STATEMENT

There has been an article in the Lusaka Times an online publication dated 15th May, 2020 which went viral, captioned “Lawrence Sikutwa dissolves LSA Group as the financial situation worsens at Madison”. The said article states that I have dissolved the LSA Group of Companies for reasons stated therein. I wish to inform the public and concerned stakeholders that the article is factually incorrect and I take this opportunity to refute the assertions and advise that the Group is intact and not under any consideration for dissolution.

Let me clarify that Lawrence Sikutwa and Associates Limited (LSA) is a Company that has investments in a number of entities in various sectors of the economy. Among them, LSA is the largest investor in Madison Financial Services Plc (MFS) a company which is publicly traded on the Lusaka Stock Exchange (LuSE). It is therefore inconceivable that LSA would dissolve when it has a significant stake in the only indigenous financial services group in Zambia.

MFS Plc is the holding company of the Madison brand which has a number of businesses in the financial services sector including Madison Life Insurance Company Ltd (MLife) and Madison General Insurance Company Ltd (MGen). The subsidiary companies of MFS are independent of each other and are run as such save for the fact that they have a common shareholder, MFS. Before the Madison Group went public in 2014 LSA offered shared services to its subsidiaries and continued to do so thereafter. However, in 2019 MFS resolved that the shared services to the subsidiaries would be provided by MFS hence the restructuring and rationalisation which occurred at LSA resulting in shared services being provided by MFS effective 1st May 2020. MFS employs about one thousand (1000) people.

I do admit that some subsidiaries in the MFS Group face some challenges brought about by a number of reasons including the widely reported situation in Madison Asset Management Company Ltd (MAMCo). Rest assured that the said challenges are firmly being addressed so that they are resolved to ensure that the businesses adapt, restructure and continue to thrive in the new normal. In this regard, efforts include; capital raising, seeking new partners and rebuilding trust. Corporates do face up and down business cycles and we are no different but it would not be appropriate to delve into operational matters of the MFS subsidiaries suffice to state that all stakeholders involved are working together to ensure that the challenges are overcome.

I am confident that with the support of the general public, the Government and relevant stakeholders, Madison will forge ahead and remain a successful indigenous Zambian Group and that “Madison”, a proudly Zambian brand, shall continue to be a market leader competing favourably amongst internationally affiliated peers in the financial services sector. I, therefore, look forward to our valued customers; business partners and stakeholders continuing to support us as we strive to push forward the economic development agenda of Zambia.

In ending, I categorically state that there are no plans to dissolve LSA, it shall remain a flagship investment company in Zambia.

Lawrence S. Sikutwa (Dr)
EXECUTIVE GROUP CHAIRMAN

15th May, 2020

Inaugural Speech of President Rupiah Banda on Sunday, 02nd November, 2008 at Parliament Building Grounds
—
My Lord the Chief Justice, Honourable Justice Ernest Sakala, The Speaker of the National Assembly Honourable Amusaa Mwanamwambwa, MP, esteemed Heads of State and their representatives, your Excellencies, the First and Second Presidents of the Republic of Zambia, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Zambia, Mrs Justice Florence Mumba, Honourable Judges of the Supreme Court and the High Court, my colleagues the leaders of political parties, your Excellencies, Ambassadors and High Commissioners accredited to Zambia, Your Royal Highnesses, traditional leaders, representatives of international organisations, fellow MMD members, distinguished invited guests, fellow Zambians.

Eight weeks ago, I launched my campaign to be President of the Republic of Zambia.

For me to be President is to be President of All Zambians.

In my launch speech, I said that I wanted to deliver economic prosperity for all Zambians.

CAMPAIGN PROMISES

I promised to be the agent of continuity, delivering the pledges of the 2006 MMD Manifesto.

I also promised to deliver good governance; to continue the campaign against corruption.

Underlying all of these was my main goal of fighting poverty.

We have come a long way these last seven years but there is still much to do.

Too many Zambians have been left behind; they do not share in the economic prosperity of the Zambian economy.

My opponents also made their case to the Zambian people on Thursday 30th October the Zambian people delivered their verdict.

A verdict which as we saw was very close.

I would like to thank all those who believed in democracy and turned out to vote.

You have done your country a service.

From the result I [have] taken an important message.

It is time we all united and work for a better future.

You chose my vision and I will not forget that it is you the Zambian people who placed your trust in me.

It is a responsibility not to be taken lightly.

It is therefore with great humility that today I am able to address you as the Fourth President of Republic of Zambia.

We are a proud democracy and I will not forget that it is you the Zambian people who are the masters.

Politicians come and go in electoral cycles.

We must never forget that it is you who decide whether we stay in office or are banished.

I now serve you the Zambian people until 2011.

To the vanquished I have this to say,

For Zambia’s sake I will look forward, not back.

The campaign is over. What is in the past must remain so.

We have had a spirited and enjoyable campaign.

Thanks must go to certain media outlets that have made the name of Rupiah a household name.

I thank all those who campaigned, those for me and even those who campaigned against me.

That is democracy.

0LIVE BRANCH

Today, I offer my friendship to Michael Sata, Hakainde Hichilema and Godfrey Miyanda.

I do so because it is not my intention to govern a divided nation.

It does not matter which party you voted for, at the end of the day we are all Zambians.

In my campaign launch speech I said the words “united we stand, divided we fall”.

This election will not divide us; it will unite us all in a common goal.

We may be a country of many tribes, of many language, different religions and of many colours but never forget we are one nation.

So to the leaders of the opposition parties I ask you to work with me, for all Zambians.

In parliament we must put aside petty squabbles and do what is right for the Zambian people.

Our late President Mwanawasa was elected in 2006 to govern Zambia until 2011.

By his death Zambia was cruelly robbed of a fine man.

He was a man of vision; the Zambian people believed in him and returned him to office for a second term.

He was a man of integrity, not afraid to speak the truth even when others remained silent.

He was a champion of democracy.
When others tried to distort our constitution he stood firm.

His goal was to increase prosperity for all Zambians. He started stamping out corruption wherever it reared its ugly head.

Under his leadership he once again made Zambia into a beacon of democracy.

A democracy we have witnessed this past few days.

Losing Levy Mwanawasa was a tragedy, but as a nation we must now move on.

Today, I give up the title of Acting President and take up the mantle of President of the Republic of Zambia.

I will serve as President of all Zambians.

GRATITUDE

I want to thank all those who made this election a smooth and peaceful process.

Thanks must go to all those at the Electoral Commission.

To all those people who manned the polling stations.

To the international election observers.

The Zambian Police and the armed services.

I want to thank the media for covering the campaign with fairness and integrity.

I wish to thank my party, the MMD. To all those colleagues, Ministers and MPs who have carried the message far and wide, I say thank you.

Now we have much work to do.

My Cabinet must be able to deliver the vision as set out by me during this election.

My priority will be to fight poverty. I made that clear during the campaign.

Poverty is demeaning and an unnecessary evil.

I do not want people to think of Zambia as a third world country with a begging bow.

Because we are not.

I want to move from handouts to hand-ups.

I want to empower all Zambians.

I want people to think of Zambia as a prosperous and confident nation.

We have a goal of making Zambia a middle income nation by 2030.

The path to 2030 is through education.

I firmly believe that good education is the passport out of poverty.

We must make sure that our next generation is equipped with the skills to prosper in the modern world.

We must not forget that today’s young are tomorrow’s adults.

They are our future. We must invest in them.

But we must prepare the way for them by having a strong economy.

On Thursday 30th October the MMD won because of our track record since 2001.

Over the past seven years this government has worked hard to get our economy moving and we have been successful.

The economy has grown steadily over the past seven years; our economic policies have been praised by international organisations, including the World Bank.

Under this government Zambia is growing.

Since 2003 our GDP growth rate has risen from 3.3 per cent to 6.2 per cent.

This impressive growth covers all sectors: manufacturing, construction, tourism, transport, communications and agriculture.

As a percentage of GDP the service sector has grown from over 50 per cent to 56.5 per cent.

Inflation is down from over 25 per cent to 13.2 per cent.

Foreign investment has risen from $255 million dollars: in 2003 to over $4.25 billion for 2008.

We are tackling corruption head-on, and will continue to do so.

We must, because corruption saps investor confidence.

We will continue to build a strong Zambia.

Our economic policies have made us one of the most stable countries on African continent.

INVESTMENT

With this stability we have seen record levels of foreign investment that have modernised our industries and made our farmers more productive.

We will continue to welcome foreign investors to as long as they obey the laws and regulations of country particularly those protecting our workers.

I want Zambians to enjoy decent wages and working conditions.

I also want to see our environment protected and respected.

This investment is the engine which will make our industrial and agricultural sectors more productive and creating more jobs at better wages.

It generates the revenue to pave more roads, to modernise our Telecommunications and energy
infrastructure.

We will encourage new sources of investment into both electricity generation and transmission system.

It builds more schools to educate our children so they can compete for the jobs of tomorrow.

It allows us to modernise the hospitals which heal our sick and take care of our elderly.

I am proud of these achievements and I am proud for Zambia.

I will continue this legacy.

I will continue to make sure that all in Zambia can improve their living conditions.

I will continue the policies that mean ever more Zambians can enjoy the fruits of an expanding economy.

I do so in the belief that continuity, good governance and economic prosperity for all is right for Zambia.

I want all to prosper. I will be president of all Zambians.

It is my vision to go further.

VISION

I want to make Zambia a hub of southern Africa.

A hub for transport and a hub for knowledge and learning.

A hub for tourism.

This vision is possible.

We are at the heart of Southern Africa.

We have immediate borders with no less than eight countries.

We are active members of the African Union, of the Southern African Development Community, and of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa.

We will stay committed to those institutions.

Zambia is at the crossroads of Southern Africa and we will take advantage of it.

I want people to come to Zambia to see for themselves.

I am proud of our country and all that we have to offer.

Zambia is beautiful.

We have the world famous sites, great national parks full of game, and of course our heritage.

Tourists come here because they want to experience the real Africa.

And here they can do it.

Tourism not only brings jobs security.

It gives us an opportunity to protect our environment and our culture for future generations of Zambians.

It also stimulates growth, investment and improvements.

I hold places like Livingstone and South Luangwa as examples of what can be achieved all across Zambia.

But I want to see more.

The potential to open up the Luapula and the Northern Provinces needs to be realised.

The waterfalls and scenery there deserve to be seen by our visitors.

Not just foreign tourists but also Zambians.

There are game parks and warm hospitality to enjoy.

I want tourism centres all over Zambia.

I want the world to see how diverse and unique our country is.

I have already promised to reduce visa fees; this should welcome more visitors to our country.

I also want visitors to enjoy the fruits of our land.

Our farmers play an important role in feeding us all. We will continue to support them in producing food surpluses.

The price of fertilizer and fuel has already come down.

These lower inputs costs provide a valuable window of opportunity.

I want our farming sector to take advantage and use this window to prepare for the future.

I want to help them invest in better seed and new machinery.

I do not want drought or pest to hinder our advancement.

We must be able to sustain ourselves in times of hardship.

We must be able help our neighbours when they need help, just as they have always helped us when we were in need.

Alongside tourism and agriculture is mining.

Mining is another fundamental sector in our nation’s economy.

It is responsible for around 80 per cent of our export earnings and almost 15 per cent of our GDP.

Foreign investment in the mining sector has totaled $4 Billion USD since 2000.

This shows not only investor confidence in copper, but also confidence in our country and our people.

Since 2002 this government’s policies have brought growth and stability back to mining, resulting in an increase in production of over 38 per cent.

In 2002 there were 34.000 jobs in the mining sector, today there are over 58.000.

In the last seven years we have seen three mines reactivated and ten major new projects in the planning.

Since then the government has worked hard to ensure solid inward investment.

I am pledged to continue this approach.

I am also pledged to see investment and much needed improvement in our energy sector.

I want all Zambians to have ready access to reliable electricity.

Without a reliable source of electricity much of our economy is hindered.

I want a Zambia where load-shedding is a thing of the past.

We are upgrading existing power stations and are pushing forward with new power projects.

By 2016 we will have 5 new hydro generating projects.

We will work with national and international partners to deliver the rural electrification master plan.

At present power supply follows industry: I want it to lead industry.

I cannot promise to solve the problems in just three years but I can lay the foundation for the future.

I also want to see major progress in healthcare.

Life threatening diseases like HIV/AIDS and malaria must be combated.

Medicine alone is not the answer: education is also very important.

In the case of HIV ignorance is a killer.

My government will continue with its information campaign so that ignorance does not cost you your life.

We will continue investing in our health care.

I want to see new and refurbished hospitals, better training for doctors and nurses and a strengthened staff retention scheme.

I want all Zambians to know that Zambia will be safe and secure under my presidency.

During my campaign I said “I will be president of all Zambians”.

I meant that.

Now is the time to move forward and for all Zambians to unite.

Let us look to the future with pride and with hope in our hearts.

I am honoured to have many distinguished international guests here today.

I urge you to return and take the time to see our country properly.

To all Zambians I say this:

I will not fail you. I invite you all to work with me.

Let us together build a stronger Zambia.

Finally, and on a very personal note I must give my heartfelt thanks to my wife Thandiwe and my family for standing by me and for supporting me during this campaign.

I owe you everything.

May god bless you all, may God bless Zambia.

Thank you.
—
* President Banda inaugural speech, Monday, 03rd November, 2008 as lifted, transcribed from Times of Zambia for Facebook in 2020 plus reduced to lower case from all capital letters by Kasebamashila Kaseba as part of the inaugural speeches book project.

THE UPND has applied to join a case where a lawyer has petitioned the Constitutional Court seeking an order that the Registrar of Societies de-registers all political parties which have not practiced democracy through regular, free and fair elections within their parties from 2016 to-date.

The opposition party wants to join as an interested party, saying the petition targets all political parties in Zambia, of which UPND is the main opposition party.

In this matter, Benjamin Mwelwa, an Advocate of the High Court, has petitioned the Constitutional Court seeking an order and declaration that any political party, which was registered and in existence as of January 5, 2016, and which has not promoted and practiced democracy through regular, free and fair elections, within its political party, has breached Article 60 (2) (d) of the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Act No. 2 of 2016 and, therefore, such a political party ceased to exist as a political party in Zambia on January 4, 2017.

He wants an order that the Registrar of Societies de-registers all political parties for having ceased to exist as political parties in Zambia on January 4, 2017 and since violated Article 60 (2) (d) of the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Act No. 2 of 2016 and Section 18 (1) and (2) Act No. 1 of 2016.

Mwelwa is also seeking an order that ECZ should not allow the political parties, which have ceased to exist to continue to participate in the future elections to be conducted as such acts will be in violation of article 60 (2) (d) of the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Act No. 2 of 2016 and Section 18 (1) and (2) Act No. 1 of 2016.

He cited Attorney General Likando Kalaluka and the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) as the respondents in the matter.

However, Stephen Katuka, in his capacity as UPND secretary general, has now applied to join the case as an interested party.

He stated in his affidavit in support of summons for joinder as interested party, filed yesterday, that that he had sufficient interest in the proceedings to warrant him joinder.

Katuka argued that justice demanded that as an interested party, he should be joined to the proceedings and be heard on the matters for determining.

“I have read the petition and verifying affidavit in this matter and it is clear to me that it is targeted at all political parties in Zambia, of which the UPND is the main opposition, and as such, I have sufficient interest in the proceedings to warrant my joinder as an interested party,” read the affidavit.

In his petition filed in the Constitutional Court, Monday, Mwelwa stated that the amended Constitutions of 2015 and 2016 required all political parties to promote and practice democracy through regularly, free and fair elections within their parties.

He added that the said elections for all political parties in Zambia were to be conducted within 12 months from January 5, 2016, to January 4, 2017.

Mwelwa stated that the political parties’ constitutions should be tuned to be in line with the Constitution of Zambia Amendment No. 2 of 2016.

He added that there had been no political party’s president and secretary general in Zambia, who had ever been elected since January 5, 2016, to January 4, 2017, in compliance with the amended Constitutions.

“Your petitioner shall aver at trial that in fact it has become a norm in all political parties in Zambia for the political parties’ presidents to appoint the secretary generals and others to their positions. Your petitioner shall aver at trial that the political parties’ presidents continuing to be appointing secretary generals and others to their positions is unconstitutional,” Mwelwa stated.

He further stated that all the political parties in Zambia having failed to practice democracy through regular free and fair elections as apposed to appointments, within their respective parties, they ceased to exist as political parties.

“Your petitioner shall aver at trial that the ECZ has conducted many elections and has allowed the political parties, which have ceased to exist to participate in those elections,” stated Mwelwa.

By Kamuti Muyambela

UPND Youths have accused Mazabuka member of parliament Garry Nkombo of deliberately executing a political cleansing exercise to get rid of Lozis in the party.

The youths from five constituencies of Western Province: Nalolo, Sesheke, Senanga, Mongu, and Kaoma, in a statement to Daily Revelation accused the UPND leadership of killing the party in the province.

They singled out Nkombo for allegedly destabilising the party by continuously attacking some members of parliament in the province.

“Mr Nkombo has been attacking our MPs from Western province for some time now. He should tell us why he has been agitating fellow leaders to side-line our people and replace them with Tongas. We know how northerners in the party were hounded out. Hon Nkombo seems to be silently executing a cleansing exercise to get rid of Lozis in the party and ensure an all Tonga executive is in place. He should tell us if the party is just for Tongas alone,” youths asked.

They bemoaned leadership crisis in UPND.

The youths further accused UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema and the party as a whole of neglecting them.

“We have for long been neglected by the party executive which just sits in Lusaka enjoying themselves and only remembers us when elections approach. We have no support in terms of material, finance and logistics to grow the party in western province. This is the case in other regions of the country as well. Our President Mr Hichilema has never sat down with us or visited this place to mobilize the party since the treason aftermath. This has created a sense of demotivation. We are no longer the stronghold we have been all along. The party is weak in the province,” they noted. “To add salt to this injurious insult, Hon Gary Nkombo issued a statement attacking Hon (Professor Geoffrey) Lungwangwa accusing him of sabotaging the party and funding resignation of our councillors. The councillors have been neglected by the party. Our President doesn’t care for his people”.

They called on the party leadership to up their game, as youths in the province would not entertain this trend to continue ahead of next year’s general elections.

“We therefore, would like to state that as youths in the province our force will be felt soon. We delivered Sesheke and can so deliver to any party we choose. We stand for unity and development. Enough is enough!” the stated.

“As UPND youths in Western Province we have noticed with much disappointment how the party is losing popularity in this province. This is not only because of developmental programs by the government but also because of a leadership crisis in the party.” And Nkombo when contacted declined to comment, saying there was no truth in the youths’ accusations against him.

FORMER Special Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations Amos Chanda says there were some spirited attempts to interfere with the course of justice in a case in which he was charged with corrupt practices.

Chanda said this after the Director of Public Prosecutions entered a nolle prosequi in a matter where he was jointly-charged with former Intelligent Mobility Solutions (IMS) Limited board chairman Walid El Nahas and former Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) chief executive officer Zindaba Soko with corrupt practices.

Lusaka Chief Resident Magistrate Lameck Mwale discontinued proceedings against the three and discharged them in light of the nolle.

In this matter, Nahas was charged with two counts of corrupt practices with a public officer, whereas Soko and Chanda were charged with four counts of corrupt practices by a public officer and possession of property reasonably suspected of being proceeds of crime.

It was alleged in count one that Nahas between August 1, 2017, and May 31, 2019, corruptly gave US $10,000 to Soko, a public officer, namely director and chief executive officer of the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA), as an inducement or reward in order to facilitate the award of a contract to IMS by RTSA for the provision of advanced road safety solutions and services, a matter or transaction that concerns RTSA, a public body.

In count two, it was alleged that Nahas on the same dates corruptly gave US $11,000 to Chanda, a public officer, namely Special Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations, as an inducement or reward in order to facilitate the award of a contract to IMS by RTSA for the provision of advanced road safety solutions and services.

In count three, it was alleged that between August 1, 2017, and May 31, Soko corruptly received US $10,000 from Nahas as inducement to facilitate the award of the IMS contract by RTSA.

It was alleged in the fourth count that Soko on the same dates possessed US $10,000, property suspected to be proceeds of crime.

In count five, Chanda was accused of corruptly receiving US $11,000 from Nahas as an inducement to facilitate the award of the contract to IMS by RTSA for the provision of advanced road safety solutions and services.

It was further alleged in count six that Chanda on August 1, 2017, and May 31, 2019, possessed US $11,000, suspected to be proceeds of crime.

The trio had denied the charges and trial had begun.

However, when the matter came up for continued trial yesterday, the State informed the Court that it had received instructions to discontinue the case against all three accused persons.

“The matter was scheduled for continuation of trial. However, the Court is informed that the State has discontinued the matter against the three accused persons through a nolle prosequi,” State prosecutor Sipholiano Phiri said.

Magistrate Mwale then discharged accused the accused persons in light of the nolle.

“In light of the nolle prosequi entered by the office of the DPP, proceedings against the accused persons are, hereby, discontinued and the accused are accordingly discharged,” Magistrate Mwale ruled.

And speaking to journalists after walking free, Chanda expressed relief, saying that the nolle had restored him to his previous position of innocence.

“The prosecution brought a case against me. They brought a criminal allegation, which they have withdrawn and therefore, restored me to the original position as it were; the presumption of innocence as provided for in the Constitution,” Chanda said.

“It doesn’t matter whether the accused is Amos Chanda or not, the presumption of innocence is available to everyone. I have been in this court every single day when the matter has been called and there has been no witness that has fingered me. So, I have been restored to the position that I was, innocent.”

Asked if the charges against them were trumped up, Chanda said that could be answered by those who brought the charges against them.

Chanda, who said he was still confident in the justice system, however, expressed concern with attempts by certain stakeholders to interfere with the course of justice against him.

“That’s a question that can be answered by those who brought the charges. As for me, my faith in the justice system is still as strong as it was before I was arrested. But regrettably, in my case, I can tell you that some spirited attempts to interfere with the course of justice against me did occur. But that all is now in the past. I don’t want that ugly stain to crowd what may lie ahead of me in the future. I believe that our court system can still be trusted to arrive at a decision, innocence or guilty, depending on the evidence that has been produced,” he replied.

And Chanda said a possible re-arrest did not bother him as the court system would preside over that.

“I have been here every single day. So, if that re-arrest is done, I will be here. That does not violate the innocence. If they go again and re-arrest me, the court system will preside over that. So, from November up to now, there should be sufficient time to decide whether evidence exists or it does not. So, it doesn’t matter, it doesn’t bother me if that were to happen,” he said.

Chanda also thanked his family, friends and the United Church of Zambia (UCZ) for supporting him.

“I will be acting unfairly if I did not thank my dear wife, Mable [and] my three wonderful children. They have been a pillar of support during this entire period that I have been before the Court. I want to thank my lawyers, those friends who stood by me, His Royal Highness Mwine-Lubemba Chitimukulu and the United Church of Zambia for their support,” said Chanda.

HOW MUCH SIGNAL DO UPND NEED TO WAKE UP PLEASE?

Few months ago, I challenged the entire UPND leadership to stop stressing out their leader Hakainde Hichilema.
Because the more they stressed him out, the more he got exposed to crooks and hyenas who likes taking advantage of him.

For a few days, or so, I saw various UPND leaders especially MPs voicing out to defend their leader a good thing in brutal politics like ours.
Later on it has gone back to the old culture where HH has to labour day and night defending himself. This is totally wrong for the UPND and a very bad signal that can be costing to the party.

In 2015 PF government rigged the elections and UPND did not even know how and where the elections got rigged from.
Some of us we know very well how PF did it whilst UPND did not even bother.

In 2016, in many of my write-ups I warned the UPND to think and plan effectively ahead of 2016 elections and as a concerned citizen who value the future of this nation, I even hinted on key issues the opposition needed to invest in. I doubt if their leader got the message rightly due to so many middle men who don’t even help HH with the right advice on how to deal with PF crooks.

This was information I gathered through the intelligence service within the PF corrupt regime and in 2016 the same issues I was trying to communicate to the UPND on how they could have counter attacked the rigging schemes they all came to pass and since UPND had no plans on how to deal with the situation, PF crooks succeeded again.

This week alone PF leaders and their thugs, have disrupted Hakainde Hichilema’s radio programs successfully and the UPND leadership and general membership is watching aimlessly. I have said it before that donors needs to be checked on their comfortability to fund criminals in Zambia. I have written to the USA, British, Germany and many others to seek answers, but this battle needs every concerned citizen to rise to the occasion.

I have made it very clear in most of my previous statements that PF is advanced in planning wicked things ahead of 2021 polls therefore, if UPND really want to form government, let them sit down and understand the people they are dealing with.

UPND , Underline the words “understanding the people they are dealing with” when UPND understand this fact then there will be no nonsense anymore in this country.

2021 elections are not about economical liberation one can elaborate very well no they are all about how will PF crooks succeeded again? And how ready is the opposition to end this crookedness by protecting votes? Let HH talk about those brilliant ideas when he is in office for now let him plan on how to protect votes.

When you hear thugs like Dora Siliya, Bownman, Mbewe Kebby and many others making pronouncements that they will not handover power to UPND even if they lose don’t think they are joking about it. Take them serious please I beg you ba UPND.

The disruption of two radio station for HH this week means more than how UPND thinks and plans, with the little time remaining, UPND can you do something different please. Because Zambian are solely relaying on you people.

Don’t say we did not warn you this is a timely advise I have given again because it pains me to see Zambia being reduced by PF crooks and those in opposition taking an idle stance.

Mr HH people in your party should not just wait for appointments they did not labour for. They have to work right now. Why are they hiding?

To Hakainde Hichilema, Iam also appealing to you just like seer one did yesterday, to come out openly about criminal activities involving these wicked people in PF. Tell us what you will do to those thieves who have stolen from poor citizens. Tell us what you will do to those killers in PF who have murdered some citizens some who happen to be your members and government critics.

You don’t have to sugar coat your mission to this nation sir.
Bring it out and declare that this is a Zambia you would like to see if we entrust you with the mantle of ruling Zambia.

There are million citizens who want justice in their various situations denied by PF, what is your message to them? Come out clear sir, when you say ba PF tamwakachule what do you mean? Are you telling us you shall not probe these thieves or recycle them to continue sucking up this country again?

Sikaile Sikaile
Good Governance and Human Rights Activist

MY DESIRE IS TO SEE A BETTER ZAMBIA, AND I WILL STAND FOR WHAT I BELIEVE IN.

For the past few weeks I have never been at peace. PF members they have been following me, asking me to join PF.

Last week I was almost taken, but my heart told me, don’t do an evil thing like this one.
To cut my long story, One of my best friend who is a well known UPND radio caller called Me on a Phone, He said Comrade come we meet, then I said what is it Comrade, He just insisted to say you just come, knowing that He is a good friend of mine that’s how I complied, and followed Him. When I reached at the place He called me to meet Him, I found a 4×4 unregistered Toyota Hilux, then He said Comrade Come inside the vehicle, then I said no! Why should I come inside the vehicle? He insisted to say just come, I also stood on my ground saying why should I come inside the vehicle, after realizing that I will not get inside the vehicle, the friend of mine came out and the other one who was driving that unregistered vehicle also came out.

Then my Friend introduced the guy they were together with to me, then I just realized that He was a fellow PF radio caller.

After knowing each other I agreed to get inside his Vehicle, and that’s how we started charting. After having a lengthy chart on how we attack each other on radio, I asked him why He was meeting us, that Comrade said you guys we want you to join us and Start supporting PF. If you want a job or money just tell me……. Then I looked at him saying…. Comrade do I look like Tropicals? Why are you saying so He said?.. I’M not bought like tropicals on a market I responded.

After that, that’s how I told the one who called me to say Comrade I don’t participate in such things, if you want to remain here me I have gone. That’s how I left that place and a friend of mine also followed me.

As we go towards 2021 expect more of such things, and only the strong one’s will overcome.

Ndine mwana Wa Hakainde Hichilema I’m not bought like tropicals.

UPND principled Ward Councillor

Economics Association of Zambia President Dr. Lubinda Habazoka has urged Zambians to stop fighting and concentrate o developing one another.

Dr Habazoka has noted with regret that Zambians have prioritized politics at the expense of development.

He said Zambia is endowed with so many resources which Zambians should start using to develop one another instead of fighting.

Dr. Habazoka has noted with regret that the fights amongst Zambians on either political or tribal lines have paved way for foreign entities to loot resources especially minerals which they are using to enrich themselves.

Speaking on Hot FM, Dr. Habazoka said a lot of minerals have been and continue to be stolen by people who come as saints not only in Zambia but the African continent.

He said Zambians must come together and start forging partnerships that will lift them out of poverty instead of waiting on International partners like the International Monetary Fund to better their lives.

He accused the International Monetary Fund of contributing to the high poverty levels on the African Continent who he says have never been and will never be a solution to the many challenges facing the African continent.

And Dr. Habazoka has urged the Zambian Government to stop using the US Dollar in its foreign reserves.

He said the Zambian government must be stock up minerals such as Copper and Gold in the reserves which is the actual money instead of the US dollar which is just coloured paper being forced on them by the IMF, the World Bank, and others.

Dr. Habazoka has wondered why a country that has so much mineral resources is still having the US Dollar in its foreign reserves when European countries such as Britain have Gold.

He said the IMF and World Bank must stop enslaving other countries especially Sub Saharan Africa by forcing them to be using the Dollar for everything including trade.

“How is it that the strength of other currencies is dependent on the performance of the dollar, you want to buy oil, you pay the dollar, selling your own copper you pay the dollar and importing goods from South Africa you also pay the dollar and this must come to an end”, he said.

Dr. Habazoka said Africa must also consider coming up with one currency which they will use for trade.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has accused Zambia of wanting to occupy part of its territory on the side of the territories of Moba and Pweto. The Congolese government has even decided to strengthen the military presence on the border with Zambia in the two territories. But what is the reality on the ground?

Radio France International correspondent in Kinshasa, Denise Maheho, reports.

Whether in the province of Haut-Katanga or in that of Tanganyika, some elected officials denounce the Zambian military presence on Congolese soil . In Moba territory, for example, the villages of Kalubamba and part of Muliro have been occupied by Zambian soldiers for about two months. ” I confirm that the Zambian soldiers have settled in Kalubamba,” says Mwila Lambert, customary chief of Moliro . Helicopters fly over our space two to three times a day. They have already taken 15 km from Congolese territory. ”

In Pweto, the Zambian army has not yet crossed the Congolese border, sources on the spot say. But more than a week ago, Zambia deployed troops and battle tanks along its border. This creates a Congolese side psychosis says a member of civil society in Pweto: ” Zambian soldiers are positioned in the village Lupia, it is the village opposite. There are a dozen battle tanks. Now there, Pweto is on high alert. ”

Zambia has no interest in annexing land, says Malanji

These charges are dismissed en masse for the Zambian authorities. ” It is not true, they have wrong information. Zambian troops have not crossed the border, they are positioned inside our country. The troops who are stationed on the border are there to patrol when there is a security problem; this is what they are doing right now, along the border, while staying on the Zambian side. Two months ago, Congolese troops entered Zambian territory, attacked villages and looted food. We do not know whether they were Congolese soldiers or rebels. It is now up to the Congolese authorities to verify who these men were, soldiers or rebels “Said Zambian Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Malanji. Before concluding: “ Zambia has eight neighbors with whom it shares its borders. And she has no problem with seven of them. We have no interest in annexing land outside our borders, we are not that kind of country. ”

In 2011, another conflict around the village of Moliro in Moba had opposed the two countries. Zambian soldiers even dislodged Congolese police and the migration office and planted their flags, said a former adviser to the interior ministry of ex-Katanga.

Zambian economy mirrors the Mexican economy of 1995

By: Chipindi Caleb Fundanga

Upon comparing the similarities in strategy followed by the latter Mexican government and the current Zambian regime, one begins to understand the cries of many seasoned economists in Zambia. It is definitely with shock that a ministry filled with Masters Degree and PH.D holders continues to steer our country into the abyss. It must also be noted that in every chaos their is always a winner and a loser. This in mind perhaps selfish motives are fueling this decaying economy.

In the mid 1980’s the Mexican economy went through a heavy recession forcing the Mexican government to go to the United States and World Bank for a bailout. The terms were drawn and the Mexican government was urged to begin a privatization program, as usual it was as the “West” would put it, reduce burden on government. Back to Mexico and in late 80’s into the early 90’s the government had managed to please their donors requests and the Mexicans were provided a bigger line of credit.

Once again just like Zambia after we reached the HIPC (Highly Indebted People’s Completion point), after going through austerity. Mexico went on to collect billions of dollars and like Zambia they barely invested the money in Manufacturing, Agriculture or Industries meaning the investments never brought revenue. Instead the Mexican government attempted to sell government bonds that were extremely becoming worthless as a source of funds to fulfill debt repayments.

It must be noted that during the illusion of economic prosperity created by the Mexican government, the Mexican economy attracted a lot of speculative traders in their financial market but did not help the people at the grassroots because most of these players were involved in capital flight and only wanted to capitalize on the available green buck, externalizing all of their profits offshore. This practice later came to light as interest rates soared creating huge unemployment as the majority of Mexican owned businesses closed. Remember the saying in every chaos their is a winner well even in Mexico their were winners.

Then President of Mexico Carlos Salinas left office with a net worth of several billion dollars his close ally former Mexican Transportation Minister Carlos Hank Gonzalez owned an airline, airstrips, ranches, real estate holdings all over the world and at some point his son bought a commercial bank he was estimated to be worth billions of dollars. It must be understood that none of these individuals had anywhere close to this amount of wealth before the mid 1980’s. Sounds very familiar with some of Zambia’s high ranking government officials.

Morale of the story here is when the Mexican government went back to the United States and the IMF in 1995, the people who felt the pinch were not those that benefitted but the general population, they had made their money but the austerity measures would hit the lowest classes the hardest. The reduction on spending by government on social programs, education and wage freeze never affects the billionaire or millionaire in Zambia’s case.

A message to governments; Don’t borrow for things that do not create genuine wealth for the people of your country. Don’t borrow just for the sake of borrowing and last but not least if you care for the people borrow and empower your people not yourselves.

•Dr Caleb Fundanga is former Bank of Zambia governor.

LUSAKA Mayor Miles Sampa has demanded that anyone who wants to renovate Matero Stadiun must compensate him K10 million.

The famous Matero stadium, home of Lusaka Tigars Football Club since 1951, is now a sorry site.
Last week Lusaka Tigers Technical Committee chairman Tom Michelo and club chairman Colonel Teddy Njovu raised concern over the state of the stadium which was leased to Sampa when he was Matero member of parliament.

But Sampa has not taken the concerns lightly as he feels that it is being used for political mileage.

On his Facebook page, Sampa has urged all those that who want to renovate the Matero stadium to compensate him K10m.

“Current estimates of personal funds I spent to refurbish the stadium swings around K10m depending on the prevailing exchange rate as most items were imported,” he posted.

“Anyone therefore wishing to bully their way into the works we have done thus far at the stadium before the lease expires in 2021 should first be willing to not only compensate us the K10M plus but also show us just one structure be it a toilet that they have in their life time put up in or around the Stadium.”

Sampa used a Bembas saying “Ba Katyetye Mwenda Mwalimwa (There are certain birds that their livelihood depend on reaping, harvesting or walking into a field where they planted zero seed).”

He added that the dilapidated stadium was still available for use.

“Matero stadium remains available free for recreational use by all residents of Matero, male or female and for any type of sport of their choice. The stadium should, however, not be used for cheap political Kapyopyo schemes by those wanting to stand as MP in 2021 to which I encourage them to stand but just not use personal development sacrifice at the Stadium as their launch pads. It’s the quickest way of decampaigning themselves as they will be reminding well meaning residents of Matero what I did there as MP and gone to waste since I left,” Sampa said.

“I encourage them to go to the Zingalume grounds in George Compound next to Chunga which has also never been developed in the history of Zambia since I last put a state of the art DIY Basket ball court (similar to one at my home now) when I was MP in 2014. I had to import NBA certified glass board Basketball hoops from New Jersey, USA to build them and get youths play Basketball in Matero. Likewise, the Basket ball Court at this ‘Zingalume stadium’ and another one I built DIY in Chunga was vandalised when I left
Matero as MP. The Chunga one has since been sold to Zambeef by known selfish youths and individuals.”

Sampa added ”Zingalume grounds ‘stadium’ therefore remains available now for development and chancers or ones I am calling political ‘Kapyopyos’ (like Mr Venny Musonda) and others. They should not wait for me to
start my DIY works here before they wake up and ‘Fly Without Wings’ to the work site as Katyetye Birds like they are attempting to do at the Matero stadium. They can be original and start own greenfield projects in Matero where every dot in the Constituency is still yearning for development.”

FORMER UPND vice-president Canisius Banda says any chief who promotes the interests of another ethnicity other than his or her own must be dethroned.

And Banda says there is nothing wrong Paramount Chief Chitimukulu did by asking the people of Northern Province to emulate Tongas in the 2021 general election because that is the duty of any traditional leader.

In an interview, Banda argued that chiefs were tribalist by definition, and that their role was to promote their ethnicity, which was why traditional leaders must always use the language of their ethnicity when performing official duties.

“By definition, a chief is a tribalist. Any chief that promotes the interests of another ethnicity other than his or her own must be dethroned. So, there is utterly nothing wrong with what Paramount Chief Chitimukulu Kanyanta Manga Henry Sosala said or did for his ethnicity apart from the fact that he said it in, or punctuated his speech with English. Whenever performing his official function as chief, he must always use the language of his ethnicity, and this applies to all other chiefs. Look, the Chitimukulu has his own people; he’s a chief, isn’t he? He is connected to his people by blood. His jurisdiction is his people. So, it is within his jurisdiction and the interest of his ethnicity that he promotes the interests of his own ethnicity. There is nothing wrong with the Chitimukulu urging his people to turn up in large numbers and vote, and there is nothing wrong with him telling his people to compete in elections and see his people support those, who compete because he is speaking for his people,” Banda said.

“He cannot speak for Lozis, can he? No, he can’t, and he cannot speak for Tongas. So, he is speaking for those he presides over, his ethnicity. So, if he is speaking for his ethnicity, he’s sticking to his lane and nobody should be hurt by that, that’s what a chief does. A chief is not a president; a chief has a tribe and whatever he does, his walking, his speech and his dressing…it should all reflect his ethnicity. Okay? So, you should also tell him not to speak in English when he addresses his people. You should say, ‘Canisius Banda says ba Chitimukulu Kanyanta Manga, when you are performing your official duties, stop using English. Use your ethnic language, use Ichibemba’.”

Banda observed that Zambia was a multi-ethnic society in which every chief had to strive to promote the interest of their own ethnicity, adding that any traditional leader who failed to do this deserved to be dethroned.

“There are ethnicities in this country; there is no way a Tonga chief is going to be promoting the interest of Chewas. Chiefs have got their own jurisdictions and they have their own job descriptions and they must speak to those. Do not mistake a chief for an MP or a councilor or a Republican President. If a President was talking about promoting a Lozi, saying only a Lozi should become President, that would be wrong. But if a chief, a Bemba chief is saying, ‘you Bembas must stand, and you Bembas should vote for a Bemba when he stands’, that’s what a chief does,” Banda said.

“Zambia is a multi-ethnic society. So, if a Bemba person stands in an election, other Zambians will look at him and say, ‘ababene aba baiminina nomba aba bushe balikwata amano, bushe nabeshiba bwino bwino ifyakutungulula abantu (is this person vying for this position reasonable enough? Does he have any idea on how to lead people)?’ And then, they will evaluate for themselves whether or not the guy qualifies to govern or not, because voting in the end is about merit; do you deserve? Do you respect other people? Are you wise? That’s why voting is not just done in Kasama where chief Chitimukulu is, it is done countrywide. This means that the views of one chief are neutralized by the views of the rest of the country. So, if somebody from a particular ethnicity stands, it’s not just that ethnicity, which will vote. And you will find from the same ethnicity, even if the chief says, ‘vote for this one’, they don’t do that, they go against the chief and vote according to their convictions.”

He insisted that every chief needed to promote the interests of their own people.

“A chief must promote the interests of his or her ethnicity, that’s the responsibility of a chief. If he begins to speak on behalf of another ethnicity, such a chief must be dethroned,” said Banda.

The Zambia Road Safety Trust (ZRST) is the Nation’s leading road safety charity, which was founded in 2014 and has over 1,000 members and supporters. Over the years, we have supported the Government to take concrete action for safer roads, and reduce the tragedy of deaths and injuries on Zambia’s roads. Our central mission is to make Zambia’s roads safe, accessible, and enjoyable for people of all ages and abilities.

Just like any concerned citizen, we are deeply concerned about the continued unabated road accidents involving your buses. And this letter is in response to the recent accident involving one of your buses which happened this month on 2nd May 2020 in Manyinga District of North Western Province. Unfortunately, this tragic incident led to the loss of 4 lives, including one of your drivers, leaving the other 15 people with life-changing injuries. ZRST wish to offer our heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the victims.

But this was just one of many road accidents involving your buses happening on a regular basis. We are highly disappointed by the missed opportunities to advance road safety in your company and the many lives lost or severely altered because you have failed to learn from your previous mistakes. In each of those road accidents, involving your buses, there has been strong evidence of lax road safety adherence, inaction, and failure to protect road users on many levels.

ZRST is disturbed that every time one of your buses is involved in a tragic incident, the blame is put on your drivers, while you continue operating. But you as the owner, benefiting from the business, you must, as far as possible, make sure that neither employees (drivers) nor anyone else (passengers) is put at risk by your transport activities. Why do you always blame the drivers whom you hire? They must be skilled and trained but also controlled to ensure ever higher safety, as safety remains the number one characteristic of bus and coach transport. Your drivers are required to be in peak condition, rested and fit, to ensure the passengers in their care are never let down.

You must know that bus drivers are a special group of professional motorists that differ markedly from the population of car drivers in ways that are likely to affect their crash risk. They assume the added pressure of responsibility for passengers’ lives driving large, heavy buses that are constantly pulling in and out of traffic, sometimes in most built-up areas. They do much higher annual mileage than private drivers. Things such as bus schedules are likely to exert a strong influence on their driving behaviour.

ZRST is appealing to your conscious of the negative impact you as an individual is having on people’s lives and the legacy you want to be remembered for. The profit motive of your operations is destroying not only lives but also public spirit, dignity, property, and national development efforts. The physical damage is destroying victims’ mentality and spiritual strength for both the victims and their family members who are indirect victims. Your business has left many children to become orphans due to the deaths of their parents, and this circumstance shapes their future lives. This tragic status quo needs to change.

Please do everything in your power or seek advice to avoid this to happen in the future. Accidents are preventable and avoidable.

As ZRST, we are willing to support you in avoiding this by improving the road safety of your organisation.

Please consider this letter as a piece of friendly advice.

Yours sincerely,

Daniel

DANIEL MWAMBA

Chairman

Cc Minister of Transport & Communications

Director RTSA

PF DEPUTY national mobilisation chairperson Geoffrey Mwamba says Hakainde Hichilema should not get excited when three of his Facebook followers call him Bally because social media will not secure him the presidency.

And Mwamba says more UPND councillors are going to resign and join the PF because they have realized that their party leader is a selfish man who listens to nobody else’s opinion but his own.

In an interview, Mwamba, said social media cannot win Hichilema the presidency.

“Even in 2021, it will be a landslide victory because even doubting Thomases, now, will rally behind President Edgar Lungu! So, I think for me, Hakainde Hichilema should now start preparing for his retirement. After 2021, where does he go to? Already his supporters are fatigued with his style of leadership. I don’t even know where he is getting the idea that they are forming government [in 2021], how do you form government when your councillors are leaving you in your own strongholds? I really sympathize with HH, I don’t know where he’s getting that idea that they are going to form government,” GBM, who is a former UPND vice-president, said.

“For HH, he thinks what he sees on Facebook and social media is the reality. For him, he thinks Facebook and social media will win him the Presidency, but that is far from the truth! Hakainde should not get excited when three of his supporters call him Bally on Facebook because people on social media always create a situation as if they are more than 100, yet they are only three and when it comes to that day of voting, he will be disappointed! And he should have learnt a lesson from the 2015 and 2016 elections; we were thinking that we were going to win the Presidency, but what happened? We tumbled badly.”

GBM asked Hichilema to retire from active politics after losing next year’s polls.

“UPND has no direction. That party is only dependent on one Hakainde Hichilema. And the problem with Hakainde is that he doesn’t buy ideas from his members, not even his number two. I was his number two for a long time, but not even for a day did he buy an idea from me. Hakainde thinks he knows it all, but that kind of mentality in politics is totally wrong and selfish! If you want to succeed in politics, you ought to operate like President Edgar Lungu; President Lungu listens even to the lowest organs of the party, he has time for them and that is how a leader should be. That is why even the UPND councillors are now starting to realize that they are in a wrong place because our brother, Hakainde Hichilema, doesn’t want to listen to them,” GBM argued.

“I will tell you there was a situation, while I was in UPND, when councillors wanted to meet HH, but he refused to meet them. How can someone who is not even a sitting President, refuse to meet councillors? Councillors are the ones who are on the ground and they are his foot soldiers. So, if you don’t meet your foot soldiers when you are in the opposition, how are you going to achieve what you want to achieve? Councillors are the people who interact with the citizenry. So, what you’ve seen with councillors resigning now is just a tip of the iceberg, more councillors are yet to resign from UPND. What does that tell Zambians? Zambians should realize that those who think that Hakainde Hichilema will form government one day are far from that truth because people have realized that the leadership of President Edgar Lungu is the right leadership. President Lungu is the humble servant of the Zambian people.”

Meanwhile, GBM condemned Mazabuka UPND member of parliament Gary Nkombo for allegedly threatening civil servants in the country that his party would fire them once in office.

“How do you form a government when you start threatening your supporters to say, ‘when we come into power, we shall fire you?’ To me and to the general populous, he’s not talking about those who are resigning; he’s talking about even the entire civil service. So, this means that people should be worried about that statement, that is loaded, it means a lot and Zambians should wake up! UPND is saying that the entire civil service will be kicked out! So, civil servants, is that the kind of leadership you are looking for, one that will wipe you out?” asked GBM.

“In 2011, when we came into power, late president Sata didn’t fire the civil service. President Sata only asked the civil servants to be loyal to the PF administration, that’s all. So, I think that statement by Honourable Gary Nkombo is very unfortunate, especially that it’s coming from a person, who is a high-ranking party official of those who are trying to come into power. But I think Zambians are able to judge for themselves, all I can say is that, that statement is overloaded for the civil service of the country.”

Zambia’s Attorney General has clarified that the retirement age for public service workers remain 65 years with an exercisable option of retiring early at 55 years.

In an advisory to the public service, Likando Kalaluka stated that the recent Konkola Copper Mines PLC case decided by the Court of Appeal in 2018 must be understood within the context in which it was litigated as it involved an issue of parties who had signed a contract of employment which provided for retirement age.

The Attorney General said employees in the public service do not sign any contract that contain a clause on the retirement age and that retirement age is regulated by statute.

In summary, the Konkola Copper Mines case does not apply to employees who have not signed contracts with retrenched or retirement age of 55 years. Public service employees’ retirement age has always been set by statute and will continue to be set by Statute as and when amended.

In a commentary on this position, legal commentator Isaac Mwanza said what would be relevant to consider when dealing with the statute’s application is which date should be considered, whether the date of employment or termination of employment. If it’s the latter, then there is no retrospective effect since the law to be applied will be that existing at the time of termination.

Mr. Mwanza noted that in the case to do with terminating an employment by giving a reason involving Spectra Oil Zambia Limited case decided in 2018, the Court of Appeal used the date of termination despite the employee having been employed in 2012.

“These is no authoritative date to pick in determining this matter and that is why the Supreme Court needs to clean up the Konkola Copper Mines case. Relying on the obiter dictum by the Court of Appeal that the amendment had retrospective effect is problematic on its own.”

Mr. Mwanza said if the consideration is about the date of termination, the issue of retrospectivity does not arise. It is simply the issue of applying the existing law. The effect of this would entail that Konkola was wrongly decided as it was based on the date of the contract as opposed to the date of termination when the law on retirement age had since changed.

By Melony Chisanga – Mast Newspaper.

There is a Tonga adage that says “muyanda ngowajisi nguwali sulwe”, laterally interpreted as what you thought was a mere root as you were digging a hare from a hole was actually the leg of the hare. Ever heard about it? My discourse on Vantage Point this week focuses on the stone that the builders rejected, which now has proven to be the headstone of the corner.

Electronic media has its own way of disseminating, promoting, augmenting and propagating issues perceived to be of public interest. Of late, the social side of the electronic media has been awash with BALLY hashtags from the cross section of the Zambian users. Knowing the multifaceted applicability of the term BALLY, it took me a bit of time to understand the precise context in which it was being used this time around.

He has been ridiculed for all people would like, he has been called a thief without a single court conviction, he has been called a Mason despite confessing his faith, he has been called stingy for being a camera-shy philanthropist, he has been called a cow despite being more human than most of his accusers, he has been called a villager by those who found him already living in the city when they came, he has been called tribal by those whose daily bread is spewing regional hatred, even when he himself has been preaching national unity at every opportunity.

If there are politicians who have been abused in Zambia, there is one who dwarfs them all in every sense of the vice. Very interesting to note though, is the way he has reacted to all this inhumane treatment he has suffered at the hands of those that do not even qualify to be his house helps. Save for a few like Chilufya Tayali, who wept like a toddler at the sight of a doctor with a syringe, begging for forgiveness, he has seldom responded to personal attacks.

Dead to all maneuvers by different regimes to discourage him from realising his dream to deliver his country from the jaws of poverty, HH has proven to be the epitome of consistency and determination. From the time he appeared on the Zambian political scene in 2001, this is the politician who has not departed an inch from his message for Zambians. His political doctrine looks to be cast in stone.

For those who care to follow the political path through which this country has moved since the dawn of this millennium, can someone mention the political parties and their presidents, that have since come and gone? Plenty, aren’t they? How about those whose existence at the barest minimum hardly goes beyond their ability to renew their registration with the Registrar of Societies and at most play surrogacy to the ruling party of the day?

It is not by sheer chance that the UPND has been able to survive the challenges of being in opposition for this long. With all the political turbulences that the UPND has been able to survive over the years and the leadership of one man, it would absolutely be in order for one to suppose that this is all down to a combination of the patience and resilience of the man at the helm.

Seeing how HH has been able to gel the official opposition party in this country against the increasingly hostile odds, has he not been vindicated from the assertion by his haters that his ascension to the party presidency was not based on merit but tribe? There is a Bemba adage that says, “icikwanka bacimwena kumpalanya”, interpreted as you shall know them by their fruits. Where are all those that left the UPND on account of tribal business?

Fair enough! Unpalatable words could have been used by some individuals in regard to the filling of the void left by the party founder, Mr Anderson Mazoka, after his demise. But how long shall we as a country deny ourselves the services of this son of the soil on account of the careless talk of some individuals, some of whom could even be dead by now? How long shall we hold ourselves ransom to the careless talk of some people?

Realising how unbeatable and unstoppable he has been in issue-based political campaigns, his political opponents have, for the longest time, sought to drown his voice of reason in the pool of their tribal smear campaign. They have successfully managed to hoodwink some gullible citizens to buy into their hate speeches, convincing many to believe that they would suffer if HH became Republican president, dog, my cat!

Most recently to be seen propagating this mundane tribal sermon in front of his own grandchildren somewhere was someone as grown up and educated as Christopher Yaluma. Seeing a man of his social standing shamelessly engage in such decisive talk in public made me imagine how safe this country is with men of his calibre as leaders. He is such an insult not only to his appointing authorities but also to both parenthood and education, isn’t he?

Unfortunately, enough for those that have been clinging to tribalism as their political trump card, Zambians have moved on. With all the economic variables yo-yoing in instability due to poor management and the entire economy teetering at the verge of total collapse, Zambians have in retrospect found the prime enemy responsible for their suffering; themselves.

For reasons that should be obvious, one of the most dangerous of foes is the one within. Had we not allowed politicians to play on our minds and alienate us at almost every level of possible unity, our situation would not have been this shameful. As if blinded by a spell, it has taken the people of Zambia a really long time to realise that the potential solution to our almost collapsing economic building is actually the brick that the builders have been ignoring.

In his usual unrelenting style, HH has for the past 14 years been trying to explain to us Zambians the right way government is supposed to handle national affairs. Regardless of the insults he has received for saying sensible things, he has not been discouraged. Has he not been justified to those that have been vilifying him as speaking out of bitterness, seeing that his message is not only in conformity with that of civil society, but is also nothing but the truth.

In his individual capacity, HH has, for as long as many have known him, been their a role model in many aspects of his life. To the business world, he has been one of the reference point of excellence. To the corporate world, the hope of life outside formal employment and to families, a testimony of the possibility of uprightness in riches. What personal issues do you then have with him?

For the sake of our country, won’t we for once give way to reason and stop attaching personal feelings in matters that merely require our logical thinking? I have heard someone say, “ I cannot vote for so and so because I hate him naturally”. What does love and hate have to do with national governance? I have also heard someone reducing the choice of a president to such things as personal looks and how someone dresses. What is wrong with us?

My message to the UPND leader is that the political cataract has fallen from the eyes of the majority of Zambians. They have seen your consistency and persistence in matters that have been affecting this country. They have also seen the precision with which things that you have predicted have come to pass.

As things stand, you are the cornerstone that we have rejected all these years, that through your consistency and by your hard-to-crash personality, has proven to be the headstone that will save this building called the Zambian economy from tumbling into ruins. Your political clout has festered throughout the country and people are yearning to hear your voice of hope.

The crucial thing to do between now and 2021 is to find ways to make the bonfire around which your supporters are gathered even bigger, and sustain its flames till election time. Many people are willing to come and warm their hope around your fire of hope but there are a lot of barriers that are hindering them.

Please open all the gangways to your fireplace and allow all those who have been left in the cold by the regime, whose hearts are heavy laden with economic maladies to come and re-energise their hope for the help that you have been saying is coming sooner than later.

To achieve this, please charge your ranks to be more accommodative to new comers. Let them be the stepping stones, and not the stumbling blocks to those who may want to join your family, which had been growing at the speed of knots of late.

Even as an away team, you are on the front foot and because the home team is defending from their eighteen yard box, they are already down by two own goals. All that is needed is to “faka pressure”, continue putting pressure because even as chances of more own goals from your panicking opponents are get extremely higher.

If you think l am speaking from without, just look at how your Bally1 name has taken the entire country by storm. Within days of its coining, it was running riot across all the social media platforms. Such ripple effects can only be a sure feedback of how ripe the harvest is.

Though your opponents may seek to downplay its impact, trust me it keeps them awake at night. The game is entirely yours to lose, you can trust the signal. Hoping you will heed my advice and win, I can’t wait for my I-told-you-so moment with you Bally1.

melonychisanga@gmail.com

If there has been a time so traumatizing in the civil service for any civil servant aged 55 years and above is now. These gallant soldiers in the civil service need prayers, sympathy, empathy, counselling among other comforting things.

BACKGROUND

In November 2014 the then acting President Dr Guy Scott signed Statutory Instrument (SI) No. 63 of 2014 to effect the change of retirement age from 55 to 65 years. Then ZCTU Secretary General Roy Mwaba opposed to the decision saying that it contradicted the constitution.

In 2015, President Edgar Chagwa Lungu directed that SI No. 63 of 2014 be changed to give three retirement options which included 55 years early, 60 years normal and 65 as late retirement age. What followed was that all civil servants were made to sign forms indicating their preferred age of retirement from the three options. Majority young civil servants chose 60 and those who were about to retire including those in management opted to retire at 65.

It must be noted that the changes to retirement age led to a rise in legal battles. Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) Plc was taken to court by some miners who were retired at the age of 55 as they contended that the law allows them retire at 55, 60 or 65. The court of appeal _ Supreme Court ruled in favour of KCM that those who were employed before 2015 have to retire at the age of 55 as the law can’t be backdated.

Following the Supreme Court’s ruling, the Civil Servants and Allied Workers Union of Zambia (CSAWUZ) wrote the Permanent Secretary _ Public Service Management Division Mr Boniface Chimbwali seeking clarification. In response, the PS guided that there are three retirement options available. These are early, normal and late retirement. However, the PS further indicated that ANY AMENDMENTS will be communicated accordingly. We want to believe that the amendments have now come, “Civil servants who
started work before 2015 must retire at the age of 55”.

To this effect, Civil Service Commissions among them the Judicial Service and Teaching Service have issued guidance that retirement age for those who started work before 2015 is 55.

EFFECTS ON CIVIL SERVANTS

It must be noted that civil servants were ready to retire at the age of 55 but were asked to continue working. Some even requested for early retirement (at 55) but were denied. As a result, they switched off their minds from retirement. This made some civil servants even get loans with the hope of paying in full at the age of 65 as they were given 10 more years.
Most of these civil servants are now in the age range of 55 to 60. To be told that they retired 5 years ago is something difficult to handle. They are asking themselves such questions as; Will the salaries paid to them in the extra years be deducted from their retirement package? If so, did they work for free?

We see another case joining that of former Cabinet Ministers who are yet to refund the state despite the Constitution Court ruling. This directive to retire all those who are 55 years and above will affect more than 16000 civil servants.

As we write now, the more than 16000 civil servants are traumatised are being psychologically tortured. Trade unions negotiations can’t change anything as no one is above the law. The only option available for the affected civil servants is to take their employer to court as they were made to sign documents to choose when they want to retire. But even this route will yield less.

Our appeal to the employer is that pay the affected civil servants immediately you retire them as they are already in anguish. Any delay in paying them will lead to them to the grave early. Most of these suffer from BP.
© ZEIC 2020