THE Lusaka Magistrate’s Court has acquitted the five PF cadres who damaged self-proclaimed PF national commander Innocent Kalimanshi’s a vehicle during intraparty violence which characterised the party secretariat on May 1 of malicious damage to property.
This was after Kalimanshi withdrew his complaint against his attackers before magistrate Faides Hamaundu.
Bright Musonda, 38, a businessman, Keith Musonda 45, businessman, Kelvin Chisanga, a youth treasurer, Gift Lupiya, 34, a politician, and Nector Sinyangwe, 34, a youth chairman on May 1, willfully and unlawfully damaged an unregistered Ford Ranger belonging to Kalimanshi, which is valued at K700,000.
When the matter came up on Friday, Kalimanshi told the court that he did not wish to have the accused prosecuted as he had forgiven them.
Magistrate Hamaundu allowed Kalimanshi to withdraw the charge and acquitted the accused persons.
Speaking after the court session, Kalimanshi said he did not want his attackers to be sent to jail and have the party to blame for their misfortune.
“Nasala ukubelela, pali inonshita epo mfikile namumfwa age yandi, inkwete 40 years, elo muma politics nakokolamo sana, cifwile caba cisambililo kuli onse uuleba muma politics. Ama politics luse noku sunga abantu (I have decided to forgive them looking at my age; I am 40 and I have been in politics for a long time, what happened should serve as an example to everyone engaging in politics. Politics is about forgiveness and service to people),” Kalimanshi said.
“As ‘Americans’ for Edgar Chagwa, our aim is to bring people together and not to lose any sheep. Even those who do bad, you have to be good to them so that they know that politics is a service to people and not being violent.”
He said the party has not yet compensated him for the damage that was caused to his car but he decided to sort out his differences with fellow party members so that they help the President.
” If I take my brothers to prison, they have families and the said families will begin to think that the PF has jailed their relatives, so we have to show leadership,” he said.
Asked if he had easily forgotten about his vehicle, Kalimanshi said “cilya cipe ficili fileisa, palwandi nga group yesu, Lesa alitupala sana fikamoneka (that is just property I will recoup more, God always blesses me and my troops, he will reimburse whatever I lost.”
And Kalimanshi’s ally, Nathan Phiri, said he was happy that Kalimanshi had reconciled with his attackers.
“We are no longer future leaders, we are the current leaders, so when you want to become a leader, you have to face challenges, so this is a challenge, we don’t want to leave Zambia in a bad spirit where you find that our own children will be fighting amongst themselves. Even those who are fond of fighting others, this is a lesson to them. We have one Zambia one nation. We need to move forward and continue supporting the President.”
GBM AND HIS MISSION TO DISMANTLE UPND MAKES HIM A HARDCORE CRIMINAL
It all started with firee (three), do I take you back to PF? That marked the return of not so mighty GBM.At this press briefing, Mr GBM assured the listening PF cadres that he was going to dismantle UPND on the Northern circuit of our country. However, after so many years of him camping in Kasama UPND has continued to gain popularity making us wonder what UPND he was dismantling. Though I am afraid we took his statement in a literal sense.
If we look at events as they unfolded, it is easy to tell what GBM intended. GBM wants to vilify imprison or even kill HH as a way of dismantling UPND and proving his political worthy to Lungu and PF government. GBM does not want the UPND presidency because they would be no money to throw around. The kind of money GBM thrives on making a rich person.When GBM left UPND, he propagated a particular theory in which he indicated that HH does not eat with people. He wanted to portray him as wa kaso. If you followed what HH relatives did say at press briefing, you would easily tell, GBM was the master minder of these hostage taking place.I am only happy the Zambian citizens all saw that ploy for what it was, fake.
Operation dismantle UPND started when GBM was still in UPND and continued thereafter, target HH. Have we not wondered why GBM was never arrested in a bogus treason case and CK threatened to spill beans after failing to achieve the mission impossible of destroying the alliance. He is the man who guided PF with UPND travel schedule one of our state house impeccable sources discloses.Maybe we have forgotten, during gassing he told the public that he knew who funded the gassing, but to date he has not been arrested and Mr Lungu is not interested any more in telling you voters who gassed the country. He again wanted to use a government sponsored operation to implicate HH the source charges. May be we have forgotten when GBM was minister of defense and Mr Lungu home affairs minister they ( PF ), dispatched a group of PF cadres to train in Sudan and him confessed how they infiltrated the police with PF cadres.
Today, GBM has picked and funded relatives to HH, sheltered them in Honourable Kambwili’s house to try and paint HH ati wakaso and draft a fake criminal charge to prevent HH filing in nomination. On the filing of nominations they wanted to claim one or two documents had errors but intelligence officers warned them that the cloud outside would not accept.Thank you Zambians for turning up in big numbers.
Fellow country men and women, we are saddened by the videos we published last night showing clearly how the PF wanted to block HH from filing in by abducting his family and holding them hostage. There are four culprits in the front line of these capital offences GBM, CK, KACHINGWE and another man all working under the instructions of president Edgar Lungu and state house. Following Tayali’s revelation that president Edgar Lungu funds all these criminal activities we agree because we have always told the nation that state house now is a center for criminal activities and nolonger a sacred house.A quick recap of why we are here. Early this year and late last year we got intelligence information through our impeccable sources within PF and state security showing clearly how PF regime would be involved in criminals activities ahead of the August elections.
As patriots of this country we alerted the serious covert issues to the office of the United Nations secretary general and Amnesty International so that one day there is a reference. We have since kept all the correspondences during the submission of these reports and should PF go ahead to cause war or trouble after the August elections, the UN will have themselves to blame for failing to come and stop these criminal activities. All we hope for is that they (UN), are watching the PF government closely.
In the same report we made available to the international community, we published the list of all citizens who have been killed by PF regime and one citizen among the victims is a youth Lawrence Banda were later it was reviewed by another PF cadre Innocent Kalimanshi close to president Lungu that he ( Lawrence Banda) was shot by a PF cadre named Francis Muchemwa a son to Mr Kachingwe who is now abducting citizens with GBM. This suspect is, always at state house under president Edgar Lungu’s protection.
You can now see why president Edgar Lungu despite keeping this man Francis Kachingwe, Mr Lungu never took any action because it seems both Mr Richard Kachingwe and his son are agents of criminal activities.
We therefore want to remind Mr Kachingwe, son and all those involved in the abduction of the Hichilema’s family that God is watching and the time has come for Zambians to judge for themselves. And again we know that these criminal activities are fully funded by state in fact, by president Edgar Lungu himself. Because without him being involved by now Francis, his father, GBM, CK and others would have been locked up for abduction charges as indicated in the videos we just published. This is why late last year in one of our articles we advised citizens to take these elections like one is choosing a life partner, when looking for a wife or husband you take serious action because that’s your life. Take these elections very seriously and vote out criminals, murderers and thieves or else there will be no Zambia to talk about should they come back.
Sikaile sikaile
Good Governance and Human Rights Activist for Zambia and Amnesty International
Happy Africa Freedom Day
( fwevashala tuli ba ngwele as they say )
*Sishuwa Sishuwa, Pilato and Zambia’s 21st Century Freedom Fighters*
Happy African Freedom Day Dr. Sishuwa Sishuwa! Today we remember those who put their lives on the line to liberate African states from its colonial masters. I am talking about Nelson Mandela, Kenneth David Kaunda, Uhuru Kenyatta, Nkwame Nkhrumah, Jurius Nyerere, Leopold Sehor, Ken Saro Wiwa, Samora Machel, Queen Nzinga, Milton Obote, Mrcus Garvey, Lucky Philip Dube, Chinue Achebe, Thomas Sankara and Maybe Robert Mugabe too.
Indeed, Africa owe its freedom to the above mentioned and many more who selflessly put their nations above self-gains; make no mistake about it, these guys could have easily cashed out on their influence to allow the white minority continue ruling, the idea of side kicks is no new phenomenon, it was birthed as soon as the first human being was born. That the above choose their nations over the riches of this world is enough reason to rejoice today un apologetically.
Twenty or so years have gone by since the last African Nation got independence from the West. Today Africa yet again finds itself in desperate need to be liberated, only this time from its own people! Luck enough for countries like Zambia, it has individuals of high moral standing and integrity who have not only demonstrated that they can fight and defend the country and its constitution but also not shaken by big money offers from oppressors. Here I am talking about individuals like Laura Miti, Linda Kasonde, musician Chama Fumba, John Sangwa, and of course Dr. Sishuwa Sishuwa. These individuals deserve as much appreciation as those who began the freedom struggle in Zambia, for what is a plant abandoned at germination? Theirs has been defending the freedoms our forefathers died for, how difficult it must have been.
I do recognize the fact that not every reader to this piece will appreciate outrightly why the above-mentioned individuals deserve prominent mention on a day like this set aside only for heroes of Africa, that’s why I further take a bit of trouble to highlight below how these individuals have contributed so much to Zambia’s 21st century relative freedom. I must mention here that I don’t intend to do this in chronological order.
*Dr. Sishuwa Sishuwa*: Before I say a word about him, I must make a prophesy, I am not a classical papa and neither do I wish I was one, but “Sishuwa will lose his UNZA job if PF wins the August 12 polls,”. In fact, he might lose it even before the election itself. His has been strong activism against injustice and poor governance by the PF administration. His impeccable drive for truth and justice has been a bother to Edgar and his friends, no wonder they want him behind bars for a non-existent sedition charge after a soul touching article in which he highlighted the dangers that lay ahead should something cannibal happen in the way this year’s election is handled. I haven’t even mentioned here that he and Linda have actually petitioned Lungu’s eligibility before the courts of Law. By actually doing that, Sishuwa did not only promote himself to the rank of a frustrated academician as far as PF is concerned but a political enemy too. Kennedy Kamba, the PF Lusaka Chair described Sangwa as a political enemy who should be treated as such. With Sishuwa having petitioned Mr. Lungu’s eligibility, forgive me for thinking Kamba will call another presser for purposes of adding Sishuwa among political enemies who should never walk around Inter City with their head high. I doubt if the former Kambule Tech trouble maker will care an aota about what will be said by the Kambas of this world anyway. That he is doing all this at a time when most of his colleagues at UNZA prefer to keep quiet and wait for delayed salaries, or at worst praise the status quo as does that Russian trained guy, Sishuwa has demonstrated that there are still a handful of UNZA dons who are ready to lift the cross. He is indeed a classical example of a modern-day freedom fighter!
*Chama Fumba*: Let me call him Pilato for the purposes of this article. There was a time when Pilato was the biggest opposition leader in Zambia. This statement is actually only half a joke; for Pilato’s checks and balances to the PF government through his music and actual voice at one point surpassed that offered by opposition political parties in Zambia. He has been arrested more times than 12 of this year’s presidential aspirants combined, all the time for simply trying to defend the country he calls home. Here, I must embarrassingly admit that at one point, I actually thought Pilato was somehow a hired gun for the opposition. I was wrong. No amount of Zambia’s depreciated currency can buy a brain like that of musician Chama Fumba. Morals, Integrity, Patriotism have no price and Pilato has demonstrated that. Let’s face it, this is a time when guys like him would be stinking rich by a mare five paragraphs of endorsing those who are not eligible to contest this year’s election, but as always, he’s chosen the side of the people, what a people’s hero he is!
*John Sangwa*: When I heard that Musician Slap Dee did a campaign song for PF merely for money, I was convinced money could buy ANYTHING! Still the idea that a gentleman like Sangwa could be bought so as to drop his petition against President Lungu’s eligibility seemed well beyond probable imagination. But what could it have been if not money? I wondered, frustratingly so. But I needed not to worry, Sangwa is a principled lawyer who has been squeezed so many times before but never for once sold his soul to the highest bidder, he cannot be bought by ngwees, no wonder he is the lead lawyer in Linda and Sishuwa’s eligibility case. But Sangwa has really done so much to fight Injustice and illegality beyond and before the issue of Mr. Lungu’s eligibility. Remember it was he who won the case of Ministers’ illegal stay in office? It was Sangwa who with others highlighted so much how evil Bill 10 was and indeed it is he who started and explained the clause on “holding office twice”. Remember, this is a man whose head has been priced and anyone who comes with it on the platter gets rewarded, but still he has chosen to ignore all that for the sake of his nation. Tell me then, what he is if not a freedom fighter.
*Linda Kasonde*: Linda Kasonde would still have firmly gone in the history books as a legend of good will even if she stopped breathing a day after ceasing to be LAZ president. Her work seem to betray logic as the iron lady has won so many legal battles at her age, most of whom for the good of her people. Look, there are top lawyers around who have chosen to go all out for money. They mingle and defend politicians and the corporates, they don’t care who stands how many times as president, they don’t care whether a minister remain in office after parliament is dissolved. Honestly, this is what Linda Kasonde is not. As we speak, she has taken to court President Lungu on grounds that the latter is not eligible. Do you know how dangerous that is?
*Laura Miti*: Laura Miti doesn’t take oppressors so kindly, she actually can physically slap one if given a chance to. That’s a joke! not exactly anyway. A graduate of Lucy Sichone School of Humanism, Laura has been a candid voice for the voiceless for as long as 15 years now. She has never been scared to speak out and match out where there is need to. Her resolve to speak against injustice has injured a few people especially those who stay along independence avenue, who so often struggle to distinguish objective and un compromising minds from party-oriented individuals. She needs to be celebrated for her valid contribution in upholding Zambia’s rapidly deteriorating freedoms.
So here you have it. To Sishuwa, Linda, Sangwa, Pilato, Laura and many others who risk everything they have ever wished to gain for the sake of the nation, I say happy African Freedom Day to you. Remember, the nation depends on you as much as it did to KK and co.
*The author is a coward and shameful being who can not even mention his name for fear of losing his job! I am a graduate of Mass Communication from UNZA class of 2019!
OPPONENTS IN MPULUNGU ARE AMATUERS AND WE WILL MEET ON THE GROUND – FREEDOM SIKAZWE
DESPITE his opponents saying he stands no chance of scooping the Mpulungu seat, former Presidential Affairs Minister Freedom Sikazwe says he will retain his seat based on the development he has taken to the area.
In an interview, Mr Sikazwe described his rivals of practising a style of politics meant to tarnish the image of his career.
They’re over-ambitious and arrogant,” he said. “They have resurfaced now from nowhere and want to pretend like they have been on the ground. Those are amateurs and we shall meet on the ground.” Mr Sikazwe said.He said Mpulungu is privileged to have benefited from the on-going infrastructure development under the Patriotic Front (PF) government.“I was even telling President Edgar Lungu that for me, it is not about standing to win but to work for the people and improve their welfare,” he said. “If I withdrew from the race, I don’t think there could be anyone who would have the heart for the people like me.”Mr Sikazwe said voters in
Front (PF) government.“I was even telling President Edgar Lungu that for me, it is not about standing to win but to work for the people and improve their welfare,” he said. “If I withdrew from the race, I don’t think there could be anyone who would have the heart for the people like me.”
Mr Sikazwe said voters in Mpulungu should retain him so that he can continue from where he left off.But United Party for National Development (UPND) candidate Leonard Mbao’s campaign chairperson, Justone Hamujah, is also confident of winning the seat.“Come August 12, the people of Mpulungu will decide who should represent them in Parliament,” he said. “It will be premature to start exchanging words with Mr Sikazwe when people on the ground have already told us who they want.”Democratic Party (SP) candidate Gilbert Bwali described the other contenders as non-factors who do not even have proper manifestos.
“For Mr Sikazwe I assure you that the man is finished because in 2016 he almost lost to an independent candidate [Mbao],” he said. “He has a handful of people deceiving him that he is popular but he is not.”Mr Bwali said the battle in the area is only between the UPND and his party as PF has already lost even before the elections.
Socialist Party candidate Mary Kalondo’s desire is to ensure that Mpulungu is transformed together with the rest of the country.“We want to revamp the Mpulungu Harbour, which is in a deplorable state, and create more employment with decent salaries,” Ms Kalondo said.
Ms Kalondo said there is a lot of dormant land in Mpulungu which can be used for other activities such as a sugar plantation so as to create employment for the youths and women.
PRESIDENT LUNGU NOT INTERESTED IN TIME WASTERS QUESTIONING HIS ELIGILITY – STATEHOUSE
SPECIAL Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations Isaac Chipampe says President Edgar Lungu is not interested in time wasters who are questioning his eligibility.
Last week, the Legal Resources Foundation petitioned the Constitutional Court seeking a declaration that President Lungu was not eligible for nomination for election as President in the upcoming elections having been elected, sworn into and held office twice.
The NGO has however, discontinued the said matter.
But in an interview, Chipampe insisted that the courts had ruled on President Lungu’s eligibility.
He further said the President was not interested in people who wanted to waste his time as he was more focused on serving the people of Zambia.
“It is beginning to look like a habit for some people to be litigious. Those who want to continue, let them be litigious. The President is not interested in people who want to waste his time. The President is more focused in serving the people of Zambia before and after elections. So those who are litigious, they will be met with the legal teams that are there. It is not up to the President to waste time explaining whether he is eligible or not. The courts have ruled. From the Presidents’ side, there are people who are in charge of handling those issues, they will handle them. It doesn’t get to him. He is presiding over 18 million Zambians, surely can he be concentrating on one Zambian? When he should be concentrating on 18 million Zambians,” Chipampe said.
When asked what President Lungu’s campaign message would be when economic growth had slowed down, inflation was on the rise and the kwacha had stayed above K22 to a dollar under his administration, Chipampe said the Head of State had done a lot of things for all to see.
“A lot has been done and economics has no boundaries. Everything is economics. If you look at the agriculture sector, that is economics and he has done very well in that area. If you look at infrastructure development that is economics, because you are talking about the economy. The country has been transformed, roads and bridges have been built, all that leads to facilitating economic activities. So economics is not theory, it is practical. And President Lungu has been practical teaching people how to fish rather than begging,” said Chipampe.
“He has been on the ground trying to improve people’s lives. So those who are saying ‘what message is he going to give the people’, the message is what he has done. What he has done is there for people to see. People are saving where they were travelling long distances, distances have been shortened because of new roads. And old roads have been improved. So all that helps people to save. That is the message he will be delivering.”
MY LIFE AS A POLITICIAN IS DIFFERENT FROM COMEDY – DIFIKOTI ( THOMAS SIPALO)
IT IS easy to take Thomas Sipalo’s bid for the Munali Parliamentary seat in Lusaka as a joke. After all, Difikoti, as the comedian is popularly known, was recently seen campaigning for United National Independence Party (UNIP), which in the eyes of his fans seems to suit the old guard.
But make no mistake, he is serious about becoming Munali Member of Parliament (MP) and he wants his bid to be taken seriously.“My life as a politician is different from comedy,” he says. “Comedy is a talent, every person has a talent in life. I do comedy to sustain my life and I have gone into politics to serve the people of Munali because the constituency is under-developed.”
In Munali, Mr Sipalo will come up against Patrick Samwimbila (Patriotic Front – PF), Lillian Mutambo (independent), Mike Mposha (United Party for National Development – UPND) and Chimbalanga Semba (independent).“I have gone independent because I don’t want my work to be attached to any political party,” he said.
“I understand the problems the constituency faces because I have been in Munali for long.“Once I am voted in, I will make sure that I engage every community and appreciate their challenges so that I know what they want before I start any development. I don’t want to impose development on them.
”Mr Sipalo is among a plethora of figures from the entertainment and media industry who are offering themselves up for leadership in the August 12 elections.But unlike him, most of the candidates have opted to stand on party tickets.Mukubesa Mundia, otherwise known as Petersen, is standing on the Socialist Party (SP) ticket for the Kabwata parliamentary seat.
He faces competition from former Lusaka mayor Levy Mkandawire (UPND) and Daniel Yenga (PF).Mr Mukubesa received some stick for choosing to contest the Kabwata seat on the SP ticket when he had also applied to contest for Nalikwanda in Western Province under UPND.
But Mr Mukubesa said the UPND structures in Nalikwanda rejected him from inception.“I was not invited or involved in any party activities even though I was willing to participate,” he said.“I was sidelined, when it came to adoptions, I was rejected before I could apply,” he said. “I felt alone, so I was looking for a political party I can call home and family. I expected the negative reactions I’m getting from some sections of society but I’m happy and satisfied.
I have a free mind.”UPND secretary general Batuke Imenda said Mr Mukubesa has a democratic right to belong to any party of his choice.There are also a number of familiar names and faces from media who have thrown their hats in the political ring.
Former Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) staffers Ormond Musonda and Melesiana Phiri-Chibwe have been adopted by PF to contest the Kasempa and Milanzi constituencies in North-Western and Eastern Provinces, respectively.Mr Musonda faces competition from six other candidates; Dennis Mwelemuka – United National Independence Party (UNIP), Martin Lutuna – Democratic Party (DP), Micheal Mundambo (SP), Yardly Kambembe – Party for National Unity and Progress (PNU), Brenda Tambatamba (UPND) and independent candidate James Kalemba.
Mr Musonda said he has gained enough experience interacting with politicians and his decision to get into politics is premised on his desire to serve the people of Kasempa.“Of course I will not be an active journalist because of politics,” he said. “I am confident of winning the Kasempa parliamentary seat.”Another media personality in the race to Manda Hill is former Hot FM presenter Patience Chisanga who has gone back to her home town of Luanshya on the Copperbelt.“Media is something that has always been in my heart,” Ms Chisanga, who is standing on the People’s Alliance for Change (PAC) ticket, said.
“I am passionate about it, I have enjoyed it and I will continue to enjoy the power of media when it comes to bringing social change and highlighting developmental This isn’t comedyDifikoti stakes his claim for Munali seatissues.“My media career will be incorporated in my role as a Member of Parliament. I will continue using that platform for change.
I will not abandon my media career but I will now channel that tool to harmonise my new role.”Ms Chisanga’s rivals for the Luanshya seat are Botha Caroline – New Heritage Party (NHP), Stephen Chungu – independent, Kennedy Katimba – UNIP, Golden Mulenga – PF, Painet Mutuna – NDC, Margrete Sikalonzo – SP and Mundia Sinkamba – DP.
I NEVER THREATNED SANGWA’S LIFE, I WIL NOT APOLOGISE,KAMBA
(Smart Eagles)
We have been compelled to issue this statement as PF Lusaka Provincial leadership following a deliberate and clear malicious manoeuvres by our political opponents who have gone to the extent of misrepresenting and misinterpreting the earlier statement where I stated that Lusaka Lawyer John Sangwa must be treated as a political opponent, Patriotic Front (PF) in Lusaka says.
The statement I issued on PF Lusaka Province Chairperson Kennedy Kamba says the statement he made on Saturday last week was comprehensive and gave clear-cut reasons why Sangwa will be treated as a political opponent by the PF.
He says “As usual, Sangwa himself and some excited opposition leaders including the opposition inclined clergy and some media organisation have misinterpreted the statement, deliberately so to portray a bad picture on my character that I threatened Sangwa’s life. You can play back the footages of the media that covered the event and also refer to the statement I issued on Saturday May 22, 2021 and see if there is anywhere I threatened Sangwa’s life. At no time did I ever threaten anybody’s life.
In a statement today, he says the reactions to the statement he issued are highly malicious and meant to tarnish his image in the eyes of the right thinking Zambians.
“Unless somebody can convince the nation and indeed myself that treating someone as a political opponent in a democratic dispensation like Zambia means threatening someone’s life or violence. Far from it! The simple illustration and meaning of my statement was that Sangwa’s behaviour and his continued futile attempts to block President Edgar Lungu from contesting the August elections, is typically of that of a frustrated opposition politician and as the PF we are going to take him on as a political opponent,” he says.
“I want to tell Bishop Simon Chihana who has issued a condemnation of me in one of the daily tabloids that your statement was misdirected to suit the desires of the opposition, Sangwa himself and those that are against President Edgar Lungu.
Bishop Chahana is saying what I said were words of darkness and dictatorship not befitting a worthy leader. It’s clear that Bishop Chihana is reacting to what he does not understand because I never threatened Sangwa’s life. I am very disappointed with the Bishop and I demand an apology from Bishop Chihana and all those on record that have continued claiming what did not come out of my mouth,”.
Mr Kamba says “I am not violent, I am not a thug but a provincial leader of a reputable organisation, the ruling PF Party in Lusaka. I have no propensity to threaten the life of someone. I am not above the law and neither is Sangwa or anybody above the law.
What I know, however, he says, is that I have fundamental rights and freedoms like any other Zambian to express my political opinion. I will not apologise do anyone, not even Sangwa because I never threatened the life of anybody.
“Coming to Sangwa, we emphasise that indeed we will treat him as a political opponent and we will defend President Edgar Lungu from malicious attacks.The public knows too well that Sangwa has been making manoeuvres to stop President Lungu form contesting the forthcoming elections for his selfish reasons. As we indicated before, and the public is fully aware that the Courts of Law, the Constitutional Court already ruled on this matter.President Lungu is eligible,” Mr Kamba says.
Mr Kamba who is also a Member of the Central Committee says they just want to drift attention to disturb campaign strategies, to negatively sway the minds of the innocent supportive Zambians that love President Lungu but that will not happen.
He says President Lungu will be on the ballot come August 12, 2021.
He says is a man who has shamed his critics by working hard, by delivering to Zambians in all sectors beyond expectation.
Mr Kamba says well-meaning Zambians who are the majority know very well that this is the man this country needs and they will make sure he bounces back in State House after August 12.
WHY JOHN SANGWA WAS MADE TO PAY 5 MILLION KWACHA AS COSTS BY CONSTITUTIONAL COURT
John Sangwa has a bit of history with the judges at one of the highest court in the land. He is the man who came out in open to protect the constitution which stated that they were all unqualified to sit on the bench may be this is why they are too compromised.
What this means with the outcome of the lawsuits he takes before them, I don’t know. But, one thing I can say for certain is the 5 million kwacha costs, it was a statement to make John Sangwa think twice before taking other matters before the constitutional court.
If you followed the excitement from the PF side the day he (John Sangwa), was ordered to pay legal costs amounting to 5 million kwacha. It was as though the judgement was written at the PF Secretariat.
With that excitement, it was easy to deduce that the order was made so as to discourage him from petitioning the eligibility of the President to contest August 12 general elections.
Now that we have a case before us, and the PF has called on it’s cadres to treat John Sangwa as a political opponent. I wish to take this opportunity to call upon all well meaning citizens to treat John Sangwa as a patriot. Therefore, I wish to further call upon all of us to ensure we pay a 5 million kwacha of John Sangwa’s costs as ordered by the constitutional court on his behalf because under a normal circumstance this case is not for Sangwa vs PF no it is Zambians vs PF and we need to help Sangwa. What he was/is doing was/is representing public interest. This is one of a few people in our country ready to die for the constitution.
How could a constitutional law lecturer sit back and watch a constitution being violated at will by his students? This is a lawyer who believes without justice, is not worthy living.
Let’s all join hands to create a trust where we put the 5 million kwacha money for costs our wonderful lawyer was ordered to pay. Let’s all take care of this money and let him concentrate on preparing arguments for the court. John Sangwa must be celebrated, he is our modern day Shamwana. We can’t play with the law, constitutional matters are serious issues that we should not play with.
This is why today, we have people detained for as long as it pleases PF and the president. Because they are not respecting the constitution. Next they will be coming to our homes grab our women, properties and we will have no voice to defend ourselves. We can’t go back to stone age where leaders were lords. Leaders are to be held accountable not vice versa.
It is not the responsibility of any body in PF government to tell us how they have performed since 2011 to date. Instead it is us citizens to tell them whether we still want them or not. In this case PF must go.
Sikaile Sikaile
Good Governance and Human Rights Activist for Zambia and Amnesty International
THE leader of the United Movement for Kola Bemba Kingdom has rubbished the appointment Professor Nkandu Luo as President Edgar Lungu’s running mate in the August 12 Presidential and General Elections.
Boniface Besa Bwalya observes that the appointment is meant to silence those who have complained about President Lungu calling Bembas thieves.
The movement has reminded the Head of State that Bemba speaking people are still wounded by his words.
Bwalya says the person President Lungu has picked for running mate has no works with the Bemba people of Northern Province.
“As the United Movement for Kola Bemba Kingdom we are trying to tell ba Lungu that the person he has picked as the running mate has got no work for the Bemba people. This one is not a Bemba, this one is a Bisa,” he told The Mast.
Bwalya said President Lungu wants to use Prof Luo as an element to silence the Bembas whom he injured with his words.
“How can Lungu get Nkandu Luo as the running mate? This is a wrong element which they want to use to silence the issue of calling us Bembas ba kabwalala (thieves). We cannot accept that,” he said. “As Lungu and Luo come to campaign in Bembaland, whatever they bring, get them but on the day of voting remember that you are a Bemba who was been called a thief at a forum and that Nkandu Luo has caused a lot of damage to the students of Zambia.”
He charges that Prof Luo was an enemy of free education who has caused pain among students.
“Nkandu Luo is an enemy of free education in Zambia, and learning institutions like the University of Zambia and other higher learning institutions [can remember this]. I’m calling on all the students from higher learning institutions not to vote for Lungu and Luo,” Bwalya said.
He said his statement over a week ago urging Bemba speaking people not to vote for President Lungu because he called them thieves had received support from Bembaland.
“I have not received any threats but instead I have support from the Bembaland. I’m a leader of the Kola Bemba Kingdom Movement of Northern Province and I’m a citizen of this country who can say anything especially on issues I’m aggrieved on. I cannot therefore accept any threats from anyone because I’m a leader,” he said.
Bwalya said he would not accept any response coming from the government because the issue had taken time to be addressed.
“Since the government hasn’t responded from the time we issued the statement a week ago, any response which will come I will not accept. This issue seems to be taking time for it to be attended to. This battle has been fought for three years so far,” said Bwalya.
“YOU HAVE SUFFERED LONG ENOUGH IN OPPOSITION, CHIEF LITETA COUNSELS HIS SUBJECTS, SURELY LOOK AT HOW RICH UPND MP’s HAVE BECOME COMPARED TO WHAT THEY HAVE DONE FOR US, AND TODAY THEY BRING A MANIFESTO FROM JAMAICA WITH PLANS TO GIVE OUR MINES TO FOREIGNERS”
CHIBOMBO, Monday, May 24, 2021
HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS, Chief Liteta of the Lenje speaking people of Chibombo district in Central Province has commended President Lungu for his commitment and style of leadership that seeks to improve the livelihoods of all Zambians.
Chief Liteta said Lungu has demonstrated commitment to duty in his tenure as Head of State which has seen many lives being transformed for the better. The Chief has vowed to campaign flat out for Lungu and ensure that what he termed as greedy opposition leaders don’t win a single seat in his Chiefdom.
Chief Liteta accused opposition UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema and all his Councillors and Members of Parliament of being greedy and visionless, he said that during the time the chiefdom has been voting for UPND the area has suffered terribly such that Mr. Hichilema and his MPs and Councillors don’t even bother to visit the voters. The Chief said that the worst thing he learnt about was that HH had actually banned his Councillors and MPs from lobbying the Governemnt for any development projects meanwhile they refuse to spend their allowances and salaries or indeed any donor goodwill to bring any meaningful projects to his people!
Speaking when Joseph Malanji paid a courtesy call on him yesterday, Chief Liteta said he was not ashamed to align himself with other traditional leaders who are supporting President Lungu for his development agenda he had rolled out across the country.
“I have heard and seen for myself that President Lungu has done miracles in this country. His performances and commitment have been excellent,” Chief Liteta said.
He said the UPND was a terrible let down under HH whom he accused of being very bad hearted. The Chief said within his Chiefdom were many relatives of HH and they too were suffering as though he was not a billionaire, but look at his MPs, they are receiving gratuity, driving land cruisers and Range Rovers but not even one single borehole or maternity shelter have they brought for the people who voted for them.
The traditional leader has also called for unity and tolerance among political parties in the spirit of One Zambia One Nation as the country heads to the polls on August 12.
“Zambia is a Christian nation but some of the things that happen in this country are not inspiring. So I am begging you that when you want to share something with the people of Zambia, please do so in a fair and transparent manner to avoid bringing confusion,” Chief Luteta advised.
And Hon Malanji has thanked the traditional leadership for forming the base of the One Zambia One Nation motto saying which has helped in finding the nation together through regional integration.
He said any Zambian citizen was entitled to settle anywhere in the country regardless of their tribal or regional background.
Malanji has however bemoaned that some regions in the country had the tendency of electing people who had no interest of the masses at heart hence the regions had lagged behind in terms of development.
“In terms of governance, there is so much lack of representation where people just put someone in employment to go to Parliament and get a salary and not delivering services required for the people that sent him to Parliament,” Hon Malanji said.
He stated that time had come for people to elect individuals who were going to mean well for the people of Constituencies who are the electorates.
Malanji told the traditional leader that the PF had already put in place someone who was adopted by the party and was confident that he was going to win favor from the electorates and become a Member of Parliament who would be equal to the task and deliver accordingly.
WE ARE BORN AND RAISED IN MATERO, WE ARE SONS OF THE CONSTITUENCY…..SAYS PF AND UPND CANDIDATES
DESPITE not being residents of Matero, Patriotic Front (PF)’s Miles Sampa and United Party for National Development (UPND) candidate Tom Michelo are sons of the constituency who are keen to advance development.
Mr Sampa and Mr Michelo’s reaction follows assertions by Democratic Party (DP) candidate Susan Mulenga that the two are opportunists who do not live in the constituency but are only interested in benefits that come with being a Member of Parliament (MP).
But Mr Sampa said he understands the challenges Matero residents are going through and he is capable of addressing them.He said: “We are bringing quality development to Matero because we have a lot of unfinished projects in Zingalume, Lilanda and George townships.
“But I will not say much because I want actions to speak for me like they have always done in the past,” Mr Sampa said.For Mr Michelo, he is not interested in cheap politics of character assassination because he only wants to work for Matero residents.“It is not about how long an individual has lived in Matero, but what they are bringing to the table to help Matero residents,” he said.But Ms Mulenga said Mr Sampa and Mr Michelo are only popular on social media and do not know challenges people in the constituency face.“They only want to give people K10s to lure voters instead of finding permeant solutions to their challenges,” Ms Mulenga said.
For UNIP’s Andrew Zyambo, the former ruling party is the people’s choice because it has what it takes to change the face of Matero.Socialist Party candidate Barbara Maramwidzwe wants Matero residents to work with her in eradicating poverty.Meanwhile, former Zambia’s High Commissioner to Malawi John Phiri regrets that the PF did not adopt him to contest the Lundazi Central parliamentary seat.
Dr Phiri said ‘God will visit’ the people who doubted his candidature to compete for the seat. “I went through the preliminary adoption processes at constituency, district and provincial levels where I can confidently claim that I was the chosen one. But the central committee thought otherwise and adopted someone else,” he said.
Dr Phiri, who also served as Minister of General Education in the current administration, said he is a solid and senior member of PF and a strong believer in God.“As a senior PF leader, I resisted the many calls to resign and stand as an independent,” Dr Phiri said.
He said his desire to serve in the party was meant to uplift the welfare of people in Lundazi and not to gain employment or amass wealth.
PRESIDENT LUNGU IN VOTING BUYING DRIVE IN DUNDUMWEZI.
It is like the 235 votes he got in 2016 General Election in Dundumwezi constituency of Kalomo District have been unremoveable political dent onn his political cloak.
Since 2016, the President, with the help of the local chief in Dundumwezi, has frequented the place commissioning this and that project and donating this and that to try and impress the people esp the close to 40, 000 electorates there
It is good to make peace with your political opponents during campaigns to gain lost electoral support but must know the limit of that reconciliation lest one violates the law.
Yesterday, on ZNBC main evening news, a news item popped in that President Lungu had donated 45 bicycles to Dundumwezi constituency to ease transport challenges in the areas and that those bicycles would be shared among the subjects of Chiefs Chikanta and Siachitema.
Unfortunately, the donation of these bicycles is coming in the middle of the General Election campaign and, truly speaking, an Act of abrogation of the Electoral Code of conduct with impunity.
President Lungu, just like his outgoing vice-president, Bo Inonge Wina, is abusing the presidential office and regulation 15(k) of the Electoral Code of conduct with impunity.
Most probable, those bicycles are not secured from his pocket money since chief Chikanta admitted it was “empowerment” gesture coming during election campaigns but DMMU office.
It is important to remind President Lungu and the chiefs being used to prop up the so called politically motivated “empowerment” that empowerment actvities and donations during election campaigns are an electoral blackmail and part of voting buying strategy by politicians which are outlawed in the electoral code of conduct.
Such acts done during election campaigns attracts post election petitions from losing candidates and must be avoided.
As if that was not enough abuse and violation of the Electoral Code of conduct with impunity, suddenly, floods have resurfaced in Mpulungu District of Northem Province and already the DMMU coordinator, Chanda Kabwe, pops in.
The country is aware of the challenges being faced by the Mpulungu constituency parliamentary candidate, Freedom Sikazwe, to retain his seat.
The possibility that these floods are politically generated to help boost the candidate’s electoral chances is very high using DMMU as the institution that has played this role effectively in the past.
We need a fair and even play field during the campaigns not the use of subtle means to win electoral support riding on politically created transport challenges and floods in some constituencies to win votes.
K166M WORTH OF DRUGS DID NOT REACH HOSPITALS FROM MEDICAL STORES – MOH AUDIT
A MINISTRY of Health audit of accounts for the financial year ended December 31, 2020 has revealed that drugs and medical supplies costing over K166 million reported to have been dispatched from Medical Stores Limited to 23 health stations did not reach the destinations as at April 30, 2021.
The report has also revealed that Lewanika General Hospital in Mongu received 189,300 medical kits from Medical Stores after their expiry date, and a physical inspection found that 60,000 Vacuum red top blood collection tubes of medical supplies were still in stock at the Laboratory while 129,300 had been issued to blood bank and used despite being expired.
Meanwhile, the report has revealed that various drugs and medical supplies costing over K40 million received from Medical Stores Limited had not been accounted for.
This is according to an interim management letter on the audit of accounts for the Ministry of Health, Provincial and District health offices and other health institutions, signed by Auditor General, Dr Dick Sichembe.
The audit revealed that contrary to the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency Act, No. 9 of 2019 which states the functions of Medical Stores Ltd, drugs and medical supplies costing K166,686,080 reported to have been dispatched from Medical Stores Limited to 23 stations during the period under review had not been received as at April 30, 2021.
The affected health stations of the undelivered drugs include; Chinsali General Hospital, Nakonde and Mumbwa District Hospitals, Kitwe Teaching Hospital, Arthur Davison Children’s Hospital, Mazabuka General Hospital, Kawambwa District Hospital, Lewanika General Hospital, Levy Mwanawasa Hospital, Matero 1st Level Hospital, among others.
The report revealed that the risk of the same was insufficient drugs for patients, and further recommended that the matter must be investigated and findings availed for audit.
And the report has revealed that Lewanika General Hospital received 189,300 Vacuum red top blood collection tubes from Medical Stores Limited with expiry dates of March and July 2020 were dispatched in July and November 2020 respectively.
The report further revealed that a scrutiny of stock records and drug labels maintained at four Health stations revealed that drugs costing K716,971 had expired during the period January 2020 to April 2021.
“Lewanika General Hospital received 189,300 Vacuum red top blood collection tubes of medical supplies from Medical Stores Limited valued at K300,987 with expiry dates of March and July 2020 were dispatched in July and November 2020 respectively. Inquiries and physical inspection carried out in April 2021 revealed that 60,000 tubes were still in stores at the Laboratory and 129,300 of the consignment had been issued to blood bank and being used despite being expired,” the report read.
“A scrutiny of stock records and drug labels maintained at four Health stations revealed that drugs costing K716,971 had expired during the period January 2020 to April 2021. Levy Mwanawasa Hospital K31,440, Chongwe DHO K4,589, Chirundu DHO K4,248, Nakonde DHO K676,694.”
The report disclosed that as at April 30, 2021, no action had been taken by management to dispose of the expired drugs which were considered a hazard to patients.
The report also revealed that during the period under review, Medical Stores Limited delivered drugs and medical supplies costing K4,558, 804 to seven stations but the drugs and medical supplies delivered were rejected by the stations due to short shelf life and others were recalled by ZAMRA.
“During the period under review, Medical Stores Limited delivered drugs and medical supplies costing K4,558, 804 to seven stations. However, the drugs and medical supplies delivered were rejected by the stations due to short shelf life and others were recalled by Zambia Medicine Regulation Authority (ZAMRA) due to non compliance with the required standard. As at 30th April 2021 the rejected and recalled drugs and medical supplies had not been replaced by Medical Stores Limited, thereby depriving the stations of the required drugs and medical supplies,” read the report.
“During the period under review, Medical Stores Limited delivered drugs and medical supplies costing K7,923,919 to three Institutions that were not ordered.”
The report further revealed that various drugs and medical supplies costing K40,959,531 received from Medical Stores Limited had not been accounted for.
“Public Stores Regulations No. 16, states that every stores officer or any other officer having in his charge any public stores or other articles of public property must keep and maintain records of the receipt and issue of such public stores. Contrary to the regulation, various drugs and medical supplies costing K40,959,531 received from Medical Stores Limited had not been accounted for in that there were no disposal details such as stock control cards and supply vouchers to show how and where the supplies were used by health institutions,” the report read further.
“Unaccounted for drugs and medical supplies; Levy Mwanawasa Hospital K20, 205,208, Matero 1st Level Hospital K7,476,699, Chinsali General Hospital K5,858,872 (among others). Risk: The drugs and medical supplies may not have been used for the intended purpose. Recommendation: The drugs and medical supplies must be accounted for.
According to Ministry of Health sources, the Auditor General has given them 15 days in which to give specific responses to the audit queries raised.
The International Monetary Fund says challenges brought about by Zambia’s debt and how to dismantle domestic arrears are making it difficult for the country to conclude a deal with the Fund.
IMF Spokesman Gerry Rice told a news conference from Washington that key challenges in moving the talks forward include how to implement reforms to deal with huge fiscal deficit.
Dr Rice however admitted that broad consensus has been agreed and that the Zambian government knows what it should do to move forward.
“That said, key challenges remain including to implement reforms to correct current large fiscal imbalances, increasing revenues to provide the needed fiscal space to achieve those development objectives that I mentioned including through debt and expenditure transparency and halting the incurrence of domestic arrears,” Dr Rice said.
He added, “And, again, I want to emphasize, ensuring that the social protection scheme is fully funded with timely payments.”
“Again, they have requested a financing arrangement with the IMF to support their reform efforts. And we had discussions with the Zambian authorities earlier this year and they continued through this month and that would be a request for an extended credit facility,” Dr Rice said.
“What I can tell you is that there was broad agreement on the macroeconomic framework and notable progress was made in detailing the key policy measures to address the imbalances currently facing Zambia and to enable a return to sustained growth with ?? and this is important for us, enhanced fiscal space for social and development spending.”
The IMF Spokesman noted that the Zambian authorities have reaffirmed their continued commitment to reforms adding that Fund looks forward to continuing those discussions towards an Extended Credit Facility program as key measures are taken.
“And, of course, the timing as to when those measures are taken is, as always, in the hands of the authorities, in the hands of the Zambian government,” he stated.
And just to tie it up on the common framework, Zambia has expressed its interest in the common framework. And to the best of my knowledge, those discussions are continuing.
Last week, Bank of Zambia Governor Christopher Mvunga said that Zambia was close to reaching a deal with the International Monetary Fund that will be crucial to restoring macroeconomic stability.
“We couldn’t have gotten any closer with the IMF as we are today,” Mr. Mvunga told reporters on Wednesday, adding that he couldn’t provide a time-line for when the government might reach an agreement with the fund.
“We are very optimistic. It’s progressing pretty well.”
An IMF deal would also help create fiscal space, as would a one-off allocation of special drawing rights by the lender to help countries fight the pandemic, Mr. Mvunga said.
The IMF said it was up to Zambia to implement agreed policies to pave the way for further talks.
That dealt a blow to hopes for an agreement before general elections in August, as parliament and cabinet were dissolved last week, and implementing some of the reforms, especially cutting back on energy and farm subsidies, may prove unpopular ahead of what will probably be a closely contested vote.
Africa’s first pandemic-era sovereign defaulter is seeking to reach a deal on an economic program with the Washington-based lender that’s crucial to the government’s plans to restructure as much as $12.7 billion of external debt and boost foreign-exchange reserves.
Zambian international reserves of $1.2 billion at end-March are close to record lows and the kwacha has consistently depreciated against the dollar, making it the second-worst performing sub-Saharan Africa currency tracked by Bloomberg over the past 12 months.
The depreciation has contributed to inflation surging to a five-year high to average 22.2% in the first quarter, compared with 17.6% in the three months through December.
While the central bank expects price growth to ease faster than previously expected, “it’s way outside our target range and it’s a serious concern,” Mr. Mvunga said.
Annual inflation will average 21.9% in 2021 and 16.7% next year, according to forecasts from the Bank of Zambia, which targets price growth at 6% to 8%.
Many, including Simon Quijano-Evans, chief economist at Gemcorp Capital LLP in London, expect Zambia to only conclude a deal after a new government is formed.
The government has been talking about an IMF program for seven years with no concrete results yet.
“So many finance ministers have attempted to push for IMF loan program in the past, in vain,” Quijano-Evans said Thursday in an emailed note.
“A loan program agreement just ahead of the August elections would thus come as one of the biggest surprises in emerging markets.”
PERSONAL PROFILE FOR SEAN E. TEMBO (SET), PARTY PRESIDENT FOR THE PATRIOTS FOR ECONOMIC PROGRESS (PeP)
1. Sean Enock Tembo (SET) was born on 30th of March 1980 in Jabu Village, Chief Kapatamoyo, Chipata District of Eastern Province of Zambia, from Mr. Gideon Tembo and Mrs. Vaida Tembo. He is the 5th born in a family of 9, of which only 4 are currently surviving. His father was a Miner and worked for Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines (ZCCM), Nchanga Division in Chingola before his untimely demise in 1989 when SET was 9 years old. President Sean Tembo grew up in Mtendere Compound of Lusaka and he started his primary school in 1986 and completed his Grade 7 as one of the best student at Chitukuko Primary School in Mtendere, Lusaka. He later proceeded to Kabulonga School for Boys in 1993. In his Grade 9 exams, President Sean Tembo was one of the best students in Zambia and was admitted to Hillcrest Technical Secondary School in Livingstone where he completed his Grade 12 in 1997. While at Hillcrest, Mr Sean Tembo was one of the best students and obtained a number of awards and also represented the school in several national JETS Olympiad competitions.
2. In 1999, at the age of 19, Mr Sean Tembo was enrolled in the Bachelor of Accountancy programme at the Copperbelt University (CBU) in Kitwe where he was consistently the best student during his 4 year tenure at the University. While at Copperbelt University, President Sean Tembo enjoyed several best student scholarships including the Citi Bank best student scholarship as well as the Bank of Zambia (BOZ) best student scholarship.
3. During his stay at CBU, President Sean Tembo was the Managing Editor of the Campus Herald Magazine, which was a student magazine with a monthly circulation of about 10,000 copies and was widely distributed to secondary schools in the entire Copperbelt Province. In his 3rd and 4th years at CBU and due to his outstanding academic performance, Sean Tembo was appointed as a Tutor for 1st year students in one of the most difficult courses in the School of Business; BS140, Mathematical Analysis. As a Tutor, he was put on the University payroll and drew a regular monthly salary in addition to the upkeep allowances that he received from the Citi Bank and Bank of Zambia Best Student Scholarships.
Sean Tembo
4. On completion of his undergraduate degree programme at CBU, President Sean Tembo was the best graduating student and was awarded the Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountants (ZICA) best graduating student award with a cash prize of K1 million (un-rebased). While writing his last examination paper at CBU, Mr Sean Tembo had 7 job offers from reputable companies and institutions including Konkola Copper Mines Plc, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Bank of Zambia, KPMG, Citi Bank, Deloitte and Copperbelt University as an SDF. He eventually settled to join PricewaterhouseCoopers which is an international audit & business advisory services firm, where he worked until 2004.
5. While working at PricewaterhouseCoopers, Mr Sean Tembo was sponsored to go and pursue the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) qualification by his employer at the Zambia Centre for Accountancy Studies (ZCAS), in Lusaka. While studying for his ACCA at ZCAS, Sean Tembo obtained several worldwide best student awards in various courses and walked away with more than K5 million (un-rebased) in cash prizes from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, before completing his ACCA qualification in record time.
6. In 2004 at the age of 24, President Sean Tembo left PricewaterhouseCoopers and founded Enosyst Associates, his own audit & business advisory services firm. In 2005, Enosyst Associates established an office in Gaborone, Botswana and in 2008, a third office was established in Johannesburg, South Africa. The firm specialised in the provision of assurance services such as statutory audits, forensic audits, operational audits etc, as well as economic and financial consultancy services to various clients including governments and quasi-government institutions in Zambia, Zimbabwe, Angola, Kenya, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa. This exposure gave President Sean Tembo a deeper understanding of the social, economic and political landscape of Zambia and the region.
7. In 2008, President Sean Tembo decided to take a short sabbatical leave from running his firm, to pursue a Master of Business Administration (MBA) Degree from the University of Derby in the United Kingdom, where he also graduated as the best student.
8. In 2015 at the age of 35 and after successfully running his firm, in three countries for more than 10 years, Mr Sean E. Tembo MBA, BAcc, FCCA, FCPA, FZICA, decided to partially retire from professional work. He now runs his firm, Enosyst AM on a part-time basis and also runs a hospitality establishment in Lusaka; Palm Valley Resort. He lives on a farm in Ngwerere, in the northern part of Lusaka City where he keeps broiler chickens with a maximum capacity of 60,000 per cycle. President Sean Tembo is happily married to Dr. Lorrita Kabwe, a Consultant Cardiologist at UTH and they have five children. He is a devoted Christian and his hobbies include fishing, safari hunting, playing golf, and is an avid gun collector. He also enjoys an occasional Mosi Lager in the company of good friends.
9. As a contribution to public service, President Sean Tembo has previously served in the Zambia Police Service, Lusaka Division as a Romeo, where he rose to the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police, before leaving the service in 2013. Despite his limited financial resources, President Sean Tembo has also made several donations to various charities including the sponsorship of a 5 year programme to award cash prizes to best performing students every term at Hillcrest Technical Secondary School in Livingstone, as well as Gaborone Secondary School (GSS) in Gaborone, Botswana. These scholarship programmes, albeit small in nature, had the effect of motivating pupils to achieve higher levels of performance not only in the final grade 12 exams, but throughout their secondary studies.
10. After his semi-retirement at the age of 35 in 2015, and with plenty of time available on his hands, President Sean Tembo decided to contribute to the governance of Zambia by joining active politics. His initial plan was to join an existing political party which advances progressive ideas that have the potential to uplift the living standards of the Zambian people. After reviewing the plans, operations and democratic standing of existing political parties at the time, it soon dawned upon President Sean Tembo that he may have to consider starting a political party from scratch, as nothing that was available appeared tenable.
11. In February 2015, President Sean Tembo organized a number of other progressive Zambians and together they started the process of forming the Patriots for Economic Progress (PeP). The Patriots for Economic Progress (PeP) is a centrist political party that believes in a free market economy with partial Government intervention. The party was registered in the Republic of Zambia in 2016 in accordance with the Societies Act, Chapter 119 of the Laws of Zambia, and is also duly accredited with the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ). On 18th November 2016, the Party went for a convention that was held at Mulungushi International Conference Centre (MICC), in Lusaka, where Sean Tembo was elected as Party President with a 5 year mandate until November 2021.
12. The Party’s four core values are Patriotism, Accountability, Competence and Courage. The Party’s vision is “to have a Zambia where the poorest person has an average monthly income of K10,000.00, inflation is below 5%, average commercial bank lending rates are single digit, the Gini coefficient is less than 0.1, Per capita income is above US$20,000, the least educated citizen has a full grade 12 certificate and Zambians having a life expectancy of not less than 80 years”. Sean Tembo strongly believes that Zambia has the necessary potential to make this vision a reality.
13. The Patriots for Economic Progress has been undertaking a number of activities to hold the PF government accountable, which include the fire tender protests of which 42 were planned and 12 have so far been undertaken. On 7th March 2018, the Police prevented the Party from undertaking its 13th protest against the $42 fire tender scandal, for no valid reasons. Mr Sean Tembo subsequently decided to take the Government to court, on behalf of PeP, under cause number 2018/HP/490, for violating the Party members freedoms, rights and liberties to association, expression and assembly as guaranteed by articles 20 and 21 of the Republican Constitution. President Sean Tembo personally represented PeP in this matter at the High Court, up against the entire Attorney General’s chambers. He won the case and was awarded a total of about K450,000 in damages and costs, which the PF Government has not paid to date. Ostensibly out of spite.
14. In addition to providing checks and balances, and unlike the majority of other opposition political parties that only point fingers, President Sean Tembo has ensured that the Patriots for Economic Progress has actively been providing alternative solutions to national problems and challenges. In this regard, PeP has so far developed and presented a PeP Alternative 7th National Development Plan, PeP Alternative National Budgets for 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 and is currently working on the PeP 2021 Alternative National Budget.
15. Among other key matters, President Sean Tembo has ensured that the Patriots for Economic Progress is financially self-sustainable so that it can maintain its independence and not become beholden to those individuals and interest-groups that might donate significant sums of money for its operations. To this end, the Party charges its members a membership fee of K60 per annum, except for those that are financially challenged, who are allowed to apply for a pre-approved waiver. As at August 2020, the party had more than 548,000 paid up members. Sean Tembo has also seen to it that the Party engages in a number of income generating activities through the sale of various pieces of regalia. In the 2019 financial year, the Party sold about 74,000 PeP branded t-shirts at K30 each and various other pieces of regalia is planned to be introduced to enhance the Party’s revenue generation capacity. These prudent financial measures have ensured that the Party always has adequate financial resources available to undertake its operations, as well as to build the necessary war chest in readiness for the 2021 general elections.
16. The PeP President believes that it is unreasonable for any political party to promise to come and run a financially sustainable government once they come to power when they fail to run their operations in a financially sustainable manner while in opposition. Sean Tembo will be contesting the Presidency of the Republic of Zambia in 2021 and he is expecting a very good performance. His running mate in the 12th August general elections is Mr Henry Muleya, a Lusaka Businessman and Chartered Accountant. President Tembo’s primary target group are the 5.5 million eligible Zambians that decided not to register and not to vote in the 2016 general elections because they did not believe in the leadership of either ECL nor HH. President Sean Tembo believes that our politics do not need to revolve around ECL and HH. We can do better than that as a nation. President SET represents the future of progressive Zambian politics.
17. After a grueling nomination process, PeP President Mr Sean Tembo and PeP Vice President Mr Henry Muleya successfully managed to file in their nominations for Republican President and Republican Vice President respectively. The Patriots for Economic Progress has also successfully filed in nominations in selected constituencies and wards across the country.
18. The PeP Presidential Candidate believes that if his relatively new political party was able to achieve so much in terms of holding the government of the day accountable as well as presenting alternative solutions to national problems, within a period of 4 years since formation, when it did not have a single Member of Parliament or Councillor, then it will definitely contribute even much more should the Zambian people be gracious enough to give PeP representation in Parliament and at various local authorities across the country. Having been not aligned to either the PF nor the UPND, President Sean Tembo believes that PeP stands well poised to offer progressive opposition to whoever was to form Government between the PF and the UPND. The fact that we need a vibrant opposition to make our democracy to thrive, cannot be overemphasized. President Sean Tembo looks at this 12th August 2021 general elections as a stepping stone for the party to grow and be a force to reckon with in the next 5 years, so that by 2026 the party will be a major contender in the general election. President Sean Tembo believes that consistency, integrity and independence of mind are the cornerstones to the growth of PeP into a vibrant national political party. President Tembo is cognizant of the fact that political success cannot be achieved overnight. It is a painstaking marathon which requires resilience and vision. SET has both. For a vibrant Zambia, vote Sean Enock Tembo on 12th August this year. The future of Zambia is bright. The future is yellow. The future is SET.
For more details about Sean Tembo and/or the Patriots for Economic Progress (PeP), please visit our website: www.pepzambia.org or physically at the Party Secretariat on the first floor, Pangaea Office Park, Arcades Shopping Mall, Great East Road, Lusaka or by WhatsApp to +260971195870 or by email directly to the Party President on seanetembo@gmail.com
Fellow country men and women, PF Lusaka Provincial Chairman Kennedy Kamba’s threats on State Council John Sangwa is cheap useless and nonsensical.
We would like to categorically state that should anything happen to lawyer John Sangwa, we are going to hold PF Lusaka province Chairman Kennedy Kamba and Former shadow Political Advisor Kaizer Zulu accountable for directing all PF cadres to treat Sangwa as a political opponent.
State Council John Sangwa is a Zambia who has the right to petition any person over issues he is not in agreement with in line with the law of the land.
PF thinks they own Zambia it is nonsensical to threaten somebody trying to call the nation to order.
PF feels they are above and beyond the law such that they can intimidate anybody.
PF should and must stop intimidating the citizen.
PF should start putting the house in order. Zambia is for Zambians and not for PF
Sangwa is exercising his constitutional right by challenging Lungu’s illegal third term. It is on record that Mr Lungu threatens judges whenever there is a serious matter in court.
We are calling on well meaning Zambians to rally behind John Sangwa and join hands with him in protecting the Zambian constitution in petitioning the Constitutional court to declare null and void President Edgar Lungu’s nomination to contest the 2021 general election.
During the presidential petition Concourt judges abandoned the petition for fear of being beaten by PF thugs that were sent by state house who had camped at Concourt premises.
We must all remember it was all because of such threats that we are in this situation today. The judges passed a judgement veiled with jargons to try and hide the truth. They interpreted the constitution according to the 2016 constitution, forgetting that Mr Lungu ruled through two constitutions and his contract is validated by the old clauses. In fact it was 1996 constitution that even gave him power to even sign the 2016 constitution. There is no judgement for Mr Lungu and third Kamba is talking about without interpreting first the 1996 constitution. This amount of ignorance on straight forward issues will cost PF.
Here is my questions;-
1.Was ECL elected twice?
2.Was ECL sworn in twice?
3.Did ECL held office twice?
Kindly answer these three questions.
After following Elections events from 25/1/2015 to date, and after reading both constitution 1996 and 2016 amended one. My other question would be
1. Who was holding office of the president on 26/1/2015
2. Who was holding office of the president in 2016 after Elections
3. How many parliaments did ECL dissolved. Considering that a term runs concurrently to parliament life span.
Sometimes we Zambians should not combine constitution and political affiliations. The constitution is not only for lawyers but everyone. Some articles and clauses doesn’t need a lawyer to understand.
Let truth justice to prevailed . No amount of intimidating can stop Zambia to speak the truth.
UPND EXPLAINS FAILURE OF SOME CANDIDATES FILING IN….IT WAS CANDIDATES FAULT, PARTY WAS ORGANISED
UPND secretary general Batuke Imenda has attributed the failure by some UPND aspiring candidates to file in their nominations, to inadequate preparations by the individuals who did not carry all the required documents.
On Wednesday, Nalolo constituency UPND aspiring member of parliament Namenda Siyanga and UPND aspiring candidate for Mufumbwe Council Chairperson Kajilo Muzungu both failed to file in their nominations after they failed to produce all the documents required by ECZ.
But in an interview, Imenda explained that the candidates forgot to carry some of the required documents and that by the time they managed to gather all the papers, it was already too late to file in their nominations.
“It is true [that] in these places we have failed to file. In Nalolo, the person forgot his original grade 12 certificate in Mongu, so he was advised to go and collect it. He had to travel a long distance from Nalolo to Mongu and then back again to Nalolo. But by the time he reached, it was ten minutes to closing time and he was not allowed in. That is how we lost it. Others it was also a question of inadequate papers here and there which were delayed. In the case of the Mufumbwe [Council Chairperson candidate] the issue involving Kajilo Muzungu, unfortunately by the time we organised the papers, it was already past closing time,” Imenda explained.
“It is the individual. Here is someone with all the papers including photocopies and then later on he realises the papers were in Mongu. So that is not a party matter, it is an individual’s matter. The candidate in Nalolo, the man has been campaigning for the last 10 years, so he has wasted too much time. He has wasted a lot of money investing in campaigns only to lose it at the last minute.”
Imenda said as the party, they had strategies on how they were going to sell their president with or without a member of parliament in an area.
“What is important is that we have MP’s to support the bills in the House, but most important of all, is the presidential campaign. That is why we are concerned with how we are going to take up the presidential campaign. The members of parliament play a supplementary role of supporting the president in the campaign. For example, as the candidate was going around in the constituency, he was going to sell the name of the president and the name of the councillor. That may be the only gap that has been created,” he stated.
“But as a party we have our strategies on how we are going to sell our president with or without a member of parliament. In each polling station, we have members who will be doing the campaigns as well as constituencies who will be conducting the campaigns for the president.”
A PARISHIONER and professed member of the Secular Franciscan Order says President Edgar Lungu’s third-term bid will be lifting the veil beneath which are ominous signs harmful to the legacy of his name and Zambia.
In a letter to President Lungu dated April 21, 2021 Medardo Chalata said he would not have heard from him had it not been for his third-term presidential bid, despite the writings on the political wall and the ominous signs it portended.
He said he wrote to the President so that he might decide things differently and as a mark of humility.
“Your Excellency, President Lungu, reference; ‘Your third term presidential bid – writings on the political wall and pieces of advice’. I send you, Your Excellency, warm greetings from my heart; heart animated by God’s Love for you, using the above contact address. However, the contents of the letter are prompted neither by any Bishop nor any priest, but, rather, by Divine Imperatives (Inspirations), for your own good and the common good of mother Zambia,” Chalata stated. “I thank you, Your Excellency, for taking time to read this special letter, written for your special attention. You are the third Zambian President that I have written to, in similar circumstances. May God’s Holy Spirit be your Guide as you read this special letter, and may God’s peace be upon you; peace that I asked of you to bless Zambia with, doing so in my Facebook posting to you, emulating Dr Kaunda, when he retired.”
He reminded President Lungu that Zambia had been an oasis of peace and a model of democracy, rule of law and respect for the provisions of the Constitution since 1991.
“Dear Dr Lungu, Your Excellency, you might have not heard from me had it not been for your Third-Term Presidential Bid, despite the writings on the political wall and the ominous signs that your presidential third term bid portends: thus making Your Excellency seem to be [skating] on thin ice, as it were! Hence this letter in which I have decided to shed light on your third-term presidential bid, thus lifting the veil beneath which are ominous signs harmful to the legacy of your name and mother Zambia,” Chalata stated. “I have done so, so that you might decide things differently and, instead, and as a mark of humility, thank God for what He has afforded you to experience at the helm of Zambia, as a mark of special favour to you …beyond your wildest dreams.”
Chalata reminded President Lungu that he has been sworn in twice to serve the Zambian populace and on each occasion he promised to uphold the Constitution with the Bible in his right hand as an assurance and promise to God to abide His words and the Constitution.
He said there is neither moral, religious or legal grounds to justify President Lungu’s going for third term bid.
“… it is a fact, Your Excellency, that either by virtue of film shows or by physical observations, that skiers do not take to skiing when snowflakes have just started falling because they would risk hurting themselves and limbs would be broken! Your Excellency, you are that skier that is skiing on thin ice,” he said.
Chalata said people like Chief Mukuni have spoken, stating that “President Lungu does not qualify for the August elections.
He warned President Lungu that breach of the Constitution would scare away donors and investors, as Zambia would no longer be a democracy but a failed and lawless state, ruled by greedy politicians who are not ashamed to buy voters and breach Electoral Code of Conduct at will.
“There will be a flurry of court cases; peace will be elusive, and so very tricky to restore, once it is lost. War is better kept at a distance, not deliberately courted, like a suitor to a bride,” Chalata said, citing several media publications on the subject matter.
“Both local and international print media have been awash with apparent double-talk on your presidential third term bid…To this effect, we make partial quotations from The Mast Newspaper, No. 1597, Wednesday March 24, 2021 page 2, thus: ‘President Lungu told the diplomats that, democracy, good governance and the rule of law were not only enshrined in the Constitution but were shared values of regional organisations to which Zambia is a member. It is on the basis of these principles that Zambia will be assessed when we go to the polls this year’,” he noted.
Chalata told President Lungu that the Zambians are morally liable to God who put him in power, expecting him not only to obey His Commandments and decrees, but also to honour Him, as a mark of Christian virtues and presidential leadership.
He said God is expecting the President to carry out his public assurances, promises, duties and obligations attached to his office by upholding the rule of law and the Constitution.
“Doing all this to ensure law and order, lasting peace, harmony and unity in Zambia, a lasting legacy of the founding fathers and freedom fighters who spilled blood for noble causes. And as I have stated in the course of this letter, what is good for the goose is good for the gander! Also, please do put rampaging cadres on the leash. We have got no other country to run to when chaos breaks loose, Sir,” said Chalata.
The difficulty of doing business in Zambia has been well documented. Some say it’s taxes and some say it’s corruption. But there is a lot more that draws Zambian businesses back and its high time we admitted it as a people so that we can change this mind set.
STEALING.
Ala we can steal! Yesterday I went to buy stuff from a hardware. When I reached the shop, the workers told me that if I waited outside, they would bring me the items I needed for half the price!!! I refused. Doing so would be loses to a business. How many businesses lose money in that way???
I gave a lift to some workers, when we arrived at site, the K10 I had laying on the car sit for weeks was gone. Cry my beloved country!!!
The plumber came to me and said the rubbers for some item were missing. Everyone refused to acknowledge who took them. They all put the blame on the hardware. This is despite the fact that we checked everything together with the plumber!
Now imagine what is happening in big companies???? Imagine what is happening in parastatals where all citizens feel entitled. At Zamefa in Luanshya, I used to object when I saw workers receiving a full body search!!! Now I know why???
TRUST ISSUES.
In Zambia you can’t do remote farming, build remotely or trust any property with anyone!!! There are a lot of stories of poor workmanship or when even trusted workers abandoning jobs half way but busy calling for full payments to be sent!!! There are a lot of stories when even relatives misuse money sent by their diaspora relatives to build houses, develop farms or any other businesses. Then we now ask, why don’t Zambians invest back at home!?? Because there is simply no one to trust. Unless money is sent to a Chinese or Indian company in Zambia, no one will do the work especially when they know that the owner is not there!!!
REMOTE FARMING.
This is almost impossible. Since most Zambians, use their salaries as capital, the best model is to farm remotely in the beginning. How many farms have been abandoned because chickens apparently regularly die of snake bites, caught by other flying birds or eaten by chi mumbwe??? How many Zambians have abandoned farming because during the week no irrigation is done, goats stolen, fertiliser not applied or cattle mysteriously dying??? How can we build trust? How can we build wealth if we can’t be entrusted with other people’s property??
BUILDING.
Building a house in Zambia is a BP inducing experience. Cement is stolen with impunity. House owners are forced to go to the plot to witness the mixing of cement. With blocks and timber, chances are that if you are not on site yourself, you will contribute to the construction of the whole neighbourhood!!! What puzzles everyone is how people accept to buy stolen material simply because it’s cheap!? When you pay builders an advance, you will never see them again!!! In most cases, property owners chase after builders especially if an advance was involved. To avoid this, we are now using Zimbabweans and Chinese! So let’s change ourselves as workers!!! You call an employee, the first thing they demand is transport money. How will you give a job to a person desperate for transport money??? The first question on site is food. We spend 4 hours cooking and three hours working. That’s also prominent in formal work places. People boiling beans at work. Then what time do you work??
POOR CREDIT CULTURE.
They say if you want to lose friendship in Zambia, just lend money to another person. Zambians simply can’t pay back loans!! Whilst reading this, just think of someone who borrowed from you and has never paid back??? Just think of someone you got money from and you never paid back in full or at all!? No wonder banks have to cut at source because very few can voluntarily take the check in a monthly basis to the bank. Because of this, banks can’t lend to us if we don’t have a job (source) to cut from.
NEGLIGENCE.
We simply have no care for other people’s property. Try to give a friend your car to drive. Try to give your friend your laptop to use. You will be lucky if it comes back without problems. Now imagine if it’s a company property or especially government vehicle. No total regard for such property!! Look at how we vandalise public property. How can we we move like this???
BLAMING AUTHORITIES.
We have overburdened our authorities with responsibilities. I drive around townships. Look at our outside premises! We can’t even cut the grass or water it to a certain stand. The beauty of a city is neatly cut green grass, freshly painted buildings among other things! All Wall fences should be plastered and painted!! Painted regularly after each rain season!! We are used to having grass cut for us during Kaunda’s regime!!! Now it’s our responsibility!!!
If we have to give jobs and contracts to ourselves, we have to also improve on service delivery. No one will just give you a job because you carry a Zambian NRC. It’s a hustle to deal with a Zambian company in most cases. You order blocks, you will be chasing for them for months!!!
Otherwise not it’s not all companies though. Some are very professional!!!
By MacDonald Chipenzi
DID THE ECZ BREACH THE CONSTITUTION BY FAILING TO PUBLISH NAMES AND DETAILS OF THE DELIMITATED CONSTITUENCIES AND EFFECT THEM AT THE DISSOLUTION OF PARLIAMENT ON 14TH MAY, 2021?
According to Article 58 of the Constitution, ECZ DELIMITATED CONSTITUENCIES were supposed to have been published in the government Gazette and become effective on 14 May when Parliament dissolved.
Alas, this was not done and the delimitated constituencies remain still a secret for the ECZ and the President contrary to the provisions of the Constitution article 58 (4) which guides that the ECZ thus:
“The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) SHALL determine the names and boundaries of Constituencies and Wards”
In addition, Article 58(6) further guides that;
“The names and details of the boundaries of constituencies and wards shall be published in the Gazette and shall come into effect on the next dissolution of Parliament or councils.”
By this provision, it was and is an automatic amendment to Article 68 which prescribes the composition on parliament without having attached it to the dramatic and diabolic Bill 10.
ECZ further failed to effect the changes in constituencies as directed by the Constitution when Parliament dissolved despite the Constitution dictating so.
Instead, ECZ only effectedi the delimitated wards and polling stations only leaving out the constituencies which I feel was a bluntant disregard of the Constitution.
Delimitation of constituencies, just like that of wards and polling stations, is an operation of the law as provided for under Article 58 (5).
This Article directs that “the Electoral Commission shall, at intervals of not more than ten years, review the names and boundaries of constituencies and wards.”
However, the nation was surprised when ECZ submitted the report on delimitation, together with the delimitated constituencies, to the President instead of publishing it in the Government Gazette as per law establishment.
This is despite being no provisions in the Constitution that instruct the ECZ to submit such a report to the President and wait for his feedback on the same before ECZ could act on It. I BEG to be corrected.
To this end, will it be wrong if the provision of Article 58 (7) which guides that “A person may apply to the Constitutional Court for review of a decision of the Electoral Commission made under this Article” is summoned against the ECZ?
Time to make ECZ accountable on its failure to implement the provisions of this Article is not tomorrow but now. We need to petition the ECZ in the Constitutional Court without any further delay.
TREAT JOHN SANGWA AS A POLITICAL OPPONENT WHEREVER HE IS FOUND, PF IN LUSAKA DIRECTS ITS MEMBERS
….we will nolonger entertain his nonsense vows Chairman Kennedy Kamba.
LUSAKA, Saturday, May 22, 2021 (SMART EAGLES)
The Patriotic Front (PF) Lusaka Leadership has directed all its members to turn out in numbers and show solidarity to His Excellency Dr Edgar Chagwa Lungu when he appears before the Court whenever a date is set for hearing in his Presidential petition.
PF Lusaka Province Chairman MCC. Kennedy Kamba has also directed party members to treat the Lawyer John Sangwa as a political opponent wherever he is found.
Chairman Kamba said the party is not happy and is concerned on the misconduct being exhibited by Mr. Sangwa.
He said Mr. Sangwa is now playing politics as the matter of President Edgar Lungu’s illegibilty has already been dealt with by the Constitutional Court.
He stated that the party will therefore treat him as a politician because he is politicizing the issue.
“What he is trying to do is politicize the matter when it has already been dealt with by the Constitutional Court. Therefore, We will no longer entertain this nonsense by John Sangwa,” he said.
“All our party Structures in Lusaka should come in numbers at the court premises when the matter comes up in Court and support our leader President Edgar Chagwa Lungu. Our members should come for the hearing whenever the Court sets the date.”
MCC. Kamba said the party is concerned by the misconduct Mr. Sangwa who seems to be extremely frustrated and bitter to an extent that he wants the law and the electoral code to be changed to suit his own selfish agenda.
“We know very well that people like John Sangwa who claims to be a renowned lawyer and a few individuals have formed a cartel to try by whatever means possible to drag President Lungu in the mud and try to paint him black in the eyes of Zambians when the Constitution was clear that he was eligible to stand,” he added.
He said the party will not allow President Lungu’s name to be dragged in Sangwa’s bitterness who has now gone to an extent of trying to compel the Court and the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to change the law to suit his bitterness and frustrations.
“We want to state clearly here that we will defend the Presidency and President Lungu. Even when the case comes up, we will be there to give solidarity,” he said.
Chairman Kamba further stated that John Sangwa and some political party leaders have been attempting to influence the minds of people into falsely believing that President Lungu was not eligible to stand in 2021.
“These people who are claiming that President Lungu is not eligible to stand are just trying to bring unnecessary debate and confusion because the Highest Courts of the land, the Constitutional Court interpreted the law accordingly and cleared President Lungu that he only served one term,” he said.
The Lusaka PF Boss has since warned the ANTI-ECL Cartel to stop the malice because they are embarrassing themselves and will not be taken kindly by the ruling party.
He has since urged Sangwa and all those who are excited and making weird claims about President Lungu’s eligibility, to begin to demonstrate sobriety because their hatred for the Head of State will not take them anywhere.
THINGS are not always what they appear; God works in mysterious ways so those who are underdogs may turn out to be ‘upper dogs’, says UNIP president Trevor Mwamba.
Responding to assertions that the United National Independence Party (UNIP) is an underdog in the forthcoming general elections, Bishop Mwamba said the party, which was in power for 27 years before losing to MMD in 1991, brought about a lot of prosperity in the country.
“The last will become the first and the first will become the last…so it is how we go into this election. We are going into this election because we want to offer leadership for our people in Zambia that addresses their needs, its poverty, unity and prosperity for all and working together,” Bishop Mwamba said.
He said the former ruling party has been meeting prospective voters to get their concerns and assuring them that better times are ahead.
Bishop Mwamba said UNIP was back to do even better than what it did for the Zambian people, building on the foundation it laid down during
its tenure.
“We are about what we should be doing, meeting people, hearing their concerns and needs and assuring them that better times are yet to come.
And we shall deliver that, to work for good of the Zambian people, meet their dreams and aspirations; that’s what we are doing,” Bishop Mwamba said. “We are going around saying we are back as UNIP. And UNIP has always been there, this is a party of the nation. As you know this is a party about independence, a party that brought about a lot of prosperity as well. So we are back to do exactly what we started doing in the past but even better building on that foundation.”
UNIP was in government from independence in 1964 till its defeat to the Movement for Multiparty Democracy in 1991.
And Bishop Mwamba said UNIP is not just a party for Zambians but has been the guiding party and pillar for other countries in Africa.
“UNIP has been a party for Africa, especially the Southern region, the liberation parties that were here, the ANC, FRELIMO, SWAPO and ZANUPF
we worked together and UNIP was the guiding party and pillar for all these other countries. Therefore, Zambia’s independence was also the
independence of other countries,” said Bishop Mwamba.
THE Civil Society Constitution Agenda (CiSCA) says Professor Nkandu Luo must apologise for her unconstitutional blatant discriminatory tribalistic remarks against the people of Southern Province at a campaign meeting last year.
CiSCA chairperson Judith Mulenga however congratulated President Edgar Lungu for replacing his soon to retire Vice-President with another female running mate.
“The congratulations notwithstanding, CiSCA demands that Prof Nkandu Luo must apologise for her 2020 unconstitutional, blatant discriminatory and tribalistic remarks against the people of Southern Province at a campaign meeting in Luapula Province. She needs to be accountable for her own thoughts, conscience and utterances as per our Constitution in Article 19 on freedom of thought, conscience and religion, and Article 20 on freedom of expression,” she said.
Mulenga said the honour that had been bestowed on her by President Lungu requires the highest level of responsible leadership, constantly checking oneself and exercising restraint and “when these qualities fail, promptly offering unreserved sincere apology to the injured persons”.
“It is not CiSCA’s intention to hold Prof Luo to a much higher standard than her male counterparts but it is recognition that her tribal remarks were such a gross violation of our Constitution that in a normal society such a record as a politician would have precluded her from ever holding such a high office that puts her a breath away from the Presidency of Zambia,” she said. “We recognise that her classmates in the school of tribalism; Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba, Chanda Nyela, Bizwell Mutale and Christopher Yaluma may not in their lifetimes ever become president of our beloved One Zambia One nation, but Prof Nkandu Luo may and therefore as CiSCA we believe she needs to atone for her tribal divisive remarks before she even hits the campaign trail. Is she now banking on her and President Lungu’s win on the Bisa, Bemba and Luapula votes only?”
Mulenga said for a party whose mantra had become, ‘leaving no one behind’ Prof Luo needs to wipe her slate clean.
She said Prof Luo needs to emulate Chishimba Kambwili who upon realising his aspirations for national leadership made his first port of call to Southern Province to ask for forgiveness.
She said tribalism was unconstitutional and had no place in a democratic country.
Mulenga said tribalism was discrimination and its manifestation as a means for political mobilisation contravenes the national value and principle of non-discrimination as provided for in Article 8(d) of the Constitution.
“Article 43(d) places the responsibility on every citizen to foster national unity and live in harmony with others while Articles 60 (2) (b) (c) requires that political parties have a national character and promote national unity,” said Mulenga. “Further, Article 60 (3) (a) prohibits any political party from engaging in propaganda based on ethnic and tribal extraction. Therefore…Prof. Nkandu Luo’s public apology is now non-negotiable.”
On Saturday 1st May 2021, opposition leader Chishimba Kambwili did what to many observers say was the inevitable – return to the Patriotic Front party, ostensibly to go and ‘eat together’, as put by PF party secretary general Davies Mwila (quoted in the News Diggers on 3rd May 2021).
Kambwili’s return to the PF and its leadership that he despised and insulted not many moons ago has generated a lot of speculation and debate about the primary motive behind and the value he takes back to ‘his vomit’, as some have put it. Whatever the motive, Kambwili now faces two courts: the courts of law and the court of public opinion.
Regarding the value he takes back, one school of thought posits that he is a spent force, coward, hypocrite (you name it) whom few voters will never take serious again. How can the person who once said umwine wa cisushi tafwisa mate (he who has farted will never spit) – Lusaka Times, 27th July 2019 – be taken seriously again after ‘eating his vomit’ or returning to the same cisushi he despised? A lot of his previous admirers and voters will be excused for seeing in the ‘new’ Kambwili a hypocrite not to be listened to, let alone taken serious again.
A Lusaka Times blogger, Mzambia wa Zamani, for instance, wrote on May 1, 2021, “Unprincipled leader, prevaricator, equivocator, opportunist, charlatan, phony, a big fraud, pretender …never ever trust Chishimba Kambwili again if you value trustworthiness, truth and walking the narrow path.”
In statement published in this newspaper on 5th May 2021, Bishop Simon Chihana asked, “How shall the people of Zambia take him from now on?”
After all, they argue, his own party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) never made any inroads in the political landscape other than for high-pitched vulgarities. For the entire years+ of its existence, the NDC never won a single seat in councils and the win in the Roan Constituency by-election is highly credited to the work of the alliance with the UPND, and particularly of the UPND strongman and chair for the Copperbelt Elisha Matambo.
When NDC was formed, it was assumed that Kambwili’s perceived influence would lead to wins for the party in the Bembaland, especially the Copperbelt. It never happened. Wherever NDC competed against the UPND and the other alliance partners, it lost. This includes in perceived strongholds such as in Kitwe (Lubwa ward in July 2019) and Luapula, when NDC came third to the Greens and Reds, respectively. In one ward, it was even beaten by Andyford Banda’s PAC. In short, other than adding a voice to political advocacy and rhetoric, Kambwili and his NDC never made any impact in changing the political landscape, notwithstanding the in-fighting that consumed part of its formative stages.
On the flip side, the PF (at least top brass) and possibly a number of voters and ardent admirers, believe Kambwili will add some value to the PF’s campaign for the August 2021 elections. In any case he is credited for traversing the Copperbelt with then PF candidate Edgar Lungu during the 2016 elections.
How the PF and its supporters feel about Kambwili’s value to the party is up to them and not my business in this article. Perhaps it will be for another day. What is of focus is the potential conundrum that the judicial system (courts and prosecuting authorities) and the PF face following Kambwili’s return to the PF. This is in light of the public perception about Kambwili’s motive or reason for going back to the PF, and not any other party on the market.
The current former Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services Dora Siliya, as an opposition MMD member of parliament then, while debating in Parliament around 2012, once recited the famous quote, “perception is reality.” This means that, “If you are perceived to be something, you might as well be it because that’s the truth in people’s minds” (quote from the Internet). I will add Ivanka Trump’s quote, “Perception is more important than reality. If someone perceives something to be true, it is more important than if it is in fact true.” Wise words indeed!
So, using the above wonderful analogies, let us dwell on the perceptions under the present circumstance, assuming that indeed “perception is reality”. Reading from the plethora of media comments, Kambwili went back to the PF willingly or forcefully to save himself from going to jail and from additional sentences for the other cases he is facing. On 14th October 2020, Kambwili was convicted and handed a one-year jail term for forgery, disseminating false documents. His appeal against this sentence is still pending.
Two weeks ago, Kambwili was found with a case to answer in a matter in which he was charged with 39 counts of forgery and being in possession of property reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime amounting to over K5 million. And last week, he was acquitted in the defamation of the President case. Adding to the narrative that Kambwili’s return to PF is in search of relief, in an article titled “Kambwili’s decision to rejoin the PF is out of duress, it does not represent his true political feelings” published on Lusaka Times on 3rd May 2021, the Patriots for Economic Progress (PeP) party, a former opposition alliance partner of NDC summed it up, “His decision to rejoin the ruling PF party is not something that he did out of his own volition but was compelled to do so using varying amounts of duress and blackmail by the PF and its government. On one hand, Honourable Kambwili was inundated with countless and often baseless criminal charges, and on the other hand, his business enterprises were curtailed so that he remained with a very limited source of livelihood.”
A Lusaka Times follower calling him/herself M M, for instance, wrote on 1st May 2021, “PF is a safe haven for him. His court cases are getting too hot for him. The return to PF has nothing to do with principles. He thinks PF will protect him from jail time. Who knows, it may happen!” When receiving Kambwili on 1st May, Mwila said the party would use him because, in his words, nobody hires a top striker like Ronaldo and leaves him on the bench. Question: in exchange for what?
Kambwili’s own lamentation fuels the ‘surrender’ and relief narrative. Upon his release from prison, Kambwili is quoted in News Diggers of 26th April 2021 saying, “I have got a bill with the lawyers, a huge bill. If I am arrested again, what happens to the paying of the huge legal fees? If I am arrested again, I will need a lawyer. Already, I have got cases pending, six cases and I am still paying lawyers. I don’t want to commit another trumped-up charge because all the charges I have been given are trumped up! But even in war, my sister, there is a plan and then you kind of retreat, then you attack, it’s a strategy, just wait and see. Wait and see what is going to obtain, but this thing of saying, ‘I am joining PF’ is neither here nor there.”
Going by these public perceptions, the PF and judicial system, will be spotlight as to how the Kambwili cases proceed from now on. Already the ‘soft’ resolution of defamation case against Lusaka businessman Valden Findlay may be perceived as step one of things to come. In the bigger scheme of things, independence of our judicial system is what is in the court of public opinion. This author agrees with Bishop Chihana that it “would have been better for him (Kambwili) to resign from politics for now until his life was sorted out.”
The author is head of the Governance and Socio-Cultural Research Programme at the Institute of Economic and Social Research, University of Zambia. Email: pmbozi5@yahoo.com.
SICHINGA FILES-IN AS INDEPENDENT IN MAFINGA, ENDORSES HH…says he’s motivated by changing public institutions like Constitutional Court
By Daily Revelation Correspondent
Former commerce minister Bob Sichinga has filed nominations as independent candidate in Mafinga constituency, saying he wants to contribute towards changing public institutions like the constitutional court to work for the interests of the masses.
And Zambia’s former permanent representative to the United Nations Dr Kasese Botha has filed to stand as an independent in Mpika-Central after she was overlooked on the PF adoptions.
Sichinga told Daily Revelation, that he is supporting the opposition UPND to win the presidency, and hoping the opposition will earn a super majority in Parliament in order to right the many things he said had gone wrong under President Edgar Lungu’s administration.
He said even if President Lungu managed to run for a third term, it was not over as he and the courts will have to account for the “coup”, when it was clearly stated that he should not run for another term having already held office twice.
Sichinga said it pained him to see the hardships people in his former constituency were facing, just like the rest of the country, and that he was seeking another term to help improve their welfare.
Sichinga was first elected in Mafinga, then Isoka East, as an independent in 1996 and he won the Kafue seat in 2001 on the UPND ticket, but did seek not seek another parliamentary run thereafter until now.
“The whole governance system has to be changed from this adulterous. We must rebuilt the civil service, public service that it serves the whole nation. They have invited all the citizens to register for cash transfer, where have they been? Why are they taking Emerine Kabanshi to court? I will make sure they do not see the vote here (in Mafinga),” Sichinga said, adding that he had decided to support the candidature of Hakainde Hichilema because as far as he was concerned there were only two competitors in the 2021 elections. “If you look at the Constitutional Court they are talking about a provision in the constitution, but how do you hear a case that hasn’t even been brought up? This is not worth being called a Constitutional Court, it is a kangaroo court.” -Daily Revelation
DEAR PRESIDENT EDGAR LUNGU CAGE YOUR
LIEUTENANT HH IS A ZAMBIAN
It is that time of the year again when the main opposition leader in Zambia HH suffers the worst before, during and after an election. The only salvation this year is, the people have his back. Mr. Lungu I’m kindly appealing to you sir to cage your thugs and stop them destroying campaign materials of your opponents. This act is purely under your nose and you know who coordinates it amongst your handlers in state house.
Your Excellency we acknowledge how frustrated you are for being an incompetent, arrogant, visionless, pompous and violent president in Zambia. Remember sir, we have not forgotten how all kinds of criminal activities have taken place under your reign without taking decisive actions but instead shielding Master minders of these crimes.
Some of these acts are: the shooting of civilians by both your cadres in uniform and in party ranks like Francis Muchimwa who shot Lawrence Banda. The burning of markets which we can clearly link to the burning of the oppositions’ billboards, the gassing of citizens which you have ignored to talk about as a head of state after one of your surrogates being found as a prime suspect. We have not forgotten how your government poisoned over 18 million Zambians with expired drugs and condoms. Just this act of supplying the country with expired drugs and condoms in a civilized nation you could have resigned and face the law. But in Zambia you are the law yourself and still want to rule some more and do what?
Why do we insist that gassing was a government project? Apart from the fact that Spax behind the financing and coordinating the Jerabos. The pick up vehicles used also told a story of who was responsible. Latest Toyota Hilux were being used through out the country coordinating the operation. Every witness who spoke out, revealed seeing a latest Toyota Hilux without number plate before every gassing. With all the roadblocks every kilometer, the police never intercepted any. The only way that is possible is only if the police was ordered to look elsewhere as plotted to incriminate HH.
When Spax was bundled into a police car to Lusaka, the police spokesperson who announced the landmark breakthrough in the gassing operation was transfered immediately.
Further, when it came to charging the man who was handling government money to finance the operation. He was not charged with the offence to he was brought in for. Instead, the government went in the archives to find a murder case that even had no postmortem report and used it against a person who was sponsored by government to finance the operation where as government agents coordinated attacks on the citizens. Mr President, many Zambians may be scared to openly talk about this issue but as a believer and a child of God I will keep reminding you about this important case. As a president the moment you told the nation that you will not form a commission of inquiry in the gassing I knew that there was alot you were hiding innocent citizens.
The only criminal in Zambia who is never arrested is one who works for the powers that be. How do you explain the deployment of 150 Toyota Hiluxes and we are told they all vanished without a trace.Today another operation has been hatched to burn campaign material. Mr President, what is the purpose of all that? Our earnest appeal sir is that cage your agents of destruction because the day Zambians will descend on them it will be a bad thing for our nation. Please stop burning your brothers campaign materials. I’m saying stop it because it is your agents you know too well doing this.
I wish you a reflective sabbath. And always remember that God hate evil and wicked men no matter how much one can pretend to be humble. Infact true humbleness is by our character and love for our neighbors.
#PLEASE #FREE #MUBITA #NAWA
SIKAILE C SIKAILE
GOOD GOVERNANCE AND HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST FOR ZAMBIA AND AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
16 Presidential candidates have successfully filed in their nomination papers for the 12th August general elections out of the 20 paid-up candidates, after the presidential nominations which started on Monday 17th May through to yesterday Thursday 20th May, officially closed.
Speaking during a briefing in Lusaka to mark the closing of the presidential nomination process, ECZ Chief Electoral Officer Patrick Nshindano said that Movement for Democrtatic Congress ( MDC )’s Felix Mutati, United Party Prosperous and Peaceful Zambia ( UPPZ ) Charles Chanda, All People’s Congress Party ( APCP) leader Nason Msoni with Independent candidate Masuwa Kalabi having failed to file in his nomination papers.
“The first include Mr Nason Msoni, All People’s Congress Party whose pre-processing was incomplete and also did not submit nomination documents, we also had Mr Peter Chanda New Congress Party who officially withdrew from the nomination process.
“We also had Mr Felix Mutati movement for democratic change whose pre-processing was incomplete and later officially withdrew from the process and last but not least Mr Kalabi who was unsuccessful as he did not meet the number of required supporters,” he said.
And speaking when officially closing the nomination process, ECZ Chairperson Justice Esau Chulu explained that the closing of the nomination process delayed allowing the independent candidate to file his nomination papers, adding that the commission had to use its discretion to go beyond the 17 hours deadline just to allow the candidate to file in his nomination but he was however unsuccessful.
“I had to exercise my discretion to allow a candidate who was already on the premises to bring his supporters in the hope that by the time we should have closed, he would have raised one thousand supporters,” he said.
And earlier, Mr Kalabi accused the commission of not communicating adequately with him on the requirements needed when filing his nomination process, claiming that his supporters were blocked from accessing the Showgrounds which the designated place was meant to scrutinize the supporters.
Mr Nshindano however denied the allegation saying the commission adequately informed all the candidates prior to the start of the process and that candidates need to own up when they make mistakes as opposed to falsely accusing the commission.
The ruling PF, UPND, Third Liberation Movement, Socialist Party, Party of National Unity and Progress (PNUP), UNIP’s, United Prosperous and Peaceful Zambia (UPPZ) and MMD have this week successfully filed in their nomination papers.
Other parties are Patriots for Economic Progress (PEP), Democratic Party (DP ), Leadership Movement (LM), Zambia United for Sustainable Development ( ZUSD ), National Restoration Party (NAREP), New Heritage Party(NHP), People’s Alliance for Change (PAC) and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF ) all successfully managed to file in their nomination papers for their respective Presidential candidates and running mates.
Chief Zvimba fined former First Lady Grace Mugabe five cattle and two goats for violating traditional customs and rites following the burial of her husband, the late ex-president Robert Mugabe at the family rural home’s courtyard.
On Thursday Grace was summoned to appear before Chief Zvimba’s traditional court at Gonzo Guzha Hall at Murombedzi growth point in Zvimba but she did not turn up because she is currently admitted in a hospital in Singapore.
Last week, Mugabe’s exiled nephew Patrick Zhuwao said President Emmerson Mnangagwa was behind renewed efforts to exhume the remains of the late founding leader in order to extract a mystic scepter, or “tsvimbo yaMambo” believed to have been buried with the country’s founding father.
The late Mugabe who ruled Zimbabwe for 37 years before his inglorious exit following a military coup in November 2017, died aged 95 in a Singaporean hospital from prostate cancer. Mugabe’s family said he refused the National Heroes Acre during the period post his exit.
Mnangagwa’s government attempts to have the remains of Mugabe interred at the national shrine where a mausoleum was being built for him were in vain as Grace remained adamant on her husband being buried in his rural home.
But Grace is also facing charges of disregarding earlier counsel to lay to rest the late former president at a designated site where his late mother had identified prior to her passing.
At Gonzo Guzha Hall, Thursday morning, there was heavy presence of hostile state security personnel, who included armed police officers, police intelligence members, and Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) operatives who chased away journalists saying they were working on instructions from “higher authority.”
The media were ordered to stay 100 metres away from the venue.
Dominic Matibiri, a relative of Mugabe family who was also barred by police from joining proceedings, told journalists that he was wondering where the cattle would come from.
“When the court rules that Grace should pay cattle, we wonder from whose kraal they will take these beasts. By summoning her, the chief belittled us as surviving men from our clan who are supposed to answer to such allegations,” said Matibiri.
“He is now doing as he pleases, but what he has done is exposing the chieftainship to ridicule. We as the Mugabe family hold claim to the Chidziva chieftainship. We are royalty as was Mugabe.”
HERE IS THE MEAT OF JOHN SANGWA’S PETITION, IF YOU DON’T GET IT, JOIN ME AT 20:00HRS,
================
Please my friends in PF, don’t hate me because I don’t hate President Lungu but these are facts for which we should confront. How I wish my friends at State House had not acted irresponsibly by throwing me in jail, I now want to see how they handle this and how they help President Lungu.
HERE IS THE ARGUMENT OF SANGWA
[84) Since no person has ever occupied the office of President in the manner provided for in Article 106(5) of the Constitution since it came into effect on 5th January 2016, Article 106( 6) of the Constitution has equally never been applied. Article 106(6) reads:
(6) If the Vice-President assumes the office of President, in accordance with clause (S)(a), or a person is elected to the office of President as a result of an election held in accordance with clause S(b), the Vice-President or the President-elect shall serve for the unexpired term of office and be deemed, for the purposes of clause (3)-
(a) to have served a full term as President if, at the date on which the President assumed office, at le as t three years remain before the date of the next general election ; or
(b) not to have served a term of office as President if, at the date on which the President assumed office, less than three years remain before the date of the next general
election.
[85] Whilst Article 106(3) of the Constitution has a retroactive effect, Article 106(5) and (6) of the Constitution do not. They are effective from 5th January 2016.
[89] By virtue of what is stated in paragraphs 4 to 88 the Petitioner contends that the Respondent:
(a) having been elected, sworn into the office of President on 25th January 2015 and having held the said office until 1 3th September 2016; and
(b) having been elected, sworn into the office of President from 13th September 2016, and having held the said office until the President-elect is sworn into the office of President after the election schedule led for 1 2th August 2021,
RELIEF SOUGHT:
The Respondent has contravened Article 106(3) of the Constitution by filing the nomination paper with the Returning officer, supported by an affidavit stating that the Respondent is qualified for nomination as candidate for President for the election scheduled for 12th August 2021.
(a) a declaration that the Respondent having been elected, sworn into and held the office of President from 25th January 2015 to 13th September 2016, and having been declared winner of the 2016 election, sworn into and having held the office of President from 13th of September 2016, until the next President is elected under the 2021 election is not eligible for nomination for election as President in the election set for 12th of August 2021;
(b) a declaration that to the extent that the Respondent’s nomination for election to the office of President scheduled for 12th August 2021, contravenes Article 106(3) of the Constitution, the said nomination is null and void; and
(c) an Order (of Certiorari) that the nomination paper filed by the Respondent with the Returning Officer and all documents in support of the Respondent’s nomination for election to the office of President in the election of 12th August 2021, be removed forthwith into the Constitutional Court for purposes of quashing.
TAYALI THE PUBLIC LAWYER OF THE PUBLIC COURT OF OPINIONS
Renowned lawyer Elias Chipimo has simplified the eligibility puzzle for President Edgar Lungu saying he has held office twice so can’t run in 2021 polls.
In his article on the debate, Chipimo explains in simple way the two articles being advanced by the anti and pro Lungu’s third term.
The expressions “term of office” and “hold office” (or “held office“) do not mean the same thing.
By Elias Chipimo Jr
A reflection on whether President Edgar Lungu having twice held office as president can run again in 2021
Introduction
There is a heated debate over whether President Edgar Lungu can run for president in 2021, having already been elected to this office twice – the first time in 2015 (when he served out the remainder of Michael Sata’s term in accordance with the pre-amended constitution) and again in 2016 (following the general election). The President’s strongest detractors believe that any attempt to justify a further term is a recipe for anarchy and are calling for fire and brimstone responses. I believe there is a calm and rational approach to this matter and I take a leaf from President Lungu himself who has expressed his opinion on the issue and suggested that those who feel differently should take the matter to the Constitutional Court.
The Argument
Those supporting the President’s position appear to rely primarily on the provisions of Article 106(6)(b) of the amended constitution. Their argument can be summarised as follows:
Although Article 106(3) prevents a person who has twice held the office of President from standing again for that office, there is an exemption under Article 106(6)(b) that would make President Lungu eligible to run again. Article 106(6)(b) states that a person who was elected to the office of President shall only be deemed to have served a “term” if he served for three or more years. President Lungu only served for 18 months and did not therefore complete a “term” Under Article 106(1) of the constitution, a term of office lasts 5 years.
To try and settle this matter, we can ask two questions, the answers to which would have to be “yes” in at least one instance in order for President Lungu to qualify to stand again for an election:
1. Was President Lungu elected into office in 2015, as a result of the existing Vice President being unable to automatically assume the office of President”?
2. Do the words “hold office” and “held office” in Article 106(2) and (3) mean the same thing as “term of office” in Article 106(1)?
Response to Question 1
In order to qualify under Article 106(6)(b), President Lungu would have to have been elected as a result of the person who would immediately have assumed the office of president (following the death of Mr. Sata) being unable to do so. This was not the case. Elections in 2015 were not held because there was no immediate successor eligible to automatically assume the office of president; they were held because the constitution required a fresh presidential election, regardless of availability of a suitable successor.
To put this response another way, for a person to qualify for the exemption under Article 106(6)(b), that person has to have been elected to the office of president as a result of an election held in accordance with Article 106(5)(b) – an election resulting from the fact that the Vice Presidential running mate could not immediately assume the office of the president without an election. Such a situation has not arisen before and could only arise after the constitutional amendment had taken effect (i.e. after the amended constitution was passed by Parliament and activated). Since,therefore, this procedure was not available under the pre-amendment constitution, the answer to Question 1 would be “no”, meaning those arguing that the President can stand again in the basis of Article 106(6)(b) cannot proceed on this basis because the three year exemption does not apply in this instance.
Response to Question 2
The second question lies at the heart of the confusion surrounding this issue. It is without doubt, the more complex question and is based on an interpretation of the word “term”.
Those that say the President can stand again believe that a “term of office” for a president is five years. This is correct. However, it is not necessarily the same thing as the period when a President is deemed to “hold office”.
To “hold office” is simply to be sworn into office and serve as President until the next person is sworn into that office. This is abundantly clear from Article 106(2) which states:
“A President shall hold office from the date the President-elect is sworn into office and ending on the date the next President-elect is sworn into office”.
We can state this another way: although a presidential term is five years, a person can “hold office” for less than five years. The restriction in Article 106(3) does not use the word “term”; it uses the words “hold office”:
“A person who has twice held office as President is not eligible for election as President”.
Note that the constitution does not say:
“A person who has served two terms shall not be eligible”.
If the constitution had used the words “term of office” instead of “held office”, the President could well stand again because a term of office is at least five years. However,“holding office” is only the period between two swearing-ins. This could be five years or it could indeed be eighteen months.
The restriction on holding office is contained in Article 106(2) which states:
“A President shall hold office from the date the President-elect is sworn into office and ending on the date the next President-elect is sworn into office”.
The question to ask, therefore, is this: did President Lungu hold office from the date he was sworn-in, in 2015 to the date the next President (i.e. himself) was sworn-in, in 2016? If the answer to this question is “yes” then he has already held office once. If he resigns tomorrow and his office falls vacant and Mrs. Inonge Wina is sworn-in, he will have “held office” twice even though he will not have served even one term.
It appears that the expressions “term of office” and “hold office” (or “held office“) do not mean the same thing.
If that is the case, it will not matter that President Lungu did not serve for more than three years when he was sworn-in the first time because he will still be deemed to have “held office”, whatever length of time he served. The restriction in Article 106(3) is therefore not in relation to whether a president has served a “term of office”; it is about whether a president has “held office”, which is an entirely different thing.
For completeness, it should be pointed out that the exemption under 106(6)(b) only applies where there is a vacancy in the Presidency after the coming into effect of the amended constitution and not before so it cannot be relied upon to justify the argument in favour of another attempt at the Presidency where a person held office under the pre-amended constitution.
Conclusion
Based on the above interpretation, the current President, having twice held office (as opposed to having twice served a term of office), cannot stand again for election as President. The constitutional restriction does not refer to a person ‘serving a term of office’. It refers to a person ‘holding office’.
This is defined as being sworn-in and serving until the next person is sworn-in as President. In short, if the President resigned his office today, he would have “held office”, even though he would not have served a term of office and that is the critical distinction.
Prophet Uebert Angel is said to have declined an estimated US$15 000 a month salary package and additional accompanying benefits to be a Presidential Envoy and Ambassador at Large.
In March, President Emmerson Mnangagwa appointed Angel as a Presidential Envoy and Ambassador at Large covering Europe, North America, South America and Central America.
During the 2009-2013 coalition government, ambassadors were paid between USD$10 000 and USD$15 000 a month while their spouses were paid an additional USD$3000 a month going upwards depending on their educational qualifications.
In addition to salaries, the ambassadors get allowances to cover housing, transport, school fees for their children among other perks.
Based on those figures, the UK based businessman and man of the cloth would have been entitled to roughly over US$15 000 a month but he is reported to have declined a package in this range saying he was offering his services for free out of love for his country.
In 2014, then permanent secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Joey Bimha said salaries of diplomats were pegged according to local grades but they were entitled to allowances depending on the cost of living in their respective countries.
Zimbabwe has around 47 diplomatic missions across the world that need around US$88,8 million annually according to a budget request submitted in 2014. Over the years stories of the government failing to pay the salaries of embassy staff on time have been rife.
With a 6350 seater “Harare Hippodrome” and 40 executive suite only “Beethoven Hotel” being built in Harare and other several other buildings around the globe, it seems money is no object for the UK based businessman and Spirit Embassy: The GoodNews Church founder.
The Presidential Envoy and Ambassador at Large this week met Aston Villa midfielder Marvelous Nakamba at his Angel Manor mansion in Lincoln, UK.
Nakamba later tweeted: “Had a successful meeting with @UebertAngelAmb at the Angel Manor.
“During the meeting we discussed about the opportunities of investing in Zimbabwe and I’m looking forward to these opportunities. #Riseupzimbawe #investinZim Flag of Zimbabwe.”
PF CADRE STRATEGY ‘WELL THOUGHT OUT, FUNDED AND IMPLEMENTED’ – ACA’S LAURA MITI
The Police have this week sought to provide assurance that the upcoming August 12th elections will be peaceful. According to Deputy Inspector of Police for Operations Charity Katanga they are geared to implement an effective policing system for manning the polls. She has also warned that the police will not condone any political violence and that perpetrators will “face the full wrath of the law regardless of… political inclination.”
However, recent reports of incidents have thrown into question the ability of the police to deal with the threat posed by cadres. Already opposition billboards and campaign materials have been subject to destruction and burning.
Commenting on the challenges presented by cadres that claim to support the ruling PF Alliance for Community Action (ACA) Executive Director Laura Miti has stated, “One of President Lungu’s greatest accomplishments is coming across as totally unaware of the systematic terror his PF thugs visit on ordinary citizens. While the President walks around with hands clasped, looking as holy the Pope, his PF thugs are essentially in vicious control of the country.”
Miti goes on to recount a story to make her point.
“A couple of months ago, we were in Mwansabombwe carrying out routine election civic education, from village to village. One afternoon, we were having the 2nd meeting of the day, when the local police nd a convoy of PF cadres, dressed in their full regalia, arrived. The cadres begun to pace, threateningly, around. I was speaking, so I continued, but could see the police speaking to my colleague. The cadres then gathered at the back of a now tense crowd, and begun to listen. I noticed them become interested in what I was saying. The District Intelligence Officer (I discovered who he was after the meeting) also sat through the meeting – clearly on duty. Done, we left, expecting to hold 4 to 5 more meetings in the next days. The police had, however, summoned my colleague to the police station. Long story short is that the police ordered us to leave Mwansabombwe, immediately, “for our own good,” because they had information that cadres were planning to storm the lodge we were in, to beat us up. They said they could not protect us. We asked what we had done wrong that the police would order us to leave. The Officer-in- Charge said you have done nothing wrong but the cadres will beat you up and I have been instructed to tell you to leave. Just leave the district now!”
According to Miti her team had similar experiences in Nyimba and elsewhere.
“I write this to show how President Lungu’s administration has created an illegal army of thugs called cadres, who they are routinely using for violence and the threat of it. They obviously fund the hoodlums because they arrive in expensive 4x4s which cannot be afforded by ordinary mortals. Most significantly, they, as shown from our experience, are in control of institutions of government, including law enforcement,” she writes on social media.
Miti says all this points to a cadre strategy that “is well thought out, funded and implemented.”
THIS ELECTION IS IN THE HANDS OF UPND: PF HAS LOST IT
The Candidates’ Comment
There is every reason to believe that the August election is very much in the hands of the opposition. This belief is not premised on personal feelings but truth. There is no secret that the years of the Patriotic Front (PF) have been a roller coaster to majority Zambians.
Of course, we have seen infrastructure development. Roads, Schools, Health posts and all sorts of developed splashed all over this country, in areas that did not know such. However true this is, at what cost has all these things been put in place? The cost of all these things which PF has done is unreasonable and unbearable for majority Zambians.
While the country is seeing new malls, new roads and all, the people who stand to benefit are struggling to withdraw benefits from the so-called development which PF sings about. The monies that have been pumped into these projects are just too gigantic. Of course, most of that money has found itself in the pockets of very few crooks within the ruling party through over pricing. This is why, while majority people are struggling everyday to make ends meet, there is a fraction of people including their sycophants who want to believe that whatever development the PF has put in place reflects the living standards of the people.
Far from it. The bread that used to cost K5 not long ago is now costing K20. If you are going to drink tea with bread for 30 days in a month, you will have to spend K600 on bread only. While this is so, there are workers in our country who get paid K900 per month. Clearly, such people cannot afford to drink tea. You cannot go into a shopping market with a K2,000 and come out with things that will sustain your family for one month. While this is so, there are workers in our country who get paid that same K2000.
In all senses one looks at it, there is real suffering in our country. Ironically, PF doesn’t want to take responsibility.
Our belief embedded in truth is that, in this election, PF is not facing a challenge from the opposition per say but from the people who are struggling to make ends meet. Consequently, the opposition is there to reap the benefits. We know that Zambians in the past have chosen leaders using songs, bustele. But we must put things into context as we try to compare where we are coming from and today. In 2011, people danced to Donchi Kubeba at the time a $1 dollar was hovering around K5. In 2016 people were able to dance to Dununa Reverse when a $1 was hovering around K9. Will people dance to ‘Edgar aleteka nafuti sorry’ now that a $1 dollar is costing K23? We do not think so.
These few basics tell more of how this election is very much in the hands of the opposition. In every 10 people you talk to throughout the country, at least 7 will admit that life is unbearable under the PF regime. Is this a party that will win the election?
Of course, the PF and its members are in denial. They are suffering from arrogance of incumbency and to a large extent, they underate the sufferings that people go through. It is understandable because most of them are rich through the same monies they acquired through overpricing of tenders. They can afford a very expensive life which most Zambians can’t afford as such, when you tell them that people are struggling, they see no sense in you.
However, while this election is very much in the hands of the opposition, how much more prepared is the opposition to grab this opportunity? How much more are they prepared to ensure that this opportunity does not slide back to the PF through their various schemes?
We urge the opposition to not celebrate a goal they have not scored yet. Let them not begin sharing positions for an election victory they have not seen. If they think PF is going to give up power easily, then they are foolish. Many elements in PF know that a loss of power in this election is a gateway to prison. Many of them are thieves, bandits, crooks who know that prison awaits them if they lose this election. Will such people willingly and easily let it go?
HH’s PAPERS WERE NOT IN ORDER AND THAT CAUSED THE DELAY DURING FILING IN OF NOMINATIONS – ECZ
THE Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has denied allegations by UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema that there was pressure to disqualify him from contesting the forthcoming general elections.
And the Commission has announced that 16 of the 20 aspiring presidential candidates have successfully filed in their nomination papers while three have withdrawn from the race after paying K95,000.
On Wednesday, Hichilema alleged that the Commission delayed to process his documents because they were under pressure to disqualify him.
“Thank you to ECZ I know, and I think we all know the pressures they were under in order to disqualify us but it was not possible. We must thank these people they are under pressure from us in the political arena but we ask them to remain strong, to continue doing that which is right for the people of Zambia. It has been a bit lengthy I am not sure why but we endured it. We thank the people of Zambia who have been extremely anxious, they have heard a lot, they have seen a lot of road blocks. Trying to keep us away from this day. But the people of Zambia have remained strong in their belief that this day when we shall our presidential nomination will come, and indeed it has come,” said Hichilema.
But addressing journalists at the close of the nomination process, ECZ chief electoral officer Patrick Nshindano said it was unfortunate that Hichilema claimed that the Commission was under pressure to disqualify him.
“With regards to the allegations by the UPND president Mr Hakainde Hichilema that the Commission was under pressure to disqualify his nomination, that is far from the truth and it’s very unfortunate. The Commission did contact the UPND agents to bring the documents in good time of which they refused to do so and preferred to come with the documents when they were filing in,” he said.
“And when they did, in the preprocessing, the documents were not in order and they had to be accommodated for them to ensure that the documents were in order. The Commission was at no point under pressure from anybody and the Commission will remain an independent, an autonomous body as provided for in the constitution. And will undertake its mandate diligently as per law and will not be influenced by any individual or institution.”
Nshindano went on to name the candidates who did not file in their nominations.
“We had 20 paid up candidates out of which 16 successfully filed their nomination papers for the 2021 presidential election. Out of those, we have three who were unable and withdrew from the race. The first include All People’s Congress party leader Mr Nason Msoni whose preprocessing was incomplete and also did not submit nomination documents. We also had Mr Peter Chanda New Congress Party who officially withdrew from the nomination process. We also had Mr Felix Mutati from MDC whose preprocessing was incomplete and later officially withdrew from the nomination process. And lastly Mr Kalabi who was unsuccessful as he did not meet the number of required supporters,” Nshindano said.
When asked if it was automatic that the 16 presidential candidates would be on the ballot paper, Nshindano said it was not final.
“This is not the final stage, the law does provide for petitions. So we have seven days within which anybody can raise an issue on the candidates that have filed successfully and within that, if there is nothing, then the Commission will proceed to print the ballot papers. If indeed there is somebody who raises an issue to petition the nomination, that petition will have to be heard within 21 days. So this is not final,” he responded.
THANK you so much. Have a pleasant evening, were the last words Masuwa Exon Kalabi told Electoral Commission of Zambia chairperson justice Esau Chulu and commissioners.
Kalabi was hoping to contest as independent presidential candidate this year.
But no, his evening wasn’t pleasant, after all; his presidential nomination, together with that of his would-be running mate, Ryan Tembo, has been annulled by justice Chulu.
And there is a reason for that Around 19:37 hours today, Justice Chulu informed, an otherwise smartly dressed Kalabi, that the Commission scrutinised his documents and: “it is with regret that, in accordance with Articles 52 (2) of the Constitution of the Republic of Zambia, I have determined that you have not been validly nominated as a presidential candidate for the forthcoming presidential elections.”
“In the circumstance, I have equally determined that Mr Ryan Tembo has not been validly nominated as a running mate in the same election,” Justice Chulu said at Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka.
“The reason for my determination is as follows: according to the nomination papers that have been filed before me, you have only managed to raise 948 supporters, contrary to the requirement, which is 1, 000 supporters, and this is pursuant to Article 100 (1) paragraph j of the same Constitution. That is the pronouncement that I wish to make to you. Regrettably, this is the position.”
Kalabi then asked, “chair, am I allowed to say something?”
Justice Chulu, instead, stood and said: “I wish to hand you the letter confirming that I have invalidated your nomination, as per law prescribed. Thank you.”
Then justice Chulu asked Kalabi: “what is it you wish to say?”
Kalabi gave an excuse that borders on miscommunication between him and the ECZ.
“Having been instructed to bring our supporters today in Lusaka, we did mobilise and our supporters arrived last night. Today in the morning when our supporters came, unfortunately weren’t given an instruction of where they do the processing from,” explained Kalabi.
“And when they came, they were turned away from the Mulungushi main entrance and we directed them to seek refuge in the Showgrounds where they were further turned away. The Showgrounds security were not aware that Electoral Commission of Zambia] was having a process to do with processing….”
But that account, for now, counts for nothing, either in justice Chulu’s or your assessment.
The fact is that only 16 presidential candidates have been validly nominated, and Kalabi is not one of them.
Lack of 52 supporters, who are registered voters, has become a hurdle for Kalabi’s presidential bid.
Justice Chulu is a former judge of the High Court and so, maybe Kalabi’s plea should have been more judicious.
Kalabi has, however been told to officially write to the ECZ, concerning his predicament, before close of business tomorrow.
All Kalabi could do, at this point, was to politely stand up and tell justice Chulu and other staff on the ECZ panel that: “thank you so much. Have a pleasant evening.”
He concluded his talk with a bow, something similar to the Japanese one.
Downcast, Kalabi walked out of the nomination centre and still managed to congratulate presidential, parliamentary and local government candidates who have successfully filed in their nominations.
The four day presidential nomination period closed today.
Those who managed to file in today are Nevers Mumba of the MMD and running mate Reuben Sambo, Charles Chanda of the United Prosperous and Peaceful Zambia (UPPZ) and running mate Simon Mbulu and UNIP’s Trevor Mwamba and running mate John Brown Harawa.
As a fan since twenty zero nine (2009), I feel it’s safe if I add a voice over everything that’s been happening recently.
You are one of the biggest brands in the Zambian Entertainment Industry. And you are also one of the greatest Mcee’s the country has ever produced. You have many awards to your name; The Born n Bred, The Ngoma, The ZMA’s ecetra ecetra. You’ve produced hit after hit over the years – and you’ve dropped big-big albums since the time you decided to follow your passion. You’ve been an inspiration and a role model to almost everyone who wants to make a difference in life, be it in Music or in corporate World. They look up to you. We look up to you. I look up to you.
Your fans have been loyal. You are probably the only Zambian artist with the biggest fan base, not just around here, but also across Africa.
But it is also true that these fans are coming from different backgrounds and they are affiliated to different Political parties. It is not like all your fans are PF Supporters. They are not all UPND Supporters. They are not all NDC Supporters. They are all supporting different Political parties, and if one minute you decide to side with the Patriotic Front, a section of your fan base will feel betrayed. If the next minute you decide to side with the UPND, another section of your fan base will feel betrayed. If another minute you decide to side with the Socialite Party and be all over the place campaigning for Fred, a section of your fan base will complain.
And so, being the brand that you are, and with all the influence that you have – being neutral is a safer bet than the alternative.
It is always true that if an artist of your calibre goes and perform at a Political rally, they are going to influence one third of the people out there. It is true that if an artist of your level decides to sing a song for a certain Presidential candidate, they are going to influence a brother and a sister out there.
And with all the influence that you are carrying and the fame that you have, my message is simple and clear; side with the poor and do not betray your loyal fans.
It is your democratic and constitutional right to support whichever political party you want to support, but bare in mind that you guys are carrying stronger weapons than the average Zambian. If it means taking sides in Politics, at least be real. Try to side with a Political Party that has the desire to redeem Zambia from the shackles of poverty. Atleast side with a Political Party that has the dream of liberating Zambia from ruthless tyrants.
We understand the role you are playing as artists, but aside from being an artist, you are also a human being who happens to be a citizen of the republic of Zambia. And citizens are called upon to be Patriotic and loyal to their country and not to individuals. Atleast be Patriotic for once and realise that the route you have decided to take is wrong and the Political Party you have decided to side with is an enemy of the Zambian People.
What is happening, Slap? You have always stayed away from Politics and we know you have always turned down huge and massive Political offers – but who is misleading you now? Is it KMP?
” Drama sinifuna politics of the belly,
Ma change yenipoka yali che
I think I’m cherry,
Atleast I’m being earnest
Like Bruce I Potbelly.”
What happened to this line? You gave us hope that you are not into Politics of the belly. You gave us hope that you will forever side with the less Privilege and not the oppressor. You gave us hope that you are cool with the little monies you are getting. But what has happened now? You have really betrayed some of us, Mwila.
And why do you forget so easily? You’ve just decided to side with a Political Party whose minister mocked and disrespected Davie Zambia when he died in a Road traffic accident. Remember?
You’ve just decided to side with a Political Party that has neglected the Entertainment Industry.
You’ve just decided to side with a Political Party that is corrupt to the bone and to the core.
It is not time up yet. You can still do the right thing.
We are not saying you should support Hakainde or anything – all we are saying is that you should just stay away from the PF. Stay away from oppressors and shut your mouth until 11th August.
And to all the artistes out there – we know Music is business and all of you are in for some serious money. But have some dignity atleast. Loyalty to the country is more important.
If we all decide to side with money bags, we are aswell trading our destiny and the destiny of our Children and also that of our Grand-, children, including that of our Great-Grand Children.
The Duke of Sussex has said he used to drink a week’s worth of alcohol in a day to try to deal with the trauma of his mother’s death.
Prince Harry was also willing to take drugs to “feel less like I was feeling” more than a decade after she died.
The duke was talking to US talk show host Oprah Winfrey in their new streaming series on mental health.
He also spoke of the anxiety and panic attacks he had as a senior royal, and his experience of his mother’s funeral.
Diana, Princess of Wales, died in a car crash while being pursued by photographers in Paris in August 1997.
Speaking to Oprah for the Apple TV series The Me You Can’t See, Harry described being aged 28 to 32 as “a nightmare time in my life”, in which he had panic attacks and severe anxiety.
“I was just all over the place mentally,” he said.
“Every time I put a suit on and tie on… having to do the role, and go, ‘right, game face,’ look in the mirror and say, ‘let’s go’. Before I even left the house I was pouring with sweat. I was in fight or flight mode.”
He added: “I was willing to drink, I was willing to take drugs, I was willing to try and do the things that made me feel less like I was feeling.”
He said he would drink a week’s worth of alcohol on a Friday or Saturday night, “not because I was enjoying it but because I was trying to mask something”.
Prince Harry famously walked behind his mother’s coffin at her funeral, alongside his brother, father, uncle and grandfather.
“For me the thing I remember the most was the sound of the horses’ hooves going along the Mall,” he said.
“It was like I was outside of my body and just walking along doing what was expected of me. Showing one tenth of the emotion that everybody else was showing: this was my mum – you never even met her.”
The prince, 36, has campaigned for discussions around mental health to be normalised, and started speaking in detail about his personal experiences recently.
In March, he and his wife Meghan were interviewed by Oprah about their life in the Royal Family, and its impact on their mental health.
And on a podcast last week, Prince Harry said he was determined to “break the cycle of pain” of his upbringing when parenting his own children, and shared that he had gone to therapy.
The duke said the happiest time of his life was his 10 years in the Army, as there was no “special treatment” for him.
He left the Army aged 30, and met his wife-to-be Meghan on a blind date a year later.
The duke said family members previously told him “just play the game and your life will be easier”.
“But I’ve got a hell of a lot of my mum in me,” he said. “I feel as though I am outside of the system – but I’m still stuck there. The only way to free yourself and break out is to tell the truth.”
The streaming series sees Prince Harry, Oprah, Lady Gaga, Glenn Close and others tell their own stories about mental health and wellbeing.
It was first announced in April 2019, almost a year before Harry and Meghan announced they were stepping back as senior royals in January 2020.
Nigeria’s Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau has been seriously wounded after trying to kill himself to avoid capture during clashes with rival Islamic State-allied jihadists in the north of the country, two intelligence sources said on Thursday.
Shekau’s Boko Haram faction and fighters from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) had been battling in northeastern Borno state, where ISWAP has become the dominant force in Nigeria’s more than decade-long jihadist insurgency.
Nigerian news sites and social media on Thursday were filled with rumours and unconfirmed reports about the death of the jihadist leader who made international headlines when his men kidnapped nearly 300 schoolgirls in 2014.
It was not the first time Shekau has been reported killed or seriously wounded. If confirmed, though, his loss could be a huge blow to a jihadist group already weakened by air strikes on its bases and defections of his fighters.
After a series of clashes, Shekau and some of his men were surrounded on Wednesday by ISWAP jihadists in Boko Haram’s Sambisa forest stronghold, where they demanded he surrender, one intelligence source said.
“To avoid capture, Shekau shot himself in the chest and the bullet pierced his shoulder,” the source said. “He was badly injured.”
Some fighters managed to escape with him to an unknown destination, the source added.
A second intelligence source said Shekau was critically wounded after detonating explosives in the house where he was holed up with his men.
“We are investigating,” Nigeria’s army spokesman Mohammed Yerima told AFP by text, asked about those reports.
– Jihadist splits –
More than 40,000 people have been killed and over two million displaced from their homes by the conflict in northeast Nigeria, and fighting has spread to parts of neighbouring Chad, Cameroon and Niger.
Boko Haram and ISWAP have fought battles for control of territory in the past after the original group splintered into the two rival factions in 2016.
ISWAP has emerged as the stronger more professional force, analysts say, carrying out complex attacks on the military and overrunning army bases.
Routing Shekau’s faction from its Sambisa forest stronghold would be a worrying advance for the IS jihadists who have bases in Nigeria’s Alagarno forest and around Lake Chad, with access to Cameroon, Chad and Niger.
“If ISWAP really controls Sambisa, Alagarno and the Lake, it can bear on all the main roads into Maiduguri,” said Vincent Foucher, a research fellow with the French National Centre for Science Research, referring to Borno state’s strategic capital city.
“Clearly, this is not good news for the armies of Nigeria and the other Lake Chad states.”
Shekau took over Boko Haram, formally known as the Jama’tu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad, after its founder Mohammed Yusuf was killed in police custody in 2009.
Under Shekau’s leadership, Boko Haram turned large swathes of the northeast into no-go territory, proclaiming a “caliphate” in the Borno town of Gwoza in 2014.
An offensive since 2015 by Nigerian troops backed by soldiers from Cameroon, Chad and Niger drove jihadists from most of the area that they had once controlled.
After disagreements over Shekau’s indiscriminate targeting of Muslim civilians and use of women and children suicide bombers, Boko Haram eventually split into two rival factions in 2016.
ISWAP has since emerged as the more dominant militant faction with the backing of the Islamic State group. AFP
You do not have to be an outstanding psychologist to know that there was something terribly wrong on Monday morning when President Edgar Lungu unveiled his running mate – Professor Nkandu Luo. It was not a serious occasion. The President appeared to behave like a comic who was unsure of what he was doing, except perhaps to make people shudder in shock, disbelief, and laughter. How else can you explain it? For the President, he had a perfect explanation for it. “Sorry that my choice has shocked you, mind your own business and if you do not like my choice, then wait for your turn to be Presidents”. With these words, the President made the choice of the running mate about himself, rather than his party or the people of Zambia. The President conflated the fact that it is his prerogative to choose a running mate, choosing a running mate in the interest of his party, the people of Zambia, and common sense. He knew that he had blundered, perhaps just minutes into the unveiling. But it was too late. The running mate was already ready to sign her affidavit. And she was there to serve his interest. And not the interest of the people of Zambia.
It is very clear from the outset that the choice of the running mate was not made thoughtfully. We just got to hear of Vice-President Wina retiring just on Sunday – a day before the filing of nominations. And Vice-President Wina’s sudden decision to depart, on an uncomely day of Sunday, shows that either she was just forced out, or it was a personal decision she had left to the last minute. I think the former applies far much more than the latter. But given this scenario, it appears like the President hurriedly decided either on Sunday itself or on Monday morning to make Professor Nkandu Luo his running mate.
You could see the shock on the faces of all the people present. Jean Kapata’s ululations came late and seemed forced. Hon Mwanakatwe’ s hurried pretended assistance of the announced nominee seemed confusing. The reaction from the Patriotic Front’s big wigs seemed shocked. And of course, the star of the spoiled moment, Honourable Edith Nawakwi, made the face that we could all just imagine as the face of deep and profound disappointment. If she was hoping to be the nominee, she knew right there and then that she had been greatly deceived. And while she was being egged on to continue assassinating one Hakainde Hichilema to curry favour with one Edgar Lungu – Lungu had a completely different plan. He was going to go for Nkandu Luo. And indeed, when he introduced his running mate – he exclaimed that it was “Lungu na Luo”, playing on the names of Chanda na Kay music duo. After deep reflection, we must shorten Lungu na Luo to LULU; that is what this ticket must be called – the ticket of LULU.
But why is the LULU ticket so controversial? We have several reasons. First, Professor Luo does not have a very good record in the ministries she has served. She was recently moved from the Ministry of Higher Education to the Ministry of Fisheries because she had performed very poorly for higher education. When she was moved from Higher Education, university students celebrated her demotion. It is surprising that months after her demotion, she has been elevated to be the running mate. Second, she performed very poorly as a Member of Parliament for Munali, making all the structures in her party reject her candidacy. Many speculate that had she stood in Munali – she would have lost terribly to a frog or a cat. That is how unpopular she was. Third, she seems to have issues with nearly everyone she has worked with within her long tenure as a politician. All stakeholders have bad memories of her involvement with the government.
One of the most comical was her insistence when she was Minister of Chiefs that Kanyanta Manga II should not be recognised as Paramount Chief Chitimukulu of the Bemba. Reasons why she would not recognise Kanyanta Manga II remain murky or buried under the ngoshe mukulu hill of unexplained rivalry between the Bemba-nkonko and the Biza aristocracy. To this, we must return later when we have had our fill. Fourth, this running mate is a tribalist. It is one thing for her to have caused confusion in the Chitimukulu succession dispute – but just last year in Chilubi Island, she told the people of Chilubi that they could not vote for the UPND Chilubi candidate because doing so would be akin to having a Tonga succeed on a chieftainship that belongs to a Biza. Just how she painted that parallel remains to be parsed later at an appropriate time. However, neither candidate in Chilubi was Tonga; and indeed, neither was Biza. Professor Luo was trying to instigate unnecessary tribalism. Lastly and most crucially, Professor Luo cannot be respected by the leaders and rank and file of the Patriotic Front. She is simply the wrong choice!
She has a PhD in Microbiology and thousands of certificates and degrees. But it is not just about degrees that should matter. Character matters. Integrity matters. And so does basic human decency. She is a tribalist who has no respect for the equality of all Zambians. And it is sad that the President, of all people available to serve or aspire to serve this nation, chose to go with Professor Nkandu Luo. Zambians have the last say. And we urge them to reject Nkandu Luo and her younger companion Edgar Chagwa Lungu – forever.
The author, Elias Munshya, can be reached at elias@munshyalaw.com/SM
REF: DON’T MESS UP YOUR HARDWORK BY GLORIFYING OPPRESSORS
Greetings to you my brother Mark 2. It is my prayer that this open Letter finds you in good health. I’m one of the few people that silently appreciate your hardwork in the music industry and I’m sure you have inspired many other young people in the country.
Two days ago I listened to your new song featuring another young talented artist Mr Yo maps and my sister Mampi. In your lyrics you guys continued denouncing those who have spotted PF’s criminal activities and their oppression against the citizens of this country. I have always said injustice seem to be sweet if not practiced in your house. I think this is the reason why you guys have the energy to wake up and sing for PF. This regime has killed people, the fact that they are neither your relatives nor friends is nothing for all you care. But, above all, you must know that we are one people and injustice on one citizen is injustice on all of us.
Justice, in case you have forgotten how PF has injured this country, I will be kind enough in this letter to highlight to you and your colleagues of serious issues that are making citizens hate PF government and its associates.
Are you my brother not aware of the people who have been killed under the nose of president Edgar Lungu? These departed patriots in cold blood include:Nsama Nsama, Kaunda Joseph, Lawrence Banda, Frank Mugala, Kennedy Mudenda, Vespers Shimunzhila, Matapa Glayzia, Malesu Mukonka, Obed Bwalya Kasongo, Mark Choongwa, Hardly, Mapenzi Chibulo, 50 plus killed by mob Justice during the gassing perpetrated by the same regime and many others.
Are you my brother Mark 2 not aware of how some citizens are wallowing in prisons today on political motivated charges? As I’m writing this letter to you Nawa Mubita is almost clocking a month in filthy dirty police cells. We had former Minister Sejani and other civic leaders spending over thirty days in police cells including the wife of chief Mukuni of the Toka Leya people. Are you not aware that the country was gassed, markets burnt and ritual killers rampant, what did the regime you are championing for today do to assure the nation that they care about Zambians safety? Absolutely nothing. Instead, they have been very focused on a useless farm case which is a private issue. My brother use that talent to build a better Zambia than aiding criminals minded individuals.
Are you not aware about the expired drugs and condoms that we have been using as a country for the last six plus years? Do you think the damage to this reckless behavior by Mr Lungu is not hating concerned citizens especially your fans? Is it wrong for a musician or artist to affiliate themselves to political parties the answer is no. However, the problem is when that particular artist composes songs to denounce those fighting injustice, corruption, bad governance and human rights violation. So, use your your talent to help Zambia be a better and great nation. If not so be none partisan.
Don’t mess up your hard work sir, you have a long way to go. If you can’t stand with the majority at this crucial hour then better be silent and eat silently other than trying to mock Zambians in the name of doing business. Have respect to your followers who are there for you even when politicians leaves you.
We all love good things especially money. But let us make money in a dignified way and that which we shall be able to tell the whole world proudly how we made it. As things stand, any one who affiliates him/ herself to this brutal and oppressive PF regime is right away treated as an enemy of mother Zambia.
You are a brother and I felt like I share with you this message. Think and reflect on this sad development PF has brought to our nation and see whether it is a good business especially that you have followers not only from PF but across the country that may belong to different political parties.
Even if it’s business, you cannot get paid by Satan to sing he is God and be proud to spend that money.
May God bless you.
SIKAILE C SIKAILE
GOOD GOVERNANCE AND HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST FOR ZAMBIA AND AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
