FAKA PRESSURE HH, SAYS MPULUNGU VOTERS

UPND President Hakainde Hichilema writes below…

So much can come out of Mpulungu in Northern Province to take care of the locals and the Country at large but for a long time now, our people in this area have been subjected to severe hardships but they have now resolved to support us and they say; Bally enough of 10 years with nothing to show for it from the corrupt PF, and this time around, we are voting for you because you have a vision for us and for our nation.

Other than that, the people of Mpulungu said: FAKA PRESSURE!

Yes, we will ensure real economic development in this wonderful part of our Country which is a regional hub and gateway to neighbouring Countries.

Zambia will be better under our leadership and so vote for UPND next week.

HH aka Bally
#Time4Change
#Vote4Change
#FakaPressure

RESPECT THE OFFICE YOU WANT, OR ELSE YOU WILL NEVER GET TO THAT OFFICE- PASTOR BJ NGOSA CASTIGATES OPPOSITION

…..calls on Zambians to reject “leaders” desperate enough to use ‘magicians and witches’ masquerading as men of God to attain power..

Lusaka, Tuesday, 3 August, 2021 (Smart Eagles)

Prominent Zambian clergyman BJ Ngosa has called on the opposition UPND leader to respect the presidency if he is ever to ascend to that position.

Pastor Ngosa says the UPND leader has on countless occasions disrespected President Edgar Lungu and allowed for his followers to do the same and has never come out to condemn his followers’ violence, insults or disrespect agaunst the President, other citizens and women, but has instead supported them, calling some freedom fighters.

He said the behaviour of UPND supporters is not far from their leader’s behaviour because the followers only do what their leader has shown them, saying that if a leader is not showing respect neither will the followers.

“If you portray humility and respect, you will see that violence in this country will come down.” He said.

“We have history in this country where Sata vowed against Levy, until we saw Levy and Sata hold hands, the nation stopped having violence, I think it is the duty of those aspiring to be president of this country to respect the president and to honor the presidency, this is the reason I believe that some of them will never see the light of the presidency until they learn to respect that presidency.” Pastor Ngosa added.

“The anointing you do not respect, you will not benefit from, if you want to be president of the Republic of Zambia you must have respect for the current president because by the same measure you measure him, we will come and measure you.” He further said.

And Pastor Ngosa has called on Zambians to reject “leaders” that are using people masquerading as men of God when they infact are not.
He says Zambians must begin to interrogate the what type of spirit that some of the people aspiring for presidency want to use to lead the nation.

“We should be able to discern the spirit under which these people are speaking so that the nation is properly guided.” He said.

“You shall know them by their fruit, when did some of them start speaking against the president? When they were deported, when it became clear that they were womanizers, that they were men that were not living according to the standard of God and when the truth about the charms they were giving to people came out.” He said.

He emphasized that Zambia is a Christian nation and anything being propagated by anyone that is not Christian should not be condoned as it has the potential to throw the nation into spiritual confusion.
#SmartEagles2021

OPEN LETTER TO ZAMBIAN PASTORS, PARTICULARY THOSE CLOSE TO MR EDGAR LUNGU.

By Mike Mako 04/08/21

Dear Pastor Moses Chiluba, Bishop Joshua Banda, Joe Imakando and other clergymen who are close to president Lungu,

I greet you in the Name of Jesus Christ whom you have been called to preach.

I am writing this letter with a heavy heart, considering what is currently happening in Zambia, where only one man is being treated like a criminal in his own country, which I find quite unfair and demonic to say the least. I am not quite sure if at all you see what is happening, but I wish to let you know men of God, that the current happenings in this country have the potential to put this country on fire.

Beloved clergymen, we know that you are in good books with president Edgar Lungu because of his enduring commitment to the ‘Zambia is a Christian Nation’ notion. Not only are you in good books with the humble head of state, but I do believe that you understand quite well what it means to be a Christian, being Crist-Like. You have studied the Bible, and I need not to teach you this simple truth. Mr. Edgar Lungu has shown true commitment to his Christian faith by continuously seeking divine interventions through national prayers and fasting, which you attend.

Now let us look at the conduct our president, we see if it matches with his commitment to the Christian faith which demands us to be truthful, kind-hearted, tolerant, loving, forgiving and humble, among other attributes which again, I am sure, you know very well. Now, the question that we must ask ourselves is, is Mr. Lungu truthful in his conduct? Is Mr. Lungu kind-hearted? Is he tolerant and loving? Does he forgive? Is he a humble man? In my opinion, Mr. Edgar Lungu has none of the above attributes, especially when it comes to his political opponents, particularly HH.

I have no doubt that Mr. Lungu hates HH with all the passion, which is totally against the Christian faith. I have know doubt that Mr. Lungu is untruthful in his conduct as he preaches one thing and does the very opposite, he is a hypocrite. I have no doubt that Mr. Lungu is full of pride which makes not to listen to sound advise.
Why is it that whenever HH want to fly, they use ZAF to block the air space; even when the clearance is given to him to fly, the cancel at he last minute for no reason? Why is it that when HH decides to use the road to go and campaign they block him?

Why is it that whenever HH wants to meet the people to sell out his message like the rest of the candidates they teargas him together with his supporters? What wrong has HH done for the entire state machinery to be shifted to fighting him? Is this the kind of conduct that Christ, whom Mr. Lungu keeps preaching on his Facebook page, would want to see? Isn’t a HH Zambian just like the rest of the candidates and their campaign teams, who are freely moving from one point to another? Mr. Lungu is going too far with his desperation to remain in power. HH is a Zambian just like him and the other 14 candidates. He has the right to go anywhere in Zambia to campaign. Why is Mr. Lungu blocking him as if this country is his personal property?

My appeal to you men of God is that may you organize yourselves as soon as possible and request for a meeting with president Edgar Lungu where you should counsel him. The mam needs counseling as soon as possible. I doubt if at all he is normal. Even his advisors hate him so much such that they are continuously giving him wrong advice and I can assure you dear clergy that Mr. Lungu will be abandoned when the time to pay for his sins comes.

His behavior doesn’t befit that of a head of state. Please men of God advise Mr. Lungu to stop this perilous route he has taken before this country goes into flames. HH is a peaceful and patient man, and we must thank God for that. If he was like other African opposition leaders we would have experienced civil war a long time ago because he has being greatly abused by this wicked, intolerant, untruthful and hypocritical regime.

To all Zambians, including all the security wings and the Electoral Commission of Zambia, let us not allow one man and his selfish friends to destroy this country. Let’s join hands and denounce the evil conduct of Mr. Edgar Lungu and his entire team. We only have one country to protect.

To the Men of God, don’t forget your assignment, go and give counsel to Mr. Lungu, tell him to stop his wicked ways before the wrath of God falls on him.

Yours Beloved,
Concerned Zambian.

The People of Nakonde in Muchinga Province have said; “Bally FAKA PRESSURE and no weapon fashioned against you, ourselves and Zambia as a whole, shall prosper and that we are RED and READY for Change”.

Our message to them was that; “We have heard and seen for ourselves that you, the lovely people of Nakonde will not only speak through the ballot but also stand and say enough is enough!.

Ba Nakonde, your resilience is unprecedented and this is the same across the Country. What shall we pay you for this noble cause if not unflinching love and unparalleled development!

Like we always say: No one will stand in the way of a decided population and if the plans of those who have failed our Country is to take away our lives so be it, but you Zambians will surely one day hold them accountable, because you have the power to hire and fire like what will happen next week, on 12th August 2021.

No matter what! It’s time for Change.

HH aka Bally
#Time4Change
#Vote4Change
#FakaPressure

Kings Malembe Malembe is not clean, we know his weaknesses -PF member angrily responds over attacks of Joshua Ignila

An angry PF member Chanoda Ngwira has emotionally responded to Gospel artist kings Malembe Malembe for revealing that self-proclaimed prophet Joshua Ignila is an immoral and adulterous person who divorced his wife two years ago.

Ngwira has castigated the gospel artist saying he has overstepped his boundaries by attacking Joshua Ignila who has prophesied that President Lungu will not win the elections.

“I advise my brother and colleague to search himself before judging others coz we have not judged him despite us knowing many of his weaknesses which are in public domain. He needs help and spiritual insights to understand certain things that are beyond him and his well known behavior ”

Meanwhile, Chanoda’s sharp reaction to Kings -whom most PF members see as a defender of President Lungu- has risen suspicions of where Ngwira’s loyalty lies.

In a named PF WhatsApp group, PF members are saying Chanoda Ngwira is behaving like a mercenary from the UPND and is now defending a prophet who is vividly fighting President Lungu on behalf of the opposition.

“After all he was a UPND member and only left after Sata died, for me I can’t be surprised that Chanoda is double-dealing,” one person said.

Chanoda Frackson Ngwira Wrote:

I am a proud member of Champions Royal Assembly under Bro Joshua Ignila, the church has both PF and UPND members, some are MMD, and others belong to other political parties…

The Prophecy by the man of God has been received with mixed feelings especially by us PF members within and outside the church. It has further made UPND members both in and outside the church to start celebrating without knowing and understanding the depth of it.

To UPND members, let’s listen to the Prophecy in its entirety and get the understanding, you will see that HH is said not to be a David but a SOUL under whose rulership people suffered terribly, what does that mean, if by mistake HH rules this country one day, just in case and obviously this is not 2021 coz ECL is definitely winning, the people Will suffer, already that is a warning…

Coming to my fellow PF members both within and outside the church, it is obvious that we could have attached emotions to interpreting the Prophecy which is actually in favour of the PF and Boss ECL despite having used an illustration that has brought an uproar… Let’s take time to understand it very clearly..

Coming to Gospel singers like Kings Mumbi who have gone to an extent of insulting the man of God obviously for purposes of wanting recognition by emotionally charged individuals regards this Prophecy, I advise my brother and colleague to search himself before judging others coz we have not judged him despite us knowing many of his weaknesses which are in public domain. He needs help and spiritual insights to understand certain things that are beyond him and his well known behavior ….

To my party and leadership that I so much love, do not judge us members of that church based on that Prophecy which has generally been misunderstood. We are full time PF and we know ECL and PF are going to be victorious come 12 August, 2021 and some of us have understood the Prophecy in depth ….

Let’s not be quick to interpretation without understanding depths of anything…

Thank you

PeP STATEMENT No.58 ISSUED ON TUESDAY 3rd AUGUST 2021: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

1. As Patriots for Economic Progress (PeP) we are shocked with the impromptu decision by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to suspend all UPND campaigns in Kanyama Constituency on account of the recent violence in which two suspected PF cadres were killed by unknown people. Given that we are barely 9 days away from Election Day, this decision by ECZ effectively gives an undue upper-hand to the PF to win the Kanyama Parliamentary seat.

2. As Patriots for Economic Progress, our considered view is that there is no evidence on the basis on which ECZ should invoke such punitive action against UPND. Up to now, the police have not arrested a single suspect related to the brutal murder of the two alleged PF supporters. The only suspects that the police have arrested are the 42 who were apprehended in Kanyama area during a clean-up operation following the murders, and who were charged with possession of offensive weapons. Therefore, given that there are no suspects that have so far been arrested in relation to the murder of the two alleged PF supporters, it is wrong for ECZ to assume that as and when such suspects are arrested, they will belong to the UPND party. It is further wrong for ECZ to invoke drastic punitive action against the UPND on the basis of an assumption.

3. As Patriots for Economic Progress our expectation is that the only scenario in which ECZ can suspend the political campaigns for UPND while allowing those of PF to proceed in Kanyama is if the police have apprehended the suspects in the murder of the alleged PF supporters and those suspects are UPND members and there is evidence that the two murders were sanctioned by the UPND leadership. Otherwise a political party is a large grouping with very loose entry and exit barriers to membership. That means someone can be a UPND or PeP member in the morning and become a PF member in the afternoon. That means it is wrong for ECZ to seek to punish a political party for the alleged misdeeds of its alleged supporters, unless there is ample evidence that such misdeeds were explicitly sanctioned by the leadership of the political party in question.

4. As Patriots for Economic Progress, we wish to call upon the Electoral Commission of Zambia to immediately lift the suspension of UPND campaign activities in Kanyama Constituency because they lack evidence on which to premise such a drastic action. The overall effect of suspending UPND campaigns while allowing PF to continue with their campaigns in Kanyama is that ECZ is giving the Kanyama Parliamentary seat to the PF on a silver platter. Such an overreach by ECZ in an election as crucial as this one should not be accepted by any well-meaning Zambians. The PF and UPND should be allowed to compete on an equal footing in Kanyama without the effort by ECZ to tilt the scales.

5. As Patriots for Economic Progress, we have no doubt in our minds that the Electoral Commission of Zambia has acted in a biased manner by suspending campaign activities for UPND in Kanyama when the police are still investigating the murders of two alleged PF supporters and they have not yet apprehended any suspects for the murders. If the Commission insists on maintaining their arbitrary and unfounded decision, they risk further losing credibility as a neutral referee in this year’s general elections. Instead Zambians may perceive ECZ as an extension of the PF party. Such a portrayal will have dire consequences on the entire electoral process as most Zambians may find it difficult to accept the electoral outcome, should it be adverse to their expectation. The only way for ECZ to redeem itself is by revoking the suspension of UPND campaign activities in Kanyama, until such a time that they have solid evidence on which to premise their decision.

Thank You and May God Bless the Good Citizens of the Republic of Zambia and Our Ailing Nation.

YOURS SINCERELY

SEAN ENOCK TEMBO (SET)
PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE
PATRIOTS FOR ECONOMIC PROGRESS (PeP)

THE RESULTS OF THIS ELECTION ARE NOT DIFFICULT TO TELL

The Candidates’ Comment Afternoon

With a few days before the eventual casting of votes takes place, many honest analytical people can tell the outcome. Zambians have no better option, among the top contenders in these elections.

It is not a secret that the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) has become undesirable to the people of Zambia. A party that won power on account of being pro-poor has become a corrupt and thugerous get-together of all sorts of crooks.

Many elements in PF are filthy rich but without any businesses or economic activities to point at, to substantiate their wealth. Most – if not all- they have is a sum accumulation of corruption, tenderpreneurship and plunder of taxpayers money through a systematic way embedded under their robust infrastructure development agenda. Most of the monies cited to have been put into infrastructure development in Zambia has ended up in the pockets of crooks in the ruling. By extension, those monies have also gone into the pockets of associates of these elements and their cadres. That is why, a cadre of the ruling PF is very rich today. You may have spent many years studying but you remain a nobody compared to a PF cadre. You may be working in the private or public sector but whatever small change you collect at the end of the month as a salary is nothing compared to the kind of money which the cadres of the ruling party plays with.This country has become a society where the status of a cadre is now equivalent to that of a minister. Given the kind of luxurious lifestyles which PF cadres live, it is now fashionable to be identified as a cadre than any other profession there is. Even when you want to marry, you are respected more if the family you want to marry from learns that you are a cadre of the PF. This is the extent to which cadres in Zambia have gained influence and respect because of the riches they have accumulated from the corruption in the PF administration.

Amidst plenty for these crooks, these jackals, there is hunger and poverty in Zambia. Many people are struggling to make ends meet. It doesn’t matter whether or not you work. Whatever small money that you get paid is being swallowed by the high cost of living. To PF and its supporters, there is no hunger in Zambia and everyone must celebrate whatever things they have built across the country regardless of how questionable the cost is. As such, Zambians are fed up with PF.

On another hand, the main opposition party, the United Party for National Development (UPND) remains an untrusted grouping which appears more of a regionalised party than anything else. This party has struggled to clean itself from a tribal tag and often than not, exhibits high levels of regionalised politics. When you look at UPND very well, it remains a regional party despite it’s cosmetic attempts of renting certain elements from other regions to paint an impression that they have a national character. But regardless of their efforts to rent individuals of certain tribes, their true character is written all over their actions. If you want to know someone, pay less attention to what they say they are but more to their behavior. Look at the adoptions of the UPND in Lusaka. Over 95% of their adopted candidates on all layers of leadership come from one region. Look at their adoption in Central province! Majority of those adopted come from the same region as those adopted in Lusaka. This tells you how regionalised these elements are. If they can be this regionalised in adoptions, what guarantee do Zambians have that if voted for they will not import this tribalism in governance? Further, UPND has some of the most intolerant supporters and members who only believe in their personal feelings and demons. You are not seen as a human being if you hold a different view from these elements.

We dare say- and we know that many honest people agree with us that – regionalism of UPND is as evil as the corruption of PF. Many people detest PF at the moment but many of those that do so are skeptical to trust the UPND. People are saying we know that things are bad under PF but we can’t make a mistake to vote for a tribal party.

It is so much on this basis that one must not fail to see the outcome of these elections which we believe will spill over to a rerun. None between PF and UPND controls the majority of voters to warrant an outright win in the first round. We also know that other parties are too insignificant to amass votes that can change anything for them.

The voting pattern in this election has gone back to its default where UPND will most likely win in Southern, Western, Northwestern and a larger part of Central provinces, as has always been the case. On the other hand, the PF will win in Eastern, Luapula, Northern and Muchinga provinces. While it remains unclear who will win in Copperbelt and Lusaka, whoever gets these two provinces must win with more than 90% for it to make sense in the first round.

WHICH POLITICAL PARTY IS THE MOTHER OF ALL ELECTORAL VIOLENCE?

William Njombo examines details of perpetrators of political violence..

(To be taken by Police officers, CSO leaders, Church Leaders, Political Party Leaders, Voters and the General citizenry.)

Answer all questions. Each question carries 3 marks.

1) Who banned the PF office in Chawama?
2) Who destroyed the UPND office in Kanyama?
3) Who beat up Given Lubinda in Kabwata?
4) Who slapped Chishimba Kambwili in parliament?
5) Who poured water on Kambwili in parliament?

6) Who beat up Sean Tembo in Lsk town?
7) Who threw stones at Nalumango’s helicopter in Kaputa?
8) Who Killed UPND’s Lawrence Banda in Kaoma?
9) Who beat up the Police at Lusaka Central Police station?
10) Who beat up Innocent Kalimanshi at the PF Secretariate in Lusaka?
11) Who was caught with heaps of matchets, pangas and guns in Sesheke during the bye elections?

12) Who are the people that have been storming radio stations, beating up journalists and breaking property during live paud up for programs?
13) Which Political Party cadres stormed the Intercontinental Hotel and disrupted a Law Assiciation of Zambia ( LAZ) organised public meeting on Bill 10?
14) Which political party’s cadres killed UPND’s grazier Matapa in Lusaka’s Mtendere East township?
15) Which political party did those arrested in connection with the countrywide gassing of citizens belong to?

16) Which political party does Innocent Kalimanshi, the self proclaimed American Commander who recently arrested by DEC and the Police for among other offences terrorissing residents of Chawama andbeing found in possession of drugs and assorted iffensive weapons.
17) Which political party’s president retired police officers in public interest for disciplining their violent political party cadres during the Sesheke byelections?
18) Which political party cadres operate the so called Kamugodi base in the Soweto area were people are robbed and tortured?

19) Which political party’s cadres hsve infiltrated the Zambia Police and are being used for police brutality against citizens especially those from the opposition?
20) Which political party cadres are free to extort money in the form of levy from traders in marketers, vendors, taxi and bus drivers and can drive on any dide of the road and at any time without fear of any repercussions?

Your answers to these questions should tell you which political party is the mother of all political violence in Zambia and which must be shown the exit door on 12th August, 2021.

prepared by William Njombo.

Cellular signals: Dismay over possibility of internet blackout during Zambia’s August general election

By Peter Fabricius, Daily Maverick • 2nd August 2021

Cellular providers MTN and Airtel cannot promise that they won’t shut down services during the Zambian elections.

Zambia’s main opposition party is disappointed that the country’s two biggest cellular companies – MTN and Airtel – cannot guarantee that they will not shut down internet access over the 12 August general election.

Opposition parties and civil society widely expect President Edgar Lungu’s government to black out the internet and social media to prevent independent reporting, and monitoring of the results. Opposition parties say a blackout could frustrate their efforts to send final campaign messages, to inform their supporters of where and how to vote, and to report incidents of violence, intimidation and electoral irregularities on social media.

Governments also often block cellphone signals to stop opposition supporters from rallying in protest if they suspect the results have been rigged.

MTN told DM168 that the group and its subsidiaries, including MTN Zambia, respected digital human rights, including “the right to communicate, to share information freely and responsibly, and to enjoy privacy and security regarding their data and their use of digital communications”.

MTN said if the Zambian government ordered it to shut down its services during the elections, the company would have to consider the order in light of its digital human rights policy. But MTN did not say that it would not shut down its services or censor them. And the company confirmed that it had shut down in four other African countries recently during unrest.

“In all cases, restricting access to the internet is a last resort,” an MTN spokesperson said.

Lungu is facing a major challenge from Hakainde Hichilema, leader of the United Party for National Development (UPND) who came close to beating him in the 2015 and 2016 presidential elections. UPND Secretary-General Batuke Imenda told DM168: “We are disappointed that MTN and Airtel, as Zambia’s two biggest telecommunications providers, will not guarantee to protect internet access ahead of the general election on 12 August and stand up against any attempts by the government to infringe [on] the digital rights of citizens.

“Combined access to data and internet connectivity is an essential requirement for a free, fair and credible election. There is a distinct possibility that the government will instruct Zambia’s telecommunications companies to shut down the internet in an attempt to subvert the democratic will of the people. Any throttling of the internet, blocking of social media/instant messaging platforms and internet shutdowns will compromise the freedom and fairness of the election.

“Further, shutting down the internet is a violation of the fundamental rights and freedoms of citizens being contrary to Article (20) of the Constitution of Zambia. The tactics to shut down the internet is dictatorial and a serious indictment on freedom of expression.

“These tactics deny voters access to information about the election, including where and how to vote. Importantly, the government of Zambia is also aimed at preventing election monitors [including observation missions] from communicating and carrying out independent monitoring of the voting and counting process.

“We call upon both MTN and Airtel to take a clear stance in support of human rights and democracy by declaring their opposition to any instruction to throttle or shut down the internet and block access to social media and instant-messaging platforms.

“They should furthermore indicate publicly what steps they will be taking to engage with government to pre-empt any unlawful instruction.”

In response to questions about how it would respond if the Zambian government instructed it to black out signal over the election period, MTN said: “MTN Group believes that everyone deserves the benefits of a modern connected life and our priority is always to provide customers with full access to our network.” MTN endorsed the United Nations (UN) stance “that the rights held by people offline must also be protected online”.

“Our response to digital human rights is underpinned by a sound group-wide policy and due diligence framework. In all cases, restricting access to the internet is a last resort. Should MTN Zambia receive an instruction to shut down the internet, we would first have to check the terms of our licence and ensure that we comply with our licence conditions.” MTN would review the directive against the group’s digital human rights policy and due diligence framework, guided by the UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights framework.

MTN was engaging with stakeholders, including industry players and regulatory authorities, to assess the likelihood of a potential request for an internet shutdown, to identify “potential mitigations” and “manage any potential situation as effectively as possible.”

“As part of our due diligence framework, MTN works to limit the scope, extent, or duration of any human rights impacts.”

DM168 asked MTN if it would comply with a request by the Zambian authorities to censor text messages to remove the names of opposition candidates, as cellular companies did during the recent Tanzanian elections. MTN said it was “politically impartial in all its operations and does not subscribe to any political party, movement, or affiliation” but would evaluate such a request from either governmental or non-governmental bodies to see if the requests were legal. “Even as a major player in many markets, we cannot presume that we can influence these events upfront,” MTN said, adding that it recognised it had a role of “advocating globally for respect of digital human rights”.

Asked if it would consider pulling out of Zambia if asked to shut or censor its transmission, the company said it would do “a robust risk assessment before any decision is taken to exit a market”, taking into account numerous factors, including human rights and stakeholders’ perspectives.

“Many of the markets in which MTN operates have the lowest mobile penetration rates globally. Investing in these markets allows MTN to provide vital communications services, ensuring people have access to basic and emergency services and a means of sharing information and staying connected.

“MTN’s presence enables people to realise their basic human rights. Notwithstanding, the risk of human rights incidents in our countries of operation exists. Such risks are a factor of doing business in these markets and these are not strictly limited to MTN.”

DM168 asked MTN for examples where it had shut down or censored communications for governments and why this was done.

“In 2020, MTN received three major requests by authorities, legally permitted by applicable laws or by virtue of a court order, obliging MTN to block or suspend internet or social media services or websites.

“These were in Sudan, Guinea-Conakry and Nigeria, and these incidents took place during times of political or social unrest.

“As an example, in June 2020, Sudan experienced a month-long near-total internet shutdown due to unrest in the country. MTN Sudan followed the Group’s due diligence process, which included understanding the options available before making any decision to comply or reject the requests to shut down services. The process also considered the safety and security risks to employees, customers, and operations. MTN Sudan was commended by its customers for being one of the last operators to shut down and one of the first to reinstate services.

“In late June 2021, during social unrest in Eswatini, MTN Eswatini received a directive from the communications regulator to shut down access to social media and online messaging platforms. After extensive engagements with all relevant stakeholders, MTN resumed the provision of full internet services nine days after complying with the directive.” DM168

This story first appeared in our weekly Daily Maverick 168 newspaper which is available for R25 at Pick n Pay, Exclusive Books and airport bookstores. For your nearest stockist, please click here.

Credit: Daily Maverick

By Kalapashi

First and foremost I must say that the killing of the two PF cadres, Danny Chingangu and Teddy, in Kanyama two days ago is regrettable and is something that should never happen in a democracy and a peace loving country like ours.

To the issue at hand.
The immediate allegation is that the dual were murdered by UPND cadres who have since been arrested and detained.

But does such a killer fit the profile of a UPND cadre, let alone a UPND female cadre? UPND cadres are ordinarily afraid of their PF counterparts and rarely walk around in their party regalia expect where ‘safety of numbers’, grants security.

So how possible is it that these three young people, among them a female, in their mid twenties, wearing UPND regalia, at night, deep in Kanyama, walked bravery to a PF camp and located their victims and started hucking them until they died? Where were the other PF cadres? Did the victims cry for help?

And this incident happened out of nowhere without there being a political event in Kanyama specifically near the said PF camp?

On the other hand it is just too difficult not to think that this could have been a doing of PF cadres. After all this is not the first time such could have happened.

In 2012 Menyani Zulu a PF cadre was killed during a by-election in Chongwe. Initially blame was put on the UPND resulting in some UPND members being arrested and detained by police. But the final report showed that Zulu was killed by his fellow PF cadres during a fight for campaign ration money.

In 2013 during another by-election, in Livingstone, another PF cadre, Harrison Chanda, was brutally murdered. Again the accusing finger initially pointed at the UPND.

Senior UPND leaders in that campaign were rounded up among them party leader Hakainde Hichilema, Mazabuka MP Gary Nkombo and former Livingstone mayor Aggrey Njekwa. Hichilema was accused of inciting violence while Nkombo and Njekwa were charged with murder.

But investigation revealed that the real killer was a PF member Henry Lungu. The investigation report stated that Chanda and Lungu differed over campaign funds, again.

We could go on listing such similar happenings.

The volcano that is the PF civil war never quite dies, it only simmers down and erupts from time to time. Recently this PF volcano erupted following the beating of Innocent Kalimanshi at the party secretariat during the Kambwili return ceremony. Since then rival groups, mostly in Chiwama, have been at war, threatening each other on social media platforms, fighting bloody street battles where innocent passers-by have been caught up and eventually culminated in the breaking and burning down of the PF offices in Chawama.

The recent arresting and detation of Innocent Kalimanshi by the DEC on allegations of being in possession of cannabis did not help matters. Black Apple, Kalimanshi’s number 2 in the gang, ama Americans, immediately recorded a video where he accused rival groups at Intercity, lead by Eddie Gowa, and another at ‘Kamugodi’ in Chibolya. Black Apple also threatened the DEC director general and accused him of working with ama Americans’ rival gangs, induced by corruption. In that video Black Apple just fell short of declaring war on Intercity and Kamugodi, both based in Kanyama constituency.

In view of all this, could it be possible that the war that had been ragging among Chawama PF gangs has just crossed the Great North road into Kanyama?

There is another angle.

It’s a well noted pattern that the PF default to violence whenever they feel their backs against the wall in an election. They do this to induce fear and at the same time heap the blame on their opponents. This was the case in both the 2015 and 2016 elections and was heightened in bye-elections from Chongwe, to Livingstone, to Mulobezi, to Sesheke, to Kaoma.

It’s not a secret that the PF have found the 2021 campaign season a very tough one occasioned by a melting economy, increasing lawlessness and unrelenting corruption. They have failed to find a song with the kind of influence that ‘dununa reverse’ had in 2016. Similarly, the public has rejected their tribal message with key opinion influencers openily condemning the divisive rhetoric.

Could it therefore be a mere coincidence that PF spin doctors have been building a narrative, in the past few days, of the UPND being a violent party and, boom, two people are killed in Kanyama?

By Venus N Msyani, Concerned citizen

As the August 12 election approaches help Zambia leave no stone unturned. It has come to light that the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has not done enough job on educating people on 50%+1 vote clause.

Some Zambians still don’t understand why others say Hakainde Hichilema lost to president Edgar Lungu by 13 000 votes in the 2016 general election and ignoring them is a threat to post August 12 election peace.

To make the matter worse, even the president himself seem not to believe that he won by that number.

Various comments on the article Simple math favors opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema, which also appeared under the headline The real battle is between the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) and the Ruling Patriotic Front (PF) on Lusaka Times lead to this conclusion. And also, a post on Zambian Eye news.

“I stopped reading at “In the 2016 general election Hakainde lost again but managed to cut the margin to half. He lost by only about 13 000 votes.” This is clearly Under 5 thinking at it’s why Under 5 supporters will cry. Over 100, 000 is now 13 000? Anyway, let me just end here.” Someone with a pseudonym Kawasaki commented.

Another comment by another pseudonym Wondering: I thought HH lost by a margin of about 100,000 votes in 2016? I stand to be corrected? Where has the 13,000 come from?
“I won by 100 000 in 2016 and this time around I will win by 500 000 votes.” Zambian Eye News quotes president Edgar Lungu.

Talking about it. 6,698,372 registered to vote in 2016 and 3, 695,710 cast their votes. The Patriotic Front (PF) received 1,860,877 votes while United Party for National Development (UPND) received 1,760,347 and the rest went to miscellaneous parties.

Under the 50%+1 clause, one needs to cross the line, which is 50% of the votes in order to win the Zambian presidency. Hence, what matters under the 50%+1vote clause is the percentage above the line.

It is true the vote difference in 2016 was a little bit above a hundred thousand but what made Lungu a winner was +0.35%. Otherwise, the election was headed for a rerun.

Edgar Lungu won by about 13 000 votes, which is a total vote cast (3,695,7100) times 0.35/100. In short, 13000 votes are votes that helped Lungu meet the 50%+1 clause.

Sounds simple but not to be taken for granted. Anyone with a better understanding or explanation should not hesitate to share. No stone should be left unturned to avoid post-election confusion.

By Ulande Nkomesha,

UPND chairperson for elections Gary Nkombo says the country needs explanation as to why unknown cargo was transported together with ballot papers.

During the arrival of the last consignment of ballot papers, unknown cargo was seen being offloaded from the Emirates flight which was assigned to transport ballot papers. Upon opening the unknown cargo, it was discovered that some of it were batteries and mobile phones, while other boxes could not be opened.

Speaking to journalists, Saturday, Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) acting chief elections officer Royd Katongo said the Commission was also waiting for an explanation from Emirates.

“I think that matter has been addressed from the time we were beginning the verification, the Commission talked to that. The Chairperson had guided as to how we will proceed as ECZ. The brief summary is that even us as the Commission we are an interested party in this matter. Emirates are looking into the matter, they are investigating the matter, they are the ones who carried the cargo. As a Commission we are also waiting for Emirates to come back to us as [to] what had transpired,” said Katongo.

Speaking during a press briefing, Sunday, Nkombo said ECZ owed the Zambian people an explanation on the matter.

“The ECZ owes this country an explanation and this time we are writing a letter to Emirates, the airline that brought the ballot papers, for them to explain how cargo that was not on the manifest could find itself in the boxes where the ballot papers are. Where did these phones come from? Who is the consigner? Who is the consignee? What is the purpose of these particular gadgets that came without a document trail? What are they for? Could it be true and I hate to be an advocate of doom, what we heard is that they intend to do what the Ugandans did to shut the internet on the day of the elections so that the election’s management of results is tempered with. We would like to send a warning to ECZ, those phones must be displayed by all interested parties and quarantined very far away from this election process,” Nkombo said.

Nkombo said the gadgets that were transported together with the ballot papers should be burnt in full view of the public.

“These are the things that bring consternation in a nation, these are the things that bring anxiety in a country. Judge Chulu, this is basically on you bwana, whose phones are those? What are they for? How come there is no explanation about these phones? Remember you can fool people sometimes but you can never fool people every time. Every dog has its own day. You have manipulated the country for far too long. The things are now coming back around, the chickens are now coming to roost,” Nkombo said.

“We demand an explanation from the ECZ, tell us who those gadgets are for and we demand that they must be displayed in a public place and be burnt. They must be burnt! We are not going to an election which has already been decided. We are informed that there are also welding machines in there, did they go for a business trip? Zambians wake up! ECZ is using you. You must explain to us Judge Chulu, Nshindano, if those things are yours for domestic use, why did you consign them with public materials? This is what causes consternation. We are not going to take this with our arms folded, we want answers, we want to give us answers tomorrow. We cannot sleep on a matter such as this one. You are putting this country in harm’s way.”

Meanwhile UPND national youth spokesperson Gilbert Liswaniso accused the Zambia police of not thoroughly investigating the violence that happened in Kanyama on Friday that left two PF supporters dead.

“I want to make it very clear that among the two people who died the day before yesterday, Danny Chingangu is our member. Danny Chingangu has been our member, our vice security chairman for Chinika Ward. The PF they know, the police know. Two weeks ago, Chingangu was arrested at City Market. The records are there and he was given a case of malicious conduct. Yesterday, madam Charity Katanga was quick to say things which are not there. What happened in Kanyama the day before yesterday, it was not the UPND that went to the PF camp, our two members went to the market to go and buy relish so that they could take to the campaign centre. Then they were followed by eight or nine PF youths,” said Liswaniso.

“When they reached near our campaign centre that is how our members were beaten. The good part of it is that the community came together and protected our members. When they were defeated, they went back again to recruit people to go and attack back. In that process our member was killed. Even the police who took those bodies are aware of what happened. Yesterday Charity Katanga was quick to arrest our members than investigating the matter.- News Diggers!

By Kapya Kaoma

Prof. Nkandu Luo’s execrable claim that Hakainde Hichilema is paid by the African Liberal Network to allow same-sex marriage, and revoke the declaration of Zambia as a Christian nation once in power made me wonder if being PF turns public intellectuals into Political Fools. Prof. Luo’s claims are ridiculously insane except for the outlandish harm it may cause to the already demonized gay community.

The homosexualization of HH was expected, but coming from Prof. Luo is simply jaw-dropping. In Trumpian style, and with her mouth covered in a mask, she openly buried her reputation in Kasempa among pastors–ignoring the ninth commandment–“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor” (Exodus 20:16). The Zambian Constitution does not allow same-sex marriage, and the declaration is enshrined in the Constitution. HH couldn’t allow same-sex marriage or remove the declaration without amending the Constitution. Only a fool can be duped by such a fib

Prof. Luo’s goal is to use the public disgust attached to homosexuality to enchant Christian fundamentalists into voting for the PF. History is not starved of the truth– gays have not stolen from us, her party has; gays haven’t killed or terrorized innocent Zambians for supporting the opposition, PF cadres have; gays haven’t watched our children die from curable illnesses while their own are flown to South Africa and Europe to be treated by gay doctors, Luo’s cadres have been the beneficiaries. So why sacrifice gays for corruption brought about by the Lungu administration?

Prof. Luo is highly concerned about homosexuals. Yet Zambians care more about the quality of their life than a gay person, a drunk, or sex worker roaming the streets. They want a president who fires and prosecute corrupt ministers more than the one who sniffs for “sinful” homosexuals in every hotel or guest room on taxpayers funds. Zambians want a president who treats them as human beings, who promises to protect their human rights, create jobs, and ensure that every Zambian has access to safe drinking water, sanitation and of course basic living standards. This is the Lungu she should be selling to voters!

Prof. Luo wholly knows. Hakainde Hichilema is just as homophobic as Lungu and his association with the African Liberal Network doesn’t change it. Even if he supported gay rights, he wouldn’t be alone. Many Zambians have links to gay affirming organizations–FIFA, English Premier League, World Vision, World Health Organization, Bread for the World, the World Council of Churches, the World Bank, the IMF, the European Union, the UK, the U. S., the United Nations, and African Union Human Rights and Peoples’ Rights Commission–the list is endless. Like HH, both Lungu and herself have personal dealings with some of these organizations.

On June 30, 2016, the United Nation Human Rights Council adopted the resolution to decriminalize homosexuality and protect gay persons. Two years earlier, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights called for the decriminalization of homosexuality and the protection of gay persons in Africa. Since then, Angola, Mozambique and Botswana have decriminalized homosexuality, and Namibia is to follow. South Africa is the first country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage. Is Prof. Luo suggesting that Zambians should vote out the PF for associating with all these institutions and nations?

The Trumpian bigotry expressed by Luo betrays the very title ‘professor’–she is an embarrassment to the academy! The HH team should be cognizant of her game–it is time to empty the kitchen sink. The PF loves the gay whoopla and it works–it ignites Zambians into blaming their misery on homosexuals as opposed to those in power. But life is not short on factuality; homosexuality does not put food on our table–it is a private matter. Even if gays are headed to hell, like drunkards, it is none of Luo’s or her pastors’ business.

What mournful dirge should I sing for the once respectable Prof. Luo has stooped to the level of Mwila, Kambwili and GBM? Poor young women in shame now dwell, for once a political model, her integrity and dignity in Kasempa lost! She goes down in history as a liar in a mask!

Notably despicable is also for men and women of the cloth to continue shouting the “Christian nation” mantra in exchange for brown envelopes filled with blood money–the funds that would have saved many lives had it been spent on health care. Pastors must be prophetic enough to speak truth to power. But who can when pastors compete for the President’s wallet shouting, “give me a brown envelope, and I will give you a prophecy?

Thus says the Lord. Homosexuals are behind Zambia’s economic, political and ethnic woes. Alebwelelapo! Amen!”

Kwacha Appreciation attributed To External Debt Defaults – Kanyama.

Lusaka – 1st August, 2021.

[ZBT] Former ZNBC Director General and leading Economist Chibamba Kanyama has disclosed that what is helping the Kwacha to appreciate is the fact that Zambia is currently not servicing any of her [US dollar denominated] external debt, which is resulting in the economy accumulating some reserves.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with the Zambian Business Times (ZBT), Kanyama said the major reason why the local currency is in the position it is right now apart from the [improved] copper revenue, is the fact that Zambia is not servicing external debt.

He said it is currently difficult to state or know whether the current appreciation of the Kwacha will last or not because it is not based on fundamentals but on defaulting on debt repayments.

“The major reason the Kwacha is where it is now apart from the copper revenue, is that we are not servicing external debts. We have been defaulting on external debt since last year. Imagine if we were paying as we were supposed to be paying this debt, we would not have a big reserve right now. We would not have the dollars because it could have been going to the creditors now because we are not paying them we have accumulated enough dollars,” Kanyama said.

He said, “all we have done as a country is to postpone a problem to the future but one thing you should remember is that people we are defaulting to do not mind much because they are charging us interest on interests.”

Kanyama explained that the fund holders and creditors were currently charging penalties on the interest and not on the principle. He revealed that currently the penalties for defaulting are standing at over US$1 billion.

“They are charging on interest alone not the principle amount, it is the penalty on default not the interest repayment on the principle but penalties for defaulting are now over US$1billion. So they are actually happy because they know that we won’t default for a long term, so the longer we take to pay them the more debt we accumulate and the more money they will make out of us,” Kanyama revealed.

He said, “For us, we are saying at least here, it’s okay, we need to survive because of the things happening around so let us not pay them so that we can use the money to prop-up the Kwacha.”

Kanyama said this is why it is difficult to know whether this kwacha position will last or not because the money being used to strengthen and increase supply in the market is not ours but money owed to the creditors.

“So instead of getting the dollars from the market, we are holding on to the reserves we are having from copper and so on, to pump into the market instead so that the kwacha is stable. But, there will come a time when we will have to pay back, and it will be bigger than what we should have been paying because we have been defaulting,” he added.

The Kwacha has poster over five percent gain in the last two weeks against major convertible currencies such as the US dollar. It has even breached the 1US$ per K18 range with Kasumbalesa (a forex hotspot) bureau de change rates trading at US$1 to K18.1 to K18.4 range. Bank rates in the capital Lusaka are still trading in the K19 per dollar range.

©Eagle One Zambia 2021, Inc.
Journalism for social change

BIZWELL MUTALE CASTIGATES UPND FOR THE GRUESOME MURDER OF PF MEMBERS
…….says they have resorted to violence because they don’t stand a chance to win elections
Lusaka…Sunday, August 1, 2021(Smart Eagles)
Ruling Patriotic Front Member of the National Mobilization Committee Mr Bizwell Mutale has castigated the opposition UPND Leader for being silent over the death of two members of the ruling party.

Danny Kasongo and Teddy, both members of the ruling party were yesterday killed in Kanyama by UPND thugs.
Speaking when he visited the family of the late Kasongo today, Mr Mutale said after donating 10 bags of meali meal that the late was killed by the said thugs for simply belonging to the ruling party.

He explained that unlike the opposition UPND, members of the ruling party have been peaceful following the signing on the peace accord ahead of the polls.
Mr Mutale said the opposition party has resorted to violence because they are aware that they are losing the elections.

“The death of Danny was not an accident. It was total murder. They knew that he was a PF member and they went and murdered him based on that….We are concerned as a party, we are concerned as a country,” he said.

“PF did not retaliate, not even throwing a stone because we want to adhere to the peace accord that was signed at Mulungushi. To date, our opposition leader (Hakainde Hichilema) has failed to denounce violence, even in this kind of the tragedy.”

He mentioned that His Excellency President Edgar Chagwa Lungu uses every opportunity to denounce violence, something that Mr Hichilema fails to do.

“President Edgar Chagwa Lungu has been using every platform to denounce violence, something Hichilema is failing to do. This is terrorism,” he said.

“The opposition have no chance in this country to win the election. President Edgar Chagwa Lungu has maintained peace and he is winning this election. The blood for those that have died at the hands of the UPND have given us direction.”

Meanwhile, Mutale has encourage the family to be strong adding that the party is with them.
“We are with you and we are not leaving you alone. You are part of the big family, the PF,” he said.

“What has happened won’t just go down like this. When one goes down we all go down and we stand together. Touch one of us you touch all of us. This is the country that is One Zambia One Nation. Blood will not spill for one to take power in this country.”

And Gift Kasonde, the immediate elder brother to the deceased said Danny was not just a member of the ruling party but also a bread winner.

He however called on government to handle the ‘painful’ murder case diligently.
Mr Kasonde added that government and the party should intervene to ensure that dependants for the deceased continue receiving the necessary help.

He also commended the ruling party for the love and care they have showed.
#SmartEagles2021

HA! ANTONIO MWANZA SO, IT WAS A PF PROJECT TO KILL TWO?

When you hear of a major incident occurring and Antonio Mwanza and Ntewewe show up.
Then, you know, PF is involved. Previously before Tayali fell from grace, we could have heard his voice as well.Remember when the PF gassed us, when they burnt our markets and when they killed two people at Police HQs, all these characters came up with accusations and today the rest is history.

Most recently Chisokone market was set ablaze and we heard the usual suspects running to the scene and made all sort of pledges to the marketeers being an election season. Your guess as to who burnt the market is as good as mine.To solve any big crime, the first thing we do is, find the motive.Those that listened to the most publicized PF media Director’s comments would have no problem in noticing what the motive was for the two kills in Kanyama. At the same time PF has shielded the machet and gun fight that took place last week in the presence of PF SG Mwila in Chawama between PF intercity vs Chawama camp.

According to police and intelligence sources three PF are suspected to have been killed during the infight and who knows may those the bodies they later dumped in Kanyama.

Antonio even went on to give a profile of suspects. Uh! All from the PF Secretariat.
Last week on this platform we published a story of PF stockpiling slushers, pick handles, machetes,guns etc. We pleaded with Kakoma Kanganja to close those camps and help protect his own officers who will be deployed in polling stations against an attack aimed at rigging elections for PF. Antonio Mwanza has outlined this in his comments tbank God.

In our other article, we pleaded with Lungu to appoint Antonio Mwanza as inspector General of Police. People thought that was comedy. It was all because, Mwanza is making job of the Police IG very difficult. Today Kanganja has two murders to solve but, to achieve that objective he first needs to prove Antonio Mwanza is a liar. Can Kanganja do that? Your guess is as good as mine. Antonio Mwanza my question is, is it worthy it to kill people in Kanyama just for elections?

PF is desperate to clean it’s image at all cost. If it means killing to achieve that, they will do it without any second thought just like we have consistently warned about that. Even the way systems have been drafted by the so called stakeholders you can tell that PF is involved. When did ECZ ever warn any thing to do with PF violence in an election? Remember how Lawrence Banda, Mapenzi Chibulo and Obed Bwalya Kasongo were killed. Did we here ECZ and Edgar Chagwa Lungu saying anything? Not at all.

Those that listened to statements by ECZ, Police, PF media Director etc would have established the motive for those kills. Antonio has even given a profile for the suspects. Profiling suspects in murders, requires the involvement of highly trained profilers. But, Antonio did it with easy at PF Secretariat.
Even before investigation, ECZ has already started sounding like the violence was perpetrated against the dead. Where as the two purported PF members were just bystanders.
Police on the other hand, has conveniently nabbed suspects who are not only in UPND regalia but, have confessed to be members of the UPND.Since when has police started reporting preliminary inquiries to the public? Yes, what you are thinking about is true.

The police is telling us that a person has murdered two people. A day later, police go to where it happened and look for suspects and conveniently find them still dressed in UPND regalia, anyway.According to the clue provided by Mwanza, here is what we expect from this investigation:

1. An independent investigation be instituted. I support prosecution led investigation
2. Get fingerprints for those dead two and the suspects.
3. Take the finger prints to the finger print database bureau for analysis.
4. Finger prints will have a match to released prisoners on death row mark my words
5. Tell the nation when those prisoners were released and under whose order if not Edgar Lungu

Just that, this case will be solved. Can this be done, considering that groups that should do a good job have started playing to gallery.
The motive for the killing is to have UPND punished and divert public attention from an illegal contraband brought in by ECZ on chartered planes. He/she who stands to benefit from the two motives is our prime suspect, as simple as that, case closed.

Sikaile C Sikaile
Good Governance and Human Rights Activist for Zambia and Amnesty International