[By Charles Tembo in Solwezi]

SENIOR chief Mujimanzovu of the Kaonde speaking people in Solwezi says the 2021 general elections will be a test for the country.

Mujimanzovu warns politicians that “the same youths you send to fight will one day beat you”.

The traditional leader said this when Democratic Party president Harry Kalaba called on him at his palace on Friday afternoon.

He said for once the 2021 campaign period should be for ideas and not sending youths to fight.

Mujimanzovu said time had come to unite the country through love and peace.

“Yes, next year we are going for elections. This 2021, is a year for test for the country. But we need to maintain peace. We can’t force leadership on the people. People will make their decisions based on what they are going through,” Mujimanzovu said.

He said politics should be about ideas and not intimidating each other.

“Now for me, I will welcome anyone who comes here. Politics is about ideas. It is not to intimidate each other. You need to sell your ideas to the people. So if people believe in you then you will have them. If people have not seen anything then how do you expect them to vote for you? Just sell your ideas and people will decide,” he said. “My chiefdom will embrace everyone – there is no segregation here. This is a public road and we can’t choose who should travel on this road. I receive you as my subject. I want to see all of you have the freedom to move around and interact with the people in a free manner. Whoever wins then he becomes our President. Let us try to restrain from using our children to fight and insult each other.”

The traditional leader said he is touched when he sees youths used for violence.

“Let us embrace each other. Love one another because we are all Zambians. As we differ, let us not fight. We want a Zambia that is well for us all to live in,” said Mujimanzovu. “As you aspire for higher office, put the interest of the people first. We need to conduct decent politics. We don’t have to bring politics of dividing the people. Stop it.”

And Kalaba said Zambia was never short of leaders.

“Zambia is never short of leaders. We will not dwell on calling this one that and that. Ours is to tell the truth and the people what we want to do,” said Kalaba.

MORE CONFUSION ROCKS UPND IN MONGU…as Bernard Mpundu cancels district elections without explanation

By Kamuti Muyambela

UPND Mongu district intra-party election was yesterday afternoon cancelled abruptly due to confusion surrounding the two factions that emerged.

But incumbent district chairperson Matakala Nyambe who is defending the seat expressed disappointment at the cancellation, saying no tangible reasons wer given by the commissioner Bernard Mpundu.

Sources within the party structures in Mongu disclosed that Naymbe in collusion with another Nyambe (from the party secretariat) had devised a plan to alter election guidelines and regulations in order to disadvantage other competitors.

The sources disclosed that the duo had fused some ineligible members from other wards into the delegates that were supposed to elect the district committee.

“This scenario has never existed in all the district intra party elections that has been held throughout the country so far and it defies all reasonable logic as to why the rules have to finally change with the only four remaining districts in the province country wide,” sources explained. “As if that is not enough, the desperate outgoing district chairperson (referring to Nyambe) has brought his entire loosing constituency committee to Mongu to come and participate in these elections against the laid down party guidelines as to who should be part of the electoral college in these elections and we (are) reliably informed that he has issued instructions to his group to cause violence should they be stopped to participate.”

Sources said when all was set for the election to take place, Mpundu who the party had chosen as commissioner to preside over the elections, cancelled without giving tangible reasons.
Sources explained that Mpundu tactfully did so in order to avoid acrimony among contestants.

And Nyambe disputed accusations that he and a Mr Nyambe at the party secretariat had altered guidelines and regulations governing the holding of intraparty elections.
He said whoever peddled such accusations was being malicious.
Nyambe then explained what transpired prior – which could potentially have triggered the cancellation of the elections.

“…the problem is that there is a wrangle. There are two committees in Nalikwanda. What happened is that Nalikwanda people were supposed to be at the election. But whichever case Gary Nkombo (party chairperson for elections) issued a letter earlier, saying he only recognises one of the committees. But you know there are people who want to recontest their seats. So, today (yesterday) we were supposed to have the district election and those two committees came, and the vowed that they have to vote. So, the commissioner (Mpundu) said, hold on, according to our guidelines, when we attain 50 percent of the electoral college we are supposed to hold the election,” Nyambe continued. “So that’s how they walked out. You know some positions were unopposed. And a few minutes (later), the commissioner said, ‘I have received instructions to cancel the elections’. So that is that.”

On accusations that he and the other Nyambe were the architect of the confusion to an extent that they even altered the provisions governing the holding of intraparty elections, Nyambe described as baseless and unfounded such allegations. He wondered how he could alter provisions that were enshrined in the party constitution

“No one can manipulate the constitution. Find the constitution of the UPND and go to article number 35. For someone to say that Mr Nyambe is manipulating (the constitution), I find it so difficult to understand that kind of a person. I am not defending Mr Nyambe, even the commissioner who is here, yesterday, we went through the constitution and we found exactly what is patterning (here). In every organisation, the constitution is the supreme law, in this case, UPND has a constitution that governs everyone around here. How do I cause confusion?” he wondered. “In this election, I am a candidate and I barely speak. I am a candidate aspiring for the chairmanship. I am defending my position. So how do I cause confusion because I barely speak? Despite we share the same name, Mr Nyambe is not my relative. These are the guidelines that we are using everywhere.”

He expressed disappoint at the cancellation of the elections, especially that Mpundu could not even give them the next date for the polls.

“I am not satisfied. I am disappointed. It’s like…if something does not suit you…I mean, I just don’t know how to say it. It’s like you say, if this is not done, then I will walk away. We said, okay, we have to go by the constitution; we have to do what is right. (Are) those people who came in the morning, who came at 07:00hours waiting for the election (foolish)?…(for you to) say, no, I am not going to finish (conducting) this election? Surely? With all honesty? With this, I am not satisfied. He didn’t say the cause, because he was receiving calls. Whoever was calling him, I should just assume that this person has got interest in Mongu,” Nyambe assumed. “So, my appeal to my leaders is that lets uphold justice, lets sober up. We should look at UPND with a bigger picture because we are struggling for UPND to form government to alleviate poverty and fix the economy. The reasons for cancelling the elections were not justifiable. He is just said he has been instructed not to conduct the elections.”
And Mpundu when contacted declined to comment.

It’s Cooked Rubbish!

Simataa Accuses ECZ of Publishing Fake Voter Registration Data to Smear Butter on the Faces of UPND

—————————————————————
By CIC Reporter | 23 Nov 2020 | Lusaka
—————————————————————
Firebrand UPND aspiring councillor for Kamwala Ward 5 Mainda Simataa has described the latest updates from ECZ on voters registration as cooked rubbish – “it’s what we call GIGO in computer language – garbage in garbage out. Which Zambian is foolish enough to trust a pathological and shameless liar like Patrick Nshindano?” asked Simataa.

“Look here, Lusaka province is historically and scientifically a fixed reference point for our data analytics team because it leads in all the metrics (see figure below) , and the fact that after 2 weeks of voter registration Lusaka is trailing behind Southern, Copperbelt and eastern provinces at 165,782 registered voters is nothing short of electoral blasphemy – it’s like downgrading Jesus from the status of son of God to a mere alterboy in the catholic church. The ECZ data is a fire alarm telling us that ECZ won’t hit our projected estimate of 1,455,113 registered voters for Lusaka, and 9 million nationwide in the remaining 2 weeks!”

Simataa has accused the ECZ and Nshindano of trying to smear butter on the UPND faces by showing that Southern Province is leading in terms of registered voters – “no, that data doesn’t impress us at all, we’re a national party and not a regional party – we must win in at least 6 provinces for HH to form government in 2021. Besides, our projected final figure for Southern Province is 1,064,800, so what is there to be happy about Nshindano’s cooked 219,488 with 2 weeks remaining, when we were supposed to hit the half a million mark by now?”

And Simataa who is also UPND Kabwata Constituency Information and Publicity Secretary has maintained that the numbers being published by ECZ cannot be trusted nor relied upon because they do not collerate with current electoral trends and data. “These numbers only prove one thing – rigging is in progress via suppression of voter registration numbers where UPND is set to get the highest votes – Lusaka, and we won’t accept any data showing that Lusaka is NOT leading the pack going forward”.
————
Infographic credit:
UPND Research Bureau

No photo description available.

By George Zulu
The political violence the country is experiencing is a sign of leadership deficit, the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection has said.

JCTR a faith based organization has observed with sadness the increasing political violence in the country ahead of next years elections, adding that if the situation is not addressed now, the country risks losing the world’s reputation of a heaven for peace and stability.

JCTR executive director Fr. Alex Muyebe says it is disheartening to see people from the same community engaging in physical violence and fights emanating from the political differences.

“The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) is calling on both the ruling and opposition political party leaders to immediately put an end to political violence in this Zambia. Mother Zambia has a hard earned reputation as a peaceful and friendly country. This reputation now hangs in the balance as we increasingly continue to experience unwarranted cases of political violence which are doing irreparable damage to our long standing motto of “One Zambia, One Nation.”

It is disheartening to see people from the same community engaging in physical violence and fights emanating from the political differences. Clashes between party cadres must never be allowed to take place in this country because we are one people who must always respect and accommodate each other’s political opinions. Political leaders must promote politics of mutual tolerance and mutual respect and must lead by example, ” Fr. Muyebe said.

Fr. Muyebe has since has since employed political leaders to work together and end the evil attendance of violence.

“Political leaders must work together to stamp out this cancer of political violence that is slowly but surely spreading in the political fabric of this nation. The current politically charged environment in Zambia is being fueled by polarized media, institutionalization of cadreism, proliferation of hate speeches, cheap culture of handouts, promotion of geo-centric and ethnocentric-politics, and erosion of confidence in the electoral process,” he said.

According to Fr. Muyebe, politics must be a tool of service for social, cultural, and economic progress of all the people.

He notes that in a country where people pride the,selves of being a Christian nation, it is shameful that incidents of political violence have become common occurrence.

“The objective of all forms of governance and power relations must be to foster the common good of the citizens. Political violence, on the contrary, is characterised by both physical and psychological acts aimed at injuring or intimidating the other, and in some instances occasioning deaths. In a country where we pride ourselves of being a Christian nation, we should be ashamed that incidents of political violence are now becoming a common occurrence. It is worrisome that political party leaders in this country are not ashamed of exploiting or taking advantage of poor, unemployed and vulnerable youths to their advantage. Unemployed youths are being used as tools of violence that can easily be sacrificed like pawn pieces in a game of chess. It is also sad to note that some youths are allowing themselves to be brainwashed and to sacrifice their human dignity at the altar of political hooliganism. It is high time young people woke up and be in charge of their destiny,” he said.

“JCTR is therefore calling on all political leaders in Zambia to work together and take concrete steps to stem out the culture of political violence by addressing the root causes listed above. Politicians must take a lead in practicing and promoting politics of mutual tolerance and mutual respect. Mere public denunciation or condemnation of political violence alone will not stop violence. Leaders must teach by example. This country needs leaders that are capable of engaging in a constructive dialogue and honest reconciliation. Zambia needs leaders that are capable of putting the interest of the nation ahead of their personal interest or their cronies’ interest,” he said.

By Florence Muyunda cic Private Reporter

SOUTHERN ~ Choma

WE MISS LUKUKU AS ZAMBIANS

It has come clear to all how much Lukuku meant to Zambian politics and the heart he had for poor Zambians. Lukuku was the alliance partner spokesperson and at all time he made sure that he defended what is good for the people of Zambia.

This time when HH is being fought left, right and center by the surrogates of PF like Edith Nawakwi ,Sean Tembo, Tayali, Chanda and many more Lukuku would by now strongly and factually responded to to this obstructors of change. All these surrogates not long ago agreed that PF was supposed to go because it had run down our economy and that PF has broken down the rule of law in Zambia but now because they have realized that HH is about to replace Lungu it is paining them because of jealous, because of a tribe HH comes from and because of the payment and promises Lungu has given them. If Lukuku was arrive today this nonsense wasn’t going to be there hence questions who KILLED Lukuku? And why is it that the party in power FAILED even to send a simple message of condolences when he died? Was it a CALCULATION by someone to say by this time he should not be there?

Lukuku defended HH publicly than anyone during his time as a spokesperson for the alliance. But now all the opposition alliance partners are quiet at a critical time of being there for each other HH is being fought very hard the alliance is very quiet a move that has left alot to be desired

Since the fall of Bill 10 PF has funded a full campaign against HH just to make sure that he is not on the ballot next year by making sure that they send the lone political party leaders to attack him for being a biggest opposition leader. It was Nawakwi then came Tayali and now Sean Tembo tomorrow it will be pastor Chanda,etc taking one man and one case to Court and there is no one on HH’s side

My call goes to the churches, NGOs, Unions and all those Zambians who told UPND to reject Bill 10 to be on the side of HH during this time of Bill 10 fall persecution he is going through. You must all know that the reason HH is being fought is for making Bill 10 fall.

Let people not under rate these surrogates they’re capable of making sure that HH is eliminated from the ballot reason, they’re funded by the state and the state controls the system(break down in the rule of law) what if they take HH to court then they give you a magistrate in the name of Simusamba or Judge Chitabo do you think HH can survive a conviction? The time for all Zambians to stand up is now. Indeed Lukuku will be missed

Continue resting in peace comrade we have falied to fill the gap you left so far

CIC PRESS TEAM

Leader of the opposition PeP Sean Tembo has accused leading opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema (HH) of having swindled the Nation during the privatisation of Mosi-o-Tunya Hotels in Livingstone.

Tembo insists HH who is one of the front runners in Zambia’s next year presidential has credibility issues saying he is not better placed to be president.

“He also has credibility issues, having evidently swindled the country during the privatization of Mosi-o-Tunya Hotel in Livingstone,” Tembo explained. “We did our research on that transaction and there is no doubt in our minds that the gentleman swindled the nation in that transaction.”

Mr Tembo further said that he is sure HH swindled the country on the Mosi-o-Tunya Hotels and that he is ready to prove it in court.

“We are not sure about other allegations but on that Livingstone hotel matter, we are sure and are willing to back it up in court,” said Tembo, adding that there is need for any Citizen to serve the country with honour when called upon to do so even in a small capacity.

“Now, as a citizen of this Republic, the State will often call upon you to serve it every now and then. It might be in a small capacity and it might be in a big capacity, but whatever the case, when the State calls upon you to serve it, you need to serve it with distinction and honor,” he says.

Tembo cited US as one country where one cannot run for the presidency if not served in Government before.

“That is why in other countries such as the US, it is often considered a custom that anyone who aspires to be President must have served in the security or defense wings. For example, seven of America’s Presidents after 1945 actually fought in the Second World War. George W Bush was Director of the CIA before he became President. The point here is that you need to have served the State in one capacity or the other to show your suitability for the main job,” he explains.

Tembo said that it is unfortunate when HH was given an opportunity to serve the country he allegedly abused the opportunity.

“When Mr. Hichilema was given an opportunity to serve the country by managing part of our privatization, he instead decided to serve his pockets and put his personal interests above those of the State. And now, he is asking to be President. He abused the State once when he was given an opportunity to serve it, surely what are the chances that he will not abuse the State again if given the opportunity to serve as President?”

By Sean Tembo – PeP President

WHO SHOULD BE ZAMBIA’s NEXT PRESIDENT AND WHY?

Part 2 of 3

1. In part 1 of this series of articles, we looked at where our country is today in terms of our economy. We emphasized that we are at crossroads and the person who we vote in as President in 2021 will determine whether we can recover and regain our lost glory or proceed to plunge into the abyss of economic ruin forever. The task of turning around this country’s economy is extremely tuff but not impossible. Given the urgency of the matter at hand, having already defaulted on our external debt, we need to usher into office as President next year, a person who already has a plan to turnaround our economy and not a person who is going to start searching for a plan once they are in office. There will be no time for that. So, the question which every responsible citizen of this Republic should be asking themselves is; who among the myriad of Presidential candidates has a ready plan that is documented and published, for turning around our country’s economy? Who has a plan and how sound is that plan? Has such an economic turnaround plan been subjected to the scrutiny of the Zambian people and what is their feedback? Is the plan viable? Can it be trusted?

2. In the previous article, we looked at the first two of potential presidential candidates for 2021, being Mr Lungu and Mr Hichilema. We clearly outlined that President Lungu does not have the competence needed to turnaround our economic fortunes since it is him together with his predecessor; the late President Micheal Sata, that put us in this hole in the first place. Some people like to argue that Sata was a visionary leader and that it is Lungu who messed up Sata’s vision. But l don’t share those sentiments. I believe that our economy’s downward spiral started during Sata’s time due to his lack of respect for Government systems and processes where he borrowed recklessly and did not even put the proceeds of such borrowing to good use. When Lungu took over, he merely added his incompetence and lack of vision to land us where we are today. But make no mistake about it, today’s economic quagmire is a product of the incompetence and lack of vision of two Presidents; Lungu and his predecessor, Sata. If we are going to make progress from here, we need to face the reality of the situation at hand and not bury our heads in the sand.

3. In the previous article, we also tackled another potential 2021 presidential candidate, Mr Hakainde Hichilema of the UPND. I actually do wish HH was the right candidate, things would have been much more easier. But he is not, on many fronts. Most importantly, he is incompetent and has no vision for this country. His proposed solution to current economic quagmire is to go on an IMF program so that we can borrow more money from the IMF, albeit with more stringent conditions whereby the IMF will essentially be determining our economic policy from their headquarters in New York City, with no regard for the plight of a widowed grandmother in Kaputa Village. So if HH was to become President of Zambia, his immediate economic turnaround plan would be to put the country on an IMF package. It is worth noting that an IMF package is usually applicable in instances where a country lacks fiscal discipline and the fiscal discipline has to be imposed by the IMF by taking over your day-to-day economic management responsibilities. In other words, an IMF package makes you lose your sovereignty. You basically relinquish your responsibilities to an external institution which you cannot be sure will have the best interests of your country and it’s people at heart. By the way, this country has a history with the IMF and World Bank in the early 1990s when they implemented what was known as the Structural Adjustment Program or SAP in short. It is the IMF that compelled the Chiluba administration to sell our parastatal companies at a give away price, because according to them, they were a drain on the treasury and had to be gotten rid of. We all know that we destroyed our vast industrial base in the 1990s which KK had worked so hard to build, and we have not recovered up to now, all because of the IMF and its SAP. And Mr Hichilema wants to insist on putting this country on an IMF program as a solution to our economic quagmire? When we say the gentleman is clueless, it is not out of spite. It is a statement of fact. HH cannot take this country anywhere because he is incompetent and has no vision.

4. He is an accidental main opposition leader who inherited his political party from a dead man, just like Lungu. You see, there is something about people who inherit things as opposed to standing up, stepping forward and creating something from scratch because you feel compelled inside you to offer a solution. The question that people should ask themselves is where would HH be today if Mazoka did not die? He would probably still be at Granthornton working as a Managing Partner. So he is an accidental opposition leader. He became an opposition leader simply because an opportunity for fame arose and not because he felt compelled to do so because of the suffering of the Zambian people. On the other hand, people like Sata and Mazoka found it necessary to assist the Zambian people and proceeded to step out of their comfort zones and started political movements from scratch. Therein lies the difference when it comes to vision. Of course, apart from incompetence, we indicated last time that HH suffers from two additional handicaps that make him unsuitable to be Zambia’s President; he is a tribalist that has created a false national narrative that his tribe has been marginalized and hence what’s to be Republican President to correct that, and he also has credibility issues, having evidently swindled the country during the privatization of Mosi-o-Tunya Hotel in Livingstone. We did our research on that transaction and there is no doubt in our minds that the gentleman swindled the nation in that transaction. We are not sure about other allegations but on that Livingstone hotel matter, we are sure and are willing to back it up in court. Now, as a citizen of this Republic, the State will often call upon you to serve it every now and then. It might be in a small capacity and it might be in a big capacity, but whatever the case, when the State calls upon you to serve it, you need to serve it with distinction and honor. That is why in other countries such as the US, it is often considered a custom that anyone who aspires to be President must have served in the security or defense wings. For example, seven of America’s Presidents after 1945 actually fought in the Second World War. George W Bush was Director of the CIA before he became President. The point here is that you need to have served the State in one capacity or the other to show your suitability for the main job. When Mr Hichilema was given an opportunity to serve the country by managing part of our privatization, he instead decided to serve his pockets and put his personal interests above those of the State. And now, he is asking to be President. He abused the State once when he was given an opportunity to serve it, surely what are the chances that he will not abuse the State again if given the opportunity to serve as President?

5. This brings us to the other political movements that are there. Let us start with Kambwili and his NDC. We all remember that Kambwili was a very excited person when he was a Minister in the PF Government, at one time even telling Zambians to go and urinate in their cars if they felt that the price of fuel is too high. That is when he was Chief Government Spokesperson. Now, today Kambwili wants to portray himself as a savior to the Zambian people? What savior? We saw how you behaved when you were entrusted to serve the State in a smaller capacity and no one can trust you with a bigger responsibility of being Republican President. There is nothing there really. Kambwili is not even worth a full paragraph in this article. Then there is this other clique of former PF Ministers and other senior members who claim that they will deliver Sata’s vision! Which Sata’s vision first? The vision of haphazard economic policy where you issue SI 33 and SI 55 today and you reverse it after 6 months causing serious ripples in the market and causing the exchange rate to fluctuate from $5.9 to $7.4 within such a short space of time? The vision of borrowing huge chunks of money under the Eurobond and then keeping $400 million cash in a non-interest bearing commercial bank account for 5 months while waiting for Zambia Railways to develop a business plan of how they will spend the money? What vision? The vision of declaring a District simply because you liked the taste of the mangoes that you bought by the roadside in a particular area? Vision is not haphazard. Vision is structured. The only vision that Sata had was to grow his party and keep the MMD on its toes and not vision for managing the nation. He dismally failed to manage the nation and its a pity that he left us because it would have been nice to see the look on his face after we defaulted on our external debt.

6. Socialism? There is nothing there!

To be Continued…

/// END

SET 21.11.2020

WE ARE READY TO DEFEND OUR KING – Barotse youths , Indunas, chiefs and the people

– As Nabiwa Imikendu and group organizes youths in mongu to march and give solidarity with placards and banners insulting the Litunga

By L. Namukolo

Barotse Royal Establishment in Limulunga Royal village has once again maintained their stance that, they won’t entertain the authorities of Zambian government through the so called judiciary and its courts to continue insulting the biggest institution of Litungaship by subjecting it to litigation which is total Tabo and uncalled for.

Addressing the local people who went to pay courtesy call at the Kuta today to find out about the pending court case in Mongu high court.

People from Mushuwa, Nan’oko, Isambai, Moombo, Limulunga, Mabumbu and surrounding area expressed sadness in the manner the Kuta has entertained the current situation and offered solidarity to defend the Litingaship at all costs. The local people vehemently declared that let anyone try to step on the palace grounds and see their fate as they are ready to die for their institution.

However, the Kuta urged the people to be vigilant and steadfast as the enemies are closer among ourselves who are working with suppressors in order to completely destroy our institution which is the highest authority in the land.

Local people have said for past 500 years there have never been such insults been brought to the Kuta not even in the colonial time never. “We had Kenneth Kaunda , late Fredrick Chiluba , late levy Mwanawasa, Rupiah Banda , late Michael Sata and now Edgar Lungu who seems to be determined to completely destroy and abolish our Litungaship using our people, will never let foreigners destroy us. When you hear a fellow lozi that is supporting to insult his or her parents just know that person is not there child. No one can feel good to see his or her parents been insulted and you quiet and laugh, once he dies you will remain without a parent”. One of the angry youths stated.

However, his Royal Highness Chief Chiengele kashengula nyumbu of Mushuwa palace in Nan’oko area of Limulunga has disclosed that From time immemorial, Litunga has never been dethroned by litigation. “We have our own system of dealing with such a matter. I’m in support of the Kuta. We shouldn’t let people destroy our own institution”he said

The BRE youths wing has reported to have managed to mobilize hundreds of youths in the 16 districts of Barotseland. The youths will camp in Lealui Royal village starting on the 25th November. Security will be provided by the Barotse youth wing.

However, speaking on behalf of the Kuta of Naliele, Imangamba said As the Kuta they have been following this case closely. And If we are really the people that fights for our cause I want to say that we should not allow the following:
– Litunga should never appear in the Zambian courts. Our forefathers had a way of dealing with an ailing Litunga.
– We should never allow Namuso to say that we are getting indepence because Zambian government is taking his majesty the Litunga to their court. Dragging his Majesty the Litunga to Zambian court or not Barotseland should be free, it’s a must.

In the latest development, Nalolo Kuta have said the people of Barotseland should stick to the independence.
The shortcomings of Lubosi Imwiko II, as the reigning Litunga of Barotseland should never drive us into destroying our institution. If Lubosi as a reigning Litunga of Barotseland is dethroned by Zambian courts that will be a very bad picture and precedent that should never be allowed to happen in our lives.

However never forget about the struggle because the whole world will prove that we have no muscle for the struggle.

Meanwhile, according to the sources who are familiar with the litigants they have disclosed that, Nabiwa imikendu and group are organizing youths to march to Mongu high court to offer them solidarity on 1st December. The youths informed BBN that they intend to carry placards and banners written words and remarks denouncing and rejecting lubosi Imwiko as the Litunga of Barotseland. The youths will be denouncing the BRE and Litunga at the court. But majority of the youths that have been approached have refused and said they support their Litungaship.

Nabiwa imikendu a former Induna Imbwae one of the litigants is an installer of Barotseland Kings and is very much aware of the 100 ways to dethrone a king. By traditional a King self dethrones once he enters a court of law.

Meanwhile, some scholars have argued that His Justice minister Natamoyo or the prime minister, sope, Ngambela can represent the Litunga in such matters. According to Bulozi London, a truely nationalist who has the heart for the kingdom has disclosed that Precedence was set when Sekeli Konoso once tried to engage King Mwanawina in court but failed. -Barotseland Broadcasting Network

Leader of the opposition PeP Sean Tembo has accused leading opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema (HH) of having swindled the Nation during the privatisation of Mosi-o-Tunya Hotels in Livingstone.

But HH has rubbished these accusation of having done anything wrong in the privatisation programme where he was hired as a Consultant.

Tembo insists HH who is one of the fronter runners in Zambia’s next year presidential has credibility issues saying he is not better placed to be president.

“He also has credibility issues, having evidently swindled the country during the privatization of Mosi-o-Tunya Hotel in Livingstone,” Tembo explained. “We did our research on that transaction and there is no doubt in our minds that the gentleman swindled the nation in that transaction.”

HH has since dragged to court two other opposition leaders – Edith Nawakwi who is also a former Minister of Finance and Chilufya Tayali on the privatisation illigality allegations.

But Tembo says he is sure HH swindled the country on the Mosi-o-Tunya Hotels and that he is ready to prove it in court.

“We are not sure about other allegations but on that Livingstone hotel matter, we are sure and are willing to back it up in court,” said Tembo.

He explains that there is need for any Citizen to serve the country with honour when called upon to do so even in a small capacity.

“Now, as a citizen of this Republic, the State will often call upon you to serve it every now and then. It might be in a small capacity and it might be in a big capacity, but whatever the case, when the State calls upon you to serve it, you need to serve it with distinction and honor,” he says.

Tembo cites US as one country where one cannot run for the presidency if not served in Government before.

“That is why in other countries such as the US, it is often considered a custom that anyone who aspires to be President must have served in the security or defense wings. For example, seven of America’s Presidents after 1945 actually fought in the Second World War. George W Bush was Director of the CIA before he became President. The point here is that you need to have served the State in one capacity or the other to show your suitability for the main job,” he explains.

Tembo says unfortunate when HH was given an opportunity to serve the country he allegedly abused the opportunity.

“When Mr Hichilema was given an opportunity to serve the country by managing part of our privatization, he instead decided to serve his pockets and put his personal interests above those of the State. And now, he is asking to be President. He abused the State once when he was given an opportunity to serve it, surely what are the chances that he will not abuse the State again if given the opportunity to serve as President?”

The issue of privatisation has become a hot with the PF Government hinting on setting up a commission of inquiry.

This however is seen by some people as a witchhunt on HH candidature as the programme was conducted over 25 years ago.

WHO SHOULD BE ZAMBIA’S NEXT PRESIDENT AND WHY?

Part 1 of 3

By Sean Tembo – PeP President

1. Our country is now at crossroads. And am not saying this rhetorically, l mean it literally. What this means is that the 2021 general elections will provide us with an opportunity to decide which direction we shall go, and whether such a direction will be progressive or retrogressive. The term ‘vote wisely’ could not be more applicable. But with such a supposedly crowded political landscape, who should the people vote for? And why?

2. In order to arrive at an appropriate answer for the question above, there’s need to use a combination of merit-based assessment as well as elimination. But before we go further to look at each potential presidential candidate and what they have to offer, which of course will be quite divisive, let us first agree on some key considerations that are not in dispute. Firstly, it is not in dispute that our economy is currently on its knees, having recently defaulted on our external debt. It is also not in dispute that the levels of poverty and squalor have doubled over the past decade or so. It is also a fact that if we continue on the current trajectory, there is a very high chance that we may not have a country to talk home about because our creditors will begin to slowly grab our assets wherever they are, including our territory. Therefore, what we are facing is not just an economic crisis but an existential threat. That is how serious the issue is.

3. Given the crossroads that this country is at, whoever is elected President next year will have to possess the unique economic management ability to turn this country around so as to not only resolve our current economic crisis, but also overcome our existential threat as a nation. This is not a time for average economic performers. This is a time exceptional economic performers. The best person to lead us over the next 5 years is not someone who does not yet have an economic plan and will only begin to assemble one once in State House, no! There will be no time for that. By the time such a President finishes assembling an economic turnaround plan, there might be no Zambia to talk about because our creditors would have grabbed our territory. We might at that time be citizens without land, and those who decide to live in the seized territories may end up being slaves to the new owners of our territory. I doubt that there is any Zambian who is ready and willing to be a slave to our creditors in this day and age. That is the reason why each one of us has a collective responsibility to vote wisely next year. We need to vote for a Presidential candidate that already has a documented economic turnaround plan, and not someone who will start searching for a plan once in State House. A Presidential candidate who will hit the ground running and turnaround our economic fortunes and save all of us from potentially becoming slaves to our creditors.

4. We can now look at each of the potential presidential candidates that are available and their suitability for the mammoth task outlined above. Let us begin with the incumbent. His Excellency, Dr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, President of the Republic of Zambia from 25th January 2015 to date. Well, we acknowledge whatever achievements Mr Lungu has scored in the past 5 years based on his abilities. For example, the infrastructure development such as clinics, hospitals and roads in both urban and rural areas which Mr Lungu has brought about is unprecedented and cannot be compared to any other presidency in the history of this country. That is a fact that we cannot take away from Mr Lungu, and we appreciate it. However, President Lungu’s abilities begin and end with putting up infrastructure. He has no ability to ensure that whatever infrastructure that is developed is actually developed at a reasonable cost. With him, his abilities end with infrastructure development only. That is the reason why he does not see anything wrong with a tollgate such as the Micheal Chilufya Sata toll plaza between Ndola and Kitwe, costing a whooping US$5 million. That is K100 million for 8 pillars and some roofing sheets on top!!! Now, it is President Lungu’s failure to ensure that infrastructure projects are undertaken in a cost-effective manner that has landed us here with a debt default. President Lungu lacks any other competence needed to properly run a country. He lacks a basic understanding of how an economy functions. He doesn’t understand the consequences of over borrowing. He doesn’t understand the consequences of blocking farmers from exporting their maize. He doesn’t understand the consequences of undertaking infrastructure projects at three times their cost. In other words, he doesn’t understand anything else other than putting up buildings across the country. And what exacerbates his situation are two things. Firstly, his lack of appetite to get advice from anyone and secondly, his appetite to surround himself with incompetent advisors and ministers. This combination makes President Lungu a huge liability to this country. And Presidents are supposed to be an asset and not a liability to their respective countries. But President Lungu is a huge liability to Zambia and the earlier we retire him in the national interest, the better. The 2021 general elections presents all of us with an opportunity to send President Lungu into retirement. We appreciate and shall forever be grateful for the infrastructure development that he has scored, but it is now time for him to pave way for someone else who can take it up from here and score other success for this nation.

5. This brings us to the next presidential candidate; Mr Hakainde Hichilema of the United Party for National Development or UPND in short. On paper, HH would have been the most suitable person to become the next President of this country, except for three prominent handicaps that he has. Number one, he is incompetent, number two he is a tribalist and number three, he has credibility issues. I know that some people might be jumping off their seats because of these brazen allegations, but please allow me to explain in detail, one allegation at a time.

6. I must say that there is no shadow of doubt in my mind that if what we really need is to turnaround our economic fortunes and prevent our territory from being grabbed by our creditors, then Mr Hichilema is not the man for the job. But if the argument is that HH runs the biggest opposition political party in Zambia today and therefore he must be next in line when Mr Lungu leaves office, then it carries water. For me, l have been a very keen follower and at some point, close associate of the UPND leader, and l know for a fact that he does not have any vision for Zambia, let alone a vision necessary to take us out of this deep economic hole that President Lungu and his PF have put us in. Despite having two degrees, Mr Hichilema has a very simplistic perspective of Zambia’s economic problems. For example, time and again, he has said that his Government will provide free education to everyone from kindergarten to university!! Where he will get the money to fund such a huge expenditure, nobody knows. Time and again, he has argued on radio that he will scrap all taxes on fuel once he ascends to office. How he will bridge the resultant fiscal deficit, nobody knows. He has failed to propose any tangible alternative solutions to Zambia’s many economic problems. His solution to our current debt crisis is to go on an IMF package. But an IMF package is simply additional borrowing, albeit with more stringent conditions whereby you lose part of your sovereignty and our country’s economic policy decisions will be made by blue-eyed boys in shinny suits sitting in a boardroom in New York City. How can additional borrowing from the IMF be a solution to our current problem of over-borrowing? HH has no solutions to our economic problems and if the Zambian people made the mistake of making him Republican President, he will take this country 20 years backwards.

7. And the trouble with incompetent people is that they’re very difficult to dislodge from office. He has already demonstrated his traits of dictatorship by being at the helm of his UPND party for a continuous period of 14 years without ever going to a convention to give his members an opportunity to chose an alternative leader. Those are the same traits that he will carry to State House. It is unreasonable to expect someone who does not respect their own party constitution to suddenly develop the appetite to respect the Republican Constitution. Democracy is a way of life. It is not like a jacket which you can wear in the morning when it is cold and take it off in the afternoon when it becomes hot. No. It is either you are democratic or you are not. And HH is very far from being democratic.

8. On the issue of tribalism, l have no doubt that HH does not trust any other tribe other than his own. That can be clearly seen at individual level. Almost all his employees are from his tribe. When he goes to court, almost his entire army of lawyers are from his tribe. At party level, almost his entire media team is from his tribe. So if a person believes that only people from his tribe can be trusted, then how is he going to embrace the remaining tribes if he becomes Republican President? The other problem is that he strongly believes that his tribe has been unfairly treated and so, in his mind, it will be fair for him to favour his tribe if he becomes President, so as to make up for the time that he feels his tribe was marginalized. Some kind of affirmative action. Such kind of mindset will undoubtedly put this country on a downward spiral.

9. Mr Hakainde Hichilema’s credibility issues are in the public domain. For example, there is no doubt in my mind that he acted improperly during the privatization process. In fact, out of frustration he has admitted it himself on some radio programs, claiming that the Government at the time was sleeping. But if the Government was sleeping, then as a patriotic Zambian, why didn’t you wake the Government up? Why did you decide to take advantage of a sleeping Government and enrich yourself?

To be continued …

/// END

SET 20.11.2020

_PART 1_

ARE NEXT YEAR’S GENERAL ELECTIONS GOING TO BE LIKE A 93RD PENALTY FOR PF OR UPND?

…This is like a Make it Or Break it Sort of an affair; A Piece Of Advice Should be honored like an all white dove…..

By; Cornel Zimba

I am writing this with a heavy heart embedded in pain curved by perennial and avoidable disappointment which has been artificially erected to frustrate deep rooted PF members during this ongoing voter registration exercise. Why do i say so? Here are the facts:

1. Firstly, PF seems so comfortable as though we have already won the elections whereby leaving tight doors loosen. On the other hand, Upnd is taking this process with great seriousness it deserves.

2. We have witnessed Upnd ferrying cadres from Mazabuka to Lusaka to have them registered while PF leaders are comfortably seated in their aircon offices and believing all is well.

3. More voter registration kits have been dotted throughout southern province and our hands are folded waiting for Jesus Christ to come and help us.

4. Upnd has planted people in strategic places to facilitate the process while PF is busy as usual and not taking things with the seriousness it deserves.

5. Upnd’s target is to swallow three major stronghold provinces for PF and we still think life is as normal as it used to be 3-4 years ago.

6. We saw how MMD leaders started hiding in curves and if that does not remind us and the leadership per say, then we better start doing press ups in readiness for jail.

7. During NRC registration process, a handful of PF members of Parliament went to their constituencies to sensitize the constituents on the need of getting NRCs. On contrast, Upnd MPs mobilized themselves in every possible aspect. Not to mention the downfall of Bill 10 as a sign.

8. PF members have become too arrogant to emulate what our friends are doing worse than MMD regime.

9. Upnd knows how to hold each other’s hand in this moment because they know that the election has already commenced in the making, while PF is still holding on till the right time approaches. When is the right time?

10. In Upnd strongholds, people are turning up in numbers even when they are not yet in power, why can’t PF also mobilize enough resources to bring more people to register?

The time to act fast is now! If there is going to be a future for PF, then that future should be seen now. If we are going to win next year, better we start winning now. The more people register in our strongholds, the greater the chances of us to return power! I rest my case.

WHY I STOOD FOR 10 HOURS IN A VOTER’S REGISTRATION QUEUE AT LUSAKA’S CIVIC CENTRE.

It’s because I want to know the following:

By Malcom Tembo.

I had to wait for 10 hours to register as a voter at the Lusaka Civic Centre.

I have listed some reasons why I really want to vote in 2021 God willing.

I. I want to know the owner of the 48 houses that dropped from Heaven.

2. I want to know the true cost of the Fire tenders and who benefited from the deal.

3. I want to know what Business model Mr. Edgar Lungu implemented for him to increase his earnings from K2million to K22million within 12 months and how many more Zeros should we add this time around.

4. I want to know who owns Ndozo Lodge in Chawama and Victory Casino at Down Town Shopping Mall.

5.I want to know how Mr. Amos Chanda bought the Courtyard Hotel in Livingstone.

6. I want to know how Mr. Ronald Chitotela from Police Constable can have more than 50 trucks under Swift Transport with Mr. Goodward Mulubwa.

7. I want to know how Mr. Moses Mubanga of Buildcon together with Mr. Mulubwa of Swift got a 40kilometre road contract at St Dorothy after being paid US40million and did a shoddy work.

8. I want to know the true cost of Kafue Gorge Lower

9. I want to know the true cost of the modernisation of the KK International Airport and Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe Airports.

10. I want to know how one Tollgate can cost US4.3million.

11. I want to know how much Napsa paid for the Edgar Chagwa Lungu Mall in Kitwe and how much Mr. Lewis Mosho was paid for Conveyance.

12. I want to know the true cost of Digital Migration and who benefited.

13. I want to know why I should continue paying TV License for ZNBC I do not watch.

14. I want to know were the Money for Presidential Empowerment fund is coming from since it is not budgeted for.

15. I want to know who was behind gassing and why the President has not appointed a Commission of inquiry.

16. I want to know why Filthy PF cadres can continue terrorising citizens with the Police being quite.

17. I want to know why the case involving Jackson Kungo the PF Chairman for Northwestern province stealing Gold has gone quite.

18. I want to know why Dr. Chitalu Chilufya from running a small guest house for short time sex can now buy off Luscold a competitor to Zambeef.

19. I want to know why Magistrate David Simusamba and Charles Kafunda the Chief Registrar of the Judiciary are still serving despite them being openly corrupt.

20. I want to know why Zambians still have an Incompetent President.

To be contnued…..