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Wendy Williams Spotted In Public For First Time In Over A Year

We used to see Wendy Williams on a daily basis. She was the host of The Wendy Williams Show from 2008 to 2021. In the years since the show ended, however, the celebrity has been increasing harder to spot. She has removed herself from the spotlight. So much so, in fact, that a sighting of her is now big enough news to make headlines. The sighting occurred on August 19. Wendy Williams visited a store in New Jersey and posed for a photo with the owner, Victor Bowman. Page Six reported that the former TV host was “sharp, upbeat and aware,” in addition to being “very bubbly.”

An employee told the outlet that Wendy Williams was looking for various holistic products. “She talked about circulation improvement,” they recalled. “But didn’t want to get into too much detail on their first meeting and plans to come back in the near future.” The employee also said Williams’ son, Kevin Hunter, Jr., was explaining some of the products to her. “[She] was engaging but wasn’t as familiar with what we do her,” they added. The visit marked the first time Williams was publicly photographed since March of 2023.

Wendy Williams’ decision to keep a low public profile has coincided with her health struggles. She was diagnosed with progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia in 2023, according to Today. Williams’ medical team issued a statement confirming that her health had begun to inhibit her ability to perform on television. “Questions have been raised at times about Wendy’s ability to process information and many have speculated about Wendy’s condition,” the statement noted. “Particularly when she began to lose words, act erratically at times, and have difficulty understanding financial transactions. Receiving a diagnosis has enabled Wendy to receive the medical care she requires.”

Wendy Williams has spoken at length about her condition. That said, the celebrity did thank her fans for the support she received post-diagnosis. “I want to say I have immense gratitude for the love and kind words I have received after sharing my diagnosis,” she wrote in a statement. “Your response has been overwhelming. The messages shared with me have touched me.” It’s definitely encouraging to see her out and about.

South Carolina death row inmate will be given the choice of lethal injection, electrocution, or a firing squad for his scheduled execution on September 20

A South Carolina death row inmate, Freddie Eugene Owens, will be given the choice of lethal injection, electrocution, or a firing squad for his scheduled execution on September 20—the state’s first in 13 years.

Owens, 46, was convicted of the 1997 murder of store clerk Irene Graves during a series of Halloween night robberies in Greenville. The South Carolina Department of Corrections announced that Owens has 14 days to choose his method of execution; if he does not decide, the state will proceed with the electric chair, according to the New York Post.

South Carolina recently added the firing squad as an execution option, which some supporters, including death penalty opponents, argue is a more humane method.

Owens, scheduled for execution on September 20, has been sentenced to death three times following unsuccessful appeals. After his 1999 conviction for murder, armed robbery, and criminal conspiracy, Owens also killed his cellmate while in the Greenville County Jail.

Owens detailed to investigators how he brutally killed his cellmate by stabbing him, burning his eyes, choking, and stomping him.

Ahead of his September 20 execution, the director of the Broad River Correctional Institute has five days to confirm that all three execution methods—lethal injection, electrocution, and firing squad—are available.

This includes ensuring the lethal injection drug is stable and properly mixed, in line with a 2023 state law that keeps drug suppliers’ identities confidential, as ruled by the South Carolina Supreme Court.

South Carolina, once a leading state for executions, has faced difficulties obtaining lethal drugs since its last execution in 2011. However, the state Supreme Court cleared the path for resuming executions in July.

Currently, 32 inmates are on death row in South Carolina.

“The lack of transparency about the source of the execution drugs, how they were obtained, and whether (they) can bring about as painless a death as possible is still of grave concern to the lawyers that represent persons on death row,” attorney John Blume told the Associated Press on Friday.

Owens, who changed his name to Khalil Divine Black Sun Allah in 2015, has the option to request clemency from Republican Governor Henry McMaster, seeking to have his death sentence commuted to life without parole.

However, reports indicate that no South Carolina governor has granted clemency in the modern era of the death penalty.

DRAKE SEEMINGLY WARNS KENDRICK LAMAR AS FANS AWAIT ROUND TWO OF THEIR BEEF

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Drake appears to have sent a message to Kendrick Lamar as fans gear up for the feud to reignite.

On his burner Instagram account on Sunday (August 25), Drizzy shared a clip of former Detroit Pistons star Rasheed Wallace’s famous interview where he guaranteed that the team would triumph over the Indiana Pacers in game two of the 2004 Eastern Conference Finals.

“Y’all can put it on the front page, back page, middle page, wherever, headliners, column one or two — we will win game two,” the four-time NBA All-Star confidently says in the video following the Pistons’ game one defeat.

Sheed’s prediction came true as the Pistons defeated the Pacers on their way to winning the series 4-2. They then lifted the Larry O’Brien Trophy after beating a star-studded Los Angeles Lakers team that boasted Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, Karl Malone and Gary Payton in a five-game sweep.

“We will win game two.”

— Drake via his finsta 🦉 pic.twitter.com/SwIYRcwHvh

— Kurrco (@Kurrco) August 26, 2024

Drake has been prolific since his perceived defeat to Kendrick Lamar earlier this year, appearing on songs with the likes of Sexyy Red, Benny The Butcher, Gordo and Camila Cabello.

He has also released collaborations with Young Thug, 21 Savage and Latto as part of his 100 GIGS EP, and just last week shared three new songs via his burner Instagram account.


They include “SOD,” his recently leaked collaboration with Lil Yachty that no longer features the Atlanta rapper, “Circadian Rhythm” and “No Face,” which features guest vocals from Playboi Carti.

The latter quickly generated the most chatter thanks to some choice words from Drake seemingly aimed at Kendrick and the other rappers he sparred with in April and May.

“N-ggas got lit off the features I skated on / I gotta know, I gotta know / How you get lit off the n-gga you hatin’ on? / Numbers untouchable, they got the data wrong,” he raps, appearing to reference his guest verses for the likes of A$AP Rocky, The Weeknd and Future while casting doubt on Kendrick eclipsing many of his streaming records with “Not Like Us”.

“This is the moment I know they been prayin’ on / What? Aye, what? Aye / Try knock The Boy off, but fuck it, I’m stayin’ on / O’ keep on sendin’ me slaps to go crazy on / 40 keep sayin’ it’s time to be patient / It’s so many people we turnin’ the tables on.”


Drizzy continues in his second verse: “My therapist put in a 30-day notice / ‘Cause I keep on talkin’ ’bout beefin’ and business and money and women / It’s no diagnosis, they emptied the clip,” clearly adopting Kendrick Lamar’s cadence with the last line.

He then warns his opps: “Quick, swap that shit out, and I came back reloaded / I’m just so happy that n-ggas who envied and held that shit in got to finally show it / I’m over the moon, yeah, we’ll see you boys soon / I’m spreadin’ my wings, I hop out cocoon / I’m studio trappin’, I’m locked in the room, what?”


On the other hand, Kendrick has been radio silent since his historic Pop Out concert in June and subsequent release of the music video for “Not Like Us.”

SEAN KINGSTON & HIS MOM HILARIOUSLY RUN FROM REPORTERS AFTER FRAUD CASE COURT HEARING

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Sean Kingston and his mother were clearly not interested in talking to reporters after a court hearing in their fraud case last week – as they hilariously ran from the cameras in a now-viral clip.

In the video captured by Florida’s Local 10 News on Friday (August 23), the “Beautiful Girls” singer can be seen running to his car as the reporter trails (and trolls) him, saying: “Sean, it looks ridiculous running like that!”

His mother Janice Turner followed soon after, jogging and waving her hands as she playfully yelled at the camera before getting into her car.

The pair were leaving their federal arraignment, where they pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud charges and asked for a trial by jury.

The charges stem from allegations that the two cooked up a plot to acquire high-end jewelry, specialty and other pricey items by using fraudulent documents.

The United States Attorney’s Office of the Southern District of Florida believes Kingston (born Kisean Anderson) and Turner purchased over $1 million in property, and “unjustly enriched themselves by falsely representing that they had executed bank wire or other monetary payment transfers.”


On May 23, Turner was arrested by the Broward County Sheriff’s Office and the Davie Police SWAT. Turner, who has a history of convictions for filing false loan applications and bank fraud, was charged with numerous fraud and theft charges.

Attorney Dennis Card, who represents one of Sean Kingston’s alleged victims, said that Turner’s arrest is part and parcel of a larger crime involving her son. Thursday’s raid was done in connection with a lawsuit he filed against Kingston for not paying for purchased items.


“He likes having bling, he likes showing off, he’s a showman,” Card said to the outlet. “My client has a $150,000 television sound system that’s in there, there’s also about $1 million worth of watches that are in there, there’s a $80,000 custom bed that was ordered. This is an organized systematic fraud.”

Card continued: “He’s got basically a script, he says that he works with Justin Bieber, and that he obviously puts on a big show here, this is a rental house, he doesn’t own it, and he lures people using his celebrity into having them release things without him paying for it and then he simply never pays.

Captain of Bayesian superyacht is investigated for manslaughter and shipwreck after tragic sinking left seven de@d

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The captain of the Bayesian superyacht is being investigated for ‘manslaughter and shipwreck’ after the tragedy left seven de@d including British tech millionaire Mike Lynch and his daughter.

James Cutfield, 51, from New Zealand, is being investigated for manslaughter and shipwreck, La Repubblica and Corriere della Sera said.

Captain of Bayesian superyacht is investigated for manslaughter and shipwreck after tragic sinking left seven de@d including British tech millionaire Mike Lynch and his daughter

Magistrates reportedly spoke to Cutfield on Sunday for the second time in a week, questioning him for more than two hours.

Prosecutors may also investigate a crew member who was on duty when the storm hit and survived the disaster, according to reports.

The 184ft Bayesian was carrying 22 people when it capsized and sank last Monday within minutes of being hit by a storm while anchored off northern Sicily.

Brit tech tycoon Mike Lynch and four others were found dead in the first cabin of the luxury yacht’s left side.

Mr Lynch’s 18-year-old daughter, Hannah, was found in the third cabin after it sank stern-first before rolling on to its right on the seabed. The yacht’s chef also died.

Fifteen of the 22 on board, including Mr Lynch’s wife Angela Bacares, 57, escaped on a life raft.

Prosecutors said the victims had attempted to scramble to one side of the doomed £30million, 184ft vessel in a desperate battle to reach air pockets after it went down in a storm off Sicily.

Chief Prosecutor Ambrogio Cartosio said the victims would have been asleep when the freak weather struck at around 5 am local time on Monday last week, leaving them unable to escape.

Being placed under investigation in Italy does not imply guilt – and does not mean formal charges will necessarily follow.

Maritime law gives a captain full responsibility for the ship and the crew, as well as the safety of all aboard.

Captain of Bayesian superyacht is investigated for manslaughter and shipwreck after tragic sinking left seven de@d including British tech millionaire Mike Lynch and his daughter
In a press conference on Saturday, Mr Cartosio said there may have been “behaviours that were not perfectly in order with regard to the responsibility everybody had”.

He added: “There could be in fact the question of homicide. But this is the beginning of the inquiry, we cannot exclude anything at all.”

He said one line of inquiry was whether the crew attempted to raise the alarm with passengers before getting on the lifeboat and escaping.

He vowed to “discover how much they (the crew) knew and to what extent all the people (passengers) were warned.”

He said: “We will establish each element’s (crew) responsibility. For me, it is probable that offences were committed — that it could be a case of manslaughter.”

He said Captain Cutfield had been “extremely cooperative” during questioning and will be quizzed further.

Lead prosecutor Raffaele Cammarano said Italy’s Air Force found the boat was sunk by a downburst which descended from a thunderstorm.

He said there were forecasts of strong winds and a storm alert but good visibility and no suggestion of a tornado.

He added: “Given the conditions were such, there wasn’t anything to suggest there could be an extreme situation.

“There are vessels that can monitor these events and one would have thought the captain had taken precautions.”

He said one person was on watch in the cockpit at the time of the accident.

Bentivoglio Fiandra, chief of Palermo’s fire brigade and part of the rescue, said the victims “were trying to hide in the cabins on the left-hand side” where the last air pockets remained.

Vincenzo Nardoni, inspector at the Department of Fire Fighters’ Divers in Naples, said: “Inside it was a very confusing place, with wardrobes and furniture whirling all around us, and lots of mirrors reflecting back our lights at us.

“The bodies were all wedged in tight spots, with furniture on top or beside them. They were all stuck there.”

Giovanni Costantino, CEO of The ­Italian Sea Group, which manufactured Perini Navi shipyard vessel Bayesian, accused the crew of failing to “close the doors and hatches” and insisted the boat should have been “unsinkable”.

Mr Costantino recently told The Sun: “Modern sailing ships, especially high-tech ones like the Perini, are designed to be extremely safe and stable.

“Even in very critical conditions, if procedures are followed, a sailing yacht like the Bayesian will return to an upright position.

“If the ship takes on water, this stability is compromised … What is certain is that the ship took on hundreds of thousands of litres of water.”

Authorities now face a delicate task in extracting the wreck from the depths of the sea – intact – so that it can be properly probed.

Expert diver Bertrand Sciboz said it would be a “very special operation”.

He told BBC on Saturday: “They’ll have to salvage the wreck intact to then send it back to authorities and police.

“They will need to salvage the boat intact but I suppose they will have to take off the mast before.

“First, put the boat on its keel and then take off the mast.”

Authorities extend detention of Telegram app founder Pavel Durov after his arrest in Paris

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French judicial authorities on Sunday extended the detention of the Russian-born founder of Telegram, Pavel Durov, after his arrest at a Paris airport over alleged offences related to the messaging app.

Durov, 39, was arrested at the Le Bourget airport outside Paris on Saturday after French investigators had issued a warrant for Durov’s arrest as part of an inquiry into allegations of fraud, drug trafficking, organised crime, promotion of terrorism and cyberbullying.

Durov is accused of failing to take action to curb the criminal use of his platform and was stopped after arriving in Paris from Baku on his private jet on Saturday night. “Enough of Telegram’s impunity,” said one investigator who expressed surprise that Durov flew to Paris knowing he was a wanted man.

In a statement on Sunday evening, Telegram said: “Telegram abides by EU laws, including the Digital Services Act – its moderation is within industry standards and constantly improving.

“Telegram’s CEO Pavel Durov has nothing to hide and travels frequently in Europe. It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner is responsible for abuse of that platform. We’re awaiting a prompt resolution of this situation.”

The detention of Durov, 39, was extended beyond Sunday night by the investigating magistrate who is handling the case, according to a source close to the investigation. This initial period of detention for questioning can last up to a maximum of 96 hours.

When this phase of detention ends, the judge can decide to free him or press charges and remand him into further custody.

Russian authorities have accused France of “refusing to cooperate” with them following his arrest. The Russian embassy in Paris has asked for access to Durov and said France had so far “avoided engagement” on the situation.

Durov left Russia in 2014 after refusing to comply with Kremlin demands to shut down opposition groups on the VK social network that he founded when he was 22. He left VK after a dispute with its Kremlin-linked owners and turned his focus to Telegram, the app he founded with his brother Nikolai in 2013.

Initially, Telegram has become one of the world’s most downloaded applications. As well as communicating one-to-one, users can join groups of up to 200,000 people and create broadcast “channels” that others can follow and leave comments on.

With 950 million active monthly users, Telegram has become a major source of information – and disinformation – about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Durov lives in Dubai, where Telegram is based, and holds citizenship of France and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). He recently said he had tried to settle in Berlin, London, Singapore and San Francisco before choosing Dubai, which he praised for its business environment and “neutrality”.

In the UAE, Telegram faces little pressure to moderate its content, while western governments are trying to crack down on hate speech, disinformation, sharing of images of child abuse and other illegal content.

Reacting to the arrest, former Russian president turned hawkish deputy head of Russia’s security council, Dmitry Medvedev, claimed that Durov had made a mistake by fleeing Russia and thinking he would never have to cooperate with security services abroad.

“He miscalculated,” Medvedev said. “For all our common enemies now, he is Russian – and therefore unpredictable and dangerous.”

Writing on X after the arrest, the rightwing US commentator and conspiracy theorist Tucker Carlson described Durov as “a living warning to any platform owner who refuses to censor the truth at the behest of governments and intel agencies”.

In an interview with Carlson earlier this year, Durov said the app should remain a “neutral platform” and not “a player in geopolitics”.

In the interview, Durov said users “love the independence” of the Telegram app. “They also love the privacy, the freedom, [there are] a lot of reasons why somebody would switch to Telegram.”

Ancelotti confident, Mbappe will score goals following goal drought

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Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti remains unfazed by Kylian Mbappé’s recent goal drought, despite the star forward failing to score in back-to-back LaLiga matches.

Mbappé, who signed a five-year deal with Madrid this summer, made an immediate impact by scoring in their UEFA Super Cup triumph over Atalanta earlier this month.

However, in Madrid’s 3-0 win against Real Valladolid at the Bernabéu on Sunday, Mbappé was substituted in the 86th minute, marking his second consecutive league match without finding the back of the net.

Ancelotti, though, expressed no concern over the Frenchman’s temporary scoring slump.

“It makes me very happy. I’ve started off at the Bernabéu winning the game and we got the three points,” Mbappé said to Real Madrid TV after the game.

“It was a great night. The fans were top. We wanted to win the first game [here]. It’s a dream playing in this stadium, but we have another game on Thursday and we want to win again.”

Midfielder Federico Valverde put Madrid ahead after half-time, and substitute Brahim Díaz added a second goal, before Mbappé’s replacement Endrick scored his first goal for the club in the 96th minute.

Speaking in his postmatch news conference, Ancelotti denied that Mbappé’s position at centre-forward — rather than starting off out wide — was limiting his ability to contribute to the team.

“No, I don’t think so at all,” Ancelotti said. “[Mbappé] is a spectacular forward, he’s very fast, and he moves well with the ball.

“He had three chances. I think in that position he’ll score, as he’s always scored. I don’t think he has to play on the left or the right. He’ll score goals.”

Ancelotti also praised Endrick, who signed for Madrid this summer after turning 18.

“He looks good,” Ancelotti said. “He has great potential, and with the goal, he showed all his qualities. He has good control, and a good shot.

“He’s a penalty box forward. In small spaces, he’s very, very dangerous.”

After a 1-1 draw against Real Mallorca on LaLiga’s opening weekend, Real Madrid bounced back with a 3-0 home victory over Real Valladolid as they begin their title defense.

The squad has been managing without key players, including midfielders Jude Bellingham and Eduardo Camavinga, who are sidelined with injuries, and defender Ferland Mendy, who missed the Valladolid match due to suspension.

Madrid now looks ahead to a midweek trip to Las Palmas on Thursday, followed by a home clash against Real Betis next weekend.

PROPERTIES WORTH OVER K100MILLION FORFEITURED TO STATE AS HIGH COURT RESTATES INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ON ASSET RECOVERY

PROPERTIES WORTH OVER K100MILLION FORFEITURED TO STATE AS HIGH COURT RESTATES INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ON ASSET RECOVERY

The Lusaka High Court has delivered a decisive judgement in which properties valued at over ZMW 100 million which were proceeds of crime have been forfeited to the State.

The judgement follows an application made by the Anti- Corruption Commission a for Non-Conviction Based Forfeiture made pursuant to Section 29 and 31 of the Forfeiture of Proceeds of Crime Act No 19 of 2012, in a matter in which a Zambian owned company namely Pittscon Zambia Limited and its directors amassed properties between 2018 and 2022 through contracts awarded to the company for periodic road maintenance under the Ministry of Local Government and Housing.

DOES M’MEMBE WANT TO SLEEP WITH KOSWE? WHY THIS OBSESSION?- Koswe Editorial

DOES M’MEMBE WANT TO SLEEP WITH KOSWE

Koswe Editorial

We have noted Fred M’membe’s latest bitterness and hatred for this news organisation.

Unless you are very, very young, M’membe had gotten used to writing very insulting articles in his Post-Newspaper when it was at its peak and when he thought age was not catching up with him. He was a darling of malice, hatred, and pioneer of tribalism in this country.

Apparently, he has not moved on and he has continued subjecting this young generation of educated folks to his old tactics of trying to write hateful and divisive articles targeted at certain tribes and people he thinks are escalating his old age into may-weather so that he can miss the Presidential jet also known as challenger.

Today, as usual, he is rumbling around over Koswe. He throws too many attacks at Koswe and another independent online news organisation called Zambian Watchdog.

In his old age thinking, and yes, his bitterness and hatred, M’membe accuses government institutions of owning and running this News organisation and the Zambian Watchdog.

He, however, does not mention any name because he knows that such accusations would jump start his age from 65 to 78 before even 2026 through court legal battles.

That aside. As a News organisation, we want to say it again here. That we don’t work for the opposition, we don’t work for the government, but we work for society ONLY.

In case M’membe has forgotten to cap his memory, Koswe was there when Zambia was sliding into a lethal dictatorship of Edgar Lungu.

Lungu was the ALPHA and OMEGA in this country, and during his time, no one would say anything against him and go without being killed or being arrested.

Ask Kampyongo, who was equal to the task, and he will tell you that during Edgar’s time, Koswe and all innocent people thought to be part of it were targets.

Obviously, M’membe doesn’t know that even punitive laws (Cyber crime laws) were signed into effect by Edgar Lungu with the view of only nabbing Koswe and indeed some people were arrested over Koswe but Koswe continued operating.

M’membe called some Zambians as Bantustans, called Mwanawasa cabbage, and called even his own father in law Anderson Kambela Mazoka, as a man whose trousers can’t hold because of ailing. M’membe insulted and still insults Chiluba even in his death.

M’membe thought that he was a pioneer of print journalism. Who wasn’t insulted by M’membe’s newspaper in this country?

And today, he is still preaching tribalism and hate language using his Mast Newspaper and his rogue Facebook page, which he owns as capitalist projects while wearing a Che Guevara hut as a modern-day fake Socialist.

Since M’membe you are calling for the shutdown of Koswe, it is also only fair that this government should close down your rogue Facebook page which you use to demean and disrespect others and by the way, these laws were left by Edgar Lungu’s PF.

Koswe was there when Edgar Lungu was president. Koswe was there when M’membe’s mouthpiece called Post Newspaper was closed down by Edgar Lungu on grounds that he was not paying taxes.

Koswe was there during the time M’membe was running his tribal newspaper the Post.

Koswe was there when M’membe and his wife were brutally fixed by Lungu.

Koswe was there when Lungu shut down M’membe’s newspaper.

Koswe was there when Wynter Kabimba left M’membe for practising Yakumbuyo, a case which M’membe lost in court and feared to appeal.

Koswe was there when M’membe out of jealous and bitterness that now HH is President he also joined active politics.

Koswe was there in 2021 when M’membe was beaten by the number of rejected votes.

Koswe will be there in 2026 when M’membe will again be beaten by the number of spoiled votes, and Koswe will be there to cover M’membe retiring from politics after his several bitter attempts.

What are we saying? What we are saying is Koswe was there before Hichilema became president, and Koswe will be there even after Hichilema is president after 2031.

We are an independent institution that has no business to do with President Hichilema and his UPND government.

What we don’t just like is bitterness and envy being exhibited by M’membe.

Above all, we hate people who practice Yakumbuyo as that is against God’s grace for man and woman.

Friendly advice. M’membe must focus on how to outnumber rejected votes and not Koswe and M’membe must learn from Saboi Imboela who is likely to go to jail for similar accusations and M’membe must know that he is losing people in his group who he banked on to help him run his Yakumbuyo disgraced and disgusting outfit.

Numbers don’t lie! In 2031, M’membe, you will be 72 years old, and we wonder if the young generation will want to have an old, bitter, and very brutal man. Not even Laura Miti, as she has been warning Zambians that you would be the worst dictator ever fronted.

If you have noticed, today, we have decided not to talk about your bedroom as we used to do to Edgar but it’s upto you, if you want to dare us, do so but when we do, don’t cry that we are being malicious because uletutendeka!

In fact, as Koswe, we welcome these Cyber crime laws and it is our honest appeal to the Zambian government that before they look elsewhere, they must shutdown down rogue Facebook page owned and run by Fred M’membe before moving to his mouth which has the potential to cause inter country war as per the charges he is facing regarding his rogue utterances against the CONGOLESE government.

DOES M’MEMBE WANT TO SLEEP WITH KOSWE? WHY THIS OBSESSION?

Koswe: Investigations only! Silelo tayamba!

If you have not read it on Koswe, then it’s FAKE News

CYBER LAWS AND CRIMES: LET HICHILEMA SHUT DOWN HIS KOSWE, ZAMBIAN WATCHDOG AND SANITY WILL RETURN ONLINE

Mr Hakainde Hichilema’s State House media team, which runs the two rogue media outfits – Zambian Watchdog and Koswe – is the greatest threat to this country’s unity, peace and security.

So, what hypocrisy is the UPND government trying to achieve by threatening citizens with arrests for exposing their crimes and other scandals? What is even more shocking is that, they’re threatening and intimidating citizens over the very crimes they themselves are committing and perpetrating daily using the irresponsible and rogue State House media team. What type of leaders are these? Why are they so heartless? What type of entitlement and self obsession is this?

Mr Hichilema and his league think they can continue violating cyber laws with impunity by using their rogue media networks like the Zambian Watchdog and Koswe to abuse, malign and insult private citizens and leaders of this country whilst the entire country watches them with fear and intimidation. They want to endlessly feed the public with hatred, lies, malice and misinformation, and when citizens respond with the truth about their failures, then they have committed a crime and must be punished. They’re really overrating their influence and abilities to curtail freedom of speech and expression in this country. But this will not work. In fact, it will backfire very badly!

With or without their evil schemes around cyber laws, security and regulations, their failures will continue being exposed by the masses. They are careless and scandalous regime. And they should not deceive the world into thinking that they are advocates of responsible use of social media because they’re not. In fact, they are the most intolerant, undemocratic, divisive people to govern this country. When they can’t think, they resort to threats, violence, abuse of laws, and law enforcement agencies, to silence their critics.

The seditious guerrilla media outfits, Zambian Watchdog and Koswe, which are being operated under State House by Mr Hichilema’s media team openly incite hatred, malice and violence against Mr Hichilema’s critics everyday without any form of restraint. These two unhinged rogue media outfits are dividing, inciting, and destroying this country in a very irreversible fashion, and this government can wake up today and demand for sober and responsible social media usage.

But like we keep saying, someday soon, the real faces behind these rogues media outfits being managed under State House will be made to pay for their crimes together with their master. Already there are loyal citizens with a conscious, who once worked with the State House media team in running these rogue media outfits that are prepared to testify against them. Everybody being used to transmit hatred, abuse, malicious falsehoods and insults against private citizens and Mr Hichilema’s political opponents is identifiable, no matter how hard they try to fool themselves into thinking that their identify is hidden from the world, they’re wasting their time.

We repeat what we said a few days ago about this issue that the zeal and excitement to create laws with the aim of fixing their critics and opponents over crimes they themselves are committing daily, is theirs for now, but it’s just a matter of time before this impunity and lawlessness being perpetrated by State House is finally nipped in the bud.

Let Hichilema and his overzealous colleagues preach responsible social media usage to their Koswe and Zambian Watchdog because they work for them.

Fred M’membe
President of the Socialist Party

Police name Chongwe illegal gravel mine accident victims

POLICE UPDATE ON ILLEGAL GRAVEL MINE ACCIDENT

August 26, 2024-The Zambia Police Service wishes to provide an update on the tragic incident that occurred yesterday August 25, 2024, at approximately 11:00 hours, involving an illegal gravel mine. The mine, located in an area that had been operating without proper authorization, collapsed and buried nine male individuals along with a tipper truck, resulting in a significant loss of life.

The exhumation process commenced promptly at 15:00 hours on the same day, and by 18:00 hours, eight bodies had been successfully recovered. The deceased individuals have been identified as follows:

  1. John Sakala from Ng’ombe Compound
  2. Daliso Phiri aged 30 from Mwashinango Village
  3. Watson Basikolo from Lubansa Village
  4. Evans Emuwa from Chichili Village
  5. Mathews Mumba from Lubansa Village
  6. Rogers (Other names not known) from an unknown village
  7. Nsama (Other names not known) from Lubansa Village
  8. Yoram Moto
  9. Mike Ngoma from Mwashinango Village

All the victims are estimated to be between 20 and 30 years of age, although their precise ages have not yet been confirmed. Due to capacity limitations, two of the bodies have been deposited at Chongwe District Hospital Mortuary, while the remaining seven were transferred to UTH Mortuary.

The search for the final missing body continued into the morning of today August 26, 2024, and the body of Mike Ngoma from Mwashinango Village was successfully exhumed around 10:00 hours. This brings the total number of fatalities to nine.

We extend our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims during this difficult time. A comprehensive report, including further details of all the victims, will be submitted once interviews with the relatives have been conducted.

The Zambia Police Service urges all citizens to avoid engaging in illegal mining activities, which pose significant risks to life and safety. We are committed to ensuring that those responsible for operating these illegal sites are brought to justice. Police has since opened an inquiry and investigations are ongoing.

Rae Hamoonga
POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER.

CYBER LAWS AND CRIMES: HICHILEMA MUST SHUT DOWN HIS KOSWE, ZAMBIAN WATCHDOG AND SANITY WILL RETURN ONLINE- Fred M’membe

CYBER LAWS AND CRIMES: HICHILEMA MUST SHUT DOWN HIS KOSWE, ZAMBIAN WATCHDOG AND SANITY WILL RETURN ONLINE

Mr Hakainde Hichilema’s State House media team, which runs the two rogue media outfits – Zambian Watchdog and Koswe – is the greatest threat to this country’s unity, peace and security.

So, what hypocrisy is the UPND government trying to achieve by threatening citizens with arrests for exposing their crimes and other scandals? What is even more shocking is that, they’re threatening and intimidating citizens over the very crimes they themselves are committing and perpetrating daily using the irresponsible and rogue State House media team. What type of leaders are these? Why are they so heartless? What type of entitlement and self obsession is this?

Mr Hichilema and his league think they can continue violating cyber laws with impunity by using their rogue media networks like the Zambian Watchdog and Koswe to abuse, malign and insult private citizens and leaders of this country whilst the entire country watches them with fear and intimidation. They want to endlessly feed the public with hatred, lies, malice and misinformation, and when citizens respond with the truth about their failures, then they have committed a crime and must be punished. They’re really overrating their influence and abilities to curtail freedom of speech and expression in this country. But this will not work. In fact, it will backfire very badly!

With or without their evil schemes around cyber laws, security and regulations, their failures will continue being exposed by the masses. They are careless and scandalous regime. And they should not deceive the world into thinking that they are advocates of responsible use of social media because they’re not. In fact, they are the most intolerant, undemocratic, divisive people to govern this country. When they can’t think, they resort to threats, violence, abuse of laws, and law enforcement agencies, to silence their critics.

The seditious guerrilla media outfits, Zambian Watchdog and Koswe, which are being operated under State House by Mr Hichilema’s media team openly incite hatred, malice and violence against Mr Hichilema’s critics everyday without any form of restraint. These two unhinged rogue media outfits are dividing, inciting, and destroying this country in a very irreversible fashion, and this government can wake up today and demand for sober and responsible social media usage.

But like we keep saying, someday soon, the real faces behind these rogues media outfits being managed under State House will be made to pay for their crimes together with their master. Already there are loyal citizens with a conscious, who once worked with the State House media team in running these rogue media outfits that are prepared to testify against them. Everybody being used to transmit hatred, abuse, malicious falsehoods and insults against private citizens and Mr Hichilema’s political opponents is identifiable, no matter how hard they try to fool themselves into thinking that their identify is hidden from the world, they’re wasting their time.

We repeat what we said a few days ago about this issue that the zeal and excitement to create laws with the aim of fixing their critics and opponents over crimes they themselves are committing daily, is theirs for now, but it’s just a matter of time before this impunity and lawlessness being perpetrated by State House is finally nipped in the bud.

Let Hichilema and his overzealous colleagues preach responsible social media usage to their Koswe and Zambian Watchdog because they work for them.

Fred M’membe
President of the Socialist Party

THREATS AGAINST CIVIL SERVANTS UNNECESSARY- AMBASSADOR LESLIE MBULA

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PRESS STATEMENT BY AMBASSADOR LESLIE MBULA

THREATS AGAINST CIVIL SERVANTS UNNECESSARY

Monday, 26th August 2024

LUSAKA – The recent statement by former president Edgar Lungu on civil servants is not only unfortunate, but an effort aimed at undermining the efficient operations of Government and the State.
As a former President, Mr. Lungu must be well vested to the fact that the public service is guided by strict rules and procedures of professionalism.

Mr. Lungu should be reminded that civil servants are non-partisan and serve any government elected by the people of Zambia. It is therefore disappointing that a former president can issue threats against civil servants at a political rally aimed at instilling fear in public service workers.



Mr Lungu, at a public rally organized by the Citizens First party in Samfya, Luapula Province on Saturday threatened to “sort out” police officers and civil servants perceived not to be working towards the facilitation of his come-back to power during the 2026 presidential elections.
The former Head of State, in a statement which has been widely shared on social media issued these threats, “I want you to know that if you are doing the right thing as a police officer or civil servant and you get fired for that, 2026 you will come back and be promoted. But if you are doing stupid and foolish things, we will follow you as an individual in your own house. And we will sort you out. This is not a fake promise, this is not a threat. We will follow you individually, whether you come from Mugubudu or Samfya, we will follow you individually and deal with you as such. But if you are doing the right thing, you will be rewarded, get that clearly” said Lungu on Saturday.

It is inconceivable that a former Head of State, a person who wielded so much power and authority can make such threatening statements against the citizens he claims he wants to come and rule. Those who aspire to rule the country should exhibit humility in their engagements with the electorate in order to build confidence and trust.

Public service workers are not expected to massage egos of politicians but ensure professional delivery of services to the country as required by the law and general guidelines of their employment.

Public service workers should not succumb to empty political threats because, if they did, they will fail to do their job according to the expectations of the general public and in conformity with the law.

As a civil servant of many years, who has served under different Presidents of this country, I can attest to the fact that Zambian civil servants are professional and envisage the best for the country.

Given the role that they play, the civil service should be insulated from overly egoistic politicians that have the potential to abuse them for their narrow sectorial interests.

We have also observed that police officers have become the easiest targets for political abuse when they try to be professional in the dispensation of their mandate of maintaining peace and order.

Such statements should be avoided by politicians as they have a potential to cause fear in the public service workers. We have not forgotten how the former ruling party, the Patriotic Front (PF) cadres were ejecting public service workers from their offices on suspicion that they supported the opposition.

We have not forgotten how civil servants were fired or retired in national interest by the government of Mr. Lungu.

This unruly conduct we witnessed in those dark days of political hooliganism should never be tolerated in our country. Let’s promote civility and cultivate a culture of debates that are intended to make this country a better place than we found it.

I would like to advise politicians to desist from issuing reckless statements against public service workers.

ISSUED BY: AMBASSADOR LESLIE MBULA
Former Secretary to Cabinet

UPND GOVERNMENT A FAILED PROJECT- Edwin Lifwekelo

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UPND GOVERNMENT A FAILED PROJECT    

26/08/2024

Today I am filled with sadness and fear for Zambia. Sadness and fear fills me up to see how a nation of plenty and known for Rule of Law is fast turning into a State without direction under the new dawn Government of Rule of Law as proclaimed and sung daily by President Hakainde Hichilema.

The Rule of Law song, though sung everyday in a one man show , the nation daily wakes up to face the opposite of the New dawn.

While lawlessness and vindictiveness greets us daily from Community House, poverty levels in the nation increase everyday and the Economy of the nation is on the brink of collapsing while curtailed freedom of assembly and freedom of speech have been thrown to the winds.

Be it arrogance covered in ignorance of handling affairs of State or fear of a potential opponent, there is a better way of handling matters related to a former Head of State and Opposition leaders.

His handlers from Washington and perhaps from EU nations should have made him sit down and give their examples of how former President Donald Trump is handled by President Joe Biden and the establishment. A former President is not an ordinary citizen.

Just that one act of the many of the New Dawn Government horrible acts, many feathers have been removed from the hat of HH and the entire episode is blowing in the region of SADC and beyond, the Presidents foreign policy has lamentably failed SADC and zambia is slowly losing its influence in the region.

Assuming responsibility demands that you take everything that goes with that responsibility including how you treat the former Head of State and friends in the region.

A former Head of State must never be compared to an opposition Leader.HH must learn this.

Blocking Edgar Lungu from attending meetings or church gatherings  will not change the downturn of the economic Spectrum of Zambia and the Present Perception of Many Zambians that the New Dawn Government is, after all, just a new doom Government sending its own citizens to early graves because of abject poverty in the nation, just look at how they are handling the poisonous Mealie Meal,the whole exercise lacks seriousness on the Part of government.

If HH is from another cloth as he claimed at his inauguration, let him give us  a sound economy he promised us and not political Rhetoric, he said he was taking over a very badly managed national economy and that “Bally will Fix it”. It is time to deliver to the Zambians what he promised.

Three years is long enough to fix the economy or at least put it in a shape that sends message that there is direction leading to the promised land but so far, it is all encircled in a bungling state of affairs. As it is written; the work of the foolish wearies everyone, for he does not know how to get to the city.

Going after the perceived enemies like ECL and other opposition leaders and embarrassing them in public, in an uncouth manner, will not help to tone down the cry of all Zambians for more nshima on the table, reduced price of fuel, reduced cost of living, fairness in the allocation of Government contracts, paying contractors and suppliers on time,resolved mines saga on the Copperbelt and building a fair Zambia where a job in Government or a contract with Government will not depend on the name on your National Registration Card but on the content of character and what you put on the negotiating table.

Leaders are those who sacrifice self and build nations through inclusiveness and selfless service for the good of all.

They build to leave a legacy of service for the good of all without leaving anyone behind.

Their content of character is impeccable for their lives are glued to what is is good for all.

Any leader worthy being called a leader must qualify as such under the internationally accepted standards of what a leader must be.

That is to lead a people with justice and sense of responsibility that their future lies in his hands and as such he takes care of everyone of them.

He takes all of them on his shoulders and offers comfort in times of crisis.

Anything else is opportunism leading to a nation’s destruction and it becomes just another “work of the foolish wearies everyone for he does not know how to get to the city”.

Zambia deserves better.

Edwin Lifwekelo

PF Media Director.

Reflecting on the INTERPOL Election: A Call for Professional Reform in Zambia Police

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Reflecting on the INTERPOL Election: A Call for Professional Reform in Zambia Police

By Dr . Mwelwa

The recent news surrounding the election for the Secretary General of INTERPOL has stirred significant debate and reflection on the state of global law enforcement, with a particular focus on the Zambia Police Service. The candidacy of Mubita Nawa, a deputy commissioner within the Zambian police force, has sparked controversy and concern, not merely because of the serious allegations leveled against him, but also due to the broader implications for the reputation and professionalism of the police service he represents.

Zambia’s police force has long been under scrutiny for its practices, often criticized for being unprofessional, brutal, and highly politicized. Regimes across different eras, including the current government, have been accused of using the police as an instrument of persecution against political opponents, expressing a troubling intertwining of law enforcement with partisan interests. This systemic corruption and the compromised integrity of the force make it difficult to support such mediocrity at a prestigious, high-stakes institution like INTERPOL.

The latest allegations against Nawa, involving the alleged kidnap, assault, and attempted extortion of two Indian businessmen in 2022, only exacerbate these concerns. The credibility required for a leadership role at INTERPOL is severely undermined by such accusations, even as they remain subjects of dispute. The legal representation for the Sadhus, the alleged victims, has emphatically argued that Nawa’s involvement in these crimes renders him unfit for the international policing role. Given that these claims suggest a deep-rooted involvement in criminal activities, the apprehension about Nawa’s potential appointment is justifiable.

The quality of leadership in any police force is reflective of its overall performance and public perception. The Zambia Police Service, currently ranked 112 out of 127 in the World Internal Security and Police Index, highlights the steep challenges it faces. With such a low ranking, it is imperative that the force not only acknowledges its deficiencies but actively works toward rectifying them. The current administration under President Hakainde Hichilema has been criticized for exacerbating the decline in professionalism and integrity within the force, further entrenching corrupt practices, political repression, and human rights abuses.

Critics argue that Zambia’s policing woes are symptoms of a larger systemic failure where political loyalties and monetary influences dictate promotions and career advancements, rather than merit and professional conduct. The reported use of the police to shield high-ranking officials and mafia-like figures from accountability, while persecuting political adversaries, paints a bleak picture of the state of law enforcement in the country.

Incidents like the ones tied to Mubita Nawa, and exemplified by the case of Jay Jay Banda, cast a long shadow over any claims of refuted allegations. These incidents are not isolated but part of a broader pattern that requires comprehensive reform and introspection within the Zambia Police Service. For any hope of altering the current trajectory, there must be an unequivocal commitment to enhancing professionalism, independence, and accountability within the force—initiatives that should be spearheaded by the highest echelons of the country’s leadership.

The INTERPOL election has served as a mirror, reflecting the critical need for Zambia’s police force to up its game and rebuild its reputation on the world stage. The decision made by the INTERPOL Executive should be seen not merely as a judgment on an individual candidate but as a call to action for comprehensive reform within the Zambia Police Service. It is a definitive message that mediocrity and complicity in criminality have no place in an institution tasked with international security and justice.

Ultimately, this episode underscores that charity must indeed begin at home. For Zambia to rehabilitate its global standing and for its citizens to have faith in their law enforcement, there must be an unwavering pursuit of professionalism, ethical conduct, and justice within the ranks of its police service. Anything less will only perpetuate the cycle of impunity and disillusionment that currently mars the system.

KALABA’S CF, PF AND SP SUFFER SETBACK AS THEIR MEMBERS DEFECT TO UPND IN NALIKWANDA

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KALABA’S CF, PF AND SP SUFFER SETBACK AS THEIR MEMBERS DEFECT TO UPND IN NALIKWANDA – MULEMWA

25/8/24

Hundreds of opposition party members ditched Kalaba’s CF, PF and SP and defected to the mighty UPND at a colourful well attended event held in Lukalanya Ward in Nalikwanda Constituency this afternoon.

The entire PF Litawa Ward Committee led  by Ward Chairman Samuel Mutanuka and Constituency Secretary Mubita and CF Lukalanya Ward officials joined the ruling party and were warmly received by the Provincial Chairman Hon Kapelwa Mbangweta, who together with his entourage that included Nalikwanda area MP Hon Simunji Simwinji, Western Province Presidential Campaign Team Chairman Max Kasabi, and District Chairman Lishomwa joined in the “Zambia Forward” community song and dance.

The visibly happy Provincial Chairman told the gathering that President Hakainde Hichilema is a visionary leader, who has achieved a lot in the three years he has been in power, compared to past administrations who did little or nothing for Western Province.
He further reminded the cheering crowd that even what seemed impossible for past administrations like the Lusaka/Mongu road and many other roads are being worked on because the President means well for Western Province.

Meanwhile area MP Hon Simunji Simunji expressed gratitude to the the New Dawn Administration for the measures taken to ensure that no one dies of hunger in Nalikwanda as a result of the drought.

Presidential Campaign Team Chairman Max Kasabi told the crowd not to be swayed by opposition rhetorical utterances as they don’t mean well for the people of Western Province as all they do is criticize government even on free education, while District Chairman Lishomwa  urged the people of Nalikwanda to remain resolute in defending President Hichilema whose desire is to develop Western Province.

Speaking on behalf of the defectors former CF Lukalanya Ward Chairman Morris Chipipa said he quit the opposition CF party after realizing that President Hichilema was committed to the wellbeing of citizens, going by the development taking place in many parts of Western Province, while former PF Lukalanya Ward Chairlady
Mwitumwa Kalaluka said she was very happy with the doubled social cash transfer and rapid drought relief food programs.

Issued by:

Spuki Mulemwa
UPND Western Province Presidential Campaign Team Spokesperson.

AN ASSESSMENT OF HICHILEMA’S MINISTERS THREE YEARS INTO THEIR TENURE

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AN ASSESSMENT OF HICHILEMA’S MINISTERS THREE YEARS INTO THEIR TENURE.

By McPherson Mutale

“It’s been three years since that day when president HH took the instruments of power and was declared Zambia’s 7th Republican President.

Time has flown by and most of his promises to the Zambian people remain unfulfilled and a lingering legacy of political rhetoric that has punctuated the 60 years of Zambia’s self rule continues to haunt us.

This is my personal rating of the ministers in the New Dawn administration. This rating is not based on the Key Performance Indicators as set by their appointing authority but by my own personal assessment as a citizen.

PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL FOR THE MINISTERIAL PORTFOLIOS.

1. Paul C C Kabuswe
Constituency: Chililabombwe
Political Party: United Party for National Development (UPND)
Portfolio: Minister – Mines and Minerals Development

President HH after inauguration made a  pronouncement that the government and his administration will focus on increasing copper production from the current 1.8 million tons to 3 million tons.

This was an ambitious proposal that has not seen any attendant policy shift in as far as the mining sector is concerned. Yes the approach has been more business oriented but policy wise, there is little to no policy change.

I have not come across a comprehensive long term blue print for the mining sector in the next three decades for example. All I have seen, are half hearted proposals aimed at exploring and trying to quantify Zambia’s minerals.

Exiting as that might seem, its implications has little to no benefit for the common Zambian. Perhaps the starting point is to ask ourselves as to what copper production over the last century has done for us as a people.

From the time the UPND administration came into office, copper production has plummeted from around 880,000 metric tons in the 2021 to a little more than 600,000 metric tons in the current period.

The government can cite a lot of factors such as the problems at KCM and MCM for this dip in production, but there are inherent challenges that continue to haunt the sector, chief among which is that we are not in charge of our own minerals.

We have not seen a clear policy on the production of Sugelite, uranium, lithium and even nickel though we have these minerals in abundance. 

The corruption in licensing, failure to properly tax the mines, failure to properly regulate the mining sector are the major issues that will make it difficult for Zambia to achieve the proposed 3 million metric tons in the next 7 years now.

The minister of mines for this reason is rated 2.8 /10. This is just for being present for more than 36 months.

2. Chipoka Mulenga
Constituency: Chingola
Political Party: United Party for National Development (UPND)
Portfolio: Minister – Commerce, Trade and Industry

Despite the continued pronouncements by President HH that his administration will work towards reducing rigidities that plague the conduct of business in Zambia, the New Dawn Administration has failed lamentably.

The cost of doing business has gone up so significantly pushing most SMEs out of business. Like his colleague in mines, there is no blueprint for the sector to guide growth and productivity.

Despite having a huge and yearning market in the DRC, Zambia has failed to utilize this opportunity to expand its trade and commerce through industrialization and manufacturing.

We have remained a consumer nation with most of our products being imported from other markets like South Africa.

Despite my love for Hon Chipoka, his performance is abysmal and below my expectations. Therefore I would generously give him a 4/10 and this is just because I love his character and he is a promising leader.

3. Frank Tayali
Constituency: Ndola Central
Political Party: United Party for National Development (UPND)
Portfolio: Minister – Transport and Logistics

This ministry is as good as dead. Without the efforts of his sister minister in Infrastructure, we have heard very little about the plans in this ministry.

The only way the country would develop is by having a robust transport and logistics sector. It is a nightmare to move goods, services and people across this country.

I have not seen a blueprint for Zambia’s transformation in the transport and logistics sector.

We need a speed train from Nakonde to Livingstone and from Chanida border to Jimbe border. We can’t talk about commerce and trade without a robust transport network.

Our airline industry is almost nonexistent. Despite the drive to have more airports, we have done little to make air transport affordable and attractive to Zambians.

We produce copper and most of it is transported via road reducing significantly the lifespan of our roads. Without a proper transportation system, the country can’t transition to a hub of trade and commerce.

For showing up for the past 3 years, I will generously give Hon Tayali a 2/10.

4. Reuben Mtolo Phiri
Constituency: Chipata Central
Political Party: United Party for National Development (UPND)
Portfolio: Minister – Agriculture

Where is the Agricultural Sector Development Blueprint?  How are we going to transform the sector when we have not done a blueprint that should guide our efforts?

The pronouncements by President HH for Zambia to produce in excess of 10 million metric tons of Maize is a pipeline dream when we can’t even implement the Comprehensive Agriculture Support Program.

Zambia has massive potential to become the regional food producer and exporter, but we have continued to pay lip service to this gigantic industry.

There is no mechanization and no modernization of the sector. We need modern production methods,
agro technology and processing as well as storage and logistics in the sector.

We have failed to properly map the country and provide the each region with the requisite infrastructure, technology and resources to maximize on their inherent strengths. A one size fits all approach has failed us for the past 60 years.

Hon Mutolo is wearing oversized shoes and to be honest he has failed lamentably. I may not know why he still has his portfolio but I would rate him 1.2/10

5. Douglas Munsaka Syakalima
Constituency: Chirundu
Political Party: United Party for National Development (UPND)
Portfolio: Minister – Education

From day one, I have always said that it was a bad decision to merge the two ministries of higher and general education respectively. I feel the minister of education has been thrown in a pond that is too vast and wide that he has never managed to attend to all the fishes.

While there are efforts to modernize the curriculum, I am of the view that we also desperately need to modernize our teachers. Our education system for the past 6 years has become almost redundant.

Scholars have argued that we need to decolonize our education system and my sentiments have been that we need to decolonize our political, economic and social systems.

Nothing happens in a vacuum. Our problem is that while we quickly embraced the political independence, we have never strived to get the economic and social independence. Therein lies our educational problems.

Hon Siakalima has not demonstrated any ingenuity that could make me believe that we are heading in the right direction in this sector.

I will generously give him a 3/10.

6. Elvis Chishala Nkandu
Constituency: Kaputa
Political Party: United Party for National Development (UPND)
Portfolio: Minister – Youth, Sport and Arts

This is one ministry laden with a lot of challenges and opportunities and sadly, there is very little being done to harness the potential of the youth.

The minister and his two permanent secretaries are on a holiday enjoying tax payers money while the youth continue to su ffer emotional distress and damage.

You wonder why there are so many junkies? You have a ministry that does very little but to mimic the political rhetoric of the system.

We need a new paradigm shift in youth empowerment. We need a transformative approach and not the timid and unsure approach we continue to observe from this ministry.

For showing up for the past 3 years, we will generously give Hon Nkandu a 1.5/10

8. Ambrose Lwiji Lufuma
Constituency: Kabompo
Political Party: United Party for National Development (UPND)
Portfolio: Minister – Defense

Perhaps the most quiet and inconsequential minister of our times. His job is a very challenging one but there is little that the common person can appreciate from this position.

Our borders are safe and our soldiers are now being asked to help in providing food security. Perhaps we should do more of food security as we really have little threat from outside than inside.

For the maturity and for being inconspicuous, I will generously give Hon Lufuma a 3/10.

8. Brenda Mwika Tambatamba
Constituency: Kasempa
Political Party: United Party for National Development (UPND)
Portfolio: Minister – Labour and Social Security

Just because for the first time in recent decades her ministry has managed to provide social security to our retirees and given dignity to the elderly, this is one ministry I have applauded.

There is a lot of sanity also in the Labour space. Yes, we can and we should do more but I feel we are headed in the right direction.

We may need more women ministers perhaps? On that score, I will generously give Hon Tambatamba a 5/10.

9. Rhodine Sikumba
Constituency: Livingstone
Political Party: United Party for National Development (UPND)
Portfolio: Minister – Tourism

Tourism is dying a natural death. For me, this ministry has been underperforming and has shown no innovation and direction. Perhaps I just expected more from a man with vast experience in the sector.

Our so called tourist capital has very limited activities that make tourist only stay for a few days.

Hon Minister,  I can manage to do all the activities in livingstone in barely a day. But then again tourism is not synonymous to Livingstone. We need to have a blueprint for tourism development.

Zambia has vast tourism attractions but with poor transport and logistics, it’s impossible for a tourist to have their breakfast in Livingstone, lunch in Lower Zambezi and dinner at Kasaba Bay. This is why we can’t attract tourists.

Our heritage sites have no attendant facilities, no proper roads, no hotels or lodges, no restaurants and eateries, just nothing.

I expected more from you sir, sadly, I feel underwhelmed and will give you a generous 2/10.

10. Gary G Nkombo
Constituency: Mazabuka Central
Political Party: United Party for National Development (UPND)
Portfolio: Minister – Local Government and Rural Development

Strides have been made to make local government better. The decentralization efforts are slowly but surely beginning to bear fruits.  It will take more than just CDF, we need a robust blueprint for community modernization and development.

Local councils have been pathetic when it comes to planning and service delivery. We have a long way to have utilities and council infrastructure that attends to the needs of our people.

So far, the ministry is functional and progressively working towards improving service delivery to our people. More remains to be done but it’s a good start.

I will generously give Hon Nkombo a 6/10

11. Jacob Jack Mwiimbu
Constituency: Monze
Political Party: United Party for National Development (UPND)
Portfolio: Minister – Home Affairs and Internal Security

Honestly, this is one ministry that is a let down to our democracy. The police in particular act with impunity as though they are in a draconian regime.

There is so much lip service given to the rule of law. The conduct of the police has been nothing short of a mockery of democracy.

Hon Mwiimbu is a lawyer himself and we expect a professional police service under his leadership. I must say I am a little taken aback about his conduct.

In that score, I will give Hon JJ a generous 2/10

12. Situmbeko Musokotwane
Constituency: Liuwa
Political Party: United Party for National Development (UPND)
Portfolio: Minister – Finance and National Planning

This ministry has struggled under very difficult and complex circumstances. The minister has demonstrated his experience and expertise.

He might not be everyone’s darling, but he was hired to do a specific job and I personally think he has done a stellar job.

I do not agree entirely with the economic solutions he has put on the table but I love his conviction to do what he thinks what’s for him and his team to deliver a positive outcome for Zambia.

In all honesty, I would have preferred a more non neoliberal aligned minister but, unfortunately that is an expensive emotional position I can’t afford to sustain.

I will generously give the Hon Musokotwane a 5/10.

13. Doreen Sefuke Mwamba
Constituency: Nominated
Political Party: Nominated (Nom)
Portfolio: Minister – Community Development and Social Services

This is a ministry that am so conflicted about. Sometimes I feel it should never exist and at times I feel it should be a mere department under local government.

I honestly don’t know how to assess this one. I would be biased and illogical to even score it and therefore I will leave it for others to rate.

14. Charles Milupi
Constituency: Nominated
Political Party: Nominated (Nom)
Portfolio: Minister – Infrastructure, Housing Urban and Development

We should have just ended at ministry of infrastructure because the other components done exist as far as the current minister is concerned.

His focus is on PPPs for roads and border posts. I have not seen any blueprint for Zambias urbanization and later on modern housing especially for government.

New schools and hospitals are still being built as though we have limitless land. We don’t think about going up but continue to put up very ugly and funny looking buildings.

Then that score, the Hon Milupi will get a generous 3/10

15. Felix C Mutati
Constituency: Nominated
Political Party: Nominated (Nom)
Portfolio: Minister – Technology and Science

With no malice and no baseless, I honestly think this is misapplied human resources. The ministry needed a highly talented science and technology adept individual with a futuristic approach and aura about them.

The current minister is a misfit in this ministry and therefore his efforts won’t be seen. Three years on, where are we in e-governance, education, science, technology and innovations?

Perhaps we should stop using political emotions when appointing individuals to important positions in our society.

I will respectfully give the Hon Felix a generous 2/10.

16. Elias Mubanga
Constituency: Nominated
Political Party: Nominated (Nom)
Portfolio: Minister – Small and Medium Enterprises Development

What a waste of a nomination. President HH also sometimes makes me wonder what his strategy is. Such an important portfolio and you give it away just like that?

This is a critical ministry and I personally expected so much and hoped this would be a game changer; alas! It’s a disaster of great proportions. What a waste of a nomination.

I will give this one 0.8/10

17. Cornelius Mweetwa
Constituency: Choma
Political Party: United Party for National Development (UPND)
Portfolio: Minister – Information and Media

From a vibrant and promising political heavyweight to a compromised and self doubting minister, whatever happened in between still baffles me.

Perhaps being in the opposition for too long also has its toll on you. When finally in power, people are tired and frustrated. This is not the same firebrand of a politician I knew a decade ago.

The ministry is uncoordinated and all over the place. With a PS who is a chatterbox, perhaps the minister could focus on policy reforms?

I would give Hon Cornellius a generous 3/10.

18. Peter Chibwe Kapala
Constituency: Nominated
Political Party: Nominated (Nom)
Portfolio: Minister – Fisheries and Livestock

I will not asses him based on his new portfolio but the previous one and on that score, I would say he is one of the most self serving ministers.

The interests of the nation come after his and his benefactors.  Despite previously heavily criticizing his predecessors, this minister demonstrated that he just admired what his friends used to enjoy.

For me this one was a disaster and luckily, even his appointing authority decided to make the painful decision of changing his portfolio.

It is a painful 1/10.

19. Makozo Chikote
Constituency: Luampa
Political Party: United Party for National Development (UPND)
Portfolio: Minister – Energy

Again I will rate him based on his previous portfolio. This is a very hardworking man. He has a very strong personality and in areas where he lacks, he love to consult.

Sadly, there is no blueprint for fisheries and livestock despite being one of the ministries that could help this country into prosperity. The minister was thrown in the deep end without a life jacked and he had to be rescued and again dropped in another deep end, perhaps this time around he will swim to the shore.

I will give the Hon Makozo a generous 3/10 for effort.

20. Elijah Julaki Muchima
Constituency: Ikeleng’i
Political Party: United Party for National Development (UPND)
Portfolio: Minister – Health

This one I will also rate him based on his performance at Lands. This is one ministry that has a lot to do. The country need a comprehensive land audit and we need to establish how much of our land is in foreign hands.

We need to empower our people with access to land. That will be their capital contribution when it comes to the highly talked about economic partnerships.

The Hon Muchima will get a generous 2/10.

21. Sylvia Masebo
Constituency: Chongwe
Political Party: United Party for National Development (UPND)
Portfolio: Minister – Lands and Natural Resources

This one I will rate based on her tour of duty at the ministry of Health.

She tried to bring order in certain areas of the ministry but in the process she also ended up creating dangerous disasters especially in drug procurement processes and procedures.

The one thing I love about the minister apart from her beautiful personality, is her conviction. I love a confident minister and this one lacks no confidence. Yes she may even be over confident but I love that about her.

This ministry has a lot of work to do. There was a marked difference between how the previous minister handled the Covid situation and how this minister handled cholera. I shudder to think what would have happened has she been the one handling Covid.

Anyway, God is always in control and bring people for different seasons. I will generously hand the beautiful minister a 4/10

22. Princess Kasune
Constituency: Keembe
Political Party: United Party for National Development (UPND)
Portfolio: Minister – Justice

I will honestly not be able to rate this one on the basis that I am only focusing on cabinet and she is a new comer. I will rate her in 2026 before the elections.

23. Mike Mposha
Constituency: Munali
Political Party: United Party for National Development (UPND)
Portfolio: Minister – Green Economy and Environment

This one I will rate him based on his previous portfolio of water development.  I feel he did not apply himself fully to his portfolio. Imagine how much water we have in our fresh water bodies and yet, we continue to suffer from water bone diseases.

Kafue River is a stone throw from Lusaka but Lusaka still struggles to supply water to its residents. It is really a shame that we still continue to play rhetoric and lip service to this important sector.

We can’t even do irrigation despite having so much water all around us. For that reason, I will give the Hon Mike a 1/10

24. Collins Nzovu
Constituency: Nangoma
Political Party: United Party for National Development (UPND)
Portfolio: Minister – Water Development and Sanitation

I will rate this one based on

SNAPSHOT IN HISTORY – ZESCO, ITS HISTORY AND THE CURRENT POWER SITUATION



#SNAPSHOT IN HISTORY – ZESCO, ITS HISTORY AND THE CURRENT POWER SITUATION

By Eugene Makai

This series is aimed at informing the reader about the history of electricity production in the erstwhile Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland and indeed Northern Rhodesia itself which eventually became Zambia on 24th October, 1964.

ZESCO (then Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation Limited) was formed by an Act of Parliament on the 3rd December, 1969 and became operational in July 1970.

Upon its formation, ZESCO took over electricity supply and distribution from the various municipalities and the three existing utilities: the Victoria Falls Power Board, formed in 1951 to operate a small hydroelectric power station at Victoria Falls; the Central Electricity Corporation, which had been supplying the Lusaka area since 1953; and the Northern Electricity Supply Corporation, formed in 1960 to take over rural electricity undertakings.

The amalgamation of the municipal and other electricity utilities gave ZESCO responsibility for energy planning in the electricity sub-sector under the Central African Power Corporation (CAPCO which was responsible for bulk supply), and the responsibility of all power transmission and distribution with the exception of the Copperbelt, which continued to be supplied by ZCCM’s Power Division.

CAPCO was dissolved in 1987 and some of its functions were transferred to the newly formed Zambezi River Authority (ZRA).

ZRA is jointly owned by Zambia and Zimbabwe and its main functions are to operate, monitor and maintain the Kariba Dam complex, and to investigate the construction of new dams on the Zambezi River. Kariba North and Kariba South hydropower stations, however, are managed by the power utilities, ZESCO in Zambia (Kariba North) and the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) in Zimbabwe (Kariba South).

On the other hand, the Kariba North Bank Company (KNBC) was formed by the Zambian government in 1970 to build the Kariba North Bank power station. It was commissioned between 1976 and 1977. By an earlier agreement, KNBC appointed CAPCO as its agent to undertake the construction of the project. This arrangement also envisaged that KNBC would lease the power station to CAPCO. The Kariba North Bank power station is owned, maintained and operated by KNBC, but the operations are under the supervision of ZESCO.

In 1992 ZESCO had 5,175 employees, of which 1,660 were skilled and semi-skilled. The distribution was as follows:

Engineers 100
Technicians 400
Administration and Accounts 1,160
General Workers 3,515

ZESCO was and is still required by law to submit proposals on tariff increments to the Minister of Energy or Power (the ministry has changed names over several governments but not function) for approval. The laws of Zambia (the then repealed Electricity Act CAP 811 and now replaced by CAP 433) require that the utility gives 30 days notice in the national press before tariff increments.

According to the law, consumers have a right to object to the increments by appealing to the Minister through the Electricity Council (EC) a function now exercised by the Energy Regulation Board (ERB).

In the early years the Minister of Power, Transport and Communications (now Minister of Energy), advised by the EC, approved the tariffs proposed by the Corporation. Later, after the EC became moribund, the NEC advised the Minister. The NEC ceased to operate towards the end of 1987. With the incorporation of ZESCO within the ZIMCO (Zambia Industrial and Mining Corporation Limited) structure and the absence of the advisory bodies, the procedure for tariff approval changed. ZIMCO also played a role in the tariff approval procedure, so did the Prices and Incomes Commission. These bureaucratic procedures often delayed approval of the proposed tariffs. In some cases, proposals on tariff increases could not be approved because of political considerations.

The current power crisis brought on by the drought of the 2023/2024 rainy season and now exacerbated by the proposed shutdown of the Kariba dam is not new in the history of the energy sector in Zambia.

For instance, on 26th March 1989 a fire at Kafue Gorge resulted in the loss of 900 MW. Power supply in the country became extremely grave, notwithstanding the immediate assistance Zambia received from neighbouring countries like Zimbabwe and Zaire, through their respective utilities. After the fire, ZESCO was unable to meet both the national demand and exports of electricity to neighbouring countries. Immediately, the Corporation had to negotiate with Société Nationale d’Electricité (SNEL) in Zaire and ZESA in Zimbabwe to import power of 100 MW and 50 MW respectively.

ZESCO incurred huge financial losses in terms of power imports and loss of exports of US$10.3 million and US$6.9 million respectively (As indicated in the Report of the Commission of Inquiry, 1990).

Another incident was that of the drought experienced in 1992 which had a big impact on the electricity sub-sector, severely reducing water levels in the dams and causing a sharp decline in power generation. Consequently, all power exports to Zimbabwe were suspended from June 1992 and the country was forced to import power from Zaire to meet the shortfall. Load shedding was introduced in September 1992 in varying degrees.

Most recently was the power crisis of 2014-2016 which I will return to in subsequent parts of this series.

For those who may not understand fully, the shortage of power means that ZESCO cannot sell enough power to raise the required levels of revenue. On the international market, it means that the Corporation has to import electricity instead of exporting as is usually the case. In addition to the unfavourable scenarios of earning less local revenue and being required to pay hard currency for imported electricity, contribution to government revenues in the form of sales tax is affected.

In a statement issued on 18th August 2024, ZESCO Limited said that it had applied to the Energy Regulation Board for an emergency tariff adjustment to meet the cost of replacement power intended to cushion the effects of the drought induced hydropower generation deficit that is expected to increase as the levels of water available for power generation continue on a downward trend.

The proposed adjustments were intended primarily to generate revenue to facilitate the purchase of additional power from imports and enable the deployment of inland diesel power generation plants. These proposed changes aim to address the ongoing power crisis and minimize its impact across various sectors of the economy.

The power utility said the basis of the Emergency Tariff Adjustment Application was supported by the gazette issued by the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) on 12th April, 2024 regarding the declaration of a state of Emergency pursuant to Part (ii) Article 18 of the Electricity Act No. 11 of 2019.

ZESCO argued that having fulfilled the conditions of subsections (1) and (2) of Article 18 of the Act, it submitted a tariff adjustment in accordance with Article 18 subsection (3) of the Electricity Act which states that “Where the emergency is declared, the licensee shall submit the proposed tariff adjustment to the Energy Regulation Board for approval”.

The proposed alteration of tariff structures and variation of tariffs for residential, commercial and maximum demand customer categories were aimed to facilitate partial cost-recovery and demand-side management.
ZESCO’s application aimed to raise US$14 million monthly, as part of the broader effort to secure US$68 million required to procure 300MW of electricity. The additional power was to be sourced as follows:
• 70MW from South Africa
• 50MW from Mozambique
• 180MW from inland diesel generators

However, on 23rd August, 2024 the Energy Regulation Board declined ZESCO’s application for an adjustment of tariffs. This refusal by the regulator has put the utility company in a qu andary. While it has elated consumers and silenced political opponents of the government, it has in fact exacerbated ZESCO’s woes in an already charged atmosphere of at least 18 hours of load-shedding everyday for most domestic and commercial consumers.

……..PART TWO FOLLOWS

Photo: A 1999 Tender advertisement by TANESCO for a joint venture for a 330KV Interconnector project with ZESCO.

Marry when you are ready, don’t let social media rule your life – Jesuit priest

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Marry when you are ready, don’t let social media rule your life – Jesuit priest

IN an era often distracted by social media trends, many people want to live according to the standards set by the fake lifestyles mostly flaunted on their socials.



This has led to depression in most people because of feeling inferior to their peers who may appear to be doing better in life based on the lifestyle portrayed on social media.

It is for this reason that a Jesuit priest has advised Christians to make choices based on God’s direction.

In his homily at St. Ignatius parish in Lusaka yesterday, Fr. Charles Chilufya stated that Christians must rely on the direction of God before making any choices in life.

“When you see what is before social media, people are choosing things  because they also want to be there. Choose in life according to the word of God, don’t choose because you want people to see you.”

“Just because everyone on social media is married, you also want to get married. Don’t let social media direct your life, hear from God. Let it come from your heart, let it be driven by divine, social media is good, it can be inspiring but let it not distract you,” said Fr. Chilufya.

He urged the Christian community to always do what is pleasing to God by being compassionate to the less privileged in society.

“Choose God all the time. Let us choose God by our feelings, by ourselves not just by declaration. When you make wrong choices you will lose. Choosing God is the right thing to do. If today you want to do your hair, it’s a good thing to do your hair yes but if someone comes to you and asks for school fees and you have, choose school fees because that is what will please God,” he explained.

The priest also took time to encourage the congregants to visit the sick especially those battling cancer at the Cancer Diseases Hospital.

“Please let’s visit our friends at the Cancer Diseases Hospital, they need our care, they need our love, they need to know that they are not alone,” urged Fr. Chilufya.

By Catherine Pule

Kalemba, August 26, 2024

A young man who lived in forest and ate with wild animals is now unrecognisable

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The young man who went viral in 2021 after he fled his home to live with wild animals in the forests in Rwanda has undergone an impressive transformation.

Zanziman Ellie was dubbed the “real-life Mowgli” after a documentary about his life in the forest aired on YouTube.

He gained the name due to comparisons made to the story of Mowgil, a boy raised by wolves in classic Disney film The Jungle Book.

In the documentary, Zanziman could be found in the forest eating grass and bananas alongside wild animals.

Zanziman was forced to run away from home after cruel bullies made his life a misery over his appearance. He was also reportedly called “monkey”.

He suffers from a condition called microcephaly, where a baby is born with its head much smaller than normal.

His life changed after the documentary about him was made, which saw him reunited with his family.

Now Zanziman, who is believed to be 25 years old today with his birth year allegedly being in 1999, is unrecognisable in his last appearance.

Documentary makers Afrimax TV set up a GoFundMe page which received numerous donations around the world.

It allowed Zanziman and his mum to build a new life together.

Recent footage showed Ellie looking very sharp in his school uniform and enjoying home life with his mother.

His mum insists his incredible transformation is nothing short of a “miracle”.

The donations were used to send him to a school for children with special needs at the Ubumwe Community Centre in Rwanda.

Zanziman’s mother said: “God is a miracle worker. He was being ridiculed and I would often run after him. At the moment he is in school with his peers and I am so happy.

“My son is having a good life, well-wishers have built me a house… my sorrow has been taken away.”

In an updated video, footage showed the mother and son in their new home, where Zanziman has his own bedroom.

His mum said: “We used to live in an old house which was going to fall anytime. I never knew my wishes were going to come true.

“This house has each and everything for this house to be a home. This is heaven on earth.

“You have brought me this device where I see people talking to me (the television). I will never feel lonely again.”

The last information made public about Zanziaman was that he also learned how to ride a bike, and was able to clean himself and wash his clothes.

ZAMBIA CHAMBER OF MINES CALLS ON GOVERNMENT TO INCLUDE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND LATEST TECHNOLOGY IN TEVET CURRICULUM

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ZAMBIA CHAMBER OF MINES CALLS ON GOVERNMENT TO INCLUDE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND LATEST TECHNOLOGY IN TEVET CURRICULUM

25 August 2024

The Zambia Chamber of Mines has asked government to include Artificial Intelligence and other latest technological advancement in the TEVET curriculum.

Zambia Chamber of Mines Vice President Charles Sakanya says the mining sector has advanced and has incorporated many new technologies which need to be taught at craft and skills levels.

Mr. Sakanya, who is also Mopani Copper Mines Chief Executive Officer, says the training of artisans and other professionals at TEVETA level needs to incorporate latest technologies which are being used in the mining sector.

Speaking when Technology and Science Minister Hon. Felix Mutati held a meeting with the Zambia Chamber of Mines in Kitwe to seek support for Zambia hosting the World Skills Africa Competition in Livingstone in April 2025, Mr. Sakanya said artisans need to get latest skills for them to be relevant in a field that now employs artificial intelligence to do exploration and targeted aerial mapping of minerals.

And Zambia Chamber of Mines Chief Executive Officer Sokwani Chilembo says Zambia has a deficit of artisans and the revision of the TEVET curriculum presents an opportunity for the sector to train more artisans.

Mr. Chilembo said skills should be given upto degree levels to broaden the knowledge of youths who attain such trainings.

He also announced that the Zambia Chamber of Mines will partner with the government to prepare Zambian participants ahead of the World Skills Africa Competition to be hosted in Livingstone in April 2025.

Mr. Chilembo said the competition will expose Zambian youths to the world and help them compete with their peers.

Meanwhile, Technology and Science Minister Hon. Felix Mutati said government is revising the TEVET Act in order to make the curriculum more competent based.

Mr. Mutati called on the Mining Sector to include it’s input in the revision to ensure that latest trends in the sector are incorporated in training schools.

He also revealed that governor wants to raise K60 million from the private sector to successfully host the World Skills Africa Competition in April 2025.

Mr. Mutati said over 1,500 participants from across Africa are expected in Livingstone during the event to be held at the Livingstone Institute of Business and Engineering Studies (LIBES) from 7 to 12 April 2025.

Mr. Mutati asked the Zambia Chamber of Mines to partner with government and also attach some Zambian participants to mines where their skills can be perfected.

Mr. Mutati was accompanied to the meeting by World Skills Zambia Project Manager Precious Lisulo.

MAMBWE TOWN COUNCIL RECEIVES ITS SHARE FROM THE OVER K68 MILLION DROUGHT RESPONSE SUPPORT  CFW PROGRAM

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MAMBWE TOWN COUNCIL RECEIVES ITS SHARE FROM THE OVER K68 MILLION DROUGHT RESPONSE SUPPORT  CFW PROGRAM.

The Government of the Republic of Zambia is implementing the Cash for Work (CFW) programme in response to the drought experienced in the 2023/2024 farming season.

A total of  123 Constituency From 87 districts are benefiting from this program and Malambo Constituency is one of the beneficiaries that have received the funding for the month of August.

Mambwe Town Council as a key implementing agent has, so far conducted it’s stakeholders orientation meeting which included key players such as the Members of the WDCs , Civic leaders and other key stakeholders.

Civic leaders working closely with traditional leaders and WDCs have a upper hand in selecting beneficiaries in each month for the next 6 months of the project implementation period.

The Local Authority has received a total of K502,731.22.  for the month of August , of which  K150,000 has been allocated towards administrative purposes.

The overall objective of the CFW programme is to provide temporal income generating opportunities to vulnerable individuals in exchange for cash wages, stimulate economic activity at the local community level and contribute to community infrastructure maintenance.

The CFW programme seeks to Improve immediate access to food thereby saving lives and averting suffering, as a drought response program for the 2024 droughts.

It also seeks to Maintain or build community assets while promoting their self-reliance through labour-based works; as well as stimulate economic activities  at community level.

The program is not only benefiting people in the rural areas of mambwe but in all wards including Urban and Peri Urban set ups.

it is important to note that, non-farming communities in urban areas have also indirectly been affected by the significant increase in the price of maize and other food items, leading to significant impacts on their cost of living. 

The vulnerability has been exacerbated by the loss of employment opportunities particularly, in industries driven by micro, small and medium enterprises whose daily operations continue to be negatively impacted by the ongoing power rationing.

Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development-Zambia
USAID Local Impact Governance Project
@followers
Malambo Constituency TV

Issued by:
Grace Lungu
Ass. Public Relations Officer
Email:mambwetowncouncil@gmail.com.

Famine hits Sudan as peace talks fall short yet again

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The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) – which claims to be the government of Sudan – took a small step towards alleviating that famine earlier this week by allowing 15 UN aid lorries to cross the border from Chad to bring food to the starving.

Aid agencies hope that it opens the door to a full-scale relief effort that can save millions of lives.

But they fear it is just a symbolic concession – too little and too late.
Four weeks ago, the UN-accredited Integrated food security Phase Classification (IPC) system said that famine conditions existed in parts of Darfur, Sudan’s westernmost region.

This was no surprise.

Sudan’s humanitarian catastrophe has been the largest in the world for many months. More than half of Sudan’s 45 million people need urgent relief aid.
More than 12 million are displaced, including nearly two million refugees in neighbouring countries – Chad, Egypt, and South Sudan.

Some food security specialists fear that as many as 2.5 million people could die from hunger by the end of this year.

Starvation weapon

While the roots of Sudan’s hunger lie in decades of economic mismanagement, the legacy of devastating wars, and drought made worse by climate crisis the trigger for today’s famine is the use of starvation as a weapon.

War erupted in April last year between the SAF, under Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) led by Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagolo, known as “Hemedti”.

The war soon devastated Sudanese communities.

Like a swarm of human locusts, RSF militiamen rampaged through the capital, Khartoum, stripping it bare of anything that could be pillaged and resold. The force also vandalised vital infrastructure such as hospitals and schools.
The same story was repeated wherever the RSF advanced.

The breadbasket regions of Gezira and Sennar along the Blue Nile, a place of vast irrigated farms, have been ravaged.

People there are going hungry for the first time in generations.

Starvation is worst in Darfur, especially in el-Fasher, the only city in the region still controlled by the army and its local allies.

Surrounded by the RSF, the city depends on precarious supply routes that cross the battle lines. It is in the Zamzam camp for displaced people near el-Fasher that the aid group Médecins sans Frontières (MSF) first reported famine levels of malnutrition.

Even though there are no SAF troops within 100 miles (160km) of the Chad border – which arms smugglers cross at will – the UN’s lawyers insist that World Food Programme lorries must have official government permission to drive the few miles from the Chadian border town of Adré along sand tracks into Darfur.
And the SAF has played the sovereignty card to maximum effect.

A mere trickle of aid

In June, Sudan’s ambassador to the United Nations, Al-Harith Idriss al-Harith Mohamed, condemned talk of starvation as a conspiracy by the country’s enemies to justify intervening.

He threatened “Biblical Armageddon” if the UN declared famine.
The IPC experts assessed the data, called his bluff, and declared famine.

The Sudanese Armed Forces backed down and opened the Adré border crossing – but only for three months.

And they allowed just 15 of the 131 UN aid trucks waiting at the border to cross, before insisting that negotiations begin on an inspection regime.

Aid veterans expect that the generals will use every trick in their bureaucratic book to slow down the approvals process.
And Darfur needs thousands of trucks of food every week, not a single convoy.

Getting food to Chad from the nearest ports on the West African coast takes weeks.

To feed the starving, every road needs to be opened – from Port Sudan, from South Sudan and across the desert from Libya and Egypt.
Sudan’s local relief committees also urgently need money.

A full-scale aid effort needs the warring parties to agree a ceasefire and to end pillage and extortion.

But there is no sign that they are willing to do this.

Backers jostle for regional clout

On Friday, peace talks in Geneva concluded without substantive progress. Hosted by Switzerland, they were jointly convened by the US and Saudi Arabia.

US Special Envoy Tom Perriello planned the meeting with high hopes. He wanted the two warring generals to meet face-to-face and sign a ceasefire.
But SAF head Gen al-Burhan refused to go or even send a senior delegation.

He argued that the RSF should first evacuate its forces from civilian neighbourhoods – essentially demanding their withdrawal from the territories they had captured – as a precondition for talking.

Mr Perriello scaled down his expectations and settled on proximity talks and phone calls – including from US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken – hoping to open roads for humanitarian access.

He achieved just enough to say that all was not lost, and that the talks would resume at an unspecified future date.

But diplomats know that no progress is likely until the two sides’ main backers

  • for the RSF, the United Arab Emirates, and for SAF, Saudi Arabia and Egypt – come to an understanding.

Until now, the rivalry between Saudi Arabia and the UAE over who should lead the region has stalemated peace efforts.

Although it denies it, evidence points to the UAE supporting the RSF with money and guns, while Saudi Arabia leans towards SAF.

Five people were k!lled in a mrder-su!cide horror in a home, days after the family’s matriarch d!ed

Five people were k!lled in a mrder-su!cide horror in a home in Nassau County on Sunday, August 25, days after the family’s matriarch d!ed and kin were set to sell the house.

All of the victims were sh0t de@d in the home on Wyoming Court in Syosset, while the gunman, believed to be the son who lived at the home with his late mother, killed himself on the front lawn, Newsday said.

“The mom just d!ed, and they were selling the house,” said Mary Macaluso, a local real estate agent, noting she was supposed to meet the relatives at the home around noon, but that authorities had closed the street by the time she arrived.

5 family members d!e in m*rder-su!c!de horr0r as they prepare to sell home just days after the de@th of the family

“The kids were all here for the funeral, and they asked me to come to look at the house,’’ Macaluso told the outlet.

She said one of the children had asked her to meet with the family so they’d know what to do before listing the home, which was estimated to be worth nearly $900,000 on Zillow.

5 family members d!e in m*rder-su!c!de horr0r as they prepare to sell home just days after the de@th of the family

They wanted it done quickly, too, because two of the family members had come up from Florida for the funeral and were headed back soon, she said.

The homeowner, identified through public records as Theresa Martha DeLucia, d!ed early last week at the age of 95, according to her obituary.

5 family members d!e in m*rder-su!c!de horr0r as they prepare to sell home just days after the de@th of the family

“It appears to be a murd£r-su!cide,” Patrick Ryder, the commissioner of the Nassau County Police Department, told Newsday at the scene.

“We do know that the subject on the front lawn did shoot and kill himself.”

Ryder later told News12 that investigators believe DeLucia’s adult son who lived in the house was upset over circumstances surrounding its impending sale and killed four people inside the home and then himself.

A neighbor who lived across the street from the mother and son told The Post that the man suffered from mental health issues and was distraught over his mother’s death and losing the house where he lived his whole life.

COUNTERING EDGAR LUNGU’S RECKLESS HALLUCINATIONS IN SAMFYA

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COUNTERING EDGAR LUNGU’S RECKLESS HALLUCINATIONS IN SAMFYA

By Magret Mwanza

In a disturbing and highly irresponsible statement made on August 24 in Samfya, former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu took it upon himself to issue threats to civil servants and police officers, suggesting that those not aligning with his political aspirations would be personally targeted.

Lungu’s rhetoric, laced with promises of rewards for those who support him and threats of personal retribution for those who don’t, is a dangerous attempt to incite fear and undermine the rule of law in Zambia.



As a nation that has struggled with the remnants of political intimidation and corruption, Lungu’s statements are a stark reminder of the dark days when such threats were used to manipulate public servants and coerce them into unethical behavior. This approach is not only counterproductive but also highlights Lungu’s desperation as he seeks to regain power in 2026.

Inciting Rogue Behavior is a Dangerous Precedent

Lungu’s threats are tantamount to inciting rogue behavior among his supporters, encouraging them to act outside the bounds of law and order. By suggesting that civil servants who do not conform to his political will be personally targeted, Lungu is not only undermining the authority of the current government but also sowing seeds of discord and instability within the civil service.

This kind of rhetoric is extremely dangerous in a country that prides itself on being a beacon of peace and democracy in the region. Zambia cannot afford to allow its civil servants to be threatened or manipulated by anyone, least of all a former president who should be setting an example of statesmanship and respect for the rule of law.

A Legacy of Failure is Why Lungu Must Be Ignored

Let us not forget the legacy that Lungu left behind—a legacy marred by economic mismanagement and social decay. Under Lungu’s administration, Zambia witnessed the closure of numerous mines, throwing thousands into unemployment and plunging communities into despair. His regime brought an era of rampant cadreism, where political thugs roamed the streets, intimidating and assaulting citizens with impunity.

The country was also subjected to a spate of mysterious gassings, creating widespread fear and panic, while the elderly who had served the nation were left in destitution as retirees were not given their due payments. Lungu’s government scrapped off meal allowances for our university students, further burdening families struggling to make ends meet. The nation was gripped by the horror of ritual killings, a chilling manifestation of the breakdown in law and order under his watch.

Corruption reached unprecedented levels, with public resources looted with impunity. The breakdown of the rule of law, coupled with police brutality, made the Zambian people feel unsafe in their own country. These are the evils that defined Lungu’s time in office, and now he has the audacity to threaten civil servants who are trying to do their jobs with integrity.

A Call for Stability and Integrity

The role of civil servants and police officers is to serve the Zambian people, not to be pawns in a political game. They are the backbone of our nation’s governance and administration, ensuring that the country functions smoothly and that laws are enforced impartially. For Lungu to suggest that those who act with integrity will be punished, while those who align with his agenda will be rewarded, is an affront to the very principles of good governance.

Civil servants should be guided by the Constitution and the laws of the land, not by the whims of a politician, whether current or former. It is essential that they remain impartial and committed to their duties, free from political interference and intimidation.

Lungu’s Words Should Be Ignored

Edgar Lungu’s statements should be met with the disdain they deserve. He is a former president who should know better than to stoke division and fear among the public. His threats are hollow, and his promises of rewards %are nothing more than political posturing aimed at regaining relevance. Zambians must see through this thinly veiled attempt to incite unrest and remain focused on building a stable, peaceful, and prosperous nation.

Lungu’s rhetoric is a reminder of why his time in office was marked by growing concerns about corruption, abuse of power, and the erosion of democratic principles. His return to the political stage with such incendiary language only reinforces the need for Zambians to move forward, not backward.

A Plea to Civil Servants: Stay the Course

To the civil servants and police officers of Zambia, the message is clear: stay the course, uphold the law, and continue serving the people of Zambia with integrity. Do not be swayed by threats from those who seek to use you for their own political gain. Your loyalty should be to the Constitution and the people of Zambia, not to any individual or political party.

The stability and progress of our nation depend on a civil service that is free from political manipulation and coercion. Zambians must reject any attempts to return to a time when threats and intimidation were tools of governance. Instead, we must all work together to ensure that our country remains on the path of democracy, peace, and prosperity.

A torn dress needs replacing—Harry Kalaba

A torn dress needs replacing—Harry Kalaba

25.08.24
Harry Kalaba, the Citizens First leader says if a dress is torn and cannot be stitched anymore, it must be dumped and replaced with a better one.


Kalaba was addressing a huge crowd of people at a public rally in Samfya, Luapula province on Saturday also attended by UKA representatives that travelled from Lusaka when he used the analogue.


The rally, a rare occurrence in Zambia under President Hichilema was headlined by sixth president Edgar Lungu who wowed the crowd after introductions from convener Harry Kalaba.


In a song and dance, Kalaba said, “akatenge ngakalepuka kuka chinja meaning when a wrapper is torn it must be replaced,” an analogue he used to say since the President Hichilema government has failed to deliver, Zambians must change it and replace it with a working one under CF and UKA.


Kalaba, a former long serving Minister of Foreign Affairs lamented the growing poverty in Zambia under president Hichilema which he described as endemic and stemming from gross governance failure.


The CF president also justified the presence and speaking slot of Mr Lungu at a CF and UKA rally he organised saying it was only honourable to allow a guest in one’s house or turf to say a few words during the visit.


His guest, President Lungu said he wanted to make it clear that ´evil forces´ seeking to break his political union with Kalaba were just wasting their time.


“I will continue collaborating with president Kalaba and those t hat want to see us split are wasting their time,” said Lungu adding that in the same breath, “I will not stop collaborating with comrade Nawakwi, Sakwiba Saboi, Silavwe and Pule to mention but a few under UKA.”
Lungu said at the end of the day, “UKA will field only one candidate in 2026 to bring democracy and development back to Zambia.”


Mr. Kalaba´s rally, surprisingly was not cancelled by the police who appeared blind sided when sixth President Lungu sauntered on the stage to speak on introduction from host Kalaba.


Samfya, a normally serene fishing town turned up in huge numbers and rolled out a red carpet for the sixth President attracting more cheers of solidarity.
Zambia goes to the polls in 2026 to elect a new President when Mr Hichilema´s presidential term ends after a tumultuous period that has seen the highest prices of food products since independence in 1964.
Kalaba described the rally as major success looking at the huge crowds, he drew with just few days alert ahead of the event in a country where the ruling party discourages free association and expression.

COURT ORDERS FORFEITURE OF TAINTED PROPERTIES BELONGING TO LUNGU’S PROXY

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COURT ORDERS FORFEITURE OF TAINTED PROPERTIES BELONGING TO LUNGU’S PROXY

THE Economic and Financial Crimes Court has ordered the forfeiture of tainted properties belonging to Pittscon Zambia Limited, its director Peter Malao, former president Edgar Lungu’s frontman Emmanuel Sipande Mugala, Edson Mugala, Lucky Simbeye, Pumulo Malao, Royal park Proprietor Alexander Mumba Sakala, and Christine Kalelemba.

The EFCC said the eight have failed to prove that their cars, shops and houses in Chilanga were from a legitimate source, hence they should be forfeited to the State.

In this matter, Director of Public Prosecutions Gilbert Phiri moved a motion for the forfeiture of the accused properties on reasons that they were a product of grand corruption.

According to an affidavit in support of the notice of motion sworn by ACC investigations officer Mulenga Mulenga, the Commission received information that the interested parties had questionable wealth disproportionate to their income.

Mulenga said investigations revealed that Pittscon Zambia Limited owned a fleet of vehicles altogether valued at K7 million.

Lungu’s proxy Emmanuel Mugala owned 21 residential properties valued at K1 400,000.00, K3,400,00.00, K1,700,000.00 and K2,600,000.00.

Mulenga said that during his investigations he also established that Mugala possessed 14 shops valued at K5,900,000.00, 14 shops valued K7,600,000.00 and Subdivision F of Subdivision No. 26 of F/9/6

He said, in addition to the numbered plots Mugala also had various unnumbered plots whose value after valuation by the Government Valuation Department was K41,800,000.00

Mulenga stated that during his investigations which covered the period between 2018 and 2022, the only known source of income for Pittscon and Mugala was the Contracts for the periodic maintenance of selected feeder roads.

Mugala possessed four unnumbered plots valued at K26,300,000.00

For Peter Malao, his only source of income was derived from Contracts awarded to his company by the Ministry of Local Government for the periodic maintenance of selected feeder roads.

Mulenga said he also established that Edson Mugala who is the son of Emmanuel Mugala
owned 16 flats in Lusaka altogether valued at K25,900,000.00 and his only legitimate source of income was a small hardware named Two Brothers.

He said Luck Simbeya owns various properties namely Subdivision A of Subdivision No. 14 of Farm 916 comprising a four bedroomed house valued at K1,400,000.00, Subdivision 5 of Subdivision No.1 of Farm 916 comprising of a four bedroomed house valued at K1,200,000.00, Subdivision C and D of Subdivision 9 of Farm 916 comprising of eight residential units valued at K3,200,000.00 bringing the total value of the properties to K5,800,000.

According to Mulenga between 2018 and 2022, Simbeye’s only known source of income was derived from the contracts awarded to Pittscon for the periodic maintenance of selected feeder roads.

Pittscon was awarded four contracts by Ministry of Local Government for the construction and periodic maintenance of selected feeder roads and one of the requirements to be satisfied was that prospective bidders needed to have certain individuals as key personnel, without which, a Contractor would not be eligible to bid.

“Pittscon responded to the bidding documents issued by the Ministry of Local Government by submitting bids in which William Changamuka, Harold Makungu Chibwe, Nolias Kachasa, Ailola Maimbolwa, Lukona Mwewa and Baldwin Mwewa Chatupa were named as Key Personnel employed as Site Engineer, Geomatics Engineer, Earthwork Foreman and Laboratory Technicians respectively,” Mulenga said.

He stated that he established that the said key personnel did not consent to the use of their credentials in the bids that  Pittscon submitted

“As at January 1, 2022, the Ministry of Local Government through the National Road Fund Agency (NRFA) had advanced payments in the sum of K199,828,137.00, the total sum of the contract was K264,464,513.67 of which the sum of K199,828,137.00 was received and a balance of K64,636,376.70 remained,”said Mulenga.

Pumulo Malao, Royal park Proprietor Alexander Mumba Sakala, and Christine Kalelemba declared interest in some properties subject to for forfeiture but did not file documentation on time to defend the properties from being confiscated.

During hearing, ACC prosecutor Daniel Ngwira said the interested parties did not show any evidence that they had other sources of income commensurate to the value of the properties they acquired between 2018 and 2022.

He said the properties should be forfeited because their value is disproportionate to interested parties’ known sources of income during the period of investigation.

“During the period of investigation, the Interested Parties derived their income from Contracts that they were awarded by the Ministry of Local Government. The Interested Parties acquired assets, both moveable and immovable, which cannot be linked to any business,” said Ngwira.

“The properties must be forfeited because the Interested Parties have not provided a satisfactory explanation for the disproportionate assets.”

Lawyer representing Malao, Sakala and Kalelemba,  Leon Lemba said the application by the State should not be granted because it was based on mere allegations and not facts in line with Section 2 of the Forfeiture of Proceeds of Crime Act Number 19 of 2010 of the Laws of Zambia.

He said Section 2 of the Forfeiture of Proceeds of Crime Act Number 19 of 2010 of the Laws of Zambia, puts a responsibility on the prosecution to go to Court armed with facts indicating that the property sought to be forfeited is tainted.

Another lawyer a Mr Mukuka submitted that the application by Ngwira and Gloria Muyunda should not be granted because they did not discharged their burden of proof in the matter .

Mukuka said the four Contracts in issue are still valid and have not been terminated by the Ministry of Local Government as provided for in Clause 59 2(4) of the Contract.

But delivering judgement, High Court judge Pixie Yangailo, Ann Ononuju, and Vincent Siloam said Pittscon by submitting a list of Key Personnel who were not in its employ, misrepresented facts which was a fundamental breach of the Contract in line with Clause 59.1 and 59.2 (h)(ii)

Judge Yangailo said based on Section 31 of FPOCA, the State has on a balance of probabilities managed to establish that the properties acquired by the Interested Parties could be reasonably be suspected to be proceeds of crime.

“We say so firstly because the State has established that the second to fifth Interested Parties by false pretence submitted names to the Ministry of Local Government stating that they had Key Personnel in the employ of Pittscon Zambia Limited when in fact not,” she said.

“In our considered view, the submission of the names to Ministry of Local Government when the said Key Personnel did not consent and were not in the employ of Pittscon is a false pretence, which is a crime.”

The Court said it was satisfied that the properties in question are proceeds of crime because a common thread of illegality runs through from the time the false pretence was made up to the time property was acquired.

“The timing of the acquisition of the properties and the amounts involved, coupled with the fact that before the Contracts in issue were awarded, the Interested Parties had no income, triggers elements of suspicion,” judge Yangailo said.

“Having found that the submission of false information as regards Key Personnel amounted to false pretences, it follows that proceeds of the said Contract is tainted. This therefore, entails that the Interested Parties did acquire the interest in the property as a result of a serious offence.”

She said the validity of the Contracts does not mean no illegality was committed.

“We are of the firm view that the ACC has est ablished on a balance of probabilities that the properties in issue are tainted properties. Having so found, we therefore Order that properties be forfeited to the State to be applied as the Applicant deems fit within the confines of the law.”

She also condemned the interested parties to costs.

By Mwaka Ndawa
Kalemba

UKA is still united to remove UPND – Lungu

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UKA is still united to remove UPND – Lungu

FORMER president Edgar Lungu says the United Kwacha Alliance (UKA) is still allied with the sole purpose to oust his successor Hakainde Hichilema from power.



He said the PF will not dominate the small parties that have formed a pact with it as the goal is to choose a candidate that will compete with President Hichilema in 2026.



Lungu was the guest speaker at a rally held by Citizens First leader Harry Kalaba in Samfya, Luapula province.

He said UKA was giving pressure to government hence need to disband by claiming PF was calling the shots in the alliance.

“UKA has about 13 parties and in 2026 we will only choose one candidate because that’s what Zambians want. That’s why we formed an alliance now when you hear Kalaba say I want to be president you get upset why? he can also become one,” he said.

“When I say I want to be president it can happen. I want to make it clear that UKA is an organization of a lot of parties.”

Lungu said he would speak his guts and not address insignificant matters like someone’s Afro.

“Last time when I said young man with an afro,he was upset that I insulted him. An afro is a hairstyle with a full even bushy shape. They spent the entire night evaluating the language that I insulted him. Today I will not address the afro am talking about  government,” he said.

“They say when a government fails, youchange it. They shouldn’t tell you PF wants to swallow Citizens First, vice versa we are united because we want to remove uyu mukukulu wacunsu (this crafty person with an afro). People have suffered enough.”

Lungu who talked down on the free education introduced by the UPND government among other development said the UPND had done nothing to improve the lives of the people as they are still wallowing in poverty.

“The lie, they told us three years ago up to now we are still waiting. When you speak, they say free education yet children are not going to school. When you speak, they say CDF yet the projects are not being implemented under CDF. Social cash transfer intended beneficiaries are not getting it,” he said.

“Intelligence officers go and tell his excellency President HH that people are suffering in case he doesn’t know. Now, when a person runs out of ideas they can do anything. You intelligence officers here go and tell the man that people are suffering. The lies that you are telling them are not satisfying them they are getting everyday restless.”

Lungu said neither him nor Kalaba should be blamed when the masses rise against government, charging that he was not afraid of anything.

“The day people will rise don’t blame Kalaba or myself. You love threats, that is treason, that is sedition, that can’t work! Icintinya nshilya (am not a coward),” Lungu said.

“Children go to school and come back empty without learning anything. How many teachers can look after 100 students in class? You can’t manage. Per class it’s one to 30 and one to 40 so that teachers can attend to each child.”

Lungu claimed the UPND has never implemented any project since it was elected into power, as all it does is to modify PF projects to make an impression that it is working.

He cited the retention of Vedanta to run Konkola Copper Mines when the President is on record having said that it should have been out of business a long time.

“When they try to come up with projects, they are reversing what we did. They have brought back Vedanta. He was saying Vedanta won’t come back but it is back (nensoni nakalya) without shame. What kind of person is that?,” he said.

The rally was not short of ethnic talk by Lungu.

“When you go in civil service you will only find them speaking one tribe, I don’t want to be tribal but you know what am talking about. There is promoting of one distinct ethnic group. That shouldn’t be the case have some shame,” said lungu.

By Mwaka Ndawa

Kalemba August 25, 2024

AN ASSESSMENT OF HICHILEMA’S MINISTERS THREE YEARS INTO THEIR TENURE

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AN ASSESSMENT OF HICHILEMA’S MINISTERS THREE YEARS INTO THEIR TENURE.

By McPherson Mutale

“It’s been three years since that day when president HH took the instruments of power and was declared Zambia’s 7th Republican President.

Time has flown by and most of his promises to the Zambian people remain unfulfilled and a lingering legacy of political rhetoric that has punctuated the 60 years of Zambia’s self rule continues to haunt us.

This is my personal rating of the ministers in the New Dawn administration. This rating is not based on the Key Performance Indicators as set by their appointing authority but by my own personal assessment as a citizen.

PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL FOR THE MINISTERIAL PORTFOLIOS.

1. Paul C C Kabuswe
Constituency: Chililabombwe
Political Party: United Party for National Development (UPND)
Portfolio: Minister – Mines and Minerals Development

President HH after inauguration made a  pronouncement that the government and his administration will focus on increasing copper production from the current 1.8 million tons to 3 million tons.

This was an ambitious proposal that has not seen any attendant policy shift in as far as the mining sector is concerned. Yes the approach has been more business oriented but policy wise, there is little to no policy change.

I have not come across a comprehensive long term blue print for the mining sector in the next three decades for example. All I have seen, are half hearted proposals aimed at exploring and trying to quantify Zambia’s minerals.

Exiting as that might seem, its implications has little to no benefit for the common Zambian. Perhaps the starting point is to ask ourselves as to what copper production over the last century has done for us as a people.

From the time the UPND administration came into office, copper production has plummeted from around 880,000 metric tons in the 2021 to a little more than 600,000 metric tons in the current period.

The government can cite a lot of factors such as the problems at KCM and MCM for this dip in production, but there are inherent challenges that continue to haunt the sector, chief among which is that we are not in charge of our own minerals.

We have not seen a clear policy on the production of Sugelite, uranium, lithium and even nickel though we have these minerals in abundance. 

The corruption in licensing, failure to properly tax the mines, failure to properly regulate the mining sector are the major issues that will make it difficult for Zambia to achieve the proposed 3 million metric tons in the next 7 years now.

The minister of mines for this reason is rated 2.8 /10. This is just for being present for more than 36 months.

2. Chipoka Mulenga
Constituency: Chingola
Political Party: United Party for National Development (UPND)
Portfolio: Minister – Commerce, Trade and Industry

Despite the continued pronouncements by President HH that his administration will work towards reducing rigidities that plague the conduct of business in Zambia, the New Dawn Administration has failed lamentably.

The cost of doing business has gone up so significantly pushing most SMEs out of business. Like his colleague in mines, there is no blueprint for the sector to guide growth and productivity.

Despite having a huge and yearning market in the DRC, Zambia has failed to utilize this opportunity to expand its trade and commerce through industrialization and manufacturing.

We have remained a consumer nation with most of our products being imported from other markets like South Africa.

Despite my love for Hon Chipoka, his performance is abysmal and below my expectations. Therefore I would generously give him a 4/10 and this is just because I love his character and he is a promising leader.

3. Frank Tayali
Constituency: Ndola Central
Political Party: United Party for National Development (UPND)
Portfolio: Minister – Transport and Logistics

This ministry is as good as dead. Without the efforts of his sister minister in Infrastructure, we have heard very little about the plans in this ministry.

The only way the country would develop is by having a robust transport and logistics sector. It is a nightmare to move goods, services and people across this country.

I have not seen a blueprint for Zambia’s transformation in the transport and logistics sector.

We need a speed train from Nakonde to Livingstone and from Chanida border to Jimbe border. We can’t talk about commerce and trade without a robust transport network.

Our airline industry is almost nonexistent. Despite the drive to have more airports, we have done little to make air transport affordable and attractive to Zambians.

We produce copper and most of it is transported via road reducing significantly the lifespan of our roads. Without a proper transportation system, the country can’t transition to a hub of trade and commerce.

For showing up for the past 3 years, I will generously give Hon Tayali a 2/10.

4. Reuben Mtolo Phiri
Constituency: Chipata Central
Political Party: United Party for National Development (UPND)
Portfolio: Minister – Agriculture

Where is the Agricultural Sector Development Blueprint?  How are we going to transform the sector when we have not done a blueprint that should guide our efforts?

The pronouncements by President HH for Zambia to produce in excess of 10 million metric tons of Maize is a pipeline dream when we can’t even implement the Comprehensive Agriculture Support Program.

Zambia has massive potential to become the regional food producer and exporter, but we have continued to pay lip service to this gigantic industry.

There is no mechanization and no modernization of the sector. We need modern production methods,
agro technology and processing as well as storage and logistics in the sector.

We have failed to properly map the country and provide the each region with the requisite infrastructure, technology and resources to maximize on their inherent strengths. A one size fits all approach has failed us for the past 60 years.

Hon Mutolo is wearing oversized shoes and to be honest he has failed lamentably. I may not know why he still has his portfolio but I would rate him 1.2/10

5. Douglas Munsaka Syakalima
Constituency: Chirundu
Political Party: United Party for National Development (UPND)
Portfolio: Minister – Education

From day one, I have always said that it was a bad decision to merge the two ministries of higher and general education respectively. I feel the minister of education has been thrown in a pond that is too vast and wide that he has never managed to attend to all the fishes.

While there are efforts to modernize the curriculum, I am of the view that we also desperately need to modernize our teachers. Our education system for the past 6 years has become almost redundant.

Scholars have argued that we need to decolonize our education system and my sentiments have been that we need to decolonize our political, economic and social systems.

Nothing happens in a vacuum. Our problem is that while we quickly embraced the political independence, we have never strived to get the economic and social independence. Therein lies our educational problems.

Hon Siakalima has not demonstrated any ingenuity that could make me believe that we are heading in the right direction in this sector.

I will generously give him a 3/10.

6. Elvis Chishala Nkandu
Constituency: Kaputa
Political Party: United Party for National Development (UPND)
Portfolio: Minister – Youth, Sport and Arts

This is one ministry laden with a lot of challenges and opportunities and sadly, there is very little being done to harness the potential of the youth.

The minister and his two permanent secretaries are on a holiday enjoying tax payers money while the youth continue to su ffer emotional distress and damage.

You wonder why there are so many junkies? You have a ministry that does very little but to mimic the political rhetoric of the system.

We need a new paradigm shift in youth empowerment. We need a transformative approach and not the timid and unsure approach we continue to observe from this ministry.

For showing up for the past 3 years, we will generously give Hon Nkandu a 1.5/10

8. Ambrose Lwiji Lufuma
Constituency: Kabompo
Political Party: United Party for National Development (UPND)
Portfolio: Minister – Defense

Perhaps the most quiet and inconsequential minister of our times. His job is a very challenging one but there is little that the common person can appreciate from this position.

Our borders are safe and our soldiers and now being asked to help in providing food security. Perhaps we should do more of food security as we really have little threat from outside than inside.

For the maturity and for being inconspicuous, I will generously give Hon Lufuma a 3/10.

8. Brenda Mwika Tambatamba
Constituency: Kasempa
Political Party: United Party for National Development (UPND)
Portfolio: Minister – Labour and Social Security

Just because for the first time in recent decades her ministry has managed to provide social security to our retirees and given dignity to the elderly, this is one ministry I have applauded.

There is a lot of sanity also in the Labour space. Yes, we can and we should do more but I feel we are headed in the right direction.

We may need more women ministers perhaps? On that score, I will generously give Hon Tambatamba a 5/10.

9. Rhodine Sikumba
Constituency: Livingstone
Political Party: United Party for National Development (UPND)
Portfolio: Minister – Tourism

Tourism is dying a natural death. For me, this ministry has been underperforming and has shown no innovation and direction. Perhaps I just expected more from a man with vast experience in the sector.

Our so called tourist capital has very limited activities that make tourist only stay for a few days.

Hon Minister,  I can manage to do all the activities in livingstone in barely a day. But then again tourism is not synonymous to Livingstone. We need to have a blueprint for tourism development.

Zambia has vast tourism attractions but with poor transport and logistics, it’s impossible for a tourist to have their breakfast in Livingstone, lunch in Lower Zambezi and dinner at Kasaba Bay. This is why we can’t attract tourists.

Our heritage sites have no attendant facilities, no proper roads, no hotels or lodges, no restaurants and eateries, just nothing.

I expected more from you sir, sadly, I feel underwhelmed and will give you a generous 2/10.

10. Gary G Nkombo
Constituency: Mazabuka Central
Political Party: United Party for National Development (UPND)
Portfolio: Minister – Local Government and Rural Development

Strides have been made to make local government better. The decentralization efforts are slowly but surely beginning to bear fruits.  It will take more than just CDF, we need a robust blueprint for community modernization and development.

Local councils have been pathetic when it comes to planning and service delivery. We have a long way to have utilities and council infrastructure that attends to the needs of our people.

So far, the ministry is functional and progressively working towards improving service delivery to our people. More remains to be done but it’s a good start.

I will generously give Hon Nkombo a 6/10

11. Jacob Jack Mwiimbu
Constituency: Monze
Political Party: United Party for National Development (UPND)
Portfolio: Minister – Home Affairs and Internal Security

Honestly, this is one ministry that is a let down to our democracy. The police in particular act with impunity as though they are in a draconian regime.

There is so much lip service given to the rule of law. The conduct of the police has been nothing short of a mockery of democracy.

Hon Mwiimbu is a lawyer himself and we expect a professional police service under his leadership. I must say I am a little taken aback about this conduct.

In that score, I will give Hon JJ a generous 2/10

12. Situmbeko Musokotwane
Constituency: Liuwa
Political Party: United Party for National Development (UPND)
Portfolio: Minister – Finance and National Planning

This ministry has struggle under very difficult and complex circumstances. The minister has demonstrated his experience and expertise.

He might not be everyone’s darling, but he was hired to do a specific job and I personally think he has done a stellar job.

I do not agree entirely with the economic solutions he has put on the table but I love his conviction to do what he thinks what’s for him and his team to deliver a positive outcome for Zambia.

In all honesty, I would have preferred a more non neoliberal aligned minister but, unfortunately that is an expensive emotional position I can’t afford to sustain.

I will generously give the Hon Musokotwane a 5/10.

13. Doreen Sefuke Mwamba
Constituency: Nominated
Political Party: Nominated (Nom)
Portfolio: Minister – Community Development and Social Services

This is a ministry that am so conflicted about. Sometimes I feel it should never exist and at times I feel it should be a mere department under local government.

I honestly don’t know how to assess this one. I would be biased and illogical to even score it and therefore I will leave it for others to rate.

14. Charles Milupi
Constituency: Nominated
Political Party: Nominated (Nom)
Portfolio: Minister – Infrastructure, Housing Urban and Development

We should have just ended at ministry of infrastructure because the other components done exist as far as the current minister is concerned.

His focus is on PPPs for roads and border posts. I have not seen any blueprint for Zambias urbanization and later on modern housing especially for government.

New schools and hospitals are still being built as though we have limitless land. We don’t think about going up but continue to put up very ugly and funny looking buildings.

The n that score, the Hon Milupi will get a generous 3/10

15. Felix C Mutati
Constituency: Nominated
Political Party: Nominated (Nom)
Portfolio: Minister – Technology and Science

With no malice and no baseless, I honestly think this is misapplied human resources. The ministry needed a highly talented science and technology adept individual with a futuristic approach and aura about them.

The current minister is a misfit in this ministry and therefore his efforts won’t be seen. Three years on, where are we in e-governance, education, science, technology and innovations?

Perhaps we should stop using political emotions when appointing individuals to important positions in our society.

Hi will respectfully give the Hon Felix a generous 2/10.

16. Elias Mubanga
Constituency: Nominated
Political Party: Nominated (Nom)
Portfolio: Minister – Small and Medium Enterprises Development

What a waste of a nomination. President HH also sometimes makes me wonder what his strategy is. Such an important portfolio and you give it away just like that?

This is a critical ministry and I personally expected so much and hoped this would be a game changer; alas! It’s a disaster of great proportions. What a waste of a nomination.

I will give this one 0.8/10

17. Cornelius Mweetwa
Constituency: Choma
Political Party: United Party for National Development (UPND)
Portfolio: Minister – Information and Media

From a vibrant and promising political heavyweight to a compromised and self doubting minister, whatever happened in between still baffles me.

Perhaps being in the opposition for too long also has its tol l on you. When finally in power, people are tired and frustrated. This is not the same firebrand of a politician I knew a decade ago.

The ministry is uncoordinated and all over the place. With a PS who is a chatterbox, perhaps the minister could focus on policy reforms?

I would give the Hon Cornellius a generous 3/10.

18. Peter Chibwe Kapala
Constituency: Nominated
Political Party: Nominated (Nom)
Portfolio: Minister – Fisheries and Livestock

I will not asses him based on his new portfolio but the previous one and on that score, I would say he is one of the most self serving ministers.

The interests of the nation come after his and his benefactors.  Despite previously heavily criticizing his predecessors, this minister demonstrated that he just admired what his friends used to enjoy.

For me this one was a disaster and luckily, even his appointing authority decided to make the painful decision of changing his portfolio.

It is a painful 1/10.

19. Makozo Chikote
Constituency: Luampa
Political Party: United Party for National Development (UPND)
Portfolio: Minister – Energy

Again I will rate him based on his previous portfolio. This is a very hardworking man. He has a very strong personality and in areas where he lacks, he love to consult.

Sadly, there is no blueprint for fisheries and livestock despite being one of the ministries that could help this country into prosperity. The minister was thrown in the deep end without a life jacked and he had to be rescued and again dropped in another deep end, perhaps this time around he will swim to the shore.

I will give the Hon Makozo a generous 3/10 for effort.

20. Elijah Julaki Muchima
Constituency: Ikeleng’i
Political Party: United Party for National Development (UPND)
Portfolio: Minister – Health

This one I will also rate him based on his performance at Lands. This is one ministry that has a lot to do. The country need a comprehensive land audit and we need to establish how much of our land is in foreign hands.

We need to empower our people with access to land. That will be their capital contribution when it comes to the highly talked about economic partnerships.

The Hon Muchima will get a generous 2/10.

21. Sylvia Masebo
Constituency: Chongwe
Political Party: United Party for National Development (UPND)
Portfolio: Minister – Lands and Natural Resources

This one I will rate based on her tour of duty at the ministry of health.

She tried to bring order in certain areas of the ministry but in the process she also ended up creating dangerous disasters especially in drug procurement processes and procedures.

The one thing I love about the minister apart from her beautiful personality, is her conviction. I love a confident minister and this one lacks no confidence. Yes she may even be over confident but I love that about her.

This ministry has a lot of work to do. There was a marked difference between how the previous minister handled the Covid situation and how this minister handled cholera. I shudder to think what would have happened has she been the one handling Covid.

Anyway, God is always in control and bring people for different seasons. I will generously hand the beautiful minister a 4/10

22. Princess Kasune
Constituency: Keembe
Political Party: United Party for National Development (UPND)
Portfolio: Minister – Justice

I will honestly no be able to rate this one on the basis that I am only focusing on cabinet and she is a new comer. I will rate her in 2026 before the elections.

23. Mike Mposha
Constituency: Munali
Political Party: United Party for National Development (UPND)
Portfolio: Minister – Green Economy and Environment

This one I will rate him based on his previous portfolio of water development.  I feel he did not apply himself fully to his portfolio. Imagine how much water we have in our fresh water bodies and yet, we continue to suffer from water bone diseases.

Kafue River is a stone throw from Lusaka but Lusaka still struggles to supply water to its residents. It is really a shame that we still continue to play rhetoric and lip service to this important sector.

We can’t even do irrigation despite have so much water all around us. For that reason, I will give the Hon Mike a 1/10

24. Collins Nzovu
Constituency: Nangoma
Political Party: United Party for National Development (UPND)
Portfolio: Minister – Water Development and Sanitation

I will rate this one based

Angola, DRC and Zambia-Digging tunnels that never meet- Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba

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Angola, DRC and Zambia-Digging tunnels that never meet

By Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba

When I was Permanent Secretary in Western Province, I visited Angola to understand their development initiatives and to help coordinate and collaborate on shared programs such as cattle disease control.

The Province shares boundaries with Angola to the west and Namibia to the south.

Zambia was developing an ambitious trade route to link Angola-Zambia and exploit the huge economic opportunities between the two developing states.

Zambia had invested in the $350million Mongu-Kalabo road and there were plans for a wide tarmac road from Kalabo to the border town of Sikongo, power transmission lines, and a brand new border station at Sikongo.

To my horror, I discovered that Angola’s plan were strongly leaning towards Shangombo were a new all weather road and rail were being planned from the capital Luanda to Rivungo Town in Angola, the nearest town to Shangombo.

In this area, Zambua and Angola are separated by the Cuando river.

Further Angola was planning a $40million Public Private Partnership project to construct and develop a 10-kilometers channel on the Cuando River as a quick way to link Zambia and Angola.

The Cuando River, and the bank (rather than the river channel) forms the border with Angola. Rivungo is a town and municipality in Cuando-Cubango Province in Angola.

The provincial Governor informed us that Angola was targeting Shangombo district as the rail link to Mulobezi was only 200km away and would provide the country the railink to the Southern Africa corridor.

Angola had also just completed a multi-billion dollar rehabilitation of the Lobito-Benguela railway line  that connected Zambia through DRC at Luau.

To enjoy a direct link to the Benguela railway line, Zambia must invest in rail link from Chingola via Solwezi, Mwinilunga to Jimbe and Angola has to develop a link from Luena to Jimbe.

I kept on thinking about our multibillion dollar investments made in the Mongu-Kalabo-Sikongo-Malundu route while Angola appeared focused on the link through Shangombo or Jimbe border in Noryhwestern province.

We seemed to have been sinking two tunnels that would never meet.

Where is the collaboration in the development plans between the two countries? What’s the purpose of those joint commissions

Currently, we seem to be making similar uncoordinated development with our neighbour the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

We are investing in the Lusaka-Ndola Dual Carriage Way and Chingola-Kasumbalesa projects.

Zambia has also given a concession of the Ndola-Mufulira and together with development of the Sakanya Border Post.

The project is a design, finance, build, operate, maintain and transfer of the road and associated border infrastructure.

Zambia appears to be making these investments decisions targeting Lubumbashi and Kolwezi and assuming that the current traffic volumes will continue even when future prospects and projections show otherwise.

The is also the investment in the Kasomeno-Mwenda Toll Road Project, touted as the largest single private infrastructure investment from Europe into Africa by the Project sponsor, Duna Aszfalt Zrt., a Hungarian construction company.

If successful, the project will consist of the following main elements:

1. Modernization, construction, and expansion of 184km of road highway.
2. Construction of a 345m cable-stayed bridge over the border at the Luapula river.

3. It will also include the construction of a one-stop border posts with accompanying warehousing and parking facilities.

Then there is the Lobito Corridor Project

The  current shipping route for the DRC involves Zambia.

Sadly it takes close to one month and involves driving 2,000 miles from the Congolese mining capital of Kolwezi to the Indian Ocean port of Durban, South Africa.

At border crossings, the line of mineral-carrying trucks can extend for over 30 miles.

Once the raw material reaches Durban, there are often further delays due to shutdowns caused by floods, strikes, social unrest, and the port’s general unreliability.

The other common routes are also by road, serving the ports of Walvis Bay, Namibia; Beira, Mozambique; and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and facing similar duration and cost issues.

LOBITO PROJECT

This is the project that Western countries are pushing because Zambia and the DRC are endowed with critical minerals required for the global energy transition.

The two countries enjoy major deposits of copper, cobalt, tin, tantalum, and lithium among other minerals.

In October 2023, a consortium named the Lobito Atlantic Railway (LAR)—composed of Swiss commodities trader Trafigura (49.5 percent), Portuguese construction company Mota-Engil (49.5 percent), and Belgian private railway operator Vecturis (one percent)—won a 30-year concession of the tracks, beating out the competing, Chinese-backed bid.

LAR will invest US$455 million in Angola and US$100 million in the DRC. It will refurbish the existing tracks, lay around 350 miles of new rail from the Angola-Zambia border at Jimbe to Chingola in the Zambian Copperbelt Province, construct 160 miles of feeder roads, and provide 1,500 wagons and 35 locomotives.

In late 2023, the DRC, Angola, Zambia, United States, European Union, African Development Bank (AfDB), and Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) all signed memoranda of understanding (MOUs) establishing a shared vision for the project.

The Lobito Corridor’s total estimated cost is between US$1 billion and US$2.3 billion. The AfDB will contribute around US$500 million, and the United States will invest US$250 million.

Conclusion

Zambia must heighten her diplomatic engagements with both Angola and DRC. The current development initiatives may not councide with the costly projects Zambia, Angola and DRC are pushing.

We may be digging tunnels that would never meet!

ABOUT THE KULAMBA TRADITIONAL CEREMONY OF THE CHEWA PEOPLE: THE HIGHS AND LOWS- Sean Tembo

ABOUT THE KULAMBA TRADITIONAL CEREMONY OF THE CHEWA PEOPLE: THE HIGHS AND LOWS

By Sean Tembo – PeP President

1. The Kulamba Traditional Ceremony has been celebrated by the Chewa people of Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique since before the 15th century. The Chewa people, like most tribes in Southern Africa, migrated from Congo. The essence of the ceremony is for Chewa chiefs to come and pay homage to their King, Chilombo Kalonga Gawa Undi and report on the state of their respective chiefdoms as well as deliver gifts of food and other valuables to the King. The King would then redistribute this food and wealth from the chiefdoms that were doing well economically, to chiefdoms that were struggling. Apparently there are 38 Chewa chiefdoms in Zambia, 40 in Mozambique and more than 150 chiefdoms in Malawi. Previously, each Chewa chief would make the trip to the King on their own, but over the years, it was decided to do it all at once on a single day, and that is how Kulamba was born. This ceremony takes place on the last Saturday of August each year. If you asked me, this ceremony is the deepest expression of love for one another by the Chewa people, where the King is cognizant of the fact that not all his chiefdoms will experience the same economic fortunes, but those doing well must redistribute their wealth and assist those not doing so well. That is how humanity must function.

2. Anyway, so we arrived at Mkaika, which is the main arena for Kulamba, in Katete District of Eastern Province, at about 08hrs. My delegation was made up of five people, myself, my Chairman for Mobilization, Chairman for Cultural & Religious Affairs, my ADC and the Media guy. We did not have invitation cards, largely because l resent the idea that my attendance to a traditional ceremony in my own country, should be by invitation. Anyway, after parking our vehicle, l led my entourage to the entrance of the main arena. When the Police Officers manning the entrance saw us, they at least had the presence of mind to let us through without demanding for invitation cards. We were then ushered to the VIP sitting area, in the same makeshift shelter that the Guest of Honor was designated to sit. I must say l felt welcome, and the entire series of events up to that point, contrasted sharply with other traditional ceremonies that l had previously attended where Opposition Leaders were treated like leprosy patients, with no designated sitting space for them at all.

3. When an Usher served us with copies of the program for the day, l quickly perused it, and noticed that President Hakainde Hichilema would be our Guest of Honor, and that he would be accompanied by his counterparts, President Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera of Malawi, and President Filipe Nyusi of Mozambique. We also noticed that l, as an Opposition Leader, was on the program and that l needed to present my gifts to King Chilombo Kalonga Gawa Undi immediately after President Hakainde Hichilema had done so. Given how badly treated l had been at previous traditional ceremonies, l was taken aback as l had not even bothered to prepare any gifts. So l decided that l would just donate some cash, l mean, anyone can do with some cash, even the King himself. But then l had the dilemma of not having an envelope to put the cash in. My ADC immediately went on a driving around the shops in Katete town but was unable to find a shop selling envelopes. I then advised him to just buy a rim of plain papers and a stapler and we would put the cash between a folded plain paper and staple around it. Then at that very moment, l met the Katete Council Chairperson, Hon. Fanuel Chama and l expressed my dilemma to him. He quickly sent his army of staff on a search for an envelope and with a few minutes, a white A6 size envelope, appropriately branded “KULAMBA TRADITIONAL CEREMONY” appeared, and l had a deep sigh of relief.

4. Then President Hakainde Hichilema appeared, with his entourage of about 7 Cabinet Ministers, and seated approximately 10 meters from where we were seated. All this time, the Director of Ceremonies; Former Sinda MP, Hon. Lucas Phiri, kept us very entertained with various groups of performers being ushered on stage. The Chewa people really have a very rich tradition. However, at this point l couldn’t help to notice that both the Malawian and Mozambican Presidents had absconded the event. I found this particularly strange because both had confirmed attendance. In fact the event had to be moved forward to 24th August 2024 instead of the initially planned 31st August 2024 (which is the last Saturday of August, as per traditional requirements) because the Mozambican President had made the request, as he said he would be in Europe on 31st August 2024. Therefore, l found it very strange that after causing a change in dates, he then decided not to attend. I could not resist wondering whether President Hakainde Hichilema’s snubbing of the 44th Ordinary SADC Heads of States Summit in Harare last week, provoked the ire of his colleagues in Malawi and Mozambique, such that they also decided to snub his invitation for Kulamba? I mean, there was no other sound explanation for the sudden change of heart for both Chakwera and Nyusi. Perhaps a lesson for HH right there.

5. Then time came for our Guest of Honor to deliver his speech. He talked about how he went to University of Zambia at the same time as Chilombo Kalonga Gawa Undi, how he is a reasonably successful farmer, how he is emotionally attached to the Chipata – Chadiza road, to the extent that he had decided to rename it as the HH road, and that funds would soon be allocated for it’s reconstruction. The President then went on to talk about how he wanted all farmers to succeed so that one day they can all have tractors like him, who is a reasonable farmer. The President then implored the audience to work hard and produce enough food despite the drought, and that the drought should not be seen as an obstacle but that they should consider irrigation to produce food. The President then ended his speech with a joke about being methodical, which no one laughed to. At the end of his speech, no one clapped, except his Cabinet Ministers that he had come with. The 7 Ministers clapped so hard that the entire audience turned to stare at them in awe.

6. Then a representative of all the 38 Chewa Chiefs in Zambia took to the podium and addressed the President. She explained that the Chewa are a very hardworking people, but that the severe drought of the past season had left them hopeless and helpless, and that they had looked up to Government for some relief food but that none had come so far. She emphasized that none of the 38 Chiefdoms in 11 districts of Eastern Province had received a single bag of relief food so far, and that without Government’s quick intervention in this regard, her people will soon start dying from hunger as the next expected harvest was more than 6 months away. The entire audience then stood up in a frenzied standing ovation. The Representative of the 38 Chewa Chiefs then proceeded and addressed the President on the issue of the Katete Fruit Processing Plant which had been constructed by the previous Government at a cost of more than K160 million, but which the current Government had failed to operationalize for more than 3 years now, and that it was now being vandalized as it is abandoned with no one there. She further reminded the President that during the previous Kulamba Traditional Ceremony, he had promised that the Fruit Processing Plant would be operationalized within 3 months, and that the people in her chiefdoms had embarked on a massive production of various fruits in anticipation of the commissioning of the Fruit Processing Plant as promised by the President, and that their fruits are all going to waste now as the Fruit Processing Plant remains un-operational. Again, the audience gave her a standing ovation. She then spoke about the lack of drinking water for people and animals, due to the drought. She implored Government to deliver some relief water to her people before they die from thirst, even before hunger kills them. The Chief ended her speech with a plea to President Hakainde Hichilema that if Government is unable to provide them with relief food, it should at least provide them with seeds to plant in the next farming season, which was just around the corner. And that if Government also fails to provide her people with seeds and fertilizer in the coming farming season, then it would have condemned them to perpetual poverty for a very long time to come.

7. At this point, l was almost tearly. It occured to me in real time, that this is the disconnect that the President has from his people. For whatever reason that remains inexplicable to me, the President is very disconnected from the plight of the Zambian people. While the President was imploring the audience to ignore the drought and grow food using irrigation, the people were telling the President that they don’t even have water to drink, let alone use for irrigation. While the President was telling the people to double their entrepreneurial activities, the people were telling the President that their efforts to grow fruits to deliver to the Fruit Processing Plant in Katete, have been dampened because the plant remains un-operational more than 2 years since he promised that he would commission it in 3 months. It is evident that the President’s speech was very hollow, as it did not address the needs of the people. No wonder the people failed to clap for him, with the exception of his 7 Ministers. It kind of occurred to me that perhaps that’s the reason the President carries a large entourage of Cabinet Ministers wherever he goes. So that they can clap for him, in case the audience doesn’t.

8. Anyway, l must mention that the 2024 Kulamba Traditional Ceremony was very insightful to me as an aspiring leader of this great nation called Zambia. I greatly enjoyed myself and really appreciated the warm hospitality extended to me and my entourage by the Organizers of the event. However, that is not to say that the event was perfect. There are a number of areas that the Organizers could consider improving on next time.

9. Firstly, there were more speeches that traditional activities at the ceremony. This is a traditional ceremony, meaning that more than 90 percent of the time should be dedicated to undertaking traditional activities such as song and dance. The people who are given a slot to speak should be given a time limit and not an open cheque. I saw that the Director of Ceremonies literally had to chase some of the dancers out of the stage after only a few minutes, because he had to accommodate other groups to perform. And yet some politicians bored us for 40 minutes with speeches of how the people should use irrigation to grow food, when the people don’t even have water to drink. Yet, those hollow politicians we’re not chased out of the stage. So why chase exciting dancers who are entertaining us, and yet tolerate hollow politicians who are boring us? I actually noticed that most tourists of Caucasian origin actually walked out when the speeches became protracted. Also, the Organizers should consider compressing the program so that by 13hrs, people can break off for lunch, as opposed to 16hrs. It’s very difficult to be seated without food or water from 08hrs to 16hrs.

10. At about 12hrs, I literally had to send my ADC to the car to collect some leftover roasted beef pieces which my wife had prepared for us to nible on during our drive from Lusaka the previous day, but which we had no opportunity to consume. But as l started to munch on them, the aroma whiffed through the crowd and most people turned in my direction and started monitoring the up and down movement of my jaw as l chewed. Ultimately, l had no option but to offer a piece to everyone around me, so that they too can have a taste of my wife’s outstanding culinary works. At the end of the day, l only had three pieces to myself, which exemplifies how hungry the audience really was, due to the protracted nature of the program. Lastly, among the many sponsors for the Kulamba Traditional Ceremony, it would be good if one offered to bring a water Bowser and sprinkle enough water around the arena the day before, because the dust was unbearable. When l looked at the dusty eyebrows of the President when l went to greet him, l could only imagine how dusty my own looked. I dared not look in the mirror. Anyway, the Future is SET ✌🏼 ✌🏼 ✌🏼

///END

SET 25.08.2024

THERE WAS NO MALICE IN ACC SEIZING CHITOTELA’S PROPERTIES DURING INVESTIGATIONS – EFCC

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THERE WAS NO MALICE IN ACC SEIZING CHITOTELA’S PROPERTIES DURING INVESTIGATIONS – EFCC

PAMBASHE member of parliament Ronald Chitotela’s legal woes have continued with the latest failure of stopping the Anti-Corruption Commission from placing his luxurious retirement house in Chongwe, under its control.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Court has ruled that the Anti-graft body is mandated to seize property during investigations for corruption, to prevent transactions on the same by interested parties.

It said the protection of fundamental rights including the right to privacy does not extend to assets whose source may be questionable.

Chitotela had  petitioned the ACC and its agents, former acting director general Silumesi Muchula, Gift Tembo and Kopano Chilembo in the Lusaka High Court for seizing his farm in Chongwe on reasons that it was acquired using ill-gotten wealth.

He argued that the seizure of his house and the  eviction of his family by the Commission was malicious and illegal as the matter was still pending determination before High Court Judge Mwape Bowa.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) in its reply had argued that there was no malice on the part of its agents to issue restriction and seizure notices on Ronald Chitotela’s property in Chongwe as it was part of procedural steps that could be taken in order to properly carry out an investigation.

Chitotela had argued that the mandate for individuals to declare their assets and liabilities represents a significant intrusion into their private affairs, without specifying the mandate.

He alleged that the seizure notice contravenes Article 18 of the Constitution because it contradicts the presumption of innocent until proven guilty as he has not been given an opportunity to defend himself against the allegations of acquiring property through suspected proceeds of crime.

The former minister of tourism sought a declaration that Sections 71 and 78 of the Forfeiture of Proceeds of Crime Act are unconstitutional as they shift the burden of proof on the accused person and further the standard of proof is on a balance of probabilities contrary to the established principle in criminal matters, which requires the prosecution to prove the offence beyond reasonable doubt.

ACC, in its response submitted that the warrant of seizure is merely an investigative tool and does not take away Chitotela’s legal ownership of the property.

Delivering judgment, judge Susan Wanjelani on behalf of Pixie Yangailo and Vincent Siloka said there is no basis to declare sections 58 and 59 of the ACC Act unconstitutional.

“We, however, note from the evidence on record that the Petitioner was called for interviews at the Commission’s office with respect to the subject property, he opted to remain silent under warn and caution,”she said.

“He stated that; that was because there was a Matter before Justice Bowa. We, therefore, do find that Chitotela was given an opportunity in the course of investigations to dispel the allegations that the property was acquired through suspected proceeds of crime.”

Judge Wanjelani said there is no evidence that Chitotela has been charged with any criminal offence and that he has been denied a fair trial.

She said Article 18 of the Constitution has been wrongly invoked as it only applicable where a person has been charged with a criminal offence.

Judge Wanjelani said in relation to the application to declare sections 71 and 78 of the Forfeiture of Proceeds of Crime Act unconstitutional because they contravene Article 18 (2) (a) and (7) of the Constitution; Chitotela has not been charged with any offence relating to the subject statute or suspected proceeds of crime nor has he alleged that his property is subject to a Forfeiture Order under the Sections in contention.

“ACC is carrying out investigations into how Chitotela acquired the subject Property based on a complaint that it has been acquired from proceeds of crime. It is our understanding that any action that may be taken against the petitioner can only be done after the investigations are concluded,”she said.

The court said the warrant of seizure
does not mean that the affected property owner loses his or her legal ownership or rights over the property.

“There is and has been no transfer of ownership or interest in the property or deprivation of the property let alone compulsory acquisition without compensation for the seizure warrant to fall foul of Article 16 of the Constitution,” Judge Wanjelani said.

“It is evident that the petitioner has misconstrued the intent of the warrant of seizure and the restriction notice and thus the issues of deprivation of property or compensation for loss of property do not arise.”

The Court said the declaration being sought lacks merit as it has already been dealt with.

“ACC in inviting the petitioner for interviews was part of the investigations the Commission is mandated to carry out, where the Director-General determines that an investigation is warranted after receipt of a complaint as per Section 52 (3) of the Anti- Corruption Act,” judge Wanjelani said.

“We also accept that the press statement was likely released in response to press queries as no doubt Chitotela is a public figure and such issues are bound to garner public interest in the matter.”

She said no evidence has been produced by Chitotela to prove that his family was thrown out of the house by ACC whilst he was away.

“We do not find any malice or negligence in the manner the ACC officers carried out their functions. We find that the petitioner has failed to prove misfeasance in public office to warrant being awarded damages against all the respondents. This claim is dismissed,”judge Wanjelani declared.

“We find the petitioner has failed to show that the impugned Sections 58 and 59 of the Anti- Corruption Act and Sections 71 and 78 of the Forfeiture of Proceeds of Crime Act are incompatible with the Constitution to warrant them being declared unconstitutional.”

The Court said Chitotela has failed to prove his claims on a balance of probabilities and dismissed them in their entirety.

It further condemned him to costs to be taxed in default of agreement.

Chitotela is currently confined to Mansa correctional facility awaiting to be cause listed for his 10 -year Jail sentence by the High Court,  following his conviction for arson by the Kawambwa magistrates Court last month.

Kalemba

My advice to dictator Lungu

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My advice to dictator Lungu.

By John Hankwanga

IPS information desk matero constituency-youth.

As upnd youth in matero constituency,we wish to condemn in the strongest terms ,the evil ,wicked and destructive words uttered by the former head of state and PF President Mr Edgar .C. Lungu.

Mr Lungu while holding his meeting in Samfya in Luapula province  yesterday did incite civil servants to rise against the government.



In his direct words he said as quoted”if you do the right thing and you fired ,you will be re-instated and even more promoted,mean while if you are a problem will follow you in your homes and sort you out”.

These words are strong and destructive ,inciting government workers to rise against their employer is a crime. Therefore we would like to tell the PF President that inciting citizens to rise against the state is evil and should not be said and heard among us.

We have a law that governs elections in this country and a mandate is given to one ruling party that wins election to rule for a period not exceeding 5 years with concurrence for the second term, therefore the right channel is to wait until after 5 years to usher in a new leader,who I believe will still be his excellence the President of this republic Mr Hakainde Hichilema.

Mr Lungu should know that the President of this country is Mr Hakainde Hichilema and that he is committed to solving the matrix of problems that he himself created for the country.

He plunged this country into a huge debt, creating a messy we are in today.The same debt he  failed to restructure until the able leadership of Mr Hakainde Hichilema came in and restructured the debt.

Today both Mr Lungu and any other opposition leader is able to smile because of the methodical and meticulous way of doing things because of the visionary and good leadership in Mr Hichilema,KCM and MOPANI are back.

We thank the head of state for being so committed to making sure that there is a smile over the face of every Zambian.

The government the first of it’s kind has created jobs close to 100,000 in 3 years. Very remarkable and extraordinary milestone achieved in these few years and this should sink in the head of those inciting civil servants to rise against the state.

However Mr Lungu should realise that allowing him to hold a rally is not a weakness or his right because it’s not time for campaigns,it’s merely showcasing the strength of our democratic principles.

The freedom he is enjoying today should not be mistaken to a weakness by the head of state,and therefore should try by all means to restrain himself from speaking recklessly on public forums.

As a party especially in matero constituency,our call and stance is clear ,we will not allow distractors to influence our achievements and work so far,our support for our President his excellence Mr Hakainde Hichilema in unwavering and shall continue until we fulfill the vision of a better Zambia.

We are optimistic that no civil servant will be influenced by a frustrated loser of election in 2021 and that efforts to make things for Zambians better is our priority,thank you very much and God bless you all.

(C) WAGON MEDIA

ECL HAS NO AGENDA FOR THE PEOPLE OF ZAMBIA ; HE WILL NEVER CHANGE- Mark Simuuwe

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ECL HAS NO AGENDA FOR THE PEOPLE OF ZAMBIA ; HE WILL NEVER CHANGE

By Mark Simuuwe

I have always said it . Former President Edgar Lungu has no message for the people of Zambia .

Every time he is given an opportunity to speak , he rushes out to calling for removal of UPND from government without offering any solution to his own mess .

He literally has no agenda . What is his solution to economic woes which were triggered by himself like unemployment on Copperbelt which are now being addressed by revamped mines under the UPND leadership ?

You cannot have the people that closed mines thinking they can do better after their friends have revamped the mining sector.



You cannot have people who created a debt mountain thinking that they can run the country better now that Zambia is attractive for investors to come in after debt restructuring under HH’s leadership.

You cannot have people who thought it was impossible for anyone to bring free education , today telling the nation that they can do better in the education sector.

You cannot have people who scrapped – off students meal allowances because they had no clue on how to create money to pay students , today , think they can be different .

You cannot have people who are being caught with Ukwa bags full of money and losing properties think they can run the country better .

As Edgar Lungu once said , his motivation to come back to power is protection of his family and himself.

We cannot have someone who saw his leadership full of gassers , bloodshed , killed citizens in cold blood and divided the country on ethnic grounds think he has a solution to Zambia’s problems.

Many of us have not forgotten how ECL failed to run the councils across the country and how he failed to pay council workers 7-15 months salary  arrears , failed to pay TAZARA  retrenched workers , failed to pay TAZAMA ex-workers their dues , failed to pay farmers their money , failed to creates jobs for youths in education , health , engineering and other sectors , start thinking he now has better ideas which non of us have heard of .

Let him tell us what solutions he has today , which he never had when he ruled the country for about 7 years .

Ends //

YOU HAVE FAILED! IT’S THREE YEARS OF INCREASED DARKNESS – LUBINDA

YOU HAVE FAILED! IT’S THREE YEARS OF INCREASED DARKNESS – LUBINDA

PF Vice president Given Lubinda who also served as member of Parliament under UPND has described Hakainde Hichilema’s three years of total failure.

President Hakainde Hichilema who three years ago was sworn in as Zambia’s seventh president after several unsuccessful attempts had promised to fix the economy and make Zambia better.

With two years to the elections some of the key economic promises such as lowering price of fuel, mealie meal, loadsheding and making the Kwacha strong remain unattained.

Here is what Lubinda who also served as Minster in the previous administration has wrote about Hichilema’s three years in office.

The 3rd anniversary

Hon. Given Lubinda wrote;

Since that day, three years have passed
When glamour and splendour filled the air
Hereos stadium reverberating with funfair
At least three million holding dear their trust
that to a better Zambia, all you shall thrust.

You, gleefully turning your head left and right as the egret
When your supporters jeered and booed your predecessor without regret.

Thirty six months to yesterday
What for them do you have to say?
Besides clamouring for your prolonged stay
And you insatiable appetite for us to you to pray?

Fifty six and a hundred weeks ago
You spoke with such vigor
And referred to predecessors as all were on liquor
And you were the first on this tour

Brother, twenty four months ahead on this day
The Zambians will have decided how you to pay
For the the sixty months of your fray
If we make it to that day

No one to them will have to tell
How instead of paradise, for many a Zambian you made hell

Those whose lives you cut short
Either from sadism or hate so hot
And Kungo’s blood shall shout
Into heavens door to the Lord

Those whose careers you brought to naught
Simply because your lingua they speak not
Those whose businesses you ruined
Simply because on your ideas and style they frowned

Those whose freedom you curtailed
Simply because other political ideas they retailed
Those whom in incarceration for long you kept
All because human feelings were hate swept
Mumbi, Zimba, Patel, Nkoma, why me all wept

Oh! How you double abducted Jay
Not from home but from death bed to say

Others, regular victims of brutality and dehumanization you made
Mmembe, Nakachinda, Mwamba, Lusambo, Munir and many a mate

Those whose property you foreclosed
Simply because by your associates you were told

Indeed between now and then
You shall posture but in vain
Because thirty six months will not be outdone
By twenty four months with many of them having you under the sun
Pontificating and bragging over what only your heart will wish
And yet nothing that you will have kept on your leash

Million words you shall speak
Rumble, scramble and tremble
Because only the clean plate can squeak
As the greasy ones make trouble

No one shall have to remind them
That deceit in your political life is the theme
That self praise and self aggrandisement your regime
That through false promises you captured the youth
And yet when it all mattered they were of no use

Will they not remember how you often retort
When challenges of the country you fail to spot
“Twalikalapo kale akekala pesa?”
Reminding of MCS’ advisory support
“Umunthu uyuumfwa ichalo chila mu fwisa”

No one will belabour the point
That PanAfricanism you fought
That against all odds a foreign base you allowed
Which all your predecessors upon frowned
That your friends from the West you brought
To shore up their hold on Zambia’s resources of all sort
That tax holidays to them you gave
When against Zambians high taxes you drove
That the National Day of prayer you cursed
And yet with glee, church functions you graced.

Oh! how it shall be remembered
That your predecessor’s strategic food stock you dismembered
All for your insatiable appetite for cash
Which however only in offshore accounts you stash
Leaving Zambia to consume which to dogs is poison

Oh how not to be reminded
How many a Zambian firm you grounded
Increasing the cost of the basic need basket
Increasing the costs on which business is founded
Increasing the period of darkness
Sending energy to power your neighbours’ business
All because of your insatiable appetite for makwabo
They shall only stand aside and declare
“Chakulemena chibbuddu yebo”
And you will mistake for a snare
For you have always had paranoia

We all will remember words of the founder
“All are my children but one whose name is yonder
Shall divide the family!”

Oh how true the words of old:
“Umukulu Apusa akabwe
Tapusa a kebo”

Sean Tembo asks court to halt purchase of US$3.5million Zambeef Chiawa farm by Government- Sean Tembo

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DESPITE some of his cases having been thrown out by the courts in the past, it appears Patriots for Economic Progress president Sean Tembo is not deterred.

This time, the certified accountant is challenging the State’s decision to severally purchase 8,658 hectares of private land at a US$13.5million and wants purchase halted.

Mr Tembo wants the High Court to order that the purchase of the Zambeef Chiawa farm is unlawful, irrational and was made without following proper procedures, null and void.

He also seeks an order of mandamus compelling Attorney General and his client to re- evaluate the land acquisition process.

The politician who holds a Master of Business Administration Degree from the University of Derby, UK, wants the re-evaluation to be done conducting an independent valuation and ensuring adherence to public procurement laws and constitutional principles.

Mr Tembo also seeks an order of prohibition directed at the State and his client from proceeding with any further steps to finalize the land purchase, pending a review of the decision and adherence to all legal requirements.

In the lawsuit citing Attorney General (AG) Mulilo Kabesha as the respondent, the petitioner has applied for leave for judicial review of Government’s decision to buy the farm.

Mr Tembo submits that on August 10, 2024, he was watching the broadcast of the main news on the state owned Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation where it was announced under the heading ‘ ‘Govt acquires ZAMBEEF Chiawa farm’.

“Following the revelation that Government acquires the ZAMBEEF Chiawa farm, I chaired, as party president, an emergency national executive committee for party members.

“All members expressed concern over the procurement of the farmland by Government at a cost of US$13.5 million and resolved to legally challenge the sale”.

Mr Tembo submits that on August 13, 2024, he wrote a demand letter to the AG to seek that his client immediately halts the planned purchase of the Chiawa farm from Zambeef Plc at US$13.5 million and he failed to respond.

The applicant said after reading the Constitution, Public Procurement Act, the Lands Act and other laws, he believes Government’s decision to purchase the US$13.5million farm is ultra vires the pieces of law he read.

Mr Tembo believes that National Assembly of Zambia is responsible for appropriating funds for expenditure by state institutions and other bodies.

Government’s decision to spend public funds which have not been appropriated by Parliament is illegal and void, he submits.

(Mwebantu, Sunday, August 25th, 2024)

HICHILEMA IS A HIGH PRIEST OF TRIBELISM – M’MEMBE

HICHILEMA IS A HIGH PRIEST OF TRIBELISM – M’MEMBE

Fred M’membe also describes President Hakainde Hichilema as a radical tribelist who should be the last person to accuse others of tribalism.

Dr M’membe leader of the opposition Socialist Party has accused Hichilema of being a high priest of tribalism.

“And why does Mr Hichilema see tribe in all he does? Why is tribe so important for him? Why is he swift to spot tribalism in others when he is the high priest or apostle of tribalism? For Mr Hichilema, it seems that practising tribalism in the manner he does is not wrong, but pointing it out is a crime of hate speech or inciting tribal war. And so far, it seems only people from one side of the country are tribal, no wonder they are being arrested, prosecuted, and imprisoned for tribal hate speech or inciting tribal war. Why?” Dr M’membe wrote in his article reacting to President Hichilema accusing the people of Luapula of being tribal.

Dr M’membe analysing election results from 2001 to 2021 observes that the voting pattern in Southern Province has been tribal inclined as compared to Luapula.

He has charged that Hichilema must be the last person to talk about tribalism.

“Mr Hichilema is a hardcore tribalist and should be the last person to insinuate that he cares for this country and its tribes, and therefore, would want to maintain the peace and unity we have enjoyed for almost 60 years now, because his deeds, which seem deliberate by the way, point in the opposite direction,” Dr M’membe said. “We want to place it on record that there is nothing peaceful and unifying about the method Mr Hichilema is governing this country today.”

Below is the article by Dr M’membe a Journalist turned politician:

HICHILEMA IS LYING; ABENA LUAPULA ARE NOT TRIBALISTS

Mr Hakainde Hichilema was last Saturday in the Chiengi district of Luapula Province attending the Builile traditional ceremony. Whilst there, Mr Hichilema is quoted to have said that Luapula Province has been lagging behind because the people of that region had from time immemorial been promoting their tribesmen to be presidents of the country, and that political fights and tribalism had negated the economic progression in the region.

This interpretation of our country’s political history is factually incorrect and twisted. It is a well-known fact that out of the seven presidents that have ruled Zambia, only Mr Fredrick Chiluba originated from Luapula. Therefore, how can Mr Hichilema allege that people from Luapula only promote their tribesmen to be presidents? And how can Mr Hichilema accuse people from Luapula of tribalism when an assessment of the presidential elections results for Luapula and Southern provinces between 2006 and 2021 indicate a contradictory outlook.

For example, in 2006 presidential elections, Southern Province gave Mr Hichilema (UPND) who hails from there 279,329 votes against 8,234 votes from Luapula Province, Mr Levy Mwanawasa (MMD) who came from Copperbelt and Central provinces polled 70,901 votes from Southern Province and 64,936 votes in Luapula Province, Mr Michael Sata (PF) who hailed from Northern Province then polled 13,559 votes from Southern Province against 118,901 votes in Luapula Province). And in the 2008 presidential elections, following the death of Mr Mwanawasa, Southern Province gave Mr Hichilema (UPND) 266,754 votes against 1,758 votes from Luapula Province, Mr Rupiah Banda (MMD) who hailed from Eastern Province polled 71,519 votes from Southern Province and 47,289 votes in Luapula Province, and Mr Sata (PF) got 24,609 from Southern Province and 151,822 votes from Luapula Province.

Further, in the 2011 presidential elections, Mr Hichilema polled 181,094 votes in Southern Province against 1,588 votes in Luapula Province, Mr Banda got 51,550 votes from Southern Province and 32,552 votes from Luapula Province, and Mr Sata polled 11,779 votes from Southern Province and 100,301 votes in Luapula Province. In the 2015 presidential elections following the death of Mr Sata, Mr Hichilema polled 272,182 votes in Southern Province against 10,493 votes in Luapula Province, Mr Edgar Lungu, who hails from Eastern Province had 20,937 votes from Southern Province and 81,289 votes from Luapula Province. Mr Daniel Pule, who hails from Luapula Province, got 137 votes in Southern Province and 493 votes in Luapula Province. While in the 2016 presidential elections, Mr Hichilema got 527,893 votes in Southern Province and 35,929 votes in Luapula Province against Mr Lungu’s 42,907 votes in Southern Province and 205,770 votes in Luapula Province. Then, in the 2021 presidential elections, Mr Hichilema polled 601,998 in Southern Province and 119,550 votes in Luapula Province against Mr Lungu’s 36,255 votes in Southern Province and 233,129 votes in Luapula Province.

With this evidence, is it fair for Mr Hichilema to accuse the people of Luapula of practising tribal politics? why is it so hard for Mr Hichilema to admit that the Southern Province has been voting on tribal lines since 2001? Why does he live in denial? Why is Mr Hichilema so deceptive?

It just doesn’t end here. What tribalism can Mr Hichilema blame on the people of Luapula when they have accepted and respected culture by totally submitting to certain traditional authorities in the province whose ethnic descent are from regions outside Luapula, the Southern Province to be specific. These people have magnanimously embraced these traditional authorities with the highest form of customary recognition and respect and are today living peacefully and happily together as one people. Are these the people Mr Hichilema can boldly accuse of tribalism? This is not fair. Mr Hichilema has gone too far with his divisiveness.

And why does Mr Hichilema see tribe in all he does? Why is tribe so important for him? Why is he swift to spot tribalism in others when he is the high priest or apostle of tribalism? For Mr Hichilema, it seems that practising tribalism in the manner he does is not wrong, but pointing it out is a crime of hate speech or inciting tribal war. And so far, it seems only people from one side of the country are tribal, no wonder they are being arrested, prosecuted, and imprisoned for tribal hate speech or inciting tribal war. Why?

We have said it before, when it comes to discussing tribalism and national unity, Mr Hichilema is not the right candidate to lecture the country. And certainly, his lying lips are not the finest to make such declarations about tribalism and national unity. Mr Hichilema is a hardcore tribalist and should be the last person to insinuate that he cares for this country and its tribes, and therefore, would want to maintain the peace and unity we have enjoyed for almost 60 years now, because his deeds, which seem deliberate by the way, point in the opposite direction. We want to place it on record that there is nothing peaceful and unifying about the method Mr Hichilema is governing this country today. 

Indeed, tribalism and national unity must be addressed, but not in a one-sided manner. It must be addressed both in speech and deeds.

We also advise Mr Hichilema to humble himself and respect all traditional leadership in this country. We say so because he has ignited too many fires with several traditional authorities countrywide. So many palaces have a story or two to tell over his uncultured demeanour, arrogance, and pomposity. Mr Hichilema must remember that presidents come and go, but the institution of traditional leadership is permanent.

Let Mr Hichilema respect all the chiefs of this country and fix all broken relationships. He knows those he has offended.

Fred M’membe
President of the Socialist Party

Kennedy family criticises RFK Jr after he dropped out of presidential race and endorses Trump

Robert F Kennedy, nephew of assassinated former president John F Kennedy (JFK) and the son of Bobby Kennedy, who was killed while running for the White House, has thrown his support behind Republican nominee Donald Trump, promoting criticism from his own family.

The Kennedy family said Robert F. Kennedy Jr’s endorsement of Donald Trump in the US presidential race, was a “betrayal” of their values.

Kennedy, also known as RFK Jr, announced he was suspending his independent campaign for the presidency to lend his support to the Republican candidate in certain states.

“In about 10 battleground states where my presence would be a spoiler, I’m going to remove my name, and I’ve already started the process,”
Kennedy said during a news conference in Arizona.

RFK Jr, whose father Robert F Kennedy was assassinated as he ran for president back in 1968, said the Democratic Party was no longer “champions of the constitution” and had departed “dramatically” from the “core values” he grew up with.

Kennedy, 70, cited free speech, the war in Ukraine and “a war on our children” as among the reasons he would try to remove his name from the ballot in battleground states.

“These are the principal causes that persuaded me to leave the Democratic Party and run as an independent, and now to throw my support to President Trump,” he said.

RFK Jr hit out at the media and the Democrats during his announcement, while saying his campaign team had “pulled off a miracle” by making him a presidential candidate.

“You showed everyone democracy is still possible here,” he said. “Today I’m here to tell you I will not allow your efforts to go to waste.”

Kennedy added he believed that in an “honest system” he would have won the election.

In response to RFK Jr’s announcement, his brothers and sisters shared a statement, saying: “We want an America filled with hope and bound together by a shared vision of a brighter future, a future defined by individual freedom, economic promise and national pride.

“We believe in Harris and Walz.

“Our brother Bobby’s decision to endorse Trump today is a betrayal of the values that our father and our family hold most dear.

“It is a sad ending to a sad story.”

Trump, who is running for president for a third time after a successful and an unsuccessful bid in 2016 and 2020 respectively, reacted to the endorsement saying: “It’s an honour”.

Former England footballer, Jermaine Jenas admits sending inappropriate texts to women at the BBC

Jermaine Jenas has admitted to sending “inappropriate messages” to women after he was sacked by the BBC.

The former England footballer worked as a pundit on Match Of The Day and was a co-host of The One Show before his BBC contract was terminated over allegations about his behaviour.

In an interview with The Sun on Friday, August 23, Jenas insisted “nothing physical ever happened” but confessed to “cheating” on his wife.

He said: “I’m not proud of what I wrote and what I said. This is all on me and I fully accept there is a level of responsibility that needs to be upheld when you’re a member of the BBC.”

Jenas insisted “I did nothing illegal” and argued the messages were with “two consenting adults”. “With one she made it clear she was interested,” he added.

Apologising to his family, friends and colleagues, the 41-year-old married father-of-four said: “I have let myself down, my family, friends, and colleagues down, and I owe everyone an apology – especially the women with whom I was messaging. I am so, so sorry.”

He added: “I think it would be fair to say I have a problem. I know I self-sabotage and have a self-destructive streak when it comes to my relationship especially, and I know I need help. And I am getting help.

“I have made a lot of mistakes, and I am asking myself a lot of questions at the moment. I know there’s a lot of work that needs to be done, and it will be hard.”

Jenas told The Sun he was sacked by the BBC on Monday, five days after the initial HR consultation process into his behaviour began. He also said he lied to his wife Ellie as he tried to “find a way out of this mess”.

He continued to stress he was unhappy with how the broadcaster handled his dismissal and claimed he was fired over a video call while on a family holiday with Ellie and their three children.

“You’re having to sit there and listen to what you’ve said,” he said. “I’m not proud of anything.

“It’s embarrassing, and obviously there’s four people there on a Zoom call, basically, just listening to all of this, and reading out my messages.”
He added however that “I have only myself to blame,” and said: “I’m the married one, I’m at fault, and I was sort of playing this blame game in my head.”

The former Newcastle and Tottenham player also told The Sun he had seen his doctor before the claims against him emerged and he had started therapy “to try and address these issues, where they stem from, and why I have been doing this”.

He insisted however it “was not the case” that he sent any sexual images or videos, and said: “I feel people don’t know the truth and are forming opinions about me that aren’t accurate.”

Chamisa was bribed by Zanu-PF claim rubbished

Nelson Chamisa, the former leader of Zimbabwe’s Citizens’ Coalition for Change (CCC) party, has dismissed threats from his critics to expose his alleged underhand dealings, declaring that he has “nothing to hide.”

The comments come after one of Chamisa’s major social media apologists, known as “Skilled Rebhara,” jokingly told the former opposition leader on the X platform, “Resign or I will expose you.”

In response, Chamisa asserted that his life is an “open book” and that he is unafraid of any potential revelations. He wrote:

“I’m an open book. I have nothing to hide. I live narrow and straight. I seek peace not war. I speak love not hate! The future is happiness!

Advocate Thabani Mpofu, a close colleague of Chamisa, has challenged those who have accused the latter of being bribed by the ruling Zanu-PF party to weaken the opposition in Zimbabwe.

Mpofu has directly addressed Chamisa’s critics, demanding that they present evidence to substantiate their claims of Zanu-PF bribery.

Chamisa’s lawyer said, “The claim that Nelson Chamisa was bribed by Zanu-PF to compromise the opposition’s efforts is a baseless and orchestrated smear campaign, concocted in the corridors of Jongwe House, and is aimed at consolidating ZANU’s hold on power.

“This allegation doesn’t even originate from third-wayists (who as we now know are spineless and tactless critics), as it serves no purpose other than to bolster ZANU’s interests.

“Those who peddle this falsehood must either produce concrete evidence or be exposed as ZANU apologists, deserving of scrutiny and criticism.

“We can’t go on like this. If anyone has any evidence on Chamisa let them produce it or forever hold their peace.

Prominent political analyst and academic Ibbo Mandaza recently taken aim at Chamisa, lambasting him for his apparent “inaction” and his frequent use of the phrase “God is in it” on social media.

In his scathing critique, Mandaza bluntly told Chamisa to step away from opposition politics and allow other willing candidates the opportunity to lead. He wrote:

“Go with your GodIsInIt and leave opposition politics now to allow a new leadership. As I have stated before, you have served the State well by systematically demobilising the masses a damn disgrace for which you will pay dearly… Declare your departure or we expose you.

Bolt acts to halt Nigeria-South Africa ‘taxi-war’

Online taxi firm Bolt has restricted “inter-country” requests between Nigeria and South Africa after the two countries’ social media rivalry reached an all-time high – or low – with people booking and then canceling rides in the other nation as a prank.

The drivers were pawns in this malicious game as they were sent on a wild goose chase to find passengers who weren’t even in the same country.

Munyaradzi Chinyama, a Zimbabwean Bolt driver based in Cape Town, told the BBC he received three ride requests before he realised they were not genuine. He said he wasted a lot of fuel, time and money.

Bolt told the BBC it had identified and blocked users participating in this cruel game.

“We understand the impact this situation has had on our driver-partners in Nigeria and South Africa,” it said in a statement.

It said inter-country requests would still work between other countries.
Mr Chinyama told the BBC he had been inundated with insulting messages through the Bolt messaging feature that connects drivers with passengers.

He said he was called various names, including “Mandela’s son”.

It is unclear how this “Bolt war” started but social media users in sub-Saharan Africa’s two biggest economies have a long history of trolling each other.

“When I’m bored, I request [Bolt] in Nigeria, akere their brothers are disrespecting us,” one user said on X on Tuesday. This seems to have set off the chain of events and Nigerians swiftly retaliated.

A disgruntled Nigerian driver based in Kano told the BBC he received an order for an airport trip from an international number but the person didn’t show up.

“I tried calling and calling but they didn’t answer. Then they cancelled the trip,” he said.

He said he wasn’t the only victim. Many of his colleagues faced similar issues.
Some social media users rallied behind the drivers, saying they were just trying to make a living.

“Uber and Bolt drivers are just trying to make ends meet. They aren’t on Twitter trolling anyone. They are literally trying to earn an honest living. Please leave them alone. And I’m talking to both sides,” one X user wrote.

A second person said: “The bolt challenge is paining me because it’s innocent and hardworking people on both sides that are suffering for the wickedness and thoughtlessness of other people. Really unfair.”

In Nigeria, fuel prices have rocketed in recent months. Many drivers would have wasted scarce fuel picking up non-existent customers.

The “Bolt-war” also reportedly caused prices to surge in both countries, leaving many people stranded as they couldn’t afford to pay for their rides.

South Africans and Nigerians often lock horns on social media.
They rowed most recently over the Miss South Africa controversy which saw a half-Nigerian contestant step down following xenophobic abuse.

The two African heavyweights have also pitted their popstars Tyla and Arya Starr against one another and exchanged insults over their national football teams.