IF FREEDOMS ARE NOT GIVEN TO US TO SPEAK FREELY IN PARLIAMENT, WE WILL USE FORCE – HON MUNDUBILE.

…….as he supports calls for President Hakainde Hichilema to Postpone SONA.

Lusaka……Thursday, March 14, 2024 [Smart Eagles].

Patriotic Front Members of Parliament who are not praise singers have devised strategies that will help them reclaim freedoms to speak freely in Parliament.

Currently, PF Members who are Perceived to be Critics of Government poor leadership have been allegedly ignored when they want to speak on the floor of the house.

An Example of such happened during today’s sitting when Lunte Member of Parliament Hon Mutotwe Kafwaya wanted to debate after the Vice President had moved a motion to suspend standing orders to allow the Republican President to address the nation tomorrow.

In response to this, Hon Mundubile said the MPs will use force to get that freedom to speak freely in Parliament.

He said said in most cases, if the Presiding officer is uncomfortable with what a member would say, they will not be given a chance to speak.

“We will get back to that house and ensure that we violently claim the freedoms that we should have on the floor of the house. We will get back to the house, we will not say when but we will reclaim those freedoms.

It is not just about talking, our talking in Parliament or the lack of it is what has caused problems in zambia today. Our people sent us to parliament to represent them and we must do as such and speak for them, not what is currently prevailing..,” he said.

Meanhwile, Hon Mundubile has joined calls by stakeholders for President Hakainde Hichilema to Postpone Tomorrow’s SONA for another two weeks.

He said there is something wrong in the country as far as implementation of national values is concerned.

He said the country is in reverse gear based on what the clergy and the Civil Society Organisations have been saying.

In an event that SONA Goes ahead, Hon Mundubile said President Hichilema should abandon the text written by technocrats and ask for a new start that is devoid of lies, and call for a new begining focused on unity and not purging and arresting innocent people.

“A confession would do, if the President said tomorrow dear Zambians it has come to my realisation that whereby I thought I was the know it all, I have come to realise that I am human who is not immune to error. I have made mistakes to export maize and power,” he said.

He said the President must also respond to statement by OCIDA on calls for sanctions.

“Those that took time to read the letter authored by OCIDA should be concerned because it cited the Heads of Three arms of Government……When you read the letter in totality, you will realise that we have a challenge in Zambia……We would have loved some assurance from the Vice President regarding this matter,” he said.

Miles Sampa’s Political Shipwreck is A Tale of Hubris and Betrayal

14.03.2024

By Daimone Siulapwa

In the unpredictable waters of Zambian politics, few stories captivate the imagination like that of Miles Sampa, a man whose ambition soared higher than his grasp, and now he is slowly plummeting into the abyss of irrelevance.

Sampa’s journey from a once-promising political figure to a pariah within his own party is a cautionary tale of ego,greed, miscalculation, and the consequences of blind ambition.

Sampa’s downfall began with a brazen act of political piracy, hijacking a vessel (pa Bwato) known as the Patriotic Front (PF) without a compass or a crew to steer it.

His audacity knew no bounds as he set sail on a voyage of self-delusion, convinced that the winds of change were blowing in his favor.

But alas, reality has proved to be an unforgiving tempest, and Sampa soon finds himself adrift in a sea of his own making.

The crux of Sampa’s dilemma lies in his fatal misjudgment of the political landscape.

In his hubris, he underestimated the loyalty and resilience of the PF members, who remained steadfast in their support of the party’s leadership.

Like a captain oblivious to the iceberg looming ahead, Sampa has been sailing blindly into treacherous waters, oblivious to the impending disaster.

With no mandate from the party faithful, Sampa’s grip on power is becoming increasingly tenuous.

His claim to leadership was a facade, recognized only by the echo chamber of social media and the hollow rhetoric of his own making and imagination.

Even his infamous two disciples, Mr Ground and Chama American, have now publicly denounced him as the last nail on his confin.

Furthermore, on the ground, the PF branches, from the highest echelons to the grassroots, have rejected him as an imposter, a usurper unworthy of their allegiance.

The consequences of Sampa’s folly are dire, not only for himself but for the party he sought to commandeer.

By sowing discord and division within the PF ranks, he has weakened its foundation and compromised the little integrity that was left after the 2021 catastrophic election loss to UPND.

His reckless ambition has tarnished the party’s reputation and undermined its credibility, leaving it vulnerable to the whims of opportunists and charlatans, as can be witnessed on a daily basis.

But perhaps the greatest tragedy of Sampa’s saga is the squandered potential and betrayed trust of those who once looked to him for leadership.

He was once hailed as a rising star in Zambian politics, a beacon of hope for a brighter future.

Yet, in his pursuit of power, he sacrificed principle for expediency, forsaking the very values he purported to champion.

As Sampa’s political ship sinks in his own urine, it serves as a stark reminder of the perils of vanity and ambition if unchecked.

His legacy will be one of ignominy and regret, a cautionary tale for future generations of politicians who dare to tread the same treacherous path.

In the end, Miles Sampa’s dilemma is not merely a personal tragedy but a sobering indictment of the state of Zambian politics.

It is a wake-up call to all who would seek to lead, a reminder that power without principle is a hollow victory indeed.

Until such time as leaders emerge who are guided by integrity and humility, the ship of state will continue to navigate perilous waters, adrift in a sea of uncertainty and disillusionment.

Daimone Siulapwa is a political analyst, an advocate for tribal unity and Citizen Economic Empowerment. Send your comments to dsiulapwa@gmail.com

HIGHLIGHTS: GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES MEASURES TO MITIGATE IMPACT OF ELECTRICITY SUPPLY ON ZAMBIAN ECONOMY

Today, Minister of Energy Peter Kapala updated the nation on the current electricity situation in the country and outlined the measures being implemented by Government to mitigate the impact of reduced electricity supply on the Zambian economy.

Here are the highlights from a ministerial statement.

✅Currently, the Country’s installed electricity generation capacity stands at 3,777.3 Mega Watts (MW) with hydropower accounting for 85 percent and the current peak demand is estimated at 2,400 Mega Watts.

✅The planned load management has been caused mainly by forecasted insufficient generation capacity due to reduced water levels in the country’s major reservoirs following below-normal rainfall patterns experienced during the 2023 to 2024 season due to the El Nino drought phenomenon.

✅This is also attributed to increased demand which has been growing at about 150 – 200 Mega Watts per annum.

✅The El Nino-induced drought has caused a significant impact on the region’s rainfall pattern. Zambia in particular, has experienced a severe decline in rainfall, with the Zambezi and Kafue River basins, which are the major water catchments for hydropower generation dams in Zambia, being significantly affected.

✅The Kariba North Bank power plant depends on water from the Kariba Dam Lake reservoir for its generation. For the year 2024, only 8 Billion Cubic Meters (BMC) has been allocated to Zambia for power generation due to the forecasted low rainfall pattern and this entails that the power plant can only generate up to 214 Mega Watts out of an installed generation capacity of 1080 Mega Watts.

✅Additionally, there has been a marked reduction in the level of rainfall received on the Kafue River basin in the 2023-2024 rainy season and according to the data at gauging point, water inflows have decreased by 50 percent compared to the 2022-2023 rainy season as well as to other Long Term Mean flows.

✅This will further lead to a constrained generation from the cascaded power plants on the Kafue River basin, that is the 120 Mega Watt Itezhi Tezhi Hydropower Plant, the 990 Mega Watt Kafue Gorge Power Station and the 750 Mega Watt Kafue Gorge Lower Power Station.

✅It is worth noting that the forecasted reduction in the water levels due to the El Nino drought, characterised by a reduction in hydropower generation and the growing electricity demand will result in a power deficit of about 430 Mega Watts.

✅In implementing the load management programme, ZESCO has been directed to consider the vital role played by strategic institutions such as health facilities, water utilities, industry and mining firms and security wings.

✅The load management programme will endeavour to exempt strategic institutions, where dedicated lines exist. This exemption will ensure that sensitive and critical institutions can continue to provide essential services to the communities without disruption.

✅In order to reduce rapid drawdown of the reservoir levels that could lead into longer hours of load shedding, ZESCO has commenced load shedding. As a result of the load management and load shedding, ZESCO will lose approximately USD 35 million monthly.

✅The Government has noted the need for a lasting solution that fosters the provision of affordable and sustainable energy services. In this regard, the following measures have been formulated:

SHORT TERM MEASURES.

(a) ZESCO is currently importing between 50MW to 90MW between 21 Hours and 05 Hours and is actively engaged in negotiations with Mozambique for an increase in firm power imports for an additional 120MW.

(b) ZESCO plans to gradually withdraw 120MW from the export market taking into consideration the current bilateral contracts. This plan is scheduled to run from February 2024 to December 2024. However, it is worth noting that this plan will translate into a revenue loss of US Dollar 110 million.

(c) Ndola energy power plant has a capacity of 105MW. Currently, ZESCO and Ndola Energy Company Limited (NECL) are undertaking negotiations with a view to restarting the power plant. These negotiations are expected to be completed by April 2024 after which ZESCO will purchase 105 MW from May to December 2024.

(d) The government, through ZESCO, is developing a 100MW Solar PV power plant in Kabwe. The project is underway with a scheduled duration of 10 months, aiming for completion and commissioning by the end of the year.

MEDIUM TERM PROJECTS

Renewable Energy Expansion:

• 120 MW Solar PV Portfolio: Implementation of a 120 Mega Watt portfolio of solar PV power projects under the Global Energy Transfer Feed-in Tariff (GET-FiT) program.
• Luapula (CX) Hydropower Project: Progressing with the development of the 271-megawatt Luapula (CX) hydropower project on the Luapula River.
• Lusiwasi Lower Hydropower Project: Development of the 86 Mega Watt Lusiwasi Lower Hydropower Project.
• 2,000 MW Solar PV Project: ZESCO is collaborating with Masdar on a 2,000-megawatt solar PV project.

✅Regarding the strategic programmmes and long-term projects, Government completed the development of the first Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) aimed at providing a lasting solution to Zambia’s challenges in the electricity sector.

✅The Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) is a roadmap for the sustainability of the electricity sector. It outlines a strategy for addressing these challenges through the implementation of sustainable solutions.

✅Additionally, it projects a need for additional generation capacity of 6,505 megawatts (MW) by 2026, requiring an estimated investment of USD 4.984 billion. To meet long-term demand, the IRP forecasts a total of 23,193 MW by 2050, with a corresponding investment requirement of nearly USD 31 billion.

✅The Minister of Energy further encouraged consumers to consider transitioning to alternative energy sources such as gas stoves, solar water heaters, and the adoption of efficient energy equipment such as energy-efficient bulbs to reduce on power consumption. This shift is anticipated to contribute to a reduction in the energy deficit.

Deejay Showstar wrote…

GOVERNMENT SHOULD PUT IT’S HANDS OFF SOCIAL MEDIA. THEIR CONCEPT IS COUNTER PRODUCTIVE‼️

One of the major weakness of our country is the love for regulation. This country has all sorts of regulations to the extent that soon breathing may get its own law.

The proposed regulation of social media by including it in the broadcasting licencing law is not just illogical but counter productive. The country needs creative and innovative population to catch up with advanced economies.

Instead of working on deregulation, government is proposing the opposite. Our economy is actually operating with a handbrake because regulation starts too early in all sectors. However, the attempt to include social media in the broadcasting act should end just where it is – at concept level.

Social media is already regulated by the Cyber Act. What exactly has the cyber act failed to do that this regulation will? Imposing additional regulation will not only amount to suffocating people’s right to hold an opinion, but will also block innovation and condemn young people to unfair competition with well established Media Houses.

Government should also remember that the informal sector of our economy remains an important pillar if resilience for our survival as a nation.
Most of all, social media remains the only true platform of free expression. One doesn’t need to book an appointment or need a favour from a media owner to express an opinion.

What makes the proposal even worse is the proposal to imprison would be offers to a maximum of 5 years! What has social media rely done for one to even think of sending a citizen to prison for 5 years just for transmitting one’s opinion?

Government should put its hands off social media. Let them actually concentrate on refining the cyber act to remove those provisions which already raised alarm from the onset of the Bill. President HH and the UPND in opposition promised the Youths of this country that the cyber act will be repealed so as to let the young people freely enjoy the cyber space.

The President was nicknamed “a Facebook President” because it was the only space he would really address his followers across the nation” without regulation but why do a 360 and worse off add another burden?

We all remember very well how he was oppressed and pushed to shut up 🤫 but because the people of Zambia can’t be fooled. They still went ahead and elected the same person who couldn’t be given coverage by government machinery.

In conclusion. The UPND should be the last organization to pull such stunts because they know very well that sending police to every opposing voice can not save you in Zambia 🇿🇲 just serve the people diligently.

[Open your history books and remember where you’re coming from before it’s too late]

Jackson Demus Phiri
Media Personality

OCIDA REBUKES CHANGALA

… requests Archbishop Mpundu to step aside

By Francis Chipalo

Our Civic Duty Association (OCIDA) members and supporters have said Brebner Changala should leave the association for allegedly hijacking it and the mission for which it was formed.

And the members have requested Archbishop Telesphore Mpundu to consider retiring from the leadership of OCiDA, saying the clergyman had done is part and that it was time for him to pass the mantel.

Addressing the press in Lusaka Thursday morning, OCiDA members said in order to bring sanity and order in the organization, Changala should cease being a member of the organization, saying that his actions in recent months are tantamount to hijacking the organization.

The conveyers said in the last few months, statements have been issued in the name of OCiDA and that such statements have not been agreed upon by the members and not even sanctioned by the trustees who the legal custodians of the organization.

“Today, we are shocked that some members have without the agreement of the association written a letter to the American Embassy under the guise of Archbishop Mpundu, asking the USA Government to impose financial sanctions, Visa restrictions, and travels against some too Government officials.

It is therefore regrettable that our fellow member of OCiDA, Brebner Changala does not appreciate that for effective and efficient operations of an organization like OCiDA, order is of utmost importance. Changala has failed to live up to the expectations of OCiDA, and therefore his membership to this organization remains untenable,” read the statement from the members.

Meanwhile, OCiDA members have requested the Catholic Church to protect the name and integrity of the Emeritus Archbishop Mpundu from abuse by what they described as opportunistic individuals.

“We are disappointed that some citizens are using the name of the organization and abusing the name of Archbishop Mpundu for their selfish political motivates”.

OCiDA members stated that the overall objective of the organization is the promotion of good governance and sound management of the country’s economy, adding that OCiDA does not share the partisan position taken by Changala.

DISGRACED BREBNER CHANGALA REMOVED FROM OCiDA FOR ABUSING OLD AGED MPUNDU

Disgraced and ungrateful 69 years old Brebner Changala has been removed from the OCiDA.

One of the reasons Changala has been removed is that he has been issuing statements in the name of Former Archbishop Telesphore Mpundu without the old man’s consent.

At one point Changala even lied and misled old Mpundu that the UPND government was tribal and never employed others until he was exposed that his own child and that of Kambwili were employed and undergoing military training.

Changala was ashamed but Bishop Mpundu and other members of OCiDA were surprised to learn that the man who has been accusing the UPND government of not being fair has had his children employed.

Changala wearing a hut in the picture used to say that Lucky Mulusa who has now been appointed as UKWA party SG was ever urinating for himself in the trousers and that he has failed to even build a toiled and was currently squatting in a government house around Jesmondine area.

Perhaps what the UPND government should do is to put Changala and his like minded charlatans on free government salaries as Edgar Lungu did to this group when he was President. But this is tax payers money and old people like Changala should work their backs out and survive as opposed to depending on government and clearly show that without government they cannot survive.

By the way, Changala was raised in Western province and he doesn’t even know his village properly in Mwansabombwe there but as the adage goes: He who has big buttocks, will surely and ever have their buttocks behind no matter the speed they put up.

It is inhumane for Changala to continue taking advantage of old Mpundu who is slowly losing his memory and abuse him in order for him (Changala) to be put on a government payroll or get government contracts alone.

If UPND government is tribal as Changala is dreaming after eating roller meal, how come Kawandami who is his sister is a top government official in this government?

Old habits die hard and Changala will never grow up no wonder he called Lucky Mulusa as “chembala poto”

REASONS WHY FORMER PRESIDENT LUNGU SHOULD RECONSIDER HIS PARTICIPATION IN ACTIVE POLITICS

By Patrick Samwimbila

Once upon a time Raphael Nakachinda said some wise words and I quote, “We cannot ask the former President to return to active politics unless we are very sure he can win back power”. This statement is very true, because subjecting the former President to another loss would be very damaging. ECL came back to active politics on the backdrop of reuniting the former ruling party (PF), “I will not allow the PF to die or have factions under my watch, therefore after careful and deep reflection, wide consultation and prayer, I have decided to come back to active politics” the Sixth Republican President said.

As things stand, we have continued seeing the PF slowly dying a natural death with UKA putting the final nail on its coffin. PF can only go into a ‘loose alliance’ (one which is not legally recognized), no alliance today can be registered by the Registrar of Societies with PF as part because PF is still in court. I strongly believe that the registration of UKA or indeed any other named political entity that incorporates PF as one of it’s alliance members, would be an error at law. It is like going to the bank to obtain a loan with collateral of a house whose ownership is being contested in court.

With this brief analysis, my question is on which ticket then will the former Head of State ride to appear on the ballot in 2026? And in case the other statement he likes saying is the consolation, “I am not returning to politics because I have ambitions to become President again as anyone among the opposition leaders can become President.” If this is something to go by, then the Former President will do well to revert back to his Statesman status because there is no one in that alliance worth sacrificing everything for. He would have even done better to sacrifice for Lubinda, Mundubile, Kafwaya, Monde etc than those surrounding him now.

At the moment, Zambia stands to benefit more from the wealth of his experience, wisdom, connections and influence as a statesman, an advisor to government and indeed as a symbol of national unity being the only surviving former Head of State. He should forget about bouncing back because the Kalabas and others will ride on his influence and the PF numbers to position themselves for 2026 and throw him out just before the elections. Remember the point in paragraph 2, PF in it’s current form can not form a legally binding alliance with anyone. And if there are plans to form a completely brand new political party then it makes matters even worse, how desperate will Zambians and indeed the world perceive the former President! Imagine, going across Zambia marketing ECL on a different party other than the PF, it will be laughable.

When I saw one newspaper headline where recently ECL said, “I MEAN WELL” I thought to myself that, he will surely mean well even more if he worked together with his young brother President HH especially in times like now when the Republican President has extended an olive branch to all opposition political parties to come on board and work with him.

Is Pamela Gondwe back in Zambia? A flashback moment

By Prof Munyonzwe Hamalengwa

The immigration officer at the Zimbabwe-Zambia border on the Zambian side couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw this beautiful woman rolling down her window of a brand new silver Mercedez Benz with South African number plates.

He tapped his friend on the shoulder and whispered, “talk of the devil. Look who is showing up at our border so soon after we have been looking at the old newspapers that we have just cleaned up: Pamela Gondwe!”

“You are kidding me. I think you are thinking of that woman too much. Pamela Gondwe, forget her. She is gone and probably already married to some very poor White man to get some much needed citizenship under a different name.”

“Man I am not kidding, just look at the one who is about to present her passport to us. It is a South African passport, I can tell”.

The second officer immediately looked in that direction and nearly fell down over his table sending hot tea cascading down the floor. He also couldn’t believe his eyes. Pamela Gondwe is back in Zambia so soon after escaping with thousands of hard cash in foreign currency. He had to maintain his composure and didn’t want to betray his recognition of Pamela Gondwe who was now presenting her South African passport.

The first immigration officer also had to struggle to remain calm. As he was fidgeting with the words, he stumbled on the sentence, “welcome back to Zambia Madam, ah ah Goon, Madam Nguni.”

“Thank you, but why are you saying ‘welcome back’ this is my first time coming to Zambia.” The two officers looked at each other. One began to speak, “Ah, ah, ah, aren’t you…” When the other one kicked him on the left sheen under the table. He got the message. How can you ask a criminal whether she was Pamela Gondwe?

‘’We are used to repeat tourists so it has become a habit to say welcome back. In South Africa you say ‘beck’ or is it ‘bake’.

“I am sure I will be beck if I enjoy the place. I hear the economy is in the doldrums and I am here to inject a bit of forex. I just hope your country is not full of criminals like South Africa,” Ms Ng’uni stated as she rolled the window up and drove towards Zambia. She was alone and looked swavvy.

“How stupid can this woman be. She is mocking Zambia. She just left Zambia barely two months ago using the VIP entrance and exit at KKIA carrying thousands of forex in a suitable way and she is back already! Does she think she will not be caught because she is flaunting a South African passport in her new name and using exaggerated South African accent.”

“Man, I have serious misgivings that that is Pamela Gondwe. We just looked at her photos as we cleaned the newspapers. Look at that picture there. Does Pamela have that cleft or what do you call it, gap or parting in the centre of her upper teeth. Her facial dimples weren’t that deep when she left. Look at that photograph. Look further, there is a tattoo below her right shoulder in that picture. I didn’t see that tattoo this time around and she was wearing more or less a similar top today.”

The other immigration officer started laughing very hard. “You Zambians make me laugh. What kind of training did you do to become an immigration officer, let alone working at a border post and interdicting serious criminals, terrorists, refugees, fugitives from justice, smugglers and the rest? Man do you think Pamela Gondwe would come back and announce with telltale signs that she is back? Man you are so naïve.”

“Man you are the one who deserves further training. That woman has a gap in the centre of her upper teeth. Does that picture have that? Where is the tattoo?”

The other officer was doubling down laughing with tears streaming down his cheeks. The other officer couldn’t understand why his friend was laughing so hard. At that time they were interrupted by a tourist and they became busy processing several other visitors.

When there was a small break, the other officer asked his friend, “what is so funny about what I am telling you? Man you are crazy. I can’t believe you think that is Pamela Gondwe despite the resemblance. You know they say that in this world there are always two people or more outside of identical twins that resemble the other person. There are two or more of you out there. There are two or more of me out there. This is simply another double for Pamela Gondwe, you hear me?”

The other man started laughing again. “Banene, have you ever heard of the word ‘plastic surgery’? Do you know that tattoos can be removed. Dimples can be created or deepened or removed? How can you catch a sophisticated criminal with that naivety? The gap in the teeth could even be an illusion. Her real teeth formation could be intact behind that plastic facade. Please go back to training.”

The other officer started to ponder. Maybe his friend was right. That may be Pamela Gondwe who has transformed herself.

“Let me tell you something again, banene, criminal profiling as a science has shown that it is difficult to catch a criminal who is hiding in plain sight. Gondwe would look like a fish out of water in say Japan or Switzerland. If she runs out of money in those countries, she should have to turn to prostitution to earn a living and prostitution areas in foreign countries are dens of Interpol, the Mafia, the FBI, Mossad, KGB, CIA, M16 you name them. Tourists and diplomats frequent these places as well. Have you heard of the famous red light district in Amsterdam?These agencies look for criminals there. And for pleasure. They also recruit women there as agents to entrap big name criminals. They turn them into spies or double agents. They use their sexuality to catch and turn lonely or disgruntled diplomats into spies and betrayers of their countries. There is no more grateful woman than one rescued from poverty and prostitution by the promise of a steady income, regular apartment, travel to several countries with top tier hotel accommodation and with several passports. Now imagine if Pamela behaved like a lot of clever criminals, hiding in plain sight right here in Zambia! With that money she stole, she buys a small plot of land, build, stay out of trouble, have a poor regular boyfriend for companionship, go to movies at night and enjoy a pretty comfortable life in Zambia. Meanwhile, Interpol will be searching for Pamela Gondwe all over the world in wrong places. Do you know how many women look like Pamela Gondwe in South Africa, Malawi, Brazil, US, UK, Ethiopia, Nigeria? A lot and some of them have already been questioned by the FBI, Scotland Yard and Interpol. But Pamela Gondwe has just passed here and you think that is some one else. Hiding in plain sight my brother. Money launderers are constructing high brick fences hiding their beautiful massive mansions in plain sight.’’

“Oh my God, we have spent a lot of time speculating whether or not that was Pamela Gondwe that we forgot to alert the police. Man we are both stupid. We both deserve to be terminated from employment, you more so than me because you believe that is Pamela Gondwe yet you forgot to call the cops. I believe that is not Pamela Gondwe so I had no cause for concern.”

“Man I thought you are not as stupid as you look.” “It makes the both of us”, the other one uttered a rejoinder.

“Can I speak to the commanding officer, Livingstone, urgent,’’ called the immigration officer to Police Headquarters. “Just a minute sir, what is it in regards?’’ ‘

“Just put the Officer in Charge on the phone. I have no time for chit chat. Waunfwa?”

“Yes sir, right away.”

“Officer, we think Pamela Gondwe has returned to Zambia through the Victoria Falls/Livingstone border post. She was driving a brand new silver Mercedez Benz with South African number plates and she is carrying a South African passport. The licence plate number is the following and she is using the following name.”

“How long ago was that,” asked the Officer Commanding.

“About 40 minutes to an hour ago.”

“What! Are you crazy? You see a worldwide wanted criminal and you wait an hour to report! Zambia can literally be burnt down by smugglers while you guys are twiddling your thumbs. What were you doing for an hour? Your shift will be investigated. Heads must roll. I will send some officers to get some statements and check the scene. Don’t forget to immediately remove the film in the CCTV camera and give it to my officers. Mwanvela?”

‘’Yes Sir’’ was the answer.

As the unmarked police car raced towards The Mighty Victoria Falls, along Mosi-O-Tunya Road, the detectives saw a brand new silver Mercedez Benz that matched the description of the car the alleged Pamela Gondwe was driving but this one had diplomatic mission licence plate status and there were two men in it and no woman at all. They radioed the Livingstone police post at the exit point to Lusaka and instructed that any brand new silver Mercedez Benz with South African licence plate numbers must be stopped no matter who was driving it, man or woman. This message was relayed throughout the chain and through toll gates from Livingstone to Lusaka. Pamela Gondwe was back and must be captured. There were strict instructions not to spread any news about this on social media. Pamela shouldn’t be alerted.

The police inquired with their traffic colleagues stationed between Livingstone and Victoria Falls whether they saw the described Mercedez Benz. The traffic officers stated that the only Mercedez Benz they saw was one with diplomatic mission licence plate number but never saw one with the South African licence plate number. The mystery was thickening. Where is the Mercedez Benz bearing South African licence plate number?

The police officers dispatched another message that the described car bearing diplomatic licence plate number must be stopped at the next tollgate, that being the Daniel Munkombwe Tollgate after Choma. On being informed that some police officer had issued a directive that a diplomatic car should be stopped for investigation, the Livingstone Commanding Officer was furious.

“You idiots, I will have you fired after this. Don’t you know a diplomat’s car is foreign territory? You can’t trespass on foreign territory. Didn’t you learn that in police academy? Diplomats have immunity

from investigation and criminal charges. But let me consult the Attorney General or foreign affairs or Minister of Justice. In the meantime get a high wheeled police car from Choma to trail that Mercedez Benz and peep through to see whether there is a woman siting or lying in the back seat of the Benz. Report everything.”

“Sir, this is Choma calling. The described Mercedez Benz has been spotted cruising towards Daniel Munkombwe toll bridge but it doesn’t have diplomatic licence plate number but it has a licence plate number registered to a top RTSA official in Lusaka and there is a mean-looking man driving that vehicle.”

The mystery of the car was deepening. Are all these people talking about the same car?

Several hours later: “Kalaluka here, the Attorney General. I have talked to several lawyers here and abroad about diplomatic immunities. Professor Kenneth Mwenda gave me the most persuasive analysis. In any case that is no longer the issue. Developments have overtaken the diplomatic issue. The car with diplomatic licence plate number was seen earlier at Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula airport dropping off a woman, and some people were struck by her resemblance to Pamela Gondwe but that woman smiled so much displaying her gap in her upper teeth which Gondwe doesn’t have and that immediately shut down any conversation. That woman landed in Lusaka where a few people again thought she was Pamela Gondwe. Again her display of the gap and lack of tattoo disarmed everybody’s suscipitions.”

The Attorney General continued, “The woman got into a new Pajero without a licence plate number. These vehicles are usually given to retired prominent people or retired law enforcement top notch former high flying operatives. Since the information hadn’t reached Lusaka at the time, no action could be taken. The described Mercedez Benz crossed into Zimbabwe at Chirundu bearing a diplomatic licence plate number. From all the photos of that vehicle, it is believed to be one and the same car.’’

“This is the Inspector General of Police. Interpol compared the pictures of Pamela Gondwe with those obtained from the border CCTV camera and after a series of photographic manipulation here in Zambia and at Scotland Yard, at Interpol Headquarters in Paris and at the FBI’s finest lab in Quantico, Virginia, it has been determined that the woman who arrived in Livingstone many hours ago, is Pamela Gondwe.”

The author teaches Criminal Law and Law of Evidence, and writes imaginary movie scripts. Reach him via:

munyonzwe.hamalengwa@zaou.ac.zm

OCIDA WISHING ILL FOR THE ZAMBIAN PEOPLE

14TH MARCH 2024

Even as I attempt to address a statement purportedly written by OCIDA and signed by His Grace Archbishop Emeritus Tresphore Mpundu to the American Ambassador to Zambia, His Excellency Michael Gonzales, I wish to make it clear from the outset that I exempt the signatory of this statement, Bishop Mpundu.

Given the advanced age of the Archbishop, it’s doubtful he would be so detailed and aware of the contexts and motives. We urge the authors of this letter to allow the Archbishop to rest and enjoy his retirement in peace.

The creators of this statement are well-known schemers and critics of President Hakainde Hichilema, and I dare say, critics of the Zambian people who have entrusted the President with the mandate to govern the country. They oppose peace, orderliness, and the rule of law, hence their spirited attempt to target and discredit the governance institutions and their leaders.

Even during the height of abuses under President Edgar Lungu, where many people were murdered and others maimed by state-sponsored political thugs and the police, including instances of targeting entire tribes, no one, neither OCIDA nor any civil society organizations, called for sanctions against Zambia.

The personal animosity towards President Hakainde Hichilema by the authors of this statement is deep-seated and reaching alarming proportions that threaten the peace of Zambia.

The document is a collection of falsehoods, generalizations, provides no specific evidence, and is utterly malicious.

The Zambian people are grappling with the burden of debt, having just emerged from a debilitating cholera outbreak, and are now facing the threat of hunger due to a severe drought. How can any rational individuals call for economic sanctions against a country already enduring so much?

Isn’t it coincidental that this OCIDA statement is emerging at a time when Zambia has been recognized by V-Dem as one of the top three democratizing countries in the world, following the autocratic rule of Edgar Lungu?

OCIDA must not drive this country into lawlessness by fostering division among its citizens. As they persist in their deceitful schemes, they should consider the importance of peaceful coexistence that Zambia has enjoyed since 1964.

Please set aside any personal animosity towards the President and consider the peace, unity, and future of this country. Your document, though shallow, serves as a precursor to dividing the nation. Stop dividing the people.

Clayson Hamasaka,
Communications Specialist
State House

´Cornelius Mweetwa is making President Hichilema look bad´
…says ex agriculture minister Katambo

14.03.24

Chief government spokesman Cornelius Mweetwa has done a good job in making President Hakainde Hichilema look bad regarding the national drought emergency declaration and call for international relief says Michael Katambo, the former Minister of Agriculture in an interview aired live on KBNTV on Wednesday.

“At one point the President (HH) declares a national disaster on drought and a need for international help and immediately after that his spokesman Mr Mweetwa says the country is food secure and theres nothing to worry about it,” said hon. Katambo, the Masaiti lawmaker.
The former agriculture Minister said he is concerned that, “people will now not be able to know who is telling the truth between the information minister Mr. Mweetwa and President Hichilema.”

Featuring on ´The Big Hour´, the parliamentarian advised the UPND government to ´coordinate´ their statements on important issues such as ´national disasters´ so that Zambians are not confused in times of need.

Over the weekend, Mr Mweetwa bussed a media public relations team whom he exposed to some stacks of maize which he said was enough to see Zambia through an existing food crisis, contrary to the emergency declared by President Hichilema recently and an appeal for relief.
“We have enough food to last until the next season,” Mr Mweetwa said before camera´s following days of condemnation of the ruling party for selling about 1,4 million tons of emergency reserve stocks from the FRA left by the former administration of President Edgar Lungu, mostly to eastern African countries such as Kenya and the Congo DR.

“We still do not understand the logic behind selling reserve maize stocks that we built over a long period and years of planning just to start importing the same maize at a higher market price,” said Mr Katambo.

The former agriculture minister also advised the Hichilema government to start looking north to boost agriculture given the science that shows that rain patterns have moved north from the traditional southern province grain basket of Zambia.

“There´s no sense in investing in a dry and hot place where the crop will whittle, dry and die when there´s rain up north and fertile land to boost agriculture produce and reduce poverty as the plan was under President Edgar Lungu…it wasn’t discrimination what we did, it was science and expert advice we used to increase agro inputs north during our time,” said Mr Katambo.

Mr Katamboa also warned that it may take a long period of hunger and anguish before Zambia can return to becoming ´food sufficient´ after the Hichilema administration ignored the science and sold reserve stocks cheaply which it is buying back expensively.
Oxfam Zambia has warned that up to six million Zambians face starvation this year following Mr Hichilema´s decision to sell reserve food stocks that have led to long food ques and acute shortages.

The price of a 25kg bag of mealie meal is costing about K400 in Lusaka and more in rural areas, where it can be found as government imports expensive maize from east Africa where it sold it.

Hon. Katambo appealed to Mr Hichilema to follow the advice of experts in future as he tries to correct the current ills but warned that ´a hungry man is an angry man´ and that a country without food security lacks ´national security.´

He also cautioned Mr Mweetwa to tame his tongue and stop contradicting President Hichilema in issues such as national disasters.

Source: KBNTV

SANCTIONS AGAINST PRESIDENT HICHILEMA AND HIS GROUP UNDERMINING DEMOCRACY

Mr Michael Gonzales
United States Ambassador to Zambia
P. O. Box 320065
Lusaka, Zambia

8 March 2024

Dear Ambassador,

RE: Petition for the United States Government to impose financial sanctions, visa restrictions, and travel bans against top Zambian officials undermining democratic rights in Zambia

Refer to the above captioned subject.

Formed in June 2020, Our Civic Duty Association (OCIDA) is a registered civil society organisation in Zambia working to advance democracy, good governance, and human rights. It is made up of senior citizens whose only aspiration is to advance the public good.

We, in OCIDA, are deeply alarmed by the continued abuse institutions of governance and the erosion of democracy in Zambia today under the leadership of President Hakainde Hichilema and his ruling United Party for National Development (UPND). Of particular concern are the violations of democratic rights such as the right to public assembly, free speech, freedom of association, and the right to a speedy trial. Also worrying is the continued abuse of state institutions like the Anti-Corruption Commission, the Independent Broadcasting Authority, the Zambia Police Service, the National Assembly of Zambia, and the Judiciary.

On several occasions, OCIDA and other organisations such as the Zambian Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Law Association of Zambia and Chapter One Foundation have called on the Zambian Government to respect and enable the expression of these fundamental democratic rights. Our combined calls have fallen on deaf ears. What we have instead witnessed over the last several months are further restrictions on these rights. Public rallies by opposition parties continue to be banned by the Zambia Police Service, the Judiciary continues to engage in what appears to be wilful delay of the resolution of urgent political matters affecting the main opposition party, the Executive arm of government continues to interfere in the operations of other institutions, the leadership of the national assembly continues to undermine democracy in parliament, critics of the government continue to face intimidation and threats from state institutions and public officials, and leaders of the opposition continue to face arrest from the police based on what appears to be politically motivated charges. This is not the Zambia we want. This is the Zambia we rejected in August 2021.

In view of the continued abuse of governance institutions and the violations of democratic rights in Zambia, OCIDA calls on the United States Government to impose financial sanctions, visa restrictions, and travel bans against the below-named officials of the Government of the Republic of Zambia whose conduct has aided this continued suppression of democracy in Zambia. We make our call in the wake of the recent decision by the US Government, as part of its democracy-centred foreign policy, to impose similar sanctions on members of the Government of Zimbabwe who are at the forefront of restricting democratic rights, tolerating corruption, and abusing governance institutions. It in this light that we petition the administration of President Joe Biden, through the US Embassy in Zambia, to impose sanctions on the following officials of the Zambian Government:

1. Police Inspector General Graphel Musamba

Since his appointment as Inspector General of Police in April 2023, Mr Musamba has presided over the prohibition of opposition party meetings. Not a single public rally called by opposition parties has been sanctioned under his command. Mr Musamba has cited unspecified security concerns and inadequate manpower as justifications for this continued violation of the right to public assembly, even in instances where opposition parties have offered to provide their own security. It is impossible for multiparty democracy to be seen as a legitimate political system of government if political parties, created by the Constitution of Zambia, are not allowed to freely meet their members and conduct their activities.

In a truly functioning democracy, citizens are and must be free to exercise the right to peaceful assembly at any time they wish, including outside the elections. The job of the police service is to facilitate the enjoyment of this right, not to curtail it. Mr Musamba’s continued violation of the right to peaceful assembly represents a threat to national peace and stability, a danger to the survival of Zambia’s democracy, and a blatant defilement of the Constitution of Zambia, which mandates the police to protect and defend human rights and democracy. As Elias Chipimo noted in April 1980 when criticising the restrictions on political and civil rights under then President Kenneth Kaunda, the multi-party system is “the surest way of avoiding coups and eliminating the disgraceful tendency of presidents ending up with bullets in their heads.” Alarmingly, the current Inspector General of Police has proved to be an apostle of state-sponsored lawlessness as he has been in the forefront of not only breaking rather than enforcing the law but also undermining the very multiparty character of the Republic.

2. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security Jack Mwiimbu

Mr Musamba’s efforts to undermine democratic rights in Zambia have been aided by the conduct of his superior, the Minister of Home Affairs and Infernal Security Mr Jack Mwiimbu. Under Mr Mwiimbu’s leadership, the Zambia Police Service has been turned into a private militia of the ruling party. As well as supporting the police’s continued refusal to sanction meetings organised by opposition parties, Mr Mwiimbu has also presided over the numerous arrests of nearly all opposition party leaders in Zambia, except those aligned to the ruling party, on frivolous charges. All these developments have occurred whilst the minister and his police officials continue to ignore the offences committed by members of the ruling party and the government, even when the same are formally reported to the police by the victims. As a result, a two-tier policing system has been created under his command: one for members of the opposition and another for members of the ruling UPND.

In addition, governance institutions such as the Registrar of Societies have been repeatedly suffered abuse from Mr Mwiimbu’s ministry. For instance, a former Registrar of Societies who refused to carry out unlawful changes to the leadership of the main opposition party – changes that were aimed at instigating factional divisions in the main opposition Patriotic Front party – was unceremoniously hounded out of office and replaced with a malleable official who has not only obeyed the illegal commands but also paved the way for the installation of a pliant leadership in the main opposition party.

Mr Mwimbu is also ultimately responsible for the police’s ongoing efforts to frustrate the registration of an umbrella alliance of opposition parties, namely the United Kwacha Alliance. Citizens have the right to associate with a political formation of their choice, and the job of the Ministry of Home Affairs is to enable the enjoyment of this right, not to undermine the freedom of association. Democracy is at great risk of collapsing when democratic rights like the freedom of association are restricted. And when people lose trust in the capacity of formal institutions to represent them, they are likely to resort to democratic means of expressing their discontent – and indeed of changing governments.

3. Speaker of the National Assembly Nellie Mutti

A known supporter of the ruling UPND, the Speaker of the National Assembly has been at the forefront of undermining democracy in parliament. Ms Nellie Mutti has presided over unconstitutional changes to the leadership of the official opposition in parliament (consequently trampling on the rule of law by overlooking matters that are before Court over the same issue), been quick to suspend opposition lawmakers at will, especially those who question her judgement, and has, on several occasions, curtailed opposition and independent MPs from debating freely in the House, especially on matters that relate to criticism of the Executive.

This demonstrated partiality by Speaker Mutti harms Zambia’s constitutional democracy in that it violates the principle of separation of powers and the right of parliament to scrutinise the activities of the Executive as part of promoting accountability. Multiparty democracy is strengthened when all three arms of government carry out their activities in a manner that enhances or promotes checks and balances. Ms Mutti has proved, time and time again, to be a mere appendage of the Executive, committed to advancing the interests of the ruling party rather than the greater cause of democracy. Her continued adverse actions risk undermining public trust in the capacity of parliament to truly be a people’s House and ultimately in the very integrity of the democratic system.

4. Chief Justice Mumba Malila

When Mr Mumba Malila was appointed Chief Justice, OCIDA was among the many Zambians and organisations that then and subsequently commended his appointment. Our hope that Mr Malila would provide leadership to this vital state institution, without whom democracy cannot flourish, was based on his impressive track record of defending fundamental freedoms and human rights not only in Zambia but also in international organisations where he had worked.

Unfortunately, in recent years, Chief Justice Malila has proved to be a great disappointment. Our faith in his leadership has since decreased considerably. Not only has he lamentably failed to provide effective leadership in ensuring speedy trial for politically sensitive cases, especially those whose outcome have a significant bearing on the state and direction of Zambia’s democracy; he has also, in an unprecedented move, deployed the Judiciary to intimidate and attack, through press statements, ordinary citizens who dare to criticise the institution’s performance under his watch. The capture of Zambia’s main opposition party by the executive branch of government has been enabled by the conduct of the judiciary under Mr Malila’s watch. Judges handling the matters have sat on them while the Chief Justice continues to criss-cross the world, giving speeches to unsuspecting audiences, some of them emphasising the importance of speedy trial and judicial independence.

Mr Malila’s proximity to President Hichilema – demonstrated in regular shared public spaces and the Chief Justice’s penchant of inviting the head of the Executive to address judicial meetings – has also raised public eyebrows about the extent of judicial independence under his watch. These fears have been aided by several instances where announcements that must come from the Judiciary are first made by the President. A clear example is how the President recently announced to the public a Statutory Instrument that was yet to be signed by the Chief Justice. How did the President know about it? The only hypothesis is that the President could have been the author.

5. The Director of Public Prosecutions Gilbert Phiri

The Director of Public Prosecutions Gilbert Phiri is a former personal lawyer of President Hichilema. Any hopes that Mr Phiri would rise above these personal historic ties to conduct the affairs of his office in an impartial manner were extinguished long ago. Instead of defending public interest and the integrity of the legal system, Mr Phiri has been in the forefront of refusing to sanction the prosecution of government and ruling party officials whilst doing the opposite for members of the opposition. Not only has his conduct undermined the integrity of the legal system; it also represents a threat to the legitimacy of the multiparty political system. DPP Phiri has clearly shown that he is working with the President on many cases to undermine democracy and human rights.

6. Electoral Commission of Zambia Chairperson Mwangala Zaloumis

Ms Mwangala Zaloumis is another official with known ties to the ruling UPND. Appointed to the role by President Hichilema, she has since led the Electoral Commission of Zambia in disfranchising citizens by way of excluding candidates of the main opposition party from taking part in elections to the benefit of the UPND. Complaints from opposition parties about the abuse of state resources by government officials during by-elections have also been ignored by Ms Zaloumis. The multiparty system rests on having an independent electoral commission that enjoys public trust and is impartial in its conduct. The current leadership of the Electoral Commission of Zambia is far from these requisites and represents a danger to peace, stability, and the survival of democracy in the country.

7. President Hakainde Hichilema

If there is one person who deserves sanctions for undermining democracy and democratic rights in Zambia, it is President Hichilema. Not only is he the one responsible for the appointment of other democracy-threatening officials like Mr Musamba, Mr Mwiimbu, Ms, Mutti, Mr Malila, Ms Zaloumis, and Mr Phiri; President Mr Hichilema has also aided their conduct by neglecting to reprimand or sanction them for undermining civil and political rights. The Police, for example, has been used as a tool to suppress political opponents or arrest government critics. In fact, Mr Hichilema has praised Mr Musamba’s harrowing performance, publicly stating that he wished he had resurrected the latter from retirement much earlier.

The President of Zambia as Head of State and Government must be a fountain of justice and equity and presidential functions must be performed with dignity and transparency. The President must be above partisan considerations when treating citizens whether in opposition or in support of government. All these principles are provided for in the Constitution of Zambia under which he took the Oath of Office. Unfortunately, President Hichilema has not lived true to these ideals. His administration has divided the country on ethnic-regional lines. Key Government positions are now a preserve of members of his ethnicity and adjacent tribes in Western, Northwestern, and Central provinces. We are witnessing a purge in government and State-Owned Enterprise of Zambians who hail from the Northern or Eastern provinces based on the belief that they are supporters of the main opposition party. In recent months, civil servants hailing from these provinces have been displaced from their positions and replaced with people who come from Southern and Western Zambia. This state-sponsored polarisation has created tension in the country and undermined nation building and stability. The spirit of One Zambia One Nation is now but an illusion.

President Hichilema has also ignored growing incidents of corruption in his administration, including among members of his oner circle. Not only has he failed to publish his assets and declarations as a way of showing leadership; he has further ignored calls to do so from several people including Zambians and non-Zambians such as yourself, Ambassador. This is not the character of a man who is committed to fighting corruption.

Having highlighted how the conduct of the above officials continue to undermine democracy in Zambia, we reiterate our call that targeted sanctions against these specific individuals be imposed on them to serve as a deterrent. We believe that such a move is an imperative at this juncture, if the United States is to be perceived as fair and consistent in its application of foreign policy values, central of which is democracy promotion and the sanctioning of those who undermine it. Although many people think the current President of Zambia is a darling of the United States, we believe that the interests of the two nations are by far larger than the interest of an individual leader – especially when that leader is in the forefront of undermining democracy and abusing institutions of governance.

We look forward to your action-oriented response.

Yours faithfully,

Emeritus Archbishop Telesphore G. Mpundu
Chairman, OCIDA

Today marks a pivotal moment in our nation’s journey towards justice, integrity, and the rule of law as we swore-in State Counsels and Senior Government officials.

The State Counsels sworn-in include Hon. Mrs Nelly Butete Kashumba Mutti, Hon. Jacob Jack Mwiimbu, MP, Mrs. Frances Mwangala Ifunga Zaloumis, Mr Arshad Abdulla Dudhia and Mrs. Kondwa Emily Sakala Chibiya.

The esteemed rank and dignity of State Counsel symbolises a profound commitment to public service as it transcends mere legal practice to embody the highest ideas of fairness, equity, and compassion.

We urged the newly sworn-in State Counsels to be true guardians of the Constitution and defend democratic values.

Further, we swore-in Ambassador Lazarous Kapambwe as Special Envoy to the President.

We commend Ambassador Kapambwe for his exceptional and distinguished service to the country over the decades as a career diplomat and is, therefore, well suited for the position of Special Envoy to the President.

We also swore-in Dr Choolwe Beyani as Chairperson of the Civil Service Commission and urged him to expeditiously address issues pertaining to appointments, promotions, and transfers of civil servants as they affect performance and service delivery.

To our sworn-in Deputy Director-General of the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC), Ms. Beatrice Kiluya Mpanga, we stated to her that the government is confident that her appointment will contribute to enhanced service delivery at the Commission in fighting money laundering and other financial crimes.

To the Commissioner of the Human Rights Commission, Father Joe Komakoma, we indicated to him that the Human Rights Commission must continue pursuing activities that contribute to the promotion of rights and freedoms of the citizenry.

We emphasized to him that a just and fair society is important in a democratic nation such as ours. The commission should, therefore, work closely with other stakeholders in the sector to address human rights abuses.

We once again congratulate all the newly sworn-in State Counsels and Senior Government officials and wish them well as they serve this great nation.

Hakainde Hichilema
President of the Republic of Zambia
May be an image of 1 person

By Peter Sinkamba

DRAFT BROADCASTING BILL: UPND SHOULD LEARN LESSONS FROM PAST MISTAKES OF PREVIOUS GOVTs

UPND is set to present a Bill to Parliament to amend the IBA Act with the sole purpose to punish perceived opponents that use social media to disseminate their views.

Targeted opponents include social media broadcasters critical of government, the likes of Dr. Sishuwa Sishuwa, Kasonde Mwenda, Laura Miti, Emmanuel Mwamba, Chilufya Tayali etc.

The Bill is also intended to punish groups that use social media to disseminate their views critical of government, the likes of Barotse National Freedom Alliance in Western Province, Umodzi Kumawa, Eastern Province, etc.

Above all, the Bill is intended to stiffle and punish political parties that use social media to reach out to the public, especially now that the 2026 elections are drawing closer. With innovation in social media broadcast outpacing traditional TV and radio broadcasting, this mode of communication has gained more traction than never before.

UPND government should remember that President HH in opposition relied solely on social media broadcasting, especially twitter and Facebook to reach out to the masses, especially the youth, without any iota of restriction. If there was no social media outreach, before, during and after elections, there is no way that UPND would have won the 2021 elections.

So, UPND government should learn from an old Lozi adage of “pukucwe munyelela siliba”. Never defecate in a water-well after you drink from it, especially if it is located along the way to your neighbouring village because you may need to drink from the same well on you way back”.

UPND government should also learn from an old adage of never to kick the ladder that one used to go up because you may need the same ladder on his way down.

Finally, UPND leaders must learn from mistakes of previous government that enacted laws to punish opponents. The same laws were subsequently used to punish the same leaders that enacted the laws when they lost power. There are several examples in this regard, too numerous to mention. Some cases are in courts of law right now. So UPND leaders may face the same fate.

My appeal to UPND government is that they need for decongest the cage they used to go up because they will need the same cage on their way down.

Learn from past mistakes. When forewarned, you are forearmed.

For now, I end here on this issue.

OF HON. DAVIES MWILA’S TRENDING PICTURE

By Gregory Chisha

From the outset, may I place it on record that I never discuss ones persona when it comes to politics and governance matters.

However, I thought of speaking my mind on the subject matter.

From yesterday, a picture(attached to this post) of Former Patriotic Front Secretary General, Mr. Davies Mwila has been making rounds on various socials.

Now, what’s disheartening is how some people, through various social media platforms have decided to throw shade towards the man, claiming that his health is failing him and all.

Some have gone ahead to claim that Hon. Davies Mwila’s situation especially those in politics, should be a learning point. A very misplaced piece of advise if you ask me.

All we can do is wish him nothing but good health and God’s grace to keep him going.

You see, our health and body can fail us anytime/ anyday. Regardless of who you are you are bound to fall sick at one point or the other.

Anyone, can get sick anytime!
Honourable Mwila should not be mocked or ridiculed etc. That’s not right.

You may hate someone or disagree with them, but never pick on their personal life, like their health, family, etc. That’s not right.
Those claiming Hon. Davies Mwila is looking like this due to loss of power may have to check their facts again, as those that know Hon. Davies Mwila know that the man is living a very comfortable life and all.

Some years ago, Late President Sata while in opposition, complained bitterly about this same tendency amongst us (Zambians) of rejoicing at ones downfall. The President expressed his displeasure at how some people would wish their friends to die and
What shall it a profit a man to rejoice over ones downfall?

In ending, I wish to state that, sickness, death or life’s problems can fall on anyone regardless of their socio-economic status. Today it might be me, tomorrow it’s on you. -Chawona mzako chapita, mawa chili pa iweh.

Wishing Honourable Davies Mwila (Ulusato) God’s grace, good health and sustenance.

-GC

UK Says University Of Zambia Degrees are Equivalent to Diplomas

10 March 2024

Lusaka-The United Kingdom Home Office is shunning University of Zambia graduates for the High Potential Individuals (HPI) visa due to the perceived inferiority of their degrees.

The HPI visa is designed to attract “highly skilled graduates” from international universities outside of the UK to contribute to a range of sectors, such as science and technology.

According to the UK-NARIC [National Academic Recognition Information Centre] comparability, UNZA bachelor’s degree in humanities is equivalent to the British two-year Higher National Diploma, and bachelor’s degrees in medicine, engineering, and law are comparable to the three-year British Bachelor (Ordinary) Degree standard.

Apparently, the South African-NARIC keeps yielding a similar result. In 2020, a social media posted by Dr. Sam Phiri titled “South African University ‘Junks’ UNZA Degrees” infuriated many students and alumni of the university.

At the heart of the story was a letter by the University of Cape Town (UCT) Humanities Postgraduate Administrative Officer Kerewin Parfitt to a Zambian Bachelor’s degree graduate applicant.

It read as follows:

“Dear…Thank you for your application to study at the University of Cape Town in 2021. We conducted a NARIC [National Academic Recognition Information Centre] equivalency check on your degree from Zambia.

The NARIC check indicated that your degree is equivalent to a Diploma of Higher Education in South Africa and, therefore, inadequate for entrance into the Master’s program.”

The illusion of academic pride quickly masked the reality when most UNZA students and alums took deep offense and resorted to social media to insinuate the applicant was a product of not UNZA but one of the local “inferior” private universities. Although the letter did not spark a national discourse about the quality of tertiary education in Zambia, it highlighted the pervasive discernible bane that has kept UNZA at the totem pole of global university rankings.

What the NARIC check means is that Zambia’s citadel and cauldron of intellectualism, an institution created to enhance intellectual sovereignty and foster the development of Zambia’s human capital, is a miscarriage of vocation.

If indeed this is the case, then it explains why Zambian political scientists, economists, metallurgists, and pedagogues have contributed negligibly to the socio-economic growth of Zambia. Above all, it explains why Zambia has failed to embark on a paradigm shift that lifts the mineral resource curse.

Understanding Mineral Resource Curse

Coined by economist Richard Auty of Lancaster University, the term “resource curse,” also known as the “paradox of plenty,” or “poverty paradox,” describes a scenario in which a country abundant in natural resources encounters persistent issues of economic stagnation and political turmoil due to foreign exploitation. Renaissance thinkers such as Bodin and Machiavelli posited that nations with abundant resources tended to have citizens prone to lack of intellectual sight and indolence.

In Zambia, it is evident the curse is prominently manifested through the copper mining sector, which, being the bedrock of the economy, has been unsuccessful in establishing enduring welfare systems, infrastructure, and economic growth. Despite President Kaunda ensuring national control by nationalizing 51% of the equity shares in the copper industry on August 1, 1969, the aftermath has witnessed an upsurge in corrupt practices and the plunder of mineral resources by foreign investors.

The Ball is in Hichilema’s Court

The overarching question is; Can the University of Zambia execute a dramatic turnaround and meet the demands of a world class university? Undoubtedly, such a feat is feasible, only if UNZA emulates the University of Ghana and the University of Dar es Salaam who have integrated extensive World-Class University (WCU) goals into their mission declarations and are determined to deliver world-class academic standards. President Hichilema, revered by UNZA students for providing complimentary meals and promoting access to basic education, possesses the capability to introduce a novel and creative perspective to the university, placing a strong focus on intellectual sovereignty.

Hichilema, in collaboration with the Chancellor, should embark on establishing a superior higher education system. This system must encompass three essential elements that are generally observed in top-tier universities worldwide: (1) a notable assemblage of skilled instructors and learners, (2) ample financial means, and (3) a clearly defined strategic vision supported by capable leadership. To achieve this goal, it is crucial for the Chancellor to establish the Office of Strategic and Academic Quality (OSAQ) with the primary objective of enhancing academic excellence.

It is also imperative for the Chancellor to investigate strategies that can incentivize a greater number of undergraduate students to engage in research-based programs at the postgraduate and postdoctoral stages. OSAQ should reward such students with fully funded internships at prestigious institutions in the United States and Europe, to enable them to enhance their professional expertise.

There is no doubt that embarking on this project will have financial implications. The creation of a world class university requires a significant amount of money. Luckily, Hichilema is well-known for his ability to secure financial resources. Hakainde and his administration must establish reserve funds to boost investments in the university and foster social capital to back this effort.

Otherwise, Zambia’s potential to break the mineral resource curse and actively participate in the free flow of 21st century ideas across different fields, including the economy, and politics, as well as its reputation in disseminating and advancing accumulated knowledge and research findings, will be mediocre at most and its degrees desecrated at worst.

The rights to this article belong to ZDI (Zambia Development Institute), a proposed US-based Zambian think tank. On May 19, 2022, a comprehensive proposal was delivered to President Hichilema through Principal Private Secretary Bradford Machila. Author, Dr. Field Ruwe holds a Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership. He is affiliated with Northeastern University, Boston, MA. US.