*The Questions Edgar Lungu Must Answer Before He Can get a Second Chance*

By Magret Mwanza

Our political landscape is heating up with the buzz of former President Edgar Lungu wanting to reclaim power. However, before he finds himself anywhere near the ballot paper, there are critical questions that the Zambian people deserve answers to. Lungu must explain how, under his watch, Zambia’s economy sank while his family thrived beyond the wildest dreams of most ordinary citizens. The glaring disparities between his family’s sudden wealth and the destitution that gripped many Zambians raise serious questions that can not be ignored.

*Lungu’s Generous Gifting to His Family – A National Betrayal?*

It’s no secret that Edgar Lungu’s son, Dalitso, became a figure of immense privilege during his father’s presidency. With reports indicating that he was gifted almost 100 cars and filling stations worth millions of kwacha, one can’t help but wonder: Where did this wealth come from? At a time when Zambia’s economy was crumbling, how was it possible for a sitting president’s family to amass such immense riches?

Lungu must answer to the Zambian people. What did the public receive during his reign, other than skyrocketing poverty, unprecedented debt, and unemployment? While his family was riding high on a wave of luxury, millions of Zambians, especially on the Copperbelt, were trapped in economic despair. Over 700,000 pupils on the Copperbelt could not attend school. Contractors were left unpaid, suppliers bankrupted, and thousands of Zambians who had borrowed from banks to run their small businesses were crippled by debts, losing their homes and livelihoods.

*Where were you, Edgar Lungu, while the people who entrusted you with power were suffering?* While mines closed down and workers were thrown onto the streets, you were busy gifting your son cars and properties worth millions of kwacha.

*A Family of Privilege Amidst a Nation in Poverty*

What was equally troubling was the display of wealth by Lungu’s wife, Esther, who was reportedly building luxurious apartments while distributing $400,000 to cousins for safe keeping as if Zambia’s national treasury was her personal piggy bank. *How can Lungu justify these transactions when Zambians could barely afford to put food on the table?* If Lungu wants to present himself as a leader again, he must account for the millions stashed away by his family while the nation’s economy was on the brink of collapse.

These are not mere allegations; these are questions that resonate deeply with the Zambian people. Under his watch, the gap between the haves and the have-nots widened exponentially, and it seems that Lungu’s family was firmly positioned on the side of the wealthy elite.

*The Copperbelt Debacle: A Reflection of Lungu’s Economic Mismanagement*

The heart of Zambia’s economic engine, the Copperbelt, was brought to its knees under Lungu’s leadership. Hundreds of contractors and suppliers went unpaid, their businesses shuttered, and livelihoods destroyed. Mines closed down, casting thousands of workers into unemployment, while Lungu’s family amassed wealth. How is it possible that, in a failing economy, Lungu’s inner circle seemed to thrive?

How did Lungu manage to acquire vast properties, farms, and businesses, gifting his daughter an 8-million-kwacha farm, while ordinary citizens lost their homes and were forced to fend off creditors? *Lungu’s insatiable greed and family-first mentality is a slap in the face to every Zambian who struggled to survive during his presidency.* His family’s unprecedented access to wealth only highlights the entrenched corruption and cronyism that characterized his tenure.

Zambians need to know: *What kind of business empire did you run during your presidency, Mr. Lungu?* What sources of wealth allowed you to lavish your family with multi-million-kwacha gifts while Zambia’s economy was bleeding? *And if these riches were accumulated legitimately, why was the public left in the dark about the nature of these business dealings?*

*The People Deserve Accountability, Not Empty Promises*

Lungu, if you have any intentions of leading this country again, Zambians demand transparency. *The magnitude of your family’s wealth acquisition must be explained in full.* How did you, a leader responsible for the well-being of over 18 million citizens, allow such glaring inequality to flourish under your nose? Zambians do not want to hear the same excuses or half-baked explanations. The people you failed as president are still reeling from the impact of your corrupt leadership.

What the Zambian public demands is simple: accountability. *You can not seek to lead again without answering for the betrayal you INFLECTED upon the people of this great nation. It is time to face the truth: your legacy is one of wealth accumulation for a select few, while the majority of Zambians were left to bear the brunt of your reckless governance.

*What Did You Gift the Zambian People?*

You gifted your son 100 cars, your wife $400,000, and your daughter an 8-million-kwacha farm. But what did you gift the Zambian people? Was it not enough that the country’s resources were plundered, the economy ravaged, and public trust eroded? While your family sat on piles of money, Zambia was left with nothing but the ashes of a collapsing economy.

Lungu, it is not enough to think about reclaiming power; you need to face the Zambian people and provide the answers they deserve. Every car, every filling station, and every kwacha gifted to your family should be accounted for. Zambians want to know how their former leader, entrusted with national stewardship, could allow such blatant exploitation to occur.

In a country still struggling to recover from your disastrous leadership, the thought of your return to power is a chilling prospect. Before you even think about a political comeback, you must first answer

Opposition leaders who resist to work with me are only punishing Zambians – HH

PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema has called on the opposition serving in different roles to work with the ruling party through the Presidential Delivery Unit (PDU), if they are to deliver development to the people who voted for them.

Officiating at the launch of the PDU Forum yesterday, President Hichilema stated that opposition leaders such as MPs and councilors that resist to work with government are not punishing the President but the people who voted for them.

He noted that as the President of the nation, he was mandated to work with whoever the people in different constituencies and wards chose to serve them regardless of their political affiliation.

The Head of State said the opposition and the ruling party should operate as one assuring that government was open to work with whoever comes on board.

He mentioned that one of the reasons the PDU was formed was to encourage opposition leaders to partner with government and operate as one in order to deliver development to the country.

“The PDU was meant to be the positive fight. Opposition, ruling party we are one. Zambians went and voted for who they wanted, my job is to work with whoever the Zambians voted for in our constitutional democracy.”

“I’m aware that some of my colleagues in certain opposition constituencies are resisting to work with me. My message is that you are not punishing HH. You are punishing the voters that put you in office. If the kids in your constituency are sitting on the floor because you have refused to buy desks, are you a clever member of parliament? Maybe you think you are clever but not for long, time will catch up with you. Are you a clever councilor? No, in this PDU, we are one, our mission is one to deliver for the people,” noted President Hichilema.

The President further stated that he was available to listen to whoever wanted to offer solutions to the current problems facing the nation rather than negatively criticising without offering solutions.

“I have friends in the private sector who simply wrote off this tool. They said ah HH, wasting time, they write me nasty messages. I’m telling the truth, on my WhatsApp, I used to respond to some of them, but I stoped, I said responding to this guy, no he’s too negative, I said to him, say what your solutions are,” shared President Hichilema.

“I listen to a lot of opposition talk. Let us work together, let us not be negative. I read too much negativity but if we were doing things better, why didn’t this economy go down, why did we go into an energy crisis?”

President Hichilema noted that the PDU was formed to address the inadequacies that are inherent in government systems to deliver for the people.

By Catherine Pule

Kalemba, October 10, 2024

By Peter Sinkamba

The Constitutional Court has scheduled 25th October, 2024, to rule on whether to stop the suspension of three of its judges, who were suspended by President Hakainde Hichilema.

The three suspended judges had previously ruled in the 2016 presidential petition which ended Mr. Hichilema’s election challenge of former President Edgar Lungu.

The Green Party President, Peter Sinkamba, appeared before Judge Mulife, who was recently promoted to the Constitutional Court by President Hichilema, for the hearing of an application to stay the decision by the President to suspend the 3 judges on recommendation by the Judicial Complaints Commission (JCC).

Mr. Sinkamba claims the JCC overstepped its authority by reopening a case that was already settled, which led to the current suspension of the judges.

In his written submissions filed Wednesday, Sinkamba argued that the Constitutional Court has exclusive authority to handle cases involving constitutional issues and violations.

He emphasized that the court has the power to issue temporary orders as a court of first instance in constitutional matters, such as staying the decision to suspend judges in order to maintain fairness until the case is fully resolved.

Sinkamba criticized the Commission’s legal argument, pointing out that the rule they cited from the White Book only applies to appeal cases, and not cases where the Constitutional Court is acting as the court of first instance.

He further argued that if the Court cannot issue temporary orders like a stay, it would undermine its role in protecting the Constitution and the independence of the judiciary.

He stressed that keeping the judges suspended could cause permanent damage to judicial independence and weaken the Constitution.

Sinkamba also pointed out that there is a strong case against the Commission, which went beyond its legal powers by trying to discipline judges it had already cleared. He submitted that the case is likely to succeed when heard by the full court.

Additionally, Sinkamba argued that the public has a greater interest in protecting judicial independence than in any temporary disruptions caused by halting the suspensions.

Even though the judges have already been suspended, Sinkamba insisted that that should be the driving reason for the court to issue an order to stay the suspension while the case is being heard.

“Before the decision is effected, there would be nothing to stay but once the decision is made that is when the stay order becomes more relevant,” he argued.

He also made it clear that the ongoing constitutional case is different from a separate judicial review that the suspended judges filed in the High Court.

Sinkamba emphasized that only the Constitutional Court has the power to deal with decisions made by the President under the Constitution.

During the hearing, the Attorney General relied on the written arguments it had earlier filed before court where it was claimed that the court has no authority to issue stay orders as they can only be issued from the High Court.

The ruling on whether to temporarily halt the suspensions is eagerly awaited, as it will have a significant impact on judicial independence in Zambia.

GBM IS A GREAT MAN AND HE WILL REMAIN SO!

…Prince Chanda.

….and the statement is true that says;
_”If you want to eat with the devil, you make sure you have a long spoon”_

I have known GBM since i was a little boy at about 11 yrs old. I grew up knowing him as a great businessman until I could work with him and understand his business. Genuine and traceable. He buys farm produce, keep them and sale them when the prices favours his set mark of profit. He owns a number of properties most of which he bought from government during privatisation as the highest bidder for anything he bought, while others were undervaluing state properties to convert to themselves through inside buying , he bought what he bought as highest bidder. He is among the top 20 richest men in Zambia, even if you bring it to top 10 he will be on the list.

GBM was a major funder of PF prior to 2011, he stood by sata under severe scrutiny of his business by RB’s MMD Governemt. He has been known for his courage and boastful nature , yet kind and forgiving, accormodating and open minded. GBM funded most PF MPs in 2011 general elections and elections before.
When sata had issues with the current Chitimukulu, cabinet made a collective decision not to install sosala as paramount Chief, against all odds , GBM chose his relative and resigned his position as defense minister, it devastated sata who went further to engage some of the defense ministers in the region to land in zambia to talk to GBM to rescind his decision, one of such defense minister is current Zim President. GBM stood the ground and remained outside government.

When UPND had issues penetrating northern PF strong holds in the northern blogs , when HH was stopped from entering copper belt for his lies  when he went through the roof in Ndola , they got lucky GBM got frustrated leftbPF tonjoin them. GBM spent millions to feed upnd cadres and it’s leaders to traverse the country and establish presence in bembaland and copper belt including the east. I was with GBM when he was defecting to upnd as his right hand man and on that very day I told him I believe in PF ideologies, I can’t join UPND, go but when you return back to PF, you will find me.

When HH was arrested for treason, GBM and VJ Mwaanga left the country to fight for HH’s release, he went to south africa , chattered a plane for him to fly into regional leadership to seek support for Hichilema’s release. The letter to the commonwealth was written in GBM’s house in South Africa. 

The 2016 legal fees after the failed Presidential petition, the bill was shared half half between GBM and HH. Here is something to note, GBM was spending his hard earned cash, Hichilema was spending money from the mines. The choppers GBM hired while in upnd, it was his cash. GBM spent in excess of 10 million while in UPND, all upnd leaders and cadres praised GBM for his generosity, UPND cadres are cowards it was GBM who gave them courage to stand out with those he defected with to UPND.

Here my words to GBM and all those who will soon find themselves in his predicament. Life upon man is battle , always remember that when declare war on am enemy, do not accept negotiation for peace, fight on and you will conquer.
I remain *Hardliner*

The debasement and rot in Zambia’s criminal justice system (2011-2021): prelude to the present (August 2021-October 2024



By Prof Munyonzwe Hamalengwa

There are many points of departure if one wants to compare the fight against corruption under Zambia’s criminal justice system between the period ruled by the Patriotic Front (2011-2021) and that of the United Party for National Development, (August 2021-October 2024 meaning to date).

The following is the article I wrote in 2019 using the Ronald Chitotela acquittal case as representative of the lukewarm, if that at all, of the anemic struggle against corruption under the PF. If one pays close attention to the vigorous fight against corruption after August 2021 and various convictions and forfeiture of proceeds of crime after August 2021, one cannot help but conclude that there is a marked difference between the two regimes’ approach to fighting the named cancer. There is much to improve and go for under the current regime, the subject of future articles. Call the following write-up as Chapter 1, if you will, written in 2019:

The debasement and absolute rot in Zambia’s criminal and related justice systems is evidenced by the irrevocable words of honourable Ronald Chitotela after his acquittal from the charges of “proceeds of crime” or corruption by his worship magistrate Simusamba on July 11, 2019. Chitotela is reported to have thanked the President of Zambia for believing in him and presumably his innocence and inevitably for not being sucked or suspended during the tenure of the charge. President Lungu had stated that he would not do anything in terms of sucking or suspending Mr Chitotela because of the legal imperative of “innocent until proven guilty”, despite the fact that Chitotela was charged with the genre of crimes where pursuant to Section 47 of the current Anti-Corruption Act, the public officer charged must be suspended but receiving half the pay. This ensures amongst many other reasons that the investigation is conducted thoroughly and unobstructed by the presence of the target individual, whose very presence has the potential of derailing the investigation through intimidation and bribery.

The administration of justice retains its repute, whatever that is, when it is perceived that the investigation and the eventual trial are not charades and whose outcomes are not predetermined. The question of innocence until proven guilty is an important principle in criminal law but it is preserved when one is suspended at half pay. Suspension is to preserve the integrity of the investigation and the office from which the accused hails. The person is not summarily discharged with the immediate loss of means of livelihood. If the person is eventually acquitted, there is no reason why he or she cannot claim the retained portion of the income. The balancing of interests of the state with that of the individual is embedded in all areas of law including criminal law. In the process, of course, the scales between the public/state on the one hand and the individual on the other, cannot remain the same. It is in the nature of the beast.

The fact that Chitotela was vindicated does not and shouldn’t attract any accolades to the President’s allusion to the principle of innocence until proven guilty and his belief in Chitotela, for in reality the President’s statement concerning innocence until proven guilty and his belief in Chitotela could have affected the manner in which the prosecution and defence phases of the case proceeded, the testimony of the witnesses unfolded and the judicial outcome germinated. Of course, this is all informed speculation buttressed by Chitotela’s confession in which he thanked the President for believing in him by not acting precipitously.

Where on earth does the acquittal in a criminal case attract the sentiments of gratitude to the President of the country for his or her belief in the bona fides of the accused person? Political leaders should never be thanked in any way, shape or form when one gets acquitted. Chitotela’s sentiments speak volumes about the political colouration of Zambia’s criminal justice system. This evinces the debasement and rot in the criminal justice system when an accused person is acquitted and the acquitted person finds time to praise the behaviour of the political leaders in his or her saga! In a country where there is rule of law, the acquitted person must pay homage to it rather than to the President. Sycophantism aside, the President must never be treated as the giver of life and death in criminal matters, for this is tantamount to breeding demi-gods. Politics must never come near criminal law outside of parliament.

In Zambia we know the coupling of criminal law and politics. You just have to examine how the Public Order Act has been used in Zambia in the past several years. You just have to look at the political use of the police in the criminalisation of society particularly those in the opposition. You just have to examine the fake treason charges against an opposition politician and the attempted fake declaration of a state of emergency. But look at how there has never been a declared state of emergency against corruption which is daily threatening the economic survival of Zambia.

The Chitotela case raises a lot of questions: what is the law pertaining to corruption? What exactly are the elements of corruption and what is the matrix by which there would be sufficient evidence for conviction? What kind of investigations were carried out before the charges were laid against Chitotela? Should he have been charged? What kind of police investigators do we have for such politically-tilted corruption cases? Are police competent enough? Is the ACC competent enough to gather credible evidence? Is DEC competent enough to gather credible evidence? What kind of prosecutors do we have for such politically sensitive cases?

If Chitotela went down, a lot of corrupt politicians would go down. What precedent does this acquittal set? Already Zambia has a dismal conviction rate in top-heavy political corruption cases and one of the problems emanates from the investigative steps where gapping loopholes in the evidence unfold immediately the very initial grenades are lobbed into the courtroom case through cross-examination. The fruits of investigation enable or dis-enable the hand of the prosecution, an institution which is itself intimately bound to the umbilical cord of the presidency.

The President should have suspended Chitotela pursuant to Section 47 of the ACC as already intimated above. Not suspending him is a breach of the law. But the President himself had already set precedents in the breach of the law, so how could he require someone to temporarily step down at half pay when the President himself did not step down to hand over power to the Speaker of the National Assembly when the presidential election petition was filed pursuant to a constitutional provision, the supreme law of the land? If you can break the Constitution with impunity, surely you can breach the provisions of a mere statute, again with impunity! The debasement and rot in the criminal justice system and now we have seen that even the Constitution is debased and is decaying from the top by the President of the country down to the cop on the beat who fails to do a proper investigation or continuation of the investigation because the minister in question remains in office, contrary to the enabling legislation.

It is downhill from there. It doesn’t matter how you dress up the criminal justice system. It is debased and rotting. The same process is going on respecting the Constitution of Zambia. The outcomes of the National Dialogue Forum are meant to butcher, cannibalise and maintain in power in perpetuity those who have debased and killed our criminal justice system.

Back to the Chitotela case, it was painful to read the articles in the government owned newspapers about the kind of evidence the prosecution was deploying in this case. It was cavalier. It reminded one of the kind of post-Apartheid era prosecutions for Apartheid era crimes against humanity before Apartheid era judges who still owed allegiance to the Apartheid era judicial dispensation. Acquittals were the order of the day even when the evidence properly deployed could have resulted in convictions.

Convicting someone for corruption is already hard enough, just like convicting someone for crimes against humanity: you don’t bring anemic evidence when the job at hand is already hard enough. You already know the environment is a cesspool of corruption, and corruption is tolerated at the highest levels, then you commence your crusade by deploying the weakest evidence against one of the ministers whose ministry oozes with corruption! Why do you think the evidence of corruption unearthed by independent government institutions like the Auditor General and the Financial Intelligence Centre is not used while there are attempts to use the evidence of executive controlled agencies like the ACC, the DPP etc? It is to ensure that there is no potent fight against corruption. It is meant to preserve corruption in Zambia. That is my informed and considered opinion. There is nothing wrong in expressing one’s opinion. You should express your opinion too under our democracy.

The Chitotela case outcome continues the tradition of the lack of seriousness in the fight against corruption. Now all the big corrupt politicians are breathing easy knowing that the system is on their side and the President believes in them as articulated by Chitotela. Meanwhile, the President continues to demand: bring us the evidence of corruption if you have it. The evidence is in the mountains of reports of the Auditor General and the Financial Intelligence Centre and gathering dust in the right and or wrong offices known to the President, the DPP, DEC, the Inspector General of Police. Or a phone call away to the Auditor General’s office when one is ever appointed to that office or to the FIC. The evidence is there.

Something is gotta give. In the history of humanity, there is no system that has self-cleansed from inside out. So, it will go with the debasement and rot in Zambia’s criminal justice system. Any reforms and attempted constitutional amendments are not self-cleansing, they are meant to continue and entrench the debasement and rot to the deepest depths.

Future articles will deal with post-PF struggles against corruption.



The author teaches criminal law and law of evidence in Law School. Email:

munyonzwe.hamalengwa@zaou.ac.zm

UPND HAS NO PLANS FOR SOCIAL SECTORS – M’MEMBE

…as he warns of potential seed crisis due to inadequate planning by the government

Lusaka, Zambia— Socialist Party President Dr. Fred M’membe says UPND government’s 2025 budget, neglects the pressing needs of Zambians.

In his State of the Nation address, earlier today, he highlighted the budget’s shortcomings across several critical sectors, including energy, mining, agriculture, and health.

Dr. M’membe painted a grim picture of the energy sector, criticizing the shift to higher tariffs under the guise of “cost-reflective tariffs.”

He argued that this move would only benefit a few at the expense of the majority.

He also noted that despite the government’s push for solar alternatives, high demand and costs, coupled with high-interest rates, make these solutions inaccessible to ordinary Zambians.

“Every bank wants a payslip to get a loan. The majority of Zambians are in the informal sector. Where will they get these payslips?” he questioned.

The Socialist Party leader expressed skepticism about the UPND’s plans to revive and expand the mining sector, pointing out that mining taxes remain unchanged, and there is no credible plan for increasing copper production.

“Scaling up copper production is largely dependent on the availability of reliable and sufficient energy supply. Mining consumes a lot of power, so where will this power come from?” he asked, dismissing the government’s proclamations as empty rhetoric.

Dr. M’membe also criticized the government’s approach to agriculture, particularly the focus on efficiency in distributing the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) while neglecting the broader needs of small-scale farmers.

He warned of a potential seed crisis due to a poor farming season and inadequate planning by the government.

“The UPND government has been clueless on agriculture from inception. Poverty alleviation will not be dealt with under the UPND government,” he stated.

Regarding the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), Dr. M’membe argued that increasing CDF allocations will not solve the country’s pressing problems due to corruption and inefficiency.

He also lamented the inadequate budget allocation to the health sector, which he linked to poor health outcomes exacerbated by energy and drought crises.

“Our people are dying every day, and the political leaders we have today don’t seem to care,” he said, emphasizing the need for a substantial increase in health funding.

DPP GRANTED LEAVE TO APPEAL TO THE SUPREME COURT IN ASSET FORFEITURE CASE – THE PATH TO CLARIFYING ASSET RECOVERY LAWS.

The Supreme Court of Zambia is set to hear a critical appeal that could significantly impact the country’s asset recovery framework. This follows a rare decision by the Court of Appeal to grant the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) leave to challenge its earlier ruling. The case involves the forfeiture of funds tied to unlicensed foreign exchange trading and raises complex legal questions surrounding Non-Conviction Based (NCB) asset forfeiture.

At the heart of the case is the issue of how NCB forfeiture should be applied in financial crime cases, particularly those involving offences like money laundering and illegal foreign exchange trading. While such forfeiture is a powerful tool for recovering assets connected to criminal activities, it also raises concerns about ensuring the protection of fundamental rights.

The Court of Appeal emphasised the importance of the case, noting that it involves points of law with considerable public interest. These issues go beyond the specific facts of the case, touching on constitutional and procedural questions that warrant clarification from the Supreme Court.

The Court of Appeal’s decision highlights the broader public interest at stake, recognising that the legal questions raised are relatively untested in Zambian law. This case offers the Supreme Court a chance to clarify important aspects of asset recovery law, particularly in cases where forfeiture is pursued without a criminal conviction.

In its ruling, the Court of Appeal observed that NCB forfeiture, though a valuable tool, remains a complex and evolving area of law that requires careful judicial oversight.

Notably, being granted leave to appeal by the Court of Appeal is an exceptionally rare occurrence, highlighting the importance of the legal issues involved in this case. The Court’s decision reflects the seriousness of the constitutional and procedural matters at play, as well as the potential implications for future asset recovery efforts in Zambia.

The Supreme Court’s eventual ruling is expected to set a key legal precedent, not only clarifying the role of NCB forfeiture in financial crime cases but also providing guidance on how Zambia’s asset recovery laws should be applied in practice. The DPP’s contention that the funds in question were tied to illegal activities has broader implications for enforcing financial regulations and recovering tainted assets in the country.

This appeal represents an important moment in the development of asset recovery law in Zambia. As the Supreme Court prepares to deliberate on these crucial legal questions, its ruling is likely to shape the future of how the country addresses financial crime, ensuring that asset forfeiture is used effectively. Legal experts and the public alike will be watching closely as this case unfolds, recognising its potential to influence the administration of justice in Zambia for years to come.

NPA

Minister Musokotwane, how shall I as UNZA unionist explain K36 million partly unused CDF but no gratuities?



By Austin Mbozi



Dear finance minister ‘bo’ Situmbeko Musokokwane,

I am failing to defend my own UPND’s non-payment of UNZA workers’ retirement/gratuities packages. After coming second in the last University of Zambia Lecturers and Researcher’s Union (UNZARALU) vice presidency (VP) election, I this year re-contest, aspiring to create a friendly, mutually beneficial relationship between UNZA workers and government, like South Africa’s COSATU and the ruling ANC.

Yet, I cannot explain why UNZA pension/gratuity packages claimants are still owed some K746 million, worse than the K500 million where PF-thief thugs left the debt (there is also a K654 million superannuation owed). Even if UPND government paid some K300 million, the debt keeps increasing because more UNZA employees are retiring. Worse, UNZA package-claimants have been waiting since 2016, losing their money’s value in eight years! For example, a UNZA package-claimant would have bought 25,000 blocks at K4 each to build her house from a K100,000 package if she got her money during PF in 2016, but now she can only buy 16,000 blocks at an increased price of K6. Furthermore, if she had built her house in 2016 and charged K3,000 rent, she would have earned K288,000 by now. But she earned zero.

PF thief-thugs failed to pay UNZA because they stole. But UPND, to its credit, has saved/created huge money. The problem is their not prioritising UNZA packages. Secretary to the Treasury Felix Nkulukusa revealed that constituencies failed to utilise up to K14 billion in 2023 (Zambian Observer 10th May 2024). So, the banks keeping CDF lent the used CDF to your government in treasury bills and government bonds. We praised CDF increases, but not where you deny money to those you owe,  increase it on those you do not owe, then borrow it back from those you allocated it to. If this repeats itself, it will seem like funding ‘mingalato’ (deception).

Analogy: Husband Musokotwane labour-grew maize with his first wife called Maiguru (UNZA workers). When meal is ready, he marries a second wife called Mainini who did not labour (CDF beneficiary youths). Of the three food-plates (CDF) which he fills on first day (2023), he eats one and gives two to Mainini, but tells Maiguru, ‘I have no food because PF thief-thugs stole it’. Mainini became full after eating one plate. Musokotwane borrows it (treasury bills), but he does not give it to Maiguru.  Shockingly, on second day (2024), Musokotwane increases allocations food (CDF) to four plates, but increases Mainini’s plates to three, gets one and again tells Maiguru (UNZA) to patiently wait!

Government does not owe constituents. It owes UNZA claimants who worked for their money. When you find some money, you cannot tell the ‘wa nkongole’ (creditor) to wait/starve his children while you prioritise feeding your children. Your creditors will feel insulted like Maiguru and UNZA package-claimants. 

The UNZA packages problem is not caused by UNZA administration, education minister Douglas Syakalima, government technocrats, or President HH as some UNZA union officials and members think. In fact, I suspect that President HH is being blocked from knowing the full UNZA situation. He met union officials immediately after being sworn in, increased education funding, resumed student’s meal allowances and recently got an honorably UNZA PhD, recommended by UNZA staff. I don’t see how he can want to punish any UNZA package-claimant.

The CDF-buying-treasury-bills story, and the fact that you increased funding in nearly all sectors, makes us deduce that the problem lies in your finance ministry. UNZA management cannot afford to finish paying all these packages from government allocations, and UNZA is not a private university to be told to raise its own funds. Union officials are complaining that technocrats at ministries, guided by some presidential-appointee permanent secretaries (PSs) are simply pushing them around saying, ‘come-tomorrow-come-tomorrow’. When they go, they say ‘go and see ‘‘chite and chite’’’ or ‘‘follow-procedure-follow procedure’’.  The fact is, some of these PSs are just inflaming their egos by claiming powers that they don’t have over the UNZA packages issue.

Let me warn you in advance, you ministry technocrats, before I join UNZARALU. I am not like those ‘ba’  ‘Some-Of-Us’ type who cover their cowardice in suits and perfume which produces a ‘ka  smell’(kununkila not kununka) which follows them like a shadow as far as a radius of four meters around them. You cannot scare me. I am a village man trained to fight-survive while herding cattle. One day we lost our father’s cattle. Fearing our father, Andrew Mbozi, we wandered at night in the bushes around our home watching him seated by the fire-side, eating. When he retired to sleep, we sneaked into our huts. But he banged our door around 03 hours, standing on the doorway with sjambok in hand. Being the bigger boy, I explained on behalf of my younger brother Habulongo and half-brothers Hampoto and Hanzunga how we lost the cattle, while they nodded in agreement. I explained how a bully called Myboy Mainza who was also herding his father’s cattle grabbed our cattle-herding whips (mikwilo), ordered us to sit down and then he tied our hands against our legs,  which we folded such that our knees touched our chins in the ‘kaddina-matako’ way.

Our father, like Okonkwo of Chinua Achebe’s ‘Things Fall Apart’, toughened us. We nicknamed him ‘para para’ (para military). He whipped us shouting, ‘don’t you have ‘‘balls’’ to beat up Myboy yourselves?’.  His wives, ‘biina’ Modern my mother and ‘biina’ Hanzunga, feared to dare rescue us, their arms folded across their breasts and shaking.  So, we shall pursue without baby-crying for sympathy for UNZA packages as we trained during cattle-herding.



The author, a war veteran of the anti-PF ‘jungle war’, will thrive as UNZARALU VP to get all UNZA packages paid before the 2026 elections, while simultaneously helping President HH to win the election. Email: austin.mbozi2017@email.com, phone +260-978-741920.

By Dickson Jere

Zambia has had four former Presidents in her 60th year of existence as a country. All the four former Presidents have had similar problems post their presidency. And yet as a country, we have not learnt lessons and developed a comprehensive framework to look after our former Presidents apart from the outdated Benefits of Former President Act that gives them retirement house, security and office subject to them being out of active politics.

Let me look at briefly what transpired with the four former Presidents;

1. Dr Kenneth Kaunda (KK) – Upon leaving office, he was subjected to searches by the newly elected MMD government. He was accused of stealing books and all. Later in 1996, he was shot at while addressing a rally in Kabwe. His benefits were withheld on account of being active in politics as he remained UNIP leader after he returned to active politics. KK dignity was only restored by President Levy Mwanawasa who gave him some comfort and support after assuming office in 2001.

2. Dr. Frederick Chiluba (FTJ) – he was equally subjected to searches and arrest following the lifting of his immunity by parliament. His clothes and shoes were embarrassingly displayed to the public in an attempt to show that he was a “Lazo”. He endured a long corruption court case that eventually had a toll on him. Chiluba dignity as former President was only restored after 2008 when President Rupiah Banda became President.

3. Rupiah Banda (RB) – His immunity was lifted and subsequently arrested on corruption charges. His benefits were withheld and subjected to court proceedings in the subordinate courts. His attempt to seek medical treatment abroad was frequently denied even when court allowed him to travel. He was blocked at the airport before departure. He fumed! His dignity was only retorted when President Edgar Lungu took office.

4. Edgar Lungu (ECL) – he similarly, is going through the same troubles like his colleagues KK and RB. His benefits have been withdrawn on account of him being active in politics as it is proscribed by law. He has had encounters with the police and all. Even though he has not been arrested, he is going through tribulations.

Have we learnt any lessons as a country from the above cases?

I believe that former Presidents must be allowed to keep state their security – whether in politics or not – as they remain state property. US does the same and that is why Donald Trump move with state security. You do not want former President to be attacked or kidnapped by unknown persons. It will be embarrassing to the nation and its people.


Former Presidents office must be kept open at all times – to coordinate their activities. This must be manned by trained civil servants who should coordinate their movements and all. For instance, if former President wants to visit the police, his office should coordinate with the IG so that he is received by high ranking officers and taken to a comfortable office. He is former Commander In-Chief and therefore remains so! His office must always exist…to Plan and liaise with Cabinet Office. There must also be liaison between his office and the incumbent President and at all times – only Presidents know what that office is all about – rest of us can only speculate! They know a lot!

We need to relook at our Benefits of Former President Act – and provide a comprehensive structure for the retired leaders. These people also get bored when out of office (I saw with RB) and require constant assignments. We need to get them into envoy roles and peacemaking roles. Keep them busy!

Let us amend the law!

*Concerned Clergymen Urge Former President Edgar Lungu to Retire from Politics*

…As the former president tells the Oasis Forum he is ready to meet President Hichilema for Dialogue BUT..

By Martha Mpindu

Former president Edgar Lungu has told the Oasis Forum that he is ready to meet with President Hakainde Hichilema for dialogue.

And a group of concerned clergymen has joined the Oasis Forum to ask President Hichilema and his predecessor to dialogue.

The group of clergymen recently met with former President Edgar Lungu, advising him to step back from active politics and assume the role of a senior statesman. Their recommendation follows several public incidents, including Lungu’s confrontation with police officers and his call for PF members to engage in physical altercations with the ruling party.

In a letter seen by this author written by the former President to the Oasis forum dated 20th September, Mr. Lungu said he was ready to dialogue on condition that the government stops interfering in the issues of the Patriotic Front.
“I am willing to take part in the proposed dialogue between President Hakainde Hichilema and myself, subject to my successor meeting two conditions,” reads the letter in part.

Meanwhile a group of clergy are concerned with president Lungu’s return to active politics.
A video surfaced recently showing the former President using demeaning and disrespectful nicknames for his predecessor, further tarnishing his image.

The clergymen voiced concerns that Lungu’s actions are damaging his standing in society. As the only surviving former President, they urged him to avoid further public embarrassment. They believe a small group of advisors is misleading him for personal financial gain, noting similarities to the downfall of former President Frederick Chiluba, who suffered from similarly ill-advised counsel.

Former Vice President Nevers Mumba, who is also a Pastor, echoed these concerns, urging Lungu’s family to intervene, suggesting that he is being used by his advisors for selfish purposes. The clergymen called on Lungu to restore his dignity as a respected former President, cautioning that challenging the current administration could have negative consequences, as seen with other former leaders.

Lungu remains under scrutiny, with reports of police preventing him from leaving court premises and prohibiting him from running in public, acts that authorities describe as “political activism.” He also faces ongoing investigations into allegations of corruption and authoritarianism during his presidency. Additionally, his significant weight loss has sparked concerns about his physical and mental well-being.

It is yet to be seen how Lungu will respond to the clergymen’s advice. Other figures, such as Bishop Ellison Bwalya and a UNZA academic, have similarly advised him to retire from active politics.

HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION SILENCE ON HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES AMOUNTS TO COMPLICIT

…Mwamba expresses concern about prolonged detention of PF Secretary General, Raphael Nakacinda…

Lusaka-9th October 2024

Patriotic Front Chairperson of Information and Publicity, Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba has demanded that the Human Rights Commission (HRC) establishes an immediate inquiry in the suspension of civil and political rights of the Opposition in Zambia.

In his letter to the Human Rights Commission (HRC) dated 9th October 2024, Amb.Mwamba said the silence of the Commission on wide-spread abuses of human rights amounted to complicity with abusive authorities and law enforcement agencies.

He cited the case of Patriotic Front Secretary General, Hon. Raphael Nakacinda, who has been detained for over 8 days without being granted police bond or without being presented before the courts of law.

He stated that the statement from Police Spokesperson, Rae Hamoonga, that they have  made Police Cells a second home for Mr. Nakacinda exemplified the wanton abuse and disregard of human rights by the Zambia Police.

He said during the course of his duties as Secretary General in the last 3 years, Nakacinda has been summoned 30 times, arrested 21 times and is appearing before 12 magistrates over cases related to offences of speech.

It is clear that the authorities have breached the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), a multilateral treaty that Zambia has signed and ratified.

He said the frequent arrests of Opposition figures, was a violation of human rights, freedom of expression and democratic tenets.

Below is the letter to the HRC

Dr. Pamela Towela Sambo,
Human Rights Commission Chairperson
Human Rights Commission
Human Rights House, Independence Avenue
P.O. Box 33812, Lusaka, Zambia
Tel: +260-21-1-251327/251357, WhatsApp: +260-95-4443010
Email: lusaka@hrc.org.zm

Dear Chairperson,

The Human Rights Commission (HRC) is a National Human Rights Institution established pursuant to Article 230 of the 1991 Constitution of Zambia as amended by Act No 18 of 1996 and Act No 2 of 2016.

The mandate of the Commission shall  ensure that the Bill of Rights, as provided for in Part III of the Constitution, is upheld and protected.

The HRC is further mandated to ensure that the Bill of Rights of citizens and people are upheld, respected, and protected.

THE CASE OF HON. RAPHAEL NAKACINDA

Hon. Raphael Nakacinda serves as Secretary General of the Patriotic Front party and previously served as Chairperson of Information and Publicity.

His duties involves among other things, media engagements, issuing public statements, organising the Party and providing checks and balances, demanding transparency and exposing misgovernance of the ruling party.

It is these duties that the UPND Government has used to oppress him, use the law enforcement agencies to attempt to silence him and instil fear in him.

Over the past 3 years, Hon. Nakacinda has been summoned to the Police 31 times, and has been arrested 21 times and is appearing before 12 magistrates facing offences related to his speech.

In the last one month, Hon. Nakacinda has been arrested and detained on charges of seditious practices after he condemned the presence of poisonous and toxic substances (aflotoxins) in the national stable food, mealie-meal.

On Wednesday, 2nd October, 2024, Hon. Nakacinda was yet again arrested on charges of sedition.

Despite providing two impeccable working sureties, in form of Members of Parliament, the Zambia Police have refused to grant police bond.

Further the Police have refused to present him before the courts of law eight days after he was detained.

Members of the Opposition arrested have suffered long detentions before matters are presented before the courts of law.

The case of Hon. Nkacinda succinctly represents the similar cases of human rights other members of the Opposition have suffered.

Further, Zambia Police Spokesperson, Rae Hamoonga was quoted in the media stating that Police Cells were Nalcinda’s second home.

It is a matter of worry, that a constitutional body such as the Human Rights Commission remains loudly silent on the cases of human rights of persons including leaders of the Opposition.

We have been elated by international reports from human rights bodies including the United Nations Human Rights Council that have expressed deep concerns about human rights abuses, shrinking democratic space and the restrictions and persecutions being suffered by the Opposition in Zambia.

However, your organisation has remained silent, which silence amounts to complicit to authorities perpetrating the prevalent abuses and human rights violations.

It is imperative that, in the execise of your duties, you must NOT abandon the core mandate of ensuring that rights and freedoms are protected, secured and respected.

We therefore urge you to immediately cause an inquiry into this matter and make public your findings.

Your s Faithfully,

Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba
Chairperson of Information and Publicity
Member of the Central Committee
PATRIOTIC FRONT

FAMILY SHOULD RESCUE LUNGU FROM PUBLIC EMBARRASSMENT – WELL-WISHER

EDGAR Lungu’s family must step in and rescue the former president from political vultures who are subjecting him to public embarrassment and humiliation, a well wishers has advised.

Dillon Mayangwa, a Lusaka-based political and social observer feels the former president is being held hostage by people that believe they can benefit from his ‘kasaka ka ndalama’ and diminishing political influence.

Mayangwa’s comments come in the wake of a viral social media video clip showing Lungu locked outside Lusaka Central Police Station and calling a police officer in a fashion many feel is unbefitting of his status as a former Head of State.

In the video, Lungu is heard loudly telling off someone who tried to restrain him from exhibiting Intercity Bus Terminus conduct in public not to stop him.

Joining in the widespread shock and concern for the former president, Mayangwa says it is time Lungu’s wife and children stepped and saved him from embarrassment.

Mayangwa noted that desperate parastatical politicians who think they can benefit from Lungu were subjecting him to public embarrassment.

He feels the former president should concentrate on his health and cementing his role as a father of the nation.

Mayangwa said it was embarrassing to see the former head of State calling those that saluted with respect  “ati boss, boss.”

He advised Lungu to rescind his political decision and get back to normalcy title of a father of the nation.

“Our former president is now embarrassing himself in public because he is being ill-advised. In a quest to protect what many believe to be illegally-acquired wealth, he is making more mistakes. Instead of making peace with his brother [Hakainde Hichilema], he is busy fighting with him left, right, centre. How can the former head of State start calling those who saluted him iwe boss,” Mayangwa observed.

“Everyone who means well for Lungu can advise him correctly. This is the right time for him to be with his family, his wife and children to reflect. He needs be sat down and being told that you had your time and that take up the role as a father of the nation, not a father of embarrassment,” said Mayangwa.

“In everything there is a retirement, there is no job without a retirement. His retirement is now but he still wants to work because some selfish individuals are advising him to do so. People around him that are pushing him to do politics are looking more healthy than him because they are enjoying his money.”

CREDIT: Kalemba

*Concerned Clergymen Urge Former President Edgar Lungu to Retire from Politics*

…As the former president tells the Oasis Forum he is ready to meet President Hichilema for Dialogue BUT..

By Martha Mpindu

Former president Edgar Lungu has told the Oasis Forum that he is ready to meet with President Hakainde Hichilema for dialogue.

And a group of concerned clergymen has joined the Oasis Forum to ask President Hichilema and his predecessor to dialogue.

The group of clergymen recently met with former President Edgar Lungu, advising him to step back from active politics and assume the role of a senior statesman. Their recommendation follows several public incidents, including Lungu’s confrontation with police officers and his call for PF members to engage in physical altercations with the ruling party.

In a letter seen by this author written by the former President to the Oasis forum dated 20th September, Mr. Lungu said he was ready to dialogue on condition that the government stops interfering in the issues of the Patriotic Front.
“I am willing to take part in the proposed dialogue between President Hakainde Hichilema and myself, subject to my successor meeting two conditions,” reads the letter in part.

Meanwhile a group of clergy are concerned with president Lungu’s return to active politics.
A video surfaced recently showing the former President using demeaning and disrespectful nicknames for his predecessor, further tarnishing his image.

The clergymen voiced concerns that Lungu’s actions are damaging his standing in society. As the only surviving former President, they urged him to avoid further public embarrassment. They believe a small group of advisors is misleading him for personal financial gain, noting similarities to the downfall of former President Frederick Chiluba, who suffered from similarly ill-advised counsel.

Former Vice President Nevers Mumba, who is also a Pastor, echoed these concerns, urging Lungu’s family to intervene, suggesting that he is being used by his advisors for selfish purposes. The clergymen called on Lungu to restore his dignity as a respected former President, cautioning that challenging the current administration could have negative consequences, as seen with other former leaders.

Lungu remains under scrutiny, with reports of police preventing him from leaving court premises and prohibiting him from running in public, acts that authorities describe as “political activism.” He also faces ongoing investigations into allegations of corruption and authoritarianism during his presidency. Additionally, his significant weight loss has sparked concerns about his physical and mental well-being.

It is yet to be seen how Lungu will respond to the clergymen’s advice. Other figures, such as Bishop Ellison Bwalya and a UNZA academic, have similarly advised him to retire from active politics.

HH’s monumental failures

Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba wrote;

He was touted as a farmer, yet he has done more damage to the agro sector, than any other President previously.

It is October, and farming inputs are not in districts sheds and warehouses and camps for distribution.

He was presented as an economic manager, yet he has damaged the economy with, especially careless and dangerous decisions made especially those regarding the mining sector, energy sector and commerce and trade.

Further only companies associated with him such as Aflife and Saturnia Regna have benefitted from Government business acquiring $40million Environmental Fund from the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Development,or selling derelict buildings to Government or its agencies.

Zambians had to rise in unison when Zambia National Service (ZNS) appeared to buy a farm for $13million from ZAMBEEF, without tender process or viability of the farm.

He was touted as a business man with remarkable acumen of success and that he would promulgate business friendly policies, he has become the worst enenmy of the business sector with small, medium and large sector facing closures and collapse.

I’m therefore not surprised by the harsh but realistic assement below;

Sharpest decline in private sector performance for over four years

September Purchase Managers’ Index (PMI) data signalled a further decline in business conditions across the Zambian private sector.

The downturn gathered momentum and was the sharpest since August 2020. as output, new orders and employment contracted at steeper rates.

The impact of load shedding and severe power cuts continued to restrict business operations and place strain on capacity.

Moreover, backlogs of work rose at the fastest pace since January 2020. Although companies remained upbeat regarding the year-ahead outlook for output, confidence
dropped to the lowest in six months.

At the same time, higher supplier and energy costs pushed overall input prices up.

Subsequently, firms raised their output charges, with the rate of inflation quickening
The headline figure derived from the suryey is the Purchasing Managers’ IndexTM (PMI).
Readings above 50.0 signal an improvement in business conditions on the previous month, while readings below 50.0 show a
deterioration.

The headline PMI posted 45.6 in September, down notably from 48.3 in August, to signal a strong decline in the health of the Zambian private sector.

The latest data indicated a tenth successive monthly downturn in business conditions, and the fastest deterioration since August 2020.

Load shedding and the impact of lengthy power cuts constrained firms again in September, as output contracted at the sharpest pace since February 202.

Reduced capacity and lower purchasing power at customers as energy costs rose weighed on demand conditions. New orders declined for the second month running, with the pace of decrease accelerating