Andeleki threatens to deregister PAZA

July 6, 2012 | 

REGISTRAR Andeleki

By ALEX NJOVU
CHIEF Registrar of Societies Clement Andeleki has threatened to deregister the Press Association of Zambia (PAZA) for alleged failure to settle K7.2 million statutory fees.
Speaking when he featured on the Crossfire blog Radio  Flava FM on Tuesday night, Mr Andeleki warned that he will be forced to deregister PAZA if it fails to settle the K7.2 million it owes the Registrar of Societies.
“Deregistration of organisations is always the last option. PAZA owes us K7.2 million, I have served them with three notices, I spoke to one of the officials but there has never been any response and I am now giving them a final reminder,” Mr Andeleki said.
He said it is frustrating that his office is facing challenges to collect money from some organisations.
“The people of Zambia need this money. We need the money for infrastructure development. By Zambian standards, I am comfortable, personally, but I am doing this on behalf of the Zambian people who need the money,” Mr Andeleki said.
He called on all organisations to support the efforts of the Registrar of Societies to collect Government revenue which will be channeled to infrastructure development.
“The problem is that when I deregister PAZA, the journalists themselves will complain when they know that PAZA is supposed to pay statutory fees.  I am appealing to PAZA to come forward and pay the K 7.2 million.   “We are owed a lot of money by various organisations, we need this money,” Mr Andeleki said.
He, however, said some organisations have started submitting their annual returns.
And when contacted for a comment yesterday, PAZA president Andrew Sakala said  the association is working towards settling the fees.
“We are working towards making the payments. Infact, our acting executive secretary Patson Phiri will be going to the Registrar’s office ,” Mr Sakala said.
On Monday, Minister of Home Affairs Kennedy Sakeni urged all registered organisations that owe the Registrar of Societies to settle outstanding statutory fees.
“In case they don’t know, this is the money Government uses for infrastructure development. It is ploughed back into the community,” Mr Sakeni said.