PRESS STATEMENT

31st OCTOBER 2021

A GANG OF UNDERTAKERS HAVE EXHUMED THE BODY OF THE LATE PF AND ARE COMMANDING IT TO WALK

PF was certified dead by Zambians on 12 August and was immediately buried due to its decomposed state. Zambians got fade up with the spilling of innocent blood from the late PF. The late PF was notorious for stealing and mistreating innocent Zambians. However a gang of Undertakers have exhumed the late PF and are busy stitching up its skeleton to make it walk to life again. In their quest to make the late PF come back to life they are using tribalism and arrogance as the main ingredients. The late PF is gone forever, the undertakers have no capacity to bring back to life the once notorious, corrupt and brutal late PF. Zambians can’t accept the late PF, they are far better off with UPND and President HH.

Before the late PF mate his death he went round the Country burning markets and gassing innocent people. The late PF was very corrupt, leaving a huge debt behind. The late PF was so brutal that if he greets you with a fist you must respond with a fist otherwise your palm will be chopped off with a Panga. The late PF was not concerned about the welfare of the ordinary Zambian but about ukubwelelapo pa mupando. This is how Zambians will forever remember the late PF.

Zambians are very clever and are very much aware of who has money. The reason why some people are still close to the late PF is that they are able to get a cut from the looted money. Make no mistake; it’s not that Zambians have forgotten about the late PF’s brutality. Some people will be attracted to the dead PF’s body even by its bad smell as long as the Undertakers pays them something for a living.

We urge all Zambians to forget about the second coming of the late PF. History is there for people to see that once a Political Party is sent kuwire it can’t come back. PF can’t be resurrected. Zambians must not bother themselves about the Panga Family any more. Forget about those hallucinating that the late PF will rise from the dead.

Percy Chanda

UPND – NMC Member and Chairman for Mines

The Somali government has expressed concern over mass arrests of Somali nationals in Zambia following operations by Zambian security forces in Ndola town.

In a statement, Somali ministry for foreign affairs said it was following up the matter with Zambian authorities for clarification on the arrests.

“MFA is closely monitoring alleged reports of mass arrests of Somalis in Ndola, Zambia, based on their ethnicity, irrespective of nationality, is a cause of concern and presently engaging authorities in Zambia for clarity and resolving this unfortunate event expeditiously,” the Ministry said in a tweet.

According to multiple sources, the operations by Zambian forces nabbed more than 500 Somalia under unclear circumstances.

The detainees included men, women and children were taken in buses to a stadium in the Copperbelt region of Ndola in north-central part of Zambia.

Almost of them were later released after their documents were checked by security officials.

Only 40 people remained in police custody and Zambian authorities have not yet commented on the motive behind the operations.

Meanwhile, the Department of Immigration in Vubwi District apprehended forty-three (43) Ethiopian nationals in a suspected case of human smuggling. This was in a Department of Immigration-led operation conducted on 24th October, 2021 in collaboration with other security wings. The team was responding to a tip-off from concerned residents of Songela area in Vubwi who spotted a group of Ethiopians moving aimlessly through Khondwani village asking for food and water.

Ten (10) of the Ethiopians who where in the company of Three (03) Zambians Gift Sakala (34) of Katete, Rodgers Sakala (30) of Chadiza and John Mumba (41) of Lusaka, were apprehended at Chekananji farm in Khondwani village while thirty-three (33) other Ethiopians were nabbed in the hills of Chekananji village. The Forty-three (43) Ethiopians and three (03) Zambians were transferred to Chipata Central Police Station, pending further investigations.

Meanwhile, a joint team of Officers from the Chadiza Immigration Office and the Police on 24th and 25th October, 2021 intercepted five (05) other Ethiopians who are believed to have been in the same group as the Forty-Three (43) apprehended in Vubwi District. They were intercepted around Namandevu area, 50 km from Chadiza aboard a Hino Truck and Two (02) taxis. It is believed that there were more Ethiopians on the Three (03) vehicles but they managed to escape. The three (03) drivers of the vehicles Chazanga Phiri, Frank Chikwenda Phiri and Lazarus Phiri, all Zambians, were also nabbed and they together with the Five (05) Ethiopians are detained at Namuseche Correctional Facility Pending further investigations.

Preliminary investigations into the two incidents suggest that the Ethiopians entered the country from Malawi and were handed over to another group of suspected smugglers around Kamwendo area in Malawi, 30km from Mwami Border. They used the Nsimbi-Chigwe Road to Vubwi with the view to passing through Chadiza but one of the Four (04) vehicles they were using developed a mechanical fault prompting the affected group to abandon the vehicle and head for the mountains, with the rest proceeded to Chadiza, where five (05) were apprehended.

This brings the number of Ethiopians apprehended in similar circumstances in less than two (02) weeks to Eighty-Eight (88) with Forty (40) apprehended by the Katete Immigration Office in Taulo Village in Katete aboard a Toyota Granvia and Toyota Grand Hiace on 15th October, 2021. The Zambian drivers Funiel Banda (29) and Mathias Phiri (35) were also apprehended. The drivers were found with K 31,704 believed to be proceeds of crime. The forty (40) Ethiopians have since been charged with the offence of unlawful entry while the two (02) drivers have been charged with the offences of harbouring prohibited immigrants, facilitating the remaining in Zambia of prohibited immigrants, and receiving property into Zambia from unknown persons. They will all appear in court soon. It also brings the number of persons apprehended for various Immigration Offences between 15th and 27th October, 2021 to Four Hundred and Thirty-Three (433).

During this same period the Department also removed One Hundred and Thirty-Four (134) illegal immigrants from the country, secured Ninety-Eight (98) convictions and refused Fifteen (15) foreign nationals entry into Zambia for failing to meet entry requirements.

The Department appreciates the strong collaboration that exits with other security wings without which it would have been very difficult to undertake successful operations such as the ones which led to the arrest of Eighty-Eight (88) Ethiopians in Eastern Province. We also wish to thank members of the community for their continued support and partnership in the Department’s quest to rid the country of illegal immigrants. Further, the Department wishes to advise motor vehicle owners to warn drivers of these vehicles to desist from using the vehicles for trafficking or smuggling human beings as they risk losing them to the state. Same applies to landlords whose properties are used in the commission of these crimes.

Zambia To Register ALL Mobile Phones for Identification and Security -MUSOKOTWANE

211. Madam Speaker, to encourage compliance and enhance proper identification of mobile phones and security, I propose to change the tax collection point for value added tax on mobile phones from importation and point of sale to point of registration by the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA).

The 2021/2 Budget address by Dr Situmbeko Musokotwane, Minister of Finance and National Planning delivered to the National Assembly proposes that mobile phone handsets should be registered by the Authority.

According to the ZICTA website loss or theft of a mobile is a major concern to most users or consumers. This is because most mobile phones contain a lot of sensitive data of personal and financial nature. Furthermore most mobile phones are purchased at great cost and thus represent a monetary investment.

Each mobile phone has an individual serial number called the International Mobile Equipment Identity (MEI) number, which can be identified by the mobile phone service provider’s network. It is a 15-digit number on the back of your handset under the battery and can be found on most handsets by pressing *#06# on your phone keypad. The IMEI will appear on the screen. You may need to scroll down to see the whole number.

ZICTA advises all of us to record our IMEI number in case the mobile phone gets lost or is stolen. Your mobile phone service provider may liaise with the police about a lost or stolen handset and, if found, your handset will be able to be identified by the number.

The authority will soon issue regulations on blocking of stolen mobile phones against future use with any simcard on any Zambian GSM Network in order to act as a deterrent to potential thieves. Should you recover your phone, your network provider can also unblock it so as to restore the phone to normal use. What to do if your mobile –phone is lost or stolen

If your mobile phone is lost or stolen, contact your mobile phone service provider immediately to suspend your service and prevent unauthorized calls being made or billed to you. Your provider will block your SIM card and IMEI number to prevent your phone from being used on any Zambian mobile network. Report the loss or theft to the police, providing identification numbers for your SIM card and IMEI number and obtain a search warrant. This information may assist the police in the recovery of your mobile phone. Blocking your phone does not cancel your contract. So, if you block your mobile phone, you are still required to honor your mobile phone contract (postpaid customers).

Interference of Program of Mobile Device

Any person or licensee who interferes with the programming of a Mobile phone device or modifies the IMEI ID commits an office under the ICT Act and is liable to a fine of not exceeding one hundred thousand penalty units or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding one (1) year, or both. Useful TIPS To retrieve serial number press*#06# on your phone keypad. Record the serial number of your phone in the diary, notebook or paper and store in safe place. Report the lost /stolen phone to the police. Ensure to give the police the serial number, the make and model of the phone Obtain search warrant in order to assist in the recovery of the phone Report to your service provider lost/stolen phone in order to block SIM card and IMEI number Request for simcard replacement

Zambia still does SIM Card registration which has never been complete without the IMEI number registration of which the user can always replace the SIM card of a stolen or lost phone with another SIM card and the device will never be identified as stolen or lost.

We know that registration of the mobile phone handset will also need us to provide basic details such as the IMEI number , the serial number, make and model information. take a photo and write a description of the item and any distinctive features.

The complete mobile phone registration has benefits to Zambians especially in combating crime.

According to the European Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences every mobile phone user can be tracked and monitored by the police through the mobile service provider. The Police can identify the owner of lost and stolen phones and updates and be immediately available to the Police nationally. The other benefit is that the registration will combat the sale of stolen phones and will help to combat the high rate of other crimes like kidnapping, robbery, burglary, etc. Stolen or lost phones can easily be reported to the police for tracking.

The major challenges of mobile phone handset registration in developing countries has to do with the level of governance. In most developing countries, there are apparently no laws or laid down rules that mandate every active mobile phone to be registered and
disallow unregistered ones from gaining access into the network or track them down
for questioning, since some criminal minded persons may not want to register their
mobile phones to hide from the police tracking who may eventually identify them.

There is little or no awareness campaign in the society to educate and inform the populace of the society of the benefits of the cell phone registration.

Lack of proper central database in most developing nations, the police will find it
difficult to track a mobile device even with the support of the GSM carrier service
providers.

Incomplete mobile phone registration.

When a SIM Card registration is completed
without the IMEI number registered, the user can always replace the SIM card of a
stolen or lost phone with another SIM card and the device will never be identified as
stolen or lost.

Lack of technological standard mapped out for the carrier service providers by the
government. In most developing countries, almost all the service carriers do not have
the mobile phone tracking technology in their systems. This means that the phone
registration will remain of little importance since the victim or reported mobile phone
cases will not be traced out or monitored, thereby defeating the actual objective of the
scheme.

At present, however, most mobile phone customers do not know their IMEI number
or fully appreciate its importance in police investigations.

For Immediate Realease

ECL FINALLY SUCCUMBS TO ZAMBIANS’ CALL FOR HIM TO APOLOGIZE

Saturday 30:10:21

Following NDC President Joseph Rikki Akafumba’s observation and call for PF and particularly the former President ECL to own up and apologize to the Zambian people the former President took advantage of the memorial service for the late President Michael Sata to issue his apology.

ECL, who now appears to be Media shy had no option but to render his apology for the mismanagement of our Country affairs.

The ills committed by his PF regime include violent tormenting of citizens by PF thugs, Collapsing an Economy that once performed at 7 % GDP through massive corruption never witnessed before while he superintendent over a highly polarized Country which he ruled with high handedness.

Apart from the bad governance record, he became intolerant to descenting views thereby sending all Opposition leaders worth there salt to Prison.

Zambia saw the highest number of opposition leaders locked behind bars since Independence.

The Royal establishment wasn’t spared too as was the Christian faratenity.

We urge well meaning Zambians to draw lessons from the realities that culminated from this seemingly strategic divide and rule error of ECL..

During ECL’s reign, some royal establishments were dragged in the “Pathetic Failures” PF dirty schemes aimed at preventing some opposition political players from mobilizing party activities in certain chiefdoms.

There’s an unnecessary debate in some circles, supposedly triggered, by PF to give a false impression that the new dawn government does not want to collaborate with some senior chiefs in carrying out it’s mandate.

Fellow Zambians, though not speaking on behalf of the UPND alliance, it is however clear for all well meaning citizens that the PF lies have caught up with them because some senior royal establishments have come out openly and dispelled fake PF propaganda attempting to malign them. They have openly pledged to work with the UPND Alliance government of the day.

While we condemn the PF for using some chiefs in their quest to divide the country, Chiefs must realize how significant they are in the governance system and never align themselves politically.
Chiefs are ,in many ways, partners in Development.

They should understand that they are the longest serving Local government in our land.
They are a solid natural leadership discourse that has had a positive impact on the human development index.

It is worth noting that Constitutional Monarchs have worked very well in terms of development in the Western world.

95% of Europe is a constitutional Monarchy as well as Japan and the Scandinavian States.This has led to massive development.

Monarchs or Chiefs are supposed to detach themselves from patronising Politicians but should be ready to embrace all Subjects as their Royal Kings and Queens.They should not be at a receiving end but rather partners in Development.

This has been the tradition from way back.
Now that there’s a serious undertaking by the New Dawn Government on devolution of Power to the Local authorities. This therefore should be able to yield positive contributions from our Royal Highnesses in the decentralization process.

In ECL regime, unfortunately enough, some Chiefs outrightly declared Lungu as a preferred candidate. This was wrong because such chiefs compromise their image and significance in the eyes of subjects. Chiefs must remain neutral and refrain from being politically aligned.

Freedom of expression eluded the Nation during ECL’s regime.No constructive criticism would be allowed and the Media was muzzled with all manner of intimidation including closures. Such and many other unpleasant ills is the legacy of ECL’s leadership approach.

We therefore agree with the former President when he swallowed his pride and subsequently apologized for his shortcomings and misrule of the Nation.

We urge all Zambians to accept his apology and wish to advise the other Leaders of the Patriotic Front to do the same for the damage that was inflicted on the Zambian people so that we move on while they surrender plundered resources.

Issued by,

Nyirenda Sam

NDC MGC in charge of Mines and mineral resources

RECALLED DIPLOMATS ARE ENTILTED TO 3 MONTHS REPATRIATION PERIOD-DR. NEVRRS MUMBA

MMD president Never Mumba has called on Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation to give recalled Diplomats the 3 months period which the law allows them to pack and return home.

Dr. Mumba says it is indisputable that the President Hichilema has powers to recall diplomats and also to appoint new ones when there is a change of power or government.

But he urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to follow the regulations and allow recalled diplomats to exit with dignity and respect “by giving them the three months that is necessary for them to close their tour of duty and come back in dignity”.

He dismissed assertions that Diplomats needed to return home with immediate effect.

Mumba, who once served as High Commissioner to Canada, said there is nothing illegal or strange that after the change of government there would be change of diplomats around the world.

He said it is an international tradition that diplomats across the world are replaced in line with the new administration’s policy advancement.

He however emohasised that dignity and the law must be followed.

“In terms of diplomatic service, when governments change and a new government comes into place, in our case one political party loses power and another one takes power, the international tradition is that the diplomats across the world that have been sent by the country are in effect changed to the extent that new ambassadors and high commissioners are deployed for the purpose of ensuring that the policies of the new government that has come into place are being relayed in a manner that is in line with the new governing party,” Mumba said. “So it is not strange that after the change of government there will be change of diplomats around the world. But I have to be very clear that it is a constitutional position and the President does have power to recall diplomats and also to appoint diplomats in different countries. So that is indisputable. There is nothing illegal if the President or the new President recalls the diplomats from around the world and replaces them with those he deems would carry out the policies of the new government. I think it’s important that we settle that one for once.”

He recalled that when he was high commissioner to Canada and as per tradition when MMD lost power, and PF took over, he was recalled.
Mumba however said although it was irregular to be recalled in just seven days after the MMD lost power, the decision to recall him was constitutional as the president had power to do what he did.
He explained that when the US change from
Republicans to Democrats and vice-versa there always a shift of diplomats especially the heads of missions.

“Those who work in administration could still remain but for heads of missions it is almost a foregone conclusion that they are going to be
recalled back to Washington like many other countries. So it is important to establish certain brutal facts. Brutal fact number one is that the new President has the constitutional right to recall ambassadors and replace them with that he deems will follow through the policies of the new administration,” he said. “No dispute about that but the challenge comes in when the President will now have to use his discretion if there is information given to him that the exercise would be too costly for the government at this particular point to afford. At that, the President will again use his discretion and decide which key mission stations are going to receive the first attention and be replaced. Then as the resources are made available would continue…and sometimes it takes several years before certain recalls could be made.”

STATE HOUSE INSTRUCTIONS TO PERSECUTE PERCEIVED THREATS OF MR HAKAINDE, WILL END BADLY

We as the Patriotic Front would like to put it on record that this unsubstantiated witch hunt the nation is being subjected to of those perceived to be PF is very unfortunate to say the least. These careful selection of overzealous officers who are alleged to be directed to do the things they are doing by State House will end badly as soon the chief perpetuator will be caught in the web.

This is not the first time we are witnessing this, but certainly will be the last. Because future administrations will not want to repeat these folly activities at the expense of national development and national building.

Let President Hakainde take this as a timely warning to safeguard his already soiled integrity on his lack of honesty with his boneless promises.

We want Mr Hakainde Hichilema to think through these spineless activities, and how so quick the public confidence is eroding of the said institutions. Does President Hakainde want to leave a legacy as one President under which institutions lost thier value in society? The reasons why we have strong misgivings as a party of these DEC-ACC raids on private properties and extra judicial recoveries of monies to inconvinience people is because of the following;

1.) STATE HOUSE DEC/ACC

Now the nation may recall the President Hakainde during a press briefing announced his decision to formally put the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) under his office, an act which has been condemned as it will most definitely compromise the independence of the Commission. President Hichilema has, through Gazette Notice No. 1123 of 2021 formally put the ACC, the newly created Anti Financial and Economics Crimes Commission, and Office of the Public Protector, DEC under State House. He directed that DEC and ACC among other investigative wings will now be operating from State House and will be reporting to him directly. So any Zambian is within right, to suspect as a matter of fact conclude that these officers are infact being directed to do what they are doing under the heavy hand of Mr Hakainde. We do not want to fathom the sad reality of a President whose primary focus is to persecute his fellow citizens for political reasons. Firstly, it tells us that the officers are working under very difficult circumstances and regardless of how irregular and illegal the instructions are, they can’t refuse. Even when investigations are overwhelmingly showing how innocent some individuals are, they cannot advise the instructor because he is the ultimate. But what has happened, like the recent Amos Chanda Saga, DEC and ACC are now embarrassing themselves daily, they are now turning into a laughing stock. The fight against corruption is stinking of corruption itself, and we urge the international community to distance its self from this dishonorable witch hunt.

2.) Statement by Mr Cornelius MWEETWA UPND spokesperson.

As if that’s not enough, interestingly UPND has opened the wound wide open for everyone to see the rot. We understand that Mr Cornelius Mweetwa is not a government spokesperson but a UPND spokesperson. The UPND spokesperson Honourable Cornelius MWEETWA, in an innocent manner unknowingly exposed the role of UPND in this disgusting witch hunt. At a press briefing on 28th October at their party secretaraite, Mr Mweetwa said that speaking from an informed position, he willfully allegedly insinuated that Ms Faith Musonda had been turned into a state witness so as to use her to identify other so called ‘criminals’. We want to believe that neither ACC, DEC nor Zambia Police have made such a revelation as regards Ms Faith Musonda. What this instead means, is that UPND leadership is playing an under hand role in pointing fingers for DEC and ACC at those they perceive to be threats of thier leader. What is even more disheartening is that Mr Mweetwa went further to allege that govt will recover monies from all those who want to sabotage Mr Hakainde’s leadership. He issued threats against all duly elected Members of Parliament who spoke the loudest in parliament. He said they will soon be ambushed and they will be embarrassed. Now where is UPND getting all this information about former ministers and MPs. We don’t take these statements lightly as mere rhetorics, this is a clear indictment on President Hichilema , the UPND and it’s government on the selective application of the law and it’s back door role in the witch hunt. Mr Mweetwa exposed himself and clearly it’s a can of worms, there will be no justice to come out of these witch-hunts temporarily, but we still have faith that the courts will shame the evil hand and restore sanity by dispensing justice against these glaring irregularities which can easily be mapped in both statements and actions. They are amateurs. UPND should up thier game, they are too careless for everyone to see their cheap schemes.

But we know for a fact that this spineless witch hunt disguised as a fight against corruption, is being done for only two reasons;
Number one, to use it as a scale to secure an IMF LOAN. The stinking fight is being used to paint a picture that the current administration cares about fiscal discipline and pilferage of resources so as to create a facade to hoodwink the donor community to give us the bailout. Mr Hakainde is under pressure to fulfil his boneless promises and the IMF LOAN being one of his commitment promises, he doesn’t want to suffer the embarrassment. So he is on a tangent to impress the whites, but at the expense of getting down to work as the citizens are complaining of the excruciating need for the President to resolve the liquidity crisis currently in the country.
Number two, this propaganda around a witchhunt towards PF members and it’s friends is meant to create a perception that monies are in the hands of PF members who are having sacks and sacks of money in thier homes.
Mr Hakainde Hichilema and his UPND want to use PF as an excuse for their non performance. They have realized time is fast running, and so far they have achieved nothing tangible or fulfilled any promise, so thier way out is a spineless witch hunt on PF members staging unverified amounts of money. Setting the PF and it’s friends against the propaganda of the court of public opinion. We say so because, before official statements from either Zambia Police, DEC or ACC the UPND media and it’s surrogate platforms are the first to post propaganda statements all in a quest to hoodwink unsuspecting Zambians. By the time official statements are coming, the public would have been fed with falsehoods. But lies have short legs, we want to urge them to get to work, they are the ones in government and these antics they used to play in the opposition will not save them from the embarrassment of failure as we are day by day drawing close to 2026.

4.) WE TOOK DEC TO COURT AS PF

Lastly, as PF we have not remained idle or as a complainant in all these activities and allegations being thrown here and there, we have opted to seek legal redress from the courts of law. If the nation my recall on 28th September 2021 we as a party through our Secretary General Davies Mwila sued the state in the Lusaka High Court against the decision of the Drug Enforcement Commission to quiz Mr Mwila and Antonio Mwanza over the party’s source of campaigns funds prior to the August 12, 2021 general elections. As a party we commenced this action citing the Attorney General as the respondent in the matter.
The nation may seek to know why we did this, its for activities like these by DEC harassing PF members and friends of the party. We want the court to end this witch hunt forthwith, because among the reliefs we are praying for are damages for intimidation and harassment of PF members and friends of the party by the DEC. This will serve as a basis to guide the behavior of Mr Hakainde’s DEC with hunt. But we know that even this judgement if in our favor will be disregarded Like many others with impunity but only time will tell.

I Thank You!!

Issued By;
Hon. RAPHAEL NAKACINDA, MCC INFORMATION AND PUBLICITY CHAIRMAN

THE Kampyongo family has protested the arrest of Andrew Kampyongo and his friend Kellyson Chilekwa, claiming this was aimed at silencing and victimising them just because their relative, Stephen Kampyongo, belongs to the Patriotic Front.

The family has appealed to the Human Rights Commission and other related bodies in the Southern African region, Africa, and the world at large to take keen interest in these cases against PF members arising from results of the August 12 elections.

“ As the family of former Home Affairs minister Stephen Kampyongo, we feel the arrest of our younger brother, Andrew and his co-suspect Kellyson Chilekwa for malicious damage to property is unfair, malicious and a well calculated act to silence and victimise us just because our relative (Mr. Kampyongo) is a member of the Patriotic Front (PF) Central Committee,” the family has charged.

Family spokesperson, Kapambwe Kampyongo, said the alleged incident over which Andrew and Chilekwa have been charged is said to have happened in July this year, way before the August 12 general elections and “we wonder why it has taken the police more than two months to investigate the matter; and charge and arrest the suspects for the alleged offence.”

The family says the police action to arrest the duo is against the spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation that President Hakainde Hichilema has been preaching to all Zambians, ever since he took up office of the President.

The family has complained that Andrew and Chilekwa were on the receiving end of political violence inflicted on them and other PF members by UPND cadres during the same period but to date police have not taken action against the perpetrators despite culprits being well known members of the ruling party.

The family spokespersons has urged President Hichilema, Home Affairs and Internal Security Minister Jack Mwiimbu, his Justice counterpart Mulambo Haimbe, Attorney General Mulilo Kabesha, and the Director of Public Prosecutions to also study this matter before trial starts soon.

Last week, police in Shiwang’andu arrested Kampyongo, 41, and Chilekwa, 29, of Chafilwa Village, Chief Mukwikile, for alleged malicious damage to property. According to police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga, the two are alleged to have damaged a Samsung cell phone valued at K1, 000, property of Mike Mulenga, 40, also of Chafilwa village, a front windscreen of a Toyota Land Cruiser registration number AAK 1031 valued at K4, 500 and tail lights valued at K750, property of Dr. Albert Munanga; and JVC speakers valued at K12, 000 property of the UPND, all valued at K18, 250 on July 10, 2021. – Daily nation

By Chimwemwe Mwanza

What was meant to be a dispute between two consenting adults is now spiraling out of control. While the accuser is standing by her version of the story, the accused has been steadfast in his denials. As far as he is concerned, he has never met the accuser.

Spare a thought for Bowman Lusambo, he now has to live under an embarrassing cloud of a sexual innuendo – largely due to his accuser and social media zealots. Notwithstanding the allegations of negligence of the children he is purported to have sired with the accuser, the biggest threat facing the politician affectionately known as the bulldozer is a possible charge for rape – should it be proven that he is indeed the father to Mercy Cowham’s first born child.

She alleges that the bulldozer first deflowered her when she was a minor. Most important to this saga is Cowham’s flawless narration of her sordid encounters with the bulldozer. In fact, her story seems credible enough to validate her mental stability. To the contrary, Bowman has been on the backfoot, ducking and diving while pontificating his innocence. Just who is telling the truth between the two is difficult to tell. For now, hold your judgement.

However, a thorough investigation of Cowham’s motive for impugning Lusambo’s character casts some doubt on her tale. Could this be one of those failed attempts at extortion? Regardless of the speculation, why should this story even bother say a, high flying Mr Simoson Ndiwabufi, or a low-class Ms Mary Ndiwapamulomo for that matter? Put differently, is there a sinless mortal still living on this earth?

Never mind that Bowman is a public figure, is it fair that his private life is being splashed all over social media platforms in such a reckless manner? Here is a challenge. There is a high probability that Cowham allegations could well turn out to be a big lie that has only served to besmirch Bowman’s fledging political career.

Violating Bowman’s right to dignity
So, let’s assume for a second that Bowman returns a negative DNA test and Cowham’s story is proved false, what then will be his recourse? Absolutely none for the horse would have already bolted from the stable. Yet his children will continue to live with the stigma of a wayward father. For others and possibly Bowman himself dignity is all they cherish which is why monetary compensation as a recourse to libel sometimes counts for nothing. With due respect, is Cowham even capable of sustaining a financially draining marathon court case?

Hate him or love him, Bowman inflicted quiet some terror on his political opponents when he served in the PF government, but fact is that the republican constitution guarantees his right to privacy and dignity. Thus, it’s important to distinguish between Bowman the politician and Bowman the private citizen. His misdeeds while in government – whether perceived or factual are a different matter altogether which is why due consideration for his family especially his children ought to supersede anything else including his political inclinations.

Family is sacrosanct. This is a simple but golden rule that any self-respecting Journalist or information peddler is required to uphold. Hence watching one social media blogger interviewing Cowham in a series of video postings and making a big meal out of this saga was a cringeworthy experience.

What did this person stand to gain out of parading this vulnerable woman before cameras? This is not some poker game but two vulnerable lives that somebody is playing with – a pregnant mother and its unborn child. It’s troubling that people are this desperate to hog the social media limelight to the extent that they are readily prepared to break families. Whatever the argument, bombarding a pregnant woman who is almost close to labour with mentally draining questions might help a social media blogger to increase traffic to their blog, but this is not investigative Journalism. It’s plain evil.

Pitfalls of cyber bullying
Today it is Bowman from PF and tomorrow it will be Isaac, a UPND member – something’s got to be done so perpetrators can learn a hard lesson. Cyber bullying should not be reduced to a PF, UPND or Socialist Party or FDD subject matter. Its victims often spread across the political divide. So serious is its impact on society that some victims have committed suicide. Yet these narcissistic perpetrators are left free to prowl internet platforms in search of victims.

Even more damning is the silence from the civil society and female lobbyists regarding the injustice being meted to Bowman. Surely, isn’t there a brave woman out there or Alangizi that can call Cowham to order? Could it be that the reluctance to intervene is because this matter involves a high-profile politician with links to the former governing party?

Sadly, for Cowham, a bottle of mineral water is the only incentive she got to rain all manner of vulgarities at the man she claims to be the father of her children. I bet you, this story still has some legs.

About the author: The only thing this author supports is Kabwe Warriors and that team which beat Man United over the weekend. For feedback, contact: Kwachaone@gmail.com

ZAMBIAN WHISTLEBLOWER

FUNDING ” A PF CADRE INSTITUTION”

This is what we mean when we say President Hichilema should be careful and also clean up the system…..

Why is this PF Cadre, Bernadette Deka still being tolerated in the Government setup? Why is the UPND Government funding her institution PMRC?

This woman was untouchable under the PF. She is also trustee at the Esther lungu foundation and used these positions to threaten people in the party and have her way.

This is a woman who abused public funds ( all this is documented). We challenge ACC, DEC, FIC, Auditor General to go and check the questionable transactions under this Government account “ Public Sector Cheque Account – 62574238161 held at FNB for which she is the sole controller.

Our intelligence on this account found that she paid part of for her lavish wedding using funds from this account. She paid for friends and relatives from the UK and US in business class (using government money) to come for her wedding and also the honeymoon. (receipts have been attached).

Can ACC also check on the purchase of the Izusu pickup that was bought using this account on 11 February 2020. We have noted lots of anomaly’s with this government account.

Someone needs to act and remove this woman from the government system. She abused public funds , but now she wants to do the same under the UPND .. Someone should sort out this mess soon…

Check out the pics ! she was even a vvip member at the PF Convention just before the elections…

© Zambian Whistleblower

PRESS STATEMENT BY HON. STANLEY K. KAKUBO, M.P, MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION ON THE VISIT BY THE REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT TO THE UNITED KINGDOM TO ATTEND THE COP26 WORLD LEADERS’ SUMMIT, IN GLASGOW, SCOTLAND

I wish to inform the nation that Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia is expected to depart for the United Kingdom on 30th October, 2021 to attend the World Leaders Summit of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This meeting is the 26th meeting of the Conference of Parties (COP 26) and will be held from 1st to 5th November, 2021, during which period, President Hichilema will also have a series of bilateral engagements in London.

The President will be attending the COP 26 at the invitation of the Honourable Boris Johnson, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. The Head of State will again be accompanied by a lean delegation comprising the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Minister of Green Economy and Environment, Hon. Collins Nzovu, M.P.

During his visit to the United Kingdom, President Hichilema is also expected to hold meetings in London with members of the House of Commons and UK policymakers, potential investors, as well as the Eurobond holders.

These meetings are part of the strategic engagements of the President aimed at making progress towards the UPND Government’s vision of economic transformation. As we all know, this is critical for Zambia’s economic recovery and sustainable economic development.

A total of 190 Heads of State and Government that are party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) as well as key players on the international arena, are expected to attend this important meeting. The landmark Paris Agreement on Climate Change that was agreed to in 2015, which was also signed by Zambia, provides an ambitious framework for the world to deal with climate change and its impact.

The negative effects of climate change have equally been experienced in Zambia where intermittent weather patterns, especially for rainy seasons, have resulted in frequent droughts and flash floods that have adversely impacted on food, water and energy security.

The world remains off track in meeting the set goals to achieve the following;
i) To limit increases in global warming to between 1.5 – 2 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels,
ii) To drive urgent adaptation to the changing climate, and
iii) To mobilise financial resources for the required changes.

The Zambian Government is hopeful that the outcomes of the COP26 climate change meeting will contribute towards protecting our countries and our planet from the devastating impacts of climate change, as well as mobilizing the required resources for agreed actions. The latter will form a major part of the President’s engagements with key players while on this visit, because as we all know, addressing policy aspirations requires commitment at the highest political level.

It is for this reason that President Hichilema will strategically join world leaders on global platforms, to advance the Government’s ambitious transformation agenda aimed at deriving maximum benefits for the people of our great country.

The Government remains committed to making Zambia a global beacon of environmental sustainability and a champion of the green economy.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
LUSAKA
29th October, 2021

By Diggers Editor, OPINION

THE response from Transparency International-Zambia (TIZ) to our editorial opinion on the Faith Musonda case makes good reading. They raise interesting points and we agree with them that this is a matter that deserves extensive public discourse.

We have observed that the difference between TIZ’s arguments and the News Diggers position is that the NGO is speaking from a legal and logic point of view. Everything that they cite in their response to our editorial opinion maybe correct at law but they are assuming many things and speculate about why the ACC acted the way it did.

Unlike TIZ, News Diggers is speaking from an informed position. We are in the business of investigating and gathering information. We know what transpired in this case. If we didn’t, we would simply keep quiet and watch. The Faith Musonda matter is very sad for Zambia and if our people knew where that money came from, what it was meant for and how it found itself in a house said to belong to Faith Musonda, they would be more heartbroken and angry about how this matter has been dealt with.

Zambians have not been told the truth about this matter because it has very difficult facts to explain. If the Transparency International people want to test if what we are saying is true, let them call a meeting with the Anti Corruption Commission and ask them some questions.

Since the TIZ team is, by and large, speaking in defence of the decision made by the Anti-Corruption Commission, it should not be difficult for them to exchange information and facts around this case. TIZ should demand that ACC tells them the truth (even in confidence) so that they can defend the Anti-Corruption Commission better. It will be interesting to hear, what TIZ will say once they gets the full facts, will they will stick to their current position. Will they continue to defend the ACC or get angry with the whole system.

Let’s think for a moment. The Anti Corruption Commission is currently desperate to redeem itself. That is why you see them scavenging at Amos Chanda’s farm, even when they know that the man is probably even broke by now. They are desperate to impress because they know that their public image and reputation has gone down the drain. A case such as the one involving Faith Musonda should have been a piece of cake for them.

This is one of the easiest cases that for ACC prosecute any day. With the new leadership in place at ACC, they would have used this matter to build public confidence. Why have they not done so? This is not because Faith Musonda admitted to wrong doing, as they claim. This is not because Faith Musonda surrendered the money and the house. Our analysis tells us that they decided to take this route because of the trail that the money revealed and there discovery of who the real thieves are.

While we criticise the ACC and sometimes even condemn them, our displeasure in this Faith Musonda case is not exactly on the basis that they have FAILED to act. Our issue is that they are being used to coverup institutionalised crime that has done grave damage to our country in the past, and will continue to do so in future. When institutions that are supposed to be protecting our national security are doing the opposite, we all should get worried.

Our people still remember what happened in the matter of ZAMTROP Government Accounts. The Zamtrop type of abuse of public resources should never again happen in this country, especially not under President Hichilema. What has happened in this case is nonsense, it’s not what the people of Zambia voted for. This is why we are pushing for justice to be done on this matter, and we are doing our best to do so without saying what we are not allowed to say.

We are not calling for Faith Musonda’s blood. Faith is a nobody and we say this with all due respect to our sister. Faith does not have that kind of money. But assuming that she was indeed a business woman capable of having that kind of money, she would not be keeping it in 30 travelling bags at ‘her mansion’. Like we have stated, this is not about Faith. That lady is just a pawn on the chessboard, so our push on this matter must not be misunderstood as targeting her.

That is why we are asking the ACC to explain when and where they signed the so-called confession and forfeiture agreement with Faith. TIZ must ask the questions that we are asking. Who called the police to stop the nine hours interrogation on that day?

Is it the Edgar Lungu clique in government that intervened or the new dawn government under President Hakainde Hichilema? Was it the two leaderships deliberating over the matter and agreeing to end it this way after looking at the hard facts? Those are the questions for TIZ.

The people at ACC may fail to act professionally at times, but they are not foolish. There is no way they can let such a case slip off their hands. There is no way they can close a case like this one on that “forfeiture” basis without at least getting to the bottom of it. ACC is hungry for prosecutions and they need as many good cases as they can find. They know that one way of regaining good reputation is by winning cases in court, not receiving donations and confessions from criminals. But their hands are tied. Someone has given them a sedative and asked them to go to sleep on this money heist case.

This is a huge scandal and those who wish to give the ACC a benefit of the doubt are at liberty to do so, but at least they must demand to know the truth. TIZ has made very interesting arguments. Chizungu bakamba bwino, but ise tikamba vazoona.

CAN THOSE WHO SERVED IN ECL ADMINISTRATION BE TRUSTED?

The Candidates’ Comment

We have often stated that the people of Zambia do not hate Edgar Lungu. In fact, many people do like him because of his humility, humbleness and good heart. Albeit, at the height of this consideration, the very people chose to punish Edgar by voting him out brutally. They did so because his administration abused the respect and love they had for him. We all know that Edgar’s standing with the people was utterly destroyed by the people he chose to entrust with responsibility and power to govern this country. The people that surrounded Edgar destroyed him. They turned him into an evil being detested by the people of Zambia. Even when it was unfashionable for many people to vote for Hakainde Hichilema given his soiled character that has resulted him into being rejected several times before winning, the people decided that enough was enough, PF had to go at all cost. It was never about whether or not Hakainde was alleged to have taken an active role in privatization or the tribal tag which his party has. It was about the ills the PF did against the people.

There are many theories to this effect but the truth is, part of the mistakes that Edgar personally made was to be a weak leader who was easily manipulated by every other fool there is in PF. Any fool could walk to Edgar and feed him lies. These fools were domiciled both in government and at the PF Secretariat. As they fed Edgar lies, they were busy committing crimes against the laws of Zambia such as corruption and thugery. Sadly, Edgar found himself sandwiched between lies and criminality that rocked his regime. Today, it is difficult to identify anyone in PF who is clean of sin, of corruption. Almost every one you look at smells corrupt. That is why, it is even difficult to correctly diagnose whether or not, the fight against corruption which is being practiced today under the New Dawn administration is persecution or indeed a noble cause.

But aside that, it seems many elements in PF have not learnt a thing or two from their fall from grace. There are elements in PF who did all they could to engineer the ousting of Chishimba Kambwili from PF. Equally, they engineered the expulsion of Kelvin Fube Bwalya as well as many other reasonable people. These elements remained posing as leaders who had the magic to serve the people of Zambia and take PF to greater heights in its pursuit for its pro-poor policies. When they were expelling Chishimba, they claimed he was not bigger than the party and that he was a nonentity. But that Chishimba defeated them miserably in Roan, in a by-election when the party he was consultant in, National Democratic Congress (NDC), won the Parliamentary seat with a landslide victory. Even when their party was in ICU, they went to this same Chishimba to beg him, to return to the party he helped establish with late Michael Sata.

Today, these same failures who led their party to exist and served at the party and government level are busy championing causes to replaced Edgar with themselves. How can the very failure that unfairly and stupidly chased party members and caused Edgar to lose election, win an election ever? It is stupid to think that the same elements who served in Edgar’s administration and indeed his party at senior levels can be trusted by anyone.

Of course, the truth is none among all those who served in Edgar’s cabinet and his party at various senior positions must be allowed anywhere near the leadership of the PF , if they are interested in ever being relevant to Zambians.

People rejected PF because of numerous sins these crooks, criminals committed which rubbed off on Edgar and his administration. Even if PF brought back KBF in the same way they brought back Chishimba to salvage their party, people had already decided that regardless of what consideration they may have for Chishimba, the PF needed to go because the sins the party committed before the embracing of its former members were grave.

But as much as this is true, Edgar must be sober about this issue now. He must not allow people to mislead him again the same way they misled him when he presided over a kangaroo Central Committee that was busy expelling people only on the premise of wanting to pave personal ways to Presidency.

UPND VOTE AGAINST PRIVATE MEMBERS MOTION DISAPPOINTS HON SIMUMBA

By Oliver Chisenga

NAKONDE PF member of parliament Lukas Simumba says it is unfortunate that his motion urging the government to allow local authorities countrywide to retain 5 per cent of locally generated revenue for internal development did not pass.

In an interview after his private member’s motion failed in Parliament, Simumba said it was sad that UPND members of parliament politicised the gesture meant to benefit the nation.

Seconding the motion was Mambilima member of parliament Jean Chisenga.

The question was that the House urges the government to allow local authorities countrywide to retain at least five per cent of locally generated revenue for internal development.

Sikumba was the first member of parliament this session 13th National Assembly to raise a private member’s motion in the House.

Simumba said his private member’s motion was a national motion which required the support of all members of parliament regardless of the party they belonged to.

“In order to give context to the motion, Madam Speaker, let me begin by defining what ‘locally generated revenue’ means….locally generated revenue means all revenue collected by Zambia Revenue Authority through various taxes from a particular district, which also includes revenue collected by the National Rod Fund Agency through toll fees.

For instance, according to an article in the Zambia Daily Mail of 7th April, ZRA collects an average K200 million per month from Nakonde border post which is in my constituency,” he said.

“Similarly, it was reported by ZNBC that K1.4 million was collected by ZRA from Kazungula border post for the period of May to August 2021. Further, Madam Speaker, on Friday 15th October 2021, the acting Minister of Finance and National Planning in responding to a question asked by the honorable member for Mufumbwe informed this August House that ZRA collected K4.3 billion from Chirundu border post from January to August 2021.

It is in this vein that we are asking that the government allows local authorities countrywide to at least retain 5 per cent so that the districts where they come from can have its fair share of development.”

Simumba said through the motion, he was proposing a revenue sharing mechanism that would allow local authorities in the districts which house the revenue collecting points to be given 5 per cent of what was collected for the development of the area.

He said the proposal would ensure the district where there is a border post, mine and toll gate, among other revenue points, benefit from the money.

Simumba said he was of the view that the new sharing mechanism would spur accelerated rural and urban development.

Further, Simumba said the local government system in Zambia was provided for by the Constitution in Article 152 (1) which empowers local authorities to administer and oversee all projects and programmes in each district.

“The function of the local authorities as provided for in the Constitution are the construction and maintenance of local roads, street lighting, construction of markets, motor vehicle licensing and collections of levies and toll fees, among others.

To provide the service as mandated by the Constitution and various Acts of Parliament, local authorities depend on locally generated revenue, grants from the central government such as local government equalisation fund as well as Constituency Development Fund,” he said.

Simumba said inasmuch as local authorities generate revenue through “small levies” and charges and receive grants from central government, the allocations were not adequate to have a significant impact on development at district level, hence his proposal before Parliament.

“The House may wish to note that demands for service provision far outweigh resources the local authorities currently collect and those that are allocated to them by the central government. The financial challenges are worsening by the removal of local authorities’ functions such as motor vehicle licensing which is performed by the Road Transport and Safety Agency and collection of toll fees which is performed by the National Road Fund Agency,” he said.

“Madam Speaker, the ZRA collects an array of taxes which include company tax, withholding tax, export levy, import duty and value added tax and may others from different entities such as mining houses, tour operators, business houses and border posts and the revenue collected is remitted to the Treasury single account known as Control 99. The same applies to the revenue collected by the NRFA through toll fees.”

Simumba further said that it was regrettable that despite districts such as Nakonde, Chirundu and Kazungula contributing significantly to the national Treasury through the collection of revenue, there was very little tangible trickle-down effect on the welfare of the people of the said districts.

He noted that the three areas were lagging behind in infrastructure development and service provision.

Simumba noted with regret that Nakonde border post which boasts of contributing about K200 million to the Treasury per month had seen no tangible development.

Simumba’s motion however did not pass.

The motion was supported by PF members of parliament Christopher Shakafuswa (Mandevu), Francis Kapyanga (Mpika Central), Binwell Mpundu and Christopher Kang’ombe (Kamfinsa).

UPND members of parliament, including Warren Mwambazi (Bwana Mukubwa), Jamba Machila (Mwembeshi), Newton Samakai (Mwinilunga) and finance minister Situmbeko Musokotwane, opposed the motion.

TRADITIONAL LEADERSHIP VS NEW DAWN GOVERNMENT

By Martin Mushumba

Traditional Leaders are Key in National Unity

It is not in denial that the country is driving towards national unity under the New Dawn Government. President Hakainde Hichilema has this far demonstrated his commitment to unifying the country through among other things, his inspiring appointments. His well-balanced Cabinet reflects this journey. His bid to unity the nation extends to the defense and security wings where he has again walked the talk. For a first time in the history of this country, the Director General of Office of the President is from Western Province. This had never been imagined considering the unfounded fears that some regimes had about the ‘Barotseland Agreement of 1964’.

Given this national unity momentum being ably driven by President Hichilema, we the people are calling for a fresh beginning where no Zambian citizen because of their tribe or political affiliation shall be restricted from visiting any chiefdom within our country. This is because we only have one Zambia that we must all proudly belong to.

Disgusting as it may be, some of our well known traditional leaders imposed visitation bans on some political leaders in order to appease their masters. This action did not only polarize our already fragile political system but also entrenched tribalism. This was shameful and a clear demonstration of a traditional leadership that has lost a sense of humanity! No one has ever chosen to be born from a certain tribe or race. It’s a rich diversity that God Himself treasures and gave upon us.

To sync the country in a rhythm of unity and correct these abominable acts from some of our traditional leaders who effected these nauseating bans on certain leaders, we must embrace them and show them forgiveness. This shall work towards national unity and reconciliation.

Nonetheless, these traditional leaders must openly lift these dreadful bans to create an environment that supports co-existence, peace and development for the greater good of our society. If they find it hard to swallow their pride by openly lifting such bans, it will surely be unfair, mischievous, malicious, or rather naughty for them to complain of being ignored when political leaders opt to give them their desired space.

For God and Country! #Unity for accelerated development.

CADRES ARE PUTTING ILLEGAL PLOTS ON MORTGAGE – MINISTER

ALTHOUGH he is generally satisfied with the progress made in restoring sanity in his ministry, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources Elijah Muchima has also admitted that the process has not been an easy one.

Mr Muchima, who has made cleaning up the image of his ministry a top priority, has just discovered that some of those who acquired land and property illegally, presumably political party cadres belonging to the Patriotic Front (PF), are mortgaging them to block possible seizures.

Although he is not new to the ministry, having previously served as a junior minister, Mr Muchima seems surprised at the extent to which people are going to in order to conceal their illegalities.

He says some of the people who acquired land and property illegally are now making it difficult for the ministry to deal with their illegalities as they are entering into agreements with financial lending institutions such as banks to protect their assets from confiscation.

“We have made tremendous headway in cleaning up the mess that was left by the previous administration, although this journey has not been an easy one,” Mr Muchima admitted.“Now they have gone to an extent of pressing mortgages on these properties which were seemingly acquired illegally so that it becomes difficult to repossess them.

That is what is happening.“We are looking at these issues vigorously and we shall keep the nation informed on the outcome.”After declaring his intention to clean up the Ministry of Lands following his appointment last month, Mr Muchima was given a wake-up call after discovering that some unknown people had allegedly tampered with the electronic system and deleted vital information of high-profile people believed to have illegally acquired land in various parts of the country.

The ministry was compelled to turn to Smart Zambia, an e-Government division under Cabinet Office, to help seal the loopholes and to address rampant inefficiencies at the Ministry of Lands.

Mr Muchima says there were a lot of re-entries into the ministry’s computerised system before Smart Zambia took over to cover up the wrongs created by past government officials.“They were quickly going to the Ministry of Lands, connive with some named officers who in turn helped them re-enter details to land and properties they acquired dubiously, and in no time, they were served with land title deeds,” he said.“Those are the kind of games these people were playing.

That is what was going on.”Mr Muchima says such illegalities have now been blocked as the access to the ministry’s computerised system is now limited.“The discoveries are quite shocking, especially the manner in which the illegal title deeds were quickly sorted out to people who were connected to the PF,” he says.

Following his appointment, Mr Muchima first identified Forest 27, a protected area in Lusaka East which was de-gazetted by the Patriotic Front (PF) administration to pave way for residential houses, as the elephant in the room that needed to be dealt with.

After touring the area with Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Gary Nkombo, he directed that all construction works and issuance of permits for Forest 27 should be halted until the investigations that he had earlier ordered regarding the de-gazetting of what is one of Lusaka’s last remaining nature reserves are concluded.

He said the clean-up will not be limited to forest 27.

ZDM

SPEECH DELIVERED BY EDGAR CHAGWA LUNGU AT THE MEMORIAL CEREMONY OF THE LATE PRESIDENT MICHEAL CHILUFYA SATA

28th October, 2021

Members of the Central committee of the Patriotic Front, Provincial and District officials,
Honourable Members of Parliament, The former First Lady, Madam Christine Kaseba, members of the Sata Family,
distinguished guests and fellow comrades.

We gather here like we have always done in the last six years to honour the memory and celebrate the life of His Excellency, President Michael Chilufya Sata, the gallant founding President of the Patriotic Front Party.

But we also come here not just to honour and celebrate the legacy of this great son of the soil, we also come to renew our hopes and commitment to the very virtues, principles and ideals that President Sata embodied. We therefore must use this occasion as a mirror to judge ourselves of how best we are doing our part, individually and collectively to ensure that the dream of our founding father, the dream of a United, Democratic and more Prosperous Zambia is kept alive.

President Sata was many things to different people: to some he was the tough disciplinarian fondly known as King Cobra; to others he was this gentle loving, jovial daddy, husband and granddaddy, however, regardless of the type of relation one shared with him, there is no debate that this is a man who was a true Patriot, an honest and straightforward man who was a passionate defender and steward of the poor and marginalised in society. He was a spokesperson for poor workers who had no one to bargain for their rights and conditions of service; he spoke and fought for that student who had grades but not the money to pursue his or her dream of pursuing university education; he fought for that poor mother selling groundnuts and tomatoes on the side walk of the road in the heat of a scorching sun and yes he spoke for that young man selling airtime on the streets. The values and principles of love , honesty, selflessness, community service and hard-work is what defined ba Sata and yes these are the same values and principles that form the cornerstone of our Party, the Patriotic Front.

Fellow comrades, distinguished ladies gentlemen, time May ease the pain and emptiness of losing President Sata but time will never erase the memories and lessons that this great man passed to all of us. No matter what calamity or difficult that may befall us, we shall hold on to the vision and spirit of bashi Chilufya.

Today, we find comfort in our broken hearts knowing that we as the Patriotic Front while in Government worked tirelessly to fulfil some of the key social and economical milestones that His Excellency President Micheal Chilufya Sata had embarked on: we built roads, bridges, airports, schools, hospitals, colleges and universities across the breadth and width of our great country, leaving no one behind. We laid a firm foundation for social and economic prosperity for all by pushing a momentous and ambitious infrastructure development agenda. Today, with just a tap on the screen of a phone, a farmer is able to purchase his farming inputs because he has access to a robust communication network; today a grand mother in a tiny village of Mugubudu doesn’t have to worry about the absence of a bank because she can receive money for her food from her grand daughter in Mufulira at a nearby mobile booth. Today, many of the people are connected to the national electricity grid or they have at least got access to alternative sources of energy, which is the blood line of industrialisation, job creation and poverty reduction.

Yes, we have made mistakes in our line of duty, yes we have at times come short of our people’s expectations and yes we have at times broken their trust and for that we render our sincere APOLOGIES. In the same vein, we want to assure all our people that we have done an honest self introspection and we have reformed our hearts and minds and that we shall emerge stronger and better.

President Sata was a very unique and generous person. He taught us to love one another; to share the little we have. He taught us to be each other’s keeper and work and sacrifice not for ourselves but for those that look to us for help and guidance. We must always strive to hold on to these same virtues each day we live. We must put service to others above service to personal gratification. We should not use multi-party politics to divide ourselves in to regions and tribes, create a wedge between ourselves and those on the other side of the political divide because before we are PF, or FDD, or UNIP or UPND we are Zambians first. We should therefore learn that in a democracy we can’t all agree but we must not be disagreeable; even when you don’t agree with your opponent, you must recognise the fact that your opponent reserve an inalienable and constitutional right to freely express oneself and to without any prejudice or fear of retribution freely belong any political association of thier choice.

Through his trials and through his triumphs, President Sata taught us one valuable leadership lesson: we are not masters but servants of the people; it doesn’t matter how big and powerful the trappings of power might seem, the people and not the leaders are the masters. Therefore we must always serve the people with humility, dignity and honesty for they are the true masters of this country.

As I come to my conclusion, I want to say something directly to members and leaders of the mighty Patriotic Front; the Party of President Sata and the Party of choice for millions of Zambians: colleagues, there is no better way to honour the memory of this gallant son of the soil than pursuing and promoting the very values and principles that shaped his life; we must never ever let PF die. No matter the circumstances, PF must live and arise. PF is the mass movement for all Zambians and it is not for sell to the highest bidder. This not a time for small talk and petty squabbles; this is not a time for blame game and unending lamentations. This is a time for love, unity and fellowship. We must never let our momentary loss and disappointment to define our future, the future of this great party and indeed this hallowed nation. There are more lessons in defeat than in victory. We must use those lessons to build even a more dynamic, more resourceful and far reaching organisation.

The time has come for the leadership of the Patriotic Front to take stock of ourselves and ask ourselves the tough but honest questions. The time has come for some of us to accept the fact that we have done our part and it is time to give way to a new generation of leaders, leaders that will build on our collective glory and take this Party even to greater heights.

In the words of President Micheal Chilufya Sata, natutemwane.

May the soul of President Micheal Chilufya Sata continue to rest in eternal peace.

I thank you