THE UPND/ZAMBIA POLICE ALLIANCE WILL DESTROY HICHILEMA

The ridiculous, cheap, and archaic methods applied by the UPND to win yesterday’s deputy mayoral elections in Kitwe and Ndola serve as a template for the 2026 general elections.

A blatant and gigantic electoral fraud took place yesterday when the Zambia Police, clearly working in collaboration with the UPND and the Copperbelt provincial administration moved in to detain the Ndola mayor and two councillors in Kitwe in order to reduce the PF numbers in the two council chambers.

As expected, the UPND won the elections in both councils by a single vote. If they can be this brazen and desperate now, what will prevent them from arresting and detaining parliamentary and presidential candidates in the 2026 general elections on nomination day?

In Mkushi, the UPND unleashed its cadres to beat up their own councillors whom they accused of voting with the PF, which resulted in them losing the Mkushi council elections. The Mkushi defeat was too embarrassing to stomach because it is believed that some of their own councillors, including three traditional leaders that sit in the council, voted against the UPND candidate hence the violence.

But what is even more shocking about the UPND is the level of self-deception and lack of shame or restraint in whatever they do. They’re an extremely primitive, shameless clique and are brutal in their desperate pursuit of power and control. So, after applying ridiculous, cheap, and archaic methods to win yesterday’s council elections in Kitwe and Ndola, you will see them even congratulating themselves and celebrating the victory, a fraudulent victory for that matter. The UPND are very abnormal in the way they do things!

Evidently, these elections are testing Mr Hakainde Hichilema’s commitment to upholding democratic standards and decent political contests. But we have said it before that Mr Hichilema is a coward. He can never subject himself to a free and fair election contest. That is why he has coopted the Zambia Police, which is currently under the worst high command in the history of this country to manipulate elections with him.

They have disastrously failed to deliver on their campaign promises as well as marshal sufficient political support to guarantee their re-election in 2026. So, they’ve formed the UPND/Zambia Police Alliance to boost their chances of returning power, but it won’t work. With or without the UPND/Zambia Police Alliance, Mr Hichilema is leaving office in 2026.

As for the Zambian people, we would like to caution them to brace themselves for the worst elections ever in 2026 because of the shameless and undemocratic nature of Mr Hichilema and the UPND. These people are determined maim, injure, and if possible, even kill just for votes! To them, an election mean war.

But Mr Hichilema must not cheat himself that he will thrust himself on the people by abusing the police, judiciary, and the Electoral Commission of Zambia because that will be fearlessly resisted. They will be confronted and defeated with unseen before courage and determination together with the state institutions they’ve compromised and recruited in their scheme for 2026.

As the Socialist Party, we sincerely believe that the best way to choose leaders is definitely through elections. However, we would like to remind Mr Hichilema and all the state institutions that have hired themselves to ruling elite, lost credibility, and are now being used to destroy our democracy that history has shown that once elections become less and less credible, people turn to themselves for redemption because elections are not the only way of choosing leaders. People can choose leaders in many other ways if elections completely lose credibility.

The rapid shrinking democratic space and wanton abuse of the police and other state institutions by Mr Hichilema is nothing but a recipe for disaster. For instance, Mr Hichilema has been holding meetings and rallies from the time he ascended to power in 2021, while no opposition leaders are allowed to do the same. You cannot have a situation where opposition political parties cannot even hold the smallest of meetings. And you want them to participate in an election? Even in cases where they participate in elections, you unleash violence, the police and state machinery on them. What type of democracy is this? What type of desperation is this?

This dangerous path Zambia, under Mr Hichilema, has taken will lead to serious problems in the 2026 general elections. Mr Hichilema is already campaigning for 2026, but we are not allowed to do the same. The UPND, with the help of the police has been perpetrating violence against the opposition political parties, but the opposition parties are not allowed to defend themselves.

Again, when all state institutions that exist to protect our democracy and people fail, people turn to themselves and look at what they can do for themselves. That is certainly not a recipe for good governance and stability. It’s a recipe for instability anarchy.

Mr Hichilema and his corrupt tribal puppet regime must tone down and allow democracy to flourish. They found this democracy and they shall definitely leave it.

Fred M’membe
President of the Socialist Party

NELLY MUTTI, TWO DEPUTIES, IG GRAPHEL MUSAMBA ARE A BIG THREAT TO OUR PEACE AND UNITY – UMODZI KUMAWA

In a shocking display of partisanship and regional bias, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon Nelly Mutti State Counsel, and her Deputies have shown a clear disregard for the principles of fairness, impartiality, good governance and democracy. We have also noted that this politically compromised behavior has been mirrored by the conduct of the Zambia Police IG and some of his officers.

As UMODZI KUM’MAWA, also known as KUM’MAWA DEVELOPMENT COALITION (KDC), vehemently denounces and condemns their unprofessional behavior in all strongest terms as this now undermines Zambia’s constitutional rule system, good governance, national unity and democracy. Hence, we loudly call urgent reforms in terms of top personnel or an immediate change in their approach.

It is disheartening to witness the treatment of opposition Members of Parliament, who have been silenced, interrupted, chased out of the house, and unjustly suspended for unreasonable periods. Within two weeks, three honorable parliamentarians, Hon Brian MUNDUBILE, Hon Emmanuel Jay BANDA, and Hon Jean CHISENGA, all hailing from the Eastern and Northern blocs have been served with 30-day unfair suspensions purely for political reasons. This pattern of unfair and unjust treatment towards opposition members, particularly those from the Eastern and Northern regions is utterly unacceptable and a threat to national unity, democracy and human rights.

We also want to remind the Speaker and her Deputies that their partisan stance, especially their biased behavior towards opposition members, sets a dangerous precedent for the integrity of Parliament. We regret to confirm that, in our eyes, it is clear that the principles of neutrality and impartiality, which should guide their actions, seem to have completely vanished into partisan politics. As we speak, the Speaker and her Deputies must know that many Zambians now believe that they have reduced our respected house to a ruling party legislative committee. This must stop immediately!

In like manner, KUM’MAWA Development Coalition, also known as UMODZI KUM’MAWA, strongly condemns the biased behavior exhibited by the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Graphel Musamba and his officers recently. As a public officer responsible for ensuring the safety and security of all citizens without political bias, his selective justice is now becoming both unacceptable and unbearable.

We highlight specific instances where constitutional meetings, such as those held by Ndola and Kitwe City councils, have been marred by disruptions caused by the Inspector General’s officers. It is evident that these disruptions were fueled by the Ruling UPND through the inspector General of Police based on the desire to prevent candidates affiliated with the Patriotic Front (PF) from winning positions as Deputy Mayors. This flagrant disregard for the law is a clear case of breaking regulations with impunity.

Moreover, we raise concerns over the reluctance of police officers in arresting or charging members of the United Party for National Development (UPND), even when evidence of wrongdoing is present. One such instance is when renowned musician Bflow was attacked by known UPND cadres. Similar incidents occurred when Beene Hachoombwa, a UPND member was assaulted in Kanyama. Therefore, we urge the Inspector General to address this bias and implement fair enforcement of the law as his actions now undermine national unity, peace, human rights and democracy.

UMODZI KUM’MAWA warns Mr. Graphel Musamba that he must urgently rectify this behavior. Failure to cleanse himself of partisan tendencies will undoubtedly result in the diminishing credibility of his position as Inspector General of Police and the integrity of the police service in Zambia. It is crucial that he upholds his duty to serve all citizens impartially and protect their constitutional rights and freedoms.

Lastly, we want to emphasize that Democracy in our nation now hangs by a thread of the partisan and politically biased behaviors of the Speaker and her two deputies. As KDC, we strongly feel it is imperative that the Speaker of the National Assembly and her Deputies as well as the Police IG and his officers mend their ways before irreparable damage is done. The time for change is now, and UMODZI KUM’MAWA will be at the forefront of this fight to uphold the Zambian principles of democracy, fairness, constitutionalism, national unity and equality for all citizens.

Umodzi Kum’mawa Development Coalition (KDC) aims to strategically advance development programs for the people of Eastern Province in the broader context for the modernization and development of Zambia by advocating and defending for their interests and rights in all sectors. The coalition recognizes that the region has abundant natural resources and the local people must always be engaged and prioritized to discover and actualize their full developmental potential just like other Zambians elsewhere.

Chanoda Ngwira F
SPOKESPERSON

LUNGU SHOULD LEARN FROM RB

. . . Instead of agitating an uprising against HH

By KENNEDY LIMWANYA

On March 11, 2024, the Zambian people commemorated two years since the passing on of Zambia’s fourth president Rupiah Banda who presided over the country’s affairs from November 1 2008 to September 23, 2011.

Looking back at how the late former president conducted himself after losing the September 2011 presidential election to Mr Michael Sata of the Patriotic Front (PF), I often wonder whether it was because he had a good team around him in the Office of the Fourth President or he was simply a diplomat.

Working with Mr Banda in the office of the Fourth President, we tried the best we could to ensure that we preserved his public image.

That side, Mr Banda had others outside our office who could offer timely advice to him and this was one of the reasons we tried to concentrate more on international politics, election observation missions in particular.

Although losing the 2011 presidential election to Mr Sata was not a good thing at all to him, he had accepted the people’s choice and, thereafter, ensured that he did not criticise his successor openly.

Just from Mr Banda’s concession speech on Friday, September 23, 2011, one could tell that he was a leader who meant well for the person who had defeated him.

The following words particularly stand out:
I urge you all now to rally behind your new president. Yes, we may have different ideas but we both want the same thing – a better Zambia.

We should all want Zambia to flourish. So, I congratulate Michael Sata on his victory. I have no ill feeling in my heart, there is no malice in my words. I wish him well in his years as president.
But now it is time for me to step aside. Now is the time for a new leader.

About 18 months later, Mr Banda would be invited by the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa to be the keynote speaker at an international conference on presidential run-off elections at the Kenyatta University School of Law in Nairobi on 14 January 2013.

Among the things he spoke about was on why he had accepted defeat to Mr Sata instead of disputing the election results.

“I felt a bigger responsibility to my country to uphold Zambia’s record of peace, stability and democracy. It was more important to me to preserve peace and avoid unrest in my country,” Mr Banda said.

A month earlier, the Millennium Excellence Foundation had honoured Mr Banda with the 2012 Lifetime Africa Achievement award, a recognition of individuals who had selflessly devoted themselves to bringing about change in the lives of Africans within a given decade.

At that event held at Kenyatta International Conference Centre in Nairobi, Kenyan vice-president Kalonzo Musyoka had the following words to say about Mr Banda regarding the way he had handled his presidential defeat in 2011:

“As Africans, we are proud of you President Banda. You were commander-in chief in your country and you could have easily disputed the results of the elections. I wish many African leaders could listen to you and realise that even after losing elections, you can be great.”

From Mr Banda’s concession speech, there is something for former president Edgar Lungu to learn from.

The words “I urge you all now to rally behind your new president” are what is expected from Mr Lungu instead of agitating an unconstitutional uprising against a legally elected government led by President Hakainde Hichilema who has a five-year mandate ending in August 2026.

The words “I wish him [Sata] well in his years as president” are what Mr Lungu should be telling the Zambian people instead of wishing President Hichilema a forced hand-over of power to whoever the former president is imagining.

The words “it was more important to me to preserve peace and avoid unrest in my country” should ring in Mr Lungu’s ears instead of looking forward to unrest.

Former Kenyan vice-president Musyoka’s words- “even after losing elections, you can be great”- should remind Mr Lungu about doing something that could distinguish him as a former president instead of dancing to the tune of his hangers-on.

Mr Lungu must realise that the immunity against criminal prosecution that he enjoys only covers offences that he may have committed during his time as president.
Breaking the law now would end up in an arrest and criminal prosecution which could lead to imprisonment.

Those who have been cheering as he makes irresponsible statements would not be there to serve a jail term with him.

As a former president, Mr Lungu is not an ordinary person and commands a sizeable following among Zambian citizens.
He must, therefore, be very careful with statements that are evidently meant at inciting an insurrection against a democratically-elected government.

If there are any people anywhere who genuinely love Mr Lungu and not those whose brains are in their stomachs, they should advise him to be extremely careful with his statements.

Mr Lungu, with his record of having presided over a barbaric, brutal and ruthless regime, should be the last person to criticise a government that has irritatingly tolerated his rantings for far too long.

The author is a former deputy administrative assistant in the Office of the Fourth President and once served as chief analyst for press and public relations at State House under President Rupiah Banda’s administration.

CREDIT: Fyambe Media

UKA GOES BEGGING FOR MONEY TO PAY “INSOLENT” MAMBILIMA MP

TO reward Mambilima PF member of parliament Jean Chisenga for misbehaving in Parliament when she put up an act of reckless bravado to label President Hakainde Hichilema as a liar, members of the UKA say they will foot her salary through begging.

On March 15, 2024, Chisenga screeched “ba President Mwacilamo ubufi” as President Hichilema exited Parliament after an address on the application of national values and principles.

Chisenga’s scream caught the attention of the Head of State who stopped and chatted with her briefly.

However, Muchinga constituency independent member of parliament Emmanuel Banda felt Chisenga should be punished for shouting at the President and lodged a complaint against her on March 18.

In an exculpatory letter to the National Assembly on March 25, Chisenga said she heckled at President Hichilema because he has not delivered on any of his campaign promises.

For her incivility, Chisenga was yesterday handed a 30-day suspension from Parliament by first deputy speaker Malungo Chisangano, who ordered her to exit the chamber by taking a walk of shame.

“Your conduct, which caused disorder during the address by the President, was unjustified and unbefitting of a member of parliament,” said Chisangano.

“I now order you, Ms Jean Chisenga MP, to leave the chamber through the main entrance of the chamber on 30 days suspension as resolved by the House from today, Thursday, 28th March 2024 to Friday, 26th April 2024.”

However, the United Kwacha Alliance (UKA) has indicated that Chisenga will not feel the pain of losing out on a salary and sitting allowances because its members will give pittance to her as a reward for her ‘bravery’

According to UKA media chairperson Saboi Imboela, about K5, 000 has been fundraised towards Chisenga’s monthly parliamentary income.

She pleaded with supporters to donate any amount in New Heritage Party (NHP) president Chishala Kateka’s mobile money account.

While Imboela was making an announcement to seek alms, Chisenga went to pay homage to her master, Edgar Lungu, who hyped her for being “the talk of town” for her malfeasance.

Kalemba

Yes, NHIMA belongs to MOH – Dr Chitalu Chilufya

…That’s the original design

Lusaka—Friday, March 29th 2024

SMART EAGLES

Former Minister of Health in the Patriotic Front, PF, government, Dr. Chitalu Chilufya says the UPND government is on firm ground in its decision to move the National Health Insurance Scheme, NHIMA, from the Ministry of Labor and Social Services back to the Ministry of Health.

Dr. Chilufya says the move constitutes the initial step needed to realign NHIMA to its original design and purpose as an innovative health care financing strategy and a tool that must lead towards the achievement of Universal Health Coverage, UHC.

“NHIMA is a robust, resilient, and sustainable tool to finance health services for all, leaving no one behind. It’s a vital pillar in any functional and well-structured national health system that targets UHC”, Dr. Chilufya says.

The former Health Minister and Member of Parliament for Mansa Central Constituency says NHIMA was structured to forge important significant synergies with the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency, ZAMMSA, and other departments and directorates with the capacity to audit and ensure quality public health and clinical care for citizens. For this reason, Dr. Chilufya says NHIMA must be domiciled under the Ministry of Health where it may be supported by health-related legislation such as the National Health Insurance, NHIS, Act.

Now that NHIMA is where it rightly belongs, Dr. Chilufya says the urgent imperative of the moment is to improve service delivery in all public health institutions to assure high quality health care services for all and as close as possible to where they may be. He says all medicines must be available in public health pharmacies and dispensaries so that members of the public are not referred out with prescriptions.

Furthermore, the Mansa lawmaker says laboratory and diagnostic services need urgent attention while keeping the relevant equipment in a functional state so that they may undertake a comprehensive scope of investigations in line with the level of accreditation of the various facilities. For this task to be accomplished successfully, Dr. Chilufya says laboratories must be restocked with reagents.

In addition, the former Minister says there is need to strengthen leadership and governance for Universal Healthcare at NHIMA. “We must continuously review the benefit package to align with our epidemiological profile, primary health care priorities and a deliberate bias towards public facilities”, he says.

He suggests the need to relaunch the registration drive using community structures under the Ministry of Health and its partner ministries. He also says there is need to ensure solvency of the fund by reviewing contributory rates and the claims being paid by NHIMA. This way, Dr. Chilufya says NHIMA will adequately supplement finance of public health institutions through claims while private facilities will complement access to health services.

“NHIMA must ease public health care financing to ensure health services reach the young, the old, non-employed, the employed, the retired and the old and vulnerable people. Anything deviant runs counter to the intention NHIMA was promulgated and flies in the face of the National Health Insurance Act No 2 of 2018”, Dr. Chilufya observes.

Since Zambia returned to multiparty democracy in 1991, successive governments have attempted to introduce health insurance in the country. However, it was in 2018, when Dr. Chilufya was Minister of Health when the NHIMA became a reality supported by an act of parliament.

In October of 2021, the UPND government moved NHIMA from the Ministry of Health to the Ministry of Labor arguing that it was a social security issue. However, last year, the government rescinded the decision and began the process of returning the scheme back to the Ministry of Health where it originally sat.

WHY PRESIDENT HICHILEMA ADVOCATING FOR CONSTITUTION AMENDMENT….

at this stage, we should hear more meetings to strategize how we are going to navigate through this climate change we are experiencing and come up with serious solutions to curb the high cost of living unlike advocating for constitution and statutes amendment.

Why is that only politicians are the ones with appetite to push an agenda for constitution and statutes amendment and reforms?

To be honest, we don’t have any lacunas in our constitution and statutes the so called lacunas just exist in the minds of our selfish leaders and not in our laws. In as far as human beings lives we will never have the best law, what we need is leadership with sober character who can take responsibility.

Before thinking about constitution and statute amendment leaders must amend and restructure their minds and perceptions in order to come to terms with reliaty. So far the constitution has got nothing to hinder us to think properly, and channel our resources into good use.

Because no matter how many times we amend our constitution and statutes, without our selfish leaders changing their mind and perceptions nothing will change in our country, even without the law leaders ought to do the right thing and prioritize the interests of the people.

Parliament where MPs should debate real issues, concerning the developmental agenda of this great republic has turned into a battle field, fighting personal battles.

Due to pettiness and childish behavior of the speakers also the voice President who happens to be the leader of business in the house. People did not vote for arrogance, pettiness and that childishness we are seeing in the house Noo.

It’s high time we sober up as a country to change the narrative of this country, and that can only happen if we have harmony in parliament to allow members of parliament to deliberate issues that will bring development being their sole responsibility.

In conclusion we need leaders with sober character and clear intent, to putting the interests of this country first doing the right thing even when on one is seeing them.

Simpamba Abraham
Together We Can
Ichalo Bantu!

PARLIAMENT IN ERROR: CHISENGA’S SUSPENSION CAN’T BE JUSTIFIED

The suspension of Mambilima PF Member of Parliament Jean Chisenga from Parliament for 30 days is drastic, biased, unjustified and exposes the presiding officers’ deliberate intent to undermine the principle of separation of powers by misusing the rules of the House to bully non-ruling party legislators.

This week, first deputy Speaker Attractor Chisangano suspended Chisenga from attending any parliamentary proceedings for 30 days. This was after Muchinga Member of Parliament Emmanuel Banda had raised a complaint against Chisenga accusing her of placing the House into disrepute and disrespecting Mr Hakainde Hichilema.

On March 15, 2024 after Mr Hichilema’s national address, Chisenga was heard shouting at Mr Hichilema as he walked out of the House: “Ba kateka ubufi bwachilamo [Mr President, the lies are too much]”. This prompted Mr Hichilema to walk back and speak to Chisenga briefly. In her exculpatory letter, Chisenga denied the accusations, stating that the alleged misconduct happened after Mr Hichilema had addressed the House.

But in her ruling, Chisangano insisted that the President’s address was an auspicious occasion that required members to be dignified and respectful.

“I find that the conduct of the member did not only show disrespect to the President but also demeaned the decorum of the House. The behaviour was unjustified and unbefitting of the Member of Parliament. This is a House of honour, decorum, and dignity. I will not tolerate gross misconduct and indiscipline,” she said.

According to Chisangano, Chisenga was unjustified and disrespectful in calling out Mr Hichilema over his lies and dishonest conduct. We wonder how else Chisangano expected Chisenga to define Mr Hichilema’s conduct, which is now a widely known fact – every Zambian knows that Mr Hichilema is a liar. He lies effortlessly and unapologetically. Again, Chisangano speaks about Parliament being a “House of honour, decorum and dignity” and that she “will not tolerate gross misconduct and indiscipline”. What honour? Lies, injustice, bias!

The biggest culprit in desecrating these virtues emphasised by Chisangano is Mr Hichilema himself, whose lies, deceit, and fabrications are unrestrained irrespective of the audience and place, including Parliament. It is Mr Hichilema whose conduct is unjustified and unbefitting. It is Mr Hichilema who dishonours the decorum and dignity of the House through his continuous lies and deceit.

Chisenga tapali efyo alufyenye. She was merely relating Mr Hichilema to what he actually is. Chisenga was exercising her right to freedom of speech in the National Assembly. She posed no threat to Mr Hichilema’s security, and there was no disruption to the proceedings caused in any way. Everything occurred after Mr Hichilema had already completed his national address.

Therefore, Chisenga’s suspension is a highly drastic measure and has no rational basis whatsoever. This suspension and many other similar infringements on the rights and freedoms of non UPND legislators we have seen so far, are unfortunately, signaling that these decisions are motivated by political considerations to shut critical voices in Parliament and ultimately shield the Executive from legitimate criticism.

In this regard, the Speaker and her subordinate presiding officers have shown beyond any reasonable doubt that they’re resolved to undermine the principle of separation of powers by misusing the rules of the House to silence, intimidate and victimise non UPND parliamentarians. This is undemocratic, unacceptable, and must be stopped.

The UPND in opposition were never saints themselves. But they were tolerated. They were understood and only disciplined in extreme circumstances. What has changed now? What is so special about Mr Hichilema and the UPND? Let the right to freedom of speech and tolerance reign supreme in Parliament. Our Parliament must symbolise the culture of democracy without any hindrance.

We call upon the Speaker to ensure that our parliamentary democracy is nurtured and strengthened by guaranteeing an impartial, dignified, orderly, and transparent running of parliamentary business. We know this is not too much to ask for. It can and should be done.

Fred M’membe
President of the Socialist Party

IT IS DIFFICULT FOR ME TO WAKE UP AND ATTACK A LEADER WHO IS TRYING TO IMPROVE THE WELFARE OF EVERY CITIZEN SIMPLY BECAUSE I’M AN ACTIVIST

I fought ECL’s administration because it was killing innocent citizens with its thugs on daily and former President was ok with it. The only time you will hear him talk unless a PF member is a victim of political violence. We tried several times to remind him about his duty to protect every citizen but nothing was taken serious. For that reason, I disliked ECL’s type of leadership because he showed his level of incompetence and nothing personal at all. He is not a leader that’s why he behaved like that turning our nation into a state controlled by thugs and oppressing citizens.

Even if we were to stand in a court of law, I would still explain why I believe President Lungu was behind and content with the violence. You want me take opposition leaders serious like UKA driven by the very people who were brutalizing citizens few months ago. I’m normal please!

Now you same PF, want me to fight HH, who has never ordered his cadres to kill citizens? You want me to fight him for promoting unity in the country, for protecting our security men and women from being beaten by PF thugs, for ensuring equitable distribution of CDF to all Zambians? Let us be fair and I’m wondering that this is when you are seeing that I stood up for citizens yet your administration was always on my neck. Being an activist or opposition doesn’t mean that you have to oppose the government on everything it does no. Please do your research proper. I critically analyze issues and I think there is sanity in Zambia today. We have transition from a state under thugs to a state ruled by statesmen.

I use my education wisely and for developmental purposes. I don’t think with my stomach, but with my head. When our leaders do sensible things, let us support them so that tomorrow they can be encouraged to do even better.

To those calling me names, you are at liberty. If you think I have lost track in my activism, you too can embark on that mission and make a difference. In fact, this is the best time because you are guaranteed peace and safety. Ask my elder brother Sean Tembo how he was almost killed by PF thugs during a peaceful demonstration.

Under the UPND government, we see people protesting, but there’s no such thing as being brutalized by party cadres. Please, it is your constitutional right to speak up if you feel that the current government is not performing well. Some of us, who understand development, can already see significant progress.

My appeal to those of you affected by my poor activism under the UPND government is that, be a responsible citizen, be an activist, and take over from where some of us have left off. If you say we have lost track because we don’t see anything wrong that warrants criticizing the president, then understand that some of us have been voicing out on many national issues. So, I don’t understand exactly what you, my dear PF brothers and sisters, want me to do.

SIKAILE C SIKAILE

GOOD GOVERNANCE ACTIVIST

HICHILEMA, NALUMANGO, MUSOKOTWANE,A RARE COMBINATION……FULL OF TRUSTWORTHINESS

Authored By Mupishi Jones

At least today we can all agree that since Dr Kaunda days,we now have a leadership on top that we can go to sleep leaving keys to state coffers without worries at all.Even those bitter opposition souls today are only talking about failure to realise campaign promises and none is talking about President Hakainde Hichilema,VEEP Mutale Nalumango or Situmbeko Musokotwane cutting deals to steal state funds for their own personal benefits…. zero!

When you listen to any of these top three leaders speak, those emotional citizens even shade their tears because of the passion with which these leaders have for their citizens, and I mean all of their citizens.

There’s no speech that President Hakainde Hichilema has made here at home or abroad without reference to the Zambian people.There’s no single task President Hakainde Hichilema has undertaken without penning it down to the Zambian people.

I remember one day Dr Situmbeko Musokotwane responding to a question from one of the Zambian journalist on him involving himself in embezzling public resources,he responded with a question that ” Do you think at my age I can come back into government just to come and steal?”

He went further to explain that even stealing should be for a reason, “what reason do I have?” Dr Situmbeko explained that all his children were independent adults doing very well, he’s got a house he built many years ago, he’s driven good cars during his youthful days,his traversed this world to a point where he no longer gets excited about jumping on a plane.

Dr Situmbeko Musokotwane concluded by saying he’s back into government to build and leave behind a legacy for his children.A legacy that would be making his children walk with heads high knowing that their father did something valuable for this country!That was the only reason he came back into government, to build a legacy of trustworthiness for posterity!

This goes to President Hakainde Hichilema,who can raise an accusing finger today that President Hakainde Hichilema is stealing public resources? Who can raise an accusing finger today and point at VIP Nalumango?

That’s the trustworthiness of the trio that I’m talking about.It is incomparable to any political party hierarchy on the Zambian political scene today!

This is what the Zambian people desire.Even if the price of mealie meal and petrol jumps up to a thousand kwacha per unit,as long as these top leaders remain trustworthy, they’ll still be retained!

It is this same trustworthiness which the Zambian people have in these leaders which the international community have equally seen in these leaders.You can see it in their eyes,in their body language.You can feel it whenever you interact with any member of their family.
It is this trustworthiness which unlocked Mopani and KCM mines today.It is this trustworthiness that have made it possible for them to tar a dual carriageway road all the way from Lusaka up to Ndola and Masangano Luanshya roads without the Zambian government spending a ngwee on it! It is this trustworthiness that have brought a diverse of state creditors on the drawing board to renegotiate the “PF’s” debt left for children to sort, to agree on mutual benefit terms.This is the legacy of “Ubuntu”.This is the legacy that sets Zambia aside that make me thank my stars I belong to it.During the last ten years, Zambia drifted away from this Ubuntu legacy to survival of the fittest legacy.
I’m I talking to UKWA,EFF and SP there?
I submit

Mupishi Jones
0977480386

ASSAULT ON DEMOCRACY; SUSPENSION OF HON. MUNDUBILE AND HON.CHISENGA FOR 30 DAYS

…the Speaker by her action has perpetrated assault on Democracy joining her boss, President Hichilema in the schemes…

Lusaka-Thursday, 28th March 2024

It is shocking that the National Assembly, as presided over by the Speaker, Hon.Nellie Mutti and her two deputies; Hon.Attractor Malungo Chisangano and Hon. Moses Frank Moyo, has become a common place to slaughter freedom of expression, parliamentary privildge and Democracy.

The 30 day suspension of Mporokoso MP, Hon. Brian Mundubile and Mambilima MP, Hon. Jean Chisenga, for exercising the right to freely express themselves is an affront to our Democracy.
This action follows other recent punitive actions meted out and clearly aimed at members of the Opposition.

Freedom of speech entails that a Member of Parliament may state whatever he or she
thinks fit in debate, without fear of being sued or prosecuted in the course
of the proceedings of the House or indeed without receiving punishment from any of the House Committees.

It is now public knowledge that Hon. Nellie Mutti has become a clear danger to our Democracy as she has turned the House into a tyrannical fuss where MPs are repeatedly gagged or regularly punished and denied benefits by barring them,on prolonged periods, from the House.

The Speaker, as
guardian of the dignity and privileges of the House fails these duties when she refuses to be fair,to be impartial or to be objective.

The Speaker regularly abuses the authority she is vested with, by frequently punishing members of the Opposition and Independent MPs.

She also repeatedly refuses to act on complaints of misconduct and insults committed by MPs from the Ruling Party and laid by members of the Opposition.

She has allowed the House to descend into a place of disorder and circus.

However we are not surprised by her conduct as this as delibaretly intended by President Hakainde Hichilema.

President Hichilema chose a candidate, who is facing serious criminal charges that have never been exhausted.
This thereby weakens her in the discharge of her duties and in eyes of the public.

In our view and from the onset, Ms Mutti was not fit to preside over a serious institution of Democracy such as Parliament until the charges of criminal conduct were extinguished.

In our view, President Hichilema chose Mutti because of her very weaknesses, to manipulate and make her compliant to his dictatorial and tyrannical tendencies and goals, and to do his bidding in his quest to firmly control all arms of Government.

Zambians must remember that no one will defend their democracy other than themselves.

Zambians must reject the emerging dictatorship that is strangling democracy at a far faster rate than any previous government has done to it before.

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

UPND are still chasing a mirage – Chilangwa

By Rhoda Nthara(The Mast)

WHEN is the UPND government going to come to terms with the reality on the ground, asks Kawambwa PF member of parliament Nickson Chilangwa.

He said the UPND government are chasing a mirage.

“Your honour the Vice-President when is the UPND going to come to terms with the reality on the ground? When is this government going to terms with reality on the ground? I speak because if you go through publications and if you go on social media, if you go on radio stations, people are saying the same things but according to what we have here it looks like the executive are in a different country and not the real Zambia where we are,” he said during the Vice-President’s Question Time in parliament on Friday.

Chilangwa said the mirage which the UPND chased and “asked a lot of people to follow is still a mirage and should come to terms with what’s on the ground that in 2026 the UPND are packing their bags, Zambians are fade up.”

But Vice-President Nalumango said the UPND are not pretenders.

“So this government, we are here to serve the people,” she said.

Vice-President Nalumango said the UPND government does not claim to have monopoly of knowledge and wisdom.

“Now on the mirage, those first stages should be applied to you sir, that the mirage that you have been chasing of tulewelelapo (we are coming back to power) is just a mirage and it keeps going. There is no mirage here. We live in reality. That’s why we are working, Madam Speaker, to serve the people of Zambia and we are doing real things,” said Vice-President Nalumango. “Don’t pretend, we are not pretenders. We know we are passing through a rough patch but what we are doing it will soon be dawn. And Zambians will see the dawn government. New dawn does not come without night. People were in the night, we are still going in the dawn. It’s just there just wait.

I pretended to be a journalist to get leftovers at hotels, reveals Chizu

By Oliver Chisenga

GOD can lift anything, says Njenje Chizu.

Chizu says he has seen God raise him from being a student struggling to find food to his current position as Vice-President Mutale Nalumango’s press aide.

Reflecting on his life, Chizu recalls pretending to be a trained journalist in order to attend hotel meetings, where he would secretly collect food leftovers to later re-cook at college. Chizu recalled the day he was admitted to study Journalism and Public Relations at Evelyn Hone College in Lusaka.

“Whenever the college closed, I never went to visit my mother in the village; not because I never wanted to, but there was no money for me to travel back home,” he says.

His mother had taught him not to beg or solicit sympathy from rich people, and so Chizu would look for piecework from college management – and get a bag of mealie meal as payment.

“Joe Nkadaani, my then lecturer, was my pillar and can attest to this story,” he says.

Chizu reveals that because he would often have no condiment (popularly referred to as “relish”) to supplement the nshima he cooked, he resorted to unusual methods to avoid going hungry.

“Early morning I would walk to Mulungushi International Conference Centre, Pamodzi Hotel and Southern Sun in search of meetings and conferences, pretending to be a fully trained journalist. In order to convince the organisers, I went with my Hone FM ID. But hear me when I say my interest was not actually to write a story, it was the food organised for the delegates,” Chizu explains.

Chizu would later wait patiently for those who hadn’t finished their meals and collect the leftovers.

“This reminded me of what my mother used to do back in the village to have us survive. I threw bones and kept pieces of meat and chicken in my lunch box. When I went back to the college, I just prepared soup and threw into the pan my little pieces of meat or chicken and that was my supper,” he says.

Chizu says this went on for some time, unnoticed, as he would do it during college study breaks when students had returned home.

“Bambi Lesa alimimya (God has lifted some of you). Some of us alitukusa elo atukolonganika nokwamba ukutupanga (some of us He picked us and moulded us) before He thinks about lifting [us],” says Chizu.
“I don’t know the best way to put this in English but just know that God didn’t just lift my life; He first gathered me from little pieces together because I wasn’t in a capacity to even be lifted. God can lift anything!”

FRA INTENSIFIES COMMUNITY SALES PROGRAMME TO ALLEVIATE HUNGER IN DROUGHT PRONE AREAS

DATE: 28TH MARCH 2024

In February 2024, His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zambia Mr. Hakainde Hichilema declared the drought situation as a national disaster.

Six provinces namely: Southern, Western, Eastern, Central, Lusaka and parts of the Copperbelt experienced mild to severe drought exposing households to food insecurity.

In response to this situation, the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) was directed to enhance Community Sales and ensure that maize was made available to vulnerable households in the affected areas.

Arising from the current situation, the Agency (FRA) has re-strategised its Community Sales approach by moving selling points from centralised district depot locations to satellite depot locations that were used as buying locations during the previous crop marketing season.

This means that maize shall be prepositioned in satellite locations closer to communities in areas affected by drought and consequently reduce the distances for communities to access the maize on sale.

It should be noted that each household is entitled to buy ONLY one 50 kilogramme bag per month and affected districts such as Shang’ombo, Gwembe, Kabwe, Kalomo, Mumbwa, Lukulu, Sinazongwe, Zambezi, Ikelengi, and Kazungula just to mention but a few are currently benefitting from this programme.

In this regard, the Agency (FRA) has intensified the Community Sales programme and is currently implementing the programme in eighty-four (84) districts spread across the drought affected provinces as an intervention aimed at addressing food insecurity.

The Agency is selling a 50 kilogramme bag of maize under this programme at K330.00.

Therefore, the Agency expects the local leadership in deserving areas to utilise this opportunity and apply for maize under this programme in order for the vulnerable communities/households to benefit and address their food needs.

It should be noted that this programme is a direct, affordable and cheaper alternative that provides maize for milling into mealie meal in order to ensure household food security in vulnerable communities countrywide.

(Original signed by)

John Chipandwe

Public Relations Coordinator

By Kapya Kaoma

I struggle to make sense of how the phenomenal Bally exploded so fast. Across the nation, Bally is considered a pariah by those who once held him as an angel. Is the underworld behind it all?

I have had countless hours of interviews with Seer 1. “No African President developed a country more than Lungu,” Seer 1 emphatically stated. “Are you Zambians so foolish to ask why he lost to HH?” He went on to explain: “When President Sata died, we did something in Parliament. That’s why Lungu became president.”

According to Seer 1, President Lungu sought to liberate himself from his spell with Pentecostal prophets. But they failed to break his spell–leading millions of Zambians to turn against him.

You may take Seer 1 as a lunatic, but based on my many interviews, the story is simple. After he was forcefully deported from Zambia, Chief Monze was sent to South Africa to seek Seer 1’s help; “If you can make HH win the Presidential elections, I will personally come to Nigeria and thank you.” After HH’s victory, Seer 1 said, Chief Monze went to Nigeria to express gratitude to him.

Seer 1 claims to had worked with the PF politicians too. After falling out of grace during the Lungu regime, he was forcefully deported on suspicion that he was working with HH. I asked him about “the rings” he demanded from the Lungu regime. “People misunderstood it. If you come to me, they are things I will give you. Those are the things I demanded,” he said. “I mean spiritual powers. I have given such powers to Zambian pastors and politicians alike.”

Seer 1 is a self-proclaimed traditionalist and businessman, who according to his own words, most Zambians perceive to be a Satanist. As a traditionalist, his powers come from the underworld. To him, Christianity is a hobby, thus he is very sarcastic to Christian “prophets.” Unlike so-called prophets, Seer 1 claims to levitate–he moves between the underworld and the future. In short, he can manipulate the spiritual world to do certain things–something he said, “shouting in Jesus name won’t.” After visiting with the underworld, Seer 1 asked HH to lie to win the elections. “I told HH that your problem is that you are a good Christian. If you want to win the elections, the underworld demands you lie to Zambians. People will believe what they hear, and not what they see. The underworld has declared that you will be the next President.”

Seer 1 knows that many Zambians view him as a Satanist; hence politicians hide their association with him. When asked about HH’s victory, his answer was, “I went into the underworld after Chief Monze came to see me in South Africa. When I returned, I told him that Lungu was struggling to get 40 percent of the vote.” Seer 1 further told me, “I declared that if HH doesn’t win the elections, I will drop my mic and never speak again.”

Seer 1 spoke at length to his role in disempowering Lungu and empowering HH. He repeatedly boasted of having HH’s personal mobile number. “President HH listens to me. I have his personal mobile number.” I asked him whether he spoke to President HH. “Of course,” he boasted. “In fact, I will be meeting with him very soon,” he said after his meeting with Chief Monze. Could this explain why Seer 1 insulted UPND leaders at will, while the President was deadly mute?

I asked Seer 1 why HH dressed like him, specifically about the similar RED shirt he wore during the campaign. “Maybe it is because he loves me so much,” he said. How about the ritual of kissing blood on the ground, and the white gloves HH wore when he first entered the State House? Was he behind the President’s decision not to move to the State House? Or could it be that Seer 1 is the link to HH’s downfall?

Seer 1 claims credit for the hardest episodes of the Lungu Presidency. From appearing confused to bad health–the underworld was in control. “Lungu thought Sunday Sianyangwe, Sumaili and other pastors could remove my spell, they all failed,” he said. According to Seer 1, some PF politicians begged him to reverse the decision of the underworld. Lungu didn’t agree with that suggestion–leading to his downfall.

Could it be that Seer 1 behind the current pariah status of President Hichilema? In my forthcoming book, I tell the story of how HH, Chief Monze and UPND politicians exploited Seer 1’s powers to win the elections. You may consider Seer 1 crazy. But my interviews prove that the man has more intricate knowledge of political and religious leaders than meets the eye.

Based on his words, spiritual powers were behind people’s views of HH as the national Savior. Sadly once one disagrees with Seer 1, he can easily withdraw his powers. And here we are–could it be that spiritual powers that made HH a celebrity are the same ones which have made him a pariah? Telling by Seer 1’s recent statements (especially his claim of returning from the underworld) and the President’s untold plight, I believe that he can’t be taken lightly. As he repeatedly told me, Seer 1 doesn’t let go of those who betray him. Just as he held a very big grudge against President Lungu, today, he has spoken very negatively about President HH–something he shunned from one year ago. So what has changed? Is the underworld the answer? Only Seer 1 and HH know the truth. In the meantime, I have a book to finish.

PRESS STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HH’s Outstanding Performance Propels Zambia”s Economy To Higher Heights.

Wednesday,
27th March,2024

President Haakainde Hichilema took over power at the time when Zambia’s Economy was in a condition of great disorder and a populace deeply in broken ranks. The country was plunged into an external debt crisis as a result of over borrowing by the previous PF Government. The rule of law had completely dwindled and corruption had taken the centrestage. The country was regionalized on tribal lines and the abuse of human rights was the order of the day. Citizens were subjected to indescribable torture and inhuman treatments by the law enforcement agencies. Public workers who belonged to other regions were marginalized and others retired in national interest. The recruitment of public workers and the appointments in key Government positions were all done on tribal and regional lines. Cadrerism became rampant and subdued the work of our men and women in uniforms

Zambia was plunged into not only internal debt but also external debt worthy Billions of Dollars, which the new dawn government inherited as such any well meaning Zambian knows that the few years of being in power has been very rough for the new dawn administration. Considering the difficult economic situation which was caused by the previous regime, the UPND led Government has even performed much better as it has made a lot of strides in addressing the economic hardships.

President Haakainde Hichilema has performed wonders as evidenced by the introduced deliberate social support Programmes in increased Constituency Development Funds (CDF) and other empowerment schemes that President Hichilema’s new dawn administration is rolling out. He has given economic diversification top priority, embracing transparency, accountability, public participation, effectiveness, responsiveness and the rule of law as tenets of good Governance.

The just concluded negotiations with creditors on Debt Restructuring, are clear indicators that Zambia’s Economic Recovery appears to be sure given the President’s emphasis on key sectors of the Economy such as Agriculture, Energy, Manufacturing, Tourism and Mining. President Hichilema’s stance is further consolidated by his dedication to democratic principles, human rights and the rule of law.

The increased (CDF) which the opposition is trying hard to downplay, is changing lives of people in communities across the country, because the funds have not only benefited business companies, clubs, cooperatives but have also helped to spur development in communities across all sectors of human endeavors. Despite the Opposition leaders only dwelling on the high cost of mealie meal and other food stuffs which Government is emphatically addressing, many facets of development have changed in Zambia since president Hichilema formed Government in 2021.

The realignment of the civil service to allow for the recruitment of teachers, health workers, agricultural officers and other government workers are some of the remarkable milestones that President Hichilema’s Government has scored. The move to employ in the civil service has not only created employment opportunities for youths but has also enhanced service delivery to the public who depend on Government for services.

We wish to remind the opposition political leaders who are busy trivializing or downplaying what the ruling UPND is doing that HH means well for the people of Zambia and that soon and very soon they will have nothing to talk about, especially when the prices of essential commodities are brought down.

The opposition who had taken the recruitment of public workers and the free Education policy as a circus are slowly but surely struggling to convince their minds that the UPND new Dawn administration means business and greatly appreciates the value of education as one of the weapons which can be used to subdue both social and economic challenges at all levels of society.

The free education policy is not only helping parents who have challenges to take their children to school but has also helped to reduce on illicit vices such as early child marriages, pregnancies, alcohol and drug abuse among youths.

The PF regime saw no importance of the Meal allowances in tertiary public institutions and ended up scrapping them off. But the UPND Government re-introduced them
and increased access to student bursaries and student loans in all public tertiary institutions which should be appreciated by all well meaning Zambians. It is worthy noting that within the first two years of being in power Government has also increased and expanded the access to Social Cash Transfer which is helping to cushion the impact of economic hardships in communities.

The 20 percent NAPSA partial withdraw, is yet another initiative which has helped Zambians. As if that is not enough, oth6 deliberate programmes have been initiated to dismantle pension benefits and unpaid arrears for retirees that were not paid as way back as during the MMD and PF tenure of office.

Therefore, it is not a surprise that our Zambia’s Republic President, Mr Haakainde Hichilema has been named as one of the top 5 best performing African leaders. We are urging all Cabinet Ministers, Permanent Secretaries and other top Government officials under UPND Administration to do introspection and emulate the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces to put in the best for effective service delivery if they are to meet People’s expectations.

The achievements that UPND administration has done under President Hichilema’s rulership within the few years of being in office such as the abolishment of the death penalty, signing of Access To Information Bill into law, ending carderism in public places, recognizing and respecting human rights, the enhancement of rule of law and concluding negotiations on debt restructuring among others are exceptionally outstanding. Zambians have seen sanity in the Political landscape and are now enjoying fresh air and democratic space which guarantees freedom of movements, expression and association with no more intimidations from anyone.

We are advising the opposition political party leaders to mature and provide not only credible checks and balances but also solutions to many challenges Zambians are faced with. The previous PF Government left the economy in tatters which the new dawn Government is in a hurry to remould. “ROME WAS NOT BUILT IN A DAY.”

Issued by

WESLEY MIYANDA

Governance Expert and Human Rights Advocate.