KBN TV EDITORIAL- LAZ DROPS A BOMBSHELL ON PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS AS NKOMBO EXITS
The firing of Garry Nkombo from Cabinet and the subsequent announcement of the take over by the State of a lodge linked to the former President in Ibex Hill on the same evening, though seemingly isolated, could be understood as a counter measure to divert attention from an elaborate analysis by the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) on the proposed constitutional amendments.
Before we look at some of highlights from LAZ in their rejection of the proposed ammendments, we hold the view that this matter is now in the public domain and various stakeholders must be given an opportunity to debate and express their views on the proposed ammendments.
A side note about the replacement of Garry is that while the proposed ammendments are advocating for the youth and women participation, existing youthful MPs like Romeo Kangombe, Imanga Wamunyima and the Kanchibiya CDF champion, Sunday Chanda, can’t compete for a ministerial position against Mr. Gift Simuunza Sialubalo, who is clearly very tired.
This brings into question whether indeed this drive is about injecting a youthful vigour in Governance and decision-making. Ironically, it’s youthful MPs like the ones highlighted above together with Jean Chisenga who are expected to vote for these proposed constitutional amendments.
Coming back to the LAZ submissions, they have branded most proposals as being rehashed Bill 10 contents. They contend that there are no substantive reasons why what was rejected already should now be supported.
LAZ is of the view that there isn’t much which is substantially new, to call for a rushed amendment of the Constitution. “We have lived on without Bill 10, and can definitely do so even now.”
It’s now very clear that indeed the proposals were rushed. It’s hard to fathom that the entire Ministry of Justice with lawyers on the tax payers roll, could propose the increase of constituencies using CDF as a measure when they know CDF is not in the Constitution.
Therefore, there is no law that empowers the Electoral Commission of Zambia to use CDF as a measure for delimitation of constituencies and wards under Article 59 of the Constitution. In the case of increasing nominated members of Parliament through an Act of Parliament, LAZ says the proposal is retrogressive and dangerous for our democracy because of its potential to water down the accountability and legislative function of National Assembly.
In the final analysis, LAZ has appealed to the Government to reconsider its plans to amend the Constitution in a piece-meal manner and so close to the electoral cycle.
They argue that what Zambia needs is a holistic reform of the Constitution, to include the expansion of the Bill of Rights to cater for economic and social rights. The Constitutional reform should be based on a broad-based stakeholder consensus, both on the reform process and the substance.
If it’s about equitable distribution of the CDF, LAZ has advised that there are many options available to the Government to enhance equity in CDF allocations and utilization.
“Government could consider allocating Constituency Development Fund based on number of wards, within each Constituency. Since creation of wards does not require Constitutional amendment but within the control of Parliament, bigger Constituencies in terms of geographical size and population can have more wards, thereby attracting higher CDF, to achieve equity in the interim.”
According to LAZ, Government should attend to inefficiencies surrounding the low utilization of CDF across the country.
In terms of proportional representation, LAZ holds that firstly, Government should fully implement the provisions of Article 60 of the Constitution to urgently enacting a Political Parties Bill compelling Political Parties to adopt more women, youths and persons with disabilities as candidates in Parliamentary elections.
Additionally, Government should take advantage of the provisions of Article 259 of the Constitution, which calls upon appointing authorities to appoint women, youth and persons with disabilities into key Governance institutions.
On the proposal to increase the number of nominated MPs, LAZ brands this call as being contentious and retrogressive.
“It will result in increasing, instead of reducing, the powers of the Presidency. The proposed Article can be subject of abuse, with a potential to water down the accountability and legislative function of the legislature. It may result in creating a rubber-stamp National Assembly for the Executive’s arbitrary actions.”
Further, LAZ urgues that, “it should follow that if we are discussing broadening pathways for women, youths and persons with disabilities into key Governance institutions, maintaining the status quo of 8 nominated MPs is more reasonable. If the President wants more people to appoint as Cabinet Ministers, then perhaps it should be proposing appointment of Cabinet Ministers outside Parliament, as submitted by various Constitutional reviews commissions, and not bloating the legislature.”
As a media house, our emphasis is given that Government has presented the roadmap and proposals, let’s allow debate to flow so that other stakeholders can also add their voices to the debate just like LAZ has done.
We need public discussion forums in Lusaka, Chipata, Livingstone, Kitwe and Kasama. Let the people talk, but let’s provide them with the means to air their views on this matter of public importance.
STATE RECOVERS PROPERTY NO. LUS/38478 IN IBEX HILL HOUSING A THREE STOREY LODGE VALUED AT ZMW9,069, 699.87 BELONGING TO CHARLES PHIRI
Lusaka, Friday 28th March? 2025
THE Economic and Financial Crimes Court Division of the High Court of Zambia has granted an order to forfeit a three (3) storey lodge valued at Nine Million, Sixty – Nine Thousand, Six Hundred and Ninety- Nine Kwacha, Eighty – Seven Ngwee (ZMW9,069, 699.87) belonging to Charles Phiri to the State in its Judgment delivered by Judges P.K. Yangailo, A. Malata-Ononuju and S.V. Siloka at Lusaka today 28th March, 2025.
This decision came after the Drug Enforcement Commission’s investigations which revealed that Charles Phiri’s financial records showed a serious discrepancy between his known income as a nurse and his expenditure. Charles Phiri in opposing the application for non-conviction based forfeiture of Property No. LUS/38478 in Ibex Hill Housing a Three Storey Lodge, stated that he had entered into a land use agreement with the former Head of State, Mr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, which agreement provided that the former Head of State offered to build the three storey lodge.
The Court after analysing the totality of the evidence before it, found that the land use agreement had no legal effect. The Court further stated that it could not be swayed by mere declarations and posturing as to Mr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu’s capacity, or indeed Mr. Phiri’s capacity to construct the said building without reliable and provable evidence demonstrating legitimate financial wherewithal.
These asset recoveries were made possible by the diligent efforts of the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) and subsequent prosecution by the National Prosecution Authority (NPA). These successes are true testament of the effectiveness of inter-agency collaboration by the DEC and the NPA in the fight against financial crimes.
These forfeitures not only mark a significant and unprecedented financial recovery for the State, but also underscore the commitment by the State in fighting financial and economic crimes.
As institutions of good governance, the DEC and NPA will continue to be proactive in combating financial crimes.
Issued by: CHALI HAMBAYI DEPUTY CHIEF STATE ADVOCATE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER National Prosecution Authority
ALLAN TAMBA PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER Drug Enforcement Commission
Poisoned Rivers, Dying Villages: Sino Metals Faces Fury Over Zambia’s Worst Pollution Disaster
In what is shaping up to be one of Zambia’s worst industrial pollution scandals in recent years, the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) has confirmed that Sino Metals, a mining giant operating in Chambishi, is responsible for the contamination of key water bodies following the catastrophic collapse of its tailings storage facility (TSF) on February 18, 2025.
The incident has left behind a toxic trail of devastation, affecting rivers, communities, and ecosystems across the Copperbelt and Central Provinces.
ZEMA Director General, Ireen Chipili, did not mince her words during a press briefing yesterday, where she revealed that the tailings discharged into the Chambishi Stream were highly acidic, with pH levels as low as 1.8, effectively turning the river into an acid cocktail.
This toxic discharge flowed unchecked into the Mwambashi and Kafue rivers, poisoning water sources and leaving communities downstream grappling with dead fish, polluted drinking water, and skin irritations.
“Fifty tonnes of lime were hastily deployed to neutralize the acidic water,” Chipili said, describing the emergency response. However, this intervention came after the damage had already been done.
Residents in Ngabwe District, far from the mine site, reported mass fish deaths and a sharp decline in water quality, confirming the widespread impact of Sino Metals’ negligence.
ZEMA swiftly issued an Environmental Restoration Order, forcing Sino Metals to cease operations and begin emergency repairs. Yet, for many affected communities, this action feels too little, too late.
Locals who depend on the Kafue River for farming, fishing, and household use are now left counting the cost of what could have been prevented. Fields are polluted, crops are dying, and clean water is scarce.
The agency’s investigation revealed shocking details about Sino Metals’ environmental practices. ZEMA found that the company failed to adequately maintain its TSF, which collapsed under preventable conditions.
“This was not a natural disaster; it was corporate carelessness,” Chipili emphasized, raising questions about the regulatory oversight and the company’s commitment to safety.
While the lime dosing operations restored the pH levels to near-normal conditions, environmental experts warn that the chemical composition of the water and the long-term effects on biodiversity remain uncertain.
ZEMA has since directed the company to conduct a comprehensive environmental assessment, with a deadline of March 30th, to determine the full extent of the ecological and human health impacts.
Communities are demanding compensation and answers. “Our rivers are our life,” said a visibly emotional local farmer from Ngabwe, during an interview. “Now they are killing us. Sino Metals must pay, and the government must protect us.” This outcry reflects growing anger and frustration among residents who feel abandoned in the face of corporate pollution.
ZEMA is now under pressure to not only enforce restoration but to ensure that Sino Metals is held fully accountable. Chipili promised that the agency will not allow the matter to be swept under the rug.
“ZEMA will demand full restoration and compensation. We will not tolerate pollution of this magnitude,” she declared, signaling possible tougher regulatory actions in the days ahead.
As the deadline for Sino Metals’ environmental assessment looms, the country watches closely. For many affected families, however, the damage is already irreversible poisoned rivers, ruined livelihoods, and a deep sense of betrayal.
KITWE HEAD TEACHER COLLAPSES TWICE AFTER SEEING ACC VEHICLE NEAR HIS SCHOOL
Head teacher of a named school in Bulangililo Township of Kitwe today collapsed twice after seeing the Anti Corruption Commission vehicle which passed near his school.
Stories coming to our desk indicate that a man identified as Malunde Hangala, head teacher at a named school in Bulangililo Township of Kitwe collapsed near the school gate upon seeing a vehicle belonging to ACC.
It is reported that he was standing at the gate when he saw the vehicle coming to the direction of his school. Consequently, his heart skipped like he had seen his wife with his side chick talking, he felt a cold blow of strange wind and slowly went straight to the ground.
After the vehicle passed, the teacher on duty that was with him sent pupils to call other teachers and in no time, they held him and rushed him to his office.
Minutes later, he became conscious then teachers were already gossiping about it and laughing inconsiderately. He reportedly called for a brief meeting to address his teachers.
Everyone was seated after some minutes. Mr. Hangala walked into the staffroom but before he could reach his favorite spot, a car hooted outside.
He rubbernecked to check if this was not the same vehicle that almost claimed his life. His eyes saw his ears, it was the same car. It appeared they first went to get some officers at the police station.
This time around he lost the ability to speak and at the same time could not feel his legs. He bowed down facing Mecca, then slowly rested on the floor like he was giving up breathing.
Meanwhile, teachers at the same school who were recorded saying ‘He is faking it’ he has been expending the grant alone have been condemned by residents of Kitwe saying the life of a person should always come first.
Whatever will come out of this, we shall be updating you…please follow my page mwebantu😭
Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola has revealed that the playing staff and the coaching staff don’t deserve summer bonuses following their poor showing this season.
The Premier League defending champions are currently out of the top four, sitting in the fifth spot while failing to qualify for the Champions League round of 16.
However, Manchester City could still end up with a trophy by winning the FA Cup or the FIFA World Club Cup, which comes with £97m($125m) prize money.
FIFA announced performance-related bonuses for the competition, with the majority of the largesse going to European clubs.
Guardiola said even if they ended up winning the competition, it wouldn’t be enough for any member of the playing staff or coaching staff to get a bonus due to their dismal performances this season.
He said, “We don’t deserve it this season. We don’t deserve a bonus this season. The bonus, if you win, I don’t know how much. You go there; it’s for the club. The managers, the backroom staff, the players—we don’t deserve it. Not even a watch.
“We have been more than one year with that, so nothing changes with one more week or two more weeks or three more weeks or four more weeks.”
Man City will start their campaign against Moroccan side Wydad in Philadelphia on June 18 before taking on the likes of Al Ain and Juventus later in the competition.
Guardiola and his players will be back in action in the FA Cup quarterfinal against Bournemouth on Sunday as they target a seventh consecutive semi-final in the competition.
The Spanish manager reiterated the team’s desire to advance to the last four of the FA Cup and to qualify for the Champions League.
He said: “The target is to reach the FA Cup semi-finals for seven years in a row, then after that we have to win games to qualify for the Champions League.
“In the good moments, you learn, and in the bad moments, you learn. When experiences happen, if you don’t learn, they will happen again.
“When I said in the past that Champions League qualification was a huge success, people didn’t believe me. Now they believe me.”
Ederson is expected to be in goal for Manchester City after he missed Brazil’s 4-1 defeat to Argentina.
Super Eagles star Victor Osimhen has opened up on his reaction to the disappointing 1-1 draw against Zimbabwe in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier clash at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.
Zimbabwe scored a last-minute equaliser after Osimhen had given Nigeria the lead in the 74th minute, the result was a dent to the team’s chances of reviving their World Cup hopes following a poor start.
Osimhen was the hero with a brace against Rwanda in Kigali to hand the Super Eagles the maximum points in a 2-0 victory, their first win in the series.
After the game against Zimbabwe, Osimhen was visibly upset with his teammates in a video that went viral on social media as he was seen rebuffing his teammates’ attempt at pacifying him.
The Galatarsaray forward has explained the reason behind his actions, stating his disappointment at the team’s failure to secure the maximum points.
He said: “I can’t lie, I was frustrated. That match against Zimbabwe? We should have won it. We had the lead, we controlled the game, and then just like that, we let it slip.
“When I scored, I felt relieved. I thought, ‘Yes, this is it. We’re taking the three points home.’ But football can be cruel. A last-minute equalizer, just seconds away from victory, shattered everything. The whistle blew, and I just couldn’t hold back my emotions.”
Osimhen revealed that he was not trying to disrespect Victor Boniface, who also tried to pacify him.
He said: “Boniface tried to calm me down, but at that moment, I didn’t want to hear anything. I walked away, not out of disrespect, but because I was hurting. I give it my all every time I step on that pitch, not just for myself, but for my team, for Nigeria, for the fans who believe in us.
“We needed that win. We needed those points. Now, we have to fight even harder to qualify for the World Cup. It’s not over, but we can’t keep making the same mistakes. I just want us to be better, to do better, because Nigeria deserves nothing less.”
Osimhen scored all the three goals for Nigeria in the two matches against Rwanda, and Zimbabwe taking his tally to 26 goals for the Super Eagles.
He will be hoping to continue his rich vein of form when Galatarsaray take on Besiktas on Saturday after scoring 20 goals in 22 matches in the Turkish League this season.
Osimhen has never played in the prestigious FIFA World Cup, and at the age of 26, he is aiming to fulfill his age-long dream of appearing in the competition.
All hope is not lost for Osimhen, and the Super Eagles team, they currently sit fourth in Group C, six points behind leaders South Africa with four games remaining in the series.
Up next for the team is a clash against Rwanda at home in September before taking on South Africa in Pretoria.
Former Chelsea star Adrian Mutu has opened up on how his addiction to cocaine stopped him from winning the prestigious Ballon d’Or during his time at Stamford Bridge.
Mutu joined Chelsea from Parma in 2003 in a big money move which cost the club €22.5 to begin the era of Roman Abramovich.
Despite his impressive start to life at Stamford Bridge, he fell out with the club’s newly-appointed manager, Jose Mourinho in the following season with each accusing the other of lying about whether the player was injured for a 2006 World Cup qualifying match against the Czech Republic.
In September 2024, Mutu was banned from football for eight months after testing positive for cocaine use.
The Romanian forward has now opened up on his battle with cocaine, and how it affected his chances of winning the Ballon d’Or award.
He said: “Taking cocaine during my time at Chelsea was the worst decision I could have made in my career.
“I was alone and sad, but neither depression nor anything else justified my actions. Zero tolerance – that was Chelsea’s policy regarding drugs. And I think that’s fair.
“I made a mistake, strayed from the path, and paid the price for it. I was caught off guard. I wasn’t used to that life. I was unprepared.
“I arrived at Chelsea during a turbulent time in my personal life, and I found myself caught up in too many excuses and lies. I was too young and too alone.
“I’ve reflected on that many times. I believe that for more than a season, I was amongst the best players in the world, so I could have won the Ballon d’Or award easily. But bad decisions prevented me from doing so. I try not to beat myself up about it.”
In 2003, Mutu was nominated for the Ballon d’Or award after scoring 22 goals for Parma in 36 matches in the Serie A before sealing a move to Chelsea.
He earned the same number of votes as legends Ronaldinho, Filippo Inzaghi, Jan Koller and Francesco Toldo in the voting for the prestigious award.
Mutu’s relationship with Mourinho became strained as the Portuguese manager got wind of his party-boy lifestyle, and suspicion that he was using cocaine in pre-season before he was eventually banned in September 2004.
Subsequently, the FIFA Dispute Resolution Chamber ordered Mutu to pay €17,173,990 in compensation to his former club, Chelsea FC, for breach of contract.
This included €16,500,000 for the unamortised portion of the transfer fee paid to Parma, €307,340 for the unamortised portion of the sign-on fee (received by Mutu).
Details have been revealed of how Diego Maradona suffered an agonising 12-hour death in a dark room, struggling to breathe after his heart swelled to double that of a regular size after years of coc@ine use
Seven medical professionals are on trial for culpable homicide after the 1986 Argentina World Cup winner died following a heart attack aged 60 in 2020. They deny the charges.
Late football legend, Diego Maradona reportedly
Forensic expert Carlos Mauricio Casinelli showed pictures of brain clots, a ‘sign of agony’, and claimed his heart weighed 503 grams – more than a football.
Four-and-a-half litres of fluid had accumulated in his organs due to an acute pulmonary edema brought on by his heart failure.
Argentinian newspaper Clarin carries the horrifying details which emerged in the trial, with Casinelli claiming that his torture would have been easy to spot for days.
‘The heart was completely covered in fat and blood clots, which indicate agony,’ he said. ‘This is a patient who had been collecting water over the days; that’s not acute.
‘This was something that was foreseeable. Any doctor examining a patient would find this.
‘The water he had in his abdomen, in both pleurae, and in his heart isn’t normal; it doesn’t form in a day or an hour. It’s been forming over several days; there’s no exact time. It could have been from the time he was expelled (from hospital) until he died.
‘This is likely to take at least 10 days, given the addition of cirrhosis and myocarditis.’
Maradona had been recovering at home from a surgery on a brain blood clot, which he had had earlier that November. Two weeks later, Argentina and the football world were plunged into mourning.
Casinelli added: ‘It was a dark, partitioned room, with a bed in the middle of the room and a portable toilet.
‘It didn’t seem like a suitable place for what we later learned was home hospitalisation.’
Forensic doctor Federico Corasaniti backed up the claim that Maradona suffered a gradual death.
He believes that Maradona’s condition was that bad that the pressure on his lungs would have been audible to other people.
‘From my experience with the generalized edema, the difficulty he must have had breathing and exchanging gases, and the sounds in his lungs that are audible just by bringing his face close,’ he said.
‘In my opinion as a doctor, it wasn’t a sudden event.’
Maradona’s family have alleged negligence, a cover-up, and derogatory comments from the medical team who oversaw his care – calling it a ‘mafia’.
He had struggled with drug addiction, obesity, and alcoholism for decades, and reportedly came close to death in 2000 and 2004.
But prosecutors suspect that – were it not for the negligence of his doctors – his death could have been avoided.
Seven of the eight medical professionals who have been charged in the case, including Maradona’s brain surgeon, psychiatrist and nurses, are now standing trial for culpable homicide, a crime which roughly equates to involuntary manslaughter.
They deny wrongdoing but could face up to 25 years in prison.
Dalma Maradona, the legend’s eldest daughter, shared a video containing audio she claims proves serious irregularities in her father’s care. And she revealed that her mother is in fear of the ‘mafia’ who ‘control everything’.
‘My mother is worried because she is afraid,’ she said on the Angel Responde show on Bondi Live.
‘Afraid of the mafia, of those who control everything, have money and power. But I don’t care. I know who I am up against, but I cannot remain silent. We need people to know the truth. My mother tells me all the time “shut up, don’t say anything, I’m scared,” but I can’t. I owe it to him.’
Dalma was previously reported to have alleged that a ‘mafia of assassins’ caused her father’s death. She claims there are recordings that exist that prove a lack of medical attention with conversations about cover-ups and professional negligence, Argentine outlet Diario Registrado report.
Maradona won the World Cup with Argentina in 1986, having knocked England out in the quarter final with the infamous ‘Hand of God’ goal and another – later voted ‘Goal of the Century.’
Will Doja Cat finally meet her deadbeat dad Dumisani Dlamini during her South African homecoming?
In August 2025, Doja Cat, the Grammy-winning global sensation, will return to her roots as she headlines the Hey Neighbour Festival in Pretoria, South Africa.
This long-awaited trip marks a significant “homecoming” for the artist, whose father, Dumisani Dlamini, hails from South Africa. But amidst the excitement of her performance, one burning question remains, will she finally confront her estranged father, a man she’s famously never met?
Doja Cat’s relationship with Dumisani has long been a source of public fascination. The South African actor and musician, best known for his role in the 1992 film Sarafina! and his work in the local entertainment scene, has been largely absent from his daughter’s life. And Doja has been unflinching in her public criticism. In a 2020 interview with Whoopi Goldberg, her Sarafina! co-star, Doja confirmed that she had never met her father. Her resentment spilled over in a fiery social media outburst in May 2024, when she branded him a “deadbeat,” while begrudgingly acknowledging his talents as a dancer and actor.
It’s a complicated relationship marked by a blend of bitterness and reluctant admiration one that paints a picture of a daughter who has built an empire without the man who should have been there from the start.
However, Dumisani has a different story to tell. In a 2020 interview on Metro FM, he claimed to have attempted to reach out to Doja multiple times, only to be blocked by her management. He’s often gushed about her success, calling her a “fantastic artist” and expressing his hopes for her to reconnect with her Zulu heritage. Just last year, Dumisani even hinted at a grand gesture, suggesting he had plans to collaborate with the late Mbongeni Ngema to organize a traditional Zulu welcome for Doja upon her return. Yet, as his track record as a father would suggest, these gestures have so far been nothing more than words.
Now, with Doja’s highly anticipated trip to South Africa on the horizon, the question remains: will Dumisani step up? Fans and media alike are buzzing with speculation, some claiming he’s planning
Skeem Saam actress reveals struggles with homelessness and financial hardship.
Pebetsi Nolo Matlaila, the actress known for her role on Skeem Saam and her radio career, has revealed that she and her two children are currently living in a women’s and children’s shelter. In a candid update, Matlaila spoke openly about her dire financial situation, which has led to her current homelessness. “It’s very safe here,” she said, offering a glimpse into her life marked by significant financial hardship and the struggles of single motherhood.
Matlaila’s difficult journey has been years in the making. In a 2023 interview, she opened up about her tumultuous marriage, which lasted just nine months. During this time, she endured emotional and physical abuse, which left lasting scars.
After the marriage ended, she found herself financially stranded, with a single income and mounting responsibilities. The breakdown of her marriage and the emotional toll it took led to a series of financial setbacks that have left her unable to make ends meet.
“I have been trying to survive,” Matlaila said, as she faced mounting debts and limited job opportunities, Matlaila’s situation became increasingly dire. Unable to find a sustainable solution, she was forced to turn to a shelter for refuge a stark contrast to the glamorous image many associate with celebrities.
Homelessness in South Africa has risen significantly, with the number of homeless people increasing by more than 400% over the past decade. Matlaila’s situation highlights the growing financial instability faced by many South Africans, especially single parents struggling to make a living in an economy where unemployment and poverty rates continue to climb.
Despite her circumstances, Matlaila has been reluctant to seek further help from family, particularly her mother, who has already made considerable sacrifices. “Honestly speaking, my mother has done too much already for my children and me,” she admitted. “Her family members are looking at me like I am a leech, and I am milking her dry.” She has expressed her desire to stand on her own and not be a burden on her family, choosing instead to face her challenges independently.
THE LAW ASSOCIATION OF ZAMBIA DETAILED RESPONSE TO THE OUTLINE OF THE PROMINENT KEY ISSUES REQUIRING CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT AND PROPOSED ROAD MAP.
The Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) has carefully studied Government Position paper on the proposed Constitutional reforms as presented by the Honorable Minister of Justice, Honorable Princess Kasune, MP in her Parliamentary address on 26th March, 2025. The Minister of Justice outlined the prominent key issues requiring Constitutional amendment and also presented a road map for the reform process.
We have reviewed the said position paper, and in line with our statutory mandate, would like to offer a detailed response thereto. For clarity, we have itemized the specific issues as submitted by the Minister of Justice, and our position is as hereinbelow:
“1. DELIMITATION OF NEW CONSTITUENCIES AND WARDS BY THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF ZAMBIA THE CONSTITUTION, CHAPTER 1 OF THE LAWS OF ZAMBIA, PROVIDES FOR A FIXED NUMBER OF CONSTITUENCIES IN THE COUNTRY, WHICH TODAY, IS ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-SIX (156). THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF ZAMBIA (ECZ) IS MANDATED, AT INTERVALS OF NOT MORE THAN TEN YEARS, TO REVIEW THE NAMES AND BOUNDARIES OF CONSTITUENCIES. IT IS PROPOSED THAT ARTICLES 58 AND 68 BE AMENDED TO PROVIDE FOR ACTUALISATION OF DELIMITATION OF CONSTITUENCIES AND WARDS, TO BE DETERMINED BY THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF ZAMBIA.
THE IMPACT OF DELIMITATION, MADAM SPEAKER WILL PROVIDE EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF RESOURCES (PARTICULARLY THE CDF) BASED ON POPULATION AND GEOGRAPHIC SIZE OR LAND MASS. EQUITY VERSUS EQULITY, MADAM SPEAKER. IMAGINE CONSTITUENCIES WHICH ARE THE SIZE OF SOME EUROPEAN COUNTRIES GETTING THE SAME AMOUNT AS A SMALL CONSTITUENCY. THIS IS THE INJUSTICE, THE INEQUITY THAT THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PEOPLE OF ZAMBIA ARE CONCERNED ABOUT.”
LAZ Response: This is a new proposal. However, delimitation requires a careful and wide consultative process to avoid potential political conflict in terms of drawing boundaries to perpetuate political gains. Proposed timeline in the road map is not sufficient to achieve the required consultative process. Rushing delimitation ahead of elections is not wise.
There is also no agreement as to the basis of the proposed delimitation exercise, will it be based on the 2019 review by the Electoral Commission or indeed a new one? Have political parties agreed the parameters of the proposed delimitation, and will they agree just before elections.
Using the argument of Constituency Development Fund (CDF) as a basis for delimitation is also not persuasive, as CDF is not is not in the Constitution. Further CDF is not one of the matters to be taken into account by the Electoral Commission when delimiting constituencies and wards under Article 59 of the Constitution.
There are many options available to the Government to enhance equity in CDF allocations and utilization. Government could consider allocating Constituency Development Fund based on number of wards, within each Constituency. Since creation of wards does not require Constitutional amendment but within the control of Parliament, bigger Constituencies in terms of geographical size and population can have more wards, thereby attracting higher CDF, to achieve equity in the interim.
Government could also consider creating more Districts to enhance service delivery in areas with bigger Constituencies in line with the decentralization policy.
Additionally, Government should attend to inefficiencies surrounding the low utilization of CDF across the country.
“2. THE NEED TO REVISE THE PROVISIONS RELATING TO FILING OF FRESH NOMINATIONS ON RESIGNATION OF A CANDIDATE IN AN ELECTION THE CONSTITUTION, UNDER ARTICLE 52(6), MANDATES ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF ZAMBIA TO CANCEL AN ELECTION AND REQUIRE THE FILING OF FRESH NOMINATIONS, WHERE A CANDIDATE RESIGNS. THE PROPOSAL IS TO AMEND THE ASPECT RELATING TO RESIGNATION OF A CANDIDATE, SO THAT THE REMAINING CANDIDATES PROCEED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ELECTION, AS OPPOSED TO REQUIRING THE FILING OF FRESH NOMINATIONS. THIS WOULD BE AN UNNECESSARY COST TO THE GOVERNMENT AND WOULD HAVE THE PROBABILITY TO DESTABILISE THE PEACE OF OUR COUNTRY “.
LAZ Response: This proposal is similar to what was contained in Clause 11 of Bill 10 of 2019 which ultimately failed to pass. The proposal requires wider consultations and consensus with stakeholders including political parties who sponsor the candidates.
“3. INTRODUCTION OF AN ELECTORAL SYSTEM THAT ENHANCES REPRESENTATION OF WOMEN, YOUTH AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IN THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY IT HAS BEEN NOTED THAT THE CURRENT ELECTORAL SYSTEM DOES NOT PROVIDE GUARANTEED SEATS FOR WOMEN, YOUTHS AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IN THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY. THEREFORE, IT IS PROPOSED THAT THE CONSTITUTION UNDER ARTICLES 47(2) AND 68 BE AMENDED SO AS TO GUARANTEE THE REPRESENTATION OF WOMEN, YOUTHS AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IN PARLIAMENT. “
LAZ Response: This is a progressive proposal considering the low participation of women, youths and persons with disabilities in the National Assembly and in key Governance Institutions in the country.
However, there are existing Constitutional provisions to address this challenge. Firstly, Government should fully implement the provisions of Article 60 of the Constitution to urgently enacting a Political Parties Bill compelling Political Parties to adopt more women, youths and persons with disabilities as candidates in Parliamentary elections. Additionally, Government should take advantage of the provisions of Article 259 of the Constitution, which calls upon appointing authorities to appoint women, youth and persons with disabilities into key Governance institutions.
We note that this proposal is similar to what was contained in Clause 15 of Bill 10 of 2019, which ultimately failed to pass. In any event, it should be part of a holistic Constitutional reform process. “4. RE-INTRODUCTION OF MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT IN COUNCILS THE CONSTITUTION, UNDER ARTICLE 153(2), DOES NOT INCLUDE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT AS BEING PART OF THEIR RESPECTIVE COUNCILS. IT IS, THEREFORE, PROPOSED THAT ARTICLE 153(2) BE AMENDED IN ORDER TO INCLUDE THE MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT ON THE LIST OF PEOPLE WHO CONSTITUTE A COUNCIL. THIS SHALL ENSURE THAT MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT, AS THE PEOPLES’ REPRESENTATIVES, ACTIVELY TAKE PART IN THE DEVELOPMENTAL ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN BY THE COUNCIL”.
LAZ Response: This proposal is similar to what was contained in Clause 52 of Bill 10 of 2019, which ultimately failed to pass. The proposal requires wider consultations and consensus with stakeholders including political parties. It can benefit from a holistic reform of the Constitution.
“5. PROVIDE FOR THE HEARING AND DETERMINATION OF AN ELECTION PETITION THE CONSTITUTION, IN ARTICLES 73(2), 101(5) AND 103(2), PROVIDES THAT A PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION PETITION AND PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION PETITION SHALL BE HEARD WITHIN NINETY DAYS AND FOURTEEN DAYS OF THE FILING OF THE PETITION, RESPECTIVELY. THE PROPOSAL IS THAT THESE PROVISIONS BE AMENDED TO CLARIFY THAT THE PETITIONS SHALL NOT ONLY BE HEARD, BUT ALSO DETERMINED, WITHIN THE SPECIFIED TIMEFRAMES, AS PROVIDED IN THE CONSTITUTION. THIS WILL AVERT THE UNFORTUNATE POSITION THE COUNTRY FOUND ITSLEF, IN 2016”.
LAZ Response: This proposal is similar to what was contained in Clause 30 of Bill 10 of 2019. Additionally, the provisions of the Constitutional Court Rules, Statutory Instrument No. 37 of 2016 as amended by Statutory Instrument number 29 of 2021, have greatly brought clarity in the determination of elections petitions to avoid the repeat of the unfortunate position the country found itself, in 2016.
“6. REVISE THE PROVISIONS RELATING TO BY-ELECTIONS THE CONSTITUTION, UNDER ARTICLE 57(1), PROVIDES FOR A BYELECTION IN THE EVENT OF A VACANCY IN THE OFFICE OF A MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT, MAYOR, COUNCIL CHAIRPERSON OR COUNCILLOR. WE ARE ALL WELL AWARE HOW THE PEOPLE HAVE REPEATEDLY LAMENTED THAT THESE BY-ELECTIONS ARE A HUGE COST ON THE TREASURY, WHICH DERAIL AND DESTABILISE DEVELOPMENTAL PROJECTS. THE HOUSE MAY WISH TO KNOW THAT, FROM 2021 TODATE, THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF ZAMBIA HAS SPENT, ON BY-ELECTIONS AT CONSTITUENCY AND WARD LEVEL A TOTAL OF TWO HUNDRED SIXTYFOUR MILLION, ONE HUNDRED FORTY-FIVE THOUSAND, THREE HUNDRED AND NINE KWACHA (K264,145,309.00).
THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE THE COLOSSAL AMOUNTS WHICH CANDIDATES AND THOSE SUPPORTING THE PROCESS, HAVE TO SPEND DURING THE CAMPAIGNS. RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT A CANDIDATE WILL SPEND ABOUT THREE POINT NINE MILLION KWACHA OF AN INDIVIDUAL’S RESOURCES. MADAM SPEAKER, BY-ELECTIONS DISRUPT BUSINESSES AND DEVELOPMENT BY DIVERTING PEOPLES ATTENTION AND RESOURCES. THIS IS MONEY WHICH COULD HAVE BUILT SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS AND BRIDGES, THEREFORE ENABLING ALL OF US DELIVER FOR OUR PEOPLE.
IT IS, THEREFORE PROPOSED THAT ARTICLE 57 BE AMENDED SO AS TO DISPENSE WITH BY-ELECTIONS WHERE A VACANCY IN THESE OFFICES IS OCCASIONED BY A MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT UNDER A POLITICAL PARTY.
LAZ Response: This is new and progressive proposal in so far as it seeks to provide a solution to the colossal sums spent on by -elections. However, the proposal requires wider consultations and consensus with stakeholders including political parties. While the problem of by-elections is generally agreed, there is no consensus on the solution. Whatever the solution will be, it will be important to balance the rights of the citizens to vote for candidates of their choice and dispensing with by-elections. It can therefore benefit from a holistic reform of the Constitution.
“7. INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF NOMINATED MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT THE CONSTITUTION, UNDER ARTICLE 68(2)(B), PROVIDES THAT THERE SHALL BE NOT MORE THAN 8 NOMINATED MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT. IT IS PROPOSED THAT ARTICLE 68(2)(B) BE AMENDED SO AS TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF NOMINATED MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT TO A NUMBER THAT WOULD BE PROVIDED FOR IN AN ACT OF PARLIAMENT.”
LAZ Response: This is contentious and in fact retrogressive. It will result in increasing, instead of reducing, the powers of the Presidency. The proposed Article can be subject of abuse, with a potential to water down the accountability and legislative function of the legislature. It may result in creating a rubber-stamp National Assembly for the Executive’s arbitrary actions. The Executive arm of Government will effectively do whatever it shall please, including passing whatever legal and constitutional amendments it may desire, to the detriment of democratic practices, citizens will ultimately be the losers.
We also note that one of the reasons behind nominated members of Parliament is to allow the Presidency to incorporate the youths, women and persons with disabilities or indeed citizens with unique skills and experience to be incorporated in National Assembly and Cabinet. It should follow that if we are discussing broadening pathways for women, youths and persons into key Governance institutions, maintaining the status quo of 8 nominated MPs is more reasonable. If the President wants more people to appoint as Cabinet Ministers, then perhaps it should be proposing appointment of Cabinet Ministers outside Parliament, as submitted by various Constitutional reviews commissions, and not bloating the legislature.
It is unclear which stakeholders recommended the relegation of the number of nominated MPs to an Act of Parliament, considering that the issue has been extensively deliberated at previous Constitutional Review Commissions, and it has been agreed that it is safer for this limit on nominated MPs to be in the Constitution. This proposal poses the most threat to the national values and principles of democracy and Constitutionalism, good governance and integrity as contained in Article 8 of the Constitution.
“8. HARMONIZATION OF THE TERM OF OFFICE FOR MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT THE CONSTITUTION, UNDER ARTICLE 81, PROVIDES THAT THE TERM OF PARLIAMENT SHALL BE FIVE YEARS, STARTING FROM THE DATE THAT THE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT ARE SWORN INTO OFFICE, AFTER A GENERAL ELECTION AND ENDING ON THE DATE THAT PARLIAMENT IS DISSOLVED. THIS IS A PERIOD OF FOUR YEARS AND SOME MONTHS. YOU WILL ALSO NOTE THAT ARTICLE 266 HAS A SIMILAR DEFINITION FOR THE WORD “TERM”.
IT IS PROPOSED THAT ARTICLES 81 AND 266 BE AMENDED IN ORDER TO ACTUALISE THE TERM OF OFFICE TO A PERIOD OF FIVE YEARS.”
LAZ Response: This proposal is similar to what was contained in Clause 22 of Bill 10 of 2019. It is hard to appreciate the real mischief it is aimed to cure.
The dissolution of Parliament 90 days before the holding of general elections under Article 81(3) of the Constitution is aimed at reducing the potential abuse of public funds, ahead of elections. It also ensures a level political playing field, so that Members of Parliament and Cabinet Ministers from the ruling party, do not campaign using the public purse. In any event, it can benefit from a holistic reform of the Constitution.
“9. VACANCY OF MINISTER’S OFFICE NINETY DAYS BEFORE ELECTIONS THE CONSTITUTION, UNDER ARTICLE 116(3), PROVIDES FOR VACANCY IN THE OFFICE OF THE MINISTER. IT IS PROPOSED THAT ARTICLES 116 BE AMENDED TO PROVIDE THAT THE OFFICE OF THE MINISTER BECOMES VACANT, NINETY DAYS BEFORE THE HOLDING OF THE NEXT GENERAL ELECTIONS. THIS SHALL AVOID THE ILLEGAL STAY OF MINISTERS IN OFFICE AND USE OF PUBLIC RESOURCES FOR CAMPAIGN PURPOSES. THIS IS IN LINE WITH THE DECISION OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT JUDGEMENT, AS STATED IN THE CASE OF STEPHEN KATUKA (SUING AS SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE UNITED PARTY FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT) AND THE LAW ASSOCIATION OF ZAMBIA VS THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL, NGOSA SIMBYAKULA AND 62 OTHERS.”
LAZ Response: This matter is already clearly settled by the current Constitution.
Under Article 116 of the Constitution, Cabinet Ministers are appointed from members of Parliament. It follows that once Parliament is dissolved 90 days before general elections under Article 81(3), Cabinet is also dissolved. There is therefore no danger of Cabinet Ministers illegally staying in office.
“10. REMOVE THE TERM LIMIT FOR THE OFFICE OF MAYOR THE CONSTITUTION, UNDER ARTICLE 154(2)(B), PROVIDES THAT A MAYOR AND COUNCIL CHAIRPERSON SHALL HOLD OFFICE FOR TWO TERMS. THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO THE OFFICE OF COUNCILLOR AND MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT. IT IS PROPOSED THAT ARTICLE 154(2)(B) BE AMENDED SO AS TO REMOVE THE TWO-TERM LIMIT FOR THE OFFICE OF MAYOR TO REMOVE THE DISCRIMINATORY CONNOTATION AND ENSURE CONSISTENCY IN THE TENURE OF CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICES.”
LAZ Response: This proposal was equally part of Bill 10 of 2019, which ultimately failed to pass. The proposal requires wider consultations and consensus with stakeholders On limiting terms, the broader discussion should be whether the current limitation applicable to Mayors and the Republican Presidency, should also apply to other political offices such as member of Parliament. It can therefore benefit from a holistic reform of the Constitution.
“11. REVISION OF THE QUALIFICATIONS OF THE OFFICE OF SECRETARY TO THE CABINET THE CONSTITUTION, UNDER ARTICLE 176(3), LIMITS THE QUALIFICATIONS AN INDIVIDUAL TO BE APPOINTED TO THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY TO THE CABINET, TO TEN YEARS’ EXPERIENCE AS A PERMANENT SECRETARY OR EQUIVALENT RANK. IT IS PROPOSED THAT ARTICLE 176(3) BE AMENDED SO AS TO REVISE THE QUALIFICATION OF THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY TO THE CABINET TO FIVE YEARS, IN ORDER TO EXPAND THE POOL OF SUITABLY QUALIFIED POTENTIAL CANDIDATES FOR THE POSITION.”
LAZ Response: It is difficult to appreciate the justification for the proposal. It is hard to make a case for the reduction from the current 10 years’ experience for this critical role which serves as the head of the civil service and chief advisor to the President on the management of the public service in line with Article 176 of the Constitution. We also note that 10 years is consistent with qualifications for other constitutional offices such as High Court Judge, Director of Public Prosecutions, Attorney General and Solicitor General, among others. We do not believe that there is any urgency in dealing with the proposal considering that Clause 61 of Bill 10 of 2019 had touched on this office in similar lines.
It can therefore benefit from a holistic reform of the Constitution. “12. REVISION OF THE PROVISIONS RELATING TO A VACANCY IN THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL AND SOLICITOR GENERAL THE CONSTITUTION, UNDER ARTICLES 178(1)(B) AND 179(4)(B), PROVIDES THAT THE OFFICES OF THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL AND SOLICITORGENERAL BECOME VACANT WHEN ANOTHER PERSON ASSUMES THE OFFICE OF PRESIDENT. IT HAS BEEN NOTED THAT THIS CREATES A VACUUM WHENEVER A NEW PRESIDENT ASSUMES OFFICE, WHICH GRIND THE OPERATIONS OF THE OFFICES.
IT IS PROPOSED THAT ARTICLES 178(1)(B) AND 179(4)(B) BE AMENDED TO PROVIDE FOR THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL AND SOLICITOR-GENERAL TO CONTINUE HOLDING OFFICE UNTIL THE FORMAL APPOINTMENT OF NEW OFFICE BEARERS. “
LAZ Response: This proposal is welcome to deal with the administrative vacuum created by the current constitutional provision.
However, we do not believe the problem can justify a piece-meal amendment to the Constitution, especially that this matter was also subject of Bill 10 of 2019. It should be considered as part of the holistic Constitutional reform process. “13. REVISION OF THE DEFINITIONS OF “CHILD” AND “ADULT” THE CONSTITUTION, UNDER ARTICLE 266, PROVIDES FOR THE DEFINITION OF THE WORDS “CHILD” AS A PERSON UNDER THE AGE OF EIGHTEEN YEARS, AND “ADULT” AS A PERSON WHO HAS ATTAINED, OR IS ABOVE THE AGE OF EIGHTEEN YEARS. IT HAS BEEN OBSERVED THAT ARTICLE 266 LACKS CLARITY BECAUSE IT DEEMS A CHILD AS ANY PERSON WHO HAS ATTAINED THE AGE OF EIGHTEEN YEARS. IT IS PROPOSED THAT THE WORDS “CHILD” BE AMENDED TO PROVIDE FOR CLARITY.”
LAZ Response: This proposal is welcome to harmonize the definition of child and adult. However, challenge presented by the definition has largely been addressed by the Children’s Code Act, No. 12 of 2022. It should be considered as part of the holistic Constitutional reform process.
B. “PROPOSED ROADMAP IN LIGHT OF THE ABOVE, I WISH TO PRESENT TO THIS AUGUST HOUSE A PROPOSED ROADMAP FOR THE ENACTMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION, WITH APPROPRIATE TIMELINES, AS FOLLOWS: ROADMAP FOR THE ENACTMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION OF ZAMBIA (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2025 TASK TIME PERIOD THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF JUSTICE TO UPDATE PARLIAMENT ON THE ROADMAP AND THE CONTENT OF THE PROPOSED CONSTITUTION OF ZAMBIA (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2025 26TH MARCH, 2025 RECEIPT OF THE ELECTORAL REFORM TECHNICAL COMMITTEE REPORT FROM THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF ZAMBIA BY THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE, RELATING TO –
(i) THE DELIMITATION OF CONSTITUENCIES; (ii) BY-ELECTIONS; AND (iii) ELECTORAL SYSTEM FOR ENHANCEMENT OF PARTICIPATION OF WOMEN, YOUTHS AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITY 22ND APRIL, 2025 THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE TO COMMENCE THE DRAFTING OF THE CONSTITUTION OF ZAMBIA (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2025 23RD APRIL, 2025 TO 20TH MAY, 2025 PUBLICATION OF THE CONSTITUTION OF ZAMBIA (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2025, IN THE GAZETTE FOR 30 DAYS, FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE 79 OF THE CONSTITUTION, CAP. 1. 21ST MAY, 2025 TO 21ST JUNE, 2025 (30 DAYS)
INTRODUCTION OF THE CONSTITUTION OF ZAMBIA (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2025, IN PARLIAMENT 24TH JUNE, 2025 A SELECT COMMITTEE OF PARLIAMENT SHALL EXAMINE THE CONSTITUTION OF ZAMBIA (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2025 26TH JUNE, 2025 TO
15TH JULY, 2025 A SELECT COMMITTEE OF PARLIAMENT TO REPORT BACK TO THE HOUSE 17TH JULY, 2025 SECOND READING OF THE BILL 22ND JULY, 2025 THIRD READING OF THE BILL 25TH JULY, 2025
GOVERNMENT HAPPY WITH PUBLIC RESPONSE ON CONSTITUTION ROADMAP
March 27, 2025
Chief Government Spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa says the government has received positive feedback from the public since the announcement of the proposed constitutional amendments by Minister of Justice, Princess Kasune, yesterday.
Mr Mweetwa states that the announcement of the proposed constitutional amendments has put to rest the propaganda which was being peddled that President Hakainde Hichilema wanted to increase the tenure of office to seven years.
“I would like to place here and now the government’s gratitude that ever since the Minister of Justice announced these proposed amendments to the Constitution most citizens have received these proposals well,” He said.
Mr Mweetwa who is also Minister of Information and Media disclosed during the media briefing that the government has no draft bill in place for amendment of the constitution as suggested by some sections of society.
The Minister explained that the proposed constitutional clauses for amendment presented to parliament yesterday by the Minister of Justice are not cast into stone but rather to give an opportunity for citizens and stakeholders to make comments as the government embarks on the journey of soliciting minimum consensus on possible constitutional amendments.
He explained that some of the clauses have been posing a challenge to the operations of government hence the need to amend the targeted clauses.
“Let me reiterate here that there is no draft bill for the amendment of the Zambian Constitution.”
Mr Mweetwa said it was necessary that the selected proposed clauses for amendments are addressed and pointed out that some clauses in the constitution have been causing administrative challenges in service delivery.
“It is necessary and expedient that they be addressed now because they are providing administrative challenges to the operations of government in a quest to provide the services for which this government was elected to save the people of Zambia,” He said.
Meanwhile, Mr Mweetwa says the number of seats that will be proposed to be added to the current 156 elective seats will be decided by the Electoral Commission for Zambia (ECZ ).
He emphasized during the media briefing, that it is the mandate of the ECZ to facilitate the periodic assessments of constituency delimitation and wards.
“This is one issue which I think is fairly straightforward, but that the number of seats that may be proposed to be added to the current 156 elective seats will be a function of the Electoral Commission for Zambia.”
Mr Mweetwa said the proposed delimitation is in inline with the constitutional requirement that ECZ is mandated by law.
Patriotic Front (PF) presidential hopeful Greyford Monde says the former ruling party has a president in the name of Edgar Chagwa Lungu.
Mr Monde has disagreed with PF Copperbelt Provincial Chairperson Stardy Mwale who indicated that the party needs to elect a party President during its forthcoming Central Committee Meeting.
Mr Monde said it was disappointing for Mr Mwale to speak in the manner he did.
“I’m so disappointed in the statement made by Mr. Stardy Mwale especially to the public which would have been discussed in a position he holds as a central committee member. So, speaking as a person who participated in an election, that would have happened under our party which I can tell you that has been under siege,” Monde said.
“It was illegally given to Miles Sampa, today Miles Sampa is also outside crying because the door has been closed for him.”
He said the country was aware that PF had Lungu as president.
“So, we proceed with him until such a time if he is going to say no. Outside that decision, we have a president. For now, our candidate is Edgar Lungu,” he said.
He said PF leaders were not cowards.
“You see; I don’t even know what he means when he says we are cowards. But to insinuate that we are cowards by not getting a president now, that’s not cowardice. Every organisation has a strategy,” Monde said.
“Whatever is happening is part of our strategy. If he has a different strategy, let him bring it to the table. Him going to the media is not even a lack of loyalty but lack of knowledge. There is no one who is a coward here.”
Asked on assertions that Lungu was surrounded by cowards, Monde said that was not the case.
“Advice is for taking or leaving. You can’t say he is not being advised. He is being advised and it’s up to the person being advised to take the advice or not. I can tell you that he is being advised. The Church, NGOs, legal minds and many others are advising him,” said Monde.
“We can’t be casual in the manner we handle this matter that is aimed at redeeming the people of this country. President Lungu is well advised.”
He further wondered who was sponsoring Mwale for him to come out in the manner he did.
Zambia Drowning in Bribes: 2024 ZBPI Exposes Alarming Corruption Surge
Zambia is grappling with a deepening corruption crisis, with bribery now firmly entrenched in public service delivery, according to the just-released 2024 Zambia Bribe Payers Index (ZBPI).
The damning report by Transparency International Zambia (TIZ) paints a grim picture of a nation where corruption has become a routine transaction, undermining governance, public trust, and basic service delivery.
The survey reveals that the Aggregate Bribery Index has surged from 10.1% in 2022 to a staggering 15.3% in 2024, signaling that Zambians today face an even higher probability of being forced to pay bribes to access public services. Alarmingly, the Service-Seeking Interaction Index which tracks bribery during interactions with service providers has climbed to 21.7%.
“This is not just a statistic, this is theft from the poor and vulnerable,” said Maurice Nyambe, Executive Director of TIZ, during the launch of the report. “Public officers are shamelessly monetizing basic services, and the government’s failure to decisively confront this problem is evident.” The report lays bare the rot across Zambia’s public institutions:
The Zambia Police, once again, tops the list as the most corrupt institution, with a jaw-dropping 91.2% bribery prevalence in traffic enforcement.
The Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) recorded 100% bribery prevalence in the licensing of public service vehicles.
The Department of Immigration and public health services also registered alarming bribery rates of 90.9% and 70.5% respectively.
Even the flagship Constituency Development Fund (CDF), which the government touts as a decentralization success, is marred by political interference, bribery, and nepotism.
The report reveals that only 22.6% of citizens participated in identifying community projects, with rural areas carrying the burden of exclusion and manipulation.
TIZ did not mince words: “CDF is becoming a corruption buffet for political elites and their cronies while the intended beneficiaries the ordinary Zambians are systematically sidelined,” Nyambe stated.
While 86.6% of Zambians are aware of the CDF, knowledge about its implementation is limited, leaving communities vulnerable to abuse. Worse still, 10.7% of applicants directly reported paying bribes to access CDF benefits, while nepotism and political favoritism dominated the beneficiary selection process.
The report also exposes a systemic failure to report corruption, with only 1.7% of victims reporting bribe solicitations despite 59.7% knowing about existing reporting channels. Shockingly, awareness of the Online Anonymous Whistleblower System (OAWS) remains pathetically low at 11.8%, leaving citizens hopeless and resigned.
“This low reporting is a direct reflection of the culture of impunity. Citizens know that reporting is often a waste of time because corrupt officials rarely face consequences,” Nyambe declared.
Adding salt to the wound, the report notes that while the Governance Index has inched up to 0.59, indicators of accountability and corruption control have actually worsened.
Transparency International Zambia has called for urgent and ruthless reforms, including the prosecution of public officers implicated in bribery, mandatory asset declarations, and radical transparency in the management of public funds, especially CDF.
“This is no longer business as usual,” Nyambe warned. “Corruption is robbing citizens of basic rights, entrenching poverty, and eroding democracy. If government does not act decisively, Zambia risks normalizing kleptocracy.”
Despite repeated government assurances, the ZBPI suggests that anti-corruption efforts are failing or worse, being deliberately weakened.
MINISTRY OF JUSTICE PROPOSED ARTICLES AND CLAUSES TO BE AMENDED IN THE ZAMBIAN CONSTITUTION – 2025
Shared by Augustine Mwewa (Aspiring Member of Parliament for Bahati Constituency in Mansa) 47. (2) Elections to the National Assembly shall be conducted under a first-past-the-post electoral system in accordance with Article 68. 52. (2) A returning officer shall, immediately on the filing of a nomination paper, in accordance with clause (1), duly reject the nomination paper if the candidate does not meet the qualifications or procedural requirements specified for election to that office.
57. (1) Where a vacancy occurs in the office of Member of Parliament, mayor, council chairperson or councillor, a by-election shall be held within ninety days of the occurrence of the vacancy. (2) A by-election shall not be held within the one hundred-and eighty day period that precedes a general election. (3) The Electoral Commission shall, by regulation, set the place where, and the date and time when, a by-election is to be held. 58. (1) Zambia shall be divided into constituencies and wards for purposes of elections to the National Assembly and councils, respectively. (2) The number of constituencies shall be equal to the number of seats of elected members in the National Assembly. (3) The number of wards in a district shall be prescribed. (4) The Electoral Commission shall determine the names and boundaries of constituencies and wards.
(5) The Electoral Commission shall, at intervals of not more than ten years, review the names and boundaries of constituencies and wards. (6) The names and details of the boundaries of constituencies and wards shall be published in the Gazette and shall come into effect on the next dissolution of Parliament or councils.
(7) A person may apply to the Constitutional Court for review of a decision of the Electoral Commission made under this Article. 68. (1) A Member of Parliament shall be elected in accordance with Article 47 (2) and this Article. (2) The National Assembly shall consist of— (a) one hundred and fifty-six members directly elected on the basis of a simple majority vote under the first-past the- post system; (b) not more than eight nominated members; (c) the Vice-President; (d) the Speaker; and (e) the First and Second Deputy Speakers.
73. (2) An election petition shall be heard within ninety days of the filing of the petition. 81. (1) The term of Parliament shall be five years commencing from the date that the Members of Parliament are sworn into office after a general election and ending on the date that Parliament is dissolved.
(2) The National Assembly may, when the Republic is at war, by resolution supported by a simple majority vote of the Members of Parliament, extend the term of Parliament for not more than twelve months at a time. (3) Parliament shall stand dissolved ninety days before the holding of the next general election.
(4) Subject to clauses (5), (6) and (7), the President may dissolve Parliament if the Executive cannot effectively govern the Republic due to the failure of the National Assembly to objectively and reasonably carry out its legislative function. (5) Where the President intends to dissolve Parliament in accordance with clause (4), the President shall inform the public and refer the matter, within seven days, to the Constitutional Court. (6) The Constitutional Court shall hear the matter, referred to it in accordance with clause (5), within seven days of receipt of the matter.
(7) The Constitutional Court shall, where it decides that the situation in clause (4) exists, inform the President and the President shall dissolve Parliament. (8) Where Parliament is dissolved under clauses (3) and (4), the President shall, until the President-elect assumes office, continue to perform the executive functions, in accordance with Article 104. (9) Where Parliament is dissolved under clauses (3) and (4), general elections shall be held within ninety days of the dissolution. (10) The President may, due to a state of war, state of public emergency or threatened state of public emergency, after the dissolution of Parliament and before the holding of general elections, recall the National Assembly that was dissolved.
(11) The President may, in consultation with the Speaker, prorogue Parliament by proclamation. 101. (5) The Constitutional Court shall hear an election petition filed in accordance with clause (4) within fourteen days of the filing of the petition. 103. (2) The Constitutional Court shall hear an election petition relating to the President-elect within fourteen days of the filing of the petition.
116. (1) The President shall appoint a prescribed number of Members of Parliament as Ministers. (2) A Minister shall be responsible, under the direction of the President, for the policy and strategic direction of a Ministry, department or other State institution, as assigned by the President.
(3) The office of Minister becomes vacant if— (a) the Minister is removed from office by the President; (b) the Minister resigns, by notice in writing to the President; (c) in the case of a nominated Member of Parliament, the nomination is revoked; (d) the Minister dies; (e) another person assumes the office of President; or (f) the Minister has a mental or physical disability that makes the Minister incapable of performing the functions of that office.
153. (2) A council shall consist of the following councillors— (a) persons elected in accordance with clause (1); (b) a mayor or council chairperson elected in accordance with Article 154; and (c) not more than three chiefs representing chiefs in the district, elected by the chiefs in the district.
154. (1) There shall be a mayor and deputy mayor or council chairperson and deputy council chairperson for every council, as prescribed. (2) A mayor and council chairperson shall be elected— (a) directly, in accordance with Article 47 (3) during elections for councillors, as prescribed; and (b) for a term of five years and may be re-elected for one further term of five years. (3) A deputy mayor and a deputy council chairperson shall be elected by the councillors from amongst themselves.
176. (1) There shall be a Secretary to the Cabinet who shall be appointed by the President, in consultation with the Civil Service Commission, subject to ratification by the National Assembly.
(2) The Secretary to the Cabinet shall— (a) be chief advisor to the President on the management of the public service; (b) be the head of the public service and responsible to the President for securing the general efficiency and effectiveness of the public service; (c) ensure that public services are delivered to the public efficiently;
(d) in accordance with instructions of the President— (i) arrange the affairs of Cabinet; (ii) attend meetings of Cabinet; (iii) cause to be written and kept minutes of meetings of Cabinet; and (iv) convey decisions made by Cabinet to appropriate authorities; (e) monitor the implementation of Government policies and Cabinet decisions; and (f) perform other functions as prescribed.
(3) A person qualifies to be appointed as Secretary to the Cabinet if that person has or had at least ten years’ experience as a permanent secretary or equivalent rank. (4) The term of office of the Secretary to the Cabinet shall be five years, subject to renewal for further terms.
(5) The Secretary to the Cabinet may resign from office by giving three months’ notice, in writing, to the President. 178. (1) The office of the Attorney-General becomes vacant if— (b) another person assumes the office of President; 179. (4) The office of Solicitor-General becomes vacant if— (b) another person assumes the office of President; 266. To be amended to include new definitions
Kasune reveals K264 million spent on by-elections since 2021
GOVERNMENT has revealed that it will begin drafting constitutional amendments from April 23 to May 20, 2025 focusing on addressing gaps in resource distribution, electoral processes and governance.
Justice minister Princess Kasune announced in the National Assembly yesterday that the amendments will allow the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to create more constituencies.
She explained that some constituencies are too large which makes it difficult to share the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) fairly.
The minister stated that the proposed changes aim to ensure a more balanced distribution of national resources.
Kasune added that government will only amend sections of the Constitution where there is broad public agreement.
She also assured the nation that the process will be inclusive with the proposed amendments being published in the government gazette 30 days before they are presented to Parliament to allow the public to provide feedback.
“The government is fully aware of the need for a broad-based consensus among all Zambians upon which the constitutional reform agenda will be anchored. However, this approach requires a wholesome amendment to the Constitution, which, as we all know, is costly and lengthy.”
“In this regard, the government intends to deal with non-contentious issues only to address the lacunae or gaps identified in the Constitution. The identified non-contentious issues shall be published in the Gazette thirty days before the introduction of the bill for first reading in the National Assembly to garner wide and inclusive consensus building on these issues. This approach, Madam Speaker, as provided under Article 79 of the Constitution, is not only consultative but also cost-effective,” shared Kasune.
Among the key changes, government is proposing a revision to the nomination process for elections.
Under the current system, fresh nominations are required if a candidate resigns before an election.
Therefore, government wants to change this so that elections proceed with the remaining candidates, thereby reducing election costs.
The amendments will also introduce guaranteed parliamentary seats for women, youths and persons with disabilities.
Kasune said this measure is aimed at ensuring their representation and involvement in national decision-making.
Another major change will see Members of Parliament return to local councils as a move meant to enhance their participation in grassroots governance and development.
Government is also seeking to reduce costs associated with by-elections.
Since 2021, the minister said by-elections have cost the country K264 million.
Under the proposed changes, if a Member of Parliament resigns, their seat will not immediately become vacant, thereby preventing unnecessary and costly by-elections.
She said Article 68(2)(b) provides for not more than eight nominated MPs but the proposed amendment is calling for an increase in the number of nominated MPs.
Another key amendment seeks to harmonize the term of office for MPs, as the current Constitution does not provide for a full five-year term.
“Articles 81 and 266 will be amended to align the parliamentary term to a full five years, ensuring consistency with other elected offices,” Kasune explained.
Furthermore, government plans to clarify the procedure for ministerial vacancies before elections.
“Currently, the Constitution does not clearly outline how and when ministerial offices become vacant before elections. We are proposing an amendment that will require ministers to vacate office 90 days before the general elections to provide clarity and ensure a smooth transition,” she said.
The drafting process will involve consultations with political parties, civil society organisations, religious groups and legal experts.
Once the amendments are finalised, they will be presented to Parliament for debate and approval.
I’m having sex with you because I love you, father tells biological daughter
A 39 – year old woman of Lusaka’s Garden house has narrated in the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court how her husband had sexual intercourse with his 19 -year-old biological daughter on their matrimonial bed when she was not around.
She revealed that the accused told the daughter that he had sexual intercourse with her because he loved her.
In this case, BM, aged 45 a bricklayer pleaded not guilty to two counts of incest and two counts of indecent assault on females contrary to the laws of Zambia.
The accused appeared before magistrate Amy Masoja who read all the charges to him, where he denied committing them.
When called to the witness dock to give her testimony, BB, the wife to the accused for over 23 years and mother to the victim, testified how she discovered that her daughter was being abused by her own father.
BB told the court that among her seven children, the defiled daughter had a disability on the right hand and right leg – she doesn’t walk properly.
This is because she had meningitis, in December 2006 at the age of two months.
“My daughter MM explained to me that between 2023 and 2024 something happened to her. She told me that her father was doing something. I asked her what he was doing to her. He said the father used to touch her breasts. I asked her if it was only the breasts that he was touching. She kept quiet.”
“I asked her to finish saying what she had started saying last night. She told me that the day I went to a Praise Overnight for Ushers and leaders in 2024, she said she remained and the father had sex with her,” the young lady said.
BB said the act happened in the house, in the main bedroom, the matrimonial bedroom.
“When that happened, all the siblings were around but they were sleeping. It is a four room house with three bedrooms. The girls used to sleep in one room, the boys in another and us in the main bedroom,” she said.
The witness said she asked her daughter if she had told anyone else about what happened but she said no.
“She told me that she informed me so that I tell him to stop what he had been doing.”
“She told me that he warned her not to tell anyone and if she did, he would kill her,” mother narrated.
BB said the victim told her that it happened on two occasions, She said on the second occasion, he had sent the others to buy snacks.
The survivor’s mother further said when the daughter confronted her father that what he was doing with her was bad, the man told her that he was having sex with her because he loved her.
“When it happened, I went to town. That’s where I sell from. My daughter revealed this to me between July and August, 2024.”
“I told my mother in law to travel immediately from the Copperbelt. She told me that she didn’t have transport money. I told her she needed to travel because something had happened,” the survivor’s mother narrated before court.
The witness said even before the mother came, her husband tried to take advantage of her daughter again but he didn’t manage.
“Before my in-laws came, my husband followed my daughter whilst she was in the house so that he could take advantage of her. He did not succeed in having sex with her,” she said.
The young lady said she was sleeping on the chair and felt him touching her breasts and asked if he could repeat what he had done to her again.
But the young lady was frustrated and went outside the house. That’s when she summoned up the courage to go to the police where she reported the matter.
“She told me that she had reported her father to the police… This was the time she told me that it was because I wasn’t doing anything about it. She said the police would come to arrest him,” The witness narrated.
During cross examination, the accused denied the charges questioning why his wife didn’t report to the police after their daughter told her what happened.
Of which the witness said she was waiting for the mother in-law to handle the issue.
When the court asked if the witness had confronted her husband on the issue, she responded in the affirmative.
It is alleged that on a date unknown but between December 1, 2023 and December 31, 2023 in Lusaka, the accused had carnal knowledge of MM a female person who to his knowledge was his daughter.
And between the same dates he indecently assaulted her.
The court has since adjourned the matter to April 22, 2025 for continuation of trial.
HIS ENTIRE CAREER IS A FLOP WITH ZERO AMUSING PICTURES ROBERTO SENDS SUBLIMINAL SHOTS AT CHELLAH TUKUTA
Whilst everyone was asleep dreaming, Chellah Tukuta decided it was the right time swing a shot at Roberto calling out his new buzzing song “Bestie” a flop. The photographer said, “Bestie by Roberto is a flop(running emoji).”
DJ Mzenga Man was praising the song just a few days ago saying it’s a hit record and acknowledged Roberto’s longevity in the industry. With so many people buzzing the song on social media and streets, the singer seemed to disagree with the former presidential photographer.
Roberto who, over the years has seemed to avoid social media drama, took a swing back at the photographer though a subliminal jab. The superstar did not mention names in responding but with the fact that he was tagged in the post which called out his song as a flop and mentioned “camera man”, it was clear where those shots were headed.
The superstar wrote in retaliation, “Maybe it’s (just) me, but I don’t remember EVER seeing a single picture that amused all of us taken by a certain Camera man, that got Fired twice. Entire career is a FLOP.” Roberto ended his post with “Bestie” further solidifying the assumptions before hand.
Both Roberto and Chellah Tukuta are individuals who have had a tough upbringing and have managed to build something for themselves which is highly admirable. For them to start throwing jabs at each other, it’s surprising but for a character such as that of Chellah Tukuta, who for a long time has fought with several media personalities for what seemed like no apparent reason, social users could assume why he started the feud.
While some social users have called on singer Roberto to avoid the photographer as he doesn’t deserve his response, other social users believed it was his way of promoting the song while some felt he was too lonely to enjoy the song. Regardless of his reasons, the superstar did not appreciate the gesture.
We guess the song has now reached that part where he sung, “We gonna be tested bestie, they’ll not understand how we make money, they call us names for this same money.” Meanwhile, the song keeps soaring high because of it’s message that has resonated with so many people. What do you think about this feud.
Opposition Questions Government’s Handling of Lands System Collapse
…: the government’s failure to manage the transition has cost the nation dearly….
LUSAKA – The opposition has expressed concern over the government’s handling of the recent collapse of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources’ online system, questioning whether the transition from the old system to a new one was properly executed.
Speaking in Parliament, Shiwang’andu Member of Parliament Hon. Stephen Kampyongo raised serious doubts about whether the government had adequately planned for the migration from the old system before switching to the new one, which has now suffered a major failure.
“Your predecessor had come to this August House to talk about the initial system which was installed before and that you were going to change the supplier of systems. And so we were raising questions at that point of how it was going to be to migrate from the old system and start with a totally new system,” Hon. Kampyongo stated.
He further questioned whether the rushed transition had directly contributed to the collapse, inconveniencing law firms and other stakeholders who depend on the system for land transactions.
“Do you think that migration from the old system could have now eventually affected the new system, which eventually collapsed and ended up with the challenge we are dealing with now?” he asked.
In response, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources Hon. Silvia Masebo admitted that the disruption was unprecedented but insisted that the new system was superior.
“The old system, Mr. Speaker, had a good side, but it had weaknesses. The current system is much, much superior and better than the old system. Like I indicated, this is the first time when we’ve had such a disruption,” she said.
However, her explanation did little to address concerns about the government’s preparedness in handling the transition. Instead, she shifted responsibility to Smart Zambia, the government division responsible for digital services.
“We, as an end-user, the Ministry of Lands, are not the ones that contracted this system. We are not responsible because this is a technical system that is under a division of government that deals with these kinds of things, and that is Smart Zambia,” Hon. Masebo stated.
Her remarks raise further questions about accountability. If the Ministry of Lands is the main user of the system, why was it not directly involved in ensuring its efficiency and reliability? The opposition argues that this lack of oversight is precisely why the system collapsed, leaving citizens and businesses stranded.
Hon. Masebo also admitted that the ministry had no proper backup system in place, a shocking revelation given the importance of land transactions in the country.
“We are also now looking at ensuring that we in future must have a tight backup so that even if something goes wrong, we have a fallback measure. As it were, we seemed like we had to wait until the system was restored, and of course, that had a negative impact not only on the government but also on our clients,” she conceded.
This admission underscores the Hon. Kampyongo’s argument that the government has failed to put in place the necessary safeguards to protect critical services.
“The issue of e-governance or e-services is a new concept for us in Zambia. Developed countries have gone further, and we are still building on. And so all I can say is that we all have work to do,” Hon. Masebo said, in what many see as an attempt to downplay the severity of the situation.
For the many Zambians, this statement is an admission of failure. If Zambia is still “building on” e-governance, why was the old system abandoned so abruptly? Why were no contingency measures put in place? And most importantly, who will take responsibility for the damage caused to businesses and ordinary Zambians affected by this failure?
In May 2023, Government introduced the Zambia Integrated Land Administration System (ZILAS), promising it would enhance transparency, eliminate bureaucratic inefficiencies, and integrate with other digital government services.
These remarks contradict the current government’s claim that the new system failure was unexpected. If the transition was planned properly, why has it now collapsed? The opposition argues that the government’s failure to ensure a seamless transition has led to this crisis, further exposing a lack of competence and accountability in handling national digital infrastructure.
As the government scrambles to restore the system, it remains to be seen whether this crisis will serve as a wake-up call for better planning and accountability
DPP MOVES TO CHALLENGE COURT OF APPEAL’S REVERSAL OF $470,000 FORFEITURE IN POLICE OFFICER’S MONEY LAUNDERING CASE
THE Director of Public Prosecutions is preparing to challenge a recent Court of Appeal decision that overturned a forfeiture order in a high-profile case involving a police officer, Elvis Haatila, and his company, J. Yumba General Dealers. The case raises critical questions about the enforcement of Zambia’s asset recovery laws. At the heart of the matter is over USD 470,000 traced to a company owned by an Interpol-wanted suspect, and a financial trail that authorities argue is indicative of transnational money laundering.
The case dates back to 2015, when the Drug Enforcement Commission, acting on alerts from the Financial Intelligence Centre, froze bank accounts associated with Haatila and his company. Investigations revealed that the funds had originated from Truong An Limited, a Vietnamese firm controlled by Ms. Tran Thi Minh Chau, who is wanted internationally for fraud-related offences.
Although the appellants claimed the money was meant for mining investments through a Zambian company known as Double Q Surfaces Mining and Trading Limited, evidence on record showed that no mining operations took place. Instead, the funds were rapidly withdrawn and channeled into personal accounts controlled by Haatila and Ms. Chau – raising serious red flags over the legitimacy of the transactions.
The High Court, after weighing the evidence, classified the funds as “tainted property” under the Forfeiture of Proceeds of Crime Act, number 19 of 2010 and ordered its forfeiture.
However, the Court of Appeal overturned the ruling, questioning whether the prosecution had conclusively demonstrated a direct link between the funds and any specific criminal activity.
The DPP’s decision to appeal this ruling highlights a critical legal debate: how should courts assess illicit wealth in cases where direct evidence of criminal activity is absent, but the financial patterns irresistibly suggest otherwise?
The evolving landscape of non-conviction-based forfeiture demands legal clarity, especially in cases where funds cross international borders and are moved through intricate financial webs designed to conceal their origins.
By taking this matter to the Supreme Court, the DPP is not just seeking a reversal of the appellate ruling but is also pushing for a definitive interpretation of Zambia’s asset recovery laws – one that aligns with global best practices in financial crime enforcement.
The outcome of this case has the potential to reshape the legal thresholds for forfeiture, setting a precedent that could impact future asset recovery efforts in Zambia and beyond.
GUEST ARTICLE: Disciplinary Appeal Not Mandatory- Court
By Dickson Jere
An ABSA bank employee was summarily dismissed after being charged with an offence. He had earlier before the Disciplinary Committee, which found him wanting. However, under the ABSA disciplinary procedures, he was supposed to appeal his dismissal within the company if not satisfied with out the outcome. The employee in this case, however, decided to sue the company and ignored the internal disciplinary appeal process of ABSA.
At the High Court, the bank raised a preliminary point of law in form of objection to the case. It argued that the dismissed employee case should be thrown out as he did not exhaust the internal disciplinary processes. Simply, that he came to Court prematurely as he still had the chance to clear himself within the company appeal process.
The High Court Judge disagreed with the bank and ruled that the internal appeal process within ABSA was optional and that the employee can ignore it and sue directly in the High Court.
Dissatisfied, the bank appealed to the Court of Appeal, which had to determine whether an employee can sue without exhausting the internal disciplinary processes. Having analyzed the disciplinary code of ABSA, the Judges opined that the internal appeal is not mandatory after one had been dismissed.
“We absolutely agree with the trial judge that this clause places no compulsory obligation on an employee, upon being dismissed from employment to activate the appeal process,” the panel of judges opined.
“Under this clause an employee simply reserves the right to appeal and is in no way compelled to do so,” the Court said, adding that if an employee elects to appeal, he or she should do so within 10 days after receipt of the decision.
The court said since the appeal process was optional, the only process that a dismissed employee was meant to exhaust before suing in the Industrial Relations Court was the initial disciplinary hearing that led to his dismissal.
“But in any event, the Supreme Courts guidance on the main question is clear that a cause of action is not necessarily lost by reason merely of the fact that the internal administrative disciplinary proceedings were not concluded or acceded,” the Judges said.
The case will now proceed to trial.
Citation – ABSA Bank Zambia v Jonas Matende – Appeal/65/2022 and Judgement delivered on 25th March, 2025.
The court has also indicated that one does not need to go through internal process of appeal if the said disciplinary procedures are non existent or are unduly prolonged or indeed totally ineffective. The rationale of this ruling is that companies should not be allowed to get dismissed employees on a queue waiting for an appeal to be heard, which may take a long time thereby denying them Justice.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has dismissed calls for his resignation by a faction of war veterans as “treasonous,” vowing to crush planned protests on March 31.
Speaking at a Zanu PF central committee meeting in Harare on Thursday, Mnangagwa also took aim at what he called “chameleon-like characters” within the ruling party, in a rare public acknowledgment of factional divisions.
“It is most unfortunate that a retrogressive trend has emerged, with some members of our party showing their chameleon-like characters as willing accessories to our detractors,” Mnangagwa said.
“Their actions are an affront to the party’s principles and grossly taint our country’s image as well as the gains of our liberation struggle. These rogue opportunists will soon meet their fate.” War Veterans Demand Mnangagwa’s Ouster
A faction of independence war veterans has emerged as one of the strongest voices of opposition to Mnangagwa’s eight-year rule, accusing the 82-year-old leader of leadership failures and surrounding himself with “criminals” who benefit from corrupt state contracts.
Two leaders of the movement, Blessed Geza and Andreas Mathibela, are reported to have fled the country to escape sedition charges.
Geza, believed to be aligned with Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, has released YouTube videos calling for a nationwide “uprising” to remove Mnangagwa from power on March 31.
Security Forces on High Alert
While it remains unclear whether the war veterans’ call to action will gain traction, Mnangagwa is not taking any chances. Security forces have been deployed across the country, and the president recently retired army commander Lieutenant General Anselem Sanyatwe, amid speculation of a potential coup plot involving former allies.
Mnangagwa, however, expressed confidence in his party’s ability to withstand internal dissent, insisting that Zimbabweans should ignore the planned protests.
“People are called upon to go about their business as usual on March 31,” he said. “Our state security infrastructure is in place to protect property and the safety of all Zimbabweans, from Plumtree to Mutare, Chirundu to Beitbridge.”
With tensions escalating, Zimbabwe’s political landscape remains highly volatile as the ruling party grapples with internal divisions and rising discontent.
Wicknell Chivayo Splashes R4.2 Million on Cars for South African Employees
Flamboyant businessman Wicknell Chivayo has once again proved that his generosity knows no nationality.
Wicknell Chivayo Buys Cars for South Africans Wicknell Chivayo took his generosity across Zimbabwe’s borders and gifted his six-member security team in South Africa six brand-new Polo GTi 2025 vehicles, valued at an eye-popping R700,000 each. The cars were bought from Vogue in South Africa’s affluent Sandton suburb.
The handover ceremony was caught on video and reshared on X by social media user Jnr Flacko. The post was captioned:
Sir Wicknel Chivayo has once again demonstrated his generosity. Today, he blessed his security team in South Africa with an incredible gift – 6 brand new Polo GTI 2025 vehicles valued at R700,000!
Zimbos React After Wicknell Chivayo Gifts Cars to Security Team However, not everyone was pleased. Many Zimbabweans took to the comments section, questioning his decision to reveal his security team publicly. Others speculated about the source of his wealth, with accusations of money laundering surfacing. Some even suggested that his fortune would be better spent on infrastructure projects.
@lodpunter:
Wicknell lacks mental skills, nobody reveals his security like this. These mf killed Bret Kebble, Teasers Owner etc you think they wont take money to take dhafinya down. This boy.
@mystercliche:
This is money laundering right infront of our eyes. This is legit money laundering, yes the same as you see on tv. Why this guy still hasn’t been investigated by the anticorruption committee, l don’t know. Why does the president hang around such people of questionable character
@CuriousOl90:
True generosity would be help build hospitals , orphanages etc not this
@stewie_lois:
It’s a pitty that in S.A, this doesn’t work like how it does in Zimbabwe
@WillMutuka:
Very thoughtful of him. He’s going to need them very soon
Kanye West has been hit with yet another lawsuit, this time from a German singer/songwriter whose song was sampled by Ye without her permission.
TMZ reports that Alice Merton filed suit on Tuesday (March 25), accusing Ye of using an unauthorized sample of her 2022 song “Blindside” on the Vultures 2 bonus cut “Gun to My Head,” which also features Ty Dolla $ign and Kid Cudi.
Merton says in her suit that BMG Rights Management reached out to clear the sample in February of last year (despite the song already being out), but that she denied it because “the artist’s values are contrary to our values” and that Kanye’s “anti-sematic [sic], racist remarks which were made publicly and continue to be made publicly.”
Ye has not yet responded.
Meanwhile, Kanye just dropped an unfinished version of his new album Bully on select streaming services, but only as a 45-minute music video on YouTube and Apple Music.
Titled “BULLY V1,” the video is the same short film that Kanye leaked last week in the midst of yet another explosive rant on social media.
The black-and-white visual, shot by Ye and edited by Hype Williams, follows the rapper’s nine-year-old son Saint as he takes on waves of wrestlers with a mallet in the ring.
Where the streaming version differs, however, is in the music itself.
BULLY V1 features nine songs instead of 10, with the Playboi Carti and Ty Dolla $ign-assisted “Melrose” being cut from the tracklist due to Kanye’s issues with the two artists.
The sequencing is largely reworked as well as several tracks appear in a different order. The only guest on this version is Mexican star Peso Pluma who features on “Last Breath,” which finds Ye partly rapping in Spanish.
Production credits have yet to be revealed, but Yeezy previously said that he had “chopped every beat with my bare hand” for his 11th LP.
Rich with vintage soul samples, emotive loops and dusty, boom bap drums that wouldn’t sound out of place on a Griselda record, it features some of the Chicago native’s best production in years.
However, the same effort wasn’t put into the vocals, with AI technology being used to record roughly half of the singing-heavy album, as Kanye himself admitted.
Timbaland is not moved by today’s current music, and feels that despite controversy surrounding the technology, AI is the purest creative tool right now.
Appearing on The Inner Court this week, Timbo explained his reasoning.
“This election just divided us. What I mean by that – it divided the music. It sound bland, it sound boring,” he said. “We talk about AI, but shit, that’s the only thing that has a pure soul right now that you could create something and express your true feelings and it comes out beautiful.
He continued: “But I just feel like right now everything is just discombobulated. Which aligns with everything in the world.”
Earlier this month, Timbaland revealed he made some huge hits for JAY-Z and Beyoncé while struggling with substance abuse.
Speaking on The Pivot Podcast, the legendary producer discussed working on Hov’s Magna Carta Holy Grail, Bey’s “Drunk in Love” and Justin Timberlake’s massive The 20/20 Experience while in the throes of his drug addiction.
“It was fun. Those were cool albums, but my best work was done when I wasn’t on drugs. That’s facts,” he said.
“It was just fun, creating. I was doing all of those albums back to back. It was just that experience… They were great, but they don’t stand [against] my big records.”
Timbo went on to admit that he preferred his earlier work to those early 2010s creations: “I look back at it now and they were great, but they don’t stand out like my big records, like ‘Big Pimpin,’ ‘Dirt Off Ya Shoulder’ and ‘One In a Million.’
“Those are drug-free, so when I look back at my highlights, that [period] is probably a dip. Even though it was still good, that’s just God-given talent in me. Like, God still having his hand on me — that’s why those songs were still beautiful, but they don’t have, like, FutureSex/LoveSounds in them.”
Diddy has been hit with yet another lawsuit for allegedly forcing a male photographer to perform oral sex on him while they were on the set of a commercial.
According to an anonymous plaintiff described by TMZ as a “Hollywood photographer,” the sexual assault occured after the Bad Boy boss arranged a meeting with the photographer in a trailer to discuss advancing his career.
While in the trailer, the man claims Diddy made sexual advances toward him and unzipped his pants.
In the suit, it is alleged the mogul told the photographer: “If you suck right I’ll make your career take off.”
The photographer, who is straight, claims he performed oral sex on Diddy under threat and that when the “Benjamins” hitmaker climaxed, he ordered the man to hold his semen in his mouth “like a squirrel.”
The plaintiff says he did not comply with that demand, prompting Diddy to threaten him and kick him out of the trailer.
The alleged incident happened in either 2022 or 2023 and left the man with emotional trauma, according to the suit.
Through his legal team, Diddy has denied the allegations, saying: “No matter how many lawsuits are filed — especially by individuals who refuse to put their own names behind their claims — it won’t change the fact that Mr. Combs has never sexually assaulted or sex trafficked anyone — man or woman, adult or minor.”
They added: “We live in a world where anyone can file a lawsuit for any reason. Fortunately, a fair and impartial judicial process exists to find the truth, and Mr. Combs is confident he will prevail in court.”
Diddy recently received some positive news in a separate legal battle as parts of Lil Rod’s sexual assault lawsuit against him were dismissed by a judge.
While the claims of sexual assault and sex trafficking will proceed in court, Judge J. Paul Oetken dismissed Rod’s civil racketeering and breach of contract claims, ruling that his lawsuit failed to prove that the producer had been harmed by a violation of the RICO Act.
The judge further declared that non-payment for Rod’s work on Diddy’s The Love Album: Off the Grid did not count because it did not have any connection to any potential racketeering activity.
Rod’s claims of negligent and intentional infliction of emotional distress, breach of contract, and violation of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) against Diddy’s company Combs Global were also dismissed.
The Brazilian football federation has reportedly renewed its interest in Carlo Ancelotti and would like the Italian to be in charge for the 2026 World Cup.
This comes in the wake of Brazil’s embarrassing 4-1 defeat by bitter rivals Argentina in World Cup qualifying on Tuesday night. The result left Brazil down in fourth place, with the first six teams from CONMEBOL qualifying automatically for the tournament in the USA, Mexico, and Canada.
Back in 2023, the CBF pursued the 65-year-old and were prepared to make him the first foreign head coach in the nation’s history.
According to The Athletic, the federation has again been in touch with the Italian as pressure mounts on incumbent Dorival Junior. The report also says Madrid claimed to be unaware of contact between their manager and the CBF.
Earlier, Brazil legend Ronaldo Nazario claimed that the Selecao’s pursuit of Carlo Ancelotti in 2023 was ‘not a fantasy’ after he turned down their approach.
Ancelotti was in the final year of his contract at the Bernabeu and Brazil were confident of luring him to side where several of his Los Blancos stars play their national football.
CBF president Ednaldo Rodrigues, who was re-elected this week unopposed, told the nation Ancelotti would be taking the job when his Madrid contract expired in 2024, just in time for the Copa America, in the USA in June.
‘He will be here, you can be sure,’ said Rodrigues of Ancelotti.
Sadly, the appointment did not happen after Fernando Diniz was tasked to look after the team temporarily alongside his role as head coach of Fluminense, Junior was chosen to lead the outfit.
Ronaldo revealed that Madrid came close to dismissing Ancelotti, which would have paved the way for his arrival in Brazil.
‘It was not a fantasy because I helped in the process by talking to Carlo, but he was not released,’ he told Charla Podcast. ‘Real Madrid did not release him.
‘After negotiating everything got stuck because he didn’t have Real Madrid’s release.
‘If he hadn’t won anything, Real Madrid would have fired him and Ancelotti would have come, but he won the Champions League and stayed for another year.’
Benji Madden admitted he “fears” his famous wife Cameron Diaz as he made rare comments about their extremely private marriage.
The Good Charlotte rocker, 46, appeared on Thursday’s, March 27, episode of Rob Lowe’s SiriusXM podcast Literally!, alongside his twin brother Joel, 46, as they shared insights into their respective marriages.
Benji and Joel, who is married to The Simple Life star Nicole Richie, 43, both admitted that they “fear” their “strong” wives.
Benji added that they fear their partners “in the best way.”
Calling both Cameron, 52, and Nicole “queens”, Benji stated, “Go against my wife? Good luck. I don’t even need to get involved.”
The musician married Diaz in 2015. They share two children, daughter Raddix, 5, and son Cardinal, 1.
Joel added, “We all respect our wives. They are absolutely our counterparts and we all have a healthy fear of our wives.”
“You do not f**k with her,” Joel said about Richie. “That’s the queen.”
The conversation started when Lowe, 61, who’s married to Sheryl Berkoff, discussed their “strong” wives and their shared relationship values.
Benji said: “When you think about the powerful women that are just these forces of nature — I think all of our wives are interesting in the fact that they also don’t want to be with a pushover guy.”
“They still need a strong counterpart, but you have to also not have the ego,” he went on.
“I don’t know if I ever thought someone could keep me,” Joel added.
“I don’t know how I felt about it. I was a relationship guy, but then I met Nicole, and she absolutely runs the show — but we are partners.”
“There’s aspects that I run, but there’s a whole part of my life that would not work if she wasn’t there running it. And she gave me a way deeper, richer life because of the aspects of my life that she oversees, she runs, and vice versa. We work together, but she’s strong. I respect her and fear her a little bit.”
Benji then shared that when he met Cameron he felt the world had finally shifted into place.
Joel then clarified his prior statement, saying, “Fear is strong, ’cause it sounds almost, like, abusive.”
He added that Nicole is “sharp” and “strong.”
Lowe added, “They’re formidable. You don’t wanna f**k with them. I want no part of running afoul of any of our three wives.”
Joel married Richie in 2010. They share two children, daughter Harlow, 17, and son Sparrow, 15.
Makebi Zulu launches hostile bid to take over PF remains
By Farai Ruvanyati
In a dramatic twist within the Patriotic Front’s Tonse faction, sources have revealed that PF lawyer Makebi Zulu convened a high-stakes meeting earlier this week with ten senior party members, aiming to rally support ahead of a pivotal Central Committee session slated for March 29, 2025. The agenda? A bold bid to seize the reins of the party amid the absence of former President Edgar Lungu, who is said to hospitalized in South Africa but issuing orders and making appointments from there
Zulu, once a close legal confidante of Lungu, alleged that he is now being sidelined by the former head of state, who also happens to be the Tonse Alliance’s presidential candidate for the 2026 general elections. In a calculated pitch, Zulu claimed he had already secured considerable backing from within the Tonse Alliance and merely needed a symbolic nod from PF heavyweights to solidify his position.
However, his ambitions according to the same sources will meet stiff resistance. PF Vice President Given Lubinda and Secretary General Raphael Nakachinda are expected to reject the overtures, in what some insiders have described as an attempted “palace coup.”
Adding to the intrigue, PF Copperbelt Provincial Chairperson Stardy Mwale voiced strong opposition to Zulu’s proposal, insisting that the leadership question should be resolved at a party convention. “We must appear democratic,” Mwale is said to have argued, citing the K200,000 nomination fee paid by hopefuls who expect a fair and open process.
The clandestine meeting drew several prominent figures, including Charity Kapoma, Kebby Mbewe, Sylvia Chalikosa, a Mr. Chipili, and outspoken political figure Sean Tembo, whose presence added an extra layer of curiosity to an already charged atmosphere.
As the March 29th meeting looms, tensions within the PF are reaching boiling point. Will Makebi Zulu’s gambit pay off, or will the old guard hold the line? One thing is clear: the battle for the soul of the PF is far from over.- ZWD
KBN TV EDITORIAL- REVELATIONS OF THE PRESIDENTIAL SEAT GLUE
President Hakainde Hichilema has incessantly boasted that no one can unseat him because he is permanently glued to the seat of power.
This is a figure of speech that very few people understood the full extent of what he really means.
In the aftermath of the Constitutional amendment proposal and roadmap presented before Parliament, there is no more guess work. The UPND wants to entrench its hold on power by staging a Parliamentary siege to pass laws that will favour and perpetuate their stay in power.
Since they are working on the basis of previous recommendations for delimitation, we expect no less than 90 new seats and an unknown number of additional nominated MPs by the President, up from the current constitutional provision of 8. The number could go to anything between 15 and 20 or more.
The other aspect to consider is the proportional representation of women, youths and the differently abled persons. If the approach is to be nationally representative, you expect an MP from each of the 116 districts. We could potentially have Parliament in excess of 250 MPs.
Assuming that were to be the case, let’s look at the cost implications. Each MP is entitled to a car loan of 100,000 dollars which is an equivalent of K3 million multiplied by the number of seats in this case, 250, you are talking about over K725 million that Government must pay upfront.
This is before you talk about daily seating and meal allowances. The question is, do we have this kind of money to afford the proposed luxury?
If we proceed on this path, we need a new Chamber to accommodate the proposed number of MPs. In terms of the residence for MPs, Parliament Motel is already full and a number of MPs are staying in Lodges. That’s a huge cost to the Nation.
You may ask, what’s motivating the UPND Government to wantonly disregard the voices of the Church, CSOs, LAZ and many other stakeholders including the majority of citizens who have opposed this proposed constitutional amendment?
That’s exactly the glue that President Hichilema has been talking about. Once he increases the number of MPs that he can personally nominate, once he increases the number of MPs from the UPND strongholds through delimitation, once he guarantees a number of seats to youths, women and differently abled persons through a rigged system, he has Parliament in his pocket and he can seat on their heads. They will act as his seat and they will be glued to him through sponsored loyalty.
The implication is that with such mingalato, the Parliament of 2026 can easily vote to remove the Presidential term limit, can vote for the removal of the 50+1, and remove the running mate clause among other constitutional changes.
If these constitutional amendments go through, then Zambia is back to the Wamuyayaya days of Kaunda where people faithfully went to vote against a frog just because the constitution said we should have elections!
Unfortunately, a number of the current crop of MPs don’t have the interest of the Nation at heart. In fact, most of the MPs today don’t care about people who voted for them.
They are highly compromised and we can’t dismiss the rumours that most of them have accepted bribes of between K1.5 million to K2.5 million to vote in favour of the proposed constitutional amendments.
Infact, we understand that as at today, the UPND was merely looking for an additional 5 MPs to be on their side and they would have secured these constitutional amendments.
The questions that you should ask is if these proposals are genuine, why should favours and inducement exchange hands?
What is the show stopper to warrant a rushed constitutional amendment a year before elections against the will of Zambians?
Calling President Hichilema a Dictator Over Constitutional Amendments is Unfair – Justice Minister
Minister of Justice Princess Kasune has dismissed claims that President Hakainde Hichilema is acting as a dictator over the proposed constitutional amendments, stating that the government remains open to feedback and public engagement.
Kasune’s remarks come amid growing concerns from opposition parties and civil society groups, who argue that the proposed changes could undermine democracy and consolidate power in the Executive. Some critics have labeled the move as an attempt to weaken checks and balances, raising fears of increased presidential authority.
However, Kasune refuted these claims, stressing that the constitutional reform process is transparent, inclusive, and consultative.
“Labeling President Hichilema a dictator over constitutional amendments is unfair and misleading. This government values democracy and public participation, which is why we have invited all stakeholders to provide input on these proposals,” Kasune stated.
She added that the government does not intend to impose unilateral changes but rather aims to strengthen governance structures by addressing weaknesses in the current constitution.
“We inherited a constitution with inconsistencies and ambiguities. Our goal is to refine it in a manner that enhances accountability and efficiency in governance, not to erode democratic principles,” she said.
The Minister urged critics to engage in constructive dialogue rather than resort to name-calling, emphasizing that public consultations are ongoing and that no final decisions have been made.
Meanwhile, opposition figures such as Patriotic Front (PF) Acting President Given Lubinda and Socialist Party President Fred M’membe have accused the United Party for National Development (UPND) administration of attempting to alter the constitution for political gain. They argue that some proposed changes could limit judicial independence and alter the balance of power between branches of government.
Despite the backlash, Kasune reiterated the government’s commitment to constitutional democracy, stating that President Hichilema has consistently championed governance reforms based on dialogue and national consensus.
The government has since called on legal experts, civil society, and political stakeholders to engage in meaningful discussions, assuring the nation that no constitutional amendment will be passed without broad-based consultation and parliamentary scrutiny.
The United Party for National Development (UPND) has staffed itself with a bunch of jokers as media handlers for the President and the party. Some are even called consultants, others are advisors and spokespersons.
However, what is terribly shocking is that, since President Hakainde Hichilema (HH) brought this debate about the so-called draft amendments to the constitution into the public domain, all these chaps have flocked to defend the indefensible with one press conference after another.
But what is worrisome about this ordeal is not the incompetence of these chaps who parade themselves as mouth pieces of the regime and the President, rather it’s their lack of basic knowledge and understanding of simple things. Hence, they make the President look ignorant and uniformed or even uneducated in his utterances.
The debate about amendments to the constitution is a classic case in point.
Interestingly, the argument by the Republican President as to why we should amend the constitution now does not hold any water. The man wants us to believe that he is doing this for the women and the youth, in the context of bringing proportional representation in parliament.
And this is according to his own words, spoken on various platforms. First and foremost, this is a lie and a smoke screen, but even worse the President has no clue as to what he is talking about. In fact, his public statements on this issue has exposed the President’s ignorance of what proportional representation constitutes.
Because what the Head of State has been describing and advancing publicly is not proportional representation by definition, but he keeps saying this without shame.
If you listen to what he is saying or his explanation, what the man is describing to the nation is a system known as a quotas system of governance for women and youth representation. It can either be a gender quotas or a youth quotas or even both, not proportional representation.
Mr. President Sir, in a proportional representation system, they are no parliamentary seats that are reserved for any specific demography or classification. Sir, I am happy to offer you a free lesson in political science 101, because your advisors or handlers and including yourself do not know what you’re talking about.
Evidently, what you have been talking about in public the last few days is a totally different system from proportional representation.
A good example of a country with proportional representation is South Africa, and if you know anything about their governance structure – they have no seats reserved for women or youths permanently in parliament. Instead, every proportional representation system allocates parliamentary seats to political parties based on their performance and the percentage of votes acquired in an election.
In such a system, the people vote for a political party and not for a candidate per se. In simple terms, President HH is talking about apples while describing oranges. He is either confused, or he is completely ignorant about this topic.
Therefore, with all due respect sir! what you have been describing at the women’s day celebrations in Kasama, at the youth day celebrations in Mongu and subsequently at the youth indaba in Lusaka is not a system of proportional representation but rather a quotas system.
Because, only in the latter system (quotas) does that system ensure a certain percentage of women or youth are represented in a group or elected body with specific parliamentary seats reserved or assigned to such specific groups of people. Regrettably, your utterances on this issue shows that you lack the basic knowledge of the different kinds of governance systems and so far you’re misleading the public.
Clearly, it appears that even your entire team does not understand the difference between a proportional representation system and a quotas system, that’s why they have allowed you to be all over Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) and social media, busy spreading ignorance.
Your excellency sir, please stop misinforming the public and call the systems by their proper names or definitions. And just for your own information Mr. President, proportional representation does not increase the number of women participating in politics or governance, and Rwanda is a good example for this argument, because they have the highest number of women in politics without proportional representation. The UPND argument on this score is nothing but a fallacy.
In the final analysis, those around the President should help the man talk about things he knows and is familiar with, and aviod such embarrassments. Otherwise, we will have to refer them to an incredible quote by an American civil rights activist Stokely Carmichael who is on record to having said that “spreading ignorance among the masses is dangerous.”
Nonetheless, please be advised that yourself (President HH) and your team are free to arrange for a 101 political science lecture or webinar at your convenience, and we will be happy to help. It is okay to admit that you do not know everything.
STATEMENT BY MUNTHU PARTY PRESIDENT STEPHEN NYIRENDA
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
UPND’S CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS: A BACKDOOR POWER GRAB DISGUISED AS REFORM
The UPND government’s proposed constitutional amendments have sent shockwaves across the nation — and for good reason. Under the guise of reform, the ruling party is pushing through changes that threaten to undermine Zambia’s democracy, concentrate power in the presidency, and manipulate the political landscape ahead of the next election. The same UPND that fiercely condemned the Patriotic Front (PF) for trying to amend the constitution under Bill 10 is now guilty of the same political maneuvering. What was undemocratic under Edgar Lungu is suddenly justified under Hakainde Hichilema. The hypocrisy is staggering.
Let’s expose the truth behind these proposed amendments — the good, the bad, and the outright dangerous:
1. CONSTITUENCY DELIMITATION (Amend Articles 58 & 68) This amendment seeks to redraw constituency boundaries based on population and size, aiming for more equitable distribution of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). This could improve resource allocation and ensure fairer representation in rural and urban areas. However, the timing raises questions. Why now? With elections looming, redrawing boundaries could be manipulated to favor certain regions or parties — effectively gerrymandering Zambia’s political map.
2. CANDIDATE RESIGNATION (Amend Article 52(6)) If a candidate resigns before an election, the process will continue without requiring fresh nominations, preventing costly and disruptive delays. However, this could open the door to political manipulation, where strategic resignations are used to influence electoral outcomes.
3. ENHANCED REPRESENTATION (Amend Articles 47(2) & 68) This amendment guarantees seats for women, youth, and persons with disabilities, which would improve diversity and inclusion in Parliament. While representation is important, there is a risk of tokenism, where these seats are filled with party loyalists rather than genuine representatives of marginalized groups.
4. MPs IN COUNCILS (Amend Article 153(2)) Reintegrating MPs into local councils could create greater alignment between national and local development priorities. However, it could also politicize local governance, with MPs influencing council decisions for political gain.
5. ELECTION PETITION CLARITY (Amend Articles 73(2), 101(5), & 103(2)) Setting clear timelines (90 or 14 days) for resolving election petitions would enhance electoral stability and avoid prolonged political uncertainty. However, rushing the process could compromise thorough investigations and fair outcomes.
6. BY-ELECTION REFORM (Amend Article 57) Ending party vacancy by-elections would save the government over K264 million plus K3.9 million per candidate. However, this could reduce political accountability, as parties would have less pressure to perform knowing that vacancies would not trigger by-elections.
7. NOMINATED MPs INCREASE (Amend Article 68(2)(b)) This is the most dangerous and alarming proposal. Increasing the number of nominated MPs would give the sitting president excessive power to stack Parliament with loyalists. It would turn Parliament into a puppet institution — stripping away its independence and reducing it to a political tool of the executive. If passed, this amendment would allow the president to install enough hand-picked MPs to influence votes, pass controversial bills, and silence opposition. This is not reform — it’s political engineering.
8. MP TERM HARMONISATION (Amend Articles 81 & 266) Fixing Parliament’s term at five full years would create stability and predictability. However, if political tensions escalate, being locked into a fixed term could lead to prolonged political deadlock.
9. MINISTERS’ VACANCY (Amend Article 116) Requiring ministers to vacate office 90 days before an election would prevent abuse of government resources for political advantage. However, ministers could still use their influence and connections to campaign indirectly.
10. MAYOR TERM LIMITS (Amend Article 154(2)(b)) Removing the two-term cap for mayors could entrench political dynasties and stifle leadership renewal at the local level.
11. SECRETARY TO CABINET (Amend Article 176(3)) Lowering the experience requirement from 10 to 5 years would allow younger and more dynamic candidates to take the role. However, reduced experience could lead to poor governance at the highest level of civil service.
12. ATTORNEY GENERAL CONTINUITY (Amend Articles 178(1)(b) & 179(4)(b)) Retaining the Attorney General until a new appointment is made would avoid legal gaps and ensure continuity in government legal advice. However, if misused, this could allow the ruling party to hold on to a loyal Attorney General indefinitely.
13. CHILD/ADULT DEFINITIONS (Amend Article 266) Defining a child as under 18 and an adult as 18+ would align Zambia’s constitutional framework with international human rights standards. No significant downside, but the change could influence policies on age-based protections and responsibilities.
THE BIGGEST THREAT: ARTICLE 7 IS A POWER GRAB
The increase in nominated MPs is a thinly veiled attempt to concentrate power in the presidency. A Parliament packed with presidential loyalists would weaken Zambia’s democratic foundation, limit genuine debate, and undermine the voice of ordinary Zambians. This is not about governance — it’s about control.
The timing is also suspicious. With elections around the corner and UPND losing ground among its supporters, these amendments are not about reform — they are about political survival. Zambians must reject these changes with the same conviction they rejected Bill 10.
We cannot allow Zambia’s democracy to be sold off piece by piece for political convenience.
MESSAGE TO THE UPND: DROP ARTICLE 7. RECONSIDER THE TIMING. RESPECT DEMOCRACY.
Zambians fought hard for their democracy — they will not sit back and watch it stolen through constitutional manipulation. The Constitution is not a tool for political engineering; it is the backbone of our democracy. UPND must remember that power belongs to the people — not the presidency.
ZAMBIA IS FOR ZAMBIANS — AND ONLY ZAMBIANS WILL DEVELOP ZAMBIA.
SP QUESTIONS HICHILEMA ON CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
…as Mwila expresses concerns over the absence of provisions that would hold leaders accountable when they fail to fulfill their campaign promises
Lusaka… Thursday March 27, 2025
The Socialist Party (SP) has questioned President Hakainde Hichilema’s commitment to accountability in the ongoing push for constitutional amendments.
Speaking on the matter, party Chairperson for Legal Affairs Simon Mulenga Mwila, expressed concerns over the absence of provisions that would hold leaders accountable when they fail to fulfill their campaign promises.
Mr. Mwila argued that if the constitutional amendments were genuinely designed to serve the interests of the Zambian people, they should include clauses compelling leaders to step down when they fall short of delivering on their commitments.
He questioned why such critical accountability measures were omitted from the proposed changes.
The Socialist Party leader listed several specific campaign promises that, in his view, should warrant resignation if left unfulfilled.
These included lowering the dollar exchange rate, reducing the price of a 25kg bag of mealie meal to K50, and cutting fertilizer prices to K250 as previously pledged.
He also highlighted the need to end load shedding, lower the cost of living, and stop excessive foreign travel by government officials.
“Mr. President, Why Didn’t You Include These in Your Amendments: If you fail to deliver on your campaign promises, you must step down. If you fail to reduce the dollar exchange rate by 14:00 as promised, you must step down. If you fail to bring the price of a 25kg bag of mealie meal down to K50, you must step down,” Mr Mwila asked.
“If you fail to reduce fertilizer prices to K250 as per promise, you must step down. If you fail to end load shedding as per campaign, you must step down. If you fail to lower the cost of living, you must step down.”
Other key demands from the Socialist Party included putting an end to police brutality, preventing the misuse of law enforcement for political intimidation, and fighting corruption in fuel procurement.
Mr. Mwila also criticized the government’s borrowing practices, urging the administration to avoid reckless dependence on the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
In addition, the party expressed dissatisfaction with what they described as a pattern of “making speeches instead of delivering results.”
They argued that political intimidation, unfulfilled economic revival promises, and failure to address violence by political cadres were undermining public confidence in the government.
The statement further criticized President Hichilema for continuing to reside in Chalala instead of moving to State House, suggesting that this practice resulted in fuel wastage and posed safety risks due to high-speed motorcades.
Mr. Mwila emphasized that if leaders mislead the public with campaign promises, they should be compelled to step down.
He maintained that true accountability was essential for strengthening democracy and restoring trust in governance.
Drama in PF: Chabinga Grabs Court Papers Like a Football Referee, Blows Whistle on Sampa’s Leadership Party
Just when everyone thought the political drama in the Patriotic Front (PF) was cooling down after the High Court declared Miles Sampa as the official party president, Robert Chabinga has decided to shake the tableagain.
Like a referee pulling out a red card after the final whistle, Chabinga has rushed to court with ex-parte summons demanding a stay of the ruling delivered on 25th March 2025. In simple terms, Chabinga is saying, “Not so fast, Mr. Sampa! You’re not about to start arranging chairs at the secretariat just yet.”
This surprise legal tackle comes barely days after Sampa was warming up to fully take control of the PF and perhaps even redecorate the office. But with Chabinga’s summons landing on the table like nshima at lunchtime, Sampa’s plans have temporarily been put on ice.
In the previous episode of this never-ending PF soap opera, Chabinga had flexed his political muscles by expelling not just Sampa but also the former president himself, Edgar Chagwa Lungu, citing gross indiscipline. Yes, you read that right even ba former president wasn’t spared. People on the streets have since been asking, “Chabinga anatenga ka courage kuti?” (Where did Chabinga get that courage?)
Now, with this new move, Chabinga is essentially telling the courts and the nation that he’s not ready to hand over the PF keys just yet. It’s like watching a football match where extra time refuses to finish the drama continues.
Exactly! You’ve touched the real comedy of this PF situation — both Chabinga and Sampa were technically expelled even before they fully got comfortable in the PF presidential seat. Let me give you a deeper, more hilarious and dramatic article reflecting that fact:
Expelled Members Fighting Over Leadership They Were Chased From bert Chabinga and Miles Sampa are busy battling for leadership of a party they were both technically expelled from.
THE EXCHANGE RATE AGAINST THE DOLLAR HAS KILLED SMALL BUSINESSES, FOCUS ON IT, NOT CONSTITUTION AMENDMENTS
The exchange rate against the dollar is catastrophic, and the economic pain is real. Yet instead of focusing on salvaging the economy, some cowardly politicians within the UPND are busy misleading the President. They’re telling him he will win the 2026 General Elections , albeit with fewer Members of Parliament, just to stay in his good books.
What they won’t tell him is the hard truth: the economy is so bad that it has severely damaged his chances of being re-elected. The people’s anger is squarely on the President. His Members of Parliament will be collateral damage, because it’s not them the public holds responsible, it’s the President who has failed to address the suffering of ordinary Zambians.
In the midst of this economic crisis, the President is instead prioritizing constitutional amendments designed for his political survival and consolidate power. One proposal seeks to amend Article 68(2)(b) to allow him to nominate more than the current eight Members of Parliament, removing the cap entirely. This means if the opposition wins the majority of elected seats in Parliament, the President could simply nominate enough MPs to outnumber them and regain control.
He also wants to amend Article 47(2) to introduce Proportional Representation, a system where MPs are picked from political party lists rather than elected directly by the people. The biggest danger with this system is that it creates MPs who are loyal not to the people in the constituencies, but to a few powerful individuals sitting in Lusaka. It strips citizens of the power to hold their MPs accountable and hands that power to party bosses.
These changes are not only aimed at tipping the balance in the 2026 elections, but are also rumored to be part of a broader plan to remove the presidential term limit after 2026, paving the way for the current President to seek a third term.
At a time when Zambians are crying out for economic relief, affordable food, stable fuel prices, and a stronger kwacha, the President’s obsession with political survival shows a complete disconnect from the realities facing ordinary citizens.
The economy is bleeding. People’s hope is fading. The President and his government must wake up and face the real issue, fix the economy, not the Constitution.
Authored by:
Hon Francis Robert Kapyanga, MP Mpika Constituency, Muchinga Province, Bembaland.
UPND’s CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS SPARK FEARS OF ONE-PARTY STATE
…as Luzendi calls on Zambians to stand reject manipulative amendments that threaten to erode the country’s democratic gains
Lusaka… Thursday March 27, 2025
The UPND government has come under heavy criticism for its proposed constitutional amendments, which some fear could dismantle Zambia’s democratic foundations and pave the way for authoritarian rule.
According to Thompson Luzendi, a Socialist Party member and activist, the amendments — particularly Amendment No. 7 — pose a significant threat to the country’s democratic integrity.
Mr Luzendi stated that Amendment No. 7 seeks to alter Article 68(2)(B) of the Constitution by removing the fixed number of nominated Members of Parliament (MPs) and allowing Parliament to set the number through an ordinary Act.
He argued that this change would give the President unchecked power to increase the number of nominated MPs at will, enabling the ruling party to secure a two-thirds majority needed to amend the Constitution without meaningful public input.
He warned that this loophole could allow the UPND to maintain long-term rule even in the face of electoral losses by stacking Parliament with loyalists.
Referring to remarks made by UPND National Youth Chairperson Gilbert Liswaniso, Luzendi noted that there are claims President Hakainde Hichilema could remain in power until 2041 if these amendments are passed.
Mr Luzendi further compared the current process to the Patriotic Front’s Bill 10, which was rejected by the UPND.
However, he argued that unlike Bill 10, the UPND was taking a more “subtle and deceptive” approach by embedding controversial clauses within seemingly progressive amendments on electoral processes and representation.
Critics have also raised concerns over the transparency and inclusiveness of the amendment process.
MR Luzendi called out the government for rushing the review, pointing out that the timeline from May 21st to June 21st, 2025, allows little room for meaningful stakeholder engagement.
He stated that Minister of Justice Princess Kasune admitted in Parliament that the public was not consulted on which clauses to amend, with key decisions predetermined by the government.
Additionally, concerns have been raised over the upcoming 2026 elections.
Mr Luzendi suggested that the ongoing electoral delimitation process could be manipulated to favor the ruling party, especially as the ECZ has yet to release its delimitation report.
He also questioned the accuracy of the 2022 Census, alleging possible data manipulation to benefit regions aligned with the UPND.
In light of these concerns, Luzendi urged Zambians to reject what he called an “unconstitutional power grab” and called for immediate action.
He outlined three key demands: 1. Removal of Amendment No. 7 — to prevent arbitrary increases in nominated MPs.
2. Suspension of the Amendment Process Until After 2026 — to ensure a fair review led by an independent body. 3. Full Transparency in Electoral Delimitation — with the ECZ required to release its report and involve all stakeholders.
Mr Luzendi stressed that Zambia has previously fought against colonialism, one-party rule, and unconstitutional power grabs and should not allow itself to return to authoritarianism.
He urged citizens to demand a governance system that reflects the aspirations of all Zambians, not just those in power.
“The time to act is now,” he said, calling on Zambians to stand against what he described as “manipulative amendments” that threaten to erode the country’s democratic gains.
Citizens First President Harry Kalaba has asked the government through the Ministry of Mines to compel foreign mining companies to prioritise local companies in awarding supply contracts in order to create jobs and reduce poverty in the copperbelt provinces.
This follows complaints from various mining suppliers that protest that they are no longer getting supply contracts from mining companies that the UPND government has brought back into the country such as the Vedanta owned KCM.
“Foreign mining companies must know that it’s their priority number one to conduct business with local suppliers,” Kalaba said, “giving contracts to local suppliers is the least that can be done to create jobs and reduce poverty since we don’t own the mines.”
Kalaba described as sad that despite Zambia being Africa’s second largest copper producer and top ten producer in the world, Zambians remain poverty ridden even as copper prices escalate to $10,000 per ton on the London Metal Exchange.
“It’s absurd and indescribable that under the UPND government of Mr Hichilema, Zambian suppliers in particular and ordinary Zambians in general are wallowing in poverty and life is 5 times harder today than it was under the previous administration,” said Kalaba.
He said when CF takes over office, ordinary suppliers and other local contractors shall be give priority in supply contracts from the mines.
“We shall engage the mining companies and tell them categorically that giving contracts to locals will be a requirement for them to continue operating in Zambia or else there will be sanctions,” said Kalaba.
Poverty has become endemic in Zambia, even despite being a mineral rich country with huge deposits of copper, cobalt, gold and other minerals.
Complaints have been rising from among Zambians calling for a share of mining contracts they say are mostly going to foreigners.
In another attempt to coup proof, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has appointed his homeboy, 74-year-old Major General Emmanuel Matatu, as the new commander of the Zimbabwe National Army and promoted him to the rank of Lieutenant General.
He replaces Vice President Chiwenga’s right-hand man, the now-retired Lieutenant-General Anselem Nhamo Sanyatwe, who was demoted to the post of Sports Minister. Sanyatwe is 69 years old.
Mnangagwa has literally removed former ZANLA commanders from the top two key military positions: the army and the commander of defence forces.
General Matatu, who comes from the Midlands province, was in ZIPRA, working with Mnangagwa’s clansman, General P.V. Sibanda, who is the commander of Zimbabwe’s defence forces, and like Matatu and Mnangagwa, also from the Midlands.
Th Airforce of Zimbabwe is led by Air Marshal John Jacob Nzvede from Masvingo.
My sources also tell me that the current deputy director of the CIO, Asher Walter Tapfumaneyi, is going to Cuba as Zimbabwe’s ambassador, and the current ambassador in Cuba is coming back to take over as deputy director of the CIO—a straight switch.
More importantly, you should understand why my reference to home areas and liberation movement affiliations is key. Vice President General Chiwenga is from ZANLA, as General Sanyatwe is, and they both participated in the Mgagao Declaration that removed Ndabaningi Sithole as leader of ZANU in 1975.
This declaration was made by ZANLA commanders who were unhappy with Sithole’s leadership and his perceived failure to effectively lead the party in the liberation struggle against the Rhodesian government.
The ZANUPF chairman, Herbert Chitepo, was killed in Zambia by the ZANLA army on tribal lines that pitted the Karanga againstthe Manyika according to former Zambian president, Dr Kenneth Kaunda. Robert Mugabe was brought in, and his acceptance was forced by the ZANLA military commanders, led by General Solomon Mujuru. Mugabe was also removed by the military.
If Emmerson Mnangagwa rides the tide, he would be the first ZANU leader to withstand the pressure from ZANLA veterans and the military.
