ZAMBIA TO SEAL MINES SECTOR TAX LOOP-HOLES

Zambia says plans to tighten its grip on the government's share of profits in the country's mining houses.

Vice President, Guy Scott, who is on a visit in the United Kingdom, says this will be for the purpose of boosting tax revenue.

Dr Scott also says this will also level the playing field for Chinese and other investors in the mining sector.

Investors in miners operating in Zambia, which include Glencore, Indian miner Vedanta and Canadian-listed First Quantum, have fretted over possible increases in taxes.

Speaking at an event hosted by Thomson Reuters on Friday, Dr Scott assured that there are no plans to change the tax code.

He however stated that government would ensure mining companies compliance with the existing rules in order to would boost income.
Dr Scott further said government would look at under-reporting and possible transfer mispricing by mining companies.

ZAMBIA INFLATION ON THE UP-SWING

Increases in the cost of housing, water and electricity have been cited as reasons for Zambia’s increased monthly inflation rate.

The Central Statistical Office has cited increased non-food items inflationary pressure for the increase of the monthly rate as recorded at 6.5 per cent for April.

The previous inflation rate for the month of March was 6.4 per cent.

On average, prices for housing, water and electricity increased by 0.7 percentage points, which is inclusive of costs for education, hospitality services and other goods.

Meanwhile, Zambia has recorded a trade surplus of 79.6 billion kwacha for the month of March, up by 68 per cent from 47.4 billion kwacha for the previous month.

For March, traditional exports, which are mainly metals, increased by 9.4 per cent as non-traditional exports reduced by 23 per cent.

REFUGEE ALERT: COME 30TH APRIL NO ANGOLAN REFUGEES ALLOWED IN ZAMBIA

All Angolan refugees still resident in Zambia will lose their status by Monday next week.

The Zambian government has announced that the measure is effective 30^th April 2012.

This is according to a notice of cessation issued on Wednesday.

The Zambian government says it will work closely with UNHCR to give effect to the cessation of refugee status for the Angolan refugees.

This is accordance with the relevant principles and procedures of international refugee law.
Angolan refugees, who will not avail themselves for repatriation and continue to live in Zambia after 30th June, 2012, will be regulated under the immigration law.

Since the end of the civil war in Angola in April 2002, over 180,000 Angolan refugees have voluntarily and safely returned to and reintegrated into their country of origin.

RUPIAH HIRES NEW LAWYERS FOR HIMSELF AND SON, HENRY

A Canadian legal firm is preparing to counter the Zambian government’s anti-corruption drive, which the firm has described as politically motivated.

The Toronto, Ontario based company, Amsterdam and Peroff LLP, which represents former President, Rupiah Banda and his son, Henry, is currently working on emergency appeals to international bodies over its claims.

Meanwhile, the legal firm has dismissed the Zambian state law enforcement wings red alert with the INTERPOL for the arrest of the former head of state’s son, Henry.

Amsterdam and Peroff LLP further claims the Zambian government has failed to lay charges in support of requests for the arrest of the ex-leader’s son, therefore its dismissal of the arrest requests as unfounded and politically motivated.

Robert Amsterdam says the unspecified allegations against Henry Banda are politically driven and without foundation, adding that it is clearly not a genuine investigation.

He has explained in a statement that Zambia is using the false pretext of anti-corruption to eliminate political competition.

Amsterdam and Peroff LLP, along with law firm, Brian Kahn Incorporation of Johannesburg, South Africa, were appointed to represent Former President Rupiah Banda and his son Henry Banda on March 22, 2012.

Henry Banda, now declared a fugitive, has been on the run, since his father’s electoral loss in September 2011, prompting Zambian authorities to issue an international red alert through INTERPOL headquarters in France.

He faces possible charges of fraud after allegations having solicited for DIRTY money for his father’s elections campaigns.

Amsterdam & Peroff LLP has been retained to assist the legal team of Mallam Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, a popular Nigerian politician, in an alleged case of massive electoral fraud in the gubernatorial elections of the state of Bauchi, Nigeria, in April 2011.