Situmbeko Musokotwane Has Been a Disaster for Zambia as Minister of Finance.

By. Dr. Mbita Chitala

Many people would disagree with my friend Laura Miti that “Musokototwane is one of the best any country could have in times like these” as reported in some media. To the contrary, I completely agree with assertions of many patriots that “the loss of revenue as a results of unjustified tax incentives given to the mines and the failure by Hon. Situmbeko Musokotwane to recover $2.5billion owed to Kansashi Mine from FQM makes Musokotwane the most dangerous man to this country”. In fact, Situmbeko Musokotwane is the principal cause why Zambia continues to wallow in poverty, inceased inequality, failed public debt restrucuring and it is most disappointing that President Hakainde Hichilema still retains him as Minister of Finance and National Planning of our country. The tragic failure of Musokotwane as Minister of Finance can only be explained when one knows his track record in government service where I served with him.

MAGANDE AND MWANAWASA PROGRESSIVE TAX REGIME

Musokototwane’s first act against Zambia is when he betrayed President Mwanawasa’s economic program following Mwanawasa’s demise and his appointment as Minister of Finance by President Banda.

President Mwanawasa following the advice of experts from Norway and the IMF and other friends including Musokototwane as Economic Adviser to President Mwanawasa introduced a progressive taxation policy of the mines. President Mwanawasa in 2008 introduced changes to the fiscal and regulatory regime for the mining sector. The fiscal changes were intended to increase the effective tax from our God-Given minerals.

With Ngandu Peter Magande as Minister of Finance, the Mwanawasa MMD administration introduced windfall tax in the charge year 2008/2009 on base metals. Windfall tax was not paid when the monthly average did not exceed US$5,512. Even as it was known that the breakeven point of base metal production averaged about US$2,000, Mwanawasa provided more than double to reach the first trigger point for windfall taxation. Using special taxing formulae, Zambia was to benefit 25% at the 1st Trigger point, 50% at the 2nd Trigger point and 75% at the 3rd Trigger point.

The MMD further introduced variable tax where assessable income from mining activities exceeded 8%of the total sales. The variable tax however did not apply to mining income that had been subjected to windfall tax.

The MMD government of President Mwanawasa also increased mineral royalty tax to 3 percent from 0.6 per cent.
These tax measures were supported by the IMF, IMF and all cooperating partners and were meant to enable Zambia benefit fairly from its base metals. Sadly, this was not to be.

SITUMBEKO MUSOKOTWANE BETRAYS MWANAWASA

President Levy Mwanawasa soon passed away and I regret being one of those who managed the election campaign to install his former Vice President Rupiah Bwezani Banda to be President. President Banda appointed Situmbeko Musokotwane as his Minister of Finance and National Planning. On hindsight, this combination was very bad as these two adopted a new economic policy that conflicted with the progressive policies of President Mwanawasa.

In 2009, Musokotwane in clear betrayal of Mwanawasa with whom he had worked as Economic Adviser, immediately introduced a most reactionary macro-economic policy regime. He abolished the windfall tax regime that surprised all cooperating partners including the IMF and the World Bank who had been at the fore of advising Zambia to adopt the policy. Furthermore, Musokotwane reduced mineral royalties from the 3 percent to 0.6 which was short of abolishing it. He also zero-rated the variable tax that had been imposed on the minerals by Mwanawasa. In other words, he simply introduced a tax regime that allowed the multi-nationals to continue plundering Zambia without Zambia benefiting anything.

Ngande Peter Magande in his book “The Depth of my Footprints” agonized that both President Banda and Musokotwane who were party to the windfall taxation regime, simply betrayed their former boss Mwanawasa and Zambia in general and became bona fide lackeys of our exploiters. Musokotwane went further. The US$485 million in windfall tax that was collected in the financial year 2008 and deposited in a special account at the Bank of Zambia was closed and most of the money returned to the mine companies. The mine companies must have given a golden handshake to Banda and Musokotwane for this clearly unpatriotic conduct.

This is the first tragic story where Musokotwane and Rupiah Banda subverted Levy Mwanawasa’s progressive tax regime which, as Magande (p 417) noted in his autobiography has continued to “ deprive Zambians with large quantities of revenue from the God- given natural mineral resources.”

MUSOKOTOTWANE STARTS RECKLESS BORROWING

It should be noted that thanks to President Levy Mwanawasa, his regime had continued with efforts to restructure Zambia’s more than US7.1 billion external debt which the MMD administration had inherited from President Kaunda’s UNIP regime. The MMD administration of President Fredrick Chiluba joined the IMF and World Bank supported Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative. The HIPC Initiative was supplemented by the Multi-lateral Debt Relief Initiative in 2005 to accelerate progress toward the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. This program enabled Zambia complete the HIPC Initiative process and receive hundred (100) percent relief on eligible debts from the multi-lateral, Paris Club and London Club lenders. By 2008 Zambia reached the HIPC Initiative Completion Point in 2008 under President Mwanawasa and had the bulk of her foreign debt written off. Zambia’s foreign debt came down from $7.1 billion to $502 million.

With the appointment of Musokotwane as Minister of Finance and having lost all income from the mines, Musokotwane started reckless borrowing to fund the budget. By the end of 2011, Zambia’s external debt jumped from $502million to $2.2 billion. The IMF Staff Report for the year 2012 for Article IV Consultation on Debt Sustainability Analysis, revealed that external public and publicly guarantee debt was $2.1billion, about 11.6 percent of GDP in 2011. Most of his borrowings were for consumption. This was the beginning of the debt overhang which grew in later years and which Zambia is currently facing. It was started by Musokotwane.

SATA AND ALEXANDER BWALYA CHIKWANDA WORSENS DEBT OVERHANG

Later on when President Banda was defeated by President Michael Sata of the PF, a new minister in the name of Alexander Bwalya Chilufya was appointed as Minister of Finance. He too was reckless as he continued borrowing. His borrowing was however for infrastructure and most of it was sustainable. This included loans to construct Hydro Electric Power stations at Kafue, Kariba and others, which were self financing. Other projects included Levy Mwanawasa Hospital and others, roads and bridges, homes for the Defence Forces, Telecommunications and so on which by 2021, the debt had grown from US$ 2.1 billion to US$ 11.9 billion. This debt included the badly planned US$3 billion which was private debt and which was over priced and onerous from the beginning. This debt is responsible for the woes that Zambia is facing now as most of it has since been bought by shylocks who refuse to negotiate.

One positive thing President Sata administration did was to raise the mine royalty tax from the paltry 0.6 % that Musokotwane had introduced to 6 percent.

President Sata did not stay long as President as he died and was succeeded by President Edgah Changwa Lungu. To his credit, President Lungu continued with the economic policies of his departed leader Sata and refrained from contracting any more external public debt.

EDGAR CHAGWA LINGU INHERITS DEBT OVERHANG

President Edgar Lungu appointed Margarete Mwanakatwe as Minister of Finance and National Planning. The new PF government inherited an unsustainable external debt that had been contracted by the President Sata administration and President Lungu recognized this challenge of the need to restructure the external debt and insure that Zambia also got a fair share from its mineral exports.

Finance Minister Margaret Mwanakatwe on behalf of President Lungu’s administration, announced progressive tax measures of Zambia’s base metals and other minerals that were designed to benefit Zambia. The government raised mineral royalties to 10%. Additionally, importation of copper-cobalt concentrates for refining and smelting in Zambia, was to attract a 5% import duty while a 15% export duty was introduced for precious metals such as gold and other gemstones.

The government also abolished the Value Added Tax (VAT) and replaced it with a non-refundable sales tax. It had been established that the payment of VAT refunds by ZRA had become a major revenue leakage where the mining companies had been defrauding government.

The other Ministers of Finance that President Lungu appointed found themselves in the challenge of trying to manage the debt overhang that had been contracted first by Musokotwane and later by President Sata’s administration. These ministers included Felix Mutati and Dr. Bwalya Ngandu. These patriots attempted to solicit the assistance of the IMF and the Paris Club countries but to no avail as President Edigah Lungu lost the elections to President Hakainde Hichilema of the UPND party.

As at September 2021, Zambia’s external debt was reported to be US $12.99 billion while guaranteed and non-guaranteed external debt for State Owned Enterprises was US $1.56 billion and US $164.52 million, respectively.

SITUMBEKO MUSOKOTWANE RETURNS AND WORSENS ECONOMIC SITUATION

The new President Hakainde Hichilema of the UPND, to the disappointment of many patriots, appointed the former MMD disastrous Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane as Finance Minister and National Planning. This was the same gentleman that had betrayed Mwanawasa and introduced a most reactionary tax regime that favoured the mining companies. From the onset, many progressive observers feared that a disaster would befall Zambia sooner rather later.

On 29 October 2021, Musokotwane presented his 2022 Budget to the National Assembly. He not only reduced the mineral royalty tax from 10% to 3.1% but also announced that mineral royalty will be deductible for corporate income tax purposes. In other words, it would be considered as a cost in the accounts of mining companies. This of course was a departure from best practice as a royalty is simply a right to use land and should never be part of costs. This measure effectively reduced royalty payments on base metals in Zambia as the mining companies were able to report reduced sales particularly as they also enjoyed rights to carry on losses according to their development agreements. Many people criticized this move with the Governor of the Bank of Zambia Dr. Denny Kalyalya commenting that “our economy has shrunk and stagnated.” The Zambia Revenue Authority also continued to fail to reach the 22% of GDP collection demanded of them by the Minister and in fact regressed to 17% of GDP. This made its Chairman Dr. Caleb Fundanga who is a close friend of mine very concerned as he is not used to failing.

Musokototwane further continued on the borrowing path as he did earlier under President Banda to the extent that Zambia’s external debt in 2022 was reported to stand at $18.6 billion. This external debt included debt-service arrears of which the Eurobond arrears were reported to be $821million as at December 2020. The Total Local debt also rose from K198 billion as at December 2021 to K236 billion as at September 2023 with the adverse effect of the government borrowing overcrowding private sector borrowing.

Musokotwane also entered into another strange deal. He announced that ZCCM-IH, that held 20% shareholding in Kansanshi Copper and Gold Mine had agreed to convert its dividend rights in Kansanshi Mine into a life of mineral royalty payment. He announced that the first payment that FQM would pay ZCCM-IH would be sourced from the outstanding Value-Added Tax refunds from Zambia Revenue Authority due as at 30 June 20222. The aggregated amount of the VAT refund was US$ 442 million and ZMW 433 million. This measure would not only adversely affect the rights and power of ZCCM-IH as shareholders and its Directors would be removed from Kansahshi Board of Directors. It would also adversely affect the country’s right to use its forex income to support the Kwacha.

Further, in some very surprising move, Government directed that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) drop criminal charges against Kansanshi Copper Mine Directors, as part of the conditions precedent for FQM to declare a dividend in the sum of the amount that the government had been claiming from the mining giant majority-owned by First Quantum Minerals (FQM) – to a 3.1% revenue royalty. In this case an audit had revealed that FQM Directors had illegally repatriated $2.5billion from Kansasnhi Copper Mines to develop Cobre Panamá Mine, a new and large-scale open-pit copper mine in Panama without ZCCM-IH consent. This was simply theft. No details was disclosed how the Zambian Government would recover these colossal sums. In fact, ZCCM-IH had in fact won the case in the London Court and awarded US$1.4 billion in damages. However, Musokotwane and his new dawn government let go this money following their so called methodical approach to governance.

MOPANI AND KCM TRAGEDY

Musokotwane as Minister of Finance has sold MOPANI to shylocks. The government of Edgah Lungu refused to place the mine on care and maintenance by GLENCORE and bought the mine for US$1. They also entered into some objectionable conditions of selling copper to a subsidiary of Glencore which could have been renegotiated. The idea was for Zambia to have controlling interest in MOPANI. Musokototwane as corporate sole has reversed this progressive intention and sold MOPANI to some shylocks in Dubai. It is gratifying that many citizens have objected to this reactionary deed including our Prof. Clive Chirwa who has offered to manage the company on behalf of Zambia.

A similar fate has befallen KCM where ZCCM-IH placed the company under liquidation on grounds of insolvency and the President Lungu’s administration saw an opportunity to restructure the company and ensure that Zambia had controlling interest and benefited to its base metals. Musokotwane as corporate sole has again decided to surrender it to the former Indian owners who initially drove the company down.

For this and many other transgressions, many of us are of the view that Musokotwane has not been our best Minister of Finance. He has worked to benefit the Multi National companies and against the interest of Zambia. He has successfully reversed all the progressive policies that President Lungu’s administration commenced. This effectively means that Zambia shall be condemned during his reign as Finance Minister to continued enslavement and dependency on multi-nationals as a neo-colony per excellence as the ‘beautiful ones are not yet born’ to free us from neo-colonial bondage. Certainly, not the likes of Dr. Musokotwane and his collaborators!

ZNS SHOULD TRACE THE STOLEN GMO MEALIE-MEAL- KEARNS

… says the stolen GMO mealie-meal risks ending up on the Zambian market.

LUSAKA, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY,21, 2024

Care for Nature Zambia executive director Nsama Kearns has expressed concern that over 200 bags of mealie meal containing Genetically Modified Organisms- GMO’S have been stolen in the Zambia National Service storage facility at Kasumbalesa Border Post.

Recently Thieves broke into one of the ZNS storage facility which was housing imported Eagle’s mealie meal meant for export to the Democratic Republic of Congo- DRC.

And Speaking in an interview with Mafken FM radio, Ms. Kearns explains that when stakeholders questioned the guarantee of this GMO mealie meal not ending up on the Zambian market, ZNS assured the Nation that it will be under escort all the way to Congo.

She has emphasized the need for robust measures to ensure the traceability of the stolen GMO mealie meal, should it be repackaged and distributed within Zambia.

” Care for nature Zambia is deeply concerned by the news that mealie meal containing GMO has been stolen from Kasumbalesa warehouse where it was been stored and supposedly under the custody of ZNS. As citizens were just concerned when we saw a letter that Zambia is importing mealie meal which contains GMO from South Africa to be exported to the Democratic Republic of Congo via Zambia. We raised concerns because Zambia does not permit GMO to be sold on our markets and ZNS assured that this commodity will be under strict escort from the point of order to the last destination where it is supposedly been exported, now surprisingly this mealie meal has been stolen within Zambia. So what is the guarantee that this mealie meal will not end up in our pots,” she said.

“What is the guarantee that this mealie meal has not been repackaged and being sold elsewhere. This is just an indicator that Zambia is not ready to handle GMOS. We actually count it a blessing that this is actually not live GMO because if it was live GMO it could have spread to places where it could not have been reversed even this situation as it is irreversible because as we speak we dont know if ZNS will be able to trace this mealie meal. Another concern we should learn from this that the way this mealie meal has gone missing it is possible that others can bring in GMO without and sell because we will not be able to know which mealie meal contains GMO and which mealie meal does not contain GMO,” Ms. Kearns said.

And Ms. Kearns appealed to Government not to allow Zambia to be used as a Transit point for GMO foods.

“Our appeal is that Zambia should not be used as a transit point for GMO because we are not ready to handle it.We need to sit as a country to find alternative solutions. We have enough land to grow organic maize which we are able to export to other countries if we invest well in the agriculture sector,” she said.

Mafken FM

ECL’s Free Education Blunder

Mr. Edgar Lungu sure knows how to de-campaign himself and reduce his prospects for success in his spirited ambition to reclaim the same presidency he trifled with for 7 years.

In his ill-conceived move to return to active politics and play Zambia’s savior, Lungu has been going around the country sadly telling more lies or making blunders, undoing himself in the process. But nothing unusual there if we are being honest.

His latest blunder is his declaration to take away free education from the masses “once he is voted back into office”. How does reversing a policy that has literally become a life-saver for many Zambian children and their families win you votes?

His reason? The high number of learners that have entered the school system since the policy was introduced two years ago has given teachers too much work and reduced the quality of education. Which quality exactly was there to destroy? What did the Patriotic Front leave in the education sector? We know that you hate work but must you take it that far?

It is estimated that Zambia has 8 million school-age children but only half of them were enrolled in formal education. Following the introduction of free education, that number stands at about 6 million. Can Mr. Lungu argue against the inclusion of 2 million more children into school?
Has he asked himself where these children had been all along and the implications for the long-term development and viability of the country?

The permanent secretary in the Ministry of Education, Mr. Joel Kamoko, put it very well when he said that “From the four million learners we previously had, today we have six million in school. Where were the two million? They were our fellow workers; they were being abused.”

Nobody has ever said the policy is working perfectly or that it does not require improvement. It does, a fact admitted by the government and the relevant stakeholders. Only a person with diabolical intent would, however, think of taking away the precious gift of education from those at the very base of the food chain. Whereas other people may and can afford private education, there are many people who will not have any such prospects.

It is also disingenuous for Mr. Lungu to claim that there are 300 children to a class. Populism must never take the place of truth. And, if as he claims, he takes advice and seeks counsel, he would have been told that what he wanted to say and do was not wise. Whose children does he want to remain behind engaged in labor and vice instead of grabbing even the little knowledge they can from an overcrowded classroom? Can he offer up his grandchildren to be among the first to be deprived of this right?
Can Mr. Lungu really convince the nation that free education has brought more pain than gain? Has he spoken to the majority of children, parents and even teachers in this country and their overwhelming answer is that free education is bad? How, without free education, does he conceive of providing education to the country’s young minds?

And riding along with him on his dream return to the presidency, which if it became a reality he would ascend to in 2026 with only four years before the Sustainable Development Goal target of ensuring equitable and quality education for all, how would he achieve it?
All these are very pertinent questions that we put to Mr. Lungu. Hopefully, he can address even just a third of them when he makes his next media appearance and not dump them off on the people now governing, as he is fond of doing.

“We were arrested and charged over a property that does not belong to us,” testified Kampyongo over count 1

…..As the court overrules the state’s objection to admit a notice of termination by the defense counsel….

Court News for Tuesday, February 20, 2024

Former Home Affairs Minister Hon. Stephen Kampyongo testified today that he was surprised to be arrested and charged over a property that does not belong to him and his wife.

Speaking before Magistrate Silvia Munyinya, the Shiwang’andu Parliamentarian said he was introduced to Mr. Van Blerk, owner of a property in Eureka, by the late President Rupiah Banda, and an arrangement was made to make an offer to purchase the bare land situated right next to the late president’s residence.

“However, after making an offer, an agreement was drawn up, but along the way, a few issues arose. On September 17, 2021, I received a letter addressed to myself and my wife from Mr. Van Blerk, notifying us of the immediate termination of the purchase agreement.”

When asked why he brought this letter to court, Kampyongo testified that he would like to tender it in as evidence that the Anti-Corruption Commission arrested him over a property that did not belong to him.

“The copy has been in my possession since it was sent to me, and I wish to submit this document to the court as part of my defense. I was surprised that my wife and I were arrested and charged over a property whose contract was terminated.”

However, the state objected to this application because the document was a photocopy, not an original, and no foundation and explanation were made or presented before the court as to why the original copy was not available. The state argued that no effort was made by the witness with regards to having an original document, and that proof of diligent search was different from mere utterance and does not prove it was done.

In the defense counsel’s response, it was stated that foundation was made, and it’s not the defense’s fault if the state did not conduct their diligent search at the time of investigations.

However, in her ruling, Magistrate Muniyniya granted the defense’s application for the copy to be admitted as part of the defense evidence, as foundation was laid by the efforts the witness’s lawyers made in contacting Mr. Blerk, who was not present at the time of the request.

In January 2023, Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Acting Senior Investigations Officer Zangiwe Mulenga testified in court that the incomplete house located in Eureka, with a reinstatement value of K8.6 million kwacha, for which former Home Affairs Minister Stephen Kampyongo and Wanziya Chirwa were arrested, is not owned by the accused persons but by the vendor, Mr. Van Blerk.

The matter has since been adjourned to February 24 for continuation.

PRESS STATEMENT BY THE INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE WARNING AGAINST UTTERANCES ON SECESSION OF TERRITORY

February 20, 2024

The Zambia Police Service wishes to bring to the attention of the public a matter of utmost concern regarding recent careless utterances by certain individuals suggesting secession of territory belonging to the Republic of Zambia.

The Republic of Zambia is, by law, established as a unitary state, and any attempt to challenge or undermine this legal foundation is not only irresponsible but also a serious offense against the laws of our nation.

It has been noted with concern that certain individuals have been making statements that border on treason, promoting ideas of secession and challenging the integrity of the Republic of Zambia.

The Zambia Police Service, as a law enforcement agency, cannot and will not turn a blind eye to such illegal activities.

We are duty-bound to uphold and enforce the laws of the Republic, ensuring the safety, security, and unity of our great nation.

Effective immediately, the Zambia Police Service will take decisive action against any person found to be promoting or inciting any form of uprising or secession.

Such individuals will be promptly arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the established laws of the Republic of Zambia.

The seriousness of these offenses cannot be overstated, and the consequences will be severe for those who choose to engage in activities that threaten the peace and stability of our nation.

We hereby issue a stern warning to all individuals who may have intentions of committing such illegality to cease and desist from such actions immediately.

The Zambia Police Service is committed to maintaining law and order, and any attempts to undermine the unity of the Republic will be met with the full force of the law.

Let it be known that the Zambia Police Service remains vigilant and proactive in ensuring the protection of our national interests.

We call upon all citizens to uphold the values of unity and nationalism that define us as Zambians.

Mr. Graphel Musamba
INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

2Oth February, 2024

Contact: UPND Media Director, Ruth D Heaton 0976503165/0975704808
Email: info@upndzambia.org

REMOVING FREE EDUCATION POLICY IS A STEP IN REVERSE FOR ZAMBIA’S FUTURE

As the United Party for National Development, whose vision is to make life better for the people of Zambia, we cannot remain silent, knowing too well the adverse effect former President Edgar Lungu’s declaration to nullify the free education policy has on the country’s future.

This also goes with the fact that, President Hakainde Hichilema promised free Education to the people of Zambia once elected into office.

We have examined his declaration and taken a position because it will shatter the dreams that families have for their children, irrespective of their economic status. With the former president’s declaration, parents will not be able to afford school fees for their children’s education, and this will lead to generational poverty. Thereby affecting the country’s future.

We cannot ignore the fact that the implementation of the free education policy by the UPND New Dawn Administration, has witnessed an increase in school enrollment, with over two million new learners accessing education. This proves that the majority of children in the country ,could not access cannot education. Thus, the implementation of this policy, promises the country a productive, skilled labor force able to move the country’s economic and social development forward.

Aside from the implementation of the free education policy, we would like to thank President Hakainde Hichilema for the implementation of the decentralization policy, that has today led to communities providing desks for schools and increasing classroom blocks through the Community Development Fund. This has correlated well with the increase in enrollment in schools.

Our beloved president, to show commitment to free education, your government has enrolled more than 34,000 teachers to correlate with the growing demand for education. Former President Edgar Lungu needs to know that education is not an expenditure, as he says, but an investment in the people who are the country’s most valuable resource.

The former president’s declaration to remove the free education policy will undo the progress of the skilled, inclusive, and educated society President Hakainde is building. This will also reduce the crime rate and increase the number of street children. This is too significant to be ignored.

We appeal to the nation at large to support and sustain free education policy because it has given every child and youth across the country every opportunity to learn, train, and fulfill their dreams, let alone contribute to their country’s development.

We say no to moving the country in reverse.

Zambia Forward

@UPND Media Team

For further information please contact
Ruth Dante Heaton
Media Director
UPND Media Team
upndhq@gmail.com

ARCHISHOP ALICK BANDA OUGHT TO KNOW THAT ZAMBIANS WERE MORE INSECURE WHEN HE REMAINED SILENT AT THE TIME THE COUNTRY WAS RUN BY CRIMINALS , THIEVES , KILLERS OF INNOCENT CITIZENS, ILLEGAL MUKULA EXPORTERS WHO OVER-BORROWED MONEY DESTROYING THE ECONOMY TO DATE

By Mark Simuuwe

It is shocking when you read Archbishop Banda’s submission in the Daily Nation Newspaper dated 19th February 2024 .

In fact he should be reminded that Zambians were more insecure when Alick Banda supported a government of oppressors , ethnic cleansers , thieves , gun brandishing PF , machetes users , bloody gassers , destroyers of the economy moving mealie meal price from k37 to k280, Kwacha from K5 against a dollar to k23 , fuel price from K3.8 to K23 , wage freeze to mention but a few .

We had the worst and barbaric kind of leadership in which use of unregistered guns against those with dissenting views was the order of the day .

It is surprising how Archbishop Alick Banda is playing double standards in his priestly robe .

It is more decent for him to take off the priestly robe and publicly join UKA or Ukwa than hiding behind the pulpit .

Where was he when the following evils were taking place :

1. Killing of Nsama Nsama and Lawrence Banda
2. ⁠Killing of Joseph Kaunda for no reason
3. ⁠gassing citizens and arrested whistle blowers on gassing
4. ⁠killing of Kasongo from NDC and Mapenzi Chibulo in Luanshya
5. ⁠attacking any opposition found in opposition political party regalia
6. ⁠closing media houses in order to systematically blackout the opposition

7. ⁠ethnic cleansing in government leading to retirement of over 3000 citizens based on where they come from
8. ⁠scrapping student meal allowances sending children into hunger
8. ⁠distributing fertilizer in ruling party strongholds
9. ⁠running a regional cabinet

10. ⁠taking mealie meal from k37 to k280
11. ⁠taking the economy from K85 for a family of 5 to over k8,500 under PF
12. ⁠taking inflation to over 23 percent from single digit under MMD
13. ⁠over- borrowing and destroying the economy bringing it to where it is today
14. ⁠Closing Indeni sending over 1500 families to joblessness
15. ⁠Liquidation of KCM sending over 7000 families into joblessness
16. ⁠failing to run Mopani sending over 4000 families into joblessness
16. ⁠Theft of Social Cash transfer which was meant for the poor
17. ⁠High corruption levels ever experienced in the history of Zambia
18. ⁠bloody leadership

19. ⁠President moving with Kongolo or Sangomas
20. ⁠Ministers sharing pornography on social media
21. ⁠A fellow Priest throwing Pornography on social media
22. ⁠127 days of HH in Prison then the same Archbishop went to his prison cell to pursuade HH to quit politics as a condition for HH to be released from prison
23. ⁠Employment freeze which made millions of youths fail to get jobs
24. ⁠wage freeze which punished civil servants
25. ⁠failing to pay 258,000 farmers for goods supplied to FRA
26. ⁠maize gate scandal in Malawi which named the president then and his minister
27. ⁠crackdown on civil society organizations
25. ⁠closure of Prime TV and other media houses
26. ⁠running down the economy to where it is today ?
27. ⁠failing to pay council workers their salary arrears
28. ⁠failing to pay civil servants on time
29. ⁠failing to attract foreign investment , among other evils which the UPND New Dawn Government has corrected.

Archbishop Mpundu seems to be at pain that the PF he supports has no more life and future . The UKWA party has also been brought in dead , and is also scandal and nothing is working out .

We challenge Archbishop Banda to stand in 2026 and take off the Priestly robe and not hide behind the pulpit because we have thousands of members in the church who believe in the UPND.

To date , some citizens are moving with bullets in their bodies due to the evil leadership of Archbishop Banda’s political team ; some have lost their limbs .

Some families have lost their children , sisters , brothers , mothers and fathers . What kind of Priest is Mr Banda ?

Church and others may campaign against the UPND in 2026,
BUT PEOPLE WILL HAVE FINAL SAY – KALALA

By Kholiwe Miti

JACK Kalala says Zambians will have the final say in 2026 on whether to keep UPND or not.

Kalala, a former special assistant to the president for project implementation and monitoring, says even if the church and non-governmental organisations campaign against the UPND as they did PF in 2021, they will not manage to remove UPND from power.

“The church and others may campaign against the UPND in 2026 but the people of Zambia will have the final say and they will vote on the basis of their experience between the thuggery PF and new dawn government that respects the rule of law. As beneficiary of the good governance and performance of the new dawn government, Zambians will certainly give them another mandate in 2026,” he said in a statement. “In a football game you don’t replace a player who is a good scorer with one who couldn’t score. It would be irresponsible and reckless of Zambians to vote back the disastrous PF to lead them again. As stated, it would be unscrupulous and immoral for the church to campaign for the PF given their past record of brutality, corruption and divisiveness.”

And Kalala called on former president Edgar Lungu to stop criticising the UPND administration.

Recently, Lungu said his worst performance while in government for seven years is better than that of the UPND in two and half years.

“It would not be farfetched to assume that president Lungu suffers from reasoning deficiency. If that wasn’t the case, he would have seriously reflected on what made him to be voted out. He would show regret and remorse, and ask for forgiveness. He would be advising other leaders to avoid repeating the mistakes he had made. If president Lungu had effective reasoning capacity, he would know that it would not be possible for him to defeat President HH with all the good things that have been done in two and half years,” Kalala said. “One wonders on which planet president Lungu lives for him not to be aware that the retirees he failed to pay have since been paid. The students’ meal allowances he had removed have been restored. CDF he was failing to pay has since been increased from a pittance K1.6 million to K30.6 million per constituency and no constituency is being discriminated against. That teachers and nurses have been massively employed without discrimination. That there is peace and stability in all public places as cadres are not allowed anywhere near them to harass the public?”

Kalala argued that there is peace in the country now as compared to the PF time under Lungu.

“At the recent press briefing by a group of opposition parties, the former president ECL was their superstar. He used the occasion to criticise and attack the new dawn leadership. He claimed that the new dawn leadership had failed to solve the socio-economic problems confronting the people in the country – forgetting that he had created the same problems. He claimed that his worst was better than the best of President HH,” he said. “For a person who thinks in dununa reverse he was right. For him darkness is light and light is darkness. Progress is bad while retrogression is good. For president Lungu, the stability, peace and order prevailing in public places and in the country is unsuitable. He would like to see lawlessness and police brutality prevail everywhere as was the case during his time. He would like to see his cadres harassing people in markets and bus stations. He would like to see confusion everywhere. That would give him satisfaction.”

Kalala recounted PF weaknesses while in power, describing the period as “a ruthless reign of terror”.

“During his brutal and ruthless reign of terror many lives were lost at the hands of his cadres and the police, and media houses were closed under his order. What was experienced during president Lungu’s rule was an increasing brutal crackdown on human rights characterised by brazen attacks on any form of dissent. He calls this better than the tranquility and peace that have prevailed in the country since he was voted out of power!” he said. “During president Lungu’s autocratic reign, opposition leaders, media houses, journalists and activists were all targets of his brutal regime. Speaking out against allegations of abuse of public resources, corruption and other vices had become more dangerous. People who dared to speak against corruption and abuse of human and other rights were intimidated and harassed. He calls this better than the freedom that people are enjoying today.’’

Kalala contrasted PF performance to the current one, adding that UPND has done much better.

“Since the new dawn leadership took charge, there has been no political motivated loss of life. There has been restoration of tranquility, law and order in all public places and in the country in general. The President has made it crystal clear that he would not tolerate political caderism from any political party – whether ruling or opposition. In addition, President HH has since abolished the criminal defamation of the President and also signed into law the access to information 2023 bill after parliament passed it. That is called statesmanship,” he said. “Former president Lungu’s claim that his worse was better than the best of President HH was utterly absurd and ridiculous. It was an affront to the intelligence of Zambians who had suffered so much trauma under his brutal autocratic rule. People still freshly remember the many atrocities that they had suffered under his monstrous government. Many lost their loved ones at the hands of PF cadres and the police. Some were wounded and scars of their wounds are still fresh. Others continue to live with bullets in their bodies.”

Kalala said Lungu’s silence would help the nation heal quickly.

“Former president Lungu should learn to keep quiet and show remorse. It would help the nation’s healing process from its traumatic past. He should be mindful that many people had suffered atrocious brutality under his rule and they are still hurting. At his command people were ruthlessly arrested and detained without cause. Others were beaten and injured by his PF cadres. Former president Lungu should be careful not to rub salt in his victims’ wounds. He should sober up and take responsibility of the iniquities that happened during his wicked rule,” said Kalala. “President Lungu claimed that he gave up power in 2021. This is misrepresentation of facts. The people of Zambia withdrew the mandate from him. He was simply voted out of power. It was not his wish but the people’s. Handing over power after losing an election is a constitutional requirement, not a favour of the sitting loser.”

The newly formed United Kwacha Alliance slowly showing cracks , the first punch was thrown by Dan Pule’s Party whose name I can’t remember. They suggested on radio that it should lead the alliance. This did not sit well with other political parties, but because it was unthinkable for a “non-existing ” political party to lead, they were just ignored. They knew that no one is paying attention to Dan Pule’s party and not even them.

We have also seen the new Heritage party becoming the defacto vice president to former President Lungu, forget about Sakwiba, he was placed there because he has the weakest political party and very little or passive Presidential ambitions. This instead of growing the alliance will stop it’s growth, other political parties feel that the leadership structure has already been set.

Madam Kateka said something that did not sit well with the socialist party in Luapula about other opposition parties delaying to join UKA. These brought out a strong reaction from Fred Mmembe, practically warning them that they would be crushed before they even start. It’s seems Fred is not for the alliance and its disturbing his plans.

Citizens First Harry Kalaba is also sitting on the fence, he is not very committed to the idea but will let it play out for now. We all know when Kalaba is committed, we will all see it. His plan is basically to have everyone support him for the UKA Presidency, he thinks he is the most popular and the most logical candidate. As soon as that possibility begins to fade away, he will also fade away from the alliance. We can all tell Kalaba is not fully committed to this.

But perhaps the most interesting one is Edith Nawakwi, allegedly telling other party Presidents that Lungu is unsellable. The idea is to keep and use Lungu but not let him use them. She feels she is next in line if experience and seniority have to be considered. And this where the major fight will come from. If Nawakwi does not have her way, she will leave distraction in the alliance they won’t even be able to field candidate’s.

Furthermore despite the Miles Sampa and ECL situation in PF, other senior PF members have complained that they were not consulted over the decision to join UKA. There was no NCC meeting or resolution and only few people close to the President knew about the alliance. If the UKA alliance does not go through, those PF senior memebers will lose repect for ECL whom they already blame for the Miles Sampa fight.

The caution to those in the alliance is that political parties tend to die after the success of failure of an alliance. Unless the reason for an alliance is to seek jobs for a few selfish leaders. If this alliance continues all small political party members will become members of the strong party with a structure and more resourses. They end up with a new leader because their leader has been absorbed and that marks the end. I see this happening to Jackson’s Gold party and Saboi’s NDC. They risk burrying their political careers like Mutati, KBF and Milupi even if the alliance succeeds, unless it’s just jobs they want.

I have not hidden that fact that am not for this alliance, the main reason is that if it falls at the last minute it will give UPND a free pass in 2026. Secondly me I want through hell under PF, it’s still painful and I have not forgiven them, I can’t afford them to be back in power. Thirdly I have said and keep repeating that Lungu being back in politics is the greatest strength UPND has for 2026. He is a major distraction for other political leaders and parties to rise to the occasion . He is basically holding his support base from going to any other party or leader . Its like Kalusha failing to retire you remember?

The same thing that happened with FTJ and KK in 1996 will happen, when everyone thought that KK can come back. KK was never on the ballot and the MMD literally went unopposed. Let Lungu pick a candidate and then seek support from others maybe they will stand a chance. Not just coming together just in the hope that one will lead or get a job and if you don’t lead, you abandon ship. This alliance is not even on ideas or policies, it is just a pitty party. How can you go and register it as a pressure group sure? Are we college or secondary school?

By Nkonkomalimba Kapumpe
Facebook Post

ANDD DESCRIBES THE BANK OF ZAMBIA’S INTERVENTION TO STABILIZE KWACHA AS COSMETIC, UNSUSTAINABLE

…..it is not supported by production and Forex generation through trade and commerce.

Lusaka… Tuesday February 20, 2024 (SMART EAGLES)

The Advocates for National Development and Democracy (ANDD), strongly feels that the injection of US$50 Million into the country’s economy aimed at stabilising the local currency is unsustainable.

ANDD Executive Director Samuel Banda says the current appreciation of the Kwacha following the Central Bank’s interventions is cosmetic and not sustainable because it is not supported by production and Forex generation through trade and commerce.

Mr Banda maintains that it is an open secret that economic fundamentals that can undoubtedly trigger a bullish Kwacha performance against the US Dollar and other currencies are not in place.

“For example, Zambia being a mining – dependent country, will require a robust and viable mining sector that can help increase copper production to warrant a stable Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and a more predictable exchange rate,” he said.

“Since Mining remains our key economic driver and pillar of economic national development, the Government should ensure our strategic mining giant Konkola Copper Mine (KCM), starts operating optimally to increase copper production output and increase export volumes to generate huge Forex to effectively stabilize the exchange rate sustainably.”

He strongly recommended that the Government take advantage of Vedanta’s Resources investment commitment of over US$1 Billion for mining recapitalization and development, and expedite the KCM Vedanta legal transition process so that Konkola Copper Mine begin to operate optimally.

“Mopani Mines whose equity partner has already been engaged with International Resources should also operate at full capacity for the economy to respond positively. Other interventions that we feel can help the country’s economy to stabilize, are through viable agriculture and manufacturing sectors,” he added.

“These two key and integral sectors can increase food production both for local consumption and for trade and equally attract foreign exchange, which if injected into the economy, would yield sustainable and long-term economic benefits. We strongly believe that unless these interventions are actualized, the Kwacha will continue to depreciate to the detriment of the economy and ultimately affect people’s lives through an increase in commodity prices.”

Mr Banda said this volatility in the exchange rate impacts the economy negatively, making it difficult for business entities to plan as it raises the cost of doing business, and also shrinks our domestic economy and business environment.

“We therefore appeal to the Government to start implementing sound, sustainable and predictable economic policies that will stabilize the exchange rate and reduce the cost of doing business, to promote commerce, trade and socio-economic growth,” he concluded.