APART from demolishing houses, the government also intends to erase a church, bus station and a market at the Victoria Falls after offering the land to a Chinese firm, says chief Mukuni.

He said Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Palm Grove area was on Zesco’s Victoria Falls Power Station land.

In January 2017, chief Mukuni, whose chiefdom cuts across Livingstone, Kazungula and Zimba, fought off attempts by State House to offer the curio market at the Victoria Falls to a named Chinese who sought to erect a Spin-Sational Ferris Wheel.

The government using Zesco in an eviction notice dated April 29, 2020 to about 22 employees, says the houses are in the Musi-oa-Tunya National Park.

“NOTICE OF EVICTION: Kindly be informed that the area housing the house you reside in is a national park, namely the Musi-oa-Tunya National Park not suitable for human habitation in terms of the Zambia Wildlife Act Number 14 of 2015. We are therefore giving you three months notice to vacate the house at hand with effect from 7 May 2020,” stated the letter signed by Zesco director of legal services McRobby Chiwela and copied to the utility’s managing director Victor Mundende.

Chiwela said the lease agreement allowing tenants to occupy the houses had also expired, adding that the three months notice was just a “humanitarian gesture”.

The letter was also copied to the director power generation, director human resources and the two labour movements, namely POGAWUZ and MESAWU.

But a wildlife department senior officer who spoke on condition of anonymity said there has never been any concern raised by the department over the housing units at the power station.

However, Mukuni said the government was under pressure from a Chinese national who intends to put up tourism related development around the Victoria Falls World Heritage Site.

“I saw the eviction notice and later discovered that a church and a bus station are also to be demolished. If this act to demolish Sacred Heart Catholic Church is not demonic, then what is? The whole programme is a government plan and Zesco is being used as a smokescreen because no one can say no to what State House says. They are giving in to a Chinese, disregarding Zambians. We have a market and a bus station in the area and these are so to be demolished…I wonder what UNESCO will do to us if they find out that the Victoria Falls is yet again under threat,” he said. “UNESCO can deregister the site from the World Heritage list and this can cause some huge diplomatic problems between us and Zimbabwe.”

Mukuni added that Livingstone had a lot of land for development which could be given to the Chinese.

He said such pieces of land exist in the Musi-oa-Tunya National Park.

“The other thing is that government through Zesco did stop a Hungarian national from setting up a balloon project for aerial viewing of the falls and the man now intends to take legal action against Zesco,” said Mukuni.

SOUTHERN Africa Network against Corruption director Gregory Chifire says the statement that PF will not cede power easily should be taken seriously.

“Zambians rise up. It’s not time to play humble and be docile. Yes, we are a Christian nation. But when a thief enters your house in the night, you don’t just kneel down to pray, you fight, you save your children. It’s time to fight with all what we have for the sake of our children. Do whatever you can do to save our country from this rogue regime. Pray and fast, but also act, for prayer without accompanying works means nothing,” Chifire said.
“And you the opposition political parties don’t just shout slogans. Go and meet with the people in the compounds and villages. Don’t just depend on Facebook support. Go everywhere, organise, be serious, don’t be lazy, don’t be cowards. The enemy is many steps ahead. Catch up with him and overtake him.”

Reacting to Southern Province PF chairman Lawrence Evans’ statement that the ruling PF will not hand over power just like, Chifire said PF were prepared to shed blood to remain in power.

“Take Lawrence Evans statement seriously because that’s the official position of the PF. They will not easily concede defeat. They are prepared to shed blood in order to remain in power because to them Zambia is all about them and them only,” he said.

Chifire, who is in exile, said President Edgar Lungu and his PF did not mean well for Zambia.

He said the PF were not prepared to lose political power because they know that they “are candidates for Chimbokaila prison for they have stolen and due to the many crimes they have committed”.

“They know that all thieves and criminals belong to jail, and that gives them sleepless nights,” he said.

Chifire said President Lungu was prepared to plunge the country into bloodshed to save his skin.

“Just look at those PF cadres who roam the streets in military wear, look at those cadres brandishing guns in public, look at those cadres harassing innocent citizens in markets and bus stations, do those have any semblance to a civil political formation? Certainly not. Those are criminals sponsored by Lungu himself,” Chifire said.

He recalled that not long ago, PF sent party cadres for ‘military’ training in Sudan.

Chifire said those cadres had now recruited and trained their fellow goons.

“What a shame. Imagine a party publicly admitting that it won’t easily give up power, even if they lost. What other description can one give such a party apart from calling it a terrorist movement? It is an organisation that is ready to cause harm to the citizens whose interests it is claiming to be protecting. It is ready to unleash Sudanese trained terrorists. I pity my brother Eddie [President Lungu]. Brother Eddie is living in denial,” Chifire said. “He needs serious counseling because the very thought of losing power and eventually going to jail causes him heart attack. The man does not sleep in the night. That is why he is ever on Jameson. Please pastors around brother Eddie, please, please, counsel him. He is a potential danger not only to himself but to all of us. Advise him to build more prison cells and make the current ones conducive for human habitation because he will spend a long time there.”

He urged Zambians not to sleep and give the PF a chance.

Chifire said the PF were like termites that have invaded a log.

“They will not sleep either in the day or in the night until they finish the log. Just look at how much they are stealing, mukula (rosewood), copper, animals, forests, and now it is gold. Don’t allow them to finish Zambia,” he said.

Chifire said another five years with the PF would be extreme disaster as the country would be worse than Lebanon and Syria combined.

PEOPLE’S Alliance for Change (PAC) president Andyford Banda says governance under the ruling Patriotic Front has gone to the dogs to the extent that Zambians will not consider re-electing them next year.

On Wednesday, Defence Minister Davies Chama said he was confident that despite the numerous challenges Zambia was going through, voters would still re-elect the PF.

But commenting on Chama’s remarks, Banda argued that the ruling party was delusional to think voters would still consider giving them a vote.

“I think the Minister of Defence and all his entire bunch are delusional! They are not living in Zambia. I think they are living on another planet. They are not in touch with reality and they don’t understand democracy, that is the reason why they think that no matter how bad things are, it is okay for them to seek a vote despite the fact that people are suffering; despite the fact that from the time they took over government up to-date, things have got worse. We are deep in debt; we have a lot of unemployment; businesses are closing; the kwacha has depreciated and fuel prices have gone up. Yes, every country has got challenges; we had challenges during UNIP, but when a new government came in 1991, they brought in reforms that improved the economy of this country; the transport sector was improved, the economy was liberalized, they brought in democracy,” Banda said.

“So, you cannot justify your stay in office because they were problems then. And also, we benchmark you based on how you found it and how things are today. When they were campaigning prior to 2011, they said, ‘things were bad’ so meaning that they were going to improve things when they form government. They found the exchange rate at about K5.60 (per dollar) so what they were saying is that, ‘we can actually bring the exchange rate to K4 or K3.50 (per dollar). They found the prices (of fuel) at K7 per litre…they were saying, ‘we can actually bring the fuel prices to K5,’ and they found mealie meal prices at K40, they were saying, ‘the prices will be lower.’ But what has happened is the opposite; everything has over-doubled! They failed to deliver on the promises they gave to the people.”

And Banda lamented that governance under the PF had gone to dogs.

“Even our democracy is almost non-existent. We have seen what has happened with artists like Brian Bwembya, alias B-Flow, and others who have been voicing out about the things that are happening in this country, being told to apologize? What a joke! Governance under the PF has gone to the dogs! So shameless! Saying that people will vote for them? They are insulting the intelligence of the people of Zambia. That no matter how many times they mess us up, we will vote for them; that we are stupid and this is what Davies Chama is trying to insinuate,” said Banda.

“In any case, the idea of democracy is that when a group of citizens fail to deliver, there is need to elect another set of citizens to try and change things. The honourable thing for the PF to do is to say that, ‘we are not seeking for re-election next year, we are going to resign because we want to give a chance to another group of people to see if they can improve the people’s lives.’ But because of greed, selfishness and lack of vision, people just want power.”

By Tuesday Bwalya

FROM the time Dr Nevers Mumba took over leadership of the former ruling party, the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD), he has never enjoyed his tenure.

His leadership is dogged by court cases and many schemes by the former leader of the MMD and former Republican president, Rupiah Bwenzani Banda. Dr Mumba has been firefighting in his quest to remain at the helm of the party. He has also unjustifiably tasted prison after being accused of trespassing on a public institution, the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation.

Many readers may recall that prior to the 2016 general election, Mr Banda, Mr Felix Mutati and others teamed up against Dr Mumba. On 20th May, 2016, they held a convention for the MMD without the blessings of the party’s National Executive Committee Central Committee, let alone the leader, Dr Mumba. That illegal convention saw Mr Mutati emerge as the new leader of the MMD and Mr Raphael Nakachinda became national secretary of the Mutati faction. Mr Banda celebrated the election of Mr Mutati and swiftly organised for an alliance with the PF. Dr Mumbu was perplexed but ran to the courts of law.

Due to the confusion caused by Mr Banda and Mr Mutati’s team, Dr Mumba did not contest the 2016 presidential election. Instead, he backed the UPND leader, Hakainde Hichilema (HH). The court, however, in November 2019 declared the convention that elected Mr Mutati as leader of the MMD illegal. The court further pronounced Dr Mumba as the legitimate leader of the MMD. Certainly, the court ruling was difficult for Mr Mutati’s team to stomach considering that their shaky alliance with the PF was based on them being MMD members. People like Mr Nakachinda even wanted to petition the court ruling so that the fight for MMD could rage on.

After Dr Mumba was declared legitimate leader of the MMD, many Zambians including the author of this article thought the MMD would settle down and begin to mobilise in readiness for the 2021 general elections. Alas, the MMD and Dr Mumba were confronted with another battle.

Last month, Mr Banda was reported to have asked the MMD leadership to return to his custody over 300 vehicles that he claimed he had placed at the service of the party during the 2011 general election campaigns. The New Hope MMD national secretary, Elizabeth Chitika-Molobeka, appeared in several media outlets confirming that Mr Banda, through his administrative secretary Chibeza Mfune, had indeed requested the party to hand over all the vehicles that were bought during his tenure.

She further complained that the former leader had also asked the Inspector General of Police, Mr Kakoma Kanganja not to allow Dr Mumba’s team retrieve those MMD vehicles from people who were no longer members without Mr Banda’s approval.

The first question that comes to my mind is, did Mr Banda buy the 300 motor vehicles using his personal resources for him to claim them back? If so, where did he get so much money from for him to buy 300 brand new vehicles for the 2011 election campaigns? This explains why it became the most expensive election campaign in our history, which he also lost to Mr Michael Sata.

I thought that vehicles bought corruptly or cleanly for the MMD during Mr Banda’s tenure belonged to the MMD as a party; he certainly cannot claim to be the sole owner. It is ridiculous for Mr Banda to claim ownership of the vehicles. It is like a chief executive officer who buys vehicles for the company whilst serving in that position, and when he leaves the institution, he wants to collect everything bought under his tenure. That cannot happen because the vehicles are properties of that company.

In the same vein, the vehicles bought for the MMD under Mr Banda’s tenure remain MMD vehicles and Dr Mumba’s team should retrieve all of them from wherever they are being illegally kept. All the people holding on to the MMD vehicles should surrender them without hesitation to the new MMD leaders.

I have observed that Mr Banda is playing politics on the issue of vehicles. He can claim to have retired from active politics but he is still deep rooted in it. He is being used by the PF and other selfish people to ensure that Dr Mumba has no time and means to mobilise his party. This is another strategy to cripple Dr Mumba’s ability to meaningfully mobilise the party in readiness for 2021. The PF and their partners such as Mr Banda himself know that allowing Dr Mumba to mobilise freely may cost them some votes in next year’s elections. Therefore, it is in PF and Mr Banda’s interest that the New Hope MMD is further disorganised or incapacitated. To them, the perfect way to implement such as devilish strategy is not to allow Dr Mumba’s team have custody of the MMD assets which include vehicles.

It is shameful for the former president to continue fighting Dr Mumba despite the courts of law pronouncing him the legitimate leader of the MMD. Mr Banda and the PF should come to terms that for now the MMD has its leader in the name of Dr Mumba. The police also should not be seen to be helping demolish the MMD by preventing the legitimate members of the party from retrieving vehicles from people such as Mr Nakachinda who are no longer MMD members. Instead, police should promote law and order, not anarchy. Please Mr Banda and your allies, allow Dr Mumba to mobilise his New Hope MMD for the 2021 polls.

The author is a lecturer at the University of Zambia, Department of Library and Information Science. Send your comments to: tuesdaybwalya1@gmail.com

[By Bright Tembo and Mwaka Ndawa]

M ASSOCIATES says justice minister Given Lubinda’s disregard for a consent order over retirees’ benefits is unconstitutional and contemptuous.

Addressing the media yesterday, Lubinda announced that the government would start paying retirees on Monday through their legal representatives.

However, Lubinda said those under Nasando Isikando, funds would be disbursed directly to the claimants.

In a letter dated 4th June 2020, ‘DECISION TO PAY RETIREES BENEFITS DIRECTLY TO LITIGANTS: SIMEMEZA SIACHOKE ET AL v ATTORNEY GENERAL: 2002/HP/1055’, M Associates stated that Lubinda’s decision “sends a wrong message to the public as to government’s regard and respect of our courts and the doctrine of separation of powers for that matter”.

“We attended a meeting that you chaired yesterday, 3rd June, 2020 where you decided that you will instead pay the retirees directly as opposed to the dictates of the Consent Order signed by Hon. Justice S.K. Newa same dated 29th May 2020,” M Associates stated. “The decision may be politically motivated and sound but legally wrong for reasons that it will manifest a flagrant disrespect and disregard of Orders issued by a Court or Judge of competent jurisdiction. The decision, coming as it does from the Minister of Justice is in, and of itself, unconstitutional, contemptuous and sends a wrong message to the public as to governments’ regard and respect of our Courts and the doctrine of separation of powers for that matter. Needless to mention that an Order signed by Courts of Competent jurisdiction must be, and should be seen, to be obeyed and respected by all without exception even if one does not agree with the same.”

M Associates stated that the court system in Zambia, as in other Commonwealth jurisdictions, has inbuilt mechanisms by which an aggrieved person may challenge the order of court.

“But until the same is set aside or varied, it is law unto itself and must be obeyed by all. It is on the premise of the foregoing that we respectfully urge you to reconsider your impugned decision and direct the Permanent Secretary (LD) to follow the dictate of the Order of Court of 29th May, 2020 aforesaid to the letter,” the letter reads. “We further advise against the planned press briefing where you intend to announce the impugned decision to the public. It will be highly unfortunate if we shall be constrained to parade the Honourable Minister of Justice before the Honourable Madam Justice S.K. Newa for Committal Proceedings if this our advice is not heeded to. For ease of reference, we attach hereto the said Order signed by Honourable Justice S.K. Newa same dated 29th May, 2020 and a letter of service authored by our colleagues in relation to the same.”

Voluntary Separatees Association of Zambia entered into an agreement with the State and the Public Pensions Fund Board that they release the outstanding judgment debt due and payable to the 3,523 retirees.

The consent order dated May 29 entered by the parties and signed by judge Sharon Newa is for disbursement of outstanding judgment debt by the judgement debtors.

This in a matter where Lusaka awyer Robson Malipenga’s law firm Messrs Robson Malipenga and Company was accused of misappropriating funds meant to pay over 3,500 retires which was paid into the lawyer’s client account by the Ministry of Justice as their retirement package.

VSA national chairperson Simemeza had on behalf of 3, 523 others sued the Attorney General and Public Pensions Fund Board demanding K104,041,778.91 which Malipenga’s law firm received on their behalf.

“By consent of the parties through their respective advocates it is hereby ordered that the state and the Public Pensions Fund Board shall release the outstanding judgement debt due and payable to the 3,523 retirees (judgement creditors) as follows:

That of the 3,523 aforesaid, 2,288 of those shall receive their share of the judgement debt through Messrs Robson Malipenga and Company. That of the 3,523 aforesaid, 950 of those shall receive their share of the judgement debt through Messrs M Associates,” read the order Justice Newa directed that out of the 3,523 retirees, 285 shall receive their share of the judgement debt through Messrs PnP Advocates.

She said the litigants who were desirous to move to another lawyer, if any, shall trace their names to the advocates in the said order and give instructions of withdrawal subject to the settlement of costs.

Meanwhile, Lubinda said the government would start paying retirees next Monday.

“I wish to announce that the Ministry of Justice has agreed with the representatives of which settlement agreements have since been signed. My colleagues from the Ministry of Finance have confirmed that disbursements will begin starting Monday the 8th of June 2020,” Lubinda said. “I wish to advise that the total debt owing to the verified number of 12,458 retirees is approximately 508,153,591.38 from all the cases involving the retirees. The approximate amount of the savings from the negotiation process is K54,959,952.75. The balance that will remain outstanding to be paid to the retirees after the initial payment of K308,908,933.96. I am pleased to say the verification exercise has resulted in government making servings from the negotiated settlements which have also helped government commit more funds to other retiree cases that were targeted by this exercise.”

Lubinda said the government would proceed to invoke a process distributing funds to over 3,000 retirees directly to their accounts. He said this comes after the government and the representatives failed to reach an agreement over names on the list.

“I however, regret that in one of the cases Nasando Isikando, the representatives could not agree on the actual number of claimants they represent. As earlier stated, the verification exercise demonstrated that they had been duplicated in almost every schedule submitted by the representive legal representatives,” said Lubinda. “It is therefore with heavy heart that government will now proceed to invoke a process of disbursing these funds directly to the claimants. I therefore invite the claimants under this group to begin submitting their names accompanied with supportive documents like National Registration Card numbers. I also implore the representatives to cooperate with my ministry to urgently address the interests of the people affected in this case.”

Just Politics; by Aaron Ng’ambi: in the fight for gold ownership, let’s not forget the emerald mines

There is a significant paradigm shift in the way that many Zambians are thinking today. In fact, the recent developments involving the discovery of gold in Mwinilunga has amplified and exposed this drastic change in the way our people are beginning to see things.

The on-going and contentious debates surrounding the ownership of this gold, either to be owned by the Zambian people or the Sudanese cannot be ignored by anyone. First of all, let me commend all the non-governmental organisations, individuals and ordinary citizens who have taken a keen interest in this matter by coming together to speak with one voice in opposition to the government’s misplaced proposal on this gold ownership. Now, before some disgruntled fellows think that we are anti-foreign investment, let us be clear that generally we are a people who still think that foreign investment is vital and it should be encouraged, but it must be sought after wisely. But at the same time, we know that Zambia is in much need of changing its mindset and redirect our conversations from focusing so much on outside investment to local direct investment. Thus, the discussions surrounding this issue of gold ownership is a good example of what the people of Zambia want and deserve. This government knows that there are citizens of this country who have the expertise in mining, whom they can engage to make sure that our country gets the most out of this discovered gold. For example, Dr Sixtus Mulenga of Kalulushi would be a great fit to engage over this issue. Unfortunately, our incompetent government has opted for some Sudanese company to take up shares in this venture at the expense of empowering its own people.

In response to this pathetic move by the PF government concerning the Mwinilunga gold rush, the public has spoken with a united voice against the Sudanese company who are in the country as investors. As much as I appreciate this retaliation from the Zambian people who are pushing back on these useless attempts by the government, and ZCCM-IH to give away such a precious mineral resource, I wish to remind my fellow countrymen and women to also take interest and initiate a process that will address a similar situation regarding Emerald mines in Lufwanyama district and other districts on the Copperbelt Province. Any well-informed Zambia who is or has lived on the Copperbelt Province knows for a fact that we have over 100 Emerald mines on this province alone. However, most of these mines, if not all, are in the hands of foreigners, including but not limited to Senegalese and Israelis. I think that it is appropriate for us to remind ourselves and those among us who happen to have a short memory, that we once had a vice-president of Zambia who was very vocal about the corruption that he alleged was going on at these Emerald mines on the Copperbelt. It was Dr Nevers Mumba, who pledged to clean up the emerald mining sector, and personally visited Kagem Emerald Mine and other emerald mining companies in the area. After that visit, we never heard a word from the then vice-president concerning his earlier allegations in the emerald mining sector, which only makes one wonder what led to the sudden silence. Also, in 2008 during the presidential by-election which was precipitated by the death of President Mwanawasa, the then opposition leader, Mr Sata, alluded to the fact that Zambia was endowed with so much mineral wealth including, emeralds and other gemstones. In that television interview, Mr Sata compared Zambia’s poverty in a country that has so many precious stones, with Bostwana, a country so well off but only has diamonds. If I am not mistaken, Mr Sata even suggested that the problem with the emerald mines on the Copperbelt was that they were all in foreign hands, thereby not able to fully benefit Zambians. The irony though is that regardless of what our leaders have said about the problem of emerald mines on the Copperbelt, none of them has come through on any of their pronouncements, not even Mr Sata as President of Zambia. Therefore, I am convinced that if anything is to be done about this profitable enterprise of emerald mining, the ordinary people of Zambia have to show outrage, just as they have done so concerning the case of gold mining in Mwinilunga.

To say that Zambians have now woken up from slumber is an understatement, because we are not afraid of the government or anyone who seeks to take advantage of us. Our people will not accept or entertain outsourcing gold processing in a joint venture with a foreign company, knowing too well that we have other mineral resources in this country that are being exploited by foreigners. As we fight for Zambians to own the gold mining, let us not forget about the precious stones on the Copperbelt and other parts of the country, because now is the time for us to make right the wrongs and deeds of the previous generations. This government should learn that all major economies in the world have fully developed by and largely due to local or domestic direct investment, with foreign investment only playing a supplementary role. If you look at the United State of America, the government gives heavy subsidies to small and local business as well as giving bailout money to huge corporations in times of difficulty. These businesses are owned by local people, and some of these huge corporations that have been bailed out with taxpayer’s money are owned by Americans. Even the case of the People’s Republic of China which happens to be a close friend and ally of the Patriotic Front (PF) government, the communist party of China has its overreaching hand in almost, if not all, Chinese businesses at home and abroad, thus supporting local direct investment on a broader scale. If you support local businesses and encourage domestic investment, the people who run these enterprises will know that this is their home and they are here to stay. Hence, you create a situation for fast growth, steady and permanent economic growth. Unlike if you concentrate your efforts on solely supporting foreign investment, those who come in the country for merely profit making may not have the interest at heart and foresight as the locals, because after they have accumulated wealth and made their profit share, they have no obligation to stay in the country no more.

Email; aaronngambi@yahoo.com

PF IS acting like a terrorism society that wants to use violence to perpetuate its stay in power, says All Nations Church Overseer Bishop Timothy Chisala.

Bishop Chisala has questioned the silence of Patriotic Front government over the gassing incidents the country experienced early this year.

Addressing members of parliament in February, Vice-President Wina said the government had deployed soldiers to suppress a wave of attacks on civilians by gangs using an unidentified gas to immobilise their victims.

“We cannot continue to see people being terrorised,” said Vice-President Wina. “These are terrorists’ crimes that the State must respond to in a manner that befits terrorists’ crimes. They are meant to make the country ungovernable and we will find the culprits.”

On Sunday, Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops president Bishop George Lungu asked Zambians to demand the truth about the gassing which terrified the nation early this year.

Bishop Lungu said people should demand the truth about the origins of the gassing incidents.

He said people should not fear but ask relevant questions about those terrifying experiences.

“Fear to demand the truth about the gassing rampage that tormented our people. You remember, it’s not long ago, basi zii (it’s quiet), as if nothing happened. Who cares? But sometimes it’s fear to challenge the situation. What happened? Who was behind it?” asked Bishop Lungu. “We want to know. Otherwise, it is going to repeat itself. You can imagine an evil scheme that turned peace-loving Zambians into mob killers; dragging people into the streets, stone them, kill them, burn them. Suddenly, what has happened?”

Adding his voice on the matter, Bishop Chisala said the PF government should stop using deceptive means to remain in power.

“As citizens we deserve answers from the government. We have had a lot of issues in our country that require answers from the government. We are not a mafia state,” he said. “You can’t be lying to the people all the time. The use of deceptive means to remain in power is evil. What happened to the gassing incidents? Who was behind this? How far are the cases that were before court gone? That is why we say PF is a group of terrorists. PF is acting like a terrorism society that wants to use violence to perpetuate their stay in power.”

Bishop Chisala said Zambians need answers over the gassing incidents.

“I vividly remember Her Honour the Republican Vice-President madam (Inonge) Wina saying that these gassings were an act of terrorism. She said this on the floor of the House, in Parliament. So was Madam Wina telling lies in Parliament? Don’t fool the people. We know what started this campaign, it’s just a way of dividing attention in the nation,” he said.

Bishop Chisala said the people have not forgotten about the City Market fires.

“We still remember the City Market fires. Who was behind that? Even now we don’t have answers. It is clear that this is also a calculated move by the PF administration. So these plans will not work out. We know the desperation of the PF. Instead of focusing energy to key issues affecting the people, the PF are on double dealings,” he said.

Bishop Chisala said the government cannot afford to remain mute on key national issues.

“This story of gassing will not just end. We will still demand answers from the government. They know who is behind and they should tell us. As citizens we will hold the PF administration accountable. They are the ones behind the gassings,” he said.

Bishop Chisala said Vice-President Wina should be above board and speak the truth.

“To the Vice-President, we want to encourage her to always speak the truth. Lies have short legs and she is now caught in her own lies. Madam Vice-President, we know you can do better,” said Bishop Chisala.

MMD president Nevers Mumba says the court ruling in the case of Professor Clive Chirwa and Zambia Railways is landmark and confirms that late president Michael Sata did not follow the laid down procedure in terminating his contract.

Mumba, a former Republican vice-president, said the judgment sets a precedent which could salvage the nation from continued abuse of taxpayers’ money by those who hold political power.

He said the act by a sitting President was unconstitutional and has cost Zambia’s depleted treasury millions of Kwacha.

“I consider the Judgment given by Judge Chawatama in the case between Mr Clive Chirwa and Zambia Railways as a landmark ruling. The Judgment confirms that late President Sata did not follow the laid down procedure in terminating Professor Chirwa’s contract,” Mumba said.

He said as painful as the said judgment is to the taxpayer, it raises legitimate concerns that must be addressed.

Mumba wondered why the taxpayer should be paying for politically motivated actions of a sitting President?

He noted that it had become standard procedure for Presidents both in Zambia and most of Africa countries to use political office to fix opponents or those perceived to be connected to political opponents without any regard to constitutional provisions.

“This has been happening under almost all Presidents since independence. In most cases, once such vindictive behaviour has been demonstrated, the powers that be go further and manipulate and influence the fragile judiciary to rule in favour of a sitting President. In the case under discussion, with the former president having passed away, it gives us an opportunity to correct the wrongs that continue to deplete national resources,” Mumba, a clergyman, said.

He further said it was a known fact that under Sata, numerous political and vindictive decisions were made which have cost government millions of Kwacha.

He recalled that amongst many, there was a unilateral decision by Sata to cancel the Zamtel deal without following procedure.
Mumba lamented that with the misplaced decision to cancel the Zamtel deal, Zambia was asked to pay more than $382 million for abrogating contractual obligations.

He noted that the $382 million still remained unpaid.

He further said other politically motivated actions included the instant, wholesale retirement of all district commissioners and the recalling of almost all diplomatic heads of missions at the same time.

“I must mention that to recall one ambassador and prepare to send another is an expensive venture which must be done only when there is absolute need and funding. This is outside individual political decisions, including the decision to charge me with abuse of office while in Canada. This decision was made when it was announced that I would return to Zambia to contest the presidency of the MMD. Millions of Kwacha were spent by sending two sets of auditors to Canada and managing a seven-year long trial which continued long after president Sata had died, only to end up in an absolute discharge after it was confirmed that I neither handled nor mismanaged public funds,” Mumba said.

He added that there were many more cases which were initiated to fix or stop political opponents.

“The question that begs an answer is: why should the Zambian taxpayer carry the cost of these personal, politically motivated actions by a sitting President?” Mumba asked.

Further, Mumba said while the intention might be good and politically correct, it was vital that the Attorney General advises the Head of State of any ramifications of matters based on contractual agreements.

Mumba said he was now sitting on the edge concerning the steps that government had taken against Mopani Copper Mines, Konkola Copper Mines and in recent days, Copperbelt Energy Company.

He said if no due diligence had been done by government and if the decisions were knee jerk decisions, the taxpayer must start to prepare for more pay outs in legal costs.

“We, however, salute judge Chawatama for her courage in delivering such a monumental judgment which one hopes could change the quality of the office of president,” Mumba said.

Mumba suggested that Parliament deals with this anomaly by providing legislation, which compels the courts to demand that such fees and or costs are compensated from the personal estate of the President concerned.

He said to maintain the status quo would be to cheapen the dignity of the presidency and place an unnecessary burden on the shoulders of a taxpayer.

In the Prof Chirwa case, judge Chawatama awarded him damages for breach of contract of employment, full gratuity for the remaining period of his five-year contract, as well as any outstanding contractual benefits, interests on due amounts and costs for the action.

The judge said considering the special circumstances of the plaintiff’s case, the court awarded him compensation which is more than the common law award of nominal measures of damages./SM

DR PIUS Kasolo says he is consulting his lawyers over a Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines Investment Holdings minority shareholder’s statement blaming his administration for the parastatal’s weak financial position.

ZCCM-IH minority shareholder has defended the decision to partner with foreigners in the gold mining project in North-Western Province, citing weak financial status.

Recently, stakeholders have questioned the partnership over Kasenseli gold deposits in North-Western Province between the ZCCM-IH and Karma Limited of Sudan.

Responding to public concerns, Euronext Minority Shareholders of ZCCM-IH representative Thierry Charles blamed the previous Kasolo-led management, among others, for the company’s weak financial status.

“As a result, our company has emerged exangue (bloodless carcass) from the Pius Kasolo era: more than $100 million from the dividends of the only ‘generous’ mining company, Kansanshi Mine, were injected in pure loss at Ndola Lime. More than $20 million was needed to bail out Investrust bank. The foolish $640 million CAC cement plant project was fortunately stopped by the current team,” Charles said in a statement. “Our company was on the verge of becoming a zombie company like Zesco. Furthermore, ZCCM-IH is a collateral victim of the disastrous energy sector: it’s 25 per cent shareholding in CEC no longer pays any dividends as KCM, being bankrupt, owes it more than $132 million. ZCCM-IH has had to lend over $20 million to KCM in order for it to resume operations and maintain jobs.”

Charles stated further that Zesco owed the Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines Investment Holdings (ZCCM-IH) a lot of money which could have allowed it to be the major shareholder in the gold mine.

“Zesco is unable to pay over $200 million debt owed to Maamba Collieries in which ZCCM-IH has a 35 per cent shareholding. Our company has even had to lend $10 million to Maamba Collieries, which now refuses to return it to our company,” he stated.

He questioned the rationale behind Chambishi Non-Ferous Metals’ failure to pay dividends, yet it was able to bid for the purchase of Konkola Copper Mines.

“Now the funny thing that happened is that we have a mine called Non-Ferrous Metals in Chambishi which for the last 21 years has never given the government a single dividend because it has been claiming to be making losses. Which has been the same story for KCM. For 12 years KCM has never given government the dividend but kept on accumulating these losses. But the funny thing is that China Non-Ferrous Metals was the first company to make a presentation to buy KCM,” he stated.

Charles also wondered how Kansanshi Mine which had failed to pay reasonable dividends was able to lend $520 million to First Quantum Minerals.

He stated that a small loan from Kansanshi through ZCCM-IH’s 20 per cent shares could have fully financed the gold mining project.

“Finally, Kansanshi Mine no longer pays substantial dividends. However, we have learned from the press that it has loaned $520 million to its 80 per cent-owned parent company First Quantum alone without the approval of the Board. Our holding company is unable to obtain a bank loan due to low and irregular revenues,” Charles stated. “A fair loan of $130 million from our 20 per cent share of Kansanshi Mines would have financed all the projects in gold without having recourse to any financial partner! On top of that, we learned through an announcement a few days ago that ZCCM-IH will have to incur legal fees for a confidential arbitration in London because FQM reproaches it for having filed a criminal complaint in Zambia…’’

And Charles defended current chief executive officer Mabvuto Chipata and team, saying: “The serious charges and calls for dismissal demonstrate a lack of a comprehensive view of our company, particularly of the progress that has been made.”

He stated that the current team surpassed the Kasolo team.

“We have been shareholders of ZCCM-IH for many years and also investors in other mining companies, and the contrast with the Kasolo and Mung’omba years is striking. For ZCCM-IH’s own gold mining and for the development of the country for and by Zambians, it would be more beneficial if the understandable anger and rage were directed solely at those who strangle ZCCM-IH with indifference,” Charles stated. “This impunity also raises questions…For the past year, ZCCM-IH management has refocused investments on our core business, mining operations as an operator and is gradually turning the company around despite the challenges….”

“In just a few months, we were pleased to see the technical and legal structures put in place, which are essential for a rapid start to the process, thus fulfilling the task entrusted to ZCCM-IH by the GRZ. All the gold obtained will be sold to the BoZ to build up foreign exchange reserves in order to obviously put a quick stop to the kwacha’s infernal fall,” stated Charles.

When contacted for comment, Dr Kasolo, whose contract President Edgar Lungu terminated last year, said: “Please go and interview the CEO of ZCCM-IH and he will tell you my legacy. I am consulting my lawyers and will get back to you.”

Asked if he thought Charles was being malicious, Dr Kasolo said, “He is being malicious. It is the same board and same management which was with me. What has changed is one new director Barnaby Mulenga! As promised I will make a statement later after consulting my lawyers.”

IKELENG’I UPND member of parliament Elijah Muchima says he has no regrets for attending a government function at Ikeleng’i Boarding Secondary School on Saturday.

The function was graced by President Edgar Lungu.

Following his attendance of that event, some online ‘news’ sites have written stories attacking his persona and linking him to the PF.

Muchima, however, says he loves UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema and that he is an out-and-out loyalist of the opposition party.

He told journalists in Lusaka on Monday that it was unfortunate that he was receiving condemnatory comments from some Zambians.

Muchima noted that objectivity among citizens was needed when dealing with socio-economic and political matters.

“I’m a member of parliament for Ikeleng’i’; it is always a pleasure that a Head of State visits a constituency and I was already in the constituency. I can’t shun a Head of State! We are always lobbying for development and providing [an] oversight role,” Muchima said. “It was high time for me to provide checks and balances to the President. In Parliament we are always told that there is massive development and when we argue, they tell us the opposite. [But] this time he (President Lungu) was in my area; I wanted himself to prove what we talk about.”

He explained that when he was invited to Saturday’s event, “it was an opportunity to stand with him (President Lungu) on the podium, away from politics.”

“This is the man with the key to the treasury; as we lobby through ministries, ministers, the Vice-President, leader of government business in the House, it is summed up to the Head of State,” he said. “I’m always saying whether you look at PF having won their election by hook and crook, but at the moment they are the people with the key. But that doesn’t mean that I’m compromised, that doesn’t mean that I’m paid. We should run away from these cheap politics like what happened when my president, Hakainde, went to make a donation [of a genset] in Chawama. He was being attacked by cadres.”

Muchima added that he wanted to show leadership that President Lungu was most welcome in Ikeleng’i, away from politics.

He lamented that the people of Ikeleng’i were suffering over the “impassable” Jimbe road.

“The road is impassable. [It’s] totally damaged and yet it is a very important road. Ikeleng’i is sitting in a very economically important province. But look at the road from Solwezi to Mwinilunga and from Mwinilunga to Jimbe! It is taking five hours from Mwinilunga to reach Solwezi, instead of a mere two hours. All these are issues that we need to bring to the attention of the President,” Muchima complained. “With the gold mine [in Kasenseli in Mwinilunga], they are rushing – government has a lot of interest but the same government has no interest in the people on the ground. Now when he comes I shun away from him! I’m leaving a goal post for him to score easily by saying ‘we don’t have leadership [in Ikeleng’i].’”

The lawmaker insisted that his presence at the President’s engagements in Ikeleng’i was an act of providing leadership.

“I was merely providing leadership and those who are calling me corrupt, to have been bought, they are the ones who are corrupt [and] who are bought. Edgar Lungu is the President of Zambia now; he is the leader of everyone at the moment,” Muchima said. “Had he an opportunity to meet president Hakainde; we wouldn’t say president Hakainde was compromised [by meeting with President Lungu]. I’m also a leader and I have to provide leadership.”

He clarified that; “I never praised this government.”

“I was saying ‘you have come to shame your ministers, to shame those who are saying there is a lot of development in Ikeleng’i.’ Look at all the projects; they are all standing, without completion and yet Ikeleng’i is one of those districts which was declared by MMD in 2010. These are issues which we should be talking about bravely. We talk about them in Parliament and why should I shy away today?” he said.

“There was no private meeting for PF which I went to attend. I was invited and we inspected the secondary school, we went to the three chiefs; Nyilamba, Ikeleng’i and Nyakaseya. They (chiefs) also presented their issues which married with me. We went where the village headmen were; there was no politicking.”

Muchima noted that he was in his UPND apparel during the events.

“I love Hakainde [and] I’m still 100 per cent loyal to him. Those who are criticising me just want to destroy the party. The party cannot grow with this cheapness we are seeing, which is going on social media. I thank all those who are responding positively,” noted Muchima. “I have no regrets because I was lobbying to the highest office to account for what they have been promising the people of Ikeleng’i. He launched that road (Jimbe) but it has been abandoned. He launched a lot of projects there (in Ikeleng’i) but nothing has happened and now we are going towards the elections. These are issues I wanted…My people of Ikeleng’i are so happy with what I did. I have no regrets!”

MMD president Nevers Mumba says there is absolutely no moral reason to give the gold mining opportunity that God has given Zambia to foreigners.

He said there is not sensible justification for government to hand over the mining of gold to a Sudanese company.

Mumba has insisted that the decision by government to have a joint venture between ZCCM-IH and Karma investments of Sudan over the gold mining prospects was a scandal.

“There is absolutely no moral reason for us to rash to give the gold opportunity that God have given to us to some foreigners…there is absolutely no justification. That decision that has been made by government to give that mine to Karma in partnership with ZCCM-IH, we demand as MMD and on behalf of all Zambians in all provinces that have risen up against this decision that government must reverse this decision,” Mumba said.

Mumba, a renowned clergy and tele-evangelist and former Republican vice-president, said government had been allowed to play with minerals like Copper, Cobalt, Zinc, Emeralds but this would not be entertained this time.

He said Gold was different mineral and a standard of currencies around the world, which if placed in the central bank of any country would determine one’s wealth.

He added that the debt which government was trying to hire a consultant to solve for the country would be resolved by the gold that Zambia has.

“It’s the standard, if you have gold, you can pay any debt. I am happy government has called it a strategic asset but that does not mean you throw it on the market for anybody who has money, which they acquired in questionable manners. This, my fellow colleagues in government, must not be an asset to be entreated like we treated the Mukula tree, like we treated the copper, like we treated everything that God has given to us with an attitude of nalalyamo finshi (what will I benefit from it). I know the one who has to buy, has he deposited money in my foreign account before he gets this contract?…not gold, gold is ours.”

Mumba said Zambians have clearly indicated that they do not a foreigner involved in the gold.

He lamented that government was failing to understand that Zambians had rejected the involvement of foreigners in the mining of gold.

“When Zambians decide, they have decided and if you go contrary to what they are saying…you are a short lived government. They will let you push it until the next election but they are not going to change on this matter as they want us to do this ourselves even if we make mistakes, even if it takes us a long time to learn how to do it and to fund this sector, it’s still ours. Umwine musunga talamba minwe,” Mumba said. “We are going to take our time until we make it work and if we lack any expertise in extracting gold, we can go and hire somebody within Africa who is better than us. Go to Ghana, they handle gold, go to DRC, they handle gold and we can’t find somebody within Africa, we can go out to another country and pay them here, we employ him to do a specific job but it’s us in control.”

Mumba noted that Zambians do not believe that there was transparency in the manner the deal had been given to Karma.

He said that public policy demands that it was not what government thinks but the perception of the population that determines whether they go with you or not.

Mumba said as it stands, Zambians’ perception was that the awarding of the licenses to foreigners had been done at a cost and was being interpreted into bribery of some PF officials.

He said Zambians would like a more transparent way.

“Whether it’s true or not, the perception says that. I advise that let’s start right with confidence and support of all Zambians. This is a strategic asset that can get us out of all debt and make us the richest nation on the continent of Africa. Let’s not mismanage it, let’s not use our political positions to jeopardise the bright future for our people who have wallowed in poverty on top of the soil that holds gold and is the womb of some of the most precious metals that the world has ever claimed to have. Zambians are mature enough to look after our assets but if we fail in one way, we will ask for help but those people will only come to help and we will be the drivers of this ship,” Mumba said.

He recalled that two years ago, he made a statement concerning Konkola Copper Mines over concepts of looking for an international investor to take over.

He said there is a feeling of inadequacy in Zambians over KCM – that the “indigenous can’t do it but a white skinned person or a foreigner from another country would do it better”.

To the contrary, Mumba said after mismanaging Zambia’s copper, it was time for the country to solve its own problems.

“We are supposed to be one of the richest nations on earth because of the abundance of copper. We are number three at the worst, sometimes we are number two world producer of copper. We are not a poor country but we have mismanaged the sector because we have always felt that somebody else from another country has a better interest in this country, so ‘let’s give them our assets and they will give us change’. It is no longer the position; there is greed all over the world so what God gives you as Zambia, keep it,” Mumba said.

He warned government not to be in a hurry to cut deals so that they get a percentage at the expense of Zambians.

THE PF government’s silence on the gassing attacks that rocked the nation early this year goes to show that Zambians are on their own, says human rights activist Gregory Chifire.

He asked the government to tell the nation the people or organisations that were behind the terror.

On Sunday, Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops president Bishop George Lungu asked Zambians to demand the truth about the gassing which terrified the nation early this year.

Bishop Lungu said people should demand the truth about the origins of the gassing incidents.

He said people should not fear but ask relevant questions about those terrifying experiences.

“Fear to demand the truth about the gassing rampage that tormented our people. You remember, it’s not long ago, basi zii (it’s quiet), as if nothing happened. Who cares? But sometimes it’s fear to challenge the situation. What happened? Who was behind it?” asked Bishop Lungu. “We want to know. Otherwise, it is going to repeat itself. You can imagine an evil scheme that turned peace-loving Zambians into mob killers; dragging people into the streets, stone them, kill them, burn them. Suddenly, what has happened?”

Adding his voice on the matter, Chifire said there was no one to protect Zambians or their property because President Edgar Lungu and his cronies were busy making deals at the expense of the nation.

Chifire, in exile, said the PF government’s silence on the gassing matter, a matter that affected lives of citizens, showed that lives and property of Zambians don’t matter to the government.

He said for the PF, citizens only become important during elections.

“Like many Zambians, I have been waiting for government to give us the report on the gassing that wreaked havoc in our nation recently but nothing. Now that Bishop George Lungu has asked the question which many Zambians would want to ask, I think it is high time the PF government gave us answers,” Chifire demanded.

The Southern Africa Network Against Corruption (SANAC) director said it was shocking that the government had gone quiet on a serious matter where lives were lost.

He recalled that the government even correctly described the gassing incidents as an act of terrorism.

“But as opposed to giving Zambians answers on these acts of extremism, they have gone mute. Something is really not adding up. Lungu does not have respect for the very people who put him in office, neither does he regard their lives as important. That is why he can keep quiet on such an important issue that touches our lives,” Chifire said.

He said it was irresponsible for President Lungu and his government to keep quiet on the issue when people lost their brothers and sisters who could have still been alive today.

Chifire said the government must tell the nation the people or organisations that were behind the terror.

“Otherwise it leaves citizens with nothing but room to speculate that this PF government is protecting the people behind. I personally don’t believe that this government doesn’t know those behind this terror. If it is true that the government is not aware, then we don’t have a government in place. Because a government worth its salt must be in charge of the country and its security. If Lungu and his people don’t know what was happening, then the lives of the people are more in danger than what we initially thought. Then it means this PF must leave government to other people,” Chifire said. “Truth be told, it has become increasingly difficult for Zambians to trust this government because it’s a government of desperate people who can do anything to retain power. Lungu and his government can go to any length for that purpose. Desperate people do desperate things.”

He warned that while Zambians may be humble and meek, that must not be misconstrued for weakness and dullness.

Chifire reminded the government that people are talking in their homes about the ritual killings and felt that the government was hiding something.

He said the government could not just keep quiet in the wake of the forty lives that were lost during the period of the gassing attacks.

He said the silence had left room for speculation and that people were now concluding that it was the PF that was behind “this act of terrorism”.

“Now imagine how citizens are viewing this government. It is therefore important for Lungu and his people to come clean on this. For as long as this government is quiet on this matter, they are in every way possible becoming complicit to the murders that took place because it has failed to perform its duty. It will be difficult for this government to buy back the trust of the people who have concluded otherwise,” said Chifire.

ZCCM-IH minority shareholders have defended the decision to partner with foreigners in the gold mining project in North-Western Province, citing weak financial status.

Recently, stakeholders have questioned the partnership over Kasenseli gold deposits in North-Western Province between the Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines Investment Holdings (ZCCM-IH) and Karma Limited of Sudan.

Responding to public concerns, Euronext Minority Shareholders of ZCCM-IH representative Thierry Charles further blamed the previous Pius Kasolo-led management, among others, for the company’s weak financial status.

“As a result, our company has emerged exangue (bloodless carcass) from the Pius Kasolo era: more than $100 million from the dividends of the only ‘generous’ mining company, Kansanshi Mine, were injected in pure loss at Ndola Lime. More than $20 million was needed to bail out Investrust bank. The foolish $640 million CAC cement plant project was fortunately stopped by the current team,” Charles said in a statement yesterday. “Our company was on the verge of becoming a zombie company like ZESCO. Furthermore, ZCCM-IH is a collateral victim of the disastrous energy sector: it’s 25 per cent shareholding in CEC no longer pays any dividends as KCM, being bankrupt, owes it more than $132 million. ZCCM-IH has had to lend over $20 million to KCM in order for it to resume operations and maintain jobs.”

Charles stated further that Zesco owed the Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines Investment Holdings (ZCCM-IH) a lot of money which could have allowed it to be the major shareholder in the gold mine.

“Zesco is unable to pay over $200 million debt owed to Maamba collieries in which ZCCM-IH has a 35 per cent shareholding. Our company has even had to lend $10 million to Maamba collieries, which now refuses to return it to our company,” he stated.

He questioned the rationale behind Chambishi Non-Ferous Metals’ failure to pay dividends, yet it was able to bid for the purchase of Konkola Copper Mines.

“Now the funny thing that happened is that we have a mine called Non-Ferrous Metals in Chambishi which for the last 21 years has never given the government a single dividend because it has been claiming to be making losses. Which has been the same story for KCM. For 12 years KCM has never given government the dividend but kept on accumulating these loses. But the funny thing is that China Non-Ferrous Metals was the first company to make a presentation to buy KCM,” he stated.

Charles also wondered how Kansanshi Mine which had failed to pay reasonable dividends was able to lend $520 million to First Quantum Minerals.

He stated that a small loan from Kansanshi through ZCCM-IH’s 20 per cent shares could have fully financed the gold mining project.

“Finally, Kansanshi Mine no longer pays substantial dividends. However, we have learned from the press that it has loaned $520 million to its 80 per cent-owned parent company First Quantum alone without the approval of the Board. Our holding company is unable to obtain a bank loan due to low and irregular revenues,” Charles stated. “A fair loan of $130 million from our 20 per cent share of Kansanshi Mines would have financed all the projects in gold without having recourse to any financial partner! On top of that, we learned through an announcement a few days ago that ZCCM-IH will have to incur legal fees for a confidential arbitration in London because FQM reproaches it for having filed a criminal complaint in Zambia…’’

And Charles defended current chief executive officer Mabvuto Chipata and team, saying: “The serious charges and calls for dismissal demonstrate a lack of a comprehensive view of our company, particularly of the progress that has been made.”

He stated that the current team surpassed the Kasolo team.

“We have been shareholders of ZCCM-IH for many years and also investors in other mining companies, and the contrast with the Kasolo and Mung’omba years is striking. For ZCCM-IH’s own gold mining and for the development of the country for and by Zambians, it would be more beneficial if the understandable anger and rage were directed solely at those who strangle ZCCM-IH with indifference,” Charles stated. “This impunity also raises questions…For the past year, ZCCM-IH management has refocused investments on our core business, mining

operations as an operator and is gradually turning the company around despite the challenges. Copper was the historical metal but we have confidence in the diversification of mining investments such as manganese with our subsidiary Kabundi and gold in partnership with specialised partners. This partnership will undoubtedly contribute to the acquisition of experience and skills specific to gold, ZCCM-IH will then be able to exploit deposits on its own.”

He stated that so far ZCCM-IH was happy with the technical and legal structures put in place.

“In just a few months, we were pleased to see the technical and legal structures put in place, which are essential for a rapid start to the process, thus fulfilling the task entrusted to ZCCM-IH by the GRZ. All the gold obtained will be sold to the BoZ to build up foreign exchange reserves in order to obviously put a quick stop to the kwacha’s infernal fall,” stated Charles. “This purpose therefore made it impossible for some people to propose that the Zambian citizens be financially involved in the projects to compensate for the lack of resources of ZCCM-IH. Indeed, Initial Public Offerings are complex, costly and time-consuming operations, and are subject to regulatory bodies, among others. We also trust our management to choose the appropriate partners and to formalise the legal and control frameworks so that this partnership in gold is fair and equitable, unlike that in copper.”

WE are not going to hand over power just like that, we are also busy mobilising, says Southern Province PF chairperson Lawrence Evans.

The former tourism and arts deputy minister, who advised UPND members of parliament to interact with President Edgar Lungu, warned that the UPND would have a shock of their lives in 2021.

Evans said the opposition UPND’s expectations were always very high even when they are not giving direction on what they would want to do for the people of Zambia once in power.

“In the end what has happened is that every time we have general elections they cry foul. Mind you they have lost five times,” he said in an interview. “And it is because they don’t put their house in order…and for us in the Patriotic Front I can assure you that we are not going to hand over power just like that. We are also busy and mobilising our party.”

Evans said the PF was aware that the UPND was busy holding intra-party elections at all levels in the province.

He said the ruling party was not sitting idle.

“We know what we are doing, the Head of State is on top of things. He was in North-Western Province meeting chiefs because these traditional leaders want development, they don’t want things being politicised. I can assure you Mbulo come 2021, the opposition will have a shock of their life,” Evans said. “Anyway I want to reiterate that leadership is God given and if you are not chosen by God to lead a nation, whatever you have you will never lead the nation.”

He advised the UPND to put its house in order and desist from insulting President Lungu.

“Facebook campaigns cannot help the UPND. The PF has done a lot to take development to all parts of the nation and for me as Southern Province PF chairman and my team we are confident that we will increase the votes in 2021 than we got in the previous elections. And I am pretty sure that come 2021, President Edgar Lungu will bounce back in power,” Evans said. “As for the UPND I can just say that they continue with what they are doing and we will meet on the battle ground. All we want to do is to ensure that we take development to all parts of the country.”

He advised the UPND members of parliament to follow the examples of their Ikeleng’i counterpart Elijah Muchima and Mazabuka’s Gary Nkombo to freely interact with President Lungu.

“Muchima is not a child, he has been in government. If only UPND MPs can interact with President Lungu it will be good for Zambia. I just came back from chief Chikanta’s area and he was disappointed that Dundumwezi area MP was not around for the rural electrification programme as well as the ground breaking ceremony for the road network,” said Evans. “Let’s put people first and until this is done the MPs that are elected will hang on to power. If people, see that those that they elect are not doing anything there will come a time that they will see them to be irrelevant. MPs should be level minded. If you feel for your people and you want to uplift their lives, it is good. These people employed you so why don’t you up the lives? But I can only end by saying that there can only be one President and that is Edgar Chagwa Lungu.”