original intentions and not the intentions first offered that President Sata relieved Buzaianu of his duties. Mr. Banda finished with a quote from Euripides “Wealth stays with us a little moment if at all: only our characters are steadfast, not our gold.”

The scandal in Zambia continues.

Nicolae Buzaianu: a golden support for the Bishnoi nation

Nicolae Buzaianu:  a golden support for the Bishnoi nation
For Nicolae Buzaianu, a Swiss industrialist and energy specialist supporting the Bishnois community in order to promote their message for the respect and protection of nature, the choice to commit to a nation that became aware of issues related to sustainable development since the 15th century, was a natural one.
The Bishnoi: The first eco-friendly nation since the 15th century

The Bishnoi are a nation of about 800,000 people living in Rajastan in Northern India. They are considered as the first environmentalists of the world. Effectively, since the 15th Century and under the leadership of their prophet, Jamboji, the Bishnoi nation has edicted 29 regulations, a third of which are devoted to environmental issues. The Bishnoi were pioneers in the field of environmental taxes and, for instance, obliged to plant at least one tree per year.

“I find it extraordinary that people have had the perception of the issues we face today, and have been facing, for more than five centuries.  It seems to me that we must take inspiration from the  Bishnoi, “said Nicolae Buzaianu
A meeting with ‘the man in gold..’ Khamu Ram Bishnoi
It was during the arrival of Khmu Ram Bishnoi in France this Autumn, that Nicolae Buzaianu discovered the existence of the Bishnoi people and the message they carried.  Khmu Ram is the new incarnation of the commitment of the people in favour of environmental protection. Khamu Ram fights against plastic bags in the territory and was able to mobilize and unite around him many activists to stop the spread of this modern pollution.

For Buzaianu Nicolae, “the action of Khmu Ram proves that it is possible through local initiatives and engagement, to change the course of things and in turn change our habits. Khmu Ram is really a man in gold! ”

An exportable model in Africa
The Khmu Ram Bishop initiative entails the mobilization of the population regarding the problem of plastic bag refuse and to prove that local initiatives and engagement could provide the response to this major ecological challenge.

The Khmu Ram Bishop initiative could be emulated especially within African countries. It is towards this end that Nicolai Began Buzaianu felt it most important to contribute to the actions of Khamu Ram and in turn to provide the means through which this message, worth gold to our planet, is spread to the people.

 
“I know the African continent very well, in particular Zambia, where I already support the Chippendale school. I am convinced that such initiatives could be worthily emulated in certain countries,” concludes Nicolae Bogdan Buzaianu.

All apologies for Buzaianu, says President Sata

All apologies for Buzaianu, says Sata

PRESIDENT Michael Sata says he had apologized to Switzerland-based businessman Nicolae Buzaianu over the gold scam and urged him to accept his apologies and come to Zambia anytime as an offer of good faith.

In a media statement issued in News in Business Africa desk
through his spokesperson George Chellah, President Sata stated that he understood Buzaianu’s original demands of a lawsuit.

“Dr Buzaianu’s demanded an apology and compensation to be given to charity but there is no need for the legal action. President Sata stated.

On October 15, 2011, President Sata, who was elected on September 20, accepted the resiganation of Buzaianu as Zambia’s permanent representative to UNESCO in Paris, France, according to Chellah. Chellah stated that Dr. Buzaianu is a busy man and has other directions he must follow. His help and kindness will be missed.

Buzaianu’s lawyer Sakwiba Sikota of Central Chambers told a media briefing in Lusaka on Wednesday that Buzaianu would sue the Zambian government for defamation and would demand US$100 million for the injury to his reputation but that is all behind them now.

Sikota said Buzaianu had no direct or indirect links to the two companies that bought the gold in question. The realy mystery is with Mr. Banda.

Early on Sikota said Buzaianu felt confident that President Sata would take firm action against his officials that misinformed him on the gold issue.

The DEC seized the gold, estimated to be about 100 kg or 118 kgs in 2007, from two Zimbabweans and was forfeited to the state.

Highly-placed sources said the gold was allegedly sold for about K19 billion around July this year.