VETERAN politician Vernon Johnson Mwaanga says it is foolish to pretend that all is well in the country when the economy is in intensive care unit and elections are not being held in a free and fair manner.

And Mwaanga has advised President Edgar Lungu to institute an inquiry into gassing as well as seek advice from former finance ministers Ng’andu Magande and Dr Situmbeko Msokotwane on how to fix the economy.

Meanwhile, Mwaanga says mediocre leadership in African countries is worsening the living standards of the continent’s people.

In a statement titled “Worrying Trends on Africa’s Horizon”, Sunday, Mwaanga said the rapid weakening of the Kwacha against other currencies was a source of worry.

“The economy is in the intensive care unit. Annual GDP growth of a meagre 2% or marginally above, when the population is growing at marginally above 3% is of no comfort. Latest inflation figures of 13.9%, rapid weakening of the kwacha against other currencies, is a major source of concern and worry. The cost of living has gone up and so have the costs of mealie meal, electricity, fuel, public transport, among many others. It is important to bear in that all this is happening against the backdrop of public servants, government aided universities and other government aided institutions, foreign service officers, being paid their salaries and allowances late- causing immense hardship to families. No one should pretend that all is well in country. It would foolish to do so,” Mwaanga said.

Mwaanga also expressed displeasure over the manner in which the Chilubi by-election was conducted.

“When I met one of Africa’s greatest sons Kwame Nkrumah in Conakry, Guinea, in 1970 at his seaside resort, I used the occasion to ask him what he thought would be Africa’s main challenge going forward. His answer was simple and categorical. He said that “it is leadership decline my son. I fear that the new crop of leaders who take over from us the founding fathers will betray the people of Africa and begin to work for themselves, their families and friends, instead of working for the people”. What foresight! This is exactly what is happening in many parts of Africa. We have seen many African countries reluctantly come out of one party regimes, to embrace multiparty democracy, including Zambia, but many of the players in this multiparty dispensation do not understand and are still confused about their own roles. Recently in Zambia, we had a parliamentary by-election in Chilubi, where leaders of opposition political parties, were being hounded out of the Constituency by the police, simply because President Edgar Lungu was going to be in the area. I have read and re-read the Electoral Act and have not come across a provision in the Electoral Act which says that when the Republican President is campaigning in a particular Province, District or Constituency, no other political party leaders are allowed to campaign there,” he stated.

“During the days of MMD rule, when I was Chairman of the Campaign Committee, we used to have our Republican President, campaigning in the same cities with opposition party leaders, such as the late Michael Sata, the founding President of the Patriotic Front, the late Anderson Mazoka, the founding President of UPND and the late General Christon Tembo, the founding President of FDD. We did not see any mischief in this. We saw it as a way of levelling the campaign playing field, for all participants, which is necessary for the holding of free and fair elections. With the advent of tripartite elections in 2021, it is absolutely necessary for a number of electoral issues to be urgently addressed and resolved, to create an atmosphere for the holding of free, fair and credible elections, which meet international standards. Amending the Constitution of Zambia, after little or no consultations with the main stakeholders is not the way to go. Increasing the number of members of Parliament, when providing support to existing ones is already a major challenge, points to a serious mis allocation of national priorities. Malawi, which has a population of more than 2 million people more than Zambia, has a Parliament of 193 members.”

And Mwaanga said he could not recall any kind of madness like gassing since independence.

“To add insult to injury, we now have the senseless and so far unexplained gassing of innocent citizens, including school children, which is taking place in many parts of our country. I cannot recall this kind of madness since independence in 1964. Our political leaders seem content to making accusations against each other. There is an obvious lack of trust among our leaders, which is understandable, largely due to the absence of national dialogue among our leaders, which was a common feature during the rule of MMD,” Mwaanga stated.

“Going forward, we should have an independent inquiry, comprising Eminent foreign and Local persons, into the gassing, which is a new phenomenon in country. We need regional bodies like the African Union and SADC, to activate their preventive mechanisms and send their special emissaries to help our leaders to meet and resolve most if not all outstanding issues, in the greater interests peace and harmony in our country. The preventive mechanisms in these institutions, were set up for this very purpose.”

Meanwhile, Mwaanga urged President Lungu to consult Magande and Dr Msokotwane on how to fix the economy.

“I would like to see President Lungu, invite distinguished former Ministers of Finance like Ng’andu Magande and Dr Situmbeko Musokotwane, to discuss and advise in private, how best our economic problems can be dealt with for the betterment of our country at large. These are Patriotic Zambians and I am sure they will not decline such an advisory role,” he stated, further condemning tribalism.

“Tribal and hate speeches should have no room in Zambia and those who make them must be severely punished. They grossly undermine the national motto of one Zambia, one nation, which has served our country well since 1964. I can recall that our first President Dr Kenneth Kaunda, dismissed a cabinet Minister who had made a tribal statement, within a few hours after he had made it. Where has the spirit of love, kindness, tolerance and forgiveness gone? What demons have come to our country, which was once regarded as an oasis of peace and tranquillity? Let us all examine our hearts and minds, so that we all become agents of positive change and progress for all Zambians and I mean all Zambians and not just a few.”

Mwaanga observed that Africa was going through difficult times.

“Africa is going through very difficult times. We face economic challenges, democracy deficits, high population growth, high unemployment particularly among the youth, mediocre leadership, corrupt regimes which have allowed leaders to amass ill gotten wealth at the expense of their people, huge national debt levels which have become unsustainable, declining education and health infrastructure, shrinking space for press freedom, among many others. We even have African leaders who have been altering their dates of birth and tampering with their national Constitutions just to continue running for office. We have had leaders rigging elections with the complicity of their compromised electoral Commissions and then preventing those who have lost Presidential elections from being heard in courts of law, as laid down by the main law of the land -namely the Constitution. The judiciary in many countries has become an enemy of the people, with a few exceptions, like Kenya and Malawi, where the Judiciary strictly interpreted the law, even in the face of huge bribes which were offered to the Judges, but rejected by them. Parliaments have been used to stifle and even to pass laws which are against the people, using the tyranny of Parliamentary majority,” stated Mwaanga.-ND

Lusaka Province UPND chairman Obvious Mwaliteta says PF officials must refrain from attacking Hakainde Hichilema because he is not involved in their failure to effectively run the country.

And Mwaliteta says police officers are not mandated to shoot a civilian who is unarmed.

Speaking when some bus drivers joined the UPND, Sunday, Mwaliteta said it was uncalled for that PF officials were attacking Hichilema on a daily basis instead of talking about the poverty that was obtaining in the country.

“Colleagues, don’t talk about HH. Talk about the problems the country is facing. Leave HH alone, leave him alone, you’re already driving the flags, fix the economy of the country, pay the lecturers, invest in research and development. Look at China, they just invested in technology, they did a lot of research, where are they today? Today China, that’s where we can even borrow the money that has even put us in problems today but what are we doing about it?” Mwaliteta asked.

“We are asking that sir, please look at the plight of Zambians today, Zambians are really suffering. This is my earnest appeal, stop talking about HH, tell your ministers to refrain from talking about HH that, HH this, no, HH is not involved in this poverty, HH is not even involved in your failure to deliver fertilizer on time, HH is not part is not of this problem where you don’t even know where this Dollar is going to reach when we reach next year, this Dollar might go to K22, even K25 because this problem, no one knows what to do. May the Almighty God enter your hearts, Lusambo, ba Kampyongo, even your walking has changed, you’re walking like you own Zambia.”

Mwaliteta said the PF’s number one enemy was poverty.

“HH is the only leader who is going to liberate this country. I know Ba GBM siba na tenge che aba ma (GBM did not just go with some) youths, we were also called, can you join us, can you join us, to join what? I left PF, I was not fired. I was a minister when I left PF. What has changed? What has changed now is poverty. So, the greatest enemy of PF is poverty, the cost of living in this country. We cannot pretend, we are all suffering. Even here where we are Bwana SG, if I say let’s stand up and search each other, no one here has more than K100 here, wonse bali nama K50 (people only have K50), ma transport money to go back home,” he said.

“How do you rule the country with people that are so much in poverty yet you are driving ma VX, you are driving ma Range Rover, ma Bugatti yayambo ngena manje. It’s uncalled for, it’s uncalled for. You are the ones that are on the driving seat, but it’s like you can’t see, the windscreen is shattered. You don’t know what to do now. The country is in trouble. Can you sit down and start thinking how you can help us as we are going towards 2021? After 2021, you won’t be responsible, because HH will be responsible for this country, but for now, we ask you, can you remove that shattered windscreen, put another windscreen so that you are able to see how people are suffering in this country? It’s so painful that today the Dollar is at K15. So if the Dollar is at K15, next week they have to increase fuel whether they like it or not, because the Dollar has risen. So we are in trouble as a country.”

He lamented that marketeers were losing their sources of income because malls had mushroomed even in the compounds.

“You can’t destroy everything. You can’t destroy agriculture, you can’t destroy the economy. Today, what we are seeing bwana SG wherever you go in the compounds, the markets, the marketers who were selling chiwawa can’t sell chiwawa anymore because just opposite the market there is a shopping mall, so Kuku compound in Chawama where the president comes from, just opposite Kuku compound there is a shopping mall, and these shopping malls they are also markets, they are also selling cabbage, they are also selling chiwawa the same way our mothers are selling in the markets. Now no one is buying, they are all rushing into the shopping mall. The little money that is suppose to circulate in Chawama now it’s going to these so-called investors that have brought these shopping mall,” Mwaliteta said.

“Take these shopping malls into certain areas, kwamene kuli ma some-of-us not in the compounds where people have to revolve the money within themselves and then you take away that money. You can’t do that. Stop targeting wrong people; stop targeting UPND on your mess. Do the right thing, you are there, why are you uncomfortable?”

And Mwaliteta said police were not mandated to shoot unarmed citizens.

“And I want to tell you, Kampyongo you were never at Home Affairs, I was at Home Affairs. Police officers are not mandated to shoot a person who is not armed, police officers are not mandated to shoot a civilian who is not armed! It doesn’t matter whether he has got a stone, whether he has a nkoli (walking stick), as long as what he has in the hands is not a gun, you cannot shoot, you’re not mandated to shoot a civilian. But today you’re justifying that they can shoot anyhow because you have wrong targets, you want to start scaring us the opposition that when Mwaliteta is shot, you will say that no, the police are mandated to shoot anyhow, no! They are not mandated to shoot civilians. It doesn’t matter whether it is a thief and he is carrying a fridge, as long as he is not carrying a gun, he cannot be gunned down, he can only be apprehended,” said Mwaliteta.

The government has sent a clear warning to members of the public who think belonging to a political party is insulation enough against the law when a crime is committed.

Minister in charge of Home Affairs Hon. Stephen Kampyongo says the government will not segregate but apply the law fairly on all individuals regardless of the political parties they belong to in an event that they engage in criminal activities such as murder or gassing.

Speaking to the Media after officiating at the Zambia Police Day Celebrations at National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka on Wednesday, under the theme, “2020 The Year To Enhance Operational Performance In Order To Provide Quality Service To The Public,” Hon. Kampyongo said police will not look at whether a suspect belongs to the opposition or ruling party when applying the law.

“We have made it categorically clear in our stance to bring law and order that those involved in any criminal activities will be persuaded as criminals first, secondly, the fact that someone belongs to the ruling party or any opposition political party you are not insulated because no one is above the law,” he stated.

Hon. Kampyongo strongly warned that no one involved in any criminal activities will go Scott-free as the police will apply the law to its full length regardless of political affiliation.

“If someone is a murder or gassing suspect we are not looking at any political affiliation but the activities committed because it is one thing to belong to a political party and another thing to be a law-abiding citizen,” he said.

He said that some people who claim to be members of the PF are in correctional facilities and have been tried in the courts of law and have been found guilty of breaching the law which is an indication that there is no selective justice.

And the Minister has asked the Inspector General of Police Mr. Kakoma Kanganja to ensure that individuals spreading falsehoods and hate speech on social media are pursued and made to account for their activities.

He said cyberbullying, hate speech and falsehoods are vices that cannot be allowed to take root in society.

“Wherever they are hiding smoke them out, be it Koswe or whatever they call themselves and make sure they account for their hate speech and falsehoods,” he ordered.

He said he and the police have a responsibility to protect members of the public regardless of their status and emphasized that he will not allow destabilizing the peace in the quest to protect citizens.

By Honourable Tutwa Ngulube

WHY WE NEED TO AMEND ARTICLE 72 OF THE 2016 CONSTITUTION

The People of Zambia decide which MP goes to Parliament and on which party Ticket. As MPs we cannot change or switch our allegiance when we get to Parliament. But given the 2016 Constitution in Article 72, that is very very possible.

Imagine putting yourself in the shoes of Hon. Dr. Kambwili where you are told you have won the case, but wait a minuet sir, sorry sir, you have lost the case.

Before we discuss the matter at hand allow me to state that the entire UPND has no numbers to impeach or even sustain any motion of impeachment before the house.

In fact the Judgment of the concourt has just created a New Lacuna in the constitution in that they too have not resolved the problem that was presented to them. This Judgment if not reviewed will cripple the power of the National Assembly which also gets its powers from the Constitution. This will be a huge blow to the independence of Parliament and the Powers of the Speaker which heads this House.

There is no country in the world where every decision to be made by the Speaker must first go to the Concourt. The Kambwili judgement must be looked at critically and carefully so.
The Concourt can only come in if an aggrieved party goes to court not the other way round. While we are trying to resolve Lacunae through Bill 10,new Lacunae have resurfaced.

INFACT it’s clear from Pages 37 to 40 of the Judgment, that an MP elected by Party A can become a member of Party B and cannot lose his seat because for the speaker to Rule that he has crossed the floor he will need to refer the matter to court. This will bring back the indiscipline that the people of Zambia wanted to end in their MP. We MPs are servants of the People and not our own bosses.

According to the judgment, it’s possible for an MP to be elected by his people and party and then while in Parliament becomes hungry and sells out to become a member of the other party and you end up having a seat being held by 2 parties the one that sebt you and the one you have joined. This is dangerous for democracy and until the Judgment is clarified, Mr Speaker will have no powers to discipline such MPs or to enforce the Constitutional provisions because it’s not clear whether he has powers to declare seats vacant or not.

The drama avoided by the concourt where they refused to uphold Kambwilis seat for fear of having two MPs was also wrong. THEY should have done the correct thing. The stopped short of feeling sorry for Chishala.

Although the Roan seat would have been held by both PF through Kambwili and Chishala under NDC, the reality is that Hon. KAMBWILI told Musenge that Musenge cannot fire the owner of the Party. We have now faced the reality. He was saying he was not NDC but its consultant but also he was the Owner of NDC. HOW CAN you be hw owner of a party but not being its member?

They had the power to nullify Chishalas seat but because Kambwili campaigned for Chishala they said they could not.

They appear to have left one window open for future problems because imagine two MPs wearing different party manifestos referencing one populace.

Lastly the fact that the judgment gave Kambwili back the seat and again gave it to Chisala shows that they decided for the voters . THE CONCOURT did not have that power they exercised. I have combed the constitution and have not seen such power.

It appears as though Even them as Concourt exceeded their powers and equally appear to have done exactly what the Speaker is accused of doing.

Hon. KAMBWILI presented 3 questions to the court. They refused to allow the 2 questions saying they were afraid they would be taking away the power of the High Court.

According to the 2016 Constitution the power to interpret the Constitution lies with the Concourt and not the High Court. So how was the High Court coming in?

In the case before it Hon. Kambwili did not allege violation of any of his rights under the Bill of right and the High court which has power to protect the rights under the Bill of rights did not have any window to use to come into this picture.

The Kambwili matter was a classic case of possible future pitfalls that must be buried before the 2021 elections. We hope and trust that for future cases the courts will shoot straight regardless of the potential casualty.

Hon. Kambwili should have been given back his seat or the court should have called for another election.The Seats in Parliament are given by the voters not the court.

If they had done so they would have created another problem because Hon. Chishala was not challenged by the Petitioner Hon. Kambwili. At every angle of this case, we must refine the 2016 Constitution to avoid draw game cases.

I Humbly submit and rest my case.

THE DEBATE OF PRESIDENT EDGAR LUNGU’S ELIGIBILITY IS A CLEAR SIGN THAT OPPOSITION AND IT’S AGENTS ARE SCARED OF ECL ON THE BALLOT – NATHAN CHANDA

….as he asks John Sangwa to advise opposition UPND to have democracy in their party according to article 60 of the Zambian constitution instead of misleading them about the candidature of President Lungu….

COPPERBELT. Wednesday, March 4th, 2020.

Patriotic Front Copperbelt Chairman Nathan Chanda has advised mr Sangwe not to be an hypocrite when interpreting the Zambian constitution. As a constitutional lawyer he must not mislead opposition political parties and Zambians over a matter to was before the courts before and let him avail his candidate for 2021 to the Zambian people instead of wasting time.

Mr. Chanda says the debate of President Edgar Lungu’s eligibility is a clear sign that the opposition and its agents are scared of Edgar Lungu on the ballot.

“The PF is respecting its constitution by holding intra party elections up to the convention unlike your political parties of choice who have never held any elections in line with the Article 60(2) D, political parties shall promote and practice democracy through regular, free and fair elections within the party but UPND has never had intra party elections for the past 20 years and has life President and you are very quiet as a constitutional lawyer, why? You just busy talking about Lungu, Lungu. What has President Lungu and the PF done to you kanshi?.”

He says the opposition now wants to divert the attention of the Zambian people to a debate that was cleared by the Constitutional Court.

“Ba opposition, ala mukose! This debate of Edgar Lungu’s eligibility is a clear sign that the opposition is dead scared of seeing the name Edgar Lungu on the ballot in 2021. But mukose, because you will see Edgar Lungu on the ballot and he will win the 2021 general elections,” Mr. Chanda said.

He said out of desperation, the opposition is now using political agents to give their own imagination of the judgement.

“It will not work. Even if the opposition gets political party agents in lawyers like John Sangwa, Linda Kasonde and others it will not work.”

He said the same lawyer claimed that Zambia is not in need of the new constitution amendment like the proposed bill 10 instead attend to economic issues but when it fits him is busy misleading people on constitutional matters to suit his personal needs.

He said this is why the Zambian people should support Bill 10 to end the lacunas in the constitution because the constitution must be straight forward on issues and stand a test of time.

“So it is important to all members of Parliament to support Bill 10 and take advantage so that all the lacunas in the constitution are addressed.”

Mr. Chanda said the PF will not be derailed by the opposition and its agents.

“…the party will not be derailed by the opposition. I want to urge our members in the Province to continue with our mobilization and remain focused and President Edgar Chagwa Lungu is and will be our Candidate come 2020 General Conference and 2021 General elections” Mr. Chanda said.

Issued by//

PF Copperbelt Media Team

By Parkie Mbozi

On 24 February 2020 Information and Broadcasting Minister Dora Siliya made an appearance on Prime TV, a private station. This was within 24 hours that opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) leader Hakainde Hachilema appeared on the same station for his ‘state of the nation address’, as some analysts called it.

For starters, I will not take away the accolades Hon Siliya was showered with for what observers described as a ‘mature’ and ‘objective’ elaboration of government position on gassing activities that had gripped the nation. Hitherto the issues attracted all manner of wild and ill-conceived and calculated accusations and counter accusations across political divides, even without merit nor evidence. Here is one of the accolades from his Royal Highness Senior Chief Mukuni, “For the first time I heard a minister speak wisely instead of finger pointing like others are doing against others when the police is still pursuing the matter. Please help me with her number if you can, I want to congratulate her.”

A statement like the following is what earned Hon Siliya the accolades, “What is happening in our country? I think to reduce it to just politics by us in government would not be the right thing. That’s why we are saying ‘let the police tell us.” She added, “These are criminal elements; there’s no excuse for politics here. Politicians are in the business of improving people’s lives. It is not for us in government to determine who is involved. We are waiting for the police to tell us and those people will go to court.”

It was hoped that these comments by the Chief Government Spokesperson would put finger pointing and knee-jerk reactions to gassing to rest.
On that score allow me to move on to the thesis (arguments) of my article: which is that Hon Siliya’s use of Prime TV is an indirect admission that the media resource at her free disposal (24/7), the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC), has lost credibility and ultimately audience reach. Some have argued that she used Prime TV back-to-back with Mr Hichilema’s address to the nation in order to bequeath government’s response to him. I will not dwell on this narrative for the moment.

I will maintain my line of thought that for the Government Spokesperson to turn to Prime TV to address the nation on gassing – a hot topical of the moment – is an indirect admission that private TV and radio stations have ‘stolen’ some of ZNBC’s audiences (viewers and listeners).

Here is why I proffer this narrative. First and foremost, ZNBC is the almighty in broadcasting, the mother of all broadcasting – radio and TV – in Zambia. Until 1994 when Radio Phoenix started operating as the first private commercial radio station in Zambia since independence, ZNBC – operating as Zambia Broadcasting Services until 1988 – was the only operator of both TV and radio in the country.

Even now with over 30 TV and 130 radio stations operated by private, commercial and community interests, ZNBC remains the almighty broadcaster and the only one benefitting from direct public support through state and Public Private Partnerships investment, direct funding and licences and levies. In fact, since the amendment of the Independent Broadcasting (IBA) Act in 2017, the IBA collects TV levies on behalf of ZNBC. Clearly no other broadcasting station – radio or TV – enjoys so much resources as ZNBC. It explains its unassailable and exclusive capacity to be in every province and almost every district of the country.

The ZNBC also enjoys almost exclusive rights as content provider under the digital migration arrangement. It is also the only one with a license to broadcast across all corners of the country. So, all things being equal, there should be no reason for the Chief Government spokesperson to turn to private media, in some cases at a fee, to proffer official statements.

Yet despite all this monumental infrastructure and capacity, there is one reality which is beyond ZNBC’s control: the audiences (you and I the listeners and viewers alike). Despite all the massive resources and inputs at ZNBC’s exposal, the final judgement is on the taste of their pudding: their programmes. That’s where the audiences come in. With the current plurality of radio and TV stations, the audiences choose whom to turn to fulfil their needs and wants. As argued by scholars of the Uses and Gratification theory (e.g. Katz et al, 1974; Papacharissi, 2008), the media fulfil the daily needs of the consumers of their messages beyond being informed, educated and entertained.
From a related theory known as selective exposure, we know from research that audiences select which medium or programme to expose themselves and pay attention to and messages to retain for future use based on their needs, wants and prejudices.

Dexter and White (1964) thus observes that, “Human attention is highly selective. People learn to focus their attention on those aspects of their environment on which the satisfaction of their (Immediate) needs is dependent.” Research based on this theory is therefore conclusive that when a media organisation is perceived to be biased by either not covering one segment of the population or being unfair to it, the followers of the aggrieved group are likely to shun that medium and its programmes.

In the case of the ZNBC, all the election monitors for the 2016, 2015 and even 2011 elections reported biased coverage of the opposition, who command support from at least half of the country going by the 2016 general election. It is, therefore, plausible to conclude that ZNBC has lost a sizeable audience segment to some private media, which are perceived to be fair and balanced. Hon Siliya, as a media professional, is probably aware of this. The admission of biased coverage was also recognised by former Permanent Secretary Chanda Kasolo, in his media statement quoted by News Diggers on 11 March 2019. Dr Kasolo was magnanimous enough to advise the national broadcaster to address the vice as stated below.

“I was there two days ago. I was speaking to the Director of Programmes and also my good friend who runs the Sunday Interview Mr. Zulu (Grevazio) and I said to them, it’s about time we started improving our outlook and image of ZNBC. We must allow the opposition to come on certain programmes and also out their views. We must allow debate between opposition and ruling party MPs and Ministers. And I know that my honourable Minister (Dora) Siliya is very keen that we do that. We discussed at length.”

Sadly, the perceived biased coverage and loss of audiences hurts advertising too, which is the main and traditional source of revenue for mainstream media. Yet the perceived benefit from coverage that only favours the ruling party has never been sustainable nor always effective, otherwise Dr Kenneth Kaunda and Mr Rupiah Banda would never have been kicked out of power.

On the flip side, the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) covers all the parties equally and fairly yet the ruling African National Congress (ANC) continues to be in power. Lesson: publish and leave it to the audiences – the masters – to judge. They are active and not unintelligent users of the media.

The author is media and communication scholar, research fellow and PhD candidate based in South Africa. He can be reached on: pmbozi5 AT yahoo DOTcom.

The Young African Leaders Initiative – YALI – has clarified that President Lungu’s eligibility to contest 2021 elections settled conclusively by the Constitutional Court which defined what a term of office is and what it means to hold office of President.

During a media briefing at Mika Lodge this morning, YALI President Andrew Ntewewe exclusively quoted page 83 in which the Court stated that “the Presidential term of office that ran from 25 th January, 2015 to 13 th September, 2016 and straddled two constitutional regimes cannot be considered as a full term.”

Mr Ntewewe also said the Court pronounced itself on what it means to hold office twice as stated by Article 106(3) of the Constitution when the Court clarified that a President can only hold office if he served a term of 3 years and above.

He said that page J82 of the Judgment, the Court said clauses in Article 106 cannot be isolated from each other in interpreting the article and that an interpretation of a constitutional provision that isolates the provisions touching on the same subject is faulty.

“Therefore, to state that Article 106 (3) applies to the term that straddled two constitutional regimes but that Article 106 (6) does not, is to isolate Article 106 (3) from the rest of the provisions in Article 106 which is untenable at law, and is at variance with the tenets of constitutional interpretation, as all the provisions on the tenure of office of the President must be read together. The provision regarding the full term must be applied to defining what is meant by twice held office under Article 106 (3) in interpreting the provisions of that Article,” read part of the Judgment

YALI has stated said the mere act of swearing-in a President once or twice does not constitute holding of office but that the length of time for which one was in office of the President determines whether a person held office or not.

Mr. Ntewewe gave an example of what the Court stated on page J78 that “under Article 106 (6) (b) it is now possible for one to occupy the office of President for a
2
period which is less than a full term in addition to two full terms of office. Meaning that a President can be in the office for a total of almost 13 years.”

Mr. Ntewewe said the Court was clear that a President can be sworn into office for 3 times during 13 years and constitutionally to be holding office twice as long as the other period he was sworn in was less than 3 years.

Mr. Ntewewe has since questioned the motive behind State Counsel John Sangwa’s approach and called on him to forever hold his peace if cannot respect the position and pronouncement of the Court, regardless of whether he disagrees with that position.

By James Kasanda Musendeka Lukuku, RPP President

LUNGU PAYING FOR EMBRACING CRIMINALS, YO’BALES AND EXEs. NAIVETY NA LEADERSHIP TAFYENDELANA

Look at the discipleship of the Christ. “I will convert you from being fishers of fish to fishers of men.”

In another verse, God converted a criminal named Saul, renamed him as Paul and entrusted him with a ministry more than two thousand years ago, and that ministry called Christianity still exists and is the way for salvation of man kind.

Edgar Lungu had no capacity, not even willingness to convert criminals that went to him. We can’t say that criminals deserves no chance in leadership, but like the bible demonstrates, criminals must first be converted and then given responsibilities.

Edgar found security in criminals. He found confidence and pride in being worshiped and surrounded by criminals. He gave the whole power of the copperbelt to criminals. He gave copper and all the power of copper to criminals so that they can use crime to defend and protect him.

Not only copperbelt. In central province, he allowed criminals to take up the kabwe black mountain. These are the criminals who followed me in Kabwe high court chambers with guns claiming to have been sent by tutwa ngulube when I appeared for a mention in a case that tutwa sued me. Criminals, following a person inside a high court chamber in broad day light and in full presence of the police.

Lungu embraced Intercity Bus terminus criminals. After assaulting, harassing, and butchering people, these intercity criminals found themselves at statehouse dinning table, from the country’s most respected dinning room.

Even at statehouse, Lungu found pride and comfort in maintaining a criminal named Kaizer, as his adviser for politics.

Kaizer could go round threatening people with open gun shots and beating up people. He then could return to statehouse and find President Lungu waiting and clapping for him.

A government of criminals for criminals and by criminals.

The Price!

Widespread gassing. Hundreds of innocent people have died due to the carelessness of President Lungu. If he listened when we advised him to emulate Mwanawasa, RB, KK and FTJ, the presidents who picked mature people to guide them, we could not have come to this pathetic end. We were called names each moment we advised. President Lungu could laugh wide all his teeth out in presence of criminals who went back to the copperbelt and used his name to commit crimes against people who voted for him.

All issues of the tokota boys are inter-chained and inter-linked to pf youths embraced by Lungu.

Only fools and idiots can pray for continuation in office of such a president who lacks sensitivity.

I have never read about such an insensitive president who could blatantly endanger the lives of the very citizens he swore to protect.

What a pathetic President! Any way bye! How many months remaining by the way!

*James Kasanda Musendeka Lukuku, RPP President*

Pressure has continue to mount to have Speaker of the National Assembly resign following a court ruling Monday.

The Constitutional Court ruled that Dr Matibini violated the constitution by declaring the Roan constituency seat vacant when the matter was in court.

Some Civil Society organisations and NDC leader Chishimba Kambwili who had taken the matter to court have demanded that Dr. Matibini steps down.

Kambwili says though the Constitutional Court could not offer an remedy for what they referred to as fear of creating a constitution crisis of having two MPs for Roan, he has vowed to fight and get what is due to him.

His party, NDC has demanded that Dr Mtabini resigns or be forced out through an impeachment.

The NDC made the demands in a press Statement below:

Speaker of the National Assembly must resign or be impeached

2nd March 2020

Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Patrick Matibini must resign or be impeached for: Abuse of office, gross misconduct, Constitutional Violation and Contempt of Court. This is involving the land mark judgement in which the Constitutional Court has ruled against the speaker’s decision to expel Hon. Chishimba Kambwili from Parliament by declaring his seat vacant, thereby triggering a parliamentary by-election.

Hon Patrick Matibini, Speaker of the National Assembly, on 27 February 2019, unconstitutionally declared the Roan constituency seat vacant in a manner that saught to cure his own perceived lacuna. An exercise that can only be done by the Constitutional Court. By doing this, the Speaker breached the constitutional provisions by conferring on himself powers only given to courts and are not prescribed for him.

Secondly, this was in direct contempt of court, when he declared the seat vacant, even when he was fully aware that Dr Kambwili’s court case was pending determination before the constitutional court. This was abuse of his office and gross misconduct. Contempt of court is a punishable offence which can come with a jail sentence.

“In accordance with Article 83 (1) of the 2016 amended Constitutional) which states that a Member of Parliament, supported by at least one-third of the Members of Parliament, may move a motion for the removal of the Speaker, alleging that the Speaker has violated this Constitution or committed gross misconduct”

No individual is above the law, not even the speaker of the National Assembly or the president of the republic of Zambia.The Speaker intentionally failed to uphold his constitutional mandate and oath of office as demanded.

The Speaker exceeded his constitutional powers, and his decision was sub-judice when he decided on a matter that was already in court.

Our demand is that the Speaker must resign or face impeachment proceedings and be prosecuted for abuse of office, constitutional violation and gross misconduct.

Issued by
Saboi Imboela
Spokesperson NDC

Mike Tyson broke down in tears as he opened up on how retiring from boxing has left him feeling like a shell of the man who once ruled the heavyweight division.

The former undisputed world champion hung up his gloves back in 2005 after a 20-year career, in which he won the WBA, WBC and IBF belts, and 50 of his 58 fights.

But 15 years on, Tyson is still battling his mental demons as he struggles to come to terms with the fact he will never compete in the ring again.

Speaking during the latest episode of his podcast Hotboxin’, the Baddest Man on the Planet welled-up as he told legendary boxer Sugar Ray Leonard how he feels about himself – and the man he once was.

Tyson admitted to being ’empty’ and feeling like he was ‘nothing’ because he is no longer the most feared fighter in the world.

‘I’m a f***ing student of war,’ said Tyson, who has battled mental health problems for years, and in January said he had ‘lost the will to live’ at his lowest point.

‘I know all the warriors. From Charlemagne to Achilles – the number one warrior of all warriors – and then Alexander and Napoleon, I know them all. I read about them all. I studied them all. I know the art of fighting, I know the art of war, that’s all I ever studied.

‘That’s why I’m so feared, that’s why they feared me when I was in the ring. I was an annihilator. It’s all I was born for.

‘Now those days are gone. It’s empty, I’m nothing. I’m working on the art of humbleness.

‘That’s the reason I’m crying because I’m not that person no more, and I miss him.’

Tyson remains the youngest fighter to ever win a world heavyweight title, having begun his domination of the division by beating Tevor Berbick in 1986 when he was just 20 years old.

After winning his first 19 fights by knockout, 12 of them in the first round, he developed a reputation as the most powerful puncher in boxing.

Explaining why the discussion had left him in tears, Tyson, 53, added: ‘Because sometimes I feel like a b***h, because I don’t want that person to come out because if he comes out, hell is coming with him.

‘And it’s not funny at all. I sound cool, like I’m a tough guy (but) I hate that guy. I’m scared of him.’

ZAMBIA POLICE STOP PLAYING DIRTY POLITICS WHERE NATIONAL SECURITY IS CONCERNED!!
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Where Is The Masterminder? Who and Where Is The Deputy Masterminder Through Whom The Funds Were Being Channeled As Reported By IG Kakoma Kanganja? Why Isn’t The Zambia Police Telling The Nation The Truth? Are They Conspiring With The Criminals To Cause Civil Unrest? Who did Spax kill for him to be charged with murder?
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HAVE THE POLICE WARNED AND CAUTIONED SPAX OF MURDER OR THEY HAVE CHARGED SPAX WITH MURDER AND HE HAS TO APPEAR IN COURT?? WHEN IS HE APPEARING IN COURT? AND WHO DID SPAX KILL?
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Anyone who kills his fellow human being in Zambia is charged with murder and other related offenses and must appear in court in due course for possible sentencing. The Police always tells the nation who was murdered? why? when? and where? age and his/her residential address. This is what the Police have done in the past whenever there was such cases of murder and other related offenses.

Today Zambians are being murdered in cold bloods, gassed in their own homes, and terrorised in their own country by people only known by the government of Zambia that includes the Zambia Police, the President, and all Patriotic Front PF officials.

What is of great concern and extreme worry is that the government of the Patriotic Front PF have mocked Zambians and have subjected them to inhuman treatment? How can they claim to know the criminals when they are failing to disclose the truth? When they can’t take the suspects to court? When they are refusing to disclose a political party or person behind these crimes? What does this mean?

Now that the POLICE have arrested the Coperbelt commander of criminals, someone who unlawfully wears Zambia Army Uniforms, brandishes guns anyhow, the Patriotic Front PF have rose to defend him by giving false information to the public. Aren’t they in contempt for giving false information?

CONTRARY TO WHAT WE KNOW, WHAT DO THE POLICE MEAN BY STATING THAT:

1. They have “warned and cautioned” Baba Kabaso Mulenga commonly known as Spax of Chingola on the Copperbelt for one count of Murder which occurred in Chingola on the Copperbelt contrary to section 200 Cap 87 of the Laws of Zambia.

2. Zambia Police Service has further “warned and cautioned” for one count of Unauthorized use of Uniforms contrary to section 6 (i)(a) of the National Security Act Cap 111 of the Laws of Zambia. What’s the meaning of this language “WARNED AND CAUTIONED”?

If Spax is not the Mastermind of the unprecedented killings and gassing of Zambians as being assumed by the people then who is the mastermind of these heinous crimes? The Police has almost arrested all the people who were coordinating these crimes but they haven’t told us the full names of these criminals, their, residential addresses, and who sponsored them to start committing these crimes.

The same police haven’t yet announced the apprehension of a Masterminder of these crimes who Kakoma Kanganja said he was not arrested as reported by Rae Hamoonga. All they are doing is covering up this issue of gassing and killing people and this to me confirms that the Patriotic Front PF are fully involved in these activities.

Honestly speaking, without beating by the bush, the Zambia Police are misconducting themselves and I believe they are issuing and giving false information to the public. They are in full contempt of the people by not giving us the information we demand. This is serious and dangerous for the country.

Now that they have arrested everyone who was involved in the gassing and killing, where is the Masterminder? Who and where is the Deputy Masterminder through whom the funds were being channeled as reported by IG-Kakoma Kanganja? Why isn’t the Zambia police telling the nation the truth? Are they conspiring with the criminals to cause civil unrest?

The contradictory statements that the Zambia Police made in relation to the gassing and killings, what was it about? What’s the motive behind those contradictory statements which came from top Police commanders?

I refuse to be blackmailed and I will not be deceived by the PF and their Political Canals the Zambia Police.

I demand the right information on the suspects of killings and gassing.

Thank You

Castrol Kafweta
Solwezi Central – Aspiring Mp

By Dickson Jere

We are back debating the debate – I mean whether President Edgar Lungu is eligible to stand in 2021. This debate was hot in 2017 and culminated into a protracted court case in the Constitutional Court (Concourt), which eventually settled the matter. So I am not sure where the current debate is coming from especially that the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) is also “debating the debate” when in fact the party was the 2nd Respondent in the matter that was in Concourt.

To simplify the issue – a President of Zambia can only serve two-terms. So to count the two terms, one has to address his mind to the period in which President Edgar Lungu served between 2015 and 2016 when President Michael Sata died. Before the 2016 Constitutional Amendments, a term of office of the President was not defined in the Constitution. So in 2016 “a term of office” was defined as three-years and above (although the opponents argue that that provision was inserted for the Vice President who is running mate). So the question was whether the rule of President Edgar Lungu between 2015 to 2016 can be considered a “term of office” given the definition in the amended Constitution. That was the question which the Concourt was asked to determine. The unanimous position of the Court (Full Bench) stated thus; “….the presidential term of office that ran from 25th January, 2015 to 13th September, 2016 and straddled two constitutional regimes cannot be considered as a full term”. Full stop!

Since 2015 to 2016 was not a “term of office”, it follows therefore that it cannot count for President Lungu. You may not agree with this interpretation of the Concourt but unfortunately it is law for the time being – Judge Made Law – as we call it. So PF should not be engaging in this debate but rather provide copies of the Judgment to whosoever is challenging its possible candidate. PF was party to this case and so was LAZ and the UPND who joined as interested parties. We may not agree with the outcome but we have to live with it. That is reality of our judicial set-up especially the Concourt which has both original and final jurisdiction in such matters. There is no right of appeal! The door was closed.

CIVIL Society for Constitution Agenda (CiSCA) chairperson Bishop John Mambo says Zambia’s economy is in deep waters because of selfish individuals who have prioritised purchase of arms over investments that can creates jobs.

Bishop Mambo has asked the PF government to “work for the people that have put you there. Bury partisan politics and get to work. Stop mocking us that you will not surrender power because it is sweet.”

He said he agrees with Socialist Party president Fred M’membe’s statement that Zambia is sitting on a time bomb because of the high unemployment and growing poverty that is resulting in increased crime.

The Chikondi Foundation president said Zambia’s high crime rate was emanating from the increased number of jobless people who are prone to be engaged in vice.

Bishop Mambo said Zambians must work together regardless of the political parties they represent and share ideas on how to come out of the bleeding economy.

“It is important to note that as a country we are getting into deep waters and it appears that if we talk about unemployment in Zambia, it is a by the way thing but if you look at the expenditure in terms of billions of dollars going to the police, we have seen more military machines being bought but the question is, is Zambia at war? With who?” he asked. “The expenditure on these things is now going up. More and more military machines are coming in the country. Our military men and women are supposed to guard the borders, which our parents who are still living left us with; the Kaundas, the Mulundikas, the Winas, the Grey Zulus are still living. I wonder what they think if they see the way the country they fought for was going under.”

He said young people were abusing alcohol and drugs because the government has failed to provide opportunities for them.

Bishop Mambo said there was need to prioritise investments that would create jobs for young people.

“When it comes to unemployment, and putting education as a priority we are failing. Why am I saying so? This is a second month, you cannot pay professors, you can’t pay lecturers and yet there is money for by-elections! And you are quick to dance, saying ‘we have achieved’. If you are going to dance for the by-election and that by-election is passes and tomorrow there is nothing to put food on the table, then know that something has gone wrong,” he said.

Bishop Mambo said Dr M’membe’s statement should not be politicised by those in power but should be reflected on for the good of all Zambians.

“So every well-meaning Zambian must say, ‘look we have all what it takes, once we got our independence, our priority was that we create employment and focus on building the country under One Zambia, One Nation. Whether we are in the same party or same church but all that doesn’t matter. What matters is we are all living in this country, Zambia. Let’s put Zambia first,” said Bishop Mambo. “When you are in power we should not just experiment but work for the people that have put you there. Bury partisan politics and get to work. Stop mocking us that you will not surrender power because it is sweet.”

PRESS STATEMENT

3rd February 2020

BY NOT PAYING WORKERS PF IS INTRODUCING MODERN SLAVERY.

The PF regime has turned this Country into a master and slave relationship, this is after they started disrespecting our labour laws. It’s only a slave who can work without pay and cannot query his master. By not paying public workers PF is practicing modern slavery. PF is abusing workers and killing the tenets of good Industrial Relations which Zambia has been known for.

All sane Zambians know that the PF regime brutality has not spared workers in the Country. Do you remember when Kabwe Council workers were battered for asking to be paid? Would you call that as good industrial relations, where you unleash cadres to beat starving workers? This kind of behavior is only found in the Master and Slave relationship where a whip does the talking. In good industrial relations dialog is key to solving and settling all industrial disputes.

The PF regime has managed to get away with such dictatorial tendencies because we are no longer in a closed shop of one Industry one Union. Such nonsense was not tolerated in one industry one union. You cannot beat someone for reminding you that he is hungry because you haven’t paid him. As the list of unpaid employees gets longer, does it mean that you are going to beat up all those employees you are failing to pay?

Government as the largest employer in the Country must lead by good example and not brutality. The example you are setting as Government will harm the economy. You started by increasing salaries for Civil Servants by not more than 5%. In no time, it became fashionable for all employers in the Country to award salary increments of not more than 7%, copying bad manners from you PF. Yet, some employers remit huge profits outside this Country.

Your carelessness will create a situation where the private sector will also stop paying their employees. Once you create this confusion, shamelessly you will accuse HH and the UPND of being behind that and claim, they want workers to rise against a legitimate Government. What a nonsense that will be, but since you are shameless you won’t see how gradually you are creating this situation. UPND will respect workers rights by paying them on time and promote good industrial relations to achieve the required productivity to take our Country forward and achieve the middle income status.

Percy Chanda

UPND – Chairman for Mines and Freedom Fighter

Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, is clocked 78 today, March 2.

Here are some facts about him

• He joined the Redeemed Christian Church of God in 1973 after he became born again.
• He was ordained as one of the pastors in the Church in 1977.
• He was an interpreter to Pa Josiah Akindayomi who was the founder of the RCCG.
• He and Pastor Williams Kumuyi used to go receive Bible lessons from Pa Akindayomi at Ebute Meta, Oyingbo, though Pa Akindayomi was an illiterate.
• He is sports man. His preference is boxing. He actually trained as a boxer.
• He is the first to have MSc Mathematics of the University of Lagos.
• He is the first to have PhD Mathematics of the University of Lagos.
• He is also the first to have three post graduate degrees of the University of Lagos. He worked for two and was awarded one as honorary.

Until he became born again, his wife Folu had her children through Caesarean Section but after he became born again, he trusted God for divine intervention. His wife had her subsequent baby naturally. He is blessed with four children: Two males, two females.

• He became the General Overseer of the RCCG in 1981.
• He started his undergraduate degree programme at the University of Nigeria Nsukka but completed it at the University of Ife because of the civil war.
• He married in 1967, the same year he graduated from the University of Ife. He is blessed with four children.

The controversies trailing him are basically on doctrinal and church issues:

• He once preached that those who don’t pay tithe will not make heaven. That earned him a lot of criticism.
• He courted controversy when he declared that he won’t die until he builds a camp site that is as large as Ibadan the capital city of Oyo State.
• He has also been criticized for saying a man should not marry a woman that can’t cook.
• He attracted a lot of opprobrium when he said he won’t die until he builds a church auditorium the size of Ibadan.

The 3 by 3 km auditorium of the RCCG is the fifth attempt at building massive auditorium. The first auditorium which has since been demolished was by the express road before it was demolished.

The RCCG under his purview used to be stratified into two camps: The Model Parishes and the Classical Parishes. But recently those two camps seem to have fizzled into one.

• He came from a poor background. He once said the poor used to call his family poor.

When he left the university for missions he first lived in a boy’s quarter kind of a house in Mushin, Lagos from where God promised to build him a city.

• The RCCG under his leadership has grown and spread to about 189 countries of the world.
• He is not the founder of Redeemed Christian Church of God. But he is the founder of Christ Redeemers Ministries. CRM.
• The CRM is responsible for the schools, hospitals and businesses owned by RCCG.
• He has several awards and recognitions from all over the world.
• In 2009, he was named one of the 50 most important people in the world by Newsweek magazine.

PF CENTRAL COMMITTEE UPHOLDS RECOMMENDATION TO REMOVE CHRISTOPHER KANG’OMBE AS COPPERBELT PROVINCIAL VICE CHAIRPERSON

…. as President Lungu declares interest and recuses himself from chairing the meeting on this particular agenda item

Lusaka… Monday March 2, 2020 (SMART EAGLES)

The ruling Patriotic Front (PF) Central Committee has upheld the recommendation by the Copperbelt Provincial Executive Committee to debar Kitwe Mayor Christopher Kang’ombe from the position of Provincial Vice Chairman.

And the Central Committee has resolved to hold the General Conference from 10th to 12th July, 2020 at Mulungushi Rock of Authority in Kabwe, Central Province.

Addressing journalists in Lusaka, Monday morning, on the outcome of the Central Committee meeting held on Saturday, February 29th, PF Secretary General Hon Davies Mwila said the Central Committee unanimously resolved to uphold the recommendation of the Provincial Executive Committee to remove Mr. Kang’ombe from his position.

Hon Mwila emphasized that Mr. Kang’ombe remains a PF member and Kitwe Mayor and that he has the right to appeal the decision of the Central Committee to the party’s General Conference coming up in July.

“When the matter was brought up before the Central Committee, His Excellency, President Edgar Chagwa Lungu declared interest and recused himself from chairing the meeting with regards to this particular agenda item. The President delegated the Chair to Her Honour the Vice President, madam Inonge Mutukwa Wina,” said the PF Chief Executive Officer.

“As Secretary General, I wish to send a very strong warning that the party shall not tolerate indiscipline from its members regardless of their position in the party.”

And the PF Secretary General said all party members are free to contest any position at the forthcoming General Conference to be held at Mulungushi Rock of Authority in accordance with the party constitution.

“In view of the above, the Central Committee has directed the Party’s Elections Committee to conclude the remaining provincial elections by the end of April 2020 in readiness for the July General Conference,” said the SG.

Meanwhile, Hon Mwila has urged UPND Lawyer John Sangwa not to be political as the ruling party will take him on as a political opponent.

He said Mr. Sangwa’s argument that President Lungu is not eligible to stand in 2021 leaves much to be desired as the Constitutional Court ruled on this matter that the Head of State is eligible to contest as he served for less than 3 years between 2014 and 2016.

#SmartEagles2020

GOOD governance activist Sikaile Sikaile says it will be suicidal for the opposition to expect fair results in 2021 elections without reforming the Electoral Commission of Zambia, Zambia Police and Judiciary.

He says it will be a tight race because President Edgar Lungu wants to crash anyone who wants to stand on his way by using force.

“I am calling upon all stakeholders such as credible Churches, politicians, civil society organisations and activists to mount pressure in calling for the reformation in the Electoral Commission, Police and Judiciary before next year. Zambians should not feel safe without reformations in these institutions. The manoeuvres by PF are just too dangerous and if we keep quiet, it will be the end of Zambia,” Sikaile said in a statement.

“Intelligence officials have disclosed to us that the chances of the PF returning back in government are quite slim. The information I have been receiving within the Patriotic Front (PF) government is that they, are ready to face citizens if they happen to vote them out next year. My sources within State House have also disclosed that the PF government is currently procuring various military equipment in readiness for next year’s general elections.”

He said such made a sad reading.

“Why should a serious government create such an animosity towards its own citizens? We are aware that tonnes of teargases, and other military weapons have been procured. What is so disheartening is to learn that University of Zambia lecturers have not been paid for months and the PF leadership is busy procuring war equipment like we have a war in progress,” Sikaile said. “Last week, Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) Chief Electoral Officer Patrick Nshindano hinted on how next year’s elections looks like in what he tamed as a “tight race. Facts on the ground are that it will be tight owing to the fact that there will be a lot of intimidation by PF government as they have vowed to remain in power even if Zambians vote them out. This is the real tight race Mr Nshindano ignored to talk about. It will be suicidal for the opposition to expect fair results without reformations in the institutions I have mentioned above.”

He alleged that the PF was also arming its thugs and that “further plans to have PF thugs infiltrated in the security wings by means of giving them uniforms should be stopped forthwith”.

“Liberating this nation should be our goal as citizens of this nation. We need to work as a team of concerned citizens, or we perish together as quiet citizens,” said Sikaile. “Things are really bad more than what you can see outside. PF leadership is not banking on the vote by citizens. Their hope is in the using of force and this is coming to pass as they are procuring weapons to deal with citizens in case they try to retaliate of which is expected. Now is the time to stand firm and defend our country from criminal politicians who want to hijack the nation’s democracy.”

MBABALA UPND member of parliament Ephraim Belemu has asked the ruling PF to tell the nation what happened with their youths sent for training in Sudan.

Belemu said on May 6, 2012, Zambia was greeted by a rather bizarre and worrying story in the Post Newspaper quoting the then PF secretary general Wynter Kabimba to the effect that the PF had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Sudanese Socialist Party under the leadership of dictator Omar Al Bashir to take Zambian youths to train in Sudan in unspecified disciplines.

He said according to Kabimba, the cooperation was to also work on “external forces.”

Belemu recalled that UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema was even arrested when he raised alarm about that MoU. Hichilema had accused the PF of training a militia group in Sudan.

“To date, the PF has not disclosed the contents of this MoU. Further, as far as the public is concerned, the PF have not renounced or severed this relationship despite citizens raising concerns; or if they have done, can they make it public,” Belemu noted. “At the time of this MoU Al Bashir had already been indicted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague for mass murder and gross abuse of human rights. He was behind a self-styled Sudanese outfit called Janjaweed. Janjaweed terrorised Darfur and South Sudan (which is predominantly black and Christian). South Sudan would eventually opt to be a separate state in 2005.”

Belemu, in a statement yesterday, said with the current happenings in the country, “it’s high time citizens got details of this MoU between the PF/Sudanese Socialist party of Al Bashir who is currently in The Hague facing criminal charges against humanity”.

“PF must answer, among others, the following questions: What were the contents of this MoU and can it be made public? How many Zambian youths were trained in Sudan and in what fields/skills of study?” asked Belemu. “How many of these youths are back in Zambia and what jobs are they doing at the moment? Why has the PF been reluctant/refusing/neglecting to renounce or sever this MoU and its relationship with Al Bashir? What was the motivation of sending Zambian youths to train in Sudan when the record of Al Bashar was well known?”

IRATE Kafulafuta residents on Saturday booed and insulted their member of parliament Joseph Kabamba forcing him to abandon his speech at a funeral in chief Chiwala’s area.

But Kabamba said “it was just some cousinship at play” during the funeral by some drunk young boys.

This all happened at a funeral for a PF branch chairman Zelani Kazembe on Saturday.

When the MP arrived, immediately people saw him, they picked up stones, heckled and insulted him.

He was forced to curtail his speech midstream and escorted away by two party cadres before official the end of programme.

“The man was accused of not coming to the constituency from the time he was voted as MP. The roads are bad and it was his first time to appear at a funeral. He is not popular here and not wanted by the people,” a source said.

But Kabamba when contacted said he was not chased out of the funeral.

He explained that it was just a few drunk boys who wanted to cause confusion because of being drunk.

“I went to attend the funeral for our branch member. Our colleague who died was a Muslim. It was just some cousinship. Now these young boys who had powder, even the Muslims found it very difficult to contain the situation. Even when I was called to speak, the boys where making noise. I can just say some young boys who were drunk,” Kabamba explained.

“These boys did not give respect to the funeral procession. Adults were even very disappointed with the behaviour of the young people. A lot of people are so disappointed with the boys. So it is not true that I was chased, no!”

He said the problem of beer drinking needs a collective approach.

“This is a collective situation which needs everyone. It is not only the MP, chief, but all the stakeholders to come up with an approach to ensure that whenever, we gather, we discourage the abuse of beer drinking. We need to ensure that we find a way to teach the young people to stop beer,” said Kabamba. “So right now as we talk I am going to Church, where I was invited and I will talk about the dangers of beer drinking and encourage the Church to do the same.”

By Stembridge Sikalundu‎

NOW THAT FACTS ABOUT GASSING IS A FAILED PROJECT LET THE PF LEADERSHIP PLACE THEMSELVES ON DEFENCE …

The people of Zambia should not relax and begin their usual lives without a serious reflection of what has been happening in the country, people have lost lives, others continue living with trauma .This has never happened in the history of this country, let’s all focus on the genesis of gassing and the earlier accusations, we thank God the truth always has its way of coming out. Where are the propagandists, who thought they are clever than God.

Zambians should wonder how the office of the president, the police, and other investigative wings failed in their duties to break the silence to inform the nation on the true facts that some PF leaders were behind the planing and gassing of people, information was being distorted deliberately to override the minds of people, fortunately God being on the side of people , the truth is some PF members were proved to be Terrorist cordinators with no human conscious at all . Could it be the reason why the nation was left guessing who was behind these organised crimes.

The PF members were the first to point single fingers at the innocent political rivals, little did they realise the many fingers folded were directive at them, this is the worst political strategy ever to be used by greedy selfish individuals on its fellow citizens ,no one can doubt the extent of this organised crimes , it was initially suspected that those cought were being released after hours, and this was the birthday of justice mobs .it was disturbing to see many arrests that were being done involved prominent senior PF members that came in the spot light. Who else could be behind these crimes?.

The president pledged a bounty of ZMK 250 thousand while his media director, province minister, deputy mobilisation official and a minister in charge on the affairs of the country, were giving misdirected statements suggesting the largest opposition political party was the one involved, how did they engage some members of the ruling party?, how could these people close to president Lungu know without him having this information , these circumstances created an eye attractive view for people to critically analyse what was going on ,to this day president Lungu remains adamant and has kept his volume further lower.

The number of PF members that have been apprehended and interrogated without information coming from govt is sufficient to stop speculations , this reminds all of us how other regimes in other countries have been organising crimes to disturbalise their nation’s to extend their stay in power, unfortunately in Zambia it isn’t the right game to story .it is very disappointing for president Lungu because he can never move with his head high, let’s imagine what the children in schools went through, at the hands of these planned crimes because of political power, it was interesting to listen from govt how gassing stopped being associated to politics, after the plan was failing , indeed Zambia is a Christian nation, every evil force , be it with the leaders they can never stand to haunt the people of Zambia long enough .

These are cases which are supposed to be presented to the international court of arbitration, Zambians should not doubt to remove this heartless govt which has no mercy for humanity, they cried with us yet they knew what they were doing to harm us ,the 2021elections is the point opportunity to vote out a terrorist party and usher a new govt for the people ,the need to repair this country from this distraction done in everything that was established as foundation, means the nation should start all over again. I would like to congratulate Zambians who couraged to ensure they defended themselves from these gassing attacks even when govt was falling to defend us, we are not docile that is the same determination required to defend our votes in 2021, God bless mother Zambia.

I CRY ZAMBIA MY BELOVED COUNTRY

By Field Ruwe EdD

Where is the Commander-in-Chief?

Zambia is no longer the same heart of a country that was. It has taken the ineptitude of an accidental commander-in-chief to expose one of the most peaceful countries on earth to gas, the most inhumane weapon of mass destruction synonymous with Syria, and to the most gruesome and barbaric South African necklacing, the extrajudicial summary execution and torture carried out by forcing a tyre doused in gasoline around a victim’s chest and setting him on fire.

Let me, the writer, observe a moment of silence for those who have perished in the most horrific attacks unprecedented in Zambian history. In taciturnity, I hear the voices of outraged, horrified, and dumbfounded Zambians asking: How have we allowed this to happen on Zambian soil? What has become of Zambians? What’s going on? Who’s behind this? Are we safe? Where is President Edgar Lungu? No one is more responsible for the gassing and necklacing than Lungu, who is the commander-in-chief. He is the reason the attacks of the past weeks have claimed fifty lives.

Article 91(1) of the Zambian constitution states that “There shall be a President of the Republic who shall be the Head of the State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Force.” This constitutional clause, perhaps the most substantial of the presidential duties, has morphed into the very vital responsibility of the president as first responder and chief protector in a national crisis. For President Lungu to let gassing and necklacing, both crimes against humanity, to rear their ugly heads in Zambia is to abdicate the duties of a commander-in-chief.

Screams of agony beyond compare

Gassing and necklacing are the worst acts of terrorism to find their way to Zambia. It is difficult to fathom President Lungu, cabinet ministers, members of parliament, members of the PF party, Hichilema Hakainde, members of his political party, leaders and members of other political parties, and indeed all Zambians, standing around a fellow Zambian, watching him scream in agony, some filming him, taking pictures, cheering, while the boiling tar of a tyre around his neck melts and sears his skin, roasts his flesh, pops his eyes, cooks his brain and heart, and chars his body beyond recognition. Shame on us!

In the same vein, imagine for a moment gassed victims, their spouses, children, your own relatives, sprawled on the floor twitching, convulsing, and foaming from the mouth, their respiratory muscles paralyzed, their lungs producing pulmonary edema, all dying a slow death. That’s what is happening to gassing victims. That’s what gas, the silent fatal killer does. In the hands of ignorant political cadres, gas can cause destruction on a larger scale than conventional weapons. Diffused even in smallest amounts, toxic fumes not only kill in large numbers, but leave tangible long-term impacts upon not only the target, but also those in the vicinity. Consequently, innocent people suffer life-lasting health problems, and babies are born with birth defects.

Not surprising, the recent gassing and necklacing attacks have instilled a foreboding sense of fright and paranoia in Zambians of all ages. The catastrophe has pushed many to the limits of their psychological stress and tolerance. With politics at the core, and an election in sight, the commander-in-chief has failed to recognize the health and psychological impact, gassing and necklacing is having on Zambians, young and old. He can’t see how instant mob justice and toxic gasses have struck a blow to the people’s sense of security, and traumatized a good number. He is the paranoid inglorious commander-in-chief who treats a horrific crisis as a threat to his presidency, succumbs to innuendos, and fails to make the preservation of life as a paramount concern. In the process, he has failed to manage the crisis, and to pay homage to lives that have been lost in the past weeks.

Kenneth Kaunda Master of Crisis Management

Let me, at this juncture evoke the name of Kenneth Kaunda because in my view, he remains the best commander-in-chief and most assertive crisis manager. At his best, KK handled crises, some exceedingly dangerous, as if he was genetically designed to preside over armistice. When Zambia lost 89 miners in the 1970 Mufulira disaster, within hours of the news, Kaunda flew to the scene and watched as rescue teams worked to reach the trapped miners 3,000 feet underground. In all the tragedies and crises, including the Kanyama disaster, KK dashed to the scene waving his white handkerchief and consoling the bereaved and shedding a genuine tear. That’s a commander-in-chief at his best. The difference between KK and Lungu, is what makes the latter a maladroit leader, poor crisis manager, and a pathetic commander-in-chief.
But again it should not come as a surprise. Lungu is generally a lackadaisical president. The truth is that he does not know how to handle a crisis of this magnitude. He is his own worst enemy in a crisis. By character, he crosses the bridge when he comes to it. In turbulent times he treats the first signs of smoke with complacency, and watches from the comfort of his office as it degenerates into an inferno. It is only after fire has consumed a better portion of the country that he raises alarm. It can be stated that since Lungu assumed power he has been caught in a crisis-after-crisis web. Cataclysms tell the story of Lungu’s country: struggling economy, corruption, divisiveness, load shedding, and now chemical spraying of killer gases on fellow humans, and mobs taking the law in their hands, and burning fellow humans with impunity.

Surrounded by wrong people

There have been several calls for the commander-in-chief to address public fear and concern directly on radio and television. The fact that he has not, reflects poorly on Lungu’s press aide Isaac Chipampe, who by now should have lost his job. He is the reason Inspector General of Police, Kakoma Kanganja has become the “commander-in-chief” of the crisis. Unfortunately, all Kanganja can do is to assure the public that his officers are doing their best to apprehend the perpetrators. He can’t, for instance, inform people about their personal vulnerabilities and guarantee them safety. That is the responsibility of the president. It is his duty to ensure assurances of a return to normalcy are relayed to the public in a timely and accurate manner.

The absence of the commander-in-chief on television and radio, has turned the ruling party into the engine escalating the crisis. PFs most dangerous and notorious cadres, Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo, PF Media Director Sunday Chanda, and State House Aide Kaizer Zulu are chiming in and turning crimes against humanity into propaganda for their selfish gain and the commander-in-chief is helping them. They are not only preaching hate, they are mobilizing it and in the process implicating their own party. Without evidence, heartless Chanda and Lusambo are shrouded in their usual nonsensical and venomous rhetoric, using the crisis for a much more dangerous purpose: to replace logic with paranoia. They are inciting mob justice by dangerously accusing political opponents without irrefutable substantiation. By doing so, they are accessories to crimes against humanity.

State House neurotic aide Kaizer Zulu, the chap who exudes contempt, is also weaponizing fake news that others can employ to harass and attack their opponents. The sycophant Zulu, who delights in the crisis, has resorted to making regular comments on some online media outlets that cheapen the office of the president. To imagine the president is surrounded by tawdry aides working at his behest is hard to understand. Again, this shows Lungu’s lack of vision and poor sense of priorities.

Crimes against humanity

This is no time to play political games. No one in the ruling party should come to the defense of President Lungu. He is wrong—very wrong. Similarly, UPND leader Hichilema Hakainde and other opposition leaders should not become architects, inciters, or support such senseless egregious acts of terrorism. The consequences are dire. The Rome Statute (1998) empowers the Internal Court to investigate, and, where warranted, prosecute and try individuals if the country concerned does not, cannot or is unwilling to do so. This might occur here in Zambia where proceedings are unduly delayed or are intended to shield individuals from their criminal responsibility. Under the Rome Statute, no one, including the president, is exempt from prosecution because of his or her position held at the time the crimes were committed.

The appalling gassing and necklacing attacks that have occurred in the past weeks have forever tarnished Lungu’s legacy and tossed him in the bottom rung of Zambian presidents. Edgar Lungu shall forever be remembered as the inglorious commander-in-chief who was crushed by events that proved too powerful for his own weak leadership and moved the country inexorably into one of the most dreadful and traumatic crises in history. The gassing attacks and necklacing taking place in Zambia are his waterloo.
In conclusion, let me also address all those who love this beautiful country. Politics aside, we must save ourselves and the country or perish. Gassing and necklacing are such serious acts of terrorism that must not find ground in Zambia. We are better than this.

Author is a US-based Zambian multicultural scholar practitioner and author. He holds a Doctor of Education degree from Northeastern University, Boston Massachusetts, U.S.

When we saw certain people taking pics with President at State House, some of us cried why the President was being exposed to alleged criminal elements or questionable charaters. I was rebuked of jealousy and envy, so I checked myself and refrained from futher comment just in case my brother’s were right.

This is barely three years on,I hear one of them has committed the worst kind of crimes against Zambians.

Now that association will injure the President though it was just for a day and few camera clicks. The PF have been so careless with such protocols and did not understand the repercussions or the importance; first any pic with the President at State House is endorsement of the character by the President. Secondly the youths start to think that’s the character to adopt… at State House we should be seeing youths excelling in school, banking, legitimate businesses etc . Those who either introduce or introduced the President to questionable characters should be fired.

I with only a debt failed to post a picture with a certain important man, because I figured in future when possibly sued I may embarrass his office. Those are the standards we should have. The interigty of the presidency sends alot of signals and should be carefully watched and guarded.

I am glad the PF mobilisation team have come up with what they are calling National Values and principles (NVP). Finally we have an intelligent person in PF, this will automatically reward their members who are there to serve, are honest, respectful, hardworking and intelligent. The PF causal approach has degraded morals and principle of governance. It has made bad vices to be acceptable in society and those who practice them to be hero worshiped. The villains are powerful and have became heroes, so every youth in PF and beyond PF think that becoming a fool with money is the way to go..

We are grateful finally we have a genius in PF mobilisation, I wish I knew who came up with such a plan. Let’s go back to the values of our forefathers where respect was mandatory for one another, honesty and service a badge on our chests, intelligence and patriotism as the hallmark. Even if we fail to attain them we should pursue such values

Nkonkomalimba Kapumpe

Member of Parliament Raphael Nakacinda says the current meetings being held were some people are opposing the Constitution of Zambia Amendment Bill number 10 of 2019 is a paid for regime change agenda.

Speaking this morning during the Patriotic Front Interactive Forum, Mr. Nakacinda says some organisations, a clique of lawyers and others were pushing a regime change agenda in the name of ‘Constitution’ concerns.

Mr. Nakacinda who is also Select Committee appointed to Scrutinize the Constitution of Zambia Amendment Bill number 10 of 2019 Chairperson, says it is hypocrisy for the opposition and some individual Lawyers like Mr. John Sangwa and Ms. Linda Kasonde to claim that the current amendments proposed are bad and the Bill 10 should be rejected.

“The voices that were fighting the Constitution process in 2016 today have turned around and are telling us the 2016 Constitution is the best. Madam Linda Kasonde who were among those campaigning against the Constitution process in 2016 today she is the one saying the 2016 is the best” he says.

He adds that “today, John Sangwa wants to project himself as the embodiment of the Law in this country just because he went to UK and inherited some accent … and today wants to be an embodiment of the law. What he said in 2016 was that the Constitution was a disaster but today he is telling us that it is the best.”

Mr. Nakacinda says it is not about the Constitution but about a regime change agenda were some individuals have been paid to speak as they are doing today discrediting the current Bill 10.

“The UPND is on record proposing the reintroduction of Deputy Minister, but today who is signing the loudest saying the country doesn’t need deputy Minister? it’s the UPND. They also demanded for the 50%+1, but what has changed for them to reject this.

“The Siavonga Resolutions were left in the hands of the UPND led by the Lawyer who now wants to contest for MP for some constituency in Lusaka. But all of us as participants appended our signatures on that document because we had all agreed on the resolutions,” he says.

Mr. Nakacinda says it is shocking that they have now turned away and rejecting resolutions that they were party of.

He adds that the amendments under the Bill 10 are holistic as they were agreed on by all political parties and other stakeholders in the country and should be supported by all progressive Members of Parliament and the general citizenry.

“As Select Committee Chair, I am very confident that when it comes to considering that Bill, there are patriotic MPs both sides; from ruling as well as the opposition be it the MMD, UPND, FDD and Independent that will do Zambia proud”.

And on tribalism, the MMD nominated Member of Parliament says tribalism has no place in the country.

He notes that the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) and its leader, Hakainde Hichilema, have no moral right to lecture Zambians on the vice as they are the ones that hold the tag.

Mr. Nakachinda says there is no way the UPND can stand to condemn tribalism as they are tagged as such especially its leader, Hakainde Hichilema.

The nominated Member of Parliament says if the UPND is to be considered a national party, Hakainde Hichilema should consider stepping down for someone who will be neutral.

“At one rally, the late Munkombwe, MHSRIP, endorsed HH and saying it was time for a Tonga in HH to be President. And Hichilema seemed to be agreeable to it and started what we call in Tonga as kuyabila. HH should have rejected that if he was not in support of the action. HH today has not moral authority to talk about ending the vice because it is in him,” says Mr. Nakacinda.

Asked on internal MMD party matters, Mr. Nakacinda says the Court is yet to make a decision on a matter before it in contestation with the Nevers Mumba camp.

““The matters over MMD have not been exhausted. We have appealed and that appeal is still active in Court. So let him (Nevers Mumba) be patient for the Court to conclude,” he says.

Mr. Nakacinda however says it is arrogance for Nevers Mumba to write to the Speaker of the National Assembly and the Republican President Edgar Lungu questioning his continued stay in Parliament as MMD nominated MP.

He says no one should question the Presidents prerogative as it is only the President who decides who he should work with,” he adds.

“Nevers Mumba is knocking wanting to work with the PF. The good thing is that the Bible says ‘In my father’s house there are many rooms’. Just be honest and say naine ndefwaya ukwingila. You can come we work together,” he notes as the crowd burst into laughter.

Meanwhile, Mr. Nakacinda also asked the Media to help the country by being more professional in reporting especially on the recent happenings of gassing.

“Politicians should not use you with their money for you to be unprofessional or side with the wrongs being peddled. Be professional and bring out the truth so that the country is well informed,” he said.

The Nominated MP has since called for national unity and embracing of peace if the country is to progres

By Diggers Editor

In 2011 before the PF formed government, the exchange rate was around K7,000 to a dollar (K7 rebased). External total debt was at US$3.5 billion. The PF went to the people of Zambia and said “the country’s economy is in a mess; vote for us, we can fix this”. They put reducing the exchange rate, external debt, lowering taxes and putting more money into people’s pockets on their campaign agenda.

By committing to do this, the PF signed a social contract with the voters, the people of Zambia. This is the reason why the citizens of this country moved en masse to vote out the MMD government of Rupiah Banda on September 20, 2011.

We are here not to insult the Patriotic Front but to remind them that statistics don’t lie. The people of Zambia know how much the price of mealie meal was before PF formed government, they know what the exchange rate was, they know where the external debt stood.

Now, the PF wants to be re-elected in 2021. We are saying, there is no problem with that wish. They have every right to seek a fresh mandate to continue governing. But we are asking them to join us as we look at the issues, the statistics and records of what they have done since they formed government.

You people set your own deliverables and targets to meet, not once but three times. In 2011, in 2015 and in 2016. If we consider Mr Rupiah Banda as a benchmark, how do you rate yourselves against that? Whatever economic crisis we had with the MMD government, you promised that you would do better. So the people gave you an opportunity in 2011, 2015 and 2016. You have been in power for nine years so far. What is your achievement?

Don’t tell us about the roads; those don’t have a direct impact on a university graduate who has no use for his or her degree because there are no jobs in the industries. If you point at the roads, we will also remind you that the roads are from borrowed money, an accumulation of which has brought us to the US$11.2 billion external debt.

If a parent buys shoes for a school-going child for the first time using borrowed money, that cannot be called an achievement, you cannot brag about that. It’s different if you generated income from other means of production. These roads which are still being built have not been paid for, future generations will find us still struggling to clear these loans. Can that be cause for celebration? We don’t think so.

So, without the roads, the question remains unanswered: what has the PF done in nine years to deserve a fresh mandate for ruling this country? We are asking the PF again, why do you want another five years in power?

After 20 years of power, Zambians kicked out MMD because PF convinced them that things would be far better. Are we better at $11.2 billion external debt level? Are imports cheaper at an exchange rate of K15 to a dollar? Are citizens happy with the current inflation rate? Do the youths have more money in their pockets?

To us, this is failure to honour a social contract for governance. Now the Mines Minister likes giving this example when talking about a mining investor called Vedanta Resources whom the government has chased for failing to honour promises. Honourable Musukwa says the company has lost its social contract because they kept making false promises about injecting capital.

How different is the PF from the investor whom they chased from Konkola Copper Mines? To us, Vedanta is actually excusable because that is a private entity. If Vedanta failed, as Minister Musukwa claims, then they failed because government failed to supervise and monitor their activities. If there was a degeneration of production, government allowed it! You can’t turn around and act as if the mine was operating in Congo. If they were not paying taxes, where were you?

Whatever their shortcomings, investors need the protection of government. You cannot be in the forefront of inciting the public to say ‘this company has breached the operating social contract and as such, they will be harmed if they come back’, who told you that? Which miner in Chingola or Chililabombwe said “we want to kill investors who have aggrieved us?” If an investor has done wrong, you take them to court and if found wanting, you can punish them appropriately. But you cannot engage in threats and extra judicial activities.

We are saying to PF that unlike Vedanta, you got elected by the people of Zambia, you are not a private company free to do as you please. You asked for the votes from people and they gave you the mandate to rule, now the people have the right to ask you for a performance appraisal.

Don’t point fingers at investors, you have failed the people of Zambia by lying and stealing from them, you have lost the social contract to govern.

By Agness Changala-Katongo

Constitutional lawyer and State Counsel John Sangwa has insisted that President Edgar Lungu does not qualify to contest elections for the third time as the Constitution clearly bars him from doing so.

And Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ) general secretary Father Emmanuel Chikoya says Zambia’s democracy is in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and something should be done about it before it is lost.

Meanwhile, Electoral Commission of Zambia director (ECZ) Patrick Nshindando has disclosed that corporation partners so far approached to help fund political parties to travel to Dubai to monitor the printing of ballot paper have refused to help.

Speaking during a News Diggers organized discussion forum under the theme ‘political violence and the state of democracy’ which featured him, Fr Chikoya and Nshindando, Sangwa said it will be interesting to see how the Electoral Commission of Zambia would handle President Lungu’s nomination papers, because the Constitution was very clear that he did not qualify for a third term.

Sangwa said what would be of interest is to see how Nshindando and Collegues at the ECZ would respond to this when President Lungu goes to file in his nomination papers as they had a right to reject them.
“What will be of interest is what Mr Nshindando and his colleagues will do when hopefully President Lungu files his papers. We will see what they are going to do because they have the right to reject the nomination papers so will see what they are going to do,” he said.

He said the Constitution does not talk about the number of years one has served but the number of times they are elected.

“I know people have various views but here is my view. You see when you read the language of the Constitution, it is very clear. The bottom line is this, President Lungu does not qualify to stand for elections in 2021. The issue is as simple as that,” Sangwa said. “It is the number of times you get elected.”

He said according to the Constitution, one was elected twice and they are done.

“The Constitution only expects you to get to contest or being elected twice. Once you have been elected twice, that’s it. You are done and that is still the position of the law,” Sangwa said. “They have totally missed it.