28th October, 2020

Copperbelt—-Today, we join millions of Zambians and the rest of the world in remembering the selfless life of His Excellency Mr Michael Chilufya Sata.

The President Michael Chilufya Sata had a great passion for Zambia and his passion was reflected in the several developmental projects he initiated.

His humility and love for the poor made him dear to the people especially the youths.

What really inspires me from the late President is his courageous, eminence and availability to serve Zambians.

As youths we need to follow the footsteps of Mr Sata by having a clear focus of what we want to achieve in life.

Our forefathers had died for us to be free from imperialists and this time we must not engage in violence or be used as tools of violence, rather we must be equal partners in development.

As we celebrate his life of fearlessness and hardwork, we must be tolerant to divergent views like Mr Sata who had a big heart to forgive.

His life style should be a source of inspirational because Mr Sata was the very epitome of love, wisdom and he knew God.

This is because we have no enemies in politics, we only differ on ideals, so let us disagree to agree.

To all the youths pursuing a career in politics, Mr Sata is a true model to follow in order to succeed and contribute meaningfully to the country.

As youths, we have a lot to learn from this great man of the soil of Zambia who had a never giveup attitude. His selfless life, desire to stand with the poor, his humility, tolerance, determination and focus, is what today inspires us as youths to stand strong.

President Michael Chilufya Sata remained focused despite being called names. He remained a man of the people.

In politics, he has inspired many of us on how to remain focused and to be on my own the advice he gave me in the presence of then Minister of Defence at the same time Minister Home Affairs and Secretary General of PF in Ndola at Kabelenga Presidential Guest House now HE Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu.

Even as we celebrate his life today, we still remember and remain loyal to him even in his death. It will be important for of us who believed in his legacy to get together and make it a reality through unity of purpose, peace and love for one another.

To me as a pupil and student from Michael Chilufya Sata academy and School of politics will describe him as my Teacher and my political encyclopedia.

It is pleasing to note that the man who took over from Michael Chilufya Sata, His Excellency President Dr Edgar Chagwa Lungu has also proved to have the attitude of the former President.

Tolerance is key to the governance of the country. President Lungu has being called names, but he has remained focused.

As we remember President Michael Chilufya Sata, we want to wish our current President Dr Edgar Lungu to continue with this path of love and unity he has shown to the Zambian people.

Continue to Rest in the Good hand of our Lord.

*Nathan Bwalya Chanda, MCC*
*Copperbelt PF Provincial Chairman*
*Luanshya Mayor*
*Cell: 0966 903 705*

PRESS STATEMENT

28 TH OCTOBER 2020

WHEN TWO ELEPHANTS FIGHT ITS GRASS THAT SUFFERS, PAY MOPANI MINERS FIRST THEIR BENEFITS.

Glencoe has offered Government to buy all its shares. Looking at the level of investment Glencoe has pumped in both Mufulira and Nkana mines, it’s likely Glencoe is not asking for not less than 4.5 billion USD. Assuming that is the amount Glencoe is asking for and that the PF regime is broke, Government should tell Zambians where they are getting this money. We demand that miners are paid their full benefits first. As UPND we are saddened how PF is destroying our mining industry. When two elephants fight it’s the grass that suffers; miners and Zambians will ultimately suffer.

The PF regime should be very cautious on who they choose as a partner. From inception most investors were and are still only interested in the smelter and refinery departments to treat cheap concentrate. During privatization it was decided to sell Mufulira mine as a single unit, hence the on and off problems of putting both mining and concentrator departments on care and maintenance. This is likely to happen again, Mufulira and Nkana mines are old mines that are very expensive to run profitably. The new shaft at Mufulira is meant to hoist copper ore straight from 1690 meter level straight to surface, we doubt if ZCCM IH will sustain this operations.

If the PF regime makes any mistake in handling Mopani mines, this will result in a lot of problems for the miners and the Country at large. Already PF has messed up the issue of KCM and this should serve as a lesson and avoid falling in the same trap. Once a mistake is made miners should brace themselves for massive job losses and this will also mark the end of Zambia being a major copper producing country.

The idea of only PF cadres benefitting from our minerals as the case is at KCM is criminal. Zambians have a choice of either going down with PF or liberate themselves by voting out this corrupt regime. Miners should refuse to be hoodwinked by these PF crocks and thieves. PF is worsening the already weak economic situation by taking politics to our mines. This Country needs productivity in all sectors of the economy to pay nkongole. Penalties and fines will not pay our huge debt.

Percy Chanda

UPND – Chairman for Mines and Freedom Fighter

THOSE SAYING ZAMBIA IS A CHRISTIAN NATION ARE PAGANS, CHARGES ARCHBISHOP MPUNDU…says Fr Chilinda has no sense of judgment

By Merlyn Mwanza

Those who are saying Zambia is a Christian nation are pagans and are using that word to lure some people into something that doesn’t exist, charges Archbishop Telesphore Mpundu.

And Archbishop Mpundu says Father Chilinda despite being a ‘wonderful’ man, has no sense of judgement.

Meanwhile, Chapter One Foundation executive director Linda Kasonde warned that the Church and State should not mix as doing so is dangerous.

Featuring on Radio Phoenix’s “Let the People Talk” programme this morning, Archbishop Mpundu dismissed that Zambia is a Christian nation, adding that those propping up such a narrative were pagans who have no understanding of what it meant to be a Christian nation.

The charismatic Archbishop said Zambia was yet to become a democracy.

“Zambia is not a theocracy. Theocracy is actually when people think God is ruling when in fact they are ruling. Zambia is yet to become a democracy. There is so much attempt in this country for people to liken or mistake the reign of God with the reign of humanity. When Jesus was being interrogated before his execution, they asked him, ‘are you a King’?. And he answered, ‘yes I am but my kingdom is not of this world’. Those who are saying Zambia is a Christian nation, they are pagans,” the Archbishop charged during a radio programme monitored by Daily Revelation. “They are just using that word to lure some people into something that doesn’t exist. And all the time we have been telling them (that) Zambia is not a Christian nation. You don’t make a Christian nation by declaration…by someone who woke up one day…on the wrong side of their head (saying) Zambia is a Christian nation. It doesn’t mean anything. It is what we do, how we live (our) life, that people are going to say these are Christians.”

The Archbishop said it was unfortunate that the Church in Zambia had been deeply divided by politicians due to the love of money. He said most Churches including Church mother bodies were following politicians’ empty rhetoric blindly merely for personal aggrandization or benefits.

“To build a tabernacle for everyone to be (worshiping) there? Like Caesar? So, (that) you have no checks and balances?” Archbishop Mpundu asked in apparent reference to President Edgar Lungu who is building a National House of Prayer Tabernacle. “That’s what Lungu wants. Let people go where they want to pray. Don’t build this monstrous called the national tabernacle. In fact, they wanted to call (it) a national Cathedral. Do you know what a Cathedral is? K20 million spent on prayer and fasting; that is a shame! If you are really a Christian, do what God wants and we are far from that. Even when it comes to Church mother bodies, some go for money. 30 pieces of silver. Judas sold his own master! It’s happening here in Zambia. (The Church) is divided. It’s a challenge to us. The Church is no longer speaking for the poor, for the weak: it’s going to those who are already powerful.”

And Archbishop Mpundu said the government only wanted the voice of the Church when it is faced with problems. He said whenever he provides counsel on matter of national importance, he is viewed in the wrong context. He cited last elections where President Lungu sent an emissary to him after he had spoken about the potential violence the country was about to experience. He said instead of contacting him directly, the President send Father Charles Chilinda, whom he described as a “wonderful” man, but lacked sense of judgement – to call him.

“There was a big problem at the end of the last elections. Violence had broken out and the president was there. And because it was getting worse. What does he do? He asked Father Chilinda (who) is a wonderful man but he has no sense of judgement, according to me. He comes to me and he says, President Lungu wants to talk to you. He is very worried about this… and so on and so forth. When does he want me? (I asked). No, he wants you right now. I said, you know, I have also my work to do. I will go there after one hour because I am engaged with (other) people, I can’t simply dismiss them. So, after one hour, I told him, (to) tell him I am coming,” he continued explaining. “And I went to State House. I waited three (3) hours to be heard. And after that, it was only two minutes, what can you do about this? I told him, if certain things are not done, there will be violence. Now, there is this violence. It’s up to you now. Then he said, ‘can’t you do something? You issue a statement or something’? I said, we can issue statement, but it’s too late. It’s like closing the gate when the horse has already bolted…and that’s it. On many occasions, many people do not want to listen to us.”

The Archbishop called on the Church not to be divided by greedy politicians at the expense of serving the people of Zambia. He noted that Bill 10 had divided the Church.

“What they (government) wants is Bill 10. Bill 10 is all brainwash. Why? Because in the meantime, they know how to divide and rule. Some of the leaders are bought there. From the look of things, we have not graduated from the “brown envelope” (syndrome) of president (Frederick) Chiluba. They (some Church leaders) have been given things. Some projects, so on and so forth. And tomorrow they will have a different way of speaking things. Sometimes within the same Church, they divide you,” he observed. “And they tell the Church has a very important role… my foot!”

And Kasonde warned Zambians to be careful with the shrewdness of politicians who are fond of merging the Church and the State. She said many countries that have merged the two institutions have had disastrous experience in managing national affairs as well as uniting the people. She cited the Nazi German as a good case in point – where the State used the Church to create divisions which culminated into massacre of its own citizens.

“Zambia as a Christian nation is all hypocrisy. How is Bill 10, which is a creation of man going to make us more Christian? And you only have to look at the way the State is using religion to see that they don’t mean well. For example, we have this National Day of Prayer, meanwhile a few days later, you are roughing up somebody’s wife and child for no real genuine reason. There is just no harmony between what they profess and what they (are) actually doing,” said Kasonde. “There is a real disconnect there. So, I think people shouldn’t be fooled. Historically, religion has been used as a tool to oppress other people. In Nazi German, they even had their own Churches to profess Nazism. Churches and State when they mixed together can be very dangerous; and can be used to divide people; can be used to say some people are better than others.”

Meanwhile, Transparency International Zambia (TIZ) president Rueben Lifuka called on Zambians to take interest in the constitution making process. Lifuka said constitution making process should not be used as a pawn to perpetuate politicians’ stay in office.

“The onus is on everyone to take interest so that there is education on the constitution (making process). Politicians are aware of the consequences of Bill 10. There is a distrust as to why the constitution should be amended; it’s a messy. And that’s where we are today. What they (government) should have done is, how do we carry the people with us. Constitution making should not be driven by events. Constitution making is a process to ensure that you do the right thing for the people, not for your party because of an election,” explained Lifuka.

By Kapelwa Musonda1

He took my hand and asked, “What will you talk about as your prominent selling points when you start campaigning? When I replied, “Of course infrastructure – the roads, airports, clinics and football stadiums that my Government has built all over the country,” he was visibly upset. After a while, he shouted, “That is a recipe for failure.” I was equally flabbergasted by his cold and demoralizing response, so I challenged him, “But we are unstoppable in our transformative agenda of turning Zambia around. Today, we are commissioning the completion of Makeni flyover which is part of the flyover bridges to be constructed under this project. Infrastructure development is a critical catalyst to enhanced economic growth, and therefore my government will continue to invest in infrastructure, such as roads, schools, hospitals, etc.”

Then he said to me, “Umwana ashenda, atasha nina ukunaya.” I asked him, “What do you mean” to which he replied, “But you have visited Ethiopia several times. You mean you don’t see what Ethiopians have done on infrastructure? Besides, most of this state-of-the-art infrastructure is built by Ethiopians themselves, not Chinese.” Then he turned and said to me, “Remember what they used to teach us about Maslow’s law of basic needs?” I replied, “Yes, the law deals with a hierarchy of basic needs. You remember the pyramid of needs with basic needs such as food and shelter as essential needs. Similarly, infrastructure is like basic needs which any Government should build for its people. Surely, if you cannot build infrastructure, what should your own people think of you? What does a family think of a father and husband who has built a house for them? Nothing, because he has an obligation to do that and that cannot be a selling point for him to the family. It is the same as President Trump using economic growth as a selling point when many poor people in America continue to get poorer.”

“So, you mean Zambians will not vote for our party because they cannot eat infrastructure?” “Of course, you are doing a good job in some respects. But you must understand people’s motivations. You have to reposition your party and talk about things that go beyond basic needs and fall under your obvious job description and touch their every day lives. There are other needs that must be fulfilled by Zambians. Maslow talks about needs similar to what an innovative Government must do to its people beyond basic needs. Safety or security, belonging and love, a society without greed and selfishness, trust, morals, good family ties and relationships, a society where children feel protected, can eat three meals a day and go to school and enjoy it, feeling of accomplishment, clean water and surroundings, clean health and environment, and building infrastructure that that has things that prevent disease, hunger and death. When these things are in place, sometimes people don’t even need a physical hospital because they will not get sick.”

In Switzerland for example, citizens don’t even know the Minister of Health. They don’t talk about number of hospitals. They talk about availability of quality medicines and facilities that prevent them from falling ill. When they’re ill, they quickly recover. Transport minister is not known but the benefits of roads are everywhere. No one is late for work or going back home. So, if you want to use infrastructure for campaign, you better talk about what they’re doing as benefits. Is there quality medicine and facilities in hospitals or they’re white elephants, looking beautiful but empty of medicines? Hospitals without good and sustainable beds, water and toilets without running water don’t mean a hospital. Old hospitals are not maintained. If UTH were property maintained, there would be little to build other hospitals in Lusaka. Zambians would probably vote for your party if they see that you can improve existing structures instead of hiding behind the mask of new buildings.

“You have to target your campaign into groups. Of course, there’re Zambians that are benefiting from roads. But these are largely elites who have cars and money to transport foods and other things on the new roads. On the other hand, the majority hardly use those roads. Yet, once in a while they’re also transported on those roads but it is not the same as the elite who use these roads every day. Most people walk, not on these roads but in dust roads that are largely neglected. Yes, you must make the point that roads are important because “roads are the arteries through which the economy pulses. By linking producers to markets, workers to jobs, students to school, and the sick to hospitals, roads are vital to any development agenda.” I really like your assessment and linking roads to development and we will make sure our party addresses that.” “Yes, you should do that. That is what I mean when I talk about targeting but you cannot generalize that roads are important for all Zambians.”

“But let us go back to the innovative needs that you talked about earlier because I think they represent an important approach which our party can learn from.” “That is right. As a party, you have to explain how you intend to address these extremely crucial needs. However, you pretend, people know that this country has lost some morals. Sexual abuses of children, some leaders are taking advantage of poverty and abusing women, leadership is not clean. I have nothing against dancing. But why has dancing, not to make money but simply dancing become more important than working? Zambians spend more of their time dancing than working. From leadership to school children and even babies, everyone is dancing, in particular from the waist. One white person asked me, ‘Why do they dance and smile when they’re poor?’ Like Lionel Richies’ song, Zambians dance all night long. That is not simply a sign of happiness. There’s something else more worrying than happiness.”

“Trust has slipped away, in leadership, ordinary people and children. Trust is very important at leadership and ordinary life levels. We look clever all the time. We talk clever. But those we talk to know who we are inside. Even foreign investors know. You cannot simply sell a story that you have built infrastructure, and have an ennobling environment for investment. Every country has investment incentives. So, investors look for something else which we think are little and will not be noticed. But it is little fire that causes a conflagration. They know that we are lying. We also lack humility. Leaders need to have self-trust and build credibility. They need to build relationship trust too, that means keeping consistent behaviour in all their relations with others especially citizens. They must also have party trust or inclined to what they do. In fact, these matter much more than nice-looking roads and buildings.”

“Zambians are not the humblest people in general although a good segment are. Humility means forgetting about ourselves and thinking about others, in this case citizens. But you know that most leaders only think of citizens when they’re campaigning. After winning, they don’t even go back to constituencies to thank them or continuously share love and belonging with them. We must compare ourselves with people in other countries. Go to Mauritius and observe behaviour of the ordinary people. They’re humbler than us and will hardly harm a fly. We harm our own people. Most Zambians cannot sleep peacefully at night. Yet, they have the police and the army and leadership. We like going to Church. We have built many churches. We have national prayers. But when we look in the mirror, the image does not portray what we preach. There is a completely different face of each one of us from that of Christ.”

“Zambians will not vote for you because you’re giving them free mealie meal and other things. They’ll vote for you when you empower them to grow and produce their own mealie meal. The dependence syndrome that is being created through giving party cadres free food and everything else in order for them to vote for your party is not helpful. They are old enough to know these tricks. They’ll eat and vote for someone else. On the other hand, leadership is not there to misuse public resources to make one part of Zambia happy while keeping the majority unhappy. The role of party cadres is misplaced because they belong to you because they’re hungry not because they love the party.”
“They’re breaking society and their families and will not last when your party one day loses leadership. You should be proud if you help them to stand on their own and prepare themselves for the future. They’re recklessly grabbing other people’s land and other resources because you’re protecting them today. But what will happen tomorrow when some other party takes over? You think those they stole from will leave them alone? By allowing anarchy, you’re creating a lawlessness society. You must campaign on correcting such bad practises instead of talking about infrastructure. It is the same with leaders. Today they steal public resources but one day people will remember when another party takes over. You will not have helped them by keeping quite when you were in charge.”

“Many thanks for today for your advice. I really appreciate. You see, sometimes we as leaders are only told what our advisers think we want to hear. They’re not as brave and honest as you are. Perhaps it is one thing too that we need to improve upon – to listen to different opinions without Zambians thinking that they’ll be punished if they speak their minds. I certainly look forward to hearing more on how we can improve our campaign and look better after every Zambian without thinking about which party they belong to. I look forward to our next dialogue on another topic.” My only reply to him was, “Remember, you think that infrastructure is a big issue on which your party can campaign. But what you consider as little things may in fact be the sparks that cause a conflagration. When building a house, you don’t ignore small bricks because if you do, a beautiful building may never rise.”

By Emmanuel Chilekwa

THE GODS ARE AGAINST HH?

“Is UPND a Surrogate of Western forces? As he auctioned the country already, Why does he love ba Mwisa over Zambians?”

Few days ago, when I saw a video of whites sending an indepence congratulatory message for Zambia’s leading opposition, Hakainde Hichilema, I wondered whether the gods never ever want Hakainde Hichilema to ever rule Zambia.

I asked myself – “How come HH sees nothing wrong in aligning himself with foreign forces for political support or promotion?”

The second question I asked us: “why does he give this propensity to be perceived as a foreign-supported surrogate of the Capitalists or imperialist forces?”

I asked myself a 3rd Question : “Has my country been auctioned already?”

With the above queries, the sovereign spirits of my late father, Warrant Officer Class 2 in the Northern Rhodesia army, overcame my weakness that I need to say something.

HH, seems aloof to the local feelings and emotions of Zambians. His political crusade is always missed even when victory is on his eyebrows, but he’s talented to blow it off just like that.

Hence the many opportunities he has attempted to go to Plot 1 he has squandered the opportumity.

He had a clear chance to succeed when late Michael Chilufya Sata got into a pact with him in 2009.

But HH believed he was bigger and better than Sata as he wanted Sata to be below him.

Sata, with immense political expertise, opted out of such a pact to go it alone and he wonthe 2011 elections.

Fate had it that that had HH agreed to “humble” himself, this time around, HH could have been in Plot 1 doing his 2nd Term, not striving to win.

Where’s the problem?

My young brother HH’s emotions and elated self-importance and elevated worth blinds him from being humble in order to attain the ultimate goal.

Now ECL, who was nowhere to Plot 1, who had only 28days to campaign in 2015 following death of Mr. Sata, is at the helm.

It’s wise to learn the ropes to greatness even from the foolish.

Five times failing to attain his goal, HH now faces a do or die uphill battle.

The PF is serious about the forthcoming Elections.

The change to the new voters roll, Bill 10 and Privatisation crusade are the 3 pronged spikes aimed at catching out HH, they plan 24/7.

Why? Several reasons at hand.

HH is perceived to be a surrogate of foreign forces.

Just recently we heard of the $400,000 East African deal with Dr Nevers Mumba being cited as having pocketed 90% of the same – it’s all in public domain.

Worst still, on this score is the mentioning of some rebel leader rendering support. I have not heard any statement partying away this assertion or claim, as serious as it is.

In the previous general election, we saw a swarm of EU gurus at HH’s house. As much as it was portrayed as diplomatic visit, we know that diplomats have their inert foreign agendas.

Now today, even when it’s clear that the PF has messed up big time, when then country is swinging between Green and Red, from the blues – boom, whites want HH to rule.

I dont know if the gods realy dont want HH or the man is set never to rule this country.

One thing all people agree to is that HH can make our economy tick, no doubt.

But one issue they all believe is that HH is a surrogate of the foreign forces and this video here just goes to show who wants HH much more than the Zambians.

And we know that the interests of these foreigners is not for Zambia or Africa, they still want to continue keeping us where we are in poverty.

The World Bank, the IMF and the Chinese all have one agenda – to impoverish Africans.

So, when a normal Zambian see such kind of whites promoting our very own Tonga Bull, chances are that they resolve to keep the status quo of the Chawama fellow in State House than bring on _ba mwisa_ at any cost.

Today, reports are surfacing on the deal between HH and the foreigners, much to the disgust of Zambian voters.

Now that some senior Members of the United Party for National Development (UPND), have castigated their leader, Hakainde Hichilema for allowing a video of white sponsors wishing him a happy Independence Anniversary.

Hichilema, who is under pressure from his sponsors to win the upcoming 2021 elections, allowed a video of people he has promised farm lands and mines, to appear in the video.

But some senior members of the party called this stunt as childish and dangerous for their image to voters.

They have urged Hichilema to tame his publicity team in Zambia and abroad.

They said the video exposes Hichilema’s links to individuals controlling UPND from South Africa.

_”We know he has promised them farmlands and the mines, but do we have to expose and show that?” They said._

_”It’s these foolish acts that make us lose elections everytime”, they lamented._

It is claimed that the UPND is sponsored by *Brenthurst Foundation*, a charity wing of the *Oppenheimer Family*.

Brenthurst Foundation have been sponsoring Hichilema to win since 2011, hoping that he could offer the mines to Anglo-America Corporation if he won the elections.

Brenthurst Foundation Executive Director, Greg Mills has set up a media team to prop up the purported soiled image of Hichilema abroad.

Mills usually pens articles against President Edgar Lungu and his government and publishes them in major newspapers in South Africa and London.

He also writes articles that white-washes Hichilema’s leadership potential.

The senior members have expressed anxieties fearing that Zambians may discover or suspect that the party has already sold the country.

Zambia is not South Africa where even pure white-driven campaign is acceptable. This video is undermining HH’s quest to Plot 1 as PF will maximise to use it during the 12 August 2021 general election as a person sponsored by foreigners to serve foreign interests.

Just my take.

Emmanuel Chilekwa
27 October 2020

By Banda Sakanya

Copperbelt ~ Kalulushi

FIVE PF SURROGATE LITTLE POLITICAL PARTIES RE-EMPHASIZE THEIR SUPPORT FOR A CARCASS BILL 10

Five Little PF surrogate political parties without back bones led by a vision less Dr. Danny Pule yesterday held a briefing were it was resolved that all MPs should fully support the constitution amendment.

A voiceless consortium of opposition political parties have urged the general citizenry and members of parliament to fully support bill number 10 of 2019 as it is key to economical emancipation.

Dr. Danny Pule further said that delimitation can only be done if this bill 10 goes through

The five PF surrogate and voiceless political parties were;

Danny Pule
Chanda of NCP,
Writ Musoma of NRP,
Cosmo Mumba
Robert Mwanza of CDP.

QUESTIONS

Dr. Danny Pule, how will general citizenry support the Bill which is already in parliament and can only be supported by MPs by voting for it?

Dr. Danny Pule, which MPs are you referring to support bill 10 because your party and your fellow four political parties have no MPs in parliament and you have no citizenry support?
If you are implying on UPND MPs then you are a big joker.

Dr. Danny Pule, are you being truthful by stating that delimitation of constituencies can only be done by passing bill 10?
Was Muchinga Province and its constituencies created using Bill 10 or the already existing constitution?

What economic emancipation is bill 10 going to bring when the country is already struggling with highly accumulated near to default debts?

We expected Dr. Danny Pule being a man of God to stand on the upright platform to condemn this retrogressive Bill 10 aimed at making ECL be a life president through repealing Article 52 of 2016 in Bill 10.

We are now seeing a man of God webbed in seeking money through supporting a man that wants to rule the country with an iron fist.

Where is Dr.Danny Pule’s godliness by lying that delimitation of constituencies can only be done by passing Bill 10 when we have constituties that were created before Bill 10?

These one man show political parties are useless and are only supporting to feed their families and pay their bills from ECL’s pay out.

They are all PF surrogates that is the more reason why PF regime is abusing ZNBC by covering their briefings.

We urge all Independent MPs to stand on the right with UPND MPs and vote NO to bill 10 by walking out of parliament the moment this Bill will be presented on the floor on the 29th of October.

KENYAN Professor of Law Patrick Lumumba says he will not respond to unfounded rumors that he and other foreigners are mobilizing funds to help the opposition unseat President Edgar Lungu because it’s a sign that the Zambian government is weak and paranoid.

Last week, Home Affairs Minister Stephen Kampyongo said government was aware that some opposition leaders were soliciting funds from their collaborators who were asking them to cause lawlessness in the country.

A publication called Batoka Bulls claimed that MMD leader Never Mumba was in East Africa where he was sent to meet partners of the opposition coalition, among them Prof Lumumba, who gave him US$400,000 for joint activities.

But in an interview, Professor Lumumba said only a very weak government could be bothered by a foreign civilian.

“I have no response to unfounded rumours which are figments of the fertile imagination of idle conspiracy theorists. What message can I have to people who are paranoid and see enemies everywhere? They need prayers. What interest do I have in Zambia? I wish I had the power they claim I have over Zambian politics. It must be a very weak government that is bothered by a foreign civilian,” said Prof Lumumba.

Kampyongo had said an opposition leader was recently in East Africa to solicit for funds from people who were encouraging them to cause lawlessness in Zambia.

“I also want to say that government is aware of some schemes of political parties wanting to dare government and when government acts, they want to cry victims and claim that the democratic space is shrinking. We are equally aware that one political leader was recently in East Africa where he went to solicit for funds from their collaborators who have also encouraged them to engage in lawlessness activities. We are not going to allow people to trade off the sovereignty of this country or a piece of silver. We shall not sit and watch as foreign interests come and disturb the peace that this country has enjoyed,” warned Kampyongo.

“Government is equally aware of the schemes by a known political grouping to begin attacking the government procured equipment which includes motor vehicles for police service using all sorts of weaponry, gadgets, including explosives. The source of the explosives is already established and the culprits are also being monitored and very soon we expect the police to do the needful. But I want to say that the anti riot equipment and other modern equipment has been procured at a high cost and it is irresponsible and criminal for any individual or organisation to begin scheming to destroy the equipment.”- DIGGERS

YOUNG ZAMBIAN FEMALE AIRCRAFT ENGINEER SURVIVES MALE DOMINATION IN THE AVIATION INDUSTRY

The 25-year-old Proflight Zambia Aircraft maintenance engineer becomes one of the outstanding youngest female aircraft engineers in Zambia.

“In every situation, an engineer must first understand the machine to know the problem,” says Muutambwa Kasempa.

Muutambwa obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Aircraft Manufacturing and Maintenance from Shenyang Aerospace University in China where she studied from 2012-2016.

Durng an interview with Girl Empowerment Alliance for Change, she narates: “Aeroplanes are not designed by science, but by art in spite of some pretence and humbug to the contrary. I do not mean to suggest that engineering can do without science, on the contrary, it stands on scientific foundations, but there is a big gap between scientific research and the engineering product which has to be bridged by the art of the engineer.

My journey with Proflight Zambia started in December 2016 where I started as a trainee Engineer until I obtained my Basic Engineering license from the Civil Aviation authority. My inspiration as engineer came from my late brother Chibi George .L. Kasempa who challenged me to do engineering.. Initially, I wanted to be a commercial pilot and engineering was something I never saw myself doing but he asked me if woud mind learning how an aircraft is designed and how its components work? And that really inspired me and being in the aviation industry has taught me a lot from how an aircraft operates to how an entire airport operates.

Challenges I have faced so far are that Aviation is a male dominated industry. And most of the time, people think a female can’t do it, and a lot thinking I am too young and I dont I understand, but however, I like a good challenge and being underestimated only pushes me to work hard and prove that even women can be mechanics/engineering.

My future plans would be to work in an aircraft manufacturing company, hopefully Zambia will have one soon 🙂. My encouragment to other women and girls is: don’t let anyone tell you, you can’t do this or you can’t understand that. Put your mind to it and set your goals; the road to greatness is never easy and even if you fail once or twice, it’s all part of the learning process.. don’t give up!

– Girl Empowerment Alliance For Change

Red tape prolongs Kambwili’s jail time

STRICTLY legally speaking, NDC president Chishimba Kambwili is a free man, thanks to bail granted to him by Lusaka Magistrates’ Court principal resident magistrate David Simusamba today.

One of Kambwili’s lawyers, State Counsel Musa Mwenye described the cash bail conditions as “harsh.”

The bail conditions are that Kambwili should pay K100, 000 and his two working sureties should pay a like amount each.

Notwithstanding Mwenye’s description, Kambwili’s agents (lawyers and family) raised the needed amount and met the bail conditions, before close of business today.
An euphoric crowd of the opposition leader’s supporters had gathered outside the correctional facility, certainly to raise his morale – once out.

Armed police lay in wait.

But not today; Kambwili remains incarcerated at Kamwala Remand Correctional Facility in Lusaka.

A judiciary official, who is not permitted to give media interviews, confided to Kalemba that magistrate Simusamba ‘could not be traced’ to sign final documentation for Kambwili’s release.

For now, Kambwili and those who regard him as dear continue counting the lengthy of his absence at home.

So far, the ex-information minister has spent 13 days and tonight will be his 13th night away from his classy Woodlands home in Lusaka, and even in Luanshya.

To end the way we started, legally speaking, there is no immediate glitch that will prevent Kambwili from walking (being driven) home tomorrow.

But we are merely lay men, and certainly women. So, we wait for experts at legal jargon to say what they usually say.

NDC president Chishimba Kambwili will spend another night at Kamwala Remand Prison despite Magistrate David Simusamba granting him bail earlier today.

The vocal opposition leader was to pay K100,000 as provide two working sureties who were also required to pay K100,000 each – a condition his lawyer Musa Mwenye described as “harsh”.

A source from within the NDC has also confirmed to #Kalemba that the bail conditions have been met.

“We have managed to pay for the sureties after Magistrate Simusamba “approved ” their authenticity,” the source said.

“A total of K300,000 has this been paid and we will take the deposit slips to court first thing in the morning,” source said adding; Under the circumstances , our president will yet again spend another night in Kamwala Remand Prison.”

©Kalemba

A consortium of opposition political parties have urged the general citizenry and members of parliament to fully support the constitution amendment bill number 10 of 2019 as it is key to economic emancipation.

Christian Democratic Party President Danny Pule said the five opposition parties have come together with a common agenda of educating people on bill 10 and advocating for its enactment.

ZANIS Reports that Dr Pule made the remarks during the press briefing in Lusaka that was attended by four other political parties.

Dr Pule underscored that bill 10 once enacted will represent the views of all Zambians and will also be a catalyst for economic growth.

“As the Christian Democratic Party with all the countrywide structures we are in full support of bill 10 and other politicians should embrace it as it means well for the country. Once enacted it will lead to the delimitation of constituencies as the current 156 are not enough with the population growth that we have had. Without bill 10 there is no way the constitution can be amended,” charged the opposition leader.

Dr Pule emphasized that bill 10 has numerous benefits such as delimitation of constituencies that will see an increase from the current 156 and economic growth due to adequate representation by members of parliament.

Others who spoke at the press briefing included National Congress Party (NCP) Peter Chanda who called on the general citizenry to respect the Zambia police service.

Mr Chanda recalled that the recent happenings of police abduction and slapping in the full view of public should be condemned in strongest terms by all well-meaning Zambians.

The NCP Leader called on the Ministry of Home Affairs to impose punitive measures on the people who break the law by disregarding constitution offices.

“No one should break the law with impunity and the Minister of Home Affairs should punish such people because we all have the duty of respect the police service. As politicians whether in the ruling or opposition we all have the duty to spur economic growth and not advocate for violence and name calling,” said Mr Chanda.

Meanwhile, Zambia Republican Party’s Writ Musoma, National Revolution Party’s Cosmo Mumba and Citizens Democratic Party’s Robert Mwanza all echoed the support to bill 10 and respect for the rule of law.

The constitution amendment bill number 10 of 2019 will be restored to the order paper of the national assembly on Thursday October 29, 2020.

By Mwaba Mutale

AMONG the topics I have decided to kill on this wall is politics because it is major divisive factor and I won’t be an object of causing division and confusion in this nation.

But let me share a thought. Many are attacking the popular rapping duo of the “Chanda na Kay” fame for choosing to align with the Patriot Front.

Well, it is their democratic right. You too can align with Narep or UPND or NDC. Somebody does not become less of a human or an idiot just because they do not support your cause.

We must bring ourselves where we are able to live as brothers and sisters, unity in diversity.

If you have seen any bad in the ruling PF, your friends haven’t seen that bad. You can either go pitch your idea and try to convince them to join you or show how the side their supporting is inadequate.

I have seen a terrible trend, both the ruling and opposition parties were anyone who is not with you is treated like an imbecile and less of a human and like a fool or they dont think. No bane!

Democracy is allowing ideas to flourish, even those ideas you dont like. So you cant say Chanda na Kay are fools because they have decided to support PF, there is no way will that thinking ever be accepted. Besides, these are artists who earn their living from performances.

They could just have been hired and paid for a song and totally nothing wrong with that comrades.

We have artists aligned to the opposition too, they too are not to be considered foolish because they choose to be opposition.

We must bring ourselves to a position of respect for everyone and begin to respect divergent views. Everyone human including those you dont agree with deserve respect…

The only consequence is that people are not aligned to the PF may now shun their shows or wont invite them to perform.

In short they may have shot themselves in the foot with this move… whatever the case they are adults and have the right of Association. That’s all we saying.

They have every democratic right, even if we may not agree with their choice and decision the least we can do is respect it. Whether to buy their music or attend their shows is now thats what’s up to you…

Peace and one Love

Kalemba

By Patson Chilemba

It’s unfortunate that Chishimba Kambwili is incarcerated today, says ruling PF vice-chairperson for mobilisation Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba (GBM).

And GBM said President Edgar Lungu has sent PF secretary general Davies Mwila to the Copperbelt to ensure harmony between the main party structures and the mobilisation committee.

Speaking with Daily Revelation, GBM bemoaned the incarceration of Kambwili, but that the matter had nothing to do with President Edgar Lungu and the ruling party. GBM was asked how he felt as a political leader that one of the opposition leaders in the country was incarcerated during the time the country was commemorating 56 years of independence.

“It’s quite unfortunate but I think on a later day you must ask me specifically on honourable Chishimba Kambwili then I will be able to express my feelings about honourable Kambwili. But for now I can just say that it is unfortunate that one of us is incarcerated today of course not something of the party’s intention or the President’s intention, but something which is beyond everyone’s control,” GBM said. “Because it’s a matter which I think he was involved in had nothing to do with anyone of us in the party. But it’s something to do with the law, the laws of Zambia. But I think I can probably say some other time ask me about my young brother Kambwili and I will be able to share with you what I feel about brother Kambwili.”

GBM, who said he was heading for the Copperbelt when contacted for the interview, said Mwila was chairing a meeting in the province to ensure that party structures and the mobilisation pull together in one direction.

“It’s just some people may not understand the role of the mobilisation committee, that’s why the party secretary general, of course the President saw it prudent that he directs the party secretary general to give guidelines on how the main party structures and the mobilisation should work in harmony,” GBM said. “It’s doesn’t mean that there is any form of misunderstanding, no, no we are working together. We just need our roles to be defined yes that’s the purpose of that meeting.”

However, the sources have revealed that the continued infighting involving Copperbelt Province mobilisation committee chairperson and Lusaka Province minister Bowman Lusambo and the Nathan Chanda led provincial leadership is at the heart of the meeting being chaired by Mwila.

The sources have told Daily Revelation that those in the main leadership structures feel they have been supplanted from their positions by those who are in the mobilisation committee, and that the two camps are positioning themselves for hegemony over the leadership for the province. The sources have also said that those aligned to the two groups are also in a fight over the adoptions of members of parliament, and that the fight has pitted the true greens (original members of the party) and the new comers like Lusambo and Foreign Affairs minister Joe Malanji.

There have been long standing fights between the two camps, which once led to a near punch-up involving Chanda’s supporters and Lusambo during a fundraising dinner dance on the Copperbelt, in the presence of Mwila. Lusambo elicited anger in Chanda’s supporters who threatened to manhandle him after he said that the party was dead on the Copperbelt because of poor leadership.

And GBM said the PF was ready for next year’s general elections.

“Some people may be saying that no there is some wind of change. I haven’t seen it because when I was in PF (in 2011) I saw wind of change when we were taking over from MMD. But that is not there today I can’t see any wind of change. I am sure am not the only one who can say that or attest to that there is no significance that there is wind of change in 2021,” said GBM. “All I can say is that people must continue supporting the leadership of President Lungu and the PF. I think they mean well they have done quite a lot for this country. Things that were not done after independence today most of the things have been done…27 years ago there was nothing to point at.”-Daily Revelation

FORMER Special assistant to the president for political affairs Kaizer Zulu has asked the Lusaka High Court to dismiss the matter where a driver of Lyndhurst School Joe Tembo has sued him demanding K3,054,000 as damages for assault for being irregular.

He argued that the K2,500,000 as compensation for pain being sought by Tembo is irregular as it offends the rules of court governing settling of pleadings.

Zulu had assaulted Tembo in November 2019 after their vehicles collided in Lusaka’s Ibex hill while he was picking up school children.

Tembo is demanding K554,000 as special damages, and K2,500,000 as compensation for pain.

He is also seeking damages for torture, anguish and embarrassment resulting from the assault and battery caused by Zulu and interest on all sums, costs and any other reliefs that the court might deem fit.

In his statement of claim, Tembo said that on November 19, 2019 whilst he was driving a Toyota Hiace bus picking up school children in Ibex Hill, Zulu’s vehicle, a Toyota Land Cruiser, rammed into the bus he was driving and later ended up into a drainage on Twin Palm road.

He said that on his way to second street in Ibex Hill, he was about to turn into Avic road and did indicate to motorists who were following him that he was about to turn and waited for an oncoming vehicle to pass.

“When the oncoming vehicle drove past the plaintiff’s bus, the plaintiff started turning into Avic Road and whilst turning, he heard a loud bang on the bus he was driving and he saw a Toyota Land Cruiser which hit the bus in the drainage along Twin Palm road,” Tembo said.

The victim narrated that when he got off the vehicle to check if everyone was okay, he saw Zulu, who was seated in the drivers seat and on a phone call, raise his thumb signaling him that he was okay.

Tembo said that 20 minutes later, he saw two motor vehicles which were occupied by huge men, who arrived at the accident scene and Zulu came out of his vehicle.

He said Zulu asked the onlookers at the scene who the driver of the bus was and when Tembo told him that he was the driver of the school bus, Zulu brandished a gun and pointed it at him and ordered his allies who arrived at the scene to beat him up on the premise that he wanted to cause his (Zulu) death.

Tembo said that Zulu ordered the thugs to rough him up and clobber him.
He said some military personnel arrived at the scene and questioned why he (Tembo) was being lynched but Zulu showed them their ID and they drove away.

The driver stated that the cadres continued beating him up and Zulu kicked him on the chin and he bled from his nose and mouth after which he collapsed and became unconscious and was only awaken by a doctor at University Teaching Hospital (UTH).

However, Zulu in his skeleton arguments in support of summons to set aside writ of summons and statement of claim for irregularity, stated that the alleged cause of action emanates from the claim of tortuous liability (compensation for injury) which was not contractual to trigger monetary compensation.

Zulu said a fixed sum must be certain when pleaded and Tembo had listed fixed amounts for compensation for pain, which clearly offends the rules of settling pleadings.

He wondered how Tenbo arrived at K2,500,000 as compensation for pain when the same could not be ascertained as a mere matter of arithmetic.

Zulu said that the claim falls short of the rules on settling pleadings and should be set aside for irregularity.

“The plaintiff cannot claim for liquidated sums for compensation for alleged pain as suffered as a result of a tortious claim. The pleadings herein clearly offends the rules of settling pleadings therefore the writ of summons and statement of claim ought to be set aside for irregularity,” said Zulu. “The defendant is equally praying for costs incidental to the application herein and the same to be paid before the plaintiff takes any further steps to remedy his grave error.”

And in a related matter where Zulu, Mpange Kachingwe, Raffiq Rashid, Bella Mwanza, Chita Lodge limited and the attorney general have been sued by four Lusaka residents Bernard Nshindo, Sengelewayo Jere, Saul Masikoti and Mason Mweemba for kidnapping and assault, the plaintiffs say they will prove their claims against Zulu and his allies.

In the reply to the defendants’ defence, the quartet said they would demonstrate that Zulu and his co-defendants do not have a defense on merit whatsoever./SM

ECZ Committed to Ensure Diaspora Voting is Actualized in 2026

LONDON, Sunday, 25th October 2020- Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) Chief Electoral Officer Patrick Nshindano says the Commission is working towards actualizing diaspora voting ahead of the 2026 general elections.

And Mr. Nshindano has implored Zambians living abroad to take advantage of the ongoing voter registration exercise and travel to Zambia so that they can register as voters in the 2021 elections, stating that in its current form, the electoral Act does not allow Zambians living in the Diaspora to vote from their respective jurisdictions.

Mr. Nshindano said this when he addressed Zambians in the Diaspora during a virtual Town Hall meeting organised by ‘Zambians Together’ in partnership with the Zambian High Commission in London. The theme of the virtual meeting was “understanding Diaspora’s right to vote in Zambian elections.”

“The Constitution in its current state does not bar any Zambians from participating in any election. Any Zambian, who holds a green National Registration Card who is 18 years and above is eligible to participate in elections. Citizens in the Diaspora have the right to be able to exercise their vote but not in their respective Jurisdictions because there are certain impediments in the current form. Under the electoral process Act, the current regulations spell out that, firstly, for one to be able to vote, you need to present yourself before a registration officer, so that entails that one has to be physically there,” he said.

Mr. Nshindano said the Commission is committed to ensuring that Diaspora voting is actualized as the move would facilitate for upholding of human rights as enshrined in the Constitution, adding that the Commission has since started amending some guidelines to realign the electoral process with the Constitution.

Mr. Nshindano said the Commission is working closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to facilitate for Diaspora voting, stating that there was need to gather statistics to understand the population in the constituencies that the Commission has in the Diaspora.

He added that ECZ will also have to set up and gazette polling stations and the best jurisdictions would have to be Zambian Missions Abroad. “For us to do all this, the Missions Abroad will have to be included in the delimitation exercise so that they are electoral binding. There are also other administrative aspects that could also speak to legislative process within the regulations; different time zones need to be taken into consideration. I hope that parliament will be supportive of this course. It is critical also to note is that one of the key challenges we face as a Commission is stakeholders buying the issue of voting and in the Diaspora”.

Mr. Nshindano reaffirmed that Diaspora voting was not new to the Commission, stating that despite ECZ attempting to implement it in the previous elections, political parties has always expressed misgivings perceiving the move as a conduit to electoral fraud.

He has since appealed to all stakeholders to come on board and support the Commission in its quest to make electoral reforms.

“If you have been following, the moment it was announced that the Commission was considering both prison and Diaspora voting, there was a lot of push back on the part of the political parties with regards to that, indicating that is one avenue that the Commission and indeed the country would use for electoral malpractice. So, this is where now the voices of citizens in the Diaspora also becomes important for you to see that this is actualized, but also needs the stakeholders to be convinced that this is an important aspect”.

And Zambian’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom His Excellency Lt. Gen. Paul Mihova assured Zambians in the UK that the Mission will continue to facilitate dialogue between the Government and the Diaspora on key issues and thanked Mr. Nshindano for taking time to meet Zambians based in the UK virtually.

Meanwhile, giving a Vote of thanks, Zambians Together Policy and Advocacy Director Chibwe Henry said the Diaspora now understand that the mechanisms, and hopefully, the legislation, to permit Diaspora, who are dispersed around the globe, to participation in the elections, will be in place by 2026.

“We have had an extremely useful and informative evening today because we have learnt a great deal about the Zambian Diaspora’s Right to Vote in General Elections, which Mr. Nshindano has explained. So, for 2021, as Zambian Diaspora, we just need to make sure we present ourselves before the Registration Officer in Zambia.” She said.

Ms. Henry said Zambians Together, with support from the Zambia High Commission, is trying to look forward, to better understand the Government’s mechanisms for implementing the Diaspora Policy; a process that will be achieved through institutions like the Electoral Commission of Zambia.

“We will therefore be conducting a Diaspora-led collaborative in-depth review of the Policy, an exercise we believe is vital as 2026 is the same year in which the Diaspora Policy is set to be reviewed. We are highly indebted to both of these Government Institutions for supporting Zambians Together’s efforts to bridge the gap between the decision makers and the Diaspora community,” she said.

Issued by Abigail Chaponda (Mrs.)
First Secretary | Press and Public Relations
Zambia High Commission in the United Kingdom.

POLICE SUMMONS AND ARREST IS A NEW RECRUITMENT BY PF WHICH MOST CITIZENS WILL UNDERGO – TREVOR MWIINDE

As different sectors of society continue condemning the code of conduct and brutality police officers are imposing on citizens, UPND officials have equally not been left out to express their disappointment of unnecessary summoning and intimidation of their member.

Speaking through a panel of interaction on Muvi TV’s Morning Breakfast Show, the UPND National Youth Secretary Trevor Mwiinde has expressed concern over police victimization of citizens who pay their salaries as he challenges citizens to be ready for summons and arrests as it is a recruitment that most of them will undergo to help in funding the PF national budget deficit and deficiency. Mwiinde further bemoaned the pathetic attitude of police officers who forget that they are constitutionally mandated to protect citizens and their property and not advancing a few individual’s agendas to settle political scores especially with UPND members or sympathizers.

Mwiinde has charged that there is a collapse of the rule of law as police officers are a curtail of PF cadres getting instructions from President Lungu who is usually likened to a Mafia who pretends not to be there and yet he is too much aware of all these arrests and irregular detentions. He pretends as though all is well. He further stated that most of political arrests President Lungu is usually out of country or state house as he is busy sampling his popularity around Zambia for a third term. Zambians must not allow this to happen as other legal minds in likes of Sangwa came out openly to say that the petition or rather injunction is already on his laptop to block Lungu from standing in 2021 general elections.

Having said this, Mwiinde affirmed that President Lungu is the controller of everything happening whose agenda is to distract UPND from concentrating on urgent things meant to develop Zambia. Evident is the canceling of President Hakainde Hichilema’s summon to Mpika in fear for him discovering the NRC and Voter’s cards registration illegalities. Further, he challenges the police to stop intimidating citizens on various related rule of law issues as his case were he was summoned for firearms acquisition when they are the sole mandated service to issue them to citizens.

In his closing remarks, Mwiinde challenges the police officers to end animosity and improve the relationship with the citizens who have been exposed to vulnerability as they lack confidence in their system. He further reminded Inspector General of the Police Kakoma Kanganja to execute justice fairly without any special perceptions.

©️UPND MEDIA TEAM

The opposition UPND says Zambians will have to fight and reclaim their independence from autocratic regime of Edgar Lungu.

UPND National Chairperson Mutale Nalumango says the freedom and rights Zambia gained after Independence in 1964 has been taken by PF and it must be reclaimed.

Nalumango a former Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly says UPND is ready to take on PF and give back the freedom and rights to the people. She says it will be punch for punch and that her party once punched will hit back hard twice.

The UPND National Chairperson said this in her statement below availed to Zambian Eye in which she is reflecting on the country’s 56 Independence Anniversary which falls tomorrow, 24th October 2020.

STATEMENT BY UPND CHAIRMAN, REV MUTALE NALUMANGO TO REFLECT ON INDEPENDENCE DAY.

INDEPENDENCE DAY: A CRY FOR TRUE FREEDOM

As we celebrate our 56th year of independence from colonial rule, we take time to soul search what independence has come to mean for the ordinary Zambian.

By definition a country is considered to have gained independence when it regains political control from outside forces. Little did we ever envisage that for the attainment of complete independence there was need for a country to attain internal political freedom.

By this extended version of independence, we dare to suggest that Zambia is far from being considered as a truly independent state because from 2015 the country was politically recolonized by the draconian policies of Edgar Lungu’s Patriotic Front government.

Many a Zambian that is aligned to the opposition or objective civil society has no reason to celebrate this day since Edgar Lungu took over as we have been pushed to the periphery of Zambian Society where we are not allowed freedoms of assemble, freedom of association, freedom of speech and many other such freedoms.

Any time we try to exercise these rights we are physically brutalised or jailed, worst still, some of our men and women have sadly even be killed. When one reads the history of liberation struggle in Zambia, these are the exact freedoms and acts of brutality that our freedom fighters fought against.

This therefore means that Zambians, 56 years on, are at decision point again to fight for their second independence as we will not allow our rights to be trampled on again as that would bring dishonour to the men and women of 1964!

We will, If need be, use the same tactics that our forefathers used. We will use civil disobedience if the PF continue the selective application of the Public Order Act. When they punch us, we will punch back twice and much harder.

So as the PF gather for their de jure independence celebrations, the rest of us will remain behind to plan on how we will reclaim our de facto Independence Day which we shall celebrate with all Zambians because starting August 2021 when we are sworn into government, by Gods grace and the people of Zambia’s favour, we shall guarantee all freedoms back to all Zambians including those who brutalise and kill us today.

Of course , this will be done within the dictates of the Laws of Zambia as those who will be in conflict with our laws, will have to answer before a competent and fair judiciary arm of government. For this, we are ready to fight PF.

As we close our cry for true freedom, we are reminded of the prophetic lyrical words of one of our freedom fighters, the indomitable late son of Zambia, Keith Mlevu:

Ubuntungwa twalipoka,
Mu chalo chesu icha Zambia
Nomba mune wemwina Zambia wishitishe chalo
Nga wa mona umulwani aisa no lupiya ulwingi
Wikokola umusebe we mwine wa chalo

Keith how true, today the economic space under the PF has been mortgaged to foreigners whilst Zambians are forced to sleep in containers denied the opportunity to go back home to their families.

Ubuntungwa ubwa Zambia
Natusunge ichalo chesu
Webuteko niwe wine we mwine wa chalo
Pantu nga washitisha chalo ukepaisha abantu
Kanshi mune uchenjele kuli aba ba mwisa
Abalefwaya ukonaula ichalo chesu

We urge the PF to also reflect on this great Zambian’s words. For they are the custodian of Zambia for every Zambian and not to put outsiders first; the same outsiders Kaunda, Kapwepwe, Nkumbula, and many other freedom fighters, fought so hard to reclaim our birth right from. It is such a shame that today many Zambians have to die to reclaim their place in society.

The UPND and its Alliance Partners will not allow that to happen as we promise the downtrodden that we will carry the mantle on your behalf by taking the fight to the PF.

All we ask is that you register to vote today, and give us your vote in August 2021. Let all Zambians fight for a Zambia for all Zambians. Do not look to the next person to vote for freedom for you because if not you, then who? Fight for your rights.

It is indeed dumbfounding that Zambia, as a frontline state that played a pivotal role in the liberation struggle of Southern Africa has today risen again but this time to fight a battle with the demons within. Demons who want to imprison and colonise.

With the same verve Zambia fought for SADC, this too we shall overcome as we are a country untited in our resolve to remain one people in spite of the PF. Take note PF. Ubwafitala akaimwena! ITS TIME ZAMBIA LIBERATED ITSELF COME 2021 , 12 AUGUST.

NGOCC executive director Mrs Engwase Mwale has told Zambians to reject politicians who will preach hated and tribalism as the country heads to 2021 general elections.

She said today in a statement issued in commemoration of this year’s Independence day that the country’s unity has been threatened.

“On this occasion, the women’s movement also remains deeply concerned about the polarization that is being fueled across the political divide. Over the years, the country has witnessed how politicians have sadly attempted to wedge a rift among Zambians. This year’s theme reminds us on the need for a truly ‘one land, one nation’. Zambians should frown upon and reject any machinations by politicians to divide our beautiful country on the basis of tribe for narrow sectarian interests. As the country prepares for the 2021 General Elections, Zambians should reject politicians that will preach hatred and tribalism,” Mrs Mwale said.

“As we commemorate this year’s independence we would like to appeal to all Zambians to embrace values and principles that will unite the country. While Zambia has remained relatively peaceful, we are concerned with the increased cases of political violence. We therefore call upon those in leadership, both in government and the larger political landscape, to promote national unity and cohesion. We reiterate our call to political parties to end all manner of political violence. The Zambia Police Service should also play its role as a neutral national security agency that should serve all Zambians.”

She said it is sad that 56 years after independence, more than half of people still in the country live in abject poverty.

“The theme ‘One Land, One Nation, Building Our Future Proud and Free’ would not have come at any better time than now when Zambia’s national unity is threatened. As Zambia ‘builds on the future, proud and free’, it is sad to note that 56 years after independence more than half of her people still live in abject poverty,” Mrs Mwale said. “Statistically, poverty levels stand at about 55% national average but largely bearing the face of the women as they remain more vulnerable. In addition, poverty remains high in rural areas at 76.6% and yet the women and men out there are the ones that grow more than 90% of Zambia’s food.”

[By Gibson Kapili]

THE period between now and 12th August 2021 presents defining moments in the history of our country.

The gravest mistake of our generation will be to pass Bill 10 into law. It will poison politics and the economy for generations to come. James Arthur Ray once said, “In life’s defining moments, there are two choices – you either step forward in faith and power or you step backward into fear.” Fear in this case includes accepting corruption.

When you see an African president making self-conscious efforts to repudiate the essential characteristics of the Constitution and destroy its foundation without people showing the will to allow major changes in an election year, just know that his motives are destructive. While in other African countries snares are hidden by framers of the Bill, PF has openly shown us that the objective of overhauling the Constitution is neither correcting the flaws nor making clauses elaborative, but to manipulate the Constitution to their advantage. It explains why they are coercing MPs rather than winning their understanding.

Some opposition MPs are being induced with money while those in PF are being promised re-adoption. Yet, several of them will not be adopted, especially those who signed the petition to impeach the Head of State.

Our democracy is currently on the deathbed. In any governance system, the executive is always the primary source of tyranny. A Constitution is the only mechanism of controlling them. One thing that I have learnt is that as we allow and watch politicians to push the boundary of their influence dressed with arrogance and selfish ambition, we strengthen self-belief. And that leads them to further entrench themselves in power, regardless of how they may perform.

Ignorance is very risky. People perish for lack of knowledge, says the Bible. Many Zambians have a limited view of the destructive Bill 10 will cause if passed into law. It will destroy constitutional democracy, legimitise corruption and legalise dictatorship. It will change the social and political order such that it will take many years and bloodshed of our children for our governance system to return to democracy. It is important at this juncture to thank UPND and Independent MPs who God is using to defend our freedoms and rights. They have resisted the pressure into giving up their fight for defending the manipulation of our constitution. We continue keeping our fingers crossed as we remain with less than 10 months before elections.

Bill 10 will repeal Article 47(2) “First -past the post electoral system” and replace it with “Mixed member electoral system.” This should be read together with Article 68, where PF government currently seeks to remove the limit of 168 MPs to a limitless number. This will ensure that PF has the majority in parliament.

Dictators flourish when there is no freedom of speech to voice out the wrongs or a free press, but most importantly when we give them a majoritarian parliament. The Bill will also lead to electoral fraud and institutionalise elective dictatorship. Bill 10 could criminalise questioning decisions of the executive. For instance, they may embed a law in the Constitution that if you allege something about the executive without evidence you commit an offence.

They could even embed a law that if you have stood for elections four times you are banned from standing. Equally, the two-term eligibility clause for a presidential candidate may be repealed. Basically, it simply means that the Constitution will lose its purpose. It will become a tool of fixing opponents rather than foundational agreement that holds the hopes and dreams of a nation.

The doctrine of separation of powers and checks of powers

In the current Constitution, power is somehow balanced among the three arms of government. Bill 10 will destroy the separation of powers between the three arms of government. The executive will have unabated power and excess control over the legislature and judiciary. This simply means that the executive with a skewed Parliament could even use marshal law for genuine peaceful protests of citizens, and the oppression of people will be legally sanctioned in the Constitution. This has been demonstrated by excessive procurement of military equipment for the police.

It is now clear why God allowed a hang parliament. He knew that one day Caesar who was considered as a life dictator during the Roman Empire would resurrect in Zambia. On 18th October 2020 during the National Day of Prayer and Fasting, one priest told us that we have a Caesar in Zambia. On this day, our democracy was sacrificed on the altar of the goddess. There were prayers in tongues to ensure Bill 10 goes through.

Truth be told, no human being wants to go through pain in life, whether the oppressed or the oppressor. We may suffer brutality and persecution now, provided we know that we have a Constitution that can defend our dignity, rights and freedoms, then we have hope that one day things will turn around for better. Egypt mistreated Israel for 400 years (PF four years), but in less than a year God turned things around for them.

Despite being under PF siege, the edifice of the Zambian Constitution has endured so far. I appeal to our MPs to please not forget the purpose of the Constitution. They should be prepared to sacrifice instant gratification for the fulfillment of a bigger purpose. A Constitution is a heritage, which we shall bequeath our future generation.

The author is a Zambian citizen who believes in healthy democracy, and not elective dictatorship. Send comment to: gibson.kapili@gmail.com

October 24th 2020
JCTR Press Statement on Independence Day Celebrations.

56 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE, YET STILL ECONOMICALLY DEPENDENT.

The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) joins the rest of the country in commemorating the 56th Anniversary of Independence on Saturday 24 October 2020. The Centre upholds in high esteem the role that the nation’s forefathers and mothers played in attaining independence for our beloved country.

However, the Centre wishes to raise pertinent issues in relation to independence and freedom with respect to economic and social justice informed by human rights and moral imperatives. The commitments to the independence narrative and ideology are slowly fading away. Independence is about every Zambian citizen living a dignified life. We owe a moral responsibility to the next generations to pass onto them a viable and enabling environment characterized by economic emancipation through self-sustainability and reliance.

Over the last 56 years of independence, Zambia has enjoyed the long earned reputation of peace on the continent and beyond. However, JCTR is concerned with the rate of political violence threatening this long earned reputation. The Centre implores government to take a lead in sensitizing its citizens to reject all forms of violence in our society.
JCTR is also deeply concerned with the rapidly weakening economy in our country which is jeopardizing the economic and social justice of the ordinary citizens, especially the poor, the marginalized and the vulnerable. The irony is that as we celebrate our country’s independence today, we cannot but lament the current shrinking fiscal space in Zambia.
Zambia’s total external debt stock now stands at US$27 billion dollars, which, literally is equivalent to the country’s GDP. The national debt stock was US$11.97 billion as of June 2020. Further, the fiscal deficit, the inflation rate and the depreciation of the currency are on the rise.

This is not the first time Zambia has found herself in a debt crisis. Government must learn from these experiences and come up with a lasting solution to avoid finding ourselves in this same bad place over and over again. Government must pursue fiscal consolidation and stop further borrowing. Further, government must put in place a transparent debt contraction mechanism and a robust and workable debt management and debt sustainability strategy.

From the 2021 national budget, it is evident that funds allocated to the social sector have shrunk significantly thereby affecting the ordinary person’s access to health, education, clean water and sanitation. This will further compromise human development and undermine promotion of human dignity and attainment of the common good.
Additionally, JCTR calls for adoption of transformative and servant leadership model at all levels of governance in our society. As we celebrate 56 years of independence, the maturity of our independence and democracy will be measured by the degree of our leaders’ willingness to drive a common good agenda rather than a self-enrichment agenda. All the wealth and resources divinely endowed on Zambia is meant for the benefit and the welfare of all the Zambian people without any discrimination. Happy Independence Day and may God continue to bless Zambia.

Note: Attribute statement to Father Alex Muyebe, S.J. JCTR Executive Director
For further clarifications contact the Social and Economic Development (SED) Programme at the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) on 0976735208 and 0977883129. Email: jctr.sed@gmail.com and jctr.info@gmail.com. Martin Mwamba Road, Plot 3813 Martin Mwamba Road, Olympia Park – Lusaka. P. O. Box 37774 Lusaka – Zambia

“ITS SAD THAT 56 YEARS HAVE PASSED AND ZAMBIA HAS NOT YET ACHIEVED HOLISTIC INDEPENDENCE” – PROPHET ISAAC

It is baseless for Zambians to celebrate independence when they are still financially and socially incarcerated, Prophet Isaac has said. Speaking in Monze yesterday on the eve of Independence Day, Prophet Isaac disclosed that he has made a unique decision of requesting the entire Zambian cabinet to appear before him today so that it can be counselled on the need to give Zambians real independence which everyone is going to appreciate.

He said it was ungodly for those in government to claim that Zambia was independent when 90% of its citizens are living in abject poverty. The Renowned fearless Clergyman said it was heart-breaking to observe that while many countries in Africa were celebrating holistic independence, people in Zambia are only subjected to celebrate the number which is now 56th Anniversary because only those in the ruling party were socially, politically and financially independent as they enjoy unlimited access state resources, protection from law enforcement officers and clearly immune from arrest and prosecution regardless of the offences they commit.

He said it was saddening that after 56 years of independence, mealie meal in Zambia was selling at over K100 despite the country being blessed with precious minerals such as gold, diamond and copper which he said was unfortunately only advantaging those in the Ruling Party.

The Prophet also took a swipe at some clergymen and women whom he termed ‘politically excited church leaders’ who were preventing their mouths from condemning corruption and tribalism championed by those in government for fear of offending those who are stealing from Zambians and dividing them day and night. He said some clergymen have developed a tendency of worshiping and praising leaders that are stealing from poor Zambians instead of speaking against wide spread corruption by those in government which he said has now been institutionalised.

He said it was demonic that after 56 years of independence, Zambians were still subjected to constant load shedding, tribal talks, political violence, shortages of medicines in hospitals, rapidly depression of the kwacha, police brutality, short of fuel and uninterrupted daily increase of commodities across the country where over 90% of people are unemployed. The Prophet bemoaned that today in Zambia for any graduate to be employed in the civil service be it in nursing, teaching, police or in military, he or she needs to bribe those recruiting in order to be employed, a trend which he said is satanic. Prophet Isaac added that if those in government could fight corruption, political violence, inequality and poverty the same way they are fighting and intimidating political opponents, Zambians could this time been celebrating real independence as they could have been real development across the country not the current development which is only being enjoyed by those in power.

Prophet Isaac now wishes all Zambians God’s Blessings as they celebrate 56th political impendence from Great Britain. He is urging all Zambians to pressure those in authority to give them proper economic and social independence so that the rule of law is respected by all Zambians of tribe or political inclination. God Bless Zambia and Happy Independence.
(Prophet Isaac)

Independence Day Should Be Declared a Day of National Mourning – Simataa

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By CIC Reporter | 24 Oct 2020 | Lusaka
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UPND firebrand aspiring councillor for Kamwala Ward 5, Mainda Simataa, says October 24 should be declared a day of national mourning because all the social, economic and political achievements of the UNIP and MMD governments in the past 56 years have been stolen by the PF government in under 10 years.

Simataa who’s also a graduate of the Kwame Nkrumah School of revolution in South Africa, Patrice Lumumba Class, explained that Zambia was now under the yoke of Chinese neocolonialism – a term he says refers to the new tactics used by developed countries like China to control and exploit the labour and resources of poorer African countries using debt and aid in place of guns and force.

“Look, today we’re saying happy independence day to each other, but have we asked how many Zambians have jobs and money in their pockets to celebrate the same independence day today?

“We’re busy posting happy independence wishes on Facebook and whatsapp, but are we aware that in western province and Luapula there’s 80% poverty levels – that people survive on roots and mangoes? In Lusaka and copperbelt poverty is over 70%, so if majority of Zambians are starving, then what are we celebrating?

“If we look at the economy, when MMD left power the dollar was at K5, 25kg meali-meal was K40, national debt was $3 billion. Today under PF the dollar is at K20, meali-meal is at K200, and the national debt is $27 billion, our generation will never finish paying that debt: is that what we are celebrating?”

“We’re told that we won freedom when we kicked out the white colonial masters 56 years ago, but today we have yellow Chinese masters who’ve hijacked government and our economy, kicking our workers buttocks, and even shooting them – is that what we’re celebrating?”

Simataa added that today’s Independence must mean free quality healthcare and education for all, quality jobs, housing, food, freedom from poverty, hunger, unemployment and corrupt leadership… “I tell you, when we achieve these basic things for all our people, then I can truly celebrate Independence with a free conscience, but today I choose to mourn for the millions of suffering Zambians, even if they don’t see the bigger picture…I must see it for them.”

THE YOUNGEST MP SPENDS INDEPENDENCE DAY IN PRISON

By Florence Muyunda CIC Private Reporter

The youngest member of parliament in Zambia the MP for sesheke Central Constituency Romeo Kangombe has spent this year’s independence day in prison simply for exercising his freedoms of association and conscious and sadly for being a member of the opposition political party UPND.

At the time when everyone thought the ground was fertile for young people and women to participate in Zambian politics a dictator has been born in Edgar Lungu so determined to make it very difficult for a young person and a woman to be in a political ring.

At the time we should be cerebrating independence in Zambian we are all home and thinking on how we can be free from PF dictatorship which has gripped the country in the past few years. Opposition members can be arrested without any offence just for PF to prove that they’re in power, opposition political party members can be killed by both police and ruling PF cadres and the president will do or say nothing about it all because it works to his advantage, anybody who thinks and sees things differently from PF that one becomes a criminal and must be killed by PF.

The only offence that this youngest MP has committed is to belong to the opposition political party and visiting a Province he wasn’t born from within Zambia.It is unfortunate that we are back 56 years ago as a country to start afresh fighting for Independence at the expenses of developing our country all because President Edgar Lungu doesn’t want to leave statehouse at whatever cost be it lives of people or not, be it peace of this country or not all what he cares about is to remain in state house after 2021

Young people never give up don’t be discouraged by what is happening to our young MP Romeo Kangombe get in the political ring for it is the only way we will defeat this brutal monster PF regime

We need a new independence day in Zambia because we are not free Politically, we are not free economically, we are not free traditionally and we are not free socially.

Every young person and well meaning Zambian must stand with Honourable Romeo Kangombe Mp he is a rare personality among young people in Zambia

Finally I put it to you today that the people who died and got Injured towards 1964 Independence at the hands of our colonial masters are at par or less than the people that have been killed under Edgar Lungu regime simply for exercising their democratic and constitutional rights under PF.

Edem Djokotoe writes….

Chanting down cancer with the Fourth Republican President at his crib on Independence Day 2020. The Big Man and I touched base, shared experiences and a few laughs, seeing we are both afflicted by the same kind of cancer, have endured the brutality of chemotherapy and are still standing, still shining, still smiling.

The former President is as affable and as avuncular as I have always known him to be and his mind is as sharp as ever. He doesn’t forget faces or people and can immediately locate you in a time and a place.

He and I agree on one thing–that we can use our experience of cancer, debilitating as this may be, to bring hope to others and share what we know that may not be common knowledge with others. And therein lies the ministry of hope I talked about just a few short days ago. Indeed where there is life, there is hope.

I was happy to discover that we both have the same inclination towards ital food. As we chatted and swapped war stories about our skirmishes with chemotherapy, we found out that actually we eat the same things and drink the same things to help the body recover from the ravages of toxic treatment. For instance, if you are on chemo, you might want to make lumanda, pumpkin leaves and okra a big part of your diet because all three are very effective in the regenerative contribution they make to the body’s capacity to endure.

And then we got talking about the things we both drink. Turmeric tea flavoured with ginger. Good thing is all the things we were talking about he grows in his garden. Great example of ital living.

From his favourite perch on the verandah at the back of his house, we watched zebras and some species of antelope grazing peacefully, without a care in the world, without having to worry about predators lurking in the undergrowth.
“Watching the animals relaxes me and gives me a positive outlook on life in spite of everything,” he said. And I couldn’t agree more. You don’t have to be in our situation to realise that eliminating stress and negativity from your being improves your quality of life.

Soon, it was time to leave to give The Big Man time to catch up on his beauty sleep, but for me, this will remain one of the most memorable and most meaningful Independence Days I have spent in this country. God bless Zambia.