Fire UPND Chief Whip, Reprimand Ministers

…It is now evident and clear that President Hakainde Hichilema has the worst support system. His aides, MPs and Ministers…

By Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba wrote;

Look at the silence from his Ministers, other than the noise and threats from Jack Mwiimbu and incoherent statements from Cornelius Mweetwa, the sectoral Ministers are quiet, with no proactive statements to defend policies, programs and activities of their ministries.

The UPND Government appears inactive and literally dead, thanks to the silence of all these key figures.

So the so called achievements are left to persons of no influence or sway such as UPND “Consultant”, Mark Simuuwe and their beloved rogue publication, Koswe, to parrot and insult, scandalise and defame political opponents.

This is not of use if one is determined to show that they were running a working government and sustainable pilicies and programs.

Further, the UPND Media strategy is in total disarray and now heavily relying on useful idiots such as Nevers Mumba, Wynyer Kabimba or Seer 1 to attempt to deflect government contraversies and scandals.

Not a persuasive bylut an annoying lot.

Yesterday walk-out of Parliament, to attempt to collapse quorum, is the worst strategy for any ruling party in any parliamentary democracy in the world, especially that the Motion-the High Cost of Living-has adversely affected the lives of Zambians and businesses and was a great opportunity to explain the challenges and difficulties facing the country.

For President Hakainde Hichilema, his first point of call should be the immediate dismissal of whoever is the Chief Parliamentary Whip, for displaying such a poor strategy and followed by a strong public reprimand of his Ministers for walking away from a debate Zambians want answers to.

Further, can he and his floundering ship explain; why Zambians are experiencing the worst cost of living crisis since the 90s?

Can he explain why the foreign exchange market is volatile and the Kwacha is now home at K28 per dollar?

Can he explain why mealie-meal has now settled at above K350?

Can he explain why fuel is now at K35?

Can he explain why cooking oil, sugar, salt, bread is so unaffordable?
Can he explain?

HH SHOULD FIRE CABINET MINISTERS WHO WALKED OUT OF PARLIAMENT YESTERDAY

…..they have demonstrated that they are not helping him deliver on promises including reducing the cost of living, says ANDD

Lusaka… Thursday February 20, 2025 (SMART EAGLES)

President Hakainde Hichilema should fire cabinet ministers who walked out of Parliament yesterday as they have demonstrated that they are not helping him in his quest to reduce the high cost of living, says Advocates for National Development and Democracy (ANDD)

Yesterday, some Members of Parliament (MPs) from the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND), including cabinet ministers, walked out of Parliament when Lunte PF MP Hon Mutotwe Kafwaya moved a motion to take practical measures to reduce the cost of living.

ANDD Executive Director Samuel Banda says the UPND have now demonstrated that they are not willing and lack capacity to deal with the high cost of living.

Mr Banda said at this stage, the UPND should apologize to the people of Zambia for making them believe that they will reduce the high cost of living.

“We wish to call upon President Hakainde Hichilema to fire his cabinet ministers as they have demonstrated that they don’t have the capacity to help him as a Republican President to address the continued economic challenges the country is facing such as high cost of living and rising prices of basic commodities,” he told Smart Eagles in an interview via telephone.

“As ANDD, we strongly condemn cabinet ministers and the UPND MPs for walking away from Parliament during the debate on a motion to address the continued high cost of living. We believe that MPs were elected and sent to Parliament by the people of Zambia to address their challenges and improve the way of living.”

The ANDD Executive Director further said cabinet ministers are in those offices to help President Hichilema in dealing with the many challenges the country is facing.

“Cabinet ministers were equally appointed by the Republican President to help him deliver national economic development to the people of Zambia and help him address the economic challenges and improve the lives of the citizens. We want to put it on record that UPND which was voted into office on the premise of reducing the high cost of living, reducing the cost of doing business and improve the living standards of people, if these cabinet ministers and UPND MPs are walking away from Parliament during a motion to reduce the high cost of living, it’s a clear indication that they don’t have the capacity and competency and solutions to address the high cost of living,” he added.

“Cabinet ministers have shown that they don’t care about the welfare of the people. The UPND government should apologize to the people for making them believe that they had the capacity to improve the living standards of the people.”

#SmartEagles2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE AND PUBLICATION

20th February, 2025

The Acton Institute for Policy Analysis Centre (AIPAC) is deeply disappointed and strongly condemns the walkout of Cabinet ministers and UPND MPs from Parliament during the debate on the motion to address the high cost of living.

This behavior is unacceptable and a clear indication that the President needs a new team of MPs and ministers who are committed to serving the people, not just their own interests. As stakeholders, we demand an apology from the party in power.

We expect the ruling party, especially Cabinet ministers and UPND MPs, to exhibit leadership maturity now that they are in government. Their actions suggest that they are either unable or unwilling to address the challenges facing millions of Zambians.

The walkout is a clear abdication of their responsibility to provide solutions to the pressing issues affecting the country. As leaders, they should be working together to find solutions, not abandoning their responsibilities.

We urge the President to take decisive action to address the issues at hand and to consider Cabinet reshuffles a new team of  ministers who are committed to serving the people in line with the President’s vision.

Furthermore, we are concerned that this behavior may be a sign of a deeper problem within the ruling party. It raises questions about their commitment to democratic principles and their ability to work with others to find solutions.

As a nation, we deserve better, and it’s time for our leaders to take responsibility for their actions. We demand more from our leaders, and it’s time for them to step up and provide the leadership that Zambia needs.

We call on all stakeholders, including civil society, the media, and the general public, to join us in condemning this behavior and demanding better from our leaders.

Issued by

Solomon Ngoma

Executive Director

UPND MPs Break Zambia’s Sprinting Record.

In what can only be described as a national embarrassment, UPND Members of Parliament and Cabinet ministers staged an unannounced athletics event in Parliament fleeing the chamber like a bunch of Grade 7 pupils hearing that the headteacher is coming with a punishment stick.

The topic on the table? The high cost of living in Zambia. The people wanted answers. Parliament wanted accountability. But instead of stepping up, our so-called leaders decided that their best contribution to the discussion was to sprint out of the building.

Political analyst Dr. Mwelwa had a lot to say about this circus. “I have seen MPs dodge questions before, but this was special. This was not just dodging it was a full-blown evacuation! I mean, one minute they were seated, and the next, they were gone. If Parliament had CCTV, we would be reviewing footage like a crime scene investigation,” he said, shaking his head.

The UPND MPs were expected to provide solutions, but instead, they gave Zambia something else entertainment. One eyewitness inside Parliament even claimed that some ministers didn’t just walk away; they ran, coats flapping, phones in hand, as if they had just seen a ghost. The only thing missing was a finish line and a commentator shouting, “And it’s Honourable So-and-So in the lead!”
https://fb.watch/xSAxQxL5id/

But while some may laugh, the truth is bitter. Zambia is at a crossroads. The economy is crushing the ordinary citizen. The price of mealie meal is dancing like kwasa-kwasa, fuel is draining wallets faster than a Lusaka pickpocket, and job opportunities are disappearing like MPs in Parliament. And yet, when the moment came to address these issues, our leaders chose to run away instead of run the country.

Dr. Mwelwa did not mince his words. “Leadership is not for cowards. If you cannot answer simple questions in Parliament, what exactly are you doing in government? We need solutions, not sprinters. The President should seriously consider appointing people who are ready to govern, not track stars training for the next marathon.”

At this point, Zambia must ask itself a serious question: If the people we elected to lead us are too scared to even sit and discuss our problems, what hope do we have? Running away from accountability is the same as running away from responsibility. And a government that runs away from its people is a government that has already failed.

History will remember this day not as a moment of leadership, but as a day of shame. And the next time these MPs come back begging for votes, Zambians must remember: if they ran from questions today, they will run from responsibility tomorrow.

February 20, 2025
©️ KUMWESU

By BINWELL Mpundu

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER WANTED TO TEACH ME A LESSON ..LIKE HONESTLY??.

Yesterday I was served by the clerk from being taught a lesson by the second deputy speaker

Hon Moses Moyo.This happened when the UPND MP’s walked out of parliament thereby collapsing the column and I was telling the Vice President from across the floor who remained in the house that the members who had walked out were a dissapointment because how can the rulling party members walk out.

This angered the Deputy speaker that I was shouting at his favourite angels who had actually misbehaved in parliament and the visibly angered Speaker shouted that he was going to name me meaning he was going to suspend me from parliament for days so as to teach me a lesson.The deputy speaker forgot that when the colum collapses,the business of the house is suspended and when the business is suspended you can not reprimand a member of parliament, it would be like a referee in football producing a red card at a player during the half time break.

It took the clerk of the National Assembly to whisper to the annoyed Deputy Speaker that he was offside the rules, he couldn’t teach me a lesson藍藍藍as business was on suspension.

I think I need to seek the intervention of elders mwati this hatred is normal,as if we longana (congregate)in the same church sure…this is now worrying  as the speaker can not easily suspended members of parliament just like that ,just because he has the powers which powers we actually gave him by nominating him to stand for the position from among us the independents  but today he has no regards for us infact he wants to treat us kwati bana bakusanga munganda all the times…

I WILL TEACH YOU A LESSON藍藍藍
AWE KAZENI BWESHENI UMUTIMA.

UPPZ Leader Blasts Government Over ‘Animal Farm’ Justice System

United Prosperous and Peaceful Zambia (UPPZ) leader Charles Chanda has launched a scathing attack on Zambia’s justice system, describing it as a corrupt and biased institution that favors the powerful while neglecting grassroots leadership. Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, Chanda accused the government of deliberately sidelining village headmen, who he says are the true pillars of justice in rural communities.

Chanda likened the current state of justice in Zambia to George Orwell’s Animal Farm, where those in power enjoy privileges while others are left to fend for themselves. “We have a system where certain leaders are treated like kings, while the real custodians of justice—the village headmen—are ignored and disrespected,” he said. His remarks come amid growing concerns over the lack of law enforcement in many rural areas, where traditional leaders are left to maintain order without state support.

The opposition leader condemned what he called a deliberate government strategy to undermine local leadership while concentrating power in the hands of a select few. “This government has mastered the art of deception,” Chanda declared. “They pretend to care about justice, yet they only serve their own interests. Village headmen are left to struggle without pay, without recognition, and without any form of state support.”

In many rural areas, police posts are either non-existent or underfunded, leaving village headmen as the only figures responsible for maintaining law and order. Chanda emphasized that these leaders are often forced to act as judges, law enforcers, and mediators, yet they receive nothing in return. “What kind of justice system allows hardworking leaders to live in poverty while others sit in air-conditioned offices pretending to lead?” he questioned.

Chanda accused the ruling elite of deliberately undermining village headmen to keep them weak and dependent. “It is a disgrace that we have a justice system that only recognizes those who wear suits and sit in government offices,” he charged. “Village headmen have been reduced to beggars in their own communities, while those with political connections continue to enjoy the benefits of power.”

The UPPZ leader vowed that if elected, his party would dismantle the current system and ensure that all community leaders are treated with dignity and fairness. “We will put an end to this madness,” he promised. “Village headmen will be put on the payroll, and their roles will be respected as part of the justice system. The days of selective justice must come to an end.”

Chanda’s remarks add to the growing frustration among rural communities, many of whom feel abandoned by the government. With elections approaching, his message is likely to resonate with those who believe that the current administration has failed them. Whether his promises will translate into votes remains to be seen, but his brutal critique of Zambia’s justice system has certainly sparked a debate that the ruling party can no longer ignore.

February 20, 2025
©️ KUMWESU

UPND AWAITS POLITICAL TSUNAMI, TONSE ALLIANCE IS THE WAY TO GO – MSONI

By Fox Correspondent
THE Tonse Grand Alliance is the only promising alternative for Zambians as opposed to the deceitful UPND government which had promised many things but has ended up delivering nothing but poverty, injustices and lies ahead of the 2026 general elections, All Peoples Congress (APC) party president Nason Msoni has charged.

Msoni whose party was part of the UPND Alliance, campaigned and supported President Hakainde Hichilema in the 2021 elections, now wonders how the UPND would win elections next year when poverty levels have trippled compared to the way they found it under the previous administration.

He says there was no way President Hichilema would win when people were sleeping on an empty stomach, where hospitals have no medicines, and police have increased its brutality on citizens.

He says the sustained culture of impunity and extrajudicial killings going unabated is also worrying, while President Hichilema’s government is quiet about it.

Msoni noted that the UPND administration under President Hichilema is facing a serious political tsunami, which is unavoidable at the moment, looking at how broken the economy is.

“Surely UPND and President Hichilema are gone and gone out of the political spectrum. They have impoverished our people. They have suffocated our people. Even dogs now can’t bark because of hunger,” he said.

He wondered how President Hichilema would face Zambians to talk about his successes when the cost of mealie meal, which he found at K120, is now costing at K460 and in some places at K510.

Msoni said Zambians have been introduced to the life of a prisoner, whose eating habits were now regulated.

“In UPND, people can’t eat the way they want. People can’t buy mealie meal the way they want, it’s either they don’t have money or there is no mealie meal. If they are lucky to find some, then it’s expensive. Even the ZNS mealie meal is not available. That is why you have people waking up as early as 03 to queue for the commodity,” he said.

Msoni believes that the Tonse Alliance will do things differently to address critical issues of poverty, unemployment, dwindling health service delivery, comprehensive agricultural service delivery, and pursue a genuine fight against corruption without political undertones.

“One thing this arrogant UPND administration has forgotten is that the biggest opposition it is facing now is not politicians in the Tonse Alliance as individuals but the people of Zambia whom they have subjected to hunger, high cost of doing business, killed investment opportunities and a poor or dead health system. It is the poor people whom they have decided to punish through expensive farming inputs, it’s our rural population whose expectations have been buried. Tonse is now a vehicle Zambians have chosen to use for redemption from the 2021 mistake,” he said.

Hichilema has certainly lost it by demanding and insisting that he should only be addressed as Mr President and nothing else. He is more preoccupied with personal aggrandisement and massaging his own personal ego but at the expense of the suffering majority citizens. What a tragic betrayal to the people of Zambia. He is a mistake we must correct at the 2026 general elections.

PRESIDENT HICHILEMA BEST LEADER FOR NATIONAL UNITY AND PROSPERITY.
—————————————————
19/2/25

As we have previously stated, President Hakainde Hichilema has indeed demonstrated both commitment and dedication to improve Zambians’ welfare by governing in accordance with the will of the masses who gave the mandate, as well as introducing and implementing pro poor programs and initiatives.

Zambians will recall that the country was devastated by the worst drought in the country’s history, and this happened just after the President assumed office, but like the Biblical Moses he didn’t bury his head in the sand, but did everything to ensure that no one died of hunger.

That parent in Shangombo and Kaputa who previously couldn’t take their child to school because of school fees is able to do so today, due the much appreciated free education policy by the New Dawn Administration.

Further, Zambia today is like a construction site, with infrastructure development taking place in all parts of the country, even the remotest rural areas due to expanded CDF allocation which is disbursed to all 156 Constituencies nationwide at the same time, taking development to the doorsteps of the people.

This President means well for this country, and is the only one who can take Zambia to the desired economic destination,  however there is need for all patriotic Zambians to join him on this important national crusade.

It’s for these reasons we call upon the Zambian people not be swayed by the opposition who can’t measure up to President Hichilema’s pro poor governance credentials and commitment as they have lamentably failed to share their vision with the Zambian people, apart from criticizing and vilifying the President in an effort to tarnish his image.

President Hichilema is tried and tested having survived the worst drought and debt mountain that would have easily overwhelmed a leader without focus,  capacity or perseverance.
2026 belongs to President Hichilema as he has earned it through his servant leadership that speaks to the aspirations of the Zambian people.

Issued by:

Spuki Mulemwa
UPND Western Province Presidential Campaign Team Spokesperson.

BY GEORGE N MTONGA

Giving our people the UPND more time will destroy the country further

You claim the debt issue is fixed and yet we have only postponed $3.5bn of our debt meanwhile whereas Lungu borrows $7bn in 7 years, our man is now at $8.9bn in under 4 years.

How is this fixing a problem?

Look at our policies, we literally give tax breaks to the mines and then over tax the locals. The capital flight cannot even be controlled, FIC every 6 months is alerting the nation about $2.8bn that has left or about k60bn gone illicit transactions and you think the kwacha can survive?

Then we surrender KCM and Mopani for “free” to investors who have pumped in nearly “nothing” into the country or the economy to help stabilize the kwacha, tell me what policy have we implemented to stabilize the currency? NONE

Mealie meal prices are more than double from k126 under PF to k429 now that’s 300% largely because HH exported 1.9m tonnes of FRA reserve maize and we have to now import at high prices.

Make matters worse the state is now importing through cadres the most expensive fertilizer ever at $1407 per tonne when even the PF imported at $900. During campaigns HH rightly revealed that it’s only $250 in Dubai so why the discrepancy.

Food is 3 times the prices because of these bad decisions. Then you fail to control an electricity crisis for 2 whole years letting SMEs die and their surviving have to increase cost which affect consumers. We blamed PF for spending $100m on importing power yet that solved the problem, now we are sending $82m to China “accidentally” rather than paying for power imports to stave off disaster. What logic is this?

Then we go ahead and surrender the fuel sector to an inexperienced for business partner of the President, Mr. Shashi Patel of Agro Fuels to monopolize the sector and add huge markups.

EGGS are now double the price as 2021, Chickens, Kapenta, Beans almost tripled the prices. Someone who was getting a salary of k3000 in 2021 now needs literally a k9000 salary.