UPPZ leader, Chanda, condemns Zambeef’s $13.5 million Chiawa deal, labels it a scam

The leader of the United Prosperous and Peaceful Zambia (UPPZ) party, Charles Chanda, has strongly criticised the recent government purchase of an 8,000-hectare farm in Chiawa from Zambeef, one of Zambia’s leading agribusiness companies.

The acquisition, valued at US$13.5 million, is reportedly intended to be used by the Zambia National Service (ZNS), but Chanda had raised serious concerns about the transparency and integrity of the transaction.

The deal had sparked significant controversy, with Chanda labeling it a “scam” and calling for a thorough investigation into its details.

“How is it possible that at a time when we are busy giving land to other country as government. we also find it easy to buy land from private entities. It doesn’t make sense. The ZAMBEEF deal is a scam, and this why the government can not even proclaim or inform the country that we are buying ZAMBEEF land,” Chanda said.

He questioned the motivations behind the purchase and suggested that it primarily benefits a select few individuals rather than the broader Zambian population.

In a statement issued in Lusaka on Monday, Chanda urged President Hakainde Hichilema to scrutinise the actions and advice of those around him, warning that some advisers may be leading him astray.

“This transaction seems to benefit a select few at the expense of the wider population. The President must ensure these matters are thoroughly investigated,” Chanda said.

Chanda emphasised that the Zambian people deserved better governance and expressed concerns over the implications of the Zambeef deal.

He argued that the transaction lacked transparency and raises questions about the integrity of the government’s decision-making processes.

“There is a need for the government to prioritize the needs of Zambians and not permit deals that could undermine our agricultural systems and the livelihoods of farmers,” he stressed.

Zambeef claimed to be a prominent player in Zambia’s agricultural sector, with operations spanning the entire value chain, including crop farming, livestock production, processing, and retailing.

The company’s extensive land holdings and its significant role in the country’s food production and distribution make it a key player in Zambia’s economy.

Chanda also called on President Hichilema to form a cabinet that was more attuned to the concerns of ordinary Zambians.

He warned that relying on misguided advice could alienate the very citizens the President vowed to serve.

“The President needs to open his eyes to the realities on the ground. If he continues to rely on advice from the wrong people, he risks alienating the very citizens he vowed to serve,” Chanda warned.

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