Zambian High Commissioner to South Africa  Emmanuel Mwamba has dismissed as malicious, United Progressive People (UPP) leader Saviuor Chishimba’s  claims that the Gupta family that have allegedly held  South African President Jacob Zuma hostage are  coming to  set up base in Zambia.

Dr Chishimba alleged that part of President Zuma’s recent State visit was to clear the way for the Gupta family who are his personal friends  to land in Zambia has they are facing resistance from the vibrant opposition of that country.

In addition to that, an on-line publication claims it has seen documentation of the takeover of the historical Showgrounds by  the Gupta family.

When reached for a comment by South African Broadcasting Corporation(SABC) Mwamba parried Dr Chishimba’s claims, saying  they lack substance and are not supported by evidence.

He said in the last few months, Dr Chishimba has made a number of  allegations but non of them has been proved  true.

“There is no truth whatsoever in that story. There is an opposition leader called Mr  Saviuor Chishimba who made that allegation. There is no truth whatsoever in that allegation. It is not supported by any fact or by any circumstance. It is just one of those political noise that is made to attract newspaper  headlines,” Mwamba said.

Asked to clarify reports that the Show Grounds has been bought off by the Gupta family and will be re-located to Chishimba where villagers will be displaced, Mwamba said: ” The gentleman who has made that allegation has made numerous corruption allegation in the last few months but non of the allegations are true. It is just like I said, he made that  allegation  to attract attention, like many opposition leaders do. But I hope it will not divert the fundamental reason why we are here…to discuss our national independence and the significance of the commemoration day ” he said.