IT’S shocking that the Patriotic Front is denouncing socialism when its constitution commits it to promoting and defending socialist-oriented policies, says Western Province Socialist Party coordinator Preston Chinyama.

Chinyama, who is also Socialist Party parliamentary candidate for Nalolo in next year’s elections, was reacting to a statement issued by Lusaka Province PF secretary Kennedy Kamba.

In the statement, Kamba stated, among other things, that: “in fact, Zambians are not into socialism that Dr Fred M’membe propagates.”

“Zambians are in love with the PF and its action-oriented approach to totally transform Zambia into a well-developed country,” claimed Kamba.

Rebutting Kamba’s claim, Chinyama indicated that the PF’s constitution, in Article 15, commits all its members, Kamba included, to supporting socialism.

Article 15 of the PF constitution speaks to obligations of a member.

It states: “it is the obligation of a member of the party: (a) to be fully committed to the realisation of the aims and goals of the leadership of the party; (b) to be devoted to the party, the State and the working class movement in the country; (c) to practice criticism at party meetings as a way of ensuring that all shortcomings in the party, government and the State are removed in comradely spirit; (d) to support and implement all socialist-oriented decisions and projects proposed or adopted by the party; (e) to cultivate labour habits aimed at raising labour productivity, and the general improvement of skills of workers; (f) to improve ideological knowledge and awareness against detractors, counter revolutionaries and saboteurs; (g) to fight against all manifestations of over-indulgence tendencies, bourgeois tendencies, tribalism, regionalism, corruption, nepotism, racial discrimination and the exploitation of man by man.”

In Article 4, the PF constitution talks about the struggle against exploitation.

It states that: “the party shall wage a relentless struggle against all domestic and international forces of reaction, it shall fight for the eradication of capitalism, with its offshoots; poverty, with its offshoots of hunger, ignorance, disease, crime, corruption and the exploitation of man by man”.

Chinyama, in a statement to The Mast, said that was the constitution PF founder Michael Sata left.

“It doesn’t, however, surprise us that the current corrupt and tyrannical leadership of the Patriotic Front wants to push aside this party constitution of Sata because it is also against corruption,” he said. “It’s shocking that the Patriotic Front is denouncing socialism when its constitution commits it to promoting and defending socialist-oriented policies.”

Further, Article 13 of the PF constitution talks about the quality of leadership.

It states: “(i) in addition to fulfilling the membership requirements as provided in this constitution, a leader must be selfless and prepared to spread the benefits of independence to all citizens without regard to tribe, race, colour, sex, religion, region of origin. (ii) in order to have the above qualities realised, a leader must not: use his official position for personal or private gain or benefit or practice favouritism contrary to the purposes for which he holds the office; or engage in any corrupt practices or receive any secret income, accept bribe or participate in any criminal activities; or (iii) a leader who indulges in any of these prohibited practices shall be deemed to have himself created conditions for his removal from office.”

Chinyama wondered what the current PF leadership believed in.

He said for those in the Socialist Party, there was no choice between being principled and unelectable, and electable and unprincipled.

“We should win because of what we believe in,” Chinyama said. “Zambians will thrive best in a decent community of people with principles, standards, common aims and values.”

He further noted that either Kamba was totally ignorant of what the PF constitution says or he was: “totally consumed by corruption, greed and vanity and has turned his back on the objectives and aims on which the party was founded.”

“How can such unprincipled politicians be trusted and voted for?” asked Chinyama. “They can only keep themselves in power, win elections through the abuse, manipulation of electoral processes and outright tyranny, rigging.”

I WON’T FIGHT WITH ECL BUT AM RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT – KBF

Democracy has time limits and it’s about time that President Lungu stepped aside so that he can retire and support others the way he was supported as Zambia needs a fresh start to overcome the challenges at hand.

Speaking in an Online WhatsApp interactive forum called *Zambia First* from 21 to 23hours on 24th November 2020, KBF says he is PF and running for President either under Plan A or B, “so there’s no doubt about that, am running.”

*Eligibility of ECL*
“For me as a lawyer, this is not a question. As a party, we must begin to look for a new candidate other that His Excellency. I will not back down on that. Whether the PF as a party throws its wait behind the President or not, is another story. We must look for a knew candidate”, he emphasised.

“When I declared my intention to stand to run for Office, I respectfully said I would not challenge the President but I will ask the President to step aside so that another person takes over this party si that we can have a new vision, a new face, new ideas to push the agenda of this Nation. The President has had his time, some of us like my colleagues CK, Harry Kalaba, Given Lubinda, Mulenga Sata at the time we all humbled ourselves in 2014 and allowed him at the Convention to take the reigns of the party. We have now tested his leadership now its time for him to support us. And he must step aside – _ukususha ilungu kwendamo_ . We have tasted his leadership it’s time for a different face. There’s nothing personal. These things are not personal. If the party rallies behind him and then tomorrow we suffer a blow, then what? And what’s more: why do you want to create confusion in the nation over one person? A section of the PF may want President Lungu but is it the whole country? Some of the economic problems we facing today are attributed to his leadership. He may not be guilty per se. But his ministers, his civil service that he has presided over, directors and others are responsible for that. Now in politics the buck stops at the President so you can’t run away from that. We just have to be courageous, face that bullet and bite that bullet and say ba President _afweniko umuntu umbi_ (Mr President help another person) go and enjoy your retirement and that’s the way it should be. Democracy must move like that” KBF elaborated.

The Republican Constitution in Article 106 (3) clearly states that a person who has twice held office of Pres6is not eligible.

“The judiciary is not the problem. There is rampant corruption. When people begin to think they can flout the law because they are interfering with the rule of law, you become a rogue state. If you flout the law, you must be taken to court.”

KBF illustrated the genesis of the ruling PF party’s problems. “The problems in the PF began in 2016, others bought their way in, process was not transparent hence we have independents who are actually PF. And when I brought out those issues, I was called a rebel. By 2016 there was no legit Central Committee whose time started in 2011 and now we’re trying to rape the Republican Constitution, am too experienced at the law for me to start making mistakes. We cannot be trusted as a party if we are flouting the law and cannot respect our own party Constitution. Your word is your bond. If your word means nothing, people cant trust you. Dont ask me to do something illegal, I won’t do it. On eligibility of President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, KBF says _ngatwaumfwana pa fintu_ on how we are going to proceed, you will find me to be a very easy person to deal with.”

On his action plan, he says: “The first thing I will do when I become President is to harmonise the party, numbers are important but that doesn’t mean the MMD takes over the party. We should have called for a Truth and Reconciliation commission as early as 2016.

KBF appreciates the current predicament Zambia is in, “When I ascend to power, (and regarding) on default of Eurobond, the international rating agencies may rate us as a junk nation, so borrowing may be affected, our Kwacha may be devalued. Bond holders may sell this debt to vulture funders, our assets within and outside the country may be taken. We are now at the mercy of lenders.”

KBF has a plan out of the current mess, “to turn around this economy, you dont allow government to borrow money when you know you have no capacity to pay back. Begin to produce like in agriculture- identify cash crops which produce jobs, study the international market like the DRC that needs food; enter into arrangements like India in textile to generate forex. Give enough acrerages, move away from fertilisers and get into organic application. Produce something to sell, add value to produce.”

On procurement, the KBF Administration shall set aside say 80% that must be procured is reserved for Zambians and half of that is reserved for youths – that makes money stay in Zambia and not the way it is in favour of foreigners.”

*KBF’s strategy on infrastructure.*
“Procurement is a problem but the biggest problem is ourselves. Some of people at ZPPA are a problem. NCC – National Council for Construction only has foreigners in Grade 1, we will need to restructure that.ZPPA puts up a tender document whose conditions make it impossible for Zambians to perform. E.g they say you must be in this business for 10 years, have financials fir last 3 years, have a contract worth $10million. And some of these guys at ZPPA taylor the contract documents to suit the foreign companies and some times, they even write these documents on behalf of foreigners. Its tantamount to you preparing an examination paper and you go to write it on behalf of a foreign company and you’re the same people sitting at the Evaluation table to assess winning bids. You mark yourself, can you fail such an examination? That’s very silly. Thats why some of our contracts are very inflated because the procurement people involved cream off the inflated costs at expense of the nation. We shall get to the root of this scourge and end it.”

He revealed, “We were supposed to do a dual carriage road between Lusaka and Copperbelt, Finance Minister Margarer Mwanakatwe reject that, and figures began to drop. Politicians connive with contractors, tax payers are the ones who pay. Such Ministers don’t deserve to be in government and if found must be prosecuted to the full extent of the law as all State capture perpetrators shall be halted.”

*The Youths*
The youths form 82% of Zambia’s population. It is wrong to just think only those kids who are academically sound, it’s wrong. Let’s copy from others like in football – *Lionel Messi* has never been to college. His father signed his first contract on a serviet at age of 12 or 13 and has been at Barcelona since and he’s a millionaire in Dollars because he can score goals. *Ronaldo* never been to college but he’s a millionaire in Dollars. These are rich people out of their talent. So, what happens to talented youths in Zambia? Lets begin from there. Artisans are important. For women, are multi tasked- firm cooperatives to rear goats, chicken so as to raise productivity so that when a Zambian family prospers, a nation prospers. My Admininstration shall ensure every Zambian has a house, three square meals a day, have medical care, they must be able to educate their children with the income they raise and remain with surplus income to save or investment for their families- stop hand to mouth nonsense by government giving incentives to Zambians to make them prosper.

Reverend Kelvin Mugala of Makeni in Lusaka asked KBF on how this prosperity shall be achieved in a broken governance system.

*Protecting the Presidency*
KBF says the President enjoys immunity for the discharge of his duties. “That only kicks in if you remove his immunity. I want to begin with reconciliation because we’re embarrassing the Presidency. The Presidency shall always be protected. I shall do my best to ensure that I protect that. There are ways and means of dealing with an ex President, you can engage an ex President. If it’s a question of loss of income, he enjoys 80% of the incumbent. I have no personal scores to settle between me and ba Chagwa – none. I dont habor bitterness, that’s not how I am. I like talking. When we talk, things happen I move on. Even in 10 years time, that’s my position.

We must reconcile the problems as we see them and the solutions that we intent to have.

*Political will*
Political will is the biggest answer to any problem. “As a leader, you must indicate your political will to push ab agenda to a point where you declare to achieve such an agenda to come to fruition. Dont flip flop, keep eyes on the ball – that’s what a vision is. A vision is the end product. In everything God gives us a vision but doesn’t tell us the route we going to take to achieve that vision- case of Joseph in the Bible. God said to him that he will be King but didn’t tell him that his own family will dump him in the ditch, that he will be beaten; that he will be sold as a slave to end up in Potpher’s house. And that in that house, Potipher’s wife will accuse him of trying to rape her. That he will go to jail for 13 years and that it will be there in prison were you meet people whose dreams you would interpret and consequently become Pharaoh’s Prime Minister. God didnt explain all this because Joseph could have been scared. Keep your eyes on the ball. The route may be challenging but as long as your focus and vision remains the same, we shall overcome, I am very confident that we have enough resources and human capital to push a political agenda with the right Leadership that Zambia prospers which begins first, that Zambians prosper.”

The informal sector is crucial in KBF’s attainment of the set vision. He pledges to apply what he terms as _Triple M_ policy: *mentor* to damage their _ignorance_ so that they stop thinking small but begin to dream big by giving them enough knowledge and exposure, enough training and apprenticeship so they can use their skills to borrow. Introduce them to *money* and educate them on how money is used, the value and meaning of money regarding how much they can invest and how much they can live with.

*Rule of law*
On the rule of law, corruption, we are losing money. Now we’re defaulting on the Euro bond. That image at international law is a very dangerous image. Nobody wants to look at us. The global rating agencies – _Moodies, Fitch_ and others, once they rate you, you will need to devalue your currency whether you like it or not. So Kwacha buying power reduces. We are not like other countries.

“For us we just have bad Leadership, bad investments, bad procurements we have made, wrong priorities in our budget.

Emmanuel Chilekwa
*Zambia Must Prosper – ZMP*
Proudly Team KBF

POLITICAL HISTORY OF BAROTSELAND

LEALUI

Lealui is a Luyana word which means, “for the Luyi.” Lealui Village is the traditional administrative capital for Barotseland. It is found in the Zambezi flood plains and lie 17 kilometers southwest of the winter capital of Limulunga; and about 16 kilometers west of political headquarter of Mongu.
Lealui was first identified by King Sipopa around 1864. He camped there briefly. In 1876, King Lubosi Lewanika established Lealui as a permanent capital of the Lozi Kingdom. Formerly, each king chose his own capital; and this entailed that people had to shift to another location whenever the new king was installed.
The Lozi are the dominant tribe of some twenty-five tribes who inhabit the Barotseland. Formerly, the Lozi were known as the Luyana or Luyi up until the early 19th century when they were invaded by the Kololo. The Luyana adopted the language of the conquerors and thus the Sikololo became the lingua franca until 1863 when the Kololo regime was overthrown.

The Lozi then became the modern lingua franca created out of blending the Luyana (Luyi) and the Kololo.

EARLY POLITICS

The early Lozi politics depicted an evolution of a concrete rule which branched throughout their own territory and that of the conquered tribes. The whole system stemmed from Lealui, otherwise known as Namuso. At Lealui, the Litunga (the King) had his Kuta (the Council) which was divided into several smaller institutes that consisted of the members of the royal family, the Indunas (councilors, stewards, and judges) at his hand.
The second-in-command capital was established in the south of the flood plain at Nalolo, otherwise known as Lwambi. This set up accorded the system of governance that streamed on a north-south axis. The rulers at Nalolo used to be men before the Kololo interregnum. The women rulers were installed following the Kololo defeat.

The Litunga-la-Mboela (Queen of the South) had all the symbols of the King, the Litunga. Her Kuta was a replica of the one found at Lealui. Thus, she was accorded the respect and royalty which was second only to the Litunga.

The combination of the two councils of Lealui and Nalolo was the final ruling organ of the Barotseland. The arrangement was however reversed by the reforms introduced in 1947.
Ngambela (the Prime Minister or Chief Councilor), was next in secular power to the Litunga of Lealui.

The status of Ngambela was believed to be closely bound up with kingship. The Ngambela was deemed to be a representative of the commoners. Hence, he was considered to homogenize and uphold the rights and interests of the commoners against those of members of the royal family and the Litunga.
BAROTSELAND AS A BRITISH PROTECTORATE
It started on the 08th January, 1889 when François Coillard, a Paris Evangelical Missionary who was based in Luatile, a mission station located about 600 meters south-east of Lealui, wrote a letter, on behalf of and as requested by King Lubosi Lewanika, to Sir Sideney Shirppard who was the British Administrator of Bechuanaland (now Botswana). The purpose of the letter was to seek British protection.

King Lewanika needed protection against the threats of the Portuguese who were advancing from the east and west. The German annexation of the South-West Africa (now Namibia) also posed another threat.
In April, 1889, Henry Ware arrived in Lealui on the mission of obtaining some mining concessions from King Lewanika. He was sent by King and Nind Consortium from Kimberely.
Ware made great and sweet promises of Queen’s protection. He lavished Litunga Lewanika with several gifts of clothes, blankets, and guns. The Litunga was finally convinced and on the 27th June, 1889, the Ware Concession was signed.

The concession entitled Lewanika to receive the payment of £200 annually and 4% on all minerals and precious stones mined in his territory for a period of twenty years. The concession was surrendered to King and Nind on 11 October 1889 and it was later sold to Rhodes for £900 and ten thousand shares in the British South African Company (BSAC).
The Ware Concession posed some several restrictions which Rhodes saw fit to eliminate. In this respect, he sent Frank Elliot Lochner to carry out some more negotiations with Lewanika for a comprehensive agreement.
In his efforts to persuade the Litunga, Lochner proclaimed he was an ambassador sent by the Queen to offer her protection and alliance between the two nations. The Lochner Concession was finally signed on the 26th June, 1890. The concession promised Litunga Lewanika payment of £2,000 per year, the British Protection, guns, and 3% royalties on minerals.

In order to fulfill the promises, the BSAC recommended Mr. Robert Thorne Coryndon to fill the post of British Resident Commissioner with King Lewanika to the British Government. The Foreign Office for Her Majesty’s Government accepted and approved the appointment. Coryndon arrived in Lealui on 27th September, 1897. He settled and built the office on the mound called Lilondo.
The BSAC sternly instructed Coryndon to obtain a fresh concession that would give out more power to the company than the previous Lochner Concession. To successfully coerce the Litunga, he asked him to travel to the Victoria Falls to meet Captain Lawley, the BSAC Administrator of Matebeleland (Zimbabwe). Lewanika gave in and in June, 1898, the concession was entered.

Unfortunate, however, this concession was not confirmed by the British Government. Another concession which repeated the provisions of Lawley Concession, but this time agreed between Lewanika and the BSAC was confirmed in October, 1900. The final concession was signed by the company and Lewanika in 1909. The concession granted the land rights to company throughout the Barotse territory except the Barotseland Proper.

Under the British rule, the Barotse political system of governance was re-organized on a territorial basis. This entailed that each of the six districts of Mongu– Lealui, Senanga-Nalolo, Kalabo-Libonda, Sesheke-Mwandi, Kaoma-Naliele, and Lukulu-Nawinda; had one Central Kuta installed as a Native Authority with the warrant equivalent to the subordinate council. At Lealui there were two councils, the Mongu-Lealui District (subordinate) council, and the Saa-Sikalo Provincial (high) council.

The whole administration of Barotseland was operated by the Katengo which was the Supreme Council made up of the Saa-Sikalo Kuta (the Provincial Council) and representatives from the six subordinate District Councils. The Katengo met once or twice a year. The Katengo was regarded as the Lower House.

By Charles Kakoma, UPND Spokesman.

Many people are disappointed and upset with the current voters registration exercise. After visiting many registration centres, I met alot of people who were angry with the way the voters registration exercise was being conducted.

Alot of people had spent long hours on the queues to get a voter’s card. Others had been queueing as early as 03.00 hours but had not been served by 18.00 hours. The slow pace at which the voters registration exercise is being conducted is just irritating. But what caused this mess?

A review of the voters registration programme indicates that the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) planned to conduct the voters registration exercise a long time ago. They sat down and decided to do away with the old register and introduce a new register incorporating a biometric system. They planned to capture 9 million voters in 30 days. In their meeting, they planned to employ staff, purchase biometric machines, computers, printers, laminating machines, ink, gensets and other materials to enable them achieve their target of registering 9 million voters. So, what has gone wrong?

From the outset when the ECZ announced the programme to register 9 million voters in 30 days, many stakeholders raised concerns or rejected the plan. It was seen as unrealistic and at worst suspected to be a scheme to rig the 2021 presidential and general elections.
The stakeholders argued that there was no need to do away with the old register. What was needed was to update the register to include first time voters who had just obtained their green National Registration Cards and delete dead people from the register. The ECZ refused with arrogance to listen to the stakeholders and proceeded with the exercise to register 9 million voters in 30 days.

We are now told that since the exercise started two weeks ago, only 1 million people have been registered out of the targeted 9 million voters. At this pace, only about 2 million voters will be registered at the end of one month.

But where did the ECZ, a government institution, get the strength and arrogance to push for a new voters register ? The reasonable suspicion is that they were being backed by powerful forces in the ruling party and the government. But what was the interest of these powerful forces to push for a new register?

A review of information which is already in public domain suggests that the ruling party was scared of losing the 2021 elections if the current voters in the register are allowed to vote . The scheme was therefore to defranchise some voters in the perceived opposition strongholds in order to reduce presidential votes for the opposition candidate(s).
This scheme appeared to be well coordinated with the issuance of national registration cards , which was also chaotic and aimed at denying people in opposition strongholds to obtain National Registration Cards. Without national registration cards, the opposition supporters will not be able to obtain voters cards. Todate, many people in opposition

strongholds have not been able to obtain national registration cards because either the registration officers did not reach these areas or the materials ran out. Meanwhile, the registration officers managed to reach and register people in far flung areas in the so called ruling party strongholds in order to have an in-built majority in the voting system. It is also suspected that some foreigners and under age people were given multiple National registration cards in order to obtain many voters cards to enable them vote many times.
The scheme and organised confusion in the national registration cards exercise is being replicated in the voters registration exercise.

The slow pace at which the voters registration exercise is being conducted is deliberate and was planned. It was planned because the ECZ, working with government, knew how many polling stations the country had and should have bought enough biometric equipment, laminating machines, computers, gensets , ink and other materials to undertake the exercise. But they bought inadequate equipment and materials deliberately. They also provided inadequate staff to man the exercise. Instead of four or five registration officers manning the centre, only one officer in many cases is running the show. What was the motive?

Despite the ECZ knowing how many polling stations the country had, they planned to conduct the exercise only in selected polling stations they placed in phase one to be done in 7 days only instead of the 30 days they had announced. The other polling stations were left out to be considered in other phases. Strictly speaking, the voters registration exercise is not being conducted in each polling station. This has created problems for the voters especially in rural areas where polling stations are several kilometres apart. Some people have to walk the whole day to the nearest voters registration centre. In many cases, they discover that the registration centre is closed because it is placed in another phase of the registration exercise. Due to poor publicity by the ECZ, most voters do not know which designated registration centre is open. Even the location of the registration centre is a challenge as not every polling station is a registration centre.

The slow pace of the voters registration exercise is creating challenges for the working class, marketeers, students , peasant farmers and many people who work with time and deadlines. For workers, they are finding it difficult to get permission from employers nearly every day to go and register as a voter because they failed to be attended to by registration officers the previous day . For marketeers, bus drivers, taxi drivers, small shop owners and street vendors, time is money. They cannot spend the whole day or many days queueing up to get a voters card . How will they feed their children after losing the day’s income?
For peasant farmers, the rains have come and are finding it difficult to miss days in the field to get a voters card .

For students, most of them turned up to get voters cards outside the schooling hours attheweekend. If they miss getting the voters cards at the weekend, what time do they have during the working days to get voters cards?

It is really mind boggling that the ECZ could plan to conduct the voters registration exercise and purchase malfunctioning machines to undertake the exercise without testing them. Who authorised the purchase of these faulty machines? Why were the machines not tested before being deployed in the field?

I received a call from Zambezi District in the North Western Province that the ECZ had run out of ink after only registering 35 voters on the first day of the exercise. How did the ECZ dispatch officers from Lusaka to Zambezi, a distance of 1,200 kilometres which is almost the same distance from Lusaka to Johannesburg, with ink to last one day when they knew that the officers will be out for 30 days? The situation where ink and other materials are running out is not peculiar to Zambezi. It is widespread. How and why?

We have also received reports of the exercise being disrupted by Zesco load shedding despite ECZ buying gensets. Is it true that the gensets procured by ECZ were faulty?
In order to mitigate the slow pace of the exercise, the ECZ decided to extend the registration time into the night. These are desperate measures. The ideal situation was to extend the period of registration for people to register properly during day time. During the night, alot of things happen. People living in the compounds are finding it difficult to book taxis due to lack of public transport in the night. Security is also a problem in the night. In any case, if it is already a problem to monitor the voters registration exercise during the day, what about during the night?

The voters registration exercise was a grand scheme designed to assist the ruling party to win the 2021 election. Although the planning appeared to fit in the scheme of things, the implementation has boomeranged. Like many other evil schemes we have witnessed in Zambia, the chaotic voters registration exercise will fail to achieve its intended objectives. We saw the ruling party pushing very hard for the Constitutional ( Amendment) Bill 10. It flopped in Parliament. We witnessed the gassing of citizens which some evil people wanted to implicate the UPND in order to arrest its leaders. The gassing scheme withered away without any arrests of the gassers and without any explanation from the government. We saw the setting ablaze of markets to try to implicate the UPND and its leaders. The matter has been hashed up with no explanation from government.
Similarly, we are seeing the chaotic voters registration exercise being implemented in order to disadvantage the opposition. We are praying very hard that the evil plan “goes back to the sender”.

We would like to appeal to all well meaning Zambians to die a little and obtain a voters registration card. For all the sweating under the hot weather, for all the hunger and thirst experienced in long queues at registration centres and for all the inconvenience caused to the voters , someone has to be taught a lesson for taking the people for granted.
For all the poverty the PF government has subjected Zambians to; for all the corruption and plunder of the country’s resources; for all the unemployment the young people are subjected to; for all the deaths Zambians are experiencing due to poor health services; for all the poor education polices resulting in children not going to school and for all the hunger arising from failure by people to put food on the table, the PF must go. Njala yatupaya.
Twachula pafula.

WE NEED MORE THAN JUST TRUMPERY AND SHABU POLITICS FROM PRESIDENTIAL ASPIRANTS – Castrol Kafweta

It’s a shame and quite mortifying to note that Zambia’s presidential aspirants like Mr. Sean Tembo and Chilufya Tayali and a few others wants to fuel political tension between PF and UPND amidst the economic crisis the country is grappling with. People aspiring to be president of Zambia must be above politics of name calling, defamation, tribalism and hate.

President Sean Tembo and the likes of Chilufya Tayali are taking this country for granted because of their selfishness, superficiality and resentment towards one Tonga man Hakainde Hichilema who they feel is a threat I don’t know in what ways.

These political nonentities must be declared unreasonable and unnecessary elements in the political circles of Zambia because they’re not contributing to the growth of our country. They’re rather instigating unnecessary obstructive fights in the country there by diverting the attention of Zambias from real pressing issues such as high poverty levels and high commodity prices in the country.

If these people wants to be relevant in politics let them work with president Edgar Lugu in addressing the economic and debt crisis we’re grappling with now.

President Lungu wants more than just talking. He needs serious help and if only Mr. Tembo and his brother Tayali were serious leaders, they would have taken advantage of the situation by showing us what they can offer this country apart from the regular rantings on social media and radios.

Also If Mr Tembo and Mr. Tayali were reasonable and serious politicians, they would have refocused thier energies, time and resources towards identifying proper alternative economic mechanisms that government will use to address the current prevailing economic conditions rather than causing unnecessary and unproductive debates in the country.

Fighting the country’s alternative government of the republic of Zambia will not help us at all. What we need now is not fingerpointing but unity of purpose so that we can restore glory and honor to our country. Surely are we going to develop this country with infights, assassination of characters and baring each other from descending to power?

As divided as we’re, how will we be able to control the high influx of foreigners into our country because we’ve focused more on fighting each other leaving our common enemies who’re taking money out of the country day and night.

The problems we have at hand will not be solved by president Edgar Lungu alone. We must all get involved by abandoning our fights and grudges so that we can work together in addressing our problems.

President Edgar Lungu must also be accommodative, approachable and advisable so that those who have solutions, suggestions, and recommendations can easily reach out to him without being blocked. Arrogance and stubbornness will not help him solve the country’s challenges but humbleness will surely do.

I believe that the problems we’re facing today can only be solved by us and not anyone else. Sometimes I feel that fighting HH will not help us in any way. Our focus should be on making sure that all Zambians are taking their children to school, having at least 2 meals a day, youths have employment and government workers are paid on time. These are the things that needs our attention and not one person who has not committed any crime.

Castrol Kafweta
Solwezi Central – Aspiring Mp
Northwestern Province of Zambia

WHO SHOULD BE ZAMBIA’s NEXT PRESIDENT AND WHY?

By Sean Tembo – PeP President

Part 3 of 3 (Sub-part 2 of 10)

Sean Tembo. Yes, that’s correct. Sean Tembo should be the next President of the Republic of Zambia and here are 10 reasons why.

1. Among the several attributes that we need in the next President, competence ranks paramount. Competence to turnaround our ailing economy and put it on a path of sustainability and growth. Competence to navigate our debt default and ensure that our huge debt burden is managed and eventually liquidated. Competence to identify and seal off all revenue leakages so as to ensure that all State income streams lead to the treasury so as to beef up our domestic resource mobilization and remove reliance on borrowing and donor funds as a means of funding national expenditure. Competence to convert Zambia’s economic potential into actual wealth for the benefit of all citizens.

(i) A competent person is what Zambia needs as the next President if we are going to turn the page on our financial and economic quagmire. And that is exactly what Sean Tembo brings to the table. But people will ask to say what is the source of Sean Tembo’s competence such that this nation should trust him to run its affairs? Well, the source of Sean Tembo’s competence is twofold; qualifications and experience. In terms of qualifications, Sean Tembo holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) Degree from the University of Derby in the United Kingdom, a Bachelor of Accountancy Degree from the Copperbelt University, he is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA) of the United Kingdom, a Statutory Auditor duly registered by the Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountants (ZiCA), an Insolvency Practitioner duly accredited by the Patents and Companies Registration Agency (PACRA) in addition to about 8 other qualifications that might be too monotonous to list here.

(ii) Sean Tembo’s experience emanates from advising the Governments of South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho and Kenya over a period of 16 years while running his audit and consultancy firm. Among the notable assignments that he undertook in South Africa was to develop a model for estimating the economic output of the informal sector, identify its drivers, advantages, disadvantages and how the informal sector can be integrated into the formal sector of the economy. This was a $2 million and 3 year assignment which was successfully completed on time. Among the notable assignments that he undertook in Botswana was a national water tariff study which sought to map out the economic standing of each city, district and village based on household income and then proceed to develop a model for tailored water tariffs based on the affordability of each city, district and village. This was a $1.5 million and 18 months assignment that was successfully completed on time.

(iii) Over a period of 16 years, Sean Tembo undertook and successfully completed hundreds of assignments similar to the two illustrated above in South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho and Kenya. This gave him first hand knowledge and experience on macro and micro economic challenges facing countries in sub-Saharan Africa, different approaches that have been adopted by different Governments to try and fight the scourge of poverty and the relative successes and failures of each of these interventions. This means that Sean Tembo knows and understands the type of interventions that would work for Zambia to convert our economic potential into actual wealth so as to lift our citizens from the scourge of poverty and squalor. Sean Tembo knows exactly what economic interventions should be prioritized if the Zambian people make him President in August 2021.

(iv) It is on the basis of the extensive qualifications and experience in formulating and implementing government policy in various jurisdictions in Sub-Saharan Africa that Sean Tembo has been able to develop and present alternative economic solutions to Zambia’s economic challenges in the form of the annual PeP Alternative National Budgets since his formation of the Patriots for Economic Progress (PeP) in 2016. The full import of this initiative is that Sean Tembo has been so confident about his proposed economic solutions for Zambia that he has been willing to document them into a formal document called an Alternative National Budget which is then widely circulated to the general public for their scrutiny and possible criticism. The proposed economic solutions for Zambia which Sean Tembo has put forward in the PeP Alternative National Budgets for 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and most recently 2021, have been reviewed and scrutinized by multitudes of economic scholars, think tanks and multilateral economic agencies, and although each of these key stakeholders have different feedback, they all agree on one thing; that Sean Tembo possesses the competence that Zambia so desperately needs to turnaround her economic fortunes. The kind of competence that is absent from any other political leader on Zambia’s political landscape today. And that it would be a rare privilege for Zambia to be served by such a competent individual in the role of Republican President.

(v) In terms of the proposed solutions to Zambia’s economic problems today, the narrative among almost all the other opposition leaders including HH and Mutati is that we need to go on an IMF package. Sean Tembo disagrees strongly regarding an IMF package as a solution to Zambia’s economic woos today. The funny thing about proponents of an IMF package is that they never explain how it would actually assist to get Zambia out of the current debt distress. They just say “we need an IMF package” and end there, which is very simplistic. Managing a national economy is never a simple matter. Sean Tembo knows that very well. That is the reason why when Sean Tembo advocates for a particular economic solution, he always goes into lengthy detail of how such a proposed solution will actually work. Such an approach gives a fair chance to critics and the general public at large, to scrutinize the proposed economic solutions.

(vi) Sean Tembo believes that Zambia’s current economic problems are essentially threefold; firstly the debt distress that has been brought about by over-borrowing which has resulted in the current debt default and potential additional defaults in the coming months. Secondly, the loss in the productive capacity of the economy over the past 9 years that has been brought about by various factors including unavailable and unaffordable key production inputs such as electricity and fuel, poor and unstable policy environment that has seen Government announce radical economic policies one minute and reverse them the next minute etc. Our third major economic challenge today is rampant high-level corruption that is characterized by pilferage of public revenues at source before they even make it to the treasury. Of course, the first and the third economic challenges are interrelated. Due to rampant pilferage of public finances at source, the nation is unable to generate adequate domestic resources and we end up borrowing in order to finance public expenditure thereby creating a vicious cycle.

(vii) Given the above three key economic problems that Zambia faces today, Sean Tembo does not believe that an IMF package is the solution. For the uninitiated, an IMF package is essentially a Eurobond with excess conditionalities. So then, if our biggest economic challenge today is over-borrowing, then how can the solution be additional borrowing? It’s like you see a house on fire and someone (HH and Mutati) proposes that in order to put out the fire, let us pour petrol!!! Clearly, petrol cannot put out a house that is on fire in the same manner and fashion that additional borrowing cannot be a solution for an economy that is in debt distress and already failing to pay its existing debts having officially defaulted. The argument that an IMF loan would come at concessional rates (low interest rates) as advanced by HH, does not hold water. The reason is that the stringent conditionalities which the IMF would impose on Zambia would essentially deprive us of our sovereignty. We would relinquish our sovereignty and right to self-determination to the International Monitory Fund in return for a few dollars. Sean Tembo’s argument is that no amount of dollars is enough for this nation to relinquish its sovereignty and right to self-determination. We are a nation of proud citizens, whether in poverty or in prosperity. We do not need to IMF Executive in a shinny suit and pointed shoes sitting in Washington DC to be the one determining whether medicines should be bought for Chansa clinic or not.

(viii) If the Zambian people are gracious enough to elect Sean Tembo as President of this Republic in August 2021, his first order of business in addressing the economy will be to ensure that all public revenue leakages are sealed. Sean Tembo believes that this country is losing more than half of our public revenues to pilferage at source and he is best suited to address this national problem because of his unique set of skills, being a Forensic Auditor among other things. The statistics are actually there to support the fact that this country loses huge chunks of tax and non-tax revenue to pilferage that is facilitated by high level corruption. For example, at 17% Zambia’s tax revenue to GDP ratio is the lowest in the region, despite the fact that our tax rates are the highest in the region. South Africa has an average tax-revenue to GDP ratio of about 26%, Botswana 25%, Namibia 27%, Lesotho 24%, Zimbabwe 23% etc. And when you look at the official 2021 National Budget, Zambia’s projected tax-revenue to GDP ratio for 2021 is at an all time low of 13.9%. The question which the Zambian people should be asking is; why is our tax-revenue to GDP ratio so low despite our tax rates for various tax types being some of the highest in the region? The answer is that our tax revenue is stolen at source through high level corruption, especially for the mining sector.

(ix) For example, am sure the Zambian people do vividly recall that about 3 years ago, the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) embarked on a noble initiative to undertake a forensic audit of all mining companies because they suspected them of evading tax. In their first audit, they raised an additional assessment against a named mining company based in Solwezi of K8 billion in unpaid back taxes. Suddenly there was a flurry of Government interference from high level officials and before long, the K8 billion tax bill which ZRA had raised against this mining company was scraped. Additionally, the ZRA initiative to undertake forensic audits of all mining companies was cancelled. Soon thereafter, several cabinet ministers especially those with Copperbelt constituencies were awash with unexplained cash and went on a spending spree that amazed most citizens. Some would donate groceries worth more than K1.5 million every weekend to their constituents. Others bought brand new big buses worth not less than K4 million for their constituencies. There is clearly a connection here. The Ngonis say “tsiku yamene nkalamba asoba pa munzi, chimbwi akanya invwi nishi niyeve walya nkalamba”, Loosely translated, this means “the day an old lady disappears from a village and a hyena’s faecal matter is found to have traces of white hair, then it can be concluded that the hyena is the one that ate the old lady”.

(x) If you multiply the K8 billion that ZRA was prevented from collecting in unpaid taxes from one mining company, by 15 which is the approximate number of large mining companies in Zambia, that gives you approximately K120 billion. This amount is more than our national budget for 2021. This means that in the absence of high level corruption and theft of tax and non-tax revenue, we could fund our entire budget with tax revenue from the mining sector only!!! Without changing any tax rates and enacting any new laws. Just by eliminating the aspect of high level corruption and ensuring that public revenues end up in the treasury and not in the pockets of Ministers and other senior Government officials. That is how much potential this country has. We have so much potential to mobilize domestic revenues that we do not need any IMF package or indeed any Eurobond or Chinese borrowing. That is exactly what Sean Tembo will bring on the table once elected President. He will ensure that there is zero pilferage of public revenues and his background as a forensic audit means that he knows exactly what measures to put in place to plug off these revenue leakages. With an abundance of domestic resources, we will not worry about debt default. Sean Tembo will simply pay off our debts but he will not end there, he will go further to build our national reserves to at least 6 years of import cover by the end of his two terms as President, so that in case the Zambian people elect an incompetent President to take over from Sean Tembo, there will at least be an economic buffer to cushion the possible mismanagement that might follow.

To be continued…

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SET 24.11.2020

In the next sub-part 2 of 10, we will look at the second reason why Sean Tembo should be the next President of Zambia.

Next year on the 12th August, Zambia goes to the polls as we hold the general or tripartite election as is the case every 5 years to elect a President, Members of Parliament and Councillors as is stipulated in our constitution.

Voter registration is currently underway as a lot of people are making efforts to register despite the Electoral Commission of Zambia ( ECZ) looking ill prepared for the process, already the atmosphere is sending a clear message that we can’t wait to exercise our civic duty as citizens come election day.

For those of us who have paid attention, we may have noticed that every time towards election year there is a lot of mudslinging. Conversations on Radio, TV, social media and community at large is centered on the incumbent President, his cabinet, his MPs and all his his team since time in memorial. Unpleasant things will be said like (cabbage, nyama soya, fake humble leader, fake husband, corrupt, thieves, takapite etc).

Have you ever stopped to think that Zambians have never really appreciated any President apart from his supporters?

Are we to believe that all Zambian Presidents and their cabinets have not been upright, corrupt and selfish and we the citizenry been right and saints all along?

Are you aware that our Presidents don’t come from a hidden space somewhere in the sky but from among us?

So if we are going to agree that all our leaders are bad then we might as well agree that the general citizenry is rotten in terms of leaderships and therefore we are incapable of ruling ourselves.

The conclusion therefore is that the only true way out of this is cleaning the mindset and leading a life of integrity. Mind you it’s not “them” that end up being President. Its you a legitimate citizen of our beautiful country so if your life is not exemplary now there is no way you will be any different once elected.

The mentality of insulting people who hold divergent views on these social platforms is the same that will make you throw people in jail who don’t agree with you when you are in a position of power
Using what you have at personal level illegally to disadvantage people you work or live with is the same mentality that will make you pay cadres ma K5 to go and harass people who don’t agree with you in the event that you are in a position of power

The scriptures in Romans 3:23 clearly says “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

The plan is to be sober citizens, God fearing, have regard for other humans, not only people from your village. Today you maybe pointing fingers but tomorrow you may find yourself in a position of power and the question is “Will you be any different from the leaders that you conderm so much or will it be the same old story for mother Zambia.”?

I urge every well meaning Zambian to work towards making that change at personal level.

In the meantime register and make sure you vote for the party of your choice.

Dj Showstar

Media Personality

By Senior Chief Mukuni
The decision by the Government of the Republic of Zambia to prematurely terminate the issuance of National Registration Cards in Southern Province is shocking and disgraceful, and has never happened in the history of this country since independence. This decision by government should be called out by its rightful term; a criminal act that attempts to deny people their basic rights to be documented citizens of an established sovereign state.

The NRC is not only a facilitator to voting, it is also a document that allows millions of citizens to enter the job markets, for others to access credit for their small businesses, while for cross border entrepreneurs and ordinary marketeers, it enables them obtain a passport to go abroad to import goods to grow their businesses and feed their families. All this has been stopped by a government that appears to be terrified by its own shadow. This is unacceptable!

The Home Affairs Minister must not perpetuate this criminal act, because he is a direct custodian of law and order and will do well to play that role for the interest of peace in this country.

If the purpose of stopping the issuance of the NRCS by the government of the Republic of Zambia is to deny citizens their right to vote, then let them be counseled that they are courting possible disaster for the nation. A responsible government will recognise that other than being a human right, voting is a relief valve for citizens who have all form of grievances that they want addressed. And when you shut this constitutional means by which the people want to communicate their plight with, you create a dangerous condition of ‘bottled up anger’ in populations, that sooner or later explodes. Government must not set this country on fire.

The Government must understand that the battle for change doesn’t lie in denying citizens certain instruments to effect change, it lies in the power of persuasion. If the desire of any people is to change, then that battle is beyond any government including one with nuclear power or Police armoured vehicles.

I therefore wish to appeal to the donor and diplomatic community especially the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), civil society organisations, the Labour movement, student bodies and most importantly the Church, to mount pressure on the Government of the Republic of Zambia to do the right thing and let its people obtain NRCs. This is a constitutional threshold to becoming a fully documented citizen, and it must not be denied for political purposes. It’s a crime against humanity for which someone will have to be answerable to, sometime in the future.

Senior Chief Mukuni of the Leya people of Kazungula, Livingstone and Zimba all the Bene Mukuni

By Elias Sakala cic Private Reporter.

LUSAKA~Lusaka

PAUL MOONGA SHOULD GROW UP AND STOP EXIHIBITING HIS FOOLISHNESS IN PUBLIC. – OBVIOUS MWALITETA.

It requires a very little level of intelligence for one to see that the Patriotic Front Lusaka Province Chairman Mr Paul Moonga is a lunatic. It is very difficult to try and understand just what could be driving the mind of a grown man like him. The utterances and actions of this man leaves much to be desired. When the whole country is united in condemning the barbaric attack on Charmaine Musonda and her colleagues which occured on 15th November 2020 that is when Mr Moonga chooses to show us just how shallow minded he is.

For Paul Moonga to try and twist known facts by suggesting that Charmaine was attacked by fellow UPND members is beyond shameful. It is a well known fact that Charmaine was attacked and robbed by PF Cadres led by Oga of Kalundu. It is also beyond dispute that those PF cadres attacked her at her private residence and robbed her of valuable properties that includes money. It appears that only the lunatic Paul Moonga has failed to grasp these straight forward facts.

We know that Paul Moonga posseses absolutely no known skill set that can enable him survive without being a kandile and a sebana wikute however, even in being a mushanina bwali there should be some level of decency and self restraint. We urge Paul Moonga to grow up for once and stop exhibiting his foolishness in public.

In the deluded mind of Paul Moonga he sees nothing wrong with the conduct of his cadres who brutally attacked a defenceless woman. To him violence and brutality are a way of life. We have not forgotten how Sean Tembo was last year attacked and brutalized right in the middle of Cairo road. In that aggravated robbery Mr Tembo was robbed of various valuables including phones and money. And guess who was fingered as the perpetrator of that criminal attack? Paul Moonga. The only crime that Mr Tembo and others committed to be made subjects of that brutality was to voice out against PF corruption and theft in the acquisition of the useless 42 fire tenders at $42 million.

We know that Paul Moonga has not yet been made to account for that aggravated robbery case but the time shall come when UPND forms government next year, Mr Moonga and his cohorts shall be made to account for every criminality they have committed so far.

In his myopic thinking Mr Moonga wants to sale the unsellable lie that UPND members can attack a fellow UPND member. Apparently Mr Moonga wants to mistake the UPND for PF where internal fighting and killing each other is the order of the day.Paul Moonga ought to know that UPND is one big united family with a common purpose.

We have one mindset and a shared goal. We neither fight amongst ourselves nor do we believe in shedding innocent blood. We are focused on one thing and that is to ensure that this thieving and corrupt PF government is replaced by a competent and visionary leadership headed by our President HH. No amount of hallucinations from the lunatic mind of Paul Moonga shall derail us from this noble cause and task.

The least that we expect of the likes of Paul Moonga and his fellow criminals that attacked Charmaine is that they hand themselves over to the police so that they are made to account for their criminal deeds, failure to which we call upon the Zambia Police to immediately arrest these aggravated robbers and throw them in prison where they belong without any further delay.

INFORMATION AND PUBLICITY DESK.
UPND LUSAKA PROVINCE.

Banda Sakanya

Copperbelt ~ Kalulushi

IT IS HIM KAMPYONGO WHO NEEDS MENTAL CHECK UP AND NOT HH

Since when did PAMUNYONKO become an insult?

Speaking in Shiwangandu yesterday, Kampyongo said HH is in urgent need of mental check up, a statement that is not only unfortunate but shameful on his part as a minister.
Kampyongo verbally attacked HH for having used the Tonga Phrase PA MUNYONKO literally meaning, a brother, sister or a relative.

I see Kampyongo in this case as a mental patient suffering from HH phobia because the phrase HH used is no near insults.

Kampyongo is bemba and I expected him to have first asked what PA MUNYONKO phrase means before saying HH needs mental check up because PA MUNYONKO is not what he thinks it is.

Kampyongo in his foolishness is calling on civil societies, NGOs and Women groups to rise against HH that he has insulted Zambians.

Just weeks ago ECL said UTUPUBA TULETALIKA and we didn’t see neither Kampyongo nor Dora Siliya go on ZNBC to correct that statement, but a statement by HH that is no near insults has risen the whole bunch of PF to abuse ZNBC and try to sort legal action.

We have more pressing issues that needs to be addressed, but the whole PF leadership has opted to forgo them and opt to trail HH who is not part of their agenda of governance.

Instead of addressing issues of Load Shedding, Corruption, giving Bursaries to students in Colleges and Universities, Defult in debt Repayment, and many others, they have opted to focus all their energies on trailing HH.

Dora Siliya is another hope less minister who can’t think on what to bring on as a press briefing. Honestly speaking, can a sane minister think of bringing an issue no near insults as press statement?Truly the country is in need of serious leadership than what we have been subjected too by this PF mediocre leadership.

Biziwell Mutale and PF MCC Kebby
Mbewe accusing HH of having insulted, are simply bootlickers with no shame.
Biziwell Mutale should instead tell the nation to what he was doing in RSA and why he ran away from RSA before we disclose his information.

It is now clear that PF leadership is panicking and are spending sleepless nights at the fear of HH becoming the 7th republican president.

PRESS STATEMENT

24 TH NOVEMBER 2020

WITH OR WITHOUT MR LUNGU PF IS GOING; KUYA BEBELE

When people who took oath to protect the constitution are the ones tearing it, then ordinary citizens must protect it. The issue of eligibility is not about Mr. Lungu, but about legality. Therefore it’s wrong to order Zambians to keep quiet over this matter. Zambians are not scared of Mr. Lungu standing in 2021. Zambians are ready to kick out PF with or without Mr. Lungu What Zambians don’t want is an illegal Presidential candidate. If by any chance Mr. Lungu stands in2021 he will be the weakest Presidential candidate for us in the UPND. Zambians are ready for regime change come 2021.

Some of the current PF MPs, in 2011 stood on the MMD ticket and lost miserably. In 22016 the same people stood on PF and won. The Question is what changed about these people who lost on the MMD ticket but later won on PF? The answer is that, in 2011 Zambians didn’t want anything to do with MMD. Those of you supporting Mr. Lungu’s candidature please do not be the first ones to desert him. Any one standing on PF will lose miserably. Zambians want real change.

There is something wrong with some politicians; they don’t like to be told the truth. That’s why they end up embarrassing themselves to an extent of crying in public after losing. PF has started campaigning and making the same mistakes that led to other previous Governments being kicked out. The poverty you have inflicted on innocent Zambians is the main reason why those people are following you now. Majority of those people know that you are thieves and therefore would like to eat from you the proceeds of your crimes. But what they will do on voting day is something else.

You have suppressed everybody, especially those in the public service and you call that popularity. There should be something wrong for you not to see that even school pupils are not interested in you. Your only hope is with prisoners who will vote for you with the barrel of the gun on their heads. Stop cheating yourselves that Mr. Lungu is a very popular candidate. Zambians are itching to teach PF a lesson.

Percy Chanda

UPND – Chairman for Mines and Freedom Fighter

By Agness Changala

MMD president Dr Nevers Mumba has been sued for failing to complete and transfer a property he sold to a Lusaka resident in 2019.

In this case, Oliver Scott, a Zambian, is seeking an order for specific performance of the contract of sale dated September 6, 2018 being the transfer, assignment and vacation of the possession of the property situated in Lusaka’s Ibex Hill.

Scott, a Zambian resident, has stated that Dr Mumba was the registered owner of property known LUS/38497.

He stated that in 2018, he entered into an agreement with Dr Mumba for the sale to him of the property at the purchase price of US$70,000.

Scott stated that a contract of sale and assignment were accordingly executed between the parties upon full payment of US$70,000 paid to Dr Mumba.

He stated that by virtue of the said contract of sale, the date fixed for obtaining the State’s consent to assign was two weeks from date of exchange of contracts.

Scott stated that it was further agreed that the completion of the sale of the said property was within four weeks of exchange of contracts and that Dr Mumba would have an option to repurchase the said property within 60 days from the date of execution of the contract of sale.

He stated that it is now over two years since the said property was purchased and Dr Mumba has to date failed to complete and transfer the said property to him despite numerous reminders.

Scott stated that in 2019, with Dr Mumba’s full knowledge and consent, the plaintiff began to formerly process the transfer of the said property and obtained consent to assign in November 4, 2019.

He stated that it was subsequently brought to Dr Mumba’s attention by a letter dated November 26, 2019, authorised by the acting Commissioner of Lands, addressed to him and copied to the plaintiff, that the State consent to assign had been withdrawn following the defendant’s allegations of suspected fraudulent activities against the plaintiff.

“By letter dated December 10, 2019, addressed to the Commissioner of Lands, the plaintiff informed the acting Commissioner of Lands of the accurate position regarding the said land having in good faith paid the full purchase price to the defendant of the said property,” he stated.

Scott added that to date, Dr Mumba has and continues not only enjoy the full benefit of the said property but also the funds paid to him to the the plaintiff’s detriment.

He stated that Dr Mumba has continued to subvert the plaintiff’s efforts in exercising his right over the property which was duly purchased from him.

“It is now nearly three years since the contract of sale was executed and a full purchase price paid to the defendant who has despite several reminders failed and neglected to complete the sale contrary to special conditions 3, 4 and 12 of the said contract of sale,” he said.

Scott stated further that he has been at material times been ready and willing to fulfill all its obligations under the said agreement.

He stated that by reason of the defendant’s breach, he has suffered loss and damage.

Scott is also claiming costs and any other relief that the court might deem fit.

By David KAPOMA.

Allow me to start by acknowledging that Hon Bowman LUSAMBO is a close friend and brother to me. This is someone I have known and interacted with for a period spanning not less than eight (8) years.

Rising from rank to rank in politics, Hon Lusambo has remained consistent in his politics and always calculates his moves carefully. This is a person I have seen grow from being a mere cadre (Diehard) to being a Minister of the capital city and Province where two of three(3) arms of government substantially resides. He is potentially one of the ‘Young’ politicians who is able to pull a crowd befitting that of some presidential candidates. His understanding of local and grassroots politics can only be ignored by those wanting to be bitten by his political gymnastics.

His generous heart and jovial self sets him apart as one of the best we can point at. I know those who don’t know him have their own misgivings about him. The perfect truth however is that Bowman is a great human being who finds joy and happiness in the smiles of other. Yes he has his own weaknesses just like anyone of us.

Many have wondered and questioned President Lungu for picking him out of the entire population and make him minister for Lusaka Province. The good thing is that the President is aware that Bowman alone is a project that brings value to the PF. Just 15 people like Hon. Lusambo who are always willing to work and defend the party and it’s leader gives President Edgar LUNGU clean victory. Politics is a game of numbers and strategy. Bowman has the numbers and understands the strategy and it’s for this reason that he will return his seat in Kabushi without a doubt, with even greater margins this time around.

It’s makes sense that young upcoming politicians learn something from the MMD Die Hard. He has proven beyond measure that in life you get what you want. Politics is a science that can only be understand by people like Bowman. I actually remember attending one private meeting where one of the consultants clearly said “whichever party manages to have Bowman on their side among the top two parties was going to win the election in 2021”.

Anyways today I just thought of appreciating a good friend who has not only made me proud but also makes his President proud. President Lungu is politically astitute to identify some political talents in people. Loyalty is everything and really we can learn from this great guy.

One love my brother Bowman!!